Owing to a sessile lifestyle in nature, plants are routinely faced with diverse hostile environments such as various abiotic and biotic stresses, which lead to accumulation of free radicals in cells, cell damage, protein denaturation, etc., causing adverse effects to cells. During the evolution process, plants formed defense systems composed of numerous complex gene regulatory networks and signal transduction pathways to regulate and maintain the cell homeostasis. Among them, ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP) is the most versatile cellular signal system as well as a powerful mechanism for regulating many aspects of the cell physiology because it removes most of the abnormal and short-lived peptides and proteins. In this system, the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) plays a critical role in transporting ubiquitin from the ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1) to the ubiquitin-ligase enzyme (E3) and substrate. Nevertheless, the comprehensive study regarding the role of E2 enzymes in plants remains unexplored. In this review, the ubiquitination process and the regulatory role that E2 enzymes play in plants are primarily discussed, with the focus particularly put on E2 s regulation of biological functions of the cell. especially E3s (more than 1400 potential E3s are encoded in A. thaliana genome) and E2s (37 E2s are encoded in A. thaliana genome) [8,21]. Therefore, it will be an important task for future research to uncover the role of these enzymes. UbiquitinUbiquitin, a small protein of 76 amino acids acting as a tag in post-translational modification of proteins, is absolutely conserved in vertebrates and higher plants, and only two or three amino acid residues are different even among animals, plants, and fungi [22]. The high conservatism renders ubiquitin interchangeable and universal in different species [23]. Ubiquitin is a β-grasp fold protein consisting of a 3.5-turn α-helix, a short 3 10 helix against a five-strand mixed β-sheet and seven reverse turns [24]. Ubiquitin possesses two hydrophobic surfaces. One surface consists of Ile44, Leu8, Val70, and His68 [25], and the other focuses on Ile36 that can be recognized by HECT (Homology to E6-AP C terminus) E3s, DUBs (Deubiquitinating enzymes), and UBDs (Ubiquitin binding domains) [26][27][28]. Ubiquitin contains seven lysine residues, including Lys-6, Lys-11, Lys-27, Lys-29, Lys-33, Lys-48, Lys-63 (K6, K11, K27, K29, K33, K48, and K63, respectively) [29,30]. Six of the seven Lys linkages (with a preference for Lys-48>Lys-63>Lys-11>>>Lys-33/Lys-29/Lys-6) were detected in A. thaliana [31,32]. Any one of the seven lysine residues or N-terminal Met1 residues in ubiquitin is likely to be involved in ubiquitin chain formation in vivo, and different ubiquitin linkages lead to the formation of different types of ubiquitin chains and induce diverse molecular signals in the cell [29,[33][34][35][36]. Different ways of linking ubiquitin chains and substrates result in distinct fates of the substrates. It is well-known that K48-linked chains are mediators signaling proteasom...

This study was conducted to assess social media (SM) use, psychological distress, and knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among a sample of the population of Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Multan, Pakistan between April and May 2020. Demographics details, SM use, psychological distress, and KAP on the COVID-19 were investigated. A total of 800 respondents were analyzed out of which 33.5% (n = 268) were women. No gender-wise difference was found in the terms of SM use and duration of SM use. Women were prone to have psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, and stress than men in the current COVID-19 pandemic. The mean knowledge score of men was significantly higher compared to women (18.69 ± 4.20 vs. 16.89 ± 3.04, p < 0.001), while the mean score of the attitude and practices on the COVID-19 prevention measures was significantly better in women (p = 0.012 and p < 0.001, respectively). The psychological problems such as anxiety (p < 0.001) and depression scores (p = 0.033) were higher among women than men. The stress score was also higher in women but not significantly higher (p = 0.079). The knowledge was significantly correlated with attitude, anxiety, depression, and stress. The regression analysis showed that the COVID-19-related KAPs are the predictors of psychological suffering of an individual. The female gender was positively associated with anxiety and depression. The SM use was the predictor of the stress. Male respondents had significantly more knowledge of the COVID-19 than female respondents, but women had significantly better attitudes and practiced the COVID-19 prevention measures. Gender is a significant determinant of psychological distress and KAP about the COVID-19. The government has already taken significant steps to limit the spread of the disease; however, much more effort is required to tackle this COVID-19 pandemic.

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SUMO-conjugating enzymes (SCE) and SUMO (Small Ubiquitin-Like Modifiers) genes are important components of SUMOylation. SCE has a crucial role during the SUMOylation process which acts as a catalyst to transfer SUMO to the target protein. Comprehensive studies on SCE and SUMO have been performed in some plants, but studies on these genes remain limited in potato. This study is aimed at exploring the role of StSCE and StSUMO genes in abiotic stress conditions. Nine and seven putative StSCEs and StSUMO genes, respectively, were identified using different methods and databases available for potato. Chromosomal localization showed that SCE and StSUMO genes are unevenly distributed on 7 different chromosomes. Potato genome database was accessed for the expression profile of StSCE and StSUMO genes, and these genes were differentially expressed in different tissues and organs during different phases of plant growth. The expression patterns on different treatments were further evaluated using qRT-PCR for all the StSCE and StSUMO genes. The expression was upregulated in StSCE1/5/6 and 7 under salt and PEG treatment. StSUMO 1/2 and 4 were upregulated under salt stress whereas StSCE9 and StSUMO2 and 4 were observed downregulated under PEG treatment. The results of this study could be useful to explore the role of StSCE genes in potato improvement.

The study was conducted to investigate influence of parenting styles on the academic achievement of secondary school enrolment from the perspective of Pakistan's culture. A cross-sectional research design was used to complete this research. A survey was used as a method of data collection accompanied by questionnaires. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to approach the participants. The sample was comprised of 720 students at the secondary level. The outcomes of the study exposed that there is a positive link between parenting styles (responsiveness and control), academic self-efficacy, and academic achievement. The study results indicate a positive impact of parenting style (responsiveness) on the students' academic achievement at the secondary school level. Students reported differences in parenting styles (providing responsiveness and control), academic self-efficacy, and academic achievement. The study found significant differences between various groups of students' mothers' education. Results of the study revealed that responsiveness and control of parenting styles are not substantially different in various regions of the world.

The current study was conducted to investigate the cultural impact of perceived parental expectation on students’ academic stress. Study was completed through correlational research design. Survey was conducted by using questionnaires as a method of data collection. Multistage-sampling technique was used to approach the respondents. As a sample of study 977 students were selected. There are two research instruments that were used; Perceived Parental Expectation Scale (Wang, & Heppner, 2002) and Questionnaire of Academic Stress in Secondary Education (Garcia-Ros, Perez-Gonzalez, & Tomas, 2018). Following statistical tests were used to analyze the data; Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Linear regression, t-test for independent samples design, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results revealed that a positive relationship between parental expectation and academic stress, standard regression model show significant impact of parental expectations on academic stress and difference of perceived parental expectations and academic stress with respect to the gender of the students’ differences was reported in result favoring male students for higher expectations and stress. Students those parents were unemployed reported to perceive higher level of parental expectations and academic stress. Significant differences due to geographical location of zones (upper Punjab, central Punjab and southern Punjab) relative to parental expectations and academic stress was also reported. Significant results were reported according to different groups of parental education. In the domain of SES, there are differences in parental expectations and academic stress among students at secondary level.

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