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1.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 117(7): 3738-3747, 2020 02 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32015132

ABSTRACT

Causes for miscarriages and congenital malformations can be genetic, environmental, or a combination of both. Genetic variants, hypoxia, malnutrition, or other factors individually may not affect embryo development, however, they may do so collectively. Biallelic loss-of-function variants in HAAO or KYNU, two genes of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) synthesis pathway, are causative of congenital malformation and miscarriage in humans and mice. The variants affect normal embryonic development by disrupting the synthesis of NAD, a key factor in multiple biological processes, from its dietary precursor tryptophan, resulting in NAD deficiency. This study demonstrates that congenital malformations caused by NAD deficiency can occur independent of genetic disruption of NAD biosynthesis. C57BL/6J wild-type mice had offspring exhibiting similar malformations when their supply of the NAD precursors tryptophan and vitamin B3 in the diet was restricted during pregnancy. When the dietary undersupply was combined with a maternal heterozygous variant in Haao, which alone does not cause NAD deficiency or malformations, the incidence of embryo loss and malformations was significantly higher, suggesting a gene-environment interaction. Maternal and embryonic NAD levels were deficient. Mild hypoxia as an additional factor exacerbated the embryo outcome. Our data show that NAD deficiency as a cause of embryo loss and congenital malformation is not restricted to the rare cases of biallelic mutations in NAD synthesis pathway genes. Instead, monoallelic genetic variants and environmental factors can result in similar outcomes. The results expand our understanding of the causes of congenital malformations and the importance of sufficient NAD precursor consumption during pregnancy.


Subject(s)
Abortion, Spontaneous/genetics , Congenital Abnormalities/genetics , Gene-Environment Interaction , NAD/deficiency , Abortion, Spontaneous/metabolism , Animals , Congenital Abnormalities/metabolism , Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism , Female , Humans , Male , Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Pregnancy
2.
Hum Mol Genet ; 29(4): 566-579, 2020 03 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31813956

ABSTRACT

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect and brings with it significant mortality and morbidity. The application of exome and genome sequencing has greatly improved the rate of genetic diagnosis for CHD but the cause in the majority of cases remains uncertain. It is clear that genetics, as well as environmental influences, play roles in the aetiology of CHD. Here we address both these aspects of causation with respect to the Notch signalling pathway. In our CHD cohort, variants in core Notch pathway genes account for 20% of those that cause disease, a rate that did not increase with the inclusion of genes of the broader Notch pathway and its regulators. This is reinforced by case-control burden analysis where variants in Notch pathway genes are enriched in CHD patients. This enrichment is due to variation in NOTCH1. Functional analysis of some novel missense NOTCH1 and DLL4 variants in cultured cells demonstrate reduced signalling activity, allowing variant reclassification. Although loss-of-function variants in DLL4 are known to cause Adams-Oliver syndrome, this is the first report of a hypomorphic DLL4 allele as a cause of isolated CHD. Finally, we demonstrate a gene-environment interaction in mouse embryos between Notch1 heterozygosity and low oxygen- or anti-arrhythmic drug-induced gestational hypoxia, resulting in an increased incidence of heart defects. This implies that exposure to environmental insults such as hypoxia could explain variable expressivity and penetrance of observed CHD in families carrying Notch pathway variants.


Subject(s)
Gene-Environment Interaction , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Genomics/methods , Heart Defects, Congenital/pathology , Mutation , Receptor, Notch1/genetics , Animals , Case-Control Studies , Female , Heart Defects, Congenital/etiology , Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics , Humans , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Exome Sequencing
3.
Entropy (Basel) ; 24(6)2022 Jun 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35741512

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we study the finite-time stability of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) with noise perturbation. To eliminate the chaos in a PMSM and allow it to reach a steady state more quickly within a finite time, we propose a novel adaptive controller based on finite-time control theory. Finite-time stability implies optimal convergence time and better robustness. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of our new results.

