Chayapakdee P, Hengphasatporn K, Yamaguchi T
… +6 more, Su D, Dimaano NG, Shigeta Y, Sunohara Y, Matsumoto H, Iwakami S
J Agric Food Chem
· 2026 Jul · PMID 42300228
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Auxinic herbicides remain essential for weed control, yet metabolic resistance to these herbicides is poorly understood. Here we show that catalytically promiscuous CYP81A P450s from detoxify auxinic herbicides. expres...Auxinic herbicides remain essential for weed control, yet metabolic resistance to these herbicides is poorly understood. Here we show that catalytically promiscuous CYP81A P450s from detoxify auxinic herbicides. expressing CYP81A12 or CYP81A21 showed decreased sensitivity to quinclorac. In an whole-cell assay, these enzymes produced a putative hydroxylated quinclorac metabolite. Docking and 300 ns molecular dynamics simulations indicated that active CYP81As maintain quinclorac in a productive pose close to the heme, with pocket geometry and water exclusion enabling precise substrate-heme alignment, whereas the inactive CYP81A18 retains quinclorac farther from the catalytic center. Consistent with resistant , transgenic expressing CYP81A12 or CYP81A21 produced less ethylene after quinclorac treatment, linking detoxification to suppressed auxinic phytotoxic responses. CYP81As also conferred resistance to florpyrauxifen-benzyl and 2,4-D, highlighting cross-resistance across auxinic chemistries. These findings reveal a structural basis for CYP81A-mediated catalytic promiscuity underlying metabolic resistance to auxinic herbicides.
Residual herbicides from intensive maize cultivation, particularly atrazine, constrain the soybean establishment in rotation or intercropping systems. To address this, we developed a multifunctional seed coating incorpor...Residual herbicides from intensive maize cultivation, particularly atrazine, constrain the soybean establishment in rotation or intercropping systems. To address this, we developed a multifunctional seed coating incorporating a synergistic microbial consortium containing the atrazine-degrading sp. AT5 and the plant growth-promoting sp. A6. Beyond the consortium's intrinsic traits, the multifunctional seed coating activated systemic resistance in soybeans by upregulating jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and isoflavonoid biosynthesis. Elevated isoflavonoids selectively reshaped the soybean microbiome, enriching bacterial taxa with potential capacities for atrazine degradation and growth promotion. This plant-microbe feedback loop redirected atrazine metabolic pathways toward accelerated degradation and enhanced conversion to the less phytotoxic hydroxyatrazine. Collectively, the multifunctional seed coating mitigated phytotoxic symptoms and promoted soybean growth by coupling efficient microbial detoxification with reinforced plant defense. Our results uncover a microbiome-mediated phytoprotection mechanism and demonstrate a scalable strategy to mitigate legacy herbicide effects, thereby improving crop establishment and sustainable agricultural productivity.
Kurzweil L, Stark TD, Hille K
… +11 more, Hoheneder F, Mrtva J, Hausladen H, Lenk M, Motawie MS, Vlot-Schuster C, Pillen K, Sørensen M, Møller BL, Hückelhoven R, Dawid C
J Agric Food Chem
· 2026 Jul · PMID 42299507
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This study investigated the quantitative changes in 33 stress- or resistance-related metabolites induced by in barley leaves of quantitatively resistant and susceptible barley lines of the multiparental nested associati...This study investigated the quantitative changes in 33 stress- or resistance-related metabolites induced by in barley leaves of quantitatively resistant and susceptible barley lines of the multiparental nested association mapping (NAM) population HEB-25. The analyses were based on ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Twenty-nine infected and noninfected barley genotypes were analyzed at four different time points after inoculation. The method provided quantification of hordatines, phenolamides, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavone glucosides, hydroxynitrile glucosides, apocarotenoids, and indole derivatives. In leaves infected with , phenolamide levels were elevated compared to noninfected plants. A correlation between metabolite levels and the severity of infection showed that the more resistant barley lines contained higher amounts of hordatines and hordatine glucosides.
