Metabolic engineering of erythritol production from glycerol by Yarrowia lipolytica

Ya-Ting Wang,Ling-Xuan Zhao,Liu-Jing Wei,Jun Chen,Zhijie Liu,Feng Liu,Qiang Hua 한국생물공학회 2024 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.29 No.1

Erythritol as a four-carbon polyol has been widely used in food, pharmaceutical and daily chemical industries with characteristics of low caloric value and high chemical stability. Here, a system metabolic engineering strategy was used to increase the yield of erythritol from glycerol in Yarrowia lipolytica by enhancing the substrate transformation and restricting the by-product synthesis. Specifi cally, we determined that over-expression of a newly identifi ed erythrose reductase YPR1 was able to improve the erythritol production as same as the well-known erythrose reductase ER27. Instead of its up-regulation, knockout of erythrose reductase ER10 was eff ective to improve erythritol synthesis. Moreover, both over-expression of YPR1 and deletion of ER10 signifi cantly accelerated the glycerol utilization in response to high osmotic stress. To further decrease the by-product accumulation, a restriction and recycling strategy was implemented by knockout of mannitol dehydrogenase MDH2 and enhancement of arabitol dehydrogenase ADH1 and fructokinase HXK1. The engineered strain YL13 produced a titer of 25 g/L erythritol and less than 0.5 g/L mannitol and arabitol. By over-expression of transketolase TKL1, the fi nal strain YL14 produced 28.5 g/L erythritol and none of mannitol and arabitol. This study provides a new idea for reducing the production of by-products and improving the glycerol conversion to erythritol.

Molecular Characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Domestic Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Northeastern China

Xiao-Xuan Zhang,Jing Jiang,Ya-Nan Cai,Chun-Feng Wang,Peng Xu,Gui-Lian Yang,Quan Zhao 대한기생충학열대의학회 2016 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.54 No.1

A study of 426 rabbits from 3 cities in Jilin province (Changchun City and Jilin City) and Liaoning province (Shenyang City) was conducted between May and June 2015. The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi in rabbits was 0.94% (4/426), with 0% (0/116), 1.72% (3/174), and 0.74% (1/136) in Jilin, Changchun, and Shenyang City, respectively. Only 3 farms (farm 1 and farm 3 in Changchun City, farm 8 in Shenyang City) were PCR-positive for E. bieneusi. Moreover, rabbits of more than 6 months (1.72%) had the highest E. bieneusi prevalence, followed by rabbits of 4-6 months (1.26%), 2-3 months (0.58%), and less than 1 month (0%). Analysis of ITS gene of E. bieneusi suggested that all 4 E. bieneusi isolates were genotype D, and were classified as group 1a. The present results first demonstrated the existence of zoonotic E. bieneusi in domestic rabbits in China. Effective control measures should be implemented to prevent E. bieneusi infection in domestic rabbits, other animals, and humans.

Stable Isotopes Reveal Water Vapor Sources of Precipitation over the Jiaolai Plain, Shandong Peninsula, China

Ying Wang,Bu-li Cui,Dong-sheng Li,Ya-xuan Wang,Wan-xin Yu,He-hua Zong 한국기상학회 2022 Asia-Pacific Journal of Atmospheric Sciences Vol.58 No.2

A prerequisite for using isotopic techniques to study the regional water cycle of a mountainous area is to examine the stable isotopic composition of precipitation. These findings are of great significance for an in-depth understanding of water cycle processes. In this study, each precipitation event was sampled and used to investigate the characteristics of stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in precipitation over the Jiaolai Plain and its surrounding areas. NCEP/NCAR data was used for the wind speed and direction, relative humidity, and precipitable amount in the study area during the sampling period. The water vapor sources of the precipitation over the plain were revealed through a comparative analysis of seasonal variations in precipitation isotopes between Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation stations located along different vapor transport paths. The results showed that the local meteoric water line was δ2H = 6.38 δ18O + 0.72, with a gradient of less than 8. This indicates that the precipitation process was affected by non-equilibrium evaporation occurring when the drops fell below the cloud base. Temperature and amount effects were observed in the δ18O of the precipitation, although the altitude effect was not significant. The water vapor source of the precipitation was predominantly controlled by the East Asian Monsoon from June to September, with the primary source being evaporation from the adjacent Pacific Ocean. The plain was controlled by the Westerlies from October through May, with the predominant vapor source being local evaporation. Water vapor from the polar region had a minimal impact. These findings can serve as the basis for studying surface water–groundwater–seawater transformations.

