Melatonin Rescues Influenza A Virus-Induced Cellular Energy Exhaustion via OMA1-OPA1-S in Acute Exacerbation of COPD.

Although rapid progression and a poor prognosis in influenza A virus (IAV) infection-induced acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are frequently associated with metabolic energy disorders, the underlying mechanisms and rescue strategies remain unknown. We herein demonstrated that the level of resting energy expenditure increased significantly in IAV-induced AECOPD patients and that cellular energy exhaustion emerged earlier and more significantly in IAV-infected primary COPD bronchial epithelial (pDHBE) cells. The differentially expressed genes were enriched in the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway; additionally, we consistently uncovered much earlier ATP exhaustion, more severe mitochondrial structural destruction and dysfunction, and OXPHOS impairment in IAV-inoculated pDHBE cells, and these changes were rescued by melatonin. The level of OMA1-dependent cleavage of OPA1 in the mitochondrial inner membrane and the shift in energy metabolism from OXPHOS to glycolysis were significantly increased in IAV-infected pDHBE cells; however, these changes were rescued by OMA1-siRNA or melatonin further treatment. Collectively, our data revealed that melatonin rescued IAV-induced cellular energy exhaustion via OMA1-OPA1-S to improve the clinical prognosis in COPD. This treatment may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for patients in which AECOPD is induced by IAV.

[Review and prospect of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of trauma based on bibliometrics].

This study aims to summarize the research hotspots and trends in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) treatment of trauma and provide suggestions for collaborative research on the treatment of trauma with integrated Chinese and western medicine. The re-levant research articles on TCM treatment of trauma were searched against CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, Web of Science, and PubMed from inception to December 31, 2022 and analyzed using bibliometric. After screening, 315 articles in Chinese and 34 articles in English were included. The articles were mainly published by TCM journals. The core author groups were absent. The author affiliations were dominated by medical institutions and supplemented by universities, research institutions, and government agencies. The research mainly focused on the clinical practice and trials of TCM in trauma treatment. Although the TCM treatment of trauma emerged early, it is still in the initial stage of development. The future research can focus on innovating the service model of trauma treatment, improving clinical research capability, improving medical quality management, and strengthening the TCM talent teams in comprehensive hospitals. Western medicine is precise and effective in the treatment of trauma, while TCM with unique treatment methods and effects can play a complementary role. Therefore, the trauma treatment with integrated Chinese and western medicine demonstrates a promising prospect.

Structural insights into the substrate binding sites of O-carbamoyltransferase VtdB from Streptomyces sp. NO1W98.

The O-carbamoyltransferase VtdB catalyzes the carbamoylation of venturicidin B, which is essential for the biosynthesis of the antibiotic venturicidin A. Here, the crystal structures of VtdB and VtdB in complex with the intermediate carbamoyladenylate (VtdBCAO) were determined at resolutions of 2.99 Å and 2.90 Å, respectively. The structures resemble the conserved YrdC-like and specific Kae1-like domains. A magnesium ion and the intermediate carbamoyladenylate were also observed in the Kae1-like domain of VtdB. The structure of VtdBCAO in complex with the substrate venturicidin B was modeled by a molecular docking method to better understand the substrate binding mode, revealing a novel venturicidin B binding pocket.

