check
Publications | Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture

Publications By Year

Publications by Authors

Recent Publications

Contact Us

 

Mailing Address:
The Robert H. Smith Institute of
Plant Sciences and Genetics
in Agriculture
Herzl 229, Rehovot 7610001, Israel

Administrator: 
Neomi Maimon 
Tel: 972-8-948-9251,
Fax: 972-8-948-9899,
E-mail: neomim@savion.huji.ac.il

Secretary of teaching program:
Ms. Iris Izenshtadt
Tel: 972-8-9489333
E-mail: Iris.Izenshtadt@mail.huji.ac.il

Director: 
Prof. Naomi Ori
Tel: 972-8-948-9605
E-mail: naomi.ori@mail.huji.ac.il

 

Publications

2019
Sterlin, Y. ; Pri-Tal, O. ; Zimran, G. ; Park, S. - Y. ; Ben-Ari, J. ; Kourelis, J. ; Verstraeten, I. ; Gal, M. ; Cutler, S. R. ; Mosquna, A. . Optimized Small-Molecule Pull-Downs Define Mlbp1 As An Acyl-Lipid-Binding Protein. Plant Journal 2019, 98, 928-941. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Abscisic acid (ABA) receptors belong to the START domain superfamily, which encompasses ligand-binding proteins present in all kingdoms of life. START domain proteins contain a central binding pocket that, depending on the protein, can couple ligand binding to catalytic, transport or signaling functions. In Arabidopsis, the best characterized START domain proteins are the 14 PYR/PYL/RCAR ABA receptors, while the other members of the superfamily do not have assigned ligands. To address this, we used affinity purification of biotinylated proteins expressed transiently in Nicotiana benthamiana coupled to untargeted LC-MS to identify candidate binding ligands. We optimized this method using ABA–PYL interactions and show that ABA co-purifies with wild-type PYL5 but not a binding site mutant. The Kd of PYL5 for ABA is 1.1 μm, which suggests that the method has sufficient sensitivity for many ligand–protein interactions. Using this method, we surveyed a set of 37 START domain-related proteins, which resulted in the identification of ligands that co-purified with MLBP1 (At4G01883) or MLP165 (At1G35260). Metabolite identification and the use of authentic standards revealed that MLBP1 binds to monolinolenin, which we confirmed using recombinant MLBP1. Monolinolenin also co-purified with MLBP1 purified from transgenic Arabidopsis, demonstrating that the interaction occurs in a native context. Thus, deployment of this relatively simple method allowed us to define a protein–metabolite interaction and better understand protein–ligand interactions in plants. © 2019 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Shorinola, O. ; Kaye, R. ; Golan, G. ; Peleg, Z. ; Kepinski, S. ; Uauy, C. . Genetic Screening For Mutants With Altered Seminal Root Numbers In Hexaploid Wheat Using A High-Throughput Root Phenotyping Platform. G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics 2019, 9, 2799-2809. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Roots are the main channel for water and nutrient uptake in plants. Optimization of root architecture provides a viable strategy to improve nutrient and water uptake efficiency and maintain crop productivity under water-limiting and nutrient-poor conditions. We know little, however, about the genetic control of root development in wheat, a crop supplying 20% of global calorie and protein intake. To improve our understanding of the genetic control of seminal root development in wheat, we conducted a high-throughput screen for variation in seminal root number using an exome-sequenced mutant population derived from the hexaploid wheat cultivar Cadenza. The screen identified seven independent mutants with homozygous and stably altered seminal root number phenotypes. One mutant, Cadenza0900, displays a recessive extra seminal root number phenotype, while six mutants (Cadenza0062, Cadenza0369, Cadenza0393, Cadenza0465, Cadenza0818 and Cadenza1273) show lower seminal root number phenotypes most likely originating from defects in the formation and activation of seminal root primordia. Segregation analysis in F2 populations suggest that the phenotype of Cadenza0900 is controlled by multiple loci whereas the Cadenza0062 phenotype fits a 3:1 mutant:wild-type segregation ratio characteristic of dominant single gene action. This work highlights the potential to use the sequenced wheat mutant population as a forward genetic resource to uncover novel variation in agronomic traits, such as seminal root architecture. Copyright © 2019 Shorinola et al.
