International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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18 pages, 8301 KB

Open AccessArticle

Biochemical Insights into Lipid Remodeling in Wheat Anthers Under High-Temperature Stress

by Guang Chen, Peimin Zhao, Wenping Wang, Honghong Wu and Qiang Li

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(23), 11426; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311426 - 26 Nov 2025

Viewed by 137

Abstract

High-temperature (HT) stress during flowering significantly impairs anther development and pollen fertility, leading to substantial yield loss in wheat. A key aspect of plant adaptation to temperature stress concerns remodeling of lipid metabolism. In this study, heat-tolerant and heat-sensitive wheat cultivars were employed [...] Read more.

High-temperature (HT) stress during flowering significantly impairs anther development and pollen fertility, leading to substantial yield loss in wheat. A key aspect of plant adaptation to temperature stress concerns remodeling of lipid metabolism. In this study, heat-tolerant and heat-sensitive wheat cultivars were employed to investigate the biochemical alterations in lipid metabolism in response to high-temperature (HT) stress during anthesis. Pollen viability and SEM demonstrated that, under high temperature, the heat-tolerant cultivar maintained a more stable pollen structure and exhibited higher pollen fertility compared to the sensitive cultivar. Fatty acid analysis showed that HT led to a decrease in the unsaturated fatty acid 18:3 and an increase in the saturated fatty acid 16:0, thereby reducing the double bond index in both cultivars. Lipidomic profiling revealed that HT caused a shift toward higher levels of saturated acyl chains, reducing unsaturation in both phospholipids and galactolipids. Notably, the levels of saturated lipids such as PC (34:0) and PA (36:0) increased markedly upon heat exposure in the heat-tolerant cultivar, whereas only minor changes were observed in the heat-sensitive cultivar. Furthermore, analysis of cuticular lipids showed a reduction in polyunsaturated cutin components under high temperature in wheat anthers. Heat treatment caused a substantial reduction in fertile spikelet rate in both cultivars, while the heat-tolerant cultivar maintained a better seed setting and higher yield. These findings provide biochemical insights into lipid metabolic adjustments that underlie thermotolerance during anthesis in wheat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights of Fungal and Plant Lipids: Structural Diversity, Metabolism and Applications)

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10 pages, 1074 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Sterol Composition in the Lichens Lobaria pulmonaria and Lobaria retigera: Does Photobiont Matter?

by Julia N. Valitova, Venera R. Khabibrakhmanova, Vasiliy M. Babayev, Ajsylu F. Khajrullina, Oleg P. Gurjanov, Natalia I. Gazizova, Richard P. Beckett and Farida V. Minibayeva

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(22), 11041; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262211041 - 14 Nov 2025

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Abstract

The lipid composition of the mycobint and photobiont symbiotic partners of lichenized ascomycetes varies greatly. The aim of this study was to compare the profile of the major sterols in two closely related lichens from the genus Lobaria with different photobionts. The three-component [...] Read more.

The lipid composition of the mycobint and photobiont symbiotic partners of lichenized ascomycetes varies greatly. The aim of this study was to compare the profile of the major sterols in two closely related lichens from the genus Lobaria with different photobionts. The three-component lichen Lobaria pulmonaria has two photobionts. While the main photobiont is the chlorophycean alga Symbiochloris reticulata, this lichen contains small amounts of the cyanobacterium Nostoc. By contrast, the cyanobacterium Nostoc is the main photobiont in Lobaria retigera. Relatively loosely bound sterols were extracted using a chloroform–methanol mixture, and subsequently, more tightly bound sterols by alkaline saponification. The initial chloroform–methanol extraction step indicated that ergosterol is the principal sterol in both species, with phytosterols constituting a minor fraction. However, the addition of an alkaline saponification step to the standard protocol of sterol extraction greatly increases the release of tightly bound phytosterols, such as campesterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol from L. pulmonaria, but not from L. retigera. Therefore, the mycobionts and Nostoc mainly possess sterols extractable by the standard mixture of chloroform/methanol, while the chlorophycean algal photobiont contains tightly bound sterols. This observation could be important when studying the roles of sterols in the stress tolerance of lichens. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights of Fungal and Plant Lipids: Structural Diversity, Metabolism and Applications)

