Demethylation of CpG islands in the 5` upstream regions mediates the expression of the human testis-specific gene MAGEB16 and its mouse homolog Mageb16

( Yun Qiang Liu ),( Mei Ling Wang ),( Si Yuan Jiang ),( Yong Jie Lu ),( Da Chang Tao ),( Yuan Yang ),( Yong Xin Ma ),( Si Zhong Zhang ) 생화학분자생물학회 2014 BMB Reports Vol.47 No.2

Tissue-specific gene expression is regulated by epigenetic modification involving trans-acting factors. Here, we identified that the human MAGEB16 gene and its mouse homolog, Mageb16, are only expressed in the testis. To investigate the mechanism governing their expression, the promoter methy-lation status of these genes was examined in different samples. Two CpG islands (CGIs) in the 5` upstream region of MAGEB16 were highly demethylated in human testes, whereas they were methylated in cells without MAGEB16 expression. Similarly, the CGI in Mageb16 was hypomethylated in mouse testes but hypermethylated in other tissues and cells without Mageb16 expression. Additionally, the expression of these genes could be activated by treatment with the demethylation agent 5`-aza-2`- deoxycytidine (5`-aza-CdR). Luciferase assays revealed that both gene promoter activities were inhibited by methylation of the CGI regions. Therefore, we propose that the testis-specific expression of MAGEB16 and Mageb16 is regulated by the methylation status of their promoter regions. [BMB Reports 2014; 47(2): 86-91]

Prefrontal cortex miR-29b-3p plays a key role in the antidepressant-like effect of ketamine in rats

Yun-Qiang Wan,Jian-Guo Feng,Mao Li,Mao-Zhou Wang,Li Liu,Xueru Liu,Xiao-Xia Duan,Chun-Xiang Zhang,Xiao-Bin Wang 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

Ketamine has a rapid, obvious, and persistent antidepressant effect, but its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important modulators of ketamine’s antidepressant effect. We investigated the alteration in miR-29b-3p in the brain of rats subjected to ketamine administration and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and a sucrose preference test and forced swimming test were used to evaluate the rats’ depressive-like state. We used recombination adeno-associated virus (rAAV) or lentivirus-expressing miR-29b-3p to observe the change in metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (GRM4). Cell culture and electrophysiological recordings were used to evaluate the function of miR-29b-3p. Ketamine dramatically increased miR-29b-3p expression in the prefrontal cortex of the normal rats. The dual luciferase reporter test confirmed that GRM4 was the target of miR-29b- 3p. The miR-29b-3p levels were downregulated, while the GRM4 levels were upregulated in the prefrontal cortex of the depressive-like rats. The ketamine treatment increased miR-29b-3p expression and decreased GRM4 expression in the prefrontal cortex of the depressive-like rats and primary neurons. By overexpressing and silencing miR-29b-3p, we further validated that miR-29b-3p could negatively regulate GRM4. The silencing of miR-29b-3p suppressed the Ca2+ influx in the prefrontal cortex neurons. The miR-29b-3p overexpression contributed to cell survival, cytodendrite growth, increases in extracellular glutamate concentration, and cell apoptosis inhibition. The overexpression of miR- 29b-3p by rAAV resulted in a noticeable relief of the depressive behaviors of the CUMS rats and a lower expression of GRM4. The miR-29b-3p/GRM4 pathway acts as a critical mediator of ketamine’s antidepressant effect in depressive-like rats and could be considered a potential therapeutic target for treating major depression disorder.

Reversible Sub-Feature Retrieval: Toward Robust Coverless Image Steganography for Geometric Attacks Resistance

( Qiang Liu ),( Xuyu Xiang ),( Jiaohua Qin ),( Yun Tan ),( Qin Zhang ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2021 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.15 No.3

Traditional image steganography hides secret information by embedding, which inevitably leaves modification traces and is easy to be detected by steganography analysis tools. Since coverless steganography can effectively resist steganalysis, it has become a hotspot in information hiding research recently. Most coverless image steganography (CIS) methods are based on mapping rules, which not only exposes the vulnerability to geometric attacks, but also are less secure due to the revelation of mapping rules. To address the above issues, we introduced camouflage images for steganography instead of directly sending stego-image, which further improves the security performance and information hiding ability of steganography scheme. In particular, based on the different sub-features of stego-image and potential camouflage images, we try to find a larger similarity between them so as to achieve the reversible steganography. Specifically, based on the existing CIS mapping algorithm, we first can establish the correlation between stego-image and secret information and then transmit the camouflage images, which are obtained by reversible sub-feature retrieval algorithm. The received camouflage image can be used to reverse retrieve the stego-image in a public image database. Finally, we can use the same mapping rules to restore secret information. Extensive experimental results demonstrate the better robustness and security of the proposed approach in comparison to state-of-art CIS methods, especially in the robustness of geometric attacks.

