ENZYME AND MICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY
·
2024
·
IF 3.4
Jiangmei Zheng,Ruobin Sun,Dan Wu,Pengcheng Chen,Pu Zheng
Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) plays a pivotal role in the biosynthesis of phenylalanine. PAL from Zea mays (ZmPAL2) exhibits a bi-function of direct deamination of L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) or L-tyrosine(-L-Tyr) to form trans -cinnamic acid or p -coumaric acid. trans -Cinnamic acid and p -coumaric acid are mainly used in flavors and fragrances, food additives, pharmaceutical and other fields. Here, the Activity of ZmPAL2 toward L-Phe or L-Tyr was improved by using semi-rational and rational designs. The catalytic efficiency ( k cat / K m ) of mutant PT10 (V258I/I459V/Q484N) against L-Phe was 30.8 μM −1 s −1 , a 4.5-fold increase compared to the parent, and the catalytic efficiency of mutant PA1 (F135H/I459L) to L-tyrosine exhibited 8.6 μM −1 s −1 , which was 1.6-fold of the parent. The yield of trans -cinnamic acid in PT10 reached 30.75 g/L with a conversion rate of 98%. Meanwhile, PA1 converted L-Tyr to yield 3.12 g/L of p -coumaric acid with a conversion rate of 95%. Suggesting these two engineered ZmPAL2 to be valuable biocatalysts for the synthesis of trans -cinnamic acid and p -coumaric acid. In addition, MD simulations revealed that the underlying mechanisms of the increased catalytic efficiency of both mutant PT10 and PA1 are attributed to the substrate remaining stable within the pocket and closer to the catalytically active site. This also provides a new perspective on engineered PAL.
研究领域:
生物化学
·
分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
FOOD CHEMISTRY
·
2021
·
IF 7.514
Meng Xu,Longgang Du,Mengjiao Liu,Jingjie Zhou,Wankun Pan,Haoran Fu,Xin Zhang,Qingxu Ma,Lianghuan Wu
To determine whether high spraying concentrations of Zn sources increase the Zn concentration in waxy corn ( Zea mays L. var. ceratina Kulesh) seeds without compromising agronomic performance, field experiments were conducted between 2018 and 2020. Excess ZnSO 4 application caused foliar burn, barren ear tip, and grain yield loss. ZnEDTA and Glycine-chelated Zn (ZnGly) caused less foliar burn, but Glycine-mixed Zn caused more foliar burn than ZnSO 4 . The seed Zn concentration increased with spraying Zn concentration. ZnEDTA (≤0.8%) had a higher threshold concentration than ZnGly (≤0.4%). Nevertheless, Zn biofortification efficacy did not significantly differ between 0.4% ZnGly and 0.8% ZnEDTA, and the grain Zn recovery rate of 0.4% ZnGly was much higher than that of 0.8% ZnEDTA. Additionally, dual-isotope labelling tests confirmed that 15 N-glycine and 68 Zn in ZnGly interacted. In the future, chelating technology is essential for developing new Zn fertilizers to optimize Zn biofortification efficacy.
研究领域:
农业
·
植物科学
·
营养管理
·
作物生理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PLANT AND SOIL
·
2013
·Vol. 370
·期 1
·345-354
·
IF 2.638
Wen Bei,Li Longfei,Liu Yu,Zhang Hongna,Hu Xiaoyu,Shan Xiao-quan,Zhang Shuzhen
Background and aims Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are of particular environmental concern. The migration of PFCs from soil to plants is a likely pathway for PFCs to enter the human food chain. This study aimed to investigate the uptake mechanisms of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) by maize ( Zea mays L. cv. TY2). Methods Hydroponic greenhouse experiments were performed. Results The kinetics of PFOS and PFOA uptake fitted Mechaelis-Menten equation well, suggesting their carrier-mediated influx processes. Uptake of PFOS was insensitive to metabolic inhibitors (NaN 3 and Na 3 VO 4 ). In contrast, treated with NaN 3 and Na 3 VO 4 reduced the uptake of PFOA by 83 and 43 % respectively. PFOS uptake was decreased by 31 % and 25 % when plants were treated with aquaporin inhibitors, AgNO 3 and glycerol, respectively, while aquaporin inhibitors had no effect on PFOA uptake. Anion channel blockers, 4, 4′-diisothiocyanostibene-2,2′-disolfonate (DID) and 5-nitro 2-(3-phenylpropylamine) benzoic acid (NPPB) inhibited the uptake of PFOS by 33 % and 30 %, respectively. Anion channel blocker anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (9-AC) decreased the uptake of PFOA by 28 %. No competitive uptake was found between PFOS and PFOA. Conclusions Uptake of PFOS and PFOA by maize may have different mechanisms.
