Comparative transcriptome analysis in the hepatopancreas of Helice tientsinensis exposed to the toxic metal cadmium

Zhengfei Wang,Dan Tang,Linxia Sun,Xueling Shi,Ruobing Liu,Huayun Guo,Bo-Ping Tang 한국유전학회 2019 Genes & Genomics Vol.41 No.4

Background The mudflat crab Helice tientsinensis is one of the most commercially valuable species for crabmeat production due to its delicious taste. These crabs are mainly found in coastal wetland where they are seriously threatened by toxic heavy metal pollution. In crustaceans, the hepatopancreas is an important organ for detoxification, and metal toxic substances can be converted to non-toxic or less toxic compounds in this organ. Objective To develop a better understanding of the molecular response of H. tientsinensis to the toxic metal cadmium (Cd) and provide a molecular basis for the toxic metal tolerance of H. tientsinensis. Methods In this study, we performed comparative hepatopancreas transcriptome analysis between H. tientsinensis unexposed (as control) and exposed to the toxic metal Cd for 48 h. Results We identified 1089 Cd stress significantly-upregulated and 1560 Cd stress significantly-downregulated unigenes. Functional categorization and annotation of these differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) demonstrated that the response to Cd stress in the hepatopancreas of H. tientsinensis mainly involves “antioxidant activity”, “detoxification”, “toxin degradation activity” and “immune system process”. In addition, five genes (ABCC1, NDUFAF5, ASTL, DES1, CYP27A) were identified as possible major targets for toxic metal tolerance. Conclusion This is the first time reporting that the response of H. tientsinensis to Cd exposure at the transcriptome level, and it lays the foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms of the response of H. tientsinensis to environmental toxic metal stress.

Evolution of mitochondrial energy metabolism genes associated with hydrothermal vent adaption of Alvinocaridid shrimps

Zhengfei Wang,Daizhen Zhang,Xuejia Shi,Linxia Sun,Yuze Bai,Bo-Ping Tang 한국유전학회 2017 Genes & Genomics Vol.39 No.12

Most of Alvinocaridid shrimps live in hydrothermal vents, where is a wicked environment with highly toxic chemistry, hypoxia, acidic pH, and sulfide deposits. In order to adapt to this environment, change in energy metabolism may be one of the primary factors. However, the genetic basis of energy metabolism underlying this environment remains unexplored. Here, we present the first systematic investigation of mitochondrial genes in Alvinocarididae. The analysis demonstrated that ATP6, ND4 and ND6 were subjected to strong positive selection leading to last common ancestors of Alvinocarididae, and ATP8, ND5, COX1 and COX2 were determined to have undergone positive selection in the interior lineages of Alvinocarididae. Considering that about 95% of ATP is supplied by mitochondria via oxidative phosphorylation, and body detoxification process associated with cytochrome c. Positive selection in these genes suggested that Alvinocaridid shrimps might have acquired an enhanced capacity for energy metabolism and detoxification in extreme hydrothermal vent field.

Sensorless Control of Double-Sided Linear Switched Reluctance Machines with Eccentricities

Wang, Qianlong,Wu, Zhengfei,Jiang, Wei The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2019 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.19 No.5

The Double-sided Linear Switched Reluctance Machine (DLSRM) suffers from complex eccentricities in practical operations. A novel sensorless control method for a DLSRM with eccentricities is developed in this paper. The influences of eccentricities on the machine inductance characteristics and the estimated positions in sensorless control systems are discussed. A new position index, which is independent of eccentricities, is proposed according to an analysis of a DLSRM equivalent magnetic circuit. On the basis of this position index, the starting and low-velocity operation of eccentric DLSRMs are achieved. Experimental results obtained in the laboratory validate the proposed method.

