Article
Environmental Sciences
Han Li, Lu Wu, Fuping Ye, Dapeng Wang, Li Wang, Wenqi Li, Yuan Xu, Zhenyang Li, Jingshu Zhang, Suhua Wang, Aihua Zhang, Qizhan Liu
Summary: Chronic exposure to arsenic disrupts fatty acid and methionine metabolism, leading to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Arsenic blocks the maturation of miR-142-5p mediated by m6A by consuming S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) via As3MT, thereby increasing the levels of SREBP1 and lipogenic genes, resulting in NAFLD.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Meng-Ying Cui, An-Rui Lu, Jian-Xu Li, Jie Liu, Yu-Min Fang, Tian-Lin Pei, Xin Zhong, Yu-Kun Wei, Yu Kong, Wen-Qing Qiu, Yong-Hong Hu, Jun Yang, Xiao-Ya Chen, Cathie Martin, Qing Zhao
Summary: The study found that methoxylated flavones have strong ability to induce apoptosis and enhance bioactivity, with methoxylation not causing side effects on healthy cells. Both type I and type II OMT enzymes are involved in the biosynthesis of methoxylated flavones in S. baicalensis.
PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Rong-hua Song, Peng Du, Chao-qun Gao, Xue-rong Liu, Jin-an Zhang
Summary: Epigenetic modifications in RNA, specifically m6A methylation, play critical roles in cell differentiation by regulating gene expressions, including members of the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family. This study unveiled a relationship between METTL3-induced m6A methylation of SOCS mRNA and Graves' disease (GD) for the first time. High throughput microarrays revealed aberrant expressions of METTL3 and SOCS molecules in thyroid tissues and CD4(+)T cells of GD patients. METTL3 knock-down experiment showed increased expressions of SOCS family members after METTL3 knock-down, indicating a potential involvement of METTL3 in GD development.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mengjie Wang, Jingwen Tan, Chenglan Jiang, Shuting Li, Xinan Wu, Guanghui Ni, Yuefeng He
Summary: This study revealed that MEG3 plays a role in regulating arsenic-induced apoptosis, with its expression positively correlated with the concentration of arsenic species. Knockdown of MEG3 increased cell viability and arsenic-induced apoptosis, while regulating apoptosis through down-regulation of API5 and up-regulation of CASP7, CCND3, and APAF1.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhixin He, Yudong Xu, Qinlong Ma, Chao Zhou, Lingling Yang, Min Lin, Ping Deng, Zhiqi Yang, Mingyue Gong, Huijie Zhang, Muxue Lu, Yanqi Li, Peng Gao, Yonghui Lu, Mindi He, Lei Zhang, Huifeng Pi, Kuan Zhang, Song Qin, Zhengping Yu, Zhou Zhou, Chunhai Chen
Summary: This study revealed the mechanisms by which chronic arsenic exposure induced metabolic disorders in mice, including impaired glucose metabolism and decreased energy expenditure. Arsenic exposure also caused dysfunction of POMC neurons and astrocytic process plasticity in the hypothalamus. Additionally, it was found that arsenic exposure inhibited the expression of SOX2, which in turn affected the INSR/AKT signaling pathway. The study highlights the crucial role of SOX2 in regulating the plasticity of astrocytic processes.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Wei-Yu Hsieh, Hsin-Mei Wang, Yi-Hsin Chung, Kim-Teng Lee, Hong-Sheng Liao, Ming-Hsiun Hsieh
Summary: This study reveals the involvement of TH2-GFP in the biosynthetic pathway of vitamin B1 in Arabidopsis. The TMP/TDP phosphatase activity of TH2 plays a crucial role in the synthesis and homeostasis of vitamin B1.
