Impact of high-fat diet on ovarian epigenetics: Insights from altered intestinal butyric acid levels.

Objective: To investigate the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) on the gut bacterium Roseburia intestinalis and butyric acid levels, and to assess their impact on ovarian function and epigenetic markers in mice. Methods: A total of 20 female ICR mice aged 4 weeks were randomly assigned to two groups and fed either a control diet (CD) or an HFD for 36 weeks. Post-intervention, ileal contents were analyzed for the quantification of butyric acid using ELISA, while feces were obtained for Roseburia intestinalis expression assessment via qPCR. Histological evaluations of intestinal and ovarian tissues included H&E and Alcian Blue-Periodic Acid Schiff (AB-PAS) staining, alongside immunohistochemical analysis for F4/80, and immunofluorescent detection of Occludin, ZO-1, 5 mC, and H3K36me3. Ovarian health was assessed through follicle counts and morphological evaluations. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 8.0, with P < 0.05 considered significant. Results: After 36 weeks, the HFD group showed significantly higher body weight compared to the CD group (P < 0.01). The HFD led to a decrease in Roseburia intestinalis and butyric acid levels, a reduction in intestinal goblet cells, and an increase in intestinal inflammation. Histological analyses revealed impaired ovarian follicular development and enhanced inflammation in the HFD mice, with immunofluorescent staining showing downregulation of the ovarian epigenetic markers 5 mC and H3K36me3. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that long-term HFD negatively impacts ovarian function and epigenetic regulation. We found decreased levels of the gut bacterium Roseburia intestinalis and its metabolite, butyric acid, which contribute to these adverse effects. Additionally, the associated intestinal inflammation and compromised mucosal barrier may contribute to these adverse outcomes on female reproductive health.

Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of chloroplast development by nuclear-localized XAP5 CIRCADIAN TIMEKEEPER.

Chlorophyll biosynthesis and breakdown, important cellular processes for photosynthesis, occur in the chloroplast. As a semi-autonomous organelle, chloroplast development is mainly regulated by nuclear-encoded chloroplast proteins and proteins encoded by itself. However, the knowledge of chloroplast development regulated by other organelles is limited. Here, we report that the nuclear-localized XAP5 CIRCADIAN TIMEKEEPER (XCT) is essential for chloroplast development in Arabidopsis. In this study, significantly decreased chlorophyll content phenotypes of cotyledons and subsequently emerging organs from shoot apical meristem were observed in xct-2. XCT is constitutively expressed in various tissues and localized in the nuclear with speckle patterns. RNA-seq analysis identified 207 differently spliced genes and 1511 differently expressed genes, in which chloroplast development-, chlorophyll metabolism- and photosynthesis-related genes were enriched. Further biochemical assays suggested that XCT was co-purified with the well-known splicing factors and transcription machinery, suggesting dual functions of XCT in gene transcription and splicing. Interestingly, we also found that the chlorophyll contents in xct-2 significantly decreased under high temperature and high light condition, indicating XCT integrates temperature and light signals to fine-tune the chlorophyll metabolism in Arabidopsis. Therefore, our results provide new insights into chloroplast development regulation by XCT, a nuclear-localized protein, at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level.

C-reactive protein deficiency ameliorates experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are elevated in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). However, it has not been investigated whether CRP contributes to AAA pathogenesis. Methods: CRP deficient and wild type (WT) male mice were subjected to AAA induction via transient intra-aortic infusion of porcine pancreatic elastase. AAAs were monitored by in situ measurements of maximal infrarenal aortic external diameters immediately prior to and 14 days following elastase infusion. Key AAA pathologies were assessed by histochemical and immunohistochemical staining procedures. The influence of CRP deficiency on macrophage activation was evaluated in peritoneal macrophages in vitro. Results: CRP protein levels were higher in aneurysmal than that in non-aneurysmal aortas. Aneurysmal aortic dilation was markedly suppressed in CRP deficient (aortic diameter: 1.08 ± 0.11 mm) as compared to WT (1.21 ± 0.08 mm) mice on day 14 after elastase infusion. More medial elastin was retained in CRP deficient than in WT elastase-infused mice. Macrophage accumulation was significantly less in aneurysmal aorta from CRP deficient than that from WT mice. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression was also attenuated in CRP deficient as compared to WT aneurysmal aortas. CRP deficiency had no recognizable influence on medial smooth muscle loss, lymphocyte accumulation, aneurysmal angiogenesis, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression. In in vitro assays, mRNA levels for tumor necrosis factor α and cyclooxygenase 2 were reduced in lipopolysaccharide activated peritoneal macrophages from CRP deficient as compared to wild type mice. Conclusion: CRP deficiency suppressed experimental AAAs by attenuating aneurysmal elastin destruction, macrophage accumulation and matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression.

