Renalase alleviates salt-induced kidney necroptosis and inflammation.

Recent evidence suggests that necroptosis may contribute to the development of kidney injury. Renalase is a novel secretory protein that exerts potent prosurvival and anti-inflammatory effects. We hypothesized that renalase could protect the kidney from salt-induced injury by modulating necroptosis. High salt and renalase treatments were administered to Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats, renalase knockout (KO) mice, and HK-2 cells. Furthermore, a cohort of 514 eligible participants was utilized to investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL, and the risk of subclinical renal damage (SRD) over 14 years. A high-salt diet significantly increased the expression of key components of necroptosis, namely RIPK1, RIPK3, and MLKL, as well as the release of inflammatory factors in SS rats. Treatment with recombinant renalase reduced both necroptosis and inflammation. In renalase KO mice, salt-induced kidney injury was more severe than in wild-type mice, but supplementation with renalase attenuated the kidney injury. In vitro experiments with HK-2 cells revealed high salt increased necroptosis and inflammation. Renalase exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in salt-induced necroptosis, and this cytoprotective effect was negated by the knockdown of PMCA4b, which is the receptor of renalase. Furthermore, the cohort study showed that SNP rs3736724 in RIPK1 and rs11640974 in MLKL were significantly associated with the risk of SRD over 14 years. Our analysis shows that necroptosis plays a significant role in the development of salt-induced kidney injury and that renalase confers its cytoprotective effects by inhibiting necroptosis and inflammation.

A LAMP-CRISPR/Cas12b rapid detection platform for canine parvovirus detection.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is one of the main pathogens causing toxic diarrhea in Chinese dogs, is the cause of large-scale epidemic of dogs, and poses a great threat to the dog industry in China. Rapid, sensitive, and specific CPV testing facilitates the timely diagnosis and treatment of sick dogs. The aim of this study was to build a LAMP-CRISPR/Cas12b platform for CPV detection. The loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique was combined with CRISPR-Cas12b analysis to establish a "two-step" and "one-tube" CRISPR/Cas12b rapid CPV method, respectively. The detection system was constructed with specific LAMP primers and single guide RNA (sgRNA) for the highly conserved short fragment of the CPV gene, which could be detected within 1 h without cross-reaction with the other viruses causing canine diarrhea. The detection limits of both "two-step" and "one-tube" CRISPR/Cas12b reactions were 10-1 copies per µL, which was 100 times more sensitive than qPCR and LAMP. In order to achieve point-of-care testing (POCT) of CPV, a one-tube LAMP-CRISPR/Cas12b nucleic acid extraction and detection platform based on magnetic nanoparticle enrichment technology was established to achieve "sample in-result out". The results of this method for simulated samples were compared with those of quantitative real-time PCR; the results showed 100% consistency, and the time was shorter, which could be used to detect the diseased dogs earlier and provide a basis for clinical diagnosis. The LAMP-CRISPR/Cas12b method established in this study provides a sensitive and specific method for rapid detection of CPV, and provides technical support for rapid diagnosis of CPV.

Associations of E-proteinoid 3 receptor genetic polymorphisms with salt sensitivity, longitudinal blood pressure changes, and hypertension incidence in Chinese adults.

The E-proteinoid 3 receptor (PTGER3), a member of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) subtype receptor, belongs to the G-protein-coupled superfamily of receptors. Animal studies have demonstrated its involvement in salt sensitivity by regulating sodium reabsorption. This study aimed to investigate the association between genetic variants of PTGER3 and salt sensitivity, longitudinal blood pressure (BP) changes, and the incidence of hypertension in Chinese adults. A chronic salt intake intervention was conducted involving 514 adults from 124 families in the 2004 Baoji Salt-Sensitivity Study Cohort in northern China. These participants followed a 3-day regular baseline diet, followed by a 7-day low-salt diet (3.0 g/d) and a 7-day high-salt diet (18 g/d), and were subsequently followed for 14 years. The findings revealed a significant relationship between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs17482751 of PTGER3 and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) response to high salt intervention. Additionally, SNPs rs11209733, rs3765894, and rs2268062 were significantly associated with longitudinal changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), DBP, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during the 14-year follow-up period. SNP rs6424414 was significantly associated with longitudinal changes in DBP over 14 years. Finally, SNP rs17482751 showed a significant correlation with the incidence of hypertension over 14 years. These results emphasize the significant role of PTGER3 gene polymorphism in salt sensitivity, longitudinal BP changes, and the development of hypertension in the Chinese population.

