期刊：
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH,2024年23(1):368-376 ISSN：1535-3893
通讯作者：
Wan, CH
作者机构：
[Wang, Yi; Wan, Cuihong; Wan, CH; Peng, Mingbo; Yi, Zi; Li, Shenglan; Zhou, Yutian] Cent China Normal Univ, Sch Life Sci, Wuhan 430079, Hubei, Peoples R China.;[Wang, Yi; Wan, Cuihong; Wan, CH; Peng, Mingbo; Yi, Zi; Li, Shenglan; Zhou, Yutian] Cent China Normal Univ, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, Wuhan 430079, Hubei, Peoples R China.
通讯机构：
[Wan, CH ] C;Cent China Normal Univ, Sch Life Sci, Wuhan 430079, Hubei, Peoples R China.;Cent China Normal Univ, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, Wuhan 430079, Hubei, Peoples R China.
摘要：
The low-molecular-weight proteins (LMWP) in serum and plasma are related to various human diseases and can be valuable biomarkers. A small open reading frame-encoded peptide (SEP) is one kind of LMWP, which has been found to function in many bioprocesses and has also been found in human blood, making it a potential biomarker. The detection of LMWP by a mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic assay is often inhibited by the wide dynamic range of serum/plasma protein abundance. Nanoparticle protein coronas are a newly emerging protein enrichment method. To analyze SEPs in human serum, we have developed a protocol integrated with nanoparticle protein coronas and liquid chromatography (LC)/MS/MS. With three nanoparticles, TiO2, Fe3O4@SiO2, and Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2, we identified 164 new SEPs in the human serum sample. Fe3O4@SiO2 and a nanoparticle mixture obtained the maximum number and the largest proportion of identified SEPs, respectively. Compared with acetonitrile-based extraction, nanoparticle protein coronas can cover more small proteins and SEPs. The magnetic nanoparticle is also fit for high-throughput parallel protein separation before LC/MS. This method is fast, efficient, reproducible, and easy to operate in 96-well plates and centrifuge tubes, which will benefit the research on SEPs and biomarkers.
作者机构：
[Xiao, W; Li, Junjie; Li, Yanpeng; Li, YP; Huang, Zhipang; Li, Na; Fang, Yihao; Xiao, Wen] Dali Univ, Inst Eastern Himalaya Biodivers Res, Dali 671003, Yunnan, Peoples R China.;[Huang, Canbin] Jianchuan Forestry & Grassland Bur, Dali 671300, Yunnan, Peoples R China.;[Li, Yanpeng; Li, YP] Cent China Normal Univ, Sch Life Sci, Wuhan 430079, Hubei, Peoples R China.;[Xiao, W; Li, Yanpeng; Li, YP; Huang, Zhipang; Xiao, Wen] Yunling Black & White Snub Nosed Monkey Observat &, Dali 671003, Yunnan, Peoples R China.;[Xiao, W; Pan, Ruliang; Huang, Zhipang; Xiao, Wen] Dali Univ, Int Ctr Biodivers & Primates Conservat, Dali 671003, Yunnan, Peoples R China.
通讯机构：
[Xiao, W ; Li, YP] D;[Li, YP ] C;Dali Univ, Inst Eastern Himalaya Biodivers Res, Dali 671003, Yunnan, Peoples R China.;Cent China Normal Univ, Sch Life Sci, Wuhan 430079, Hubei, Peoples R China.;Yunling Black & White Snub Nosed Monkey Observat &, Dali 671003, Yunnan, Peoples R China.
摘要：
The global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a series of human lockdowns. Studying human- animal linkages during these periods is essential in conserving global biodiversity, maintaining ecosystem integrity, and preventing zoonotic diseases. This especially applies to the matters between human and nonhuman primates-their coexistence. In this study, we used community interviews and camera traps to analyze behavioral responses and changes in human-monkey relationships regarding a semi -wild group of macaques (Macaca mulatta) in a tourism area during the lockdown. The results indicate that food provision for macaques from tourists substantially declined. As a result, macaques moved to communities for food, causing increased human-monkey conflicts; consequently, local communities' attitudes toward macaques prominently changed: those who have experienced severe conflicts are far less tolerant of the macaques than those without experience. Thus, to maintain a cordial coexistence between humans, primates, and other animals in ecotourism areas, we suggest (a) establishing long-term monitoring to maintain a sustainable balance between animal population size and available food resources provided by humans and the environment; (b) improving emergency management policies for controlling monkey populations to prevent the unwanted conflicts between macaques and communities, responding to exceptional circumstances such as the COVID-19 lockdown; (c) strengthening the establishment of conduct code for tourists to avoid conflicts between tourists and primates and the spread of pathogens; and (d) upgrading compensation policies for the damages caused by human-wildlife conflicts and strengthening the cooperation between the community and tourist management; an amicable relationship between communities, economic development, and animal conservation is highly demanded.
