Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A , IF:11.205 , 2021 Nov , V118 (48) doi: 10.1073/pnas.2105021118
Defective cytokinin signaling reprograms lipid and flavonoid gene-to-metabolite networks to mitigate high salinity in Arabidopsis.
Faculty of Science, Galala University, Suze, El Sokhna 43511, Egypt.; Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Aswan University, Aswan 81528, Egypt.; Stress Adaptation Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.; Metabolomics Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.; Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan.; Department of Bioinformatic Engineering, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.; Department of Plant and Soil Science, Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409.; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh.; State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Henan Joint International Laboratory for Crop Multi-Omics Research, School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China.; Metabolome Informatics Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.; Plant Genomic Network Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.; Plant Epigenome Regulation Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.; Kihara Institute for Biological Research, Yokohama City University, Yokohama 244-0813, Japan.; Plant Molecular Science Center, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan.; Department of Plant and Soil Science, Institute of Genomics for Crop Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409; Luis.Herrera-Estrella@ttu.edu son.tran@ttu.edu.; Unidad de Genomica Avanzada, Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del Intituto Politecnico Nacional, Irapuato 36821, Mexico.; Stress Adaptation Research Unit, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan; Luis.Herrera-Estrella@ttu.edu son.tran@ttu.edu.
Cytokinin (CK) in plants regulates both developmental processes and adaptation to environmental stresses. Arabidopsis histidine phosphotransfer ahp2,3,5 and type-B Arabidopsis response regulator arr1,10,12 triple mutants are almost completely defective in CK signaling, and the ahp2,3,5 mutant was reported to be salt tolerant. Here, we demonstrate that the arr1,10,12 mutant is also more tolerant to salt stress than wild-type (WT) plants. A comprehensive metabolite profiling coupled with transcriptome analysis of the ahp2,3,5 and arr1,10,12 mutants was conducted to elucidate the salt tolerance mechanisms mediated by CK signaling. Numerous primary (e.g., sugars, amino acids, and lipids) and secondary (e.g., flavonoids and sterols) metabolites accumulated in these mutants under nonsaline and saline conditions, suggesting that both prestress and poststress accumulations of stress-related metabolites contribute to improved salt tolerance in CK-signaling mutants. Specifically, the levels of sugars (e.g., trehalose and galactinol), amino acids (e.g., branched-chain amino acids and gamma-aminobutyric acid), anthocyanins, sterols, and unsaturated triacylglycerols were higher in the mutant plants than in WT plants. Notably, the reprograming of flavonoid and lipid pools was highly coordinated and concomitant with the changes in transcriptional levels, indicating that these metabolic pathways are transcriptionally regulated by CK signaling. The discovery of the regulatory role of CK signaling on membrane lipid reprogramming provides a greater understanding of CK-mediated salt tolerance in plants. This knowledge will contribute to the development of salt-tolerant crops with the ability to withstand salinity as a key driver to ensure global food security in the era of climate crisis.
PMID: 34815339
Elife , IF:8.14 , 2021 Nov , V10 doi: 10.7554/eLife.72132
A coupled mechano-biochemical model for cell polarity guided anisotropic root growth.
CBGP Centro de Biotecnologia y Genomica de Plantas UPM-INIA, Pozuelo de Alarcon, Spain.; Institute of Science and Technology (IST), Klosterneuburg, Austria.
Plants develop new organs to adjust their bodies to dynamic changes in the environment. How independent organs achieve anisotropic shapes and polarities is poorly understood. To address this question, we constructed a mechano-biochemical model for Arabidopsis root meristem growth that integrates biologically plausible principles. Computer model simulations demonstrate how differential growth of neighboring tissues results in the initial symmetry-breaking leading to anisotropic root growth. Furthermore, the root growth feeds back on a polar transport network of the growth regulator auxin. Model, predictions are in close agreement with in vivo patterns of anisotropic growth, auxin distribution, and cell polarity, as well as several root phenotypes caused by chemical, mechanical, or genetic perturbations. Our study demonstrates that the combination of tissue mechanics and polar auxin transport organizes anisotropic root growth and cell polarities during organ outgrowth. Therefore, a mobile auxin signal transported through immobile cells drives polarity and growth mechanics to coordinate complex organ development.
PMID: 34723798
Food Chem , IF:7.514 , 2021 Nov , V362 : P130257 doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130257
Widely targeted metabolomics analysis of white peony teas with different storage time and association with sensory attributes.
Zhejiang University Tea Research Institute, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China.; Zhejiang University Tea Research Institute, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China. Electronic address: jianhuiye@zju.edu.cn.; Zhejiang University Tea Research Institute, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China. Electronic address: shuygong@outlook.com.
