Search Results (644)

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), a stress-tolerant pseudocereal ideal for studying abiotic stress responses, was used to systematically identify optimal reference genes for qPCR normalization under gradient stresses: low temperatures (LT group: −2 °C to −10 °C), heat (HT group: 39° C to 45 °C), and drought (DR group: 7 to 13 days). Through multi-algorithm evaluation (GeNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, the ΔCt method, and RefFinder) of eleven candidates, condition-specific optimal genes were established as ACT16 (Actin), SAL92 (IT4 phosphatase-associated protein), SSU32 (Ssu72-like family protein), and TSB05 (Tryptophan synthase beta-subunit 2) for the LT group; ACT16 and NRP13 (Asparagine-rich protein) for the HT group; and ACT16, SKP27 (S-phase kinase), and NRP13 for the DR group, with ACT16, NRP13, WLIM96 (LIM domain-containing protein), SSU32, SKP27, SAL92, and UBC22 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2) demonstrating cross-stress stability (global group). DHDPS96 (dihydrodipicolinate synthase) and EF03 (translation elongation factor) showed minimal stability. Validation using stress-responsive markers—COR72 (LT), HSP44 (HT), COR413-PM (LT), and DREB12 (DR)—confirmed reliability; COR72 and COR413-PM exhibited oscillatory cold response patterns, HSP44 peaked at 43 °C before declining, and DREB12 showed progressive drought-induced upregulation. Crucially, normalization with unstable genes (DHDPS96 and EF03) distorted expression profiles. This work provides validated reference standards for quinoa transcriptomics under abiotic stresses. Full article

Carassius auratus exhibits significant physiological and behavioral alterations under the combined stress of temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) fluctuations, which are common challenges in aquaculture. In this investigation, we employed controlled thermal and DO gradients to characterize the multidimensional response profile of this species. The key findings revealed that thermal elevation profoundly influenced blood glucose and cortisol concentrations. Notably, exposure to hyperoxic conditions markedly attenuated stress responses relative to hypoxia at equivalent temperatures: cortisol levels were significantly suppressed (reductions of 60.11%, 118.06%, and 34.72%), while blood glucose levels exhibited concurrent increases (16.42%, 26.43%, and 26.34%). Distinctive behavioral patterns, including floating head behavior, surface swimming behavior, and rollover behavior, were identified as indicative behaviors of thermal–oxygen stress. Molecular analysis demonstrated the upregulated expression of stress-associated genes (HSP70, HSP90, HIF-1α, and Prdx3), which correlated temporally with elevated cortisol and glucose concentrations and the manifestation of stress behaviors. Furthermore, a muscle texture assessment indicated that increased DO availability mitigated the textural deterioration induced by heat stress. Collectively, this work establishes an authentic biomarker framework, providing crucial threshold parameters essential for the development of intelligent, real-time environmental monitoring and dynamic regulation systems to enhance climate-resilient aquaculture management. Full article

(1) Background: Polyploid fish are highly important in increasing fish production, improving fish quality, and breeding new varieties. The loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus), as a naturally polyploid fish, serves as an ideal biological model for investigating the mechanisms of chromosome doubling; (2) Methods: In this study, tetraploidization in diploid loach was induced by heat shock treatment, and, for the first time, the role of the key cell cycle gene cdk1 (cyclin-dependent kinase 1) in chromosome doubling was investigated; (3) Results: The experimental results show that when eggs are fertilized for 20 min and then subjected to a 4 min heat shock treatment at 39–40 °C, this represents the optimal induction condition, resulting in a tetraploid rate of 44%. Meanwhile, the results of the cdk1 knockout model (2n cdk1^−/−) constructed using CRISPR/Cas9 showed that the absence of cdk1 significantly increased the chromosome doubling efficiency of the loach. The qPCR analysis revealed that knockout of cdk1 significantly upregulated cyclin genes (ccnb3,ccnc, and ccne1), while inhibiting expression of the separase gene espl1 (p < 0.05); (4) Conclusions: During chromosome doubling in diploid loaches induced by heat shock, knocking out the cdk1 gene can increase the tetraploid induction rate. This effect may occur through downregulation of the espl1 gene. This study offers novel insights into optimizing the induced breeding technology of polyploid fish and deciphering its molecular mechanism, while highlighting the potential application of integrating gene editing with physical induction. Full article

