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1.
Protein Sci ; 33(3): e4927, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38380794

ABSTRACT

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and the solid aggregate (also referred to as amyloid aggregates) formation of proteins, have gained significant attention in recent years due to their associations with various physiological and pathological processes in living organisms. The systematic investigation of the differences and connections between proteins undergoing LLPS and those forming amyloid fibrils at the sequence level has not yet been explored. In this research, we aim to address this gap by comparing the two types of proteins across 36 features using collected data available currently. The statistical comparison results indicate that, 24 of the selected 36 features exhibit significant difference between the two protein groups. A LLPS-Fibrils binary classification model built on these 24 features using random forest reveals that the fraction of intrinsically disordered residues (FIDR ) is identified as the most crucial feature. While, in the further three-class LLPS-Fibrils-Background classification model built on the same screened features, the composition of cysteine and that of leucine show more significant contributions than others. Through feature ablation analysis, we finally constructed a model FLFB (Feature-based LLPS-Fibrils-Background protein predictor) using six refined features, with an average area under the receiver operating characteristics of 0.83. This work indicates using sequence features and a machine learning model, proteins undergoing LLPS or forming amyloid fibrils can be identified.


Subject(s)
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins , Phase Separation , Amyloid/chemistry , Machine Learning , Intrinsically Disordered Proteins/chemistry
2.
Front Genet ; 14: 1290492, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38028623

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Aroma is a key inherent quality attributes of pepper fruit, yet the underlying mechanisms of aroma compound biosynthesis remain unclear. Methods: In this study, the volatile profile of the QH (cultivated Capsicum chinense) and WH (cultivated Capsicum annuum) pepper varieties were putatively identified during fruit development using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results and discussion: The results identified 203 volatiles in pepper, and most of the esters, terpenes, aldehydes and alcohols were significantly down-regulated with fruit ripening. The comparison of volatile components between varieties revealed that aldehydes and alcohols were highly expressed in the WH fruit, while esters and terpenes with fruity or floral aroma were generally highly accumulated in the QH fruit, providing QH with a fruity odor. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated the close relationship between the synthesis of volatiles and the fatty acid and terpene metabolic pathways, and the high expression of the ADH, AAT and TPS genes was key in determining the accumulation of volatiles in pepper fruit. Furthermore, integrative metabolome and transcriptome analysis revealed that 208 differentially expressed genes were highly correlated with 114 volatiles, and the transcription factors of bHLH, MYB, ARF and IAA were identified as fundamental for the regulation of volatile synthesis in pepper fruit. Our results extend the understanding of the synthesis and accumulation of volatiles in pepper fruit.

3.
Brief Bioinform ; 24(4)2023 07 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37287138

ABSTRACT

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of proteins and nucleic acids underlies the formation of biomolecular condensates in cell. Dysregulation of protein LLPS is closely implicated in a range of intractable diseases. A variety of tools for predicting phase-separating proteins (PSPs) have been developed with the increasing experimental data accumulated and several related databases released. Comparing their performance directly can be challenging due to they were built on different algorithms and datasets. In this study, we evaluate eleven available PSPs predictors using negative testing datasets, including folded proteins, the human proteome, and non-PSPs under near physiological conditions, based on our recently updated LLPSDB v2.0 database. Our results show that the new generation predictors FuzDrop, DeePhase and PSPredictor perform better on folded proteins as a negative test set, while LLPhyScore outperforms other tools on the human proteome. However, none of the predictors could accurately identify experimentally verified non-PSPs. Furthermore, the correlation between predicted scores and experimentally measured saturation concentrations of protein A1-LCD and its mutants suggests that, these predictors could not consistently predict the protein LLPS propensity rationally. Further investigation with more diverse sequences for training, as well as considering features such as refined sequence pattern characterization that comprehensively reflects molecular physiochemical interactions, may improve the performance of PSPs prediction.