4.
J Food Sci Technol ; 58(12): 4495-4503, 2021 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34629513

ABSTRACT

To obtain α-glucosidase inhibitory peptides from ginkgo seeds and use it to develop beverages, papain hydrolysis was used to hydrolyze and extract ginkgo seed peptides. Through ultrafiltration and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography, peptide fragments which were molecular weight of < 10 KDa with high α-glucosidase inhibition rate were separated and purified to prepare beverages. At the same time, the A1, A2, B1, and B2 peptide fragments purified by semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography were analyzed for amino acid composition. All four peptide fragments have glutamate. Studies have shown that amino acids such as glutamate can promote postprandial insulin secretion and reduce glucose levels. The result indicates that the amino acid composition may be related to the inhibition rate of α-glucosidase. After orthogonal experiment design, analysis of variance and principal component analysis, when 5% xylitol and 0.3% citric acid were added, and the glycine content was 1.2%, the ginkgo polypeptides beverage had the best flavor.

5.
N Engl J Med ; 377(6): 544-552, 2017 08 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28792876

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Congenital malformations can be manifested as combinations of phenotypes that co-occur more often than expected by chance. In many such cases, it has proved difficult to identify a genetic cause. We sought the genetic cause of cardiac, vertebral, and renal defects, among others, in unrelated patients. METHODS: We used genomic sequencing to identify potentially pathogenic gene variants in families in which a person had multiple congenital malformations. We tested the function of the variant by using assays of in vitro enzyme activity and by quantifying metabolites in patient plasma. We engineered mouse models with similar variants using the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-Cas9 system. RESULTS: Variants were identified in two genes that encode enzymes of the kynurenine pathway, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid 3,4-dioxygenase (HAAO) and kynureninase (KYNU). Three patients carried homozygous variants predicting loss-of-function changes in the HAAO or KYNU proteins (HAAO p.D162*, HAAO p.W186*, or KYNU p.V57Efs*21). Another patient carried heterozygous KYNU variants (p.Y156* and p.F349Kfs*4). The mutant enzymes had greatly reduced activity in vitro. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is synthesized de novo from tryptophan through the kynurenine pathway. The patients had reduced levels of circulating NAD. Defects similar to those in the patients developed in the embryos of Haao-null or Kynu-null mice owing to NAD deficiency. In null mice, the prevention of NAD deficiency during gestation averted defects. CONCLUSIONS: Disruption of NAD synthesis caused a deficiency of NAD and congenital malformations in humans and mice. Niacin supplementation during gestation prevented the malformations in mice. (Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and others.).


Subject(s)
3-Hydroxyanthranilate 3,4-Dioxygenase/genetics , Congenital Abnormalities/genetics , Dietary Supplements , Hydrolases/genetics , NAD/deficiency , Niacin/therapeutic use , 3-Hydroxyanthranilate 3,4-Dioxygenase/metabolism , Anal Canal/abnormalities , Animals , Congenital Abnormalities/prevention & control , Disease Models, Animal , Esophagus/abnormalities , Female , Heart Defects, Congenital/genetics , Heart Defects, Congenital/prevention & control , Humans , Hydrolases/metabolism , Kidney/abnormalities , Limb Deformities, Congenital/genetics , Limb Deformities, Congenital/prevention & control , Male , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Mutation , NAD/biosynthesis , NAD/genetics , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Spine/abnormalities , Trachea/abnormalities
6.
Development ; 143(14): 2561-72, 2016 07 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27436040

ABSTRACT

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is an enigma. It is the most common human birth defect and yet, even with the application of modern genetic and genomic technologies, only a minority of cases can be explained genetically. This is because environmental stressors also cause CHD. Here we propose a plausible non-genetic mechanism for induction of CHD by environmental stressors. We show that exposure of mouse embryos to short-term gestational hypoxia induces the most common types of heart defect. This is mediated by the rapid induction of the unfolded protein response (UPR), which profoundly reduces FGF signaling in cardiac progenitor cells of the second heart field. Thus, UPR activation during human pregnancy might be a common cause of CHD. Our findings have far-reaching consequences because the UPR is activated by a myriad of environmental or pathophysiological conditions. Ultimately, our discovery could lead to preventative strategies to reduce the incidence of human CHD.


