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
High resting heart rate (RHR) occurs in parallel with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic disorders, implying shared etiology between them. However, it is unknown if they are causally related, and no Show more
High resting heart rate (RHR) occurs in parallel with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic disorders, implying shared etiology between them. However, it is unknown if they are causally related, and no study has been conducted to investigate the shared mechanisms underlying these associations. The objective of this study was to understand the genetic basis of the association between resting heart rate and cardiometabolic disorders/T2D. This study examined the genetic correlation, causality, and shared genetics between RHR and T2D using LD Score regression, generalized summary data-based Mendelian randomization, and transcriptome wide association scan (TWAS) in UK Biobank data (n = 428,250) and summary-level data for T2D (74,124 cases and 824,006 control subjects) and 8 cardiometabolic traits (sample size ranges from 51,750 to 236,231). Significant genetic correlation between RHR and T2D (r These findings provide evidence of significant genetic correlations and causation between RHR and T2D/cardiometabolic traits, advance our understanding of RHR, and provide insight into shared etiology for high RHR and T2D. Show less
Fructose has become a major constituent of our modern diet and is implicated as an underlying cause in the development of metabolic diseases. The fructose transporter GLUT5 (SLC2A5) is required for in Show more
Fructose has become a major constituent of our modern diet and is implicated as an underlying cause in the development of metabolic diseases. The fructose transporter GLUT5 (SLC2A5) is required for intestinal fructose absorption. GLUT5 expression is induced in the intestine and skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients and in certain cancers that are dependent on fructose metabolism, indicating that modulation of GLUT5 levels could have potential in the treatment of these diseases. Using an unbiased screen for transcriptional control of the human GLUT5 promoter we identified a strong and specific regulation by liver X receptor α (LXRα, NR1H3). Using promoter truncations and site-directed mutagenesis we identified a functional LXR response element (LXRE) in the human GLUT5 promoter, located at -385 bp relative to the transcriptional start site (TSS). Finally, mice treated with LXR agonist T0901317 showed an increase in Glut5 mRNA and protein levels in duodenum and adipose tissue, underscoring the in vivo relevance of its regulation by LXR. Together, our findings show that LXRα regulates GLUT5 in mice and humans. As a ligand-activated transcription factor, LXRα might provide novel pharmacologic strategies for the selective modulation of GLUT5 activity in the treatment of metabolic disease as well as cancer. Show less
Since metabolic process differs between humans and mice, studies were performed in hamsters, which are generally considered to be a more appropriate animal model for studies of obesity-related metabol Show more
Since metabolic process differs between humans and mice, studies were performed in hamsters, which are generally considered to be a more appropriate animal model for studies of obesity-related metabolic disorders. The modulation of gut microbiota, bile acids and the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) axis is correlated with obesity-induced insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in mice. However, the interactions among the gut microbiota, bile acids and FXR in metabolic disorders remained largely unexplored in hamsters. In the current study, hamsters fed a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) were administered vehicle or an antibiotic cocktail by gavage twice a week for four weeks. Antibiotic treatment alleviated HFD-induced glucose intolerance, hepatic steatosis and inflammation accompanied with decreased hepatic lipogenesis and elevated thermogenesis in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT). In the livers of antibiotic-treated hamsters, cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily B member 1 (CYP7B1) in the alternative bile acid synthesis pathway was upregulated, contributing to a more hydrophilic bile acid profile with increased tauro- Show less
As a member of spectraplakin family of cytoskeletal crosslinking proteins, microtubule-actin crosslinking factor 1 (MACF1) controls cytoskeleton network dynamics. Knockout of
We sought to identify susceptibility genes for high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) by performing a transcriptome-wide association study of gene expression and splice junction usage in HGSOC-relev Show more
We sought to identify susceptibility genes for high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) by performing a transcriptome-wide association study of gene expression and splice junction usage in HGSOC-relevant tissue types (N = 2,169) and the largest genome-wide association study available for HGSOC (N = 13,037 cases and 40,941 controls). We identified 25 transcriptome-wide association study significant genes, 7 at the junction level only, including LRRC46 at 19q21.32, (P = 1 × 10 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