Genetic deficiency of protein inhibitor of activated STAT3 suppresses experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Aim: Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling is critical for the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Though protein inhibitor of activated STAT3 (PIAS3) negatively modulates STAT3 activity, but its role in AAA disease remains undefined. Method: AAAs were induced in PIAS3 deficient (PIAS3-/-) and wild type (PIAS3+/+) male mice via transient intra-aortic elastase infusion. AAAs were assessed by in situ measurements of infrarenal aortic external diameters prior to (day 0) and 14 days after elastase infusion. Characteristic aneurysmal pathologies were evaluated by histopathology. Results: Fourteen days following elastase infusion, aneurysmal aortic diameter was reduced by an approximately 50% in PIAS3-/- as compared to PIAS3+/+ mice. On histological analyses, PIAS3-/- mice showed less medial elastin degradation (media score: 2.5) and smooth muscle cell loss (media score: 3.0) than those in PIAS3+/+ mice (media score: 4 for both elastin and SMC destruction). Aortic wall leukocyte accumulation including macrophages, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and B cells as well as mural neovessel formation were significantly reduced in PIAS3-/- as compared to PIAS3+/+ mice. Additionally, PIAS3 deficiency also downregulated the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 by 61% and 70%, respectively, in aneurysmal lesion. Conclusion: PIAS3 deficiency ameliorated experimental AAAs in conjunction with reduced medial elastin degradation and smooth muscle cell depletion, mural leukocyte accumulation and angiogenesis.

Urotensin II Enhances Advanced Aortic Atherosclerosis Formation and Delays Plaque Regression in Hyperlipidemic Rabbits.

Accumulated evidence shows that elevated urotensin II (UII) levels are associated with cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of UII in the initiation, progression, and regression of atherosclerosis remains to be verified. Different stages of atherosclerosis were induced in rabbits by a 0.3% high cholesterol diet (HCD) feeding, and either UII (5.4 µg/kg/h) or saline was chronically infused via osmotic mini-pumps. UII promoted atherosclerotic fatty streak formation in ovariectomized female rabbits (34% increase in gross lesion and 93% increase in microscopic lesion), and in male rabbits (39% increase in gross lesion). UII infusion significantly increased the plaque size of the carotid and subclavian arteries (69% increase over the control). In addition, UII infusion significantly enhanced the development of coronary lesions by increasing plaque size and lumen stenosis. Histopathological analysis revealed that aortic lesions in the UII group were characterized by increasing lesional macrophages, lipid deposition, and intra-plaque neovessel formation. UII infusion also significantly delayed the regression of atherosclerosis in rabbits by increasing the intra-plaque macrophage ratio. Furthermore, UII treatment led to a significant increase in NOX2 and HIF-1α/VEGF-A expression accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species levels in cultured macrophages. Tubule formation assays showed that UII exerted a pro-angiogenic effect in cultured endothelial cell lines and this effect was partly inhibited by urantide, a UII receptor antagonist. These findings suggest that UII can accelerate aortic and coronary plaque formation and enhance aortic plaque vulnerability, but delay the regression of atherosclerosis. The role of UII on angiogenesis in the lesion may be involved in complex plaque development.

Circular RNAs Involve in Immunity of Digestive Cancers From Bench to Bedside: A Review.

The immune system plays a complex role in tumor formation and development. On the one hand, immune surveillance can inhibit the growth of tumors; on the other hand, immune evasion of tumors can create conditions conducive for tumor development and growth. CircRNAs are endogenous non-coding RNAs with a covalently closed loop structure that are abundantly expressed in eukaryotic organisms. They are characterized by stable structure, rich diversity, and high evolutionary conservation. In particular, circRNAs play a vital role in the occurrence, development, and treatment of tumors through their unique functions. Recently, the incidence and mortality of digestive cancers, especially those of gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and liver cancer, have remained high. However, the functions of circRNAs in digestive cancers immunity are less known. The relationship between circRNAs and digestive tumor immunity is systematically discussed in our paper for the first time. CircRNA can influence the immune microenvironment of gastrointestinal tumors to promote their occurrence and development by acting as a miRNA molecular sponge, interacting with proteins, and regulating selective splicing. The circRNA vaccine even provides a new idea for tumor immunotherapy. Future studies should be focused on the location, transportation, and degradation mechanisms of circRNA in living cells and the relationship between circRNA and tumor immunity. This paper provides a new idea for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors.

