Cordycepin delays postovulatory aging of oocytes through inhibition of maternal mRNAs degradation via DCP1A polyadenylation suppression.

Postovulatory aging leads to the decline in oocyte quality and subsequent impairment of embryonic development, thereby reducing the success rate of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Potential preventative strategies preventing oocytes from aging and the associated underlying mechanisms warrant investigation. In this study, we identified that cordycepin, a natural nucleoside analogue, promoted the quality of oocytes aging in vitro, as indicated by reduced oocyte fragmentation, improved spindle/chromosomes morphology and mitochondrial function, as well as increased embryonic developmental competence. Proteomic and RNA sequencing analyses revealed that cordycepin inhibited the degradation of several crucial maternal proteins and mRNAs caused by aging. Strikingly, cordycepin was found to suppress the elevation of DCP1A protein by inhibiting polyadenylation during postovulatory aging, consequently impeding the decapping of maternal mRNAs. In humans, the increased degradation of DCP1A and total mRNA during postovulatory aging was also inhibited by cordycepin. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that cordycepin prevents postovulatory aging of mammalian oocytes by inhibition of maternal mRNAs degradation via suppressing polyadenylation of DCP1A mRNA, thereby promoting oocyte developmental competence.

Spatially and temporally understanding dynamic solid-electrolyte interfaces in carbon dioxide electroreduction.

The ubiquity of solid-liquid interfaces in nature and the significant role of their atomic-scale structure in determining interfacial properties have led to intensive research. Particularly in electrocatalysis, however, a molecular-level picture that clearly describes the dynamic interfacial structures and organizations with their correlation to preferred reaction pathways in electrochemical reactions remains poorly understood. In this review, CO2 electroreduction reaction (CO2RR) is spatially and temporally understood as a result of intricate interactions at the interface, in which the interfacial features are highly relevant. We start with the discussion of current understandings and model development associated with the charged electrochemical interface as well as its dynamic landscape. We further highlight the interactive dynamics from the interfacial field, catalyst surface charges and various gradients in electrolyte and interfacial water structures at interfaces under CO2RR working conditions, with emphasis on the interfacial-structure dependence of catalytic reactivity/selectivity. Significantly, a probing energy-dependent "in situ characterization map" for dynamic interfaces based on various complementary in situ/operando techniques is proposed, aiming to present a comprehensive picture of interfacial electrocatalysis and to provide a more unified research framework. Moreover, recent milestones in both experimental and theoretical aspects to establish the correct profile of electrochemical interfaces are stressed. Finally, we present key scientific challenges with related perspectives toward future opportunities for this exciting frontier.

[Research progress in molecular pharmacognosy of Andrographis paniculata].

Molecular pharmacognosy as an emerging interdisciplinary subject based on molecular biology and Chinese materia medica aims to study the synthesis and molecular regulation of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. Andrographis Herba, the dried aboveground part of Andrographis paniculata, has liver-protecting, bile secretion-promoting, heat-clearing, toxin-removing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. The quality instability caused by plant varieties, environment, and technology in the production of A. paniculata is a limiting factor for the sustainable development of this industry. Based on the research methods of molecular pharmacognosy and omics, the regulation of secondary metabolites of A. paniculata has become the key solution to the quality problems of A. paniculata. This paper summarized the recent research achievements in the molecular pharmacognosy of A. paniculata, including molecular identification of the resources, genetic diversity, multi-omics, biosynthesis of active compounds, and germplasm resource innovation, and prospected the future development trend in this field. In-depth research of molecular pharmacognosy of A. paniculata will provide more scientific and effective technical support for the development of its medicinal value, give new insights into the cultivation of new A. paniculata varieties, and promote the high-quality sustainable development of this industry.

[Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of TCP gene family of Andrographis paniculata under abiotic stress].

