Relative Gene Expression Levels Research Articles

Expression Levels of PF4, ALOX12, ITGA2B, F131A in Pregnant COVID-19 Survivors.

COVID-19 is viral illness caused by SARS-CoV-2. The immediate complications of COVID-19 are well defined and associated with increased mortality. A global effort is required to determine its effects on implantation, fetal growth and labor. Post COVID-19 recovery period presents a further challenge regarding service provision, prevention, and management. To assess the expression of Platelet Factor 4 (PF4), Arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase (ALOX 12), Integrin alpha-IIb (ITGA2B) & Coagulation Factor XIII A Chain F13A1 in post-acute COVID-19 survivors pregnant women. Prospective case control study, conducted on 400 pregnant women. Case group consists of 200 singleton pregnancies who had recovered from COVID-19 since 4-6 weeks before conception. Control group consists of 200 singleton pregnancies with no history for COVID-19. Expression levels of ALOX12, PF4, ITGA2B, and F13A1genes were determined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method (qRT-PCR). Expression levels of ALOX12, ITGA2B, and F13A1, were significantly higher in the patients group (3.82±9.6, 6.63±8.45, and 8.9±9.1, respectively) (p < 0.05) compared to those in the control group (1.0±6.0, 1.0±8.1, and 0.6±7.6, respectively). No significant difference in PF4 expression between patients and control group (p = 0.3). Results obtained from enrichment analysis have also supported the above findings. Relative expression levels of these candidate genes could be distinguished between post-acute COVID-19 survivors' pregnant women and control group, significant relative gene expression of ALOX12, ITGA2B, and F13A1 may be associated with an increased risk of placenta-mediated adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Lactobacillus johnsonii CCFM1376 improves hypercholesterolemia in mice by regulating the composition of bile acids

Aim: Strains with high bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity have the potential to regulate cholesterol metabolism. This study aimed to assess the alleviating effect of Lactobacillus johnsonii (L. johnsonii ) CCFM1376, a strain with high BSH activity, on mice with hypercholesterolemia and explore the mechanism of its effect through the modulation of bile acid metabolism. Methods: The BSH activity was measured using the ninhydrin method. C57BL/6J mice were given a high-cholesterol diet to induce hypercholesterolemia with simultaneous gavage of L. johnsonii CCFM1376 for 8 weeks. The biochemical parameters in the serum and liver of hypercholesterolemic mice were measured to assess the alleviating effect of L. johnsonii CCFM1376 on hypercholesterolemia. Bile acid content in the mouse liver, serum, distal ileum contents, and feces was determined using liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS). RNA was extracted from mouse ileum and liver, and the expression levels of relative genes implicated in bile acid metabolism were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Results: Compared to the model group, the group treated with L. johnsonii CCFM1376 exhibited significantly reduced levels of serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), along with a significant increase in high density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL-C) level. Moreover, hepatic levels of TC and LDL-C in the CCFM1376 group also decreased significantly. Furthermore, the content and amount of unconjugated bile acids in the hepatic-enteric circulation of the L. johnsonii CCFM1376 group significantly increased, and the total bile acid content in the feces also significantly increased. In the L. johnsonii CCFM1376 group, the relative expression levels of ileal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15) were downregulated, while the relative expression level of CYP7A1 was upregulated. Conclusion: These results indicated L. johnsonii CCFM1376 improves hypercholesterolemia in mice by regulating the composition of bile acids. This provides a reference for probiotic strategy to regulate cholesterol metabolism.

Characterization of Cytoskeletal Profilin Genes in Plasticity Elongation of Mesocotyl and Coleoptile of Maize Under Diverse Abiotic Stresses.