Subject(s)
Heart Defects, Congenital/etiology , Heart Defects, Congenital/pathology , Stress, Physiological , Unfolded Protein Response , Animals , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Differentiation/drug effects , Cell Hypoxia/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Embryo, Mammalian/drug effects , Embryo, Mammalian/pathology , Female , Fibroblast Growth Factors/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Oxygen/pharmacology , Phenotype , Pregnancy , Protein Biosynthesis/drug effects , Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Stress, Physiological/drug effects , Unfolded Protein Response/drug effects
7.
Clin Proteomics ; 16: 3, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30679934

ABSTRACT

Biomarkers are urgently required to support current histological staging to provide additional accuracy in stratifying colorectal cancer (CRC) patients according to risk of spread to properly assign adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery. Chemotherapy is given to patients with stage III to reduce the risk of recurrence but is controversial in stage II patients. Up to 25% of stage II patients will relapse within 5 years after tumor removal and when this occurs cure is seldom possible. The aim of this study was to identify protein biomarkers to stratify risk of spread of CRC patients. Laser micro-dissection was used to isolate cancer cells from primary colorectal tumors of stage II patients which did or did not metastasize within 5 years after surgical resection. Protein expression differences between two groups of tumors were profiled by 2D-DIGE with saturation CyDye labeling and identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Evaluation of protein candidates was conducted using tissue micro array (TMA) immunohistochemistry on 125 colorectal tumor tissue samples of different stages. A total of 55 differentially expressed proteins were identified. Ten protein biomarkers were chosen based on p value and ratio between non metastasized and metastazised groups and evaluated on 125 tissues using TMA immunohistochemistry. Expression of HLAB, protein 14-3-3ß, LTBP3, ADAMTS2, JAG2 and NME2 on tumour cells was significantly associated with clinical parameters related to tumour progression, invasion and metastasis. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed strong expression of six proteins was associated with good CRC specific survival. Expression of HLAB, ADAMTS2, LTBP3, JAG2 and NME2 on tumour cells, was associated with tumour progression and invasion, metastasis and CRC specific survival may serve as potential biomarkers to stratify CRC patients into low and high risk of tumour metastasis. Combined methods of laser microdissection, 2D DIGE with saturation labelling and MALDI-TOF MS proved to be resourceful techniques capable of identifying protein biomarkers to predict risk of spread of CRC to liver.

8.
Hum Mol Genet ; 24(5): 1234-42, 2015 Mar 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25343988

ABSTRACT

Segmentation defects of the vertebrae (SDV) are caused by aberrant somite formation during embryogenesis and result in irregular formation of the vertebrae and ribs. The Notch signal transduction pathway plays a critical role in somite formation and patterning in model vertebrates. In humans, mutations in several genes involved in the Notch pathway are associated with SDV, with both autosomal recessive (MESP2, DLL3, LFNG, HES7) and autosomal dominant (TBX6) inheritance. However, many individuals with SDV do not carry mutations in these genes. Using whole-exome capture and massive parallel sequencing, we identified compound heterozygous mutations in RIPPLY2 in two brothers with multiple regional SDV, with appropriate familial segregation. One novel mutation (c.A238T:p.Arg80*) introduces a premature stop codon. In transiently transfected C2C12 mouse myoblasts, the RIPPLY2 mutant protein demonstrated impaired transcriptional repression activity compared with wild-type RIPPLY2 despite similar levels of expression. The other mutation (c.240-4T>G), with minor allele frequency <0.002, lies in the highly conserved splice site consensus sequence 5' to the terminal exon. Ripply2 has a well-established role in somitogenesis and vertebral column formation, interacting at both gene and protein levels with SDV-associated Mesp2 and Tbx6. We conclude that compound heterozygous mutations in RIPPLY2 are associated with SDV, a new gene for this condition.


