Cold Stress Treatment Research Articles

PpHsfA2a-regulated the accumulation of proline and polyamines participates in glycine betaine-enhanced chilling resistance in peach fruit

Application of glycine betaine (GB) was found to efficiently alleviate chilling injury (CI) of peach fruit under chilling conditions, but the molecular mechanism of which remains unclear. In this work, GB treatment retained lower internal browning index accompanied by lower relative conductivity and malondialdehyde content in cold stored peaches. Meanwhile, GB treatment elevated the gene transcription and activities of Δ 1-pyroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS), ornithine δ-aminotransferase (OAT), arginase (ARG), arginine decarboxylase (ADC) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), weakened the gene transcription and activity of proline dehydrogenase (PDH), contributing to the accumulation of proline and polyamines (PAs). Moreover, PpHsfA2a was highly expressed under cold stress and GB treatment, which was further found to be located in the nucleus with transactivation capacity. Importantly, PpHsfA2a activated the expression of PpARG, PpOAT and PpADC by directly recognizing and binding to the HSE elements in their promoters. Consequently, these results suggested that PpHsfA2a-mediated the transcriptional activation of proline and PAs accumulation related genes was involved in GB-enhanced chilling resistance in peach fruit, which was beneficial for the integrity of cell membrane function and structure under cold conditions.

McWRKY43 Confers Cold Stress Tolerance in Michelia crassipes via Regulation of Flavonoid Biosynthesis.

WRKY transcription factor (TF) plays a crucial role in plant abiotic stress response, but it is rarely reported in Michelia crassipes. Our studies have found that the transcription factor McWRKY43, a member of the IIc subgroup, is strongly upregulated under cold stress. In this study, we cloned the full length of McWRKY43 to further investigate the function of McWRKY43 in resistance to cold stress and its possible regulatory pathways in M. crassipes. Under cold stress, the seed-germination rate of transgenic tobacco was significantly higher than that of the wild type, and the flavonoid content, antioxidant enzyme activities, and proline content of transgenic tobacco seedlings were significantly increased, which promoted the expression of flavonoid pathway structural genes. In addition, the transient transformation of McWRKY43 in the M. crassipes leaves also found the accumulation of flavonoid content and the transcription level of flavonoid structural genes, especially McLDOX, were significantly increased under cold stress. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assay showed that McWRKY43 could bind to McLDOX promoter, and the transcription expression of McLDOX was promoted by McWRKY43 during cold stress treatment. Overall, our results indicated that McWRKY43 is involved in flavonoid biosynthetic pathway to regulate cold stress tolerance of M. crassipes, providing a basis for molecular mechanism of stress resistance in Michelia.

Changes in protein expression in Acacia mearnsii De Wild (black wattle) as a result of exposure to frost-inducing temperatures

Acacia mearnsii De Wild (black wattle) is one of the most important forestry crops in South Africa. The bark of this species contains high-quality tannins, while its wood is used for wood chips, charcoal and mining timber. One of the main problems faced by black wattle farmers is frost damage, thus there is an urgent need to develop frost-tolerant black wattle varieties. A quick method for the screening of frost tolerance variation would be beneficial for black wattle breeders and would result in the need for fewer families to undergo field trials. Frost tolerance in plants is directly related to their ability to undergo cold acclimation in response to changing weather conditions. During the cold acclimation process, many physiological changes occur, including modifications in protein expression. In this study, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to investigate changes in protein expression among 40 black wattle families with varying levels of frost tolerance before and after a cold-stress treatment. The proteomic data generated from this was analysed using multivariate analysis. Six proteins were observed to be upregulated in frosttolerant black wattle families. The proteins were identified and have been previously shown to contribute to the protection of cellular membranes, maintenance of photosynthetic processes and the prevention of protein misfolding and aggregation.

