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1.
Mol Biol Evol ; 41(2)2024 Feb 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38225175

ABSTRACT

Speciation in the face of gene flow is usually associated with a heterogeneous genomic landscape of divergence in nascent species pairs. However, multiple factors, such as divergent selection and local recombination rate variation, can influence the formation of these genomic islands. Examination of the genomic landscapes of species pairs that are still in the early stages of speciation provides an insight into this conundrum. In this study, population genomic analyses were undertaken using a wide range of sampling and whole-genome resequencing data from 96 unrelated individuals of Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) and white-faced plover (Charadrius dealbatus). We suggest that the two species exhibit varying levels of population admixture along the Chinese coast and on the Taiwan Island. Genome-wide analyses for introgression indicate that ancient introgression had occurred in Taiwan population, and gene flow is still ongoing in mainland coastal populations. Furthermore, we identified a few genomic regions with significant levels of interspecific differentiation and local recombination suppression, which contain several genes potentially associated with disease resistance, coloration, and regulation of plumage molting and thus may be relevant to the phenotypic and ecological divergence of the two nascent species. Overall, our findings suggest that divergent selection in low recombination regions may be a main force in shaping the genomic islands in two incipient shorebird species.


Subject(s)
Genome-Wide Association Study , Genomic Islands , Humans , Genetic Speciation , Genome , Gene Flow , Recombination, Genetic , Selection, Genetic
2.
J Am Chem Soc ; 146(20): 13934-13948, 2024 May 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38741463

ABSTRACT

Double perovskite films have been extensively studied for ferroelectric order, ferromagnetic order, and photovoltaic effects. The customized ion combinations and ordered ionic arrangements provide unique opportunities for bandgap engineering. Here, a synergistic strategy to induce chemical strain and charge compensation through inequivalent element substitution is proposed. A-site substitution of the barium ion is used to modify the chemical valence and defect density of the two B-site elements in Bi2FeMnO6 double perovskite epitaxial thin films. We dramatically increased the ferroelectric photovoltaic effect to ∼135.67 µA/cm2 from 30.62 µA/cm2, which is the highest in ferroelectric thin films with a thickness of less than 100 nm under white-light LED irradiation. More importantly, the ferroelectric polarization can effectively improve the photovoltaic efficiency of more than 5 times. High-resolution HAADF-STEM, synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction and absorption spectroscopy, and DFT calculations collectively demonstrate that inequivalent ion plays a dual role of chemical strain (+1.92 and -1.04 GPa) and charge balance, thereby introducing lattice distortion effects. The reduction of the oxygen vacancy density and the competing Jahn-Teller distortion of the oxygen octahedron are the main phenomena of the change in electron-orbital hybridization, which also leads to enhanced ferroelectric polarization values and optical absorption. The inequivalent strategy can be extended to other double perovskite systems and applied to other functional materials, such as photocatalysis for efficient defect control.

3.
World J Urol ; 42(1): 300, 2024 May 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38710872

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture Zhibian (BL54) on the function of the bladder in controlling urine in women under ultrasound. METHOD: 74 healthy subjects were randomly divided into deep acupuncture group of 37 cases and shallow acupuncture group of 37 cases. Under the guidance of ultrasound, the two groups of subjects were acupunctured at bilateral BL54. The deep acupuncture group was acupunctured to the pudendal nerve, and the shallow acupuncture group was acupunctured to the superficial fascia. Ultrasound was used to observe the peak systolic velocity (PSV), time average maximum velocity (TAMX), end diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsation index (PI), resistance index (RI) of the pudendal arteries, and bladder volume of two groups of subjects before and after acupuncture. The anatomical hierarchical structure of bilateral BL54 and score of Chinese version of the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (C-MASS) of all subjects was measured. RESULT: After acupuncture, the PSV, TMAX of the pudendal artery, bladder volume, and the Score of C-MASS Scale in the deep acupuncture group were higher than in the shallow acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The RI of the pudendal arteries in the shallow acupuncture group decreased compared to before acupuncture (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at the BL54 can increase the blood flow velocity of the pudendal artery, improve the function of the bladder in controlling urine in women, and different depths of acupuncture will have different therapeutic effects.


