Search Results (877)

Seed biopriming is increasingly recognized as a strategy capable of inducing molecular memory that enhances plant performance under heavy-metal stress. Here, we investigated how biopriming Silene sendtneri seeds with Paraburkholderia phytofirmans PsJN establishes a transcriptional state that predisposes seedlings for improved cadmium (Cd) tolerance. RNA-seq profiling revealed that primed seeds exhibited differential gene expression prior to Cd exposure, with strong upregulation of detoxification enzymes, antioxidant machinery, metal transporters, photosynthetic stabilizers, and osmoprotectant biosynthetic genes. Enrichment of gene ontology categories related to metal ion detoxification, redox homeostasis, phenylpropanoid metabolism, and cell wall organization indicated that biopriming imprints a preparatory transcriptional signature resembling early stress responses. Upon Cd exposure, primed plants displayed enhanced physiological performance, including preserved integrity, elevated antioxidant activity, particularly peroxidases in roots, higher osmolyte accumulation, stabilized micronutrient levels, and substantially increased Cd uptake and sequestration. These coordinated responses demonstrate that biopriming induces a sustained molecular memory that accelerates and strengthens downstream defense activation. These findings demonstrate that PGPR-based biopriming establishes a stable transcriptomic memory in seeds that enhances cadmium tolerance, metal sequestration, and stress resilience, highlighting its potential for improving hyperaccumulator performance in phytoremediation and stress adaptation strategies. Full article

The integration of omics technologies, including genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics, has transformed sports science, particularly soccer, by providing new opportunities to optimize player performance, reduce injury risk, and enhance recovery. This systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and structured using the PICOS/PECOS framework. Comprehensive searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to August 2025. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed original research involving professional or elite soccer players that applied at least one omics approach to outcomes related to performance, health, recovery, or injury prevention. Reviews, conference abstracts, editorials, and studies not involving soccer or omics technologies were excluded. A total of 139 studies met the inclusion criteria. Across the included studies, a total of 19,449 participants were analyzed. Genomic investigations identified numerous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning key biological pathways. Cardiovascular and vascular genes (e.g., ACE, AGT, NOS3, VEGF, ADRA2A, ADRB1–3) were associated with endurance, cardiovascular regulation, and recovery. Genes related to muscle structure, metabolism, and hypertrophy (e.g., ACTN3, CKM, MLCK, TRIM63, TTN-AS1, HIF1A, MSTN, MCT1, AMPD1) were linked to sprint performance, metabolic efficiency, and muscle injury susceptibility. Neurotransmission-related genes (BDNF, COMT, DRD1–3, DBH, SLC6A4, HTR2A, APOE) influenced motivation, fatigue, cognitive performance, and brain injury recovery. Connective tissue and extracellular matrix genes (COL1A1, COL1A2, COL2A1, COL5A1, COL12A1, COL22A1, ELN, EMILIN1, TNC, MMP3, GEFT, LIF, HGF) were implicated in ligament, tendon, and muscle injury risk. Energy metabolism and mitochondrial function genes (PPARA, PPARG, PPARD, PPARGC1A, UCP1–3, FTO, TFAM) shaped endurance capacity, substrate utilization, and body composition. Oxidative stress and detoxification pathways (GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, NRF2) influenced recovery and resilience, while bone-related variants (VDR, P2RX7, RANK/RANKL/OPG) were associated with bone density and remodeling. Beyond genomics, proteomics identified markers of muscle damage and repair, metabolomics characterized fatigue- and energy-related signatures, and microbiomics revealed links between gut microbial diversity, recovery, and physiological resilience. Evidence from omics research in soccer supports the potential for individualized approaches to training, nutrition, recovery, and injury prevention. By integrating genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics data, clubs and sports practitioners may design precision strategies tailored to each player’s biological profile. Future research should expand on multi-omics integration, explore gene–environment interactions, and improve representation across sexes, age groups, and competitive levels to advance precision sports medicine in soccer. Full article

