-
Microsatellite Phenotype as a Guide for Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancer: Current Status and Future Perspectives -
Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation by MicroRNAs During Barley Malting -
Oligonucleotide Synthesis Errors Are a Source of Untoward Variation in HDR-Mediated Gene Editing -
Comparative Assessment of Automated and Manual DNA Extraction Methods for the Genetic Analysis of Degraded Bone Samples -
Effect of Genetic Architecture and Partitioning of Training Population on GEBVs, SNP Effects and GWAS: A Simulation Study
Journal Description
Genes
Genes
is a peer-reviewed, open access journal of genetics and genomics published monthly online by MDPI. The Epigenetics Society (ES) and the Spanish Society for Nitrogen Fixation (SEFIN) are affiliated with Genes, and their members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubMed, MEDLINE, PMC, Embase, PubAg, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Genetics and Heredity) / CiteScore - Q2 (Genetics (clinical))
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 13.3 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.7 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2026).
- Recognition of Reviewers: Reviewers whose reports are timely and of high quality receive an APC discount voucher for a future publication in an MDPI journal. Become a reviewer.
- Journal Cluster of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Current Issues in Molecular Biology, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Genes, Biomolecules, Biology, Cells, Proteomes, Non-Coding RNA, Epigenomes, Methods and Protocols, Journal of Molecular Pathology, BioChem, DNA, Stresses, Receptors and Kinases and Phosphatases.
Impact Factor:
3.1 (2025);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.3 (2025)
Latest Articles
BiMSGP: A Bidirectional Mamba-Based Model for Scalable and Accurate Genomic Prediction in Plants
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1156; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091156 (registering DOI) - 20 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Accurate prediction of complex traits from high-dimensional genomic markers remains difficult in plant breeding. Linear models have limited capacity for non-linear interactions, and many deep learning models scale poorly on long marker sequences. This study introduces BiMSGP, a bidirectional Mamba-based model for
[...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Accurate prediction of complex traits from high-dimensional genomic markers remains difficult in plant breeding. Linear models have limited capacity for non-linear interactions, and many deep learning models scale poorly on long marker sequences. This study introduces BiMSGP, a bidirectional Mamba-based model for scalable genomic prediction. Methods: BiMSGP extends a selective state space model with forward and backward processing so that each marker can integrate sequence context from both directions while retaining linear computational complexity; this is a modeling device for long-range marker dependencies, not a demonstration of biological epistasis. Regression was evaluated on Wheat599, Wheat2000, and SoyBase, and classification on SoyBase, using 10-fold cross-validation with shared fold assignments and no inner validation split; the held-out fold was used for checkpoint selection, learning-rate adjustment, and reporting. Ablation studies compared bidirectional and unidirectional stacks and different depths. Exploratory paired tests of fold-wise PCC differences were used to distinguish numerical rank from a paired difference under this protocol. Results: Under the reported evaluation protocol, BiMSGP attained the numerically highest mean Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) in all four Wheat599 environments, six of eight Wheat2000 traits, and five of seven quantitative SoyBase traits. Several of these numerical ranks did not have exploratory against the strongest baseline; GBLUP had a higher mean PCC for SoyBase oil ( ). Shallow bidirectional designs had higher mean PCC than deeper and unidirectional variants on Wheat599 Environment 1. Training cost was higher than that of lightweight baselines on larger datasets, but inference remained in the millisecond range. Conclusions: Under this protocol, bidirectional selective state space modeling yielded competitive mean scores with a higher training cost than lightweight baselines. The scores are exploratory and may be optimistic; they are not unbiased estimates of generalization. Evaluation that separates model selection from assessment, and tests in independent populations, years, or environments, remains future work.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Bioinformatics in Crop Genetic Improvement)
►
Show Figures
Open AccessArticle
Pharmacology-Informed Human Genetic Evaluation of Panax notoginseng Saponin-Related Candidate Genes for Functional Outcome After Ischemic Stroke Using Mendelian Randomization and Colocalization
by
Guoliang Deng, Tong Cui, Yifeng Xu, Wanning Gao, Nan Li, Lijuan Jiang and Wenfeng Zhang
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091155 (registering DOI) - 20 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Oral Xuesaitong soft capsules have been reported to improve functional outcomes after ischemic stroke, but their molecular mediators remain uncertain. We evaluated human genetic support for pharmacology-informed Panax notoginseng saponin-related candidate genes. Methods: A targeted pharmacological audit was followed by cis-QTL Mendelian
[...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Oral Xuesaitong soft capsules have been reported to improve functional outcomes after ischemic stroke, but their molecular mediators remain uncertain. We evaluated human genetic support for pharmacology-informed Panax notoginseng saponin-related candidate genes. Methods: A targeted pharmacological audit was followed by cis-QTL Mendelian randomization (MR) and regional colocalization using GISCOME outcomes. The severity-adjusted ordinal modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was primary. Eleven CKLF, KMO, and MT2A gene–tissue hypotheses formed the eQTL testing family; HMOX1 and OGA underwent pQTL analyses. A 13-test Bonferroni sensitivity calculation combined these hypotheses. Colocalization required PP.H4 ≥ 0.80. KMO analyses covered 15 GTEx tissues, three outcomes, and two external eQTL datasets. The summary-statistics study was not prospectively registered. Results: The audit identified 29 component–protein relations involving 19 proteins. Further, 7 of 11 eQTL hypotheses were harmonized. Higher genetically predicted KMO expression in whole blood was associated with better ordinal mRS (β = −0.906; 95% CI, −1.521 to −0.290; p = 0.0039; adjusted p = 0.043 for 11 tests and 0.051 for 13 tests). HMOX1 and OGA MR estimates were nonsignificant. Primary PP.H4 values were 0.033, 0.027, and 0.535 for HMOX1, OGA, and KMO, respectively. None of the 45 GTEx or six external comparisons met the criterion under primary priors. Conclusions: No candidate met the joint MR and colocalization criterion. KMO significance was sensitive to multiplicity and standard-error specification, while colocalization support was insufficient and prior-sensitive. These findings do not establish a therapeutic target or test the efficacy of oral Xuesaitong.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Human Genomics and Genetic Diseases)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Genetic Associations Among Appendicular Lean Mass, Alanine Aminotransferase, and Type 2 Diabetes: Multi-Dataset Mendelian Randomization and Colocalization at the SERPINA1 Candidate Locus