Heat stress transcription factor (Hsf) families play important roles in abiotic stress responses. However, previous studies reported that HsfBs genes may play diverse roles in response to heat stress. Here, we conducted functional analysis on a woodland strawberry Class B Hsf gene, FvHsfB1a, to improve thermotolerance. The structure of FvHsfB1a contains a typical Hsf domain for DNA binding at the N-terminus, and FvHsfB1a belongs to the B1 family of Hsfs. The FvHsfB1a protein was localized in the nucleus. The FvHsfB1a gene was expressed in various strawberry tissues and highly induced by heat treatment. Under heat stress conditions, ectopic expression of FvHsfB1a in Arabidopsis improves thermotolerance, with higher germination and survival rates, a longer primary root length, higher proline and chlorophyll contents, lower malonaldehyde (MDA) and O²⁻ contents, better enzyme activities, and greater expression of heat-responsive and stress-related genes compared to WT. FvWRKY75 activates the promoter of the FvHsfB1a gene through recognizing the W-box element. Similarly, FvWRKY75-OE lines also displayed a heat-tolerant phenotype, exhibiting more proline and chlorophyll contents, lower MDA and O²⁻ contents, and higher enzyme activities under heat stress. Taken together, our study indicates that FvHsfB1a is a positive regulator of heat stress. Full article

Members of the heat shock protein 20 (HSP20) family of proteins play an important role in responding to various forms of stress. Here, the expression of ClaHSP17.4 was induced by heat stress in watermelon. Then, a floral dipping approach was used to introduce the pCAMBIA1391b-GFP overexpression vector encoding the heat tolerance-related gene ClaHSP17.4 from watermelon into Arabidopsis thaliana, and we obtained ClaHSP17.4-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants. Under normal conditions, the phenotypes of transgenic and wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis plants were largely similar. Following exposure to heat stress, however, the germination rates (96%) of transgenic Arabidopsis plants at the germination stages were significantly higher than those of wild-type idopsis (17%). Specifically, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of transgenic Arabidopsis was half that of the control group, while the activities of peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were 1.25 times those of the control group after exposure to high temperatures for 12 h at the seedling stages. The proline content in ClaHSP17.4-overexpressing transgenic Arabidopsis increased by 17% compared to WT plants (* p < 0.05), while the soluble sugar content rose by 37% (* p < 0.05). These results suggest that ClaHSP17.4 overexpression indirectly improves the antioxidant capacity and osmotic regulatory capacity of Arabidopsis seedlings, leading to improved survival and greater heat tolerance. Meanwhile, the results of this study provide a reference for further research on the function of the ClHSP17.4 gene and lay a foundation for breeding heat-tolerant watermelon varieties and advancing our understanding of plant adaptation to environmental stress. Full article

Anthropogenic vibrational disturbances in the marine environment can affect benthic organisms, but these effects on marine animals remain poorly understood. To examine whether anthropogenic substrate-borne vibrations induce physiological stress in the white-clawed fiddler crab (Austruca lactea), individuals were exposed to vibrations at 120 Hz and 250 Hz (~100 dB re 1 µm/s²), and physiological indicators were measured. Lactate and ATP concentrations in the leg muscle were measured, and heat shock protein 70 kDa (HSP70) gene expression in the hepatopancreas was analyzed using RT-PCR with newly designed primers. At 120 Hz, ATP and lactate levels in the leg muscle did not differ significantly between the exposure and control groups. However, at 250 Hz, ATP levels were lower and lactate levels were higher in the exposure group compared to the control. HSP70 gene expression in the hepatopancreas did not differ significantly between the exposure and control groups at either frequency, although one individual exposed to 250 Hz exhibited markedly elevated expression, inducing higher expression variability in the exposed group. These results suggest that anthropogenic vibrational pollution may induce physiological stress in A. lactea, and that such physiological indices could serve as biomarkers for assessing vibroacoustic pollution on marine animals. Full article

