Article
Biology
Chi Song, Fangfang Fu, Lulu Yang, Yan Niu, Zhaoyang Tian, Xiangxiang He, Xiaoming Yang, Jie Chen, Wei Sun, Tao Wan, Han Zhang, Yicheng Yang, Tian Xiao, Komivi Dossa, Xiangxiao Meng, Fuliang Cao, Yves van de Peer, Guibin Wang, Shilin Chen
Summary: A high-quality genome assembly and transcriptome data of Taxus yunnanensis are presented in this study, shedding light on its evolutionary history and the Taxol biosynthetic pathway. Phylogenomic analyses show its relationship with Sequoiadendron giganteum and the absence of recent whole-genome duplication. Integration of genomic and transcriptomic data reveals gene clusters involved in Taxol synthesis and significant expansion of gene families encoding hydroxylase. This study contributes to understanding gymnosperm relationships and the Taxol biosynthetic pathway.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Guillermo Blanco, Damaso Hornero-Mendez
Summary: The study of cinereous vultures, griffon vultures, and Egyptian vultures nestlings suggests that diet and parental provision of unusual sources of carotenoids cannot fully explain the carotenoid profiles in these birds. Nestling Egyptian vultures are comparatively efficient in uptaking carotenoids present in low concentrations in food, which suggests allocation to other functions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jiao-Jiao Song, Xin Fang, Chen-Yi Li, Yan Jiang, Jian-Xu Li, Sheng Wu, Juan Guo, Yan Liu, Hang Fan, Yan-Bo Huang, Yu-Kun Wei, Yu Kong, Qing Zhao, Jing-Jing Xu, Yong-Hong Hu, Xiao-Ya Chen, Lei Yang
Summary: A 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (2-ODD) gene responsible for tanshinone IIA biosynthesis in Salvia miltiorrhiza was identified in this study. The gene, known as Sm2-ODD14, acts as a dehydrogenase and catalyzes the aromatization of the furan ring. The study also showed that Sm2-ODD14 controls the metabolite flux from dihydrofuran- to furan-tanshinones, which impacts the medicinal properties of S. miltiorrhiza.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ming Zhou, Lei Deng, Shaogui Guo, Guoliang Yuan, Chuanyou Li, Changbao Li
Summary: This study reveals the genetic control mechanism of the orange-fruited phenotype in a tomato elite inbred line. It is found that this phenotype is controlled by a single recessive gene, oft3, which leads to reduced carotenoid levels and an increased beta-carotene-to-lycopene ratio in fruit. The candidate gene SlIDI1, with a 116 bp deletion mutation, is identified through gene mapping and genome sequence analysis. Functional complementation and CRISPR-Cas9 knockout experiments confirm the role of SlIDI1 in controlling the oft3 locus. Further analysis shows that SlIDI1 is highly expressed in flowers and fruit, and its expression increases with fruit ripening or flower maturation.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chiara E. Giossi, Sonia Cruz, Felisa Rey, Ruben Marques, Tania Melo, Maria do Rosario Domingues, Paulo Cartaxana
Summary: Bryopsidales (Chlorophyta) are a type of marine algae cultured and consumed in various regions globally, known for their high nutritional value and bioprospection potential. Research shows that high light exposure affects the pigment and lipid composition of Bryopsidales algae, potentially reducing damage to the photosynthetic apparatus under increased irradiance.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jie Zhang, Lea G. Hansen, Olga Gudich, Konrad Viehrig, Laerke M. M. Lassen, Lars Schruebbers, Khem B. Adhikari, Paulina Rubaszka, Elena Carrasquer-Alvarez, Ling Chen, Vasil D'Ambrosio, Beata Lehka, Ahmad K. Haidar, Saranya Nallapareddy, Konstantina Giannakou, Marcos Laloux, Dushica Arsovska, Marcus A. K. Jorgensen, Leanne Jade G. Chan, Mette Kristensen, Hanne B. Christensen, Suresh Sudarsan, Emily A. Stander, Edward Baidoo, Christopher J. Petzold, Tune Wulff, Sarah E. O'Connor, Vincent Courdavault, Michael K. Jensen, Jay D. Keasling
Summary: This study demonstrates the de novo microbial biosynthesis of vindoline and catharanthine using a highly engineered yeast, and in vitro chemical coupling to vinblastine. By integrating a very long biosynthetic pathway into yeast, the researchers have provided a scalable platform for producing over 3,000 natural MIAs and numerous new analogues.
