RSS 1.0Biomedical and biological science
Recent Submissions
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Subchronic exposure to low-level lanthanum, cerium, and yttrium mixtures altered cell cycle and increased oxidative stress pathways in human LO‑2 hepatocytes but did not cause malignant transformationHuman exposures to rare earth elements are increasing with expanded use in aerospace, precision instruments, and new energy batteries, materials, and fertilizers. Individually these elements have low toxicity, although few investigations have examined the health effects of longer-term mixture exposures. We used the LO-2 cell line to examine the effects of graded exposures to lanthanum, cerium, and yttrium (LCY) mixtures at 1-, 100-, and 1000-fold their human background levels (0.31 μg/L La, 0.25 μg/L Ce, and 0.12 μg/L Y) on cell cycle, oxidative stress, and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor (NRF2) pathway biomarkers, assessing responses every 10 passages up to 100 passages. Cell migration, concanavalin A, malignant transformation, and tumorigenesis in nude mice were also examined. Mixed LCY exposures activated oxidative stress and the NRF2 pathway by the 30th passage and increased the proportion of cells in the S phase and cell cycle-specific biomarkers by the 40th passage. LCY exposures did not cause malignant transformation of hepatocytes or induced tumorigenesis in nude mice but enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and agglutination. Importantly, LCY mixtures with longer-term exposure activated the NRF2 pathway and altered the hepatocyte cell cycle at doses far below those used in previous toxicological studies. The consequences of LCY mixtures for public health merit further study.
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Complete chloroplast genome characterization of three Plagiomnium species and the phylogeny of family MniaceaeThe taxonomic concepts and phylogenetic relations among genera of the family Mniaceae have given rise to much controversy in recent years, including Mnium, Plagiomnium, and Pohlia. Chloroplast genome study of these genera will be helpful to reflect the fact of this relationship. In this study, we sequenced three species in the Plagiomnium genus using an Illumina HiSeq 4000 platform. The complete chloroplast genomes of P. rostratum, P. succulentum and P. vesicatum were 125,196 bp, 124,689 bp, and 124,663 bp in length, which all contained a quadripartite structure including two copies of the invert repeats (IR, 10,120 bp, 9,818 bp, and 9,665 bp), one large single copy region (LSC, 86,395 bp, 86,299 bp, and 86,532 bp), and one single copy region (SSC, 18,561 bp, 18,754 bp, and 18,801 bp). The overall GC contents were 29.8%, 30.5%, and 30.5% respectively. The simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were detected in conjunction with Plagiomnium acutum, with variable sites genes observed: rpoC2, ycf1, and ycf2. Combined with the other three sequences published in Mniaceae, analyses of codon usage, repeats sequences, GC contents, and gene features revealed similarities among the seven species in Mniaceae. The trend of nucleotide diversity (Pi) in the seven complete chloroplast genomes showed Pi > 0.056: trnI-rpl23, petG-petL-psbE, trnK-chlB, trnG-trnR-atpA, rpoB-trnC-ycf66, ndhB, trnN-ndhF, and rps15-ycf1. We confirmed the phylogenetic relationships that Plagiomnium genus is a sister group with Mnium, while the Pohlia genus is not a monophyletic group. Phylogenetic analyses corroborated the monophyly of Mniaceae and supported the transfer of the Pohlia genus into Mniaceae.
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Linking digital technology, omics and education to facilitate global equityThere are many challenges, not least health inequities, global warming, and a rush for growth and economic development. Personalized, precision, and preventative medicine, bringing the latest omics techniques—genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics—for individuals allied to personalized prescription and care should help health equity. Digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) can help in an understanding of disease processes and in drug development. A holistic approach to the relationship between technology and the environment and clarity about both the positive benefits and negative harms resulting from using digital tools is necessary. We need to focus on the complete human-environmental interface and not just on climate change and carbon. It will be a measure of collaborative civilization if digital technology, omics techniques, and education can be used to promote global equity. Education linking diversities and performance throughout the world will be crucial.
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Editorial: Comparative and evolutionary analyses of organelle genomesThis Research Topic focuses on studies of organelle genomes, which has been a highly active area of research during the last years. Our focus on organelle genomes fulfills their potential to perform full-scale comparisons for non-model species. This is because they are typically smaller than nuclear genomes, and modern sequencing techniques and bioinformatic approaches often allow researchers to reliably assemble and annotate them. Dozens of approaches have been published describing ways to perform assemblies and annotations of chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes, and how to create alignments for phylogenetic analyses. Comparisons of chloroplast genomes are especially important for lineages of plants with unusual lifestyles, such as parasitic plants.
