Plants have developed various mechanisms for avoiding pathogen invasion, including resistance ( R ) genes. Most R genes encode nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing proteins (NLRs). Here, we report the isolation of three new bacterial blight R genes in rice, Xa1-2 , Xa14 , and Xa31 ( t ), which were allelic to Xa1 and encoded atypical NLRs with unique central tandem repeats (CTRs). We also found that Xa31 ( t ) was the same gene as Xa1-2 . Although Xa1-2 and Xa14 conferred different resistance spectra, their performance could be attenuated by iTALEs, as has previously been reported for Xa1 . XA1, XA1-2, XA14, and non-resistant RGAF differed mainly in the substructure of the leucine-rich repeat domain. They all contained unique CTRs and belonged to the CTR-NLRs, which existed only in Gramineae. We also found that interactions among these genes led to differing resistance performance. In conclusion, our results uncover a unique locus in rice consisting of at least three multiple alleles ( Xa1 , Xa1-2 , and Xa14 ) that encode CTR-NLRs and confer resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae ( Xoo ).

An eco-friendly photobleaching extraction process for agar extraction from the red alga Gracilaria lemaneiformis was developed for the benefit of workers' health and environmental safety. Here we report the optimization of key process parameters (alkali modification concentration, photobleaching duration, algal length and screen filter opening size) in order to scale up this new technique. The optimal conditions were found to be modification by 3-5% NaOH, photobleaching for 5 h, using algal fragments 2-4 cm in length, and a filter screen with a 6 μm opening. A 20-L agar extraction reactor was thus constructed, and the scale-up of the agar extraction process was tested in six batch experiments. The resulting agar quality was similar to that of the laboratory-scale extraction. In addition, batch-to-batch reproducibility was excellent. The results demonstrate the excellent scale-up ability and potential application of this new photobleaching agar extraction process on a commercial scale. The agar yield and gel strength for 5% NaOH modified agar were 26.8% and 1,897 g cm −2 , while those for 3% NaOH modified agar were 28.2% and 1,287 g cm −2 , respectively.It is clear that the agar yield and quality can be manipulated via alkali modification in this new eco-friendly extraction to meet market demands.

Aim: The development of new and efficient antibacterial agents is urgent to overcome emerging antimicrobial resistance. Materials & methods: Herein, we have presented a new type of 3D antibacterial system to prompt bacteria to contact with the any plane of nanocomposites. Results: Comparing the antibacterial activity of graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and graphene-loaded nanoflower-like nickelous hydroxide (GN/Ni(OH)2) nanocomposites; the GN/Ni(OH)2 showed stronger bactericidal capability toward Gram-negative/-positive bacteria. Moreover, the GN/Ni(OH)2 with low cytotoxicity can promote it as ‘green’ antimicrobial agents. And, the GN/Ni(OH)2 presented long-term stable antibacterial effectiveness after 2-month storage. The antibacterial mechanisms of GN/Ni(OH)2 were evidenced as the 3D contact and violent damage to the bacterial structure. Conclusion: The GN/Ni(OH)2 provides new insights into the antibacterial properties of 3D nanocomposites for effectively fighting pathogen threats in biomedicine and public health.

A novel, simple and highly efficient process for purifying vanadium bromoperoxidase from Corallina officinalis is reported. The key innovation is adding 0.5 mM sodium orthovanadate to the crude cell extract followed by heating at 70°C for 2 h, by which a 5.4-fold purification with a 100% activity recovery was achieved. Combining the heat treatment with ammonium sulfate precipitation and DEAE-52 column chromatography, the overall yield was 84%, 3.8 times greater than the highest yield previously reported. Finally, a specific activity of 310 U/mg, a 27-fold purification of the crude enzyme solution was produced.