Biology subjects

Luo, D.

Publications and source records attributed to Luo, D..

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

RNA Architecture Underlies Discontinuous Transcription and Evolution of Coronavirus

Coronaviruses employ discontinuous transcription to produce canonical subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs) essential for gene expression, as well as non-canonical sgRNAs with unclear function. Nevertheless, the mechanisms regulating the balance between canonical and non-canonical sgRNAs throughout the viral replication cycle remain unknown. We conducted an integrated analysis on 234 transcriptome and 12 RNA-RNA interactome samples across various coronavirus genera. RNA-RNA interactions were identified between TRS-B and TRS-L flanking regions in the same genomic direction, correlating with the formation of canonical junctions. Non-canonical junctions frequently span short or long genomic distance, with short-range junctions generally mediated by reverse complementary stem-loops and coinciding with genomic deletion regions. Conserved long-range non-canonical sgRNAs were identified across different coronaviruses, and these sgRNAs harbor ORF10 or an evolving gene to suppress antiviral innate immune responses. This work establishes a structural framework that enables an understanding of the regulatory mechanism behind discontinuous transcription and the evolutionary pathway of coronaviruses. TeaserDeciphering coronavirus transcription and evolution: an integration analysis of transcriptome and RNA-RNA interactome. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=165 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/642953v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (45K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1c58502org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@9f87d7org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18f3492org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c49362_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Fluence rate-dependent kinetics of light-triggered liposomal doxorubicin assessed by quantitative fluorescence-based endoscopic probe

Liposomal doxorubicin (Dox), a treatment option for recurrent ovarian cancer, often suffers from suboptimal biodistribution and efficacy, which might be addressed with precision drug delivery systems. Here, we introduce a catheter-based endoscopic probe designed for multispectral, quantitative monitoring of light-triggered drug release. This tool utilizes red-light photosensitive porphyrin-phospholipid (PoP), which is encapsulated in liposome bilayers to enhance targeted drug delivery. By integrating diffuse reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopy, our approach not only corrects the effects of tissue optical properties but also ensures accurate drug delivery to deep-seated tumors. Pre-liminary results validate the probe effectiveness in controlled settings, highlighting its potential for future clinical adaptation. This study sets the stage for in vivo applications, enabling the exploration of next-generation treatment paradigms for the management of cancer by optimizing chemotherapy administration with precision and control.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2024

ApoDock: Ligand-Conditioned Sidechain Packing for Flexible Molecular Docking

Molecular docking is a crucial technique for elucidating protein-ligand interactions. Machine learning-based docking methods offer promising advantages over traditional approaches, with significant potential for further development. However, many current machine learning-based methods face challenges in ensuring the physical plausibility of generated docking poses. Additionally, accommodating protein flexibility remains difficult for existing methods, limiting their effectiveness in real-world scenarios. Diffusion based models has already show a good solution of those problems, such as Alphafold3(AF3). Herein, we present ApoDock, a modular docking paradigm that combines machine learning-driven conditional sidechain packing based on protein backbone and ligand information with traditional sampling methods to ensure physically realistic poses. With accurate sidechain packing and physical based pose sampling, ApoDock demonstrates competitive performance across diverse applications, highlighting its potential as a valuable tool for protein-ligand binding studies and related applications.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2024

Wnt specifically induces FZD5/8 endocytosis and degradation and the involvement of RSPO-ZNRF3/RNF43 and DVL

Frizzled (FZD) proteins are the principal receptors of the Wnt signaling pathway. However, whether Wnt ligands induce FZD endocytosis and degradation remains elusive. The transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligases ZNRF3 and RNF43 were reported to promote the endocytosis and degradation of FZD receptors to inhibit Wnt signaling, and their function is antagonized by R-spondin (RSPO) proteins. However, the dependency of RSPO-ZNRF3/RNF43-mediated FZD endocytosis and degradation on Wnt stimulation, as well as the specificity of this degradation for different FZD, remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that Wnt induces FZD5/8 endocytosis and degradation in a ZNRF3/RNF43-dependent manner. ZNRF3/RNF43 selectively targets FZD5/8 for degradation upon Wnt stimulation. RSPO1 enhances Wnt signaling by specifically stabilizing FZD5/8. Wnt promotes the interaction between FZD5 and RNF43. We further demonstrated that DVL proteins promote ligand-independent endocytosis of FZD but are dispensable for Wnt-induced FZD5/8 endocytosis and degradation. Our results reveal a novel negative regulatory mechanism of Wnt signaling at the receptor level and illuminate the mechanism by which RSPO-ZNRF3/RNF43 regulates Wnt signaling, which may provide new insights into regenerative medicine and cancer therapy.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2024

