Biology subjects

Wang, J.-Q.

Publications and source records attributed to Wang, J.-Q..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Mitochondrial Genome-Based Phylogeny of Turbellarians and Evidence for Accelerated Mitochondrial Evolution in Symbiotic Species

BackgroundFlatworms are a highly diverse phylum with over 26,500 predominantly parasitic species. A minor portion of this diversity comprise predominantly free-living "turbellarians" Phylogenetic relationships within turbellarian orders remain debated, with recent mitochondrial genome studies also questioning the monophyly of the "Neoophora clade". Some unique mitochondrial gene features have also been observed in this group. Within Turbellaria, the order Rhabdocoela includes significant symbiotic lineages, such as the endosymbiotic Umagillidae, Pterastericolidae, and Graffillidae, and the ectosymbiotic Temnocephalidae, which notably exhibits characteristics akin to a parasitic lifestyle. Given evidence linking parasitic lifestyles to accelerated mitogenomic evolution, we hypothesize that similar patterns: symbiotic turbellarians have mitochondrial genomes that accelerate evolution compared to free-living turbellarians. This study presents the first complete mitochondrial genome of the ectosymbiont Craspedella pedum, provides mitogenomic insights into turbellarian phylogeny, and addressing our hypothesis. ResultsThe mitochondrial genome of Craspedella pedum is a circular DNA molecule of 18,456 base pairs, containing the standard 36 flatworm mitochondrial genes, a duplicated trnT, two cox1 pseudogene fragments, a putative atp8 gene, and several distinctive NCRs. Phylogenetic analyses based on 47 mitochondrial genomes, including the newly sequenced C. pedum and two assembled species from SRA database, using CAT-GTR model and BI and ML algorithms further confirmed that the paraphyly of the Neoophora clade and the basal position of Catenulida and Macrostomida. Different from previous study, Rhabdocoela forms a distinct clade within the turbellarians diverged immediately after Macrostomida before Polycladida and Tricladida. Within Rhabdocoela, C. pedum formed a direct sister clade with Typhloplanidae, suggesting a close phylogenetic relationship between the two. We also identified the paraphyletic of the Planoceridae of Polycladida and the unstable position of Planariidae within Tricladidain. Furthermore, we found a trend that the nad4L-nad4 gene box in turbellarians may have evolved from an overlapping state, to the insertion of a non-coding region (NCR), and subsequently to a separated configuration, correlating with species divergence. The selection pressure analysis showcased selective relaxation from free-living species of Rhabdocoela to symbiotic species of Rhabdocoela. Furthermore, we also detected a relaxation from certain tubellarian lineages to Rhabdocoela. Along with higher GORR and longer Brl, Rhabdocoela and its symbiotic group possesses a more rapidly evolving mitochondrial genome. ConclusionsThe mitochondrial genome of Craspedella pedum displays uncommon characteristics, combined extended branch lengths and elevated GORR, suggesting rapid evolution and extensive rearrangements. Our phylogenetic analysis, integrating additional mitogenome data, further corroborates the paraphyly of the Neoophora clade and offers novel insights into turbellarian phylogeny. For the first time, we confirmed the accelerated evolution of mitochondrial genomes in symbiotic tubellarians compared to free-living ones, as evidenced by a longer average Brl, a higher average GORR, and relaxed selection pressure. Additionally, with the same evidences, we found that Rhabdocoela also exhibited accelerated mitochondrial genome evolution in planarians.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2024

Plant volatile-based fumigation improves mating competitiveness of males for population suppression of the global fruit pest Cydia pomonella

BACKGROUNDThe implementation of sterile insect technique (SIT) has proven effective in the area-wide suppression of several significant agricultural and sanitary pests by employing traditional cobalt-60 (60 Co-{gamma}) as a radiation source. Recently, X-ray has been validated as a feasible alternative to 60 Co-{gamma} radiation sources. Nonetheless, higher doses of X-ray irradiation lead to insect sterility but diminish mating competitiveness, thereby impacting the effectiveness of SIT applications. Thus, it is crucial to ascertain the optimal irradiation dose and develop strategies to enhance the mating competitiveness of sterile insects to enhance SIT efficacy. RESULTSIn this study, we determined the effect of various X-ray irradiation doses (ranging from 0 to 366 Gy) on the fecundity, fertility, and mating competitiveness of Cydia pomonella, a globally invasive fruit pest. Results demonstrated that the sterility rate of sterile males increased proportionally with irradiation dose up to 200 Gy, beyond which it plateaued. Notably, exposure to 200 Gy of irradiation notably decreased the mating competitiveness of male, as evidenced by a mating competitiveness index of 0.17 in laboratory and 0.096 in the orchard. This decline in mating competitiveness is likely linked to the down-regulation of genes associated with the recognition of sex pheromones, specifically CpomOR3a, CpomOR3b, and CpomOR5, following X-ray irradiation. Fumigation of the plant volatile, linalool at varying concentrations (70, 83, and 96 L/m 3) resulted in differential enhancements in male mating competitiveness, with the moderate concentration significantly improving the competitiveness of sterilized males, possibly by restoring their ability to recognize sex pheromones. Implementation of repeated releases of sterilized males on a pilot scale led to a notable reduction in the population of C. pomonella in the field. CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate that fumigation with plant volatiles has the potential to mitigate male sterility induced by X-ray irradiation, offering a promising approach to enhance the efficacy of SIT applications for the control of C. pomonella. Graphic Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=110 SRC="FIGDIR/small/604520v2_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (27K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@7ac9aeorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@14ed866org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1611e8borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@11c6377_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG We determined the optimal X-ray irradiation dose and developed a linalool fumigation approach to improve the mating competitiveness of sterilized insects, thereby bolstering the efficacy of against Cydia pomonella.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2021

