PubMed

BMC Microbiol. 2025 Feb 28;25(1):103. doi: 10.1186/s12866-025-03801-2.ABSTRACTThe genus Microbacterium in the phylum Actinomycetota contains over 100 species to date that little is known about their bioactive metabolites production. In this study, a mangrove sediment-derived strain B2969T was identified as a novel type strain within the genus Microbacterium due to the low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (< 99%), and low overall genome relatedness indices (ANI, 75.4%-79.5%; dDDH, 18.5%-22.7%, AAI, 68.7%-76.3%; POCP, 48.3%-65.0%) with the validly named species of the genus. The type strain B2969T (= MCCC 1K099113T = JCM 36707 T) is proposed to represent Microbacterium alkaliflavum sp. nov.. The crude extracts of strain B2969T showed weak cytotoxicity against NPC cell lines TW03 and 5-8F, with IC50 values of ranging from 3.5 µg/µL to 2.4 µg/µL respectively. Genome analysis of strain B2969T found 8 clusters of genes responsible for secondary metabolite biosynthesis, including cytotoxic compounds desferrioxamines. In addition, the application of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based molecular networking strategy led to the identification of 10 compounds with potent cytotoxic activity in ethyl acetate extracts of strain B2969T. Results from the cytotoxicity assay, genome mining, and metabolite profiling based on LC-MS/MS analysis revealed its ability to produce bioactive compounds.BackgroundMangrove ecosystems are largely unexplored sources of Actinomycetota, which represent potential important reservoirs of bioactive compounds. The genus Microbacterium in the phylum Actinomycetota contains over 100 species to date that little is known about their bioactive metabolites production. In this study, a novel species, namely B2969T, within the genus Microbacterium that showed cytotoxicity against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cell lines was isolated from mangrove sediments. Genome mining and metabolic profiling analyses were explored here to assess its biosynthetic potential of metabolites with cytotoxic properties.ResultsHere, a mangrove sediment-derived strain B2969T was identified as a novel species within the genus Microbacterium due to the low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (< 99.0%), and low overall genome relatedness indices (ANI, 75.4%-79.5%; dDDH, 18.5%-22.7%, AAI, 68.7%-76.3%; POCP, 48.3%-65.0%) with the type strains of this genus. We proposed that strain B2969T represents a new species, in which the name Microbacterium alkaliflavum sp. nov. is proposed. The strain showed weak cytotoxicity against NPC cell lines TW03 and 5-8F, with IC50 values of ranging from 3.512 µg/µL to 2.428 µg/µL respectively. Genome analysis of strain B2969T found 8 clusters of genes responsible for secondary metabolite biosynthesis, including desferrioxamines. In addition, the application of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based molecular networking strategy led to the identification of 10 potent cytotoxic compounds in ethyl acetate extracts of strain B2969T.ConclusionsThis study confirmed the taxonomy status of type strain B2969T (= MCCC 1K099113T = JCM 36707 T) within the genus Microbacterium, in which the name Microbacterium alkaliflavum sp. nov.. Results from the cytotoxicity assay, genome mining, and metabolite profiling based on LC-MS/MS analysis revealed its ability to produce bioactive substances, providing sufficient evidence for the potential of Microbacterium species in the discovery of novel pharmaceuticals.PMID:40021979 | DOI:10.1186/s12866-025-03801-2

Nat Metab. 2025 Feb 28. doi: 10.1038/s42255-025-01239-4. Online ahead of print.NO ABSTRACTPMID:40021935 | DOI:10.1038/s42255-025-01239-4

Pediatr Res. 2025 Feb 28. doi: 10.1038/s41390-025-03953-x. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe neonatal microbiome has been the focus of considerable research over the past two decades and studies have added fascinating information in terms of early microbial patterns and how these relate to various disease processes. One difficulty with the interpretation of these relationships is that such data is associative and provides little in terms of proof of causality or the underpinning mechanisms. Integrating microbiome data with other omics such as the proteome, inflammatory mediators, and the metabolome is an emerging approach to address this gap. Here we discuss these omics, their integration, and how they can be applied to improve our understanding, treatment, and prevention of disease. IMPACT: This review introduces the concept of multiomics in neonatology and how emerging technologies can be integrated improve understanding, treatment, and prevention of disease. We highlight considerations for performing multiomic research in neonates and the need for validation in separate cohorts and/or relevant model systems. We summarise how the use of multiomics is expanding and lay out steps to bring this to the clinic to enable precision medicine.PMID:40021924 | DOI:10.1038/s41390-025-03953-x