Subject(s)
Computational Biology , Proteins , Proteome , Humans , Proteins/chemistry
4.
Br J Cancer ; 128(11): 2054-2062, 2023 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36997661

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a challenging disease due to its intrinsic chemoresistance. Immunotherapy is an emerging treatment option but currently impeded by insufficient understanding of OCCC immunophenotypes and their molecular determinants. METHODS: Whole-genome sequencing on 23 pathologically confirmed patients was employed to depict the genomic profile of primary OCCCs. APOBEC3B expression and digital pathology-based Immunoscore were assessed by performing immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinical outcomes. RESULTS: An APOBEC-positive (APOBEC+) subtype was identified based on the characteristic mutational signature and prevalent kataegis events. APOBEC + OCCC displayed favourable prognosis across one internal and two external patient cohorts. The improved outcome was ascribable to increased lymphocytic infiltration. Similar phenomena of APOBEC3B expression and T-cell accumulation were observed in endometriotic tissues, suggesting that APOBEC-induced mutagenesis and immunogenicity could occur early during OCCC pathogenesis. Corroborating these results, a case report was presented for an APOBEC + patient demonstrating inflamed tumour microenvironment and clinical response to immune checkpoint blockade. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings implicate APOBEC3B as a novel mechanism of OCCC stratification with prognostic value and as a potential predictive biomarker that may inform immunotherapeutic opportunities.


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell , Carcinoma , Ovarian Neoplasms , Female , Humans , Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics , Prognosis , Mutation , T-Lymphocytes/pathology , Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell/genetics , Tumor Microenvironment , Cytidine Deaminase , Minor Histocompatibility Antigens
5.
Int J Biol Macromol ; 230: 123221, 2023 Mar 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36634798

ABSTRACT

The transcription factor p53 acted as a critical tumor suppressor by activating the expression of various target genes to regulate diverse cellular responses. The phosphorylation of p53 influenced the binding of p53 to promotor-specific DNA and the choice of cell fate. In this study, we found that full-length wild-type p53 and pol II CTD could form heterotypic phase separation condensates in vitro. The heterotypic condensates of p53 and pol II CTD were mediated by electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between pol II CTD and multiple domains of p53. The mobility of heterotypic p53 and pol II CTD droplets was significantly higher than that of p53 droplet. The phosphorylation promoted p53 to be recruited into pol II CTD droplets and transcription condensates. The specific DNA could further enhance the incorporation ability of p53 into functional condensates. Therefore, we proposed that the p53 droplet might be in a mediate state, the mutations resulting in p53 mutants with gain-of-function impelled the aggregate of p53, while the phosphorylation promoted p53 to be recruited into functional condensates as a client molecule to exert its function. This study might provide insights into the regulation mechanism that the phosphorylation and nuclei acid affected the phase behavior of p53.


Subject(s)
DNA , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 , Humans , Phosphorylation , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism , DNA/genetics , DNA/metabolism , RNA Polymerase II/chemistry , RNA Polymerase II/genetics , RNA Polymerase II/metabolism , Transcription Factors/genetics , Transcription, Genetic
6.
Hypertens Res ; 46(5): 1311-1325, 2023 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36690806

ABSTRACT

Our study aims to investigate the alterations and diagnostic efficiency of regional homogeneity (ReHo) and functional connectivity (FC) in hypertension patients with cognitive impairment. A total of 62 hypertension patients with cognitive impairment (HTN-CI), 59 hypertension patients with normal cognition (HTN-NC), and 58 healthy controls (HCs) with rs-fMRI data were enrolled in this study. Univariate analysis (based on whole-brain ReHo and seed-based FC maps) was performed to observe brain regions with significant differences among the three groups. Multiple voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) was applied to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy in classifying HTN-CI from HTN-NC and HCs. Compared with the HCs and HTN-NC, HTN-CI exhibited decreased ReHo in the right caudate, left postcentral gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, insula, while increased ReHo in the left superior occipital gyrus and superior parietal gyrus. HTN-CI showed increased FC between seed regions (left posterior cingulate gyrus, insula, postcentral gyrus) with many specific brain regions. MVPA analysis (based on whole-brain ReHo and seed-based FC maps) displayed high classification ability in distinguishing HTN-CI from HTN-NC and HCs. The ReHo values (right caudate) and the FC values (left postcentral gyrus seed to left posterior cingulate gyrus) were positively correlated with the MoCA scores in HTN-CI. HTN-CI was associated with decreased ReHo and increased FC mainly in the left posterior cingulate gyrus, postcentral gyrus, insula compared to HTN-NC and HC. Besides, MVPA analysis yields excellent diagnostic accuracy in classifying HTN-CI from HTN-NC and HCs. The findings may contribute to unveiling the underlying neuropathological mechanism of HTN-CI.


