Hormone Response Research Articles

The glucagon-like peptide-1 and other endocrine responses to alcohol ingestion in women with versus without metabolic surgery.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based therapies, effective in treating obesity and type 2 diabetes, hold potential for reducing alcohol-seeking behaviour. However, the understanding of how alcohol consumption affects endogenous GLP-1 responses-important for understanding GLP-1-based therapies' potential in addressing alcohol misuse-is limited, given the absence of placebo-controlled studies examining these effects. This study aimed to determine the acute effects of alcohol ingestion on GLP-1 and other peptides and evaluate whether metabolic surgery, which increases GLP-1 responses, blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) and alcohol misuse risk, influences this effect. Additionally, we assessed the acute effects of alcohol on plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Using a placebo-controlled crossover study, we examined hormonal and glucose responses after oral alcohol consumption (0.5g/kg of fat-free mass) versus placebo drinks in 18 women who underwent metabolic surgery <5years ago and in 14 non-operated controls (equivalent in age, body mass index [BMI], race and alcohol consumption patterns). Women had a mean (SD) age of 41 (10) years and a BMI of 33 (5) kg/m2. Compared with the control group, the surgery group exhibited a higher peak BAC (0.99 [0.20] g/L vs. 0.75 [0.16] g/L; P < 0.005). Alcohol decreased GLP-1 by 34% (95% CI, 16%-52%) in both groups and decreased ghrelin more in the control (27%) than in the surgery group (13%). Alcohol modestly decreased plasma glucose and transiently increased insulin secretion in both groups (P < 0.05). However, alcohol lowered blood glucose concentrations to the hypoglycaemic range in 28% of the women in the surgery group versus none in the control group. These findings provide compelling evidence that acute alcohol consumption decreases GLP-1, a satiation signal, elucidating alcohol's 'apéritif' effect. This study also highlights the potential increase in alcohol-related hypoglycaemic effects after metabolic surgery.

Comprehensive characterization of gibberellin oxidase gene family in Brassica napus reveals BnGA2ox15 involved in hormone signaling and response to drought stress

Brassica napus is a well-known allopolyploid oil crop with high commercial potential. Gibberellin oxidase (GAox) is an essential enzyme that activates gibberellins, which regulate plant growth, and development, and have a significant impact on plant responses to abiotic stress. However, the comprehensive understanding of GAox genes and their evolution in Brassica plants remains elusive. Using advanced bioinformatics tools, this study identified 125 candidate GAox genes from the whole genomes of three key Brassica species. This study also investigated sequence characteristics, conserved motifs, exon/intron structures, cis-acting elements, syntenic analysis, duplication events and expression patterns. Subcellular localization analysis showed that the BnGA2ox14 and BnGA2ox15 proteins are located in the nucleus, whereas BnGA2ox26 is specifically localized to the chloroplast. Yeast one-hybrid and dual-luciferase assays demonstrated that MYELOCYTOMATOSIS 4 (BnMYC4) and ABA-INDUCIBLE BHLH-TYPE TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR (BnAIB) bind to the BnGA2ox15 promoter and activate its transcription. Molecular docking analysis further elucidated their interaction structures and identified potential binding sites. Roots transformations show that overexpression of BnGA2ox15 increased sensitivity to PEG-6000 treatment in rapeseed. In brief, this study reveals that BnGA2ox15 is a downstream target in JA and ABA signaling pathways, functioning as a negative regulator in responding to drought stress.

Research on the Regulatory Mechanism of Ginseng on the Tumor Microenvironment of Colorectal Cancer based on Network Pharmacology and Bioinformatics Validation.

