'; ?> geneimprint : Hot off the Press http://www.geneimprint.com/site/hot-off-the-press Daily listing of the most recent articles in epigenetics and imprinting, collected from the PubMed database. en-us Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:39:24 EST Thu, 05 Mar 2026 05:39:24 EST jirtle@radonc.duke.edu james001@jirtle.com Computational methods for spatial multi-omics integration. Geng A, Cui C, Luo Z, Xu J, Meng Y, Cui F, Wei L, Zou Q, Zhang Z
Biotechnol Adv (2026)

The rapid development of spatial multi-omics technologies has enabled the simultaneous acquisition of transcriptomic, proteomic, and epigenomic information from the same tissue section. However, substantial differences in distributional properties, data dimensionality, and noise levels across modalities, together with the inherent sparsity and incompleteness of spatial information, pose major challenges for data integration and modeling. In recent years, deep learning-based spatial multi-omics integration algorithms have emerged rapidly, offering new approaches for constructing unified latent representations and achieving cross-modal fusion. In this review, we systematically summarize existing spatial multi-omics integration methods for the first time, categorizing and comparing them from two perspectives. We not only systematically surveyed the datasets employed by these methods, but also highlighted the key downstream analytical tasks they support, and further summarized the major challenges currently faced in spatial multi-omics integration research. Furthermore, we compare the strengths and limitations of different approaches to assist researchers in selecting appropriate methods more efficiently, thereby advancing the application of spatial multi-omics in uncovering multilayer regulatory mechanisms of tissue microenvironments and disease processes.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST OsCLSY4 modulates epigenomic patterns and grain size in rice. Zhang R, Chen Y, Xu M, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Wang L, Liu JX, Hong L, Yang Y, Zhou M
Plant J (Mar 2026)

De novo DNA methylation, orchestrated by the RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway, is essential for gene regulation and transposon silencing. While CLASSY (CLSY) proteins facilitate RNA POLYMERASE IV (Pol IV) recruitment to initiate the RdDM pathway in plants, their roles in crops are incompletely explored. Here, we report OsCLSY4 as the dominant regulator within the OsCLSY family, driving Pol IV-mediated epigenomic patterns and influencing diverse agricultural traits. Epigenomics analyses reveal that OsCLSY4 controls over 95% of Pol IV-dependent 24-nucleotide small interfering RNA (24-nt siRNA) clusters and more than 70% of Pol IV-dependent hypomethylated CHH differentially methylated regions (DMRs), predominantly at miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs). Loss of OsCLSY4 leads to dysregulation of MADS22 and GA20ox1 in a DNA methylation-dependent manner. SunTag-mediated targeted demethylation confirms that reduced DNA methylation in promoter regions leads to MADS22 activation and GA20ox1 repression to influence grain size, linking epigenetic changes to phenotypic outcomes of osclsy4. Moreover, OsCLSY4 governs tissue-specific methylation patterns in panicle and seedling. Mechanistically, OsCLSY4 is the predominantly expressed OsCLSY family member and interacts with Pol IV. Collectively, our findings position OsCLSY4 as a central hub for Pol IV-mediated epigenomic regulation in rice and suggest its potential utility in epigenetic breeding strategies.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST A cell type enrichment analysis tool for brain DNA methylation data (CEAM). Müller J, Laroche VT, Imm J, Weymouth L, Harvey J, Reijnders RA, Smith AR, van den Hove D, Lunnon K, Cavill R, Pishva E
Epigenetics (Dec 2026)

