Applied Biological Chemistry最新文献

Changes in nutrient demands is important determinant of the flow of cellular metabolites from source to sink tissues, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we obtained tomato mutant plants with partial albinism through EMS mutagenesis. Despite a significant decrease in chlorophyll and photosynthetic activity, albino tissues grew normally without noticeable developmental retardation. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis between albino and adjacent green tissue showed that genes involved in nutrient transport and protein modification were up-regulated in albino tissues. Among these, SlRBR860, the most highly ranked DEGs in the protein modification category, is predicted to encode an RBR-type protein possessing three zinc-binding domains. Overexpression of SlRBR860 in tomato plants enhanced vegetative growth. Moreover, soluble sugar and total amino acid contents were increased in fruits of SlRBR860 overexpressing plants. These findings suggest that SlRBR860 function as a positive regulator of photoassimilate accumulation in tomato fruits.

Mulberry leaf extract (MLE) is a proprietary extract derived from the leaves of Morus alba, contains high concentrations of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), which inhibits intestinal glucose uptake and improves glucose tolerance. The present study investigated the impact of MLE and DNJ on the inhibition of alpha glucosidase and enhanced glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner in C2C12 cells. This effect was accompanied by changes in the expression of key glucose transporter proteins, such as glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4), the phosphorylation states of insulin receptor substrate (p-IRS, ) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), which regulate glucose metabolism. These findings highlight the distinct metabolic effects of MLE and DNJ on glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells, indicating their potential as natural compounds for modulating glucose metabolism. Further investigation of the molecular pathways involved and in vivo studies are required to validate and expand to fully understand their potential therapeutic applications.

An allergy is an exaggerated immune response to an otherwise harmless substance. These reactions are triggered largely by mast cell activation and the subsequent release of inflammatory mediators. Although current allergy therapies effectively relieve symptoms, they are generally accompanied by side effects, highlighting the need for safer alternatives. In this study, we investigated the anti-allergic effect of ethyl-2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxylate (EtCC), a coumarin derivative. Rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells and a passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) model were used for in vitro and in vivo evaluations, respectively. In RBL-2H3 cells sensitized with dinitrophenyl (DNP)-specific-immunoglobulin (Ig) E and stimulated with DNP-human serum albumin (HSA), EtCC inhibited histamine and beta-hexosaminidase release, and downregulated mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and TNF-α. EtCC also suppressed phosphorylation of MAPK, AKT, and NF-kB. In vivo, EtCC attenuated ear edema and Evans blue extravasation in a PCA model. These findings demonstrate that EtCC effectively suppresses mast-cell-mediated allergic responses, suggesting its potential as a novel allergy treatment.

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a common condition of hair loss, triggered by excessive 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) generated via 5α-reductase activity. This study investigated the anti-alopecia effects of Ishophloroglucin A (IPA), a compound isolated from the brown seaweed Ishige okamurae. Molecular docking analysis revealed that IPA exhibits higher binding affinity to 5α-reductase than finasteride. In human dermal papilla cells (HDPCs), IPA inhibited both 5α-reductase activity and androgen receptor (AR) expression, reduced levels of dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), and activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by promoting glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3β) phosphorylation and upregulating beta-catenin (β-catenin) expression. Additionally, IPA increased the expression of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), both of which are associated with hair growth promotion. These findings suggest that IPA is a promising therapeutic candidate for treating AGA.