Horesh, A. ; Igbariya, K. ; Peleg, Z. ; Lati, R. N. . Lpg Flaming-A Safe Post-Emergence Weed Control Tool For Direct Seeded And Bulb Onion. Agronomy 2019, 9. Publisher's VersionAbstract
The demand for pesticide-free food has increased the need for sustainable organic farming. Onion (Allium cepa L.) is an important vegetable crop cultivated worldwide. The available weed control tools for intra-row weeds following onion emergence are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) flaming as a pre- and post-emergence weed control method for both direct-seeded onion seedlings and transplanted onion bulbs. The safety of cross-row, where the flames are targeted to the intra-row area from both sides of the row, and broadcast flaming for bulb onion was compared. Cross-row flaming at twelve days after planting had no effect on onion dry weight, while broadcast flaming-treated plants' dry weight was reduced by 36% as compared to controls. For the cross-row technique, the tested burners' angle (45° and 30°) and inter-burner distances (30 and 40 cm) had no impact on weed control efficacy, and similar control levels, between 55% (15 cm) and 45% (10 cm), were observed 15 cm from both sides of the row-center. Direct-seeded onion cultivars were treated at various growth stages. The pre-crop-emergence stage was completely safe for the crop, and the second leaf stage exhibited a wide range of tolerance levels to flaming treatment across the different onion cultivars, with dry weights ranging between 39 and 117% compared to non-treated control in the flaming sensitive and tolerant cultivars, respectively. These results were validated under field conditions using the two most tolerant cultivars (Orlando and Browny); no yield reductions were observed for either cultivar when treated from the third leaf stage. In bulb onion, flaming had no impact on dry weight of shoots or roots when applied from four weeks after planting. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the potential of using flaming as a post-emergence weed control tool for direct-seeded and bulb onion, and at earlier time points than previously shown. Cross-row flaming proved effective for controlling intra-row weeds and can lower weeding costs. Future research should evaluate the safety of sequential applications and test complementary control methods for the initial growth stages. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Horesh, A. ; Goldwasser, Y. ; Igbariya, K. ; Peleg, Z. ; Lati, R. N. . Propane Flaming As A New Approach To Control Mediterranean Invasive Weeds. Agronomy 2019, 9. Publisher's VersionAbstract
In recent decades, anthropogenic activity and climate changes have reshaped global weed dispersal and establishment in new territories. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of propane flaming approach in the control of perennial invasive and native Mediterranean broadleaf and grass weeds. The invasive weeds, Cyperus rotundus, Sorghum halepense, and Ecballium elaterium, were treated multiple times with a single propane dose (2.5 kg propane km −1 ), using the broadcast technique. The local annual weeds, Sinapis arvensis, Lavatera trimestris, and Avena sativa, were treated once at five propane doses (0–2.5 kg propane km −1 ), using the cross-row technique. Dose-response analysis was performed. Three applications provided effective control (up to >90%) for all tested perennials, and affected seed and flower production in Sorghum halepense and Ecballium elaterium, respectively. However, the timing of the sequential application had a significant impact on the degree of control, in terms of dry weight reduction and seed production. Weed density had an impact on control efficacy but was only a significant determinant for Ecballium elaterium. Cross-row application was effective during early growth stages of broadleaf weeds (ED 50 < 1.2 kg propane km −1 ), but was less effective during later growth stages (ED 50 > 2.6 kg propane km −1 ). For grass weeds, both early and late application were ineffective (ED 50 > 4.1 kg propane km −1 ). More research is needed to optimize this weed control tactic for various cropping systems and weed species. Implementation of this novel approach into integrated weed management programs will increase the control efficacy of invasive weed under the projected climate changes and reduce the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds. © 2019 by the authors.
