Protocol for the isolation of silk glands from silkworms for snRNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics.

The silk glands (SGs) of silkworms specifically synthesize silk proteins, thus strongly influencing the yield and quality of silk. Here, we present a protocol for isolating SG nuclei from silkworms and obtaining high-quality tissue slices for spatial transcriptomics. We describe steps for rearing, dissecting, and nucleus isolation.

Hyaluronic acid/silk fibroin nanoparticles loaded with methotrexate for topical treatment of psoriasis.

Systemic administration of methotrexate (MTX), widely regarded as one of the most effective treatments for psoriasis, poses significant challenges due to its high toxicity, limited solubility, and potential for adverse effects. Consequently, developing a topical form of MTX may offer a safer and more effective strategy for psoriasis management. Silk fibroin (SF), a protein-based biomacromolecule, has shown considerable promise as a nanocarrier for sustained and targeted drug delivery, owing to its exceptional physicochemical and biological properties.

Identification and subcellular localization of the chaperonin NbCCTβ in Nosema bombycis.

Nosema bombycis, the causative agent of pebrine disease, poses a significant threat to the silkworm industry due to its negative impact on silkworm health and productivity. The chaperonin-containing tailless complex polypeptide (CCT) plays a crucial role in protein folding, and its β subunit (CCTβ) is essential for the proper folding of cytoskeletal proteins, such as actin and tubulin. In this study, we cloned and expressed the NbCCTβ gene from N.

Platinum micromotors for mucosal penetration and colorectal cancer therapy.

The therapeutic outcomes of medications were restricted by the colonic mucosal barrier during the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC). Micro/nanomotors can overcome the mucus barriers to reach deep colorectal tumors. In this study, we constructed a novel microsized PLGA-Pt micromotor (MM) driven by hydrogen peroxide (HO) to enhance drug delivery to the CRC tissues and achieve effective antitumor therapy.

Group V Chitin Deacetylases Are Responsible for the Structure and Barrier Function of the Gut Peritrophic Matrix in the Chinese Oak Silkworm .

Chitin deacetylases (CDAs) are carbohydrate esterases associated with chitin metabolism and the conversion of chitin into chitosan. Studies have demonstrated that chitin deacetylation is essential for chitin organization and compactness and therefore influences the mechanical and permeability properties of chitinous structures, such as the peritrophic membrane (PM) and cuticle. In the present study, two genes ( and ) encoding CDA protein isoforms were identified and characterized in Chinese oak silkworm () larvae.

Brassinosteroid Enhances Cucumber Stress Tolerance to NaHCO by Modulating Nitrogen Metabolism, Ionic Balance and Phytohormonal Response.

Under NaHCO stress, exogenous 24-epibrassinolide (EBR) markedly alleviated Na accumulation in cucumber plants, thereby decreasing the Na/K, Na/Mg, and Na/Ca ratios. This mitigation was accompanied by elevated concentrations of K, Ca, and Mg, as well as enhanced expression of the and genes. In addition, the activities of plasma membrane H-ATPase, vesicular membrane H-ATPase, and vesicular membrane H-PPase were significantly increased, contributing to the maintenance of ionic balance in cucumber plants.

Exogenous 2,4-Epibrassinolide Alleviates Alkaline Stress in Cucumber by Modulating Photosynthetic Performance.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are recognized for their ability to enhance plant salt tolerance. While considerable research has focused on their effects under neutral salt conditions, the mechanisms through which BRs regulate photosynthesis under alkaline salt stress are less well understood. This study investigates these mechanisms, examining plant growth, photosynthetic electron transport, gas exchange parameters, Calvin cycle dynamics, and the expression of key antioxidant and Calvin cycle genes under alkaline stress conditions induced by NaHCO.

V6 encoded by mulberry crinkle leaf virus is important for viral DNA replication.

Mulberry crinkle leaf virus (MCLV) is a representative species of the genus Mulcrilevirus in the family Geminiviridae. Here, we identified an additional V6 ORF which embedded within the V4 ORF in the MCLV virion-sense strand. The expression of V6 was confirmed by analyzing the promoter activity of V6 ORF upstream sequences and quantifying the viral DNA accumulation in V6-mutant MCLV-infected tomato plants.

Megastigmane glycoside and phenol glycosides from the bark of Croizat.

A new megastigmane glycoside, conspurcoside A (), two new phenol glycosides, conspurcosides B () and C (), along with twelve known compounds (-) were isolated from the bark of Croizat. The structures of these compounds were identified through analysis of spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and ECD methods. Compounds (-, -) were tested for inhibition of NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.

Fates of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities of red pitaya pulp upon in vitro gastrointestinal digestion.

Health benefit effects of bioactive compounds depend on their bioavailabilities, which could vary according to factors including food matrix and digestion environment. To understand the "bioaccessible" health benefit of red pitay pulp, the INFOGEST static in vitro simulation of gastrointestinal (GI) digestion model and targeted metabolomics method were applied to unravel the fates of bioactive compounds in the whole food of red pitaya pulp during GI digestion. The antioxidant activity as one of the health benefit indices was also assessed to compare the changes in bioactive properties of red pitaya pulp.

We are what we eat: Implications of host plant suitability on sustainable production of silkworm pupae as novel ingredient with dietary and health benefits.

