Biology subjects

Huang, Y.

Publications and source records attributed to Huang, Y..

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

The Disruption and Normalization of Cortical Language Network Dynamics After Post-Stroke White Matter Disconnection

The human language network undergoes reorganization across different spatiotemporal scales, limited by its fixed structural neurobiological foundations. Although stroke often damages white matter, its effect on temporary language network reorganization is not fully understood. This study examined longitudinal behavioral and resting-state fMRI data from post-stroke patients with exclusive subcortical lesions at three time points: two weeks (n = 38), three months (n = 29), and one year (n = 27). Patients showed mild to moderate language impairments during the acute phase, which improved within three months. The extent of disconnection in several left-hemispheric white matter tracts was negatively associated with language deficits. Healthy controls (HC, n = 25) exhibited domain-segregation dynamics in the cortical language network, limited by the underlying white matter pathways. In patients, severe, state- and track-specific network disruptions were observed in the acute phase, characterized by hypo- and hyper-connectivity and abnormal topological features. As language recovery progressed, connectivity patterns began to return to normal, resembling those of HC, and the domain-segregation dynamics reappeared. These results deepen our understanding of structure-function coupling and indicate significant post-lesional plasticity within the cortical language network.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

A continuum of information-based temporal stability measures and their decomposition across hierarchical levels

When biodiversity-stability relationships are assessed from temporal patterns of species (or species assemblages) biomass or other key variables, ecological stability is commonly quantified as the inverse of the coefficient of variation (CV) or its square. However, just as biodiversity cannot be fully characterized by a single value, the complexity of temporal stability/invariability cannot be completely captured by one metric, especially since CV is disproportionally sensitive to large data values. Ecologists now recognize that species diversity can be fully characterized by a continuum of Hill-number-based measures parametrized by a diversity order q[≥]0, which determines the sensitivity of the measure to species abundance. Building on the intuitive concept that temporal stability can be quantified by the closeness between the data vector and the ideally maximally stable vector, we propose a continuum of information-based measures of temporal stability/invariability parameterized by an order q>0. This continuous parameter q determines the sensitivity of the measure to the magnitude of biomass or other ecosystem functions. By varying q, researchers can differentially weight small, medium, or large values in a time series, thereby disentangling their respective contributions to stability. Our framework unifies and generalizes classical measures: the case q=1 links to Shannon entropy, reflecting MacArthurs 1955 stability concept; q=2 connects to the conventional CV-based measure. Unlike these traditional metrics, our approach explicitly accounts for the number of data values (i.e., time points), adjusting for time-series-length effects to enable fair and meaningful comparisons across datasets of varying lengths. We extend the framework to hierarchical structures by developing additive and multiplicative decompositions of stability in a metacommunity (or metapopulation) into alpha and beta components. The beta component can be further used to obtain measures that quantify (a)synchrony among communities (or populations). For q=2, the resulting (a)synchrony measure provides a mathematically rigorous, CV-based metric. The proposed measures are illustrated using 22-year biomass time series data from the Jena Experiment in Germany. We developed the R package iSTAY (information-based stability measures) and online tools for computation and visualization. Our measures are adaptable to other functions beyond biomass and are applicable in both temporal and spatial contexts. Open Research StatementThe original biomass data of the Jena Experiment, covering the years 2003 to 2023, can be retrieved from https://jexis.idiv.de/ddm/Data/ShowData/624, while the 2024 data are available at https://jexis.idiv.de/ddm/Data/ShowData/695. These datasets, along with the R code used in this study, are currently accessible on Github at https://github.com/AnneChao/MS_iSTAY for review purposes and will be archived on Zenodo upon journal acceptance.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Dynamic connectivities of plant metacommunities at a millennial time-scale: the Beringia testbed

