Evolutionary dynamics of transposable elements during silkworm domestication

Min‑Jin Han,Hong‑En Xu,Xiao‑Min Xiong,Hua‑Hao Zhang 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.10

Although there are some documented examples on population dynamics of transposable elements (TEs) in model organisms, the evolutionary dynamics of TEs in domesticated species has not been systematically investigated. The objective of this study is to understand population dynamics of TEs during silkworm domestication. In this work, using transposondisplay we examined the polymorphism of seven TE families [they represent about 59% of silkworm (Bombyx mori) total TE content] in four domesticated silkworm populations and one wild silkworm population. Maximum likelihood (ML) was used to estimate selection pressure. Population differentiation and structure were performed by using AMOVA analysis and program DISTRUCT, respectively. The results of transposon-display showed that significant differentiation occurred between the domesticated silkworm and wild silkworm. These TEs have experienced expansions and fixation in the domesticated silkworm but not in wild silkworm. Furthermore, the ML results indicated that purifying selection of TEs in the domesticated silkworm were significantly weaker than that in the wild silkworm. Interestingly, an adaptation insertion induced by BmMITE-2 was found, and this insertion can reduce the polymorphism of the flanking regions of its neighboring COQ7 gene. Our results suggested that TEs expanded and were fixed in the domesticated silkworm might result from demographic effects and artificial selection during domestication. We concluded that the data presented in this study have general implication in animal and crop improvements as well as in domestication of new species.

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.

Expression and Characterization of Protein Latcripin-3, an Antioxidant and Antitumor Molecule from Lentinula edodes C91-3

Ann, Xiao-Hua,Lun, Yong-Zhi,Zhang, Wei,Liu, Ben,Li, Xing-Yun,Zhong, Min-Tao,Wang, Xiao-Li,Cao, Jing,Ning, An-Hong,Huang, Min Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.12

In this study, an anti-oxidant and anti-tumor protein Latcripin-3 of Lentinula edodes C91-3 was expressed in Escherichia coli. for the first time. According to the cDNA library, the full-length gene of Latcripin-3 was cloned by the methods of 3'-full rapid amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE) and 5'-full RACE. The structural domain gene of Latcripin-3 was inserted into the pET32 a(+). The functional protein of Latcripin-3 was expressed in Rosetta-gami (DE3) E. coli, evaluated by Western blotting and mass spectrometry. DPPH testing showed that the protein Latcripin-3 can scavenge free radicals remarkably well. The activity of functional protein Latcripin-3 on A549 cells was studied with flow cytometry and the MTT method. The MTT assay results showed that there was a decreases in cell viability in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner in protein Latcripin-3 treated groups. Flow cytometry demonstrated that Latcripin-3 can induce apoptosis and block S phase dramatically in human A549 lung cancer cells as compared to the control group. At the same time, the cell ultrastructure observed by transmission electron microscopy supported the results of flow cytometry. This research offers new insights and advantages for identifying anti-oxidant and anti-tumor proteins.

Model-Deviation Compensation Control for Uncertain Systems with Time Delay

Xiao-Jie Sun,Hua Ye,Shu-Min Fei 제어로봇시스템학회 2010 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2010 No.10

A novel model-deviation compensation control strategy is developed for a class of uncertain systems with time delay in this paper. Taking an identified second-order plus dead-time (SOPDT) process for example, the whole design methodology is proposed, which integrates the prediction model, the sliding function design, the equivalent control term and the model-deviation compensation control law. Firstly the delay-ahead predictor with the feedback correction is constructed to weaken the affection of time delay in the system. Then by improving the classical sliding mode control, after obtaining the equivalent control term, the model-deviation compensation term is derived from the actual regulated response and the deviation to be eliminated, so that the modeling uncertainties and external disturbances can be restrained. Finally the establishment and feasible solution of LMI guarantee that the system output reaches the desired value. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.

Application of Organic Solvent System for Lipase-catalyzed Regioselective Benzoylation of 1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine

Xiao-Feng Li,Min-Hua Zong,Guang-Lei Zhao,Yi-Gang Yu,Hui Wu 한국생물공학회 2010 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.15 No.4

In this paper, enzymatic regioselective acylation of 1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) with vinyl benzoate (VB) using immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B in binary organic solvents was explored. It was found that the lipase showed high regioselectivity (> 99%) towards the 5'-OH of ara-C in the representative organic solvent mixture (hexane-pyridine). To understand the enzymatic processes and provide a fair comparison of hexane-pyridine with C4MIm·PF6-pyridine (the representative ionic liquid-containing system), the effect of each process variable on the reactions in hexane-pyridine was investigated. The results indicate that the optimum hexane content,initial a w, molar ratio of VB to ara-C, and temperature were 28% (v/v), 0.11, 15, and 40°C, respectively. Under optimized conditions, the initial reaction rate in hexanepyridine (44.4 mM/h) was much higher than that in C4MIm·PF6-pyridine (29.4 mM/h) for each case. The maximum conversion yield, however, was increased when the reaction system was shifted from hexane-pyridine to C4MIm·PF6-pyridine. Further study revealed that the presence of an acidic by-product (benzoate acid, released during the acylation process) may cause rapid inactivation of the enzyme in hexane-pyridine, leading to a lower conversion rate, whereas the ionic liquid may have coating and protecting effects on the lipase during the reaction.

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.

