Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. and Cuscuta chinensis Lam. extract relieves insulin resistance via PI3K/Akt signalling in diabetic Drosophila.

Background and aim: Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is mainly characterized by insulin resistance (IR) induced by hyperglycaemia and insufficient insulin secretion. We employed a diabetic fly model to examine the effect and molecular mechanism of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. and Cuscuta chinensis Lam. (AMK-CCL) extract as traditional Chinese medicine in treating IR and T2DM. Experimental procedure: The contents of the active ingredients (rhamnose, xylose, mannose, and hyperoside) in AMK-CCL extract were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Wild-type (Cg-GAL4/+) or diabetic (Cg > InRK1409A) Drosophila flies were divided into the control group or metformin group and AMK-CCL (0.0125, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 g/ml) groups. Food intake, haemolymph glucose and trehalose, protein, weight, triglycerides (TAG), and glycogen were measured to assess glycolipid metabolism. Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signalling was detected using fluorescent reporters [tGPH, Drosophila forkhead box O (dFoxO)-green fluorescent protein (GFP), Glut1-GFP, 2-NBDG] in vivo. Glut1/3 mRNA levels and Akt phosphorylation levels were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively, in vitro. Results: AMK-CCL extract contained 0.038 % rhamnose, 0.017 % xylose, 0.69 % mannose, and 0.039 % hyperoside. AMK-CCL at 0.0125 g/mL significantly suppressed the increase in circulating glucose, and the decrease in body weight, TAG, and glycogen contents of diabetic flies. AMK-CCL improved PI3K activity, Akt phosphorylation, Glut1/3 expression, and glucose uptake in diabetic flies, and also rescued diabetes-induced dFoxO nuclear localisation. Conclusions: These findings indicate that AMK-CCL extract ameliorates IR-induced diabetes via the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, providing an experimental basis for clinical treatment.

Transcriptome sequencing of garlic reveals key genes related to the heat stress response.

With global warming, heat stress has become an important factor that seriously affects crop yield and quality. Therefore, understanding plant responses to heat stress is important for agricultural practice, but the molecular mechanism of high-temperature tolerance in garlic remains unclear. In this study, 'Xusuan No. 6' was used as the experimental material. After heat stress for 0 (CK), 2 and 24 h, transcriptome sequencing was used to screen metabolic pathways and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) closely related to heat stress and was further verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A total of 86,110 unigenes obtained from the raw transcriptome sequencing data were spliced. After 2 h of heat treatment, the expression levels of 8898 genes increased, and 3829 genes were decreased in leaves. After 24 h, the expression levels of 7167 genes were upregulated, and 3176 genes were downregulated. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in seven categories: cellular processes, metabolic processes, binging, catalytic activity, cellular anatomical entity and protein-containing complex response to stimulus. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment showed that DEGs are involved in protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and photosynthetic antenna proteins. Six genes were selected and further verified by qRT-PCR. In this study, the full-length transcriptome of garlic was constructed, and the regulatory genes related to the heat resistance of garlic were studied. Taken together, these findings can provide a theoretical basis for the cloning of heat resistance genes in garlic and for the analysis of heat resistance mechanisms.

An intronic enhancer of Cebpa regulates adipocyte differentiation and adipose tissue development via long-range loop formation.

Cebpa is a master transcription factor gene for adipogenesis. However, the mechanisms of enhancer-promoter chromatin interactions controlling Cebpa transcriptional regulation during adipogenic differentiation remain largely unknown. To reveal how the three-dimensional structure of Cebpa changes during adipogenesis, we generated high-resolution chromatin interactions of Cebpa in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes using circularized chromosome conformation capture sequencing (4C-seq). We revealed dramatic changes in chromatin interactions and chromatin status at interaction sites during adipogenic differentiation. Based on this, we identified five active enhancers of Cebpa in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through epigenomic data and luciferase reporter assays. Next, epigenetic repression of Cebpa-L1-AD-En2 or -En3 by the dCas9-KRAB system significantly down-regulated Cebpa expression and inhibited adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, experimental depletion of cohesin decreased the interaction intensity between Cebpa-L1-AD-En2 and the Cebpa promoter and down-regulated Cebpa expression, indicating that long-range chromatin loop formation was mediated by cohesin. Two transcription factors, RXRA and PPARG, synergistically regulate the activity of Cebpa-L1-AD-En2. To test whether Cebpa-L1-AD-En2 plays a role in adipose tissue development, we injected dCas9-KRAB-En2 lentivirus into the inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) of mice to suppress the activity of Cebpa-L1-AD-En2. Repression of Cebpa-L1-AD-En2 significantly decreased Cebpa expression and adipocyte size, altered iWAT transcriptome, and affected iWAT development. We identified functional enhancers regulating Cebpa expression and clarified the crucial roles of Cebpa-L1-AD-En2 and Cebpa promoter interaction in adipocyte differentiation and adipose tissue development.

