Biology[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Angptl5 restricts primitive hematopoiesis by promoting retinoic acid signaling in zebrafish.
Mo J, Zhuo DH, Gao M … +12 more , Huang Y, Cheng T, Dong Y, Xing YY, Li YF, Jin ZX, Liu X, Zhao GQ, Pu HR, Liu YM, Shu LP, Xu PF
PLoS Biol · 2026 Jun · PMID 42348637 · Full text
Homeostasis is essential for hematopoiesis, and its dysregulation can lead to severe pathological conditions. Retinoic acid (RA) is a key regulator that exerts concentration-dependent effects on both embryonic and adult...
Homeostasis is essential for hematopoiesis, and its dysregulation can lead to severe pathological conditions. Retinoic acid (RA) is a key regulator that exerts concentration-dependent effects on both embryonic and adult hematopoiesis. However, the mechanisms that modulate RA signaling in hematopoietic processes remain poorly understood. Using zebrafish as a model, we identified angiopoietin-like protein 5 (Angptl5) as a critical regulator of hematopoietic homeostasis. Loss of Angptl5 function resulted in myeloid hyperplasia in the anterior lateral plate mesoderm (ALPM) and anterior expansion of erythroid progenitors in the posterior lateral plate mesoderm (PLPM)-phenotypes consistent with attenuated RA signaling. Molecular analyses confirmed impaired RA signaling in angptl5Δ10/Δ10 mutants, and exogenous RA supplementation fully rescued the hematopoietic defects. Mechanistically, we found that Angptl5 transcriptionally activates retinol dehydrogenase dhrs9 through its interaction with Integrin α6lβ5. Our findings establish Angptl5 as a novel and essential regulator of embryonic hematopoiesis and reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism controlling hematopoietic homeostasis. These insights position Angptl5 as a potential therapeutic target for hematological disorders.
Engineered bipaternal mice reveal the consequences of life without a maternal genomic contribution.
Ma SN, Li F, Zhao YL … +9 more , Sun XH, Chen XS, Pan TS, Shan QT, Liu C, Feng GH, Li ZK, Zhou Q, Li W
PLoS Biol · 2026 Jun · PMID 42348554 · Full text
Successful mammalian development normally requires contributions from both maternal and paternal genomes, yet how these parental components jointly shape organismal development remains incompletely understood. Using engi...
Successful mammalian development normally requires contributions from both maternal and paternal genomes, yet how these parental components jointly shape organismal development remains incompletely understood. Using engineered bipaternal mice generated from androgenetic embryonic stem cells carrying extensive imprinting-region modifications and produced through tetraploid complementation, we examined developmental and physiological consequences of development supported exclusively by paternal genomes. Placental analyses revealed partial normalization of placental growth but persistent differences among conceptuses. Transcriptomic profiling across embryos and postnatal tissues similarly showed broad alterations in gene expression states involving both imprinted and non-imprinted genes. Despite these differences during development, adult physiology showed a more coherent endpoint: integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that adult livers converge toward an altered metabolic configuration characterized by coordinated perturbations of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and associated lipid metabolism, accompanied by hepatic lipid accumulation and increased systemic fat mass. These findings indicate that paternal-only mammalian development can proceed across multiple stages but follows altered developmental trajectories that culminate in distinct physiological states, providing insight into how maternal and paternal genomic contributions interact to shape mammalian development and physiology.
Multiple adhesion molecules act together in oligodendrocyte-mediated axonal selection and myelin formation.
Radha S, Arends M, Kislinger G … +4 more , Rhomberg A, Schifferer M, Djannatian M, Simons M
PLoS Biol · 2026 Jun · PMID 42348511 · Full text
Rapid information processing in complex organisms depends on myelin, which consists of a multilamellar membrane that tightly adheres to the axonal surface along the internode and at paranodal loops, where specialized adh...
Rapid information processing in complex organisms depends on myelin, which consists of a multilamellar membrane that tightly adheres to the axonal surface along the internode and at paranodal loops, where specialized adhesion proteins maintain axon-glial contact. Because the decision to myelinate an axon profoundly influences neuronal transmission, this process must be precisely regulated. Yet, it remains unclear which specific molecules enable oligodendrocytes to select appropriate axonal substrates for myelination. Several key myelin-associated adhesion systems have been identified, including Myelin-associated glycoprotein (Mag) and Cell Adhesion Molecule 4 (Cadm4) at the internode, as well as Contactin1 (Cntn1) at the paranode; however, these three adhesion molecules have not previously been deleted in combination. Here, using zebrafish, we systematically disrupted all three myelin-associated adhesion systems. We found that the combined loss of Mag, Cadm4, and Cntn1 severely impairs myelin initiation and destabilizes the few nascent sheaths that do form, resulting in a phenotype characterized by oligodendrocytes exhibiting membrane "stubs". The failure to form myelin triggered cell death of early myelinating oligodendrocytes and resulted in profound hypomyelination. Our findings reveal that axonal target selection and myelin formation depend on a redundant set of adhesion molecules, and that their simultaneous loss largely abolishes myelin biogenesis.
