Hormone Signaling Pathways Research Articles

Epigenetic Modifications of Hormonal Signaling Pathways in Plant Drought Response and Tolerance for Sustainable Food Security.

Drought significantly challenges global food security, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of plant molecular responses for effective mitigation strategies. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, are key in regulating genes and hormones essential for drought response. While microRNAs (miRNAs) primarily regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, they can also interact with epigenetic pathways as potential effectors that influence chromatin remodeling. Although the role of miRNAs in epigenetic memory is still being explored, understanding their contribution to drought response requires examining these indirect effects on epigenetic modifications. A key aspect of this exploration is epigenetic memory in drought-adapted plants, offering insights into the transgenerational inheritance of adaptive traits. Understanding the mechanisms that govern the maintenance and erasure of these epigenetic imprints provides nuanced insights into how plants balance stability and flexibility in their epigenomes. A major focus is on the dynamic interaction between hormonal pathways-such as those for abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, jasmonates, and salicylic acid (SA)-and epigenetic mechanisms. This interplay is crucial for fine-tuning gene expression during drought stress, leading to physiological and morphological adaptations that enhance plant drought resilience. This review also highlights the transformative potential of advanced technologies, such as bisulfite sequencing and CRISPR-Cas9, in providing comprehensive insights into plant responses to water deficit conditions. These technologies pave the way for developing drought-tolerant crops, which is vital for sustainable agriculture.

Urban Air Pollution and Plant Tolerance: Omics Responses to Ozone, Nitrogen Oxides, and Particulate Matter.

Urban air pollution is a crucial global challenge, mainly originating from urbanization and industrial activities, which are continuously increasing. Vegetation serves as a natural air filter for air pollution, but adverse effects on plant health, photosynthesis, and metabolism can occur. Recent omics technologies have revolutionized the study of molecular plant responses to air pollution, overcoming previous limitations. This review synthesizes the latest advancements in molecular plant responses to major air pollutants, emphasizing ozone (O3), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and particulate matter (PM) research. These pollutants induce stress responses common to other abiotic and biotic stresses, including the activation of reactive oxygen species (ROSs)-scavenging enzymes and hormone signaling pathways. New evidence has shown the central role of antioxidant phenolic compound biosynthesis, via the phenylpropanoid pathway, in air pollution stress responses. Transcription factors like WRKY, AP2/ERF, and MYB, which connect hormone signaling to antioxidant biosynthesis, were also affected. To date, research has predominantly focused on laboratory studies analyzing individual pollutants. This review highlights the need for comprehensive field studies and the identification of molecular tolerance traits, which are crucial for the identification of tolerant plant species, aimed at the development of sustainable nature-based solutions (NBSs) to mitigate urban air pollution.

Comprehensive Review on Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation and Its Application in Deciphering Protein-Protein Interactions in Cell Signaling Pathways.

Signaling pathways are responsible for transmitting information between cells and regulating cell growth, differentiation, and death. Proteins in cells form complexes by interacting with each other through specific structural domains, playing a crucial role in various biological functions and cell signaling pathways. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) within cell signaling pathways are essential for signal transmission and regulation. The spatiotemporal features of PPIs in signaling pathways are crucial for comprehending the regulatory mechanisms of signal transduction. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) is one kind of imaging tool for the direct visualization of PPIs in living cells and has been widely utilized to uncover novel PPIs in various organisms. BiFC demonstrates significant potential for application in various areas of biological research, drug development, disease diagnosis and treatment, and other related fields. This review systematically summarizes and analyzes the technical advancement of BiFC and its utilization in elucidating PPIs within established cell signaling pathways, including TOR, PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, NF-κB, and MAPK. Additionally, it explores the application of this technology in revealing PPIs within the plant hormone signaling pathways of ethylene, auxin, Gibberellin, and abscisic acid. Using BiFC in conjunction with CRISPR-Cas9, live-cell imaging, and ultra-high-resolution microscopy will enhance our comprehension of PPIs in cell signaling pathways.

Understanding the roles of salt-inducible kinases in cardiometabolic disease.

