Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hamid Bina, Hamed Yousefzadeh, Anthony Venon, Carine Remoue, Agnes Rousselet, Matthieu Falque, Shadab Faramarzi, Xilong Chen, Jarkyn Samanchina, David Gill, Akylai Kabaeva, Tatiana Giraud, Batool Hosseinpour, Hamid Abdollahi, Ivan Gabrielyan, Anush Nersesyan, Amandine Cornille
Summary: The study identified two genetically distinct cultivated populations in Iran and seven genetically differentiated populations of wild apple. Iran was confirmed as a key region in the domestication of apple, and the domestication of the apple tree involved multiple origins in different geographic locations and substantial crop-wild hybridization.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liao Liao, Weihan Zhang, Bo Zhang, Ting Fang, Xiao-Fei Wang, Yaming Cai, Collins Ogutu, Lei Gao, Gang Chen, Xiaoqing Nie, Jinsheng Xu, Quanyan Zhang, Yiran Ren, Jianqiang Yu, Chukun Wang, Cecilia H. Deng, Baiquan Ma, Beibei Zheng, Chun-Xiang You, Da-Gang Hu, Richard Espley, Kui Lin-Wang, Jia-Long Yao, Andrew C. Allan, Awais Khan, Schuyler S. Korban, Zhangjun Fei, Ray Ming, Yu-Jin Hao, Li Li, Yuepeng Han
Summary: The study revealed the genetic basis of fruit taste in apples and its evolution during domestication, identifying several candidate genes for genetic manipulation of fruit quality.
Review
Plant Sciences
Abdelghani Chakhchar, Imane Ben Salah, Youssef El Kharrassi, Abdelkarim Filali-Maltouf, Cherkaoui El Modafar, Mouna Lamaoui
Summary: The argan tree in Morocco is a horticultural forestry species adapted to arid zones, with significant ecological and socioeconomic roles. Integration of the tree into agricultural policy and conservation strategies can lead to its improvement and domestication.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiaofang Liu, Caide Zhao, Yuqi Gao, Yao Xu, Shujin Wang, Chaoshuo Li, Yinpeng Xie, Pengxiang Chen, Peizhi Yang, Li Yuan, Xiaofeng Wang, Lili Huang, Fengwang Ma, Hao Feng, Qingmei Guan
Summary: Our study reveals the multifaceted regulation of MdBES1 on MdMYB88 in BR biosynthesis and stress tolerance.
Article
Plant Sciences
Christos Bazakos, Konstantinos G. Alexiou, Sebastian Ramos-Onsins, Georgios Koubouris, Nikolaos Tourvas, Aliki Xanthopoulou, Ifigeneia Mellidou, Theodoros Moysiadis, Ioanna-Theoni Vourlaki, Ioannis Metzidakis, Chrysi Sergentani, Ioanna Manolikaki, Michail Michailidis, Adamantia Pistikoudi, Alexios Polidoros, George Kostelenos, Filippos Aravanopoulos, Athanassios Molassiotis, Ioannis Ganopoulos
Summary: In this study, the most complete genomic variation map and comprehensive catalog of molecular variation to date for 89 olive tree genotypes originating from the entire Mediterranean basin were developed, revealing the genetic diversity of this commercially significant crop tree and explaining the divergence/similarity among different variants. Additionally, the potential origin or routes of olive tree domestication were characterized through the study of the monumental ancient tree 'Throuba Naxos'.
Review
Plant Sciences
Muhammad Rehman, Muhammad Sulaman Saeed, Xingming Fan, Abdul Salam, Raheel Munir, Muhammad Umair Yasin, Ali Raza Khan, Sajid Muhammad, Bahar Ali, Imran Ali, Jamshaid Khan, Yinbo Gan
Summary: Plants have developed complex mechanisms to cope with stressors, and phytohormones like jasmonic acid play a crucial role in regulating physiological and molecular processes to protect plants from biotic and abiotic stress. Jasmonic acid is involved in plant defense against biotic stress and alleviating various abiotic stressors, and its intricate biosynthetic pathways and mechanisms are still not well understood.
Article
Forestry
Dennis Kyereh, Anna Manourova, Prasad S. Hendre, Alice Muchugi, Marie Kalousova, Patrick Bustrel Choungo Nguekeng, Tariku Olana Jawo, Daniel Aninagyei Ofori, Bohdan Lojka
Summary: Allanblackia parviflora is an indigenous tree species found in West African rainforest zones, with the economically most important use being the production of edible oil from its seeds. Despite being researched extensively, there is limited scientific information available on its morphological and genetic diversity in West Africa.
