Fangmei Tang, Huai Bai, Linbo Guan+7 more · 2023 · Sichuan da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical science edition · added 2026-04-24
To investigate the apolipoprotein C-3 (APOC3) gene A total of 630 pregnant women with GDM and 1027 normal pregnant controls were covered in the study. The genotype and allele frequencies of The allele Show more
To investigate the apolipoprotein C-3 (APOC3) gene A total of 630 pregnant women with GDM and 1027 normal pregnant controls were covered in the study. The genotype and allele frequencies of The allele frequencies of S1 and S2 of the Show less
Aberrant SUMOylation contributes to the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet the molecular mechanisms have not been well elucidated. RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF146 is a key regulat Show more
Aberrant SUMOylation contributes to the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), yet the molecular mechanisms have not been well elucidated. RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF146 is a key regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is frequently hyperactivated in HCC. Here, it is identified that RNF146 can be modified by SUMO3. By mutating all lysines in RNF146, we found that K19, K61, K174 and K175 are the major sites for SUMOylation. UBC9/PIAS3/MMS21 and SENP1/2/6 mediated the conjugation and deconjugation of SUMO3, respectively. Furthermore, SUMOylation of RNF146 promoted its nuclear localization, while deSUMOylation induced its cytoplasmic localization. Importantly, SUMOylation promotes the association of RNF146 with Axin to accelerate the ubiquitination and degradation of Axin. Intriguingly, only UBC9/PIAS3 and SENP1 can act at K19/K175 in RNF146 and affect its role in regulating the stability of Axin. In addition, inhibiting RNF146 SUMOylation suppressed the progression of HCC both in vitro and in vivo. And, patients with higher expression of RNF146 and UBC9 have the worst prognosis. Taken together, we conclude that RNF146 SUMOylation at K19/K175 promotes its association with Axin and accelerates Axin degradation, thereby enhancing β-catenin signaling and contributing to cancer progression. Our findings reveal that RNF146 SUMOylation is a potential therapeutic target in HCC. Show less
Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified numerous susceptibility loci for Parkinson's disease (PD), but its genetic architecture remains underexplored in populations of non-European anc Show more
Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified numerous susceptibility loci for Parkinson's disease (PD), but its genetic architecture remains underexplored in populations of non-European ancestry. To identify genetic variants associated with PD in the Chinese population, we performed a GWAS using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in 1,972 cases and 2,478 controls, and a replication study in a total of 8209 cases and 9454 controls. We identified one new risk variant rs61204179 (P Show less
TNFAIP3-interacting protein 2 (TNIP2) is known as a negative regulator of NF-κB signaling and inhibit inflammatory response and apoptosis, and is also involved in RNA metabolism. In this study, we inv Show more
TNFAIP3-interacting protein 2 (TNIP2) is known as a negative regulator of NF-κB signaling and inhibit inflammatory response and apoptosis, and is also involved in RNA metabolism. In this study, we investigated the potential role of TNIP2 in amyloidogenesis critically associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We found a significant decline of TNIP2 protein level in both mouse and cell model of AD. In SH-SY5Y and HEK cells that stably express human full-length APP695 (SY5Y-APP and HEK-APP), TNIP2 overexpression decreased the protein levels of β-secretase (BACE1) and C99, as well as Aβ peptides (including Aβ40 and Aβ42), while those of α-secretase (ADAM10) and the related C83 remained unchanged. We further found that TNIP2 promoted the degradation of BACE1 mRNA and was able to bound to the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) with the reduced luciferase activity. These results indicated that TNIP2 effectively inhibited amyloidogenic processing by regulating the 3'UTR-associated mRNA decay of BACE1. Show less
Obesity is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers. Obesity in women at the reproductive stage adversely affects contraception, fe Show more
Obesity is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes, hypertension, and certain cancers. Obesity in women at the reproductive stage adversely affects contraception, fertility, maternal well-being, and the health of their offspring. Being a major protein component in chylomicrons and high-density lipoproteins, apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) is involved in lipid metabolism, food intake, glucose homeostasis, prevention against atherosclerosis, and platelet aggregation. The goal of the present study is to determine the impact of apoA-IV deficiency on metabolic functions in 129X1/SvJ female mouse strain. After chronic high-fat diet feeding, apoA-IV Show less