The sensory features of white peony teas (WPTs) significantly change with storage age; however, their comprehensive associations with composition are still unclear. This study aimed to clarify the sensory quality-related chemical changes in WPTs during storage. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry based on widely targeted metabolomics analysis was performed on WPTs of 1-13 years storage ages. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to correlate metabolites with sensory traits including color difference values and taste attributes. 323 sensory trait-related metabolites were obtained from six key modules via WGCNA, verified by multiple factor analysis. The decline and transformation of abundant flavonoids, tannins and amino acids were related to the reduced astringency, umami and increased browning of tea infusions. In contrast, the total contents of phenolic acids and organic acids increased with storage. This study provides a high-throughput method for the association of chemical compounds with various sensory traits of foods.
PMID: 34118510
Waste Manag , IF:7.145 , 2021 Nov , V135 : P130-139 doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2021.08.026
Performance and microbial community dynamics during rice straw composting using urea or protein hydrolysate as a nitrogen source: A comparative study.
College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, China.; College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, China. Electronic address: szy@scu.edu.cn.; Luzhou Laojiao Co., Ltd, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan, China.
Aerobic composting is a promising alternative for the recycling of rice straw (RS), and an applicable nitrogen source is necessary to improve the process. The aim of this study was to compare the performance and microbial community dynamics of RS composting using urea or protein hydrolysate from leather waste (PHL) as a nitrogen source. Results showed that PHL addition achieved a faster temperature increase rate at start-up (1.85 .h(-1) vs 1.07 .h(-1)), higher volatile solid degradation efficiency (48.04% vs 46.98%), and greater germination indices (111.72% vs 89.87%) in the end products, as compared to urea. The major bacterial phyla included Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria in both composting processes. Although the bacterial communities in both processes succeeded in a similar pattern according to different composting phases, PHL addition accelerated the succession rate of the microbial community. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that bacterial community composition was strongly correlated with physicochemical properties such as dissolved organic carbon (DOC), NH4(+), pH, temperature, and total nitrogen (TN) content. These results proved the potential of using PHL as a nitrogen source to improve the RS composting process.
PMID: 34496309
J Exp Bot , IF:6.992 , 2021 Nov doi: 10.1093/jxb/erab490
The epigenetic mechanisms regulating floral hub genes and their potential for manipulation.
Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Takayama, Ikoma, Nara, Japan.
Gene regulatory networks formed by transcription factors play essential roles in the regulation of gene expression during plant reproductive development. These networks integrate endogenous, phytohormonal, and environmental cues. Molecular genetic, biochemical, and chemical analyses performed mainly in Arabidopsis thaliana have identified network hub genes and revealed the contributions of individual components to these networks. Here, I outline the current understanding of key epigenetic regulatory circuits identified by research on plant reproduction, and highlight significant recent examples of genetic engineering and chemical applications to modulate the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Furthermore, I discuss future prospects for applying basic plant science to engineer useful floral traits in a predictable manner as well as the potential side effects.
PMID: 34752611
Int J Mol Sci , IF:5.923 , 2021 Nov , V22 (21) doi: 10.3390/ijms222111907
Computationally Reconstructed Interactome of Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA110 Reveals Novel Functional Modules and Protein Hubs for Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation.
Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
Symbiotic nitrogen fixation is an important part of the nitrogen biogeochemical cycles and the main nitrogen source of the biosphere. As a classical model system for symbiotic nitrogen fixation, rhizobium-legume systems have been studied elaborately for decades. Details about the molecular mechanisms of the communication and coordination between rhizobia and host plants is becoming clearer. For more systematic insights, there is an increasing demand for new studies integrating multiomics information. Here, we present a comprehensive computational framework integrating the reconstructed protein interactome of B. diazoefficiens USDA110 with its transcriptome and proteome data to study the complex protein-protein interaction (PPI) network involved in the symbiosis system. We reconstructed the interactome of B. diazoefficiens USDA110 by computational approaches. Based on the comparison of interactomes between B. diazoefficiens USDA110 and other rhizobia, we inferred that the slow growth of B. diazoefficiens USDA110 may be due to the requirement of more protein modifications, and we further identified 36 conserved functional PPI modules. Integrated with transcriptome and proteome data, interactomes representing free-living cell and symbiotic nitrogen-fixing (SNF) bacteroid were obtained. Based on the SNF interactome, a core-sub-PPI-network for symbiotic nitrogen fixation was determined and nine novel functional modules and eleven key protein hubs playing key roles in symbiosis were identified. The reconstructed interactome of B. diazoefficiens USDA110 may serve as a valuable reference for studying the mechanism underlying the SNF system of rhizobia and legumes.
