Chromosome-level Dinobdella ferox genome provided a molecular model for its specific parasitism.

BACKGROUND: Dinobdella ferox is the most frequently reported leech species parasitizing the mammalian nasal cavity. However, the molecular mechanism of this special parasitic behavior has remained largely unknown. METHODS: PacBio long-read sequencing, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and Hi-C sequencing were employed in this study to generate a novel genome of D. ferox, which was annotated with strong certainty using bioinformatics methods. The phylogenetic and genomic alterations of D. ferox were then studied extensively alongside the genomes of other closely related species. The obligatory parasitism mechanism of D. ferox was investigated using RNA-seq and proteomics data. RESULTS: PacBio long-read sequencing and NGS yielded an assembly of 228 Mb and contig N50 of 2.16 Mb. Along Hi-C sequencing, 96% of the sequences were anchored to nine linkage groups and a high-quality chromosome-level genome was generated. The completed genome included 19,242 protein-coding genes. For elucidating the molecular mechanism of nasal parasitism, transcriptome data were acquired from the digestive tract and front/rear ends of D. ferox. Examining secretory proteins in D. ferox saliva helped to identify intimate connections between these proteins and membrane proteins in nasal epithelial cells. These interacting proteins played important roles in extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, tight junction, focal adhesion, and adherens junction. The interaction between D. ferox and mammalian nasal epithelial cells included three major steps of pattern recognition, mucin connection and breakdown, and repair of ECM. The remodeling of ECM between epithelial cells of the nasal mucosa and epithelial cells of D. ferox may produce a stable adhesion environment for parasitism. CONCLUSIONS: Our study represents the first-ever attempt to propose a molecular model for specific parasitism. This molecular model may serve as a practical reference for parasitism models of other species and a theoretical foundation for a molecular process of parasitism.

LINC00319-Mediated miR-3127 Repression Enhances Bladder Cancer Progression Through Upregulation of RAP2A.

Recent studies suggested that microRNA-3127 (miR-3127) was dysregulated in multiple tumor types and has important roles in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. However, its biological roles and the mechanisms that regulate its expression in bladder cancer (BCA) remain to be determined. The expression level of miR-3127 was measured in BCA tissues and its cellular functions were examined using both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The interaction between miR-3127 and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00319 was explored using RNA immunoprecipitation assay and luciferase reporter assays. We showed that miR-3127 expression was significantly downregulated in human BCA tissues and BCA cell lines. Lower miR-3127 levels were associated with worse survival in BCA patients. The overexpression of miR-3127 impaired BCA cell proliferation and invasion, and the knockdown of miR-3127 enhanced BCA cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. Importantly, miR-3127 was able to suppress cell growth in vivo. We demonstrated that miR-3127 repressed the proliferation and invasion of BCA cells though directly targeted the 3'-UTR of RAP2A, which served as a novel oncogene in BCA cells. The suppression of cell proliferation and invasion caused by miR-3127 overexpression could be partially abrogated by ectopic expression of RAP2A. Furthermore, high expression of LINC00319 was correlated with adverse survival in BCA patients. LINC00319 could bind directly with miR-3127 and inhibited its expression, and the tumor-promoting effects of LINC00319 could be reversed by re-expression of miR-3127 in BCA cells. Our findings indicated that lncRNA LINC00319-mediated miR-3127 repression promotes BCA progression through the upregulation of RAP2A. The re-introduction of miR-3127 or inhibition of LINC00319 might represent a promising therapeutic strategy for BCA treatment.

Induction of retinal-dependent calcium influx in human melanocytes by UVA or UVB radiation contributes to the stimulation of melanosome transfer.

