农学最新文献

Small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) are crucial in epigenetics, playing a significant regulatory role in the normal development and intergenerational inheritance of male reproduction. Research has shown that highly expressed sncRNAs, including miRNAs, piRNAs, and tsRNAs, are vital in maintaining male germ cell development and spermatogenesis. sncRNAs regulate gene expression, influence protein translation, and modify sperm epigenetics, contributing to male reproductive development at various stages. Abnormal expression of sncRNAs is closely linked to male infertility. Furthermore, growing evidence suggests that environmental exposures affect sperm epigenetic modifications, often leading to phenotypic changes in future generations. In this review, we summarize the types and functions of sncRNAs in male germ cells and examine their role in intergenerational inheritance due to environmental factors. It aims to provide new insights into male reproductive health and potential targets for preventing and treating male infertility and related diseases.

Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) are key biomolecules responsible for the transmission of genetic information, the synthesis of proteins and its regulation, and modulation of many biochemical processes. They are also the key components of many viruses. Chemically modified synthetic RNAs or oligoribonucleotides are becoming more widely used as therapeutics and vaccines. Demands for technologies to detect, sequence, identify, and quantify RNA and its modifications far exceed requirements found in the DNA realm. Currently, mass spectrometry (MS) has become the primary technology for identifying, sequencing, and quantifying RNA and its modifications. This paper mainly reviews latest advances in mass spectrometry for the research of RNA and its modifications, and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of this technology, aiming to provide readers with a comprehensive perspective from technical fundamentals to application prospects, promote the broader application of mass spectrometry in RNA research, and provide important references for method developers and biological researchers in the field.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous small non-coding RNAs with 20 to 24 nucleotides in length. They primarily regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and influence numerous biological processes, including reproduction, development, and responses to environmental stimuli in both plants and animals. The spatiotemporal expression of miRNAs across organs, tissues, and cells is tightly regulated at multiple levels, encompassing transcription, processing, stability control, and targeted degradation. The biochemical pathway of miRNA biogenesis, including transcription and processing, has been established, and its regulatory mechanisms have also been extensively studied. In this review, we systematically summarize current advances in post-biogenesis regulation of miRNA stability, turnover, and targeted degradation in plants, with comparative analyses of similarities and differences in animal systems. By integrating these advances, this review seeks to provide a framework for further elucidating the molecular mechanisms controlling intracellular miRNA abundance.

N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) is the most prevalent modification in eukaryotic mRNA, playing a pivotal role in regulating various aspects of mRNA metabolism, including splicing, processing, degradation, and translation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of computational strategies employed in m⁶A research, with an emphasis on data-driven methodologies for the prediction of m⁶A sites and molecular dynamics simulations for deciphering m⁶A-associated biological mechanisms. The article first discusses the evolution of m⁶A detection technologies, outlines the corresponding data processing methods, and summarizes publicly available datasets that serve as essential resources for constructing computational models. Subsequently, we highlight research advancements in machine learning and deep learning models for m⁶A site prediction. Finally, we demonstrate the contributions of molecular dynamics simulations in unravelling m⁶A-related molecular mechanisms, illustrating how computational methods facilitate the understanding of this complex epigenetic regulation. By systematically synthesizing relevant content, this review further discusses the latest research progress and application values of computational methods in m⁶A modification, offering new perspectives and insights for in-depth investigations.

Nucleic acid drugs can function at the gene level, and have the advantages of simple synthesis, easy modification and high specificity. However, there are many obstacles in transfection and in vivo delivery due to their negative charge, high molecular weight, and hydrophilicity. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) can encapsulate siRNA or mRNA through electrostatic interactions and five related drugs have been approved as of April 2025. However, due to the inevitable immunogenicity and hepatosplenic toxicity, most LNP-encapsulated nucleic acid drugs were terminated in the early clinical stage. Nucleos(t)idyl lipids are a class of amphiphilic molecules composed of nucleobases or nucleos(t)idyl heads, linkers and lipid tail chains, which can bind with the bases of nucleic acid drugs through hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking and self-assemble to form nanoparticles or micelles with broad application prospects. In this review, we summarize the research progress in delivery systems of nucleic acid drugs based on nucleos(t)idyl lipids and peptidyl lipids, and discuss their differences with LNP-encapsulated nucleic acid drugs, including structural characterization, molecular dynamics simulation, in vivo distribution, as well as efficacy and safety, so as to provide new ideas for improving the targeting delivery of nucleic acid drugs.