UHRF1 (ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING finger domains 1) is a multi-domain epigenetic regulator that integrates DNA methylation, histone modification, and ubiquitin signaling. Its overexpression is consistently observed across diverse cancers, where it silences tumor suppressor genes, stabilizes oncogenic proteins, and rewires metabolic and stress pathways, thereby driving tumor progression and therapy resistance. Targeting UHRF1 offers a domain-specific and context-dependent strategy distinct from global demethylation, reducing off-target toxicity and providing a refined therapeutic window. Natural compounds such as flavonoids, berberine, and thymoquinone, as well as synthetic inhibitors of reader domains, proteasomal degraders, and RNA-based approaches, have demonstrated potential to disrupt UHRF1 function. UHRF1 inhibition may also synergize with DNMT or HDAC inhibitors, immune checkpoint blockade, and ferroptosis inducers. Current evidence supports UHRF1 as both a biomarker and a promising druggable target for next-generation epigenetic cancer therapies.

The mitochondrial gene ORF188 enhances salt stress tolerance in rapeseed by boosting ATP synthesis, thereby fueling antioxidant defense systems and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Soil salinity severely impairs crop productivity by inducing osmotic stress, ionic toxicity, and oxidative damage. An energy deficit, arising from impaired mitochondrial ATP production under stress, represents a critical bottleneck that compromises the plant's antioxidant capacity. Here, we report that the mitochondrial gene ORF188, a homolog of the ATP synthase F0 subunit, significantly enhances salt stress tolerance in rapeseed. ORF188-overexpressing lines exhibited superior growth and reduced oxidative damage under salt stress, which was underpinned by constitutively elevated ATP synthase activity and cellular ATP levels. This energy surplus enhanced the antioxidant system, maintained favorable Na+/K+ ratio and orchestrated a homeostasis-oriented stress transcriptome. Crucially, treatment with the ATP synthase inhibitor Oligomycin A abolished both the salt-tolerant phenotype and the associated transcriptional reprogramming, thereby confirming the essential role of enhanced ATP synthesis. Our findings demonstrate that ORF188 as a key genetic determinant of salt stress tolerance via ATP-dependent antioxidant activation, and representing a promising target for breeding salt-resilient crops.

ANAC032 directly bind to the promoter regions of XTH31 and XTH33 and repress their expression, and loss-of-function xth31 mutant plants exhibited increased sensitivity to Ni stress, with phenotypes similar to those of NAC32-overexpressing plants.

Members of the genus Streptomyces are major producers of a wide variety of secondary metabolites that serve as bioactive compounds. Many secondary metabolites are produced in response to environmental signals such as biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, we identified salt supplementation as one of the stimuli activating secondary metabolism in the model Streptomyces species, Streptomyces coelicolor. Comparative metabolomics revealed overproduction of several known secondary metabolites, most notably undecylprodigiosin and coelimycin P1, in addition to their biosynthetic intermediates and derivatives, as well as many unknown metabolites. Transcriptomic analysis revealed activation of diverse biological processes including cation uptake, compatible solute production, and the phosphate limitation stress response through conserved and species-specific mechanisms, presumably to overcome the increased salinity. This response leads to activation of a variety of regulatory and metabolic pathways required for production of secondary metabolites including activation of conserved metabolic pathways for energy and substrate supply and species-specific secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters. Furthermore, several promoter sequences contributing to upregulation of secondary metabolism induced by salt supplementation were identified. Overall, our data show how S. coelicolor copes with the increased salinity and tailors the cellular metabolism toward secondary metabolism in a conserved and species-specific manner.IMPORTANCEPrecise control of cellular metabolism is critical to ensure directing cellular resources toward metabolic pathways required for the environment. Many Streptomyces species activate production of secondary metabolites upon exposure to environmental stimuli. This study reveals dynamic reprogramming of cellular metabolism in Streptomyces coelicolor under increased salinity, which induces production of various secondary metabolites. Notably, this model biological system redirects cellular resources toward various metabolic pathways required for proper activation of secondary metabolite biosynthesis, including precursor and energy supply and posttranslational modification of biosynthetic enzymes. Interestingly, some pathways are activated by phosphate limitation stress, presumably caused as a result of increased salinity. Certain aspects of this metabolic reprogramming are likely common in many Streptomyces species and may be controlled by rather complex regulatory pathways. Overall, this study unveils how Streptomyces species tailor the cellular metabolism toward secondary metabolism and paves the way for understanding metabolic regulation.

