Genome-wide identification of the CYP82 gene family in cucumber and functional characterization of CsCYP82D102 in regulating resistance to powdery mildew.

The cytochrome P450 (CYP450) gene family plays a vital role in basic metabolism, hormone signaling, and enhances plant resistance to stress. Among them, the CYP82 gene family is primarily found in dicots, and they are typically activated in response to various specific environmental stresses. Nevertheless, their roles remain considerably obscure, particularly within the context of cucumber. In the present study, 12 CYP82 subfamily genes were identified in the cucumber genome. Bioinformatics analysis included gene structure, conserved motif, cis-acting promoter element, and so on. Subcellular localization predicted that all CYP82 genes were located in the endoplasmic reticulum. The results of cis element analysis showed that CYP82s may significantly affect the response to stress, hormones, and light exposure. Expression patterns of the CYP82 genes were characterized by mining available RNA-seq data followed by qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) analysis. Members of CYP82 genes display specific expression profiles in different tissues, and in response to PM and abiotic stresses in this study, the role of CsCYP82D102, a member of the CYP82 gene family, was investigated. The upregulation of CsCYP82D102 expression in response to powdery mildew (PM) infection and treatment with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) or salicylic acid (SA) was demonstrated. Further research found that transgenic cucumber plants overexpressing CsCYP82D102 display heightened resistance against PM. Wild-type (WT) leaves exhibited average lesion areas of approximately 29.7% at 7 dpi upon powdery mildew inoculation. In contrast, the two independent CsCYP82D102 overexpression lines (OE#1 and OE#3) displayed significantly reduced necrotic areas, with average lesion areas of approximately 13.4% and 5.7%. Additionally, this enhanced resistance is associated with elevated expression of genes related to the SA/MeJA signaling pathway in transgenic cucumber plants. This study provides a theoretical basis for further research on the biological functions of the P450 gene in cucumber plants.

QTL-seq analysis identified the genomic regions of plant height and days to heading in high-latitude rice.

Introduction: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most extensive crops in the world. China's Heilongjiang Province is the northernmost rice-growing region in the world. However, rice cultivars suitable for growth in low-latitude regions may not mature normally due to their distinct climate and short frost-free period. It is necessary to precisely determine the frost-free period for each region to make the best use of the rice growth stage so as to ensure the maturity and yield of different rice cultivars in Heilongjiang Province. The time span of the heading stage is a key parameter for evaluating the adaptability of a rice cultivar to a specific rice-growing region. Given the above facts, it is of high importance to study the associated genes and sites controlling days to heading (DH) and plant height (PH) of rice in Heilongjiang Province. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) combined with high-throughput sequencing can effectively exclude interferences from background genomic differences, making it suitable for analyzing the associated sites of complex agronomic traits in early generations. Methods: In this study, an F3 segregating population was obtained by crossing two main cultivars that are grown under different temperatures and day-light conditions in Heilongjiang. Two pools of extreme phenotypes were built for the DH and PH of the population. For SNP and InDel variants obtained from whole-genome resequencing in the pools, an association analysis was performed using the Euclidean distance (ED) algorithm and the SNP/InDel index algorithm. Results: The intersection of SNP and InDel regions associated with the phenotypes was considered to obtain the final associated sites. After excluding interferences from the cloned genes on chromosomes 2 and 7, a total length of 6.34 Mb on chromosomes 1, 3, and 10 and 3.16 Mb on chromosomes 1 and 10 were left associated with PH and DH, respectively. Then, we performed a gene annotation analysis for candidate genes in the remaining regions using multiple genome annotation databases. Our research provides basic data for subsequent gene mapping and cloning. Discussion: By mining more genetic loci associated with the days to heading and plant height of rice, we may provide abundant genetic resources for refined molecular breeding in Heilongjiang Province.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Baishanzu horned toad Boulenophrys baishanzuensis (Anura: Megophryidae).

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Boulenophrys baishanzuensis (Anura: Megophryidae) was sequenced by the Illumina platform. The assembled circular mitogenome of B. baishanzuensis had a total length of 17,040 bp, with a GC content of 41.25%. It consisted of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a D-loop region. The majority of the PCGs were encoded by the H-strand, while one PCG (nad6) and eight tRNA genes (tRNA-Gln, tRNA-Ala, tRNA-Asn, tRNA-Cys, tRNA-Tyr, tRNA-Ser2, tRNA-Glu, and tRNA-Pro) were encoded in the L-strand. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the newly sequenced species formed a clade with other Boulenophrys species, while the genus Boulenophrys itself formed a sister group with the genus Atympanophrys.