Mol Psychiatry. 2025 Feb 28. doi: 10.1038/s41380-025-02934-0. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTGenomic studies of molecular traits have provided mechanistic insights into complex disease, though these lag behind for brain-related traits due to the inaccessibility of brain tissue. We leveraged cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to study neurobiological mechanisms in vivo, measuring 5543 CSF metabolites, the largest panel in CSF to date, in 977 individuals of European ancestry. Individuals originated from two separate cohorts including cognitively healthy subjects (n = 490) and a well-characterized memory clinic sample, the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort (ADC, n = 487). We performed metabolite quantitative trait loci (mQTL) mapping on CSF metabolomics and found 126 significant mQTLs, representing 65 unique CSF metabolites across 51 independent loci. To better understand the role of CSF mQTLs in brain-related disorders we integrated our CSF mQTL results with pre-existing summary statistics on brain traits, identifying 34 genetic associations between CSF metabolites and brain traits. Over 90% of significant mQTLs demonstrated colocalized associations with brain-specific gene expression, unveiling potential neurobiological pathways.PMID:40021830 | DOI:10.1038/s41380-025-02934-0

Sci Rep. 2025 Feb 28;15(1):7147. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-91164-z.ABSTRACTMicrotus fortis (M. fortis) is the only mammal known in China that is intrinsically resistant to Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) infection. Nevertheless, the underlying resistance mechanism of M. fortis against schistosomes are still unclear. In this study, we detected and compared colon aqueous extracts and serum metabolic profiles between M. fortis and ICR mice before and after S. japonicum infection using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). We identified 232 specific colon aqueous extract metabolites and 79 specific serum metabolites of M. fortis infected with or without S. japonicum at two weeks compared with those of ICR mice, which might be closely correlated with the time-course of schistosomiasis progression and could also be used as indicators for the M. fortis against S. japonicum, for example, nonadecanoic acid, hesperetin, glycocholic acid, 2-Aminobenzoic acid, 6-hydroxydaidzein and spermidine. And the enriched pathways were further identified, our findings revealed that S. japonicum infection induced the metabolic changes involved in a variety of metabolic pathways including amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, ABC transporters, central carbon metabolism in cancer and bile secretion. These results indicated that the colon aqueous extracts and serum metabolic profiles were significantly different between M. fortis and ICR mice before and after S. japonicum infection and will provide new insights into the underlying resistance mechanism of M. fortis against S. japonicum infection and identify promising candidates for the use of drugs against schistosomes.PMID:40021829 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-91164-z

Nat Protoc. 2025 Feb 28. doi: 10.1038/s41596-024-01136-2. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTUntargeted metabolomics is evolving into a field of big data science. There is a growing interest within the metabolomics community in mining tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)-based data from public repositories. In traditional untargeted metabolomics, samples to address a predefined question are collected and liquid chromatography with MS/MS data are generated. We then identify metabolites associated with a phenotype (for example, disease versus healthy) and elucidate or validate their structural details (for example, molecular formula, structural classification, substructure or complete structural annotation or identification). In reverse metabolomics, we start with MS/MS spectra for known or unknown molecules. These spectra are used as search terms to search public data repositories to discover phenotype-relevant information such as organ/biofluid distribution, disease condition, intervention status (for example, pre- and postintervention), organisms (for example, mammals versus others), geography and any other biologically relevant associations. Here we guide the reader through a four-part process: (1) obtaining the MS/MS spectra of interest (Universal Spectrum Identifier) and (2) Mass Spectrometry Search Tool searches to find the files associated with the MS/MS that are in available databases, (3) using the Reanalysis Data User Interface framework to link the files with their metadata and (4) validating the observations. Parts 1-3 could take from hours to days depending on the method used for collecting MS/MS spectra. For example, we use MS/MS spectra from three small molecules: phenylalanine-cholic acid (a microbially conjugated bile acid), phenylalanine-C4:0 and histidine-C4:0 (two N-acyl amides). We leverage the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking-based framework to explore the microbial producers of these molecules and their associations with health conditions and organ distributions in humans and rodents.PMID:40021805 | DOI:10.1038/s41596-024-01136-2