The biocompatibility and mechanical properties of plasma sprayed zirconia coated abutment

Huang, Zhengfei,Wang, Zhifeng,Yin, Kaifeng,Li, Chuanhua,Guo, Meihua,Lan, Jing The Korean Academy of Prosthodonitics 2020 The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics Vol.12 No.3

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance and reliability of plasma sprayed nanostructured zirconia (NSZ) coating. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This study consisted of three areas of analysis: (1) Mechanical property: surface roughness of NSZ coating and bond strength between NSZ coating and titanium specimens were measured, and the microstructure of bonding interface was also observed by scanning election microscope (SEM). (2) Biocompatibility: hemolysis tests, cell proliferation tests, and rat subcutaneous implant test were conducted to evaluate the biocompatibility of NSZ coating. (3) Mechanical compatibility: fracture and artificial aging tests were performed to measure the mechanical compatibility of NSZ-coated titanium abutments. RESULTS. In the mechanical study, 400 ㎛ thick NSZ coatings had the highest bond strength (71.22 ± 1.02 MPa), and a compact transition layer could be observed. In addition, NSZ coating showed excellent biocompatibility in both hemolysis tests and cell proliferation tests. In subcutaneous implant test, NSZ-coated plates showed similar inflammation elimination and fibrous tissue formation processes with that of titanium specimens. Regarding fatigue tests, all NSZ-coated abutments survived in the five-year fatigue test and showed sufficient fracture strength (407.65-663.7 N) for incisor teeth. CONCLUSION. In this study, the plasmasprayed NSZ-coated titanium abutments presented sufficient fracture strength and biocompatibility, and it was demonstrated that plasma spray was a reliable method to prepare high-quality zirconia coating.

Sensorless Control of Double-Sided Linear Switched Reluctance Machines with Eccentricities

Qianlong Wang,Zhengfei Wu,Wei Jiang 전력전자학회 2019 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.19 No.5

The Double-sided Linear Switched Reluctance Machine (DLSRM) suffers from complex eccentricities in practical operations. A novel sensorless control method for a DLSRM with eccentricities is developed in this paper. The influences of eccentricities on the machine inductance characteristics and the estimated positions in sensorless control systems are discussed. A new position index, which is independent of eccentricities, is proposed according to an analysis of a DLSRM equivalent magnetic circuit. On the basis of this position index, the starting and low-velocity operation of eccentric DLSRMs are achieved. Experimental results obtained in the laboratory validate the proposed method.

<i>Rubus idaeus</i> L. (red raspberry) blocks UVB-induced MMP production and promotes type I procollagen synthesis via inhibition of MAPK/AP-1, NF-κβ and stimulation of TGF-β/Smad, Nrf2 in normal human dermal fibroblasts

Gao, Wei,Wang, Yu-shuai,Hwang, Eunson,Lin, Pei,Bae, Jahyun,Seo, Seul A.,Yan, Zhengfei,Yi, Tae-Hoo Elsevier 2018 Journal of photochemistry and photobiology Biology Vol.185 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes photo-oxidation, which in turn results in the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and loss of collagen. <I>Rubus idaeus</I> L. (RI), also called red raspberry, is an important cash crop that contains abundant antioxidant compounds. Sanguiin H-6 and lambertianin C are the major ingredients presented in the extracts. Here, we studied the protective effect of RI on UVB-induced photoaging in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). We found that RI notably reduced UVB-induced MMPs secretion and pro-inflammatory mediators production, and significantly suppressed UVB-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-κβ, as well as activator protein 1. Additionally, treatment of NHDFs with the ERK inhibitor (PD98059) and JNK inhibitor (SP600125) resulted in the reduction of UVB-induced MMP-1 and IL-6 expressions, which demonstrated that the inhibition of MMP-1 and IL-6 by RI is associated with the MAPK pathway. Furthermore, we also found that RI accelerated procollagen type I synthesis by activating the transforming growth factor-β/Smad pathway and enhanced the expression of cytoprotective antioxidants such as heme oxygenase-1 and NHD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 by promoting nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 nuclear transfer. Overall, these findings demonstrated that RI was potentially effective in preventing UVB induced skin photoaging.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> RI blocks MMPs and IL-6 secretion by inhibition of MAPK/AP-1 signaling pathway. </LI> <LI> RI promotes procollagen type I synthesis by activation of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. </LI> <LI> RI enhances cytoprotective antioxidants expression by stimulation of Nrf2 nuclear transfer. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>Chronic exposure to UV radiation results in skin premature aging (photoaging), clinically accompanied with loss of elasticity and tension. In this study, we demonstrated that RI could reverse this damage via increasing procollagen synthesis and blocking MMPs, inflammatory factors expression. The studies of molecular mechanism indicated RI could inhibit MMPs expression via inactivating MAPK/AP-1, NF-κβ pathway and accelerate type I procollagen synthesis through activating the TGF-β/Smad pathway. Furthermore, RI reduced UVB-enhanced ROS via promoting Nrf2 nuclear location and enhancing the expression of cytoprotective antioxidants.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

