Genome-wide identification and functional profile analysis of long non-coding RNAs in Avicennia marina.

Avicennia marina, known for its remarkable adaptability to the challenging coastal environment, including high salinity, tide, and anaerobic soils, holds pivotal functions in safeguarding the coastal ecosystem. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as significant players in various natural processes of plants such as development. However, lncRNAs in A. marina remain largely unknown and uncharacterized. Here, we employed the transcriptome datasets from multiple tissues, such as root, leaf, and seed, to detect and characterize the lncRNAs of A. marina. Analyzing synthetically, we finally identified 6333 lncRNAs in the A. marina. These lncRNAs exhibited distinct features compared to messenger RNAs, including larger exons, lower guanine-cytosine contents, lower expression levels, and higher tissue specificities. Moreover, we identified thousands of tissue-specific lncRNAs across the examined tissues and further found that these tissue-specific lncRNAs were significantly enriched in biological processes related to the major functions of their corresponding tissues. For instance, leaf-specific lncRNAs showed prominent enrichment in photosynthesis, oxidation-reduction processes, and light harvesting. By providing a comprehensive dataset and functional annotations for A. marina lncRNAs, this study offers a valuable overview of lncRNAs in A. marina and lays the fundamental foundation for further functional exploring of them.

Cytotoxic steroids from the stems of Strophanthus divaricatus.

Phytochemical investigation on the stems of Strophanthus divaricatus led to the isolation of four undescribed cardiac glycosides and one undescribed C21 pregnane, together with eleven known steroids. Their structures were elucidated by a comprehensive analysis of HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra. The absolute configuration of 16 was determined by comparison of the experimental and computed ECD spectra. Compounds 1-13 and 15 displayed potent to significant cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines K562, SGC-7901, A549 and HeLa with IC50 values of 0.02-16.08, 0.04-23.13, 0.06-22.31 and 0.06-15.13 µM, respectively.

Protective multi­target effects of DL­3­n­butylphthalide combined with 3­methyl­1­phenyl­2­pyrazolin­5­one in mice with ischemic stroke.

DL­3­n­butylphthalide (NBP) and 3­methyl­1- phenyl­2­pyrazolin­5­one (edaravone) are acknowledged neuroprotective agents that protect against ischemic stroke. However, the underlying mechanisms of a combination therapy with NBP and edaravone have not yet been fully clarified. The aim of the present study was to explore whether the co­administration of NBP and edaravone had multi­target protective effects on the neurovascular unit (NVU) of mice affected by ischemic stroke. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the following three groups: i) Sham operation control, ii) middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion, iii) and MCAO/reperfusion with the co­administration of NBP (40 mg/kg) and edaravone (6 mg/kg) delivered via intraperitoneal injection at 0 and 4 h after reperfusion (NBP + edaravone). After ischemia and reperfusion, infarct volumes and neurological deficits were evaluated. The immunoreactivity of the NVU, comprising neurons, endothelial cells and astrocytes, was determined using immunofluorescence staining of neuronal nuclei (NeuN), platelet and endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (CD31) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis­related proteins. The infarct volume, neurological function scores and cell damage were increased in the MCAO group compared with the sham operation group. Furthermore, the MCAO mice had reduced NeuN and CD31 expression and increased GFAP expression compared with the sham group. By contrast, the NBP + edaravone group exhibited reduced cell damage and consequently lower infarct volume and neurological deficit scores compared with the MCAO group. The NBP + edaravone group exhibited increased NeuN and CD31 expression and decreased GFAP expression compared with the MCAO group. Furthermore, the expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase­3 in the NBP + edaravone group were decreased significantly compared with the MCAO group, while the expression levels of Bcl­2 and mitochondrial cytochrome c were increased. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that NBP and edaravone effectively prevented ischemic stroke damage with multi­target protective effects. In addition, NBP + edaravone may be a promising combination therapy for ischemic stroke.

Genetic Diversity of Shanlan Upland Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Association Analysis of SSR Markers Linked to Agronomic Traits.

Shanlan upland rice, a kind of unique rice germplasm in Hainan Island, was used to evaluate genetic diversity and association between SSR markers and agronomic traits. A total of 239 alleles were detected in 57 Hainan upland rice varieties using 35 SSR markers, and the number of alleles per locus was 2-19. The observed heterozygosity was 0.0655-0.3115. The Shannon diversity index was 0.1352-0.4827. The genetic similarity coefficient was 0.6736-0.9707, and 46 varieties were clustered into one group, indicating that the genetic base of the Shanlan upland rice germplasm was narrow. A total of 25 SSR markers significantly related to plant height, effective panicle number per plant, panicle length, total grain number, filled grain number, seed rating rate, and 1000-grain weight were obtained (P < 0.01), with the percentage of the total variations explained ranging from 0.12% to 42.62%. RM208 explained 42.62% of the total variations in plant height of Shanlan upland rice. RM493 was significantly associated with 6 agronomic traits. We can speculate that RM208 may flank QTLs responsible for plant height and RM493 may flank QTLs playing a fundamental role in the intertwined regulatory network of agronomic traits of Shanlan upland rice.