A network pharmacology study on the biological action of ginseng in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) by regulating the tumor microenvironment (TME). To investigate the potential mechanism of action of ginseng in the treatment of CRC by regulating TME. This research employed network pharmacology, molecular docking techniques, and bioinformatics validation. Firstly, the active ingredients and the corresponding targets of ginseng were retrieved using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), the Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID), and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database@Taiwan (TCM Database@Taiwan). Secondly, the targets related to CRC were retrieved using Genecards, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). Tertiary, the targets related to TME were derived from screening the GeneCards and National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)-Gene. Then the common targets of ginseng, CRC, and TME were obtained by Venn diagram. Afterward, the Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed in the STRING 11.5 database, intersecting targets identified by PPI analysis were introduced into Cytoscape 3.8.2 software cytoHubba plugin, and the final determination of core targets was based on degree value. The OmicShare Tools platform was used to analyze the Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of the core targets. Autodock and PyMOL were used for molecular docking verification and visual data analysis of docking results. Finally, we verified the core targets by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases in bioinformatics. A total of 22 active ingredients and 202 targets were identified to be closely related to the TME of CRC. PPI network mapping identified SRC, STAT3, PIK3R1, HSP90AA1, and AKT1 as possible core targets. Go enrichment analysis showed that it was mainly involved in T cell co-stimulation, lymphocyte co-stimulation, growth hormone response, protein input, and other biological processes; KEGG pathway analysis found 123 related signal pathways, including EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, chemokine signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway, PD-L1 expression and PD-1 checkpoint pathway in cancer, etc. The molecular docking results showed that the main chemical components of ginseng have a stable binding activity to the core targets. The results of the GEPIA database showed that the mRNA levels of PIK3R1 were significantly lowly expressed and HSP90AA1 was significantly highly expressed in CRC tissues. Analysis of the relationship between core target mRNA levels and the pathological stage of CRC showed that the levels of SRC changed significantly with the pathological stage. The HPA database results showed that the expression levels of SRC were increased in CRC tissues, while the expression of STAT3, PIK3R1, HSP90AA1, and AKT1 were decreased in CRC tissues. Ginseng may act on SRC, STAT3, PIK3R1, HSP90AA1, and AKT1 to regulate T cell costimulation, lymphocyte costimulation, growth hormone response, protein input as a molecular mechanism regulating TME for CRC. It reflects the multi-target and multi-pathway role of ginseng in modulating TME for CRC, which provides new ideas to further reveal its pharmacological basis, mechanism of action and new drug design and development.

Cytological, physiological, and transcriptomic analyses reveal potential regulatory mechanisms of curly leaves in Tartary buckwheat

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tartaricum Gaertn.) is a pseudocereal crop grown in sunny areas at high altitudes. To achieve high yield, this species is often densely planted. It is believed that moderately curly and upright leaves are beneficial for increasing the photosynthetic efficiency of a densely planted crop. However, little research on curly leaves has been reported for this species. The study reported here analyzed two EMS mutants Xi5M and P10M with curly and upright leaves using cytological, physiological, and transcriptomic approaches. Results showed that compared with their respective wild types, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate, and yield of effective quantum of photosystem Ⅱ were all increased in both mutants. The number of chloroplasts increased, and the number of granum lamellas was increased, and more tightly connected. These changes led to increased photosynthetic pigment contents in mutants. The unbalanced arrangement of upper and lower epidermal cells led to leaf curling in the mutants. The transcriptomic analysis detected 510 genes that were differentially expressed between both of the mutants and their respective wild types (i.e., Xi5M vs Xi5, and P10M vs PP10). They were mainly enriched in plant-pathogen interaction, plant hormone signal transduction, MAPK signaling pathway, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and ABC transporters. Analyses of leaf characteristics, function annotation of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and protein-protein interaction networks revealed 12 candidate genes which, by regulating cell development and plant hormone response, potentially regulated leaf curliness. Our study developed new leaf-shaped materials that could be valuable in enhancing the yield of Tartary buckwheat by improving population photosynthetic efficiency and revealed potential mechanisms of leaf curliness in this species.

Prenatal immune activation in rats and adult exposure to inescapable shocks reveal sex-dependent effects on fear conditioning that might be relevant for schizophrenia

Prenatal infection is considered a relevant factor for neurodevelopmental alterations and psychiatric diseases. Administration of bacterial and viral components during pregnancy in rodents results in maternal immune activation (MIA), leading to schizophrenia-like neurochemical and behavioral changes. Despite some evidence for abnormal fear conditioning in schizophrenia, only a few animal studies have focused on this issue. Therefore, we addressed the impact of the administration of the viral mimetic polyI:C to pregnant Long-Evans rats on the adult offspring response to inescapable shocks (IS) and contextual fear conditioning. In males, polyI:C induced a greater endocrine (plasma ACTH) response to IS and both polyI:C and IS enhanced fear conditioning and generalization to a completely different novel environment (hole-board), with no additive effects, probably due to a ceiling effect. In contrast, a modest impact of polyI:C and a lower impact of IS on contextual fear conditioning and generalization was observed in females. Thus, the present results demonstrate that polyI:C dramatically affected fear response to IS in adult males and support the hypothesis that males are more sensitive than females to this treatment. This model might allow to explore neurobiological mechanisms underlying abnormal responsiveness to fear conditioning and stressors in schizophrenia.

