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Mechanisms linking the gut microbiota to colorectal cancer development and progression.

Colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of global cancer mortality, with a concerning rise in early-onset cases driven by complex interactions between environmental exposures, lifestyle factors, and host genetics. Mounting evidence indicates that gut microbiota dysbiosis critically modulates this oncogenic process, acting as an active participant rather than a passive bystander. This review systematically synthesizes the dichotomous roles of the intestinal microbiome in colorectal tumorigenesis through the conceptual framework of the driver-passenger model. We discuss how early initiating driver bacteria, such as Polyketide synthase-positive Escherichia coli and enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis, compromise mucosal barriers, induce chronic mucosal inflammation, and inflict direct genomic instability. As the local tumor microenvironment undergoes profound metabolic remodeling, opportunistic passenger pathogens, notably Fusobacterium nucleatum, become enriched, further promoting cellular proliferation and facilitating tumor immune evasion. Conversely, protective commensals, exemplified by Clostridium butyricum and Streptococcus thermophilus, exert robust tumor-suppressive effects through multifaceted mechanisms. These beneficial microbes actively antagonize malignant progression by redirecting tumor metabolic fluxes toward oxidative stress, orchestrating deep epigenetic reprogramming, and degrading core oncoproteins to reverse chemoresistance. Transitioning from fundamental mechanisms to clinical application, we evaluate a comprehensive spectrum of microbiota-targeted interventions, encompassing non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers, fecal microbiota transplantation, engineered bacteria, phage therapy, and postbiotics. Finally, we critically address the formidable translational challenges associated with microbial heterogeneity, long-term safety, and regulatory standardization, aiming to provide a balanced perspective on integrating microbiome-based strategies into next-generation precision oncology for colorectal cancer.

Humans

Protein isolation markedly enhances in vitro digestibility, nutritional quality, and bioactivity of fungal mycelial proteins.

Fungal mycelial proteins are promising sustainable protein sources, yet their nutritional utilization is often limited by structural constraints. This study systematically evaluated the effects of protein isolation on the proteomic composition, gastrointestinal digestion behavior, amino acid utilization, and bioactivity of Pleurotus citrinopileatus mycelial proteins. Quantitative proteomics identified 3591 proteins, of which 3374 were shared between mycelial flour (PCMF) and protein isolate (PCMPI), indicating that PCMPI primarily represents the soluble proteome fraction. In vitro digestion revealed that PCMPI exhibited significantly higher digestibility (93.98%) than PCMF (42.98%) (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05), reaching levels comparable to whey protein isolate. Enhanced enzymatic accessibility in PCMPI promoted rapid peptide generation during the gastric phase and efficient amino acid release during the intestinal phase, resulting in higher peptide (634.76&#xa0;mg/g) and free amino acid levels (341.69&#xa0;mg/g) at the digestion endpoint. Consequently, PCMPI achieved a balanced amino acid profile with a PDCAAS of 1.0. Moreover, its digestion products exhibited stronger antioxidant activity (IC&#x2085;&#x2080;&#xa0;=&#xa0;8.36&#xa0;mg/mL) and ACE inhibitory activity (IC&#x2085;&#x2080;&#xa0;=&#xa0;15.65&#xa0;mg/mL) compared with PCMF. Mechanistically, protein isolation disrupted the cell wall matrix, shifting digestion from a structure-limited to an accessibility-driven regime. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that protein isolation markedly enhances the digestibility, nutritional quality, and functional potential of mycelial proteins, supporting their application as high-value sustainable protein ingredients.

Digestion

Improved comprehensive profiling of fecal bile acids through chemical derivatization combined with HPLC-MS/MS analysis.

