3 Biotech最新文献

The tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly impacts tumor development, metastasis, immune evasion, and resistance to conventional treatments. Recent nanomedicine advancements aid the formation of intelligent, multipurpose nanosystems that precisely target and modify various TME elements, including hypoxia, extracellular matrix, tumor-associated macrophages, and immunological checkpoints. The review highlights recent advancements in nanotechnology-based methods for optimizing medication delivery, renewing the TME, and enhancing treatment outcomes. It discusses the impact of nanomedicines on the TME, including immune modulation, stimuli-responsive drug release, and the restoration of abnormal vasculature. It also demonstrates the translational landscape of these methods, focusing on safety profiles, clinical trials, and scaling challenges from preclinical models to clinical applications. Nanomedicine offers personalized cancer treatments by regulating tumor TME, enhancing immunity, restoring tumor vasculature, and targeting multiple TME components through smart nanocarriers. Combination approaches with immunotherapy, photothermal therapy, and chemotherapy show synergistic results. Clinical trials show promise but face scalability and reproducibility issues.

The blast disease of rice is caused by a well-known pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae infecting the rice crop in all growth stages and results in devastating yield losses. Due to the complex polyphyletic lineage of the pathogen population and the existence of numerous transposable elements, understanding its genetic diversity is essential for effective disease management. The present study aims to minimize the rapid breakdown of disease resistance and in a way that limit the emergence of new races. Virulence screening on a set of rice differentials revealed the presence of 18 International races collected from various cultivars across three agroclimatic zones of Telangana, India. Further, 40 single spore isolates of M. oryzae were characterized using PCR-based genetic techniques such as RAPD, SSR, and Pot2-TIR. Notably, Lineage - I identified through Pot2 - TIR analysis contained the largest number of isolates, while other lineages represent smaller numbers of isolates. In broader terms, each lineage included isolates with different geographic origins, cultivars and diseased plant parts and there was no discernible relationship between pathotypes and DNA fingerprinting. Having been contemplated, these findings demonstrated that the M. oryzae population collected from various rice cultivars grown in Telangana had greater individual diversity than population diversity. Hence, for efficient disease management, use of certified seed and removal of collateral hosts are recommended.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-025-04610-0.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease involving dysregulated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) activity, leading to excessive extracellular matrix deposition and lung tissue deterioration. This study investigated bioactive compounds from Mentha piperita L. as potential MMP9 inhibitors for IPF therapy. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified nine phytochemicals in the methanolic extract of peppermint leaves. Drug-likeness screening using Lipinski's Rule of Five identified two lead compounds: (-)-carvone and cis-dihydrocarvone. ADMET analysis revealed favorable pharmacokinetic properties, including appropriate solubility (-3.089 and -3.12, respectively) and blood-brain barrier permeability values (0.345 and 0.357). TOPKAT toxicity prediction classified both compounds as non-carcinogenic with negligible skin sensitization potential. Molecular docking against MMP9 (PDB ID: 1GKD) yielded MolDock scores of -84.22 for (-)-carvone and  -87.47 for cis-dihydrocarvone, indicating strong binding affinity. Molecular dynamics simulations over 100 ns demonstrated stable protein-ligand complexes with consistent RMSD values (~ 0.8 Å for ligand), sustained hydrogen bonding interactions, and minimal conformational changes. Key residues LEU188, VAL398, HIS401, and TYR423 were identified as critical for binding stability. These computational findings establish (-)-carvone and cis-dihydrocarvone as promising MMP9 inhibitor candidates for IPF treatment, warranting in vitro and in vivo experimental validation.

5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a naturally occurring, functional, non-protein amino acid that is ubiquitously present in biological cells, including microorganisms, plants, and animals. It functions as a key precursor in the biosynthesis of tetrahydropyrrole compounds in organisms. Due to its biodegradable, non-toxic, and residue-free properties, 5-ALA has been extensively utilized in medicine, agriculture, and animal production. In recent years, rapid advances in biotechnology have intensified interest in the biological synthesis of 5-ALA. This review provides a comprehensive summary of recent developments in microbial 5-ALA production via the C4 or C5 pathway, including engineering of key enzymes, enhancing the supply of precursors and cofactors, engineering product transporters, reducing by-product generation, dynamic regulation based on biosensors, and utilization of omics technology. These technologies have enabled the production of 5-ALA using bacteria, thereby significantly promoting the industrialization of 5-ALA synthesis. In addition, this review addresses the current challenges associated with the biological synthesis of 5-ALA and proposes prospects that offer guidance for its biosynthesis and industrial production.

