Myeloid-derived growth factor (MYDGF), which is produced by bone marrow-derived cells, mediates cardiac repair following myocardial infarction by inhibiting cardiac myocyte apoptosis to subsequently r Show more
Myeloid-derived growth factor (MYDGF), which is produced by bone marrow-derived cells, mediates cardiac repair following myocardial infarction by inhibiting cardiac myocyte apoptosis to subsequently reduce the infarct size. However, the function of MYDGF in the incretin system of diabetes is still unknown. Here, loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments in mice revealed that MYDGF maintains glucose homeostasis by inducing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) production and secretion and that it improves glucose tolerance and lipid metabolism. Treatment with recombinant MYDGF increased the secretion and production of GLP-1 in STC-1 cells in vitro. Mechanistically, the positive effects of MYDGF are potentially attributable to the activation of protein kinase A/glycogen synthase kinase 3β/β-catenin (PKA/GSK-3β/β-catenin) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinases/extracellular regulated protein kinase (MEK/ERK) pathways. Based on these findings, MYDGF promotes the secretion and production of GLP-1 in intestinal L-cells and potentially represents a potential therapeutic medication target for type 2 diabetes. Show less
Human Schlafen 5 (SLFN5) has been reported to inhibit or promote cell invasion in tumours depending on their origin. However, its role in breast cancer (BRCA) is undetermined. Differential expression Show more
Human Schlafen 5 (SLFN5) has been reported to inhibit or promote cell invasion in tumours depending on their origin. However, its role in breast cancer (BRCA) is undetermined. Differential expression analyses using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data, clinical samples and cell lines were performed. Lentiviral knockdown and overexpression experiments were performed to detect changes in cell morphology, molecular markers and invasion. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-Seq) and luciferase reporter assays were performed to detect the SLFN5-binding motif. TCGA, clinical samples and cell lines showed that SLFN5 expression was negatively correlated with BRCA metastasis. SLFN5 knockdown induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and enhanced invasion in BRCA cell lines. However, overexpression triggered mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). SLFN5 inhibited the expression of ZEB1 but not ZEB2, SNAI1, SNAI2, TWIST1 or TWIST2. Knockdown and overexpression of ZEB1 indicated that it was a mediator of the SLFN5-governed phenotype and invasion changes. Moreover, SLFN5 inhibited ZEB1 transcription by directly binding to the SLFN5-binding motif on the ZEB1 promoter, but a SLFN5 C-terminal deletion mutant did not. SLFN5 regulates reversible epithelial and mesenchymal transitions, and inhibits BRCA metastasis by suppression of ZEB1 transcription, suggesting that SLFN5 could be a potential target for BRCA therapy. Show less
Nephron loss stimulates residual functioning nephrons to undergo compensatory growth. Excessive nephron growth may be a maladaptive response that sets the stage for progressive nephron damage, leading Show more
Nephron loss stimulates residual functioning nephrons to undergo compensatory growth. Excessive nephron growth may be a maladaptive response that sets the stage for progressive nephron damage, leading to kidney failure. To date, however, the mechanism of nephron growth remains incompletely understood. Our previous study revealed that class III phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (Pik3c3) is activated in the remaining kidney after unilateral nephrectomy (UNX)-induced nephron loss, but previous studies failed to generate a Pik3c3 gene knockout animal model. Global Pik3c3 deletion results in embryonic lethality. Given that renal proximal tubule cells make up the bulk of the kidney and undergo the most prominent hypertrophic growth after UNX, in this study we used Cre-loxP-based approaches to demonstrate for the first time that tamoxifen-inducible SLC34a1 promoter-driven CreER Show less
To investigate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and molecular interaction in unstable atherosclerotic carotid plaques. Gene expression datasets GSE41571, GSE118481, and E-MTAB-2055 were analy Show more
