Epigenetic inactivation of ACAT1 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Han Peipei,Wu Shu,Li Limei,Li Danping,Zhao Jun,Zhang Haishan,Wang Yifang,Zhong Xuemin,Zhang Zhe,Li Ping,Matskova Liudmila,Zhou Xiaoying 한국유전학회 2022 Genes & Genomics Vol.44 No.4

Background: Acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1) is a key enzyme catalyzing the production of mitochondrial ketone bodies. We have shown that ACAT1 is down-regulated in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) previously. Objective: To investigate the reasons for downregulation of ACAT1 in KIRC and explore the underlying mechanisms involved in metastatic inhibition regulated by ACAT1. Methods: The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was queried for meta-analysis of ACAT1 mRNA expression in KIRC. The UALCAN website was used to compare the methylation levels of the ACAT1 promoter region in KIRC and normal tissues. RT-qPCR was used to quantitate ACAT1 transcription levels. The GCBI and Tarbase V.8 databases were used to predict miRNAs that may target the mRNA of ACAT1. The correlation between mRNA expression of ACAT1, MMP7 (matrix metallopeptidase 7), CDH1 (E-cadherin), EpCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule), and VIM (vimentin) was analyzed. Extracellular MMP7 protein was quantitated using an ELISA assay. Results: The methylation level of the ACAT1 promoter region in KIRC was significantly higher than that in the normal kidney tissues. The ACAT1 mRNA expression in the KIRC cell lines was restored after treatment with 5-aza-dC (p < 0.05). MiR-21-5p is a conserved microRNA targeting ACAT1. It is expressed at a significantly higher level in KIRC than in normal tissues (p < 0.001). MiR-21-5p miRNA expression negatively correlates with ACAT1 mRNA expression. The expression of miR-21-5p is higher at the T3-T4 stages and in the histologic grades G3-G4. Patients with high miR-21-5p expression tended to have lower overall survival, suggesting that miR-21-5p could serve as a potentially valuable diagnostic biomarker for KIRC (AUC = 0.957; p < 0.001). A mimetic of miR-21-5p inhibited the expression of ACAT1 mRNA and protein. In addition, ACAT1 mRNA expression positively correlates with CDH1 and EpCAM but is negatively correlated with VIM. Overexpression of ACAT1 suppresses the secretion of MMP7 in KIRC cells. Conclusion: Expression of ACAT1 in KIRC is controlled at two levels, firstly by the hypermethylation of the ACAT1 promoter region and secondly by overexpression of miR-21-5p. Downregulation of ACAT1 expression correlates with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Georgenia faecalis sp. nov. isolated from the faeces of Tibetan antelope

Wang Xiaoxia,Yang Jing,Huang Yuyuan,Wu Xiaomin,Wang Licheng,Han Limei,Li Sha,Li Huan,Fu Xiaoying,Chen Hai,Zhu Xiong 한국미생물학회 2020 The journal of microbiology Vol.58 No.9

Two aerobic, Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, non-sporulating coccoid strains, designated ZLJ0423T and ZLJ0321, were isolated from the faeces of Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii). Their optimal temperature, NaCl concentration and pH for growth were 28°C, 0.5% (w/v) NaCl and pH 7.5, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains ZLJ0423T and ZLJ0321 were very similar to each other (99.8%) and had a sequence similarity of 97.0% with Georgenia satyanarayanai NBRC 107612T and Georgenia subflava CGMCC 1.12782T. Phylogenomic analysis based on 688 core genes indicated that these strains formed a clade with G. satyanarayanai NBRC 107612T and Georgenia wutianyii Z294T. The predominant cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:1 A and C16:0. The major menaquinone was MK-8(H4). The cell-wall amino acids consisted of alanine, lysine, glycine and aspartic acid, with lysine as the diagnostic diamino acid. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannosides and two unidentified lipids formed the polar lipid profile. The DNA G + C content of both isolates was 73.9 mol%. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization value between strains ZLJ0423T and ZLJ0321 was 91.2%, but their values with closely related species and other available type strains of the genus Georgenia were lower than the 70% threshold. On the basis of polyphasic taxonomic data, strains ZLJ0423T and ZLJ0321 represent a novel species within the genus Georgenia, for which the name Georgenia faecalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is ZLJ0423T (= CGMCC 1.13681T = JCM 33470T).

