Microtubules promote the non-cell autonomous action of microRNAs by inhibiting their cytoplasmic loading onto ARGONAUTE1 in Arabidopsis

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Self-assembly of molecular beacons through metal ion coordination for fluorescence imaging of miRNA in living cells

Fluorescence nanosensors based on functional nucleic acids have been explored as a powerful sensing platform for disease-relevant miRNAs. This work developed a new hybrid nanosensor (Zr-B) through coordination-driven self-assembly of Zr ions and beacons. The prepared nanosensor exhibited high loading efficiency of beacons and could achieve sensitive and specific detection for miRNAs. The hybrid nanosensor could transfer beacons into living cells efficiently and maintain high stability and biocompatibility in the biological environment, achieving effective miRNA fluorescence imaging in living cells. Therefore, the resultant nanosensor holds potential for applications in disease diagnostics.     

Exosomes for angiogenesis induction in ischemic disorders

Ischaemic disorders are leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While the current therapeutic approaches have improved life expectancy and quality of life, they are unable to “cure” ischemic diseases and instate regeneration of damaged tissues. Exosomes are a class of extracellular vesicles with an average size of 100–150 nm, secreted by many cell types and considered a potent factor of cells for paracrine effects. Since exosomes contain multiple bioactive components such as growth factors, molecular intermediates of different intracellular pathways, microRNAs and nucleic acids, they are considered as cell-free therapeutics. Besides, exosomes do not rise cell therapy concerns such as teratoma formation, alloreactivity and thrombotic events. In addition, exosomes are stored and utilized more convenient. Interestingly, exosomes could be an ideal complementary therapeutic tool for ischemic disorders. In this review, we discussed therapeutic functions of exosomes in ischemic disorders including angiogenesis induction through various mechanisms with specific attention to vascular endothelial growth factor pathway. Furthermore, different delivery routes of exosomes and different modification strategies including cell preconditioning, gene modification and bioconjugation, were highlighted. Finally, pre-clinical and clinical investigations in which exosomes were used were discussed.     

Cold hardiness of the green gemmules of Spongilla lacustris L. (Porifera: Spongillidae)

Most green gemmules of Spongilla lacustris survived enclosure in ice at –20 °C for up to 30 days; however, their rate of germination at 20 °C was less rapid than that of control gemmules. The length of time spent at low temperature had little effect on gemmule survival. In contrast, repeated cooling to –20 °C and warming to 4 °C led to a progressive decline in gemmule viability. These results indicate that cold injury occurs primarily during transitions between high and low temperatures.     

Production of Manoalide and Its Analogues by the Sponge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Luffariella variabilis</Emphasis> Is Hardwired

The Great Barrier Reef sponge Luffariella variabilis (Poléjaeff 1884) produces a range of potent anti-inflammatory compounds as its major metabolites. These major metabolites—manoalide monoacetate, manoalide, luffariellin A and seco-manoalide—were monitored temporally and spatially to quantify the potential yield from wild harvest or aquaculture. Production of the major metabolites was hardwired at the population level with little variation in space and time over meters to tens of kilometers in the Palm Islands, Queensland, Australia. Manoalide monoacetate (35 to 70 mg g⁻¹ dry weight of sponge) was consistently the most abundant compound followed by manoalide (15 to 20 mg g⁻¹ dry weight). Luffariellin A and seco-manoalide were 10 to 70 times less abundant and varied between 0 and 3 mg g⁻¹ dry weight. On a larger spatial scale, L. variabilis from Davies Reef and Magnetic Island contained the same rank order and yields of compounds as the Palm Islands, indicating a generality of pattern over at least 100 km. The “hardwiring” of metabolite production at the population level by L. variabilis was also reflected in the lack of any inductive effect on metabolite production. In addition, individually monitored sponges produced fixed ratios of the major metabolites over time (years). However, these ratios varied between individuals, with some individuals consistently producing high levels of manoalide and manoalide monoacetate, providing the potential for selection of high-yielding stocks.     

MicroRNA，lncRNA与神经退行性疾病

综述了microRNA和lncRNA在一些神经退行性疾病病理生理中的作用机制．随着社会生产的发展,人类文明的进步,人口日益老年化,神经退行性疾病正在全球范围内流行,严重地危害着人类的健康．尽管长期的研究使人们对神经退行性疾病有了比较全面和深入的了解,但是其背后隐藏的发病机制仍然是个谜．人类基因组约98%的转录产物为非编码RNA(ncRNA),在生命活动中有着许多鲜为人知的广泛而多样性的生物功能．小分子RNA(microRNA)是研究得相对比较深入的一类小ncRNA,最近2～3年,长非编码RNA(lncRNA)受到人们的重视,已积累了一些相关研究成果．