Sci Rep. 2025 Feb 28;15(1):7149. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-91105-w.ABSTRACTDysbiosis of the oral microbiome has been implicated in the onset and progression of periodontal diseases. An altered oral microbiome can significantly affect the concentration and composition ratio of bacterial-derived metabolites, thereby contributing to disease development. However, there is limited research on the role of metabolites derived from the oral microbiota. This study aimed to identify specific bacteria-derived metabolites and their contributions to pathogenicity. Mouth-rinsed water was collected from 24 patients with periodontal disease and 22 healthy individuals. We conducted a correlation analysis between periodontal disease-associated bacteria and metabolites present in mouth-rinsed water. We evaluated the effects of these metabolites on human gingival epithelial cells analysis of oral bacteria culture supernatants confirmed the origin of these metabolites. We identified 20 metabolites associated with bacteria that are significantly more prevalent in periodontal disease. Notably, propionate, succinate, citrulline, and homoserine-metabolites derived from the oral microbiome-were identified as being associated with periodontal disease. These results suggested that metabolites derived from the oral microbiota are involved in periodontal disease.PMID:40021789 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-91105-w

Commun Biol. 2025 Feb 28;8(1):333. doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-07777-7.ABSTRACTLipid droplets (LDs), as innate immune hubs, function in the front line of antimicrobial defense involved in the host-pathogen arms race. Particularly for intracellular bacterial pathogens, the endowed capacity to resist host LDs can effectively facilitate pathogen in vivo colonization and evasion from the host's innate immune response. Here, to investigate the genetic mechanisms of intracellular bacteria response to host LDs, we utilized transposon insertion sequencing to dissect critical fitness determinants of Edwardsiella piscicida under the treatment of LDs isolated from its native host, turbot. Targeted metabolomics indicated that LD challenge resulted in the accumulation of intracellular arginine. The core arginine metabolism regulatory factor, ArgR, was found to play a pivotal role in combating LDs, emphasizing the importance of orchestrating intracellular arginine levels for bacterial LD adaptation. Specifically, ArgR enhanced the expressions of genes involved in arginine catabolism (speA/B and arcC) and diminished gene transcripts associated with arginine import (artP) and synthesis (argD/E/H). Furthermore, ArgR contributed to the pathogenesis of E. piscicida, promoting the proliferation in host cells and virulence in turbot. Collectively, our results shed light on the underlying mechanism of intracellular pathogens resisting LDs during bacterial infections and highlighting the crucial role of arginine in the host-pathogen interactions.PMID:40021749 | DOI:10.1038/s42003-025-07777-7

Sci Rep. 2025 Feb 28;15(1):7209. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-90954-9.NO ABSTRACTPMID:40021693 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-90954-9

Nat Commun. 2025 Feb 28;16(1):2061. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-57107-y.ABSTRACTThe placenta is a complex and heterogeneous organ that links the mother and fetus, playing a crucial role in nourishing and protecting the fetus throughout pregnancy. Integrative spatial multi-omics approaches can provide a systems-level understanding of molecular changes underlying the mechanisms leading to the histological variations of the placenta during healthy pregnancy and pregnancy complications. Herein, we advance our metabolome-informed proteome imaging (MIPI) workflow to include lipidomic imaging, while also expanding the molecular coverage of metabolomic imaging by incorporating on-tissue chemical derivatization (OTCD). The improved MIPI workflow advances biomedical investigations by leveraging state-of-the-art molecular imaging technologies. Lipidome imaging identifies molecular differences between two morphologically distinct compartments of a placental villous functional unit, syncytiotrophoblast (STB) and villous core. Next, our advanced metabolome imaging maps villous functional units with enriched metabolomic activities related to steroid and lipid metabolism, outlining distinct molecular distributions across morphologically different villous compartments. Complementary proteome imaging on these villous functional units reveals a plethora of fatty acid- and steroid-related enzymes uniquely distributed in STB and villous core compartments. Integration across our advanced MIPI imaging modalities enables the reconstruction of active biological pathways of molecular synthesis and maternal-fetal signaling across morphologically distinct placental villous compartments with micrometer-scale resolution.PMID:40021619 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-57107-y

