BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer(OC)is the most lethal gynecological cancer among females,and its early diagnosis could help for better outcomes of the patients.AIM To investigate the utility of serum insulin-like growth fac...BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer(OC)is the most lethal gynecological cancer among females,and its early diagnosis could help for better outcomes of the patients.AIM To investigate the utility of serum insulin-like growth factors-binding proteins 2(IGFBP2),secreted phosphoprotein 1(SPP1),thrombospondin 1 protein(TSP1)and D-dimer levels in addition to currently used biomarkers[cancer antigen 125(CA125)and human epididymis protein 4(HE4)]in the diagnosis of epithelial OC(EOC).METHODS This is a case-control study that included fifty females diagnosed with EOC,10 females with benign ovarian masses recruited from the Egyptian National Cancer Institute,and 30 healthy females as a control group.All subjects were assessed for serum HE4,CA125,IGFBP2,TSP1 and SPP1 measurement by enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent assay.RESULTS There was a statistically significant difference in serum levels between EOC,benign ovarian masses,and healthy control groups regarding CA125 and SPP1(P<0.001 for both markers),while HE4 and IGFBP2 increased significantly in EOC compared to healthy control groups(P<0.001 for all markers)with no significant difference between EOC and benign ovarian masses groups.However,there was no statistically significant difference among EOC,benign ovarian masses,and healthy control groups regarding the TSP1 serum levels(P=0.051).Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that combined assessment of SPP1 with CA125 or TSP1 increased the diagnosis of EOC patients to a sensitivity,specificity,and area under curve of(93.3%,100%,0.968;respectively,P<0.001).CONCLUSION SPP1 may be a potential marker for the differentiation between benign and malignant ovarian masses,while IGFBP2 can differentiate between healthy females and females with ovarian masses.Combining SPP1 with CA125 or TSP1 provides high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of EOC patients.展开更多
The unfolded protein response pathway is an evolutionarily conserved cytoprotective signaling cascade,essential for cell function and survival.Unfolded protein response signaling is tightly integrated with bone cell d...The unfolded protein response pathway is an evolutionarily conserved cytoprotective signaling cascade,essential for cell function and survival.Unfolded protein response signaling is tightly integrated with bone cell differentiation and function,and chronic unfolded protein response activation has been identified in bone disease.The unfolded protein response has been found to promote oncogenesis and drug resistance,raising the possibility that unfolded protein response modulators may have activity as anti-cancer agents.Cancer-associated bone disease remains a major cause of morbidity for patients with multiple myeloma or bone-metastatic disease.Understanding the critical role of unfolded protein response signaling in cancer development and metastasis,as well as its role in bone homeostasis,may lead to novel mechanisms by which to target cancer-associated bone disease.In this review,we summarize the current research delineating the roles of the unfolded protein response in bone biology and pathophysiology,and furthermore,review unfolded protein response modulating agents in the contexts of cancer and cancer-associated bone disease.展开更多
Ma et al recently reported in the World Journal of Diabetes that ferroptosis occurs in osteoblasts under high glucose conditions,reflecting diabetes pathology.This condition could be protected by the upregulation of t...Ma et al recently reported in the World Journal of Diabetes that ferroptosis occurs in osteoblasts under high glucose conditions,reflecting diabetes pathology.This condition could be protected by the upregulation of the gene encoding polycytosine RNA-binding protein 1(PCBP1).Additionally,Ma et al used a lentivirus infection system to express PCBP1.As the authors’method of administration can be improved in terms of stability and cost,we propose delivering PCBP1 to treat type 2 diabetic osteoporosis by encapsulating it in protein nanoparticles.First,PCBP1 is small and druggable.Second,intravenous injection can help deliver PCBP1 across the mucosa while avoiding acid and enzyme-catalyzed degradation.Furthermore,incorporating PCBP1 into nanoparticles prevents its interaction with water or oxygen and protects PCBP1’s structure and activity.Notably,the safety of the protein materials and the industrialization techniques for large-scale production of protein nanoparticles must be comprehensively investigated before clinical application.展开更多
Maize(Zea mays),which is a vital source of food,feed,and energy feedstock globally,has significant potential for higher yields.However,environmental stress conditions,including drought and salt stress,severely restric...Maize(Zea mays),which is a vital source of food,feed,and energy feedstock globally,has significant potential for higher yields.However,environmental stress conditions,including drought and salt stress,severely restrict maize plant growth and development,leading to great yield losses.Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases(LRR-RLKs)function in biotic and abiotic stress responses in the model plant Arabidopsis(Arabidopsis thaliana),but their roles in abiotic stress responses in maize are not entirely understood.In this study,we determine that the LRR-RLK ZmMIK2,a homolog of the Arabidopsis LRR-RK MALE DISCOVERER 1(MDIS1)-INTERACTING RECEPTOR LIKE KINASE 2(MIK2),functions in resistance to both drought and salt stress in maize.Zmmik2 plants exhibit enhanced resistance to both stresses,whereas overexpressing ZmMIK2 confers the opposite phenotypes.Furthermore,we identify C2-DOMAIN-CONTAINING PROTEIN 1(ZmC2DP1),which interacts with the intracellular region of ZmMIK2.Notably,that region of ZmMIK2 mediates the phosphorylation of ZmC2DP1,likely by increasing its stability.Both ZmMIK2 and ZmC2DP1 are mainly expressed in roots.As with ZmMIK2,knockout of ZmC2DP1 enhances resistance to both drought and salt stress.We conclude that ZmMIK2-ZmC2DP1 acts as a negative regulatory module in maize drought-and salt-stress responses.展开更多
Protein arginine methyltransferase-6 participates in a range of biological functions,particularly RNA processing,transcription,chromatin remodeling,and endosomal trafficking.However,it remains unclear whether protein ...Protein arginine methyltransferase-6 participates in a range of biological functions,particularly RNA processing,transcription,chromatin remodeling,and endosomal trafficking.However,it remains unclear whether protein arginine methyl transferase-6 modifies neuropathic pain and,if so,what the mechanisms of this effect.In this study,protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression levels and its effect on neuropathic pain were investigated in the spared nerve injury model,chronic constriction injury model and bone cancer pain model,using immunohistochemistry,western blotting,immunoprecipitation,and label-free proteomic analysis.The results showed that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 mostly co-localized withβ-tubulinⅢin the dorsal root ganglion,and that its expression decreased following spared nerve injury,chronic constriction injury and bone cancer pain.In addition,PRMT6 knockout(Prmt6~(-/-))mice exhibited pain hypersensitivity.Furthermore,the development of spared nerve injury-induced hypersensitivity to mechanical pain was attenuated by blocking the decrease in protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression.Moreover,when protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression was downregulated in the dorsal root ganglion in mice without spared nerve injury,increased levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases were observed in the ipsilateral dorsal horn,and the response to mechanical stimuli was enhanced.Mechanistically,protein arginine methyltransferase-6 appeared to contribute to spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain by regulating the expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F.Additionally,protein arginine methyltransfe rase-6-mediated modulation of hete rogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F expression required amino atids 319 to 388,but not classical H3R2 methylation.These findings indicated that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 is a potential therapeutic target fo r the treatment of peripheral neuro pathic pain.展开更多
Developing effective and long-term treatment strategies for rare and complex neurodegenerative diseases is challenging. One of the major roadblocks is the extensive heterogeneity among patients. This hinders understan...Developing effective and long-term treatment strategies for rare and complex neurodegenerative diseases is challenging. One of the major roadblocks is the extensive heterogeneity among patients. This hinders understanding the underlying disease-causing mechanisms and building solutions that have implications for a broad spectrum of patients. One potential solution is to develop personalized medicine approaches based on strategies that target the most prevalent cellular events that are perturbed in patients. Especially in patients with a known genetic mutation, it may be possible to understand how these mutations contribute to problems that lead to neurodegeneration. Protein–protein interaction analyses offer great advantages for revealing how proteins interact, which cellular events are primarily involved in these interactions, and how they become affected when key genes are mutated in patients. This line of investigation also suggests novel druggable targets for patients with different mutations. Here, we focus on alsin and spastin, two proteins that are identified as “causative” for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and hereditary spastic paraplegia, respectively, when mutated. Our review analyzes the protein interactome for alsin and spastin, the canonical pathways that are primarily important for each protein domain, as well as compounds that are either Food and Drug Administration–approved or are in active clinical trials concerning the affected cellular pathways. This line of research begins to pave the way for personalized medicine approaches that are desperately needed for rare neurodegenerative diseases that are complex and heterogeneous.展开更多