Copy number variation profile-based genomic subtyping of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in Chinese

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) affects nearly 5% women of reproductive age. The symptomatic heterogeneity, along with largely unknown genetics, of PMDD have greatly hindered its effective treatment. In the present study, 127 Chinese PMDD patients of the invasion and depression subtypes clinically differentiated by us earlier were analyzed together with 108 non-PMDD controls for genome-wide copy number variations (CNVs). Germline genomic DNA samples from white blood cells were subjected to AluScan sequencing-based CNV profiling, which enabled clustering of patient samples readily into the V and D groups, dominated by the "invasion" and "depression" clinical subtypes, respectively; the CNVs obtained with 100-kb windows yielded two clusters that were correlated with these subtypes with a consistency of up to 89.8%. Diagnostic correlation- and frequency-based CNV features of either CNV-gain (CNVG) or CNV-loss (CNVL) that could differentiate between V and D subtypes were selected and analyzed. CNVG features located preferentially in S2-phase replicating regions and enriched with steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway of genes were found protective against PMDD. Moreover, machine learning employing the correlation-based CNV features could predict with >80% accuracy whether a genomic sample was D-type, V-type or control. In terms of their CNV profiles, the D- and V-types differed more from one another than from the controls, thereby providing a genomic basis for the clinical D-V subtyping of PMDD. Genome-wide profiling of CNVs, as a new approach to complex disease genetics, has revealed recurrent CNVs and genomic features beyond individual genes and mutations underlying PMDD clinical diversity.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2017

Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Area Morphometry In Elderly Chinese Men And Women: Radiographic Quantifications At Baseline And Changes At Year-4 Follow-Up

The manuscript submitted does not contain information about medical device(s)/drug(s). No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript.\n\nStudy DesignA population-based radiographic study with longitudinal follow-up.\n\nObjectiveTo develop a quantitative index for lumbar disc space narrowing (DSN) evaluation in elderly subjects; to determine how DSN in the elderly is influenced by osteoporosis and gender.\n\nSummary of Background DataThere is paucity of research on quantitative classification of lumbar DSN based on disc areal morphometry.\n\nMethodsWith the database of Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (Hong Kong) and Osteoporotic Fractures in Women (Hong Kong) Studies and those who attended the year-4 follow-up (n = 1519 for men and n = 1546 for women), data of 491 women and 592 men were randomly selected. The anterior, middle, and posterior heights, anteroposterior diameter and area of intervertebral discs (T4T5 to L4L5) were measured on lateral radiographs. Disc Area Index for Lumbar Spine (DAIL, disc area divided by the mean of the sum of square of the adjacent upper and lower vertebrae mid-height anterior-posterior diameter) was developed and compared with semi-quantitative DSN expert grading.\n\nResultsDAIL correlated with semi-quantitative grading, with sensitivity and specificity varying from 87.3% to 96.8% for grade-1 DSN (<30% reduction in disc height), and 92.9 % to 100% for grade-3 DSN (>60% reduction in disc height). The thoracolumbar disc area loss among men and women during 4-years follow-up period varied between 1.32% and 3.56%, and it was greater for women (mean: 2.44%) than for men (mean: 1.90%, p=0.044). Majority of lumbar DSN progressions during 72 to 76 years old were progression from normal disc space to grade-1DSN. Osteoporosis was associated with greater disc area decrease, both for thoracic and lumbar discs.\n\nConclusionLumbar DSN can be quantified using DAIL. In elderly Chinese, intervertebral disc narrowing over a 4-year period was greater in women than men, and associated with the presence of osteoporosis.

epidemiology↗