Search Results (7,612)

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is the main natural auxin and a key regulator of plant growth. However, most commercial auxins are synthetically produced from non-renewable resources. Here, we present a minimal synthetic biology platform for microbial IAA production that also serves as a teaching model for genetic circuit design and bioprocess development. We developed codon-optimized versions of the iaaM and iaaH genes, which encode tryptophan 2-monooxygenase and indole-3-acetamide hydrolase, and assembled them into a compact expression cassette in Escherichia coli TOP10. Correct expression of both enzymes was confirmed by SDS-PAGE. The engineered strain was cultivated in a low-cost medium made from avocado seed hydrolysate, an agro-industrial waste, supplemented with tryptophan as a precursor. IAA was quantified using the Salkowski colorimetric assay and further validated by HPLC, reaching approximately 303 µg/mL at 48 h, with the medium costing five times less locally than traditional LB. The supernatants containing biosynthetic IAA induced root formation in 100% of tobacco leaf explants, outperforming the commercial standard at the same concentration and confirming biological activity. Since this workflow follows the Design–Build–Test–Learn (DBTL) cycle, Design (pathway selection and codon optimization), Build (plasmid assembly), Test (protein expression, metabolite quantification, plant bioassays), and Learn (medium and process optimization), it provides a sustainable production method and an accessible educational platform for synthetic biology. Full article

Zinc oxide promotes poultry growth, but it tends to agglomerate. This necessitates high doses and leads to environmental contamination from unabsorbed, excreted zinc. Undigested zinc is excreted and can enter the food chain, increasing the probability of zinc residues in edible poultry tissues (muscle, liver, and eggs) and raising concerns for consumer safety. MOF-supported single-atom zinc catalysts (SAC) resolve agglomeration by atomic anchoring, enhancing bioavailability. High-temperature/high-pressure fixation of Zn²⁺ surfaces was confirmed by XRD, while FESEM revealed the corresponding surface morphology, collectively verifying SAC formation. SAC exhibited potent antimicrobial efficacy against key pathogens such as Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC of 3.125 mg/mL, MBC of 25 mg/mL). Co-culture experiments further demonstrated that the antibacterial performance of SAC remained stable over a temperature range of 20–80 °C and a pH range of 2–8, thus exhibiting excellent thermal stability and gastrointestinal tolerance. In 7-day-old chicks, SAC alleviated S. typhimurium-induced inflammation, reduced bacterial adherence, upregulated claudin-1, preserved gut homeostasis, ameliorated tissue lesions, and increased the abundance of Lactobacillus in the cecum, demonstrating promising potential for poultry infection control. Full article

Streptococcus agalactiae infections severely threaten global tilapia aquaculture, causing substantial mortality and economic damage. The “Zhuangluo 1” (ZL) strain, derived from the fast-growing GIFT Nile tilapia and refined through multiple generations of selection, uniquely combines robust resistance to S. agalactiae with improved growth traits. This study examined gene expression and regulation of gill mucus microbiota in ZL during experimental S. agalactiae challenge. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed Flavobacterium, Vogesella, Hydrogenophaga, Acidovorax, Rheinheimera, and Deinococcus as prominent genera in the gill mucus microbiome of ZL across time points. Transcriptome time-course analysis identified differentially expressed genes in gills of ZL that were predominantly enriched in cytoskeleton in muscle cells and motor protein pathways. Abundances of the dominant genera Flavobacterium and Hydrogenophaga showed significant correlations with genes regulating mucus secretion, mucin glycosylation, immune modulation, and oxidative stress response in ZL. Untargeted metabolomics of gill mucus revealed substantially higher levels of metabolites potentially linked to microbial metabolism and host–microbiota interactions in ZL. A complementary genome-wide association study for resistance in ZL further localized genes underlying these expression–microbiota associations. These findings elucidated microbiota–host interactions between ZL and gill mucus microbiota, and provide more insights into the role of mucus regulation in disease resistance. Full article

