Transcriptome sequencing discovers genes related to fatty acid biosynthesis in the seeds of Eucommia ulmoides

Fang-dong Li,Yan-zhi Feng,Lu Wang,Jian-min Fu,Ta-na Wuyun,Hong-yan Du,Xiao-feng Tan,Feng Zou 한국유전학회 2016 Genes & Genomics Vol.38 No.3

Eucommia ulmoides is a focus of considerable attention because it is used to produce gutta-percha latex and raw materials for traditional Chinese medicine. The species has also been widely planted for vegetable oil production due to the high content of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the seeds. However, little was known about fatty acid biosynthesis in the seeds. Here, we present transcriptome analyses that identified genes related to the fatty acid biosynthesis pathways in the seeds collected 70 and 160 days after flowering (DAF) from two varieties: ‘Huazhong No. 6’ (ALA content of 38.7 %) and ‘Huazhong No. 10’ (ALA content of 67.6 %). De novo assembly generated 96,469 unigenes with an average length of 690 bp. Among them, 11,260 unigenes identified by functional annotation against the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database were mapped to 117 metabolic pathways. 65 unigenes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis include 5 coding for 3-oxoacyl-ACP reductase, 2 coding for b-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratase, 10 coding for b-ketoacyl-ACP synthase II, and 2 coding for enoyl-ACP reductase I. Expression of the nine differentially expressed unigenes coding for major enzymes in fatty acid biosynthesis was validated by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) using RNA from six seed stages (70, 88, 106, 124, 142, and 160 DAF) in ‘Huazhong No. 10’. The qPCR analysis showed that expression of these 9 unigenes all changed significantly at 88 DAF. This study provides a large-scale transcriptome annotation of E. ulmoides, which is fundamental information for further characterizing gene functionals involved in the process of seed development.

Human Intersectin 2 (ITSN2) binds to Eps8 protein and enhances its degradation

( Xiao Feng Ding ),( Zijian Yang ),( Fang Liang Zhou ),( Xiang Huchang ),( Zhou Chang Luo ),( Zhi Cheng He ),( Qian Liu ),( Hong Li ),( Feng Yan ),( Fang Mei Wang ),( Shuang Lin Xiang ),( Jian Zhang ) 생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2012 BMB Reports Vol.45 No.3

Participates in actin remodeling through Rac and receptor endocytosis via Rab5. Here, we used yeast two-hybrid system with Eps8 as bait to screen a human brain cDNA library. ITSN2 was identified as the novel binding factor of Eps8. The interaction between ITSN2 and Eps8 was demonstrated by the in vivo co-immunoprecipitation and colocalization assays and the in vitro GST pull-down assays. Furthermore, we mapped the interaction domains to the region between amino acids 260-306 of Eps8 and the coiled-coil domain of ITSN2. In addition, protein stability assays and immunofluorescence analysis showed ITSN2 overexpression induced the degradation of Eps8 proteins, which was markedly alleviated with the lysosome inhibitor NH4Cl treatment. Taken together, our results suggested ITSN2 interacts with Eps8 and stimulates the degradation of Eps8 proteins. [BMB reports 2012; 45(3): 183-188]

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the GnRHR Gene Associated with Reproductive Traits of Japanese Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

He, Feng,Wen, Hai-Shen,Li, Ji-Fang,Yu, Da-Hui,Ma, Rui-Qin,Shi, Dan,Mu, Wei-Jie,Zhang, Yuan-Qing,Hu, Jian,Liu, Miao,Han, Wei-Guo,Zhang, Jia-Nan,Wang, Qing-Qing,Yuan, Yu-Ren,Liu, Qun Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.4

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) gene is expressed at the anterior pituitary gland and plays a key role in gonad development. This study aimed to investigate molecular genetic characteristics of the GnRHR gene and elucidate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GnRHR gene on sex steroid level in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). We used polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing of the GnRHR gene in 75 individuals. We identified three SNPs in the GnRHR gene: P1 locus (C759A and C830T) in the coding region of exon2 which were both linked together and P2 locus (G984T) in the coding region of exon3, which added a new transcript factor (ADR1) and a new methylation site (CG). Only C830T of P1 leads to amino acid changes Thr266Ile. Statistical analysis showed that P1 was significantly associated with $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$) level (p<0.01) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype BB of P1 had significantly higher serum $E_2$ levels (p<0.01) and GSI (p<0.05) than those of genotype AA or AB. Another SNP, P2, synonymous mutation, was significantly associated with GSI (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype AB of P2 had significantly higher GSI (p<0.05) than that of genotype AA. In addition, there was a significant association between one diplotype based on three SNPs and reproductive traits. The genetic effects for both serum $E_2$ level and GSI of diplotype D4 were super diplotypes (p<0.05). These results suggest that the SNPs in Japanese Flounder GnRHR are associated with $E_2$ level and GSI.

