Glutathione S-transferase Gene Research Articles

The moderation effect of GSTM1/GSTT1 gene polymorphisms on the association of sperm mitochondrial DNA copy number and sperm mobility

Oxidative stress (OS) is believed to be a significant factor in the decline of semen quality, with mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) serving as a sensitive biomarker for both semen quality and mitochondrial dysfunction resulting from oxidative stress. While glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are commonly known as ‘antioxidant’ enzymes, there is ongoing debate regarding the relationship between GST genotypes and semen quality. In a study involving 568 male volunteers from the outpatient department of Puyang Reproductive Medicine Center, sperm mtDNAcn, semen quality, and GSTM1/GSTT1 genotypes were analyzed to investigate the potential link between GSTM1/GSTT1 gene variations and semen quality, as well as the impact of GSTs gene variations on the connection between sperm mtDNAcn and semen quality. Adjusting for variables such as age, BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption, it was found that mtDNAcn was significantly correlated with decreased sperm concentration and total sperm count (b = − 0.109, − 0.128, respectively; P = 0.002, 0.001, respectively). GSTM1 was associated with progressive motility (OR 0.390, 95% CI 0.218, 0.697), Straight line velocity (VSL) (OR = 0.606, 95% CI 0.385, 0.953), and Straightness (STR) (OR 0.604, 95% CI 0.367, 0.994), while GSTT1 was linked to progressive motility (OR 0.554, 95% CI 0.324, 0.944) and Beat crossover frequency (OR 0.624, 95% CI 0.397, 0.982). The GSTT1 was found to moderate the relationship between mtDNAcn and sperm motility parameters linearity (LIN), STR, and Wobble (WOB), with additive interaction effects observed between GSTT1 and mtDNAcn on LIN, STR, and WOB (P for interaction = 0.008, 0.034, 0.010, respectively). Overall, this study suggests that GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene variations may play a role in sperm motility, with GSTT1 potentially influencing the impact of oxidative stress on sperm motility.

Assessing Alcohol Genes Targets in Mouse Liver

Background: Alcohol is a risk factor for liver diseases. There is a correlation between alcohol consumption and fatty liver disease. Experiences have shown gene expression alteration in the liver following alcohol consumption. Since the molecular mechanism of connection between alcohol consumption and fatty liver disease needs a clear perspective, this study aims to explore the significant genes that are targeted by alcohol in the liver of mice.Methods: Gene expression profiles of mice livers fed with alcohol were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and compared with the control samples. Data are pre-evaluated with the GEO2R program, and the significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are analyzed via gene expression evaluations and regulatory network assessment. Results: Among the 25619 dysregulated genes, 78 significant DEGs were pointed out. Gene expression analysis showed that most extremely dysregulated genes are up-regulated and belong to the cytochrome P450 genes family. Finally, cytochrome P450 and glutathione S-transferase genes family, as well as hydroxy-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3 beta- and steroid delta-isomerase 4, were introduced as the critical targeted genes.Conclusion: In conclusion, detoxification of xenobiotics, cellular metabolism and homeostasis, the pathogenesis of some liver diseases, synthesis of several prostaglandins and steroid hormones, and inflammation fibrosis in the liver are possibly associated with alcohol consumption.

Genome-wide analysis of glutathione S-transferase genes in four Prunus species and the function of PmGSTF2, activated by PmMYBa1, in regulating anthocyanin accumulation in Prunus mume