摘要：
Seed germination, a key initial event in the plant life cycle, directly affects cotton yield and quality. Gossypium barbadense and Gossypium hirsutum gradually evolved through polyploidization, resulting in different characteristics, and this interspecific variation lacks genetic and molecular explanation. This work aimed to compare the proteomes between G. barbadense and G. hirsutum during seed germination. Here, we identified 2740 proteins for G. barbadense and 3758 for G. hirsutum. In the initial state, proteins in two cotton involved similar bioprocess, such as sugar metabolism, DNA repairing, and ABA signaling pathway. However, in the post-germination stage, G. hirsutum expressed more protein related to redox homeostasis, peroxidase activity, and pathogen interactions. Analyzing the different expression patterns of 915 single-copy orthogroups between the two kinds of cotton indicated that most of the differentially expressed proteins in G. barbadense were related to carbon metabolism. In contrast, most proteins in G. hirsutum were associated with stress response. Besides that, by proteogenomic analysis, we found 349 putative non-canonical peptides, which may be involved in plant development. These results will help to understand the different characteristics of these two kinds of cotton, such as fiber quality, yield, and adaptability. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Cotton is the predominant natural fiber crop worldwide; Gossypium barbadense and Gossypium hirsutum have evolved through polyploidization to produce differing traits. However, given their specific features, the divergence of mechanisms underlying seed germination between G. hirsutum and G. barbadense has not been discussed. Here, we explore what protein contributes to interspecific differences between G. barbadense and G. hirsutum during the seed germination period. This study helps to elucidate the evolution and domestication history of cotton polyploids and may allow breeders to understand their domestication history better and improve fiber quality and adaptability.
摘要：
Nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) regulates the expression of genes that are vital for mitochondrial biogenesis, respiration, and various other cellular processes. While NRF1 has been reported to bind specifically to GC-rich promoters as a homodimer, the precise molecular mechanism governing its recognition of target gene promoters has remained elusive. To unravel the recognition mechanism, we have determined the crystal structure of the NRF1 homodimer bound to an ATGCGCATGCGCAT dsDNA. In this complex, NRF1 utilizes a flexible linker to connect its dimerization domain (DD) and DNA binding domain (DBD). This configuration allows one NRF1 monomer to adopt a U-turn conformation, facilitating the homodimer to specifically bind to the two TGCGC motifs in the GCGCATGCGC consensus sequence from opposite directions. Strikingly, while the NRF1 DBD alone could also bind to the half-site (TGCGC) DNA of the consensus sequence, the cooperativity between DD and DBD is essential for the binding of the intact GCGCATGCGC sequence and the transcriptional activity of NRF1. Taken together, our results elucidate the molecular mechanism by which NRF1 recognizes specific DNA sequences in the promoters to regulate gene expression. Graphical Abstract
摘要：
Two carnivorous bat species, Vampyrum spectrum and Megaderma lyra, belonging to phylogenetically distant families, Megadermatidae and Phyllostomidae, respectively, exhibit distinct evolutionary paths toward a carnivorous diet. Comparative genomics provides evidence of molecular adaptations within genes associated with lipid digestion, absorption, and metabolism in these carnivorous bats, aligning with their preference for a high‐fat diet. Additionally, the presence of low genetic diversity underscores the urgency of conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding carnivorous bat populations. Abstract Dietary specialization stands as a major factor in the study of adaptive evolution and the field of conservation biology among animals. Although bats show unparalleled dietary diversification among mammals, specialized carnivory remains relatively rare within this group. Consequently, our comprehension of the genetic and conservation aspects associated with this specific dietary niche in bats has largely remained uncharted. To investigate molecular adaptations and conservation genetics in carnivorous bats, we produced a new draft genome assembly for the carnivorous bat Vampyrum spectrum. Furthermore, we utilized this genome alongside another distantly related carnivorous bat Megaderma lyra, to conduct genome‐wide comparative analyses with other bat species. Our findings unveil that genes linked to lipid metabolism exhibit signatures of positive selection and convergent molecular adaptation in the two divergent lineages of carnivorous bats. Intriguingly, we have uncovered that the evolution of dietary specialization in carnivorous bats is accompanied by molecular adaptations acting on genes in the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors pathways, which are crucial in regulating plasma lipid metabolism and sustaining lipid homeostasis. Additionally, our genomic analyses also reveal low genetic diversity in both carnivorous bat species. This pattern is attributed to their continuously declining population sizes and low levels of heterozygosity, signaling their vulnerability and emphasizing the pressing need for conservation efforts. These genomic discoveries advance our understanding of genetic underpinnings of carnivory in bats and underscore substantial conservation concerns associated with carnivorous bat species.
