Risk prediction for dermatomyositis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To explore dermatomyositis signature genes as potential biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma and their associated molecular regulatory mechanisms. METHODS: Based on the mRNA-Seq data of dermatomyositis and hepatocellular carcinoma in public databases, five dermatomyositis signature genes were screened by LASSO regression analysis and support vector machine (SVM) algorithm, and their biological functions in dermatomyositis with hepatocellular carcinoma were investigated, and a nomogram risk prediction model for hepatocellular carcinoma was constructed and its predictive efficiency was initially evaluated. The immune profile in hepatocellular carcinoma was examined based on the CIBERSORT and ssGSEA algorithms, and the correlation between five dermatomyositis signature genes and tumor immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoints in hepatocellular carcinoma was investigated. RESULTS: The expression levels of five dermatomyositis signature genes were significantly altered in hepatocellular carcinoma and showed good diagnostic efficacy for hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting that they may be potential predictive targets for hepatocellular carcinoma, and the risk prediction model based on five dermatomyositis signature genes showed good risk prediction efficacy for hepatocellular carcinoma and has good potential for clinical application. In addition, we also found that the upregulation of SPP1 expression may activate the PI3K/ART signaling pathway through integrin-mediated activation, which in turn regulates the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSION: LY6E, IFITM1, GADD45A, MT1M, and SPP1 are potential predictive targets for new-onset hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with dermatomyositis, and the upregulation of SPP1 expression may activate the PI3K/ART signaling pathway through the mediation of integrins to promote the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Functional characterization of a rare pathogenic variant c.875G > A, p.(Cys292Tyr) in COMP.

BACKGROUND: The protein encoded by the cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) gene is a noncollagenous extracellular matrix (ECM) protein that is important for chondrocyte formation and growth. Variations in the COMP gene cause pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH), which is mainly characterized by short-limbed dwarfing in the clinic. AIMS: To characterize the function of a rare pathogenic variant in the COMP gene (c.875G > A, p.Cys292Tyr). MATERIALS & METHODS: We performed 3D structural analysis, in vitro expression analysis, and immunofluorescence to characterize the effects of the variant on protein structure, expression, and cellular localization respectively. RESULTS: Variation modeling showed that the interactions between amino acids were changed after the variation, and there were 31 changes in the secondary structure of mutant COMP (MT-COMP). Western blot showed that the intracellular quantity of MT-COMP was higher than the wild-type COMP (WT-COMP). Cellular immunofluorescence results showed that WT-COMP was less abundant and homogenously distributed in cells, while the MT-COMP accumulated in the cytoplasm. DISCUSSION: Herein, we report a variant of COMP in a Chinese family with PSACH. We have shown that the rare missense variant, COMP c.875G > A, previously reported in ClinVar and identified in our patient, results in excessive accumulation of mutant protein in the cytoplasm, and is therefore pathogenic. CONCLUSION: Through in silico and experimental analyses, we provide evidence that COMP c.875G > A is the likely cause of PSACH in a Chinese family.

[Analysis of C2ORF71 gene variant in a Chinese patient with retinitis pigmentosa].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese patient with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). METHODS: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to screen potential variant in the proband. Candidate variants were determined by taking consideration of clinical phenotype. Sanger sequencing was used to verify the variant in the proband and his parents. RESULTS: The proband was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of c.8G>A (p.Cys3Tyr) and c.958_959insA (p.Arg320Glnfs*29) in the C2ORF71 gene, which has derived from his father and mother, respectively. Both variants were unreported previously. Based on the ACMG guidelines, they were predicted to be likely pathogenic and pathogenic, respectively. CONCLUSION: The novel compound heterozygous variants of the C2ORF71 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of RP in the proband. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of C2ORF71 gene mutations and facilitated genetic counseling for the family.

Novel compound heterozygous DNAAF2 mutations cause primary ciliary dyskinesia in a Han Chinese family.

