Identification and evolutionary history of the DD41D transposons in insects

Xiao-Gu Zhang,Hua-Hao Zhang,Yi-Hong Shen,Xiao-Min Xiong,Min-Jin Han 한국유전학회 2016 Genes & Genomics Vol.38 No.2

The rosa monophyletic group of transposons is a group of transposable element with characteristics of encoding a DD41D motif in the catalytic domain. However, biology and evolutionary history of this monophyletic group are still poorly understood. In this study, we report the first description for the presence of a rosa transposon in the silkworm Bombyx mori. Further analyses confirmed that this element in the silkworm genome had recently amplified and might still be capable of transposition. In addition, we present evidence, based on searches of publicly available insect genomes, that a new clade of the rosa monophyletic group was identified. Interestingly, analysis of their three dimensional structures suggested that these proteins showed highly similar protein structures with that of the Mos1 transposase. These results provided useful insights into the functionality of these transposases and their structural and functional deviations from other transposases in the Tc1/mariner superfamily. Meanwhile, sequence and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that DD41D and maT elements might represent another independent large group of the Tc1/mariner superfamily. Importantly, the result of the comparison of terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) validated that DD41D and maT elements almost had identical consensus terminal sequences (50-CAGGGTGNS NCA-30), implying they might have similar cleavage sites or patterns during the process of their transposition. In a word, this study will enrich and expand our knowledge of the Tc1/mariner superfamily.

Fabrication of Photopolymer Hierarchical Micronanostructures by Coupling Electrospinning and Photolithography for SERS Substrates

Wen-Yi Zhang,Xin-Ze Xiao,Chao Lv,Jia Zhao,Gong Wang,Xuan Gu,Ran Zhang,Bin-Bin Xu,Dan-Dan Zhang,Ai-Wu Li,Yong-Lai Zhang,Hong-Bo Sun 한국고분자학회 2013 Macromolecular Research Vol.21 No.3

Reported here is the fabrication of photopolymer hierarchical micronanostructures through a combinative process of electrospinning and subsequent photolithography. Electrospun SU-8 (epoxy-based negative photoresist)nanofiber films have been patterned into gratings with periods of 100, 200, 300, and 400 μm, respectively. Deposition of a silver nanolayer on these interlaced nanofiber films would lead to the formation of various plasmonic nanostructures,and therefore, giving rise to abundant surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) “hot spots”. In the detection of Rhodamine 6G (R6G), probing molecule, the resultant SERS substrates show both high sensitivity and good reproducibility. The SERS enhancement factor could reach as high as ~108, indicating high efficiency. The fabrication of patterned, highly efficient SERS substrates may hold a great promise for the integration of SERS substrates in various microdevices such as microfluidic chips.

Face Recognition based on Improved Robust Sparse Coding Algorithm

Zhang Jun-Kai,Gu Xiao-Ya 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Signal Processing, Image Vol.8 No.9

Effect of the Oxygen Flux Ratio on the Structural and the Optical Properties of Silver-oxide Films Deposited by Using the Direct-current Reactive Magnetron Sputtering Method

Xiao-Yong Gao,Hong-Liang Feng,Zeng-Yuan Zhang,Jiao-Min Ma,Meng-Ke Zhao,Chao Chen,Jin-Hua Gu,Shi-E Yang,Yong-Sheng Chen,Jing-Xiao Lu 한국물리학회 2011 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.58 No.2

Using values of the oxygen flux ratio (OFR = [O2]/[Ar]) ranging from 0 to 0.5, authors deposited a series of silver-oxide (Ag_xO) films on glass substrates by direct-current reactive magnetron sputtering (DC sputtering) at a substrate temperature of 150 ℃. The effect of the OFR on the film’s structural and optical properties was systematically investigated by using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and spectrophotometry. The Ag_xO films deposited clearly show an evolution of the film’s phase structure from the biphased (Ag + Ag_2O) structure to the biphased (AgO + Ag_2O) structure and then to the single-phased (Ag_2O) structure as value of the OFR increases. Accordingly, the film’s surface morphology, related to the film’s crystalline structure, clearly changes from a loose and porous surface structure to a compact surface structure and then to a pyramid-like surface structure with increasing value of the OFR. The novel porous structure may be attributed to the interruption of the silver’s growth course by the AgO on the film’s surface. Notably, a single-phased Ag_2O film is deposited by DC-sputtering at OFR = 0.5 due to the dual effects of thermal decomposition of the AgO phase and a combination reaction of AgO and Ag to Ag_2O. The oscillations both in the film’s reflectivity and transmissivity spectra are strengthened with increasing OFR, indicating an evolution from the metallic behavior of the biphased (Ag + Ag_2O) film to the dielectric behavior of the biphased (Ag_2O + AgO) film and the single-phased Ag2O film. The fitted optical absorption edges of the Ag_2O and the Ag_xO films deposited at values of the OFR of 0.5 and 0.33 are approximately 2.43 eV and 2.34 eV, respectively. The absorption edges are closely related to the direct interband transitions.

