PubMed

Water Res. 2024 Dec 10;272:122954. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122954. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAnaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process is a highly effective and economic technology for nitrogen removal from wastewater. However, the slow growth of anammox bacteria and sludge flotation often hinder its field application. Ion adsorption and crystal precipitation can potentially promote the sludge granulation and hence address the above issues. This study investigated two approaches to support anammox granulation through Mg2+ adsorption and magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) precipitation. Mg2+ addition improved the specific anammox activity (SAA) by 4.09 to 4.75-fold compared to MAP-mediated ones, which could be explained by the upregulations of nitrogen and inorganic carbon metabolisms. The active extracellular polymeric substances generation at metabolites level may also favor the granulation in Mg2+-mediated anammox. However, sludge loss halted the continuous size increase of sludge. Differently, MAP promoted granulation by physically increasing the granular density, which allowed for a greater retention of sludge within the reactor. However, the co-growth of MAP precipitates with anammox may lead to mass transfer limitations, resulting in down-regulated gene expressions and metabolites in inorganic carbon metabolism, which negatively impacted the SAA. Overall, both strategies achieved comparable nitrogen removal capacities. Nevertheless, the co-growth of MAP and anammox was promising for effectively mitigating sludge flotation. Our study provided strategies and omics-based evidences for anammox granulation and activity variations, benefiting anammox practical applications.PMID:39671866 | DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2024.122954

Phytomedicine. 2024 Nov 29;136:156299. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.156299. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: The airway epithelium serves as the first line of defense between the lung's internal environment and the external environment, functioning through physical barriers and mucus-ciliary clearance to protect against external allergens and other harmful substances. Airway epithelial damage is a common feature of asthma, and research has shown that apoptosis plays a significant role in airway injury and inflammation in asthma. Although Kechuan Decoction (KCD) has demonstrated clinical efficacy in treating pediatric asthma, its precise mechanism of action remains unclear.OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of KCD in mitigating apoptosis of airway epithelial cells (AECs) in a house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthma mouse model.METHODS: To evaluate the effects of KCD on asthma-associated airway inflammation and AECs apoptosis, an asthma model was established in C57BL/6 J mice using HDM. The major chemical constituents of KCD were analyzed using LC-MS. Subsequently, we utilized network pharmacology approaches to predict the potential targets and mechanisms of KCD in asthma. Additionally, we conducted lipidomics analysis of lung tissue and mitochondria in the lung was conducted using LC-MS. Finally, the mechanisms underlying the effects of KCD on AECs apoptosis in asthmatic mice were investigated through Western blotting, qPCR, and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination techniques.RESULTS: The efficacy of KCD has been shown to improve lung function, reduce airway inflammation, and prevent apoptosis of AECs in a HDM-induced asthma model. Through the use of UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS, we identified 24 potential active components of KCD. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that KCD shares 102 core targets with asthma. GO enrichment analysis, in conjunction with a literature review, indicated that the targets of KCD treatment for AECs apoptosis primarily focus on the mitochondrial membrane. Furthermore, lipidomics analysis of lung tissue and mitochondria in the lungs of mice with HDM-induced asthma revealed disruptions in lipid metabolism, with a decrease in phosphatidylcholine (PC) content in asthmatic mice, which was effectively restored by KCD treatment. KCD reinstates the expression of START domain-containing protein 7 (StarD7) and START domain-containing protein 10 (StarD10) in lung tissue, leading to increase in PC within the mitochondrial membrane. This regulation indirectly influences mitochondrial fusion and fission proteins, promoting mitochondrial membrane stability and reducing cytochrome c (Cyt c) release into the cytoplasm. Ultimately, this process helps mitigate mitochondria-mediated apoptosis of AECs.CONCLUSION: KCD can restore the content of PC in the mitochondria of AECs by regulating StarD7 and StarD10. It also restores proteins associated with mitochondrial fusion and fission, stabilizing mitochondrial structure, effectively reducing the release of Cyt c into the cytoplasm, and ultimately inhibiting mitochondria-mediated apoptosis of AECs induced by HDM in asthmatic mice.PMID:39671785 | DOI:10.1016/j.phymed.2024.156299

