Fatty acids play a key role in cellular bioenergetics, membrane biosynthesis and intracellular signaling processes and thus may be involved in cancer development and progression. In the present study, Show more
Fatty acids play a key role in cellular bioenergetics, membrane biosynthesis and intracellular signaling processes and thus may be involved in cancer development and progression. In the present study, we comprehensively assessed associations of 14,522 common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 149 genes of the fatty-acid synthesis pathway with cutaneous melanoma disease-specific survival (CMSS). The dataset of 858 cutaneous melanoma (CM) patients from a published genome-wide association study (GWAS) by The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center was used as the discovery dataset, and the identified significant SNPs were validated by a dataset of 409 CM patients from another GWAS from the Nurses' Health and Health Professionals Follow-up Studies. We found 40 noteworthy SNPs to be associated with CMSS in both discovery and validation datasets after multiple comparison correction by the false positive report probability method, because more than 85% of the SNPs were imputed. By performing functional prediction, linkage disequilibrium analysis, and stepwise Cox regression selection, we identified two independent SNPs of ELOVL2 rs3734398 T>C and HSD17B12 rs11037684 A>G that predicted CMSS, with an allelic hazards ratio of 0.66 (95% confidence interval = 0.51-0.84 and p = 8.34 × 10 Show less
Dyslipidemia is the most common lipid metabolism disorder in humans, and its etiology remains elusive. Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a type of dyslipidemia that contributes to atherosclerosis and coro Show more
Dyslipidemia is the most common lipid metabolism disorder in humans, and its etiology remains elusive. Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a type of dyslipidemia that contributes to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Previous studies have demonstrated that mutations in lipoprotein lipase (LPL), apolipoprotein CII (APOC2), apolipoprotein AV (APOA5), glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchored high-density lipoprotein-binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1), lipase maturation factor 1(LMF1), and glycerol-3 phosphate dehydrogenase 1 (GPD1) are responsible for HTG by using genomic microarrays and next-generation sequencing. The aim of this study was to identify genetic lesions in patients with HTG. Our study included a family of seven members from Jiangsu province across three generations. The proband was diagnosed with severe HTG, with a plasma triglyceride level of 38.70 mmol/L. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing were performed to explore the possible causative gene mutations for this patient. Furthermore, we measured the post-heparin LPL and hepatic lipase (HL) activities using an antiserum inhibition method. A compound heterozygous mutation in the LMF1 gene (c.257C>T/p.P86L and c.1184C>T/p.T395I) was identified and co-segregated with the affected patient in this family. Both mutations were predicted to be deleterious by three bioinformatics programs (Polymorphism Phenotyping-2, Sorting Intolerant From Tolerant, and MutationTaster). The levels of the plasma post-heparin LPL and HL activities in the proband (57 and 177 mU/mL) were reduced to 24% and 75%, respectively, compared with those assayed in the control subject with normal plasma triglycerides. A compound heterozygous mutation of LMF1 was identified in the presenting patient with severe HTG. These findings expand on the spectrum of LMF1 mutations and contribute to the genetic diagnosis and counseling of families with HTG. Show less
Although the genotype-phenotype for familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) is well studied, only few low susceptibility risk loci were identified for familial non-medullary thyroid carcinoma (FNM Show more
Although the genotype-phenotype for familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) is well studied, only few low susceptibility risk loci were identified for familial non-medullary thyroid carcinoma (FNMTC). The aim of this study is to screen and identify high-penetrate genes for FNMTC. A total of 34 families with more than two first-degree relatives diagnosed as papillary thyroid cancer without other familial syndrome were recruited. Whole exome and target gene sequencing were performed for candidate variants. These variants were screened and analyzed with ESP6500, ExAC, 1000 genomes project, and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) with SIFT score and Polyphen2 prediction. Finally, we identified recurrent genetic mutation of MAP2K5 variants c.G961A and c.T1100C (p. A321T and p.M367 T) as susceptibility loci for FNMTC. The frequencies of MAP2K5 c.G961A and c.T1100C were found, 0.0385 and 0.0259 in FNMTC and 0 and 0.00022523 in healthy Chinese controls (n = 2200, P < 0.001), respectively. Both variants were located in the protein kinase domain. The functional study showed that MAP2K5 A321T or M367 T could consistently phosphorylate downstream protein ERK5 on site Ser731 + Thr733 or Ser496, promoting nuclear translocation and subsequently altering target gene expressions. Our data revealed that MAP2K5 variants A321T or M367 T can activate MAP2K5-ERK5 pathway, alter downstream gene expression, and subsequently induce thyroid epithelial cell malignant transformation. While classic MAP2K1/2(MEK1/2)-ERK1/2 signaling is well known for driving sporadic NMTC, our research indicated that MAP2K5 (MEK5) is a susceptibility gene for FNMTC. These findings highlight the potential application of MAP2K5 for molecular diagnosis as well as early prevention. Show less
