Biology

18 pages, 28837 KB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change Reshapes the Habitat Suitability and Niche Stability of Argentina anserina (L.) Rydb. in Three Ethnic Prefectures of Sichuan Province Based on an Ensemble Model

by Yu Huang, Yong Huang and Yi Huang

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1357; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161357 - 10 Aug 2026

Abstract

Climate change may substantially alter the habitat suitability and spatial stability of highland edible and medicinal plant resources. Argentina anserina (L.) Rydb. is an important wild resource plant in western China, but its potential distribution and future climate-change response in the three ethnic [...] Read more.

Climate change may substantially alter the habitat suitability and spatial stability of highland edible and medicinal plant resources. Argentina anserina (L.) Rydb. is an important wild resource plant in western China, but its potential distribution and future climate-change response in the three ethnic prefectures of Sichuan Province remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we used an ensemble species distribution modeling framework based on 31 spatially filtered occurrence records and 12 environmental predictors to evaluate the current and future habitat suitability of A. anserina under SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585 scenarios for the 2050s and 2090s. The ensemble model showed acceptable overall discrimination ability and was used to identify broad-scale suitability patterns. Mean diurnal range, precipitation of the driest quarter, isothermality, and topsoil pH were the main environmental predictors, indicating that thermal variability, dry-season moisture availability, and edaphic conditions jointly shaped habitat suitability. Under current conditions, the total suitable habitat area was predicted to be 15.57 × 10⁴ km², accounting for 57.2% of the study region, with high-suitability habitats mainly concentrated in the northern, northwestern, and central areas. Future projections suggested an overall decline in suitable habitats, especially in high-suitability areas, although the magnitude varied among scenarios and periods. Spatial change and centroid migration analyses indicated that future suitable habitats may undergo contraction and westward or northwestward redistribution rather than uniform expansion. Niche overlap analysis further showed moderate to relatively high overlap between current and future environmental spaces, suggesting partial niche stability with scenario-dependent shifts. Given the limited field-based occurrence records, these findings should be interpreted as broad-scale spatial guidance rather than precise local predictions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Ecology)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 9364 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses of Longissimus Thoracis Muscle Provide Insights into Metabolic Differences Between Yanbian and Yanhuang Cattle

by Yang Lyu, Zhiwei Zhu, Baoxin Zhao, Zezhu Ren, Meng Zhou, Jing Yu, He Ding, Hongyu Liu, Yi Fang, Jing Zhao and Wenfa Lyu

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1356; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161356 - 10 Aug 2026

Abstract

Meat quality is an important economic trait in beef cattle and is influenced by breed-related metabolic characteristics. Yanbian cattle (YB) are valued for desirable meat quality, whereas Yanhuang cattle (YH), developed using Limousin cattle as the paternal line and Yanbian cattle as the [...] Read more.

Meat quality is an important economic trait in beef cattle and is influenced by breed-related metabolic characteristics. Yanbian cattle (YB) are valued for desirable meat quality, whereas Yanhuang cattle (YH), developed using Limousin cattle as the paternal line and Yanbian cattle as the maternal line, exhibit improved growth performance and carcass yield. However, the molecular basis underlying metabolic variation between these two genetically related cattle populations remains unclear. In this study, longissimus thoracis muscle samples from six animals per breed were analyzed using LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics and GC×GC-TOF/MS-based volatile compound profiling, and a subset of three samples per breed from the same cohort was selected for transcriptomic sequencing. A total of 1697 metabolites were detected. Based on the screening criteria of VIP > 1 and p < 0.05, 202 candidate metabolites were identified, among which 11 remained statistically significant after false discovery rate (FDR) correction. Volatile compound profiling detected 1333 and 1516 compounds in YB and YH, respectively, of which 809 were shared. Based on the same screening criteria, 39 candidate volatile compounds were identified, although none remained significant after FDR correction. Transcriptomic analysis identified 360 differentially expressed genes using |log₂FC| > 1 and adjusted p < 0.05, with enrichment mainly observed in pathways associated with carbohydrate metabolism, lipid turnover, and energy utilization. Integrative analyses indicated that amino acid-related metabolites, including phenylpyruvate, 2-aminobenzoic acid, and asparagine, were more closely associated with candidate volatile compounds than metabolites involved in central carbon metabolism. Several genes involved in lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, and muscle structure, including DGAT2, MGLL, CRYAB, CSRP3, AGPAT2, PHKA1, AMPD1, and PGM2L1, were associated with distinct metabolic modules. These findings provide an exploratory view of breed-related metabolic variation and identify candidate molecular features for future validation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1908 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bacterial Community Dynamics and Ecological Characteristics in Temporary Holding Water of Live Seafood Tanks

by Ding Li, Yulin Lu, Jun Yuan, Xiaoping Wu and Weiqing Huang

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1355; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161355 - 10 Aug 2026

Abstract

Temporary holding water in live aquatic-product markets represents a short-term, animal-associated aquatic microenvironment, but its bacterial community dynamics remain poorly understood. In this study, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to characterize bacterial communities in holding water of Anguilla japonica, Sinonovacula [...] Read more.