by
Xinyuan Wang, Wenchuan Yang, Shuhua Song, Huaiyi Su and Yu Zhang
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1154; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091154 (registering DOI) - 20 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Appendicular lean mass (ALM), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and type 2 diabetes (T2D) may be genetically linked. However, the ALT-related pathway and shared signals at the SERPINA1 candidate locus remain uncertain. We used Mendelian randomization (MR) to evaluate associations among ALM, ALT, and
[...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Appendicular lean mass (ALM), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and type 2 diabetes (T2D) may be genetically linked. However, the ALT-related pathway and shared signals at the SERPINA1 candidate locus remain uncertain. We used Mendelian randomization (MR) to evaluate associations among ALM, ALT, and T2D and compared candidate-locus signals across datasets. ALM represented muscle mass, not clinical sarcopenia. Methods: Using European-ancestry GWAS summary statistics, we performed six bidirectional two-sample MR analyses, multivariable MR (MVMR) with finite-sample t-based inference, and exploratory path-specific two-step MR. FinnGen R12 provided the T2D outcome data for MR and pathway analyses. Pathway analyses used 5000 shared-sampling bootstrap replicates to assess uncertainty in path estimates. We combined locus-level coloc/ABF with signal-specific SuSiE-coloc in the GRCh37 SERPINA1 region. T2DGGI was used only for colocalization. Molecular-QTL and external-omics analyses were treated as supportive or limiting evidence. Results: Higher genetically predicted ALM was associated with lower ALT and lower T2D risk, whereas higher genetically predicted ALT was associated with greater T2D risk. T2D→ALT was method-dependent. In MVMR, the ALT conditional effect remained positive, whereas the ALM direct effect was model-dependent. Path decomposition was compatible with an ALT-related statistical pathway, but product- and difference-based estimates disagreed, and residual heterogeneity remained. ALM–T2DGGI supported an rs28929474-related shared component, although component-cohort overlap was possible. FinnGen supported other ALT-related signals but did not independently corroborate rs28929474. Tissue eQTL and external omics did not provide consistent mechanistic support. Conclusions: The data support directionally connected MR-based associations and dataset-dependent shared candidate signals. These findings do not establish biological mediation, a unique causal variant, gene-level causal assignment, or a molecular mechanism.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Human Genomics and Genetic Diseases)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Complete Mitochondrial Genomes of Araiocypris batodes and Tanichthys huidongensis Provide Phylogenetic Evidence for the Reassignment of Araiocypris to Tanichthyidae
by
Liangjie Zhao, Chunhui Liu, Shufang Gao, Junjie Wang, Chaoqun Su, Chenxi Tan, Jiahui Liu, Gaoyou Yao, Xusheng Guo, Shaoyong Jing, Tiezhu Yang and Fan Li
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1153; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091153 (registering DOI) - 20 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The monotypic genus Araiocypris is currently classified in Xenocyprididae, yet its familial placement has long been controversial and lacks sufficient molecular phylogenetic support. Mitogenomic resources for the family Tanichthyidae remain limited, and the phylogenetic relationship between Araiocypris and tanichthyid species remains
[...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The monotypic genus Araiocypris is currently classified in Xenocyprididae, yet its familial placement has long been controversial and lacks sufficient molecular phylogenetic support. Mitogenomic resources for the family Tanichthyidae remain limited, and the phylogenetic relationship between Araiocypris and tanichthyid species remains unexplored. This study was conducted to re-evaluate the taxonomic status of Araiocypris and characterize the mitogenomic evolution of Tanichthyidae. Methods: The complete mitochondrial genomes of Tanichthys huidongensis and Araiocypris batodes were sequenced, assembled and annotated. Comparative mitogenomic analyses were performed across seven Tanichthyidae species. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree was reconstructed using concatenated sequences of 13 protein-coding genes and 2 ribosomal RNA genes to clarify the phylogenetic position of Araiocypris. Results: Based on mitochondrial phylogenomic evidence, phylogenetic reconstruction strongly supports the reassignment of A. batodes from Xenocyprididae to Tanichthyidae, as it nests within the Tanichthyidae clade and forms a sister group with the genus Tanichthys. Genetic divergence analysis confirms the validity of Araiocypris as a distinct genus. Tanichthyidae mitogenomes display highly conserved architecture with the typical vertebrate gene order. All protein-coding genes undergo strong purifying selection, with cox1 showing the slowest evolutionary rate. Conserved structural domains including CSB-F, CSB-E, CSB-D and CSB1–3 were identified in the control region. Conclusions: This study provides solid mitogenomic evidence for the familial reclassification of Araiocypris and systematically reveals the evolutionary patterns of Tanichthyidae mitogenomes, offering an important reference for further taxonomic and phylogenetic studies of Cypriniformes.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Animal Genetics and Genomics)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
STOML1 as an Exploratory Candidate Gene for Autosomal Dominant Iris and Chorioretinal Coloboma in a British Family
by
Vanita Berry, Manav B. Ponnekanti, Nancy Aychoua, Maddy Ashwin Reddy and Michel Michaelides
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1152; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091152 (registering DOI) - 20 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background: Ocular coloboma is a congenital eye defect with high genetic heterogeneity. This study investigated a four-generation pedigree to identify candidate variants underlying autosomal dominant iris and chorioretinal coloboma. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on a single affected family member. Variants were
[...] Read more.