Article
Plant Sciences
Huangwei Zhang, Meng Li, Min Kong, Jim M. Dunwell, Yuyan Zhang, Chao Yue, Juyou Wu, Shaoling Zhang
Summary: The study investigated the molecular processes underlying the domestication of pear and apple trees by analyzing the differential gene expression in wild and cultivar fruit at various developmental stages. The results revealed significant differences in physiological characteristics between wild and cultivated fruit, with several key pathways identified as involved in the differentiation process. The integrated analysis of the transcriptome provides insights into the consistent process of domestication in Rosaceae fruit trees, which could potentially impact the improvement of cultivar species and the utilization of wild resources.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yunsheng Wang, Andrew H. Paterson
Summary: This study re-sequenced and analyzed whole genome data from wild and cultivated Eriobotrya japonica, revealing a two-staged domestication process and enriching knowledge of crop domestication. Cultivated E. japonica showed little reduction in genome-wide nucleotide polymorphism compared with wild forms, and genes responsible for sugar biosynthesis were found to be enriched in regions harboring selective sweeps. An approach based on co-clustering into gene families and evaluating chromosome colinearity of orthologous and paralogous genes identified convergent/parallel selective sweeps among different crops.
Article
Plant Sciences
Franca Marcelle Meguem Mboujda, Marie-Louise Avana-Tientcheu, Stephane Takoudjou Momo, Alix Mboukap Ntongme, Virginie Vaissayre, Laura N. Azandi, Stephane Dussert, Hilaire Womeni, Jean-Michel Onana, Bonaventure Sonke, Christopher Tankou, Jerome Duminil
Summary: The text discusses the history and process of human domestication of wild plants, as well as the manifestation of the domestication syndrome observed in the African plum.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Alessandro Simonati, Ruth E. Williams
Summary: The review provides a summary of the current state-of-art in childhood Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL), a rare group of neurodegenerative disorders. It discusses the clinical approach for early diagnosis, recent advances in NCL research, and the pathogenic mechanisms involved. The review also highlights the search for innovative therapies and the importance of palliative care and symptomatic treatments.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Raquel P. F. Guine, Maria Joao Barroca, Teodora Emilia Coldea, Elena Bartkiene, Ofelia Anjos
Summary: Apples and their by-products are being redirected to pharmaceutical, canning and beverages industries globally. Fermentation increases the bioavailability of bioactive compounds in apples, impacting the properties, composition, health benefits, and sensory profile. Apple vinegar and probiotic apple beverages are considered safe and healthy products by consumers.
Article
Plant Sciences
Guofang Li, Jinghong Li, He Zhang, Jiuyang Li, Linguang Jia, Shiwei Zhou, Yanan Wang, Jianshe Sun, Ming Tan, Jianzhu Shao
Summary: Apple scar skin viroid (ASSVd) can infect apple trees and cause scar skin symptoms. This study investigated the effects of ASSVd on apple tree growth, physiological characteristics, and leaf metabolome in young saplings. The results showed that ASSVd infection decreased leaf size, tree height, stem diameter, branch length, and leaf photosynthetic efficiency. It also affected the chlorophyll content and nutrient levels in the leaves. Metabolome analysis revealed changes in the abundance of metabolites related to isoflavonoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, as well as carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. These findings provide valuable insights into the physiological mechanisms underlying apple tree responses to ASSVd.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Julio Garighan, Etienne Dvorak, Joan Estevan, Karine Loridon, Bruno Huettel, Gautier Sarah, Isabelle Farrera, Julie Leclercq, Priscila Grynberg, Roberto Coiti Togawa, Marcos Mota do Carmo Costa, Evelyne Costes, Fernando Andres
Summary: 17 micro RNAs in apple buds change their expression patterns during dormancy, potentially playing a key role in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, gene regulation, plant development and growth, and response to stimulus. The conservation of the Arabidopsis thaliana regulatory miR159-MYB module in apple in the context of abscisic acid homeostasis was also studied.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xilong Chen, Amandine Cornille, Na An, Libo Xing, Juanjuan Ma, Caiping Zhao, Yibin Wang, Mingyu Han, Dong Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the contribution of wild apple species to the genetic makeup of cultivated apple genomes in Europe and China. The researchers found that wild-to-crop gene flow from two East Asian wild apple species and one European wild apple species played a significant role in the domestication of apple trees. The study also revealed different evolutionary histories between European and Chinese apple varieties.