Andrographis paniculata is an important medicinal plant in the Lingnan region of China, which has the functions of clearing heat, removing toxins, and resisting bacteria and inflammation. The TCP gene family is a class of transcription factors that regulate plant growth, development, and stress response. In order to analysis the role of the TCP gene family under abiotic stress in A. paniculata, this study identified the TCP gene family of A. paniculata at the genome-wide level and analyzed its expression pattern in response to abiotic stress. The results showed that the A. paniculata TCP gene family had 23 members, with length of amino acid ranging from 136 to 508, the relative molecular mass between 14 854.71 and 55 944.90 kDa, and the isoelectric point between 5.67 and 10.39. All members were located in the nucleus and unevenly distributed on 13 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis classified them into three subfamilies: PCF, CIN and CYC/TB1. Gene structure and conserved motif analysis showed that most members of the TCP gene family contained motif 1, motif 2, motif 3 in the same order and 1-3 CDS. The analysis of promoter cis-acting elements showed that the transcriptional expression of the TCP gene family in A. paniculata might be induced by light, hormones, and adversity stress. In light of the expression pattern analysis and qRT-PCR verification, the expression of ApTCP4, ApTCP5, ApTCP6, and ApTCP11 involved in response by various abiotic stresses such as drought, high temperature, and MeJA. This study lays the foundation for in-depth exploration of the functions of A. paniculata TCP genes in response to abiotic stress.

Growth hormone reduces aneuploidy and improves oocytes quality by JAK2-MAPK3/1 pathway in aged mice.

BACKGROUND: The global delay in women's reproductive age has raised concerns about age-related infertility. The decline in oocyte quality is a limiting factor of female fertility, yet there are currently no strategies to preserve oocyte quality in aged women. Here, we investigated the effects of growth hormone (GH) supplementation on aneuploidy of aged oocytes. METHODS: For the in vivo experiments, the aged mice (8-month-old) were intraperitoneally injected with GH daily for 8 weeks. For the in vitro experiments, germinal vesicle oocytes from aged mice were treated with GH during oocyte maturation. The impacts of GH on ovarian reserve before superovulation was evaluated. Oocytes were retrieved to assess oocyte quality, aneuploidy and developmental potential characteristics. Quantitative proteomics analysis was applied to investigate the potential targets of GH in aged oocytes. RESULTS: In this study, we demonstrated that GH supplementation in vivo not only alleviated the decline in oocyte number caused by aging, but also improved the quality and developmental potential of aged oocytes. Strikingly, we discovered that GH supplementation reduced aneuploidy in aged oocytes. Mechanically, in addition to improving mitochondrial function, our proteomic analysis indicated that the MAPK3/1 pathway may be involved in the reduction in aneuploidy of aged oocytes, as confirmed both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, JAK2 may also act as a mediator in how GH regulates MAPK3/1. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our research reveals that GH supplementation protects oocytes against aging-related aneuploidy and enhances the quality of aged oocytes, which has clinical significance for aged women undergoing assisted reproduction technology.