Total Astragalus saponins can reverse type 2 diabetes mellitus-related intestinal dysbiosis and hepatic insulin resistance in vivo.

Objective: Intestinal flora homeostasis in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was evaluated to explore the effects of total Astragalus saponins (TAS) on hepatic insulin resistance (IR). Methods: Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed high-fat and high-sugar diet for 4 weeks and intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin to induce T2DM, and they were then randomly divided into control, model, metformin, and TAS groups. Stool, serum, colon, and liver samples were collected after 8 weeks of drug administration for relevant analyses. Results: TAS reduced fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, area under the curve of oral glucose tolerance test, glycated serum protein, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in T2DM rats but increased insulin, C-peptide, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Moreover, TAS improved the morphology and structure of liver and colon tissues and improved the composition of the intestinal microbiome and bacterial community structure at different taxonomic levels. In addition, TAS increased the protein expression of hepatic IRS-1, PI3K, PDK1, and p-AKT and decreased the protein expression of p-GSK-3ß. Meanwhile, TAS increased the mRNA expression of liver PDK1, PI3K, and GS and decreased the mRNA expression of GSK-3ß. Conclusion: TAS can ameliorate T2DM-related abnormal glucose and blood lipid metabolism, intestinal dysbiosis, and IR.

Access to Chromenopyrrolidines Enabled by Organophotocatalyzed [2 + 2 + 1] Annulation of Chromones with N-Arylglycines.

A facile approach toward chromenopyrrolidines was achieved under mild conditions via organophotocatalyzed aerobic decarboxylative [2 + 2 + 1] annulation of chromones with N-arylglycines, in which N-arylglycines perform dual roles (i.e., radical precursor and methylene provider). Mechanistic studies suggested that a Giese-type radical addition and consequent Mannich pathway were likely responsible for the annulation reaction.

Exploring high-resolution chromatin interaction changes and functional enhancers of myogenic marker genes during myogenic differentiation.

Skeletal muscle differentiation (myogenesis) is a complex and highly coordinated biological process regulated by a series of myogenic marker genes. Chromatin interactions between gene's promoters and their enhancers have an important role in transcriptional control. However, the high-resolution chromatin interactions of myogenic genes and their functional enhancers during myogenesis remain largely unclear. Here, we used circularized chromosome conformation capture coupled with next generation sequencing (4C-seq) to investigate eight myogenic marker genes in C2C12 myoblasts (C2C12-MBs) and C2C12 myotubes (C2C12-MTs). We revealed dynamic chromatin interactions of these marker genes during differentiation and identified 163 and 314 significant interaction sites (SISs) in C2C12-MBs and C2C12-MTs, respectively. The interacting genes of SISs in C2C12-MTs were mainly involved in muscle development, and histone modifications of the SISs changed during differentiation. Through functional genomic screening, we also identified 25 and 41 putative active enhancers in C2C12-MBs and C2C12-MTs, respectively. Using luciferase reporter assays for putative enhancers of Myog and Myh3, we identified eight activating enhancers. Furthermore, dCas9-KRAB epigenome editing and RNA-Seq revealed a role for Myog enhancers in the regulation of Myog expression and myogenic differentiation in the native genomic context. Taken together, this study lays the groundwork for understanding 3D chromatin interaction changes of myogenic genes during myogenesis and provides insights that contribute to our understanding of the role of enhancers in regulating myogenesis.

