Search Results (150)

Bacterial stem and root rot (BSRR), caused by Dickeya dadantii, poses a severe threat to global sweetpotato production, yet the genetic architecture underlying resistance remains elusive. To dissect these mechanisms, we conducted a high-resolution genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 135 diverse accessions, integrating two-year field phenotyping with best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) and 6.8 million single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. This approach mapped nine quantitative trait loci (QTLs) exhibiting significant allelic dosage-dependent effects, with the major locus, qBSRR.6.1 was the primary discriminator between resistant and susceptible genotypes. Crucially, transcriptomic profiling within these loci revealed distinct expression patterns: IbTCP5 and IbERF003 (located in qBSRR.5.1 and qBSRR.6.2) were highly expressed in the susceptible cultivar ‘Xinxiang’ but suppressed in the resistant ‘Guangshu87’. Furthermore, BSRR challenge identified IbPUB4, IbKCS5, and IbLig1 as priority candidate genes involved in defense, with expression patterns suggesting roles in ubiquitin-mediated protein turnover, cuticular wax biosynthesis, and DNA repair, respectively. In stark contrast, IbPUB25 was constitutively upregulated in ‘Xinxiang’, potentially acting as a negative regulator of immunity via degradation of target proteins. These findings elucidate the polygenic, dosage-sensitive nature of BSRR resistance and prioritize specific targets for future functional characterization. Pyramiding favorable alleles of positive candidates while silencing potential negative regulators like IbPUB25 offers a promising avenue for developing durable, high-resistance sweetpotato varieties. Full article

Critical-sized bone defects represent a major clinical challenge, as defects of this magnitude do not heal spontaneously without regenerative intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the osteoinductive effects of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) loaded β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffolds on bone regeneration and vascularization in a rabbit calvarial critical-sized defect model. Eighteen male New Zealand White rabbits were used, and four standardized circular defects (5 mm in diameter) were created in the calvaria of each animal. The defects were assigned to four groups: control (unfilled), β-TCP + 5 µg rhBMP-2, β-TCP + 10 µg rhBMP-2, and β-TCP + 20 µg rhBMP-2. Bone healing was evaluated at 2, 4, and 8 weeks using histological, histomorphometric, and cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31) immunohistochemical analyses. The results demonstrated that rhBMP-2–loaded β-TCP scaffolds significantly enhanced bone regeneration compared with the control group, with a progressive increase in bone formation observed with increasing rhBMP-2 doses. The β-TCP + 20 µg rhBMP-2 group exhibited the highest levels of new bone formation, more advanced bone maturation, improved collagen organization, and increased vascularization. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the 10 µg and 20 µg groups at later time points (p > 0.05), suggesting a dose-dependent saturation (plateau) effect. In conclusion, rhBMP-2–loaded β-TCP scaffolds promote bone regeneration and angiogenesis in a dose-related manner up to a threshold, beyond which additional increases in dose do not result in proportional improvements. These findings emphasize that optimal rhBMP-2 dosing is critical to maximize regenerative outcomes while avoiding unnecessary dose escalation. Full article

TCP transcription factors constitute a key regulatory family in plants, playing crucial roles in plant growth and development. Although this gene family has been extensively studied across diverse plant species, research in Gypsophila paniculata remains limited. Through genome-wide identification and analysis, this study identified 17 GpTCP in G. paniculata. Our analysis revealed that all GpTCP proteins contain a conserved TCP domain, with subcellular localization predictions indicating nuclear localization. Promoter analysis identified multiple cis-regulatory elements associated with plant organ development and growth regulation. Chromosomal synteny studies showed that gene expansion within the G. paniculata TCP gene family occurred after subfamily differentiation. Over-expression of GpTCP10 in Arabidopsis thaliana caused root development inhibition, leaf curling, smaller flowers, and yellowing of flowers. Further studies showed that in two normally growing G. paniculata varieties with different flower sizes, GpTCP10 was specifically expressed in leaf and floral tissues, with significantly higher expression levels in the smaller-flowered G. paniculata. These findings reveal the evolutionary characteristics of the TCP family in G. paniculata, and highlight the role of GpTCP10 in regulating organ growth and development in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana and floral organ size in G. paniculata. Full article