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy vs Alteplase for Patients With Minor Nondisabling Acute Ischemic Stroke: The ARAMIS Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Intravenous thrombolysis is increasingly used in patients with minor stroke, but its benefit in patients with minor nondisabling stroke is unknown. Objective: To investigate whether dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is noninferior to intravenous thrombolysis among patients with minor nondisabling acute ischemic stroke. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter, open-label, blinded end point, noninferiority randomized clinical trial included 760 patients with acute minor nondisabling stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score ≤5, with ≤1 point on the NIHSS in several key single-item scores; scale range, 0-42). The trial was conducted at 38 hospitals in China from October 2018 through April 2022. The final follow-up was on July 18, 2022. Interventions: Eligible patients were randomized within 4.5 hours of symptom onset to the DAPT group (n = 393), who received 300 mg of clopidogrel on the first day followed by 75 mg daily for 12 (±2) days, 100 mg of aspirin on the first day followed by 100 mg daily for 12 (±2) days, and guideline-based antiplatelet treatment until 90 days, or the alteplase group (n = 367), who received intravenous alteplase (0.9 mg/kg; maximum dose, 90 mg) followed by guideline-based antiplatelet treatment beginning 24 hours after receipt of alteplase. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was excellent functional outcome, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 or 1 (range, 0-6), at 90 days. The noninferiority of DAPT to alteplase was defined on the basis of a lower boundary of the 1-sided 97.5% CI of the risk difference greater than or equal to -4.5% (noninferiority margin) based on a full analysis set, which included all randomized participants with at least 1 efficacy evaluation, regardless of treatment group. The 90-day end points were assessed in a blinded manner. A safety end point was symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage up to 90 days. Results: Among 760 eligible randomized patients (median [IQR] age, 64 [57-71] years; 223 [31.0%] women; median [IQR] NIHSS score, 2 [1-3]), 719 (94.6%) completed the trial. At 90 days, 93.8% of patients (346/369) in the DAPT group and 91.4% (320/350) in the alteplase group had an excellent functional outcome (risk difference, 2.3% [95% CI, -1.5% to 6.2%]; crude relative risk, 1.38 [95% CI, 0.81-2.32]). The unadjusted lower limit of the 1-sided 97.5% CI was -1.5%, which is larger than the -4.5% noninferiority margin (P for noninferiority <.001). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage at 90 days occurred in 1 of 371 participants (0.3%) in the DAPT group and 3 of 351 (0.9%) in the alteplase group. Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients with minor nondisabling acute ischemic stroke presenting within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, DAPT was noninferior to intravenous alteplase with regard to excellent functional outcome at 90 days. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03661411.

Exposed Zinc Sites on Hybrid ZnIn2 S4 @CdS Nanocages for Efficient Regioselective Photocatalytic Epoxide Alcoholysis.

Photocatalytic epoxide alcoholysis through C-O bond cleavage and formation has emerged as an alternative to synthesizing anti-tumoral pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. However, the lack of crucial evidence to interpret the interaction between reactants and photocatalyst surface makes it challenging for photocatalytic epoxide alcoholysis with both high activity and regioselectivity. In this work, we report the hierarchical ZnIn2 S4 @CdS photocatalyst for epoxide alcoholysis with high regioselectivity nearly 100 %. Mechanistic studies unveil that the precise activation switch on exposed Zn acid sites for C-O bond polarization and cleavage has a critical significance for achieving efficient photocatalytic performance. Furthermore, the establishment of Z-scheme heterojunction facilitates the interface charge separation and transfer. Remarkably, the underlying regioselective photocatalytic reaction pathway has been distinctly revealed.

[Identification and expression analysis of R2R3-MYB gene family in Andrographis paniculata].

The plant growth, development, and secondary metabolism are regulated by R2 R3-MYB transcription factors. This study identified the R2 R3-MYB genes in the genome of Andrographis paniculata and analyzed the chromosomal localization, gene structure, and conserved domains, phylogenetic relationship, and promoter cis-acting elements of these R2 R3-MYB genes. Moreover, the gene expression profiles of R2 R3-MYB genes under abiotic stress and hormone treatments were generated by RNA-seq and validated by qRT-PCR. The results showed that A. paniculata contained 73 R2 R3-MYB genes on 21 chromosomes. These members belonged to 34 subfamilies, 19 of which could be classified into the known subfamilies in Arabidopsis thaliana. The 73 R2 R3-MYB members included 36 acidic proteins and 37 basic proteins, with the lengths of 148-887 aa. The domains, motifs, and gene structures of R2 R3-MYBs in A. paniculata were conserved. The promoter regions of these genes contains a variety of cis-acting elements related to the responses to environmental factors and plant hormones including light, ABA, MeJA, and drought. Based on the similarity of functions of R2 R3-MYBs in the same subfamily and the transcription profiles, ApMYB13/21/35/67/73(S22) may regulate drought stress through ABA pathway; ApMYB20(S11) and ApMYB55(S2) may play a role in the response of A. paniculata to high temperature and UV-C stress; ApMYB5(S7) and ApMYB33(S20) may affect the accumulation of andrographolide by regulating the expression of key enzymes in the MEP pathway. This study provides theoretical reference for further research on the functions of R2 R3-MYB genes in A. paniculata and breeding of A. paniculata varieties with high andrographolide content.