Four new sesquiterpenoids from the aerial parts of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco.) Benth. and their hypoglycemic activity.

Four previously undescribed sesquiterpenoids (1-4), including two natural guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids (1-2), a rearranged guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid (3), and a norsesquiterpenoid (4), were isolated from the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco.) Benth. Their chemical structures were determined based on extensive spectroscopic data analysis, including UV, IR, NMR, HRESIMS, and CD spectroscopy. Compound 1 exhibited a good hypoglycemic activity with glucose uptake of 124.3% and 131.2% in myotubes, respectively, at the concentrations of 20 and 40 µM and showed no cytotoxicity. These findings provide a material basis for further research on P. cablin.

microRNA-3037 targeting CYP6CY2 confers imidacloprid resistance to Sitobion miscanthi (Takahashi).

The wheat aphid Sitobion miscanthi is a dominant and destructive pest in agricultural production. Insecticides are the main substances used for effective control of wheat aphids. However, their extensive application has caused severe resistance of wheat aphids to some insecticides; therefore, exploring resistance mechanisms is essential for wheat aphid management. In the present study, CYP6CY2, a new P450 gene, was isolated and overexpressed in the imidacloprid-resistant strain (SM-R) compared to the imidacloprid-susceptible strain (SM-S). The increased sensitivity of S. miscanthi to imidacloprid after knockdown of CYP6CY2 indicates that it could be associated with imidacloprid resistance. Subsequently, the posttranscriptional regulation of CYP6CY2 in the 3' UTR by miR-3037 was confirmed, and CYP6CY2 participated in imidacloprid resistance. This finding is critical for determining the role of P450 in relation to the resistance of S. miscanthi to imidacloprid. It is of great significance to understand this regulatory mechanism of P450 expression in the resistance of S. miscanthi to neonicotinoids.

Establishment and preliminary application of duplex fluorescence quantitative PCR for porcine circoviruses type 2 and type 3.

Porcine circovirus types 2 (PCV2) and 3 (PCV3) are the two most prevalent porcine circoviruses in China, all of which can infect swine herds and cause serious diseases. To detect coinfection with PCV2 and PCV3, primers and probes for duplex PCV2 and PCV3 real-time PCR were designed to target their cap genes based on the constructed plasmids pUC57-PCV2 and pUC57-PCV3. The established duplex PCV2 and PCV3 real-time PCRs were specific to PCV2 and PCV3 and showed no cross-reactions with other porcine viral pathogens. The limit of detection was 5 and 50 copies for the PCV2 and PCV3 plasmids, respectively. The intra- and interassay repeatability had coefficients of variation below 3 %. The established methods were used to analyze clinical samples from Liaoning and Jilin provinces of China. The coinfection rates of PCV2 and PCV3 in pigs extensively fed in Liaoning and Jilin, large-scale farmed pigs in Liaoning and large-scale farmed pigs in Jilin were 15.0 % (6/40), 36.7 % (11/30) and 35.4 % (62/175), respectively. This study established a useful duplex PCV2 and PCV3 real-time PCR method that can be used for the detection of PCV2 and PCV3 in local clinical samples.

Coffee, tea, and cocoa in obesity prevention: Mechanisms of action and future prospects.

Obesity, a major public health problem, causes numerous complications that threaten human health and increase the socioeconomic burden. The pathophysiology of obesity is primarily attributed to lipid metabolism disorders. Conventional anti-obesity medications have a high abuse potential and frequently deliver insufficient efficacy and have negative side-effects. Hence, functional foods are regarded as effective alternatives to address obesity. Coffee, tea, and cocoa, three widely consumed beverages, have long been considered to have the potential to prevent obesity, and several studies have focused on their intrinsic molecular mechanisms in past few years. Therefore, in this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which the bioactive ingredients in these three beverages counteract obesity from the aspects of adipogenesis, lipolysis, and energy expenditure (thermogenesis). The future prospects and challenges for coffee, tea, and cocoa as functional products for the treatment of obesity are also discussed, which can be pursued for future drug development and prevention strategies against obesity.

Antennal Transcriptome Evaluation and Analysis for Odorant-Binding Proteins, Chemosensory Proteins, and Suitable Reference Genes in the Leaf Beetle Pest Diorhabda rybakowi Weise (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

Diorhabda rybakowi Weise is one of the dominant pests feeding on Nitraria spp., a pioneer plant used for windbreaking and sand fixation purposes, and poses a threat to local livestock and ecosystems. To clarify the key olfactory genes of D. rybakowi and provide a theoretical basis for attractant and repellent development, the optimal reference genes under two different conditions (tissue and sex) were identified, and the bioinformatics and characterization of the tissue expression profiles of two categories of soluble olfactory proteins (OBPs and CSPs) were investigated. The results showed that the best reference genes were RPL13a and RPS18 for comparison among tissues, and RPL19 and RPS18 for comparison between sexes. Strong expressions of DrybOBP3, DrybOBP6, DrybOBP7, DrybOBP10, DrybOBP11, DrybCSP2, and DrybCSP5 were found in antennae, the most important olfactory organ for D. rybakowi. These findings not only provide a basis for further in-depth research on the olfactory molecular mechanisms of host-specialized pests but also provide a theoretical basis for the future development of new chemical attractants or repellents using volatiles to control D. rybakowi.

CircPOFUT1 fosters colorectal cancer metastasis and chemoresistance via decoying miR-653-5p/E2F7/WDR66 axis and stabilizing BMI1.

CircRNAs are implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC) development and progression. Protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 (POFUT1) plays an oncogenic role via activating Notch1 signaling in CRC. However, the roles of circPOFUT1, which is originated from POFUT1, have not been investigated. Our study showed circPOFUT1 was highly expressed in CRC tissues and cells. CircPOFUT1 enhanced the proliferation, migration and invasion of CRC cells, and promoted tumor growth and liver metastasis in vivo. It also reinforced stemness and chemoresistance of CRC cells. Mechanistically, circPOFUT1 regulated the function of E2F7 via sponging miR-653-5p, thereby transcriptionally inducing WDR66 expression and further promoting metastasis in CRC. On the other hand, circPOFUT1 promoted stemness and chemoresistance of CRC cells via stabilizing BMI1 in an IGF2BP1-dependent manner. In conclusion, circPOFUT1 fosters CRC metastasis and chemoresistance via decoying miR-653-5p/E2F7/WDR66 axis and stabilizing BMI1.

Circular RNA RHBDD1 regulates tumorigenicity and ferroptosis in colorectal cancer by mediating the ELAVL1/SCD mRNA interaction.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed noncoding RNA molecules that play multiple roles in tumorigenesis and metastasis. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent, regulated form of cell death and has emerged as a promising target for cancer treatment. However, whether and how circRNAs regulate ferroptotic cell death in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains largely unknown. Three circRNA microarrays were used to screen differentially expressed circRNAs in CRC tissues. A series of functional experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of circRNA on CRC cell proliferation, migration and ferroptosis. We found that hsa_circ_0058495 (circRHBDD1), a novel circRNA, was significantly upregulated in colorectal cancer tissues and cells. The expression levels of circRHBDD1 in serum samples were strongly associated with the advancement of CRC. Silencing of circRHBDD1 remarkably suppressed the proliferation and migration of CRC cells in vitro. Moreover, the depletion of circRHBDD1 notably increased ferroptotic cell death and enhanced RSL3-induced ferroptosis in CRC cells. Mechanistically, circRHBDD1 upregulated the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), a ferroptosis suppressor mediating lipid remodelling, by enhancing the ELAVL1/SCD mRNA interaction. Finally, circRHBDD1 knockdown repressed the tumorigenesis and ferroptosis of CRC cells in vivo. In conclusion, circRHBDD1 facilitates tumour progression and obstructs ferroptosis in CRC by regulating SCD expression in an ELAVL1-dependent manner.

MiR-4521 affects the propagation of Cryptosporidium parvum in HCT-8 cells through targeting foxm1 by regulating cell apoptosis.

Cryptosporidium parvum could regulate the expression of microRNAs of epithelial cells to facilitate its intracellular propagation. MiR-4521 has been reported to play an important role during the development and progression of tumors and infectious diseases by regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy. However, the implication of miR-4521 during C. parvum infection was still unknown. In this study, the expression of miR-4521 was found to be upregulated in HCT-8 cells infected with C. parvum from 8 h post-infection (pi) to 48 hpi, and its upregulation would be related with the TLR/NF-κB signal pathway during C. parvum infection. One potential target of miR-4521, foxm1, was down-regulated in HCT-8 cells from 24 hpi to 48 hpi, and the expression of foxm1 was negatively regulated by miR-4521. The target relationship between miR-4521 and foxm1 was further validated by using dual luciferase reporter assay. Further studies showed that miR-4521 promoted the propagation of C. parvum in HCT-8 cells through targeting foxm1 by regulating BCL2-mediating cell apoptosis. These results contribute to further understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of host miRNAs during Cryptosporidium infection.

Relevance and mechanism of STAT3/miR-221-3p/Fascin-1 axis in EGFR TKI resistance of triple-negative breast cancer.

The epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (EGFR) plays a crucial role in the progression of various malignant tumors and is considered a potential target for treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the effectiveness of representative tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) used in EGFR-targeted therapy is limited in TNBC patients. In our study, we observed that the TNBC cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 exhibited resistance to Gefitinib. Treatment with Gefitinib caused an upregulation of Fascin-1 (FSCN1) protein expression and a downregulation of miR-221-3p in these cell lines. However, sensitivity to Gefitinib was significantly improved in both cell lines with either inhibition of FSCN1 expression or overexpression of miR-221-3p. Our luciferase reporter assay confirmed that FSCN1 is a target of miR-221-3p. Moreover, Gefitinib treatment resulted in an upregulation of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) in MDA-MB-231 cells. Using Stattic, a small-molecule inhibitor of STAT3, we observed a significant enhancement in the inhibitory effect of Gefitinib on the growth, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. Additionally, Stattic treatment upregulated miR-221-3p expression and downregulated FSCN1 mRNA and protein expression. A strong positive correlation was noted between the expression of STAT3 and FSCN1 in breast cancer tissues. Furthermore, patients with high expression levels of both STAT3 and FSCN1 had a worse prognosis. Our findings suggest that elevated FSCN1 expression is linked to primary resistance to EGFR TKIs in TNBC. Moreover, we propose that STAT3 regulates the expression of miR-221-3p/FSCN1 and therefore modulates resistance to EGFR TKI therapy in TNBC. Combining EGFR TKI therapy with inhibition of FSCN1 or STAT3 may offer a promising new therapeutic option for TNBC.

Association of high-normal albuminuria and vascular aging: Hanzhong adolescent hypertension study.

Normoalbuminuria has recently been associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and vascular aging is proposed as the early manifestation of cardiovascular disease. Here, the authors aimed to examine the association of high-normal albuminuria and vascular aging in a Chinese cohort. From our previously established cohort, 1942 participants with estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) <30 mg/g were enrolled. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) ≥1400 cm/s and/or carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) ≥0.9 mm were used as indicators of vascular aging. Multivariate regression and receiving operating characteristic curve analysis were performed to examine the relationship between continuous and categorical UACR with vascular aging. We found an average UACR value of 8.08 (5.45-12.52) mg/g in this study. BaPWV and CIMT demonstrated positive correlations with lg-UACR (p < .05). High-normal albuminuria (10-29 mg/g) was significantly associated with the presence of vascular aging after adjusting for multiple cardiovascular confounders (OR = 1.540, 95% CI = 1.203-1.972, p = .001). In addition, a lg-UACR cutoff point of 0.918 lg(mg/g) (equal to UACR of 8.285 mg/g) was significantly associated with the presence of vascular aging and its components for all participants and those without hypertension or diabetes and without medication (p < .05). Briefly, high-normal albuminuria was significantly associated with vascular aging in this sample of Chinese adults. These findings implied the warning of elevated UACR even within normal range in clinical practice and the importance of UACR screening in normoalbuminuria for early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease in otherwise healthy participants.

