Transcriptome sequencing discovers genes related to fatty acid biosynthesis in the seeds of Eucommia ulmoides

Fang-dong Li,Yan-zhi Feng,Lu Wang,Jian-min Fu,Ta-na Wuyun,Hong-yan Du,Xiao-feng Tan,Feng Zou 한국유전학회 2016 Genes & Genomics Vol.38 No.3

Eucommia ulmoides is a focus of considerable attention because it is used to produce gutta-percha latex and raw materials for traditional Chinese medicine. The species has also been widely planted for vegetable oil production due to the high content of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the seeds. However, little was known about fatty acid biosynthesis in the seeds. Here, we present transcriptome analyses that identified genes related to the fatty acid biosynthesis pathways in the seeds collected 70 and 160 days after flowering (DAF) from two varieties: ‘Huazhong No. 6’ (ALA content of 38.7 %) and ‘Huazhong No. 10’ (ALA content of 67.6 %). De novo assembly generated 96,469 unigenes with an average length of 690 bp. Among them, 11,260 unigenes identified by functional annotation against the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database were mapped to 117 metabolic pathways. 65 unigenes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis include 5 coding for 3-oxoacyl-ACP reductase, 2 coding for b-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratase, 10 coding for b-ketoacyl-ACP synthase II, and 2 coding for enoyl-ACP reductase I. Expression of the nine differentially expressed unigenes coding for major enzymes in fatty acid biosynthesis was validated by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) using RNA from six seed stages (70, 88, 106, 124, 142, and 160 DAF) in ‘Huazhong No. 10’. The qPCR analysis showed that expression of these 9 unigenes all changed significantly at 88 DAF. This study provides a large-scale transcriptome annotation of E. ulmoides, which is fundamental information for further characterizing gene functionals involved in the process of seed development.

Polarity-enhanced Gas-Sensing Performance of Au-Loaded ZnO Nanospindles Synthesized via Precipitation and Microwave Irradiation

Yan Li,Tan Lv,Fang-Xian Zhao,Xiao-xue Lian,Yun-ling Zou,Qiong Wang 대한금속·재료학회 2016 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.12 No.3

Loading noble metal and exploring suitable morphology to achieveexcellent gas-sensing performance is very crucial for the fabrication ofgas sensors. We have successfully synthesized Au-loaded ZnO (Au/ZnO) nanospindles (NSs) through a really facile procedure involving aprecipitation and subsequent microwave irradiation. The as-preparedproducts have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanningelectron microscope (SEM). The formation and gas-sensing mechanismof Au/ZnO NSs were discussed. The SEM micrographs revealed aninteresting morphological evolution of the Au/ZnO NSs with Auloadingcontent ranging from 0 at. % to 7 at. %. The nanostructures wereemployed for gas-sensing measurement toward various gases. Itindicated that the Au/ZnO NSs based sensor showed a highly enhancedresponse (226.81) to 400 ppm acetone gas at a relatively low workingtemperature (270°C), and exhibited a fast response (1 s) and recoveryspeed (10 s). The highly enhanced acetone gas sensitivity of Au/ZnONSs based sensor could be attributed to its enhanced polarity owing tothe peculiar morphology, Schottcky barriers, as well as catalytic effect ofAu NPs.

Influence of a Liquid Structural Change on the Solidification of the Alloy CuSn30

Jie Chen,Fang Qiu Zu,Xian Fen Li,Guo Hua Ding,Hon Sheng Chen,Li Zou 대한금속재료학회 2008 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.14 No.5

In vitro Removal of Deoxynivalenol and T-2 Toxin by Lactic Acid Bacteria

Zhong-Yi Zou,Zhi-Fei He,Hong-Jun Li,Peng-Fei Han,Xiao Meng,Yu Zhang,Fang Zhou,Ke-Pei Ouyang,Xi-Yue Chen,Jun Tang 한국식품과학회 2012 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.21 No.6

Five strains of lactic acid bacteria were tested for their ability to remove deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2toxin from MRS broth. The ability of Lactobacillus plantarum strain 102 (LP102) was the strongest among 5strains after incubation at 37oC for 72 h. The mode of removal was physical binding, rather than biotransformation. The abilities were not significantly different between when removing single toxin and when removing mixed toxins by viable cells of LP102. DON and T-2 toxin released from LP102 viable cell-toxin complexes were 28.22±1.55 and 35.42±2.02% of total bound toxins respectively after 3times of wash with posphate buffered saline, respectively,those were 4.59±0.86 and 5.59±1.47% after incubation with simulated gastric fluid (SGF) at 37oC for 4 h, and 6.86±0.81 and 9.04±1.13% after incubation with simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) at 37oC for 4 h, respectively.