The awn can contribute to photosynthesis and carbohydrates,enhancing grain yield in wheat.We mapped QAwn.sxau-5A,a major QTL for awn development in wheat(Triticum aestivum).This QTL was delimited to a 994-kb interval ...The awn can contribute to photosynthesis and carbohydrates,enhancing grain yield in wheat.We mapped QAwn.sxau-5A,a major QTL for awn development in wheat(Triticum aestivum).This QTL was delimited to a 994-kb interval at the B1 locus on chromosome 5A,which included the candidate gene encoding a zinc finger protein(TraesCS5A01G542800)as an awn length inhibitor(ALI).The Ali-A1 allele for the awnless trait showed abundant sequence differences in the promoter regions compared to the ali-A1 allele for the long-awn trait.The results of the swap experiment on the promoters from the two ALI-A1 alleles showed that the two promoters caused a difference in the protein level,indicating the gene was regulated at the transcript level.However,the ali-A1 allele contained an SNP that caused a premature stop codon in its coding region,resulting in a truncated protein compared to the functional Ali-A1 protein.The Ali-A1 protein contained two ethylene-responsive element binding factor-associated amphiphilic repression(EAR)motifs,one at the N terminus(EAR-N)and the other at the C terminus(EAR-C),and they were involved in interactions with the wheat co-repressor protein TOPLESS(TPL1).The ali-A1 protein retained the EAR-N motif but lost the EAR-C motif,resulting in the attenuated ability to interact with TPL1.The tpl1 mutant produced a longer awn compared to the wild type.Ali-A1 repressed the transcription of two downstream genes,TaLRP-A1 and TaARF-B1,involved in endogenous auxin concentrations and auxin responses in wheat.We concluded that the awn length is regulated not only by the ALI-A1 gene at transcript levels but also by Ali-A1 and TPL1 at the protein level in wheat.展开更多
BACKGROUND Neonatal sepsis is a serious health problem,with high morbidity and mortality during the first 28 days of life.Clinical diagnosis at presentation is challenging due to the nonspecific signs and symptoms.Alt...BACKGROUND Neonatal sepsis is a serious health problem,with high morbidity and mortality during the first 28 days of life.Clinical diagnosis at presentation is challenging due to the nonspecific signs and symptoms.Although blood culture is the gold standard for diagnosis,it is not always positive.AIM To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of D-dimer and heparin-binding protein(HBP)in neonatal sepsis.METHODS This prospective case-control study included 90 neonates in two groups:A sepsis group(n=45)and a control group(n=45)without sepsis.Sepsis group was further subdivided based on blood culture results into proven sepsis(n=28 culturepositive sepsis)and suspected sepsis(n=17 culture-negative sepsis).All neonates underwent complete history taking,thorough clinical examination and investigations[complete blood count,C-reactive protein(CRP),liver and kidney function tests,plasma D-dimer and HBP].RESULTS Levels of CRP,D-dimer and HBP were significantly higher in the sepsis group compared to the controls.At a cutoff value above 517.9 ng/mL,D-dimer outperformed CRP and HBP in distinguishing sepsis group from controls with 95.6%sensitivity and 97.8%specificity.D-dimer was also a better prognostic marker than the neonatal sequential organ failure assessment(nSOFA)for predicting mortality,with 100%sensitivity and 92.5%specificity vs 80%sensitivity and 82.5%specificity.There was a significant positive correlation between CRP,D-dimer and HBP.CONCLUSION D-dimer demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy compared to CRP and HBP in predicting sepsis,and demonstrated superior prognostic accuracy compared to nSOFA in predicting the outcome of neonatal sepsis.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Inappropriate antibiotic treatment for patients with viral infections has led to a surge in antimicrobial resistance, increasing mortality and healthcare costs. Viral and bacterial infections are often dif...BACKGROUND: Inappropriate antibiotic treatment for patients with viral infections has led to a surge in antimicrobial resistance, increasing mortality and healthcare costs. Viral and bacterial infections are often difficult to distinguish. Myxovirus resistance protein A(MxA), an essential antiviral factor induced by interferon after viral infection, holds promise for distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections. This study aimed to determine the ability of Mx A to distinguish viral from bacterial infections.METHODS: We quantified MxA in 121 infected patients via dry immunofluorescence chromatography. The Kruskal-Wallis test and receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis were used to determine the diagnostic value of Mx A, either alone or in combination with C-reactive protein(CRP) or procalcitonin(PCT), in patients with viral, bacterial, or co-infections.RESULTS: The value of MxA(ng/mL) was significantly higher in patients with viral infections than in those with bacterial and co-infections(82.3 [24.5–182.9] vs. 16.4 [10.8–26.5], P<0.0001)(82.3 [24.5–182.9] vs. 28.5 [10.2–106.8], P=0.0237). The area under the curve(AUC) of the ROC curve for distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections was 0.799(95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.696–0.903), with a sensitivity of 68.9%(95% CI 54.3%–80.5%) and specificity of 90.0%(95% CI 74.4%–96.5%) at the threshold of 50.3 ng/mL. Combining the MxA level with the CRP or PCT level improved its ability. MxA expression was low in cytomegalovirus(15.8 [9.6–47.6] ng/mL) and Epstein-Barr virus(12.9 [8.5–21.0] ng/mL) infections.CONCLUSION: Our study showed the diagnostic efficacy of Mx A in distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections, with further enhancement when it was combined with CRP or PCT. Moreover, EpsteinBarr virus and human cytomegalovirus infections did not elicit elevated Mx A expression.展开更多
OBJECTIVE:To clarify the effect of Hamayou(Oviductus Ranae) protein hydrolysate(ORPH) on depression and its exact underlying mechanism from a new perspective. METHODS:We used the Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress(CUMS...OBJECTIVE:To clarify the effect of Hamayou(Oviductus Ranae) protein hydrolysate(ORPH) on depression and its exact underlying mechanism from a new perspective. METHODS:We used the Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress(CUMS) method to prepare a mouse model of depression and lipopolysaccharide(LPS) to prepare a model of BV2 cellular inflammation to investigate the antidepressant effect and mechanism of action of ORPH. Behavioral changes in mice and cerebral blood flow were detected by behavioral experiments and scatter imaging. Levels of corticosterone(CORT), proinflammatory cytokines and neurotransmitter were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, hematoxylin-eosin staining, Tunel staining were used to evaluate the effect of ORPH. The distribution and expression of ionized calcium bindingadaptor molecule-1(Iba-1) in mouse hippocampal tissue and BV2 cells were detected by immunofluorescence. Mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) pathway related protein expression was detected by Western blot. RESULTS:ORPH improved depression-like behavior, ameliorated brain tissue damage and apoptosis, and inhibited microglia activation in brain tissue in mice. In addition, ORPH reduced expression of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)-associated X(Bax), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3(Caspase3), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 9(Caspase9), nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), phosphorylation-p38(p-p38), phosphorylation-Jun Nterminal kinase(p-JNK) proteins, and increased expression of Bcl-2, inhibitory kappa B alpha(IκB-α), phosphorylation-extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2(p-ERK1/2) proteins. On the other hand, there were fewer Iba-1-positive cells, lower expression of NF-κB, pp38, p-JNK and p-ERK1/2 proteins, and higher expression of IκB-α proteins in BV2 cells in the ORPH group. In addition, ORPH increased 5-hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine levels and decreased CORT, interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) levels. CONCLUSION:ORPH was able to improve depressionlike behaviors and that it took effects by promoting cerebral blood flow, inhibition of hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis overactivation, improving the structural damage of hippocampal tissues, and inhibiting the inflammatory response. ORPH can reduced neuronal damage and inhibiting apoptosis by promoting the MAPK pathway.展开更多