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are proteases with multiple physiological functions and play an important role in plant responses to abiotic stresses. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of systematic research on GST genes in Prunus genus. Here, 330 GST genes in four Prunus species were identified for the first time and classified into eight subgroups based on protein sequence and conserved structure, among which Tau subfamily genes had the largest number. The amino acid lengths of GST-encoded proteins in the four species ranged from 66 to 1152 aa, most of which were soluble proteins and located in the cytoplasm and chloroplasts. The GST family was propelled by tandem duplications, yet robust purifying selection constrained its divergence. Conserved motif and domain analysis revealed that the majority of PmGSTs exhibited a highly conserved GST-N structure. The expression pattern of PmGSTs exhibited tissue specificity and spatiotemporal specificity. qRT-PCR validated the transcriptome results and 11 genes were differentially expressed in varieties with different flower and stem colors. In addition, we discovered an anthocyanin-related gene PmGSTF2, which can effectively restore the anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin deficiency-related phenotypes of the Arabidopsis tt19 mutant. Recombinant PmGSTF2 enhanced the water solubility of cyanidin and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside in vitro. Moreover, PmMYBa1 could directly bind to the promoter of PmGSTF2 and activate its expression. The findings revealed that GSTs were preserved in Prunus species and that PmGSTF2 was critical in regulating anthocyanin accumulation.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of GST Genes during Light-Induced Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Mango (Mangifera indica L.).

Anthocyanins are important secondary metabolites contributing to the red coloration of fruits, the biosynthesis of which is significantly affected by light. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) play critical roles in the transport of anthocyanins from the cytosol to the vacuole. Despite their importance, GST genes in mango have not been extensively characterized. In this study, 62 mango GST genes were identified and further divided into six subfamilies. MiGSTs displayed high similarity in their exon/intron structure and motif and domain composition within the same subfamilies. The mango genome harbored eleven pairs of segmental gene duplications and ten sets of tandemly duplicated genes. Orthologous analysis identified twenty-nine, seven, thirty-four, and nineteen pairs of orthologous genes among mango MiGST genes and their counterparts in Arabidopsis, rice, citrus, and bayberry, respectively. Tissue-specific expression profiling highlighted tissue-specific expression patterns for MiGST genes. RNA-seq and qPCR analyses revealed elevated expression levels of seven MiGSTs including MiDHAR1, MiGSTU7, MiGSTU13, MiGSTU21, MiGSTF3, MiGSTF8, and MiGSTF9 during light-induced anthocyanin accumulation in mango. This study establishes a comprehensive genetic framework of MiGSTs in mango fruit and their potential roles in regulating anthocyanin accumulation, which is helpful in developing GST-derived molecular markers and speeding up the process of breeding new red-colored mango cultivars.

Responses of Brassica napus to soil cadmium under elevated CO2 concentration based on rhizosphere microbiome, root transcriptome and metabolome

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and soil heavy metal pollution affect crop safety and production. Exposure to elevated CO2 (ECO2) increases cadmium (Cd) uptake in some crops like wheat and rice, however, it remains unclear how ECO2 affects Cd uptake by Brassica napus. Here, we investigated the responses of B. napus seedlings exposed to ECO2 and Cd through analyses of physiology, transcriptome, metabolome, and rhizosphere microbes. Compared with Cd-stress alone (Cd50_ACO2), ECO2 boosted the uptake of Cd by B. napus roots by 38.78% under coupled stresses (Cd50_ECO2). The biomass and leaf chlorophyll a content increased by 38.49% and 79.66% respectively in Cd50_ECO2 relative to Cd50_ACO2. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) enhanced by 8.42% and 185.01%, respectively, while glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents increased by 16.44% and 52.48%, and abundances of rhizosphere microbes changed significantly under coupled stresses (Cd50_ECO2) relative to Cd-stress alone (Cd50_ACO2). Also, the upregulation of glutathione, glutathione transferase genes, and heavy metal ATPase expression promoted the detoxification effect of rapeseed on Cd. Changes in the expression of transcription factors like MAPK, WRKY, BAK1 and PR1, as well as changes in metabolic pathways like β-alanine, may be involved in the regulatory mechanism of stress response. These findings provide new insights for studying the regulatory mechanism of rapeseed under ECO2 on soil Cd stress, and also provide a basis for further research on Cd tolerant rapeseed varieties in the future climate context.

Zinc Enhances Cadmium Accumulation in Shoots of Hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum by Improving ATP-Dependent Transport and Alleviating Toxicity.