β3GnT8 Regulates Laryngeal Carcinoma Cell Proliferation Via Targeting MMPs/TIMPs and TGF-β1

Hua, Dong,Qin, Fang,Shen, Li,Jiang, Zhi,Zou, Shi-Tao,Xu, Lan,Cheng, Zhi-Hong,Wu, Shi-Liang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Previous evidence showed ${\beta}1$, 3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 8 (${\beta}3GnT8$), which can extend polylactosamine on N-glycans, to be highly expressed in some cancer cell lines and tissues, indicating roles in tumorigenesis. However, so far, the function of ${\beta}3GnT8$ in laryngeal carcinoma has not been characterized. To test any contribution, Hep-2 cells were stably transfected with sense or interference vectors to establish cell lines that overexpressed or were deficient in ${\beta}3GnT8$. Here we showed that cell proliferation was increased in ${\beta}3GnT8$ overexpressed cells but decreased in ${\beta}3GnT8$ knockdown cells using MTT. Furthermore, we demonstrated that change in ${\beta}3GnT8$ expression had significant effects on tumor growth in nude mice.We further provided data suggesting that overexpression of ${\beta}3GnT8$ enhanced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) at both the mRNA and protein levels, associated with shedding of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase TIMP-2. In addition, it caused increased production of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-${\beta}1$), whereas ${\beta}3GnT8$ gene knockdown caused the reverse effect. The results may indicate a novel mechanism by which effects of ${\beta}3GnT8$ in regulating cellular proliferation are mediated, at least in partvia targeting MMPs/TIMPs and TGF-${\beta}1$ in laryngeal carcinoma Hep-2 cells. The finding may lay a foundation for further investigations into the ${\beta}3GnT8$ as a potential target for therapy of laryngeal carcinoma.

Surface effects on flutter instability of nanorod under generalized follower force

Qiu-Xiang Xiao,Jiaqi Zou,이강용,Xian-Fang Li 국제구조공학회 2017 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.64 No.6

This paper studies on dynamic and stability behavior of a clamped-elastically restrained nanobeam under the action of a nonconservative force with an emphasis on the influence of surface properties on divergence and flutter instability. Using the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory incorporating surface effects, a governing equation for a clamped-elastically restrained nanobeam is derived according to Hamilton‟s principle. The characteristic equation is obtained explicitly and the forcefrequency interaction curves are displayed to show the influence of the surface effects, spring stiffness of the elastic restraint end on critical loads including divergence and flutter loads. Divergence and flutter instability transition is analyzed. Euler buckling and stability of Beck‟s column are some special cases of the present at macroscale.

Expression Profiles of Class A Rice Heat Shock Transcription Factor Genes Under Abiotic Stresses

Ai-Ling Liu,Jie Zou,Xian-Wen Zhang,Xiao-Yun Zhou,Wen-Fang Wang,Xing-Yao Xiong,Li-Yun Chen,Xin-Bo Chen 한국식물학회 2010 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.53 No.2

Expression profiles of 12 class A rice heat shock transcription factor genes (OsHsfAs) were analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The OsHsfA genes exhibited tissue-specific expressions under normal condition. OsHsfA1a, A2d, and A9 were predominantly expressed in young spike. Expression responses of the 12 OsHsfAs under abiotic stresses were analyzed in the shoots of rice seedling. Most OsHsfA genes responded quickly to heat stress except for OsHsfA1a, A3,and A9 which were almost unaffected. In particular,OsHsfA2a expression in response to heat stress was highest among the heat shock factors examined. However, the majority of the increased OsHsfAs expression responses to salt, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and cold treatments primarily occurred during the later stages (3 to 24 h) of stress exposure. Furthermore, most of OsHsfA gene expressions were little affected and only a few (OsHsfA3, A4d, A7,and A9) genes had slow responses to cold treatment. The results indicate that the transcript levels of OsHsfAs during heat stress exposure were distinct from those of plants subjected to salt, PEG, and cold stresses, suggesting that there might be different regulatory networks between heat and non-heat stress.

