Search Results (39,672)

Urbanisation is a major driver of ecological change, altering the composition and functioning of ecosystems through land use conversion, pollution, and environmental fragmentation. Although some authors reported that air pollutants could be absorbed and detoxified by the endophytic microbiome of urban trees, the specific mechanisms by which urban air pollution shapes the endophytic microbiome and, consequently, the trees’ capacity for pollutant degradation, remain largely unexplored. The aim of the present study was to: (1) analyse the structure of endophytic bacteriome of the phyllosphere of three widely planted ornamental tree species—Tilia tomentosa, Fraxinus excelsior, and Pinus nigra, growing at four locations within the city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, with different anthropogenic load; and (2) assess the effects of host species and urban environmental exposure on bacteriome diversity, taxonomic composition, and functional capacity. Functional profiling based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed enrichment of the metabolic pathways associated with nitrogen cycling, carbon metabolism, and hydrocarbon degradation, particularly in samples originating from more urbanised or polluted locations. These predicted functional traits suggest that endophytic bacteria may actively contribute to detoxification processes within plant tissues. Tilia tomentosa and Fraxinus excelsior were enriched in nitrogen and carbon cycling pathways, including denitrification, methanol oxidation, and methanotrophy—functions associated with oxidative stress mitigation and nutrient regulation. In contrast, Pinus nigra showed higher relative abundance of chemoheterotrophy, ureolysis, and sulphur respiration, indicating a more conservative and stress-tolerant microbiome. Although the study involved only one settlement, these results suggest that endophytic communities may contribute to urban tree sustainability by supporting ecosystem functions under stress conditions. By integrating microbial ecology with urban environmental assessment, this research provides new insights into the adaptive potential of endophytic microbiota in urban forests and highlights their importance in the sustainable management of green infrastructure through microbiome-informed strategies. Full article

The dehydration response element binding protein (DREB) family of the AP2/ERF superfamily functions as a key regulatory component in plant adaptation to water-deficit conditions. However, studies on the DREB A4 subfamily in poplar (Populus trichocarpa) are insufficient. In this study, members of the DREB A4 subgroup in poplar were identified and analyzed via bioinformatic analysis. A pCAMBIA-2300-PtrDREB4 expression vector was constructed and transformed into Arabidopsis, followed by phenotypic analysis of transgenic plant in response to drought stress. A total number of 29 DREB A4 members were identified in the poplar genome. Synteny analysis revealed that 19 gene pairs went through segmental duplication at least 12.84 million years ago. Their promoter regions were enriched with cis-elements related to stress resistance, hormone regulation, and growth and development. Upstream regulator analysis of poplar DREB A4 genes identified 425 transcription factor genes, which belonged to 39 families. Gene expression analysis demonstrated distinct expression patterns of DREB A4 genes in leaves, roots and stems with a notable response to drought stress. Ectopic expression of PtrDREB4 in yeast and Arabidopsis increased the drought tolerance of transformants, indicating the positive role of PtrDREB4 in response to drought stress. These findings collectively established a theoretical foundation for further functional exploration of DREB A4 genes in poplar. Full article

The present study investigated the impact of microplastics, specifically polystyrene microparticles (PS-MP), on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) neurohormonal axis, which regulates reproductive functions in animals and humans. The primary objective was to examine the effects of PS-MP on the expression of key genes and hormone concentrations within the gonadotropic system of sheep. Two doses of PS-MP—the lower dose (LD; 0.015 mg/kg) and the higher dose (HD; 0.15 mg/kg)—were administered intravenously every three days over two estrous cycles (34 days). Both doses significantly decreased the relative abundance of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) transcripts in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH), whereas only the HD reduced GnRH mRNA levels in the preoptic area (POA). These transcript-level changes were not accompanied by detectable alterations in GnRH protein concentration. In the MBH, the expression of kisspeptin (KISS-1) and neurokinin B (NKB) genes decreased following exposure to the HD, whereas in the POA, significant decrease in expression were observed only after the LD administration. Changes in prodynorphin (PDYN) gene expression were confined to the MBH and were dose-dependent: the LD increased transcript levels, whereas the HD caused a decrease. The HD of PS-MP also significantly downregulated GnRH receptor (GnRHR) expression in the anterior pituitary (AP). Both PS-MP doses resulted in marked reductions in luteinizing hormone beta (LHβ) and follicle-stimulating hormone beta (FSHβ) subunit gene expression in the AP, without significant changes in hormone protein concentrations. Exposure to PS-MP reduced plasma LH and FSH concentrations: the lower dose reduces both hormones, while the higher dose significantly reduced mainly FSH, showing statistical differences between doses. To summarize, the present study demonstrates that PS-MP exerts a modulatory effect on the secretory activity of the central reproductive system in sheep, at both the hypothalamic and pituitary levels. Consequently, PS-MP has the potential to induce significant disruptions to the reproductive processes of large farm animals. Full article