Salt-inducible kinases (SIKs) are serine/threonine kinases of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase family. Acting as mediators of a broad array of neuronal and hormonal signaling pathways, SIKs play diverse roles in many physiological and pathological processes. Phosphorylation by the upstream kinase liver kinase B1 is required for SIK activation, while phosphorylation by protein kinase A induces the binding of 14-3-3 protein and leads to SIK inhibition. SIKs are subjected to auto-phosphorylation regulation and their activity can also be modulated by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase in response to cellular calcium influx. SIKs regulate the physiological processes through direct phosphorylation on various substrates, which include class IIa histone deacetylases, cAMP-regulated transcriptional coactivators, phosphatase methylesterase-1, among others. Accumulative body of studies have demonstrated that SIKs are important regulators of the cardiovascular system, including early works establishing their roles in sodium sensing and vascular homeostasis and recent progress in pulmonary arterial hypertension and pathological cardiac remodeling. SIKs also regulate inflammation, fibrosis, and metabolic homeostasis, which are essential pathological underpinnings of cardiovascular disease. The development of small molecule SIK inhibitors provides the translational opportunity to explore their potential as therapeutic targets for treating cardiometabolic disease in the future.

Qualitative and Untargeted Volatilome Fingerprinting of Aspergillus sp. and Bulbithecium sp. by HS-SPME-GCMS and Functional Interactions.

Research on fungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has increased worldwide in the last 10 years, but marine fungal volatilomes remain underexplored. Similarly, the hormone-signaling pathways, agronomic significance, and biocontrol potential of VOCs in plant-associated fungi make the area of research extremely promising. In the current investigation, VOCs of the isolates-Aspergillus sp. GSBT S13 and GSBT S14 from marine sediments, and Bulbithecium sp. GSBT E3 from Eucalyptus foliage were extracted using Head Space solid phase microextraction, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, identification, statistical analyses, and prediction of functions by KEGG COMPOUND and STITCH 5.0 databases. The significance of this research is fingerprinting VOCs of the isolates from distinct origins, identification of compounds using three libraries (NIST02, NIST14, and W9N11), and using bioinformatic tools to perform functional analysis. The most important findings include the identification of previously unreported compounds in fungi-1-methoxy naphthalene, diethyl phthalate, pentadecane, pristane, and nonanal; the prediction of the involvement of small molecules in the degradation of aromatic compound pathways and activation, inhibition, binding, and catalysis of metabolites with predicted protein partners. This study has ample opportunity to validate the findings and understand the mechanism or mode of action, the interspecies interactions, and the role of the metabolites in geochemical cycles.

Efficient In Vitro Regeneration System and Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Offer Insight into the Early Development Characteristics of Explants from Cotyledon with Partial Petiole in Small-Fruited Pepper (Capsicum annuum).

In our research, we utilized six small-fruited pepper germplasms as materials, selected cotyledons with the petiole and hypocotyls as explants, and conducted in vitro regeneration studies. Our outcomes specify that the most suitable explant is cotyledon with the petiole, and the suitable genotype is HNUCA341. The optimal medium for inducing and elongating adventitious buds for this genotype is Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) + 9.12 μM Zeatin (ZT) + 0.57 μM 3-Indoleacetic acid (IAA), with a bud induction rate of 44.4%. The best rooting induction medium is MS + 1.14 μM IAA, with a rooting rate of 86.7%. Research on the addition of exogenous hormones has revealed that the induction speed of buds in small-fruited pepper (HNUCA341) in the combination of ZT and IAA hormones (abbreviated as ZI) is quicker, and the induction effect is better. The histological observations indicate that ZI treatment accelerates the initiation of explant division and differentiation, causing a shorter duration of vascular-bundle tissue production. The plant hormone signaling pathway was significantly enriched by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, including ARR9 (LOC107843874, LOC107843885), ARR4 (LOC107848380, LOC107862455), AHK4 (LOC107870540), AHP1 (LOC107839518), LAX2 (LOC107846008), SAUR36 (LOC107852624), IAA8 (LOC107841020), IAA16 (LOC107839415), PYL4 (LOC107843441), and PYL6 (LOC107871127); these significantly enriched genes may be associated with in vitro regeneration. In addition, the carbon metabolism pathway and plant mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway are also significantly enriched in KEGG. The results of the Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes related to carbon metabolism and fixation, photosynthesis and MAPK signaling pathways were upregulated under ZI treatment. It was found that they might be associated with enhanced regeneration in vitro. Furthermore, we also screened out differentially expressed transcription factors, primarily from the MYB, bHLH, AP2/ERF, and NAC families. Overall, our work accumulated important data for the in-depth analysis of the molecular mechanism of in vitro regeneration of pepper, and provides valuable germplasm for establishing an efficient stable pepper genetic-transformation system based on tissue culture.