Molecular characterization and expression analysis of putative odorant carrier proteins in Adelphocoris lineolatus

Yong Xiao,Liang Sun,Qi Wang,Qiang Zhang,Shao-Hua Gu,Adel Khashaveh,Ze-Wen Liu,Yong-Jun Zhang 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.21 No.3

The alfalfa plant bug Adelphocoris lineolatus (Goeze) (Hemiptera: Miridae), a serious pest of several agricultural crops, is extremely attracted by flowering plants to perform season host switching. Generally, chemoreception of A. lineolatus plays a crucial role in detecting food sources, locating mates and oviposition sites. In addition, odorant carrier proteins are believed to participate in the initial chemical communication and perception in insects. In this work, we identified 31 putative odorant carrier protein genes from the antennal transcriptomes of A. lineolatus, including 17 new odorant binding proteins (OBPs), 10 new chemosensory proteins (CSPs) and four Niemann-Pick type C2 proteins (NPC2s). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the OBP and CSP genes from four mirid bug species (A. lineolatus, Adelphocoris suturalis, Apolygus lucorum and Lygus lineolaris) had a relatively close evolutionary relationship. Regular patterns and key conserved motifs of OBPs and CSPs in Hemiptera insects are also identified by using Multiple EM for Motif Elicitation (MEME) tool. Tissue expression profiles analysis showed that nine of the 17 OBPs, 10 CSPs and two of the four NPC2s were primarily or uniquely expressed in the adult antennae suggesting their putative roles in chemoreception. Our study provides the first insight into the roles of odorant carrier proteins in chemoreception of A. lineolatus, which will help to facilitate biological functions of odorant carrier proteins and develop novel insect behavioral regulation strategy

Inhibitory effects of osteoprotegerin on osteoclast formation and function under serum-free conditions

Ying-Xiao Fu,Jian-Hong Gu,Yi-Ran Zhang,Xi-Shuai Tong,Hong-Yan Zhao,Yan Yuan,Xue-Zhong Liu,Jian-Chun Bian,Zong-Ping Liu 대한수의학회 2013 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.14 No.4

The purpose of this study was to determine whether osteoprotegerin (OPG) could affect osteoclat differentiation and activation under serum-free conditions. Both duck embryo bone marrow cells and RAW264.7 cells were incubated with macrophage colony stimulatory factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator for nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) in serum-free medium to promote osteoclastogenesis. During cultivation, 0,10, 20, 50, and 100 ng/mL OPG were added to various groups of cells. Osteoclast differentiation and activation were monitored via tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining,filamentous-actin rings analysis, and a bone resorption assay. Furthermore, the expression osteoclast-related genes, such as TRAP and receptor activator for nuclear factor κB (RANK),that was influenced by OPG in RAW264.7 cells was examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. In summary,findings from the present study suggested that M-CSF with RANKL can promote osteoclast differentiation and activation,and enhance the expression of TRAP and RANK mRNA in osteoclasts. In contrast, OPG inhibited these activities under serum-free conditions.

Effects of a Compound Extract from Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb, Grifola umbellata (pers.) Pilat, and Gambogia on Human Gastric Carcinoma MGC-803 Cells

Li Zhao,Xiao-Nan Zhang,Hong-Yan Gu,Jia Wang,Lei Tao,Rong Mu,Qing-Long Guo 한국식품과학회 2009 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.18 No.1

Three traditional Chinese medicines, Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb, Grifola umbellata (pers.) Pilat, and Gambogia, are combined to form a compound extract, AGC. In this study, the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects of AGC on human gastric carcinoma MGC-803 cells were demonstrated, and the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are investigated. Our results indicate that AGC inhibited MGC-803 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner as measured by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, with an IC?? of about 6.045±0.69 ㎍/㎖. In vivo, AGC inhibited growth of human gastric carcinoma in xenograft tumors in nude mice, and the inhibitory rate reached 55.2% at 300 ㎎/㎏. The pro-apoptotic activity of AGC was attributed to its ability to decrease the expression of Bcl-2 and Pro-caspase3 and increase the expression of Bax. These results demonstrate that AGC can effectively induce programmed cell death and may be a promising anti-tumor drug in human gastric carcinoma.