The plasticity elongation of mesocotyl (MES) and coleoptile (COL) largely determines the morphology of maize seedlings under abiotic stresses. The profilin (PRF) proteins play a pivotal role in cytoskeleton dynamics and plant development via regulating actin polymerization. However, little is known about whether and how the expression of the ZmPRF gene family regulates MES and COL elongation in maize under adverse abiotic stresses. Here, a total of eight ZmPRF gene members were identified in the maize genome. They were mainly located in the cytoplasm, chloroplast, and mitochondrion, and clearly divided into four classes, based on phylogenetic analysis. Segmental duplication was the main driver for the expansion of ZmPRF genes. Ka/Ks analysis indicated that most ZmPRF genes were intensely purified and selected. Promoter cis-element analysis suggested their potential roles in response to growth and development, stress adaption, hormone response, and light response. The protein-protein interaction network and two independent RNA-sequencing analyses revealed that eight ZmPRF genes and their thirty-seven interacting genes showed varied expression patterns in MES and COL of three maize genotypes under different sowing depths, 24-epibrassinolide application, and light spectral-quality treatments, of which ZmPRF3.3 was a potential core conserved gene for breeding application. Moreover, the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) verified that the relative expression levels of most ZmPRF genes in MES and COL under above treatments were significantly correlated with the plasticity elongation of MES and COL in maize. Therefore, these results perform a comprehensive overview of the ZmPRF family and will provide valuable information for the validation of the function of ZmPRF genes in maize development under diverse abiotic stress.

Chronic toxic effects of chloroxylenol exposure on Rana chensinensis: Insights from endochondral ossfication

Chloroxylenol (para‑chloro-meta-xylenol, PCMX), is a widely used antimicrobial agent and can remain in the aquatic environment. Although toxicity studies related to PCMX on the aquatic animals like zebrafish and Brachionus koreanus have been reported, there are few reports in the ecological risk of amphibians. In this study, the toxicity of different concentration (143, 14.3, 1.43 μg/L) of PCMX treatments on the endochondral ossification and body condition of Rana chensiensis tadpoles was investigated at environmentally relevant concentrations during metamorphosis. The chronic exposure of PCMX decreased bone length and ossification of limbs, caused changes of thyroid gland structure and ossification related gene expression levels. Besides, we found that R. chensiensis developed rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, these results provided valuable evidence that the ecological risk of PCMX that will negatively affect the body condition, thyroid hormones homeostasis and skeletal development of R. chensiensis tadpoles.

Morpho-molecular evaluation for developmental competence of oocytes retrieved through transvaginal ovum pick-up from FSH-stimulated Tharparkar donor cows (Bos indicus).

The study was conducted on indigenous Tharparkar cow (Bos indicus) to evaluate FSH stimulation on follicular attributes, oocyte recovery and morpho-molecular developmental competence parameters concerning oocyte quality. A total of 20 OPU sessions were performed, which included 10 sessions in each FSH stimulated at the dose of 130 µg divided into four sub-doses and non-stimulated. Findings on the size of follicles having ≥6 mm showed a significantly higher, however an opposite trend was observed in the case of smaller sized follicle (<6 mm) between stimulated and non-stimulated respectively. The stimulated cows had a significantly higher number as well as the percentage of oocytes of Grade A, having a diameter ≥120 µm and BCB+VE as compared to the non-stimulated cows. The relative mRNA expression profile of GDF9, BMP15, PCNA and BCL-2 genes was higher and BAX was lower in the FSH-stimulated cow. These results indicated that FSH stimulation before OPU in Bos indicus cows has a significant impact on follicle size, oocyte yield, recovery, and their quality with respect to COC's, diameter and BCB+VE oocytes. Further, a significant increase in the relative mRNA expression levels of GDF9, BMP15 and PCNA genes in the FSH-stimulated group suggests that FSH plays a key role in modulating the expression of these important candidate genes and thus influencing oocyte quality. The higher mRNA expression of BCL-2 genes and concomitantly lower expression of BAX gene in FSH Stimulated cows indicates the protective role of these genes and preventing programmed cell death and thus promoting cell survival, quality and embryo development.

The Impact of Selenium Deficiency and T-2 Toxin on Zip6 Expression in Kashin-Beck Disease.