The immune environment in primary tumor has a profound impact on immunotherapy. However, the clinical relevance of immune environment in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is largely unknown. Here, the im Show more
The immune environment in primary tumor has a profound impact on immunotherapy. However, the clinical relevance of immune environment in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is largely unknown. Here, the immune profile and its clinical response in HCC were investigated. The gene expression profiles of 569 HCCs from three cohorts (The Cancer Genome Atlas, TCGA, Show less
Antler growth is a unique event compared to other growth and development processes in mammals. Antlers grow extremely fast during the rapid growth stage when growth rate peaks at 2 cm per day. Antler Show more
Antler growth is a unique event compared to other growth and development processes in mammals. Antlers grow extremely fast during the rapid growth stage when growth rate peaks at 2 cm per day. Antler growth is driven by a specific endochondral ossification process in the growth center that is in the distal region of the antler tip. In this study, we used state-of-art RNA-seq technology to analyze the expression profiles of mRNAs and miRNAs during antler growth. Our results indicated that the expression levels of multiple genes involved in chondrogenesis and endochondral ossification, including Show less
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) regulates intravascular lipoprotein metabolism. In vitro studies indicate that ApoF alters CETP function by inhibiting its activity with LDL. To explore in vi Show more
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) regulates intravascular lipoprotein metabolism. In vitro studies indicate that ApoF alters CETP function by inhibiting its activity with LDL. To explore in vivo the complexities driving ApoF's effects on CETP, we developed a siRNA-based hamster model of ApoF knockdown. In both male and female hamsters on chow- or fat-fed diets, we measured lipoprotein levels and composition, determined CETP-mediated transfer of cholesteryl esters (CEs) between lipoproteins, and quantified reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). We found that apoF knockdown in chow-fed hamsters had no effect on lipoprotein levels or composition, but these ApoF-deficient lipoproteins supported 50-100% higher LDL CETP activity in vitro. ApoF knockdown in fat-fed male hamsters created a phenotype in which endogenous CETP-mediated CE transfer from HDL to LDL increased up to 2-fold, LDL cholesterol increased 40%, HDL declined 25%, LDL and HDL lipid compositions were altered, and hepatic Show less
Bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) play important roles in host antimicrobial defense. In the present study, we identified one isoform of B Show more
Bactericidal permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) play important roles in host antimicrobial defense. In the present study, we identified one isoform of BPI/LBP gene from turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), designated as SmBPI/LBP1. The full-length cDNA sequence of SmBPI/LBP1 was 1826 bp, which encoding one secreted protein with 480 amino acid residues. Structurally, the SmBPI/LBP1 showed high similarity to its homologs from other vertebrates or invertebrates, which all contained a signal peptide, a BPI/LBP/CETP N-terminal with a LPS-binding domain, and a BPI/LBP/CETP C-terminal domain. The deduced amino acid sequences of SmBPI/LBP1 shared significant similarity to BPI/LBP of Seriola lalandi dorsalis (71%) and Paralichthys olivaceus (69%). Phylogentic analysis further supported that SmBPI/LBP1 act as a new member of vertebrate BPI/LBP family. SmBPI/LBP1 was ubiquitously expressed in all tested tissues, with the highest expression level in spleen tissue. The mRNA expression of SmBPI/LBP1 in spleen and kidney were significantly up-regulated after Vibrio vulnificus challenge. Finally, the recombinant SmBPI/LBP1 showed high affinity to lipopolysaccharide, followed by peptidoglycan and lipoteichoic acid, which is the ubiquitous component of Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria. These results indicated that SmBPI/LBP1 probably played important roles in immune response against bacteria infection. Show less
To unravel the genetic mechanisms of disease and physiological traits, it requires comprehensive sequencing analysis of large sample size in Chinese populations. Here, we report the primary results of Show more
