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Dynamic effects of short-term storage temperature and duration on the transcriptome and functional pathways of umbilical cord blood-derived NK cells.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to elucidate the dynamic impact of different storage conditions (temperature and time) on the function of natural killer (NK) cells derived from umbilical cord blood (UCB) at the transcriptome level, providing a theoretical basis for optimizing the standardized post-collection processing protocol of UCB in clinical settings. METHODS: Four healthy full-term UCB samples were collected and assigned to a fresh control group (0H) and experimental groups stored at 4 °C (4C) or 25 °C (RT) for 24 h (24H) and 72 h (72H). Umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) were isolated and expanded in vitro to derive NK cells. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology, combined with principal component analysis (PCA), screening of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses, the effects of storage conditions on the transcriptome of NK cells were comprehensively analyzed. RESULTS: The results indicated that storage time was the primary factor causing transcriptomic differences. Compared to the 0H group, storage for 24 h induced a limited number of Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) (only 11 in the 24H-RT group), indicating overall transcriptome stability. In contrast, storage for 72 h triggered profound transcriptomic reprogramming, with DEGs significantly enriched in immune activation-related pathways. Specifically, at the 72-h time point, storage at 4 °C compared to 25 °C prevented the downregulation of key metabolic pathways such as 'response to decreased oxygen levels' and 'regulation of leukocyte cell-cell adhesion'. CONCLUSION: CBMC-derived NK cells can tolerate up to 24 h of ex vivo storage while maintaining transcriptome and core functional stability. However, extending the ex vivo storage period to 72 h leads to significant reprogramming in the expression of immune and metabolism-related genes. Notably, the degree of metabolic suppression under refrigerated conditions at 4 °C was less pronounced than that at 25 °C room temperature storage. This study recommends that the ex vivo storage time of UCB should ideally be limited to within 24 h, with room temperature storage being a viable option. If prolonged storage is necessary, refrigeration at 4 °C is advised.

Humans

Determinants of nucleic acid quality in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded bladder urothelial carcinoma specimens: effects of specimen type, fixation conditions, and storage time.

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue is the principal substrate for cancer genomic profiling, yet pre-analytical factors affect nucleic acid quality. In our workflow, transurethral resection (TUR) specimens of bladder urothelial carcinoma are fixed promptly but exposed to electrocautery, whereas robot-assisted radical cystectomy specimens are refrigerated overnight before fixation; we compared nucleic acid quality between these specimen types. We analyzed 56 FFPE primary bladder urothelial carcinoma specimens (33 TUR, 23 cystectomy). DNA quality was assessed by the DNA Integrity Number (DIN) and short-to-long cycle threshold ratio (S/L Ct ratio), and RNA quality by the RNA Integrity Number (RIN) and percentage of RNA fragments &#x2265;200 nucleotides (DV200), with group comparisons, Spearman correlations, and multivariable regression (specimen type, fixation duration, storage time). The median DIN (4.4 vs. 3.8, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.004) and S/L Ct ratio (0.943 vs. 0.894, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001) were higher in TUR than cystectomy specimens; the RIN was also higher (1.9 vs. 1.7, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.040), though low in both groups, and DV200 did not differ (50.3% vs. 47.7%, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.934). In multivariable analysis, TUR specimen type independently predicted higher DIN (&#x3b2;&#xa0;=&#xa0;+0.460, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.040) and S/L Ct ratio (&#x3b2;&#xa0;=&#xa0;+0.442, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.009), whereas longer storage time independently decreased the S/L Ct ratio (&#x3b2;&#xa0;=&#xa0;-0.513, p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001) and RIN (&#x3b2;&#xa0;=&#xa0;-0.352, p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.010). In our institutional workflow, TUR specimens showed higher DNA quality metrics than robot-assisted radical cystectomy specimens subjected to overnight refrigerated pre-fixation delay, whereas this workflow-associated advantage did not clearly extend to DV200-defined RNA fragment-length quality. Storage time was associated with selected aspects of nucleic acid deterioration.

Humans

Metaproteomic Analysis to Assess the Impact of Storage Media on Human Gut Microbiome in Fecal Samples.

