Trps1 predicts poor prognosis in advanced high grade serous ovarian carcinoma.

TRPS1 is aberrantly expressed in a variety of tumors, including breast, prostate, and gastric cancers, and is strongly associated with tumorigenesis or prognosis. However, the role of TRPS1 in high grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) is unknown. We investigated the relationship between TRPS1 expression and clinicopathology in HGSC patients. The tumor-related regulatory mechanisms of TRPS1 was explored through in vivo and vitro experiments. The results showed that TRPS1 was highly expressed in HGSC compared to normal tissues. It was also linked to the cell proliferation index Ki67 and poor prognosis. In vivo experiments showed that knockdown of TRPS1 could inhibit tumor growth. In vitro experiments, knockdown of TRPS1 inhibited the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. TRPS1 exerted its regulatory role as a transcription factor, binding to the PSAT1 promoter and promoting the expression of PSAT1 gene. Meanwhile, PSAT1 was positively correlated with CCND1 expression. These results suggest that TRPS1 affects HGSC proliferation and cell cycle by regulating PSAT1 and thus CCND1 expression.

Trps1 acts as a regulator of Sf-1 transcription and testosterone synthesis in mouse Leydig cells.

Infertility has attracted global concern, and disruption of testosterone is a common cause of male infertility. Exploring the critical factors in testosterone biosynthesis may provide new insights for disease research and clinical therapy. Research on trichorhinophalangeal syndrome-1 (Trps1) gene has recently been focus on cancers; it is yet unknown whether Trps1 produces a marked effect in the male reproductive system. In the current study, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of trichorhinophalangeal syndrome-1 gene (Trps1) expression in mouse testes and cleavage under targets and tagmentation and RNA sequencing were utilized to investigate the functionality of Trps1 in mouse Leydig cells. Knockdown of Trps1 increased testosterone synthesis in vitro and vivo using adeno-associated viral delivery and conditional knockout models. The results showed that Trps1 was abundantly expressed in Leydig cells. The expression levels of both steroidogenic factor-1 (Sf-1) and steroidogenic enzymes (Cyp11a1, Hsd3b, Cyp17a1, and Hsd17b3) as well as testosterone secretion were increased after Trps1 deficiency in vivo and vitro. Furthermore, disruption of Trps1 reduced histone deacetylase 1/2 activity and increased histone H3 acetylation in the Sf-1 promoter, thereby promoting testosterone secretion. Interestingly, Sf-1 also regulated the transcription of Trps1 through activating transcription factor 2. These results indicate that Trps1 targets Sf-1 to affect steroidogenesis through histone acetylation and shed light on the critical role of Trps1 functioning in the mouse Leydig cells.

Effects of Hydrological Regime on Foliar Decomposition and Nutrient Release in the Riparian Zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China.

Foliar decomposition has significant effects on nutrient cycling and the productivity of riparian ecosystems, but studies on the impact of related hydrological dynamics have been lacking. Here, the litterbag method was carried out to compare decomposition and nutrient release characteristics in situ, including three foliage types [two single-species treatments using Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich., Salix matsudana Koidz., or a mixture with equal proportions of leaf mass], three flooding depths (unflooded, shallow flooding, and deep flooding), two hydrodynamic processes (continuous flooding and flooded-to-unflooded hydrological processes), and one hydrological cycle (1 year) in the riparian zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir. The results showed that both hydrological processes significantly promoted foliage decomposition, and all foliage types decomposed the fastest in a shallow flooding environment (P < 0.05). The mixed-species samples decomposed most quickly in the flooded hydrological process in the first half of the year and the unflooded hydrological process in the second half of the year. Flooding also significantly promoted the release of nutrients (P < 0.05). Mixed-species samples had the fastest release rates of carbon and nutrients in the flooded hydrological process in the first half of the year and the unflooded hydrological process in the second half of the year. Foliage decomposition was also closely related to environmental factors, such as water depth, temperature, and hydrological processes. Our research clarified the material cycling and energy flow process of the riparian ecosystem in the Three Gorges Reservoir area. It also provided a new reference for further understanding of foliage decomposition and nutrient release under different hydrological environments.

