Catalase (CAT) Gene Family in Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.): Genome-Wide Identification, Analysis, and Expression Profile in Response to Abiotic Stress.

Catalases (CATs) play crucial roles in scavenging H2O2 from reactive oxygen species, controlling the growth and development of plants. So far, genome-wide identification and characterization of CAT genes in oil palm have not been reported. In the present study, five EgCAT genes were obtained through a genome-wide identification approach. Phylogenetic analysis divided them into two subfamilies, with closer genes sharing similar structures. Gene structure and conserved motif analysis demonstrated the conserved nature of intron/exon organization and motifs among the EgCAT genes. Several cis-acting elements related to hormone, stress, and defense responses were identified in the promoter regions of EgCATs. Tissue-specific expression of EgCAT genes in five different tissues of oil palm was also revealed by heatmap analysis using the available transcriptome data. Stress-responsive expression analysis showed that five EgCAT genes were significantly expressed under cold, drought, and salinity stress conditions. Collectively, this study provided valuable information on the oil palm CAT gene family and the validated EgCAT genes can be used as potential candidates for improving abiotic stress tolerance in oil palm and other related crops.

Metabonomics and Transcriptomic Analysis of Free Fatty Acid Synthesis in Seedless and Tenera Oil Palm.

Oil palm, a tropical woody oil crop, is widely used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals due to its high production efficiency and economic value. Palm oil is rich in free fatty acids, polyphenols, vitamin E, and other nutrients, which are beneficial for human health when consumed appropriately. Therefore, investigating the dynamic changes in free fatty acid content at different stages of development and hypothesizing the influence of regulatory genes on free fatty acid metabolism is crucial for improving palm oil quality and accelerating industry growth. LC-MS/MS is used to analyze the composition and content of free fatty acids in the flesh after 95 days (MS1 and MT1), 125 days (MS2 and MT2), and 185 days (MS3 and MT3) of Seedless (MS) and Tenera (MT) oil palm species fruit pollination. RNA-Seq was used to analyze the expression of genes regulating free fatty acid synthesis and accumulation, with differences in genes and metabolites mapped to the KEGG pathway map using the KEGG (Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes) enrichment analysis method. A metabolomics study identified 17 types of saturated and 13 types of unsaturated free fatty acids during the development of MS and MT. Transcriptomic research revealed that 10,804 significantly different expression genes were acquired in the set differential gene threshold between MS and MT. The results showed that FabB was positively correlated with the contents of three main free fatty acids (stearic acid, myristate acid, and palmitic acid) and negatively correlated with the contents of free palmitic acid in the flesh of MS and MT. ACSL and FATB were positively correlated with the contents of three main free fatty acids and negatively correlated with free myristate acid. The study reveals that the expression of key enzyme genes, FabB and FabF, may improve the synthesis of free myristate in oil palm flesh, while FabF, ACSL, and FATB genes may facilitate the production of free palmitoleic acid. These genes may also promote the synthesis of free stearic acid and palmitoleic acid in oil palm flesh. However, the FabB gene may inhibit stearic acid synthesis, while ACSL and FATB genes may hinder myristate acid production. This study provides a theoretical basis for improving palm oil quality.

Integrative Omics Analysis of Three Oil Palm Varieties Reveals (Tanzania × Ekona) TE as a Cold-Resistant Variety in Response to Low-Temperature Stress.