ALCAT1-mediated abnormal cardiolipin remodelling promotes mitochondrial injury in podocytes in diabetic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Cardiolipin (CL) plays a critical role in maintaining mitochondrial membrane integrity and overall mitochondrial homeostasis. Recent studies have suggested that mitochondrial damage resulting from abnormal cardiolipin remodelling is associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Acyl-coenzyme A:lyso-cardiolipin acyltransferase-1 (ALCAT1) was confirmed to be involved in the progression of Parkinson's disease, diet-induced obesity and other ageing-related diseases by regulating pathological cardiolipin remodelling. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to determine the role of ALCAT1-mediated CL remodelling in DKD and to explore the potential underlying mechanism. METHODS: In vivo study, the mitochondrial structure was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The colocalization of ALCAT1 and synaptopodin was evaluated by double immunolabelling. Western blotting (WB) was performed to assess ALCAT1 expression in glomeruli. Lipidomics analysis was conducted to evaluate the composition of reconstructed cardiolipins. In vitro study, the lipidomics, TEM and WB analyses were similar to those in vivo. Mitochondrial function was evaluated by measuring the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the production of ATP and ROS. RESULTS: Here, we showed that increased oxidized cardiolipin (ox-CL) and significant mitochondrial damage were accompanied by increased ALCAT1 expression in the glomeruli of patients with DKD. Similar results were found in db/db mouse kidneys and in cultured podocytes stimulated with high glucose (HG). ALCAT1 deficiency effectively prevented HG-induced ox-CL production and mitochondrial damage in podocytes. In contrast, ALCAT1 upregulation enhanced ox-CL levels and podocyte mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, treatment with the cardiolipin antioxidant SS-31 markedly inhibited mitochondrial dysfunction and cell injury, and SS-31 treatment partly reversed the damage mediated by ALCAT1 overexpression. We further found that ALCAT1 could mediate the key regulators of mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy through the AMPK pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our studies demonstrated that ALCAT1-mediated cardiolipin remodelling played a crucial role in DKD, which might provide new insights for DKD treatment. Video Abstract.

Overexpression of cucumber CYP82D47 enhances resistance to powdery mildew and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum.

Cytochrome P450s are a large family of protein-encoding genes in plant genomes, many of which have not yet been comprehensively characterized. Here, a novel P450 gene, CYP82D47, was isolated and functionally characterized from cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that CYP82D47 expression was triggered by salicylic acid (SA) and ethephon (ETH). Expression analysis revealed a correlation between CYP82D47 transcript levels and plant defense responses against powdery mildew (PM) and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum (Foc). Although no significant differences were observed in disease resistance between CYP82D47-RNAi and wild-type cucumber, overexpression (OE) of CYP82D47 enhanced PM and Foc resistance in cucumber. Furthermore, the expression levels of SA-related genes (PR1, PR2, PR4, and PR5) increased in CYP82D47-overexpressing plants 7 days post fungal inoculation. The levels of ETH-related genes (EIN3 and EBF2) were similarly upregulated. The observed enhanced resistance was associated with the upregulation of SA/ETH-signaling-dependent defense genes. These findings indicate the crucial role of CYP82D47 in pathogen defense in cucumber. CYP82D47-overexpressing cucumber plants exhibited heightened susceptibility to both diseases. The study results offer important insights that could aid in the development of disease-resistant cucumber cultivars and elucidate the molecular mechanisms associated with the functions of CYP82D47.

Ion homeostasis in diabetic kidney disease.

The complications of type 2 diabetes are a major global public health problem with high incidence and mortality, affecting almost all individuals with diabetes worldwide. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one such primary complication and has become a leading cause of end-stage renal disease in patients with diabetes. Progression from diabetes to DKD is a complex process typically involving multiple mechanisms. Recent remarkable clinical benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in diabetes and DKD highlight the critical impact of renal ion homeostasis on disease progression. This review comprehensively examines the impact of ion homeostasis on the transition from diabetes to DKD, outlining possible therapeutic interventions and addressing the ongoing challenges in this rapidly developing field.

Interplay of lipid metabolism and inflammation in podocyte injury.

