Characterization of Biological Pathways Regulating Acute Cold Resistance of Zebrafish

Low temperature stress represents a major threat to the lives of both farmed and wild fish species. However, biological pathways determining the development of cold resistance in fish remain largely unknown. Zebrafish larvae at 96 hpf were exposed to lethal cold stress (10 °C) for different time periods to evaluate the adverse effects at organism, tissue and cell levels. Time series RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) experiments were performed to delineate the transcriptomic landscape of zebrafish larvae under cold stress and during the subsequent rewarming phase. The genes regulated by cold stress were characterized by progressively enhanced or decreased expression, whereas the genes associated with rewarming were characterized by rapid upregulation upon return to normal temperature (28 °C). Genes such as trib3, dusp5 and otud1 were identified as the representative molecular markers of cold-induced damages through network analysis. Biological pathways involved in cold stress responses were mined from the transcriptomic data and their functions in regulating cold resistance were validated using specific inhibitors. The autophagy, FoxO and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling pathways were revealed to be survival pathways for enhancing cold resistance, while apoptosis and necroptosis were the death pathways responsible for cold-induced mortality. Functional mechanisms of the survival-enhancing factors Foxo1, ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) and p38 MAPK were further characterized by inhibiting their activities upon cold stress and analyzing gene expression though RNA-seq. These factors were demonstrated to determine the cold resistance of zebrafish through regulating apoptosis and p53 signaling pathway. These findings have provided novel insights into the stress responses elicited by lethal cold and shed new light on the molecular mechanisms underlying cold resistance of fish.

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Physiological Responses and Proteomic Analysis on the Cold Stress Responses of Annual Pitaya (Hylocereus spp.) Branches

Journal of Chemistry ◽

10.1155/2021/1416925 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Junliang Zhou ◽

Lijuan Wang ◽

Tujian Xiao ◽

Zhuang Wang ◽

Yongya Mao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cold Stress ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Cold Resistance ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

Soluble Sugar ◽

Multivariate Statistical ◽

Chlorophyll Contents ◽

Proteomic Approach ◽

Related Proteins

In this study, the physiological response of the annual branches of three varieties of pitaya (Xianmi, Fulong, and Zihonglong) in cold stress was investigated using a multivariate statistical method. Physiological change results showed that cold stress could decrease the moisture and chlorophyll contents, on the contrary, increase the relative electric conductivity, the contents of malonadehyde, soluble protein, soluble sugar, and free proline, and enhance the enzyme activities of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Meanwhile, a comparative proteomic approach was also conducted to clarify the cold resistance-related proteins and pathways in annual pitaya branches. Proteomics results concluded that the cold tolerance of annual pitaya branches could be improved by modulating autophagy. Therefore, we hypothesized that an increased autophagy ability may be an important characteristic of the annual pitaya branches in response to cold stress conditions. Our results provide a good understanding of the physiological responses and molecular mechanisms of the annual pitaya branches in response to cold stress.

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Update on the Roles of Rice MAPK Cascades

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22041679 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 1679

Author(s):

Jie Chen ◽

Lihan Wang ◽

Meng Yuan

Keyword(s):

Signal Transduction ◽

Abiotic Stress ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Developmental Regulation ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Biotic And Abiotic Stress ◽

Mapk Kinase ◽

Mapk Cascades ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades have been validated playing critical roles in diverse aspects of plant biology, from growth and developmental regulation, biotic and abiotic stress responses, to phytohormone signal transduction or responses. A classical MAPK cascade consists of a MAPK kinase kinase (MAPKKK), a MAPK kinase (MAPKK), and a MAPK. From the 75 MAPKKKs, eight MAPKKs, and 15 MAPKs of rice, a number of them have been functionally deciphered. Here, we update recent advances in knowledge of the roles of rice MAPK cascades, including their components and complicated action modes, their diversified functions controlling rice growth and developmental responses, coordinating resistance to biotic and abiotic stress, and conducting phytohormone signal transduction. Moreover, we summarize several complete MAPK cascades that harbor OsMAPKKK-OsMAPKK-OsMAPK, their interaction with different upstream components and their phosphorylation of diverse downstream substrates to fulfill their multiple roles. Furthermore, we state a comparison of networks of rice MAPK cascades from signal transduction crosstalk to the precise selection of downstream substrates. Additionally, we discuss putative concerns for elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms and molecular functions of rice MAPK cascades in the future.

