Hormone-related Genes Research Articles

A study on the functional role of the DHCR24 gene in gonadal differentiation and development of Macrobrachium nipponense

Sex differentiation in crustaceans is a complex process influenced by various factors, including the androgenic gland and sex-related genes. This study characterized the role of the Mn-DHCR24 gene in the oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense). We used bioinformatics to analyze sequence features and phylogenetic relationships of a single Mn-DHCR24 gene. The expression patterns of Mn-DHCR24 across different tissues and developmental stages were determined by real-time PCR, and its localization in testis was determined by in situ hybridization. RNA interference was used to knock down Mn-DHCR24 expression, followed by examining changes in sex ratio and gonadal development at the PL10 stage. Additionally, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay measured 17α-methyltestosterone levels, and tissue sections were used to characterize gonadal development. The results indicated that Mn-DHCR24 was high expression in testis, which was critical for sperm maturation and gonadal differentiation. RNAi experiments showed the role of Mn-DHCR24 during reproductive regulation rather than as a master gene for sex differentiation. This study further showed that Mn-DHCR24 regulated sex and hormone-related genes, influencing steroid biosynthesis pathways. Together, these findings provided valuable insights into the genetic and hormonal mechanisms of gonadal differentiation in M. nipponense, and supported the development of monosex culture technology.

Single-Base Methylome Analysis of Sweet Cherry (Prunus avium L.) on Dwarfing Rootstocks Reveals Epigenomic Differences Associated with Scion Dwarfing Conferred by Grafting

Plant grafting using dwarfing rootstocks is one of the important cultivation measures in the sweet cherry (Prunus avium) industry. In this work, we aimed to explore the effects of the dwarfing rootstock “Pd1” (Prunus tomentosa) on sweet cherry ‘Shuguang2’ scions by performing morphological observations using the paraffin slice technique, detecting GA (gibberellin) and IAA (auxin) contents using UPLC-QTRAP-MS (ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometer), and implementing integration analyses of the epigenome and transcriptome using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and transcriptome sequencing. Anatomical analysis indicated that the cell division ability of the SAM (shoot apical meristem) in dwarfing plants was reduced. Pd1 rootstock significantly decreased the levels of GAs and IAA in sweet cherry scions. Methylome analysis showed that the sweet cherry genome presented 15.2~18.6%, 59.88~61.55%, 28.09~33.78%, and 2.99~5.28% methylation at total C, CG, CHG, and CHH sites, respectively. Shoot tips from dwarfing plants exhibited a hypermethylated pattern mostly due to increased CHH methylation, while leaves exhibited a hypomethylated pattern. According to GO (Gene Ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analysis, DMGs (differentially methylated genes) and DEGs (differentially expressed genes) were enriched in hormone-related GO terms and KEGG pathways. Global correlation analysis between methylation and transcription revealed that mCpG in the gene body region enhanced gene expression and mCHH in the region near the TSS (transcription start site) was positively correlated with gene expression. Next, we found some hormone-related genes and TFs with significant changes in methylation and transcription, including SAURs, ARF, GA2ox, ABS1, bZIP, MYB, and NAC. This study presents a methylome map of the sweet cherry genome, revealed widespread DNA methylation alterations in scions caused by dwarfing rootstock, and obtained abundant genes with methylation and transcription alterations that are potentially involved in rootstock-induced growth changes in sweet cherry scions. Our findings can lay a good basis for further epigenetic studies on sweet cherry dwarfing and provide valuable new insight into understanding rootstock–scion interactions.

Altered Expression of Thyroid- and Calcium Ion Channels-Related Genes in Rat Testes by Short-Term Exposure to Commercial Herbicides Paraquat or 2,4-D.