This study investigated the expression of Zip6, a gene predominantly located in the placenta, breast, and prostate tissues, in patients with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD). Environmental risk factor models for KBD were developed using low selenium (Se) feeding (with a Se content of 0.02mg Se/kg in the feed) and exposure to T-2 toxin (200ng/g*BW/D). Additionally, the study examined the alterations in Se and Zn2+ levels, along with the mRNA and protein expression levels of Zip6 and KBD related genes, including Mtf1, Mmp3, Mmp13, Adamts5, and Col2a1. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were examined by transcriptome sequencing to elucidate the mechanism by which Zip6 induces metabolic disorder of the extracellular matrix (ECM), subsequently leading to cartilage injury under the influence of Se deficiency and T-2 toxin. The findings indicated that the expression levels of Zip6 in adult and pediatric KBD chondrocytes were not synchronized. In the animal study, there was a notable increase in the Zn2+ level in the comprehensive exposure (CE) group. Moreover, in both the T-2 exposure (T-2) and CE groups, there was a significant decrease in the expression of Zip6 in each zone, and the expression of Adamts5 in the middle zone exhibited a significant increase (P < 0.05) correlating with varying degrees of cartilage tissue damage in each group. Sequencing results revealed that the significantly up-regulated DEGs in the CE group included Zimz2. This study suggested that Se and T-2 toxin may influence the expression of Zip6, and it investigated the role of Zn2+ in the pathogenesis of KBD, thereby providing a novel scientific foundation for understanding the pathogenesis of KBD.

Benzo (A) pyrene exposure alters alveolar epithelial and macrophage cells diversity and induces antioxidant responses in lungs

This study was designed to investigate the toxic effects of benzo (a) pyrene (BaP) in the lungs. Mice were repeatedly treated orally with BaP (50 mg/kg body weight, twice a week for four weeks) to induce a tumour. After 4 months of BaP administration, tumours were visible beneath the skin. The histopathological section of the lungs shows congestion of pulmonary blood vessels, alveolar hyperplasia, and concurrent epithelial hyperplasia with infiltrates of inflammatory cells also seen. Thereafter, a single-cell suspension of lung tissues was stained with fluorescently conjugated antibodies for the demarcation of alveolar epithelial (anti-mouse CD74 and podoplanin) and macrophage (F4/80 and CD11b) cells and measured by flow cytometry. The expression of antioxidant genes was assessed by qRT–PCR. The number of alveolar epithelial cells 1 (AEC1) increased, but the number of alveolar epithelial cells 2 (AEC2) and transitional alveolar epithelial cells (TAEC) was significantly decreased in tumour-bearing mice. The proportion of CD11b+ alveolar macrophages (AM) and interstitial macrophages (IM) was increased, but the proportion of F4/80+ AM cells was reduced. The BaP administration significantly increased the ROS production in alveolar cells. The relative expression levels of antioxidant genes (SOD1, catalase, GPX1, and HIF-1α) were increased, but NRF2 expression was decreased in BaP-treated alveolar cells. The expression of anti-inflammatory (NF-κB) was also significantly increased. In conclusion, BaP exposure induced an inflammatory response, altered alveolar epithelial cell and macrophage diversity, and increased antioxidant responses in the lungs.

The effects of fumonisin B1 on intercellular communications and miRNA modulations: Non-genotoxic carcinogenesis mechanisms in human kidney cells

