Integrative analysis of transcriptome and metabolome reveals the effect of DNA methylation of chalcone isomerase gene in promoter region on Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd flavonoids

Synergistic antitumor effects of Phlorizin and Temozolomide in glioblastoma: Mechanistic insights and molecular targeting

Glioblastoma (GBM), one of the most aggressive brain cancers, presents significant treatment challenges due to its complex biology and resistance to conventional therapies, necessitating the development of new, low-toxicity, and effective treatments. This study explores the antitumor potential of phlorizin, a naturally occurring dihydrochalcone, as a standalone agent and in combination with temozolomide (TMZ), the standard chemotherapeutic for GBM. Phlorizin was found to significantly inhibit cell viability and migration in vitro, with synergistic effects observed when combined with TMZ. Comprehensive analyses, including protein-protein interaction network construction, enrichment analysis, and molecular docking with AKT1, identified the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway as a critical mediator of glioblastoma cell survival and proliferation targeted by phlorizin. Pathway enrichment analysis of 88 intersection targets further highlighted this pathway's role in phlorizin's activity. Western blot validation confirmed that phlorizin inhibits the expression of key proteins within the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, providing a mechanistic basis for its antitumor effects. These findings suggest that phlorizin, particularly in combination with TMZ, holds significant potential as a therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma by targeting molecular pathways critical for cancer cell survival and proliferation.

Unveiling the mysteries of HvANS: a study on anthocyanin biosynthesis in qingke (hordeum vulgare L. var. Nudum hook. f.) seeds

BACKGROUND

Based on our previous research, a full-length cDNA sequence of HvANS gene was isolated from purple and white Qingke. The open reading frame (ORF) in the purple variety Nierumuzha was 1320 base pairs (bp), encoding 439 amino acids, while the ORF in the white variety Kunlun 10 was 1197 bp, encoding 398 amino acids. A nonsynonymous mutation was found at the position of 1195 bp (T/C) in the coding sequence (CDS) of the HvANS gene. We carried out a series of studies to further clarify the relationship between the HvANS gene and anthocyanin synthesis in Qingke.

RESULTS

The conservative structural domain prediction results showed that the encoded protein belonged to the PLN03178 superfamily. Multiple comparisons showed that this protein had the highest homology with Hordeum vulgare, at 88.61%. The approximately 2000 bp promoter sequence of the HvANS gene was identical in both varieties. The real-time fluorescence PCR (qRT-PCR) results revealed that HvANS expression was either absent or very low in the roots, stems, leaves, and awns of Nierumuzha. In contrast, the HvANS expression was high in the seed coats and seeds of Nierumuzha. Likewise, in Kunlun 10, HvANS expression was either absent or very low, indicating a tissue-specific and variety-specific pattern for HvANS expression. The subcellular localization results indicated that HvANS was in the cell membrane. Metabolomic results indicated that the HvANS gene is closely related to the synthesis of three anthocyanin substances (Idaein chloride, Kinetin 9-riboside, and Cyanidin O-syringic acid). Yeast single hybridization experiments showed that the HvANS promoter interacted with HvANT1, which is the key anthocyanin regulatory protein. In a yeast two-hybrid experiment, we obtained two significantly different proteins (ZWY2020 and POMGNT2-like) and verified the results by qRT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide a basis for further studies on the regulatory mechanism of HvANS in the synthesis of anthocyanins in Qingke purple grains.

DNA methylation regulates the secondary metabolism of saponins to improve the adaptability of Eleutherococcus senticosus during drought stress

Plant growth and development can be significantly impacted by drought stress. Plants will adjust the synthesis and accumulation of secondary metabolites to improve survival in times of water constraint. Simultaneously, drought stress can lead to modifications in the DNA methylation status of plants, and these modifications can directly impact gene expression and product synthesis by changing the DNA methylation status of functional genes involved in secondary metabolite synthesis. However, further research is needed to fully understand the extent to which DNA methylation modifies the content of secondary metabolites to mediate plants' responses to drought stress, as well as the underlying mechanisms involved. Our study found that in Eleutherococcus senticosus (E. senticosus), moderate water deprivation significantly decreased DNA methylation levels throughout the genome and at the promoters of EsFPS, EsSS, and EsSE. Transcription factors like EsMYB-r1, previously inhibited by DNA methylation, can re-bind to the EsFPS promotor region following DNA demethylation. This process promotes gene expression and, ultimately, saponin synthesis and accumulation. The increased saponin levels in E. senticosus acted as antioxidants, enhancing the plant's adaptability to drought stress.