Subject(s)
Brain Mapping , Cognitive Dysfunction , Humans , Brain Mapping/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Cognitive Dysfunction/diagnostic imaging , Brain/diagnostic imaging
7.
Neuroradiology ; 65(2): 323-336, 2023 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36219250

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the alterations of topological organization of the whole brain functional networks in hypertension patients with cognitive impairment (HTN-CI) and characterize its relationship with cognitive scores. METHODS: Fifty-seven hypertension patients with cognitive impairment and 59 hypertension patients with normal cognition (HTN-NC), and 49 healthy controls (HCs) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Graph theoretical analysis was used to investigate the altered topological organization of the functional brain networks. The global topological properties and nodal metrics were compared among the three groups. Network-based statistic (NBS) analysis was used to determine the connected subnetwork. The relationships between network metrics and cognitive scores were also characterized. RESULTS: HTN-CI patients exhibited significantly decreased global efficiency, lambda, and increased shortest path length when compared with HCs. In addition, both HTN-CI and HTN-NC groups exhibited altered nodal degree centrality and nodal efficiency in the right precentral gyrus. The disruptions of global network metrics (lambda, Lp) and the nodal metrics (degree centrality and nodal efficiency) in the right precentral gyrus were positively correlated with the MoCA scores in HTN-CI. NBS analysis demonstrated that decreased subnetwork connectivity was present both in the HTN-CI and HTN-NC groups, which were mainly involved in the default mode network, frontoparietal network, and cingulo-opercular network. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the alterations of topographical organization and subnetwork connectivity of functional brain networks in HTN-CI. In addition, the global and nodal network properties were correlated with cognitive scores, which may provide useful insights for the understanding of neuropsychological mechanisms underlying HTN-CI.


Subject(s)
Cognitive Dysfunction , Hypertension , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Brain/diagnostic imaging , Cognitive Dysfunction/diagnostic imaging , Cognitive Dysfunction/complications , Brain Mapping , Hypertension/complications
8.
Neural Plast ; 2022: 8068988, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35419051

ABSTRACT

Rumination is a common symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD) and has been characterized as a vulnerability factor for the onset or recurrence of MDD. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying rumination and appropriate treatment strategies remain unclear. In the current study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the effects of body-mind relaxation meditation induction (BMRMI) intervention in MDD with rumination. To this aim, we have recruited 25 MDD and 24 healthy controls (HCs). Changes in functional connectivity (FC) of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) subregion and the scores of clinical measurements were examined using correlation analysis. At baseline, MDD showed stronger FC between the right dorsal ACC (dACC) and right superior frontal gyrus than did the HC group. Compared to baseline, the HC group showed a significantly enhanced FC between the right dACC and right superior frontal gyrus, and the MDD group demonstrated a significantly weaker FC between the left dACC and right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) after the intervention. Furthermore, the FC between the right dACC and right superior frontal gyrus was positively associated with rumination scores across all participants at baseline. The above results indicate that BMRMI may regulate self-referential processing and cognitive function through modulating FC of the dACC in MDD with rumination.


Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder, Major , Meditation , Depressive Disorder, Major/therapy , Gyrus Cinguli/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Rest
9.
Inorg Chem ; 61(11): 4555-4560, 2022 Mar 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35257588

ABSTRACT

Herein, by replacement of the linear terephthalate linker with the bending 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate (tdc2-) linker in the typical (3,9)-connected metal-organic framework, with a reduced 8-connected hydroxyl-centered trinuclear cluster, a new (3,8)-connected network, [Ni3(µ3-OH)(tdc)3(tpp)] [DZU-1; tpp = 2,4,6-tris(4-pyridyl)pyridine], was synthesized. The modified pore environment enables DZU-1 to selectively adsorb C2H2 over CO2 in an efficient manner.