Podocytes are critical for maintaining permselectivity of the glomerular filtration barrier, and podocyte injury is a major cause of proteinuria in various primary and secondary glomerulopathies. Lipid dysmetabolism and inflammatory activation are the distinctive hallmarks of podocyte injury. Lipid accumulation and lipotoxicity trigger cytoskeletal rearrangement, insulin resistance, mitochondrial oxidative stress, and inflammation. Subsequently, inflammation promotes the progression of glomerulosclerosis and renal fibrosis via multiple pathways. These data suggest that lipid dysmetabolism positively or negatively regulates inflammation during podocyte injury. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the understanding of lipid metabolism and inflammation, and highlight the potential association between lipid metabolism and podocyte inflammation.

Characterization and Comparison of the Two Mitochondrial Genomes in the Genus Rana.

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) possesses several invaluable attributes, including limited recombination, maternal inheritance, a fast evolutionary rate, compact size, and relatively conserved gene arrangement, all of which make it particularly useful for applications in phylogenetic reconstruction, population genetics, and evolutionary research. In this study, we aimed to determine the complete mitogenomes of two morphologically similar Rana species (Rana hanluica and Rana longicrus) using next-generation sequencing. The entire circular mitogenome was successfully identified, with a length of 19,395 bp for R. hanluica and 17,833 bp for R. longicrus. The mitogenomes of both species contained 37 genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and one control region; mitogenome size varied predominantly with the length of the control region. The two synonymous codon usages in 13 PCGs showed that T and A were used more frequently than G and C. The ratios of non-synonymous to synonymous substitutions of all 13 PCGs were <1 in the Rana species, indicating that the PCGs were under purifying selection. Finally, phylogenetic relationship analyses suggested that R. hanluica and R. longicrus were classified in the R. japonica group. Our study provides valuable reference material for the taxonomy of the genus Rana.

A deep domain adaptation framework with correlation alignment for EEG-based motor imagery classification.

It is impractical to collect sufficient and well-labeled EEG data in Brain-computer interface because of the time-consuming data acquisition and costly annotation. Conventional classification methods reusing EEG data from different subjects and time periods (across domains) significantly decrease the classification accuracy of motor imagery. In this paper, we propose a deep domain adaptation framework with correlation alignment (DDAF-CORAL) to solve the problem of distribution divergence for motor imagery classification across domains. Specifically, a two-stage framework is adopted to extract deep features for raw EEG data. The distribution divergence caused by subjected-related and time-related variations is further minimized by aligning the covariance of the source and target EEG feature distributions. Finally, the classification loss and adaptation loss are optimized simultaneously to achieve sufficient discriminative classification performance and low feature distribution divergence. Extensive experiments on three EEG datasets demonstrate that our proposed method can effectively reduce the distribution divergence between the source and target EEG data. The results show that our proposed method delivers outperformance (an average classification accuracy of 92.9% for within-session, an average kappa value of 0.761 for cross-session, and an average classification accuracy of 83.3% for cross-subject) in two-class classification tasks compared to other state-of-the-art methods.

PFKFB3 downregulation aggravates Angiotensin II-induced podocyte detachment.

Podocytes play a critical role in maintaining normal glomerular filtration, and podocyte loss from the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) initiates and worsens chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the exact mechanism underlying podocyte loss remains unclear. Fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) is a bifunctional enzyme that plays crucial roles in glycolysis, cell proliferation, cell survival, and cell adhesion. This study aimed to determine the role of PFKFB3 in angiotensin II (Ang II) kidney damage. We found that mice infused with Ang II developed glomerular podocyte detachment and impaired renal function accompanied by decreased PFKFB3 expression in vivo and in vitro. Inhibition of PFKFB3 with the PFKFB3 inhibitor 3PO further aggravated podocyte loss induced by Ang II. In contrast, activating PFKFB3 with the PFKFB3 agonist meclizine alleviated the podocyte loss induced by Ang II. Mechanistically, PFKFB3 knockdown likely aggravate Ang II-induced podocyte loss by suppressing talin1 phosphorylation and integrin beta1 subunit (ITGB1) activity. Conversely, PFKFB3 overexpression protected against Ang II-induced podocyte loss. These findings suggest that Ang II leads to a decrease in podocyte adhesion by suppressing PFKFB3 expression, and indicates a potential therapeutic target for podocyte injury in CKD.

STING deletion alleviates podocyte injury through suppressing inflammation by targeting NLRP3 in diabetic kidney disease.