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2024 Dec 12;290:117512. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117512. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTEnvironmental arsenic contamination is a serious issue that cannot be ignored, since arsenic levels in drinking water frequently exceed safety standards, and there is an increased prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. This results in an increasing population at risk of simultaneous exposure to both harmful agents, yet whether a synergistic interaction exists between them remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the combined effects and underlying pathogenic mechanisms of concurrent exposure to these two hazardous factors by establishing a mouse model that is infected with H. pylori and exposed to inorganic arsenic through drinking water. Analysis of intestinal flora revealed significant alterations in the composition, relative abundance (Akkermansia, Faecalibaculum, Ilieibacterium, etc.), and metabolic potential of the intestinal microflora (amino acid metabolism and energy metabolism) in the combinatory exposure group. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis identified that the combinatory exposure group exhibited greater fluctuations in metabolite content, particularly in triacylglycerol, fatty-acid, peptide and amino acid. Moreover, H. pylori infection and arsenic exposure had increased levels of metabolites associated with the intestinal microbiota in their livers (4-Ethylphenyl sulfate and Phenylacetylglycine). Further analysis revealed significant correlations between changes in the intestinal flora and alterations in liver metabolic profiles. Herein, we hypothesize that H. pylori infection may exacerbate the intestinal flora imbalance and hepatic metabolic disturbances caused by arsenic exposure, which may disrupt enterohepatic homeostasis and potentially increase biological susceptibility to heavy metal toxicity.PMID:39671763 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117512

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2024 Dec 12;290:117537. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117537. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTTriclosan (TCS) is a primary broad-spectrum antibacterial agent commonly present in the environment. As a new type of environmental endocrine disruptor, it causes range of toxicities, including hepatotoxicity and reproductive toxicity. However, few research has examined the toxicity of long-term TCS-induced exposure in zebrafish at ambient concentrations, in contrast to the early life stage investigations. In the present study, we investigated the behavioral effects of TCS at environmental concentrations (300 μg/L) during constant exposure in zebrafish adults；An integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis was performed to analyze the molecular mechanism underlying behavioral effects of TCS. Our results show that TCS exposure significantly induces behavioral disruptions such as anxiety-like behavior, memory problems, and altered social preferences. Histopathological investigations and neural ultrastructural observations demonstrated that TCS could induce variable levels of pyknosis and vacuolation in the cytoplasm of neurons as well as torn mitochondrial membranes, shrinkage and broken or absent cristae. Transcriptomics indicated that immune- and metabolism-related gene expression patterns were severely disturbed by TCS. Metabolomic analysis revealed 82 distinct metabolites in adult zebrafish exposed to TCS. Lipid metabolism, especially glycerophospholipid metabolism, and amino acid regulation pathways were co-enriched by multi-omics combinatorial analysis. Hence, this study highlights a number of biomarkers for the risk assessment of TCS against non-target organisms, offering a reference dataset for the behavioral toxicity of TCS to zebrafish, and strengthening the early warning, management, and control of TCS pollution.PMID:39671762 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117537

Sci Immunol. 2024 Dec 13;9(102):eadl4613. doi: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adl4613. Epub 2024 Dec 13.ABSTRACTThe rapid proliferation of germinal center (GC) B cells requires metabolic reprogramming to meet energy demands, yet these metabolic processes are poorly understood. By integrating metabolomic and transcriptomic profiling of GC B cells, we identified that asparagine (Asn) metabolism was highly up-regulated and essential for B cell function. Asparagine synthetase (ASNS) was up-regulated after B cell activation through the integrated stress response sensor GCN2. Conditional deletion of Asns in B cells impaired survival and proliferation in low Asn conditions. Removal of environmental Asn by asparaginase or dietary restriction compromised the GC reaction, impairing affinity maturation and the humoral response to influenza infection. Furthermore, metabolic adaptation to the absence of Asn required ASNS, and oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial homeostasis, and synthesis of nucleotides were particularly sensitive to Asn deprivation. These findings demonstrate that Asn metabolism acts as a key regulator of B cell function and GC homeostasis.PMID:39671468 | DOI:10.1126/sciimmunol.adl4613