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Effects of continuous cropping of Codonopsis pilosula on rhizosphere soil microbial community structure and metabolomicsCodonopsis pilosula is an important medicinal plant in China. Continuous cropping of C. pilosula affects crop quality and yield. However, comprehensive research on the impacts of continuous cropping on soil properties, microbial community structures, and soil metabolites is lacking. This study involved collecting rhizosphere soil samples from C. pilosula monocropped for 1 to 4 years to analyze variations in soil properties, microbial community structure, and metabolites across different continuous-cropping years (CCYs) through metabolomic and microbiomic analyses. Significant variations in the soil properties were observed; total phosphorus (TP) and available potassium (AK) in the rhizosphere soil increased with the number of CCYs, and pH declined. The microbial community structure significantly changed with continuous cropping. Overall, the soil bacterial diversity decreased with increasing CCY. The abundances of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes significantly decreased with increasing CCY, whereas the abundance
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Probing action potentials of single beating cardiomyocytes using atomic force microscopyThis paper presents a method for using atomic force microscopy to probe action potentials of single beating cardiomyocytes at the nanoscale. In this work, the conductive tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM) was used as a nanoelectrode to record the action potentials of self-beating cardiomyocytes in both the non-constant force contact mode and the constant force contact mode. An electrical model of a tip–cell interface was developed and the indentation force effect on the seal of an AFM conductive tip–cell membrane was theoretically analyzed. The force feedback of AFM allowed for the precise control of tip–cell contact, and enabled reliable measurements. The feasibility of simultaneously recording the action potentials and force information during the contraction of the same beating cardiomyocyte was studied. Furthermore, the AFM tip electrode was used to probe the differences of action potentials using different drugs. This method provides a way at the nanoscale for electrophysiological studies on single beating cardiomyocytes, neurons, and ion channels embedded within the cell membrane in relation to disease states, pharmaceutical drug testing and screening.
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Disinfection byproducts of haloacetaldehydes disrupt hepatic lipid metabolism and induce lipotoxicity in high-fat culture conditionsUnhealthy lifestyles, obesity, and environmental pollutants are strongly correlated with the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Haloacetaldehyde-associated disinfection byproducts (HAL-DBPs) at various multiples of concentrations found in finished drinking water together with high-fat (HF) were examined to gauge their mixed effects on hepatic lipid metabolism. Using new alternative methods (NAMs), studying effects in human cells in vitro for risk assessment, we investigated the combined effects of HF and HAL-DBPs on hepatic lipid metabolism and lipotoxicity in immortalized LO-2 human hepatocytes. Coexposure of HAL-DBPs at various multiples of environmental exposure levels with HF increased the levels of triglycerides, interfered with de novo lipogenesis, enhanced fatty acid oxidation, and inhibited the secretion of very low-density lipoproteins. Lipid accumulation caused by the coexposure of HAL-DBPs and HF also resulted in more severe lipotoxicity in these cells. Our results using an in vitro NAM-based method provide novel insights into metabolic reprogramming in hepatocytes due to coexposure of HF and HAL-DBPs and strongly suggest that the risk of NAFLD in sensitive populations due to HAL-DBPs and poor lifestyle deserves further investigation both with laboratory and epidemiological tools. We also discuss how results from our studies could be used in health risk assessments for HAL-DBPs.
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Haloacetamides disinfection by-products, a potential risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver diseaseNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal lipid deposition, with oxidative stress being a risk factor in its onset and progression. Haloacetamides (HAcAms), as unregulated disinfection by-products in drinking water, may alter the incidence and severity of NAFLD through the production of oxidative stress. We explored whether HAcAms at 1, 10, and 100-fold concentrations in Shanghai drinking water perturbed lipid metabolism in normal human liver LO-2 cells. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to construct a LO-2 line with stable NRF2 knock-down (NRF2-KD) to investigate the mechanism underlying abnormal lipid accumulation and hepatocyte damage caused by mixed exposure to HAcAms. At 100-fold real-world concentration, HAcAms caused lipid deposition and increased triglyceride accumulation in LO-2 cells, consistent with altered de novo lipogenesis. Differences in responses to HAcAms in normal and NRF2-KD LO-2 cells indicated that HAcAms caused hepatocyte lipid deposition and triglyceride accumulation by activation of the NRF2/PPARγ pathway and aggravated liver cell toxicity by inducing ferroptosis. These results indicate that HAcAms are important risk factors for NAFLD. Further observations and verifications of the effect of HAcAms on NAFLD in the population are warranted in the future.