Properties of an AlGaN/AlN Distributed-Bragg-reflector Structure

Li-Li Zhang,Zhan-Hui Liu,Xiao-Gu Huang,Qing-Fang Li,Rong Zhang,Zi-Li Xie,Xiang-Qian Xiu 한국물리학회 2014 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.65 No.7

An AlGaN/AlN distributed-Bragg-reflector (DBR) structure with a high Al content was grown byusing plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PA-MBE). The properties of the sample were characterizedby using the transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution X-ray diffraction, atomicforce microscopy, and reflectivity spectrum measurements. The reciprocal space mapping analysisindicated that the strain in the AlGaN layers was partially relaxed. The morphology of the DBRexhibited a surface covered by grains (average size of about 130 nm), and the surface roughness wasabout 2 nm. The spectral measurements showed that the DBR structure presented a peak reflectivityof 68.8% at the center wavelength of 247 nm, which indicated that this DBR structure couldwork in the deep solar-blind UV region with acceptable reflectivity. However, the optical propertiesof the DBR structure were deteriorated by the fluctuation of the Al composition, non-uniformity ofthe layer thickness, the blurry, rough interface in the DBR structure, and so on.

Clinicopathologic and Prognostic Significance of the Zinc Finger of the Cerebellum Family in Invasive Breast Cancer

Wei Han,Cong Zhang,Xiao-jiao Gao,Hua-bing Wang,Fang Chen,Fang Cao,Yong-wei Hu,Jun Ma,Xing Gu,Hou-zhong Ding 한국유방암학회 2018 Journal of breast cancer Vol.21 No.1

Purpose: Five members of the zinc finger of the cerebellum (ZIC) family—ZIC1, ZIC2, ZIC3, ZIC4, and ZIC5—have been shown to be involved in various carcinomas. Here, we aimed to explore the clinicopathologic and prognostic roles of ZIC family members in invasive breast cancer patients using immunohistochemical analysis, western blotting analysis, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Methods: A total of 241 female invasive breast cancer patients who underwent radical mastectomy between 2009 and 2011 were enrolled. ZIC proteins in 241 pairs of breast tumors and corresponding normal tissues were investigated using immunohistochemistry and the clinicopathologic roles of proteins were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression analysis were also used to analyze the prognostic value of the ZIC proteins. In addition, 12 pairs of fresh-frozen breast tumors and matched normal tissues were used in the western blotting analysis and RT-qPCR. Results: Only ZIC1 expression in normal tissues was obviously higher than that in tumors (p<0.001). On multivariate analysis, ZIC1 expression (in overall survival analysis: hazard ratio [HR], 0.405, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.233–0.702, p=0.001; in disease-free survival analysis: HR, 0.395, 95% CI, 0.234–0.669, p=0.001) was identified as a prognostic indicator of invasive breast cancer. Conclusion: ZIC1, but not the other proteins, was obviously decreased in breast tumors and associated with clinicopathologic factors. Thus, ZIC1 might be a novel indicator to predict the overall and disease-free survival of invasive breast cancer patients.

Effects of MicroRNA-106 on Proliferation of Gastric Cancer Cell through Regulating p21 and E2F5

Yao, Yong-Liang,Wu, Xiao-Yang,Wu, Jian-Hong,Gu, Tao,Chen, Ling,Gu, Jin-Hua,Liu, Yun,Zhang, Qing-Hui Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.5

Objective: To investigate the effects of miR-106b on malignant characteristics of gastric cancer cells, and explore possible mechanisms. Methods: Expression of miR-106b, p21 and E2F was determined by real-time PCR. Transfection with miR-106b mimics was conducted, and gastric cancer cells with miR-106b overexpression were obtained. Cells transfected with mimic mutants and those without transfection served as negative and blank controls, respectively. Flow cytometry and transwell assays were adopted to detect the effects of miR-106b overexpression on cell cycle, migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Results:. The expression of miR- 106b in gastric cancer cells was significantly higher than that in normal gastric mucosa cells. Furthermore, the expression level of miR-106b rose according to the degree of malignacy among the three GC cell strains (MKN- 45 > SGC-7901 > MKN-28). Overexpression of miR-106b shortened the G0/G1 phase and accelerated cell cycle progression, while reducing p21 and E2F5, without any significant effects on the capacity for migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Conclusions: miR-106b may promote cell cycling of gastric cancer cells through regulation of p21 and E2F5 target gene expression.