Hyperosmolality and various other stimuli can trigger an increase in cytoplasmic-free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]cyt). Members of the Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) reduced hyperosmolality-gated calcium-permeable channels (OSCA) gene family are reported to be involved in sensing extracellular changes to trigger hyperosmolality-induced [Ca2+]cyt increases and controlling stomatal closure during immune signaling. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a very important food crop, but there are few studies of its OSCA gene family members. In this study, 42 OSCA members were identified in the wheat genome, and phylogenetic analysis can divide them into four clades. The members of each clade have similar gene structures, conserved motifs, and domains. TaOSCA genes were predicted to be regulated by cis-acting elements such as STRE, MBS, DRE1, ABRE, etc. Quantitative PCR results showed that they have different expression patterns in different tissues. The expression profiles of 15 selected TaOSCAs were examined after PEG (polyethylene glycol), NaCl, and ABA (abscisic acid) treatment. All 15 TaOSCA members responded to PEG treatment, while TaOSCA12/-39 responded simultaneously to PEG and ABA. This study informs research into the biological function and evolution of TaOSCA and lays the foundation for the breeding and genetic improvement of wheat.

Brassinazole-resistant (BZR) family genes encode plant-specific transcription factors (TFs), play essential roles in the regulation of plant growth and development, and have multiple stress-resistance functions. Nicotiana benthamiana is a model plant widely used in basic research. However, members of the BZR family in N. benthamiana have not been identified, and little is known about their function in abiotic stress. In this study, a total of 14 BZR members were identified in the N. benthamiana genome, which could be divided into four groups according to a phylogenetic tree. NbBZRs have similar exon-intron structures and conserved motifs, and may be regulated by cis-acting elements such as STRE, TCA, and ARE, etc. Organ-specific expression analysis showed that NbBZR members have different and diverse expression patterns in different tissues, and most of the members are expressed in roots, stems, and leaves. The analysis of the expression patterns in response to different abiotic stresses showed that all the tested NbBZR members showed a significant down-regulation after drought treatment. Many NbBZR genes also responded in various ways to cold, heat and salt stress treatments. The results imply that NbBZRs have multiple functions related to stress resistance.

Lagenaria siceraria is an economically important cucurbitaceous crop, but suitable reference genes (RGs) to use when the plants are infected by cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) have not been determined. Sixteen candidate RGs of both leaf and fruit and 18 candidate RGs mostly from separate RNA-Seq datasets of bottle gourd leaf or fruit were screened and assessed by RT-qPCR. The expression stability of these genes was determined and ranked using geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and RefFinder. Comprehensive analysis resulted in the selection of LsCYP, LsH3, and LsTBP as the optimal RGs for bottle gourd leaves, and LsP4H, LsADP, and LsTBP for fruits. LsWD, LsGAPDH, and LsH3 were optimal for use in both leaves and fruits under the infection of CGMMV. Isopentenyl transferase (IPT) and DNA-directed RNA polymerase (DdRP) were used to validate the applicability of the most stable identified RGs from bottle gourd in response to CGMMV. All the candidate RGs performed in RT-qPCR consistently with the data from the transcriptome database. The results demonstrated that LsWD, LsGAPDH and LsH3 were the most suitable internal RGs for the leaf, and LsH3, LsGAPDH, LsP4H and LsCYP for the fruit.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play essential roles in plant development. There is increasing evidence that changed expression of miRNAs in virus-infected plants contributes to the development of viral symptoms. Here, we analysed the altered expression of miRNAs of Nicotiana benthamiana in response to Potato virus X (PVX) by Illumina Solexa sequencing. One of the 21 miRNAs significantly affected, nbe-miR166h-p5, was closely associated with viral symptoms. Using the Tobacco rattle virus-based miRNA suppression (VbMS) system, we found that the suppression of nbe-miR166h-p5 in plants caused leaves to turn dark green with increased chlorophyll. When PVX was inoculated on nbe-miR166h-p5-suppressed plants, the leaf yellowing symptom of PVX was largely attenuated with less reduction in chlorophyll content, and the accumulation of PVX was decreased. nbe-miR166h-p5 was also up-regulated in plants infected by Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), and its suppression attenuated the leaf yellowing symptom of TuMV and decreased viral accumulation. Three potential targets of nbe-miR166h-p5 were identified. The results indicate the association of nbe-miR166h-p5 with symptoms of PVX and also with those of TuMV, providing useful information on the relationship between miRNA and viral infection.

Milk vetch dwarf virus (MDV) is an important ssDNA virus which causes yellowing, stunting and leaf rolling symptoms on legumes. In China, the virus causes great economic losses and has recently been found to infect tobacco. The expansion of its host range and its ability to spread rapidly has given rise to the urgent need for a sensitive, specific and rapid diagnostic assay that can assist in effective disease control.

To investigate the therapeutic effect of Bicalutamide, an androgen receptor antagonist on the onset and development of allergic rhinitis in an animal model.

The Catharanthus roseus RLK1-like kinase (CrRLK1L) is a subfamily of the RLK gene family, and members are sensors of cell wall integrity and regulators of cell polarity growth. Recent studies have also shown that members of this subfamily are involved in plant immunity. Nicotiana benthamiana is a model plant widely used in the study of plant-pathogen interactions. However, the members of the NbCrRLK1L subfamily and their response to pathogens have not been reported.

Jasmonic acid (JA) is a crucial hormone in plant antiviral immunity. Increasing evidence shows that viruses counter this host immune response by interfering with JA biosynthesis and signaling. However, the mechanism by which viruses affect JA biosynthesis is still largely unexplored. Here, we show that a highly conserved chloroplast protein cpSRP54 was downregulated in Nicotiana benthamiana infected by turnip mosaic virus (TuMV). Its silencing facilitated TuMV infection. Furthermore, cpSRP54 interacted with allene oxide cyclases (AOCs), key JA biosynthesis enzymes, and was responsible for delivering AOCs onto the thylakoid membrane (TM). Interestingly, TuMV P1 protein interacted with cpSRP54 and mediated its degradation via the 26S proteosome and autophagy pathways. The results suggest that TuMV has evolved a strategy, through the inhibition of cpSRP54 and its delivery of AOCs to the TM, to suppress JA biosynthesis and enhance viral infection. Interaction between cpSRP54 and AOCs was shown to be conserved in Arabidopsis and rice, while cpSRP54 also interacted with, and was degraded by, pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) 126 kDa protein and potato virus X (PVX) p25 protein, indicating that suppression of cpSRP54 may be a common mechanism used by viruses to counter the antiviral JA pathway.

Nicotiana benthamiana is widely used as a model plant to study plant-pathogen interactions. Fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins (FLAs), a subclass of arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs), participate in mediating plant growth, development and response to abiotic stress. However, the members of FLAs in N. benthamiana and their response to plant pathogens are unknown.