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Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jun 2024Variation in coat color among equids has attracted significant interest in genetics and breeding research. The range of colors is primarily determined by the type,... (Review)
Review
Variation in coat color among equids has attracted significant interest in genetics and breeding research. The range of colors is primarily determined by the type, concentration, and distribution of melanin pigments, with the balance between eumelanin and pheomelanin influenced by numerous genetic factors. Advances in genomic and sequencing technologies have enabled the identification of several candidate genes that influence coat color, thereby clarifying the genetic basis of these diverse phenotypes. In this review, we concisely categorize coat coloration in horses and donkeys, focusing on the biosynthesis and types of melanin involved in pigmentation. Moreover, we highlight the regulatory roles of some key candidate genes, such as , , , , and , in coat color variation. Moreover, the review explores how coat color relates to selective breeding and specific equine diseases, offering valuable insights for developing breeding strategies that enhance both the esthetic and health aspects of equine species.
PubMed: 38929421
DOI: 10.3390/ani14121802 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Djulis (), a traditional Taiwanese crop enriched with phenolic compounds and betalain pigments, is associated with various health benefits, including antioxidant and...
Djulis (), a traditional Taiwanese crop enriched with phenolic compounds and betalain pigments, is associated with various health benefits, including antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects. This study analysed the phytochemical content and antioxidant capacity of extracts from both the hull and kernel of Djulis. The hull extract, which contained higher levels of flavonoids and exhibited superior antioxidant activity compared to the kernel extract, was selected for further in vivo studies. These experiments showed that oral administration of the Djulis hull crude extract significantly mitigated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice by increasing the activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reducing plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and enhancing liver levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4). Additionally, the extract demonstrated potential in inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, a critical signalling pathway in inflammation and apoptosis, offering insights into its protective mechanisms. These findings underscore Djulis hull's potential as a functional food ingredient for ALI prevention and propose a valuable application for agricultural by-products.
PubMed: 38929160
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060721 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Melanin, the pigment responsible for human skin color, increases susceptibility to UV radiation, leading to excessive melanin production and hyperpigmentation disorders....
Melanin, the pigment responsible for human skin color, increases susceptibility to UV radiation, leading to excessive melanin production and hyperpigmentation disorders. This study investigated the ethanolic extract of fruits for its phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity, and impact on melanogenesis pathways using qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Utilizing network pharmacology, molecular docking, and dynamics simulations, researchers explored fruit extract's active compounds, targets, and pharmacological effects on hyperpigmentation. fruit extract exhibited antioxidant properties, scavenging DPPH and ABTS radicals radicals and chelating copper. It inhibited cellular tyrosinase activity and melanin content in stimulated B16F10 cells, downregulating TYR, TRP-1, phosphorylated CREB, CREB, and MITF proteins along with transcription levels of MITF, TYR, and TRP-2. LC-MS analysis identified thirty-three metabolites, with seventeen compounds selected for further investigation. Network pharmacology revealed 41 hyperpigmentation-associated genes and identified significant GO terms and KEGG pathways, including cancer-related pathways. Kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside exhibited high binding affinity against MAPK3/ERK1, potentially regulating melanogenesis by inhibiting tyrosinase activity. Stable ligand-protein interactions in molecular dynamics simulations supported these findings. Overall, this study suggests that the ethanolic extract of fruits possesses significant antioxidant, tyrosinase inhibitory, and anti-melanogenic properties mediated through key molecular targets and pathways.
PubMed: 38929152
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060713 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024This study aims to investigate the role of microRNA let-7f in the dysfunction and degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells through the induction of...
This study aims to investigate the role of microRNA let-7f in the dysfunction and degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells through the induction of senescence and oxidative stress. Furthermore, we explore whether let-7f inhibition can protect these cells against sodium iodate (SI)-induced oxidative stress. Oxidative stress and let-7f expression are reciprocally regulated in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Overexpression of let-7f in ARPE-19 cells induced oxidative stress as demonstrated by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production as well as senescence. Inhibition of let-7f successfully protected RPE cells from the detrimental effects induced by SI. In addition, let-7f overexpression induced RPE cellular dysfunction by diminishing their migratory capabilities and reducing the phagocytosis of porcine photoreceptor outer segments (POS). Results were further confirmed in vivo by intravitreal injections of SI and let-7f antagomir in C57BL/6 mice. Our results provide strong evidence that let-7f is implicated in the dysfunction of RPE cells through the induction of senescence and oxidative injury. These findings may help to uncover novel and relevant processes in the pathogenesis of dry AMD.