Ecological connectivity shapes ecosystem responses to climate change and is thought to underpin stability, yet its millennial-scale dynamics remain poorly resolved. We asked how spatial and temporal connectivity of plant metacommunities changed over the last 40 ka and which processes drove it. We analysed and compiled plant sedimentary DNA from 20 lake cores across Beringia (Siberia, Alaska) to investigate community dynamics and, for a high-resolution subset, applied beta- and zeta-diversity to track connectivity. Vegetation changed coherently across the glacial-Holocene transition, with trait shifts mirroring functional composition. Connectivity peaked during the late MIS3 and Last Glacial Maximum--likely aided by the Bering Land Bridge, mass effects and facilitation--collapsed during the Deglacial with rapid turnover, and rebounded in the Holocene as shrub and boreal communities expanded. Temporal zeta within sites exceeded spatial zeta, indicating strong local persistence and resilience. Tundra sites uninvaded by forest maintained continuous species pools. Overall, these patterns underscore the value of a metacommunity perspective for assessing millennial-scale connectivity changes.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

OpenFISH enables integrated high-resolution spatial transcriptomics and metabolomics on a single tissue section

Spatial transcriptomics enables in situ mapping of gene expression, yet no current platform provides single-cell, same-section integration with metabolomics, limiting direct links between transcriptional programsand metabolic phenotypesin native tissue. We present OpenFISH, a rapid, imaging-based spatial transcriptomics method operable on standard microscopes, requiring no proprietary hardware, and fully compatible with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI). OpenFISH resolves hundreds of transcripts at subcellular resolution within 24 h and can be performed after MALDI-MSI, preserving metabolite distributions for cell-accurate co-registration on the same section. In mouse brain, integration with MALDI-MSI resolved metabolic heterogeneity at the level of individual cells. OpenFISH also quantified cell type-specific transcriptional activation of transposable elements after systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge and detected disrupted spatial organization of D1 striatal neurons in Reeler mutants. Benchmarking showed performance comparable to or exceeding commercial platforms at [~]0.5% of per-sample cost. By enabling same-section, near-single-cell co-mapping of transcripts and metabolites in an accessible workflow, OpenFISH provides a scalable framework for high-content spatial multi-omics across neuroscience, immunology, cancer biology, and beyond.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Pathology-Specific Modulation of Corticostriatal Circuitry by Chronic Alcohol Consumption in Alzheimers Disease Mouse Models

Chronic alcohol use is a major modifiable risk factor for Alzheimers disease (AD), yet the mechanisms by which it modulates AD pathophysiology remain unclear. Here, we examined circuit-level and pathological changes in two distinct AD mouse models, humanized A{beta} knock-in (hAPP-KI) (A{beta}-driven) and PS19 (tau-driven), subjected to a chronic intermittent alcohol exposure paradigm. In hAPP-KI mice, alcohol increased A{beta} accumulation and excitatory transmission in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) while reducing corticostriatal transmission and striatal cholinergic output. These alterations were accompanied by enhanced recruitment of microglia around A{beta} plaques. In contrast, alcohol-exposed PS19 mice displayed elevated mPFC-to-dorsomedial striatum (DMS) glutamatergic transmission and increased tau phosphorylation without significant changes in microglial activation or local mPFC excitatory drive. In wild-type mice, microglial depletion enhanced glutamatergic transmission onto cortical neurons, suggesting a homeostatic role for microglia in maintaining excitatory balance. Together, these findings reveal pathology-specific effects of alcohol on circuit dysfunction and propose microglia as an important modulator of alcohol-induced synaptic remodeling in the early stage of AD. HighlightsO_LIChronic alcohol exposure modulates glutamatergic transmission and neuroimmune responses in pathology-specific manners across A{beta}- and tau-driven Alzheimers disease mouse models. C_LIO_LIIn hAPP-KI mice, alcohol increases mPFC excitatory input, A{beta} plaque burden, and microglial activation, while impairing corticostriatal transmission and striatal cholinergic signaling. C_LIO_LIIn PS19 mice, alcohol enhances mPFC-to-striatum excitatory transmission and tau phosphorylation without altering local microglial activation or mPFC excitability. C_LIO_LIMicroglial depletion in wild-type mice recapitulates alcohol-induced glutamatergic changes in hAPP-KI mice, revealing a homeostatic role for microglia in regulating cortical excitatory balance. C_LI

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Angptl5 restricts primitive hematopoiesis by modulating retinoic acid signaling in zebrafish