The UDP-glycosyltransferase gene OsUGT706E2 negatively regulates rice tolerance to blast disease and abiotic stresses

Despite the crucial role of UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) in various stress responses in plants, their biological functions in rice (Oryza sativa L.) remain poorly understood. In this study, we introduce a novel gene, OsUGT706E2, which is expressed at significantly higher levels in wild rice compared to cultivated rice. OsUGT706E2 is active in multiple tissues and localizes to both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Its transcription is notably up-regulated in response to cold stress, blast disease, and several hormone treatments. Overexpression of OsUGT706E2 markedly reduces seedling tolerance to blast disease, cold, and osmotic stress, whereas knocking out OsUGT706E2 enhances seedling tolerance to blast disease and osmotic stress. The expression levels of stress-related genes in OsUGT706E2 overexpressing plants were significantly lower compared to wild-type plants following stress treatment. Conversely, OsUGT706E2 knockout plants exhibited markedly higher expression levels of these genes than the control plants after stress treatment. Metabolome analysis further indicated that OsUGT760E2 influences metabolite content in rice. Specifically, OsUGT760E2-overexpressing seedlings had higher amino acid content and lower lipid content compared to wild-type seedlings, while OsUGT760E2-knockout seedlings showed lower amino acid content and higher lipid content than control seedlings. These findings suggest that OsUGT760E2 negatively regulates resistance to blast disease as well as tolerance to cold and osmotic stress in rice. As a result, OsUGT760E2 represents a promising target for enhancing rice stress tolerance through gene editing approaches.

IMPACT OF NUTRIENT-SPECIFIC MODULATION ON COLD STRESS TOLERANCE: INSIGHTS FROM Drosophila ananassae AND D. bipectinata

Drosophila species (fruit flies) have long served as valuable model organisms in evolutionary research. Among the diverse traits exhibited by fruit flies, cold tolerance stands out as a critical factor influencing their ecological distribution and survival in varied environments. The majority of research on cold tolerance concentrates on subjecting flies to a single, stressful temperature without any modulation in the diet. The present study aimed to understand the impact of nutrient-specific modulation on the cold tolerance of Drosophila ananassae and D. bipectinata across a broad range of lower temperatures. Adult flies were transferred to the media composition enriched with sucrose and tryptophan in three replicates and maintained at 22oC. 20 flies of a particular stage: adults, eggs, larvae and pupa were exposed to 18oC, 14oC, and 10oC for 5 days. The impact of cold stress on their growth and survival was noted for 5 following days. The impact of dietary modifications on cold stress tolerance and life history traits was positive and consistent across both species. In contrast, D. bipectinata had greater survival rates than D. ananassae across all temperatures and dietary regimes. Tryptophan (100 mg) diet performed best to improve life traits on cold stress treatment.

Investigation on the Potential Functions of ZmEPF/EPFL Family Members in Response to Abiotic Stress in Maize.

Maize is an important crop used for food, feed, and fuel. Abiotic stress is an important factor affecting maize yield. The EPF/EPFL gene family encodes class-specific secretory proteins that play an important role in the response to abiotic stress in plants. In order to explore and utilize the EPF/EPFL family in maize, the family members were systematically identified, and their chromosomal localization, physicochemical properties, cis-acting element prediction in promoters, phylogenetic tree construction, and expression pattern analysis were carried out using bioinformatics techniques. A total of 18 ZmEPF/EPFL proteins were identified in maize, which are mostly alkaline and a small portion acidic. Subcellular localization results showed that ZmEPF6, ZmEPF12, and ZmEPFL2 are localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Analysis of cis-acting elements revealed that members of the ZmEPF/EPFL family contain regulatory elements such as light response, anoxic, low temperature, and hormone response regulatory elements. RT-qPCR results showed that these family members are indeed responding to cold stress and hormone treatments. These results of this study provide a theoretical basis for improving the abiotic stress resistance of maize in future research.

