Mechanism, Function and Regulation of Microtubule-Dependent Microtubule Amplification in Mitosis

Hui Zhu,Kayleen Fang,Guowei Fang 한국분자세포생물학회 2009 Molecules and cells Vol.27 No.1

Mitotic spindle mediates the segregation of chromosomes in the cell cycle and the proper function of the spindle is crucial to the high fidelity of chromosome segregation and to the stability of the genome. Nucleation of microtubules (MTs) from centrosomes and chromatin represents two well-characterized pathways essential for the assembly of a dynamic spindle in mitosis. Recently, we identified a third MT nucleation pathway, in which existing MTs in the spindle act as a template to promote the nucleation and polymerization of MTs, thereby efficiently amplifying MTs in the spindle. We will review here our current understanding on the molecular mechanism, the physiological function and the cell-cycle regulation of MT amplification.

Preparation of AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/Diatomite Composite by Microemulsion Method for Rapid Photo-Degradation of Rhodamine B with Stability under Visible Light

Zhu, Hai-Tao,Ren, Qi-Fang,Jin, Zhen,Ding, Yi,Liu, Xin-Yu,Ni, Xi-Hui,Han, Meng-Li,Ma, Shi-Yu,Ye, Qing,Oh, Won-Chun Materials Research Society of Korea 2020 한국재료학회지 Vol.30 No.8

In this paper, AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite photocatalyst is successfully synthesized by microemulsion method and anion in situ substitution method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) are used to study the structural and physicochemical characteristics of the AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite composite. Using rhodamine B (RhB) as a simulated pollutant, the photocatalytic activity and stability of the AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite composite under visible light are evaluated. In the AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite visible light system, RhB is nearly 100 % degraded within 15 minutes. And, after five cycles of operation, the photocatalytic activity of AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite remains at 95 % of the original level, much higher than that of pure Ag₃PO₄ (40 %). In addition, the mechanism of enhanced catalytic performance is discussed. The high photocatalytic performance of AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite composites can be attributed to the synergistic effect of Ag₃PO₄, diatomite and AgCl nanoparticles. Free radical trapping experiments are used to show that holes and oxygen are the main active species. This material can quickly react with dye molecules adsorbed on the surface of diatomite to degrade RhB dye to CO₂ and H₂O. Even more remarkably, AgCl/Ag₃PO₄/diatomite can maintain above 95 % photo-degradation activity after five cycles.

Sex-related Differences in DNA Copy Number Alterations in Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Zhu, Zhong-Zheng,Wang, Dong,Cong, Wen-Ming,Jiang, Hongmei,Yu, Yue,Wen, Bing-Ji,Dong, Hui,Zhang, Xiao,Liu, Shu-Fang,Wang, Ai-Zhong,Zhu, Guanshan,Hou, Lifang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.1

Background: Males have a higher prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than females in general, but the reasons for the sex disparity are still obscure. DNA copy number alteration (CNA) is a major feature of solid tumors including HCC, but whether CNA plays a role in sex-related differences in HCC development has never been evaluated. Methods: High-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) was used to examine 17 female and 46 male HCC patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Shanghai, China. Two-tailed Fisher's exact or ${\chi}^2$ tests was used to compare CNAs between females and males. Results: The overall frequencies and patterns of CNAs in female and male cases were similar. However, female HCC tumors presented more copy number gains compared to those in males on 1q21.3-q22 (76.5% vs. 37.0%, P = 0.009), 11q11 (35.3% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.0002) and 19q13.31-q13.32 (23.5% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.004), and loss on 16p11.2 (35.3% vs. 6.5%, P = 0.009). Relative to females, male cases had greater copy number loss on 11q11 (63.0% vs. 17.6%, P = 0.002). Further analyses showed that 11q11 gain correlated with 19q13.31-q13.32 gain (P = 0.042), 11q11 loss (P = 0.011) and 16p11.2 loss (P = 0.033), while 1q21.3-q22 gain correlated with 19q13.31-q13.32 gain (P = 0.046). Conclusions: These findings suggest that CNAs may play a role in sex-related differences in HBVassociated HCC development.

A Pleiotropic Phenotype is Associated with Altered Endogenous Hormone Balance in the Developmentally Stunted Mutant (dsm1)

Hui-Fang Zhao,Kai Qiu,Guo-Dong Ren,Yong Zhu,Ben-Ke Kuai 한국식물학회 2010 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.53 No.1

A developmentally stunted mutant (dsm1) of Arabidopsis, isolated from an EMS mutant screen, had a pleiotropic phenotype, including repressed germination,retarded growth, delayed flowering, and impaired fertility. Additionally, dsm1 had a lifespan of approximately 160 days, which was more than twice the lifespan of the wild type (Col-0). Fine morphological and anatomical characters, such as the shoot apical meristem, root apical meristem, seed shape, and seed surface, were obviously altered in dsm1. We found that both abscisic acid and zeatin riboside levels were significantly greater in dsm1 than in Col-0 at all stages of development, while the levels of indole-3-acetic acid and gibberellins varied by age. The expressions of some abscisic acid-related genes were higher in dsm1 than in Col-0. These data indicate that DSM1 may play a general role in plant growth and development.