DNA methylation (DNAm) signatures are highly cell type-specific, yet most epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) are performed on bulk tissue, potentially obscuring critical cell type-specific patterns. Existing computational tools for detecting cell type-specific DNAm changes are often limited by the accuracy of cell type deconvolution algorithms. Here, we introduce CEAM (Cell-type Enrichment Analysis for Methylation), a robust and interpretable framework for cell type enrichment analysis in DNA methylation data. CEAM applies over-representation analysis with cell type-specific CpG panels from Illumina EPIC arrays derived from nuclei-sorted cortical post-mortem brains from neurologically healthy aged individuals. The constructed CpG panels were systematically evaluated using both simulated datasets and published EWAS results from Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body disease, and multiple sclerosis. CEAM demonstrated resilience to shifts in cell type composition, a common confounder in EWAS, and remained robust across a wide range of differentially methylated positions, when upstream modeling of cell type composition was modeled with sufficient accuracy. Application to existing EWAS findings generated in neurodegenerative diseases revealed enrichment patterns concordant with established disease biology, confirming CEAM's biological relevance. The workflow is publicly available as an interactive Shiny app (https://um-dementia-systems-biology.shinyapps.io/CEAM/) enabling rapid, interpretable analysis of cell type-specific DNAm changes from bulk EWAS.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Artificial intelligence, machine learning and omic data integration in osteoarthritis. Sharma D
Osteoarthritis Cartilage (Mar 2026)

Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly its subfield of machine learning (ML), offer promising tools for integrating and interpreting high-dimensional omic data to advance our understanding of osteoarthritis (OA), a complex, multifactorial disease. The objective of this review is to summarize recent progress in applying ML approaches to single and integrative multi-omic data in OA and to highlight emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Introduction to the special issue on epigenetic regulation of chronic pain. Nackley AG
Pain Rep (Apr 2026)

This Special Issue features 6 articles from leaders in the field that elucidate novel epigenetic mechanisms regulating nociception, inflammation, responses to pharmacologic and integrative therapies, and pain disparities among racial/ethnic groups. Together, they highlight the expanding potential of epigenomics to inform mechanistic discovery, guide personalized pain therapeutics, and advance pain equity.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Single-Cell Multimodal Profiling Highlights Persistent Aortic Smooth Muscle Cell Changes in Diabetic Mice Despite Glycemic Control. Tanwar VS, Malek V, Wang J, Luo Y, Malhi NK, Zhang H, Abdollahi M, Lanting L, Senapati P, Das S, Reddy MA, Zang C, Miller CL, Chen ZB, Natarajan R
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol (Mar 2026)

Type 2 diabetes is associated with accelerated vascular complications such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), a major driver of these complications, is enhanced in diabetes. Despite adequate glycemic control, SMC dysfunction can persist due to metabolic memory of prior hyperglycemia. However, the mechanisms are unclear. Here, leveraging single-cell multiomics, we examined the effect of glucose normalization on transcriptomic and epigenomic changes associated with SMC phenotypic transition in type 2 diabetes mice.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST DNA methylation-mediated alterations in Copper(I/II) redox equilibrium underlie lead-induced neurotoxicity. Hu J, Wang WX
Environ Pollut (Apr 2026)

Lead (Pb), a ubiquitous environmental toxin, poses significant risks to central nervous system health, primarily by disrupting essential metal homeostasis in the brain. While epigenetic regulation and proteomic expression are significantly affected by Pb, its specific molecular impact on copper (Cu) redox states remains poorly understood. This study systematically investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying Pb-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells through integrated epigenomics and proteomics analysis. DNA methylation analysis revealed 141,357 differentially methylated regions (DMRs), primarily in CpG sites, with 62.6 % hypermethylated and 37.4 % hypomethylated. These DMRs were enriched in genes associated with critical processes such as metal ion binding, cell cycle regulation, and nervous system development. Promoter-specific methylation changes were notably pronounced, impacting pathways linked to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Proteomic analysis identified 740 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), with 366 upregulated and 374 downregulated in Pb-treated cells. Functional annotation revealed significant enrichment of DEPs in mitochondria, where Pb exposure disrupted processes related to oxidative phosphorylation, ion transport, and transmembrane processes. These proteomic changes aligned with the observed epigenetic modifications, reinforcing the role of Pb in impairing neuronal function via its effects on cellular energy metabolism and metal ion dynamics. Notably, Pb exposure disrupted Cu redox transitions between Cu(I) and Cu(II) as well as glutathione (GSH) activity, underscoring its impact on cellular metal homeostasis regulation and oxidative imbalance. In summary, this study provides a comprehensive view of how Pb exposure alters epigenetic and proteomic landscapes, disrupting key biological processes and pathways essential for neuronal health.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Multi-omics approaches to major psychiatric disorders. Oraki Kohshour M, Navarro-Flores A, Heilbronner U, Schulze TG
Neuropsychiatr (Mar 2026)