PURPOSE: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), which commonly causes male infertility, is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder. This study aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations and screen mutations associated with the dynein axonemal assembly factor 2 (DNAAF2) gene in a Han Chinese family with PCD. METHODS: A three-generation family with PCD was recruited in this study. Eight family members underwent comprehensive medical examinations. Genomic DNA was extracted from the participants' peripheral blood, and targeted next-generation sequencing technology was used to perform the mutation screening. The DNAAF2 expression was analyzed by immunostaining and Western blot. RESULTS: The proband exhibited the typical clinical features of PCD. Spermatozoa from the proband showed complete immotility but relatively high viability. Two novel compound heterozygous mutations in the DNAAF2 gene, c.C156A [p.Y52X] and c.C26A [p.S9X], were identified. Both nonsense mutations were detected in the proband, whereas the other unaffected family members carried either none or only one of the two mutations. The two nonsense heterozygous mutations were not detected in the 600 ethnically matched normal controls or in the Genome Aggregation Database. The defect of the DNAAF2 and the outer dynein arms and inner dynein arms were notably observed in the spermatozoa from the proband by immunostaining. CONCLUSION: This study identified two novel compound heterozygous mutations of DNAAF2 leading to male infertility as a result of PCD in a Han Chinese family. The findings may enhance the understanding of the pathogenesis of PCD and improve reproductive genetic counseling in China.

PIWIL1 suppresses circadian rhythms through GSK3ß-induced phosphorylation and degradation of CLOCK and BMAL1 in cancer cells.

Circadian rhythms are maintained by series of circadian clock proteins, and post-translation modifications of clock proteins significantly contribute to regulating circadian clock. However, the underlying upstream mechanism of circadian genes that are responsible for circadian rhythms in cancer cells remains unknown. PIWIL1 participates in many physiological processes and current discoveries have shown that PIWIL1 is involved in tumorigenesis in various cancers. Here we report that PIWIL1 can suppress circadian rhythms in cancer cells. Mechanistically, by promoting SRC interacting with PI3K, PIWIL1 can activate PI3K-AKT signalling pathway to phosphorylate and inactivate GSK3ß, repressing GSK3ß-induced phosphorylation and ubiquitination of CLOCK and BMAL1. Simultaneously, together with CLOCK/BMAL1 complex, PIWIL1 can bind with E-BOX region to suppress transcriptional activities of clock-controlled genes promoters. Collectively, our findings first demonstrate that PIWIL1 negatively regulates circadian rhythms via two pathways, providing molecular connection between dysfunction of circadian rhythms and tumorigenesis.

PIWIL2 stabilizes ß-catenin to promote cell cycle and proliferation in tumor cells.

PIWIL2 belongs to the PIWI protein subfamily and is widely expressed in a variety of tumors. Previous studies have shown that PIWIL2 has the characteristics of oncogene. Recently we reported that PIWIL2 suppresses GSK3ß activity to regulate circadian rhythms through SRC-PI3K-AKT pathway. As GSK3ß is a key part of the ß-catenin destruction complex, it plays a vital role in regulating the degradation of ß-catenin. Besides, the activated ß-catenin/CyclinD1 pathway is involved in the proliferation of tumor cells. It is intriguing to investigate whether PIWIL2 regulates ß-catenin and downstream pathway. In this study, we found that PIWIL2 suppressed GSK3ß induced phosphorylation and ubiquitination of ß-catenin, and thus increased ß-catenin accumulation in the nucleus. By up-regulating ß-catenin and CyclinD1, PIWIL2 can promote cell cycle and proliferation in tumor cells. Taken together, our results revealed a novel function of PIWIL2 in regulating ß-catenin/CyclinD1 pathway in tumor cells, providing a new perspective for PIWIL2 as an oncogene.

DNA demethylation facilitates the specific transcription of the mouse X-linked Tsga8 gene in round spermatids†.

Some X-linked genes necessary for spermiogenesis are specifically activated in the postmeiotic germ cells. However, the regulatory mechanism about this activation is not clearly understood. Here, we examined the potential mechanism controlling the transcriptional activation of the mouse testis specific gene A8 (Tsga8) gene in round spermatids. We observed that the Tsga8 expression was negatively correlated with the methylation level of the CpG sites in its core promoter. During spermatogenesis, the Tsga8 promoter was methylated in spermatogonia, and then demethylated in spermatocytes. The demethylation status of Tsga8 promoter was maintained through the postmeiotic germ cells, providing a potentially active chromatin for Tsga8 transcription. In vitro investigation showed that the E12 and Spz1 transcription factors can enhance the Tsga8 promoter activity by binding to the unmethylated E-box motif within the Tsga8 promoter. Additionally, the core Tsga8 promoter drove green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in the germ cells of Tsga8-GFP transgenic mice, and the GFP expression pattern was similar to that of endogenous Tsga8. Moreover, the DNA methylation profile of the Tsga8-promoter-driven transgene was consistent with that of the endogenous Tsga8 promoter, indicating the existence of a similar epigenetic modification for the Tsga8 promoter to ensure its spatiotemporal expression in vivo. Taken together, this study reports the details of a regulatory mechanism that includes DNA methylation and transcription factors to mediate the postmeiotic expression of an X-linked gene.

