Transcriptome and microRNA Sequencing Identified miRNAs and Target Genes in Different Developmental Stages of the Vascular Cambium in Cryptomeria fortunei Hooibrenk

Differential microRNA and Target Gene Expression in Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) Needles in Response to Methyl Jasmonate Treatment

Background/objectives: Methyl jasmonate is a plant signaling molecule involved in a wide range of functions, including stress responses. This study investigates the relative differential expression of microRNAs and their target genes in response to methyl jasmonate treatment of Scots pine needles. Methods: A combined strategy of high-throughput sequencing and in silico prediction of potential target genes was implemented. Results: a total of 58 differentially expressed (DE) microRNAs (miRNAs) (43 up-regulated and 15 down-regulated), belonging to 29 miRNA families, were identified. The 41 DE miRNAs from 17 families were conifer-specific miRNA families-miR946, miR947, miR950, miR1312, miR1313, miR1314, miR3693, miR3107, miR11452, miR11466, miR11487, miR11490, miR11504, miR11511, miR11532, miR11544, and miR11551. The other DE miRNAs (miR159, miR164, miR169, miR396, miR397, miR398, miR408, miR535) were conserved miRNAs, which are also found in angiosperm species. Transcriptome analysis identified 389 gene transcripts with 562 miRNA-target sites targeted by 57 of the 58 DE miRNAs. Of these, 250 target genes with 138 different GO annotations were found for the 41 DE conifer-specific conserved miRNAs. Conclusions: The 26 DE miRNAs from 14 DE miRNA families, of which almost all (12 families, 24 miRNAs) are conifer specific, and were associated with 68 disease resistance and TMV resistance proteins, TIR-NBS-LRR, LRR receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase, putative CC-NBS-LRR protein, and putative NBS-LRR protein target transcripts with 29 target gene GO term descriptions. Some of the genes targeted by conifer-specific miRNAs have been previously reported to be targeted by other miRNAs in angiosperms, indicating that the miRNA-target gene regulation system can vary between species.

Modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction alleviates diabetic liver injury via inhibiting oxidative stress in db/db mice

OBJECTIVES

In diabetes, chronic hyperglycemia increases the overactivation of oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondria in the liver, resulting in oxidative stress (OS) damage. The Nrf2 signaling pathway plays a key role in preventing hepatic oxidative injury and inflammation. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction (mBYHWD) on diabetic liver injury (DLI) by regulating oxidative stress mediated by Nrf2 signaling pathway.

METHODS

The experiment was divided into three groups: a control group (db/m mice, Con), a diabetes model group (db/db mice, Mod), and a traditional Chinese medicine group (db/m mice, mBYHWD). Post-treatment, serum from each group was analyzed to assess changes of blood glucose, blood lipid, and liver function. These results were combined with data mining to explore the possible pathogenesis of DLI. Liver tissues were collected to observe the pathological morphology and detect related proteins.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that mBYHWD significantly reduced blood lipids and improved liver function following diabetic liver injury. The histopathological results demonstrated that mBYHWD could significantly ameliorate damage of diabetic hepatocytes. Protein analysis revealed that mBYHWD treatment significantly increased the expression of antioxidant proteins in diabetic liver tissue and inhibited inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

The therapeutic mechanism of mBYHWD on DLI may involve activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway to improve oxidative stress, inhibit inflammation, and reduce liver tissue fibrosis.

Exploring the Seasonal Dynamics and Molecular Mechanism of Wood Formation in Gymnosperm Trees

Forests, comprising 31% of the Earth's surface, play pivotal roles in regulating the carbon, water, and energy cycles. Despite being far less diverse than angiosperms, gymnosperms account for over 50% of the global woody biomass production. To sustain growth and development, gymnosperms have evolved the capacity to sense and respond to cyclical environmental signals, such as changes in photoperiod and seasonal temperature, which initiate growth (spring and summer) and dormancy (fall and winter). Cambium, the lateral meristem responsible for wood formation, is reactivated through a complex interplay among hormonal, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Temperature signals perceived in early spring induce the synthesis of several phytohormones, including auxins, cytokinins, and gibberellins, which in turn reactivate cambium cells. Additionally, microRNA-mediated genetic and epigenetic pathways modulate cambial function. As a result, the cambium becomes active during the summer, resulting in active secondary xylem (i.e., wood) production, and starts to become inactive in autumn. This review summarizes and discusses recent findings regarding the climatic, hormonal, genetic, and epigenetic regulation of wood formation in gymnosperm trees (i.e., conifers) in response to seasonal changes.

Regulatory roles of miRNAs associated with the aging pathway in tree vegetative phase changes

The transition from the vegetative juvenile phase to the adult phase is a crucial event in the life cycle of flowering plants, with flowering being the most important milestone. While the regulatory pathways of flowering have been well established in model plants such as Arabidopsis and a few crops, the flowering regulation pathways in perennial forest trees remain poorly understood. This paper summarizes the regulation of flowering time by miR156 and miR172, which are the main members of the aging pathway, and also presents new information on the role of miR159 and miR169. These two microRNAs interact with miR156 and miR172 to jointly regulate flowering time in forest trees. Overall, this review sheds light on the complex regulatory mechanisms underlying flowering time in forest trees and provides insights into potential targets for manipulating the flowering time of these economically and ecologically important species.