Biology subjects

Pastor, V.

Publications and source records attributed to Pastor, V..

7 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Elevated CO2 enhances tomato tolerance to Botrytis cinerea through transcriptional and metabolic defence reprogramming

Atmospheric CO2 concentration is projected to rise substantially over the coming decades, yet its impact on the molecular mechanisms governing plant immunity remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated how elevated CO2 (eCO2; 650 ppm) combined with increased temperature (+5 {degrees}C) influences tomato responses to Botrytis cinerea through integrated phenotypic, metabolomic, transcriptomic, and gene regulatory network (GRN) analyses across eight cultivars. Although cultivars displayed contrasting susceptibility under ambient conditions, eCO2 consistently enhanced tolerance across all genetic backgrounds. Multi-omics analyses revealed a partial uncoupling between transcriptional and metabolic responses during infection, with repression of photosynthesis- and carbon metabolism- related genes contrasting with the accumulation of carbon- and amino acid-derived metabolites. Under eCO2, this metabolic disruption was attenuated, preserving metabolic homeostasis during infection. GRN reconstruction identified a conserved WRKY-ERF regulatory module underlying the growth-defence trade-off, while functional perturbation demonstrated that its contribution to resistance depends on both genotype and environmental context, highlighting the importance of basal defence mechanisms. Targeted metabolomics further revealed that eCO2 promotes a metabolically primed state characterized by reinforcement of structural and chemical defence barriers rather than stronger activation of inducible immune responses. Together, our findings show that enhanced tolerance under eCO2 emerges from coordinated reorganization across regulatory and metabolic networks, providing a systems- level framework for understanding plant immunity and improving crop resilience under future climate scenarios.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Satellite microglia-like cells in human dorsal root ganglia and changes with diabetic neuropathy

Phagocytic and immune-like cells have been observed in the satellite envelope of neuronal somata in peripheral sensory ganglia of many species for several decades. These cells likely play an important role in normal function of sensory neurons and they may also play an important role in neuronal dysfunction and neurodegeneration seen with neuropathy. Recent findings have described a satellite macrophage population transcriptomically similar to microglia in peripheral ganglia of some mammalian species. The function of these cells, and the mechanisms by which they may influence neurons in neuropathy are unclear. We sought to understand the phenotype and localization of these cells in the human dorsal root ganglion (hDRG) using large-scale single nucleus and spatial transcriptomic datasets from individuals with and without a history of peripheral diabetic neuropathy. We observed a large population of macrophages that express classical microglia makers such as TMEM119 and P2RY12 in the hDRG, as previously described. Our findings confirm that these microglia-like cells (MLCs) localize to the satellite envelope around neuronal somata, yet are transcriptomically distinct from all glial cell types characterized in the hDRG. These MLCs exhibit changes in abundance and localization with diabetic painful neuropathy (DPN) in both the hDRG and sural nerves suggesting that they are not exclusively localized to the DRG. We conclude that microglia-like cells are likely the resident tissue macrophage (RTM) of the hDRG, and perhaps the peripheral nervous system (PNS) given their localization to the sural nerve and other ganglia, where they are predicted to regulate homeostatic neuronal functions and response to injury. HighlightsO_LIMLCs are likely the RTM of hDRGs C_LIO_LIMLCs localize to the satellite envelope and recede with Nageotte nodule formation C_LIO_LIMLC activation state and signaling shift with diabetic neuropathy C_LIO_LIMLCs are also present in other ganglia and sural nerve C_LI

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

Small RNA sequencing of human sural nerves identifies widespread microRNA dysregulation and Schwann cell-localized miR-21-5p in diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication of diabetes with no disease modifying treatments. Despite the prevalence, the molecular mechanisms of DPN are not fully characterized. Among the various molecular regulators, microRNAs (miRNAs) control protein synthesis and are essential for normal development and homeostasis, with dysregulation implicated in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we performed small RNA-sequencing to profile the miRNA landscape of human sural nerves from individuals with and without DPN. Our analysis revealed that nearly 10% of all miRNAs detected are dysregulated and among those 74% are significantly downregulated in DPN. Target gene enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed miRNAs yielded pathways significantly associated with nerve regeneration, metabolic dysfunction, and immune cell activity. In particular, miR-21-5p is significantly upregulated in DPN, showed a positive association with axonal loss severity, and localizes to Schwann cells, consistent with its broader role as an injury- and inflammation-responsive miRNA that shifts from early pro-regenerative functions to maladaptive, inflammation-amplifying effects that impair Schwann cell mediated nerve repair. These results suggest that miRNAs may contribute to peripheral nerve degeneration by promoting inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and impaired nerve regeneration, while also opening potential avenues for biomarker discovery and therapeutic intervention. Article highlightsO_LIWe undertook this study to address the limited understanding of molecular changes contributing to diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in humans. C_LIO_LIWe sought to profile microRNAs (miRNAs), key post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, in human sural nerves and developed a dedicated computational pipeline for robust miRNA quantification, differential expression, and target enrichment analysis. C_LIO_LIOur analyses revealed widespread miRNA dysregulation in DPN, with most altered miRNAs downregulated and miR-21-5p significantly upregulated in DPN, highly correlated with axonal loss severity and localized to Schwann cells. C_LIO_LIThese findings suggest that miRNA imbalance, including elevated Schwann cell miR-21-5p, may contribute to nerve dysfunction in DPN and provide new opportunities for biomarker development and therapeutic targeting. C_LI

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Unravelling Induced Resistance in Strawberry: Distinct Metabolomic Signatures Define Cultivar-Specific Resistance to Botrytis cinerea