Exposure to pesticides such as paraquat and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has been linked to harmful health effects, including alterations in male reproduction. Both herbicides are widely used in developing countries and have been associated with reproductive alterations, such as disruption of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. The thyroid axis and Ca2+-permeable ion channels play a key role in these processes, and their disruption can lead to reproductive issues and even infertility. This study evaluated the short-term effects of exposure to commercial herbicides based on paraquat and 2,4-D on gene expression in rat testes. At the molecular level, exposure to paraquat increased the expression of the thyroid hormone transporters monocarboxylate transporter 8 (Mct8) and organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1C1 (Oatp1c1) and the thyroid receptor alpha (TRα), suggesting a possible endocrine disruption. However, it did not alter the expression of the sperm-associated cation channels (CatSper1-2) or vanilloid receptor-related osmotically activated channel (Trpv4) related to sperm motility. In contrast, exposure to 2,4-D reduced the expression of the Mct10 transporter, Dio2 deiodinase, and CatSper1, which could affect both the availability of T3 in testicular cells and sperm quality, consistent with previous studies. However, 2,4-D did not affect the expression of CatSper2 or Trpv4. Deregulation of gene expression could explain the alterations in male reproductive processes reported by exposure to paraquat and 2,4-D. These thyroid hormone-related genes can serve as molecular biomarkers to assess endocrine disruption due to exposure to these herbicides, aiding in evaluating the health risks of pesticides.

Effects of different straw breeding substrates on the growth of tomato seedlings and transcriptome analysis.

Traditional substrate cultivation is now a routine practice in vegetable facility breeding. However, finding renewable substrates that can replace traditional substrates is urgent in today's production. In this study, we used the 'Pindstrup' substrate as control and two types of composite substrates made from fermented corn straw (i.e. 0-3 and 3-5mm) to identify appropriate substrate conditions for tomato seedling growth under winter greenhouse conditions. Seedling growth potential related data and substrate water content related data were tested to carry out data-oriented support. Since the single physiological data cannot well explain the mechanism of tomato seedlings under winter greenhouse condition, transcriptomic analysis of tomato root and leaf tissues were conducted to provide theoretical basis. The physiological data of tomato seedlings and substrate showed that compared with 0-3mm and Pindstrup substrate, tomato seedlings planted in 3-5mm had stronger growth potential and stronger water retention, and were more suitable for planting tomato seedlings. Transcriptome analysis revealed a greater number of DEGs between the Pindstrup and the 3-5mm. The genes in this group contribute to tomato growth as well as tomato stress response mechanisms, such as ABA-related genes, hormone-related genes and some TFs. The simulation network mechanism diagram adds evidence to the above conclusions. Overall, these results demonstrate the potential benefits of using the fermented corn straw of 3-5mm for growing tomato seedlings and present a novel method of utilizing corn straw.

Biodistribution of synthesized polyethylene terephthalate fibers in adult zebrafish, their sex hormone disruption effect, and mitigation using natural organic matter

Although polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers are a representative form of plastic pollutants, studies on their toxicity are currently limited compared to other plastic types. Moreover, the effect of natural organic matter (NOM) on their toxicity has not been investigated. In this study, female and male adult zebrafish were exposed to synthesized PET fibers at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 mg/L in the presence and absence of 10 mg/L of NOM for 10 d. Bioaccumulation of PET fibers in zebrafish intestine, liver, and gills was identified and expression levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, sex hormones, and oxidative stress and sex hormone-related genes were measured. In addition, the developmental stages of gonadal cells were examined through histological analysis. We found that PET fibers bioaccumulated in the intestine and liver of zebrafish. ROS generation significantly increased at 100 mg/L of PET fibers, the expression of oxidative stress-related genes decreased in female and increased in male zebrafish. Exposure to 100 mg/L of PET fibers did not affect 17-beta estradiol, but significantly decreased the testosterone levels in male zebrafish. Sex hormone-related genes significantly decreased in both female and male zebrafish, except for androgen receptor in female zebrafish. However, these changes were exacerbated by the removal of NOM, suggesting a protective effect of NOM against PET fibers toxicity. We demonstrated that the accumulated PET fibers may lead to oxidative stress and sex hormone alteration, and disrupt the development of gonadal cells. Additionally, the NOM coating did not alter bioaccumulation considerably, but mitigated the adverse effects at the hormone level in PET fiber-exposed zebrafish. Thus, this study provides a basis for further research on the toxicity assessment of PET fibers and interactions between NOM and PET fiber-related toxicity.