Schleyer, G. ; Shahaf, N. ; Ziv, C. ; Dong, Y. ; Meoded, R. A. ; Helfrich, E. J. N. ; Schatz, D. ; Rosenwasser, S. ; Rogachev, I. ; Aharoni, A. ; et al. In Plaque-Mass Spectrometry Imaging Of A Bloom-Forming Alga During Viral Infection Reveals A Metabolic Shift Towards Odd-Chain Fatty Acid Lipids. Nature Microbiology 2019, 4, 527-538. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Tapping into the metabolic crosstalk between a host and its virus can reveal unique strategies employed during infection. Viral infection is a dynamic process that generates an evolving metabolic landscape. Gaining a continuous view into the infection process is highly challenging and is limited by current metabolomics approaches, which typically measure the average of the entire population at various stages of infection. Here, we took an innovative approach to study the metabolic basis of host–virus interactions between the bloom-forming alga Emiliania huxleyi and its specific virus. We combined a classical method in virology, the plaque assay, with advanced mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), an approach we termed ‘in plaque-MSI’. Taking advantage of the spatial characteristics of the plaque, we mapped the metabolic landscape induced during infection in a high spatiotemporal resolution, unfolding the infection process in a continuous manner. Further unsupervised spatially aware clustering, combined with known lipid biomarkers, revealed a systematic metabolic shift during infection towards lipids containing the odd-chain fatty acid pentadecanoic acid (C15:0). Applying ‘in plaque-MSI’ may facilitate the discovery of bioactive compounds that mediate the chemical arms race of host–virus interactions in diverse model systems. © 2019, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.
Mizrachi, A. ; Creveld, S. G. ; Shapiro, O. H. ; Rosenwasser, S. ; Vardi, A. . Light-Dependent Single-Cell Heterogeneity In The Chloroplast Redox State Regulates Cell Fate In A Marine Diatom. eLife 2019, 8. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Diatoms are photosynthetic microorganisms of great ecological and biogeochemical importance, forming vast blooms in aquatic ecosystems. However, we are still lacking fundamental understanding of individual cells sense and respond to diverse stress conditions, and what acclimation strategies employed during bloom dynamics. We investigated cellular responses to environmental stress at single-cell level using the roGFP sensor targeted to various organelles in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. We detected cell-to-cell variability using flow cytometry cell sorting and a microfluidics system for live imaging of roGFP oxidation dynamics. Chloroplast-targeted roGFP exhibited a light dependent, bi-stable oxidation pattern in response to H2O2 and high light, revealing distinct subpopulations of sensitive oxidized cells and resilient reduced cells. Early oxidation in the chloroplast preceded commitment to cell death, and can be used for sensing stress cues and regulating cell fate. propose that light-dependent metabolic heterogeneity regulates diatoms’ sensitivity to environmental stressors in the ocean. © 2019, eLife Sciences Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Rosenwasser, S. ; Sheyn, U. ; Frada, M. J. ; Pilzer, D. ; Rotkopf, R. ; Vardi, A. . Unmasking Cellular Response Of A Bloomforming Alga To Viral Infection By Resolving Expression Profiles At A Single-Cell Level. PLoS Pathogens 2019, 15. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Infection by large dsDNA viruses can lead to a profound alteration of host transcriptome and metabolome in order to provide essential building blocks to support the high metabolic demand for viral assembly and egress. Host response to viral infection can typically lead to diverse phenotypic outcome that include shift in host life cycle and activation of anti-viral defense response. Nevertheless, there is a major bottleneck to discern between viral hijacking strategies and host defense responses when averaging bulk population response. Here we study the interaction between Emiliania huxleyi, a bloom-forming alga, and its specific virus (EhV), an ecologically important host-virus model system in the ocean. We quantified host and virus gene expression on a single-cell resolution during the course of infection, using automatic microfluidic setup that captures individual algal cells and multiplex