The impact of chronic stress on the hormonal state of women affected by hostilities and displaced women

During times of war, refugee women often have high levels of chronic stress due to factors such as war, displacement and uncertainty. The study focuses on examining the hormonal responses of female refugees experiencing chronic stress from war and displacement.The objective: to assess the impact of chronic stress caused by war and displacement on the hormonal balance of refugee women.Materials and methods. 60 women were examined, who were divided into groups: the 1st group included women who were affected by hostilities (20 persons), and the 2nd group included displaced women (20 individuals). In these 40 women the hormonal studies were conducted in the conditions of military aggression in Ukraine. The control group (3rd group) included healthy women who were examined in the pre-war period. All examined women were 20–25 years old with an average body weight of 55–60 kg. Concentrations of progesterone, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone, prolactin in the I and II phases of the menstrual cycle (MC), cortisol in the I phase of the MC were determined in blood serum using the enzyme immunoassay method. An analysis of the results of research on the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system in the regulation of the stress response was carried out.Results. In the examined women, various disorders of MC were observed, such as: menometrorrhagia, hypermenorrhea, acyclic uterine bleeding, oligomenorrhea, and amenorrhea. The most pronounced changes in menstrual function were observed in women who were affected by hostilities. Such significant disorders of MC in women of this group coincided with changes in indicators of gonadotropic hormones of the pituitary gland and sex hormones in the blood.A study of the psycho-emotional state of women who suffered from hostilities established that these women have a significant stressful effect of various risk factors on the body. Changes in the levels of cortisol, prolactin and other hormones were detected.Conclusions. Studies have shown that chronic stress affects the hormonal status of women affected by hostilities and of displaced women, including FSH, estradiol, and prolactin levels.A significant increase in the level of FSH in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and an increase in the level of estradiol in the luteal phase were determined, which may indicate a compensatory reaction of the body to stress. A significant increase in the level of prolactin was also found, which can cause disorders of menstrual function and affect the psycho-emotional state.

Genome-Wide Identification of the Remorin Gene Family in Poplar and Their Responses to Abiotic Stresses.

The Remorin (REM) gene family is a plant-specific, oligomeric, filamentous family protein located on the cell membrane, which is important for plant growth and stress responses. In this study, a total of 22 PtREMs were identified in the genome of Populus trichocarpa. Subcellular localization analysis showed that they were predictively distributed in the cell membrane and nucleus. Only five PtREMs members contain both Remorin_C- and Remorin_N-conserved domains, and most of them only contain the Remorin_C domain. A total of 20 gene duplication pairs were found, all of which belonged to fragment duplication. Molecular evolutionary analysis showed the PtREMs have undergone purified selection. Lots of cis-acting elements assigned into categories of plant growth and development, stress response, hormone response and light response were detected in the promoters of PtREMs. PtREMs showed distinct gene expression patterns in response to diverse stress conditions where the mRNA levels of PtREM4.1, PtREM4.2 and PtREM6.11 were induced in most cases. A co-expression network centered by PtREMs was constructed to uncover the possible functions of PtREMs in protein modification, microtube-based movement and hormone signaling. The obtained results shed new light on understanding the roles of PtREMs in coping with environmental stresses in poplar species.

Functions and Mechanism of Thyroid Hormone Receptor Action During Amphibian Development.

Thyroid hormones and their receptors (TRs) play critical roles during vertebrate development. One of the most dramatic developmental processes regulated by thyroid hormones is frog metamorphosis, which mimics the postembryonic (perinatal) period in mammals. Here, we review some of the findings on the developmental functions of thyroid hormones and TRs as well as their associated mechanisms of action obtained from this model system. More than 2 decades ago, a dual function model was proposed for TR in anuran development. During larval development, unliganded receptors recruit corepressors to repress thyroid hormone response genes to prevent premature metamorphic changes. Subsequently, when thyroid hormone levels rise, liganded receptors recruit coactivators to activate thyroid hormone response genes, leading to metamorphic changes. Over the years, molecular and genetic approaches have provided strong support for this model and have shown that it is applicable to mammalian development as well as to understanding the diverse effects of thyroid hormones in normal physiology and diseases caused by thyroid hormone signaling dysfunction.