Bile acids (BAs) facilitate the digestion and absorption of fats and influence lipid and glucose homeostasis, making them potential therapeutic targets for obesity and related metabolic disorders. The liver and intestinal microbiota modify BAs structurally, generating diverse chemical forms and isomers. Comprehensive profiling of the BA pool is critical for understanding their key biological functions and as a therapeutic approach for related diseases. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) is usually chosen as the preferred method for BA detection due to the complex chemical structures, the wide range of actual concentrations and the complexity of fecal sample matrices. However, free BAs are difficult to ionize, resulting in low detection signals and a lack of characteristic structural fragments to assist in structural identification. In this method, the labeling reagent (2-aminoethyl) trimethylammonium (AETMA) is employed to label the carboxyl group of BAs. Compared with underivatized BAs, the detection sensitivity of unconjugated BAs was enhanced by 25-180 fold, while that of conjugated BAs increased by 6-160 fold. It also generates unique fragment ions and enhances MS response, facilitating the discovery of potential BAs. Methodological parameters were validated using 38 BAs as representatives. Through methodological validation, it was verified that the precision, recovery, matrix effect and stability parameters of the method met acceptable criteria. We also identified 61 confirmed BAs and 55 additional candidate BAs in human pooled fecal samples. It has been successfully applied to fecal BA analysis in obese populations, providing valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies for obesity.

Tandem Mass Spectrometry

First identification and molecular subtyping of Blastocystis spp. in donkeys in Aksaray province, T&#xfc;rkiye.

Blastocystis is a common intestinal protist worldwide that can infect humans and animals. Although its molecular epidemiology in T&#xfc;rkiye is mostly focused primarily on humans and livestock, equids have received limited attention despite their traditional roles and frequent contact with humans and other animals in rural environments. This study aimed to determine the molecular prevalence and subtype (ST) distribution of Blastocystis spp. in donkeys in Aksaray Province, providing the first molecular data on donkeys in T&#xfc;rkiye. A total of 182 fresh fecal samples were collected from donkeys in nine villages within Aksaray province. Genomic DNA was extracted, and the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene fragment of Blastocystis spp. was amplified via PCR analysis. Positive isolates were sequenced bidirectionally for identification and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of Blastocystis in donkeys. The overall molecular prevalence of Blastocystis spp. in donkeys was 4.4% (8/182). The infection rate was higher in young donkeys (under 3&#xa0;years old; 8.33%) than in adults (3&#xa0;years or older; 2.46%). However, this difference was not statistically significant. Sequence analysis of the positive PCR products revealed the presence of one known livestock-specific subtype, ST10. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the ST10 isolates characterized in this study clustered with isolates identified from different hosts. This study provides the first molecular data on Blastocystis presence in donkeys in T&#xfc;rkiye. The exclusive detection of ST10 suggests potential cross-species transmission, likely facilitated by the traditional practice of co-housing donkeys with other animals in confined barns. These findings indicate that donkeys may contribute to Blastocystis transmission, underscoring the importance of a "One Health" approach in future epidemiological surveillance.

Animals

Natural products alleviate exercise-induced fatigue by modulating gut microbiota: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Exercise-induced fatigue critically impairs athletic performance and training quality. The gut microbiota, as a key regulator of the "gut-muscle axis," has emerged as a promising anti-fatigue target. Natural products - owing to their diverse sources, structural complexity, and favorable safety profiles - have attracted growing research interest. However, a systematic synthesis comparing their anti-fatigue effects via gut microbiota modulation across different sources is lacking. SCOPE AND APPROACH: We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and CNKI for original studies that administered natural products and concurrently assessed gut microbiota changes and anti-fatigue outcomes. Twenty-six studies (25 animal experiments and 1 human trial) were included and categorized into seven groups by source and chemical characteristics. A descriptive systematic review was conducted to identify common mechanisms and source-specific differentiations. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: The enrichment of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria and the activation of the SCFA-AMPK/PGC-1&#x3b1; axis were shared core events across all product categories. However, source-dependent mechanistic divergences emerged: polysaccharides acted primarily as fermentable substrates with an optimal dose window; polyphenols and saponins exerted dual modulation on both microbiota and host signaling pathways; compound extracts achieved systemic synergy through functional complementation; marine- and animal-derived products exhibited unique targeting profiles and rapid action. Intestinal barrier maintenance and brain-gut axis regulation further extended the anti-fatigue repertoire. Collectively, natural products possess a solid mechanistic basis for alleviating exercise-induced fatigue via gut microbiota remodeling. The differentiated characteristics of these methods in targeting precision and pathway engagement provide a theoretical foundation for designing precision intervention strategies tailored to specific fatigue contexts.