<i>Dendrobiumnaungmungense</i> ( Orchidaceae , Dendrobieae ), a new species from Kachin State, Myanmar

Liu, Qiang,Zhou, Shi-Shun,Jin, Xiao-Hua,Pan, Bo,Maung, Kyaw Win,Zyaw, Myint,Li, Ren,Quan, Rui-Chang,Tan, Yun-Hong Pensoft Publishers 2018 PhytoKeys Vol.94 No.-

<P>Abstract</P><P><I>Dendrobiumnaungmungense</I>, a new species from Naungmung, Kachin State, North Myanmar, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to <I>D.ciliatilabellum</I> and <I>D.vexabile</I>, but the epichile is oblong with three long-ciliate laminae and the column wing has significant denticulation. A preliminary risk-of-extinction assessment shows that the new species should be regarded as Critically Endangered (CR) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.</P>

Identification and sex expression profiles of olfactory-related genes in Mythimna loreyi based on antennal transcriptome analysis

Zhang Yun-Ying,Guo Jin-Meng,Wei Zhi-Qiang,Zhang Xiao-Tong,Liu Si-Ruo,Guo Hui-Fang,Dong Shuanglin 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.2

To better understand the olfactory mechanism of Mythimna loreyi, a worldwide migratory pest, we for the first time conducted a large scale identification of olfactory-related genes and investigation of their sex expression profiles by transcriptomic analysis. A total of 42,832 unigenes were obtained by transcriptome sequencing, as sembly and annotation, with an average length of 1,229 bp and N50 of 2,086 bp. In particular, 138 olfactoryrelated genes were identified by homologous blasting, including 33 odorant binding proteins (OBPs), 16 che mosensory proteins (CSPs), 63 odorant receptors (ORs), 24 ionotropic receptors (IRs) and two sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs). Further, by using differential gene expression (DGE) and fragments per kilobase per million fragments (FPKM) values to compare the transcript levels between female and male antennae, we found that 22 olfactory-related genes (9 OBPs, one CSP and 12 ORs) were sex biased, with 10 genes being male biased and 12 genes female biased. In addition, sex and tissue expression profiles determined by qPCR of 15 selected genes confirmed the reliability of sex expression profiles obtained by the transcriptomic analysis, and demonstrated that most olfactory-related genes were specifically or primarily expressed in antennae, suggesting their roles in olfaction, while a few genes were highly expressed in other tissues, implying their non-olfaction functions. This study provides an important basis for further functional study of olfactory genes in M. loreyi.

Identification and sex expression profiles of olfactory-related genes in Mythimna loreyi based on antennal transcriptome analysis

Zhang Yun-Ying,Guo Jin-Meng,Wei Zhi-Qiang,Zhang Xiao-Tong,Liu Si-Ruo,Guo Hui-Fang,Dong Shuanglin 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.3

To better understand the olfactory mechanism of Mythimna loreyi, a worldwide migratory pest, we for the first time conducted a large scale identification of olfactory-related genes and investigation of their sex expression profiles by transcriptomic analysis. A total of 42,832 unigenes were obtained by transcriptome sequencing, as sembly and annotation, with an average length of 1,229 bp and N50 of 2,086 bp. In particular, 138 olfactoryrelated genes were identified by homologous blasting, including 33 odorant binding proteins (OBPs), 16 che mosensory proteins (CSPs), 63 odorant receptors (ORs), 24 ionotropic receptors (IRs) and two sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs). Further, by using differential gene expression (DGE) and fragments per kilobase per million fragments (FPKM) values to compare the transcript levels between female and male antennae, we found that 22 olfactory-related genes (9 OBPs, one CSP and 12 ORs) were sex biased, with 10 genes being male biased and 12 genes female biased. In addition, sex and tissue expression profiles determined by qPCR of 15 selected genes confirmed the reliability of sex expression profiles obtained by the transcriptomic analysis, and demonstrated that most olfactory-related genes were specifically or primarily expressed in antennae, suggesting their roles in olfaction, while a few genes were highly expressed in other tissues, implying their non-olfaction functions. This study provides an important basis for further functional study of olfactory genes in M. loreyi.

Using the Eigenvalue Partition to Compute the Automorphism Group

HAO Jian-Qiang,GONG Yun-Zhan,LIU Hong-Zhi 보안공학연구지원센터 2016 International Journal of Hybrid Information Techno Vol.9 No.6

To solve the automorphism group of a graph is a fundamental problem in graph theory. Moreover, it usually is an essential process for graph isomorphism testing. At present, because existing algorithms ordinarily cannot efficiently compute the automorphism group of a graph, ones cannot entirely resolve the graph isomorphism problem. To calculate the automorphism group of a weighted graph, first, briefly review the history of automorphism. Second, introduce the concept of eigenvalue partition. Third, using algebraic methods, examine not only the relationships between the diagonal form of an adjacency matrix and its eigenvalues and eigenvectors, but also the relationships between its eigenvalues and eigenvectors and the automorphism group. Furthermore, prove Theorem 2 to 8. In addition, propose Conjecture 1 and three open problems. By these theorems, present a novel method to resolve the automorphism group of a weighted graph. If a graph has no duplicate eigenvalues and Conjecture 1 is true, it can determine the automorphism group of a weighted graph in polynomial time by the method. Although this method has certain limitations and needs improvements, it is theoretically a necessary complement to solve the automorphism group. Finally, it shows the close relationships that exist between an orthogonal matrix and a permutation matrix, also an orthogonal matrix and an automorphism.