Transcriptomic and Hormonal Changes in Wheat Roots Enhance Growth under Moderate Soil Drying.

Understanding the mechanisms that regulate plant root growth under soil drying is an important challenge in root biology. We observed that moderate soil drying promotes wheat root growth. To understand whether metabolic and hormonic changes are involved in this regulation, we performed transcriptome sequencing on wheat roots under well-watered and moderate soil drying conditions. The genes upregulated in wheat roots under soil drying were mainly involved in starch and sucrose metabolism and benzoxazinoid biosynthesis. Various plant hormone-related genes were differentially expressed during soil drying. Quantification of the plant hormones under these conditions showed that the concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA), cis-zeatin (CZ), and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) significantly increased during soil drying, whereas the concentrations of salicylic (SA), jasmonic (JA), and glycosylated salicylic (SAG) acids significantly decreased. Correlation analysis of total root length and phytohormones indicated that CZ, ABA, and IAA are positively associated with wheat root length. These results suggest that changes in metabolic pathways and plant hormones caused by moderate soil drying help wheat roots grow into deeper soil layers.

Allele-Specific Hormone Dynamics in Highly Transgressive F2 Biomass Segregants in Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.).

Sugarcane holds global promise as a biofuel feedstock, necessitating a deep understanding of factors that influence biomass yield. This study unravels the intricate dynamics of plant hormones that govern growth and development in sugarcane. Transcriptome analysis of F2 introgression hybrids, derived from the cross of Saccharum officinarum "LA Purple" and wild Saccharum robustum "MOL5829", was conducted, utilizing the recently sequenced allele-specific genome of "LA Purple" as a reference. A total of 8059 differentially expressed genes were categorized into gene models (21.5%), alleles (68%), paralogs (10%), and tandemly duplicated genes (0.14%). KEGG analysis highlighted enrichment in auxin (IAA), jasmonic acid (JA), and abscisic acid (ABA) pathways, revealing regulatory roles of hormone repressor gene families (Aux/IAA, PP2C, and JAZ). Signaling pathways indicated that downregulation of AUX/IAA and PP2C and upregulation of JAZ repressor genes in high biomass segregants act as key players in influencing downstream growth regulatory genes. Endogenous hormone levels revealed higher concentrations of IAA and ABA in high biomass, which contrasted with lower levels of JA. Weighted co-expression network analysis demonstrated strong connectivity between hormone-related key genes and cell wall structural genes in high biomass genotypes. Expression analysis confirmed the upregulation of genes involved in the synthesis of structural carbohydrates and the downregulation of inflorescence and senescence-related genes in high biomass, which suggested an extended vegetative growth phase. The study underscores the importance of cumulative gene expression, including gene models, dominant alleles, paralogs, and tandemly duplicated genes and activators and repressors of disparate hormone (IAA, JA, and ABA) signaling pathways are the points of hormone crosstalk in contrasting biomass F2 segregants and could be applied for engineering high biomass acquiring varieties.

Multiomic meta-analysis suggests a correlation between steroid hormone-related genes and litter size in goats.