(wild oat), a globally invasive weed threatening cereal production, has evolved herbicide resistance, complicating field management. A previous study identified an Australian resistant population (R1) with moderate resis...(wild oat), a globally invasive weed threatening cereal production, has evolved herbicide resistance, complicating field management. A previous study identified an Australian resistant population (R1) with moderate resistance to the acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicide fenoxaprop-P-ethyl via nontarget-site resistance (NTSR). RNA-seq revealed that a glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene, , was upregulated in R1. Transgenic rice overexpressing () exhibited an enhanced tolerance to fenoxaprop-P-ethyl. However, in vitro assays of recombinant AfGSTU16 in showed no metabolic activity toward fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, indicating resistance independent of direct herbicide degradation. Alternatively, rice accumulated lower hydrogen peroxide levels and displayed higher antioxidant enzyme activities under herbicide stress. Transcriptome analysis further showed enrichment in xenobiotic detoxification and antioxidant defense pathways. Collectively, these findings suggest that confers fenoxaprop-P-ethyl resistance in the wild oat mainly by enhancing antioxidant capacity to alleviate herbicide-induced oxidative damage rather than via direct herbicide metabolic degradation.
With the increasing demand for sustainable agriculture and efficient nitrogen fertilizer utilization, fertilizer synergists, including urease inhibitors, nitrification inhibitors, and biostimulants, have received a growi...With the increasing demand for sustainable agriculture and efficient nitrogen fertilizer utilization, fertilizer synergists, including urease inhibitors, nitrification inhibitors, and biostimulants, have received a growing amount of attention. However, their mechanisms of action are often examined in isolation, and a unified structure-activity relationship (SAR) framework linking molecular structure to efficacy is still lacking. This review provides a mechanistic overview of fertilizer synergists from a molecular perspective, integrating SARs across these three classes. For urease and nitrification inhibitors, molecular features governing enzyme recognition and binding predominantly determine the inhibitory efficacy. By contrast, biostimulants exhibit more complex and multilayered SARs, in which molecular structure not only enhances nutrient utilization but also modulates plant signaling pathways, thereby promoting stress tolerance and plant growth. Finally, this review provides structure-guided insights and design strategies to support the development of novel fertilizer synergists with improved efficiency, multifunctionality, and environmental compatibility.
Fungal diseases seriously threaten global crop production, highlighting the need for fungicides with novel modes of action. Here, we show that shikonin exerts antifungal activity by targeting dihydroorotase (DHOase). Shi...Fungal diseases seriously threaten global crop production, highlighting the need for fungicides with novel modes of action. Here, we show that shikonin exerts antifungal activity by targeting dihydroorotase (DHOase). Shikonin significantly inhibited mycelial growth, spore germination, and appressorium formation in representative phytopathogenic fungi . Biophysical analyses showed that shikonin directly binds to the DHOase of (MoPyr4), with dissociation constants of 3.084, 1.22, and 1.26 μM determined by MST, SPR, and ITC, respectively. Molecular docking and mutagenesis identified R90, N178, and H320 as key binding residues. Consistently, deletion of in reduced sensitivity to shikonin. In planta, shikonin restricted invasive hyphal growth in rice cells and showed both protective and curative activities against rice blast disease. Shikonin also bound to and inhibited the DHOases of and , indicating broad-spectrum antifungal potential. These findings identify fungal DHOase as a promising target for fungicide development.