Aluminum (Al³⁺) toxicity is a major limitation to plant productivity in acidic soils, disrupting cellular homeostasis, redox balance, and nutrient uptake. Brassinosteroids are key regulators of plant stress signaling, yet their role in Al³⁺ tolerance remains insufficiently understood. Here, we investigated the signaling functions of 24-epibrassinolide (24-EBL) in mediating aluminum stress responses in Nicotiana tabacum grown under soilless culture conditions. Exogenous 24-EBL significantly alleviated Al³⁺-induced photosynthetic inhibition, as reflected by increased transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), electron transport rate (ETR), and effective quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII). Enhanced non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) indicated improved dissipation of excess excitation energy, suggesting photoprotective regulation. At the molecular level, 24-EBL treatment upregulated the antioxidant defense genes CAT1, NtPOD1, and NtSOD3, leading to increased enzymatic activities and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, thereby preserving membrane stability. Notably, 24-EBL modulated metal detoxification pathways by inducing the expression of the phytochelatin-related genes Pr8 and Pr2, along with Al-ATPase transporters associated with vacuolar sequestration. This was accompanied by altered ion homeostasis, where enhanced Ca²⁺ and K⁺ uptake antagonized Al³⁺ accumulation and restricted its translocation to shoots. The marked upregulation of calmodulin (CaM) suggests that Ca²⁺-dependent signaling plays a central role in 24-EBL-mediated aluminum tolerance. Correlation analysis revealed strong associations between CaM expression, photosynthetic efficiency, antioxidant capacity, and metal detoxification markers. Together, these findings indicate that 24-EBL enhances aluminum tolerance in tobacco through a coordinated signaling network involving Ca²⁺-mediated signal transduction, redox regulation, and metal homeostasis. This study highlights brassinosteroid-calcium crosstalk as a key regulatory module in plant adaptation to aluminum stress.

Approximately 30% of epilepsy patients still develop drug resistance after standard antiepileptic treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new drug targets to improve seizure control. Previous studies have shown that NCX1 can regulate the intracellular Ca2+ levels in astrocytes and neurons, which are closely associated with epilepsy. MCC-135 has shown potential as an antiseizure medication due to its ability to downregulate NCX and reduce intracellular calcium overload; however, its role and mechanism in epilepsy remain unclear.

Most cancer cells rely on aerobic glycolysis to support uncontrolled proliferation and evade apoptosis and switch to glutamine metabolism to survive under hypoxic conditions. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the Wnt/β-catenin pathway acts as a critical driver of metabolic reprogramming and stemness, primarily by enhancing aerobic glycolysis and altering the tumour microenvironment. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway induces activation of enzymes required for glucose metabolism and regulates the expression of glutamate transporter and glutamine synthetase. The objective of this study is to examine the mechanism by which riluzole inhibits HCC growth and induces autophagy. The results indicate that riluzole inhibits cell viability and colony formation of HCC cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs) and induces apoptosis, while sparing human normal hepatocytes. Riluzole induces autophagic cell death by inducing Beclin1 and Atg5. Riluzole inhibits β-catenin, Wnt3a, Wnt5a, Axin1, TCF, LEF and GSK3β expression, and TCF/LEF activity in HCC cells. Inhibition of the Wnt-β-catenin/TCF-LEF pathway by riluzole suppresses the expression of Cyclin D1, Axin2, cMyc, MCT1 and DNMT1. Riluzole inhibits the expression of Glut1 and Glut3, PDK1, LDHA and PKM2, glucose uptake and NAD+ levels. Furthermore, riluzole inhibits glutamate release, which reduces the antioxidant glutathione, leading to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). Riluzole disrupts mitochondrial homeostasis by increasing Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, resulting in a drop of mitochondrial membrane potential. In conclusion, riluzole inhibits HCC growth by regulating glucose and glutamine metabolism and inducing autophagic cell death, thereby highlighting its therapeutic potential for HCC treatment.