Progress in Preparation of Cellulase from Lignocellulose Using Fungi

Hui Jiao,Xiang-Yang Song,Chenhuan Lai,Hao Fang,Yuqi Song,Junjun Zhu 한국생물공학회 2021 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.26 No.6

Lignocellulosic biomass such as agricultural and forestry waste is the most abundant renewable organic carbon source on earth and can be used to produce source of clean energy such as ethanol. One of the disadvantages of the preparation of ethanol using lignocellulose as raw material is the high cost of production of cellulase. Fungi are capable of effectively degrading lignocellulose and secreting a large amount of cellulase, and have the advantages of ease of preparation, high yield, and full enzyme systems. Therefore, this paper reviews sources of lignocellulose and the biodegradation properties which limit the production of cellulase, proposes micro-organisms capable of degrading lignocellulose and explains the types of cellulase, and the mechanism of action, methods of fermentation optimization, and control are analyzed, and ways to increase the yield of cellulase are described. Finally, research on the effects of inducers on the production of cellulase by fungi is reviewed. The aims of this review are to provide a reference for the efficient production and industrial application of cellulase.

Analysis of the Genome Sequence of Strain GiC-126 of Gloeostereum incarnatum with Genetic Linkage Map

( Wan-zhu Jiang ),( Fang-jie Yao ),( Ming Fang ),( Li-xin Lu ),( You-min Zhang ),( Peng Wang ),( Jing-jing Meng ),( Jia Lu ),( Xiao-xu Ma ),( Qi He ),( Kai-sheng Shao ),( Asif Ali Khan ),( Yun-hui Wei 한국균학회 2021 Mycobiology Vol.49 No.4

Gloeostereum incarnatum has edible and medicinal value and was first cultivated and domesticated in China. We sequenced the G. incarnatum monokaryotic strain GiC-126 on an Illumina HiSeq X Ten system and obtained a 34.52-Mb genome assembly sequence that encoded 16,895 predicted genes. We combined the GiC-126 genome with the published genome of G. incarnatum strain CCMJ2665 to construct a genetic linkage map (GiC-126 genome) that had 10 linkage groups (LGs), and the 15 assembly sequences of CCMJ2665 were integrated into 8 LGs. We identified 1912 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci and detected 700 genes containing 768 SSRs in the genome; 65 and 100 of them were annotated with gene ontology (GO) terms and KEGG pathways, respectively. Carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) were identified in 20 fungal genomes and annotated; among them, 144 CAZymes were annotated in the GiC-126 genome. The A mating-type locus (MAT-A) of G. incarnatum was located on scaffold885 at 38.9 cM of LG1 and was flanked by two homeodomain (HD1) genes, mip and beta-fg. Fourteen segregation distortion markers were detected in the genetic linkage map, all of which were skewed toward the parent GiC-126. They formed three segregation distortion regions (SDR1-SDR3), and 22 predictive genes were found in scaffold1920 where three segregation distortion markers were located in SDR1. In this study, we corrected and updated the genomic information of G. incarnatum. Our results will provide a theoretical basis for fine gene mapping, functional gene cloning, and genetic breeding the follow-up of G. incarnatum.

Abnormalities in Inflammatory Cytokines Confer Susceptible to Chronic Neuropathic Pain-related Anhedonia in a Rat Model of Spared Nerve Injury

Xi Fang,Gaofeng Zhan,Jie Zhang,Hui Xu,Bin Zhu,Yimin Hu,Chun Yang,Ailin Luo 대한정신약물학회 2019 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.17 No.2

Objective: Patients with chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) have a higher incidence to develop depression. However, its pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated. Here we aimed to investigate the role of inflammatory cytokines in CNP-related anhedonia, which is a core symptom of depression, and to explore the effects of ketamine and parecoxib on pain and anhedonia. Methods: A rat model of spared nerve injury (SNI) was constructed to mimic CNP. Hierarchical cluster analysis of sucrose preference test (SPT) was applied to classify the SNI rats into anhedonia susceptible and unsusceptible. Inflammatory cytokines in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of brain, serum and L2-5 spinal cord were measured. Moreover, effects of ketamine or parecoxib on mechanical withdrawal test (MWT) and SPT in anhedonia susceptible rats were detected. Results: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- was increased in mPFC, serum and and spinal cord of anhedonia susceptible rats. Furthermore, anhedonia susceptible and unsusceptible rats both increased the interleukin (IL)-1 level in mPFC, serum and spinal cord. IL-6 was altered in serum and spinal cord, but not in mPFC. IL-10 was significantly altered in mPFC and serum, but not in spinal cord. Additionally, ketamine treatment significantly attenuated the decreased results of MWT and SPT in anhedonia susceptible rats, and that parecoxib significantly improved the MWT score, but failed to alter the result of SPT. Conclusion: These findings suggest that abnormalities in inflammatory cytokines confer susceptible to anhedonia in a rat model of SNI. Ketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant, has pharmacological benefits to alleviate pain and anhedonia symptoms.