Exosome-derived circKIF20B suppresses gefitinib resistance and cell proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The gefitinib resistance mechanism in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear, albeit exosomal circular RNA (circRNA) is known to possibly play a vital role in it. METHODS: We employed high-throughput sequencing techniques to detect the expressions of exosomal circRNA both in gefitinib-resistant and gefitinib-sensitive cells in this study. The circKIF20B expression was determined in serum exosomes and tissues of patients by qRT-PCR. The structure, stability, and intracellular localization of circKIF20B were verified by Sanger sequencing, Ribonuclease R (RNase R)/actinomycin D (ACTD) treatments, and Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The functions of circKIF20B were investigated by 5-Ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine (EdU), flow cytometry, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), oxygen consumption rate (OCR), and xenograft model. Co-culture experiments were performed to explore the potential ability of exosomal circKIF20B in treating gefitinib resistance. The downstream targets of circKIF20B were determined by luciferase assay, RNA pulldown, and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP). RESULTS: We found that circKIF20B was poorly expressed in the serum exosomes of gefitinib-resistant patients (n = 24) and the tumor tissues of patients with NSCLC (n = 85). CircKIF20B was negatively correlated with tumor size and tumor stage. Decreasing circKIF20B was found to promote gefitinib resistance by accelerating the cell cycle, inhibiting apoptosis, and enhancing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), whereas increasing circKIF20B was found to restore gefitinib sensitivity. Mechanistically, circKIF20B is bound to miR-615-3p for regulating the MEF2A and then altering the cell cycle, apoptosis, and mitochondrial OXPHOS. Overexpressing circKIF20B parental cells can restore sensitivity to gefitinib in the recipient cells by upregulating the exosomal circKIF20B expression. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a novel mechanism of circKIF20B/miR-615-3p/MEF2A signaling axis involving progression of gefitinib resistance in NSCLC. Exosomal circKIF20B is expected to be an easily accessible and alternative liquid biopsy candidate and potential therapeutic target in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC. The schematic diagram of mechanism in this study. Exosomal circKIF20B inhibits gefitinib resistance and cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle, promoting apoptosis, and reducing OXPHOS via circKIF20B/miR-615-3p/MEF2A axis in NSCLC.

Shading-Dependent Greening Process of the Leaves in the Light-Sensitive Albino Tea Plant 'Huangjinya': Possible Involvement of the Light-Harvesting Complex II Subunit of Photosystem II in the Phenotypic Characteristic.

The light-sensitive albino tea plant can produce pale-yellow shoots with high levels of amino acids which are suitable to process high-quality tea. In order to understand the mechanism of the albino phenotype formation, the changes in the physio-chemical characteristics, chloroplast ultrastructure, chlorophyll-binding proteins, and the relevant gene expression were comprehensively investigated in the leaves of the light-sensitive albino cultivar 'Huangjinya' ('HJY') during short-term shading treatment. In the content of photosynthetic pigments, the ultrastructure of the chloroplast, and parameters of the photosynthesis in the leaves of 'HJY' could be gradually normalized along with the extension of the shading time, resulting in the leaf color transformed from pale yellow to green. BN-PAGE and SDS-PAGE revealed that function restoration of the photosynthetic apparatus was attributed to the proper formation of the pigment-protein complexes on the thylakoid membrane that benefited from the increased levels of the LHCII subunits in the shaded leaves of 'HJY', indicating the low level of LHCII subunits, especially the lack of the Lhcb1 might be responsible for the albino phenotype of the 'HJY' under natural light condition. The deficiency of the Lhcb1 was mainly subject to the strongly suppressed expression of the Lhcb1.x which might be modulated by the chloroplast retrograde signaling pathway GUN1 (GENOMES UNCOUPLED 1)-PTM (PHD type transcription factor with transmembrane domains)-ABI4 (ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 4).

Identifying and Validating a Novel miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network Associated with Prognosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Objective Many studies have revealed the crucial roles of miRNA in multiple human cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In this study, we sought to explore new miRNA-mRNA pairs that are associated with LUAD prognosis. Methods A novel miRNA-mRNA regulatory network associated with prognosis in LUAD was identified and validated using the bioinformatic tools including OncomiR database, StarBase, miRnet, GEPIA2, UALCAN. Results Twenty key miRNAs were compiled after the analysis of the expression and prognostic value in OncomiR and StarBase. Targeted mRNAs of these key miRNAs were predicted in miRnet, and the resulting mRNAs were also analyzed for their prognostic values and expression patterns in GEPIA2 and UALCAN, respectively. Further expression correlation analysis was performed in StarBase. Subsequently, a new miRNA-mRNA network was built, of which each RNA pair showed negative expression correlation, opposite expression pattern, and prognostic value. Protein-protein interaction network was under construction for the mRNAs, and 19 hub genes were determined. Enrichment analysis showed that "Cell Cycle, Mitotic" was the most significantly enriched term. Then, a miRNA-hub gene sub-network was built. We selected and validated the regulatory relationship of some miRNA-hub pairs, including hsa-miR-1976/RFC2, hsa-let-7c-5p/RFC2, hsa-let-7c-5p/ESPL1, hsa-let-7c-5p/CDC25A, and hsa-miR-101-3p/KIF2C. Moreover, over-expression of hsa-miR-1976 and hsa-let-7c-5p resulted in significant cell cycle arrest. Conclusions Our results determined new prognosis-associated miRNA-mRNA pairs and might shed further light on the mechanism via which miRNA-mRNA network influences prognosis in LUAD.