Background: The family Cyprinidae is predominantly restricted to freshwater habitats, making the evolution of diadromy and seawater adaptation exceptionally rare within this group. Pseudaspius hakonensis, a rare anadromous cyprinid, and its strictly freshwater congener P. leptocephalus, provide an ideal comparative model to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying salinity adaptation. This study aimed to elucidate the tissue-specific transcriptional reprogramming, identify candidate genes and key pathways, and explore their association with seawater acclimation in P. hakonensis. Methods: We performed comparative transcriptomic analyses of gill, liver, and kidney tissues from both species using RNA-Seq. Sequencing reads were aligned to a high-quality reference genome of P. hakonensis. Differential expression analysis was conducted using DESeq2, followed by functional enrichment analyses (GO and KEGG) to identify significant biological processes and pathways. Results: A total of 8784, 5965, and 5719 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in gill, kidney, and liver tissues, respectively, with the gill showing the highest differences. Functional enrichment revealed tissue-specific roles: gill DEGs were associated with protein synthesis and energy metabolism; kidney DEGs with transport and detoxification; and liver DEGs with metabolic regulation and stress signaling. Cross-tissue analysis highlighted three core pathways consistently enriched: MAPK signaling, ABC transporters, and glutathione metabolism. Key candidate genes, including DUSP10, SLC38A2, ATP8B1, GSTA4, and MGST1, were significantly upregulated in P. hakonensis. Conclusions: This first multi-tissue transcriptomic comparison of an anadromous and a freshwater cyprinid reveals pervasive, tissue-specific molecular reprogramming underlying seawater adaptation in P. hakonensis. The coordinated activation of MAPK signaling, glutathione metabolism, and transporter pathways suggests an integrated regulatory network for osmoregulation and stress resistance. These findings provide novel insights into the genetic basis of salinity adaptation in cyprinids and identify candidate genes for future functional validation. Full article

Mycotoxin contamination in agricultural products poses a serious challenge to food safety, severely threatening human and animal health and causing significant economic losses. This study aimed to investigate the degradation and detoxification capabilities of Trichoderma reesei GG-T40 against two representative mycotoxins—aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and zearalenone (ZEN). The results showed that the degradation rates of AFB₁ and ZEN by this strain reached 98.6% and 88.4%, respectively. Using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF MS), the degradation products were systematically characterized, leading to the identification of six AFB₁ degradation products (C₁₇H₁₄O₇, AFD₁: C₁₆H₁₄O₅, C₁₁H₁₀O₄, C₁₄H₁₆O₄, C₁₅H₁₀O₄, and C₁₇H₁₄O₅) and two ZEN degradation products (α-ZOL and β-ZOL). Toxicity evaluation revealed that the key toxic structures of AFB₁ were disrupted, significantly reducing or even eliminating the toxicity of its degradation products; ZEN was mainly converted into β-ZOL (accounting for 91.5%), which has lower estrogenic activity. Further toxicological experiments in mice confirmed that the degradation products were non-toxic and non-pathogenic under actual testing conditions, demonstrating systematic verification of their safety. In conclusion, T. reesei GG-T40 can efficiently and safely degrade AFB₁ and ZEN, showing great potential for developing green control technologies for mycotoxin contamination in food and feed raw materials, with important application value for ensuring food safety. Full article

In this study, for the first time urinary NMR-based metabolomics was applied to investigate the physiological alterations associated with occupational exposure in ceramic manufacturing workers. Multivariate analysis revealed a distinctive metabolic signature with exposure, characterized by a depletion of both aliphatic and aromatic amino acids and a concomitant accumulation of branched-chain amino acid catabolites. Alterations in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates, including citrate and succinate, suggest an involvement of mitochondrial energy metabolism, reflecting adaptive responses to oxidative stress and increased protein turnover. Notably, glycine levels were found increased, consistent with its central role in antioxidant defense and xenobiotic detoxification. Furthermore, changes in urinary host–microbiome co-metabolites, such as 4-hydroxyphenylacetate and phenylacetylglycine, indicate the potential modulation of gut microbial activity in response to occupational exposure. While limited by the small cohort, this study demonstrates the feasibility of NMR-based urinary metabolomics for the non-invasive biomonitoring of workers and suggests its potential as a useful tool for detecting subtle metabolic perturbations associated with complex occupational exposures. Full article