Background: Ocular coloboma is a congenital eye defect with high genetic heterogeneity. This study investigated a four-generation pedigree to identify candidate variants underlying autosomal dominant iris and chorioretinal coloboma. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on a single affected family member. Variants were prioritised using the Phenopolis pipeline, filtered for rarity across multiple population databases, and retained where CADD indicated predicted deleteriousness. Candidate variants were then validated by Sanger sequencing in the four family members from whom DNA was available. Variants were classified according to ACMG/AMP criteria. Results: Five rare heterozygous variants were identified: STOML1 (NM_004809.5:c.1100T>C; p.(Leu367Pro)), MTIF2 (NM_002453.3:c.1337G>A; p.(Trp446Ter)), CDH23 (NM_022124.6:c.8906G>A; p.(Arg2969His)), CDON (NM_001378964.1:c.3276+1G>T; p.?), and ERCC6L2 (NM_020207.7:c.19C>T; p.(Gln7Ter)). Four are classified as of uncertain significance; the ERCC6L2 variant is classified as pathogenic in ClinVar. Conclusions: STOML1 is proposed as an exploratory candidate gene for isolated ocular coloboma, requiring replication in independent families and functional validation. The recurrent ERCC6L2 nonsense variant is reported as an incidental finding of potential haematological relevance.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Genetic Lens: A New Era in Ophthalmology)
Open AccessArticle
Phylogenetic Characteristics and Low-Temperature Response Expression Patterns of PmKIN Gene Family in Prunus mume
by
Aiqin Ding, Ziwen Geng, Lulu Li, Lu Feng and Peng Wang
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1151; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091151 (registering DOI) - 20 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background: Kinesins are ATP-dependent molecular motors that mediate intracellular transport, cytoskeleton remodeling, and abiotic stress responses in plants. The KIN gene family remains poorly characterized in Prunus mume. This study aimed to explore the evolutionary features and cold-responsive functions of the
[...] Read more.
Background: Kinesins are ATP-dependent molecular motors that mediate intracellular transport, cytoskeleton remodeling, and abiotic stress responses in plants. The KIN gene family remains poorly characterized in Prunus mume. This study aimed to explore the evolutionary features and cold-responsive functions of the PmKIN gene family. Methods: A systematic genome‑wide analysis was performed in P. mume. We performed phylogenetic classification, conserved domain detection, gene duplication and selection pressure analysis, cis-element prediction, tissue expression profiling, cold stress expression assay, and protein interaction network prediction. Results: Fifty PmKIN family members were defined and grouped into 10 subfamilies. K14 subfamily contained the largest number of members. All members harbor conserved motor domains, and segmental duplication drove the expansion of this gene family, which was overall constrained by purifying selection. The PmKIN homologous genes were highly conserved among Rosaceae species, including Prunus persica, Prunus armeniaca, Prunus avium, and Malus domestica. Our promoter analysis detected abundant cis-elements for light, hormone, cold, and drought signals in PmKIN genes, especially in the K14 and K7 subfamilies. These genes displayed tissue-biased expression, with roots and stems showing much higher transcript levels than fruits. Under low-temperature stress, the tolerant cultivar appeared to mount a relatively rapid PmKIN upregulation, whereas the sensitive one seemed to show a sluggish response and poor recovery. Three members (PmKIN22/27/35) were suggested to be potentially critical in low-temperature-response regulation. A 285-pair interaction network predicted PmKIN45 as the central hub, and functional predictions imply that PmKIN proteins may be linked to microtubules, hormone pathways, and stress signaling, possibly coordinating growth and low-temperature responses. Conclusions: This work screens candidate genes associated with low-temperature responses in P. mume, providing genetic resources for the molecular breeding of cold-resistant cultivars and expanded cultivation of P. mume and other ornamental horticultural species.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic Stress in Plant: Molecular Genetics and Genomics)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessReview
Decoding MAPT Exon 10 Mis-Splicing in FTDP-17: From Pathogenic Mechanisms and Experimental Models to Molecular Therapies
by
Giuseppina Covello
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1150; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091150 (registering DOI) - 19 Sep 2026
Abstract
Frontotemporal Dementia and Parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17) is a rare, early-onset, autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative tauopathy caused by mutations in the Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau (MAPT) gene. A subset of these mutations selectively disrupts the normal alternative splicing of MAPT exon 10,
[...] Read more.
Frontotemporal Dementia and Parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17) is a rare, early-onset, autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative tauopathy caused by mutations in the Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau (MAPT) gene. A subset of these mutations selectively disrupts the normal alternative splicing of MAPT exon 10, altering the physiological ratio of 3-Repeat (3R) and 4-Repeat (4R) tau isoforms; this imbalance, driving pathological tau aggregation and progressive neurodegeneration, is a pathogenic hallmark of FTDP-17. This review explores the molecular mechanisms regulating exon 10 splicing, focusing on how exonic and intronic splicing mutations destabilise mRNA structures or alter splicing factor binding, and discusses how these changes can cause disease symptoms in experimental models. It describes different research methods for studying splicing issues, including minigene reporters, cell lines, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons, brain organoids and mouse models that naturally express only 4R tau. It also covers potential therapeutic approaches applicable to restoring the normal 3R/4R tau ratio. These include Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs), RNA interference (siRNA), Small-Molecule Splicing modulators (SMCs), Spliceosome-Mediated RNA trans-splicing (SMaRT), CRISPR-based transcript engineering, genome editing and RNA stem-loop binders. Additionally, the review highlights recent Phase 2 trial results, including the Diranersen (BIIB080) tau-lowering ASO, the development of MAPT-targeted RNA therapies, new tau-PET and plasma p-tau biomarkers, and innovative strategies to deliver CNS treatments, including non-invasive approaches. By integrating advances in RNA biology, disease modelling and targeted therapies, the review outlines potential future strategies for treating FTDP-17 and other tau-related disorders.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternative Splicing in Genetic Disorders and Cancer)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessReview
Comorbid Auditory and Visual Dysfunction: From Pathogenic Genes to Gene Therapy
by
Jindie Hu, Chenyang Kong and Yu Sun
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1149; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091149 (registering DOI) - 19 Sep 2026
Abstract
Hearing and vision are the most important sensory functions. Genetic studies have revealed that specific genetic mutations can concurrently induce auditory and visual dysfunction. Comorbid auditory and visual impairment limits mutual sensory compensation, thereby severely delaying speech, cognitive, and intellectual development in affected
[...] Read more.
