Chromosome-level genome provides insights into environmental adaptability and innate immunity in the common dolphin (delphinus delphis).

The common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) is widely distributed worldwide and well adapted to various habitats. Animal genomes store clues about their pasts, and can reveal the genes underlying their evolutionary success. Here, we report the first high-quality chromosome-level genome of D. delphis. The assembled genome size was 2.56 Gb with a contig N50 of 63.85 Mb. Phylogenetically, D. delphis was close to Tursiops truncatus and T. aduncus. The genome of D. delphis exhibited 428 expanded and 1,885 contracted gene families, and 120 genes were identified as positively selected. The expansion of the HSP70 gene family suggested that D. delphis has a powerful system for buffering stress, which might be associated with its broad adaptability, longevity, and detoxification capacity. The expanded IFN-α and IFN-ω gene families, as well as the positively selected genes encoding tripartite motif-containing protein 25, peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1, and p38 MAP kinase, were all involved in pathways for antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic mechanisms. The genome data also revealed dramatic fluctuations in the effective population size during the Pleistocene. Overall, the high-quality genome assembly and annotation represent significant molecular resources for ecological and evolutionary studies of Delphinus and help support their sustainable treatment and conservation.

The mitochondrial genome of Monoserius pennarius (Linnaeus, 1758) from the East China Sea.

The species Monoserius pennarius (Linnaeus, 1758), is particularly abundant in the tropical Indo-West Pacific east of Sri Lanka, yet very limited genetic information exists for this species. Here, we report the assembled-linear mitochondrial genome of M. pennarius collected from the East China Sea. The 15,197 bp mitogenome contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two tRNA genes, and two rRNA genes. Notably, the gene order in this mitogenome differs from that of other hydrozoans within the same taxonomic order. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 13 concatenated mitochondrial PCGs, recovered M. pennarius as a sister of Nemalecium lighti (Hargitt, 1924), outside the other Leptothecata hydrozoans, suggesting paraphyly of Leptothecata. The mitogenome of M. pennarius, serving as the first publicly available for the family Aglaopheniidae, holds foreseeable value for investigating Leptothecata evolution.

Increased joint loading induces subchondral bone loss of the temporomandibular joint via the RANTES-CCRs-Akt2 axis.

Early-stage temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is characterized by excessive subchondral bone loss. Emerging evidence suggests that TMJ disc displacement is involved, but the pathogenic mechanism remains unclear. Here, we established a rat model of TMJOA that simulated disc displacement with a capacitance-based force-sensing system to directly measure articular surface pressure in vivo. Micro-CT, histological staining, immunofluorescence staining, IHC staining, and Western blot were used to assess pathological changes and underlying mechanisms of TMJOA in the rat model in vivo as well as in RAW264.7 cells in vitro. We found that disc displacement led to significantly higher pressure on the articular surface, which caused rapid subchondral bone loss via activation of the RANTES-chemokine receptors-Akt2 (RANTES-CCRs-Akt2) axis. Inhibition of RANTES or Akt2 attenuated subchondral bone loss and resulted in improved subchondral bone microstructure. Cytological studies substantiated that RANTES regulated osteoclast formation by binding to its receptor CCRs and activating the Akt2 pathway. The clinical evidence further supported that RANTES was a potential biomarker for predicting subchondral bone loss in early-stage TMJOA. Taken together, this study demonstrates important functions of the RANTES-CCRs-Akt2 axis in the regulation of subchondral bone remodeling and provides further knowledge of how disc displacement causes TMJOA.

Transcriptomic response of intertidal brittle star Ophiothrix exigua to seasonal variation.

Adaptation to seasonal change is essential for survival, and is especially critical for organisms living in physically harsh environments. Brittle stars (Ophiothrix), known as a keystone species, inhabiting the intertidal rocky ecosystem are affected by multiple stressors, but molecular insights into their adaptation remain poorly studied. In the present study, transcriptomic responses of Ophiothrix exigua from the intertidal habitats of the North Pacific Ocean during summer and winter are reported. A total of 12,844 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Of these, 7102 genes were up-regulated and 5742 genes were down-regulated in summer relative to winter. One hundred fifty-two key DEGs, including 31 up-regulated and 121 down-regulated genes, were categorized into three major subcategories and seven subclasses. The key DEGs included heat shock cognate protein 70 (HSC70), toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2), cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit beta-like isoform X2 (PKA), serine/threonine-protein kinase mTOR (MTOR), and ras-related c3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 isoform X1 (RAC1). Glutathione peroxidase-like (GPX) and tubulin superfamily members (TUBA, TUBB) were consistent across seasons. The main defense-related pathways in brittle star were phagosome, apoptosis, and glutathione metabolism. These findings would greatly enhance our understanding of the genomic basis of environmental adaptation in intertidal invertebrates.

Mutually Noninterfering Flexible Pressure-Temperature Dual-Modal Sensors Based on Conductive Metal-Organic Framework for Electronic Skin.