Improving protein quality and grain yield traits coordinately is an important goal for crop breeding.To date,many protein-quality or grain-yield regulation genes have been identified.However,the genetic strategies int...Improving protein quality and grain yield traits coordinately is an important goal for crop breeding.To date,many protein-quality or grain-yield regulation genes have been identified.However,the genetic strategies integrating these genes in good-protein-quality and high-yield crop breeding practice are far from established.Here,we characterized the functions of the MADS domain-containing protein Zm MADS8 and Zea mays G protein gamma subunit 1(Zm GG1)in regulating protein quality and grain yield of maize.Zm MADS8 positively regulates zein protein accumulation and negatively regulates nonzein protein and lysine levels in kernels by interacting with Zm MADS47 to promote the transcriptional activation of Opaque2.Additionally,Zm MADS8 regulates starch content of kernels by targeting genes involved in starch biosynthesis.Zm GG1,a putative interactor of Zm MADS8,negatively regulates kernel number with a trade-off effect on kernel starch accumulation.The mads8;zmgg1 double mutant improved protein quality by attenuating zein biosynthesis and increasing essential lysine level,and increased grain yield by increasing kernel number,compensating for decreased starch biosynthesis.Our findings revealed the biological function of Zm MADS8 and Zm GG1 in regulating protein quality and yield related traits and suggested a genetic strategy by direct editing of Zm MADS8 and Zm GG1 to improve grain yield and protein quality simultaneously.展开更多
Keratinocytes,the major cell types of the epidermis,proliferate and migrate during wound healing to restore the epithelial barrier.Royal jelly is a traditional remedy used in wound repair.Our previous study found that...Keratinocytes,the major cell types of the epidermis,proliferate and migrate during wound healing to restore the epithelial barrier.Royal jelly is a traditional remedy used in wound repair.Our previous study found that the mixture of major royal jelly protein(MRJP)2,3 and 7 exhibited in vitro wound healing-promoting effects;however,the exact functional constituents and the associated underlying mechanisms of action are still largely unknown.In this study,a partial fragment of MRJP3 was recombinantly expressed as a fusion protein MRJP3-C113-Fc which promoted wound healing in vitro and in vivo.By employing protein inhibitors and immunoblots technology,it was initially found that the wound-repairing mechanisms of MRJP3-C113-Fc were correlated to the activation of EGFR/AKT/m TOR signaling pathway in keratinocytes(Ha Ca T cells).LC-MS/MS-based proteomic analysis demonstrated that the proteins present in the MRJP3-C113-Fc-treated Ha Ca T cells were different from the untreated ones,in which rhomboid 5 homolog 2(RHBDF2)might be the potential regulator for the EGFR/AKT/m TOR signaling pathway.Silencing of RHBDF2 diminished the proproliferative and-migratory effectiveness of MRJP3-C113-Fc on Ha Ca T cells,as well as the phosphorylation of EGFR/AKT/m TOR,suggesting that the wound healing-promoting efficacy was attributable to the RHBDF2-mediated activation of EGFR/AKT/m TOR signaling pathway.Hence,this study is the first to discover the single fragment of MRJPs possessing pro-healing properties,and also the first to disclose the regulatory role of RHBDF2 in EGFR/AKT/m TOR signaling pathway-modulated wound healing.It will facilitate the development of MRJP3-C113-based therapeutic agent for skin wounds,and provide a novel target for treating cutaneous trauma.展开更多
In the article“Silencing of the long non-coding RNA LINC00265 triggers autophagy and apoptosis in lung cancer by reducing protein stability of SIN3A oncogene”(Oncology Research.2024,Vol.32,No.7,pp.1185–1195.doi:10....In the article“Silencing of the long non-coding RNA LINC00265 triggers autophagy and apoptosis in lung cancer by reducing protein stability of SIN3A oncogene”(Oncology Research.2024,Vol.32,No.7,pp.1185–1195.doi:10.32604/or.2023.030771,https://www.techscience.com/or/v32n7/57163),an inadvertent error occurred during the compilation of Fig.3H.This needed corrections to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data presented.展开更多
Osteoarthritis(OA)is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder marked by chronic pain,inflammation,and cartilage loss,with current treatments limited to symptom relief.G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)play a pivotal ro...Osteoarthritis(OA)is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder marked by chronic pain,inflammation,and cartilage loss,with current treatments limited to symptom relief.G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)play a pivotal role in OA progression by regulating inflammation,chondrocyte survival,and matrix homeostasis.However,their multifaceted signaling,via G proteins orβ-arrestins,poses challenges for precise therapeutic targeting.Biased agonism,where ligands selectively activate specific GPCR pathways,emerges as a promising approach to optimize efficacy and reduce side effects.This review examines biased signaling in OAassociated GPCRs,including cannabinoid receptors(CB1,CB2),chemokine receptors(CCR2,CXCR4),protease-activated receptors(PAR-2),adenosine receptors(A1R,A2AR,A2BR,A3R),melanocortin receptors(MC1R,MC3R),bradykinin receptors(B2R),prostaglandin E2 receptors(EP-2,EP-4),and calcium-sensing receptors(CaSR).We analyze ligands in clinical trials and explore natural products from Traditional Chinese Medicine as potential biased agonists.These compounds,with diverse structures and bioactivities,offer novel therapeutic avenues.By harnessing biased agonism,this review underscores the potential for developing targeted,safer OA therapies that address its complex pathology,bridging molecular insights with clinical translation.展开更多
BACKGROUND Centromere protein A(CENPA)exhibits an increased expression level in primary human rectal cancer tissues,but its role has not been investigated.AIM To clarify the specific role and mechanism of CENPA in rec...BACKGROUND Centromere protein A(CENPA)exhibits an increased expression level in primary human rectal cancer tissues,but its role has not been investigated.AIM To clarify the specific role and mechanism of CENPA in rectal cancer progression.METHODS CENPA protein expression in rectal cancer tissues and cell lines were detected.CENPA was overexpressed and knocked down in SW837 and SW480 cells,and proliferation,invasion,apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)marker protein levels were examined.O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase(MGMT)promoter methylation was assessed with methylation-specific poly-merase chain reaction.Co-immunoprecipitation assay verified the interaction between MGMT and protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 4(PTPN4).SW837 cells with CENPA knockdown were injected subcutaneously into mice,and tumor growth was examined.RESULTS CENPA was upregulated in rectal cancer tissues and cell lines.CENPA overex-pression promoted proliferation,invasion and EMT,and inhibited apoptosis in rectal cancer cells.Whereas CENPA knockdown showed the opposite results.Moreover,CENPA inhibited MGMT expression by promoting DNA methyltrans-ferase 1-mediated MGMT promoter methylation.MGMT knockdown abolished the CENPA knockdown-mediated inhibition of rectal cancer cell progression.MGMT increased PTPN4 protein stability by inhibiting PTPN4 ubiquitination degradation via competing with ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2O for interacting with PTPN4.PTPN4 knockdown abolished the inhibitory effects of MGMT overexpression on rectal cancer cell progression.Moreover,CENPA knockdown inhibited xenograft tumor growth in vivo.CONCLUSION CENPA knockdown inhibited rectal cancer cell growth and attenuated xenograft tumor growth through regulating the MGMT/PTPN4 axis.展开更多
Intrinsically disordered proteins(IDPs)and their regions(IDRs)play crucial roles in cellular func-tions despite their lack of stable three-dimensional structures.In this study,we investigate the interac-tions between ...Intrinsically disordered proteins(IDPs)and their regions(IDRs)play crucial roles in cellular func-tions despite their lack of stable three-dimensional structures.In this study,we investigate the interac-tions between the C-terminal do-main of protein 4.1G(4.1G CTD)and the nuclear mitotic apparatus protein(NuMA)under varying pH and salt ion conditions to under-stand the regulatory mechanisms affecting their binding.4.1G CTD and NuMA bind effec-tively under neutral and alkaline conditions,but their interaction is disrupted under acidic conditions(pH 3.6).The protonation of positively charged residues at the C-terminal of 4.1G CTD under acidic conditions leads to increased electrostatic repulsion,weakening the overall binding free energy.Secondary structure analysis shows that specific regions of 4.1G CTD re-main stable under both pH conditions,but the C-terminal region(aa 990−1000)and the N-terminal region of NuMA(aa 1800−1810)exhibit significant reductions in secondary struc-ture probability under acidic conditions.Contact map analysis and solvent-accessible surface area analysis further support these findings by showing a reduced contact probability be-tween these regions under pH 3.6.These results provide a comprehensive understanding of how pH and ionic strength regulate the binding dynamics of 4.1G CTD and NuMA,emphasiz-ing the regulatory role of electrostatic interactions.展开更多
BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer(ESCA)is among the most prevalent and lethal tumors globally.While nitric oxide synthase 1(NOS1)is recognized for its important in-volvement in various cancers,its specific function in ESCA...BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer(ESCA)is among the most prevalent and lethal tumors globally.While nitric oxide synthase 1(NOS1)is recognized for its important in-volvement in various cancers,its specific function in ESCA remains unclear.AIM To explore the potential role and underlying mechanisms of NOS1 in ESCA.METHODS Survival rates were analyzed using GeneCards and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis.The effects and mechanisms of NOS1 on ESCA cells were evaluated via the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay,scratch assay,Transwell assay,flow cytometry,quantitative polymerase chain reaction,western blotting,and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling staining.The protein interaction network was used to screen the interacting proteins of NOS1 and validate these interactions through co-immuno-precipitation and dual luciferase assays.Additionally,a nude mouse xenograft model was established to evaluate the effect of NOS1 in vivo.RESULTS The survival rate of patients with ESCA with high NOS1 expression was higher than that of patients with low NOS1 expression.NOS1 expression in ESCA cell lines was lower than that in normal esophageal epithelial cells.Overexpression of NOS1(oe-NOS1)inhibited proliferation,invasion,and migration abilities in ESCA cell lines,resulting in decreased autophagy levels and increased apoptosis,pyroptosis,and ferroptosis.Protein interaction studies confirmed the interaction between NOS1 and NOS1 adaptor protein(NOS1AP).Following oe-NOS1 and the silencing of NOS1AP,levels of P62 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta increased both in vitro and in vivo.Furthermore,the expression levels of E-cadherin,along with the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)and protein kinase B(AKT),were inhibited in ESCA cell lines.CONCLUSION NOS1 and NOS1 proteins interact to suppress autophagy,activate the PI3K/AKT pathway,and exert anti-cancer effects in ESCA.展开更多
BACKGROUND Mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein(MLKL)serves as a critical mediator in necroptosis,a form of regulated cell death linked to various liver diseases.This study aims to specifically investigate the rol...BACKGROUND Mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein(MLKL)serves as a critical mediator in necroptosis,a form of regulated cell death linked to various liver diseases.This study aims to specifically investigate the role of MLKL’s adenosine triphosphate(ATP)-binding pocket in facilitating necroptosis-independent pathways that may contribute to liver disease progression.By focusing on this mechanism,we seek to identify potential therapeutic targets that can modulate MLKL activity,offering new strategies for the prevention and treatment of liver-related pathologies.AIM To investigate the possibility of using the ATP-binding pocket-associated,necro-ptosis-independent MLKL pathway as a target for liver diseases.METHODS Cell death following necroptosis stimuli was evaluated using cell proliferation assays,flow cytometry,and electron microscopy in various cells.The human liver organoid system was used to evaluate whether the MLKL ATP pocket-binding inhibitor could attenuate inflammation.Additionally,alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases animal models were used to determine whether MLKL ATP pocket inhibitors could attenuate liver injury.RESULTS While an MLKL ATP pocket-binding inhibitor did not prevent necroptosis-induced cell death in RAW 264.7 cells,it did reduce the necroptosis-led expression of CXCL2,ICAM,and VCAM.Notably,MLKL ATP pocket inhibitor diminishes the expression of CXCL2,ICAM,and VCAM by inhibiting the IκB kinase and nuclear factor kappa-B pathways without inducing necroptosis-induced cell death in two-dimensional cell culture as well as the human-derived liver organoid system.Although MLKL ATP-binding inhibitor was ineffective in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease animal models,MLKL ATP-binding inhibitor attenuated hepatic inflammation in the alcoholic liver disease model.CONCLUSION MLKL ATP pocket-binding inhibitor exerted anti-inflammatory effects through the necroptosis-independent MLKL pathway in an animal model of alcoholic liver disease.展开更多
Background Polygalacturonase inhibiting proteins(PGIPs)play a pivotal role in plant defense against plant patho-gens by inhibiting polygalacturonase(PG),an enzyme produced by pathogens to degrade plant cell wall pecti...Background Polygalacturonase inhibiting proteins(PGIPs)play a pivotal role in plant defense against plant patho-gens by inhibiting polygalacturonase(PG),an enzyme produced by pathogens to degrade plant cell wall pectin.PGIPs,also known as leucine-rich repeat pathogenesis-related(PR)proteins,activate the host’s defense response upon interaction with PG,thereby reinforcing the host defense against plant pathogens attacks.In Egyptian or extra-long staple cotton(Gossypium barbadense),the interaction between PGIP and PG is one of the crucial steps in the defense mechanism against major pathogens such as Xanthomonas citri pv.malvacearum and Alternaria mac-rospora,which are responsible for bacterial leaf blight and leaf spot diseases,respectively.Results To unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying these PR proteins,we conducted a comprehensive study involving molecular modeling,protein-protein docking,site-specific double mutation(E169G and F242K),and molec-ular dynamics simulations.Both wild-type and mutated cotton PGIPs were examined in the interaction with the PG enzyme of a bacterial and fungal pathogen.Our findings revealed that changes in conformations of double-mutated residues in the active site of PGIP lead to the inhibition of PG binding.The molecular dynamics simulation studies provide insights into the dynamic behaviour and stability of the PGIP-PG complexes,shedding light on the intricate details of the inhibitory and exhibitory mechanism against the major fungal and bacterial pathogens of G.barbadense,respectively.Conclusions The findings of this study not only enhance our understanding of the molecular interactions between PGs of Xanthomonas citri pv.malvacearum and Alternaria macrospora and PGIP of G.barbadense but also pre-sent a potential strategy for developing the disease-resistant cotton varieties.By variations in the binding affinities of PGs through specific mutations in PGIP,this research offers promising avenues for the development of enhanced resistance to cotton plants against bacterial leaf blight and leaf spot diseases.展开更多
Essential proteins are crucial for biological processes and can be identified through both experimental and computational methods.While experimental approaches are highly accurate,they often demand extensive time and ...Essential proteins are crucial for biological processes and can be identified through both experimental and computational methods.While experimental approaches are highly accurate,they often demand extensive time and resources.To address these challenges,we present a computational ensemble learning framework designed to identify essential proteins more efficiently.Our method begins by using node2vec to transform proteins in the protein–protein interaction(PPI)network into continuous,low-dimensional vectors.We also extract a range of features from protein sequences,including graph-theory-based,information-based,compositional,and physiochemical attributes.Additionally,we leverage deep learning techniques to analyze high-dimensional position-specific scoring matrices(PSSMs)and capture evolutionary information.We then combine these features for classification using various machine learning algorithms.To enhance performance,we integrate the outputs of these algorithms through ensemble methods such as voting,weighted averaging,and stacking.This approach effectively addresses data imbalances and improves both robustness and accuracy.Our ensemble learning framework achieves an AUC of 0.960 and an accuracy of 0.9252,outperforming other computational methods.These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in accurately identifying essential proteins and highlight its superior feature extraction capabilities.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer(OC)is the most lethal gynecological cancer among females,and its early diagnosis could help for better outcomes of the patients.AIM To investigate the utility of serum insulin-like growth factors-binding proteins 2(IGFBP2),secreted phosphoprotein 1(SPP1),thrombospondin 1 protein(TSP1)and D-dimer levels in addition to currently used biomarkers[cancer antigen 125(CA125)and human epididymis protein 4(HE4)]in the diagnosis of epithelial OC(EOC).METHODS This is a case-control study that included fifty females diagnosed with EOC,10 females with benign ovarian masses recruited from the Egyptian National Cancer Institute,and 30 healthy females as a control group.All subjects were assessed for serum HE4,CA125,IGFBP2,TSP1 and SPP1 measurement by enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent assay.RESULTS There was a statistically significant difference in serum levels between EOC,benign ovarian masses,and healthy control groups regarding CA125 and SPP1(P<0.001 for both markers),while HE4 and IGFBP2 increased significantly in EOC compared to healthy control groups(P<0.001 for all markers)with no significant difference between EOC and benign ovarian masses groups.However,there was no statistically significant difference among EOC,benign ovarian masses,and healthy control groups regarding the TSP1 serum levels(P=0.051).Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that combined assessment of SPP1 with CA125 or TSP1 increased the diagnosis of EOC patients to a sensitivity,specificity,and area under curve of(93.3%,100%,0.968;respectively,P<0.001).CONCLUSION SPP1 may be a potential marker for the differentiation between benign and malignant ovarian masses,while IGFBP2 can differentiate between healthy females and females with ovarian masses.Combining SPP1 with CA125 or TSP1 provides high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of EOC patients.
