Evolution of m6A-related genes in insects and the function of METTL3 in silkworm embryonic development.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays a key role in many biological processes. However, the function and evolutionary relationship of m6A-related genes in insects remain largely unknown. Here we analysed the phylogeny of m6A-related genes among 207 insect species and found that m6A-related genes are evolutionarily conserved in insects. Subcellular localization experiments of m6A-related proteins in BmN cells confirmed that BmYTHDF3 was localized in the cytoplasm, BmMETTL3, BmMETTL14, and BmYTHDC were localized in the nucleus, and FL2D was localized to both the nucleus and cytoplasm. We examined the expression patterns of m6A-related genes during the embryonic development of Bombyx mori. To elucidate the function of BmMETTL3 during the embryonic stage, RNA sequencing was performed to measure changes in gene expression in silkworm eggs after BmMETTL3 knockdown, as well as in BmN cells overexpressing BmMETTL3. The global transcriptional pattern showed that knockdown of BmMETTL3 affected multiple cellular processes, including oxidoreductase activity, transcription regulator activity, and the cation binding. In addition, transcriptomic data revealed that many observed DEGs were associated with fundamental metabolic processes, including carbon metabolism, purine metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and the citrate cycle. Interestingly, we found that knockdown of BmMETTL3 significantly affected Wnt and Toll/Imd pathways in embryos. Taken together, these results suggest that BmMETTL3 plays an essential role in the embryonic development of B. mori, and deepen our understanding of the function of m6A-related genes in insects.

Genomic analyses of 10,376 individuals in the Westlake BioBank for Chinese (WBBC) pilot project.

We initiate the Westlake BioBank for Chinese (WBBC) pilot project with 4,535 whole-genome sequencing (WGS) individuals and 5,841 high-density genotyping individuals, and identify 81.5 million SNPs and INDELs, of which 38.5% are absent in dbSNP Build 151. We provide a population-specific reference panel and an online imputation server ( https://wbbc.westlake.edu.cn/ ) which could yield substantial improvement of imputation performance in Chinese population, especially for low-frequency and rare variants. By analyzing the singleton density of the WGS data, we find selection signatures in SNX29, DNAH1 and WDR1 genes, and the derived alleles of the alcohol metabolism genes (ADH1A and ADH1B) emerge around 7,000 years ago and tend to be more common from 4,000 years ago in East Asia. Genetic evidence supports the corresponding geographical boundaries of the Qinling-Huaihe Line and Nanling Mountains, which separate the Han Chinese into subgroups, and we reveal that North Han was more homogeneous than South Han.

[Epidemiological study on semen quality of 562 volunteers aged 22-30].

OBJECTIVE: This study is to understand the difference of semen quality among the different areas and the related factors. METHODS: Five hundred and sixty-two people were under from seven provinces. RESULTS: Results showed that the quantity and density of semen, the rate of moving forward semen, livability, percent age of normal formed semen and the total number of semen were statistically different among the seven areas. The difference was ranged as 28.82%, with the highest 2.95 ml in Shanxi province and the lowest 2.29 ml in Henan province. Geometric mean of semen density was found the lowest 36.27 x 10(6)/ml in Guizhou province, next to it was 42.52 x 10(6)/ml in Shandong province and the highest was 74.77 x 10(6)/ml in Hebei province. The percent age with forward progression of semen was seen the lowest 44.40% in Henan province, followed by 51.88% in Hebei province and 52.88% in Zhejiang province and the highest were 76.50% in Shanghai, 75.24% in Shanxi province, with a range of 72.30%. The highest semen viability was 85.89% in Shanghai, while the lowest 72.35% in Henan, with a range of 18.71%. Normal sperm morphology was seen the lowest 68.45% in Hebei province, with the highest 88.06% in Guizhou province, and the range was 28.65%. The geometric mean of total sperm count was seen the highest 204.23 x 10(6)/ml in Hebei province and the lowest 77.69 x 10(6)/ml in Guizhou province. Results showed through analysis of variance that some indexes were different in some provinces. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the semen quality was different in different regions in China and its influential factors may be region and geography environment.