Resveratrol enhances the functionality and improves the regeneration of mesenchymal stem cell aggregates

Yi-Jing Wang,Pan Zhao,Bing-Dong Sui,Nu Liu,Cheng-Hu Hu,Ji Chen,Chen-Xi Zheng,An-Qi Liu,Kun Xuan,Ya-Ping Pan,Yan Jin 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based regeneration, specifically cell aggregate or cell sheet engineering, is a promising approach for tissue reconstruction. Considering the advantages of ease of harvest and lack of immune rejection, the application of autologous MSCs (i.e., patients’ own MSCs) in regenerative medicine has developed considerable interest. However, the impaired cell viability and regenerative potential following MSCs impacted by disease remain a major challenge. Resveratrol (RSV) exhibits reliable and extensive rejuvenative activities that have received increasing clinical attention. Here, we uncovered that resveratrol enhances the functionality and improves the regeneration of mesenchymal stem cell aggregates. Periodontal ligament MSCs (PDLSCs) from normal control subjects (N-PDLSCs) and periodontitis patients (P-PDLSCs) were investigated. Compared to N-PDLSCs, P-PDLSCs were less capable of forming cell aggregates, and P-PDLSC aggregates showed impaired osteogenesis and regeneration. These functional declines could be mimicked in N-PDLSCs by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) treatment. Notably, a TNF-α-induced functional decline in N-PDLSC aggregates was rescued by RSV application. More importantly, in both N-PDLSCs and P-PDLSCs, RSV promoted cell aggregate formation and improved their osteogenic potential. Furthermore, as proven ectopically in vivo, the tissue regenerative capability of P-PDLSC aggregates was also enhanced after RSV treatment during aggregate formation in vitro. Finally, in a rat in situ regeneration model, we successfully applied both N-PDLSC aggregates and P-PDLSC aggregates to repair periodontal defects upon long-term functional improvements by RSV preconditioning. Together, our data unravel a novel methodology for using pharmacology (i.e., RSV)-based cell aggregate engineering to improve the functionality and facilitate the regeneration of MSCs from both healthy and inflammatory microenvironments, shedding light on improving the application of autologous MSC-mediated regenerative medicine.

Changes in the physicochemical properties and in vitro protein digestibility of peanut hulls treated via mechanical activation

Miao-miao Feng,Ya-fen Wang,Xuan Cai,Hong-cai Zhang,Jian-xiong Xu 한국식품과학회 2022 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.31 No.6

In this study, peanut hulls powder (PHP) wastreated via mechanical activation (MA) and divided intothree groups (control, PHP150 and PHP250). Physicochemicalproperties including mean particle size distribution(MPSD), powder properties, solubility and in vitro proteindigestibility of PHP were then investigated. The resultsshowed that MA could decrease the particle size of PHP bydestroying its crystal structure, resulting in an increase ofamorphization and a decrease of crystallinity and crystallinesize. The results of in vitro protein digestibility and crudefi ber contents showed that MA increased the protein digestibilityof PHP by 43.32% and 74.70% ( P < 0.05), while crudefi ber content was decreased by 0.42% and 26.65% ( P < 0.05). These fi ndings indicated a large application potential of MAin PHP treatment.

