Zoological Research最新文献

{"title":"Features and mechanisms of long-lived <i>Myotis</i> somatic fibroblasts in response to DNA replication stress.","authors":"Xiao-Yan Huang, Xiu-Yun Liu, Wei Wang, Gao-Jing Liu, You-Long Zhu, Xiao Wen, Kai-Qin Li, Bo Zhao","doi":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.373","DOIUrl":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.373","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The DNA replication stress (RS) response is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and promoting physiological longevity. However, the mechanisms by which long-lived species, such as bats, regulate RS to maintain genomic stability remain unclear. Also, recent studies have uncovered noncanonical roles of ribosome-associated factors in maintaining genomic stability. In this study, somatic skin fibroblasts from the long-lived big-footed bat ( <i>Myotis pilosus</i>) were examined, with results showing that bat cells exhibited enhanced RS tolerance compared to mouse cells. Comparative transcriptome analysis under RS conditions revealed pronounced species-specific transcriptional differences, including robust up-regulation of ribosome biogenesis genes in bat cells and a markedly reduced activation of the P53 signaling pathway. These features emphasize a distinct homeostatic strategy in bat cells. Nuclear fragile X mental retardation-interacting protein 1 ( <i>Nufip1</i>), a ribosome-associated factor highly expressed in bat fibroblasts, was identified as a potential integrator of ribosomal and P53 signaling via its association with ribosomal protein S27-like (Rps27l). These findings provide direct cellular and molecular evidence for a noncanonical RS response in bats, highlighting a deeper understanding of the biological characteristics and genomic maintenance mechanisms of long-lived species.</p>","PeriodicalId":48636,"journal":{"name":"Zoological Research","volume":"46 3","pages":"709-721"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12361907/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144129258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bromodomain-containing proteins in the unicellular eukaryote <i>Tetrahymena thermophila</i>.","authors":"Zhe Zhang, Ai-Li Ju, Yuan-Yuan Wang, Hong-Zhen Jiang, Yong-Qiang Liu, Shan Gao","doi":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2025.011","DOIUrl":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2025.011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bromodomain (BRD)-containing proteins are central mediators of gene regulation, serving as key components of chromatin remodeling complexes and histone recognition scaffolds. By specifically recognizing acetylated lysine residues on histones (Kac) via their conserved BRD, these proteins influence chromatin structure and gene expression. Although their overarching role is well-established, the precise molecular functions and mechanisms of individual BRD proteins remain incompletely characterized. The ciliate <i>Tetrahymena thermophila</i>, a unicellular eukaryote with a transcriptionally active macronucleus enriched in histone acetylation, is an excellent model for exploring the significance of BRD-containing proteins. In this comprehensive review, all BRD-containing proteins encoded in the <i>T. thermophila</i> genome are systematically examined, including their expression profiles, histone acetylation targets, interacting proteins, and potential roles. This review lays the groundwork for future investigations into the complex roles of BRD proteins in chromatin remodeling and transcription regulation, offering insights into basic eukaryotic biology and the molecular mechanisms underlying BRD-linked diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":48636,"journal":{"name":"Zoological Research","volume":"46 3","pages":"538-550"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12361904/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143988743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evolutionary balance between genomic conservation and coral reef adaptation in the yellow boxfish ( <i>Ostracion cubicus</i>).","authors":"Shui-Mu Hu, Zhi-Xiong Zhou, Jun-Yi Yang, Zhou Jiang, Fei Pu, Qing-Ming Qu, Tao Zhou, Peng Xu","doi":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.388","DOIUrl":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.388","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The yellow boxfish ( <i>Ostracion cubicus</i>) exhibits a combination of derived morphological traits specialized for coral reef environments and ancestral characteristics, including a fused dermal plate. Contradictory evolutionary evidence hinders true classification of <i>O. cubicus</i>. To clarify its evolutionary position within Tetraodontiformes, a chromosome-level genome assembly was generated, representing the most contiguous and complete genome to date for this lineage. Notably, <i>O. cubicus</i> possessed the largest genome within the