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Microscopy Research and Technique Jun 2024The genus Tilia L. belongs to Malvaceae and it is represented by four species in Turkey. These are T. cordata, T. platyphyllos, T. rubra subsp. caucasica, and T....
The genus Tilia L. belongs to Malvaceae and it is represented by four species in Turkey. These are T. cordata, T. platyphyllos, T. rubra subsp. caucasica, and T. tomentosa. Tilia species have medicinal importance, especially to treat colds, flu, and coughs, and are also used as sedatives. Inflorescence with bract is recorded in the pharmacopeia as used parts. This study aimed to investigate the differences in leaf and bract characteristics in distinguishing Tilia species. Leaves and bracts were examined anatomically and micromorphologically under light and scanning electron microscopes (LM and SEM). There is no comparative anatomical and micromorphological study of Tilia species from Turkey. Microscopic examination allows for the observation of stomata types, trichomes, and other anatomical structures. These features can vary among species and can aid in differentiation. Features of bract that is medicinally used part were evaluated to find efficient diagnostic characters. The leaves also possess distinct characteristics, and leaf morphology is already used in the identification key in Flora. The emphasis is on identifying the species of medically used drugs. A diagnostic key was created using LM and SEM based on bract features to differentiate taxa for the first time. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Leaf and bract anatomy of Tilia taxa was studied via LM and SEM. The raw plant material is inflorescence with bract so identification by bract is important for species adulteration. An diagnostic key based on bract features was created for the first time.
PubMed: 38923074
DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24634 -
Journal of Fish Biology Jun 2024Polar cod (Boreogadus saida) is an endemic key species of the Arctic Ocean ecosystem. The ecology of this forage fish is well studied in Arctic shelf habitats where a...
Polar cod (Boreogadus saida) is an endemic key species of the Arctic Ocean ecosystem. The ecology of this forage fish is well studied in Arctic shelf habitats where a large part of its population lives. However, knowledge about its ecology in the central Arctic Ocean (CAO), including its use of the sea-ice habitat, is hitherto very limited. To increase this knowledge, samples were collected at the under-ice surface during several expeditions to the CAO between 2012 and 2020, including the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) expedition. The diet of immature B. saida and the taxonomic composition of their potential prey were analysed, showing that both sympagic and pelagic species were important prey items. Stomach contents included expected prey such as copepods and amphipods. Surprisingly, more rarely observed prey such as appendicularians, chaetognaths, and euphausiids were also found to be important. Comparisons of the fish stomach contents with prey distribution data suggests opportunistic feeding. However, relative prey density and catchability are important factors that determine which type of prey is ingested. Prey that ensures limited energy expenditure on hunting and feeding is often found in the stomach contents even though it is not the dominant species present in the environment. To investigate the importance of prey quality and quantity for the growth of B. saida in this area, we measured energy content of dominant prey species and used a bioenergetic model to quantify the effect of variations in diet on growth rate potential. The modeling results suggest that diet variability was largely explained by stomach fullness and, to a lesser degree, the energetic content of the prey. Our results suggest that under climate change, immature B. saida may be at least equally sensitive to a loss in the number of efficiently hunted prey than to a reduction in the prey's energy content. Consequences for the growth and survival of B. saida will not depend on prey presence alone, but also on prey catchability, digestibility, and energy content.
PubMed: 38922867
DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15836 -
Marine Drugs Jun 2024Overwhelming evidence points to an aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling as a critical factor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cervical cancer (CC) pathogenesis....
