Differential transcriptomic landscapes of multiple organs from SARS-CoV-2 early infected rhesus macaques.

SARS-CoV-2 infection causes complicated clinical manifestations with variable multi-organ injuries, however, the underlying mechanism, in particular immune responses in different organs, remains elusive. In this study, comprehensive transcriptomic alterations of 14 tissues from rhesus macaque infected with SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed. Compared to normal controls, SARS-CoV-2 infection resulted in dysregulation of genes involving diverse functions in various examined tissues/organs, with drastic transcriptomic changes in cerebral cortex and right ventricle. Intriguingly, cerebral cortex exhibited a hyperinflammatory state evidenced by significant upregulation of inflammation response-related genes. Meanwhile, expressions of coagulation, angiogenesis and fibrosis factors were also up-regulated in cerebral cortex. Based on our findings, neuropilin 1 (NRP1), a receptor of SARS-CoV-2, was significantly elevated in cerebral cortex post infection, accompanied by active immune response releasing inflammatory factors and signal transmission among tissues, which enhanced infection of the central nervous system (CNS) in a positive feedback way, leading to viral encephalitis. Overall, our study depicts a multi-tissue/organ transcriptomic landscapes of rhesus macaque with early infection of SARS-CoV-2, and provides important insights into the mechanistic basis for COVID-19-associated clinical complications.

[Analysis of expressed sequence tags (EST) from Panax quinquefolium root].

To investigate the profile of gene expression in American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.) and discover its functional genes, for the first time, expressed sequence tags (EST) library of four-year-old American ginseng roots has been established. According to BLAST and Gene Ontology analysis, eleven genes, encoding cytochrome P450, glucosyltransferase, farnesyltransferase and cyclase family protein, are found to be associated with ginsenosides biosynthesis. Six other genes are obtained encoding auxin-regulated protein, auxin response factor 4 and auxin-repressed protein in the roots of American ginseng. In addition, thirteen expressed transcripts are stress-connected proteins and twelve expressed other transcripts are closely related to plant defense in four-year-old American ginseng roots. Furthermore, 62 genes no hit in BLAST and in Interproscan may be new genes. These results indicate EST is an useful tool for research on functional genomics of P. quinquefolium and it can be applied to the molecular modification of the ginsenosides biosynthetic pathway ultimately for improving the quality of American ginseng germplasm.