Epigenetic regulation of sexual development is widely documented in model species, yet data for commercial invertebrates remain limited. Here, we used whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) to profile genome-wide DNA methylation and identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between the female and male juveniles at stage III in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. Global methylated cytosines accounted for approximately 1.44
Fas-associated death domain (FADD) is a core conserved adaptor in death receptor-induced apoptotic signaling pathway that plays a crucial role in apoptosis and innate immunity in vertebrates. However, the function of FADDs in invertebrates, especially in bivalve mollusks, remains elusive. In the present study, a novel molluscan FADD homolog (AwFADD) was identified and functionally characterized from the bivalve Anodonta woodiana. The AwFADD protein consists of 232 amino acids and harbors two conserved functional domains: an N-terminal death effector domain (DED) and a C-terminal death domain (DD). Tissue expression profiling revealed that AwFADD was ubiquitously expressed in all examined tissues, with predominant expression in the hepatopancreas and hemocytes. Upon challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila or lipopolysaccharide, AwFADD mRNA expression was upregulated in hemocytes of A. woodiana, implying its potential involvement in host antibacterial responses. RNA interference‑mediated knockdown of AwFADD suppressed the expression of AwCaspase-8/-3, whereas it enhanced transcripts of MyD88-dependent pathway genes and downstream immune-related effectors in hemocytes in response to A. hydrophila infection. Subcellular localization analysis suggested that AwFADD was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm of HEK293T cells. Dual-luciferase reporter assays further indicated that AwFADD overexpression enhanced the activation of NF-κB and AP-1 in a dose-dependent manner under basal conditions, but suppressed MyD88-triggered NF-κB/AP-1 signaling activation. These findings suggest that AwFADD may serve as a crucial bifunctional regulator that integrates apoptotic cascade activation and MyD88-dependent antibacterial immune responses in A. woodiana.
This study investigated the effects of dietary isoleucine on growth performance, digestive and metabolic enzyme activities, antioxidant capacity, and hepatopancreatic microbiota in juvenile Scylla paramamosain. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated with graded isoleucine levels: 0.97
Chronic and poorly healing wounds require dressings that do more than provide coverage, but actively regulate infection, oxidative stress, and tissue repair. In this study, hydrogels formulated from fish-scale-derived low-molecular-weight chitosan and chitooligosaccharide (COS) were evaluated using integrated antimicrobial, antioxidant, and in vivo wound-healing analyses to assess their comparative therapeutic performance. Antimicrobial testing against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila and Klebsiella pneumoniae) showed that COS displayed stronger activity overall, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.156 to 1.25 mg/mL, compared with 0.313 to 1.25 mg/mL for chitosan. COS also showed a clearer bactericidal effect, particularly against the Gram-positive strains, whereas chitosan was predominantly bacteriostatic under the conditions tested. In antioxidant assays, COS demonstrated stronger hydroxyl radical and ABTS radical scavenging activity than chitosan, indicating a more favourable redox-modulating profile. Physicochemical analyses revealed differences in the swelling and degradation profiles of the two hydrogel formulations. In vivo, both hydrogels promoted wound contraction relative to untreated wounds, with COS exhibiting the more rapid response. The COS-treated group achieved complete mean wound contraction by day 14, accompanied by greater collagen-associated staining during subsequent histological assessment. By day 21, the collagen-associated percentages reached 95.71
Antimicrobial resistance is a critical global concern. This study explored the lipid extract (LE) of Ulva ohnoi regarding its chemical composition, antibacterial activity, and cytotoxicity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms. The LE was characterized by GC–MS, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Antibacterial efficacy was determined by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) against MDR isolates: Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS). Cytotoxicity was evaluated in murine fibroblast (L929) and bovine renal fibroblast (MDBK) cells using MTT, Neutral Red (NR), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), and hemolytic activity (HA) assays. Lipid characterization revealed palmitic acid (63.62