Sanghuang Tongxie Formula Ameliorates Insulin Resistance in Drosophila Through Regulating PI3K/Akt Signaling.

Insulin resistance (IR) is a pivotal pathological characteristic that affects the occurrence and development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Thus, the effective control of IR is of great significance for diabetes prevention and treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) represents a valuable tool handed down to the world by the Chinese nation and has a long history of use for diabetes clinical therapy. In this study, we focused on a self-drafted TCM-patented formula, Sanghuang Tongxie Formula (SHTXF), which exhibits clinical efficacy in the treatment of diabetes. To explore the effect and molecular mechanism of SHTXF on IR in vivo, Drosophila melanogaster was used and a (Collagen) Cg > InRK1409A diabetic IR fly model was established. SHTXF water extract was found to contribute toward carbohydrate clearance from the circulating system by converting it into triglycerides (TAG), not glycogen, for nutrient storage. In addition, SHTXF activated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) activity and improved protein kinase B (PKB, also termed Akt) phosphorylation. Finally, SHTXF promoted Drosophila Forkhead Box O (dFoxO) cytoplasmic localization and inhibited its transcriptional activity. Taken together, these findings not only highlight the positive role of SHTXF in ameliorating IR via the PI3K/Akt pathway but also provide potential drug targets and key insights for use in T2DM clinical treatment strategies.

Synthesis of Chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-one Derivatives from 1,3,5-Triazinanes via Two Different Reaction Pathways.

1,3,5-Triazinanes, as a kind of versatile building block, are applied in the synthesis of chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-one derivatives via two different reaction modes, which perfectly exhibits the powerful function of 1,3,5-triazinane as a three-atom synthon along with the structure variation of another substrate. The two annulation reactions proceed under mild conditions and bear broad substrate scope and high yield.

Synthesis of 5H-Chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-one Derivatives via Microwave-Promoted Multicomponent Reaction.

A microwave-promoted multicomponent reaction of 3-formylchromones, amines, and paraformaldehyde was achieved under catalyst-free and solvent-free conditions, delivering 5H-chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-one derivatives in good to excellent yields via an unexpected annulation pathway, which further expanded the synthetic application of paraformaldehyde as a C1 building block.

Purification, structural characterization and immunostimulatory activity of polysaccharides from Umbilicaria esculenta.

In this study, an active component UP1-1 was isolated from Chinese Huangshan Umbilicaria esculenta via hot water extraction and purified by anion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. UP1-1 mainly composed of galactose, mannose and glucose in a molar ratio of 0.8:1.0:4.6 with an average molecular weight of 281 kDa. Methylation analysis of UP1-1 revealed the major glycosidic bonds comprised 1,6-linked Glcp, 1,4-linked Glcp, t-linked Glcp, 1,3,6-linked Manp, 1,3-linked Galp, t-linked Galp at the ratio of 2.28:0.38:0.32:0.63:0.25:0.29. Structural analysis results revealed that the backbone of UP1-1 consisted of →6)-ß-D-Glcp-(1→, →6)-ß-D-Manp-(1→, →4)-ß-D-Glcp-(1 → residues with side chains of →3)-ß-D-Galp-(1→, ß-D-Galp-(1 → and ß-D-Glcp-(1 → branches located at O-3 position of →6)-ß-D-Manp-(1→. Immunostimulatory activity tests showed that UP1-1 could promote the phagocytic activity and NO production of RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. UP1-1 could significantly improve the proliferation effect of RAW 264.7 cells at the concentration of 50 µg/mL. Thus, UP1-1 exerted good immunostimulatory activity, suggesting that UP1-1 has a great potential application in pharmacological industry.

Enlarged field of view based on Schwartz modulation for light sheet fluorescence microscopy in deep tissue.

