Search Results (1,652)

The plant NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factor family plays an important regulatory role in stress response. In this study, we analyzed the rice transcription factor OsNAC113 and elucidated its tissue-specific characteristics and stress response regulatory mechanisms. qRT-PCR results showed that under laboratory-simulated drought, high salt, temperature stress, and hormone treatments, such as abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA₃), the expression level of OsNAC113 significantly changed, indicating that OsNAC113 responds to various stress conditions. Targeted creation of the rice (Oryza sativa L. spp. japonica) OsNAC113 (LOC_os08g10080.1) mutant based on the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing strategy revealed its response to salt stress (200 mM). The growth status and survival rate of the mutant under high-salt stress were significantly higher than those of the wild type. Testing showed that the mutant exhibited increased relative water, chlorophyll, and soluble sugar contents under salt stress than the wild type. The malondialdehyde content in the mutant was lower, and the activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase were higher than those in the wild type, indicating that the mutant with functional loss caused by knocking out OsNAC113 had a significantly enhanced tolerance to salt treatment. Using RNA-seq to detect genome-wide changes in OsNAC113 mutant materials under stress, KEGG annotation showed that knocking out OsNAC113 resulted in regulatory changes in “plant hormone signaling pathway” and “MAPK signaling pathway,” and GO and KEGG annotations showed significant changes in “amino acid transport and metabolism,” “carbohydrate transport and metabolism,” “lipid transport and metabolism,” and “replication, recombination, and repair.” OsNAC113 may be involved in the response to salt stress by regulating these signaling pathways. Using comparative metabolomic analysis, we further elucidated the function of OsNAC113 in physiological metabolic pathways. The knockout of OsNAC113 resulted in changes in various important metabolic pathways in plants, including flavonoid biosynthesis and ABC transporters. Therefore, it is suggested that OsNAC113 is involved in these metabolic processes and affects their regulation in high-salt environments. These results provide a theoretical foundation and reliable material for the molecular breeding of rice. Full article

Soil co-contamination with heavy metals (HMs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represents a widespread and challenging environmental issue that is difficult to address using conventional remediation methods. This review systematically examines the molecular mechanisms by which plant root exudates mediate the remediation of co-contaminated soils through synergistic interactions with rhizosphere microorganisms. We detail how plants dynamically adjust the composition and secretion of root exudates—such as organic acids, amino acids, sugars, and secondary metabolites—in response to combined HM-PAH stress. These exudates play multifaceted roles in remediation, including chelating HMs, enhancing PAH solubility and bioavailability, and acting as chemoattractants and metabolic substrates for rhizosphere microbes. In return, the recruited microbial communities contribute to pollutant detoxification through various mechanisms, such as biosurfactant production, enzymatic degradation, and improved plant nutrient acquisition. This reciprocal interaction forms a synergistic plant-microbe feedback loop that effectively mitigates combined contamination stress. By integrating evidence from diverse plant–soil systems, this review provides a comprehensive mechanistic framework for understanding root exudate-microbe interactions, offering critical insights for developing enhanced phytoremediation strategies to address complex environmental pollution. Full article

Microorganism employs sophisticated strategies to adapt to acidic environments, with transcription factors occupying pivotal nodes within their hierarchical regulatory networks. In this study, we performed functional characterization of the AraR transcription factor LP_RS14895 via integrated multiomics approaches. RNA sequencing revealed 40 acid-responsive targets that were enriched in pathways related to pentose/glucuronate interconversions and amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism. A genome-wide binding analysis via DAP-seq identified 1279 interaction sites and the most significantly enriched motif is “ARCCMATMAHC”. The results revealed that AraR plays a crucial role in regulating acid tolerance and metabolizable sugar (including arabinose, glucose, fructose, ribose, mannose, and trehalose). Overall, these findings offer mechanistic insights into microbial stress responses and provide a valuable method for addressing inhibitory processes of carbohydrate metabolizability under high-acid conditions. Full article

