Identification of candidate odorant‐degrading enzyme genes in the antennal transcriptome of Aphidius gifuensis

Kang Zhi‐Wei,Liu Fang‐Hua,Xu Yong‐Yu,Cheng Jia‐Hui,Lin Xiao‐Li,Jing Xiang‐Feng,Tian Hong‐Gang,Liu Tong‐Xian 한국곤충학회 2021 Entomological Research Vol.51 No.1

Odorant‐degrading enzymes (ODEs) have been found in insect antennae and play a critical role in signal chemical degradation once the message is conveyed. Significant progress has been made in characterizing ODEs in a variety of pests but very little is known in their natural enemies. We have carried out an antennae‐ and sex‐specific transcriptome of Aphidius gifuensis, a natural enemy of aphid, to identify the candidate ODEs. Based on the antennae‐ and sex‐specific transcriptome, a total of 100 putative ODEs were identified including one aldehyde oxidase (AOX), four alcohol dehydrogenases (ADs), eight UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs), 45 cytochrome P450 (P450s), nine glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) and 40 carboxylesterases (CCEs or CXEs). Additionally, we used RT‐qPCR to determine the expression profiles of these genes in tissues of both sexes. Based on the phylogenic analysis and tissue‐expression patterns, AgifEstE4, AgifCXE3, AgifCCE4, AgifCCE7, and AgifCCE18 were suggested as key ODEs in A. gifuensis. In addition, the female or male specifically enriched genes, such as AgifCCE17, AgifEstB1, AgifCYP18a1, AgifUGT2C2, were also considered to involve in the chemosensory processing in A. gifuensis. This study not only identified the candidate ODEs in A. gifuensis but also provided source for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms of chemical signal transductions in A. gifuensis, as well as other hymenopteran species.

Protection and Inheritance of Local Dramas in China - A Case Study of Liuqin Troupe in Pizhou City -

( Xu Jia Wei ),( Fang Xiu Qing ) 한국동양예술학회 2021 동양예술 Vol.52 No.-

본 연구는 중국 무형문화유산인 유금희(柳琴戲)의 발전 현상을 통하여, 그것이 중국 지방극의 보호 및 전승에 대해 갖는 시사점 분석에 목적을 둔다. 본 논문은 피저우시(邳州市)의 유금희 악단에 대한 사례 분석을 통하여, 총, ‘정부 성과’, ‘희극 본체’, ‘실천 주체’의 세 가지 측면으로 중국 지방극의 연구가 갖는 시사점에 대해 심층 분석하였으며, 극단의 관리자에 대한 인터뷰 조사를 통해 유금희가 지방에서 발전해온 면모를 전면적으로 재현하였다. 연구의 내용은 중국 특색 사회주의 제도에 기초하여 통일성을 갖는 반면, 한 걸음 더 나아가 직관적으로 중국 지방극의 발전에 있어, 보편적으로 존재하는 문제점을 반영하였다. 본 연구의 결과는, 첫째, ‘정부 성과’ 측면이다. 지방극은 중국 정부의 적극적인 추진 정책의 기초 위에서 왕성한 발전을 거두었다. 정부는 지방극의 발전 조건을 충족시키는 동시에 정부 간섭을 줄임으로써 발전 공간을 제공하였다. 둘째, ‘희극 본체’ 측면이다. 극의 창작은 지방극의 특색을 보전한다는 전제하에 최대한 ‘동질화(同質化)’ 형성을 피하고 연출 공간이 민간에서 활약되도록 하였다. 셋째, ‘실천 주체’ 측면이다. 이는 구체적으로, 원로 예술인의 발굴 및 보호, ‘사도전승(师徒传承)’으로의 회귀, 신예 예술인의 육성 강화 및 관중의 다양한 요구 만족 및 관중 모집 등을 포함한다. 본 연구의 의의는 중국 지방극에 대한 전승과 보호에서부터 심층 해석 및 확장 해석을 돕는다. 또한, 연구의 참고자료로서 ‘살아 있는 전승’인 무형 문화유산의 분석과 연구에 활용될 수 있다. This study aims to explore the enlightenment of Liuqin Drama on the protection and inheritance of Chinese local dramas by analyzing the development status of Liuqin Drama, China’s intangible cultural heritage. A case study of Pizhou Liuqin Troupe has been conducted from three aspects: “government actions”, “drama as the subject”, and “practice subject”. Besides, visit and interview against the management of the troupe have been conducted. Collectively, this has restored the appearance of Liuqin Drama in the local development. Based on the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, the development background of the research content is unified to directly reflect the widespread problems in the development of Chinese local drama. Research on Chinese local drama demonstrates that regarding “government actions”, Chinese local drama has developed vigorously on the basis of the government’s active policies. To satisfy its development, the government supports its development and reduces political interference. In terms of “drama as the subject”, the production of “homogenization” should be avoided while the performance space should be active in the folk for local dramas on the premise of retaining the characteristics of local dramas. Respecting “practice subject”, they try to discover and protect old artists, return to the mode of “inheritance from master to apprentice”, and accelerate the cultivation and training of new artists. Moreover, it should meet the diverse needs of the audience and cultivate the audience. The results of this study are bound to enable people to deeply interpret and expand the inheritance and protection of Chinese local dramas. It can be the reference materials for the research on the intangible cultural heritage of “living state” inheritance.

