Chloroplast gene expression relies on nucleus-encoded factors for RNA metabolism processing, but the mechanisms under cold stress remain poorly understood.  In this study, we isolated and characterized a foxtail millet (Setaria italica) mutant, temperature-sensitive chlorophyll-deficient (sitcd1), which exhibited reduced chlorophyll content and abnormal chloroplasts, resulting in an albino phenotype during early leaf development at low temperatures (20°C during the day and 18°C at night).  Map-based cloning revealed that SiTCD1 encoded a P-type PPR protein localized in chloroplasts.  In sitcd1 background, transgenic lines of SiTCD1 overexpression appeared nearly normal green leaves under L20/D18 condition.  SiTCD1 was especially expressed in earlier development of leaves under low temperature.  Additionally, SiTCD1 directly bound to the plastid gene atpF in vitro, which might participate in the splicing of plastid gene atpF under low temperature.  RNA-seq indicated that the expression of genes related to metabolism (such as porphyrin, chlorophyll and glutathione metabolism), which required ATP for energy, was down-regulated in sitcd1, resulting in decreased chlorophyll content, GSH, and its redox couple (GSH/GSSG) at low temperature.  As sitcd1 exhibited more sensitive at the bud bursting stage than germination and seedling stage under cold stress, we identified two haplotypes of SiTCD1 (SiTCD1^Hap1 and SiTCD1^Hap2) in 195 accessions, and found that accessions carrying the SiTCD1^Hap2 allele were more tolerant to cold stress than those with the SiTCD1^Hap1 allele at the bud bursting stage.  In summary, our results suggest that SiTCD1 is essential for early chloroplast development under low temperature in foxtail millet.

This study investigated the use of raspberry extract (RBE) for mitigating ethyl carbamate (EC) accumulation in Chinese rice wine (Huangjiu), a traditional fermented beverage.  It focused on the addition of RBE to the fermentation mash and its effects on EC levels.  The results showed a significant reduction in EC production that could be attributed to RBE’s role in altering urea and citrulline catabolism and inhibiting arginine metabolism, thus preventing EC precursors from reacting with ethanol.  Additionally, RBE enhanced the rice wine’s flavor profile, as shown by volatile component and amino acid analysis.  This study also explored RBE’s impact on the metabolism of arginine by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a simulated fermentation environment, and found increased arginine, reduced urea and citrulline levels, altered enzyme activities, and gene expression changes in the arginine metabolism and transport pathways.  In conclusion, the results clearly demonstrated RBE’s efficacy in reducing the EC content in Chinese rice wine, offering valuable insights for EC reduction strategies.

Brassica napus represents a major oilseed crop essential for global vegetable oil production.  Stem lodging, which constitutes the primary form of lodging, significantly reduces yield and seed quality.  Nevertheless, the agronomic characteristics and molecular mechanisms underlying stem lodging remain inadequately understood.  Through a two-year field assessment of 158 B. napus accessions, this study identified stem-breaking strength as the trait most highly correlated with stem-lodging angle, establishing it as the principal predictor of stem lodging in this species.  Comparative analysis between accessions with contrasting stem-breaking strength (‘Sy28’ high, ‘Gl210’ low) demonstrated that enhanced stem-breaking strength correlates with increased xylem and interfascicular fiber areas, along with higher concentrations of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose in stems.  Transcriptome analysis of these accessions revealed stem-breaking strength associated genes involved in cambium activity; lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose biosynthesis; and transcriptional regulation of secondary cell wall formation.  This research identified the BnaC04.NST1–BnaA10.COMT pathway as a fundamental regulator of stem-breaking strength, controlling xylem and interfascicular fiber development and lignin accumulation.  These insights advance understanding of stem-breaking strength's role in lodging resistance and establish a molecular pathway for its enhancement in B. napus.