Litter size is a key indicator of production performance in livestock. However, its genetic basis in goats remains poorly understood. In this work, a genome-wide selection sweep analysis (GWSA) on 100 published goat genomes with different litter rates was performed for the first time to identify candidate genes related to kidding rate. This analysis was combined with the public RNA-sequencing data of ovary tissues (follicular phase) from high- and low-yielding goats. A total of 2278 genes were identified by GWSA. Most of these genes were enriched in signaling pathways related to ovarian follicle development and hormone secretion. Moreover, 208 differentially expressed genes between groups were obtained from the ovaries of goats with different litter sizes. These genes were substantially enriched in the cholesterol and steroid synthesis signaling pathways. Meanwhile, the weighted gene co-expression network was used to perform modular analysis of differentially expressed genes. The results showed that seven modules were reconstructed, of which one module showed a very strong correlation with litter size (r = -0.51 and p-value <0.001). There were 51 genes in this module, and 39 hub genes were screened by Pearson's correlation coefficient between core genes > 0.4, correlation coefficient between module members > 0.80 and intra-module connectivity ≥5. Finally, based on the results of GWSA and hub gene Venn analysis, seven key genes (ACSS2, HECW2, KDR, LHCGR, NAMPT, PTGFR and TFPI) were found to be associated with steroid synthesis and follicle growth development. This work contributes to understanding of the genetic basis of goat litter size and provides theoretical support for goat molecular breeding.

Integrated biomarker-based ecological risks assessment of tadpole responses to tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate, tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate, and their combined environmental exposure

Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) are common chlorinated organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) used in industry. They have been frequently detected together in aquatic environments and associated with various hazardous effects. However, the ecological risks of prolonged exposure to these OPFRs at environmentally relevant concentrations in non-model aquatic organisms remain unexplored. This study investigated the effects of long-term exposure (up to 25 days) to TCEP and TCPP on metamorphosis, hepatic antioxidants, and endocrine function in Polypedates megacephalus tadpoles. Exposure concentrations were set at 3, 30, and 90 μg/L for each substance, conducted independently and in equal-concentration combinations, with a control group included for comparison. The integrated biomarker response (IBR) method developed an optimal linear model for predicting the overall ecological risks of TCEP and TCPP to tadpoles in potential distribution areas of Polypedates species. Results showed that: (1) Exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of TCEP and TCPP elicited variable adverse effects on tadpole metamorphosis time, hepatic antioxidant enzyme activity and related gene expression, and endocrine-related gene expression, with their combined exposure exacerbating these effects. (2) The IBR value of TCEP was consistently greater than that of TCPP at each concentration, with an additive effect observed under their combined exposure. (3) The ecological risk of tadpoles exposed to the combined presence of TCEP and TCPP was highest in China's Taihu Lake and Vietnam's Hanoi than in other distribution locations. In summary, prolonged exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of TCEP and TCPP presents potential ecological risks to amphibian tadpoles, offering insights for the development of policies and strategies to control TCEP and TCPP pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, the methodology employed in establishing the IBR prediction model provides a methodological framework for assessing the overall ecological risks of multiple OPFRs.

Genomic insights into ecological adaptation of oaks revealed by phylogenomic analysis of multiple species

Understanding the ecological adaptation of tree species can not only reveal the evolutionary potential but also benefit biodiversity conservation under global climate change. Quercus is a keystone genus in Northern Hemisphere forests, and its wide distribution in diverse ecosystems and long evolutionary history make it an ideal model for studying the genomic basis of ecological adaptations. Here we used a newly sequenced genome of Quercus gilva, an evergreen oak species from East Asia, with 18 published Fagales genomes to determine how Fagaceae genomes have evolved, identify genomic footprints of ecological adaptability in oaks in general, as well as between evergreen and deciduous oaks. We found that oak species exhibited a higher degree of genomic conservation and stability, as indicated by the absence of large-scale chromosomal structural variations or additional whole-genome duplication events. In addition, we identified expansion and tandem repetitions within gene families that contribute to plant physical and chemical defense (e.g., cuticle biosynthesis and oxidosqualene cyclase genes), which may represent the foundation for the ecological adaptation of oak species. Circadian rhythm and hormone-related genes may regulate the habits of evergreen and deciduous oaks. This study provides a comprehensive perspective on the ecological adaptations of tree species based on phylogenetic, genome evolutionary, and functional genomic analyses.