Effects of chronic intermittent cold stress on anxiety-depression-like behaviors in adolescent rats

Stress, which triggers numerous physiological and behavioral responses in the organism, is a significant risk factor that contributes to the development of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. This study aimed to investigate the inflammation, oxidative stress status, anxiety, and depression-like behaviors of adolescent rodents exposed to chronic intermittent cold stress. Adolescent male rats were subjected to a modified chronic intermittent cold stress model (21 days, 1 hour/day, 4 °C). Depression-like behaviors were evaluated using the sucrose preference and forced swimming tests, while anxiety-like behaviors were assessed using the open field, elevated plus maze, and light-dark box tests. We measured levels of cortisol, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, brain-derived natriuretic factor, reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, total oxidants and antioxidants, and other chemicals in the prefrontal cortex, thalamus, striatum, and hippocampus brain regions of rats using ELISA and colorimetric methods. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test and Pearson correlation analysis. After the cold stress treatment, both anxiety and depression-like behaviors increased remarkably in the subjects. Our study revealed significant changes in various brain regions among the stress-exposed subjects. Cold stress resulted in decreased BDNF levels in the prefrontal cortex and striatum (p < 0.05), increased cortisol levels in the prefrontal cortex (p < 0.05), increased IL-1β levels in the hippocampus and thalamus (p < 0.05), increased protein carbonyl levels in the striatum (p < 0.05), and decreased TAS in the prefrontal cortex and thalamus (p < 0.05). Adolescent rats exposed to cold exhibit both anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. This study observed an increase in inflammation in various brain regions, yet the responses to stress varied. Our findings suggest that adolescence is a period of heightened sensitivity to stress, which can lead to dramatic consequences.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of TIFY genes under MeJA, cold and PEG-induced drought stress treatment in Dendrobium huoshanense.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-024-01442-9.

Investigation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Endostatin Levels in Some Rat Tissues in Response to Cold Stress and Diet

Objective: Obesity, the disease of our age, is a condition that occurs when there is an excess of fat tissue in the body. It is not merely a concern about weight gain, but rather a medical issue that elevates the risk of various diseases including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers. This study aimed to explore the impact of a high-fat diet under normal conditions and cold stress, as well as the influence of propolis as a dietary supplement, on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin levels in rats fed with propolis. Material and Methods: Thirty-six 3-month-old female Wistar rats (6 rats in each group) sourced from Inonu University Experimental Animal Production and Research Center were utilized for the study. Propolis was administered by gavage, dissolved in water, at a dosage of 2 mL per day for two weeks. Results: The group exhibiting at least a 20% increase in weight due to high-fat diet consumption was categorized as the obese group. Tissues including heart, liver, lung, brown adipose, and white adipose tissues were procured from the obese, propolis-treated, and control groups. Endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor levels were assessed in the tissues using the ELISA method. The study revealed an elevation in VEGF levels in brown adipose tissue in both cold stress and propolis treatment groups, accompanied by a reduction in white adipose tissue compared to the control group. Additionally, VEGF levels displayed a general increase in lung, liver, and heart tissues. Conversely, endostatin levels, an antiangiogenic factor, decreased in brown adipose tissue while increasing in white adipose tissue. In liver, lung, and heart tissues, endostatin levels exhibited a general decrease. Conclusion: The findings suggest that both cold stress and propolis treatment influence VEGF and endostatin levels in various rat tissues, indicating potential implications for obesity-related conditions and angiogenesis regulation.

Genome-wide identification of DREB1 transcription factors in perennial ryegrass and functional profiling of LpDREB1H2 in response to cold stress.