[Mutation analysis of a family affected with isolated proteinuria].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics and genetic features of a family affected with isolated proteinuria. METHODS: Clinical data of the family was collected. Mutations of 191 renal disease-related genes in the proband were screened with next generation sequencing (NGS). Sanger sequencing was used to verify suspected mutations in his family members and 100 healthy controls. The impact of the mutation was predicted with online software SIFT. Frequency of the mutation was searched in databases including 1000 Genomic Project, ESP and ExAC. RESULTS: NGS and Sanger sequencing showed that the proband harbored compound heterozygous mutations of ADCK4 gene including c.748C>G (p.Asp250His) and c.1041G>T (p.Cys347*), which were respectively inherited from his mother and father whom were both non-symptomatic. CONCLUSION: The proband may have ADCK4-associated glomerulopathy due to the compound heterozygous mutations of the ADCK4 gene.

Clock1a affects mesoderm development and primitive hematopoiesis by regulating Nodal-Smad3 signaling in the zebrafish embryo.

Circadian clock and Smad2/3/4-mediated Nodal signaling regulate multiple physiological and pathological processes. However, it remains unknown whether Clock directly cross-talks with Nodal signaling and how this would regulate embryonic development. Here we show that Clock1a coordinated mesoderm development and primitive hematopoiesis in zebrafish embryos by directly up-regulating Nodal-Smad3 signaling. We found that Clock1a is expressed both maternally and zygotically throughout early zebrafish development. We also noted that Clock1a alterations produce embryonic defects with shortened body length, lack of the ventral tail fin, or partial defect of the eyes. Clock1a regulates the expression of the mesodermal markers ntl, gsc, and eve1 and of the hematopoietic markers scl, lmo2, and fli1a Biochemical analyses revealed that Clock1a stimulates Nodal signaling by increasing expression of Smad2/3/4. Mechanistically, Clock1a activates the smad3a promoter via its E-box1 element (CAGATG). Taken together, these findings provide mechanistic insight into the role of Clock1a in the regulation of mesoderm development and primitive hematopoiesis via modulation of Nodal-Smad3 signaling and indicate that Smad3a is directly controlled by the circadian clock in zebrafish.

Association of interleukin-10 gene promoter polymorphisms with recurrent pregnancy loss: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: It has been reported single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IL-10 promoter might be associated with the susceptibility to recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Owing to the inconclusive results, we conducted a meta-analysis to systematically summarize and clarify the association between the IL-10 promoter SNPs and RPL risk. METHODS: A systematic search of studies on the association of the three SNPs with RPL was conducted in PubMed and Embase. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were used to pool the effect size. RESULT: Eleven case-control studies on rs1800896, seven studies on rs1800871, and eight studies on rs1800872 were included. A significant association was identified between IL-10 rs1800896 with RPL risk (G versus A: OR = 1.21, 95 % CI 1.09-1.35). No evidence of association was found between rs1800871 and RPL when restricted to those studies in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in controls (T versus C: OR = 1.25, 95 % CI 0.76-2.06). No statistical association was demonstrated between rs1800872 and RPL (C versus A: OR = 1.08, 95 % CI 0.83-1.42). CONCLUSIONS: IL-10 rs1800896 significantly increases the risk of RPL, while rs1800872 is not correlated with RPL risk. No significant association is demonstrated between rs1800871 and RPL risk but this requires further investigation.

Molecular Characteristics of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis on the Abdominal Skin of Females before Laparotomy.