An increasing number of studies have shown that immune inflammatory response plays a vital role in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-dependent inflammatory response is a key mechanism in the initiation and development of DKD. The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is an adaptor protein that can drive noninfectious inflammation and pyroptosis. However, the mechanism of STING regulating immune inflammation and the interaction with NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis in high glucose state still remains unclear. This study evaluated the potential role of STING in high glucose (HG)-induced podocyte inflammation response. STING expression was significantly increased in db/db mice, STZ-treated diabetic mice, and HG-treated podocytes. Podocyte-specific deletion of STING alleviated podocyte injury, renal dysfunction, and inflammation in STZ-induced diabetic mice. STING inhibitor (H151) administration ameliorated inflammation and improved renal function in db/db mice. STING deletion in podocytes attenuated the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and podocyte pyroptosis in STZ-induced diabetic mice. In vitro, modulated STING expression by STING siRNA alleviated pyroptosis and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in HG-treated podocytes. NLRP3 over-expression offset the beneficial effects of STING deletion. These results indicate that STING deletion suppresses podocyte inflammation response through suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and provide evidence that STING may be a potential target for podocyte injury in DKD.

Spatial Patterns of Species Diversity of Amphibians in a Nature Reserve in Eastern China.

Elevational gradients provide an excellent opportunity to assess biodiversity patterns and community structure. Previous studies mainly focus on higher elevations or are limited to small areas in mountainous regions. Little information can be found on amphibian biodiversity in middle- and low-elevational areas, hence our study was devoted to filling up the current gaps in these research areas. To understand the variability of biodiversity of amphibian species in the Fujian Junzifeng National Nature Reserve in eastern China, our study included taxonomic and phylogenetic components to describe the various patterns of regional and elevational distribution. The results showed that (1) most of the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity metrics were correlated; with regard to the surveyed area, Faith's phylogenetic diversity index (PD) and net relatedness index (NRI) were positively correlated with the Shannon-Wiener index (H'), Margalef index (DMG), and species richness (S), while negatively with the Pielou index; whereas for elevation, only the Pielou index was positively correlated with the nearest taxon index (NTI), but negatively with other indices; (2) taxonomic and phylogenetic diversities did not differ among the three survey locations but differed significantly along the elevational gradient; Simpson index, H', S, and DMG had a hump-shaped relationship with elevations, and PD decreased gradually with the increase in elevation, whereas NRI and NTI sharply increased at the elevation above 900 m; (3) the species range size and the corresponding midpoint of amphibians were affected by a strong phylogenetic signal, which supports the elevational Rapoport's rule upon removal of Pachytriton brevipes and Boulenophrys sanmingensis from the study.

OsBBX11 on qSTS4 links to salt tolerance at the seeding stage in Oryza sativa L. ssp. Japonica.

Rice has been reported to be highly sensitive to salt stress at the seedling stage. However, the lack of target genes that can be used for improving salt tolerance has resulted in several saline soils unsuitable for cultivation and planting. To characterize new salt-tolerant genes, we used 1,002 F2:3 populations derived from Teng-Xi144 and Long-Dao19 crosses as the phenotypic source to systematically characterize seedlings' survival days and ion concentration under salt stress. Utilizing QTL-seq resequencing technology and a high-density linkage map based on 4,326 SNP markers, we identified qSTS4 as a major QTL influencing seedling salt tolerance, which accounted for 33.14% of the phenotypic variation. Through functional annotation, variation detection and qRT-PCR analysis of genes within 46.9 Kb of qSTS4, it was revealed that there was one SNP in the promoter region of OsBBX11, which resulted in a significant response difference between the two parents to salt stress. Transgenic plants using knockout-based technology and demonstrated that Na+ and K+ in the roots of the functional-loss-type OsBBX11 were translocated largely to the leaves under 120 mmol/L NaCl compared with the wild-type, causing osbbx11 leaves to die after 12 days of salt stress due to an imbalance in osmotic pressure. In conclusion, this study identified OsBBX11 as a salt-tolerance gene, and one SNPs in the OsBBX11 promoter region can be used to identify its interacting transcription factors. This provides a theoretical basis for finding the molecular mechanism of OsBBX11 upstream and downstream regulation of salt tolerance and molecular design breeding in the future.

Reduction of anaerobic glycolysis contributes to angiotensin II-induced podocyte injury with foot process effacement.