摘要：
Trichloroethylene (TCE) with trace concentrations is often detected in soils and groundwater, posing potential damages to public health. The elimination of TCE can be achieved through reductive dechlorination using zero-valent iron (ZVI). However, ZVI usually suffers from the presence of passive iron (hydro)oxides layer and low electron transfer rate, thus leading to the unsatisfactory reactivity. Herein, we fabricated oxalated ZVI (Ox-ZVI(bm)) by mechanical ball-milling of micro-scale ZVI and H2C2O4 center dot 2H(2)O to modify the ZVI surface composition. To be specific, the modification of the iron oxide shell by oxalic acid facilitated the generation of unsaturated coordination Fe(II), enhancing TCE adsorption. Furthermore, the formed FeC2O4 on the iron oxide shell improved electron transfer efficiency, contributing to the enhanced TCE reductive dechlorination. Impressively, the rate of TCE degradation by Ox-ZVI(bm) was 10-fold higher than that of ZVI(bm) without oxalate modification. Moreover, Ox-ZVI(bm) samples were filled in a laboratory Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRB) column to treat actual underground wastewater containing TCE pollutants. The effluent concentration of TCE maintained steadily below 0.21 mg/L for over 10 days, complying with the National Groundwater Class IV standard (GBT 14848-2017). This marks a significant step toward practical groundwater treatment.
期刊：
Particle and Fibre Toxicology,2024年21(1):1-14 ISSN：1743-8977
通讯作者：
Mingqing Chen
作者机构：
[Ke Xu; Qi Han; Shuxin Wang; Xiao Gao; Zhaolan Wei; Yunyi Wang; Wanting Du] Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, 430079, Wuhan, Hubei, China;[Mingqing Chen] Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, 430079, Wuhan, Hubei, China. chenmq@mail.ccnu.edu.cn
通讯机构：
[Mingqing Chen] H;Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
摘要：
Increasing attention is being paid to the environmental and health impacts of nanoplastics (NPs) pollution. Exposure to nanoplastics (NPs) with different charges and functional groups may have different adverse effects after ingestion by organisms, yet the potential ramifications on mammalian blood glucose levels, and the risk of diabetes remain unexplored. Mice were exposed to PS-NPs/COOH/NH2 at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day for nine weeks, either alone or in a T2DM model. The findings demonstrated that exposure to PS-NPs modified by different functional groups caused a notable rise in fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance in a mouse model of T2DM. Exposure to PS-NPs-NH2 alone can also lead the above effects to a certain degree. PS-NPs exposure could induce glycogen accumulation and hepatocellular edema, as well as injury to the pancreas. Comparing the effect of different functional groups or charges on T2DM, the PS-NPs-NH2 group exhibited the most significant FBG elevation, glycogen accumulation, and insulin resistance. The phosphorylation of AKT and FoxO1 was found to be inhibited by PS-NPs exposure. Treatment with SC79, the selective AKT activator was shown to effectively rescue this process and attenuate T2DM like lesions. Exposure to PS-NPs with different functional groups (charges) induced T2DM-like lesions. Amino-modified PS-NPs cause more serious T2DM-like lesions than pristine PS-NPs or carboxyl functionalized PS-NPs. The underlying mechanisms involved the inhibition of P-AKT/P-FoxO1. This study highlights the potential risk of NPs pollution on T2DM, and provides a new perspective for evaluating the impact of plastics aging.
