Heterologous expression of ZmNF-YA12 confers tolerance to drought and salt stress in Arabidopsis

Zhang Tongtong,Zheng Dengyu,Zhang Chun,Wu Zhongyi,Yu Rong,Zhang Zhongbao 한국식물생명공학회 2022 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.16 No.4

Drought and salinity are serious environmental factors limiting the growth and productivity of plants worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to develop ways to improve drought and salinity stress tolerance in plants. In this study, a drought-responsive nuclear factor Y subunit A gene, ZmNF-YA12, was cloned from maize. qPCR revealed ZmNF-YA12 transcript in all vegeta- tive and reproductive tissues, with higher levels in young roots. Expression analyses of maize revealed that ZmNF-YA12 was induced by abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), and abiotic stresses, including dehydration, high salinity, cold, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment. The heterologous expression of ZmNF-YA12 in Arabidopsis plants resulted in increased root length and better plant growth than in wild-type (WT) plants under conditions of mannitol, salt, and JA stress on 1/2 MS medium. Transgenic Arabidopsis showed improved tolerance to drought and salt stresses in soil, and higher proline content and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content than WT controls. The transgenic plants also maintained higher peroxidase (POD) activities than WT plants under conditions of NaCl stress. A yeast two-hybrid experiment demonstrated that ZmNF-YA12 interacted with ZmNF-YC1 and ZmNF-YC15. Moreover, the transcript levels of stress-responsive genes (RD29A, RD29B, RAB18, and RD22) were markedly increased in transgenic lines under conditions of drought and salt stress. These observa- tions suggested that the ZmNF-YA12 gene may confers drought and salt stress tolerance by regulating stress-related genes or interacting with ZmNF-YC1 and ZmNF-YC15, and has potential applications in molecular breeding with maintenance of production under conditions of stress.

Supplementation of guanidinoacetic acid and rumen-protected methionine increased growth performance and meat quality of Tan lambs

Zhang Jian Hao,Li Hai Hai,Zhang Gui Jie,Zhang Ying Hui,Liu Bo,Huang Shuai,Guyader Jessie,Zhong Rong Zhen 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.10

Objective: Tan lambs (n = 36, 3 mo old, 19.1±0.53 kg) were used to assess effects of dietary guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) and rumen-protected methionine (RPM) on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and serum parameters. Methods: Lambs were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, with 6 pens per group and 2 lambs per pen. Dietary treatments were: basal diet alone (I); basal diet supplemented with 0.08% GAA+0.06% RPM (II); and basal diet supplemented with 0.08% GAA+0.08% RPM (III). Diets were provided three times a day for 90 d. Intake per pen was recorded daily and individual lamb body weight (BW) was measured monthly. Carcass traits were measured after slaughter and meat quality at the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken on a subgroup of lambs for analysis of indicators mostly related to protein metabolism. Results: Final BW and average daily gain for the first and second month, and for the entire experiment were greater in Treatment II compared to Treatment I (p<0.05), whereas feed to gain ratio was lower (p<0.05). Treatment II had the optimal dressing percentage and net meat weight proportion, as well as crude protein and intramuscular fat concentrations in muscles. Treatment II improved meat quality, as indicated by the greater water holding capacity, pH after 45 min and 48 h, and lower shear force and cooking loss. Dietary supplementation of GAA and RPM also increased the meat color a* and b* values at 24 h. Finally, Treatment II increased total protein, and serum concentrations of albumin and creatinine, but decreased serum urea nitrogen concentrations, indicating improved protein efficiency. Conclusion: In this study, 0.08% GAA+0.06% RPM supplementation improved growth performance and meat quality of Tan lambs. Objective: Tan lambs (n = 36, 3 mo old, 19.1±0.53 kg) were used to assess effects of dietary guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) and rumen-protected methionine (RPM) on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and serum parameters.Methods: Lambs were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, with 6 pens per group and 2 lambs per pen. Dietary treatments were: basal diet alone (I); basal diet supplemented with 0.08% GAA+0.06% RPM (II); and basal diet supplemented with 0.08% GAA+0.08% RPM (III). Diets were provided three times a day for 90 d. Intake per pen was recorded daily and individual lamb body weight (BW) was measured monthly. Carcass traits were measured after slaughter and meat quality at the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken on a subgroup of lambs for analysis of indicators mostly related to protein metabolism.Results: Final BW and average daily gain for the first and second month, and for the entire experiment were greater in Treatment II compared to Treatment I (p<0.05), whereas feed to gain ratio was lower (p<0.05). Treatment II had the optimal dressing percentage and net meat weight proportion, as well as crude protein and intramuscular fat concentrations in muscles. Treatment II improved meat quality, as indicated by the greater water holding capacity, pH after 45 min and 48 h, and lower shear force and cooking loss. Dietary supplementation of GAA and RPM also increased the meat color a* and b* values at 24 h. Finally, Treatment II increased total protein, and serum concentrations of albumin and creatinine, but decreased serum urea nitrogen concentrations, indicating improved protein efficiency.Conclusion: In this study, 0.08% GAA+0.06% RPM supplementation improved growth performance and meat quality of Tan lambs.

