Plastidial metabolites and retrograde signaling: A case study of MEP pathway intermediate MEcPP that orchestrates plant growth and stress responses.

Plants are frequently exposed to environmental stresses. In a plant cell, chloroplast acts as machinery that rapidly senses changing environmental conditions and coordinates with the nucleus and other subcellular organelles by exchanging plastidial metabolites, proteins/peptides, or lipid derivatives, some of which may act as retrograde signals. These specific plastidial metabolites include carotenoid derivatives, isoprenes, phosphoadenosines, tetrapyrroles, phytohormone (like salicylic acid), and reactive electrophile species (RES), which mediate retrograde communications to sustain stress conditions.

Estimation of optimal culture conditions for Gedaniella panicellus GPYS21 (Fragilariaceae) as a high-yield bioresource for palmitoleic acid and fucoxanthin production.

Gedaniella panicellus, a marine diatom belonging to the family Fragilariaceae, has not yet been explored for its biotechnological potential. This study aimed to optimize the growth of G. panicellus using response surface methodology and assess its cellular biochemical composition to verify the production of value-added compounds.

Low-input breeding potential in stone pine, a multipurpose forest tree with low genome diversity.

Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) is an emblematic tree species within the Mediterranean basin, with high ecological and economic relevance due to the production of edible nuts. Breeding programmes to improve pine nut production started decades ago in Southern Europe but have been hindered by the near absence of polymorphisms in the species genome and the lack of suitable genomic tools.

Neglected Microbes in Floral Nectar: Influence of Filamentous Fungi on Nectar Scent and Parasitoid Olfactory Responses.

Floral nectar is a sugar-rich resource which is ubiquitously inhabited by a wide array of microorganisms. Fermentation by nectar-inhabiting microbes can alter several nectar traits, including nectar scent, via changes in the blend of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Although there is growing evidence on how yeasts and bacteria influence the foraging behavior of flower-visiting insects, the potential role of other microbial taxa that can colonize nectar has been largely neglected.

Oral FPR2/ALX modulators tune myeloid cell activity to ameliorate mucosal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease.

Current treatments of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) largely depend on anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive strategies with unacceptable efficacy and adverse events. Resolution or repair agents to treat IBD are not available but potential targets like formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2/ALX) may fill the gap. In this study we evaluated the therapeutic effects of two small molecule FPR2/ALX modulators (agonist Quin-C1 and antagonist Quin-C7) against IBD.

Improved radicchio seedling growth under CsPbI perovskite rooftop in a laboratory-scale greenhouse for Agrivoltaics application.

Agrivoltaics, integrating photovoltaic systems with crop cultivation, demands semitransparent solar modules to mitigate soil shadowing. Perovskite Solar Cells (PSC) offer competitive efficiency, low fabrication costs, and high solar transmittance, making them suitable for agrivoltaic applications. However, the impact of PSC light filtering on plant growth and transcriptomics remains underexplored.

Genome-wide identification of FTZ-F1 genes in Chlamys farreri and analysis of ChIP-seq-based binding sites and potential target genes.

FTZ-F1 (Fushi tarazu factor-1) is a crucial member of the monomeric orphan nuclear receptor family, playing essential roles in reproductive development, steroidogenesis, and metabolism. However, studies on the function of FTZ-F1 and its target genes in bivalve mollusks remain limited. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of Chlamys farreri and identified two FTZ-F1 family members, designated as Cf FTZ-F1 and Cf FTZ-F1b.

sp. nov. isolated from the gastric fluid of a spotted dolphin ().

sp. (OM1, OM4 and OM7) novel strains were isolated from the gastric fluid of a spotted dolphin (). These strains were phenotypically and genotypically characterized, and compared with known species of the genus .

High-resolution genome assembly and population genetic study of the endangered maple (Sapindaceae): implications for conservation strategies.

Diels (Sapindaceae), a highly threatened maple endemic to the dry-hot valleys of the Yalong River in western Sichuan, China, represents a valuable resource for horticulture and conservation. This study presents the first chromosomal-scale genome assembly of (~626 Mb, 2 = 26), constructed using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing technologies. Comparative genomic analyses revealed significant recent genomic changes through rapid amplification of transposable elements, particularly long terminal repeat retrotransposons, coinciding with the dramatic climate change during recent uplift of the Hengduan Mountains.

Extent of natural soil cadmium, its bioavailability, and pollution treat analysis in the agroforestry systems of the Gedeo Zone of southern Ethiopia.

The research objectives were to determine extent of soil cadmium (Cd) in the major soil types of the Gedeo Zone of Ethiopia thereby assessing the pollution risk on the environmental health. Four profile pits representing Luvisols, Nitisols, Cambisols, and Leptosols, were excavated and soil samples were collected. Total and available Cd, Cu, Zn, and Mn, including other major soil physicochemical properties, were analyzed in the lab.

Size Matters: Influence of Available Soil Volume on the Root Architecture and Plant Response at Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Levels in Barley.

Pot size is a critical factor in plant growth experiments, influencing root architecture, nutrient uptake, and overall plant development as well as sensing of stress. In controlled environments, variation in pot size can impact phenotypic and molecular outcomes and may bias experimental results. Here, we investigated how pot size affects the root system architecture and molecular responses of two barley genotypes, the landrace BERE and the modern elite CONCERTO, through assessment of shoot and root traits and by using X-ray computed tomography complemented by transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses.