Plants adapt and survive through intricate interactions among multiple phytohormones that regulate responses to internal and external stimuli. Among these, ethylene plays a crucial role, mediating developmental and environmental signaling pathways throughout the life cycle of the plant, from seed germination to growth, maturation, and senescence. This ethylene biosynthetic pathway is tightly regulated, and recent studies report detailed mechanisms by which auxin and brassinosteroids enhance ethylene production in Arabidopsis and rice. Other phytohormones are also known to modulate ethylene biosynthesis, increasing or suppressing its biosynthesis. Besides rice, wheat, maize, barley, and sorghum represent important cereal crops. However, unlike in rice, the mechanisms underlying ethylene biosynthesis and its regulation in these crops remain poorly understood. This study demonstrated that various plant hormones can regulate ethylene biosynthesis through ethylene content measurements and phenotypic observations. Similar to rice, treatments with brassinosteroids, cytokinin, auxin, or gibberellin increased ethylene biosynthesis in etiolated seedlings in wheat, maize, barley, and sorghum. Specifically, the application of brassinosteroid, cytokinin, or auxin induced a biphasic response in monocot plants. Similar to rice, treatments with salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, or abscisic acid decreased ethylene biosynthesis in these crops. These findings offer valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying ethylene biosynthesis and its regulation by phytohormones in cereal crops.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and impaired glucose homeostasis. This study investigates the antidiabetic potential of microencapsulated phenolic-rich fractions from Alhagi maurorum (PRF-AM) as a novel nutritional therapy. Phenolic fractions were extracted and encapsulated using a combination of maltodextrin, modified starch, and whey protein concentrate via spray-drying, yielding uniform spherical microcapsules averaging 497.2 nm with 91% encapsulation efficiency. Key phenolics identified included gallic, caffeic, cinnamic, and ellagic acids, known for their antioxidant activity. In an alloxan-induced diabetic mouse model, oral administration of PRF-AM (100 mg/kg) for five weeks significantly reduced blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL levels. Histopathological evaluation confirmed no adverse effects on liver, pancreas, or spleen tissues. Mechanistically, PRF-AM enhanced antioxidant defense by upregulating catalase and suppressing iNOS expression, alongside significant increases in GLUT2 and GLUT4 mRNA levels, promoting improved glucose transport and insulin sensitivity. These findings suggest that microencapsulated phenolic compounds from A. maurorum offer a safe and effective adjunctive approach for diabetes management, combining metabolic regulation with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Modern agriculture requires alternatives to counteract the price volatility and environmental impacts of synthetic fertilizers. Mealworm frass (MF) is being explored as a novel biofertilizer in sustainable agriculture. However, the in-depth characterization of its biofertilization potential is lacking. Similarly, the mechanistic role of its associated microbiota towards improving early plant growth response is unexplored. These are the gaps the current study addresses. Initially, the particle size and nutrient distribution of the MF were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Subsequently, microbial isolation and molecular identification characterized the MF-associated microbiome. Isolates were thereafter screened via various plant growth promotion (PGP) assays. Nutrient mineralization rates were calculated through soil incubation experiments. MF and chicken manure (CM) were incorporated into the soil at 1% (w/w) using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Additionally, the effects of the MF on Chinese kale (CK) growth and yield were evaluated under greenhouse conditions using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The results showed that MF had uniform nutrient distribution: high organic matter content (63.38%), the presence of essential nutrients (5.09% N, 1.71% P, and 2.82% K), and a low C:N ratio (6.69). Furthermore, the characterized MF microbiota comprised plant growth-promoting genera such as Streptomyces, Microbacterium, Brucella, Staphylococcus, and Rothia, which fix nitrogen, solubilize K & P, and produce IAA. Moreover, nutrients were released rapidly for plant uptake (7-day nitrogen mineralization rate = 93.75 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹). The CK growth trials showed that MF + 50% chemical fertilizer (CF) yielded the highest fresh weight (141.73 g plant⁻¹) and crop quality (vitamin C: 227.97 mg plant⁻¹; antioxidant activity: 238.10 µmol TE g⁻¹). Usually, MF alone and MF + 50% CF outperformed CF and CM alone, respectively, in improving various plant growth responses, nutrient uptake, antioxidant activity, and vitamin C content (p < 0.05). Taken together, our findings mechanistically portray MF (aided by PGP microbiota) as a biofertilizer for both organic and integrated farming systems. Further scale-up studies are recommended to fully justify the use of MF biofertilizer as a substitute for CF towards circular economy and agricultural sustainability principles.