The human gut microbiome is a diverse community of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract. The storage condition of fecal samples may impact the taxonomic and protein compositions of microbiomes in these samples. Here, we performed a mass spectrometry-based metaproteomic study to assess the impact of storage media on human gut microbiome in fecal samples. We evaluated FDA-authorized OMNIgene&#xb7;GUT (OG), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and RNALater (RNAL) buffers and identified 38,185 microbial peptides corresponding to 7348 microbial proteins, which matched 16 phyla, 20 classes, 50 orders, 104 families, 332 genera, and 453 species. We found a high similarity among the fecal microbiomes preserved in OG, PBS, and RNAL in terms of the identification of proteins, taxa, and functional annotations. Both alpha and beta diversity suggested the high similarity among samples stored in the three media. Nonetheless, we also found some notable differences among buffers regarding the abundances of a few taxon groups. A partial human proteome (over 400 proteins) was identified in the fecal samples, with most of these proteins associated with the membrane and extracellular regions. The findings indicate the similarity among microbiomes in the fecal samples stored in OG, PBS, and RNAL regarding proteome profile, taxa, and functional capacity. SUMMARY: This study thoroughly analyzed and compared the metaproteomes of fecal samples preserved at -80&#xb0;C in PBS, RNALater, and OMNIgene&#xb7;GUT Dx buffers, offering novel insights into the effectiveness of these buffers in maintaining the stability and composition of the human gut microbiome. We found a high similarity in the identification and quantification of proteins, taxa, and functional annotations across the three buffers, with notable quantitative differences highlighting subtle yet important variations in preservation efficacy. The unique datasets and findings could offer valuable revelations into the impact of fecal sample preservation on translational and clinical analyses of the human gut microbiome.

Humans

Lpb. plantarum inhalation powders for the reduction of lung inflammation and S. aureus growth control in non-CF bronchiectasis.

INTRODUCTION: The reduced diversity of the lung microbiome in respiratory conditions, including bronchiectasis, promotes bacterial infection and inflammation, contributing to worsening clinical outcomes. Traditional treatments often fail to address both infection and inflammation. Because of their potential dual-action, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) directly administered to the lungs could represent an innovative therapeutic approach for these diseases. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Two powders for inhalation containing Lpb. plantarum, lactose, l-leucine with and without raffinose, a prebiotic, were produced by spray drying and in vitro tested. The focus was on investigating their potential in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activities against S. aureus. RESULTS: The powders showed a fine particle fraction (<5&#x2009;&#xb5;m) of >40% and allowed the maintenance of anti -inflammatory activity in vitro for both treatment and prevention. Moreover, both powders led to a significant reduction in S. aureus growth. The stability study of the powders in capsules at different storage conditions showed the preservation of the LAB up to 90&#x2009;days in refrigerated conditions (4&#xb0;C/-20&#xb0;C). CONCLUSIONS: This proof-of-concept study shows that inhalable spray-dried live LABs retain biological activity and are suitable for pulmonary delivery, supporting their potential as a microbiota-modulating therapy, which, however, requires further preclinical validation.

Inhalation

Probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles as food-based nanocarriers: Mechanisms, functional applications, and future perspectives in food systems.

Probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) are a promising type of postbiotic nanoparticle derived by fermentation of probiotics, and have gained growing interest as a potential application in food science and nutrition. These are lipid bilayer vesicles of nanoscale, which are naturally released by probiotic cells and contain a wide variety of bioactive molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites. Moreover, PDEVs are highly stable, biocompatible, and can be easily engineered to have surfaces with high functionality, which makes them good candidates in functional engineering. In contrast to traditional live probiotics, PDEVs overcome the difficulties of preserving microbial viability during processing and storage, thus providing superior safety, stability, and predictable biological performance. This is a systematic review of the various functions of PDEVs in food systems. We conclude on the processes through which PDEVs control intestinal barrier integrity, alter gut microbiota composition, and alter host immune responses, and their potential to enhance gut health when added to functional foods. In addition to their health-promoting effects, PDEVs have shown significant potential as natural antimicrobial agents to preserve food and as effective nanocarriers of hydrophobic bioactive compounds, including fucoxanthin, to improve their stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery. Moreover, PDEVs can be used as new regulators of microbial fermentation. However, it should be noted that a lot of the evidence that is available is still preliminary and the effectiveness of these applications in real food-processing and storage conditions has not been fully proven. Although they have potential, there are a number of challenges that still hinder the widespread use of PDEVs in the food industry. These involve the creation of scalable and cost-effective production processes, batch-to-batch consistency, vesicle stability in a variety of food matrices, and regulatory and safety considerations. Other emerging engineering approaches, such as surface functionalization and cargo loading, are also discussed in this review and could further increase the specificity, functionality, and application versatility of PDEVs in food systems. Moving forward, the incorporation of PDEVs into the next generation functional foods, novel food preservation methods, and customized nutrition plans should be prioritized in future studies. Further developments in these fields can make PDEVs useful platforms at the interface of food microbiology, nanotechnology, and human health.