Gui-Feng Zhou, Jing Tang, Yuan-Lin Ma+13 more · 2023 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · National Academy of Sciences · added 2026-04-24
Exploring the potential lead compounds for Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains one of the challenging tasks. Here, we report that the plant extract conophylline (CNP) impeded amyloidogenesis by preferent Show more
Exploring the potential lead compounds for Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains one of the challenging tasks. Here, we report that the plant extract conophylline (CNP) impeded amyloidogenesis by preferentially inhibiting BACE1 translation via the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) and rescued cognitive decline in an animal model of APP/PS1 mice. ADP-ribosylation factor-like protein 6-interacting protein 1 (ARL6IP1) was then found to mediate the effect of CNP on BACE1 translation, amyloidogenesis, glial activation, and cognitive function. Through analysis of the 5'UTR-targetd RNA-binding proteins by RNA pulldown combined with LC-MS/MS, we found that FMR1 autosomal homolog 1 (FXR1) interacted with ARL6IP1 and mediated CNP-induced reduction of BACE1 by regulating the 5'UTR activity. Without altering the protein levels of ARL6IP1 and FXR1, CNP treatment promoted ARL6IP1 interaction with FXR1 and inhibited FXR1 binding to the 5'UTR both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, CNP exhibited a therapeutic potential for AD via ARL6IP1. Through pharmacological manipulation, we uncovered a dynamic interaction between FXR1 and the 5'UTR in translational control of BACE1, adding to the understanding of the pathophysiology of AD. Show less
This study aimed to investigate the significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes associated with nine reproduction and morphological traits in three breed populations of Chinese goats. Show more
This study aimed to investigate the significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes associated with nine reproduction and morphological traits in three breed populations of Chinese goats. The genome-wide association of nine reproduction and morphological traits (litter size, nipple number, wattle, skin color, coat color, black dorsal line, beard, beard length, and hind leg hair) were analyzed in three Chinese native goat breeds (n = 336) using an Illumina Goat SNP50 Beadchip. A total of 17 genome-wide or chromosome-wide significant SNPs associated with one reproduction trait (litter size) and six morphological traits (wattle, coat color, black dorsal line, beard, beard length, and hind leg hair) were identified in three Chinese native goat breeds, and the candidate genes were annotated. The significant SNPs and corresponding putative candidate genes for each trait are as follows: two SNPs located on chromosomes 6 (CSN3) and 24 (TCF4) for litter size trait; two SNPs located on chromosome 9 (KATNA1) and 1 (UBASH3A) for wattle trait; three SNPs located on chromosome 26 (SORCS3), 24 (DYM), and 20 (PDE4D) for coat color trait; two SNPs located on chromosome 18 (TCF25) and 15 (CLMP) for black dorsal line trait; four SNPs located on chromosome 8, 2 (PAX3), 5 (PIK3C2G), and 28 (PLA2G12B and OIT3) for beard trait; one SNP located on chromosome 18 (KCNG4) for beard length trait; three SNPs located on chromosome 17 (GLRB and GRIA2), 28 (PGBD5), and 4 for hind leg hair trait. In contrast, there were no SNPs identified for nipple number and skin color. The significant SNPs or genes identified in this study provided novel insights into the genetic mechanism underlying important reproduction and morphological traits of three local goat breeds in Southern China as well as further potential applications for breeding goats. Show less
The pig industry is significantly influenced by complex traits such as growth rate and fat deposition, which have substantial implications for economic returns. Over the years, remarkable genetic adva Show more
The pig industry is significantly influenced by complex traits such as growth rate and fat deposition, which have substantial implications for economic returns. Over the years, remarkable genetic advancements have been achieved through intense artificial selection to enhance these traits in pigs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic factors that contribute to growth efficiency and lean meat percentages in Large White pigs. Specifically, we focused on analyzing two key traits: age at 100 kg live weight (AGE100) and backfat thickness at 100 kg (BF100), in three distinct Large White pig populations-500 Canadian, 295 Danish, and 1500 American Large White pigs. By employing population genomic techniques, we observed significant population stratification among these pig populations. Utilizing imputed whole-genome sequencing data, we conducted single population genome-wide association studies (GWAS) as well as a combined meta-analysis across the three populations to identify genetic markers associated with the aforementioned traits. Our analyses highlighted several candidate genes, such as Show less
