Arginine methyltransferases PRMT2 and PRMT3 are essential for biosynthesis of plant-polysaccharide-degrading enzymes in Penicillium oxalicum.

Many filamentous fungi produce plant-polysaccharide-degrading enzymes (PPDE); however, the regulatory mechanism of this process is poorly understood. A Gal4-like transcription factor, CxrA, is essential for mycelial growth and PPDE production in Penicillium oxalicum. Its N-terminal region, CxrAΔ207-733 is required for the regulatory functions of whole CxrA, and contains a DNA-binding domain (CxrAΔ1-16&Δ59-733) and a methylated arginine (R) 94. Methylation of R94 is mediated by an arginine N-methyltransferase, PRMT2 and appears to induce dimerization of CxrAΔ1-60. Overexpression of prmt2 in P. oxalicum increases PPDE production by 41.4-95.1% during growth on Avicel, compared with the background strain Δku70;hphR+. Another arginine N-methyltransferase, PRMT3, appears to assist entry of CxrA into the nucleus, and interacts with CxrAΔ1-60 in vitro under Avicel induction. Deletion of prmt3 resulted in 67.0-149.7% enhanced PPDE production by P. oxalicum. These findings provide novel insights into the regulatory mechanism of fungal PPDE production.

Kinase POGSK-3ß modulates fungal plant polysaccharide-degrading enzyme production and development.

The filamentous fungus Penicillium oxalicum secretes integrative plant polysaccharide-degrading enzymes (PPDEs) applicable to biotechnology. Glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) mediates various cellular processes in eukaryotic cells, but the regulatory mechanisms of PPDE biosynthesis in filamentous fungi remain poorly understood. In this study, POGSK-3ß (POX_c04478), a homolog of GSK-3ß in P. oxalicum, was characterised using biochemical, microbiological and omics approaches. Knockdown of POGSK-3ß in P. oxalicum using a copper-responsive promoter replacement system led to 53.5 - 63.6%, 79.0 - 92.8% and 76.8 - 94.7% decreases in the production of filter paper cellulase, soluble starch-degrading enzyme and raw starch-degrading enzyme, respectively, compared with the parental strain ΔKu70. POGSK-3ß promoted mycelial growth and conidiation. Transcriptomic profiling and real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR analyses revealed that POGSK-3ß dynamically regulated the expression of genes encoding major PPDEs, as well as fungal development-associated genes. The results broadened our understanding of the regulatory functions of GKS-3ß and provided a promising target for genetic engineering to improve PPDE production in filamentous fungi. KEY POINTS: • The roles of glycogen synthase kinase-3ß were investigated in P. oxalicum. • POGSK-3ß regulated PPDE production, mycelial growth and conidiation. • POGSK-3ß controlled the expression of major PPDE genes and regulatory genes.

Simultaneous manipulation of transcriptional regulator CxrC and translational elongation factor eEF1A enhances the production of plant-biomass-degrading enzymes of Penicillium oxalicum.

Genetic engineering is an efficient approach to improve fungal bioproducts, but the specific targets are limited. In this study, it was found that the key transcription repressor CxrC of Penicillium oxalicum could physically interact with the translational elongation factor eEF1A that positively regulated the production of plant-biomass-degrading enzymes by the fungus under Avicel induction. Simultaneously deletion of the cxrC and overexpression of the eEF1A in the strain Δku70 resulted in 55.4%-314.6% higher production of cellulase, xylanase and raw-starch-degrading enzymes than that of the start strain Δku70. Transcript abundance of the genes encoding predominant cellulases, xylanases and raw-starch-degrading enzymes were significantly upregulated in the mutant ΔcxrC::eEF1A. The ΔcxrC::eEF1A enhanced saccharification efficiency of raw cassava flour by 9.3%-15.5% at early-middle stage of hydrolysis in comparison with Δku70. The obtained knowledges expanded the sources used as effective targets for increased production of plant-biomass-degrading enzymes by fungi.

Iron-Chelated Polydopamine Decorated Doxorubicin-Loaded Nanodevices for Reactive Oxygen Species Enhanced Cancer Combination Therapy.

Combination therapy which enhances efficacy and reduces toxicity, has been increasingly applied as a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Here, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) that enhanced combination chemotherapy nanodevices was fabricated based on the Fe-chelated polydopamine (PDA) nanoparticles (NPs). The structure was characterized by dynamic light scattering-autosizer, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometer. The in vitro drug release profile triggered by low intracellular pH indicated that the system demonstrated controlled therapeutic activity. In vitro cell uptake studies showed that doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded Fe-PDA/ folic acid (FA)- polyethylene glycol (DOX@Fe-PDA/FA-PEG) had a strong uptake capacity and can be rapidly internalized by MCF-7 cells. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that DOX@Fe-PDA/FA-PEG triggered the intracellular ROS overproduction, thereby enhancing its therapeutic effect on breast cancer. In summary, this experiment demonstrated the novel DOX-loaded composite NPs used as a potential targeted nanocarrier for breast cancer treatment, which could be a promising therapeutic strategy against breast cancer.