Subject(s)
Bone Diseases, Developmental/genetics , Heterozygote , Mutation , Repressor Proteins/genetics , Animals , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/genetics , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Codon, Nonsense , DNA Mutational Analysis , Disease Models, Animal , Exome , Exons , Female , Gene Frequency , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Mutant Proteins/genetics , Pedigree , Quantitative Trait, Heritable , RNA Splicing , Repressor Proteins/metabolism , Somites/metabolism , Spine/pathology , T-Box Domain Proteins , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism
9.
Dev Biol ; 392(1): 62-79, 2014 Aug 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24803182

ABSTRACT

CITED2 is a transcriptional co-factor with important roles in many organs of the developing mammalian embryo. Complete deletion of this gene causes severe malformation of the placenta, and results in significantly reduced embryonic growth and death from E14.5. The placenta is a complex organ originating from cells derived from three lineages: the maternal decidua, the trophectoderm, and the extra-embryonic mesoderm. Cited2 is expressed in many of these cell types, but its exact role in the formation of the placenta is unknown. Here we use a conditional deletion approach to remove Cited2 from overlapping subsets of trophectoderm and extra-embryonic mesoderm. We find that Cited2 in sinusoidal trophoblast giant cells and syncytiotrophoblasts is likely to have a non-cell autonomous role in patterning of the pericytes associated with the embryonic capillaries. This function is likely to be mediated by PDGF signaling. Furthermore, we also identify that loss of Cited2 in syncytiotrophoblasts results in the subcellular mislocalization of one of the major lactate transporters in the placenta, SLC16A3 (MCT4). We hypothesize that the embryonic growth retardation observed in Cited2 null embryos is due in part to a disorganized embryonic capillary network, and in part due to abnormalities of the nutrient transport functions of the feto-maternal interface.


Subject(s)
Body Patterning , Capillaries/embryology , Placenta/blood supply , Placenta/embryology , Placental Circulation/genetics , Repressor Proteins/genetics , Trans-Activators/genetics , Trophoblasts/enzymology , Actins/biosynthesis , Animals , Carrier Proteins/metabolism , Embryonic Development , Female , Gene Deletion , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Monocarboxylic Acid Transporters/biosynthesis , Muscle Proteins/biosynthesis , Neovascularization, Physiologic/genetics , Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology , Pericytes/cytology , Pericytes/physiology , Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/biosynthesis , Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/genetics , Platelet-Derived Growth Factor/metabolism , Pregnancy , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis/biosynthesis , Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta/biosynthesis , Symporters/biosynthesis
10.
Dev Biol ; 391(1): 99-110, 2014 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24657234

ABSTRACT

Mammalian embryos develop in a low oxygen environment. The transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor 1a (HIF1α) is a key element in the cellular response to hypoxia. Complete deletion of Hif1α from the mouse conceptus causes extensive placental, vascular and heart defects, resulting in embryonic lethality. However the precise role of Hif1α in each of these organ systems remains unknown. To further investigate, we conditionally-deleted Hif1α from mesoderm, vasculature and heart individually. Surprisingly, deletion from these tissues did not recapitulate the same severe heart phenotype or embryonic lethality. Placental insufficiency, such as occurs in the complete Hif1α null, results in elevated cellular hypoxia in mouse embryos. We hypothesized that subjecting the Hif1α conditional null embryos to increased hypoxic stress might exacerbate the effects of tissue-specific Hif1α deletion. We tested this hypothesis using a model system mimicking placental insufficiency. We found that the majority of embryos lacking Hif1α in the heart died when exposed to non-physiological hypoxia. This was a heart-specific phenomenon, as HIF1α protein accumulated predominantly in the myocardium of hypoxia-stressed embryos. Our study demonstrates the vulnerability of the heart to lowered oxygen levels, and that under such conditions of non-physiological hypoxia the embryo absolutely requires Hif1α to continue normal development. Importantly, these findings extend our understanding of the roles of Hif1α in cardiovascular development.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Gene-Environment Interaction , Heart/embryology , Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics , Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/physiology , Alleles , Animals , Cell Hypoxia , Cell Nucleus/metabolism , Cell Proliferation , Endothelial Cells/cytology , Female , Gene Deletion , Genotype , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Transgenic , Mitosis , Myocardium/metabolism , Oxygen/metabolism , Phenotype , Placenta/metabolism , Pregnancy
11.
Ann Anat ; 255: 152293, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38823492

