Biology subjects

Goncalves, L. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Goncalves, L. M..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Evolutionary and functional diversification of cork oak NLRs reveals RNL expansion and dual roles in biotic and abiotic stress

The Nucleotide-Binding Domain Leucine-Rich Repeat (NLR) gene family is a central component of plant immune systems, yet its diversity and evolutionary dynamics remain poorly characterized in long-lived tree species. Here, we performed a genome-wide analysis of the NLR gene family in Quercus suber (cork oak) using InterNLR, a new annotation tool, and explored their expression regulation in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. A total of 918 NLR and NLR-like genes were identified, encompassing both canonical and non-canonical members. Phylogenetic analyses based on the NB-ARC domain highlighted the distinct evolutionary trajectory of RNL proteins, which function as helper NLRs and show evidence of clade-specific gene duplication. Transcriptomic analyses revealed pronounced tissue-specific expression patterns, with RNLs exhibiting significantly elevated expression in xylem, suggesting a specialized role in this tissue. Under drought stress, seven NLR genes were differentially expressed and shared orthology with known abiotic stress-responsive genes. Notably, a CNL gene (LOC111996439) responded to both biotic and abiotic stresses, indicating a potential role as an integrative regulator of early defence responses, while an ADR1 orthologue (LOC112022539) suggests molecular crosstalk between stress signaling pathways. Population genetic analyses further revealed signatures of both positive and balancing selection acting on NLR genes. Together, these results provide new insights into the evolution, expression, and functional diversification of NLRs in cork oak. This work advances our understanding of immune gene architecture in an ecologically and economically important forest tree species.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Pericyte control of pancreatic islet blood flow impacts glucose homeostasis

The pancreatic islet depends on blood supply to efficiently sense plasma glucose levels and deliver insulin and glucagon into the circulation. Long thought to be passive conduits of nutrients and hormones, islet capillaries were recently found to be densely covered with contractile pericytes, suggesting local control of blood flow. Here we determined the contribution of islet pericytes to the regulation of islet blood flow, plasma insulin and glucagon levels, and glycemia. Selective optogenetic activation of pericytes in intraocular islet grafts contracted capillaries and diminished blood flow. In awake mice, acute clamping of islet blood flow by optogenetic or pharmacological activation of pericytes disrupted hormonal responses, glycemia, and glucose tolerance. Our findings indicate that pericytes mediate vascular responses in the islet that are required for adequate hormone secretion and glucose homeostasis. Vascular deficiencies commonly seen in the islets of people with type 2 diabetes may impair regulation of islet blood flow and thus precipitate islet dysfunction.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Evidence of post-domestication hybridization and adaptive introgression in Western European grapevine varieties

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most significant crops in the world. Todays richness in grapevine diversity results from a complex domestication history over multiple historical periods. Here, we employed whole genome resequencing to elucidate different aspects of the recent evolutionary history of this crop. Our results support a model in which a central domestication event in grapevine was followed by post-domestication hybridization with local wild genotypes, leading to the presence of an introgression signature in modern wine varieties across Western Europe. The strongest signal was associated with a subset of Iberian grapevine varieties, which show large introgression tracts. We targeted this study group for further analysis, demonstrating how regions under selection in wild populations from the Iberian Peninsula were preferentially passed on to the cultivated varieties by geneflow. Examination of underlying genes suggests that environmental adaptation played a fundamental role in both the evolution of wild genotypes and the outcome of hybridization with cultivated varieties, supporting a case of adaptive introgression in grapevine.

plant biology↗