quantitate PCR. We revealed high heterogeneity in viral gene expression among individual cells. Simultaneous measurements of expression profiles of host and virus genes at a single-cell level allowed mapping of infected cells into newly defined infection states and allowed detection specific host response in a subpopulation of infected cell which otherwise masked by the majority of the infected population. Intriguingly, resistant cells emerged during viral infection, showed unique expression profiles of metabolic genes which can provide the basis for discerning between viral resistant and susceptible cells within heterogeneous populations in the marine environment. We propose that resolving host-virus arms race at a single-cell level will provide important mechanistic insights into viral life cycles and will uncover host defense strategies. © 2019 Rosenwasser et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Merchuk-Ovnat, L. ; Ovnat, Z. ; Amir-Segev, O. ; Kutsher, Y. ; Saranga, Y. ; Reuveni, M. . Coveragetool: A Semi-Automated Graphic Software: Applications For Plant Phenotyping. Plant Methods 2019, 15. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Background: Characterization and quantification of visual plant traits is often limited to the use of tools and software that were developed to address a specific context, making them unsuitable for other applications. CoverageTool is flexible multi-purpose software capable of area calculation in cm2, as well as coverage area in percentages, suitable for a wide range of applications. Results: Here we present a novel, semi-automated and robust tool for detailed characterization of visual plant traits. We demonstrate and discuss the application of this tool to quantify a broad spectrum of plant phenotypes/traits such as: tissue culture parameters, ground surface covered by annual plant canopy, root and leaf projected surface area, and leaf senescence area ratio. The CoverageTool software provides easy to use functions to analyze images. While use of CoverageTool involves subjective operator color selections, applying them uniformly to full sets of samples makes it possible to provide quantitative comparison between test subjects. Conclusion: The tool is simple and straightforward, yet suitable for the quantification of biological and environmental effects on a wide variety of visual plant traits. This tool has been very useful in quantifying different plant phenotypes in several recently published studies, and may be useful for many applications. © 2019 The Author(s).
Ben-Zeev, S. ; Bimro, J. ; Barak, V. ; Saranga, Y. . Phenotypic Diversity And Heritability In Eragrostis Tef Under Irrigated Mediterranean Conditions. Israel Journal of Plant Sciences 2019, 65, 222-231. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is a C4 annual cereal, common in Ethiopia, where it was presumably domesticated. Worldwide interest in tef cultivation and consumption has considerably increased in the last few decades because it is a gluten-free grain with high nutritional value. Here we report on the genetic diversity and heritability in a tef germplasm collection characterized in Israel. A total of 408 accessions of tef held in the Israel Gene Bank were grown in 2015 under common garden (screen-house) conditions for propagation and initial phenotyping. A diversity panel, consisting of 273 accessions representing the entire collection's range of phenotypic diversity, was assembled and evaluated in small field plots in 2016. Further evaluation was conducted in 2017, in single-plant field plots (to eliminate admixtures). A representative plant (plot) was selected from each accession grown in 2017 and its single seed descent progenies where grown in 2018 in single-plant plots. The collection exhibited a wide diversity for each of the measured phenotypic traits, across all four environments. High grain yield was associated in most cases with early flowering time, whereas higher biomass was associated with late flowering. Heritability estimates, calculated based on the 2017, 2018 data, varied between 0.11 for plant biomass and 0.75 for 1000 grain weight. This study shows that tef can successfully grow and produce under irrigated Mediterranean conditions. The wide diversity available in our germplasm collection can provide the foundations for breeding new tef cultivars that are better adapted to these conditions. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2018.