基金supported by the National Institutes of Health(Grants P30 CA036727 and R01 CA258621)and funding from the University of Nebraska Medical Center Graduate Studies Assistantship.
文摘The unfolded protein response pathway is an evolutionarily conserved cytoprotective signaling cascade,essential for cell function and survival.Unfolded protein response signaling is tightly integrated with bone cell differentiation and function,and chronic unfolded protein response activation has been identified in bone disease.The unfolded protein response has been found to promote oncogenesis and drug resistance,raising the possibility that unfolded protein response modulators may have activity as anti-cancer agents.Cancer-associated bone disease remains a major cause of morbidity for patients with multiple myeloma or bone-metastatic disease.Understanding the critical role of unfolded protein response signaling in cancer development and metastasis,as well as its role in bone homeostasis,may lead to novel mechanisms by which to target cancer-associated bone disease.In this review,we summarize the current research delineating the roles of the unfolded protein response in bone biology and pathophysiology,and furthermore,review unfolded protein response modulating agents in the contexts of cancer and cancer-associated bone disease.
文摘Ma et al recently reported in the World Journal of Diabetes that ferroptosis occurs in osteoblasts under high glucose conditions,reflecting diabetes pathology.This condition could be protected by the upregulation of the gene encoding polycytosine RNA-binding protein 1(PCBP1).Additionally,Ma et al used a lentivirus infection system to express PCBP1.As the authors’method of administration can be improved in terms of stability and cost,we propose delivering PCBP1 to treat type 2 diabetic osteoporosis by encapsulating it in protein nanoparticles.First,PCBP1 is small and druggable.Second,intravenous injection can help deliver PCBP1 across the mucosa while avoiding acid and enzyme-catalyzed degradation.Furthermore,incorporating PCBP1 into nanoparticles prevents its interaction with water or oxygen and protects PCBP1’s structure and activity.Notably,the safety of the protein materials and the industrialization techniques for large-scale production of protein nanoparticles must be comprehensively investigated before clinical application.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2021YFD1200703 and 2022YFF1001602)the National Science Foundation of China(32272024 and 32171940)+2 种基金the Pinduoduo-China Agricultural University Research Fund(PC2023B01001)the Chinese Universities Scientific Fund(2022TC142)the 2115 Talent Development Program of China Agricultural University。
文摘Maize(Zea mays),which is a vital source of food,feed,and energy feedstock globally,has significant potential for higher yields.However,environmental stress conditions,including drought and salt stress,severely restrict maize plant growth and development,leading to great yield losses.Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases(LRR-RLKs)function in biotic and abiotic stress responses in the model plant Arabidopsis(Arabidopsis thaliana),but their roles in abiotic stress responses in maize are not entirely understood.In this study,we determine that the LRR-RLK ZmMIK2,a homolog of the Arabidopsis LRR-RK MALE DISCOVERER 1(MDIS1)-INTERACTING RECEPTOR LIKE KINASE 2(MIK2),functions in resistance to both drought and salt stress in maize.Zmmik2 plants exhibit enhanced resistance to both stresses,whereas overexpressing ZmMIK2 confers the opposite phenotypes.Furthermore,we identify C2-DOMAIN-CONTAINING PROTEIN 1(ZmC2DP1),which interacts with the intracellular region of ZmMIK2.Notably,that region of ZmMIK2 mediates the phosphorylation of ZmC2DP1,likely by increasing its stability.Both ZmMIK2 and ZmC2DP1 are mainly expressed in roots.As with ZmMIK2,knockout of ZmC2DP1 enhances resistance to both drought and salt stress.We conclude that ZmMIK2-ZmC2DP1 acts as a negative regulatory module in maize drought-and salt-stress responses.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82001178(to LW),81901129(to LH),82001175(to FX)Shanghai Sailing Program,No.20YF1439200(to LW)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai,China,No.23ZR1450800(to LH)and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,No.YG2023LC15(to ZX)。
文摘Protein arginine methyltransferase-6 participates in a range of biological functions,particularly RNA processing,transcription,chromatin remodeling,and endosomal trafficking.However,it remains unclear whether protein arginine methyl transferase-6 modifies neuropathic pain and,if so,what the mechanisms of this effect.In this study,protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression levels and its effect on neuropathic pain were investigated in the spared nerve injury model,chronic constriction injury model and bone cancer pain model,using immunohistochemistry,western blotting,immunoprecipitation,and label-free proteomic analysis.The results showed that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 mostly co-localized withβ-tubulinⅢin the dorsal root ganglion,and that its expression decreased following spared nerve injury,chronic constriction injury and bone cancer pain.In addition,PRMT6 knockout(Prmt6~(-/-))mice exhibited pain hypersensitivity.Furthermore,the development of spared nerve injury-induced hypersensitivity to mechanical pain was attenuated by blocking the decrease in protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression.Moreover,when protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression was downregulated in the dorsal root ganglion in mice without spared nerve injury,increased levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases were observed in the ipsilateral dorsal horn,and the response to mechanical stimuli was enhanced.Mechanistically,protein arginine methyltransferase-6 appeared to contribute to spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain by regulating the expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F.Additionally,protein arginine methyltransfe rase-6-mediated modulation of hete rogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F expression required amino atids 319 to 388,but not classical H3R2 methylation.These findings indicated that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 is a potential therapeutic target fo r the treatment of peripheral neuro pathic pain.
基金funded by NIH-NIA R01AG061708 (to PHO)Patrick Grange Memorial Foundation (to PHO)+1 种基金A Long Swim (to PHO)CureSPG4 Foundation (to PHO)。
文摘Developing effective and long-term treatment strategies for rare and complex neurodegenerative diseases is challenging. One of the major roadblocks is the extensive heterogeneity among patients. This hinders understanding the underlying disease-causing mechanisms and building solutions that have implications for a broad spectrum of patients. One potential solution is to develop personalized medicine approaches based on strategies that target the most prevalent cellular events that are perturbed in patients. Especially in patients with a known genetic mutation, it may be possible to understand how these mutations contribute to problems that lead to neurodegeneration. Protein–protein interaction analyses offer great advantages for revealing how proteins interact, which cellular events are primarily involved in these interactions, and how they become affected when key genes are mutated in patients. This line of investigation also suggests novel druggable targets for patients with different mutations. Here, we focus on alsin and spastin, two proteins that are identified as “causative” for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and hereditary spastic paraplegia, respectively, when mutated. Our review analyzes the protein interactome for alsin and spastin, the canonical pathways that are primarily important for each protein domain, as well as compounds that are either Food and Drug Administration–approved or are in active clinical trials concerning the affected cellular pathways. This line of research begins to pave the way for personalized medicine approaches that are desperately needed for rare neurodegenerative diseases that are complex and heterogeneous.
