Host-virus coevolution drives soil microbial function succession along a millennium land reclamation chronosequence.

INTRODUCTION: Gene exchange between viruses and hosts plays an important role in driving virus-host coevolution, enabling adaptation of both viruses and hosts to environmental changes. However, the mechanisms and functional significance of virus-host gene exchanges over long-term scales remain largely unexplored. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to gain insights into the role of viruses in virus-host interactions and coevolution by monitoring virome dynamics along a millennium-long land reclamation chronosequence. METHODS: We collected 24 soil samples from 8 stages of a millennium-long land reclamation chronosequence, including non-reclamation, and reclamation periods of 10, 50, 100, 300, 500, 700, and 1000 years. We characterized their metagenomes, and identified DNA viruses within these metagenomes. RESULTS: Our findings reveal a significant shift in viral community composition after 50 years of land reclamation, but soil viral diversity reached a stable phase approximately 300 years after the initial reclamation. Analysis of the virus-host network showed a scale-free degree distribution and a reduction in complexity over time, with generalist viruses emerging as key facilitators of horizontal gene transfer. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the integral role of viruses, especially generalist types, in mediating gene exchanges between viruses and hosts, thereby influencing the coevolutionary dynamics in soil ecosystems over significant timescales. This study offers novel insights into long-term virus-host interactions, showing how the virome responds to environmental changes, driving shifts in various microbial functions in reclaimed land.

Bioactivation and reactivity research advances-2023 year in review.

Advances in the field of bioactivation have significantly contributed to our understanding and prediction of drug-induced liver injury (DILI). It has been established that many adverse drug reactions, including DILI, are associated with the formation and reactivity of metabolites. Modern methods allow us to detect and characterize these reactive metabolites in earlier stages of drug development, which helps anticipate and circumvent the potential for DILI. Improved in silico models and experimental techniques that better reflect in vivo environments are enhancing predictive capabilities for DILI risk. Further, studies on the mechanisms of bioactivation, including enzyme interactions and the role of individual genetic differences, have provided valuable insights for drug optimizations. Cumulatively, this progress is continually refining our approaches to drug safety evaluation and personalized medicine.Shuai Wang and Cyrus Khojasteh, on behalf of the authors.

Identification of diagnostic signature and immune infiltration for ischemic cardiomyopathy based on cuproptosis-related genes through bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic cardiomyopathy (IC) is primarily due to long-term ischemia/hypoxia of the coronary arteries, leading to impaired cardiac contractile or diastolic function. A new form of cell death induced by copper, called "cuproptosis" is related to the development and progression of multiple diseases. The cuproptosis-related gene (CuGs) plays an important role in acute myocardial infarction, while the specific mechanisms of CuGs in ischemic cardiomyopathy remain unclear. METHODS: The expressions of CuGs and their immune characteristics were analyzed with the IC datasets obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus, namely GSE5406 and GSE57338, identifying core genes associated with IC development. By comparing RF, SVM, GLM and XGB models, the optimal machine learning model was selected. The expression of marker genes was validated based on the GSE57345, GSE48166 and GSE42955 datasets. Construct a CeRNA network based on core genes. Therapeutic chemiacals targeting core genes were acquired using the CTD database, and molecular docking was performed using Autodock vina software. By ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, an IC mouse model is established, and core genes were experimentally validated using Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods. RESULTS: We identified 14 CuGs closely associated with the onset of IC. The SVM model exhibited superior discriminative power (AUC = 0.914), with core genes being DLST, ATP7B, FDX1, SLC31A1 and DLAT. Core genes were validated on the GSE42955, GSE48166 and GSE57345 datasets, showing excellent performance (AUC = 0.943, AUC = 0.800, and AUC = 0.932). The CeRNA network consists of 218 nodes and 264 lines, including 5 core diagnostic genes, 52 miRNAs, and 161 lncRNAs. Chemicals predictions indicated 8 chemicals have therapeutic effects on the core diagnostic genes, with benzo(a)pyrene molecular docking showing the highest affinity (-11.3 kcal/mol). Compared to the normal group, the IC group,which was established by LAD ligation, showed a significant decrease in LVEF as indicated by cardiac ultrasound, and increased fibrosis as shown by MASSON staining, WB results suggest increased expression of DLST and ATP7B, and decreased expression of FDX1, SLC31A1 and DLAT in the myocardial ischemic area (p < 0.05), which was also confirmed by IHC in tissue sections. CONCLUSION: In summary, this study comprehensively revealed that DLST, ATP7B, FDX1, SLC31A1 and DLAT could be identified as potential immunological biomarkers in IC, and validated through an IC mouse model, providing valuable insights for future research into the mechanisms of CuGs and its diagnostic value to IC.