SPX family response to low phosphorus stress and the involvement of ZmSPX1 in phosphorus homeostasis in maize.

Phosphorus (P) is a crucial macronutrient for plant growth and development, and low-Pi stress poses a significant limitation to maize production. While the role of the SPX domain in encoding proteins involved in phosphate (Pi) homeostasis and signaling transduction has been extensively studied in other model plants, the molecular and functional characteristics of the SPX gene family members in maize remain largely unexplored. In this study, we identified six SPX members, and the phylogenetic analysis of ZmSPXs revealed a close relationship with SPX genes in rice. The promoter regions of ZmSPXs were abundant in biotic and abiotic stress-related elements, particularly associated with various hormone signaling pathways, indicating potential intersections between Pi signaling and hormone signaling pathways. Additionally, ZmSPXs displayed tissue-specific expression patterns, with significant and differential induction in anthers and roots, and were localized to the nucleus and cytoplasm. The interaction between ZmSPXs and ZmPHRs was established via yeast two-hybrid assays. Furthermore, overexpression of ZmSPX1 enhanced root sensitivity to Pi deficiency and high-Pi conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana. Phenotypic identification of the maize transgenic lines demonstrated the negative regulatory effect on the P concentration of stems and leaves as well as yield. Notably, polymorphic sites including 34 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and seven insertions/deletions (InDels) in ZmSPX1 were significantly associated with 16 traits of low-Pi tolerance index. Furthermore, significant sites were classified into five haplotypes, and haplotype5 can enhance biomass production by promoting root development. Taken together, our results suggested that ZmSPX family members possibly play a pivotal role in Pi stress signaling in plants by interacting with ZmPHRs. Significantly, ZmSPX1 was involved in the Pi-deficiency response verified in transgenic Arabidopsis and can affect the Pi concentration of maize tissues and yield. This work lays the groundwork for deeper exploration of the maize SPX family and could inform the development of maize varieties with improved Pi efficiency.

Exploring hormonal regulation and candidate genes in leaflet nyctinasty of Averrhoa carambola

Averrhoa carambola, a commonly cultivated tree, exhibits leaflet nyctinastic movement. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The pulvinus, as a motor organ, coordinates the motion of its attached leaflet. During the leaflet expansion, flexor cells shift from contraction to expansion, with concurrent expansion and fusion of vacuole. In contrast, the extensor cells move from expansion to contraction, causing vacuole contraction and increased vacuole numbers. During the process of leaflet expansion and closure, the contents of IAA and IPA in flexor muscles increased significantly, but did not show significant changes in extensor muscles, BR content showed an opposite trend in extensor and flexor muscles, and the content of ZR increased significantly in extensor muscles but decreased significantly in flexor muscles, and ZR content only decreased in extensor muscles, but did not show significant changes in flexor muscles. Exogenous IAA (50–100 μM) significantly aids in leaflet unfolding during night time. Transcriptome analysis reveals gene enrichment in circadian rhythms, hormone signaling, ion channels, and other pathways during leaflet opening and closure. The expression of AcaCRY3, AcaPHOT1–1, AcaAPRR2, AcaLHY, and AcaAKT1–1 is prominent during expansion, while AcaAUX22–1 stands out during closure. These findings suggest a potential regulatory pathway in A. carambola 'Daguo Tianyangtao 2′ leaflets, involving light, circadian rhythm, hormone signaling, and ion channels. Findings of this study can do a great deal to broaden the plant nyctinastic movement research.

Silicon‐Mediated Drought Tolerance: An Enigmatic Perspective in the Root–Soil Interphase