PMID: 34769335
Front Plant Sci , IF:5.753 , 2021 , V12 : P758187 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.758187
Evolution Analyses of CAMTA Transcription Factor in Plants and Its Enhancing Effect on Cold-tolerance.
Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.
The calmodulin binding transcription activator (CAMTA) is a transcription factor that is widely present in eukaryotes with conserved structure. It contributes to the response to biotic and abiotic stresses and promotes the growth and development of plants. Although previous studies have investigated the number and function of CAMTAs in some species, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary process, phylogenetic relationship, expression patterns, and functions of CAMTAs in plants. Here we identified 465 CMATA genes from 112 plants and systematically studied the origin of CAMTA family, gene expansion, functional differentiation, gene structure, and conservative motif distribution. Based on these analyses, we presented the evidence that CAMTA family was originated from chlorophyta, and we speculated that CAMTA might experience obvious structure variation during its early evolution, and that the number of CAMTA genes might gradually increase in higher plants. To reveal potential functions of CAMTA genes, we analyzed the expression patterns of 12 representative species and found significant species specificity, tissue specificity, and developmental stage specificity of CAMTAs. The results also indicated that the CAMTA genes might promote the maturation and senescence. The expression levels and regulatory networks of CAMTAs revealed that CAMTAs could enhance cold tolerance of rice by regulating carbohydrate metabolism-related genes to accumulate carbohydrates or by modulating target genes together with other transcription factors. Our study provides an insight into the molecular evolution of CAMTA family and lays a foundation for further study of related biological functions.
PMID: 34790215
Transbound Emerg Dis , IF:5.005 , 2021 Nov doi: 10.1111/tbed.14389
Molecular identification and genetic diversity of Bartonella spp. in 24 bat species from Thailand.
Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.; Veterinary Pathobiology Graduate Program, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.; The International Graduate Program of Veterinary Science and Technology (VST), Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.; Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Natural History Museum, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand.; Sai Yok National Park, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
The study of bacterial zoonoses has been under-pursued despite the fact that bacteria cause the majority of zoonotic diseases, of which 70% have a wildlife origin. More Bartonella species are being identified as the cause of human diseases, and several of them have been linked to domestic and wild animals. Bats are outstanding reservoirs for Bartonella species because of their wide distribution, mobility, roosting behaviour, and long life span. Here, we carried out a PCR-based survey on bats that were collected from 19 sampling sites in eight provinces of Thailand from February 2018 to April 2021. Bartonella infection was investigated in a total of 459 bats that belong to 24 different bat species (21 species of which had never been previously studied in Thailand). PCR diagnostics revealed that 115 out of 459 (25.5%) blood samples tested positive for Bartonella. The nucleotide identities of the Bartonella 16S rRNA sequences in this study were between 95.78-99.66% identical to those of known zoonotic species (Bartonella ancashensis, Bartonella henselae, Bartonella bacilliformis and Bartonella australis) as well as to an unidentified Bartonella spp. In addition, the citrate synthase (gltA) and RNA polymerase-beta subunit (rpoB) genes of Bartonella were sequenced and analyzed in positive samples. The gltA and rpoB gene sequences from Hipposideros gentilis and Rhinolophus coelophyllus bat samples showed low nucleotide identity (<95%) compared to those of the currently deposited sequences in the GenBank database, indicating the possibility of new Bartonella species. The phylogenetic inference and genetic diversity were generated and indicated a close relationship with other Bartonella species previously discovered in Asian bats. Overall, the current study demonstrates the primary evidence pointing to a potential novel Bartonella species in bats. This discovery also contributes to our current understanding of the geographical distribution, genetic diversity, and host ranges of bat-related Bartonella.
PMID: 34755483
Transbound Emerg Dis , IF:5.005 , 2021 Nov , V68 (6) : P3541-3551 doi: 10.1111/tbed.13960
Using network analysis to identify seasonal patterns and key nodes for risk-based surveillance of pig diseases in Italy.
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d'Aosta (IZSTO), Torino, Italy.; Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy.; Foods Standards Agency, London, UK.; Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Addlestone, UK.; SAFOSO AG, Liebefeld, UK.; University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR), Zaragoza, Spain.