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Global Gene Responses of Resistant and Susceptible Sugarcane Cultivars to Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae Identified Using Comparative Transcriptome Analysis

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms8010010 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 10 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Na Chu ◽

Jing-Ru Zhou ◽

Hua-Ying Fu ◽

Mei-Ting Huang ◽

Hui-Li Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Signal Transduction ◽

Large Scale ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Defense Responses ◽

Differentially Expressed ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Post Inoculation ◽

Rna Seq ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein

Red stripe disease in sugarcane caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae (Aaa) is related to serious global losses in yield. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with responses of sugarcane plants to infection by this pathogen remain largely unknown. Here, we used Illumina RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to perform large-scale transcriptome sequencing of two sugarcane cultivars to contrast gene expression patterns of plants between Aaa and mock inoculations, and identify key genes and pathways involved in sugarcane defense responses to Aaa infection. At 0–72 hours post-inoculation (hpi) of the red stripe disease-resistant cultivar ROC22, a total of 18,689 genes were differentially expressed between Aaa-inoculated and mock-inoculated samples. Of these, 8498 and 10,196 genes were up- and downregulated, respectively. In MT11-610, which is susceptible to red stripe disease, 15,782 genes were differentially expressed between Aaa-inoculated and mock-inoculated samples and 8807 and 6984 genes were up- and downregulated, respectively. The genes that were differentially expressed following Aaa inoculation were mainly involved in photosynthesis and carbon metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, and plant–pathogen interaction pathways. Further, qRT-PCR and RNA-seq used for additional validation of 12 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed that eight genes in particular were highly expressed in ROC22. These eight genes participated in the biosynthesis of lignin and coumarin, as well as signal transduction by salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, ethylene, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), suggesting that they play essential roles in sugarcane resistance to Aaa. Collectively, our results characterized the sugarcane transcriptome during early infection with Aaa, thereby providing insights into the molecular mechanisms responsible for bacterial tolerance.

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Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Expression Profiling Revealed Its Role in Regulating Stress Responses in Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10071371 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1371

Author(s):

Madiha Zaynab ◽

Athar Hussain ◽

Yasir Sharif ◽

Mahpara Fatima ◽

Mateen Sajid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solanum Tuberosum ◽

Protein Kinase ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Expression Profiling ◽

Regulatory Elements ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

High Expression ◽

Primary Data ◽

A Genome ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are the universal signal transduction networks that regulate cell growth and development, hormone signaling, and other environmental stresses. However, their essential contribution to plant tolerance is very little known in the potato (Solanum tuberosum) plant. The current study carried out a genome-wide study of StMAPK and provided a deep insight using bioinformatics tools. In addition, the relative expression of StMAPKs was also assessed in different plant tissues. The similarity search results identified a total of 22 StMAPK genes in the potato genome. The sequence alignment also showed conserved motif TEY/TDY in most StMAPKs with conserved docking LHDXXEP sites. The phylogenetic analysis divided all 22 StMAPK genes into five groups, i.e., A, B, C, D, and E, showing some common structural motifs. In addition, most of the StMAPKs were found in a cluster form at the terminal of chromosomes. The promoter analysis predicted several stress-responsive Cis-acting regulatory elements in StMAPK genes. Gene duplication under selection pressure also indicated several purifying and positive selections in StMAPK genes. In potato, StMAPK2, StMAPK6, and StMAPK19 showed a high expression in response to heat stress. Under ABA and IAA treatment, the expression of the total 20 StMAPK genes revealed that ABA and IAA played an essential role in this defense process. The expression profiling and real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR) exhibited their high expression in roots and stems compared to leaves. These results deliver primary data for functional analysis and provide reference data for other important crops.

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Regulation of p73-mediated apoptosis by c-Jun N-terminal kinase

Biochemical Journal ◽

10.1042/bj20061778 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 405 (3) ◽

pp. 617-623 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Emma V. Jones ◽

Mark J. Dickman ◽

Alan J. Whitmarsh

Keyword(s):

Dna Damage ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Tumour Progression ◽

Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽

Signalling Pathway ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

P53 Family ◽

Jnk Pathway ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein ◽

Induced Apoptosis

The JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase)/mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathway is a major mediator of stress responses in cells, including the response to DNA damage. DNA damage also causes the stabilization and activation of p73, a member of the p53 family of transcription factors. p73, like p53, can mediate apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of pro-apoptotic genes, including Bax (Bcl2-associated X protein) and PUMA (p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis). Changes in p73 expression have been linked to tumour progression, particularly in neuroblastomas, whereas in tumours that feature inactivated p53 there is evidence that p73 may mediate the apoptotic response to chemotherapeutic agents. In the present study, we demonstrate a novel link between the JNK signalling pathway and p73. We use pharmacological and genetic approaches to show that JNK is required for p73-mediated apoptosis induced by the DNA damaging agent cisplatin. JNK forms a complex with p73 and phosphorylates it at several serine and threonine residues. The mutation of JNK phosphorylation sites in p73 abrogates cisplatin-induced stabilization of p73 protein, leading to a reduction in p73 transcriptional activity and reduced p73-mediated apoptosis. Our results demonstrate that the JNK pathway is an important regulator of DNA damage-induced apoptosis mediated by p73.

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Comparative RNA-Seq Analyses of Solenopsis japonica (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Reveal Gene in Response to Cold Stress

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12101610 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 1610

Author(s):

Mohammad Vatanparast ◽

Youngjin Park

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Cold Stress ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Predatory Behavior ◽

P Value ◽

Molecular Response ◽

Rna Seq ◽

Protein Database ◽

Brood Chamber

Solenopsis japonica, as a fire ant species, shows some predatory behavior towards earthworms and woodlice, and preys on the larvae of other ant species by tunneling into a neighboring colony’s brood chamber. This study focused on the molecular response process and gene expression profiles of S. japonica to low (9 °C)-temperature stress in comparison with normal temperature (25 °C) conditions. A total of 89,657 unigenes (the clustered non-redundant transcripts that are filtered from the longest assembled contigs) were obtained, of which 32,782 were annotated in the NR (nonredundant protein) database with gene ontology (GO) terms, gene descriptions, and metabolic pathways. The results were 81 GO subgroups and 18 EggNOG (evolutionary genealogy of genes: Non-supervised Orthologous Groups) keywords. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with log2fold change (FC) > 1 and log2FC < −1 with p-value ≤ 0.05 were screened for cold stress temperature. We found 215 unigenes up-regulated and 115 unigenes down-regulated. Comparing transcriptome profiles for differential gene expression resulted in various DE proteins and genes, including fatty acid synthases and lipid metabolism, which have previously been reported to be involved in cold resistance. We verified the RNA-seq data by qPCR on 20 up- and down-regulated DEGs. These findings facilitate the basis for the future understanding of the adaptation mechanisms of S. japonica and the molecular mechanisms underlying the response to low temperatures.

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Overexpression of SgGH3.1 from Fine-Stem Stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis var. intermedia) Enhances Chilling and Cold Tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12091367 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 1367

Author(s):

Ming Jiang ◽

Long-Long Ma ◽

Huai-An Huang ◽

Shan-Wen Ke ◽

Chun-Sheng Gui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arabidopsis Thaliana ◽

Cold Stress ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Transcriptome Profiling ◽

Pasture Legumes ◽

Cold Tolerant ◽

Whole Transcriptome ◽

Altered Sensitivity ◽

Exogenous Iaa

Stylosanthes (stylo) species are commercially significant tropical and subtropical forage and pasture legumes that are vulnerable to chilling and frost. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms behind stylos’ responses to low temperature stress. Gretchen-Hagen 3 (GH3) proteins have been extensively investigated in many plant species for their roles in auxin homeostasis and abiotic stress responses, but none have been reported in stylos. SgGH3.1, a cold-responsive gene identified in a whole transcriptome profiling study of fine-stem stylo (S. guianensis var. intermedia) was further investigated for its involvement in cold stress tolerance. SgGH3.1 shared a high percentage of identity with 14 leguminous GH3 proteins, ranging from 79% to 93%. Phylogenetic analysis classified SgGH3.1 into Group Ⅱ of GH3 family, which have been proven to involve with auxins conjugation. Expression profiling revealed that SgGH3.1 responded rapidly to cold stress in stylo leaves. Overexpression of SgGH3.1 in Arabidopsis thaliana altered sensitivity to exogenous IAA, up-regulated transcription of AtCBF1-3 genes, activated physiological responses against cold stress, and enhanced chilling and cold tolerances. This is the first report of a GH3 gene in stylos, which not only validated its function in IAA homeostasis and cold responses, but also gave insight into breeding of cold-tolerant stylos.

