Search Results (587)

Glucose is the main source of energy and the source of carbon for the biosynthesis of several molecules, such as neurotransmitters, for most mammalian cells. Therefore, the transport of glucose into cells is very important. There are described three distinct families of glucose transporters: facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs), sodium-dependent glucose cotransporters (SGLTs), and a uniporter, the SWEET protein. Impaired function and/or expression of these transporters due to, for example, mutations in their genes, may cause severe diseases. Associations with the impaired function of glucose transporters have been described in the case of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, GLUT1-deficiency syndrome, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. Changes in the presence of glucose transporters may be a cause of NDs, and they may be the effect of NDs. On the other hand, in many cases of neurodegenerative diseases, changes in the expression of glucose transporters may be a targeted therapy in the treatment of patients with these diseases. Full article

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA; EC 4.1.2.13) is a key enzyme in glycolysis and the Calvin cycle, which plays crucial roles in carbon allocation and plant growth. The FBA family genes (FBA s) have been identified in several plants. However, their presence and roles in sweet potato remain unexplored. In this study, a total of 20 FBAs were identified in sweet potato and its wild wild diploidrelatives, including seven in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas, 2n = 6x = 90), seven in I. trifida (2n = 2x = 30), and six in I. triloba (2n = 2x = 30). Their protein physicochemical properties, chromosomal localization, phylogenetic relationship, gene structure, promoter cis-elements, and expression patterns were systematically analyzed. The conserved genes and protein structures suggest a high degree of functional conservation among FBA genes. IbFBAs may participate in storage root development and starch biosynthesis, especially IbFBA1 and IbFBA6, which warrant further investigation as candidate genes. Additionally, the FBAs could respond to drought and salt stress. They are also implicated in hormone crosstalk, particularly with ABA and GA. This work provides valuable insights into the structure and function of FBAs and identifies candidate genes for improving yield, starch content, and abiotic stress tolerance in sweet potatoes. Full article

To ensure the year-round efficient production of high-quality cherry tomatoes, this study evaluated how four cherry tomato cultivars can enhance yield and quality through optimized nutrient solution and supplementary lighting. Nutrient solutions (N1 and N2) were adjusted, with EC at 1.6 dS/m (N1: nitrogen 10.7 me/L, phosphorus 2.7 me/L, potassium 5.3 me/L) during flowering stage, and 2.4 dS/m (N1: nitrogen 16 me/L, phosphorus 4 me/L, potassium 8 me/L; N2: nitrogen 10.7 me/L, phosphorus 5.4 me/L, potassium 10.8 me/L) from fruit setting to harvest. N1 used standard adjustments, while N2 was optimized by adding solely with KCl and KH₂PO₄. Lighting treatments included L1 (natural light) and L2 (supplemental red/blue light). The application of N2 effectively decreased nitrate levels while it significantly enhanced the content of soluble sugars, flavor, and overall palatability, especially fruit coloring in cherry tomatoes, irrespective of supplementary lighting conditions. However, such optimization also increased sourness or altered the sugar–acid ratio. Supplementary lighting generally promoted the accumulation of soluble sugars, sweetness, and tomato flavor, although its effects varied markedly among different fruit clusters. The combination of optimized nutrient solutions and supplementary lighting exhibited synergistic effects, improving the content of soluble sugars, vitamin C, proteins, and flavor. N1 combined with L2 achieved the highest plant yield. Among the cultivars, ‘Linglong’ showed the greatest overall quality improvement, followed by ‘Baiyu’, ‘Miying’, and ‘Moka’. In conclusion, supplementary lighting can enhance the effect of nitrogen on yield and amplify the influence of phosphorus and potassium on fruit quality improvement in cherry tomatoes. The findings of this study may serve as a theoretical basis for the development of year-round production techniques for high-quality cherry tomatoes. Full article