Humans

Integrated multi-omics analyses identify an RAS-SLC11A2-associated molecular framework linking iron metabolism with PCOS-related cardiometabolic risk.

INTRODUCTION: PCOS is a common endocrine disorder with elevated cardiometabolic risk, yet the role of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-iron metabolism axis in this comorbidity remains unclear. We explored its underlying mechanisms and evaluated the therapeutic potential of gentiopicroside. METHODS: Integrated multi-omics analyses combining transcriptomics, single-cell RNA sequencing, Mendelian randomization, machine learning, molecular docking, and in vitro functional assays were performed to identify shared molecular pathways and therapeutic targets across PCOS, hypertension, NAFLD, and T2DM. RESULTS: SLC11A2 was consistently dysregulated in PCOS transcriptomic datasets, and associated with iron metabolism, inflammatory response and oxidative stress pathways. Genetic analyses validated RAS-related regulation in hypertension susceptibility and revealed shared genetic architecture between PCOS and cardiometabolic traits. Network and single-cell analyses characterized SLC11A2-associated molecular patterns in disease-relevant cell types; machine learning identified disease-classifying molecular signatures. Gentiopicroside alleviated inflammatory and oxidative stress phenotypes, including reduced IL-6 expression and reactive oxygen species accumulation. CONCLUSION: This study defines an RAS-SLC11A2 molecular framework linking iron metabolism dysregulation to PCOS-related cardiometabolic risk, elucidating the mechanisms connecting ovarian dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress and hypertension, and supports gentiopicroside as a promising therapeutic candidate.

Humans

Identification and characterization of G protein-coupled receptors in the nocturnal halictid bee Megalopta genalis.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are one of the largest families of membrane proteins in insects, regulating vision, neural signal transduction, and various physiological behaviors. Megalopta genalis exhibits a unique facultatively eusocial lifestyle and possesses adaptations for nocturnal activity; however, its GPCR family has not yet been systematically characterized. In this study, we performed genome-wide identification, phylogenetic analysis, and expression profiling of GPCRs in M. genalis by integrating genomic annotation and transcriptomic analysis. The results showed that a total of 99 GPCRs were identified in the genome of M. genalis, which were classified into four major families. Here, we show that M. genalis has undergone lineage-specific GPCR repertoire remodeling, marked by the expansion of novel orphan receptors and the systematic loss of multiple receptor subtypes, such as the neuropeptide receptors MIP-R and NPFR. Moreover, opsins have formed a diverse array of combinations and non-GPCR odorant receptors have undergone significant expansion via tandem duplication. Together, these features may represent part of the molecular repertoire associated with the adaptation of M. genalis to a nocturnal lifestyle. Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct spatiotemporal expression divergence within each of the Mth/Mthl and Fz GPCR families, suggesting functional specialization across development and adult tissues. This study provides the first systematic identification and initial functional characterization of GPCRs in M. genalis, revealing an evolutionary pattern characterized by the coexistence of contraction and expansion within the GPCR family. These findings lay a foundation for further studies aimed at elucidating the roles of these GPCRs in regulating M. genalis physiology and behavior.

Animals

Estrone disrupts early reproductive development in juvenile male Siniperca chuatsi and is associated with brain and gonadal responses.

