Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes and Pathways Involved in Growth and Development of Mesona chinensis Benth Under Red- and Blue-Light Conditions

Remodeling of intestinal bacterial community and metabolome of Dezhou donkey induced by corn silage

Corn silage can usually improve the growth performance and the meat quality of ruminants, and subsequently increase the economic benefits of farming. However, little is known about the effects of corn silage on donkeys. This experiment investigated the effects of corn silage on the weight gain, gut microbiota and metabolites of Dezhou donkeys. A total of 24 Dezhou donkeys, sourced from the same farm and exhibiting similar age and average body weight, were utilized in this experiment. The donkeys were allocated into two groups: a control group receiving a basic diet and a test group receiving a basic diet supplemented with 30% corn silage. Each group comprised 12 donkeys, evenly distributed by sex (6 males and 6 females). The experiment lasted for 100 days. Results showed that dietary supplementation with corn silage significantly (P < 0.05) improved the weight gain of Dezhou donkeys at the end of the experiment. And the supplementation of corn silage in the diet significantly altered the bacterial community composition and metabolome in the feces of the donkeys. Notably, the relative abundance ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes was 0.76 in the control group compared to 0.96 in the test group. Furthermore, members of the Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes phyla were associated with differentiated metabolites enriched in the arachidonic acid metabolism and pentose and glucuronate interconversion pathways, both of which have been reported to be related to animal growth. Specifically, Bacteroidia exhibited statistically (P < 0.05) positive correlations with 15S-HpETE, while Bacilli demonstrated statistically (P < 0.05) negative correlations with D-Xylulose. The findings of this study can advance our mechanistic understanding of the remodeling of intestinal microbiota and metabolome induced by corn silage, as well as their relationships with the growth performance of Dezhou donkeys, which in turn favor the improvement in nutrition of Dezhou donkeys.

Widely targeted metabolomics reveals the phytoconstituent changes in Platostoma palustre leaves and stems at different growth stages

Platostoma palustre (Blume) A. J. Paton is an important edible and medicinal plant. To gain a comprehensive and clear understanding of the variation patterns of metabolites in P. palustre, we employed the UPLC-MS platform along with widely targeted metabolomics techniques to analyze the metabolites in the stems and leaves of P. palustre at different stages. Our results revealed a total of 1228 detected metabolites, including 241 phenolic acids, 203 flavonoids, 152 lipids, 128 terpenes, 106 amino acids, 79 organic acids, 74 saccharides, 66 alkaloids, 44 lignans, etc. As the growth time increased, the differential metabolites (DAMs) mainly enriched in P. palustre leaves were terpenoids, phenolic acids, and lipids, while the DAMs primarily enriched in stems were terpenoids. Compared to stems, there were more differential flavonoids in leaves, and saccharides and flavonoids were significantly enriched in leaves during the S1 and S2 stages. Additionally, we identified 13, 10, and 23 potential markers in leaf, stem, and leaf vs. stem comparison groups. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that arginine biosynthesis was the common differential metabolic pathway in different growth stages and tissues. Overall, this study comprehensively analyzed the metabolic profile information of P. palustre, serving as a solid foundation for its further development and utilization.

Preparation technologies, structural features, and biological activities of polysaccharides from Mesona chinensis Benth.: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mesona chinensis Benth. (or Platostoma palustre (Blume) A. J. Paton) is an important medicinal and edible plant also known as the Hsian-tsao in China and Southeast Asian countries. It is cold in nature and sweet in taste, with the effects of clearing heat, relieving heatstroke and diuretic, and traditionally used to treat heatstroke, erysipelas, hypertension, joint pain and other diseases in folk medicine. It is also a popular supplement with the function of detoxifying and heat-clearing use in Asia. It is used to be processed into the popular tea, Bean jelly, and so on. Published studies have demonstrated that polysaccharides from M. chinensis (MCPs) are one of the principal bioactive ingredients with a variety of health-promoting effects in the prevention and treatment of diseases, including antioxidant, immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, regulation of gut microbiota, and other pharmacological properties.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to compile the extraction and purification methods, structural characteristics, pharmacological activities including the mechanism of action of MCPs, and to further understand the applications of M. chinensis in order to lay the foundation for the development of MCPs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

By inputting the search term "Mesona chinensis polysaccharides", relevant research information was obtained from databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI).

RESULTS

More than 40 polysaccharides have been extracted from M. chinensis, different extraction and purification methods have been described, as well as the structural features and pharmacological activities of MCPs have been systematically reviewed. Polysaccharides, as important components of M. chinensis, were mainly extracted by methods such as hot water dipping method, hot alkali extraction method, enzyme-assisted extraction method and ultrasonic-assisted extraction method, subsequently obtained by decolorization, deproteinization, removal of other small molecules and separation on various chromatographic columns. The chemical composition and structure of MCPs show diversity and have a variety of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, regulation of gut microbiota, and so on.