J Vis Exp. 2024 Nov 29;(213). doi: 10.3791/67319.ABSTRACTMetabolomics is emerging as a significant approach to reflect the individual's response to pathophysiological conditions. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has evolved as a tool to identify metabolic dysregulations in critically ill patients afflicted with conditions like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), acute kidney injury (AKI), and sepsis. The spectral data from the serum sample of the study and control group are recorded using an 800 MHz NMR spectrometer and processed using NMR processing and analysis tools. Furthermore, a rigorous statistical analysis, such as univariate and multivariate tests, is performed to pinpoint significant metabolites, which are then accurately identified and quantified using NMR metabolite quantification software. Additionally, pathway analysis highlights the deranged biochemical cycles that result in the severity of illness. Through this comprehensive approach, researchers aim to gain deeper insights into the metabolic alterations associated with these critical illnesses, potentially paving the way for a better understanding of the disease and improved diagnostics and treatment strategies.PMID:39671341 | DOI:10.3791/67319

J Proteome Res. 2024 Dec 13. doi: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00592. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTChronic dacryocystitis (CD) can result in severe complications and vision impairment due to ongoing microbial infections and persistent tearing. Tear fluid, which contains essential components vital for maintaining ocular surface health, has been investigated for its potential in the noninvasive identification of ocular biomarkers through metabolomics analysis. In this study, we employed UHPLC-MS/MS to analyze the tear metabolome of CD patients. UHPLC-MS/MS analysis of tear samples from CD patients revealed significant metabolic alterations. Compared with the control group, 298 metabolites were elevated, while 142 were decreased. KEGG pathway analysis suggested that these changes primarily affected arginine and proline metabolism, biosynthesis of amino acids, and phenylalanine biosynthesis in CD. Notably, 3-dehydroquinic acid, anthranilic acid, citric acid, and l-isoleucine emerged as potential biomarker candidates of CD with high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.94). These findings suggest that tear fluid metabolism, particularly amino acid biosynthesis, plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of CD. Uncovering these metabolic products and pathways provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying CD and paves the way for the development of diagnostic tools and targeted therapies.PMID:39670809 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00592

J Proteome Res. 2024 Dec 13. doi: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00530. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTMetabolic rewiring is required for cancer cells to survive in harsh microenvironments and is considered to be a hallmark of cancer. Specific metabolic adaptations are required for a tumor to become invasive and metastatic. Cell division and metabolism are inherently interconnected, and several cell cycle modulators directly regulate metabolism. Here, we report that TBK1, which is a noncanonical IKK kinase with known roles in cell cycle regulation and TLR signaling, affects cellular metabolism in cancer cells. While TBK1 is reported to be overexpressed in several cancers and its enhanced protein level correlates with poor prognosis, the underlying molecular mechanism involved in the tumor-promoting role of TBK1 is not fully understood. In this study, we show a novel role of TBK1 in regulating cancer cell metabolism using combined metabolomics, transcriptomics, and pharmacological approaches. We find that TBK1 mediates the regulation of nucleotide and energy metabolism through aldo-keto reductase B10 (AKRB10) and thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP) genes, suggesting that this TBK1-mediated metabolic rewiring contributes to its oncogenic function. In addition, we find that TBK1 inhibitors can act synergistically with AKRB10 and TYMP inhibitors to reduce cell viability. These findings raise the possibility that combining these inhibitors might be beneficial in combating cancers that show elevated levels of TBK1.PMID:39670797 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jproteome.4c00530

Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2024 Dec 2;13(12):23. doi: 10.1167/tvst.13.12.23.ABSTRACTPURPOSE: Identify optimal metabolic features and pathways across diabetic retinopathy (DR) stages, develop risk models to differentiate diabetic macular edema (DME), and predict anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy response.METHODS: We analyzed 108 aqueous humor samples from 78 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and 30 healthy controls. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution-mass-spectrometry detected lipidomics and metabolomics profiles. DME patients received ≥3 anti-VEGF treatments, categorized into strong and weak response groups. Machine learning (ML) screened prospective metabolic features, developing prediction models.RESULTS: Key metabolic features identified in the metabolomics and lipidomics datasets included n-acetyl isoleucine (odds ratio [OR] = 1.635), cis-aconitic acid (OR = 3.296), and ophthalmic acid (OR = 0.836) for DR. For early-DR, n-acetyl isoleucine (OR = 1.791) and decaethylene glycol (PEG-10) (OR = 0.170) were identified as key markers. L-kynurenine (OR = 0.875), niacinamide (OR = 0.843), and linoleoyl ethanolamine (OR = 0.941) were identified as significant indicators for DME. Trigonelline (OR = 1.441) and 4-methylcatechol-2-sulfate (OR = 1.121) emerged as predictors for strong response to anti-VEGF. Predictive models achieved R² values of 99.9%, 97.7%, 93.9%, and 98.4% for DR, early-DR, DME, and strong response groups in the calibration set, respectively, and validated well with R² values of 96.3%, 96.8%, 79.9%, and 96.3%.CONCLUSIONS: This research used ML to identify differential metabolic features from metabolomics and lipidomics datasets in DR patients. It implies that metabolic indicators can effectively predict early disease progression and potential weak responders to anti-VEGF therapy in DME eyes.TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: The identified metabolic indicators may aid in predicting the early progression of DR and optimizing therapeutic strategies for DME.PMID:39671223 | DOI:10.1167/tvst.13.12.23

