Cell Biochemistry and Function最新文献

{"title":"Activation of a TFAM-Dependent Mitochondrial Translational Axis Drives Oxidative Metabolism in Grade 2 Meningiomas","authors":"Stella G. Cavalcante,&nbsp;Benedito Jamilson Araújo Pereira,&nbsp;Antonio M. Lerario,&nbsp;Paula R. Sola,&nbsp;Sueli M. Oba-Shinjo,&nbsp;Suely K. N. Marie","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70277","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70277","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Meningiomas exhibit marked biological heterogeneity that is not fully captured by current histopathological grading. Increasing evidence suggests that mitochondrial metabolism contributes to tumor aggressiveness; however, the molecular mechanisms regulating mitochondrial function in meningiomas remain poorly defined. Here, we investigated the role of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM)–driven mitochondrial biogenesis and translation in meningioma progression. We performed integrative transcriptomic, immunohistochemical, and mitochondrial DNA analyses in a well-characterized cohort of 91 meningiomas, comprising World Health Organization grade 1 (G1) and grade 2 (G2) tumors with long-term clinical follow-up. RNA sequencing identified enrichment for mitochondrial metabolic pathways, including oxidative phosphorylation and ATP metabolism, that was preferentially activated in G2 meningiomas. TFAM and its upstream regulator PGC1α were significantly upregulated at both mRNA and protein levels in G2 tumors and exhibited a positive correlation, consistent with enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis. Although mitochondrial DNA copy number did not differ significantly between grades, G2 meningiomas showed a trend toward increased mitochondrial mass. Notably, G2 meningiomas demonstrated marked enrichment of mitoribosomal genes, including <i>MRPL15</i>, <i>MRPL35</i>, <i>MRPL42</i> and <i>MRPS22</i>, whose expression correlated positively with <i>TFAM</i> and <i>PGC1α</i> expression levels. Network analysis identified TFAM as a central hub linking mitochondrial biogenesis, translation, and metabolic pathway activation. These findings were independently validated using a publicly available meningioma transcriptomic dataset. Together, our results reveal a TFAM-centered mitochondrial regulatory program that integrates mitochondrial biogenesis, translational capacity, and oxidative metabolism in higher-grade meningiomas. This mitochondrial translational axis represents a previously unrecognized mechanism underlying meningioma progression and highlights potential metabolic vulnerabilities for therapeutic intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"44 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cbf.70277","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148725168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Mechanobiology of Adipocyte Hypertrophy: Cytoskeletal Remodelling as a Driver of Insulin Resistance in Obesity","authors":"Dhakshmi Sasankan,&nbsp;Renu Mohan","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70283","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70283","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Adipocyte hypertrophy poses an important mechanical challenge—adipocytes can increase in volume up to a thousand-fold while still maintaining their structural integrity. Although lipid metabolism is well studied, little is known about the cytoskeletal adaptations that are required to accommodate this expansion and the resulting pathological consequences. This review critically examines how the cytoskeletal remodelling is associated with insulin resistance. We explore how mechanotransduction pathways like YAP/TAZ, which inhibit the expression of adipogenic genes, are triggered when cortical actin transforms into stress fibres. This review also discusses the role of the microtubule network in lipid droplet fusion and the vimentin cage that regulates lipolysis. Further, we highlight the emerging role of the Septin family (SEPT), specifically the conflicting pro- and anti-adipogenic roles of SEPT7, where SEPTs might act as a molecular brake on adipocyte expansion. We conclude that obesity-induced insulin resistance is partially due to a failure of cytoskeletal mechanics, making cytoskeletal regulators potential therapeutic targets for metabolic disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"44 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cbf.70283","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148711152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mitochondrial Mediated Apoptosis Evaluation of Myristicin on Triple Negative Breast Cancer Model Via Bcl2/Bid Pathway","authors":"Sudhina Sufina Nazar,&nbsp;Aswathy Vadakkumkattle Ajaykumar,&nbsp;Janeesh Plakkal Ayyappan","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70280","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70280","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Among 15-20 cases of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the deadliest form of the disease. The most effective form of treatment for this type of cancer is still targeted chemotherapy because it lacks hormone receptors. Myristicin, an active aromatic compound with anticancer properties, is mostly found in nutmeg. Antitumor, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity are among few of the numerous properties of myristicin. On TNBC cells, the exact modes of action are mostly unidentified. This study shows that myristicin triggered the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. The MTT assay assessed the anti-proliferative potential of myristicin on TNBC cells (IC₅₀ 0.65 mM ± 0.98). Flow cytometry analysis was used to evaluate the myristicin's effects on cell apoptosis using annexin V/PI (46.4 ± 2.31%). After evaluating the protein expression, myristicin significantly decreased the expression of Bcl2 and HSP60 while enhancing the expression of proteins such as caspase 9, caspase 3, bid, bad, caspase 7, P53, cytochrome c, and SDHA. Furthermore, our research confirmed that myristicin has a lower toxicological profile and greater in vivo therapeutic efficacy. In BALB/c mice, 4T1 cells were injected subcutaneously to develop breast tumors, and the mice subsequently received myristicin. According to in vivo results, myristicin treatment reduced tumor weight and volume when compared to the breast cancer control group. Besides, the enzyme analysis, gene, and protein expression showed significant apoptotic properties on myristicin treated group. According to these results, myristicin may be used as a therapeutic approach for the management of TNBC.