Evaluating the Impact of Synthesised Scent Enrichment on Behavioural and Endocrine Responses in Captive Alaotran Gentle Lemurs (Hapalemur alaotrensis)

Evaluating the Impact of Synthesised Scent Enrichment on Behavioural and Endocrine Responses in Captive Alaotran Gentle Lemurs (Hapalemur alaotrensis)

Genome-wide identification, expression pattern and interacting protein analysis of INDETERMINATE DOMAIN (IDD) gene family in Phalaenopsis equestris

The plant-specific INDETERMINATE DOMAIN (IDD) gene family is important for plant growth and development. However, a comprehensive analysis of the IDD family in orchids is limited. Based on the genome data of Phalaenopsis equestris, the IDD gene family was identified and analyzed by bioinformatics methods in this study. Ten putative P. equestris IDD genes (PeIDDs) were characterized and phylogenetically classified into two groups according to their full amino acid sequences. Protein motifs analysis revealed that overall structures of PeIDDs in the same group were relatively conserved. Its promoter regions harbored a large number of responsive elements, including light responsive, abiotic stress responsive elements, and plant hormone cis-acting elements. The transcript level of PeIDD genes under cold and drought conditions, and by exogenous auxin (NAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments further confirmed that most PeIDDs responded to various conditions and might play essential roles under abiotic stresses and hormone responses. In addition, distinct expression profiles in different tissues/organs suggested that PeIDDs might be involved in various development processes. Furthermore, the prediction of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) revealed some PeIDDs (PeIDD3 or PeIDD5) might function via cooperating with chromatin remodeling factors. The results of this study provided a reference for further understanding the function of PeIDDs.

Genome-Wide Identification of the COMT Gene Family in Juglans regia L. and Response to Drought Stress.

Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT), as a multifunctional enzyme involved in various physiological and biochemical processes in lignin metabolism, plays an important role in a plant's response to stress. In this study, we isolated COMT family members from the walnut genome by bioinformatics and analyzed their physicochemical properties and their expression under drought stress to provide gene resources for drought resistance in walnut. The results showed that 33 COMT genes were identified from walnuts and distributed on different chromosomes. The molecular weight of proteins varies greatly. According to the phylogenetic tree, the family can be divided into seven subgroups, which are relatively conservative in evolution and closely related to Arabidopsis thaliana. Promoter analysis showed that the promoter of the walnut COMT gene contains rich cis-elements of plant hormone response and stress response, and the real-time fluorescence scale name can be significantly induced by drought stress. Compared with wild-type Arabidopsis, overexpression JrCOMT19 significantly increased the enzyme activity (SOD, POD, and CAT) and proline content. Meanwhile, overexpression of JrCOMT19 significantly increased the lignin content and expression of related genes. Therefore, JrCOMT plays an important role in responding to drought in walnuts, and overexpression JrCOMT19 can improve the resistance to drought stress by increasing lignin content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and osmotic substance content.

A Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the Xyloglucan Endotransglucosylase/Hydrolase Gene Family in Melon (Cucumis melo L.)

The xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) family is an important multigene family in plants that plays a key role in cell wall reconstruction and stress tolerance. However, the specific traits of XTH genes and their expression patterns under different stresses have not been systematically studied in melon. In this study, based on the genomic data of Cucumis melon, 29 XTH genes were identified; most of these genes contain two conserved domains (Glyco_hydro_16 and XET_C domains). Based on neighbor-joining phylogenetic analysis, the CmXTHs were divided into four subfamilies, I/II, IIIA, and IIIB, which are distributed across nine chromosomes of melon. Collinearity analysis showed that the melon XTH genes have an evolutionary history consistent with three species: Arabidopsis, tomato, and cucumber. The promoter regions of the CmXTH genes contain numerous cis-acting elements, which are associated with plant growth, hormonal response, and stress responses. RNA-Seq analysis indicated that CmXTH genes exhibit different expression patterns under drought and salt stress treatments, suggesting that this gene family plays an important role under abiotic stress. This study provides a theoretical basis for further studies on the molecular function of XTH genes in melon.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Aquaporins Gene Family in Populus euphratica and Its Expression Patterns in Response to Drought, Salt Stress, and Phytohormones.