In recent years, major psychiatric disorders have been intensively researched. Studies have investigated the pathophysiology of these disorders in detail and at various molecular levels with several omics techniques, including genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. However, although the results of a single omics study can help shed light on some of the unclear aspects of the biological circuits involved in the pathophysiology of major psychiatric disorders, the complexity of the biological mechanisms underlying these conditions makes it necessary to consider multiple types of omics data and multiple levels of analysis, including various conceptional, methodological, and quality control criteria. Currently, dealing with high-dimensional data and sparse heterogeneous data structures remains one of the biggest challenges to integrating data from multi-omics approaches. The hope is that eventually the development and application of methods to integrate biological and phenotypic data through multi-omics and machine learning-based algorithms may allow early diagnosis of major psychiatric disorders, perhaps even before disease onset, and enable accurate, personalized treatment. In this mini-review, we summarized the main findings of the field by reviewing systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and narrative reviews on the major psychiatric disorders schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST : a computational suite for DNA methylation sequencing data analysis. Loyfer N, Rosenski J, Kaplan T
Life Sci Alliance (Apr 2026)

Next-generation methylation-aware sequencing of DNA sheds light on the fundamental role of methylation in cellular function in health and disease, increasing the number of covered CpG sites from hundreds of thousands in previous array-based approaches to tens of millions across the whole genome. While array-based approaches are limited to single-CpG resolution, next-generation sequencing allows for a more detailed, single-molecule fragment-level analysis; however, existing tools to fully use this capability are not yet well developed. Here, we present , an extensive computational suite tailored for methylation sequencing data. allows fast access and ultracompact anonymized representation of high-throughput methylome data, obtained through various library preparation and sequencing methods, with a custom epiread file format achieving a compression factor of over 100x from the input BAM file. In addition, contains state-of-the-art algorithms for genomic segmentation, biomarker identification, genetic and epigenetic data integration, and more. offers fragment-level analysis and informative visualizations, across multiple genomic regions and samples.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Melatonin-enabled omics: understanding plant responses to single and combined abiotic stresses for climate-smart agriculture. Raza A, Li Y, Charagh S, Guo C, Zhao M, Hu Z
GM Crops Food (Dec 2026)

Climate change-driven single and combined abiotic stresses pose escalating threats to sustainable, climate-smart agriculture and global food security. Melatonin (MLT, a powerful plant biostimulant) has established noteworthy potential in improving stress tolerance by regulating diverse physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses. Therefore, this review delivers a comprehensive synopsis of MLT-enabled omics responses across genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, miRNAomics, epigenomics, phenomics, ionomics, and microbiomics levels that collectively regulate plant adaptation to multiple abiotic stresses. We also highlight the crosstalk between these omics layers and the power of integrated multi-omics (panomics) approaches to harness the complex regulatory networks underlying MLT-enabled stress tolerance. Lastly, we argue for translating these omics insights into actionable strategies through advanced genetic engineering and synthetic biology platforms to develop MLT-enabled, stress-smart crop plants.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Synergistic integration of clinical and multi-omics data for early MCI diagnosis using an attention-based graph fusion network. Yu S, Zhao J, Ouyang J, Wang X, Kou P, Zhu K, Liu P
J Neurosci Methods (Apr 2026)