Pain following orthodontic treatment is the chief complaint of patients undergoing this form of treatment. Although the use of diode lasers has been suggested for pain reduction, the mechanism of laser-induced analgesic effects remains unclear. Neuropeptides, such as substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), contribute to the transmission and maintenance of inflammatory pain. Heat shock protein (HSP) 70 plays a protective role against various stresses, including orthodontic forces. This study aimed to examine the effects of diode laser irradiation on neuropeptides and HSP 70 expression in periodontal tissues induced by experimental tooth movement (ETM). For inducing ETM for 24 h, 50 g of orthodontic force was applied using a nickel–titanium closed-coil spring to the upper left first molar and the incisors of 20 male Sprague Dawley rats (7 weeks old). The right side without ETM treatment was considered the untreated control group. In 10 rats, diode laser irradiation was performed on the buccal and palatal sides of the first molar for 90 s with a total energy of 100.8 J/cm². A near-infrared (NIR) laser with a 808 nm wavelength, 7 W peak power, 560 W average power, and 20 ms pulse width was used for the experiment. We measured the number of facial groomings and vacuous chewing movements (VCMs) in the ETM and ETM + laser groups. Immunohistochemical staining of the periodontal tissue with SP, CGRP, and HSP 70 was performed. The number of facial grooming and VCM periods significantly decreased in the ETM + laser group compared to the ETM group. Moreover, the ETM + laser group demonstrated significant suppression of SP, CGRP, and HSP 70 expression. These results suggest that the diode laser demonstrated analgesic effects on ETM-induced pain by inhibiting SP and CGRP expression, and decreased HSP 70 expression shows alleviation of cell damage. Thus, although further validation is warranted for human applications, an NIR diode laser can be used for reducing pain and neuropeptide markers during orthodontic tooth movement. Full article

High-temperature stress has become an important factor that has restricted the aquaculture industry. Huso dauricus is a high-economic-value fish that has faced the threat of thermal stress. Based on this point, our investigation aimed to explore the detailed mechanism of the negative impacts of heat stress on the liver metabolism functions in Huso dauricus. In this study, we set one control group (19 °C) and four high-temperature treatment groups (22 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, 31 °C) with 40 fish in each group for continuous 53-day heat exposure. Histological analysis, biochemical detection, and transcriptome technology were used to explore the effects of heat stress on the liver structure and functions of juvenile Huso dauricus. It suggested heat-stress-induced obvious liver injury and reactive oxygen species accumulation in Huso dauricus with a time/temperature-dependent manner. Serum total protein, transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase activities showed significant changes under heat stress (p < 0.05). In addition, 6433 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified based on the RNA-seq project. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that various DEGs could be mapped to the lipid-metabolism-related terms. KEGG enrichment and immunohistochemistry analysis showed that ferroptosis and FoxO signaling pathways were significantly enriched (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that thermal stress induced oxidative stress damage in the liver of juvenile Huso dauricus, which triggered lipid metabolism disorder and hepatocyte ferroptosis to disrupt normal liver functions. In conclusion, chronic thermal stress can cause antioxidant capacity imbalance in the liver of Huso dauricus to mediate the ferroptosis process, which would finally disturb the lipid metabolism homeostasis. In further research, it will be necessary to verify the detailed cellular signaling pathways that are involved in the heat-stress-induced liver function disorder response based on the in vitro experiment, while the multi-organ crosswalk mode under the thermal stress status is also essential for understanding the comprehensive mechanism of heat-stress-mediated negative effects on fish species. Full article

Soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a major pest of soybean fields. While high-temperature stress induced by global warming can initially suppress aphid populations, these pests may eventually adapt, leading to more severe infestations and crop damage. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), which are upregulated in response to heat stress to protect aphid development, also confer tolerance to other abiotic stressors, including insecticides. To investigate the role of HSPs in insecticide resistance in A. glycines, we analyzed the expression profiles of three AgHsp90 genes (AgHsp75, AgHsp83, and AgGrp94) following exposure to high temperatures and insecticides. Functional validation was performed using RNA interference (RNAi) to silence AgHsp90 genes. Our results demonstrated that AgHsp90 genes were significantly upregulated under both heat and insecticide stress conditions. Furthermore, after feeding on dsRNA of AgHsp90 genes, mortality rates of A. glycines significantly increased when exposed to imidacloprid and lambda-cyhalothrin. This study provides evidence that AgHsp90 genes play a crucial role in mediating thermal tolerance and insecticide resistance in A. glycines. Full article