Solanum nigrum is a cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) accumulator with potential for phytoextraction of soil contaminated with heavy metals. However, how Zn affects Cd accumulation in S. nigrum remains unclear. In this study, S. nigrum seedlings were treated with 100 μmol·L-1 Zn (Zn100), 100 μmol·L-1 Cd (Cd100), and the Zn and Cd combination (Zn100+Cd100) for 10 days under hydroponic culture. Compared with Cd100, the Cd content in stems, leaves, and xylem saps was 1.8, 1.6, and 1.3 times more than that in Zn100+Cd100, respectively. In addition, the production of reactive oxygen species in leaves was significantly upregulated in Cd100 compared with the control, and it was downregulated in Zn100. Comparative analyses of transcriptomes and proteomes were conducted with S. nigrum leaves. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were involved in Cd uptake, transport, and sequestration, and the upregulation of some transporter genes of Zn transporters (ZIPs), a natural resistance associated macrophage protein (Nramp1), a metal-nicotianamine transporter (YSL2), ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCs), oligopeptide transporters (OPTs), and metallothionein (MTs) and glutathione S-transferase (GSTs) genes was higher in Zn100+Cd100 than in Cd100. In addition, differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) involved in electron transport chain, ATP, and chlorophyll biosynthesis, such as malate dehydrogenases (MDHs), ATPases, and chlorophyll a/b binding proteins, were mostly upregulated in Zn100. The results indicate that Zn supplement increases Cd accumulation and tolerance in S. nigrum by upregulating ATP-dependent Cd transport and sequestration pathways.

Comparative genomics uncovers the evolutionary dynamics of detoxification and insecticide target genes across 11 phlebotomine sand flies.

Sand flies infect more than one million people annually with Leishmania parasites and other bacterial and viral pathogens. Progress in understanding sand fly adaptations to xenobiotics has been hampered by the limited availability of genomic resources. To address this gap, we sequenced, assembled and annotated the transcriptomes of 11 phlebotomine sand fly species. Subsequently, we leveraged these genomic resources to generate novel evolutionary insights pertaining to their adaptations to xenobiotics, including those contributing to insecticide resistance. Specifically, we annotated over 2,700 sand fly detoxification genes and conducted large-scale phylogenetic comparisons to uncover the evolutionary dynamics of the five major detoxification gene families: Cytochrome P450s (CYPs), Glutathione-S-Transferases (GSTs), UDP-Glycosyltransferases (UGTs), Carboxyl/Cholinesterases (CCEs) and ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) transporters. Using this comparative approach we show that sand flies have evolved diverse CYP and GST gene repertoires, with notable lineage-specific expansions in gene groups evolutionarily related to known xenobiotic metabolizers. Furthermore, we show that sand flies have conserved orthologs of a) CYP4G genes involved in cuticular hydrocarbon biosynthesis, b) ABCB genes involved in xenobiotic toxicity and c) two primary insecticide targets, acetylcholinesterase-1 (Ace1) and Voltage Gated Sodium Channel (VGSC). The biological insights and genomic resources produced in this study provide a foundation for generating and testing hypotheses regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying sand fly adaptations to xenobiotics.

Transcriptomic Analyses to Unravel Cronobacter sakazakii Resistance Pathways.

The proliferation of antibiotic usage has precipitated the emergence of drug-resistant variants of bacteria, thereby augmenting their capacity to withstand pharmaceutical interventions. Among these variants, Cronobacter sakazakii (C. sakazakii), prevalent in powdered infant formula (PIF), poses a grave threat to the well-being of infants. Presently, global contamination by C. sakazakii is being observed. Consequently, research endeavors have been initiated to explore the strain's drug resistance capabilities, alterations in virulence levels, and resistance mechanisms. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the resistance mechanisms and virulence levels of C. sakazakii induced by five distinct antibiotics, while concurrently conducting transcriptomic analyses. Compared to the susceptible strains prior to induction, the drug-resistant strains exhibited differential gene expression, resulting in modifications in the activity of relevant enzymes and biofilm secretion. Transcriptomic studies have shown that the expression of glutathione S-transferase and other genes were significantly upregulated after induction, leading to a notable enhancement in biofilm formation ability, alongside the existence of antibiotic resistance mechanisms associated with efflux pumps, cationic antimicrobial peptides, and biofilm formation pathways. These alterations significantly influence the strain's resistance profile.