Cold-water fish, particularly stenothermal species, are increasingly affected by rising temperatures driven by global warming. To explore the hepatic metabolism mode of Amur grayling under warming, Thymallus grubii was selected as the experimental model. Here, we measured the oxygen consumption rate (MO₂), energy metabolism enzymes, and transcription profiling in Thymallus grubii that was exposed to increased temperatures (9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 °C) with the same flow velocity (34 cm/s). In this study, MO₂ initially increased and then decreased with rising temperature, with peak sensitivity between 12 and 15 °C (Q₁₀ = 5.30). Hemoglobin increased significantly at 12–18 °C but decreased in the 18–24 °C group (p < 0.05). Additionally, hepatic glycogen content (the amount of stored sugar in the liver, which serves as an energy reserve) also first increased and then decreased markedly (p < 0.05). Lactic acid in plasma and muscle contents increased, but creatine phosphate and glucose levels significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The result of transcriptome analysis showed that individuals in the 15 °C group could supply energy through glucose and amino acid metabolism. In contrast, individuals under 21 °C exposure could mainly supply energy through the lipid metabolism pathway. Our study underscores the vulnerability of Amur grayling to environmental temperature and identifies the instantaneous metabolic limit range, providing numerical limits (e.g., maximum river temperature) that managers can use to protect wild populations. Full article

Barley wine is one of the most chemically complex and historically significant beer styles, yet its molecular composition remains largely unknown. This study aims to create the first detailed molecular framework for understanding the chemical diversity of barley wine and cereal wines. The chemical diversity of barley wines and related “cereal wines” made from wheat, oats, and rye, including barrel-aged varieties, is examined using ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics. Distinct cereal-dependent signatures were revealed by multivariate analyses. High levels of fusel alcohols and phenolic acids were present in barley wines. Elevated levels of pyruvate and aromatic amino acids were found in wheat wines, and high levels of maltodextrin, arabinose, and trigonelline were found in oat and rye wines. A comparison of sub-styles showed that English and American barley wines were different based on ester and complex sugar profiles. Barrel aging introduces changes dependent on the barrel’s origin. A reliable classification of barrel origin was allowed for by a decision tree with four diagnostic metabolites—5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), acetaldehyde, mannose, and tryptophan. The way in which raw materials, fermentation conditions, and the reuse of barrels collectively influence their metabolomes is exemplified. Verifying the authenticity of beer, evaluating its quality, and generating new ideas for high gravity brewing are all cases in point for this approach. Full article

The ability of plants to survive oxygen deficiency is associated with significant changes in metabolism. Metabolic profiling of wheat seedlings under anoxia and subsequent reoxygenation conditions was performed using GC-MS. A total of 374 and 298 compounds were detected in root and shoot metabolomes, respectively. All intermediates of central metabolism were identified. Early anoxic responses of root and shoot metabolomes showed similarity, leading to the accumulation of amino acids (Ala, GABA and Tyr), carboxylates (lactate and succinate), nucleotides and amines, together with a decrease in sugars. The metabolic response to long-term anoxia varied significantly in the roots and shoots of wheat seedlings and was related to the redistribution of carbon flux from glycolysis predominantly to lipids in the roots, while it was directed to carboxylates and GABA in the shoots. Imposition of 24 h of reaeration after short-term anoxia (6 h) switched the metabolome toward a normoxic profile, predominantly in roots. Anaerobically down-regulated metabolites were accumulated, while anaerobic intermediates were depleted post-anoxia. The effects of more prolonged anoxia on wheat seedling metabolomes were less reversible, particularly in shoots. Interestingly, several metabolites with not fully understood roles (e.g., hydroxyl carboxylates, α,ω-dicarboxylic acids, polyols) were detected under anoxic conditions in wheat seedlings, which could potentially serve as markers of plant sensitivity to oxygen deficiency. Full article