Probiotics

Bycatch in a bottle: what taxa are recoverable from metabarcoding DNA in historical invertebrate collection preservative fluid?

Natural history museum collections are invaluable repositories of biodiversity, offering insights into life on Earth. Genomic approaches provide powerful tools to characterize biodiversity in these collections. However using these collections for genomics without damaging specimens is a challenge. Here, we develop and test non-destructive DNA metabarcoding methods to capture biodiversity from the preservative fluids of archived insect collections ('Bycatch'). We optimized workflows for extracting and amplifying the partial CO1 locus (CO1) and fungal ITS1 locus from ethanol-based preservative fluids, validating ethanol preparation methods, comparing DNA extraction kits, and refining PCR protocols. Our results demonstrate that from museum collections with low DNA yields, CO1 and fungal ITS1 loci can often be recovered from preservative fluids, and we present detailed methodology and workflows. We test metabarcoding success to recover taxa in several museum collections ranging in age and storage condition. This is to support the State of California's effort to catalog and sequence all insects and fungi, building baselines of California biodiversity with help from museum collections. Lastly, we investigate the complementarity of metabarcoding water versus ethanol and morphological identifications aimed to capture benthic macroinvertebrate biodiversity in streams. Our findings highlight that DNA metabarcoding of the preservative fluid is a non-destructive tool for capturing biodiversity in historical specimens, but there are limitations on the overlaps between DNA results and physical contents, where morphological identification still reigns in taxon counts, but metabarcoding sometimes provides more taxonomic resolution, and can be used to track DNA from other organisms such as fungi beyond the directly surveyed specimens.

Animals

An Intrinsically Disordered RNA Binding Protein Modulates mRNA Translation and Storage.

Proteins with intrinsically disordered regions (IDR) play diverse functions in regulating gene expression in the cell. Many of these proteins interact with cytoplasmic ribosomes. However, the molecular functions related to the interactions are largely unclear. In this study, using an abundant RNA-binding protein, Sbp1, with a structurally well-defined RNA recognition motif and an intrinsically disordered RGG domain as a model system, we investigated how an RNA binding protein with IDR modulates mRNA storage and translation. Using genomic and molecular approaches, we show that Sbp1 slows ribosome movement on cellular mRNAs and promotes polysome stacking or aggregation. Sbp1-associated polysomes display a ring-shaped structure in addition to a beads-on-string morphology visualized under the electron microscope, likely to be an intermediate slow translation state between actively translating polysomes and the translation-sequestered RNA granule. Moreover, the binding of Sbp1 to the 5'UTRs of mRNAs represses both cap-dependent and cap-independent translation initiation of proteins, many are functionally important for general protein synthesis in the cell. Finally, post-translational modifications at the arginine in the RGG motif change the Sbp1 protein interactome and play important roles in directing cellular mRNAs to either translation or storage. Taken together, our study demonstrates that under physiological conditions, intrinsically disordered RNA binding proteins promote polysome aggregation and regulate mRNA translation and storage using multiple distinctive mechanisms. This research also establishes a framework with which functions of other IDR-containing proteins can be investigated and defined.

RNA-Binding Proteins

Integrated agronomy of pea (Pisum sativum L.): a review on cultivation, harvesting, and storage for sustainable agriculture.

