家蚕线粒体ND2、COⅠ和若干tRNA基因的克隆及序列分析

克隆并测定了家蚕（Bombyx mori）线粒体基因组3468bp的EcoRⅠ和HindⅢ双酶一段序列,根据序列同源性比较,该DNA片段包括3个蛋白质编码基因：ND2基因、COⅠ基因和COⅡ基因5′端399bp的序列,以及6个tRNA基因和一个尚待确定的tRNA^Met基因。家蚕与果蝇的ND2基因序列同源性约69.7%,COⅠ基因的同源性约83.8%,COⅡ基因5′端的同源性约80％,这表明细胞色素氧化酶基因在物种间比烟酰胺腺漂呤二核苷酸脱氢酶基因保守,6个推定的tRNA基因序列与果蝇相应tRNA基因序列差异较大,另外,除tRNA^Chn基因的二级结构相似外,其它tRNA基因的二级结构与果蝇相应tRNA基因的二级结构也有较大差异。     

Molecular Evolution of Visual Opsin Genes during the Behavioral Shifts between Different Photic Environments in Geckos

Reptiles are the most morphologically and physiologically diverse tetrapods, with the squamates having the most diverse habitats. Lizard is an important model system for understanding the role of visual ecology,phylogeny and behavior on the structure of visual systems.In this study, we compared three opsin genes(RH2, LWS and SWS1) among 49 reptile species to detect positively selected genes as well as amino acid sites. Our results indicated that visual opsin genes have undergone divergent selection pressures in all lizards and RH2 and LWS suffered stronger positive selection than SWS1. Twelve positively selected sites were picked out for RH2 and LWS. Moreover,many diagnostic sites were found between geckos and non-gecko lizards, most of which were located near the positively selected sites and some of them have already been reported to be responsible for significant shifts of the wavelength of maximum absorption(λ_(max)). The results indicated that the gecko lineage accelerated the evolution of these genes to adapt to the dim-light environment or nocturnality as well as the switch between nocturnality and diurnality.     

Pancreatic cancer-derived exosomal microRNA-19a induces β-cell dysfunction by targeting ADCY1 and EPAC2

New-onset diabetes mellitus has a rough correlation with pancreatic cancer (PaC), but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the exosomal microRNAs and their potential role in PaC-induced β-cell dysfunction. The pancreatic β cells were treated with isolated exosomes from PaC cell lines, SW1990 and BxPC-3, before measuring the glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), validating that SW1990 and BxPC-3 might disrupt GSIS of both β cell line MIN6 and primary mouse pancreatic islets. The difference in expression profiles between exosomes and exosome-free medium of PaC cell lines was further defined, revealing that miR-19a secreted by PaC cells might be an important signaling molecule in this process. Furthermore, adenylyl cyclase 1 (Adcy1) and exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 2 (Epac2) were verified as the direct targets of exogenous miR-19a, which was involved in insulin secretion. These results indicated that exosomes might be an important mediator in the pathogenesis of PaC-DM, and miR-19a might be the effector molecule. The findings shed light on the pathogenesis of PaC-DM.     

YAP regulates periodontal ligament cell differentiation into myofibroblast interacted with RhoA/ROCK pathway

During orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) receive the mechanical stimuli and transform it into myofibroblasts (Mfbs). Indeed, previous studies have demonstrated that mechanical stimuli can promote the expression of Mfb marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in PDLCs. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), as the target gene of yes-associated protein (YAP), has been proven to be involved in this process. Here, we sought to assess the role of YAP in Mfbs differentiation from PDLCs. The time-course expression of YAP and α-SMA was manifested in OTM model in vivo as well as under tensional stimuli in vitro. Inhibition of RhoA/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) pathway using Y27632 significantly reduced tension-induced Mfb differentiation and YAP expression. Moreover, overexpression of YAP with lentiviral transfection in PDLCs rescued the repression effect of Mfb differentiation induced by Y27632. These data together suggest a crucial role of YAP in regulating tension-induced Mfb differentiation from PDLC interacted with RhoA/ROCK pathway.     

细胞自噬研究进展

细胞自噬是真核生物在进化过程中高度保守、基于溶酶体的一种胞内降解途径,对维持细胞和生物体的稳态平衡有重要作用。研究表明,自噬参与生物体发育、免疫反应、代谢调节、细胞凋亡和衰老等多种过程。自噬功能异常与神经退行性疾病、肿瘤等的发生发展密切相关。近30年,我们对细胞自噬的认识无论是在分子机制上还是生理功能方面都有了长足的发展。为进一步加深对细胞自噬的认识,该文主要对细胞自噬的概念、自噬核心机器的组成及调控机制、自噬类型、生理功能及与疾病的关系作一简单综述。     

Low-Temperature Sodium-Ion Batteries: Challenges and Progress

As an ideal candidate for the next generation of large-scale energy storage devices, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have received great attention due to their low cost. However, the practical utility of SIBs faces constraints imposed by geographical and environmental factors, particularly in high-altitude and cold regions. In these areas, the low-temperature (LT) performance of SIBs presents a pressing technological challenge that requires significant breakthroughs. In LT environments, the electrochemical reaction kinetics of SIBs are sluggish, the electrode/electrolyte interface is unstable, and the diffusion of sodium ions in electrode materials is slow, leading to a decrease in battery performance. Therefore, the reasonable design of electrolyte and electrode materials is of great significance for optimizing the LT performance of SIBs. In this review, the research progress of LT SIBs electrolytes, cathode, and anode materials, as well as sodium metal batteries and solid-state electrolytes is systematically summarized in recent years, aiming to understand the design principles of LT SIBs, clarify the basic research and development of high-performance SIBs in practical applications, and promote the development of SIBs technology in the full temperature range.