OBJECTIVES: The transfer of melanosomes from melanocytes to neighbouring keratinocytes is critical to protect the skin from the deleterious effects of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation; however, the initial factor(s) that stimulates melanosome transfer remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the induction of retinal-dependent calcium (Ca2+ ) influx in melanocytes (MCs) by UVA or UVB irradiation and the effect of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 1 (TRPM1) (melastatin1)-related Ca2+ influx on melanosome transfer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary human epidermal MCs were exposed to physiological doses of UVB or UVA light and loaded with a calcium indicator Fluo-4 dye. The change of intracellular calcium of MCs was monitored using a two-photon confocal fluorescence microscopy. MCs were co-cultured with human epidermal keratinocytes (KCs) in the absence or presence of voriconazole (a TRPM1 blocker) or calcium chelators. MCs were also transfected with TRPM1 siRNA for silencing the expression of TRPM1 gene. The melanosome transfer in the co-cultured cells was quantitatively analysed using flow cytometry and was further confirmed by immunofluorescent double-staining. The protein levels and distributions of TRPM1, OPN3 and OPN5 in MCs were measured by Western blotting or immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS: The retinal-dependent Ca2+ influx of UVA-exposed melanocytes differed greatly from that of UVB-exposed melanocytes in the timing-phase. The protein expression of TRPM1 in mono- and co-cultured MCs was dose-dependently up-regulated by UVA and UVB. TRPM1 siRNA-mediated knockdown and the blockage of TRPM1 channel using a putative antagonist (voriconazole) significantly inhibited melanosome transfer in co-cultures following UVA or UVB exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The distinct time-phases of Ca2+ influx in MCs induced by UVA or UVB contribute to the consecutive stimulation of melanosome transfer, thereby providing a potent photoprotection against harmful UV radiation.

Adipose­derived mesenchymal stem cell­facilitated TRAIL expression in melanoma treatment in vitro.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) may be useful as an efficient vehicle in cell-based gene therapy of human diseases due to their ability to migrate to disease lesions. This study investigated the ability of ADSC­harbored human tumor necrosis factor­related apoptosis­inducing ligand (TRAIL) cDNA to facilitate TRAIL expression and induce A375 melanoma cell apoptosis as observed using a Transwell co­culture system. A cell migration assay was used to observe ADSC migration ability. In addition, TRAIL protein expression was successfully detected by western blot analysis in ADSCs after stable transfection of TRAIL cDNA. The Transwell co­culture system data showed that TRAIL-ADSCs could induce A375 cell apoptosis in a dose­dependent manner. At the gene level, the killing activity of TRAIL-ADSCs was associated with activation of caspase­4 and caspase­8. Collectively, the data from the current study provides preclinical support of ADSC­facilitated TRAIL expression in the treatment of melanoma. Further investigation is required to evaluate and confirm the in vivo ability of TRAIL-ADSCs in therapy of melanoma in animal models.

Synthetic and structural investigations of linear and macrocyclic nickel/iron/sulfur cluster complexes.

Three series of new Ni/Fe/S cluster complexes have been prepared and structurally characterized. One series of such complexes includes the linear type of (diphosphine)Ni-bridged double-butterfly Fe/S complexes [(µ-RS)(µ-S═CS)Fe(2)(CO)(6)](2)[Ni(diphosphine)] (1-6; R = Et, t-Bu, n-Bu, Ph; diphosphine = dppv, dppe, dppb), which were prepared by reactions of monoanions [(µ-RS)(µ-CO)Fe(2)(CO)(6)](-) (generated in situ from Fe(3)(CO)(12), Et(3)N, and RSH) with excess CS(2), followed by treatment of the resulting monoanions [(µ-RS)(µ-S═CS)Fe(2)(CO)(6)](-)with (diphosphine)NiCl(2). The second series consists of the macrocyclic type of (diphosphine)Ni-bridged double-butterfly Fe/S complexes [µ-S(CH(2))(4)S-µ][(µ-S═CS)Fe(2)(CO)(6)](2)[Ni(diphosphine)] (7-9; diphosphine = dppv, dppe, dppb), which were produced by the reaction of dianion [{µ-S(CH(2))(4)S-µ}{(µ-CO)Fe(2)(CO)(6)}(2)](2-) (formed in situ from Fe(3)(CO)(12), Et(3)N, and dithiol HS(CH(2))(4)SH with excess CS(2), followed by treatment of the resulting dianion [{µ-S(CH(2))(4)S-µ}{(µ-S═CS)Fe(2)(CO)(6)}(2)](2-) with (diphosphine)NiCl(2). However, more interestingly, when dithiol HS(CH(2))(4)SH (used for the production of 7-9) was replaced by HS(CH(2))(3)SH (a dithiol with a shorter carbon chain), the sequential reactions afforded another type of macrocyclic Ni/Fe/S complex, namely, the (diphosphine)Ni-bridged quadruple-butterfly Fe/S complexes [{µ-S(CH(2))(3)S-µ}{(µ-S═CS)Fe(2)(CO)(6)}(2)](2)[Ni(diphosphine)](2) (10-12; diphosphine = dppv, dppe, dppb). While a possible pathway for the production of the two types of novel metallomacrocycles 7-12 is suggested, all of the new complexes 1-12 were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopy and some of them by X-ray crystallography.