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveal the effect of mycorrhizal colonization on trifoliate orange root hair

Trifoliate orange (Pocirus trifoliata) as an excellent stock for citrus, but it has few root hairs and relies on mycorrhiza (AM) formed by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to absorb soil nutrients and water, and there are few studies on the relationship between trifoliate orange root hair and AMF. This experiment analyzed the conditioning of AMF in trifoliate orange root hair growth from multiple perspectives. The results showed that AMF inoculation promoted root hair in citrus (eg: density and length) and the AMF mycorrhizal infection rate was 49.12 %. Metabolic and transcriptomic data of root also show that AMF promotes the development of root hair mainly by influencing hormone transduction and biosynthesis. The analysis of hormone synthesis signal transduction expression profile showed that AMF infection significantly up-regulated auxin, gibberellin, ethylene and cytokinin synthesis and signal transduction pathway, and also up-regulated auxin transport and jasmonic acid transduction. Analysis of root hair growth-related genes showed that AMF infection the up-regulated genes correlate with cell wall loosening, Ca2+ gradient and cell cycle, thereby facilitate the formation and elongation of root hair. In summary, AMF regulates trifoliate orange root hair growth through plant hormone metabolism and related key genes, thus increases the root surface area and further promotes the infection of AMF. In order to provide theory foundation for exploring the mechanism of AMF regulating trifoliate orange root hair growth.

Colonization by the endophytic fungus Phyllosticta fallopiae combined with the element Si promotes the growth of Dendrobium nobile

Endophytic fungi can promote plant growth and development, particularly of Orchidaceae species. Previously, we found that the endophytic fungus Phyllosticta fallopiae DN14, collected from Dendrobium nobile growing on rocks in a wild habitat, significantly promoted growth of its host plant D. nobile, an important herb in Chinese traditional medicine that contains the bioactive component dendrobine. Phyllosticta was positively correlated with FW and dendrobine content of D. nobile and with Si content of the epiphytic matrix. Si is also highly beneficial for the growth and productivity of many plants. Here, we co-cultured D. nobile with P. fallopiae DN14 in half-strength Murashige and Skoog medium with and without various concentrations of Si to investigate the effects of DN14 and Si on plant fresh weight and dendrobine content. We also explored the effects of DN14 infection and colonization on host plant growth, Si accumulation and transport, and expression of key genes, as well as the interaction between DN14 and Si. The combination of DN14 and Si promoted the lignification of D. nobile roots, stems, and leaves and markedly increased the thickening of xylem cell walls. Co-culture with DN14 increased transport of Si from roots to stems and from stems to leaves. Transcriptome sequencing and qRT–PCR analyses showed that enhancement of D. nobile growth by DN14 and Si may involve upregulation of plant hormone-related genes (AUX/IAA and MYC) and lignin biosynthesis genes (HCT, PAL1, and PAL2). Insoluble Si promoted the growth of DN14, perhaps through downregulation of genes (e.g., FBP, MPI, RPIAD) related to carbohydrate metabolism, and DN14 in turn promoted the transformation of insoluble Si into soluble Si for plant uptake. These findings demonstrate that endophytic fungi and Si can improve the growth of D. nobile and therefore show promise as organic amendments for commercial cultivation.

Flavonoids from Polygoni Multiflori Caulis alleviates p-chlorophenylalanine-induced sleep disorders in mice