Fumonisin B1 (FB1), which is produced by Fusarium species, is one of the most prevalent mycotoxins known to exert several toxic effects, particularly nephrotoxicity. While its genotoxic carcinogenic mechanisms have been extensively studied, its influence on non-genotoxic pathways including intercellular communication and microRNA (miRNA) regulation remain underexplored. The present study investigates the effects of FB1 on gap junctions, miRNA expression profiles, and their relationship in human kidney cells (HK-2 and HEK293). Both cell lines showed increased apoptosis rates at 50 and 100 µM, while FB1 exposure significantly reduced gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and decreased the expression levels of related genes, including Cx43, Cx45, e-cadherin, Cadherin-2, and β-catenin. After FB1 treatments alteration on the regulation of miRNAs including let-7a-5p, miR-125a-5p, miR-222–3p, miR-92a-3p, let-7b-5p, let-7e-5p, miR-21–5p, miR-155–5p, let-7i-5p, let-7d-5p, let-7f-5p, miR-181b-5p, miR-15b-5p, miR-23b-3p, miR-20b-5p, miR-196a-5p miRNAs have been shown. Let-7a-5p was selected among the altered miRNAs to elucidate the relationship between miRNAs and GJIC after FB1 exposure as it is one of the common miRNAs that changes in both cell lines and one of its target genes is Cx45, which is an important gene for GJIC. However, transfection analysis did not show any differences, resulting in Cx45 not being a direct target of let-7a-5p in HK-2 and HEK-293 cells. Through comprehensive analysis, we elucidated that FB1's impact on intercellular signaling cascades and its regulatory role on miRNA expression profiles, offering valuable insights into carcinogenesis beyond traditional genotoxic paradigms. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for elucidating the mechanisms of FB1-induced toxicity.

BcIRF5 activates bcTBK1 phosphorylation to enhance PANoptosis during GCRV infection

TBK1 is an important IFN antiviral signalling factor, and in previous work black carp TBK1 (bcTBK1) and black carp IRF5 (bcIRF5) together promoted cell death in GCRV-infected cells. In this research, bcTBK1 and bcIRF5 were investigated both in vivo and in vitro to delineate their individual and combined functions. This study demonstrated that both bcTBK1 and bcIRF5 expressions were modulated in response to GCRV infection across the intestine, gill, kidney and spleen. In bcgill cells, overexpression of bcTBK1 and bcIRF5 initially suppressed the expression of cell death-related genes, including RIPK1, caspase1, caspase3 and bax, but this suppression was negated upon GCRV infection. In vivo, mRNA expression levels of RIPK1 and related genes varied by tissue following bcTBK1 or bcIRF5 overexpression and GCRV infection. Notably, intracellular co-overexpression of bcTBK1 and bcIRF5 led to significant upregulation of caspase3, caspase1, bax, and IL1β, along with enhanced caspase3 activity post-GCRV infection. This co-expression correlated with higher survival rates in black carp during GCRV infection and increased caspase3 mRNA in the spleen and gills. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining indicated disorganized spleen tissue and edematous, hyperplastic gill changes in co-transfected groups after infection. TUNEL staining of tissue sections showed that DNA breakage was significantly stronger in the co-transfected group than in the other groups during GCRV infection. Further phosphorylation experiments showed that bcIRF5 promoted phosphorylation modification of bcTBK1. Thus, these data suggest that bcIRF5 activates bcTBK1 by enhancing its phosphorylation and promotes PANoptosis in GCRV-infected cells.

Metabolome and Transcriptome Combined Reveal the Main Floral Volatile Compounds and Key Regulatory Genes of Castanea mollissima.

Chestnut (Castanea mollissima) is an economically important forest tree species, and its flowers possess functions such as repelling mosquitoes, killing bacteria, and clearing heat. However, the regulatory mechanisms of floral volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in chestnut are still unclear. This study analyzed the contents of major volatile compounds and related gene expression levels in chestnut flowers during the initial flowering stage (IFS) and full-flowering stage (FFS) using metabolomics and transcription techniques. In total, 926 volatile compounds were detected, mainly terpenes, heterocyclic compounds, and esters. Acetylenone, styrene, and β-pinene had contents that exceeded 5% in FFS chestnut flowers. In total, 325 differential metabolites between the IFS and FFS were significantly (p < 0.05) enriched in the biosynthetic pathways of sesquiterpenes and triterpenes, as well as the ethylbenzene metabolic pathway. In total, 31 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were related to terpenoid biosynthesis. There were only two DEGs related to the ethylbenzene metabolic pathway. In summary, we identified the volatile components of chestnut flowers and analyzed the changes in the contents of major volatile compounds in the flowers and the expression patterns of the related genes. The research results are helpful for understanding the regulation of VOCs in chestnut flowers.