Selenium (Se) nanoparticles have emerged as a vital tool in enhancing plant resilience to multiple stress factors. So, the present study was designed to synthesize nano-Se, evaluate its antibacterial properties, and to investigate the effects of nano-Se at 2, 5, 10, and 15 μM on the growth and physiological responses of barley seedlings under Cd stress. The results showed that nano-Se with an average size of 24.71 nm exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Notably, 5 μM nano-Se reduced Cd concentrations in leaves and roots by 19.46% and 31.07%, respectively, while enhancing root length, shoot/root fresh weight (FW), and dry weight (DW) compared to Cd-stressed plants. Furthermore, exogenous nano-Se significantly increased chlorophyll, protein, amino acid content, and enhanced photosynthetic performance compared to Cd treatment alone. Nano-Se further boosted the activity of antioxidant enzymes and concurrently reduced malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), proline, total flavonoids, and total phenols levels. Moreover, nano-Se supplementation under Cd stress promoted the uptake of essential nutrient elements and increased sugar content. Our results collectively suggest that nano-Se application during Cd stress may enhance photosynthesis, promote carbohydrate metabolism, and mitigate oxidative damage, thereby improving barley growth under Cd toxicity. Full article

Flowering often perturbs carbon allocation in sugarcane, yet its transcriptomic–metabolomic basis remains unclear. We profiled two contrasting cultivars, Gui Tang 16-3285 (sugar increases during flowering) and Gui Tang 44 (sugar decreases), sampling apical tissues at five stages (Non-spikelet-bearing stage (NSB), Early booting stage (ESB), Late booting stage (LSB), Tasseling stage (TS), and Flowering stage (FS)). RNA-seq and untargeted LC–MS revealed a strong stage/genotype structure (PCA) with high reproducibility. Pairwise contrasts (FS vs. earlier stages) and time series clustering (Mfuzz) showed extensive, stage-resolved reprogramming with small cross-cultivar overlaps. GO/KEGG indicated that GT16 is enriched for central carbon processes and glucose response, whereas GT44 favors cell-wall remodeling (xylan/xyloglucan), amino/nucleotide sugar, and phenylpropanoid pathways. Integrated analysis identified opposing temporal features across omics layers: in GT16, late-rising metabolites—including sedoheptulose—were consistent with enhanced pentose phosphate/Calvin coupling that regenerates fructose-6-phosphate for sucrose biosynthesis; in GT44, early activation of wall and secondary sinks, together with trehalose/(trehalose-6-phosphate) T6P signatures, paralleled declining soluble sugars. Across cultivars we resolved 11 and 18 genes in reciprocal opposite-trend sets (most with clear temporal order) and eight vs. five metabolites with mirrored dynamics, nominating actionable biomarkers (e.g., sedoheptulose/S7P) and regulatory nodes. These results provide a mechanistic framework linking flowering stage to carbon partitioning and suggest practical levers—timing growth moderation/ripeners, prioritizing sucrose phosphate synthase/Sucrose Phosphate Phosphatase, tempering wall flux, to sustain sucrose during reproductive development and inform breeding for high-sugar, flowering-resilient ideotypes. Full article

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a major staple crop that feeds over half of the world’s population. However, its cultivation depends heavily on nitrogen fertilizers, which increase both environmental impacts and production costs. Enhancing the sustainable use of nitrogen is therefore essential for maintaining global food security. Previously, we characterized an aquaporin (VgPIP1;2) from the bromeliad Vriesea gigantea that transports ammonium and has great biotechnological potential. Here, we investigated the effect of VgPIP1;2 heterologous expression on rice, particularly in root development and nitrogen metabolism. Transgenic plants cultivated in hydroponics exhibited a larger root network area compared to wild type plants. Biochemical and metabolomic analyses revealed that the roots of VgPIP1;2 overexpressing plants have higher contents of nitrogen, free amino acids and sugars. In line with these results, the transcriptional profile showed that genes involved with nitrogen uptake and assimilation, amino acid biosynthesis and sugar metabolism are upregulated in transgenic plants. These findings indicate that VgPIP1;2 overexpression positively modulates nitrogen and carbon metabolism, altering root development in rice. Thus, the expression of VgPIP1;2 would represent a potential strategy to develop new rice cultivars with improved root architecture suited to enhance nitrogen absorption and assimilation. Full article