Aquaporins (AQPs) play an essential role in membrane water transport during plant responses to water stresses centered on conventional upstream signals. Phytohormones (PHs) regulate plant growth and yield, working with transcription factors to help plants withstand environmental challenges and regulate physiological and chemical processes. The AQP gene family is important, so researchers have studied its function and regulatory system in numerous species. Yet, there is a critical gap the understanding of many of their molecular features, thus our full knowledge of AQPs is far-off. In this study, we undertook a broad examination of the AQP family gene in Populus euphratica via bioinformatics tools and analyzed the expression patterns of certain members in response to drought, salt, and hormone stress. A total of 22 AQP genes were examined in P. euphratica, and were categorized into four main groups, including TIPs, PIPs, SIPs, and NIPs based on phylogenetic analysis. Comparable exon-intron gene structures were found by gene structure examination, and similarities in motif number and pattern within the same subgroup was determined by motif analysis. The PeuAQP gene family has numerous duplications, and there is a distinct disparity in how the members of the PeuAQP family react to post-translational modifications. Abiotic stress and hormone responses may be mediated by AQPs, as indicated by the abundance of stress response elements found in 22 AQP genes, as revealed by the promoter's cis-elements prediction. Expression pattern analysis reveals that selected six AQP genes from the PIP subgroup were all expressed in the leaves, stem, and roots with varying expression levels. Moreover, qRT-PCR analysis discovered that the majority of the selected AQP members were up- or down-regulated in response to hormone treatment and abiotic stress. Remarkably, PeuAQP14 and PeuAQP15 appeared to be highly responsive to drought stress and PeuAQP15 exhibited a high response to salt stress. The foliar application of the phytohormones (SA, IAA, GA3, MeJA, and ABA) were found to either activate or inhibit PeuAQP, suggesting that they may mitigate the effects of water shortage of poplar water stress. The present work enhances our knowledge of the practical roles of AQPs in stress reactions and offers fundamental information for the AQP genes in poplar species. It also highlights a direction for producing new varieties of poplar species with drought, salt, and hormone tolerance and holds substantial scientific and ecological importance, offering a potential contribution to the conservation of poplar species in arid regions.

A Prefrontal→Periaqueductal Gray Pathway Differentially Engages Autonomic, Hormonal, and Behavioral Features of the Stress-Coping Response.

The activation of autonomic and hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) systems occurs interdependently with behavioral adjustments under varying environmental demands. Nevertheless, laboratory rodent studies examining the neural bases of stress responses have generally attributed increments in these systems to be monolithic, regardless of whether an active or passive coping strategy is employed. Using the shock probe defensive burying test (SPDB) to measure stress-coping features naturalistically in male and female rats, we identify a neural pathway whereby activity changes may promote distinctive response patterns of hemodynamic and HPA indices typifying active and passive coping phenotypes. Optogenetic excitation of the rostral medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) input to the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) decreased passive behavior (immobility), attenuated the glucocorticoid hormone response, but did not prevent arterial pressure and heart rate increases associated with rats' active behavioral (defensive burying) engagement during the SPDB. In contrast, inhibition of the same pathway increased behavioral immobility and attenuated hemodynamic output but did not affect glucocorticoid increases. Further analyses confirmed that hemodynamic increments occurred preferentially during active behaviors and decrements during immobility epochs, whereas pathway manipulations, regardless of the directionality of effect, weakened these correlational relationships. Finally, neuroanatomical evidence indicated that the influence of the rostral mPFC→vlPAG pathway on coping response patterns is mediated predominantly through GABAergic neurons within vlPAG. These data highlight the importance of this prefrontal→midbrain connection in organizing stress-coping responses and in coordinating bodily systems with behavioral output for adaptation to aversive experiences.

Genome-wide association study of hypersensitivity skin reactions induced by nonionic iodinated contrast media.

In Taiwan, nonionic iodinated contrast media (ICMs) are commonly used but can occasionally cause severe side effects. The infrequency of these adverse events, coupled with the complexities in establishing direct causality, poses significant challenges for genetic research. : To investigate the genetic factors associated with skin reactions mediated by nonionic ICMs on a genome-wide scale. A hospital-based cohort from the China Medical University Hospital biobank was utilized to conduct a comprehensive genome-wide association study (GWAS) using PLINK v1.9. The study incorporated two distinct cohorts: one based on adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports, capturing immediate reactions, and the other based on self-reports, which primarily reflected delayed reactions. Known loci were determined by the GWAS catalog. Fine mapping was conducted by FINEMAP to predict causal variants. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed by clusterProfiler to reveal the biological function of the identified genetic signatures. The ADR-based cohort included 120 cases and 3640 controls. GWAS identified 6 candidate risk loci, namely rs150515068, rs6847491, rs192044153, rs191908641, rs376660317, and rs368821335. The self-report-based cohort, consisting of 275 cases and 8338 controls, revealed 36 additional candidate risk loci. Fine mapping further identified 4 causal variants within each cohort. Pathway analysis showed that immediate HSR-related genes are linked to growth hormone response and signaling, while non-immediate HSR genes are involved in neurotransmission. This study offers new perspectives on the genetic foundation of nonionic ICM-induced skin reactions within the Taiwanese population, suggesting that the genes contributing to immediate and non-immediate HSRs might have different functional roles.

