Long noncoding RNA NEAT1 inhibits the acetylation of PTEN through the miR-524-5p /HDAC1 axis to promote the proliferation and invasion of laryngeal cancer cells.

Long noncoding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (lncRNA NEAT1) is abnormally expressed in numerous tumors and functions as an oncogene, but the role of NEAT1 in laryngocarcinoma is largely unknown. Our study validated that NEAT1 expression was markedly upregulated in laryngocarcinoma tissues and cells. Downregulation of NEAT1 dramatically suppressed cell proliferation and invasion through inhibiting miR-524-5p expression. Additionally, NEAT1 overexpression promoted cell growth and metastasis, while overexpression of miR-524-5p could reverse the effect. NEAT1 increased the expression of histone deacetylase 1 gene (HDAC1) via sponging miR-524-5p. Mechanistically, overexpression of HDAC1 recovered the cancer-inhibiting effects of miR-524-5p mimic or NEAT1 silence by deacetylation of tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) and inhibiting AKT signal pathway. Moreover, in vivo experiments indicated that silence of NEAT1 signally suppressed tumor growth. Taken together, knockdown of NEAT1 suppressed laryngocarcinoma cell growth and metastasis by miR-524-5p/HDAC1/PTEN/AKT signal pathway, which provided a potential therapeutic target for laryngocarcinoma.

Rapid Mining of Candidate Genes for Verticillium Wilt Resistance in Cotton Based on BSA-Seq Analysis.

Cotton is a globally important cash crop. Verticillium wilt (VW) is commonly known as "cancer" of cotton and causes serious loss of yield and fiber quality in cotton production around the world. Here, we performed a BSA-seq analysis using an F2:3 segregation population to identify the candidate loci involved in VW resistance. Two QTLs (qvw-D05-1 and qvw-D05-2) related to VW resistance in cotton were identified using two resistant/susceptible bulks from the F2 segregation population constructed by crossing the resistant cultivar ZZM2 with the susceptible cultivar J11. A total of 30stop-lost SNPs and 42 stop-gained SNPs, which included 17 genes, were screened in the qvw-D05-2 region by SnpEff analysis. Further analysis of the transcriptome data and qRT-PCR revealed that the expression level of Ghir_D05G037630 (designated as GhDRP) varied significantly at certain time points after infection with V. dahliae. The virus-induced gene silencing of GhDRP resulted in higher susceptibility of the plants to V. dahliae than the control, suggesting that GhDRP is involved in the resistance to V. dahlia infection. This study provides a method for rapid mining of quantitative trait loci and screening of candidate genes, as well as enriches the genomic information and gene resources for the molecular breeding of disease resistance in cotton.

Edible plant Jiaosu: manufacturing, bioactive compounds, potential health benefits, and safety aspects.

Edible plant Jiaosu (EPJ), a type of plant-based functional food fermented by beneficial bacteria, has gained publicity in recent years for its potential benefits to health. Important progress in relevant manufacturing technology has been made in the past decade with respect to raw materials, fermentation microorganisms and fermentation conditions. Current research has revealed that EPJ contains abundant nutrients and bioactive compounds, such as minerals, amino acids, polyphenols, organic acids and polysaccharides. Thus, many studies have focused on the beneficial effects of EPJ in preventing lifestyle diseases, such as hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver, obesity, diabetes and some cancers, although limited studies have involved the related active compounds and their protective mechanisms. Furthermore, very few studies have investigated the potential safety risks associated with the consumption of such food. In this review, we present a brief summary of the current research progress pertaining to the manufacturing, bioactive compounds, potential health benefits and safety aspects of EPJ. However, as a result of the complex components in EPJ, further studies on the bioactive compounds with relevant beneficial effects in EPJ and the safety evaluations of EPJ consumption are needed. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

4,5-cis unsaturated α-GalCer analogues distinctly lead to CD1d-mediated Th1-biased NKT cell responses.

The total synthesis of 4,5-cis unsaturated α-GalCer analogues was achieved, and their immune-response altering activity was assessed in vitro as well as in vivo in mice. Using glycosyl iodide as a glycosyl donor, construction of the sphingosine unit was shortened by four steps and single α-stereoselectivity was achieved in good yield (67%). With regard to the therapeutic use of α-GalCer, the novel analogues (1b and 1c) distinctly induced a Th1-biased cytokine response, avoiding induction of a contradictory response and overstimulation.

Synthesis of berbamine acetyl glycosides and evaluation of antitumor activity.

A series of berbamine glycosides was designed, synthesized and evaluated as a new class of antitumor agents. An efficient glycosylation route was developed for berbamide derivatives. The newly synthesized glycosides were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity in vitro against a human leukemia cell line K562, a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and mouse lymphocytic leukemia cells L1210. In contrast to berbamine most of its glycosides manifested potent cytotoxic activities. The acetyl glycosyl berbamine 5a, 5d caused distinct improvement against K562, A549 and L1210. It is suggested that the acetyl D-glucose residue has affinity to these cancer cells.