Rice chalkiness is a key constraint in breeding high-quality rice, and unbalanced sucrose transport and starch metabolism are its primary causes. To clarify the molecular mechanism by which OsSUT2 regulates rice grain chalkiness formation, the rice cultivar TP309 was used as material, and ossut2 homozygous mutants were generated via CRISPR/Cas9. Systematic studies were performed using genetic complementation, phenotypic identification, cytological observation, transcriptome sequencing, and haplotype analysis. The results show that loss of OsSUT2 function significantly increased grain chalkiness, deteriorated agronomic traits, induced carbon assimilate accumulation in leaves, blocked sugar transport and starch synthesis in grains, and destroyed starch fine structure; the mutant phenotype was largely restored by functional complementation with wild-type OsSUT2. OsSUT2 was expressed in both source and sink organs, with the strongest inhibition detected in the panicles. Mutation of OsSUT2 disrupted sucrose and starch metabolic pathways. Three main haplotypes of OsSUT2 were identified in natural populations, with significant indica–japonica differentiation. OsSUT2 is confirmed as a key regulator of rice chalkiness, providing gene resources and theoretical support for rice quality improvement. Full article

Litchi chinensis var. fulvosus is an important wild litchi resource in Yunnan, China, valued for favorable agronomic traits such as early flowering, early ripening, multiple flowering cycles, and high fruit-setting ability. However, its genetic diversity and population structure remain poorly understood. In this study, 192 accessions were collected from ten counties in Yunnan Province to evaluate their geographic distribution, leaf phenotypic variation, molecular diversity, population structure, and core collection composition. Eight descriptive leaf traits, nine quantitative leaf traits, and ISSR genotyping data from seven primers were analyzed. The accessions were distributed across an altitudinal range of 169–1470 m, with clear habitat differentiation among trees of different ages. Morphological analysis revealed substantial leaf variation, with mean diversity indices of 1.19 for descriptive traits and 2.76 for quantitative traits. ISSR analysis generated 49 scorable bands, of which 34 were polymorphic, corresponding to a polymorphism rate of 68.45%. The mean Shannon–Wiener diversity index was 0.3101, indicating detectable but relatively limited molecular diversity. Integrated phenotypic and molecular analyses divided the germplasm into two subpopulations. A core collection comprising 30 accessions (about 15% of the initial population) showed the best balance between sampling efficiency and diversity retention. These results provide a practical basis for the conservation, evaluation, and efficient utilization of L. chinensis var. fulvosus genetic resources and will support breeding and genetic improvement of litchi. Full article

Natural mineral waters hosted in volcanic terrains are globally significant, but the co-enrichment mechanisms of metasilicate and strontium remain poorly understood. Here we investigate a Jurassic volcanic-hosted mineral water source in eastern China using hydrochemical analysis, ¹⁴C dating, stable isotopes, and structural analysis. The groundwater is of Ca–Mg–HCO₃ type with slightly alkaline pH (7.44–7.63). Metasilicate (26.4–32.9 mg/L) and strontium (0.40–0.83 mg/L) co-enrichment is governed by plagioclase weathering in a bicarbonate-dominated, weakly alkaline environment where ${\mathrm{S}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{H}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_3^{+}$ ion pairs enhance strontium mobility. Pearson-corrected ¹⁴C ages of 3900–4900 years reveal that millennial-scale residence time is critical for sufficient water-rock interaction and attainment of regulatory thresholds. A conduit-barrier system formed by NW-trending extensional-shear and NNE-trending compressional-shear faults controls groundwater flow paths and residence times, leading to systematic inter-well hydrochemical differentiation. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the genetic identification, potential evaluation, and sustainable management of high-quality mineral water resources in volcanic terrains. Full article

The Kazakh horse represents a significant genetic resource within China’s equine population, characterized by notable resilience and an ability to thrive on coarse forage. Nevertheless, a decline in its numbers has been observed recently, making the improvement of its reproductive performance crucial for the preservation of this breed and the advancement of the related industry. In this study, testicular tissues from 1-year-old (pre-pubertal) and 2-year-old (post-pubertal) Kazakh horses were analyzed. miRNA sequencing was conducted on tissues from these age groups, followed by bioinformatics analyses to elucidate the functions of differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs). The reliability of the sequencing data was subsequently verified using RT-qPCR. Analysis revealed 165 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) in the testicular tissues between the two age groups. Of these, 118 DEmiRNAs (e.g., eca-miR-206 and eca-miR-2483) were significantly up-regulated (p < 0.05), and 47 DEmiRNAs (e.g., eca-miR-196a and eca-miR-211) were significantly down-regulated (p < 0.05). These DEmiRNAs were mainly implicated in biological processes including lipid metabolism and signal transduction. Their predicted target genes are potentially involved in key reproductive processes, notably testicular development and spermatogenesis. This study identifies candidate miRNAs and potential regulatory pathways associated with sexual maturation in Kazakh horses, providing a preliminary molecular basis for future functional validation and improvement of equine reproductive performance. Full article