期刊：
Journal of Biological Chemistry,2024年300(3):105776 ISSN：0021-9258
通讯作者：
Liu, Ke;Min, Jinrong
作者机构：
[Chen, Sizhuo; Lei, Ming] Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, PR China;[Liu, Ke] Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, PR China. Electronic address: keliu2015@ccnu.edu.cn;[Min, Jinrong] Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, PR China. Electronic address: minjinrong@ccnu.edu.cn
通讯机构：
[Liu, Ke; Min, Jinrong] H;Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, PR China. Electronic address:
摘要：
The CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs) constitute a family of pivotal transcription factors involved in tissue development, cellular function, proliferation, and differentiation. NFIL3, as one of them, plays an important role in regulating immune cell differentiation, circadian clock system and neural regeneration, yet its specific DNA recognition mechanism remains enigmatic. In this study, we showed by the ITC binding experiments that NFIL3 prefers to bind to the TTACGTAA DNA motif. Our structural studies revealed that the α-helical NFIL3 bZIP domain dimerizes through its leucine zipper region, and binds to DNA via its basic region. The two basic regions of the NFIL3 bZIP dimer were pushed apart upon binding to DNA, facilitating the snug accommodation of the two basic regions within the major grooves of the DNA. Remarkably, our binding and structural data also revealed that both NFIL3 and C/EBPα/β demonstrated a shared preference for the TTACGTAA sequence. Furthermore, our study revealed that disease-associated mutations within the NFIL3 bZIP domain resulted in either reduction or complete disruption of its DNA binding ability. These discoveries not only provide valuable insights into the DNA binding mechanisms of NFIL3 but also elucidate the causal role of NFIL3 mutations in disease pathogenesis.
摘要：
The significance of ecological non-monotonicity (a function whose first derivative changes signs) in shaping the structure and functions of the ecosystem has recently been recognized, but such studies involving high-order interactions are rare. Here, we have proposed a three-trophic conceptual diagram on interactions among trees, rodents, and insects in mast and non-mast years and tested the hypothesis that oak (Quercus wutaishanica) masting could result in increased mutualism and less predation in an oak-weevil-rodent system in a warm temperate forest of China. Our 14-year dataset revealed that mast years coincided with a relatively low rodent abundance but a high weevil abundance. Masting not only benefited seedling recruitment of oaks through increased dispersal by rodents but also a decrease in predation by rodents and weevils, as well as an increase in the overwintering survival of rodents. Masting appeared to have increased weevil survival by reducing predation of infested acorns by rodents. These results suggest that masting benefits all participants in the plant-insect-rodent system by increasing mutualism and reducing predation behavior (i.e., a non-monotonic function). Our study highlights the significance of masting in maintaining the diversity and function of the forest ecosystem by facilitating the transformation from predation to mutualism among trophic species.
摘要：
The gut microbiome is a symbiotic microbial community associated with the host and plays multiple important roles in host physiology, nutrition, and health. A number of factors have been shown to influence the gut microbiome, among which diet is considered to be one of the most important; however, the relationship between diet composition and gut microbiota in wild mammals is still not well recognized. Herein, we characterized the gut microbiota of bats and examined the effects of diet, host taxa, body size, gender, elevation, and latitude on the gut microbiota. The cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and 16S rRNA gene amplicons were sequenced from the feces of eight insectivorous bat species in southern China, including Miniopterus fuliginosus, Aselliscus stoliczkanus, Myotis laniger, Rhinolophus episcopus, Rhinolophus osgoodi, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus affinis, and Rhinolophus pusillus. The results showed that the composition of gut microbiome and diet exhibited significant differences among bat species. Diet composition and gut microbiota were significantly correlated at the order, family, genus, and operational taxonomic unit levels, while certain insects had a marked effect on the gut microbiome at specific taxonomic levels. In addition, elevation, latitude, body weight of bats, and host species had significant effects on the gut microbiome, but phylosymbiosis between host phylogeny and gut microbiome was lacking. These findings clarify the relationship between gut microbiome and diet and contribute to improving our understanding of host