Different expression patterns of inflammation-related genes and serum microRNAs in young-onset ischemic stroke

Brain ischemia results in the activation of a cascade of inflammatory responses, contributing to the pathogenesis of stroke. This study aimed to assess the patterns of possible changes in the expression of specific inflammation-associated protein-encoding genes and miRNAs in the peripheral blood between the acute and chronic phase of young-onset cryptogenic (Cryp) and large-artery atherosclerotic (LAA) stroke. Blood and serum were collected from patients with cryptogenic and large-artery atherosclerotic stroke at the stroke onset and 1-year follow-up. The relative expression of inflammation-related genes was analysed at the mRNA and miRNA levels using real-time quantitative PCR. Moreover, the relationship between the relative gene expression levels and clinical data was assessed using several different statistical approaches. Seventy-three patients were included in this study, with a median age of 47 (IQR, 9) years. Approximately 72% were men. In patients with cryptogenic stroke, at the mRNA level, ICAM1, CXCL8, TNF, NFKBIA, PYCARD, IL1B, and IL18 were observed to be upregulated at the stroke onset compared to the 1-year follow-up. In patients with LAA stroke, only the expression of NFKBIA was significantly higher during acute stroke. Further, the miRNA serum levels of miR-21, miR-122, and miR-155 were higher at the onset of stroke in patients with cryptogenic stroke but not in those with LAA stroke. The differences between the relative gene expression levels during acute stroke and at the 1-year follow-up were more pronounced in patients with cryptogenic stroke with no cardiovascular risk factors. The expression changes of inflammatory genes in whole blood and miRNAs in the serum differ in patients with cryptogenic and LAA stroke.

Dietary supplementation with sodium propionate and tributyrin alleviated hepatic lipid deposition and improved the antioxidant capacity and hypoxic stress resistance of spotted seabass (Lateolabrax maculatus)

We investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with sodium propionate (SP) and tributyrin (TB) on hepatic lipid deposition and antioxidant capacity of spotted seabass (Lateolabrax maculatus) via an 8-week feeding experiment and a hypoxia stress experiment. The fish were fed five experimental diets: a control diet (CON), a diet supplemented with 2 g/kg SP (SP-0.2%), 4 g/kg SP (SP-0.4%), 2 g/kg TB (TB-0.2%), or 4 g/kg TB (TB-0.4%). No significant difference in growth performance was presented among the groups (P &amp;gt; 0.05). The SP-0.4% and TB-0.2% groups presented significantly lower hepatosomatic and viscerasomatic indexes compared with the CON group. Then, the SP-0.4% and TB-0.2% groups presented stronger resistance to hypoxic stress than the other groups and were analyzed further. The hepatic histology and triglyceride levels revealed that SP-0.4% and TB-0.2% reduced hepatic lipid deposition. Similarly, the downregulation of malondialdehyde and the upregulation of total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities and the related gene expression levels revealed that SP-0.4% and TB-0.2% improved the antioxidant capacity. Additionally, the RNA sequencing demonstrated that SP-0.4% and TB-0.2% regulated gene expression to a similar extent. Among the 117 differentially expressed genes, 67 genes were enriched in the same pattern, and involved the FoxO signaling, PI3K-Akt signaling, and insulin-related pathways. In conclusion, supplementing SP-0.4% and TB-0.2% as feed additives effectively improved hepatic lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, and hypoxic stress resistance of spotted seabass.

Chromium uptake and its impact on antioxidant level, photosynthetic machinery, and related gene expression in Brassica napus cultivars.

