RESUMO
The continuous evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has evaded the efficacy of previously developed antibodies and vaccines, thus remaining a significant global public health threat. Therefore, it is imperative to develop additional antibodies that are capable of neutralizing emerging variants. Nanobodies, as the smallest functional single-domain antibodies, exhibit enhanced stability and penetration ability, enabling them to recognize numerous concealed epitopes that are inaccessible to conventional antibodies. Herein, we constructed an immune library based on the immunization of alpaca with the S1 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, from which two nanobodies, Nb1 and Nb2, were selected using phage display technology for further characterization. Both nanobodies, with the binding residues residing within the receptor-binding domain (RBD) region of the spike, exhibited high affinity toward the S1 subunit. Moreover, they displayed cross-neutralizing activity against both wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and 10 ο variants, including BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.5, BA.2.75, BF.7, BQ.1, EG.5.1, XBB.1.5, and JN.1. Molecular modeling and dynamics simulations predicted that both nanobodies interacted with the viral RBD through their complementarity determining region 1 (CDR1) and CDR2. These two nanobodies are novel tools for the development of therapeutic and diagnostic countermeasures targeting SARS-CoV-2 variants and potentially emerging coronaviruses.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Neutralizantes , COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Anticorpos de Domínio Único , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus , Anticorpos de Domínio Único/imunologia , SARS-CoV-2/imunologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/imunologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/química , Animais , COVID-19/imunologia , COVID-19/terapia , COVID-19/virologia , COVID-19/diagnóstico , Humanos , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Camelídeos Americanos/imunologia , Epitopos/imunologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: In the livestock feed industry, feed and feed raw materials are extremely susceptible to mycotoxin contamination. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the main risk factors for mycotoxin contamination in broiler feed and feedstuff, however, there is still little knowledge about this. Hence, the purpose of this study was to explore the toxicity effect of DON on the intestinal barrier and the microecological balance of the biota in broiler chickens. RESULTS: In our present study, we compared the pathological scores of the small intestines of broilers on the 5th, 7th, and 10th day, and chose the 7th day to analyze the small intestine histomorphology, tight junctions, and cecal biota of the broilers. The results showed the damage to the small intestine worsened over time, the small intestinal villi of broilers were breakage, the tight junctions of the small intestine were destroyed, the cecal biota was unbalanced, and the growth performance of broilers was reduced on the 7th day. CONCLUSIONS: DON could damage the functional and structural completeness of the intestinal tract, disorder the Intestinal biota, and finally lead to declined broiler performance. Our study provided a basis for the prevention and treatment of DON in broiler production.
Assuntos
Galinhas , Micotoxinas , Ração Animal/análise , Animais , Biota , Contaminação de Alimentos/análise , Micotoxinas/efeitos adversos , TricotecenosRESUMO
We analyzed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and RNA sequencing data of two young (1 year old) and two adult (9 years old) rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) to characterize the genomic DNA methylation profile of the thymus and explore the molecular mechanism of age-related changes in the thymus. Combining the two-omics data, we identified correlations between DNA methylation and gene expression and found that DNA methylation played an essential role in the functional changes of the aging thymus, especially in immunity and coagulation. The hypomethylation levels of C3 and C5AR2 and the hypermethylation level of C7 may lead to the high expressions of these genes in adult rhesus macaque thymuses, thus activating the classical complement pathway and the alternative pathway and enhancing their innate immune function. Adult thymuses had an enhanced coagulation pathway, which may have resulted from the hypomethylation and upregulated expressions of seven coagulation-promoting factor genes (F13A1, CLEC4D, CLEC4E, FCN3, PDGFRA, FGF2 and FGF7) and the hypomethylation and low expression of CPB2 to inhibit the degradation of blood clots. Furthermore, the functional decline in differentiation, activation and maturation of T cells in adult thymuses was also closely related to the changes in methylation levels and gene expression levels of T cell development genes (CD3G, GAD2, ADAMDEC1 and LCK) and the thymogenic hormone gene TMPO. A comparison of the age-related methylated genes among four mammal species revealed that most of the epigenetic clocks were species-specific. Furthermore, based on the genomic landscape of allele-specific DNA methylation, we identified several age-related clustered sequence-dependent allele-specific DNA methylated (cS-ASM) genes. Overall, these DNA methylation patterns may also help to assist with understanding the mechanisms of the aging thymus with the epigenome.