Polygoni Multiflori Caulis (PMC) has been traditionally served as a functional medicine due to its various biological activities, but a lack of researches focused on the sleep-enhancing effects of flavonoids from PMC. In this study, the total flavonoids (PMCF) were isolated from PMC. In vitro antioxidant experiments suggested that PMCF exhibited remarkable antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by its scavenging activity on several radicals and reducing power. Subsequently, PMCF was given to insomnia mice via intragastric administration. In behavior test, PMCF exhibited sleep-enhancing effect through suppressing depression, shortening the sleep latency time while prolonging the duration sleep time in insomnia mice. To clarified the mechanism, the neurotransmitter receptors, cytokines and hormone in brain were investigated. PMCF exhibited significant sleep promoting effect by up-regulating the expression levels of hormone-related genes, and producing stimulation on the immune system by increasing interleukin-1β mRNA expression. In addition, PMCF-mediated sleep promotion accompanied the recovery of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1 A (5-HT1A), γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor α2 (GABAARα2) and GABAA receptor α3 (GABAARα3) mRNA expression, which was more effective in the hypothalamus. Collectively, all these data implied that PMCF might produce beneficial activities in relieving sleep disturbances via the antioxidant pathway, as well as the immune, serotonergic and GABAergic systems.

Rhizosphere Mortierella strain of alfalfa exerted weed growth inhibition by inducing expression of plant hormone-related genes.

Weeds are significant factors that detrimentally affect crop health and hinder optimal herbage yield. Rhizosphere microorganisms play crucial roles in plant growth, development, and nutrient uptake. Therefore, research focusing on weed control through the lens of microorganisms has emerged as a prominent area of study. The oil-producing fungus Mortierella, which is known for its numerous agricultural benefits, has garnered significant attention in recent years. In this study, we conducted inoculation experiments in a controlled artificial culture climate chamber to investigate the effects of differential hormones and differentially expressed genes in the stems and leaves of Digitaria sanguinalis using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry and RNA-seq techniques, respectively. Additionally, Pearson's correlation analysis was used to establish correlations between differential hormones and growth indicators of Digitaria sanguinalis. The results demonstrated that inoculation with Mortierella sp. MXBP304 effectively suppressed aboveground biomass and plant height in Digitaria sanguinalis. Furthermore, there was significant upregulation and downregulation in the expression of genes involved in the synthesis and metabolism of phenylalanine and L-phenylalanine. Conversely, the expression of genes related to tryptophan, L-tryptophan, and indole was significantly downregulated. The addition of Mortierella sp. MXBP304 can influence the gene expression associated with phenylalanine and tryptophan synthesis and metabolism during Digitaria sanguinalis growth, subsequently reducing the relative contents of phenylalanine and tryptophan, thereby directly inhibiting Digitaria sanguinalis growth.

Impact of activated charcoal on the progression of somatic embryogenesis in grape cells: Histological and transcriptomic perspectives

Somatic embryogenesis is a crucial genetic transformation method in plants. Despite numerous studies being conducted for acquiring embryogenic competence in plant cells, somatic embryo (SE) induction from embryogenic cells (ECs) has attracted relatively limited research attention. In grapes, somatic cell induction is impeded by unidentified inhibitors, which hinders the progression of globular embryo (GE) formation and subsequently embryo development. We found that addition of activated charcoal (AC) to the grape SE induction medium augmented the speed, consistency, and synchronization of embryogenesis. Cell samples cultured in the induction medium with and without AC were thoroughly evaluated through histological anatomy analysis, subcellular structure observation, and comparative transcriptomic analysis. The histological observation revealed the specific timeline of SE formation. An intermediate developmental state, referred to as the globular embryo precursor (PGE), was observed during the induction of GE formation from EC. Members of transcription factor families such as WRKY, MYB, MADS, AP2/ERF, HB-KNOX, HB-HD-ZIP, HB-WOX, NAC, and GRF were identified in the early and middle stages of GE formation. Additionally, we explored the key roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-, starch-, cell wall-, and hormone-related genes. The cell wall-related genes were highly enriched in differentially expressed gene sets. Several amyloplasts in EC disappeared, potentially because of hydrolysis, and numerous mitochondria were observed. In AC-added samples, starch was consumed more, and cellulose hydrolysis-related genes were downregulated, whereas cellulose synthesis-related genes had higher expression than AC-free samples. ROS response-related genes were induced when GE induction was initiated. When applied, an optimal concentration of external H2O2 promoted SE initiation in grapes, whereas a high concentration caused delayed GE formation. This study suggests that, by absorbing and releasing substances, the added AC can create a stable buffer environment for cell survival, protect against excessive ROS- or inhibitor-induced cell damage, and support uninterrupted progress of somatic embryogenesis.