Although great progress has made in gastric cancer (GC) in the past years, the overall 5-year survival rate remains to be low for advanced GC patients. A recent study showed that PLAGL2 was increased Show more
Although great progress has made in gastric cancer (GC) in the past years, the overall 5-year survival rate remains to be low for advanced GC patients. A recent study showed that PLAGL2 was increased in GC and enhanced the proliferation and metastasis of GC. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism still needs to be investigated. Gene and protein expressions were assessed using RT-qPCR and western blot. The migration, proliferation and invasion of GC cells were examined using scratch assay, CCK-8 assay and Transwell assay, respectively. ChIP-PCR, dual-luciferase assay, RIP-qPCR and CoiP were utilized to confirm the interaction among PLAGL2, UCA1, miR-145-5p and YTHDF1 as well as METTL3, YTHDF1 and eEF-2. A mouse xenograft model was used utilized to further confirm the regulatory network. PLAGL2 bound to the upstream promoter of UCA1, which regulated YTHDF1 by sponging miR-145-5p. METTL3 can mediate the m6A modification level of Snail. YTHDF1 recognized m6A-modified Snail by interacting with eEF-2 and thus promoted Snail expression, which eventually induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in GC cells and metastasis of GC. Overall, our study demonstrates that PLAGL2 enhances Snail expression and GC progression via the UCA1/miR-145-5p/YTHDF1 axis, suggesting that PLAGL2 may become a therapeutic target for GC treatment. Show less
Colonocyte metabolism shapes the microbiome. Metabolites are the main mediators of information exchange between intestine and microbial communities. Arachidonic acid (AA) is an essential polyunsaturat Show more
Colonocyte metabolism shapes the microbiome. Metabolites are the main mediators of information exchange between intestine and microbial communities. Arachidonic acid (AA) is an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid and its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unexplored. In this study, we show that AA feeding promotes tumor growth in AOM/DSS and intestinal specific Apc Show less
Liver X receptor (LXR) agonism has theoretical potential for treating NAFLD/NASH, but synthetic agonists induce hyperlipidemia in preclinical models. Desmosterol, which is converted by Δ24-dehydrochol Show more
Liver X receptor (LXR) agonism has theoretical potential for treating NAFLD/NASH, but synthetic agonists induce hyperlipidemia in preclinical models. Desmosterol, which is converted by Δ24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR24) into cholesterol, is a potent endogenous LXR agonist with anti-inflammatory properties. We aimed to investigate the effects of DHCR24 inhibition on NAFLD/NASH development. Here, by using APOE*3-Leiden. CETP mice, a well-established translational model that develops diet-induced human-like NAFLD/NASH characteristics, we report that SH42, a published DHCR24 inhibitor, markedly increases desmosterol levels in liver and plasma, reduces hepatic lipid content and the steatosis score, and decreases plasma fatty acid and cholesteryl ester concentrations. Flow cytometry showed that SH42 decreases liver inflammation by preventing Kupffer cell activation and monocyte infiltration. LXRα deficiency completely abolishes these beneficial effects of SH42. Together, the inhibition of DHCR24 by SH42 prevents diet-induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation in a strictly LXRα-dependent manner without causing hyperlipidemia. Finally, we also showed that SH42 treatment decreased liver collagen content and plasma alanine transaminase levels in an established NAFLD model. In conclusion, we anticipate that pharmacological DHCR24 inhibition may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of NAFLD/NASH. Show less
In this study, to screen for candidate markers of temozolomide (TMZ) resistance in glioblastoma, we artificially established TMZ drug-resistant glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines, U251-TMZ and U87-TMZ. In Show more
In this study, to screen for candidate markers of temozolomide (TMZ) resistance in glioblastoma, we artificially established TMZ drug-resistant glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines, U251-TMZ and U87-TMZ. In the U251-TMZ and U87-TMZ cell lines, we screened and analyzed differentially expressed proteins using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) differential proteomics. Compared with the U251 and U87 control cell lines, 95 differential proteins were screened in the U251-TMZ and U87-TMZ cell lines, of which 28 proteins were upregulated and 67 proteins were down-regulated. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses of the co-upregulated proteins showed that most of the differentially expressed proteins were located in the cytoplasm and were significantly upregulated in the biological processes related to vesicular transport in the intimal system and inflammatory response mediated by myeloid leukocytes. Seven candidates were identified as potential GBM markers of TMZ resistance. Combined with existing research findings, our study supports that UAP1L1 and BCKDK are promising potential markers of TMZ resistance in GBM. This is important for further understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive the development and enhancement of TMZ resistance. Show less