Heterogeneous leaves of predominant trees species enhance decomposition and nutrient release in the riparian zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir.

The leaves of riparian plants are the main source of energy and nutrients in riparian ecosystems. In order to evaluate the nutrient release of reforested trees in a riparian zone, a field litterbag experiment involving three foliar types (the leaves of either coniferous and broadleaf trees as single-leaf treatment, or a mixture of coniferous and broadleaf leaves as a heterogenous-leaf treatment) and different submergence depths [no submergence (CK), shallow submergence (SS), and deep submergence (DS)] was conducted in situ in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) for one year. The results showed that, when compared to the single-leaf treatment, the heterogenous-leaf treatment exhibited greater mass loss at both SS and DS, in contrast to a greater nitrogen release rate only at DS and a greater phosphorous release rate only at SS. Overall, submergence facilitated decomposition and nutrient release, although the decomposition rate was higher in SS than in DS. The results suggested that the decomposition and nutrient release of the three foliar types may increase the potential pollution risk to the TGR water environment. Thus, we propose that the leaves of the reforested riparian stands be harvested prior to submergence to preserve the water quality of the TGR.

Foliar Cellulose and Lignin Degradation of Two Dominant Tree Species in a Riparian Zone of the Three Gorges Dam Reservoir, China.

The riparian zone can affect the degradation of foliar cellulose and lignin by changing the hydrological gradient of the foliage decomposition environment. However, their degradation dynamics during the process of foliage decomposition remain unclear in mixed plantation forests in a riparian zone. Herein, we explored degradation of cellulose and lignin for two dominant riparian species, bald cypress [Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.] and Chinese willow (Salix matsudana Koidz.), and a combined treatment with equal proportions of foliar mass of these species, involving three water treatments [no submergence (CK), shallow submergence (SS), and deep submergence (DS)] in a riparian zone of the Three Gorges Dam Reservoir (TGDR), China. Throughout an entire year's incubation, the degradation of cellulose and lignin was 55.57-97.76% and 79.87-93.82%, respectively. In the early stage of decomposition (i.e., the first 30 days), cellulose and lignin were rapidly degraded, and the mass loss of cellulose and lignin in water environments (SS and DS) was greater than that in a non-flooded environment (CK) regardless of the foliage type. The degradation of cellulose and lignin was mainly related to the quality of the leaf litter (as indicated by the concentrations of cellulose and lignin, and the contents of C, N, and P), decomposition period, and local environmental factors (temperature, water gradients, and dissolved oxygen). Our results will provide a clear insight into the material cycling process in a riparian zone of the TGDR and similar ecosystems in other regions.

A two component system is involved in acid adaptation of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus.

The Gram-positive bacterium Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus is of vital importance to the food industry, especially to the dairy industry. Two component systems (TCSs) are one of the most important mechanisms for environmental sensing and signal transduction in the majority of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. A typical TCS consists of a histidine protein kinase (HPK) and a cytoplasmic response regulator (RR). To investigate the functions of TCSs during acid adaptation in L. bulgaricus, we used quantitative PCR to reveal how TCSs expression changes during acid adaptation. Two TCSs (JN675228/JN675229 and JN675230/JN675231) and two HPKs (JN675236 and JN675240) were induced during acid adaptation. These TCSs were speculated to be related with the acid adaptation ability of L. bulgaricus. The mutants of JN675228/JN675229 were constructed in order to investigate the functions of JN675228/JN675229. The mutants showed reduced acid adaptation compared to that of wild type, and the complemented strains were similar to the wild-type strain. These observations suggested that JN675228 and JN675229 were involved in acid adaptation in L. bulgaricus. The interaction between JN675228 and JN675229 was identified by means of yeast two-hybrid system. The results indicated there is interaction between JN675228 and JN675229.