Article
Plant Sciences
Xiaolu Zhang, Zhengtian Zhao, Man Zhang, Jia Wang, Tangren Cheng, Qixiang Zhang, Huitang Pan
Summary: The leaves of Forsythia koreana 'Suwon Gold' are yellow under natural light condition and can revert to green when the light intensity is reduced. The conversion of Coprogen III to Proto IX was identified as the rate-limiting step of chlorophyll biosynthesis in yellow-leaf Forsythia. The negatively regulated expression of FsHemF by light intensity was found to be the major cause affecting the leaf color change in response to light intensity in yellow-leaf Forsythia.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenjie Li, Xingzhou Jiang, Haisheng Qian, Xinyan Li, Jing Su, Guoxin Zhang, Xuan Li
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between arsenic exposure and liver injury in adults. Using data from the NHANES, urinary arsenic concentrations were measured and markers of liver injury were analyzed. The results showed a positive association between urinary arsenic exposure and liver injury in adults, and sex and smokers may play a role in arsenic pathogenicity.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jinyao Yin, Qian Zhou, Jingwen Tan, Wangjun Che, Yuefeng He
Summary: Arsenic, a human carcinogen, poses a threat to global environmental health. This study investigated the effect of arsenic on MDM2, p53, and their phosphorylation. The findings suggest that arsenic and its methylated metabolites can modulate the expression and phosphorylation of MDM2 and p53, as well as the interaction between MDM2 and p53.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sebastian Medina, Haikun Zhang, Laura V. V. Santos-Medina, Zachary A. A. Yee, Kaitlin J. J. Martin, Guanghua Wan, Alicia M. M. Bolt, Xixi Zhou, Miroslav Styblo, Ke Jian Liu
Summary: Chronic exposure to arsenic through contaminated drinking water is associated with adverse health outcomes, such as anemia. This study evaluated the contribution of arsenic biotransformation to the development of anemia and found that As3MT-dependent biotransformation plays a crucial role in mediating the hematotoxicity of arsenic. The findings suggest that individuals with high As3MT tolerance may have reduced susceptibility to arsenic-induced hematotoxicity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jingwen Tan, Mingjun Sun, Quan Luo, Huiwen Sun, Mengjie Wang, Chenglan Jiang, Shuting Li, Yuefeng He
Summary: The study found that exposure to arsenic increases the expression of HOTAIR and LincRNA-p21, which is associated with arsenic metabolites and metabolism efficiency, potentially leading to negative health effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Matheus B. Soares, Owen W. Duckworth, Miroslav Styblo, Peter H. Cable, Luis R. F. Alleoni
Summary: This study investigates the effects of pyrolysis temperature and biochar application on the release and transformations of arsenic in contaminated sediments subjected to redox fluctuations. The results show that biochar application and pyrolysis temperature play an important role in the availability, methylation, and dissolved organic carbon concentration of arsenic. Furthermore, successive flooding cycles increase the arsenic content in the solution and alter the spatial distribution and speciation of carbon, iron, and arsenic in the solid phase.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chenglan Jiang, Mingjun Sun, Shuting Li, Jingwen Tan, Mengjie Wang, Yuefeng He
Summary: The study identified a significant role of lncRNA DICER1-AS1 in arsenic-induced inhibition of cell proliferation, with its silencing leading to reduced cell proliferation and disrupted cell cycle progression through upregulation of p21 and downregulation of Cyclin A2, Cyclin E2, CDK1, and PCNA.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Toxicology
Sofiane Y. Mersaoui, Cynthia Guilbert, Hsiang Chou, Christelle Douillet, D. Scott Bohle, Miroslav Styblo, Stephane Richard, Koren K. Mann
Summary: Arsenic toxicity is a global health concern that leads to increased occurrences of cancer, bronchopulmonary, and cardiovascular diseases. The enzyme AS3MT plays a role in metabolizing inorganic arsenic (iAs) through a series of methylation steps, producing methylated arsenite (MAsIII), dimethylarsenite (DMAIII), and trimethylarsine (TMA). It has been found that AS3MT undergoes automethylation in the absence of iAs, which is enhanced by glutathione (GSH) and dithiothreitol (DTT). However, the automethylation of AS3MT is decreased when iAs is present. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments reveal the importance of specific cysteines in the automethylation process.