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is an outstanding turfgrass and forage cultivated in temperate regions worldwide. However, poor tolerance to extreme cold, heat, or drought limits wide extension and cultivation. DEHYDRATION-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT BINDING FACTOR1s (DREB1s) play a vital role in enhancing plant tolerance to abiotic stress, specifically for low-temperature stress. In this study, a total of 24 LpDREB1 family members were identified from the released genome of perennial ryegrass. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the LpDREB1 genes are divided into 7 groups that have close relationships with rice homologues. Conserved motif analysis revealed that members within the same group have similar conserved motif compositions. All LpDREB1s lack introns, and the promoter sequences of LpDREB1 genes contain multiple cis-acting elements associated with stress response, phytohormone signal transduction and plant growth and development. The majority of LpDREB1 genes were upregulated by drought, submergence, heat and cold stress treatments, including LpDREB1H2. Further investigation showed that LpDREB1H2 is localized in the nucleus. Overexpression of LpDREB1H2 in Arabidopsis induced the expression of cold-responsive (COR) genes, increased the levels of osmotic adjusting substances, and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, thus improving the cold tolerance of Arabidopsis. This study lays a foundation for further understanding the function of LpDREB1 genes in perennial ryegrass and provides insights for plant stress tolerance breeding.

Trancriptome data mining in combination with co-expression network analysis identifies the functional modules and critical regulators in Hordeum vulgare L. in response to cold stress

Cold stress, as an abiotic stress, is one of the most limiting factors which pose a great threat to the plant's productivity. To understand the transcriptional regulation and connectivity pattern of genes involved in barley cold stress responses, co-expression network analysis was performed based on the global transcriptome profiling. The microarray datasets related to cold stress treatments were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Array express databases. Four microarray datasets related to cold stress-responsive transcriptome in barley were included in our study. Gene co-expression analysis was constructed using WGCNA method. Module-Trait Relationships (MTR) analysis and hub genes determination and validation were carried out. Finally, transcription factor and kinase regulatory networks were Inferred using machine learning algorithm. The co-expression modules were determined using beta index = 10. In total 13 co-expressed modules were identified with an average size of 153 genes. Functional enrichment based on gene ontology (GO) showed that each of the stress related significant modules were enriched in different biological processes. Annotation of significant modules identifies some TFs and Kinases such as ethylene-responsive transcription factor 1-like, transcription factor PCL1-like, transcription factor MYC2, WRKY, serine/threonine-protein kinase PBL7, and receptor-like protein kinase At2g42960 were contributed in barley cold stress response. Our analysis highlighted the functional importance of ABA signaling pathway, ROS signaling, defensive and protective proteins, degrading protein, Ca2+ related signaling, ribosome-mediated translation and etc. in responding of barley to cold stress condition. The current findings add substantially to our understanding of the cold responsive underlying mechanism of barley which can serve in future studies and breeding programs.

Analysis of GATA transcription factors and their expression patterns under abiotic stress in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

BackgroundGATA transcription factors are type IV zinc-finger proteins that play key roles in plant growth and responses to environmental stimuli. Although these proteins have been studied in model plants, the related studies of GATA gene family under abiotic stresses are rarely reported in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.).ResultsIn the current study, a total of 23 VviGATA genes were identified in grapevine and classified into four groups (I, II, III, and IV), based on phylogenetic analysis. The proteins in the same group exhibited similar exon–intron structures and conserved motifs and were found to be unevenly distributed among the thirteen grapevine chromosomes. Accordingly, it is likely that segmental and tandem duplication events contributed to the expansion of the VviGATA gene family. Analysis of cis-acting regulatory elements in their promoters suggested that VviGATA genes respond to light and are influenced by multiple hormones and stresses. Organ/tissue expression profiles showed tissue specificity for most of the VviGATA genes, and five were preferentially upregulated in different fruit developmental stages, while others were strongly induced by drought, salt and cold stress treatments. Heterologously expressed VamGATA5a, VamGATA8b, VamGATA24a, VamGATA24c and VamGATA24d from cold-resistant V. amurensis ‘Shuangyou’ showed nuclear localization and transcriptional activity was shown for VamGATA5a, VamGATA8b and VamGATA24d.ConclusionsThe results of this study provide useful information for GATA gene function analysis and aid in the understanding of stress responses in grapevine for future molecular breeding initiatives.

