Genome assembly of autotetraploid Actinidia arguta highlights adaptive evolution and enables dissection of important economic traits.

Actinidia arguta, the most widely distributed Actinidia species and the second cultivated species in the genus, can be distinguished from the currently cultivated Actinidia chinensis on the basis of its small and smooth fruit, rapid softening, and excellent cold tolerance. Adaptive evolution of tetraploid Actinidia species and the genetic basis of their important agronomic traits are still unclear. Here, we generated a chromosome-scale genome assembly of an autotetraploid male A. arguta accession. The genome assembly was 2.77 Gb in length with a contig N50 of 9.97 Mb and was anchored onto 116 pseudo-chromosomes. Resequencing and clustering of 101 geographically representative accessions showed that they could be divided into two geographic groups, Southern and Northern, which first diverged 12.9 million years ago. A. arguta underwent two prominent expansions and one demographic bottleneck from the mid-Pleistocene climate transition to the late Pleistocene. Population genomics studies using paleoclimate data enabled us to discern the evolution of the species' adaptation to different historical environments. Three genes (AaCEL1, AaPME1, and AaDOF1) related to flesh softening were identified by multi-omics analysis, and their ability to accelerate flesh softening was verified through transient expression assays. A set of genes that characteristically regulate sexual dimorphism located on the sex chromosome (Chr3) or autosomal chromosomes showed biased expression during stamen or carpel development. This chromosome-level assembly of the autotetraploid A. arguta genome and the genes related to important agronomic traits will facilitate future functional genomics research and improvement of A. arguta.

Total Barley Maiya Alkaloids Prevent Increased Prolactin Levels Caused by Antipsychotic Drugs and Reduce Dopamine Receptor D2 via Epigenetic Mechanisms.

Background: The dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) plays an important role in the increased prolactin (PRL) levels associated with the pathogenesis of antipsychotic drugs (ADs). Elevated prolactin levels can affect people's quality of life. Maiya alkaloids has been used to treat diseases associated with high PRL levels. Maiya, is a processed product of the mature fruits of Hordeum vulgare L. (a gramineous plant) after sprouting and drying and also a common Chinese herbal drug used in the clinic, is traditionally used to treat abnormal lactation, and is currently used clinically for the treatment of abnormal PRL levels. Aims: Epigenetic mechanisms can be related to DRD2 expression. We investigated the role of DRD2 methylation in the induction of PRL expression by ADs and the mechanism underlying the effects of total barley maiya alkaloids (TBMA) on this induction. Methods: The methylation rate of DRD2 in 46 people with schizophrenia who took risperidone was detected by MassARRAY sequencing. Humans were long term users of Ris. Seventy Sprague Dawley female rats were divided into seven groups. A rat model of risperidone-induced PRL was established, and the potential protective effects of TBMA and its components [e.g., hordenine (Hor)] on these increased PRL levels were investigated. The PRL concentration was detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PRL, DRD2, and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT1, DNMT3α, and DNMT3ß) protein and mRNA expression were detected by western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. The positive rate of methylation in the DRD2 promoter region of rats was detected by MassARRAY sequencing. Results: Clinical studies showed that the positive rate of DRD2 methylation associated with increased PRL levels induced by ADs was significantly higher than in the normal prolactinemia (NPRL) group. In vivo and vitro, TBMA and Hor inhibited this induction of PRL expression and increased DRD2 expression by inhibiting the expression of the DNMTs. Conclusions: TBMA and hordenine increased DRD2 expression by inhibiting DNMT-dependent DRD2 methylation.

Microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation-mediated inflammation promotes prolactinoma development.

Prolactinomas have harmful effects on human health, and the pathogenesis is still unknown. Furthermore, 25% of prolactinoma patients do not respond to the therapy of dopamine receptor agonist in the clinic. Thus, it is important to reveal the pathogenesis and develop new therapeutic methods for prolactinomas. Herein, two animal models of prolactinomas, namely oestrogen-treated rats and transgenic D2 dopamine receptor-deficient mice, were used. PET/CT imaging detection showed that translocator protein-mediated microglia activation and inflammation significantly increased in the pituitary glands of prolactinomas rats. Messenger RNA microarrays were used to analyze and compare the differential gene and signal pathways of the pituitary glands between control and prolactinomas rats. Statistical results pertaining to gene enrichment showed that the innate immune response genes were upregulated in the pituitary glands of prolactinoma rats. This suggested that the innate immune response was activated. We analyzed the NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3) inflammasome that is one of the most important members of the innate immune system in mammals and found that the expressions of NLRP3, Caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like, interleukin 1B (IL1B) and IL18 proteins of pituitary glands in prolactinomas rats were increased considerably compared with those in control rats. This suggested the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome during the emergence and evolution of prolactinomas. Immunohistochemistry results also confirmed that the NLRP3 expression was elevated in human prolactinoma tissues, and the microglia marker-ionised calcium binding adaptor molecule-1 was co-located with the NLRP3 protein in prolactinomas by immunofluorescence assay. Finally, compared with the WT mice, NLRP3-/- mice had smaller pituitary glands (weight/body weight) and diminished prolactin (PRL) expressions and secretions. These findings were associated with a reduction in the caspase-1 activation and maturation of IL1B. Furthermore, MCC950 decreased the PRL expression and secretion following the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in GH3 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide and nigericin. And MCC950 inhibited the pituitary tumor overgrowth and PRL expression and secretion in prolactinoma rats. These data confirm that the microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation upregulates the inflammatory cytokines IL1/IL18 in the pituitary glands and induces prolactinomas. Our findings showed that microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation-mediated IL1B-related inflammation promoted the development of prolactinomas and identified the inflammasome as a new therapeutic target for prolactinomas.

Inhibiting MAPK14 showed anti-prolactinoma effect.

BACKGROUND: The specific underlying pathogenesis of prolactinoma has not been clarified yet, to the best of our knowledge. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling including p38α MAPK (MAPK14), p38ß (MAPK11), p38γ (MAPK12) and p38δ (MAPK13) is associated with the development and progression of several types of cancer. METHODS: Immunofluorescence analysis was performed on the prolactin (PRL) and MAPK14 expressions of pituitary gland in C57BL/6 mice and human prolactinoma specimen. In the present study, the role of MAPK14 in prolactinoma was determined using estradiol-induced mice and dopamine D2 receptor knockout (DRD2-/-) mice models in C57BL/6 wild-type (WT), MAPK14-/- and DRD2-/-MAPK14+/- mice. GH3 cells were transfected with different sets of MAPK14 small interfering RNA, which to study MAPK14 and PRL expression in GH3 cells. RESULTS: Immunofluorescence analysis showed that PRL and MAPK14 expression were colocalized and increased in the pituitary gland of mice and human prolactinoma specimen compared with the control specimen. It was shown that PRL and MAPK14 expression was colocalized and increased significantly in the pituitary gland of estradiol-injected prolactinoma mice compared with the control mice. Knockout of MAPK14 significantly inhibited tumor overgrowth, and PRL expression was decreased in estradiol-induced mice. Furthermore, MAPK14 knockout of DRD2-/-MAPK14+/- mice significantly reduced the overgrowth of pituitary gland and PRL production and secretion compared with DRD2-/- mice. MAPK14 knockout using siRNA inhibited PRL production in GH3 cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that MAPK14 serves a promoting role in the formation of prolactinoma, and highlights the potential of MAPK14 as a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of prolactinoma.

Resveratrol inhibits oral squamous cell carcinoma cells proliferation while promoting apoptosis through inhibition of CBX7 protein.

As a natural compound, resveratrol (Res) is confirmed to be promising drug for the treatment of malignant tumors. Therefore, our study aimed to observe the impacts of Res on the proliferation and apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells (HSC-3 cells) as well as the mechanism involving chromobox protein homolog 7 (CBX7) signal transduction. HSC-3 cells were treated with Res, Akt agonist (AL3818) and p16 inhibitor (SC79), and transfected with CBX7 mimics and inhibitor plasmids. The CCK-8 assay was used to detect cell proliferation, flow cytometry was performed to assess cell cycle and apoptosis, and cell colonies and histone DNA level were also measured. Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression levels of related proteins. HSC-3 cells showed decreased cell proliferation, colonies, BrdU-counled cells and increased apoptosis, histone DNA level, the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 when treated with Res. Western blot analysis revealed elevated Cle-PARP and Cle-caspase 3 expression and reduced t-PARP expression in HSC-3 cells treated with Res compared with control. AL3818 and SC79 could decrease the inhibitory effects of Res on the growth of HSC-3 cells. Furthermore, CBX7 overexpression could also partly reverse the roles of Res in the growth of HSC-3 cells, and Akt and p16 signal transduction. Our results demonstrate that Res suppresses the proliferation, and induces the apoptosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells through the inhibition of CBX7/Akt and the activation of p16 cascades.

