Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have shown that genetic variants are important determinants of free fatty acid levels. The mechanisms underlying the associations between genetic variants and f Show more
Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have shown that genetic variants are important determinants of free fatty acid levels. The mechanisms underlying the associations between genetic variants and free fatty acid levels are incompletely understood. Here, we aimed to identify genetic markers that could influence diverse fatty acid levels in a Chinese population and uncover the molecular mechanisms in terms of DNA methylation and gene expression. We identified strong associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) region and multiple polyunsaturated fatty acids. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis of rs174570 on FADS1 and FADS2 mRNA levels proved that minor allele of rs174570 was associated with decreased FADS1 and FADS2 expression levels (P < 0.05). Methylation quantitative trait locus (mQTL) analysis of rs174570 on DNA methylation levels in three selected regions of FADS region showed that the methylation levels at four CpG sites in FADS1, one CpG site in intragenic region, and three CpG sites in FADS2 were strongly associated with rs174570 (P < 0.05). Then, we demonstrated that methylation levels at three CpG sites in FADS1 were negatively associated with FADS1 and FADS2 expression, while two CpG sites in FADS2 were positively associated with FADS1 and FADS2 expression. Using mediation analysis, we further show that the observed effect of rs174570 on gene expression was tightly correlated with the effect predicted through association with methylation. Our findings suggest that genetic variants in the FADS region are major genetic modifiers that can regulate fatty acid metabolism through epigenetic gene regulation. Show less
The only known non-pharmacological means to alter long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) abundance in mammalian tissue is by altering substrate fatty acid ratios. Alternative mRNA splicing is Show more
The only known non-pharmacological means to alter long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) abundance in mammalian tissue is by altering substrate fatty acid ratios. Alternative mRNA splicing is increasingly recognized as a modulator of protein structure and function. Here we report identification of a novel alternative transcript (AT) of fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) that inhibits production of omega-3 but not omega-6 LCPUFA, discovered during study of ATs in human milk fat globules (MFG). Human breastmilk collected from a single donor was used to isolate MFG. An mRNA-sequencing library was constructed from the total RNA isolated from the MFG. The constructed library was sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq instrument operating in high output mode. Expression levels of evolutionary conserved FADSAT were measured using cDNA from MFG by semi-quantitative RT-PCR assay. RNA sequencing revealed >15,000 transcripts, including moderate expression of the FADS2 classical transcript (CS). A novel FADS2 alternative transcript (FADS2AT2) with 386 amino acids was discovered. When FADS2AT2 was transiently transfected into MCF7 cells stably expressing FADS2, delta-6 desaturation (D6D) of alpha-linolenic acid 18:3n-3 → 18:4n-3 was suppressed as were downstream products 20:4n-3 and 20:5n-3. In contrast, no significant effect on D6D of linoleic acid 18:2n-6 → 18:3n-6 or downstream products was observed. FADS2, FADS2AT1 and 5 out of 8 known FADS3AT were expressed in MFG. FADS1, FADS3AT3, and FADS3AT5 are undetectable. The novel, noncatalytic FADS2AT2 regulates FADS2CS-mediated Δ6-desaturation of omega-3 but not omega-6 PUFA biosynthesis. This spliced isoform mediated interaction is the first molecular mechanism by which desaturation of one PUFA family but not the other is modulated. Show less
Numerous genetic alterations of HSA 11q13 are found frequently in several cancer types, including breast cancer (BC). The 11q13 locus harbors FADS2 encoding Δ6 desaturation which is not functional in Show more
Numerous genetic alterations of HSA 11q13 are found frequently in several cancer types, including breast cancer (BC). The 11q13 locus harbors FADS2 encoding Δ6 desaturation which is not functional in several cancer cell lines, including hormone positive MCF7 BC cells. In vitro, the non-functional FADS2 activity unmasks 18:2n-6 elongation to 20:2n-6 and Δ5 desaturation by FADS1 to yield 5Z,11Z,14Z-20:3 (sciadonic acid) rather than 5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-20:4 (arachidonic acid). In this pilot study we aimed to determine whether 5,11,14-20:3 appears in vivo in hormone positive human BC tissue. Fatty acids were profiled in surgically removed human breast tumor and adjacent normal tissue (n = 9). Sciadonic acid was detected in three of nine breast tumor samples and was below detect limits in normal breast tissue. The internal Δ8 double bond of arachidonic acid is required for normal eicosanoid synthesis but is missing in sciadonic acid. This pilot study demonstrates for the first time in vivo sciadonic acid in hormone positive BC tissue, warranting a larger survey study to further evaluate its appearance and the functional implications. Show less
Arachidonic acid (AA) is the major polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) substrate for potent eicosanoid signaling to modulate inflammation and thrombosis and is controlled in part by tissue abundance. Fa Show more