To clarify the genetic background and biological characteristics of grape germplasm resources and provide theoretical support for germplasm innovation and new-variety breeding, we conducted systematic morphological identification and SSR molecular-marker analysis on 38 core grape germplasms (29 fresh-eating cultivars, 1 local cultivar, and 8 wild germplasms) from the National Southeast Mountainous Crop Germplasm Repository (Jiangxi·Yichun) and other regions. For morphological identification, 14 quantitative traits and 5 descriptive traits of leaves, floral organs and fruits were determined in strict accordance with the NY/T 2932-2016 Descriptors for Grape Germplasm Resources. For SSR molecular-marker analysis, eight pairs of internationally universal core primers were used for PCR amplification and fluorescence detection referring to the NY/T 3640-2020 Identification of Grape Cultivars Using SSR Markers, and genetic diversity analysis was conducted on 11 local and wild grape germplasms. The results revealed abundant phenotypic diversity among the tested germplasms: the functional leaves of cultivars were predominantly pentagonal and cuneate, while those of wild germplasms were mostly reniform and cordate, with 3–5 lobes for most germplasms; all germplasms were hermaphroditic, except for two wild accessions with unisexual flowers. Significant variations were observed in fruit traits, with the coefficient of variation (CV) of cluster weight and berry weight reaching 67.64% and 50.53%, respectively. The genetic plasticity of weight-related traits was much higher than that of shape- and length-related traits, and the average Shannon–Wiener index (H′) of 19 morphological traits was 3.47, indicating a high level of overall phenotypic diversity. SSR analysis showed that the eight primer pairs amplified a total of 42 genotypes (5.25 per primer pair on average). The population had a mean observed number of alleles (Na) of 5.28, a mean effective number of alleles (Ne) of 7.25, and a mean polymorphism information content (PIC) of 0.74, demonstrating rich genetic diversity and high polymorphism of the tested loci. Cluster analysis divided the 11 local germplasms into four groups, which clearly reflected the genetic relationships among them, and genetic admixture was found in some germplasms due to unclear introduction traceability. In this study, fresh-eating grape cultivars suitable for the climatic conditions of Jiangxi Province were screened, the utilization value of local germplasm resources was clarified, and a two-dimensional evaluation system based on phenotypic traits and SSR molecular markers was constructed. The findings provide basic data and a scientific basis for the precise evaluation, elite gene mining, and new-variety breeding of grape germplasm resources in Jiangxi Province. Full article

Wild relatives of cultivated legumes represent valuable genetic resources for crop improvement, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable agriculture. This study presents a comparative ecological and metagenomic assessment of three biogeographically distinct regions in Bulgaria—Kaliakra, Strandzha, and the Eastern Rhodopes—where populations of wild legumes, including Pisum elatius, Cicer montbrettii, Vicia incisa, and Lupinus spp., occur. Field expeditions were conducted during flowering and seed maturation stages, followed by rhizosphere soil sampling and high-throughput sequencing targeting bacterial 16S rRNA and fungal ITS regions. Soil physicochemical properties, microbial diversity indices, and taxonomic composition were analysed and compared among regions. Distinct microbial community structures were identified. Kaliakra soils were dominated by Firmicutes (26–58%) and Proteobacteria (20–25%), while Strandzha soils showed higher abundance of Actinobacteriota (12–68%) and Proteobacteria (10–35%). The Eastern Rhodopes exhibited more balanced communities, with Proteobacteria (30–45%), Firmicutes (7–43%), and Actinobacteriota (3–11%). Fungal communities also differed significantly, with Nectriaceae dominating in Kaliakra, higher evenness in Strandzha, and intermediate diversity in the Eastern Rhodopes. Alpha diversity revealed the highest bacterial richness in Kaliakra, whereas the Eastern Rhodopes showed the greatest community evenness. Beta diversity analysis demonstrated clear regional separation driven by environmental filtering. These findings highlight the ecological and microbiological differentiation of wild legume habitats and support their conservation and utilisation in sustainable agriculture and breeding programs. Full article