研究领域:
环境科学
·
植物生理学
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DOI
高影响因子
Botany
·
2012
·Vol. 90
·期 9
·
IF 1.251
WangYang,HuJin,QinGuochen,CuiHuawei,WangQitian
One kind of biologically active salicylic acid (SA) analogue (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) and two inactive compounds (4-aminosalicylic acid and 4-aminobenzoic acid), along with SA were chosen to evaluate their role in inducing chilling tolerance of two different chilling-tolerant maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines. These compounds were applied as seed treatments or as a hydroponic application. The results showed that four compounds had no significant effect on germination of maize seeds; however, SA or ASA soaking treatments significantly increased the root length, shoot height, and shoot and root dry weights of seedlings grown under chilling stress. Hydroponic applications of SA or ASA significantly alleviated the accumulation of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide radicals in roots and leaves of both lines under chilling stress, and the applications also increased the photosynthetic pigments, including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids. However, 4-aminosalicylic acid and 4-aminobenzoic acid applications had no significant effect in ameliorating the growth inhibition of seedlings under chilling stress. This study showed that SA and ASA significantly induced the chilling tolerance of maize; however, 4-aminosalicylic acid and 4-aminobenzoic acid were not effective in inducing tolerance to chilling stress. The results suggest that only SA analogues with biological activity may have the ability to induce chilling tolerance of maize.
研究领域:
植物生理学
·
农业植物学
·
胁迫生物学
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DOI
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
·
2026
·
IF 6.2
Yuqi Gao,Min Lu,Jitong Wei,Dengyu Zheng,Hongliang Duan,Mingxu Wang,Zhao Ke,Zhongyi Wu,Qing X. Li,Zhongbao Zhang
Flavonoids, secondary phytometabolites, play many roles in human health and plant resistance, growth, and development. They are commonly glycosylated in the last step of their biosynthesis. In this study, a gene encoding an efficient flavonoid glycosyltransferase, ZmUGT76B1, was cloned from maize and expressed. The enzyme activity and function were characterized. ZmUGT76B1 catalyzed selective glycosylation at 3-, 7-, 3′-, and 4′-hydroxyl sites of flavonoids to form mono-O-glycoside and di-O-glycoside products. Moreover, ZmUGT76B1 had a broad substrate preference and strict sugar donor selectivity. Guided by simulated molecular docking and simulated mutagenesis, three ZmUGT76B1 mutants, Q338P, E361P, and Q338P/E361P, were constructed. The mutation of either of the two sites substantially reduced the enzyme activity, whereas the double mutation eliminated the activity. The determination of enzyme activity and prediction of the active site of this enzyme have expanded our knowledge of maize uridine diphosphate-dependent glycosyltransferases, providing an important glycosyltransferase for metabolic engineering of mono- and dioxygenated glucosyl flavonoids.
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Food Chemistry-X
·
2026
·
IF 9.2
Qingshan Li,Yu Zu,Hongda Liao,Haidong Huang,Kexin Lu,Lan Lan,XiQin Wei,Shangdong Yang
Yellow maize kernels accumulated up to 5.45 μg/g lutein and 15.30 μg/g zeaxanthin. • White maize contained only trace carotenoids but distinct phenolic-rich profiles. • Fusarium and Aspergillus were fungal biomarkers of yellow and white maize. • 313 differential metabolites were linked to carotenoid and phenylpropanoid pathways. Maize ( Zea mays L.) is a globally significant cereal crop that exhibits wide phenotypic and nutritional diversity. Yellow maize is highly valued for its accumulation of health-promoting carotenoids, whereas the functional profile of white maize is characterized by distinct classes of secondary metabolites. However, the complex interplay among host genetics, the kernel endophytic microbiome, and the associated metabolic profiles remains poorly understood. In this study, we employed an integrated approach combining targeted carotenoid quantification, 16S rRNA and ITS amplicon sequencing, and untargeted metabolomics to comparatively analyze the internal microenvironments of yellow and white maize kernels. Phenotypic analysis confirmed that yellow maize kernels accumulated substantially higher concentrations of lutein (up to 5.45 μg/g) and zeaxanthin (up to 15.30 μg/g) relative to the trace amounts detected in white maize. Microbiome profiling revealed that host genotype profoundly shaped endophytic community assembly: although bacterial alpha diversity was comparable between the two groups, yellow maize harbored significantly higher fungal alpha diversity. Taxonomic analysis identified distinct microbial biomarkers, with Fusarium being identified as a fungal biomarker enriched in yellow maize, whereas Aspergillus was enriched in white maize and Pseudomonas dominated its bacterial community. Furthermore, untargeted metabolomics identified 313 differentially accumulated metabolites, predominantly comprising lipids, organic acids, and phenylpropanoids. KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrated that pathways related to phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, and ABC transporters were significantly enriched, indicating divergent metabolic profiles between the two cultivar groups. Collectively, these findings reveal consistent associations between host secondary metabolism and selectively enriched endophytic microbiomes, providing novel metabolic and microbial targets for future precision breeding and nutritional biofortification in maize.