Expression and Significance of Microsomal Prostaglandin Synthase-1 (mPGES-1) and Beclin-1 in the Development of Prostate Cancer

Xu, Lu-Wei,Qian, Ming,Jia, Rui-Peng,Xu, Zheng,Wu, Jian-Ping,Li, Wen-Cheng,Huang, Wen-Bin,Chen, Xing-Guo Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.4

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and significance of microsomal prostaglandin synthase-1 (mPGES-1) and Beclin-1 in the development of prostate cancer (PCa). Immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin-embedded sections with rabbit polyclonal against mPGES-1 and Beclin-1 in 40 PCa, 40 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 10 normal prostate specimens for this purpose. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was applied for mRNA expression of mPGES-1 and Beclin-1, while MTT assays were used to ascertain the best working concentration of the mPGES-1 inhibitor (CAY10526). The effect of CAY10526 treatment on expression of Beclin-1 in DU-145 cells was studied using Western blot analysis. Localization of Beclin-1 and mPGES-1 was in endochylema. Significant differences in expression was noted among PCa, BPH and normal issues (P<0.05). Beclin-1 expression inversely correlated with mPGES-1 expression in PCa tissue (P<0.05). CAY10526 could significantly block mPGES-1 expression and the proliferation of DU-145 cells (P<0.05), while increasing Beclin-1 levels (P<0.05). Overexpression of mPGES-1 could decrease the autophagic PCa cell death. Inhibiting the expression of mPGES-1 may lead to DU-145 cell death and up-regulation of Beclin-1. The results suggest that inhibition of mPGES-1 may have therapeutic potential for PCa in the future.

Distinctions Between Clinicopathological Factors and Prognosis of Alpha-fetoprotein Negative and Positive Hepatocelluar Carcinoma Patients

Xu, Jia,Liu, Chang,Zhou, Lei,Tian, Feng,Tai, Ming-Hui,Wei, Ji-Chao,Qu, Kai,Meng, Fan-Di,Zhang, Ling-Qiang,Wang, Zhi-Xin,Zhang, Jing-Yao,Chang, Hu-Lin,Liu, Si-Nan,Xu, Xin-Shen,Song, Yan-Zhou,Liu, Jun,Z Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.2

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a significant marker for clinical diagnosis and prognosis evaluation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, some proportion of liver cancer patients are AFP-negative (AFP ${\leq}$20ng/ml). In order to study the differences between clinicopathological factors and prognosis of alpha-fetoprotein negative and positive patients, a total of 114 cases (41 AFP-negative and 73 AFP-positive) were selected for our research. By systematically statistical analysis, the results demonstrated that compared with AFP-negative patients, AFP-positive examples were more likely to feature cirrhosis nodules, non-complete neoplasm capsules, and a poor Edmondson-steiner grade. Furthermore, AFP-negative patients demonstrated a favorable long-term prognosis. By univariate analysis and multivariate analysis with Cox's proportional hazards model, multiple tumors were found to be independent risk factors for worse survival of AFP negative patients; however, less tumor-free margins, multiple tumors and Edmondson-steiner grades III/IV, proved to be independent risk factors leading to a poor prognosis of AFP positive cases. Finally, we can infer that high levels of AFP signify a highly malignant tumor and unfavorable prognosis.