Heck Reaction Boosted Heterocycle Ring-Closing and Ring-Opening Rearrangement: A Strategy for the Synthesis of Indolyl-Type Ligands.

A novel method for P-involved heterocycle ring-closing-ring-opening rearrangement (HRR) via the Heck reaction is disclosed. The approach enables direct installation of a phosphorus-containing aryl group onto the C2 position of indole. This new rearrangement directly transforms easily prepared indole derivatives into indolyl-derived phosphonates and phosphinic acids with high yields, and many of the products are difficult to obtain by using established methods. This new HRR reaction provides an extremely simple and step-economic method to induce C-C bond formation and P-N bond cleavage for the synthesis of a variety of indolyl-type ligands.

Prolonged interval time between blastocyst biopsy and vitrification compromised the outcomes in preimplantation genetic testing.

This study aimed to evaluate to what extent the different interval times between trophectoderm (TE) biopsy and vitrification influence the clinical outcomes in preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) cycles. Patients who underwent frozen embryo transfer (FET) after PGT between 2015 and 2019 were recruited. In total, 297 cycles with single day 5 euploid blastocyst transfer were included. These cycles were divided into three groups according to the interval times: <1 h group, 1-2 h group, and ≥2 h group. Blastocyst survival, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, and ongoing pregnancy rates were compared. The results showed that, in PGT-SR cycles, survival rate in the ≥2 h group (96.72%) was significantly lower than in the <1 h group (100%, P = 0.047). The clinical pregnancy rate in the ≥2 h group was 55.93%, significantly lower than in the <1 h group (74.26%, P = 0.017). The ongoing pregnancy rates in the 1-2 h group and the ≥2 h group were 48.28% and 47.46%, respectively, significantly lower than that in the <1 h group (67.33%, P < 0.05). The miscarriage rate in the 1-2 h group was 18.42%, significantly higher than that in the <1 h group (5.33%, P = 0.027). In PGT-A cycles, the clinical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy rates in the <1 h group were 67.44% and 53.49%, respectively, higher than that in the 1-2 h group (52.94%, 47.06%, P > 0.05) and the ≥2 h group (52.63%, 36.84%, P > 0.05). In conclusion, vitrification of blastocysts beyond 1 h after biopsy significantly influences embryo survival and clinical outcomes and is therefore not recommended.

Application of Conchal Cartilage Grafts in Nasal Tip Plasty: Comparison and Experience of 3 Methods.

INTRODUCTION: The autologous conchal cartilage of good elasticity is easy to harvest, thus is often used in nasal tip plasty of East Asians. However, the operation techniques vary a lot among different surgeons. This article aims to introduce 3 techniques commonly used in clinical practice. METHODS: One hundred three patients were included in this study and divided into 3 groups according to the shape of the nasal tip during 2017 to 2019. The patients were followed up for at least 6 months. All patients were measured with Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey (SCHNOS). ImageJ software was used to measure and calculate the projection ratio for lateral position standard image, and columella-labial angle (CLA) was measured. RESULTS: In group 1, SCHNOS for nasal obstruction (SCHNOS-O) score were 13.23 ± 7.61 and 14.49 ± 10.55 (P > 0.05); SCHNOS for nasal cosmesis (SCHNOS-C) score were 66.55 ± 31.23 and 21.73 ± 18.91 (P < 0.001); projection ratio were 0.51 ± 0.04 and 0.57 ± 0.05 (P < 0.001); CLA were 91.02° ± 5.67° and 93.55° ± 4.64° (P > 0.05), preoperative and postoperative, respectively. In group 2, SCHNOS-O score were 16.76 ± 13.44 and 15.44 ± 9.26 (P > 0.05); SCHNOS-C score were 61.87 ± 44.14 and 19.16 ± 29.37 (P < 0.001); projection ratio were 0.50 ± 0.05 and 0.58 ± 0.03 (P < 0.001); CLA were 92.32° ± 6.39° and 94.86° ± 5.96°(P > 0.05), preoperative and postoperative, respectively. In group 3, SCHNOS-O score were 15.25 ± 7.83 and 17.73 ± 11.66 (P > 0.05); SCHNOS-C score were 52.03 ± 33.38 and 17.73 ± 11.66 (P < 0.001); projection ratio were 0.53 ± 0.05 and 0.57 ± 0.02 (P < 0.001); CLA were 91.65° ± 5.75° and 93.21° ± 5.38° (P > 0.05), preoperational and postoperational, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: None of these 3 techniques cause or aggravate nasal obstruction, and all of them can achieve high cosmetic satisfaction. Technique 1 and technique 2 are suitable for the patients with moderate and moderate to severe short nose that is common in East Asia, which can better increase the protrusion of the tip and length of the nose. Technique 3 is suitable for the patients with better shape of the nose, who need to slightly increase the protrusion of the nasal tip and increase the upward rotation.

