Biology subjects

Gorka, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Gorka, S..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Prenatal Stress Differentially Shapes Adult Behavior in Male and Female Offspring

BackgroundPrenatal stress (PNS) is a well-established risk factor for neuropsychiatric vulnerability, yet its sex-specific behavioral consequences remain incompletely defined. Because males and females follow distinct neurodevelopmental trajectories, clarifying how early-life stress differentially shapes behavior is essential for developing targeted interventions. However, few preclinical studies directly compare male and female offspring within the same experimental framework, limiting the ability to identify true sex-dependent effects. MethodsUsing a validated mouse model of gestational restraint stress, we conducted a comprehensive, within-study assessment of sex-dependent behavioral outcomes in adult offspring. Behavioral domains included locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, sociability, fear learning and extinction, recognition memory, and alcohol-related responses (ethanol preference and behavioral sensitivity), all measured using identical paradigms across sexes. ResultsPNS broadly disrupted behavior and cognition in both sexes, increasing locomotor activity and anxiety-like behavior, impairing fear extinction and recognition memory, and altering behavioral sensitivity to ethanols sedative effects. Direct comparison revealed distinct sex-dependent vulnerabilities: males showed reduced social interaction, whereas females exhibited numerically greater impairment in fear extinction and a significantly stronger ethanol preference. Baseline fear responses, total fluid intake, and sucrose consumption were unaffected. ConclusionPrenatal stress programs neurobehavioral trajectories in a sex-dependent manner, conferring vulnerability to anxiety-related behavior, cognitive disruption, and alcohol use. By directly comparing males and females within the same experimental design, this study provides one of the most integrated evaluations of sex-specific PNS outcomes to date and offers a robust framework for investigating the biological mechanisms underlying divergent pathways to stress-related psychopathology.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2024

Soil microbes prefer organic acids over sugars in simulated root exudation

Sugars and organic acids, primary components in plant root exudates, are thought to enhance microbial decomposition of organic matter in the rhizosphere. However, their specific impacts on microbial activity and nutrient mobilisation remain poorly understood. Here, we simulated passive root exudation to investigate the distinct effects of sugars and organic acids on microbial metabolism in the rhizosphere. We released 13C- labelled sugars and/or organic acids via reverse microdialysis into intact meadow and forest soils over 6-hours. We measured substrate-induced microbial respiration, soil organic matter mineralization, metabolite concentrations, and substrate incorporation into lipid-derived fatty acids. Our results reveal a pronounced microbial preference for organic acids over sugars, with organic acids being removed faster from the exudation spot and preferentially respired by microbes. Unlike sugars, organic acids increased concentrations of microbial metabolic byproducts and cations (K, Ca, Mg) near the exudation spot. Our results challenge the prevailing assumption that sugars are the most readily available and rapidly consumed substrates for soil microbes. Microbial preference for organic acids indicates a trade-off between rapid biomass growth and ATP yield. Our findings underscore the significant role of exudate composition in influencing microbial dynamics and nutrient availability, and emphasize the importance of biotic and abiotic feedback mechanisms in the rhizosphere in regulating root exudation.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Soil bacterial neutral lipid fatty acids: Markers for carbon storage or necromass?