Hepatol Commun. 2024 Dec 11;9(1):e0599. doi: 10.1097/HC9.0000000000000599. eCollection 2025 Jan 1.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is a major clinical issue characterized by progressive stages, including hepatic steatosis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC. Patients with long-term chronic alcoholism often present with gut microbiota dysbiosis and reduced plasma levels of vitamin B6. This study aimed to verify that gut microbiota disruption in ALD significantly contributes to reduced in vivo production of vitamin B6 and to investigate the role of this reduction in the pathogenesis of ALD.METHODS: The ALD was investigated utilizing the Gao-binge mouse model. Fecal microbial composition was analyzed in pair-fed mice and ALD mice to identify alcohol-induced functional changes in the microbiota. Additionally, liver protein expression profiles and liver and plasma metabolomic profiles were characterized to elucidate the role of vitamin B6 in ALD pathogenesis through integrated proteomic and metabolomic analyses. The findings were further validated using animal models and clinical patient samples.RESULTS: Alcohol consumption disrupted the gut microbiota in the mice, impairing the vitamin B6 synthesis by intestinal microorganisms. Vitamin B6 deficiency aggravated the disorder of amino acid metabolism in the liver and inhibited ornithine aminotransferase expression, thereby worsening oxidative stress damage. In patients with ALD, significant disturbances of gut microbiota were observed, along with decreased intestinal vitamin B6 levels, which were negatively correlated with serum biochemical markers.CONCLUSIONS: The imbalance of gut microbiota in ALD mice reduces vitamin B6 synthesis, which affects amino acid metabolism and glutathione synthesis in the liver, thereby exacerbating ALD. These findings suggest that vitamin B6 may play a critical protective role in ALD progression by regulating amino acid metabolism.PMID:39670862 | DOI:10.1097/HC9.0000000000000599

Microbiol Spectr. 2024 Dec 13:e0199924. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.01999-24. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe gut microbiome plays a key role in bile acid (BA) metabolism, where a diversity of metabolic products contribute to human health and disease. In particular, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is characterized by a low concentration of secondary bile acids (SBAs), whose transformation from primary bile acids (PBAs) is an essential function performed solely by gut bacteria. BA-transformation activity mediated by the bile acid inducible (bai) operon has been functionally characterized in the genus Clostridium, and homologous bai gene sequences have been found in metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) belonging to other taxa in the human gut, but it is unclear which species of bai-carrying bacteria perform physiologically significant amounts of bile acid transformation in healthy and sick individuals. Here, we analyzed hundreds of stool samples with paired metagenomic and metabolomic data from IBD patients and controls and found that the abundance of the bai operon in metagenomic samples was highly predictive of that sample's high- or low-SBA metabolic state. We further found that bai genes from the Clostridium species best characterized as BA transformers were more prevalent in IBD patients than in non-IBD controls, while bai genes from uncharacterized taxa known only from MAGs were much more physiologically relevant in non-IBD samples. These un-isolated clades of BA-transforming bacteria merit further research; as beyond their prevalence in the human population, we found some cases in which they engrafted in IBD patients who had undergone fecal microbiota transplantation and experienced a clinical response.IMPORTANCEIn this paper, we identify specific bacteria that perform an important metabolic function in the human gut and demonstrate that in the guts of a large subset of patients with IBD, these bacteria are missing and the function is defective. This is a rare example where the correlation between the absence of specific bacteria and the dysfunction of metabolism is directly observed, not in mice nor in the lab, but in physiologic microbial communities in the human gut. Our results point to a path for studying how a small but important set of bacteria is affected by conditions in the IBD gut and perhaps to the development of interventions to mitigate the loss of these bacteria in IBD.PMID:39670752 | DOI:10.1128/spectrum.01999-24