As an important economic aquatic product in China, the farming method of Eriocheir sinensis significantly impacts its quality and physiological metabolism. In this study, the effects of lake (LK) farm and pond (PD) farm on the gene expression profiles and metabolic pathways in E. sinensis were evaluated by integrating transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. A total of 812 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the hepatopancreas of crabs. The DEGs were mainly enriched in nutrient reservoir activity, regulation of response to oxidative stress, and lipid transporter activity. In addition, LC-MS analysis identified 410 significantly differential metabolites, and KEGG pathway enrichment showed that these metabolites were mainly enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, and glycerolipid metabolism. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that the AMPK signaling pathway, cytochrome P450-mediated xenobiotic metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and the apoptosis signaling pathway collectively exert a significant influence on the growth performance of crabs. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that the crabs in the LK group exhibit enhanced antioxidant and detoxification capacities, concomitant with reduced protein synthesis and energy metabolism, and underwent increased apoptotic events. The finding of this study will provide valuable and novel insight into crab farming practices in different aquaculture environments, providing theoretical foundations for optimizing ecological aquaculture models in Datong Lakes’ crab farms. Specifically, combined supplementation with natural feed organisms and mechanical aeration may effectively mitigate benthic hypoxia and nutritional deficits, thereby promoting sustainable production in the lake-based culture of crabs. Full article

The widespread cultivation of transgenic Bt cotton has elevated Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür) to a major pest in cotton agroecosystems. Its rapidly developing resistance to insecticides poses a serious challenge to sustainable agriculture. In this study, we assessed the susceptibility of a field-collected population from Anyang, Henan Province, in relation to a laboratory-susceptible strain, to elucidate the present status and molecular basis of resistance to beta-cypermethrin. First, the toxicity of beta-cypermethrin to A. lucorum was assessed through a diet-incorporation method. Subsequently, the enzymatic activities of carboxylesterase (CarE) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were measured, and the expression levels of CarE1 and GST1 were quantified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Finally, the function of candidate genes was confirmed using RNA interference (RNAi) technology. The bioassays results indicated that the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) for the laboratory and Anyang field strain were 343.34 mg/L and 700.45 mg/L, respectively. Following 48 h of exposure to the LC₃₀ of the susceptible strain, the mortality rate of the field population (20.00%) was significantly lower than that of the laboratory population (33.33%), suggesting an increase in resistance. The field population of A. lucorum exhibited significantly higher activities of CarE (1.61-fold) and GST (1.71-fold) compared to the laboratory strain, accompanied by 3.63- and 4.23-fold overexpression of the corresponding genes CarE1 and GST1. Spatiotemporal expression profiling revealed that CarE1 expression was highest in 4th–5th instar nymphs and adults, with predominant localization in the midgut, while GST1 expression peaked in 4th–5th instar nymphs and was abundant in the midgut and fat body. RNAi-mediated knockdown of CarE1 and GST1 significantly enhanced susceptibility to beta-cypermethrin in field populations, resulting in elevated mortality 48 h post-treatment compared to controls. In conclusion, the field population of A. lucorum has developed considerable resistance to beta-cypermethrin, strongly correlated with overexpression of CarE1 and GST1. These results deepen our understanding of metabolic resistance mechanisms and offer valuable insights for developing targeted pest control strategies. Full article