ARCHIVES OF TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ji-Nam Kang, Woo-Haeng Lee, So Youn Won, Saemin Chang, Jong-Pil Hong, Tae-Jin Oh, Si Myung Lee, Sang-Ho Kang
Summary: Wounding in plants triggers the activation of defense-related genes, including those involved in jasmonate and ethylene biosynthesis, as well as genes encoding transcription factors such as ERFs, WRKYs, MYBs, bHLHs, and NACs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jing Ding, Min Lv, Dong Zhu, Eva F. Leifheit, Qing-Lin Chen, Yun-Qing Wang, Ling-Xin Chen, Matthias C. Rillig, Yong-Guan Zhu
Summary: Tire wear particles (TWP) have caused widespread contamination in the environment. This study aims to understand the behavior and potential impacts of TWP in soil ecosystems. By synthesizing existing knowledge and comparing with the effects of microplastics (MP), the study outlines the composition, distribution, and behavior of TWP in soils, and highlights the potential impacts on soil biota and the underlying mechanisms. The study suggests that more research is needed to clarify the behavior and impacts of TWP at different levels, from individual organisms to the Earth system, as TWP may pose as an emerging threat to soil health.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Xue Liu, Yongwang Ju, Saglara Mandzhieva, David Pinskii, Tatiana Minkina, Vishnu D. Rajput, Timberley Roane, Shuangqin Huang, Lena Q. Ma, Yuanping Li, Stephan Clemens, Christopher Rensing
Summary: Recent research has shown that plants can accumulate high levels of lead under specific soil conditions. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the sources and transformations of lead in soil, the interaction between lead and bacteria, the factors and mechanisms of lead uptake and accumulation in plants, and the toxicity of lead to living organisms. The adsorption and post-adsorption transformations of lead in soil are the main factors that affect its mobility, bioavailability, and toxicity. The ability of lead to be adsorbed largely depends on the composition and properties of the soil and environmental conditions. The impact of microbes on the mobility and bioavailability of lead in soil, as well as bacterial resistance to lead, are also discussed. Specific mechanisms of lead resistance in bacteria, such as Pb-efflux, siderophores, and EPS, have been identified. The pathways and mechanisms of lead entry and transport in plants are not well understood, although it is believed that calcium transporters, organic acids, and the phytochelatin pathway may play a role in lead transport, mobility, and detoxification.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yanshuang Yu, Zhenchen Xie, Jigang Yang, Ruixiang Yang, Yuanping Li, Yongguan Zhu, Yanlin Zhao, Qiue Yang, Jichen Chen, Hend A. Alwathnani, Renwei Feng, Christopher Rensing, Martin Herzberg
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer in bacterial adaptation to arsenic and antimony-contaminated environments.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Azeem, Tian-Ran Sun, Parimala Gnana Soundari Arockiam Jeyasundar, Rui-Xia Han, Hui Li, Hamada Abdelrahman, Sabry M. Shaheen, Yong-Guan Zhu, Gang Li
Summary: Biochar-derived dissolved organic matter (BDOM) plays important roles in soil ecosystem by influencing soil properties and providing nutrients to soil microbes. BDOM can either enhance or suppress the growth of certain soil microorganisms depending on its composition and labile organic compound content. This review focuses on the impact of BDOM concentration, feedstock biomass type, and pyrolysis temperature on soil microbial functioning, community structure, and enzymatic activity. Results indicate that feedstock type and pyrolysis temperature affect BDOM characteristics and its interaction with soil microbial communities. Plant-based biochar produced at lower pyrolysis temperatures often contains more aliphatic BDOM, while higher pyrolysis temperatures yield more aromatic BDOM. BDOM from plant biochar has higher specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) and humification index (HIX) compared to manure-based biochar. The SUVA and HIX of BDOM positively correlate with total fatty acid methyl ester content, but negatively correlate with abundances of actinomycetes, arbuscular mycorrhizae, and fungal communities. However, long-term experiments are needed to fully understand the environmental fate of BDOM in biochar-amended soil and its interaction with soil organic matter and microorganisms.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jian Li, Tim J. Daniell, Ming-Kang Jin, Rui-Ying Chang, Tao Wang, Jing Zhang, Xiao-Ru Yang, Yong-Guan Zhu
Summary: The spread of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) has become a significant threat to human health. However, little is known about the profile and drivers of ARGs in the phyllosphere, which is an important habitat for microorganisms. In this study, leaf samples were collected from different stages of plant community succession to investigate the development of phyllosphere ARGs in natural habitats. The results showed that the presence of ARGs in the phyllosphere is influenced by environmental factors such as plant community composition, host leaf properties, and the phyllosphere microbiome.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhi Chen, Yilan Zhang, Ruizhi Xing, Christopher Rensing, Jian Lu, Mingli Chen, Sining Zhong, Shungui Zhou
Summary: This study demonstrates the oxidative decomposition of polystyrene (PS) in the gut of superworms and reveals its effect on plastic metabolism. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were found to be generated extensively in the larva gut, and PS consumption led to a significant increase in ROS. Further investigation suggested that the oxidative depolymerization of PS was caused by the combinatorial effect of ROS and extracellular oxidases of gut microbes. This work provides new insights into the underlying biochemical mechanisms of plastic degradation in the gut.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xing Liu, Yin Ye, Zhishuai Zhang, Christopher Rensing, Shungui Zhou, Kenneth H. Nealson
