Regulation of the Golgi apparatus via GOLPH3-mediated new selective autophagy.

AIMS: Although previous studies elaborated that selective autophagy was involved in quality control of some organelles, including nucleus, mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes, it remained unclear whether the selective autophagy of the Golgi apparatus (Golgiphagy) existed or not. MAIN METHODS: In this study, H9c2 cells, HUVECs, HA-VSMCs and HEK293T cells were treated with autophagy inducers, Golgi stress inducers and cardiomyocytes hypertrophy stimulators. The Golgiphagy was evaluated by analysing the co-localization of Golgi markers and LC3B. Furthermore, the transmission electron microscope was used to observe the occurrence of Golgiphagy. The co-immunoprecipitation assay was used to evaluate the interaction of GOLPH3 and LC3B. KEY FINDINGS: Results showed that starvation promoted the co-localization of both GM130-positive and TGN46-positive Golgi fragments with LC3B-positive autophagosomes in H9c2 cells, HUVECs, HA-VSMCs and HEK293T cells. Transmission electron microscopy images showed that Golgi apparatus was sequestered into the autophagosomes in the starvation group. Moreover, Golgi stress inducers also facilitated the co-localization of Golgi markers and LC3B in H9c2 cells, HUVECs, HA-VSMCs and HEK293T cells. Furthermore, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy stimulators also triggered the appearance of Golgiphagy in H9c2 cells. Importantly, the co-immunoprecipitation assay indicated endogenous GOLPH3 interacted with LC3B in H9c2 cells, HUVECs, HA-VSMCs. However, knocking down GOLPH3 inhibited the Golgiphagy. SIGNIFICANCE: This study unveiled a new selective autophagy of the Golgi apparatus (Golgiphagy). In addition, GOLPH3 might act as a novel cargo receptor to regulate Golgiphagy. Maintaining homeostasis of the Golgi apparatus via GOLPH3-mediated autophagy was indispensable for cell survival.

Effects of pre-harvest chemical application on rice desiccation and seed quality.

Pre-harvest desiccation may increase the efficiency of seed production. Field studies were conducted to determine the effects of diquat, paraquat, and ethephon applications on grain moisture, grain weight, and seed germination of hybrid rice Yanliangyou 88 (Oryza sativa ssp. indica) and conventional rice Wuyunjing 7 (Oryza sativa ssp. japonica). In 2013, we tested 12 treatments applied at four weeks (Yanliangyou 88) and six weeks (Wuyunjing 7) after heading. Results showed that reductions in moisture content were significant two and four days after chemical application. Chemical applications had no adverse effects on 1000-grain weight, germination percentage, or germination index, but there were negative effects on the percentage of normal seedlings. Desiccation effects increased with increase in the period after application, while the effect of ethephon combined with diquat or paraquat on desiccation was limited compared with that of diquat or paraquat alone in a short period after application. In 2013, chemical applications reduced the moisture content by from 0.5% to 6.4%, the germination percentage by from 0% to 3.3%, and the percentage of normal seedlings by from 13.3% to 100.0%. Among the treatments, diquat applied at 120 g/ha resulted in effective desiccation with fewer negative effects on grain weight and seed germination in 2013 and 2014. Therefore, diquat may have potential as a pre-harvest chemical desiccation treatment for rice. These results may provide a basis for developing and implementing protocols for large scale field trials.

[Quality of vision in patients with aspherical diffractive multifocal intraocular lens implantation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the visual performance of patients with Tecnis ZM900 aspherical diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (MIOL) as compared with aspherical monofocal intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: A prospective nonrandomized controlled study was conducted. Consecutively 114 senile cataract patients (114 eyes) received phacoemulsification and IOL implantation, 57 patients (57 eyes) were implanted Tecnis ZM900 MIOL (multifocal group) and 57 patients (57 eyes) were implanted aspherical Tecnis ZA9003 IOL (monofocal group). All patients were assessed at 3 months postoperatively: uncorrected and best corrected visual acuities for distance and near, distance corrected near visual acuity, higher-order aberrations of IOL, modulation transfer function, contrast visual acuity at different contrast levels and different distance (40 cm, 63 cm and 100 cm) and pseudoaccommodation. Patient satisfaction (spectacle independence, photic phenomena and overall satisfaction) was assessed by a questionnaire. RESULTS: At 3 months post-operation, both uncorrected near visual acuity and distance corrected near visual acuity were significantly better in multifocal group than monofocal group (t = - 7.62, - 9.89, P < 0.05). The accommodative range was (4.74 +/- 1.05) D in multifocal group and (1.65 +/- 0.68) D in monofocal group (P < 0.01). There was no statistically significantly difference between the two groups in IOL higher-order aberration with different pupil sizes (3 mm vs 5 mm). At the distance of 40 cm and 63 cm, visual acuity scores were higher in multifocal group than in monofocal group (P < 0.01). Modulation transfer function was similar in the two groups and there was no statistically significantly difference. The spectacle independence was 85.9% in multifocal group versus 24.6% in the monofocal group (chi2 = 43.46, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with aspherical monofocal IOL, the Tecnis ZM900 aspherical diffractive MIOL not only provided certain pseudoaccommodation with a better useful near visual acuity, but also provided a better quality of vision, resulting in higher levels of spectacle independence and patient satisfaction.