Identifying genes associated with wax deposition may contribute to the genetic improvement of ornamental kale. Here, we characterized a candidate gene for wax contents, BoORP3a, encoding an oxysterol-binding protein. We sequenced the BoORP3a gene and coding sequence from the high-wax line S0835 and the low-wax line F0819, which revealed 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms between the two lines, of which six caused five amino acids substitutions. BoORP3a appeared to be relatively well conserved in Brassicaceae, as determined by a phylogenetic analysis, and localized to the endoplasmic reticulum and the nucleus. To confirm the role of BoORP3a in wax deposition, we generated three orp3a mutants in a high-wax kale background via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing. Importantly, all three mutants exhibited lower wax contents and glossy leaves. Overall, these data suggest that BoORP3a may participate in cuticular wax deposition in ornamental kale.

Background: Most therapeutic exercises can activate the adductor magnus (AM) at a high to a very high level. It is necessary to find an exercise that can facilitate AM at low to moderate levels in the early stage of sports rehabilitation. This study is aimed to investigate changes in AM activation with various knee kinetic positions during bilateral bridging exercise (BBE) and unilateral bridging exercise (UBE).Method: 20 adults (7 males and 13 females, aged 20-30) volunteered for this study. Surface electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded from AM at four knee flexion angles: 45°, 60°, 90°, and 120° when performing UBE and BBE. The obtained raw data were normalized by the corresponding muscle's maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Results: AM recruitment levels were 15.0±8.5% MVIC in BBE and 35.1±21.6% MVIC in UBE. There was no significant difference in the EMG amplitude of AM activity among various knee flexion angles during both UBE and BBE. Conclusions: BBE and UBE can be utilized as therapeutic exercises to facilitate AM from low to moderate intensity at partly weight-bearing positions.