Article
Zoology
Alexis Marchesini, Cristiano Vernesi, Andrea Gandolfi, Marco Masseti
Summary: Genetic data are essential in understanding the evolutionary history of species and guiding conservation strategies. Through a critical evaluation of each step in conservation genetics studies, including sampling strategies and analytical methods, researchers can ensure reproducibility and accuracy in their results. In a re-analysis of data from a previous study, it was found that the genetic makeup of European fallow deer likely comes from human-mediated translocations rather than glacial refugia, contradicting previous findings.
Article
Plant Sciences
Wiebke Kirleis, Helmut Kroll, Tanja Reiser, Clemens Schmid, Kay Schmuetz
Summary: ArchbotLit is an important online database for accessing targeted archaeobotanical publications, supporting research and teaching in the field. It was built upon the collection of papers from archaeobotanists worldwide and aims to increase the visibility of archaeobotanical studies.
VEGETATION HISTORY AND ARCHAEOBOTANY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ana Jesus, Georgina Prats, Franziska Follmann, Stefanie Jacomet, Ferran Antolin
Summary: The study reveals that oil crops and pulses were underestimated in dry sites during the Middle Neolithic agriculture and were actually a significant part of it. Additionally, there was an increase in the representation of einkorn (instead of emmer) during the MN2 phase, which was also observed in other open-air sites.
VEGETATION HISTORY AND ARCHAEOBOTANY
(2021)
Letter
Biodiversity Conservation
Sean Hoban, Ivan Paz-Vinas, Sally Aitken, Laura D. Bertola, Martin F. Breed, Michael W. Bruford, W. Chris Funk, Catherine E. Grueber, Myriam Heuertz, Paul Hohenlohe, Margaret E. Hunter, Rodolfo Jaffe, Margarida Lopes Fernandes, Joachim Mergeay, Farideh Moharrek, David O'Brien, Gernot Segelbacher, Cristiano Vernesi, Lisette Waits, Linda Laikre
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucinda P. Lawson, Jose Alfredo Samaniego Castruita, James S. Haile, Cristiano Vernesi, Francesco Rovero, Eline D. Lorenzen
Summary: Through analysis of mitochondrial genomes, high levels of gene introgression were found among giant sengi species, primarily occurring in the eastern Udzungwa Mountains forests in Tanzania. However, nuclear gene data showed a different pattern, indicating the need for further genome-wide analysis and increased spatial sampling to clarify aspects of diversification and introgression in this group.
MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Letter
Biodiversity Conservation
Linda Laikre, Paul A. Hohenlohe, Fred W. Allendorf, Laura D. Bertola, Martin F. Breed, Michael W. Bruford, W. Chris Funk, Gonzalo Gajardo, Antonio Gonzalez-Rodriguez, Catherine E. Grueber, Philip W. Hedrick, Myriam Heuertz, Margaret E. Hunter, Kerstin Johannesson, Libby Liggins, Anna J. MacDonald, Joachim Mergeay, Farideh Moharrek, David O'Brien, Rob Ogden, Pablo Orozco-terWengel, Clarisse Palma-Silva, Jennifer Pierson, Ivan Paz-Vinas, Isa-Rita M. Russo, Nils Ryman, Gernot Segelbacher, Per Sjogren-Gulve, Lisette P. Waits, Cristiano Vernesi, Sean Hoban
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Bernard R. Agwanda, Francesco Rovero, Lucinda P. Lawson, Cristiano Vernesi, Rajan Amin
Summary: A new subspecies of giant sengi or elephant-shrew from northern coastal Kenya was described and compared with other known Rhynchocyon species. Molecular analyses and ecological observations revealed significant morphological and genetic differences between this new lineage and previously described sengis.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Raquel Pique, Marta Alcolea, Ferran Antolin, Marian Berihuete-Azorin, Anna Berrocal, David Rodriguez-Anton, Maria Herrero-Otal, Oriol Lopez-Bulto, Laura Obea, Jordi Revelles
Summary: This paper assesses whether human activities or climate were the main driver of vegetation changes during the Middle Holocene by studying archaeobotanical data from three case studies in Northeast Iberia. During the early Neolithic, settlement surroundings were intensively exploited for various resources, mainly from deciduous and pine forests, as well as riparian zones. The combination of plant exploitation with other agropastoral activities led to the expansion of colonizing species and increased biodiversity at a local scale.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Vlatka Cubric-Curik, Dinko Novosel, Vladimir Brajkovic, Omar Rota Stabelli, Stefan Krebs, Johann Solkner, Dragica Salamon, Strahil Ristov, Beate Berger, Stamatina Trivizaki, Iosif Bizelis, Maja Ferencakovic, Sophie Rothammer, Elisabeth Kunz, Mojca Simcic, Peter Dovc, Gojko Bunevski, Hysen Bytyqi, Bozidarka Markovic, Muhamed Brka, Kristaq Kume, Srctan Stojanovid, Vasil Nikolov, Natalia Zinovieva, Anna Amanda Schonherz, Bernt Guldbrandtsen, Mato Cacic, Sinisa Radovic, Preston Miracle, Cristiano Vernesi, Ino Curik, Ivica Medugorac
Summary: This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the mitochondrial genome of cattle, revealing different haplotypes and classifications, as well as providing evidence for interactions between wild aurochs and domesticated cattle during the domestication and dispersal of cattle in Europe.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Anthropology
Niccolo Mazzucco, Amalia Sabanov, Ferran Antolin, Goce Naumov, Ljubo Fidanoski, Juan F. Gibaja
Summary: North Macedonia is a crucial region for understanding the spread of agriculture into the Mediterranean and Central Europe, but has been subject to relatively limited archaeological research. This study sheds light on early agricultural practices in North Macedonia and adds to our knowledge of the spread of the Neolithic package across Europe through the analysis of two Neolithic sites.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Simone Haberle, Marguerita Schafer, Raul Soteras, Hector Martinez-Grau, Irka Hajdas, Stefanie Jacomet, Brigitte Roder, Jorg Schibler, Samuel van Willigen, Ferran Antolin
Summary: Archaeological excavations in Les Bagnoles, France, uncovered three water wells dating back to the Middle Neolithic period (4250-3700 BC), which preserved organic remains including rodent and beetle species. The study suggests that the wood mouse was an unwanted resident in European settlements prior to the invasion of house mice during the Bronze Age. Grain weevils played a role in the shift from naked to glume wheat, as glume wheats are less susceptible to infestation. This research highlights the importance of studying pests in archaeological sites to understand the challenges faced by Neolithic farming communities.
Article
Anthropology
Goce Naumov, Marcin Przybyla, Juan F. Gibaja, Kristina Penezic, Ferran Antolin, Amalia Sabanov, Aneta Fidanoska
Summary: A recent study of Vlaho in Pelagonia confirms that it is the earliest known Neolithic settlement in North Macedonia. Multidisciplinary research on the architecture and material reveals a complex enclosure site dating back to the seventh millennium BC, including dozens of ditches, daub buildings, white painted pottery, and domesticated plants and animals.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexis Marchesini, Andrea Silverj, Sara Torre, Omar Rota-Stabelli, Matteo Girardi, Iacopo Passeri, Ilaria Fracasso, Federico Sebastiani, Cristiano Vernesi
Summary: In this study, the European beech was subjected to whole-genome resequencing, revealing clear genetic differentiation at the chloroplast, mitochondrial, and nuclear genome levels. The divergence between the Alpine and Apennine populations was dated back to approximately 660 thousand years ago, indicating a long history of separation. This information has important conservation implications for the adaptation of this tree species to ongoing climate changes.
Article
Plant Sciences
Wiebke Kirleis, Marta Dal Corso, Galyna Pashkevych, Frank Schluetz, Robert Hofmann, Andreea Terna, Stefan Dreibrodt, Vitalii Rud, Mykhailo Y. Y. Videiko, Johannes Mueller
Summary: We provide a comprehensive characterization of the subsistence economy of Chalcolithic Cucuteni-Trypillia societies through the analysis of archaeobotanical samples and ancient crop residue stable isotopic analysis. These analyses reveal specific cultivation strategies and a close relationship between agriculture and animal husbandry. Our findings suggest that the Trypillia mega-sites had an elaborate agricultural system that allowed them to grow crops suitable for the ecological constraints of the forest steppe ecotone, and the agglomeration of population at these sites contributed to landscape change from woodland to grassland and steppe. The cultivation practices of the CTS were important in establishing the present-day cultural steppe in this region.
VEGETATION HISTORY AND ARCHAEOBOTANY
(2023)
Article
Archaeology
Hector Martinez-Grau, Berta Morell-Rovira, Ferran Antolin
Summary: This paper compiles a large amount of radiocarbon dates associated with the arrival, development, and consolidation of the first farming communities in the north-western Mediterranean Arch and the High Rhine area. The database includes 3617 radiocarbon dates from scientific publications, providing a valuable resource for building chronological models combined with other proxies.
JOURNAL OF OPEN ARCHAEOLOGY DATA
(2021)