To investigate the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and molecular interaction in unstable atherosclerotic carotid plaques. Gene expression datasets GSE41571, GSE118481, and E-MTAB-2055 were analyzed. Co-regulated DEGs in at least two datasets were analyzed with the enrichment of Gene Ontology Biological Process (GO-BP), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, interrelationships between miRNAs/transcriptional factors, and their target genes and drug-gene interactions. The expression of notable DEGs in human carotid artery plaques and plasma was further identified. The GO-BP enrichment analysis revealed that genes associated with inflammatory response, and extracellular matrix organization were altered. The KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that upregulated DEGs were enriched in the tuberculous, lysosomal, and chemokine signaling pathways, whereas downregulated genes were enriched in the focal adhesion and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Collagen type I alpha 2 chain (COL1A2), adenylate cyclase 3 (ADCY3), C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4), and TYRO protein tyrosine kinase binding protein (TYROBP) might play crucial roles in the PPI networks. In drug-gene interactions, colonystimulating factor-1 receptor had the most drug interactions. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 (IGFBP6) was markedly downregulated in unstable human carotid plaques and plasma. Under a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, plasma IGFBP6 had a significant discriminatory power (AUC, 0.894; 95% CI, 0.810-0.977), with a cutoff value of 142.08 ng/mL. The genes COL1A2, ADCY3, CXCR4, and TYROBP are promising targets for the prevention of unstable carotid plaque formation. IGFBP6 may be an important biomarker for predicting vulnerable plaques. Show less
The Jianchang duck is mainly distributed in Southwest China, and has the characteristics of fast growth rate and strong abilities in lipid deposition in the liver. In order to investigate the effects Show more
The Jianchang duck is mainly distributed in Southwest China, and has the characteristics of fast growth rate and strong abilities in lipid deposition in the liver. In order to investigate the effects of domestication process on formation of the unique characteristics of Jianchang duck, the whole genome of sixteen individuals and three pooling of Jianchang duck were re-sequenced, and genome data of 70 mallards and 83 domestic ducks from thirteen different places in China were obtained from NCBI. The population stratification and evolution analysis showed gene exchanges existed between the Jianchang and other domestic duck populations, as well as Jianchang ducks and mallards. Genomic comparison between mallards and Jianchang ducks showed genes, including Show less
In this paper, a novel acidic polysaccharide (CPS-1) was successively prepared from Gynostemma pentaphyllum using hot water isolation method to explore its antitumor and antioxidant activities. Struct Show more
In this paper, a novel acidic polysaccharide (CPS-1) was successively prepared from Gynostemma pentaphyllum using hot water isolation method to explore its antitumor and antioxidant activities. Structural characteristics of CPS-1 were evaluated by SEM, HPGPC, HPAEC-PAD, FT-IR, and NMR. The results indicated: CPS-1 was mainly composed of Ara, Gal, Glc, Xyl, Man, GalA and GlcA in a molar ratio of 1.23:2.14:0.67:0.2:0.29:0.16:0.04 with molecular weight of 3297 kDa. Combining with the results of FT-IR and NMR, it was inferred that CPS-1 was mainly possessed the five main linkages including α-D-Ara, α-D-Gal, α-D-Man, α-D-Xyl and β-D-Glc. Furthermore, MTT results exhibited that the IC Show less
DUSP6 functions as an important negative feedback component of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Although DUSP6 expression is tightly regulated by ERK1/2 signaling, the molecular mechanism of this regul Show more
DUSP6 functions as an important negative feedback component of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Although DUSP6 expression is tightly regulated by ERK1/2 signaling, the molecular mechanism of this regulation remains partially understood. In this work, we show that the transcriptional repressor CIC functions downstream of the ERK1/2 signaling to negatively regulate DUSP6 expression. CIC directly represses DUSP6 transcription by binding to three Show less
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is regarded as a threat to public health; however, the pathologic mechanism of NAFLD is not fully understood. We attempted to identify abnormally expressed lon Show more
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is regarded as a threat to public health; however, the pathologic mechanism of NAFLD is not fully understood. We attempted to identify abnormally expressed long noncoding RNA (lncRNAs) and messenger RNA that may affect the occurrence and development of NAFLD in this study. The expression of differentially expressed lncRNAs in NAFLD was determined in oleic acid (OA)-treated L02 cells, and the functions of CCAT1 in lipid droplet formation were evaluated in vitro. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by microarray analysis, and DEGs related to CCTA1 were selected and verified by weighted correlation network analysis. The dynamic effects of LXRα and CCTA1 on lipid droplet formation and predicted binding was examined. The binding between miR-631 and CCAT1 and LXRα was verified. The dynamic effects of miR-613 inhibition and CCTA1 silencing on lipid droplet formation were examined. The expression and correlations of miR-631, CCAT1, and LXRα were determined in tissue samples. As the results show, CCAT1 was induced by OA and upregulated in NAFLD clinical samples. CCAT1 silencing significantly suppressed lipid droplet accumulation in vitro. LXRα was positively correlated with CCAT1. By inhibiting miR-613, CCAT1 increased the transcription of LXRα and promoted LXRα expression. The expression of LXRα was significantly increased in NAFLD tissues and was positively correlated with CCAT1. In conclusion, CCAT1 increases LXRα transcription by serving as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-613 in an LXRE-dependent manner, thereby promoting lipid droplet formation and NAFLD. CCAT1 and LXRα might be potent targets for NAFLD treatment. Show less
Heat stress negatively impacts the reproductive performance of dairy cows. The main objective of this study was to dissect the genetic basis underlying dairy cow fertility under heat stress conditions Show more
Heat stress negatively impacts the reproductive performance of dairy cows. The main objective of this study was to dissect the genetic basis underlying dairy cow fertility under heat stress conditions. Our first goal was to estimate genetic components of cow conception across lactations considering heat stress. Our second goal was to reveal individual genes and functional gene-sets that explain a cow's ability to conceive under thermal stress. Data consisted of 74 221 insemination records on 13 704 Holstein cows. Multitrait linear repeatability test-day models with random regressions on a function of temperature-humidity index values were used for the analyses. Heritability estimates for cow conception under heat stress were around 2-3%, whereas genetic correlations between general and thermotolerance additive genetic effects were negative and ranged between -0.35 and -0.82, indicating an unfavorable relationship between cows' ability to conceive under thermo-neutral vs. thermo-stress conditions. Whole-genome scans identified at least six genomic regions on BTA1, BTA10, BTA11, BTA17, BTA21 and BTA23 associated with conception under thermal stress. These regions harbor candidate genes such as BRWD1, EXD2, ADAM20, EPAS1, TAOK3, and NOS1, which are directly implicated in reproductive functions and cellular response to heat stress. The gene-set enrichment analysis revealed functional terms related to fertilization, developmental biology, heat shock proteins and oxidative stress, among others. Overall, our findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetics underlying the reproductive performance of dairy cattle under heat stress conditions and point out novel genomic strategies for improving thermotolerance and fertility via marker-assisted breeding. Show less
Branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK), the key enzyme of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) metabolism, has been reported to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) tumorigenesis by upregula Show more
Branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK), the key enzyme of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) metabolism, has been reported to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) tumorigenesis by upregulating the MEK-ERK signaling pathway. However, the profile of BCKDK in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remains unknown. Here, we report a novel role of BCKDK in mCRC. BCKDK is upregulated in CRC tissues. Increased BCKDK expression was associated with metastasis and poor clinical prognosis in CRC patients. Knockdown of BCKDK decreased CRC cell migration and invasion ex vivo, and lung metastasis in vivo. BCKDK promoted the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) program, by decreasing the expression of E-cadherin, epithelial marker, and increasing the expression of N-cadherin and Vimentin, which are mesenchymal markers. Moreover, BCKDK-knockdown experiments in combination with phosphoproteomics analysis revealed the potent role of BCKDK in modulating multiple signal transduction pathways, including EMT and metastasis. Src phosphorylated BCKDK at the tyrosine 246 (Y246) site in vitro and ex vivo. Knockdown and knockout of Src downregulated the phosphorylation of BCKDK. Importantly, phosphorylation of BCKDK by Src enhanced the activity and stability of BCKDK, thereby promoting the migration, invasion, and EMT of CRC cells. In summary, the identification of BCKDK as a novel prometastatic factor in human CRC will be beneficial for further diagnostic biomarker studies and suggests novel targeting opportunities. Show less
Little is known about the correlation between the melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MC4R) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of obesity. This research sought to test the MC4R rs17782313, Show more