Hearing and vision are the most important sensory functions. Genetic studies have revealed that specific genetic mutations can concurrently induce auditory and visual dysfunction. Comorbid auditory and visual impairment limits mutual sensory compensation, thereby severely delaying speech, cognitive, and intellectual development in affected pediatric patients and imposing a profound burden on their families. In this review, we summarize 23 genes currently recognized to be associated with both auditory and visual impairment and classify them according to their underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Furthermore, recent advances in gene therapy have created new opportunities for the molecular treatment of inherited auditory and visual disorders, while local gene therapy trials targeting the eye or inner ear have shown encouraging clinical signals. However, most current approaches remain gene- or organ-specific, and several programs are still at the preclinical or early clinical stage. Therefore, we also summarize the latest progress of gene-based therapies and ongoing clinical trial programs targeting hereditary deafness and blindness, aiming to provide references and basis for the subsequent treatment of comorbid auditory and visual dysfunctions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic Diagnosis and Therapeutics of Eye Diseases)
Open AccessArticle
Vitexin Alleviates Knee Osteoarthritis-Associated Cartilage Damage Associated with F3 Modulation
by
Yanxiong Gu, Minshi Xiao, Ziyue Wu, Yunuo Shi, Wenhui Geng, Xingxiaoyu Lin and Xiaoqiang Yang
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1148; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091148 (registering DOI) - 19 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background/Objects: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is characterized by pain and progressive cartilage damage, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to identify candidate genes through pain-related screening in KOA and explore the potential mechanism by which Vitexin alleviates cartilage damage.
[...] Read more.
Background/Objects: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is characterized by pain and progressive cartilage damage, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to identify candidate genes through pain-related screening in KOA and explore the potential mechanism by which Vitexin alleviates cartilage damage. Methods: Transcriptomic analysis was performed on peripheral blood samples from control and KOA model mice, and differentially expressed genes were intersected with pain-related genes to identify candidate targets. GO enrichment analysis was subsequently performed to explore their potential biological functions. The role of F3 in KOA was further investigated in vivo using F3-targeting siRNA, followed by VEGFA rescue experiments to evaluate its association with CD31-positive vascular changes. Safranin O/Fast Green staining and immunofluorescence staining for F3, CD31, and COL2A1 were used to assess cartilage damage and angiogenesis. Finally, Vitexin was administered to KOA mice to investigate its potential effects on F3-associated pathological changes. Results: Integration of transcriptomic data with pain-related genes identified F3 and F8 as candidate genes in KOA. Exploratory GO analysis indicated that F3 was annotated to several angiogenesis-related biological processes. F3 protein expression was markedly increased in the tibial plateau of KOA mice. F3 knockdown reduced CD31 expression, restored COL2A1 expression and cartilage proteoglycan content, and attenuated cartilage damage. VEGFA administration reversed the F3 knockdown-induced reduction in CD31-positive vascular signals and the associated improvement in cartilage damage without restoring F3 expression, suggesting that vascular changes may represent a downstream process associated with F3. Furthermore, Vitexin treatment reduced F3 and CD31 expression, partially restored COL2A1 expression, and alleviated cartilage proteoglycan loss in KOA mice. Conclusions: F3 may contribute to KOA-associated cartilage damage by promoting pathological angiogenesis. Vitexin treatment reduced F3 expression and CD31-positive vascular signals, accompanied by alleviation of cartilage damage. These findings identify F3 as a candidate derived from pain-related gene screening and suggest its potential involvement in pathological angiogenesis and cartilage damage in KOA.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genomics)
Open AccessArticle
Type I Interferon Emerges as the Reproducible Core of a Shared Mitochondrial–Immune Transcriptomic Signature in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Bipolar Disorder
by
Cristina Ioana Stoica, Cătălin Araniciu, Ioana Andrada Ionuț, Anca Stana and Smaranda Dafina Oniga
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1147; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091147 (registering DOI) - 19 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mitochondrial dysfunction and immune activation are reported across many chronic diseases, yet whether such shared signals are reproducible across independent cohorts is rarely tested. We compared the peripheral blood transcriptomes of two clinically distinct disorders, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and bipolar disorder
[...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Mitochondrial dysfunction and immune activation are reported across many chronic diseases, yet whether such shared signals are reproducible across independent cohorts is rarely tested. We compared the peripheral blood transcriptomes of two clinically distinct disorders, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and bipolar disorder (BD), to determine which shared transcriptomic signals remain directionally concordant across independent cohorts. Methods: Five public microarray cohorts (two PAH, three BD) were analyzed through differential expression, Hallmark gene set enrichment, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Instead of focusing on overlapping genes, we quantified the directional reproducibility of pathway-level signals using a stability index, evaluated against chance baselines, permutation testing, and complementary reproducibility metrics. Results: Both disorders converged on an overlapping mitochondrial–immune transcriptional program, and the interferon-α response was the only Hallmark pathway with positive normalized enrichment score (NES) values across all five cohorts and was significantly enriched in four of them. Beyond the interferon response, the broader pathway signature was directionally concordant across the two PAH cohorts (stability index = 0.66; Spearman ρ = 0.61) but not across the three BD cohorts (0.22; ρ = 0.14). Conclusions: PAH and BD share a peripheral mitochondrial–immune transcriptional program whose most reproducible element is type I interferon signaling, a signal directionally preserved across all cohorts despite differences in blood fraction. The broader transcriptomic program showed variable reproducibility that depended in part on the blood fraction sampled, highlighting the importance of evaluating both reproducibility and sample characteristics before inferring shared disease biology.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genomics)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
The Significance of Somatic Variants Involved in the Development of Pancreatic Cancer in Patients with HBOC-Associated Germline Variants
by
Koki Uchiyama, Hinano Nishikubo, Tomoya Sano, Yukina Furukawa, Dongheng Ma, Daiki Imanishi, Takemi Ishidate, Hongdong Gao, Canfeng Fan and Masakazu Yashiro
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1146; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091146 (registering DOI) - 18 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background: Hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes show a high risk of cancer development with germline pathogenic variants. Organ-specific surveillance has been recommended according to the causative gene. However, even among carriers of the same germline variants, developing cancer types are not always uniform. Tumor–normal
[...] Read more.
