Exploring the role of microRNAs in axolotl regeneration

The axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, is used extensively for research in developmental biology, particularly for its ability to regenerate and restore lost organs, including in the nervous system, to full functionality. Regeneration in mammals typically depends on the healing process and scar formation with limited replacement of lost tissue. Other organisms, such as spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus), salamanders, and zebrafish, are able to regenerate some damaged body components. Blastema is a tissue that is formed after tissue injury in such organisms and is composed of progenitor cells or dedifferentiated cells that differentiate into various cell types during regeneration. Thus, identifying the molecules responsible for initiation of blastema formation is an important aspect for understanding regeneration. Introns, a major source of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), have characteristic sizes in the axolotl, particularly in genes associated with development. These ncRNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), exhibit dynamic regulation during regeneration. These miRNAs play an essential role in timing and control of gene expression to order and organize processes necessary for blastema creation. Master keys or molecules that underlie the remarkable regenerative abilities of the axolotl remain to be fully explored and exploited. Further and ongoing research on regeneration promises new knowledge that may allow improved repair and renewal of human tissues.     

Therapeutic potential of α,β‐thujone through metabolic reprogramming and caspase‐dependent apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells

The therapeutic potential of α,β‐thujone, a functional compound found in many medicinal plants of the Cupressaceae, Asteraceae, and Lamiaceae families, has been demonstrated, including in inflammation and cancers. However, its pharmacological functions and mechanisms of action in ovarian cancer remain unclear. We investigated the anticancer properties of α,β‐thujone in ES2 and OV90 human ovarian cancer cells and its effect on sensitization to cisplatin. α,β‐thujone inhibited cancer cell proliferation and induced cell death through caspase‐dependent intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Moreover, α,β‐thujone‐mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress was associated with the loss of mitochondrial functions and altered metabolic landscape of ovarian cancer cells. α,β‐Thujone attenuated blood vessel formation in transgenic zebrafish, implying it has significant antiangiogenic potential. In addition, α,β‐thujone sensitized ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin, causing synergistic pharmacological effects. Collectively, our results suggest that α,β‐thujone has therapeutic potential in human ovarian cancer and functions via regulating multiple intracellular stress‐associated metabolic reprogramming and caspase‐dependent apoptotic pathways.     

Cyclic environmental changes during the Early Toarcian at the Mochras Farm Borehole (Wales): a variable response of the foraminiferal community

Cyclostratigraphical analysis of the foraminiferal assemblages from the Early Toarcian at the Mochras Farm Borehole (Wales) was conducted in order to evaluate the incidence of cyclic palaeoenvironmental changes on the foraminiferal community. Different variables such as type of morphogroup, evolutionary strategy, habitat, particular taxa, diversity and abundance were studied using the Lomb–Scargle periodogram implemented in the computer program SLOMBS. A well‐developed cyclostratigraphical pattern is recognized, with the presence of several cycles (in metres) at 3.4–4/7.2–7.5/10.1–10.6/32.1–33.3/104.2–111.2/128.2/166.7, belonging to the high‐, middle‐, middle‐/low‐, and low‐frequency bands. The incidence and relevance of the cycles is found to be related to particular variables marking the global and local character of the involved processes. Cyclic changes in the organic matter input are found to be the most relevant palaeoenvironmental factor, oxygenation being secondary. A correspondence with specific Milankovitch cycles is, at present, difficult to determine.     

Two Helminthic Cases of Human Mummy Remains from Joseon-Period Graves in Korea

Our previous research on coprolite specimens from the mummies of Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910 CE) has revealed various species of parasite eggs. Herein, we added 2 new helminthic cases of human remains from Joseon-period graves in the Republic of Korea (Korea). The organic materials precipitated on the hip bones of 2 half-mummied cases (Goryeong and Gwangmyeong cases) were collected, rehydrated, and examined by a microscope. In the sample from Goryeong-gun (gun=County), ova of Trichuris trichiura, Clonorchis sinensis, and Metagonimus spp. were detected, and eggs of T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides were found from the sample of Gwangmyeong-si (si=City). By adding this outcome to the existing data pool, we confirm our previous estimates of Joseon-period parasite infection rates. The overall rates of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, and C. sinensis decreased dramatically from Joseon to the modern period. In Goryeong mummy specimen, we also found Metagonimus spp. eggs that has rarely been detected in archaeological samples so far.     

A Permian nurse log and evidence for facilitation in high‐latitude Glossopteris forests

The biology of trees that grew in high‐latitude forests during warmer geological periods is of major interest in understanding past and future ecosystem dynamics. As we study the different plants that composed these forests, it becomes possible to make comparisons with ecosystem processes that occur today. Here we describe a silicified late Permian (Lopingian) glossopterid (seed fern) trunk from Skaar Ridge, central Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica, with evidence of glossopterid rootlets growing into its wood. The specimen is interpreted as a nurse log similar to those seen in some extant forests. Together with evidence of glossopterid roots growing within the lacunae of older roots, this new specimen suggests the existence of facilitative interactions among the glossopterid trees that dominated the high‐latitude forests of Gondwana during the late Permian. More generally, the existence of self‐facilitation might have favoured the expansion of glossopterids within various environments, especially those at high palaeolatitudes, during the Permian icehouse to greenhouse transition.     