To unravel the genetic mechanisms of disease and physiological traits, it requires comprehensive sequencing analysis of large sample size in Chinese populations. Here, we report the primary results of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Precision Medicine Initiative (CASPMI) project launched by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, including the de novo assembly of a northern Han reference genome (NH1.0) and whole genome analyses of 597 healthy people coming from most areas in China. Given the two existing reference genomes for Han Chinese (YH and HX1) were both from the south, we constructed NH1.0, a new reference genome from a northern individual, by combining the sequencing strategies of PacBio, 10× Genomics, and Bionano mapping. Using this integrated approach, we obtained an N50 scaffold size of 46.63 Mb for the NH1.0 genome and performed a comparative genome analysis of NH1.0 with YH and HX1. In order to generate a genomic variation map of Chinese populations, we performed the whole-genome sequencing of 597 participants and identified 24.85 million (M) single nucleotide variants (SNVs), 3.85 M small indels, and 106,382 structural variations. In the association analysis with collected phenotypes, we found that the T allele of rs1549293 in KAT8 significantly correlated with the waist circumference in northern Han males. Moreover, significant genetic diversity in MTHFR, TCN2, FADS1, and FADS2, which associate with circulating folate, vitamin B12, or lipid metabolism, was observed between northerners and southerners. Especially, for the homocysteine-increasing allele of rs1801133 (MTHFR 677T), we hypothesize that there exists a "comfort" zone for a high frequency of 677T between latitudes of 35-45 degree North. Taken together, our results provide a high-quality northern Han reference genome and novel population-specific data sets of genetic variants for use in the personalized and precision medicine. Show less
Micro-RNAs regulate multiple biological behaviors of cancers, making them potential targets of new cancer therapies. MiR-1181 has been demonstrated to perform oncogenic or tumor-suppressing function i Show more
Micro-RNAs regulate multiple biological behaviors of cancers, making them potential targets of new cancer therapies. MiR-1181 has been demonstrated to perform oncogenic or tumor-suppressing function in a tissue-dependent way, but its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was unclear. Here, we showed that miR-1181 was significantly overexpressed in HCC tissues when compared with tumor-adjacent normal ones or normal liver tissues from donated organ, and that inhibition of miR-1181 could repress the growth of HCC cells. Through bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays, we found that axis inhibition protein 1 (AXIN1) was a direct target of miR-1181, and the expression of AXIN1 showed a negative correlation with that of miR-1181 in HCC. Therefore, these data indicated an oncogenic function of miRNA-1181 in the development of HCC and a potential target for the clinical treatment of HCC. Show less
Tissues rely on stem cells (SCs) for homeostasis and wound repair. SCs reside in specialized microenvironments (niches) whose complexities and roles in orchestrating tissue growth are still unfolding. Show more
Tissues rely on stem cells (SCs) for homeostasis and wound repair. SCs reside in specialized microenvironments (niches) whose complexities and roles in orchestrating tissue growth are still unfolding. Here, we identify lymphatic capillaries as critical SC-niche components. In skin, lymphatics form intimate networks around hair follicle (HF) SCs. When HFs regenerate, lymphatic-SC connections become dynamic. Using a mouse model, we unravel a secretome switch in SCs that controls lymphatic behavior. Resting SCs express angiopoietin-like protein 7 ( Show less
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD)-related disorders are the major causes of low back pain. A previous study suggested that Notch activation serves as a protective mechanism and is a part of the Show more
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD)-related disorders are the major causes of low back pain. A previous study suggested that Notch activation serves as a protective mechanism and is a part of the compensatory response that maintains the necessary resident nucleus pulposus (NP) cell proliferation to replace lost or non-functional cells. However, the exact mechanism remains to be determined. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of JAG2/Notch2 in NP cell proliferation and apoptosis. Recombinant JAG2 or Notch2, Hes1, and Hey2 siRNAs were used to activate or inhibit Notch signaling. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulatory factors, and pathways associated with Notch-mediated proliferation were examined. In vivo experiments involving an intradiscal injection of Sprague-Dawley rats were performed. Recombinant JAG2 induced Notch2 and Hes1/Hey2 expression together with NP cell proliferation. Downregulation of Notch2/Hes1/Hey2 induced G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest in NP cells. Moreover, Notch2 mediated NP cell proliferation by regulating cyclin D1 and by activating PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Furthermore, Notch signaling inhibited TNF-α-promoted NP cell apoptosis by suppressing the formation of the RIP1-FADD-caspase-8 complex. Finally, we found that intradiscal injection of JAG2 alleviated IVDD and that sh-Notch2 aggravated IVDD in a rat model. These results indicated that JAG2/Notch2 inhibited IVDD by modulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix. The JAG2/Notch2 axis regulated NP cell proliferation via PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin signaling and inhibited TNF-α-induced apoptosis by suppressing the formation of the RIP1-FADD-caspase-8 complex. The current and previous results shed light on the therapeutic implications of targeting the JAG2/Notch2 axis to inhibit or reverse IVDD. Show less