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to Alzheimer's disease (AD), requires precise early diagnosis. Single-omics approaches often miss disease complexity, motivating integrative and interpretable solutions.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Epigenetic Clocks of Biological Aging and Risk of Incident Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study. Nguyen S, Lu AT, Horvath S, Espeland MA, Rapp SR, Maihofer AX, Nievergelt CM, LaCroix AZ, McEvoy LK, Resnick SM, Beckman K, Shadyab AH
Aging Cell (Mar 2026)

Aging is the strongest risk factor for dementia; however, few studies have examined the association of biological aging with incident dementia. We analyzed 6069 cognitively unimpaired women (mean age = 70.0 ± 3.8 years) in the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study to examine the association of accelerated biological aging, measured with second and third-generation epigenetic clocks (AgeAccelPheno and AgeAccelGrim2, and DunedinPACE, respectively) with incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and probable dementia. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, education, race, ethnicity, smoking, hormone therapy regimen, physical activity, body mass index, and estimated white blood cell counts. For comparison, we also examined first-generation epigenetic clocks (AgeAccelHorvath; AgeAccelHannum). We evaluated effect modification by age, race/ethnicity, hormone therapy regimen, menopause type (natural vs. surgical), and APOE ε4 carriage. There were 1307 incident MCI or probable dementia events over a median follow-up of 9.3 (25th percentile = 6.1, 75th percentile = 16.1) years. The adjusted HRs (95% CI; p-value) for incident MCI/probable dementia per one-standard deviation increment were 1.07 (1.01-1.15; p = 0.03) for DunedinPACE, 1.11 (1.02-1.20; p = 0.01) for AgeAccelGrim2, and 1.01 (0.95-1.07; p = 0.74) for AgeAccelPheno. Only AgeAccelGrim2 remained significant under the Bonferroni-corrected threshold for significance (p < 0.02). Other epigenetic clocks were not associated with incident MCI/probable dementia. There was no effect modification in most subgroup analyses (p-interaction ≥ 0.05). In this cohort study of older women, accelerated biological aging measured by AgeAccelGrim2 was associated with higher risk of incident MCI/probable dementia. These findings provide evidence linking epigenetic biomarkers of biological aging with MCI and dementia development, independent of chronological age.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Portrait of a Spectrum: Clinical and Genetic Characterization of a Large Cohort of Chromatinopathies-30 Years' Experience From a Third Level Center. Marchetti GB, Rosina E, Meossi C, Mura M, Pezzani L, Selicorni A, Bedeschi MF, Tenconi R, Agostoni C, Finelli P, De Matteis S, Di Fede E, Massa V, Pezzoli L, Gervasini C, Iascone M, Milani D
Clin Genet (Apr 2026)

Chromatinopathies (CPs) are an expanding group of rare genetic disorders affecting epigenetic machinery. Besides an intricate genotypic spectrum, these conditions share overlapping phenotypes characterized by neurocognitive impairment, growth defects and distinctive, but often convergent, facial features. Although individually rare, the landscape of CPs is increasingly growing and represents an emerging and possibly underestimated cause of disability. Due to their complexity and rarity, accurate diagnosis and management pose significant difficulties. To address these challenges and gain a deeper overview of these diseases' spectrum, we retrospectively collected clinical characteristics of 239 patients diagnosed with CPs and critically analyzed their diagnostic journey, growth charts, neurological and gestaltic features. Starting from the largest collection of CPs to date, our data point to wide sequencing analyses as the best shortcut to diagnosis. We have also demonstrated the importance of growth defects in this group of disorders that require dedicated growth tables, and we have delved into the great variability of neurological and clinical burden in these conditions. This retrospective study provides a significant advance in our understanding of these rare diseases and will help to improve diagnostic, therapeutic, and clinical approaches to CPs and to develop personalized multidisciplinary care plans for affected patients.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST ‑folate axis as a modulator of the epigenetic landscape in autoimmune diseases (Review). Navarro-Rodríguez PM, Bajeca-Serrano RF, Turrubiates-Hernández FJ, Ceja-Gálvez HR, Hernández-Bello J, Hernández-Ramírez CO, Ramírez-de Los Santos S, Muñoz-Valle JF
Int J Mol Med (Mar 2026)

