Stress-induced expression of the sweetpotato gene <i>IbLEA14</i> in poplar confers enhanced tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses

Ke, Qingbo,Park, Sung-Chul,Ji, Chang Yoon,Kim, Ho Soo,Wang, Zhi,Wang, Shiwen,Li, Hongbing,Xu, Bingcheng,Deng, Xiping,Kwak, Sang-Soo Elsevier 2018 Environmental and experimental botany Vol.156 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins are small, highly hydrophilic proteins that act as protectors of macromolecules and increase abiotic stress tolerance in plants. We previously reported that overexpressing sweetpotato <I>IbLEA14</I> under the control of the <I>CaMV 35S</I> promoter increased osmotic and salt stress tolerance in transgenic sweetpotato calli. In this study, we generated transgenic poplar plants (<I>Populus alba × P. glandulosa</I>) expressing <I>IbLEA14</I> under the control of the oxidative stress-inducible <I>SWPA2</I> promoter (referred to as SL plants). Among the 15 SL plants obtained, three lines (SL2, SL7, and SL12) were established based on <I>IbLEA14</I> transcript levels, tolerance to salt stress and Southern blot analysis. The SL plants exhibited less damage in response to methyl viologen-mediated oxidative stress than non-transgenic (NT) plants. SL plants also showed enhanced tolerance to drought, salt, and heat stress, which was associated with higher photosystem II efficiency and lower malondialdehyde levels compared with NT plants. Furthermore, SL plants had higher levels of monolignol biosynthesis-related gene transcripts under drought stress compared with NT plants. Finally, SL plants exhibited increased tolerance to heat stress, which is associated with the high thermostability of IbLEA14 protein. SL plants might be useful for reforestation on global marginal lands, including desertification and reclaimed areas.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> <I>IbLEA14</I> gene was transformed into poplar plants. </LI> <LI> Transgenic poplars exhibit increased tolerance to MV-mediated oxidative, drought, salt and heat stress. </LI> <LI> Overproduction of IbLEA14 affects lignification and thermostability of transgenic poplars. </LI> </UL> </P>

Overexpression of alfalfa <i>Orange</i> gene in tobacco enhances carotenoid accumulation and tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses

Wang, Zhi,Xu, Weizhou,Kang, Jiyue,Li, Min,Huang, Jin,Ke, Qingbo,Kim, Ho Soo,Xu, Bingcheng,Kwak, Sang-Soo Elsevier 2018 Vol. No.

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The multifunctional Orange (Or) protein plays crucial roles in carotenoid homeostasis, photosynthesis stabilization, and antioxidant activity in plants under various abiotic stress conditions. The <I>Or</I> gene has been cloned in several crops but not in alfalfa (<I>Medicago sativa</I> L.). Alfalfa is widely cultivated across the world; however, its cultivation is largely limited by various abiotic stresses, including drought. In this study, we isolated the <I>Or</I> gene from alfalfa (<I>MsOr</I>) cv. Xinjiang Daye. The amino acid sequence of the deduced MsOr protein revealed that the protein contained two trans-membrane domains and a DnaJ cysteine-rich zinc finger domain, and showed a high level of similarity with the Or protein of other plants species. The MsOr protein was localized in leaf chloroplasts of tobacco. The expression of <I>MsOr</I> was the highest in mature leaves and was significantly induced by abiotic stresses, especially drought. To perform functional analysis of the <I>MsOr</I> gene, we overexpressed <I>MsOr</I> gene in tobacco (<I>Nicotiana benthamiana</I>). Compared with wild-type (WT) plants, transgenic tobacco lines showed higher carotenoid accumulation and increased tolerance to various abiotic stresses, including drought, heat, salt, and methyl viologen-mediated oxidative stress. Additionally, contents of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde were lower in the transgenic lines than in WT plants, suggesting superior membrane stability and antioxidant capacity of TOR lines under multiple abiotic stresses. These results indicate the <I>MsOr</I> gene as a potential target for the development of alfalfa cultivars with enhanced carotenoid content and tolerance to multiple environmental stresses.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Orange (<I>MsOr</I>) gene from alfalfa was isolated and characterized in transgenic tobacco. </LI> <LI> <I>MsOr</I> gene was localized to chloroplasts and strongly induced by abiotic stresses including drought. </LI> <LI> <I>MsOr</I> expressing tobacco plants showed enhanced tolerance to drought, heat, salt and oxidative stress. </LI> </UL> </P>

Dryland agricultural environment and sustainable productivity

Gou-Xia Li,Bing-Cheng Xu,Li-Na Yin,Shi-Wen Wang,Sui-Qi Zhang,Lun Shan,곽상수,Qingbo Ke,Xi-Ping Deng 한국식물생명공학회 2020 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.14 No.2

Global climate change is expected to cause progressively increased frequency and severity of drought events, which further seriously limit plant growth and crop yields. Increasing water use effi ciency (WUE) and yield per unit rainfall are one of the most important challenges in dry land agriculture. Here, we reviewed the comprehensive technical strategies including conserving water to combine both increased agricultural productivity and resource conservation; enquiring into how crop plants respond to drought through morphological, physiological, and molecular modifi cations that occur in all plant organs; breeding for drought tolerance where there is a delineated stress environment and genotype × environment interactions are stable; eff ective conservation of rainfall and high effi ciency of use. In addition, we discussed the preponderance of biological water-saving measures, which embraces improvements in WUE and drought tolerance, by genetic improvement and physiological regulation. Sustainable agriculture would be benefi ted from modern engineering such as biological engineering, conservation tillage, and breeding technologies.