Activation of the renin-angiotensin system is associated with podocyte injury and has been well demonstrated as a pivotal factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease. Podocyte energy metabolism is crucial for maintaining their physiological functions. However, whether renin-angiotensin system activation promotes chronic kidney disease progression by disturbing the energy metabolism of podocytes has not been elucidated. Angiotensin II, the main active molecule of the renin-angiotensin system, plays a crucial role in chronic kidney disease initiation and progression, but its impact on podocyte metabolism remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate a rapid decrease in the expression of pyruvate kinase M2, a key glycolytic enzyme, and reduced glycolytic flux in podocytes exposed to angiotensin II in vivo and in vitro. Podocyte-specific deletion of pyruvate kinase M2 in mice aggravated angiotensin II-induced glomerular and podocyte injury with foot process effacement and proteinuria. The inhibition of glycolysis was accompanied by adenosine triphosphate deficiency, cytoskeletal remodeling and podocyte apoptosis. Mechanistically, we found that angiotensin II-induced glycolysis impairment contributed to an insufficient energy supply to the foot process, leading to podocyte injury. Additionally, pyruvate kinase M2 expression was found to be reduced in podocytes from kidney biopsies of patients with hypertensive nephropathy and diabetic kidney disease. Thus, our findings suggest that glycolysis activation is a potential therapeutic strategy for podocyte injury.

Host defence peptide LEAP2 contributes to antimicrobial activity in a mustache toad (Leptobrachium liui).

BACKGROUND: The liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is essential in host immunity against harmful pathogens and is only known to act as an extracellular modulator to regulate embryonic development in amphibians. However, there is a dearth of information on the antimicrobial function of amphibian LEAP2. Hence, a LEAP2 homologue from Leptobrachium liui was identified, characterized, and chemically synthesized, and its antibacterial activities and mechanisms were determined. RESULTS: In this study, LEAP2 gene (Ll-LEAP2) cDNA was cloned and sequenced from the Chong'an Moustache Toad (Leptobrachium liui). The predicted amino acid sequence of Ll-LEAP2 comprises a signal peptide, a mature peptide, and a prodomain. From sequence analysis, it was revealed that Ll-LEAP2 belongs to the cluster of amphibian LEAP2 and displays high similarity to the Tropical Clawed Frog (Xenopus tropicalis)'s LEAP2. Our study revealed that LEAP2 protein was found in different tissues, with the highest concentration in the kidney and liver of L. liui; and Ll-LEAP2 mRNA transcripts were expressed in various tissues with the kidney having the highest mRNA expression level. As a result of Aeromonas hydrophila infection, Ll-LEAP2 underwent a noticeable up-regulation in the skin while it was down-regulated in the intestines. The chemically synthesized Ll-LEAP2 mature peptide was selective in its antimicrobial activity against several in vitro bacteria including both gram-positive and negative bacteria. Additionally, Ll-LEAP2 can kill specific bacteria by disrupting bacterial membrane and hydrolyzing bacterial gDNA. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first report on the antibacterial activity and mechanism of amphibian LEAP2. With more to uncover, the immunomodulatory functions and wound-healing activities of Ll-LEAP2 holds great potential for future research.

B­cell lymphoblastic lymphoma­associated renal damage: A case report and literature review.

Lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) is a highly malignant form of lymphoma with rapid progression and high mortality. According to the World Health Organization immunophenotype, it is classified into T-lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) and B-lymphoblastic lymphoma (B-LBL). B-LBL often involves lymph nodes and extranodal locations, such as the skin, bones, and soft tissues. However, renal damage as an initial symptom is very rare in B-LBL. The present study presented a rare case of renal involvement in a 30-year-old male patient with B-LBL presenting with acute renal failure with bilateral renal enlargement. Renal involvement is rare in B-LBL, and nephrologists should improve the understanding of this disease.

Antimicrobial peptide hepcidin contributes to restoration of the intestinal flora after Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Acrossocheilus fasciatus.

Hepcidin is a cysteine-rich antimicrobial peptide that serves an important role in the immunity system of fishes. It exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antitumor activities. However, the exact role of fish hepcidin in the regulation of the intestinal flora still remains a mystery. In our study, we sequenced and characterized hepcidin from the liver of Acrossocheilus fasciatus. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that A. fasciatus hepcidin and Gobiocypris rarus hepcidin were the most closely related, and both belonged to the fish HAMP1 cluster. Studies conducted on in vivo tissue distribution showed that the expression of hepcidin was highest in healthy A. fasciatus liver. Aeromonas hydrophila infection was confirmed by the increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes and bacterial loads in A. fasciatus tissues. After A. hydrophila infection, hepcidin expression significantly increased in the liver, spleen, and head kidney. In vitro antibacterial assays showed that hepcidin exhibits strong broad spectrum antibacterial activity. Furthermore, we examined the regulatory effect of hepcidin on the intestinal flora and found that A. fasciatus hepcidin restored the reduced diversity and compositional changes in intestinal flora caused by A. hydrophila infection. Our results suggest that hepcidin could regulate the intestinal flora in fishes; however, the underlying mechanisms need to be explored in greater detail.

