[Detecting overexpression level of HER2 gene in NSCLC by real-time quantitative PCR and the 2[-Delta Delta C(T)] method]

The characterization of OfRGA in regulation of flower size through tuning cell expansion genes

Flower appearance stands as a key characteristic of flowering plants and is closely linked to their ornamental value. Phytohormone Gibberellin (GA), essential for plant growth and development are widely reported for expansion in flower. DELLA proteins are known to negatively regulate GA signaling and influences plant growth and development through the regulation of cell expansion. However, the specific biological function of DELLA proteins in the woody plant Osmanthus fragrans remains unclear. In this study, O. fragrans 'Sijigui' was utilized as the experimental material, and OfRGA was isolated using the PCR method. OfRGA is expressed in various tissues and is localized in the nucleus. A negative association was observed between OfRGA expression and petal size across four different Osmanthus fragrans cultivars. Transformation experiments in tobacco revealed that transgenic plants overexpressing OfRGA exhibited increased plant height, greater node spacing, shorter leaf length, and wider leaves during the vegetative phase. Notably, the flower organs of transgenic tobacco plants displayed noticeable alterations, including reduced petal size, shorter corolla tubes, pedicels, male and female stamens, and lighter petal color. Furthermore, a decrease in the length and area of petal and corolla tube cells was observed as well. DEGs were found in RNA-seq studies of OfRGA transgenic plants. Subsequent investigation revealed a considerable quantity of down-regulated genes were associated with cell wall synthesis genes and expansion genes, such as CesA1, XEH, and EXPB1, as well as genes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis. Overall, our findings suggest that OfRGA undermines tobacco petal size by influencing cell expansion. The present study offers a fundamental comprehension of the role of DELLA protein in the organ development in Osmanthus fragrans.

PKM2 induces mitophagy through the AMPK-mTOR pathway promoting CSFV proliferation

Viruses exploit the host cell's energy metabolism system to support their replication. Mitochondria, known as the powerhouse of the cell, play a critical role in regulating cell survival and virus replication. Our prior research indicated that the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) alters mitochondrial dynamics and triggers glycolytic metabolic reprogramming. However, the role and mechanism of PKM2, a key regulatory enzyme of glycolytic metabolism, in CSFV replication remain unclear. In this study, we discovered that CSFV enhances PKM2 expression and utilizes PKM2 to inhibit pyruvate production. Using an affinity purification coupled mass spectrometry system, we successfully identified PKM as a novel interaction partner of the CSFV non-structural protein NS4A. Furthermore, we validated the interaction between PKM2 and both CSFV NS4A and NS5A through co-immunoprecipitation and confocal analysis. PKM2 was found to promote the expression of both NS4A and NS5A. Moreover, we observed that PKM2 induces mitophagy by activating the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway, thereby facilitating CSFV proliferation. In summary, our data reveal a novel mechanism whereby PKM2, a metabolic enzyme, promotes CSFV proliferation by inducing mitophagy. These findings offer a new avenue for developing antiviral strategies.

IMPORTANCE

Viruses rely on the host cell's material-energy metabolic system for replication, inducing host metabolic disorders and subsequent immunosuppression-a major contributor to persistent viral infections. Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is no exception. Classical swine fever is a severe acute infectious disease caused by CSFV, resulting in significant economic losses to the global pig industry. While the role of the metabolic enzyme PKM2 (pyruvate dehydrogenase) in the glycolytic pathway of tumor cells has been extensively studied, its involvement in viral infection remains relatively unknown. Our data unveil a new mechanism by which the metabolic enzyme PKM2 mediates CSFV infection, offering novel avenues for the development of antiviral strategies.