Overexpression of the potato StEPF2 gene confers enhanced drought tolerance in Arabidopsis

Yanli Wang,Tian Xie,Chunli Zhang,Juanjuan Li,Zhi Wang,Hongbing Li,Xiping Liu,Li-Na Yin,Shi-Wen Wang,Sui-Qi Zhang,Xiping Deng,Qingbo Ke 한국식물생명공학회 2020 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.14 No.4

Epidermal patterning factor 2 (EPF2) is a negative regulator of stomatal development, and is essential for plant growth, development, and environmental stress responses. However, the role of EPF2 in potato (Solanum tuberosum) has not been investigated to date. Here, we cloned and characterized the potato EPF2-like gene (StEPF2). StEPF2 is predominantly intercellular space localized and its transcripts were rhythmically expressed, and showed the highest expression in apical unexpanded leaves. Expression of StEPF2 was markedly down-regulated in response to abscisic acid and sodium chloride treatments; however, upon the application of polyethylene glycol, the expression of StEPF2 peaked at 4 h and then decreased gradually. Overexpression of StEPF2 in Arabidopsis (OE) substantially reduced stomatal density and photosynthetic rate, but had little effects on plant growth. Under drought stress, OE lines maintained higher photosynthetic rates, photosystem II efficiency, and instantaneous water use efficiency than wild-type (WT) plants. Moreover, OE lines showed less water loss and hydrogen peroxide accumulation in detached leaves compared with WT plants. Thus, our results suggest that StEPF2 acts as a negative regulator of stomatal development in potato, indicating that the role of EPF2 is conserved across plant species. Overall, StEPF2 represents an important target for the development of drought-tolerant potato cultivars via genetic engineering.

Durable Antibacterial and UV Protective Properties of Cotton Fabric Coated with Carboxymethyl Chitosan and Ag/TiO2 Composite Nanoparticles

Qingbo Xu,Peng Wang,Yanyan Zhang,Changlong Li 한국섬유공학회 2022 Fibers and polymers Vol.23 No.2

Immobilizing inorganic particles such as zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs)or grafting special biopolymer such as chitosan on cotton fabrics is the main method to prepare antibacterial and ultraviolet(UV) protective cotton fabrics. However, poor durability and complex finishing methods are still of the main defects ofantibacterial and UV protective fabric samples. In the present work, the Ag/TiO2 colloid solution was prepared with using thecarboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) as a stabilizer, then the CMC and Ag/TiO2 composite nanoparticles were coated on the fabricvia finishing technology of pad-dry-cure. As a result, the modified fabric showed excellent antibacterial and UV protectiveproperties, with the values of bacterial reduction (BR) and ultraviolet protection factor were reached at 99.5 % and 79.0,respectively. Moreover, even after 50 washing cycles, these properties of the finished fabrics were not obviously reduced. These results demonstrated that the finished fabric sample has durable antibacterial and UV protective properties which couldhas a great potential application in the field of medical and outdoor apparel.

The Oligomer Polyacrylic Acid Effect on Immobilization of Silver Nanoparticles onto Cotton Fabric to Achieve a Durably Antibacterial Function

Lin Li,Panpan Duan,Qingbo Xu,XuJun Zhang,JiaNing Chen,Feiya Fu,HongYan Diao,Xiangdong Liu 한국섬유공학회 2020 Fibers and polymers Vol.21 No.9

Aiming to a durably antibacterial function, stable immobilization of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on cottontextiles still represents challenging in textile industry. In the present work, by grafting oligomeric polyacrylic acid (PAA) ontocotton fiber surfaces, we effectively prepared the Ag NPs with controllable size on the fiber surface, which are of average sizeof 16.43 nm, and therefore achieved a desirable antibacterial durability. The oligomer PAA binder can give the modifiedfabrics with a remarkable antibacterial durability against washing, as the bacterial reduction rates against bothStaphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli remained over 90 % even after 50 laundering cycles. Moreover, this graft toapproach using oligomeric PAA shows merits in maintaining the desired cotton properties such as flexibility, waterabsorptivity and vapor permeability. Finally, this finishing process ensures a reliable safety for human skin.