Functional Identification and Regulatory Active Site Screening of the DfDXS Gene of Dryopteris fragrans.

Dryopteris fragrans (L.) Schott has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and terpenoids are important components of its active constituents. The methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway is one of the major pathways for the synthesis of terpene precursors in plants, and 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (DXS) is the first rate-limiting enzyme in this pathway. DXS has been shown to be associated with increased stress tolerance in plants. In this experiment, two DXS genes were extracted from the D. fragrans transcriptome and named DfDXS1 and DfDXS2. Based on phylogenetic tree and conserved motif analyses, DXS was shown to be highly conserved evolutionarily and its localization to chloroplasts was determined by subcellular localization. Prokaryotic expression results showed that the number and growth status of recombinant colonies were better than the control under 400 mM NaCl salt stress and 800 mM mannitol-simulated drought stress. In addition, the DfDXS1 and DfDXS2 transgenic tobacco plants showed improved resistance to drought and salt stress. DfDXS1 and DfDXS2 responded strongly to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and PEG-mimicked drought stress following exogenous hormone and abiotic stress treatments of D. fragrans. The transcriptional active sites were investigated by dual luciferase and GUS staining assays, and the results showed that the STRE element (AGGGG), the ABRE element (ACGTGGC), and the MYC element (CATTTG) were the important transcriptional active sites in the promoters of the two DXS genes, which were closely associated with hormone response and abiotic stress. These results suggest that the DfDXS gene of D. fragrans plays an important role in hormone signaling and response to stress. This study provides a reference for analyzing the molecular mechanisms of stress tolerance in D. fragrans.

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of MYB Transcription Factors in Sudan Grass under Drought Stress.

Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense S.) is a warm-season annual grass with high yield, rich nutritional value, good regeneration, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, prolonged drought affects the yield and quality of Sudan grass. As one of the largest families of multifunctional transcription factors in plants, MYB is widely involved in regulating plant growth and development, hormonal signaling, and stress responses at the gene transcription level. However, the regulatory role of MYB genes has not been well characterized in Sudan grass under abiotic stress. In this study, 113 MYB genes were identified in the Sudan grass genome and categorized into three groups by phylogenetic analysis. The promoter regions of SsMYB genes contain different cis-regulatory elements, which are involved in developmental, hormonal, and stress responses, and may be closely related to their diverse regulatory functions. In addition, collinearity analysis showed that the expansion of the SsMYB gene family occurred mainly through segmental duplications. Under drought conditions, SsMYB genes showed diverse expression patterns, which varied at different time points. Interaction networks of 74 SsMYB genes were predicted based on motif binding sites, expression correlations, and protein interactions. Heterologous expression showed that SsMYB8, SsMYB15, and SsMYB64 all significantly enhanced the drought tolerance of yeast cells. Meanwhile, the subcellular localization of all three genes is in the nucleus. Overall, this study provides new insights into the evolution and function of MYB genes and provides valuable candidate genes for breeding efforts in Sudan grass.

Predicting yolk testosterone allocation using ecological contexts and species-specific traits.

The prenatal transfer of testosterone (T) from mother to offspring is an important source of phenotypic plasticity. In birds, exposure to ecologically relevant stimuli, such as social competition or an attractive mate, can cause females to deposit more T into their egg yolks. Exposure to elevated yolk T can modify the expression of several fitness-related traits in offspring (e.g. growth, immune function, secondary sex traits and behaviour). Despite some of these changes being potentially adaptive, not all studies find that yolk T levels change in response to ecologically relevant stimuli. This heterogeneity is currently unexplained, limiting our ability to predict inter-generational responses to ecological change. Here, we performed a systematic literature search and found 119 observations across 39 wild species that measured inter-female variation in yolk T allocation in response to various stimuli. We used boosted regression trees, a form of machine learning, to examine whether species-specific traits or variation in study-level variables could explain variation in yolk T allocation (i.e. statistically significant vs. non-significant responses). We found that both species-specific traits and study-level variables are important predictors of significant changes in yolk T levels. Geographic range (latitude and longitude), evolutionary distinctiveness, longevity, egg mass relative to female mass, sociality, migration status and time to fledge were among the top 10 most influential predictors of the 48 examined. We also found that studies measuring or manipulating social stimuli (e.g. competition and breeding density) or breeding date were more likely to detect changes in yolk T allocation compared with studies examining other ecological contexts. Overall, these data provide several testable hypotheses concerning yolk T allocation and its adaptive value across species and contexts. Additionally, these findings can help us predict how ecological changes will affect hormonal responses in females that can shape future generations.