Chronic stress induces depression and insulin resistance, between which there is a bidirectional relationship. However, the mechanisms underlying this comorbidity remain unclear. White adipose tissue Show more
Chronic stress induces depression and insulin resistance, between which there is a bidirectional relationship. However, the mechanisms underlying this comorbidity remain unclear. White adipose tissue (WAT), innervated by sympathetic nerves, serves as a central node in the interorgan crosstalk through adipokines. Abnormal secretion of adipokines is involved in mood disorders and metabolic morbidities. We describe here a brain-sympathetic nerve-adipose circuit originating in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) with a role in depression and insulin resistance induced by chronic stress. PVN neurons are labelled after inoculation of pseudorabies virus (PRV) into WAT and are activated under restraint stress. Chemogenetic manipulations suggest a role for the PVN in depression and insulin resistance. Chronic stress increases the sympathetic innervation of WAT and downregulates several antidepressant and insulin-sensitizing adipokines, including leptin, adiponectin, Angptl4 and Sfrp5. Chronic activation of the PVN has similar effects. β-adrenergic receptors translate sympathetic tone into an adipose response, inducing downregulation of those adipokines and depressive-like behaviours and insulin resistance. We finally show that AP-1 has a role in the regulation of adipokine expression under chronic stress. Show less
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a critical neurodegenerative disease that manifests as progressive intellectual decline and is pathologically characterized by a progressive loss of neurons in the brain. D Show more
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a critical neurodegenerative disease that manifests as progressive intellectual decline and is pathologically characterized by a progressive loss of neurons in the brain. Despite extensive research on this topic, the pathogenesis of AD is not fully understood, while the beta-amyloid (A Show less
Beta-site secretase (BACE1) catalyzes the cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP), which process ultimately lead to plaque deposition in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, accurate monit Show more
Beta-site secretase (BACE1) catalyzes the cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP), which process ultimately lead to plaque deposition in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, accurate monitor of BACE1 activity is essential to screen inhibitors for AD treatment. This study develops a sensitive electrochemical assay for probing BACE1 activity based on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and tyrosine conjugation as tags and a marking method, respectively. An APP segment is firstly immobilized on aminated microplate reactor. Cytosine (C) rich sequence-templated AgNPs/Zr-based metal-organic framework (MOF) composite is modified by phenol groups, and then the prepared tag (ph-AgNPs@MOF) is captured in microplate surface by the conjugation reaction of phenolic groups between tyrosine and tag. After cleavage by BACE1, the solution containing ph-AgNPs@MOF tags is transferred to the screen-printed graphene electrode (SPGE) surface for voltammetric detection of AgNP signal. This sensitive detection for BACE1 provided an excellent linear relationship between 1 to 200 pM with a detection limit of 0.8 pM. Furthermore, this electrochemical assay is successfully applied for screening of BACE1 inhibitors. This strategy is also verified to be used for evaluation of BACE1 in serum samples. Show less
Vitiligo is the most common depigmenting disorder to which both genetic and environmental factors contribute. The aim of the current work was to evaluate the relationship between polymorphisms of the Show more
Vitiligo is the most common depigmenting disorder to which both genetic and environmental factors contribute. The aim of the current work was to evaluate the relationship between polymorphisms of the gene nuclear receptor subfamily 1 Group H member 3 (NR1H3) and the risk of vitiligo and phototherapy effects in the Chinese Han population. Two independent samples were enrolled to form the discovery set (comprised of 1668 nonsegmental vitiligo [NSV] patients and 2542 controls) and the validation set (comprised of 745 NSV patients and 1492 controls). A total of 13 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in the samples from the discovery stage. SNPs that achieved nominal significance were validated in another independent sample set. The serum level of NR1H3 protein was assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits in the validation set. Genetic association analysis was carried out at allelic and genotypic levels. The therapeutic effects of significant SNPs were examined in the validation set. The SNP rs3758672 was significantly associated with NSV. The A allele was correlated with NSV risk and poorer therapeutic effects. The A allele was strongly correlated with the increased level of serum NR1H3 in both controls and patients. In summary, SNP rs3758672 in NR1H3 was significantly associated with both disease susceptibility and individualized therapeutic effects of NSV in study participants with Han Chinese ancestry. Show less