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Synthesis, biological evaluation, and SAR studies of 14β-phenylacetyl substituted 17-cyclopropylmethyl-7, 8-dihydronoroxymorphinones derivatives: ligands with mixed NOP and opioid receptor profileA series of 14β-acyl substituted 17-cyclopropylmethyl-7,8-dihydronoroxymorphinone compounds has been synthesized and evaluated for affinity and efficacy for mu (MOP), kappa (KOP), and delta (DOP) opioid receptors and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptors. The majority of the new ligands displayed high binding affinities for the three opioid receptors, and moderate affinity for NOP receptors. The affinities for NOP receptors are of particular interest as most classical opioid ligands do not bind to NOP receptors. The predominant activity in the [35S]GTPγS assay was partial agonism at each receptor. The results are consistent with our prediction that an appropriate 14β side chain would access a binding site within the NOP receptor and result in substantially higher affinity than displayed by the parent compound naltrexone. Molecular modeling studies, utilizing the recently reported structure of the NOP receptor, are also consistent with this interpretation.
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PPL-138 (BU10038): a bifunctional NOP/mu partial agonist that reduces cocaine self-administration in ratsThe search for new and effective treatments for cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a priority. We determined whether PPL-138 (BU10038), a compound with partial agonist activity at both nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) and mu-opioid receptors, reduces cocaine consumption, reinstatement, and whether the compound itself produces reinforcing effects in rats. Using an intermittent access (IntA) cocaine self-administration procedure, we found that PPL-138 (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg) effectively decreased the total number of cocaine infusions and burst-like cocaine intake in both male and female rats. Responses for food in an IntA model of food self-administration were not altered for either sex, although locomotor activity was increased in female but not male rats. Blockade of NOP receptors with the selective antagonist J-113397 (5 mg/kg) did not prevent the PPL-138-induced suppression of cocaine self-administration, whereas blockade of mu-opioid receptors by naltrexone (1 mg/kg) reversed such effect. Consistently, treatment with morphine (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced IntA cocaine self-administration measures. PPL-138 also reduced reinstatement of cocaine seeking at all doses examined. Although an initial treatment with PPL-138 (2.5, 10, and 40 μg/kg/infusion) appeared rewarding, the compound did not maintain self-administration behavior. Animals treated with PPL-138 showed initial suppression of cocaine self-administration, which was eliminated following repeated daily dosing. However, suppression of cocaine self-administration was retained when subsequent PPL-138 treatments were administered 48 h apart. These findings demonstrate that the approach of combining partial NOP/mu-opioid activation successfully reduces cocaine use, but properties of PPL-138 seem to depend on the timing of drug administration.
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OREX-1038: a potential new treatment for pain with low abuse liability and limited adverse effectsDrugs targeting mu opioid receptors are the mainstay of clinical practice for treating moderate-to-severe pain. While they can offer excellent analgesia, their use can be limited by adverse effects, including constipation, respiratory depression, tolerance, and abuse liability. Multifunctional ligands acting at mu opioid and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptors might provide antinociception with substantially improved adverse-effect profiles. This study explored one of these ligands, OREX-1038 (BU10038), in several assays in rodents and nonhuman primates. Binding and functional studies confirmed OREX-1038 to be a low-efficacy agonist at mu opioid and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptors and an antagonist at delta and kappa opioid receptors with selectivity for opioid receptors over other proteins. OREX-1038 had long-acting antinociceptive effects in postsurgical and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced thermal hyperalgesia assays in rats and a warm water tail-withdrawal assay in monkeys. OREX-1038 was active for at least 24 h in each antinociception assay, and its effects in monkeys did not diminish over 22 days of daily administration. This activity was coupled with limited effects on physiological signs (arterial pressure, heart rate, and body temperature) and no evidence of withdrawal after administration of naltrexone or discontinuation of treatment in monkeys receiving OREX-1038 daily. Over a range of doses, OREX-1038 was only transiently self-administered, which diminished rapidly to nonsignificant levels; overall, both OREX-1038 and buprenorphine maintained less responding than remifentanil. These results support the concept of dual mu and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor partial agonists having improved pharmacological profiles compared with opioids currently used to treat pain.
