Boosting energy metabolism and biosynthesis in diverse organisms by a common bacterial salvage lipoylation protein.

Lipoylation is a highly conserved post-translational modification (PTM) crucial for energy metabolism enzymes, with distinct pathways across organisms. Whereas bacteria like Escherichia coli inherit both salvage and de novo pathways, only the latter is found in eukaryotes. Here, we present a PTM-based strategy that achieves multiple metabolic benefits with a single intervention.

Age-dependent accumulation of mitochondrial tRNA mutations in mouse kidneys linked to mitochondrial kidney diseases.

Heteroplasmic pathogenic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are key drivers of mitochondrial diseases, yet their tissue-specific and cell-specific accumulation patterns during aging and the mechanistic links to pathology remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed DddA-derived cytosine base editor technology to generate three mouse models harboring distinct pathogenic mitochondrial tRNA mutations. These mutations exhibited age-dependent accumulation in the kidneys, leading to severe kidney defects that well recapitulate human mitochondrial kidney disease.

Polystyrene microplastics exacerbate mitophagy through mitochondrial dysfunction in the duck lung.

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread environmental pollutants that can enter the human body through the food chain, potentially leading to lung damage. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for this damage remain unclear. Ducks, a commonly consumed poultry species in China, are particularly susceptible to MPs exposure due to their farming environment.

Maternal age enhances purifying selection on pathogenic mutations in complex I genes of mammalian mtDNA.

Mitochondrial diseases, caused mainly by pathogenic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations, pose major challenges due to the lack of effective treatments. Investigating the patterns of maternal transmission of mitochondrial diseases could pave the way for preventive approaches. In this study, we used DddA-derived cytosine base editors (DdCBEs) to generate two mouse models, each haboring a single pathogenic mutation in complex I genes (ND1 and ND5), replicating those found in human patients.

Cu exposure induces liver inflammation via regulating gut microbiota/LPS/liver TLR4 signaling axis.

Copper (Cu) serves as an essential cofactor in all organisms, yet excessive Cu exposure is widely recognized for its role in inducing liver inflammation. However, the precise mechanism by which Cu triggers liver inflammation in ducks, particularly in relation to the interplay in gut microbiota regulation, has remained elusive. In this investigation, we sought to elucidate the impact of Cu exposure on liver inflammation through gut-liver axis in ducks.

Advanced Optical Characterization of PEDOT:PSS by Combining Spectroscopic Ellipsometry and Raman Scattering.

The optical properties of various PEDOT:PSS films obtained by drop casting and blade coating are analyzed by variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry in the visible-UV spectral range. We discuss observed differences in the optical spectra due to PSS content and DMSO treatment and correlate them to structural changes extracted from Raman measurements. In particular, we investigate the optical anisotropy of the complex refractive indices which arises from the in-plane arrangement of the PEDOT backbones, giving rise to optically uniaxial behavior with the optic axis perpendicular to the film plane.

Aging-associated accumulation of mitochondrial DNA mutations in tumor origin.

The majority of cancer patients are among aged population, suggesting an urgent need to advance our knowledge on complicated relationship between aging and cancer. It has been hypothesized that metabolic changes during aging could act as a driver for tumorigenesis. Given the fact that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations are common in both tumors and aged tissues, it is interesting to contemplate possible role of age-related mtDNA mutations in tumorigenesis.

Removal of roosters alters the domestic phenotype and microbial and genetic profile of hens.

Hens are raised apart from roosters in modern poultry production, a substantial change from their natural social structure. We compared productivity, injuries, behavior, physiology, microbiome and transcriptome of hens housed with (R+) or without (R-) roosters to quantify the effects of this change in social structure. Hens were raised free-range from 70 to 280 days when 30 birds per treatment were assigned to battery cages until Day 315 (R+C vs.

Cybrid Model Supports Mitochondrial Genetic Effect on Pig Litter Size.