Antiprolactinoma Effect of Hordenine by Inhibiting MAPK Signaling Pathway Activation in Rats.

Prolactinomas are harmful to human health, and the clinical first-line treatment drug is bromocriptine. However, 20% prolactinomas patients did not respond to bromocriptine. Hordenine is an alkaloid separated from Fructus Hordei Germinatus, which showed significant antihyperprolactinemia activity in rats. The aim of this study was to explore the effect and mechanism of hordenine on prolactinomas in rats. The study used estradiol to induce prolactinomas, which caused the activation of the pituitary mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in rats significantly. The treatment of hordenine restored estradiol, induced the overgrowth of pituitary gland, and reduced the prolactin (PRL) accumulation in the serum and pituitary gland of rats by blocking the MAPK (p38, ERK1/2, and JNK) activation and production of inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The antiprolactinoma effect of hordenine was mediated by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway activation in rats.

Water Extract of Fructus Hordei Germinatus Shows Antihyperprolactinemia Activity via Dopamine D2 Receptor.

Objective. Fructus Hordei Germinatus is widely used in treating hyperprolactinemia (hyperPRL) as a kind of Chinese traditional herb in China. In this study, we investigated the anti-hyperPRL activity of water extract of Fructus Hordei Germinatus (WEFHG) and mechanism of action. Methods. Effect of WEFHG on serum prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and hypothalamus protein kinase A (PKA) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels of hyperPRL rats were investigated. And effect of WEFHG on PRL secretion, D2 receptors, and dopamine transporters (DAT) was studied in MMQ, GH3, and PC12 cells, respectively. Results. WEFHG reduced the secretion of PRL in hyperPRL rats effectively. In MMQ cell, treatment with WEFHG at 1-5 mg/mL significantly suppressed PRL secretion and synthesis. Consistent with a D2-action, WEFHG did not affect PRL in rat pituitary lactotropic tumor-derived GH3 cells that lack the D2 receptor expression but significantly increased the expression of D2 receptors and DAT in PC12 cells. In addition, WEFHG reduced the cAMP and PKA levels of hypothalamus in hyperPRL rats significantly. Conclusions. WEFHG showed anti-hyperPRL activity via dopamine D2 receptor, which was related to the second messenger cAMP and PKA.

Meiotic chromosome pairing behaviour of natural tetraploids and induced autotetraploids of Actinidia chinensis.

Non-preferential chromosome pairing was identified in tetraploid Actinidia chinensis and a higher mean multivalent frequency in pollen mother cells was found in colchine-induced tetraploids of A. chinensis compared with naturally occurring tetraploids. Diploid and tetraploid Actinidia chinensis are used for the development of kiwifruit cultivars. Diploid germplasm can be exploited in a tetraploid breeding programme via unreduced (2n) gametes and chemical-induced chromosome doubling of diploid cultivars and selections. Meiotic chromosome behaviour in diploid A. chinensis 'Hort16A' and colchicine-induced tetraploids from 'Hort16A' was analysed and compared with that in a diploid male and tetraploid males of A. chinensis raised from seeds sourced from the wild in China. Both naturally occurring and induced tetraploids formed multivalents, but colchicine-induced tetraploids showed a higher mean multivalent frequency in the pollen mother cells. Lagging chromosomes at anaphase I and II were observed at low frequencies in the colchicine-induced tetraploids. To investigate whether preferential or non-preferential chromosome pairing occurs in tetraploid A. chinensis, the inheritance of microsatellite alleles was analysed in the tetraploid progeny of crosses between A. chinensis (4x) and A. arguta (4x). The frequencies of inherited microsatellite allelic combinations in the hybrids suggested that non-preferential chromosome pairing had occurred in the tetraploid A. chinensis parent.

Effect of Chinese medical herbs-Huiru Yizeng Yihao on hyperprolactinemia and hyperplasia of mammary gland in mice.

The study investigated the pharmacodynamism and mechanism of Chinese medicinal formula-Huiru Yizeng Yihao (NO.1 HRYZ) on the model rats of hyperpro-lactinemia and the model rats of hyperplasia of mammary gland (HMG), and studied the internal connection between hyperprolactinemia and HMG.. The hyperprolactinemia rat models were established by injecting metoclopramide dihydrochloride in the back of rats. The model rat of HMG was prepared by injecting estradiol in the thigh muscle of the rats and progesterone consecutively, while the tails of rats were clipped with tongs. Rats were treated with either NO.1 HRYZ or positive control drugs for four weeks. The concentrations of sex hormone in rat serum were examined using ELISA kits, and the morphology of mammary gland tissue in all group rats was observed with microscope. NO.1 HRYZ significantly decreased prolactin (PRL) and increased estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations of hyperprolactinemia rats. It decreased E2, PRL, FSH, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and increased P concentrations of HMG rat. It also eliminated hyperplasia of lobules and gland alveolus compared with the model group. Treatment with NO.1 HRYZ could significantly regulate the sex hormone disorder of hyperprolactinemia and HMG rat models, and could eliminate the formation of HMG. Hyperprolactinemia was closely correlated with HMG, and hyperprolactinemia promoted the formation of HMG.

Induced polyploidy dramatically increases the size and alters the shape of fruit in Actinidia chinensis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Some otherwise promising selections of Actinidia chinensis (kiwifruit) have fruit that are too small for successful commercialization. We have therefore made the first detailed study in diploid kiwifruit of the effects of chromosome doubling induced by colchicine on fruit size, shape and crop loading. METHODS: Flow cytometric analysis of young leaves and chromosome analysis of flower buds and root tips was used to confirm the stability of induced autotetraploids. Fruit weight, size and crop load were measured in the third year after planting in the field and for three consecutive years. DNA fingerprinting was used to confirm the origin of the material. KEY RESULTS: There was a very significant increase in fruit size in induced autotetraploids of different genotypes of A. chinensis. With the commercially important diploid cultivar 'Hort16A', most regenerants, Type A plants, had fruit which were much the same shape as fruit of the diploid but, at the same fruit load, were much larger and heavier. Some regenerants, Type B plants, produced fruit similar to 'fasciated' fruit. Fruit of the autotetraploids induced from three female red-fleshed A. chinensis selections were also 50-60 % larger than fruit of their diploid progenitors. The main increase in fruit dimensions was in their diameters. These improved fruit characteristics were stable over several seasons. CONCLUSIONS: Chromosome doubling has been shown to increase significantly fruit size in autotetraploid A. chinensis, highlighting the considerable potential of this technique to produce new cultivars with fruit of adequate size. Other variants with differently shaped fruit were also produced but the genetic basis of this variation remains to be elucidated. Autoploids of other Actinidia species with commercial potential may also show improved fruit characteristics, opening up many new possibilities for commercial development.

[Effect and mechanism of Aconitum vaginatum on the proliferation, invasion and metastasis in human A549 lung carcinoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects and mechanism of Aconitum vaginatum on proliferation, invasion and metastasis of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell lines. METHODS: A549 cells were treated with Aconitum vaginatum at different concentrations, and divided into 4 groups: Aconitum vaginatum 0.01, 0.1, 1 mg/mL groups and control group, respectively. MTT assay was used to evaluate cell proliferation; migration and invasion (with matrigel) assay was conducted in the transwell chamber; gelatin zymography was performed to evaluated the impacts of Aconitum vaginatum on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9. RESULTS: Aconitum vaginatum exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibitory on proliferation and invasion of A549 cells. Aconitum vaginatum was also found to decrease the activity of MMP-2, MMP-9 in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Aconitum vaginatum can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of human adenocarcinoma A549 cell lines, the mechanism maybe deceasing MMP-2, MMP-9 activity.