Homeostasis is essential for hematopoiesis, and its dysregulation can lead to severe pathological conditions. Retinoic acid (RA) is a key regulator that exerts concentration-dependent effects on both embryonic and adult hematopoiesis. However, the mechanisms that modulate RA signaling in hematopoietic processes remain poorly understood. Using zebrafish as a model, we identified angiopoietin-like protein 5 (Angptl5) as a critical regulator of hematopoietic homeostasis. Loss of Angptl5 function resulted in myeloid hyperplasia in the anterior lateral plate mesoderm (ALPM) and anterior expansion of erythroid progenitors in the posterior lateral plate mesoderm (PLPM)-- phenotypes consistent with attenuated RA signaling. Molecular analyses confirmed impaired RA signaling in angptl5{Delta}10/{Delta}10 mutants, and exogenous RA supplementation fully rescued the hematopoietic defects. Mechanistically, we found that Angptl5 transcriptionally activates retinol dehydrogenase dhrs9 through its interaction with Integrin 6l{beta}5. Our findings establish Angptl5 as a novel and essential regulator of embryonic hematopoiesis and reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism controlling hematopoietic homeostasis. These insights position Angptl5 as a potential therapeutic target for hematological disorders.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Helicobacter pylori genome aggregation database reveals complex evolutionary forces shaping its genomic landscape and clinical impact in East Asia

We assembled HPgnomAD, a comprehensive global genome aggregation database of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) featuring 7,544 high-quality genomes from 278 populations, along with the first species-wide haplotype reference panel for genotype imputation. The panel provides high accuracy across diverse H. pylori populations, including those from low-coverage data, and is openly accessible with integrated analysis tools (https://www.hpgnomad.top/). Variant discovery revealed 1.82 million SNPs and 0.65 million InDels, with African strains exhibiting the most tremendous diversity and East Asian strains showing unexpectedly high novel variation. Fine-scale analysis of the hpEAsia lineage revealed six new sublineages shaped by altitude-, latitude-related divergence and region-specific admixture. Phylogenomic dating revealed two divergence waves in East Asia, paralleling Upper Paleolithic settlement and Neolithic human expansions, with highland-lowland separation at [~]18.8 kya, followed by the formation of complex geography-related population substructures. Genome-wide scans revealed adaptive loci related to metal acquisition, nitrogen metabolism, surface adhesion, and membrane transport, including altitude-associated highly differentiated variants linked to antibiotic resistance and gastric disease. By integrating genomic, evolutionary, environmental, and clinical data, HPgnomAD offers a framework for understanding H. pylori evolution, host-pathogen adaptation, and precision medicine worldwide.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2025

A handheld microfluidic manifold for massively multiplexed CRISPR-based nucleic acid detection

Multiplexed methods for nucleic acid detection are immensely challenging to deploy outside of laboratory settings. Conversely, field-deployable methods are limited to low levels of multiplexing. Here, we introduce Scalable On-site Nucleic Acid Testing Architecture (SONATA), enabling >100-chamber reaction partitioning for multiplexed nucleic acid amplification and detection with a portable microfluidic manifold. The manifold directs a diluted sample into individual reaction chambers, each of which contains lyophilized reagents and a small stir bar or bead for mixing. Samples can be loaded using a syringe by hand, greatly simplifying the testing process. We demonstrate the integration of the platform with Streamlined Highlighting of Infections to Navigate Epidemics (SHINE), a sensitive and deployable CRISPR-based detection technology. We show that deployed with SONATA, SHINE retains its sensitivity, enabling highly multiplexed pathogen detection in [≤] 1 hour. In addition, we demonstrate the detection of single-nucleotide variants, including mutations associated with drug susceptibility.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2025