Genome-wide identification of bZIP gene family and expression analysis of BhbZIP58 under heat stress in wax gourd

BackgroundThe basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor family is one of the most abundant and evolutionarily conserved gene families in plants. It assumes crucial functions in the life cycle of plants, including pathogen defense, secondary metabolism, stress response, seed maturation, and flower development. Although the genome of wax gourd has been published, little is known about the functions, evolutionary background, and gene expression patterns of the bZIP gene family, which limits its utilization.ResultsA total of 61 bZIP genes (BhbZIPs) were identified from wax gourd (Benincasa hispida) genome and divided into 12 subgroups. Whole-genome duplication (WGD) and dispersed duplication (DSD) were the main driving forces of bZIP gene family expansion in wax gourd, and this family may have undergone intense purifying selection pressure during the evolutionary process. We selected BhbZIP58, only one in the member of subgroup B, to study its expression patterns under different stresses, including heat, salt, drought, cold stress, and ABA treatment. Surprisingly, BhbZIP58 had a dramatic response under heat stress. BhbZIP58 showed the highest expression level in the root compared with leaves, stem, stamen, pistil, and ovary. In addition, BhbZIP58 protein was located in the nucleus and had transcriptional activation activity. Overexpression of BhbZIP58 in Arabidopsis enhanced their heat tolerance.ConclusionsIn this study, bZIP gene family is systematically bioinformatically in wax gourd for the first time. Particularly, BhbZIP58 may have an important role in heat stress. It will facilitate further research on the bZIP gene family regarding their evolutionary history and biological functions.

Unboxing the bZIP transcription factor family exhibiting their role under cold and salt stresses in indica rice

Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) extensively studied transcription factor family and has been implicated in abiotic stress resistance in eukaryotes. Genes encoded by bZIP govern changes in molecular, physiological, and biological processes in response to abiotic stimuli. Developments in molecular knowledge and easy access to the drafted genome of indica rice open ways to explore bZIP and related features within the indica rice genome. We identified 82 TFs encoding bZIPs in the indica rice genome. The identified 82 bZIPs are unevenly distributed across all 12 chromosomes. The identified bZIP family expansion in the indica rice genome is mainly by segmental duplication relative to tandem duplication. The gene structure analysis exhibited that most genes are intron-less and distributed among all phylogenetic groups. We identified 20 different conserved motifs, supporting that bZIPs regulate the different biological processes in rice. The comparative phylogenetic analysis of indica rice bZIPs with Arabidopsis categorized the genes into 11 different groups, having several orthologs and paralogs. Apart from the comparative analysis, gene ontology (GO) analysis illustrated the involvement of bZIPs in different biological processes and the interaction between different processes are important for the metabolic activity of a living organism.Moreover, KEGG pathway analysis identified the 23 bZIPs involved in pathogen infection, carotenoid biosynthesis, and phenylalanine metabolism. Among 23 genes, 12 genes were selected for the expression analysis under salt and cold stress treatments in the Khusboo-95 indica rice variety. In this research, LOC_Os01g17260.2, LOC_Os02g52780.1, and LOC_Os09g10840.1 showed upregulated expression under salt stress conditions. This genome-wide analysis allows researchers to functionally characterize the genes, involved in different abiotic stresses that could be beneficial to improve plant performance under challenging conditions.

The rice annexin gene OsAnn5 is involved in cold stress tolerance at the seedling stage.

Annexins exist widely in plants as multigene families and play critical roles in stress responses and a range of cellular processes. This study provides a comprehensive account of the cloning and functional characterization of the rice annexin gene OsAnn5. The findings reveal that a cold stress treatment at the seedling stage of rice induced OsAnn5 expression. GUS staining assay indicated that the expression of OsAnn5 was non tissue-specific and was detected in almost all rice tissues. Subcellular localization indicated that OsAnn5-GFP (green fluorescent protein) signals were found in the endoplasmic reticulum apparatus. Compared with wild type rice, knocking out OsAnn5 using the CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR associated proteins) mediated genome editing resulted in sensitivity to cold treatments. These results indicate that OsAnn5 is involved in cold stress tolerance at the seedling stage.

