Transcriptomics and metabolomics profiling reveals involvement of flavonoids in early nodulation of Caucasian clover (Trifolium ambiguum).

Caucasian clover (Trifolium ambiguum) is a perennial rooted and tillering leguminous forage with strong adaptability, outstanding stress tolerance and other preferable traits. However, the specificity with rhizobia limits the extended application of Caucasian clover. Therefore, it is important to study the changes of genes and metabolites in the early process of nodulation in Caucasian clover to improve its nodulation and nitrogen fixation ability. In this study, we used Caucasian clover as the experimental material to investigate its nodulation mechanism using transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches, such that to break the nitrogen fixation barrier for the promotion of Caucasian clover. Metabolomic and transcriptomic profiling revealed that both DAMs and DEGs were significantly enriched in the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthetic pathways, with DEGs showing up-regulation at 3 days and 6 days post inoculation (dpi) with rhizobia, and some DEGs showing down-regulation at 9 dpi. Accumulation of flavonoids was significantly increased at both 3 dpi and 6 dpi, and some compounds were significantly decreased at 9 dpi. A total of 35 DEGs were involved in flavonoid synthesis by WGCNA analysis, among which HCT, CCR, COMT and F3H played an important role. This study provides insights in understanding the molecular mechanism of nodulation and nitrogen fixation in Caucasian clover.

Membrane Ruffling is a Mechanosensor of Extracellular Fluid Viscosity.

Cell behaviour is affected by the physical forces and mechanical properties of the cells and of their microenvironment. The viscosity of extracellular fluid - a component of the cellular microenvironment - can vary by orders of magnitude, but its effect on cell behaviour remains largely unexplored. Using bio-compatible polymers to increase the viscosity of the culture medium, we characterize how viscosity affects cell behaviour. We find that multiple types of adherent cells respond in an unexpected but similar manner to elevated viscosity. In a highly viscous medium, cells double their spread area, exhibit increased focal adhesion formation and turnover, generate significantly greater traction forces, and migrate nearly two times faster. We observe that when cells are immersed in regular medium, these viscosity-dependent responses require an actively ruffling lamellipodium - a dynamic membrane structure at the front of the cell. We present evidence that cells utilize membrane ruffling to sense changes in extracellular fluid viscosity and to trigger adaptive responses.

Relationship of serum lncRNA XIST and miR-30d-5p levels with diabetic peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between serum long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) X inactive specific transcript (XIST) and microRNA-30d-5p (miR-30d-5p) expression levels in type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). METHODS: Clinical data of patients with only type 2 diabetes mellitus (pure T2DM group), DPN patients (DPN group) and healthy patients (control group) admitted to Inner Mongolia Forestry General Hospital from August 2019 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, with 76 cases in each group. The serum lncRNA XIST and miR-30d-5p expression levels of each group were compared. The correlation between serum lncRNA XIST and miR-30d-5p in DPN patients was analyzed. The influencing factors of DPN occurrence were analyzed. Also, the diagnostic value of serum lncRNA XIST and miR-30d-5p for DPN was analyzed. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the lncRNA XIST and miR-30d-5p expression levels among the pure T2DM group, DPN group, and control group. LncRNA XIST expression level was negatively correlated with miR-30d-5p in DPN patients (P<0.05). Triglycerides, hemoglobin A1c, miR-30d-5p were risk factors for the occurrence of DPN, and lncRNA XIST was a protective factor (P<0.05). The areas under the curve (AUC) of serum lncRNA XIST and miR-30d-5p for the diagnosis of DPN were 0.851 and 0.845, respectively, and the AUC of lncRNA XIST and miR-30d-5p combined was 0.932, with a sensitivity of 92.1%, and a specificity of 85.5%. CONCLUSION: Both lncRNA XIST and miR-30d-5p may be involved in the development of type 2 DPN. Therefore, detecting serum levels of both may be helpful for clinical diagnosis and treatment of type 2 DPN.