Persistent corpus luteum (PCL) and ovarian quiescence (OQ) are key manifestations of ovarian dysfunction (OD) that lead to reduced reproductive capacity in beef cattle, posing a serious challenge to the industry. Anthocyanins (ACNs) are known for their antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of ACNs on PCL and OQ and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Forty-eight beef cows diagnosed with both OQ and PCL were selected and continuously fed ACNs for 60 days. The results showed that the regulatory effects of ACNs were dose-dependent. A high dose of ACNs (ACNH) significantly increased the number of large follicles and reduced the occurrence of PCL. ACNH treatment significantly decreased serum progesterone (P4) levels and increased estradiol (E2) levels. Furthermore, ACNH reduced microbial diversity in OD cows but significantly increased the abundance of Patescibacteria, Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, and Chloroflexi, while decreasing the abundance of Desulfobactera, indicating that ACNs may affect ovarian function by regulating the gut microbial environment. In an ovarian granulosa cell model of oxidative damage, ACN intervention could reduce oxidative stress levels and mitigate oxidative damage. ACNs downregulated various pro-apoptotic genes, such as P53, Fas, and Bax, while upregulating anti-apoptotic genes Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, suggesting that ACNs significantly inhibit cell apoptosis. To conclude, these results demonstrate that ACNs improve the ovarian function of beef cows by regulating gut microbiota and reducing oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in ovarian granulosa cells, thereby enhancing the reproductive capacity of beef cattle that show reproductive disorders. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the application of ACNs in the cattle industry and showcase their potential value as natural antioxidants. Full article

The tea geometrid (Ectropis grisescens) is a significant pest in Chinese tea plantations. Although Metarhizium anisopliae serves as an environmentally friendly biocontrol agent against E. grisescens, the molecular mechanisms underlying the insect’s immune response remain unclear. This study investigates changes in immunity-related genes and metabolites in E. grisescens larvae infected with a virulent strain of M. anisopliae through transcriptome sequencing and metabolome analysis. We identified 2409 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 48 h post-infection, with 1611 genes up-regulated. GO analysis revealed that 119 DEGs were significantly enriched in immune-related processes. Additionally, 1860 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were detected, including 652 up-regulated and 1208 down-regulated metabolites, with 236 significantly enriched in 82 KEGG pathways. These findings indicate the activation of immunity-related and detoxifying enzyme-related genes, providing new insights into the physiological and biochemical responses of insects to biopesticides and potential targets for controlling tea geometrid. Full article

Membrane lipid remodeling plays a pivotal role in regulating plant growth, reproductive development, and adaptive responses to environmental stress. However, several lipid-modifying enzymes remain uncharacterized in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we provide the first comprehensive in silico functional characterization of the unannotated gene AT5G35460, integrating domain architecture, AlphaFold-supported structural validation, and phylogenetic, expression, and regulatory analyses. Domain architecture and conserved DUF2838 signatures, together with transmembrane topology and validation using AlphaFold-predicted structural data, support its identity as a glycerophosphocholine acyltransferase (GPCAT1). Phylogenetic reconstruction showed that GPCAT1 clustered closely with its orthologs of major angiosperms, suggesting deep evolutionary preservation. Expression profiling revealed over a tenfold higher transcript abundance in mature pollen, detected 6–8 times more than during leaf senescence, indicating strong developmental control. Co-expression network analysis revealed links to the lipid metabolism genes (CDS2, LACS8, and SBH1) as well as factors involved in response to stress, indicating that AT5G35460 may act at the level of phosphatidylcholine remodeling, membrane resistance and stress response. Analysis of the promoter sequences showed AACTAAA, ABRE and G-box elements (pollen-specific, ABA-responsive and stress-inducible motif respectively), suggesting appropriate transcriptional regulation consistent with its expression profile. As a whole, the findings revealed that AT5G35460 is an unexplored membrane-localized acyltransferase involved in lipid maintenance during reproductive development and environmental responses. This study serves as a basis for subsequent functional characterization and identifies AT5G35460 as a potential target for modifying pollen viability, senescence kinetics and stress tolerance in plants. Full article

