Biomedical subjects

Qi Zhao

Publications and source records attributed to Qi Zhao.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

CRISPR screens for the discovery of novel ferroptosis targets: progress and perspectives.

Ferroptosis is a distinct, iron-dependent form of regulated cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation. Despite its growing significance in physiology and disease, the molecular networks that govern ferroptosis are not yet fully understood. Genome-wide CRISPR screens have broadened the regulatory landscape of ferroptosis by revealing both conserved and context-dependent mechanisms. In this review, we summarize recent advances in CRISPR-based ferroptosis screens, highlighting a transition from in vitro CRISPR screens to in vivo platforms and single-cell CRISPR screens. We also discuss the potential translation of key targets, focusing on their structural druggability and therapeutic potential. By outlining objective-driven screening strategies, this review seeks to provide options for exploring the distinct mechanisms of ferroptosis and to accelerate its translation into therapeutic opportunities for various diseases.

CRISPR screens↗

PubMed2026

Hepatic metabolic adaptation to endurance exercise: temporal and sex differences by multiomics integration and validation.

BACKGROUND: Although endurance exercise benefits liver health, sex-specific adaptive trajectories remain unclear. This study mapped dynamic liver adaptation in males and females during prolonged training and identified underlying molecular programs. METHODS: Using publicly available time-resolved liver multi-omics data generated by the Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC), we established a computational pipeline for differential analysis of transcriptomic, proteomic, phosphoproteomic, and metabolomic data with FDR correction, followed by FGSEA pathway enrichment. Kinase activities were inferred through ortholog mapping and PhosphoSitePlus. Cross-omics co-expression networks were constructed using WGCNA and topological overlap to link omics features with physiological phenotypes. For experimental validation, liver tissues were collected from endurance-trained Sprague-Dawley rats, and key nodes were confirmed by Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence/immunohistochemical staining. Public scRNA-seq data were further integrated to map multi-omics signals to single-cell resolution and assess functional changes in specific cell types. RESULTS: The hepatic response to exercise stress was stage-specific, shifting from early transcriptional activation to later proteomic and metabolic remodeling. Multi-omics integration revealed distinct sex-associated adaptive trajectories: males were more strongly associated with energy metabolism, redox-related programs, and amino acid/organic acid catabolism, whereas females showed prominent membrane lipid remodeling, proteostasis -related programs, and mitochondrial/ribosomal translational features. Single-cell analysis showed that tissue remodeling occurred without major lineage turnover, instead involving altered communication among pre-existing cell communities. Validation of PPP1R3G identified a protein-dominant exercise-responsive marker, supporting the contribution of post-transcriptional or protein-level regulation. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic adaptation to endurance stress follows a cross-omics evolutionary pattern with sex-specific reprogramming of energy supply and homeostatic maintenance. This time-resolved framework clarifies how exercise improves liver function and supports sex-oriented metabolic interventions and therapeutic target discovery.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Characterization and genomic analysis of Bacillus halotolerans G3-2: a potential biocontrol agent against apple Alternaria leaf blotch disease.

BACKGROUND: Apple Alternaria leaf blotch (ALB) is a devastating disease threatening the apple industry worldwide. Biocontrol offers an effective and environmentally friendly alternative for disease management. RESULTS: Bacillus strain G3-2 exhibits strong antagonistic activity against Alternaria alternata (a major causal pathogen of ALB). In dual-culture assays, G3-2 inhibited A. alternata by 88.39%; in detached-leaf inoculation assays, it reduced the lesion area by >88%. 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis identified this strain as Bacillus halotolerans. Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) sequencing generated a 4.18-Mb complete genome (43.8% G + C) containing 4149 protein-coding genes, 30 rRNAs and 86 tRNAs. CAZy annotation identified 182 genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), including glycoside hydrolases, glycosyltransferase, and carbohydrate esterases, suggesting potential for glycosylated secondary metabolite production. AntiSMASH analysis detected nine biosynthetic gene clusters, including those for surfactin, fengycin, bacillaene and laterocidine. Plate assays confirmed that G3-2 has the ability to produce protease, cellulase and siderophore. Moreover, it exhibits ~70% inhibition against several other phytopathogenic fungi. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that G3-2 suppresses A. alternata through antibiosis (lipopeptides and polyketides), nutrient competition (siderophores) and cell-wall degradation (proteases and cellulases). Moreover, our study revealed that it has great potential to be used as a broad-spectrum, environmentally friendly biocontrol agent. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Alternaria↗

PubMed2025

Gestational vitamin D concentration and child cognitive development: a longitudinal cohort study in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program.