基金supported by the Grand Science and Technology Special Project in Shanxi Province(202201140601025-2)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32201749)supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant 2022-68013-36439(WheatCAP)from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
文摘The awn can contribute to photosynthesis and carbohydrates,enhancing grain yield in wheat.We mapped QAwn.sxau-5A,a major QTL for awn development in wheat(Triticum aestivum).This QTL was delimited to a 994-kb interval at the B1 locus on chromosome 5A,which included the candidate gene encoding a zinc finger protein(TraesCS5A01G542800)as an awn length inhibitor(ALI).The Ali-A1 allele for the awnless trait showed abundant sequence differences in the promoter regions compared to the ali-A1 allele for the long-awn trait.The results of the swap experiment on the promoters from the two ALI-A1 alleles showed that the two promoters caused a difference in the protein level,indicating the gene was regulated at the transcript level.However,the ali-A1 allele contained an SNP that caused a premature stop codon in its coding region,resulting in a truncated protein compared to the functional Ali-A1 protein.The Ali-A1 protein contained two ethylene-responsive element binding factor-associated amphiphilic repression(EAR)motifs,one at the N terminus(EAR-N)and the other at the C terminus(EAR-C),and they were involved in interactions with the wheat co-repressor protein TOPLESS(TPL1).The ali-A1 protein retained the EAR-N motif but lost the EAR-C motif,resulting in the attenuated ability to interact with TPL1.The tpl1 mutant produced a longer awn compared to the wild type.Ali-A1 repressed the transcription of two downstream genes,TaLRP-A1 and TaARF-B1,involved in endogenous auxin concentrations and auxin responses in wheat.We concluded that the awn length is regulated not only by the ALI-A1 gene at transcript levels but also by Ali-A1 and TPL1 at the protein level in wheat.
基金Supported by National Liver Institute,Menoufia University,and Damietta General Hospital,Damietta,Egypt.
文摘BACKGROUND Neonatal sepsis is a serious health problem,with high morbidity and mortality during the first 28 days of life.Clinical diagnosis at presentation is challenging due to the nonspecific signs and symptoms.Although blood culture is the gold standard for diagnosis,it is not always positive.AIM To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of D-dimer and heparin-binding protein(HBP)in neonatal sepsis.METHODS This prospective case-control study included 90 neonates in two groups:A sepsis group(n=45)and a control group(n=45)without sepsis.Sepsis group was further subdivided based on blood culture results into proven sepsis(n=28 culturepositive sepsis)and suspected sepsis(n=17 culture-negative sepsis).All neonates underwent complete history taking,thorough clinical examination and investigations[complete blood count,C-reactive protein(CRP),liver and kidney function tests,plasma D-dimer and HBP].RESULTS Levels of CRP,D-dimer and HBP were significantly higher in the sepsis group compared to the controls.At a cutoff value above 517.9 ng/mL,D-dimer outperformed CRP and HBP in distinguishing sepsis group from controls with 95.6%sensitivity and 97.8%specificity.D-dimer was also a better prognostic marker than the neonatal sequential organ failure assessment(nSOFA)for predicting mortality,with 100%sensitivity and 92.5%specificity vs 80%sensitivity and 82.5%specificity.There was a significant positive correlation between CRP,D-dimer and HBP.CONCLUSION D-dimer demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy compared to CRP and HBP in predicting sepsis,and demonstrated superior prognostic accuracy compared to nSOFA in predicting the outcome of neonatal sepsis.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82272196 and 82272220)。
文摘BACKGROUND: Inappropriate antibiotic treatment for patients with viral infections has led to a surge in antimicrobial resistance, increasing mortality and healthcare costs. Viral and bacterial infections are often difficult to distinguish. Myxovirus resistance protein A(MxA), an essential antiviral factor induced by interferon after viral infection, holds promise for distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections. This study aimed to determine the ability of Mx A to distinguish viral from bacterial infections.METHODS: We quantified MxA in 121 infected patients via dry immunofluorescence chromatography. The Kruskal-Wallis test and receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis were used to determine the diagnostic value of Mx A, either alone or in combination with C-reactive protein(CRP) or procalcitonin(PCT), in patients with viral, bacterial, or co-infections.RESULTS: The value of MxA(ng/mL) was significantly higher in patients with viral infections than in those with bacterial and co-infections(82.3 [24.5–182.9] vs. 16.4 [10.8–26.5], P<0.0001)(82.3 [24.5–182.9] vs. 28.5 [10.2–106.8], P=0.0237). The area under the curve(AUC) of the ROC curve for distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections was 0.799(95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.696–0.903), with a sensitivity of 68.9%(95% CI 54.3%–80.5%) and specificity of 90.0%(95% CI 74.4%–96.5%) at the threshold of 50.3 ng/mL. Combining the MxA level with the CRP or PCT level improved its ability. MxA expression was low in cytomegalovirus(15.8 [9.6–47.6] ng/mL) and Epstein-Barr virus(12.9 [8.5–21.0] ng/mL) infections.CONCLUSION: Our study showed the diagnostic efficacy of Mx A in distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections, with further enhancement when it was combined with CRP or PCT. Moreover, EpsteinBarr virus and human cytomegalovirus infections did not elicit elevated Mx A expression.
基金Science and Technology Development Project of Jilin Province:Preparation and Evaluation of an Animal Model of Liverdepression Type Depression (20220505038ZP)Exploring the Material Basis and Action Pathway of the Antipyretic Effect of Baihu Tang based on Histologic Techniques (20240602036RC)。
文摘OBJECTIVE:To clarify the effect of Hamayou(Oviductus Ranae) protein hydrolysate(ORPH) on depression and its exact underlying mechanism from a new perspective. METHODS:We used the Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress(CUMS) method to prepare a mouse model of depression and lipopolysaccharide(LPS) to prepare a model of BV2 cellular inflammation to investigate the antidepressant effect and mechanism of action of ORPH. Behavioral changes in mice and cerebral blood flow were detected by behavioral experiments and scatter imaging. Levels of corticosterone(CORT), proinflammatory cytokines and neurotransmitter were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, hematoxylin-eosin staining, Tunel staining were used to evaluate the effect of ORPH. The distribution and expression of ionized calcium bindingadaptor molecule-1(Iba-1) in mouse hippocampal tissue and BV2 cells were detected by immunofluorescence. Mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) pathway related protein expression was detected by Western blot. RESULTS:ORPH improved depression-like behavior, ameliorated brain tissue damage and apoptosis, and inhibited microglia activation in brain tissue in mice. In addition, ORPH reduced expression of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)-associated X(Bax), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3(Caspase3), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 9(Caspase9), nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), phosphorylation-p38(p-p38), phosphorylation-Jun Nterminal kinase(p-JNK) proteins, and increased expression of Bcl-2, inhibitory kappa B alpha(IκB-α), phosphorylation-extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2(p-ERK1/2) proteins. On the other hand, there were fewer Iba-1-positive cells, lower expression of NF-κB, pp38, p-JNK and p-ERK1/2 proteins, and higher expression of IκB-α proteins in BV2 cells in the ORPH group. In addition, ORPH increased 5-hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine levels and decreased CORT, interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) levels. CONCLUSION:ORPH was able to improve depressionlike behaviors and that it took effects by promoting cerebral blood flow, inhibition of hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis overactivation, improving the structural damage of hippocampal tissues, and inhibiting the inflammatory response. ORPH can reduced neuronal damage and inhibiting apoptosis by promoting the MAPK pathway.