[Value of three-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging in evaluating left ventricular systolic function and its correlation with peripheral arterial elasticity in children with simple obesity: a prospective study]. / ä¸‰ç»´æ–‘ç‚¹è¿½è¸ªæˆåƒæŠ€æœ¯å¯¹å•çº¯æ€§è‚¥èƒ–å„¿ç«¥å·¦å¿ƒå®¤æ”¶ç¼©åŠŸèƒ½çš„è¯„ä»·åŠå ¶ä¸Žå¤–å‘¨åŠ¨è„‰å¼¹æ€§ç›¸å ³æ€§çš„å‰çž»æ€§ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To study the application of three-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging in evaluating left ventricular systolic function and its correlation with peripheral arterial elasticity in children with simple obesity. METHODS: Random sampling combined with convenience sampling was used to obtain research samples, and then the samples were divided into an obesity group (23 cases), an overweight group (21 cases), and a normal group (24 cases). Three-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging was used to measure the global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), and global circumferential strain (GCS) of the left ventricle. An automatic arteriosclerosis tester was used to measure ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). These parameters were compared among the three groups. The correlation of three-dimensional speckle-tracking parameters with ABI and baPWV was evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in GLS, GRS, and GCS between the obesity and normal groups (P>0.05). The overweight group had a significantly higher GLS than the normal group [(-24±7) vs (-19±12), P<0.05]. The obesity and overweight groups had a significantly lower ABI than the normal group [(1.00±0.09)/(1.09±0.13) vs (2.25±0.13), P<0.05). The obesity group had a significantly higher baPWV than the normal group [(978±109) vs (905±22), P<0.05]. In the children with obesity, GLS was positively correlated with baPWV (r=0.516, P<0.05) , but not correlated with ABI (P>0.05), and GCS and GRS had no significant correlation with ABI or baPWV (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There are varying degrees of changes in left ventricular systolic function and peripheral arterial elasticity in children with simple obesity, and there is a certain correlation between them.

Arthrobacter mobilis sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from Cholistan desert soil.

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, non-mycelium-forming, motile, rod-shaped with one polar flagellum actinobacterium, designated E918T, was isolated from a desert soil collected in Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain E918T belonged to the genus Arthrobacter and was most closely related to Arthrobacter deserti CGMCC 1.15091T (97.2 % similarity). The peptidoglycan was of the A3α type and the whole-cell sugar profile was found to contain galactose. The major menaquinone was MK-9(H2). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol and two unidentified glycolipids. The major fatty acids identified were anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 68.69 mol%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain E918T and A. deserti CGMCC 1.15091T were 28.0 and 83.4%, respectively. On the basis of its phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, strain E918T was considered to represent a novel species of the genus Arthrobacter, for which the name Arthrobacter mobilis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Arthrobacter mobilis is E918T (=JCM 33392T=CGMCC 1.16978T).

Auraticoccus cholistanensis sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from soil of the Cholistan Desert, and emended description of the genus Auraticoccus.