<i>Pterocarpus santalinus</i> L. Regulated Ultraviolet B Irradiation-induced Procollagen Reduction and Matrix Metalloproteinases Expression Through Activation of TGF-<i>β</i> /Smad and Inhibition of the MAPK/AP-1 Pathway in Normal Human Dermal Fibroblas

Gao, Wei,Lin, Pei,Hwang, Eunson,Wang, Yushuai,Yan, Zhengfei,Ngo, Hien T.T.,Yi, Tae-Hoo Pergamon Press 2018 Photochemistry and photobiology Vol.94 No.1

<P>Ultraviolet light-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage human skin and prematurely cause aging. A growing body of research is focusing on considering plants and plant-derived compounds as antiphotoaging therapeutic material. Pterocarpus santalinus L., as an Indian traditional medicine, possesses antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. Here, we studied the antiphotoaging effects of ethanolic extract of P. santalinus L. heartwood (EPS) on ultraviolet radiation B (UVB)-irradiated normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs). Results showed that EPS significantly inhibited the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases and IL-6 caused by UVB irradiation, and suppressed UVB-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, Jun N-terminal kinase and p38, as well as the activation of AP-1 transcription factors. Further study indicated that UVB-induced production of MMP-1 and IL-6 could be inhibited by PD 98059 (an ERK inhibitor) and SP600125 (A JNK inhibitor), implied that EPS inhibited UVB-induced MMP-1 and IL-6 secretion by inactivating MAPK signaling pathway. In addition, EPS possessed an excellent antioxidant activity, which could increase cytoprotective antioxidants such as HO-1, NQ-O1 expression by facilitating the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2. Treatment of NHDFs with EPS also recovered UVB-induced procollagen type I reduction by activating TGF-beta/Smad pathway. These findings demonstrated that EPS had a potential effect against UVB-induced skin photoaging.</P>

Identification of putative ingestion‑related olfactory receptor genes in the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir japonica sinensis)

Chenchen Shen,Dan Tang,Yiping Zhang,Lv Wu,Yaqi Luo,Boping Tang,Zhengfei Wang 한국유전학회 2021 Genes & Genomics Vol.43 No.5

Background Olfaction plays a central role in mating, spawning, obtaining food and escaping predators, which is essential for survival and reproduction of animals. The nature of the olfactory perception in crabs, which is a major group of crustaceans, has remained elusive. Objective This project aims to explore the molecular mechanism of olfaction in crabs and further improve our understanding of olfactory perception in crustaceans. Methods The olfactory receptors and ingestion-related gene expression in Eriocheir japonica sinensis were studied by transcriptomic techniques. The de novo assembly, annotation and functional evaluation were performed with bioinformatics tools. Results A series of chemosensory receptors associated with olfaction were identifed including 33 EsIRs, 24 EsIGluRs, 58 EsVIGluRs, 1 EsOR and 1 EsGC-D. We found IRs were key odorant receptors demonstrating a specifc species evolutionary trend in crustaceans. Furthermore, we identifed ORs in E. j. sinensis and Litopenaeus vannamei. The incomplete EsOR and LvOR1 structures implied that ORs exist in crustaceans, and may have been degenerated or even lost in the olfactory evolutionary process. In addition, comparative transcriptome analysises demonstrated two possible olfactory transduction pathways of E. j. sinensis: the cGMP-mediated olfactory pathway related to vegetable odor molecules and the cAMP-mediated olfactory pathway related to meat odor molecules. The above results were consistent with its omnivorous ingestion of E. j. sinensis. Conclusions Our study revealed the unique olfactory molecular mechanism of omnivorous crabs and provided valuable information for further functional research on the chemoreception mechanisms in crustaceans.