Identification, Evolution and Expression Analysis of GRF Family Reveals Their Involvement in Shoot Growth and Abiotic Stress Response in Moso Bamboo

Growth-regulating factors (GRFs) play an important role in regulating plant organ development, acting primarily as positive regulators of cell proliferation. However, research on the evolutionary history and expression patterns of the moso bamboo GRF family has been limited. In this study, a total of 24 GRFs have been identified in the Moso bamboo genome, and they have been categorized into four subfamilies. Estimation of the divergence time of paralogous gene pairs provided evidence supporting the significant contribution of recent whole-genome duplication events in the expansion of the GRF gene family. Sliding window analysis revealed that coding regions of a few PheGRFs, including the WRC and QLQ domains, may have undergone positive selection, possibly due to the redundant functions of paralogous genes. Coexpression network analysis further revealed the regulatory role of miR396 and various lncRNAs in controlling PheGRF expression. Based on the analysis of tissue-specific expression patterns using transcriptome sequencing, qRT-PCR results, and in situ hybridization, it was observed that most GRFs, particularly PheGRF6a and PheGRF9b, exhibited high levels of accumulation in the moso bamboo shoot. This suggests that the involvement of most PheGRF genes may be crucial for the growth and development of the bamboo shoot. A yeast two-hybrid screening revealed interactions between PheGRF9b and several proteins associated with plant growth and development, including PH02Gene11097.t1 (GIF3), PH02Gene37618.t (Phytochrome B), and PH02Gene01921.t3 (WD40). Based on transcriptome expression analysis, it was observed that a substantial number of PheGRFs exhibited significant variations under cold or drought stress treatments, and most of these genes were found to be downregulated, suggesting their role as abiotic stress-responsive genes. Our findings offer new insights into the GRF family of moso bamboo and provide some experimental evidence to support further gene functional validation research of PheGRF.

Proteomic Analysis of the Cold Stress Response of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus Reveals the Role of AmCHIA in Its Cold Tolerance

Ammopiptanthus mongolicus, a traditional ethnic medicinal herb, is a rare broad-leaved evergreen shrub in the arid region of central Asia that can survive under extremely low temperatures during winter. In this study, we investigated the cold stress response of A. mongolicus leaves using physiological and proteomic approaches. Cold stress treatment increased the relative electrolyte leakage, proline, and soluble sugar levels and decreased the chlorophyll content in A. mongolicus leaves. Moreover, 93 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were identified using two-dimensional electrophoresis, of which 79 were further confirmed via tandem mass spectrometric analysis. The predicted functions of DAPs were mainly associated with photosynthesis in chloroplasts, reactive oxygen species scavenging, defense, and protein synthesis, folding, and degradation. A. mongolicus chitinase A (AmCHIA) is a cold-induced apoplast protein whose transcription is upregulated under cold, osmotic, high-salinity, and mechanical stresses. Recombinant AmCHIA expressed in Escherichia coli exhibits chitinase activity. Here, AmCHIA expression enhanced the cold tolerance of E. coli cells, suggesting that it may contribute to the cold adaptation of A. mongolicus after cold treatment. The present study not only provides important data for understanding the cold stress responses in plants but also serves as a basis for further exploration of the biological functions of cold-induced proteins in A. mongolicus using genetic approaches.