Arch Dermatol Res. 2025 Mar 1;317(1):486. doi: 10.1007/s00403-025-04006-3.ABSTRACTAndrogenetic alopecia is one of the most common cause of hair loss disorder. This hereditary and androgen-dependent disorder tends to progress into partial or even complete baldness Several therapeutic options are now available for AGA, including conventional medications such as finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil. However, side effects of these medications are also commonly reported. The use of adipose derived stem cells and their secreted bioactive molecules, "secretome" has gained attention which could produce many effects for hair growth promotion and has been proven in clinical trials. This study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of with minoxidil in androgenetic alopecia cases. 60 subjects were divided into three treatment groups (minoxidil only, secretome only, and combination of both) and were given intervention on week 0, 4, and 8. All subjects were evaluated by physical examination, photography, trichoscopy, and trichoscan until week 12. All groups showed a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) on hair growth parameters with the best improvement observed on week 12. The combination group had the best improvement substantially on hair growth parameters. Side effects are minimum and reported by the subjects in minoxidil group. Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT06066827. Registered 05 October 2023, Retrospectively. https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/template/Home.vm?uid=U0004ES6_ts=7_sid=S000DOK9_cx=-igh2d .PMID:40021536 | DOI:10.1007/s00403-025-04006-3

J Genet Genomics. 2025 Feb 26:S1673-8527(25)00055-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jgg.2025.02.008. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTHeteranthery, the occurrence of functionally and structurally distinct stamens within a flower, represents a striking example of convergent evolution among diverse animal-pollinated lineages. Although the ecological basis of this somatic polymorphism is understood, the developmental and molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we selected Monochoria elata (Pontederiaceae) as our study system due to its typical heterantherous floral structure. We constructed a chromosome-level genome assembly of M. elata, conducted transcriptomic analyses and target phytohormone metabolome analysis to explore gene networks and hormones associated with heteranthery. We focused on three key stamen characteristics-colour, spatial patterning, and filament elongation-selected for their significant roles in stamen differentiation and their relevance to the functional diversity observed in heterantherous species. Our analyses suggest that gene networks involving MelLEAFY3, MADS-box, and TCP genes regulate stamen identity, with anthocyanin influencing colour, and lignin contributing to filament elongation. Additionally, variation in jasmonic acid and abscisic acid concentration between feeding and pollinating anthers appears to contribute to their morphological divergence. Our findings highlight gene networks and hormones associated with intra-floral stamen differentiation and indicate that whole genome duplications have likely facilitated the evolution of heternathery during divergence from other Pontederiaceae without heteranthery.PMID:40020913 | DOI:10.1016/j.jgg.2025.02.008

Exp Eye Res. 2025 Feb 26:110315. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2025.110315. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTChoroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a leading cause of vision loss in ocular diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Despite extensive research, the underlying mechanisms of CNV remain incompletely understood, with a predominant focus on endothelial dysfunction. CNV, however, is a multi-cellular, multi-stage process involving complex interactions between endothelial cells, monocytes/macrophages, and other immune cells. In this study, we employed a dual-platform metabolomics approach combining liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify key metabolic alterations associated with CNV. Our results revealed significant changes in metabolic pathways during CNV progression. Using a myeloid lineage tracing mouse model, we further explored how Pipecolic acid regulates interactions between monocytes/macrophages and endothelial cells, key players in CNV development. We found that Pipecolic acid modulates monocyte/macrophage-endothelial cell crosstalk, inhibiting pathological angiogenesis. These results provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms driving CNV and highlight potential therapeutic targets for treating ocular neovascular diseases.PMID:40020897 | DOI:10.1016/j.exer.2025.110315

Cell. 2025 Feb 21:S0092-8674(25)00108-4. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.01.039. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTSpace habitation provides unique challenges in built environments isolated from Earth. We produced a 3D map of the microbes and metabolites throughout the United States Orbital Segment (USOS) of the International Space Station (ISS) with 803 samples collected during space flight, including controls. We find that the use of each of the nine sampled modules within the ISS strongly drives the microbiology and chemistry of the habitat. Relating the microbiology to other Earth habitats, we find that, as with human microbiota, built environment microbiota also align naturally along an axis of industrialization, with the ISS providing an extreme example of an industrialized environment. We demonstrate the utility of culture-independent sequencing for microbial risk monitoring, especially as the location of sequencing moves to space. The resulting resource of chemistry and microbiology in the space-built environment will guide long-term efforts to maintain human health in space for longer durations.PMID:40020666 | DOI:10.1016/j.cell.2025.01.039

