BioTech最新文献

The genus Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae) comprises approximately 125 species of succulents distributed across Madagascar, Africa, Arabia, Australia, Southeast Asia, and tropical America. Traditionally regarded as "miracle plants", Kalanchoe species are employed for treating inflammatory, infectious, metabolic, and cardiovascular conditions; this is associated with their abundant content of polyphenols, including phenolic acids and flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, rutin, and patuletin. However, robust clinical evidence remains limited. This review integrates pharmacological and bioinformatic perspectives by analyzing more than 70 studies published since 2000 on 15 species, including Bryophyllum. As an in silico complement, the genome of Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi was used to predict genes (AUGUSTUS), perform homology searches against Arabidopsis thaliana, and model three key enzymes: CHS, CYP90, and VEP1. The AlphaFold2/ColabFold models showed conserved catalytic motifs, and molecular docking with representative ligands supported the plausibility of biosynthetic pathways for flavonoids, brassinosteroids, and bufadienolides. The available evidence highlights chemopreventive, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities, primarily associated with flavonoids and bufadienolides. Significant gaps remain, such as the lack of gene-metabolite correlations and the absence of standardized clinical trials. Overall, Kalanchoe represents a promising model that requires multi-omics approaches to enhance its phytopharmaceutical potential.

In Myanmar, Russell's viper (Daboia siamensis) bite is a significant public health problem. In this study, we expend upon our previous RNA-sequencing approach to characterize candidate toxin genes encoding D. siamensis toxins. The mRNA was extracted from Myanmar Russell's viper venom glands. The RNAseq was performed using Illumina next-generation sequencing. Subsequently, candidate toxin transcripts were recognized by the Venomix pipeline. This study focused on 29 unique cDNA sequences representing eight newly identified venom gene families with low-to-moderate expression levels. These transcripts represented 0.088% of the total number of transcripts in the dataset. The translated protein sequences were analyzed for their conserved motifs and domains to predict their functions. They were neprilysins (bioactive peptide inactivators), cystatins (protease inhibitors with anti-metastatic activities), waprin and vipericidin (antimicrobial peptides), veficolin (platelet and complement activation), vespryns and three-finger toxins (elapid toxin homologs causing neurotoxic activity and tissue damage), and endothelial lipases (unknown function). Their functional activities should be further investigated for potential therapeutic applications, for example, in cancer or antibiotic-resistant infections.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Recent studies have demonstrated that plant miRNAs can survive through dietary intake and act as signaling molecules in intercellular communication, proving a cross-kingdom interaction. The aim of the present study was to use computational approaches to identify interactions between Zea mays (maize) miRNAs and human coding mRNAs potentially involved in different biological processes. We identified 961 unique genes potentially regulated by maize miRNAs. Furthermore, functional enrichment analysis via GO and KEGG was carried out focusing primarily on the pathway related to prostate cancer where 13 genes were potentially regulated by 15 maize miRNAs. Our findings not only provide an important insight into the potential effects that maize-derived miRNAs could have on the human body, but also highlight the importance of considering these molecules for further research and potential therapeutic applications against major diseases such as cancer.

Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a morphogenetic pathway widely employed in the commercial micropropagation of plants. This route enables the generation of somatic embryos from somatic tissues, which give rise to complete (bipolar) plants that develop like zygotic embryos. SE can proceed via direct or indirect pathways, and both approaches have been adapted not only for large-scale clonal propagation but also for the regeneration of genetically modified plants. In this context, SE can be harnessed as a versatile platform for recombinant protein production, including vaccine antigens and therapeutic proteins, by combining plant tissue culture with genetic transformation strategies. Successful examples include non-model plants, as Daucus carota and Eleutherococcus senticosus expressing the cholera and heat-labile enterotoxin B subunits, respectively; Oryza sativa, Nicotiana tabacum, and Medicago sativa producing complex proteins such as human serum albumin (HSA), α₁-antitrypsin (AAT), and monoclonal antibodies. However, challenges remain in optimizing transformation efficiency, scaling up bioreactor-based suspension cultures, and ensuring proper post-translational modifications under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. Recent advances in synthetic biology, modular vector design, and glycoengineering have begun to address these limitations, improving control over transcriptional regulation and protein quality. This review highlights the application of SE as a biotechnological route for recombinant protein production, discusses current challenges, and presents innovative strategies and perspectives for the development of sustainable plant-derived biopharmaceutical systems.

Helicobacter pylori, the gastric pathogen which colonizes the gastric mucosa of more than half of the world's population, is considered a risk factor for peptic ulcers and is epidemiologically associated with gastric cancer. Antimicrobial eradication of this pathogen has now become a central concern because of its growing resistance to frontline antibiotics such as clarithromycin and metronidazole. Moreover, these antibiotics can have adverse effects on the normal human gut flora and can lead to several health complications. Most times, the antibiotic doses become intolerable to the elderly population and they reject the therapy. This has impelled us to think about alternate effective and safe antimicrobials which can replace antibiotic usage or may reduce their dosage when used together with the antibiotics. Plant and microbial natural products, in view of this, offer an excellent source of novel and potential antimicrobial agents. Herein, we review anti-H. pylori natural compounds from diverse plant and microbial sources and highlight their role in the management of H. pylori infection.