Little is known about the correlation between the melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MC4R) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk of obesity. This research sought to test the MC4R rs17782313, rs476828 and rs12970134 SNPs, their haplotypes and gene-environment interactions on the risk of obesity in the Maonan ethnic group, an isolated minority in China. A case-control study comprised of 1836 participants (obesity group, 858; and control group, 978) was conducted. Genotypes of the three SNPs were determined by the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. The genotypic frequencies of the three SNPs were different between the obesity and control groups (P < 0.05 for all). The minor allelic frequency of the MC4R rs17782313C, rs476828C and rs12970134A was higher in obesity than in control groups (13.8% vs. 8.3%, P < 0.001, 17.1% vs. 10.9%, P < 0.001; and 15.5% vs. 11.5%, P < 0.001; respectively). Additionally, the dominant model of rs17782313 and rs476828 SNPs revealed an increased morbidity function on the risk of obesity (P < 0.05). A correlation between SNP-environment and the risk of obesity was also observed. The rs17782313C-rs476828C-rs12970134A haplotype was associated with high risk of obesity (OR = 1.796, 95% CI = 1.447-2.229), whereas the rs17782313T-rs476828T-rs12970134G and rs17782313T-rs476828T-rs12970134A haplotypes were associated with low risk of obesity (OR = 0.699, 95% CI = 0.586-0.834 and OR = 0.620, 95% CI = 0.416-0.925; respectively). The interactions between haplotype and waist circumference on the risk of obesity were also noted. We discovered that the MC4R rs17782313, rs476828 and rs12970134 SNPs and their haplotypes were associated with the risk of obesity in the Chinese Maonan population. Show less
Tumour cells interfere with normal immune functions by affecting the expression of some immune-related genes, which play roles in the prognosis of cancer patients. In recent years, immunotherapy for t Show more
Tumour cells interfere with normal immune functions by affecting the expression of some immune-related genes, which play roles in the prognosis of cancer patients. In recent years, immunotherapy for tumours has been widely studied, but a practical prognostic model based on immune-related genes in lung adenocarcinoma comparable to existing model has not been established and reported. We first obtained publicly accessible lung adenocarcinoma RNA expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for differential gene expression analysis and then filtered immune-related genes based on the ImmPort database. By using the lasso algorithm and multivariate Cox Proportional-Hazards (CoxPH) regression analysis, we identified candidate genes for model development and validation. The robustness of the model was further examined by comparing the model with three established gene models. Gene expression data from a total of 524 lung adenocarcinoma patients from TCGA were used for model development. We identified four biomarkers (MAP3K8, CCL20, VEGFC, and ANGPTL4) that could predict overall survival in lung adenocarcinoma (HR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.48 to 2.64, P = 4.19e-06) and this model could be used as a classifier for the evaluation of low-risk and high-risk groups. This model was validated with independent microarray data and was highly comparable with previously reported gene expression signatures for lung adenocarcinoma prognosis. In this study, we identified a practical and robust four-gene prognostic model based on an immune gene dataset with cross-platform compatibility. This model has potential value in improving TNM staging for survival predictions in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. The study provides a method of immune relevant gene prognosis model and the identification of immune gene classifier for the prediction of lung adenocarcinoma prognosis with RNA sequencing and microarray compatibility. Show less
E3 ubiquitin ligase gene, WWP2, is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). This research was conducted to explore the role of WWP2 in AKI. AKI cell model was produced in human renal proximal tubula Show more