The one‑carbon metabolism pathway, regulated by the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme, represents a key nexus where genetic predisposition and nutrient status converge to shape the epigenetic landscape of autoimmune diseases. The objective of the present review is to synthesize evidence of how the ‑folate axis drives epigenomic patterns in these conditions. One of the main diseases involved is rheumatoid arthritis, where drug‑naïve patients show T‑cell and synovial hypomethylation with cytokine‑driven DNMT suppression, a process aggravated by reduced folate availability and polymorphisms that constrain S‑adenosylmethionine supply. Similarly, in systemic lupus erythematosus, CD4 T cells exhibit global hypomethylation with an interferon‑skewed signature (such as ), associated with impaired activity and a folate‑dependent SAM:SAH imbalance that further diminishes DNMT function. Finally, in celiac disease, intestinal differential methylation, including LINE‑1 hypomethylation, is observed, driven by gluten‑induced villous atrophy and folate malabsorption. Overall, impaired one‑carbon metabolism and ‑dependent methylation capacity may be key determinants of epigenomic dysfunction underlying autoimmune disease and its clinical severity.17.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Multi-omics biomarker detection in smoking induced COPD. Syed RU, Khaled Bin Break M, Akasha R, Elafandy NM, Abobaker SH, Khalifa AAS, Aboshouk NAM, Nashmi Alghaythi A, Altwalah LA, Menwer Aldhafeeri RM, Khan MSA, Gupta G
Clin Chim Acta (Mar 2026)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is marked by heterogeneity, and traditional spirometric biomarkers fall short of fully capturing its underlying molecular complexity. This review discusses recent developments in multi-omics profiling, such as transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenomics/acetylomics, to define biologically meaningful COPD endotypes and enhance their clinical categorization. Reproducible circulating protein markers identified in proteomic studies include surfactant protein D (SP-D), club cell secretory protein (CC16), fibrinogen, and inflammatory cytokines, which predict disease severity, risk of exacerbation, and mortality. Further evidence of dysregulated histone/protein acetylation and other post-translational modifications in chronic inflammation, steroid resistance, and disease progression is provided by epigenomic studies (such as DNA methylation, non-coding RNAs, and chromatin remodeling) and acetylomic analyses. Notably, integrative multi-omics solutions exhibit better outcomes than single-biomarker solutions by allowing the identification of molecular endotypes that are more likely to accommodate clinical heterogeneity. Nevertheless, it is significantly constrained by cohort and platform heterogeneity, including factors such as smoking exposure, age, comorbidities, treatment, and sample processing methods. Overall, the existing evidence highlights the importance of multi-omics integration in the further development of precision diagnostics and individualized management of COPD, bridging the gap between molecular pathology and clinical decision-making.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Erythropoietin Expression and Regulation: Piecing Together Known Mechanisms and Emerging Insights. Idriss S, Hoogewijs D, Girodon F, Gardie B
Am J Hematol (Mar 2026)

