BackgroundVerticillium wilt, caused by the fungal pathogen Verticillium dahliae, is the most severe disease in cotton (Gossypium spp.), causing great lint losses worldwide. Disease management could be achieved in the field if genetically improved, resistant plants were used. However, the interaction between V. dahliae and cotton is a complicated process, and its molecular mechanism remains obscure. To understand better the defense response to this pathogen as a means for obtaining more tolerant cultivars, we monitored the transcriptome profiles of roots from resistant plants of G. barbadense cv. Pima90-53 that were challenged with V. dahliae.ResultsIn all, 46,192 high-quality expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were generated from a full-length cDNA library of G. barbadense. They were clustered and assembled into 23126 unigenes that comprised 2661 contigs and 20465 singletons. Those unigenes were assigned Gene Ontology terms and mapped to 289 KEGG pathways. A total of 3027 unigenes were found to be homologous to known defense-related genes in other plants. They were assigned to the functional classification of plant–pathogen interactions, including disease defenses and signal transduction. The branch of "SA→NPR1→TGA→PR-1→Disease resistance" was first discovered in the interaction of cotton–V. dahliae, indicating that this wilt process includes both biotrophic and necrotrophic stages. In all, 4936 genes coding for putative transcription factors (TF) were identified in our library. The most abundant TF family was the NAC group (527), followed by G2-like (440), MYB (372), BHLH (331), bZIP (271) ERF, C3H, and WRKY. We also analyzed the expression of genes involved in pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) recognition, the activation of effector-triggered immunity, TFs, and hormone biosynthesis, as well as genes that are pathogenesis-related, or have roles in signaling/regulatory functions and cell wall modification. Their differential expression patterns were compared among mock-/inoculated- and resistant/susceptible cotton. Our results suggest that the cotton defense response has significant transcriptional complexity and that large accumulations of defense-related transcripts may contribute to V. dahliae resistance in cotton. Therefore, these data provide a resource for cotton improvement through molecular breeding approaches.ConclusionsThis study generated a substantial amount of cotton transcript sequences that are related to defense responses against V. dahliae. These genomics resources and knowledge of important related genes contribute to our understanding of host–pathogen interactions and the defense mechanisms utilized by G. barbadense, a non-model plant system. These tools can be applied in establishing a modern breeding program that uses marker-assisted selections and oligonucleotide arrays to identify candidate genes that can be linked to valuable agronomic traits in cotton, including disease resistance.

The direct asymmetric allylic alkylation of beta,gamma-butenolides with MBH carbonates to access gamma,gamma-disubstituted butenolides containing adjacent quaternary and tertiary chiral centers has been presented in excellent stereoselectivities (86-96% ee, dr >95:5) and moderate to good yield (50-83%). Their synthetic utility has been well demonstrated by the facile construction of bicyclic lactones bearing 4-5 stereogenic centers.

An efficient tandem reaction for the asymmetric synthesis of six-membered spirocyclic oxindoles has been successfully developed through a formal [2+2+2] annulation strategy. The amine-catalysed stereoselective Michael addition of aliphatic aldehydes to electron-deficient olefinic oxindole motifs gave chiral C3 components, which were further combined with diverse electrophiles (activated olefins or imines) to afford spirocyclic oxindoles with versatile molecular complexity (up to six contiguous stereogenic centres, high diastereo- and enantioselectivities).

Fluoride ion (F–) is one of the most harmful elements in drinking water. Over-intake of F– can result in dental fluorosis, kidney failure, or DNA damage. Therefore, developing affordable, equipment-free, and reliable methods for F– detection is an important goal. In this work, a series of mixed lanthanide metal–organic frameworks were synthesized using a triazine-based planar ligand, 4,4′,4″-s-triazine-2,4,6-triyltribenzoate (TATB) and mixed lanthanide ions (Tb3+ and Eu3+). The luminescent color of the Tb/Eu­(TATB) can be finely modulated by changing the Tb3+/Eu3+ ratio in the synthesis procedure. Benefiting from the unique host–guest interaction (e.g., Lewis acid–base interaction), between F– and MOF host, a highly selective, sensitive, and reliable fluoride sensor was then developed. Moreover, visual detection of F– was achieved with a smartphone by identifying the RGB value. Drinking water samples were analyzed for F–, and the results obtained by our ratiometric luminescent method were consistent with those by ion chromatographic strategy. This easy-to-use sensor provides reliable detection of F– in everyday applications for nonexpert users, especially in remote rural areas.

The efficient assembly of hydroindane derivatives incorporating a spirooxindole motif was realized via a new three-component domino reaction of (E)-4-(1-methyl-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-3-oxobutanoates and two molecules of alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes under quadruple iminium-enamine-iminium-enamine catalysis. The complex products bearing six contiguous stereogenic centers were obtained in excellent stereoselectivities (96->99% ee, >99% de).