Assuntos
Metilação de DNA , Epigênese Genética , Animais , Macaca mulatta/genética , Envelhecimento/genética , Alelos , Mamíferos/genéticaRESUMO
Melanogenesis, migration and proliferation of melanocytes are important factors that determine the hair colours of mammals. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be closely related to these processes. In melanocytes of alpacas, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) has been shown to improve melanogenesis through the cyclic AMP (cAMP) pathway. miR-379 was predicted to target insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor 1 (IGF1R), which binds to IGF1. Therefore, we hypothesized that miR-379 could mediate melanogenesis, migration and proliferation of melanocytes. Here, we report that miR-379 was highly expressed in alpaca melanocytes. Subsequent overexpression of miR-379 in alpaca melanocytes led to the generation of the phenotype of melanogenesis, proliferation and migration. In addition, the expression of genes related to these phenotypes in melanocytes was detected. Our results showed that miR-379 targets IGF1R in melanocytes. The overexpression of miR-379 stimulated dendrite extension or elongation and limited the perinuclear distribution of melanin, but inhibited melanogenesis via cAMP response element (CRE)-binding protein (CREB)/microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) pathway. miR-379 attenuated melanocyte migration by downregulating the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and enhanced melanocyte proliferation by upregulating protein kinase B (AKT). These observations suggest the involvement of miR-379 in the physiological regulation of melanocytes, mediated by targeting IGF1R on insulin receptor (IR) compensation and subsequent crosstalk.
Assuntos
Camelídeos Americanos/metabolismo , Melanócitos/metabolismo , MicroRNAs/biossíntese , Pigmentação , Receptor IGF Tipo 1/biossíntese , Regiões 3' não Traduzidas , Fator 2 Ativador da Transcrição/metabolismo , Animais , Movimento Celular , Proliferação de Células , Melaninas/metabolismo , Camundongos , MicroRNAs/genética , Fator de Transcrição Associado à Microftalmia/metabolismo , Fenótipo , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Ligação Proteica , Receptor de Insulina/metabolismoRESUMO
Synaptotagmin-4 (SYT4) is a membrane protein that regulates membrane traffic in neurons in a calcium-dependent or calcium-independent manner. In melanocytes, the intracellular free calcium ion (Ca2+ ) may be important for dendrite growth and melanogenesis. Mammalian melanocytes originating from neural crest cells produce melanins. Therefore, we predicted that SYT4 might play a role in melanogenesis and the dendrite morphology of melanocytes. To investigate whether SYT4 is involved in melanocyte physiology, SYT4 was overexpressed in alpaca melanocytes and B16-F10 cells. The results showed that SYT4 overexpression resulted in a phenotype consistent with melanogenesis and dendrite extension. At the molecular level, SYT4 interacted with extracellular regulated MAP kinase (ERK) to decrease p-ERK activity, which negatively regulated CREB expression. Furthermore, cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) was upregulated and caused the downregulation of the expression of melanogenic regulatory proteins, including microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TYRP1), dopachrome tautomerase (DCT), and transient receptor potential melastatin 1 (TRPM1). Intracellular free Ca2+ promoted the upregulation of calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase IV (CAMK4) expression, which phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB). In turn, p-CREB participated in the transcription of MITF. These results demonstrated that SYT4 promoted melanogenesis through dendrite extension and tyrosinase activity, during which the regulation of Ca2+ influx via the TRPM1 channel was a key factor. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: Intracellular Ca2+ is important for the function and survival of melanocytes and melanoma cells. SYT4 stimulated melanogenesis through calcium. These results provide evidence that SYT4 regulates Ca2+ influx through TRPM1 to cause melanogenesis and axonal elongation in alpaca melanocytes and further suggesting that the growth and metastasis of melanoma is controlled by the inhibited expression of SYT4 in melanoma cells.