ABSTRACT

Ventricular septal defects (VSD) with outflow tract (OFT) malalignment are a common group of congenital heart diseases with varying severity. The developmental process of these defects is challenging to understand due to the complex nature of cardiac morphogenesis and the difficulties in visualizing the temporal and spatial changes that occur during pathogenesis. However, recent advancements in imaging techniques, such as high-resolution episcopic microscopy, have provided valuable insights into the normal septation of ventricular chambers and OFT alignment. Building upon this knowledge, we have utilized lightsheet microscopy, another innovative imaging method, to further investigate the developmental processes that lead to abnormal formation of the ventricular septum and the malalignment of arterial roots with the ventricular chambers. Our study highlights endocardial cushion hypoplasia and insufficient rotation of the outflow tract as two interrelated central factors contributing to the pathogenesis of these defects. This finding has the potential to enhance our understanding of the etiology of congenital heart diseases and may contribute to the development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the future.


Subject(s)
Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular , Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular/diagnostic imaging , Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular/pathology , Humans , Animals , Heart Ventricles/diagnostic imaging , Heart Ventricles/abnormalities , Heart Ventricles/pathology
12.
Commun Biol ; 7(1): 332, 2024 Mar 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38491167

ABSTRACT

Ischemic stroke produces the highest adult disability. Despite successful recanalization, no-reflow, or the futile restoration of the cerebral perfusion after ischemia, is a major cause of brain lesion expansion. However, the vascular mechanism underlying this hypoperfusion is largely unknown, and no approach is available to actively promote optimal reperfusion to treat no-reflow. Here, by combining two-photon laser scanning microscopy (2PLSM) and a mouse middle cerebral arteriolar occlusion (MCAO) model, we find myogenic vasomotion deficits correlated with post-ischemic cerebral circulation interruptions and no-reflow. Transient occlusion-induced transient loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) permanently impairs mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contacts and abolish Ca2+ oscillation in smooth muscle cells (SMCs), the driving force of myogenic spontaneous vasomotion. Furthermore, tethering mitochondria and ER by specific overexpression of ME-Linker in SMCs restores cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis, remotivates myogenic spontaneous vasomotion, achieves optimal reperfusion, and ameliorates neurological injury. Collectively, the maintaining of arteriolar myogenic vasomotion and mitochondria-ER contacts in SMCs, are of critical importance in preventing post-ischemic no-reflow.


Subject(s)
Ischemia , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular , Animals , Mice , Arterioles , Myocytes, Smooth Muscle
13.
Medicine (Baltimore) ; 102(47): e36394, 2023 Nov 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38013272

ABSTRACT

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignant tumor worldwide, causing serious harm to human health. Epigenetic modification, especially RNA methylation modification, plays a critical role in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer via post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA and non-coding RNA expression. Among these, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common chemical modification in mammals, which plays an important role in the progress of cancer, including colorectal cancer. m6A is a dynamic and reversible process and is mainly regulated by m6A methyltransferase ("writers"), m6A demethylases ("erasers"), and m6A binding proteins ("readers"). Herein, we reviewed recent advances in the role of m6A modification in colorectal cancer and focused on the factors affecting m6A modification. Furthermore, we discussed the clinical application of m6A modifications for colorectal cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment and provided guides in clinical practice. m6A modification and m6A regulators play significant roles in the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer by regulating the stability and translation of mRNAs, the maturation of miRNAs, and the function of lncRNAs. m6A regulators can play biological roles in colorectal cancer through m6A-dependent manner or m6A-independent manner. Multiplies of internal factors, including miRNAs and lncRNAs, and external factors can also regulate the m6A modification by completing with m6A regulators in a base complement manner, regulating the expression of m6A and mutating the m6A site. m6A regulators and m6A modificantion are diagnostic and prognostic markers for CRC. Therefore, m6A regulators and m6A modificantion may be potential therapeutic target for CRC in the future.