Pressure and temperature are two important indicators for human skin perception. Electronic skin (E-skin) that mimics human skin within one single flexible sensor is beneficial for detecting and differentiating pressure and temperature and showing immunity from tensile strain disruptions. However, few studies have simultaneously realized these conditions. Herein, a flexible and strain-suppressed pressure-temperature dual-modal sensor based on conductive and microstructured metal-organic framework (MOF) films was reported and mainly prepared by in situ growing Ni3(HiTP)2 onto microstructured mixed cellulose (MSMC) substrates. The sensor exhibits distinguishable and strain-suppressed properties for pressure (sensing range up to 300 kPa, sensitivity of 61.61 kPa-1, response time of 20 ms, and ultralow detection limit of 1 Pa) and temperature sensing (sensitivity of 57.1 µV/K). Theoretical calculations successfully analyzed the mutually noninterfering mechanism between pressure and temperature. Owing to its effective perception in static and dynamic surroundings, this sensor has great potential applications, such as in electronic skin and smart prosthetics.

The first complete mitochondrial genome of Notostomus gibbosus (Caridea, Acanthephyridae).

Notostomus gibbosus is a deep-sea shrimp, belonging to Caridea, Acanthephyridae. The whole complete mitochondrial genome of N. gibbosus was 17,956 bp in length, with 37 genes, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs. The GC content of N. gibbosus was 39.43%. The genomic structure and gene arrangement were identical to those of Caridea species. The phylogenetic analysis of 13 protein-coding genes showed a close relationship to the genera Acanthephyra.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Dibranchus japonicus (Actinopterygii, Lophiiformes, Ogcocephalidae), from the West Pacific Ocean.

Dibranchus japonicus is a benthic fish living in the deep Pacific Ocean. Here, we described the complete mitochondrial genome of this species, with the sequences about 17,233 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, and two rRNAs. The gene arrangement of this species was identical with others from family Ogcocephalidae. The content of GC and AT for D. japonicus was 45.41% and 54.59%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 13 PCGs and two rRNA genes, revealed the close relationship between D. japonicus and other species of Ogcocephalidae, which was consistent with the morphology.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Oplophorus spinosus (Brullé, 1839) (Caridea, Oplophoridae).

We determined the complete mitochondrial genome of Oplophorus spinosus with a typical circular structure. The complete mitogenomes of O. spinosus was 17,346 bp in length, with 37 genes containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs, and a confirmed D-loop zone. The GC content of O. spinosus was 34.39%. The phylogenetic results showed that O. spinosus was most closed to O. typus, providing useful mitochondrial information for its further evolutionary and taxonomy study.

The effect of ocean acidification on the enzyme activity of Apostichopus japonicus.

The influence of ocean acidification (OA) is particularly significant on calcifying organisms. The sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus is an important cultured calcifying organism in the northern China seas. Little was known about the effects of OA on this economically important species. In this study, individuals from embryo to juveniles stage of A. japonicus, cultured in different levels of acidified seawater, were measured their enzymes activities, including five metabolic enzymes and three immune enzymes. The activity of acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was significantly lower in the severely acid group (pH 7.1), while the content of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was significantly higher. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly lower in the severely acid group. The multivariate statistical results showed that the significant difference of enzyme assemblage existed among three experimental groups. This study indicated that OA could reduce the biomineralization capacity, influence the anaerobic metabolism and severely affect the immune process of A. japonicas. More researches are needed in the future to reveal the mechanisms of enzyme regulation and expression of A. japonicas underlying mixture environmental stress.

Induction of cytostasis in mammary carcinoma cells treated with the anticancer agent perillyl alcohol.

The monoterpene perillyl alcohol (POH) has preventive and therapeutic effects in a wide variety of pre-clinical tumor models, including those for breast cancers, and is currently being tested in human phase I clinical trials. POH causes both cytostasis and apoptosis in rat mammary carcinomas. In vitro, POH inhibits cellular proliferation in a variety of mammalian cell lines. Here we investigated the mechanisms underlying cytostasis by studying the effects of POH on the cell cycle in vitro using the murine mammary transformed cell line TM6. In TM6 cells, POH causes an early G(1) cell-cycle block and slows the G(2)-M transition. An increase in pRB in its hypophosphorylated state is associated with the early G(1) block caused by POH. POH treatment inhibits two important targets in the cells during the G(1)-S transition: cyclin D1- and cyclin E-associated kinase. POH treatment leads to a reduction in cyclin D1 RNA and protein levels and prevents the formation of active cyclin D1-associated kinase complexes in synchronous cells during the exit of G(0) and entry into the cell cycle. In addition, POH treatment induces an increased association of p21(WAF1) with cyclin E-Cdk2 complexes, and inhibits the activating phosphorylation of Cdk2. All these effects of POH may contribute to the inhibition of the transition out of the G(1) phase of the cell cycle.