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Agricultural soils are facing elevated levels of pesticide contamination, highlighting the necessity for remediation methods that simultaneously immobilize contaminants and restore soil health. Sewage sludge biochar (SB) was evaluated for its capacity to adsorb tricyclazole (TCZ), with particular attention to its effects on soil microbial communities. When pyrolyzed at 700 °C for 1 h, SB showed effective TCZ adsorption capacity (Langmuir Q_m = 9.84 mg g⁻¹; desorption = 11.51%), particularly under mildly acidic conditions (pH 4–6). Spectroscopic (FTIR, XPS) and textural (BET, BJH) characterization revealed that TCZ adsorption occurred mainly through physical mechanisms including π–π interactions, hydrophobic partitioning, and pore filling, while surface functional groups played a smaller role. In soil microcosm experiments, SB addition alongside TCZ helped mitigate TCZ-induced changes in microbial community structure, maintaining the relative abundance of several genera involved in nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus cycling, although certain nitrifier-associated groups remained reduced. Temporary reductions in alkaline phosphatase and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activities were observed when SB and TCZ were added to soil, likely due to matrix effects such as substrate sorption and metal interactions rather than direct TCZ toxicity. The findings indicate that SB can effectively immobilize TCZ while partially mitigating TCZ-related disruptions to microbial communities, suggesting that SB amendments are a viable strategy for managing pesticide contamination in agricultural settings, provided that heavy metal input is carefully monitored and minimized.

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, which leads to complications in wound healing, such as prolonged inflammation, reduced angiogenesis, and impaired cellular proliferation. These complications result in chronic wounds, which are prone to infection and difficult to heal. The chronic nature of diabetic wounds, compounded by increased oxidative stress and accumulation of advanced glycation end-products, requires the development of effective therapeutic strategies to enhance wound healing in patients with diabetes. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore novel and safer therapeutic approaches for diabetic wound management. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of abietic acid, a major component of pine rosin, for enhancing wound healing under high-glucose conditions. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were used in this study. The effects of abietic acid on cell viability, angiogenesis, and key signaling pathways (protein kinase B, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38, and vascular endothelial growth factor) were assessed in vitro, and wound closure was evaluated in vivo. Abietic acid promoted angiogenesis and activated key signaling pathways in vitro. In vivo, abietic acid significantly accelerated wound closure, with the wound area reduced by 93.3% at day 10 compared with 46.5% in controls. These findings suggest that abietic acid can be a beneficial agent for diabetic wound healing and warrants further investigation. Future studies will aim to optimize dosing, examine inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, and validate efficacy in type 2 diabetes models to strengthen clinical translation.

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This study investigated the potential of feed additives for very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA), which were identified in sea staghorn (Codium fragile) as natural feed additives to reduce enteric methane emissions in ruminants. An in vitro rumen fermentation model was used to evaluate the synergistic effects of VLCFAs and ALA, both individually and in combination, on methane​ emissions, dry matter digestibility, and the microbial community in the rumen. The results demonstrated that treatments with VLCFAs or ALA alone, at concentrations of up to 1.5% of the feed, did not significantly affect methane​ production, and significantly reduced the digestibility in the VLCFAs treatment. However, a mixture of 1.0% VLCFAs and ALA, particularly at a 2:1 ratio, significantly reduced methane​ emissions by 21% without compromising dry matter digestibility synergistically. Methanobrevibacter was over 96% of the total archaeal population, and Methanosphaera accounted for 2–3% of the total archaea. Furthermore, Prevotella and Succinivibrio were identified as predominant bacteria in the bacterial community. The treatment of VLCFAs or ALA alone slightly decreased the total gene counts, while the mixture of VLCFA-ALA treatment increased the total gene counts. In addition, the VLCFA-ALA mixture treatment increased the overall archaeal population and the archaea-to-bacteria ratio, while preserving the total bacterial population and digestibility; these were both negatively affected by VLCFAs alone.