Kunming mouse strain is less susceptible to elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) is successfully used to induce abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in mice. However, differences between mouse strains in susceptibility to PPE induction have been reported. Kunming mouse is one of the most frequently used strains in China but whether it is suitable for induction of AAA by PPE application remains unclear. METHODS: PPE infusion (1.5 units/ml) in temporary controlled aorta was performed to induce AAAs in both C57BL/6J and Kunming mice. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) application was used as vehicle control. The aorta diameters of all mice were measured at days 0 and 14 after surgery to evaluate the AAA formation. RESULTS: After 14 days of PPE or PBS infusion, all mice were sacrificed and aorta tissues were collected for histological staining analysis. At the 14th day after infusion, PPE successfully induced aortic dilation in Kunming mice and typical AAA in C57BL/6J mice. The aorta diameter increased by 0.23 mm in Kunming mice after PPE infusion, while it was 0.72 mm in the C57BL/6J strain. PPE induced mild elastin degradation, smooth muscle cell (SMC) depletion and mural leucocyte infiltration in Kunming mice, but in PPE-sensitive C57BL/6J mice, it induced total loss of SMCs, elastin disappearance and diffused infiltrated leucocytes in aortic aneurysmal segments. The effects of PPE in inducing angiogenesis and upregulating matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 expression in Kunming mice were also weaker than that in C57BL/6J mice. CONCLUSION: At the reported dose of PPE, Kunming mouse is not as susceptible to AAA formation as C57BL/6J mice. The failure of PPE to induce AAA formation in Kunming mice may be associated to its inability to boost a strong inflammatory response.

Dapagliflozin Ameliorates the Formation and Progression of Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms by Reducing Aortic Inflammation in Mice.

BACKGROUND: Dapagliflozin, a sodium glucose transporter protein-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor, reduces the risk for cardiovascular diseases. However, the influence of dapagliflozin on nondissecting abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) remains unclear. METHODS: AAAs were created in male C57BL/6 mice via intra-aortic porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) infusion. Mice were daily treated with dapagliflozin (1 or 5 mg/kg body weight) or an equal volume of vehicle through oral gavage beginning one day prior to PPE infusion for 14 days. To investigate its translational value, dapagliflozin or vehicle was also administered to mice with existing AAAs in another cohort. Aortic diameters were measured prior to (day 0 for baseline) and 14 days after PPE infusion. After sacrifice, mice aortae were collected, and following histological analyses were performed. RESULTS: Dapagliflozin treatment significantly reduced aneurysmal aortic expansion following PPE infusion as compared to vehicle treatment especially at 5 mg/kg body weight (approximately 21% and 33% decreases in 1 and 5 mg/kg treatment groups, respectively). The dose-dependent attenuation of AAAs by dapagliflozin was also confirmed on histological analyses. Dapagliflozin remarkably reduced aortic accumulation of macrophages, CD4+ T cells, and B cells particularly following dapagliflozin treatment at 5 mg/kg. Dapagliflozin treatment also markedly attenuated medial SMC loss. Though the difference was not significant, dapagliflozin treatment tended to attenuate CD8+ T cells and elastin degradation. Dapagliflozin treatment at 5 mg/kg caused a 53% reduction in neovessel density. Furthermore, dapagliflozin treatment mitigated further progress of existing AAAs. CONCLUSION: Dapagliflozin treatment ameliorated PPE-induced AAAs by inhibiting aortic leukocytes infiltration and angiogenesis.