Botrytis cinerea is a major pathogen in strawberry, and sustainable alternatives to fungicides are needed to manage this disease. Induced resistance (IR) through chemical elicitors represents a promising strategy, but the effectiveness of such compounds remains poorly understood in commercial strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) cultivars. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of repeated applications of five elicitors (i.e., {beta}-aminobutyric acid (BABA), (R)-{beta}-homoserine (RBH), indole-3-carboxylic acid (I3CA), jasmonic acid (JA), and salicylic acid (SA)) in three strawberry cultivars (Rowena, Soraya, and Durban). BABA and RBH significantly reduced B. cinerea lesion sizes in Rowena and Soraya, while Durban showed no induced resistance to the elicitors. Untargeted metabolomic profiling of Rowena and Soraya revealed cultivar-specific responses to elicitor treatment and infection, with distinct patterns of metabolite accumulation under both mock- and B. cinerea-inoculated conditions. RBH in Rowena and BABA in Soraya induced the most extensive priming-associated metabolic reprogramming, including enrichment of amino acid, nucleotide, and secondary metabolite pathways such as flavonoids and phenylpropanoids. Significantly, none of the elicitors negatively affected plant growth, flowering, or fruit set. These results demonstrate that the effectiveness and mechanism of IR in strawberries depend on both the elicitor and the cultivar, providing new insights into the metabolomic basis of priming with implications for sustainable disease management in strawberry cultivation.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Multi-year study on the effects of elevated CO2 in mature oaks unravels subtle metabolic adjustments but stable biotic stress resistance

O_LIRising atmospheric CO2 levels are predicted to influence forest health directly and indirectly, yet the long-term effects of elevated CO2 (eCO2) on mature trees in natural ecosystems remain poorly understood. Understanding how eCO2 affects susceptibility to biotic stress and alters leaf metabolism is critical for predicting forest responses to climate change. C_LIO_LIWe examined the effects of eCO2 (+150 ppm) on 180-year-old Quercus robur at the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) facility. From 2016 (pre-treatment) to 2024 (year 8 of enrichment), we monitored natural powdery mildew infection and insect herbivory, alongside targeted and untargeted metabolomic profiling of leaf material collected across the growing season. C_LIO_LIWhile seasonal patterns and an overall decline in PM and herbivory were observed, no consistent differences in biotic stress incidence emerged due to eCO2. Metabolomic data revealed subtle but widespread shifts, especially in amino acid, CoenzymeA, and redox pathways. C_LIO_LIThese results suggest that although eCO2 drives extensive metabolic changes, it does not alter biotic stress resistance in mature oaks. Instead, eCO2 appears to promote physiological plasticity that may shape future responses to combined environmental stressors. These insights offer a valuable reference point for interpreting long-term ecosystem dynamics. C_LI

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Elicitor specific mechanisms of defence priming in oak seedlings against powdery mildew

Defence priming sensitises plant defences to enable a faster and/or stronger response to subsequent stress. Various chemicals can trigger priming; however, the response remains unexplored in oak. Here, we characterise salicylic acid (SA)-, jasmonic acid (JA)-, and {beta}-aminobutyric acid (BABA)-induced priming of oak seedlings against the causal agent of powdery mildew (Erysiphe alphitoides, PM). Whilst JA had no effects, BABA and SA enhanced resistance by priming callose deposition and SA-dependent gene expression, respectively. Untargeted transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed genes and metabolites uniquely primed by BABA, SA, and JA. Enrichment analyses demonstrated a limited number of pathways differentiating the three treatments or the resistance-inducing elicitors BABA and SA. However, a similar mode of action between BABA and JA was identified. Moreover, our analyses revealed a lack of crosstalk between SA and JA. Interestingly, priming by BABA was linked to alkaloid, lignan, phenylpropanoid, and indolitic compounds biosynthesis. Moreover, integration of the omics analyses revealed the role of ubiquitination and protein degradation in priming by BABA. Our results confirm the existence of chemical-induced priming in oak and has identified specific molecular markers associated with well-characterised elicitor.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Genotype, nitrogen and herbivory shape plant defense: the case of a vitamin-enriched maize

The cultivation of crops with novel traits could interfere with ecosystem services delivered by arthropods through bottom-up effects. Here we tested the hypothesis that a vitamin enriched maize (CarolightR) is similar in terms of plant-arthropod interactions to its wild type when compared in controlled environment and under field conditions. In order to assess the robustness of their equivalence we tested two nitrogen availability regimes. We used arthropod field abundance, the behavior and fitness of a keystone maize herbivore - the leafhopper Zyginidia scutellaris - and above ground chemistry of maize plants (volatile, hormone and metabolite profiling) as indicators of potential changes in plant-insect interactions. Nitrogen availability was the key driver of herbivore abundance and behavior, and determined direct and indirect chemical defense in maize plants. Both genotypes presented similar constitutive and inducible phytohormone profiles independently of the nitrogen regime. However, feeding by the herbivore suppressed the levels of JA-Ile and JA, without impairing the release of induced plant volatiles. CarolightR and M37W differed to some degree in the concentrations of phenolics (hydroxycinnamic acids and lignans) and in the abundance of a volatile compound. Overall the effect of maize genotype on the herbivores was smaller than the effect of nitrogen fertilization.\n\nHIGHLIGHTWe show the separate and interactive effects of nitrogen availability and genotype on the performance and behavior of a herbivore, and related these changes to constitutive and inducible maize defenses.

plant biology↗