Biomedical subjects

Yaohua Li

Publications and source records attributed to Yaohua Li.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Decoding the landscape of cell-type-specific co-expressed transcription factors in soybean.

Soybean (Glycine max) is an essential source of protein and oil with high nutritional value for human and animal consumption. To enhance our understanding of soybean biology, it is essential to have accurate information regarding the expression of each of its protein-coding genes. Here, we present Tabula Glycine max, a soybean single-cell resolution transcriptome atlas. This atlas comprises single-nucleus RNA-sequencing data from ten different G. max organs and morphological structures constituting the entire soybean plant. These nuclei are grouped into 156 different clusters based on their transcriptomic profiles. The breadth of various organs, tissues and cell types represented in Tabula Glycine max reveals that the pattern of co-expressed transcription factor genes is sufficient to define most cell types based on their function and organ of origin. Defining cell-type-specific co-expressed transcription factor genes offers a new perspective to engineer cell-type-specific programmes and enhance the biology of unique soybean cell types. This cellular resolution and breadth make the Tabula Glycine max an exceptional resource for the plant and soybean communities.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2026

Genome-Wide Characterization of the ZIP Transporter Family in Sea Island Cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) and Expression Profiling Under Heavy Metal and Pathogen Stresses.

G. barbadense represents an indispensable germplasm resource for high-quality textile fiber and disease resistance; nevertheless, systematic information regarding its ZRT/IRT-like protein (ZIP) gene family remains limited. Here, a total of 46 GbZIP genes were identified across the G. barbadense genome. Comprehensive bioinformatic investigations revealed uneven chromosomal distribution and confirmed that segmental/whole-genome duplications, supplemented by localized tandem duplications, drove family expansion. Members clustered within the same phylogenetic clades shared conserved motif organization and gene architecture, while promoter regions harbored abundant cis-acting elements associated with phytohormone and stress signaling. Transcriptome profiling indicated distinct expression patterns across vegetative/reproductive tissues, fiber and ovule developmental stages, and diverse abiotic stress conditions (cold, hot, drought, and salt). Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) further validated that several GbZIP candidates exhibited temporal expression variations upon exposure to cadmium toxicity, V. dahliae infection, and combined Cd-V. dahliae stress. Specifically, GbZIP13, GbZIP18, GbZIP27, and GbZIP36 displayed prominent broad-spectrum responses to all three stress conditions, whereas GbZIP16, GbZIP29, and GbZIP30 showed stress-specific regulatory divergence. Overall, this study aims to systematically analyze the evolutionary characteristics and expression patterns of the GbZIP family, and to specifically evaluate the response differences under Cd stress, V. dahliae stress, and combined stress, in order to identify potential key candidate genes.

Gossypium barbadense↗

PubMed2026

Exploring the Potential Molecular Targets of Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treatment.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to elucidate the multi-target molecular mechanism of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) in treating Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) through network pharmacology methods. METHODS: The study was designed to predict the targets of C3G through public databases and to screen for T2DM-related targets. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed on the common targets. Core targets were further validated through molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. RESULTS: This research identified a total of 57 potential targets of C3G in the treatment of T2DM. Subsequent PPI analysis identified ALB (Degree=43), AKT1 (Degree=41), and TNF (Degree=41) as the top three hub proteins. Pathway analysis indicated significant involvement in the insulin signaling pathway (P = 4.205×10-9), AMPK signaling pathway (P = 9.582×10-7), and FoxO signaling pathway (P = 1.315×10-6). Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities between C3G and NOS3 (-9.5 kcal/mol), PPARG (-9.0 kcal/mol), TNF (-8.5 kcal/mol), and INSR (-8.4 kcal/mol). MD simulations further confirmed that the C3G-target complex has excellent binding stability. DISCUSSION: C3G may intervene in the pathological progression of T2DM by regulating key pathways such as insulin sensitivity, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress. Further studies suggest that INSR and NOS3 may be new targets through which C3G exerts its effects, but their specific mechanisms and in vivo biological functions still need to be elucidated by subsequent experiments. CONCLUSION: C3G may intervene in the progression of T2DM in a multi-pathway synergistic manner by targeting key molecules such as INSR and NOS3.

Anthocyanins↗