Minseo Hong, Jea-Hyun Baek^*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.10, pp. 2699-2724, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.067487 - 26 September 2025

Abstract AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase that functions as a central regulator of cellular energy status. In cancer, where metabolic reprogramming enables rapid proliferation and survival under stress, AMPK functions as a metabolic checkpoint that restrains tumor growth by inhibiting biosynthetic pathways and promoting catabolic processes, such as autophagy and fatty acid oxidation. Given its role in opposing many hallmarks of cancer metabolism, AMPK has attracted significant interest as a therapeutic target. This review examines the molecular mechanisms by which AMPK influences tumor progression and evaluates the preclinical and clinical evidence… More >

Songhua Bei^1,2,#, Qianqian Guo^1,#, Xinglei Wu^1,#, Fan Li^2,#, Yaya Xie³, Xiaohong Zhang^2,*, Li Feng^2,*, Xingxing Zhang^1,3,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.10, pp. 3101-3125, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.067247 - 26 September 2025

Abstract Background: Ferroptosis is a type of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, which has been linked to tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. However, the contribution of lactate metabolism and its receptor, hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 1 (HCAR1), in ferroptosis regulation in gastric cancer (GC) remains poorly understood. Focusing specifically on its effects on cell proliferation, ferroptosis regulation, and the disruption of lactate-mediated metabolic pathways, the study aimed to clarify the role of HCAR1 in GC progression. Methods: Bioinformatics analysis identified prognostic genes associated with ferroptosis in GC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated… More >

Xinghuan Li¹, Binxi Hao¹, Shimin Cheng¹, Ju Zhang¹, Yuan Song^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.8, pp. 2499-2513, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.067104 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Pinus koraiensis is the dominant and constructive species of the zonal vegetation in Northeast China, known as the mixed broadleaf-Korean pine forest. Although carbohydrate metabolism pathways in the seed embryo are known to play crucial roles during seed dormancy and germination in P. koraiensis, it remains unclear whether these metabolic pathways function differentially across tissues. P. koraiensis seeds that had undergone different durations of moist chilling in their natural environment, yielding seeds with relatively deeper primary physiological dormancy (DDS) and seeds with released primary physiological dormancy (RDS). A non-targeted metabolomic analysis was conducted on the radicle and hypocotyl-cotyledon… More >

YUFENG WANG¹, HUIFENG DANG¹, QIANQIAN WANG¹, SHUXIAO WU¹, LEI HAN¹, XU LUO¹, YINGXIA TIAN^1,*, HAILIN TANG^2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.33, No.8, pp. 1861-1874, 2025, DOI:10.32604/or.2025.063716 - 18 July 2025

Abstract This review focuses on the metabolic issues related to mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase (PDP) in malignant tumors and its potential mechanisms. Recent research on tumor metabolic mechanisms has shown that PDP dysregulation is closely linked to metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells, and potentially promotes tumor. Research has comprehensively explored the structural-functional characteristics of PDP, its metabolic regulatory mechanisms, and its role in various types of malignant tumors. Nevertheless, several questions still exist regarding its potential mechanisms within acetylation, phosphorylation, hypoxia, immune infiltration, mitochondrial metabolism, drug resistance, oxidative phosphorylation, and tumor prognosis. This article intends to More >

Saif Ullah^1,2, Izhar Ali^1,2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1029-1045, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.064608 - 30 April 2025

Abstract Nitrogen (N) assimilation is crucial for the growth and development of C₃ plants, as it converts inorganic N into organic forms, important for protein synthesis, nucleic acids and other vital biomolecules. However, abiotic stressors such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures and others significantly impact N uptake and utilization, thereby hindering plant growth and development. Recent advances in molecular biology have illuminated the complex networks that govern N assimilation under these stressful conditions, emphasizing the role of transcription factors, regulatory genes, and stress-responsive pathways. This review provides an integrated perspective on the latest research in nitrogen metabolism… More >

Kesu Wei¹, Guangju Liu², Bin Wei³, Qifang Zhang⁴, Shengjiang Wu¹, Zhaowei Li^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.4, pp. 1287-1298, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.062385 - 30 April 2025

Abstract To systematically examine the tolerance of flue-cured tobacco K326 to soil drought stress, this study set up different water content trials for K326 at 60%, 40%, and 20% levels during the vigorous growing period by greenhouse pot planting. Pigment content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, antioxidant enzyme activity, and SPS and GS activities associated with carbon and nitrogen metabolism were investigated in the K326 tobacco leaves. The results showed that chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents decreased, non-photochemical quenching coefficient Y(NPQ) decreased in the later stage of vigorous growth, and energy dissipation quantum yield Y(NO) levels increased… More >

Giuseppe Carota¹, Lucia Di Pietro^2,3, Vincenzo Cardaci⁴, Anna Privitera^1,2, Francesco Bellia¹, Valentina Di Pietro⁵, Giuseppe Lazzarino¹, Barbara Tavazzi⁶, Angela Maria Amorini¹, Giacomo Lazzarino⁶, Giuseppe Caruso^6,7,*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 563-578, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.062176 - 30 April 2025

Abstract Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is a naturally occurring endogenous peptide widely distributed in excitable tissues, such as the heart and brain. Over the years, several beneficial effects of carnosine have been discussed well in scientific literature. In particular, this dipeptide is well-known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aggregation activities. It is of great interest in the context of numerous systemic and neurodegenerative diseases, besides performing important “side activities” such as metal chelation and pH-buffering. Despite a plethora of preclinical and clinical data supporting carnosine’s therapeutic potential, researchers are still searching for new pharmacological targets that better highlight More >

Qing Wang, Luyao Cai, Shouyi Tang, Dan Pan, Zhen Wang, Qianming Chen, Yu Zhou^*, Yingqiang Shen^*

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.4, pp. 579-605, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.060045 - 30 April 2025

Abstract Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are cancer cells with self-renewal and tumorigenesis abilities. CSCs in tumor tissues are the leading cause of tumor progression, recurrence, and drug resistance. CSCs have distinct metabolic features that contribute to maintaining their self-renewal and stemness. Phospholipids are essential components of cell membranes and play fundamental roles in cellular activities. CSCs have abnormal phospholipid metabolism, which affects their self-renewal, differentiation, invasion, and drug resistance. Compared with non-CSCs, the phospholipid metabolism of CSCs mainly focused on significantly increased fatty acid (FAs) and phospholipids synthesis, phospholipid unsaturation, and lipolysis-fatty acid oxidation (FAO). In More > Graphic Abstract

Antonio Rodrigues da Cunha Neto¹, Alexandra dos Santos Ambrósio¹, Arlinda de Jesus Rodrigues Resende¹, Breno Régis Santos¹, Michele Carla Nadal^2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.3, pp. 539-560, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.061776 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Cytokinins are plant hormones that are essential for plant growth and development and are involved in a variety of processes. They are synthesized by the modification of adenine with an isoprenoid chain, resulting in cytokinins such as isopentenyladenine and zeatin. The levels of these hormones are regulated by conjugation, degradation and oxidation processes that modulate their activity. Cytokinins are perceived by cells through specific receptors that, when activated, trigger signaling cascades responsible for regulating the expression of genes critical for development. In addition, cytokinins interact with other hormones, such as auxins, to coordinate plant growth… More >

Marwa Rezgui^1,#,*, Wided Ben Ammar¹, Muhammad Nazim^2,3,#, Walid Soufan⁴, Chiraz Chaffei Haouari¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.94, No.1, pp. 137-155, 2025, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2025.058851 - 24 January 2025

Abstract Nickel (Ni) toxicity significantly impairs plant growth, photosynthesis, and metabolism by inducing oxidative stress. This study evaluates the potential of exogenous Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG) in mitigating Ni-induced stress in Peganum harmala L. Seedlings were exposed to 0, 200, 500, and 750 μM NiCl₂, with or without AKG supplementation. Under 750 μM Ni stress, dry weight (DW) decreased by 33.7%, tissue water content (TWC) by 39.9%, and chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll levels were reduced by 17% and 15%, respectively. Ni exposure also significantly increased secondary metabolite production, with leaf anthocyanin content rising by 131%, and superoxide dismutase (SOD)… More >