Marine Life Science & Technology最新文献

Sex determination and differentiation play crucial biological roles in sexual reproduction in vertebrates, including zebrafish. Nevertheless, the intricate molecular mechanisms governing these processes have remained enigmatic. In this study, we showed a pivotal role played by zinc finger GATA-like protein-1 (Zglp-1) in sex differentiation in zebrafish. Our findings revealed that homozygous mutants having no Zglp-1 exhibited a female-to-male sex reversal, ultimately resulting in the development of fertile males. Within the pivotal phase of sexual differentiation, zglp-1 ^-/- zebrafish demonstrated a gene expression pattern that was skewed toward a male phenotype. Notably, the expression of amh was upregulated, while the expression of cyp19a1a was not sustained. Furthermore, our data revealed a direct interaction between the zinc fingers of Zglp-1 and Sf-1, which inhibited the ability of Sf-1 to activate the amh promoter. This interaction was crucial for regulating sex differentiation. Moreover, we observed alterations in gonadal cell proliferation and apoptosis in zglp-1 ^-/- zebrafish, which partially contributed to the sexual fate selection. Overall, our findings firmly established Zglp-1 as a crucial regulator of sex differentiation in zebrafish, offering deep insights into the intricate molecular mechanisms that govern sex determination and differentiation in vertebrates.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-025-00299-5.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a high-grade malignancy and prone to drug resistance, with limited progress in patient survival over the past 30 years. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore new treatment strategies for SCLC patients. Autophagic cell death represents a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer cells with high apoptotic thresholds. Here, we demonstrate that nitrobenzoyl-insulicolide A (1), a new sesquiterpene, isolated from Antarctica sponge-derived fungus Aspergillus insulicola HDN151418, inhibits the proliferation of various SCLC cells including adriamycin- or cisplatin/etoposide-resistant cells, via autophagic death rather than apoptosis, necrosis and cell aging. Molecular mechanism analysis revealed that compound 1 induced autophagic cell death in the NCI-H446 and H69 AR cells dependent on activations of the AKT/mTOR/PARP and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. These findings provide an experimental basis for the further development of 1 as a lead compound against small cell lung cancer in future.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-025-00292-y.

Habitat fragmentation is a major cause of biodiversity loss. Fragmentation can alter thermal conditions on the remaining patches, especially at habitat edges, but few studies have examined variations in thermal tolerance of species in fragmented habitats. Ants are sensitive to both habitat fragmentation and temperature changes, and are an ideal taxon for studying these impacts. Here, we focused on the dimorphic ant species Pheidole nodus in a fragmented habitat island system (Thousand island lake) in China. We assessed critical thermal maximum (CTmax), minimum (CTmin), and range (CTrange) temperatures for both minor (workers) and major workers (soldiers) of 2307 individuals from 117 edge and interior colonies across 9 islands during relatively hot and cold seasons. Using mixed-effect linear models, we explored the effects of island area, habitat type (edge vs. interior), season, and caste (worker vs. soldier) on CTmax, CTmin, and CTrange. We found temperatures were 1-3 °C higher in edge than interior sites in relatively hot season. Yet, only CTmax and CTrange in edge populations were higher than those of interior sites on smaller islands. CTmax was higher in relatively hot season and CTmin was lower in relatively cold season, indicating seasonal plasticity in thermal tolerance. Workers consistently had higher CTmax and lower CTmin than soldiers. These findings underscore the importance of seasonality, worker caste, and interactive effect between island area and habitat type in shaping thermal tolerance of a dominant dimorphic ant species on fragmented habitat islands. Our study provides a roadmap for integrating thermal biology into studies of how fragmentation impacts biodiversity.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-025-00288-8.