The Photoperiod Regulates Granulosa Cell Apoptosis through the FSH-Nodal/ALK7 Signaling Pathway in Phodopus sungorus

The photoperiod regulates the seasonal reproduction of mammals by affecting the follicle development, for which the granulosa cells provide nutrition. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were raised under different photoperiods to study the ovarian status and explore the potential mechanism of the follicle development mediated by the FSH-Nodal/ALK7 signaling pathway. Compared with the moderate daylight (MD) group, the short daylight (SD) group exhibited a significant decrease in the ovarian weight and increase in the atretic follicle number and granulosa cell apoptosis, whereas the long daylight (LD) group showed an increase in the ovarian weight, the growing follicle number, and the antral follicle number, but a decrease in the granulosa cell apoptosis. Based on these findings, the key genes of the Nodal/ALK7 signaling pathway controlling the granulosa cell apoptosis were studied using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. In the SD group, the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration significantly decreased and the Nodal/ALK7/Smad signaling pathways were activated, while the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PIK3)/Akt signaling pathway was inhibited. The BAX expression was significantly increased, while the Bcl-xL expression was significantly decreased, leading to an increase in the caspase-3 activity, the granulosa cell apoptosis, and ovarian degeneration. However, in the LD group, the FSH concentration significantly increased, the Nodal/ALK7/Smad signaling pathway was inhibited, and the PIK3/Akt signaling pathway was activated. Taken together, our results indicate that the photoperiod can regulate the apoptosis of the granulosa cells by regulating the concentration of FSH, activating or inhibiting the Nodal/ALK7 signaling pathway, thereby affecting the ovarian function. Our research provides an important theoretical basis for understanding the photoperiod-regulated mechanisms of the mammalian seasonal reproduction.

Genome-wide identification and analysis of anthocyanin synthesis-related R2R3-MYB genes in Cymbidium goeringii

The MYB gene family plays a vital regulatory role in plant metabolism, stress response, and floral color. The R2R3-MYB gene family of C. goeringii was identified, and its expression was analyzed using bioinformatics in this article. The R2R3-MYB genes of Arabidopsis thaliana were used as a reference to determine 104 CgMYB genes and categorize them into 22 subfamilies. Exon/intron organizations and conserved motif analysis revealed that the majority of CgMYB genes were highly conserved, and chromosome localization and collinearity analysis provided evidence of tandem duplication and segmental duplication events, indicating the phenomenon of gene family expansion and contraction. The function of CgMYB genes was analyzed by cis-acting element and gene ontology (GO) enrichment. In addition, we selected CgMYB91 and CgMYB32 for RT-qPCR, suggesting that CgMYB91 and CgMYB32 are associated with anthocyanin formation. In short, this study provides a comprehensive and specific function of the R2R3-MYB transcription factors (TFs) in orchids.

Downregulation of microRNA-185 expression in diabetic patients increases the expression of NOS2 and results in vascular injury

The aim of the present study was to investigate the regulatory effect and mechanism of microRNA (miR)-185 in diabetic angiopathy. The expression of miR-185 and nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) in the blood from diabetic patients was examined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After establishment of diabetic rats, the expression of miR-185 and NOS2 in vascular tissues and blood was also measured. Then, miR-185 was overexpressed in HMEC-1 cells and the expression of NOS2 was determined. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the direct interaction between miR-185 and NOS2 mRNA. The expression of NOS2 was upregulated and the expression of miR-185 was downregulated in the blood from patients with diabetes. Vascular tissues and blood of diabetic rats showed similar trends compared with that of human. HMEC-1 cells with overexpression of miR-185 had decreased expression of NOS2. Dual-luciferase reporter assay demonstrated the direct binding between miR-185 and NOS2. The present study demonstrates that upregulation of NOS2 in diabetic patients is associated with the downregulation of miR-185, which participates in the progression of diabetes possibly through regulating NOS2 expression.

Genome-Wide Identification and Transcriptional Expression Profiles of Transcription Factor WRKY in Common Walnut (Juglans regia L.)