Cooperative Syngas Production and C-N Bond Formation in One Photoredox Cycle.

Solar-driven syngas production by CO2 reduction provides a sustainable strategy to produce renewable feedstocks. However, this promising reaction often suffers from tough CO2 activation, sluggish oxidative half-reaction kinetics and undesired by-products. Herein, we report a function-oriented strategy of deliberately constructing black phosphorus quantum dots-ZnIn2 S4 (BP/ZIS) heterostructures for solar-driven CO2 reduction to syngas, paired with selectively oxidative C-N bond formation, in one redox cycle. The optimal BP/ZIS heterostructure features the enhanced charge-carrier separation and enriched active sites for cooperatively photocatalytic syngas production with a tunable ratio of CO/H2 and efficient oxidation of amines to imines with high conversion and selectivity. This prominent catalytic performance arises from the efficient electronic coupling between black phosphorus quantum dots and ZnIn2 S4 , as well as the optimized adsorption strength for key reaction intermediates, as supported by both experimental and theoretical investigations. We also demonstrate a synergistic interplay between CO2 reduction and amine dehydrogenation oxidation, rather than simply collecting these two single half-reactions in this dual-functional photoredox system.

Unexpected Boosted Solar Water Oxidation by Nonconjugated Polymer-Mediated Tandem Charge Transfer.

Conjugated polymers are deemed as conductive carrier mediators for engendering the π electrons along the molecular framework, while the role of nonconjugated insulated polymers has been generally overlooked without the capability to participate in the solar-powered oxidation-reduction kinetics and charge-transfer process. Alternatively, considering the ultrashort charge lifetime and significant deficiency of metal nanocluster (NC)-based photosystems, the fine tuning of charge migration over atomically precise ultrasmall metal NCs as novel light-harvesting antennas has so far not yet been unleashed. Here, we unlock the charge-transfer capability of a nonconjugated polymer to modulate the charge flow over metal NCs (Aux and Au25) by such a solid-state nonconductive polymer via a conceptually new chemistry strategy by which l-glutathione (GSH)-capped gold (Aux@GSH) NCs and poly(diallyl-dimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) were alternately self-assembled on the metal oxide (MO: WO3, Fe2O3, and TiO2) substrates. The ultrathin nonconjugated PDDA interim layer periodically intercalated in-between Aux (Au25) NC layers concurrently serves as an unexpected charge-transfer mediator to foster the unidirectional electron flow from Aux(Au25) NCs to MOs by forming a tandem charge-transfer chain, hence endowing the multilayered MO/(PDDA-Aux)n heterostructures with significantly boosted photoelectrochemical water oxidation performance under light irradiation. The unanticipated role of PDDA as a cascade charge mediator is demonstrated to be universal. Our work would unlock the potential charge-transport capability of nonconjugated polymers as a novel charge mediator for solar-to-chemical conversion.

Effects of the Endophytic Bacteria Bacillus cereus BCM2 on Tomato Root Exudates and Meloidogyne incognita Infection.

