Resumo As plantas ajustam o crescimento da parte aérea para se adaptarem a fatores ambientais variáveis, como o aumento da radiação ultravioleta B (UVB). No entanto, as pessoas ignoram que as raízes das plantas também podem responder à luz UVB. Neste estudo, verificamos a morfologia das raízes enroladas de trigo sob radiação UVB, o que chamamos de “raízes dobradas”. A região encaracolada é a zona de transição da raiz no nível celular. Depois de exposição à radiação UVB aprimorada por 2 dias (10,08 KJ/m2/d), o tamanho das células diminuiu, e os filamentos de actina se reuniram. Também constatamos que a produção de H2O2 aumentou e que o conteúdo do ácido indol-3-acético (IAA) aumentou notavelmente. O experimento farmacológico revelou que os filamentos de actina se reuniram e polimerizaram em feixes nas células da raiz de trigo após irrigação com H2O2 e IAA. Esses resultados indicam que os filamentos de actina alteraram sua distribuição e formaram a “raiz dobrada”, relacionada à produção de H2O2 e ao aumento do IAA. No geral, os filamentos de actina nas células da raiz de trigo podem ser um alvo subcelular da radiação UVB, e sua interrupção determina a morfologia da raiz.

Abstract Plants adjust their shoot growth to acclimate to changing environmental factors, such as to enhanced Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. However, people have ignored that plant roots can also respond to UV-B light. Here, we find the morphology curled wheat roots under UV-B radiation, that we call, “bending roots.” The curly region is the transition zone of the root after observed at the cellular level. After exposed to enhanced UV-B radiation for 2 d (10.08 KJ/m2/d), cell size decreased and actin filaments gathered in wheat roots. We also find that H2O2 production increased and that content of the indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) increased remarkably. The pharmacological experiment revealed that actin filaments gathered and polymerized into bundles in the wheat root cells after irrigated H2O2 and IAA. These results indicated that actin filaments changed their distribution and formed the “bending root,” which was related to H2O2 production and increase in IAA. Overall, actin filaments in wheat root cells could be a subcellular target of UV-B radiation, and its disruption determines root morphology.

Human enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the major causative agent of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), particularly in infants and children below 4 years of age. Shikonin is a bioactive compound with anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial activities derived from the roots of the Chinese medicinal herb Lithospermum erythrorhizon. This study aimed to examine the antiviral activity of PMM-034, a shikonin ester derivative, against EV71 in rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells. Cytotoxicity of PMM-034 on RD cells was determined using WST-1 assay. Dose- and time-dependent effects of PMM-034 on EV71 replication in RD cells were determined using plaque reduction assay. mRNA expression levels of EV71/VP1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) were determined by real-time RT-PCR, and EV71/VP1 and phospho-p65 protein expressions were determined by western blot analysis. PMM-034 exhibited only weak cytotoxicity against RD cells. However, PMM-034 exhibited significant antiviral activity against EV71 in RD cells with 50% inhibitory concentration of 2.31 μg/mL. The VP1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced in cells treated with PMM-034. Furthermore, relative mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α significantly decreased in the cells treated with PMM-034, while the phospho-p65 protein expression was also significantly lower in the treated cells. These results indicated that PMM-034 suppressed the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines in RD cells, exhibiting antiviral activity against EV71, as evidenced by the reduced VP1 mRNA and protein levels in PMM-034-treated cells. Thus, PMM-034 is a promising candidate for further development as an EV71 inhibitor.