Subject(s)
Colorectal Neoplasms , MicroRNAs , RNA, Long Noncoding , Animals , Humans , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , Adenosine , RNA, Messenger , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Mammals
14.
Cell Biochem Funct ; 29(4): 279-86, 2011 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21452340

ABSTRACT

MicroRNA (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules that downregulate gene expression at post-transcriptional level. miRNAs are post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression important for neuron development and function. This report demonstrated that a putative and chemically synthesized miRNA rno-mir-541 played an important role in the neuron development. Differentiation of PC12 cells with nerve growth factor (NGF) is associated with neurite outgrowth, a process that involves upregulation of Synapsin I. We predicted, detected and assessed the expression levels of a number of possible miRNAs for synapsin I in rats and our outcomes showed that rno-mir-541 was associated with rat synapsin I expression. miR-541, a brain specific miRNA, plays an important role in repressing neurite extension in cultured PC12 neurons. The neurites of PC12 cells was shortened drasticly as a result of the overexpression of rno-mir-541. In contrast, the neurites of PC12 cell developed well after the knockdown of rno-mir-541 by RNA interference. Our study showed that rno-mir-541 played an important role in neuron-cell proliferation and neurite outgrowth through suppressing the expression of its target gene synapsin I. Furthermore, the introduction of NGF causes downregulation of miR-541, de-repression of its target, Synapsin-I and allows for neuritogenesis. Thus, miR-541 functions in neuronal precursors as an endogenous conditional component between NGF and Synapsin-I.


Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Neurites/physiology , Synapsins/metabolism , Animals , Cell Proliferation , Down-Regulation , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Gene Knockdown Techniques , Nerve Growth Factor/pharmacology , Neurites/drug effects , PC12 Cells , RNA Interference , Rats , Transfection , Up-Regulation
15.
Biomed Environ Sci ; 24(2): 163-71, 2011 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21565688

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression variation of RAR-ß2, RASSF1A, and CDKN2A gene in the process of nickel-induced carcinogenesis. METHODS: Nickel subsulfide (Ni(3)S(2)) at dose of 10 mg was given to Wistar rats by intramuscular injection. The mRNA expression of the three genes in induced tumors and their lung metastasis were examined by Real-time PCR. The methylation status of the 5' region of these genes were detected by Quantitative Real-time methylation specific PCR. RESULTS: The mRNA expressions of the three genes both in muscle and lung tumor were decreased distinctly in comparison with normal tissue. But hypermethylation was found only in muscle tumor. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that loss of function or decrease of RAR-ß2, RASSF1A, and CDKN2A, as well as the hypermethylation of 5' region of these genes, are related with nickel exposure.


Subject(s)
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16/metabolism , Lung Neoplasms/metabolism , Nickel/toxicity , Receptors, Retinoic Acid/metabolism , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Carcinogens/toxicity , CpG Islands , Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16/genetics , DNA Methylation , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects , Lung Neoplasms/chemically induced , Male , Muscle Neoplasms/chemically induced , Muscle Neoplasms/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Receptors, Retinoic Acid/genetics , Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics
16.
Z Naturforsch C J Biosci ; 66(11-12): 614-20, 2011.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22351987

ABSTRACT

Seizure-related gene 6 (sez-6) was originally identified in a study of pentylenetetrazole-treated cortical neurons. Further studies on the structure and expression pattern suggested that Sez-6 may play an important role in neuronal development and function. In the present study, PC12 cells were used as a model to investigate the role of Sez-6 in neurite outgrowth. After a period of NGF treatment, the expression of Sez-6 in PC12 cells was increased. When Sez-6 expression was suppressed by the addition of an effective short hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmid, the neurite outgrowth was significantly inhibited. In addition, we detected the expression level of protein kinase Cgamma (PKCgamma), and found that the PKCgamma protein level was reduced in the differentiated PC12 cells but increased in PC12 cells lacking Sez-6. Taken together, our results indicate that Sez-6 acts on the neurite outgrowth of PC12 cells likely through the PKCgamma signaling pathways.