Genome-wide identification and expression profiles analysis of the authentic response regulator gene family in licorice.

Introduction: As one of the traditional Chinese medicinal herbs that were most generally used, licorice attracts lots of interest due to its therapeutic potential. Authentic response regulators (ARRs) are key factors in cytokinin signal transduction and crucial for plant growth and stress response processes. Nevertheless, the characteristics and functions of the licorice ARR genes are still unknown. Results: In present study, a systematic genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the licorice ARR gene family were conducted and 51 ARR members were identified. Collinearity analysis revealed the significant roles of segmental duplications in the expansion of licorice ARR genes. The cis-acting elements associated with development, stress and phytohormone responses were identified, implying their pivotal roles in diverse regulatory processes. RNA-seq and qRT-PCR results suggested that A-type, but not B-type ARRs were induced by zeatin. Additionally, ARRs participated in diverse abiotic stresses and phytohormones responses. Yeast one-hybrid assay demonstrated that GuARR1, GuARR2, GuARR11, GuARR12, GuARR10-1, GuARR10-2 and GuARR14 were able to bind to the promoter of GuARR8-3, and GuARR1, GuARR12 bound to the GuARR8-1 promoter. GuARR1, GuARR2, GuARR11 and GuARR10-2 bound to the GuARR6-2 promoter as well as GuARR12 and GuARR10-2 bound to the GuARR6-1 promoter. Discussion: Collectively, these findings provide a basis for future ARR genes function investigations, shedding light on the potential medicinal properties and agricultural applications of licorice.

The Utility of Perirenal Fat in Determining the Risk of Onset and Progression of Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Background: Perirenal fat (PRF) has multiple effects on the kidney through its physical structure and adipocytokine-secreting ability. The present study explored the relationship between PRF thickness and the onset and progression of albuminuria in patients with diabetes. Methods: In the cross-sectional analysis, we screened 959 patients from 8764 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who met the inclusion criteria and measured their perirenal fat thickness (PFT) using color Doppler ultrasound. A group of laboratory indexes were included in the analysis models. In a longitudinal study, a total of 218 patients with a baseline UACR <30 mg/g were included in the follow-up study. Results: In a cross-sectional analysis, patients with diabetes and higher PFT presented with higher albuminuria. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that PFT was an independent risk factor for the degree of albuminuria in patients with T2DM (odds ratio = 4.186, 95%CI: 2.290-7.653, P < 0.001). In a longitudinal study, 218 albuminuria-free patients with T2DM at the baseline were followed up for a mean of 12.3 months. Based on the cutoff value from the ROC diagnostic test in the cross-sectional study, patients were divided into two groups: higher PFT (H-PFT) and lower PFT (L-PFT). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that H-PFT was associated with a higher incidence of albuminuria than L-PFT (log-rank test, χ2 = 4.522, P = 0.033). Cox regression analysis showed that PFT was a risk factor for the earlier onset of albuminuria (hazard ratio 2.83, 95% CI: 1.34-4.88, P < 0.001). Conclusions: PRF evaluated by color Doppler ultrasound is an easy and reliable tool for predicting the onset and progression of albuminuria in patients with T2DM.

Roles of Mitochondrial DNA Damage in Kidney Diseases: A New Biomarker.

The kidney is a mitochondria-rich organ, and kidney diseases are recognized as mitochondria-related pathologies. Intact mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) maintains normal mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial dysfunction caused by mtDNA damage, including impaired mtDNA replication, mtDNA mutation, mtDNA leakage, and mtDNA methylation, is involved in the progression of kidney diseases. Herein, we review the roles of mtDNA damage in different setting of kidney diseases, including acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In a variety of kidney diseases, mtDNA damage is closely associated with loss of kidney function. The level of mtDNA in peripheral serum and urine also reflects the status of kidney injury. Alleviating mtDNA damage can promote the recovery of mitochondrial function by exogenous drug treatment and thus reduce kidney injury. In short, we conclude that mtDNA damage may serve as a novel biomarker for assessing kidney injury in different causes of renal dysfunction, which provides a new theoretical basis for mtDNA-targeted intervention as a therapeutic option for kidney diseases.