Biology-Basel最新文献

Several studies have demonstrated that methionine supplementation in fish diets enhances immune status, inflammatory response, and resistance to bacterial infections by modulating for DNA methylation, aminopropylation, and transsulfuration pathways. However, the immunomodulatory effects of methionine in viral infections remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of methionine supplementation on immune modulation and resistance to the viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Two diets were formulated and fed to juvenile rainbow trout for four weeks: a control diet (CTRL) with all nutritional requirements, including the amino acid profile required for the species, and a methionine-supplemented diet (MET), containing twice the normal requirement of DL-methionine. After feeding, fish were bath-infected with VHSV, while control fish were exposed to a virus-free bath. Samples were collected at 0 (after feeding trial), 24, 72, and 120 h post-infection for the haematological profile, humoral immune response, oxidative stress, viral load, RNAseq, and gene expression analysis. In both diets, results showed a peak in viral activity at 72 h, followed by a reduction in viral load at 120 h, indicating immune recovery. During the peak of infection, leukocytes, thrombocytes, and monocytes migrated to the infection site, while oxidative stress biomarkers (superoxide dismutase glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione redox ratio) suggested a compromised ability to manage cellular imbalance due to intense viral activity. At 120 h, immune recovery and homeostasis were observed due to an increase in the amount of nitric oxide, GSH/GSSG levels, leukocyte replacement, monocyte influx, and a reduction in the viral load. When focusing on the infection peak, gene ontology (GO) analysis showed several exclusively enriched pathways in the skin and gills of MET-fed fish, driven by the upregulation of several key genes. Genes involved in recognition/signalling, inflammatory response, and other genes with direct antiviral activity, such as TLR3, MYD88, TRAF2, NF-κB, STING, IRF3, -7, VIG1, caspases, cathepsins, and TNF, were observed. Notably, VIG1 (viperin), a key antiviral protein, was significantly upregulated in gills, confirming the modulatory role of methionine in inducing its transcription. Viperin, which harbours an S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) radical domain, is directly related to methionine biosynthesis and plays a critical role in the innate immune response to VHSV infection in rainbow trout. In summary, this study suggests that dietary methionine supplementation can enhance a more robust fish immune response to viral infections, with viperin as a crucial mediator. The improved antiviral readiness observed in MET-fed fish underscores the potential of targeted nutritional adjustments to sustain fish health and welfare in aquaculture.

Background: Organ transplant offers patients a second chance at life, yet chronic rejection remains a formidable barrier to long-term success. Unlike the instantaneous storm of acute rejection, chronic rejection is a slow, unremitting process that silently remodels vessels, scars tissues, and diminishes graft function. At the center of this process are macrophages, immune "shapeshifters" that can heal or harm depending on their cues. Methods: This manuscript systematically reviews and synthesizes the current evidence from experimental studies and clinical observations, as well as molecular insights, to unravel how macrophages orchestrate chronic rejection. It travels over macrophage origins alongside their dynamic polarization into pro-inflammatory (M1) or pro-repair yet fibrotic (M2) states. The discussion integrates mechanisms of recruitment, antigen presentation, vascular injury, and fibrosis, while highlighting the molecular pathways (NF-κB, inflammasomes, STAT signaling, metabolic rewiring) that shape macrophage fate. Results: Macrophages play a central role in chronic rejection. Resident macrophages, once tissue peacekeepers, amplify inflammation, while recruited monocyte-derived macrophages fuel acute injury or dysfunctional repair. Together, they initiate transplant vasculopathy through cytokines, growth factors, and matrix metalloproteinases, slowly narrowing vessels and starving grafts. Donor-derived macrophages, often overlooked, act as early sentinels and long-term architects of fibrosis, blurring the line between donor and host immunity. At the molecular level, macrophages lock into destructive programs, perpetuating a cycle of inflammation, vascular remodeling, and scarring. Conclusions: Macrophages are not passive bystanders but pivotal decision makers in chronic rejection. Their plasticity, while a source of pathology, also opens therapeutic opportunities. Emerging strategies like macrophage-targeted drugs, immune tolerance approaches, gene and exosome therapies currently offer ways to reprogram these cells and preserve graft function. By shifting the macrophage narrative from saboteurs to guardians, transplantation medicine may transform chronic rejection from an inevitability into a preventable complication, extending graft survival from fleeting years into enduring decades.