Peas (Pisum sativum L.) are a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture, yet their potential is limited by fragmented agronomic practices. This review provides an integrated synthesis of advancements across cultivation, mechanized harvesting, and post-harvest storage. Key findings reveal that optimal growth conditions and nanotechnology interventions can significantly enhance abiotic stress tolerance. Mechanized harvesting innovations reduce yield losses by up to 40%, but smallholder adoption and terrain compatibility remain critical challenges. Effective post-harvest strategies, including low-temperature storage and hermetic bags, are crucial for preserving quality. Despite progress, systemic barriers persist. Future research must prioritize interdisciplinary solutions-combining genomics, precision engineering, and farmer training-to unlock the full potential of peas as a keystone crop for sustainable food systems.

climate resilience

Replacement of chromosome 3D with Thinopyrum chromosome 3St led to increased drought tolerance during the flowering stage in wheat.

The stable 3St(3D) substitution line offers promising genetic potential for improving drought tolerance in wheat during critical reproductive stages. The flowering stage is highly susceptible to drought, which significantly reduces wheat grain yield globally. Low genetic diversity in wheat further limits the discovery of optimal gene variants for breeding climate-resilient varieties. The substitution of chromosome 3D by a group 3 chromosome pair from Thinopyrum intermedium&#x2009;&#xd7;&#x2009;Th. ponticum artificial hybrid was identified using in situ hybridization and genotyping-by-sequencing. This homoeologous substitution showed good functional compensation for grain yield and fertility, similar to the wheat parents ('Mv9kr1' and 'Mv&#x202f;Karizma') in field and greenhouse trials. The substitution line exhibits a semidwarf phenotype due to the Rht8 and Rht2 dwarfing alleles. Automated shoot phenotyping after a 10-day water withdrawal at flowering revealed efficient water preservation allowing to maintain photosynthetic functions, sustained photosynthetic activity, and less chlorophyll degradation, indicated by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and modified Normalized Difference&#xa0;Index (mND705) values and moderate level of protective functions shown by the expression of stress-related genes. Compared to the wheat parents, the substitution line developed thicker roots with increased volume under drought, resulting in a lower surface-to-volume ratio. This may enhance water storage efficiency and help reduce yield loss under drought conditions.

Triticum

Mechanistic roles of GmSWEET10a/b and GmSUT1 in the oil-protein balance in soybean mature seeds at transcriptional and metabolic levels.

Previous investigations indicated that the soybean (Glycine max) SUGARS WILL EVENTUALLY BE EXPORTED TRANSPORTER10a/b (GmSWEET10a/b) genes promote oil accumulation, while inhibiting protein accumulation in seeds. To clarify the mechanisms modulated by GmSWEET10a/b in mediating the oil and protein accumulations in soybean seeds, an integrated comparative multiomics was conducted using the double gmsweet10a,b mutant and wild-type (WT) embryos. Spatial metabolomic analysis revealed that gmsweet10a,b embryos were surrounded by a sugar-reduced seed coat and experienced a sugar-starvation state in embryonic tissues in vivo. The decreased sugar content in the gmsweet10a,b embryos reduced the availability of carbon skeletons required for oil synthesis and was associated with decreased expression levels of genes involved in sucrose metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and triacylglycerol assembly. Meanwhile, the expression of genes encoding storage protein was induced in gmsweet10a,b embryos, when compared with WT. These changes resulted in decreased oil content and increased protein content in gmsweet10a,b embryos versus WT. In vitro sugar-starvation assay also supported the suppression of fatty acid biosynthesis and the enhanced storage protein accumulation in developmental embryo under sugar-starved conditions. Furthermore, the knockout of SUCROSE TRANSPORTER 1 (GmSUT1), which was upregulated in gmsweet10a,b embryos, significantly decreased the sugar level, resulting in lower oil content but higher protein content in gmsut1 embryos than WT ones. Our findings provided a mechanistic understanding of the modulation of sugar transport between seed coat to embryo by both GmSWEET10a/b and GmSUT1, which plays a pivotal role in balancing oil and protein accumulations in soybean mature seeds.

Seeds

Clinical proteomics in inborn errors of metabolism: from biomarker discovery to implementation.

INTRODUCTION: Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are rare, heterogeneous disorders traditionally diagnosed through genetic testing, enzyme assays, and metabolite measurements. However, these tools often do not fully explain phenotypic variability, organ involvement, disease progression, or treatment response. Clinical proteomics provides a complementary functional layer by capturing changes in protein abundance, proteoforms, post-translational modifications (PTM), and biological pathways, offering insights beyond genotype- and metabolite-based approaches. AREAS COVERED: This review examines the role of high-resolution mass spectrometry and computational proteomics in biomarker discovery and clinical decision-making for IEMs. It focuses on their contribution to diagnosis, variant interpretation, patient stratification, and treatment monitoring. Disease-specific applications are discussed, with the strongest evidence in lysosomal storage disorders, mitochondrial diseases, congenital disorders of glycosylation, and selected neurodegenerative or renal metabolic conditions. The literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, covering peer-reviewed articles available up to 2026, with emphasis on methodological advances and translational applications in clinical proteomics for IEMs. EXPERT OPINION: Proteomics will not replace established diagnostic tools, but it can help address clinically actionable questions in selected contexts. Translation into clinical practice will require standardized workflows, multicenter validation, clinically anchored endpoints, and integration with other omics approaches.

Humans

A genome-scale metabolic model for the denitrifying bacterium Thauera sp. MZ1T accurately predicts degradation of pollutants and production of polymers.

The denitrifying bacterium Thauera sp. MZ1T, a common member of microbial communities in wastewater treatment facilities, can produce different compounds from a range of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) sources under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In these different conditions, Thauera modifies its metabolism to produce different compounds that influence the microbial community. In particular, Thauera sp. MZ1T produces different exopolysaccharides with floc-forming properties, impacting the physical disposition of wastewater consortia and the efficiency of nutrient assimilation by the microbial community. Under N-limiting conditions, Thauera sp. MZ1T decreases its growth rate and accelerates the accumulation of polyhydroxyalkanoate-related (PHA) compounds including polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), which plays a fundamental role as C and energy storage in this &#x3b2;-proteobacterium. However, the metabolic mechanisms employed by Thauera sp. MZ1T to assimilate and catabolize many of the different C and N sources under aerobic and anaerobic conditions remain unknown. Systems biology approaches such as genome-scale metabolic modeling have been successfully used to unveil complex metabolic mechanisms for various microorganisms. Here, we developed a comprehensive metabolic model (M-model) for Thauera sp. MZ1T (iThauera861), consisting of 1,744 metabolites, 2,384 reactions, and 861 genes. We validated the model experimentally using over 70 different C and N sources under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. iThauera861 achieved a prediction accuracy of 95% for growth on various C and N sources and close to 85% for assimilation of aromatic compounds under denitrifying conditions. The M-model was subsequently deployed to determine the effects of substrates, oxygen presence, and the C:N ratio on the production of PHB and exopolysaccharides (EPS), showing the highest polymer yields are achieved with nucleotides and amino acids under aerobic conditions. This comprehensive M-model will help reveal the metabolic processes by which this ubiquitous species influences communities in wastewater treatment systems and natural environments.

Thauera

Dynamic lysine acetylation and succinylation of platelet proteins regulates platelet storage lesion: mechanistic insights from multi-omics.

OBJECTIVES: Platelet storage lesion (PSL) severely impairs platelet function during storage, presenting a major hurdle in transfusion medicine; however, the dynamic interplay between global proteomic changes and post-translational modifications (PTMs) underlying these functional deteriorations remains insufficiently characterized. Here, we report the first comprehensive multi-omics analysis integrating global proteomics, acetylomics, and succinylomics to dissect the molecular dynamics during platelet storage. METHODS: We performed quantification of global proteomics, acetylome and succinylome based on TMT-labeled LC-MS/MS analysis, combined with antibody-affinity enrichment and purification. Dynamic molecular changes and functional transformation of platelet were also characterized under proper conditions stored for 1, 3, 5, 7&#x2009;days, respectively. RESULTS: We systematically characterized 3,609 proteins, 1,308 acetylation sites, and 1,947 succinylation sites across multiple storage time points (D1, D3, D5, D7). We distinct temporal patterns of post-translational modifications, with succinylation showing more extensive coverage than acetylation in platelets. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed extensive metabolic reprogramming involving complement activation, energy metabolism, and cellular detoxification processes. The identification of specific motif patterns provided mechanistic insights into the functional specificity of these modifications. Random forest machine learning identified 20 core regulatory proteins representing critical nodes in PSL development. Furthermore, we employed real - time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT - QPCR) to measure the expression levels of key genes related to platelet function and PTM - associated pathways. CONCLUSION: By mapping the interplay between proteomic abundance shifts and PTM dynamics, this study provides a multidimensional understanding of PSL, establishing a foundational framework for optimizing storage protocols and enhancing transfusion safety.

