Plant responses to multiple stresses play significant role in identifying the novel candidate genes regulating the complex molecular mechanisms under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. The vital role of transcription factors for controlling stress regulatory network has been elucidated in several plants ranging from both monocots to dicots. The AP2/ERF family transcription factors (DREB and ERF) are one of the important key regulators that have been named based on their conserved DNA-binding domain. They regulate the diverse functions including stress regulation through the modulation of several signaling pathways. The basic knowledge on the role of AP2/ ERF family transcription factors has facilitated to understand various mechanisms that increase the plant adaptability in response to multiple stresses. Therefore, manipulating these TFs is an important tool for improving plant tolerance against adverse environmental conditions. In the present review, recent progress related to DREB and ERF transcription factors belonging to AP2/ERF family in mediating both abiotic and biotic stress signaling and tolerance has been highlighted.

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ObjectivesTo review red algae bioactive compounds and their pharmaceutical applications.ContentSeaweed sources are becoming attractive to be used in health and therapeutics. Among these red algae is the largest group containing bioactive compounds utilized in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food industry, manure and various supplements in food formula. Various significant bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides (aginate, agar, and carrageenan), lipids and polyphenols, steroids, glycosides, flavanoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, triterpenoids, antheraquinones and cardiac glycosides have been reported in red algae. The red algae have rich nutritional components Different polysaccharides of red algae possess the antiviral potential namely agarans, carrageenan, alginate, fucan, laminaran and naviculan. Sulfated polysaccharides and carraginans of red algae are rich source of soluble fibers which can account for antitumor activities depending upon chemistry of various secondary metabolites and metabolism of cell line. Flavons-3-ols containing catechins from many red algae block the telomerase activity in colon cancer cells. Contraceptive agents were tested from red algae as a source for post-coital. Lectin of red algae showed pro-healing properties and anti-ulcerogenic activities. Carragenates from red algae also conferred a positive influence on diabetes. Red algae depicted a reducing effect on plasma lipids and obesity. Porphyran from red alga can act as anti-hyperlipidemic agent also reduces the apolipoprotein B100 via suppression of lipid synthesis in human liver.SummaryThe polyphenolic extracts of Laurencia undulate, Melanothamnus afaqhusainii and Solieria robusta extract show anti-inflammatory effects against multiple genera of devastating fungi. Antioxidants such as phlorotannins, ascorbic acids, tocopherols, carotenoids from red algae showed toxicity on some cancer cells without side effects. Red algae Laurencia nipponica was found insecticidal against mosquito larvae. Red algae fibers are very important in laxative and purgative activities. Gracilaria tenuistipitat resisted in agricultural lands polluted with cadmium and copper.OutlookIn the recent decades biotechnological applications of red algae has been increased. Polysaccharides derived from red algae are important tool for formulation of drugs delivery system via nanotechnology.

SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. In this study, we identified 11 unique mutations in viral SARS-COV-2 isolates from Turkey. Nine of them cause structural alterations in the S protein, nsp2, nsp3, nsp4 and nsp12 regions. The mutations identified here might have significant functional implications that need to be addressed in future studies in the context of vaccine engineering and therapeutic interventions. Moreover, transmission and phylogenetic analysis revealed multiple independent sources of introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into Turkey and a close relationship to the isolates from Saudi Arabia. The first case of the novel coronavirus outbreak in humans was reported in Wuhan, China. The disease was named COVID-19 by WHO, and the virus was named SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses [1]. Since the emergence of COVID-19, based on the WHO report of July 8, 2020, more than 11,591,595 confirmed cases were reported in 147 countries, with 537,859 deaths, due to rapidly spreading SARS-CoV-2 [2]. Genetically different coronaviruses are spread in birds, humans and other mammals and can lead to severe diseases of the intestine, liver, nervous system, and respiratory system. Turkey straddles eastern Europe and western Asia and is a major travel hub. According to the World Health Organization's report dated April 24, 2020, Turkey ranks sixth in the European region in terms of COVID-19 disease, after Spain, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France [3]. The first case of COVID-19 in Turkey was reported on March 11, 2020, and two months after the first case, on May 11, 2020, the Turkish Ministry of Health declared that the number of COVID-19 cases had reached 139,771, with 3841 deaths [4]. In the light of the coronavirus outbreak, the present study was designed with the aim to characterize notable genetic features of SARS-CoV-2 from Turkey and to identify some novel mutations in the spike protein (S), nucleocapsid protein (N), and non-structural proteins (nsp2, nsp3, nsp4, nsp6, nsp12/RdRP). Furthermore, transmission and phylogenetic analysis were also conducted to provide significant insight into the spread of the virus within Turkey. For analysis, a total of 80 genome sequences of virulent strains from Turkey that had been uploaded to the NCBI (https ://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genba nk) and GISAID (https ://www.gisai d.org/) databases as of May 4, 2020, were retrieved and compared to genome sequences from Saudi

Key message We provide evidence that the expression of the PPO gene was significantly reduced in response to wounding, MeJ and herbivory in transgenic tobacco under wound-inducible OsRGLP2 promoter in an anti-sense orientation. Abstract Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) genes play an important role in plant defense mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stresses. In the present study, a 655 bp core sequence of the potato PPO gene was placed under the control of wound-inducible OsRGLP2 promoter in an anti-sense direction to evaluate its potential effects during biotic (Trialeurodes vaporariorum's infestation) and various abiotic (wounding, MeJ, ABA) stresses. Transcriptional profiling of PPO gene by real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in transgenic tobacco revealed a significant suppression (3.5-fold) of PPO in response to wounding than control plants after 24 h. In response to MeJ at different concentrations (100 µM and 200 µM), the PPO expression was greatly down-regulated by 4.7-fold after 6 h at 100 µM MeJ, and a non-significant expression was observed with ABA treatment. Moreover, significant levels of PPO reduction (sixfolds) was found in whitefly feeding assay indicating that expression of potato PPO in an anti-sense orientation had down-regulated the PPO activity. This down-regulation of PPO by wounding, MeJ and whitefly infestation clearly links the specific expression of PPO in biotic and abiotic stresses. In the future, PPO gene suppression in transgenic plants using anti-sense potato PPO gene construct can be used to inhibit enzymatic browning in fruits and vegetables, e.g., potato.