CONCLUSIONS

This article systematically reviews the research progress of MCPs in terms of extraction and purification, structural characteristics, rheological gel properties, pharmacological properties, and safety assessment. The potentials and roles of M. chinensis in the field of medicine, functional food, and materials are further highlighted to provide references and bases for the high-value processing and utilization of MCPs.

Effects of different colors of plastic-film mulching on soil temperature, yield, and metabolites in Platostoma palustre

Platostoma palustre is an annual herb and an important medicinal and edible plant in southern China. Plastic-film mulching is an effective agronomic practice in the cultivation system of P. palustre, of which black-film mulching is the most common. However, fewer researches have been focused on the use of other colors of plastic films in P. palustre cultivation. In this study, different colors (white, black, red, and green) of plastic film were adopted, and the effects of different colors of plastic film mulching on the soil temperature, yield, and metabolites of P. palustre were investigated. The results showed that the fresh weight of a single plant of the green film treatment was significantly higher than that of the white film treatment (n = top 28). Based on the results of three temperature measurements, the soil temperature was almost the highest in the red film treatment and lowest in the white film treatment. The metabolomic analysis revealed that a total of 103 differential metabolites were identified. Among these, the gluconic acid, deoxyribose, and N-Acetylmannosamine in the red film treatment presented the highest abundance compared with the other treatments, meanwhile, the abundances of the five monosaccharides in the red film treatment were significantly higher than those of the green film treatment. Moreover, the sucrose, trehalose, and D-(+)-trehalose in the green film treatment exhibited the highest abundance, and the abundances of eight different amino acids in the red film treatment were almost the lowest while those in the black film treatment were almost the highest. Further analysis of the membership function values indicated that the black and red film treatments might be more suitable for the cultivation and quality production of P. palustre in comparison with the other two treatments. This study will provide a theoretical basis for improving the efficient cultivation technology of P. palustre and forming a theoretical system of P. palustre film mulching cultivation.

Integrated Analysis of Morphological, Physiological, Anatomical and Molecular Responses of Cassava Seedlings to Different Light Qualities

Light quality is highly important for growth control of in vitro plant cultures. Here, we investigated the effect of blue light (BL), red light (RL) and combined red and blue light (RBL) on in vitro cassava growth. Our results indicate that RL facilitated radial elongation of cassava and increased stomatal conductance as well as glucose, sucrose, fructose and starch content in leaves and cellulose content in the stem. It also enhanced SOD and POD activities but decreased the stomatal density and chlorophyll and carotenoid content in leaves. In addition, RL leads to shorter palisade cells, denser chloroplasts and more starch granules. These phenotypic changes were inverted following BL treatment. The expression levels of photosynthesis-related genes MeLHCA1, MeLHCA3, MePSB27-2, MePSBY, MePETE1 and MePNSL2 in leaves were at their lowest following RL treatment, while the expression levels of MePSB27-2, MePSBY, MePETE1 and MePNSL2 were at their highest after BL treatment. The phenotypic changes after RBL treatment were between the values observed for the RL and BL treatments alone. Moreover, the responses of SC8 and SC9 cassava varieties to light quality were largely conserved. As such, we believe that the results of this study lay the foundation for controlling the in vitro growth of cassava seedlings by light quality.

Integrating LC-MS and HS-GC-MS for the metabolite characterization of the Chinese medicinal plant Platostoma palustre under different processing methods

Platostoma palustre (or Mesona chinensis Benth) is an important medicinal and edible plant in China and Southeast Asian countries. To study the effects of different processing methods on the quality, nutrition, and flavor of P. palustre, we adopted the LC-MS and HS-GC-MS to compare the influences of tedding (S), sweating (M), and drying (H) on the metabolites and volatile substances of P. palustre. Biochemical determinations revealed that the M treatment could promote the accumulation of the contents of total sugar, soluble sugar, and total pectin compared with the H and S treatments but decrease the total flavonoid contents. LC-MS and HS-GC-MS uncovered 98 differential metabolites and 27 differential volatile substances among the three treatments, respectively. Overall, the M treatment facilitated the stabilization and improvement of the quality of polysaccharides and volatile substances, while the H treatment could promote the level of amino acids in P. palustre. The current study provided a theoretical reference for establishing standardized processing methods and sustaining the quality stability of P. palustre in future.