ABSTRACTDrought is one of the major yield‐limiting factors under climatic adversaries. The positive role of silicon (Si) in drought tolerance of plants has unfolded a new avenue for enhancing crop productivity through better Si use efficiency. It is hence interesting to understand the mechanistic insights pertaining to its beneficial roles under drought stress conditions. Higher plants sense drought stress via roots which, regulate aboveground plant growth under stress. Cellular and molecular modulations occurring at the root and soil interphases influence the survival and growth of plants under drought stress; therefore, it is intriguing to know how Si influences the soil–root interphase and how this interaction augments overall plant growth under drought. In this review, we summarised the roles of Si in the root systems, rhizosphere and their interactions that could improve plant's growth and development under drought conditions. We have discussed the direct and indirect effects of Si‐induced belowground changes on plant roots, soil physical, chemical and biological properties, and their mutual interactions in eliciting defence signalling, including hormone signalling pathways. A mechanistic model of Si‐induced beneficial effects in water‐limited environments is suggested, which could help improve the management of rainfed croplands through Si fertilisation.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of histone deacetylase and histone acetyltransferase genes in response to drought in poplars

BackgroundHistone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetyltransferases (HATs) are involved in plant growth and development as well as in response to environmental changes, by dynamically regulating gene acetylation levels. Although there have been numerous reports on the identification and function of HDAC and HAT in herbaceous plants, there are fewer report related genes in woody plants under drought stress.ResultsIn this study, we performed a genome-wide analysis of the HDAC and HAT families in Populus trichocarpa, including phylogenetic analysis, gene structure, conserved domains, and expression analysis. A total of 16 PtrHDACs and 12 PtrHATs were identified in P. trichocarpa genome. Analysis of cis-elements in the promoters of PtrHDACs and PtrHATs revealed that both gene families could respond to a variety of environmental signals, including hormones and drought. Furthermore, real time quantitative PCR indicated that PtrHDA906 and PtrHAG3 were significantly responsive to drought. PtrHDA906, PtrHAC1, PtrHAC3, PtrHAG2, PtrHAG6 and PtrHAF1 consistently responded to abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid under drought conditions.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that PtrHDACs and PtrHATs may respond to drought through hormone signaling pathways, which helps to reveal the hub of acetylation modification in hormone regulation of abiotic stress.

Gut-Brain Axis: Investigating the Effects of Gut Health on Cognitive Functioning in Adults.

The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication network linking the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system via neuronal, hormonal, and antibody signaling pathways. Central to this connection is gut health, encompassing the balance and functionality of gut microbiota, which significantly impacts on mental and cognitive health. This study investigates the association between gut health and cognitive functioning in adults, highlighting the mechanisms by which gut microbiota influence brain health. To examine the effects of gut health on adult cognitive performance, with a focus on the processes by which gut microbiota impacts brain health. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in Islamabad from January 2024 to April 2024, involving 140 adult participants. Data were collected using a comprehensive 16-item gut health questionnaire and the cognition self-assessment rating scale (C-SARS). The psychometric properties of these scales were assessed, and the data were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, v26; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY). Analytical and descriptive statistics, including regression, chi-square, independent sample t-tests, and mean and standard deviation, were applied. The study found moderate associations between gut health and cognitive performance, particularly in memory and processing speed (R² = 0.17, β = -1.9, p = 0.12 for general cognition; R² = 0.01, β = -0.98, p = 0.02 for memory; R² = 0.03, β = -0.18, p = 0.03 for processing speed). Gender and marital status differences were significant, with males exhibiting better gut health scores than females (M = 34.1, SD = 3.2 vs. M = 31.2, SD = 3.2, p = 0.00), and singles showing better cognitive performance compared to married individuals (M = 9.4, SD = 5.4 vs. M = 6.5, SD = 3.7, p = 0.03). The study highlights significant associations between gut health and cognitive functions, suggesting that gut microbiota composition can influence cognitive performance. Gender and marital status differences underscore the need to consider individual differences in gut-brain axis research. Future studies should replicate these findings in larger samples and explore gut microbiota-targeted interventions for cognitive health enhancement.

Effect of Nutrient Solution Flow on Lettuce Root Morphology in Hydroponics: A Multi-Omics Analysis of Hormone Synthesis and Signal Transduction.

This study examined how the nutrient flow environment affects lettuce root morphology in hydroponics using multi-omics analysis. The results indicate that increasing the nutrient flow rate initially increased indicators such as fresh root weight, root length, surface area, volume, and average diameter before declining, which mirrors the trend observed for shoot fresh weight. Furthermore, a high-flow environment significantly increased root tissue density. Further analysis using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and Weighted Protein Co-expression Network Analysis (WPCNA) identified modules that were highly correlated with phenotypes and hormones. The analysis revealed a significant enrichment of hormone signal transduction pathways. Differences in the expression of genes and proteins related to hormone synthesis and transduction pathways were observed among the different flow conditions. These findings suggest that nutrient flow may regulate hormone levels and signal transmission by modulating the genes and proteins associated with hormone biosynthesis and signaling pathways, thereby influencing root morphology. These findings should support the development of effective methods for regulating the flow of nutrients in hydroponic contexts.