Maize (Zea mays L.), a vital crop for global food and economic security, faces intensifying biotic and abiotic stresses driven by climate change, including drought, heat, and erratic rainfall. This review synthesizes emerging biotechnology-driven strategies designed to enhance maize resilience under these shifting environmental conditions. We present an integrated framework that encompasses CRISPR/Cas9 and next-generation genome editing, Genomic Selection (GS), Environmental Genomic Selection (EGS), and multi-omics platforms-spanning transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenomics. These approaches have significantly deepened our understanding of complex stress-adaptive traits and genotype-by-environment interactions, revealing precise targets for breeding climate-resilient cultivars. Furthermore, we highlight enabling technologies such as high-throughput phenotyping, artificial intelligence (AI), and nanoparticle-based gene delivery-including novel in planta and transformation-free protocols-that are accelerating translational breeding. Despite these technical breakthroughs, barriers such as genotype-dependent transformation efficiency, regulatory landscapes, and implementation costs in resource-limited settings remain. Bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and field deployment will require coordinated policy support and global collaboration. By integrating molecular breakthroughs with practical deployment strategies, this review offers a comprehensive roadmap for developing sustainable, climate-resilient maize varieties to meet future agricultural demands.

Alkane is a predominant wax component, whose production requires the aids of CER1 and CER3. In rice, OsCER1 and OsCER3 are present in multiple copies. Until now, the roles of these genes have been studied individually; however, a systematic comparison of their relative contributions to cuticular wax biosynthesis has not yet been carried out. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that CER1s and CER3s from different plants are classified into two subgroups. RT-qPCR analysis showed that these genes display distinct expression patterns, revealing their specific roles in wax production. Promoter prediction analysis showed that cis-elements responding to light, phytohormones and stress are enriched in the promoter region of OsCER1s and OsCER3s. These proteins are all localized in the endoplasmic reticulum. Further study showed that OsCER1s and OsCER3s are inclined to form a complex during the wax synthesis. Finally, the wax analysis of single mutants showed that among the examined genes, OsCER3a mutation greatly reduced the total wax amounts to 19.6% of wild-type plant with a decrease in most of wax components, whereas mutation of other genes including OsCER3b, OsCER3c, OsCER1a and OsCER1c slightly or barely affect wax production, suggesting that OsCER3a plays major roles in rice wax production whereas other proteins redundantly participate in the wax synthesis. Additionally, the wax increasing rates of Arabidopsis expressing OSCER1 are lower than those of overexpressing AtCER1. Taken together, our study identified the predominant genes involved in wax production, which will be useful for genetically engineering rice with enhanced stress tolerance.

Tibetan sheep, a unique breed indigenous to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, exhibit remarkable adaptations to high-altitude hypoxia, and their muscle quality is a key economic determinant. However, the molecular mechanisms by which exercise regulates meat quality in this breed remain poorly understood. This study aimed to systematically investigate the effects of different exercise volumes on the biceps femoris muscle of Tibetan sheep, integrating histological analysis with high-throughput transcriptome sequencing. We compared a low-exercise group with a high-exercise group and found that long-term endurance exercise resulted in phenotypic changes suggestive of a shift toward oxidative muscle fiber characteristics. This adaptation was characterized by significantly reduced muscle fiber diameter and cross-sectional area, alongside a crucial increase in intramuscular fat content, collectively enhancing meat tenderness, flavor, and juiciness. Transcriptomic analysis revealed extensive gene expression reprogramming, identifying 208 mRNAs and 490 lncRNAs that were differentially expressed and primarily associated with muscle fiber transition and energy metabolism. Furthermore, we constructed a putative lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competing endogenous RNA network based on expression correlations and bioinformatic predictions, highlighting potential key regulatory axes such as LOC105603384/miR-16-z/MYLK3, LOC121820630/miR-381-y/NOX4, and LOC132659150/oar-miR-329a-3p/NF1. These findings provide a new perspective on the molecular basis of exercise-induced muscle adaptation in high-altitude animals and offer a solid theoretical framework for improving meat quality through scientific livestock management.

Cupressus duclouxiana is an ecologically and economically important conifer endemic to southwestern China (e.g., central Yunnan and southern Sichuan), yet its potential distribution under future climate change remains insufficiently understood. In this study, we employed an ensemble species distribution modeling framework implemented in biomod2 to predict the current and future suitable habitats of C. duclouxiana across China. A total of 154 occurrence records and 17 key environmental variables were used to construct ensemble models integrating twelve algorithms. The ensemble model showed high predictive performance (TSS = 0.99, Kappa = 0.98). Temperature-related variables dominated habitat suitability, with the minimum temperature of the coldest month identified as the primary limiting factor, accounting for 44.1%. Under current climatic conditions, suitable habitats are mainly concentrated in southwestern China, particularly in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Xizang (Tibet). Future projections under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, SSP5-8.5) consistently indicate habitat expansion by the late 21st century, accompanied by pronounced northward and northwestward range shifts. The largest expansion is projected under the SSP3-7.0 scenario, highlighting the sensitivity of C. duclouxiana to intermediate warming trajectories. Overall, climate warming is expected to increase habitat availability while reshaping the spatial distribution of C. duclouxiana across China. These findings provide scientific support for climate-adaptive afforestation planning and conservation management, and offer broader insights into the responses of subtropical coniferous species to future climate change.