A glutathione S-transferase IbGSTL2 interacts with IbcPGM to increase starch content and improve starch quality in sweetpotato

A glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene IbGSTL2 was cloned and characterized from sweetpotato. It harbored a variation associated with starch content in storage roots. Overexpression of IbGSTL2 increased starch content and amylopectin proportion, decreased gelatinization temperature, and improved degree of crystallinity in sweetpotato storage roots, while its RNA interference resulted in the opposite trends. IbGSTL2 physically interacted with IbcPGM, an enzyme of sucrose metabolism, and improve starch content and quality by regulating genes involved in starch biosynthesis.

Physiological and Transcriptomic Analyses Demonstrate the Ca2+-Mediated Alleviation of Salt Stress in Magnolia wufengensis.

Magnolia wufengensis, a newly discovered ornamental species in the Magnoliaceae family, is susceptible to salinity. Moreover, Ca2+ is an essential element for plant growth and is receiving increasing attention for its ability to mitigate the negative effects of environmental stress on plants. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Ca2+ on the growth and transcriptome of M. wufengensis under salt stress. The treatments used here were as follows: control, NaCl (150 mmol/L), CaCl2 (5 mmol/L), and NaCl (150 mmol/L) + CaCl2 (5 mmol/L). After a 60-day treatment period, plant growth indices were determined, and leaves were collected for physiological analysis and transcriptome investigation. The combined application of NaCl and CaCl2 alleviated phenotypic damage and restored seedling growth. Moreover, RNA sequencing data revealed that in the Na vs. control group and the NaCa vs. Na group, there were 968 and 2632 differentially expressed genes, respectively, which were both primarily enriched in secondary metabolism, glutathione metabolism, signaling hormone metabolism, glucose metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. These pathways were analyzed to screen key genes: the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette efflux transporter G1 (ABCG1) genes, which are related to transmembrane transport; the calmodulin genes, which are related to signal transmission; and the glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and peroxidase (POD) genes related to antioxidant enzymes. Lastly, we constructed a hypothesis model of Ca2+-enhanced salt tolerance in M. wufengensis. This study reveals the potential mechanisms by which Ca2+ enhances the salt tolerance of M. wufengensis and provides a theoretical reference for its cultivation in saline areas.

Differential Strategies of Ectomycorrhizal Development between Suillus luteus and Pinus massoniana in Response to Nutrient Changes.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi employ different strategies for mycelial growth and host colonization under varying nutrient conditions. However, key genes associated with mycorrhizal interaction should be influenced solely by the inoculation treatment and not by nutrient variations. To utilize subtle nutrient differences and rapidly screen for key genes related to the interaction between Suillus luteus and Pinus massoniana, we performed an inoculation experiment using culture bottles containing high- and low-nutrient media. Interestingly, S. luteus LS88 promoted the growth of P. massoniana seedlings without mature ectomycorrhiza, and the impact of LS88 inoculation on P. massoniana roots was greater than that of nutrient changes. In this study, the resequenced genome of the LS88 strain was utilized for transcriptome analysis of the strain. The analysis indicated that a unique gene encoding glutathione S-transferase (GST) in LS88 is likely involved in colonizing P. massoniana roots. In this study, the GST gene expression was independent of nutrient levels. It was probably induced by P. massoniana and could be used as a marker for S. luteus colonization degree.