The transcription factor WRKY is widely distributed in the plant kingdom, playing a significant role in plant growth, development and response to stresses. Walnut is an economically important temperate tree species valued for both its edible nuts and high-quality wood, and its response to various stresses is an important factor that determines the quality of its fruit. However, in walnut trees themselves, information about the WRKY gene family remains scarce. In this paper, we perform a comprehensive study of the WRKY gene family in walnut. In total, we identified 103 WRKY genes in the common walnut that are clustered into 4 groups and distributed on 14 chromosomes. The conserved domains all contained a WRKY domain, and motif 2 was observed in most WRKYs, suggesting a high degree of conservation and similar functions within each subfamily. However, gene structure was significantly differentiated between different subfamilies. Synteny analysis indicates that there were 56 gene pairs in J. regia and A. thaliana, 76 in J. regia and J. mandshurica, 75 in J. regia and J. microcarpa, 76 in J. regia and P. trichocarpa, and 33 in J. regia and Q. robur, indicating that the WRKY gene family may come from a common ancestor. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the WRKY gene family was involved in resistance traits and the plant-pathogen interaction pathway. In anthracnose-resistant F26 fruits (AR) and anthracnose-susceptible F423 fruits (AS), transcriptome and qPCR analysis results showed that JrWRKY83, JrWRKY73 and JrWRKY74 were expressed significantly more highly in resistant cultivars, indicating that these three genes may be important contributors to stress resistance in walnut trees. Furthermore, we investigate how these three genes potentially target miRNAs and interact with proteins. JrWRKY73 was target by the miR156 family, including 12 miRNAs; this miRNA family targets WRKY genes to enhance plant defense. JrWRKY73 also interacted with the resistance gene AtMPK6, showing that it may play a crucial role in walnut defense.

Up-regulation of miR-155 contributes to TNF-mediated hepatocyte apoptosis in acute liver failure

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Acute liver failure (ALF) is due to severe immune response, resulting in massive apoptosis/necrosis of hepatocytes. The precise mechanism has not been explored yet.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The mouse with ALF model was induced by D-GalN/LPS; the hepatic miRNAs expression profile was evaluated by miRNA microarray and verified by RT-PCR. During the ALF in mice, the miR-155 expression was detected in the liver as well as in spleen. Then the correlation between miR-155 and inflammatory cytokines was evaluated. Furthermore, the miR-155 expression in activated Raw264.7 cells and apoptotic hepatocytes was also studied. Finally, the regulatory roles of miR-155 in TNF expression of apoptotic hepatocytes were shown.

RESULTS

It was shown that miRNAs changed in the mice with ALF relating to hepatocytes apoptosis/necrosis; the selected miRNAs were confirmed with RT-PCR. miR-155 was up-regulated, but miR-698, -720, and -329 were down-regulated. Moreover, hepatic miR-155 was up-regulated at all-time points in the liver, but only at 7 h in spleen of mice with ALF. A significant correlation was observed between hepatic miR-155 and TNF/IL-6 in mice with ALF, which was supported by the findings in vitro showing up-regulated miR-155 in Raw264.7 cells and Hepa1-6 cells under LPS or D-GalN+TNF induction, respectively. Moreover, a correlation was observed between miR155 and TNF levels in vivo and in vitro.

CONCLUSION

These data demonstrate that miR-155 regulates TNF-mediated hepatocyte apoptosis in ALF, which provides some useful information in both basic and clinical researches.

Genome-Wide Identification and Transcriptional Expression of the METTL21C Gene Family in Chicken

The chicken is a common type of poultry that is economically important both for its medicinal and nutritional values. Previous studies have found that free-range chickens have more skeletal muscle mass. The methyltransferase-like 21C gene (METTL21C) plays an important role in muscle development; however, there have been few reports on the role of METTL21C in chickens. In this study, we performed a genome-wide identification of chicken METTL21C genes and analyzed their phylogeny, transcriptional expression profile, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). We identified 10 GgMETTL21C genes from chickens, 11 from mice, and 32 from humans, and these genes were divided into six groups, which showed a large amount of variation among these three species. A total of 15 motifs were detected in METTL21C genes, and the intron phase of the gene structure showed that the METTL21C gene family was conservative in evolution. Further, both the transcript data and qPCR showed that a single gene’s (GgMETTL21C3) expression level increased with the muscle development of chickens, indicating that the METTL21C genes are involved in the development of chicken muscles. Our results provide some reference value for the subsequent study of the function of METTL21C.