Overwhelming evidence points to an aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling as a critical factor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cervical cancer (CC) pathogenesis. Dicerandrol C (DD-9), a dimeric tetrahydroxanthenone isolated from the endophytic fungus DHS-48 obtained from mangrove plant via chemical epigenetic manipulation of the culture, has demonstrated effective anti-tumor properties, with an obscure action mechanism. The objective of the current study was to explore the efficacy of DD-9 on HepG2 and HeLa cancer cells and its functional mechanism amid the Wnt/β catenin signaling cascade. Isolation of DD-9 was carried out using various column chromatographic methods, and its structure was elucidated with 1D NMR. The cytotoxicity of DD-9 on HepG2 and HeLa cells was observed with respect to the proliferation, clonality, migration, invasion, apoptosis, cell cycle, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade. We found that DD-9 treatment significantly reduced tumor cell proliferation in dose- and time-dependent manners in HepG2 and HeLa cells. The subsequent experiments in vitro implied that DD-63 could significantly suppress the tumor clonality, metastases, and induced apoptosis, and that it arrested the cell cycle at the G/G phase of HepG2 and HeLa cells. Dual luciferase assay, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assay showed that DD-9 could dose-dependently attenuate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling by inhibiting β-catenin transcriptional activity and abrogating β-catenin translocated to the nucleus; down-regulating the transcription level of β-catenin-stimulated Wnt target gene and the expression of related proteins including -GSK3-β, β-catenin, LEF1, Axin1, -Myc, and CyclinD1; and up-regulating GSK3-β expression, which indicates that DD-9 stabilized the β-catenin degradation complex, thereby inducing β-catenin degradation and inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The possible interaction between DD-9 and β-catenin and GSK3-β protein was further confirmed by molecular docking studies. Collectively, DD-9 may suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis of liver and cervical cancer cells, possibly at least in part via GSK3-β-mediated crosstalk with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis, providing insights into the mechanism for the potency of DD-9 on hepatocellular and cervical cancer.
Topics: Humans; HeLa Cells; Apoptosis; Wnt Signaling Pathway; Cell Proliferation; Hep G2 Cells; beta Catenin; Antineoplastic Agents; Liver Neoplasms; Xanthones; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Cell Movement; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms
PubMed: 38921589
DOI: 10.3390/md22060278 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Rice straw is not easy to decompose, it takes a long time to compost, and the anaerobic bacteria involved in the decomposition process produce a large amount of carbon...
Rice straw is not easy to decompose, it takes a long time to compost, and the anaerobic bacteria involved in the decomposition process produce a large amount of carbon dioxide (CO), indicating that applications for rice straw need to be developed. Recycling rice straw in agricultural crops is an opportunity to increase the sustainability of grain production. Several studies have shown that the probiotic population gradually decreases in the soil, leading to an increased risk of plant diseases and decreased biomass yield. Because the microorganisms in the soil are related to the growth of plants, when the soil microbial community is imbalanced it seriously affects plant growth. We investigated the feasibility of using composted rice stalks to artificially cultivate microorganisms obtained from the -planted environment for analyzing the mycobiota and evaluating applications for sustainable agriculture. Microbes obtained from the water-submerged part (group-A) and soil part (group-B) of were cultured in an artificial medium, and the microbial diversity was analyzed with internal transcribed spacer sequencing. Paddy field soil was mixed with fermented paddy straw compost, and the microbes obtained from the soil used for planting were designated as group-C. The paddy fields transplanted with artificially cultured microbes from group-A were designated as group-D and those from group-B were designated as group-E. We found that fungi and yeasts can be cultured in groups-A and -B. These microbes altered the soil mycobiota in the paddy fields after transplantation in groups-D and -E compared to groups-A and -B. Development in post treatment with microbial transplantation was observed in the groups-D and -E compared to group-C. These results showed that artificially cultured microorganisms could be efficiently transplanted into the soil and improve the mycobiota. Phytohormones were involved in improving growth and rice yield via the submerged part-derived microbial medium (group-D) or the soil part-derived microbial medium (group-E) treatments. Collectively, these fungi and yeasts may be applied in microbial transplantation via rice straw fermentation to repair soil mycobiota imbalances, facilitating plant growth and sustainable agriculture. These fungi and yeasts may be applied in microbial transplantation to repair soil mycobiota imbalances and sustainable agriculture.