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
Synaptic damage precedes neuron death in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neurexins, NRXN1, NRXN2, and NRXN3, are presynaptic adhesion molecules that specify neuron synapses and regulate neurotransmitter rel Show more
Synaptic damage precedes neuron death in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neurexins, NRXN1, NRXN2, and NRXN3, are presynaptic adhesion molecules that specify neuron synapses and regulate neurotransmitter release. Neurexins and postsynaptic neuroligins interact with amyloid beta oligomer (AβO) deposits in damaged synapses. NRXN3 gene variants have been associated with autism, addiction, and schizophrenia, however, not fully investigated in Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we investigated an AD association of a 3'-splicing allele of rs8019381 that produces altered expression of transmembrane or soluble NRXN3 isoforms. We carried out RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction), PCR-RFLP (PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism), Sanger sequencing, and in situ hybridization (ISH) assays for NRXN3 neuron expression and genotyping. Genetic associations were analyzed by χ We previously identified a functional haplotype in the 3' region of neurexin 3 (NRXN3) gene that alters the expression ratios between NRXN3 transmembrane and soluble isoforms. In this study, we found that expression and ratio of transmembrane and soluble NRXN3 isoforms were reduced in AD postmortem brains and inversely correlated with inflammasome component NLRP3 in AD brain regions. The splicing haplotype related to the transmembrane and soluble NRXN3 expression was associated with AD samples with P = 6.3 × 10 We found that the SNP rs8019381 of NRXN3 that is located adjacent to splicing site #5 (SS#5) interacts with the APOE ε4 haplotype and alters NRXN3 transmembrane or soluble isoform expression in AD postmortem cortex. Dysregulation of presynaptic NRXN3 expression and splicing might increase neuron inflammation in AD brain. 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
Bacterial meningitis is currently recognized as one of the most important life-threatening infections of the central nervous system (CNS) with high morbidity and mortality, despite the advancements in Show more
Bacterial meningitis is currently recognized as one of the most important life-threatening infections of the central nervous system (CNS) with high morbidity and mortality, despite the advancements in antimicrobial treatment. The disruption of blood-brain barrier (BBB) induced by meningitis bacteria is crucial for the development of bacterial meningitis. However, the complete mechanisms involving in the BBB disruption remain to be elucidated. Here, we found meningitic Show less
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most lethal urological malignancies, yet its pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we reported a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), NONHSAT 113026 (NOAT113026), which Show more
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most lethal urological malignancies, yet its pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we reported a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), NONHSAT 113026 (NOAT113026), which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of RCC. The expression level of NOAT113026 was estimated by qPCR from 76 pairs of RCC and non-tumor (NT) samples. The correlation between NOAT113026 and clinical data of RCC patients was analyzed. NOAT113026 was overexpressed in 786-O and ACHN cell lines by lentivirus-mediated technology and the oncological behavioral changes of RCC cells were observed along with tumorigenicity in experimental nude mice. Compared to the adjacent tissues, NOAT113026 was noticeably downregulated in RCC. Survival analysis showed that the lower the expression level of NOAT113026 was, the shorter the disease-free survival and overall survival in RCC would be. Overexpression of NOAT113026 can decrease the ability of cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and colony formation by regulating NF-κB/p50 and SLUG through a mechanism that involves lncRNA-mRNA interactions. In conclusion, our data suggest that NOAT113026 could be a carcinostatic RNA in RCC, which may serve as a potential prognostic factor and a promising therapeutic target for malignant RCC. 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
Protein ubiquitination is an important means of post-translational modification which plays an essential role in the regulation of various aspects of leukocyte development and function. The specificit Show more
Protein ubiquitination is an important means of post-translational modification which plays an essential role in the regulation of various aspects of leukocyte development and function. The specificity of ubiquitin tagging to a protein substrate is determined by E3 ubiquitin ligases via defined E3-substrate interactions. In this review, we will focus on two E3 ligases, VHL and Itch, to discuss the latest progress in understanding their roles in the differentiation and function of CD4 Show less
Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is a multifunctional secreted protein that can be induced by fasting, hypoxia and glucocorticoids. ANGPTL4 has been associated with a variety of diseases; however Show more
Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is a multifunctional secreted protein that can be induced by fasting, hypoxia and glucocorticoids. ANGPTL4 has been associated with a variety of diseases; however, the role of ANGPTL4 in cardiac hypertrophy remains poorly understood. In our study, we aimed to explore the effect of ANGPTL4 on phenylephrine-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Our results showed that knockdown of ANGPTL4 expression significantly exacerbated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, as demonstrated by increased hypertrophic marker expression, including ANP and cell surface area. Moreover, significantly reduced fatty acid oxidation, as featured by decreased CPT-1 levels, was observed in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes following ANGPTL4 down-regulation. Furthermore, knockdown of ANGPLT4 led to down-regulated expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), which is the key regulator of cardiac fatty acid oxidation. In addition, ANGPTL4 silencing promoted the activation of JNK1/2, and JNK1/2 signaling blockade could restore the level of PPARα and significantly ameliorate the ANGPTL4 knockdown-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Therefore, our study demonstrated that ANGPTL4 regulates PPARα through JNK1/2 signaling and is required for the inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Show less
Ovariectomy results in improved meat quality (growth rate, tenderness, and flavor) of broilers. However, some negative effects increased (abdominal fat (AF) deposition, low feed conversion, etc.) have Show more
Ovariectomy results in improved meat quality (growth rate, tenderness, and flavor) of broilers. However, some negative effects increased (abdominal fat (AF) deposition, low feed conversion, etc.) have also been reported. In this study, the gene expression profiles of AF tissue in ovariectomized and sham-operated chickens were determined to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying AF accumulation. Comparing the ovariectomized group and the sham-operated group, the abdominal fat weight (AFW) and abdominal fat percentage (AFP) were increased significantly ( Show less
To investigate the role of Gremlin-1, which is an endogenous antagonist of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway, in inducing epithelium-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in fetal RPE cell Show more
To investigate the role of Gremlin-1, which is an endogenous antagonist of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway, in inducing epithelium-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in fetal RPE cells after repeated wounds. Subconfluent repetitive passages in fetal RPE cells were regarded as a model of repeated wounds. A phase contrast microscope was used to observe the morphology and pigment formation in cells. The expression of In fetal RPE cells, the expression of In fetal RPE cells, Gremlin-1 induces EMT and inhibits redifferentiation by promoting the TGF-β pathway and inhibiting the BMP pathway. Show less
Cell division cycle 20 (CDC20) is frequently overexpressed in malignant tumours and involved in the differentiation process of hematopoietic stem cells. However, the role of CDC20 in prostate cancer s Show more
Cell division cycle 20 (CDC20) is frequently overexpressed in malignant tumours and involved in the differentiation process of hematopoietic stem cells. However, the role of CDC20 in prostate cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) remains poorly understood. The expression of CDC20, CD44, β-catenin were examined in prostate cancer specimens by immunohistochemistry assay, the role of CDC20 on the stem-like properties of prostate CSCs was accessed by real-time quantitive PCR, spheroid formation, in vitro and in vivo limiting dilution assay. CDC20 was associated with malignant progression of prostate cancer, the patients with both high expression CDC20 and CD44 or β-catenin were associated with more aggressive clinicopathological features and poor prognosis. CDC20 was usually enriched in CD44 Our results indicated that CDC20 maintains the self-renewal ability of CD44 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
HECT E3 ligases control the degradation and functioning of numerous oncogenic/tumor-suppressive factors and signaling proteins, and their activities must be tightly regulated to prevent cancers and ot Show more
HECT E3 ligases control the degradation and functioning of numerous oncogenic/tumor-suppressive factors and signaling proteins, and their activities must be tightly regulated to prevent cancers and other diseases. Here we show that the Nedd4 family HECT E3 WWP1 adopts an autoinhibited state, in which its multiple WW domains sequester HECT using a multi-lock mechanism. Removing WW2 or WW34 led to a partial activation of WWP1. The structure of fully inhibited WWP1 reveals that many WWP1 mutations identified in cancer patients result in a partially active state with increased E3 ligase activity, and the WWP1 mutants likely promote cell migration by enhancement of ∆Np63α degradation. We further demonstrate that WWP2 and Itch utilize a highly similar multi-lock autoinhibition mechanism as that utilized by WWP1, whereas Nedd4/4 L and Smurf2 utilize a slightly variant version. Overall, these results reveal versatile autoinhibitory mechanisms that fine-tune the ligase activities of the HECT family enzymes. Show less