Splicing deficiency is driven by genomic erosion in non-recombining algal mating-type chromosomes.
Condon C, Galvez A, Kramer A … +4 more , Gozashti L, Vollmers C, Ares M, Corbett-Detig R
PLoS Biol · 2026 Jun · PMID 42348496 · Full text
Splicing deficiency may represent a critical yet underexplored form of genomic erosion in non-recombining regions. Across four phytoplankton species diverged ~333-639 million years ago, genes within U (female) and V (mal...
Splicing deficiency may represent a critical yet underexplored form of genomic erosion in non-recombining regions. Across four phytoplankton species diverged ~333-639 million years ago, genes within U (female) and V (male) "UV" mating-type regions-non-recombining chromosomal regions that determine mating compatibility-show strikingly elevated intron retention relative to genes in other genomic regions. Long-read data reveal abundant aberrant, likely non-functional mRNA isoforms despite preserved coding potential. This preservation suggests that splicing defects arose early in UV evolution and have persisted over deep time. We propose that these defects arise from evolutionary changes in sequence composition and chromatin organization that accompany recombination suppression, such as reduced GC content, altered nucleosome occupancy, and disrupted methylation, that collectively compromise splicing fidelity. Unlike sex chromosomes, which often degenerate through gene loss, splicing-deficient UV regions in green algae retain hundreds of genes, indicating that transcript-level dysfunction provides an alternative route to functional decay. Our results identify chromatin-mediated splicing deficiency as a novel axis of genomic erosion and position algal UV systems as models for studying how recombination suppression reshapes RNA processing fidelity in essential, non-recombining genomes.
Spatial Heterogeneity of Phytoplankton Taxa and Functional Groups Under Multidimensional Environmental Factors in Karst Urban Rivers.
Wu T, Li Q, Wang H … +4 more , Chen Y, Chen L, Chen Q, Liu Y
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345837 · Full text
Rapid urbanization and industrialization have profoundly affected aquatic ecosystems in urban rivers, with phytoplankton taxa and functional group composition being particularly sensitive to environmental changes. Field...
Rapid urbanization and industrialization have profoundly affected aquatic ecosystems in urban rivers, with phytoplankton taxa and functional group composition being particularly sensitive to environmental changes. Field surveys were conducted in the Nanming River, Guiyang, in October 2018 and July 2019, with 33 sampling sites evenly distributed across the upstream, midstream, and downstream reaches. The results revealed that: (1) The phytoplankton community comprised 6 phyla, 53 genera, and 61 species, dominated by Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, and Cyanobacteria. The community was classified into 20 functional groups, among which B, D, MP, P, and S1 were dominant and exhibited clear spatial heterogeneity along the longitudinal gradient. (2) Analysis of variance indicated that physicochemical parameters were the dominant factors explaining the variation in phytoplankton taxonomic and functional groups, with their independent contribution significantly higher than that of anthropogenic disturbance indicators and geographical factors. Redundancy analysis further identified NH-N, TP, and TN as key environmental factors. Spearman's correlation analysis further indicated that human activities alter ambient environmental conditions, which are significantly correlated with dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a levels, thereby driving the differentiation of phytoplankton niches. (3) Functional group succession followed a distinct spatial pattern: upstream areas were dominated by groups P, SN, and Y, reflecting agricultural non-point source inputs; midstream areas were dominated by groups W1, H1, and S1, characteristic of urban complex pollution; and downstream areas were dominated by groups C and X1, indicating cumulative nutrient loading. Collectively, this study elucidates the driving mechanisms of phytoplankton dynamics in karst urban rivers and provides a scientific foundation for water quality monitoring, eutrophication risk pre-warning, and aquatic ecological restoration.
Paleopathology of a Lower Miocene Carettochelyid Turtle from the Moghra Formation, Egypt.