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DOI
高影响因子
MOLECULES
·
2019
·Vol. 24
·期 17
·3060
·
IF 3.06
Shuang Gao,Yan-Yan Liu,Jing-Yu Jiang,Ying Fu,Li-Xia Zhao,Chun-Yan Li,Fei Ye
Herbicide safeners selectively protect crops from herbicide injury while maintaining the herbicidal effect on the target weed. To some extent, the detoxification of herbicides is related to the effect of herbicide safeners on the level and activity of herbicide target enzymes. In this work, the expression of the detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) and antioxidant enzyme activities in maize seedlings were studied in the presence of three potential herbicide safeners: 3-dichloroacetyl oxazolidine and its two optical isomers. Further, the protective effect of chiral herbicide safeners on detoxifying chlorsulfuron in maize was evaluated. All safeners increased the expression levels of herbicide detoxifying enzymes, including GST, catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) to reduce sulfonylurea herbicide phytotoxicity in maize seedlings. Our results indicate that theR-isomer of 3-(dichloroacetyl)-2,2,5-trimethyl-1,3-oxazolidine can induce glutathione (GSH) production, GST activity, and the ability of GST to react with the substrate 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) in maize, meaning that theR-isomer can protect maize from damage by chlorsulfuron. Information about antioxidative enzyme activity was obtained to determine the role of chiral safeners in overcoming the oxidative stress in maize attributed to herbicides. The interaction of safeners and active target sites of acetolactate synthase (ALS) was demonstrated by molecular docking modeling, which indicated that both isomers could form a good interaction with ALS. Our findings suggest that the detoxification mechanism of chiral safeners might involve the induction of the activity of herbicide detoxifying enzymes as well as the completion of the target active site between the safener and chlorsulfuron.Keywords:chiral safener;biological activity;antioxidative enzyme activity;protection mechanism;chlorsulfuron
研究领域:
植物生理学
·
分子生物学
·
农药科学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
·
2022
·
IF 6.056
Dong-Dong Zhang,Si Hu,Qiong Wu,Jin-Feng Zhao,Ke-Rui Su,Li-Qin Tan,Xian-Qing Zhou
Zea mays (Maize) is prone to mildew due to its rich nutrition and large embryo, resulting in the decline of edible quality, germination rate and even threatening people's health. In this study, ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal method to inhibit the growth of microorganisms on the surface of Zea mays . For its safe and efficient application, mesoporous silica (mSiO 2 ) was modified on its surface and successfully prepared ZnO@mSiO 2 Nanocomposites. The ZnO@mSiO 2 nanocomposites were successfully prepared and characterized by TEM, EDS, XRD, FT-IR, and it could significantly inhibit two model bacteria and three model fungi. After mixing with Zea mays and 42 days of simulated storage, they could significantly inhibit the growth of microorganisms in Zea mays , ensure the stability of Zea mays quality and improve the germination rate of Zea mays . The ZnO@mSiO 2 nanocomposites prepared in this study provide a new idea for the safe storage of Zea mays .
研究领域:
食品科学
·
材料科学
·
植物保护
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产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
·
2023
·
IF 4.8
Islam Md Monirul,Hassan Mahmood Ul,Ishfaq Muhammad,Ripa Farhana Alam,Nadeem Faisal,Ahmad Zeeshan,Xu Jiuliang,Ning Peng,Li Xuexian
Foliar fertilization is an important agricultural practice. The response of crop plants to foliar application of mineral nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus, and potassium has been well recognized. However, little is known about crop plants’ response to the foliar spray of organic sources of nutrient, in particular, under field conditions. Here, we sprayed glutamine (Gln) at V6, V8, V12, R1 (silk), and R3 (dough) stages of maize hybrid ZD958 to investigate the physiological impacts on grain yield and nutritional quality under sufficient and low-N conditions for two consecutive years. Exogenous application of Gln (1.25 mM) significantly enhanced grain yield approximately by 20.0% under sufficient N and 38.0% under low N, as a combinatorial effect of increases in kernel number and kernel weight. The higher N concentrations in the ear and delaying leaf senescence favor the kernel setting and grain filling, preconditioning higher grain yield at harvest. Further, Gln spray resulted in higher nutritional quality kernels as indicated by higher concentrations of crude proteins, minerals, oil, unsaturated fatty acids (i.e., oleic, and linoleic acids), total carotenoids (i.e., β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and violaxanthin), and α-tocopherol, partially attributing to larger nutrient-rich embryos. Taken together, our findings revealed how Gln promotes maize production and an additional potential to improve grain yield and nutritional quality traits of maize and other closely related cereal crops.