Serotonin shapes the temporal window for associative fear learning

Fear learning is a critical adaptive mechanism that enables the association of an environmental cue (the conditioned stimulus, CS) with a potential threat (the unconditioned stimulus, US), even when these events are temporally discontiguous. When associations are instead formed between unrelated cues and threats, the maladaptive learning process can give rise to neurological disorders. Therefore, maintaining accurate temporal boundaries for forming such associations is crucial for distinguishing real threats from irrelevant stimuli. Despite its importance, the mechanisms defining this precise time window remain poorly understood. Here, we report that serotonin plays a crucial role in modulating the associable interval in trace fear conditioning. Specifically, we show that serotonergic projections from the dorsal raphe nuclei (DRN) to the CA1 region of the ventral hippocampus (vCA1) dynamically regulate the association of discontiguous CS and US. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that sustained serotonin release in the vCA1 maintains the ensemble activity of 5-HT2C receptor-expressing pyramidal neurons, facilitating the association between temporally separated events. In contrast, when the trace interval exceeds the associable window, transient serotonin release fails to drive vCA1 neuronal ensemble activity, thus preventing maladaptive learning. These findings highlight a key role for serotonin in regulating the temporal precision of fear learning and reveal the DRN-vCA1 serotonergic pathway as a potential therapeutic target for related disorders.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Reengineering the antigen optimization process for superior neoantigen vaccine design

Identifying effective neoantigen sequences is essential for enhancing anti-tumor immunity. However, the vast sequence space (>109 possible peptides) and limited accuracy of existing immunogenicity predictors hinder efficient vaccine design for patient-specific human leukocyte antigens (HLAs). We present AlphaVacc, a deep reinforcement learning framework that integrates Monte Carlo Tree Search with a Transformer-based network to optimize antigenic peptides. AlphaVacc outperforms previous generative models in binding-affinity prediction. Experimental validation of 12 AlphaVacc-generated variants of the BING-4 peptide confirmed that 11 showed increased HLA-A*02:01 binding and 7 elicited significant T cell responses. Further testing of 16 single-mutation peptides confirmed computational predictions for 15 candidates, exhibiting a remarkable success rate. AlphaVacc thus provides a powerful tool for designing neoantigen-based cancer vaccines and may accelerate personalized immunotherapies.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2025

Efficient spatial gene expression profiling using split-probe ligation and rolling circle amplification

Spatial transcriptomics has transformed our understanding of gene regulation by enabling high-resolution mapping of RNA molecules within their native cellular and tissue environments. This is typically accomplished by capturing or imaging RNA in situ, thereby preserving spatial context. Here, we introduce an in situ RNA imaging method based on split-probe ligation and rolling circle amplification (RCA) for profiling spatial gene expression. In this approach, split-probes hybridize to adjacent regions of a target RNA fragment and are then enzymatically ligated to form circular DNA templates, which are subsequently amplified via RCA to boost signal. We demonstrate that this method enables robust in situ RNA detection and genotyping in both tissue sections and whole-mount tissue samples. By coupling this technique with in situ sequencing, we mapped the spatial expression patterns of 82 genes in the kidneys of healthy and diabetic male and female mice. This analysis revealed distinct localization of Aqp4 in proximal tubules and principal cells of the collecting ducts, and uncovered sex-specific transcriptomic alterations in diabetic kidneys with spatial resolution. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=80 SRC="FIGDIR/small/668044v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (44K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c8efaborg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1eef010org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d2bbd7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@2a482b_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2025

A high-quality bread wheat genome unravels adaptive evolution of wheat end-use quality

Understanding the genetics of superior dough performance is essential for improving wheat end-use quality. Here, we presented a de novo assembly of the genome of JM44, a Chinese wheat cultivar known for its exceptional end-use quality. The JM44 genome achieved reference-level quality (QV = 66.74), depicting a complete picture of complex regions containing gluten genes. Our microsynteny analysis across the Triticum-Aegilops complex showed that high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) loci are highly conserved, while low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GSs) and -/{beta}-gliadins exhibited greater structural variation. These variable loci appear to have been preferentially selected by humans and contributed substantially to the evolution of wheat quality traits. Moreover, we observed that epistatic interactions between gluten genes are strong in modern cultivars, but markedly weaker in landraces, indicating the importance of epistatic selection during modern breeding. Our findings shed light on the genomics and evolution of wheat quality traits, providing valuable guidance for future breeding efforts.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

From Black Box to Biological Insight: AttentioFuse Unlocks Multi-Omics Dynamics in Lung Cancer