Fatiukha, A. ; Klymiuk, V. ; Peleg, Z. ; Saranga, Y. ; Cakmak, I. ; Krugman, T. ; Korol, A. B. ; Fahima, T. . Variation In Phosphorus And Sulfur Content Shapes The Genetic Architecture And Phenotypic Associations Within The Wheat Grain Ionome. Plant Journal 2019. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Dissection of the genetic basis of wheat ionome is crucial for understanding the physiological and biochemical processes underlying mineral accumulation in seeds, as well as for efficient crop breeding. Most of the elements essential for plants are metals stored in seeds as chelate complexes with phytic acid or sulfur-containing compounds. We assume that the involvement of phosphorus and sulfur in metal chelation is the reason for strong phenotypic correlations within ionome. Adjustment of element concentrations for the effect of variation in phosphorus and sulfur seed content resulted in drastic change of phenotypic correlations between the elements. The genetic architecture of wheat grain ionome was characterized by quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis using a cross between durum and wild emmer wheat. QTL analysis of the adjusted traits and two-trait analysis of the initial traits paired with either P or S considerably improved QTL detection power and accuracy, resulting in the identification of 105 QTLs and 617 QTL effects for 11 elements. Candidate gene search revealed some potential functional associations between QTLs and corresponding genes within their intervals. Thus, we have shown that accounting for variation in P and S is crucial for understanding of the physiological and genetic regulation of mineral composition of wheat grain ionome and can be implemented for other plants. © 2019 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Dadon, A. ; Mandelmilch, M. ; Ben-Dor, E. ; Sheffer, E. . Sequential Pca-Based Classification Of Mediterranean Forest Plants Using Airborne Hyperspectral Remote Sensing. Remote Sensing 2019, 11. Publisher's VersionAbstract
In recent years, hyperspectral remote sensing (HRS) has become common practice for remote analyses of the physiognomy and composition of forests. Supervised classification is often used for this purpose, but demands intensive sampling and analyses, whereas unsupervised classification often requires information retrieval out of the large HRS datasets, thereby not realizing the full potential of the technology. An improved principal component analysis-based classification (PCABC) scheme is presented and intended to provide accurate and sequential image-based unsupervised classification of Mediterranean forest species. In this study, unsupervised classification and reduction of data size are performed simultaneously by applying binary sequential thresholding to principal components, each time on a spatially reduced subscene that includes the entire spectral range. The methodology was tested on HRS data acquired by the airborne AisaFENIX HRS sensor over a Mediterranean forest in Mount Horshan, Israel. A comprehensive field-validation survey was performed, sampling 257 randomly selected individual plants. The PCABC provided highly improved results compared to the traditional unsupervised classification methodologies, reaching an overall accuracy of 91%. The presented approach may contribute to improved monitoring, management, and conservation of Mediterranean and similar forests. © 2019 by the authors.
Dovrat, G. ; Sheffer, E. . Symbiotic Dinitrogen Fixation Is Seasonal And Strongly Regulated In Water-Limited Environments. New Phytologist 2019, 221, 1866-1877. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Plants, especially perennials, growing in drylands and seasonally dry ecosystems are uniquely adapted to dry conditions. Legume shrubs and trees, capable of symbiotic dinitrogen (N 2 ) fixation, often dominate in drylands. However, the strategies that allow symbiotic fixation in these ecosystems, and their influence on the nitrogen cycle, are largely unresolved. We evaluated the climatic, biogeochemical and ontogenetic factors influencing nitrogen fixation in an abundant Mediterranean legume shrub, Calicotome villosa. We measured nodulation, fixation rate, nitrogen allocation and soil biogeochemistry in three field sites over a full year. A controlled experiment evaluated differences in plant regulation of fixation as a function of soil nutrient availability and seedling and adult developmental stages. We found a strong seasonal pattern, shifting between high fixation rates during the rainy season at flowering and seed-set times to almost none in the rainless season. Under controlled conditions, plants downregulated fixation in response to soil nitrogen availability, but this response was stronger in seedlings than in adult shrubs. Finally, we did not find elevated soil nitrogen under N 2 -fixing shrubs. We conclude that seasonal nitrogen fixation, regulation of fixation, and nitrogen conservation are key adaptations influencing the dominance of dryland legumes in the community, with broader consequences on the ecosystem nitrogen cycle. © 2018 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2018 New Phytologist Trust
