Biology subjects

Kifle, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Kifle, A..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Genetic diversity and population structure of Ethiopian taro Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) as revealed by SSR markers

Abstract Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) is an important root and tuber crop that contributes to food security and livelihoods, but its genetic diversity remains poorly characterized in Ethiopia. This study assessed Ethiopian taro genetic diversity and population structure using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. We analyzed 119 accessions, 79 collected from farmers fields and 40 from the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute (EBI), representing three regional populations: South Ethiopia Regional State (SERS), South West Ethiopia Peoples Regional State (SWEPRS), and Oromia. Fifteen polymorphic SSR markers produced 199 reproducible polymorphic loci, with 100% polymorphism. Polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.300 to 0.888 (mean 0.583). Diversity based on scored binary marker states was relatively low, with a mean effective number of alleles (Ne) of 1.077 and expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.066. Across populations, He ranged from 0.047 to 0.061, and the percentage of polymorphic loci ranged from 37.14% to 82.57%. Analysis of molecular variance showed that 98% of molecular variation occurred within populations and 2% among populations. Genetic differentiation ({Phi}PT, proportion of molecular variation among populations) was weak but significant ({Phi}PT = 0.016, P = 0.016). Principal coordinate analysis, neighbor-joining (NJ), and unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustering showed extensive overlap among accessions and no clear geographic structuring. Bayesian clustering identified two groups as the strongest partition according to the {Delta}K criterion, but substantial admixture occurred, and groups did not correspond clearly to geographic populations. Despite relatively low diversity at individual scored loci, all 119 accessions had unique multilocus genotypes, indicating high multilocus genotypic diversity. Most molecular variation occurred within rather than among regional populations, potentially reflecting planting-material exchange and predominantly clonal propagation. These findings provide a basis for conserving, characterizing, and utilizing Ethiopian taro germplasm in crop improvement.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2025

An Autophagy-Inducing Compound Reduces Tau Pathology, Microglia Reactivity, and Rescues Working Memory in 3xTg AD Mice

BackgroundRecent advancements in Alzheimers disease (AD) therapeutics have validated the use of amyloid beta (A{beta})-clearing antibodies, which reduce A{beta} pathology but leave other disease hallmarks largely unaddressed. Since AD involves multiple pathological processes, additional strategies are needed to target complementary mechanisms. One such target is autophagy, a lysosomal mediated degradation pathway essential for cellular homeostasis that removes toxic protein aggregates and damaged organelles. This process is implicated in AD, as impaired lysosomal function promotes A{beta} and tau accumulation. Our laboratory recently identified a novel natural mitophagy-inducing compound (MIC) that may serve as a therapeutic intervention for AD. MethodsWe evaluated the effects of MIC in aged 3xTgAD mice, a transgenic model displaying both A{beta} and tau pathology. Mice received either standard diet or diet containing MIC beginning at age 4 months until 20 months on alternating weeks. Age-matched non-transgenic (NonTg) controls were included under standard and MIC-supplemented diets to assess compound effects during normal aging. Neuropathological changes were assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) for A{beta}, phosphorylated tau (pTau), and microglial reactivity. Cognitive performance was evaluated using the Morris Water Maze (MWM) to assess spatial learning and memory and the Y-maze to measure working memory. ResultsAt 20 months of age, our neuropathological assessment showed that 3xTgAD mice fed an MIC-supplemented diet had a significant reduction in pTau accumulation and microglial reactivity, although A{beta} burden remained unchanged. At 15 months, MIC diet also improved spatial learning and memory in aged NonTg controls but not in 3xTgAD mice. However, in younger 8-month-old 3xTgAD mice, MIC restored working memory performance to NonTg levels, indicating an age-dependent therapeutic response. ConclusionMIC emerges as a potential modulator of tau pathology and neuroinflammation. As a naturally derived compound, MIC offers potential for combination therapy with FDA-approved A{beta}-clearing antibodies, enabling a multimodal approach to AD treatment that addresses amyloid, tau, and microglia-related pathology.

neuroscience↗