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• A modulator for cancer cell proliferation related with lipid metabolism is needed to be figure out. • It is revealed by informatics that FABP5 levels are upregulated in colon cancer tissues. • The enhanced FABP5 levels are correlated with the enriched-HIF-1 target gene levels. • The 3D culture mimicking in vivo revealed that tumor growth is reinforced by FABP5. • FABP5 regulates HIF-1 signaling pathway positively. • The FABP5/HIF-1α axis is a promising target for reversing colon cancer progression. Dysfunctional lipid metabolism is a known cause of cancer development and progression, yet little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms that contribute to cancer progression. In this study, we demonstrate that fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5) is elevated in colon cancer tissue and this increased expression is linked to upregulation of the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway. Under physiologically in vivo mimicked conditions via a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based three-dimensional (3D) culture chip, FABP5-knockdown colon cancer cells exhibited attenuated cell growth throughout the culture period. FABP5 was found to regulate HIF-1α protein levels and gene expression levels within the HIF-1α signaling pathway under hypoxic conditions. Our results provide evidence that supports the use of FABP5 as a prognostic factor in colon cancer. The FABP5/HIF-1α axis is a promising target for ameliorating fatty acid-triggered cancer progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite recent advances in the ecology of lichens from a community perspective, much remains unknown at the species level particularly in arid regions. In this context, the current study investigated the differential effects of five lichen species dominating South Mediterranean arid ecosystem (Diploschistes diacapsis (Ach.) Lumbsch , Squamarina cartilaginea (With.) P. James, Fulgensia bracteata (Hoffm.) Räsenen, Psora decipiens (Hedw.) Hoffm and Endocarpon pusillum Hedw.) on soil properties as well as the importance of lichen coverage in driving these changes. Our findings revealed that thalli composition is species-specific and positively correlated to the lichen coverage. Furthermore, the influence of lichens on soil properties and its magnitude was found to be species dependent. S. cartilaginea , D. diacapsis and F. bracteata significantly reduced soil pH and increased soil water and nutrients content compared to P. decipiens and E. pusillum. All the investigated lichen species were found to increase microbial enzyme activity. In addition, our results showed that the species S. cartilaginea , D. diacapsis and F. bracteata sharply decreased the abundance of soil microbes as determined by qPCR (16S and 18S rRNA gene copy numbers). Overall, lichen coverage was found to be the key trait to drive changes in soil physico-chemical properties (soil pH, moisture, carbon and nitrogen contents) which in turn affected microbial community and activity. This research paper emphasizes the important role of lichens in arid soils and predicts that reduction of lichens coverage with climate change and land use will negatively affect soil fertility and quality. [Display omitted] • This study evaluated the influence of lichen species on the properties of arid soil. • All the investigated lichen species increased soil enzyme activity. • S. cartilaginea , D. diacapsis and F. bracteata decreased soil microbial abundance. • Lichen cover is the key trait that determines the magnitude of species-specific effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introductions of exotic plants are widespread ecological threats disturbing the carbon and nutrient cycles in global coastal wetlands. Previous studies have found that the invasion has enhanced methane emission through increased primary production and a changed methanogenic pathway. However, the previous studies did not determine the depth profiles of the changes while the depth in the soil profile to which the disturbance propagates is one of the critical issues to be addressed. In this study, we illustrated the depth profiles of the effect of the introductions of S. anglica and P. australis on the potential methane production, soil biogeochemistry, and soil microbial community which play a substantial role in enhanced methane emission due to the invasions. The in situ field measurements and anaerobic incubation were conducted to determine the mechanistic differences of depth profiles. Both introductions of S. anglica and P. australis increased methane emission through different microbial mechanisms depending on depth profile. Potential methane production was stimulated in shallow and deep soil layer of S. anglica and P. australis -introduced marshes, respectively. S. anglica increased the contribution of methylotrophic methanogenesis in top soil layers while P. australis decreased competitive inhibition by sulfate reducers in all soil layers. These results emphasize the importance of below-ground microbial activity and vertical distribution in carbon cycles in tidal marshes. Further plant invasion studies should focus on depth profiles of microbial processes, as their distribution and activity vary substantially across soil depths. • Introduction of P. australis and S. anglica increased CH 4 emission in tidal marsh. • P. australis and S. anglica enhanced CH 4 production in deep and surface layers. • Introduction of P. australis reduced competitive inhibition by sulfate reducers. • Introduction of S. anglica enhanced non-competitive methanogenesis in surface soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangrove forests cover only 0.1% of the world's continental area; however, these are a substantial carbon sink owing to the high primary production and low rate of decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM). The extremely low decomposition rate of SOM in mangrove forests is believed to be caused by low oxygen and nutrient availability as well as recalcitrant biomass from mangrove. However, only a few studies have addressed the microbial mechanism that plays a key role in the decomposition of SOM. In this study, the decomposition of SOM were determined by conducting a field survey and an lab incubation experiment using soil samples from mangrove forests in three regions; Okinawa, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. In particular, we examined the occurrence of the enzymic latch mechanism, which involves phenolic inhibition of enzymic decomposition, in mangrove forest soils that highlights the importance of phenol oxidase as a key controlling factor. The results clearly showed that enzymic latch involved in the accumulation of SOM in the mangroves of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, whereas the accumulation of SOM in Okinawa was controlled by other mechanisms, such as the iron gate mechanism, which involves stabilization of soil carbon in iron-SOM complexes. The characteristics of mangrove forests, such as iron concentration, were shown as substantial determination factors in the dynamics of SOM. We concluded that the decomposition of SOM were strongly affected by the characteristics of mangrove forests, and the occurrence of enzymic latch in mangrove forests has a potential application in geoengineering technology to enhance the carbon sequestration capacity of mangrove forests. Unlabelled Image • Mangrove SOM dynamics were determined by edaphic characteristics. • Enzymic Latch involved in the accumulation of SOM in mangrove. • Iron Gate may overwhelme Enzymic Latch in Fe-rich mangrove soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]