</p>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"44 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cbf.70280","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148711604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comprehensive Pan-Cancer Analysis of ABCA1: Insights From Multi-Omics Data and Exploratory Validation in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma","authors":"Chenyang Wang,&nbsp;Hanbing Wang,&nbsp;Xi Chen,&nbsp;Yingying Liu,&nbsp;Lili Duan,&nbsp;Zhenshun Li,&nbsp;Liaoran Niu,&nbsp;Aqiang Fan,&nbsp;Siyu Wei,&nbsp;Han Bai,&nbsp;Yujie Zhang,&nbsp;Wei Zhou,&nbsp;Jinqiang Liu,&nbsp;Wanli Yang,&nbsp;Yu Han,&nbsp;Liu Hong,&nbsp;Daiming Fan","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70275","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70275","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Cancer remains a major cause of global mortality, necessitating the identification of novel biomarkers to improve prognosis and guide therapy. ABCA1, an ATP-binding cassette transporter involved in cholesterol efflux, has been implicated in tumorigenesis, yet its pan-cancer roles and clinical relevance are not fully understood. We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics analysis of ABCA1 across diverse cancers, evaluating its expression, prognostic significance, genomic alterations, tumor immune microenvironment interactions, and regulatory mechanisms. ABCA1 expression was dysregulated in multiple malignancies and associated with poor prognosis in STAD, STES, and LGG, though favorable outcomes were observed in KIRC. It correlated with genomic instability markers (TMB, MSI, HRD), immune cell infiltration, and cancer stemness. Pathway analyses revealed enrichment in cholesterol metabolism and efferocytosis-related pathways. Among the cancer types examined, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) was selected for exploratory functional validation due to its prognostic relevance. In vitro, ABCA1 knockdown inhibited proliferation, invasion, and migration in ESCC cell lines. In silico drug sensitivity analysis suggested potential associations with dasatinib response and panobinostat resistance, warranting further experimental validation. Collectively, these findings highlight the context-dependent associations of ABCA1 with cancer progression, immune modulation, and genomic integrity, suggesting its potential utility as a prognostic biomarker that warrants further investigation for therapeutic targeting.</p>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"44 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13455017/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148700780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mycoplasma Contamination Alters the Expression Profile of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines by Human Innate Immune Cells","authors":"Patricia Gogesch,&nbsp;Stefanie Kronhart,&nbsp;Marc A. Niles,&nbsp;Georg Kochs,&nbsp;Zoe Waibler,&nbsp;Martina Anzaghe","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70279","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70279","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The impact of <i>Mycoplasma</i> contaminations on in vitro test systems has been extensively discussed and in vitro studies have demonstrated various effects on the physiology of the contaminated cell line. Thus far, little is known about the effect of biologically active substances, such as viruses produced in contaminated cell lines on primary immune cells. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to pinpoint the impact of <i>Mycoplasma</i> contamination on human innate immune cells. To address this, myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) and two types of macrophages (type M1 and M2) were in vitro differentiated from healthy donors and treated with different volumes of cell-culture supernatant from <i>Mycoplasma</i>-contaminated VeroE6 cells (SN(M)). Depending on the cell type, <i>Mycoplasma</i> contamination mediated a decrease in viability and the pre-activation of the immune cells. Surprisingly, small amounts of SN(M) were sufficient to induce the secretion of massive amounts of pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL)−6 and, to a lesser extent, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)−10. Moreover, SN(M) co-stimulation of cells treated with a variety of toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands and different RNA-encoded viruses differentially altered their activation status, depending on the analyzed markers, cell types, and stimuli. Furthermore, SN(M) co-treatment strongly influenced the induced cytokine profile of mDC as well as M1 and M2 macrophages upon treatment with various stimuli, especially upon viral infection. In line with this, a batch of SARS-CoV-2 produced in <i>Mycoplasma</i>-contaminated VeroE6 cells induced high levels of IL-6 and TNF-α while treatment with the non-contaminated virus stock did not result in expression of cytokines. Our data indicate that <i>Mycoplasma</i> contamination has a major impact on the experimental outcome of infection experiments using human immune cells and therefore can result in misinterpretation of experimental data.