A Vitis vinifera xanthine dehydrogenase gene, VvXDH, enhances salinity tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis

Shuang-Hong You,Bo Zhu,Feibing Wang,Hong-Juan Han,Miao Sun,Hengweng Zhu,Ri-he Peng,Quan-Hong Yao 한국식물생명공학회 2017 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.11 No.3

Xanthine dehydrogenase (EC1.1.1.204; XDH) plays an important role in purine catabolism that catalyzes the oxidative hydroxylation of hypoxanthine to xanthine and of xanthine to uric acid. Long attributed to its role in recycling and remobilization of nitrogen, recently, XDH is implicated in plant stress responses and acclimation, such research efforts, however, have thus far been restricted to Arabidopsis XDH-knockdown/knockout studies. This study, using an ectopic overexpression approach, is expected to provide novel findings. In this study, a XDH gene from Vitis vinifera, named VvXDH, was synthesized and overexpressed in Arabidopsis, the transgenic Arabidopsis showed enhanced salt tolerance. The VvXDH gene was investigated and the results demonstrated the explicit role of VvXDH in conferring salt stress by increasing allantoin accumulation and activating ABA signaling pathway, enhancing ROS scavenging in transgenic Arabidopsis. In addition, the water loss and chlorophyll content loss were reduced in transgenic plants; the transgenic plants showed higher proline level and lower MDA content than that of wild-type Arabidopsis, respectively. In conclusion, the VvXDH gene has the potential to be applied in increasing allantoin accumulation and enhancing the tolerance to abiotic stresses in Arabidopsis and other plants.

Phytoremediation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene by Arabidopsis plants expressing a NAD(P)H-flavin nitroreductase from Enterobacter cloacae

Shuang-Hong You,Bo Zhu,Hong-Juan Han,Bo Wang,Ri-He Peng,Quan-Hong Yao 한국식물생명공학회 2015 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.9 No.6

2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is released into natural environment from demilitarization facilities, manufacturing, and explosive remnants of war; this compound is one of the most recalcitrant explosives. TNT contamination is associated with human health risks because TNT strongly causes mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. Unfortunately, effective and affordable technologies to remediate TNT-contaminated environments are insufficient. As such, studies have been conducted to develop strategies using plants to extract and detoxify TNT from environment. In this study, a system was designed to overcome high phytotoxicity of TNT by expressing a NAD(P)H-flavin nitroreductase from Enterobacter cloacae to investigate the possibility of TNT phytoremediation. The resulting transgenic Arabidopsis showed a remarkable improvement in the ability to tolerate, absorb, and detoxify TNT as evidenced by their growth condition. This study can be used as reference to facilitate the effective cleanup of TNTcontaminated sites.

Electromagnetic energy harvesting from structural vibrations during earthquakes

Songye Zhu,Wenai Shen,Hong-Ping Zhu,You-Lin Xu 국제구조공학회 2016 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.18 No.3

Energy harvesting is an emerging technique that extracts energy from surrounding environments to power low-power devices. For example, it can potentially provide sustainable energy for wireless sensing networks (WSNs) or structural control systems in civil engineering applications. This paper presents a comprehensive study on harvesting energy from earthquake-induced structural vibrations, which is typically of low frequency, to power WSNs. A macroscale pendulum-type electromagnetic harvester (MPEH) is proposed, analyzed and experimentally validated. The presented predictive model describes output power dependence with mass, efficiency and the power spectral density of base acceleration, providing a simple tool to estimate harvested energy. A series of shaking table tests in which a single-storey steel frame model equipped with a MPEH has been carried out under earthquake excitations. Three types of energy harvesting circuits, namely, a resistor circuit, a standard energy harvesting circuit (SEHC) and a voltage-mode controlled buck-boost converter were used for comparative study. In ideal cases, i.e., resistor circuit cases, the maximum electric energy of 8.72 J was harvested with the efficiency of 35.3%. In practical cases, the maximum electric energy of 4.67 J was extracted via the buck-boost converter under the same conditions. The predictive model on output power and harvested energy has been validated by the test data.

Vascular endothelial growth factor is a key mediator in the development of T cell priming and its polarization to type 1 and type 17 T helper cells in the airways.