Temporal and Quantitative Analysis of Aortic Immunopathologies in Elastase-Induced Mouse Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Elastase-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) model is widely used for aneurysmal pathogenesis and translational research. However, temporal alternations in aneurysmal histologies remain unknown. This study is aimed at analyzing temporal immunopathologies of aneurysmal aorta following experimental AAA induction. METHODS: Male C57BL/6J mice at the age of 10-14 weeks received intra-aortic infusion of elastase to induce AAAs. Aortic diameters at the baseline and indicated days after AAA induction were measured, and aortae were collected for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Aorta diameters increased from 0.52 mm at the baseline levels to 0.99 mm, 1.34 mm, and 1.41 mm at days 7, 14, and 28, respectively, corresponding 90%, 158%, and 171% increases over the baseline level. Average aortic diameters did not differ between days 14 and 28. Severe elastin degradation and smooth muscle cell depletion were found at days 14 and 28 as compared to the baseline and day 7. No difference in the scores of medial elastin and SMC destruction was noted between days 14 and 28. Consistent results were found for leukocyte accumulation, neoangiogenesis, and matrix metalloproteinase expression. Twenty-eight days after AAA induction, all aneurysmal pathologies showed an attenuated trend, although most histopathological parameters did no differ between days 14 and 28. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that almost aneurysmal immunohistopathologies reach maximal 14 days following AAA induction. Analysis of day 14 histologies is sufficient for AAA pathogenesis and translational studies in elastase-induced mouse experimental AAAs.

UBQLN2-HSP70 axis reduces poly-Gly-Ala aggregates and alleviates behavioral defects in the C9ORF72 animal model.

Expansion of a hexanucleotide repeat GGGGCC (G4C2) in the intron of the C9ORF72 gene is the most common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (C9-ALS/FTD). Transcripts carrying G4C2 repeat expansions generate neurotoxic dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins, including poly-Gly-Ala (poly-GA), which tends to form protein aggregates. Here, we demonstrate that UBQLN2, another ALS/FTD risk factor, is recruited to reduce poly-GA aggregates and alleviate poly-GA-induced neurotoxicity. UBQLN2 could recognize HSP70 ubiquitination, which facilitates the UBQLN2-HSP70-GA complex formation and promotes poly-GA degradation. ALS/FTD-related UBQLN2 mutants fail to bind HSP70 and clear poly-GA aggregates. Disruption of the interaction between UBQLN2 and HSP70 inhibits poly-GA aggregation in C9-ALS/FTD iPSC-derived neurons. Finally, enhancing HSP70 by the chemical compound 17AAG at the adult stage mitigates behavioral defects in poly-GA animals. Our findings suggest a critical role of the UBQLN2-HSP70 axis in protein aggregate clearance in C9-ALS/FTD.

Corrigendum: Multi-Omics Analysis in Initiation and Progression of Meningiomas: From Pathogenesis to Diagnosis.

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Multi-Omics Analysis in Initiation and Progression of Meningiomas: From Pathogenesis to Diagnosis.

Meningiomas are common intracranial tumors that can be cured by surgical resection in most cases. However, the most disconcerting is high-grade meningiomas, which frequently recur despite initial successful treatment, eventually conferring poor prognosis. Therefore, the early diagnosis and classification of meningioma is necessary for the subsequent intervention and an improved prognosis. A growing body of evidence demonstrates the potential of multi-omics study (including genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics) for meningioma diagnosis and mechanistic links to potential pathological mechanism. This thesis addresses a neglected aspect of recent advances in the field of meningiomas at multiple omics levels, highlighting that the integration of multi-omics can reveal the mechanism of meningiomas, which provides a timely and necessary scientific basis for the treatment of meningiomas.

Long noncoding RNA SLC2A1-AS1 regulates aerobic glycolysis and progression in hepatocellular carcinoma via inhibiting the STAT3/FOXM1/GLUT1 pathway.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignant diseases worldwide. Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC, its overall prognosis remains poor. Recent studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in various pathophysiological processes, including liver cancer. In the current study, we report that lncRNA SLC2A1-AS1 is frequently downregulated in HCC samples, as shown by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. SLC2A1-AS1 deletion is significantly associated with recurrence-free survival in HCC. By performing glucose uptake, lactate production and ATP detection assays, we found that SLC2A1-AS1-mediated glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) downregulation significantly suppressed glycolysis of HCC. In vitro Cell Counting Kit-8, colony formation, transwell assays as well as in vivo tumorigenesis and metastasis assays showed that SLC2A1-AS1 overexpression significantly suppressed proliferation and metastasis in HCC through the transcriptional inhibition of GLUT1. Results from fluorescence in situ hybridization, ChIP and luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that SLC2A1-AS1 exerts its regulatory role on GLUT1 by competitively binding to transketolase and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and inhibits the transactivation of Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) via STAT3, thus resulting in inactivation of the FOXM1/GLUT1 axis in HCC cells. Our findings will be helpful for understanding the function and mechanism of lncRNA in HCC. These data also highlight the crucial role of SLC2A1-AS1 in HCC aerobic glycolysis and progression and pave the way for further research regarding the potential of SLC2A1-AS1 as a valuable predictive biomarker for HCC recurrence.