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is an economically important tropical oil crop widely cultivated in tropical zones worldwide. Being a tropical crop, low-temperature stress adversely affects the oil palm. However, integrative leaf transcriptomic and proteomic analyses have not yet been conducted on an oil palm crop under cold stress. In this study, integrative omics transcriptomic and iTRAQ-based proteomic approaches were employed for three oil palm varieties, i.e., B × E (Bamenda × Ekona), O × G (E. oleifera × Elaeis guineensis), and T × E (Tanzania × Ekona), in response to low-temperature stress. In response to low-temperature stress at (8 °C) for 5 days, a total of 5175 up- and 2941 downregulated DEGs in BE-0_VS_BE-5, and a total of 3468 up- and 2443 downregulated DEGs for OG-0_VS_OG-5, and 3667 up- and 2151 downregulated DEGs for TE-0_VS_TE-5 were identified. iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis showed 349 up- and 657 downregulated DEPs for BE-0_VS_BE-5, 372 up- and 264 downregulated DEPs for OG-0_VS_OG-5, and 500 up- and 321 downregulated DEPs for TE-0_VS_TE-5 compared to control samples treated at 28 °C and 8 °C, respectively. The KEGG pathway correlation of oil palm has shown that the metabolic synthesis and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites pathways were significantly enriched in the transcriptome and proteome of the oil palm varieties. The correlation expression pattern revealed that TE-0_VS_TE-5 is highly expressed and BE-0_VS_BE-5 is suppressed in both the transcriptome and proteome in response to low temperature. Furthermore, numerous transcription factors (TFs) were found that may regulate cold acclimation in three oil palm varieties at low temperatures. Moreover, this study identified proteins involved in stresses (abiotic, biotic, oxidative, and heat shock), photosynthesis, and respiration in iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis of three oil palm varieties. The increased abundance of stress-responsive proteins and decreased abundance of photosynthesis-related proteins suggest that the TE variety may become cold-resistant in response to low-temperature stress. This study may provide a basis for understanding the molecular mechanism for the adaptation of oil palm varieties in response to low-temperature stress in China.

Circ_001042 Inhibits TGF-ß1/P38 MAPK Signaling Axis-Mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Metastasis in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Objective: To explore the role and molecular mechanism of circ_001042 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods: The expression level of circ_001042 and linear RNA MRPS35 in cells and clinical tissues was detected by real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The expression of circ_001042 and transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) in LUAD cells was elevated by the respective transfection of overexpression vectors OE-circ_001042 and TGF-ß1; MTT and transwell assays were applied to test the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of cells, respectively. The E-cadherin expression level in the cells was assessed by immunofluorescence staining, and western blot was utilized to determine the expression level of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and TGF-ß1/P38 MAPK signaling axis-related proteins in the cells. Results: Circ_001042 was significantly downregulated in LUAD tissues and cells, and high circ_001042 expression could inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of LUAD cells. In addition, circ_001042 also inhibited the EMT process (the E-cadherin level was upregulated; and the levels of N-cadherin, vimentin, and Snail were downregulated) and TGF-ß1/P38 MAPK signaling axis activity in LUAD cells. Moreover, circ_001042 could suppress the promotion of TGF-ß1 on the proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT process of LUAD cells and the activation of TGF-ß1/P38 MAPK signaling axis. Conclusion: By inhibiting TGF-ß1, circ_001042 not only suppresses the proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT of LUAD but also inhibits the activation of TGF-ß1/P38 MAPK signaling axis. Therefore, circ_001042 can act as a potential target for early diagnosis and targeted therapy of LUAD.

Identification and expression analysis of histone modification gene (HM) family during somatic embryogenesis of oil palm.

BACKGROUND: Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq.) is an important vegetable oil-yielding plant. Somatic embryogenesis is a promising method to produce large-scale elite clones to meet the demand for palm oil. The epigenetic mechanisms such as histone modifications have emerged as critical factors during somatic embryogenesis. These histone modifications are associated with the regulation of various genes controlling somatic embryogenesis. To date, none of the information is available on the histone modification gene (HM) family in oil palm. RESULTS: We reported the identification of 109 HM gene family members including 48 HMTs, 27 HDMs, 13 HATs, and 21 HDACs in the oil palm genome. Gene structural and motif analysis of EgHMs showed varied exon-intron organization and with conserved motifs among them. The identified 109 EgHMs were distributed unevenly across 16 chromosomes and displayed tandem duplication in oil palm genome. Furthermore, relative expression analysis showed the differential expressional pattern of 99 candidate EgHM genes at different stages (non-embryogenic, embryogenic, somatic embryo) of somatic embryogenesis process in oil palm, suggesting the EgHMs play vital roles in somatic embryogenesis. Our study laid a foundation to understand the regulatory roles of several EgHM genes during somatic embryogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 109 histone modification gene family members were identified in the oil palm genome via genome-wide analysis. The present study provides insightful information regarding HM gene's structure, their distribution, duplication in oil palm genome, and also their evolutionary relationship with other HM gene family members in Arabidopsis and rice. Finally, our study provided an essential role of oil palm HM genes during somatic embryogenesis process.

The auxin response factor (ARF) gene family in Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.): Genome-wide identification and their expression profiling under abiotic stresses.

