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Anaplasma capra is an emerging tickborne zoonotic pathogen in the genus Anaplasma, family Anaplasmataceae, and was initially identified in blood samples from asymptomatic goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) and a febrile [...]

The movement protein (MP) and coat protein (CP) of tobamoviruses play critical roles in viral cell‐to‐cell and long‐distance movement, respectively. Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) is a member of the genus Tobamovirus. The functions of CGMMV MP and CP during viral infection remain largely unclear. Here, we show that CGMMV MP can interact with CP in vivo, and the amino acids at positions 79–128 in MP are vital for the MP–CP interaction. To confirm this finding, we mutated five conserved residues within the residue 79–128 region and six other conserved residues flanking this region, followed by in vivo interaction assays. The results showed that the conserved threonine residue at the position 107 in MP (MPT107) is important for the MP–CP interaction. Substitution of T107 with alanine (MPT107A) delayed CGMMV systemic infection in Nicotiana benthamiana plants, but increased CGMMV local accumulation. Substitutions of another 10 conserved residues, not responsible for the MP–CP interaction, with alanine inhibited or abolished CGMMV systemic infection, suggesting that these 10 conserved residues are possibly required for the MP movement function through a CP‐independent manner. Moreover, two movement function‐associated point mutants (MPF17A and MPD97A) failed to cause systemic infection in plants without impacting on the MP–CP interaction. Furthermore, we have found that co‐expression of CGMMV MP and CP increased CP accumulation independent of the interaction. MP and CP interaction inhibits the salicylic acid‐associated defence response at an early infection stage. Taken together, we propose that the suppression of host antiviral defence through the MP–CP interaction facilitates virus systemic infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrationality of compensation standard for land expropriation is one of the important causes for the issue of expropriated peasants in China. This paper puts forward practicing humanism and fairness in drawing up the compensation standard for land expropriation, and makes an analysis of irrationality of compensation for land expropriation, namely, ignorance of compensation for peasants as human and ignorance of multi-effectiveness of farm land for peasants. Rational compensation standard for land expropriation should compensate the requirements including subsistence, security, habitation and development for expropriated peasants and implementing rational compensation standard need measures such as establishing fair compensation principle, constituting the system of promoting compensation, setting up compensation fund for land expropriation and ensuring the source of fund for continual compensation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing cashmere yield is one of the important goals of cashmere goat breeding. To achieve this goal, we screened the key genes that can improve cashmere performance. In this study, we used the RNA raw datasets of the skin and dermal papilla cells of secondary hair follicle (SHF-DPCs) samples of hair follicle (HF) anagen and telogen of Albas cashmere goats and identified a set of significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs). To explore potential associations between gene sets and SHF growth features and to identify candidate genes, we detected functional enrichment and constructed protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. Through comprehensive analysis, we selected Thymosin β4 (Tβ4), Rho GTPase activating protein 6 (ARHGAP6), ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 15, (ADAMTS15), Chordin (CHRD), and SPARC (Osteonectin), cwcv and kazal-like domains proteoglycan 1 (SPOCK1) as candidate genes. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) for these genes revealed Tβ4 and ARHGAP6 have a close association with the growth and development of SHF-DPCs. However, the expression of Tβ4 in the anagen was higher than that in the telogen, so we finally chose Tβ4 as the ultimate research object. Overexpressing Tβ4 promoted and silencing Tβ4 inhibited the proliferation of SHF-DPCs. These findings suggest that Tβ4 can promote the growth and development of SHF-DPCs and indicate that this molecule may be a valuable target for increasing cashmere production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cashmere goats have double coats consisting of non-medullated fine inner hairs or cashmere fibers produced by secondary hair follicles (SHFs) and guard hairs produced by primary hair follicles (PHFs). Cashmere is an important economic product worldwide and the world market for cashmere is increasing while the current production of cashmere is limited. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4), a 4.9-kDa protein, contains 43 amino acids. Here, we produced Tβ4 overexpression (Tβ4-OE) offspring using two methods. The somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) goats had increased hair follicle development and higher cashmere yields than wild type (WT) and natural mating (NM) goats. Taken together, our results showed that DNA methylation affected the expression of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between generations and the genetic stability of cashmere traits. DNA methylation alteration is frequently observed in exogenous gene silencing and may play important roles in the genetic stability of traits. Cashmere is derived from the secondary hair follicles (SHFs) of cashmere goats, which are morphogenetically distinct from primary hair follicles (PHFs). Here, in light of having initially produced 15 Tβ4 overexpression (Tβ4-OE) cashmere goats which had more SHFs than the wild type (WT) goats, and produced more cashmere, we produced Tβ4-OE offsprings both via somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and via natural mating (NM). However, the desired trait exhibited lower fixation in the line-bred offspring compared to the SCNT offspring. Integrative analysis of methylation and transcriptional profiles showed that this might be due to the influence of methylation on the expression of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between generations, which was mutually consistent with the results of the functional and pathway enrichment analysis of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and DEGs. Overall, our study systematically describes the DNA methylation characteristics between generations of cashmere goats and provides a basis for improving genetic stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report the initial characterization and expression of sfp2, a gene encoding a keratinolytic serine protease from Streptomyces fradiae var. k11. Recombinant SFP2 was expressed in and secreted from the yeast Pichia pastoris with a final yield of 78mg/L (136.2U/mL caseinolytic activity) after 25h of induction. The recombinant enzyme was purified using by ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration chromatography to electrophoretic homogeneity, which was appropriately glycosylated and had a molecular mass of 26.0kDa. The purified recombinant SFP2 was characterized. The optimal pHs and temperatures of SFP2 for proteolysis of casein and keratin azure were pH 10.0, 60°C, and pH 9.0, 55°C, respectively. SFP2 activity was stable from pH 3.0 to pH 11.0. The enzyme activity was inhibited by Co2+ and Cr3+ and enhanced by Ni2+ and Cu2+. The K m of 0.45mmol/L and V max of 19.84mmol/minmg were calculated using N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNA as a substrate. We tested the activity of SFP2 with soluble and insoluble substrates; SFP2 was more specific for keratinous substrates compared with proteinase K and other commercial proteases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Gaudichaudione H (GH), a caged polyprenylated xanthone from Garcinia plants, showed anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. However, the in vivo toxicity of this compound has never been reported. The present study was aimed to address the toxic effects of Gaudichaudione H using zebrafish embryos and larvae as an in vivo test model. The zebrafish embryos were treated with GH having different concentrations (0, 0.28, 0.38 and 0.57 μ g/mL). The results revealed that GH induces significant embryonic mortality, decreased heartbeat, cardiotoxicity, cardiovascular defects, increased apoptosis and decreased hemoglobinization in zebrafish embryos and larvae. According to transcriptome analysis, 1841 genes were significantly differentially expressed (1185 down-regulated and 656 up-regulated) after GH treatment. The main functions of these genes were related to iron metabolism pathways. The toxicity of GH on zebrafish embryonic development and cardiovascular may due to large amounts of downregulated genes involved in metabolic pathways and DEGs related to 'Iron ion binding' and 'Heme binding' functions. [Display omitted] • Gaudichaudione H induced cardiovascular toxicity on zebrafish development. • Gaudichaudione H reduced hemoglobin level. • Transcriptome analysis reveals 1841 differential expressed genes after GH treatment. • The DEGs were significantly enriched in iron metabolism related genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]