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis of Different Mulberry Varieties to Reveal Candidate Genes and Small Secreted Peptides Involved in the Sclerotiniose Response

Mulberry sclerotiniose is a devastating fungal disease of mulberry fruit and has been a limitation for the utility of mulberry fruits and the diversified development of sericulture. In the present study, we presented a workflow for screening candidate sclerotiniose-resistance genes and small secreted peptides (SSPs) based on a genome-wide annotation of SSPs and comparative transcriptome analysis of different mulberry varieties. A total of 1088 SSPs with expression evidence were identified and annotated in mulberry. A comprehensive analysis of the sclerotiniose-related RNA sequencing datasets showed that photosynthesis, plant hormone signaling, and metabolic pathways were the main pathways involved in the response to sclerotiniose. Fifty-two candidate sclerotiniose-response genes (SRGs), including 15 SSPs, were identified based on comparative transcriptome analysis. These SRGs are mainly involved in the hormone signaling pathway and cell wall biogenesis. Transient overexpression in tobacco and the knock-down of five SRGs affected the resistance against Ciboria shiraiana. MaMYB29, MaMES17, and MaSSP15 were primarily determined as negative regulators of plant resistance to C. shiraiana infection. Our results provide a foundation for controlling sclerotiniose in mulberry using genetic engineering and biological approaches such as spraying antifungal peptides.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the GAD family reveal their involved in embryogenesis and hormones responses in Dimocarpus longan Lour.

Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) is involved in GABA metabolism and plays an essential regulatory role in plant growth, abiotic stresses, and hormone response. This study investigated the expression mechanism of the GAD family during longan early somatic embryogenesis (SE) and identified 6 GAD genes based on the longan genome. Homology analysis indicated that DlGAD genes had a closer relationship with dicotyledonous plants. The analysis of cis-acting elements in the promoter region suggests that the GAD genes were associated with various stress responses and hormones. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and the qRT-PCR data indicated that most DlGAD genes were highly expressed in the incomplete compact pro-embryogenic cultures (ICpEC) and upregulated in longan embryogenic callus (EC) after treatments with 2,4-D, high temperature (35 °C), IAA, and ABA. Moreover, the RNA-Seq analysis also revealed that DlGADs exhibit different expression patterns in various tissues and organs. The subcellular localization results showed that DlGAD5 was localized in the cytoplasm, suggesting that it played a role in the cytoplasm. Transient overexpression of DlGAD5 enhanced the expression levels of DlGADs and increased the activity of glutamate decarboxylase in longan embryogenic callus (EC), while the content of glutamic acid decreased. Thus, the DlGAD gene can play an important role in the early somatic embryogenesis of longan by responding to hormones such as IAA and ABA. DlGAD5 can affect the growth and development of longan by stimulating the expression of the DlGAD gene family, thereby increasing the GAD activity in the early SE of longan, participating in hormone synthesis and signaling pathways.

Transcriptomic profiling and gene network analysis revealed regulatory mechanisms of bract development in Bougainvillea glabra

BackgroundBracts are important for ornamental plants, and their developmental regulation process is complex; however, relatively little research has been conducted on bracts. In this study, physiological, biochemical and morphological changes in Bougainvillea glabra leaves, leaf buds and bracts during seven developmental periods were systematically investigated. Moreover, transcriptomic data of B. glabra bracts were obtained using PacBio and Illumina sequencing technologies, and key genes regulating their development were screened.ResultsScanning electron microscopy revealed that the bracts develop via a process involving regression of hairs and a color change from green to white. Transcriptome sequencing revealed 79,130,973 bp of transcript sequences and 45,788 transcripts. Differential gene expression analysis revealed 50 expression patterns across seven developmental periods, with significant variability in transcription factors such as BgAP1, BgFULL, BgCMB1, BgSPL16, BgSPL8, BgDEFA, BgEIL1, and BgBH305. KEGG and GO analyses of growth and development showed the involvement of chlorophyll metabolism and hormone-related metabolic pathways. The chlorophyll metabolism genes included BgPORA, BgSGR, BgPPH, BgPAO and BgRCCR. The growth hormone and abscisic acid signaling pathways involved 44 and 23 homologous genes, and coexpression network analyses revealed that the screened genes BgAPRR5 and BgEXLA1 are involved in the regulation of bract development.ConclusionsThese findings improve the understanding of the molecular mechanism of plant bract development and provide important guidance for the molecular regulation and genetic improvement of the growth and development of ornamental plants, mainly ornamental bracts.

