Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ivan Jakovlic, Hong Zou, Tong Ye, Hong Zhang, Xiang Liu, Chuan-Yu Xiang, Gui-Tang Wang, Dong Zhang
Summary: Parasitic species and those with low locomotory capacity exhibit faster mitogenomic evolutionary rates, suggesting that these variables play a major role in calibrating the mitochondrial molecular clock in bilaterian animals.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Satoshi Ogawa, Songkui Cui, Alexandra R. F. White, David C. Nelson, Satoko Yoshida, Ken Shirasu
Summary: Parasitic plants use strigolactones as chemoattractants to locate and grow towards their hosts. The chemotropism to strigolactones is influenced by ammonium ion-rich conditions, resulting in reduced chemotropic ability. There are noticeable differences in the chemotropism to strigolactones between parasitic and non-parasitic plants in the Orobanchaceae family.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Natsumi Masumoto, Yuki Suzuki, Songkui Cui, Mayumi Wakazaki, Mayuko Sato, Kie Kumaishi, Arisa Shibata, Kaori M. Furuta, Yasunori Ichihashi, Ken Shirasu, Kiminori Toyooka, Yoshinobu Sato, Satoko Yoshida
Summary: This study reconstructed the haustoria of two Orobanchaceae species, revealing the spatial arrangement of multiple cell types inside the haustoria and their interaction with host roots. The 3-D internal structures of the haustoria highlighted differences between the two parasites, providing insights into haustorium function.
Review
Parasitology
Lieke E. Vlaar, Andre Bertran, Mehran Rahimi, Lemeng Dong, Jan E. Kammenga, Johannes Helder, Aska Goverse, Harro J. Bouwmeester
Summary: Nematodes are one of the most abundant Metazoa on Earth, with various forms of hypobiosis to adapt to harsh environments. A special type of hypobiosis called dauer has evolved in parasitic nematodes, with the dauer signalling pathway being intensively studied. Biosynthesis of dafachronic acid is a key criterion for defining dauer behavior in nematodes.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Noa Barak-Gavish, Bareket Dassa, Constanze Kuhlisch, Inbal Nussbaum, Alexander Brandis, Gili Rosenberg, Roi Avraham, Assaf Vardi
Summary: Unicellular algae, known as phytoplankton, have significant impacts on the marine environment by serving as the foundation of marine food webs and playing key roles in biogeochemical cycling. The interactions between phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria affect the fitness of both partners. The molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions, particularly metabolic exchanges, are not well understood.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fatih A. Bogaards, Thies Gehrmann, Marian Beekman, Erik Ben van den Akker, Ondine van de Rest, Roland W. J. Hangelbroek, Raymond Noordam, Simon P. Mooijaart, Lisette C. P. G. M. de Groot, Marcel J. T. Reinders, P. Eline Slagboom
Summary: Lifestyle intervention studies have heterogeneous responses, especially in older adults. This study developed and validated a molecular multivariate biomarker called PLIS that is sensitive to individual effects of lifestyle interventions. The PLIS score demonstrated its ability to track short-term metabolic health gain, with sex-specific differences.
Article
Microbiology
Andrii P. Gryganskyi, Yong Nie, Ann E. Hajek, Kathie T. Hodge, Xiao-Yong Liu, Kelsey Aadland, Kerstin Voigt, Iryna M. Anishchenko, Vira B. Kutovenko, Liudmyla Kava, Antonina Vuek, Rytas Vilgalys, Bo Huang, Jason E. Stajich
Summary: Fungi of the Conidiobolus group, belonging to the family Ancylistaceae, include over 70 species, primarily saprotrophic. This fungal group shares morphological similarities with the entomopathogenic genus Batkoa. Our study aims to reconstruct the phylogeny of this fungal group using molecular and genomic data and morphological features.
Article
Plant Sciences
Grace Ngugi, Paul M. Kirika, Geoffrey Mwachala
Summary: A new holoparasitic species of Orobanchaceae, Harveya kiangombensis, is described and illustrated in this study. It is easily distinguished from the closely related H. liebuschiana by its glandular pubescent pedicels, the position of its flowers, and acute calyx lobes. The conservation status of the new species is also assessed.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Adriano Pierini, Sergio Brutti, Enrico Bodo
Summary: This study clarifies the energy landscape of the superoxide disproportionation reaction catalyzed by group 1A cations in aprotic metal oxygen batteries, revealing the competition between two reactive paths leading to peroxide formation, with one involving the reduction of alkaline ions, which may trigger parasitic chemistries.
NPJ COMPUTATIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Karol Mierzejewski, Elzbieta Lopienska-Biernat, Jesus Mateos, Iwona Bogacka, Monica Carrera, Robert Stryinski
Summary: Helminths, especially parasitic nematodes, have evolved strategies to manipulate host immune responses and have complex interactions with bacterial pathogens. The oxidative stress response plays a key role in the innate immunity of parasitic nematodes, as shown in the interaction between the parasitic nematode A. simplex s.s. and bacterial LPS. This study provides valuable insights into the integrated systems biology approach to understanding the relationships between parasites, hosts, and commensal bacteria.