Kam, D. ; Layani, M. ; BarkaiMinerbi, S. ; Orbaum, D. ; Abrahami BenHarush, S. ; Shoseyov, O. ; Magdassi, S. . Additive Manufacturing Of 3D Structures Composed Of Wood Materials. Advanced Materials Technologies 2019, 4. Publisher's VersionAbstract
3D objects composed of 100% wood components are 3D printed utilizing wood flour microparticles dispersed in a matrix composed of cellulose nanocrystals and xyloglucan. In the printed object, a wood waste product is “glued” with extracted wood products, to be a substitute for pristine wood. 3D printing is used to maximize conversion of low value materials into final products that exhibit visual, textural, and physical properties of natural timber. Several 3D printing technologies are applied to achieve a wide range of densities, mechanical properties, colors, and morphologies as well as high thermal insulation. Furthermore, the 3D printing process enables predesigning of fiber layout in the printed wood, which enables control of shrinkage orientation. © 2019 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Seeherman, H. J. ; Berasi, S. P. ; Brown, C. T. ; Martinez, R. X. ; Sean Juo, Z. ; Jelinsky, S. ; Cain, M. J. ; Grode, J. ; Tumelty, K. E. ; Bohner, M. ; et al. A Bmp/Activin A Chimera Is Superior To Native Bmps And Induces Bone Repair In Nonhuman Primates When Delivered In A Composite Matrix. Science Translational Medicine 2019, 11. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)/carriers approved for orthopedic procedures achieve efficacy superior or equivalent to autograft bone. However, required supraphysiological BMP concentrations have been associated with potential local and systemic adverse events. Suboptimal BMP/receptor binding and rapid BMP release from approved carriers may contribute to these outcomes. To address these issues and improve efficacy, we engineered chimeras with increased receptor binding by substituting BMP-6 and activin A receptor binding domains into BMP-2 and optimized a carrier for chimera retention and tissue ingrowth. BV-265, a BMP-2/BMP-6/activin A chimera, demonstrated increased binding affinity to BMP receptors, including activin-like kinase-2 (ALK2) critical for bone formation in people. BV-265 increased BMP intracellular signaling, osteogenic activity, and expression of bone-related genes in murine and human cells to a greater extent than BMP-2 and was not inhibited by BMP antagonist noggin or gremlin. BV-265 induced larger ectopic bone nodules in rats compared to BMP-2 and was superior to BMP-2, BMP-2/6, and other chimeras in nonhuman primate bone repair models. A composite matrix (CM) containing calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite granules suspended in a macroporous, fenestrated, polymer mesh–reinforced recombinant human type I collagen matrix demonstrated improved BV-265 retention, minimal inflammation, and enhanced handling. BV-265/CM was efficacious in nonhuman primate bone repair models at concentrations ranging from 1 / 10 to 1 / 30 of the BMP-2/absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) concentration approved for clinical use. Initial toxicology studies were negative. These results support evaluations of BV-265/CM as an alternative to BMP-2/ACS in clinical trials for orthopedic conditions requiring augmented healing. Copyright © 2019 The Authors.
Morantes, D. ; Muñoz, E. ; Kam, D. ; Shoseyov, O. . Highly Charged Cellulose Nanocrystals Applied As A Water Treatment Flocculant. Nanomaterials 2019, 9. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Various cellulosic materials have replaced petroleum-derived polymers, offering natural and sustainable alternatives. Among them, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) feature an easily modifiable surface, enabling the exploration of a wide spectrum of applications. In this work, the quaternary agent 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (CHPTAC) was used as a cationic graft on CNCs, to form a novel water treatment flocculant. The resulting material was chemically and structurally characterized by the determination of Zeta potential; degree of substitution by elemental analysis; hydrodynamic size by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and infrared spectroscopy with Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR); and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The flocculation capacity of cationic cellulose nanocrystals (CNC-EPTMAC) was evaluated in a jar test filled with an 0.25 wt.% silica (SiO2) suspension. CNC-EPTMAC proved to be an effective water treatment flocculant, reducing turbidity by up to 99.7% at a concentration of only 2 ppm. This work demonstrates a natural and environmentally sustainable alternative to homologous commercial flocculants. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Mikael, P. E. ; Udangawa, R. ; Sorci, M. ; Cress, B. ; Shtein, Z. ; Belfort, G. ; Shoseyov, O. ; Dordick, J. S. ; Linhardt, R. J. . Production And Characterization Of Recombinant Collagen-Binding Resilin Nanocomposite For Regenerative Medicine Applications. Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine 2019, 5, 362-372. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Abstract: Development of mechanically stable and multifunctional biomaterials for sensing, repair, and regeneration applications is of great importance. Herein, we investigate the potential of recombinant resilin-like (Res) nanocomposite elastomer as a template biomaterial for regenerative devices such as adhesive bandages or films, electrospun fibers, screws, sutures, and drug delivery vehicles. Exon I (Rec1) from the native resilin gene of Drosophila (CG15920) was fused with collagen-binding domain (ColBD) from Clostridium histolyticum and expressed in Komagataella pastoris (formerly Pichia pastoris). The 100% binding of Resilin-ColBD (Res-ColBD) to collagen I was shown at a 1:1 ratio by mass. Atomic force microscopy results in force mode show a bimodal profile for the ColBD-binding interactions. Moreover, based on the force-volume map, Res-ColBD adhesion to collagen was statistically significantly higher than resilin without ColBD. Lay Summary: Designing advanced biomaterials that will not only withstand the repetitive mechanical loading and flexibility of tissues but also retain biochemical and biophysical interactions remains challenging. The combination of physical, biological, and chemical cues is vital for disease regulation, healing, and ultimately complete regeneration of functional human tissues. Resilin is a super elastic and highly resilient natural protein with good biocompatibility but lacks specific biological and chemical cues. Therefore, resilin decorated with collagen I–binding domain is proposed as a functional nanocomposite template biomaterial. Collagen I is an ideal binding target, as it is the most abundant structural protein found in human body including scars that affect unwanted adhesion. Future Work: Musculoskeletal-related injuries and disorders are the second largest cause of disabilities worldwide. Significant pain, neurological discomfort, limited mobility, and substantial financial burden are associated with these disorders. Thus, biocompatible materials comprised of resilin with collagen-binding domain, such as films adhesive bandages (films, fiber matts, or hydrogels), sutures, screws and rods, three-dimensional scaffolds, and delivery vehicles, will be designed and evaluated for multiple musculoskeletal-related regeneration applications. © 2019, The Regenerative Engineering Society.
Skaliter, O. ; Ravid, J. ; Shklarman, E. ; Ketrarou, N. ; Shpayer, N. ; Ben Ari, J. ; Dvir, G. ; Farhi, M. ; Yue, Y. ; Vainstein, A. . Ectopic Expression Of Pap1 Leads To Anthocyanin Accumulation And Novel Floral Color In Genetically Engineered Goldenrod (Solidago Canadensis L.). Frontiers in Plant Science 2019, 10. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Floral pigmentation is of major importance to the ornamental industry, which is constantly searching for cultivars with novel colors. Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) has monochromatic yellow carotenoid-containing flowers that cannot be modified using classical breeding approaches due to a limited gene pool. To generate Solidago with novel colors through metabolic engineering, we first developed a procedure for its regeneration and transformation. Applicability of different cytokinins for adventitious regeneration was examined in the commercial cv. Tara, with zeatin yielding higher efficiency than 6-benzylaminopurine or thidiazuron. A comparison of regeneration of commercial cvs. Tara, Golden Glory and Ivory Glory revealed Tara to be the most potent, with an efficiency of 86% (number of shoots per 100 leaf explants). Agrobacterium-based transformation efficiency was highest for cv. Golden Glory (5 independent transgenic shoots per 100 explants) based on kanamycin selection and the GUS reporter gene. In an attempt to promote anthocyanin biosynthesis, we generated transgenic Solidago expressing snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) Rosea1 and Delila, as well as Arabidopsis thaliana PRODUCTION OF ANTHOCYANIN PIGMENT 1 (PAP1) transcription factors. Transgenic cv. Golden Glory expressing cauliflower mosaic virus 35S-driven PAP1 generated red flowers that accumulated delphinidin and its methylated derivatives, as compared to control yellow flowers in the GUS-expressing plants. The protocol described here allows efficient engineering of Solidago for novel coloration and improved agricultural traits. © Copyright © 2019 Skaliter, Ravid, Shklarman, Ketrarou, Shpayer, Ben Ari, Dvir, Farhi, Yue and Vainstein.