The development of heavy metals, particularly chromium (Cr)-tolerant crop cultivars, is hampered due to lack of understanding of the mechanisms behind Cr stress tolerance. In this study, two Brassica napus cultivars, ZS758 and ZD622, were compared for Cr stress resistance by using the chlorophyll a fluorescence technique and biochemical characteristics. In both cultivars, Cr stress dramatically decreased PSII and PSI efficiency, biomass accumulation, and antioxidant enzyme levels. Although, cultivar ZS758 showed reduction in oxidative stress by decreasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in terms of reduced H2O2 and MDA content and increased enzymatic activities of key antioxidants enzymes including SOD, APX, CAT, and POD activities that play a crucial role in the regulation of numerous transcriptional pathways involved in oxidative stress responses. Higher non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and QY were found in tolerant ZS758 cultivar under Cr stress, indicating that tolerant cultivar had a greater capacity to preserve PSII activity under Cr stress by enhancing heat dissipation as a photo-protective component of NPQ. Lower PSI activity and electron transfer from PSII were confirmed by lower PSI efficiency and higher donor end limitation of PSI in both rapeseed cultivars. The Cr concentration was greater in the ZD622 as compared to ZS758, which affected the mineral nutrients profile and damaged the cellular ultrastructure and related gene expression levels. However, current study suggest that cultivar ZS758 is more resistant to Cr stress than ZD622 due to improved metabolism and structural integrity and Cr stress tolerance that is linked with the increased PSII activity, NPQ, and antioxidant potential; these physiological characteristics can be exploited to select cultivars for Cr stress tolerance.

Light-Regulated Growth, Anatomical, Metabolites Biosynthesis and Transcriptional Changes in Angelica sinensis

Angelica sinensis is an alpine medicinal plant that has been widely used as a general blood tonic and gynecological indications over 2000 years, which depend on the bioactive metabolites (e.g., volatile oils, organic acids, and flavonoids). Although the accumulation of these metabolites is significantly affected by the environmental factors (e.g., altitude, temperature, and sunshine) as found in previous studies, the regulatory mechanism of different lights has not been clearly revealed. Here, growth parameters, contents of bioactive metabolites, and expression levels of related genes were examined when A. sinensis was exposed to different white-light (WL) and UV-B radiation treatments. The results showed that the differences in growth parameters (e.g., plant height, root length, and plant biomass) and leaf tissue characteristics (e.g., leaf thickness, stomatal density and shape, and chloroplast density) were observed under different light treatments. The contents of Z-ligustilide and ferulic acid elevated with the increase of WL (50 to 150 µmol·m2/s) and maximized under the combination of WL-100 and UV-B (107 µW/m2, UV-107) radiation, while the total flavonoids and polysaccharides contents, as well as in vitro antioxidant capacity, elevated with the increasing of WL and UV-B. mRNA transcripts encoding for the biosynthesis of volatile oils, ferulic acid, flavonoids, and polysaccharides were found to be differentially regulated under the different WL and UV-B treatments. These morphological, anatomical, and transcriptional changes are consistent with the elevated bioactive metabolites in A. sinensis under the combination of WL and UV-B. These findings will provide useful references for improving bioactive metabolite production via the cultivation and bioengineering of A. sinensis.

Identifying the key motif essential for enhancing plant defense against Botrytis cinerea by β-glucanase from Bacillus velezensis LJ02

The glycosyl hydrolase β-glucanase elicits plant immune responses against pathogens and enhances plant immunity by activating signaling pathways. The specific functional domains responsible for disease prevention remain unclear. In this study, transient expression of β-glucanase significantly increased leaves resistance to Botrytis cinerea in Nicotiana benthamiana systemic leaves. Through sequence alignment and similarity analysis, five conserved motifs in the amino acid sequence of β-glucanase were identified, and five deletion mutants were generated to investigate its essential regions further. Notably, the N-terminal amino acid sites 5-54 deletion mutation of β-glucanase decreased resistance to B. cinerea infection. These results indicate that N-terminal amino acids 5-54 (N54) are crucial for β-glucanase induced N. benthamiana defense response and for enhancing resistance to B. cinerea. Further analysis using real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed a significant reduction in gene expression within the N54 region compared to that of unmutated β-glucanase. Additionally, there was a notable reduction in the relative expression levels of FRK, CYP71D20, WRKY7, WRKY8, ACRE31 and PTI genes. Therefore, the first 50 amino acids at positions 5-54 within the N-terminal domain were essential for triggering plant defense responses and enhancing resistance against B. cinerea infection. This study provides an important theoretical foundation for systematic investigation into key functional domains within β-glucanase that trigger defensive responses in plants against B. cinerea.

Methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid treatment changes the nutritional quality, antioxidant profile and gene expression of postharvest blackberry fruit

Blackberry fruit is rich in various nutrients and has strong antioxidant activity. However, these fruit are soft, juicy, prone to decay and spoilage, and not suitable for storage. To ensure the quality of blackberry fruit and extend its shelf life, this study used methyl jasmonate (MJ), salicylic acid (SA), or MJ+SA to treat mature blackberry fruit after harvesting. And measure the fruit appearance indicators, antioxidant contents, antioxidant enzyme activities, and related gene expression levels stored at 4 °C for different durations. The results showed that the MJ, SA, and the combination of MJ+SA treatments could slow fruit softening by increasing antioxidant contents and antioxidant enzyme activities, with MJ+SA having the greatest effect on the postharvest treatment of blackberry. Compared with those in the control, the DPPH radical scavenging capacity, total phenol and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant enzyme (POD, GSH, and SOD) activities were increased in three hormone treatment groups. Moreover, the expression levels of key genes involved in flavonoid and phenol compound synthesis were upregulated in all the postharvest treatment groups. There was a positive correlation between the contents of total phenol and flavonoid and between their related structural enzyme-encoding genes and transcription factors. This study lays the foundation for further exploration of hormone application for prolonging the shelf life and changing in the antioxidant activity of blackberry fruit.

Full-Length Transcriptome Profiling of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Sericothrips houjii (Thysanoptera: Thripidae: Sericothripinae) Featuring Extensive Gene Rearrangement and Duplicated Control Regions.

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Thysanoptera has extensive gene rearrangement, and some species have repeatable control regions. To investigate the characteristics of the gene expression, transcription and post-transcriptional processes in such extensively gene-rearranged mitogenomes, we sequenced the mitogenome and mitochondrial transcriptome of Sericothrips houjii to analyze. The mitogenome was 14,965 bp in length and included two CRs contains 140 bp repeats between COIII-trnN (CR1) and trnT-trnP (CR2). Unlike the putative ancestral arrangement of insects, S. houjii exhibited only six conserved gene blocks encompassing 14 genes (trnL2-COII, trnD-trnK, ND2-trnW, ATP8-ATP6, ND5-trnH-ND4-ND4L and trnV-lrRNA). A quantitative transcription map showed the gene with the highest relative expression in the mitogenome was ND4-ND4L. Based on analyses of polycistronic transcripts, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and antisense transcripts, we proposed a transcriptional model of this mitogenome. Both CRs contained the transcription initiation sites (TISs) and transcription termination sites (TTSs) of both strands, and an additional TIS for the majority strand (J-strand) was found within antisense lrRNA. The post-transcriptional cleavage processes followed the "tRNA punctuation" model. After the cleavage of transfer RNAs (tRNAs), COI and ND3 matured as bicistronic mRNA COI/ND3 due to the translocation of intervening tRNAs, and the 3' untranslated region (UTR) remained in the mRNAs for COII, COIII, CYTB and ND5. Additionally, isoform RNAs of ND2, srRNA and lrRNA were identified. In summary, the relative mitochondrial gene expression levels, transcriptional model and post-transcriptional cleavage process of S. houjii are notably different from those insects with typical mitochondrial gene arrangements. In addition, the phylogenetic tree of Thripidae including S. houjii was reconstructed. Our study provides insights into the phylogenetic status of Sericothripinae and the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation processes of extensively gene-rearranged insect mitogenomes.