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC), the major subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), exhibit distinct molecular landscapes that demand precision in prognosis and therapy. While deep learning models achieve high predictive accuracy, their "black-box" nature limits clinical translation. To address this, we propose AttentioFuse, an interpretable deep learning framework employing a Reactome-guided mid-fusion strategy for multi-omics integration. AttentioFuse innovates through three pillars: (1) dual-phase learning to preserve omics-specific patterns via independent sub-networks, (2) hierarchical attention mechanisms (cross-omics, feature-level, and fusion-layer) to dynamically quantify layer contributions, and (3) integrated explainability combining DeepSHAP and global attention weights for gene-to-pathway interpretation. Evaluated on TCGA LUAD/LUSC cohorts, AttentioFuse matches state-of-the-art performance in TNM staging, while uncovering actionable biological insights. The framework validates pan-NSCLC mechanisms like AKT/mTOR metabolic control and histology-divergent Notch signaling roles, while revealing novel pathways--developmental reactivation (T-stage), microbiota-driven metastasis (M-stage), and ECM remodeling--providing testable hypotheses for progression and personalized therapy. Crucially, AttentioFuse bridges computational predictions to clinical practice by proposing molecularly-guided combination therapies. This paradigm shifts toward interpretable-aware AI advances oncology by transforming black-box predictions into biologically grounded decision-support tools.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2025

Remodeling of the immune-metabolic landscape triggered by long-term high-altitude exposure

Growing evidence indicates that immunological and metabolic outcomes are key mediators of long-term high-altitude exposure (LTHAE) adaption, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study employs plasma metabolomics and peripheral blood single-cell transcriptomic sequencing to analyze the metabolic and immune dynamic regulation in 46 young male lowlanders following a 90-day adaptation period at high altitude. Single-cell analysis shows a pattern of "innate immune activation and adaptive immune suppression" under LTHAE, characterized by facilitated maturation of neutrophils, enhanced cytotoxicity of CD56dim NK cells, and increased immune responsiveness of cDC2 and pDC, while inhibited maturation of plasmablasts and suppressed immune responsiveness of CD8{square}TEM and CD4+ T cells. Plasma metabolic analysis reveals significant alterations, involving enhanced steroid hormone synthesis, unsaturated fatty acid and amino acid metabolism under LTHAE, which in turn are associated with immune remodeling. Moreover, transcriptomic-metabolic integration analysis indicates the molecular mechanisms of enhanced aerobic oxidation efficiency under LTHAE. Collectively, these findings provide integrated insights into immune-metabolic landscape remodeling and suggest potential mutual regulatory relationship between immune and metabolic state following LTHAE, offering a molecular foundation for high-altitude adaptation research.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

NTM-DB: A Comprehensive Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria Genomic Database

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a major group of environmental bacteria, with approximately one-third of them causing serious human infections, particularly respiratory diseases. The global rise in the prevalence and severity of NTM infections has posed a major public health challenge. While high-throughput sequencing has generated vast genomic data on NTM, there remains a lack of comprehensive resources for cross-species genomic analysis. To address these limitations, we have developed a specialized database called NTM-DB (https://ngdc.cncb.ac.cn/ntmdb) tailored for NTM researchers and clinicians. NTM-DB offers the most comprehensive collection of NTM genomic and bioinformatic resources, including 16,469 genome assemblies (13,134 newly assembled genomes), 189 type/standard strain genomes representing 177 species and 12 subspecies, 705 MLST types, 33,240 resistance genes, and 74,315 virulence genes. A user-friendly interactive website has been constructed to enable efficient browsing, MLST profiling, searching, online analysis, and downloading of the aforementioned data. Notably, with online analysis tools, users can perform customized genotyping, cross-species phylogeny, pan-genome, and virulence and drug resistance gene annotation analyses using our data and/or their uploaded data. Overall, with its comprehensive data, intuitive interface, and powerful analysis tools, NTM-DB serves as an important resource and reference for NTM researchers and clinicians, improving diagnosis and treatment for various NTM-related diseases, and supporting both scientific discovery and clinical practice.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Dual-Mode Microfluidic Immunostaining (Dumi) Device for Diagnostic Biomarkers Detection and Tumor Microenvironment Evaluation

