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Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) proteins are ubiquitous in nature and carry Fe-S clusters (ISCs) as prosthetic groups that are essential in maintaining basic biological processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, nitrogen fixation, and DNA repair. In the present investigation, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis was carried out to find all the genes involved in the formation of ISCs in rice (Oryza sativa L.) through a systematic EST and genomic DNA sequence data mining. This analysis profiled 44 rice ISC genes (OsISCs) that were identified using in silico analysis. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis revealed that these genes were highly conserved among bacteria, fungi, animals, and plants. EST analysis and RTPCR assays demonstrated that all OsISCs were active and that the transcript abundance of some OsISCs was tissue specific. The results of this study will assist further investigations to identify and elucidate the structural components involved in the assembly, biogenesis, and regulation of OsISCs. Thus, the outcome of the present study provides basic genomic information for the OsISC and will pave the way for elucidating the precise role of OsISCs in plant growth and development in the future. Also, it may enable us in the future to enhance the crop yield, uptake of Fe, and protection against abiotic and biotic stress. Key words: rice, iron-sulfur clusters, EST, BAC, PAC. Les proteines fer-soufre (Fe-S) sont presentes dans tout le vivant et portent des groupements prosthetiques Fe-S qui sont essentiels au maintien de processus biologiques fondamentaux comme la photosynthese, la respiration, la fixation de l'azote et la reparation de l'ADN. Dans le present travail, une analyse exhaustive a l'echelle du genome a ete effectuee pour trouver tous les genes impliques dans la formation des centres Fe-S (ISC pour << iron-sulfur clusters >>) dans le riz (Oryza sativa L.) via une interrogation systematique des banques d'EST et de sequences genomiques. Cette analyse a permis d'identifier 44 genes ISC (OsISC) au moyen d'analyses in silico. Des alignements de sequences multiples ainsi que des analyses phylogenetiques ont revele que ces genes etaient tres conserves chez les bacteries, les champignons, les animaux et les plantes. Des analyses d'EST et RT-PCR ont montre que tous les genes OsISC etaient exprimes et que l'abondance des transcrits de certains genes OsISC etait specifique de certains tissus. Les resultats de ce travail aideront a de futures etudes visant a identifier et elucider les composantes structurales impliquees dans l'assemblage, la genese et la regulation des OsISC. Ainsi, les resultats obtenus au cours de ce travail fournissent une assise genomique pour l'etude des genes OsISC et paveront la voie pour elucider le role precis des OsISC dans la croissance et le developpement. Cela pourrait permettre d'augmenter le rendement des cultures, l' absorption du fer et la protection contre les stress biotiques et abiotiques. Mots-cles : riz, centres fer-soufre, EST, BAC, PAC. [Traduit par la Redaction], Introduction In plants, iron-sulfur (Fe-S) proteins are found in the plastids, mitochondria, nuclei, and cytosol and have been implicated in numerous physiological and developmental processes including respiration, photosynthesis, DNA repair, [...]

The binding of MS2 bacteriophage coat protein (MCP) to MS2 binding site (MBS) RNA stem-loop sequences has been widely used to label mRNA for live-cell imaging at singlemolecule resolution. However, concerns have been raised recently from studies with budding yeast showing aberrant mRNA metabolism following the MS2-GFP labeling. To investigate the degradation pattern of MS2-GFP-labeled mRNA in mammalian cells and tissues, we used Northern blot analysis of ß-actin mRNA extracted from the Actb-MBS knock-in and MBS×MCP hybrid mouse models. In the immortalized mouse embryonic cell lines and various organ tissues derived from the mouse models, we found no noticeable accumulation of decay products of ß-actin mRNA compared with the wild-type mice. Our results suggest that accumulation of MBS RNA decay fragments does not always happen depending on the mRNA species and the model organisms used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-linked glycosylation is one of the key post-translational modifications. α1,3-Fucosyltransferase (OsFucT) is responsible for transferring α1,3-linked fucose residues to the glycoprotein N-glycan in plants. We characterized an Osfuct mutant that displayed pleiotropic developmental defects, such as impaired anther and pollen development, diminished growth, shorter plant height, fewer tillers, and shorter panicle length and internodes under field conditions. In addition, the anthers were curved, the pollen grains were shriveled, and pollen viability and pollen number per anther decreased dramatically in the mutant. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight analyses of the N-glycans revealed that α1,3-fucose was lacking in the N-glycan structure of the mutant. Mutant complementation revealed that the phenotype was caused by loss of Osfuct function. Transcriptome profiling also showed that several genes essential for plant developmental processes were significantly altered in the mutant, including protein kinases, transcription factors, genes involved in metabolism, genes related to protein synthesis, and hypothetical proteins. Moreover, the mutant exhibited sensitivity to an increased concentration of salt. This study facilitates a further understanding of the function of genes mediating N-glycan modification and anther and pollen development in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world has faced the challenges of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) for the last two years, first diagnosed at the end of 2019 in Wuhan and widely distributed worldwide. As a result, the WHO has proclaimed the illness brought on by this virus to be a global pandemic. To combat COVID-19, researcher communities continuously develop and implement rapid diagnoses, safe and effective vaccinations and other alternative therapeutic procedures. However, synthetic drug-related side effects and high costs have piqued scientists' interest in natural product-based therapies and medicines. In this regard, antiviral substances derived from natural resources and some medicines have seen a boom in popularity. For instance, algae are a rich source of compounds such as lectins and sulfated polysaccharides, which have potent antiviral and immunity-boosting properties. Moreover, Algae-derived compounds or metabolites can be used as antibodies and vaccine raw materials against COVID-19. Furthermore, some algal species can boost immunity, reduce viral activity in humans and be recommended for usage as a COVID-19 preventative measure. However, this field of study is still in its early stages of development. Therefore, this review addresses critical characteristics of algal metabolites, their antioxidant potential and therapeutic potential in COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]