Identification of miRNA858 long-loop precursors in seed plants.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of nonprotein-coding short transcripts that provide a layer of post-transcriptional regulation essential to many plant biological processes. MiR858, which targets the transcripts of MYB transcription factors, can affect a range of secondary metabolic processes. Although miR858 and its 187-nt precursor have been well studied in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), a systematic investigation of miR858 precursors and their functions across plant species is lacking due to a problem in identifying the transcripts that generate this subclass. By re-evaluating the transcript of miR858 and relaxing the length cut-off for identifying hairpins, we found in kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis) that miR858 has long-loop hairpins (1,100 to 2,100 nt), whose intervening sequences between miRNA generating complementary sites were longer than all previously reported miRNA hairpins. Importantly, these precursors of miR858 containing long-loop hairpins (termed MIR858L) are widespread in seed plants including Arabidopsis, varying between 350 and 5,500 nt. Moreover, we showed that MIR858L has a greater impact on proanthocyanidin and flavonol levels in both Arabidopsis and kiwifruit. We suggest that an active MIR858L-MYB regulatory module appeared in the transition of early land plants to large upright flowering plants, making a key contribution to plant secondary metabolism.

Restricted responses of AcMYB68 and AcERF74/75 enhanced waterlogging tolerance in kiwifruit.

Most of kiwifruit cultivars (e.g. Actinidia chinensis cv. Donghong, "DH") were sensitive to waterlogging, thus, waterlogging resistant rootstocks (e.g. Actinidia valvata Dunn, "Dunn") were widely used for kiwifruit industry. Those different species provided ideal materials to understand the waterlogging responses in kiwifruit. Compared to the weaken growth and root activities in "DH", "Dunn" maintained the relative high root activities under the prolonged waterlogging. Based on comparative analysis, transcript levels of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDCs) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADHs) showed significantly difference between these two species. Both PDCs and ADHs had been significantly increased by waterlogging in "DH", while they were only limitedly triggered by 2 days stress and subsided during the prolonged waterlogging in "Dunn". Thus, 19 differentially expressed transcript factors (DETFs) had been isolated using weighted gene co-expression network analysis combined with transcriptomics and transcript levels of PDCs and ADHs in waterlogged "DH". Among these DETFs, dual luciferase and electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated AcMYB68 could bind to and trigger the activity of AcPDC2 promoter. The stable over-expression of AcMYB68 significantly up-regulated the transcript levels of PDCs but inhibited the plant growth, especially the roots. Moreover, the enzyme activities of PDC in 35S::AcMYB68 were significantly enhanced during the waterlogging response than that in wild type plants. Most interestingly, comparative analysis indicated that the expression patterns of AcMYB68 and the previously characterized AcERF74/75 (the direct regulator on ADHs) either showed no responses (AcMYB68 and AcERF74) or very limited response (AcERF75) in "Dunn". Taken together, the restricted responses of AcMYB68 and AcERF74/75 in "Dunn" endow its waterlogging tolerance.

Overview of Research Status in Castleman Disease.

Castleman disease (CD) is characterized by the proliferation of lymphoid tissue and encompasses a range of disorders that vary in clinical presentation, histopathological features, and therapeutic approaches. This article presents a comprehensive review of the current state of CD research, emphasizing the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, treatment options, and prognostic factors. CD is a relatively rare condition infrequently encountered in clinical practice. Certain subtypes of CD progress rapidly and pose a significant threat to patient health. Consequently, a timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial. This article aimed to equip clinicians and researchers with an updated and detailed understanding of CD, thereby enhancing the management of this complex condition.

Role of glucose metabolism reprogramming in keratinocytes in the link between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome.

The mechanism linking psoriasis to metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains poorly understood. Recent reports indicate upregulation of glycolysis-related proteins in psoriatic keratinocytes (KCs). However, the role of glucose metabolism reprogramming in psoriatic KCs, psoriasis, and psoriasis with MetS remains unclear. In this study, we confirmed glucose metabolism reprogramming in psoriatic KCs by examining glycolysis-related genes, proteins, and metabolites. We found that inhibiting glucose metabolism reprogramming in psoriasiform KCs led to improvements in psoriasiform features. Notably, we observed enhanced glucose metabolism reprogramming in KCs within psoriatic skin lesions of patients with MetS. In vitro, high-glucose and high-fat culture intensified glucose metabolism reprogramming in psoriasiform KCs partially via the AKT/mTOR pathway. These findings highlight a strong link between the glycolytic switch and KC function and suggest that glucose metabolism reprogramming in KCs contributes to heightened psoriatic inflammation in MetS.

Construction of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Microbial Cell Factories through Identification of Novel Synthases and Metabolic Pathway Screens and Transporters.

5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) plays a pivotal role in the biosynthesis of heme and chlorophyll and has garnered great attention for its agricultural applications. This study explores the multifaceted construction of 5-ALA microbial cell factories. Evolutionary analysis-guided screening identified a novel 5-ALA synthase from Sphingobium amiense as the best synthase. An sRNA library facilitated global gene screening that demonstrated that trpC and ilvA repression enhanced 5-ALA production by 74.3% and 102%, respectively. Subsequently, efflux of 5-ALA by the transporter Gdx increased 5-ALA biosynthesis by 25.7%. To mitigate oxidative toxicity, DNA-binding proteins from starved cells were employed, enhancing cell density and 5-ALA titer by 21.1 and 4.1%, respectively. Combining these strategies resulted in an Escherichia coli strain that produced 5-ALA to 1.51 g·L-1 in shake flask experiments and 6.19 g·L-1 through fed-batch fermentation. This study broadens the repertoire of available 5-ALA synthases and transporters and provides a new platform for optimizing 5-ALA bioproduction.