Subject(s)
Nerve Tissue Proteins/physiology , Neurites , Protein Kinase C/metabolism , Signal Transduction , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Base Sequence , Blotting, Western , DNA Primers , Immunohistochemistry , Molecular Sequence Data , Nerve Tissue Proteins/chemistry , PC12 Cells , Rats , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
17.
J Food Sci ; 85(12): 4351-4358, 2020 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33174232

ABSTRACT

Ginkgo seeds are distinguished as source of highly promising food and traditional Chinese herbal for thousands of years. It is well known for the significant curative effects on some diseases, such as cough and asthma. The current work aimed to study the proximate composition, phytochemical content, and antioxidant capacity of ginkgo seeds fermented by 17 varieties of rice wine starters. Solid state fermentation was used to improve the nutrition of ginkgo seeds. Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between the flavonoids, approximate composition, and antioxidant activity in fermented ginkgo seeds. Through principal component analysis (PCA), Yp rice wine starter was found as the most suitable for ginkgo seeds fermentation. After fermentation of Yp rice wine starter, the content of quercetin increased by 188.1%, the content of reducing sugars and peptides increased by 16 and 24 times, respectively, and the scavenging ability of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals increased from 4.69 to 12.43 mg TE/g. The solid-state fermentation of ginkgo seeds could be efficiently applied to food industrial production, and fermentation significantly increased the antioxidant activity and flavonoid content of ginkgo seeds, as well as improved their nutrition. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Traditionally, rice wine starter was used for brewing wine, only some folk use rice wine starter for food production. In this paper, ginkgo seeds are selected for fermentation, which not only solves the problem of ginkgo seeds surplus, but also provides a reliable technical route for industry. It provides reference for the application of rice wine starter in food in the future.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants/analysis , Fermentation , Flavonoids/analysis , Ginkgo biloba/chemistry , Oryza/microbiology , Seeds/chemistry , Wine/microbiology , Bioreactors/microbiology , Oryza/chemistry , Plant Extracts , Principal Component Analysis
18.
Hypertens Res ; 42(7): 928-934, 2019 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30626933

ABSTRACT

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific syndrome that is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria. The etiology of PE is not completely understood but is believed to involve placental insufficiency and maternal vascular damage. Growing evidence supports an important role for the apelin receptor (APJ) system in regulating cardiovascular physiology. There are two vertebrate APJ ligands, APELIN and ELABELA, both of which mediate vasodilatory functions. A recent study linked deficient ELABELA signaling and the development of PE, though the molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. In this review, we summarize the biological function of the ELABELA and APJ system in cardiovascular homeostasis and discuss the potential mechanisms by which ELABELA and APJ regulate placenta trophoblast invasion and vascular functions and participate in the development of PE.


Subject(s)
Apelin Receptors/metabolism , Apelin/metabolism , Cardiovascular System/metabolism , Peptide Hormones/metabolism , Pre-Eclampsia/metabolism , Animals , Female , Humans , Pregnancy
19.
BMC Cancer ; 8: 187, 2008 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18590575

