{"title":"Notch signaling in leech neurogenesis: expression patterns and functional insights in the Glossiphoniid leech <i>Helobdella austinensis</i>.","authors":"Geon-Hwi Jeong, In-Hyeok Pyo, Yam Prasad Aryal, Geon-Woo Lee, Kyoung-Bin Ryu, Hee-Jin Kwak, Sung-Jin Cho","doi":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2631845","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2631845","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Notch signaling pathway is one of the most evolutionarily conserved pathways, playing a crucial role in juxtacrine signaling between adjacent cells. Although previous studies have characterized Notch signaling in diverse models, its function in the lophotrochozoan animals is largely not understood and is only partially identified in early-stage embryos. To address this gap, we reaffirmed the expression of Notch homolog, including downstream components, in the organogenesis of the Glossiphoniid leech, <i>Helobdella austinensis</i>. We analyze the spatial and temporal expression patterns of the Notch receptor (<i>Hau-notch1</i>), ligands (<i>Hau-delta</i> and <i>Hau-jagged</i>), and transcription factors (<i>Hau-hes</i> and <i>Hau-hey</i>) from embryonic stages 8-11. Notch transcripts are expressed in the germinal plate and segmental precursor cells at stage 8, with expression expanding to the somites, ventral and supraesophageal ganglia by stage 9. In organogenesis stages (stages 9-11), Notch components are expressed in the anterior and posterior suckers, proboscis, and ventral ganglia, indicating their role in nerve differentiation. Furthermore, blocking of Notch signaling by DAPT (N-[N-(3, 5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-s-phenylglycine t-butyl ester) leads to the disruption of nerve formation with downregulation of transcription factors (<i>Hau-hes</i> and <i>Hau-hey</i>). Our findings provide insights into the conserved mechanisms of Notch signaling in bilaterian neural development, contributing to a deeper understanding of evolutionary developmental biology.</p>","PeriodicalId":7804,"journal":{"name":"Animal Cells and Systems","volume":"30 1","pages":"282-294"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12983829/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147462556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Animal Cells and SystemsPub Date : 2026-02-20eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2026.2632447
Goeun Yoon, Seulhye Cho, Yu-Ri Choi, Jungwook Roh, Wanyeon Kim
{"title":"Long non-coding RNAs in the exosomal network: dual roles and clinical implications in cancer.","authors":"Goeun Yoon, Seulhye Cho, Yu-Ri Choi, Jungwook Roh, Wanyeon Kim","doi":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2632447","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2632447","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicles with a diameter of 30-150 nm, formed within multivesicular bodies of late endosomes, and released into the extracellular environment before being taken up by recipient cells. Exosomes transfer bioactive molecules, such as proteins and various RNAs, between cells and thereby influence recipient cell behavior. Among these molecules, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are not only selectively packaged into exosomes but have also been reported to participate in exosome biogenesis and secretion. Furthermore, they can contribute to cancer development by regulating gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms such as miRNA sponging, protein interactions, and methylation. These mechanisms appear to drive tumorigenesis by altering the tumor microenvironment, including macrophage polarization, immune evasion and suppression, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis-mediated metastasis. In addition, exosomal lncRNAs can be readily detected in serum, highlighting their potential as biomarkers for liquid biopsy-based diagnosis. Finally, exosomal lncRNAs have been reported to contribute to drug resistance in various cancers. Therefore, therapeutic strategies targeting exosomal lncRNAs are expected to improve clinical outcomes in cancer patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":7804,"journal":{"name":"Animal Cells and Systems","volume":"30 1","pages":"265-281"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12927404/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147282082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"From threatened to widespread: a non-genuine conservation status update for a now widespread Asian Hylid.","authors":"Amaël Borzée, Tae Eun Um, Vishal Kumar Prasad, Abhilasha Shrivastava, Mi-Sook Min, Siti N Othman","doi":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2614151","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2614151","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Non-genuine