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An important role for RPRD1B in the heat shock responseDuring the heat shock response (HSR), heat shock factor (HSF1 in mammals) binds to target gene promoters, resulting in increased expression of heat shock proteins that help maintain protein homeostasis and ensure cell survival. Besides HSF1, only a relatively few transcription factors with a specific role in ensuring correctly regulated gene expression during the HSR have been described. Here, we use proteomic and genomic (CRISPR) screening to identify a role for RPRD1B in the response to heat shock. Indeed, cells depleted for RPRD1B are heat shock sensitive and show decreased expression of key heat shock proteins (HSPs). These results add to our understanding of the connection between basic gene expression mechanisms and the HSR.
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Translation stress and collided ribosomes are co-activators of cGASThe cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway senses cytosolic DNA and induces interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) to activate the innate immune system. Here, we report the unexpected discovery that cGAS also senses dysfunctional protein production. Purified ribosomes interact directly with cGAS and stimulate its DNA-dependent activity in vitro. Disruption of the ribosome-associated protein quality control (RQC) pathway, which detects and resolves ribosome collision during translation, results in cGAS-dependent ISG expression and causes re-localization of cGAS from the nucleus to the cytosol. Indeed, cGAS preferentially binds collided ribosomes in vitro, and orthogonal perturbations that result in elevated levels of collided ribosomes and RQC activation cause sub-cellular re-localization of cGAS and ribosome binding in vivo as well. Thus, translation stress potently increases DNA-dependent cGAS activation. These findings have implications for the inflammatory response to viral infection and tumorigenesis, both of which substantially reprogram cellular protein synthesis.
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Mutation of daf-2 extends lifespan via tissue-specific effectors that suppress distinct life-limiting pathologiesIn aging Caenorhabditis elegans, as in higher organisms, there is more than one cause of death. C. elegans exhibit early death with a swollen, infected pharynx (P death), and later death with pharyngeal atrophy (p death). Interventions that alter lifespan can differentially affect frequency and timing of each type of death, generating complex survival curve shapes. Here, we use mortality deconvolution analysis to investigate how reduction of insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS), which increases lifespan (the Age phenotype), affects different forms of death. All daf-2 insulin/IGF-1 receptor mutants exhibit increased lifespan in the p subpopulation (p Age), while pleiotropic class 2 daf-2 mutants show an additional marked reduction in P death frequency. The latter is promoted by pharyngeal expression of the IIS-regulated DAF-16 FOXO transcription factor, and at higher temperature by reduced pharyngeal pumping rate. Pharyngeal DAF-16 also promotes p Age in class 2 daf-2 mutants, revealing a previously unknown role for the pharynx in the regulation of aging. Necropsy analysis of daf-2 interactions with the daf-12 steroid receptor implies that previously described opposing effects of daf-12 on daf-2 longevity are attributable to internal hatching of larvae, rather than complex interactions between insulin/IGF-1 and steroid signaling. These findings support the view that wild-type IIS acts through multiple distinct mechanisms which promote different life-limiting pathologies, each of which contribute to late-life mortality. This study further demonstrates the utility of mortality deconvolution analysis to better understand the genetics of lifespan.