The vineyards of El-Kantara (Calceus Herculis, Algeria) have an ancient viticultural tradition that has never been scientifically documented. This study aims to evaluate the genetic and phenotypic diversity of this region to preserve native grapevine genetic resources. A combined approach of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and ampelographic characterization based on 35 Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin (OIV) descriptors was applied to 51 grapevine cultivars. Genetic analysis revealed moderate diversity, identifying eight international Mediterranean varieties, four known Algerian cultivars, and six novel genotypes with proposed names ‘Aïn Taher’, ‘Ineb Ganteri’, ‘Datté Ganteri’, ‘Seouikiya’, ‘Bayedha d’El-Kantara’, and ‘Ineb ElDjebel’. Ampelographic analyses revealed significant phenotypic variation, with principal component analysis (PCA) explaining 77% of the total variance, primarily driven by vein length and sinus shape. Cluster analysis demonstrated strong alignment between molecular and morphological data, grouping the novel genotypes into distinct morphological categories. These findings highlight a unique and previously undocumented genetic heritage in El-Kantara’s vineyards and underscore the need for a national strategy to conserve and promote Algeria’s native grapevine resources, ensuring their preservation for future viticultural and breeding programmes. Full article

Tulipa scardica (Balkan endemic) was last recorded in Greece in 1896, possibly attributed to longstanding taxonomic ambiguity, as it has frequently been considered as conspecific with T. gesneriana or T. undulatifolia. In the present study we aimed to investigate the historical Greek locality of T. scardica and to reassess its taxonomic status in comparison with the closely related T. undulatifolia (also native to Greece and member of T. scardica complex). Targeted field surveys were conducted to verify the presence of T. scardica in Greece. The newly identified tulip population was subjected to an integrated analytic approach, including qualitative and quantitative morphological assessment, seed micromorphology, DNA barcoding, karyological investigation, and habitat/soil properties analyses. These datasets were comparatively evaluated against four reference populations of T. undulatifolia. Molecular data did not provide consistent species-level resolution, whereas morphological and karyological evidence statistically supported their distinction. Mitotic metaphase chromosomes of T. scardica were documented herein for the first time, while first-time scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the presence of different types of stomatal complexes in seed coats of both taxa. In addition, soil parameters differed between the examined taxa, and those of the rediscovered population were consistent with habitat preferences of T. scardica. Although both taxa exhibited considerable variability, the combined evidence derived from the present study strongly supported the rediscovery of T. scardica in Greece after approximately 130 years, unless proven otherwise in a wider context across its Balkan range. Full article

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra) is a perennial woody species belonging to the Nyctaginaceae family, native to South America. It is widely recognized for its brightly colored bracts and strong adaptability, and is widely cultivated as a major ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical regions. However, QTL mapping studies on morphological traits remain limited in the genus Bougainvillea, and the genetic basis underlying its key ornamental traits is still largely unclear. In this study, an F₁ segregating population was constructed using the cultivars ‘Mrs Eva White’ and ‘Formosa’ as parents, and was used for high-density genetic map construction and quantitative trait locus analysis. Fourteen leaf and thorn-related traits were investigated, with coefficients of variation ranging from 8.16% to 64.54%. Based on specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq), a total of 1,133,206 SLAF markers were developed, among which 479,488 were polymorphic. Using the inclusive composite interval mapping (ICIM) algorithm in the GACD 1.2 software, a high-density genetic linkage map was constructed for B. glabra, consisting of 17 linkage groups and 3256 markers. The genetic map spanned 1797.64 cM, with an average marker interval of 0.55 cM. A total of 22 QTLs were detected for the measured leaf and thorn traits, including 16 major QTLs with a PVE ≥ 8%. Collectively, this study identified stable genetic loci for important morphological traits and provides a valuable theoretical foundation for marker-assisted selection and genetic improvement of ornamental traits in Bougainvillea. Full article