Assuntos
Cálcio/metabolismo , Melanócitos/metabolismo , Sinaptotagminas/metabolismo , Canais de Cátion TRPM/metabolismo , Animais , Camelídeos Americanos , Dendritos/metabolismo , MAP Quinases Reguladas por Sinal Extracelular/metabolismo , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases , Melaninas/biossíntese , Melanoma Experimental/metabolismo , Camundongos , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismo , Crista Neural/metabolismo , PigmentaçãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Melanocytes are derived from neural crest stem cells in the embryonic stage. In mature melanocytes, a series of complex enzyme-catalyzed reactions leads to the production of melanins, which determine the hair and skin colors of animals. The process of melanogenesis is complex and can be regulated by mRNA, microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) genes. MiRNAs are a type of endogenous noncoding RNA approximately 22 nt in size that predominantly regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation. miR-380-3p is a candidate miRNA potentially related to melanogenesis. To better understand the mechanism of miR-380-3p melanogenesis regulation, plasmids to overexpress or knockdown miR-380-3p were transfected into alpaca melanocytes, and their effects on melanogenesis were evaluated. RESULTS: In situ hybridization identified a positive miR-380-3p signal in alpaca melanocyte cytoplasm. Luciferase activity assays confirmed that SOX6 is targeted by miR-380-3p. miR-380-3p overexpression and knockdown in alpaca melanocytes respectively downregulated and upregulated SOX6 expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Additionally, miR-380-3p overexpression and knockdown, respectively, in alpaca melanocytes decreased and increased the mRNA levels of melanin transfer-related genes, including microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosine-related protein-1 (TYRP1), and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT). In contrast, miR-380-3p overexpression and knockdown respectively increased and decreased the mRNA levels of ß-catenin. Additionally, the effect of miR-380-3p on melanogenesis was assessed by Masson-Fontana melanin staining. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that miR-380-3p targeted SOX6 to regulate melanogenesis by influencing ß-catenin and MITF transcription and translation, which reduced the expression of downstream genes, including TYR, TYRP1, and DCT. These results provide insights into the mechanisms through which miR-380-3p controls melanogenesis.
Assuntos
Melaninas/metabolismo , Melanócitos/metabolismo , MicroRNAs/genética , Fatores de Transcrição SOXD/genética , Regiões 3' não Traduzidas , Animais , Camelídeos Americanos , Células Cultivadas , Expressão Gênica , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Técnicas de Silenciamento de Genes , Oxirredutases Intramoleculares/genética , Masculino , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Fator de Transcrição Associado à Microftalmia/genética , Fator de Transcrição Associado à Microftalmia/metabolismo , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/genética , Oxirredutases/genética , Fatores de Transcrição SOXD/metabolismo , Pele/citologia , Pele/metabolismo , Pele/patologia , beta Catenina/genética , beta Catenina/metabolismoRESUMO
The newly emerged Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) continues to infect humans and camels, calling for efficient, cost-effective, and broad-spectrum strategies to control its spread. Nanobodies (Nbs) are single-domain antibodies derived from camelids and sharks and are potentially cost-effective antivirals with small size and great expression yield. In this study, we developed a novel neutralizing Nb (NbMS10) and its human-Fc-fused version (NbMS10-Fc), both of which target the MERS-CoV spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD). We further tested their receptor-binding affinity, recognizing epitopes, cross-neutralizing activity, half-life, and efficacy against MERS-CoV infection. Both Nbs can be expressed in yeasts with high yield, bind to MERS-CoV RBD with high affinity, and block the binding of MERS-CoV RBD to the MERS-CoV receptor. The binding site of the Nbs on the RBD was mapped to be around residue Asp539, which is part of a conserved conformational epitope at the receptor-binding interface. NbMS10 and NbMS10-Fc maintained strong cross-neutralizing activity against divergent MERS-CoV strains isolated from humans and camels. Particularly, NbMS10-Fc had significantly extended half-life in vivo; a single-dose treatment of NbMS10-Fc exhibited high prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy by completely protecting humanized mice from lethal MERS-CoV challenge. Overall, this study proves the feasibility of producing cost-effective, potent, and broad-spectrum Nbs against MERS-CoV and has produced Nbs with great potentials as anti-MERS-CoV therapeutics.IMPORTANCE Therapeutic development is critical for preventing and treating continual MERS-CoV infections in humans and camels. Because of their small size, nanobodies (Nbs) have advantages as antiviral therapeutics (e.g., high expression yield and robustness for storage and transportation) and also potential limitations (e.g., low antigen-binding affinity and fast renal clearance). Here, we have developed novel Nbs that specifically target the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of MERS-CoV spike protein. They bind to a conserved site on MERS-CoV RBD with high affinity, blocking RBD's binding to MERS-CoV receptor. Through engineering a C-terminal human Fc tag, the in vivo half-life of the Nbs is significantly extended. Moreover, the Nbs can potently cross-neutralize the infections of diverse MERS-CoV strains isolated from humans and camels. The Fc-tagged Nb also completely protects humanized mice from lethal MERS-CoV challenge. Taken together, our study has discovered novel Nbs that hold promise as potent, cost-effective, and broad-spectrum anti-MERS-CoV therapeutic agents.