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Influence of environmental factors and genome diversity on cumulative COVID-19 cases in the highland region of China: comparative correlational studyBackground: The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 caused the global COVID-19 pandemic. Emerging reports support lower mortality and reduced case numbers in highland areas; however, comparative studies on the cumulative impact of environmental factors and viral genetic diversity on COVID-19 infection rates have not been performed to date. Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the difference in COVID-19 infection rates between high and low altitudes, and to explore whether the difference in the pandemic trend in the high-altitude region of China compared to that of the lowlands is influenced by environmental factors, population density, and biological mechanisms. Methods: We examined the correlation between population density and COVID-19 cases through linear regression. A zero-shot model was applied to identify possible factors correlated to COVID-19 infection. We further analyzed the correlation of meteorological and air quality factors with infection cases using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Mixed-effects multiple linear regression was applied to evaluate the associations between selected factors and COVID-19 cases adjusting for covariates. Lastly, the relationship between environmental factors and mutation frequency was evaluated using the same correlation techniques mentioned above. Results: Among the 24,826 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported from 40 cities in China from January 23, 2020, to July 7, 2022, 98.4% (n=24,430) were found in the lowlands. Population density was positively correlated with COVID-19 cases in all regions (ρ=0.641, P=.003). In high-altitude areas, the number of COVID-19 cases was negatively associated with temperature, sunlight hours, and UV index (P=.003, P=.001, and P=.009, respectively) and was positively associated with wind speed (ρ=0.388, P<.001), whereas no correlation was found between meteorological factors and COVID-19 cases in the lowlands. After controlling for covariates, the mixed-effects model also showed positive associations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) with COVID-19 cases (P=.002 and P<.001, respectively). Sequence variant analysis showed lower genetic diversity among nucleotides for each SARS-CoV-2 genome (P<.001) and three open reading frames (P<.001) in high altitudes compared to 300 sequences analyzed from low altitudes. Moreover, the frequencies of 44 nonsynonymous mutations and 32 synonymous mutations were significantly different between the high- and low-altitude groups (P<.001, mutation frequency>0.1). Key nonsynonymous mutations showed positive correlations with altitude, wind speed, and air pressure and showed negative correlations with temperature, UV index, and sunlight hours. Conclusions: By comparison with the lowlands, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases was substantially lower in high-altitude regions of China, and the population density, temperature, sunlight hours, UV index, wind speed, PM2.5, and CO influenced the cumulative pandemic trend in the highlands. The identified influence of environmental factors on SARS-CoV-2 sequence variants adds knowledge of the impact of altitude on COVID-19 infection, offering novel suggestions for preventive intervention.
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Preparation of a novel metallothionein-AuNP composite material by genetic modification and Au–S covalent combinationMetallothionein (MTs) can be used in the prevention and treatment of tumors and diabetes due to its antioxidant properties. However, it is necessary to solve its non-transmembrane properties and further improve its antioxidant activity, increase its fluorescence visualization and enhance its stability to meet practical applications in the biomedical field. Here, we report the preparation of a novel metallothionein-AuNP composite material with high transmembrane ability, fluorescence visualization, antioxidant activity, and stability by genetic modification (introducing transduction peptide TAT, fluorescence tag GFP and increasing sulfydryl groups) and immobilization technology (covalently bonding with AuNPs). The transmembrane activity of modified proteins was verified by immunofluorescence. Increasing the sulfhydryl content within a certain range can enhance the antioxidant activity of the protein. In addition, GFP were used to further simplify the imaging of the metallothionein-AuNP composite in cells. XPS results indicated that AuNPs can immobilize metallothionein through Au–S covalent bonds. TGA characterization and degradation experiments showed that thermal and degradation stability of the immobilized material was significantly improved. This work provides new ideas to construct metallothionein composites with high transmembrane ability, antioxidant activity, fluorescence visualization and stability to meet novel applications in the biomedical field.
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Cancer development in hepatocytes by long-term induction of hypoxic hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HCC)-derived exosomes in vivo and in vitroHypoxic tumor cell-derived exosomes play a key role in the occurrence, development, and metastasis of tumors. However, the mechanism of hypoxia-mediated metastasis remains unclear. In this study, hypoxic hepatocellular carcinoma cell (HCC-LM3)-derived exosomes (H-LM3-exos) were used to induce hepatocytes (HL-7702) over a long term (40 passages in 120 days). A nude mouse experiment further verified the effect of H-LM3-exos on tumor growth and metastasis. The process of cancer development in hepatocytes induced by H-LM3-exos was analyzed using both biological and physical techniques, and the results showed that the proliferation and soft agar growth abilities of the transformed cells were enhanced. The concentration of tumor markers secreted by transformed cells was increased, the cytoskeleton was disordered, and the migration ability was enhanced and was accompanied by epithelial−mesenchymal transition (EMT). Transcriptome results showed that differentially expressed genes between transformed cells and hepatocytes were enriched in cancer-related signaling pathways. The degree of cancer development in transformed cells was enhanced by an increase in H-LM3-exos-induced passages. Nude mice treated with different concentrations of H-LM3-exos showed different degrees of tumor growth and liver lesions. The physical properties of the cells were characterized by atomic force microscopy. Compared with the hepatocytes, the height and roughness of the transformed cells were increased, while the adhesion and elastic modulus were decreased. The changes in physical properties of primary tumor cells and hepatocytes in nude mice were consistent with this trend. Our study linking omics with the physical properties of cells provides a new direction for studying the mechanisms of cancer development and metastasis.