Article
Plant Sciences
Kaijie Zhu, Hongyan Chen, Xuehan Mei, Suwen Lu, Heping Xie, Junwei Liu, Lijun Chai, Qiang Xu, Eleanore T. Wurtzel, Junli Ye, Xiuxin Deng
Summary: The MADS-box transcription factor CsMADS3 plays a regulatory role in the development and coloration of citrus fruits by coordinating chlorophyll and carotenoid metabolism. Overexpression of CsMADS3 enhances carotenoid biosynthesis and accelerates chlorophyll degradation, while interference of CsMADS3 expression inhibits carotenoid biosynthesis and chlorophyll degradation. CsMADS3 regulates the synthesis of chlorophyll and carotenoid by directly regulating genes involved in these metabolic pathways.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei Zhou, Hattan A. Alharbi, Eshe Hummingbird, Adrian T. Keatinge-Clay, Taifo Mahmud
Summary: This study identified that NFAT-133 is not derived from TM-123, but from a programmed extension process of a nascent heptaketide in the PKS assembly line. Mutants of the ATCC 27456 strain also revealed the presence of NFAT-133/TM-123 analogues and the involvement of NftN, NftE, and NftG in the polyketide chain assembly processes.
ACS CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Min Jiang, Fen Zhang, Qiao Yuan, Peixing Lin, Hao Zheng, Sha Liang, Yue Jian, Huiying Miao, Huanxiu Li, Qiaomei Wang, Bo Sun
Summary: Carotenoids are organic pigments that are important for plant coloration and human health. The study focused on characterizing BoaCRTISO, a carotenoid isomerase gene in Chinese kale, and found that silencing this gene led to downregulation of carotenoid and chlorophyll biosynthetic genes, as well as reduced contents of carotenoids and chlorophyll, resulting in yellowing leaves and inhibited growth in plants. This provides insight into the biosynthesis and regulation of carotenoids in Chinese kale.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yue Yin, Cong Guo, Hongyan Shi, Jianhua Zhao, Fang Ma, Wei An, Xinru He, Qing Luo, Youlong Cao, Xiangqiang Zhan
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the R2R3-MYB gene family in wolfberry and other Solanaceae species. A total of 610 R2R3-MYB genes were identified, with 137 in wolfberry. Phylogenetic analysis, conserved gene structures, and motif composition classified the LbaR2R3-MYB genes into 31 subgroups. Only five groups of Solanaceae R2R3-MYB genes showed functional divergence during evolution. Dispersed and whole duplication events played a critical role in expanding the R2R3-MYB gene family. RNA-seq analysis revealed differential gene expression (DEGs) and carotenoid biosynthesis genes (CBGs) during fruit development stages. The highly expressed LbaR2R3-MYB genes were co-expressed with CBGs. qRT-PCR verified two candidate genes regulating carotenoid biosynthesis in wolfberry.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yifei Liu, Bo Wang, Shaohua Shu, Zheng Li, Chi Song, Di Liu, Yan Niu, Jinxin Liu, Jingjing Zhang, Heping Liu, Zhigang Hu, Bisheng Huang, Xiuyu Liu, Wei Liu, Liping Jiang, Mohammad Murtaza Alami, Yuxin Zhou, Yutao Ma, Xiangxiang He, Yicheng Yang, Tianyuan Zhang, Hui Hu, Michael S. Barker, Shilin Chen, Xuekui Wang, Jing Nie
Summary: Chinese goldthread (Coptis chinensis) is an early-diverging eudicot plant with diverse medicinal applications. The high-quality genome assembly and annotation of C. chinensis revealed a single ancient whole-genome duplication event shared by the Ranunculaceae family. The study also highlighted the functional importance of CYP719 gene in diversifying protoberberine-type alkaloids.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pierre-Louis Brassart, Olivier P. Thomas, Vincent Courdavault, Nicolas Papon
Summary: Harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose both ecological and public health hazards in the marine environment. Some algae produce metabolites that have negative effects on marine ecosystems and mammals. Recent research has revealed the biosynthetic pathway of harmful algal bloom metabolites in red algae and shed light on their complex evolution among marine species.
