N-substituted furfurylamines(FAs)are valuable precursors for producing pharmacologically active compounds and polymers.However,enzymatic synthesis of the type of chemicals is still in its infancy.Here we report an imi...N-substituted furfurylamines(FAs)are valuable precursors for producing pharmacologically active compounds and polymers.However,enzymatic synthesis of the type of chemicals is still in its infancy.Here we report an imine reductase from Streptomyces albidoflavus(SaIRED)for the reductive amination of biobased furans.A simple,fast and interference-resistant high-throughput screening(HTS)method was developed,based on the coloration reaction of carbonyl compounds with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine.The reductive amination activity of IREDs can be directly indicated by a colorimetric assay.With the reductive amination of furfural with allylamine as the model reaction,SaIRED with the activity of 4.8 U mg^(-1) was subjected to three rounds of protein engineering and screening by this HTS method,affording a high-activity tri-variant I127V/D241A/A242T(named M3,20.2 U mg^(-1)).The variant M3 showed broad substrate scope,and enabled efficient reductive amination of biobased furans with a variety of amines including small aliphatic amines and sterically hindered amines,giving the target FAs in yields up to>99%.In addition,other variants were identified for preparative-scale synthesis of commercially interesting amines such as N-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl-FA by the screen method,with isolated yields up to 87%and turnover numbers up to 9700 for enzyme.Gram-scale synthesis of N-allyl-FA,a valuable building block and potential polymer monomer,was implemented at 0.25 mol L^(-1) substrate loading by a whole-cell catalyst incorporating variant M3,with 4.7 g L^(-1) h^(-1) space-time yield and 91%isolated yield.展开更多
Aldo-keto reductases(AKRs)are a superfamily of enzymes that play crucial roles in various cellular processes,including the metabolism of xenobiotics,steroids,and carbohydrates.A growing body of evidence has unveiled t...Aldo-keto reductases(AKRs)are a superfamily of enzymes that play crucial roles in various cellular processes,including the metabolism of xenobiotics,steroids,and carbohydrates.A growing body of evidence has unveiled the involvement of AKRs in the development and progression of various cancers.AKRs are aberrantly expressed in a wide range of malignant tumors.Dysregulated expression of AKRs enables the acquisition of hallmark traits of cancer by activating oncogenic signaling pathways and contributing to chemoresistance.AKRs have emerged as promising oncotherapeutic targets given their pivotal role in cancer development and progression.Inhibition of aldose reductase(AR),either alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs,has evolved as a pragmatic therapeutic option for cancer.Several classes of synthetic aldo-keto reductase(AKR)inhibitors have been developed as potential anticancer agents,some of which have shown promise in clinical trials.Many AKR inhibitors from natural sources also exhibit anticancer effects.Small molecule inhibitors targeting specific AKR isoforms have shown promise in preclinical studies.These inhibitors disrupt the activation of oncogenic signaling by modulating transcription factors and kinases and sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapy.In this review,we discuss the physiological functions of human AKRs,the aberrant expression of AKRs in malignancies,the involvement of AKRs in the acquisition of cancer hallmarks,and the role of AKRs in oncogenic signaling,and drug resistance.Finally,the potential of aldose reductase inhibitors(ARIs)as anticancer drugs is summarized.展开更多
Optically pure(R)-γ-and(R)-δ-lactones can be prepared by intramolecular cyclization of chiral hydroxy acids/esters reduced asymmetrically from γ-and δ-keto acids/esters using Saccharomyces cerevisiae(S.cerevisiae)...Optically pure(R)-γ-and(R)-δ-lactones can be prepared by intramolecular cyclization of chiral hydroxy acids/esters reduced asymmetrically from γ-and δ-keto acids/esters using Saccharomyces cerevisiae(S.cerevisiae) as a whole-cell biocatalyst.However,some of the enzymes catalyzing these reactions in S.cerevisiae are still unknown up to date.In this report,two carbonyl reductases,OdCRl and OdCR2,were successfully discovered,and cloned from S.cerevisiae using a genome-mining approach,and overexpressed in Escherichia coli(E.coli).Compared with OdCR1,OdCR2 can reduce 4-oxodecanoic acid and 5-oxodecanoic acid asymmetrically with higher stereoselectivity,generating(R)-γ-decalactone(99% ee) and(R)-δ-decalactone(98% ee) in 85% and 92%yields,respectively.This is the first report of native enzymes from S.cerevisiae for the enzymatic synthesis of chiral γ-and δ-lactones which is of wide uses in food and cosmetic industries.展开更多
Introduction One of the major root alkaloids of the Indian medicinal plant Rauvolfia serpenlina Benth. ex Kurz is named ajmaline. The enzymatic biosynthesis of this alkaloid has been studied for a long time by our gr...Introduction One of the major root alkaloids of the Indian medicinal plant Rauvolfia serpenlina Benth. ex Kurz is named ajmaline. The enzymatic biosynthesis of this alkaloid has been studied for a long time by our group As a result, a biosynthetic pathway has been established, in which about 10 enzymes participate, several of them belonging to the group of NADPH-dependent reductases. Started with the biosynthetic precursors tryptamine and secologanin,展开更多
The thermostability of three sulfur oxygenase reductases （SORs） was investigated from thermoacidophilic achaea Acidianus tengchongensis （SORAT） and Sulfolobus tokodaii （SORsT） as well as the moderately thermophi...The thermostability of three sulfur oxygenase reductases （SORs） was investigated from thermoacidophilic achaea Acidianus tengchongensis （SORAT） and Sulfolobus tokodaii （SORsT） as well as the moderately thermophilic bacterium Acidithiobacillus sp. SM-1 （SORsB）. The optimal temperatures for catalyzing sulfur oxidation were 80 ℃ （SORAT）, 85 ℃ （SORsT）, and 70 ℃ （SORsB）, respectively. The half-lives of the three SORs at their optimal catalytic conditions were 100 min （SORAT）, 58 min （SORsT）, and 37 min （SORsB）. In order to reveal the structural basis of the thermostability of these SORs, three-dimensional structural models of them were generated by homology modeling using the previously reported high-resolution X-ray structure of SORAA （from Acidianus ambivalens） as a template. The results suggest that thermostability was dependent on： （a） high number of the charged amino acid glutamic acid and the flexible amino acid proline, （b） low number of the therraolabile amino acid glutamine, （c） increased number of ion pairs, （d） decreased ratio of hydrophobie accessible solvent surface area （ASA） to charged ASA, and （e） increased volumes of the cavity. The number of cavities and the number of hydrogen bonds did not signifieantly affect the thermostability of SORs, whereas the cavity volumes increased as the thermal stability increased.展开更多