Teosinte branched1/cycloidea/proliferating cell factor (TCP) transcription factors are key regulators of plant growth and stress adaptation. However, their evolutionary history and functional divergence in rye (Secale cereale L.) remain unclear. Here, 26 ScTCP genes were identified from the reference rye genome. Phylogenetic and collinearity analyses with six representative cereals (Secale cereale, H. vulgare, O. sativa, T. aestivum, Z. mays, and A. tauschii Coss) revealed that segmental duplication, rather than tandem repetition, drove ScTCP expansion, with ScTCP2 located in a conserved syntenic block shared across the Poaceae family. Promoter analysis identified numerous hormone- and stress-responsive cis-elements, while a predicted protein–protein interaction network indicated extensive cross-talk with ERF and MYB transcription factors. Expression profiling of 12 representative ScTCP genes using qRT-PCR across different organs, developmental stages, six abiotic stress conditions, and three hormone treatments showed that ScTCP6 plays an important role in rye development and in responses to hormonal signals and abiotic stresses. Therefore, this study provides the first genome-wide characterization of the TCP gene family in rye and contributes to a broader understanding of the evolution and functional diversification of the TCP superfamily in higher plants. Full article

New nano-biomaterials for specific dentistry applications have been developed thanks to contributions from materials science. The present work aims to characterize the physicochemical properties of a composite nanomaterial scaffold in block form for maxillofacial bone regeneration applications. The scaffold was composed of block-shaped elements and consisted of a mixture of nano-hydroxyapatite, β-tricalcium phosphate, and type I collagen of bovine origin. Collagen I molecule is biodegradable, biocompatible, easily available, and a natural bone matrix component. The biomaterial was analyzed using a range of methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), chemical composition microanalysis, and X-Ray diffractometry (XRD). The wettability was measured. This was carried out by measuring the contact angle of a 0.9% NaCl solution on the surface. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to measure the phase transformation temperatures. In the SEM and TEM analyses, it was possible to identify the layers of the materials and, with microanalysis, quantify their chemical composition. The XRD spectra showed the presence of nano-hydroxyapatite and ß-TCP. Wettability testing revealed that the material is highly hydrophilic, and BM-MSC culture analyses demonstrated that the biomaterial can promotes cell adhesion and interaction. The higher wettability is due to the higher density of the porous material observed in the SEM analysis. The results of the DSC testing showed that the sample analyzed undergoes endothermic transitions and transformation between 25 and 150 °C. The first phase transformation during heating occurs at 61.1 °C, which is above body temperature. The findings demonstrated that the composite was devoid of any contamination arising from manufacturing processes. It can be concluded that the n-HA/β-TCP and type 1 collagen are free of manufacturing contaminants. They also have high wettability, which increases the spreading of body fluids on the biomaterial’s surface and its interactions with cells and proteins. This makes them suitable for clinical application. Full article

Glioblastoma (GBM) is characterized by its unique molecular features, such as self-renewal and tumorigenicity of glioma stem cells that promote resistance, largely resulting in treatment failure. Among the molecular alterations significant to GBM biology and treatment, mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) have assumed particular relevance. IDH-mutant and IDH-wild-type tumors exhibit significantly different metabolic characteristics, clinical behavior, and therapeutic sensitivities, making IDH status a critical determinant in determining prognosis and treatment strategies for GBM. In the context of cancer, chaperones were shown to promote tumor progression by supporting malignant cells over healthy ones. While heat shock proteins (HSPs) have long been implicated in the molecular mechanisms of tumor phenotype progression, recent attention has turned to CCT (chaperonin containing TCP1), orchestrating proteostasis. The chaperonin CCT is being explored as a diagnostic and therapeutic target in many cancers, including GBM, owing to its involvement in key oncogenic signaling pathways such as Wnt, VEGF, EGFR, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR. However, its role in the GBM-tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle cascade is still not well understood. Therefore, the present review highlights the potential role of the CCT complex in regulating hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) activation by modulating enzymes responsive to metabolites derived from glucose metabolism and the TCA cycle in a manner dependent on oxygen availability and IDH mutation status. Full article

