The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Brachmia macroscopa (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) and Its Related Phylogenetic Analysis.

The sweet potato leaf folder, Brachmia macroscopa, is an important pest in China. The complete mitogenome, which consists of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and an A + T-rich region, was sequenced and found to be 15,394 bp in length (GeneBank no. KT354968). The gene order and orientation of the B. macroscopa mitogenome were similar to those of other sequenced lepidopteran species. All of the PCGs started with ATN as the canonical start codon except for cox1, which started with CGA. In regard to stop codons, most PCGs stopped at TAA except for cox2, which stopped at TA, and nad4, which stopped at a single T. Thirteen PCGs of the available species (33 taxa) were used to demonstrate phylogenetic relationships. The ditrysian cluster was supported as a monophyletic clade at high levels by using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. The apoditrysian group, covering the Gelechioidea, formed a monophyletic clade with a bootstrap value of 88% and a posterior probability of 1.00. The superfamily Gelechioidea was supported as a monophyletic lineage by a posterior probability of 1.00.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of tea tussock moth, Euproctis pseudoconspersa (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) and its phylogenetic implications.

In present work, we described the mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the tea tussock moth Euproctis pseudoconspersa (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). The complete mitogenome of E. pseudoconspersa is a circular genome 15,461 bp in size. It contains 37 genes and an A+T-rich region usually presented in lepidopteran mitogenomes, which genes share a lot of features with other known lepidopteran mitogenomes. Nucleotide composition of A+T in this mitogenome is 79.92%, and the AT skew is slightly positive. Both codon distribution and relative synonymous codon usage of the 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) are consistent with those published lepidopteran sequences. All tRNA genes have typical cloverleaf secondary structures, except for the tRNA(Ser(AGN)), in which the dihydrouridine (DHU) arm is simplified down to a loop. The A+T-rich region of E. pseudoconspersa mitogenome possess the motif 'ATAGA' and poly-T stretch as the formerly identified conserved elements of Lepidoptera mitogenomes. The phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed by using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods based on nucleotide sequences of 13 PCGs of 38 moths. The results were very consistent with the traditional relationships within Noctuoidea from morphological data, and showed that Lymantriidae is more closely related to Erebidae than to Noctuidae.

Characterization of the mitochondrial genome of the threatened alpine butterfly, Parnassius nomion (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).

The sequenced mitochondrial genome of the threatened alpine butterfly Parnassius nomion includes 13 protein-coding genes (ND1-6, COI-III, ATP6, ATP8, ND4, ND4L, CTYB), 2 ribosomal RNAs (12 S and 16 S), 22 transfer RNAs, which is 14,547 bp in length. Its gene order and orientation are identical to the common type found in most of other completely sequenced lepidopteran mitogenomes. All protein-coding genes are initiated by ATN codons, except for COI, which uses CGA as its start codon. Eleven PCGs use the standard TAA as their termination codon, and COI, COII use the incomplete termination codon T.

Characterization of the mitochondrial genome of the cabbage webworm, Hellula undalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

The sequenced mitochondrial genome of the cabbage webworm Hellula undalis includes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) (nad1-6, cox1-3, atp6, atp8, nad4L and cob), two ribosomal RNAs (12S and 16S) and 19 transfer RNAs, which is 14,678 bp in length. Its gene order and orientation are identical to the common types found in most of the other completely sequenced lepidopteran mitogenomes. Thirteen PCGs start with a typical ATN codon, while cox1 uses CGA as its start codon. Some PCGs use the standard TAA as their termination codon, while others use the incomplete termination codon T (cox1, cox2 and nad4).

Study on like-stem characteristics of tumor sphere cells in human gastric cancer line HGC-27.

Stem-like cancer cells are called cancer stem cells (CSCs) or tumor stem cells (TSCs). Methods for sorting CSCs are mainly based on the marker (CD133+/CD44+) or side population cells. However, CD133+/CD44+ cells or side population cells are very rare or even undetectable. In the present study, the tumor sphere of human gastric cancer (HGC) cell line HGC-27 was used for CSCs enrichment, and stem-like characteristics were verified by Hoechst 33342 staining technology, cell growth rate assays, sphere differentiation assay, clone formation, chemotherapy resistance study and tumor formation in an animal model. Our results demonstrated that the tumor sphere cells of HGC-27 cell line could be used to enrich CSCs, which may contribute to human gastric cancer stem cell biology research.

Testis-specific Fank1 gene in knockdown mice produces oligospermia via apoptosis.

Fank1 is exclusively expressed in the testis from the meiosis phase to the haploid phase of spermatogenesis. In this study, we examined the function of Fank1 by establishing a Fank1-knockdown transgenic mouse model. The apoptotic statuses of the testes of the transgenic mice were tested using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. The FANK1 consensus DNA-binding sequence was identified using cyclic amplification of sequence target (CAST) analysis. Differentially expressed genes were examined using microarray analysis. A reduction in sperm number and an increase in apoptotic spermatocytes were observed in Fank1-knockdown mice, and the apoptotic cells were found to be primarily spermatogonia and spermatocytes. The CAST results demonstrated that the consensus DNA-binding sequence was AAAAAG, in which the percentage occurrence of each base at each position ranged from 55 to 86%. This sequence was present in the promoter regions of 10 differentially expressed genes that were examined using microarray analysis. In total, 17 genes were differentially expressed with changes in their expression levels greater than twofold. The abnormal expression of Fank1 target genes that were regulated directly or indirectly by Fank1 reduced the number of sperm in the knockdown mice. Thus, FANK1 may play a pivotal role in spermatogenesis as a transcription factor.

Investigation of the mechanism involved in the As2O3-regulated decrease in MDR1 expression in leukemia cells.

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) inhibits the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in leukemia cells; however, the mechanism behind this inhibition is unclear. The present study aimed to explore the effect of As2O3 on the expression and regulation of P-gp in leukemia cells, and elucidate the mechanism of the reversal of drug resistance. In the present study, electrophoretic mobility shift assay results indicated that p65 binds to the NF-κB binding site of MDR1, specifically in K562/D cells. Expression of p65 and phosphorylated IκB was reduced, while the expression of IκB was increased in K562/D cells treated with As2O3. The activity of luciferase increased up to 9-fold with 40 ng/ml TNF-α, and it was suppressed by ~25% following treatment with 1 µM As2O3. These findings suggest that As2O3 reverses the P-gp-induced drug resistance of leukemia cells through the NF-κB pathway. As2O3 may inhibit the activity of phosphorylase to inhibit IκB phosphorylation, thereby inhibiting NF-κB activity and MDR1 gene expression, leading to reversal of drug resistance.