Light is a key cue for primordium initiation in basidiomycetes, but the downstream molecular coordination remains unclear. Here, we integrated DIA proteomics, untargeted LC-MS/MS metabolomics, enzymatic assays, and multi...Light is a key cue for primordium initiation in basidiomycetes, but the downstream molecular coordination remains unclear. Here, we integrated DIA proteomics, untargeted LC-MS/MS metabolomics, enzymatic assays, and multistrain phenotyping to characterize light-associated primordium initiation in . Light-exposed primordium-forming tissues showed 1,521 differentially expressed proteins enriched in redox/cofactor metabolism, proteostasis, membrane/lipid remodeling, cell-wall reorganization, and translation. Metabolomics revealed coordinated changes in cofactor biosynthesis, ABC transporters, aminoacyl-tRNA metabolism, and sugar interconversion. Enzymatic assays showed increased NADPH oxidase and pyruvate decarboxylase activities, reduced superoxide dismutase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and Complex V activities, supporting redox remodeling and altered pyruvate-node metabolism while requiring future ROS and flux validation. Across 57 strains, directional illumination confined primordia to illuminated zones, reduced primordium number and total yield, but increased individual fruiting-body weight. These findings support a working "Signal-Supply-Structure" framework for fungal photomorphogenesis and light-regime optimization.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis and lacks effective therapies. This study evaluated the effects of HU, a high-sulfated derivative of polysaccharide, using an...Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis and lacks effective therapies. This study evaluated the effects of HU, a high-sulfated derivative of polysaccharide, using an HFD-induced NAFLD mouse model. Structural characterization showed that HU possessed a porous and aggregated surface morphology with heterogeneous nanoscale features. In HFD-fed mice, HU significantly reduced body weight gain, hepatic lipid accumulation, and inflammation, while improving serum biochemical parameters, including 44.0% lower triglycerides and 30.7% lower aspartate aminotransferase levels.16S rRNA sequencing revealed that HU markedly modulated gut microbial composition. In vitro fermentation showed enrichment of beneficial genera, while in vivo experiments demonstrated increased and reduced . Fecal microbiota transplantation further supported the involvement of HU-modulated gut microbiota in the protective effects against HFD-induced NAFLD. These findings suggest that HU ameliorates NAFLD by reshaping gut microbiota, suppressing inflammation, and alleviating hepatic lipid accumulation.
Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder, which impairs health and quality of life. This study evaluated the ameliorating effects and underlying mechanism of 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL) and subsp. BB12 (BB12) on...Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder, which impairs health and quality of life. This study evaluated the ameliorating effects and underlying mechanism of 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL) and subsp. BB12 (BB12) on loperamide-induced constipation and associated depression-like behaviors. 6'-SL combined with BB12 increased the fecal water content, fecal pellet number, and gastrointestinal transit rate while reducing the time of first black feces. 6'-SL and BB12 modulated secretion of intestinal neurotransmitters, regulated expression of AQP3 and Claudin-1, and modulated expression of key proteins in the SCF/c-Kit pathway. Meanwhile, 6'-SL and BB12 ameliorated depression-like behaviors by inhibiting inflammatory responses and modulating the expression of synaptic plasticity-related proteins in the brain. Moreover, 6'-SL and BB12 regulated the diversity of gut microbiota, enhanced the relative abundance of and , and elevated SCFA levels. This study provides a theoretical and practical basis for developing functional foods based on synbiotics containing 6'-SL and BB12.
Microbial transglutaminase (MTG) is widely used to improve protein cross-linking and textural properties in meat, dairy, and plant-based products, yet its catalytic efficiency under industrial conditions remains limited....Microbial transglutaminase (MTG) is widely used to improve protein cross-linking and textural properties in meat, dairy, and plant-based products, yet its catalytic efficiency under industrial conditions remains limited. Here, high-pressure molecular dynamics (HP-MD)-guided cavity engineering strategy was employed to elucidate the distinct roles of cavity volume and geometry in regulating MTG thermostability and activity. Representative conformations were obtained from HP-MD simulations via trajectory clustering, followed by inertia-matrix-based geometric characterization to guide targeted mutagenesis. Cavity-filling mutations reduced internal cavity volume and enhanced thermostability, showing a positive correlation with Δ ( = 0.6158), whereas reshaping of the catalytic cavity toward an elongated geometry improved activity ( = 0.7070). The optimal variant N71M/R127L/S199C/S243M exhibited a 1 °C increase in melting temperature and ∼13-fold higher activity, mitigating the conventional stability-activity trade-off. These findings highlight cavity volume and geometry as complementary parameters for enzyme engineering.