Biosci Rep. 2024 Dec 13:BSR20240842. doi: 10.1042/BSR20240842. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAs a rate-limiting enzyme in endogenous serine de novo synthesis pathway, PHGDH has been widely concerned about its role in a variety of tumors including colon cancer and the development of inhibitors. In our previous study, we studied PHGDH in colon cancer cell lines. However, with the development of personalized therapy, we realized that in scientific research, 2D cell lines lost a lot of original characteristic information during long-term culture, and the results obtained may not be enough to support the conclusion. Patient-derived tumor organoids maintain genomic stability and make up for information missing from cell lines due to monoclonal growth. Therefore, in our study, a colon cancer organoid with high PHGDH expression was selected, and was analyzed for transcriptomic and metabolomic changes through targeted inhibition of PHGDH. The results showed that inhibition of PHGDH significantly inhibited the proliferation of colon cancer organoids. The transcriptome, metabolome and combined omics analysis showed that the changes of colon cancer organoids after inhibition of PHGDH were mainly involved in PRSS1 and PRSS56, steroid hormone biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism and tyrosine metabolism. In our study, the role of PHGDH in serine metabolism in colon cancer organoids was clarified by multi-omics analysis to provide new knowledge for in-depth understanding of serine metabolism and PHGDH function in colon cancer.PMID:39670663 | DOI:10.1042/BSR20240842

Plant Biotechnol J. 2024 Dec 13. doi: 10.1111/pbi.14542. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTChicoric acid, a phenolic compound derived from plants, exhibits a range of pharmacological activities. Light significantly influences the chicoric acid biosynthesis in Taraxacum mongolicum; however, the transcriptional regulatory network governing this process remains unclear. A combined analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome revealed that blue light markedly enhances chicoric acid accumulation compared to red light. The blue light-sensitive transcription factor ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5) is closely associated with multiple core proteins, transcription factors and chicoric acid synthase genes involved in light signalling. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that TmHY5 directly regulates several chicoric acid biosynthetic genes, including TmPAL3, Tm4CL1 and TmHQT2. Additionally, TmHY5 promotes the accumulation of luteolin and anthocyanins by increasing the expression of TmCHS2 and TmANS2. The E3 ubiquitin ligase CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1) forms a protein complex with TmHY5, significantly inhibiting chicoric acid biosynthesis. Blue light inhibits TmCOP1-TmHY5 complex protein formation while enhancing the expression levels of TmCOP1 through TmHY5. Furthermore, TmHY5 elevates the expression levels of TmbZIP1, which indirectly activates Tm4CL1 expression. In vivo, TmCOP1 directly inhibits the expression of the TmHY5-Tm4CL1 complex. Therefore, we speculate that TmCOP1-TmHY5-mediated blue light signalling effectively activates chicoric acid biosynthesis, providing a foundation for the application of blue light supplementation technology in industrial production.PMID:39670431 | DOI:10.1111/pbi.14542