Whether estrone (E1)-associated disruption of early reproductive development in fish is accompanied by brain responses in addition to direct gonadal effects remains unclear. Here, juvenile Siniperca chuatsi, a non-model but economically important freshwater species, were exposed for 60 d to 0, 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0&#xa0;&#x3bc;g/L E1, spanning environmentally reported and elevated concentrations. By integrating waterborne concentration monitoring, histopathology, transcriptomics, and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) validation, we evaluated E1-associated changes in brain and gonadal tissues during early reproductive development. Waterborne E1 concentrations remained generally stable throughout the exposure period. At the highest tested concentration (1.0&#xa0;&#x3bc;g/L), E1 caused neuronal vacuolation and pyknosis in the hypothalamic region and induced distinct ovarian-like structures in the gonads of genetic males. In the brain, cyp19a1, crhr1, and adcy2a were significantly upregulated, whereas egr1 was significantly downregulated, indicating transcriptional changes in genes associated with local estrogen conversion, stress-response/cAMP signaling, and neuronal activity-related regulation within a broader injury/stress-response background. In the gonad, RNA-seq analysis showed significant downregulation of star2, hsd3b1, cyp17a1, and cyp11b and significant upregulation of hsd17b1, suggesting alterations in steroidogenesis-related gene expression at the transcriptomic level. qPCR analysis of selected gonadal candidate genes showed expression directions generally consistent with the RNA-seq results, and these molecular patterns were consistent with the feminized histological phenotype. Together, these results indicate that E1 can disrupt early reproductive development in juvenile S. chuatsi and support a cautious working model in which E1 exposure is accompanied by concurrent brain and gonadal responses. This study provides new evidence for understanding the toxic effects and ecological risk implications of natural estrogen E1 during early fish development.

Animals

Suppression of HIV-1 replication in CEM-A cell cultures by trans-splicing group I introns targeting PAS/PBS sequences and conditionally expressing &#x394;N-Bax.

Anti-HIV group I introns containing antisense guide sequences directed against the HIV-1 primer activation signal and primer-binding site (PAS/PBS) were designed and evaluated. Because PAS/PBS sequences are present in the viral RNA species examined, these RNAs can serve as trans-splicing substrates. The introns were active against both artificial target RNAs and viral RNA generated during infection. Cleavage and degradation of targeted viral RNA may have contributed to suppression, whereas inclusion of a 3' exon encoding the proapoptotic protein &#x394;N-Bax was associated with increased programmed cell death and may have augmented suppression of viral replication. In cultured CEM-A cells, transgene expression of these introns markedly suppressed HIV-1 replication, with p24 levels falling below the assay detection limit in selected clones. RESULTS: RT-PCR and sequence analysis detected splice products containing the expected PAS/PBS junctions. In the dual-luciferase assay, intron expression reduced normalized Gaussia luciferase signal by approximately 70% relative to the negative control. Qualitative Annexin V imaging and caspase-3 assays were consistent with infection-dependent apoptosis after &#x394;N-Bax splice-product formation. Transient expression of each intron in HEK293T cells followed by infection with VSV-G-pseudotyped HIV-1NL4-3&#x202f;at an MOI of 2 reduced p24 levels by approximately 50% at 4 days post-infection. Construct 128L produced the strongest RT-PCR band under the tested conditions and was selected for subsequent experiments. A canonical splice product and a low-abundance noncanonical splice product were detected; both involved the intended HIV-derived target RNA, although transcriptome-wide off-target splicing was not assessed. Heterogeneous transformed HEK293T populations showed an approximately 2-log10 reduction in p24. In selected clonal HEK293T and CEM-A lines, p24 was below the assay detection limit at the measured endpoints, including up to 90 days after infection in some CEM-A clones. CONCLUSIONS: PAS/PBS-targeting group I introns suppressed HIV-1-associated p24 production in the tested cell-culture models. Linking the introns to a &#x394;N-Bax 3' exon was associated with infection-dependent apoptosis and may further limit viral replication and spread. The use of highly conserved, functionally constrained target sequences may reduce the likelihood of escape, but viral evolution and transcriptome-wide off-target effects were not assessed. This conditional death-upon-infection strategy warrants further evaluation in primary-cell and in vivo models.

