CsPAT1, a GRAS transcription factor, promotes lignin accumulation by antagonistic interacting with CsWRKY13 in tea plants.

Lignin is an important component of plant cell walls and plays crucial roles in the essential agronomic traits of tea quality and tenderness. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of lignin biosynthesis in tea plants remain unclear. CsWRKY13 acts as a negative regulator of lignin biosynthesis in tea plants. In this study, we identified a GRAS transcription factor, phytochrome A signal transduction 1 (CsPAT1), that interacts with CsWRKY13. Silencing CsPAT1 expression in tea plants and heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis demonstrated that CsPAT1 positively regulates lignin accumulation. Further investigation revealed that CsWRKY13 directly binds to the promoters of CsPAL and CsC4H and suppresses transcription of CsPAL and CsC4H. CsPAT1 indirectly affects the promoter activities of CsPAL and CsC4H by interacting with CsWRKY13, thereby facilitating lignin biosynthesis in tea plants. Compared with the expression of CsWRKY13 alone, the co-expression of CsPAT1 and CsWRKY13 in Oryza sativa significantly increased lignin biosynthesis. Conversely, compared with the expression of CsPAT1 alone, the co-expression of CsPAT1 and CsWRKY13 in O. sativa significantly reduced lignin accumulation. These results demonstrated the antagonistic regulation of the lignin biosynthesis pathway by CsPAT1 and CsWRKY13. These findings improve our understanding of lignin biosynthesis mechanisms in tea plants and provide insights into the role of the GRAS transcription factor family in lignin accumulation.

Constructing Dynamic Anode/Electrolyte Interfaces Coupled with Regulated Solvation Structures for Long-Term and Highly Reversible Zinc Metal Anodes.

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) show a great potential for next-generation energy storage due to their high safety and high energy density. However, the severe side reactions of zinc negative electrode largely hinder the further application of AZIBs. Herein, trace tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) additive with rich lone-pair-electrons and zincophilic sites is firstly introduced to achieve long-term and highly reversible Zn plating/stripping. Specifically, Tris not only regulates the solvation structure of Zn2+, but is also adsorbed vertically on the Zn anode surface with a changed coordination intensity during the plating/stripping process of Zn to generate an in situ dynamic adsorption layer for the first time. The dynamic adsorption layer could successively attract the solvated Zn2+ and then promote the de-solvation of the solvated Zn2+ owing to the orientation polarization with regularly-changed applied electric field, the volume rejection effect, and strong intermolecular force towards H2O of the vertically-adsorbed Tris. Therefore, an improved Zn2+-transport kinetics as well as the inhibition of side reactions of Zn anode are successfully realized. Accordingly, the Zn||Zn symmetric cell provides an ultra-long cycle life of 2600 h. Furthermore, the Zn||MnO2 full cell with Tris could demonstrate a high capacity and structural stability for practical applications.

Effects of shading on lignin biosynthesis in the leaf of tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze).

Shading can effectively reduce photoinhibition and improve the quality of tea. Lignin is one of the most important secondary metabolites that play vital functions in plant growth and development. However, little is known about the relationship between shading and xylogenesis in tea plant. To investigate the effects of shading on lignin accumulation in tea plants, 'Longjing 43' was treated with no shading (S0), 40% (S1) and 80% (S2) shading treatments, respectively. The leaf area and lignin content of tea plant leaves decreased under shading treatments (especially S2). The anatomical characteristics showed that lignin is mainly distributed in the xylem of tea leaves. Promoter analysis indicated that the genes involved in lignin pathway contain several light recognition elements. The transcript abundances of 12 lignin-associated genes were altered under shading treatments. Correlation analysis indicated that most genes showed strong positive correlation with lignin content, and CsPAL, Cs4CL, CsF5H, and CsLAC exhibited significant positively correlation under 40% and 80% shading treatments. The results showed that shading may have an important effect on lignin accumulation in tea leaves. This work will potentially helpful to understand the regulation mechanism of lignin pathway under shading treatment, and provide reference for reducing lignin content and improving tea quality through shading treatment in field operation.

Correction to: Two MYB transcription factors (CsMYB2 and CsMYB26) are involved in flavonoid biosynthesis in tea plant [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze].

Following publication of the original article [1], the author reported that there was a mismatch between figures and their legends.

Transcriptome-wide identification and expression profile analysis of the bHLH family genes in Camellia sinensis.

The tea plant is an important commercial horticulture crop cultivated worldwide. Yield and quality of this plant are influenced by abiotic stress. The bHLH family transcription factors play a pivotal role in the growth and development, including abiotic stress response, of plants. A growing number of bHLH proteins have been functionally characterized in plants. However, few studies have focused on the bHLH proteins in tea plants. In this study, 120 CsbHLH TFs were identified from tea plants using computational prediction method. Structural analysis detected 23 conservative residues, with over 50% identities in the bHLH domain. Moreover, 103 CsbHLH proteins were assumed to bind DNA and encompassed 98 E-Box binders and 85 G-Box binders. The CsbHLH proteins were grouped into 20 subfamilies based on phylogenetic analysis and a previous classification system. A survey of transcriptome profiling screened 22 and 39 CsbHLH genes that were upregulated under heat and drought stress. Nine CsbHLH genes were validated using qRT-PCR. Results were approximately in accordance with transcriptome data. These genes could be induced by one or more abiotic stresses.

Two MYB transcription factors (CsMYB2 and CsMYB26) are involved in flavonoid biosynthesis in tea plant [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze].

BACKGROUND: Flavonoids are secondary metabolites that play important roles in the entire tea plant life cycle and have potential health-promoting properties. MYB transcription factors (TFs) are considered potentially important regulators of flavonoid biosynthesis in plants. However, the molecular mechanisms by which MYB TFs regulate the flavonoid pathway in tea plant remain unknown. RESULTS: In this study, two R2R3-MYB TFs (CsMYB2 and CsMYB26) involved in flavonoid biosynthesis in tea plant were investigated. The genes encoding CsMYB2 and CsMYB26 were cloned from the tea plant cultivar 'Longjing 43'. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CsMYB2 and CsMYB26 were grouped into the proanthocyanidin biosynthesis-related MYB clade. Multiple sequence alignment revealed that conserved motif 1 in the two MYB factors was related to the bHLH TF. Subcellular localization assays suggested that CsMYB2 localized in the nucleus. Promoter analysis indicated that CsMYB2, CsMYB26 and the related structural genes contain MYB recognition elements. The expression levels of the CsMYB2 and CsMYB26 genes and the structural genes in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway were determined in leaves from various sites in the two tea plant cultivars 'Longjing 43' and 'Baiye 1 hao'. CONCLUSIONS: The expression levels of these genes were correlated with the accumulated flavonoid content. The results demonstrated that the expression level of CsF3'H may be regulated by CsMYB2 and that CsMYB26 expression is positively correlated with CsLAR expression. The relative transcriptional level of CsMYB26 may be the main reason for the different epigallocatechin contents between the tea plant cultivars 'Longjing 43' and 'Baiye 1 hao'. Our results will serve as a reference for the potential regulatory roles of CsMYB2 and CsMYB26 in flavonoid biosynthesis in tea plant and may also assist biologists in improving tea quality.

Impact of VKORC1 gene polymorphisms on warfarin maintenance dosage: A novel systematic review and meta-analysis of 53 studies.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between VKORC1 gene polymorphisms and warfarin maintenance dosage, as well as the correlation of dosage of warfarin with age and ethnicity. METHODS: We retrieved related studies published between January 2000 and March 2016 from PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, VIP, CNKI, and Wan Fang data. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and crosscheck data. Then, RevMan5.3 software was used to perform a meta-analysis. RESULTS: 53 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The most prevalent genotypes were -1639 AA, 1173 TT, and 3730 GG in both Asian and Caucasians, but the distribution frequencies of all three were higher in Asians than in Caucasians. The meta-analysis showed that compared with homozygous VKORC1-1639 AA carriers, carriers of type GA, GG, and G (GA + GG) required 45% (95% confidence interval (CI) 42 - 49), 77% (95% CI 70 - 84), and 51% (95% CI 47 - 55) higher warfarin doses, respectively. Carriers of type CC, TC, and C (CC + TC) required 83% (95% CI 73 - 92), 26% (95% CI 23 - 29), and 53% (95% CI 44 - 62) higher warfarin doses, respectively, compared to homozygous VKORC1 1173 TT carriers. Carriers of type AA, GA, and A (AA + GA) required 40% (95% CI 29 - 51), 25% (95% CI 17 - 33), and 33% (95% CI 21 - 45) higher warfarin doses, respectively, compared to carriers of the homozygous VKORC1 3730 GG polymorphism (all p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that Asian patients aged ≤ 60 years carrying 1173 CC, TC, and C genotypes required 28%, 39%, and 22% higher warfarin doses, respectively, compared with patients aged > 60 years. Caucasian patients aged > 60 years carrying -1639 GA, GG and G genotypes needed 24%, 39%, and 37% lower warfarin doses, respectively, compared with patients aged ≤ 60 years. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the relationship between VKORC1 gene polymorphisms and warfarin maintenance dose differs between individuals, and that individuals with different ages and ethnicities require different doses of warfarin. Caucasians carriers of genotype -1639 GG, G and 1173 CC, TC, C required a higher mean daily warfarin doses compared with Asian patients. Therefore, in order to achieve optimal treatment and lowest risk, VKORC1 gene polymorphism detection is suggested.
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[Analyzing Effect of Shenmai Injection on Levels of WBC and Neutrophilic Granulocytes Using Propensity Score Method].

Objective To observe the effect of Shenmai Injection (SI) on levels of white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophilic granulocyte. Methods Case data in Hospital Information System ( HIS) were collected including patients who used SI (as the experimental group) and those who unused SI (as the control group). Data of their WBC and neutrophilic granulocyte in routine blood test were extracted. The bias of confounding factors were balanced based by propensity score matching (PSM). Data were analyzed using X² test. Results The samples after being matched (0. 661 ) was less than the samples before being matched (0. 710). Totally 5 138 cases were successfully matched in the total of 7 256 cases in the control group. There was statistical difference in increased levels of WBC and neutrophilic granulo- cyte between the two groups (X² =10. 312 ,P = 0. 027; X² =14. 228 ,P =0. 013). There was no statistical difference in decreased levels of WBC and neutrophilic granulocyte between the two groups (X² =1. 385, P = 0. 536; X² = 2. 339,P = 0. 126). Conclusion Results based the data of HIS and present research methods showed that SI might have effect on increased levels of WBC and neutrophilic granulocyte, but no effect on their decreased changes.

Transcriptome-wide identification of Camellia sinensis WRKY transcription factors in response to temperature stress.

Tea plant [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] is a leaf-type healthy non-alcoholic beverage crop, which has been widely introduced worldwide. Tea is rich in various secondary metabolites, which are important for human health. However, varied climate and complex geography have posed challenges for tea plant survival. The WRKY gene family in plants is a large transcription factor family that is involved in biological processes related to stress defenses, development, and metabolite synthesis. Therefore, identification and analysis of WRKY family transcription factors in tea plant have a profound significance. In the present study, 50 putative C. sinensis WRKY proteins (CsWRKYs) with complete WRKY domain were identified and divided into three Groups (Group I-III) on the basis of phylogenetic analysis results. The distribution of WRKY family transcription factors among plantae, fungi, and protozoa showed that the number of WRKY genes increased in higher plant, whereas the number of these genes did not correspond to the evolutionary relationships of different species. Structural feature and annotation analysis results showed that CsWRKY proteins contained WRKYGQK/WRKYGKK domains and C2H2/C2HC-type zinc-finger structure: D-X18-R-X1-Y-X2-C-X4-7-C-X23-H motif; CsWRKY proteins may be associated with the biological processes of abiotic and biotic stresses, tissue development, and hormone and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Temperature stresses suggested that the candidate CsWRKY genes were involved in responses to extreme temperatures. The current study established an extensive overview of the WRKY family transcription factors in tea plant. This study also provided a global survey of CsWRKY transcription factors and a foundation of future functional identification and molecular breeding.

[Meta-analysis on incidence of adverse drug reaction induced by Shuanghuanglian injection].

