摘要：
To fully harness the potential of laccase in the efficient decolorization and detoxification of single and mixed dyes with diverse chemical structures, we carried out a systematic study on the decolorization and detoxification of single and mixed dyes using a crude laccase preparation obtained from a white-rot fungus strain, Pleurotus eryngii. The crude laccase preparation showed efficient decolorization of azo, anthraquinone, triphenylmethane, and indigo dyes, and the reaction rate constants followed the order Remazol Brilliant Blue R > Bromophenol blue > Indigo carmine > New Coccine > Reactive Blue 4 > Reactive Black 5 > Acid Orange 7 > Methyl green. This laccase preparation exhibited notable tolerance to SO(4)(2-) salts such as MnSO(4), MgSO(4), ZnSO(4), Na(2)SO(4), K(2)SO(4), and CdSO(4) during the decolorization of various types of dyes, but was significantly inhibited by Cl(-) salts. Additionally, this laccase preparation demonstrated strong tolerance to some organic solvents such as glycerol, ethylene glycol, propanediol, and butanediol. The crude laccase preparation demonstrated the efficient decolorization of dye mixtures, including azo + azo, azo + anthraquinone, azo + triphenylmethane, anthraquinone + indigo, anthraquinone + triphenylmethane, and indigo + triphenylmethane dyes. The decolorization kinetics of mixed dyes provided preliminary insight into the interactions between dyes in the decolorization process of mixed dyes, and the underlying reasons and mechanisms were discussed. Importantly, the crude laccase from Pleurotus eryngii showed efficient repeated-batch decolorization of single-, two-, and four-dye mixtures. This crude laccase demonstrated high stability and reusability in repeated-batch decolorization. Furthermore, this crude laccase was efficient in the detoxification of different types of single dyes and mixed dyes containing different types of dyes, and the phytotoxicity of decolorized dyes (single and mixed dyes) was significantly reduced. The crude laccase efficiently eliminated phytotoxicity associated with single and mixed dyes. Consequently, the crude laccase from Pleurotus eryngii offers significant potential for practical applications in the efficient decolorization and management of single and mixed dye pollutants with different chemical structures.
作者机构：
[Dai, Xiongfeng; Zhu, Manlu; Dai, XF; Mu, Haoyan] Cent China Normal Univ, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, Sch Life Sci, Wuhan, Peoples R China.;[Dai, Xiongfeng; Zhu, Manlu; Dai, XF; Mu, Haoyan] Cent China Normal Univ, Natl Key Lab Green Pesticides, Wuhan, Peoples R China.
通讯机构：
[Zhu, ML; Dai, XF ] C;Cent China Normal Univ, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, Sch Life Sci, Wuhan, Peoples R China.;Cent China Normal Univ, Natl Key Lab Green Pesticides, Wuhan, Peoples R China.
关键词：
Bacteriology;Molecular biology;Proteomics
摘要：
To thrive in nature, bacteria have to reproduce efficiently under favorable conditions and persist during stress. The global strategy that integrates the growth control and stress response remains to be explored. Here, we find that a moderate induction of (p)ppGpp reduces growth rate but significantly enhances the stress tolerance of E.coli, resulting from a global resource re-allocation from ribosome synthesis to the synthesis of stress-responsive proteins. Strikingly, the activation of stress response by (p)ppGpp is still largely retained in the absence of RpoS. In addition, (p)ppGpp induction could activate the catabolism of alanine and arginine, facilitating the adaption of bacteria to nutrient downshift. Our work demonstrates that the activation of stress response by (p)ppGpp could occur in an RpoS-independent manner and (p)ppGpp enables bacteria to integrate the control of growth and stress response in a seesaw fashion, thus acting as an important global regulator of the bacterial fitness landscape.
摘要：
Previous studies have reported the association between particulate matter (PM) and childhood allergic rhinitis (AR). However, it is unclear whether food allergy (FA) modifies the PM-AR association. We aimed at evaluating the effect of the modification of FA on PM-AR association in preschool children. We adopted a cross-sectional study and conducted a questionnaire survey among preschool children aged 3-6 years in 7 cities in China from June 2019 to June 2020 to collect information on AR and FA. We used a combination of multilevel logistic regression and restricted cubic spline functions to quantitatively assess whether FA modifies the associations between size-specific PM exposure (1 × 1 km) and the risk of AR. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for AR among the children with FA as per a 10 μg/m(3) increase in early life PM(1), PM(2.5), and PM(10) were significantly higher than the corresponding ORs among the children without FA [e.g., OR: 1.58, 95% CI: (1.32, 1.90) vs 1.29, 95% CI: (1.18, 1.41), per 10 μg/m(3) increase in PM(1)]. The interactions between FA and size-specific PM exposure and their effects on AR were statistically significant (all p-int < 0.001). FA, as an important part of the allergic disease progression, may modify the PM-AR association in preschool children.