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a circulating glycoprotein hormone essential for red blood cell production. The history of EPO stretches from early observations of hypoxia in the mid-19th century to its gene cloning and the clinical use of recombinant forms. Structurally, EPO's extensive glycosylation shapes stability, receptor binding, and therapeutic potential, inspiring engineered analogs with distinct pharmacokinetics. Developmentally, EPO expression shifts from embryonic neural crest and fetal hepatocytes to renal interstitial fibroblasts after birth. EPO gene regulation integrates hypoxia-inducible factors, transcriptional repressors, enhancers, with HIF-2α as the principal activator, and post-translational mechanisms. Recent findings reveal genetic variants within the EPO gene in patients with erythrocytosis. Isoelectric focusing profiles of EPO in these patients was similar to the hepatic-derived EPO profiles in premature newborns, highlighting a dynamic and context-dependent regulation. These findings suggest that reactivation of EPO expression in the liver could be therapeutically valuable, given that hepatic-derived EPO exhibits enhanced activity. Clinically, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents transformed anemia management but raised safety concerns, leading to refined guidelines. The recent introduction of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors represents a new strategy that restores endogenous EPO production and coordinates iron metabolism through transient HIF stabilization. Outstanding challenges include the absence of faithful human EPO-producing cell models and incomplete understanding of the full molecular mechanisms controlling EPO expression and production. Combining insights from developmental biology, genetics, and epigenomics may open new avenues for therapies targeting disorders of erythropoiesis and oxygen homeostasis.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Multi-omics biomarker detection in Diethylnitrosamine (DENA) induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Afzal O, Goud P, Goyal K, Altharawi A, Alamri MA, Alossaimi MA, Altamimi ASA, Pandey SN
Clin Chim Acta (Mar 2026)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage due to tumor heterogeneity and chronic liver damage, which reduce the performance of single biomarkers and complicate the clinical interpretation of laboratory results. The genotoxic diethylnitrosamine (DENA)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis model provides a stage-resolved and experimentally controlled framework associated with genotoxic stress, inflammation, and fibrosis, along with metabolic adaptation in target tissues and circulating biofluids. This review summarizes multi-omics data from DENA models and translational cohorts, encompassing genomics/epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and glycomics, as well as liquid biopsy analytes, including cell-free DNA, extracellular vesicle cargo, and circulating tumor cell markers. We integrated the dynamics of injury progression to fibrosis and tumor development at the pathway scale, highlighting multi-analyte biomarker sets that improve the differentiation between advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis and early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Additionally, we examined enabling technologies in analytical techniques, including targeted mass spectrometry (MS), PCR-based methods, and clinically scalable glycoprofiling. Notably, we propose a stage-aware biomarker selection paradigm that emphasizes mechanistic consistency, analytical viability, and clinical actionability to facilitate earlier identification and longitudinal tracking. Finally, we discuss the practical implications of multicenter validation and a harmonized study design to enhance reproducibility and expedite clinical translation.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Dissecting Normal and Abnormal Human Kidney Development Using Multiomics. Klomp LS, Mavrommatis L, Arcolino FO, Lantermans HC, Levtchenko E, Kuppe C, Westland R
J Am Soc Nephrol (Mar 2026)

Congenital kidney anomalies frequently lead to development of CKD in children and adults, with limited possibility for accurate prognostication and successful intervention. Causal genetic variants are identified in a minority of individuals, while the biologic interpretation of putative genetic variants and their effect on kidney development and CKD remains incompletely understood. Advances in single-cell and spatial multiomics now enable a deeper biologic understanding and interpretation of disease-causing mechanisms of congenital kidney anomalies, holding promise for precise diagnoses, prognostication, and treatment for patients. In this review, we provide an overview of multiomics approaches, including transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, for characterizing and understanding the biology of human kidney development and disease. We will discuss the technical capabilities and challenges in mapping the spatial distribution of normal and abnormal developmental processes in the kidney. Moreover, we present three key multiomics case studies and discuss their experimental design considerations. Finally, future directions and the potential effect of multiomics approaches on the biologic understanding of kidney disease in development and adulthood are discussed. This review highlights that by integrating molecular insights, multiomics has the potential to transform our understanding of genetic (or variant-driven) and nongenetic kidney disease mechanisms and to advance precision diagnostics, prognostics, and therapies for congenital kidney anomalies.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST The maternal-effect gene ZmGRP23 promotes PPR-DYW-mediated RNA editing in maize mitochondria. Yang YZ, Zhang SG, Chen YM, Ren YT, Gao S, Liu XY, Xu C, Tan BC
Plant Physiol (Mar 2026)