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cause serious crop losses worldwide. The colonization of tomato roots by endophytic bacteria Bacillus cereus BCM2 can greatly reduce Meloidogyne incognita damage, and tomato roots carrying BCM2 were repellent to M. incognita second-stage juveniles (J2). Here, the effects of BCM2 colonization on the composition of tomato root exudates was evaluated and potential mechanisms for BCM2-mediated M. incognita control explored using a linked twin-pot assay and GC-MS. On water agar plates, J2 preferentially avoided filter paper treated with tomato root exudates (organic phase only) from plants inoculated with BCM2, visiting these 67.1% less than controls. In a linked twin-pot assay, BCM2 treatment resulted in a 42.0% reduction in the number of nematodes in the soil, a 43.3% reduction in the number of galls and a 47.7% decrease in the density of M. incognita in root tissues. Analysis of root exudate composition revealed that BCM2 inoculation increased the number of components in exudates. Among these, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, 3,3-dimethyloctane, and n-tridecane secretions markedly increased. In repellency trials on water agar plates, J2 avoided 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, n-tridecane, and 3,3-dimethyloctane at concentrations of 4 mmol/liter. In a linked twin-pot assay, inoculation with 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol or 3,3-dimethyloctane reduced the number of nematodes in the soil (by 54.9 and 70.6%, respectively), the number of galls (by 53.7 and 52.4%), and the number of M. incognita in root tissues (by 67.5 and 36.3%). BCM2 colonization in tomato roots affected the composition of root exudates, increasing the secretion of substances that appear to be repellent, thus decreasing M. incognita J2 infection of roots.

[Directing construction of CRISPR/Cas9 vector of SmPAL1 in Salvia miltiorrhiza by target efficiency detection in vitro].

To construct CRISPR/Cas9 vectors for the editing of SmPAL1 in the phenylpropane metabolic pathway of Salvia miltiorrhiza, CIRSPR/Cas9 target sites of SmPAL1 were designed by online software. Its target efficiencies were detected in vitro by enzyme digestion and sequences with highly efficiency were constructed into CRISPR/Cas9 vectors. Three possible CRISPR target sequences (SmPAL1-g1, SmPAL1-g2, SmPAL1-g3) were designed and the enzyme digestion efficiencies were 53.3%, 76.6% and 10.0%. SmPAL1-g1 and SmPAL1-g2 were constructed into vector VK005-03 named as VK005-03-g1 and VK005-03-g2. The results of sequencing showed that the two CRISPR/Cas target sequences were all constructed into VK005-03. Here we first laid the foundation for the study of SmPAL1 and provided an effective strategy for the screening of sgRNA.

RE1-silencing Transcription Factor (REST) Is Required for Nuclear Reprogramming by Inhibiting Transforming Growth Factor ß Signaling Pathway.

Differentiated cells can be reprogrammed by transcription factors, and these factors that are responsible for successful reprogramming need to be further identified. Here, we show that the neuronal repressor RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) is rich in porcine oocytes and requires for nuclear transfer (NT)-mediated reprogramming through inhibiting TGFß signaling pathway. REST was dramatically degraded after oocyte activation, but the residual REST was incorporated into the transferred donor nuclei during reprogramming in NT embryos. Inhibition of REST function in oocytes compromised the development of NT embryos but not that of IVF and PA embryos. Bioinformation analysis of putative targets of REST indicated that REST might function on reprogramming in NT embryos by inhibiting TGFß pathway. Further results showed that the developmental failure of REST-inhibited NT embryos could be rescued by treatment of SB431542, an inhibitor of TGFß pathway. Thus, REST is a newly discovered transcription factor that is required for NT-mediated nuclear reprogramming.

Alteration of the DNA methylation status of donor cells impairs the developmental competence of porcine cloned embryos.

Nuclear reprogramming induced by somatic cell nuclear transfer is an inefficient process, and donor cell DNA methylation status is thought to be a major factor affecting cloning efficiency. Here, the role of donor cell DNA methylation status regulated by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) or 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine-5'-triphosphate (5-methyl-dCTP) in the early development of porcine cloned embryos was investigated. Our results showed that 5-aza-dC or 5-methyl-dCTP significantly reduced or increased the global methylation levels and altered the methylation and expression levels of key genes in donor cells. However, the development of cloned embryos derived from these cells was reduced. Furthermore, disrupted pseudo-pronucleus formation and transcripts of early embryo development-related genes were observed in cloned embryos derived from these cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that alteration of the DNA methylation status of donor cells by 5-aza-dC or 5-methyl-dCTP disrupted nuclear reprogramming and impaired the developmental competence of porcine cloned embryos.