Caveolin-1 has been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study was designed to identify Caveolin-1-interacting proteins to reveal Show more
Caveolin-1 has been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study was designed to identify Caveolin-1-interacting proteins to reveal the molecular mechanisms of ARDS. Yeast two-hybrid screening was performed using Caveolin-1 as the bait, and Axin-1 was identified as a binding partner for Caveolin-1. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that the binding domains were located in the N-terminal region (1-100 aa) of Caveolin-1 and the C-terminal region (710-797 aa) of Axin-1. Caveolin-1 gene knockout or Axin-1 knockdown significantly decreased the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the supernatants of alveolar type I (AT-I) epithelial cells treated with LPS. Disrupting the interaction between Caveolin-1 and Axin-1 using CRISPR/Cas9 technology led to a significant increase in TNF-α and IL-6 from AT-I cells, along with a significant reduction in β-catenin expression. In conclusion, Axin-1 functions as an adaptor of Caveolin-1 and affects the production of inflammatory cytokines in AT-I cells challenged with LPS via β-catenin-mediated negative regulation. Show less
Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I (CPS1) deficiency (CPS1D), is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by life-threatening hyperammonemia. In this study, we presented the detailed clinical Show more
Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I (CPS1) deficiency (CPS1D), is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by life-threatening hyperammonemia. In this study, we presented the detailed clinical features and genetic analysis of two patients with neonatal-onset CPS1D carrying two compound heterozygous variants of c.1631C > T (p.T544M)/c.1981G > T (p.G661C), and c.2896G > T (p.E966X)/c622-3C > G in Show less
The goal of this work was to investigate the molecular profiles and metastasis markers in Chinese patients with gastric carcinoma (GC). In total, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on 74 GC pat Show more
The goal of this work was to investigate the molecular profiles and metastasis markers in Chinese patients with gastric carcinoma (GC). In total, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on 74 GC patients with tumor and adjacent normal formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples. The mutation spectrum of these samples showed a high concordance with TCGA and other studies on GC. PTPRT is significantly associated with metastasis of GC, suggesting its predictive role in metastasis of GC. Patients carrying BRCA2 mutations tend not to metastasize, which may be related to their sensitivity to chemotherapy. Mutations in MACF1, CDC27, HMCN1, CDH1 and PDZD2 were moderately enriched in peritoneal metastasis (PM) samples. Furthermore, we found two genomic regions (1p36.21 and Xq26.3) were associated with PM of GC, and patients with amplification of 1p36.21 and Xq26.3 have a worse prognosis (P = 0.002, 0.01, respectively). Our analysis provides GC patients with potential markers for single and combination therapies. Show less
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common human pathogenic bacterium. Once infected, it is difficult for the host to clear this organism using the innate immune system. Increased antibiotic resistan Show more
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common human pathogenic bacterium. Once infected, it is difficult for the host to clear this organism using the innate immune system. Increased antibiotic resistance further makes it challenging for effective eradication. However, the mechanisms of immune evasion still remain obscure, and novel strategies should be developed to efficiently eliminate H. pylori infection in stomachs. Here we uncovered desirable anti-H. pylori effect of vitamin D3 both in vitro and in vivo, even against antibiotic-resistant strains. We showed that H. pylori can invade into the gastric epithelium where they became sequestered and survived in autophagosomes with impaired lysosomal acidification. Vitamin D3 treatment caused a restored lysosomal degradation function by activating the PDIA3 receptor, thereby promoting the nuclear translocation of PDIA3-STAT3 protein complex and the subsequent upregulation of MCOLN3 channels, resulting in an enhanced Ca Show less
HDL-bound ApoM and albumin are protein chaperones for the circulating bioactive lipid, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P); in this role, they support essential extracellular S1P signaling functions in the Show more
HDL-bound ApoM and albumin are protein chaperones for the circulating bioactive lipid, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P); in this role, they support essential extracellular S1P signaling functions in the vascular and immune systems. We previously showed that ApoM- and albumin-bound S1P exhibit differences in receptor activation and biological functions. Whether the physiological functions of S1P require chaperones is not clear. We examined ApoM-deficient, albumin-deficient, and double-KO (DKO) mice for circulatory S1P and its biological functions. In albumin-deficient mice, ApoM was upregulated, thus enabling S1P functions in embryonic development and postnatal adult life. The Show less