Acer truncatum Bunge exhibits remarkable cold tolerance at the mature seedling stage, yet the mechanisms governing its seed germination under low-temperature conditions remain poorly understood. To elucidate the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying low-temperature germination in A. truncatum seeds, we selected A. truncatum seeds as the experimental material. The seeds were evenly divided into two groups and subjected to germination under 25 °C (control) and 4 °C (low-temperature stress) conditions, followed by transcriptome sequencing and physiological and biochemical analyses. Transcriptome sequencing analyzed differential genes and physiological indicators. Fourteen transcription factor families were identified (ARR-B, AP2-EREBP, bHLH, NAC, FAR1, MADS, WRKY, AB13VP1, bZIP, C3H, CROS, LOB, TCP, and SBP). These regulate seed germination under abiotic/biotic stress. GO term enrichment occurred in biological processes. KEGG enrichment involved carbon metabolism, the glutathione pathway, the citrate cycle, and glycolysis. Most genes were upregulated. Citrate cycle and glycolysis correlated with seed activity, promoting germination. The glutathione cycle greatly improves the stress resistance of seed germination. There were 1804 genes that were upregulated and 8075 genes that were downregulated during seed germination. Among differential genes, CBF 5 was significantly downregulated but most WRKY families and LEA14-A were upregulated to maintain cell homeostasis. Meanwhile, GSH, SOD, POD, and proline (Pro) levels increased with prolonged stress. MDA rose initially, then declined. Soluble protein content first increased, then decreased, but remained higher than controls. Seeds germinated under low temperature, but germination potential was slightly lower than at room temperature. We propose that LEA protein, antioxidant enzymes, and Pro accumulation enhance cold tolerance. This study elucidates the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying seed germination, advancing the understanding of cold tolerance in A. truncatum. Full article

The TCP gene family plays essential roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses, yet their evolutionary dynamics and functional characteristics remain poorly understood in Juglandaceae species. Here, we aimed to systematically identify, classify, and characterize TCP genes across three nut-producing Juglandaceae species—Carya illinoinensis, Annamocarya sinensis, and Juglans regia—to elucidate their evolutionary relationships and potential functions in fruit development. We identified 44, 35, and 36 TCP genes in C. illinoinensis, A. sinensis, and J. regia, respectively, and classified them into three subfamilies (PCF, CIN, and CYC/TB1). Physicochemical property analysis revealed that most proteins were hydrophilic but relatively unstable. Conserved motif and gene structure analyses showed strong similarity among closely related members, while promoter regions were enriched with cis-acting elements associated with development, hormone signaling, and stress responses. Chromosomal mapping demonstrated an uneven distribution of TCP genes, with frequent clustering, and synteny analysis indicated strong conservation and gene duplication within and across species. Transcriptome profiling revealed that approximately half of the TCP genes were expressed in fruit tissues, with CIN subfamily members showing preferential expression. qRT-PCR validation further highlighted AsTCP23, CiTCP14, and JrTCP09 as highly expressed during fruit development, suggesting potential regulatory roles in fruit maturation. These findings provide new insights into the evolutionary patterns and functional divergence of TCP genes in Juglandaceae and establish a valuable foundation for future studies on fruit development and genetic improvement. Collectively, these findings advance our understanding of TCP gene evolution and provide potential molecular targets for improving fruit development and nut quality in Juglandaceae crops. Full article

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) is widely used to promote bone regeneration. However, conventional surface-attached delivery on absorbable collagen sponges causes a rapid burst release, excessive inflammation, and suboptimal healing. To overcome these limitations, we developed a thermally controlled Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (P_DLLGA) encapsulation system, designed to stabilize rhBMP-2 and enable controlled release. rhBMP-2 was incorporated in P_DLLGA pellets using the hot-melt extrusion of a lyophilized mixture containing poloxamer 407 and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, and terminal sterilization (X-ray irradiation). The released rhBMP-2 maintained its molecular integrity after sterilization and remained stable for up to 732 days in storage, as confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and capillary electrophoresis (CE). Further, high-affinity binding between released rhBMP-2 and BMPR-IA was confirmed by bio-layer interferometry (BLI), and the released protein induced a robust in vitro ALP response, confirming preserved osteogenic activity. Our encapsulation approach for rhBMP-2 using P_DLLGA, including the combination product with β-TCP (LDGraft; Locate Bio, Nottingham, UK), provides a stable and bioactive rhBMP-2 delivery strategy with inherent dose-shielding properties, supporting safe, controlled, and effective bone regeneration therapies. Full article