Nitrite reductases(NiRs)are natural enzymes that facilitate the reduction of nitrite.They are essential for the microbial nitrogen cycle and play a vital role in regulating numerous physiological and pathological proc...Nitrite reductases(NiRs)are natural enzymes that facilitate the reduction of nitrite.They are essential for the microbial nitrogen cycle and play a vital role in regulating numerous physiological and pathological processes associated with nitric oxide(NO)in living organisms.By the merits of protein engineering,a variety of artificial NiR mimics have been developed.These include traditional artificial proteins,metal-azacycle complexes,and nanozymes such as metal,metal oxide/sulfide nanoparticles,metal-organic frameworks,bioinorganic nanohybrids,and advanced single-atom nanozymes.This development marks an important milestone in broadening the application of enzyme-like catalytic nitrite reduction across various fields,such as biomedicine,biosensing,food science,and environmental science.In this review,we first outline the different types of NiRs,along with their active center structures and catalytic mechanisms,drawing from recent research and discoveries.We then classify the reported NiR mimic materials,discussing their active center structures and enzyme-like catalytic mechanisms.Additionally,we explore the potential future applications and challenges facing NiR mimics in the field of biomedicine.展开更多
Proanthocyanidins(PAs)are a group of oligomeric flavonoids also known as condensed tannins.PAs in human diet have antioxidant and health-promoting effects.BSISTER(BS)promotes the accumulation of PAs,but its direct tar...Proanthocyanidins(PAs)are a group of oligomeric flavonoids also known as condensed tannins.PAs in human diet have antioxidant and health-promoting effects.BSISTER(BS)promotes the accumulation of PAs,but its direct target gene and regulation mechanism in PAs biosynthesis are not clear.Here,we reported VviBS1 and VviBS2 genes,which bind directly to the promoter of PA synthesis key genes VviANR(ANTHOCYANIDIN REDUCTASE)and VviLAR(LEUCOANTHOCYANIDIN REDUCTASE)and up-regulate their expression to promote the PAs biosynthesis in grapevine.VviBS1 and VviBS2 partially rescued the transparent testa phenotype of an Arabidopsis tt16 mutant.Overexpression of BS1 and BS2 in grapevine callus increased the content of PAs,as well as the expression of specific genes related to PA synthesis.VviBS1 and VviBS2 proteins bound directly to the promoter regions of the key PA synthesis genes VviANR1,VviANR2,and VviLAR1.Overexpression of VviBS1 and VviBS2 promotes VviANR1,VviANR2 and VviLAR1 expression and PAs biosynthesis.Some BS1-and BS2-interacting MADS-box proteins have an effect on PAs biosynthesis.This study provides insight into the regulatory mechanisms of PAs biosynthesis in grapevine,which could be effectively employed for metabolic engineering to increase PA content.展开更多
Ethyl(R)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyrate((R)-CHBE),as a chiral intermediate,is widely used in the synthesis of various chiral drugs.In this study,we screened two aldo–keto reductases(LP-AKRs)from the probiotic Lactobacill...Ethyl(R)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyrate((R)-CHBE),as a chiral intermediate,is widely used in the synthesis of various chiral drugs.In this study,we screened two aldo–keto reductases(LP-AKRs)from the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum DSM20174,both with a molecular weight of approximately 31 kDa.Both enzymes could reduce 4-chloroacetoacetic acid ethyl ester(COBE)to produce(R)-CHBE with an enantioselectivity value of 99%.When determining the kinetic parameter,the K_(m),K_(cat),and V_(max)of LP-AKR5 and LP-AKR9 were 9.5 mM,7.6 U/mg,3.96 s^(-1)and 8.7 mM,8.59 U/mg,4.47 s^(-1),respectively.Both LP-AKR5 and LP-AKR9 had an optimal reaction pH of 6 and could maintain a high level of stability at pH 6,allowing them to perform well in an acidic environment.LP-AKR5 and LP-AKR9 had optimal reaction temperatures of 30℃and 40℃,respectively.Metal ions had minimal influence on LP-AKR5 and LP-AKR9 enzyme activities.This series of enzymatic properties showed that LP-AKR5 and LP-AKR9 mined from Lactobacillus plantarum DSM20174 could asym-metrically catalyze the synthesis of(R)-CHBE under weakly acidic circumstances,which could maintain product stability and provide a good foundation for industrial production.展开更多
Background Methane(CH_(4))emissions from ruminants significantly contribute to greenhouse gas effects and energy loss in livestock production.Methyl-coenzyme M reductase(MCR)is the key enzyme in methanogenesis,making ...Background Methane(CH_(4))emissions from ruminants significantly contribute to greenhouse gas effects and energy loss in livestock production.Methyl-coenzyme M reductase(MCR)is the key enzyme in methanogenesis,making it a promising target for CH_(4) mitigation.This study aimed to identify and validate plant-derived inhibitors by using molecular docking to screen compounds with strong binding affinity to the F430 active site of MCR and assessing their efficacy in reducing CH_(4) emissions.Results Molecular docking analysis identified salvianolic acid C(SAC)as a potent inhibitor of MCR,showing a strong binding affinity to the F430 active site(binding energy:-8.2 kcal/mol).Enzymatic inhibition assays confirmed its inhibitory effect,with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)of 692.3μmol/L.In vitro rumen fermentation experiments demonstrated that SAC supplementation(1.5 mg/g DM)significantly reduced CH_(4)production(P<0.01)without negatively affecting major fermentation parameters.Microbial community analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomics revealed that SAC selectively altered the rumen microbiota,increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroidota while significantly reducing Methanobrevibacter(P=0.04).Moreover,metagenomic analysis showed the downregulation of key methanogenesis-related genes(mcrA and rnfC),suggesting a dual mechanism involving direct enzymatic inhibition and microbial community modulation.Conclusions These findings indicate that SAC effectively reduces CH_(4)production by inhibiting MCR activity and reshaping the rumen microbial community.As a plant-derived compound with strong inhibitory effects on methanogenesis,SAC presents a promising and sustainable alternative to synthetic CH_(4) inhibitors,offering potential applications for mitigating CH_(4)emissions in livestock production.展开更多
Background:The regulatory mechanisms governing vasculogenic mimicry(VM)in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)remain largely undefined.This study aimed to identify critical factors and elucidate the epigenetic mechanism...Background:The regulatory mechanisms governing vasculogenic mimicry(VM)in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)remain largely undefined.This study aimed to identify critical factors and elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms underlying VM in OSCC.Methods:Bioinformatics analysis was performed utilizing single-cell RNA-seq,bulk RNA-seq,and histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation(H3K27ac)Chromatin Immunoprecipitation(ChIP)-seq data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)databases.ChIP-qPCR was used to validate the binding of ETS transcription factor ELK4(ELK4)to the dihydrofolate reductase(DHFR)enhancer.In vitro VM formation and invasion of OSCC cells were assessed using Matrigel-based tube formation and Transwell assays,respectively.Results:Elevated expression of VM-related genes predicts unfavorable prognosis in OSCC patients.High-dimensional weighted gene co-expression network analysis(hdWGCNA)identified epithelial subcluster C4 as most strongly associated with VM and metastasis.Three co-expression modules within this subcluster exhibited significant positive correlations with both phenotypic traits.Among the 30 eigengenes from the three modules,DHFR emerged as a key regulator of VM and metastasis.Knockdown or inhibition of DHFR significantly suppressed VM formation and invasion in OSCC cells.Mechanistically,ELK4 activated DHFR transcription through direct binding to its enhancer.DHFR overexpression rescued VM and invasion impairment induced by ELK4 knockdown.Conclusion:DHFR was a pivotal enhancer-regulated gene driving VM and metastasis in OSCC.ELK4 directly binds to DHFR enhancer regions to activate its transcription,thereby promoting these malignant phenotypes.These findings identified the ELK4/DHFR axis as a promising therapeutic target for anti-angiogenic intervention in OSCC.展开更多
