Search Results (241)

Although many plant families are predominantly mycorrhizal, few symbiotic relationships between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been thoroughly studied. Mycorrhized plants tend to exhibit greater tolerance to soil-borne pathogens and enhanced plant defence. Legumes, including common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), are essential sources of protein globally. To improve common bean productivity, identifying efficient native microsymbionts is crucial. This study aimed to identify native AMF associated with common bean roots that could act as biostimulants and protect against soil diseases under varying environmental conditions. Agronomic trials were conducted at MBG-CSIC (Pontevedra, Spain) in 2021 and 2022, testing combinations of nitrogen fertilization, Burkholderia alba, Trichoderma harzianum, and a control. Traits such as nodulation, biomass, plant vigor, disease severity, nutrient content, and yield were evaluated. Four AMF species across three genera were identified. No consistent pattern was observed in AMF influence on agronomic traits. However, reduced mycorrhization in 2022 was associated with decreased nodulation, likely due to higher temperatures. Surprisingly, yields were higher in 2022 despite lower colonization. These findings suggest that intelligent use of AMF could reduce pesticide use, enhance sustainability, and promote healthier food systems. Continued research and conservation efforts are essential to optimize their benefits in legume production. Full article

The Fabaceae family, the third-largest among flowering plants, is nutritionally vital, providing rich sources of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Leguminous plants, such as soybeans, peas, and chickpeas, typically contain two to three times more protein than cereals like wheat and rice, with low fat content (primarily unsaturated fats) and no cholesterol, making them essential for cardiovascular health and blood sugar management. Since the release of the soybean genome in 2010, genomic research in Fabaceae has advanced dramatically. High-quality reference genomes have been assembled for key species, including soybeans (Glycine max), common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), chickpeas (Cicer arietinum), and model legumes like Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus, leveraging long-read sequencing, single-cell technologies, and improved assembly algorithms. These advancements have enabled telomere-to-telomere (T2T) assemblies, pan-genome constructions, and the identification of structural variants (SVs) and presence/absence variations (PAVs), enriching our understanding of genetic diversity and domestication history. Functional genomic tools, such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, mutagenesis, and high-throughput omics (transcriptomics, metabolomics), have elucidated regulatory networks controlling critical traits like photoperiod sensitivity (e.g., E1 and Tof16 genes in soybeans), seed development (GmSWEET39 for oil/protein transport), nitrogen fixation efficiency, and stress resilience (e.g., Rpp3 for rust resistance). Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and comparative genomics have further linked genetic variants to agronomic traits, such as pod size in peanuts (PSW1) and flowering time in common beans (COL2). This review synthesizes recent breakthroughs in legume genomics, highlighting the integration of multi-omic approaches to accelerate gene cloning and functional confirmation of the genes cloned. Full article

Symbiotic interactions between legumes and a group of soil bacteria, known as rhizobia, lead to the formation of a specialized organs called root nodules. Inside them, atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) is fixed by bacteria and reduced to forms available to plants, catalyzed by the nitrogenase enzyme complex. The development of a symbiotic relationship between legumes and nodule bacteria is a multi-stage, precisely regulated process, characterized by a high specificity of partner selection. Nodulation involves the enhanced expression of certain plant genes, referred to as early- and late-nodulin genes. Many nodulin genes encode hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs) and proline-rich proteins (PRPs) which are involved in various processes, including infection thread formation, cell signaling, and defense responses, thereby affecting nodule formation and function. Cyclophilins (CyPs) belong to a family of proteins with peptidyl-prolyl cis–trans isomerase activity. Proteins with cyclophilin domain can be found in the cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus, chloroplast, and mitochondrion. They are involved in various processes, such as protein folding, cellular signaling, mRNA maturation, and response to biotic and abiotic stress. In this review, we aim to summarize the molecular processes involved in the development of symbiosis and highlight the potential role of cyclophilins (peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerases) in this process. Full article