E3 ubiquitin ligase gene, WWP2, is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). This research was conducted to explore the role of WWP2 in AKI. AKI cell model was produced in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2) by ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. CCK8 and flow cytometry assay were performed to explore the influence of WWP2 overexpression on cell proliferation and apoptosis of IR-induced HK-2 cells. Quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting (IB) were performed to assess the gene and protein expression. Then, the influence of WWP2 on p53 ubiquitylation and degradation was estimated by immunoprecipitation assay. Our data indicated that WWP2 was down-regulated and p53 was up-regulated in IR-induced HK-2 cells. WWP2 overexpression promoted proliferation and inhibited apoptosis of IR-induced HK-2 cells. And WWP2 interacted with p53 and regulated p53 ubiquitylation and degradation. Furthermore, the influence of WWP2 on cell proliferation and apoptosis was rescued by MG132 (proteasome inhibitor) treatment. In conclusion, our work described for the first time the role of WWP2 in AKI, showing that WWP2 ameliorated AKI by mediating p53 ubiquitylation and degradation. Moreover, the study offers some important insights into the occurrence of AKI and WWP2 may be a novel target of AKI treatment. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: Our data elaborates that WWP2 has protective effect against AKI by mediating p53 ubiquitylation and degradation. Thus, WWP2 might be a therapeutic target for AKI. Show less
Overexpression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3H (EIF3H) predicts cancer progression and poor prognosis, but the mechanism underlying EIF3H as an oncogene remains unclear in esophageal sq Show more
Overexpression of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3H (EIF3H) predicts cancer progression and poor prognosis, but the mechanism underlying EIF3H as an oncogene remains unclear in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). TCGA database and the immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of ESCC samples were used and determined the upregulation of EIF3H in ESCC. CCK8 assay, colony formation assay and transwell assay were performed to examine the ability of cell proliferation and mobility in KYSE150 and KYSE510 cell lines with EIF3H overexpression or knockdown. Xenograft and tail-vein lung metastatic mouse models of KYSE150 cells with or without EIF3H knockdown were also used to confirm the function of EIF3H on tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. A potential substrate of EIF3H was screened by co-immunoprecipitation assay (co-IP) combined with mass spectrometry in HEK293T cells. Their interaction and co-localization were confirmed using reciprocal co-IP and immunofluorescence staining assay. The function of EIF3H on Snail ubiquitination and stability was demonstrated by the cycloheximide (CHX) pulse-chase assay and ubiquitination assay. The correlation of EIF3H and Snail in clinical ESCC samples was verified by IHC. We found that EIF3H is significantly upregulated in esophageal cancer and ectopic expression of EIF3H in ESCC cell lines promotes cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion. Conversely, genetic inhibition of EIF3H represses ESCC tumor growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we identified EIF3H as a novel deubiquitinating enzyme of Snail. We demonstrated that EIF3H interacts with and stabilizes Snail through deubiquitination. Therefore, EIF3H could promote Snail-mediated EMT process in ESCC. In clinical ESCC samples, there is also a positive correlation between EIF3H and Snail expression. Our study reveals a critical EIF3H-Snail signaling axis in tumor aggressiveness in ESCC and provides EIF3H as a promising biomarker for ESCC treatment. Show less
The interleukin-12 (IL-12) family consists of four members, namely, IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of circulating IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35 in Show more
The interleukin-12 (IL-12) family consists of four members, namely, IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of circulating IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35 in hypertensive patients. Blood samples were collected from hypertensive patients and nonhypertensive (control) subjects, and protein multifactorial monitor kits were used to measure the plasma IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35 levels in each sample. In addition, all enrolled subjects underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and vascular stiffness. Hypertensive patients exhibited higher IL-12, IL-23, and IL-27 levels and lower IL-35 levels than control subjects; IL-12, IL-23, and IL-27 levels were positively correlated with both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), while IL-35 levels were negatively correlated with SBP and DBP. IL-12, IL-23, and IL-27 levels gradually increased in patients with grade I, II, and III hypertension, while IL-35 levels gradually reduced. According to the ABPM results, hypertensive patients were divided into the dipper and nondipper hypertension groups; IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35 levels showed no differences between the two groups, but IL-12, IL-23, and IL-27 levels in both groups increased compared with those in the control group, while IL-35 levels decreased. Additionally, the expression of these IL-12 family members was influenced by many clinical factors and was independently associated with the occurrence of carotid atherosclerotic plaques. The changes in IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35 levels were not associated with the presence of the nondipper type but were closely associated with the development of carotid atherosclerotic plaque in hypertensive patients. Show less