Methionine oxidation to methionine sulfoxide （MetSO） is reversed by two types of methionine sulfoxide reducrases （MSRs）, A and B, specific to the S- and R-diastereomers of MetSO, respectively. MSR genes are found ...Methionine oxidation to methionine sulfoxide （MetSO） is reversed by two types of methionine sulfoxide reducrases （MSRs）, A and B, specific to the S- and R-diastereomers of MetSO, respectively. MSR genes are found in most organisms from bacteria to human. In the current review, we first compare the organization of the MSR gene families in photosynthetic organisms from cyanobacteria to higher plants. The analysis reveals that MSRs constitute complex families in higher plants, bryophytes, and algae compared to cyanobacteria and all non-photosynthetic organisms. We also perform a classification, based on gene number and structure, position of redox-active cysteines and predicted sub-cellular localization. The various catalytic mechanisms and potential physiological electron donors involved in the regeneration of MSR activity are then de- scribed. Data available from higher plants reveal that MSRs fulfill an essential physiological function during environmental constraints through a role in protein repair and in protection against oxidative damage. Taking into consideration the ex- pression patterns of MSR genes in plants and the known roles of these genes in non-photosynthetic cells, other functions of MSRs are discussed during specific developmental stages and ageing in photosynthetic organisms.展开更多
Mutations in the photorespiration pathway dis- play a lethal phenotype in atmospheric air, which can be fully recovered by elevated C02. An exception is that mutants of peroxisomal hydroxypyruvate reductase （HPR1） d...Mutations in the photorespiration pathway dis- play a lethal phenotype in atmospheric air, which can be fully recovered by elevated C02. An exception is that mutants of peroxisomal hydroxypyruvate reductase （HPR1） do not have this phenotype, indicating the presence of cytosolic bypass in the photorespiration pathway. In this study, we constructed overexpression of the OsHPR1 gene and RNA interference plants of OsHPR1 and OsHPR2 genes in rice （Oryza sativo L. cv. Zhonghua 11）. Results from reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）, Western blot, and enzyme assays showed that HPR1 activity changed significantly in corresponding transgenic lines without any effect on HPR2 activity, which is the same for HPR2. However, metabolite analysis and the serine glyoxylate aminotransferase （SGAT） activity assay showed that the metabolite flux of photorespiration was disturbed in RNAi lines of both HPR genes. Furthermore, HPR1 and HPR2 proteins were located to the peroxisome and cytosol, respectively, by transient expression experiment. Double mutant hprl x hpr2 was generated by crossing individual mutant of hprl and hpr2. The phenotypes of all transgenic lines were determined in ambient air and C02-elevated air. The phenotype typical of photorespiration mutants was observed only where activity of both HPRI and HPR2 were downregulated in the same line. These findings demonstrate that two hydroxypyruvate reductases encoded by OsHPRI and OsHPR2 are involved in photorespiratory metabolism in rice.展开更多
Nitric oxide reductases(NORs)have a central role in denitrification,detoxification of nitric oxide(NO)in host-pathogen interactions,and NO-mediated cell-cell signaling.In this study,we focus on the phylogeny and detec...Nitric oxide reductases(NORs)have a central role in denitrification,detoxification of nitric oxide(NO)in host-pathogen interactions,and NO-mediated cell-cell signaling.In this study,we focus on the phylogeny and detection of qNOR and cNOR genes because of their nucleotide sequence similarity and evolutionary relatedness to cytochrome oxidases,their key role in denitrification,and their abundance in natural,agricultural,and wastewater ecosystems.We also include nitric oxide dismutase(NOD)due to its similarity to qNOR.Using 548 nor sequences from publicly accessible databases and sequenced isolates from N2O-producng bioreactors,we constructed phylogenetic trees for 289 qnor/nod genes and 259 cnorB genes.These trees contain evidence of horizontal gene transfer and gene duplication,with 13.4%of the sequenced strains containing two or more nor genes.By aligning amino acid sequences for qnor+cnor,qnor,and cnor,we identified four highly conserved regions for NOR and NOD,including two highly conserved histidine residues at the active site for qNOR and cNOR.Extending this approach,we identified conserved sequences for:1)all nor(nor-universal);2)all qnor(qnor-universal)and all cnor(cnor-universal);3)qnor of Comamonadaceae;4)Clade-specific sequences;and 5)nod of Candidates Methylomirabilis oxyfera.Examples of primer performance were confirmed experimentally.展开更多
As a versatile type of enzyme,carboxylic acid reductases(CAR)can not only reduce various carboxylic acids to aldehydes in cooperation with cofactors ATP and NADPH but also catalyze the synthesis of amides and esters i...As a versatile type of enzyme,carboxylic acid reductases(CAR)can not only reduce various carboxylic acids to aldehydes in cooperation with cofactors ATP and NADPH but also catalyze the synthesis of amides and esters in the absence of NADPH.Here,we report an intramolecular cyclization catalyzed by CAR only with the use of ATP to transform amino acids into diverse lactams,includingγ-/δ-/ε-lactams and chiral derivatives thereof.The observed wide substrate scope and selectivity enable potential applications to be implemented.Our results demonstrate that CAR-catalyzed lactamization is a promising approach for the synthesis of chiral lactam com-pounds under mild conditions,thereby enriching the toolbox for the biosynthesis of lactams as a viable alternative to purely chemical procedures.展开更多
Nitrite(NIT)can be degraded by lactic acid bacteria(LAB)via three pathways,including reduction by nitrite reductase(NiR),acid,and certain metabolites,where enzymatic degradation is the dominant form.This review discus...Nitrite(NIT)can be degraded by lactic acid bacteria(LAB)via three pathways,including reduction by nitrite reductase(NiR),acid,and certain metabolites,where enzymatic degradation is the dominant form.This review discusses the classification,structure,and related genes of NiR,as well as the process of NIT degradation,the influencing factors,and the main applications in food and the environment.NiRs are classified into four categories,namely,copper-type reductases(CuNiRs),cytochrome cd_(1)-type reductases(cd_(1)NiRs),iron redox-dependent reductases(FdNiRs),and polyhemoglobin c reductases(ccNiRs).NIT via the nirK/nirS genes encoding CuNiRs/cd_(1)NiRs reduces residual NIT from natural and anthropogenic activities to nitric oxide(NO).CuNiRs and cd_(1)NiRs can accept extracellular NO_(3)^(-)and bind to the enzyme-activated intracellular receptor proteins for further degradation to NO_(2)are affected by various internal and external factors,such as structural sites and pH.NiR generated from LAB has extensive applications mainly in the food industry and environment,which will be beneficial to promote low-nitrification life and maintain the ecological environment,having a good application prospect.展开更多