This research sought to analyze the nutritional composition of red-fleshed dragon fruit cultivated in various regions of Guizhou, focusing on samples obtained from three distinct production areas: Guanling (GL), Zhenfeng (ZF), and Luodian (LD). The findings revealed notable regional variations in nutritional constituents. Specifically, the GL samples exhibited the highest concentrations of betacyanin, vitamin C, total phenolics, and flavonoids; ZF samples demonstrated the greatest levels of soluble sugars alongside the lowest titratable acidity, whereas LD samples presented the opposite trend. Through non-targeted metabolomic profiling, a total of 4515 metabolites were identified. Multivariate analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), indicated that metabolic differences corresponded with geographical origin. Furthermore, the OPLS-DA S-plot identified L-Histidine, Glu-Leu, Uridine, Leu-Glu, (2S)-2-Isopropylmalate, 2-amino-4-({1-[(carboxymethyl)-C-hydroxycarbonimidoyl]-2-[(3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-oxobutan-2-yl}sulfanyl]ethyl)-C-hydroxycarbonimidoyl)butanoic acid, Leu-Leu-Ser-Pro-Tyr, 1,1′-bis(iso-13-carbon saturated acyl)-2-(iso-12-carbon saturated acyl)-3-[(9Z,11Z)-octadecadienoyl] cardiolipin. The eight characteristic metabolites under scrutiny can evidently differentiate dragon fruits from disparate regions and thus serve as potential markers for distinguishing their origins. This study offers a theoretical foundation for quality assessment, investigations into health benefits, and the sustainable advancement of the dragon fruit industry. Full article

Litchi chinensis Sonn. is an economically and culturally significant fruit crop in China, valued for its distinctive flavor, which arises from the combined contributions of taste and aroma metabolites. While the accumulation of sugars, organic acids, and volatile terpenes in litchi has been extensively studied, the role of nitrogenous flavor compounds, particularly free amino acids (FAAs), remains poorly characterized across diverse germplasm. To address this gap, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to quantify 20 free amino acids in the pulp of 148 distinct litchi germplasm accessions. Comprehensive statistical analyses, including non-parametric tests, correlation analysis, and hierarchical clustering, were performed to elucidate compositional variations. Alanine (Ala), glutamate (Glu), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were the most abundant FAAs, contributing strongly to sweetness and umami. FAA profiles differed significantly among genomic groups, and clustering analysis identified three major chemotypes: Glu-accumulating, GABA-accumulating, and Ala-accumulating types. This study provides the first large-scale survey of FAA diversity in litchi germplasm and establishes a foundation for selecting cultivars with desirable flavor attributes and for future genomic dissection of amino acid metabolism. Full article

Background. Inhalable monoclonal antibodies were explored as therapeutics for respiratory viral infections due to their high specificity, which, however, can become a drawback if virus mutational escape occurs. Serum-derived polyclonal antibodies for prophylaxis reflect the diverse response of the immune system, reducing susceptibility to virus mutations and targeting multiple epitopes. Objectives. The aim of this work was the development of inhalable powders containing serum of rats immunized against SARS-CoV-2. Methods & Results. In a preliminary screening, combinations of sugar and an amino acid outperformed single excipients in terms of retention of protein size and residual moisture content. Four formulations were further developed on neat and albumin-depleted serum: HPβCD/L-leucine in water, HPβCD/L-leucine in phosphate buffer (KP), trehalose/L-leucine in water and HPβCD/glycine in KP. These were subsequently evaluated for aerosol performance and protein stability. All spray-dried formulations afforded respirable particles (MMAD ≤ 5 µm, FPF 70–80%), with L-leucine reducing hygroscopicity and particle aggregation while improving aerosol dispersibility. Conclusions. Albumin did not positively affect aerodynamic properties but provided greater protection of immunoglobulin activity (approximately 80% and 90% in albumin-depleted and neat serum, respectively). Buffer selection had no remarkable impact on the considered parameters. L-leucine with HPβCD offered the best balance of aerodynamic performance and protein stabilization. Full article

