Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 3.007
Filter
Add more filters

Publication year range
1.
Cell ; 185(19): 3603-3616.e13, 2022 09 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36084631

ABSTRACT

The effects of mutations in continuously emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 are a major concern for the performance of rapid antigen tests. To evaluate the impact of mutations on 17 antibodies used in 11 commercially available antigen tests with emergency use authorization, we measured antibody binding for all possible Nucleocapsid point mutations using a mammalian surface-display platform and deep mutational scanning. The results provide a complete map of the antibodies' epitopes and their susceptibility to mutational escape. Our data predict no vulnerabilities for detection of mutations found in variants of concern. We confirm this using the commercial tests and sequence-confirmed COVID-19 patient samples. The antibody escape mutational profiles generated here serve as a valuable resource for predicting the performance of rapid antigen tests against past, current, as well as any possible future variants of SARS-CoV-2, establishing the direct clinical and public health utility of our system.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Animals , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibodies, Viral , Epitopes/genetics , Humans , Mammals , Mutation , Nucleocapsid , SARS-CoV-2/genetics
2.
Mol Cell ; 73(2): 314-324.e4, 2019 01 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30527663

ABSTRACT

Macroautophagy/autophagy is a key catabolic recycling pathway that requires fine-tuned regulation to prevent pathologies and preserve homeostasis. Here, we report a new post-transcriptional pathway regulating autophagy involving the Pat1-Lsm (Lsm1 to Lsm7) mRNA-binding complex. Under nitrogen-starvation conditions, Pat1-Lsm binds a specific subset of autophagy-related (ATG) transcripts and prevents their 3' to 5' degradation by the exosome complex, leading to ATG mRNA stabilization and accumulation. This process is regulated through Pat1 dephosphorylation, is necessary for the efficient expression of specific Atg proteins, and is required for robust autophagy induction during nitrogen starvation. To the best of our knowledge, this work presents the first example of ATG transcript regulation via 3' binding factors and exosomal degradation.


Subject(s)
Autophagy-Related Proteins/metabolism , Autophagy , Nitrogen/deficiency , RNA Cap-Binding Proteins/metabolism , RNA Stability , RNA, Fungal/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism , 3' Untranslated Regions , Autophagy-Related Proteins/genetics , Binding Sites , Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal , Humans , Jurkat Cells , Multiprotein Complexes , Phosphorylation , Protein Binding , RNA Cap-Binding Proteins/genetics , RNA, Fungal/genetics , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics , Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/genetics , Signal Transduction
3.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 121(6): e2308769121, 2024 Feb 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38285947

ABSTRACT

Microbial interactions are key to maintaining soil biodiversity. However, whether negative or positive associations govern the soil microbial system at a global scale remains virtually unknown, limiting our understanding of how microbes interact to support soil biodiversity and functions. Here, we explored ecological networks among multitrophic soil organisms involving bacteria, protists, fungi, and invertebrates in a global soil survey across 20 regions of the planet and found that positive associations among both pairs and triads of soil taxa governed global soil microbial networks. We further revealed that soil networks with greater levels of positive associations supported larger soil biodiversity and resulted in lower network fragility to withstand potential perturbations of species losses. Our study provides unique evidence of the widespread positive associations between soil organisms and their crucial role in maintaining the multitrophic structure of soil biodiversity worldwide.


Subject(s)
Soil Microbiology , Soil , Soil/chemistry , Biodiversity , Bacteria , Fungi , Ecosystem
4.
Plant Cell ; 35(9): 3470-3484, 2023 09 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37294919