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The TGFβ-induced phosphorylation and activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase is mediated by MAP3K4 and MAP3K10 but not TAK1

Open Biology ◽

10.1098/rsob.130067 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 3 (6) ◽

pp. 130067 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Gopal P. Sapkota

Keyword(s):

Protein Kinase ◽

P38 Mapk ◽

Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Transforming Growth Factor ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Mapk Phosphorylation ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein

The signalling pathways downstream of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) family of cytokines play critical roles in all aspects of cellular homeostasis. The phosphorylation and activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) has been implicated in TGFβ-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and apoptosis. The precise molecular mechanisms by which TGFβ cytokines induce the phosphorylation and activation of p38 MAPK are unclear. In this study, I demonstrate that TGFβ-activated kinase 1 (TAK1/MAP3K7) does not play a role in the TGFβ-induced phosphorylation and activation of p38 MAPK in MEFs and HaCaT keratinocytes. Instead, RNAi -mediated depletion of MAP3K4 and MAP3K10 results in the inhibition of the TGFβ-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Furthermore, the depletion of MAP3K10 from cells homozygously knocked-in with a catalytically inactive mutant of MAP3K4 completely abolishes the TGFβ-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, implying that among MAP3Ks, MAP3K4 and MAP3K10 are sufficient for mediating the TGFβ-induced activation of p38 MAPK.

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Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Cancer Progression: Molecular Mechanisms and Recent Advancements

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom9110735 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 735 ◽

Cited By ~ 79

Author(s):

Vaishali Aggarwal ◽

Hardeep Tuli ◽

Ayşegül Varol ◽

Falak Thakral ◽

Mukerrem Yerer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reactive Oxygen Species ◽

Protein Kinase ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Cancer Progression ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Reactive Oxygen ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Oxygen Species ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein ◽

High Concentrations

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a pivotal role in biological processes and continuous ROS production in normal cells is controlled by the appropriate regulation between the silver lining of low and high ROS concentration mediated effects. Interestingly, ROS also dynamically influences the tumor microenvironment and is known to initiate cancer angiogenesis, metastasis, and survival at different concentrations. At moderate concentration, ROS activates the cancer cell survival signaling cascade involving mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (MAPK/ERK1/2), p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and phosphoinositide-3-kinase/ protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), which in turn activate the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). At high concentrations, ROS can cause cancer cell apoptosis. Hence, it critically depends upon the ROS levels, to either augment tumorigenesis or lead to apoptosis. The major issue is targeting the dual actions of ROS effectively with respect to the concentration bias, which needs to be monitored carefully to impede tumor angiogenesis and metastasis for ROS to serve as potential therapeutic targets exogenously/endogenously. Overall, additional research is required to comprehend the potential of ROS as an effective anti-tumor modality and therapeutic target for treating malignancies.

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Melatonin-Mediated Regulation of Growth and Antioxidant Capacity in Salt-Tolerant Naked Oat under Salt Stress

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20051176 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (5) ◽

pp. 1176 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Wenying Gao ◽

Zheng Feng ◽

Qingqing Bai ◽

Jinjin He ◽

Yingjuan Wang

Keyword(s):

Salt Stress ◽

Antioxidant Capacity ◽

Stress Responses ◽

Nacl Stress ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Naked Oat ◽

Exogenous Application ◽

Transcription Factor Genes ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein

Melatonin (MT; N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a pleiotropic signaling molecule that has been demonstrated to play an important role in plant growth, development, and regulation of environmental stress responses. Studies have been conducted on the role of the exogenous application of MT in a few species, but the potential mechanisms of MT-mediated stress tolerance under salt stress are still largely unknown. In this study, naked oat seedlings under salt stress (150 mM NaCl) were pretreated with two different concentrations of MT (50 and 100 μM), and the effects of MT on the growth and antioxidant capacity of naked oat seedlings were analyzed to explore the regulatory effect of MT on salt tolerance. The results showed that pretreating with different concentrations of MT promoted the growth of seedlings in response to 150 mM NaCl. Different concentrations of MT reduced hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, and malondialdehyde contents. The exogenous application of MT also increased superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxide activities. Chlorophyll content, leaf area, leaf volume, and proline increased in the leaves of naked oat seedlings under 150 mM NaCl stress. MT upregulated the expression levels of the lipid peroxidase genes lipoxygenase and peroxygenase, a chlorophyll biosynthase gene (ChlG), the mitogen-activated protein kinase genes Asmap1 and Aspk11, and the transcription factor genes (except DREB2), NAC, WRKY1, WRKY3, and MYB in salt-exposed MT-pretreated seedlings when compared with seedlings exposed to salt stress alone. These results demonstrate an important role of MT in the relief of salt stress and, therefore, provide a reference for managing salinity in naked oat.

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