BACKGROUND: Low vitamin D concentrations are common-especially among those with darker pigmented skin-and are frequently observed during pregnancy. Given its important role in brain development, inadequate gestational vitamin D may impair child cognitive development. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate associations of gestational vitamin D concentrations with childhood cognitive scores, explore whether this relationship differs by self-reported race, and examine sensitive exposure windows within pregnancy. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 912 mother-child dyads (37.3% Black, 52.3% White) from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes program. 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations were measured in prenatal or cord blood collected between 4 and 42 wk gestation (median: 23 wk). Children's cognition was assessed at ages 7-12 y using the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery. Relationships of 25(OH)D and cognitive scores were examined using mixed-effects linear models adjusted for confounders. Potential sensitive periods were explored by estimating population 25(OH)D patterns across gestation for varying levels of the cognitive outcomes. RESULTS: Mean gestational 25(OH)D was 23.8 ng/mL (SD: 10.0 ng/mL). Each 10-ng/mL increase was associated with greater overall (β: 1.11; 95% CI: 0.08, 2.14) and fluid cognition scores (β: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.07, 2.34), but not crystallized cognition. Although these associations were not significantly modified by self-reported race, associations appeared stronger in children of Black mothers (β: 2.99; 95% CI: 0.82, 5.16) than those in non-Black mothers (β: 0.43; 95% CI: -0.93, 1.78) for fluid cognition. Early pregnancy may be a critical exposure period, evidenced by the greatest divergence in the pattern of 25(OH)D during this period between the mothers of children in the 90th and those in the 10th percentiles of cognitive outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Gestational 25(OH)D concentrations were positively associated with cognitive scores, especially in children of Black mothers. Given higher deficiency risk among Black women, vitamin D repletion before or in early pregnancy may be an important strategy for reducing racial disparities in child neurodevelopment.

Humans↗

PubMed2024

The causal relationship between genetically predicted blood metabolites and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Numerous metabolomic studies have confirmed the pivotal role of metabolic abnormalities in the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Nevertheless, there is a lack of evidence on the causal relationship between circulating metabolites and the risk of IPF. METHODS: The potential causality between 486 blood metabolites and IPF was determined through a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) analysis. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 7,824 participants was performed to analyze metabolite data, and a GWAS meta-analysis involving 6,257 IPF cases and 947,616 control European subjects was conducted to analyze IPF data. The TSMR analysis was performed primarily with the inverse variance weighted model, supplemented by weighted mode, MR-Egger regression, and weighted median estimators. A battery of sensitivity analyses was performed, including horizontal pleiotropy assessment, heterogeneity test, Steiger test, and leave-one-out analysis. Furthermore, replication analysis and meta-analysis were conducted with another GWAS dataset of IPF containing 4,125 IPF cases and 20,464 control subjects. Mediation analyses were used to identify the mediating role of confounders in the effect of metabolites on IPF. RESULTS: There were four metabolites associated with the elevated risk of IPF, namely glucose (odds ratio [OR] = 2.49, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 1.13-5.49, P = 0.024), urea (OR = 6.24, 95% CI = 1.77-22.02, P = 0.004), guanosine (OR = 1.57, 95%CI = 1.07-2.30, P = 0.021), and ADpSGEGDFXAEGGGVR (OR = 1.70, 95%CI = 1.00-2.88, P = 0.0496). Of note, the effect of guanosine on IPF was found to be mediated by gastroesophageal reflux disease. Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis displayed that IPF might slightly elevate guanosine levels in the blood. CONCLUSION: Conclusively, hyperglycemia may confer a promoting effect on IPF, highlighting that attention should be paid to the relationship between diabetes and IPF, not solely to the diagnosis of diabetes. Additionally, urea, guanosine, and ADpSGEGDFXAEGGGVR also facilitate the development of IPF. This study may provide a reference for analyzing the potential mechanism of IPF and carry implications for the prevention and treatment of IPF.

Humans↗