The limited availability of tissue samples from rare tumors poses a major barrier to advances in precise diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, and therapeutic research--challenges exemplified by primary central nervous system diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PCNS-DLBCL). However, both immunohistochemical (IHC) subtyping and preliminary studies of the tumor microenvironment (TME) using multiplex immunolabeling rely on conventional staining workflows that consume numerous serial sections per case, leading to irreversible depletion of precious samples from rare tumors. Here, we developed a dual-mode microfluidic immunostaining (Dumi) device, which integrates diagnostic and research workflows into a single, automated platform. Clinical validation shows that > 90% reduction in section usage, complete detection of subtyping diagnostic biomarkers on just 1-2 slides, and displays the TME maps incorporating six immune markers for analysis research. This microfluidic innovative offers an efficient, cost-effective, and multifunctional alternative immunostaining methods, overcoming the limitations of scarce tissue resources and providing a clinically accessible solution to the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges with rare tumors. TeaserDumi device enables multiplex IHC & TME mapping on 1-2 slides, reducing tissue use by >90% for rare tumors like PCNS-DLBCL.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2025

Inconsistent short-term effects of enhanced structural complexity on soil microbial properties across German forests

Structural and biotic homogenization can result from forestry practices that lack promotion of canopy gaps and deadwood. This can lead to biodiversity loss and impaired ecosystem functions. Enhancing structural complexity (ESC) has been proposed to counteract these effects, but its impact on soil properties remains insufficiently understood. Overall, we hypothesize that ESC enhances soil abiotic properties, their spatial variability, and microbial functioning, with effects modulated by environmental context and increasing over time. Data were collected from 148 patches (50 x 50 m) in eight beech forests across Germany. In half of the patches, structural complexity was enhanced by felling 30% of the basal area of living trees through two spatial patterns--aggregated (one large gap) and distributed (small gaps)--combined with leaving or removing deadwood (stumps, logs, and snags). The other half served as controls, representing typically managed, homogeneous production forests. Soil C:N, C%, and N% increased near deadwood. Soil microbial biomass and activity were significantly affected in three of eight forest sites, with effects ranging from -30% to +62%. Higher soil water content was associated with increased microbial biomass, and greater understorey biomass correlated with a lower microbial respiratory quotient. No temporal trends were observed over five years. Although soil properties showed resistance to structural interventions, site-specific effects underline the importance of soil moisture and the understorey vegetation for microbial functioning. Further research building on our results is needed to develop practical forest management strategies to clarify how structural complexity may support soil functioning and ecosystem resilience. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=127 SRC="FIGDIR/small/664741v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (53K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@10790f2org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1bd2f95org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@17eed6dorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@15a049_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG Highlights- Deadwood addition increases soil C%, N%, and the soil C:N ratio - Enhanced structural complexity alters soil microbial properties in site-specific ways - Soil water content changes are linked to shifts in microbial biomass - Understorey biomass changes are linked to shifts in the respiratory quotient

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Hybrid yak-cattle in situ conservation via interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer at ultra-high-altitude region

Pien-niu, the hybrid offspring of yak (Bos grunniens) and domestic cattle (Bos taurus), possess exceptional adaptability to ultra-high-altitude environments of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. In situ conservation is of special significance for ultra-high-altitude region because the offsprings need to possess the ability to adapt to the unique environment. The present study was to clone Pien-niu in Xizang via interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) to practice in situ conservation of large animal at ultra-high-altitude region. Ear fibroblast cells were isolated from Pien-niu at Qushui Experimental Station (3650m above sea level), an animal live conservation farm at Xizang, and used as iSCNT donor cells. The iSCNT blastocysts were transferred into the oviduct of surrogate Pien-niu which are maintained at Qushui Experimental Station. A live cloned Pien-niu calf was born on May 12, 2025 and keeps healthy till now. Results of short tandem repeat analysis revealed that the microsatellite loci of cloned calf were completely matched with that of donor fibroblast cells. The successful cloning of Pien-niu can provide a paradigm for in situ germplasm conservation via iSCNT at ultra-high-altitude region.

zoology↗