order Tetraodontiformes, primarily due to extensive transposable element expansion. Phylogenetic analysis based on 19 whole genomes and 131 mitochondrial genomes resolved Tetraodontiformes into three major sister groups (Ostraciidae-Molidae, Tetraodontidae, and Balistidae-Monacanthidae). Comparative genomic evidence indicated that <i>O. cubicus</i> diverged early from the common ancestor of modern Tetraodontiformes and retained the highest number of <i>HOX</i> genes among surveyed taxa. Although overall genomic architecture was largely conserved, certain genetic and environmental changes may have contributed to its phenotypic adaptations, including climate cooling during the Miocene-Pliocene Transition, recent DNA and long interspersed nuclear element (LINE) transposon bursts, lineage-specific chromosomal rearrangements, and gene family expansion. Many positively selected genes and rapidly evolving genes were associated with skeletal development, including <i>bmp7</i>, <i>egf7</i>, and <i>bmpr2</i>. Transcriptomic comparisons between carapace and tail skin revealed various candidate genes and pathways related to carapace formation, such as <i>postn</i>, <i>scpp1</i>, and components of the TGF-β signaling pathway. A derived amino acid substitution in <i>eda</i>, coupled with protein structural modeling, suggested potential molecular convergence in dermal plate formation among teleosts. These findings provide novel insights into the genomic and developmental basis of carapace evolution and coral reef-adaptation in <i>O. cubicus</i>, offering a strong case for evolutionary balance between genomic conservation with regulatory innovation to achieve coral reef specialization.</p>","PeriodicalId":48636,"journal":{"name":"Zoological Research","volume":"46 3","pages":"661-674"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12361903/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144095164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"HNRNPA2B1-mediated m6A modification enhances lncRNA NORHA stability to control granulosa cell functions.","authors":"Chun-Xue Zhou, Si-Qi Wang, Ji-Yu Zhang, Xing Du, Qi-Fa Li","doi":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.378","DOIUrl":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.378","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>NORHA, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), serves as a key inducer of follicular atresia in sows by triggering granulosa cells (GCs) apoptosis. However, its regulation by N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-the most abundant RNA modification-remains unresolved. This study identified NORHA as a functional target of the m6A reader HNRNPA2B1 in sow GCs (sGCs). Transcriptome-wide mapping of RNA modification sites revealed extensive m6A enrichment on NORHA, with HNRNPA2B1 binding directly to the transcript and enhancing its stability via modification of multiple m6A sites, including A261, A441, and A919. HNRNPA2B1 suppressed 17β-estradiol (E2) biosynthesis and promoted sGC apoptosis by activating the NORHA-FoxO1 axis. FoxO1 subsequently repressed expression of cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1 (CYP19A1), which encodes the enzyme essential for E2 biosynthesis. Additionally, HNRNPA2B1 functioned as a critical mediator of METTL3-dependent m6A modification, modulating NORHA expression and activity in sGCs. This study highlights an important m6A-dependent regulatory mechanism governing NORHA expression in sGCs.</p>","PeriodicalId":48636,"journal":{"name":"Zoological Research","volume":"46 3","pages":"722-732"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12361897/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144129259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adaptive evolution of <i>BMP4</i> as a potential mechanism for flipper forelimb changes in cetaceans.","authors":"Yao Liu, Luo-Ying Deme, Jia Liu, Shi-Xia Xu, Guang Yang","doi":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.473","DOIUrl":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.473","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vertebrate limbs have undergone profound morphological diversification, enabling adaptations to a broad spectrum of ecological niches. In marine mammals, the evolution of highly specialized flipper-like forelimbs represents a profound structural transformation associated with aquatic habitats. This adaptation has been hypothesized to result, in part, from the inhibition of interphalangeal cell apoptosis during limb development, although the underlying genetic mechanism remains poorly understood. This study investigated the evolutionary dynamics and functional consequences of three key bone morphogenetic protein genes, <i>BMP2</i>, <i>BMP4</i>, and <i>BMP7</i>, which regulate apoptosis in interphalangeal mesenchymal stromal cells during embryonic limb development to ensure proper differentiation of interphalangeal tissues. Comparative genomic analysis revealed