Front Plant Sci. 2024 Nov 28;15:1452804. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1452804. eCollection 2024.ABSTRACTNepeta nuda L. shares a typical secondary chemistry with other Nepeta species (fam. Lamiaceae), characterized by the tendency to intensively produce monoterpenoid iridoids, whereas the phenylpropanoid chemistry is steered towards the production of a caffeic acid ester, rosmarinic acid. Combining complementary state-of-the-art analytical techniques, N. nuda metabolome was here comprehensively characterized in the quest for the organ-specific composition of phenolics and terpenoids that possess well-defined functions in plant-biotic interactions as well as therapeutic potential. N. nuda inflorescences showed generally higher constitutive levels of specialized metabolites, as compared to leaves, and the composition of major iridoids and phenolics in reproductive organs was found to be more conserved than in leaves across 13 populations from the Central Balkans. The results suggest that N. nuda plants most likely invest more in constitutive than inducible biosynthesis of functional metabolites in flowers, since they are of essential importance for both pollination and defense against herbivores and pathogens. Conversely, specialized metabolism of leaves is found to be more susceptible to reprograming in response to differential growth conditions. The defense strategy of leaves, primarily functioning in CO2 fixation during photosynthesis, more likely relies on the induction of metabolite levels following plant-environment interplay. Organ-specific biosynthesis of iridoids in N. nuda is found to be tightly regulated at the transcriptional level, and high constitutive levels of these compounds in inflorescences most likely result from the up-regulated expression of several key genes (NnG8H, NnNEPS1, NnNEPS2, and NnNEPS3) determining the metabolic flux through the pathway. The organ-specific content of rosmarinic acid and co-expression patterns of the corresponding biosynthetic genes were much less correlated, which suggests independent organ-specific transcriptional regulation of the iridoid and phenolic pathways. Knowledge gathered within the present study can assist growers to select productive genotypes and manipulate phenology of N. nuda towards maximizing yields and facilitating its integration into pest management systems and other applications related to human health.PMID:39670275 | PMC:PMC11634604 | DOI:10.3389/fpls.2024.1452804

Front Plant Sci. 2024 Nov 25;15:1490633. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1490633. eCollection 2024.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Currently, research on tobacco's response to chilling stress is mostly limited to laboratory simulations, where temperature is controlled to study physiological and molecular responses. However, laboratory conditions cannot fully replicate the complex environment of field chilling stress, so conducting research under field conditions is crucial for understanding the multi-level adaptive mechanisms of tobacco to chilling stress in natural environments.METHODS: This study aims to use field trials, starting from physiological responses, combined with proteomics and untargeted metabolomics, to systematically reveal the physiological and biochemical characteristics and key molecular mechanisms of tobacco leaves under chilling stress. It provides new insights into tobacco's adaptation strategies under chilling stress.RESULTS: The results showed that (1) chilling stress damages the appearance of tobacco leaves, reduces the chlorophyll content, increases H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in cold-injured tobacco leaves, and damages the plasma membrane system. Although catalase (CAT) activity increases to cope with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the activities of key antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) significantly decrease, indicating that the antioxidant system of tobacco leaves fails in environments with sudden temperature drops. (2) Proteomics analysis indicated that 410 differentially expressed proteins were identified in cold-stressed tobacco leaves, with 176 upregulated and 234 downregulated. Tobacco leaves under chilling stress attempt to maintain energy supply and physiological stability by enhancing glycolysis, starch, and sucrose metabolism pathways. Concurrently, chilling stress triggers the expression of proteins related to cell wall reinforcement and antioxidant defense. However, due to impaired ribosomal function, protein synthesis is significantly inhibited, which aggravates damage to photosynthesis and cellular functions. (3) Metabolomics analysis revealed that the differential metabolites in cold-stressed tobacco leaves were mainly enriched in tyrosine metabolism, isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, and fatty acid degradation pathways. This indicates that under chilling stress, tobacco leaves enhance adaptability by regulating energy metabolism, increasing antioxidant capacity, and stabilizing cell membrane structure.CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, under chilling stress, tobacco leaves exhibit complex physiological adaptability through multiple regulatory mechanisms involving proteins and metabolites. The research results provide important insights into the metabolic regulatory mechanisms of tobacco in response to extreme environments and also enhance the theoretical foundation for addressing low-temperature stress in practical production.PMID:39670264 | PMC:PMC11635995 | DOI:10.3389/fpls.2024.1490633