Staphylococcus epidermidis, especially methicillin-resistant strains, may be the source of surgical site infections and may be a reservoir of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) for S. aureus. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) on the abdominal skin of females before laparotomy and determine the molecular characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of these isolates. MRSE was found in 54 of 157 isolates based on mecA gene detection, and there was no difference in icaA gene carriage rate between MRSE and methicillin-susceptible S. epidermidis (MSSE) isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were determined by broth microdilution antimicrobial susceptibility testing according to the latest CLSI manuals. All MRSE isolates had unfavorable antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. Twenty-three MRSE strains (42.6%) were multi-drug resistant. SCCmec typing and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing was performed. Thirty-nine (72.2%) had a single SCCmec type, whereas 1.9% had two types. Fourteen strains (25.9%) were non-typeable (NT). The most frequent MRSE genotype was SCCmec type IVa. High diversity with PFGE patterns was obtained for MRSE, and there were no isolates exhibiting identical pulsotype. The results confirm that methicillin-resistant strains are frequently present among S. epidermidis on the abdominal skin of females before laparotomy. Moreover, resistance profiles seem to have no association with the SCCmec types or PFGE types for most common antibiotics.

A significant effect of the TSPY1 copy number on spermatogenesis efficiency and the phenotypic expression of the gr/gr deletion.

AZFc deletions cause a significant phenotypic heterogeneity with respect to spermatogenesis; however, the reason for this is poorly understood. Recently, testis-specific protein Y-encoded 1 (TSPY1) copy number variation (CNV) was determined to be a potential genetic modifier of spermatogenesis. We performed a large-scale cohort study to investigate the effect of TSPY1 CNV on spermatogenesis and to elucidate the possible contribution of TSPY1 genetic variation to the phenotypic expression of AZFc deletions. Haplogrouping of the Y-chromosome and quantification of the TSPY1 copy number were performed in 2272 Han Chinese males with different spermatogenic statuses (704 males with the b2/b4 or gr/gr deletion and 1568 non-AZFc-deleted males). Our data revealed that the TSPY1 copy number distributions were significantly different among non-AZFc-deleted males with different spermatogenic phenotypes. Lower sperm production and an elevated risk of spermatogenic failure were observed in males with fewer than 21 TSPY1 copies and in those with more than 55 copies relative to men with 21-35 copies. Similar results were observed in males with the gr/gr deletion. These findings indicate that TSPY1 CNV affects an individual's susceptibility to spermatogenic failure by modulating the efficiency of spermatogenesis and strongly suggest that there is a significant quantity effect of the TSPY1 copy number on the phenotypic expression of the gr/gr deletion. To our knowledge, this CNV is the first independent genetic factor that has been clearly observed to influence the spermatogenic status of gr/gr deletion carriers. A combined genetic analysis of the TSPY1 copy number and the gr/gr deletion could inform the clinical counselling of infertile couples.

Genome-wide Loci linked to non-obstructive azoospermia susceptibility may be independent of reduced sperm production in males with normozoospermia.

Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a complex, multifactorial disease. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified eight NOA susceptibility loci at genome-wide significance of P < 5.0 × 10(-8) in Han Chinese from southeastern, northern, and central China. To better understand the role of the variants in conferring NOA risk, we selected four GWAS loci (HLA-DRA rs3129878, PRMT6 rs12097821, SOX5 rs10842262, and PEX10 rs2477686) that were reported before 2014 to investigate their association with NOA and their potential effects on sperm production in 1177 Han males from southwest China, including 545 patients with idiopathic NOA and 632 controls with normozoospermia. The results confirmed that the HLA-DRA rs3129878 was an NOA susceptibility locus in the present population. Along with our data, meta-analyses supported the association of the four GWAS-linked loci with NOA, whereas an additive effect of the four loci on NOA susceptibility was not found. Interestingly, the normozoospermic males with the risk genotypes of rs12097821 and rs3129878 + rs10842262 + rs12097821 were observed to have higher total sperm counts relative to non-risk genotypes, suggesting that the risk alleles of the genetic loci may not be via impairing spermatogenic ability to express susceptibility to NOA. These findings may advance our understanding of the role of the NOA susceptibility loci, although the results need to be confirmed in larger samples.

[Identification of proteins interacting with the circadian clock protein PER1 in tumors using bacterial two-hybrid system technique].