Temporary holding water in live aquatic-product markets represents a short-term, animal-associated aquatic microenvironment, but its bacterial community dynamics remain poorly understood. In this study, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was used to characterize bacterial communities in holding water of Anguilla japonica, Sinonovacula constricta, and Ruditapes philippinarum. Samples were collected in the morning and evening to evaluate taxon-associated differences and short-term temporal shifts. The bacterial communities showed clear differentiation among the six animal–time groups. Anguilla japonica holding water showed distinct bacterial assemblages from the two bivalve-associated systems, whereas S. constricta and R. philippinarum holding water exhibited more pronounced morning-to-evening changes. In particular, R. philippinarum holding water had higher bacterial richness and a larger proportion of group-specific taxa in the morning, suggesting greater initial community heterogeneity. In addition, the occurrence–abundance analysis showed that taxa with broader distributions tended to have higher mean relative abundances, whereas Rud_8 contained a comparatively large proportion of low-occurrence taxa. Overall, this study demonstrates that live aquatic-product holding water harbors taxon-specific and time-responsive bacterial communities. These findings provide preliminary ecological insight into microbial dynamics in market-associated artificial aquatic microenvironments and highlight the need to consider aquatic animal type and sampling time in future water-quality monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights in Aquatic Microbial Ecology)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2523 KB

Open AccessArticle

Intermittent Administration Alleviates Enrofloxacin-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Zebrafish via Adaptive Lipid Remodeling and p38 MAPK Signaling

by Jiangkun Yu, Yiming Liu, Yake Gao, Dingxi Pan, Mingying Li and Wei Guo

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1354; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161354 - 10 Aug 2026

Abstract

Enrofloxacin (ENR) has been widely used in global aquaculture production, yet its hepatotoxic impacts under different operational administration modes remain poorly understood. Current environmental risk assessments and therapeutic guidelines generally assume that cumulative exposure dose dictates biological outcomes, largely ignoring the temporal patterns [...] Read more.

Enrofloxacin (ENR) has been widely used in global aquaculture production, yet its hepatotoxic impacts under different operational administration modes remain poorly understood. Current environmental risk assessments and therapeutic guidelines generally assume that cumulative exposure dose dictates biological outcomes, largely ignoring the temporal patterns of drug administration. In the present study, we systematically compared the hepatotoxic, metabolic, and molecular effects of two matched-duration ENR administration regimens, continuous versus intermittent, on adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) at environmentally realistic concentrations (0.4, 4, and 40 μg/L). Biochemical, histological, and lipidomic analyses revealed fundamentally divergent toxicological trajectories between the two regimens. While both regimens induced significant basal triglyceride and cholesterol depletion, continuous exposure drove progressive hepatocellular damage, characterized by elevated transaminase activities, unconstrained glycogen accumulation, and the eventual collapse of antioxidant defenses, culminating in severe lipid peroxidation. Mechanistically, continuous exposure triggered sustained pathological activation of the p38 MAPK signaling cascade and broad upregulation of de novo phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) biosynthesis. In contrast, intermittent exposure provided a critical physiological buffering window, whereby the depuration phase enabled a sustained, adaptive antioxidant response that successfully suppressed lipid peroxidation, significantly alleviated structural liver injury, and raised the activation threshold for the p38 stress response. Furthermore, lipidomic and transcriptional profiling demonstrated that intermittent exposure uniquely induced compensatory lipid remodeling, characterized by adaptive ceramide signaling and a metabolic shift. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the temporal pattern of exposure critically dictates ENR hepatotoxicity, highlighting the need to perform discriminative risk assessment and providing a mechanistic basis for optimizing antibiotic stewardship in aquaculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Models in Toxicology (2nd Edition))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 29358 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Dietary Curcumin Supplementation Under High-Level Fishmeal Replacement with Clostridium autoethanogenum Protein in Penaeus vannamei: Growth Performance, Immunity, Intestinal Health, and Transcriptome Responses

by Yue Yin, Sheng Ke, Jian Chen, Ling Pan, Yudong Zheng, Hongming Wang, Lili Shi and Shuang Zhang

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1353; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161353 - 10 Aug 2026

Abstract

Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP) offers a sustainable fishmeal alternative, but high inclusion may impair shrimp growth and health. This study evaluated the responses associated with dietary curcumin (CUR) supplementation in Penaeus vannamei fed a diet in which 50% of the fishmeal was replaced [...] Read more.

Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP) offers a sustainable fishmeal alternative, but high inclusion may impair shrimp growth and health. This study evaluated the responses associated with dietary curcumin (CUR) supplementation in Penaeus vannamei fed a diet in which 50% of the fishmeal was replaced with CAP. Three diets were formulated: a fishmeal-based control diet (FM), a low-fishmeal diet in which 50% of the fishmeal was replaced with CAP (CAP), and the CAP diet supplemented with 60 mg/kg CUR (CTER). After an 8-week feeding trial, P. vannamei fed the CAP diet exhibited significantly lower final body weight, weight gain rate, and specific growth rate, accompanied by adverse histological changes in the intestine and hepatopancreas, reduced hepatopancreatic immune enzyme activities, and alterations in the intestinal microbiota. Compared with the CAP group, CUR supplementation was associated with improved growth performance, higher survival following WSSV exposure, improved hepatopancreatic and intestinal morphology, increased immune enzyme activities, greater microbial richness, and shifts in the relative abundance of several dominant bacterial taxa. Transcriptomic analysis further suggested that the beneficial effects of CUR may be partly associated with differential expression of genes enriched in metabolism- and immunity-related pathways. Overall, dietary CUR supplementation was associated with broad improvements in growth, tissue condition, nonspecific immune responses, intestinal microbial profiles, and post-challenge survival under the high-CAP dietary condition. These findings support the potential application of CUR as a functional additive in CAP-based, low-fishmeal diets for P. vannamei. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Marine and Freshwater Biology)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1249 KB

Open AccessArticle

Age-Associated Behavioral Alterations in Laboratory-Housed Octodon degus

by Huiru Bai, Yiran Liu, Andrei Seluanov and Vera Gorbunova

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1352; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161352 - 10 Aug 2026

Abstract

Octodon degus are long-lived, diurnal, and highly social rodents increasingly used in studies of aging and neurodegeneration. However, behavioral profiles of aged laboratory-housed degus remain incompletely characterized, limiting the interpretation of aging-associated functional and molecular phenotypes in this species. Here, we evaluated age-associated [...] Read more.

Octodon degus are long-lived, diurnal, and highly social rodents increasingly used in studies of aging and neurodegeneration. However, behavioral profiles of aged laboratory-housed degus remain incompletely characterized, limiting the interpretation of aging-associated functional and molecular phenotypes in this species. Here, we evaluated age-associated changes in locomotor activity, open-field exploration, social novelty behavior, and manually scored ethological responses in young and old degus maintained under long-term laboratory housing conditions. Automated behavioral tracking was performed during open-field testing and three-chamber social behavior testing. During open-field testing, old degus showed increased locomotor activity compared with young animals, including greater total distance moved, higher mean velocity, increased moving frequency, and longer cumulative movement duration. Old degus also showed increased center-zone duration and reduced thigmotaxis score. Manual ethological scoring revealed increased rearing and fecal boli in old animals during open-field exposure. In the three-chamber social behavior assay, young degus showed higher investigation frequency toward the novel intruder than toward the familiar cagemate, whereas old degus showed a lower social novelty discrimination index compared with young animals. Exploratory sex-stratified analyses identified selective differences in center–border exploration in the young cohort: young males spent more time in the center zone and showed lower thigmotaxis than young females, whereas no significant sex-associated differences were detected in the other open-field or social novelty measures examined. Together, these findings indicate that aging in laboratory-housed degus is associated with a mixed behavioral profile involving increased stress-related ethological responses and reduced social novelty discrimination, affecting behavioral domains relevant to dementia and neurodegenerative aging. This behavioral framework provides a practical reference for future studies examining behavioral heterogeneity and molecular or neuropathological correlates of brain aging in degus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Behavioural Biology)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 15306 KB

Open AccessReview

Revealing the Mechanisms of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s Diseases Through Invertebrate Models

by Xing Ding, Peijin Wang, Limin Zhou and Xingxia Li

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1351; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161351 - 10 Aug 2026

Abstract

The neural circuits of the human brain are highly complex (due to the number of neurons and the diversity of synaptic connections), hindering the analysis of the pathological mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. Invertebrates with simple yet well-differentiated nervous systems have a natural advantage [...] Read more.

The neural circuits of the human brain are highly complex (due to the number of neurons and the diversity of synaptic connections), hindering the analysis of the pathological mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. Invertebrates with simple yet well-differentiated nervous systems have a natural advantage over mammalian model organisms in the identification of pathogenic genes and functional studies of neurodegenerative diseases. They can provide unique and profound insights into the pathogenesis of complex human neurodegenerative diseases and the formulation of intervention strategies. This article reviews the conserved mechanisms of three neurodegenerative diseases across species, including protein homeostasis imbalance and aggregation toxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic abnormalities, axonal transport defects, and loss of synaptic function. Based on research on three invertebrates in the field of neurodegeneration, namely Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster), and Bombyx mori (B. mori), we cover three major types of neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD). The aim is to find important inspirations for the future prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases from the aspects of the material basis and existing treatment strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Neuroscience)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 7722 KB