The description of the pattern of livestock movements between herds provides essential information for both improving risk-based surveillance and to understand the likely spread of infectious diseases. This study provides a description of the temporal pattern of pig movements recorded in Italy on a 4-year period (2013-2016). Data, provided by the National Livestock registry, were described by social network analysis and the application of a walk-trap algorithm for community detection. Our results show a highly populated community located in Northern Italy, which is the focal point of the Italian industrial pig production and as a general pattern an overall decline of medium and backyard farms and an increase in the number of large farms, in agreement with the trend observed by other EU pig-producing countries. A seasonal pattern of all the parameters evaluated, including the number of active nodes in both the intensive and smaller production systems, emerged: that is characterized by a higher number of movements in spring and autumn, linked with the breeding and production cycle as pigs moved from the growing to the finishing phase and with periods of increased slaughtering at Christmas and Easter. The same pattern was found when restricting the analysis to imported pig batches. Outbreaks occurring during these periods would have a greater impact on the spread of infectious diseases; therefore, targeted surveillance may be appropriate. Finally, potential super-spreader nodes have been identified and represent 0.47% of the total number of pig holdings (n = 477). Those nodes are present during the whole study period with a similar ranking in their potential of being super-spreaders. Most of them were in Northern Italy, but super-spreaders with high mean out-degree centrality were also located in other Regions. Seasonality, communities and super-spreaders should be considered when planning surveillance activity and when applying disease control strategies.
PMID: 33338318
Phytopathology , IF:4.025 , 2021 Nov doi: 10.1094/PHYTO-06-21-0275-R
Host plant adaptation drives changes in Diaphorina citri proteome regulation, proteoform expression and transmission of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the citrus greening pathogen.
USDA Agricultural Research Service, 17123, Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, Ithaca, New York, United States; jsr47@cornell.edu.; Fort pierce, United States; desoukyammar@gmail.com.; Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, 53401, Ithaca, New York, United States; jem373@cornell.edu.; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 2595, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, United States; krivera@broadinstitute.org.; University of Washington, 7284, Genome Sciences, Seattle, Washington, United States; jr8@uw.edu.; Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 47790, Plant Pathology and Plant Microbe Biology, Ithaca, New York, United States; doi3@cornell.edu.; USDA Agricultural Research Service, 17123, Plant, Soil, and Nutrition Research Unit, Ithaca, New York, United States; tt34@cornell.edu.; University of Washington, 7284, Genome Sciences, Seattle, Washington, United States; maccoss@uw.edu.; USDA, ARS, USHRL, SIRU, 2001 South Rock Road, Fort Pierce, Florida, United States, 34945; david.hall@ars.usda.gov.; USDA Agricultural Research Service, 17123, Emerging Pests and Pathogens Research Unit, 538 Tower Road, Ithaca, New York, United States, 14853.; Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 47790, Plant Pathology and Plant Microbe Biology, 538 Tower Road, Ithaca, New York, United States, 14853-5905; mlc68@cornell.edu.
The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP, Diaphorina citri) is a pest of citrus and the primary insect vector of the bacterial pathogen, 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (CLas), which is associated with citrus greening disease. The citrus relative Murraya paniculata (orange jasmine) is a host plant of D. citri, but is more resistant to CLas compared to all tested Citrus genotypes. The effect of host switching of D. citri between Citrus medica (citron) and M. paniculata plants on the acquisition and transmission of CLas was investigated. The psyllid CLas titer and the proportion of CLas-infected psyllids decreased in the generations following transfer from CLas-infected citron to healthy M. paniculata plants. Furthermore, after several generations of feeding on M. paniculata, pathogen acquisition (20-40% reduction) and transmission rates (15-20% reduction) in psyllids transferred to CLas-infected citron were reduced compared to psyllids continually maintained on infected citron. Top-down (Difference Gel Electrophoresis) and bottom-up (shotgun MS/MS) proteomics methods were used to identify changes in D. citri protein expression resulting from host plant switching between Citrus macrophylla and M. paniculata. Changes in expression of insect metabolism, immunity, and cytoskeleton proteins were associated with host plant switching. Both transient and sustained feeding on M. paniculata induced distinct patterns of protein expression in D. citri compared to psyllids reared on C. macrophylla. The results point to complex interactions that affect vector competence, and may lead to strategies to control the spread of citrus greening disease.
PMID: 34738832
BMC Genomics , IF:3.969 , 2021 Nov , V22 (1) : P810 doi: 10.1186/s12864-021-08100-4
Integration of transcriptomics and network analysis reveals co-expressed genes in Frankliniella occidentalis larval guts that respond to tomato spotted wilt virus infection.
Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, USA.; Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, USA. drotenb@ncsu.edu.
BACKGROUND: The gut is the first barrier to infection by viruses that are internally borne and transmitted persistently by arthropod vectors to plant and animal hosts. Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), a plant-pathogenic virus, is transmitted exclusively by thrips vectors in a circulative-propagative manner. Frankliniella occidentalis (western flower thrips), the principal thrips vector of TSWV, is transmission-competent only if the virus is acquired by young larvae. To begin to understand the larval gut response to TSWV infection and accumulation, a genome-assisted, transcriptomic analysis of F. occidentalis gut tissues of first (early L1) and second (early L2 and late L2) instar larvae was conducted using RNA-Seq to identify differentially-expressed transcripts (DETs) in response to TSWV compared to non-exposed cohorts. RESULTS: The larval gut responded in a developmental stage-dependent manner, with the majority of DETs (71%) associated with the early L1 stage at a time when virus infection is limited to the midgut epithelium. Provisional annotations of these DETs inferred roles in digestion and absorption, insect innate immunity, and detoxification. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis using all assembled transcripts of the gut transcriptome revealed eight gene modules that distinguish larval development. Intra-module interaction network analysis of the three most DET-enriched modules revealed ten central hub genes. Droplet digital PCR-expression analyses of select network hub and connecting genes revealed temporal changes in gut expression during and post exposure to TSWV. CONCLUSIONS: These findings expand our understanding of the developmentally-mediated interaction between thrips vectors and orthotospoviruses, and provide opportunities for probing pathways for biomarkers of thrips vector competence.
PMID: 34758725
J Sci Food Agric , IF:3.638 , 2021 Nov , V101 (14) : P6053-6063 doi: 10.1002/jsfa.11262
Proteomic analysis of metabolic mechanisms associated with fatty acid biosynthesis during Styrax tonkinensis kernel development.
Collaborative Innovation Centre of Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, College of Forest Science, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, China.; Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.; State Forestry and Grassland Administration Key Laboratory of Silviculture in Downstream Areas of the Yellow River, College of Forestry, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.; State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding and Key Laboratory of Tree Breeding and Cultivation, State Forestry Administration, Research Institute of Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Haidian, Beijing, China.
BACKGROUND: Styrax tonkinensis is a white-flowered tree with considerable potential as a feedstock source for biodiesel production from the oily seed contained within its nutlike drupes. Transcriptome changes during oil accumulation have been previously reported, but not concurrent changes in the proteome. RESULTS: Using proteomic analysis of samples collected at 50, 70, 100 and 130 days after flowering (DAF), we identified 1472 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Based on their expression patterns, we grouped the DEPs into nine clusters and analyzed the pathway enrichment. Proteins related to starch and sucrose metabolism were most abundant at 50 DAF. Proteins involved in fatty acid (FA) biosynthesis were mainly grouped into a cluster that peaked at 70 DAF. Proteins related to protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum had two major patterns, trending either upwards or downwards, while proteins involved in amino acid biosynthesis showed more complex relationships. We identified 42 key enzymes involved in lipid accumulation during kernel development, including the acetyl-CoA carboxylase complex (ACC) and the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC). One oil body membrane protein, oleosin, continuously increased during kernel development. CONCLUSION: A regulatory network of oil accumulation processes was built based on protein and available transcriptome expression data, which were in good temporal agreement. This analysis placed ACC and PDC in the center of the network, suggesting that the glycolytic provision of substrate plays a central regulatory role in FA biosynthesis and oil accumulation. (c) 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
PMID: 33856056
Online Soc Netw Media , 2021 Nov , V26 : P100174 doi: 10.1016/j.osnem.2021.100174
Disinformed social movements: A large-scale mapping of conspiracy narratives as online harms during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Centre for Digital Governance, Hertie School, Berlin, Germany.; Media Measurement Limited, London, United Kingdom.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused high uncertainty regarding appropriate treatments and public policy reactions. This uncertainty provided a perfect breeding ground for spreading conspiratorial anti-science narratives based on disinformation. Disinformation on public health may alter the population's hesitance to vaccinations, counted among the ten most severe threats to global public health by the United Nations. We understand conspiracy narratives as a combination of disinformation, misinformation, and rumour that are especially effective in drawing people to believe in post-factual claims and form disinformed social movements. Conspiracy narratives provide a pseudo-epistemic background for disinformed social movements that allow for self-identification and cognitive certainty in a rapidly changing information environment. This study monitors two established conspiracy narratives and their communities on Twitter, the anti-vaccination and anti-5G communities, before and during the first UK lockdown. The study finds that, despite content moderation efforts by Twitter, conspiracy groups were able to proliferate their networks and influence broader public discourses on Twitter, such as #Lockdown in the United Kingdom.
PMID: 34642647