Background: Sunflower meal (SFM), a promising feed material, is constrained by its high content of crude fiber (CF) and chlorogenic acid (CGA).

Methods: This study utilized a synergistic solid-state fermentation process involving the Bacillus subtilis strain B3 and the enzyme β-glucanase to enhance SFM's application potential.

Results: The synergistic treatment notably reduced CF by 12.7% and CGA by 99.77%, while simultaneously increasing acid-soluble protein and reducing sugar by 111.3% and 283.1%, respectively. Positive impacts on its physical structure, characterized by a looser network with visible pores, and on its microbial community, evidenced by an enriched abundance of fungal species such as Cyberlindnera and Aspergillus, were also observed. In vitro assays indicated improved digestibility of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein, along with a non-significant reduction in methane production.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate that microbial-enzymatic synergy effectively enhances SFM's nutritional profile.

Oxidative stress reflects an imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants arising from physiological or environmental factors. Here, we applied our previously developed in situ microplate method for the simultaneous determination of antioxidant and pro-oxidant activities to compounds produced by plant cell cultures in vitro. The primary aim was to evaluate the added value of these compounds, which are widely used as additives in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products. The secondary aim was to assess whether a predominance of pro-oxidant activity could limit their biotechnological production. Thirty-three compounds known to be produced by in vitro cultures (polyphenolic acids, flavonoids, quinones, alkaloids, etc.) were tested, and the pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance index (PABI) was calculated. Sixteen compounds showed measurable activities with DPPH₅₀/FRAP₅₀ values below 2 mM. Within this set, rosmarinic acid exhibited pronounced pro-oxidant behavior, whereas gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and the anthocyanin cyanidin showed higher antioxidant potency and favorable PABI values. Such compounds may deliver added benefits when incorporated into food or cosmetic products and are unlikely to limit production in cell culture.

Acylpyruvate derivatives represent a promising yet underexplored class of compounds for modulating microalgal growth and metabolism. Inspired by the metabolic role of pyruvate and the diverse bioactivity of its acylated analogs, this study investigates the structure-activity relationship of a diverse library of 55 acylpyruvate-derived compounds for stimulation of the green microalga Chlorella vulgaris. The library, encompassing 12 chemotypes including acylpyruvic acids, their esters, and various heterocyclic derivatives, was screened for effects on C. vulgaris growth. Six compounds were identified as active ones that enhanced biomass production in a preliminary microassay. Notably, four of these active compounds were direct acylpyruvate derivatives, highlighting this scaffold as the most promising one. Conversely, a specific subclass, 1,4-benzoxazin-2-ones, exhibited potent, dose-dependent algicidal activity. Detailed assessment of the active compounds under scaled-up culture conditions revealed that while their effect on overall cell density was limited, several compounds significantly enhanced the intracellular content of valuable metabolites: one increased chlorophyll content by 17%, another elevated carotenoids by 40%, and a third boosted neutral lipid accumulation by 44%. Furthermore, control experiments confirmed that the bioactivity of p-ethoxybenzoylpyruvates, which showed the best biological activity, is inherent in the intact framework and is not mediated by their hydrolysis products. Our findings underscore the potential of acylpyruvates as versatile tools for the enhancement of metabolite production in microalgae and as potent candidates for the development of algicides.

The growing demand for sustainable, health-promoting foods has intensified efforts to improve the antioxidant potential of berry crops through integrative agronomic, genomic, and breeding innovations. Berries are rich dietary sources of bioactive compounds that support human health and provide benefits far beyond basic nutrition. This review explores the diversity of major berry crops, including blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, blackberries, and grapes, with emphasis on their nutritional value and antioxidant profiles. It also examines their domestication history, wild relatives, and commercial cultivars, offering insight into the genetic and phenotypic diversity underlying their rich chemical composition. Furthermore, the review highlights the application of modern tools to enhance antioxidant content. By integrating agronomic practices such as seed priming and grafting, advanced molecular breeding technologies, including multi-omics, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and genome editing, breeders and researchers can accelerate the development of high-value berry cultivars that combine superior nutritional quality, resilience to environmental stress, and sustainable productivity under the challenges posed by climate change.

The fields of regenerative medicine and stem cell-based tissue engineering hold great potential for treating a wide range of tissue and organ defects. Stem cells are ideal candidates for regenerative medicine because they are undifferentiated cells with the capacity for self-renewal, rapid proliferation, multilineage differentiation, and expression of pluripotency-associated genes. Human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) consist of various cell types (including stem cells) and possess multilineage differentiation potential. Owing to their easy isolation and rapid proliferation, DPSCs and their derivatives are considered promising candidates for repairing injured tissues. Recent advances in gene engineering have enabled cells to express specific genes of interest, leading to the secretion of medically important proteins or the alteration of cell behavior. For example, transient expression of Yamanaka's factors in DPSCs can induce transdifferentiation into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These gene-engineered cells represent valuable candidates for regenerative medicine, including stem cell therapies and tissue engineering. However, challenges remain in their development and application, particularly regarding safety, efficacy, and scalability. This review summarizes current knowledge on gene-engineered DPSCs and their derivatives and explores possible clinical applications, with a special focus on oral regeneration.