The filamentous fungal genus Aspergillus represents an industrially significant group of eukaryotic microorganisms. For nearly a century, it has been widely utilized in the production of diverse high-value products, including organic acids, industrial enzymes, recombinant proteins, and various bioactive natural compounds. With the rapid advancement of synthetic biology, Aspergillus has been extensively exploited as a heterologous chassis for the production of heterologous proteins (e.g., sweet proteins and antibodies) and the synthesis of natural products (e.g., terpenoids and polyketides) due to its distinct advantages, such as superior protein secretion capacity, robust precursor supply, and efficient eukaryotic post-translational modifications. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the advancements in the successful expression of heterologous proteins and the biosynthesis of natural products using Aspergillus platforms (including Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus nidulans, and Aspergillus oryzae) in recent years. Emphasis is placed on the applications of A. oryzae in the heterologous biosynthesis of terpenoids. More importantly, we thoroughly examine the current state of the art in utilizing CRISPR-Cas9 for genetic modifications in A. oryzae and A. niger. In addition, future perspectives on developing Aspergillus expression systems are discussed in this article, along with an exploration of their potential applications in natural product biosynthesis. Full article

The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of solar and hybrid dryers on the physicochemical characteristics, fingerprints, and cognitive-sensory perceptions of Mexican consumers of traditional tostadas made with corn of different races. Corn tostadas from different native races were evaluated with solar and hybrid (solar-photovoltaic solar panels) dehydration methods. Proximal chemical quantification, instrumental analysis (color, texture), fingerprint by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and sensory-cognitive profile (emotions and memories) and its relationship with the level of pleasure were carried out. The data were evaluated using analysis of variance models, Cochran Q, and an external preference map (PREFMAP). The results showed that the drying method and corn race significantly (p < 0.05) affected only moisture content, lipids, carbohydrates, and water activity. Instrumental color was influenced by the corn race effect, and the dehydration type influenced the fracturability effect. FTIR fingerprinting results revealed that hybrid samples exhibited higher intensities, particularly associated with higher lime concentrations, indicating a greater exposure of glycosidic or protein structures. Race and dehydration type effects impacted the intensity of sensory attributes, emotions, and memories. PREFMAP vector model results revealed that consumers preferred tostadas from the Solar-Chiquito, Hybrid-Pepitilla, Hybrid-Cónico, and Hybrid-Chiquito races for their higher protein content, moisture, high fracturability, crunchiness, porousness, sweetness, doughy flavor, corn flavor, and burnt flavor, while images of these tostadas evoked positive emotions (tame, adventurous, free). In contrast, the Solar-Pepitilla tostada had a lower preference because it was perceived as sour and lime-flavored, and its tostada images evoked more negative emotions and memories (worried, accident, hurt, pain, wild) and fewer positive cognitive aspects (joyful, warm, rainy weather, summer, and interested). However, the tostadas of the Solar-Cónico race were the ones that were most rejected due to their high hardness and yellow to blue tones and for evoking negative emotions (nostalgic and bored). Full article

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) cultivation and consumption have been increasing globally for its nutritional value and agricultural adaptability, with over 120 countries involved in its production. In Canada, quinoa is cultivated as a specialty crop to increase crop diversity and support agroresilience. This study is the first to examine quinoa cultivars grown under northern Quebec conditions and to provide a nutritional and sensory characterization of two Quebec (Canada) varieties (Sweet and Bitter) in comparison to the Bolivian reference cultivar, Royal White. Analyses included proximate composition, amino acids, fatty acids, phenolics, and anti-nutrients. Sensory evaluations involved hedonic and bitterness ranking tests. Bolivian cultivar had higher omega-3 content, while the Quebec cultivars showed favorable protein and lipid profiles, with better lipid health indexes. Protein quality was comparable between the Bolivian and Sweet cultivars. The overall flavor appreciation was similar among twice-brushed Bitter cultivar and Bolivian samples. The Bolivian sample received a better score for texture. Descriptive flavor data support the development of a quinoa flavor lexicon. Notably, total saponins content, commonly used as a bitterness indicator, did not consistently correlate with perceived bitterness, emphasizing the need for a standardized quantification method for cultivar selection and further investigation into other flavor-contributing compounds. Full article