Carbon dots (CDs) are emerging carbon-based nanomaterials with advantages including small size, excellent optical properties, tunable surface functionalities, and high biocompatibility attributes, making them highly prom...Carbon dots (CDs) are emerging carbon-based nanomaterials with advantages including small size, excellent optical properties, tunable surface functionalities, and high biocompatibility attributes, making them highly promising for diverse agricultural applications. In recent years, the interaction mechanisms and molecular regulatory pathways between CDs and crops, soils, and microorganisms have been increasingly revealed. This review summarizes the multifunctional roles of CDs in agriculture. CDs enhance crop productivity by promoting seed germination, improving photosynthesis and nutrient uptake, and increasing stress tolerance. Their unique fluorescence enables high-sensitivity detection of pesticides and heavy metals for food safety. As efficient nonviral nanocarriers, CDs overcome limitations of traditional transformation and offer new tools for targeted gene delivery. This review places special emphasis on the chemical mechanisms of CDs applications, with the goal of promoting technological innovation and sustainable development in agriculture, thereby ultimately contributing to a more efficient, safe, and sustainable global food production system.
Wudtiwai B, Chongchai A, Sittiju P
… +7 more, Wayupat A, Chuntakaruk H, Chewonarin T, Ruangsuriya J, Kongtawelert P, Phitak T, Pothacharoen P
J Agric Food Chem
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42290531
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Aglycone isoflavones derived from fermented soybeans demonstrate antioxidant, anticancer, antiobesity, and anti-inflammatory properties, with evidence suggesting protective effects against cartilage deterioration. Howeve...Aglycone isoflavones derived from fermented soybeans demonstrate antioxidant, anticancer, antiobesity, and anti-inflammatory properties, with evidence suggesting protective effects against cartilage deterioration. However, precise mechanisms in chondrocytes remain unclear. This study screened extracts from Thai fermented soybean (Thua-nao) for chondroprotective effects using an porcine cartilage explant model. Dichloromethane (DCM) and ethyl acetate (EA) extracts enriched in daidzein and genistein, primary aglycone isoflavones, effectively attenuated the IL-1β/OSM-induced extracellular matrix depletion from explants. Computational analysis predicted genistein to inhibit NF-κB and MAPK signaling effectively, with high gastrointestinal absorption. The experiments using primary chondrocytes showed that genistein upregulated while downregulating aggrecanase genes, thereby affecting key chondrogenic markers. Additionally, genistein inhibited IL-1β-mediated MAPK and NF-κB activation and suppressed matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -1, -3, and -13 expression. Altogether, these findings demonstrate the chondroprotective properties of Thai fermented soybean extract and strengthen the potential of genistein as a promising therapeutic candidate for osteoarthritis.
Global spread of weeds resistant to conventional herbicide modes of action threatens sustainable weed management. Cinmethylin, a decades-old herbicide with a unique molecular basis, has re-emerged for controlling resista...Global spread of weeds resistant to conventional herbicide modes of action threatens sustainable weed management. Cinmethylin, a decades-old herbicide with a unique molecular basis, has re-emerged for controlling resistant grass weeds, but remains commercialized as an enantiomeric mixture owing to challenges in asymmetric 1,4-cineole construction and unclear stereoselective bioactivity. Here, we report an efficient chiral -heterocyclic carbene-mediated kinetic resolution of 2-hydroxy-1,4-cineole, a key cinmethylin precursor. X-ray crystallography establishes the absolute configurations of both enantiomers, which are converted into enantiomer-enriched cinmethylin. Herbicidal assays against ten grass weeds, crop safety tests, receptor binding, and multiomics analyses identify (1,2,4)-cinmethylin as the eutomer, with superior pre- and postemergence activity and excellent crop selectivity. It more strongly inhibits and binds fatty acid thioesterase via Arg176, blocking fatty acid release and reprogramming hormone signaling. This work enables optimized cinmethylin use and reduces inactive distomer inputs.