Mitochondrial OXPHOS genes provides insights into genetics basis of hypoxia adaptation in anchialine cave shrimps

Huayun Guo,Hao Yang,Yitao Tao,Dan Tang,Qiong Wu,Zhengfei Wang,Bo-Ping Tang 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.11

Cave shrimps from the genera Typhlatya, Stygiocaris and Typhlopatsa (TST complex) comprises twenty cave-adapted taxa, which mainly occur in the anchialine environment. Anchialine habitats may undergo drastic environmental fluctuations, including spatial and temporal changes in salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen content. Previous studies of crustaceans from anchialine caves suggest that they have possessed morphological, behavioral, and physiological adaptations to cope with the extreme conditions, similar to other cave-dwelling crustaceans. However, the genetic basis has not been thoroughly explored in crustaceans from anchialine habitats, which can experience hypoxic regimes. To test whether the TST shrimpcomplex hypoxia adaptations matched adaptive evolution of mitochondrial OXPHOS genes. The 13 OXPHOS genes from mitochondrial genomes of 98 shrimps and 1 outgroup were examined. For each of these genes was investigated and compared to orthologous sequences using both gene (i.e. branch-site and Datamonkey) and protein (i.e. TreeSAAP) level approaches. Positive selection was detected in 11 of the 13 candidate genes, and the radical amino acid changes sites scattered throughout the entire TST complex phylogeny. Additionally, a series of parallel/convergent amino acid substitutions were identified in mitochondrial OXPHOS genes of TST complex shrimps, which reflect functional convergence or similar genetic mechanisms of cave adaptation. The extensive occurrence of positive selection is suggestive of their essential role in adaptation to hypoxic anchialine environment, and further implying that TST complex shrimps might have acquired a finely capacity for energy metabolism. These results provided some new insights into the genetic basis of anchialine hypoxia adaptation.

The complete mitochondrial genomes of Tarsiger cyanurus and Phoenicurus auroreus: a phylogenetic analysis of Passeriformes

Huabin Zhang,Yuze Bai,Xuejia Shi,Linxia Sun,Zhengfei Wang,Xiaobing Wu 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.2

Passeriformes is the largest group within aves and the phylogenetic relationships between Passeriformes have caused major disagreement in ornithology. Particularly, the phylogenetic relationships between muscicapoidea and sylvioidea are complex, and their taxonomic boundaries have not been clearly defined. Our aim was to study the status of two bird species: Tarsiger cyanurus and Phoenicurus auroreus. Furthermore, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationships of Passeriformes. Complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of both species were determined and the lengths were 16,803 (T. cyanurus) and 16,772 bp (P. auroreus), respectively. Thirteen protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and one control region were identified in these mtDNAs. The contents of A and T at the base compositions was significantly higher than the content of G and C, and this AT skew was positive, while the GC skew was negative. The monophyly of Passeriformes is divided into four major clades: Corvoidea, Sylvioidea, Passeroidea, and Musicicapoidea. Paridae should be separated from the superfamily Sylvioidea and placed within the superfamily Muscicapoidea. The family Muscicapidae and Corvida were paraphyly, while Carduelis and Emberiza were grouped as a sister taxon. The relationships between some species of the order passeriformes may remain difficult to resolve despite an effort to collect additional characters for phylogenetic analysis. Current research of avian phylogeny should focus on adding characters and taxa and use both effectively to obtain a better resolution for deeper and shallow nodes.