Background: Hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes show a high risk of cancer development with germline pathogenic variants. Organ-specific surveillance has been recommended according to the causative gene. However, even among carriers of the same germline variants, developing cancer types are not always uniform. Tumor–normal paired comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) enables the simultaneous assessment of germline and somatic variants in same patient. Correlations between germline variants and cancer types have been reported; however, the significance of combinations of a germline variant and somatic variants remain unclear in the development of cancer types. Methods: In this study, we analyzed the correlation between pancreatic cancer and somatic variant patterns in patients with hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome, especially in patients with germline variants on BRCA1, BRCA2, or ATM. Results: Here, we show the characteristic pancreatic cancer patterns according to co-existing somatic variants in patients with germline pathogenic variants. The tumor–normal paired genetic data from 18,732 patients who underwent tumor–normal paired CGP were analyzed, including 853 germline-positive patients registered in a Japanese database. The combination of the somatic TP53 variant and KRAS variant was closely correlated with the development of pancreatic cancer in patients with germline BRCA1, BRCA2, or ATM. In particular, the somatic KRAS variant was significantly associated with pancreatic cancer. Conclusions: These findings suggest that pancreatic cancer of hereditary cancer syndromes might be associated with co-existing somatic KRAS variants within the pancreas.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Genomics and Bioinformatics of Cancer)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Evaluation of Candidate Urinary microRNAs in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Prospective Multicenter Biomarker Study (JCOG1403A1)
by
Shuichi Tatarano, Hideki Enokida, Hiroyuki Nishiyama, Takahiro Kojima, Hirofumi Yoshino, Takahiko Mitsui, Akihiro Ito, Tomonori Habuchi, Keisuke Kanato and Hiroshi Kitamura
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1145; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091145 (registering DOI) - 18 Sep 2026
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the clinical associations of candidate urinary microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), including their ability to discriminate patients with UTUC from healthy controls and their associations with relapse-free survival (RFS). Methods: This prospective multicenter ancillary study
[...] Read more.
Objectives: To evaluate the clinical associations of candidate urinary microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), including their ability to discriminate patients with UTUC from healthy controls and their associations with relapse-free survival (RFS). Methods: This prospective multicenter ancillary study of the JCOG1403 trial (JCOG1403A1 study) included 45 patients with UTUC and 16 healthy controls. Four candidate miRNAs (miR-130b, miR-182, miR-191, and miR-200a) were selected based on prior exploratory sequencing analysis. Urinary cell fractions were isolated by cell sorting, and miRNA expression was quantified by stem-loop RT-qPCR. The ability of urinary miRNAs to discriminate patients with UTUC from healthy controls, their associations with clinicopathological characteristics, and their associations with RFS were evaluated. Results: Among the candidate miRNAs, miR-191 and miR-200a showed significantly increased expression in patients with UTUC and demonstrated favorable discrimination between patients with UTUC and healthy controls. The combined miR-191/miR-200a model showed the highest discriminatory performance (area under the curve, 0.888). Urine cytology was positive in 33.3% of evaluable patients, whereas urinary miR-191 and miR-200a were detectable in 78.6% and 85.7% of patients with negative/suspicious cytology, respectively. Preoperative urinary miR-182 and miR-191 detectability was significantly associated with pathological tumor stage. In exploratory prognostic analyses, patients with detectable postoperative urinary miR-130b had significantly shorter RFS (log-rank p = 0.0455); however, the association was not statistically significant in multivariable Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio 2.76, 95% confidence interval 0.84–9.05, p = 0.094). Conclusions: Urinary miR-191 and miR-200a showed potential for discriminating patients with UTUC from healthy controls and may complement urine cytology, particularly in patients with negative/suspicious cytology. The association between postoperative urinary miR-130b detectability and RFS should be considered exploratory and requires further validation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genomics)
►▼
Show Figures

Graphical abstract
Open AccessArticle
Genome-Wide Identification of bHLH Transcription Factors and Screening of Candidate Regulators Associated with Flavonoid Biosynthesis in Platycodon grandiflorus Under Methyl Jasmonate Treatment
by
Yalan Feng, Runlong Wei, Yeying Wu, Dandan Cheng, Zhao Zhao and Chao Ma
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1144; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091144 (registering DOI) - 18 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background: The bHLH transcription factor family plays crucial roles in plant secondary metabolism, yet its genome-wide characterization and regulatory functions in flavonoid biosynthesis remain unexplored in Platycodon grandiflorus, a medicinal species with bioactive flavonoids. This study aims to systematically identify PgbHLH
[...] Read more.
Background: The bHLH transcription factor family plays crucial roles in plant secondary metabolism, yet its genome-wide characterization and regulatory functions in flavonoid biosynthesis remain unexplored in Platycodon grandiflorus, a medicinal species with bioactive flavonoids. This study aims to systematically identify PgbHLH genes and screen for candidate regulators of flavonoid production. Methods: We performed genome-wide identification of bHLH family members using curated reference genomes, followed by phylogenetic classification, chromosomal localization, gene structure analysis, and collinearity assessment. Promoter cis-element prediction and subcellular localization assays for selected proteins were conducted. Expression profiles under methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment were evaluated via transcriptome sequencing and RT-qPCR. Protein–protein interaction prediction, expression correlation, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were integrated to link PgbHLH genes with flavonoid structural genes. Results: A total of 95 PgbHLH genes were identified and clustered into 23 subfamilies, unevenly distributed across nine chromosomes. All members retained conserved bHLH domains but varied in exon–intron structures. Thirty-six duplication events were detected, with Ka/Ks ratios indicating purifying selection. Promoters harbored multiple hormone- and stress-responsive elements. PgbHLH37, PgbHLH42, and PgbHLH70 were confirmed to be nuclear-localized. Transcriptomic and RT-qPCR data showed differential expression of PgbHLH genes in response to MeJA. Integrative analyses identified 23 PgbHLH members associated with flavonoid biosynthetic genes, among which PgbHLH37, PgbHLH42, and PgbHLH70 exhibited strong multi-dimensional correlations and were nominated as high-priority candidate regulators. Conclusions: This systematic characterization provides a foundation for understanding bHLH-mediated flavonoid metabolism in P. grandiflorus, with three prioritized candidates for future functional validation. The findings are strictly supported by the presented genomic and expression evidence. However, our conclusions are based on total flavonoid content, and analysis of individual flavonoid species is required to determine pathway-specific regulation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Genetics and Genomics of Medical Plants)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessCase Report
Single-Cell Transcriptomic Profiling of Peripheral Blood in a Patient with Progressive Thyroid Eye Disease Following Total Thyroidectomy
by
Ainura Mussakulova, Zarina Zhalgasbaeva, Vyacheslav Korobeynikov and Gulnur Zhunussova
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1143; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091143 (registering DOI) - 18 Sep 2026
Abstract
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the orbit closely associated with thyroid dysfunction. Total thyroidectomy is traditionally expected to attenuate the autoimmune cascade, yet some patients continue to progress after surgery, which challenges this paradigm and points to a
[...] Read more.