Open AccessArticle

Distinct Evolutionary Constraints Shape TNL and CNL Immune Receptors in Wild and Cultivated Tomato

by Shibo Meng, Jiajun Zhu, Enmei Hu, Jia Liu, Yuan Cheng, Meiying Ruan, Chenxu Liu, Qingjing Ye, Rongqing Wang, Zhuping Yao, Zhimiao Li, Guozhi Zhou, Hongjian Wan and Yougen Chen

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1350; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161350 - 10 Aug 2026

Abstract

Nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat (NLR, historically termed NBS-LRR) proteins are among the most rapidly evolving components of plant innate immunity, yet comparative analyses of NLR subfamily diversification between wild and cultivated accessions of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) have remained limited. Here, we [...] Read more.

Nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat (NLR, historically termed NBS-LRR) proteins are among the most rapidly evolving components of plant innate immunity, yet comparative analyses of NLR subfamily diversification between wild and cultivated accessions of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) have remained limited. Here, we compared the NLR gene family across three representative tomato accessions—the wild species S. chilense and the cultivated tomatoes S. lycopersicum Heinz1706 (large-fruited) and S. lycopersicum LA1464 (cherry tomato)—by integrating genome-wide identification, phylogenetic reconstruction, motif analysis, orthologous clustering, selection-pressure assessment, and expression profiling. We identified 220, 223, and 245 candidate NLR genes in S. chilense, Heinz1706, and LA1464, respectively, and classified them into TIR-type (TNL) and coiled-coil-type (CNL) subfamilies at a consistent ratio of approximately 1:5 across all three accessions. Motif analysis revealed pronounced structural divergence between TNL and CNL proteins, most notably in the region corresponding to the second conserved motif of the NB-ARC domain. Orthologous clustering identified 67 gene clusters shared among the three accessions; within these, TNL genes showed greater sequence divergence (higher Ka and Ks values) than CNL genes but significantly lower Ka/Ks ratios (ω), indicating stronger purifying selection despite their greater raw divergence. Expression profiling further showed that CNL genes were more broadly expressed across tissues and were induced by multiple pathogen-associated molecular patterns, whereas TNL gene expression was more spatially restricted and preferentially induced by effector-related treatments. These results indicate that the TNL and CNL subfamilies of the tomato NLR repertoire have followed distinct evolutionary trajectories and regulatory strategies. As these conclusions are based on comparative genomic and transcriptomic evidence from three accessions rather than on functional validation, they should be regarded as hypotheses; nonetheless, they offer candidate genomic resources and a comparative framework that may inform future disease-resistance breeding in tomato. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of Development and Stress Tolerance in Vegetables)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 3971 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Hypomagnetic Field Environment on Tumor Progression and Gut Microbiota in LLC Tumor-Bearing Mice

by Wenqi Ti, Detian Zhang and Xiaolin Ning

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1349; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161349 - 10 Aug 2026

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment interacts bidirectionally with systemic host factors, including the gut microbiota. However, it remains unclear whether physical environmental stimuli, such as a hypomagnetic field (HMF), can modulate tumor progression and associated microbial features. In this study, C57BL/6 mice bearing subcutaneous Lewis [...] Read more.

The tumor microenvironment interacts bidirectionally with systemic host factors, including the gut microbiota. However, it remains unclear whether physical environmental stimuli, such as a hypomagnetic field (HMF), can modulate tumor progression and associated microbial features. In this study, C57BL/6 mice bearing subcutaneous Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) were maintained under geomagnetic field (GMF) or HMF conditions. We evaluated tumor growth and systemic toxicity, and analyzed fecal samples using 16S rRNA sequencing and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiling. Compared with the GMF control, HMF exposure significantly reduced tumor growth, with an approximately 40% decrease in endpoint tumor volume. No obvious systemic toxicity was detected by monitoring body weight, serum biochemical parameters, and organ histology. HMF exposure altered gut microbial diversity and community composition, with enrichment of several Clostridia-related lineages. Fecal SCFA analysis revealed increased butyrate levels in the HMF group (p = 0.013). Overall, these findings indicate that HMF exposure is linked to reduced LLC tumor growth and changes in gut microbial composition and metabolites. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these interactions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Microbiology)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

26 pages, 2174 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens Ethanolic Seed Extract Enhances Erectile Function-Related Mechanisms: Integrated In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence

by Supaporn Intatham, Phraepakaporn Kunnaja, Thunyatorn Yimsoo, Mingkwan Na Takuathung, Parirat Khonsung, Kanjana Jaijoy, Sunee Chansakaow, Ratchadawan Puangpradab and Seewaboon Sireeratawong

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1348; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161348 - 9 Aug 2026

Abstract

Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) DC. var. pruriens is used as a traditional medication to enhance male sexual function, yet integrated evidence linking vascular-cell mechanisms to in vivo efficacy and safety of a standardized extract remains limited. This study evaluated the ethanolic seed extract of [...] Read more.

Mucuna pruriens (Linn.) DC. var. pruriens is used as a traditional medication to enhance male sexual function, yet integrated evidence linking vascular-cell mechanisms to in vivo efficacy and safety of a standardized extract remains limited. This study evaluated the ethanolic seed extract of M. pruriens var. pruriens (MPSE) on erectile function-related mechanisms, addressing the nitric oxide (NO)–cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)–phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) pathway in vitro, together with mounting frequency, anxiety-like behavior, locomotor activity, and cardiovascular safety in vivo. Soxhlet extraction with 80% ethanol yielded a dark brown, syrupy extract (12.28% w/w), which was standardized by high-performance thin-layer chromatography to contain 278 mg/g extract (27.8% w/w) of L-DOPA (Rf 0.38). Mechanistic effects were assessed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), and a PDE5A1 enzyme assay. Male Wistar rats received MPSE (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) orally for 15 days, with hemodynamic assessment in normotensive and Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats. MPSE significantly increased eNOS expression and NO production in HUVECs, elevated intracellular cGMP in PASMCs, and directly inhibited PDE5A1 enzymatic activity. Repeated administration significantly increased mounting frequency relative to baseline without altering serum testosterone levels, anxiety-like behavior, locomotor activity, mean arterial pressure, or heart rate. These findings indicate that MPSE modulates erectile function-related mechanisms, primarily through peripheral vascular effects on the NO–cGMP–PDE5 pathway, and suggest a favorable safety profile. Erectile function itself was not directly assessed and warrants confirmation in models of erectile response. MPSE nevertheless represents a promising plant-derived candidate for erectile dysfunction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Natural Products: Mechanisms of Action for Promoting Health)

19 pages, 2167 KB

Open AccessArticle

Predicting Climate Change Impacts on the Optimal Habitat of Rare Potaninia mongolica Maxim. on the Mongolian Plateau

by Jinting Guo and Wenhui Su

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1347; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161347 - 9 Aug 2026

Abstract

The combined effects of global climate change and human activities are profoundly reshaping the geographic distribution patterns of rare and endangered plants in arid and semi-arid regions, accelerating habitat fragmentation and population decline, thereby posing a core challenge to biodiversity conservation. As a [...] Read more.

The combined effects of global climate change and human activities are profoundly reshaping the geographic distribution patterns of rare and endangered plants in arid and semi-arid regions, accelerating habitat fragmentation and population decline, thereby posing a core challenge to biodiversity conservation. As a rare semi shrub endemic to the Mongolian Plateau, P. mongolica faces continuous population shrinkage due to habitat fragmentation and climate change caused by extreme weather conditions, overgrazing, and mineral extraction, leaving its survival status critically vulnerable. Based on data from 153 distribution sites, this study employed the MaxEnt model to predict the species’ optimal habitat range, analyzed key environmental factors influencing its distribution, and projected that by the 2050s and 2070s, its total suitable habitat will potentially expand northwestward with increased expansion rates as carbon emissions rise. Its distribution is mainly driven by the minimum temperature of the coldest month, the average temperature in the coldest season and precipitation in the warmest season, which conforms to the law of species movement to the northwest caused by climate warming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate Change on Individual, Population, Community and Ecosystems)

22 pages, 12992 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification of the SRZ Gene Family in Rice and Arabidopsis, and Functional Analysis of OsSRZ1 in Regulating Panicle Exsertion

by Chao Zhang, Sitian Fei, Yingxiang Hou, Jingjing Xu, Qiannan Sun, Chaofeng Shen, Siyu Liu, Lan Li and Yong Luo

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1346; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161346 - 8 Aug 2026

Abstract

The Stress-Repressive Zinc Finger (SRZ) family is a class of zinc finger proteins in plants that has been closely associated with plant growth, development, and stress responses. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide identification of the SRZ family members and identified 14 [...] Read more.

The Stress-Repressive Zinc Finger (SRZ) family is a class of zinc finger proteins in plants that has been closely associated with plant growth, development, and stress responses. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide identification of the SRZ family members and identified 14 and 10 members in rice and Arabidopsis, respectively. We further characterized their phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, conserved motifs, promoter cis-elements, synteny, and spatiotemporal expression patterns. To investigate the functional role of this family in rice, we generated targeted mutants of OsSRZ1 using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Phenotypic analysis revealed that srz1 knockout mutants exhibited significantly reduced plant height. Notably, the homozygous mutant srz1 completely failed in panicle exsertion from the flag leaf sheath, resulting in complete enclosure, whereas the heterozygous mutant srz1(h) exhibited only partial panicle exsertion. Further cytological observations revealed abnormal floral organ development and premature anther senescence in srz1, accompanied by a significant reduction in seed setting rate—srz1(h) set significantly fewer seeds, whereas srz1 exhibited complete sterility with a seed setting rate of 0%. Collectively, these findings suggest that members of the SRZ family may play important roles in rice growth and development. Our results demonstrate that OsSRZ1 is a critical regulator of plant height and panicle exsertion by regulating internode elongation, and that its disruption leads to premature anther programmed cell death (PCD) and consequent seed setting failure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Science)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 5233 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cross-Species Conservation and Function of ALDH6A1/Aldh6a1 Validate Zebrafish and Mouse as Complementary Experimental Systems for Methylmalonate Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase Deficiency

by Yanping Zhang, Xiaoqiao Yue, Qiuhong Xiong, Ping Li and Changxin Wu

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1345; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161345 - 8 Aug 2026

Abstract

Methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (MMSDD; OMIM #614265) is an ultra-rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the ALDH6A1 gene, characterized by multi-system involvement including skeletal abnormalities, hypotonia, and visual impairment. To elucidate its pathogenic mechanisms, we characterized ALDH6A1/Aldh6a1 conservation and function [...] Read more.

Methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (MMSDD; OMIM #614265) is an ultra-rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the ALDH6A1 gene, characterized by multi-system involvement including skeletal abnormalities, hypotonia, and visual impairment. To elucidate its pathogenic mechanisms, we characterized ALDH6A1/Aldh6a1 conservation and function using complementary zebrafish and mouse experimental systems. Bioinformatic and phylogenetic analyses revealed strong conservation of Aldh6a1/aldh6a1 gene structure, protein sequence, functional domains, and mitochondrial targeting across vertebrates. Spatiotemporal profiling also demonstrated dynamic embryonic expression in zebrafish neural tube, somites, liver, and intestine, as well as in metabolically active and developmentally relevant tissues of mice, with patterns that correspond to known MMSDD lesion sites in humans. Functional disruption of Aldh6a1 in zebrafish induced dose-dependent developmental defects, including spinal curvature, tail coiling, pericardial edema, and reduced survival, which were partially rescued by exogenous mRNA, confirming phenotype specificity effects. These findings support a role for ALDH6A1 in mitochondrial metabolism during neurogenesis, myogenesis, and organogenesis. Collectively, this cross-species framework highlights ALDH6A1/Aldh6a1 as essential for vertebrate development, provides mechanistic insight into the multi-system heterogeneity of MMSDD, and establishes a scalable platform for therapeutic discovery and precision intervention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Developmental and Reproductive Biology)

27 pages, 11138 KB

Open AccessArticle

DSCF-DET: An RT-DETR-Based Framework for Fine-Grained Detection of Musk Deer and Visually Similar Artiodactyls

by Jingwen Ji, Yan Wang, Yuhao Zhang, Xianpei Zhu, Kaiwen Guo, Xiaodong Sun, Qin Chen and Bing Niu

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1344; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161344 - 8 Aug 2026

Abstract

Musk deer are forest-dwelling artiodactyls of high conservation value, but their wild populations remain under severe conservation pressure due to poaching driven by the demand for natural musk, together with habitat fragmentation and habitat loss. Efficient non-invasive image-based monitoring is therefore important for [...] Read more.

Musk deer are forest-dwelling artiodactyls of high conservation value, but their wild populations remain under severe conservation pressure due to poaching driven by the demand for natural musk, together with habitat fragmentation and habitat loss. Efficient non-invasive image-based monitoring is therefore important for musk deer conservation; however, fine-grained detection of musk deer and visually similar artiodactyls in ecological images remains difficult because of background camouflage, vegetation occlusion, and high inter-class similarity. In this study, a fine-grained wildlife image dataset was constructed, and an RT-DETR-based framework, termed DSCF-DET, was proposed for automated detection in complex natural scenes. DSCF-DET integrates three task-oriented modules: DRPBlock for receptive-field-aware feature extraction, SASTE for sparse spatial encoding, and CBAFusion for cross-level feature fusion. On the constructed dataset, DSCF-DET achieved 91.4% precision, 86.2% recall, 88.7% F1-score, and 86.4% mAP50. Compared with RT-DETR-r18, it improved these metrics by 8.6, 12.1, 10.5, and 12.4 percentage points, respectively, while maintaining moderate model complexity. Visualization results showed more target-focused feature responses and reduced background-related activations. Cross-dataset experiments on an independent public wildlife dataset further suggested potential applicability to broader wildlife detection scenarios. These results indicate that DSCF-DET provides a computationally balanced approach for ecological image screening and intelligent musk deer monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue AI Deep Learning Approach to Study Biological Questions (3rd Edition))

29 pages, 9296 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integrated Multi-Omics Reveals the Developmental Programs and Metabolic Regulation of the Rare Edible Fungus Buchwaldoboletus xylophilus

by Yuying Liu, Zhiyuan Jia, Teng Jiang, Na Zhang, Lixiao Song, Jin Zhang, Xiaolei Wan, Haiqiang Wang, Can Du, Daoyin Shen, Minglei Li and Jianzhao Qi

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1343; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161343 - 8 Aug 2026

Abstract

Buchwaldoboletus xylophilus is a rare saprotrophic edible mushroom in the Boletaceae and is the second bolete species to have been successfully cultivated artificially, yet its developmental molecular regulation remains unexplored. We integrated RNA-seq transcriptomics and untargeted LC-MS/MS metabolomics across five developmental stages (A–E), [...] Read more.

Buchwaldoboletus xylophilus is a rare saprotrophic edible mushroom in the Boletaceae and is the second bolete species to have been successfully cultivated artificially, yet its developmental molecular regulation remains unexplored. We integrated RNA-seq transcriptomics and untargeted LC-MS/MS metabolomics across five developmental stages (A–E), applying differential expression, alternative splicing, ceRNA network construction, WGCNA, machine learning, consensus clustering, and O2PLS joint modelling. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the mycelium-to-primordium transition (stage A to C) showed the most drastic reprogramming, with 2233 differentially expressed genes, while metabolomic comparison between stage A and E revealed overwhelmingly upregulated metabolites (184 up vs. 10 down), indicating asymmetric regulation between the two omics layers. Notably, mutually exclusive exon splicing events exhibited high functional significance, and all top ceRNA hubs were lncRNAs. Unsupervised consensus clustering validated the molecular distinctness of the sampled stages. Metabolite enrichment highlighted antioxidant functions and ABC transporter pathways, and O2PLS integrative modelling confirmed a strong shared developmental signal between transcriptome and metabolome. This study provides the first multidimensional molecular atlas for B. xylophilus, revealing a non-linear developmental programme, transcriptome–metabolome decoupling, and a central role of antioxidant defence throughout development. Our findings offer mechanistic clues regarding the evolutionary transition from ectomycorrhizal to saprotrophic lifestyles in the Boletaceae and establish a multi-omics foundation for the molecular breeding of this emerging edible and medicinal mushroom. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15 Years of Biology: The View Ahead)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 3804 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Laron Syndrome Mouse Model Reveals a Potential Contribution of Methylglyoxal-Derived Glycative Stress to IGF-1-Driven Prostate Cancer Progression

by Dominga Manfredelli, Camilla Torcoli, Cinzia Lilli, Catia Bellucci, Vincenzo N. Talesa, Francesca Mancuso, Tiziano Baroni and Cinzia Antognelli

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1342; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161342 - 8 Aug 2026

Abstract

Individuals with Laron syndrome, a rare condition characterized by congenital insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) deficiency, display a remarkably low incidence of cancer, suggesting the existence of protective mechanisms linking reduced IGF-1 signaling to decreased cancer susceptibility. Consistent with this observation, IGF-1 is [...] Read more.

Individuals with Laron syndrome, a rare condition characterized by congenital insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) deficiency, display a remarkably low incidence of cancer, suggesting the existence of protective mechanisms linking reduced IGF-1 signaling to decreased cancer susceptibility. Consistent with this observation, IGF-1 is a recognized promoter of prostate cancer (PCa) progression, although the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Methylglyoxal (MG)-derived glycative stress, reflected by the accumulation of MG-derived hydroimidazolone 1 (MG-H1), has been implicated in PCa progression but has never been investigated in Laron syndrome. We found that liver tissues from Laron mice exhibited lower MG-H1 levels, suggesting reduced MG-derived glycative stress associated with low IGF-1 signaling. These findings prompted us to investigate whether MG-derived glycative stress contributes to IGF-1-driven PCa progression. Compared with the less aggressive LNCaP cells, PC3 cells displayed higher basal IGF-1 and MG-H1 levels, consistent with a potential association between IGF-1 and MG-derived glycative stress in PCa progression. Moreover, IGF-1 stimulation of LNCaP cells increased MG-H1 accumulation, proliferation, colony formation, invasiveness, and gene expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-7, MMP-9, receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), and Osteopontin (OPN), all of which were markedly attenuated by the MG scavenger aminoguanidine (AG). Collectively, these findings support a potential contribution of MG-derived glycative stress to IGF-1-driven PCa progression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Developmental and Reproductive Biology)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 24839 KB

Open AccessArticle

Floral and Vegetative Micromorphology of Selected Species of Anoectochilus (Orchidaceae): Insights into Trichome Diversity and Peloria

by Adrianna Maria Kosiróg-Ceynowa, Magdalena Narajczyk, Dorota Łuszczek and Sławomir Nowak

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1341; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161341 - 8 Aug 2026

Abstract

The genus Anoectochilus (Orchidaceae) is characterized by considerable floral diversity, yet its micromorphology remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and morphology of micromorphological structures in selected representatives of the genus, with particular emphasis on the putatively peloric species Anoectochilus [...] Read more.

