Emerging insights into nitrogen assimilation in gymnosperms

Gymnosperms are a heterogeneous and ancient group of seed plants that includes conifers, ginkgos, cycads and gnetophytes. Molecular studies on extant gymnosperms have been constrained by some discouraging features for experimental research such as their long life cycles, large sizes, complex megagenomes and abundant phenolic compounds in their woody tissues. However, the development of high-throughput sequencing and refined multiomics technologies in the last few years has allowed to explore the molecular basis of essential processes in this ancient lineage of plants. Nitrogen is one of the main limiting factors determining vascular development and biomass production in woody plants. Therefore, nitrogen uptake, metabolism, storage and recycling are essential processes for fundamental gymnosperm biology. Here, recent progress in the molecular regulation of nitrogen assimilation in gymnosperms is reviewed and some future perspectives on this topic are outlined.This research was fnancially supported by Ministry of Science and Innovation (BIO2015-73512-JIN, RTI2018-094041-B-I00 and PID2021-125040OB-I00) and by Junta de Andalucía (P20-00036 PAIDI 2020/FEDER, UE). JMVM was supported by a Grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education (FPU17/03517). Funding for open access publishing: Universidad Málaga/CBUA

Transcriptome Analysis and Intraspecific Variation in Spanish Fir (Abies pinsapo Boiss.)

Spanish fir (Abies pinsapo Boiss.) is an endemic, endangered tree that has been scarcely investigated at the molecular level. In this work, the transcriptome of Spanish fir was assembled, providing a large catalog of expressed genes (22,769), within which a high proportion were full-length transcripts (12,545). This resource is valuable for functional genomics studies and genome annotation in this relict conifer species. Two intraspecific variations of A. pinsapo can be found within its largest population at the Sierra de las Nieves National Park: one with standard green needles and another with bluish-green needles. To elucidate the causes of both phenotypes, we studied different physiological and molecular markers and transcriptome profiles in the needles. “Green” trees showed higher electron transport efficiency and enhanced levels of chlorophyll, protein, and total nitrogen in the needles. In contrast, needles from “bluish” trees exhibited higher contents of carotenoids and cellulose. These results agreed with the differential transcriptomic profiles, suggesting an imbalance in the nitrogen status of “bluish” trees. Additionally, gene expression analyses suggested that these differences could be associated with different epigenomic profiles. Taken together, the reported data provide new transcriptome resources and a better understanding of the natural variation in this tree species, which can help improve guidelines for its conservation and the implementation of adaptive management strategies under climatic change.This research was funded by research projects “Genómica funcional del pinsapo” and “Genómica del pinsapo: Estudios estructurales y funcionales” (grant numbers UMA18-FEDERJA-018 and P20-00507-R, funded by Junta de Andalucía, PAIDI) and “Modulators of adaptive capacity to climate change in forests: integration from the landscape to the gene/transcriptome in relict mountain conifers (CoMoReAdapt)” (grant number CGL2013-48843-C2-1-R, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, National Program for R + D+i). Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Importancia de la nutrición nitrogenada en plantas: genómica funcional de la respuesta a la nutrición con amonio en raíces de pino

En esta Tesis Doctoral se ha diseñado y llevado a cabo una práctica de laboratorio con la que se ilustra a los alumnos la importancia del nitrógeno en las plantas. Gracias a este trabajo no solo refuerza de manera didáctica los conocimientos impartidos en clases teóricas, sino que además se fomenta la habilidad técnica de los alumnos dentro del ámbito de trabajo de un laboratorio desde un punto vista interdisciplinar. A su vez, y centrado en el metabolismo nitrogenado de pino marítimo (Pinus pinaster Ait.), se ha determinado las características fisiológicas y metabólicas de esta conífera en respuesta a la nutrición amoniacal y nítrica. De modo que se describió la preferencia por parte de esta planta por el amonio como fuente de nitrógeno inorgánico. Debido a esta marcada preferencia por el amonio, se ha estudiado la respuesta transcriptómica local del ápice radicular. Los principales resultados en relación con esta parte se ha descrito que el amonio provoca cambios en el nivel de expresión génica de transcritos vinculados al metabolismo y transporte de fitohormonas importantes para la arquitectura del sistema radicular (RSA) y de factores de transcripción implicados en este proceso. Por último, también he realizado la secuenciación directa de ARN utilizando Oxford Nanopore Technology en muestras de raíces completas para estudiar la respuesta epitranscriptómica (modificaciones químicas del ARN) a la nutrición amoniacal. En lo que concierne al epitranscriptoma, se ha trabajado especialmente en el papel regulador de N6-metiladenosina (m6A). Siendo un resultado relevante los indicios acerca del papel de la m6A en la mediación entre la estabilización/degradación de los ARN mensajeros. Este trabajo constituye una novedosa aproximación al metabolismo del nitrógeno puesto que hasta la fecha no se ha publicado ningún tipo de trabajo que relacione estos campos de estudio, el epitranscriptoma y el metabolismo nitrogenado

Efecto combinado de la nutrición nitrogenada y concentración de CO2 en biomasa y perfiles de expresión génica en Pinus pinaster