10.
J Affect Disord ; 304: 133-141, 2022 05 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35219743

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent mood disorder, characterized by depressed mood, reduced capabilities to concentrate, impaired cognition, as well as a high risk of relapse. Unaffected siblings who have high risks for MDD development and yet without clinical symptoms may be helpful for understanding the neural mechanisms of MDD traits. METHODS: We investigated both regional fluctuation and inter-regional synchronization in 31 fully remitted MDD patients, 29 unaffected siblings and 43 age, gender, and educational level matched helathy controls (HCs) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). The 17-item HAMD and neurocognitive scales were performed. Fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and functional connectivity (FC) strength were investigated. RESULTS: Compared with healthy control group, patients with remitted MDD and unaffected siblings showed increased fALFF in the left dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) and increased FC between the left dmPFC and the right ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). In addition, a negative correlation was observed between the fALFF value in the left dmPFC and the speed of Trail Making Test in the remitted MDD patients. Higher vmPFC-dmPFC FC was positively correlated with Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) total correct, and negatively correlated with WCST random errors. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of clinical symptoms, individuals with remitted MDD and unaffected siblings showed increased fALFF in left dmPFC as well as the vmPFC-dmPFC connectivity. These results suggest a specific trait abnormality in the default mode network associated with vulnerability to MDD, which may have implications for developing effective therapies using this network as a target.


Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder, Major , Brain , Depression , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Prefrontal Cortex/diagnostic imaging , Recurrence
12.
BMJ Open ; 12(2): e050446, 2022 Feb 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35193903

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: After the first episode, patients with remitted major depressive disorder (MDD) have a 60% chance of experiencing a second episode. There are currently no accepted, effective methods to prevent the recurrence of MDD in remission. Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive, safe and economical approach based on the efficacy of VNS in improving clinical depression symptoms. This clinical trial will study the efficacy of taVNS in preventing MDD relapse and investigate the underlying mechanisms of this. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct a multicentre, randomised, patient-blinded and evaluators double-blinded trial. We will randomise 90 eligible participants with recurrent MDD in remission in a 1:1 ratio into a real or sham taVNS group. All participants will be given six biopsychosocial assessments: proinflammatory cytokines, serum monoamine neurotransmitters, cognition, affective neuropsychology, multimodal neuroimaging and endocrinology. After the baseline measurements, all participants will be given corresponding interference for 6 months and then complete a 1-year follow-up. The assessments will be performed three times: at baseline, post-treatment and at the end of 1-year follow-up (except for multimodal MRI scanning, which will be conducted at the first two assessments only). Change in 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores for MDD is the primary outcome parameter. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine on 18 January 2019 (2018BL-076). The trial results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR1900022618.


Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder, Major , Vagus Nerve Stimulation , Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Multicenter Studies as Topic , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Secondary Prevention , Treatment Outcome , Vagus Nerve Stimulation/methods
13.
BMC Bioinformatics ; 23(1): 72, 2022 Feb 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35168563

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of biomolecules in cell underpins the formation of membraneless organelles, which are the condensates of protein, nucleic acid, or both, and play critical roles in cellular function. Dysregulation of LLPS is implicated in a number of diseases. Although the LLPS of biomolecules has been investigated intensively in recent years, the knowledge of the prevalence and distribution of phase separation proteins (PSPs) is still lag behind. Development of computational methods to predict PSPs is therefore of great importance for comprehensive understanding of the biological function of LLPS. RESULTS: Based on the PSPs collected in LLPSDB, we developed a sequence-based prediction tool for LLPS proteins (PSPredictor), which is an attempt at general purpose of PSP prediction that does not depend on specific protein types. Our method combines the componential and sequential information during the protein embedding stage, and, adopts the machine learning algorithm for final predicting. The proposed method achieves a tenfold cross-validation accuracy of 94.71%, and outperforms previously reported PSPs prediction tools. For further applications, we built a user-friendly PSPredictor web server ( http://www.pkumdl.cn/PSPredictor ), which is accessible for prediction of potential PSPs. CONCLUSIONS: PSPredictor could identifie novel scaffold proteins for stress granules and predict PSPs candidates in the human genome for further study. For further applications, we built a user-friendly PSPredictor web server ( http://www.pkumdl.cn/PSPredictor ), which provides valuable information for potential PSPs recognition.