Review
Agronomy
Mohsin Niaz, Bingyang Zhang, Yixiao Zhang, Xiangning Yan, Minjie Yuan, YongZhen Cheng, Guoguo Lv, Tarig Fadlalla, Lei Zhao, Congwei Sun, Feng Chen
Summary: Improving carotenoid content is crucial for cereal grains, as carotenoids play a vital role in photosynthesis and photoprotection for higher plants, and also serve as precursors for vitamin A synthesis, contributing to human nutrition and health. Studies on genes related to carotenoid metabolism in cereals can enhance the understanding of potential metabolic steps of carotenoids and improve crop quality.
THEORETICAL AND APPLIED GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yanchen Zhang, Penggang Bai, Yibin Zhuang, Tao Liu
Summary: This study reports the discovery of two methyltransferases in Cnidium monnieri involved in the biosynthesis of O-methyl coumarins, which catalyze multistep methylations in the process.
JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ziping Chen, Shijia Lin, Tingting Chen, Mengxue Han, Tianyuan Yang, Yan Wang, Shilai Bao, Zhougao Shen, Xiaochun Wan, Zhaoliang Zhang
Summary: Theanine content in tea is closely related to its sensory quality and health benefits. Etiolated and albino tea plants have higher levels of theanine than normal green tea plants, but the reason for this accumulation is not well understood. This study found that the expression of CsHO1, a gene involved in the production of glutamine (an analog of theanine), is lower in etiolated and albino tea plants, suggesting that CsHO1 negatively regulates theanine accumulation in tea plants.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Hongli Cui, Chunchao Zhao, Wenxin Xu, Hongjiang Zhang, Wei Hang, Xiaoli Zhu, Chunli Ji, Jinai Xue, Chunhui Zhang, Runzhi Li
Summary: The study identified HpDGAT2A, HpDGAT2D, and HpDGAT2E genes in Haematococcus lacustris that showed significant increases in expression levels under high light and nitrogen deficient conditions, leading to substantial TAG and EAST accumulation. These genes were able to restore TAG synthesis in yeast cells and exhibited preferences for monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chen Ma, Song Qin, Hongli Cui, Zhengyi Liu, Longchuan Zhuang, Yong Wang, Zhihai Zhong
Summary: The study revealed that under high temperature conditions, G. blodgettii and G. lemaneiformis exhibited different growth and biochemical responses to nitrogen source concentrations. Higher nitrogen concentrations improved their growth rates and photosynthetic characteristics.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yulin Cui, Kang Wang, Wenxin Xu, Yinchu Wang, Zhengquan Gao, Hongli Cui, Chunxiao Meng, Song Qin
Summary: This study established a plastid transformation system for expressing recombinant proteins in Nannochloropsis gaditana, with two antimicrobial peptides successfully co-expressed, showing potential for biotechnological applications such as the development of oral vaccines in aquaculture.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Horticulture
Xianyan Zhan, Hongli Cui, Xiajie Ji, Jinai Xue, Xiaoyu Jia, Runzhi Li
Summary: This study identified MZA and PP2A as stable reference genes for different developmental seeds, EF1a as the optimal reference gene for different okra tissues, and RAN as the highest-ranked reference gene for seed samples of different okra genotypes. Conversely, TUBa was not suitable as a reference gene in all experimental conditions. The findings provide valuable data for further research on the molecular mechanism of lipid biosynthesis and the selection of reliable reference genes for gene expression studies in okra.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bowei Jia, Yan Wang, Dajian Zhang, Wanhong Li, Hongli Cui, Jun Jin, Xiaoxi Cai, Yang Shen, Shengyang Wu, Yongxia Guo, Mingzhe Sun, Xiaoli Sun
Summary: In this study, 16 GmCHYR genes with conserved Zinc_ribbon, CHY zinc finger and Ring finger domains were identified and divided into three groups. Additional 2-3 hemerythrin domains were found in the N terminus of Group III. Gene expression analysis revealed unique expression patterns in different soybean tissues/organs and under various abiotic stresses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Horticulture
Xianyan Zhang, Xiaopeng Mu, Hongli Cui, Yan Sun, Jinai Xue, Xiaoyun Jia, Runzhi Li
Summary: This study analyzed storage oil profiles and transcriptome of okra seeds at different developmental stages, revealing a complex regulating network for lipid metabolism. The reliability of RNA-sequencing data was confirmed through quantitative real-time PCR, providing valuable insights for further investigation of molecular mechanisms responsible for unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and oil accumulation in plant seeds.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chen Ma, Hongli Cui, Chenggang Ren, Jianchao Yang, Zhengyi Liu, Tao Tang, Chunli Ji, Chunhui Zhang, Jinai Xue, Runzhi Li
Summary: Soil salinization and alkalization severely limit agricultural production, but using biofertilizer can mitigate their impact and enhance agricultural sustainability. This study investigated the effects of living green microalgae on crop growth under saline-alkali stress and found that algal biofertilizer promotes germination and plant growth of crops under these conditions.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Chen Ma, Wanlin Song, Jianchao Yang, Chenggang Ren, Hong Du, Tao Tang, Song Qin, Zhengyi Liu, Hongli Cui
Summary: This article introduces the application of macroalgae in agriculture to improve nutrient utilization efficiency and soil improvement. The extracts of macroalgae have positive effects on soil amendment and nutrient uptake by plants. Macroalgae can serve as an economic and efficient alternative to conventional fertilizers.
PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chen Ma, Chun-Yan Lei, Xiao-Li Zhu, Cheng-Gang Ren, Ning Liu, Zheng-Yi Liu, Hong Du, Tao Tang, Run-Zhi Li, Hong-Li Cui
Summary: This study selected a saline-alkali tolerant algae and applied it to saline-alkali land, and the results showed that it had significant effects on land amendment and quinoa production.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tao Luo, Yanan Song, Huiling Gao, Meng Wang, Hongli Cui, Chunli Ji, Jiping Wang, Lixia Yuan, Runzhi Li
Summary: By genome-wide identification and analysis of Dof proteins in C. sativa, several Dof proteins potentially involved in lipid metabolism and stress responses were discovered, providing a foundation for understanding their functions and genetic improvements of oil yield and salt stress tolerance in C. sativa.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chunli Ji, Hui Wang, Hongli Cui, Chunhui Zhang, Runzhi Li, Tianzhong Liu
Summary: Biofilm cultivation is a promising method for achieving higher microalgae biomass productivity. This study investigated the selection of substratum material for the attachment of two microalgae species. It was found that hydrophilic membranous substrata and specific types of fabric fiber substrata were preferred by the microalgae, resulting in high biomass yields. Optimal growth conditions were also identified for both species using a regrowth strategy. The findings highlight the importance of selecting suitable substratum materials for efficient and sustainable microalgal biomass production.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qian Yu, Manshuang Yin, Yanrui Chen, Shiqi Liu, Shuo Wang, Yuying Li, Hongli Cui, Daoyong Yu, Baosheng Ge, Fang Huang
Summary: A co-cultured microalgae/bacteria system, Chlorella vulgaris and Pseudomonas sp., was developed for simultaneous sequestration of CO2 and removal of nitrogen oxides from flue gas, as well as producing valuable microalgae biomass.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Meng Wang, Wenxin Xu, Jie Yu, Yingying Liu, Haotian Ma, Chunli Ji, Chunhui Zhang, Jinai Xue, Runzhi Li, Hongli Cui
Summary: The present study found that supplementation of astaxanthin (ATX) dose-dependently reduced body weight, hepatic oxidative stress, and improved hepatic steatosis in diet-induced obese mice. Furthermore, ATX modulated gut microbiota composition and alleviated gut microbiota dysbiosis caused by a high-fat diet.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yan Sun, Baoling Liu, Jinai Xue, Xiaodan Wang, Hongli Cui, Runzhi Li, Xiaoyun Jia
Summary: The study utilized transcriptome analysis and fatty acid profiling from Vernonia galamensis seeds to uncover key metabolic pathways responsible for high EFA accumulation, which could be used in biotechnological production of high-value oils. Through transcriptome data analysis, a set of genes involved in EFA production in V. galamensis seeds were identified.
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meng Wang, Haotian Ma, Siyu Guan, Tao Luo, Chunchao Zhao, Guiping Cai, Yubin Zheng, Xiaoyun Jia, Jianbing Di, Runzhi Li, Hongli Cui
Summary: The study evaluated the effects of astaxanthin (AST) on high-fat diet-fed mice, demonstrating that AST supplementation can reduce body weight, modulate serum lipid levels, adjust liver function, and improve gut microbiota dysbiosis. These findings reveal a new function of AST in regulating lipid metabolism, providing a theoretical basis for the development of high-quality AST functional food.