The maternal effect is a non-Mendelian inheritance phenomenon in which the maternal genotype regulates offspring traits via gametic cytoplasmic components or genomic imprinting. Hundreds of maternal-effect genes have been identified; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms and biological roles of these genes remain unclear. Here we report that ZmGRP23 is a maternal-effect gene that regulates maize (Zea mays) seed development by mediating mitochondrial RNA editing. The maize GLUTAMINE-RICH PROTEIN23 (GRP23) encodes an atypical pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein with a unique C-terminal domain. ZmGRP23 exhibits maternal expression dominance in a genetic background-dependent manner (e.g., W22). Loss of ZmGRP23 function arrests zygotic development at very early stages and reduces pollen transmission. Low expression of ZmGRP23 reduces the RNA editing efficiency at 190 mitochondrial sites in the endosperm, and most of these sites depend on canonical PPR-DYW proteins for editing. ZmGRP23 shows no or weak interaction with the full length of canonical PPR-DYW proteins; however, it strongly interacts with the E and the carboxyl terminus of DYW domains of these proteins. PPR-DYW proteins strongly interact with maize multiple organellar RNA-editing factor1 (MORF1) and MORF8, both of which also bind ZmGRP23. ZmMORF enhances the interaction between ZmGRP23 and PPR-DYW proteins. This implies that ZmMORF binding may induce conformational changes in PPR-DYW proteins, exposing ZmGRP23 interaction interfaces and promoting ZmGRP23 recruitment. This study reveals that ZmGRP23 mediates mitochondrial RNA editing through non-canonical recruitment of canonical PPR-DYW proteins and implies that an epigenetic-mitochondrial regulatory axis bridges RNA editing plasticity to seed development.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST Multi-epigenome-wide analyses and meta-analysis of child maltreatment in judicial autopsies and intervened children and adolescents. Nishitani S, Fujisawa TX, Takiguchi S, Yao A, Murata K, Hiraoka D, Mizuno Y, Ochiai K, Kawata NYS, Makita K, Saito DN, Mizushima S, Suzuki S, Kurata S, Ishiuchi N, Taniyama D, Nakao N, Namera A, Okazawa H, Nagao M, Tomoda A
Mol Psychiatry (Mar 2026)

Child maltreatment (CM) is associated with adverse physical, psychological, and neurodevelopmental outcomes later in life. Epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, have been proposed as potential mechanisms underlying these long-term effects. To identify robust CM-associated methylation signatures, we conducted epigenome-wide analyses across three independent cohorts: judicial autopsy cases (CM:11, Controls:7), toddlers shortly after social intervention (CM:36, Controls:49), and adolescents who underwent brain MRI (CM:61, Controls:62). Each cohort was analyzed separately, followed by a meta-analysis to identify common methylation sites associated with CM exposure. The meta-analysis identified four significant CpG sites located within the ATE1, SERPINB9P1, CHST11, and FOXP1 genes. Among these, methylation of FOXP1 was consistently associated with structural brain alterations, including increased gray matter volume (GMV) in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFrC) and middle/posterior cingulate gyrus (MPCG), and decreased GMV in the occipital fusiform gyrus (OFuG). These brain regions are implicated in emotional regulation, memory retrieval, and social cognition, suggesting a potential neurobiological mechanism linking CM to later psychopathology. Furthermore, methylation risk scores (MRS) derived from these four CpGs successfully discriminated individuals who experienced early-life adversity in an independent validation dataset, achieving an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.672, highlighting their potential utility as biomarkers. Gene ontology and pathway analyses revealed enrichment of cholinergic and glutamatergic synaptic transmission pathways, supporting their involvement in traumatic memory formation. Our findings provide novel insights into the epigenetic mechanisms underlying CM and identify potential biomarkers for early detection, prevention, and therapeutic intervention, ultimately contributing to breaking the intergenerational cycle of maltreatment.]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 EST