Mining and tailings deposition can cause serious heavy metal(loids)pollution to the surrounding soil environment.Soil microorganisms adapt their metabolism to such conditions,driving alterations in soil function.This ...Mining and tailings deposition can cause serious heavy metal(loids)pollution to the surrounding soil environment.Soil microorganisms adapt their metabolism to such conditions,driving alterations in soil function.This study aims to elucidate the response patterns of nitrogen-cycling microorganisms under long-term heavy metal(loids)exposure.The results showed that the diversity and abundance of nitrogen-cyclingmicroorganisms showed negative feedback to heavy metal(loids)concentrations.Denitrifying microorganisms were shown to be the dominant microorganisms with over 60%of relative abundance and a complex community structure including 27 phyla.Further,the key bacterial species in the denitrification process were calculated using a random forest model,where the top three key species(Pseudomonas stutzei,Sphingobium japonicum and Leifsonia rubra)were found to play a prominent role in nitrite reduction.Functional gene analysis and qPCR revealed that nirK,which is involved in nitrite reduction,significantly accumulated in the most metal-rich soil with the increase of absolute abundance of 63.86%.The experimental results confirmed that the activity of nitrite reductase(Nir)encoded by nirK in the soil was increased at high concentrations of heavy metal(loids).Partial least squares-path model identified three potential modes of nitrite reduction processes being stimulated by heavy metal(loids),the most prominent of which contributed to enhanced nirK abundance and soil Nir activity through positive stimulation of key species.The results provide new insights and preliminary evidence on the stimulation of nitrite reduction processes by heavy metal(loids).展开更多
Surgical intervention is currently the primary treatment for hepatolithiasis;how-ever,some patients still experience residual stones and high recurrence rates after surgery.Cholesterol metabolism seems to play an impo...Surgical intervention is currently the primary treatment for hepatolithiasis;how-ever,some patients still experience residual stones and high recurrence rates after surgery.Cholesterol metabolism seems to play an important role in hepatoli-thiasis pathogenesis.A high cholesterol diet is one of the significant reasons for the increasing incidence of hepatolithiasis.Therefore,regular diet and appropriate medical intervention are crucial measures to prevent hepatolithiasis and reduce recurrence rate after surgery.Reducing dietary cholesterol and drugs that increase cholesterol stone solubility are key therapeutic approaches in treating hepato-lithiasis.This article discusses the cholesterol metabolic pathways related to the pathogenesis of hepatolithiasis,as well as food intake and targeted therapeutic drugs.展开更多
Folic acid(FA)deficiency during pregnancy is a significant risk factor for neural tube defects in infants.Appropriate supplementation with FA has been shown to effectively mitigate the risk of such congenital anomalie...Folic acid(FA)deficiency during pregnancy is a significant risk factor for neural tube defects in infants.Appropriate supplementation with FA has been shown to effectively mitigate the risk of such congenital anomalies.However,genetic polymorphisms related to FA metabolism influence individual variations in FA utilization among pregnant women,highlighting the need for personalized supplementation strategies.This study aimed to explore the impact of genetic variations in FA metabolism-related genes,specifically methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR)and methionine synthase reductase(MTRR),on tailoring FA supplementation during pregnancy.Using fluorescence hybridization sequencing,we analyzed polymorphisms in the MTHFR and MTRR genes among 694 pregnant women,who were divided into an individualized supplementation group and a control group.Pregnancy outcomes were monitored through outpatient visits and telephone follow-ups to evaluate the effect of personalized FA supplementation guided by genetic profiling.Notable differences in genotype frequencies of MTHFR(rs1801133,rs1801131)and MTRR(rs1801394)were observed between pregnant women with and without a heightened risk of FA metabolism disorders(P<0.05).Similarly,allele frequencies of MTHFR(rs1801133)and MTRR(rs1801394)varied significantly among women with different risk profiles(P<0.05).The results demonstrated that the individualized group exhibited significantly lower incidences of birth defects,preterm delivery,spontaneous abortion,premature rupture of membranes,abnormal amniotic fluid,and gestational hypertension compared to the control group(P<0.05).These findings suggested that polymorphisms in MTHFR and MTRR genes were key determinants of FA metabolism and might contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes in populations with a high prevalence of FA metabolism disorders.Furthermore,integrating genetic screening into FA supplementation protocols enabled more effective prevention of pregnancy complications and improved overall maternal and fetal health outcomes.展开更多
Microbial selenite(Se(Ⅳ)) reduction to elemental selenium nanoparticles(SeNPs) and chromate(Cr(Ⅵ)) remediation constitute effective detoxification processes. The strain Bacillus wiedmannii ES2-45 can efficiently red...Microbial selenite(Se(Ⅳ)) reduction to elemental selenium nanoparticles(SeNPs) and chromate(Cr(Ⅵ)) remediation constitute effective detoxification processes. The strain Bacillus wiedmannii ES2-45 can efficiently reduce 5 mmol/L Se(Ⅳ) into SeNPs over 14 h and 1 mmol/L Cr(Ⅵ) within 36 h. Proteomic analysis and qRT-PCR revealed that reductases, including dithiol oxidoreductase(DsbA), Fe-S biosynthesis domain-containing protein(Fes),and aldose-6-phosphate reductase(Aldo), and bacillithiol(BSH) were involved in Se(Ⅳ) reduction. Heterologous expression further confirmed the Se(Ⅳ)-reducing function of three genes and enhanced the Se(Ⅳ) and Cr(Ⅵ) resistance ability. Moreover, the difference between Se(Ⅳ) treatments and controls both intra-and extra-cellular BSH concentration per biomass indicated that BSH contributes to Se(Ⅳ) reduction. Selenium-fortified rice was obtained by foliar spray of SeNPs synthesized by the strain ES2-45. To the best of our knowledge, DsbA and Aldo reductase were firstly verified for the role in Se(Ⅳ) reduction and Cr(Ⅵ)resistance. Importantly, it is a promising strategy that B. wiedmannii ES2-45 is served as an efficient bacterium for SeNP synthesis, selenium biofortification and heavy metal bioremediation.展开更多
This letter critically comments on the article by Zheng et al investigating the role of aucubin in alleviating diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP).DNP arises from hyperglycaemia-induced nerve injury and microglial reprogra...This letter critically comments on the article by Zheng et al investigating the role of aucubin in alleviating diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP).DNP arises from hyperglycaemia-induced nerve injury and microglial reprogramming toward aerobic glycolysis.Aldose reductase(also known as AKR1B1)redirects excess glucose flux through the polyol pathway,thus increasing oxidative stress and inflammation.Zheng et al show that aucubin,a plant iridoid glycoside,reverses streptozotocin-induced mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity and anxiety-like behaviour in mice.Mechanistically,aucubin restores microglial morphology,reduces glycolytic flux,enhances oxidative phosphorylation and lowers tumour necrosis factor-α,interleukin(IL)-1βand IL-6 levels in spinal tissue and cultures of the BV-2 microglial cell line.Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses identify AKR1B1 as a key target,confirmed by the fact that short hairpin RNA knockdown of AKR1B1 eliminates the effects of aucubin.Contrary to the other studies,this study uniquely implicates the polyol pathway in microglial immunometabolism.展开更多