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mortality from colorectal cancer is mainly due to metastatic liver disease. Improved understanding of the molecular events underlying metastasis is crucial for the development of new methods for early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer. Loss of chromosome 8p is frequently seen in colorectal cancer and implicated in later stage disease and metastasis, although a single metastasis suppressor gene has yet to be identified. We therefore examined 8p for genes involved in colorectal cancer progression. METHODS: Loss of heterozygosity analyses were used to map genetic loss in colorectal liver metastases. Candidate genes in the region of loss were investigated in clinical samples from 44 patients, including 6 with matched colon normal, colon tumour and liver metastasis. We investigated gene disruption at the level of DNA, mRNA and protein using a combination of mutation, semi-quantitative real-time PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: We mapped a 2 Mb region of 8p21-22 with loss of heterozygosity in 73% of samples; 8/11 liver metastasis samples had loss which was not present in the corresponding matched primary colon tumour. 13 candidate genes were identified for further analysis. Both up and down-regulation of 8p21-22 gene expression was associated with metastasis. ADAMDEC1 mRNA and protein expression decreased during both tumourigenesis and tumour progression. Increased STC1 and LOXL2 mRNA expression occurred during tumourigenesis. Liver metastases with low DcR1/TNFRSF10C mRNA expression were more likely to present with extrahepatic metastases (p = 0.005). A novel germline truncating mutation of DR5/TNFRSF10B was identified, and DR4/TNFRSF10A SNP rs4872077 was associated with the development of liver metastases (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Our data confirm that genes on 8p21-22 are dysregulated during colorectal cancer progression. Interestingly, however, instead of harbouring a single candidate colorectal metastasis suppressor 8p21-22 appears to be a hot-spot for tumour progression, encoding at least 13 genes with a putative role in carcinoma development. Thus, we propose that this region of 8p comprises a metastatic susceptibility locus involved in tumour progression whose disruption increases metastatic potential.


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/genetics , Adenocarcinoma/secondary , Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/secondary , Neoplasm Metastasis/genetics , Adenocarcinoma/metabolism , Amino Acid Oxidoreductases/genetics , Amino Acid Oxidoreductases/metabolism , Chromosome Deletion , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 8 , Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism , DNA/analysis , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Glycoproteins/genetics , Glycoproteins/metabolism , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/metabolism , Polymorphism, Genetic , RNA, Messenger/analysis , Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/genetics , Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/metabolism
20.
PLoS One ; 10(3): e0119270, 2015.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25742416

ABSTRACT

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) results from a combination of progressive insulin resistance and loss of pancreatic beta cell function and/or mass. Insulin signalling occurs through the insulin receptor, (INSR) which is alternatively spliced into two isoforms: INSRA (-exon 11) and INSRB (+exon 11). Because the INSR isoforms have different functional characteristics, their relative expression ratio has been implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and T2DM. We studied levels of INSR isoform mRNA in liver samples taken from 46 individuals with or without T2DM at Roux-en-Y (RYGB) surgery, and on average 17 (± 5.6) months later in 16 of the same individuals (8 diabetic and non-diabetic patients). INSRA or INSRB was also overexpressed in HepG2 cells to ascertain their effect on AKT phosphorylation and PCK1 expression as markers of insulin-mediated metabolic signalling. We found the INSRB:A isoform ratio was reduced in individuals with T2DM in comparison to those with normal glucose tolerance and normalised with remission of diabetes. The INSRB:A ratio increased due to a reduction in the alternatively spliced INSRA isoform following remission of diabetes. Overexpressing INSRA isoform in HepG2 hepatoma cells reduced inhibition of PCK1 transcription and did not increase AKT phosphorylation in response to insulin load compared to the effect of overexpressing the B isoform. Data presented here revitalizes the role of the INSR isoforms in the pathogenesis of T2DM, and suggests that an abrogated INSRB:A ratio that favours the INSRA isoform may negatively impact insulin-mediated metabolic signalling.


Subject(s)
Antigens, CD/genetics , Antigens, CD/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics , Liver/metabolism , Obesity, Morbid/surgery , Receptor, Insulin/genetics , Receptor, Insulin/metabolism , Adult , Alternative Splicing , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/pathology , Female , Gastric Bypass/methods , Hep G2 Cells , Humans , Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics , Liver/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity, Morbid/complications , Obesity, Morbid/genetics , Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP)/genetics , Phosphorylation , Protein Isoforms/genetics , Protein Isoforms/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism
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