Metastatic Axillary Lymph Node Ratio (LNR) is Prognostically Superior to pN Staging in Patients with Breast Cancer -- Results for 804 Chinese Patients from a Single Institution

Xiao, Xiang-Sheng,Tang, Hai-Lin,Xie, Xin-Hua,Li, Lai-Sheng,Kong, Ya-Nan,Wu, Min-Qing,Yang, Lu,Gao, Jie,Wei, Wei-Dong,Xie, Xiaoming Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.9

The number of axillary lymph nodes involved and retrieved are important prognostic factors in breast cancer. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether the lymph node ratio (LNR) is a better prognostic factor in predicting disease-free survival (DFS) for breast cancer patients as compared with pN staging. The analysis was based on 804 breast cancer patients who had underwent axillary lymph node dissection between 1999 and 2008 in Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center. Optimal cutoff points of LNR were calculated using X-tile software and validated by bootstrapping. Patients were then divided into three groups (low-, intermediate-, and high-risk) according to the cutoff points. Predicting risk factors for relapse were performed according to Cox proportional hazards analysis. DFS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. The 5-year DFS rate decreased significantly with increasing LNRs and pN. Univariate analysis found that the pT, pN, LNR, molecule type, HER2, pTNM stage and radiotherapy well classified patients with significantly different prognosis. By multivariate analysis, only LNR classification was retained as an independent prognostic factor. Furthermore, there was a significant prognostic difference among different LNR categories for pN2 category, but no apparent prognostic difference was seen between different pN categories in any LNR category. Therefore, LNR rather than pN staging is preferable in predicting DFS in node positive breast cancer patients, and routine clinical decision-making should take the LNR into consideration.

Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome Caused by Herbal Medicine: CT and MRI Features

Hua Zhou,Yi-Xiang J. Wang,Hai-yan Lou,Xiao-jun Xu,Min-ming Zhang 대한영상의학회 2014 Korean Journal of Radiology Vol.15 No.2

Objective: To describe the CT and MRI features of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) caused by herbal medicine Gynura segetum. Materials and Methods: The CT and MRI features of 16 consecutive Gynura segetum induced HSOS cases (12 men, 4 women) were analyzed. Eight patients had CT; three patients had MRI, and the remaining five patients had both CT and MRI examinations. Based on their clinical presentations and outcomes, the patients were classified into three categories:mild, moderate, and severe. The severity of the disease was also evaluated radiologically based on the abnormal hepatic patchy enhancement in post-contrast CT or MRI images. Results: Ascites, patchy liver enhancement, and main right hepatic vein narrowing or occlusion were present in all 16 cases. Hepatomegaly and gallbladder wall thickening were present in 14 cases (87.5%, 14/16). Periportal high intensity on T2-weighted images was present in 6 cases (75%, 6/8). Normal liver parenchymal enhancement surrounding the mainhepatic vein forming a clover-like sign was observed in 4 cases (25%, 4/16). The extent of patchy liver enhancement was statistically associated with clinical severity classification (kappa = 0.565). Conclusion: Ascites, patchy liver enhancement, and the main hepatic veins narrowing were the most frequent signs of herbal medicine induced HSOS. The grade of abnormal patchy liver enhancement was associated with the clinical severity.

Structural and Optical Properties of RF Magnetron Reactively Sputtered Ag2O Film

Xiao-Yong Gao,Jiao-Min Ma,Chao Chen,Meng-Ke Zhao,Jin-Hua Gu,Jing-Xiao Lu 한국물리학회 2012 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.60 No.5

A series of <111> oriented Ag2O films was deposited onto glass substrates by using RF magnetron reactive sputtering at different flow ratios (FRs) of oxygen to argon. The Ag2O film deposited at FR = 0.667 was the best <111> oriented film due to dual contributions from both lattice strain and film stress. The films’ transmissivity of over 70% in the near-infrared region indicated that Ag2O films are not suitable for applications as transparent conductive films in the visible region. Ag2O films deposited at FRs from 0.467 to 0.800 had optical band gaps ranging from 3.266 eV to 3.107 eV. The redshift in the films’ absorption edge may be attributed to the decrease in the lattice strain with increasing in FR. A series of <111> oriented Ag2O films was deposited onto glass substrates by using RF magnetron reactive sputtering at different flow ratios (FRs) of oxygen to argon. The Ag2O film deposited at FR = 0.667 was the best <111> oriented film due to dual contributions from both lattice strain and film stress. The films’ transmissivity of over 70% in the near-infrared region indicated that Ag2O films are not suitable for applications as transparent conductive films in the visible region. Ag2O films deposited at FRs from 0.467 to 0.800 had optical band gaps ranging from 3.266 eV to 3.107 eV. The redshift in the films’ absorption edge may be attributed to the decrease in the lattice strain with increasing in FR.

Novel miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements derived from novel CACTA transposons were discovered in the genome of the ant Camponotus floridanus

Xiao-Min Xiong,Shen-Hua Jiang,Guo-Yin Li 한국유전학회 2016 Genes & Genomics Vol.38 No.12

Fourteen novel miniature inverted-repeat transposable element (MITE) families are found in the Florida carpenter ant genome, Camponotus floridanus. They constitute approximately 0.63 % of the entire genome. Analysis of their insertion time showed that most members of these MITEs were inserted into their host genome in less than 8 million years ago. In addition, the association between MITEs and the noncoding regions of genes in C. floridanus is random. Interestingly, an autonomous partner (named CfTEC) responsible for the amplification of these MITEs was also found in C. floridanus. Meanwhile, we present evidence, based on searches of publicly available databases, that this autonomous element was widespread in animals. Moreover, structure and phylogenetic analyses supported that TECs might represent a novel cade of transposons intermediate between the classic CACTA transposon and TRCs. Finally, their transposition mechanism and impact on host genome evolution were also discussed.