Epigenetic Landscapes of Endometriosis: From Pathogenesis to Precision Medicine

Endometriosis, a challenging gynecological disorder characterized by the ectopic presence of endometrial-like tissue, presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic hurdles due to its complex etiology and diverse clinical manifestations. Recent advancements in understanding its pathogenesis have underscored the pivotal role of epigenetic alterations, offering new insights into disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Epigenetic changes in endometrial cells significantly contribute to endometriosis pathogenesis, disrupting normal physiology and hormone responsiveness, particularly to progesterone. Dysregulation of histone modifications, DNA methylation, and non-coding RNA expression disrupts cellular homeostasis and promotes disease progression. Histone modifications, notably methylation and acetylation, influence chromatin structure and gene expression, affecting progesterone responsiveness and disease progression. Epigenetic regulators such as Cfp1 modulate progesterone receptor expression and downstream signalling pathways, presenting potential therapeutic targets. Non-coding RNAs, including miRNAs and lncRNAs, exert regulatory effects on gene expression and are implicated in endometriosis pathogenesis. Dysregulated expression disrupts cellular homeostasis and promotes disease progression. Biomarker studies have identified specific miRNAs and lncRNAs associated with endometriosis, offering avenues for non-invasive diagnosis and targeted therapies. siRNA-based therapies targeting key genes involved in endometriosis pathogenesis show promise as novel treatment modalities. By modulating gene expression and cellular functions, siRNA-based therapies offer a targeted approach to mitigate pathological processes. In this review, we summarize recent findings in the molecular mechanisms and regulatory pathways of endometriosis, offering valuable insights into pathology and therapeutic interventions. Future research efforts aimed at elucidating the complex interplay between epigenetic regulators and disease pathways hold promise for innovative diagnostic tools and targeted therapies.

Prenatal exposure to PM2.5 led to impaired respiratory function in adult mice

BackgroundPM2.5 is a complex mixture, with water-soluble inorganic ions (WSII), mainly NH4+, SO42−, and NO3−, constituting major components. Early-life PM2.5 exposure has been shown to induce adverse health consequence but it is difficult to determine whether such an effect occurs prenatally (preconception, gestational) or postnatally in human studies. MethodsFour groups of C57BL/6 J mice were assigned to four exposure conditions: PM2.5 NO3−, PM2.5 SO42−, PM2.5 NH4+ and clean air, and exposure started at 4 weeks old. At 8 weeks old, mice bred within group. The exposure continued during gestation. After delivery, both the maternal and F1 mice (offspring) were kept in clean air without exposure to PM2.5. Respiratory function and pulmonary pathology were assessed in offspring mice at 8 weeks of age. In parallel, placenta tissue was collected for transcriptome profiling and mechanistic investigation. ResultsF1 mice in PM2.5 NH4+, SO42- and NO3− groups had 32.2 % (p=6.0e-10), 30.3 % (p=3.8e-10) and 16.9 % (p=5.7e-8) lower peak expiratory flow (PEF) than the clean air group. Importantly, the exposure-induced lung function decline was greater in male than female offspring. Moreover, exposure to PM2.5 WSII before conception and during gestation was linked to increased airway wall thickness and elevated pulmonary neutrophil and macrophage counts in the offspring mice. At the molecular level, the exposure significantly disrupted gene expression in the placenta, affecting crucial functional pathways related to sex hormone response and inflammation. ConclusionsPM2.5 WSII exposure during preconception and gestational period alone without post-natal exposure substantially impacted offspring’s respiratory function as measured at adolescent age. Our results support the paradigm of fetal origin of environmentally associated chronic lung disease and highlight sex differences in susceptibility to air pollution exposure.