conservation status updates threaten the trust in Red Listing, but they are necessary building blocks in science. In addition, they often highlight the critical need for basic field research. The Suweon treefrog, <i>Dryophytes suweonensis</i>, is a hylid species long thought to be range-restricted, and assessed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This study aimed at determining the species of individuals encountered during call surveys in 2024 in China, and aimed to determine the areas of suitable habitat for the species. We sequenced the Cyt<i>b</i> gene fragment and compared the acoustic properties of some individuals sampled northern China to identify the species. We also built ecological models with MaxEnt to predict suitable habitats and guide future surveys. We genetically confirmed the identity of the population as <i>D. suweonensis,</i> more than 985 km north of the northernmost known locality for the species. The call properties also matched with those of <i>D. suweonensis</i>. The ecological niche models identified a very large area with suitable habitat spanning the northern Chinese plains. The species is not endemic to the Korean Peninsula, occurring in a significantly broader range, and thus, the population size is higher than previously assumed. The species is unlikely to be threatened, and this huge range extension highlights the need for additional field surveys for all amphibian species in the area. Long term, the use of conservation prioritisation tools will highlight conservation needs in the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":7804,"journal":{"name":"Animal Cells and Systems","volume":"30 1","pages":"115-130"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12918279/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147269511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Animal Cells and SystemsPub Date : 2026-02-16eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2026.2629066
Kkot Garam Bae, Chae Won Song, Jae Hong Yoo, Myunghoon Lee, Noah Koo, Gangsan Lee, Yongmin Mason Park, Jihwan Yoo, In-Young Hwang, Dong Ho Woo, C Justin Lee, Kyung-Seok Han
{"title":"ATP release mediated by TRPM3 enhances invasion in glioblastoma.","authors":"Kkot Garam Bae, Chae Won Song, Jae Hong Yoo, Myunghoon Lee, Noah Koo, Gangsan Lee, Yongmin Mason Park, Jihwan Yoo, In-Young Hwang, Dong Ho Woo, C Justin Lee, Kyung-Seok Han","doi":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2629066","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2629066","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and lethal form of primary brain tumor, characterized by uncontrolled proliferation and invasion into surrounding brain tissue. Mechanical stimulation (MS) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been correlated to tumor progression, partly via ATP release. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we found that transient receptor potential melastatin 3 (TRPM3) channel mediates MS-induced ATP release from GBM cells. Genetic knockdown of TRPM3 significantly attenuated ATP release and suppressed GBM cell invasion, indicating its functional relevance in tumor dissemination. Furthermore, TRPM3 regulated ATP release in a Ca<sup>2+</sup>-independent manner, suggesting a noncanonical mechanism of mechanosensitive signaling. Consequently, targeting TRPM3 may offer a novel target to reduce the invasion of GBM within the TME.</p>","PeriodicalId":7804,"journal":{"name":"Animal Cells and Systems","volume":"30 1","pages":"235-249"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12912218/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146218502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Animal Cells and SystemsPub Date : 2026-02-16eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2026.2630463
So Eun Lee, Min Gi Jo, Sang Won Park, Hye Jung Kim, Seung Pil Yun, Jong-Won Kim
{"title":"The double-edged sword of regulatory T cells in MASLD: from inflammation control to fibrosis promotion.","authors":"So Eun Lee, Min Gi Jo, Sang Won Park, Hye Jung Kim, Seung Pil Yun, Jong-Won Kim","doi":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2630463","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2630463","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its advanced inflammatory subtype, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), are becoming increasingly prevalent liver disorders driven by complex interactions between metabolic stress, immune dysregulation, and fibrotic remodeling. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), traditionally recognized for their immunosuppressive functions, have emerged as key modulators of hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and systemic metabolic balance. While Tregs can suppress pro-inflammatory immune responses and mitigate liver injury, accumulating evidence highlights their paradoxical roles in liver fibrosis, including the promotion of hepatic stellate cell activation and profibrotic remodeling. This review critically examines the dual and context-dependent roles of Tregs in MASLD and MASH, emphasizing implications for therapeutic intervention. Additionally, we discuss current preclinical strategies aimed at modulating Treg abundance and function, highlighting the challenges and opportunities associated with developing stage-specific therapeutic approaches that consider not only local hepatic effects but also potential systemic metabolic consequences.</p>","PeriodicalId":7804,"journal":{"name":"Animal Cells and Systems","volume":"30 1","pages":"250-264"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12912241/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146218510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Animal Cells and SystemsPub Date : 2026-02-05eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2026.2625524
Bitnara Han, Hyun Ji Lim, Su-Jung Kim, Jaejin Shin, Hyeong Hwan Kim, Kyun-Hwan Kim, Chang-Hoon Nam, Kwang Pyo Kim
{"title":"Proteomics and phosphoproteomics of human colorectal cancer cells lacking a specific kinase activity reveal kinase-specific compensatory responses.","authors":"Bitnara Han, Hyun Ji Lim, Su-Jung Kim, Jaejin Shin, Hyeong Hwan Kim, Kyun-Hwan Kim, Chang-Hoon Nam, Kwang Pyo Kim","doi":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2625524","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2625524","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cell signaling regulates cell proliferation, survival, and migration, and abnormal kinase activity is often implicated in cancer. Although kinases are key targets for anticancer therapy, drug-induced compensatory signaling and pathway rewiring often drive acquired resistance. These compensatory responses enable tumor cells to maintain proliferation and survival, contributing to acquired drug resistance. In this study, we investigated adaptive responses following the knockout of four specific kinase genes, ERK2, PLK1, PIK3CA, and PAK4, using HCT-116, a human colorectal cancer cell line. Using CRISPR-Cas9, we generated individual knockout cell lines and conducted quantitative proteomic and phosphoproteomic profiling using isobaric tagging and tandem mass tag (TMTs) to evaluate alterations in the signaling landscape. Our integrated analysis quantified 7,531 proteins and 10,877 phosphopeptides, revealing kinase-specific patterns of compensatory signaling. ERK2 knockout was associated with activation of MAPK- and PI3K/AKT-related kinases, whereas PIK3CA knockout induced extensive proteomic remodeling and engagement of pro-survival phosphorylation programs, illustrating distinct modes of signaling network rewiring. Integration of kinase-substrate enrichment analysis (KSEA) with global proteomic data revealed that adaptive kinase activity was largely uncoupled from protein abundance and uncovered a synthetic lethal interaction between ERK2 loss and RPS6KB1 inhibition. Collectively, these findings elucidate how targeted kinase loss drives homeostatic signaling networks in cancer cells. By systemically characterizing cellular-level signaling changes and contextualizing them within known kinase pathways, our results provide insights into synthetic lethality and identify potential therapeutic targets to counteract adaptive resistance to kinase inhibitors.</p>","PeriodicalId":7804,"journal":{"name":"Animal Cells and Systems","volume":"30 1","pages":"219-234"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12885026/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146155839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Animal Cells and SystemsPub Date : 2026-02-04eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2026.2623320
Taehwan Kim, Yangming Wang, Nayoung Suh
{"title":"MicroRNA-mediated mechanotransduction and chondrocyte differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells.","authors":"Taehwan Kim, Yangming Wang, Nayoung Suh","doi":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2623320","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2623320","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) integrate mechanical information from their microenvironment to regulate lineage commitment. Through integrin-based adhesion, cytoskeletal tension, and nuclear deformation, mechanical cues are transduced into intracellular signals via conserved pathways such as integrin-FAK/Src, RhoA-ROCK, and Hippo-YAP/TAZ. These pathways not only regulate chromatin accessibility and transcriptional output but also