</p>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"44 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13455018/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148700756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modulation of Prostate Cancer Cell Behavior Through Acetylsalicylic Acid-Treated Prostate Epithelial Cell-Derived Conditioned Medium","authors":"Dilşad Özerkan,&nbsp;Selda Durukan,&nbsp;Mahsa Koucheki,&nbsp;Aysel Nesil","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70276","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70276","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin), derived from salicylic acid in willow bark, is known for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet properties. Beyond cardiovascular protection, increasing evidence suggests that ASA may reduce the risk of various cancers, including colorectal and prostate cancer. In this study, the effect of ASA-treated prostate epithelial cells (RWPE-1) on the proliferation and migration of prostate cancer cells was investigated. RWPE-1 cells were exposed to different ASA concentrations, and non-toxic concentrations were selected. Conditioned media (CM) from untreated and ASA-treated RWPE-1 cells were applied to PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, while migration was evaluated using the wound-healing assay, and colony formation was also assessed. ASA at 50 μM showed no cytotoxic effect on RWPE-1 cells, while CM1 (ASA 50 μM) reduced PC-3 cell viability to 60%. Moreover, CM1 (ASA 50 μM) and CM2 (ASA 25 μM) significantly inhibited PC-3 cell migration. Comparing CM groups revealed that ASA exposure alters the secretome of prostate epithelial cells, thereby reducing cancer cell viability and motility. These findings suggest that ASA may serve as a promising chemopreventive and therapeutic agent for prostate cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"44 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13440328/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148677255","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cell-Type–Specific Regulation of Ferroptosis in Atherosclerosis: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of Natural Products","authors":"Ziwei Wang,&nbsp;Xuchun Zhong,&nbsp;Weiwei Peng,&nbsp;Chaoming Zhou,&nbsp;Liqin Luo,&nbsp;Juncong Huang,&nbsp;Jue Wang,&nbsp;Yanrong Suo,&nbsp;Wenyun Zeng","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70264","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70264","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ferroptosis is a regulated form of cell death in which disturbed iron metabolism, accumulation of peroxidized membrane lipids, and insufficient glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activity converge to injure vascular cells. In atherosclerosis, its effects are highly dependent on cellular context rather than being uniform across the vessel wall. In macrophages, ferroptotic injury strengthens inflammatory signaling and contributes to necrotic-core growth; in vascular smooth muscle cells, it impairs mitochondrial fitness, contractile phenotype maintenance, and extracellular matrix support, thereby weakening the fibrous cap; and in endothelial cells, it disrupts redox homeostasis and barrier function, facilitating lipid entry and early lesion formation. This review synthesizes recent advances in the molecular regulation of ferroptosis in atherosclerosis and emphasizes how its functional consequences differ among plaque-resident cell types. We also discuss natural products and traditional Chinese medicine-derived compounds as promising modulators of ferroptosis-related pathways, owing to their multi-target actions and potential suitability for chronic vascular intervention. By connecting mechanistic evidence with therapeutic implications, we propose that cell-type-aware regulation of ferroptosis, rather than indiscriminate suppression, may offer a rational strategy for plaque stabilization and cardiovascular risk reduction.</p>\u0000 <p><b>Significance:</b>\u0000 \u0000 </p><ul>\u0000 \u0000 <li>\u0000 <p>Ferroptosis is increasingly recognized as an important contributor to atherosclerosis, but its vascular effects vary substantially among endothelial cells, macrophages, and vascular smooth muscle cells.</p>\u0000 </li>\u0000 \u0000 <li>\u0000 <p>This review analyzes how cell-specific differences in iron handling, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant defenses shape plaque initiation, inflammatory progression, and fibrous-cap stability.</p>\u0000 </li>\u0000 \u0000 <li>\u0000 <p>We further summarize evidence that natural compounds can modulate these ferroptosis-related networks and restore redox and cellular homeostasis.</p>\u0000 </li>\u0000 \u0000 <li>\u0000 <p>By linking vascular cell heterogeneity with natural product-based intervention strategies, this review provides a mechanistic and translational framework for more precise targeting of ferroptosis in atherosclerosis.