Search Results (575)

Precise regulation of ovarian glucose metabolism and steroidogenesis is pivotal for the reproductive success of seasonal breeders. This study investigated seasonal variations in ovarian glucose metabolism and its association with follicular development and steroidogenesis in wild ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus). Results showed that ovarian weight and volume, and serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), 17β-estradiol, and progesterone were significantly higher in the breeding season (BS) than in the non-breeding season (NBS). Ovarian glycogen content was elevated in the BS, whereas circulating glucose levels decreased remarkably. Histologically, the BS ovaries contained follicles at all developmental stages (primary to Graafian) and corpora lutea, while corpora lutea were absent in the NBS. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed upregulated glycogen synthesis, glycolytic pathways, and altered steroidogenic metabolites in the BS. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) confirmed higher expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), glucose metabolism-related enzymes (G6PD, PFKFB3, PFKM), glycogen synthase (GYS), and steroidogenic factors (StAR, P450scc, P450c17, 3β-HSD, P450arom) in the BS, whereas glycogen synthase kinase-3β (Gsk-3β) was upregulated in the NBS. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated colocalization of steroidogenic and glucose-metabolizing enzymes in granulosa and theca cells, and correlation analyses confirmed positive associations between glucose metabolism, steroidogenesis, and ovarian weight. Collectively, these findings indicate that enhanced ovarian glucose metabolism in the BS is tightly coupled with elevated steroidogenesis, synergistically promoting seasonal follicular development and ovulatory competence in this species. Full article

Managing rutting aggression is critical in sika deer (Cervus nippon) farming. To mitigate rutting aggression in male sika deer, this study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and physiological mechanisms of exogenous progesterone. Twelve sika deer were randomly assigned to either a control group or a treatment group, with behavior monitored for 60 days post-administration. Serum hormones, non-targeted serum metabolomics, biochemical indicators (including reflecting liver and kidney function), and subsequent antler performance were assessed. The treatment group exhibited significantly reduced aggressive and mating behavior throughout the study (p < 0.05). HPG axis hormones (GnRH, LH, FSH, and T) and PRL were significantly reduced throughout the study (p < 0.05), while TRH was elevated, T4 declined, and GH showed time-dependent fluctuations. Differential metabolites were significantly enriched in pathways related to nucleotide metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism. Except for a transient decrease in the ALB/GLB ratio (p < 0.05), no significant changes were observed in other biochemical indicators or antler performance (p > 0.05). This study confirms that exogenous progesterone effectively controls rutting behavior primarily via HPG-axis suppression and multi-system endocrine interactions, without inducing detectable organ toxicity or compromising production, supporting its use as a safe management intervention. Full article

Calcareous soils are typically deficient in essential nutrients such as iron, phosphorus, and potassium, which frequently results in nutrient deficiency in fruit trees. Bacillus licheniformis LCDD6 markedly enhanced Malus hupehensis seedling growth and plant iron nutrition in calcareous soil. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism underlying these beneficial effects of strain LCDD6 under iron deficiency. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that iron deficiency induced metabolic reprogramming in strain LCDD6, characterized by a significant upregulation of genes involved in the biosynthesis of the siderophore bacillibactin and plant growth hormone indoleacetic acid (IAA). Consistently, metabolomic profiling identified bacillibactin and IAA as the dominant metabolites produced under iron-deficient conditions. A 60-day pot experiment further demonstrated that the cell-free fermentation broth of strain LCDD6 significantly enhanced plant growth and rhizosphere soil enzyme activities. The crude bacillibactin extract derived from the fermentation exerted the strongest effects on plant growth and iron accumulation, whereas IAA preferentially stimulated root development and promoted plant phosphorus accumulation. Additionally, different metabolites exerted distinct and selective effects on the rhizosphere microbial community, with fungi showing stronger and more metabolite-specific responses than bacteria. The crude bacillibactin extract enriched fungal taxa, particularly Coprinellus, which showed strong positive correlations with plant growth traits and iron accumulation, while Stachybotrys, enriched under IAA treatment, was positively correlated with plant phosphorus content. Overall, strain LCDD6 promotes plant growth under iron-deficient conditions through the coordinated action of multiple metabolites, with bacillibactin as the primary contributor and IAA providing complementary effects. These findings offer mechanistic insight and a scientific basis for developing Bacillus-based biofertilizers to improve nutrient acquisition in calcareous soils. Full article