Front Plant Sci. 2024 Nov 28;15:1466659. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1466659. eCollection 2024.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Phytoremediation is a safe and green technology for the remediation of heavy metal pollution, a global environmental problem. Bryophytes are well known for their special physiological properties, but there is little research on the use of bryophytes for phytoremediation.METHODS: In this indoor experiment, the impacts of 40 days of Cd pollution (1 (T1), 5 (T2), 10 (T3) mg·L-1) on Cd absorption, growth and physiological characteristics, and phyllosphere bacterial diversity of Tortella tortuosa were explored.RESULTS: The results showed that the maximum Cd absorption capacity of T. tortuosa was 5.0135 mg·kg-1. The contents of leaf chlorophyll a (Chl a) and chlorophyll b (Chl b) in T. tortuosa decreased (p < 0.05) with the increase of Cd concentration. Especially, the Chl a and Chl b contents of the T3 treatment reduced by 88% and 91%, respectively compared with those of the CK (Cd: 0 mg·L-1). The catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activities of the T3 treatment reduced by 55% and 85%, respectively (p < 0.05), and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased by 167%, compared with those of the CK. Under Cd exposure, Cyanobacteria (63.49%) and Proteobacteria (26.62%) were the dominant bacterial phyla. The highly abundant phyllosphere bacteria were negatively correlated with the Cd concentration, antioxidant enzyme activity, and chlorophyll content in T. tortuosa, and positively correlated with the relative abundances of Neomycin and N-Acetyl-L-Glutamic acid.DISCUSSION: Although the severe Cd pollution could affect the physiological and metabolic characteristics of T. tortuosa, T. tortuosa had a strong absorption capacity for Cd. Therefore, it could be used for phytoremediation of heavy metal pollution. This study will provide a reference for the remediation of soil heavy metal pollution.PMID:39670261 | PMC:PMC11635300 | DOI:10.3389/fpls.2024.1466659

ISME Commun. 2024 Nov 26;4(1):ycae149. doi: 10.1093/ismeco/ycae149. eCollection 2024 Jan.ABSTRACTHydraulic fracturing has unlocked vast amounts of hydrocarbons trapped within unconventional shale formations. This large-scale engineering approach inadvertently introduces microorganisms into the hydrocarbon reservoir, allowing them to inhabit a new physical space and thrive in the unique biogeochemical resources present in the environment. Advancing our fundamental understanding of microbial growth and physiology in this extreme subsurface environment is critical to improving biofouling control efficacy and maximizing opportunities for beneficial natural resource exploitation. Here, we used metaproteomics and exometabolomics to investigate the biochemical mechanisms underpinning the adaptation of model bacterium Halanaerobium congolense WG10 and mixed microbial consortia enriched from shale-produced fluids to hypersalinity and very low reservoir flow rates (metabolic stress). We also queried the metabolic foundation for biofilm formation in this system, a major impediment to subsurface energy exploration. For the first time, we report that H. congolense WG10 accumulates tyrosine for osmoprotection, an indication of the flexible robustness of stress tolerance that enables its long-term persistence in fractured shale environments. We also identified aromatic amino acid synthesis and cell wall maintenance as critical to biofilm formation. Finally, regulation of transmembrane transport is key to metabolic stress adaptation in shale bacteria under very low well flow rates. These results provide unique insights that enable better management of hydraulically fractured shale systems, for more efficient and sustainable energy extraction.PMID:39670059 | PMC:PMC11637423 | DOI:10.1093/ismeco/ycae149

Front Med (Lausanne). 2024 Nov 28;11:1447566. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1447566. eCollection 2024.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Gastric ulcer (GU), a globally prevalent disease, represents a significant burden to human health. Bletilla ochracea Schltr. (BOS), an herbal medicine, shows promising therapeutic potential in the treatment of chronic GU.METHODS: This study utilized a rat model of chronic gastric ulceration induced by acetic acid to evaluate the protective effects of Bletilla ochracea Schltr. (BOS) on gastric tissue through the analysis of gross morphological and histopathological changes. Non-targeted metabolomic techniques were employed to identify differential metabolites, followed by the use of metabolic analysis software to enrich the pathways associated with these metabolites, thereby revealing the potential mechanisms underlying the anti-gastric ulcer effects of BOS.RESULTS: The results suggest that the primary mechanism underlying BOS regulation of GU involves modulation of endogenous metabolites, including dimethylglycine, l-2,4-diaminobutyric acid, uridine propionic acid and l-asparagine. These diverse metabolites may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and reparative properties. In addition, KEGG enrichment analysis indicated potential anti-GU effects of BOS through diverse pathways such as energy metabolism, immune metabolism and amino acid metabolism.CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates BOS protective effects on GU in rats, potentially through modulating key metabolites and pathways, highlighting its therapeutic potential and warranting further investigation for clinical applications.PMID:39669987 | PMC:PMC11634584 | DOI:10.3389/fmed.2024.1447566