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Infecções por Coronavirus/prevenção & controle , Coronavírus da Síndrome Respiratória do Oriente Médio/imunologia , Anticorpos de Domínio Único/imunologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/imunologia , Animais , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/química , Sítios de Ligação/imunologia , Infecções por Coronavirus/imunologia , Infecções por Coronavirus/terapia , Epitopos/metabolismo , Humanos , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Testes de Neutralização , Ligação Proteica , Anticorpos de Domínio Único/economia , Anticorpos de Domínio Único/isolamento & purificação , Anticorpos de Domínio Único/metabolismo , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/genéticaRESUMO
Mammalian pigmentation requires the production of melanin by melanocytes and its transfer to neighboring keratinocytes. These complex processes are regulated by several molecular pathways. Melanophilin ( MLPH) and WNT family member 1 ( WNT1), known to be involved in melanin transfer and melanin production, respectively, were predicted to be targets of microRNA-5110 using bioinformatics. In the current study, we investigated the effects of microRNA-5110 on pigmentation in alpaca ( Vicugna pacos) melanocytes. In situ hybridization identified high levels of microRNA-5110 in the cytoplasm of alpaca melanocytes. Luciferase activity assays confirmed that MLPH and WNT1 were targeted by microRNA-5110 in these cells. Overexpression and knockdown of microRNA-5110 in alpaca melanocytes downregulated and upregulated MLPH and WNT1 expression at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. In addition, overexpression and knockdown of microRNA-5110 in alpaca melanocytes decreased and increased, respectively, the mRNA levels of the melanin transfer-related genes, rat sarcoma (RAS)-associated binding ( RAB27a) and myosin 5a ( MYO5a); the mRNA levels of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor ( MITF), tyrosinase ( TYR), and tyrosinase-related protein ( TYRP) 1; and the production of total alkali melanin and pheomelanin. In contrast, overexpression and knockdown of microRNA-5110 increased and decreased the mRNA levels of TYRP2, respectively. Overexpression of microRNA-5110 also increased eumelanin. These results indicate that microRNA-5110 regulates pigmentation in alpaca melanocytes by directly targeting MLPH and WNT1 to affect eumelanin production and transfer.-Yang, S., Liu, B., Ji, K., Fan, R., Dong, C. MicroRNA-5110 regulates pigmentation by cotargeting melanophilin and WNT family member 1.
Assuntos
Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/metabolismo , Camelídeos Americanos/metabolismo , Melaninas/biossíntese , Melanócitos/metabolismo , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Pigmentação da Pele/fisiologia , Proteína Wnt1/metabolismo , Proteínas Adaptadoras de Transdução de Sinal/genética , Animais , Camelídeos Americanos/genética , Técnicas de Silenciamento de Genes , Melaninas/genética , Melanócitos/citologia , MicroRNAs/genética , Proteína Wnt1/genéticaRESUMO
Melanoma is a highly invasive and metastatic malignant skin tumor with poor prognosis. Although several widely studied pure melanoma cell lines are available, the precise mechanism underlying transformation of melanocyte to melanoma remains unclear. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a vast category of non-coding RNA molecules, and increasing evidence suggests that lncRNAs are crucial for various biological processes, including those in the skin. Herein, lncRNA sequencing was performed on an Illumina HiSeq platform to identify lncRNAs expressed differently in murine B16 melanoma cells compared to normal mouse melanocytes. Using four computational approaches, 2319 lncRNAs were expressed in both normal melanocytes and B16 cells, with 373 being differentially expressed at a significant level. Of these, 136 lncRNAs were upregulated and 237 were downregulated. KEGG analyses revealed that 467 genes were target genes in the Wnt signalling pathway, TGF-beta signalling pathway, MAPK signalling pathway, NF-kappa B signalling pathway, melanoma and several other cancer-related regulatory pathways. From among the differentially expressed lncRNAs, lnc-13317.1 was found to play a role in the cell cycle in melanoma by targeting BRCA1. Thus, lnc-13317.1 might have therapeutic potential in melanoma treatment. The lncRNA profile described here highlights the importance of elucidating the exact function of these lncRNAs in the transformation of melanoma. Lnc-13317.1 might have therapeutic potential in melanoma treatment by targeting BRCA1.