Cyclosporine A/porous quaternized chitosan microspheres as a novel pulmonary drug delivery system.

N-[(2-Hydroxyl)-propyl-3-trimethyl ammonium] chitosan chloride (HTCC), a hydrosoluble chitosan derivative, has been extensively investigated as a class of drug delivery vehicles because of its unique features. However the studies on HTCC for pulmonary delivery systems have been rarely conducted. This study aimed to design porous microspheres (MS) containing cyclosporine A (CsA) using HTCC as the carrier. The physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of the MS were evaluated. The in vivo efficacy of MS was evaluated in an asthmatic rat model after pulmonary administration. The results showed that porous MS suitable for inhalation could be readily produced by spray drying method. Optimized porous MS in this study exhibited to be biocompatible and safe to use in the lung, and they were effective in suppression of inflammation in the asthmatic rat model. Above all, our results suggested that HTCC porous MS are promising drug carriers for pulmonary drug delivery.

Silencing of COX-2 by RNAi modulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells partially dependent on the PGE2 cascade.

In order to prove whether downregulation of COX-2 (Cyclooxygenase-2) could modulate the epithelial- mesenchymal transition (EMT) of breast cancer, celecoxib and siRNA were respectively used to inhibit COX-2 function and expression in MDA-MB-231 cells. The EMT reversal effect in the RNAi treated group was better than that of the celecoxib group while there were no obvious differences in the medium PGE2 levels between the two groups. The results show that COX-2 pathways may contribute considerably to EMT of breast cancer cells, partially dependent on the PGE2 cascade. Akt2, ZEB2 and Snail were measured to clarify the underlying mechanisms of COX-2 on EMT; COX-2 may modulate EMT of breast cancer by regulating these factors. This finding may be helpful to elucidate the mechanisms of selective COX-2 inhibitor action in EMT modulation in breast cancer.

[Spatiotemporal variation patterns of water quality of Taoranting Lake, Beijing of China].

By the methods of cluster analysis, discriminant analysis, and factor analysis, this paper studied the spatiotemporal variations of water quality of Taoranting Lake, a typical eutrophic urban landscape lake in Beijing, from March to November 2011. At temporal scale, the water quality of the Lake could be grouped into three periods which corresponded to the rainy season, normal season, and dry season in Beijing, respectively, reflecting an obvious temporal variation. At spatial scale, the water quality of the Lake at five sampling sites could be grouped into two groups, implying the different pollution degree. Water temperature, pH, transparency (SD), CODMn, total suspended solid (TSS) , and Chl-a content were the main factors affecting the temporal variation of the water quality, and the eutrophication of the water body was mainly controlled by the water temperature and Chl-a, total nitrogen, and total phosphorous contents. The effects of TSS and organic pollution should be also paid more attention.

MicroRNA-15a positively regulates insulin synthesis by inhibiting uncoupling protein-2 expression.

MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that have been highly conserved during evolution and have been implicated to play an important role in many diseases, including diabetes. Several reports indicated the function of miRNAs in insulin production. However, the mechanisms by which miRNAs regulate this process remain poorly understood. Here we found that the expression of miR-15a was up-regulated in the presence of high glucose for 1h, whereas prolonged periods of high glucose exposure resulted in depressed expression of miR-15a, and the change in expression levels of miR-15a coincided with insulin biosynthesis. Moreover, ectopic expression of miR-15a promoted insulin biosynthesis in MIN6 cells, whereas its repression was sufficient to inhibit insulin biosynthesis. Further, we verified that miR-15a directly targeted and inhibited uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2) gene expression. miR-15a mimics inhibited UCP-2 3'UTR luciferase reporter activity. Western blot analysis showed that miR-15a inhibited endogenous UCP-2 protein levels, and resulted in the increase in oxygen consumption and reduced ATP generation. This study suggests miR-15a is a mediator of ß cell function and insulin biosynthesis, thus offering a new target for the development of preventive or therapeutic agents against diabetes.

Multidrug resistance in breast cancer cells during epithelial-mesenchymal transition is modulated by breast cancer resistant protein.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) not only initiates invasion and metastasis of tumors, but also induces multidrug resistance in tumor cells. Our experiment analyzed the dependability between breast cancer resistant protein (BCRP) and EMT in breast cancer to explore the effect of EMT on BCRP-mediated multidrug resistance. METHODS: The expressions of BCRP and transcription inhibitor Snai1 (Snail) in breast cancer were detected by immunohistochemistry. The eukaryotic expression vector pCDNA3.1-Snail was constructed and then transfected into human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Snail, epithelial marker gene E-cadherin, interstitial marker gene Vimentin, multidrug resistance protein BCRP, and relative drug resistance were measured by immunofluorescence, Western blot, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and MTT assay. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry showed that Snail was highly correlated with BCRP in breast cancer. Immunofluorescence, Western blot, real-time PCR revealed that compared with parent cell MCF-7, after transfected with Snail, the expression of E-cadherin in MCF-7 decreased, but Snail, Vimentin, and BCRP increased. MTT displayed that the relative drug resistance increased to 9.93. CONCLUSION: After transfected with eukaryotic expression vector pCDNA3.1-Snail, breast cancer cells MCF-7 showed EMT with BCRP-mediated multidrug resistance.