Synthetic and structural studies on L-cysteinyl group-containing diiron/triiron azadithiolates as active site models of [FeFe]-hydrogenases.

Five new L-cysteinyl group-containing diiron/triiron azadithiolate complexes (3-6, 10), which could be regarded as the active site models of [FeFe]-hydrogenases, have been successfully synthesized. Treatment of L-cysteinyl sodium mercaptide CytSNa (1, Cyt = CH(2)CH(CO(2)Et)NH(CO(2)Bu-t) with complex [(mu-SCH(2))(2)NCH(2)CH(2)Br]Fe(2)(CO)(6) (2) in THF at room temperature resulted in formation of model complex [(mu-SCH(2))(2)NCH(2)CH(2)SCyt]Fe(2)(CO)(6) (3). Further treatment of 3 with decarbonylating agent Me(3)NO in MeCN at room temperature afforded model complex [(mu-SCH(2))(2)NCH(2)CH(2)SCyt]Fe(2)(CO)(5) (4). Similarly, treatment of 3 with an equimolar mixture of Me(3)NO and Ph(3)P gave model complex [(mu-SCH(2))(2)NCH(2)CH(2)SCyt]Fe(2)(CO)(5)(Ph(3)P) (5) and further treatment of 5 with Me(3)NO produced model complex [(mu-SCH(2))(2)NCH(2)CH(2)SCyt]Fe(2)(CO)(4)(Ph(3)P) (6). More interestingly, model complex [(mu-SCH(2))(2)NCH(CO(2)Et)CH(2)SFe(CO)(2)Cp]Fe(2)(CO)(5) (10) could be synthesized by a "one pot" reaction of the in situ prepared (mu-HS)(2)Fe(2)(CO)(6) (9) with 37% aqueous formaldehyde followed by treatment with the N-deprotected L-cysteinyl iron mercaptide Cp(CO)(2)FeSCH(2)CH(CO(2)Et)NH(2) (8). Complex 8 is new, which was prepared by treatment of complex Cp(CO)(2)FeSCyt (7) with CF(3)CO(2)H followed by 25% aqueous NH(3). All the new complexes 3-6, 8, and 10 were characterized by elemental analysis and various spectroscopic techniques, whereas complexes 5 and 10 were further characterized by X-ray crystallography.

Synthesis, characterization and electrocatalysis of diiron propanediselenolate derivatives as the active site models of [FeFe]-hydrogenases.