The role of plant-specific VQ motif-containing proteins: An ever-thickening plot.

VQ proteins are a class of plant-specific proteins containing the conserved motif FxxhVQxhTG（h denotes hydrophobic residues and x represents any amino acid）and are named VQ for the V and Q residues. By analyzing the structure of VQ members it was found that most VQ genes do not contain introns and the number of encoded amino acids is less than 300 aa. A majority of VQ proteins are located in the nucleus. Accumulated evidence has highlighted the importance of VQ proteins mainly participating in signal pathways through interacting with partners (eg. WRKYs and MAPKs) to regulate plant growth and development and respond to biotic and abiotic stresses. This review primarily focuses on the structure of VQ members in plant kingdom and the biological function and the mechanism of VQ protein action, and discusses recent advances in understanding the pivotal role of VQ-motif, which provides a solid foundation for further exploration on VQ proteins.

GPR30 Activation Contributes to the Puerarin-Mediated Neuroprotection in MPP+-Induced SH-SY5Y Cell Death.

The neuroprotective action of puerarin in Parkinson's disease (PD) models has been well investigated. However, the mechanisms involved in protection have not been completely understood. G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) is a G protein-coupled estrogen receptor and considered a potential target in the neuroprotection against PD. In this study, we investigated whether puerarin prevented against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-induced cell death via GPR30. Our results showed that the GPR30 agonist, G1, exhibited puerarin-mediated neuroprotection against MPP+-induced cell death of SH-SY5Y cells. This protective action was reversed by the GPR30 antagonist. Moreover, a time- and concentration-dependent effect of puerarin on GPR30 expression was verified at the protein level but not at the mRNA level. Further, we showed that an mTor-dependent new GPR30 synthesis contributed to the protection conferred by puerarin. Finally, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) levels were enhanced by puerarin and G1 in both control and MPP+-lesioned cells via GPR30. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that puerarin prevents MPP+-induced cell death via facilitating GPR30 expression and GDNF release.

A meta-analysis of the association of G915C, G800A, C509T gene polymorphism of transforming growth factor-ß1 with diabetic nephropathy risk.

This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the association of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) G915C, G800A, C509T gene polymorphism with the risk of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The association literatures were identified from PubMed, Cochrane Library, and CBM-disc (China Biological Medicine Database) on March 1, 2013, and eligible reports were recruited and synthesized. Seven reports were recruited into this meta-analysis for the association of TGF-ß1 G800A, C509T, G915C gene polymorphism with DN risk. GG genotype, CC genotype, and C allele of TGF-ß1 G915C were not associated with the DN risk (GG: OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.62-1.14, p = 0.27; CC: OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.50-2.22, p = 0.90; C allele: OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.88-1.51, p = 0.29). Furthermore, TGF-ß1 G800A, C509T gene polymorphism was not associated with the DN risk. In conclusion, TGF-ß1 G915C, G800A, and C509T gene polymorphism are not associated with the DN risk. However, more studies should be performed to confirm this relationship in the future.

[Protective effects of puerarin against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced mitochondrial apoptotic death in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells].

It is well known that puerarin possesses protective activity on neurodegenerative diseases. However, the exact path way involved in the protective effect of puerarin on MPP+ -induced cell death is unclear. In this study, we focused on mitochondria im pairment in the apoptotic process of MPP+ -elicited SH-SY5Y cells and detected the protection of puerarin. As evidenced by Trypan blue assay, the cell viability was significantly decreased by 1 mmol x L(-1) MPP+, but reversed by different concentrations puerarin pre treatment. Flow cytometer analysis revealed that MPP+ -induced SH-SY5Y cells apoptosis and arrested the cells in G2/M phase, where as puerarin pretreatment concentration dependently reversed the apoptosis ratio. In addition to the apoptosis ratio, 50.0 micromol x L(-1) puerarin pretreatment even altered the MPP+ -induced G2/M phase arrest. JC-1 assay suggested that MPP+ significantly opened MMP of the SH-SYSY cells; pretreatment with puerarin attenuated the deterioration of the MMP. Both ELISA and Western blotting showed that puerarin prevented the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondrial interior to the cystol elicited by MPP+. DNA ladder showed that typical DNA ladder was present in the MPP+ -induced SH-SY5Y cells. Additionally, MPP+ enhanced caspase-9 and caspase-3 ac tivity, respectively, while not caspase-8. However,the enhancement was concentration dependently blocked by puerarin pretreatment. Taken together, puerarin can modulate mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibit the cytochrome c releasing-caspase cascade to pre vent MPP+ -induced cell injury.