Guerrero A, Pérez-García A, AbdelGawad MK … +1 more , Valenciano A
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345836 · Full text
This study examines two articulated peripheral plates of a carettochelyid turtle from the Moghra Formation (Early Miocene, 19.6-18.2 Ma) in Egypt. This research represents the first record of shell pathologies in an Afri...
This study examines two articulated peripheral plates of a carettochelyid turtle from the Moghra Formation (Early Miocene, 19.6-18.2 Ma) in Egypt. This research represents the first record of shell pathologies in an African carettochelyid. The specimens were analyzed through detailed macroscopic observation and computed tomography (CT) imaging. To characterize the observed anomalies, a comparative analysis was conducted based on standardized clinical and veterinary osteopathological methodologies. The results revealed significant external and internal structural alterations, including irregular globular outgrowths and internal remodeling evidenced by high-density bone formation. These features enable the identification of pathological conditions that differ from the bioerosive traces and other surface modifications that have been documented previously in the turtle fauna of the Moghra Formation.
Effects of Type I Diabetes Mellitus and Masticatory Loading on Mandibular Growth in Growing Rats: A Longitudinal CBCT Study.
Panayi N, Dontas IA, Chronopoulos E … +7 more , Kanavakis G, Tsolakis IA, Kotantoula G, Alexiou KE, Yfanti Z, Koutras O, Tsolakis AI
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345835 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Craniofacial growth is regulated by a complex interaction of genetic, functional, and systemic metabolic factors. Mechanical loading generated during mastication plays a fundamental role in mandibular develop...
BACKGROUND: Craniofacial growth is regulated by a complex interaction of genetic, functional, and systemic metabolic factors. Mechanical loading generated during mastication plays a fundamental role in mandibular development through bone modeling and remodeling mechanisms. In contrast, Type I diabetes mellitus is associated with impaired bone metabolism, which may compromise skeletal growth. Although the independent effects of functional loading and metabolic disorders on bone tissue have been widely investigated, their combined influence on mandibular development remains insufficiently understood. OBJECTIVE: This study primarily aimed to evaluate the effect of Type I diabetes mellitus on mandibular growth in growing rats and, secondarily, to assess the impact of dietary consistency (hard versus soft food) on mandibular development under diabetic and non-diabetic conditions, as well as determine whether diabetes modifies the mandibular adaptive response to increased masticatory loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experimental animal study was conducted using twenty-four male Wistar rats aged one month. The animals were randomly allocated into four groups according to metabolic status (control or diabetic) and dietary consistency (hard or soft diet). Type I diabetes mellitus was experimentally induced in the relevant groups using streptozotocin. All animals underwent cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning at baseline (Day 1) and at the end of the experimental period (Day 28). Linear measurements were obtained using specialized software following euthanasia. Two-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of diabetes, diet, and their interaction, using appropriate post hoc tests for multiple comparisons. Categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square test. A -value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Longitudinal morphometric analysis demonstrated that Type I diabetes mellitus significantly impaired mandibular growth. Diabetic animals exhibited reduced growth rates and smaller final mandibular dimensions compared with controls. Hard diet intake significantly enhanced mandibular development in control animals, reflecting a strong adaptive response to increased functional loading. However, this osteogenic response was markedly attenuated in diabetic rats. Under soft-diet conditions, differences between control and diabetic groups were diminished, indicating that reduced mechanical stimulation limits adaptive growth responses. Significant interaction effects between diabetes and dietary consistency were observed in several morphometric parameters, particularly those related to mandibular body length, ramus height, and condylar position. CONCLUSIONS: Type I diabetes mellitus exerts a detrimental effect on mandibular growth in growing rats and compromises the adaptive response of craniofacial structures to mechanical loading. Although a hard diet functions as a potent osteogenic stimulus, its growth-promoting effect is substantially reduced in the presence of metabolic dysfunction.
Data-Limited Stock Status Assessment of Bonga Shad, (Bowdich, 1825) and Lesser African Threadfin, (Bloch, 1795) in the Central Gulf of Guinea.
Atem EE, Kindong R, Ayuk CE … +3 more , Bayon MS, Mboglen D, Tian S
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345834 · Full text
This study presents a comprehensive data-limited stock assessment of bonga shad () and lesser African threadfin () in the Central Gulf of Guinea using complementary catch- and abundance-based approaches, including Abunda...