Kepeng Ou, Sonja Mertsch, Sofia Theodoropoulou+7 more · 2019 · Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology · added 2026-04-24
Hypoxia of the retina is a common pathogenic drive leading to vision loss as a result of tissue ischemia, increased vascular permeability and ultimately retinal neovascularisation. Here we tested the Show more
Hypoxia of the retina is a common pathogenic drive leading to vision loss as a result of tissue ischemia, increased vascular permeability and ultimately retinal neovascularisation. Here we tested the hypothesis that Müller cells stabilize the neurovascular unit, microvasculature by suppression of HIF-1α activation as a result of hypoxic preconditioning. Tube Formation Assay and In vitro Vascular Permeability Image Assay were used to analyze angiogenesis and vascular integrity. Seahorse XF Cell Mito Stress Test was used to measure mitochondrial respiration. Gene and protein expression were examined by qRTPCR, ELISA and western blot. Hypoxic insult induces a significant induction of proangiogenic factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietinlike 4 (ANGPTL-4) resulting in angiogenesis and increased vascular permeability of vascular endothelial cells. Hypoxic preconditioning of a human retinal Müller glia cell line significantly attenuates HIF-1α activation through the inhibition of mTOR and concomitant induction of aerobic glycolysis, stabilizing endothelial cells. Hypoxic preconditioning of Müller cells confers a robust protection to endothelial cells, through the suppression of HIF1α activation and its downstream regulation of VEGF and ANGPTL-4. Show less
Spinal root avulsion typically leads to massive motoneuron death and severe functional deficits of the target muscles. Multiple pathological factors such as severe neuron loss, induction of inhibitory Show more
Spinal root avulsion typically leads to massive motoneuron death and severe functional deficits of the target muscles. Multiple pathological factors such as severe neuron loss, induction of inhibitory molecules, and insufficient regeneration are responsible for the poor functional recovery. Leucine-rich repeat and immunoglobulin-like domain-containing Nogo receptor-interacting protein 1 (LINGO-1), a central nervous system (CNS)-specific transmembrane protein that is selectively expressed on neurons and oligodendrocytes, serves as a potent negative mediator of axonal regeneration and myelination in CNS injuries and diseases. Although accumulating evidence has demonstrated improvement in axonal regeneration and neurological functions by LINGO-1 antagonism in CNS damage, the possible effects of LINGO-1 in spinal root avulsion remain undiscovered. In this study, a LINGO-1 knockdown strategy using lentiviral vectors encoding LINGO-1 short hairpin interfering RNA (shRNA) delivered by the Pluronic F-127 (PF-127) hydrogel was described after brachial plexus avulsion (BPA). We provide evidence that following BPA and immediate reimplantation, transplantation of LINGO-1 shRNA lentiviral vectors encapsulated by PF-127 rescued the injured motoneurons, enhanced axonal outgrowth and myelination, rebuilt motor endplates, facilitated the reinnervation of terminal muscles, improved angiogenesis, and promoted recovery of avulsed forelimbs. Altogether, these data suggest that delivery of LINGO-1 shRNA by a gel scaffold is a potential therapeutic approach for root avulsion. Impact Statement In this study, we attempted transplantation of lentivirus (LV)/leucine-rich repeat and immunoglobulin-like domain-containing Nogo receptor-interacting protein 1 (LINGO-1)-short hairpin interfering RNA (shRNA) encapsulated by the Pluronic F-127 (PF-127) hydrogel into a brachial plexus avulsion (BPA)-reimplantation model. We found that administration of LV/LINGO-1 shRNA facilitates neuron survival and axonal regeneration, attenuates muscle atrophy and motor endplate (MEP) loss, enhances neovascularization, and promotes functional recovery in BPA rats. Co-transplantation of LV/LINGO-1 shRNA and gel reinforces the survival-promoting effect, axonal outgrowth, and angiogenesis in comparison with LV/LINGO-1 shRNA application alone. Our research provides evidence that LV /LINGO-1 shRNA delivered by PF-127 represents a new treatment strategy for BPA repair. Show less
To improve the accuracy and genetic progress of blue fox breeding, the relationships between genetic polymorphisms and growth and reproductive traits of the blue fox were investigated. MC4R, MC3R, INH Show more
To improve the accuracy and genetic progress of blue fox breeding, the relationships between genetic polymorphisms and growth and reproductive traits of the blue fox were investigated. MC4R, MC3R, INHA and INHBA were selected as candidate genes for molecular evolution and statistical analyses. Single-factor variance analyses showed that the MC4R (g.267C > T, g.423C > T, and g.731C > A) and MC3R (g.677C > T) genotypes had significant impacts on body weight, chest circumference, abdominal perimeter and body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.05) in blue fox. The MC4R and MC3R combined genotypes had significant effects on the body weight and abdominal circumference. The different genotypes of INHA g.75G > A had significant effects on female fecundity, whereas the different genotypes of INHBA g.404G > T and g.467G > T and the INHA and INHBA combined genotypes had significant effects on male fecundity. The proteins encoded by the open reading frames (ORFs) of different polymorphic loci were predicted and analysed. The aims of this study were to identify genetic markers related to growth and reproduction in the blue fox and to provide an efficient, economical and accurate theoretical approach for auxiliary fox breeding. Show less