文摘N-substituted furfurylamines(FAs)are valuable precursors for producing pharmacologically active compounds and polymers.However,enzymatic synthesis of the type of chemicals is still in its infancy.Here we report an imine reductase from Streptomyces albidoflavus(SaIRED)for the reductive amination of biobased furans.A simple,fast and interference-resistant high-throughput screening(HTS)method was developed,based on the coloration reaction of carbonyl compounds with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine.The reductive amination activity of IREDs can be directly indicated by a colorimetric assay.With the reductive amination of furfural with allylamine as the model reaction,SaIRED with the activity of 4.8 U mg^(-1) was subjected to three rounds of protein engineering and screening by this HTS method,affording a high-activity tri-variant I127V/D241A/A242T(named M3,20.2 U mg^(-1)).The variant M3 showed broad substrate scope,and enabled efficient reductive amination of biobased furans with a variety of amines including small aliphatic amines and sterically hindered amines,giving the target FAs in yields up to>99%.In addition,other variants were identified for preparative-scale synthesis of commercially interesting amines such as N-2-(methylsulfonyl)ethyl-FA by the screen method,with isolated yields up to 87%and turnover numbers up to 9700 for enzyme.Gram-scale synthesis of N-allyl-FA,a valuable building block and potential polymer monomer,was implemented at 0.25 mol L^(-1) substrate loading by a whole-cell catalyst incorporating variant M3,with 4.7 g L^(-1) h^(-1) space-time yield and 91%isolated yield.
基金SN and GBR are supported by grants from the Science and Engineering Research Board,Government of India(EMR/2016/001984)Indian Council of Medical Research.
文摘Aldo-keto reductases(AKRs)are a superfamily of enzymes that play crucial roles in various cellular processes,including the metabolism of xenobiotics,steroids,and carbohydrates.A growing body of evidence has unveiled the involvement of AKRs in the development and progression of various cancers.AKRs are aberrantly expressed in a wide range of malignant tumors.Dysregulated expression of AKRs enables the acquisition of hallmark traits of cancer by activating oncogenic signaling pathways and contributing to chemoresistance.AKRs have emerged as promising oncotherapeutic targets given their pivotal role in cancer development and progression.Inhibition of aldose reductase(AR),either alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs,has evolved as a pragmatic therapeutic option for cancer.Several classes of synthetic aldo-keto reductase(AKR)inhibitors have been developed as potential anticancer agents,some of which have shown promise in clinical trials.Many AKR inhibitors from natural sources also exhibit anticancer effects.Small molecule inhibitors targeting specific AKR isoforms have shown promise in preclinical studies.These inhibitors disrupt the activation of oncogenic signaling by modulating transcription factors and kinases and sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapy.In this review,we discuss the physiological functions of human AKRs,the aberrant expression of AKRs in malignancies,the involvement of AKRs in the acquisition of cancer hallmarks,and the role of AKRs in oncogenic signaling,and drug resistance.Finally,the potential of aldose reductase inhibitors(ARIs)as anticancer drugs is summarized.
基金financially sponsored by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2016YFA0204300, 2019YFA09005000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21536004, 21776085, 21871085)+2 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai (18ZR1409900)Key Project of the Shanghai Science and Technology Committee (18DZ1112703)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (WF1714026)。
文摘Optically pure(R)-γ-and(R)-δ-lactones can be prepared by intramolecular cyclization of chiral hydroxy acids/esters reduced asymmetrically from γ-and δ-keto acids/esters using Saccharomyces cerevisiae(S.cerevisiae) as a whole-cell biocatalyst.However,some of the enzymes catalyzing these reactions in S.cerevisiae are still unknown up to date.In this report,two carbonyl reductases,OdCRl and OdCR2,were successfully discovered,and cloned from S.cerevisiae using a genome-mining approach,and overexpressed in Escherichia coli(E.coli).Compared with OdCR1,OdCR2 can reduce 4-oxodecanoic acid and 5-oxodecanoic acid asymmetrically with higher stereoselectivity,generating(R)-γ-decalactone(99% ee) and(R)-δ-decalactone(98% ee) in 85% and 92%yields,respectively.This is the first report of native enzymes from S.cerevisiae for the enzymatic synthesis of chiral γ-and δ-lactones which is of wide uses in food and cosmetic industries.
文摘Introduction One of the major root alkaloids of the Indian medicinal plant Rauvolfia serpenlina Benth. ex Kurz is named ajmaline. The enzymatic biosynthesis of this alkaloid has been studied for a long time by our group As a result, a biosynthetic pathway has been established, in which about 10 enzymes participate, several of them belonging to the group of NADPH-dependent reductases. Started with the biosynthetic precursors tryptamine and secologanin,
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31070042,30870039,30921065)partially by Open Funding Project of the National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering,China (2010KF-2)
文摘The thermostability of three sulfur oxygenase reductases （SORs） was investigated from thermoacidophilic achaea Acidianus tengchongensis （SORAT） and Sulfolobus tokodaii （SORsT） as well as the moderately thermophilic bacterium Acidithiobacillus sp. SM-1 （SORsB）. The optimal temperatures for catalyzing sulfur oxidation were 80 ℃ （SORAT）, 85 ℃ （SORsT）, and 70 ℃ （SORsB）, respectively. The half-lives of the three SORs at their optimal catalytic conditions were 100 min （SORAT）, 58 min （SORsT）, and 37 min （SORsB）. In order to reveal the structural basis of the thermostability of these SORs, three-dimensional structural models of them were generated by homology modeling using the previously reported high-resolution X-ray structure of SORAA （from Acidianus ambivalens） as a template. The results suggest that thermostability was dependent on： （a） high number of the charged amino acid glutamic acid and the flexible amino acid proline, （b） low number of the therraolabile amino acid glutamine, （c） increased number of ion pairs, （d） decreased ratio of hydrophobie accessible solvent surface area （ASA） to charged ASA, and （e） increased volumes of the cavity. The number of cavities and the number of hydrogen bonds did not signifieantly affect the thermostability of SORs, whereas the cavity volumes increased as the thermal stability increased.
基金support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32371407,32222041,and 82160421)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK20220059)the“Jiangsu Specially Appointed Professor”Program.This work is supported by the Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Western Jilin’s Clean Energy(YDZJ202502CXJD010).
文摘Nitrite reductases(NiRs)are natural enzymes that facilitate the reduction of nitrite.They are essential for the microbial nitrogen cycle and play a vital role in regulating numerous physiological and pathological processes associated with nitric oxide(NO)in living organisms.By the merits of protein engineering,a variety of artificial NiR mimics have been developed.These include traditional artificial proteins,metal-azacycle complexes,and nanozymes such as metal,metal oxide/sulfide nanoparticles,metal-organic frameworks,bioinorganic nanohybrids,and advanced single-atom nanozymes.This development marks an important milestone in broadening the application of enzyme-like catalytic nitrite reduction across various fields,such as biomedicine,biosensing,food science,and environmental science.In this review,we first outline the different types of NiRs,along with their active center structures and catalytic mechanisms,drawing from recent research and discoveries.We then classify the reported NiR mimic materials,discussing their active center structures and enzyme-like catalytic mechanisms.Additionally,we explore the potential future applications and challenges facing NiR mimics in the field of biomedicine.
基金funded by the Key R&D Program of Shaanxi province(Grant Nos.2023-ZDLNY-23 and 2023XCZX2-18)the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2019YFD1001405).
文摘Proanthocyanidins(PAs)are a group of oligomeric flavonoids also known as condensed tannins.PAs in human diet have antioxidant and health-promoting effects.BSISTER(BS)promotes the accumulation of PAs,but its direct target gene and regulation mechanism in PAs biosynthesis are not clear.Here,we reported VviBS1 and VviBS2 genes,which bind directly to the promoter of PA synthesis key genes VviANR(ANTHOCYANIDIN REDUCTASE)and VviLAR(LEUCOANTHOCYANIDIN REDUCTASE)and up-regulate their expression to promote the PAs biosynthesis in grapevine.VviBS1 and VviBS2 partially rescued the transparent testa phenotype of an Arabidopsis tt16 mutant.Overexpression of BS1 and BS2 in grapevine callus increased the content of PAs,as well as the expression of specific genes related to PA synthesis.VviBS1 and VviBS2 proteins bound directly to the promoter regions of the key PA synthesis genes VviANR1,VviANR2,and VviLAR1.Overexpression of VviBS1 and VviBS2 promotes VviANR1,VviANR2 and VviLAR1 expression and PAs biosynthesis.Some BS1-and BS2-interacting MADS-box proteins have an effect on PAs biosynthesis.This study provides insight into the regulatory mechanisms of PAs biosynthesis in grapevine,which could be effectively employed for metabolic engineering to increase PA content.
文摘Ethyl(R)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutyrate((R)-CHBE),as a chiral intermediate,is widely used in the synthesis of various chiral drugs.In this study,we screened two aldo–keto reductases(LP-AKRs)from the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum DSM20174,both with a molecular weight of approximately 31 kDa.Both enzymes could reduce 4-chloroacetoacetic acid ethyl ester(COBE)to produce(R)-CHBE with an enantioselectivity value of 99%.When determining the kinetic parameter,the K_(m),K_(cat),and V_(max)of LP-AKR5 and LP-AKR9 were 9.5 mM,7.6 U/mg,3.96 s^(-1)and 8.7 mM,8.59 U/mg,4.47 s^(-1),respectively.Both LP-AKR5 and LP-AKR9 had an optimal reaction pH of 6 and could maintain a high level of stability at pH 6,allowing them to perform well in an acidic environment.LP-AKR5 and LP-AKR9 had optimal reaction temperatures of 30℃and 40℃,respectively.Metal ions had minimal influence on LP-AKR5 and LP-AKR9 enzyme activities.This series of enzymatic properties showed that LP-AKR5 and LP-AKR9 mined from Lactobacillus plantarum DSM20174 could asym-metrically catalyze the synthesis of(R)-CHBE under weakly acidic circumstances,which could maintain product stability and provide a good foundation for industrial production.
基金funded by the Integrated Demonstration of Scalable and Efficient Healthy Breeding for Cattle and Sheep(Grant No.2022YFD1301100)Instant Intelligent Diagnosis and Risk Warning Methods for Nutritional and Metabolic-Type Periparturient Cow Paralysis(Grant No.2024-YWF-ZYSQ-10)。
文摘Background Methane(CH_(4))emissions from ruminants significantly contribute to greenhouse gas effects and energy loss in livestock production.Methyl-coenzyme M reductase(MCR)is the key enzyme in methanogenesis,making it a promising target for CH_(4) mitigation.This study aimed to identify and validate plant-derived inhibitors by using molecular docking to screen compounds with strong binding affinity to the F430 active site of MCR and assessing their efficacy in reducing CH_(4) emissions.Results Molecular docking analysis identified salvianolic acid C(SAC)as a potent inhibitor of MCR,showing a strong binding affinity to the F430 active site(binding energy:-8.2 kcal/mol).Enzymatic inhibition assays confirmed its inhibitory effect,with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)of 692.3μmol/L.In vitro rumen fermentation experiments demonstrated that SAC supplementation(1.5 mg/g DM)significantly reduced CH_(4)production(P<0.01)without negatively affecting major fermentation parameters.Microbial community analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomics revealed that SAC selectively altered the rumen microbiota,increasing the relative abundance of Bacteroidota while significantly reducing Methanobrevibacter(P=0.04).Moreover,metagenomic analysis showed the downregulation of key methanogenesis-related genes(mcrA and rnfC),suggesting a dual mechanism involving direct enzymatic inhibition and microbial community modulation.Conclusions These findings indicate that SAC effectively reduces CH_(4)production by inhibiting MCR activity and reshaping the rumen microbial community.As a plant-derived compound with strong inhibitory effects on methanogenesis,SAC presents a promising and sustainable alternative to synthetic CH_(4) inhibitors,offering potential applications for mitigating CH_(4)emissions in livestock production.
基金supported by Hebei Natural Science Foundation(H2024206476)Medical Science Research Project of Hebei(20240101).
文摘Background:The regulatory mechanisms governing vasculogenic mimicry(VM)in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)remain largely undefined.This study aimed to identify critical factors and elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms underlying VM in OSCC.Methods:Bioinformatics analysis was performed utilizing single-cell RNA-seq,bulk RNA-seq,and histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation(H3K27ac)Chromatin Immunoprecipitation(ChIP)-seq data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)databases.ChIP-qPCR was used to validate the binding of ETS transcription factor ELK4(ELK4)to the dihydrofolate reductase(DHFR)enhancer.In vitro VM formation and invasion of OSCC cells were assessed using Matrigel-based tube formation and Transwell assays,respectively.Results:Elevated expression of VM-related genes predicts unfavorable prognosis in OSCC patients.High-dimensional weighted gene co-expression network analysis(hdWGCNA)identified epithelial subcluster C4 as most strongly associated with VM and metastasis.Three co-expression modules within this subcluster exhibited significant positive correlations with both phenotypic traits.Among the 30 eigengenes from the three modules,DHFR emerged as a key regulator of VM and metastasis.Knockdown or inhibition of DHFR significantly suppressed VM formation and invasion in OSCC cells.Mechanistically,ELK4 activated DHFR transcription through direct binding to its enhancer.DHFR overexpression rescued VM and invasion impairment induced by ELK4 knockdown.Conclusion:DHFR was a pivotal enhancer-regulated gene driving VM and metastasis in OSCC.ELK4 directly binds to DHFR enhancer regions to activate its transcription,thereby promoting these malignant phenotypes.These findings identified the ELK4/DHFR axis as a promising therapeutic target for anti-angiogenic intervention in OSCC.
文摘Methionine oxidation to methionine sulfoxide （MetSO） is reversed by two types of methionine sulfoxide reducrases （MSRs）, A and B, specific to the S- and R-diastereomers of MetSO, respectively. MSR genes are found in most organisms from bacteria to human. In the current review, we first compare the organization of the MSR gene families in photosynthetic organisms from cyanobacteria to higher plants. The analysis reveals that MSRs constitute complex families in higher plants, bryophytes, and algae compared to cyanobacteria and all non-photosynthetic organisms. We also perform a classification, based on gene number and structure, position of redox-active cysteines and predicted sub-cellular localization. The various catalytic mechanisms and potential physiological electron donors involved in the regeneration of MSR activity are then de- scribed. Data available from higher plants reveal that MSRs fulfill an essential physiological function during environmental constraints through a role in protein repair and in protection against oxidative damage. Taking into consideration the ex- pression patterns of MSR genes in plants and the known roles of these genes in non-photosynthetic cells, other functions of MSRs are discussed during specific developmental stages and ageing in photosynthetic organisms.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U1201212 31170222)+1 种基金the Shenzhen Overseas Talents Innovation and Entrepreneurship Funding Scheme (The Peacock Scheme)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2013M530374)
文摘Mutations in the photorespiration pathway dis- play a lethal phenotype in atmospheric air, which can be fully recovered by elevated C02. An exception is that mutants of peroxisomal hydroxypyruvate reductase （HPR1） do not have this phenotype, indicating the presence of cytosolic bypass in the photorespiration pathway. In this study, we constructed overexpression of the OsHPR1 gene and RNA interference plants of OsHPR1 and OsHPR2 genes in rice （Oryza sativo L. cv. Zhonghua 11）. Results from reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）, Western blot, and enzyme assays showed that HPR1 activity changed significantly in corresponding transgenic lines without any effect on HPR2 activity, which is the same for HPR2. However, metabolite analysis and the serine glyoxylate aminotransferase （SGAT） activity assay showed that the metabolite flux of photorespiration was disturbed in RNAi lines of both HPR genes. Furthermore, HPR1 and HPR2 proteins were located to the peroxisome and cytosol, respectively, by transient expression experiment. Double mutant hprl x hpr2 was generated by crossing individual mutant of hprl and hpr2. The phenotypes of all transgenic lines were determined in ambient air and C02-elevated air. The phenotype typical of photorespiration mutants was observed only where activity of both HPRI and HPR2 were downregulated in the same line. These findings demonstrate that two hydroxypyruvate reductases encoded by OsHPRI and OsHPR2 are involved in photorespiratory metabolism in rice.
基金supported in part by a grant from the US National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center Reinventing the Nation's Urban Water Infrastructure(ReNUWIt)(Award No.EEC-1028968)in part by a grant from the NASA Center(USA)for the Utilization of Biological Engineering in Space(CUBES)(Award No.NNX17AJ31G).
文摘Nitric oxide reductases(NORs)have a central role in denitrification,detoxification of nitric oxide(NO)in host-pathogen interactions,and NO-mediated cell-cell signaling.In this study,we focus on the phylogeny and detection of qNOR and cNOR genes because of their nucleotide sequence similarity and evolutionary relatedness to cytochrome oxidases,their key role in denitrification,and their abundance in natural,agricultural,and wastewater ecosystems.We also include nitric oxide dismutase(NOD)due to its similarity to qNOR.Using 548 nor sequences from publicly accessible databases and sequenced isolates from N2O-producng bioreactors,we constructed phylogenetic trees for 289 qnor/nod genes and 259 cnorB genes.These trees contain evidence of horizontal gene transfer and gene duplication,with 13.4%of the sequenced strains containing two or more nor genes.By aligning amino acid sequences for qnor+cnor,qnor,and cnor,we identified four highly conserved regions for NOR and NOD,including two highly conserved histidine residues at the active site for qNOR and cNOR.Extending this approach,we identified conserved sequences for:1)all nor(nor-universal);2)all qnor(qnor-universal)and all cnor(cnor-universal);3)qnor of Comamonadaceae;4)Clade-specific sequences;and 5)nod of Candidates Methylomirabilis oxyfera.Examples of primer performance were confirmed experimentally.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2019YFA0905100)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31900909)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation Applying a system of Tianjin(No.21JCJQJC00110)and Tianjin Synthetic Biotechnology Innovation Capacity Improvement Project(No.TSBICIP-CXRC-009)Mr Qu also thanks financial support from Youth Innovation Promotion Association,CAS(No.2021175).
文摘As a versatile type of enzyme,carboxylic acid reductases(CAR)can not only reduce various carboxylic acids to aldehydes in cooperation with cofactors ATP and NADPH but also catalyze the synthesis of amides and esters in the absence of NADPH.Here,we report an intramolecular cyclization catalyzed by CAR only with the use of ATP to transform amino acids into diverse lactams,includingγ-/δ-/ε-lactams and chiral derivatives thereof.The observed wide substrate scope and selectivity enable potential applications to be implemented.Our results demonstrate that CAR-catalyzed lactamization is a promising approach for the synthesis of chiral lactam com-pounds under mild conditions,thereby enriching the toolbox for the biosynthesis of lactams as a viable alternative to purely chemical procedures.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFD2100603)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32072195,41406165,41641052)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province for Distinguished Young Scholars(LR23C200001).
文摘Nitrite(NIT)can be degraded by lactic acid bacteria(LAB)via three pathways,including reduction by nitrite reductase(NiR),acid,and certain metabolites,where enzymatic degradation is the dominant form.This review discusses the classification,structure,and related genes of NiR,as well as the process of NIT degradation,the influencing factors,and the main applications in food and the environment.NiRs are classified into four categories,namely,copper-type reductases(CuNiRs),cytochrome cd_(1)-type reductases(cd_(1)NiRs),iron redox-dependent reductases(FdNiRs),and polyhemoglobin c reductases(ccNiRs).NIT via the nirK/nirS genes encoding CuNiRs/cd_(1)NiRs reduces residual NIT from natural and anthropogenic activities to nitric oxide(NO).CuNiRs and cd_(1)NiRs can accept extracellular NO_(3)^(-)and bind to the enzyme-activated intracellular receptor proteins for further degradation to NO_(2)are affected by various internal and external factors,such as structural sites and pH.NiR generated from LAB has extensive applications mainly in the food industry and environment,which will be beneficial to promote low-nitrification life and maintain the ecological environment,having a good application prospect.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41977029).