Arachidonic acid (AA) is the major polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) substrate for potent eicosanoid signaling to modulate inflammation and thrombosis and is controlled in part by tissue abundance. Fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) catalyzes synthesis of omega-6 (n-3) AA and n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The rs66698963 polymorphism, a 22-base pair (bp) insertion-deletion 137 bp downstream of a sterol regulatory element in FADS2 intron 1, mediates expression of FADS1 in vitro, as well as exerting positive selection in several human populations. The associations between the polymorphism rs66698963 and plasma PUFAs as well as disease phenotypes are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the relation between rs66698963 genotypes and plasma PUFA concentrations and blood lipid profiles. Plasma fatty acids were measured from a single sample obtained at baseline in 1504 healthy Chinese adults aged between 35 and 59 y with the use of gas chromatography. Blood lipids were measured at baseline and a second time at the 18-mo follow-up. The rs66698963 genotype was determined by using agarose gel electrophoresis. Linear regression and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between genotype and plasma PUFAs and blood lipids. A shift from the precursors linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid to produce AA and EPA, respectively, was observed, consistent with FADS1 activity increasing in the order of genotypes D/D to I/D to I/I. For I/I compared with D/D carriers, plasma concentrations of n-6 AA and the ratio of AA to n-3 EPA plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were 57% and 32% higher, respectively. Carriers of the deletion (D) allele of rs66698963 tended to have higher triglycerides (β = 0.018; SE: 0.009; P = 0.05) and lower HDL cholesterol (β = -0.008; SE: 0.004; P = 0.02) than carriers of the insertion (I) allele. The rs66698963 genotype is significantly associated with AA concentrations and AA to EPA+DHA ratio, reflecting basal risk of inflammatory and related chronic disease phenotypes, and is correlated with the risk of dyslipidemia. This trial was registered at chictr.org.cn as ChiCTR-EOC-17012759. Show less
Breast milk is the sole nutrition source during exclusive breastfeeding, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs) are critical micronutrients in infant physical and cognitive development. There has been Show more
Breast milk is the sole nutrition source during exclusive breastfeeding, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs) are critical micronutrients in infant physical and cognitive development. There has been no prior genomewide association study of breast milk, hence our objective was to test for genetic association with breast milk FA composition. We measured the fractional composition of 26 individual FAs in breast milk samples from three cohorts totalling 1142 Bangladeshi mothers whose infants were genotyped on the Illumina MEGA chip and replicated on a custom Affymetrix 30K SNP array (n=616). Maternal genotypes were imputed using IMPUTE. After running 33 separate FA fraction phenotypes, we found that SNPs known to be associated with serum FAs in the AA is the primary FA in breast milk influenced by genetic variation at the Show less
Increased production of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids (LCUFA) can have a positive effect on the nutritional value of ruminant milk for human consumption. In nonruminant species, fatty acid elonga Show more
Increased production of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids (LCUFA) can have a positive effect on the nutritional value of ruminant milk for human consumption. In nonruminant species, fatty acid elongase 5 (ELOVL5) is a key enzyme for endogenous synthesis of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids. However, whether ELOVL5 protein plays a role (if any) in ruminant mammary tissue remains unclear. In the present study, we assessed the mRNA abundance of ELOVL5 at 3 stages of lactation in goat mammary tissue. Results revealed that ELOVL5 had the lowest expression at peak lactation compared with the nonlactating and late-lactating periods. The ELOVL5 was overexpressed or knocked down to assess its role in goat mammary epithelial cells. Results revealed that ELOVL5 overexpression increased the expression of perilipin2 (PLIN2) and decreased diacylglycerolacyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) and fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) mRNA, but had no effect on the expression of DGAT1, FADS1, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1). Overexpression of ELOVL5 decreased the concentration of C16:1n-7, whereas no significant change in C18:1n-7 and C18:1n-9 was observed. Knockdown of ELOVL5 decreased the expression of PLIN2 but had no effect on DGAT1, DGAT2, FADS1, FADS2, and SCD1 mRNA expression. Knockdown of ELOVL5 increased the concentration of C16:1n-7 and decreased that of C18:1n-7. The alterations of expression of genes related to lipid metabolism after overexpression or knockdown of ELOVL5 suggested a negative feedback regulation by the products of ELOVL5 activation. However, the content of triacylglycerol was not altered by knockdown or overexpression of ELOVL5 in goat mammary epithelial cells, which might have been due to the insufficient availability of substrate in vitro. Collectively, these are the first in vitro results highlighting an important role of ELOVL5 in the elongation of 16-carbon to 18-carbon unsaturated fatty acids in ruminant mammary cells. Show less
Human genetic variants near the FADS (fatty acid desaturase) gene cluster ( Here, we specifically investigated the physiological role of the Δ-5 desaturase FADS1 in regulating diet-induced cardiometab Show more
Human genetic variants near the FADS (fatty acid desaturase) gene cluster ( Here, we specifically investigated the physiological role of the Δ-5 desaturase FADS1 in regulating diet-induced cardiometabolic phenotypes by treating hyperlipidemic LDLR (low-density lipoprotein receptor)-null mice with antisense oligonucleotides targeting the selective knockdown of These results position Show less