Dynamic distribution of linker histone H1.5 in cellular differentiation.

Linker histones are essential components of chromatin, but the distributions and functions of many during cellular differentiation are not well understood. Here, we show that H1.5 binds to genic and intergenic regions, forming blocks of enrichment, in differentiated human cells from all three embryonic germ layers but not in embryonic stem cells. In differentiated cells, H1.5, but not H1.3, binds preferentially to genes that encode membrane and membrane-related proteins. Strikingly, 37% of H1.5 target genes belong to gene family clusters, groups of homologous genes that are located in proximity to each other on chromosomes. H1.5 binding is associated with gene repression and is required for SIRT1 binding, H3K9me2 enrichment, and chromatin compaction. Depletion of H1.5 results in loss of SIRT1 and H3K9me2, increased chromatin accessibility, deregulation of gene expression, and decreased cell growth. Our data reveal for the first time a specific and novel function for linker histone subtype H1.5 in maintenance of condensed chromatin at defined gene families in differentiated human cells.

Epigenetic modification agents improve genomic methylation reprogramming in porcine cloned embryos.

Incomplete DNA methylation reprogramming in cloned embryos leads to low cloning efficiency. Our previous studies showed that the epigenetic modification agents 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) or trichostatin A (TSA) could enhance the developmental competence of porcine cloned embryos. Here, we investigated genomic methylation dynamics and specific gene expression levels during early embryonic development in pigs. In this study, our results showed that there was a typical wave of DNA demethylation and remethylation of centromeric satellite repeat (CenRep) in fertilized embryos, whereas in cloned embryos, delayed demethylation and a lack of remethylation were observed. When cloned embryos were treated with 5-aza-dC or TSA, CenRep methylation reprogramming was improved, and this was similar to that detected in fertilized counterparts. Furthermore, we found that the epigenetic modification agents, especially TSA, effectively promoted silencing of tissue specific genes and transcription of early embryo development-related genes in porcine cloned embryos. In conclusion, our results showed that the epigenetic modification agent 5-aza-dC or TSA could improve genomic methylation reprogramming in porcine cloned embryos and regulate the appropriate expression levels of genes related to early embryonic development, thereby resulting in high developmental competence.

Novel PLCZ1 mutation caused polyspermy during in vitro fertilization.

Failure of oocyte activation, including polyspermy and defects in pronuclear (PN) formation, triggers early embryonic developmental arrest. Many studies have shown that phospholipase C zeta 1 ( PLCZ1 ) mutations cause failure of PN formation following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI); however, whether PLCZ1 mutation is associated with polyspermy during in vitro fertilization (IVF) remains unknown. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed to identify candidate mutations in couples with primary infertility. Sanger sequencing was used to validate the mutations. Multiple PLCZ1 -mutated sperm were injected into human and mouse oocytes to explore whether PN formation was induced. Assisted oocyte activation (AOA) after ICSI was performed to overcome the failure of oocyte activation. We identified three PLCZ1 mutations in three patients who experienced polyspermy during IVF cycles, including a novel missense mutation c.1154C>T, p.R385Q. PN formation failure was observed during the ICSI cycle. However, injection of multiple PLCZ1- mutated sperm induced PN formation, suggesting that the Ca 2+ oscillations induced by the sperm exceeded the necessary threshold for PN formation. AOA after ICSI enabled normal fertilization, and all patients achieved successful pregnancies. These findings expand the mutational spectrum of PLCZ1 and suggest an important role for PLCZ1 in terms of blocking polyspermy. Furthermore, this study may benefit genetic diagnoses in cases of abnormal fertilization and provide potential appropriate therapeutic measures for these patients with sperm-derived polyspermy.