Food Chem. 2025 Feb 24;477:143579. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.143579. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe transition to a more plant-based diet embraces a higher consumption of diversified pulses. Understanding the chemical composition of pulses is crucial to decipher their biofunctionality. This study analyzed 14 different cultivars of 4 types of pulses (pea, lentil, faba bean, and lupin) using NMR-based metabolomics. Sucrose, glutamate, and citrate were the metabolites representing the most abundant polar chemical classes (carbohydrates, amino acids, and organic acids). Lupin had a higher content of carbohydrates, and a lower content of free amino acids than the other species. Differences among the cultivars related to carbohydrates were found for peas and lentils, which was reflected in variations in their metabolic pathway potential. Faba beans showed highest concentrations of phenolic compounds. Correlation with data from descriptive sensory profiling enabled pinpointing several amino acids and some organic acids that contributed to explain variations in perceived smell and taste among the cultivars.PMID:40020623 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.143579

Mar Environ Res. 2025 Feb 19;205:107013. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107013. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTOcean acidification (OA) affects the physiology and behaviour of some marine organisms, impacting their development and metabolism during vulnerable early-life stages. Among them, the embryo of the cuttlefish develops for about two months in encapsulated eggs with harsh perivitelline conditions of hypoxia and hypercapnia, potentially worsened by OA. In this study, common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis embryos and juveniles, were exposed to five pH conditions (pHT 8.08 to 7.43). Growth, development and metabolite profiles were explored during the embryonic development period up to 10 days-post-hatching. Our results show delayed embryonic development and decreased hatching success at pH 7.43, but no effect on juvenile weight upon hatching. The 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed that decreasing pH affected metabolites profiles in embryos until a metabolic suppression was observed at pH 7.43. The O2 consumption in 10d-old juveniles did not change with pH whereas metabolites indicated a switch to anaerobic metabolism under low pH. Overall, our results suggest that the transition from the encapsulated embryonic stage to the free juvenile life shapes a metabolomic reprogramming more drastically than ocean acidification.PMID:40020618 | DOI:10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107013

Plant Physiol Biochem. 2025 Feb 24;222:109702. doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109702. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) cultivation faces increasing challenges from climate change and declining yields. Optimal corm development occurs at 15/6 °C day/night temperatures. However, climate change is forcing cultivation under higher temperature regimes.This study investigated the effects of Trichoderma harzianum Bi, nano-TiO2, and magnetic field treatments on saffron cormlet production under high-temperature greenhouse conditions (25/15 °C day/night, exceeding optimal temperatures by 10 °C), representing increasingly common stress conditions in traditional growing regions. While controlled environment production offers potential solutions, the combined effects of biological and physical treatments for mitigating high-temperature stress remain unexplored.METHODS: A factorial experiment examined T. harzianum Bi-enriched medium (0, 100% v/v), nano-TiO2 (0, 250, 500 μl l-1), and magnetic field exposure (0, 60 militesla, 30-min constant exposure) effects on uniform-sized saffron corms (13 ± 0.5 g) grown in cocopeat-perlite medium (3:1 v/v). Analysis included cormlet production parameters and comprehensive metabolic profiling of key compounds including carbohydrates, amino acids, and organic acids.RESULTS: Combined T. harzianum and 250 μl l-1 nano-TiO2 treatment significantly enhanced cormlet production, increasing individual cormlet weight by 68.9% (from 9.0 ± 0.2 to 15.2 ± 0.3 g/cormlet, p < 0.05) and improving key metabolites: starch (37.6% increase to 255.2 ± 20.4 mg g-1 FW), GABA (159.6% increase to 1.35 ± 0.11 μmol g-1 FW), and myoinositol (111.1% increase to 0.95 ± 0.08 mg g-1 FW). Magnetic field exposure increased cormlet numbers but reduced individual weights by 20%. Metabolomic analysis revealed coordinated enhancement of carbohydrate metabolism and stress-response pathways.CONCLUSION: For commercial production, we recommend applying combined T. harzianum (100% v/v medium enrichment) with 250 μl l-1 nano-TiO2 treatment under controlled greenhouse conditions (25/15 °C Day/night). This protocol consistently produces larger, more vigorous cormlets with enhanced metabolic profiles, though magnetic field applications require further optimization. These findings provide immediate practical strategies for addressing cultivation challenges under increasing temperature stress conditions, particularly relevant for commercial greenhouse production systems.PMID:40020606 | DOI:10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109702