Transient overexpression assays and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) showed that the transcription factor HmPIF1 enhances lead (Pb) tolerance in Hydrangea by improving antioxidant capacity and altering transporter protein expression. Lead (Pb) soil contamination has caused serious ecological and environmental issues. Hydrangea represents a promising candidate species for phytoremediation, whereas research on its Pb-tolerant genes remains relatively limited. This study aimed to explore the Pb tolerance function of HmPIF1 at the physiological and transcriptional levels. Results showed that Pb stress significantly upregulated the expression of HmPIF1. Subcellular localization and transcriptional autoactivation assays demonstrated that HmPIF1 is a nuclear-localized transcription factor without transcriptional autoactivation activity. Transient overexpression experiments confirmed that eight substances, including glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, and total protein, were key physiological factors for HmPIF1-enhanced Pb tolerance in Hydrangea leaves, while transcriptomic analysis identified "photosynthesis" and "glutathione metabolism" as likely the core regulatory pathways. Furthermore, HmPIF1 overexpression promoted Pb accumulation in leaves, accompanied by differential expression of ion transporter proteins. Taken together, HmPIF1 positively regulates plant Pb tolerance and enhances Pb uptake in leaves, which may be achieved through multiple regulatory pathways including photosynthesis, antioxidation and ion transporter-mediated processes. These findings provide a theoretical basis for subsequent related research.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8) is a member of a group of dominantly inherited, debilitating neurological diseases caused by CAG•CTG expansions for which there are no effective treatments. RAN translation, which was discovered in SCA8, has previously been shown to occur across CAG and CUG expansion transcripts, making treatments for SCA8 potentially relevant to a broad group of diseases, including SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA7, SCA12, Huntington's disease, and myotonic dystrophy type 1. In addition, CUG and CAG expansion transcripts have been reported to cause RNA gain-of-function effects. Using SCA8 BAC transgenic mice as a model for CAG•CTG expansion diseases, we now show that metformin improves ambulatory performance using rotarod, DigiGait, and open-field testing. At the molecular level, metformin-treated mice show reduced RAN protein levels and improved splicing, without altering sense or antisense RNA levels. Metformin-treated mice also show decreased neuroinflammation, with reduced astrogliosis and fewer activated microglia. These data provide strong preclinical support for testing metformin in clinical trials for SCA8 and potentially the broader group of CAG•CTG repeat expansion disorders.

Bisphenols are widely used industrial chemicals with endocrine-disrupting properties, and their potential association with carcinogenesis has drawn considerable attention. Cervical cancer, as a prevalent gynecological malignancy, has a pathogenesis that is not yet fully understood, particularly regarding the influence of environmental factors. In this study, we systematically investigated the molecular effects of bisphenols on cervical cancer using multi-dimensional bioinformatics approaches. WGCNA analysis identified key modules closely associated with the disease, which were integrated with predicted bisphenols targets to screen for core genes, including AR, CDC25C, CDK2, and KIF11. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that bisphenols may disrupt cell cycle regulation, the G2/M checkpoint, and p53-mediated tumor suppressor pathways. Molecular docking and 100-ns molecular dynamics simulations indicated that various bisphenols can stably bind to core target proteins, with binding patterns influenced by halogenation or aromatic substitutions. Gene expression and immunohistochemical analyses showed that CDC25C, CDK2, and KIF11 were significantly upregulated in cervical cancer tissues, whereas AR was predominantly expressed in normal epithelium. Immune infiltration analysis further suggested that CDC25C, CDK2, and KIF11 may modulate the infiltration of B cells, CD8⁺ T cells, and macrophages, implying that bisphenols-induced molecular perturbations could impact the tumor microenvironment. This study provides a reference for further exploration of the links between environmental exposures and cervical cancer development and lays a foundation for mechanistic investigations.

Salt stress is a major abiotic factor limiting plant growth and productivity. One of the primary consequences of salinity is the enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study investigates the role of glycolate oxidase (GOX), a key enzyme in photorespiration and a source of ROS, in the salinity response of Arabidopsis thaliana. We used two GOX T-DNA insertion mutants, gox1 and gox2, alongside wild-type (WT) plants, grown hydroponically under control conditions or exposed to 100 mM NaCl for 24 h. Results showed that shoot and root fresh weight did not differ significantly between genotypes and after 24 h of NaCl treatment. In addition, both mutants, particularly gox2, accumulated less Na+ and Cl- in shoots and roots than WT. This result was supported by ion flux analysis in roots. This fact was associated with the upregulation of key ion transporters: NHX1 (Na+compartmentalization), SOS1 (Na+ exclusion), and KUP11 and HAK5 (K+ uptake). Additionally, gox2 showed differential regulation of nitrate/Cl- transporters, with downregulation of NPF2.4, SLAH1, and SLAH3 and upregulation of NPF2.5 and NPF7.2. Furthermore, gox2 exhibited reduced oxidative damage and increased peroxidase activity under salt stress. These findings suggest that GOX2 expression may regulate plant resilience to salinity by improving ion homeostasis and antioxidative responses.

Nanobiotechnology offers sustainable strategies to enhance plant resistance by activating innate immune responses. This study evaluates the effect of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) on transcriptional activation of defense-associated genes in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Celastrus paniculatus (CP) is a traditional medicinal plant widely used in Ayurveda and Southeast Asian medicine for enhancing memory and treating cognitive dysfunction. Although CP has been reported to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, its direct impact on activity-dependent synaptic plasticity remains insufficiently characterized. This study is aimed at investigating the effects of CP seed extract on memory performance and synaptic plasticity in a rat model, with a particular focus on AMPA receptor modulation and associated synaptic proteins. Five-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: control, CP (80 mg/kg), donepezil (1.5 mg/kg), scopolamine (1 mg/kg), and scopolamine followed by CP. Treatments were administered daily for 14 days. Spatial memory performance was assessed using the Morris water maze. Following behavioral testing, hippocampal tissue was collected for immunohistochemical analysis of Arc protein and Western blotting of pSer831-GluA1, Arc, and PSD-95. CP-treated rats exhibited significantly reduced escape latency and increased time in the target quadrant, with outcomes comparable to those of donepezil-treated rats. In scopolamine-pretreated rats, CP administration reversed memory deficits by enhancing platform crossings and reducing escape latency. Molecular analysis revealed that CP significantly upregulated hippocampal expression of pSer831-GluA1, Arc, and PSD-95, indicating enhanced AMPA receptor trafficking and synaptic integrity. CP seed extract enhances spatial memory and synaptic plasticity by modulating critical molecular components of the glutamatergic synapse. These findings suggest that CP may support memory performance in both baseline conditions and in animals with scopolamine-induced deficits.

The link between glutaminolysis and osteoarthritis (OA) has only recently begun to be elucidated. Here, we report the association of obesity- and injury-induced cartilage damage with impaired glutaminolysis in chondrocytes. Defective glutaminolysis triggered the onset and progression of OA, with enhanced catabolism and decreased anabolism. Supplementation of α-ketoglutarate (αKG), a key component in glutaminolysis and an epigenetic factor, effectively protected cartilage against degradation in vivo via a TCA cycle- and HIF-1α-independent manner. Mechanistically, OA pathogenic factors increased H3K27me3 deposition on promoters of key glutaminolysis genes, including Slc1a5 and Gls1, leading to impaired glutaminolysis. Conversely, αKG facilitated Kdm6b-dependent H3K27me3 demethylation of not only glutaminolysis genes to rescue Gln metabolism but also Ube2o to reverse OA. Elevated Ube2o expression led to TRAF6 ubiquitination and subsequent inhibition of NF-κB signaling, thereby reversing the pathological reprogramming of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation and protecting against cartilage destruction. Collectively, these results demonstrated that OA pathogenic factors impair glutaminolysis through epigenetic regulation, which further exacerbate OA. Moreover, αKG restores metabolic homeostasis and alleviates OA through H3K27me3 demethylation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation, tau pathology, synaptic dysfunction, and neuroinflammation, which collectively drive progressive memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. Increasing evidence implicates epigenetic dysregulation as a key contributor to these pathological processes by altering gene expression programs. Serotonergic psychedelics, which primarily act as agonists of the serotonin 2 A receptor (5-HT₂AR), have recently attracted attention for their ability to robustly promote neuroplasticity and induce sustained transcriptional changes in the brain. Preclinical studies indicate that these compounds can modulate epigenetic mechanisms, including histone modifications and DNA methylation (DNAm). This review examines the emerging intersection between psychedelic-induced epigenetic modulation and AD pathology, and proposes that targeted engagement of 5-HT₂Ars may help counteract epigenetic abnormalities that contribute to AD pathogenesis.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is known for its rapid growth and early metastasis, and SCLC patients are highly susceptible to chemoresistance. Studies have shown that the combination of ferroptosis induction and TRX pathway inhibition can significantly inhibit SCLC tumor growth, but the molecular mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in SCLC are poorly understood. In this study, we explored the regulatory role of the ALDH1L2-related metabolic pathway in SCLC chemoresistance by machine learning. We found that ALDH1L2 expression is a poor prognostic factor for SCLC patients and that high ALDH1L2 expression can negatively regulate the level of cellular lipid peroxidation and inhibit ferroptosis, thereby promoting SCLC chemoresistance. Mechanistically, ALDH1L2 interacts with the TRX2-PRDX3 antioxidant network to reduce the levels of hyperoxidized PRDX3 and oxidized PRDX3 dimers in the plasma membrane under cisplatin-induced stress and decrease cellular susceptibility to ferroptosis, thus promoting SCLC chemoresistance. In addition, we found that thiostrepton, a PRDX3 inhibitor, can synergize with chemotherapy to suppress tumor growth in SCLC, suggesting that thiostrepton might be a promising new tool for overcoming SCLC chemoresistance.