Anti-proliferative Effects of Atractylis lancea (Thunb.) DC. via Down-regulation of the c-myc/hTERT/Telomerase Pathway in Hep-G2 Cells

Guo, Wei-Qiang,Li, Liang-Zhi,He, Zhuo-Yang,Zhang, Qi,Liu, Jia,Hu, Cui-Ying,Qin, Fen-Ju,Wang, Tao-Yun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Atractylis lancea (Thunb.) DC. (AL), an important medicinal herb in Asia, has been shown to have anti-tumor effects on cancer cells, but the involved mechanisms are poorly understood. This study focused on potential effects and molecular mechanisms of AL on the proliferation of the Hep-G2 liver cancer cell line in vitro. Cell viability was assessed by MTT test in Hep-G2 cells incubated with an ethanol extract of AL. Then, the effects of AL on apoptosis and cell cycle progression were determined by flow cytometry. Telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assays was performed to investigate telomerase activity. The mRNA and protein expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and c-myc were determined by real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting. Our results show that AL effectively inhibits proliferation in Hep-G2 cells in a concentrationand time-dependent manner. When Hep-G2 cells were treated with AL after 48h,the $IC_{50}$ was about 72.1 ${\mu}g/mL$. Apoptosis was induced by AL via arresting the cells in the G1 phase. Furthermore, AL effectively reduced telomerase activity through inhibition of mRNA and protein expression of hTERT and c-myc. Hence, these data demonstrate that AL exerts anti-proliferative effects in Hep-G2 cells via down-regulation of the c-myc/hTERT/telomerase pathway.

Promoter demethylation mediates the expression of ZNF645, a novel cancer/testis gene

( Gang Bai ),( Yun Qiang Liu ),( Hao Zhang ),( Dan Su ),( Da Chang Tao ),( Yuan Yang ),( Yong Xin Ma ),( Si Zhong Zhang ) 생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2010 BMB Reports Vol.43 No.6

Cancer/testis (CT) antigens exhibit highly tissue-restricted expression and are considered promising targets for cancer vaccines. Here we identified a novel CT gene ZNF645 which restrictively expresses in normal human testes and lung cancer patients (68.3%). To investigate the promoter methylation status of ZNF645, we carried out bisulfite genomic sequencing and found that the CpG island in its promoter was heavily methylated in normal lung tissues without the expression of ZNF645, whereas there was high demethylation in normal human testes and lung carcinoma tissues with its expression. Also ZNF645 could be remarkably activated in A549 and HEK293T cells treated by DNA demethylation agent 5`-aza-2`-deoxycytidine. And the dual luciferase assay revealed that the promoter activity of the ZNF645 was inhibited by methylation of the CpG island region. Therefore, we proposed that ZNF645 is a CT gene and activated in human testis and lung cancers by demethylation of its promoter region. [BMB reports 2010; 43(6): 400-406]

Structural transformation, spectroscopic characterization and magnetic properties of La1xGdxCoO3

Yu Gao,Hong Chang,Qiang Wu,P. Suresh Kumar,Meiling Li,Fang Liu,Hongjing Zhu,Yanbo Pang,Yuehou Yun 한국물리학회 2016 Current Applied Physics Vol.16 No.8

La1xGdxCoO3 for x < 0.2 crystallize in the rhombohedral structure, and it is orthorhombic for x 0:2. The lattice volume systematically decreases as x increases. The analysis of the Co 2p3/2 xps spectra indicates that the Co ions are at both þ3 and þ8/3 valence states, and the calculated oxygen content is about 2.93 per formula unit. The bending vibration of the CoeO bond linearly shifts from 429 cm1 to 482 cm1 with the increasing x, and it is coincident with the increasing CoeOeCo angle. The shoulder peak at approximately 575 cm1 becomes obviously wide with the increasing doping Gd3þ content owing to the magnetic interactions of the Gd3þ ions with the surrounding CoO6 octahedra. The energy band gap slightly increases from about 2.40 eV to about 2.75 eV as the structure transforms from the rhombohedral to the orthorhombic structure. The magnetic properties are ferrimagnetic with x ¼ 0.05, 0.3 and 0.7. However, the calculated Curie-Weiss temperature and constant of La0.3Gd0.7CoO3 are not reasonable, it is probably due to a nonlocalized electronic state.