Spectral light quality regulates the morphogenesis, architecture, and flowering in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Transparent plastic films with poor light transmittance seriously affect the mass composition of visible light in many greenhouses, which leads to the reduction of photosynthesis in vegetable crops. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of monochromatic light in the vegetative and reproductive growth of vegetable crops is of great importance for the application of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in the greenhouse. In this study, three monochromatic light treatments (red-, green- and blue-light) were simulated by using LEDs to explore light quality-dependent regulation from the stage of seedling to flowering in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). The results showed that light quality-dependent regulation guides the growth and morphogenesis in pepper plants. Red- and blue-light played opposite roles in determining the plant height, stomatal density, axillary bud growth, photosynthetic characteristics, flowering time and hormone metabolism, while green light treatment resulted in taller plants and fewer branches, which was similar to the red-light treatment. The weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) based on mRNA-seq results revealed that the two modules named "MEred" and "MEmidnightblue" were positively correlated with red- and blue-light treatment, respectively, exhibiting high correlations with the traits such as plant hormone content, branching and flowering. Moreover, our results suggest that the light response factor ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5) is essential for blue light-induced plant growth and development by regulating photosynthesis in pepper plants. Hence, this study uncovers crucial molecular mechanisms of how light quality determines the morphogenesis, architecture, and flowering in pepper plants, thus providing a basic concept of manipulating light quality to regulate pepper plant growth and flowering under greenhouse conditions.

Light Intensity- and Spectrum-Dependent Redox Regulation of Plant Metabolism

Both light intensity and spectrum (280–800 nm) affect photosynthesis and, consequently, the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during photosynthetic electron transport. ROS, together with antioxidants, determine the redox environment in tissues and cells, which in turn has a major role in the adjustment of metabolism to changes in environmental conditions. This process is very important since there are great spatial (latitude, altitude) and temporal (daily, seasonal) changes in light conditions which are accompanied by fluctuations in temperature, water supply, and biotic stresses. The blue and red spectral regimens are decisive in the regulation of metabolism because of the absorption maximums of chlorophylls and the sensitivity of photoreceptors. Based on recent publications, photoreceptor-controlled transcription factors such as ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL5 (HY5) and changes in the cellular redox environment may have a major role in the coordinated fine-tuning of metabolic processes during changes in light conditions. This review gives an overview of the current knowledge of the light-associated redox control of basic metabolic pathways (carbon, nitrogen, amino acid, sulphur, lipid, and nucleic acid metabolism), secondary metabolism (terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids), and related molecular mechanisms. Light condition-related reprogramming of metabolism is the basis for proper growth and development of plants; therefore, its better understanding can contribute to more efficient crop production in the future.

Physio-Morphological, Biochemical and Transcriptomic Analyses Provide Insights Into Drought Stress Responses in Mesona chinensis Benth

Drought stress affects the normal growth and development of Mesona chinensis Benth (MCB), which is an important medicinal and edible plant in China. To investigate the physiological and molecular mechanisms of drought resistance in MCB, different concentrations of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG6000) (0, 5, 10, and 15%) were used to simulate drought conditions in this study. Results showed that the growth of MCB was significantly limited under drought stress conditions. Drought stress induced the increases in the contents of Chla, Chlb, Chla + b, soluble protein, soluble sugar, and soluble pectin and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Transcriptome analysis revealed 3,494 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (1,961 up-regulated and 1,533 down-regulated) between the control and 15% PEG6000 treatments. These DEGs were identified to be involved in the 10 metabolic pathways, including "plant hormone signal transduction," "brassinosteroid biosynthesis," "plant-pathogen interaction," "MAPK signaling pathway-plant," "starch and sucrose metabolism," "pentose and glucuronate interconversions," "phenylpropanoid biosynthesis," "galactose metabolism," "monoterpenoid biosynthesis," and "ribosome." In addition, transcription factors (TFs) analysis showed 8 out of 204 TFs, TRINITY_DN3232_c0_g1 [ABA-responsive element (ABRE)-binding transcription factor1, AREB1], TRINITY_DN4161_c0_g1 (auxin response factor, ARF), TRINITY_DN3183_c0_g2 (abscisic acid-insensitive 5-like protein, ABI5), TRINITY_DN28414_c0_g2 (ethylene-responsive transcription factor ERF1b, ERF1b), TRINITY_DN9557_c0_g1 (phytochrome-interacting factor, PIF3), TRINITY_DN11435_c1_g1, TRINITY_DN2608_c0_g1, and TRINITY_DN6742_c0_g1, were closely related to the "plant hormone signal transduction" pathway. Taken together, it was inferred that these pathways and TFs might play important roles in response to drought stress in MCB. The current study provided important information for MCB drought resistance breeding in the future.