RESUMO
Brassica crops are well known for the accumulation of glucosinolates-secondary metabolites crucial for plants' adaptation to various stresses. Glucosinolates also functioning as defence compounds pose challenges to food quality due to their goitrogenic properties. Their disruption leaves plants susceptible to insect pests and diseases. Hence, a targeted reduction in seed glucosinolate content is of paramount importance to increase food acceptance. GLUCOSINOLATE TRANSPORTERS (GTRs) present a promising avenue for selectively reducing glucosinolate concentrations in seeds while preserving biosynthesis elsewhere. In this study, 54 putative GTR protein sequences found in Brassica were retrieved, employing Arabidopsis GTR1 and GTR2 templates. Comprehensive bioinformatics analyses, encompassing gene structure organization, domain analysis, motif assessments, promoter analysis, and cis-regulatory elements, affirmed the existence of transporter domains and stress-related regulatory elements. Phylogenetic analysis revealed patterns of conservation and divergence across species. Glucosinolates have been shown to increase under stress conditions, indicating a potential role in stress response. To elucidate the role of GTRs in glucosinolate transportation under NaCl stress in two distinct Brassica species, B. juncea and B. napus, plants were subjected to 0, 100, or 200 mM NaCl. Based on the literature, key GTR genes were chosen and their expression across various plant parts was assessed. Both species displayed divergent trends in their biochemical profiles as well as glucosinolate contents under elevated salt stress conditions. Statistical modelling identified significant contributors to glucosinolate variations, guiding the development of targeted breeding strategies for low-glucosinolate varieties. Notably, GTR2A2 exhibited pronounced expressions in stems, contributing approximately 52% to glucosinolate content variance, while GTR2B1/C2 displayed significant expression in flowers. Additionally, GTR2A1 and GTR1A2/B1 demonstrated noteworthy expression in roots. This study enhances our understanding of glucosinolate regulation under stress conditions, offering avenues to improve Brassica crop quality and resilience.
RESUMO
Reactivation and infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) are frequently observed in recipients of solid organ transplants, bone marrow transplants, and individuals with HIV infection. This presents an increasing risk of allograft rejection, opportunistic infection, graft failure, and patient mortality. Among immunocompromised hosts, interstitial pneumonia is the most critical clinical manifestation of CMV infection. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential therapeutic benefits of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-exos) in preclinical models of acute lung injury, including pneumonia, ARDS, and sepsis. However, the role of MSC-exos in the pathogenesis of infectious viral diseases, such as CMV pneumonia, remains unclear. In a mouse model of murine CMV-induced pneumonia, we observed that intravenous administration of mouse MSC (mMSC)-exos reduced lung damage, decreased the hyperinflammatory response, and shifted macrophage polarization from the M1 to the M2 phenotype. Treatment with mMSC-exos also significantly reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells and pulmonary fibrosis. Furthermore, in vitro studies revealed that mMSC-exos reversed the hyperinflammatory phenotype of bone marrow-derived macrophages infected with murine CMV. Mechanistically, mMSC-exos treatment decreased activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. In summary, our findings indicate that mMSC-exo treatment is effective in severe CMV pneumonia by reducing lung inflammation and fibrosis through the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway, thus providing promising therapeutic potential for clinical CMV infection.