Effect of Diallyl Trisulfide on Human Ovarian Cancer SKOV-3/DDP Cell Apoptosis

Wan, Hui-Fang,Yu, Le-Han,Wu, Jin-Lan,Tu, Shuo,Zhu, Wie-Feng,Zhang, Xia-Li,Wan, Fu-Sheng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Aim: To investigate the effects of diallyl trisulfide (DT) on apoptosis of cisplatin (DDP)-resistant human epithelial ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells (SKOV-3/DDP), and the role of p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA). Methods: SKOV-3/DDP cells were randomly divided into control, DT, DPP and DPP+DT groups, which were treated with DT or combined DT and DDP. All cells were incubated for 48 h. and apoptosis rates were assessed by flow cytometry. mRNA and protein expression of PUMA, Bax and Bcl-2 was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot assays, respectively. Results: Compared with control group, the apoptosis rates of SKOV-3/DDP cells in DT groups were obviously increased, with dose-dependence (P < 0.05), the mRNA and protein expressions of PUMA, Bax also being up-regulated (P < 0.05), while those of Bcl-2 were down-regulated (P < 0.05). Compared with DT groups, the apoptosis rate in the DDP+DT group was significantly increased (P < 0.05). After knockdown of PUMA with specific siRNA, the apoptosis rate of SKOV-3/DDP cells was obviously decreased (P < 0.05). Conclusion: DT can promote the apoptosis of SKOV-3/DDP cells with PUMA playing a critical role.

Alkaloids from the bulbs of Lycoris longituba and their neuroprotective and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities

Yun-Yun Zhu,Xue Li,Heng-Yi Yu,Yu-Fang Xiong,Peng Zhang,Hui-Fang Pi,Han-Li Ruan 대한약학회 2015 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.38 No.5

Three novel alkaloids (1–3), together withnineteen known ones (4–22), were isolated from the bulbsof Lycoris longituba. Their structures were elucidated onthe basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, which belongto several Amaryllidaceae alkaloid skeletons. Amongthem, the harmane-type alkaloids (the new compound 1and the known compounds 5, 6 and 7) were found for thefirst time from Lycoris genus. The isolates were tested fortheir neuroprotective activities against CoCl2, H2O2 andAb25–35-induced SH-SY5Y cell injuries, and the majorityof them exhibited neuroprotective activities of differentdegrees. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitoryactivities of the isolated alkaloids were also evaluated,while compounds 12, 14–20 and 22 exhibited extremelysignificant AChE inhibitory activities.

Optimization of the microemulsion formulation of curcuma oil and evaluation of its acaricidal efficacy against Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Cheng Zuo-Hui,Fan Fang-Fang,Zhao Jin-Zhong,Li Rui,Li Sheng-Cai,Zhang En-Jia,Liu Yu-Kun,Wang Jue-Ying,Zhu Xiang-Run,Tian Yong-Ming 한국응용곤충학회 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.23 No.4

The microemulsion formulation (hereafter formulation) of curcuma oil and its acaricidal efficacy against Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval (Acari: Tetranychidae) were optimized in the laboratory to evaluate their spray effectiveness of oviposition inhibition and repellence. Ethovision XT6 was used to analyse the effects of the sublethal concentrations (LC 20 ) of curcuma oil and the formulation on the behaviors of T. cinnabarinus. The results showed that Tween-80 was the best surfactant, Isopropanol was the best co-surfactant and K m = 2:1 was the best condition for the formulation. The prepared microemulsions are stable under conditions of centrifugation and incubation for extended periods. The results showed that the effect of the spray bioassays of the formulation against T. cinnabarinus continuously increased during the experiment, but for curcuma oil almost no longer increase observed when the exposure time went beyond 24 h. Moreover, compared with curcuma oil (LC 50 = 0.716%), the spray bioassay of the formulation (LC 50 = 0.035%) was stronger against T. cinnabarinus. The repellency of the formulation to T. cinnabarinus was stronger with increasing exposure time, but that of curcuma oil declined after 12 h of exposure. The mobile distance of T. cinnabarinus treated with the formulation continuously declined during the experiment but that due to the curcuma oil almost no longer declined when the treatment time reached 12 h. The maximum mobile frequency of T. cinnabarinus treated by curcuma oil and the formulation was recorded at 6 h and 12 h, respectively. Thus, the formulation is a promising candidate as a botanical acaricide of green vegetables.