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile and non-spore-forming actinobacterium, designated as F435T, was isolated from soil sample collected from the Cholistan Desert, Pakistan. The taxonomic position of the strain was established by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The cells were coccoid-shaped and found in single or arrangement of pairs. The novel strain grew at 15‒37 °C (optimum, 25‒30 °C), pH 7‒11 (optimum, pH 7-8) and in the presence of 0‒8% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). Results of blast analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that Auraticoccus monumenti MON 2.2T was its closest relative with 97.4 % similarity followed by Desertihabitans aurantiacus CPCC 204711T (95.2 %). In phylogenetic trees, strain F435T formed a robust cluster with the only member of the genus Auraticoccus. The peptidoglycan isomer present in the cell wall was ll-diaminopimelic acid. The major fatty acid was determined to be anteiso-C15 : 0. Characteristic polar lipids of the strain were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphoglycolipids and glycolipids. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The genomic G+C content was calculated as 73.5 mol%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (GGDC) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between strain F435T and A. monumenti MON 2.2T were 24.6 and 81.8 %, respectively. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses, strain F435T represents a novel specie of the genus Auraticoccus, for which the name Auraticoccus cholistanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is F435T (=JCM 33648T=CGMCC 1.17443T). The description of the genus Auraticoccus has also been emended.

Stereoselective preparation of P,axial-stereogenic allenyl bisphosphine oxides via chirality-transfer.

P,C-Stereogenic propargyl alcohols RC-3/SC-3' were prepared by the addition of (L)-menthyl-derived SPOs to propynals, which were converted to P,axial-stereogenic allenyl bisphosphine oxides. The chirality transfer was controlled by α-carbon via syn [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement. For SC-3' linking weak WDG on the alkynyl moiety, the chirality on the axis depended on stereogenic phosphorus.

Correction to: A combination of omega-3 and plant sterols regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in individuals with impaired glucose regulation: a randomized and controlled clinical trial.

Following publication of the original article [1], the Authors' Contributions statement need to be changed.

Functional Phosphine Derivatives Having Stationary and Flexible Chiralities: Their Preparation and Chirality Controlling.

Various functional secondary and tertiary phosphines, or their derivatives, containing stationary chiral phosphorus and flexible chiral axis were prepared, which could be further modified to afford diversely chelating ligands. The flexible axial chirality was fixed by stereogenic phosphorus via a cyclic linkage of chemical bonds or coordination with a metallic ion.

A combination of omega-3 and plant sterols regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in individuals with impaired glucose regulation: a randomized and controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Lipid metabolism imbalance has been recognized as one of the major drivers of impaired glucose metabolism in the context of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the rates of which are steadily increasing worldwide. Impaired glucose regulation (IGR) plays a vital role in the prevention and treatment of T2DM. The goal of this study was to further clarify whether the combination of plant sterols (PS) and omega-3 fatty acids yields any synergistic effect that enhances the prevention and treatment of IGR. METHODS: A total of 200 participants were randomized to receive PS and omega-3 fatty acids (n = 50), PS alone (n = 50), omega-3 fatty acids alone (n = 50), or placebo soy bean powder plus placebo capsules (n = 50) for 12 weeks. Patient characteristics including body composition, blood pressure, glucose metabolism (Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR)), lipid metabolism (TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C) and inflammatory factors (Hs-CRP, IL-6) were all monitored in these IGR individuals. RESULTS: Compared to the placebo group, the group receiving the combined intervention exhibited significantly decreased TG, HDL-C, FBG, HOMA-IR and HbA1c. Omega-3 fatty acids alone were associated with significant reductions in waistline, TG, FBG, HOMA-IR and Hs-CRP. PS alone was only associated with decreased TG and Hs-CRP. No interventions produced significant changes in body weight, BMI, blood pressure, FINS, body fat percentage, visceral fat rating, TC, LDL-C or IL-6. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, this study has demonstrated for the first time that PS, omega-3 fatty acids or the combination thereof significantly improved inflammation, insulin resistance, as well as glucose and lipid metabolism in IGR individuals. These findings may provide a scientific basis for the development of nutritional products incorporating PS and omega-3 fatty acids, and also for the development of nutritional supplement strategies aimed at preventing the development of disease in the IGR population.