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs; EC 1.11.1.15) are a group of thiol peroxidases that catalyze the detoxification of H₂O₂ and other organic hydroperoxides. The ripening of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruit involves significant phenotypic, physiological, and biochemical changes. Based on the available pepper plant genome, eight PRX genes were identified and named CaPRX1, CaPRX1-Cys, CaPRX2B, CaPRX2E, CaPRX2F, CaPRX2-CysBAS1, CaPRX2-CysBAS2, and CaPRX Q. Among these, only CaPRX1-Cys was not detected in the transcriptome (RNA-Seq) of sweet pepper fruits reported previously. This study analyzes the modulation of these seven CaPRX genes during ripening and after treating fruits with nitric oxide (NO) gas. A time-course expression analysis of sweet pepper fruit during ripening revealed that two genes were upregulated (CaPRX1 and CaPRX2E), two were downregulated (CaPRX2B and PRX Q), and three were unaffected (CaPRX2F, CaPRX2-CysBAS1, and CaPRX2-CysBAS2). Gene expression was also studied in three hot pepper varieties with varying capsaicin contents (Piquillo < Padrón < Alegría riojana), showing a differential expression pattern during ripening. Furthermore, NO treatment of sweet pepper fruits triggered the upregulation of CaPRX2B and CaPRXQ genes and the downregulation of CaPRX1 and CaPRX2-CysBAS1 genes, while the other three remained unaffected. Among the CaPrx proteins, four (CaPrx2B, CaPrx2-CysBAS1, CaPrx2-CysBAS2, and CaPrx2E) were identified as susceptible to S-nitrosation, as determined by immunoprecipitation assays with an antibody against S-nitrocysteine and further mass spectrometry analyses. These findings indicate the diversification of PRX genes in pepper fruits and how some of them are regulated by NO, either at the level of gene expression or through protein S-nitrosation, a NO-promoting post-translational modification (PTM). Given that Prxs play a crucial role in stress tolerance, these data suggest that Prxs are vital components of the antioxidant system during pepper fruit ripening, an event that is accompanied by physiological nitro-oxidative stress. Full article

Beneficial microorganisms are emerging as promising alternatives to conventional pesticides for the biological control of plant diseases. This study evaluated the efficacy of a consortium composed of Pseudomonas yamanorum and Trichoderma longibrachiatum and compost against three grapevine pathogens, Botrytis cinerea, Erysiphe necator, and Plasmopara viticola, in three cultivars: Victoria, Superior Seedless, and Early Sweet. The microbial consortium (P. yamanorum + T. longibrachiatum) combined with compost (treatment T4) significantly outperformed the individual treatments, reducing disease severity indices (DSIs) to 7.72, 5.35, and 3.37% in Victoria; 5.70, 6.95, and 3.32% in Superior Seedless; and 4.98, 2.35, and 2.84% in Early Sweet. The treatment also enhanced physiological traits, such as the chlorophyll content, and defense responses, including ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POX), and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities. Biochemical markers, including the total protein content, phenolic content, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicated an improved oxidative stress tolerance. The soil analysis confirmed an increased pH, organic matter, nitrogen content, and microbial biomass. T4 further reduced the fruit disease incidence and improved quality attributes, including the sugar content and size, while lowering nitrate accumulation. These findings highlight the synergistic benefits of combining a microbial consortium with compost as a sustainable strategy to promote grapevine health, productivity, and soil resilience. 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

Background: GRAS transcription factors are crucial for plant development and stress responses but remain poorly characterized in citrus. Soil salinization increasingly threatens sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) yield. Identifying salt-responsive GRAS genes could reveal key tolerance determinants for breeding resistant cultivars. Methods: We systematically identified and analyzed sweet orange GRAS transcription factors using bioinformatics. Results: Forty-three CsGRAS genes were identified, phylogenetically classified into ten subfamilies, and found to be structurally conserved. A promoter analysis revealed a high prevalence (58.78%) of hormone- and stress-responsive cis-elements. These genes reside on nine chromosomes, with segmental duplication being the primary evolutionary driver (eight duplicated pairs). Functional enrichment implicated hormone signaling pathways in regulating growth under stress. Transcriptome profiling identified 42 differentially expressed CsGRAS genes (19 upregulated and 23 downregulated) under salt stress. qRT-PCR validated the expression patterns of selected genes (e.g., CsGRAS15 and CsGRAS27). Notably, DELLA subfamily members CsGRAS15 and CsGRAS27, key negative regulators in gibberellin (GA) signaling, were differentially expressed. Modulating these DELLA proteins presents a promising strategy to enhance sweet orange salt tolerance by mitigating GA-mediated growth inhibition during stress. Conclusion: This study identifies salt-responsive CsGRAS genes, highlighting CsGRAS15 and CsGRAS27 as potential targets for improving salt tolerance in citrus. Full article