induce characteristic changes in mechanosensitive microRNAs (miRNAs). Mechanical loading alters miRNA expression programs that modulate focal adhesion assembly, Rho GTPase activity, and SMAD or Wnt signaling, thereby refining the SOX9-centered transcriptional networks that drive MSC chondrogenesis. Physiological mechanical stimuli including dynamic compression, fluid shear, and controlled tensile strain promote chondrogenic differentiation by lowering actomyosin tension, restricting YAP/TAZ nuclear localization, and enhancing SMAD-SOX9 cooperation. Conversely, pathological changes in the pericellular matrix, such as reduced stiffness and increased permeability, disrupt mechanical filtering, impair force transmission, and destabilize cytoskeletal organization. These mechanical defects shift chondrocytes toward high-tension, YAP-active states that suppress matrix gene expression and hinder maintenance of the chondrogenic phenotype. Simultaneously, dysregulation of mechanosensitive miRNAs weakens negative regulation of inflammatory and catabolic pathways, contributing to extracellular matrix degradation and progressive cartilage degeneration. Although numerous mechanosensitive miRNAs have been identified, their mechanistic roles and context-specific regulation remain incompletely defined. A deeper understanding of how miRNAs integrate diverse mechanical cues is essential to elucidate MSC fate transitions and the mechanobiology of cartilage repair. Advances in single-cell mechanobiology, mechanically tunable culture systems, and miRNA-targeted modulation may ultimately yield diagnostic indicators of mechanical imbalance and new therapeutic strategies for restoring cartilage homeostasis.</p>","PeriodicalId":7804,"journal":{"name":"Animal Cells and Systems","volume":"30 1","pages":"201-218"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12880507/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146140922","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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>Quercus infectoria</i> gall extract modulates adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism through dual regulation of adipogenesis and lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.","authors":"Chanawee Jakkawanpitak, Suttiwan Wunnoo, Decha Sermwittayawong, Phanthipha Runsaeng, Thanaporn Amnuaikit, Supayang Piyawan Voravuthikunchai","doi":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2623321","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2623321","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Quercus infectoria</i> galls (QIG), traditionally used in Asian and Middle Eastern medicine, have shown lipid-lowering activity by reducing cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. However, their role in regulating adipocyte lipid metabolism remains unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity potential of QIG extract by investigating its regulatory effects on adipogenesis and lipolysis. The regulatory effects of QIG extract on lipid metabolism were investigated using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The phytochemical profile of the extract was characterized by LC-QTOF-MS, revealing abundant phenolic constituents, including gallic acid, ellagic acid, and various hydrolyzable tannins. Functional assays demonstrated that the extract markedly suppressed lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner, achieving a maximum inhibition of 94.52 ± 2.29% without cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, QIG extract induced G1/S cell cycle arrest, suppressed mitotic clonal expansion, and downregulated key adipogenic transcription factors, adipocyte marker genes, as well as lipogenesis-related genes. In mature adipocytes, the extract significantly promoted lipolysis, increasing glycerol release up to 175.55 ± 5.26% of control levels (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In addition, QIG extract-treated adipocytes exhibited reduced intracellular lipid accumulation and smaller lipid droplets, highlighting its capacity to counteract both adipocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Collectively, these findings provide novel mechanistic evidence that QIG extract exerts dual anti-obesity effects by inhibiting adipogenesis and enhancing lipolysis, supporting its potential development as a natural therapeutic candidate for obesity prevention and metabolic disorder management.</p>","PeriodicalId":7804,"journal":{"name":"Animal Cells and Systems","volume":"30 1","pages":"161-182"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12875109/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146140958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Animal Cells and SystemsPub Date : 2026-01-31eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2026.2619207