Functional characterization of TrGSTF15, a glutathione S-transferase gene family member, on the transport and accumulation of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in Trifolium repens

Anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins (PAs) are important secondary metabolites in plants, high contents of which are an important goal for quality breeding of white clover (Trifolium repens). However, the involvement of glutathione S-transferase (GST) in the transport of anthocyanins and PAs remains unexplored in white clover. This study identified 153 different TrGSTs in white clover. At the transcriptional level, compared to other TrGSTFs, TrGSTF10 and TrGSTF15 are highly expressed in the ‘Purple’ white clover, and they may work with the anthocyanin biosynthesis structural genes CHS and CHI to contribute to pigment buildup in white clover. Subcellular localization confirmed that TrGSTF10 and TrGSTF15 are located in the cytoplasm. Additionally, molecular docking experiments showed that TrGSTF10 and TrGSTF15 have similar binding affinity with two flavonoid monomers. Overexpression of TrGSTF15 complemented the deficiency of anthocyanin coloring and PA accumulation in the Arabidopsis tt19 mutant. The initial findings of this research indicate that TrGSTF15 encodes an important transporter of anthocyanin and PA in white clover, thus providing a new perspective for the further exploration of related transport and regulatory mechanisms.

AT-hook motif nuclear localized transcription factors function redundantly in promoting root growth through modulation of redox homeostasis.

Maintaining an optimal redox status is essential for plant growth and development, particularly when the plants are under stress. AT-hook motif nuclear localized (AHL) proteins are evolutionarily conserved transcription factors in plants. Much of our understanding about this gene family has been derived from studies on clade A members. To elucidate the functions of clade B genes, we first analyzed their spatial expression patterns using transgenic plants expressing a nuclear localized GFP under the control of their promoter sequences. AHL1, 2, 6, 7, and 10 were further functionally characterized owing to their high expression in the root apical meristem. Through mutant analyses and transgenic studies, we showed that these genes have the ability to promote root growth. Using yeast one-hybrid and dual luciferase assays, we demonstrated that AHL1, 2, 6, 7, and 10 are transcription regulators and this activity is required for their roles in root growth. Although mutants for these genes did not showed obvious defects in root growth, transgenic plants expressing their fusion proteins with the SRDX repressor motif exhibited a short-root phenotype. Through transcriptome analysis, histochemical staining and molecular genetics experiments, we found that AHL10 maintains redox homeostasis via direct regulation of glutathione transferase (GST) genes. When the transcript level of GSTF2, a top-ranked target of AHL10, was reduced by RNAi, the short-root phenotype in the AHL10-SRDX expressing plant was largely rescued. These results together suggest that AHL genes function redundantly in promoting root growth through direct regulation of redox homeostasis.

GSTP1-A313G genetic polymorphism and the risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women: A study in the northern population of Iran

Preeclampsia or high blood pressure in pregnancy is one of the special disorders during pregnancy. It seems that oxidative stress plays an important role in the occurrence of this disease. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the A313G polymorphism in exon five of the glutathione S-transferase gene (GSTP1) and the risk of preeclampsia in a case-control study. In this study, blood samples were collected from 70 healthy pregnant women and 70 women with preeclampsia. After genomic DNA extraction, the PCR-RFLP method was performed to check the genotype in GSTP1-A313G and the genotypic frequencies of AA, AG, and GG were determined in all samples. Also, using bioinformatics software, the effect of the above polymorphism on the protein structure was investigated. Statistical analysis for A313G polymorphism showed that AG (OR: 1.1684, 95 % CI: 0.5877–2.3228, p = 0.657) and GG (OR: 1.3793, 95 % CI: 0.3376–5.6359, p = 0.654) genotypes were not associated with risk of preeclampsia in the population of northern Iran. However, bioinformatic analyzes have shown that this polymorphism does have a destructive effect on the protein structure. However, more studies with larger sample sizes are needed to draw firm conclusions.

Mechanisms of Cadmium stress response in watermelon: Insights from physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolic analyses

Cadmium (Cd) contamination of soil may lead to Cd stress for plants, which significantly hinders plant growth and development, posing a risk to human health through the consumption of Cd-contaminated foods. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), a widely consumed fruit, is particularly affected by Cd stress globally, yet the mechanisms underlying its response are not well understood. Here, we subjected watermelon seedlings to simulated Cd stress treatment and explored the physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolic response. Our findings revealed that Cd stress treatment led to increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in watermelon leaves. Transcriptome sequencing unveiled a multitude of osmotic and oxidative stress-responsive genes, including peroxidase (POD), MYB, voltage-dependent anion channel (SLAC1), and ABC transporter. KEGG enrichment analysis highlighted the predominant enrichment of Cd stress-responsive genes in pathways such as glutathione (GSH) metabolism, MAPK signaling, and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Within the GSH metabolism pathway, several glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes were up-regulated, alongside phytochelatin synthetase (PCS) genes involved in phytochelatin synthesis. In the MAPK signaling pathway, genes associated with ABA and ethylene signal transduction showed up-regulation following Cd stress. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that Cd stress enhanced the production of amino acids, phenolamines, and esters. Overall, our study elucidates that watermelon responds to Cd stress by activating its antioxidant system, GSH metabolism pathway, MAPK signal pathway, and biosynthesis of key metabolites. These findings offer valuable insights for the remediation of heavy metal pollution in soil affecting plant life.

Genome-Wide Identification of Glutathione S-Transferase Family from Dendrobium officinale and the Functional Characterization of DoGST5 in Cadmium Tolerance.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are members of a protein superfamily with diverse physiological functions, including cellular detoxification and protection against oxidative damage. However, there is limited research on GSTs responding to cadmium (Cd) stress. This study classified 46 GST genes in Dendrobium officinale (D. officinale) into nine groups using model construction and domain annotation. Evolutionary analysis revealed nine subfamilies with diverse physical and chemical properties. Prediction of subcellular localization revealed that half of the GST members were located in the cytoplasm. According to the expression analysis of GST family genes responding to Cd stress, DoGST5 responded significantly to Cd stress. Transient expression of DoGST5-GFP in tobacco leaves revealed that DoGST5 was localized in the cytoplasm. DoGST5 overexpression in Arabidopsis enhanced Cd tolerance by reducing Cd-induced H2O2 and O2- levels. These findings demonstrate that DoGST5 plays a critical role in enhancing Cd tolerance by balancing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, offering potential applications for improving plant adaptability to heavy metal stress.

Effects of cadmium on the growth, muscle composition, digestion, gene expression of antioxidant and lipid metabolism in juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Cadmium could induce various degrees of harm to aquatic organisms. A 30-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of cadmium on growth, muscle composition, digestive enzyme activity, gene expression of antioxidants and lipid metabolism in juvenile genetic improvement of farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus, Initial weight: 21.36 ± 0.24 g). Four cadmium concentrations of aquaculture water were designed: 0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 mg/L Cd2+. The main results are as follows: Compared with the control group (0 mg/L Cd2+), the weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), daily growth index (DGI), and spleen index (SI) of juvenile GIFT under cadmium stress were significantly decreased (p< 0.05). The contents of crude protein and crude lipid in muscle were significantly decreased (p< 0.05), and the ash was significantly increased (p< 0.05). The activities of trypsin, lipase, and α-amylase in the intestinal were significantly decreased (p< 0.05). The relative expression levels of carnitine palmityl transferase 1 (cpt-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (pparα), pparγ, hormone-sensitive lipase (hsl), lipoprotein lipase (lpl), malate dehydrogenase (mdh), leptin (lep), fatty acid synthetase (fas), cholesterol response element binding protein 1 (srebp1), squalene cyclooxygenase (sqle), and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (scd) genes in liver were significantly decreased (p< 0.05). The relative expression levels of catalase (cat), superoxide dismutase (sod), glutathione S-transferase (gst), and glutathione peroxidase (gsh-px) genes in the liver were significantly decreased (p< 0.05). In conclusion, exposure to cadmium stress could impact growth, muscle composition, digestive enzyme activity, gene expression of antioxidant and lipid metabolism in juvenile GIFT.

Molecular responses reveal that two glutathione S-transferase CsGSTU8s contribute to detoxification of glyphosate in tea plants (Camellia sinensis)

Tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is an important economical crop that frequently suffers from various herbicides, especially glyphosate. However, the molecular responses and regulatory mechanisms of glyphosate stress in tea plants remain poorly understood. Here, we reported a transcriptome dataset and identified large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under glyphosate exposure. Next, two glutathione S-transferase genes (CsGSTU8–1 and CsGSTU8–2) that upregulated significantly were screened as candidate genes. Tissue-specific expression patterns showed that both CsGSTU8–1 and CsGSTU8–2 had extremely high expression levels in the roots and were predominantly localized in the nucleus and plasma membrane based on subcellular localization. Both were significantly upregulated at different time points under various stressors, including drought, cold, salt, pathogen infections, and SA treatments. An enzymatic activity assay showed that CsGSTU8–1 catalyzes the conjugation of glutathione with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (CDNB). Functional analysis in yeast verified that the two genes significantly contributed to the detoxification of glyphosate, and CsGSTU8–1 had a stronger role in detoxification than CsGSTU8–2. Taken together, these findings provide insights into the molecular responses of tea plants to glyphosate and the functions of CsGSTU8s in glyphosate detoxification, which can be used as a promising genetic resource for improving herbicide resistance in tea cultivars.

Biochemical and genetic mechanisms in Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) resistance under emamectin benzoate stress

Pieris rapae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) poses a significant threat to Brassicaceae crops, leading to substantial losses annually. Repeated insecticide applications are widely used to protect crops and increase the resistance of P. rapae. Exploring the biochemical and molecular basis of insecticide tolerance in P. rapae is crucial for achieving effective insect suppuration and implementing resistance control strategies. In our research, emamectin benzoate (EBZ) resistance was developed in P. rapae strain through selective pressure over 15 generations. Moreover, the biochemical mechanisms underlying resistance to EBZ and its potential cross-resistance to other insecticides were studied. Additionally, the expression levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) genes in P. rapae were quantitatively assessed upon exposure to EBZ using real-time PCR. Our data exhibited that the LC50 value of susceptible strain (Sus) and EBZ resistance strain (EBZ-R) were 0.009 and 8.09 mg/L, with a resistance ratio (RR) reaching 898.8-fold. The EBZ-R stain displayed notably low cross-resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin, spinetoram, and cypermethrin. However, it demonstrated a moderate level of cross-resistance to deltamethrin. Conversely, no cross-resistance was noted to chlorantraniliprole and indoxacarb. Notably, enzyme inhibitors of detoxification enzymes revealed that piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and diethyl maleate (DEM) enhanced the EBZ toxicity to the resistant strain, indicating the potential involvement of CYP450 and GST in avermectin resistance. A remarkable enhancement in CYP450 and GST activity was observed in the EBZ-R stain. CYP450 and GST genes are upregulated in the EBZ-R stain compared to the Sus strain, which serves as a basis for comprehending the mechanism behind P. rapae resistance to EBZ. The molecular docking analysis demonstrated that EBZ has a high binding affinity with CYP6AE120 and PrGSTS1 with docking energy values of −20.19 and −22.57 kcal/mol, respectively. Our findings offer valuable insights into crafting efficient strategies to monitor and manage resistance in P. rapae populations in Egypt.

Global, asynchronous partial sweeps at multiple insecticide resistance genes in Aedes mosquitoes

Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito) and Ae. albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) are globally invasive pests that confer the world’s dengue burden. Insecticide-based management has led to the evolution of insecticide resistance in both species, though the genetic architecture and geographical spread of resistance remains incompletely understood. This study investigates partial selective sweeps at resistance genes on two chromosomes and characterises their spread across populations. Sweeps at the voltage-sensitive sodium channel (VSSC) gene on chromosome 3 correspond to one resistance-associated nucleotide substitution in Ae. albopictus and three in Ae. aegypti, including two substitutions at the same nucleotide position (F1534C) that have evolved and spread independently. In Ae. aegypti, we also identify partial sweeps at a second locus on chromosome 2. This locus contains 15 glutathione S-transferase (GST) epsilon class genes with significant copy number variation among populations and where three distinct genetic backgrounds have spread across the Indo-Pacific region, the Americas, and Australia. Local geographical patterns and linkage networks indicate VSSC and GST backgrounds probably spread at different times and interact locally with different genes to produce resistance phenotypes. These findings highlight the rapid global spread of resistance and are evidence for the critical importance of GST genes in resistance evolution.