Microbial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) mediate rhizosphere plant-microbe interactions, yet their integrated effects on plant microbiome assembly and host transcriptional regulation remain unresolved. Here we address this gap by investigating how two common VOCs, acetoin (AC) and 2,3-butanediol (BD), influence growth, rhizosphere communities, and root gene expression in the medicinal plant Pseudostellaria heterophylla using a split-pot system. Bacterial and fungal communities were monitored across three developmental stages via amplicon sequencing, alongside root transcriptome profiling during tuber enlargement. Contrasting with widely reported growth-promoting effects of microbial VOCs, both compounds significantly reduced tuber number and biomass. Bacterial communities remained taxonomically stable, shaped primarily by species replacement, with modest VOC responses but clear shifts across developmental stages. Fungal communities exhibited marked compositional restructuring and greater treatment sensitivity, particularly under BD. Neutral community modeling indicated predominantly stochastic bacterial assembly, while fungal assembly—especially under BD—showed stronger influence of deterministic processes. BD associated with broader transcriptional reprogramming than AC, including downregulation of photosynthesis, specialized metabolism, and defense pathways. Cross-omics network analysis revealed discriminant genera (e.g., Granulicella, Harposporium) that correlated strongly with host genes involved in stress response, development, and epigenetic regulation, with fungal taxa showing tighter associations with host expression than bacteria. Together, these findings establish a mechanistic framework for how microbial VOCs shape rhizosphere communities and host responses, with implications for microbiome-based strategies in medicinal plant cultivation. Full article

Apigenin, a naturally occurring flavonoid with low toxicity, exhibits anticancer activity, yet its effects on microRNAs (miRNAs) and downstream gene networks in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain unclear. Here, we evaluated apigenin’s antitumor effects in TE-1 and Eca-109 cells, assessing proliferation, apoptosis, colony formation, and invasion. Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified via small RNA sequencing, and candidate target genes were predicted, annotated using GO and KEGG analyses, and validated by qRT-PCR, revealing miRNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms underlying apigenin’s inhibitory effects in ESCC. Apigenin markedly suppressed cell proliferation, clonogenic growth, wound closure, and invasive capacity, while promoting apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. In TE-1 cells, apigenin upregulated hsa-let-7c-3p, hsa-miR-374c-3p, hsa-miR-3177-3p hsa-miR-4454, and hsa-miR-4728-3p, while downregulating hsa-miR-573, hsa-miR-548az-5p, hsa-miR-33b-5p, hsa-miR-4479, and hsa-miR-3198. Correspondingly, tumor-associated target genes including ALDH3A2, SEMA3F, MAP4K5, and TRIP13 were upregulated, whereas PIK3IP1, AGO2, MMP2, and RALBP1 were suppressed. In Eca-109 cells, apigenin altered the expression of distinct miRNAs, including the upregulation of hsa-miR-891-5p, hsa-miR-3170, hsa-miR-4421, and hsa-miR-675-5p and the downregulation of hsa-miR-153, hsa-miR-3188, and hsa-miR-4435, thereby modulating key oncogenic targets such as MAPK1, SALL4, and COX15. Functional enrichment analyses indicated that apigenin-regulated genes are involved in multiple cancer-related pathways across cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. Overall, these results suggest that apigenin suppresses ESCC progression via coordinated miRNA–mRNA regulation, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent. Full article

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is globally cultivated for its high-quality fiber; yet, its seed, rich in oil and protein, offers untapped potential for various applications, including food, feed, and industry. With cottonseed oil gaining renewed attention as a valuable co-product, efforts to enhance oil content must contend with long-standing breeding priorities focused on lint yield and fiber quality. A central challenge lies in the complex and often antagonistic genetic relationships between oil accumulation and key agronomic traits. Notably, negative correlations between seed oil content and fiber yield, as well as the pleiotropic nature of several regulatory genes and Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs), present significant barriers to dual-trait improvement. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the genetic and molecular interplay between cottonseed oil content and other agronomic traits. We examine the architecture of oil-related QTLs and pleiotropic loci, co-expression patterns of shared transcriptional regulators, and metabolic trade-offs influencing carbon allocation between seed and fiber. Recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, and systems biology are explored as tools to disentangle these trait interactions. We highlight strategies such as multi-trait genomic selection, CRISPR-based uncoupling of antagonistic loci, and the use of wild and exotic germplasm to overcome linkage drag. By providing an integrative overview of the constraints and opportunities at the intersection of oil and agronomic trait improvement, this review lays the groundwork for the development of dual-purpose cotton ideotypes. We propose a conceptual framework for breeding programs to simultaneously enhance fiber yield and oil productivity in a sustainable and climate-resilient manner. Full article