It has been found that high-lipid diets (HLDs) disrupt lipid metabolism in fish, leading to an excessive accumulation of lipids in various tissues of the fish body. The objective of this study was to Show more
It has been found that high-lipid diets (HLDs) disrupt lipid metabolism in fish, leading to an excessive accumulation of lipids in various tissues of the fish body. The objective of this study was to investigate if the inclusion of lycopene (LCP) in an HLD may mitigate the adverse consequences of excessive dietary lipid intake in hybrid grouper (♀ Show less
Haodong Liu, Xiaojing Li, Penghui Li+10 more · 2023 · FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology · added 2026-04-24
The locus coeruleus (LC), enriched in vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGlut2) neurons, is a potential homeostasis-regulating hub. However, the identity of melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) neurons in Show more
The locus coeruleus (LC), enriched in vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGlut2) neurons, is a potential homeostasis-regulating hub. However, the identity of melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, PVN Show less
Despite the increasing prevalence rate of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) worldwide, efficient pharmacotherapeutic regimens against NAFLD still need to be explored. Previous studies found tha Show more
Despite the increasing prevalence rate of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) worldwide, efficient pharmacotherapeutic regimens against NAFLD still need to be explored. Previous studies found that pioglitazone and metformin therapy could partly ameliorate NAFLD, but their combination therapy effects have not been researched. In the present study, we assessed the protective effects of metformin and pioglitazone combination therapy on liver lipid metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice and investigated the molecular mechanism. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups: normal control; HFD control; metformin monotherapy; pioglitazone monotherapy and combined therapy. After 8 weeks of pharmacological intervention, glucose and lipid metabolism characteristics, hepatic histology, lipidomics profiling and RNA-seq analysis were performed. The combination of pioglitazone and metformin significantly ameliorated HFD-induced metabolic disturbance and the hepatic oil red O area. A lipidomics analysis showed that combined therapy could significantly reduce the high levels of free fatty acids (FFA), diacylglycerol and triglycerides, while a set of glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids were increased in the combined therapy group. Consistently, an RNA-seq analysis also showed a remarkable reduction in genes associated with FFA uptake and de novo lipogenesis, including Pioglitazone and metformin might have a synergistic protective effect on NAFLD by improving hepatic lipid profiles in HFD-induced mice. Further studies are needed to verify the clinical effects. Show less
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become one important therapeutic strategy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It remains imperative to identify reliable and convenient biomarkers Show more
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become one important therapeutic strategy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It remains imperative to identify reliable and convenient biomarkers to predict both the efficacy and toxicity of immunotherapy, and tumor-associated autoantibodies (TAAbs) are recognized as one of the promising candidates for this. This study enrolled 97 advanced NSCLC patients with ICI-based immunotherapy treatment, who were divided into a training cohort (n = 48) and a validation cohort (n = 49), and measured for the serum level of 35 TAAbs. According to the statistical association between the serum positivity and clinical outcome of each TAAb in the training cohort, a TAAb panel was developed to predict the progression-free survival (PFS), and further examined in the validation cohort and in different subgroups. Similarly, another TAAb panel was derived to predict the occurrence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). In the training cohort, a 7-TAAb panel composed of p53, CAGE, MAGEA4, GAGE7, UTP14A, IMP2, and PSMC1 TAAbs was derived to predict PFS (median PFS [mPFS] 9.9 vs. 4.3 months, p = 0.043). The statistical association between the panel positivity and longer PFS was confirmed in the validation cohort (mPFS 11.1 vs. 4.8 months, p = 0.015) and in different subgroups of patients. Moreover, another 4-TAAb panel of BRCA2, MAGEA4, ZNF768, and PARP TAAbs was developed to predict the occurrence of irAEs, showing higher risk in panel-positive patients (71.43% vs. 28.91%, p = 0.0046). Collectively, our study developed and validated two TAAb panels as valuable prognostic biomarkers for immunotherapy. Show less