Summary: This study reveals that lysogenic phages can cause decay of electroactive biofilms (EAB) in Geobacter sulfurreducens fuel cells, leading to a decline in current generation. The presence of prophages on the G. sulfurreducens genome was confirmed, and the transition of those prophages from lysogenic to lytic was observed, resulting in the progressive decay of the EAB. The addition of phages from decayed EAB accelerated the decay process, while deleting prophage-related genes rescued the decay process.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peixu Zhao, Christopher Rensing, Dun Wang
Summary: Our study demonstrated that symbiotic bacteria regulate the immune response in Lymantria dispar after infection with L. dispar Nucleopolyhedrovirus (LdMNPV) by changing the proportion of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial community. The immune deficiency pathway was immediately activated after oral infection, promoting the secretion of antimicrobial peptides, while the abundance of the Gram-negative bacterial community increased. The Toll pathway showed a different regulation pattern compared to the Imd pathway, but its expression remained positively correlated to the abundance of Gram-positive bacteria. This finding suggests that the ratio of Gram-negative to Gram-positive bacteria influences the immune response in LdMNPV-infected larvae.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Xin Gong, Xin Sun, Madhav P. Thakur, Zhihong Qiao, Haifeng Yao, Manqiang Liu, Stefan Scheu, Yong-Guan Zhu
Summary: Rapid urbanization has significant impacts on global biodiversity, but its effects on soil biodiversity and nematodes are not well understood. In this study, we examined soil nematodes in four land-use types across 12 cities in China. We found that urban parks and nearby forests had higher nematode richness than urban residential areas and surrounding farmlands. Nematode communities in parks and residential areas were more similar, while forests and farmlands had more heterogeneous communities. The variations in nematode communities were mainly due to taxa replacement, indicating spatial isolation of nematodes in cities. Urban parks served as hotspots for soil nematodes, while residential areas had the lowest number of specialists and smaller body sizes. Overall, our findings suggest that urbanization reduces nematode diversity, leading to a 30% loss in residential areas compared to forests, and homogenizes soil nematode communities.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hua-Yuan Shangguan, Stefan Geisen, Zhi-Peng Li, Hai-Feng Yao, Gang Li, Martin F. Breed, Stefan Scheu, Xin Sun
Summary: This study investigated the impact of urbanization on soil protist communities and found that urban greenspaces harbor higher protist diversity compared to forests. The drivers of protist communities vary between functional groups and urban ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Xiao-Min Li, Shun Li, Fu-Yi Huang, Zhe Wang, Zhao-Yang Zhang, Song-Can Chen, Yong-Guan Zhu
Summary: Artificial light at night (ALAN) is an important disturbance to urban ecosystems, and its potential effects on urban soil microbial community structure and functions are unclear. This study investigated the impact of nocturnal light on the microbiomes in urban turf soils using sequencing and qPCR techniques. The results showed that ALAN significantly influenced the structures of bacterial, fungal, and protist communities, as well as the functional profiles involved in nutrients cycling and urban health.
Editorial Material
Engineering, Environmental
Lei Luo, Zhengang Liu, Yong-Guan Zhu
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ming Sheng, Shuang Chen, Cong-Qiang Liu, Qinglong Fu, Donghuan Zhang, Wei Hu, Junjun Deng, Libin Wu, Ping Li, Zhifeng Yan, Yong-Guan Zhu, Pingqing Fu
Summary: Forest soils, covering about 30% of the Earth's land surface, play a crucial role in the global organic matter cycle. Dissolved organic matter (DOM), the largest active carbon pool on land, is vital for soil development, microbial metabolism, and nutrient cycling. However, forest soil DOM is a highly complex mixture of numerous compounds derived from primary producers, microbial processes, and chemical reactions. This study focuses on the spatial and molecular variations of DOM in forest soils across different latitudes in China, using Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS). The results reveal distinct patterns of molecular composition, indicating the importance of understanding the role of DOM in the carbon cycle.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Hanwen Chen, Xin Zhang, Haixi Wang, Shuping Xing, Rongbin Yin, Wei Fu, Matthias C. Rillig, Baodong Chen, Yongguan Zhu
Summary: This study demonstrates the significant role of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in reducing the transport of microplastics from roots to shoots in crops. However, AM symbiosis does not substantially decrease the uptake of microplastics by crops from soil. Nevertheless, mycorrhizal fungi can enhance the resistance of crops to microplastics by transforming their chemical properties, reducing complex formation with crop components, and promoting crop phosphorus nutrition.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Li Cui, Yuhan Xin, Kai Yang, Hongzhe Li, Fengjiao Tan, Yulong Zhang, Xingrui Li, Zhi Zhu, Jun Yang, Shuh-Ji Kao, Bin Ren, Yong-Guan Zhu, Florin Musat, Niculina Musat
Summary: In this study, a synergistic approach combining single-cell Raman microspectroscopy and stable isotope probing was developed to track metabolic interactions in active microbial assemblages. This approach allowed for the temporal tracking of intercellular and interspecies metabolite exchange in living cells, providing comprehensive metabolic profiling and advancing our understanding of microbial interactions.