Subject(s)
Acupuncture Therapy , Urinary Bladder , Humans , Female , Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Urinary Bladder/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Ultrasonography, Interventional , Young Adult , Middle Aged , Acupuncture Points
4.
Int Urogynecol J ; 35(3): 599-608, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38236284

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to observe the clinical efficacy of warm acupuncture combined with Kegel exercise in treating postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction in women. METHODS: A total of 70 primiparous women with postpartum pelvic floor muscle (PFM) injury were randomly divided into a combination group (n = 35, receiving warm acupuncture at Zhibian (BL54) acupoint and Kegel exercise) and a sham control group (n = 35, receiving sham warm acupuncture and Kegel exercise). Both groups were treated three times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. The recovery of PFM strength and changes in Urethral Rotation Angle (URA), Bladder Neck Descent (BND), and Retrovesical Angle (RVA) in pelvic floor ultrasound reports, the scores of pelvic floor dysfunction-related questionnaires, and the efficacy of urinary incontinence treatment of the two groups were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the recovery rates of type I and II PFM strength, pelvic floor ultrasound parameters, pelvic floor dysfunction-related scale scores, and urinary incontinence treatment efficacy in the combination group were significantly better than those in the sham control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Warm acupuncture combined with Kegel exercise can significantly improve PFM strength and promote the recovery of postpartum pelvic floor function in women.


Subject(s)
Acupuncture Therapy , Urinary Incontinence , Female , Humans , Pelvic Floor , Postpartum Period/physiology , Exercise Therapy
5.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 587: 107-112, 2022 01 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34871997

ABSTRACT

It is very important to maintain normal levels of risk avoidance in daily life. We found that DISC1-NTM mice, which are a model for mental disorders, had a phenotype marked by a risk-avoidance impairment as measured in an open-field test (OFT). We used optogenetic methods to modulate glutamatergic neurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in an attempt to rescue this risk-avoidance impairment. We found that photostimulation of BLA neurons at 20 Hz modified DISC1-NTM mouse behavior from low risk avoidance to high risk avoidance. We observed following photostimulation that, compared to controls, the number of entries to the center of the open field was lower and less time was spent in the central area. We also found that the time spent immobile was higher during photostimulation compared with WT mice. We also used a lower photostimulation frequency of 5 Hz, which activated BLA glutamatergic neurons and rescued the risk-avoidance impairment in DISC1-NTM mice. Our findings confirm that the BLA participates in diverse risk-avoidance behavior. Our results are also a reminder that differences in neuronal firing patterns within the same pathway may lead to different physiological functions.


Subject(s)
Avoidance Learning/physiology , Basolateral Nuclear Complex/metabolism , Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics , Neurons/metabolism , Action Potentials/physiology , Animals , Basolateral Nuclear Complex/pathology , Female , Gene Expression , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Transgenic , Nerve Tissue Proteins/deficiency , Neurons/pathology , Optogenetics/methods , Patch-Clamp Techniques , Photic Stimulation/methods , Risk-Taking
6.
Mol Psychiatry ; 26(9): 4719-4741, 2021 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32555286

ABSTRACT

The prevailing view is that parvalbumin (PV) interneurons play modulatory roles in emotional response through local medium spiny projection neurons (MSNs). Here, we show that PV activity within the nucleus accumbens shell (sNAc) is required for producing anxiety-like avoidance when mice are under anxiogenic situations. Firing rates of sNAcPV neurons were negatively correlated to exploration time in open arms (threatening environment). In addition, sNAcPV neurons exhibited high excitability in a chronic stress mouse model, which generated excessive maladaptive avoidance behavior in an anxiogenic context. We also discovered a novel GABAergic pathway from the anterior dorsal bed nuclei of stria terminalis (adBNST) to sNAcPV neurons. Optogenetic activation of these afferent terminals in sNAc produced an anxiolytic effect via GABA transmission. Next, we further demonstrated that chronic stressors attenuated the inhibitory synaptic transmission at adBNSTGABA → sNAcPV synapses, which in turn explains the hyperexcitability of sNAc PV neurons on stressed models. Therefore, activation of these GABAergic afferents in sNAc rescued the excessive avoidance behavior related to an anxious state. Finally, we identified that the majority GABAergic input neurons, which innervate sNAcPV cells, were expressing somatostatin (SOM), and also revealed that coordination between SOM- and PV- cells functioning in the BNST → NAc circuit has an inhibitory influence on anxiety-like responses. Our findings provide a potentially neurobiological basis for therapeutic interventions in pathological anxiety.