Jin-Juan Liu, Hong-Fa Yang, Yong-Jian Li+1 more · 2019 · Sichuan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical science edition · added 2026-04-24
To investigate the expression of β-catenin in the skin lesions of patients with systemic scleroderma (SSc) and its effect on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human epidermal keratinocytes. T Show more
To investigate the expression of β-catenin in the skin lesions of patients with systemic scleroderma (SSc) and its effect on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human epidermal keratinocytes. The expression of β-catenin, Snail1 and E-cadherin in the skin lesions sample of 45 SSc patients and normal skin sample from 20 healthy adults was detected with SP immunohistochemistry. HaCaT, the human epidermal keratinocytes, were treated with different concentrations of Wnt10b (0 ng/mL (control), 2 ng/mL and 4 ng/mL) for 48 h. then detected the localization of β-catenin in HaCaT cells by immunofluorescence assay, determined the mRNA levels of Snail1 and Snail2 in HaCaT cells by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, detected the proteins expression of β-catenin, Vimentin, N-cadherin and E-cadherin in HaCaT cells by Western blot. The positive rates of β-catenin, Snail1 and E-cadherin in skin lesions of SSc patients were 100%, 88.89% and 2.22% respectively, while in healthy adult skin, the corresponding positive rates were 0%, 10.00%, and 95.00%. The difference between the two groups was significant. Compared with control group, treatment with different concentrations of Wnt10b (2 ng/mL and 4 ng/mL) induced up-regulation of β-catenin expression and promoted translocation of β-catenin from cytoplasm to nucleus, increased the mRNA levels of Snail1 and Snail2 ( Abnormally activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and abnormally expressed EMT-related proteins are observed in SSc lesions. Activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may promote EMT in HaCaT cells. Show less
Complex mechanisms are required to form neuromuscular synapses, direct their subsequent maturation, and maintain the synapse throughout life. Transcriptional and post-translational pathways play impor Show more
Complex mechanisms are required to form neuromuscular synapses, direct their subsequent maturation, and maintain the synapse throughout life. Transcriptional and post-translational pathways play important roles in synaptic differentiation and direct the accumulation of the neurotransmitter receptors, acetylcholine receptors (AChRs), to the postsynaptic membrane, ensuring for reliable synaptic transmission. Rapsyn, an intracellular peripheral membrane protein that binds AChRs, is essential for synaptic differentiation, but how Rapsyn acts is poorly understood. We screened for proteins that coisolate with AChRs in a Rapsyn-dependent manner and show that microtubule actin cross linking factor 1 (MACF1), a scaffolding protein with binding sites for microtubules (MT) and actin, is concentrated at neuromuscular synapses, where it binds Rapsyn and serves as a synaptic organizer for MT-associated proteins, EB1 and MAP1b, and the actin-associated protein, Vinculin. MACF1 plays an important role in maintaining synaptic differentiation and efficient synaptic transmission in mice, and variants in Show less
Sarah A King, Han Liu, Xiaoyang Wu · 2019 · Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.) · SAGE Publications · added 2026-04-24
The cytoskeleton is an essential element of a eukaryotic cell which informs both form and function and ultimately has physiological consequences for the organism. Equally as important as the major cyt Show more
The cytoskeleton is an essential element of a eukaryotic cell which informs both form and function and ultimately has physiological consequences for the organism. Equally as important as the major cytoskeletal networks are crosslinkers which coordinate and regulate their activities. One such category of crosslinker is the spectraplakins, a family of giant, evolutionarily conserved crosslinking proteins with the rare ability to interact with each of the three major cytoskeletal networks. In particular, a mammalian spectraplakin isotype called MACF1 (microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1), also known as ACF7 (actin crosslinking factor 7), has been of particular interest in the years since its discovery; MACF1 has come under such scrutiny due to the mounting list of biological phenomena in which it has been implicated. This review is an overview of the current knowledge on the structure and function of the known spectraplakin isotypes with an emphasis on MACF1, recent studies on MACF1, and finally, an analysis of the potential of MACF1 to advance medicine. Spectraplakins are a highly conserved group of proteins which have the rare ability to bind to each of the three major cytoskeletal networks. The mammalian spectraplakin MACF1/ACF7 has proven to be instrumental in many cellular processes (e.g. signaling and cell migration) since its identification and, as such, has been the focus of various research studies. This review is a synthesis of scientific reports on the structure, confirmed functions, and implicated roles of MACF1/ACF7 as of 2019. Based on what has been revealed thus far in terms of MACF1/ACF7’s role in complex pathologies such as metastatic cancers and inflammatory bowel disease, it appears that MACF1/ACF7 and the continued study thereof hold great potential to both enhance the design of future therapies for various diseases and vastly expand scientific understanding of organismal physiology as a whole. Show less