Humans

Multi-omic biomarkers in cardiovascular disease: Discovery to clinical translation.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, necessitating improved risk stratification and early detection strategies. Multiomics approaches that integrate genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenomics offer unprecedented opportunities for biomarker discovery and precision medicine in cardiovascular care. This narrative review examines the current landscape of multiomics biomarkers for CVD, tracing their evolution from discovery to clinical translation. We synthesize evidence from recent studies evaluating the clinical utility of integrated omics approaches across diverse cardiovascular conditions, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. High-throughput proteomics has identified novel protein signatures that enhance cardiovascular risk prediction beyond traditional risk factors. Metabolomics has revealed pathway-specific biomarkers, including trimethylamine N-oxide and lipid species, associated with atherogenesis. Polygenic risk scores derived from genomic data demonstrate incremental value when combined with clinical risk scores. Multiomics biomarkers represent a transformative approach to cardiovascular risk assessment and disease management.

Humans

Functional role and regulatory network of miR-22-3p in chicken hepatic lipid metabolism.

Although microRNA-22-3p (miR-22-3p) is abundantly expressed in the avian liver, its epigenetic role in lipid homeostasis remains largely uncharacterized. To elucidate its in vivo function, 14-day-old female Qingyuan Partridge chickens were intravenously injected with lentiviral vectors to establish miR-22-3p overexpression and knockdown models. Phenotypic analysis demonstrated that miR-22-3p knockdown significantly elevated hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels (p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05) and drove marked steatosis, whereas its overexpression reduced TG content. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) revealed profound metabolic remodeling, identifying 23 core lipid-associated genes (e.g., ELOVL6, FADS2, ACSBG2, and PTGIS) heavily enriched in steroid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, and elongation pathways. In conclusion, miR-22-3p functions as a bidirectional epigenetic rheostat that negatively regulates hepatic lipid deposition by orchestrating a multilayered polygenic network, providing novel molecular targets for mitigating avian metabolic disorders and optimizing production traits in indigenous poultry breeds.

Animals

Proteomics in environmental pollution research: Advances, challenges, and future directions.

Environmental proteomics has emerged as a powerful approach for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying pollutant-induced biological effects. Although this field has developed rapidly, the systematic review of recent proteomics applications in environmental pollution research remains limited. This review explored the emerging roles of toxicoproteomics in biomarker discovery and mechanistic elucidation, as well as ecotoxicoproteomics in ecological risk assessment and bioremediation strategies. Here, we review the field, highlighting recent trends such as the integration of proteomics with genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics to provide a comprehensive view of biological responses to environmental stressors. We further discuss the growing application of artificial intelligence in improving proteomics data interpretation and accelerating biomarker discovery. In addition, recent technological advances in environmental proteomics are highlighted, including next-generation tissue microarray proteomics, nanoscale proteomics, single-cell proteomics, and spatial proteomics. Despite its potential, proteomics faces challenges, such as high operational costs, computational complexity in analysis, and technical limitations in low-abundance protein detection. We propose that the convergence of proteomics with artificial intelligence and multi-omics approaches offers promising solutions to these challenges, enhancing the practical application of proteomics in environmental monitoring and risk assessment.

Proteomics

Evolutionary architecture and lineage-specific diversification of Forkhead box transcription factors in Perna viridis.