Spatial proximity and gene function: a new dimension in prokaryotic gene association network analysis with 3D-GeneNet.

Understanding the biological functions and processes of genes, particularly those not yet characterized, is crucial for advancing molecular biology and identifying therapeutic targets. The hypothesis guiding this study is that the 3D proximity of genes correlates with their functional interactions and relevance in prokaryotes. We introduced 3D-GeneNet, an innovative software tool that utilizes high-throughput sequencing data from chromosome conformation capture techniques and integrates topological metrics to construct gene association networks. Through a series of comparative analyses focused on spatial versus linear distances, we explored various dimensions such as topological structure, functional enrichment levels, distribution patterns of linear distances among gene pairs, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve by utilizing model organism Escherichia coli K-12. Furthermore, 3D-GeneNet was shown to maintain good accuracy compared to multiple algorithms (neighbourhood, co-occurrence, coexpression, and fusion) across multiple bacteria, including E. coli, Brucella abortus, and Vibrio cholerae. In addition, the accuracy of 3D-GeneNet's prediction of long-distance gene interactions was identified by bacterial two-hybrid assays on E. coli K-12 MG1655, where 3D-GeneNet not only increased the accuracy of linear genomic distance tripled but also achieved 60% accuracy by running alone. Finally, it can be concluded that the applicability of 3D-GeneNet will extend to various bacterial forms, including Gram-negative, Gram-positive, single-, and multi-chromosomal bacteria through Hi-C sequencing and analysis. Such findings highlight the broad applicability and significant promise of this method in the realm of gene association network. 3D-GeneNet is freely accessible at https://github.com/gaoyuanccc/3D-GeneNet.

Biotransformation research advances - 2023 year in review.

This annual review marks the eighth in the series starting with Baillie et al. (2016) Our objective is to explore and share articles which we deem influential and significant in the field of biotransformation. Its format is to highlight important aspects captured in synopsis followed by a commentary with relevant figure and references.

Spatial Chromosome Organization and Adaptation of Escherichia coli under Heat Stress.

The spatial organization of bacterial chromosomes is crucial for cellular functions. It remains unclear how bacterial chromosomes adapt to high-temperature stress. This study delves into the 3D genome architecture and transcriptomic responses of Escherichia coli under heat-stress conditions to unravel the intricate interplay between the chromosome structure and environmental cues. By examining the role of macrodomains, chromosome interaction domains (CIDs), and nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs), this work unveils the dynamic changes in chromosome conformation and gene expression patterns induced by high-temperature stress. It was observed that, under heat stress, the short-range interaction frequency of the chromosomes decreased, while the long-range interaction frequency of the Ter macrodomain increased. Furthermore, two metrics, namely, Global Compactness (GC) and Local Compactness (LC), were devised to measure and compare the compactness of the chromosomes based on their 3D structure models. The findings in this work shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying thermal adaptation and chromosomal organization in bacterial cells, offering valuable insights into the complex inter-relationships between environmental stimuli and genomic responses.

Aspirin prevents colorectal cancer by regulating the abundance of Enterococcus cecorum and TIGIT+Treg cells.

Although aspirin can reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC), there is still uncertainty about its significance as a treatment for CRC, and the mechanism of aspirin in CRC is not well understood. In this study, we used aspirin to prevent AOM/DSS-induced CRC in mice, and the anti-CRC efficacy of aspirin was assessed using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and by determining the mouse survival rate and tumour size. 16S rDNA sequencing, flow cytometry (FCM), and Western blotting were also conducted to investigate the changes in the gut microbiota, tumour immune microenvironment, and apoptotic proteins, respectively. The results demonstrated that aspirin significantly exerted anti-CRC effects in mice. According to 16S rDNA sequencing, aspirin regulated the composition of the gut microbiota and dramatically reduced the abundance of Enterococcus cecorum. FCM demonstrated that there were more CD155 tumour cells and CD4 + CD25 + Treg cells showed increased TIGIT levels. Moreover, increased TIGIT expression on Treg cells is associated with reduced Treg cell functionality. Importantly, the inhibition of Treg cells is accompanied by the promotion of CD19 + GL-7 + B cells, CD8 + T cells, CD4 + CCR4 + Th2 cells, and CD4 + CCR6 + Th17 cells. Overall, aspirin prevents colorectal cancer by regulating the abundance of Enterococcus cecorum and TIGIT + Treg cells.