significantly accelerated evolution for <i>BMP4</i> and <i>BMP7</i> in the cetacean ancestral lineage, with two positively selected sites (V79I and H247R) involved in cetacean-specific amino acid substitutions located in the TGF-β propeptide functional domain in <i>BMP4</i>. <i>In vitro</i> assays confirmed that cetacean-specific <i>BMP4</i> mutations significantly disrupted normal cell apoptosis and proliferation and altered the transcription and protein expression of downstream apoptosis-related factors, including cytochrome c (Cyt c), BCL2 associated X, and B-cell lymphoma 2, within the BMP signaling pathway. The significant influence of <i>BMP4</i> mutations on apoptotic inhibition highlights a potential role in the development of limb bud mesenchymal tissue and the emergence of the flipper forelimb phenotype in cetaceans.</p>","PeriodicalId":48636,"journal":{"name":"Zoological Research","volume":"46 3","pages":"675-683"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12361908/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144129257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Large animal models for investigating the applications of photodynamic therapy.","authors":"Heng-Zong Zhou, Dong-Xu Wang, Yu-Qiang Qian, Jia-Qi Wei, Sen Ma, Yu-Jing Feng, Yang Hao","doi":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.445","DOIUrl":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.445","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an emerging minimally invasive therapeutic modality that relies on the activation of a photosensitizing agent by light of a specific wavelength in the presence of molecular oxygen, leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This mechanism facilitates selective cytotoxic effects within pathological tissues and has demonstrated therapeutic potential across diverse disease contexts. However, the broader clinical applications remain limited by photosensitizer selectivity, shallow light penetration, and the risk of off-target cytotoxicity. Recent advancements in PDT have focused on the development of next-generation photosensitizers, the integration of nanotechnology for enhanced delivery and targeting, and the strategic combination of PDT with complementary therapeutic approaches. Experimental animal models play a crucial role in validating the efficacy and safety of PDT, optimizing its therapeutic parameters, and determining its mechanisms of action. This review provides a comprehensive overview of PDT applications in various disease models, including oncological, infectious, and nonconventional indications. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of large animal models in PDT research, such as rabbits, pigs, dogs, and non-human primates, which provide experimental platforms that more closely resemble human physiological and pathological states. The use of these models for understanding the mechanisms of PDT, optimizing therapeutic regimens, and evaluating clinical outcomes is also discussed. This review aims to inform future directions in PDT research and emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate preclinical animal models to facilitate successful clinical translation.</p>","PeriodicalId":48636,"journal":{"name":"Zoological Research","volume":"46 3","pages":"551-575"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12361901/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144004020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"RNA editing generates mRNA isoforms with distinct stabilities that may expand the thermal tolerance of mRNA and proteins in <i>Mytilus</i> species.","authors":"Ming-Ling Liao, Ya-Jie Zhu, Xiao-Lu Zhu, George N Somero, Yun-Wei Dong","doi":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.383","DOIUrl":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.383","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ectothermic organisms may expand their thermal tolerance by producing multiple protein isoforms with differing thermal sensitivities. While such isoforms commonly originate from allelic variation at a single locus (allozymes) or from gene duplication that gives rise to paralogs with distinct thermal responses, this study investigated mRNA editing as an alternative, post-transcriptional mechanism for generating mRNA variants. Cytosolic malate dehydrogenase (cMDH) was examined in foot tissue of two congeners of the marine mussel genus <i>Mytilus</i>, which occupy different thermal environments. Multiple editing events were detected within the mRNA coding region in both species. Editing sites were species-specific, with no shared positions identified. In <i>M. coruscus</i>, editing occurred at 117, 123, 135, 190, 195, 204, 279, and 444, while in <i>M. galloprovincialis</i>, editing was detected at 216 and 597. Each species exhibited multiple edited mRNA variants, and these isoforms were associated with differential protein expression. These findings suggest that mRNA editing may contribute an additional layer of molecular variation. The generation of diverse mRNA isoforms from a single DNA coding sequence may enhance enzymatic flexibility across temperature ranges, supporting eurythermal physiological performance and mitigating thermal stress. Moreover, the presence of multiple edited transcripts within individual organisms raises important caveats about the limitations of approaches that deduce amino acid sequences or estimate adaptive variation solely from genomic data.