Tolerance to metals develops independently across plant species and even among populations of the same species under strong environmental pressure. This study compares the morphology and leaf anatomy of Dianthus carthusianorum L. originating from a Zn–Pb waste dump (metallicolous ecotype, M) and from unpolluted areas (non-metallicolous ecotype, NM), exposed to toxic concentrations of Cd, Pb, or Zn under chronic (field) and acute (hydroponic) metal stress. The aim was to identify leaf anatomical adaptations that support growth of the M ecotype in metal-polluted environments and to assess structural changes induced by acute exposure in both ecotypes. In both ecotypes, metal exposure caused alterations of mesophyll cells and the formation of abundant calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals. Two oxalate forms were determined: insoluble (CaOx crystals) and soluble oxalates, with the former predominating. Following metal treatment, the M ecotype accumulated nearly twice as much of both forms as the NM ecotype, indicating a key role of oxalates in metal detoxification via precipitation of excess metal ions as metabolically inactive CaOx. Interestingly, elevated CaOx levels were also observed in M ecotype leaves grown under control (no metal application) conditions, suggesting a genetically fixed adaptation to metal-rich environments. Full article

Zinc (Zn) is a mineral micronutrient that is essential for plant growth and development. Soil Zn deficiency or excess severely impacts plant health and crop yields. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in plant responses to abiotic stress, but their roles in Zn homeostasis in important crop bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) remain unknown. This study investigated miRNA expression profiles in wheat roots under different Zn supply conditions using high-throughput sequencing. Phenotypic and physiological analyses revealed that high Zn promoted wheat plant growth, while low and excess Zn resulted in wheat plant growth inhibition and oxidative stress. A total of 798 miRNAs (including 70 known and 728 novel miRNAs) were identified; among them, 10 known and 122 novel miRNAs were differentially expressed. Many key miRNAs, such as miR397-5p, miR398, 4D_25791, and 5A_27668, are up-regulated under low Zn but down-regulated under high Zn and excess Zn. Target gene prediction and enrichment analysis revealed that the regulated genes of these miRNAs focused on “zinc ion transmembrane transporter activity”, “divalent inorganic cation transmembrane transporter activity”, and “cellular detoxification” processes in the low Zn vs. CK group. However, “glutathione metabolism” and “ABC transporter” pathways were obviously enriched in high Zn vs. excess Zn conditions, implying their potential functions in alleviating the oxidative damage and Zn efflux caused by Zn toxicity. Together, this study identified key miRNAs that respond to both Zn deficiency and excess Zn in bread wheat, revealing distinct regulatory patterns of the target genes in different Zn supply conditions. These findings provide a new field and valuable candidate miRNAs for molecular breeding aimed at improving zinc’s utilization efficiency in wheat. Full article

Antibiotic persistence is a transient phenotype in which a subset of genetically susceptible bacteria survives lethal antibiotic exposure without acquiring resistance. However, survival alone does not define a persister cell—only cells that successfully recover, resume growth, and produce viable progeny complete the persister cycle. Recent studies in Escherichia coli show that persister awakening is a multistage process shaped by dormancy depth, metabolic state, and antibiotic-induced damage. Upstream induction mechanisms, including stringent-response signaling and toxin–antitoxin–mediated growth arrest, primarily determine dormancy depth but do not directly control awakening kinetics. During the lag phase, persister cells undergo coordinated recovery involving detoxification of residual antibiotics, ATP restoration, dissolution of protein aggregates, and ribosome reactivation. After exposure to fluoroquinolones, awakening additionally requires SOS-driven DNA repair via homologous recombination or transcription-coupled repair. In contrast, β-lactam–exposed persister cells rely mainly on efflux-mediated detoxification and asymmetric damage partitioning. Failure to restore proteostasis or resolve damage results in abortive recovery or cell death. Only after damage processing and metabolic reactivation can persister cells resume division and generate viable progeny. This review integrates current molecular insights into persister cell recovery in E. coli, highlighting the lag phase as the critical barrier between survival and true persistence. Full article