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and rhizobia are important symbiotic microorganisms in soil, which can symbiose with legumes to form mycorrhizal symbionts and nodules, respectively. Once a stable symbiotic relationship is established, these microorganisms have been found to enhance nitrogen absorption by legumes. Although plants can directly utilize ammonium through ammonium transporters (AMTs), there is limited research on the role of the AMT gene family in promoting ammonium transport in symbiotic relationships. Lotus japonicus, a common host of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia, serves as a model legume plant. In this study, we examined the characteristics of the ammonium transporter LjAMT2;4 in L. japonicus and found that LjAMT2;4 is localized to the plasma membrane and is predominantly expressed in roots. The promoter region of LjAMT2;4 contains cis-acting elements induced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and rhizomes, and the expression of LjAMT2;4 was induced by AM fungi and rhizobia. However, there was no significant difference in the mycorrhizal colonization rate of ljamt2;4 compared to the wild type, while the absence of LjAMT2;4 significantly increased the number of root nodules under nitrogen-starved conditions, enhancing nitrogen fixation and alleviating nitrogen stress in extremely nitrogen-starved environments, ultimately promoting plant growth. These findings suggest that manipulating the genes involved in symbiotic nitrogen fixation, such as LjAMT2;4, could offer new strategies for sustainable agricultural production. Given that AM and rhizobia symbiosis are critical for crop growth, our findings may inform strategies to improve agricultural management. Full article

Stem internode length determines height to first pod (HFP), an important trait for mechanical harvesting in legume crops. In the present study, this trait in lentil was (Lens culinaris Medik.) examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of epidermal cells in stem internodes of two parents, Flip92-36L and ILL-1552, with long and short HFP, respectively. No significant differences in cell length, but differences in cell width were seen. This indicates that HFP was determined by cell number rather than cell length. The candidate gene family for HFP, Suppressor of Overexpression of Constans 1 (SOC1), a member of the MADS-box transcription factor family, controls both flowering time (FT) and HFP traits. Six LcSOC1 genes were identified in this study, and their expression was analysed. Most of the genes studied showed constitutive expression during vegetative growth, flowering, and seed development stages. Expression of LcSOC1-a seems to be involved in the transition to flowering and FT, whereas expression of LcSOC1-b2 was strongly associated with HFP but not FT. Two haplotypes with two SNP each were identified in LcSOC1-b2 among eight sequenced lentil accessions, and an SNP-based ASQ marker was developed and used for genotyping of a lentil germplasm collection. Significant association between LcSOC1-b2 haplotypes and HFP was found in this study, indicating a primary role for this gene in internode length, potentially by regulating cell number. Full article

Dietary fiber is present in many food categories (fruits, cereals, vegetables, legumes), and is considered a beneficial component of adult and children’s diets. It is now well-established that dietary intervention is the first line of treatment for childhood dyslipidemia, both as a curative intervention (Familial Hyperchylomicronemia Syndrome, Sitosterolemia) and as an appropriate lifestyle aimed at improving the lipid profile in dyslipidemia, which is associated with early atherosclerosis and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood (Familial Hypercholesterolemia, overweight- and obesity-related dyslipidemia). In this paper, we reviewed the main consensus documents to determine the current indications for its use in children and adolescents, and analyzed the few specific papers on the subject in the literature to assess how fiber is currently used in the treatment of pediatric dyslipidemia, what precautions should be taken, and what the main benefits of fiber are on the lipid profile and cardiovascular risk. Full article