The enzymes encoded by fatty acid desaturases (FADS) genes determine the desaturation of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). We investigated if haplotype and single nucleotide polymorphis Show more
The enzymes encoded by fatty acid desaturases (FADS) genes determine the desaturation of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). We investigated if haplotype and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FADS gene cluster can influence LCPUFA status in infants who received either fish oil or placebo supplementation. Children enrolled in the Infant Fish Oil Supplementation Study (IFOS) were randomly allocated to receive either fish oil or placebo from birth to 6 months of age. Blood was collected at 6 months of age for the measurement of fatty acids and for DNA extraction. A total of 276 participant DNA samples underwent genotyping, and 126 erythrocyte and 133 plasma fatty acid measurements were available for analysis. Twenty-two FADS SNPs were selected on the basis of literature and linkage disequilibrium patterns identified from the HapMap data. Haplotype construction was completed using PHASE. For participants allocated to the fish oil group who had two copies of the FADS1 haplotype consisting of SNP minor alleles, DHA levels were significantly higher compared to other haplotypes. This finding was not observed for the placebo group. Furthermore, for members of the fish oil group only, the minor homozygous carriers of all the FADS1 SNPs investigated had significantly higher DHA than other genotypes (rs174545, rs174546, rs174548, rs174553, rs174556, rs174537, rs174448, and rs174455). Overall results of this preliminary study suggest that supplementation with fish oil may only significantly increase DHA in minor allele carriers of FADS1 SNPs. Further research is required to confirm this novel finding. Show less
Heilongjiang Province located in northeast China is a multi-ethnic region with people who have lived in cold conditions for several generations. Fatty acids are important to people with cold resistanc Show more
Heilongjiang Province located in northeast China is a multi-ethnic region with people who have lived in cold conditions for several generations. Fatty acids are important to people with cold resistance. CPT1A encodes a protein that imports long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for fatty-acid oxidation. FADS is an essential enzyme for the synthesis of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the present study, we investigated the distributions of three cold resistance-related SNPs (rs80356779 G > A in CPT1A, rs7115739 T > G in FADS3 and rs174570 C > T in FADS2) from six populations that included 1093 individuals who have lived in Heilongjiang Province for at least three generations. The frequencies of rs174570 and rs7115739 were different in our six north minorities compared to the Chinese Dai in Xishuangbanna (CDX) in southern China. All the SNPs in Hezhen were significantly different from other five studied populations. In addition, the genetic distribution of rs174570 in Daur was significantly different from Manchu and Korea, and the frequency of rs7115739 in Ewenki was significantly different from the other populations. The results also showed that the frequencies of the three SNPs in the six minorities were different from those of Greenlandic Inuit and Siberian population. Our results showed the distributions of the three cold resistance-related SNPs from six populations that included 1093 individuals in northern China. Distributions of the allele frequencies for the cold resistance-related SNPs in northern China were statistically different from those in southern China. These data help to establish the DNA genome database for the six populations and fully preserve existing minority genetic information. Show less
It has been announced in accumulative studies that non-coding (nc)RNAs are responsible for a varieties of biological behaviors during the progression of tumors. As two subgroups of ncRNAs family, micr Show more
It has been announced in accumulative studies that non-coding (nc)RNAs are responsible for a varieties of biological behaviors during the progression of tumors. As two subgroups of ncRNAs family, micro (mi)RNAs can interact with long non-coding (lnc)RNAs, thereby forming ceRNA network. In this study, miR-448 was expressed higher in NSCLC tissues (P < 0.01) and NSCLC cell lines (P < 0.01). Moreover, low expression of miR-448 predicted poor prognosis for patients with NSCLC (P < 0.001). Functional assays revealed the anti-oncogenic function of miR-448 in NSCLC by inhibiting cell proliferation, invasion, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mechanically, miR-448 was found to be negatively regulated by lncRNA PRNCR1 (prostate cancer non-coding RNA 1). Moreover, HEY2 (Hairy and enhancer of split-related with YRPW motif protein 2) was demonstrated to be the target mRNA of miR-448 in NSCLC cells. All mechanism experiments revealed that lncRNA PRNCR1 exerted ceRNA function in NSCLC by regulating miR-448 and HEY2. To validate the function of PRNCR1-miR-488-HEY2 network in NSCLC progression, rescue assays were conducted. Taken all together, we confirmed that lncRNA PRNCR1 upregulates HEY2 to promote tumor progression in NSCLC by competitively binding miR-448. Show less
Accumulating evidence has suggested a link between maternal di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) exposure and various developmental abnormalities. However, the evidence regarding the effect of maternal Show more
Accumulating evidence has suggested a link between maternal di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) exposure and various developmental abnormalities. However, the evidence regarding the effect of maternal DEHP exposure on fetal cardiac development is scarce. The present study aimed to determine the effect of maternal DEHP exposure on fetal cardiac development in mice and explore the possible involved mechanism preliminarily. The C57BL mice were randomly divided into four groups: the vehicle group (corn oil, n = 10), 250 mg kg Show less