MOLECULAR & CELLULAR PROTEOMICS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xiao Qian, Ho-Young Jung, Seunghun Jung
Summary: Gas evolution reactions (GERs) in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) have a significant impact on battery performance and lifespan. The study reveals that hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) occurs throughout the charge-discharge process, while oxygen evolution reaction (OER) only occurs at the end of charging. Increasing operating temperature greatly enhances HER. An increase in state of charge (SOC) also leads to SOC imbalance and subsequent capacity loss.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Virology
Xiaoyao Cai, Fengjuan Tian, Li Teng, Hongmei Liu, Yigang Tong, Shuai Le, Tingting Zhang
Summary: This study identified a novel mutualistic parasitic dsRNA phage, phiNY, which suggests that dsRNA phages with nonlytic lifestyles might be common in nature and deserve more investigations. Using different virus isolation methods could help identify phages with nonlytic lifestyles beyond strictly lytic ones.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Ivy Beeren, Liesbeth de Goeij, Rana Dandis, Nikoletta Vidra, Moniek van Zutphen, J. Alfred Witjes, Ellen Kampman, Lambertus A. L. M. Kiemeney, Alina Vrieling
Summary: This study investigated lifestyle behaviors in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, finding low adherence to lifestyle recommendations and relatively stable overall lifestyle scores. Small to moderate changes in single lifestyle behaviors were observed with different trajectories, indicating the need for effective strategies to support lifestyle improvement.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Eric A. Coleman, Bill Schultz, Vijay Ramprasad, Harry Fischer, Pushpendra Rana, Anthony M. Filippi, Burak Guneralp, Andong Ma, Claudia Rodriguez Solorzano, Vijay Guleria, Rajesh Rana, Forrest Fleischman
Summary: Large-scale tree planting programs in Northern India have not shown significant increase in forest canopy cover or direct benefits to local communities. This suggests that expensive tree planting programs may not always achieve their desired environmental and economic outcomes.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Pierre Maffre, Nicholas L. Swanson-Hysell, Yves Godderis
Summary: Chemical weathering of sulfide-bearing rocks can lead to the release of CO2 into the atmosphere, disrupting the geological cycles of oxygen and sulfur and triggering geochemical feedbacks. A numerical model shows that due to feedbacks on atmospheric oxygen associated with the organic carbon cycle, increased sulfide weathering results in a limited source of CO2 followed by a longer period of CO2 absorption.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Harold Suarez-Baron, Juan F. Alzate, Favio Gonzalez, Soraya Pelaz, Barbara A. Ambrose, Natalia Pabon-Mora
Summary: This study assessed the expression patterns of key genes involved in trichome development in the magnoliid Aristolochia fimbriata, revealing differences in gene expression in floral organs compared to vegetative tissues. The findings suggest a simpler genetic mechanism governing trichome development in flowers of early-divergent angiosperms. The results imply that the canonical trichome gene expression is more conserved in vegetative tissues than in floral organs across angiosperms.
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Natalia Pabon-Mora
Summary: Plants are versatile organisms, with the ability to regenerate, reproduce in different ways, and display a wide range of shapes and colors. The author selected a unique flowering image to study as a system for understanding the development of holoparasitic plants.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cecilia Zumajo-Cardona, Natalia Pabon-Mora, Barbara A. Ambrose
Summary: The study reveals that the euAP2 gene plays a crucial role in vascular plants, initially contributing to spore and sporangium development and later being recruited for ovule, fruit, and floral organ development. The protein sequences of euAP2 are highly conserved, with changes in their function during development likely attributed to alterations in regulatory regions.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jeffrey P. Mower, Wenhu Guo, Raghavendran Partha, Weishu Fan, Nick Levsen, Kirsten Wolff, Jacqueline M. Nugent, Natalia Pabon-Mora, Favio Gonzalez
Summary: Plantagineae tribe comprises approximately 270 species in three genera, with Plantago being the most diverse. Plastomes from Plantago exhibit atypical features, and phylogenomic analyses provided strong support for relationships among major lineages. General plastid features reinforced major divisions within Plantagineae.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hector Salazar-Duque, Juan F. Alzate, Aura Urrea Trujillo, Cristina Ferrandiz, Natalia Pabon-Mora
Summary: This study focused on the Rubiaceae plants and identified morpho-anatomical changes during fruit development, distinguishing those derived from the carpel versus the extra-carpellary tissues. Comparative analyses of gene evolution and expression patterns revealed that the Rubiaceae gene complement is simpler compared to Brassicaceae or Solanaceae, and gene expression varies in response to fruit type and developmental stage.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Runxian Yu, Chenyu Sun, Yan Zhong, Ying Liu, M. Virginia Sanchez-Puerta, Jeffrey P. Mower, Renchao Zhou