We assessed the potential of Bacillus subtilis BSS.2162 to promote plant growth under water deficit conditions through genomic analyses and a greenhouse assay. The genome sequence has a total size of 4.1 Mb, with a GC content of 43.67%, harboring 4,077 coding sequences (CDSs) and 80 RNA genes. The strain exhibited a genetic framework specialized for tolerance to abiotic stresses, encompassing genes associated with antioxidant responses, sporulation, exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, osmoregulation, and homeostasis mechanisms. These featuress reflect the strain's adaptation to the Caatinga biome, an environment characterized by high temperatures and low rainfall, which exerts selective pressure on microbial communities, favoring microorganisms with specialized genetic and biochemical traits. Additionally, we identified CDSs associated with nutrient acquisition and metabolism, including phosphorus and potassium solubilization, nitrate assimilation, production of siderophores, and sulfur metabolism; tryptophan biosynthesis; and hydrolytic enzymes. These traits indicate a strong potential for plant growth promoting. Under greenhouse conditions, maize plants inoculated with BSS.2162 and exposed to complete water restriction showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in all parameters evaluated, showing improvements ranging from 48% to 306% when compared to the control. Genomic analysis, combined with the greenhouse experiment, highlights BSS.2162 as a novel strain with potential to mitigate the effects of water deficit, highlighting the need for complementary approaches to validate its suitability for the development of a bioinoculant for cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions.

Papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), the causal agent of ringspot disease, is one of the most destructive pathogens affecting papaya, resulting in substantial (80-90%) yield losses worldwide. A critical knowledge gap persists in understanding the molecular determinants of the host tolerance to PRSV and the antiviral role of RNA silencing. As an RNA virus, PRSV exists as a quasi-species within its host, comprising a population of closely related mutant variants which interact dynamically with the plant RNA interference (RNAi) machinery. In infected plants, viral RNA assumes multiple forms- single-stranded RNA, double-stranded RNA, encapsidated RNA, and virus-derived small interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) that collectively influence the viral persistence and host defence. Plants often harbor co-infections by multiple viral strains or variants; a phenomenon increasingly uncovered through high-throughput sequencing technologies. In this study, we performed a comparative small RNA sequencing analysis to characterize the vsiRNA populations in PRSV infected papaya plants and non-symptomatic (healthy) counterparts of two papaya genotypes- PRSV-tolerant Pusa Selection-3, PRSV-susceptible Pusa Majesty and a wild relative, Vasconcellea cauliflora. High-throughput sequencing generated ~ 238 million reads, from which vsiRNAs of 21, 22, and 24 nucleotides (nt) in length were abundantly detected and mapped across the PRSV genome. Notably, 21nt vsiRNAs were predominant, constituting 35-60% of vsiRNAs in PRSV-infected samples, whereas 22nt and 24nt vsiRNAs (15-35%) were more abundant in healthy plants and the wild relative, showing a consistent sense-strand polarity bias. Analysis of the 5'-end nucleotides of the antisense strand of vsiRNAs revealed a preferential presence of Adenine (A) or Uracil (U), suggesting selective Argonaute protein loading pattern. This study provides the first comparative insight into vsiRNA dynamics across susceptible, tolerant, and wild papaya genotypes, highlighting the complexity of host-virus interactions in PRSV pathogenesis and host defense. The findings advance the understanding of the RNAi-mediated antiviral defense mechanisms underlying PRSV tolerance and lay the groundwork for developing RNAi-based resistance strategies in papaya improvement programs.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-025-04672-0.