This study presents a comprehensive data-limited stock assessment of bonga shad () and lesser African threadfin () in the Central Gulf of Guinea using complementary catch- and abundance-based approaches, including Abundance-based Maximum Sustainable Yield (AMSY), Catch-based Maximum Sustainable Yield ++ (CMSY++), and the Bayesian State-space Schaefer Model (BSM). These models were applied because they are suitable for evaluating stock status in data-limited fisheries using catch and abundance information. While AMSY primarily uses abundance information, CMSY++ integrates catch and productivity priors, whereas BSM incorporates state-space error structures to account for observation uncertainty. Catch time series (1990-2021) were extracted from Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) FishstatJ accessed in 2023, with catch values for 2022-2023 cautiously extrapolated from recent trends due to the temporary absence of updated official statistics. Standardized and scaled relative abundance indices from Cameroonian and Nigerian EEZ were used to support model estimation and assess the stock status. For , the results from CMSY++ and BSM yielded an MSY estimate of 126 × 10 t and 95.5 × 10 t, respectively, while for , MSY from CMSY++ and BSM were 9.1 × 10 and 13.4 × 10, respectively. Stock status indicators suggested the stock was fully exploited based on both AMSY (F/F = 0.83) and CMSY++ (F/F = 1.03) and overfished based on BSM (F/F = 1.77). For , the analysis based on AMSY suggested an overfished stock state (F/F = 1.2), while under CMSY++ and BSM, the stock is fully exploited. The log scale CPUE was symmetrical within the expected bounds, and the posterior parameter distributions were constrained, indicating that the model passed the convergence test and had robust parameter estimates. The study recommends maintaining catches within MSY-based reference points as the total allowable catch (TAC) and emphasizes the need for improved data continuity, regional collaboration, and precautionary management for long-term sustainability of fisheries resources in the Central Gulf of Guinea.
Gonadogenesis in the Bearded Dragon (, Agamidae): A Comprehensive Histological Analysis from Gonadal Ridge Formation to Testicular and Ovarian Development.
Rams-Pociecha I, Mizia PC, Piprek RP
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345833 · Full text
The bearded dragon () is the most commonly kept pet lizard and a promising model organism for studies of sex determination and gonadal development. Despite its potential, the morphological basis of gonadogenesis in this...
The bearded dragon () is the most commonly kept pet lizard and a promising model organism for studies of sex determination and gonadal development. Despite its potential, the morphological basis of gonadogenesis in this species remains poorly characterized. Here, we provide a comprehensive histological characterization of gonad development in using serial paraffin and semi-thin sections, supplemented by morphometric analyses. Gonadal ridges first appeared at stage S28 as bilateral thickenings of the coelomic epithelium, coinciding with primordial germ cell colonization; by S28/29, a recognizable cortex and medulla were already present. The first morphological differences between male and female gonads appeared at S29/30. In differentiating testes, well-defined testis cords with a central lumen formed rapidly, while the cortex became thin and retained only scattered germ cells. Testicular development was characterized by rapid lumen formation within the testis cords, resulting in their early transformation into seminiferous tubules, followed by elongation and coiling of the tubules, maintenance of a stable tubule diameter, and a transient mitotic arrest of germ cells, with proliferation resuming at stage S36. In differentiating ovaries, the cortex remained thick and multilayered, with a progressive increase in germ cell number reflecting active oogonial proliferation. The ovarian medulla expanded substantially, and from S36 onward, lacunae developed within the medullary cords. No meiotic cells were observed at any examined stage. These results provide an essential morphological framework for future molecular and experimental studies of sex determination and gonadal differentiation in this species and in squamates more broadly.
The Programmable Microbiome: Integrative AI and Multi-Omics Frameworks for Precision T2DM Management.
Konwar B, Kim KS
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345832 · Full text
The gut microbiota is recognized as a programmable metabolic organ that governs systemic homeostasis. Recent advances (2023-2025) have pivoted Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) research from a host-centric perspective towa...
The gut microbiota is recognized as a programmable metabolic organ that governs systemic homeostasis. Recent advances (2023-2025) have pivoted Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) research from a host-centric perspective toward a failure of bidirectional host-microbe metabolic flux. This review evaluates the molecular mechanisms underpinning this shift, focusing on microbial metabolite signaling, virome-mediated modulation, and the emergence of drug-microbiome interactions as critical therapeutic variables. We highlight the transformative role of AI-guided mapping and digital twin simulations in modeling high-resolution metabolic flux and predicting the stability of engineered microbial consortia. By integrating meta-transcriptomics and epigenomics, we characterize the functional plasticity of the microbiome under therapeutic stress. We argue that framing the microbiota as a programmable infrastructure-integrated with AI analytics and metabolic engineering-enables adaptive, real-time interventions. This synthesis offers a blueprint for transitioning from correlative observations toward precision microbiome engineering to achieve sustained metabolic resilience.
Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Molecular Mechanisms of Fleeing, Adhesion, and Thanatosis Patterns in Sea Cucumber .
Wu G, Wu H, Wang X … +2 more , Gao Q, Zhao C
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345831 · Full text
Sea cucumbers () show fleeing, adhesion, and thanatosis patterns upon exposure to various stressors. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these contrasting stress response patterns remain largely unknown. In the...
Sea cucumbers () show fleeing, adhesion, and thanatosis patterns upon exposure to various stressors. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these contrasting stress response patterns remain largely unknown. In the present study, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of coelomocytes on stressed sea cucumbers to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms. The RNA-seq results revealed that several matrix metalloproteinase () family genes, along with , , and (which are involved in neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions), were significantly upregulated in the fleeing pattern. These genes may facilitate rapid movement. In the adhesion pattern, and were significantly downregulated, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in the longevity regulating pathway, accompanied by downregulation of and . These genes and the pathway may be involved in the reallocation of energy resources during the adhesion pattern. In the thanatosis pattern, DEGs were significantly enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway (including upregulation of and ) and in the Rap1 and Ras signaling pathways (with downregulation of key genes: , , and ). These genes potentially contribute to sustaining the thanatosis pattern. These transcriptomic profiles provide novel insights into the distinct molecular signatures underlying each stress response pattern in .
Toxicological Activities of Rhizomes and Fiddleheads in HPV16-Transgenic Mice.
Medeiros-Fonseca B, Faustino-Rocha AI, Pires MJ … +14 more , Neuparth MJ, Queiroga F, Gaivão I, Catarino MD, Cardoso SM, Bastos MM, Félix L, Venâncio C, Seixas F, Vasconcelos-Nóbrega C, Vala H, Medeiros R, Oliveira PA, Gil da Costa RM
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345830 · Full text
is a globally distributed plant species, highly adaptable to various environments and historically significant as a food source for both animals and humans. This study evaluated the in vivo effects of aqueous extracts fr...
is a globally distributed plant species, highly adaptable to various environments and historically significant as a food source for both animals and humans. This study evaluated the in vivo effects of aqueous extracts from rhizomes and freeze-dried fiddleheads in a transgenic mouse model of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16)-induced cancer. Rhizome extract was administered in drinking water at concentrations of 0.0125, 0.025, and 0.05 g/mL for 28 days across six experimental groups (n = 5): G1 (wild-type, control), G2 (wild-type, 0.05 g/mL), G3 (HPV, control), G4 (HPV, 0.0125 g/mL), G5 (HPV, 0.025 g/mL), and G6 (HPV, 0.05 g/mL). Freeze-dried fiddleheads were incorporated into the diet at concentrations of 12.5%, 25%, and 50%, also using six groups (n = 5). Humane endpoints, body weight, and food and water consumption were monitored weekly. The rhizome extract was associated with more pronounced biological effects compared to fiddleheads, particularly at the histological and molecular levels. Conversely, freeze-dried fiddleheads were better tolerated. The results indicate that rhizomes were associated with great biological impact under the present experimental conditions, particularly in HPV16 transgenic mice, highlighting a potential synergistic effect with HPV. The potential risks associated with consumption, as well as preparation methods, should be carefully considered, even for rhizomes which are often regarded as less harmful than other plant parts.
Cysteine Supplementation During In Vitro Maturation Enhances Bovine Oocyte Developmental Competence Through Improved Redox Balance and Mitochondrial Function.
Zhang X, Chen X, Jian R … +5 more , Wang L, Zhao S, Fan X, Wang D, Cao G
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345829 · Full text
In vitro maturation (IVM) is a critical step affecting the efficiency of bovine in vitro embryo production; however, oxidative stress during in vitro culture can impair oocyte quality and subsequent developmental compete...