Plexiform neurofibromas associated with neurofibromatosis type I (pNF1s) are benign tumors caused by the complete loss of function of the NF1 gene, which encodes a negative regulator of the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. pNF1s carry a significant risk of progression to malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs), which are highly aggressive and largely incurable. FDA-approved mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors, selumetinib and mirdametinib, have shown ~30% tumor shrinkage in 70% and 42% pNF1 patients, respectively. However, not all pNF1s respond to MEK inhibition, and treatment is often associated with adverse effects such as dermatologic and gastrointestinal toxicities, underscoring the need for improved therapeutic strategies with minimal side effects. Here, we demonstrate that prolonged MEK inhibition increases proteolytic activity in 3D pNF1 tumor structures, consistent with enhanced extracellular matrix degradation. Prolonged treatment with four mechanistically and chemically distinct MEK inhibitors consistently reduced ERK phosphorylation, a downstream effector of the RAS/MAPK pathway, yet induced adaptive phosphorylation of MEK and AKT in pNF1 tumor cells. Phosphorylation of MEK is required for its catalytic activation and subsequent phosphorylation of ERK. Increased MEK phosphorylation in the presence of MEK inhibitors reflects upstream pathway reactivation but does not lead to ERK phosphorylation and activation because of the presence of the inhibitor. This response was also observed in MPNST cell lines treated with MEK inhibitors. These findings suggest that adaptive activation of upstream and parallel survival pathways may counteract the intended effects of MEK inhibition and support the rationale for combination strategies to improve therapeutic outcomes in NF1-associated tumors. Full article

Winter oilseed rape achieves frost tolerance through cold acclimation, which develops naturally in autumn in response to low but non-freezing temperatures. However, ongoing climate change has led to an increasing instability in winter temperatures, with more frequent warm breaks. Such temperature fluctuations can induce deacclimation, resulting in a partial or complete loss of frost tolerance and reduced winter survival. Water management is a critical determinant of plant survival under such conditions, yet its regulation during the acclimation–deacclimation transition remains incompletely understood. This study investigated tissue-specific changes in key components of water management in winter oilseed rape subjected to non-acclimated, cold-acclimated, and deacclimated conditions. Proline accumulation, abscisic acid content in plant tissue and cell sap, and the expression of aquaporin genes BnPIP2 and BnTIP1 were analyzed in leaves, root necks, and roots. Cold acclimation induced a strong accumulation of proline and ABA, accompanied by marked downregulation of aquaporin expression in all tested tissue. Deacclimation resulted in partial reverse of proline and ABA. Aquaporins expression demonstrated tissue-specific recovery, showing increases in all tissue compared to cold-acclimated plants. Our findings demonstrate that coordinated actions of integrated water transport, osmotic adjustment, and hormonal signaling in regulating water balance and frost tolerance during winter temperature fluctuations. Full article

In the context of global climate change, the co-occurrence of salt and heat stress represents a major constraint to rice production, resulting in greater yield penalties than either stress alone. This study aimed to assess the effects of salt and heat stress on oxidative homeostasis, photosynthetic performance, carbon (C)–nitrogen (N) metabolism, and rice yield. The experiment comprised four treatments, i.e., control (CK), salt (irrigation with 3.9 dS m⁻¹ NaCl solution), heat (exposure to 36 °C/30 °C day/night for 5 days at panicle initiation), and combined salt + heat stress. Results showed that combined stress enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation (i.e., H₂O₂ content and O₂⁻ contents were 1.3 and 1.5 times higher than CK), and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were increased by 64.6%, 69.5%, and 74.8% higher than CK. At the molecular level, salt + heat stress upregulated antioxidant defense-related genes, i.e., OsAPX2, OsSODCC1, and OsAPX1, while significantly downregulated ion homeostasis-related genes, i.e., OsSOSs, OsHKT1;3, OsHKT1;5, and OsNHX4, and photosynthesis-related genes, i.e., Ospsbo, OsRbcS2, and OsRbcS3, compared with CK. Furthermore, salt + heat stress reduced the activities of C-metabolism enzymes (sucrose phosphate synthase, sucrose synthase, and starch synthase) and N-metabolism enzymes (nitrate reductase, glutamine synthetase, and glutamate synthase), leading to 34.3% and 18.6% lower stem-sheath non-structural carbohydrate accumulation in stem sheath and its translocation rate, respectively, while total N accumulation decreased by 42.9%, as compared with CK. Ultimately, these cascading effects inhibited panicle development and reduced yield. The findings provide a theoretical basis for improving rice tolerance to combined abiotic stresses by targeting oxidative stress mitigation, photosynthetic protection, and key stress-responsive gene regulation. Full article