PubMed: 38921398
DOI: 10.3390/jof10060412 -
Insects Jun 2024Bees are one of the best-known and, at the same time, perhaps the most enigmatic insects on our planet, known for their organization and social structure, being... (Review)
Review
Bees are one of the best-known and, at the same time, perhaps the most enigmatic insects on our planet, known for their organization and social structure, being essential for the pollination of agricultural crops and several other plants, playing an essential role in food production and the balance of ecosystems, being associated with the production of high-value-added inputs, and a unique universe in relation to bees' microbiota. In this review, we summarize information regarding on different varieties of bees, with emphasis on their specificity related to microbial variations. Noteworthy are fructophilic bacteria, a lesser-known bacterial group, which use fructose fermentation as their main source of energy, with some strains being closely related to bees' health status. The beneficial properties of fructophilic bacteria may be extendable to humans and other animals as probiotics. In addition, their biotechnological potential may ease the development of new-generation antimicrobials with applications in biopreservation. The concept of "One Health" brings together fundamental and applied research with the aim of clarifying that the connections between the different components of ecosystems must be considered part of a mega-structure, with bees being an iconic example in that the healthy functionality of their microbiota is directly and indirectly related to agricultural production, bee health, quality of bee products, and the functional prosperity for humans and other animals. In fact, good health of bees is clearly related to the stable functionality of ecosystems and indirectly relates to humans' wellbeing, a concept of the "One Health".
PubMed: 38921144
DOI: 10.3390/insects15060430 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology May 2024Leaf rust caused by (Pt) is one of the most dangerous diseases causing significant losses in common wheat crops. In adult plants resistant to rust, a horizontal adult...
Leaf rust caused by (Pt) is one of the most dangerous diseases causing significant losses in common wheat crops. In adult plants resistant to rust, a horizontal adult plant resistance (APR) type is observed, which protects the plant against multiple pathogen races and is distinguished by greater persistence under production conditions. Crucial pleiotropic slow-rust genes such as , , , and , in combination with other genes of lesser influence, continue to increase durable resistance to rust diseases. Based on our previous results, we selected four candidate genes for out of ten candidates and analysed them for expression before and after inoculation by . As part of our study, we also investigated the expression patterns of miRNA molecules complementary to and the candidate genes. The aim of the study was to analyse the expression profiles of candidate genes for the gene and the and genes responsible for the differential leaf-rust resistance of hybrid forms of the F1 generation resulting from crosses between the Glenlea cultivar and cultivars from Polish breeding companies. In addition, the expression of five miRNAs (tae-miR9653b, tae-miR5384-3p, tae-miR9780, tae-miR9775 and tae-miR164), complementary to , and selected candidate genes were analysed using stem-loop RT-PCR and ddPCR. Biotic stress was induced in adult plants by inoculation with fungal spores, under controlled conditions. Plant material was collected before and 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after inoculation (hpi). Differences in expression patterns of , , and candidate genes (for ) were analysed by qRT-PCR and showed that gene expression changed at the analysed time points. Identification of molecular markers coupled to the genes studied was also carried out to confirm the presence of these genes in wheat hybrids. qRT-PCR was used to examine the expression levels of the resistance genes. The highest expression of genes (, , , and ) occurred at 12 and 24 hpi, and such expression profiles were obtained for only one candidate gene among the four genes analysed (), indicating that it may be involved in resistance mechanisms of response to infection.
PubMed: 38921001
DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060329 -
Frontiers in Genetics 2024Small RNAs (sRNAs) are important non-coding RNA regulators that play key roles in the development and pathogenesis of plant pathogens, as well as in other biological...
Small RNAs (sRNAs) are important non-coding RNA regulators that play key roles in the development and pathogenesis of plant pathogens, as well as in other biological processes. However, whether these abundant and varying sRNAs are involved in development or infection remains enigmatic. In this study, sRNA sequencing of 4 asexual stages of (), namely, as mycelia (HY), sporangia (SP), zoospores (ZO), cysts (CY), and pepper infected with (IN), were performed, followed by sRNA analysis, microRNA (miRNA) identification, and miRNA target prediction. sRNAs were mainly distributed at 25-26 nt in HY, SP, and ZO but distributed at 18-34 nt in CY and IN. 92, 42, 176, 39, and 148 known miRNAs and 15, 19, 54, 13, and 1 novel miRNA were identified in HY, SP, ZO, CY, and IN, respectively. It was found that the expression profiles of known miRNAs vary greatly at different stages and could be divided into 4 categories. Novel miRNAs mostly belong to part I. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of known miRNA-targeting genes showed that they are involved in the catalytic activity pathway, binding function, and other biological processes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) analysis of novel miRNA-targeting genes showed that they are involved in the lysine degradation pathway. The expression of candidate miRNAs was validated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and miRNAs were downregulated in or mutants. To further explore the function of the detected miRNAs, the precursor of a novel miRNA, miR91, was knockout by CRISPR-Cas9, the mutants displayed decreased mycelial growth, sporangia production, and zoospore production. It was found that 503142 (Inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase and related proteins) can be predicted as a target of miR91, and the interaction between miR91 and 503142 was verified using the tobacco transient expression system. Overall, our results indicate that the diverse and differentially expressed sRNAs are involved in the development and pathogenesis of
PubMed: 38919951
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1296533 -
AIMS Microbiology 2024In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis to describe the diversity of cultivable endophytic bacteria associated with fennel ( Mill.) and determined their...