The combination of light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) and the optical clearing method can achieve fast three-dimensional high-resolution imaging. However, there is an essential contradiction between the field of view (FoV) and spatial resolution. Also, aberration and scattering still exist after tissue clearing, which seriously limits the imaging depth of LSFM. Here we propose a Schwartz modulation method and implement it in LSFM based on a quasi-Bessel beam to enlarge the imaging FoV without sacrificing its spatial resolution. The simulation results show that the FoV of the LSFM is enlarged by a factor of 1.73 compared to the Bessel beam. The capability of extremely fast decay along the optical axis makes Schwartz modulation more tolerant for scattering, indicating potential applications for deep tissue imaging. Also, the capability of sidelobe suppression effectively decreases unnecessary fluorescence excitation and photobleaching.

Spleen-kidney supplementing formula alleviates insulin resistance via regulating AKT/glycogen synthase kinase 3ß pathway in rats with type 2 diabetic induced by high-fat diet.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanism underpinning the action by investigating its effect on glycogen content and AKT (also known as protein kinase B)/glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK- 3ß) pathway in the liver of rats with type 2 diabetic induced by high-fat diet. METHODS: The rat model of type 2 diabetes was induced by high-fat diet and multiple low-dose streptozotocin injection. Diabetic rats were divided into five groups: the model control group, the Metformin group, spleen-kidney supplementing formula groups of low, medium and high doses. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were measured before treatment and every two weeks during treatment. After the treatment, oral glucose tolerance test was performed, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and C-peptide were measured to assess the formula's effect on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. The protein expression levels of AKT, GSK-3ß and their phosphorylated forms in the liver were also measured to study the formula's role in insulin signaling pathway. RESULTS: Spleen-kidney supplementing formula significantly relieved the symptoms of polydipsia, polyuria and weight loss in type 2 diabetic rats, reduced FBG and HbA1c levels, increased glycogen content, and improved insulin sensitivity. The anti-diabetic effects of spleen-kidney supplementing formula are dose dependent. It also increased the total AKT protein level and the GSK-3ß phosphorylation in the liver of type 2 diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: Spleen-kidney supplementing formula has hypoglycemic effect and relieves insulin resistance by enhancing AKT/GSK-3ß signaling pathway in the liver of type 2 diabetic rats.

Regioselective nitration of anilines with Fe(NO3)3·9H2O as a promoter and a nitro source.

An efficient Fe(NO3)3·9H2O promoted ortho-nitration reaction of aniline derivatives has been developed. This reaction may go through a nitrogen dioxide radical (NO2˙) intermediate, which is generated by the thermal decomposition of iron(iii) nitrate. The practicality of the present method using nontoxic and inexpensive iron reagents has been shown by the broad substrate scope and applications.

Structure Elucidation of a Polysaccharide from Umbilicaria esculenta and Its Immunostimulatory Activity.

Umbilicaria esculenta has been used as a tonic food in China for several centuries owing to its pleasant flavor and health benefits. In this study, a water soluble polysaccharide, which we designated as UP2, with an average molecular weight of 3.33 × 105 Da, was isolated from U. esculenta cultivated in the Huangshan Mountain, by consecutive hot water extraction and anion-exchange chromatography. Gas chromatography analysis indicated that UP2 contained three kinds of monosaccharides, including mannose, glucose, and galactose at a molar ratio of 1.7:1.0:1.2. Linkage analysis of UP2 revealed the presence of (1 → 6)-linked glucosyl, (1 → 3,6)-linked glucosyl, t-linked galactosyl, (1 → 6)-linked galactosyl and (1 → 6)-linked mannosyl at a molar ratio of 0.7:4.6:4.1:2.2:9.1. Structural analysis determined that UP2 possessed a backbone consisting of (1 → 6)-linked ß-D-glucopyranosyl and (1 → 6)-linked α-D-mannopyranosyl residues, which substituted at the O-3 position of (1 → 6)-linked ß-D-glucopyranosyl residues by branches of (1 → 6)-linked α-D-galactopyranosyl and 1-linked ß-D-galactopyranosyl residues. Immunostimulatory activity analysis showed that UP2 could stimulate the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and all the samples (20-500 µg/mL) were found to enhance nitric oxide production. The highest phagocytic activity of UP2 was observed at 200 µg/mL. Thus, UP2 may be a potential source of biological and pharmacological agents.