ConoDL: A Deep Learning Framework for Rapid Generation and Prediction of Conotoxins

Conotoxins, being small disulfide-rich and bioactive peptides, manifest notable pharmacological potential and find extensive applications. However, the exploration of conotoxins vast molecular space using traditional methods is severely limited, necessitating the urgent need of developing novel approaches. Recently, deep learning (DL)-based methods have advanced to the molecular generation of proteins and peptides. Nevertheless, the limited data and the intricate structure of conotoxins constrain the application of deep learning models in the generation of conotoxins. We propose ConoDL, a framework for the generation and prediction of conotoxins, comprising the end-to-end conotoxin generation model (ConoGen) and the conotoxin prediction model (ConoPred). ConoGen employs transfer learning and a large language model (LLM) to tackle the challenges in conotoxin generation. Meanwhile, ConoPred filters artificial conotoxins generated by ConoGen, narrowing down the scope for subsequent research. A comprehensive evaluation of the peptide properties at both sequence and structure levels indicates that the artificial conotoxins generated by ConoDL exhibit a certain degree of similarity to natural conotoxins. Furthermore, ConoDL has generated artificial conotoxins with novel cysteine scaffolds. Therefore, ConoDL may uncover new cysteine scaffolds and conotoxin molecules, facilitating further exploration of the molecular space of conotoxins and the discovery of pharmacologically active variants. The code is available at https://github.com/xueww/ConoDL.The supplementary material and model are available at https://zenodo.org/records/10679280.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2024

Mitigating Cellular Dysfunction by Addressing Contaminants in Synthetic circRNA

Synthetic circular RNA (circRNA) shows great potential in biomedical research and therapies, but impurities introduced during its synthesis can undermine circRNA efficacy. This study investigated the immunogenic potential of byproducts generated during its production. We found that trace amounts of double-stranded RNA in high molecular weight impurities, 5 triphosphates of uncircularized RNA or small intron fragments, and hydrolyzed RNA fragments significantly impact the functionality of circRNA by activating innate immune responses through the sensory molecules involved in RNA sensing. To address this, we developed a novel multi-step purification process that employs enzymatic treatments and cellulose-based filtration to selectively remove these detrimental contaminants. This tailored approach minimizes cellular immune reactions and substantially improves circRNA yields with up to more than 10 times increase. Our findings underscore the critical impact of precise contaminant management in enhancing the expression and potential therapeutic utility of circRNA. This suggests a new direction for optimizing their production for both research and clinical applications.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2024

Deciphering the Cell Specific Transcript Heterogeneity and Alternative Splicing during the Early Embryonic Development of Zebrafish

Cell fate determination during early embryonic development is a complex process modulated by gene expression. The intricate interplay of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation is integral to the developmental trajectory of embryogenesis, yet how RNA processing may contribute to early development programming is largely elusive. Leveraging recent technological advances in single-molecule nanopore sequencing, we developed a single-cell long-read transcriptome sequencing technology, allowing a clear view of transcript diversity during zebrafish embryogenesis during pre- and post-zygotic genome activation (ZGA). A closer examination of the dynamic transcript usage and potential alternative splicing revealed that abundant stage-specific transcripts with differential coding potentials are involved in distinct biological functions. Specifically, we identified two cell populations at the onset of ZGA based on isoform diversity instead of gene profiling, which followed divergent developmental trajectories toward the ectoderm and the presumptive ectoderm. These two populations of cells were characterized by divergent splicing regulations linked to differential RNA-binding proteins, including SNRPA and SFPQ. Altogether, using the single-cell long-read transcriptome sequencing strategy, we work has revealed the cell-specific transcriptome dynamics contributing to the cell fate determination during embryogenesis.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Haplotype-resolved genome assembly of upland switchgrass provides insights into cold tolerance