[Effect of 5-Aza-dC on FHIT gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: FHIT gene methylation leads to down-regulation of its expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. This study was to detect the expression of FHIT mRNA and protein in HCC cell line HepG2 after treatment of methylase inhibitor 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC), and observe the effect of 5-Aza-dC on the proliferation of HepG2 cells. METHODS: HepG2 cells were treated with 5-Aza-dC. Methylation of FHIT in HepG2 cells was detected by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). FHIT mRNA expression was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). FHIT protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. RESULTS: Before treatment of 5-Aza-dC, FHIT gene methylation was detected in HepG2 cells, while no FHIT mRNA and protein expression was detected. The hypermethylation of FHIT gene in HepG2 cells was effectively reversed after treatment of 5-Aza-dC. When HepG2 cells were treated with 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 micromol/L of 5-Aza-dC for 48 h, the mRNA levels of FHIT were 0.80+/-0.32, 1.41+/-0.54, and 1.51+/-0.61, respectively; the protein levels of FHIT were 0.33+/-0.20, 1.00+/-0.26, and 1.12+/-0.38, respectively. Cell proliferation was significantly inhibited after being treated with 5-Aza-dC. CONCLUSION: 5-Aza-dC can reverse the abnormal methylation of FHIT gene, activate the silenced gene and induce FHIT mRNA and protein expression in HepG2 cells.

[Expression of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) gene and demethylation of its promoter in human colorectal cancer].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Abnormal expression of 5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) is found in various tumor tissues. This study was to explore the correlation of MTAP expression to demethylation of MTAP promoter in colorectal cancer tissues. METHODS: The contents of MTAP mRNA in 50 colorectal cancer tissue samples and the adjacent normal tissues were detected by real-time PCR; expression of MTAP protein was detected by immunohistochemistry; methylation of MTAP promoter in colorectal cancer tissues and its adjacent normal tissues were detected by methylation-specified PCR (MSP). RESULTS: Compared with the adjacent normal tissues, the expression of MTAP mRNA was dramatically increased in colorectal cancer tissues (P<0.01). The positive rate of MTAP protein in colorectal cancer was significantly higher than that in colorectal adenoma and in adjacent normal tissues (98.0% vs. 85.0% and 12.5%, P<0.05), and the difference of the latter two groups was also significantly different (P<0.01). The methylation frequency of MTAP promoter was significantly lower in colorectal cancer group (32.0%) than in normal tissue (93.8%) and colorectal adenoma (75.0%) groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Expression of MTAP is significantly higher in human colorectal cancer than in normal colorectal tissues. Demethylation of MTAP promoter may play an important role in up-regulating MTAP expression.

[Construction of glucosylceramide synthase-specific siRNA expression vector and its efficiency in reversal of drug resistance in breast carcinoma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a glucosylceramide synthase (GCS)-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) expression vector and to investigate the inhibitory effect of this siRNA on GCS expression and drug resistance in breast carcinoma cells. METHODS: Two GCS gene-specific siRNAs were designed and cloned into the expression vector pSUPER to generate the plasmids pSUPER-GCS1 and pSUPER-GCS2. Human adriamycin (ADM)-resistant breast carcinoma cells of the line MCF-7/ADR and human adriamycin-sensitive breast carcinoma cells of the line MCF-7 were cultured and transfected with pSUPER-GCS1, pSUPER-GCS2, and blank vector pSUPER as controls. The expression of GCS mRNA was assayed by RT-PCR and the expression of GCS protein was observed by flow cytometry. The 50% inhibition concentration of ADM on MCF-7/ADR cells was evaluated by MTT method. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the ratio of apoptosis. RESULTS: Double enzyme digestion analysis and DNA sequencing confirmed that pSUPER-GCS1 and pSUPER-GCS2 were successfully constructed. The GCS protein positive rate of the MCF-7/ADR cells 48 hours after transfection with pSUPER-GCS1 and pSUPER-GCS2 were 8.3% +/- 1.0% and 9.2% +/- 0.8% respectively, significantly lower than that before transfection (68.3% +/- 0.6%), with a inhibition rate of 89.4% and 88.5% respectively (both P < 0.01). Forty-eight hours after transfection with pSUPER-GCS1 and pSUPER-GCS2, the relative reversal rates of sensitivity to ADM of the MCF-7/ADR cells were 93.7% and 91.6%. Flow cytometry showed that the apoptotic rate of the MCF-7/ADR cells was 0.80 +/- 0.06 before transfection, 15.38 +/- 1.16 after transfection with pSUPER-GCS1 and 13.92 +/- 1.73 after transfection with pSUPER-GCS2 (both P < 0.05), and was 0.87 +/- 0.12 in the cells transfected with blank vector (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: A GCS-specific small interfering RNA expression vector has been constructed successfully that suppresses the GCS expression and reverses the multidrug resistance in breast carcinoma cells by increasing the ratio of apoptosis in drug-resistant cells.