As an extension of our study on the H-cluster model compounds, a series of diiron propanediselenolate (PDS)-type models have been successfully synthesized. Reaction of diselenol HSe(CH(2))(3)SeH with Fe(3)(CO)(12) in THF (tetrahydrofuran) at reflux gave the parent model compound [micro-Se(CH(2))(3)Se-micro]Fe(2)(CO)(6) (1) in 48% yield. Further reaction of 1 with PPh(3) or PPh(2)H in the presence of Me(3)NO in MeCN at room temperature afforded the phosphine-monosubstituted model compounds [micro-Se(CH(2))(3)Se-micro]Fe(2)(CO)(5)(L) (2, L=PPh(3); 3, L=PPh(2)H) in 76% and 68% yields, respectively. Similarly, the N-heterocyclic carbene I(Mes)-monosubstituted model compound [micro-Se(CH(2))(3)Se-micro]Fe(2)(CO)(5)(I(Mes)) (4) could be prepared in 46% yield by reaction of imidazolium salt I(Mes).HCl with n-BuLi followed by treatment of the resulting I(Mes) ligand with 1 in THF at room temperature. Compounds 1-4 were fully characterized by elemental analysis and various spectroscopic methods. While the structures of 1-4 were further confirmed by X-ray crystallography, the comparative study of 1 and its analog [micro-S(CH(2))(3)S-micro]Fe(2)(CO)(6) demonstrates that 1 is a better catalyst for TsOH proton reduction to hydrogen under electrochemical conditions.

Synthesis and structural characterization of the mono- and diphosphine-containing diiron propanedithiolate complexes related to [FeFe]-hydrogenases. Biomimetic H2 evolution catalyzed by (mu-PDT)Fe2(CO)4[(Ph2P)2N(n-Pr)].

As the new H-cluster models, six diiron propanedithiolate (PDT) complexes with mono- and diphosphine ligands have been prepared and structurally characterized. The monophosphine model complex (mu-PDT)Fe(2)(CO)(5)[Ph(2)PNH(t-Bu)] (1) was prepared by reaction of parent complex (mu-PDT)Fe(2)(CO)(6) (A) with 1 equiv of Ph(2)PNH(t-Bu) in refluxing xylene, whereas A reacted with 1 equiv of Me(3)NO.2H(2)O in MeCN at room temperature followed by 1 equiv of Ph(2)PH to give the corresponding monophosphine model complex (mu-PDT)Fe(2)(CO)(5)(Ph(2)PH) (2). Further treatment of 2 with 1 equiv of n-BuLi in THF at -78 degrees C followed by 1 equiv of CpFe(CO)(2)I from -78 degrees C to room temperature afforded monophosphine model complex (mu-PDT)Fe(2)(CO)(5)[Ph(2)PFe(CO)(2)Cp] (3), whereas the diphosphine model complexes (mu-PDT)Fe(2)(CO)(4)(Ph(2)PC(2)H(4)PPh(2)) (4), (mu-PDT)Fe(2)(CO)(4)[(Ph(2)P)(2)N(n-Pr)] (5) and (mu-PDT)Fe(2)(CO)(4)[(Ph(2)P)(2)N(n-Bu)] (6) were obtained by reactions of A with ca.1 equiv of the corresponding diphosphines in refluxing xylene. All the new model complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopy and particularly for 1 and 3-6 by X-ray crystallography. On the basis of electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies, model 5 was found to be a catalyst for HOAc proton reduction to H(2), and for this electrocatalytic reaction an ECCE mechanism was proposed.

Synthesis, structure, and electrocatalysis of diiron C-functionalized propanedithiolate (PDT) complexes related to the active site of [FeFe]-hydrogenases.