Optimal design and analysis of a space lightweight mirror with a directionally oriented 2.5D-CVT structure.

Reflective mirrors are the key imaging components of space-borne telescopes, which require a high lightweight ratio integrated with excellent optical properties. In this context, a novel, to our knowledge, 2.5D centroidal Voronoi tessellation (CVT) generation methodology is proposed for designing and optimizing a lightweight mirror structure. Firstly, the initial designs are obtained combining global sensitivity factor mapping and local distribution optimization. Then, the optimal model is selected through multi-objective optimization and decision making. Subsequently, the FEA (finite element analysis) results indicate that, under the same mass, the proposed design exhibits better optomechanical performance. Finally, in practical applications, the approach presented in this paper outperforms the traditional design for each technological requirement, including a 62% reduction in RMS and a higher lightweight ratio. This method offers a kind of novel design and optimization process for space-based optomechanical lightweight structures.

ARRB1 inhibits extracellular matrix degradation and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells by promoting autophagy and attenuates intervertebral disc degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the leading cause of lower back pain (LBP). ß-arrestin 1 (ARRB1) is a multifunctional protein that regulates numerous pathological processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ARRB1 in IVDD. METHODS: The expression of ARRB1 in nucleus pulposus (NP) of rats with IVDD was assayed. Next, rat nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) were infected with lentiviruses containing shArrb1 (LV-shArrb1) and overexpressing Arrb1 (LV-oeArrb1). The roles of Arrb1 in serum-deprived NPCs were investigated by measuring apoptosis, extracellular matrix degradation, and autophagic flux. For experiments in vivo, LV-oeArrb1 lentivirus was injected into the NP tissues of IVDD rats to evaluate the effects of Arrb1 overexpression on NP. RESULTS: In the NP tissues of IVDD rats, ARRB1 and cleaved caspase-3 expression increased, and the ratio of LC3II/LC3I protein expression was upregulated. Arrb1 knockdown aggravated extracellular matrix degradation, cellular apoptosis, and impairment of autophagic flux in rat NPCs under serum-deprived conditions, whereas Arrb1 overexpression significantly reversed these effects. ARRB1 interacted with Beclin 1, and Arrb1 knockdown suppressed the formation of the Beclin1-PIK3C3 core complex. The autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) offset the protective effects of Arrb1 overexpression in serum-deprived NPCs. Furthermore, Arrb1 overexpression inhibited apoptosis and extracellular matrix degradation, promoted autophagy in NP, and delayed the development of IVDD in rats. CONCLUSION: ARRB1 prevents extracellular matrix degradation and apoptosis of NPCs by upregulating autophagy and ameliorating IVDD progression, presenting an innovative strategy for the treatment of IVDD.

Metabolism of new drug modalities research advances - 2023 year in review.

With contributions from colleagues across academia and industry, we have put together the annual reviews of research advances on drug biotransformation and bioactivation since 2016 led by Cyrus Khojasteh. While traditional small molecules and biologics are still predominant in drug discovery, we start to notice a paradigm shift toward new drug modalities (NDMs) including but not limited to peptide and oligonucleotide therapeutics, protein degraders (heterobifunctional degraders and molecule glues), conjugated drugs and covalent inhibitors. The readers can learn more on each new drug modality from several recent comprehensive reviews (Blanco et al. 2022; Hillebrand et al. 2024; Phuna et al. 2024). Based on this trend, we put together this stand-alone review branched from our previous efforts (Baillie et al. 2016; Khojasteh et al. 2023) with a focus on the metabolism of NDMs. We collected 11 articles which exemplify recent discoveries and perspectives in this field.

Discussion: Embracing microfluidics to advance environmental science and technology.