Polycomb chromobox (CBX) proteins are involved in gene silencing to function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors through the polycomb repressive complex (PRC1). CBX4 has been implicated in the progressi Show more
Polycomb chromobox (CBX) proteins are involved in gene silencing to function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors through the polycomb repressive complex (PRC1). CBX4 has been implicated in the progression of human cancers, but its role and clinical significance in breast cancer remain unclear. Here, we show that CBX4 is up-regulated in breast cancer and exerts oncogenic activities via miR-137-mediated activation of Notch1 signaling pathway. CBX4 expression was increased in breast cancer, compared with the nontumorous tissues. High CBX4 expression was closely correlated with tumor metastasis, advanced clinical stage and poor overall survival in a cohort of 179 patients with breast cancer. In vitro studies demonstrated that CBX4 overexpression enhanced, whereas CBX4 knockdown inhibited cell growth and migration. Mechanistically, in a PRC1-dependent manner, CBX4 inhibited the promoter activity of miR-137 and suppressed its expression. miR-137 decreased the expression of Notch1, Jag1 and Hey2 via targeting their 3'-UTRs. The suppression of Notch1 by siRNA or overexpression of miR-137 markedly attenuated CBX4-promoted phenotypes. Collectively, these findings indicate that CBX4 promotes breast cancer via miR-137-mediated Notch1 signaling. Our data, therefore, suggest that CBX4 serve as a prognostic biomarker and that targeting CBX4/miR-137 axis may provide therapeutic potent in the treatment of breast cancer. Show less
The objective of the study was to elucidate the mechanism by which microRNA-34a (miR-34a) influences heart development and participates in the pathogenesis of congenital heart disease (CHD) by targeti Show more
The objective of the study was to elucidate the mechanism by which microRNA-34a (miR-34a) influences heart development and participates in the pathogenesis of congenital heart disease (CHD) by targeting NOTCH-1 through the Notch signaling pathway. Forty D7 pregnant mice were recruited for the purposes of the study and served as the CHD (n=20, successfully established as CHD model) and normal (n=20) groups. The positive expression of the NOTCH-1 protein was evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry. Embryonic endocardial cells (ECCs) were assigned into the normal, blank, negative control (NC), miR-34a mimics, miR-34a inhibitors, miR-34a inhibitors+siRNA-NOTCH-1, siRNA-NOTCH-1, miR-34a mimics+NOTCH-1 OE and miR-34a mimics+crispr/cas9 (mutant NOTCH-1) groups. The expressions of miR-34a, NOTCH-1, Jagged1, Hes1, Hey2 and Csx in cardiac tissues and ECCs were determined by both RT-qPCR and western blotting methods. MTT assay and flow cytometry were conducted for cell proliferation and apoptosis measurement. A dual luciferase reporter assay was applied to demonstrate that NOTCH-1 was the target gene of miR-34a. In comparison to the normal group, the expressions of miR-34a, Jagged1, Hes1 and Hey2 displayed up-regulated levels, while the expressions of NOTCH-1 and Csx were down-regulated in the CHD group. Compared with the blank and NC groups, the miR-34a mimics and siRNA-NOTCH-1 groups displayed reduced expressions of NOTCH-1 and Csx as well as a decreased proliferation rate, higher miR-34a, Jagged1, Hes1 and Hey2 expressions and an increased rate of apoptosis; while an reverse trend was observed in the miR-34a inhibitors group. The expressions of MiR-34a recorded increased levels in the miR-34a mimics+NOTCH-1 OE and miR-34a mimics+crispr/cas9 (mutant NOTCH-1) groups, however no changes in the expressions of NOTCH-1, Jagged1, Hes1, Hey2, Csx, as well as cell proliferation and apoptosis were observed when compared to the blank and NC groups. The results of our study demonstrated that miR-34a increases the risk of CHD through its downregulation of NOTCH-1 by modulating the Notch signaling pathway. Show less
Notch pathways have important roles in carcinogenesis including pathways involving the Notch1 and Notch2 oncogenes. Pan-Notch inhibitors, such as gamma secretase inhibitors (GSIs), have been used in t Show more
Notch pathways have important roles in carcinogenesis including pathways involving the Notch1 and Notch2 oncogenes. Pan-Notch inhibitors, such as gamma secretase inhibitors (GSIs), have been used in the clinical trials, but the outcomes of these trials have been insufficient and have yielded unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that GSIs, such as MK-0752 and RO4929097, inhibit breast tumor growth, but increase the breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) population in Notch3-expressing breast cancer cells, in a process that is coupled with IL6 induction and is blocked by the IL6R antagonist Tocilizumab (TCZ). IL6 induction results from inhibition of Notch3-Hey2 signaling through MK-0752. Furthermore, HIF1α upregulates Notch3 expression via direct binding to the Notch3 promoter and subsequently downregulates BCSCs by decreasing the IL6 levels in Notch3-expressing breast cancer cells. Utilizing both breast cancer cell line xenografts and patient-derived xenografts (PDX), we showed that the combination of MK-0752 and Tocilizumab significantly decreases BCSCs and inhibits tumor growth and thus might serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating women with Notch3-expressing breast cancers. Show less
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant gastrointestinal cancers. Metastasis is a major leading of death in patients with CRC and many patients have metastatic disease at diagnosis Show more
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant gastrointestinal cancers. Metastasis is a major leading of death in patients with CRC and many patients have metastatic disease at diagnosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still elusive. Here, we showed that JMJD1C was overexpressed in colon cancer tissues compared to normal samples and was positively associated with metastasis and poor prognosis. Silencing JMJD1C strongly inhibits CRC migration and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. Further, we found that knockdown of JMJD1C decreased the protein and mRNA levels of ATF2, mechanistically, and JMJD1C regulated the expression of ATF2 by modulating the H3K9me2 but not H3K9me1 activity. In addition, we further performed some "rescues experiments". We found that overexpression of ATF2 could reverse the abrogated migration and invasion ability by knockdown of JMJD1C in CRC. Our results demonstrated that an increase of JMJD1C was observed in colon cancer and knockdown of JMJD1C regulated CRC metastasis by inactivation of the ATF2 pathway. This novel JMJD1C/ATF2 signaling pathway may be a promising therapeutic target for CRC metastasis. Show less
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been recognized as a highly heterogeneous disease with phenotypic and genotypic diversity in each subgroup. While never-smoker patients with NSCLC have been well Show more
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been recognized as a highly heterogeneous disease with phenotypic and genotypic diversity in each subgroup. While never-smoker patients with NSCLC have been well studied through next generation sequencing, we have yet to recognize the potentially unique molecular features of young never-smoker patients with NSCLC. In this study, we conducted whole genome sequencing (WGS) to characterize the genomic alterations of 36 never-smoker Chinese patients, who were diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) at 45 years or younger. Besides the well-known gene mutations (e.g., TP53 and EGFR), our study identified several potential lung cancer-associated gene mutations that were rarely reported (e.g., HOXA4 and MST1). The lung cancer-related copy number variations (e.g., EGFR and CDKN2A) were enriched in our cohort (41.7%, 15/36) and the lung cancer-related structural variations (e.g., EML4-ALK and KIF5B-RET) were commonly observed (22.2%, 8/36). Notably, new fusion partners of ALK (SMG6-ALK) and RET (JMJD1C-RET) were found. Furthermore, we observed a high prevalence (63.9%, 23/36) of potentially targetable genomic alterations in our cohort. Finally, we identified germline mutations in BPIFB1 (rs6141383, p.V284M), CHD4 (rs74790047, p.D140E), PARP1 (rs3219145, p.K940R), NUDT1 (rs4866, p.V83M), RAD52 (rs4987207, p.S346*), and MFI2 (rs17129219, p.A559T) were significantly enriched in the young never-smoker patients with LUAD when compared with the in-house noncancer database (p < 0.05). Our study provides a detailed mutational portrait of LUAD occurring in young never-smokers and gives insights into the molecular pathogenesis of this distinct subgroup of NSCLC. Show less
Glioblastoma is the most prevalent malignant glioma in WHO grade IV and its median overall survival is 12-15 months. This study identifies the primary glioblastoma. prognostic genes. Gene expression d Show more
Glioblastoma is the most prevalent malignant glioma in WHO grade IV and its median overall survival is 12-15 months. This study identifies the primary glioblastoma. prognostic genes. Gene expression data in primary glioblastomas with short-term (36 months, N=23) overall survival were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE53733). Limma determined the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between different groups (|log2 fold change| ≥0.5 and p-value DEG's degree, betweenness, sub-graph and closeness centralities. Long- term/short-term survival-related DEGs were defined as those with increased/decreased expression values and survival time. The following DEGs were identified; 161 between intermediate and short-term glioblastomas, 465 between long-term and short-term and 624 between long-term and intermediate tumors. The common FLRT1 and LINGO1 up-regulated DEGs and common down-regulated C7orf31 were identified in these three DEG sets. PPI networks were established, and VEGFA was the key DEG in each PPI network. The short-term survival-related DEGs were enriched in 3 cancer-related pathways. Moreover, FLRT1 and LINGO1 were long-term survival-related DEGs and C7orf31 and VEGFA were short-term survival DEGs. LINGO1, C7orf31, and VEGFA were confirmed using a further dataset, and we therefore conclude that LINGO1 might be a positive primary glioblastoma prognostic gene and C7orf31 and VEGFA might be negative prognosticators. Show less
Multiple evidence has indicated that myelin injury is common in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, whether myelin injury is an early event in AD and the relationship between it and cognitive function Show more
Multiple evidence has indicated that myelin injury is common in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, whether myelin injury is an early event in AD and the relationship between it and cognitive function is still elusive. Spatial memory of 5XFAD mice was determined by Morris water maze at 1 and 3 months old. Meanwhile, the deposition of Aβ, the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP), LINGO-1, NgR, and myelin ultrastructure in many memory-associated brain regions were detected in one-month-old and three-month-old mice (before and after LINGO-1 antibody administration) using immunostaining, Western blot (WB), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. No abnormal Aβ deposition was found in one-month-old 5XFAD mice. However, spatial memory deficits were proved in accordance with an obvious demyelination in memory-associated brain regions in one-month-old mice and both deteriorated with age. Administration of LINGO-1 antibody could obviously restore the myelin impairments in CA1 and DG region and partially ameliorate spatial memory deficits. Our results demonstrated that myelin injury was an early event in 5XFAD mice even prior to emergence of deposition of Aβ. Intervention with the LINGO-1 antibody could attenuate impaired spatial memory deficits by remyelination, which suggested that myelin injury was involved in spatial memory deficits and remyelination may be a potential therapeutic strategy in early stage of AD or mild cognitive impairments. Show less
Megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) is a severe disease characterized by functional obstruction in the urinary and gastrointestinal tract. The molecular basis of this con Show more
Megacystis-microcolon-intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) is a severe disease characterized by functional obstruction in the urinary and gastrointestinal tract. The molecular basis of this condition started to be defined recently, and the genes related to the syndrome (ACTG2-heterozygous variant in sporadic cases; and MYH11 (myosin heavy chain 11), LMOD1 (leiomodin 1) and MYLK (myosin light chain (MLC) kinase)-autosomal recessive inheritance), encode proteins involved in the smooth muscle contraction, supporting a myopathic basis for the disease. In the present article, we described a family with two affected siblings with MMIHS born to consanguineous parents and the molecular investigation performed to define the genetic etiology. Previous whole exome sequencing of the affected child and parents did not identify a candidate gene for the disease in this family, but now we present a reanalysis of the data that led to the identification of a homozygous deletion encompassing the last exon of MYL9 (myosin regulatory light chain 9) in the affected individual. MYL9 gene encodes a regulatory myosin MLC and the phosphorylation of this protein is a crucial step in the contraction process of smooth muscle cell. Despite the absence of human or animal phenotype related to MYL9, a cause-effect relationship between MYL9 and the MMIHS seems biologically plausible. The present study reveals a strong candidate gene for autosomal recessive forms of MMIHS, expanding the molecular basis of this disease and reinforces the myopathic basis of this condition. Show less
Microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 (MACF1) is a large spectraplakin protein known to have crucial roles in regulating cytoskeletal dynamics, cell migration, growth, and differentiation. However, Show more
Microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 (MACF1) is a large spectraplakin protein known to have crucial roles in regulating cytoskeletal dynamics, cell migration, growth, and differentiation. However, its role and action mechanism in bone remain unclear. The present study investigated optimal conditions for effective transfection of the large plasmid PEGFP-C1A-ACF7 (∼21 kbp) containing full-length human MACF1 cDNA, as well as the potential role of MACF1 in bone formation. To enhance MACF1 expression, the plasmid was transfected into osteogenic cells by electroporation in vitro and into mouse calvaria with nanoparticles. Then, transfection efficiency, osteogenic marker expression, calvarial thickness, and bone formation were analyzed. Notably, MACF1 overexpression triggered a drastic increase in osteogenic gene expression, alkaline phosphatase activity, and matrix mineralization in vitro. Mouse calvarial thickness, mineral apposition rate, and osteogenic marker protein expression were significantly enhanced by local transfection. In addition, MACF1 overexpression promoted β-catenin expression and signaling. In conclusion, MACF1 overexpression by transfecting the large plasmid containing full-length MACF1 cDNA promotes osteoblast differentiation and bone formation via β-catenin signaling. Current data will provide useful experimental parameters for the transfection of large plasmids and a novel strategy based on promoting bone formation for prevention and therapy of bone disorders. Show less
Mechanical unloading was considered a major threat to bone homeostasis, and has been shown to decrease osteoblast proliferation although the underlying mechanism is unclear. Microtubule actin crosslin Show more
Mechanical unloading was considered a major threat to bone homeostasis, and has been shown to decrease osteoblast proliferation although the underlying mechanism is unclear. Microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 (MACF1) is a cytoskeletal protein that regulates cellular processes and Wnt/β-catenin pathway, an essential signaling pathway for osteoblasts. However, the relationship between MACF1 expression and mechanical unloading, and the function and the associated mechanisms of MACF1 in regulating osteoblast proliferation are unclear. This study investigated effects of mechanical unloading on MACF1 expression levels in cultured MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells and in femurs of mice with hind limb unloading; and it also examined the role and potential action mechanisms of MACF1 in osteoblast proliferation in MACF1-knockdown, overexpressed or control MC3T3-E1 cells treated with or without the mechanical unloading condition. Results showed that the mechanical unloading condition inhibited osteoblast proliferation and MACF1 expression in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells and mouse femurs. MACF1 knockdown decreased osteoblast proliferation, while MACF1 overexpression increased it. The inhibitory effect of mechanical unloading on osteoblast proliferation also changed with MACF1 expression levels. Furthermore, MACF1 was found to enhance β-catenin expression and activity, and mechanical unloading decreased β-catenin expression through MACF1. Moreover, β-catenin was found an important regulator of osteoblast proliferation, as its preservation by treatment with its agonist lithium attenuated the inhibitory effects of MACF1-knockdown or mechanical unloading on osteoblast proliferation. Taken together, mechanical unloading decreases MACF1 expression, and MACF1 up-regulates osteoblast proliferation through enhancing β-catenin signaling. This study has thus provided a mechanism for mechanical unloading-induced inhibited osteoblast proliferation. Show less
Osteoblast differentiation is a multistep process delicately regulated by many factors, including cytoskeletal dynamics and signaling pathways. Microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 (MACF1), a key c Show more
Osteoblast differentiation is a multistep process delicately regulated by many factors, including cytoskeletal dynamics and signaling pathways. Microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 (MACF1), a key cytoskeletal linker, has been shown to play key roles in signal transduction and in diverse cellular processes; however, its role in regulating osteoblast differentiation is still needed to be elucidated. To further uncover the functions and mechanisms of action of MACF1 in osteoblast differentiation, we examined effects of MACF1 knockdown (MACF1-KD) in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells on their osteoblast differentiation and associated molecular mechanisms. The results showed that knockdown of MACF1 significantly suppressed mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells, down-regulated the expression of key osteogenic genes alkaline phosphatase (ALP), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and type I collagen α1 (Col Iα1). Knockdown of MACF1 dramatically reduced the nuclear translocation of β-catenin, decreased the transcriptional activation of T cell factor 1 (TCF1), and down-regulated the expression of TCF1, lymphoid enhancer-binding factor 1 (LEF1), and Runx2, a target gene of β-catenin/TCF1. In addition, MACF1-KD increased the active level of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), which is a key regulator for β-catenin signal transduction. Moreover, the reduction of nuclear β-catenin amount and decreased expression of TCF1 and Runx2 were significantly reversed in MACF1-KD cells when treated with lithium chloride, an agonist for β-catenin by inhibiting GSK-3β activity. Taken together, these findings suggest that knockdown of MACF1 in osteoblastic cells inhibits osteoblast differentiation through suppressing the β-catenin/TCF1-Runx2 axis. Thus, a novel role of MACF1 in and a new mechanistic insight of osteoblast differentiation are uncovered. Show less
Colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most aggressive gastrointestinal malignancies, is a frequently diagnosed life-threatening cancer worldwide. Most CRC patients have poor prognosis mainly because of Show more
Colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most aggressive gastrointestinal malignancies, is a frequently diagnosed life-threatening cancer worldwide. Most CRC patients have poor prognosis mainly because of frequent metastasis and recurrence. Thus, it is crucial to find out some new biomarkers and to show deeper insights into the mechanisms of CRC. MLLT10, Myeloid/lymphoid or mixed-lineage leukemia translocated to 10, also known as AF10, a recurrent MLL partner. In this study, we found that MLLT10 promotes CRC tumor invasion and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Here, the expression of MLLT10 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Then, the plasmid and lentivirus particles for MLLT10 overexpression or knockdown were designed and constructed into SW620 and HT29 cells. Finally, cell proliferation assay, cell adhesion assay, transwell migration, and invasion assay were used to detect the migration and invasion ability of MLLT10 in CRC cells. A tail vein injection assay was employed to evaluate the role of MLLT10 in tumor metastases. MLLT10 expression was significantly higher in CRC tissues than in noncancerous tissues and was associated with some clinicopathological factors. In vitro, the overexpression of MLLT10 promoted CRC cell migration and invasion, while after MLLT10 was knocked down, the opposite results were observed. Furthermore, we used animal metastasis models to detect the function of MLLT10 in vivo, the results are same with the outcomes in vitro. In lung metastasis sites, the knockdown of MLLT10 in SW620 cells significantly inhibited Vimentin expression, whereas the E-Cadherin was increased. These results indicate that MLLT10 regulates the metastasis of CRC cells via EMT. Show less
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is generally regarded as a metabolic disorder disease with various phenotypic expressions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used for preventing and treating dia Show more
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is generally regarded as a metabolic disorder disease with various phenotypic expressions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used for preventing and treating diabetes. In our study, we demonstrated that Cyclocarya paliurus formula extractum (CPE), a compound of TCM, can ameliorate diabetes in diabetic rats. Transcriptome profiles were performed to elucidate the anti-diabetic mechanisms of CPE on pancreas and liver. Pancreatic transcriptome analysis showed CPE treatment significantly inhibited gene expressions related to inflammation and apoptosis pathways, among which the transcription factors (TFs) nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), STAT, and miR-9a/148/200 may serve as core regulators contributing to ameliorate diabetes. Biochemical studies also demonstrated CPE treatment decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interleukin [IL]-1β, and IL-6) and reduced β cell apoptosis. In liver tissue, our transcriptome and biochemical experiments showed that CPE treatment reduced lipid accumulation and liver injury, and it promoted glycogen synthesis, which may be regulated by TFs Srebf1, Mlxipl, and miR-122/128/192. Taken together, our findings revealed CPE could be used as a potential therapeutic agent to prevent and treat diabetes. It is the first time to combine transcriptome and regulatory network analyses to study the mechanism of CPE in preventing diabetes, giving a demonstration of exploring the mechanism of TCM on complex diseases. Show less
The carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP), also referred to as MLXIPL, plays a crucial role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. Existing studies have shown an associati Show more
The carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP), also referred to as MLXIPL, plays a crucial role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. Existing studies have shown an association between genetic variations of the ChREBP gene and lipid levels, such as triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, mechanistic studies of this association are limited. In this study, bioinformatic analysis revealed that the polymorphism rs1051943A occurs in the complementary binding sequence of miR-1322 in the ChREBP 3'-untranslated region (UTR). Studies of potential mechanisms showed that the A allele could facilitate miR-1322 binding, and luciferase activity significantly decreased when co-transfected with a ChREBP 3'-UTR luciferase reporter vector and miR-1322 mimics in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, miR-1322 significantly regulated the expression of ChREBP downstream genes and reduced the synthesis of lipids. The expression of miR-1322 was up-regulated by glucose and palmitic acid stimulation. Population studies showed that rs1051943-A allele was only found in the Han Chinese and Uighur ethnic groups, different from European populations (G allele frequency = 0.07). In summary, we provide evidence that the rs1051943 A allele creates a functional miR-1322 binding site in ChREBP 3'-UTR and post-transcriptionally down-regulates its expression, possibly associated with levels of plasma lipids and glucose. Show less
Dairy cows with type II ketosis display hepatic fat accumulation and hyperinsulinemia, but the underlying mechanism is not completely clear. This study aimed to clarify the regulation of lipid metabol Show more
Dairy cows with type II ketosis display hepatic fat accumulation and hyperinsulinemia, but the underlying mechanism is not completely clear. This study aimed to clarify the regulation of lipid metabolism by insulin in cow hepatocytes. In vitro, cow hepatocytes were treated with 0, 1, 10, or 100 nm insulin in the presence or absence of AICAR (an AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKα) activator). The results showed that insulin decreased AMPKα phosphorylation. This inactivation of AMPKα increased the gene and protein expression levels of carbohydrate responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), which downregulated the expression of lipogenic genes, thereby decreasing lipid biosynthesis. Furthermore, AMPKα inactivation decreased the gene and protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα), which upregulated the expression of lipid oxidation genes, thereby increasing lipid oxidation. In addition, insulin decreased the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) assembly. Consequently, triglyceride content was significantly increased in insulin treated hepatocytes. Activation of AMPKα induced by AICAR could reverse the effect of insulin on PPARα, SREBP-1c, and ChREBP, thereby decreasing triglyceride content. These results indicate that insulin inhibits the AMPKα signaling pathway to increase lipid synthesis and decrease lipid oxidation and VLDL assembly in cow hepatocytes, thereby inducing TG accumulation. This mechanism could partly explain the causal relationship between hepatic fat accumulation and hyperinsulinemia in dairy cows with type II ketosis. Show less
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are strongly associated with dysregulated glucose and lipid metabolism, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We report that inhibition of the kinase ( Show more
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are strongly associated with dysregulated glucose and lipid metabolism, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We report that inhibition of the kinase (BDK) or overexpression of the phosphatase (PPM1K) that regulates branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH), the committed step of BCAA catabolism, lowers circulating BCAA, reduces hepatic steatosis, and improves glucose tolerance in the absence of weight loss in Zucker fatty rats. Phosphoproteomics analysis identified ATP-citrate lyase (ACL) as an alternate substrate of BDK and PPM1K. Hepatic overexpression of BDK increased ACL phosphorylation and activated de novo lipogenesis. BDK and PPM1K transcript levels were increased and repressed, respectively, in response to fructose feeding or expression of the ChREBP-β transcription factor. These studies identify BDK and PPM1K as a ChREBP-regulated node that integrates BCAA and lipid metabolism. Moreover, manipulation of the BDK:PPM1K ratio relieves key metabolic disease phenotypes in a genetic model of severe obesity. Show less
This study investigated the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) on apoptosis and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) expression in INS-1 islet cells and the underlying mechanism. INS-1 cells culture Show more
This study investigated the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) on apoptosis and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) expression in INS-1 islet cells and the underlying mechanism. INS-1 cells cultured in vitro were treated with different concentration of Ang II for different time, and the viability was measured using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). After treatment with 1 × 10 Show less