ecology and the evolution of the gut microbiome in wild mammals.IMPORTANCEThe gut microbiome is critical for the adaptation of wildlife to the dynamic environment. Bats are the second-largest group of mammals with short intestinal tract, yet their gut microbiome is still poorly studied. Herein, we explored the relationships between gut microbiome and food composition, host taxa, body size, gender, elevation, and latitude. We found a significant association between diet composition and gut microbiome in insectivorous bats, with certain insect species having major impacts on gut microbiome. Factors like species taxa, body weight, elevation, and latitude also affected the gut microbiome, but we failed to detect phylosymbiosis between the host phylogeny and the gut microbiome. Overall, our study presents novel insights into how multiple factors shape the bat's gut microbiome together and provides a study case on host-microbe interactions in wildlife. The gut microbiome is critical for the adaptation of wildlife to the dynamic environment. Bats are the second-largest group of mammals with short intestinal tract, yet their gut microbiome is still poorly studied. Herein, we explored the relationships between gut microbiome and food composition, host taxa, body size, gender, elevation, and latitude. We found a significant association between diet composition and gut microbiome in insectivorous bats, with certain insect species having major impacts on gut microbiome. Factors like species taxa, body weight, elevation, and latitude also affected the gut microbiome, but we failed to detect phylosymbiosis between the host phylogeny and the gut microbiome. Overall, our study presents novel insights into how multiple factors shape the bat's gut microbiome together and provides a study case on host-microbe interactions in wildlife.
期刊：
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS,2024年50:101220 ISSN：1744-117X
通讯作者：
Zhao, Haobin
作者机构：
[Wu, Fan; Yao, Qiting; Li, Zhenyu; Duan, Shi; Yang, Qing; Zhou, Qingchun; Zhong, Xueping] Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China;[Cao, Mengxi] Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, School of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China;[Chen, Xinhua] Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China;[Zhao, Haobin] Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China. Electronic address: zhaohb@ccnu.edu.cn
通讯机构：
[Zhao, Haobin] H;Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China. Electronic address:
摘要：
Methylosome protein 50 (Mep50) functions as a partner to protein arginine methyltransferase 5. MEP50 serves as a coactivator for both the androgen receptor and estrogen receptor in humans. Mep50 plays a crucial role in the development of germ cells in Drosophila. The precise role of Mep50 in oogenesis remains unclear in vertebrates. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of Mep50 in oogenesis in medaka fish. Disruption of Mep50 resulted in impaired oogenesis and the formation of multiple oocyte follicles in medaka. RNA-seq analysis revealed significant differential gene expression in the mutant ovary, with 4542 genes up-regulated and 1264 genes down-regulated. The regulated genes were found to be enriched in cellular matrices and ECM-receptor interaction, the Notch signaling pathway, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, the MAPK signaling pathway, the Hippo signaling pathway, and the Jak-Stat pathway, among others. In addition, the genes related to the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis, steroid metabolism, and IGF system were impacted. Furthermore, the mutation of mep50 caused significant alterations in alternative splicing of pre-mRNA in ovarian cells. Quantitative RT-PCR results validated the findings from RNA-seq analysis in the specific genes, including akt2, map3k5, yap1, fshr, cyp17a, igf1, ythdc2, cdk6, and col1, among others. The findings of this study demonstrate that Mep50 plays a crucial role in oogenesis, participating in a diverse range of biological processes such as steroid metabolism, cell matrix regulation, and signal pathways. This may be achieved through the regulation of gene expression via mRNA splicing in medaka ovarian cells.
期刊：
Journal of Molecular Medicine,2024年102(2):273-284 ISSN：0946-2716
通讯作者：
Huang, QY
作者机构：
[Cheng, Chen; Huang, Xinyao; Qin, Zixuan; Huang, Qingyang; Wang, Ya; Zhang, Qiongdan; Lu, Li] Cent China Normal Univ, Sch Life Sci, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, Wuhan 430079, Hubei, Peoples R China.;[Wang, Ya] Wenzhou Med Univ, Sch Lab Med & Life Sci, Key Lab Lab Med, Zhejiang Prov Key Lab Med Genet,Minist Educ, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, Peoples R China.
通讯机构：
[Huang, QY ] C;Cent China Normal Univ, Sch Life Sci, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, Wuhan 430079, Hubei, Peoples R China.