Assuntos
Melanócitos/metabolismo , Melanoma Experimental/genética , RNA Longo não Codificante/genética , Neoplasias Cutâneas/genética , Animais , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Biologia Computacional , Ciclina E/metabolismo , Bases de Dados Genéticas , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Genes BRCA1 , Sequenciamento de Nucleotídeos em Larga Escala , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases/genética , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , NF-kappa B/metabolismo , RNA Longo não Codificante/análise , Análise de Sequência de RNA , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismo , Via de Sinalização Wnt/genéticaRESUMO
microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be closely involved in the control of melanogenesis and hair colour in mammals. Previous data also indicate that miR-143 regulates cell growth in melanoma. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of miR-143-5p in alpaca melanocytes. We found that miR-143-5p was highly expressed in the cytoplasm of alpaca melanocytes as demonstrated by an in situ hybridization assay. Prediction analysis revealed that miR-143-5p could regulate TGF-ß-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) expression, which we confirmed by luciferase reporter assay, indicating that miR-143-5p controls TAK1 expression by directly targeting its 3' untranslated region (UTR). miR-143-5p overexpression decreased TAK1 expression, which led to increased melanocyte migration and proliferation, and downregulation of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), which regulates melanin production. These results support a functional role for miR-143-5p in regulating alpaca melanocyte migration, proliferation and melanogenesis through direct targeting of TAK1.
Assuntos
Camelídeos Americanos , Movimento Celular , Proliferação de Células , Melanócitos/citologia , MicroRNAs/genética , Pigmentação/genética , Regiões 3' não Traduzidas , Animais , MAP Quinase Quinase Quinases/metabolismo , Fator de Transcrição Associado à Microftalmia/metabolismo , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta/metabolismoRESUMO
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is known as a metabolic regulator to regulate the metabolism of glucose and lipids. However, the underlying mechanism of FGF21 on melanin synthesis remains unknown. Therefore, the current study investigates the effect of FGF21 on melanogenesis in alpaca melanocytes. We transfected the FGF21 into alpaca melanocytes, then detected the melanin contents, protein and mRNA levels of pigmentation-related genes in order to determine the melanogenesis-regulating pathway of FGF21. The results showed that FGF21 overexpression suppressed melanogenesis and decreased the expression of the major target genes termed microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and its downstream genes, including tyrosinase (TYR) and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP2). However FGF21 increased the expression of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-Erk1/2). In contrast, FGF21-siRNA, a small interference RNA mediating FGF21 silencing, abolished the inhibition of melanogenesis. Altogether, FGF21 may decrease melanogenesis in alpaca melanocytes via ERK activation and subsequent MITF downregulation, which is then followed by the suppression of melanogenic enzymes and melanin production.
Assuntos
Camelídeos Americanos/fisiologia , Fatores de Crescimento de Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases , Melaninas/metabolismo , Melanócitos/metabolismo , Fator de Transcrição Associado à Microftalmia/genética , Animais , Regulação para Baixo , Fatores de Crescimento de Fibroblastos/genética , Fator de Transcrição Associado à Microftalmia/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 1 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase 3 Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/genética , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismo , Pigmentação , Interferência de RNA , RNA Interferente Pequeno/genéticaRESUMO
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in regulating almost all biological processes. miRNAs bind to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs by sequence matching. In a previous study, we demonstrated that miR-21 was differently expressed in alpaca skin with different hair color. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms for miR-21 to regulate the coat color are not yet completely understood. In this study, we transfected miR-21a-5p into mouse melanocytes and demonstrated its function on melanogenesis of miR-21a-5p by targeting Sox5, which inhibits melanogenesis in mouse melanocytes. The results suggested that miR-21a-5p targeted Sox5 gene based on the binding site in 3' UTR of Sox5 and overexpression of miR-21a-5p significantly down-regulated Sox5 mRNA and protein expression. Meanwhile, mRNA and protein expression of microphthalmia transcription factor (MITF) and Tyrosinase (TYR) were up-regulated, which subsequently make the melanin production in melanocytes increased. The results suggest that miR-21a-5p regulates melanogenesis via MITF by targeting Sox5.
