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Biology of Hippo signaling pathway: Skeletal muscle development and beyond

Shuqi Qin, Chaocheng Li, Haiyan Lu, Yulong Feng, Tao Guo, Yusong Han, Yongsheng Zhang, Zhonglin Tang
2024, 23 (6): 1825-1838.   DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2023.09.031
Abstract123)      PDF in ScienceDirect      

Global demand for farm animals and their meat products i.e., pork, chicken and other livestock meat, is steadily incresing. With the ongoing life science research and the rapid development of biotechnology, it is a great opportunity to develop advanced molecular breeding markers to efficiently improve animal meat production traits.  Hippo is an important study subject because of its crucial role in the regulation of organ size.  In recent years, with the increase of research on Hippo signaling pathway, the integrative application of multi-omics technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics can help promote the in-depth involvement of Hippo signaling pathway in skeletal muscle development research.  The Hippo signaling pathway plays a key role in many biological events, including cell division, cell migration, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, cell apoptosis, as well as cell adhesion, cell polarity, homeostasis, maintenance of the face of mechanical overload, etc.  Its influence on the development of skeletal muscle has important research value for enhancing the efficiency of animal husbandry production.  In this study, we traced the origin of the Hippo pathway, comprehensively sorted out all the functional factors found in the pathway, deeply analyzed the molecular mechanism of its function, and classified it from a novel perspective based on its main functional domain and mode of action.  Our aim is to systematically explore its regulatory role throughout skeletal muscle development.  We specifically focus on the Hippo signaling pathway in embryonic stem cell development, muscle satellite cell fate determination, myogenesis, skeletal muscle meat production and organ size regulation, muscle hypertrophy and atrophy, muscle fiber formation and its transformation between different types, and cardiomyocytes.  The roles in proliferation and regeneration are methodically summarized and analyzed comprehensively.  The summary and prospect of the Hippo signaling pathway within this article will provide ideas for further improving meat production and muscle deposition and developing new molecular breeding technologies for livestock and poultry, which will be helpful for the development of animal molecular breeding.

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Repositioning fertilizer manufacturing subsidies for improving food security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in China

Zongyi Wu, Xiaolong Feng, Yumei Zhang, Shenggen Fan
2024, 23 (2): 430-443.   DOI: 10.1016/j.jia.2023.12.007
Abstract109)      PDF in ScienceDirect      

China removed fertilizer manufacturing subsidies from 2015 to 2018 to bolster market-oriented reforms and foster environmentally sustainable practices.  However, the impact of this policy reform on food security and the environment remains inadequately evaluated.  Moreover, although green and low-carbon technologies offer environmental advantages, their widespread adoption is hindered by prohibitively high costs.  This study analyzes the impact of removing fertilizer manufacturing subsidies and explores the potential feasibility of redirecting fertilizer manufacturing subsidies to invest in the diffusion of these technologies.  Utilizing the China Agricultural University Agri-food Systems model, we analyzed the potential for achieving mutually beneficial outcomes regarding food security and environmental sustainability.  The findings indicate that removing fertilizer manufacturing subsidies has reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agricultural activities by 3.88 million metric tons, with minimal impact on food production.  Redirecting fertilizer manufacturing subsidies to invest in green and low-carbon technologies, including slow and controlled-release fertilizer, organic–inorganic compound fertilizers, and machine deep placement of fertilizer, emerges as a strategy to concurrently curtail GHG emissions, ensure food security, and secure robust economic returns.  Finally, we propose a comprehensive set of government interventions, including subsidies, field guidance, and improved extension systems, to promote the widespread adoption of these technologies.

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Bioinformatic analysis and functional characterization of CFEM proteins in Setosphaeria turcica
WANG Jian-xia, LONG Feng, ZHU Hang, ZHANG Yan, WU Jian-ying, SHEN Shen, DONG Jin-gao, HAO Zhi-min
2021, 20 (9): 2438-2449.   DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(20)63342-1
Abstract263)      PDF in ScienceDirect      
Common in Fungal Extracellular Membrane (CFEM) domains are uniquely found in fungal extracellular membrane proteins which are important for pathogens.  This study identified 13 StCFEM proteins in the genome of Setosphaeria turcica, the hemibiotrophic fungus that causes northern corn leaf blight.  Sequence alignment and WebLogo analysis of their CFEM domains indicated that the amino acids were highly conserved and that, with the exception of StCFEM1, 2, 3, and 6, they contained eight cysteines.  Phylogenic analysis suggested that these 13 proteins (StCFEM1–13) could be divided into 2 clades based on the presence of the trans-membrane domain.  Six StCFEM proteins with a signal peptide and without a trans-membrane domain were considered as candidate effector proteins.  The CFEM domain in the candidate effector proteins could form a helical-basket structure homologous to Csa2 in Candida albicans.  Transcriptome analysis suggested that the 13 genes were expressed during fungal infection and a yeast secretion assay revealed that these candidate effectors were secreted proteins.  It was also found that StCFEM3, 4, and 5 couldn’t affect BAX/INF1-induced programmed cell death (PCD) in Nicotiana benthamiana and while StCFEM12 could suppress INF1-induced PCD, it showed no effect on BAX-induced PCD.  This study found that there were 13 members of the S. turcica CFEM protein family and that StCFEM12 was a candidate effector.  This study laid the foundation for illustrating the roles of CFEM proteins during the pathogenic processes of phytopathogens.
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