Carbon storage is a common strategy of soil microbes to cope with resource fluctuations. Fungi use neutral lipids (triacylglycerols, TAGs) for storage, which can be quantified via their derived fatty acids (NLFAs). NLFAs specific to bacteria can also be abundant in soils, but are rarely analysed as soil bacteria are assumed to not store TAGs. Instead, bacterial NLFAs are thought to derive from degraded phospholipids (diacylglycerols, DAGs), and thus indicate bacterial necromass, but this interpretation lacks evidence. In this perspective, we synthesise knowledge from the literature and our own experimental results on the origin of soil bacterial NLFAs. In sum, we provide evidence that bacterial NLFAs are predominantly derived from TAGs used for carbon storage: (1) Several pure culture studies provide evidence for TAG production in selected bacterial isolates. (2) Screening of genomes showed that wax ester synthase/diacylglycerol acyltransferases, which mediate the last step of TAG synthesis, are abundant in bacterial isolates from soil, suggesting a widespread genetic capability to produce TAGs. (3) We experimentally created conditions of excess labile carbon by adding isotopically labelled glucose to soil. Glucose-13C was rapidly allocated into bacterial NLFAs, with higher relative enrichment than phospholipid-derived fatty acids, indicating storage. (4) DAGs are not necessarily produced--and may only be intermediate compounds--during phospholipid degradation. We conclude that soil bacterial NLFAs are mainly derived from storage compounds, but a potential contribution from degraded phospholipids needs further validation. Isotopic labelling could resolve this, making NLFAs a valuable biomarker for microbial storage compounds in soil. HighlightsO_LIBacterial NLFAs originate from triacylglycerols (TAGs) or degraded phospholipids C_LIO_LINeutral lipids are not necessarily produced during phospholipid degradation C_LIO_LISoil bacteria have the genetic potential to produce TAGs for storage C_LIO_LIRapid transfer of excess glucose-13C into soil bacterial NLFAs suggests storage C_LIO_LIBacterial NLFAs are markers for carbon storage rather than necromass C_LI

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Strong family- and guild-specific responses of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to long-term deficiencies and imbalances of N, P and K

O_LIMany agroecosystems face nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) or potassium (K) deficiencies due to imbalanced or insufficient nutrient replenishment after plant biomass harvest. How this affects the symbiosis between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and the abundance of exploration-based AMF guilds (i.e., rhizophilic, edaphophilic, ancestral) remains largely unknown. C_LIO_LIWe studied a 70-year nutrient-deficiency experiment in a managed grassland in central Austria, where aboveground biomass was harvested three times annually. N, P and K were fully, partially, or not replenished, causing long-term nutrient deficiencies and imbalances. We analysed AMF communities in soil and roots by DNA/RNA amplicon sequencing and fatty-acid biomarkers, alongside soil and plant community properties. C_LIO_LISoil AMF communities were affected by N and P deficiencies, while root AMF communities were most susceptible to K deficiency, showing a 50% biomass reduction. We observed distinct guild- and family-specific responses: The edaphophilic guild declined with N deficiency, while the rhizophilic guild decreased with P and K deficiencies. Families within each guild, particularly in the ancestral guild, showed differential responses, indicating complementary nutrient specializations at the family level. C_LIO_LIOur findings underscore the previously unrecognized role of K deficiency in AMF symbiosis and suggest the existence of nutrient-related functional subgroups within exploration-based AMF guilds. C_LI

ecology↗

bioRxiv2024

Alterations in large-scale resting-state network nodes following transcranial focused ultrasound of deep brain structures

BackgroundLow-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) is a brain stimulation approach that holds immense promise for the treatment of brain-based disorders. Several studies in humans have shown that tFUS can successfully modulate perfusion in focal sonication targets including the amygdala; however, limited research has explored how tFUS impacts the function of large-scale neural networks. ObjectiveThe aim of the current study was to address this gap and examine changes in resting-state connectivity between large-scale network nodes using a randomized, double-blind, within-subject crossover study design. MethodsHealthy adults (n=18) completed two tFUS sessions, 14 days apart. Each session included tFUS of either the right amygdala or the left entorhinal cortex (ErC). The inclusion of two active targets allowed for within-subjects comparisons as a function of the locus of sonication. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was collected before and after each tFUS session. ResultstFUS altered resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) within and between rs-network nodes. Specifically, pre-to-post sonication of the right amygdala modulated connectivity within nodes of the salience network (SAN) and between nodes of the SAN and the default-mode network (DMN) and fronto-parietal network (FRP). A decrease in SAN to FPN connectivity was specific to the amygdala target. Pre-to-post sonication of the left ErC was found to modulate connectivity between the dorsal attention network (DAN) and FPN and DMN. An increase in DAN to DMN connectivity was specific to the ErC target. ConclusionThese preliminary findings may suggest that tFUS induces neuroplastic changes beyond the immediate sonication target.

neuroscience↗