To investigate whether inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by donepezil ameliorate aberrant retinal neovascularization (RNV) and abnormal glial activation in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). A Show more
To investigate whether inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by donepezil ameliorate aberrant retinal neovascularization (RNV) and abnormal glial activation in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). A mouse model of RNV was induced in postnatal day 7 (P7) mice by exposure to 75% oxygen. Donepezil was administrated to P12 mice by intraperitoneal injection. Expression and localization of AChE in mouse retinas were determined by immunofluorescence. RNV was evaluated by paraffin sectioning and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Activation of retinal Müller glial cells were examined by immunoblot of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). rMC-1, a retinal Müller cell line, was used for Aberrant RNV and glial activation was observed after OIR. Of note, retinal AChE was mainly expressed by retinal Müller glial cells and markedly increased in OIR mice. Systemic administration of donepezil significantly reduced RNV and abnormal glial activation in mice with OIR. Moreover, ischemia-induced HIF-1α accumulation and VEGF upregulation in OIR mouse retinas and cultured rMC-1 were significantly inhibited by donepezil intervention. AchE is implicated in RNV with OIR. Inhibition of AChE by donepeizl is likely to be a potential therapeutic approach for retinal neovascular diseases. Show less
The advent of base editors (BEs) holds great potential for correcting pathogenic-related point mutations to treat relevant diseases. However, Cas9 nickase (nCas9)-derived BEs lead to DNA double-strand Show more
The advent of base editors (BEs) holds great potential for correcting pathogenic-related point mutations to treat relevant diseases. However, Cas9 nickase (nCas9)-derived BEs lead to DNA double-strand breaks, which can trigger unwanted DNA damage response (DDR). Here, we show that the original version of catalytically dead Cas12a (dCas12a)-conjugated BEs induce a basal level of DNA breaks and minimally activate DDR proteins, including H2AX, ATM, ATR, and p53. By fusing dCas12a with engineered human apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like 3A (APOBEC3A), we further develop the BEACON (base editing induced by human APOBEC3A and Cas12a without DNA break) system to achieve enhanced deamination efficiency and editing specificity. Efficient C-to-T editing is achieved by BEACON in mammalian cells at levels comparable to AncBE4max, with only low levels of DDR and minimal RNA off-target mutations. Importantly, BEACON induces in vivo base editing in mouse embryos, and targeted C-to-T conversions are detected in F0 mice. Show less
Distinguishing between different types of thyroid cancers (TC) remains challenging in clinical laboratories. As different tumor types require different clinical interventions, it is necessary to estab Show more
Distinguishing between different types of thyroid cancers (TC) remains challenging in clinical laboratories. As different tumor types require different clinical interventions, it is necessary to establish new methods for accurate diagnosis of TC. Proteomic analysis of the human serum was performed through data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry for 29 patients with TC (stages I-IV): 13 cases of papillary TC (PTC), 10 cases of medullary TC (MTC), and six cases follicular TC (FTC). In addition, 15 patients with benign thyroid nodules (TNs) and 10 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. Subsequently, 17 differentially expressed proteins were identified in 291 patients with TC, including 247 with PTC, 38 with MTC, and six with FTC, and 69 patients with benign TNs and 176 with HC, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In total, 517 proteins were detected in the serum samples using an Orbitrap Q-Exactive-plus mass spectrometer. The amyloid beta A4 protein, apolipoprotein A-IV, gelsolin, contactin-1, gamma-glutamyl hydrolase, and complement factor H-related protein 1 (CFHR1) were selected for further analysis. The median serum CFHR1 levels were significantly higher in the MTC and FTC groups than in the PTC and control groups ( CFHR1 may serve as a novel biomarker to distinguish PTC from MTC with high sensitivity and specificity. Show less
The ATM serine/threonine kinase (ATM) pathway plays important roles in pancreatic cancer (PanC) development and progression, but the roles of genetic variants of the genes in this pathway in the etiol Show more