Effect of β-hydroxybutyrate acid on gene expression levels of antioxidant biomarkers and growth hormone-related genes in liver cell culture.

In dairy cattle, oxidative stress is a predominant problem associated with diseases and reproductive health issues. This study aimed to detect the variation in the antioxidant biomarkers by adding different concentrations of β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and sought to elucidate its effects on the gene expression levels of growth hormone (GH) and antioxidant biomarkers in bovine hepatocytes. Four antioxidant biomarkers, namely malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px) were evaluated using commercially available bovine ELISA kits. The expression levels of the bovine GH, its receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), IGF-1, IGF-1 receptor, CAT, SOD, GSH-Px and β-actin (as a reference) genes in liver cell culture were determined by reverse transcriptase-PCR assay. With the increase of BHBA concentration and culture time, the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH Px biomarkers in hepatocytes decreased. However, the content of MDA in hepatocytes increased gradually with the increase of hepatocyte culture time and BHBA concentration. The qPCR results revealed that after adding BHBA, gene expression levels of GSH-Px, SOD and IGF biomarkers in hepatocytes began to differ in the culture groups at 12 h, whereas the gene expression level of the CAT and GHR biomarkers in hepatocytes began to differ at 6 h. Quantitative PCR results showed that the BHBA significantly downregulated the expression levels of the GHR gene and CAT, GSH Px and SOD antioxidant biomarker genes.

Synergy of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and silicon in regulation of AgNPs induced stress of rice seedlings

Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs), as an emerging pollutant, have been receiving significant attention as they deepen the concern regarding the issue of food security. Silicon (Si) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are likely to serve as a sustainable approach to ameliorating abiotic stress and improving plant growth through various mechanisms. The present study aims to evaluate the synergistic effect of Si and PGPRs on growth, physiological, and molecular response in rice seedlings (Oryza sativa) under AgNPs stress. Data suggested that under AgNPs exposure, the root and shoot growth, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzymes (CAT and APX), expression of antioxidant genes (OsAPX and OsGR), silicon transporter (OsLsi2), and auxin hormone-related genes (OsPIN10 and OsYUCCA1) were significantly decreased which accompanied with the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) and might be due to higher accumulation of Ag in plant cells. Interestingly, the addition of Si along with the AgNPs enhances the level of ROS generation, thus oxidative stress, which causes severe damage in all the above-tested parameters. On the other hand, application of PGPR alone and along with Si reduced the toxic effect of AgNPs through the improvement of growth, biochemical, and gene regulation (OsAPX and OsGR, OsPIN10 and OsYUCCA1). However, the addition of L-NAME along with PGPR and silicon drastically lowered the AgNPs induced toxicity through lowering the oxidative stress and maintained the overall growth of rice seedlings, which suggests the role of endogenous NO in Si and PGPRs mediated management of AgNPs toxicity in rice seedlings.

Toxicity of bisphenol S on human normal ovarian epithelial cells mediated by ERβ-MAPK signaling pathway