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a bioenergy and forage crop. Upland switchgrass exhibits superior cold tolerance than lowland ecotype, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we presented a high-quality haplotype-resolved genome of the upland ecotype Jingji31 and conducted multi-omics analysis to understand its cold tolerance. The divergence between upland and lowland ecotypes of switchgrass occurred after the differentiation of the two subgenomes (K and N). Under cold stress, the K subgenome has more differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Transcriptome analysis revealed ecotype-specific differential expressions among members of the cold-responsive (COR) gene families. Specifically, certain members of the AFB1, ATL80, HOS10, and STRS2 gene families exhibited opposite expression changes between the two ecotypes, potentially contributing to their differential cold tolerance. By using haplotype-resolved genome, we identified more cold-induced allele-specific expressions (ASEs) in the upland ecotype, and these ASEs were significantly enriched in the COR gene families. Genome-wide association study detected an association signal on Chr3K related to overwintering rate, which overlapped with a selective sweep region and contained a cytochrome P450 (CYP450) gene highly expressed under cold stress. Heterologous overexpression of CYP450 in rice alleviated leaf wilting and improved cold tolerance. Our study provides a high-quality haplotype-resolved genome of upland switchgrass, to advance conceptual understanding of plant cold tolerance for breeding crops with enhanced cold adaptation.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2024

Exploiting functional regions in the viral RNA genome as druggable entities

RNA-targeting compounds or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) offer a potent means for controlling viral infections. An essential prerequisite to their design depends on identifying conserved and functional viral RNA structures in cells. Techniques that probe RNA structures in situ have been developed recently including SHAPE-MaP, which has been helpful in analyzing the secondary structures of RNA. In this study, we report on the application of SHAPE-MaP to the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhoea Virus (PEDV) RNA genome to categorize different functional regions including potential quadruplex forming sequence and target sites of siRNA. Our results show that these structures can be exploited to inhibit viral proliferation and that SHAPE-MaP is an effective method to the identification of secondary structures in RNA genomes.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2024

The AP2/ERF transcription factor HcERF5 confers drought tolerance via ABA-mediated signaling in kenaf

The APETALA2/ethylene response factor (AP2/ERFs) are pivotal in regulating abiotic stress responses in plants. However, the specific role of ERFs in kenafs response to drought stress remains unclear. In this study, a transcription factors HcERF5 was isolated from kenaf and its role in drought stress tolerance was analyzed. HcERF5 was found to localize in both nucleus and cytoplasm and could be significantly induced by polyethylene glycol-6000 (PEG-6000) and abscisic acid (ABA) in kenaf seedlings. In transgenic Arabidopsis expressing the HcERF5 promoter-driven {beta}-glucuronidase (GUS), strong GUS activity was observed in roots, stems, and leaves. Overexpression of HcERF5 in Arabidopsis enhanced seed germination rates under drought or ABA stress and improved drought tolerance in seedlings by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities, whereas aterf5 knockout lines exhibited the opposite trend. Additionally, HcERF5 overexpressing Arabidopsis showed significantly increased drought tolerance and reduced sensitivity to ABA. Furthermore, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of HcERF5 in kenaf reduced drought tolerance, as evidenced by decreased antioxidant enzyme activity, increased stomatal aperture, and elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and proline under drought stress. RNA-seq analysis further revealed that HcERF5 directly regulated ABA signaling pathway. Yeast-two-hybrid (Y2H) assays revealed 29 proteins that interact with HcERF5. Among them, the expression of downstream drought stress-related genes HcPRK, HcRD22, HcMAP2, HcCAB, HcCS, and HcCCoAOMT3 were significantly reduced in HcERF5-silenced plants. Overall, this study highlights the significant potential of HcERF5 in enhancing drought tolerance in kenaf. HighlightO_LIHcERF5 overexpression enhanced drought tolerance in kenaf, however silencing increased drought sensitivity. C_LIO_LIHcERF5 regulates ABA synthesis and increases kenaf stomatal conductance and density under drought stress. C_LIO_LIHcERF5 regulates plant hormone signal transduction, MAPK signalling, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in kenaf under drought stress. C_LIO_LIProtein interaction revealed HcERF5 interacts with six stress-response genes. C_LI