Nanomemulsion of megestrol acetate for improved oral bioavailability and reduced food effect

Yixian Li,양수근,송정기,김민경,임효상,Qingbo Shen,이돈행 대한약학회 2015 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.38 No.10

Megestrol acetate (MGA) belongs to the BCSclass II drugs with low solubility and high permeability,and its oral absorption in conventional dosage form MGAmicrocrystal suspension (MGA MS) is very limited andgreatly affected by food. In this study, MGA nanoemulsion(MGA NE) was formulated based on solubility, phasediagramand release studies. Then oral bioavailability ofMGA NE and MGA MS was evaluated. A randomizedtwo-way crossover trial was conducted on six male dogsunder fed and fasting conditions. Blood concentrations ofMGA were analyzed using LC–MS/MS. MGA NE yielded5.00-fold higher oral bioavailability in fasting conditionsand displayed more stable absorption profiles after foodintake compared with MGA MS.

Optimization of dyeing parameters of cotton standardized samples for laundry test of dye transfer inhibition program

Mingqi Guo,Li Jiang,Qingbo Yang,Chang Sun,Jianli Liu,Weidong Gao 한국의류학회 2020 Fashion and Textiles Vol.7 No.1

In order to prevent light-colored clothes from being stained by dyes released from dark clothes during the washing process, some new-type washing machines have developed the dye transfer inhibition washing program. However, there is no certified reference materials for the test of dye transfer inhibition function. To this end, cotton fabric and reactive dyes are used as experimental materials to prepare standardized samples to evaluate the dye transfer inhibition function of washing machines. Firstly, the single factor analysis method is used to analyze the significance of the dyeing parameters including dye dosage, dyeing temperature, sodium sulfate dosage and sodium carbonate dosage. Secondly, a 4-factor 5-level experimental design and theoretical prediction of the best dyeing parameters are successively carried out through central composite design and response surface method. Two evaluation indicators, the dye release amount of the standardized sample of dyed fabric and the color difference value of the standardized sample of white fabric after washing, are proposed as the response values for response surface analysis to search the optimal dying parameters in theory. The optimal dyeing parameters obtained through response surface analysis are that the dosage of dye is 5.63% (owf), the dyeing temperature is 60 °C, the dosage of sodium sulfate is 93.60 g/L, and the dosage of sodium carbonate is 15 g/L. Experimental results indicate that the standardized samples prepared with optimal dyeing parameters can effectively distinguish the dye transfer inhibition function of washing machines.

Changes in plant anthocyanin levels in response to abiotic stresses: a meta-analysis

Yan Wenjie,Li Juanjuan,Lin Xinyue,Wang Lina,Yang Xiaoxiao,Xia Xiangyu,Zhang Yuxin,Yang Shaoyu,Li Hongbing,Deng Xiping,Ke Qingbo 한국식물생명공학회 2022 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.16 No.5

Anthocyanins are small molecule antioxidants that play important roles in plant response and resistance to abiotic stresses. Their levels increase when plants are exposed to abiotic stress. However, the general response patterns and magnitude of anthocyanin increase, and how they confer resistance to abiotic stresses, are difficult to evaluate because of the influence of experimental variables. In this study, changes in plant anthocyanin content under different abiotic stresses and the effect of anthocyanin overproduction on various physiological indicators were investigated through meta-analysis derived from 1039 datasets of 102 studies. Results showed that among the different stress types, heavy metals, especially copper (Cu) and mercury (Hg), induced the most significant synthesis of anthocyanins. Among the different types of drought treatments, mannitol caused anthocyanin content in plants to increase by 2.4-fold, which was more significant than that of polyethylene glycol and natural drought. Furthermore, UV stress led plant anthocyanins to increase 1.3-fold in C4 plants, which was higher than that in C3 plants. In addition, anthocyanins increased the most when the applied stresses were low and moderate, and of short duration. Moreover, plants overexpressing genes encoding MYB transcription factors increased anthocyanin content by 5.8-fold and significantly improved plant stress tolerance. Among the 21 physiological indicators, glutathione and proline levels increased the most in transgenic plants overproducing anthocyanins when exposed to abiotic stress. Taken together, this meta-analysis indicates that anthocyanins enhance stress tolerance by improving the antioxidant, metal-chelating, and osmoregulatory abilities of the plant. The results presented here can help guide future applications of anthocyanins as plant growth regulators in dryland agriculture and breeding for plant stress tolerance.

An Improved NOx Emission Factor Model for Estimating Exhaust Emissions on Two Bulk Carriers

Kuiquan Duan,Hui Liu,Qingbo Li 한국대기환경학회 2021 한국대기환경학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2021 No.10

A dynamic NOx emission factors (EFNOx) model was developed based on on-board exhaust measurements of two bulk carriers over the course of a navigation. Missing AIS data processing, ship speed modification, fuel consumption estimation and on-board exhaust measurement data were used to develop dynamic EFNOx model. The ship speed in the cube of ratio of ship speed and maximum service speed was modified by wind, wave and current to estimate main engine loads. The results show that the modified speed (MS) can accurately predict the main engine loads, which verified by actual fuel consumption, and the absolute value of relative error for each cruise was range from 1.00% and 24.39%. The dynamic EFNOx model shown a better prediction of NOx emission quantity than that current inventory, and the absolute value of relative error for each cruise was between 5.69%~25.26%. The model is helpful to improve the calculation accuracy of emission inventory for typical bulk carriers in China.