Jibom Jung, Mijin Park, Donghee Kim, Hyungmin Moon, Meijun Tang, Xugan Wu, Seok Hyun Lee, Jongwoo Jung, Choongwon Jeong
{"title":"Genome-wide detection of fine-scale population stratification and long-distance dispersal of the Chinese mitten crab (<i>Eriocheir sinensis</i>).","authors":"Jibom Jung, Mijin Park, Donghee Kim, Hyungmin Moon, Meijun Tang, Xugan Wu, Seok Hyun Lee, Jongwoo Jung, Choongwon Jeong","doi":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2619207","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2619207","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding the population genetic structure of marine decapods is essential for their effective conservation and management, particularly for species like the Chinese mitten crab (<i>Eriocheir sinensis</i>), which exhibits a complex life cycle and high invasive potential. In this study, we applied a population genomics approach using SLAF-seq to generate genome-wide SNP data from 120 unrelated individuals collected across six locations in China and Korea. We found a fine-scale but discernible level of genetic differentiation by regional populations correlated with geography. Individuals from Seocheon (Korea) and Wenzhou (southeastern China) exclusively share a distinct genetic ancestry component that makes them divergent from the rest, which we speculate may have been introduced by hybridization with congeneric species. We detected genetic outliers (9 out of 120 individuals) that show ongoing long-distance dispersal along the coastline of the Yellow Sea, likely happening during the planktonic larval phase. Collectively, our findings provide a genomic basis for delineating management strategies, supporting informed stock enhancement, and guiding region-specific conservation efforts for <i>E. sinensis</i> across East Asia.</p>","PeriodicalId":7804,"journal":{"name":"Animal Cells and Systems","volume":"30 1","pages":"131-145"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12862865/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Animal Cells and SystemsPub Date : 2026-01-31eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2026.2620251
Kyungmin Kim, Kiyoon Kim, Desiree Andersen Bliss, Yikweon Jang
{"title":"Predictive modeling of animal-vehicle collisions involving the threatened leopard cat (<i>Prionailurus bengalensis</i>) and Eurasian otter (<i>Lutra lutra</i>), in the Republic of Korea.","authors":"Kyungmin Kim, Kiyoon Kim, Desiree Andersen Bliss, Yikweon Jang","doi":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2620251","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19768354.2026.2620251","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Animal-vehicle collisions (AVCs) substantially contribute to wildlife population decline and adversely impact threatened species with already limited numbers. In this study, we aimed to investigate the factors contributing to AVCs involving two threatened species in the Republic of Korea: the leopard cat (<i>Prionailurus bengalensis</i>) and Eurasian otter (<i>Lutra lutra</i>). These two species are the most frequently affected by AVCs among threatened mammals in Korea. To achieve this, we used data from the Korea Roadkill Observation System (KROS), a government-sponsored web-based AVC monitoring system. Our analysis focused on 17 variables, categorized into bioclimatic, landscape, and traffic factors, using machine-learning-based predictive modeling. From 2019 to 2021, 589 AVC incidents of <i>P</i>. <i>bengalensis</i> and 228 AVC incidents of <i>L</i>. <i>lutra</i> were recorded in KROS. Our findings indicate that AVC frequencies peaked during the most active seasons of the year, corresponding to the mating or dispersal periods, with <i>P</i>. <i>bengalensis</i> showing the highest AVC frequency in fall and <i>L</i>. <i>lutra</i> peaking in summer. For <i>P. bengalensis</i>, habitat suitability consistently exerted a strong influence on AVC risk across all seasons, whereas for <i>L. lutra</i>, the key factors affecting AVC risk highly varied seasonally. These results underscore the importance of seasonal and species-specific approaches for AVC mitigation. Targeted strategies, including wildlife corridors, underpasses, and speed reduction zones in high-risk areas, are recommended to mitigate AVC risks. By identifying the key factors and their seasonal dynamics, this study provides critical insights for conserving threatened wildlife and effectively reducing AVC incidents.</p>","PeriodicalId":7804,"journal":{"name":"Animal Cells and Systems","volume":"30 1","pages":"183-200"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12862855/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146111903","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}