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Mapping the genetic landscape establishing a tumor immune microenvironment favorable for anti-PD-1 response in mice and humans

Identifying host genetic factors modulating immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy has been experimentally challenging because of variations in both host and tumor genomes, differences in the microbiome, and patient life exposures. Utilizing the Collaborative Cross (CC) multi-parent mouse genetic resource population, we developed an approach that fixes the tumor genomic configuration while varying host genetics. With this approach, we discovered that response to anti-PD-1 (aPD1) immunotherapy was significantly heritable in four distinct murine tumor models (H2 between 0.18-0.40). For the MC38 colorectal carcinoma system (H2 = 0.40), we mapped four significant ICI response quantitative trait loci (QTL) localized to mouse chromosomes (mChr) 5, 9, 15 and 17, and identified significant epistatic interactions between specific QTL pairs. Differentially expressed genes within these QTL were highly enriched for immune genes and pathways mediating allograft rejection and graft vs host disease. Using a cross species analytical approach, we found a core network of 48 genes within the four QTLs that showed significant prognostic value for overall survival in aPD1 treated human cohorts that outperformed all other existing validated immunotherapy biomarkers, especially in human tumors of the previously defined immune subtype 4. Functional blockade of two top candidate immune targets within the 48 gene network, GM-CSF and high affinity IL-2/IL-15 signaling, completely abrogated the MC38 tumor transcriptional response to aPD1 therapy in vivo. Thus, we have established a powerful cross species in vivo platform capable of uncovering host genetic factors that establish the tumor immune microenvironment configuration propitious for ICI response.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Synergically enhanced anti-tumor immunity of in vivo CAR by circRNA vaccine boosting

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has shown promise in treating hematologic malignancies. However, it is limited to individualized cell therapy and faces challenges, including high costs, extended preparation time, and limited efficacy against solid tumors. Here, we generated circular RNAs (circRNAs) encoding Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) transmembrane proteins, referred to as circRNACAR, which mediated remarkable tumor killing in both T cells and macrophages. In addition, macrophages exhibited efficient phagocytosis of tumor cells and pro-inflammatory polarization induced by circRNACAR in vitro. We demonstrated that circRNACAR, delivered with immunocyte-tropic lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), significantly inhibited tumor growth, improved survival rates and induced a pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment in mice. Importantly, the combination of circRNAAnti-HER2-CAR and circRNA-based cancer vaccines encoding the corresponding transmembrane HER2 antigen, termed circRNAHER2, exhibited synergistically enhanced anti-tumor activity. This proof-of-concept study demonstrated that the combination of circRNA-based in vivo CAR and vaccines, termed in vivo CAR-VAC, holds the potential to become an upgraded off-the-shelf immunotherapy.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2024

Biochemical characterization of extended-spectrum β-lactamases from Akkermansia genus

Akkermansia muciniphila, a member of the Verrucomicrobiota phylum, is recognized as a key gut microbe and has emerged as a potential next-generation probiotic. Assessment of antibiotic resistance in probiotics is a prerequisite for their therapeutic application, while very few is known in Akkermansia species. Firstly, we screened eight representative class A {beta}-lactamases (36.90%-41.30% identity with known {beta}-lactamases) from the Akkermansia species, which could increase the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Escherichia coli to{beta}-lactams. Secondly, four{beta}-lactamases were purified and identified as extended-spectrum {beta}-lactamase because they exhibited hydrolase activity against 19 {beta}-lactam antibiotics from penicillin, cephalosporins, and monobactam classes. Based on sequence alignment, three-dimensional structure, and binding pocket information, we hypothesized and validated that serine at 51 position was catalytic amino acid. Thirdly, the genomic context analysis revealed the absence of mobile genetic elements or other antibiotic resistance genes surrounding {beta}-lactamase genes, suggesting that the {beta}-lactamases from Akkermansia species may not be transferable. The finding and biochemical characterization of {beta}-lactamase from Akkermansia species provide a foundational basis for the safety evaluation of Akkermansia species as probiotics.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