Postharvest strawberry softening is driven by rapid pectin depolymerization, a process accelerated by the fruit's inherently high respiration rate. Although equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging (EMAP) can suppress r...Postharvest strawberry softening is driven by rapid pectin depolymerization, a process accelerated by the fruit's inherently high respiration rate. Although equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging (EMAP) can suppress respiration, conventional systems lack the precision required to dynamically align gas permeability with fruit metabolism. Herein, we engineer a tunable EMAP system by incorporating gas conduction functional units (GCFUs) into a polyether sulfone matrix, enabling quantitatively adjustable CO/O selectivity. The optimized film (P2) spontaneously established an optimal equilibrium atmosphere (5.5% O, 12.5% CO) within packages, achieving 80% suppression of respiration for postharvest strawberries. This controlled hypoxic/hypercapnic environment coordinately downregulated key pectin-degrading enzymes, thereby limiting water-soluble pectin accumulation while preserving chelate- and alkali-soluble pectin fractions. Consequently, firmness retention exceeded 70%, and phenotypic deterioration was significantly mitigated. This work bridges material engineering with postharvest physiology, offering a scalable, energy-efficient strategy for extending the shelf life of highly perishable fruits.
To improve the applicability of pea protein isolate (PPI), this work demonstrated that enzymatic hydrolysis effectively mitigates its bitterness, which is primarily driven by specific bitter peptides. Five peptides were...To improve the applicability of pea protein isolate (PPI), this work demonstrated that enzymatic hydrolysis effectively mitigates its bitterness, which is primarily driven by specific bitter peptides. Five peptides were validated with low recognition thresholds (0.171-0.586 mmol/L), ranking within the top 30% of reported bitter peptides. Among them, LN-9, VF-5, and VN-10 contribute substantially to PPI bitterness. Molecular docking indicated that hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds primarily mediate peptide binding to bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs). Critically, in vitro calcium flux assays revealed that the activation of TAS2R14 and TAS2R39, as well as TAS2R4, strongly correlates with perceived sensory bitterness. This work provides an integrated strategy to identify key bitter peptides and pinpoints specific TAS2Rs as primary targets for debittering, offering a robust scientific basis for enhancing the palatability of plant-based proteins in the food industry.
Fisetin is a natural polyhydroxyl flavonoid with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective activities, but its application in foods and agriculture is limited by poor stability, low absorption, and low bioavail...Fisetin is a natural polyhydroxyl flavonoid with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective activities, but its application in foods and agriculture is limited by poor stability, low absorption, and low bioavailability. Glycosylation can effectively improve its physicochemical and biological properties. Enzymatic glycosylation is attractive owing to its green, efficient, and highly specific features. In this study, a novel glycosyltransferase AaUGT from was cloned and expressed in . It showed optimal activity at 45 °C and pH 7.5, strict 3-O regioselectivity, and high catalytic efficiency ( = 0.37 mM, / = 1884.18 M s). By strengthening uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG) supply via metabolic engineering, an efficient whole-cell system was constructed. Under optimized conditions, the titer of fisetin-3-O-glucoside reached 3.51 g/L with a conversion rate of 89.6%. This work supports the development of fisetin glycosides and provides a reference for flavonoid glycoside biosynthesis.
is a medicinal and edible plant rich in bioactive phenolics, predominantly occurring as -glycosides catalyzed by UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs). However, how gene duplication drives the UGT functional diversification re...is a medicinal and edible plant rich in bioactive phenolics, predominantly occurring as -glycosides catalyzed by UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs). However, how gene duplication drives the UGT functional diversification remains unclear. Here, 186 PcUGTs were identified and classified into 17 phylogenetic groups with segmental duplication as the primary driver of family expansion. Two segmentally duplicated paralogs of the previously characterized PcUGT71BE11, namely, PcUGT71AH6 and PcUGT71U25, exhibited pronounced functional divergence. PcUGT71AH6 showed no detectable glycosylation activity toward resveratrol or emodin under the tested conditions. In contrast, PcUGT71U25 displayed site-promiscuous glycosylation toward emodin and UDP-dependent deglycosylation activity toward its glycosides. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed a conformationally adaptable active pocket in PcUGT71U25 that accommodates multiple productive emodin binding poses. Notably, the E86A mutation enhanced C1-OH site selectivity by reshaping substrate binding conformations. Overall, this study provides mechanistic insights into UGT diversification and phenolic glycoside biosynthesis in .