Altered mRNA Levels of MOV10, A3G, and IFN-α in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Zhi-Wei Song,Yan-Xiu Ma,Li-Juan Fu,Bao-qing Fu,Xu Teng,Si-Jia Chen,Wei-Zhen Xu,Hong-Xi Gu 한국미생물학회 2014 The journal of microbiology Vol.52 No.6

To explore the relationship of the MOV10, A3G, and IFN-αmRNA levels with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection,Blood samples from 96 patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB) and 21 healthy individuals as control were collected. HBV DNA load and aminotransferase in the serum weretested using real time PCR and velocity methods, respectively. The MOV10, A3G, and IFN-α mRNA levels in theperipheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were examinedthrough qRT-PCR. The MOV10, A3G, and IFN-α mRNAlevels in CHB group was significantly lower than those inthe control group (P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). TheA3G mRNA level in the high-HBV DNA load group waslower than that in the low-HBV DNA load group (P<0.05). However, no statistical difference was found in the MOV10and IFN-α mRNA levels between the two HBV DNA loadgroups. Furthermore, the MOV10 mRNA level showed positivecorrelation with IFN-α in the control group. These resultsindicated that the expression of the innate immune factorsMOV10, A3G, and IFN-α is affected by chronic HBV infection.

Naringin and Naringenin Relax Rat Tracheal Smooth by Regulating BKCa Activation

Rui Shi,Jia-Wen Xu,Zi-Ting Xiao,Ruo-Fei Chen,Yi-Lin Zhang,Jia-Bi Lin,Ke-Ling Cheng,Gu-Yi Wei,Pei-Bo Li,Wen-Liang Zhou,Wei-Wei Su 한국식품영양과학회 2019 Journal of medicinal food Vol.22 No.9

Naringin and its aglycone, naringenin, occur naturally in our regular diet and traditional Chinese medicines. This study aimed to detect an effective therapeutic approach for cough variant asthma (CVA) through evaluating the relaxant effect of these two bioactive herbal monomers as antitussive and antiasthmatic on rat tracheal smooth muscle. The relaxant effect was determined by measuring muscular tension with a mechanical recording system in rat tracheal rings. Cytosolic Ca2+ concentration was measured using a confocal imaging system in primary cultured tracheal smooth muscle cells. In rat tracheal rings, addition of both naringin and naringenin could concentration dependently relax carbachol (CCh)-evoked tonic contraction. This epithelium-independent relaxation could be suppressed by BaCl2, tetraethylammonium, and iberiotoxin (IbTX), but not by glibenclamide. After stimulating primary cultured tracheal smooth muscle cells by CCh or high KCl, the intracellular Ca2+ increase could be inhibited by both naringin and naringenin, respectively. This reaction was also suppressed by IbTX. These results demonstrate that both naringin and naringenin can relax tracheal smooth muscle through opening big conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel, which mediates plasma membrane hyperpolarization and reduces Ca2+ influx. Our data indicate a potentially effective therapeutic approach of naringin and naringenin for CVA.

Discovery of novel glycoside hydrolases from C-glycoside-degrading bacteria using sequence similarity network analysis

Wei Bin,Wang Ya-Kun,Yu Jin-Biao,Wang Si-Jia,Yu Yan-Lei,Xu Xue-Wei,Wang Hong 한국미생물학회 2021 The journal of microbiology Vol.59 No.10

C-Glycosides are an important type of natural product with significant bioactivities, and the C-glycosidic bonds of C-glycosides can be cleaved by several intestinal bacteria, as exemplified by the human faeces-derived puerarin-degrading bacterium Dorea strain PUE. However, glycoside hydrolases in these bacteria, which may be involved in the C-glycosidic bond cleavage of C-glycosides, remain largely unknown. In this study, the genomes of the closest phylogenetic neighbours of five puerarin-degrading intestinal bacteria (including Dorea strain PUE) were retrieved, and the protein-coding genes in the genomes were subjected to sequence similarity network (SSN) analysis. Only four clusters of genes were annotated as glycoside hydrolases and observed in the genome of D. longicatena DSM 13814T (the closest phylogenetic neighbour of Dorea strain PUE); therefore, genes from D. longicatena DSM 13814T belonging to these clusters were selected to overexpress recombinant proteins (CG1, CG2, CG3, and CG4) in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). In vitro assays indicated that CG4 efficiently cleaved the O-glycosidic bond of daidzin and showed moderate β-D-glucosidase and β-D-xylosidase activity. CG2 showed weak activity in hydrolyzing daidzin and pNP- β-D-fucopyranoside, while CG3 was identified as a highly selective and efficient α-glycosidase. Interestingly, CG3 and CG4 could be selectively inhibited by daidzein, explaining their different performance in kinetic studies. Molecular docking studies predicted the molecular determinants of CG2, CG3, and CG4 in substrate selectivity and inhibition propensity. The present study identified three novel and distinctive glycoside hydrolases, highlighting the potential of SSN in the discovery of novel enzymes from genomic data.