Plant Physiol Biochem. 2025 Feb 21;222:109674. doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109674. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe accumulation of flavonoids facilitates plant resistance to biotic stress. However, few studies have explored the functions of flavonoids during the interaction between wheat and Puccinia striiformis Westendorp f. sp. tritici Eriksson (Pst). This study analyzed the expression profiles of flavonoids and their biosynthesis genes in the resistant accession Y0337 and the susceptible accession Y0402 infected with Pst. The results showed that flavonoid biosynthesis pathway (FBP) genes were induced during early Pst infection. Among these, 29 initial FBP DEGs exhibited higher expression during incompatible interaction. Further, the total levels of 12 identified flavonoids were higher during incompatible interaction; among these, apigenin, luteolin, cynaroside were accumulated and naringenin was decreased, they may play a crucial role in Pst resistance. Integrated analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome showed that 21 DEGs regulated four crucial flavonoids biosynthesis. The gene regulatory network suggested that the transcription factors EFRs, WRKYs, NACs, and bHLHs potentially regulated four flavonoids biosynthesis. Additionally, it was shown that luteolin inhibited spore germination and infection of Pstin vivo and in vitro. In summary, these results enhance our understanding of the flavonoids biosynthesis in wheat resistance to Pst and highlight the role of luteolin in this process.PMID:40020601 | DOI:10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109674

Plant Physiol Biochem. 2025 Feb 20;222:109656. doi: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109656. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBroussonetia papyrifera is an important source of unconventional feed. However, freezing injuries in winter are a considerable threat to the popularization and application of B. papyrifera. Notably, the use of anthocyanins is a promising approach for enhancing plant stress resistance. However, B. papyrifera contains low levels of anthocyanins, and the anthocyanin synthesis process in this plant remains unclear. In this study, the one-month-old cuttings of B. papyrifera were grown at low (4 °C) and average (25 °C) temperatures. After 3 weeks, petioles and veins from different growth environments were harvested for transcriptome and anthocyanin-targeted metabolome analyses. The targeted metabolome analysis revealed that following cold treatment, the levels of cyanidin-3-O-galactoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, cyanidin-3-O-(6-O-p-coumaroyl)-glucoside and cyanidin chloride increased by 756.22, 306.87, 222.28, and 776.67 times, respectively. Transcriptome analysis revealed 17 pivotal anthocyanin-related differentially expressing genes (DEGs), among which chalcone synthase 2 (BpCHS2) was significantly upregulated at low temperatures. The combined transcriptome and metabolome disclosed an apparent positive correlation between BpCHS2 and cyanidin derivatives (R2 ≥ 0.99). Transgenic experiments demonstrated that overexpression of BpCHS2 in tobacco markedly increased the expression of anthocyanin-related genes, promoted anthocyanin accumulation, and enhanced the activities of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. These results suggest that the expression of BpCHS2 is markedly increased in B. papyrifera under low-temperature stress, improving anthocyanin accumulation and cold tolerance.PMID:40020598 | DOI:10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.109656

Microbiol Res. 2025 Feb 26;295:128111. doi: 10.1016/j.micres.2025.128111. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTRice direct-seeding technology is regarded as a promising alternative to traditional transplanting due to its labor- and water-saving benefits. However, poor seedling emergence and growth under low-temperature stress remain major obstacles to its widespread adoption in Heilongjiang Province, China. Here, we isolated an endophytic fungus Stagonosporopsis ajaci NEAU-BLH1 from the cold-resistant plant Adonis amurensis, which effectively enhanced rice seed germination and seedling growth under low-temperature stress. Two years of pot and field experiments demonstrated that soaking rice seeds in a spore suspension of NEAU-BLH1 significantly increased tillering, resulting in a 16.0-47.8 % improvement in yield for direct-seeded rice. Mechanistic investigations revealed that NEAU-BLH1 treatment elevated gibberellin levels and reduced abscisic acid, accelerating starch hydrolysis into soluble sugars, thus improving germination under low temperature. Comprehensive physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses indicated that NEAU-BLH1 enhances seedling growth by boosting respiratory metabolism, mitigating oxidative damage, and modulating hormone pathways. These findings indicate that seed-soaking with NEAU-BLH1 has good potential to enhance seed germination under low-temperature stress and increases grain yield in direct-seeded rice.PMID:40020546 | DOI:10.1016/j.micres.2025.128111