Duckweed has attracted considerable attention for its high protein content, rapid growth, and broad potential in biotechnological applications. Understanding key phenotypic traits is crucial for unlocking and maximizing this potential. While most studies on duckweed growth have been conducted under natural or non-sterile conditions, here we minimize environmental influences and focus on the genetic component of growth by assessing growth performance under axenic culture. In this study, we measured relative growth rate (RGR) in four duckweed species, Landoltia punctata (G. Mey.) Les & D. J. Crawford, Lemna aequinoctialis Welw., Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid., and Wolffia globosa (Roxb.) Hartog & Plas. collected from various natural locations across Thailand. A total of six to seven strains were tested for each species. The relative growth rates of studied species ranged from 0.012 day^-1 in S. polyrhiza to 0.162 day^-1 in W. globosa. Significant intraspecific variation was observed in L. punctata, S. polyrhiza, and W. globosa, with the coefficients of variation between 9.6 to 109.9 percent. Each strain showed distinct growth characteristics: Most displayed a steady growth pattern, whereas W. globosa showed exponential growth at Day 35 after the start of experiment. The results provide the first systematic comparisons of baseline growth rate data for duckweed species in Thailand. These findings advance the understanding of strain-specific growth traits in duckweed and establish a standardized protocol for evaluating growth traits under axenic conditions, providing a basis for future research and applications.

The dung beetle family Geotrupidae (Scarabaeoidea) plays a vital ecological role in nutrient cycling and soil health, yet the scarcity of complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) data has hindered phylogenetic and comparative studies within this family. Here, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the first complete mitogenomes of Geotrupes stercorarius and Phelotrupes auratus, collected from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Comparative analysis of these two novel mitogenomes with eight existing mitogenomes revealed conserved architectural features across Geotrupidae, such as gene arrangement, tRNA secondary structures, and small intergenic spacers. Nucleotide composition was largely conserved, though marked divergence occurred at the third codon positions. Substantial structural variation was observed in non-coding regions, particularly in the control region and the nad2-trnW spacer. Evolutionary analyses indicated strong purifying selection across all protein-coding genes, with no evidence of widespread positive selection linked to high-altitude adaptation. Phylogenetic reconstruction consistently recovered the relationships (Bolboceratinae, (Lethrinae, Geotrupinae)), with Anoplotrupes and Geotrupes forming sister genera within Geotrupinae. This study provides additional mitogenomic resources and a well-supported phylogenetic framework for Geotrupidae, resolving key taxonomic uncertainties and establishing a basis for future evolutionary and ecological research.

Monitoring epibiotic communities on the invasive red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) in the Barents Sea is crucial for understanding the co-adaptation between this species and the local benthic fauna. Red king crabs were collected during regular diving surveys conducted in the coastal Barents Sea in 2015, 2021, and 2022. A detailed examination revealed the presence of two amphipod species, Metopa pusilla and Crassicorophium bonellii, which were not previously documented as epibionts on this host. With these additions, the total number of epibiotic amphipods on Barents Sea red king crabs rises to nine species (versus two in the native Sea of Okhotsk). Amphipod colonization was skewed toward large males, likely reflecting their greater migratory behavior. The prevalence of Metopa pusilla ranged from 1.9% to 4.3%, with a mean intensity of one individual per infested crab; Crassicorophium bonellii exhibited prevalence of 4.7-14.3% and mean intensity of 1.3-3.3 individuals. The primary colonization sites were the carapace and limbs. Given the low infestation parameters and the epibionts' localization away from critical structures like the gills and egg clutches, it is concluded that these amphipods pose a negligible risk to host health.

Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ represent common heavy metal contaminants in aquatic environments, posing significant risks to ecosystem stability and human health. To develop efficient adsorbents for removing Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ while achieving resource utilization of industrial by-products (red mud and distiller's grains), this study synthesized a novel composite biochar-red mud-Lactobacillus plantarum composite biochar (RM)-by immobilizing red mud and Lactobacillus plantarum onto biochar derived from distiller's grains. The structural and chemical properties of RM were characterized using SEM-EDS, XRD, and FTIR. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of various experimental factors on Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ adsorption. The adsorption process was further elucidated through kinetic and isothermal models, revealing that it follows the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Equilibrium data were best described by the Langmuir model for Cd²⁺ and the Freundlich model for Pb²⁺. The maximum adsorption capacities reached 12.13 mg/g for Cd²⁺ and 130.10 mg/g for Pb²⁺. The primary mechanisms involved in Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ adsorption by RM include surface complexation, cation-π interactions, ion exchange, and coprecipitation. These findings demonstrate that RM represents a promising and effective adsorbent for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated water.