</p>\u0000 </li>\u0000 </ul></div>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"44 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148590605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combined Time-Restricted Feeding and Physical Exercise Attenuate ER Stress and Improve Liver Inflammation and Collagen Deposition in Aged Mice","authors":"Guilherme Correia Ferri Antonio,&nbsp;Beatriz de Souza Pitoli,&nbsp;Ana Paula Azevêdo Macêdo,&nbsp;Robson Damasceno de Lima,&nbsp;Vitor Rosetto Muñoz,&nbsp;Renan Fudoli Lins Vieira,&nbsp;Larissa Moreira Dias,&nbsp;Dennys Esper Cintra,&nbsp;Adelino Sanchez Ramos da Silva,&nbsp;Eduardo Rochete Ropelle,&nbsp;José Rodrigo Pauli","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70272","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70272","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Aging is associated with progressive impairment of hepatic adaptive capacity, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and disruption of proteostasis. Persistent activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), particularly under chronic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, has been implicated in age-related liver vulnerability even in the absence of metabolic disease. This study evaluated the effects of time-restricted feeding (TRF), either alone or in combination with exercise training, on age-associated hepatic alterations in adult (6-month-old) and aged (24-month-old) male C57BL/6 J mice maintained on a standard diet. TRF consisted of a 12-h fasting/feeding cycle applied 5 days per week for 8 weeks, and exercise comprised alternating aerobic and resistance sessions (1 h/day). Aged mice exhibited sustained activation of PERK-associated ER stress signaling, particularly along the PERK–CHOP axis, accompanied by mild inflammatory cell infiltration, increased collagen deposition, and elevated MASLD score, despite the absence of increased adiposity or impaired glucose tolerance. TRF alone partially attenuated PERK-associated ER stress signaling and histological alterations; however, only the combined intervention significantly reduced upstream PERK phosphorylation. Persistent elevation of CHOP across aged groups suggests that downstream PERK-associated stress signaling were not fully reversible. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that hepatic aging under non-obesogenic conditions is characterized by sustained PERK-associated ER stress signaling accompanied by mild inflammatory cell infiltration and increased collagen deposition, and that coordinated nutritional and exercise strategies can modulate stress-responsive pathways associated with hepatic resilience during aging.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"44 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148520033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"AAV Vector-Mediated Modulation of Signaling Pathways in Neurological Disorders: Insights From Cellular, Animal, and Human Studies","authors":"Majid Reza Farrokhi,&nbsp;Kamran Hosseini","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70270","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70270","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>One of the most efficient and promising viral vectors for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)-related diseases is adeno-associated virals (AAVs), which in recent years, researchers have succeeded in substantially managing and mitigating these disorders by leveraging innovative therapeutic mechanisms at the cellular and molecular levels, which are widely utilized due to their favorable characteristics, including a robust safety profile, the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, and differential tropisms for distinct types of neuronal cells. Clinically, AAVs have high specificity and have therefore become a dynamic and useful tool for the gene therapy of a variety of neurological diseases. Many researchers around the world have been able to study a variety of neurological diseases in vitro cellular models, in vivo animal models, and human clinical studies using these vectors. Given these characteristics, the overall aim of the present review is to investigate the role of AAV vectors carrying coding and non-coding RNAs in the treatment of a variety of neurological disorders, to study the relationship between these vectors and cellular signaling pathways, and to examine its clinical applications in various neurological diseases.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"44 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148520100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Structural–Molecular Linkage Shapes the Adaptive Traits of Nuptial Pads in Male Rana chensinensis","authors":"Guoxiang Zhang,&nbsp;Xinyi Li,&nbsp;Shuangyan Luo,&nbsp;Hongyuan Wang","doi":"10.1002/cbf.70268","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cbf.70268","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Nuptial pads represent a key sexually dimorphic trait in anurans, with male <i>Rana chensinensis</i> exhibiting these structures on the Finger I of forelimbs. However, the specialized mechanisms underlying their functional adaptation remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the structural and molecular features of these nuptial pads by using Finger Ⅲ as a control. Histological staining and transcriptome analysis were conducted to compare glandular morphology, collagen fiber characteristics, and gene expression profiles between the two fingers. Results revealed significantly larger specialized mucous glands (SMGs) and thicker collagen fibers in the nuptial pads, along with downregulation of KRT-related genes and catalase (CAT), and upregulation of genes associated with small heat-shock proteins (sHSPs), melanogenesis, and motor proteins. These findings suggest that nuptial pads achieve functional adaptation through synergistic structural (mechanical support via enlarged glands and thickened fibers) and molecular (metabolic regulation and secretory optimization) mechanisms. Such adaptations align with the demands of successful amplexus and ovulation stimulation, associated with collectively ensuring reproductive success in anurans.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":9669,"journal":{"name":"Cell Biochemistry and Function","volume":"44 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148535364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}