Chitosan oligosaccharides in the diet of broiler chickens under cold stress had anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and improved hematological and biochemical indices, cardiac index, and growth performance

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) on broiler chickens under cold stress. A total of 500 one -day-old male broiler chickens were randomly allocated into five treatments with five replicate pens (with 20 broiler chickens per pen). The broiler chickens in thermoneutral treatment (TN control) were reared at normal temperature, while the broiler chickens in other four treatments were subjected to the cold stress (CS) + 0, 1, 2, and 3 g COS/kg. At d 42, two broiler chickens per cage were weighed and euthanized, and samples for blood and heart were collected. Dietary COS improved growth performance indices and reduced relative heart weight, right ventricle to total ventricle ratio, right ventricle to body weight, and mortality (P < 0.01). The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in serum and liver were increased, and malondialdehyde was reduced by COS supplementation compared to the CS treatment (P < 0.01). The cold stress-induced effect on serum and liver levels of TNF-α and interleukin-1β were reduced, and interleukin-10 was increased by dietary COS supplementation (P < 0.01). Moreover, supplementing of diets with COS alleviated the adverse effect of cold stress as reflected by a reduction in alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, and cholesterol compared to the CS treatment (P < 0.01). It is also, the red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, heterophil, and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio reduced by COS supplementation compared to the CS treatment . In conclusion, COS supplementation during cold stress may be used to alleviate cold stress related changes in broiler chickens.

Structural and Functional Analysis of the MADS-Box Genes Reveals Their Functions in Cold Stress Responses and Flower Development in Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis).

MADS-box genes comprise a large family of transcription factors that play crucial roles in all aspects of plant growth and development. However, no detailed information on the evolutionary relationship and functional characterization of MADS-box genes is currently available for some representative lineages, such as the Camellia plant. In this study, 136 MADS-box genes were detected from a reference genome of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) by employing a 569 bp HMM (Hidden Markov Model) developed using nucleotide sequencing including 73 type I and 63 type II genes. An additional twenty-seven genes were identified, with five MIKC-type genes. Truncated and/or inaccurate gene models were manually verified and curated to improve their functional characterization. Subsequently, phylogenetic relationships, chromosome locations, conserved motifs, gene structures, and gene expression profiles were systematically investigated. Tea plant MIKC genes were divided into all 14 major eudicot subfamilies, and no gene was found in Mβ. The expansion of MADS-box genes in the tea plant was mainly contributed by WGD/fragment and tandem duplications. The expression profiles of tea plant MADS-box genes in different tissues and seasons were analyzed, revealing widespread evolutionary conservation and genetic redundancy. The expression profiles linked to cold stress treatments suggested the wide involvement of MADS-box genes from the tea plant in response to low temperatures. Moreover, a floral 'ABCE' model was proposed in the tea plant and proved to be both conserved and ancient. Our analyses offer a detailed overview of MADS-box genes in the tea plant, allowing us to hypothesize the potential functions of unknown genes and providing a foundation for further functional characterizations.

Overexpression of PpmTERF18 enhances the antioxidant capacity of peach fruit to alleviate oxidative damage

Mitochondrial transcription termination factors (mTERFs) are involved in the replication, transcription, and translation of mitochondrial genes and have essential biological functions in plant development and stress response. However, the functions and regulatory mechanisms of many mTERF family members are still unclear. In this study, the cDNA coding region sequence of the mitochondrial transcription termination factor 18 (mTERF18) gene in peaches was cloned, the peaches mTERF18 protein was predicted and analyzed, and the gene was conducted transient transformation in tomato and peach to investigate the roles of PpmTERF18 in fruit mitochondrial function and antioxidant capacity. The results showed that the PpmTERF18 gene encoded 573 amino acids, mainly composed of α-helix and β-sheet, an alkaline-labile protein in mitochondria. The results showed that overexpression of PpmTERF18 in tomatoes delayed the color change, and overexpression of PpmTERF18 in peach fruit could maintain the quality of peach fruit. Overexpression of PpmTERF18 increased the activities and the expression levels of mitochondrial antioxidant-related genes, reduced mitochondrial oxygen consumption and cytochrome c content, inhibited the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), and maintained mitochondrial functions in tomato and peach fruit. After cold stress treatment, overexpression of PpmTERF18 increased the proline content and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity in peach fruit, decreased the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), improved the antioxidant capacity of the fruit, and maintained the quality of the fruit.