Front Microbiol. 2024 Nov 28;15:1466024. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1466024. eCollection 2024.ABSTRACTThis study aimed to investigate the effects of multi-enzyme (alkaline protease, xylanase, glucanase, β-mannanase, cellulase, acid protease, glucoamylase, and α-galactosidase) on antioxidant capacity, egg quality, amino acid profiles in yolk, cecal microflora and metabolites in laying hens. A total of 384 Jingfen No.6 laying hens aged 65 weeks were randomly divided into 4 treatments groups (6 replicates per group) and fed diets containing 0, 150, 300, or 600 mg kg-1 multi-enzyme over an 8-week feeding duration. Our findings revealed that supplementation with 600 mg kg-1 of multi-enzyme significantly increased the albumen height (P < 0.05) and haugh unit (P < 0.05). Moreover, as the levels of multi-enzyme supplementation in the diet increased, there were significant increases in activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in serum (P < 0.05) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the liver (P < 0.05). Different levels of multi-enzyme supplementation significantly affected the composition of amino acid profiles in the yolk. Furthermore, the results from 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analysis of cecal content revealed that multi-enzyme supplementation altered the cecal microflora and metabolite profiles. We found the relative abundance of the Bacteroidota phyla in T600 group was significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared to CON and T150 groups, but the relative abundance of the Firmicutes phylum in T600 group were significantly lower than T150 group (P < 0.05). At the genus level, the relative abundance of the Parabacteroides genera in T300 group, the Faecalibacterium genera in T300 and T600 groups, the norank_f_Prevotellaceae genera in treatment groups (T150, T300 and T600), the norank_f_Peptococcaceae genera in T600 group, and the Monoglobus genera in T1 group were significantly increased. The KEGG pathway analysis showed that the common enrichment metabolic pathways of each treatment group compared to the CON group were glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, foxo signaling pathway and mTOR signaling pathway, and the enrichment metabolic pathways shared by T300 vs CON and T600 vs CON was galactose metabolism and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. Correlation analysis identified notable relationships between specific microbes and metabolites with T-AOC in serum, GSH-Px activity in the liver, amino acids in yolk, albumen height, and haugh units. Overall, this study suggests that multi-enzyme supplementation regulated the cecal microbial community and metabolism, potentially influencing amino acid profiles in yolk, antioxidant capacity, and egg quality.PMID:39669781 | PMC:PMC11634838 | DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2024.1466024

Front Microbiol. 2024 Nov 28;15:1475984. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1475984. eCollection 2024.ABSTRACTKeloid scarring is a fibroproliferative disease of the skin, which can significantly impact one's quality of life through cosmetic concerns, physical discomfort (itchy; painful), restricted movement, and psychological distress. Owing to the poorly understood pathogenesis of keloids and their high recurrence rate, the efficacy of keloid treatment remains unsatisfactory, particularly in patients susceptible to multiple keloids. We conducted fecal metagenomic analyzes and both untargeted and targeted plasma metabolomics in patients with multiple keloids (MK, n = 56) and controls with normal scars (NS, n = 60); tissue-untargeted metabolomics (MK, n = 35; NS, n = 32), tissue-targeted metabolomics (MK, n = 41; NS, n = 36), and single-cell sequencing analyzes (GSE163973). Differences in the gut microbiota composition, plasma metabolites, and tissue metabolites were observed between the MK and NS groups; the core gut microbiota, Oxalobacter formigenes, Bacteroides plebeius, and Parabacteroides distasonis, were identified via the gut microbiome co-occurrence network. Single-cell data helped clarify the specific cells affected by plasma metabolites. An area under the curve analysis using a random forest model based on fecal metagenomics, plasma metabolomics, and tissue metabolomics revealed that gut bacteria, plasma, and tissue metabolites were effective in distinguishing between MK and NS groups. Decreased Bacteroides plebeius could lower uracil levels, altering systemic lipid metabolism, which may change the metabolic phenotype of secretory reticular fibroblasts in wounds, potentially leading to MK. These findings may open new avenues for understanding the multifactorial nature of keloid formation from the gut-skin axis and highlight the potential for novel therapeutic strategies targeting keloid lesions and the underlying systemic imbalances affected by the gut microbiome.PMID:39669776 | PMC:PMC11636970 | DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2024.1475984