The Himalayas offer a unique environment for the study of microbial diversity and their response to biotic and abiotic factors, enhancing knowledge on ecological processes under altitudinal control in subalpine forests. This study investigates the impact of altitude on bacterial diversity and soil physico-chemical properties of Himalayan subalpine coniferous forests at four different regions-Sillery Gaon (S1; 1829 m), Gangotri (S2; 3415 m), Kausani (S3; 1890 m) and Gwal Dam (S4; 1940 m). Using 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing, soil microbial diversity of the said subalpine ecosystems were explored. Physico-chemical studies of the soil samples showed that S1 had the highest moisture content (25.66 ± 0.26%) and C:N ratio (136.26 ± 5.4) while S4 had the highest TOC (22.78 ± 1.2%), TKN (0.7373 ± 0.043%) and available phosphate content. Results indicated presence of diverse microflora from various phyla, including Actinomycetota (7.52% in S2, 7.98% in S3), Planctomycetota (53.36% in S1, 51.09% in S3), Proteobacteria (14.3% in S1, 18.28% in S3, 14.96% in S4), and Verrucomicrobiota (18.75% in S2 and 21.88% in S4). Proteobacteria was the dominant phyla in mid (S4) and lower (S1, S3) subalpine forest soils, suggesting enhanced abundance due to human intervention at these altitudes. Multivariate analysis revealed a positive correlation between altitude, precipitation, moisture content, soil pH, organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphate contents with the presence of Proteobacteria and Actinomycetota phyla. The study highlights the connection between microbial communities and soil physicochemical properties, and the intricate interplay of biotic and abiotic factors affecting the microbial community composition in a unique region at different elevations.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-025-04608-8.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are key molecular mediators implicated in diabetic neuropathy (DN), although their exact mechanisms and therapeutic implications remain unclear. This review systematically integrates current evidence on AGE formation, AGE-RAGE signaling, oxidative stress, and emerging interventions in DN. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Studies addressing biochemical, molecular, and clinical aspects of AGEs in DN were identified, screened, and qualitatively analyzed. Evidence consistently shows that AGEs promote neuronal and vascular injury through both receptor-dependent (AGE-RAGE-NF-κB/oxidative stress) and receptor-independent (protein crosslinking and matrix stiffening) mechanisms. Clinical data reveal significant associations between elevated AGE levels and DN severity, although differences in assay methods and diagnostic criteria limit direct comparisons. Antiglycation and antioxidant therapies, including aminoguanidine, carbonyl scavengers, and RAGE antagonists, have demonstrated neuroprotective potential in preclinical studies but have yielded variable results in human trials. AGEs play a central yet multifactorial role in DN by coupling metabolic stress with neuroinflammation and structural damage. Standardization of AGE detection techniques, longitudinal human studies, and rigorously designed translational trials are essential to advance their diagnostic and therapeutic potential.

This review synthesizes recent advances in the integration of omics, synthetic biology, and artificial intelligence (AI) to deepen understanding of plant-microbe interactions and support sustainable agriculture. Omics approaches have provided molecular-level insights into microbial diversity, functional genes, and regulatory pathways shaping rhizosphere dynamics. Synthetic biology has enabled the design of microbial strains and synthetic communities (SynComs) with enhanced traits such as nutrient solubilization, stress tolerance, and pathogen suppression, offering targeted solutions for crop improvement. AI-driven tools have accelerated these advances by enabling predictive modelling, multi-omics data integration, and real-time phenotyping, while also enhancing disease forecasting and microbiome-informed crop management. The combined application of these technologies demonstrates potential for the rational design of next-generation plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and synthetic microbial consortia optimized for diverse agroecosystems. Key challenges remain in translating laboratory findings to field conditions, ensuring biosafety of engineered microbes, and addressing ethical and regulatory issues. Addressing these barriers through interdisciplinary frameworks and responsible innovation will pave the way for climate specific high-yielding, and sustainable cropping systems.

The Kole wetlands of Kerala are highly productive rice ecosystems that lie below mean sea level and alternate between flooded and dry phases, shaping their ecological structure. This study focused on assessing bacterial diversity in the rice rhizosphere of Thrissur Kole lands. Rhizosphere soil was sampled from three Kole wetland locations, Puzhakkal (Pzk), Mullassery (Mls), and Cherpu (Chr). Bacterial communities were profiled by constructing metagenomic libraries and sequencing the 16S rRNA V3-V4 regions using the Illumina MiSeq platform. The sequences of the samples Pzk, Mls, and Chr were submitted in the SRA portal under the bioaccession numbers SAMN17776076, SAMN17776077, and SAMN17776078, respectively. High-quality, chimera-free sequences were clustered into OTUs using the QIIME pipeline. Taxonomic assignment was performed in MEGAN by matching reads to sequence databases and allocating NCBI-based taxon IDs. Phylum-level bacterial and archaeal diversity was further analyzed using the MG-RAST pipeline. The predominant bacterial phyla identified were Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Nitrospirae, with bacterial relative abundance being highest in the Pzk sample and comparatively lower in the Chr sample. The major archaeal phyla included Euryarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, and Thaumarchaeota. Many members of these bacterial and archaeal groups are known to thrive in waterlogged, oxygen-limited, or anoxic conditions, characteristic of Kole lands. Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) such as Azospirillum, Paenibacillus, and Cellulosimicrobium were detected and could potentially be exploited as acid-tolerant biofertilizers. Biocontrol agents belonging to the genera Bacillus and Pseudomonas were also present. Further investigation is required for the characterization of the 'Unclassified' genera at taxonomic and functional levels to elucidate their ecological functions.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-025-04630-w.