"What" and "when" predictions jointly modulate speech processing

Adaptive behavior rests on forming predictions based on previous statistical regularities encountered in the environment. Such regularities pertain not only to the contents of the stimuli ("what") but also their timing ("when"), and both interactively modulate sensory processing. In speech streams, predictions can be formed at multiple hierarchical levels, both in terms of contents (e.g. single syllables vs. words) and timing (e.g., faster vs. slower time scales). Whether and how these hierarchies map onto each other in terms of integrating "what" and "when" predictions remains unknown. Under one hypothesis neural hierarchies may link "what" and "when" predictions within sensory processing areas: with lower cortical regions mediating interactions for smaller units e.g., syllables, and higher cortical areas mediating interactions for larger units e.g., words. Alternatively, interactions between "what" and "when" predictions might rest on a generic, sensory-independent mechanism, mediated by common attention-related (e.g., frontoparietal) networks. To address those questions, we manipulated "what" and "when" predictions at two levels - single syllables and disyllabic pseudowords - while recording neural activity using magnetoencephalography (MEG) in healthy volunteers (N=22). We studied how syllable and/or word deviants are modulated by "when" predictability, both analyzing event-related fields and using source reconstruction and dynamic causal modeling to explain the observed effects in terms of the underlying effective connectivity. "When" predictions modulated "what" mismatch responses in a specific way with regards to speech hierarchy, such that mismatch responses to deviant words (vs. syllables) were amplified by temporal predictions at a slower (vs. faster) time scale. However, these modulations were source-localized to a shared network of cortical regions, including frontal and parietal sources. Effective connectivity analysis showed that, while mismatch responses to violations of "what" predictions modulated connectivity between regions, the integration of "what" and "when" predictions selectively modulated connectivity within regions, consistent with gain effects. These results suggest that the brain integrates "what" and "when" predictions that are congruent with respect to their hierarchical level, but this integration is mediated by a shared and distributed cortical network. This contrasts with recent studies indicating separable networks for different levels of hierarchical speech processing.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

RNA-MobiSeq: Deep mutational scanning and mobility-based selection for RNA structure inference

Tertiary structures of RNAs are increasingly found to be essential for their functions and yet are notoriously challenging to be determined by experimental techniques or predicted by energy-based and AlphaFold2-like deep-learning-based computational methods. Here, we coupled deep mutational scanning with mobility-based selection to separate structurally stable from nonstable RNA variants. The subsequent high-throughput sequencing allows the detection of the covariational signals of key secondary and tertiary base pairs with significantly improved, RNA-specific, unsupervised analysis of covariation-induced deviation of activity (CODA2) and amplification of these signals by Monte-Carlo simulated annealing. The resulting base-pairing structures can serve as the restraints for final energy-based structure predictions. This MobiSeq technique was tested on four structurally different RNAs. The results show that the detection of tertiary base pairs by MobiSeq allows reasonably accurate prediction of RNA tertiary structures. The proposed method should be useful for structural inference and improved mechanistic understanding of all RNAs with detectable changes in mobility due to deleterious mutations.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Nonnative Fish in the Pearl River Delta: A Comprehensive Study on Their Salinity Adaptability and Potential Distribution Area in Brackish Water

After extensive aquaculture, urbanization, and industrial development, the Pearl River Delta (PRD) has undergone profound environmental changes, with biological invasion emerging as a consequential anthropogenic byproduct, carrying significant implications for natural ecosystems, human health, and the economy. Despite these transformations, our understanding of nonnative fish species and their adaptability to the dynamic environmental conditions within the intricate river network of the PRD remains incomplete. To address this, we conducted a systematic survey of nonnative fish species in PRD waters through literature reviews. Then we analyzed the salinity adaptation of these fish, coupled with a spatial examination of salinity distribution, to comprehensively understand the potential invasion mechanisms of exotic fish in the region. Our findings identified 25 nonnative fish species in PRD waters, with three being translocated species within China and the remaining 22 being exotic introductions. Phylogenetically, these fish are broadly distributed among several orders, with Cichliformes, Perciformes, Cypriniformes, and Siluriformes emerging as the predominant orders. Despite most of the nonnative fish being freshwater species and exhibiting species-specific differences in salinity adaptability, they generally demonstrated an average salinity tolerance of 23.74 ppt, allowing them to adjust to brackish water. The diversity of species declined as the relative distance decreased from the upstream of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) to its mouth in the sea (p < 0.01). Spatial analysis unveiled pronounced heterogeneity in salinity distribution, particularly in the east PRE of the LingDing Bay, featuring a sizable area with brackish water. Notably, under salinity intrusion circumstances, a gap region between salinity levels of 5.0 ppt and 15.0 ppt, spanning 3111.2 km2, emerged as a potential adaptation zone for nonnative fish. By emphasizing salinity as a key factor, our study may contribute to elucidating invasion mechanisms and enhancing the assessment of invasion risks in estuarine environments.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