Exosomal circCOL1A1 promotes angiogenesis via recruiting EIF4A3 protein and activating Smad2/3 pathway in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third frequently diagnosed cancer with high incidence and mortality rate worldwide. Our previous report has demonstrated that circCOL1A1 (hsa_circ_0044556) functions as an oncogene in CRC, and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis has also revealed the strong association between circCOL1A1 and angiogenesis. However, the mechanism of circCOL1A1 or exosomal circCOL1A1 in CRC angiogenesis remains elusive. METHODS: Purified exosomes from CRC cells were characterized by nanoparticle tracking analyzing, electron microscopy and western blot. qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry or western blot were employed to test the expression of circCOL1A1, EIF4A3, Smad pathway and angiogenic markers. Cell proliferation of HUVECs was monitored by CCK-8 assay. The migratory and angiogenic capabilities of HUVECs were detected by wound healing and tube formation assay, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pull-down and FISH assays were used to detect the interactions among circCOL1A1, EIF4A3 and Smad2/3 mRNA. The in vitro findings were verified in xenograft model. RESULTS: CRC cell-derived exosomal circCOL1A1 promoted angiogenesis of HUVECs via recruiting EIF4A3. EIF4A3 was elevated in CRC tissues, and it stimulated angiogenesis of HUVECs through directly binding and stabilizing Smad2/3 mRNA. Moreover, exosomal circCOL1A1 promoted angiogenesis via inducing Smad2/3 signaling pathway in vitro, and it also accelerated tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo. CONCLUSION: CRC cell-derived exosomal circCOL1A1 promoted angiogenesis via recruiting EIF4A3 and activating Smad2/3 signaling.

Bidirectional Relationship Between Circadian Rhythm and Frailty.

Coupled with the ageing population, frailty, characterized by high prevalence and difficult treatment, has progressively evolved into a significant public health concern. Frail individuals can often observe serious metabolic disorders and sleep-wake cycle disruption, which may be caused by the decline in physiological reserve and increased vulnerability. Moreover, sleep-wake cycle disruptions and metabolic dysfunctions associated with circadian rhythm disorders are considered to be a central part of the disorder. Previous studies have documented a correlation between frailty and sleep-wake disruptions; nevertheless, the association between circadian rhythm disorders and frailty has not yet been definitively established. Hence, we hypothesize a bidirectional link between circadian rhythm disorders and frailty, with each condition exerting a significant influence on the progression of the other's disease trajectory.

Associations of lipid accumulation product, visceral adiposity index, and triglyceride-glucose index with subclinical organ damage in healthy Chinese adults.

Background and aims: Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease development. Here, we aimed to examine and compare the predictive values of three novel obesity indices, lipid accumulation product (LAP), visceral adiposity index (VAI), and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, for cardiovascular subclinical organ damage. Methods: A total of 1,773 healthy individuals from the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study cohort were enrolled. Anthropometric, biochemical, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and Cornell voltage-duration product data were collected. Furthermore, the potential risk factors for subclinical organ damage were investigated, with particular emphasis on examining the predictive value of the LAP, VAI, and TyG index for detecting subclinical organ damage. Results: LAP, VAI, and TyG index exhibited a significant positive association with baPWV and uACR. However, only LAP and VAI were found to have a positive correlation with Cornell product. While the three indices did not show an association with electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy, higher values of LAP and TyG index were significantly associated with an increased risk of arterial stiffness and albuminuria. Furthermore, after dividing the population into quartiles, the fourth quartiles of LAP and TyG index showed a significant association with arterial stiffness and albuminuria when compared with the first quartiles, in both unadjusted and fully adjusted models. Additionally, the concordance index (C-index) values for LAP, VAI, and TyG index were reasonably high for arterial stiffness (0.856, 0.856, and 0.857, respectively) and albuminuria (0.739, 0.737, and 0.746, respectively). Lastly, the analyses of continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) demonstrated that the TyG index exhibited significantly higher predictive values for arterial stiffness and albuminuria compared with LAP and VAI. Conclusion: LAP, VAI, and, especially, TyG index demonstrated utility in screening cardiovascular subclinical organ damage among Chinese adults in this community-based sample. These indices have the potential to function as markers for early detection of cardiovascular disease in otherwise healthy individuals.

Multifunctional Oxidized Dextran-Metformin as a Tissue-Adhesive Hydrogel to Prevent Postoperative Peritoneal Adhesions in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome.

Patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) undergoing surgery are at high risk of developing peritoneal adhesions and other severe postoperative complications. However, the single shielding function and absence of physiological activity render conventional methods less useful in preventing adhesions in patients with MetS. To address this challenge, a convenient method is introduced for developing a novel tissue-adhesive hydrogel called oxidized dextran-metformin (ODE-ME) via Schiff base linkages. This injectable ODE-ME hydrogel exhibits excellent tissue-adhesive properties and various physiological functions, particularly enhanced antibacterial effects. Furthermore, in vivo experiments demonstrate that the hydrogel can effectively alleviate hyperglycemia, reduce excessive inflammation, and improve fibrinolytic activity in MetS mice, thereby preventing adhesions and promoting incisional healing. The hydrogel concurrently isolates injured tissues and lowers the blood glucose levels immediately after surgery in mice. Therefore, the ODE-ME hydrogel functions as a multifunctional barrier material and has potential for preventing postoperative peritoneal adhesions in patients with MetS in clinical settings.

Hirsutinolide-type sesquiterpenoids with anti-prostate cancer activity from Cyanthillium cinereum.

Four previously undescribed hirsutinolide-type sesquiterpenoids, cyanolides A-D (1-4), along with twelve known analogues (5-16), were isolated from the aerial parts of Cyanthillium cinereum. Their structures were determined by comprehensive analysis of NMR, HRESIMS, and ECD spectra. Compound 1 is a rarely occurring hirsutinolide-type sesquiterpenoid with 1,4-ether ring ruptured and containing a chlorine atom, and compounds 13-16 were reported from this plant for the first time. All compounds were tested for their inhibiting effects on prostate cancer cells. As a result, compounds 1, 3, and 8-14 exhibited significant anti-prostate cancer activity against PC-3 and LNCaP cells with IC50 values ranging from 2.2 ± 0.4 to 8.5 ± 0.7 µM and 3.0 ± 0.7 to 10.5 ± 1.1 µM, respectively. The preliminary structure-activity relationship was discussed. Further investigation showed that compound 1 induced apoptosis in PC-3 cells.

Genome-wide identification and analysis of the evolution and expression pattern of the SBP gene family in two Chimonanthus species.

BACKGROUND: Chimonanthus praecox and Chimonanthus salicifolius are closely related species that diverged approximately six million years ago. While both C. praecox and C. salicifolius could withstand brief periods of low temperatures of - 15 °C. Their flowering times are different, C. praecox blooms in early spring, whereas C. salicifolius blooms in autumn. The SBP-box (SQUAMOSA promoter-binding protein) is a plant-specific gene family that plays a crucial vital role in regulating plant flowering. Although extensively studied in various plants, the SBP gene family remains uncharacterized in Calycanthaceae. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted genome-wide identification of SBP genes in both C. praecox and C. salicifolius and comprehensively characterized the chromosomal localization, gene structure, conserved motifs, and domains of the identified SBP genes. In total, 15 and 18 SBP genes were identified in C. praecox and C. salicifolius, respectively. According to phylogenetic analysis, the SBP genes from Arabidopsis, C. praecox, and C. salicifolius were clustered into eight groups. Analysis of the gene structure and conserved protein motifs showed that SBP proteins of the same subfamily have similar motif structures. The expression patterns of SBP genes were analyzed using transcriptome data. The results revealed that more than half of the genes exhibited lower expression levels in leaves than in flowers, suggesting their potential involvement in the flower development process and may be linked to the winter and autumn flowering of C. praecox and C. salicifolius. CONCLUSION: Thirty-three SBPs were identified in C. praecox and C. salicifolius. The evolutionary characteristics and expression patterns were examined in this study. These results provide valuable information to elucidate the evolutionary relationships of the SBP family and help determine the functional characteristics of the SBP genes in subsequent studies.

Erratum: [Corrigendum] DNA methylation is involved in the aberrant expression of miR­133b in colorectal cancer cells.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3892/ol.2015.3336.].