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[Display omitted] • UAP56 is a helicase super family 2 member vital for RNA processing. • UAP56 is required in early steps of spliceosome assembly. • Nucleocytoplasmic export of RNA requires UAP56. • Overexpression of UAP56 is linked to cancer pathogenesis. • UAP56 mutations are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Posttranscriptional maturation and export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm are essential steps in the normal processing of many cellular RNAs. The RNA helicase UAP56 (U2AF associated protein 56; also known as DDX39B) has emerged as a critical player in facilitating and co-transcriptionally linking these steps. Originally identified as a helicase involved in pre-mRNA splicing, UAP56 has been shown to facilitate formation of the A complex during spliceosome assembly. Additionally, it has been found to be critical for interactions between components of the exon junction and transcription and export complexes to promote the loading of export receptors. Although it appears to be structurally similar to other helicase superfamily 2 members, UAP56′s ability to interact with multiple different protein partners allows it to perform its various cellular functions. Herein, we describe the structure–activity relationship studies that identified protein interactions of UAP56 and its human paralog URH49 (UAP56-related helicase 49; also known as DDX39A) and are beginning to reveal molecular mechanisms by which interacting proteins and substrate RNAs may regulate these helicases. We also provide an overview of reports that have demonstrated less well-characterized roles for UAP56, including R-loop resolution and telomere maintenance. Finally, we discuss studies that indicate a potential pathogenic effect of UAP56 in the development of autoimmune diseases and cancer, and identify the association of somatic and genetic mutations in UAP56 with neurodevelopmental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding male gametophyte development is essential to augment hybrid production in sorghum. Although small RNAs are known to critically influence anther/pollen development, their roles in sorghum reproduction have not been deciphered yet. Here, we report small RNA profiling and high-confidence annotation of microRNAs (miRNAs) from meiotic and post-meiotic anthers in sorghum. We identified 262 miRNAs (82 known and 180 novel), out of which 58 (35 known and 23 novel) exhibited differential expression between two stages. Out of 35 differentially expressed known miRNAs, 13 are known to regulate anther/pollen development in other plant species. We also demonstrated conserved spatiotemporal patterns of 21- and 24-nt phasiRNAs and their respective triggers, miR2118 and miR2275, in sorghum anthers as evidenced in other monocots. miRNA target identification yielded 5622 modules, of which 46 modules comprising 16 known and 8 novel miRNA families with 38 target genes are prospective candidates for engineering male fertility in grasses. • We have identified 262 miRNAs (82 known and 180 novel) from sorghum anthers. • 58 miRNAs were differentially expressed between meiotic and post-meiotic anthers. • Target identification resulted in 5622 miRNA/target modules. • Comparative mapping helped shortlist 46 modules for engineering male fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being a major source of food, medicine, and energy, plants are regularly facing differential abiotic and biotic stressors, whose outcomes are found in adversely affected agricultural manifestations. Omics approaches have gained central position in the last two decades and entered the mainstream due to computational capabilities, statistical methodologies, a peptide-sequencing platform, nucleic-acid sequencing, and the addition of advanced techniques like mass spectrometry, Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, which provide meta data for the elucidation of physiological changes among plants under optimum and severe stress conditions. These technologies include proteomics, genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, miRNA omics, and prime-omics, which contribute substantially to plant response at the molecular level. Different omics mechanism and their integration has pivotal role in understanding plant systems biology. Omics assisted technologies have been advocated and utilized for engineering stress tolerance in plants. In this review, we illustrate the different omics approaches and their branches for exploration of plant stress responses at the molecular and genetic level. • Comprehensive knowledge of omics approaches for abiotic and biotic stressors in plants. • Recent advancement in omics at the molecular and genetic level. • Metabolomics-based approaches for detecting metabolic traits. • Integrative tools and databases used for omics-based network data analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To test the hypothesis that extracellular matrix (ECM) components maintain stem cell property, murine bone marrow (BM) cells were expanded in fibronectin and laminin coated plate in the presence of cytokines. We observed significant phenotypic and functional improvement of expanded cells. In 10 days, 800-fold expansion of colony-forming unit-granulocyte erythrocyte monocyte megakaryocyte (CFU-GEMM) was observed in the cultured cells. No apparent activation of cell cycle was observed, but CD29 and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) expression was increased, as compared to the normal BM cells. A fraction of the expanded cells became verapamil sensitive, suggesting upregulation of multi-drug resistant gene(s), as found in the primitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Competitive repopulation assay confirmed that HSCs compartment was amplified during culture. Overall, our study clearly demonstrated that ex vivo culture of murine HSCs in the presence of fibronectin and laminin resulted in expansion of primitive stem cells and improvement in the marrow engraftibility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]