The ATM serine/threonine kinase (ATM) pathway plays important roles in pancreatic cancer (PanC) development and progression, but the roles of genetic variants of the genes in this pathway in the etiology of PanC are unknown. In the present study, we assessed associations between 31,499 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 198 ATM pathway-related genes and PanC risk using genotyping data from two previously published PanC genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of 15,423 subjects of European ancestry. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, we identified three novel independent SNPs to be significantly associated with PanC risk [ Show less
The existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) accounts for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment resistance, relapse, and metastasis. Although the elimination of cancer stem cells is crucial for cancer Show more
The existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) accounts for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment resistance, relapse, and metastasis. Although the elimination of cancer stem cells is crucial for cancer treatment, strategies for their elimination are limited. Here, we report that a remarkable increase in PIK3C3 was detected in HCC tissues and liver CSCs. Upregulated PIK3C3 facilitated liver CSC expansion in HCC cells; RNA interference-mediated silencing of PIK3C3 had an opposite effect. Furthermore, PIK3C3 inhibition by inhibitors effectively eliminated liver CSCs and inhibited the growth of tumors in vivo. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway is considered an important hallmark of cancer. One of our recent studies found that prolonged inhibition by inhibitors of class I PI3K induces liver CSCs expansion. To our surprise, PIK3C3 inhibition blocked the expansion of CSCs induced by PI3K inhibitor; moreover, treatment with the combination of PIK3C3 inhibitor and PI3K inhibitor in maximal suppresses the expansion of liver CSCs of tumors in mice. Mechanistically, inhibition of PIK3C3 inhibit the activation of SGK3, a CSCs promoter, induced by PI3K inhibitor. We also show that PIK3C3 inhibitor suppresses liver CSCs by activation of the AMP-activated kinase (AMPK). Although PIK3C3 plays a critical role in autophagy, we find that PIK3C3 regulates liver CSCs independent of the autophagy process. These findings uncover the effective suppression of liver CSCs by targeting PIK3C3, and targeting PIK3C3 in combination with PI3K inhibitor inhibits the expansion of liver CSCs efficiently, which is an attractive therapeutic regimen for the treatment of HCC. Show less
Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) plays important roles in regulation of multiple physiological processes, and interaction of MC4R and melanocortin receptor accessory protein 2 (MRAP2) is suggested to pl Show more
Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) plays important roles in regulation of multiple physiological processes, and interaction of MC4R and melanocortin receptor accessory protein 2 (MRAP2) is suggested to play pivotal role in energy balance of vertebrates. Topmouth culter ( Show less
In Saccharomyces cerevisiae under conditions of nutrient stress, meiosis precedes the formation of spores. Although the molecular mechanisms that regulate meiosis, such as meiotic recombination and nu Show more
In Saccharomyces cerevisiae under conditions of nutrient stress, meiosis precedes the formation of spores. Although the molecular mechanisms that regulate meiosis, such as meiotic recombination and nuclear divisions, have been extensively studied, the metabolic factors that determine the efficiency of sporulation are less understood. Here, we have directly assessed the relationship between metabolic stores and sporulation in S. cerevisiae by genetically disrupting the synthetic pathways for the carbohydrate stores, glycogen (gsy1/2Δ cells), trehalose (tps1Δ cells), or both (gsy1/2Δ and tps1Δ cells). We show that storage carbohydrate-deficient strains are highly inefficient in sporulation. Although glycogen and trehalose stores can partially compensate for each other, they have differential effects on sporulation rate and spore number. Interestingly, deletion of the G Show less
Excessive compensatory nephron hypertrophy (CNH) has been implicated in setting the stage for progressive nephron damage. Lack of a class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (Pik3c3) inhibitor suitable Show more
Excessive compensatory nephron hypertrophy (CNH) has been implicated in setting the stage for progressive nephron damage. Lack of a class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (Pik3c3) inhibitor suitable for using in animals and lack of a Pik3c3-deficient animal model preclude the possibility of conclusively defining a role for Pik3c3 in CNH in previous studies. Here, we report that insertion of an Show less
Genome-wide association studies have identified hundreds of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with BMI and diabetes. However, lack of adequate data has for long time prevented Show more