OBJECTIVE: To identify protein-protein interaction partners of PER1 (period circadian protein homolog 1), key component of the molecular oscillation system of the circadian rhythm in tumors using bacterial two-hybrid system technique. METHODS: Human cervical carcinoma cell Hela library was adopted. Recombinant bait plasmid pBT-PER1 and pTRG cDNA plasmid library were cotransformed into the two-hybrid system reporter strain cultured in a special selective medium. Target clones were screened. After isolating the positive clones, the target clones were sequenced and analyzed. RESULTS: Fourteen protein coding genes were identified, 4 of which were found to contain whole coding regions of genes, which included optic atrophy 3 protein (OPA3) associated with mitochondrial dynamics and homo sapiens cutA divalent cation tolerance homolog of E. coli (CUTA) associated with copper metabolism. There were also cellular events related proteins and proteins which are involved in biochemical reaction and signal transduction-related proteins. CONCLUSION: Identification of potential interacting proteins with PER1 in tumors may provide us new insights into the functions of the circadian clock protein PER1 during tumorigenesis.

Targeted disruption of the mouse testis-enriched gene Znf230 does not affect spermatogenesis or fertility.

The mouse testis-enriched Znf230 gene, which encodes a type of RING finger protein, is present primarily in the nuclei of spermatogonia, the acrosome and the tail of spermatozoa. To investigate the role of Znf230 in spermatogenesis, we generated Znf230-deficient mice by disrupting Znf230 exon-5 and exon-6 using homologous recombination. The homozygous Znf230-knockout (KO) mice did not exhibit Znf230 mRNA expression and Znf230 protein production. Znf230 KO mice exhibited no obvious impairment in body growth or fertility. Male Znf230 KO mice had integral reproductive systems and mature sperm that were regular in number and shape. The developmental stages of male germ cells of Znf230 KO mice were also normal. We further examined variations in the transcriptomes of testicular tissue between Znf230 KO and wild-type mice through microarray analysis. The results showed that the mRNA level of one unclassified transcript 4921513I08Rik was increased and that the mRNA levels of three other transcripts, i.e., 4930448A20Rik, 4931431B13Rik and potassium channel tetramerisation domain containing 14(Kctd14), were reduced more than two-fold in Znf230 KO mice compared with wild-type mice. Using our current examination techniques, these findings suggested that Znf230 deficiency in mice may not affect growth, fertility or spermatogenesis.

[Identification and functional analysis of a testis-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase gene Rnf148 in mouse].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the temporal and spatial features of mouse Rnf148 gene expression and the function of RING finger domain of Rnf148 protein. METHODS: The whole RNA was extracted from different tissues of adult mice, embryo in four developmental stages, and testes of postnatal mice respectively. RT-PCR and Northern blotting analysis were used to investigate the expression of Rnf148 gene in the above tissues. The in vitro expression vector for GST-Rnf148 fused protein was constructed, which encompassing the entire RING domain of Rnf148 protein. GST-Rnf148 fused protein was expressed in Escherichia coli. BL21(DE3) cells and purified with glutathione-sepharose 4B. In vitro ubiquitination assay was performed to analyze whether GST-Rnf148 fused protein possess the function of E3 ubiquitin ligase. RESULTS: The Mice Rnf148 mRNA expression was only observed in testis, and Northern blotting confirmed that there was only one 1.2 kb mRNA band present in mice testis. Rnf148 mRNA started to appear in the testis of day 21 mice, and then increased dramatically and reached to the highest level in day 25, and continued to express thereafter. GST-Rnf148 fused protein was induced and purified, in vitro ubiquitination reaction showed that the recombinant protein has E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. CONCLUSION: Rnf148 gene is specifically expressed in mice testis.

The HD-Zip I transcription factor MdHB-7 negatively regulates resistance to Glomerella leaf spot in apple.