Determining the effect of natural compounds on mutations of pyrazinamidase in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: Illuminating the dark tunnel.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), the pathogen responsible for tuberculosis (TB), remains a significant global health concern, especially with the growing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains. This study focuses on understanding the molecular basis of pyrazinamide (PZA) resistance, particularly mutations in the pyrazinamidase (Pzase) enzyme, including D8G, H71R, K96T, and S104R. We used computational methods to explore the effects of bioactive compounds on these PZA-resistant mutations.

Spontaneous Hollow Coacervate Transition of Silk Fibroin via Dilution and Its Transition to Microcapsules.

Polymeric microcapsules are useful for drug delivery, microreactors, and cargo transport, but traditional fabrication methods require complex processes and harsh conditions. Coacervates, formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), offer a promising alternative for microcapsule fabrication. Recent studies have shown that coacervates can spontaneously form hollow cavities under specific conditions.

deep-Sep: a deep learning-based method for fast and accurate prediction of selenoprotein genes in bacteria.

Selenoproteins are a special group of proteins with major roles in cellular antioxidant defense. They contain the 21st amino acid selenocysteine (Sec) in the active sites, which is encoded by an in-frame UGA codon. Compared to eukaryotes, identification of selenoprotein genes in bacteria remains challenging due to the absence of an effective strategy for distinguishing the Sec-encoding UGA codon from a normal stop signal.

Function Identification of a Lactonase Gene Involved in Producing Urolithin A of FUA033.

This study aimed to identify the lactonase gene in FUA033 that facilitates the conversion of ellagic acid into urolithin A. Lactonase gene candidates were identified genome analysis. A series of overexpression, knockout, and complementation strains of these candidate genes were subsequently generated.

sp. nov., a novel red yeast of the order Sporidiobolales isolated from Thailand, Indonesia and Japan.

Six yeast strains, representing a novel anamorphic species of the genus , were investigated in this study. Among them, three strains, SU21, SU16 and SU14, were obtained from three different fruiting bodies of wild mushrooms in Thailand. One strain (ISM36-1) was isolated from soil in Japan, and two strains were isolated from soil (14Y315) and leaf litter (Y15Kr055) collected in Indonesia.

Blue and red LEDs modulate polyphenol production in Precoce and Tardiva cultivars of L.

Introduction: Plant growth and metabolism can be optimized by manipulating light intensity and wavelength. Since the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) allows easy regulation of the light spectrum, LEDs technology is largely tested to produce high-quality food. Red leaf chicory is a horticultural plant of high commercial value, rich in vitamins, minerals and phytochemical compounds with bioprotective and antioxidant roles.

: traditional uses, bioactive potential, and emerging health applications.

is a perennial plant native to Southeast Asia, renowned for its edible corms and rich nutritional value. The bioactive component, konjac glucomannan (KGM), has garnered significant attention due to its broad applications. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the traditional uses, chemical and physical properties, and modern health applications of KGM.

Targeting the Contact-Kinin System: A Cyclopeptide with Anti-Thromboinflammatory Properties Against Stroke.

The contact-kinin system plays a central role in the thromboinflammatory pathology of ischemic stroke. Modulating this pathway represents a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke. Based on our recent findings demonstrating that the short peptide SD6 (SLGASD), derived from a specific influenza-related immunoglobulin heavy chain junction region sequence, exhibits anti-coagulant properties, we designed a cyclized version, cycloSD6, and evaluated its anti-ischemic stroke potential.

Structural, optical and magnetic properties of CuO/α-FeO nanocomposites: effect of Fe concentration and annealing temperature.

The impact of annealing temperature (500, 600, and 700 °C) and Fe concentration on the formation of 5, 10 and 20 at.% Fe-doped CuO was investigated using structural, optical, and magnetic characterizations. XRD and Raman studies confirmed the presence of both CuO and α-FeO in the composite samples.

Disruption of the endoplasmic reticulum-localized fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase IPF1 caused partial male sterility in rice.

The fatty acyl ACP thioesterases, catalyzing the final step of fatty acid synthesis in the plastid, regulate various critical processes in plants, including seed oil accumulation, seed development, plant growth, and drought tolerance. However, their roles in male fertility have seldom been demonstrated. In this study, the function of a newly FAT, Impaired Pollen Fertility 1 (IPF1) in male fertility was investigated.

Pharmacognostical Traits and GC-MS-Based Chemical Profiling of Ajuga parviflora Benth as Quality Control Perspectives.

In the realm of traditional medicine, Ajuga parviflora (Neelkanthi), a member of the Labiatae family, has long been valued for its therapeutic properties. This research is aimed to explore the pharmacognostic traits of A. parviflora (aerial and underground parts), which include organoleptic and microscopic examinations, elemental analysis, preliminary phytochemical screening, and physicochemical properties evaluations.

Quantifying redox signalling regulatory transcriptional dynamics in Nardostachys jatamansi under abiotic stress response.

Understanding the responses of Himalayan medicinal plants to multifactorial stresses is crucial in the face of increasing environmental challenges, primarily characterised by frequent temperature and water availability fluctuations. The present study investigates the physiological, biochemical, and transcript variations in the critically endangered Himalayan medicinal plant Nardostachys jatamansi subjected to cold (15 °C and 10 °C for 30 days), drought (6 % PEG for 30 days), and heat stress (30 °C for 24 h). The primary impact of stress was observed through reduced plant biomass and chlorophyll fluorescence.

ELF3 coordinates temperature and photoperiodic control of seasonal growth in hybrid aspen.

Timely growth cessation before winter is crucial for the survival of perennial plants in temperate and boreal regions. Short photoperiod (SP) and low temperature (LT) are major seasonal cues regulating growth cessation. SP, sensed in the leaves, initiates growth cessation by downregulating FLOWERING LOCUS T 2(FT2) expression, but how LT regulates seasonal growth is unclear.