PubMed: 38929085
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060646 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Pigmented rice grains are important resources for health and nutritional perspectives. Thus, a thorough dissection of the variation of nutrients and bioactive...
Pigmented rice grains are important resources for health and nutritional perspectives. Thus, a thorough dissection of the variation of nutrients and bioactive metabolites in different colored rice is of global interest. This study applied LC-MS-based widely targeted metabolite profiling and unraveled the variability of metabolites and nutraceuticals in long grain/non-glutinous black (BR), red (RR), green (GR), and white rice (WR) grains. We identified and classified 1292 metabolites, including five flavonoid compounds specific to BR. The metabolite profiles of the four rice grains showed significant variation, with 275-543 differentially accumulated metabolites identified. Flavonoid (flavone, flavonol, and anthocyanin) and cofactor biosynthesis were the most differentially regulated pathways among the four rice types. Most bioactive flavonoids, anthocyanidins (glycosylated cyanidins and peonidins), phenolic acids, and lignans had the highest relative content in BR, followed by RR. Most alkaloids, amino acids and derivatives, lipids, and vitamins (B6, B3, B1, nicotinamide, and isonicotinic acid) had higher relative contents in GR than others. Procyanidins (B1, B2, and B3) had the highest relative content in RR. In addition, we identified 25 potential discriminatory biomarkers, including fagomine, which could be used to authenticate GR. Our results show that BR and RR are important materials for medicinal use, while GR is an excellent source of nutrients (amino acids and vitamins) and bioactive alkaloids. Moreover, they provide data resources for the science-based use of different colored rice varieties in diverse industries.
PubMed: 38928840
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121899 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024An eco-friendly approach towards the recovery of value-added extracts from olive tree leaves with the aid of supercritical CO at 30 MPa was carried out. The impact of...
An eco-friendly approach towards the recovery of value-added extracts from olive tree leaves with the aid of supercritical CO at 30 MPa was carried out. The impact of extraction temperature (35-90 °C) and presence of co-solvents (ethanol, water, and aqueous ethanol) on the total phenolic, flavonoid, and pigment content, as well as oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and α-tocopherol content was determined. In addition, the antioxidant activity of extracts from tree leaves using DPPH, ABTS, and CUPRAC assays was investigated. The results of the study showed that the most effective supercritical CO extraction was at 90 °C with an addition of ethanol, which enabled the separation of extract with the highest content of tested compounds. Some of the highest recorded values were for oleuropein 1.9 mg/g, for carotenoids 5.3 mg/g, and for α-tocopherol 2.0 mg/g. Our results are expected to contribute to the efforts towards the valorization of olive leaves as a sustainable source of valuable compounds, and boost local economies as well as the interest of pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries for novel food by-product applications.
PubMed: 38928778
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121836 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Anthocyanins are a large group of water-soluble flavonoid pigments. These specialized metabolites are ubiquitous in the plant kingdom and play an essential role not only... (Review)
Review
Anthocyanins are a large group of water-soluble flavonoid pigments. These specialized metabolites are ubiquitous in the plant kingdom and play an essential role not only in plant reproduction and dispersal but also in responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Anthocyanins are recognized as important health-promoting and chronic-disease-preventing components in the human diet. Therefore, interest in developing food crops with improved levels and compositions of these important nutraceuticals is growing. This review focuses on work conducted to elucidate the genetic control of the anthocyanin pathway and modulate anthocyanin content in eggplant ( L.) and tomato ( L.), two solanaceous fruit vegetables of worldwide relevance. While anthocyanin levels in eggplant fruit have always been an important quality trait, anthocyanin-based, purple-fruited tomato cultivars are currently a novelty. As detailed in this review, this difference in the anthocyanin content of the cultivated germplasm has largely influenced genetic studies as well as breeding and transgenic approaches to improve the anthocyanin content/profile of these two important solanaceous crops. The information provided should be of help to researchers and breeders in devising strategies to address the increasing consumer demand for nutraceutical foods.
Topics: Anthocyanins; Solanum melongena; Solanum lycopersicum; Fruit; Biotechnology; Plants, Genetically Modified; Plant Breeding; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Crops, Agricultural
PubMed: 38928516
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126811 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024, a microalga known for its photosynthetic efficiency, serves as a cell factory, producing valuable biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, and pigments. These components...