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Impacts of marine cloud brightening scheme on climatic extremes in the Tibetan PlateauAs an ecologically fragile plateau and major water source in Asia, the Tibetan Plateau (TP) has grown warmer over recent decades, contributing to frequent occurrence of extreme climate events. It is urgently needed to find a suitable option to mitigate climate change impacts in the TP. The marine cloud brightening (MCB) scheme is proposed to mitigate global warming through the increasing cloud droplet number concentration of low marine clouds to reflect some solar radiation back into space. Until now, impacts of MCB scheme on the TP have not been investigated. In this study, we utilized 13 Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices to assess the evolution of climate extremes over the TP with/without MCB implementation. We found that although the MCB is implemented over ocean only, it would cause significant changes on climate extremes in the TP which is very far from oceans and much higher than sea level. During 2030–2059, MCB implementation can decrease warm temperature extremes, leading to a significant decrease in the TXx index by 6–18°C, the TX90p index by 15–45 days, and the TN90p index by 15–50 days. MCB implementation would also have some cooling effects on cold temperature extremes, leading to an increase in the ID index by 30–80 days, the TX10p index by 22–32 days, and the TN10p index by about 12 days and a decrease in the TNn index by 0.5–1.5°C. Although MCB implementation would not have much impacts on precipitation extremes, it would significantly increase the area of the region with <10% drought frequency, and increase the drought intensity in the west of Lhasa city.
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Effect of vegetation blanket cover with different materials on soil microbial community structure of opencast coal mines in arid areasVegetation blanket restoration of mine soils provides a diverse environment for soil microbes, but the effects of vegetation blanket cover on soil physicochemical properties, microbial structure, and diversity are not well understood, particularly in arid areas. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was used to examine the microbial community at Dafeng Mine, the Helan Mountains, Ningxia, China. Soil microbial communities were analyzed with four different materials: 100% straw, 50% straw–50% coconut, and 100% coconut vegetation blanket types, and a bare ground control (CK). The results showed that the contents of soil total nitrogen (TN), available potassium (AP), urease, and catalase were significantly increased in different types of vegetation blankets. High-throughput sequencing showed that the straw vegetation blanket increased bacterial diversity, while the coconut vegetation blanket increased fungal diversity. The main influencing factors of the dominant bacterial phylum were total nitrogen, catalase, urease, protease, soil water content (WC), soil organic carbon (SOC), and electrical conductivity (EC). The main influencing factor of the dominant fungal phylum was soil water content. These results show that compared with straw vegetation blankets, coconut, and straw–coconut vegetation blanket mulches are more likely to improve soil physicochemical properties, increase the diversity and abundance of soil microorganisms and improve the structural composition of the community, thus improving the soil environment in dryland mining areas. However, further research is needed as to which is the more significant environmental improvement, coconut or straw–coconut vegetation blankets.
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Integrative analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome reveals the potential mechanism of fruit flavor formation in wild hawthorn Crataegus chungtienensisHawthorns are important medicinal and edible plants with a long history of health protection in China. Besides cultivated hawthorn, other wild hawthorns may also have excellent medicinal and edible value, such as Crataeguschungtienensis, an endemic species distributed in the Southwest of China. In this study, by integrating the flavor-related metabolome and transcriptome data of the ripening fruit of C. chungtienensis, we have developed an understanding of the formation of hawthorn fruit quality. The results show that a total of 849 metabolites were detected in the young and mature fruit of C. chungtienensis, of which flavonoids were the most detected metabolites. Among the differentially accumulated metabolites, stachyose, maltotetraose and cis-aconitic acid were significantly increased during fruit ripening, and these may be important metabolites affecting fruit flavor change. Moreover, several flavonoids and terpenoids were reduced after fruit ripening compared with young fruit. Therefore, using the unripe fruit of C. chungtienensis may allow us to obtain more medicinal active ingredients such as flavonoids and terpenoids. Furthermore, we screened out some differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to fruit quality formation, which had important relationships with differentially accumulated sugars, acids, flavonoids and terpenoids. Our study provides new insights into flavor formation in wild hawthorn during fruit development and ripening, and at the same time this study lays the foundation for the improvement of hawthorn fruit flavor.