Nonepimerizing Alkylation of H-P Species to Stereospecifically Generate P-Stereogenic Phosphine Oxides: A Shortcut to Bidentate Tertiary Phosphine Ligands.

The secondary RP-(-)-menthyl alkylphosphine oxide was confirmed as configurationally stable toward base and was used in base-promoted alkylation, stereospecifically affording P-retained bis or functional tertiary phosphine oxides in excellent yields. The alkylated products were deoxygenated using oxalyl chloride followed by ZnCl2-NaBH4 to form P-inversed bidentate phosphine boranes in high stereoselectivities.

Preparation of Optically Pure Tertiary Phosphine Oxides via the Addition of P-Stereogenic Secondary Phosphine Oxide to Activated Alkenes.

Functionalized P,C-stereogenic tertiary phosphine oxides were prepared by the addition of (RP)-menthyl phenylphosphine oxide to activated olefins, in high drP and drC, and were isolated in excellent yields. The reaction was readily catalyzed by Ca(OH)2 or occurred with gentle heating. A wide range of substrates, including vinyl ketones, esters, nitriles, and nitro alkenes, can be used in the reaction.

Upscale production of ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate by using carbonyl reductase coupled with glucose dehydrogenase in aqueous-organic solvent system.

(S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate ((S)-CHBE) is an important chiral intermediate to synthesize the side chain of cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin. To biosynthesize the (S)-CHBE, a recombinant Escherichia coli harboring the carbonyl reductase and glucose dehydrogenase was successfully constructed. The recombinant E. coli was cultured in a 500-L fermentor; after induction and expression, the enzyme activity and cell biomass were increased to 23,661.65 U/L and 13.90 g DCW/L which was 3.24 and 2.60-folds compared with those in the 50 L fermentor. The biocatalytic process for the synthesis of (S)-CHBE in an aqueous-organic solvent system was constructed and optimized with a substrate fed-batch strategy. The ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate concentration reached to 1.7 M, and the (S)-CHBE with yield of 97.2 % and enantiomeric excess (e.e.) of 99 % was obtained after 4-h reaction in a 50-L reactor. In this study, the space-time yield and space-time yield per gram of biomass (dry cell weight, DCW) were 413.17 mM/h and 27.55 mM/h/g DCW for (S)-CHBE production, respectively, which were the highest values as compared to previous reports. Finally, (S)-CHBE was extracted from the reaction mixture with 82 % of yield and 95 % of purity. This study paved the foundation for the upscale production of (S)-CHBE by biocatalysis method.

Noninvasive perioperative evaluation of right ventricular function in children with tetralogy of Fallot.

Early and accurate noninvasive means of identifying right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in children with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are needed. RV function was examined using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), strain rate (SR), and strain analysis (SA) in children before (N = 37) and after (6-12 months; N = 32) TOF repair, and in a control group of children (N = 37). Plasma concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were measured. TDI, SR, and SA revealed that RV systolic and diastolic function indices were lower preoperatively in the TOF group compared with the control group, and did not improve after TOF repair. Plasma NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly higher in the TOF group pre- and postoperatively compared with the control group. In the preoperative TOF group, NT-proBNP concentration was significantly correlated with peak systolic SR and systolic strain in the mid segments of RV free wall. Plasma MMP-9 concentrations were significantly increased in the preoperative TOF group compared with the control group, and significantly correlated with plasma NT-proBNP and logNT-proBNP concentrations. RV function correlated with plasma NT-proBNP concentrations in children with TOF. Assessment of this noninvasive measure may help identify RV dysfunction in patients with TOF before they become clinically symptomatic.

A new method for evaluating tricuspid valve displacement in children with Ebstein's anomaly: using the annulus and coronary sinus as a reference point.