Population Density-Dependent Developmental Regulation in Migratory Locust.

Insect development is intricately governed by hormonal signaling pathways, yet the pivotal upstream regulator that potentiates hormone activation remains largely elusive. The migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, exhibits population density-dependent phenotypic plasticity, encompassing traits such as flight capability, body coloration, and behavior. In this study, we elucidated a negative correlation between population density and ontogenetic development during the nymphal stage of locusts. We found that the level of density influences the developmental trajectory by modulating transcript abundance within the ecdysone signaling pathway, with knockdown of the prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) resulting in developmental delay. Transcriptomic analysis of locust brains across solitary and gregarious phases revealed significant differential expression of genes involved in various pathways, including protein synthesis, energy metabolism, hormonal regulation, and immunity. Notably, knockdown experiments targeting two energy regulators, adipokinetic hormone (AKH) and insulin-like polypeptide 1 (ilp1), failed to elicit changes in the developmental process in solitary locusts. However, knockdown of immunoglobulin (IG) significantly shortened the developmental time in higher-density populations. Collectively, our findings underscore the regulatory role of population density in determining developmental duration and suggest that an immune-related gene contributes to the observed differences in developmental patterns.

Identification of male sterility-related genes in Saccharum officinarum and Saccharum spontaneum.

Candidate male sterility genes were identified in sugarcane, which interacts with kinase-related proteins, transcription factors, and plant hormone signaling pathways to regulate stamen and anther development. Saccharum officinarum is a cultivated sugarcane species that its predominant feature is high sucrose content in stems. Flowering is necessary for breeding new cultivars but will terminate plant growth and reduce sugar yield. The wild sugarcane species Saccharum spontaneum has robust and viable pollen, whereas most S. officinarum accessions are male sterile, which isa desirable trait of a maternal parent in sugarcane breeding. To study male sterility and related regulatory pathways in sugarcane, we carried out RNAseq using flowers in different developmental stages between male-sterile S. officinarum accession 'LA Purple' and fertile S. spontaneum accession 'SES208'. Gene expression profiles were used to detect how genes are differentially expressed between male sterile and fertile flowers and to identify candidate genes for male sterility. Weighted gene correlation networks analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to investigate the regulatory networks. Transcriptomic analyses showed that 988 genes and 2888 alleles were differentially expressed in S. officinarum compared to S. spontaneum. Ten differentially expressed genes and thirty alleles were identified as candidate genes and alleles for male sterility in sugarcane. The gene Sspon.03G0007630 and two alleles of the gene Sspon.08G0002270, Sspon.08G0002270-2B and Sspon.08G0014700-1A, were involved in the early stamen or carpel development stages, while the remaining genes were classified into the post-meiosis stage. Gibberellin, auxin, and jasmonic acid signaling pathways are involved in the stamen development in sugarcane. The results expanded our knowledge of male sterility-related genes in sugarcane and generated genomic resources to facilitate the selection of ideal maternal parents to improve breeding efficiency.

Application value of multi-gene mutation detection in the clinical management of pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma: a preliminary exploration.