Methylation Status of Transcriptional Modulatory Genes Associated with Colorectal Cancer in Northeast China

Han-Lu Gao,Xuan Wang,Hong-Ru Sun,Jun-De Zhou,Shang-Qun Lin,Yu-Hang Xing,Lin Zhu,Hai-Bo Zhou,Ya-Shuang Zhao,Qiang Chi,Yu-Peng Liu 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2018 Gut and Liver Vol.12 No.2

Background/Aims: Methylation status plays a causal role in carcinogenesis in targeted tissues. However, the relationship between the DNA methylation status of multiple genes in blood leukocytes and colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility as well as interactions between dietary factors and CRC risks are unclear. Methods: We performed a case-control study with 466 CRC patients and 507 cancer-free controls to investigate the association among the methylation status of individual genes, multiple CpG site methylation (MCSM), multiple CpG site heterogeneous methylation and CRC susceptibility. Peripheral blood DNA methylation levels were detected by performing methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting. Results: Total heterogeneous methylation of CA10 and WT1 conferred a significantly higher risk of CRC (adjusted odds ratio [ORadjusted], 5.445; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.075 to 9.643; ORadjusted, 1.831; 95% CI, 1.100 to 3.047; respectively). Subjects with high-level MCSM (MCSM-H) status demonstrated a higher risk of CRC (ORadjusted, 4.318; 95% CI, 1.529 to 12.197). Additionally, interactions between the high-level intake of fruit and CRH, WT1, and MCSM on CRC were statistically significant. Conclusions: The gene methylation status of blood leukocytes may be associated with CRC risk. MCSM-H of blood leukocytes was associated with CRC, especially in younger people. Some dietary factors may affect hypermethylation status and influence susceptibility to CRC.

SPON2 Promotes M1-like Macrophage Recruitment and Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis by Distinct Integrin–Rho GTPase–Hippo Pathways

Zhang, Yan-Li,Li, Qing,Yang, Xiao-Mei,Fang, Fang,Li, Jun,Wang, Ya-Hui,Yang, Qin,Zhu, Lei,Nie, Hui-Zhen,Zhang, Xue-Li,Feng, Ming-Xuan,Jiang, Shu-Heng,Tian, Guang-Ang,Hu, Li-Peng,Lee, Ho-Young,Lee, Su-J American Association for Cancer Research 2018 Cancer research Vol.78 No.9

<P>Matricellular protein SPON2 acts as an HCC suppressor and utilizes distinct signaling events to perform dual functions in HCC microenvironment.</P><P>Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) represent key regulators of the complex interplay between cancer and the immune microenvironment. Matricellular protein SPON2 is essential for recruiting lymphocytes and initiating immune responses. Recent studies have shown that SPON2 has complicated roles in cell migration and tumor progression. Here we report that, in the tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), SPON2 not only promotes infiltration of M1-like macrophages but also inhibits tumor metastasis. SPON2-α4β1 integrin signaling activated RhoA and Rac1, increased F-actin reorganization, and promoted M1-like macrophage recruitment. F-Actin accumulation also activated the Hippo pathway by suppressing LATS1 phosphorylation, promoting YAP nuclear translocation, and initiating downstream gene expression. However, SPON2-α5β1 integrin signaling inactivated RhoA and prevented F-actin assembly, thereby inhibiting HCC cell migration; the Hippo pathway was not noticeably involved in SPON2-mediated HCC cell migration. In HCC patients, SPON2 levels correlated positively with prognosis. Overall, our findings provide evidence that SPON2 is a critical factor in mediating the immune response against tumor cell growth and migration in HCC.</P><P><B>Significance:</B> Matricellular protein SPON2 acts as an HCC suppressor and utilizes distinct signaling events to perform dual functions in HCC microenvironment.</P><P><B>Graphical Abstract:</B> http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/78/9/2305/F1.large.jpg. <I>Cancer Res; 78(9); 2305–17. ©2018 AACR</I>.</P><P><B>Graphical Abstract</B></P><P> [Figure]</P>