microPublication biology最新文献

Commercial potting soil mixes are typically dominated by peat moss, a nonrenewable resource. Here, we explore the potential of a novel alternative growth medium: dog fur waste collected from retail grooming salons. We evaluated three common container-grown crops (basil, lettuce, and marigold) and found that all three exhibited substantially improved growth when a standard potting mix was amended with dog fur (25% or 50% by volume). These surprising effects encompassed multiple response variables, including both vegetative and reproductive structures. Our results suggest that dog fur has potential for a wide range of applications spanning both edible and ornamental plant production.

The phages Barsten, Kamashten, Kwobi, LilHam, SchottB, StorminNorm and Thing3 were isolated from soil samples collected around Columbus, Ohio, United States, using the host Gordonia terrae 3612. The seven genomes range in size between 55,593bp and 59,501bp, and contain an average of 85 protein-coding genes. Based on gene content similarity, all seven phages are assigned to actinobacteriophage cluster DE1.

Egg-laying behavior in C. elegans is driven by a simple neural circuit comprising motor neurons, vulva muscles, and neuroendocrine cells. Most protocols designed to capture this behavior rely on imaging freely moving animals at low magnifications, thus limiting subcellular-level understanding of the underlying neuromuscular circuit. Here, we present a protocol to immobilize C. elegans while maintaining egg-laying activity, enabling high spatiotemporal-resolution imaging of this behavior.

We report here on mycobacteriophage Underpass, isolated from a soil sample collected at a construction site at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Underpass is a siphovirus that infects Mycobacterium smegmatis mc ² 155, and is able to establish lysogens. Within its 71,053 bp genome, we identified 134 predicted genes. Based on gene content similiarity to Actinobacteriophages, Underpass is a member of the L2 subcluster.

To improve the FAIRness of agricultural genomic, genetic, and breeding ( GGB ) data, the AgBioData FAIR Scientific Literature Working Group developed a free search tool that helps researchers identify appropriate databases for submitting their data. Existing repository discovery tools lack the specificity needed for GGB data. Our tool filters databases by organism and data type, mapped using established ontologies, and provides database profiles linking directly to submission guidelines. By guiding authors toward suitable, domain-specific databases, this resource facilitates improved data curation, discoverability, and reuse in agricultural research. The tool can be accessed at https://www.agbiodata.org/databasefinder.

Dehydrogenases are a widespread enzyme family that play essential roles in all metabolic processes. We observe that one of the substrates of many dehydrogenases, the coenzyme NAD(H), reacts with copper in the bicinchoninic acid assay to produce a color change that can be measured spectroscopically. NADH reacts across a lower concentration range in this assay (<1 μM to ~50 μM) compared to NAD ⁺ (>100 μM), which allows the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay to be used to measure dehydrogenase activity, as demonstrated in assays with human malate dehydrogenase 1.

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element for cellular metabolism, yet its roles in development are not fully defined. We identified murine cysteine-rich intestinal protein 2 (mCrip2) as a novel Cu-binding protein required for myoblast differentiation. RNA-seq of mCrip2 -deficient cells revealed downregulation of ribosome biogenesis and translation genes. Loss of mCrip2 reduced global protein synthesis by 20-30%, partially mimicking cycloheximide treatment. Interestingly, Cu supplementation restored protein synthesis despite persistent differentiation defects. These findings establish mCrip2 as a Cu-responsive regulator linking metal homeostasis to protein synthesis, suggesting a previously unrecognized connection between Cu availability and translational control in mammalian cells.

Mitochondria are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis throughout life. Here, we investigated the differential effects of glucose and galactose, as well as glycolytic inhibition, on C. elegans lifespan in relation to mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Our results show that long-term treatment with glucose reduces both lifespan and mitochondrial membrane potential, whereas galactose increases them. The increase in mitochondrial membrane potential and lifespan is inversely correlated with mitochondrial ROS levels, suggesting a role for mitohormesis in lifespan extension.

Tubulin autoregulation maintains cellular microtubule homeostasis by triggering rapid degradation of tubulin mRNAs in response to an increase in soluble α- and β-tubulin levels. Through siRNA knock-down of several RNA decay pathways coupled with Roadblock-qPCR kinetic measurements, we independently validate and extend prior work by identifying the CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex components CNOT1, CNOT10, and CNOT11 as central effectors both in tubulin autoregulation and basal tubulin mRNA stability. In contrast, depletion of ribosome quality control and other decay factors has little effect. These findings corroborate CCR4-NOT adaptors as essential effectors of tubulin autoregulation and provide molecular entry points to dissect microtubule homeostasis.

Genome annotation of Mycobacterium smegmatis phages Dorothea and LappelDuVide revealed genomic features/organization common to cluster A mycobacteriophages; they are assigned to subclusters A6 and A4, respectively. Both genomes encode a putative immunity repressor, but the mode of prophage inheritance likely differs; Dorothea encodes a ParA/B partitioning system while LappelDuVide encodes a serine integrase. Dorothea encodes 3 tRNAs while none were identified for LappelDuVide.