Subject(s)
Interneurons , Parvalbumins , Animals , Anxiety , GABAergic Neurons , Mice , Somatostatin
7.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(1)2022 Dec 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36614104

ABSTRACT

Chronically stressed individuals are reported to overconsume tasty, palatable foods like sucrose to blunt the psychological and physiological impacts of stress. Negative consequences of high-sugar intake on feeding behavior include increased metabolic disease burdens like obesity. However, the neural basis underlying long-term high-sugar intake-induced overeating during stress is not fully understood. To investigate this question, we used the two-bottle sucrose choice paradigm in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stressors (CUMS) that mimic those of daily life stressors. After 21 days of CUMS paralleled by consecutive sucrose drinking, we explored anxiety-like behavior using the elevated plus maze and open field tests. The normal water-drinking stressed mice displayed more anxiety than the sucrose-drinking stressed mice. Although sucrose-drinking displayed anxiolytic effects, the sucrose-drinking mice exhibited binge eating (chow) and a compulsive eating phenotype. The sucrose-drinking mice also showed a significant body-weight gain compared to the water-drinking control mice during stress. We further found that c-Fos expression was significantly increased in the ventral part of the lateral septum (vLS) of the sucrose-treated stressed mice after compulsive eating. Pharmacogenetic activation of the vLS glutamate decarboxylase 2(GAD2) neurons maintained plain chow intake but induced a compulsive eating phenotype in the naïve GAD2-Cre mice when mice feeding was challenged by flash stimulus, mimicking the negative consequences of excessive sucrose drinking during chronic stress. Further, pharmacogenetic activation of the vLSGAD2 neurons aggravated anxiety of the stressed GAD2-Cre mice but did not alter the basal anxiety level of the naïve ones. These findings indicate the GABAergic neurons within the vLS may be a potential intervention target for anxiety comorbid eating disorders during stress.


Subject(s)
Food Addiction , Sugars , Mice , Animals , Sugars/pharmacology , Anxiety/metabolism , Sucrose/adverse effects , Beverages , Neurons , Phenotype , Stress, Psychological/metabolism , Eating
8.
Int J Mol Sci ; 23(20)2022 Oct 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36293510

ABSTRACT

Evidence shows that stress can promote the occurrence and development of tumors. In recent years, many studies have shown that stress-related hormones or peripheral neurotransmitters can promote the proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis of tumor cells and impair the body's immune response, causing tumor cells to escape the "surveillance" of the immune system. However, the perception of stress occurs in the central nervous system (CNS) and the role of the central nervous system in tumor progression is still unclear, as are the underlying mechanisms. This review summarizes what is known of stress-related CNS-network activation during the stress response and the influence of the CNS on tumors and discusses available adjuvant treatment methods for cancer patients with negative emotional states, such as anxiety and depression.


Subject(s)
Neoplasms , Humans , Neoplasms/pathology , Immune System/pathology , Central Nervous System/pathology , Hormones , Neurotransmitter Agents , Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/pathology , Pituitary-Adrenal System/pathology , Stress, Psychological
9.
Nat Chem Biol ; 15(6): 615-622, 2019 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31101915

ABSTRACT

A uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG) from Mycobacterium smegmatis (MsmUdgX) shares sequence similarity with family 4 UDGs and forms exceedingly stable complexes with single-stranded uracil-containing DNAs (ssDNA-Us) that are resistant to denaturants. However, MsmUdgX has been reported to be inactive in excising uracil from ssDNA-Us and the underlying structural basis is unclear. Here, we report high-resolution crystal structures of MsmUdgX in the free, uracil- and DNA-bound forms, respectively. The structural information, supported by mutational and biochemical analyses, indicates that the conserved residue His109 located on a characteristic loop forms an irreversible covalent linkage with the deoxyribose at the apyrimidinic site of ssDNA-U, thus rendering the enzyme unable to regenerate. By proposing the catalytic pathway and molecular mechanism for MsmUdgX, our studies provide an insight into family 4 UDGs and UDGs in general.