Microfluidics, also called lab-on-a-chip, represents an emerging research platform that permits more precise and manipulation of samples at the microscale or even down to the nanoscale (nanofluidic) including picoliter droplets, microparticles, and microbes within miniaturized and highly integrated devices. This groundbreaking technology has made significant strides across multiple disciplines by providing an unprecedented view of physical, chemical, and biological events, fostering a holistic and an in-depth understanding of complex systems. The application of microfluidics to address the challenges in environmental science is likely to contribute to our better understanding, however, it's not yet fully developed. To raise researchers' interest, this discussion first delineates the valuable and underutilized environmental applications of microfluidic technology, ranging from environmental surveillance to acting as microreactors for investigating interfacial dynamic processes, and facilitating high-throughput bioassays. We highlight, with examples, how rationally designed microfluidic devices lead to new insights into the advancement of environmental science and technology. We then critically review the key challenges that hinder the practical adoption of microfluidic technologies. Specifically, we discuss the extent to which microfluidics accurately reflect realistic environmental scenarios, outline the areas to be improved, and propose strategies to overcome bottlenecks that impede the broad application of microfluidics. We also envision new opportunities and future research directions, aiming to provide guidelines for the broader utilization of microfluidics in environmental studies.

Remodeling and Regenerative Properties of Fully Absorbable Meshes for Abdominal Wall Defect Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Animal Studies.

Fully absorbable meshes can repair abdominal wall defects and effectively reduce the incidence of complications, but different types of fully absorbable meshes have different remodeling and regeneration effects. In order to investigate and compare the effects of different fully absorbable meshes on remodeling and regeneration in animals and reduce the biological risk of clinical translation, SYRCLE was adopted to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies, and GRADE and ConQual were used to evaluate the quality of evidence. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 22 studies related to fully absorbable meshes were included in this systematic review. These results showed that fiber-based synthetic materials and fiber-based natural materials exhibited better restorative and regenerative effects indicated by infiltration and neovascularization, when compared with a porcine acellular dermal matrix. In addition, the human acellular dermal matrix was found to have a similar regenerative effect on the host extracellular matrix and scaffold degradation compared to the porcine acellular dermal matrix, porcine intestinal submucosa, and fiber-based natural materials, but it offered higher tensile strength than the other three. The quality of the evidence in this field was found to be poor. The reasons for downgrading were analyzed, and recommendations for future research included more rigor in study design, more transparency in result reporting, more standardization of animal models and follow-up time for better evaluation of the remodeling and regenerative performance of abdominal wall hernia repair meshes, and less biological risk in clinical translation.

Combining metabolomics and transcriptomics to reveal the potential medicinal value of rare species Glycyrrhiza squamulose.

Licorice is a well-known Chinese medicinal plant that is widely used to treat multiple diseases and process food; however, wild licorice is now facing depletion. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify and protect licorice germplasm diversity. In this study, metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses were conducted to investigate the biodiversity and potential medicinal value of the rare wild Glycyrrhiza squamulose. A total of 182 differentially accumulated metabolites and 395 differentially expressed genes were identified by comparing Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza squamulose. The molecular weights of the chemical component of G. squamulose were comparable with those of G. uralensis, suggesting that G. squamulose may have medicinal value. Differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), mainly flavonoids such as kaempferol-3-O-galactoside, kaempferol-3-O-(6"malonyl) glucoside, and hispidulin-7-O-glucoside, showed potential vitality in G. squamulose. Comparative transcriptomics with G. uralensis showed that among the 395 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 69 were enriched in the isoflavonoid biosynthesis pathway. Multiomics analysis showed that the distinction in flavonoid biosynthesis between G. squamulose and G. uralensis was strongly associated with the expression levels of IF7GT and CYP93C. In addition to identifying similarities and differences between G. squamulose and G. uralensis, this study provides a theoretical basis to protect and investigate rare species such as G. squamulose.