To mitigate consumer aversion toward edible insects, it is essential to determine the optimal level of insect powder by considering consumer acceptability. In this study, gluten-free (GF) chocolate cookies were manufactured using 3D printing with varying concentrations (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15%) of Gryllus bimaculatus (GB) powder. Physicochemical properties, sensory perception using rate-all-that-apply questions, and consumer acceptability using survival analysis were evaluated. The effects of GB powder concentration on the proximate composition, pH, color attributes, physical properties, 3D printing performance, and post-processing of the cookies were analyzed and discussed. As the concentration of GB powder increased, crude protein, ash, crude fat, a*, and mechanical force increased, while L*, b*, and the pH of both the dough and cookies decreased. Consumer tests showed a negative correlation between GB concentration and consumer acceptability, with cookies containing 3% GB receiving the highest overall liking scores. Principal component analysis and partial least squares regression showed that lower GB levels enhanced positive sensory attributes such as sweetness, chocolate flavor, and moistness, whereas higher levels intensified bitter taste and astringency, contributing to reduced acceptability. According to survival analysis, the GB concentration at which 50% of consumers were predicted to reject the product was estimated at 5.23%, indicating the necessity to limit GB incorporation below this threshold to ensure consumer acceptance. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the quality characteristics and consumer acceptability of insect-based GF cookies, offering valuable insights for future product development and market applications. Full article

The transition to ripening in non-climacteric species is governed by several signals, including hormones that enhance or counteract the abscisic acid (ABA)-promoting effect. The SQUAMOSA Promoter-binding protein-Like (SPL) transcription factors are involved in ripening through the modulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis. In sweet cherry fruits, several miR156-targeted PavSPLs are expressed before and during ripening. Recently, some PavSPLs were found in the transition from development to ripening in cultivars contrasting in maturity time. Additionally, several forms of miR156 were expressed in sweet cherry seeds of an early-season cultivar. In this work, we addressed the relevance of endocarp lignification and PavSPLs expression for the transition to ripening. First, we characterized early- and late-season sweet cherry cultivars, ‘Celeste’ and ‘Regina’, focusing on fruit and seed development, endocarp lignification, and PavSPL expression profile. Fruit growth dynamics revealed an earlier onset of color development and lignification in ‘Celeste’, while ‘Regina’ exhibited a prolonged lag phase and delayed embryo development. Transcript profiling at the light green stage showed a higher expression of PavSPL genes in fruits and identified cultivar-specific expressions, especially between ‘Regina’ and ‘Celeste’ seeds. Co-expression networks linked PavSPLs to genes involved in lignin and anthocyanin biosynthesis. We focused on PavSPL2 and PavSPL9, which were targeted by mtr-miR156a and gma-miR156f. Both PavSPLs and miRNAs were expressed in fruits and seeds at the yellow stage, an advanced point in the transition to ripening in sweet cherry. Exogenous application of auxin-related compounds in the mid-season cultivar ‘Lapins’ modulated endocarp lignification and pigmentation. Notably, p-IBA treatment, which enzymatically targets the lignin pathway, transiently increased anthocyanin accumulation and reduced lignin deposition, effects that correlated with the downregulation of PavSPL gene expression. These findings highlight the interplay between lignification, color evolution, and pigment biosynthesis during the transition from development to ripening in sweet cherry fruits, and suggest a role for PavSPL genes in this transition. Full article