Assuntos
Melaninas/metabolismo , Melanócitos/metabolismo , MicroRNAs/genética , Fatores de Transcrição SOXD/genética , Regiões 3' não Traduzidas , Animais , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Camundongos , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Fator de Transcrição Associado à Microftalmia/genética , Fator de Transcrição Associado à Microftalmia/metabolismo , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/genética , Monofenol Mono-Oxigenase/metabolismo , Fatores de Transcrição SOXD/metabolismo , Pele/citologia , Pele/metabolismoRESUMO
To investigate whether ocular albinism type 1 (OA1) is differentially expressed in the skin of mice with different coat colors and to determine its correlation with coat color establishment in mouse, the expression patterns and tissue distribution characterization of OA1 in the skin of mice with different coat colors were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), immunofluorescence staining and Western blot. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that OA1 mRNA was expressed in all mice skin samples tested, with the highest expression level in brown skin, a moderate expression level in black skin and the lowest expression level in gray skin. Positive OA1 protein bands were also detected in all skin samples by Western blot analysis. The relative expression levels of OA1 protein in both black and brown skin were significantly higher than that in gray skin, but there was no significant difference between black and brown mice. Immunofluorescence assays revealed that OA1 was mainly expressed in the hair follicle matrix, the inner and outer root sheath in the skin tissues with different coat colors. To get further insight into the important role of OA1 in the melanocytes' pigmentation, we transfected the OA1 into mouse melanocytes and then detected the relative expression levels of pigmentation-related gene. Simultaneously, we tested the melanin content of melanocytes. As a result, the overexpression of OA1 significantly increased the expression levels of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1) and premelanosome protein (PMEL). However, the tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP2) level was attenuated. By contrast, the level of glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein b (GPNMB) was unaffected by OA1 overexpression. Furthermore, we observed a significant increase in melanin content in mouse melanocyte transfected OA1. Therefore, we propose that OA1 may participate in the formation of coat color by regulating the level of MITF and the number, size, motility and maturation of melanosome.
RESUMO
G-protein coupled receptor143 (GPR143) plays an important role in melanogenesis. In this study, we investigated the expression pattern and localization of GPR143 in skin of sheep with different coat colors and explored the correlation between GPR143 gene and coat color. The mRNA level and protein level of GPR143 in skin of sheep with different coat colors were detected by qRT-PCR and immunoblotting separately while the localization of GPR143 in sheep skin was detected by immunofluorescence assay following optical density analysis. The qRT-PCR results showed that the relative expression level of GPR143 mRNA in black sheep skin was 7.84 times of that in white sheep skin (P<0.01). Immunoblotting results demonstrated that the expression level of GPR143 protein in black sheep skin was 1.30 times of that in white sheep skin (P<0.05). Immunofluorescence assay revealed that GPR143 was primarily expressed in the outer root sheath of hair follicles and epidermal skin tissue. Optical density analysis showed that expression levels of GPR143 in the outer root sheath and epidermis of black sheep skin were significantly higher than that of white sheep skin. Our studies demonstrated that GPR143 is expressed in skin of sheep with different coat colors. However, the mRNA and protein levels of GPR143 in black sheep skin are significantly higher than that in white sheep skin, indicating that GPR143 mRNA and protein levels are upregulated in skin of black sheep while downregulated in skin of white sheep. GPR143 may participate in the formation of coat color by regulating the level of MITF and the number, size, motility and maturation of the melanosome.