The antimicrobial resistance crisis necessitates novel therapeutics. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) offer promise, but their precise bactericidal mechanism remains poorly defined. This study aimed to define the antibacterial action of SeNPs synthesized via a green method with ascorbic acid and sodium citrate. The resulting SeNPs were monodisperse (17.8 ± 0.66 nm), crystalline, and highly stable (zeta potential: −69.9 ± 4.3 mV), exhibiting potent bactericidal activity against multidrug-resistant E. coli. To generate a mechanistic hypothesis, we integrated phenotypic analyses with a preliminary, single-replicate proteomic profiling. Recognizing this as an exploratory step, we focused our analysis on proteins with the most substantial changes. This revealed a coherent pattern of a targeted dual assault on core cellular processes. The data indicate that SeNPs simultaneously induce oxidative stress while severely depleting key components of the primary antioxidant glutathione system; key detoxification enzymes—glutathione S-transferase and glutaredoxin 2—were depleted 18- to 19-fold, while the stress protein HchA was reduced by over 63-fold. Concurrently, the patterns point toward a crippling of central energy metabolism; iron–sulfur enzymes in the TCA cycle, including aconitate hydratase (8.1-fold decrease) and succinate dehydrogenase (13.9-fold decrease), were severely suppressed, and oxidative phosphorylation was impaired (e.g., 4.7-fold decrease in NADH dehydrogenase subunit B). We propose that this coordinated disruption creates a lethal feedback loop leading to metabolic paralysis. Consequently, this work provides a detailed and testable mechanistic hypothesis for SeNPs action, positioning them as a candidate for a potent, multi-targeted antimicrobial strategy against drug-resistant pathogens. Full article

Lion-head goose is a large-sized breed native to Guangdong Province, China, exhibits remarkable capacity for fatty liver production under overfeeding conditions and is highly valued by local farmers and consumers. However, the molecular mechanisms driving fatty liver development in this breed are still unknown. In this study, we evaluated liver weight differences between normally fed and overfed Lion-head geese and further examined sex-specific differences following overfeeding. Overfeeding significantly increased liver weight more than 340%, and males possess a stronger capacity for lipid deposition under the same feeding regimen compared with females. RNA-Seq analysis identified 1476 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) shared by both sexes, which were mainly enriched in lipid and energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial pathways. In addition, 627 male-specific and 420 female-specific DEGs revealed sex-dependent differences, with males showing stronger transcriptional regulation and females exhibiting enhanced antioxidant and detoxification responses. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed 320 co-hub genes enriched in lipid and energy metabolism in overfeeding-induced fatty liver, along with 9 co-hub genes related to sex differences. Alternative splicing (AS) analysis detected 131 differentially spliced genes (DSGs). Integration of both approaches identified 7 overlapping genes, HYCC2 (Hyccin PI4KA lipid kinase complex subunit 2), AGL (Amylo-Alpha-1,6-Glucosidase and 4-Alpha-Glucanotransferase), CCDC62 (Coiled-coil domain containing 62), IGSF5 (Immunoglobulin superfamily member 5), MGARP (Mitochondria-localized glutamic acid-rich protein), CD80 (Cluster of Differentiation 80), and FPGS (Folylpolyglutamate synthase), as potential key regulators. These findings provide new insights into transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of overfeeding-induced fatty liver in geese. Full article

Weed stress remains a major limiting factor in cotton production, and glyphosate-tolerant varieties provide an effective solution for chemical weed control. However, achieving a balance between herbicide tolerance and agronomic physiological traits remains challenging. In this study, three hybrid combinations were generated by crossing a glyphosate-tolerant cotton line (GGK2) with conventional elite lines and were comprehensively evaluated. Gene expression analysis revealed that the classical detoxification gene GAT was significantly downregulated in all hybrid combinations, whereas the expression of GR79-EPSPS, a gene associated with glutathione metabolism and oxidative stress response, was markedly elevated, particularly in the GGK2 × Y4 combination. This differential expression pattern suggests that GR79-EPSPS may compensate for the reduced function of GAT by conferring oxidative protection under herbicide stress. Physiological determination indicated that hybrid combinations with enhanced GR79-EPSPS expression, especially GGK2 × Y5, exhibited superior photosynthetic pigment composition and photosystem II (PSII) efficiency, validating the role of GR79-EPSPS in maintaining photosynthetic stability. Agronomic trait assessment demonstrated that GGK2 × Y4 achieved significant biomass accumulation and yield improvement through heterosis, although fiber quality improvement was limited. This study effectively enhanced the herbicide resistance of conventional cotton through crossbreeding and revealed that the interaction between GR79-EPSPS and GAT can improve cotton tolerance to herbicides, thereby providing a breeding strategy for developing cotton varieties with both herbicide tolerance and superior agronomic traits. Full article