Thyroid cancer rarely occurs in children and adolescents. Molecular markers such as BRAF, RAS, and RET/PTC have been widely used in adult PTC. It is currently unclear whether these molecular markers have equivalent potential for application in pediatric patients. This study aims to explore the potential utility of a multi-gene conjoint analysis based on next-generation targeted sequencing for pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The patients diagnosed with PTC (aged 18 years or younger) in the pediatrics department of Lishui District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were retrospectively screened. A targeted enrichment and sequencing analysis of 116 genes associated with thyroid cancer was performed on paraffin-embedded tumor tissues and paired paracancerous tissue of fifteen children (average age 14.60) and nine adults (average age 49.33) PTC patients. Demographic information, clinical indicators, ultrasonic imaging information and pathological data were collected. The Kendall correlation test was used to establish a correlation between molecular variations and clinical characteristics in pediatric patients. A sample of 15 pediatric PTCs revealed a detection rate of 73.33% (11/15) for driver gene mutations BRAF V600E and RET fusion. Compared to adult PTCs, the genetic mutation landscape of pediatric PTCs was more complex. Six mutant genes overlap between the two groups, and an additional seventeen unique mutant genes were identified only in pediatric PTCs. There was only one unique mutant gene in adult PTCs. The tumor diameter of pediatric PTCs tended to be less than 4cm (p<0.001), and the number of lymph node metastases was more than five (p<0.001). Mutations in specific genes unique to pediatric PTCs may contribute to the onset and progression of the disease by adversely affecting hormone synthesis, secretion, and action mechanisms, as well as the functioning of thyroid hormone signaling pathways. But, additional experiments are required to validate this hypothesis. BRAF V600E mutation and RET fusion are involved in the occurrence and development of adolescent PTC. For pediatric thyroid nodules that cannot be determined as benign or malignant by fine needle aspiration biopsy, multiple gene combination testing can provide a reference for personalized diagnosis and treatment by clinical physicians.

Optimizing Agriculture: A Review of Chemical Priming in Crop Production

Agricultural productivity faces increasing challenges due to climate change, soil degradation, and the need for sustainable practices. Chemical priming, a technique involving the pre-treatment of seeds or plants with specific compounds, has emerged as a promising approach to enhance crop resilience, productivity, and stress tolerance. This review synthesizes current literature on the application of chemical priming in crop production, focusing on its mechanisms, effects on plant physiology, and its potential to optimize agricultural practices. Chemical priming operates through diverse mechanisms, including the induction of stress-responsive genes, enhancement of antioxidant activity, and modulation of hormone signaling pathways. These mechanisms result in improved germination rates, accelerated seedling growth, increased nutrient uptake, and enhanced tolerance to various abiotic and biotic stresses. Moreover, chemical priming has been shown to promote crop yield and quality under adverse environmental conditions, making it a valuable tool for sustainable agriculture. The effectiveness of chemical priming depends on various factors, such as the type of priming agent, concentration, timing of application, and the specific crop species. Furthermore, interactions with other agricultural practices, such as irrigation regimes and fertilization strategies, can influence its outcomes. Therefore, optimizing chemical priming protocols requires a comprehensive understanding of crop-specific responses and environmental factors. Despite its potential benefits, the widespread adoption of chemical priming in agriculture faces challenges related to cost-effectiveness, regulatory approval, and potential ecological impacts. Addressing these challenges requires further research to refine priming protocols, assess long-term effects on soil health and ecosystem functioning, and develop sustainable approaches for large-scale implementation.

Analysis of environmental pollutant Bisphenol F elicited prostate injury targets and underlying mechanisms through network toxicology, molecular docking, and multi-level bioinformatics data integration

Bisphenol F (BPF) has gained prominence as an alternative to bisphenol A (BPA) in various manufacturing applications, yet being detected in diverse environments and posed potential public health risk. This research aims to elucidate the putative toxic targets and underlying molecular mechanisms of prostate injury induced by exposure to BPF through multi-level bioinformatics data, integrating network toxicology and molecular docking. Systematically leveraging multilevel databases, we determined 276 targets related to BPF and prostate injury. Subsequent screenings through STRING and Cytoscape tool highlighted 27 key targets, including BCL2, HSP90AA1, MAPK3, ESR1, and CASP3. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses demonstrated enrichment of targets involved in apoptosis, abnormal hormonal activities, as well as cancer-related signal transduction cascades, ligand-receptor interaction networks, and endocrine system signaling pathways. Molecular docking simulations conducted via Autodock corroborated high-affinity binding interaction between BPF and key targets. The results indicate that BPF exposure can contribute to the initiation and progression of prostate cancer and prostatic hyperplastic by modulating apoptosis and proliferation, altering nerve function in blood vessel endothelial cells, and disrupting androgen metabolism. This study offers theoretical underpinnings for comprehending the molecular mechanisms implicated in BPF-elicited prostatic toxicity, while concomitantly establishing foundational framework for the development of prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for prostatic injuries related to polycarbonate and epoxy resin plastics incorporated with BPF, as well as environments afflicted by elevated levels of these compounds.