Dispersal and evolution of the invasive snail Pomacea canaliculata, an intermediate host of Angiostrongylus cantonensis: A field study around its initial introduction site in China

Eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis is an emerging infectious disease in mainland China. The invasive snail (Pomacea canaliculata) is one of the main intermediate host of the zoonotic nematode. To gain insights into the spatial distribution, phenotypic variation and dispersal pattern of the snail populations. A field survey was conducted using modified nested sampling and selecting ditches as the main habitats. Snail distribution and abundance were displayed with predictions based on an inverse distance-weighted model. Correlation and spatial autocorrelation were analyzed among the measured parameters. The findings of this study demonstrate the well-established and abundant presence of P. canaliculata in ditches. A total of 564 sampling sites were assessed, with measurements taken on 10,145 snails having shell heights greater than 1.5 cm. The average population density was determined to be 20.31 {+/-} 11.55 snails per square meter. Morphological analysis revealed an average snail body mass of 8.93 {+/-} 3.95 g, shell height of 3.38 {+/-} 0.66 cm, a sex ratio of 2.39 {+/-} 1.01 female to male, and a shell color ratio of 9.34 {+/-} 7.52 brown to yellow. Among these measurements, body mass was found to be significantly correlated with shell height (r = 0.88, p < 0.01) and shell color (r = 0.55, p < 0.05). Spatial-correlation analysis proved that shell height was the only factor significantly spatially autocorrelated (MI = 0.27, z = 2.20, p = 0.03), although weak autocorrelations appeared in body mass and shell color. The observed geographic variations of phenotypic traits indicated a human-mediated evolving process of the snail populations and a potential complexity of the parasite transmission system. These findings may enhance the assessment of the epidemiological health risk posed by angiostrongyliasis and inform strategies for controlling infectious snails.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

Concerns on research history overview, distribution patterns, and potentially neglected ecological consequences of the invasive apple snail (Pomacea sp.): A review

Invasive species pose a threat to global ecosystems and biodiversity, with the apple snail standing out as one kind of the worst invasive species due to its exclusive expansion. In order to draw a conceptual framework of its invasion pattern from an overview, we endeavor to conduct a bibliometric analysis and systematic review to explore the existing knowledge on research history and subjective categorization of Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata, and to uncover emerging trends of distribution and possible neglected impact on food webs. The research history reveals that the first international research publication was documented in 1958. However, a substantial increase in international publications occurred only after 2000. The adoption and effective implementation of a universally agreed upon management strategy may greatly enhance the progress of research on apple snail invasion. Notably, co-word analysis revealed that the content of each thematic cluster has a shift from basic biology to the monitoring of occurrences and environmental adaptation. Currently, the global distribution of apple snails has expanded to 39 countries primarily as a result of anthropogenic translocation. All infested countries, with the exception of Israel and Singapore, are major paddy rice producers. The northernmost distribution limit is Tyumen in Russia, while the southernmost limit is the Buenos Aires Province in Argentina. Biological control has emerged as a prominent technology for the prevention of apple snail infestations, leading to the identification of 98 non-target enemy species as potential control agents. A taxonomic diversity analysis revealed that these species encompassed a wide range of phylogenetic classifications, including 6 Phyla, 12 Classes, 33 Orders, 55 Families, and 82 Genera. This observation suggests that there is a substantial pool of animals from diverse phylogenetic levels that can prey upon apple snails. Given the high population density and extensive distribution of apple snails, there is a pressing need for further research to explore their potential ecological ramifications. The current understanding of the upward ecological impacts of apple snails remains inadequate. These findings provide valuable insights for future research endeavors and contribute to the effective management of invasive apple snail populations.

ecology↗