Kim, You-Sun,Hong, Sung-Wook,Choi, Jun-Pyo,Shin, Tae-Seop,Moon, Hyung-Geun,Choi, Eun-Jung,Jeon, Seong Gyu,Oh, Sun-Young,Gho, Yong Song,Zhu, Zhou,Kim, Yoon-Keun Williams Wilkins 2009 JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY Vol.183 No.8

<P>Chronic inflammatory airway diseases including asthma are characterized by immune dysfunction to inhaled allergens. Our previous studies demonstrated that T cell priming to inhaled allergens requires LPS, which is ubiquitously present in household dust allergens. In this study, we evaluated the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the development of T cell priming and its polarization to Th1 or Th17 cells when exposed to LPS-contaminated allergens. An asthma mouse model was induced by airway sensitization with LPS-contaminated allergens and then challenged with allergens alone. Therapeutic intervention was performed during allergen sensitization. The present study showed that lung inflammation induced by sensitization with LPS-contaminated allergens was decreased in mice with homozygous disruption of the IL-17 gene; in addition, allergen-specific Th17 immune response was abolished in IL-6 knockout mice. Meanwhile, in vivo production of VEGF was up-regulated by airway exposure of LPS. In addition, airway sensitization of allergen plus recombinant VEGF induced both type 1 and type 17 Th cell (Th1 and Th17) responses. Th1 and Th17 responses induced by airway sensitization with LPS-contaminated allergens were blocked by treatment with a pan-VEGF receptor (VEGFR; VEGFR-1 plus VEGFR-2) inhibitor during sensitization. These effects were accompanied by inhibition of the production of Th1 and Th17 polarizing cytokines, IL-12p70 and IL-6, respectively. These findings indicate that VEGF produced by LPS plays a key role in activation of naive T cells and subsequent polarization to Th1 and Th17 cells.</P>

Calculation of eigenvalue and eigenvector derivatives with the improved Kron’s substructuring method

Yong Xia,Shun Weng,You-Lin Xu,Hong-Ping Zhu 국제구조공학회 2010 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.36 No.1

For large-scale structures, the calculation of the eigensolution and the eigensensitivity is usually very time-consuming. This paper develops the Kron’s substructuring method to compute the firstorder derivatives of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors with respect to the structural parameters. The global structure is divided into several substructures. The eigensensitivity of the substructures are calculated via the conventional manner, and then assembled into the eigensensitivity of the global structure by performing some constraints on the derivative matrices of the substructures. With the proposed substructuring method, the eigenvalue and eigenvector derivatives with respect to an elemental parameter are computed within the substructure solely which contains the element, while the derivative matrices of all other substructures with respect to the parameter are zero. Consequently this can reduce the computation cost significantly. The proposed substructuring method is applied to the GARTEUR AG-11 frame and a highway bridge, which is proved to be computationally efficient and accurate for calculation of the eigensensitivity. The influence of the master modes and the division formations are also discussed.

Rapid functional screening of effective siRNAs against Plk1 and its growth inhibitory effects in Laryngeal carcinoma cells

( Huan Lan ),( Jiang Zhu ),( Qing Ai ),( Zheng Mei Yang ),( Ying Ji ),( Su Ling Hong ),( Fang Zhou Song ),( You Quan Bu ) 생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2010 BMB Reports Vol.43 No.12

Plk 1 is overexpressed in many human malignancies including laryngeal carcinoma. However, its therapeutic potential has been never examined in laryngeal carcinoma. In the present study, a simple cellular morphology-based strategy was firstly proposed for rapidly screening the effective siRNAs against Plk1. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of Plk1 depletion via a novel identified effective siRNA against Plk1, Plk1 siRNA-607, on human laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells. The results indicated that Plk1 siRNA-607 transfection resulted in a significant inhibition in Plk1 expression in cells, and subsequently caused a dramatic mitotic cell cycle arrest followed by massive apoptotic cell death, and eventually resulted in a significant decrease in growth and viability of the laryngeal carcinoma cells. Taken together, our present study not only suggests a simple strategy for rapidly screening effective siRNAs against Plk1 but also implicates that Plk1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in human laryngeal carcinoma. [BMB reports 2010; 43(12): 818-823]

Time-related Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling Dry Matter Accumulation and Partitioning in Rice

Shao Bo Li,Zhi Hong Zhang,Shao Qing Li,Yang Sheng Li,You Lin Zhu,Ying Guo Zhu 한국유전학회 2008 Genes & Genomics Vol.30 No.4