This study aimed to investigate the reference point for the downward displacement of the posterior and anterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve using echocardiography in children with Ebstein's anomaly. This study enrolled 25 patients with Ebstein's anomaly. The extent of downward displacement of the posterior and anterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve was evaluated by echocardiography using the tricuspid annulus and the coronary sinus as reference points. These results were compared with the surgical findings. The findings showed displacement of the simple septal leaflet in 1 patient, displacement of both the septal and posterior leaflets in 22 patients, displacement of both the anterior and posterior leaflets in 1 patient, and displacement of all the leaflets in 1 patient. Because the septal and posterior leaflets were close to the apex or because the posterior leaflet was nearly absent, the displacement distance of the septal and posterior leaflets could not be measured accurately in two patients. The displacement distance of the septal and posterior leaflets in the remaining 22 patients were 2.08 ± 1.15 and 2.58 ± 1.06 cm, respectively. The displacement distances of the anterior leaflet in two patients were respectively 1.0 and 2.2 cm. These results were similar to those measured during surgery. The direction of the valvular regurgitation flow was anterolateral in the apical four-chamber and apical right heart two-chamber views in patients with the downward displacement of the anterior leaflet. The tricuspid valve annulus and the coronary sinus are ideal reference points for evaluating the downward displacement of the posterior and anterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve. It is critical to evaluate the downward displacement of the anterior leaflet that the direction of the tricuspid regurgitation flow is changed.

[Diagnostic value of ultrasonographic examination for hepatic steatosis in obese children].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of hepatic ultrasonography (US) for the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis in obese children, using ¹H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H MRS) as the reference standard. METHODS: A total of 162 obese children with age of 10.5 ± 2.2 years and BMI of 28 ± 4 were enrolled in this study. They accepted hepatic US and (1)H MRS examinations. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of US were calculated for the overall presence of hepatic steatosis by comparison with ¹H MRS results. RESULTS: Using quantitative criteria of liver fat content (LFC) >5% determined by (1)H MRS, 95 children(58.6%)were diagnosed as having hepatic steatosis. The sensitivity and specificity of US in diagnosing steatosis were 91.6% (87/95) and 50.7% (34/67) respectively, with PPV of 72.5% (87/120), and NPV of 81.0% (34/42). Considerable overlap in LFC measured by ¹H MRS was observed between different grades from US findings: absent (LFC interquartile range: 1.3%-3.9%), mild (2.4%-10.7%), moderate (7.1%-20.2%) and severe (7.6%-28.8%) steatosis. CONCLUSIONS: The US can yield a high sensitivity and low specificity in the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis in obese children, suggesting it can be used as a screening tool for hepatic steatosis. To improve diagnostics, ¹H MRS is needed to determine LFC.

Molecular mechanism of sex pheromone perception in male Mythimna loreyi revealed by in vitro system.

BACKGROUND: Mythimna loreyi is an important agricultural pest with a sensitive sex pheromone communication system. To clarify the pheromone binding proteins (PBPs) and pheromone receptors (PRs) involved in sex pheromone perception is important for both understanding the molecular olfactory mechanism and developing a new pest control strategy in M. loreyi. RESULTS: First, the electroantennogram (EAG) assay showed that male M. loreyi displayed the highest response to the major sex pheromone component Z9-14:Ac, and higher responses to two minor components, Z7-12:Ac and Z11-16:Ac. Second, the fluorescence competition binding assay showed that PBP1 bound all three pheromones and other tested compounds with high or moderate affinity, while PBP2 and PBP3 each bound only one pheromone component and few other compounds. Third, functional study using the Xenopus oocyte system demonstrated that, of the six candidate PRs, PR2 was weakly sensitive to the major pheromone Z9-14:Ac, but was strongly sensitive to pheromone analog Z9-14:OH; PR3 was strongly and specifically sensitive to a minor component Z7-12:Ac; PR4 and OR33 were both weakly sensitive to another minor component, Z11-16:Ac. Finally, phylogenetic relationship and ligand profiles of PRs were compared among six species from two closely related genera Mythimna and Spodoptera, suggesting functional shifts of M. loreyi PRs toward Spodoptera PRs. CONCLUSION: Functional differentiations were revealed among three PBPs and six PRs in sex pheromone perception, laying an important basis for understanding the molecular mechanism of sex pheromone perception and for developing new control strategies in M. loreyi. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.