Stepwise and Combinatorial Optimization of Enantioselectivity for the Asymmetric Hydrolysis of 1-(3’,4’-methylenedioxyphenyl)ethyl Acetate under Use of a Cold-adapted Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Esterase

Jia-Yan Liu,Gao-Wei Zheng,Tadayuki Imanaka,Jian-He Xu 한국생물공학회 2014 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.19 No.3

Optically pure 1-(3’,4’-methylenedioxyphenyl)ethanol is a key chiral intermediate for the synthesis ofSteganacin and Salmeterol. A para-nitrobenzyl esterasecloned from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BAE) was employedto hydrolyze 1-(3’,4’-methylenedioxyphenyl) ethyl ester forthe production of (R)-1-(3’,4’-methylenedioxyphenyl)ethanol. Initially, a moderate enantioselectivity (E = 35) only wasobtained at 30°C. Some reaction conditions such asreaction temperature and additive approach were investigatedin order to improve the enantioselectivity of the BAEcatalyzedreaction.. As a result, the enantioselectivity wasimproved significantly to 140 under addition of Tween-80and a decreasing reaction temperature to 0°C. The resultwas confirmed in a decagram-scale preparative bioresolutionalso. The optimized enzymatic hydrolysis conditions providea more effective process for the (R)-1-(3’,4’-methylenedioxyphenyl)ethanol bioproduction.

Identification of mountain-cultivated ginseng and cultivated ginseng using UPLC/oa-TOF MSE with a multivariate statistical sample-profiling strategy

Xu, Xin-fang,Cheng, Xian-long,Lin, Qing-hua,Li, Sha-sha,Jia, Zhe,Han, Ting,Lin, Rui-chao,Wang, Dan,Wei, Feng,Li, Xiang-ri The Korean Society of Ginseng 2016 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.40 No.4

Background: Mountain-cultivated ginseng (MCG) and cultivated ginseng (CG) both belong to Panax ginseng and have similar ingredients. However, their pharmacological activities are different due to their significantly different growth environments. Methods: An ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS)-based approach was developed to distinguish MCG and CG. Multivariate statistical methods, such as principal component analysis and supervised orthogonal partial-least-squares discrimination analysis were used to select the influential components. Results: Under optimized UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS conditions, 40 ginsenosides in both MCG and CG were unambiguously identified and tentatively assigned. The results showed that the characteristic components of CG and MCG included ginsenoside Ra3/isomer, gypenoside XVII, quinquenoside R1, ginsenoside Ra7, notoginsenoside Fe, ginsenoside Ra2, ginsenoside Rs6/Rs7, malonyl ginsenoside Rc, malonyl ginsenoside Rb1, malonyl ginsenoside Rb2, palmitoleic acid, and ethyl linoleate. The malony ginsenosides are abundant in CG, but higher levels of the minor ginsenosides were detected in MCG. Conclusion: This is the first time that the differences between CG and MCG have been observed systematically at the chemical level. Our results suggested that using the identified characteristic components as chemical markers to identify different ginseng products is effective and viable.

Polyethersulfone membrane modified by zwitterionic groups for improving anti-fouling and antibacterial properties

Wei Jin,Yu-Fei Lin,Zhen-Liang Xu,Ping-Ping Li,Jia-Yue Dai,Yi-Hao Tong,Xin Zhang 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.122 No.-

Ultrafiltration (UF) membranes are commonly confronted with threats from pollutants during long-termoperation. The zwitterions with high hydrophilicity are expected to be the critical material to improve theanti-fouling and antibacterial abilities of membranes. Herein, a new zwitterionic polyethersulfone (PES)(zwitterionic PES - ZPES) was synthesized. The as-prepared ZPES was used to fabricate a zwitterionic UFmembrane via the non-solvent induced phase inversion (NIPS) method. Zwitterionic polymer skeletonenhanced the hydrophilicity, permeability and anti-fouling properties of the material. As a result, theZPES membrane exhibited doubled water flux growth (269.6 Lm2h1) compared with that of the PES(125.3 Lm2h1) and high protein rejection (98.6%). Besides, the ZPES membrane could maintain anexcellent flux recovery rate (94.1%) and antibacterial effect (more than 95%). Therefore, the excellentanti-fouling and antibacterial abilities of the ZPES membrane broaden its application scope further.