Chinese wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.), a specialty crop with ecological, medical, and economic value in Ningxia province of China, is subject to severe damage from Aphis gossypii Glover. Currently, A. gossypii populations show extremely high-level resistance to beta-cypermethrin in the major wolfberry planting areas in Ningxia. The specific resistance mechanisms, however, are still not known. In this work, we collected a field A. gossypii strain (HSP) from a wolfberry orchard in Ningxia in 2021 using a single-time sampling method, and its resistance to beta-cypermethrin was determined to be extremely high (994.74-fold) as compared with that of a susceptible strain (SS). Then we explored the potential resistance mechanisms from two aspects, namely, metabolic detoxification and target-site alterations. Bioassays of beta-cypermethrin with or without a synergist showed that piperonyl butoxide (PBO) significantly increased the toxicity of beta-cypermethrin (4.72-fold) to the HSP strain, while triphenyl phosphate (TPP) and diethyl maleate (DEM) exhibited no significant synergistic effects. Correspondingly, the O-demethylase activity of cytochrome P450s in the HSP strain was 1.68-fold higher than that in the susceptive strain (SS), whereas changes in carboxylesterases and glutathione S-transferases activities were unremarkable. Also, fifteen upregulated P450 genes were identified by both RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR technologies, containing eleven CYP6 genes, three CYP4 genes, and one CYP380 gene. Especially, five CYP6 genes with high relative expression levels (>3.00-fold) were intensively expressed by beta-cypermethrin induction in the HSP aphids. These metabolism-related results indicate the key role of P450-mediated metabolic detoxification in HSP resistance to beta-cypermethrin. Sequencing of voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) genes identified a prevalent M918L mutation and a new G1012D mutation in HSP A. gossypii. Moreover, heterozygous 918 M/L and 918 M/L + G1012D mutations were the dominant genotypes with frequencies of 60.00% and 36.67% in the HSP population, respectively. Overall, VGSC mutations along with P450-mediated metabolic resistance contributed to the extremely high resistance of the HSP wolfberry aphids to beta-cypermethrin, providing support for A. gossypii control and resistance management in the wolfberry planting areas of Ningxia using insecticides with different modes of action. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of cysteine synthase A (CysK) from Limosilactobacillus reuteri LR1 (LreCysK), an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of L-cysteine. This protein supports crucial cellular functions such as sulfur metabolism, antioxidant defense, detoxification, and protein synthesis. Previously, the gene encoding LreCysK was cloned, and the enzyme with His-tag on the N-terminus was obtained in active and soluble form. Here, kinetic parameters of the enzyme were determined by the previously developed high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ninhydrin methods. It was found that LreCysK has similar K_M^OAS and k_cat as CysKs from Escherichia coli and from the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The thermal stability of LreCysK was studied using differential scanning calorimetry. It was revealed that the melting point of the enzyme increases to almost 90°C when Pyridoxal-5 phosphate (PLP) is added, indicating that the stability of the enzyme complex with PLP is relatively high. Structural studies revealed that LreCysK is a dimer, and its active site is similar to those of other enzymes, but exhibits some features characteristic of lactobacilli CysKs (GISA), as well as unique residues, such as Ile50. Also, the potential biotechnological applications of LreCysK are discussed. These findings enhance our understanding of LreCysK’s biochemical versatility and its potential applications in biotechnology and medicine. Full article