Purpose: Gibberellins (GAs) are key phytohormones that regulate plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stress, and their metabolism is mediated by 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases (2OGDs). Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a polyploid crop with a complex genome; however, the evolutionary characteristics and stress-responsive regulation of GA-related 2OGDs remain poorly understood. This study aimed to systematically investigate the evolution, expression patterns, and stress-associated regulation of the cotton 2OGD multigene family, with particular emphasis on GA-related members. Methods: 2OGD genes were identified genome-wide in four Gossypium species and Arabidopsis thaliana. Phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, conserved motifs, cis-acting regulatory elements, and synteny were analyzed. Transcriptomic data from multiple tissues and developmental stages, together with time-course RNA-seq under salt stress, were examined. Transcriptome–metabolome association analysis, endogenous GA quantification, and predicted protein–protein interaction analysis were conducted. Results: A total of 583 2OGD genes were identified and classified into three major classes, including a Class C group comprising GA2ox, GA3ox, and GA20ox genes. Polyploidization-associated duplication contributed to the expansion of the 2OGD family, and most duplicated gene pairs exhibited signatures of purifying selection. GA-related 2OGDs displayed conserved motif compositions with variation in cis-acting elements. Promoter analysis identified abundant hormone-responsive, stress-responsive, and growth-related cis-elements, suggesting complex regulatory control of GA-related 2OGDs in cotton. Under salt stress, GhGA2OX1 and GhGA20OX2 were upregulated, whereas GhGA3OX1 was downregulated, accompanied by reduced endogenous GA levels. Conclusions: GA-related 2OGDs in cotton are transcriptionally responsive to salt stress and are associated with changes in GA metabolism, providing a basis for future functional studies. Full article

Background: Thyroid hormones regulate energy homeostasis, lipid/glucose metabolism, and protein turnover. Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is highly associated with autoimmune hypothyroidism, which may have profound metabolic implications. This study evaluates thyroid dysfunction and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) autoimmunity in HCV patients and explores its potential metabolic implications in a high-prevalence region. Methods: In this comparative cross-sectional study adhering to STROBE guidelines, we enrolled 100 PCR-confirmed chronic HCV patients and 100 age/gender-matched controls from District Peshawar, Pakistan. Serum TSH, fT3, fT4, and anti-TPO antibodies were quantified. Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for age, gender, and viral load, was used to compute adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Thyroid dysfunction affected 41% of HCV patients vs. 12% of controls (aOR 5.2, 95% CI 2.8–9.6, p < 0.001), predominantly hypothyroidism (29% overall; 18% overt, 11% subclinical). Anti-TPO positivity was 38% in HCV vs. 8% in controls (aOR 6.7, 95% CI 3.1–14.5, p < 0.001). Anti-TPO titers correlated positively with TSH (r = +0.62, p < 0.001) and inversely with fT3/fT4. Subgroup analysis showed higher dysfunction in patients aged ≥40 years (52% vs. 28%, p = 0.012) and viral load ≥ 10⁶ IU/mL (48% vs. 32%, p = 0.041). We hypothesize that these findings may have significant metabolic implications, including impaired mitochondrial β-oxidation and insulin resistance. Conclusions: HCV infection is strongly associated with autoimmune hypothyroidism, which may amplify cardiometabolic risk. The paper has not explicitly identified metabolic parameters, including lipid profiles, indices of insulin resistance, and metabolomic signatures, and, therefore, any metabolic inferences are speculative and based on established thyroid and HCV pathophysiology. Routine thyroid screening pre- and post-DAA therapy is recommended, alongside metabolomic profiling to validate these proposed metabolic pathways. Full article

The auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is essential for plant growth and stress adaptation. Its biosynthesis via the indole-3-acetaldoxime (IAOx) pathway has recently undergone a paradigm shift. Recent genetic and metabolomic studies have fundamentally revised the indole-3-acetaldoxime (IAOx) pathway from a linear route (IAOx→IAN→IAM→IAA) to a dynamic network. This review synthesizes this paradigm shift by integrating evidence from key Arabidopsis studies. Crucially, mutants disrupting multiple downstream enzyme families fail to block IAA overproduction in the IAOx-accumulating superroot 2 (sur2) background. Functioning as a central branching point between auxin and defense metabolism, the tryptophan-derived metabolite IAOx, along with indole-3-acetonitrile (IAN) and indole-3-acetamide (IAM), elicits auxin responses via independent, tissue-specific pathways, with no metabolic requirement for IAM as a universal intermediate. Furthermore, IAN and IAM levels do not increase with massive IAOx accumulation, indicating a bypass route from IAOx to IAA. We conclude that IAOx acts as a central metabolic hub, partitioning flux competitively between growth and defense. Resolving the unknown IAOx-converting enzyme, the signaling roles of IAN/IAM, and the logic of metabolic channeling is vital to understanding how plants integrate hormonal and stress responses. Full article