研究领域:
植物生理学
·
农业科学
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产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
Plants-Basel
·
2022
·Vol. 11
·期 19
·2487
·
IF 4.658
Yifei Zhang,Yishan Sun,Weiqing Li,Jiayu Li,Rongqiong Xu,Jiarui Du,Zesong Li,Guibin Li,Kejun Yang
To explore the effects of iminodisuccinic acid (a chelating agent) on maize (Zea maysL.) seed germination under lead (Pb) stress, we comparatively analyzed the effects of applying different concentrations of iminodisuccinic acid (0, 5, 20, and 100 mmol·dm−3) and combined an addition of exogenous substances regulating reactive oxygen species production on maize seed germination, seedling growth, H2O2content, NADPH oxidase activity, and antioxidant enzyme activities under Pb-stressed and Pb-free conditions. Iminodisuccinic acid (100 mmol·dm−3) significantly delayed seed germination under normal germination conditions and alleviated the inhibitory effects of Pb stress (20 mmol·dm−3) on seed germination. Under normal conditions (without Pb stress), the iminodisuccinic acid-induced inhibition of seed germination was enhanced by treatment with dimethylthiourea (a specific scavenger of reactive oxygen species) or diphenyleneiodonium chloride (a specific inhibitor of NADPH oxidase), but diminished by treatment with H2O2, CaCl2, diethyldithiocarbamic acid (a specific inhibitor of superoxide dismutase), or aminotriazole (a specific inhibitor of catalase). Under Pb stress, iminodisuccinic acid partially eliminated the excessive H2O2accumulation, improved superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, and weakened the high NADPH oxidase activity. In addition, Ca2+chelation may be essential for maintaining the reactive oxygen species’ balance and improving seed germination and seedling growth by iminodisuccinic acid supplementation in maize under Pb stress. The proposed iminodisuccinic acid supplementation-based method improved maize seed germination in Pb-polluted soil.Keywords:maize;chelator;lead stress;ROS;hydrogen peroxide;NADPH oxidase;seed germination
研究领域:
植物学
·
环境科学
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DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
·
2019
·
IF 6.044
Quanqing Han,Xin Gao,Heng Zhang,Keli Chen,Lincai Peng,Qingmin Jia
In this study, cellulosic fines were separated from corn stalk soda-anthraquinone (AQ) pulp, then dissolved in DMAc/LiCl solvent system and regenerated to form films. Pulp fines was separated from pulp fibers using different standard sieves. The results exhibited that the value of specific surface area for fines was increased with the reduction of particle size. The cellulose of fines was successfully dissolved in DMAc/LiCl solution and regenerated as biopolymeric films in the water bath. Mechanical properties of regenerated cellulose films were enhanced with the increase of raw-material fineness from 120 to 300 mesh. It was exhibited a remarkable decrease on the values of tensile strength and maximum decomposition temperature of the regenerated cellulose film from 500-mesh fines, indicating that too small dimensions of cellulosic particles took disadvantages on physical strength and thermostability.
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
LANGMUIR
·
2024
·
IF 3.7
Qianghong Wu,Youzhi Wu,Sambasivam Sangaraju,Fen Ran
Chromium is a multivalent metal with great development in the energy storage field because it can effectively improve the electrochemical performance of the material. However, chromium(VI) is soluble in water and toxic, which causes serious metal pollution in the environment. In addition, nanoplastics are difficult to degrade and easy to accumulate, which is an urgent environmental problem to be solved. Therefore, we choose Zea mays to absorb chromium ions, nanopolystyrene, nanocarboxylic polystyrene, and their complexes, which can coordinate and decompose with various polymers in Z. mays, and produce coordination, conjugation, mixed valence, and adjacent group effects. Due to the above effects, the UV–vis spectrum of the material is blueshifted; the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy peaks of Cr 2p have a chemical shift; the pore structure is optimized; the graphitization degree is improved; the content of N, O, and Cr in the material increases; and the elements are evenly distributed. The series of optimization processes makes the electrodes exhibit excellent electrochemical performance in both supercapacitors and lithium-ion batteries. At 0.5 A·g–1, the specific capacitance of the electrode reaches 490 F·g–1. After 10,000 cycles, its specific capacitance remains at 429.3 F·g–1, and the Coulombic efficiency is 89.9%. In lithium-ion batteries, the initial discharging capacity of the electrode is 1071.7 mAh·g–1 at 0.05 A·g–1. After 5000 cycles, its specific capacity can still reach 242 mAh·g–1 at 0.2 A·g–1, and the Coulombic efficiency is above 95%.
研究领域:
环境科学
·
材料科学
·
电化学
·
农业科学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
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