关键词：
DNA methylation;E2F6;EN1;Enhancer;Noncoding SNP;Osteoporosis
摘要：
EN1 encodes a homeodomain-containing transcription factor and is a determinant of bone density and fracture. Previous powerful genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near EN1 at 2q14.2 locus for osteoporosis, but the causal SNPs and functional mechanisms underlying these associations are poorly understood. The target genes regulated by the transcription factor EN1 are also unclear. In this study, we identified rs188303909, a functional CpG-SNP, as a causal SNP for osteoporosis at 2q14.2 through the integration of functional and epigenomic analyses. Functional experiments demonstrated that unmethylated rs188303909 acted as a strong allele-specific distal enhancer to regulate EN1 expression by modifying the binding of transcription factor E2F6, but rs188303909 methylation attenuated the active effect of E2F6 on EN1 expression. Importantly, transcription factor EN1 could differentially bind osteoporosis GWAS lead SNPs rs4869739-T and rs4355801-G to upregulate CCDC170 and COLEC10 expression, thus promoting bone formation. Our study provided a mechanistic insight into expression regulation of the osteoporosis susceptibility gene EN1, which could be a potential therapeutic target for osteoporosis precision medicine.
期刊：
Food and Chemical Toxicology,2023年182:114188 ISSN：0278-6915
通讯作者：
Ding, Shumao
作者机构：
[Wu, Min; Wan, Jian; He, Suli; Peng, Haiyan; Zhang, Hongmao; Yan, Chao] Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China;[Ye, Xin] Liquor Marking Biological Technology and Application of Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Bioengineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Yibin, 644000, China;[Ding, Shumao] Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China. Electronic address: dingsm@ccnu.edu.cn
通讯机构：
[Ding, Shumao] H;Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China. Electronic address:
摘要：
Previous work has shown that mice exposed to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) adsorbed onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), via tail vein injection, displayed black lesions in their lungs. To investigate the mechanism causing this toxicity in the lung tissue, we performed an experiment with rats, exposing them to DBP adsorbed onto MWCNTs via a tail vein injection for 14 days. The results revealed pulmonary edema and greyish-black lung tissue in the MWCNTs and the MWCNTs+DBP combined exposure groups. In the combined exposure group there was evident alveolar fragmentation and adhesion, and lung tissue sections showed significant levels of black particles. Sections of the non-cartilaginous region of the trachea had significant folding of the pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium and marked thickening of the submucosa. In broncho alveolar lavage fluid, the number of leukocytes (WBC), lymphocytes (Lym), neutrophils (Neu), and eosinophils (Eos), as well as levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) were all significantly higher. TNF-α, IL-6, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) mRNA expression were all elevated in the lung tissue. The combined exposure group, which had considerable airway remodeling, had a greater degree of tracheal constriction and luminal narrowing, according to the results of the α-SMA immunofluorescence assay. According to these experimental findings, the exposure to both MWCNTs and DBP seemed to have a synergistic effect and exacerbated rats' impaired respiratory function that resulted from exposure to MWCNTs alone.
摘要：
Hipposideros pratti called at higher intensities while keeping the constant frequencies of their echolocation pulses consistent under spectrally non-overlapping background noise conditions. The noise could decrease auditory sensitivity and sharp intensity tuning, suggesting an acoustic masking effect. These results provide further evidence of negative consequences of anthropogenic noise. The environment noise may disturb animal behavior and echolocation via three potential mechanisms: acoustic masking, reduced attention and noise avoidance. Compared with the mechanisms of reduced attention and noise avoidance, acoustic masking is thought to occur only when the signal and background noise overlap spectrally and temporally. In this study, we investigated the effects of spectrally non-overlapping noise on echolocation pulses and electrophysiological responses of a constant frequency-frequency modulation (CF-FM) bat, Hipposideros pratti. We found that H. pratti called at higher intensities while keeping the CFs of their echolocation pulses consistent. Electrophysiological tests indicated that the noise could decrease auditory sensitivity and sharp intensity tuning, suggesting that spectrally non-overlapping noise imparts an acoustic masking effect. Because anthropogenic noises are usually concentrated at low frequencies and are spectrally non-overlapping with the bat's echolocation pulses, our results provide further evidence of negative consequences of anthropogenic noise. On this basis, we sound a warning against noise in the foraging habitats of echolocating bats.