Many achievements have been made to develop quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and gene-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to facilitate practical marker-assisted selection (MAS) in aquatic Show more
Many achievements have been made to develop quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and gene-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to facilitate practical marker-assisted selection (MAS) in aquatic animals. However, the systematic studies of SNPs associated with extreme threshold traits were poor in populations lacking of parental genomic information. Coupling next generation sequencing with bulked segregant analysis (BSA) should allow identification of numerous associated SNPs with extreme phenotypes. In the present study, using combination of SNP frequency difference and Euclidean distance, we conducted linkage analysis of SNPs located in genes involved in immune responses, and identified markers associated with Vibrio anguillarum resistance in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). A total of 221 SNPs was found as candidate SNPs between resistant and susceptible individuals. Among these SNPs, 35 loci located in immune related genes were genotyped in verification population and 7 of them showed significant association with V. anguillarum resistance in both alleles and genotypes (P < 0.05). Among these 7 genes, PIK3CA-like, CYLD, VCAM1, RhoB and RhoGEF are involved in PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and NF-κB pathway, which influence the efficiency of bacteria entering the host and inflammation. SNP-SNP interaction analysis was performed by generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR). The combination of SNP loci in RhoB, PIK3CA-like and ADCY3 showed a significant effect on V. anguillarum resistance with the verification rate in the sequencing population up to 70.8%. Taken all, our findings demonstrated the feasibility of BSA-seq approach in identifying genes responsible for the extreme phenotypes and will aid in performing MAS in turbot. Show less
Focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome and end-stage renal disease. It has been reported that overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell Show more
Focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome and end-stage renal disease. It has been reported that overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell apoptosis are associated with the development of FSGS. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a bioactive constituent accounting for more than 50% of the total catechins in green tea, which have anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects. Based on this, this study was designed to evaluate the renoprotective effect of EGCG treatment on Adriamycin-induced FSGS. -Methods: In C57BL/6 mice, Adriamycin nephropathy (AN) was induced by Adriamycin (10 mg/kg body weight, diluted in normal saline) via a tail vein on day 0. Then the mice were given with EGCG (20 mg/kg body weight) or YC-1 (Lificiguat, a specific inhibitor of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α [HIF-1α], 50 mg/kg body weight) or both intraperitoneally. Both the EGCG and YC-1 were given on the day of Adriamycin injection and continued for 6 weeks. The animals were organized into the following 5 groups for the animal experiments: the control group, the AN group, the AN + EGCG group, the AN + YC-1 group and the AN + EGCG + YC-1 group. At 6 weeks, the mice were sacrificed; kidneys and blood samples were collected for further analysis. The HIF-1α and the angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) expression were detected by Western blot, real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence. Dihydroethidium staining and NADPH oxidase 1 (Nox1) measurement were used to detect ROS production. Terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining and caspase-3 measurement was used to detect cell apoptosis. When the animals were treated with Adriamycin, both the ROS production and TUNEL positive cells increased. Besides, the expression of HIF-1α, ANGPTL4, and caspase-3 were also up-regulated, while EGCG treatment could attenuate these changes. Interestingly, compared with treatment with YC-1 or EGCG alone, more pronounced inhibition of ANGPTL4, caspase-3 and Nox1 were obtained when YC-1 and EGCG were administered simultaneously. EGCG attenuates FSGS through the suppression of Oxidant Stress and apoptosis by targeting the HIF-1α/ANGPTL4 pathway. Show less
Abnormal metabolism is a fundamental hallmark of cancer and represents a therapeutic opportunity, yet its regulation by oncogenes remains poorly understood. Here, we uncover that JMJD1C, a jumonji C ( Show more