Intracerebral Microdialysis Technique and its Application on Brain Pharmacokinetic- Pharmacodynamic Study

Yue-fang Pan,Jian Feng,Qiao-yuan Cheng,Fan-zhu Li 대한약학회 2007 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.30 No.12

Intracerebral microdialysis (IC-MD) has been developed as a well-validated and powerful technique for decades. As a practical sampling tool, it can gain the continuous dialysates of endogenous and exogenous substances in extracellular fluid (ECF) of awake freely moving animals. Also, variform IC-MD probes (IC-MDPs) have grown more exquisite. The implantation of the IC-MDP in certain tissue of brain allows monitor drug distribution and measure drug and corresponding neurotransmitters levels in brain ECF after administration for brain pharmacokineticpharmacodynamic (B-PK-PD) study. So it is suitable for IC-MD to B-PK-PD study (IC-MD/BPK- PD). The performance of IC-MD/B-PK-PD can not only elevate the degree of precision and accuracy of experimental data, minimize the individual difference by reduced number of animals, but also give important information for the prediction and optimization of drug effective dose in preclinical study. In this review, we have discussed various IC-MD/B-PK-PD studies of analgesic, antiepileptic and antidepressant drug. The role of IC-MD/B-PK-PD in confirming and assessing the drug effect before clinic trials is highlighted.

Relationships of uPA and VEGF Expression in Esophageal Cancer and Microvascular Density with Tumorous Invasion and Metastasis

Jiang, Jian-Tao,Zhang, Lan-Fang,Zhou, Bin,Zhang, Shun-Qun,Li, Shao-Min,Zhang, Wei,Zhang, Jin,Qiao, Zhe,Kong, Ran-Ran,Ma, Yue-Feng,Chen, Sheng Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.7

Objective: To investigate uPA and VEGF expression in esophageal cancer and relations with tumorous invasion and metastasis. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect uPA and VEGF expression in the normal epithelial tissue of esophageal mucosa and cancer tissue and detect CD34 labeled micrangium and analyze the relationships with clinical pathological features and tumor angiogenesis. Results: Positive rates for uPA and VEGF protein expression were significantly greater in esophageal cancer than normal epithelial tissue (P < 0.05), the two being linked (P <0.05). In addition, uPA and VEGF protein expression of the high microvessel density (MVD) group was significantly lower than in the low MVD group (P < 0.05), with relation to clinical pathological staging, differentiation and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In esophageal cancer tissue, uPA and VEGF proteins are overexpressed and promote tumor angiogenesis, indicative of a poor prognosis.

The Relationship between HIF-2α and VEGF with Radiographic Severity in the Primary Osteoarthritic Knee

Zhou Jian-lin,Fang Hong-song,Peng Hao,Deng Shuang,Chen Shen,Li Jian-ping,Qiu Bo,Weng Jin-qing,Liu Feng 연세대학교의과대학 2016 Yonsei medical journal Vol.57 No.3

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of hypoxia-inducible factor-2 (HIF-2α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with radiographic severity in primary osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Expression of these two factors in cartilagesamples from OA knee joints was examined at mRNA and protein levels. Materials and Methods: Knee joints were examined using plain radiographs, and OA severity was assessed using the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grading system. Specimens were collected from 29 patients (31 knees) who underwent total knee replacementbecause of severe medial OA of the knee (KL grades 3 and 4), 16 patients who underwent knee arthroscopy (KL grade 2), and 5 patients with traumatic knees (KL grade 0). HIF-2α and VEGF expression was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reactionand western blotting. Results: Cartilage degeneration correlated with the radiographic severity grade. OA severity, determined using the Mankin scale, correlated positively with the KL grade (r=0.8790, p<0.01), and HIF-2α and VEGF levels with the radiographic severity of knee OA (r=0.7001, p<0.05; r=0.6647, p<0.05). Conclusion: In OA cartilage, HIF-2α and VEGF mRNA and protein levels were significantly and positively correlated. The expressionof both factors correlated positively with the KL grade. HIF-2α and VEGF, therefore, may serve as biochemical markers as well as potential therapeutic targets in knee OA.