ABSTRACT

Gibberellin (GA) plays a key role in floral induction by activating the expression of floral integrator genes in plants, but the epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. Here, we show that BRAHMA (BRM), a core subunit of the chromatin-remodeling SWItch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) complex that functions in various biological processes by regulating gene expression, is involved in GA-signaling-mediated flowering via the formation of the DELLA-BRM-NF-YC module in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). DELLA, BRM, and NF-YC transcription factors interact with one another, and DELLA proteins promote the physical interaction between BRM and NF-YC proteins. This impairs the binding of NF-YCs to SOC1, a major floral integrator gene, to inhibit flowering. On the other hand, DELLA proteins also facilitate the binding of BRM to SUPPRESSOR OF OVEREXPRESSION OF CONSTANS1 (SOC1). The GA-induced degradation of DELLA proteins disturbs the DELLA-BRM-NF-YC module, prevents BRM from inhibiting NF-YCs, and decreases the DNA-binding ability of BRM, which promote the deposition of H3K4me3 on SOC1 chromatin, leading to early flowering. Collectively, our findings show that BRM is a key epigenetic partner of DELLA proteins during the floral transition. Moreover, they provide molecular insights into how GA signaling coordinates an epigenetic factor with a transcription factor to regulate the expression of a flowering gene and flowering in plants.


Subject(s)
Arabidopsis Proteins , Arabidopsis , Arabidopsis/metabolism , Gibberellins/metabolism , Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Chromatin/metabolism , Adenosine Triphosphatases/genetics
5.
Plant Cell ; 35(6): 1970-1983, 2023 05 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36945740

ABSTRACT

The utilization of stabilized DELLA proteins Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b was crucial for increasing wheat (Triticum aestivum) productivity during the Green Revolution. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified. Here, we cloned a gain-of-function allele of the GSK3/SHAGGY-like kinase-encoding gene GSK3 by characterizing a dwarf wheat mutant. Furthermore, we determined that GSK3 interacts with and phosphorylates the Green Revolution protein Rht-B1b to promote it to reduce plant height in wheat. Specifically, phosphorylation by GSK3 may enhance the activity and stability of Rht-B1b, allowing it to inhibit the activities of its target transcription factors. Taken together, we reveal a positive regulatory mechanism for the Green Revolution protein Rht-B1b by GSK3, which might have contributed to the Green Revolution in wheat.


Subject(s)
Plant Proteins , Triticum , Triticum/genetics , Triticum/metabolism , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3/genetics , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3/metabolism , Alleles
6.
J Biol Chem ; 300(2): 105610, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38159847

ABSTRACT

Many metabolic diseases are caused by disorders of lipid homeostasis. CIDEC, a lipid droplet (LD)-associated protein, plays a critical role in controlling LD fusion and lipid storage. However, regulators of CIDEC remain largely unknown. Here, we established a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF)-based high-throughput screening method and identified LPXN as a positive regulatory candidate for CIDEC. LPXN and Hic-5, the members of the Paxillin family, are focal adhesion adaptor proteins that contribute to the recruitment of specific kinases and phosphatases, cofactors, and structural proteins, participating in the transduction of extracellular signals into intracellular responses. Our data showed that Hic-5 and LPXN significantly increased the protein level of CIDEC and enhanced CIDEC stability not through triacylglycerol synthesis and FAK signaling pathways. Hic-5 and LPXN reduced the ubiquitination of CIDEC and inhibited its proteasome degradation pathway. Furthermore, Hic-5 and LPXN enlarged LDs and promoted lipid storage in adipocytes. Therefore, we identified Hic-5 and LPXN as novel regulators of CIDEC. Our current findings also suggest intervention with Hic-5 and LPXN might ameliorate ectopic fat storage by enhancing the lipid storage capacity of white adipose tissues.


Subject(s)
Adipocytes , Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins , Cell Adhesion Molecules , LIM Domain Proteins , Adipocytes/metabolism , Lipid Droplets/metabolism , Ubiquitination , HEK293 Cells , HeLa Cells , Humans , LIM Domain Proteins/metabolism , Cell Adhesion Molecules/metabolism , Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/metabolism
7.
Hum Mol Genet ; 32(3): 506-519, 2023 01 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36067019

ABSTRACT

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder featuring recurrent, unprovoked seizures, which affect more than 65 million people worldwide. Here, we discover that the PKHD1L1, which is encoded by polycystic kidney and hepatic disease1-like 1 (Pkhd1l1), wildly distributes in neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) of mice. Disruption of PKHD1L1 in the dentate gyrus region of the hippocampus leads to increased susceptibility to pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in mice. The disturbance of PKHD1L1 leads to the overactivation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)-Calpain pathway, which is accompanied by remarkable degradation of cytoplasmic potassium chloride co-transporter 2 (KCC2) level together with the impaired expression and function of membrane KCC2. However, the reduction of membrane KCC2 is associated with the damaged inhibitory ability of the vital GABA receptors, which ultimately leads to the significantly increased susceptibility to epileptic seizures. Our data, thus, indicate for the first time that Pkhd1l1, a newly discovered polycystic kidney disease (PKD) association gene, is required in neurons to maintain neuronal excitability by regulation of KCC2 expression in CNS. A new mechanism of the clinical association between genetic PKD and seizures has been built, which could be a potential therapeutic target for treating PKD-related seizures.


Subject(s)
Epilepsy , Symporters , Mice , Animals , Seizures/genetics , Seizures/metabolism , Epilepsy/metabolism , Hippocampus/metabolism , Symporters/genetics , Dentate Gyrus/metabolism
8.
Lancet ; 403(10445): 2720-2731, 2024 Jun 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38824941

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anti-PD-1 therapy and chemotherapy is a recommended first-line treatment for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but the role of PD-1 blockade remains unknown in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. We assessed the addition of sintilimab, a PD-1 inhibitor, to standard chemoradiotherapy in this patient population. METHODS: This multicentre, open-label, parallel-group, randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial was conducted at nine hospitals in China. Adults aged 18-65 years with newly diagnosed high-risk non-metastatic stage III-IVa locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (excluding T3-4N0 and T3N1) were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) using blocks of four to receive gemcitabine and cisplatin induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent cisplatin radiotherapy (standard therapy group) or standard therapy with 200 mg sintilimab intravenously once every 3 weeks for 12 cycles (comprising three induction, three concurrent, and six adjuvant cycles to radiotherapy; sintilimab group). The primary endpoint was event-free survival from randomisation to disease recurrence (locoregional or distant) or death from any cause in the intention-to-treat population. Secondary endpoints included adverse events. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03700476) and is now completed; follow-up is ongoing. FINDINGS: Between Dec 21, 2018, and March 31, 2020, 425 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to the sintilimab (n=210) or standard therapy groups (n=215). At median follow-up of 41·9 months (IQR 38·0-44·8; 389 alive at primary data cutoff [Feb 28, 2023] and 366 [94%] had at least 36 months of follow-up), event-free survival was higher in the sintilimab group compared with the standard therapy group (36-month rates 86% [95% CI 81-90] vs 76% [70-81]; stratified hazard ratio 0·59 [0·38-0·92]; p=0·019). Grade 3-4 adverse events occurred in 155 (74%) in the sintilimab group versus 140 (65%) in the standard therapy group, with the most common being stomatitis (68 [33%] vs 64 [30%]), leukopenia (54 [26%] vs 48 [22%]), and neutropenia (50 [24%] vs 46 [21%]). Two (1%) patients died in the sintilimab group (both considered to be immune-related) and one (<1%) in the standard therapy group. Grade 3-4 immune-related adverse events occurred in 20 (10%) patients in the sintilimab group. INTERPRETATION: Addition of sintilimab to chemoradiotherapy improved event-free survival, albeit with higher but manageable adverse events. Longer follow-up is necessary to determine whether this regimen can be considered as the standard of care for patients with high-risk locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. FUNDING: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province, Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, Overseas Expertise Introduction Project for Discipline Innovation, Guangzhou Municipal Health Commission, and Cancer Innovative Research Program of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. TRANSLATION: For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Chemoradiotherapy , Induction Chemotherapy , Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms , Humans , Middle Aged , Male , Female , Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma/therapy , Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma/drug therapy , Adult , China/epidemiology , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/therapy , Chemoradiotherapy/methods , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/adverse effects , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/administration & dosage , Aged , Cisplatin/therapeutic use , Cisplatin/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Gemcitabine , Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives , Deoxycytidine/therapeutic use , Deoxycytidine/administration & dosage , Young Adult , Adolescent , Progression-Free Survival
9.
Ann Neurol ; 95(5): 901-906, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38400794

ABSTRACT

We determined the genetic association between specific human leucocyte antigen (HLA) loci and autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy. Our results showed that autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy was associated with HLA-A*3303 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.32-3.06, p = 0.00072, padj. = 0.046) and HLA-DBP1*0501 (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.36-0.71, p = 0.000048, padj. = 0.0062). Moreover, HLA-A*3303 carriers with the disease had a longer hospital stay (p = 0.0005) than non-carriers. This study for the first time provides evidence for a role of genetic factor in the development of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:901-906.


Subject(s)
Astrocytes , Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein , HLA-A Antigens , HLA-DP beta-Chains , Humans , Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein/genetics , Male , Female , Middle Aged , HLA-DP beta-Chains/genetics , Adult , HLA-A Antigens/genetics , Astrocytes/metabolism , Astrocytes/pathology , Aged
10.
Stem Cells ; 42(4): 374-384, 2024 Apr 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38280209

ABSTRACT

Increased fructose consumption has been elucidated to contribute to metabolic diseases. Bone is a dynamic organ that undergoes constant remodeling. However, the effects of fructose on bone health are still in dispute. Here, we identified fructose deteriorated bone mineral density while promoting the abundance of bone marrow adipose tissue. Fructose remarkably promoted the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells' (BMMSCs) adipogenic commitment at the expense of osteogenic commitment. Fructose boosted the glycolysis of BMMSCs and inhibited phosphorylation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which played a crucial role in bone-fat alteration. Our results suggested that fructose potentiated bone loss and marrow adipose tissue accumulation by suppressing AMPK activation in BMMSCs. Understanding fructose which affected bone metabolism was thus of primary importance in order to establish preventative measures or treatments for this condition.


Subject(s)
Bone Marrow , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Bone Marrow/metabolism , Cell Differentiation , AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism , Fructose/pharmacology , Fructose/metabolism , Adipogenesis , Adipose Tissue/metabolism , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism , Osteogenesis , Adenosine , Bone Marrow Cells , Cells, Cultured
11.
Cell ; 141(1): 22-4, 2010 Apr 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20371341

ABSTRACT

Optogenetic methods use light to modulate the activities of target cells in vivo. By improving inter- and intracellular trafficking of light-sensitive switch proteins called opsins, Gradinaru et al. (2010) have developed a new generation of optogenetic tools capable of regulating the activity of targeted neurons with exquisite precision and efficiency.

12.
Cereb Cortex ; 34(7)2024 Jul 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39011935

ABSTRACT

Companionship refers to one's being in the presence of another individual. For adults, acquiring a new language is a highly social activity that often involves learning in the context of companionship. However, the effects of companionship on new language learning have gone relatively underexplored, particularly with respect to word learning. Using a within-subject design, the current study employs electroencephalography to examine how two types of companionship (monitored and co-learning) affect word learning (semantic and lexical) in a new language. Dyads of Chinese speakers of English as a second language participated in a pseudo-word-learning task during which they were placed in monitored and co-learning companionship contexts. The results showed that exposure to co-learning companionship affected the early attention stage of word learning. Moreover, in this early stage, evidence of a higher representation similarity between co-learners showed additional support that co-learning companionship influenced attention. Observed increases in delta and theta interbrain synchronization further revealed that co-learning companionship facilitated semantic access. In all, the similar neural representations and interbrain synchronization between co-learners suggest that co-learning companionship offers important benefits for learning words in a new language.


Subject(s)
Brain , Electroencephalography , Humans , Male , Female , Young Adult , Adult , Brain/physiology , Learning/physiology , Semantics , Multilingualism , Language , Attention/physiology , Verbal Learning/physiology
13.
Mol Ther ; 32(2): 313-324, 2024 Feb 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38093516

ABSTRACT

Renal fibrosis is a characteristic hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that ultimately results in renal failure, leaving patients with few therapeutic options. TGF-ß is a master regulator of renal fibrosis and mediates progressive renal fibrosis via both canonical and noncanonical signaling pathways. In the canonical Smad signaling, Smad3 is a key mediator in tissue fibrosis and mediates renal fibrosis via a number of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). In this regard, targeting Smad3-dependent ncRNAs may offer a specific therapy for renal fibrosis. This review highlights the significance and innovation of TGF-ß/Smad3-associated ncRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in renal fibrogenesis. In addition, the underlying mechanisms of these ncRNAs and their future perspectives in the treatment of renal fibrosis are discussed.