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18 pages, 5813 KB

Open AccessArticle

Lipid Profile of Larix cajanderi Mayr in Adaptation to Natural Conditions in the Cryolithozone

by Vasiliy V. Nokhsorov, Tatiana D. Tatarinova, Lyubov V. Dudareva, Natalia V. Semenova and Trofim C. Maximov

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(1), 164; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26010164 - 28 Dec 2024

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Abstract

The prevalence of coniferous trees in the forest landscapes of northeastern Siberia is conditioned by their high frost resistance. The Kajander larch (Larix cajanderi Mayr), which can survive under natural conditions (down to −60 °C) in the cryolithozone of Yakutia, is the [...] Read more.

The prevalence of coniferous trees in the forest landscapes of northeastern Siberia is conditioned by their high frost resistance. The Kajander larch (Larix cajanderi Mayr), which can survive under natural conditions (down to −60 °C) in the cryolithozone of Yakutia, is the dominant forest-forming species. We hypothesise that our study using HPTLC–UV/Vis/FLD, TLC–GC/FID, and GC–MS methods of seasonal features of the lipid profile of Kajander larch tissues will bring us closer to understanding the mechanisms of participation of lipid components in the adaptation of this valuable tree species to the cold climate of the cryolithozone. Rare delta5-unsaturated polymethylene-interrupted fatty acids (∆5-UPIFA) were identified in the fatty acids (FAs) of L. cajanderi shoots, including 18:2(Δ5.9) (taxoleic), 18:3(Δ5.9.12) (pinolenic), and 18:4(Δ5.9.12.15) (coniferonic). It was found that the content of ∆5-UPIFA in L. cajanderi shoots markedly increased (1.5-fold, representing up to 23.9% of sum FAs) during the autumnal transition of trees to dormancy. It was observed that the ranges of low temperatures experienced during the prolonged winter period primarily determined the structural diversity of membrane lipids and their constituent FAs during the cold adaptation of L. cajanderi. The results obtained can be used for the selection of molecular markers of cold tolerance in woody plants, including fruit trees. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights of Fungal and Plant Lipids: Structural Diversity, Metabolism and Applications)

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13 pages, 1536 KB

Open AccessArticle

Membrane Lipids and Osmolytes in the Response of the Acidophilic Basidiomycete Phlebiopsis gigantea to Heat, Cold, and Osmotic Shocks

by Elena A. Ianutsevich, Olga A. Danilova, Olga A. Grum-Grzhimaylo and Vera M. Tereshina

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(6), 3380; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25063380 - 16 Mar 2024

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1831

Abstract

Previously, we found for the first time the participation of osmolytes in adaptation to acidic conditions in three acidophilic fungi. Because trehalose can protect membranes, we hypothesized a relationship between osmolyte and membrane systems in adaptation to stressors. In the mycelium of Phlebiopsis [...] Read more.

Previously, we found for the first time the participation of osmolytes in adaptation to acidic conditions in three acidophilic fungi. Because trehalose can protect membranes, we hypothesized a relationship between osmolyte and membrane systems in adaptation to stressors. In the mycelium of Phlebiopsis gigantea, the level of osmolytes reaches 8% of the dry mass, while trehalose and arabitol make up 60% and 33% of the sum, respectively. Cold shock does not change the composition of osmolytes, heat shock causes a twofold increase in the trehalose level, and osmotic shock leads to a marked increase in the amount of trehalose and arabitol. Predominance of phospholipids (89% of the sum) and low proportions of sterols and sphingolipids are characteristic features of the membrane lipids’ composition. Phosphatidic acids, along with phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylcholines, are the main membrane lipids. The composition of the membrane lipids remains constant under all shocks. The predominance of linoleic (75% of the sum) and palmitic (20%) acids in phospholipids results in a high degree of unsaturation (1.5). Minor fluctuations in the fatty acid composition are observed under all shocks. The results demonstrate that maintaining or increasing the trehalose level provides stability in the membrane lipid composition during adaptation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights of Fungal and Plant Lipids: Structural Diversity, Metabolism and Applications)

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17 pages, 2164 KB

Open AccessArticle

Identification of Conjugated Dienes of Fatty Acids in Vischeria sp. IPPAS C-70 under Oxidative Stress

by Roman A. Sidorov, Alexander Y. Starikov, Maria A. Sinetova, Elizaveta V. Guilmisarian and Dmitry A. Los

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(6), 3239; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25063239 - 13 Mar 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2489

Abstract

The microalgae Vischeria sp. IPPAS C-70 produces eicosapentaenoic acid. Several stresses cause the formation of fatty acid peaks that resemble hexadecadienoic acids. We used the integrated technique including TLC, HPLC, and GC–MS to search and determine these fatty acids. Double bond positioning in [...] Read more.

The microalgae Vischeria sp. IPPAS C-70 produces eicosapentaenoic acid. Several stresses cause the formation of fatty acid peaks that resemble hexadecadienoic acids. We used the integrated technique including TLC, HPLC, and GC–MS to search and determine these fatty acids. Double bond positioning in these fatty acids indicated that they were conjugated dienes and allenes. We identified and described natural nine isomers of C16 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including common methylene-interrupted dienes (Δ6,9-16:2, Δ7,10-16:2, Δ9,12-16:2), and unusual conjugated dienes (Δ6,8-, Δ7,9-, Δ8,10-, Δ9,11-, and Δ10,12-16:2), as well as allenic diene (Δ9,10-16:2). We hypothesize that the formation of conjugated dienes and allenes among fatty acids is the result of oxidative stress caused by H₂O₂. Hydrogen peroxide also caused an increase in saturated at the expense of unsaturated fatty acids, suggesting inhibition either fatty acid desaturases activities or the corresponding gene expression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights of Fungal and Plant Lipids: Structural Diversity, Metabolism and Applications)

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22 pages, 7242 KB

Open AccessArticle

Uptake and Metabolic Conversion of Exogenous Phosphatidylcholines Depending on Their Acyl Chain Structure in Arabidopsis thaliana

by Ekaterina R. Kotlova, Svetlana V. Senik, Gregory A. Pozhvanov, Ilya A. Prokopiev, Ivan A. Boldyrev, Bairta S. Manzhieva, Ekaterina Ya. Amigud, Roman K. Puzanskiy, Anna A. Khakulova and Evgeny B. Serebryakov

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(1), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25010089 - 20 Dec 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2746

Abstract

Fungi and plants are not only capable of synthesizing the entire spectrum of lipids de novo but also possess a well-developed system that allows them to assimilate exogenous lipids. However, the role of structure in the ability of lipids to be absorbed and [...] Read more.

Fungi and plants are not only capable of synthesizing the entire spectrum of lipids de novo but also possess a well-developed system that allows them to assimilate exogenous lipids. However, the role of structure in the ability of lipids to be absorbed and metabolized has not yet been characterized in detail. In the present work, targeted lipidomics of phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), in parallel with morphological phenotyping, allowed for the identification of differences in the effects of PC molecular species introduced into the growth medium, in particular, typical bacterial saturated (14:0/14:0, 16:0/16:0), monounsaturated (16:0/18:1), and typical for fungi and plants polyunsaturated (16:0/18:2, 18:2/18:2) species, on Arabidopsis thaliana. For comparison, the influence of an artificially synthesized (1,2-di-(3-(3-hexylcyclopentyl)-propanoate)-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine, which is close in structure to archaeal lipids, was studied. The phenotype deviations stimulated by exogenous lipids included changes in the length and morphology of both the roots and leaves of seedlings. According to lipidomics data, the main trends in response to exogenous lipid exposure were an increase in the proportion of endogenic 18:1/18:1 PC and 18:1_18:2 PC molecular species and a decrease in the relative content of species with C18:3, such as 18:3/18:3 PC and/or 16:0_18:3 PC, 16:1_18:3 PE. The obtained data indicate that exogenous lipid molecules affect plant morphology not only due to their physical properties, which are manifested during incorporation into the membrane, but also due to the participation of exogenous lipid molecules in the metabolism of plant cells. The results obtained open the way to the use of PCs of different structures as cellular regulators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights of Fungal and Plant Lipids: Structural Diversity, Metabolism and Applications)

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Review

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35 pages, 2444 KB

Open AccessReview

The Photosynthetic Complexes of Thylakoid Membranes of Photoautotrophs and a Quartet of Their Polar Lipids

by Anatoly Zhukov and Vadim Volkov

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(20), 9869; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26209869 - 10 Oct 2025

Viewed by 1398

Abstract

The important function of polar lipids in the biochemical chains of photosynthesis, the outstanding biochemical process on our planet, has been mentioned in many publications. Over the last several years, apart from the known function of lipids in creating a matrix for photosynthetic [...] Read more.

The important function of polar lipids in the biochemical chains of photosynthesis, the outstanding biochemical process on our planet, has been mentioned in many publications. Over the last several years, apart from the known function of lipids in creating a matrix for photosynthetic complexes, most attention has been paid to the role of lipids in building up and functioning of the photosynthetic complexes. The lipid molecules are found inside the complexes of photosystem II (PSII), photosystem I (PSI), and cytochrome b₆f (Cyt b₆f) together with other cofactors that accompany proteins and chlorophyll molecules. Super complexes PSII-light-harvesting complex II (PSII-LHCII) and PSI-light-harvesting complex I (PSI-LHCI) also include lipid molecules; part of the lipid molecules is located at the borders between the separate monomers of the complexes. Our interest is in the exact localization of lipid molecules inside the monomers: what are the protein subunits with the lipid molecules in between and how do the lipids contact directly with the amino acids of the proteins? The photosystems include very few classes of all the polar lipids, three groups of glyceroglycolipids, and one group of glycerophospholipids make up the quartet of polar lipids. What are the reasons they have been selected for the role? There are no doubts that the polar heads and the fatty acids chains of these lipids are taking part in the processes of photosynthesis. However, what are the distinct roles for each of them? The advantages and disadvantages of the head groups of lipids from thylakoid membranes and those lipids that for various reasons could not take their place are discussed. Attention is focused on those bound fatty acids that predominate or are characteristic for each class of thylakoid lipids. Emphasis is also placed on the content of each of the four lipids in all photosynthetic complexes, as well as on contacts of head groups and acyl chains of lipids with specific proteins, transmembrane chains, and their amino acids. This article is devoted to the search for answers to the questions posed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights of Fungal and Plant Lipids: Structural Diversity, Metabolism and Applications)

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19 pages, 997 KB

Open AccessReview

Stigmasterol: An Enigmatic Plant Stress Sterol with Versatile Functions

by Julia Valitova, Albina Renkova, Richard Beckett and Farida Minibayeva

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(15), 8122; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25158122 - 25 Jul 2024

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 6327

Abstract

Sterols play important structural and regulatory roles in numerous intracellular processes. Unlike animals, plants contain a distinctive and diverse variety of sterols. Recently, information has emerged showing that stigmasterol is a “stress sterol”. Stigmasterol is synthesized via the mevalonate biosynthesis pathway and has [...] Read more.

Sterols play important structural and regulatory roles in numerous intracellular processes. Unlike animals, plants contain a distinctive and diverse variety of sterols. Recently, information has emerged showing that stigmasterol is a “stress sterol”. Stigmasterol is synthesized via the mevalonate biosynthesis pathway and has structural similarity to β-sitosterol but differs in the presence of a trans-oriented double bond in the side chain. In plants, the accumulation of stigmasterol has been observed in response to various stresses. However, the precise ways that stigmasterol is involved in the stress responses of plants remain unclear. This comprehensive review provides an update on the biology of stigmasterol, particularly the physicochemical properties of this ethylsterol, its biosynthesis, and its occurrence in higher plants and extremophilic organisms, e.g., mosses and lichens. Special emphasis is given to the evolutionary aspects of stigmasterol biosynthesis, particularly the variations in the gene structure of C22-sterol desaturase, which catalyzes the formation of stigmasterol from β-sitosterol, in a diversity of evolutionarily distant organisms. The roles of stigmasterol in the tolerance of plants to hostile environments and the prospects for its biomedical applications are also discussed. Taken together, the available data suggest that stigmasterol plays important roles in plant metabolism, although in some aspects, it remains an enigmatic compound. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights of Fungal and Plant Lipids: Structural Diversity, Metabolism and Applications)

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