The SWEET gene family is a group of genes with important functions in plants that is mainly involved in the transport and metabolism of carbohydrate substances. In this study, 32 mango (Mangifera indica L.) SWEET genes were screened and identified at the whole-genome level through bioinformatics methods. A systematic predictive analysis was conducted on their physicochemical properties, homology relationships, phylogenetic relationships, chromosomal locations, genomic structures, promoter cis-acting elements, and transcription factor regulatory networks. Meanwhile, the transcription levels of mango SWEET genes in different varieties and at different fruit development stages were also analyzed to obtain information about their functions. These results showed that 32 mango SWEET genes were unevenly distributed on 12 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis divided the SWEET proteins of mango, Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., and Oryza sativa L. into four clades; in each clade, the mango SWEET proteins were more closely related to those of Arabidopsis. Four types of cis-acting elements were also found in the promoter regions of mango SWEET genes, including light-responsive elements, development-related elements, plant hormone-responsive elements, and stress-responsive elements. Interestingly, we found that the Misweet3 and Misweet10 genes showed strong expression in different mango varieties and at different fruit development stages, and they both belonged to the fourth Clade IV (G4) in the phylogenetic tree, indicating that they play a key role in the sugar accumulation process of mango. In this study, the upstream transcription factors of Misweet3, Misweet8, Misweet9, Misweet10, Misweet17, Misweet18, Misweet19, Misweet21, Misweet23, Misweet25, Misweet27, and Misweet31, those that had high expression levels in the transcriptome data, were predicted, and transcription factors such as ERF, NAC, WRKY, MYB, and C₂H₂ were screened. The results of this study provide a new way to further study the regulation of mango SWEET family genes on sugar accumulation, highlight their potential role in fruit quality improvement, and lay an important foundation for further study of mango SWEET function and enhance mango competitiveness in fruit market. Full article

Basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors play significant roles in plant growth and organ development and diverse biochemical processes. However, the function of bHLH transcription factors in woody plants is not fully understood. In this study, the bHLH gene family in Rhododendron × pulchrum Sweet was identified and characterized using whole-genome data. A total of 109 bHLH family genes (RpbHLHs) were identified in R. pulchrum, and their expression levels were analyzed in flowers of different colors and developmental stages. The results showed that the RpbHLH family is divided into 24 subfamilies. Chromosomal localization and collinearity analyses revealed numerous duplication events during evolution, which is one of the main reasons for the diversification of gene functions. The bHLH domains showed relative conservation of RpbHLH proteins. In the promoter regions of the RpbHLHs, various cis-regulatory elements involved in light response, gibberellic acid (GA) response, and abscisic acid (ABA) response were identified. These elements may regulate flower development and pigment synthesis. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment analysis of the target RpbHLHs revealed that 25 genes are enriched in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway. Potential RpbHLHs related to flower development and pigment synthesis were identified through a transcriptome analysis and validated through quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). This study will enhance our understanding of RpbHLH functions and provide a reference for the study of flower development and coloration in R. pulchrum. Full article

Although enormous efforts have been made to prepare tasty and soluble steviol glycosides (SGs), the structure–property relationship of SGs still remains unclear, neither in experiment fact nor in the mechanism, such as the influence of linkage type and position of substituted glucosyl on physiochemical properties and sensory features of SGs. The favorable SGs, rebaudioside D (RD) and rebaudioside A (RA), possess good edulcorant quality, poor solubility, and other significantly different physical properties. This research chose two pairs of isomeric SGs, RA and its isomer rebaudioside E (RE) and RD and its isomer RA1G (a synthetic SG, α-1,6-mono-glucosylated RA), to conduct a comparative study, aiming to reveal the structure–property relevance on their solubility, sweetness, stability, and crystal structure. The RA1G presents an aqueous solubility 13 times that of RA and 137 times that of RD and exhibits better edulcorant quality than that of RA, similar to RD. The results indicate that the glucosyl linkage type and position have a stronger impact on the properties of the SGs than the number of glucosyl moieties. The underlying mechanism of their structure–property relevance was elucidated by analyzing the interaction energies between the SGs with solvent and human receptor proteins, respectively. Full article