Assuntos
Proteínas do Olho/genética , Cor de Cabelo , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/genética , Ovinos/metabolismo , Pele/metabolismo , Animais , Proteínas do Olho/análise , Imunofluorescência , Imuno-Histoquímica , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/análise , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo RealRESUMO
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in the regulation of almost all the biological processes, including melanogenesis. MiR-27a-3p is nearly six times higher in white alpaca skin compared to brown skin, which indicates that miR-27a-3p may be a candidate regulator for melanogenesis. Wnt3a plays an important role in promoting melanoblasts to differentiate into melanocytes and melanogenesis. To confirm the function of miR-27a-3p to melanogenesis in mammals, miR-27a-3p mimic, inhibitor and their negative control were transfected into mouse melanocytes. As a result, miR-27a-3p inhibits melanogenesis by repressing Wnt3a at post-transcriptional level. A significant decrease in Wnt3a luciferase activity was observed in 293T cells co-transfected with the matched luciferase reporter vector and pre-miR-27a. Furthermore, the presence of exogenous miR-27a-3p significantly decreased Wnt3a protein expression rather than mRNA and reduced ß-catenin mRNA levels in melanocytes. The over-expression of miR-27a-3p significantly increased the melanin content of melanocytes. However, miR-27a-3p inhibitor performs an opposite effect on melanogenesis. Wnt3a is one target of miR-27a-3p. MiR-27a-3p could inhibit Wnt3a protein amount by post-transcriptional regulation and melanogenesis in mouse melanocytes. Previous studies reported that Wnt3a promoted melanogenensis in mouse melanocytes. Thus, miR-27-3p inhibits melanogenesis by repressing Wnt3a protein expression.
Assuntos
Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Melaninas/metabolismo , Melanócitos/metabolismo , MicroRNAs/genética , Proteína Wnt3A/genética , Regiões 3' não Traduzidas , Animais , Células Cultivadas , Melanócitos/citologia , Camundongos , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/genética , Proteína Wnt3A/metabolismo , beta Catenina/genéticaRESUMO
Coat color is a key economic trait in wool-producing species. Color development and pigmentation are controlled by complex mechanisms in animals. Here, we report the first production of an altered coat color by overexpression of miR-137 in transgenic mice. Transgenic mice overexpressing miR-137 developed a range of coat color changes from dark black to light color. Molecular analyses of the transgenic mice showed decreased expression of the major target gene termed MITF and its downstream genes, including TYR, TYRP1, and TYRP2. We also showed that melanogenesis altered by miR-137 is distinct from that affected by UV radiation in transgenic mice. Our study provides the first mouse model for the study of coat color controlled by miRNAs in animals and may have important applications in wool production.
Assuntos
Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Cor de Cabelo/genética , MicroRNAs/genética , Fator de Transcrição Associado à Microftalmia/genética , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Sítios de Ligação , Regulação para Baixo , Expressão Gênica , Melanócitos/metabolismo , Melanócitos/efeitos da radiação , Camundongos , Camundongos Transgênicos , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Fator de Transcrição Associado à Microftalmia/metabolismo , Raios UltravioletaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify genes regulated by cyclin dependent kinases 5 (CDK5) that participate in hair pigmentation in mice. METHODS: The mRNA expression profiles of skin samples from CDK5-knockdown mice were constructed using high-throughput RNA sequencing and compared with those of wild-type mice. RESULTS: In total, 8,002 known genes were differentially expressed between CDK5-knockdown and wild-type mice. Of these, 3,658 were upregulated and 4,344 were downregulated in the skin of CDK5-knockdown mice. An additional 318 previously unknown genes were also differentially expressed, with 171 downregulated and 147 upregulated genes in the skin of CDK5-knockdown mice. Of the known genes expressed in mouse skin, 80 were associated with hair color, with 61 showing lower expression and 19 exhibiting higher expression in skin of CDK5-knockdown mice. Importantly, the expression of the tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) and the calcium signaling pathway were also found to be regulated by CDK5, suggesting that pigmentation is regulated by CDK5 via the calcium signaling pathway and TYRP1. CONCLUSION: The transcriptome profiles obtained from the skin of CDK5-knockdown mice compared to wild-type mice provide a valuable resource to help understand the mechanism by which CDK5 regulates melanogenesis in mice and other animals.