Arabidopsis nucleoporin involved in the regulation of ethylene signaling via controlling of nucleocytoplasmic transport of mRNAs. The two-way transport of mRNAs between the nucleus and cytoplasm are c Show more
Arabidopsis nucleoporin involved in the regulation of ethylene signaling via controlling of nucleocytoplasmic transport of mRNAs. The two-way transport of mRNAs between the nucleus and cytoplasm are controlled by the nuclear pore complex (NPC). In higher plants, the NPC contains at least 30 nucleoporins. The Arabidopsis nucleoporins are involved in various biological processes such as pathogen interaction, nodulation, cold response, flowering, and hormone signaling. However, little is known about the regulatory functions of the nucleoporin NUP160 and NUP96 in ethylene signaling pathway. In the present study, we provided data showing that the Arabidopsis nucleoporin NUP160 and NUP96 participate in ethylene signaling-related mRNAs nucleocytoplasmic transport. The Arabidopsis nucleoporin mutants (nup160, nup96-1, nup96-2) exhibited enhanced ethylene sensitivity. Nuclear qRT-PCR analysis and poly(A)-mRNA in situ hybridization showed that the nucleoporin mutants affected the nucleocytoplasmic transport of all the examined mRNAs, including the ethylene signaling-related mRNAs such as ETR2, ERS1, ERS2, EIN4, CTR1, EIN2, and EIN3. Transcriptome analysis of the nucleoporin mutants provided clues suggesting that the nucleoporin NUP160 and NUP96 may participate in ethylene signaling via various molecular mechanisms. These observations significantly advance our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of nucleoporin proteins in ethylene signaling and ethylene response. Show less
The Keap1-Nrf2 pathway has been established as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Directly inhibiting the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between Keap1 and Nrf2 has been reported as Show more
The Keap1-Nrf2 pathway has been established as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Directly inhibiting the protein-protein interaction (PPI) between Keap1 and Nrf2 has been reported as an effective strategy for treating AD. Our group has validated this in an AD mouse model for the first time using the inhibitor 1,4-diaminonaphthalene NXPZ-2 with high concentrations. In the present study, we reported a new phosphodiester containing diaminonaphthalene compound, POZL, designed to target the PPI interface using a structure-based design strategy to combat oxidative stress in AD pathogenesis. Our crystallographic verification confirms that POZL shows potent Keap1-Nrf2 inhibition. Remarkably, POZL showed its high in vivo anti-AD efficacy at a much lower dosage compared to NXPZ-2 in the transgenic APP/PS1 AD mouse model. POZL treatment in the transgenic mice could effectively ameliorate learning and memory dysfunction by promoting the Nrf2 nuclear translocation. As a result, the oxidative stress and AD biomarker expression such as BACE1 and hyperphosphorylation of Tau were significantly reduced, and the synaptic function was recovered. HE and Nissl staining confirmed that POZL improved brain tissue pathological changes by enhancing neuron quantity and function. Furthermore, it was confirmed that POZL could effectively reverse Aβ-caused synaptic damage by activating Nrf2 in primary cultured cortical neurons. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that the phosphodiester diaminonaphthalene Keap1-Nrf2 PPI inhibitor could be regarded as a promising preclinical candidate of AD. Show less
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the main cause of COVID-19, causing hundreds of millions of confirmed cases and more than 18.2 million deaths worldwide. Acute kidney in Show more
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the main cause of COVID-19, causing hundreds of millions of confirmed cases and more than 18.2 million deaths worldwide. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of COVID-19 that leads to an increase in mortality, especially in intensive care unit (ICU) settings, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a high risk factor for COVID-19 and its related mortality. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms among AKI, CKD, and COVID-19 are unclear. Therefore, transcriptome analysis was performed to examine common pathways and molecular biomarkers for AKI, CKD, and COVID-19 in an attempt to understand the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with AKI and CKD. Three RNA-seq datasets (GSE147507, GSE1563, and GSE66494) from the GEO database were used to detect differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for COVID-19 with AKI and CKD to search for shared pathways and candidate targets. A total of 17 common DEGs were confirmed, and their biological functions and signaling pathways were characterized by enrichment analysis. MAPK signaling, the structural pathway of interleukin 1 (IL-1), and the Toll-like receptor pathway appear to be involved in the occurrence of these diseases. Hub genes identified from the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, including DUSP6, BHLHE40, RASGRP1, and TAB2, are potential therapeutic targets in COVID-19 with AKI and CKD. Common genes and pathways may play pathogenic roles in these three diseases mainly through the activation of immune inflammation. Networks of transcription factor (TF)-gene, miRNA-gene, and gene-disease interactions from the datasets were also constructed, and key gene regulators influencing the progression of these three diseases were further identified among the DEGs. Moreover, new drug targets were predicted based on these common DEGs, and molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed. Finally, a diagnostic model of COVID-19 was established based on these common DEGs. Taken together, the molecular and signaling pathways identified in this study may be related to the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 infection affects renal function. These findings are significant for the effective treatment of COVID-19 in patients with kidney diseases. Show less
The association between fatty acids and prostate cancer remains poorly explored in African-descent populations. Here, we analyze 24 circulating fatty acids in 2934 men, including 1431 prostate cancer Show more
The association between fatty acids and prostate cancer remains poorly explored in African-descent populations. Here, we analyze 24 circulating fatty acids in 2934 men, including 1431 prostate cancer cases and 1503 population controls from Ghana and the United States, using CLIA-certified mass spectrometry-based assays. We investigate their associations with population groups (Ghanaian, African American, European American men), lifestyle factors, the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) genetic locus, and prostate cancer. Blood levels of circulating fatty acids vary significantly between the three population groups, particularly trans, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. FADS1/2 germline genetic variants and lifestyle factors explain some of the variation in fatty acid levels, with the FADS1/2 locus showing population-specific associations, suggesting differences in their control by germline genetic factors. All trans fatty acids, namely elaidic, palmitelaidic, and linoelaidic acids, associated with an increase in the odds of developing prostate cancer, independent of ancestry, geographic location, or potential confounders. Show less
Parallel to major changes in fatty acid and glucose metabolism, defect in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism has also been recognized as a metabolic hallmark and potential therapeutic target Show more
Parallel to major changes in fatty acid and glucose metabolism, defect in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism has also been recognized as a metabolic hallmark and potential therapeutic target for heart failure. However, BCAA catabolic enzymes are ubiquitously expressed in all cell types and a systemic BCAA catabolic defect is also manifested in metabolic disorder associated with obesity and diabetes. Therefore, it remains to be determined the cell-autonomous impact of BCAA catabolic defect in cardiomyocytes in intact hearts independent from its potential global effects. In this study, we developed two mouse models. One is cardiomyocyte and temporal-specific inactivation of the E1α subunit (BCKDHA-cKO) of the branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) complex, which blocks BCAA catabolism. Another model is cardiomyocyte specific inactivation of the BCKDH kinase (BCKDK-cKO), which promotes BCAA catabolism by constitutively activating BCKDH activity in adult cardiomyocytes. Functional and molecular characterizations showed E1α inactivation in cardiomyocytes was sufficient to induce loss of cardiac function, systolic chamber dilation and pathological transcriptome reprogramming. On the other hand, inactivation of BCKDK in intact heart does not have an impact on baseline cardiac function or cardiac dysfunction under pressure overload. Our results for the first time established the cardiomyocyte cell autonomous role of BCAA catabolism in cardiac physiology. These mouse lines will serve as valuable model systems to investigate the underlying mechanisms of BCAA catabolic defect induced heart failure and to provide potential insights for BCAA targeted therapy. Show less
Schwann cells play an essential role in peripheral nerve regeneration by generating a favorable microenvironment. Gastric inhibitory peptide/gastric inhibitory peptide receptor (GIP/GIPR) axis deficie Show more
Schwann cells play an essential role in peripheral nerve regeneration by generating a favorable microenvironment. Gastric inhibitory peptide/gastric inhibitory peptide receptor (GIP/GIPR) axis deficiency leads to failure of sciatic nerve repair. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In this study, we surprisingly found that GIP treatment significantly enhances the migration of Schwann cells and the formation of Schwann cell cords during recovery from sciatic nerve injury in rats. We further revealed that GIP and GIPR levels in Schwann cells were low under normal conditions, and significantly increased after injury demonstrated by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Wound healing and Transwell assays showed that GIP stimulation and GIPR silencing could affect Schwann cell migration. In vitro and in vivo mechanistic studies based on interference experiment revealed that GIP/GIPR might promote mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) activity, thus facilitating cell migration; Rap1 activation might be involved in this process. Finally, we retrieved the stimulatory factors responsible for GIPR induction after injury. The results indicate that sonic hedgehog (SHH) is a potential candidate whose expression increased upon injury. Luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays showed that Gli3, the target transcription factor of the SHH pathway, dramatically augmented GIPR expression. Additionally, in vivo inhibition of SHH could effectively reduce GIPR expression after sciatic nerve injury. Collectively, our study reveals the importance of GIP/GIPR signaling in Schwann cell migration, providing a therapeutic avenue toward peripheral nerve injury. Show less
Excessive and chronic inflammation post myocardial infarction (MI) causes cardiac fibrosis and progressive ventricular remodeling, which leads to heart failure. We previously found high levels of IL-2 Show more
Excessive and chronic inflammation post myocardial infarction (MI) causes cardiac fibrosis and progressive ventricular remodeling, which leads to heart failure. We previously found high levels of IL-27 in the heart and serum until day 14 in murine cardiac ischemia‒reperfusion injury models. However, whether IL-27 is involved in chronic inflammation-mediated ventricular remodeling remains unclear. In the present study, we found that MI triggered high IL-27 expression in murine cardiac macrophages. The increased expression of IL-27 in serum is correlated with cardiac dysfunction and aggravated fibrosis after MI. Furthermore, the addition of IL-27 significantly activated the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Meanwhile, IL-27 treatment promoted the proliferation, migration and extracellular matrix (ECM) production of CFs induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). Collectively, high levels of IL-27 mainly produced by cardiac macrophages post MI contribute to the activation of CFs and aggravate cardiac fibrosis. Show less
The absence of prominent, actionable genetic alternations in osteosarcomas (OS) implies that transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms significantly contribute to the progression of this life-threaten Show more
The absence of prominent, actionable genetic alternations in osteosarcomas (OS) implies that transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms significantly contribute to the progression of this life-threatening form of cancer. Therefore, the identification of potential transcriptional events that promote the survival of OS cells could be key in devising targeted therapeutic approaches for OS. We have previously shown that RUNX2 is a transcription factor (TF) essential for OS cell survival. Unfortunately, the transcriptional network or circuitry regulated by RUNX2 in OS cells is still largely unknown. The TFs that are in the RUNX2 transcriptional circuitry were identified by analyzing RNAseq and ChIPseq datasets of RUNX2. To evaluate the effect of SOX9 knockdown on the survival of osteosarcoma cells in vitro, we employed cleaved caspase-3 immunoblotting and propidium iodide staining techniques. The impact of SOX9 and JMJD1C depletion on OS tumor growth was examined in vivo using xenografts and immunohistochemistry. Downstream targets of SOX9 were identified and dissected using RNAseq, pathway analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis. Furthermore, the interactome of SOX9 was identified using BioID and validated by PLA. Our findings demonstrate that SOX9 is a critical TF that is induced by RUNX2. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that SOX9 plays a pivotal role in the survival of OS. RNAseq analysis revealed that SOX9 activates the transcription of MYC, a downstream target of RUNX2. Mechanistically, our results suggest a transcriptional network involving SOX9, RUNX2, and MYC, with SOX9 binding to RUNX2. Moreover, we discovered that JMJD1C, a chromatin factor, is a novel binding partner of SOX9, and depletion of JMJD1C impairs OS tumor growth. The findings of this study represent a significant advancement in our understanding of the transcriptional network present in OS cells, providing valuable insights that may contribute to the development of targeted therapies for OS. Show less