Isolation and characterization of twelve polymorphic microsatellite markers in the endangered Hopea hainanensis (Dipterocarpaceae)

From sequences to sustainability: Exploring dipterocarp genomes for oleoresin production, timber quality, and conservation

Dipterocarp species dominate tropical forest ecosystems and provide key ecological and economic value through their use of aromatic resins, medicinal chemicals, and high-quality timber. However, habitat loss and unsustainable logging have endangered many Dipterocarpaceae species. Genomic strategies provide new opportunities for both elucidating the molecular pathways underlying these desirable traits and informing conservation efforts for at-risk taxa. This review summarizes the progress in dipterocarp genomics analysis and applications. We describe 16 recently published Dipterocarpaceae genome sequences, representing crucial genetic blueprints. Phylogenetic comparisons delineate evolutionary relationships among species and provide frameworks for pinpointing functional changes underlying specialized metabolism and wood development patterns. We also discuss connections revealed thus far between specific gene families and both oleoresin biosynthesis and wood quality traits-including the identification of key terpenoid synthases and cellulose synthases likely governing pathway flux. Moreover, the characterization of adaptive genomic markers offers vital resources for supporting conservation practices prioritizing resilient genotypes displaying valuable oleoresin and timber traits. Overall, progress in dipterocarp functional and comparative genomics provides key tools for addressing the intertwined challenges of preserving biodiversity in endangered tropical forest ecosystems while sustainably deriving aromatic chemicals and quality lumber that support diverse human activities.

Simple Sequence Repeat Fingerprint Identification of Essential-Oil-Bearing Rosa rugosa via High-Resolution Melting (HRM) Analysis

Oil-bearing Rosa rugosa are popular in the essential oil and perfume markets. The similar botanical characteristics between high-oil-yield or low-oil-yield cultivars are confusing and it is hard for farmers or breeders to identify the high-oil-yield cultivar by phenotype difference. High-resolution melting (HRM) analysis of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) can construct accurate DNA fingerprints quickly, which was shown to be effective for identification of closely related cultivars of R. rugosa. Optimization of HRM-SSR indicated that the 10 µL HRM reaction mixture containing 20 ng of genomic DNA of R. rugosa and 0.75 µL of 10 µmol/L of each primer with an annealing temperature of 64 °C was a robust SSR genotyping protocol. Using this protocol, 9 polymorphic SSR markers with 3-9 genotypes among the 19 R. rugosa cultivars were identified. The top three polymorphic makers SSR9, SSR12 and SSR19 constructed a fingerprint of all cultivars, and the rare insertion in the flanking sequences of the repeat motif of SSR19 generated three characteristic genotypes of three high-oil-yield cultivars. These results may be economical and practical for the identification of high-oil-yield R. rugosa and be helpful for the selection and breeding of oil-bearing roses.

Genetic diversity assessment of Hopea hainanensis in Hainan Island

Hopea hainanensis (Dipterocarpaceae) is an endangered tree species restricted to Hainan Island, China, and a small part of Northern Vietnam. On Hainan Island, it is an important indicator species for tropical forests. The wood of Hopea hainanensis has a very high utilization value in nature since it is compact in structure, hard in texture, not easily deformed after drying, durable, and resistant to sunlight and water. As a result of its high quality, it has been felled and mined by humans without restraint, resulting in a reduction of its population size, severe habitat fragmentation, and a sharp decline in its population. Therefore, its conservation biology needs to be researched urgently. Researchers are currently focusing on the ecological factors and seed germination in the habitat of Hopea hainanensis to determine its endangered status. In the literature, there are no systematic analyses of the endangered mechanism of Hopea hainanensis in terms of genetic diversity. It focuses especially on the systematic genetic diversity of Hopea hainanensis in fragmented habitats. Using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) technology, 42 samples from seven different cohabitation groups were genotyped. The results showed that the average heterozygosity of the six populations of Hopea hainanensis was 19.77%, which indicated that the genetic diversity of Hopea hainanensis was low. Genetic diversity research is essential for rare and endangered plant protection research. We can find a scientific basis for protecting endangered plants on slope bases by analyzing genetic differences and relationships among populations.

Analyses of community stability and inter-specific associations between a plant species with extremely small populations (Hopea hainanensis) and its associated species

Hopea hainanensis is a large evergreen tree belonging to the family Dipterocarpaceae. It is currently listed as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. It is found primarily on China’s Hainan Island and northern Vietnam. To protect the plant species with extremely small populations Hopea hainanensis and understand its community stability and the inter-specific associations between Hopea hainanensis and other occurring species, we set up 16 quadrats in the areas where wild Hopea hainanensis populations occurred on Hainan Island to investigate the composition of plant species in the quadrats. We used the M. Godron Community stability index to quantify community stability. Based on the two × two contingency tables, the statistic X2, association coefficient (AC), and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC), percentage co-occurrence (PC), and OI index (OI) analyze the degree of association between Hopea hainanensis and the dominant species in each layer. The results showed that the relationship between Hopea hainanensis and the dominant species in the community was not significant. In addition, there were both positive and negative associations between Hopea hainanensis and other examined six tree species, positive associations with 13 shrub species, positive associations with two herbs, and negative associations with species of 7 species. The connection between Hopea hainanensis and herbs is more complex than that between trees, shrubs, and the dominant species. M. Godron’s stability analysis showed that the community where Hopea hainanensis occurred is relatively unstable (36.84/63.16). The ecology is somewhat fragile, indicating that the community is still at the early or middle stage of competing with other species for resource utilization. The stability of community structure and function is a suitable environment for Hopea hainanensis and finally achieve the purpose of adequate protection, we should choose species with strong positive associations for protecting and recovering Hopea hainanensis.

Effects of ilaprazole on the steady-state pharmacodynamics of clopidogrel in healthy volunteers: An open-label randomized crossover study

Background: Previous studies have suggested that proton pump inhibitors could impair the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel. It is uncertain whether ilaprazole affects the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel. This study aimed to determine the drug-drug interaction between ilaprazole and clopidogrel.

Methods: A randomized crossover trial of 40 healthy subjects was performed. Clopidogrel was administered alone or in combination with ilaprazole for 7 days. The maximal platelet aggregation (MPA) to 5 μmol/L adenosine diphosphate was measured by light transmission aggregometry and the platelet reactivity index (PRI) was determined by vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein P2Y₁₂ assay. High on-treatment platelet reactivity (HOPR) was defined as a MPA of >40%. The inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA) and PRI in the two phases were compared between two regimens after the last dosing.

Results: IPA was comparable between the two regimens at 0, 10 and 24 h (p > 0.05), but higher at 4 h in the clopidogrel alone regimen compared with that in the combined treatment regimen (75.66 ± 18.44% vs. 70.18 ± 17.67%, p = 0.031). The inhibition of PRI was comparable between the two regimens at 0 and 24 h. There were no significant differences in the area under the time-IPA% curve (AUC) or the incidence of HOPR at all time-points between the two regimens.

Conclusion: In healthy subjects, ilaprazole has limited effect on the pharmacodynamics of clopidogrel and it may not be clinically relevant.

Clinical Trial Registration: [www.chictr.org.cn], identifier [ChiCTR2000031482].