, a microalga known for its photosynthetic efficiency, serves as a cell factory, producing valuable biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, and pigments. These components make it an ideal candidate for biofuel production and pharmaceutical applications. In this study, we genetically engineered to overexpress the enzyme fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (cyFBPase) using the Hsp promoter, aiming to enhance sugar metabolism and biomass accumulation. The modified algal strain, termed NgFBP, exhibited a 1.34-fold increase in cyFBPase activity under photoautotrophic conditions. This modification led to a doubling of biomass production and an increase in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content in fatty acids to 20.78-23.08%. Additionally, the genetic alteration activated the pathways related to glycine, protoporphyrin, thioglucosides, pantothenic acid, CoA, and glycerophospholipids. This shift in carbon allocation towards chloroplast development significantly enhanced photosynthesis and growth. The outcomes of this study not only improve our understanding of photosynthesis and carbon allocation in but also suggest new biotechnological methods to optimize biomass yield and compound production in microalgae.
Topics: Photosynthesis; Fructose-Bisphosphatase; Stramenopiles; Microalgae; Metabolomics; Biomass; Cytosol
PubMed: 38928505
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126800 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Among the myriad of existing tyrosine kinase receptors, the TAM family-abbreviated from Tyro3, Axl, and Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK)-has been extensively studied with an...
Among the myriad of existing tyrosine kinase receptors, the TAM family-abbreviated from Tyro3, Axl, and Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK)-has been extensively studied with an outstanding contribution from the team of Prof. Greg Lemke. MerTK activity is implicated in a wide variety of functions involving the elimination of apoptotic cells and has recently been linked to cancers, auto-immune diseases, and atherosclerosis/stroke. In the retina, MerTK is required for the circadian phagocytosis of oxidized photoreceptor outer segments by the retinal-pigment epithelial cells, a function crucial for the long-term maintenance of vision. We previously showed that MerTK ligands carry the opposite role in vitro, with Gas6 inhibiting the internalization of photoreceptor outer segments while Protein S acts conversely. Using site-directed mutagenesis and ligand-stimulated phagocytosis assays on transfected cells, we presently demonstrate, for the first time, that Gas6 and Protein S recognize different amino acids on MerTK Ig-like domains. In addition, MerTK's function in retinal-pigment epithelial cells is rhythmic and might thus rely on the respective stoichiometry of both ligands at different times of the day. Accordingly, we show that ligand bioavailability varies during the circadian cycle using RT-qPCR and immunoblots on retinal and retinal-pigment epithelial samples from control and beta5 integrin knockout mice where retinal phagocytosis is arrhythmic. Taken together, our results suggest that Gas6 and Protein S might both contribute to refine the acute regulation of MerTK in time for the daily phagocytic peak.
Topics: c-Mer Tyrosine Kinase; Phagocytosis; Animals; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Protein S; Humans; Retina; Mice; Circadian Rhythm; Ligands; Retinal Pigment Epithelium; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
PubMed: 38928335
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126630 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024The most significant genetic influence on eye color pigmentation is attributed to the intronic SNP rs12913832 in the gene, which interacts with the promoter region of...
The most significant genetic influence on eye color pigmentation is attributed to the intronic SNP rs12913832 in the gene, which interacts with the promoter region of the contiguous gene. This interaction, through the formation of a chromatin loop, modulates the transcriptional activity of , directly affecting eye color pigmentation. Recent advancements in technology have elucidated the precise spatial organization of the genome within the cell nucleus, with chromatin architecture playing a pivotal role in regulating various genome functions. In this study, we investigated the organization of the chromatin close to the locus in human lymphocyte nuclei using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data. The 3 Mb of genomic DNA that belonged to the chromosomal region 15q12-q13.1 revealed the presence of three contiguous chromatin loops, which exhibited a different level of compaction depending on the presence of the A or G allele in the SNP rs12913832. Moreover, the analysis of the genomic organization of the genes has demonstrated that this chromosomal region is evolutionarily highly conserved, as evidenced by the analysis of syntenic regions in species from other Vertebrate classes. Thus, the role of rs12913832 variant is relevant not only in determining the transcriptional activation of the gene but also in the chromatin compaction of a larger region, underscoring the critical role of chromatin organization in the proper regulation of the involved genes. It is crucial to consider the broader implications of this finding, especially regarding the potential regulatory role of similar polymorphisms located within intronic regions, which do not influence the same gene by modulating the splicing process, but they regulate the expression of adjacent genes. Therefore, caution should be exercised when utilizing whole-exome sequencing for diagnostic purposes, as intron sequences may provide valuable gene regulation information on the region where they reside. Thus, future research efforts should also be directed towards gaining a deeper understanding of the precise mechanisms underlying the role and mode of action of intronic SNPs in chromatin loop organization and transcriptional regulation.
Topics: Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Humans; Chromatin; Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors; Animals; Evolution, Molecular; Membrane Transport Proteins; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Vertebrates; Pigmentation; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases
PubMed: 38928306
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126602