Subclinical mastitis is a major challenge in dairy production because it reduces milk yield and quality while often remaining clinically unapparent. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent an emerging regulatory transcript class in livestock disease biology, but their dysregulation and relationship with DNA methylation-linked molecular features during bovine subclinical mastitis remain underexplored. In this study, we profiled circular RNAs in milk somatic cells from Vrindavani crossbred cows with subclinical mastitis and healthy controls and integrated these data with matched whole-genome bisulfite sequencing profiles from the same animals. We identified 4,841 unique circRNAs originating from 2,537 host genes, with exonic circRNAs forming the predominant class. CircRNA abundance showed only a weak correlation with host-gene linear expression, whereas mastitic samples showed altered circular-to-linear ratios, suggesting disease-associated shifts in relative circular-to-linear transcript abundance. Differential expression analysis identified 112 dysregulated circRNAs (|(log2 fold change|≥ 1 and Benjamini–Hochberg adjusted P < 0.05) whose host genes were enriched in pathways related to autophagy, mTOR and FoxO signaling, focal adhesion, and phosphatidylinositol signaling. Integration with methylation data identified a small subset of dysregulated circRNA loci overlapping differentially methylated cytosines, together with circRNA host genes that converged with differentially methylated and expressed genes. In addition, supervised multi-omics integration identified an exploratory feature set comprising 10 circRNAs and 127 cytosine–phosphate–guanine (CpG) loci showing group-associated cross-omics variation within this exploratory cohort. Together, these findings suggest that bovine subclinical mastitis is associated with circRNA dysregulation, altered circular-to-linear abundance patterns, and DNA methylation-linked candidate features in milk somatic cells. Although validation in larger cohorts is required, this study provides a molecular genetics framework for prioritizing circRNA-associated candidates involved in mammary inflammatory and lactation-related responses. By identifying candidate molecular signatures associated with mammary inflammation and lactation-related dysregulation, this study aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal-2 (Zero Hunger), providing a molecular basis for future research aimed at improving udder health and sustaining dairy productivity.
Abscisic acid (ABA) is an essential plant hormone that plays a pivotal role in response to various abiotic stresses, such as salt, temperature, and drought. These responses are governed by intricate regulatory systems involving ABA biosynthesis, metabolism and signal transduction. The 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED) subfamily functions downstream of the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway by selectively cleaving the C11–C12 double bond of 9-cis-epoxy carotenoids to produce C15-xanthoxin. This process represents the key rate-limiting step in ABA biosynthesis. NCED genes, therefore, play a central role in regulating ABA biosynthesis and, consequently, influence plant responses to abiotic stresses as well as developmental processes such as fruit ripening and shelf life. Therefore, manipulation of the NCED gene expression can regulate ABA levels, thereby influencing key physiological processes including stress adaptation and fruit maturation. Targeted regulation of NCED activity has been associated with improved stress tolerance and delayed ripening in several crop species. This review critically evaluates the NCED gene family in higher plants and focuses on their roles in ABA biosynthesis, transcriptional regulation, and responses to abiotic stress. Furthermore, it highlights the involvement of NCED-mediated ABA biosynthesis in stress adaptation and discusses its potential applications in crop improvement strategies. This review supports the objectives of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 13 (Climate Action) by highlighting NCED-mediated ABA regulation as a potential avenue for improving crop resilience and adaptation to climate-induced stresses. NCED genes are central regulators of ABA biosynthesis and plant adaptation to abiotic stress. This review integrates current knowledge of their transcriptional control, stress-specific functions and genetic manipulation, highlighting context-dependent outcomes. These insights provide a framework for understanding NCED-mediated ABA regulation and its potential for improving crop resilience and productivity.
The ability to isolate and purify deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from samples is a milestone in the field of forensic genomics, clinical molecular diagnostics and environmental monitoring. Conventional extraction procedures, such as phenol-chloroform or silica column chromatography face major drawbacks. Their shortcomings include scalability, reproducibility, reagent toxicity and reduced efficiency when dealing with trace or degraded samples. Nanotechnology has offered a major leap in DNA extraction and purification. It offers high surface area molecules to effectively adsorb and capture DNA molecules by tailoring the underlying physicochemical reactions. This review presents the underlying mechanisms of DNA-nanomaterial interactions namely the electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, and π-π stacking mechanisms. A summarized overview is also provided highlighting the advancements in nanomaterial classes. The variety of nanomaterials ranges from superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and carbon nanotubes to next-generation lanthanide metal–organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs). These particles represent more than 150
Satellite DNAs are essential components of centromeric regions, contributing to chromosome segregation and genome stability. Recent evidence indicates that these sequences are not merely structural elements but may also be transcriptionally active and subject to epigenetic regulation. In hybrid genomes, interactions between divergent parental epigenomes may alter the regulation of repetitive elements, potentially affecting genome stability. In this study, we investigated the centromeric satellite DNA TMAsat in the American manatees Trichechus manatus and Trichechus inunguis, as well as in their natural hybrids. An integrated approach was employed, including chromosomal localization by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), gene expression analysis, and assessment of DNA methylation patterns. TMAsat FISH signals were detected in the centromeric regions of all chromosomes in both hybrid individuals analyzed, except for the Y chromosome, supporting the conservation of its chromosomal distribution in these specimens. Expression analyses revealed that TMAsat is transcribed in both parental species and the two hybrid individuals, which exhibited reduced transcript levels compared with T. inunguis. DNA methylation analyses revealed interindividual variation in global methylation levels, whereas both methylated and unmethylated TMAsat-specific products were detected in all individuals analyzed. Collectively, our findings suggest that TMAsat retains its centromeric localization and transcriptional activity in the hybrid individuals analyzed, with epigenetic modulation potentially contributing to its regulation. These results provide new insights into the functional dynamics of satellite DNA in natural hybrid systems and highlight the potential role of epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of centromeric satellite DNA. By advancing knowledge of genome organization and epigenetic regulation in manatees, this study contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land) by providing genetic knowledge relevant to biodiversity research and species conservation.
Millets are increasingly recognized as future-ready climate-resilient crops due to their superior nutritional profile, minimal input requirements, and adaptability to diverse agro-ecologies. However, intensification of millet cultivation and expanding acreage under changing climate regimes have led to the emergence and re-emergence of several devastating diseases that threaten sustainable production. Fungal pathogens remain the dominant constraint across millet-growing regions, while bacteria and viruses are gaining importance. Yield losses ranging from 20 to 80