The genus Anoectochilus (Orchidaceae) is characterized by considerable floral diversity, yet its micromorphology remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and morphology of micromorphological structures in selected representatives of the genus, with particular emphasis on the putatively peloric species Anoectochilus papuanus. The study was designed as a preliminary qualitative survey, with each species represented by a single specimen. Flowers of A. papuanus, A. formosanus, and A. regalis, as well as leaves of A. papuanus and A. formosanus and the inflorescence rachis of A. papuanus, were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Trichomes, stomata, and papillae were documented on floral organs, ovaries, leaves, and the inflorescence rachis. Three principal trichome types were distinguished: oblate, pyriform, and conical. Anoectochilus papuanus exhibited the greatest observed trichome diversity, whereas only oblate trichomes were observed in the available material of A. regalis, although preservation-related deterioration prevented its comprehensive examination. Stomata were observed on floral organs and leaves, with actinocytic, desmocytic, and pericytic types recorded. Papillae occurred on different floral structures and varied in their distribution among the examined species. The labellum of A. papuanus differed from the labella of the remaining species by the presence of stomata and a wrinkled epidermis, resembling the petal surfaces. These observations are consistent with previous interpretations of A. papuanus as a peloric form and document previously unreported micromorphological variation in Anoectochilus. However, the taxonomic and functional significance of the observed characters requires confirmation using broader sampling and quantitative analyses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Science)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 5250 KB

Open AccessReview

Effects of Audible Sound and Ultrasound on Microalgae: Growth Responses and Metabolite Production

by Eleftherios Touloupakis, Raffaella Margherita Zampieri, Cecilia Faraloni and Mario Pagano

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1340; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161340 - 7 Aug 2026

Abstract

Developing sustainable strategies to enhance microalgal productivity is a major challenge in modern biotechnology. Beyond optimizing light, nutrient supply, and temperature, physical stimulation methods have recently attracted growing interest. Among these, audible sound and ultrasound have emerged as promising tools capable of influencing [...] Read more.

Developing sustainable strategies to enhance microalgal productivity is a major challenge in modern biotechnology. Beyond optimizing light, nutrient supply, and temperature, physical stimulation methods have recently attracted growing interest. Among these, audible sound and ultrasound have emerged as promising tools capable of influencing growth, biomass accumulation, and metabolite production in several microalgal species. Although the available literature is still limited, current evidence suggests that acoustic stimulation can alter cellular physiology through mechanosensitive responses, changes in membrane permeability, and modulation of metabolic activity. This review summarizes current knowledge on the effects of sound waves on microalgae, discusses potential mechanisms involved in acoustic perception, and highlights future research directions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptation of Living Species to Environmental Stress (2nd Edition))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2962 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification of the Heterotrimeric G-Protein Gene Family and Its Transcriptional Response to Salt Stress in Foxtail Millet

by Xiuyan Cui, Wei Guo, Ying Han, Yiting Zhang, Shike Zhao, Ling Chen, Wei Zhou, Haigang Wang, Xiang Tian and Junjie Wang

Biology 2026, 15(16), 1339; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15161339 - 7 Aug 2026

Abstract

Heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins, commonly known as G proteins, act as core molecular switches in plant signal transduction, governing multiple biological processes including plant growth, development, phytohormone signaling, and abiotic stress adaptation. In this study, a total of 12 G-protein-related genes were identified in [...] Read more.

Heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins, commonly known as G proteins, act as core molecular switches in plant signal transduction, governing multiple biological processes including plant growth, development, phytohormone signaling, and abiotic stress adaptation. In this study, a total of 12 G-protein-related genes were identified in foxtail millet, consisting of six Gα subunit-encoding genes, one Gβ subunit-encoding gene, and five Gγ subunit-encoding genes. Gene structure and conserved motif analyses showed that members classified into the same subunit clade possessed highly conserved exon–intron organization and motif distribution, indicating evolutionary structural conservation within each G-protein subfamily. Promoter Cis-acting element analysis revealed that all G-protein family genes harbored light-responsive elements, as well as multiple regulatory elements associated with phytohormone signaling and abiotic stress responses. Transcriptome analysis showed that different G-protein genes exhibited distinct expression patterns under salt stress. Notably, SiαXLG2 exhibited drastically induced expression upon salt stress, which serves as a pivotal candidate gene for salt-stress response in foxtail millet. Collectively, this study provides a systematic characterization of the G-protein gene family and offers candidate gene resources for further elucidating G-protein-mediated salt-stress regulatory mechanisms in foxtail millet. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Science)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Description

Biology

Latest Articles

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Highly Accessed Articles

Latest Books

E-Mail Alert

News

Topics

Conferences

Special Issues

Topical Collections

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI