Hormonal Pathways Research Articles

Nanomaterials–plants–microbes interaction: plant growth promotion and stress mitigation

Soil salinization, extreme climate conditions, and phytopathogens are abiotic and biotic stressors that remarkably reduce agricultural productivity. Recently, nanomaterials have gained attention as effective agents for agricultural applications to mitigate such stresses. This review aims to critically appraise the available literature on interactions involving nanomaterials, plants, and microorganisms. This review explores the role of nanomaterials in enhancing plant growth and mitigating biotic and abiotic stresses. These materials can be synthesized by microbes, plants, and algae, and they can be applied as fertilizers and stress amelioration agents. Nanomaterials facilitate nutrient uptake, improve water retention, and enhance the efficiency of active ingredient delivery. Nanomaterials strengthen plant antioxidant systems, regulate photosynthesis, and stabilize hormonal pathways. Concurrently, their antimicrobial and protective properties provide resilience against biotic stressors, including pathogens and pests, by promoting plant immune responses and optimizing microbial-plant symbiosis. The synergistic interactions of nanomaterials with beneficial microorganisms optimize plant growth under stress conditions. These materials also serve as carriers of nutrients, growth regulators, and pesticides, thus acting like “smart fertilizers. While nanotechnology offers great promise, addressing potential environmental and ecotoxicological risks associated with their use is necessary. This review outlines pathways for leveraging nanotechnology to achieve resilient, sustainable, and climate-smart agricultural systems by integrating molecular insights and practical applications.

Mid-life: a critical window for intervention during aging

Mid-life represents a pivotal period marked by profound physiological and metabolic transitions, increasing susceptibility to chronic diseases. This review explores the molecular and systemic underpinnings of mid-life transition by integrating insights from recent studies that elucidate aging-associated changes in the plasma proteome, immune system, adipose tissue remodeling, and cellular senescence. Nonlinear waves of proteomic alterations have been identified as critical mid-life transitions in inflammatory and hormonal pathways. In addition, sex-specific immune aging trajectories have linked adaptive immunity decline and innate immune activation to metabolic vulnerabilities in mid-life. Moreover, adipose tissue’s central role has been established in mid-life transitions as its early remodeling and inflammatory cytokine secretion drive the systemic aging and metabolic stress. Furthermore, Glb1-2A-mCherry reporter has been introduced to monitor systemic aging, identifying mid-life as a crucial phase for cardiac hypertrophy and senescence-induced inflammation. Collectively, these findings have established our understanding of mid-life transitions, underscoring the interplay between aging processes and metabolic health, with mid-life emerging as a critical window for intervention. This review also underscores biomarkers and therapeutic strategies to alleviate the metabolic challenges of mid-life, thereby promoting healthy aging.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor and risk of postmenopausal estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: a case-cohort analysis.

Higher concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) increases postmenopausal breast cancer risk, but evidence for insulin and c-peptide is limited. Further, not all studies have accounted for potential confounding by biomarkers from other biological pathways, and not all were restricted to estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. This was a case-cohort study of 1,223 postmenopausal women (347 with ER-positive breast cancer) from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. We measured insulin, c-peptide, IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and biomarkers of inflammatory and sex-steroid hormone pathways. Poisson regression with a robust variance estimator was used to estimate risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for ER-positive breast cancer per doubling plasma concentration and for quartiles, without and with adjustment for other, potentially confounding biomarkers. ER-positive breast cancer risk was not associated with doubling of insulin (RR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.82, 1.14) or c-peptide (RR = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.80, 1.26). Risk appeared to decrease with doubling IGF-1 (RR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.62, 1.03) and IGFBP-3 (RR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.90). RRs were not meaningfully different when exposures were modelled as quartiles. RRs were less than unity but imprecise after adjustment for inflammatory and sex-steroid hormone biomarkers. Circulating insulin, c-peptide, and IGF-1 were not positively associated with risk of ER-positive breast cancer in this case-cohort analysis of postmenopausal women. Associations between insulin and c-peptide and risk of ER-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women are likely to be weak.

Critical Review of the Cross-Links Between Dietary Components, the Gut Microbiome, and Depression

The complex relationship between diet, the gut microbiota, and mental health, particularly depression, has become a focal point of contemporary research. This critical review examines how specific dietary components, such as fiber, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, shape the gut microbiome and influence microbial metabolism in order to regulate depressive outcomes. These dietary-induced changes in the gut microbiota can modulate the production of microbial metabolites, which play vital roles in gut–brain communication. The gut–brain axis facilitates this communication through neural, immune, and endocrine pathways. Alterations in microbial metabolites can influence central nervous system (CNS) functions by impacting neuroplasticity, inflammatory responses, and neurotransmitter levels—all of which are linked to the onset and course of depression. This review highlights recent findings linking dietary components with beneficial changes in gut microbiota composition and reduced depressive symptoms. We also explore the challenges of individual variability in responses to dietary interventions and the long-term sustainability of these strategies. The review underscores the necessity for further longitudinal and mechanistic studies to elucidate the precise mechanisms through which diet and gut microbiota interactions can be leveraged to mitigate depression, paving the way for personalized nutritional therapies.

Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis of liver reveals unsynchronized growth mechanisms in blunt-snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala)

BackgroundMegalobrama amblycephala presents unsynchronized growth, which affects its productivity and profitability. The liver is essential for substance exchange and energy metabolism, significantly influencing the growth of fish.ResultsTo investigate the differential metabolites and genes governing growth, and understand the mechanism underlying their unsynchronized growth, we conducted comprehensive transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of liver from fast-growing (FG) and slow-growing (SG) M. amblycephala individuals. A total of 2,097 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between FG and SG, with 830 genes exhibiting significantly higher expression level in FG. KEGG and GO enrichment analysis indicated that the DEGs with higher expression level were significantly correlated with insulin signaling pathway, steroid hormone and lipid metabolism related pathway (PPAR signaling pathway and fatty acid degradation). In the metabolomic analysis, 224 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were detected, of which 128 were significantly more abundant in FG. These more abundant DEMs were prominently enriched in pathways associated with cell proliferation and energy metabolism (Oxidative phosphorylation, mTOR signaling pathway and FoxO signaling pathway). In addition, DEGs and DEMs in adenosine diphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis activity and associate with fatty acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, and amino acid metabolism pathways were both found in the transcriptomic and metabolomic integrated data. These findings suggest that the large amounts of energy generated by fatty acid, glucose metabolism and other energy metabolism pathway promote the rapid growth of FG.ConclusionsThis research is the first to integrate metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses of liver to identify key genes, metabolites, and pathways to uncover the molecular and metabolic mechanisms of unsynchronized growth in M. amblycephala. The identified metabolic and genes can be potential targets for selective breeding programs to improve growth performance in aquaculture.

Rapid changes in plasma corticosterone and medial amygdala transcriptome profiles during social status change reveal molecular pathways associated with a major life history transition in mouse dominance hierarchies.

Social hierarchies are a common form of social organization across species. Although hierarchies are largely stable across time, animals may socially ascend or descend within hierarchies depending on environmental and social challenges. Here, we develop a novel paradigm to study social ascent and descent within male CD-1 mouse social hierarchies. We show that mice of all social ranks rapidly establish new stable social hierarchies when placed in novel social groups with animals of equivalent social status. Seventy minutes following social hierarchy formation, males that were socially dominant prior to being placed into new social hierarchies exhibit higher increases in plasma corticosterone and vastly greater transcriptional changes in the medial amygdala (MeA), which is central to the regulation of social behavior, compared to males who were socially subordinate prior to being placed into a new hierarchy. Specifically, the loss of social status in a new hierarchy (social descent) is associated with reductions in MeA expression of myelination and oligodendrocyte differentiation genes. Maintaining high social status is associated with high expression of genes related to cholinergic signaling in the MeA. Conversely, gaining social status in a new hierarchy (social ascent) is related to relatively few unique rapid changes in the MeA. We also identify novel genes associated with social transition that show common changes in expression when animals undergo either social descent or social ascent compared to maintaining their status. Two genes, Myosin binding protein C1 (Mybpc1) and μ-Crystallin (Crym), associated with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and thyroid hormone pathways respectively, are highly upregulated in socially transitioning individuals. Further, increases in genes associated with synaptic plasticity, excitatory glutamatergic signaling and learning and memory pathways were observed in transitioning animals suggesting that these processes may support rapid social status changes.

Burnout Syndrome in forensic medicine and its association with vicarious trauma, posttraumatic stress syndrome and occupational stress.

The burnout phenomenon is a subject of considerable interest due to its impact on both employee well-being and scientific inquiry. Workplace factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic, play a pivotal role in its development, often leading to job dissatisfaction and heightened burnout risk. Chronic stress and burnout induce significant dysregulation in the autonomic nervous system and hormonal pathways, alongside structural brain changes. This paper presents a preliminary review of the literature on burnout syndrome among forensic science workers, focusing on the prevalence of this phenomenon and its triggers. This review aims to consolidate existing research on burnout among forensic medicine workers, highlight significant findings, and encourage further studies. Symptoms range from demoralization to somatic complaints. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was the main tool in assessing burnout levels alongside measures of occupational stress, vicarious trauma and posttraumatic stress syndrome. Forensic medicine workers face unique stressors, with notable impacts on burnout levels. These workers experience challenges such as workplace conflicts and exposure to traumatic cases, leading to moderate or high burnout levels, particularly, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization or low personal accomplishment. Despite the prevalence of burnout, many forensic medicine workers lack access to support networks and perceive a disregard for their well-being from supervisors. There is a pressing need for further research to understand the biological mechanisms, susceptibility factors, and discover diagnostic markers of burnout syndrome, with thegoal of its recognition as a psychiatric disorder in diagnostic manuals like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

The Triad of Risk: Linking MASLD, Cardiovascular Disease and Type 2 Diabetes; From Pathophysiology to Treatment

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is an emerging global health concern, and it is not only the keystone precursor of eventual liver-related morbidity, but it also places patients at considerably higher cardiovascular risk, which is still a leading cause of death in these patients. The most important common underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in these diseases are primarily related to insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. The presence of MASLD with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) elevates the risk for poor outcomes, thus this review highlights a method to the therapeutic approaches. Given the intertwined nature of MASLD, T2DM, and CVD, there is an urgent need for therapeutic strategies that address all three conditions. Although lifestyle changes are important as treatment, medication plays a crucial role in managing hyperglycemia, enhancing liver function and lowering cardiovascular risk. The onset and progression of MASLD should be addressed through a multifaceted therapeutic approach, targeting inflammatory, immune, metabolic, oxidative stress, hormonal and gutaxis pathways, alongside the treatment strategies for T2DM. In this review, we discuss the effects of antidiabetic drugs with an impact on both liver outcomes and cardiovascular risk in patients affected by MASLD, T2DM and CDV.

The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone induces lipophagy via the brain-adipose tissue axis by promoting the adipokinetic hormone pathway.

Lipophagy is a way to degrade lipids; however, the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Using the holometabolous lepidopteran insect Helicoverpa armigera, cotton bollworm, as a model, we revealed that the larval fat body undergoes lipophagy during metamorphosis, and lipophagy is essential for metamorphosis. The steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) induced lipophagy by promoting the expression of the peptide hormone adipokinetic hormone (AKH, the insect analog of glucagon) and the adipokinetic hormone receptor (AKHR). Akh was highly expressed in the brain and Akhr was expressed in various tissues. 20E upregulated the expression of Akh and Akhr by its nuclear receptor EcR during metamorphosis. AKH and AKHR increased glucose levels via gluconeogenesis and promoted lipophagy. The high glucose level induced acetylation of FOXO and nuclear localization to promote the expression of lipases and autophagy genes. Thus, the steroid hormone 20E induced lipophagy via the brain-adipose tissue axis by promoting the AKH pathway, which presented nutrients and energy to pupal and adult development during insect metamorphosis after feeding stops.

Transcriptome analysis identifies key genes in juvenile hormone and ecdysteroid signaling pathways and their roles in regulating reproductive system development of adult Monochamus saltuarius.

Monochamus saltuarius is an important vector of pinewood nematode in Eurasia with a high reproductive capacity. Endocrine hormones play a key role in insect reproduction. Understanding the mechanism of internal regulation can provide targets for pest control. However, this type of research on M. saltuarius remain limited. Our study constructed transcriptome of the internal reproductive systems in male and female M. saltuarius across three development stages. Interference experiments targeting the MSALMet1 and exploring its critical role in reproduction. Transcriptome results revealed that 42 genes related to the juvenile hormone and ecdysteroid pathways were identified. Among them, 12 genes were significantly enriched in reproduction-related pathways, and the expression patterns of 14 genes aligned with the developmental trend of the internal reproductive system, suggesting that they may play a regulatory role in reproductive processes. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction networks elucidated the complex interactions among these genes, shedding light on their diverse functions. Notably, bioinformatics analysis and interference experiments revealed that MSALMet1 having the profound effect on reproductive system development in both sexes. These findings highlight the critical role of endocrine-related genes in regulating reproductive development and provide a theoretical foundation for regulating reproduction at molecular level, potentially contributing to M. saltuarius population control.

An ex vivo model of systemically-mediated effects of ozone inhalation on the brain.

Air pollution is associated with increased risk of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions. While animal models have increased our understanding of how air pollution contributes to brain pathologies - including through oxidative stress, inflammatory, and stress hormone pathways - investigation of underlying mechanisms remains limited due to a lack of human-relevant models that incorporate systemic processes. Our objective was to establish an ex vivo approach that enables assessment of the roles of plasma mediators in pollutant-induced effects in the brain. As a proof-of-concept for application in the human context, we assessed whether such effects reproduced in vivo responses to pollutant exposure. Primary rat hippocampal neurons and microglia were each treated with plasma collected from rats immediately or 24h after ozone inhalation (0 or 0.8 ppm) ± pre-treatment with the glucocorticoid synthesis inhibitor metyrapone. Microglia were further challenged with lipopolysaccharide to evaluate modification of inflammatory responses. Plasma from the ozone-exposed group produced transcriptional changes (inflammatory, antioxidant, glucocorticoid-responsive) in neurons, some of which were glucocorticoid-dependent. Ex vivo and hippocampal responses were strongly correlated, establishing the in vivo relevance of the model. Plasma from the ozone-exposed group modified inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide challenge in microglia, demonstrating the model's utility to assess functional changes resulting from pollutant exposure. This study establishes that an ex vivo approach can reproduce ozone-induced effects in the brain. The model was sensitive to specific plasma mediators and temporal effects, and enabled assessment of functional responses. This approach may serve to investigate mechanisms underlying effects of pollutants on the human brain.

Recent advances in research on common targets of neurological and sex hormonal influences on asthma.

Asthma is currently one of the most common of respiratory diseases, severely affecting the lives of patients. With the in-depth study of the role of the nervous system and sex hormones on the development of asthma, it has been found that the nervous system and sex hormones are related to each other in the pathway of asthma. To investigate the effects of sex hormones and the nervous system on the development of asthma. In this review, we searched for a large number of relevant literature to elucidate the unique mechanisms of sex hormones and the nervous system on asthma development, and summarized several common targets in the pathways of sex hormones and the nervous system on asthma. We summarize several common important targets in the pathways of action of sex hormones and the nervous system in asthma, provide new directions and ideas for asthma treatment, and discuss current therapeutic limitations and future possibilities. Finally, the article predicts future applications of several important targets in asthma therapy.

Generation of a Mouse Model for the Study of Thyroid Hormones Regulatory Effect on the Immune System.

The generation of hypothyroid and hyperthyroid mouse models is one of the approaches used to investigate the complex interplay between thyroid hormones and the immune system. We present a detailed protocol describing how to induce endotoxic shock by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration, and how to investigate the role of immune populations, specifically macrophages, responding to endotoxemia.This book chapter provides the use of different molecular techniques, such as Western Blotting, Immunohistochemistry, q-PCR, Luciferase assays, or ChIP assays, with which researchers can gain valuable insights into the immune system's interaction with hormonal signaling pathways, for instance, examining the effect of thyroid hormones on signaling of STAT3, NF-κB, and ERK in response to LPS, and inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) within these cells. The signaling pathways involved and the exploration of the relationship between thyroid hormones and the immune system can be analyzed using several molecular biology technologies in order to clarify their interplay in various disease states.

Molecular Mechanisms Linking Omega-3 Fatty Acids and the Gut-Brain Axis.

The gut-brain axis (GBA) is a complex communication network connecting the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the central nervous system (CNS) through neuronal, endocrine, metabolic, and immune pathways. Omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are crucial food components that may modulate the function of this axis through molecular mechanisms. Derived mainly from marine sources, these long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are integral to cell membrane structure, enhancing fluidity and influencing neurotransmitter function and signal transduction. Additionally, n-3 fatty acids modulate inflammation by altering eicosanoid production, reducing proinflammatory cytokines, and promoting anti-inflammatory mediators. These actions help preserve the integrity of cellular barriers like the intestinal and blood-brain barriers. In the CNS, EPA and DHA support neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and neurotransmission, improving cognitive functions. They also regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by reducing excessive cortisol production, associated with stress responses and mental health disorders. Furthermore, n-3 fatty acids influence the composition and function of the gut microbiota, promoting beneficial bacterial populations abundance that contribute to gut health and improve systemic immunity. Their multifaceted roles within the GBA underscore their significance in maintaining homeostasis and supporting mental well-being.

Salicylic acid: The roles in plant immunity and crosstalk with other hormones.

Land plants use diverse hormones to coordinate their growth, development and responses against biotic and abiotic stresses. Salicylic acid (SA) is an essential hormone in plant immunity, with its levels and signaling tightly regulated to ensure a balanced immune output. Over the past three decades, molecular genetic analyses performed primarily in Arabidopsis have elucidated the biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways of key plant hormones, including abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, ethylene, auxin, cytokinin, brassinosteroids, and gibberellin. Crosstalk between different hormones has become a major focus in plant biology with the goal of obtaining a full picture of the plant hormone signaling network. This review highlights the roles of SA in plant immunity and summarizes our current understanding of the pairwise interactions of SA with other major plant hormones. The complexity of these interactions is discussed, with the hope of stimulating research to address existing knowledge gaps in hormone crosstalk, particularly in the context of balancing plant growth and defense.

Identification and Functional Analysis of the Ph-2 Gene Conferring Resistance to Late Blight (Phytophthora infestans) in Tomato.

Late blight is a destructive disease affecting tomato production. The identification and characterization of resistance (R) genes are critical for the breeding of late blight-resistant cultivars. The incompletely dominant gene Ph-2 confers resistance against the race T1 of Phytophthora infestans in tomatoes. Herein, we identified Solyc10g085460 (RGA1) as a candidate gene for Ph-2 through the analysis of sequences and post-inoculation expression levels of genes located within the fine mapping interval. The RGA1 was subsequently validated to be a Ph-2 gene through targeted knockout and complementation analyses. It encodes a CC-NBS-LRR disease resistance protein, and transient expression assays conducted in the leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana indicate that Ph-2 is predominantly localized within the nucleus. In comparison to its susceptible allele (ph-2), the transient expression of Ph-2 can elicit hypersensitive responses (HR) in N. benthamiana, and subsequent investigations indicate that the structural integrity of the Ph-2 protein is likely a requirement for inducing HR in this species. Furthermore, ethylene and salicylic acid hormonal signaling pathways may mediate the transmission of the Ph-2 resistance signal, with PR1- and HR-related genes potentially involved in the Ph-2-mediated resistance. Our results could provide a theoretical foundation for the molecular breeding of tomato varieties resistant to late blight and offer valuable insights into elucidating the interaction mechanism between tomatoes and P. infestans.

Effect of adipose tissue on the development of multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma(MM), also referred to as Kahler's disease, is a cancer characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal plasma cells and is associated with alterations in the bone tissue microenvironment. Bone marrow adipose tissue (BMAT), which comprises approximately ten percent of total body fat, can influence the progression, survival, and drug resistance of MM cells through paracrine, hormonal, and metabolic pathways. Obesity can lead to an increase in BMAT mass, which not only disrupts bone metabolism but also reduces bone density, potentially progressing from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, a benign condition, to MM. A range of factors, including impaired fatty acid metabolism, increased production of adipokines that support myeloma, and heightened expression of oncogenic microRNAs in multiple myeloma, contribute to the progression of this incurable blood cancer. To better understand the relationship between excess adipose tissue accumulation and the risk of developing multiple myeloma, a comprehensive review of published data was conducted.

Assessing hepatotoxicity induced by co-exposure to chlorpyrifos and deltamethrin in hook snout carp (Opsariichthys bidens Günther): A comprehensive analysis biochemical and molecular response analysis.

Chlorpyrifos (CLP) and deltamethrin (DTM) are among the most widely utilized organophosphate and pyrethroid insecticides globally. Their simultaneous presence in aquatic environments poses significant threats to fish health and challenges the sustainability of aquaculture practices. Despite their prevalence, the combined toxic effects of CLP and DTM on hook snout carp (Opsariichthys bidens Günther) remain insufficiently understood. In this study, O. bidens were exposed to waterborne treatments of CLP, DTM, or their combination for 30 days, and the biochemical and molecular responses of the liver tissue were systematically assessed. Acute toxicity tests revealed that the combined exposure to CLP and DTM resulted in synergistic toxicity. Significant alterations in the activities of key enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), caspase-3 (CASP-3), and caspase-9 (CASP-9), relative to the control group, demonstrated that co-exposure induced oxidative stress in O. bidens. Additionally, the elevated transcriptional levels of immune-related genes such as cxcl-c1c, il-8, and il-1 suggested a pronounced inflammatory response triggered by the pesticide mixture. Conversely, the significantly reduced expression of p53 and esr indicated that combined exposure disrupted apoptotic regulation and endocrine system function in the fish. In summary, these findings demonstrated that co-exposure to CLP and DTM induced liver damage in O. bidens by impairing antioxidant enzyme activity, disrupting apoptosis regulation, and altering the transcriptional profiles of genes involved in immune and endocrine pathways. These results provided new insights into the physiological and molecular mechanisms of pesticide-induced hepatotoxicity in fish and offered valuable information for evaluating the ecological risks associated with pesticide mixtures in aquatic environments.

The genomic landscape of short tandem repeats in cattle.

Short tandem repeats (STRs) are abundant and have high mutation rates across cattle genomes; however, comprehensive exploration of cattle STRs is needed. Here, we constructed a comprehensive map of 467 553 polymorphic STRs (pSTRs) constructed from 423 cattle genomes representing 59 breeds worldwide. We observed that pSTRs in coding sequences and 5'UTRs (Untranslated Regions) were under strong selective constraints and exhibited a relatively low level of diversity. Furthermore, we found that these pSTRs underwent more contraction than expansion. Population analysis showed a strong positive correlation (R = 1) between pSTR diversity and single nucleotide polymorphic heterozygosity. We also investigated STR differences between taurine and indicine cattle and detected 2301 highly divergent STRs, which might relate to immune, endocrine and neurodevelopmental pathways. In summary, our large-scale study characterizes the spectrum of STRs in cattle, expands the scale of known cattle STR variation and provides novel insights into differences among various cattle subspecies.

Comparative Transcriptome and Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Reveals Key Genes Responding to Ralstonia solanacearum Infection

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is a widely cultivated vegetable belonging to the family Solanaceae. However, it is highly susceptible to yield reduction owing to soil-borne diseases caused by bacterial wilt (BW) (Ralstonia solanacearum L.). Therefore, understanding the mechanism of bacterial wilt resistance in eggplant is helpful for genetic improvement to create cultivars with strong bacterial wilt resistance. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of transcriptomics from eggplant varieties of different genotypes following infection with R. solanacearum. Transcriptome analysis revealed the majority of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) primarily implicated in pathways such as the MAPK signaling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction, and plant–pathogen interactions, as determined using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. The expression profiles of hormone pathway genes suggest that salicylic acid, ethylene, and jasmonic acid may play significant roles in conferring bacterial wilt resistance. DEGs from the leaves, roots, and stems were partitioned into 14 modules. Among these, the black module exhibited the strongest correlation with target traits and 16 hub genes were identified using gene co-expression network analysis. Subsequently, seven hub genes were selected for validation using RT-qPCR, and the results were consistent with the RNA-seq data. Notably, upon gene annotation, a significant proportion of the hub genes were annotated as heat shock proteins (HSPs) or heat shock transcription factors (HSFs). These findings offer valuable insights for advancing research on the molecular genetic mechanisms through which HSPs/HSFs contribute to bacterial wilt resistance in eggplant.