Glomerella leaf spot (GLS), caused by Colletotrichum fructicola (Cf), has been one of the main fungal diseases afflicting apple-producing areas across the world for many years, and it has led to substantial reductions in apple output and quality. HD-Zip transcription factors have been identified in several species, and they are involved in the immune response of plants to various types of biotic stress. In this study, inoculation of MdHB-7 overexpressing (MdHB-7-OE) and interference (MdHB-7-RNAi) transgenic plants with Cf revealed that MdHB-7, which encodes an HD-Zip transcription factor, adversely affects GLS resistance. The SA content and the expression of SA pathway-related genes were lower in MdHB-7-OE plants than in 'GL-3' plants; the content of ABA and the expression of ABA biosynthesis genes were higher in MdHB-7-OE plants than in 'GL-3' plants. Further analysis indicated that the content of phenolics and chitinase and ß-1, 3 glucanase activities were lower and H2O2 accumulation was higher in MdHB-7-OE plants than in 'GL-3' plants. The opposite patterns were observed in MdHB-7-RNAi apple plants. Overall, our results indicate that MdHB-7 plays a negative role in regulating defense against GLS in apple, which is likely achieved by altering the content of SA, ABA, polyphenols, the activities of defense-related enzymes, and the content of H2O2.

An Improved Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) Algorithm for Intent Recognition of Transfemoral Amputees With Powered Knee Prosthesis.

To overcome the challenges posed by the complex structure and large parameter requirements of existing classification models, the authors propose an improved extreme learning machine (ELM) classifier for human locomotion intent recognition in this study, resulting in enhanced classification accuracy. The structure of the ELM algorithm is enhanced using the logistic regression (LR) algorithm, significantly reducing the number of hidden layer nodes. Hence, this algorithm can be adopted for real-time human locomotion intent recognition on portable devices with only 234 parameters to store. Additionally, a hybrid grey wolf optimization and slime mould algorithm (GWO-SMA) is proposed to optimize the hidden layer bias of the improved ELM classifier. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed model successfully recognizes nine daily motion modes including low-, mid-, and fast-speed level ground walking, ramp ascent/descent, sit/stand, and stair ascent/descent. Specifically, it achieves 96.75% accuracy with 5-fold cross-validation while maintaining a real-time prediction time of only 2 ms. These promising findings highlight the potential of onboard real-time recognition of continuous locomotion modes based on our model for the high-level control of powered knee prostheses.

Sulfated glyco-based hydrogels as self-healing, adhesive, and anti-inflammatory dressings for wound healing.

Hydrogels have emerged as a new type of wound dressing materials that involved in different stages of the healing processes. However, most of the existing wound dressings mainly offer a protective and moisturizing layer to prevent cross-infection, while the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties are frequently induced by extra addition of other bioactive molecules. Here, a novel type of sulfated glyco-functionalized hydrogels for wound dressing was prepared through the hybrid supramolecular co-assembly of carbohydrate segments (FG, FGS and FG3S), fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF), and diphenylalanine-dopamine (FFD). Implanting sulfated carbohydrates can mimic the structure of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), promoting cell proliferation and migration, along with anti-inflammatory effects. In situ polymerization of FFD introduced a secondary covalent network to the hydrogel, meanwhile, providing anti-oxidation and adhesion properties to wound surfaces. Furthermore, the dynamic supramolecular interactions within the hydrogels also confer self-healing capabilities to the wound dressing materials. In vivo experiments further demonstrated significantly accelerated healing rates with the multifunctional hydrogel FG3S-FFD, indicating high application potential.

MdWRKY71 promotes the susceptibility of apple to Glomerella leaf spot by controlling salicylic acid degradation.

Glomerella leaf spot (GLS), a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum fructicola, severely affects apple (Malus domestica) quality and yield. In this study, we found that the transcription factor MdWRKY71 was significantly induced by C. fructicola infection in the GLS-susceptible apple cultivar Royal Gala. The overexpression of MdWRKY71 in apple leaves resulted in increased susceptibility to C. fructicola, whereas RNA interference of MdWRKY71 in leaves showed the opposite phenotypes. These findings suggest that MdWRKY71 functions as a susceptibility factor for the apple-C. fructicola interaction. Furthermore, MdWRKY71 directly bound to the promoter of the salicylic acid (SA) degradation gene Downy Mildew Resistant 6 (DMR6)-Like Oxygenase 1 (DLO1) and promoted its expression, resulting in a reduced SA level. The sensitivity of 35S:MdWRKY71 leaves to C. fructicola can be effectively alleviated by knocking down MdDLO1 expression, confirming the critical role of MdWRKY71-mediated SA degradation via regulating MdDLO1 expression in GLS susceptibility. In summary, we identified a GLS susceptibility factor, MdWRKY71, that targets the apple SA degradation pathway to promote fungal infection.