Grain yield is a result of dry matter accumulation and partitioning in rice (Oryza sativa L.). To characterize the genetic basis of dynamics of traits representing dry matter accumulation and partitioning as well as their relationships with each other, composite interval mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) was conducted based on time-related phenotypic data obtained from a population of 258 recombinant inbred lines (F12), which was derived from a cross between Lemont (japonica var.) and Teqing (indica var.). A total of twenty-three QTL were identified for leaf weight, stem weight and panicle weight at four measuring stages after heading. However, these three dynamic traits were observed to be controlled by different QTL (genes) at different growth stages. An extreme example was that at least three types of QTL (genes) might be involved in the development of panicle weight. Growth duration, which is closely related to dry matter accumulation and partitioning, was also identified to be significantly affected by four QTL. The close correlations among the studied four traits were explained to some extent by six co-located QTL. Nevertheless, it would be of great importance to distinguish the pleiotropic or linked effects of the co-located QTL. In addition, the chromosome regions or QTL identified in this study were compared with those previously reported for the same or related traits with the same RIL population.

Null Glutathione S-transferase T1 and M1 Genotypes and Oral Cancer Susceptibility in China and India - a Meta-analysis

Peng, Jie,Liu, Hong-Zhou,Zhu, You-Jia Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.1

Objective: Genetic variation is considered to strongly impact on detoxification of carcinogens and therefore is related to cancer risk. However, findings for the null genotypes of GSTT1 and GSTM1 have not always been consistent. Therefore the present meta-analysis was conducted. Methods: We accessed the reported study at different research areas and used various databases, including PubMed and Wanfang Med Onlion from 1990 to May 1st 2013. We calculated the odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) and P value for oral cancer by using Review Manager 5.1 and STATE 12. Results: We found that there was no increased oral cancer risk among subjects carrying GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype (OR=1.35, 95%CI=0.68-2.68, P=0.39) and (OR=1.41, 95%CI=0.72-2.77, P=0.31) in the Chinese population. In contrast, in studies in India a significant correlation between GSTM1 null genotype and oral cancer was observed (OR=1.59, 95%CI=1.20-2.11, P=0.001), but not in GSTT1 (OR=1.21, 95% CI=0.84-1.74, P=0.31). Conclusion: We discovered that GSTM1 deletion polymorphism had a significant effect on the susceptibility of oral cancer in the Indian population.

Calculation of eigenvalue and eigenvector derivatives with the improved Kron's substructuring method

Xia, Yong,Weng, Shun,Xu, You-Lin,Zhu, Hong-Ping Techno-Press 2010 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.36 No.1

For large-scale structures, the calculation of the eigensolution and the eigensensitivity is usually very time-consuming. This paper develops the Kron's substructuring method to compute the first-order derivatives of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors with respect to the structural parameters. The global structure is divided into several substructures. The eigensensitivity of the substructures are calculated via the conventional manner, and then assembled into the eigensensitivity of the global structure by performing some constraints on the derivative matrices of the substructures. With the proposed substructuring method, the eigenvalue and eigenvector derivatives with respect to an elemental parameter are computed within the substructure solely which contains the element, while the derivative matrices of all other substructures with respect to the parameter are zero. Consequently this can reduce the computation cost significantly. The proposed substructuring method is applied to the GARTEUR AG-11 frame and a highway bridge, which is proved to be computationally efficient and accurate for calculation of the eigensensitivity. The influence of the master modes and the division formations are also discussed.

DEPDC1 is a novel cell cycle related gene that regulates mitotic progression

( Yan Mi ),( Chun Dong Zhang ),( You Quan Bu ),( Ying Zhang ),( Long Xia He ),( Hong Xia Li ),( Hui Fang Zhu ),( Yi Li ),( Yun Long Lei ),( Jiang Zhu ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2015 BMB Reports Vol.48 No.7

DEPDC1 is a recently identified novel tumor-related gene that is upregulated in several types of cancer and contributes to tumorigenesis. In this study, we have investigated the expression pattern and functional implications of DEPDC1 during cell cycle progression. Expression studies using synchronized cells demonstrated that DEPDC1 is highly expressed in the mitotic phase of the cell cycle. Immunofluorescence assays showed that DEPDC1 is predominantly localized in the nucleus during interphase and is redistributed into the whole cell upon nuclear membrane breakdown in metaphase. Subsequently, siRNA-mediated knockdown of DEPDC1 caused a significant mitotic arrest. Moreover, knockdown of DEPDC1 resulted in remarkable mitotic defects such as abnormal multiple nuclei and multipolar spindle structures accompanied by the upregulation of the A20 gene as well as several cell cycle-related genes such as CCNB1 and CCNB2. Taken together, our current observations strongly suggest that this novel cancerous gene, DEPDC1, plays a pivotal role in the regulation of proper mitotic progression. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(7): 413-418]