Thyroid eye disease (TED) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the orbit closely associated with thyroid dysfunction. Total thyroidectomy is traditionally expected to attenuate the autoimmune cascade, yet some patients continue to progress after surgery, which challenges this paradigm and points to a potentially autonomous orbital immune response. To investigate this, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a 47-year-old woman with severe, glucocorticoid-refractory TED, four years after total thyroidectomy, and compared her immune landscape with that of an age- and sex-matched healthy control. The patient’s peripheral blood showed a clear shift toward an active, stress-associated inflammatory state: pro-inflammatory mediators, immediate-early response transcription factors (FOS, JUNB, FOSB, TNFAIP3), and survival-related genes (CXCR4, DDIT4) were all upregulated. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) pointed to different mechanisms across cell types—myeloid cells were enriched for IL-6/JAK/STAT3 and TNF-α signaling, activated T cells for oxidative phosphorylation and mTORC1 signaling—while B lymphocytes and NK cells showed the opposite pattern, with reduced inflammatory and metabolic activity. One possible explanation is a “tissue-drainage” effect, where the most pathogenic lymphocytes leave the bloodstream and migrate into the inflamed orbital tissue along chemokine gradients. Together, these findings point to the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis and cellular stress pathways as candidate therapeutic targets, though as a single-case observation this remains preliminary and requires validation in larger cohorts, at the protein level, and in functional in vitro/in vivo studies.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ophthalmic Genetics)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Generation of a Highly Efficient and Chemically Inducible Gene Expression System
by
Yizhong Zhang, Linqiong Deng, Qing Li and Likun Lian
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1142; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091142 (registering DOI) - 18 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background: Chemically inducible gene expression systems provide precise control over the temporal and spatial expression of genes. They are powerful tools for analyzing gene function during plant development and can effectively avoid the issues associated with transgene expression driven by constitutive promoters. The
[...] Read more.
Background: Chemically inducible gene expression systems provide precise control over the temporal and spatial expression of genes. They are powerful tools for analyzing gene function during plant development and can effectively avoid the issues associated with transgene expression driven by constitutive promoters. The alc gene expression system derived from Aspergillus nidulans is one of the most promising chemically inducible expression systems in plants, owing to its significant potential for both basic research and agricultural applications. Previous studies have demonstrated the utility of the alc system in several dicot species, but systematic optimisation of promoter architecture and induction methodology in Arabidopsis remains comparatively limited. Methods: We employed a multi-level study design, combining Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation, GUS histochemical staining, and GUS quantitative assays. First, different types of alc gene expression systems were constructed through codon optimization of the GUS and alcR genes, and by incorporating the CaMV 35S minimal promoter (min35S), the TMV omega sequence, the Kozak sequence, and specific binding sites for the AlcR transcription factor. Second, these distinct alc expression systems were individually transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana to obtain single T-DNA insertion homozygous transgenic plants. Third, ethanol was applied via root drench, foliar spray, or vapor induction, and the performance of different alc systems was evaluated based on GUS protein expression, to determine the optimal induction conditions and identify the most efficient ethanol-inducible gene expression system. Results: Four alc systems (Ves1–Ves4) were successfully developed. GUS gene expression driven by these systems was precisely regulated by ethanol and was dependent on induction time and the method of induction. Among the induction methods, ethanol vapor was the most effective, followed by root drench, whereas foliar spray was the least effective. Furthermore, Ves1 was identified as the most efficient alc expression system, Ves2 as an efficient alc expression system, Ves3 as a usable alc expression system, and Ves4 as potentially defective with limited practical application value. Conclusions: This work lays a foundation for further research on the efficient alc system and the exploration of its molecular mechanism underlying high expression efficiency. The most efficient Ves1 and the highly efficient Ves2 provide a clear basis for selection in subsequent applied research, and they are expected to play a greater role in plant functional genomics and agricultural biotechnology.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Technologies and Resources for Genetics)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Whole-Genome Resequencing Reveals Genetic Diversity and Selective Sweep Signatures in Wuling Cattle
by
Kunyou Xian, Yuee Gao, Zhiyi Su, Yating Wei, Kai Yang, Zexuan Hong, Xiaoqian Wu, Jicai Zhang, Halima Jafari, Chuzhao Lei and Ankui Wang
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1141; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091141 (registering DOI) - 18 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background: Wuling cattle are a native breed in southern China and primarily inhabit mountainous regions. They are distributed across three geographically distinct mountainous regions and were historically classified into three local populations: Enshi cattle (western Hubei), Sinan cattle (eastern Guizhou) and Xiangxi
[...] Read more.
Background: Wuling cattle are a native breed in southern China and primarily inhabit mountainous regions. They are distributed across three geographically distinct mountainous regions and were historically classified into three local populations: Enshi cattle (western Hubei), Sinan cattle (eastern Guizhou) and Xiangxi cattle (western Hunan). Here, we aim to elucidate the genetic relationships and describe the genetic characteristics of Wuling cattle across these regions. Methods: We performed whole-genome resequencing of 20 Sinan cattle, together with public data of 10 Enshi cattle, 20 Xiangxi cattle and 65 cattle from four reference continental groups. Reads were aligned to the ARS-UCD1.2 reference genome. Genetic differences between different cattle breeds were assessed through analyses of population structure and genetic diversity. Selective signals in Wuling cattle were identified using single-population selective analysis and local ancestry inference, whilst potential differences between different Wuling cattle subpopulations were pinpointed using cross-population selective analysis. Results: On the basis of whole-genome resequencing data, Enshi, Sinan and Xiangxi cattle share highly similar genetic backgrounds (with similar ancestral lineages comprising East Asian taurine and East Asian indicine) and negligible genetic differentiation (the pairwise FST among Enshi cattle, Sinan cattle and Xiangxi cattle was approximately 0.01), supporting their classification as a single breed—Wuling cattle. Selective sweep analysis in Wuling cattle revealed multiple genomic regions under selection associated with key biological processes, including reproduction, fat deposition, feed efficiency, skeletal and muscle development, and immune response. Part of these regions is derived from East Asian indicine, related with SYTL1, TMEM222, WDTC1 and SLC9A1. Furthermore, Wuling cattle are found in various regions, where geographical conditions vary. Distinct selective signals were also observed among regional groups of Wuling cattle, likely reflecting adaptation to their diverse local environments. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive genomic characterization of Wuling cattle, outlines the selection signals for Wuling cattle, whilst demonstrating that different geographical environments have generated unique selection pressures within the Wuling cattle population. Providing a genetic guidelines for the conservation and sustainable utilization of their genetic resources.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Bioinformatics)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Subgenome-Resolved Analysis and Regulatory Divergence of UDP-Glycosyltransferases in Allotetraploid Panax ginseng
by
Qizhan Guo, Xin He, Lingping Yang, Xiaojuan Tian, Mingxu Wu, Ting Zhang, Liying Feng and Anqiang Jia
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1140; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091140 (registering DOI) - 17 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background: Polyploidization generates extensive gene redundancy, but how duplicated metabolic genes are retained and subsequently diversified remains poorly understood. UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) provide a suitable system for examining this process because they participate in specialized metabolism, plant development, and environmental responses. This study
[...] Read more.