In vitro maturation (IVM) is a critical step affecting the efficiency of bovine in vitro embryo production; however, oxidative stress during in vitro culture can impair oocyte quality and subsequent developmental competence. This study investigated the effects of cysteine supplementation on bovine oocyte IVM, redox homeostasis, mitochondrial status, and transcriptomic changes. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes were cultured in IVM medium supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, or 125 μM cysteine, and 75 μM was identified as the optimal concentration. Compared with the control group, 75 μM cysteine increased the first polar body extrusion rate from approximately 78% to 81% and improved the fertilization/cleavage rate from approximately 74% to 82%. It also significantly increased the proportions of 2-cell, 4-cell, and 8-cell embryos, whereas morula and blastocyst rates were not significantly affected. At the cellular level, 75 μM cysteine significantly reduced ROS levels and increased GSH content, as indicated by changes in relative fluorescence intensity. JC-1 staining showed that the JC-1 monomer signal decreased from approximately 16.0 to 13.5, whereas the JC-1 aggregate signal increased from approximately 13.2 to 14.8, indicating improved mitochondrial membrane potential status. In addition, lipid droplet fluorescence intensity increased from approximately 11.8 to 13.4, mitochondrial fluorescence intensity increased from approximately 6.0 to 7.0, and cytoskeletal fluorescence intensity showed no significant difference between groups. Smart-seq2 transcriptomic analysis identified 1935 differentially expressed genes, including 1778 upregulated and 157 downregulated genes, which were mainly enriched in translation, ribosomal structural components, RNA binding, oxidative phosphorylation, and metabolism-related pathways. qRT-PCR further confirmed the upregulation of key genes, including NDUFS2, VDAC3, ANXA2, MTHFD1L, and SCD. Overall, 75 μM cysteine improves bovine oocyte IVM quality by enhancing antioxidant capacity, improving mitochondrial membrane potential, increasing lipid-derived energy substrate storage, and regulating genes related to energy metabolism and developmental competence.
Retroviruses and Cancer: Coevolution and Genetic Exchanges Between the Viral and the Host Genomes.
Xia X
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345828 · Full text
Retroviruses, after their genomes are integrated into the host genome, replicate through host cell replication. In this hitchhiking phase, their only way of increasing their fitness is to encourage the host cell to have...
Retroviruses, after their genomes are integrated into the host genome, replicate through host cell replication. In this hitchhiking phase, their only way of increasing their fitness is to encourage the host cell to have unregulated, rapid cell replication. The gene in avian sarcoma virus and the gene in the simian sarcoma virus were originally mined from the host genome by the virus to increase host cell replication rate, with the corresponding host cellular counterparts (non-receptor tyrosine kinase) and (platelet-derived growth factor). The resulting out-of-control replication ultimately would lead to cancer. The battle between the host and the retroviruses left many retroviral corpses known as endogenous retroviruses, and the host occasionally domesticates retroviral genes. The syncytins (whose fusogenic function is crucial for the trophoblast fusion and the formation of a syncytium during placenta morphogenesis) and suppressyn (which serves the dual function of regulating syncytialization and host resistance against retroviruses) are examples of successful domestication. Syncytin-1 and suppressyn have each been "domesticated" independently multiple times by different mammalian lineages. Molecular phylogenetics is an essential tool for tracing the evolutionary trajectories of such genetic exchanges between retroviruses and their hosts and for determining the direction of the genetic exchange.
Nevermore: Target-Conditioned Protein-Ligand Representation Learning for Multi-Objective Lead Optimization with Database-Grounded Retrieval.
Refahi MS, Toutounchian M, Sokhansanj BA … +4 more , Yoo H, Brown JR, Ji HF, Rosen GL
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345827 · Full text
Recently, there has been great interest in AI-based approaches for de novo design of novel drug candidates. However, the generation of useful lead drug candidate compounds requires more than predicting engagement with th...
Recently, there has been great interest in AI-based approaches for de novo design of novel drug candidates. However, the generation of useful lead drug candidate compounds requires more than predicting engagement with the desired protein target. Candidate molecules must also be anchored in the real world of medicinal chemistry for their synthesis and modification as well as satisfying multiple drug development-related criteria. Here, we present Nevermore, an AI target-conditioned, database-grounded workflow for prioritizing candidate ligands from large compound libraries. Nevermore uses a geometry-aware protein-ligand affinity oracle to score target-specific binding and perform sparse integer edits in count-based Morgan fingerprint space. Nevermore then retrieves the most structurally similar molecules from public chemical databases. This design enables multi-objective search over predicted affinity and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) proxies while keeping all candidates anchored to valid database compounds. We evaluated Nevermore's performance across three biologically distinct targets: Menin, a protein-interaction target relevant to leukemia; SARS-CoV-2 M, a viral cysteine protease relevant to antiviral discovery; and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a kinase-superfamily oncology target with extensive experimentally tested compounds. Nevermore retrieved candidate sets with favorable predicted affinity-property trade-offs. These results support database-grounded fingerprint steering as a practical computational strategy for lead prioritization and for generating testable molecular hypotheses, although the prioritized candidates remain predictions, requiring follow-up experimental validation.