Drought stress represents a prevalent environmental challenge that significantly impedes plant growth. The Chinese hog-peanut (Amphicarpaea edgeworthii Benth.), an amphicarpic legume, can produce both aerial seeds (ASs) and subterranean seeds (SSs). However, it is largely unknown whether there are differences between the seedlings from ASs and SSs in response to drought stress. In this study, the 30-day old AS and SS seedlings of A. edgeworthii are subjected to drought stress by withholding watering for five or ten days. Then, we identify the morphological and physio-biochemical characteristics of seedlings from both ASs and SSs under drought stress. Following ten days of drought treatment, the contents of proline (PRO) and malondialdehyde (MDA), the root shoot ratio, and the rate of water loss were significantly increased, whereas the chlorophyll content and the relative water content were significantly decreased in both AS and SS seedlings. Moreover, compared to AS seedlings, SS seedlings accumulated more hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) while exhibiting significantly lower peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities after exposure to ten days of drought stress. These findings indicate that SS seedlings are more susceptible to drought stress. To identify drought-associated genes and reveal the mechanisms underlying drought adaptability in AS and SS seedlings, we performed an RNA-seq-based transcriptomic analysis in AS and SS seedlings exposed to drought stress. We identified 1317 and 2029 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in AS seedlings five and ten days post-drought treatment, respectively, and 1793 DEGs in SS seedlings ten days post-drought treatment compared to the normal treatment (CK). These DEGs were commonly enriched in response-related GO terms. Furthermore, hundreds of transcription factor (TF) genes were identified among the DEGs in AS and SS seedlings after drought treatment. Notably, the ERF, bHLH, NAC, and C2H2 families were predominant in AS seedlings five days following drought treatment, while the bHLH, ERF, MYB-related, and WRKY families were prevalent in both AS and SS seedlings ten days following drought treatment. These findings suggest that the identified TFs may play crucial roles in the response of AS and SS seedlings of A. edgeworthii to drought stress. Full article

Cancer, a worldwide problem and one of the leading causes of death due to uncontrolled cell proliferation, can be caused by various factors, such as genetic and environmental factors. Apoptosis is a programmed cell death mechanism that eliminates abnormal cells or renews cells. There are two main apoptotic pathways: intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. These pathways can be affected by various signaling pathways in cancer, such as the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, Wnt, and JAK/STAT pathways. Numerous approaches to cancer treatment have been studied, and among them, natural compounds have been actively researched. Flavonoids are natural compounds from fruits and vegetables and have been studied for their anti-cancer effects. Isoflavones, one of the subclasses of flavonoids, are usually found in soy food or legumes and are effective in several bioactive functions. The well-known isoflavones are genistein, daidzein, and glycitein. Irigenin and iridin can be extracted from the Iris family. Both irigenin and iridin are currently being studied for anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and anti-cancer by inducing apoptosis. In this review, we summarized five isoflavones, genistein, daidzein, glycitein, irigenin, and iridin and their effects on three different cancers: breast cancer, prostate cancer, and gastric cancer. Full article

Members of the Leguminosae family are important crops that provide food, animal feed and vegetable oils. Legumes make a substantial contribution to sustainable agriculture and the nitrogen cycle through their unique ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in agricultural ecosystems. Over the past three decades, Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus have emerged as model plants for genomic and physiological research in legumes. The advancement of innovative molecular and genetic tools, particularly insertional mutagenesis using the retrotransposon Tnt1, has facilitated the development of extensive mutant collections and enabled precise gene tagging in plants for the identification of key symbiotic and developmental genes. Building on these resources, twelve years ago, our research team initiated the establishment of a platform for functional genomic studies of legumes in Bulgaria. In the framework of this initiative, we conducted systematic sequencing of selected mutant lines and identified genes involved in plant growth and development for detailed functional characterization. This review summarizes our findings on the functions of selected genes involved in the growth and development of the model species, discusses the molecular mechanisms underlying important developmental processes and examines the potential for the translation of this fundamental knowledge to improve commercially important legume crops in Bulgaria and globally. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the crude protein (CP) degradation kinetics and degradability (CPD) of cereal and legume fodder species grown at two geographically distant locations. Ten forage species, comprising six cereals (barley, maize, millet, oats, sorghum, and wheat) and four legumes (berseem, jantar, lucerne, and mustard), were evaluated to determine the effects of forage family, species, and location of growth on CP degradation fractions and effective CPD. The forage crops were cultivated under uniform agronomic practices at two distinct agro-ecological locations and were harvested at the booting stage (cereals) and 50% flowering stage (legumes). Dried and ground samples were incubated in the rumen of four Nili-Ravi buffalo fitted with rumen cannula. The incubation periods utilized in the experiment were 0, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 h, and a 4 × 2 × 2 split-plot design was employed. The results showed that the CP degradation fractions and CPD were significantly affected by forage family, species, and location of growth. Wide variations in degradation kinetics and degradability existed among and within the cereal and legume fodders, with wheat and jantar ranked at the top. Legume forages had larger soluble fractions, smaller potentially degradable fractions, and rapid rates and extent of degradation of dietary proteins than cereal forages. The cooler climatic conditions at location 2 increased the rapidly degradable protein fraction and overall CPD, whereas the warmer climatic conditions enhanced the slowly degradable protein fractions, thereby reducing the overall protein degradability in tropical forages. It was quite evident that some fodder species, such as maize among the cereal fodders and mustard among the legume fodders, remained quite non-responsive to the effects of the climatic conditions. A moderately positive and linear relationship between the rate of degradation and CPD was established for cereals, whereas a strongly positive and quadratic relationship was established for legume fodders. In conclusion, forage species, family, and location of growth significantly affected the degradation fractions and degradability of tropical cereal and legume fodders. Full article