A repressor motif-containing poplar R3 MYB-like transcription factor regulates epidermal cell fate determination and anthocyanin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis

Qingnan Hu,Li Yang,Shanda Liu,Limei Zhou,Xutong Wang,Wei Wang,Ling Cai,Xiuju Wu,Ying Chang,Shucai Wang 한국식물학회 2016 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.59 No.5

Single-repeat R3 MYB transcription factors (R3 MYBs) regulate epidermal cell fate determination in Arabidopsis through a lateral inhibition mechanism. Previously we have shown that poplar R3 MYB genes regulate trichome formation when expressed in Arabidopsis. Here we report the identification and functional characterization of a poplar R3 MYB-like protein, Populus trichocarpa R3 MYB-LIKE1 (PtrRML1). So far all the MYB transcription factors identified have a highly conserved N-terminal DNA-binding domain composed of MYB repeats and a highly variable C-terminal domain. However, PtrRML1 has a single R3 MYB repeat at its C-terminal and an LxLxL repressor motif-containing N-terminal, and with amino acids about twice of that of the known R3 MYBs. PtrRML1 is localized in nuclear in transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing PtrRML1-GFP. PtrRML1 repressed reporter gene expression in protoplasts, and it interacted with GL3 in plant cells. Expression of PtrRML1 in Arabidopsis resulted in glabrous phenotypes, increased number of root hairs, and decreased anthocyanin accumulation. Consist with these observation, the expression levels of some MBW component genes and some of their target genes involved in the regulation of epidermal cell fate determination and anthocyanin biosynthesis, including TRY, CPC, ETC1, GL1, GL2, DFR, UF3GT and TT8 were reduced in the transgenic plants.

Detection and quantification of phenol in liquid and gas phases using a clay/dye composite

Guocheng Lv,Shiyuan Liu,Meng Liu,Libing Liao,Limei Wu,Lefu Mei,Zhaohui Li,Caofeng Pan 한국공업화학회 2018 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.62 No.-

In this study, an organic dye lucigenin (BNMA) was successfully intercalated into the interlayer of montmorillonite (MMT) to prevent fluorescence quenching. With its enhanced fluorescent property, the composite was fabricated into solid strips for it fast and sensitive phenol detection in both liquid and gas phases. Under proper optimizations it is anticipated that the composite would show great potential for phenol determination in real world environment such as wastewater treatment industry.

Differential Embryo Development among Tibetan Chicken, DRW and Shouguang Chicken Exposed to Chronic Hypoxia

Li, Mei,Zhao, Chun-Jiang,Wu, Chang-Xin Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2009 Animal Bioscience Vol.22 No.3

Avian embryos at high altitude are independent of maternal protection against hypoxia, which is contrary to mammals. It is well known that chronic hypoxic exposure at key points can significantly impact on avian development. Tibetan Chicken, a Chinese indigenous breed, living in Tibetan areas with an altitude of 2.2 to 4.1 thousand meters, has an adaptive mechanism to hypoxia. In the present study, fertilized eggs of Tibetan Chicken were incubated under 13% and 21% oxygen concentration. Two lowland chicken breeds, Shouguang Chicken, an indigenous chicken breed in Shandong Province of China, and Dwarf Recessive White Chicken, an imported breed in Beijing, were used as control groups. The embryo mass and some organs such as brain, heart, liver, stomach and eye weight in the three species were measured at Hamburger-Hamilton stage 39, 41, 43 and 45 under hypoxic and normal conditions. The results showed that in hypoxia Tibetan Chicken significantly differed from the two lowland chicken breeds in embryo mass at Hamburger-Hamilton stage 41, 43 and 45 (p<0.01). In particular, Dwarf Recessive White Chicken and Shouguang Chicken showed retarded growth in hypoxic incubation (p<0.01), whereas Tibetan Chicken showed no significant difference between hypoxic and normal conditions (p>0.05). In addition, heart and the other organs showed different susceptibility to hypoxia at the studied stages. In conclusion, chronic hypoxia induced a change in the embryo development of the three different species and Tibetan Chicken showed adaptation to hypoxia. Of note, the embryo developmental physiology of Tibetan Chicken in response to hypoxia will shed light on the process of physiological acclimation or evolutionary adaptation as well as the study of clinical disease.