Recent progress on the traditional and emerging catalysts for propane dehydrogenation

Fushan Feng,Haiyuan Zhang,Shaoqi Chu,Qinqin Zhang,Chao Wang,Guang-Jian Wang,Fang Wang,Liancheng Bing,Dezhi Han 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.118 No.-

Propene is an important chemical raw material with continuously growing demand from the propenedownstream industry. Compared with the traditional catalytic cracking process and steam cracking ofnaphtha, the propane dehydrogenation (PDH) process is an attractive alternative to efficiently producehigh-purity propene. Presently, the traditional Pt-based and Cr-based catalysts for PDH are mainly usedin commercial processes. And the non-noble metal catalysts and carbon catalysts for PDH also receiveincreasing attention with the development of research both from academia and industry. In this review,the recent progress on the traditional catalysts, the emerging non-noble metal catalysts, and carbon catalystswas summarized, together with the discussion of the key research issues and development directionof these PDH catalysts. This review could provide the theoretical and technical foundation fordeveloping novel high-efficiency PDH catalysts.

Relationship between Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide Level and Efficacy of Inhaled Corticosteroid in Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome Patients with Different Disease Severity

Jia-Xi Feng,Yun Lin,Jian Lin,Su-Su He,Mei-Fang Chen,Xiao-Mai Wu,You-Zu Xu 대한의학회 2017 Journal of Korean medical science Vol.32 No.3

This study explored the relationship between the fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) level and the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap syndrome (ACOS) patients with different disease severity. A total of 127 ACOS patients with ACOS (case group) and 131 healthy people (control group) were enrolled in this study. Based on the severity of COPD, the ACOS patients were divided into: mild ACOS; moderate ACOS; severe ACOS; and extremely severe ACOS groups. We compared FeNO levels, pulmonary function parameters including percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) to predicted value (FEV1%pred), ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), inspiratory capacity to total lung capacity (IC/TLC) and residual volume to total lung capacity (RV/TLC), arterial blood gas parameters, including PH, arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), induced sputum eosinophil (EOS), plasma surfactant protein A (SP-A), plasma soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), sputum myeloperoxidase (MPO), sputum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and Asthma Control Test (ACT) scores, and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores. Compared with pre-treatment parameters, the FeNO levels, RV/TLC, PaCO2, total serum IgE, induced sputum EOS, plasma SP-A, sputum MPO, sputum NGAL, and CAT scores were significantly decreased after 6 months of ICS treatment, while FEV1%pred, FEV1/FVC, IC/TLC, PH, PaO2, plasma sRAGE, and ACT scores were significantly increased in ACOS patients with different disease severity after 6 months of ICS treatment. This finding suggests that the FeNO level may accurately predict the efficacy of ICS in the treatment of ACOS patients.

Intracerebral Microdialysis Technique and its Application on Brain Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Study

Pan, Yue-Fang,Feng, Jian,Cheng, Qiao-Yuan,Li, Fan-Zhu 대한약학회 2007 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.30 No.12

Intracerebral microdialysis (IC-MD) has been developed as a well-validated and powerful technique for decades. As a practical sampling tool, it can gain the continuous dialysates of endogenous and exogenous substances in extracellular fluid (ECF) of awake freely moving animals. Also, variform IC-MD probes (IC-MDPs) have grown more exquisite. The implantation of the IC-MDP in certain tissue of brain allows monitor drug distribution and measure drug and corresponding neurotransmitters levels in brain ECF a after administration for brain pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (B-PK-PD) study. So it is suitable for IC-MD to B-PK-PD study (IC-MD/B-PK-PD). The performance of IC-MD/B-PK-PD can not only elevate the degree of precision and accuracy of experimental data, minimize the individual difference by reduced number of animals, but also give important information for the prediction and optimization of drug effective dose in preclinical study. In this review, we have discussed various IC-MD/B-PK-PD studies of analgesic, antiepileptic and antidepressant drug. The role of IC-MD/B-PK-PD in confirming and assessing the drug effect before clinic trials is highlighted.

Effect of composite biological preservative containing Lactobacillus plantarum on postharvest litchi quality

Cong Xu,Wen-feng Hu,Shi Luo,Hua-jian Luo,Ke Ma,Yan-fang Li 한국식품과학회 2016 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.25 No.6

Biological preservatives containing live microorganisms are environmentally friendly and non-toxic substances used to preserve the quality of fresh fruits. This study investigated whether a composite biological preservative containing live Lactobacillus plantarum (designated as DN003) could preserve the quality of postharvest litchi fruits at high temperature and in humid environment. Postharvest litchi fruits were briefly soaked in DN003, then dried and stored at 29–33oC with 95–98% relative humidity; prochloraz treatment was included as positive control and non-treatment as negative control. In comparison with negative control group, litchi fruits in both DN003-treated and positive control groups better retained their appearance with lower polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities and showed higher concentrations of vitamin C, titratable acids, and total sugar content. These data demonstrated that the new composite biological preservative containing L. plantarum is promising to be used in the preservation of postharvest litchi fruit, particularly in hightemperature and humid environment.