Blood Platelets

A therapeutic atlas of monogenic inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Evidence-based, mechanism-guided therapies are urgently needed for treating monogenic inflammatory bowel disease (mIBD). For such rare diseases, mechanistic insight is essential to guide treatment when conventional clinical trials are often not feasible. We aimed to summarize literature-based evidence and to identify knowledge gaps. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of published manuscripts evaluating the therapeutic efficacy in mIBD. We quantified and compared the global therapeutic response score across treatments and conditions. In a subset of conditions, biomarkers of longitudinal therapeutic response were evaluated in comparison to non-monogenic pediatric IBD cohorts. RESULTS: Responses to 35 therapeutics across the 102 known genetic causes of mIBD were evaluated in 241 articles and 669 patients, summarizing 302 gene-drug responses. The efficacy of at least one pharmacological intervention was identified in 61% (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;62/102) of the mIBD conditions, highlighting a major unmet need for effective medications in many others. Gene- and pathway-specific responses were demonstrated for several therapies, including allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, and advanced therapies such as anti-TNF agents, IL-1 inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, as well as eculizumab in CD55 deficiency, abatacept in CTLA4 deficiency, and the immunometabolic agent empagliflozin in glycogen storage disease type 1b. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potential of precision medicine approaches tailored to genetic and pathway-specific mechanisms, while underscoring the urgent need for effective therapies in many monogenic conditions that remain without established treatment options.

Humans

Investigating overflow metabolism in heterotrophic cultures of the green alga Chromochloris zofingiensis.

Chromochloris zofingiensis is of interest for its ability to perform a reversible trophic switch in the presence of glucose that is characterized by a shutdown of photosynthesis and an accumulation of energy storage metabolites. Previous work has shown that this trophic switch is accompanied by overflow metabolism and the production of lactate in aerobic conditions. This trophic switch is not observed in nutrient replete media. We utilized isotopically assisted metabolic flux analysis to characterize intracellular flux distributions that are associated with different metabolic phenotypes observed in this organism in different media formulations in light and dark conditions. The results of this analysis showed that low iron cultures have no flux through carbon fixation reactions, and that the carbon flux entering the TCA cycle in these cultures is approximately 40&#xa0;% lower than that in iron replete cultures grown heterotrophically. This analysis was complemented with transcriptomics data collected for C. zofingiensis grown in iron limited conditions to provide further evidence towards the negative impact of iron limitation on both photosynthetic and respiratory activity. Overflow metabolism allows this alga to compensate for the lower energy production that results from iron limitation. This work highlights how nutrient availability can lead to changes in the metabolism of C. zofingiensis.

Iron

Balancing nutrient remobilization and photosynthesis: proteomic insights into the dual role of lupin cotyledons after germination.