Abnormal metabolism is a fundamental hallmark of cancer and represents a therapeutic opportunity, yet its regulation by oncogenes remains poorly understood. Here, we uncover that JMJD1C, a jumonji C (JmjC)-containing H3K9 demethylase, is a critical regulator of aberrant metabolic processes in homeobox A9 (HOXA9)-dependent acute myeloid leukemia (AML). JMJD1C overexpression increases in vivo cell proliferation and tumorigenicity through demethylase-independent upregulation of a glycolytic and oxidative program, which sustains leukemic cell bioenergetics and contributes to an aggressive AML phenotype in vivo. Targeting JMJD1C-mediated metabolism via pharmacologic inhibition of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation led to ATP depletion, induced necrosis/apoptosis and decreased tumor growth in vivo in leukemias co-expressing JMJD1C and HOXA9. The anti-metabolic therapy effectively diminished AML stem/progenitor cells and reduced tumor burden in a primary AML patient-derived xenograft. Our data establish a direct link between drug responses and endogenous expression of JMJD1C and HOXA9 in human AML cell line- and patient-derived xenografts. These findings demonstrate a previously unappreciated role for JMJD1C in counteracting adverse metabolic changes and retaining the metabolic integrity during tumorigenesis, which can be exploited therapeutically. Show less
Increased circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) have been involved in the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance (IR). However, evidence relating berberine (BBR), gut microbiota, BCAA Show more
Increased circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) have been involved in the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance (IR). However, evidence relating berberine (BBR), gut microbiota, BCAAs, and IR is limited. Here, we showed that BBR could effectively rectify steatohepatitis and glucose intolerance in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. BBR reorganized gut microbiota populations under both the normal chow diet (NCD) and HFD. Particularly, BBR noticeably decreased the relative abundance of BCAA-producing bacteria, including order Clostridiales; families Streptococcaceae, Clostridiaceae, and Prevotellaceae; and genera Streptococcus and Prevotella. Compared with the HFD group, predictive metagenomics indicated a reduction in the proportion of gut microbiota genes involved in BCAA biosynthesis but the enrichment genes for BCAA degradation and transport by BBR treatment. Accordingly, the elevated serum BCAAs of HFD group were significantly decreased by BBR. Furthermore, the Western blotting results implied that BBR could promote the BCAA catabolism in the liver and epididymal white adipose tissues of HFD-fed mice by activation of the multienzyme branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex (BCKDC), whereas by inhibition of the phosphorylation state of BCKDHA (E1α subunit) and branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK). The ex vivo assay further confirmed that BBR could increase BCAA catabolism in both AML12 hepatocytes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Finally, data from healthy subjects and diabetics confirmed that BBR could improve glycemic control and modulate circulating BCAAs. Together, our findings clarified BBR improving IR associated not only with gut microbiota alteration in BCAA biosynthesis but also with BCAA catabolism in liver and adipose tissues. Show less
Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) and prednisone are extensively applied in the treatment of kidney disease. Salvianolic acid A (SAA), the major biologically active component of Danshen, which has various Show more
Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) and prednisone are extensively applied in the treatment of kidney disease. Salvianolic acid A (SAA), the major biologically active component of Danshen, which has various biological effects. Our previous findings have demonstrated the renoprotective effect of SAA in various kidney disease rodent models. Here, we explore the therapeutic potential and possible mechanisms of SAA in combination with low-dose prednisone in adriamycin (ADR)-induced minimal change disease (MCD) rat model and mouse podocyte injury cell model. SAA was injected via tail vein at 10 mg/kg/day and prednisone at 5 mg/kg/day via gavage. Each drug was administered daily alone or in combination for 3 weeks. Combination therapy showed significant therapeutic efficacy as manifested by relieved urinary proteins, improved blood biochemical indicators including serum total protein, albumin, triglyceride, cholesterol, the indices of renal function i.e. blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels, and ameliorated pathological lesions. Particularly, co-administration showed a significant anti-proteinuria effect in MCD rats. Further studies suggested that co-administration effectively ameliorated the podocyte injury as indicated by the reduction of podocyte foot processes fusion, up-regulation of synaptopodin and down-regulation of desmin. These beneficial effects are accompanied by activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 and PPARγ/Angptl4 pathways in vivo, and the effect of SAA on PPARγ/Angptl4 is also demonstrated in vitro. These findings suggested that SAA exerted podocyte-protection against MCD injury through PPARγ/Angptl4 and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways, and combined with low-dose prednisone possessed a significant anti-proteinuria and therapeutic effects in MCD rats. Show less