Cárdenas, P. D. ; Sonawane, P. D. ; Heinig, U. ; Jozwiak, A. ; Panda, S. ; Abebie, B. ; Kazachkova, Y. ; Pliner, M. ; Unger, T. ; Wolf, D. ; et al. Pathways To Defense Metabolites And Evading Fruit Bitterness In Genus Solanum Evolved Through 2-Oxoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenases. Nature Communications 2019, 10. Publisher's VersionAbstract
The genus Solanum comprises three food crops (potato, tomato, and eggplant), which are consumed on daily basis worldwide and also producers of notorious anti-nutritional steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs). Hydroxylated SGAs (i.e. leptinines) serve as precursors for leptines that act as defenses against Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say), an important pest of potato worldwide. However, SGA hydroxylating enzymes remain unknown. Here, we discover that 2-OXOGLUTARATE-DEPENDENT-DIOXYGENASE (2-ODD) enzymes catalyze SGA-hydroxylation across various Solanum species. In contrast to cultivated potato, Solanum chacoense, a widespread wild potato species, has evolved a 2-ODD enzyme leading to the formation of leptinines. Furthermore, we find a related 2-ODD in tomato that catalyzes the hydroxylation of the bitter α-tomatine to hydroxytomatine, the first committed step in the chemical shift towards downstream ripening-associated non-bitter SGAs (e.g. esculeoside A). This 2-ODD enzyme prevents bitterness in ripe tomato fruit consumed today which otherwise would remain unpleasant in taste and more toxic. © 2019, The Author(s).
Brog, Y. M. ; Osorio, S. ; Yichie, Y. ; Alseekh, S. ; Bensal, E. ; Kochevenko, A. ; Zamir, D. ; Fernie, A. R. . A Solanum Neorickii Introgression Population Providing A Powerful Complement To The Extensively Characterized Solanum Pennellii Population. Plant Journal 2019, 97, 391-403. Publisher's VersionAbstract
We present a complementary resource for trait fine-mapping in tomato to those based on the intra-specific cross between cultivated tomato and the wild tomato species Solanum pennellii, which have been extensively used for quantitative genetics in tomato over the last 20 years. The current population of backcross inbred lines (BILs) is composed of 107 lines derived after three backcrosses of progeny of the wild species Solanum neorickii (LA2133) and cultivated tomato (cultivar TA209) and is freely available to the scientific community. These S. neorickii BILs were genotyped using the 10K SolCAP single nucleotide polymorphism chip, and 3111 polymorphic markers were used to map recombination break points relative to the physical map of Solanum lycopersicum. The BILs harbor on average 4.3 introgressions per line, with a mean introgression length of 34.7 Mbp, allowing partitioning of the genome into 340 bins and thereby facilitating rapid trait mapping. We demonstrate the power of using this resource in comparison with archival data from the S. pennellii resources by carrying out metabolic quantitative trait locus analysis following gas chromatography–mass spectrometry on fruits harvested from the S. neorickii BILs. The metabolic candidate genes phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and cystathionine gamma-lyase were then tested and validated in F 2 populations and via agroinfiltration-based overexpression in order to exemplify the fidelity of this method in identifying the genes that drive tomato metabolic phenotypes. © 2018 The Authors. The Plant Journal © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for Experimental Biology.
Cohen, I. ; Netzer, Y. ; Sthein, I. ; Gilichinsky, M. ; Tel-Or, E. . Plant Growth Regulators Improve Drought Tolerance, Reduce Growth And Evapotranspiration In Deficit Irrigated Zoysia Japonica Under Field Conditions. Plant Growth Regulation 2019. Publisher's VersionAbstract
As water becomes a limited and costly resource, water conservation practices in turf grass management will become a necessity. Deficit irrigation (DI) is a common agricultural practice that enables reduction of water expense with minor yield loss. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) restrict plant growth and consequently affect evapotranspiration (ET) rate, soil water depletion and plant tolerance to drought. Our studies evaluated the physiological effects of the PGRs paclobutrazol (Pac) and uniconazole (Uni) in the warm weather turf grass Zoysia japonica under DI in field conditions. Our studies demonstrated that Pac and Uni reduced plant ET rate in greenhouse and field experiments. Uni, was more potent at a low concentration (25 mg L −1 ) than Pac, with greater effect on reducing ET rates, plant vertical growth and biomass accumulation while enhancing tissue chlorophyll content. Under field conditions, both Pac and Uni lowered ET and clipping biomass and raised chlorophyll levels at DI. Additionally, results suggested that Uni increased leaf concentration of abscisic acid (ABA). We conclude that PGR application to the Zoysia turf grass simultaneously improved the clipping management and lowered turf grass water requirement, while maintaining high leaf appearance under deficit irrigation conditions. © 2019, Springer Nature B.V.