大蒜气生鳞茎形态发生及其碳水化合物和内源激素含量以及相关基因表达的变化特征

以大蒜品种‘二水早’(早熟)、‘麻江红蒜’(中晚熟)和‘徐州白’(晚熟)为材料,采用石蜡切片技术结合显微观察探讨气生鳞茎形成过程中植株茎尖和花序轴形态变化,并测定了‘麻江红蒜’气生鳞茎形成过程中可溶性糖、蔗糖、淀粉和内源激素含量及相关基因表达变化,明确不同熟期各品种大蒜气生鳞茎形成进程和形态解剖学特征,以及碳水化合物和内源激素与大蒜气生鳞茎形成的关系,以探讨大蒜气生鳞茎分化的生理机制。结果表明:(1)依据茎尖生长点和花序轴的形态解剖特征,将气生鳞茎形成进程划分为启动期、气生鳞茎原基分化期(包括保护叶原基、贮藏叶原基分化)、气生鳞茎膨大期和气生鳞茎成熟期等4个时期;3个品种气生鳞茎在相同发育时期的形态解剖学特征相同,但分化时间不同,其分化顺序与大蒜品种成熟期表现一致;当总苞叶叶尖露出叶鞘,花器官原基分化时,花序轴周围分生组织区域产生小突起,标志着气生鳞茎原基分化的开始;外层保护叶由白色转为紫色时气生鳞茎进入成熟期。(2)气生鳞茎开始膨大后,其可溶性糖和蔗糖含量均显著降低,淀粉含量显著升高;ZR含量在启动期显著升高;IAA和MeJA含量在气生鳞茎原基分化期维持在较高水平,但IAA含量随着气生鳞茎膨大显著降低,并在成熟期降至最低。(3)果聚糖代谢相关基因1-SST、1-FEH分别在膨大初期、膨大中期表达量显著升高;细胞壁转移酶基因CWI相对表达量在气生鳞茎原基分化期显著升高;蔗糖信号转导基因T6P和生长素信号转导的关键转录因子ARF1相对表达量均在气生鳞茎分化期显著升高;茉莉酸信号调控途径中的负调控因子JAZ相对表达量在大蒜气生鳞茎原基分化期和膨大初期均维持一个较低水平。研究认为,大量可溶性糖及ZR在茎尖积累,可以启动气生鳞茎原基分化,促进气生鳞茎形态发生;高浓度IAA和MeJA可促进气生鳞茎原基分化;气生鳞茎膨大消耗可溶性糖,且低浓度IAA有利于气生鳞茎膨大;成熟的气生鳞茎积累大量淀粉。     

大蒜体细胞胚发生过程中内源激素含量及相关基因表达的变化特征

该研究以大蒜品种‘二水早’为材料,采用高效液相色谱串联质谱法(LC-MS/MS),检测了大蒜体细胞胚发生过程中花序轴(EX)、愈伤组织(CA)、早期胚性愈伤组织(PC)、后期胚性愈伤组织(LC)和球形胚(GE)阶段的5种生长素及其类似物、4种细胞分裂素(CTK)和脱落酸(ABA)含量,结合激素合成和信号转导相关基因表达量的动态变化,探讨3类激素在大蒜体细胞胚发生中的调控作用,为大蒜体细胞胚发生的激素调控提供理论依据,也为进一步研究植物体细胞胚发生的分子机理奠定基础。结果表明:(1)在大蒜体细胞胚发生过程中,生长素及其类似物含量均呈现先升高后降低的变化趋势,且在PC阶段最高而在GE阶段最低;异戊烯基腺嘌呤(IP)、反式玉米素(tZ)和ABA在EX阶段含量最高,其余4个阶段的含量均显著低于EX阶段,而顺式玉米素(cZ)在CA和PC阶段含量较高,在GE阶段含量最低。(2)在PC阶段,IAA合成基因AsYUCCA1和AsTA1以及生长素外运载体基因AsABCB1的表达量升高;在LC阶段,生长素内运载体基因AsAUX1表达量升高,生长素应答基因AsARF1和AsARF2表达量降低,cZ合成基因AsLOG1在CA阶段表达量最高,细胞分裂素运输相关基因AsENT2和信号转导相关基因AsORR-A1、AsORR-A2在PC阶段表达量最高。(3)ABA合成限速酶基因AsNCED1和AsNCED2的表达量在大蒜体细胞胚发生的后4个阶段显著低于EX阶段,ABA信号转导相关基因AsPP2C表达量在PC阶段升高,AsABI1表达量在LC阶段升高,AsPYL1表达量在GE阶段升高。研究认为,在大蒜体细胞胚发生过程中,吲哚-3-甲醛(ICAld)、吲哚-3-丁酸(IBA)和cZ的积累有助于促进大蒜愈伤组织的形成,高水平的生长素及其类似物和低水平的IP、tZ有利于大蒜早期胚性愈伤组织的形成,而低水平的生长素及其类似物、CTK和ABA更利于大蒜球形胚的形成,表明激素合成相关基因可调控内源激素含量的变化,激素信号转导相关基因参与了大蒜体细胞胚的发生。     

小麦倒春寒研究现状与进展

由于全球气候变暖,近年来小麦低温灾害事件频发,尤其是拔节-孕穗期的倒春寒灾害已成为制约小麦产量和品质的重要因素之一。本文综述了小麦倒春寒灾害的发生特点(鉴定与分级、时空特征),倒春寒对小麦生理特性(叶片、茎秆、穗部、根系)和产量、质量的影响,总结了抗倒春寒小麦育种、倒春寒危害的分子生物学机制及灾害的监测预警与风险评估等方面的研究进展,并从小麦抗倒春寒遗传基础、倒春寒危害小麦评价体系和防控技术体系等方面进行了展望,以期为抗倒春寒小麦品种的遗传改良和栽培调控新措施的建立提供理论依据。