Subject(s)
Machine Learning , Proteins , Humans , Organelles
14.
Chem Rev ; 122(7): 7205-7235, 2022 04 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35196011

ABSTRACT

Crude oils are complex mixtures of organic molecules, of which asphaltenes are the heaviest component. Asphaltene precipitation and deposition have been recognized to be a significant problem in oil production, transmission, and processing facilities. These macromolecular aromatics are challenging to characterize due to their heterogeneity and complex molecular structure. Microfluidic devices are able to capture key characteristics of reservoir rocks and provide new insights into the transport, reactions, and chemical interactions governing fluids used in the oil and gas industry. Understanding the microscale phenomena has led to better design of macroscale processes used by the industry. One area that has seen significant growth is in the area of chemical analysis under flowing conditions. Microfluidics and microscale analysis have advanced the understanding of complex mixtures by providing in situ imaging that can be combined with other chemical characterization methods to give details of how oil, water, and added chemicals interface with pore-scale detail. This review article aims to showcase how microfluidic devices offer new physical, chemical, and dynamic information on the behavior of asphaltenes. Specifically, asphaltene deposition and related flow assurance problems, interfacial properties and rheology, and evaluation of remediation strategies studied in microchannels and microfluidic porous media are presented. Examples of successful applications that address key asphaltene-related problems highlight the advances of microscale systems as a tool for advancing the physicochemical characterization of complex fluids for the oil and gas industry.


Subject(s)
Microfluidic Analytical Techniques , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons , Complex Mixtures , Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/chemistry , Water/chemistry
15.
Bioinformatics ; 38(7): 2010-2014, 2022 03 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35025997

ABSTRACT

SUMMARY: Emerging evidences have suggested that liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of proteins plays a vital role both in a wide range of biological processes and in related diseases. Whether a protein undergoes phase separation not only is determined by the chemical and physical properties of biomolecule themselves, but also is regulated by environmental conditions such as temperature, ionic strength, pH, as well as volume excluded by other macromolecules. A web accessible database LLPSDB was developed recently by our group, in which all the proteins involved in LLPS in vitro as well as corresponding experimental conditions were curated comprehensively from published literatures. With the rapid increase of investigations in biomolecular LLPS and growing popularity of LLPSDB, we updated the database, and developed a new version LLPSDB v2.0. In comparison of the previously released version, more than double contents of data are curated, and a new class 'Ambiguous system' is added. In addition, the web interface is improved, such as that users can search the database by selecting option 'phase separation status' alone or combined with other options. We anticipate that this updated database will serve as a more comprehensive and helpful resource for users. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: LLPSDB v2.0 is freely available at: http://bio-comp.org.cn/llpsdbv2. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.


Subject(s)
Proteins , Proteins/chemistry , Databases, Factual
16.
J Hazard Mater ; 424(Pt B): 127289, 2022 02 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34879505

ABSTRACT

Carbon dots with long-wavelength emission (orange to red), high quantum yield (QY) and good biocompatibility are of great significance for biomedical applications, but achieving this is still a highly challenging task. In this work, multifunctional carbon dots with 54.4% orange emission (O-CDs) were prepared through one-pot solvothermal treatment of nileblueasulphate and citric acid as precursor for label-free recognition of morin and endogenous/exogenous hypochlorite (ClO-) and bioimaging in cellular and zebrafish. Morin can quench the luminescence of O-CDs by static quenching (SQ). The linear range is 5-125 µM and LOD is 0.84 µM. ClO- reduce the photoluminescence intensity of O-CDs via SQ. The linear range is 2.5-90 µM and LOD was 0.46 µM. In addition, The obtained O-CDs have successfully realized the monitoring of morin and endogenous/ exogenous ClO- in living cells and zebrafish owing to its superior biocompatibility, exceptional photostability and lower toxicity. This work opens up a novel opportunity for the development of long-wavelength emission multifunctional nanomaterial with high quantum yield based on CDs for biosensing, biolabeling and biomedical optical imaging.


Subject(s)
Quantum Dots , Animals , Carbon , Flavonoids , Fluorescent Dyes , Hypochlorous Acid , Zebrafish
17.
Front Cell Dev Biol ; 9: 781365, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34901025

ABSTRACT

GSDME is a newly recognized executor of cellular pyroptosis, and has been recently implicated in tumor growth and immunity. However, knowledge about the molecular regulators underlying GSDME abundance remains limited. Here, we performed integrative bioinformatics analyses and identified that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) gene signatures exhibited positive correlation with GSDME levels across human cancers. A causal role was supported by the observation that EMT dictated GSDME reversible upregulation in multiple experimental models. Mechanistically, transcriptional activation of GSDME was directly driven by core EMT-activating transcription factors ZEB1/2, which bound to the GSDME promoter region. Of functional importance, elevated GSDME in mesenchymally transdifferentiated derivatives underwent proteolytic cleavage upon antineoplastic drug exposure, leading to pyroptotic cell death and consequent cytokine release. Taken together, our findings pinpointed a key transcriptional machinery controlling GSDME expression and indicated potential therapeutic avenues to exploit GSDME-mediated inflammatory pyroptosis for the treatment of mesenchymal malignancies.