Background: Polyploidization generates extensive gene redundancy, but how duplicated metabolic genes are retained and subsequently diversified remains poorly understood. UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) provide a suitable system for examining this process because they participate in specialized metabolism, plant development, and environmental responses. This study aimed to characterize the retention, expansion, and regulatory divergence of the UGT family in allotetraploid Panax ginseng at subgenome resolution. Methods: We integrated telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome annotation, phylogenetic and chromosomal analyses, duplication classification, collinearity and Ka/Ks analyses, promoter cis-acting element prediction, developmental co-expression networks, and transcriptomic responses to biotic and abiotic treatments. Results: A total of 212 PgUGT genes were identified, including 104 and 108 members in the A and B subgenomes, respectively. The family exhibited an overall near-mirrored retention pattern between the two subgenomes, accompanied by local copy-number asymmetry. Whole-genome and segmental duplication accounted for 64.2% of the family, and 99.5% of the gene pairs with valid Ka/Ks estimates had values below 1, suggesting pervasive purifying selection. PgUGT-containing co-expression modules were associated with bud, stem, leaf, and fruit developmental conditions, while promoter cis-acting element compositions exhibited member-specific variation. Transcriptional responses to fungal pathogens and abiotic, hormone, and chemical treatments were concentrated in particular members and local gene arrays rather than being coordinated across entire clades or subgenomes. Conclusions: The PgUGT family is characterized by extensive ancestral copy retention accompanied by local copy-number changes and copy-specific regulatory divergence. These findings provide a subgenome-resolved framework for understanding UGT family evolution in allotetraploid ginseng and prioritize candidate PgUGT genes for subsequent functional validation.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Genetics and Genomics)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Open AccessArticle
Comparative Transcriptomics Reveals Divergent Expression Patterns Related to Carbon Metabolism, Transport, and Regulation in Juvenile Stems of Four Fagaceae Species
by
Xiyuan Yang, Liwen Wu and Yangdong Wang
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1139; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091139 - 17 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: We compared juvenile whole-stem transcriptomes of Quercus glauca, Quercus acutissima, Quercus fabri, and Castanopsis sclerophylla to examine carbon metabolism and transport. Methods: Three seedlings per species were sampled in one session. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data were analyzed using differential-expression
[...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: We compared juvenile whole-stem transcriptomes of Quercus glauca, Quercus acutissima, Quercus fabri, and Castanopsis sclerophylla to examine carbon metabolism and transport. Methods: Three seedlings per species were sampled in one session. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data were analyzed using differential-expression analysis, direction-specific Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and leading-edge analysis. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed on aliquots from the same RNA extractions. Results: Reference-based analyses identified 8596–11,823 differentially expressed genes across six contrasts. GSEA detected 25 significant pathway-by-contrast associations across 13 pathways at a false discovery rate below 0.05. Q. glauca showed photosynthesis, starch turnover, and flavonoid pathway signals. Q. acutissima showed sugar-metabolism and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport signals, with XTH23 providing an annotation-based wall-remodeling candidate. Q. fabri showed enrichment of sulfur amino acid metabolism, nucleotide sugar metabolism, and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. C. sclerophylla showed ABC transport and galactose metabolism enrichment, with candidates annotated for raffinose synthesis and extracellular sucrose cleavage. Eleven of 12 candidates were present in at least one significant GSEA leading edge; XTH23 was selected using differential expression and annotation. Both assays identified the same species as having the highest expression for every candidate; eight genes also showed the same rank order across all four species. Conclusions: The sampled stems differed in the expression of genes associated with carbon metabolism, transport, and regulation. These whole-stem patterns provide candidates for tissue-resolved and physiological studies.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding in Forest Trees)
►▼
Show Figures

Graphical abstract
Open AccessSystematic Review
Prime Editing for Precision Genetic Medicine: A Systematic Review of Technologies, Delivery, and Therapeutic Applications
by
Douglas M. Ruden
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1138; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091138 - 17 Sep 2026
Abstract
Background: Prime editing has rapidly evolved from a CRISPR-based “search-and-replace” approach for precise sequence modification into a diverse family of genome editing technologies. This systematic review maps the technological evolution of prime editing, with emphasis on editor architecture, guide RNA engineering, delivery, therapeutic
[...] Read more.