IL-24 Contributes to Neutrophilic Asthma in an IL-17A-Dependent Manner and Is Suppressed by IL-37

Feng Kang-ni,Meng Ping,Zhang Min,Zou Xiao-ling,Li Shuang,Huang Chu-qin,Lai Ke-fang,Li Hong-tao,Zhang Tian-tuo 대한천식알레르기학회 2022 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.14 No.5

Purpose: Neutrophilic asthma is associated with asthma exacerbation, steroid insensitivity, and severe asthma. Interleukin (IL)-24 is overexpressed in asthma and is involved in the pathogenesis of several allergic inflammatory diseases. However, the role and specific mechanism of IL-24 in neutrophilic asthma are unclear. We aimed to elucidate the roles of IL-24 and IL-37 in neutrophilic asthma, the relationships with IL-17A and the mechanisms regulating neutrophilic asthma progression. Methods: Purified human neutrophils were isolated from healthy volunteers, and a cell coculture system was used to evaluate the function of IL-24 in epithelium-derived IL-17A-dependent neutrophil migration. IL-37 or a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting IL-24 was delivered intranasally to verify the effect in a murine model of house dust mite (HDM)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neutrophilic asthma. Results: IL-24 enhanced IL-17A production in bronchial epithelial cells via the STAT3 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways; this effect was reversed by exogenous IL-37. Anti-IL-17A monoclonal antibodies reduced neutrophil chemotaxis induced by IL-24-treated epithelial cells in vitro. Increased IL-24 and IL-17A expression in the airway epithelium was observed in HDM/LPS-induced neutrophilic asthma. IL-37 administration or IL-24 silencing attenuated neutrophilic asthma, reducing IL-17A levels and decreasing neutrophil airway infiltration, airway hyperresponsiveness, and goblet cell metaplasia. Silencing IL-24 inhibited T-helper 17 (Th17) immune responses, but not Th1 or Th2 immune responses, in the lungs of a neutrophilic asthma model. Conclusions: IL-24 aggravated neutrophilic airway inflammation by increasing epithelium-derived IL-17A production, which could be suppressed by IL-37. Targeting the IL-24/IL-17A signaling axis is a potential strategy, and IL-37 is a potential candidate agent for alleviating neutrophilic airway inflammation in asthma.

Polymer nanofiber network reinforced gold electrode array for neural activity recording

Siting Yang,Ke Xu,Shouliang Guan,Liang Zou,Lei Gao,Jinfen Wang,Huihui Tian,Hui Li,Ying Fang,Hongbian Li 대한의용생체공학회 2023 Biomedical Engineering Letters (BMEL) Vol.13 No.2

Flexible and stretchable neural electrodes are promising tools for high-fidelity interfacing with soft and curvilinear brainsurface. Here, we describe a flexible and stretchable neural electrode array that consists of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibernetwork reinforced gold (Au) film electrodes. Under stretching, the interweaving PAN nanofibers effectively terminate theformation of propagating cracks in the Au films and thus enable the formation of a dynamically stable electrode-tissue interface. Moreover, the PAN nanofibers increase the surface roughness and active surface areas of the Au electrodes, leading toreduced electrochemical impedance and improved signal-to-noise ratio. As a result, PAN nanofiber network reinforced Auelectrode arrays can allow for reliable in vivo multichannel recording of epileptiform activities in rats.

Identification of seven novel virulence genes from Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri by Tn5-based random mutagenesis

Xue Song,Jing Guo,Wen-xiu Ma,Zhi-yuan Ji,Li-fang Zou,Gong-you Chen,Hua-song Zou 한국미생물학회 2015 The journal of microbiology Vol.53 No.5

To identify novel virulence genes, a mutant library of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri 29-1 was produced using EZ-Tn5 transposon and the mutants were inoculated into susceptible grapefruit. Forty mutants with altered virulence phenotypes were identified. Nine of the mutants showed a complete loss of citrus canker induction, and the other 31 mutants resulted in attenuated canker symptoms. Southern blot analysis revealed that each of the mutants carried a single copy of Tn5. The flanking sequence was identified by plasmid rescue and 18 different ORFs were identified in the genome sequence. Of these 18 ORFs, seven had not been previously associated with the virulence of X. citri subsp. citri and were therefore confirmed by complementation analysis. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the seven genes were upregulated when the bacteria were grown in citrus plants, suggesting that the expression of these genes was essential for canker development.