The Forkhead box (Fox) transcription factors are evolutionarily conserved regulators of development, cell cycle, and apoptosis across metazoans. This study provides the first comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the Fox gene family in the Asian green mussel (Perna viridis). We identified 28 Fox genes distributed across 10 chromosomes. Comparative analysis reveals the absence of the FoxI, FoxQ1, FoxR and FoxS subfamily, consistent with other bivalves and indicative of lineage-specific gene loss during molluscan evolution. Notably, gene duplications in the FoxAB, FoxD, FoxH, FoxN1-4, FoxQ2 and FoxQD subfamilies may reflect functional diversification associated with environmental adaptation. Exon-intron structural variability, including intron loss in several paralogues, suggests structural diversification and potential regulatory variation. Phylogenetic reconstruction confirmed the monophyly of core Fox classes while highlighting divergent expansion patterns in lophotrochozoans. Selection analyses showed strong purifying selection across duplicated Fox paralogs, supporting functional conservation after lineage-specific expansion. Gene Ontology enrichment linked Fox genes to stress response, apoptosis, and transcriptional regulation. By integrating phylogenetic, structural, and transcriptomic analyses, this study provides a genomic framework for understanding Fox gene organisation, evolution, and tissue-associated expression patterns in Perna viridis and establishes a comparative resource for future functional studies in bivalves.

Animals

Divergent evolutionary strategies in spider venoms: A comparative proteomic profiling of four sympatric species from Yunnan.

Spider venoms comprise complex cocktails of bioactive molecules evolved for predation and defense, representing a valuable resource for biological research and pharmaceutical discovery. In this study, we performed a systematic analysis of venom gland extracts from four common spider species indigenous to Yunnan, China: Agelena limbata, Hippasa lycosina, Lycosa grahami, and Sinopoda pengi. Using an integrated transcriptomic and proteomic targeted profiling approach, we successfully annotated 141 distinct toxins. Comparative analysis revealed significant interspecific heterogeneity, suggesting distinct evolutionary trajectories and "weapon system economics." Both A. limbata and L. grahami exhibited a "peptide-dominant" profile anchored by neurotoxic peptides and isomerases, optimized for rapid chemical paralysis. In contrast, S. pengi displayed a distinct "protein-dominant" signature enriched with high-molecular-weight enzymes and CAP superfamily proteins, likely functioning to facilitate tissue degradation and toxin diffusion. Occupying an intermediate position, H. lycosina demonstrated a hybrid composition. These findings suggest that although these species share the same geographical range, their venom systems have undergone divergent evolutionary adaptations driven by specific ecological niches and hunting strategies. This study represents the first systematic proteomic characterization of these venom components, providing a valuable reservoir of molecular candidates while highlighting the bioinformatic nuances of analyzing whole-gland homogenates.

Animals

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the CREB/ATF family and its potential role in melanogenesis in the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum).

Ruditapes philippinarum is an economically important bivalve species in China, and shell color is a trait of ecological and commercial significance. Melanin is a key determinant of shell color, and members of the CREB/ATF family have been reported to participate in melanogenesis in other organisms. In this study, members of the CREB/ATF family were systematically identified at the whole-genome level based on genomic and transcriptomic datasets, followed by analyses of their phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, and expression patterns. A total of six CREB/ATF family members were identified and classified into five subfamilies. Expression profiling and RT-qPCR validation revealed that most CREB/ATF genes were highly expressed in the mantle and displayed clear differences among shell-color phenotypes. Except for RpATF4 and RpCREBZF, most members exhibited relatively high expression levels in dark-colored shell strains, particularly in black and zebra-striped clams. Moreover, most genes showed low expression during early embryonic and larval stages but increased expression at the single-siphon spat and juvenile stages. These results suggest that the CREB/ATF family may be involved in melanin-associated shell-color regulation in R. philippinarum, providing important candidate genes and a theoretical basis for further elucidating the molecular mechanisms of shell-color formation in mollusks.

Animals

Glycerophospholipid remodeling under osmotic stress in grass carp gills.