To conducted a systematic review on the safety of Shuanghuanglian injection in clinical use. In this paper, data from Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were retrieved. After extracting information and evaluating research methodological quality according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, Meta-analysis was conducted by using R3.2.3 software. A total of 56 individual studies were included, in which 585 cases showed adverse reactions in a total of 11 001 patients with Shuanghuanglian injections. Meta-analysis showed that the total incidence of adverse reactions was 6.5% (95%CI 0.051 to 0.082). Subgroup analysis showed that the incidence of adverse reactions was 4.8% (95%CI (0.032 to 0.067) and 8.1% (95%CI 0.054 to 0.112) respectively in children and adults; 7.2% (95%CI 0.049 to 0.095) and 6.6% (95%CI 0.036 to 0.104) respectively in 5%-10% glucose injection and 0.9% sodium chloride injection; 6.3% (95%CI 0.047 to 0.082) and 7.0% (95%CI 0.044 to 0.099) respectively in powder injection and liquid injection; 5.8% (95%CI 0.043 to 0.075) and 8.9% (95%CI 0.049 to 0.140) respectively in cases with duration of ≤7 d and >7 d; 4.2%(95%CI 0.027 to 0.059) and 8.4% (95%CI 0.059 to 0.113) respectively in single use and combined medication. Three most frequent types of adverse reaction symptoms reported were in skin and mucosa, digestive system, and body temperature center, with an incidence of 4% (95%CI 0.03 to 0.04), 3% (95%CI 0.02 to 0.03), and 1% (95%CI 0.00 to 0.01), respectively. The systemic evaluation demonstrated that the occurrence of adverse reaction of Shuanghuanglian injection was related to age, menstruum, duration of medication and combined medication. Incidence of adverse reactions differed considerably among different damage types. From the study demonstrated above, this paper concludes that we should follow the principles of evidence-based medication of traditional Chinese medicine; use Shuanghuanglian injection singly instead of combination with other drugs in clinical use; use Shuanghuanglian injection strictly in accordance to instructions, especially for children and the elderly, whose weight should be calculated and considered in medication; intensively monitor the drug adverse reaction after use; assess the risks of adverse effects for long-term usage, and take corresponding safety measures to ensure safety.

Transcriptome-based discovery of AP2/ERF transcription factors related to temperature stress in tea plant (Camellia sinensis).

Tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is an important natural resource for the global supply of non-alcoholic beverage production. The extension of tea plant cultivation is challenged by biotic and abiotic stresses. Transcription factors (TFs) of the APETALA 2 (AP2)/ethylene-responsive factor (ERF) family are involved in growth and anti-stresses through multifaceted transcriptional regulation in plants. This study comprehensively analyzed AP2/ERF family TFs from C. sinensis on the basis of the transcriptome sequencing data of four tea plant cultivars, namely, 'Yunnanshilixiang', 'Chawansanhao', 'Ruchengmaoyecha', and 'Anjibaicha'. A total of 89 putative AP2/ERF transcription factors with full-length AP2 domain were identified from C. sinensis and classified into five subfamilies, namely, AP2, dehydration-responsive-element-binding (DREB), ERF, related to ABI3/VP (RAV), and Soloist. All identified CsAP2/ERF genes presented relatively stable expression levels in the four tea plant cultivars. Many groups also showed cultivar specificity. Five CsAP2/ERF genes from each AP2/ERF subfamily (DREB, ERF, AP2, and RAV) were related to temperature stresses; these results indicated that AP2/ERF TFs may play important roles in abnormal temperature stress response in C. sinensis.

Effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion combined with ringheaded thumb-tack needle stimulation on gastrointestinal reactions of malignant tumor patients undergoing chemotherapy. / éš”å§œç¸è”åˆæ¿é’ˆå¯¹æ¶æ€§è‚¿ç˜¤åŒ–ç–—æ‚£è€ èƒƒè‚ é“ååº”çš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the efficacy and safety of ginger-partitioned moxibustion combined with ringheaded thumb-tack needle stimulation in the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients with malignant tumors. METHODS: Patients with malignant tumors and suffering from chemotherapy were randomly divided into control group (35 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and observation group (35 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients of the control group were treated by orally taking ondansetron hydrochloride tablets 8 mg/time, 3 times a day for 3 d, and those of the observation group treated by ginger-partitioned moxibustion combined with ringheaded thumb-tack needle stimulation of Zusanli(ST36), Neiguan(PC6), Tianshu(ST25), Zhongwan(CV12) and Guanyuan(CV4) once a day for a total of 3 d, based on the treatment of the control group. The patients' gastrointestinal reaction degree after the 1st , 2nd and the 3rd day of treatment were recorded. The Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score (0-100 points) was used for assessing the patients' quality of life. The TCM syndrome score (4 grades：no, mild, medium and severe, i.e. 0, 2, 4 and 6 points) was given according to the patients' severity of symptoms of spleen (stomach) qi deficiency (nausea and vomiting, abdominal distension after eating, belching, loss of appetite, weakness and laziness to speak, fatigue, and loose stool). The safety of the treatment was assessed by examining the patients' blood routine, liver function and kidney function, and the adverse reactions including blisters, allergies, burns and fainting during acupuncture treatment. RESULTS: After the 2nd and 3rd day of treatment, the patients conditions of vomiting and nausea in the observation group were significantly better than those of the control group (P<0.05). The TCM syndrome score and KPS score were significantly decreased in comparison with those of pre-treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the TCM syndrome score was obviously lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in the KPS score after the treatment , and in the levels of white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (HGB), platelets (PLT), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine(Cr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). CONCLUSIONS: The use of ginger-partitioned moxibustion combined with ringheaded thumb-tack needle stimulation is safe for CINV patients, and can effectively relieve nausea and vomiting and alleviate digestive symptoms.

Gradient Lithium Ion Regulation Current Collectors for High-Performance and Dendrite-Free Li Metal Batteries.

Lithium metal anode has attracted wide attention due to its ultrahigh theoretical specific capacity, lowest reduction potential, and low density. However, uncontrollable dendritic growth and volume change caused by uneven Li+ deposition still seriously hinder the large-scale commercial application of lithium metal batteries, even causing serious battery explosions and other safety problems. Hence, gold nanoparticles with a gradient distribution anchored on 3D carbon fiber paper (CP) current collectors followed by the encapsulation of polydopamine (PDA) (CP/Au/PDA) are constructed for stable and dendrite-free Li metal anodes for the first time. Significantly, lithiophilic Au nanoparticles showing a gradient distribution in the carbon fiber paper could guide the transfer of Li+ from the outside to the inside of the CP/Au/PDA electrode as well as lower the nucleation overpotential of Li, thereby obtaining the uniform Li deposition. Meanwhile, the PDA layer could in situ be converted to Li-PDA which could serve as an efficient Li+ conductor to further facilitate uniform Li+ transport among the whole CP/Au/PDA electrode. Besides, 3D carbon fiber paper could effectively accommodate the volume change during the plating/stripping process of Li metal. As a result, CP/Au/PDA electrodes deliver a low nucleation overpotential (∼9 mV) and a high Coulombic efficiency (mean value of ∼98.8%) at a current density of 1 mA cm-2 with the capacity of 1 mA h cm-2. Furthermore, Li@CP/Au/PDA electrodes also can demonstrate an ultralow voltage hysteresis (∼20 mV) and a long cycle life (1000 h) in symmetric cells. Finally, with LiFePO4 (LFP) as the cathode, the Li@CP/Au/PDA-LFP full cell delivers a high discharge capacity of 136 mA h g-1 even after 350 cycles at 1C, exhibiting a per cycle loss as low as 0.01%. This gradient lithium ion regulation current collector is of great significance for the development of lithium metal anodes.

Characterization of a novel Medicago sativa NAC transcription factor gene involved in response to drought stress.

Relying on the regulation of transcription factors, plants resist to various abiotic and biotic stresses. NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, CUC2) are one of the largest families of plant-specific transcription factors and known to play important roles in plant development and response to environmental stresses. A new NAC gene was cloned on the basis of 503 bp EST fragment from the SSH cDNA library of Medicago sativa. It was 1,115 bp including an 816 bp ORF and encodes 271 amino acids. A highly conserved region is located from the 7th amino acid to the 315th amino acid in its N-terminal domain. The NAC protein is subcellularly localized in the nucleus of onion epidemical cells and possible functions as a transcription factor. The relative quantitative real-time RT-PCR was performed at different stress time. The results revealed that the transcription expression of NAC gene could be induced by drought, high salinity and ABA. The transgenic Arabidopsis with NAC gene has the drought tolerance better than the wild-type.

csi-miR-96-5p delivered by Clonorchis sinensis extracellular vesicles promotes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma proliferation and migration via the ferroptosis-related PTEN/SLC7A11/GPX4 axis.

BACKGROUND: Clonorchis sinensis (CS) is classified as a group 1 carcinogen and can cause intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). CS extracellular vesicles (CsEVs) play important roles in mediating communication between parasitic helminths and humans. Ferroptosis is a novel cell death mechanism that is mainly induced by lipid peroxidation and iron overload. However, the role of CsEVs in the regulation of ferroptosis in ICC remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the role of CS-secreted miR-96-5p (csi-miR-96-5p) delivered by CsEVs in ICC progression and ferroptosis. METHODS: Tissue samples were collected from ICC patients with CS infection (CS-ICC) or without CS infection (NC-ICC). The levels of csi-miR-96-5p and PTEN gene were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blotting, and survival analysis was performed. CsEVs were isolated and identified by ultracentrifugation and transmission electron microscopy. Lentiviruses were used to establish stable cell lines with csi-miR-96-5p mimic expression, PTEN overexpression (PTEN-EXO) and PTEN CRISPR/Cas9-based knockout (PTEN-KO) and their respective negative controls. Cell proliferation was assessed by performing Cell Counting Kit-8 assays in vitro and in a tumor xenograft model in vivo, and cell migration was assessed by performing Transwell assays. Erastin is used to induce ferroptosis. Ferroptosis levels were evaluated using biomarkers. RESULTS: High csi-miR-96-5p and low PTEN expression was observed in CS-ICC tissues and was associated with poor overall survival. csi-miR-96-5p was highly enriched in CsEVs and was taken up by ICC cells. csi-miR-96-5p mimics or PTEN-KO significantly promoted the growth and migration of ICC cells in vitro and in vivo, whereas PTEN-EXO exerted the opposite effect. Mechanistically, csi-miR-96-5p mimics or PTEN-KO inhibited erastin-induced ferroptosis, including reducing the accumulation of Fe2+, lipid reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde, increasing the GSH/GSSG ratio and levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4, whereas PTEN-EXOs exerted the opposite effect. CONCLUSIONS: csi-miR-96-5p delivered by CsEVs reduced ferroptosis by regulating the expression of the PTEN/SLC7A11/GPX4 axis, thereby promoting ICC proliferation and migration. For the first time to our knowledge, we found that CS miRNAs could promote tumor development through ferroptosis.

Molecular markers in tea plant (Camellia sinensis): Applications to evolution, genetic identification, and molecular breeding.

Tea plants have a long cultivation history in the world, and the beverage (tea) made from its leaves is well known in the world. Due to the characteristics of self-incompatibility, long-term natural and artificial hybridization, tea plants have a very complex genetic background, which make the classification of tea plants unclear. Molecular marker, one type of genetic markers, has the advantages of stable inheritance, large amount of information, and high reliability. The development of molecular marker has facilitated the understanding of complex tea germplasm resources. So far, molecular markers had played important roles in the study of the origin and evolution, the preservation and identification of tea germplasms, and the excellent cultivars breeding of tea plants. However, the information is scattered, making it difficult to understand the advance of molecular markers in tea plants. In this paper, we summarized the development process and types of molecular markers in tea plants. In addition, the application advance of these molecular markers in tea plants was reviewed. Perspectives of molecular markers in tea plants were also systematically provided and discussed. The elaboration of molecular markers in this paper should help us to renew understanding of its application in tea plants.

Transfer of the zp3a gene results in changes in egg adhesiveness and buoyancy in transgenic zebrafish.

Reproductive strategies and spawning habits play key roles in the evolution of endemic East Asian cyprinids. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of spawning habits are not well understood. We recently identified zona pellucida (Zp) as the top differentially expressed protein between East Asian cyprinids that produce adhesive and semi-buoyant eggs, suggesting that Zp protein may play important roles in the regulation of egg type. In this work, we generated transgenic zebrafish in which oocyte-specific expression of zp genes from rare minnow ( Gobiocypris rarus), an East Asian cyprinid laying adhesive eggs, was driven by a zebrafish zp3.2 gene promoter. We found that the transgenic eggs obtained partial adhesiveness and exhibited alteration in hydration and buoyancy. Abnormal metabolism of vitellogenin (VTG) may contribute to enhanced hydration and/or buoyancy. Our work shows that expression of the exogenous zp3a gene from an adhesive-egg producing fish is sufficient to induce changes in both egg adhesiveness and buoyancy in zebrafish, emphasizing the important role of zp genes in the regulation of spawning habits. Our results thus provide new insights into how endemic East Asian cyprinids may have adapted to the Yangtze river-lake system via changes in spawning habits.

[Mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion in ameliorating liver injury induced by DDP by regulating apoptosis factors Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion on improving liver injury by observing the changes of cysteine protease (Caspase) associated with hepatocyte apoptosis based on cisplatin (DDP) induced liver injury model mice. METHODS: Forty KM mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, acupuncture group and moxibustion group, with 10 mice in each group. The liver injury model was replicated by intraperitoneal injection of DDP. In the acupuncture group and the moxibustion group, acupuncture and moxibustion were performed at"Dazhui"(GV14), and bilateral "Ganshu"(BL18), "Shenshu"(BL23), and "Zusanli"(ST36), respectively, once per day for 5 d. General condition of mice in each group were observed;The activities of AST, ALT and GLDH in mice serum were detected by biochemical method. ELISA and Western blot assay were used to detect Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 contents and protein expression in the liver tissues of each group of mice, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the general condition of the mice in the model group was poorer, and the Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 contents and protein expressions in liver tissues and the activities of AST, ALT and GLDH in serum were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the general condition of the mice in the acupuncture and moxibustion groups improved, and the Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 contents and protein expressions in liver tissues and activities of AST, ALT and GLDH in serum were decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion can reduce liver injury due to DDP chemotherapy by modulating the expression of apoptotic factors Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 in liver tissues of DDP model mice and improving liver function, which may be one of the mechanisms of the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion to ameliorates liver injury after DDP chemotherapy.

Prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 3 presents a cancer promotive function in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma via regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the prognostic value and functional role of Prolyl 4-Hydroxylase Subunit Alpha 3 (P4HA3) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: We downloaded the RNA-Seq dataset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma for analyzing the expression of P4HA3 and determining its prognostic value. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines CAL27 and FaDu were chose for gain- and loss-of-function of P4HA3 tests. mRNA and protein levels of P4HA3 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells were tested by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot respectively. Cell counting Kit-8, clone formation assay, Transwell assay were used to determine the effect of P4HA3 on the proliferative, invasive and migratory capacities of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells. RESULTS: Bioinformatics analysis showed that P4HA3 was up-regulated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tissues, and had an independent prognostic value for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. The outcomes of gain- and loss-of-function tests illustrated that P4HA3 significantly boosted head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferative, invasive and migratory abilities. Besides, western blot assay demonstrated that P4HA3 could remarkably activate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process, with reduced the level of E-cadherin and up-regulated the levels of N-cadherin, Vimentin and Snail. CONCLUSION: We deduce that P4HA3 acts as an oncogene that raises tumor cell viability and metastasis partly by inducing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process, suggesting that P4HA3 may be considered as a valuable biomarker for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treatment.

Inhibiting platelet-derived growth factor beta reduces Ewing's sarcoma growth and metastasis in a novel orthotopic human xenograft model.

BACKGROUND: Despite aggressive therapy, Ewing's sarcoma (ES) patients have a poor five-year overall survival of only 20-40%. Pulmonary metastasis is the most common form of demise in these patients. The pathogenesis of pulmonary metastasis is poorly understood and few orthotopic models exist that allow study of spontaneous pulmonary metastasis in ES. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have developed a novel orthotopic xenograft model in which spontaneous pulmonary metastases develop. While the underlying biology of ES is incompletely understood, in addition to the EWS-FLI-1 mutation, it is known that platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-beta) is highly expressed in ES. Hypothesizing that PDGFR-beta expression is indicative of a specific role for this receptor protein in ES progression, the effect of PDGFR-beta inhibition on ES growth and metastasis was assessed in this novel orthotopic ES model. RESULTS: Silencing PDGFR-beta reduced spontaneous growth and metastasis in ES. CONCLUSION: Preclinical therapeutically relevant findings such as these may ultimately lead to new treatment initiatives in ES.