The clinical utility of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) like vorinostat (SAHA) in lymphoma is constrained by poor pharmacokinetics and off-target toxicity. To address this, we developed a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive homodimeric SAHA prodrug (SAHA-tk-SAHA) linked via a thioketal bridge, which self-assembled into PEGylated nanoparticles (tk-diSAHA NP). These monodisperse nanoparticles (119.3 ± 4.0 nm) demonstrated excellent stability and ROS-triggered drug release (68.18 ± 2.25% with 10 mM H2O2 vs 6.24% in PBS over 48 h). In vitro, tk-diSAHA NP induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in lymphoma cells. In A20 lymphoma-bearing mice, intravenous tk-diSAHA NP achieved superior tumor growth inhibition (615.18 ± 147.88 mm3) compared to oral SAHA (1134.78 ± 311.31 mm3, p < 0.05), with enhanced histone H3 acetylation in tumors and no appreciable systemic toxicity. This ROS-activatable nanoprodrug platform presents a promising strategy to enhance the efficacy and safety of HDACi-based epigenetic therapy for lymphoma.

High expression of Lysine-Specific Demethylase 5B (KDM5B) in lung cancer drives tumorigenesis and immunosuppression. KDM5B is negatively correlated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-phagy receptors such as TEX264, indicating that selective induction of ER-phagy may degrade KDM5B. Our work revealed that chemotherapeutic drug Teniposide (Ten) was a potent anti-lung cancer agent, which could increase the stability of TEX264. The present study aims to elucidate the critical target and mechanism by which Ten inhibits KDM5B through TEX264-associated ER-phagy against lung cancer. Ten exhibited potent lung cancer suppression ability, as evidenced by the weakened proliferation of organoids and tumor grafts in mice along with activation of the immune microenvironment. Highly-expressed KDM5B demonstrated down-regulation upon Ten treatment, which may be attributed to its degradation via ER-phagy. Blockage of ER-phagy weakened Ten-mediated KDM5B degradation. Insightful investigations discovered that Ten activated OTUD3, a deubiquitylase, which stabilized TEX264, a crucial receptor for ER-phagy. Notably, genetic knockdown of TOP2A impacted little on the Ten-mediated ER-phagy. OTUD3 silencing dampened Ten-driven ER-phagy and KDM5B inhibition. To summarize, these findings demonstrate that Ten effectively inhibits lung cancer and activates immunocytes by KDM5B inhibition, which is regulated by TEX264-associated ER-phagy. Most importantly, OTUD3 serves as an essential target for enhancement of TEX264 stabilization.

Psammomys obesus, widely known as sand rat, develops obesity during captivity. To assess the role of confinement stress on metabolic alterations and sweet taste perception, the gustatory cue involved in obesity, we administered corticosterone (CORT) intraperitoneally in male Psammomys obesus to yield a stressful condition. CORT administration was found to increase preference for sweet solutions in a two bottle-choice paradigm in these animals. Moreover, CORT administration increased the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of sweet test receptor in fungiform taste bud cells. As regards liver, CORT increased mRNA expression encoding glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-P), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PEPCK1) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1). Interestingly, CORT decreased gut peptide YY (PYY), insulin, and triglyceride levels in the blood. Our study demonstrates that corticosterone, known to be released during the captivity period, might play a key role in the development of obesity by influencing sweet taste perception, release of a gut peptide and modifications in lipid/glucidic metabolic enzymatic pathways in Psammomys obesus.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical widely used in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, resulting in human exposure primarily through food-contact materials and thermal paper, as well as environmental sources. Studies suggest that BPA has adverse effects on trophoblast cells, which are critical for placental formation, and that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) may contribute to BPA-induced cellular dysfunction. However, the mechanisms by which BPA affects placental trophoblast function remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to explore the connection between ER stress/UPR signaling and BPA-induced trophoblast disfunction. BeWo cells were stimulated with forskolin to induce a syncytium formation, a hallmark of trophoblast differentiation, and then exposed to different concentrations of BPA. The effect of BPA on differentiation and secretion capacity, viability, and apoptosis of the trophoblast cells was examined comparing the results with data related to ER stress. Our findings provide evidence that ER stress/UPR activation is involved in BPA-induced trophoblast dysfunction and that BPA-induced apoptosis may be linked to ER stress. In conclusion, this study offers mechanistic insights into how BPA impacts trophoblast cells and may help in understanding the pregnancy-related adverse outcomes associated with BPA exposure.