基金supported by the Biological Breeding-National Science and Technology Major Project(2023ZD0406804,2023ZD0402701)Major Project of Hubei Hongshan Laboratory(2022hszd019)First-Class Discipline Construction Funds of the College of Plant Science and Technology at Huazhong Agricultural University(2022ZK PY002)。
文摘Improving protein quality and grain yield traits coordinately is an important goal for crop breeding.To date,many protein-quality or grain-yield regulation genes have been identified.However,the genetic strategies integrating these genes in good-protein-quality and high-yield crop breeding practice are far from established.Here,we characterized the functions of the MADS domain-containing protein Zm MADS8 and Zea mays G protein gamma subunit 1(Zm GG1)in regulating protein quality and grain yield of maize.Zm MADS8 positively regulates zein protein accumulation and negatively regulates nonzein protein and lysine levels in kernels by interacting with Zm MADS47 to promote the transcriptional activation of Opaque2.Additionally,Zm MADS8 regulates starch content of kernels by targeting genes involved in starch biosynthesis.Zm GG1,a putative interactor of Zm MADS8,negatively regulates kernel number with a trade-off effect on kernel starch accumulation.The mads8;zmgg1 double mutant improved protein quality by attenuating zein biosynthesis and increasing essential lysine level,and increased grain yield by increasing kernel number,compensating for decreased starch biosynthesis.Our findings revealed the biological function of Zm MADS8 and Zm GG1 in regulating protein quality and yield related traits and suggested a genetic strategy by direct editing of Zm MADS8 and Zm GG1 to improve grain yield and protein quality simultaneously.
基金supported by the grants from the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province(2023J01490,2019J01408)the Central Guidance on Local Science and Technology Development Fund of Fujian Province(2024L3006)+3 种基金the Science and Technology Innovation Special Fund of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University(KFb22071XA)the Outstanding Young Scientist Program of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University(xjq201916)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32272938)the China Agriculture Research System of MOF,and MARA(CARS-44)。
文摘Keratinocytes,the major cell types of the epidermis,proliferate and migrate during wound healing to restore the epithelial barrier.Royal jelly is a traditional remedy used in wound repair.Our previous study found that the mixture of major royal jelly protein(MRJP)2,3 and 7 exhibited in vitro wound healing-promoting effects;however,the exact functional constituents and the associated underlying mechanisms of action are still largely unknown.In this study,a partial fragment of MRJP3 was recombinantly expressed as a fusion protein MRJP3-C113-Fc which promoted wound healing in vitro and in vivo.By employing protein inhibitors and immunoblots technology,it was initially found that the wound-repairing mechanisms of MRJP3-C113-Fc were correlated to the activation of EGFR/AKT/m TOR signaling pathway in keratinocytes(Ha Ca T cells).LC-MS/MS-based proteomic analysis demonstrated that the proteins present in the MRJP3-C113-Fc-treated Ha Ca T cells were different from the untreated ones,in which rhomboid 5 homolog 2(RHBDF2)might be the potential regulator for the EGFR/AKT/m TOR signaling pathway.Silencing of RHBDF2 diminished the proproliferative and-migratory effectiveness of MRJP3-C113-Fc on Ha Ca T cells,as well as the phosphorylation of EGFR/AKT/m TOR,suggesting that the wound healing-promoting efficacy was attributable to the RHBDF2-mediated activation of EGFR/AKT/m TOR signaling pathway.Hence,this study is the first to discover the single fragment of MRJPs possessing pro-healing properties,and also the first to disclose the regulatory role of RHBDF2 in EGFR/AKT/m TOR signaling pathway-modulated wound healing.It will facilitate the development of MRJP3-C113-based therapeutic agent for skin wounds,and provide a novel target for treating cutaneous trauma.
文摘In the article“Silencing of the long non-coding RNA LINC00265 triggers autophagy and apoptosis in lung cancer by reducing protein stability of SIN3A oncogene”(Oncology Research.2024,Vol.32,No.7,pp.1185–1195.doi:10.32604/or.2023.030771,https://www.techscience.com/or/v32n7/57163),an inadvertent error occurred during the compilation of Fig.3H.This needed corrections to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data presented.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology(2023YFC2509900)National Natural Science Foundation of China(82374106)+3 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(U22A20371)the Basic and Applied Basic Research Fund of Guangdong Province(2021B1515120061)the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Committee(JCYJ20210324102006017)SZ-HK Joint Laboratory for Innovative Biomaterials under CAS-HK Joint Laboratories(2024-2028).
文摘Osteoarthritis(OA)is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder marked by chronic pain,inflammation,and cartilage loss,with current treatments limited to symptom relief.G protein-coupled receptors(GPCRs)play a pivotal role in OA progression by regulating inflammation,chondrocyte survival,and matrix homeostasis.However,their multifaceted signaling,via G proteins orβ-arrestins,poses challenges for precise therapeutic targeting.Biased agonism,where ligands selectively activate specific GPCR pathways,emerges as a promising approach to optimize efficacy and reduce side effects.This review examines biased signaling in OAassociated GPCRs,including cannabinoid receptors(CB1,CB2),chemokine receptors(CCR2,CXCR4),protease-activated receptors(PAR-2),adenosine receptors(A1R,A2AR,A2BR,A3R),melanocortin receptors(MC1R,MC3R),bradykinin receptors(B2R),prostaglandin E2 receptors(EP-2,EP-4),and calcium-sensing receptors(CaSR).We analyze ligands in clinical trials and explore natural products from Traditional Chinese Medicine as potential biased agonists.These compounds,with diverse structures and bioactivities,offer novel therapeutic avenues.By harnessing biased agonism,this review underscores the potential for developing targeted,safer OA therapies that address its complex pathology,bridging molecular insights with clinical translation.
基金This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethic Committee of Medical College of Henan Vocational University of Science and Technology(Approval No.HVUYL414101416920231017001)all participants signed a written informed consent.
文摘BACKGROUND Centromere protein A(CENPA)exhibits an increased expression level in primary human rectal cancer tissues,but its role has not been investigated.AIM To clarify the specific role and mechanism of CENPA in rectal cancer progression.METHODS CENPA protein expression in rectal cancer tissues and cell lines were detected.CENPA was overexpressed and knocked down in SW837 and SW480 cells,and proliferation,invasion,apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)marker protein levels were examined.O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase(MGMT)promoter methylation was assessed with methylation-specific poly-merase chain reaction.Co-immunoprecipitation assay verified the interaction between MGMT and protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 4(PTPN4).SW837 cells with CENPA knockdown were injected subcutaneously into mice,and tumor growth was examined.RESULTS CENPA was upregulated in rectal cancer tissues and cell lines.CENPA overex-pression promoted proliferation,invasion and EMT,and inhibited apoptosis in rectal cancer cells.Whereas CENPA knockdown showed the opposite results.Moreover,CENPA inhibited MGMT expression by promoting DNA methyltrans-ferase 1-mediated MGMT promoter methylation.MGMT knockdown abolished the CENPA knockdown-mediated inhibition of rectal cancer cell progression.MGMT increased PTPN4 protein stability by inhibiting PTPN4 ubiquitination degradation via competing with ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2O for interacting with PTPN4.PTPN4 knockdown abolished the inhibitory effects of MGMT overexpression on rectal cancer cell progression.Moreover,CENPA knockdown inhibited xenograft tumor growth in vivo.CONCLUSION CENPA knockdown inhibited rectal cancer cell growth and attenuated xenograft tumor growth through regulating the MGMT/PTPN4 axis.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22073018,No.22377015).
