Bta-miR-2400 Targets SUMO1 to Affect Yak Preadipocytes Proliferation and Differentiation.

Yak adipose tissue may have evolved a unique energy metabolism manner to accommodate the organism's seasonal growth rhythms. MiRNAs regulate multiple biological processes including systemic metabolism and energy homeostasis through post-transcriptional regulations. Rare reports have shown that miRNAs regulate lipid metabolism in domestic yaks. Therefore, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms of bta-miR-2400 in modulating yak preadipocytes proliferation and differentiation. We found that bta-miR-2400 was highly expressed in adipose tissue. Overexpression of bta-miR-2400 in yak preadipocytes significantly enhanced cell proliferation, increased the number of EdU fluorescence-stained cells, and promoted the expression of proliferation marker genes (CDK2, CDK4 and PCNA). Besides, overexpression of bta-miR-2400 repressed the expression of adipogenesis-related marker genes, and the content of cellular triglyceride was substantially reduced. Conversely, inhibition of bta-miR-2400 showed opposite effects compared to those of bta-miR-2400 overexpression in yak preadipocytes. Further, luciferase reporter assays revealed that SUMO1 is a target gene of bta-miR-2400, with bta-miR-2400 being able to down-regulate SUMO1 mRNA and protein expression. In conclusion, bta-miR-2400 regulates lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis in yak preadipocytes by directly targeting SUMO1 to promote cell proliferation and inhibit differentiation.

Genome-wide detection and sequence conservation analysis of long non-coding RNA during hair follicle cycle of yak.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) as an important regulator has been demonstrated playing an indispensable role in the biological process of hair follicles (HFs) growth. However, their function and expression profile in the HFs cycle of yak are yet unknown. Only a few functional lncRNAs have been identified, partly due to the low sequence conservation and lack of identified conserved properties in lncRNAs. Here, lncRNA-seq was employed to detect the expression profile of lncRNAs during the HFs cycle of yak, and the sequence conservation of two datasets between yak and cashmere goat during the HFs cycle was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 2884 lncRNAs were identified in 5 phases (Jan., Mar., Jun., Aug., and Oct.) during the HFs cycle of yak. Then, differential expression analysis between 3 phases (Jan., Mar., and Oct.) was performed, revealing that 198 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) were obtained in the Oct.-vs-Jan. group, 280 DELs were obtained in the Jan.-vs-Mar. group, and 340 DELs were obtained in the Mar.-vs-Oct. group. Subsequently, the nearest genes of lncRNAs were searched as the potential target genes and used to explore the function of DELs by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. Several critical pathways involved in HFs development such as Wnt signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, and signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells, were enriched. To further screen key lncRNAs influencing the HFs cycle, 24 DELs with differ degree of sequence conservation were obtained via a comparative analysis of partial DELs with previously published lncRNA-seq data of cashmere goat in the HFs cycle using NCBI BLAST-2.9.0+, and 3 DELs of them were randomly selected for further detailed analysis of the sequence conservation properties. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the expression pattern and potential function of lncRNAs during HFs cycle of yak, which would expand the knowledge about the role of lncRNAs in the HFs cycle. The findings related to sequence conservation properties of lncRNAs in the HFs cycle between the two species may provide valuable insights into the study of lncRNA functionality and mechanism.

Mussel-inspired green synthesis of polydopamine-Ag-AgCl composites with efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity.

Polydopamine-Ag-AgCl composites (PDA-Ag-AgCl) were synthesized using a mussel-inspired method at room temperature, where PDA acts as a reducing agent to obtain the noble Ag nanoparticles from a precursor. The morphologies and structures of the as-prepared PDA-Ag-AgCl were characterized by several techniques including field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectra, and X-Ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS). The morphological observation depicts formation of nanoparticles with various micrometer size diameters and surface XPS analysis shows presence of various elements including Ag, N, Cl, and O. The enhanced absorbance of the PDA-Ag-AgCl particles in the visible light region is confirmed through UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), and the charge transfer is demonstrated by photoluminescence (PL) and photocurrent response. The synthesized PDA-Ag-AgCl composites could be used as visible-light-driven photocatalysts for the degradation of Rhodamine B. The elevated photocatalytic activity is ascribed to the effective charge transfer from plasmon-excited Ag to AgCl that can improve the efficiency of the charge separation during the photocatalytic reaction. Furthermore, differences in the photocatalytic performance among the different PDA-Ag-AgCl composites are noticed that could be attributed to the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area, which benefits to capture the visible light efficiently. The PDA-Ag-AgCl exhibits excellent stability without a significant loss in activity after 5cycles. The proposed method is low-cost and environmentally friendly, hence a promising new way to fabricate plasmon photocatalysts.

Synthesis of MnFe2O4@Mn-Co oxide core-shell nanoparticles and their excellent performance for heavy metal removal.

Magnetic nanomaterials that can be easily separated and recycled due to their magnetic properties have received considerable attention in the field of water treatment. However, these nanomaterials usually tend to aggregate and alter their properties. Herein, we report an economical and environmentally friendly method for the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles with core-shell structure. MnFe2O4 nanoparticles have been successfully coated with amorphous Mn-Co oxide shells. The synthesized MnFe2O4@Mn-Co oxide nanoparticles have highly negatively charged surface in aqueous solution over a wide pH range, thus preventing their aggregation and enhancing their performance for heavy metal cation removal. The adsorption isotherms are well fitted to a Langmuir adsorption model, and the maximal adsorption capacities of Pb(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) on MnFe2O4@Mn-Co oxide are 481.2, 386.2 and 345.5 mg g(-1), respectively. All the metal ions can be completely removed from the mixed metal ion solutions in a short time. Desorption studies confirm that the adsorbent can be effectively regenerated and reused.

A simple and sensitive assay of gallic acid based on localized surface plasmon resonance light scattering of silver nanoparticles through modified Tollens process.

A simple, low toxic, sensitive strategy based on the localized surface plasmon resonance light scattering (LSPR-LS) properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is introduced for the detection of gallic acid (GA). It was found that the silver ammonium complex, [Ag(NH(3))(2)](+)(aq), could be reduced in the alkaline medium by GA at room temperature; this reaction formed dispersed AgNPs. Transmission electron microscopy analyses were performed to ascertain the formation of AgNPs. UV-visible spectra revealed the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption at 410 nm corresponding to the LSPR of AgNPs. On these basis, we could quantify the GA concentration in the range of 4 × 10(-7) - 5 × 10(-6) mol L(-1) in the optimized experimental conditions. This method was used for determining the concentration of GA in artificial samples with satisfactory results. The detailed mechanism underlying this special phenomenon was elucidated.