文摘Mining and tailings deposition can cause serious heavy metal(loids)pollution to the surrounding soil environment.Soil microorganisms adapt their metabolism to such conditions,driving alterations in soil function.This study aims to elucidate the response patterns of nitrogen-cycling microorganisms under long-term heavy metal(loids)exposure.The results showed that the diversity and abundance of nitrogen-cyclingmicroorganisms showed negative feedback to heavy metal(loids)concentrations.Denitrifying microorganisms were shown to be the dominant microorganisms with over 60%of relative abundance and a complex community structure including 27 phyla.Further,the key bacterial species in the denitrification process were calculated using a random forest model,where the top three key species(Pseudomonas stutzei,Sphingobium japonicum and Leifsonia rubra)were found to play a prominent role in nitrite reduction.Functional gene analysis and qPCR revealed that nirK,which is involved in nitrite reduction,significantly accumulated in the most metal-rich soil with the increase of absolute abundance of 63.86%.The experimental results confirmed that the activity of nitrite reductase(Nir)encoded by nirK in the soil was increased at high concentrations of heavy metal(loids).Partial least squares-path model identified three potential modes of nitrite reduction processes being stimulated by heavy metal(loids),the most prominent of which contributed to enhanced nirK abundance and soil Nir activity through positive stimulation of key species.The results provide new insights and preliminary evidence on the stimulation of nitrite reduction processes by heavy metal(loids).
基金Supported by Hebei Natural Science Foundation,No.H2022206539Hebei Provincial Government Funded Clinical Talents Training Project,No.ZF2023143.
文摘Surgical intervention is currently the primary treatment for hepatolithiasis;how-ever,some patients still experience residual stones and high recurrence rates after surgery.Cholesterol metabolism seems to play an important role in hepatoli-thiasis pathogenesis.A high cholesterol diet is one of the significant reasons for the increasing incidence of hepatolithiasis.Therefore,regular diet and appropriate medical intervention are crucial measures to prevent hepatolithiasis and reduce recurrence rate after surgery.Reducing dietary cholesterol and drugs that increase cholesterol stone solubility are key therapeutic approaches in treating hepato-lithiasis.This article discusses the cholesterol metabolic pathways related to the pathogenesis of hepatolithiasis,as well as food intake and targeted therapeutic drugs.
基金Key Laboratory Construction and Operation Project of Qinzhou Science and Technology Bureau(Grant No.20242422).
文摘Folic acid(FA)deficiency during pregnancy is a significant risk factor for neural tube defects in infants.Appropriate supplementation with FA has been shown to effectively mitigate the risk of such congenital anomalies.However,genetic polymorphisms related to FA metabolism influence individual variations in FA utilization among pregnant women,highlighting the need for personalized supplementation strategies.This study aimed to explore the impact of genetic variations in FA metabolism-related genes,specifically methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase(MTHFR)and methionine synthase reductase(MTRR),on tailoring FA supplementation during pregnancy.Using fluorescence hybridization sequencing,we analyzed polymorphisms in the MTHFR and MTRR genes among 694 pregnant women,who were divided into an individualized supplementation group and a control group.Pregnancy outcomes were monitored through outpatient visits and telephone follow-ups to evaluate the effect of personalized FA supplementation guided by genetic profiling.Notable differences in genotype frequencies of MTHFR(rs1801133,rs1801131)and MTRR(rs1801394)were observed between pregnant women with and without a heightened risk of FA metabolism disorders(P<0.05).Similarly,allele frequencies of MTHFR(rs1801133)and MTRR(rs1801394)varied significantly among women with different risk profiles(P<0.05).The results demonstrated that the individualized group exhibited significantly lower incidences of birth defects,preterm delivery,spontaneous abortion,premature rupture of membranes,abnormal amniotic fluid,and gestational hypertension compared to the control group(P<0.05).These findings suggested that polymorphisms in MTHFR and MTRR genes were key determinants of FA metabolism and might contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes in populations with a high prevalence of FA metabolism disorders.Furthermore,integrating genetic screening into FA supplementation protocols enabled more effective prevention of pregnancy complications and improved overall maternal and fetal health outcomes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32370130).
文摘Microbial selenite(Se(Ⅳ)) reduction to elemental selenium nanoparticles(SeNPs) and chromate(Cr(Ⅵ)) remediation constitute effective detoxification processes. The strain Bacillus wiedmannii ES2-45 can efficiently reduce 5 mmol/L Se(Ⅳ) into SeNPs over 14 h and 1 mmol/L Cr(Ⅵ) within 36 h. Proteomic analysis and qRT-PCR revealed that reductases, including dithiol oxidoreductase(DsbA), Fe-S biosynthesis domain-containing protein(Fes),and aldose-6-phosphate reductase(Aldo), and bacillithiol(BSH) were involved in Se(Ⅳ) reduction. Heterologous expression further confirmed the Se(Ⅳ)-reducing function of three genes and enhanced the Se(Ⅳ) and Cr(Ⅵ) resistance ability. Moreover, the difference between Se(Ⅳ) treatments and controls both intra-and extra-cellular BSH concentration per biomass indicated that BSH contributes to Se(Ⅳ) reduction. Selenium-fortified rice was obtained by foliar spray of SeNPs synthesized by the strain ES2-45. To the best of our knowledge, DsbA and Aldo reductase were firstly verified for the role in Se(Ⅳ) reduction and Cr(Ⅵ)resistance. Importantly, it is a promising strategy that B. wiedmannii ES2-45 is served as an efficient bacterium for SeNP synthesis, selenium biofortification and heavy metal bioremediation.
基金Supported by the Top-level Talents Support Program of Yangzhou University“Lv Yang Jin Feng”Outstanding Doctor of Yangzhou,No.YZLYJFJH2023YXBS169Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province,No.BK20240907.
文摘This letter critically comments on the article by Zheng et al investigating the role of aucubin in alleviating diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP).DNP arises from hyperglycaemia-induced nerve injury and microglial reprogramming toward aerobic glycolysis.Aldose reductase(also known as AKR1B1)redirects excess glucose flux through the polyol pathway,thus increasing oxidative stress and inflammation.Zheng et al show that aucubin,a plant iridoid glycoside,reverses streptozotocin-induced mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity and anxiety-like behaviour in mice.Mechanistically,aucubin restores microglial morphology,reduces glycolytic flux,enhances oxidative phosphorylation and lowers tumour necrosis factor-α,interleukin(IL)-1βand IL-6 levels in spinal tissue and cultures of the BV-2 microglial cell line.Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses identify AKR1B1 as a key target,confirmed by the fact that short hairpin RNA knockdown of AKR1B1 eliminates the effects of aucubin.Contrary to the other studies,this study uniquely implicates the polyol pathway in microglial immunometabolism.