Autopolyploidization is critical to plant evolution and breeding, but systematic studies on its effects in woody plants remain limited. To address this gap, a systematic investigation covering autopolyploidization-induced variations in two autotetraploid jujube cultivars and their diploid counterparts across morphological, cytological, and metabolic levels was conducted in the present study. Compared with the diploids, the autotetraploid jujubes exhibited larger leaves, flowers, and fruits, but a dwarfing phenotype with reduced fruit set. Additionally, decreased leaf stomatal density and weakened pollen viability were observed in the autotetraploid jujubes. Metabolomic analysis further revealed that autotetraploid fruits accumulated higher contents of soluble sugars, flavonoids, phenolics, and alkaloids but contained lower contents of amino acids. Based on LC-MS/MS quantification of leaf phytohormones, we identified six common hormones that were differentially accumulated in both cultivar comparisons. Notably, all six showed consistent alteration patterns between the two autotetraploid–diploid pairs. Together, these findings enhance our understanding of how autopolyploidy influences secondary metabolism, plant architecture, and hormone homeostasis in woody plants. Full article

The excessive use of synthetic fertilizers in agriculture has raised environmental concerns, prompting the search for sustainable alternatives, such as organic amendments. This study evaluated the agronomic performance, nutrient use efficiency and metabolomic profiles of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. baby leaf) cultivated using synthetic and organic (olive mill waste-based compost pellets and sewage sludge) in a controlled pot experiment. The treatments included three doses of inorganic fertilizer and two organic fertilizers applied at equivalent nitrogen (N) rates, alongside an unfertilized control. Soil physicochemical properties, plant biomass, nutrient uptake and metabolite profiles, including amino acids, sugars and organic acids, were analyzed. Inorganic fertilization rapidly increased soil mineral N and phosphorus (P), enhancing leaf chlorophyll, canopy development and fresh biomass, and promoting the accumulation of reducing sugars (p < 0.05). However, it reduced amino acid and phenolic levels, indicating a metabolic shift towards growth at the expense of stress and antioxidant compounds. Sewage sludge increased soil organic matter and amino acid and sucrose accumulation, but also induced stress-related metabolites. Pelletized compost maintained an intermediate level of nutrient availability, preserved phenolic compounds and improved phosphorus use efficiency. This surpassed the results achieved with sewage sludge in terms of dry matter yield, despite limited short-term growth stimulation. These findings highlight the potential of integrating moderate mineral fertilization with pelletized compost to balance immediate productivity, nutrient efficiency and long-term soil and metabolic quality in lettuce cultivation. Full article

In this study, the concept of loan extraction was used to design a skin care serum (cosmetic) containing high concentrations of bioactive components isolated from marigold petals. A series of extraction media derived from the final formulation were used. The effect of the type of medium on the quality of the extracts obtained was evaluated based on the physicochemical properties of the extracts and the concentrations of the extracted bioactive compounds (phenolic acids, polyphenols, amino acids, and sugars) determined by LC-MS/MS. The antioxidant potential was measured using UV-Vis methods. The final preparations were analyzed for the effect of the extract addition on physicochemical parameters (stability, viscosity, color) and anti-irritant properties. LC-MS/MS identification confirmed the presence of key phenolic metabolites of Calendula officinalis L. (including phenolic acids and flavonoids) and accompanying amino acids and sugars. The UV-Vis technique confirmed the antioxidant properties of the obtained extracts. The resulting serum shows a low value of anti-irritant potential without significantly impairing the physicochemical parameters of the product. The obtained results confirmed the possibility of direct use of Calendula officinalis L. extracts in cosmetic serum formulations, obtaining additional functional benefits. Full article