Background: Previous work has shown that the mostly beneficial modulation of intestinal microbiota generally found with legume-based diets is likely to be due, at least in part, to their constituent protein components. Objectives: The faecal microbiota composition was studied in rats fed diets differing only in their constituent proteins. Methods: Rats (n = 10/group) were fed for 28 days diets based in milk [(lactalbumin (LA), casein (CAS)], or white lupin (Lupinus albus) protein isolate (LPI). Results: Significant differences among the three groups in bacteria composition and functionality were found by both qPCR and Illumina sequencing analysis. Significant (p < 0.01) differences were found by ANOSIM and Discriminant Analysis among groups at the family, genus and species levels in both microbiota composition and functionality. A number of groups able to explain the differences between animal (casein, lactalbumin) and lupin proteins were revealed by LEfSe and PCA analysis. Specifically, feeding the CAS diet resulted in lower Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli compared to the other diets, and the LPI diet gave place to lower Enterobacteria than CAS, and lower Escherichia/Shigella than LA and CAS. Differences in the LA group were attributable to Bifidobacterium spp., Collinsella spp. (in particular C. stercoris), Bacteroides spp., Eubacterium spp. (in particular E. dolichum), Roseburia spp. (in particular R. faecis), and Oscillospira spp. In the case of the CAS group, the organisms were Parabacteroides spp., Blautia spp., Enterobacteriaceae spp., Turicibacter spp., species from Christenellaceae, species from Alphaproteobacteria and Mogibacteriaceae, Coprobacillus spp. and Dorea spp. In the case of the LPI group, the organisms were Lactobacillus spp. (Lactobacillus spp. and L. reuteri), species from Clostridiaceae, species from Peptostreptococcaceae, species from Erysipelotrichaceae, and Adlercreutzia spp. Conclusions: Based on the results obtained, LPI is likely to beneficially modulate the intestinal microbiota composition in rats. Additionally, LA-based diet was associated to a healthier microbiota composition than CAS, although the CAS diet also modulated the intestinal microbiota to a composition compatible with improved bowel movement frequency and lipid metabolism. Full article

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation, recognized as the most efficient nitrogen assimilation system in ecosystems, is essential for soybean growth, as nodulation provides critical nitrogen to host cells. Soybeans thrive in warm and moist environments. However, they are highly susceptible to low temperatures, which impede the formation and development of root nodules. The genetic basis and molecular mechanism underlying the inhibition of nodulation induced by low temperatures remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a comparative transcriptomic analysis of soybean roots inoculated with rhizobium at 1 DPI (Day Post Inoculation) under normal or cold treatments. We identified 39 up-regulated and 35 down-regulated genes associated with nodulation and nitrogen fixation. Notably, cold-responsive genes including three FRI (Frigida) family genes were identified among differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Further expression pattern analysis of GmFRI-1 demonstrated it being significantly responsive to rhizobium inoculation and its highest expression in nodules. Further investigation revealed that overexpression of GmFRI-1 led to an increase in the nodule number, while RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene editing of GmFRI-1 suppressed nodule formation. Additionally, GmFRI-1 overexpression may regulate soybean nodulation by modulating the expression of GmNIN (NODULE INCEPTION), GmNSP1 (nodulation signaling pathway 1), and GmHAP2-2 (histone- or haem-associated protein domain) in the nod factor signaling pathway. This study offers new insights into the genetic basis of nodulation regulation under cold stress in legumes and indicates that GmFRI-1 may serve as a key regulator of nodule formation under cold stress. Full article