Endothelial Notch activation promotes neutrophil transmigration via downregulating endomucin to aggravate hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Inflammatory leukocytes infiltration is orchestrated by mechanisms involving chemokines, selectins, addressins and other adhesion molecules derived from endothelial cells (ECs), but how they respond to inflammatory cues and coordinate leukocyte transmigration remain elusive. In this study, using hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) as a model, we identified that endothelial Notch activation was rapidly and dynamically induced in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) in acute inflammation. In mice with EC-specific Notch activation (NICeCA), HIRI induced exacerbated liver damage. Consistently, endothelial Notch activation enhanced neutrophil infiltration and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression in HIRI. Transcriptome analysis and further qRT-PCR as well as immunofluorescence indicated that endomucin (EMCN), a negative regulator of leukocyte adhesion, was downregulated in LSECs from NICeCA mice. EMCN was downregulated during HIRI in wild-type mice and in vitro cultured ECs insulted by hypoxia/re-oxygenation injury. Notch activation in ECs led to increased neutrophil adhesion and transendothelial migration, which was abrogated by EMCN overexpression in vitro. In mice deficient of RBPj, the integrative transcription factor of canonical Notch signaling, although overwhelming sinusoidal malformation aggravated HIRI, the expression of EMCN was upregulated; and pharmaceutical Notch blockade in vitro also upregulated EMCN and inhibited transendothelial migration of neutrophils. The Notch activation-exaggerated HIRI was compromised by blocking LFA-1, which mediated leukocyte adherence by associating with EMCN. Therefore, endothelial Notch signaling controls neutrophil transmigration via EMCN to modulate acute inflammation in HIRI.

SKIP regulates environmental fitness and floral transition by forming two distinct complexes in Arabidopsis.

Ski-interacting protein (SKIP) is a bifunctional regulator of gene expression that works as a splicing factor as part of the spliceosome and as a transcriptional activator by interacting with EARLY FLOWERING 7 (ELF7). MOS4-Associated Complex 3A (MAC3A) and MAC3B interact physically and genetically with SKIP, mediate the alternative splicing of c. 50% of the expressed genes in the Arabidopsis genome, and are required for the splicing of a similar set of genes to that of SKIP. SKIP interacts physically and genetically with splicing factors and Polymerase-Associated Factor 1 complex (Paf1c) components. However, these splicing factors do not interact either physically or genetically with Paf1c components. The SKIP-spliceosome complex mediates circadian clock function and abiotic stress responses by controlling the alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs encoded by clock- and stress tolerance-related genes. The SKIP-Paf1c complex regulates the floral transition by activating FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) transcription. Our data reveal that SKIP regulates floral transition and environmental fitness via its incorporation into two distinct complexes that regulate gene expression transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally, respectively. It will be interesting to discover in future studies whether SKIP is required for integration of environmental fitness and growth by control of the incorporation of SKIP into spliceosome or Paf1c in plants.

Identification of high-risk habitats of Oncomelania hupensis, the intermediate host of schistosoma japonium in the Poyang Lake region, China: A spatial and ecological analysis.

BACKGROUND: Identifying and eliminating snail habitats is the key measure for schistosomiasis control, critical for the nationwide strategy of eliminating schistosomiasis in China. Here, our aim was to construct a new analytical framework to predict high-risk snail habitats based on a large sample field survey for Oncomelania hupensis, providing guidance for schistosomiasis control and prevention. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Ten ecological models were constructed based on the occurrence data of Oncomelania hupensis and a range of variables in the Poyang Lake region of China, including four presence-only models (Maximum Entropy Models, Genetic Algorithm for rule-set Production, Bioclim and Domain) and six presence-absence models (Generalized Linear Models, Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines, Flexible Discriminant Analysis, as well as machine algorithmic models-Random Forest, Classification Tree Analysis, Generalized Boosted Model), to predict high-risk snail habitats. Based on overall predictive performance, we found Presence-absence models outperformed the presence-only models and the models based on machine learning algorithms of classification trees showed the highest accuracy. The highest risk was located in the watershed of the River Fu in Yugan County, as well as the watershed of the River Gan and the River Xiu in Xingzi County, covering an area of 52.3 km2. The other high-risk areas for both snail habitats and schistosomiasis were mainly concentrated at the confluence of Poyang Lake and its five main tributaries. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This study developed a new distribution map of snail habitats in the Poyang Lake region, and demonstrated the critical role of ecological models in risk assessment to directing local field investigation of Oncomelania hupensis. Moreover, this study could also contribute to the development of effective strategies to prevent further spread of schistosomiasis from endemic areas to non-endemic areas.