New C-functionalized propanedithiolate-type model complexes (1-8) have been synthesized by functional transformation reactions of the known complex [(mu-SCH2)2CH(OH)]Fe2(CO)6 (A). Treatment of A with the acylating agents PhC(O)Cl, 4-pyridinecarboxylic acid chloride, 2-furancarbonyl chloride, and 2-thiophenecarbonyl chloride in the presence of Et3N affords the expected C-functionalized complexes [(mu-SCH2)2CHO2CPh]Fe2(CO)6 (1), [(mu-SCH2)2CHO2CC5H4N-4]Fe2(CO)6 (2), [(mu-SCH2)2CHO2CC4H3O-2]Fe2(CO)6 (3), and [(mu-SCH2)2CHO2CC4H3S-2]Fe2(CO)6 (4). However, when A is treated with the phosphatizing agents Ph2PCl, PCl3 and PBr3, both C- and Fe-functionalized complexes [(mu-SCH2) 2CHOPPh2-eta1]Fe2(CO)5 (5), [(mu-SCH2) 2CHOPCl2-eta1]Fe2(CO)5 (6), and [(mu-SCH2) 2CHOPBr2-eta1]Fe2(CO)5 (7) are unexpectedly obtained via intramolecular CO substitution by P atoms of the initially formed phosphite complexes. The simplest C-functionalized model complex [(mu-SCH2) 2CO]Fe2(CO)6 (8) can be produced by oxidation of A with Dess-Martin reagent. While 8 is found to be an electrocatalyst for proton reduction to hydrogen, starting complex A can be prepared by another method involving the reaction of HC(OH)(CH2Br)2 with the in situ generated (mu-LiS) 2Fe2(CO)6. X-ray crystallographic studies reveal that the bridgehead C atom of 8 is double-bonded to an O atom to form a ketone functionality, whereas the bridgehead C atoms of A, 1, 3, and 4 are equatorially-bonded to their functionalities and those of 5-7 axially-bonded to their functionalities due to formation of the corresponding P-Fe bond-containing heterocycles.

Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical properties of mono-, di-, and trinuclear transition Metal [60]fullerene complexes containing diphosphine cis-Ph2PCH=CHPPh2 ligand.

New transition metal fullerene complexes containing cis-Ph2PCH=CHPPh2 (dppet) ligand have been investigated. The mononuclear complexes (etau2-C60)M(cis-dppet) (1, 2; M = Pd, Pt) were prepared by reaction of C60 with M(dba)2 (dba = dibenzylideneacetone) followed by treatment with cis-dppet, while the in situ prepared 1 and 2 reacted with M1(PPh3)4 to afford dinuclear complexes (eta2 : eta2-C60)M(cis-dppet)M1 (PPh3)2 (3-6; M, M1 = Pd, Pt). Similarly, trinuclear complexes (eta2 : eta2-C60) M(cis-dppet)M1 (dppr) (7-10; M, M1 = Pd, Pt; dppr = (eta5-Ph2PC5H4)2Ru) could be synthesized by reaction of the in situ prepared 3-6 with dppr. 1-10 were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetric studies on 2 (M = Pt), 3 (M = Pd, M1 = Pd) and 9 (M = Pt, M1 = Pd) provided further evidence for the eta2-coordination of C60 to one metal fragment or two metal fragments in these complexes.

Formation and chemical reactivities of a new type of double-butterfly [[Fe2(mu-CO)(CO)6]2(mu-SZS-mu)]2-: synthetic and structural studies on novel linear and macrocyclic butterfly Fe/E (E=S, Se) cluster complexes.