文摘Intrinsically disordered proteins(IDPs)and their regions(IDRs)play crucial roles in cellular func-tions despite their lack of stable three-dimensional structures.In this study,we investigate the interac-tions between the C-terminal do-main of protein 4.1G(4.1G CTD)and the nuclear mitotic apparatus protein(NuMA)under varying pH and salt ion conditions to under-stand the regulatory mechanisms affecting their binding.4.1G CTD and NuMA bind effec-tively under neutral and alkaline conditions,but their interaction is disrupted under acidic conditions(pH 3.6).The protonation of positively charged residues at the C-terminal of 4.1G CTD under acidic conditions leads to increased electrostatic repulsion,weakening the overall binding free energy.Secondary structure analysis shows that specific regions of 4.1G CTD re-main stable under both pH conditions,but the C-terminal region(aa 990−1000)and the N-terminal region of NuMA(aa 1800−1810)exhibit significant reductions in secondary struc-ture probability under acidic conditions.Contact map analysis and solvent-accessible surface area analysis further support these findings by showing a reduced contact probability be-tween these regions under pH 3.6.These results provide a comprehensive understanding of how pH and ionic strength regulate the binding dynamics of 4.1G CTD and NuMA,emphasiz-ing the regulatory role of electrostatic interactions.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81000201.
文摘BACKGROUND Esophageal cancer(ESCA)is among the most prevalent and lethal tumors globally.While nitric oxide synthase 1(NOS1)is recognized for its important in-volvement in various cancers,its specific function in ESCA remains unclear.AIM To explore the potential role and underlying mechanisms of NOS1 in ESCA.METHODS Survival rates were analyzed using GeneCards and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis.The effects and mechanisms of NOS1 on ESCA cells were evaluated via the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay,scratch assay,Transwell assay,flow cytometry,quantitative polymerase chain reaction,western blotting,and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling staining.The protein interaction network was used to screen the interacting proteins of NOS1 and validate these interactions through co-immuno-precipitation and dual luciferase assays.Additionally,a nude mouse xenograft model was established to evaluate the effect of NOS1 in vivo.RESULTS The survival rate of patients with ESCA with high NOS1 expression was higher than that of patients with low NOS1 expression.NOS1 expression in ESCA cell lines was lower than that in normal esophageal epithelial cells.Overexpression of NOS1(oe-NOS1)inhibited proliferation,invasion,and migration abilities in ESCA cell lines,resulting in decreased autophagy levels and increased apoptosis,pyroptosis,and ferroptosis.Protein interaction studies confirmed the interaction between NOS1 and NOS1 adaptor protein(NOS1AP).Following oe-NOS1 and the silencing of NOS1AP,levels of P62 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta increased both in vitro and in vivo.Furthermore,the expression levels of E-cadherin,along with the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)and protein kinase B(AKT),were inhibited in ESCA cell lines.CONCLUSION NOS1 and NOS1 proteins interact to suppress autophagy,activate the PI3K/AKT pathway,and exert anti-cancer effects in ESCA.
基金Supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant Funded by the Korea Government,No.RS-2024-00440477the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Institutional Program,No.2E33111-24-042.
文摘BACKGROUND Mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein(MLKL)serves as a critical mediator in necroptosis,a form of regulated cell death linked to various liver diseases.This study aims to specifically investigate the role of MLKL’s adenosine triphosphate(ATP)-binding pocket in facilitating necroptosis-independent pathways that may contribute to liver disease progression.By focusing on this mechanism,we seek to identify potential therapeutic targets that can modulate MLKL activity,offering new strategies for the prevention and treatment of liver-related pathologies.AIM To investigate the possibility of using the ATP-binding pocket-associated,necro-ptosis-independent MLKL pathway as a target for liver diseases.METHODS Cell death following necroptosis stimuli was evaluated using cell proliferation assays,flow cytometry,and electron microscopy in various cells.The human liver organoid system was used to evaluate whether the MLKL ATP pocket-binding inhibitor could attenuate inflammation.Additionally,alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases animal models were used to determine whether MLKL ATP pocket inhibitors could attenuate liver injury.RESULTS While an MLKL ATP pocket-binding inhibitor did not prevent necroptosis-induced cell death in RAW 264.7 cells,it did reduce the necroptosis-led expression of CXCL2,ICAM,and VCAM.Notably,MLKL ATP pocket inhibitor diminishes the expression of CXCL2,ICAM,and VCAM by inhibiting the IκB kinase and nuclear factor kappa-B pathways without inducing necroptosis-induced cell death in two-dimensional cell culture as well as the human-derived liver organoid system.Although MLKL ATP-binding inhibitor was ineffective in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease animal models,MLKL ATP-binding inhibitor attenuated hepatic inflammation in the alcoholic liver disease model.CONCLUSION MLKL ATP pocket-binding inhibitor exerted anti-inflammatory effects through the necroptosis-independent MLKL pathway in an animal model of alcoholic liver disease.
基金CABin grant(F.no.Agril.Edn.4-1/2013-A&P)Indian Council of Agricul-tural Research,Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’Welfare,Govt.of India and Department of Biotechnology,Govt.of India for BIC project grant(BT/PR40161/BTIS/137/32/2021)。
文摘Background Polygalacturonase inhibiting proteins(PGIPs)play a pivotal role in plant defense against plant patho-gens by inhibiting polygalacturonase(PG),an enzyme produced by pathogens to degrade plant cell wall pectin.PGIPs,also known as leucine-rich repeat pathogenesis-related(PR)proteins,activate the host’s defense response upon interaction with PG,thereby reinforcing the host defense against plant pathogens attacks.In Egyptian or extra-long staple cotton(Gossypium barbadense),the interaction between PGIP and PG is one of the crucial steps in the defense mechanism against major pathogens such as Xanthomonas citri pv.malvacearum and Alternaria mac-rospora,which are responsible for bacterial leaf blight and leaf spot diseases,respectively.Results To unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying these PR proteins,we conducted a comprehensive study involving molecular modeling,protein-protein docking,site-specific double mutation(E169G and F242K),and molec-ular dynamics simulations.Both wild-type and mutated cotton PGIPs were examined in the interaction with the PG enzyme of a bacterial and fungal pathogen.Our findings revealed that changes in conformations of double-mutated residues in the active site of PGIP lead to the inhibition of PG binding.The molecular dynamics simulation studies provide insights into the dynamic behaviour and stability of the PGIP-PG complexes,shedding light on the intricate details of the inhibitory and exhibitory mechanism against the major fungal and bacterial pathogens of G.barbadense,respectively.Conclusions The findings of this study not only enhance our understanding of the molecular interactions between PGs of Xanthomonas citri pv.malvacearum and Alternaria macrospora and PGIP of G.barbadense but also pre-sent a potential strategy for developing the disease-resistant cotton varieties.By variations in the binding affinities of PGs through specific mutations in PGIP,this research offers promising avenues for the development of enhanced resistance to cotton plants against bacterial leaf blight and leaf spot diseases.
基金financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2022YFF1202600)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.82301158)+4 种基金Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan of Shanghai Science and Technology Committee(Grant No.22015820100)Two-hundred Talent Support(Grant No.20152224)Translational Medicine Innovation Project of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine(Grant No.TM201915)Clinical Research Project of Multi-Disciplinary Team,Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine(Grant No.201914)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2023M742332)。
文摘Essential proteins are crucial for biological processes and can be identified through both experimental and computational methods.While experimental approaches are highly accurate,they often demand extensive time and resources.To address these challenges,we present a computational ensemble learning framework designed to identify essential proteins more efficiently.Our method begins by using node2vec to transform proteins in the protein–protein interaction(PPI)network into continuous,low-dimensional vectors.We also extract a range of features from protein sequences,including graph-theory-based,information-based,compositional,and physiochemical attributes.Additionally,we leverage deep learning techniques to analyze high-dimensional position-specific scoring matrices(PSSMs)and capture evolutionary information.We then combine these features for classification using various machine learning algorithms.To enhance performance,we integrate the outputs of these algorithms through ensemble methods such as voting,weighted averaging,and stacking.This approach effectively addresses data imbalances and improves both robustness and accuracy.Our ensemble learning framework achieves an AUC of 0.960 and an accuracy of 0.9252,outperforming other computational methods.These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in accurately identifying essential proteins and highlight its superior feature extraction capabilities.