Carbon dioxide (CO2) in high concentration is beneficial for crop development, but due to the reduction of photorespiration in C3 plants, there is less reducing power available for nitrate (NO3-) reduction and later nitrogen assimilation compared to ammonium (NH4+) nutrition. To overcome this problem, research is focusing on NH4+ nutrition, because its assimilation is less expensive in terms of energy (Bloom, 2015). Knowing how plants manage NH4+ toxicity by gene expression and enzymatic pathways activation, will result in a novel set of molecular mechanisms that could be applied in crops in the near future, solving the problem of photorespiration reduction and nitrogen use efficiency (South et al., 2018). In this work we studied the growth of Pinus pinaster (Aiton) seedlings in 400 and 720 ppm CO2 concentrations and under NO3- and NH4+ nutrition, due to the tolerance that conifers have for NH4+ (Marino et al., 2022). Results show that during the early development, the combination of high CO2 concentration and NH4+ leads to an increase in biomass of the seedling and growth rates. To further investigate the set of genes differentially regulated in these conditions of nitrogen nutrition and CO2 concentration, we analysed the data from RNA-seq experiments from different organs of 2 months seedlings growth in 400 and 720 ppm of CO2 and different nitrogen nutrition (8 mM NH4+ or 8 mM NO3-).Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Historical exposure to persistent organic pollutants and cardiovascular disease: A 15-year longitudinal analysis focused on pharmaceutical consumption in primary care

This study was supported by research grants from CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain (PI16/01858, PI18/01573, PI20/01568), co-funded by European Union (ERDF), "A way to make Europe".Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi. org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106734Background Despite restrictions on their production and use, most of the population is still exposed to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These chemicals are thought to contribute to the aetiology of highly prevalent chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), although current evidences are still controversial. Objectives To explore the potential contribution of historical POP exposure to 15-year pharmaceutical consumption in relation to CVD. Methods This study is framed within GraMo adult cohort. Participants (n = 387) were recruited in two hospitals in Granada province, Southern Spain (2003–2004). Historical exposure to 5 OCPs and 3 non-dioxine-like PCBs was estimated by analysing adipose tissue concentrations at recruitment. Pharmaceutical consumption from recruitment until year 2017 was quantified by reviewing dispensation databases. Average consumption increase (ACI) in CVD medication was calculated by subtracting average consumption in 2002 to the average yearly consumption during follow-up. ACI was expressed as Defined Daily Dose (DDD)/year units. Data analyses were carried out using a multivariable multinomial logistic regression and weighted quantile sum regression (WQS), with ACI categorized in quartiles (Q) as the dependent variable. Results Concentrations of most pollutants showed a positive trend with the quartiles of ACI. Particularly, PCB-153 showed increasing and statistically significant odds ratios (ORs) for Q2 (OR: 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07–1.52), Q3 (OR: 1.49, 95 %CI: 1.17–1.88) and Q4 (OR: 1.42, 95 %CI: 1.13–1.78) vs Q1. Similarly, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) also showed increasing ORs, that reached statistical significance in Q4 (OR: 1.36, 95 %CI: 1.06–1.74) vs Q1. These findings were corroborated by WQS analyses, that revealed a significant mixture effect, predominantly accounted for by PCB-153 and β-HCH. Discussion Our results suggest that long-term POP exposure might represent a modifiable risk factor for CVD. These findings are relevant for public health campaigns and management, since pharmaceutical consumption is considered an indicator of both morbidity and health expenditure.CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud PúblicaSanta Ana and San Cecilio Hospitals RYC-2016-20155European CommissionInstituto de Salud Carlos III PI16/01858, PI18/01573, PI20/01568 ISCIII Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Gobierno de EspañaEuropean Regional Development FundMinisterio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Gobierno de Españ

Spanish Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diagnostic Delay Registry: SPIDER Study From Sociedad Española de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Pediátrica.

Background and Aims: Diagnostic delay (DD) is especially relevant in children with inflammatory bowel disease, leading to potential complications. We examined the intervals and factors for DD in the pediatric population of Spain. Methods: We conducted a multicentric prospective study, including 149 pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients, obtaining clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical data. Time to diagnosis (TD) was divided into several intervals to identify those where the DD was longer and find the variables that prolonged those intervals. Missed opportunities for diagnosis (MODs) were also identified. Results: Overall TD was 4.4 months (interquartile range [IQR] 2.6-10.4), being significantly higher in Crohn's disease (CD) than in ulcerative colitis (UC) (6.3 [IQR 3.3-12.3] vs. 3 [IQR 1.6-5.6] months, p = 0.0001). Time from the visit to the first physician until referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist was the main contributor to TD (2.4 months [IQR 1.03-7.17] in CD vs. 0.83 months [IQR 0.30-2.50] in UC, p = 0.0001). One hundred and ten patients (78.3%) visited more than one physician (29.9% to 4 or more), and 16.3% visited the same physician more than six times before being assessed by the pediatric gastroenterologist. The number of MODs was significantly higher in CD than that in UC patients: 4 MODs (IQR 2-7) vs. 2 MODs ([IQR 1-5], p = 0.003). Referral by pediatricians from hospital care allowed earlier IBD diagnosis (odds ratio 3.2 [95% confidence interval 1.1-8.9], p = 0.025). Conclusions: TD and DD were significantly higher in CD than those in UC. IBD patients (especially those with CD) undergo a large number of medical visits until the final diagnosis