The physiological mechanism of melatonin in alleviating combined saline-alkali stress in Fraxinus mandshurica remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of exogenous melatonin in enhancing salt tolerance and elucidate the underlying mechanisms through integrated physiological and multi-omics analyses. Seedlings were subjected to 400 mmol L⁻¹ saline-alkali stress and treated with foliar melatonin. We quantified key growth indicators (height, diameter, dry biomass) and measured the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD). Melatonin significantly alleviated growth inhibition, increasing biomass and height by 29% and 13%, respectively, while enhancing net photosynthetic rate and antioxidant capacity. To uncover the systemic regulation, conjoint analysis of transcriptome (RNA-seq) and metabolome data was performed. This integrated approach revealed that melatonin specifically activated common KEGG pathways pivotal for stress adaptation, including plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and starch and sucrose metabolism, with coordinated upregulation of associated genes and metabolites. Collectively, our integrated data demonstrate that melatonin enhances Fraxinus tolerance by synergistically improving photosynthesis and antioxidant defense, underpinned by a reconfigured molecular network. This study provides a theoretical basis for using melatonin as an eco-friendly biostimulant to improve woody plant resilience in saline-alkali soils. Full article

The existence of lignin in Physcomitrium patens has been controversial. However, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), the key enzyme in monolignol biosynthesis, has been identified with four gene members in P. patens. Despite the roles of PpCAD1 in moss architecture being proven in a previous study, the functions and molecular mechanisms of PpCAD4 remain largely unexplored in early terrestrial plants. This study aims to unravel this mystery via a comprehensive analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome of PpCAD4-overexpression (OE) lines compared with wild type (WT) under Botrytis cinerea treatment, firstly. A total of 475 and 1368 significantly differentially expressed genes in PpCAD4-OE lines compared to the wild type at 6 h and 12 h post-inoculation, which were predominantly enriched in pathways involving flavonoid, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and plant hormone signal transduction. Concurrently, metabolomic profiling revealed 160 and 114 differentially accumulated metabolites in PpCAD4-OE at the corresponding time points, with phenolic acids and flavonoids collectively constituting over 45% of these compounds. Furthermore, the MADS-box transcriptional factor PpMC6 negatively regulated PpCAD4 expression by yeast-one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays. Finally, Catalase isozyme 2 (PpCAT2) and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase (PpE3) were identified as interactive partners with PpCAD4, respectively, deducing that the increasing of reactive oxygen species might be promoted by PpCAT2 degradation through PpE3 after B. cinerea assault. Our results demonstrated that the essential roles and potential mechanisms of PpCAD4 are essential for defense against pathogens during the adaptation to land in moss. Full article

Background/Objectives: The effect of proanthocyanidins (PAs) on neuroinflammation through the modulation of colonic microflora and their metabolites was investigated in obese mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: Thirty healthy male C57BL/6J mice of similar body weight were randomly divided into control (CON), high-fat diet (HFD), and proanthocyanidin (PA_HFD) groups. HFD and PA_HFD groups were fed an HFD, whereas the CON group was fed a basic diet for 8 weeks. Subsequently, the CON and HFD groups were administered equal doses of saline, and the PA_HFD group was administered PA (100 mg/kg/day) daily. We evaluated microbial changes through gut microbiota richness and probiotic relative abundance, analyzed metabolite variations via non-targeted metabolomics and pathway enrichment, assessed neuroinflammation via related gene expression, and measured cognitive function using platform crossing frequency and target quadrant time in the Morris water maze, where longer duration and more crossings indicate better cognition. Results: Body weight was significantly lower in the PA_HFD group than in the HFD group. In the PA_HFD group, fewer inflammatory and hepatic fat cells were observed, and hepatocellular edema was alleviated. PA significantly decreased total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, IL-1β, TNF-α, lipopolysaccharide, and Lc3 expression and increased Sirt1 and FGF21 expression in hippocampal tissue (p < 0.01). PA significantly altered the abundance of colonic microbiota (p < 0.01), including phyla Patescibacteria and Bacteroidota and genera Lactobacillus and Akkermansia. KEGG analysis revealed that differences in metabolite profiles between CON and HFD groups were reflected in glycerophospholipid metabolism, while those between HFD and PA_HFD groups were in steroid hormone biosynthesis and tryptophan metabolism. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that changes in metabolites and microbiota were significantly correlated with neuroinflammation. Conclusions: In conclusion, PAs play a role in modulating neuroinflammation, colonic microflora, and colonic metabolites in mice and have a mitigating effect on cognitive decline in HFD-induced obese mice. Full article