Subject(s)
Mycobacterium smegmatis/enzymology , Uracil-DNA Glycosidase/metabolism , Biocatalysis , Cell Death , Models, Molecular , Protein Conformation , Uracil-DNA Glycosidase/chemistry , Uracil-DNA Glycosidase/genetics
10.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 533(4): 657-664, 2020 12 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33019977

ABSTRACT

Chronic exposure to stressors can disrupt normal brain function and induce anxiety-like behavior and neurobiological alterations in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Here, we showed that unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) induced anxiety-like behavior, lowered glutamatergic neuronal activity and reactive astrocytes in the BLA. Using optogenetic tools, we found that activation of BLA glutamatergic neurons did not rescue anxiety-like behavior in stressed mice. In contrast, however, optogenetic activation of the BLA astrocytes relieved stress-induced anxiety, and, interestingly, chronic optogenetic manipulation fully restored the UCMS-induced behavioral and neurobiological dysfunctions, including anxiety-like behavior, lower c-Fos expression in the BLA, S100 overexpression in the BLA, and higher serum corticosterone concentration. Thus, our findings suggest that chronic manipulation of BLA astrocytes is a potential therapeutic intervention target for pathological anxiety.


Subject(s)
Anxiety/physiopathology , Astrocytes/radiation effects , Basolateral Nuclear Complex/radiation effects , Neurons/physiology , Optogenetics/methods , Stress, Psychological/physiopathology , Animals , Astrocytes/metabolism , Basolateral Nuclear Complex/cytology , Basolateral Nuclear Complex/metabolism , Basolateral Nuclear Complex/pathology , Corticosterone/blood , Mice , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism , S100 Proteins/metabolism
11.
J Clin Ultrasound ; 48(9): 522-526, 2020 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32757278

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of bedside ultrasonography for the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients infected with corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with and without treatment with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of deceased and surviving patients in whom ultrasonography detected or not a DVT, and in whom LMWH was or not prescribed. RESULTS: The incidence of DVT is higher in the deceased (33/35) than in the surviving (22/46) patients. LMWH was administered in a larger proportion of surviving (18/22) than of deceased (18/33) patients. D-dimer concentrations decreased in patients who received LMWH in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high incidence of DVT in patients who succumbed to COVID-19. Bedside ultrasonography can detect the presence of DVT as early as possible and help assessing the risk of venous thromboembolism, allowing early and reasonable use of LMWH.


Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/diagnostic imaging , Coronavirus Infections/pathology , Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight/administration & dosage , Pneumonia, Viral/diagnostic imaging , Pneumonia, Viral/pathology , Venous Thrombosis/diagnostic imaging , Venous Thrombosis/virology , Adult , Anticoagulants/administration & dosage , Anticoagulants/adverse effects , Betacoronavirus/isolation & purification , COVID-19 , COVID-19 Testing , Clinical Laboratory Techniques/methods , Coronavirus Infections/blood , Coronavirus Infections/diagnosis , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight/adverse effects , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral/blood , Point-of-Care Testing , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2 , Ultrasonography/methods , Venous Thrombosis/drug therapy
12.
Bioorg Med Chem ; 27(5): 832-840, 2019 03 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30711309

ABSTRACT

Cryptococcus neoformans is the leading cause of cryptococcal meningitis, which is associated with high mortality due to lack of effective treatment. Herein a series of tricyclic isoxazole derivatives with excellent anti-cryptococcal activities were identified by structural simplification and scaffold hopping of antifungal natural product sampangine. Particularly, compound 8a showed promising features as an anti-cryptococcal lead compound. It was highly active against C. neoformans (MIC80 = 0.031 µg/mL), which was more potent than fluconazole and voriconazole. Moreover, compound 8a showed potent fungicidal activity and had potent inhibitory effects against important virulence factors (i.e. biofilm, melanin and urease) of C. neoformans. Preliminary antifungal mechanism investigation revealed that compound 8a induced apoptosis of C. neoformans cells and arrested the cell cycle at the G1/S phase.