Subject(s)
Kidney , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic , Humans , Fibrosis , Kidney/metabolism , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/genetics , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/therapy , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/metabolism , RNA, Untranslated/genetics , RNA, Untranslated/metabolism , Smad3 Protein/genetics , Smad3 Protein/metabolism , Transforming Growth Factor beta/genetics , Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
14.
Nucleic Acids Res ; 51(15): 7972-7987, 2023 08 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37395399

ABSTRACT

DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) plays a critical role in non-homologous end joining (NHEJ), the predominant pathway that repairs DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) in response to ionizing radiation (IR) to govern genome integrity. The interaction of the catalytic subunit of DNA-PK (DNA-PKcs) with the Ku70/Ku80 heterodimer on DSBs leads to DNA-PK activation; however, it is not known if upstream signaling events govern this activation. Here, we reveal a regulatory step governing DNA-PK activation by SIRT2 deacetylation, which facilitates DNA-PKcs localization to DSBs and interaction with Ku, thereby promoting DSB repair by NHEJ. SIRT2 deacetylase activity governs cellular resistance to DSB-inducing agents and promotes NHEJ. SIRT2 furthermore interacts with and deacetylates DNA-PKcs in response to IR. SIRT2 deacetylase activity facilitates DNA-PKcs interaction with Ku and localization to DSBs and promotes DNA-PK activation and phosphorylation of downstream NHEJ substrates. Moreover, targeting SIRT2 with AGK2, a SIRT2-specific inhibitor, augments the efficacy of IR in cancer cells and tumors. Our findings define a regulatory step for DNA-PK activation by SIRT2-mediated deacetylation, elucidating a critical upstream signaling event initiating the repair of DSBs by NHEJ. Furthermore, our data suggest that SIRT2 inhibition may be a promising rationale-driven therapeutic strategy for increasing the effectiveness of radiation therapy.


Subject(s)
DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded , Protein Kinases , DNA/genetics , DNA/metabolism , DNA End-Joining Repair , DNA Repair , DNA-Activated Protein Kinase/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Ku Autoantigen/metabolism , Nuclear Proteins/metabolism , Protein Kinases/genetics , Sirtuin 2/genetics , Sirtuin 2/metabolism , Humans
15.
BMC Biol ; 22(1): 54, 2024 Mar 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38448930

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Gut bacteria are beneficial to the host, many of which must be passed on to host offspring. During metamorphosis, the midgut of holometabolous insects undergoes histolysis and remodeling, and thus risks losing gut bacteria. Strategies employed by holometabolous insects to minimize this risk are obscure. How gut bacteria affect host insects after entering the hemocoel and causing opportunistic infections remains largely elusive. RESULTS: We used holometabolous Helicoverpa armigera as a model and found low Lactobacillus load, high level of a C-type lectin (CTL) gene CD209 antigen-like protein 2 (CD209) and its downstream lysozyme 1 (Lys1) in the midgut of the wandering stage. CD209 or Lys1 depletion increased the load of midgut Lactobacillus, which further translocate to the hemocoel. In particular, CD209 or Lys1 depletion, injection of Lactobacillus plantarum, or translocation of midgut L. plantarum into the hemocoel suppressed 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) signaling and delayed pupariation. Injection of L. plantarum decreased triacylglycerol and cholesterol storage, which may result in insufficient energy and 20E available for pupariation. Further, Lysine-type peptidoglycan, the major component of gram-positive bacterial cell wall, contributed to delayed pupariation and decreased levels of triacylglycerols, cholesterols, and 20E, in both H. armigera and Drosophila melanogaster. CONCLUSIONS: A mechanism by which (Lactobacillus-induced) opportunistic infections delay insect metamorphosis was found, namely by disturbing the homeostasis of lipid metabolism and reducing 20E production. Moreover, the immune function of CTL - Lys was characterized for insect metamorphosis by maintaining gut homeostasis and limiting the opportunistic infections.


Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Lysine , Animals , Drosophila melanogaster , Dysbiosis , Bacteria , Immunity
16.
Nano Lett ; 24(14): 4291-4299, 2024 Apr 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38551180

ABSTRACT

With the advantages of a Fenton-inactive characteristic and unique p electrons that can hybridize with O2 molecules, p-block metal-based single-atom catalysts (SACs) for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) have tremendous potential. Nevertheless, their undesirable intrinsic activity caused by the closed d10 electronic configuration remains a major challenge. Herein, an Sb-based SAC featuring carbon vacancy-enhanced Sb-N4 active centers, corroborated by the results of high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray absorption fine structure, has been developed for an incredibly effective ORR. The obtained SbSA-N-C demonstrates a positive half-wave potential of 0.905 V and excellent structural stability in alkaline environments. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the carbon vacancies weaken the adsorption between Sb atoms and the OH* intermediate, thus promoting the ORR performance. Practically, the SbSA-N-C-based Zn-air batteries achieve impressive outcomes, such as a high power density of 181 mW cm-2, showing great potential in real-world applications.

17.
Nano Lett ; 24(20): 6139-6147, 2024 May 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38722705

ABSTRACT

Organic transistors based on organic semiconductors together with quantum dots (QDs) are attracting more and more interest because both materials have excellent optoelectronic properties and solution processability. Electronics based on nontoxic QDs are highly desired considering the potential health risks but are limited by elevated surface defects, inadequate stability, and diminished luminescent efficiency. Herein, organic synaptic transistors based on environmentally friendly ZnSe/ZnS core/shell QDs with passivating surface defects are developed, exhibiting optically programmable and electrically erasable characteristics. The synaptic transistors feature linear multibit storage capability and wavelength-selective memory function with a retention time above 6000 s. Various neuromorphic applications, including memory enhancement, optical communication, and memory consolidation behaviors, are simulated. Utilizing an established neuromorphic model, accuracies of 92% and 91% are achieved in pattern recognition and complicated electrocardiogram signal processing, respectively. This research highlights the potential of environmentally friendly QDs in neuromorphic applications and health monitoring.

18.
J Cell Mol Med ; 28(6): e18195, 2024 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38429907

ABSTRACT

METTL3 has been shown to be involved in regulating a variety of biological processes. However, the relationship between METTL3 expression and glycolysis, cuproptosis-related genes and the ceRNA network in oesophageal carcinoma (ESCA) remains unclear. ESCA expression profiles from databases were obtained, and target genes were identified using differential analysis and visualization. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining assessed METTL3 expression differences. Functional enrichment analysis using GO, KEGG and GSEA was conducted on the co-expression profile of METTL3. Cell experiments were performed to assess the effect of METTL3 interference on tumour cells. Correlation and differential analyses were carried out to assess the relationship between METTL3 with glycolysis and cuproptosis. qRT-PCR was used to validate the effects of METTL3 interference on glycolysis-related genes. Online tools were utilized to screen and construct ceRNA networks based on the ceRNA theory. METTL3 expression was significantly higher in ESCA compared to the controls. The IHC results were consistent with the above results. Enrichment analysis revealed that METTL3 is involved in multiple pathways associated with tumour development. Significant correlations were observed between METTL3 and glycolysis-related genes and cuproptosis-related gene. Experiments confirmed that interfered with METTL3 significantly inhibited glucose uptake and lactate production in tumour cells, and affected the expression of glycolytic-related genes. Finally, two potential ceRNA networks were successfully predicted and constructed. Our study establishes the association between METTL3 overexpression and ESCA progression. Additionally, we propose potential links between METTL3 and glycolysis, cuproptosis and ceRNA, presenting a novel targeted therapy strategy for ESCA.


Subject(s)
Carcinoma , Esophageal Neoplasms , Methyltransferases , Humans , Biomarkers , Esophageal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics , Glycolysis/genetics , Lactic Acid , Methyltransferases/genetics , RNA, Competitive Endogenous
19.
Neuroimage ; 295: 120650, 2024 Jul 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38768740

ABSTRACT

Exploring the relationship between sensory perception and brain responses holds important theoretical and clinical implications. However, commonly used methodologies like correlation analysis performed either intra- or inter- individually often yield inconsistent results across studies, limiting their generalizability. Representational similarity analysis (RSA), a method that assesses the perception-response relationship by calculating the correlation between behavioral and neural patterns, may offer a fresh perspective to reveal novel findings. Here, we delivered a series of graded sensory stimuli of four modalities (i.e., nociceptive somatosensory, non-nociceptive somatosensory, visual, and auditory) to/near the left or right hand of 107 healthy subjects and collected their single-trial perceptual ratings and electroencephalographic (EEG) responses. We examined the relationship between sensory perception and brain responses using within- and between-subject correlation analysis and RSA, and assessed their stability across different numbers of subjects and trials. We found that within-subject and between-subject correlations yielded distinct results: within-subject correlation revealed strong and reliable correlations between perceptual ratings and most brain responses, while between-subject correlation showed weak correlations that were vulnerable to the change of subject number. In addition to verifying the correlation results, RSA revealed some novel findings, i.e., correlations between behavioral and neural patterns were observed in some additional neural responses, such as "γ-ERS" in the visual modality. RSA results were sensitive to the trial number, but not to the subject number, suggesting that consistent results could be obtained for studies with relatively small sample sizes. In conclusion, our study provides a novel perspective on establishing the relationship between behavior and brain activity, emphasizing that RSA holds promise as a method for exploring this pattern relationship in future research.


Subject(s)
Electroencephalography , Humans , Male , Female , Electroencephalography/methods , Adult , Young Adult , Brain/physiology , Visual Perception/physiology , Auditory Perception/physiology
20.
J Am Chem Soc ; 146(28): 18967-18978, 2024 Jul 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38973592

ABSTRACT

Platensilin, platensimycin, and platencin are potent inhibitors of ß-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase (FabF) in the bacterial and mammalian fatty acid synthesis system, presenting promising drug leads for both antibacterial and antidiabetic therapies. Herein, a bioinspired skeleton reconstruction approach is reported, which enables the unified synthesis of these three natural FabF inhibitors and their skeletally diverse analogs, all stemming from a common ent-pimarane core. The synthesis features a diastereoselective biocatalytic reduction and an intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction to prepare the common ent-pimarane core. From this intermediate, stereoselective Mn-catalyzed hydrogen atom-transfer hydrogenation and subsequent Cu-catalyzed carbenoid C-H insertion afford platensilin. Furthermore, the intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction succeeded by regioselective ring opening of the newly formed cyclopropane enables the construction of the bicyclo[3.2.1]-octane and bicyclo[2.2.2]-octane ring systems of platensimycin and platencin, respectively. This skeletal reconstruction approach of the ent-pimarane core facilitates the preparation of analogs bearing different polycyclic scaffolds. Among these analogs, the previously unexplored cyclopropyl analog 47 exhibits improved antibacterial activity (MIC80 = 0.0625 µg/mL) against S. aureus compared to platensimycin.


Subject(s)
Adamantane , Aminobenzoates , Aminophenols , Anilides , Polycyclic Compounds , Aminophenols/chemistry , Aminophenols/pharmacology , Aminophenols/chemical synthesis , Polycyclic Compounds/chemistry , Polycyclic Compounds/pharmacology , Polycyclic Compounds/chemical synthesis , Adamantane/chemistry , Adamantane/pharmacology , Adamantane/chemical synthesis , Adamantane/analogs & derivatives , Anilides/pharmacology , Anilides/chemistry , Anilides/chemical synthesis , Aminobenzoates/pharmacology , Aminobenzoates/chemistry , Aminobenzoates/chemical synthesis , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemical synthesis , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Molecular Structure , Cycloaddition Reaction , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Stereoisomerism , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Enzyme Inhibitors/chemical synthesis , Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL