Targeted expression of a protease-resistant IGFBP-4 mutant in smooth muscle of transgenic mice results in IGFBP-4 stabilization and smooth muscle hypotrophy

The insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 (IGFBP-4), the most abundant IGF-binding protein produced by rodent smooth muscle cells (SMC), is degraded by specific protease(s) potentially releasing IGF-I for local bioactivity. IGFBP-4 protease(s) recognizes basic residues within the midregion of the molecule. We constructed a mutant IGFBP-4 with the cleavage domain substitution 119-KHMAKVRDRSKMK-133 to 119-AAMAAVADASAMA-133. Myc-tagged native and IGFBP-4.7A retained equivalent IGF-I binding affinity. Whereas native IGFBP-4 was cleaved by SMC-conditioned medium, IGFBP-4.7A was completely resistant to proteolysis. To explore the function of the protease-resistant IGFBP-4 in vivo, expression of the mutant and native proteins was targeted to SMC of transgenic mice by means of a smooth muscle alpha-actin promoter. Transgene expression was confined to SMC-rich tissues in all lines. Bladder and aortic immunoreactive IGFBP-4/transgene mRNA ratios in SMP8-BP4.7A mice were increased by 2- to 4-fold relative to SMP8-BP4 mice, indicating that the IGFBP-4.7A protein was stabilized in vivo. SMP8-BP4.7A mice had lower aortic, bladder, and stomach weight and intestinal length relative to SMP8-BP4 counterparts matched for protein expression by Western blotting. Thus, IGFBP-4.7A results in greater growth inhibition than equivalent levels of native IGFBP-4 in vivo, demonstrating a role for IGFBP-4 proteolysis in the regulation of IGF-I action.     

三阴性乳腺癌相关miRNA筛选及其靶基因的生物信息学分析

应用生物信息学方法筛选并分析三阴性乳腺癌（triple-negative breast cancer,TNBC）相关miRNA及其靶基因,为TNBC的研究提供潜在的分子靶点。采用GEO2R分析TNBC相关miRNA芯片数据集,筛选差异表达倍数最大的5个上调和5个下调miRNA。miRWalk、TargetScan和miRDB预测靶基因并进行Veen分析取交集。利用DAVID对靶基因进行GO富集分析和KEGG通路分析。利用STRING数据库构建蛋白互作网络,并结合Cytoscape构建miRNA-靶基因调控网络,从而筛选出关键的miRNA及其关键靶基因。利用GEPIA2数据库对靶基因进行生存分析。GEO2R筛选出486个差异miRNA,上调和下调的miRNA分别有298个和188个。对差异倍数最大的5个上调和5个下调miRNA的靶基因进行富集分析显示,靶基因主要参与ErbB信号通路、癌症中转录调控紊乱和cGMP-PKG信号通路等。miRNA-靶基因调控网络显示,表达上调的关键miRNA为miR-611,其关键靶基因为CDC27、UBE2D2、UBR1、SPSB1、HERC2和RLIM;表达下调的关键miRNA为miR-1205,其关键靶基因为WSB1、FBXL8、UBE2W、PTPN11、ARF6、DNAJC6和COPS2。生存分析表明,UBR1（P=0.007 2）和PTPN11（P=0.029）表达上调可显著降低TNBC患者的整体生存率。经筛选获得的关键miRNA及其关键靶基因可作为潜在分子标记物用于TNBC的早期诊断、治疗靶点选择和预后判断,并为后续的研究提供参考依据。     

Inhibition of adventitious root development in apple rootstocks by cytokinin is based on its suppression of adventitious root primordia formation