In pigs, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphism and the correlation to reproductive performance across breeds and individuals have been largely reported, however, experimental proof has never been provided. In this study, we analyzed 807 sows for correlation of total number born (TNB) and mitotype, which presented the maximum of 1.73 piglets for mtDNA contribution.

Mitochondrial DNA Haplotypes Influence Energy Metabolism across Chicken Transmitochondrial Cybrids.

The association between mitochondrial DNA haplotype and productive performances has been widely reported in chicken breeds. However, there has not been physiological evidence of this seen previously. In this study, chicken transmitochondrial cells were generated using the nucleus of the DF-1 cell line and mitochondria of primary cell lines derived from two native chicken breeds, Tibetan chicken and Shouguang chicken.

Rearing system causes changes of behavior, microbiome, and gene expression of chickens.

It has been long demonstrated that cage rearing (CR) deprives the animal of the possibility to express natural behaviors and results in stress. However, the effect of the rearing system on gene expression and the molecular levels of the gut microbiome are unknown. 10-wk-old Beijing You chickens were studied in parallel CR and free-range (FR) systems for 30 wk, to investigate the effect of rearing systems on behavior, microbiota composition, and gene expression.

Polymorphism of mitochondrial tRNA genes associated with the number of pigs born alive.

Background: Mutations in mitochondrial tRNA genes have been widely reported association with human reproductions. It is also important to explore the effect on the number of piglets born alive (NBA). Here, 1017 sows were used to investigate the association between polymorphisms in mitochondrial tRNA genes and NBA.

Transcriptome changes provide genetic insights into the effects of rearing systems on chicken welfare and product quality.

Farm animals raised under free-range (FR) systems are assumed to have improved welfare and higher-quality products that are better to eat than intensively reared animals. However, the modulations are limited in scientific investigations. In this study, we compared 2 rearing systems (FR and cage) and their effects on chickens, including production performance, product quality, body condition, physiological indicators, and gene expression.

Free Dietary Choice and Free-Range Rearing Improve the Product Quality, Gait Score, and Microbial Richness of Chickens.

Poultry welfare has been extensively studied; however, there is a lack of rigorous scientific knowledge relating to the different aspects of welfare factors and how this may contribute to the production quantity and product quality as well as the welfare of chickens. Therefore, we conducted an integrated study to compare welfare factors in chickens by providing free dietary choice under cage rearing, and further comparing cage rearing with free-range rearing. One hundred chickens each were allocated to a cage rearing group with conventional feeding (CC), a cage rearing group with free dietary choice of mealworms (FDM), a cage rearing group with free dietary choice of mealworms and fresh grass (FDMG), and a free-range rearing system group with free dietary choice of mealworms and fresh grass (FRMG).

Mitochondrial haplotypes influence metabolic traits across bovine inter- and intra-species cybrids.

In bovine species, mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms and their correlation to productive or reproductive performances have been widely reported across breeds and individuals. However, experimental evidence of this correlation has never been provided. In order to identify differences among bovine mtDNA haplotypes, transmitochondrial cybrids were generated, with the nucleus from MAC-T cell line, derived from a Holstein dairy cow (Bos taurus) and mitochondria from either primary cell line derived from a domestic Chinese native beef Luxi cattle breed or central Asian domestic yak (Bos grunniens).

[Genetic polymorphism of penta e locus in four Chinese nationalities].

To study the genetic polymorphism of Penta E locus in four Chinese nationalities using home made reagent kits, DNA samples were obtained from about 400 unrelated peoples of four different Chinese nationalities. As a result, we found 20 alleles in the four nationalities with frequencies ranging from 0.0048 to 0.

[Genetic polymorphism of D1S1612 and D18S535 in Chinese Han population of Beijing].

To investigate the genetic polymorphism of D1S1612 and D18S535 in Han population of Beijing. Amp-FLP method was used. 9 alleles, 25 genotypes were observed for D1S1612 locus; and 9 alleles and 27 genotypes for D18S535 locus.