Subject(s)
Alkaloids/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Cryptococcus neoformans/drug effects , Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings/pharmacology , Isoxazoles/pharmacology , Naphthyridines/pharmacology , Alkaloids/chemical synthesis , Alkaloids/chemistry , Antifungal Agents/chemical synthesis , Antifungal Agents/chemistry , Apoptosis/drug effects , Biofilms/drug effects , Drug Discovery , G1 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints/drug effects , Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings/chemical synthesis , Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings/chemistry , Isoxazoles/chemical synthesis , Isoxazoles/chemistry , Melanins/antagonists & inhibitors , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Molecular Structure , Naphthyridines/chemical synthesis , Naphthyridines/chemistry , Structure-Activity Relationship , Urease/antagonists & inhibitors
13.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun ; 486(3): 804-810, 2017 05 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28351618

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis (TB) is a severe disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) and the well-characterized M. tb MazE/F proteins play important roles in stress adaptation. Recently, the MazF-mt9 toxin has been found to display endonuclease activities towards tRNAs but the mechanism is unknown. We hereby present the crystal structure of apo-MazF-mt9. The enzyme recognizes tRNALys with a central UUU motif within the anticodon loop, but is insensitive to the sequence context outside of the loop. Based on our crystallographic and biochemical studies, we identified key residues for catalysis and proposed the potential tRNA-binding site.


Subject(s)
Anticodon/chemistry , Apoproteins/chemistry , Bacterial Proteins/chemistry , Bacterial Toxins/chemistry , Endoribonucleases/chemistry , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/chemistry , RNA, Transfer, Lys/chemistry , Amino Acid Sequence , Apoproteins/genetics , Apoproteins/metabolism , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Bacterial Toxins/genetics , Bacterial Toxins/metabolism , Base Sequence , Binding Sites , Cloning, Molecular , Endoribonucleases/genetics , Endoribonucleases/metabolism , Escherichia coli/genetics , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Gene Expression , Models, Molecular , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/enzymology , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/pathogenicity , Nucleic Acid Conformation , Protein Binding , Protein Domains , Protein Structure, Secondary , RNA, Transfer, Lys/genetics , RNA, Transfer, Lys/metabolism , Recombinant Proteins , Sequence Alignment , Structural Homology, Protein , Structure-Activity Relationship
14.
BMC Cancer ; 17(1): 360, 2017 05 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28532481

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Endonuclease domain containing 1 (ENDOD1) is implicated in tumorigenesis and aggressiveness of multiple tumors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of ENDOD1 in prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: Immunohistochemistry were performed in 30 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 50 cases of PCa to identify its association with clinicopathological characteristics. Real-time PCR and western blot were used to detect ENDOD1 mRNA and protein expression in normal prostatic epithelial and PCa cell lines. MTT assays were employed to determine the effect of cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to explore the cell cycle distribution and apoptotic effects. Transwell migration and invasion assays were done to evaluate changes in the ability of cell migration and invasion. RESULTS: Immunoreactivity scores of ENDOD1 showed no statistical difference between BPH and low-grade PCa, whereas lower immunostaining scores were observed in high-grade compared with low-grade PCa. Real-time PCR data indicated that ENDOD1 mRNA expression was markedly increased in LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells and decreased in PC3 and DU145 cells compared to the normal epithelial cells RWPE1. Western blot showed that androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells had the highest protein expression level of ENDOD1, whereas castration-resistant PCa cell lines PC3 and DU145 had significantly lower protein levels. Meanwhile, overexpression of ENDOD1 suppressed cell proliferation, induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and inhibited cell migration and invasion. Conversely, siRNA-mediated silencing of ENDOD1 promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion. No apoptotic effects occurred upon manipulation of ENDOD1 expression. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that ENDOD1 is a novel tumor suppressor in PCa, which may be employed as a new drug target of preventing progression to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.


Subject(s)
Endonucleases/genetics , Prostatic Neoplasms/metabolism , Aged , Apoptosis , Case-Control Studies , Cell Cycle , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement , Cell Proliferation , Down-Regulation , Endonucleases/metabolism , Gene Expression , Genes, Tumor Suppressor , Humans , Male , Neoplasm Grading , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Prostatic Hyperplasia/genetics , Prostatic Hyperplasia/metabolism , Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology
15.
Biomed Environ Sci ; 30(9): 623-631, 2017 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29081336

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant and anti-aging effects of Silybum marianum protein hydrolysate (SMPH) in D-galactose-treated mice. METHODS: D-galactose (500 mg/kg body weight) was intraperitoneally injected daily for 7 weeks to accelerate aging, and SMPH (400, 800, 1,200 mg/kg body weight, respectively) was simultaneously administered orally. The antioxidant and anti-aging effects of SMPH in the liver and brain were measured by biochemical assays. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed to study the ultrastructure of liver mitochondri. RESULTS: SMPH decreased triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the D-galactose-treated mice. It significantly elevated the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), which were suppressed by D-galactose. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as well as the concentrations of caspase-3 and 8-OHdG in the liver and brain were significantly reduced by SMPH. Moreover, it increased Bcl-2 levels in the liver and brain. Furthermore, SMPH significantly attenuated D-galactose-induced liver mitochondrial dysfunction by improving the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase as well as mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and fluidity. TEM showed that the degree of liver mitochondrial damage was significantly decreased by SMPH. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that SMPH protects against D-galactose-induced accelerated aging in mice through its antioxidant and anti-aging activities.