In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis to describe the diversity of cultivable endophytic bacteria associated with fennel ( Mill.) and determined their plant-beneficial traits. The bacterial isolates from the roots of fennel belonged to four phyla: (BRN1 and BRN3), (BRN5, BRN6, and BRN7), (BRN2), and (BRN4). The bacterial isolates from the shoot of fennel represented the phyla (BSN1, BSN2, BSN3, BSN5, BSN6, BSN7, and BSN8), (BSN4, BRN1, and BRN3), and (BRN4). The bacterial species , , and were found both in the roots and shoots of fennel. The bacterial isolates were found to produce siderophores, HCN, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), as well as hydrolytic enzymes such as chitinase, protease, glucanase, and lipase. Seven bacterial isolates showed antagonistic activity against , , and . Our findings show that medicinal plants with antibacterial activity may serve as a source for the selection of microorganisms that exhibit antagonistic activity against plant fungal infections and may be considered as a viable option for the management of fungal diseases. They can also serve as an active part of biopreparation, improving plant growth.
PubMed: 38919721
DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2024022 -
Plant Communications Jun 2024Genome-wide association study (GWAS) identifies trait-associated loci, but due in part to slow decay of linkage disequilibrium (LD), identifying the causal genes can be...
Genome-wide association study (GWAS) identifies trait-associated loci, but due in part to slow decay of linkage disequilibrium (LD), identifying the causal genes can be a bottleneck. Transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) addresses this by identifying gene expression-phenotype associations or integrating gene expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) with GWAS results. Here, we used self-pollinated soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) as a model to evaluate the application of TWAS in the genetic dissection of traits in plant species with slow LD decay. We generated RNA-Seq data of a soybean diversity panel, and identified the genetic expression regulation of 29,286 genes in soybean. Different TWAS solutions were less affected by LD and robust with source of expression that identified known genes related to traits from different development stages and tissues. A novel gene named pod color L2 was identified via TWAS and functionally validated by genome editing. By introducing the new exon proportion feature, we significantly improved the detection of expression variations resulting from structural variations and alternative splicing. As a result, the genes identified by our TWAS approach exhibited a diverse range of causal variations, including SNP, insertion/deletion, gene fusion, copy number variation, and alternative splicing. Using our TWAS approach, we identified genes associated with flowering time, including both previously known genes and novel genes that had not previously linked to this trait before, providing complementary insights with GWAS. In summary, this study supports the application of TWAS for candidate gene identification in species with low rates of LD decay.
PubMed: 38918950
DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2024.101010 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Sphaeropsidins are iso-pimarane diterpenes produced by phytopathogenic fungi that display promising anticancer activities. Sphaeropsidin A, in particular, has been shown...
Sphaeropsidins are iso-pimarane diterpenes produced by phytopathogenic fungi that display promising anticancer activities. Sphaeropsidin A, in particular, has been shown to counteract regulatory volume increase, a process used by cancer cells to avoid apoptosis. This study reports the hemi-synthesis of new lipophilic derivatives obtained by modifications of the C15,C16-alkene moiety. Several of these compounds triggered severe ER swelling associated with strong proteasomal inhibition and consequently cell death, a feature that was not observed with respect to mode of action of the natural product. Significantly, an analysis from the National Cancer Institute sixty cell line testing did not reveal any correlations between the most potent derivative and any other compound in the database, except at high concentrations (LC). This study led to the discovery of a new set of sphaeropsidin derivatives that may be exploited as potential anti-cancer agents, notably due to their maintained activity towards multidrug resistant models.
Topics: Humans; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Cell Line, Tumor; Apoptosis; Antineoplastic Agents; Diterpenes; Abietanes
PubMed: 38918539
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65335-3