Discovery and Preclinical Characterization of BIIB129, a Covalent, Selective, and Brain-Penetrant BTK Inhibitor for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease with an underlying pathology characterized by inflammation-driven neuronal loss, axonal injury, and demyelination. Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase and member of the TEC family of kinases, is involved in the regulation, migration, and functional activation of B cells and myeloid cells in the periphery and the central nervous system (CNS), cell types which are deemed central to the pathology contributing to disease progression in MS patients. Herein, we describe the discovery of BIIB129 (25), a structurally distinct and brain-penetrant targeted covalent inhibitor (TCI) of BTK with an unprecedented binding mode responsible for its high kinome selectivity. BIIB129 (25) demonstrated efficacy in disease-relevant preclinical in vivo models of B cell proliferation in the CNS, exhibits a favorable safety profile suitable for clinical development as an immunomodulating therapy for MS, and has a low projected total human daily dose.

Analysis of the prenatal ultrasound diagnostic value and prognostic factors of fetal mediastinal cysts.

Background: A prenatal fetal mediastinal cyst is a benign disease. However, if a cyst enlargement grows, it may compress the adjacent organs and affect the fetal cardiopulmonary function. This study aimed to compare and analyze the prenatal ultrasound characteristics of different mediastinal cysts, and to evaluate the pregnancy outcome of the fetus and the factors affecting the prognostic of the fetus. To compare and analyze the prenatal ultrasound characteristics of different types of mediastinal cysts, and to evaluate the fetal pregnancy outcome and the influencing factors of fetal prognosis. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with prenatal diagnoses of mediastinal cysts was conducted to evaluate the ultrasound characteristics and to monitor the pregnancy outcomes to identify prognostic influences and provide a reliable basis for patient prognosis. Results: In total, 30 patients were diagnosed with mediastinal cysts [including bronchogenic cysts (n=12), esophageal cysts (n=9), pericardial cysts (n=5), and thymic cysts (n=4)] on prenatal ultrasonography. The diagnostic accuracy rate was 93.33%; two cases of esophageal cysts were misdiagnosed as bronchial cysts. In total, 4 (44.44%) of 9 esophageal cysts and 4 thymic cysts were located in the anterior mediastinum, 10 (83.33%) of 12 bronchogenic cysts and 5 pericardial cysts were located in the middle mediastinum, and 2 (16.67%) of 12 bronchogenic cysts and 5 (55.56%) of 9 esophageal cysts were located in the posterior mediastinum. There were significant differences in the distribution of the cyst location, morphology, and cyst wall thickness (P<0.05). After delivery, 17 patients had clinical symptoms. There was a significant difference in the clinical symptoms between patients with a maximum diameter of postpartum cysts <5 and ≥5 cm (P<0.05), and children with a low gestational age and birth weight were more likely to have clinical symptoms. Conclusions: The prenatal ultrasound features of fetal mediastinal cysts were similar. However, the ultrasound characteristics related to the cyst location, morphology, and cyst wall thickness were helpful in providing an accurate diagnosis. In addition, the postpartum cyst size, location, adjacent relationship with the surrounding tissues, volume, gestational age, and weight were related to patient prognosis.

Tissue distribution and retention drives efficacy of rapidly clearing VHL-based PROTACs.

BACKGROUND: Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are being developed for therapeutic use. However, they have poor pharmacokinetic profiles and their tissue distribution kinetics are not known. METHODS: A typical von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor (VHL)-PROTAC 14C-A947 (BRM degrader)-was synthesized and its tissue distribution kinetics was studied by quantitative whole-body autoradiography (QWBA) and tissue excision in rats following IV dosing. Bile duct-cannulated (BDC) rats allowed the elucidation of in vivo clearance pathways. Distribution kinetics was evaluated in the tissues and tumors of mice to support PK-PD correlation. In vitro studies enabled the evaluation of cell uptake mechanisms and cell retention properties. RESULTS: Here, we show that A947 quickly distributes into rat tissues after IV dosing, where it accumulates and is retained in tissues such as the lung and liver although it undergoes fast clearance from circulation. Similar uptake/retention kinetics enable tumor growth inhibition over 2-3 weeks in a lung cancer model. A947 quickly excretes in the bile of rats. Solute carrier (SLC) transporters are involved in hepatocyte uptake of PROTACs. Sustained BRM protein degradation is seen after extensive washout that supports prolonged cell retention of A947 in NCI-H1944 cells. A947 tissue exposure and pharmacodynamics are inversely correlated in tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma sampling for VHL-PROTAC does not represent the tissue concentrations necessary for efficacy. Understanding of tissue uptake and retention could enable less frequent IV administration to be used for therapeutic dosing.

Proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) are a type of potential cancer medicine designed to target proteins primarily present in tumours. There is limited data on how it is absorbed, distributed, metabolised and excreted from tissues. Here, we studied the tissue distribution of synthetic PROTAC molecules labelled with radioactivity following intravenous injection in rodent models. We find that PROTAC can rapidly distribute to target tumour tissues and its prolonged retention within the tumour cells can contribute to prevention of further tumour growth, as demonstrated in the lung cancer model. These findings suggest the evaluation of PROTAC therapeutic effectiveness directly from tumour tissues provides more relevant assessment than sampling from blood circulation, which may have implications for a reduction in intravenous dosing.

A Platinum-Aluminum Bimetallic Salen Complex for Pro-senescence Cancer Therapy.

Cell senescence is defined as irreversible cell cycle arrest, which can be triggered by telomere shortening or by various types of genotoxic stress. Induction of senescence is emerging as a new strategy for the treatment of cancer, especially when sequentially combined with a second senolytic drug capable of killing the resulting senescent cells, however severely suffering from the undesired off-target side effects from the senolytic drugs. Here, we prepare a bimetalic platinum-aluminum salen complex (Alumiplatin) for cancer therapy-a combination of pro-senesence chemotherapy with in situ senotherapy to avoid the side effects. The aluminum salen moiety, as a G-quadruplex stabilizer, enhances the salen's ability to induce cancer cell senescence and this phenotype is in turn sensitive to the cytotoxic activity of the monofunctional platinum moiety. It exhibits an excellent capability for inducing senescence, a potent cytotoxic activity against cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, and an improved safety profile compared to cisplatin. Therefore, Alumiplatin may be a good candidate to be further developed into safe and effective anticancer agents. This novel combination of cell senescence inducers with genotoxic drugs revolutionizes the therapy options of designing multi-targeting anticancer agents to improve the efficacy of anticancer therapies.

Evaporated Nickel Oxide Films with Slow Annealing and Interface Modification for Perovskite Solar Cells.

Electron-beam-evaporated nickel oxide (NiOx) films are known for their high quality, precise control, and suitability for complex structures in perovskite (PVK) solar cells (PSCs). However, untreated NiOx films have inherent challenges, such as surface defects, relatively low intrinsic conductivity, and shallow valence band maximum, which seriously restrict the efficiency and stability of the devices. To address these challenges, we employ a dual coordination optimization strategy. The strategy includes low heating rate annealing of NiOx films and using an aminoguanidine nitrate spin coating process on the surfaces of NiOx films to strategically modify NiOx films itself and the interface of NiOx/PVK. Under the synergistic effect of this dual optimization method, the quality of the films is significantly improved and its p-type characteristics are enhanced. At the same time, the interface defects and energy level alignment of the films are effectively improved, and the charge extraction ability at the interface is improved. The combined treatment significantly improved the efficiency of inverted PSCs, from 17.85% to 20.31%, and enhanced device stability under various conditions. This innovative dual-coordinated optimization strategy provides a clear and effective framework for improving the performance of NiOx films and inverted PSCs.

Characterization of FBA genes in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and expression patterns in response to light spectrum and abiotic stress.

Fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) plays vital roles in plant growth, development, and response to abiotic stress. However, genome-wide identification and structural characterization of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) FBA gene family has not been systematically analyzed. In this study, we identified nine StFBA gene members in potato, with six StFBA genes localized in the chloroplast and three in the cytoplasm. The analysis of gene structures, protein structures, and phylogenetic relationships indicated that StFBA genes were divided into Class I and II, which exhibited significant differences in structure and function. Synteny analysis revealed that segmental duplication events promoted the expansion of the StFBA gene family. Promoter analysis showed that most StFBA genes contained cis-regulatory elements associated with light and stress responses. Expression analysis showed that StFBA3, StFBA8, and StFBA9 showing significantly higher expression levels in leaf, stolon, and tuber under blue light, indicating that these genes may improve photosynthesis and play an important function in regulating the induction and expansion of microtubers. Expression levels of the StFBA genes were influenced by drought and salt stress, indicating that they played important roles in abiotic stress. This work offers a theoretical foundation for in-depth understanding of the evolution and function of StFBA genes, as well as providing the basis for the genetic improvement of potatoes.