</p>","PeriodicalId":48636,"journal":{"name":"Zoological Research","volume":"46 3","pages":"527-537"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12361899/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144032855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"On the evolution of microglia.","authors":"Zhisheng Wu, Rongfeng Cui, Hanjie Li","doi":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2025.074","DOIUrl":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2025.074","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":48636,"journal":{"name":"Zoological Research","volume":"46 3","pages":"483-484"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12361898/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144026252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cardiac rehabilitation in porcine models: Advances in therapeutic strategies for ischemic heart disease.","authors":"Shi-Qi Wang, Ting-Yu Chen, Lu Wang, Hong-Xin Cheng, Han-Bin Li, Cheng-Qi He, Chen-Ying Fu, Quan Wei","doi":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.387","DOIUrl":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.387","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ischemic heart disease (IHD) remains a leading contributor to cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide. Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, translational research demands robust large animal models to bridge the gap between experimental interventions and clinical application. Among these, porcine models have gained prominence due to their anatomical, physiological, immunological, and genomic similarities to humans. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current methodologies for establishing porcine IHD models, critically assesses emerging rehabilitative strategies, and outlines innovative therapeutic technologies, with the goal of guiding model selection and fostering the development of novel treatment strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":48636,"journal":{"name":"Zoological Research","volume":"46 3","pages":"576-607"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12361911/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144054949","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>CPA1</i> ^<i>S282P</i> mutation leads to chronic pancreatitis in rabbits.","authors":"Jie Yang, Xin Liu, Cheng-Ye Li, Zhong-Tian Zhang, Xin-Yu Wu, Li-Qiang Jiang, Meng-Meng Fang, Liang-Xue Lai, Zhan-Jun Li, Yu-Ning Song","doi":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.419","DOIUrl":"10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2024.419","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive and irreversible fibroinflammatory disease that markedly increases susceptibility to pancreatic cancer and remains without effective targeted therapies. Among the genetic contributors to CP, the carboxypeptidase A1 p.Ser282Pro ( <i>CPA1</i> ^<i>S282P</i> ) variant has been proposed to promote disease through misfolding-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), although the broader pathogenic landscape remains incompletely defined. This study generated a rabbit model mimicking the human <i>CPA1</i> ^<i>S282P</i> mutation using the SpRY-ABE-8.17 system. Homozygous <i>CPA1</i> ^<i>S282P</i> rabbits exhibited characteristic human CP phenotypes following alcohol induction, including visceral pain, elevated serum lipase and amylase, inflammatory cell infiltration, and extensive pancreatic fibrosis. Biochemical analyses confirmed that the p.S282P mutation induced <i>CPA1</i> misfolding and elevated the expression of ERS markers GRP78 and CHOP in both transfected HEK293T cells and homozygous mutant rabbits. Notably, the <i>CPA1</i> ^<i>S282P</i> mutation markedly disrupted intra-pancreatic lipid homeostasis, contributing to the development of CP in mutant rabbits. This study successfully established the first rabbit model of CP that accurately recapitulates CP caused by a defined human point mutation. Additionally, this study provides insights into a previously unrecognized link between <i>CPA1</i> and intra-pancreatic lipid metabolism, offering a foundation for identifying novel therapeutic targets for human CP.</p>","PeriodicalId":48636,"journal":{"name":"Zoological Research","volume":"46 3","pages":"647-660"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12361900/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144095246","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}