Time-resolved quantitative proteomic analysis of the developing Xenopus otic vesicle reveals putative congenital hearing loss candidates

Enhancing plant resistance to tobacco mosaic virus through the combined application of Verticillium dahliae Aspf2-like protein and microelements

BACKGROUND

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) poses a significant threat to global agriculture, infecting economically vital crops such as tobacco, tomato, pepper, and potato. Previous studies have suggested that the Verticillium dahliae Aspf2-like protein (VDAL) enhances plant resistance to TMV. This study investigated the preventive and therapeutic effects of VDAL, with and without microelements, on TMV resistance by analyzing plant hormone levels, defense related enzyme activities, and transcriptomic responses.

RESULTS

Plants were subjected to six experimental treatments: CK0 (untreated control, no TMV or VDAL treatment), CK (TMV inoculated control), T1 (preventive VDAL treatment), T2 (preventive VDAL + microelements), CT1 (therapeutic VDAL treatment), and CT2 (therapeutic VDAL + microelements). TMV inoculation (CK) significantly increased (P < 0.05) TMV content, jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA) levels, and activities of defense related enzymes, including benzoic acid 2-hydroxylase (BA2H), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), compared to CK0. Both preventive treatments (T1 and T2) effectively reduced TMV content and enhanced JA, SA, and defense related enzyme activities. Notably, the microelement-supplemented preventive treatment (T2) showed 37.73% greater reduction in TMV content compared to T1. Similarly, the therapeutic applications, CT2 reduced the TMV content by 32.50% than CT1. Treatments T2 and CT2 also increased the contents of JA by 5.48% and 2.88%, respectively compared to their respective controls. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that these treatments activated plant-pathogen interaction pathways and pathogen-associated molecular pattern-triggered immunity (PTI), with significant upregulation of key defense related genes (e.g., CALM, BAK1, PTI6, and WRKY33), indicating a robust antiviral defense response.

CONCLUSION

Overall, we conclude that the synergistic application of VDAL and microelements significantly enhances plant resistance to TMV through coordinated activation of phytohormone signaling, defense enzymes, and immune-related gene expression. This combined approach offers an effective, eco-friendly alternative for sustainable management of viral diseases in agricultural crops. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Transcriptomic Analysis Identifies Candidate Genes for Differential Expression during Xenopus laevis Inner Ear Development

Background

The genes involved in inner ear development and maintenance of the adult organ have yet to be fully characterized. Previous genetic analysis has emphasized the early development that gives rise to the otic vesicle. This study aimed to bridge the knowledge gap and identify candidate genes that are expressed as the auditory and vestibular sensory organs continue to grow and develop until the systems reach postmetamorphic maturity.

Methods

Affymetrix microarrays were used to assess inner ear transcriptome profiles from three Xenopus laevis developmental ages where all eight endorgans comprise mechanosensory hair cells: larval stages 50 and 56, and the post-metamorphic juvenile. Pairwise comparisons were made between the three developmental stages and the resulting differentially expressed X. laevis Probe Set IDs (Xl-PSIDs) were assigned to four groups based on differential expression patterns. DAVID analysis was undertaken to impart functional annotation to the differentially regulated Xl-PSIDs.

Results

Analysis identified 1510 candidate genes for differential gene expression in one or more pairwise comparison. Annotated genes not previously associated with inner ear development emerged from this analysis, as well as annotated genes with established inner ear function, such as oncomodulin, neurod1, and sp7. Notably, 36% of differentially expressed Xl-PSIDs were unannotated.

Conclusions

Results draw attention to the complex gene regulatory patterns that characterize Xenopus inner ear development, and underscore the need for improved annotation of the X. laevis genome. Outcomes can be utilized to select candidate inner ear genes for functional analysis, and to promote Xenopus as a model organism for biomedical studies of hearing and balance.