A new type of double-butterfly [[Fe(2)(mu-CO)(CO)(6)](2)(mu-SZS-mu)](2-) (3), a dianion that has two mu-CO ligands, has been synthesized from dithiol HSZSH (Z=(CH(2))(4), CH(2)(CH(2)OCH(2))(1-3)CH(2)), [Fe(3)(CO)(12)], and Et(3)N in a molar ratio of 1:2:2 at room temperature. Interestingly, the in situ reactions of dianions 3 with various electrophiles affords a series of novel linear and macrocyclic butterfly Fe/E (E=S, Se) cluster complexes. For instance, while reactions of 3 with PhC(O)Cl and Ph(2)PCl give linear clusters [[Fe(2)(mu-PhCO)(CO)(6)](2)(mu-SZS-mu)] (4 a,b: Z=CH(2)(CH(2)OCH(2))(2,3)CH(2)) and [[Fe(2)(mu-Ph(2)P)(CO)(6)](2)(mu-SZS-mu)] (5 a,b: Z=CH(2)(CH(2)OCH(2))(2,3)CH(2)), reactions with CS(2) followed by treatment with monohalides RX or dihalides X-Y-X give both linear clusters [[Fe(2)(mu-RCS(2))(CO)(6)](2)(mu-SZS-mu)] (6 a-e: Z=CH(2)(CH(2)OCH(2))(1,2)CH(2); R=Me, PhCH(2), FeCp(CO)(2)) and macrocyclic clusters [[Fe(2)(CO)(6)](2)(mu-SZS-mu)(mu-CS(2)YCS(2)-mu)] (7 a-e: Z=(CH(2))(4), CH(2)(CH(2)OCH(2))(1-3)CH(2); Y=(CH(2))(2-4), 1,3,5-Me(CH(2))(2)C(6)H(3), 1,4-(CH(2))(2)C(6)H(4)). In addition, reactions of dianions 3 with [Fe(2)(mu-S(2))(CO)(6)] followed by treatment with RX or X-Y-X give linear clusters [[[Fe(2)(CO)(6)](2)(mu-RS)(mu(4)-S)](2)(mu-SZS-mu)] (8 a-c: Z=CH(2)(CH(2)OCH(2))(1,2)CH(2); R=Me, PhCH(2)) and macrocyclic clusters [[[Fe(2)(CO)(6)](2)(mu(4)-S)](2)(mu-SYS-mu)(mu-SZS-mu)] (9 a,b: Z=CH(2)(CH(2)OCH(2))(2,3)CH(2); Y=(CH(2))(4)), and reactions with SeCl(2) afford macrocycles [[Fe(2)(CO)(6)](2)(mu(4)-Se)(mu-SZS-mu)] (10 d: Z=CH(2)(CH(2)OCH(2))(3)CH(2)) and [[[Fe(2)(CO)(6)](2)(mu(4)-Se)](2)(mu-SZS-mu)(2)] (11 a-d: Z=(CH(2))(4), CH(2)(CH(2)OCH(2))(1-3)CH(2)). Production pathways have been suggested; these involve initial nucleophilic attacks by the Fe-centered dianions 3 at the corresponding electrophiles. All the products are new and have been characterized by combustion analysis and spectroscopy, and by X-ray diffraction techniques for 6 c, 7 d, 9 b, 10 d, and 11 c in particular. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that the double-butterfly cluster core Fe(4)S(2)Se in 10 d is severely distorted in comparison to that in 11 c. In view of the Z chains in 10 a-c being shorter than the chain in 10 d, the double cluster core Fe(4)S(2)Se in 10 a-c would be expected to be even more severely distorted, a possible reason for why 10 a-c could not be formed.

The first example of macrocycles containing butterfly transition metal cluster cores via novel tandem reactions.

A novel type of double butterfly, two mu-CO-containing dianions {[(mu-CO)Fe2(CO)6]2[mu-SCH2(CH2OCH2)nCH2S-mu]}2- (m1, n = 2, 3), has been synthesized from dithiol HSCH2(CH2OCH2)nCH2SH (n = 2, 3), Fe3(CO)12, and Et3N in THF at room temperature. While dianions m1 react in situ with CS2 followed by treatment with dihalide 1,4-(BrCH2)2C6H4 or 1,4-I(CH2)4I to give macrocyclic clusters [mu-SCH2(CH2OCH2)nCH2S-mu](mu-CS2ZCS2-mu)[Fe2(CO)6]2 (1a, n = 2, Z = 1,4-(CH2)2C6H4; 1b, n = 3, Z = (CH2)4), reactions of dianions m1 with (mu-S2)Fe2(CO)6 followed by treatment with dihalide 1,4-I(CH2)4I afford macrocyclic clusters [mu-SCH2(CH2OCH2)nCH2S-mu]{[Fe2(CO)6]2(mu4-S)}2[mu-S(CH2)4S-mu] (2a, n = 2; 2b, n = 3). The crystal structures of 1a and 2b are described.