Cytokinin (CK) inhibits adventitious root (AR) formation in stem cuttings. Little is known, however, about the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect. In this study, 2 mg l^?1 of exogenous 6‐benzyl adenine (6‐BA) was administered to 3 and 7‐day‐old apple rootstocks ‘M.26’ cuttings (3 and 7 days 6‐BA) by transferring them from a rooting medium containing indole‐3‐butanoic acid to the medium containing 6‐BA. Anatomical and morphological observations revealed that the exogenous application of 6‐BA inhibited primordia formation in the 3 days 6‐BA but not the 7 days 6‐BA group. The concentration of auxin (IAA), the ratios of IAA/CK and IAA/abscisic acid were lower in 3 days 6‐BA than in 7 days 6‐BA. Expression analysis of genes known to be associated with AR formation was also analyzed. In the 3 days 6‐BA group, high level of CK inhibited the synthesis and transport of auxin, as a result, low endogenous auxin level suppressed the auxin signaling pathway genes, as were other AR development and cell cycle related genes; all of which had an inhibitory impact on AR primordium formation. On the contrary, low CK level in the 7 days 6‐BA, reduced the inhibitory impact on auxin levels, leading to an upregulated expression of genes known to promote AR primordia formation. Collectively, our data indicated that 3–7 days is the time period in which AR primordia formation occurs in cuttings of ‘M.26’ and that the inhibition of AR development by CK is due to the suppression of AR primordia development over 3–7 days period after culturing in rooting medium.     

Effects of Nano-anatase TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on Absorption,Distribution of Light,and Photoreduction Activities of Chloroplast Membrane of Spinach

The effects of nano-anatase TiO₂ on light absorption, distribution, and conversion, and photoreduction activities of spinach chloroplast were studied by spectroscopy. Several effects of nano-anatase TiO₂ were observed: (1) the absorption peak intensity of the chloroplast was obviously increased in red and blue region, the ratio of the Soret band and Q band was higher than that of the control; (2) the great enhancement of fluorescence quantum yield near 680 nm of the chloroplast was observed, the quantum yield under excitation wavelength of 480 nm was higher than the excitation wavelength of 440 nm; (3) the excitation peak intensity near 440 and 480 nm of the chloroplast significantly rose under emission wavelength of 680 nm, and F ₄₈₀ / F ₄₄₀ ratio was reduced; (4) when emission wavelength was at 720 nm, the excitation peaks near 650 and 680 nm were obviously raised, and F ₆₅₀ / F ₆₈₀ ratio rose; (5) the rate of whole chain electron transport, photochemical activities of PSII DCPIP photoreduction and oxygen evolution were greatly improved, but the photoreduction activities of PSI were a little changed. Together, the studies of the experiments showed that nano-anatase TiO₂ could increase absorption of light on spinach chloroplast and promote excitation energy to be absorbed by LHCII and transferred to PSII and improve excitation energy from PSI to be transferred to PSII, thus, promote the conversion from light energy to electron energy and accelerate electron transport, water photolysis, and oxygen evolution.     

Effects of Nano-anatase on Spectral Characteristics and Distribution of LHCII on the Thylakoid Membranes of Spinach

In the article, we report that effects of nano-anatase on the spectral characteristics and content of light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) on the thylakoid membranes of spinach were investigated. The results showed that nano-anatase treatment could increase LHCII content on the thylakoid membranes of spinach and the trimer of LHCII; nano-anatase could enter the spinach chloroplasts and bind to PSII. Meanwhile, spectroscopy assays indicated that the absorption intensity of LHCII from nano-anatase-treated spinach was obviously increased in the red and the blue region, fluorescence quantum yield near 685 nm of LHCII was enhanced, the fluorescence excitation intensity near 440 and 480 nm of LHCII significantly rose and F ₄₈₀/F ₄₄₀ ratio was reduced. Oxygen evolution rate of PSII was greatly improved. Together, nano-anatase promoted energy transferring from chlorophyll (chl) b and carotenoid to chl a, and nano-anatase TiO₂ was photosensitized by chl of LHCII, which led to enhance the efficiency of absorbing, transferring, and converting light energy.     

混合盐碱胁迫对地被菊寒露红生长的影响

该研究以地被菊寒露红(Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Hanluhong’)为材料,一方面研究混合盐碱胁迫对其生长的影响,另一方面通过模拟青铜峡盐碱胁迫程度,探讨其在青铜峡地区的适生性。设置3个pH梯度(7.0、8.0、9.0),在每个pH梯度下用NaCl、Na_2CO_3、NaHCO_3、Na_2SO_4配置不同浓度(0、0.2%、0.4%、0.6%、0.8%、1.0%)的混合液对地被菊植株进行胁迫处理,观察并测定不同胁迫条件下植株株高、根长、光合特性及叶绿素荧光参数的变化。结果表明:(1)长时间生长在高盐碱环境会使地被菊寒露红生长缓慢,光合作用参数和叶绿素荧光参数下降。(2)青铜峡实验模拟组(pH=8.0,盐浓度为0.4%)的植株株高、根长的伸长速度随胁迫时间的延长均呈先降低后升高的趋势;同时植株的光合作用参数、叶绿素荧光参数有降低趋势,但荧光参数下降变化未达到显著水平。综合分析可得,高盐、高碱环境均不利于地被菊寒露红植株的生长发育。在青铜峡地区的盐碱胁迫强度下,地被菊寒露红具有一定的抗盐碱性,基本能够正常生长,可用于当地植被及生态环境修复和园林造景。     