TCP transcription factors represent a crucial family of plant regulators that contribute significantly to growth and developmental processes. Although the TCP gene family has been extensively studied in various plant species, research on Chimonanthus praecox (wintersweet) remains limited. Here, we performed genome-wide identification and analysis of the TCP gene family in C. praecox and identified 22 CpTCP genes. We further systematically examined the associated physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationships, gene structures, and regulatory features. Analysis revealed that all CpTCP proteins possess a conserved TCP domain, and subcellular localization prediction indicated their localization in the nucleus. Promoter analysis revealed that multiple cis-elements are associated with abiotic stress responses and plant growth regulation. Further analysis revealed high CpTCP2 expression in the leaves and stamen, with significantly increased levels during flower senescence. CpTCP2 expression was upregulated in response to methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid, abscisic acid, and shade. CpTCP2 overexpression in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in a reduced leaf area, delayed flowering, and increased rosette leaf numbers. Moreover, MeJA treatment accelerated leaf senescence in CpTCP2 transgenic Arabidopsis. These findings provide insights into the evolutionary characteristics of the TCP family in C. praecox, highlighting the functional role of CpTCP2 in regulating leaf development and flowering time in Arabidopsis, thereby offering valuable genetic resources for wintersweet molecular breeding. Full article

Protein adsorption on orthopedic biomaterials during the initial intraoperative contact critically influences biological responses and osseointegration. Osteoconductive grafts such as β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and poly (ε-caprolactone)-β-TCP (PCL-TCP) can be functionally activated by exposure to autologous tissue. However, the composition and relevance of the resulting protein layer still remain unclear. In this study involving 10 patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty, β-TCP and PCL-TCP samples were incubated both in the femoral medullary cavity and within a surgical tissue collector harvesting autologous tissue (blood, bone fragments, muscle, and fat). Surface morphology was assessed microscopically, and protein adsorption was characterized via high-resolution LC-MS/MS with subsequent bioinformatics and statistical analysis. Both materials adsorbed over 2000 different autologous proteins. β-TCP showed higher overall protein concentrations, while PCL-TCP demonstrated greater proteomic diversity and incubation method-dependent shifts in protein profiles, influenced by surface roughness and wettability. Samples incubated in the tissue collector exhibited less protein variability and smaller material-specific differences compared to incubation in the femoral cavity, particularly for PCL-TCP. Predominant proteins were linked to immune regulation, stress response, and protein metabolism. These findings emphasize the impact of material properties and incubation environment on protein adsorption, with ex vivo incubation leading to more consistent protein adsorption patterns. Full article