Conventional semen analysis fails to capture the molecular determinants underlying impaired reproductive function. Emerging evidence positions seminal plasma (SP) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) as dynamic regulators of sperm physiology, rather than passive transport components. SP, enriched with proteins, metabolites, hormones, and antioxidants, modulates sperm motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and immune tolerance. Complementarily, EVs, including prostasomes, epididymosomes, and testicular vesicles, deliver proteins, lipids, and small RNAs that remodel sperm membranes, protect against oxidative insults, and influence fertilization success. A critical dimension of the SP-EV axis is its role in balancing oxidative stress (OS) and endocrine signaling. Hormones and metabolic regulators within SP, together with EV-mediated transfer of receptors and regulatory RNAs, further integrate systemic metabolic health with local reproductive outcomes. Dysregulation of these networks, particularly in conditions such as varicocele, obesity, diabetes, and idiopathic infertility, compromises sperm function and reduces assisted reproductive technology (ART) success. This evidence-based review synthesizes current evidence on SP and EVs as ‘molecular gatekeepers’ in male infertility, emphasizing OS regulation, endocrine crosstalk, and their potential as biomarker reservoirs. By integrating proteomic, metabolomic, and transcriptomic insights, the translational opportunities for biomarker-informed diagnostics, prognostication, and therapeutic interventions are highlighted. Full article

Heat and waterlogging are critical abiotic stresses that threaten crop productivity, especially as climate change intensifies their frequency and severity. While both stresses independently disrupt essential physiological functions such as photosynthesis, respiration, and nutrient uptake, their underlying mechanisms and adaptive strategies exhibit key differences. This review presents a systematic comparison of plant responses to heat and waterlogging stress, focusing on both their shared and distinct impacts on plant physiology, biochemistry, and molecular regulation. We synthesize recent insights from omics technologies, including transcriptomic and metabolomics, to explore regulatory pathways, hormonal crosstalk (e.g., ABA–ethylene interactions), and metabolic shifts (e.g., fermentation vs. chaperone induction) that drive stress tolerance. This comparative analysis similarly demonstrates that effective plant resilience to climate extremes depends on the coordinated optimization of shared stress management hubs, such as antioxidant defense systems and hormonal crosstalk, together with the deployment of stress-specific adaptive strategies, including molecular chaperone induction under heat stress and anaerobic metabolic reprogramming under waterlogging. By integrating convergent and divergent regulatory pathways, this framework provides a mechanistic and conceptual guide for breeding and engineering crops with durable tolerance to multiple, increasingly co-occurring abiotic stresses. Full article

Background/Objectives: The quality of dried chili peppers is critically influenced by geographical origin, yet the metabolic basis for these differences remains insufficiently explored. This study sought to elucidate the region-specific metabolic profiles and their association with key quality traits in the pepper cultivar ‘Hong Guan 6’. Methods: Fruits harvested from three major cultivation regions in China were analyzed. We quantified fat and capsaicinoid content and employed an integrated LC-MS and GC-MS untargeted metabolomics approach to characterize the metabolite composition. Multivariate statistical analyses were applied to identify differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) and uncover their related biochemical pathways. Results: Significant regional variations in fat and capsaicinoid content were observed, with peppers from Pengzhou (PZ) exhibiting the highest capsaicin levels. Metabolomic profiling revealed 529 metabolites that were significantly more abundant in PZ samples. These metabolites were enriched in several key pathways, including beta-alanine metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, and N-glycan biosynthesis. Specifically, elevated levels of β-alanine and malonate in the beta-alanine metabolism pathway were detected in PZ and Anyue (AY) samples, suggesting a potential biochemical mechanism for their enhanced fat synthesis. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that geographical origin significantly reprograms the pepper metabolome, directly impacting quality attributes. The results provide crucial insights into the biochemical mechanisms, particularly those involving beta-alanine metabolism, that underpin the differences in critical quality traits such as fat content. Full article