作者机构：
[Chen, Xian; Mo, Zhenzhuo; Wang, Jiaoyang; Wang, Kai; Han, Lu; Cheng, Kaiqing; Pan, Jie] Hubei Univ, Coll Hlth Sci & Engn, Wuhan 430062, Peoples R China.;[Jiang, Lijun] Cent China Normal Univ, Coll Life Sci, Wuhan 430079, Peoples R China.;[Xie, Cheng; Liu, GY; Liu, Genyan] Wuhan Inst Technol, Sch Chem Engn & Pharm, Hubei Key Lab Novel Reactor & Green Chem Technol, Wuhan 430205, Peoples R China.
通讯机构：
[Wang, K; Pan, J ] H;[Liu, GY ] W;[Jiang, LJ ] C;Hubei Univ, Coll Hlth Sci & Engn, Wuhan 430062, Peoples R China.;Cent China Normal Univ, Coll Life Sci, Wuhan 430079, Peoples R China.
摘要：
The aggregation of amyloid-beta (A beta) is one of the important pathological markers of Alzheimer's disease. Ruthenium(ii) complexes have good stability, low cytotoxicity, a high fluorescence quantum yield, and a good Stokes shift as fluorescent probes. Based on this, we constructed a fluorescent probe for in vivo real-time imaging and inhibition of A beta-fibril formation using a complex of Ru polypyridine with organic fluorophores (N,N-dimethylaniline) and hydrophobic peptides (KLVFF). DLS and TEM studies have shown that Ru-YH has an inhibitory effect on the fibrotic aggregation of A beta. Both in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that Ru-WJ and Ru-YH can quickly cross the blood-brain barrier and successfully detect A beta in early (2.5-month old) transgenic mouse models. In summary, we have explored the potential of Ru complex based biological probes for early diagnosis and inhibition of AD. Two Ru complexes, Ru-WJ and Ru-YH, were designed and synthesized to detect A beta aggregates at an early AD stage. Ru-WJ and Ru-YH could quickly cross the BBB of young AD mice. Ru-YH can also inhibit the growth of A beta.
期刊：
Toxicology and Industrial Health,2024年40(4):7482337241230701 ISSN：0748-2337
通讯作者：
Ding, SM
作者机构：
[Wu, Min; Li, Ren; Wan, Jian; He, Suli; Peng, Haiyan; Zhang, Hongmao; Yan, Chao; Ding, Shumao] Cent China Normal Univ, Sch Life Sci, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, Wuhan, Peoples R China.;[Ye, Xin] Sichuan Univ Sci & Engn, Coll Bioengn, Liquor Marking Biol Technol & Applicat Key Lab Sic, Yibin, Peoples R China.;[Ding, Shumao] Cent China Normal Univ, Sch Life Sci, Coll Life Sci, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, 152 Luoyu Rd, Wuhan 430079, Peoples R China.
通讯机构：
[Ding, SM ] C;Cent China Normal Univ, Sch Life Sci, Coll Life Sci, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, 152 Luoyu Rd, Wuhan 430079, Peoples R China.
摘要：
Toxicology and Industrial Health, Volume 40, Issue 4, Page 167-175, April 2024. <br/>Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are common environmental pollutants and may degrade differently with different resulting biotoxicity, when present together. This study investigated the toxicological effects of singular or combined exposure to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in KM mice. Results indicated that combined exposure led to slower weight gain and an increased leukocyte count in the blood, as well as liver tissue lesions and downregulation of organ coefficients. Additionally, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were elevated in the liver, and glucose, pyruvate, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (T-CHO) were significantly reduced, suggesting compromised liver function. Furthermore, mRNA levels of genes related to hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism were significantly altered. These findings suggest that combined exposure to DBP and MWCNTs can have severe impacts on liver function in mice, highlighting the importance of considering interactions between multiple contaminants in environmental risk assessments.
摘要：
Colpoda are cosmopolitan unicellular eukaryotes primarily inhabiting soil and benefiting plant growth, but they remain one of the least understood taxa in genetics and genomics within the realm of ciliated protozoa. Here, we investigate the architecture of de novo assembled mitogenomes of six Colpoda species, using long-read sequencing and involving 36 newly isolated natural strains in total. The mitogenome sizes span from 43 to 63 kbp and typically contain 28-33 protein-coding genes. They possess a linear structure with variable telomeres and central repeats, with one Colpoda elliotti strain isolated from Tibet harboring the longest telomeres among all studied ciliates. Phylogenomic analyses reveal that Colpoda species started to diverge more than 326 million years ago, eventually evolving into two distinct groups. Collinearity analyses also reveal significant genomic divergences and a lack of long collinear blocks. One of the most notable features is the exceptionally high level of gene rearrangements between mitochondrial genomes of different Colpoda species, dominated by gene loss events. Population-level mitogenomic analysis on natural strains also demonstrates high sequence divergence, regardless of geographic distance, but the gene order remains highly conserved within species, offering a new species identification criterion for Colpoda species. Furthermore, we identified underlying heteroplasmic sites in the majority of strains of three Colpoda species, albeit without a discernible recombination signal to account for this heteroplasmy. This comprehensive study systematically unveils the mitogenomic structure and evolution of these ancient and ecologically significant Colpoda ciliates, thus laying the groundwork for a deeper understanding of the evolution of unicellular eukaryotes.IMPORTANCEColpoda, one of the most widespread ciliated protozoa in soil, are poorly understood in regard to their genetics and evolution. Our research revealed extreme mitochondrial gene rearrangements dominated by gene loss events, potentially leading to the streamlining of Colpoda mitogenomes. Surprisingly, while interspecific rearrangements abound, our population-level mitogenomic study revealed a conserved gene order within species, offering a potential new identification criterion. Phylogenomic analysis traced their lineage over 326 million years, revealing two distinct groups. Substantial genomic divergence might be associated with the lack of extended collinear blocks and relaxed purifying selection. This study systematically reveals Colpoda ciliate mitogenome structures and evolution, providing insights into the survival and evolution of these vital soil microorganisms.