Heat stress (HS) is a major environmental factor negatively impacting the reproductive performance of livestock. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms of heat stress on the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis in Hu sheep. A heat-stressed animal model was established, and high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was employed to analyze gene expression in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovarian tissues of both control and heat-stressed groups. The results revealed significant changes in estrus behavior, hormone secretion, and reproductive health in heat-stressed sheep, with a shortened estrus duration, prolonged estrous cycles, and decreased levels of FSH, LH, E₂, and P4. A total of 520, 649, and 482 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary, respectively. The DEGs were enriched in pathways related to hormone secretion, neurotransmission, cell proliferation, and immune response, with significant involvement of the p53 and cAMP signaling pathways. Tissue-specific responses to heat stress were observed, with distinct regulatory roles in each organ, including GPCR activity and cytokine signaling in the hypothalamus, calcium-regulated exocytosis in the pituitary, and cilium assembly and ATP binding in the ovary. Key genes such as SYN3, RPH3A, and IGFBP2 were identified as central to the coordinated regulation of the HPO axis. These findings provide new insights into the molecular basis of heat stress-induced impairments in reproductive function—manifested by altered estrous behavior, reduced hormone secretion (FSH, LH, E₂, and P4), and disrupted gene expression in the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis—and offer potential targets for improving heat tolerance and reproductive regulation in sheep. Full article

Prenatal and postnatal skeletal muscle development in ruminants is coordinated by interactions between genetic, nutritional, epigenetic, and endocrine factors. This review focuses on the influence of maternal nutrition during gestation on fetal myogenesis, satellite cell dynamics, and myogenic regulatory factors expression, including MYF5, MYOD1, and MYOG. Studies in sheep and cattle indicate that nutrient restriction or overnutrition alters muscle fiber number, the cross-sectional area, and the transcriptional regulation of myogenic genes in offspring. Postnatally, muscle hypertrophy is primarily mediated by satellite cells, which are activated via PAX7, MYOD, and MYF5, and regulated through mechanisms such as CARM1-induced chromatin remodeling and miR-31-mediated mRNA expression. Hormonal signaling via the GH–IGF1 axis and thyroid hormones further modulate satellite cell proliferation and protein accretion. Genetic variants, such as myostatin mutations in Texel sheep and Belgian Blue cattle, enhance muscle mass but may compromise reproductive efficiency. Nutritional interventions, including the plane of nutrition, supplementation strategies, and environmental stressors such as heat and stocking density, significantly influence muscle fiber composition and carcass traits. This review provides a comprehensive overview of skeletal muscle programming in ruminants, tracing the developmental trajectory from progenitor cell differentiation to postnatal growth and maturation. These insights underscore the need for integrated approaches combining maternal diet optimization, molecular breeding, and precision livestock management to enhance muscle growth, meat quality, and production sustainability in ruminant systems. Full article

The RasGAP SH3 domain binding protein (G3BP) is a highly conserved family of proteins in eukaryotic organisms that coordinates signal transduction and post-transcriptional gene regulation and functions in the formation of stress granules. G3BPs have important roles in abiotic/biotic stresses in mammals, and recent research suggests that they have similar functions in higher plants. Brassica contains many important oilseeds, vegetables, and ornamental plants, but there are no reports on the G3BP family in Brassica species. In this study, we identified G3BP family genes from six species of the U’s triangle (B. rapa, B. oleracea, B. nigra, B. napus, B. juncea, and B. carinata) at the genome-wide level. We then analyzed their gene structure, protein motifs, gene duplication type, phylogeny, subcellular localization, SSR loci, and upstream miRNAs. Based on transcriptome data, we analyzed the expression patterns of B. napus G3BP (BnaG3BP) genes in various tissues/organs in response to Sclerotinia disease, blackleg disease, powdery mildew, dehydration, drought, heat, cold, and ABA treatments, and its involvement in seed traits including germination, α-linolenic acid content, oil content, and yellow seed. Several BnaG3BP DEGs might be regulated by BnaTT1. The qRT-PCR assay validated the inducibility of two cold-responsive BnaG3BP DEGs. This study will enrich the systematic understanding of Brassica G3BP family genes and lay a molecular basis for the application of BnaG3BP genes in stress tolerance, disease resistance, and quality improvement in rapeseed. Full article