Genome-wide association studies have identified hundreds of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with BMI and diabetes. However, lack of adequate data has for long time prevented investigations on the pathogenesis of diabetes where BMI was a mediator of the genetic causal effects on this disease. Of our particular interest is the underlying causal mechanisms of diabetes. We leveraged the summary statistics reported in two studies: UK Biobank (N = 336,473) and Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits (GIANT, N = 339,224) to investigate BMI-mediated genetic causal pathways to diabetes. We first estimated the causal effect of BMI on diabetes by using four Mendelian randomization methods, where a total of 76 independent BMI-associated SNPs (R Show less
Circular RNAs (circRNAs), highly expressed in the central nervous system, are involved in various regulatory processes and implicated in some pathophysiology. However, the potential role of circRNAs i Show more
Circular RNAs (circRNAs), highly expressed in the central nervous system, are involved in various regulatory processes and implicated in some pathophysiology. However, the potential role of circRNAs in psychiatric diseases, particularly major depressive disorder (MDD), remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated that circular RNA DYM (circDYM) levels were significantly decreased both in the peripheral blood of patients with MDD and in the two depressive-like mouse models: the chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) models. Restoration of circDYM expression significantly attenuated depressive-like behavior and inhibited microglial activation induced by CUS or LPS treatment. Further examination indicated that circDYM functions as an endogenous microRNA-9 (miR-9) sponge to inhibit miR-9 activity, which results in a downstream increase of target-HECT domain E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (HECTD1) expression, an increase of HSP90 ubiquitination, and a consequent decrease of microglial activation. Taken together, the results of our study demonstrate the involvement of circDYM and its coupling mechanism in depression, providing translational evidence that circDYM may be a novel therapeutic target for depression. Show less
The discovery of effective therapeutic options for treating metastatic poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) after prior platinum-based chemotherapy remains elusive. This study analyzed Show more
The discovery of effective therapeutic options for treating metastatic poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) after prior platinum-based chemotherapy remains elusive. This study analyzed the efficacy of TLC388 (Lipotecan) Hydrochloride, a novel camptothecin analog, for pretreated patients with metastatic NEC. This single-arm, two-stage, phase II clinical trial was conducted at four community and academic centers in Taiwan. Patients aged 20 years or older with confirmed metastatic NEC and who had received prior systemic therapy with etoposide plus cisplatin were enrolled between July 2015 and May 2018. Patients received 40 mg/m Twenty-three patients with a median age of 61 (range, 44-73) years, 18 of whom were men (78%), were enrolled. Patients received a median of 2 (range, 0-6) treatment cycles. Among 20 evaluable patients, 3 patients exhibited stable disease and no patient experienced a complete or partial remission, resulting in a disease control rate of 15%. Median progression-free survival was 1.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.4-15) months, and the median overall survival was 4.3 (95% CI, 1.7-15) months. The most common treatment-related hematologic adverse events at grade 3 or higher were leukopenia (22.7%), anemia (31.8%), and thrombocytopenia (18.2%). The most frequent mutated genes in 35 patients with NEC were ARSA, DPYD, HEXB, BRCA1, HPD, MYBPC3, BBS2, IL7R, HSD17B4, and PRODH. TLC388 demonstrates limited antitumor activity in metastatic NEC. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02457273. Poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are rare and aggressive. Currently, effective therapeutic options for treating metastatic poorly differentiated NECs beyond platinum-based chemotherapy remain elusive. In this single-arm, multicenter, phase II study, 23 patients with NEC were enrolled and received TLC388 (Lipotecan) Hydrochloride, which is a novel camptothecin analog. The results demonstrated the disease control rate of 15%, the median progression-free survival of 1.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.4-15) months, and the median overall survival of 4.3 (95% CI, 1.7-15) months. Most importantly, several novel genetic mutations and pathways were identified. These results offer the opportunity to develop future treatment strategies in this rare cancer. Show less