To investigate the effects of long-term(7 days and 14 days) bisphenol S(BPS) exposure on the ERβ-MAPK signaling pathway, hormone secretion phenotype and cell cycle in human normal ovarian epithelial cells IOSE 80 at actual human exposure level. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic model combined with BPS levels in the serum of women along the Yangtze River in China was used to determine the dosing concentrations of BPS, and vehicle control and 17 β-estradiol(E_2) control were used. Complete medium with corresponding concentrations(0, 6.79×10~(-6), 6.79×10~(-4), 6.79×10~(-2), 6.79 μmol/L BPS and 10 nmol/L E_2) was replaced every 2 days. mRNA expressions of estrogen receptor(ERβ and GPR30), key genes in MAPK signaling pathway(P38/JNK/ERK signaling pathway) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone-related genes(GnRH-I, GnRH-II and GnRH-R) were measured by qPCR. The ERβ-MAPK signaling pathway inhibitors were employed to detect the effect of long-term exposure to BPS on the cell cycle by flow cytometry. Dose-response relationship analysis was performed to calculate the benchmark does lower confidence limits. Compared to the vehicle control, after 7 days exposure to BPS, the ratio of G_2/M phase was significantly increased(P&lt;0.05), and the mRNA expressions of GnRH-I, GnRH-II and GnRH-R were significantly decreased(P&lt;0.05); after 14 days exposure to BPS, the mRNA expressions of ESR2, MAPK3, and MAPK9 were significantly increased(P&lt;0.05), and the mRNA expressions of GnRH-II and GnRH-R were significantly decreased(P&lt;0.05). The GnRH-II mRNA expression level of BPS treatment for 7 days; the G_0/G_1 phase ratio, MAPK3 and MAPK8 mRNA expression level of BPS exposure for 14 days; and the GnRH-I mRNA expression level after BPS treatment for 7 days and 14 days showed a good dose-response relationship but with poor fit. Long-term low-dose exposure to BPS may cause cell cycle arrest by activating the ERβ-MAPK signaling pathway, and may lead to changes in the hormone secretion of IOSE 80 cells.

Toxicogenomics of Five Cytostatics in Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) Larvae.

In this study, the toxicogenomic effects of five cytostatics (tamoxifen, methotrexate, capecitabine, cyclophosphamide, and ifosfamide) on fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) larvae were evaluated. Post-fertilization eggs were exposed to increasing concentrations of the drugs for six days. The expression levels of two genetic biomarkers for toxicity and four thyroid hormone-related gene pathways were measured. Interestingly, the results showed that all concentrations of the five cytostatics affect the transcription levels of both toxicity biomarker genes. Additionally, the thyroid hormone-related genes had different expression levels than the control, with the most significant changes observed in those larvae exposed to cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide. While a previous study found no effects on fish morphology, this study suggests that the five cytostatics modify subtle molecular responses of P. promelas, highlighting the importance of assessing multibiological level endpoints throughout the lifecycle of animals to understand the full portrait of potential effects of cytostatics and other contaminants.

Combined genome and transcriptome analysis of elite fiber quality in Gossypium barbadense.

Gossypium barbadense, which is one of several species of cotton, is well-known for its superior fiber quality. However, the genetic basis of its high-quality fiber remains largely unexplored. Here, we re-sequenced 269 G. barbadense accessions. Phylogenetic structure analysis showed that the set of accessions were clustered into three groups, G1 and G2 mainly included modern cultivars from Xinjiang, China, and G3 was related to widely introduced accessions in different regions worldwide. A genome-wide association study of five fiber quality traits across multiple field environments identified a total of 512 qtls (main effect QTLs) and 94 qtlEs (QTL-by-environment interactions) related to fiber quality, of which 292 qtls and 57 qtlEs co-located with previous studies. We extracted the genes located in these loci and performed expression comparison, local association analysis, and introgression segment identification. The results showed that high expression of hormone-related genes during fiber development, introgressions from G. hirsutum, and the recombination of domesticated elite allelic variation, were three major contributors to improve fiber quality of G. barbadense. In total, 839 candidate genes with encoding region variation associated with elite fiber quality were mined. We confirmed that haplotype GB_D03G0092H traced from G. hirsutum introgression, with a 1-bp deletion leading to a frameshift mutation compared with GB_D03G0092B, significantly improved fiber quality. GB_D03G0092H localized in the plasma membrane, while GB_D03G0092B in both the nucleus and plasma membrane. Overexpression of GB_D03G0092H in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) significantly improved the elongation of longitudinal cells. Our study systematically reveals the genetic basis of the superior fiber quality of G. barbadense and provides elite segments and gene resources for breeding high-quality cotton cultivars.