Downregulation of CENPK suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma malignant progression through regulating YAP1.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have found that centromere protein K (CENPK) is overexpressed in several tumour types and promotes tumor progression. However, there has been little research on the role of CENPK in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of CENPK in HCC tissues was quantified by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR. Cells were transfected with lentiviral plasmids containing shRNA sequences targeting CENPK and YAP1 to silence the expression of CENPK and YAP1. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, and transwell invasion assay were performed to evaluate cell growth, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Tumorigenicity assay was used to detect the effect of CENPK on the growth of HCC cells. Western blot assay was performed to investigate the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and YAP1. RESULTS: Compared to that in adjacent non-tumor tissues, CENPK was aberrantly upregulated in HCC tumor tissues. Furthermore, CENPK knockdown significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT progression in HCC cells. Mechanistically, we identified that YAP1 was responsible for the tumor-suppressive effects of CENPK knockdown in the HCC cells. The inhibitory effects of CENPK silencing on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT were partially reversed by the restoration of YAP1 expression. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that the CENPK-YAP1-EMT axis plays a critical role in regulating HCC malignant progression, indicating the role of this axis as a potential therapeutic target for HCC.

Mechanism of methylphosphonic acid photo-degradation based on phosphate oxygen isotopes and density functional theory.

Methylphosphonic acid (MPn) is an intermediate in the synthesis of the phosphorus-containing nerve agents, such as sarin and VX, and a biosynthesis product of marine microbes with ramifications to global climate change and eutrophication. Here, we applied the multi-labeled water isotope probing (MLWIP) approach to investigate the C-P bond cleavage mechanism of MPn under UV irradiation and density functional theory (DFT) to simulate the photo-oxidation reaction process involving reactive oxygen species (ROS). The results contrasted with those of the addition of the ROS-quenching compounds, 2-propanol and NaN3. The degradation kinetics results indicated that the extent of MPn degradation was more under alkaline conditions and that the degradation process was more rapid at the initial stage of the reaction. The phosphate oxygen isotope data confirmed that one exogenous oxygen atom was incorporated into the product orthophosphate (PO4) following the C-P bond cleavage, and the oxygen isotopic composition of this free PO4 was found to vary with pH. The combined results of the ROS-quenching experiments and DFT indicate that the C-P bond was cleaved by OH-/˙OH and not by other reactive oxygen species. Based on these results, we have established a mechanistic model for the photolysis of MPn, which provides new insights into the fate of MPn and other phosphonate/organophosphate compounds in the environment.

PTBP3 splicing factor promotes hepatocellular carcinoma by destroying the splicing balance of NEAT1 and pre-miR-612.

Nuclear-enriched RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are mainly involved in transcriptional regulation, which is a critical checkpoint to tune gene diversity and expression levels. We analyzed nuclear RBPs in human HCC tissues and matched normal control tissues. Based on the gene expression levels, PTBP3 was identified as top-ranked in the nuclei of HCC cells. HCC cell lines then were transfected with siRNAs or lentiviral vectors. PTBP3 promoted HCC cell proliferation and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and qRT-PCR assays verified that PTBP3 protein recruited abundant lnc-NEAT1 splicing variants (NEAT1_1 and NEAT1_2) and pre-miR-612 (precursor of miR-612) in the nucleus. NEAT1_1, NEAT1_2 and miR-612 expression levels were determined by PTBP3. Correlational analyses revealed that PTBP3 was positively correlated with NEAT1, but it was inversely correlated with miR-612 in HCC. The P53/CCND1 and AKT2/EMT pathways were determined by NEAT1 and miR-612 respectively in HCC. The PTBP3high and NEAT1high/miR-612low patients had a shorter overall survival. Therefore, nuclear-enriched RBP, PTBP3, promotes HCC cell malignant growth and metastasis by regulating the balance of splicing variants (NEAT1_1, NEAT1_2 and miR-612) in HCC.