Phycobilisomes (PBS), the primary light-harvesting complexes in cyanobacteria, are degraded under nitrogen starvation to provide nitrogen for cell growth. This study reveals that carbon supply is a critical prerequisite for PBS degradation under nitrogen deficiency in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. Even under nitrogen-deficient conditions, PBS degradation is inhibited in the absence of sufficient carbon. We demonstrate that both the nblAB-mediated PBS-degradation pathway and the ccmLMNK operon-mediated CO₂-concentrating mechanism are essential for PBS degradation. Furthermore, our findings highlight the critical role of PBS degradation in cyanobacterial adaptation to high C/N conditions. Mutant strains (Mut-nblA and Mut-nblB) deficient in PBS degradation exhibited impaired adaptation to high C/N conditions, as evidenced by their inability to thrive in high NaHCO₃ (nitrogen-free) or CO₂ (low-nitrogen) environments. While these mutants displayed a greener phenotype under high C/N conditions compared to the wild type, they exhibited extensive cellular damage, and significant downregulation of photosynthesis-related genes. These results provide novel insights into the carbon-dependent regulation of PBS degradation and its essential role in cyanobacterial C/N balance, highlighting its significance for their adaptation to fluctuating environmental conditions.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-025-00290-0.

Biological invasions represent one of the main anthropogenic drivers of global change with a substantial impact on biodiversity. Traditional studies predict invasion risk based on the correlation between species' distribution and environmental factors, with little attention to the potential contribution of physiological factors. In this study, we incorporated temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) and sex-ratio data into species distribution models (SDMs) to assess the current and future suitable habitats for the world's worst invasive reptile species, the pond slider turtle (Trachemys scripta). First, occurrence records of T. scripta from online databases and published scientific literature were identified. Then, climatic variables representing current (1976-2013) and future (2060-2080) climate scenarios were extracted and combined with sex-ratio records to create hybrid-SDMs with which to assess the current and future suitable habitats for T. scripta. It was found that T. scripta has potential suitable habitat in 136 countries at present. Under the four climate change scenarios (ssp126, ssp245, ssp370 and ssp585) that were modeled, the distribution of T. scripta is predicted to decrease in 78-93 countries but increase in the northern hemisphere. This confirms that there is a greater likelihood that this species will increase in more developed countries. Incorporating the thermal dependence of sex ratio into hybrid-SDMs can be an important addition to detect the invasion risk of TSD species and to develop region-specific invasion management strategies to prevent and/or control invasive species such as T. scripta.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-025-00291-z.

An investigation of the mangrove-derived fungus Penicillium sp. DM27 led to the isolation of 19 new compounds, including three pairs of piperidinone enantiomers ( ±)-1, ( ±)-2, and ( ±)-3, two pairs of pyrrolidinone enantiomers ( ±)-4 and ( ±)-5, and nine pyrrolidine derivatives 6-14. The structures of 1-14 were elucidated through NMR and HRESIMS analysis, coupled with experimental and calculated ECD spectroscopy and the modified Mosher method. Quantitative real time PCR and Western bolt analyses revealed that 11 blocked EMT in TGF-β1-treated HK-2 cells and suppressed fibroblast activation in TGF-β1-stimulated NIH-3T3 cells. Molecular simulations demonstrated that compound 11 could dock ADAM17, showing a high negative binding affinity. Additionally, the overexpression of ADAM17 by lentiviral infection triggered renal tubular EMT, while compound 11 suppressed this process. Overall, our research suggests that pyrrolidine derivatives may be potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of fibrotic kidney disease.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-025-00282-0.

