Biology subjects

Major, I.

Publications and source records attributed to Major, I..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Ancient human genomes from the Altai region reveal population continuity and shifts in the 4th-12th centuries

The Altai region is a crossroads of the Asian steppes. However, the population history of the region remains understudied. We analyse ancient human genomes from the Altai and Ob regions, creating a ca. 1400-year-long time transect with 91 new data. We demonstrate an Iron Age genetic variety that continued into the Medieval era, with additional large-scale spread of East Asian genetic ancestry coinciding with the rise and spread of the Turkic cultural customs. Furthermore, we find a unique lineage in the Early Medieval Altai with elevated Ancient North Eurasian ancestry, providing a missing link between the North Eurasian hunter-gatherers and modern North Asian people. We identify distinct genetic patterns and connections among populations of the Mountainous and the Forest-Steppe Altai in the 4th-8th centuries.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2026

A clubroot pathogen PBS3-like effector manipulates hormonal crosstalk to alter root morphology during colonization

O_LISalicylic acid (SA) and auxin are key regulators of plant immunity and development. The clubroot pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae encodes PbGH3, an effector related to the GH3 family involved in phytohormone homeostasis. Although PbGH3 was proposed to conjugate auxin in vitro, its biological function in planta has remained unclear. This study aimed to determine the in vivo role of PbGH3 during host colonization. C_LIO_LIWe generated Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica napus lines overexpressing PbGH3 and characterized their developmental phenotypes, hormone profiles, gene expression, and susceptibility to infection. Structural modeling was performed to assess PbGH3 similarity to plant GH3 proteins, and functional complementation was tested using the Arabidopsis gh3.12 mutant. C_LIO_LIThe expression of PbGH3 in Arabidopsis induced auxin-related developmental phenotypes without detectable accumulation of auxin conjugates. Instead, PbGH3 structurally and functionally resembled GH3.12/PBS3 inducing increased conjugated SA levels, reduced jasmonic acid, suppressed PIN2 expression, and increased root hair number and infection. PbGH3 complemented SA-related defects in the gh3.12 mutant. C_LIO_LIPbGH3 functions as a modulator of SA metabolism rather than an auxin-conjugating enzyme, likely competing with host GH3.12/PBS3 to constrain effective SA accumulation. This reveals a novel strategy by which P. brassicae disrupts SA-auxin homeostasis to promote host colonization and ensure disease development. C_LI PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARYThis study shows that the clubroot pathogen uses a protein called PbGH3 to modify the plants salicylic acid balance. This alters root traits and increases susceptibility to infection. Arabidopsis and canola plants engineered to produce PbGH3 showed similar changes, revealing that the pathogen uses this protein to disrupt hormone regulation and create conditions that support its colonization.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Murder in cold blood? Forensic and bioarchaeological identification of the skeletal remains of Bela, Duke of Macso (c. 1245-1272)

In 1915, the remains of a male were discovered in a 13th-century monastery on Margaret Island, Budapest. Historical context suggested that the remains may belong to Duke Bela of Macso (c. 1245-1272), grandson of King Bela IV of Hungary (House of Arpad) and son of Duke Rostislav (Rurik dynasty). We applied a complex approach to identify the individual and reconstruct the circumstances of his death. Radiocarbon dating, when adjusted for freshwater reservoir effects linked to a high-protein diet, placed the burial in the mid-13th century. Skeletal features corresponded to a young adult male. Stable isotope and dental calculus analyses indicated a high-status diet rich in animal proteins and C3 cereals. Ancient DNA confirmed descent from King Bela III (Arpad dynasty) and Y-chromosomal affiliation with the Rurikid lineage. Forensic evidence revealed 26 perimortem injuries, suggesting a coordinated, premeditated assassination involving at least three assailants. The pattern of injuries indicates both planning and intense emotional involvement. Our findings provide the first genetic identification of a medieval royal, and resolve a century-old archaeological question, and illustrate the power of integrating multidisciplinary methods to confirm historical hypotheses and reconstruct violent deaths from the past with unprecedented detail. TeaserWith unprecedented details, this study shows the impact of integrating multidisciplinary methods to confirm historical hypotheses and reconstruct violent deaths from the past.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2025

Arabidopsis ecotype screening reveals novel sources of clubroot resistance and insights into resistance inheritance

Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, poses a persistent threat to Brassicaceae crops, particularly in regions where resistant cultivars are under strong selection pressure. To identify new sources of resistance and better understand the underlying genetic mechanisms, we evaluated 60 Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes against the highly virulent Canadian pathotype 3A. Using stringent phenotyping criteria, pathogen DNA quantification, and survival analysis, we identified eight resistant ecotypes, including two novel sources, Marce-1 and DraII-6. DraII-6 exhibited exceptionally low disease symptoms and a high survival rate. While the resistance gene RPB1/WeiTsing was present in most ecotypes, its expression in DraII-6 was significantly elevated at early infection stages, suggesting a potential role in pathogen suppression. However, genetic analysis of F1 and F2 progeny from a DraII-6 x Col-0 cross revealed a recessive resistance pattern, supporting the hypothesis that RPB1 alone may not be sufficient to confer resistance to clubroot in DraII-6. Our findings highlight the complexity of clubroot resistance and the need for further research into gene regulation and resistance networks beyond RPB1, particularly in the context of translating Arabidopsis-based insights to Brassica crops. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=168 SRC="FIGDIR/small/649024v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (98K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1e30ef3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1ea7aa4org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@119c0a3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1b62891_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG Natural variability of Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes in response to the Canadian clubroot pathotype 3A. The abstract also celebrates the first author, Melaine Gonzalez-Garcia, who is submitting this manuscript just one week before welcoming her first child.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Unveiling the Origins and Genetic Makeup of the 'Forgotten People': A Study of the Sarmatian-Period Population in the Carpathian Basin

SO_SCPLOWUMMARYC_SCPLOWThe nomadic Sarmatians dominated the Pontic Steppe from 3rd century BCE and the Great Hungarian Plain from 50 CE until the Huns 4th-century expansion. In this study, we present the first large-scale genetic analysis of 156 genomes from 1st- to 5th-century Hungary and the Carpathian foothills. Our findings reveal minor East Asian ancestry in the Carpathian Basin (CB) Sarmatians, distinguishing them from other regional populations. Using F4-statistics, qpAdm, and IBD analysis, we show that CB Sarmatians descended from Steppe Sarmatians originating in the Ural and Kazakhstan regions, with Romanian Sarmatians serving as a genetic bridge between the two groups. We also identify two previously unknown migration waves during the Sarmatian era and a notable continuity of the Sarmatian population into the Hunnic period, despite a smaller influx of Asian-origin individuals. These results shed new light on Sarmatian migrations and the genetic history of a key population neighbouring the Roman Empire.

genetics↗