Adaptive Multi-Scale Fusion Enhanced RT-DETR for Efficient Cyanobacteria Detection in Microscopic Images.
Li J, Zheng S, Chen Y … +1 more , Luo K
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345826 · Full text
Accurate and efficient detection of cyanobacteria in microscopic images is important for automated water-quality monitoring, but remains challenging because of complex aquatic backgrounds, large scale variation, and unev...
Accurate and efficient detection of cyanobacteria in microscopic images is important for automated water-quality monitoring, but remains challenging because of complex aquatic backgrounds, large scale variation, and uneven sample quality. This study proposes an adaptive multi-scale fusion enhanced RT-DETR framework for cyanobacteria detection. The baseline RT-DETR-R18 is improved by incorporating the SeFaster module for efficient feature extraction, the high-level screening-feature fusion pyramid network for semantic-guided multi-scale fusion, and the Wise-IoU loss for more stable localization learning under mixed-quality samples. Experiments on the reorganized EMDS-7 dataset show that the proposed method achieved 79.05% mAP@0.5, 66.03% mAP@0.5:0.95, 16.31 M parameters, 54.6 G FLOPs, and 70.85 FPS. The proposed model also obtained the highest mAP@0.5 across the seven cyanobacteria categories. Moreover, cross-dataset evaluations further suggest the stability and transferability of the model. These results indicate that the proposed framework demonstrates potential for effective cyanobacteria detection in microscopic images with a good balance between detection accuracy and computational efficiency.
Soil Bacterial Community Structure and Functional Potential in the Caspian Drylands of Western Kazakhstan.
Zhakypbek Y, Toktar M, Kossalbayev BD … +7 more , Yang Q, Shi Q, Tursbekov S, Belkozhayev AM, Abseyt AS, Kezembayeva G, Kamarkhan T
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345825 · Full text
Dryland soils of the Caspian region of western Kazakhstan are exposed to environmental stress, including drought, alkalinity, low soil organic matter content, and anthropogenic pressure. In this preliminary study, bacter...
Dryland soils of the Caspian region of western Kazakhstan are exposed to environmental stress, including drought, alkalinity, low soil organic matter content, and anthropogenic pressure. In this preliminary study, bacterial communities were investigated in 18 soil samples collected from six sampling groups across Makat (M1, M2), Isatay (I1, I2), and Beyneu (B1, B2) districts. Soil physicochemical properties were measured, and bacterial diversity was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V3-V4 region. Community composition analysis indicated spatial heterogeneity among the sampled groups. M1 and I1 showed the highest taxon richness, whereas B2 contained the highest number of unique taxa. Genus-level profiles showed that B1 and M2 were mainly associated with and related actinobacterial taxa; B2 contained higher proportions of , , , and ; and I2 was enriched with , , , , , , and . Correlation analysis showed that several bacterial taxa were associated with soil organic matter content, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, exchangeable cations, and pH, although the overall Mantel relationship between soil properties and community structure was not significant. FAPROTAX-based prediction indicated differences in putative heterotrophic, nitrogen-related, sulfur-related, and hydrocarbon-associated functional categories among sites. Because FAPROTAX predictions are based on taxonomic composition, these results should be interpreted only as putative functional potential and not as evidence of actual microbial metabolic activity. These findings suggest that the sampled Caspian dryland soils contain distinct bacterial assemblages and taxa with potential ecological relevance; however, their role in dryland soil resilience or bioremediation should be verified through future culture-based, metagenomic, and functional validation studies.
Mitochondrial Genome of Iaccarino (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae): A New Sugarcane Pest and Phylogenetic Analysis of Aleyrodidae.
Yin J, Wang C, Li Y … +5 more , Li J, Zhang R, Wang X, Luo Z, Shan H
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345824 · Full text
is an invasive alien species in China, representing a new record for Yunnan Province and a new sugarcane pest. The mitochondrial genome of was sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing platform. The genome se...
is an invasive alien species in China, representing a new record for Yunnan Province and a new sugarcane pest. The mitochondrial genome of was sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing platform. The genome sequence was assembled and annotated, and its structural characteristics and nucleotide composition were analyzed. A phylogenetic tree of 18 species in the family Aleyrodidae was constructed using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods to analyze the phylogenetic relationship of within the family Aleyrodidae. The results indicated that the mitochondrial genome of was 18,774 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 1 non-coding control region. The A+T content of the mitochondrial genome of was 80.93%, indicating a marked A+T preference. ATN was used as the start codon for the PCGs, and TAA, TAG, TA, and T were used as the stop codons. In the secondary structure of tRNA, the TΨC arm was missing in , , and , and the DHU arm was missing in and , with G-U base mismatches present. The phylogenetic tree revealed that the 18 species of 10 genera in the two subfamilies of the family Aleyrodidae clustered into two major branches: the subfamilies Aleyrodinae and Aleurodicinae. All 10 genera were monophyletic groups; among them, the genus and the genus formed a sister relationship, and both belonged to the subfamily Aleurodicinae. This study represents the first successful sequencing of the mitochondrial genome of , as well as the first mitochondrial genome of the genus , laying the foundation for the control of and the analysis of phylogenetic relationships among various genera of the family Aleyrodidae.
Global Research Landscape and Thematic Evolution of Fungi-Derived Antimicrobials Against Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA): A Scientometric Analysis.
Ong CJN, Fortaleza JAG, Ramos ED … +7 more , Cabuhat KSP, Cruz JTP, Libres AC, Matamis JG, Mamaat JE, de Leon CS, Nuevo JJM
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345823 · Full text
Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) remains a significant multidrug-resistant pathogen, frequently associated with persistent infections and biofilm formation, underscoring the urgent need for alternative antimicrobial strateg...
Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) remains a significant multidrug-resistant pathogen, frequently associated with persistent infections and biofilm formation, underscoring the urgent need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. Bioactive compounds derived from fungi have attracted considerable attention due to their structural diversity and demonstrated antibacterial activity against MRSA. This study employed a scientometric approach to assess global research trends, thematic evolution, and collaborative networks concerning fungi-derived anti-MRSA compounds. Bibliographic data were collected from the Scopus database, and a total of 1666 English-language articles and reviews published up to 2025 were analyzed using Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny and VOSviewer. The findings indicate a marked increase in research output after 2010, reflecting heightened scientific interest in fungal natural products for MRSA management. China and the United States emerged as leading contributors in terms of publication volume and international collaboration. Thematic analysis revealed a shift from broad antimicrobial screening to more specialized investigations, including antibiofilm activity, secondary metabolites, endophytic fungi, molecular docking, and antimicrobial resistance. Nonetheless, several challenges persist, such as insufficient mechanistic validation, limited toxicity and pharmacokinetic assessments, and a lack of clinically relevant studies. Overall, the field is increasingly multidisciplinary, integrating microbiology, natural product chemistry, and computational methodologies to advance the discovery of anti-MRSA agents.
Environmentally Realistic Levels of Total Suspended Solids Damage Gill Structure and Compromise Swimming Performance in Some Freshwater Fish Species.
Montoya XC, Smith CM, Thompson WA … +2 more , Wilson JM, Vijayan MM
Biology (Basel) · 2026 Jun · PMID 42345822 · Full text
Total suspended solids (TSS) have been shown to damage the structural integrity of fish gills, impairing their function, including gas exchange. However, studies showing linkages between gill damage due to TSS and fish p...
Total suspended solids (TSS) have been shown to damage the structural integrity of fish gills, impairing their function, including gas exchange. However, studies showing linkages between gill damage due to TSS and fish performance are limited. There is a large diversity of fish species inhabiting aquatic environments, and whether the TSS impact on gill function is similar across a range of species has yet to be explored. Here, we exposed multiple species, including salmonids (rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout) and cyprinids (fathead minnow and longnose dace) to a range of TSS concentrations (0-1000 mg L) for 4 d and assessed damages to gill structure (filament thickness, lamellae thickness, oxygen diffusion distance, lamellae length, epithelial lifting, and interlamellar distance) using confocal microscopy. All species tested showed similar gill structural damage, including thicker lamellae, longer oxygen diffusion distances, and reduced respiratory surface area, at concentrations ≥ 100 mg L TSS. To assess whether gill damage corresponds to performance dysfunction, we tested the metabolic rate and swimming capacity of a salmonid (rainbow trout) and a cyprinid (fathead minnow) after exposure to 100 mg L TSS using swim tunnel respirometry. Trout showed lower routine metabolic rate (RMR) and maximum metabolic rate (MMR) after TSS exposure and were unable to reach the higher swimming speeds attained by unexposed fish. Fathead minnows showed no difference in the RMR after TSS exposure, but, like trout, had a lower MMR and were unable to attain the higher swimming speed of the control fish. Both species showed a ~35% reduction in the critical swimming speed (). These findings reveal that environmentally realistic TSS concentrations damage gill structure, impair fish swimming performance, and may compromise their ability to cope with energy-demanding activities, including additional biotic and abiotic stressors.
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