Although, the impact of mulberry leaves on mortality of Bombyx mori [silkworm] and cocooning rates has been investigated, limited research has exploited the influence on the quality of B. mori pupae. This study evaluated the effects of four mulberry cultivars (Ichinose, Noi-EX-Thailand, Ex-Thika and Victory1) on the nutritional quality of B.

Simultaneous Down-Regulation of Dominant Cinnamoyl CoA Reductase and Cinnamyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase Dramatically Altered Lignin Content in Mulberry.

Mulberry ( L.) is a significant economic tree species in China. The lignin component serves as a critical limiting factor that impacts both the forage quality and the conversion efficiency of mulberry biomass into biofuel.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi: Boosting Crop Resilience to Environmental Stresses.

Amid escalating challenges from global climate change and increasing environmental degradation, agricultural systems worldwide face a multitude of abiotic stresses, including drought, salinity, elevated temperatures, heavy metal pollution, and flooding. These factors critically impair crop productivity and yield. Simultaneously, biotic pressures such as pathogen invasions intensify the vulnerability of agricultural outputs.

Biological Characteristics and Fungicide Screening of Causing Mulberry Anthracnose.

Mulberry is an important economic crop in China that is widely planted and has important edible and medicinal value. Anthracnose, a critical leaf disease, severely compromises the yield and quality of mulberry trees. However, there are many kinds of pathogens causing mulberry anthracnose and it is difficult to control.

Genetic Diversity and Differentiation of Silkworm () Local Germplasm Resources in China and Uzbekistan.

Silkworm () is an economically significant insect that produces silk and makes important contributions to the development of silk-producing countries. The genetic diversity and unique adaptive traits of silkworm germplasm resources form the foundation for breeding efforts. In various geographical regions, silkworm have developed distinct traits through long-term adaptive selection.

Genomic Analysis Reveals Novel Genes and Adaptive Mechanisms for Artificial Diet Utilization in the Silkworm Strain Guican No.5.

The transition from traditional mulberry leaf feeding to artificial diet cultivation represents a major advancement in modern sericulture, yet the genetic mechanisms driving this adaptation remain largely unexplored. This study investigates the genomic basis of artificial diet adaptation in the silkworm strain Guican No.5 through whole-genome resequencing and transcriptome analysis.

Dynamic Alterations of the Intestinal Microbiota of Fifth-Instar Silkworms () Fed an Artificial Diet or Mulberry Leaves.

Intestinal microbes are known to impact the growth and development of insects. However, there are few reports on the intestinal microbiota of silkworms (). The present study used Illumina 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate the changes over time in the intestinal bacteriome of fifth-instar silkworms fed mulberry leaf (MB) or artificial diet (AD).

The Mechanism of Damage to the Midgut by Low Concentration of in the Silkworm, .

(Bt) has been extensively applied in agricultural pest management, posing a notable ecological risk to beneficial insects like (silkworms). However, the toxicological mechanisms of Bt at low concentrations on silkworms remain largely unexplored. In this study, we determined the (96 h) of Bt for fifth-instar silkworm larvae to be 0.

() Is Involved in Host Protection Against Viral Infection.

Baculoviruses, the largest studied insect viruses, are highly pathogenic to host insects. nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is the main cause of nuclear polyhedrosis of silkworm, a viral disease that causes significant economic losses to the sericulture industry. The anti-BmNPV mechanism of the silkworm has not yet been characterized.

Comparative Physiological, Proteomic, and Metabolomic Insights into a Promising Low-Pruning Mulberry Cultivar for Silkworm Rearing.

Mulberry ( spp.) is an economically significant plant in the production of silk through feeding leaves to silkworm larvae. Traditional silkworm rearing is heavily labor-intensive, particularly in leaf collection, which leads to low efficiency and impedes the development of sericulture.

The Role of Gene in Bud Dormancy and Cold Resistance in Mulberry Trees ( L.).

Bud dormancy is a critical adaptive trait in woody plants, essential for enduring harsh winter conditions. The relationship between bud break timing and cold resistance is complex and has been a subject of debate. This study utilizes a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) on 201 natural mulberry populations to identify the gene, which shows the strongest association with bud break timing.

Quality Characteristics and Flavor Analysis of Five Mulberry Varieties.

For a deeper understanding of the characteristics exhibited by several novel mulberry varieties, the quality attributes and flavor components of five mulberry varieties (Zhongsang 5801, 2000-3, Jialing 40, Yuesang 10, and White Shahtoot Mulberry) were analyzed and compared. Zhongsang 5801 displayed the highest total phenol and flavone levels. Fructose and glucose were the primary sugars identified in the mulberries, with 2000-3 exhibiting the highest fructose content (39.

The Gene in Silkworm Black Pupae Significantly Affects 30 K Proteins During the Pupal Stage.

: The body color and patterns of insects play important roles in foraging, evading predators, mating, thermoregulation, and environmental adaptation. During the rearing of the QiufengN silkworm strain, a mutant with black pupal cuticle (QiufengNBP) was discovered. Preliminary map-based cloning and sequence analysis indicated that the gene might significantly influence the formation of the black pupa mutant and the expression of 30K proteins.

The Chicken Promoter and Its Regulation by MYC and HIF1A.

Background: Histone deacetylase 4 () is a member of the class II histone deacetylase family, whose members play a crucial role in various biological processes. An in-depth investigation of the transcriptional characteristics of chicken can provide fundamental insights into its function.

Methods: We examined expression in chicken embryonic stem cells (ESC) and spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) and cloned a 444 bp fragment from upstream of the chicken transcription start site.