MicroRNA‐92b‐5p modulates melatonin‐mediated osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by targeting ICAM‐1

Osteoporosis is closely associated with the dysfunction of bone metabolism, which is caused by the imbalance between new bone formation and bone resorption. Osteogenic differentiation plays a vital role in maintaining the balance of bone microenvironment. The present study investigated whether melatonin participated in the osteogenic commitment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and further explored its underlying mechanisms. Our data showed that melatonin exhibited the capacity of regulating osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, which was blocked by its membrane receptor inhibitor luzindole. Further study demonstrated that the expression of miR‐92b‐5p was up‐regulated in BMSCs after administration of melatonin, and transfection of miR‐92b‐5p accelerated osteogenesis of BMSCs. In contrast, silence of miR‐92b‐5p inhibited the osteogenesis of BMSCs. The increase in osteoblast differentiation of BMSCs caused by melatonin was attenuated by miR‐92b‐5p AMO as well. Luciferase reporter assay, real‐time qPCR analysis and western blot analysis confirmed that miR‐92b‐5p was involved in osteogenesis by directly targeting intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1). Melatonin improved the expression of miR‐92b‐5p, which could regulate the differentiation of BMSCs into osteoblasts by targeting ICAM‐1. This study provided novel methods for treating osteoporosis.     

In Vivo Programmed Gene Expression Based on Artificial Quorum Networks

The quorum sensing (QS) system, as a well-functioning population-dependent gene switch, has been widely applied in many gene circuits in synthetic biology. In our work, an efficient cell density-controlled expression system (QS) was established via engineering of the Vibrio fischeri luxI-luxR quorum sensing system. In order to achieve in vivo programmed gene expression, a synthetic binary regulation circuit (araQS) was constructed by assembling multiple genetic components, including the quorum quenching protein AiiA and the arabinose promoter P_araBAD, into the QS system. In vitro expression assays verified that the araQS system was initiated only in the absence of arabinose in the medium at a high cell density. In vivo expression assays confirmed that the araQS system presented an in vivo-triggered and cell density-dependent expression pattern. Furthermore, the araQS system was demonstrated to function well in different bacteria, indicating a wide range of bacterial hosts for use. To explore its potential applications in vivo, the araQS system was used to control the production of a heterologous protective antigen in an attenuated Edwardsiella tarda strain, which successfully evoked efficient immune protection in a fish model. This work suggested that the araQS system could program bacterial expression in vivo and might have potential uses, including, but not limited to, bacterial vector vaccines.     

Keppen-Lubinsky Syndrome Is Caused by Mutations in the Inwardly Rectifying K+ Channel Encoded by KCNJ6

Keppen-Lubinsky syndrome (KPLBS) is a rare disease mainly characterized by severe developmental delay and intellectual disability, microcephaly, large prominent eyes, a narrow nasal bridge, a tented upper lip, a high palate, an open mouth, tightly adherent skin, an aged appearance, and severe generalized lipodystrophy. We sequenced the exomes of three unrelated individuals affected by KPLBS and found de novo heterozygous mutations in KCNJ6 (GIRK2), which encodes an inwardly rectifying potassium channel and maps to the Down syndrome critical region between DIRK1A and DSCR4. In particular, two individuals shared an in-frame heterozygous deletion of three nucleotides (c.455_457del) leading to the loss of one amino acid (p.Thr152del). The third individual was heterozygous for a missense mutation (c.460G>A) which introduces an amino acid change from glycine to serine (p.Gly154Ser). In agreement with animal models, the present data suggest that these mutations severely impair the correct functioning of this potassium channel. Overall, these results establish KPLBS as a channelopathy and suggest that KCNJ6 (GIRK2) could also be a candidate gene for other lipodystrophies. We hope that these results will prompt investigations in this unexplored class of inwardly rectifying K⁺ channels.