Subject(s)
Aging/drug effects , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Galactose/toxicity , Plant Proteins/pharmacology , Protein Hydrolysates/pharmacology , Silybum marianum/chemistry , Animals , Brain/drug effects , Caspase 3/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic/drug effects , Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism , Male , Malondialdehyde/metabolism , Maze Learning/drug effects , Mice , Mitochondria, Liver/drug effects , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Plant Proteins/chemistry , Protective Agents/pharmacology , Protein Hydrolysates/chemistry , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism
16.
Fish Shellfish Immunol ; 49: 16-23, 2016 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26706223

ABSTRACT

The adenine nucleotide translocases (ANTs) play a vital role in energy metabolism via ADP/ATP exchange in eukaryotic cells. Apostichopus japonicus (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) is an important economic species in China. Here, a cDNA representing an ANT gene of A. japonicus was isolated and characterized from respiratory tree and named AjANT. The full-length AjANT cDNA is 1924 bp, including a 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of 38 bp, 3'-UTR of 980 bp and an open reading frame (ORF) of 906 bp encoding a polypeptide of 301 amino acids. The protein contains three homologous repeat Mito_carr domains (Pfam00153). The deduced AjANT protein sequence has 49-81% in comparison to ANT proteins from other individuals. The predicted tertiary structure of AjANT protein is highly similar to animal ANT proteins. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the AjANT is closely related to Holothuroidea ANT genes. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that AjANT expression is higher in the respiratory tree than in other examined tissues. After thermal stress or LPS challenge, expression of AjANT was significantly fluctuant compared to the control. These results suggested that changes in the expression of ANT gene might be involved in immune defense and in protecting A. japonicus against thermal stress.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Hot Temperature , Immunity, Innate/drug effects , Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology , Mitochondrial ADP, ATP Translocases/genetics , Stichopus/genetics , Stichopus/immunology , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Base Sequence , Cloning, Molecular , DNA, Complementary/genetics , DNA, Complementary/metabolism , Gene Expression Profiling , Mitochondrial ADP, ATP Translocases/chemistry , Mitochondrial ADP, ATP Translocases/metabolism , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , Protein Structure, Tertiary , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Sequence Alignment , Stichopus/metabolism , Tissue Distribution
17.
Glia ; 62(1): 106-21, 2014 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24272706

ABSTRACT

Astrocytes are key components of the central nervous system (CNS) and release factors to support neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) is one of the key factors released upon activation of astrocytes that regulates the neural stem cell's function. However, it is not clear whether ATP derived from the depolarized astrocytes plays a vital role in promoting the neuronal differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro and in vivo. Herein, for the first time, we co-cultured MSCs with light-stimulated-channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2)-astrocytes, and observed that the neuronal differentiation of MSCs was enhanced by expressing more neuronal markers, Tuj1 and NeuN. The ChR2-astrocyte-conditioned medium also stimulated MSCs differentiating into neuronal lineage cells by expressing more Tuj1 and Pax6, which was blocked by the P2X receptor antagonist, TNP-ATP. Then we found that light-depolarization of astrocytes significantly increased ATP accumulation in their bathing medium without impairing the cell membrane. We further found that ATP up-regulated the Tuj1, Pax6, FZD8 and ß-catenin mRNA levels of MSCs, which could be reversed by application of TNP-ATP. Together these in vitro data provided convergent evidence that ATP from light-depolarized-astrocytes activated the wnt/ß-catenin signaling of MSCs through binding to the P2X receptors, and promoted the neuronal differentiation of MSCs. Finally but importantly, our study also demonstrated in stroke rats that light-controlled astrocytes stimulated endogenous ATP release into the ischemic area to influence the transplanted MSCs, resulting in promoting the MSCs towards neuronal differentiation and improvements of neurological deficit.


Subject(s)
Astrocytes/physiology , Cell Differentiation , Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology , Nervous System Diseases/etiology , Nervous System Diseases/therapy , Stroke/complications , Stroke/therapy , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Cell Proliferation , Cells, Cultured , Channelrhodopsins , Corpus Striatum/cytology , Disease Models, Animal , Humans , Male , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/physiology , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Transduction, Genetic
18.
J Med Chem ; 67(6): 4726-4738, 2024 Mar 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38489247

ABSTRACT

Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) are classified as the critical priority groups among the pathogenic fungi, highlighting the urgent need for developing more effective antifungal therapies. On the basis of antifungal natural product sampangine, herein, a series of tricyclic oxime and oxime ether derivatives were designed. Among them, compound WZ-2 showed excellent inhibitory activity against C. neoformans (MIC80 = 0.016 µg/mL) and synergized with fluconazole to treat resistant C. albicans (FICI = 0.078). Interestingly, compound WZ-2 effectively inhibited virulence factors (e.g., capsule, biofilm, and yeast-to-hypha morphological transition), suggesting the potential to overcome drug resistance. In a mouse model of cryptococcal meningitis, compound WZ-2 (5 mg/kg) effectively reduced the brain C. neoformans H99 burden. Furthermore, compound WZ-2 alone and its combination with fluconazole also significantly reduced the kidney burden of the drug-resistant strain (0304103) and sensitive strain (SC5314) of C. albicans.


Subject(s)
Alkaloids , Candidiasis , Cryptococcosis , Cryptococcus neoformans , Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings , Naphthyridines , Animals , Mice , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Fluconazole/pharmacology , Fluconazole/therapeutic use , Cryptococcosis/drug therapy , Cryptococcosis/microbiology , Candidiasis/drug therapy , Candida albicans , Microbial Sensitivity Tests
19.
Heliyon ; 10(10): e31236, 2024 May 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38803853

ABSTRACT

A γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-producing strain JC30 was isolated from traditional kimchi, which was identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus by 16S rDNA sequencing. P. pentosaceus JC30 was highly tolerant to acid, bile salt, and high temperatures. The survival rate of JC30 in MRS medium (pH 2.5) for 3 h was 60.96 %. Furthermore, the survival rate of JC30 in MRS medium with 3 mg/mL bile salt for 24 h was 86.62 %. The survival rate of JC30 in MRS medium at 56 °C and 58 °C for 10 min was 97.17 % and 78.20 %, respectively. When 2 % v/v JC30 (8.0 log10 CFU/mL) was added to prepare sourdough and the sourdough was then used to make bread, the bread had a higher specific volume (5.13 ± 0.12 mL/g) and GABA content (3.32 ± 0.04 mg/g DW) than the control.

20.
Neuron ; 112(13): 2197-2217.e7, 2024 Jul 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38642554

ABSTRACT

Assessing and responding to threats is vital in everyday life. Unfortunately, many mental illnesses involve impaired risk assessment, affecting patients, families, and society. The brain processes behind these behaviors are not well understood. We developed a transgenic mouse model (disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 [DISC1]-N) with a disrupted avoidance response in risky settings. Our study utilized single-nucleus RNA sequencing and path-clamp coupling with real-time RT-PCR to uncover a previously undescribed group of glutamatergic neurons in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) marked by Wolfram syndrome 1 (WFS1) expression, whose activity is modulated by adjacent astrocytes. These neurons in DISC1-N mice exhibited diminished firing ability and impaired communication with the astrocytes. Remarkably, optogenetic activation of these astrocytes reinstated neuronal excitability via D-serine acting on BLAWFS1 neurons' NMDA receptors, leading to improved risk-assessment behavior in the DISC1-N mice. Our findings point to BLA astrocytes as a promising target for treating risk-assessment dysfunctions in mental disorders.


Subject(s)
Astrocytes , Basolateral Nuclear Complex , Mice, Transgenic , Nerve Tissue Proteins , Neurons , Animals , Astrocytes/metabolism , Mice , Neurons/metabolism , Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics , Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism , Basolateral Nuclear Complex/metabolism , Optogenetics , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Male , Risk-Taking , Disease Models, Animal , Mice, Inbred C57BL
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