作者机构：
[Li, Weifang; Zhang, Jin; Liu, Ke; Min, Jinrong; Xiao, Yuqing; Gan, Linyao] Cent China Normal Univ, Sch Life Sci, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, Wuhan 430079, Peoples R China.
通讯机构：
[Liu, K; Min, JR ] C;Cent China Normal Univ, Sch Life Sci, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, Wuhan 430079, Peoples R China.
摘要：
The TFAP2 family regulates gene expression during differentiation, development, and organogenesis, and includes five homologs in humans. They all possess a highly conserved DNA binding domain (DBD) followed by a helix-span-helix (HSH) domain. The DBD-HSH tandem domain specifically binds to a GCC(N3)GGC consensus sequence, but the precise recognition mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we found that TFAP2 preferred binding to the GCC(N3)GGC sequence, and the pseudo-palindromic GCC and GGC motifs and the length of the central spacer between the two motifs determined their binding specificity. Structural studies revealed that the two flat amphipathic α-helical HSH domains of TFAP2A stacked with each other to form a dimer via hydrophobic interactions, while the stabilized loops from both DBD domains inserted into two neighboring major grooves of the DNA duplex to form base-specific interactions. This specific DNA binding mechanism controlled the length of the central spacer and determined the DNA sequence specificity of TFAP2. Mutations of the TFAP2 proteins are implicated in various diseases. We illustrated that reduction or disruption of the DNA binding ability of the TFAP2 proteins is the primary cause of TFAP2 mutation-associated diseases. Thus, our findings also offer valuable insights into the pathogenesis of disease-associated mutations in TFAP2 proteins.
摘要：
The Drosophila testis is an excellent system for studying the process from germ stem cells to motile sperm, including the proliferation of male germ cells, meiosis of primary spermatocytes, mitochondrial morphogenesis, and spermatid individualization. We previously demonstrated that ocnus (ocn) plays an essential role in male germ cell development. Among those genes and proteins whose expression levels were changed as a result of ocn knockdown, cytochrome c1-like (cyt-c1L) was downregulated significantly. Here, we show that cyt-c1L is highly expressed in the testis of D. melanogaster. Knockdown or mutation of cyt-c1L in early germ cells of flies resulted in male sterility. Immunofluorescence staining showed that cyt-c1L knockdown testes had no defects in early spermatogenesis; however, in late stages, in contrast to many individualization complexes (ICs) composed of F-actin cones that appeared at different positions in control testes, no actin cones or ICs were observed in cyt-c1L knockdown testes. Furthermore, no mature sperm were found in the seminal vesicle of cyt-c1L knockdown testes whereas the control seminal vesicle was full of mature sperm with needle-like nuclei. cyt-c1L knockdown also caused abnormal mitochondrial morphogenesis during spermatid elongation. Excessive apoptotic signals accumulated in the base of cyt-c1L knockdown fly testes. These results suggest that cyt-c1L may play an important role in spermatogenesis by affecting the mitochondrial morphogenesis and individualization of sperm in D. melanogaster.
摘要：
The predation and/or dispersal of Quercus seeds by rodents play an important role in the creation of the tree species. The present study examined the effects of community habitats on the predation and dispersal of Quercus wutaishanica seeds by rodents. We released seeds with densities set at 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 seed square meter with litter cover, soil burial, and bare ground in the Liupan Mountains National Nature Reserve in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, northwest China. The results showed that (1) the litter cover and soil burial significantly increased the seed survival probability compared with bare ground treatments, especially the predation in situ (PIS) (p < 0.05). Both the scatter hoarding (SH) and larder hoarding (LH) for litter cover and soil burial were significantly increased compared with bare ground (p < 0.05). (2) The large seeds are preferentially predated after dispersal and their long-distance dispersal (>5 m) was significantly greater than that of small seeds (p < 0.05), while small seeds are more likely to be preyed on in situ or during short-distance dispersal (<3 m). (3) The Q. wutaishanica seed predation by rodents increased at a high density rather than at a low density, indicating a negative density-dependent predation. These findings provide insights into the ecological characteristics of Quercus tree regeneration and shed light on the coexistence between rodents and different-sized seeds.