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising tools for cancer diagnosis and therapy owing to their excellent biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and ability to transport diverse bioactive molecules. This review summarizes recent advances in EVs research, focusing on isolation and detection technologies, their diagnostic and therapeutic applications in oncology, and the key challenges limiting clinical translation. Conventional EVs isolation methods, including ultracentrifugation, density-gradient centrifugation, and polymer-based precipitation, are discussed alongside emerging strategies such as immunoaffinity enrichment, microfluidic separation, lipid-mediated isolation, and thermophoretic enrichment, with comparative evaluation of their yield, purity, cost, and scalability. In cancer diagnosis, EV-associated biomolecules, such as miRNAs, mRNAs, proteins, and lncRNAs, show strong potential as liquid biopsy biomarkers for noninvasive early detection and dynamic disease monitoring. In therapeutic contexts, EVs serve as versatile carriers for gene molecules, chemotherapeutic agents, and small-molecule drugs, and can enhance immunotherapy and RNA-based treatments. Importantly, EVs released from metabolically active tissues, particularly skeletal muscle, contribute to systemic immune regulation and metabolic homeostasis, and their biogenesis and molecular cargo can be influenced by physical activity and exercise-related nutritional status. These insights highlight the need to integrate microengineering technologies, biomolecular profiling, standardized manufacturing systems, and lifestyle-related factors such as exercise and nutrition to accelerate the clinical translation of EV-based strategies in precision oncology and regenerative medicine. Full article

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can rebalance growth–defense trade-offs in plants. However, the temporal molecular mechanisms underlying sustained growth promotion in woody fruit crops, particularly cherry (Prunus avium), remain largely unclear. This study inoculated Gisela 6 sweet cherry seedlings with three PGPR strains (Rahnella Y17, Arthrobacter Y37, and Bacillus megaterium P6). Phenotypic and physiological traits were assessed at 60 days (d), while targeted phytohormone metabolomics and root transcriptomes were profiled at 30 and 40 d post-treatment. Our results demonstrated that all three PGPR strains enhanced plant growth, photosynthetic capacity, and root architecture, with Y37 demonstrating superior biomass promotion. Phytohormone dynamics featured consistent ABA (abscisic acid) suppression, coupled with an early elevation of GA (gibberellin) and auxin followed by subsequent cytokinin accumulation. Notably, Y37 uniquely enriched jasmonate intermediates. Comparative transcriptomic analysis uncovered strain-specific trajectories, with integrated co-expression analysis defining modules associated with early metabolism and later structural remodeling. Key hub genes were identified as involved in hormone regulation and cell wall synthesis. Collectively, these findings suggest that Y37 drives a temporal partitioning from metabolic priming to architectural reinforcement by reallocating carbon and tuning hormone pathways, thereby underpinning superior growth and resilience. This study provides novel insights into PGPR-based strategies for sustainable cherry production. Full article

Background: Obesity is associated with hypothalamic dysfunction characterized by neuroinflammation and altered transcriptional programs. While resveratrol (RSV) has shown beneficial metabolic effects in peripheral tissues, its central effects on hypothalamic gene expression in obesity remain poorly understood. This study provides the first predictive transcriptomic analysis of the hypothalamic response to RSV in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. C57BL/6 male mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity and then subsequently treated with RSV. Methods: Hypothalamic RNA was extracted and analyzed using RNA sequencing. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and functionally analyzed through KEGG pathway analysis. Results: Although RSV did not significantly alter body weight, it reversed the expression of several HFD-induced DEGs. Key genes modulated by RSV included Aqp7, Ccl27a, Lta, Rilp, M6pr-ps, C1ra, Snail1, Gbgt1, and Ppargc1b, which are involved in inflammation, lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, and immune signaling. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed significant modulation of TNF and NF-κB signaling, cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions, glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, and phagosome-related activity. Remarkably, 45% of RSV-responsive transcripts were non-coding RNAs, suggesting epigenetic regulation. Conclusions: RSV reprograms the hypothalamic transcriptome in obesity, targeting both coding and non-coding RNAs associated with inflammation and metabolic regulation, independently of weight loss. These findings identify RSV as a potential central modulator of metabolic dysfunction and highlight the hypothalamus as a promising therapeutic target in obesity-related disease. Full article