The BONZAI/BON (copine) gene family encodes evolutionarily conserved proteins that modulate the balance between plant defense responses and growth. However, comprehensive identification and functional exploration of BON members have remained largely lacking in wheat. In this study, we identified 10 Triticum aestivum BON (TaBON) members, which are unevenly distributed across seven wheat chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis clustered these TaBON proteins into two distinct groups. Gene structure and conserved motif analyses revealed high evolutionary conservation within the TaBON family. Cis-acting element analysis revealed that the promoter regions of TaBON genes are enriched with elements responsive to hormones, abiotic stress, and biotic defense signals. Expression profiling further demonstrated distinct transcriptional patterns of TaBON genes in response to infections by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (stripe rust), Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (powdery mildew), Fusarium graminearum, and Zymoseptoria tritici. Overall, this study presents a comprehensive analysis of the TaBON members and provides valuable molecular information for understanding its role in disease resistance. Full article

Indigenous pig breeds represent valuable reservoirs of genetic diversity but face increasing risks of genetic erosion due to uncontrolled crossbreeding with commercial lines. The Ashanti Dwarf Pig (ADP) of Ghana is an important local genetic resource well-adapted to tropical environments but poorly characterised at the genomic level. Using high-density SNP data from the ADPs and publicly available datasets from other African, European, and Asian pig populations, we examined genetic diversity, population structure, inbreeding, and selection signatures. After quality control, 59,124 SNPs across 875 individuals were retained. ADPs exhibited high polymorphism (~99%) and moderate heterozygosity but also elevated inbreeding (FIS = 0.15; FROH = 0.40), indicating recent inbreeding under free-range management. Population structure revealed that ADPs cluster closely with other African pigs and European breeds more than Chinese breeds. ADMIXTURE analysis, however, indicated recent introgression from both European and Chinese lines. Selection scans revealed candidate genes linked to metabolism-Zinc Finger Ran-Binding Protein 3 (ZRANB3), growth-Sortilin Related VPS10 Domain Containing Receptor 1 (SORCS1), reproduction–Sus Scrofa Chromosome 9 quantitative trait loci (SSC9 QTLs), and immunity-Tudor Domain-Containing Protein 3 and CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane Domain Containing 7 (TDRD3, CMTM7), reflecting adaptation to tropical production systems. Our results provide a comprehensive genomic characterisation of the ADP within a global context, revealing both genetic richness and vulnerability to genetic erosion. These findings underscore the importance of structured breeding and conservation strategies in preserving this unique African genetic resource and supporting sustainable pig production under changing climatic conditions. Full article

Mussel foot proteins (Mfps) are renowned for their underwater adhesion, whereas their biotechnological potential for cutaneous wound repair remains largely underexplored. In this study, we identified and characterized a cysteine-rich mussel foot protein, Mfp6-1, from Mytilus coruscus and investigated its therapeutic potential for wound healing. Sequence analysis showed that Mfp6-1 is enriched in cysteine (11.0%) and tyrosine (~16.5%). We successfully expressed recombinant Mfp6-1 (rMfp6-1) in E. coli. Structural prediction based on the mature peptide sequence suggested that rMfp6-1 adopts a relatively compact fold containing several short β-structural elements. In vitro assays demonstrated that rMfp6-1 possesses antioxidant activity in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, and alkylation experiments suggested that cysteine residues contribute importantly to this activity. Dithio-bis-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB)-based thiol quantification further demonstrated that rMfp6-1 contained abundant accessible free sulfhydryl groups, supporting an important contribution of cysteine-derived thiols to its antioxidant activity. Experiments on a full-thickness mouse wound model showed that rMfp6-1 treatment resulted in significantly faster wound contraction. Morphological analysis further revealed that rMfp6-1 optimizes the healing microenvironment by promoting collagen accumulation and re-epithelialization. Additionally, the treatment was found to trigger vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated angiogenesis, thereby improving the overall quality of the regenerated tissue. Furthermore, rMfp6-1 treatment significantly reduced interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression, suggesting that its antioxidant capacity creates a permissive microenvironment for tissue regeneration by suppressing excessive inflammation. These findings indicate that recombinant rMfp6-1 is a promising bioactive candidate for wound-healing applications. Full article