Salinity fluctuations represent a pervasive environmental challenge for freshwater fishes, yet the cellular and metabolic programs governing early osmoregulatory responses remain understudied. Here, we investigated the time-dependent gill responses of juvenile grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) subjected to an acute, sublethal salinity increase 9 parts per thousand (ppt). Histological and biochemical analyses revealed progressive gill lesions accompanied by elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and lipid peroxidation, indicating rapid tissue injury under osmotic stress. Integrative metabolomic and transcriptomic profiling uncovered pronounced temporal reprogramming, consistently highlighting glycerophospholipid metabolism as a central axis of response. In particular, phosphatidylcholine (PC) species exhibited dynamic remodeling, coupled with transcriptional enrichment of lipid turnover, membrane transport, and innate immune pathways. Network-based integration identified a PC-centered remodeling module characterized by accelerated PC headgroup turnover, disruption of the PLA2-LPCAT2 lyso-PC reacylation cycle, and enhanced ABC transporter-associated lipid and sterol export, reflected by cholesteryl sulfate accumulation and a shifted n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid-derived oxylipin signature. Functional assays further demonstrated that PC and linoleic acid (LA) supplementation improved cell viability and alleviated oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory signaling in grass carp cells under salinity challenge. Collectively, these findings reveal phospholipid-centered membrane remodeling as an early, integrative mechanism linking osmotic stress to gill injury and immune activation in freshwater fish, providing insights into potential strategies of environmental stress adaptation.

Animals

Integrative multi-omics reveals a fibroblast-centered, ZFHX3-prioritized regulatory framework linking sick sinus syndrome and atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVE: To define shared genetic and multi-scale mechanisms underlying comorbidity between sick sinus syndrome (SSS) and atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: We integrated genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for SSS and AF with Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) expression and splicing quantitative trait loci (eQTL/sQTL), atrial single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, and epigenomics. We identified trait-relevant tissues and pathways, prioritized shared cell types, quantified genome-wide and local genetic sharing, detected joint loci by cross-trait meta-analysis, and linked loci to regulatory programs via colocalization and cell-prioritized co-expression networks. RESULTS: Both traits showed strongest enrichment in cardiac tissue, especially Heart Atrial Appendage. Fibroblasts from the left atrial appendage were consistently prioritized as the key shared cell population. SSS and AF displayed significant positive genome-wide genetic correlation, with multiple locally shared regions, including six major loci. Cross-trait meta-analysis identified eight joint-phenotype SNPs implicating four susceptibility genes. ZFHX3 was the leading tissue-cell-gene candidate, acting as a hub in fibroblast co-expression modules and colocalizing with cardiac regulatory signals. CONCLUSION: Shared liability for SSS and AF is highly tissue- and cell-specific, converging on regulatory networks in atrial appendage fibroblasts, with ZFHX3 serving as a central mechanistic and biomarker node.

Humans

Cross-tissue multi-omics integration highlights BPHL and mitochondrial targets in Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet specific molecular targets remain to be fully characterized. METHODS: A summary-data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) framework integrated AD genome-wide association study (GWAS) statistics (39,918 cases) with blood DNA methylation quantitative trait loci (mQTL), gene expression (eQTL), and protein (pQTL) data for 1136 mitochondria-related genes. Associations were assessed using Bayesian colocalization and HEIDI testing. Tissue relevance was evaluated in four brain regions (hippocampus, amygdala, cortex, frontal cortex) using GTEx and external transcriptomic datasets. RESULTS: Screening identified eight candidates supported across blood mQTL and eQTL layers. Stepwise central nervous system (CNS) evaluation singled out biphenyl hydrolase-like (BPHL) as the consistent candidate. Higher genetically predicted BPHL expression was associated with reduced AD risk across the hippocampus (OR=0.920, 95% CI 0.873-0.970), amygdala (OR=0.925, 95%CI 0.880-0.973), cortex (OR=0.943, 95% CI 0.908-0.978), and frontal cortex (OR=0.938, 95%CI 0.901-0.976). These findings aligned with protein-protein interactions connecting BPHL to respiratory complexes and lower BPHL expression in independent AD brains. Functional enrichment converged on oxidative phosphorylation pathways. CONCLUSIONS: By integrating multi-omics data with tissue-specific validation, this study nominates BPHL as a consistent protective candidate in the brain. These findings provide genetic support for mitochondrial molecular perturbations in AD, offering insights for future validation.

Alzheimer Disease