The plant-specific TCP transcription factor family originated before the emergence of land plants. However, the timing of the appearance of their specific transcriptional repressor family, the TCP Interactor containing EAR motif protein (TIE), remains unknown. Here, through phylogenetic analyses, we traced the origin of the TIE family to the early evolution of the embryophyte, while an earlier diversification in algae cannot be ruled out. Strikingly, we found that the number of TIE members is highly constrained compared to the expansion of TCPs in angiosperms. We used co-expression data to identify potential TIE-TCP regulatory targets across Arabidopsis thaliana and rice. Notably, the expression pattern between these species is remarkably similar. TCP Class I and Class II genes formed two distinct clusters, and TIE genes cluster within the TCP Class I group. This study provides a comprehensive evolutionary analysis of the TIE family, shedding light on its conserved role in the regulation of gene transcription in flowering plant development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating illness, and chronic stress is a contributing factor for depressive symptoms. However, despite intense research, the mechanisms of MDD remain substantially unidentified. Quercetin is a powerful flavonoid and could be used as a possible therapeutic strategy for depression. Acknowledging the potential benefits of quercetin, this study investigated its effect alone or in association with the standard drug tranylcypromine (TCP) in a rodent model of chronic restraint stress (CRS). Methods: Adult male rats were subjected to a CRS model consisting of an immobilization session of 4 h daily during 14 consecutive days. Quercetin (50 mg/kg, gavage) was administered for 45 days. TCP (10 mg/kg, gavage) was administered for 14 days. Behavioral tasks were conducted to assess locomotor functions, memory, anhedonia, depression-like behaviors, and anxiety-like behaviors. The activity, gene expression, and protein density of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were investigated. Results: Behavioral tasks showed that the CRS model effectively induced stable behavioral changes. CRS did not alter locomotor function assessed by the open field test (OFT) or anhedonia behavior assessed by the sucrose preference test (SPT). CRS increased total fecal count, which was prevented by quercetin administration in rats. TCP and the association of quercetin and TCP increased the recognition index in comparison with the CRS group in the novel object recognition (NOR) test and improved the swimming and immobility times in comparison to stressed animals in the forced swim test (FST). All treatments were able to decrease the anxiety index assessed by the elevated plus maze (EPM) test. The activity, gene expression, and protein density of AChE were increased in the CRS model compared to control males. Overall, quercetin and TCP proved to reverse CRS-induced alterations in these parameters. Conclusions: Quercetin mitigated cognitive deficits, behavioral impairments, and neurochemical alterations induced by the CRS model, especially in association with TCP, supporting its potential as a promising therapeutic agent for depression. Full article

Bone graft substitutes combining the mechanical features of poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) and the bioactivity of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) have been widely reported in the literature. Surprisingly, however, very little is known about the incorporation of carbonate at a biomimicking level. The authors studied β-TCP/PCL composites at 20 wt.% and 40 wt.%, either enriched or not with sodium bicarbonate (at 2 wt.% and 4 wt.%), through SEM and EDX analyses; surface free energy estimation; pH measurement after 1, 2, and 3 days of incubation in cell media; nanoindentation; and a protein adsorption test with bovine serum albumin. The early biological response was assessed using adipose mesenchymal stem cells, as an established in vitro model, via cellular adhesion (20 min), spreading (24 h), and viability assays (1, 3, 7 days). By increasing the β-TCP content, the composites’ hardnesses and Young’s moduli (EiT) were improved, as well as their protein adsorption compared to neat PCL. Sodium bicarbonate increased the polar component of the surface energy, alkalinized the composite with a higher β-TCP content, and attenuated its early negative cell response. Further investigation is needed to deepen the knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning the mechanical features and long-term biological behavior. Full article

Effective osteogenesis for bone regeneration is still considerably challenging for a porous β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffold to achieve. To overcome this challenge, hollow manganese dioxide (H-MnO₂) nanoparticles with an urchin-like shell structure were prepared and added in the porous β-TCP scaffold. A template-casting method was used to prepare the porous H-MnO₂/β-TCP scaffolds. As a control, solid manganese dioxide (S-MnO₂) nanoparticles were also added into β-TCP scaffolds. Human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSC) were seeded in the porous scaffolds and characterized through cell viability assay and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay. Results from in vitro protein loading and releasing experiments showed that H-MnO₂ can load significantly higher proteins and release more proteins compared to S-MnO₂ nanoparticles. When they were doped into β-TCP, MnO₂ nanoparticles did not significantly change the surface wettability and mechanical properties of porous β-TCP scaffolds. In vitro cell viability results showed that MnO₂ nanoparticles promoted cell proliferation in a low dose, but inhibited cell growth when the added concentration went beyond 0.5%. At a range of lower than 0.5%, H-MnO₂ doped β-TCP scaffolds promoted the early osteogenesis of hBMSCs. These results suggested that H-MnO₂ in the porous β-TCP scaffold has promising potential to stimulate osteogenesis. More studies would be performed to demonstrate the other functions of urchin-like H-MnO₂ nanoparticles in the porous β-TCP. Full article