Oil content and fatty acid composition were investigated on 12 castor varieties and strains by using the soxhlet extraction method and capillary gas chromatography. This was made to provide a reference and theoretical basis for castorbean breeding with high oil content, determine variability of seed compounds for breeding purposes, and broaden chemical material choices. Results revealed that crude fat percentage in seeds ranged from 18.91 to 35.84% with an average of 25.91%; the absolute content of ricinoleic acid varied between 171.65 g/kg and 314.03 g/kg with an average of 222.43 g/kg, and kernel crude fat percentage was between 24.28 and 46.97% with an average of 34.30%. All these study variables were highest in the 2129 strain. The percentage of ricinoleic acid in crude fat was between 83.85 to 87.62%, and the highest value was found in the zhebi4 accession. The other fatty acids appeared in small concentrations, and showed small amplitude: 1.12 to 1.61%, 1.21 to 1.61%, 3.53 to 4.80%, 5.35 to 6.38%, 0.52 to 0.79%, 0.05 to 0.08% and 0.43 to 0.55%, for palmitic, stearic, oleic, linolic, linolenic, arachidic, and arachidonic acids, respectively. One hundred seed weight was determined for each accession. One hundred seed weight ranged from 25.7 g to 34.0 g with an average of 29.9 g. There was a significant correlation between seed weight and oil content, but the correlation value was low (r=0.51). Cluster analysis by SSPS based on the content of fatty acid composition revealed that the accessions were divided into three independent clusters. These findings will clearly provide useful information for further research in breeding and utilization of castor oil.

Se investigaron el contenido de aceite y la composición de ácidos grasos en 12 variedades y cepas de Ricinus communis L. usando un método de extracción y cromatografía gaseosa capilar. Esto se realizó con el fin de proveer una base teórica y de referencia para el cruzamiento de Ricinus communis L. con un alto contenido de aceites, determinar la variabilidad de compuestos de semillas con propósitos de cruzamiento, y ampliar la elección de materiales químicos. El porcentaje de grasa cruda en las semillas varió de 18,91 a 35,84% con un promedio de 25,91%; el contenido absoluto de ácido ricinoleico varió entre 171,65 g/kg y 314,03g/kg, con un promedio de 222,43 g/kg. El porcentaje de grasa cruda del grano varió entre 24,28 y 46,97% con un promedio de 34,30%. Los mayores valores para todas estas variables de estudio se obtuvieron en la cepa 2129. El porcentaje de ácido ricinoleico en la grasa cruda varió entre 83,85 a 87,62%, y el mayor valor se obtuvo en la variedad zhebi4. Los otros ácidos grasos aparecieron en menores concentraciones, y mostraron una pequeña amplitud: 1,12 a 1,61%; 1,21 a 1,61%; 3,53 a 4,80%, 5,35 a 6,38%, 0,52 a 0,79%, 0,05 a 0,08% y 0,43 a 0,55%, para los ácidos palmítico, esteárico, oleico, linoleico, linolénico, araquídico y araquidónico, respectivamente. Se determinó el peso de cien semillas para cada variedad. Dicho peso varió de 25,7 g a 34,0 g con un promedio de 29,9 g. Hubo una correlación significativa entre el peso y el contenido de aceite de la semilla, pero con un bajo coeficiente de correlación (r=0,51). El análisis de grupos usando SSPS basado en el contenido de la composición de ácidos grasos mostró que las variedades se dividieron en tres grupos independientes. Estos resultados proveen claramente una información muy útil para futuras investigaciones sobre el cruzamiento y la utilización de aceite de ricino.

Current studies find that degenerated cartilage endplates (CEP) of vertebrae, with fewer diffusion areas, decrease nutrient supply and accelerate intervertebral disc degeneration. Many more apoptotic cells have been identified in degenerated than in normal endplates, and may be responsible for the degenerated grade. Previous findings suggest that inhibition of apoptosis is one possible approach to improve disc regeneration. It is postulated that inhibition of CEP cell apoptosis may be responsible for the regeneration of endplates. Caspase-3, involved in the execution phase of apoptosis, is a candidate for regulating the apoptotic process. In the present study, CEP cells were incubated in 1% fetal bovine serum. Activated caspases were detected to identify the apoptotic pathway, and apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry. Lentiviral caspase-3 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was employed to study its protective effects against serum deprivation. Silencing of caspase-3 expression was quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blots, and inhibition of apoptosis was quantified by flow cytometry. Serum deprivation increased apoptosis of rat CEP cells through activation of a caspase cascade. Lentiviral caspase-3 shRNA was successfully transduced into CEP cells, and specifically silenced endogenous caspase-3 expression. Surviving cells were protected by the downregulation of caspase-3 expression and activation. Thus, lentiviral caspase-3 shRNA-mediated RNAi successfully silenced endogenous caspase-3 expression, preventing inappropriate or premature apoptosis.