Food allergies have become a global public health problem, but effective interventions are limited. Lactic acid (LA), a major bioactive compound in fermented foods, possesses immunomodulatory potential, but its role in f...Food allergies have become a global public health problem, but effective interventions are limited. Lactic acid (LA), a major bioactive compound in fermented foods, possesses immunomodulatory potential, but its role in food allergies is poorly defined. LA at 50, 100, and 200 mM alleviated allergic symptoms in OVA-induced allergic mice. LA suppressed type 2 immunity, with significantly reduced serum OVA-specific IgE ( < 0.0001) and mMCPT-1 by 63.6, 77.6, and 90.5% (all < 0.0001), respectively. Upon OVA restimulation, MLNs showed significantly reduced IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 (all < 0.0001). LA also restored the intestinal barrier, increasing the level of expression and decreasing the level of expression. Mechanistically, LA targeted dendritic cells (DCs), suppressing OVA uptake and presentation by bone-marrow-derived DCs. Collectively, our study reveals that LA mitigates food allergy by reprogramming innate immune sensing by DCs to foster adaptive tolerance. This positions LA as a potent food-derived immunomodulator for the prevention of food allergy.
Litchi downy blight is a postharvest disease caused by , causing yield loss and postharvest deterioration. The role of native plant peptides in fruit responses to fungal infections has seldom been reported. Here, we iden...Litchi downy blight is a postharvest disease caused by , causing yield loss and postharvest deterioration. The role of native plant peptides in fruit responses to fungal infections has seldom been reported. Here, we identified encoding a precursor of pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-induced secreted peptide (LcPIP1) and characterized gene expression during infection. Synthetic LcPIP1 application improved litchi fruit resistance to by enhancing ATP, anthocyanin, and lignin accumulation as well as defense response. Furthermore, LcPIP1 treatment enhanced immunity responses by increasing cytosolic Ca as well as reactive oxygen species accumulation and triggering mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. We highlighted the crucial role of LcWRKY34 in LcPIP1-induced disease resistance by activating the expression. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses found that LcPIP1 regulated defense-related gene expression and metabolite accumulation. Overall, for the first time, our findings provided novel insights into the vital role of LcPIP1 in eliciting fruit defense responses.
Xu L, Li X, Fan W
… +6 more, Sun W, Meng C, Liu L, Voglmeir J, Mu C, Zhu W
J Agric Food Chem
· 2026 Jun · PMID 42284521
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The mucin barrier is essential for postnatal gut homeostasis, but whether galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) regulate mucin glycosylation remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of early-life GOS supplementation o...The mucin barrier is essential for postnatal gut homeostasis, but whether galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) regulate mucin glycosylation remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of early-life GOS supplementation on mucin -glycans and intestinal barrier development in piglets using UPLC, MALDI-TOF-MS, immunofluorescence, lectin staining, and histomorphological analyses. GOS supplementation significantly increased jejunal villus width, mucosal thickness, goblet cell numbers, and MUC2 expression during early life. Glycomic profiling revealed selective remodeling of mucin -glycans, characterized by increased core 1/3 and α2,3-sialylated glycans and reduced core 2/4 and α2,6-sialylated structures. These alterations were accompanied by upregulation of , , and , and downregulation of and . Lectin staining further confirmed enhanced α2,3-sialylation and reduced α2,6-sialylation. Collectively, these results demonstrate that dietary GOS promotes intestinal barrier development and selectively modulates the composition and sialylation of mucin -glycans, providing novel mechanistic insight into how prebiotics support gut health in early life.