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The incidence of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is increasing worldwide, particularly among younger women, posing a significant challenge to fertility. In addition to menopausal symptoms, POI leads to several complications that profoundly affect female reproductive function and overall health. Unfortunately, current clinical treatment strategies for this condition are limited and often yield unsatisfactory outcomes. These approaches typically involve hormone replacement therapy combined with psychological support. Recently, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapies for POI have garnered considerable attention in global research. MSCs can restore ovarian reproductive and endocrine functions through diverse mechanisms, including controlling differentiation, promoting angiogenesis, regulating ovarian fibrosis, inhibiting apoptosis, enhancing autocrine and paracrine effects, suppressing inflammation, modulating the immune system, and genetic regulation. This editorial offers a succinct summary of the application of MSC therapy in the context of POI, providing evidence for groundbreaking medical approaches that have potential to enhance reproductive health and overall well-being for women.
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OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effects of natural products on animal models of premature ovarian failure (POF). METHODS: We conducted comprehensive literature searches and identified relevant studies that examined the protective effects of natural products on experimental POF. We extracted quantitative data on various aspects such as follicular development, ovarian function, physical indicators, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory factors, and protein changes. The data was analyzed using random-effects meta-analyses, calculating pooled standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic, and bias was estimated using the SYRCLE tool. RESULTS: Among the 879 reviewed records, 25 articles met our inclusion criteria. These findings demonstrate that treatment with different phytochemicals and marine natural products (flavonoids, phenols, peptides, and alkaloids, etc.) significantly improved various aspects of ovarian function compared to control groups. The treatment led to an increase in follicle count at different stages, elevated levels of key hormones, and a decrease in atretic follicles and hormone levels associated with POF. This therapy also reduced oxidative stress (specifically polyphenols, resveratrol) and apoptotic cell death (particularly flavonoids, chrysin) in ovarian granulosa cells, although it showed no significant impact on inflammatory responses. The certainty of evidence supporting these findings ranged from low to moderate. CONCLUSIONS: Phytochemicals and marine natural product therapy (explicitly flavonoids, phenols, peptides, and alkaloids) has shown potential in enhancing folliculogenesis and improving ovarian function in animal models of POF. These findings provide promising strategies to protect ovarian reserve and reproductive health. Targeting oxidative stress and apoptosis pathways may be the underlying mechanism.
Assuntos
Produtos Biológicos , Insuficiência Ovariana Primária , Insuficiência Ovariana Primária/tratamento farmacológico , Feminino , Produtos Biológicos/uso terapêutico , Produtos Biológicos/farmacologia , Animais , Humanos , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Ovário/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Bushen Tiaoxue Granules (BTG) is an empirical Chinese herbal formula that has been used for the treatment of subfertility. The protective effect of BTG on controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH)-induced impaired endometrial receptivity has been reported in our previous study. This study aims to explore the mechanisms of BTG on ameliorating abnormal morphology of endometrium based on network pharmacology. Active compounds of BTG were identified via the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology and UPLC-MS technology. The SwissTargetPrediction platform and HERB database were used to screen out the putative targets of BTG. Potential targets of endometrial dysfunction caused by COH were obtained from three GEO databases. Through the STRING database, the protein-protein interaction was carried out according to the cross-common targets of diseases and drugs. GO terms and KEGG pathways enrichment analyses were conducted via the Metascape database. AutoDock Vina was used for docking validation of the affinity between active compounds and potential targets. Finally, in vivo experiments were used to verify the potential mechanisms derived from network pharmacology study. A total of 141 effective ingredients were obtained from TCMSP and nine of which were verified in UPLC-MS. Six genes were selected through the intersection of 534 disease related genes and 165 drug potential targets. Enrichment analyses showed that BTG might reverse endometrial dysfunction by regulating adherens junction and arachidonic acid metabolism. Hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed that BTG ameliorated the loose and edematous status of endometrial epithelium caused by COH. The protein expression of FOXO1A, ß-Catenin and COX-2 was decreased in the COH group, and was up-regulated by BTG. BTG significantly alleviates the edema of endometrial epithelium caused by COH. The mechanisms may be related to adheren junctions and activation of arachidonic acid metabolism. The potential active compounds quercetin, taxifolin, kaempferol, eriodictyol, and isorhamnetin identified from the BTG exhibit marginal cytotoxicity. Both high and low concentrations of kaempferol, eriodictyol, and taxifolin are capable of effectively ameliorating impaired hESC cellular activity.