作者机构：
[Zha, S; Zha, Shuai] Hubei Univ Chinese Med, Sch Lab Med, 16 Huangjia Lake West Rd, Wuhan 430065, Peoples R China.;[Zha, S; Zha, Shuai] Hubei Shizhen Lab, Wuhan 430061, Peoples R China.;[Jian, Yuehan; Pan, Siyu; Jiang, Lijun] Cent China Normal Univ, Sch Life Sci, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, Wuhan 430079, Peoples R China.;[Peng, Yunhui] Cent China Normal Univ, Inst Biophys, Dept Phys, Wuhan 430079, Peoples R China.
通讯机构：
[Zha, S ] H;[Jiang, LJ ] C;Hubei Univ Chinese Med, Sch Lab Med, 16 Huangjia Lake West Rd, Wuhan 430065, Peoples R China.;Hubei Shizhen Lab, Wuhan 430061, Peoples R China.;Cent China Normal Univ, Sch Life Sci, Hubei Key Lab Genet Regulat & Integrat Biol, Wuhan 430079, Peoples R China.
关键词：
Lanthanide nanosensor;Upconversion emission;NIR-II fluorescence;H 2 S detection;Endogenous H 2 S activated nanosensor
摘要：
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a third gas signaling molecule, is considered to play a vital role in the development and treatment of diseases. To elucidate the intricate role of H2S in the organism and its participation in disease processes, there is an urgent need to visualize the dynamics of H2S. However, most currently available molecular probes have limitations in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and precision. In this study, the safe and biocompatible upconversion nanosensor NaYF4:Yb3+, Tm3+@NaYF4 anchored with Ag2O was successfully fabricated for H2S detection with an ultralow detection limit at 0.93 ng/mL. NaYF4:Yb3+, Tm3+@NaYF4@Ag2S is formed through in situ sulfuration reaction, and second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescence can be recorded upon the presence of H2S under 808 nm excitation. The results demonstrate the exceptional detection linearity and high specificity for H2S quantification. Additionally, NaYF4:Yb3+, Tm3+@NaYF4@Ag2O possesses a safe nature in normal and cancer cells. This nanosensor presents a NIR fluorescence imaging strategy for highly sensitive and specific detection of H2S, which has promises to be a practical tool for biomedical applications.
期刊：
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY,2024年227(6):jeb246355 ISSN：0022-0949
通讯作者：
Jinhong Luo
作者机构：
[Xia, Hangjing; Ma, Nina; Wei, Tingting; Luo, Jinhong] Institute of Evolution and Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China;[Yin, Kuiying; Yu, Chao] Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210039, China
通讯机构：
[Jinhong Luo] I;Institute of Evolution and Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University , Wuhan 430079 , China
摘要：
Doppler shift compensation (DSC) is a unique feature observed in certain species of echolocating bats and is hypothesized to be an adaptation to detecting fluttering insects. However, current research on DSC has primarily focused on bats that are not engaged in foraging activities. In this study, we investigated the DSC performance of Pratt's roundleaf bat, Hipposideros pratti, which was trained to pursue insects in various motion states within a laboratory setting. Our study yielded three main results. First, H. pratti demonstrated highly precise DSC during insect pursuit, aligning with previous findings of other flutter-detecting foragers during orientation or landing tasks. Second, we found that the motion state of the insect prey had little effect on the DSC performance of H. pratti. Third, we observed variations in the DSC performance of H. pratti throughout the course of insect pursuit. The bats exhibited the highest DSC performance during the phase of maximum flight speed but decreased performance during the phase of insect capture. These findings of high precision overall and the time-dependent performance of DSC during insect pursuit support the hypothesis that DSC is an adaptation to detecting fluttering insects.
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.
作者机构：
[Sun, Keping; Li, Xiaolin; Leng, Haixia; Dai, Wentao; Zhu, Yue; Feng, Jiang; Jin, Longru] Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resource Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China;[Sun, Keping; Dai, Wentao] Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Changchun, China;[Li, Jun] Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, China;[Li, Aoqiang] School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China;[Li, Zhongle; Feng, Jiang] College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
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. IMPORTANCE: 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：
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.
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.
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.
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.
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：
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
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.