Summary: The mitochondrial genome of the parasitic plant Rhopalocnemis phalloides displays a highly modified structure consisting of 21 mini-circular chromosomes. Despite its small size, this mitogenome contains a typical set of genes and introns within unique regions of each chromosome. The presence of extreme heteroplasmy and various mutations suggests a complex evolutionary history for this particular species, offering insight into the replication and gene expression mechanisms of plant mitochondrial genomes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Huihui Yu, Mu Li, Jaspreet Sandhu, Guangchao Sun, James C. Schnable, Harkamal Walia, Weibo Xie, Bin Yu, Jeffrey P. Mower, Chi Zhang
Summary: The study developed computational pipelines to identify microexons in plants and showed their importance and diversity in plant evolution.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Carolina Rodriguez-Pelayo, Barbara A. Ambrose, Alejandra Vasco, Juan F. Alzate, Natalia Pabon-Mora
Summary: LFY genes may play a role in the development of gametophytes and sporophytes in bryophytes and ferns, and have functions related to floral meristem differentiation in gymnosperms and flowering plants.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jeffrey P. Mower, Lilly Hanley, Kirsten Wolff, Natalia Pabon-Mora, Favio Gonzalez
Summary: Aragoa, a genus of North Andean plants, is closely related to Littorella and Plantago within the Plantagineae family. Analysis of mitochondrial genomes revealed the sister relationship between Aragoa and Littorella + Plantago. However, conflicting results were found in the placement of P. nubicola within the Plantago genus based on mitochondrial and nuclear data. Extensive substitution rate variation among lineages hindered the resolution of phylogenetic relationships using mitochondrial data.
Article
Plant Sciences
Carolina Rodriguez-Pelayo, Barbara A. Ambrose, Alejandra Vasco, Juan F. Alzate, Natalia Pabon-Mora
Summary: This study provides a phylogenetic framework for PEBP genes and investigates their expression patterns in selected lycophytes and ferns. The results indicate that PEBP genes are involved in reproductive transitions and spore production in these plants, suggesting their important roles in meristem maintenance and sporangium development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Weishu Fan, Fang Liu, Qiaoya Jia, Haiyuan Du, Wu Chen, Jiwei Ruan, Jiajun Lei, De-Zhu Li, Jeffrey P. Mower, Andan Zhu
Summary: Plant mitochondrial DNA evolves rapidly in structure but slowly in sequence. The noncoding portions of plant mitogenomes are not homologous among species, which raises questions about the rate and spectrum of mutations in noncoding regions. The study shows that plant mitogenomes have low point mutations genome-wide but exceptionally high structural variations, supporting a gain-and-loss model for the rapid loss of homology among plant mitogenomes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiao-Jian Qu, Xue-Jie Zhang, Dong-Ling Cao, Xiu-Xiu Guo, Jeffrey P. Mower, Shou-Jin Fan
Summary: Koenigia, a genus proposed by Linnaeus, has a contentious taxonomic history. The relationships among species and the circumscription of the genus relative to Aconogonon remain uncertain. In this study, genome skimming was used to explore the phylogenetic relationships of Koenigia and to establish the timing of major evolutionary diversification events. The results showed that K. delicatula has lost functional copies of certain genes and has gene rearrangements in its plastome. The conflicting relationships among plastome and mitochondrial trees and among gene trees complicate the circumscription of Koenigia, which may be due to rapid diversification within a short period of time. Furthermore, the study revealed correlated variation in substitution rates among Persicarieae species, suggesting a shared underlying mechanism promoting evolutionary rate variation in both organellar genomes. The divergence of K. delicatula from other Koenigia species may be associated with climatic events and the uplift of certain geographical areas.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Natali Hernandez-Ciro, Natalia Pabon-Mora
Summary: This study provides insights into the anatomical and genetic basis of the independent origin of fleshy fruits in Cestrum and the reversion to dry dehiscent fruits in Brugmansia. Expression patterns of fruit development genes suggest potential controllers for homologous and homoplasious anatomical features in the fruits of both species. The fruit genetic regulatory network (GRN) in Cestrum and Brugmansia shows considerable differences compared to typical capsules and berries of Solanaceae.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Laura Carmona-Rojas, Aura Urrea-Trujillo, Daniel Gil-Arrendondo, Lucia Atehortua-Garces, Natalia Pabon-Mora
Summary: The study evaluated target gene expression in endosperm cells and endosperm-derived cell suspension cultures in J. curcas, providing insights into the transcriptional mechanisms of key factors and enzymes involved in lipid biosynthesis pathway. Optimization of biomass growth and oil yield was attempted by varying glucose, nitrogen, and abscisic acid concentrations, resulting in a maximum oil production of 5% in cell suspension cultures. The study found that certain transcription factors and enzymes exhibited different expression patterns between endosperm cells and cell cultures, suggesting potential differences in lipid biosynthesis regulation in these systems.
IN VITRO CELLULAR & DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY-PLANT
(2021)