Background/Objectives: The balanced regulation of innate immunity plays essential roles in rhizobial infection and the establishment and maintenance of symbiosis. The evolutionarily conserved cell death suppressor Bax inhibitor-1 plays dual roles in nodule symbiosis, providing a valuable clue in balancing immunity and symbiosis, while it remains largely unexplored in the legume Lotus japonicus. Methods/Results: In the present report, the BI-1 gene family of L. japonicus was identified and characterized. We identified 6 BI-1 genes that translate into peptides containing 240–255 amino acids with different structural characteristics and isoelectric points. We performed phylogenetic analyses and detected evolutionary conservation and divergence among BI-1 proteins from L. japonicus, Glycine max, Medicago truncatula, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Oryza sativa. Expression profiles among different roots indicated that the inoculation of MAFF303099 significantly increased the expression of most of the L. japonicus BI-1 family genes. We down-regulated the transcripts of LjBI-1a by RNA interference and observed that LjBI-1a promotes nodulation and nodule formation. Conclusions: These discoveries shed light on the functions of BI-1 genes in L. japonicus, and simultaneously emphasize the potential application of LjBI-1a in enhancing the symbiotic nitrogen fixation ability of legumes. Full article

Blackgram is an important short-duration grain legume, but its yield is highly affected by various stresses. Among biotic stresses, yellow mosaic disease (YMD) is known as a devastating disease that leads to 100% yield loss under severe conditions. The cultivated lines possess resistance, but exploring more diverse sources of resistance may be useful for pyramiding to improve the durability of said resistance. Some wild Vigna species have potentially demonstrated a high level of resistance. R-genes, including gene families of leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) and leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs), are known for modulating the resistance in plants against various biotic stresses. The first comprehensive analysis of the LRR and LRR-RLK gene families in mungbean is reported in the present study. A total of forty-six candidate genes were identified and grouped into eight clades. Protein motif analysis showed that the “Pkinase domain” and “LRR domains” were conserved in most of the R-proteins. The expression of candidate genes viz. VrNBS_TNLRR-8, VrLRR_RLK-20, VrLRR_RLK-17, and VrLRR_RLK-19 demonstrated significantly up-regulated expression upon YMD infection in control and salicylic acid-primed (SA-primed) plants. The analysis provides insight into the diversity and robust candidate genes for functional studies modulating YMD resistance altered by salicylic acid. Full article

Background: Driving adolescents to more correct food habits and physical activity is crucial to promoting health and avoiding the increase in morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Literature has focused on these behaviors in the adult population, while studies on adolescents are more limited. This study aims to explore the level of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding nutrition and physical activity to acquire insight into adolescents and identify the associated predictors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years from public middle and high schools randomly selected in the Campania Region, Southern Italy. A self-administered questionnaire, including closed and open-ended questions, assessed socio-demographic and health-related characteristics, dietary habits, physical activity, and sources of health information. Results: Regarding socio-demographic and health-related characteristics, among 1433 adolescents who completed the survey, the mean age was 15.2 years, 50.5% were boys, 16.8% reported having a non-communicable disease, and 18% were overweight or obese. Multivariate analysis showed that older age, male gender, daily breakfast with at least one parent, higher self-rated knowledge on nutrition, awareness of fruit and vegetables consumption recommendations, correct dietary attitudes (daily breakfast, consumption of fruit and vegetables at least once a day, of legumes at least twice a week, and of carbonated sugary drinks less than once a day), the need for additional dietary information, meeting WHO physical activity recommendations, and less than two hours of daily screen time are determinants of a high quality diet score. Conversely, living with a single family member and current smoking were negatively associated with high quality diet. Older age, male gender, risk of alcohol abuse, higher quality diet, and lower mobile phone use are associated with meeting WHO physical activity recommendations. Since we investigated risky behaviors, potential limitations of this study could include social desirability and recall bias. Conclusions: Many adolescents lead unhealthy lifestyles, but younger adolescents and girls appear to be at higher risk of unhealthy behaviors. Targeted initiatives promoting regular physical activity and balanced diets in schools, involving parents and teachers in a collaborative plan, are essential to improving adolescents’ health and well-being. Full article