Armillaria mellea (A. mellea) serves as a crucial nutritional source for Gastrodia elata (GE) growth, and its origin directly influences the GE quality and yield. This study analyzed GE symbiotic with A. mellea from different sources using metabolomics and transcriptomics. Results demonstrated that Group A exhibited significant differences in metabolites and gene expression compared to other groups. Group A showed significantly higher accumulation of active components like gastrodin and p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol than others, but its yield was lower than Group B. Metabolomic analysis identified 2418 metabolites, while transcriptomic sequencing produced 964,110,904 clean reads, with 14,637 annotated transcripts. KEGG analysis revealed that Group A’s DEGs and DEMs were co-enriched in three key pathways, including flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and plant hormone signal transduction, such as the positive regulatory roles of key genes (CHS, 4CL, MYC2) on metabolites such as hesperetin, ferulate, and jasmonic acid, respectively. The coordinated upregulation of gene–metabolite interactions in Group A GE may be closely related to the accumulation of major active components, indirectly suggesting the influence of the A. mellea source on metabolic and transcriptional response differences in GE. This study, centered on the host GE, indirectly deduces the association between A. mellea and GE, providing a theoretical basis for screening high-quality “fungus-GE” combinations. Further in-depth research and validation experiments will be conducted in conjunction with fungal omics. Full article

Background: Black spot disease severely constrains Chinese cabbage production. Methods: To elucidate the defence mechanisms underlying this response, transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles were analysed in leaves of the Chinese cabbage line 904B at 24 h post-inoculation (hpi) with Alternaria brassicicola. In parallel, gene silencing and overexpression were conducted for BraPBL, an RLCK family member in Chinese cabbage. Results: The Chinese cabbage line 904B exhibited marked suppression of cytokinin and auxin signalling, coupled with enhanced expression of genes involved in ethylene and jasmonic acid signalling. Multiple secondary metabolites exhibited differential changes, specifically the sterol compound 4,4-dimethyl-5alpha-cholest-7-en-3beta-ol was significantly upregulated in the treatment group. These metabolites were primarily enriched in the indole alkaloid metabolism and glycerolipid metabolism pathways. Concurrently, BraPBL exhibits increasing expression with prolonged infection. BraPBL overexpression enhances resistance to black spot disease, whereas silencing reduces resistance. Subcellular localization confirmed BraPBL at the plasma membrane. Overexpression of BraPBL upregulates the reactive oxygen species-related gene RBOH and the signal transduction-related gene MEKK1, whilst simultaneously activating the JA pathway. Conclusions: Overall, 904B activates defence-related hormones while suppressing growth and development-related hormones during early infection. Secondary metabolites, particularly the sterol compound 4,4-dimethyl-5alpha-cholest-7-en-3beta-ol, play key roles in defence, and BraPBL functions as a black spot disease–related defence gene in Chinese cabbage. Full article

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycotoxin commonly found in animal feed and is associated with pronounced reproductive toxicity. However, most studies on ZEA’s reproductive effects have focused on female monogastric animals, while research on male ruminants remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic and metabolic mechanisms underlying ZEA-induced damage in goat Leydig cells (LCs). The CCK8 assay was first used to determine the effective ZEA concentration (IC₅₀ ≈ 20 μM), and a cytotoxicity model was subsequently established. The model’s validity was confirmed using qRT-PCR, transmission electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and JC-1 staining. Results showed that ZEA significantly reduced LCs viability in a dose-dependent manner, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, induced cell cycle arrest, and triggered apoptosis. Targeted and untargeted metabolomics analyses revealed that ZEA disrupts steroidogenic pathways and alters steroid hormone secretion, resulting in elevated levels of progesterone, corticosterone, and androstenedione, and reduced dihydrotestosterone levels. Furthermore, 52 significantly altered metabolites were identified, predominantly enriched in glycerophospholipid metabolism, choline metabolism, and neurotransmitter vesicle pathways, with corresponding changes in gene expression. Collectively, this study has confirmed that ZEA causes harm to the reproductive cells of male goats in multiple aspects, underscoring the link between metabolic dysregulation and reproductive impairment, and offering a foundation for evaluating ZEA’s impact on goat reproductive performance. Full article