18.
J Med Chem ; 64(22): 16650-16674, 2021 11 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34781683

ABSTRACT

CARM1 is a protein arginine methyltransferase and acts as a transcriptional coactivator regulating multiple biological processes. Aberrant expression of CARM1 has been related to the progression of multiple types of cancers, and therefore CARM1 was considered as a promising drug target. In the present work, we report the structure-based discovery of a series of N1-(3-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzyl)ethane-1,2-diamines as potent CARM1 inhibitors, in which compound 43 displays high potency and selectivity. With the advantage of excellent tissue distribution, compound 43 demonstrated good in vivo efficacy for solid tumors. Furthermore, from the detailed immuno-oncology study with MC38 C57BL/6J xenograft model, we confirmed that this chemical probe 43 has profound effects in tumor immunity, which paves the way for future studies on the modulation of arginine post-translational modification that could be utilized in solid tumor treatment and cancer immunotherapy.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Drug Discovery , Guanylate Cyclase/antagonists & inhibitors , Immunotherapy/methods , Neoplasms/therapy , Animals , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/metabolism , Guanylate Cyclase/metabolism , Humans , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Neoplasms/immunology , Protein Processing, Post-Translational , Structure-Activity Relationship , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
19.
Genet Mol Biol ; 44(3): e20210030, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34555144

ABSTRACT

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a maternally inherited trait that derives from the inability to produce functional pollen in higher plants. CMS results from recombination of the mitochondrial genome. However, understanding of the molecular mechanism of CMS in pepper is limited. In this study, comparative transcriptomic analyses were performed using a near-isogenic CMS line 14A (CMS-14A) and a maintainer line 14B (ML-14B) as experimental materials. A total of 17,349 differentially expressed genes were detected between CMS-14A and ML-14B at the PMC meiosis stage. Among them, six unigenes associated with CMS and 108 unigenes involved in energy metabolism were identified. The gene orf165 was found in CMS-14A. When orf165 was introduced into ML-14B, almost 30% of transgenic plants were CMS. In addition, orf165 expression in transgenic CMS plants resulted in abnormal function of some genes involved in energy metabolism. When orf165 in transgenic CMS plant was silenced, the resulted orf165-silenced plant was male fertile and the expression patterns of some genes associated with energy metabolism were similar to ML-14B. Thus, we confirmed that orf165 influenced CMS in pepper.

20.
Front Plant Sci ; 12: 730489, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34512705

ABSTRACT

Pepper is a typical warmth-loving vegetable that lacks a cold acclimation mechanism and is sensitive to cold stress. Lysine acetylation plays an important role in diverse cellular processes, but limited knowledge is available regarding acetylation modifications in the resistance of pepper plants to cold stress. In this study, the proteome and acetylome of two pepper varieties with different levels of cold resistance were investigated by subjecting them to cold treatments of varying durations followed by recovery periods. In total, 6,213 proteins and 4,574 lysine acetylation sites were identified, and this resulted in the discovery of 3,008 differentially expressed proteins and 768 differentially expressed acetylated proteins. A total of 1,988 proteins were identified in both the proteome and acetylome, and the functional differences in these co-identified proteins were elucidated through GO enrichment. KEGG analysis showed that 397 identified acetylated proteins were involved in 93 different metabolic pathways. The dynamic changes in the acetylated proteins in photosynthesis and the "carbon fixation in the photosynthetic organisms" pathway in pepper under low-temperature stress were further analyzed. It was found that acetylation of the PsbO and PsbR proteins in photosystem II and the PsaN protein in photosystem I could regulate the response of pepper leaves to cold stress. The acetylation levels of key carbon assimilation enzymes, such as ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphoribulokinase, and triosephosphate isomerase decreased, leading to decreases in carbon assimilation capacity and photosynthetic efficiency, reducing the cold tolerance of pepper leaves. This study is the first to identify the acetylome in pepper, and it greatly expands the catalog of lysine acetylation substrates and sites in Solanaceae crops, providing new insights for posttranslational modification studies.

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