Chronic HBV infection (CHB) can lead to acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) characterized by high mortality. This study aimed to reveal ACLF-related proteomic alterations, from which protein bas Show more
Chronic HBV infection (CHB) can lead to acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) characterized by high mortality. This study aimed to reveal ACLF-related proteomic alterations, from which protein based diagnostic and prognostic scores for HBV-ACLF were developed. Show less
Aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a key role in the onset and development of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), with about half of them acquiring mutations in either
Hepatic fatty acid oxidation of yolk lipoproteins provides the main energy source for chick embryos. Post-hatching these yolk lipids are rapidly exhausted and metabolism switches to a carbohydrate-bas Show more
Hepatic fatty acid oxidation of yolk lipoproteins provides the main energy source for chick embryos. Post-hatching these yolk lipids are rapidly exhausted and metabolism switches to a carbohydrate-based energy source. We recently demonstrated that many microRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of hepatic metabolic pathways during this metabolic switching. MiRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression in most eukaryotes. To further elucidate the roles of miRNAs in the metabolic switch, we used delayed feeding for 48 h to impede the hepatic metabolic switch. We found that hepatic expression of several miRNAs including Show less
Via promoting synovitis, pannus growth and cartilage/bone destruction, fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLSs) play a significant role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In our study, rat Show more
Via promoting synovitis, pannus growth and cartilage/bone destruction, fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLSs) play a significant role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In our study, rats were induced with complete freund's adjuvant (CFA) to be animal models for studying the RA pathogenesis. Microtubule-associated Serine/Threonine-protein kinase 3 (MAST3) has been documented to play a critical role in regulating the immune response of IBD (Inflammatory bowel disease) and involved in the process of cytoskeleton organization, intracellular signal transduction and peptidyl-serine phosphorylation, but its role in the progression of RA remains unknown and is warranted for investigation. So, we tried our best to investigate the mechanism and signaling pathway of MAST3 in RA progression. In the synovial tissue and FLSs of AA rats, we have found that MAST3 was significantly up-regulated than normal. Furthermore, MAST3 overexpression could promote proliferation and inflammatory response of FLSs. In the aspect of mechanism, we discovered that the expression of MAST3 might involve in NF-κB signaling pathway in RA. On the whole, our results suggested that MAST3 might promote the proliferation and inflammation of FLSs by regulating NF-κB signaling pathway. Show less
Ying Bai, Ning Liu, Shuang Hu+2 more · 2019 · Zhonghua yi xue yi chuan xue za zhi = Zhonghua yixue yichuanxue zazhi = Chinese journal of medical genetics · added 2026-04-24
To detect EXT1 and EXT2 gene mutations in two pedigrees affected with hereditary multiple exostosis (HME). The coding regions and exon/intron boundaries of the EXT1 and EXT2 genes were analyzed by tar Show more
To detect EXT1 and EXT2 gene mutations in two pedigrees affected with hereditary multiple exostosis (HME). The coding regions and exon/intron boundaries of the EXT1 and EXT2 genes were analyzed by targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS). Suspected mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing of the probands, their family members and 200 unrelated healthy controls. Gross deletion was confirmed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis and multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis. Two mutations were detected in the pedigrees, which included EXT2 gene c.337₃₃₈insG mutation in pedigree 1 and deletion of entire EXT1 in pedigree 2. Analysis of sequencing data revealed that a novel heterozygous mutation (c.337₃₃₈insG) in EXT2 gene in proband 1 and his father. The same mutation was not found among healthy family members and 200 unrelated healthy controls. As shown by NGS and MLPA analysis, proband 2 carried a heterozygous deletion of entire EXT1 gene. The same deletion was also found in her mother by qPCR. Mutations of the EXT1 and EXT2 genes probably underlie the HME in both pedigrees. NGS combined with Sanger sequencing, qPCR and MLPA is effective for attaining the diagnosis. Show less
no PDFDOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.1003-9406.2019.05.009