Efficient nutrient mobilization from seed storage tissues is essential for seedling establishment, particularly in legumes such as Lupinus albus (white lupin), which thrive in nutrient-poor soils. This study investigates the role of cotyledons in nitrogen (N) and mineral remobilization after germination during their transition from storage organs to photosynthetically active tissues, including the metabolic challenges posed by the coexistence of these two functions in epigeal germination. We cultivated white lupin seedlings under nitrogen-deficient conditions, analyzing cotyledon composition and function over 28&#x2009;days. Our results indicate that 60% of cotyledon-stored proteins are degraded within the first 8&#x2009;days, with free amino acids transiently accumulating before being redistributed to support growth. The progressive depletion of cotyledon reserves was accompanied by structural and metabolic changes, including an increase in photosynthetic proteins. However, cotyledon photosynthetic capacity remained lower than that of true leaves, suggesting a transient role in energy metabolism. The loss of cotyledons before day 12 significantly impaired seedling development, emphasizing their critical contribution to nitrogen, phosphate, and micronutrient supply during early growth. Comparative proteomic analysis revealed dynamic shifts in nutrient transport, amino acid metabolism, and stress response pathways following cotyledon removal. These findings underscore the significance of cotyledon nutrient remobilization in legume adaptation to low-fertility soils and highlight potential targets for breeding strategies aimed at improving nutrient use efficiency. By optimizing cotyledon nutrient composition and function, future breeding efforts could enhance seedling vigor, reduce fertilizer dependency, and improve the nutritional value of lupin-based foods.

Lupinus

Conditional eIF2A Deletion Suggests Extra-Adipose Mechanisms Underlying Metabolic Syndrome in Total-Body eIF2A Knockout Mice.

Dynamic regulation of protein synthesis is essential for metabolic homeostasis, with translation initiation playing a key role in this process. Emerging evidence strongly indicates that in addition to canonical eukaryotic initiation factors (e.g., eIF2, eIF4E) non-canonical factors, such as eukaryotic initiation factor 2A can modulate metabolic homeostasis. eIF2A is a highly conserved eukaryotic protein originally proposed to function analogously to bacterial IF2, promoting initiator Met-tRNAi recruitment to the 40S ribosomal subunit, though its precise mechanism remains debated. To investigate its organismal role, we have previously generated the total-body eIF2A knockout mouse, which revealed eIF2A functions in lipid homeostasis, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and susceptibility to metabolic syndrome. To further determine whether adipose tissue drives these phenotypes, we presently generated adipose-specific eIF2A knockout mice. Despite dysregulation of some key adipokines, including for example, adiponectin, these mice did not develop metabolic syndrome, even under high-fat diet conditions, indicating that adipose tissue specific deficiency of eIF2A is insufficient to reproduce the metabolic defects observed in total-body knockout. However, we found that eIF2A deficiency in the liver of the total body eIF2A-KO mice can independently drive metabolic syndrome components via translational control of Lpin1 (a phosphatidate phosphatase and a transcriptional coactivator) that controls hepatic lipid storage and metabolism. eIF2A deficiency in the liver leads to disruption of fatty acid oxidation and the production of ketone bodies, not observed in adipose-specific eIF2A knockout mice. Our findings suggest that systemic metabolic effects observed in the total body eIF2A-KO mice may arise from coordinated functions across multiple organs.

adipose tissue

Proteomic signatures of adipocyte recruitment in breast cancer.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is increasingly recognized as a dynamic regulator of breast cancer progression, with adipocytes functioning as active contributors rather than passive bystanders. Here, we investigated the proteomic and morphologic reprogramming of breast cancer-associated adipocytes (BrCAAs) in response to triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Using conditioned medium from HCC1143 cells, we established an in vitro BrCAA model and performed mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Comparative profiling revealed 256 differentially expressed proteins, enriched for pathways including fatty acid degradation, carbon metabolism, and glycogen turnover, consistent with a metabolic shift from energy storage to energy supply. Gene ontology and protein-protein interaction analyses further identified cytoskeletal remodeling, adhesion dynamics, and secretory pathway activation, supporting BrCAA-driven microenvironmental remodeling. In the MMTV-PyMT mouse model, morphometric analysis demonstrated progressive size reduction and increased contour irregularity of adipocytes adjacent to tumors, correlating with proteomic evidence of metabolic stress. Importantly, BrCAAs localized at tumor interfaces were associated with increased microvessel density and CD105+ endothelial activation compared to desmoplastic zones. Proteomic enrichment highlighted pro-angiogenic remodeling, with validation of basigin (BSG), integrin &#x3b1;V (ITGAV), and 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase 1 (DECR1). Collectively, our findings establish BrCAAs as metabolically and structurally reprogrammed stromal components that promote tumor metabolism and localized angiogenesis, representing potential therapeutic targets in aggressive breast cancer.

Female