Analysis of the secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene cluster (BGC) from marine Streptomyces sp. SNJ102 revealed the presence of a noncanonical nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS), predicted to produce a depsipeptide compound. The NRPS gene cluster was captured by transformation-associated recombination and heterologously expressed in Streptomyces albus. The production of the new compound was confirmed using high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and its structure was elucidated using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The structure of the new depsipeptide was more similar to the monomeric structure of cyclic depsipeptides derived from fungi than to other Streptomyces-derived depsipeptides. In addition, the bacterial depsipeptide, which we named jejumide, showed promising anti-inflammatory activity. These results demonstrate that genome mining and successful heterologous expression of cryptic nonlinear NRPS BGCs from marine bacteria will facilitate the discovery of novel nonribosomal peptides and understanding of the complicated biosynthetic mechanism of nonlinear NRPS.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-025-00296-8.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) regulate the activity and functionality of RELA, but their role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis is unclear. This study was performed to understand the regulation mechanism of acetylation of RELA on liver inflammation and fibrosis in a model animal of innate glucose intolerance, largemouth bass, and to provide a potential target and biomarker for liver fibrosis therapy. We found that the acetylation of total proteins and RELA was significantly reduced in fibrotic livers of largemouth bass induced by a high-carbohydrate and high-fat diet (HCHFD) and CCL4 challenge. Furthermore, quantitative acetylome data showed that the K119 site of RELA was deacetylated in fibrotic livers compared to healthy controls. Subsequently, we reveal a new mechanism that SIRT7 deacetylates RELA at the K119 site in largemouth bass. RELA K119 deacetylation enhances RELA transcriptional activity by increasing its DNA-binding activity, and facilitates nuclear translocation of RELA, resulting in the overwhelming release of proinflammatory factors, and subsequently enhancing liver inflammation and fibrosis. Pharmacological inhibition of SIRT7 using a specific inhibitor restores the decreased acetylation of RELA in vivo and in vitro, and reduces the transcriptional activity, nuclear localization of RELA and the expression of its target genes, which ultimately attenuates liver inflammation and fibrosis. These findings uncover a novel mechanism underlying liver fibrosis involving SIRT7-mediated deacetylation of RELA to activate the proinflammatory gene program, and thus provide important insights and biomarkers into the effective strategies for limiting liver inflammation and fibrosis.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-025-00287-9.

Marinisomatota (formerly recognized as Marinimicrobia, Marine Group A, and SAR406) are ubiquitous and abundant in marine environments, traditionally characterized as heterotrophic microorganisms. However, certain members of Marinisomatota have demonstrated the capacity to harness light for carbon dioxide fixation and the synthesis of organic compounds, thriving in the translucent zone or transitioning between the translucent and aphotic layers. The metabolic strategies driving the shift in trophic behaviors, and the factors influencing these transitions, remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigate the metabolic strategies, ecological distribution, and dietary patterns of Marinisomatota through the analysis of metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data sourced from the global open oceans. A total of 1,588 Marinisomatota genomes were retrieved, representing one class, two orders, 14 families, 31 genera, and 67 species. These organisms are predominantly found in low-latitude marine regions, with relative abundances ranging from 0.18 to 36.21%. Among the 14 families, S15-B10, TCS55, UBA1611, UBA2128, and UBA8226 exhibit potential for light-dependent processes associated with Crassulacean acid metabolism (M00169). Three distinct metabolic strategies were identified within Marinisomatota: MS0 (photoautotrophic potential), MS1 (heterotrophic with a pronounced glycolytic pathway), and MS2 (heterotrophic without glycolysis). The emergence of these metabolic strategies may be a response to nutrient limitations within the ocean. This study reveals the potential for mixotrophic strategies in Marinisomatota, underscoring the critical interplay between life history traits and metabolic strategies in the evolution of novel nutritional groups.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-025-00293-x.

Sacoglossan sea slugs have attracted considerable scientific attention due to their capacity to retain functional macroalgal chloroplasts inside their cells. This endosymbiotic association is nutritionally relevant for these organisms and represents an interesting research issue for biotechnological applications. The Caribbean species Elysia crispata can integrate chloroplasts from different macroalgal species. The lipidome of chloroplasts includes lipid classes unique to these photosynthetic organelles. Specialized lipids, such as the glycolipids MGDG, DGDG, and SQDG, are essential for maintaining the integrity of both the thylakoid membranes and the overall chloroplast membrane structure. Additionally, lipids are a diverse group of biomolecules playing essential roles at nutritional and physiological levels. A combined approach using LC-HR-MS and MS/MS was employed to determine the polar lipid profile of the photosynthetic sea slug E. crispata from two habitats in the north-western tropical Atlantic (Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano and Mahahual) and two different feeding conditions (fed and after 1 week of starvation). Significant differences were identified in the abundance of structural and signalling phospholipids (PC, PI, PG, PS, CL) suggesting different nutritional states between populations. The composition of glycolipids demonstrated a clear separation by habitat, but not by feeding conditions. The lower abundance of glycolipids in the Mahahual samples suggests a lower density of chloroplasts in their tissues compared to Veracruz individuals. These results corroborate that 1 week of starvation is insufficient to initiate the degradation of plastid membranes. This study confirms the advantages of using lipidomics as a tool to enhance our knowledge of the ecology of marine invertebrates.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42995-025-00281-1.