Background: Prime editing has rapidly evolved from a CRISPR-based “search-and-replace” approach for precise sequence modification into a diverse family of genome editing technologies. This systematic review maps the technological evolution of prime editing, with emphasis on editor architecture, guide RNA engineering, delivery, therapeutic applications, computational approaches, and emerging capabilities. Methods: PubMed and Web of Science were systematically searched for studies in which prime editing constituted a substantive experimental, technological, computational, delivery, or therapeutic component. After deduplication and screening, candidate studies underwent manual re-screening against prespecified eligibility criteria. Reviews, corrections, plant and bacterial studies, conventional CRISPR or base editing studies without a substantive prime editing component, and other non-relevant records were excluded. A total of 294 studies were included in the final systematic evidence synthesis. Because of substantial heterogeneity in editor architectures, targets, experimental models, outcomes, and reporting, the literature was synthesized using systematic mapping and qualitative thematic analysis rather than meta-analysis. Results: The evidence demonstrates rapid diversification from the original Cas9 nickase–reverse transcriptase–prime editing guide RNA architecture through improvements in pegRNA design, Cas and reverse transcriptase engineering, DNA repair modulation, delivery, computational design, and increasingly complex sequence modification. Therapeutic studies span disease modeling, correction of pathogenic variants, ex vivo applications, and direct in vivo editing; however, high editing efficiency does not necessarily translate into functional or therapeutic rescue. Large-sequence insertion and replacement strategies further extend the capabilities of prime editing, although these approaches remain less mature than small-sequence correction and face substantial challenges in efficiency, fidelity, cargo delivery, and genomic safety. Conclusions: Prime editing has developed into a versatile precision genome editing platform, but the evidence base remains heterogeneous and predominantly preclinical. Translation to genetic medicine will require improvements in reproducibility across targets and cell types, delivery to clinically relevant tissues, product purity, genomic safety, and demonstration of meaningful functional benefit. Emerging large-sequence editing approaches broaden the potential scope of prime editing but should be distinguished from technologies with established experimental and therapeutic evidence.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in CRISPR-Cas Genome Editing)
►▼
Show Figures

Graphical abstract
Open AccessReview
Biomarkers in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: From Biological Association to Clinical Decision-Making
by
Hadi Al Etri, Lea Al Zoghby, Mohamad Sadek Zoghbi, Ahmad Karim Morad, Hatem Hassanein and Jad Chahoud
Genes 2026, 17(9), 1137; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091137 - 17 Sep 2026
Abstract
Therapeutic options in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have expanded rapidly, including adjuvant pembrolizumab, HIF-2α-directed therapy, and multiple effective first-line combinations for metastatic clear-cell RCC (ccRCC), yet treatment selection remains largely clinicopathologic. This review evaluates biomarkers at three clinical decision points: characterization of an
[...] Read more.
Therapeutic options in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have expanded rapidly, including adjuvant pembrolizumab, HIF-2α-directed therapy, and multiple effective first-line combinations for metastatic clear-cell RCC (ccRCC), yet treatment selection remains largely clinicopathologic. This review evaluates biomarkers at three clinical decision points: characterization of an indeterminate renal mass; recurrence-risk assessment and adjuvant treatment selection after nephrectomy; and first-line regimen selection in metastatic ccRCC. DNA-methylation classifiers and carbonic anhydrase IX-targeted [89Zr]Zr-girentuximab PET/CT can improve characterization of selected renal tumors, but neither replaces histopathology in routine practice. After nephrectomy, elevated plasma kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and detectable circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) identify patients at higher risk of recurrence; however, low tumor shedding limits ctDNA sensitivity, so a negative result does not exclude molecular residual disease or justify adjuvant de-escalation; neither biomarker is validated to direct surveillance, adjuvant therapy, or treatment escalation. In metastatic ccRCC, PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden, and individual genomic alterations do not reliably distinguish patients who should receive dual immune-checkpoint blockade from those who should receive an immune-checkpoint inhibitor plus a VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Transcriptomic states, myeloid composition, and spatial immune organization provide more detailed treatment-relevant biology, but no prospective comparative trial has shown that biomarker-guided regimen selection improves outcomes. Clinical implementation will require standardized assays, independent multicenter validation, and prospective trials powered to test biomarker-by-treatment interactions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrative Cancer Genomics: Unveiling Novel Biomarkers)
►▼
Show Figures

Figure 1
Journal Menu
► ▼ Journal Menu-
- Genes Home
- Aims & Scope
- Editorial Board
- Reviewer Board
- Topical Advisory Panel
- Instructions for Authors
- Special Issues
- Topics
- Sections & Collections
- Article Processing Charge
- Indexing & Archiving
- Editor’s Choice Articles
- Most Cited & Viewed
- Journal Statistics
- Journal History
- Journal Awards
- Society Collaborations
- Conferences
- Editorial Office
Journal Browser
► ▼ Journal BrowserHighly Accessed Articles
Latest Books
E-Mail Alert
News
Topics
Topic in
Biomedicines, Future Pharmacology, Pharmacy, IJMS, Biomolecules, Genes
Prospects of Multi-Target Agonists in Metabolic and Epigenetic Medicine
Topic Editors: Riham Abouleisa, Yanming LiDeadline: 30 November 2026
Topic in
Biomedicines, Metabolites, Proteomes, Genes, J
Multi-Omics in Precision Medicine
Topic Editors: Michele Costanzo, Armando CeveniniDeadline: 31 December 2026
Topic in
Cancers, Cells, Diseases, Genes, IJMS, ncRNA, Sci
Alternative Splicing in RNA Metabolism, Tissue Homeostasis and Human Disease: From Mechanisms to Therapeutics and Clinical Applications
Topic Editors: Christos K. Kontos, Dongyu JiaDeadline: 15 January 2027
Topic in
Agriculture, Agronomy, Crops, Genes, Plants, DNA
Vegetable Breeding, Genetics and Genomics, 2nd Volume
Topic Editors: Padma Nimmakayala, Georgia Ntatsi, Umesh K. Reddy, Yan R. TomasonDeadline: 5 February 2027
Conferences
Special Issues
Special Issue in
Genes
Genomic Mutations and Susceptibility in Breast Cancer
Guest Editor: Balaji VirassamyDeadline: 25 September 2026
Special Issue in
Genes
Epigenetic Control of Animal Reproduction and Key Traits
Guest Editor: Enqi LiuDeadline: 25 September 2026
Special Issue in
Genes
Gene-Regulated Signaling Pathways in Cancer
Guest Editor: Alexander DamalasDeadline: 25 September 2026
Special Issue in
Genes
The Genetic Lens: A New Era in Ophthalmology
Guest Editors: Stefania Zampatti, Emiliano GiardinaDeadline: 25 September 2026
Topical Collections
Topical Collection in
Genes
Study on Genotypes and Phenotypes of Pediatric Clinical Rare Diseases
Collection Editors: Livia Garavelli, Stefano Giuseppe Caraffi
Topical Collection in
Genes
Feature Papers: 'Plant Genetics and Genomics' Section
Collection Editors: Bin Yu, Roberto Tuberosa, Jacqueline Batley
Topical Collection in
Genes
Genetics and Genomics of Rare Disorders
Collection Editors: Stefania Zampatti, Emiliano Giardina