Auxin response factors (ARFs) play vital role in controlling growth and developmental processes of plants via regulating the auxin signaling pathways. However, the identification and functional roles of ARFs in oil palm plants remain elusive. Here, we identified a total of 23 ARF (EgARF) genes in oil palm through a genome-wide identification approach. The EgARF gene structure analysis revealed the presence of intron-rich ARF gene family in genome of oil palm. Further analysis demonstrated the uneven distribution of 23EgARFs on 16 chromosomes of oil palm. Phylogenetic analysis clustered all the EgARFs into four groups. Twenty-one EgARFs contained BDD, ARF, and CTD domains, whereas EgARF5 and EgARF7 lacked the CTD domain. The evolution of ARF genes in oil palm genome has been expanded by segmental duplication events. The cis-acting regulatory elements of EgARF gene family were predominantly associated with the stress and hormone responses. Expression profiling data demonstrated the constitutive and tissue-specific expression of EgARF genes in various tissues of oil palm. Real-time PCR analysis of 19 EgARF genes expression levels under cold, drought, and salt stress conditions proved their prominent role under abiotic stress responses. Altogether, our study provides a basis for studying the molecular and functional roles of ARF genes in oil palm.

[Treatment of middle-aged and aged patients with knee osteoarthritis of yang-deficiency induced cold-damp syndrome by ozone combined Chinese materia medica: a clinical research].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of treating middle-aged and aged patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) of yang-deficiency induced cold-damp syndrome (YDICDS) by ozone combined Fugui Gutong Granule (FGG). METHODS: Using a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial, 200 KOA patients of YDICDS were randomly assigned to four groups. i.e., the control group (Group A), the Chinese medicine treatment group (Group B), the ozone group (Group C), and the Chinese-r medicine treatment plus ozone group (Group D).Patients in Group A took Voltaren Tablet. Those in Group B took FGG. Those in Group C received ozone injection (10 -18 mL) from knee joint cavity at 25 mg/L, once weekly for 4 weeks in total. Those in Group D received injection from knee joint cavity and took FGG. The therapeutic course for all was one month. The efficacy was assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) and Western Ontario MacMaster University Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC). RESULTS: The VAS score was obviously lower in Group D than in Group B and Group A at 24 h and 1 week (P <0. 05). After one month of treatment, the VAS score was obviously lower in Group D than in Group A, B, and C (P < 0.05). After treatment the total integral of WOMAC was 25.34 +/- 2.12 in Group D, obviously lower than that in Group A (44.72 +/- 6.57), Group B (40.58 +/- 5.98), and Group C (38.53 +/- 5. 13), showing statistical difference (P <0.05). The pain score, the joint stiffness score, the score for daily activities were lower in Group D than in Group A (P <0.05). The cured and markedly effective rate was 76.0% in Group D, higher than that of Group A (25. 0%), Group B (25. 0%), and Group C (43.8%), respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ozone combined FGG had advantages in alleviating joint pain, and improving joint stiffness and daily activities of middle-aged and aged patients with KOA of YDICDS.

Potential prevention and treatment of maifanite for Alzheimer's disease based on behavior test, oxidative stress assay, and trace element analysis in hippocampus of Aß(25₋35)-induced AD rats.

This study aimed to assess whether maifanite can improve the learning and memory, and antioxidant abilities of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats. The 70 rats were divided into seven groups: [A] normal control group, [B] AD model group, [C] sham group, [D] positive control group (donepezil), [E] low-dose maifanite group, [F] middle-dose maifanite group, [G] high-dose maifanite group. For [B], [D], [E], [F], and [G] groups, Aß(25-35) ventricle injection was carried out, then respective medicine were administered once a day for 60 consecutive days. The step-down and step-through test were used to measure learning and memory ability. The hippocampus levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assayed. The hippocampus contents of Al, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, and Mn were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer. Maifanite decreased the acquisition errors and the retention errors while prolonging the step-down latency, and decreased the number of electric shocks while prolonging the first latency of AD rats. Aß(25-35) ventricle injection initiated the decrease of SOD and GSH-Px activities and the increase of MDA content, and triggered the rise of Al, Fe, and Cu levels and the decline of Mn, Zn, and Se levels. The SOD and GSH-Px activities were enhanced followed by reduced MDA level, and the levels of Mn, Zn, and Se increased accompanied by Al, Fe, and Cu decreased in the maifanite treat groups. Maifanite could improve the learning and memory, and the antioxidant abilities of AD rats. Maifanite had the potential prevention and treatment for AD.