Water temperature significantly affects the physiological balance of aquatic organisms like crustaceans, and heat shock proteins (HSPs) are crucial for stress resistance and pathogen defense. This study conducted a genome-wide analysis to explore the functional characteristics of the Hsp70 gene family in Procambarus clarkii. Fifteen Hsp70 family members were identified, with several genes showing upregulation under non-lethal heat shock (NLHS) and pathogen challenges. RNA-Seq and qPCR analyses confirmed increased expression of certain PcHsp70s during NLHS, indicating NLHS activation of the Hsp70 family to enhance immune regulation. dsRNA-mediated silencing of Hsp70 led to downregulation of TLR pathway genes (e.g., TLR1, TLR6), suggesting Hsp70 regulates the TLR signaling pathway for immune responses. These findings reveal that NLHS-induced Hsp70 upregulation improves pathogen resistance, offering insights for addressing temperature fluctuations and disease outbreaks in aquaculture to optimize management practices. Full article

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common drug-resistant form of epilepsy, often accompanied by cognitive and emotional disturbances, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapies. Scorpion Venom Heat-Resistant Synthetic Peptide (SVHRSP), isolated and synthetically derived from scorpion venom, has shown anti-epileptic and neuroprotective potential. This study evaluated the anti-epileptic effects of SVHRSP in a kainic acid (KA)-induced TLE rat model. Our results demonstrated that SVHRSP (0.81 mg/kg/day) reduced the frequency and severity of spontaneous seizures. Behavioral tests showed improved cognitive performance in the novel object recognition, object location, and T-maze tasks, as well as reduced anxiety-like behavior in the open-field test. Moreover, SVHRSP mitigated hippocampal neuronal loss and glial activation. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that SVHRSP upregulates genes involved in adhesion molecule-triggered and axon guidance pathways. Western blotting and immunofluorescence further confirmed that SVHRSP restored dendritic (MAP2), axonal (NFL), and synaptic (PSD95) marker expression, elevated the functionally important L1CAM fragment (L1-70), and increased myelin basic protein-induced serine protease activity responsible for L1-70 generation. Blockade of L1CAM expression diminished the neuroprotective effects of SVHRSP, suggesting a critical role for L1CAM-mediated synapse functions. This study is the first to reveal the therapeutic potential of SVHRSP in TLE via L1CAM-associated mechanisms. Full article

In placental mammals, the co-option of vertebrate orthologous ATP1B4 genes has profoundly altered the properties of the encoded BetaM proteins, which function as bona fide β-subunits of Na,K-ATPases in lower vertebrates. Eutherian BetaM acquired an extended Glu-rich N-terminal domain resulting in the complete loss of its ancestral function and became a skeletal and cardiac muscle-specific component of the inner nuclear membrane. BetaM is expressed at the highest level during perinatal development and is implicated in gene regulation. Here we report the long-term consequences of Atp1b4 ablation on metabolic parameters in adult mice. Male BetaM-deficient (Atp1b4−/Y) mice have remarkably lower body weight and adiposity than their wild-type littermates, despite higher food intake. Indirect calorimetry shows higher energy expenditure (heat production and oxygen consumption) with a greater spontaneous locomotor activity in Atp1b4−/Y males. Their lower respiratory exchange ratio suggests a greater reliance on fat metabolism compared to their wild-type counterparts. Consistently, Atp1b4−/Y KO mice exhibit enhanced β-oxidation in skeletal muscle, along with improved glucose and insulin tolerance. These robust metabolic changes induced by Atp1b4 disruption demonstrate that eutherian BetaM plays an important role in regulating adult mouse metabolism. This demonstrates that bypassing the co-option of Atp1b4 potentially reduces susceptibility to obesity. Thus, Atp1b4 ablation leading to the loss of evolutionarily acquired BetaM functions serves as a model for a potential alternative pathway in mammalian evolution. Full article