Overexpression of StERECTA enhances drought tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Drought is a major abiotic stresses that severely hinder plant growth and agricultural productivity. The receptor-like kinase gene, ERECTA, has been proved to play important role in promoting the response to abiotic stress in crops. However, the specific molecular mechanisms underlying the drought resistance mediated by ERECTA in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) are not well understood. In this study, sequence analysis confirmed that the StERECTA gene contains eight leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domains and an S_TKc domain, and these domains were highly conserved in Solanaceae family. Under drought stress, Arabidopsis thaliana strains overexpressing StERECTA showed increased biomass, proline (PRO) content, and antioxidant enzyme activities compared to the wild-type strains while the mutant ERECTA strain (er105) exhibited opposite phenotype. Additionally, StERECTA overexpression upregulated the expression of drought response marker genes (LEA3, DREB2A and P5CS1), improved levels of ABA and auxin, reduced stomatal density and relative expression level of stomatal development related genes (SPCH, FAMA and MUTE). Furthermore, Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assays demonstrated that StERECTA physically interacted with the YODA protein. In conclusion, our study provides new insights into the role and regulatory mechanism of StERECTA in response to drought stress. These findings may serve as a basis for genetic improvement of potato to enhance their tolerance to abiotic stress.

Co-targeting NRF2 potentially enhances the in vitro anticancer effects of paclitaxel in gastric cancer cells

BackgroundGastric cancer (GC) is a highly chemoresistant malignancy with a poor prognosis. Paclitaxel’s low response rate as second-line chemotherapy for advanced GC has prompted intensive research into its molecular basis and prospective targeted therapies to enhance its therapeutic efficacy. The objective of this study was to investigate the synergistic effects of NRF2 silencing in combination with paclitaxel treatment on GC cell viability, apoptosis, proliferation, autophagy, and migration.Methods\\After the siRNA-mediated silencing of NRF2 in AGS cells, the transfection efficacy was evaluated by qRT-PCR. The MTT assay was then applied to assess cell viability, followed by flow cytometry analysis for apoptosis, proliferation, and autophagy in AGS cells treated with NRF2 siRNA, paclitaxel, or their combination. Thereafter, the migration of cells was measured using a wound-healing assay. Ultimately, the relative gene expression levels of apoptotic (Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9), anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2), metastatic (MMP-2), and cell cycle (P53) genes were measured by qRT-PCR in all experiment groups to further assess the molecular basis for the combination therapy.ResultsNRF2 siRNA transfection significantly enhanced paclitaxel-induced apoptosis and sensitized AGS cells to paclitaxel via modulating the expression of apoptosis-related genes including Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9. Besides, NRF2 siRNA and paclitaxel synergistically induced cell cycle arrest at the G2 phase, promoted autophagy activation, and inhibited AGS cell migration via MMP-2 downregulation. Additionally, P53, a key regulator of cell growth, was significantly upregulated in the treated groups compared to the control group.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that paclitaxel combined with siRNA-mediated silencing of NRF2 might represent a promising therapeutic strategy for GC, however further translational and clinical research are warranted.

Effects of platelet-rich fibrin on human endometrial stromal cells behavior in comparison to platelet-rich plasma.

Intrauterine transfusion of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become a new treatment for thin endometrium (TE) in recent years, but its low efficacy due to rapid release of growth factors limits its clinical use. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) starts the coagulation cascade reaction immediately after the blood comes into contact with the test tube. The natural coagulation process results in stable platelet activation and the slow release of growth factors. In our study, primary human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) were extracted from endometrial tissue. PRP and PRF were prepared from the patient cubital vein blood. Stromal cells were cultured in conditioned medium supplemented with PRP and PRF. Differences in cell behavior were observed by cell proliferation test and cell migration test. The relative expression levels of apoptotic Bax and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 genes were measured by qRT-PCR. The release of growth factors from PRP and PRF was detected by ELISA. We found that both PRP and PRF inhibited apoptosis of hESCs, which favored cell proliferation and migration. In addition, PRF releases growth factors for a longer period of time compared to PRP. PRF offer a more sustained therapeutic effect compared to PRP, which provides a new idea for endometrial regeneration and repair.