Study of upfront surgery versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery for patients with stage IIIC and IV ovarian cancer, SGOG SUNNY (SOC-2) trial concept

Rong Jiang,Jianqing Zhu,김재원,Jihong Liu,Kazuyoshi Kato,김희승,Yuqin Zhang,Ping Zhang,Tao Zhu,Daisuke Aoki,Aijun Yu,Xiaojun Chen,Xipeng Wang,Ding Zhu,Wei Zhang,Huixun Jia,Ting-Yan Shi,Wen Gao,Sheng Yin,Yan 대한부인종양학회 2020 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.31 No.5

Background: Two randomized phase III trials (EORTC55971 and CHORUS) showed similarprogression-free and overall survival in primary or interval debulking surgery in ovariancancer, however both studies had limitations with lower rate of complete resection and lack ofsurgical qualifications for participating centers. There is no consensus on whether neoadjuvantchemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery (NACT-IDS) could be a preferred approachin the management of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in the clinical practice. Methods: The Asian SUNNY study is an open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled,phase III trial to compare the effect of primary debulking surgery (PDS) to NACT-IDS instages IIIC and IV EOC, fallopian tube cancer (FTC) or primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC). The hypothesis is that PDS enhances the survivorship when compared with NACT-IDS inadvanced ovarian cancer. The primary objective is to clarify the role of PDS and NACT-IDS inthe treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. Surgical quality assures include at least 50% of nogross residual (NGR) in PDS group in all centers and participating centers should be nationalcancer centers or designed ovarian cancer section or those with the experience participatingsurgical trials of ovarian cancer. Any participating center should be monitored evaluatingthe proportions of NGR by a training set. The aim of the surgery in both arms is maximalcytoreduction. Tumor burden of the disease is evaluated by diagnostic laparoscopy orpositron emission tomography/computed tomography scan. Patients assigned to PDS groupwill undergo upfront maximal cytoreductive surgery within 3 weeks after biopsy, followed by6 cycles of standard adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients assigned to NACT group will undergo 3cycles of NACT-IDS, and subsequently 3 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. The maximal timeinterval between IDS and the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy is 8 weeks. Major inclusioncriteria are pathologic confirmed stage IIIC and IV EOC, FTC or PPC; ECOG performancestatus of 0 to 2; ASA score of 1 to 2. Major exclusion criteria are non-epithelial tumors as wellas borderline tumors; low-grade carcinoma; mucinous ovarian cancer. The sample size is 456subjects. Primary endpoint is overall survival. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02859038

Lotus-Like Nano-Architectures Constructed from Self-Assembled Micelles via Hierarchical Assembly

Rongli Zhang,Xiaoxia Fan,Xiaofang Xu,Jingjing Lv,Zhenzhen Jin,Hui Hao,Cuige Zhang 한국고분자학회 2018 Macromolecular Research Vol.26 No.1

Dopamine modified γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA-DA) copolymer and melamine (Mel) can self-assemble into Mel/γ-PGA-DA micelles via weak intermolecular interactions in aqueous solution containing small amount of methanol. When Mel/γ-PGA-DA micellar solution was cast on the surface of formvar stabilized with carbon support films, the lotus-like nano-architectures were formed on the surface of substrate via hierarchical assembly of micelles. The size of lotus-like nanoarchitectures was approximately 200 nm×500 nm. The possible driving forces for hierarchical assembly of micelles were the solution fluid and interaction between micelles. The hierarchical assembly of micelles was similar to the fractal aggregation of inorganic particles and a possible reason was discussed.

Soluble expression, purification and the role of C-terminal glycine residues in scorpion toxin BmK AGP-SYPU2

( Rong Zhang ),( Yong Cui ),( Xi Zhang ),( Zhuo Yang ),( Yong Shan Zhao ),( Yong Bo Song ),( Chun Fu Wu ),( Jing Hai Zhang ) 생화학분자생물학회 (구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2010 BMB Reports Vol.43 No.12

The existence of glycine residues in long-chain scorpion toxins has been well documented. However, their role as analgesics has not been evaluated. To address this issue, we investigated the functional role of glycines in the C-terminal end of Chinese-scorpion toxin from Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK AGP-SYPU2) using site-directed mutagenesis and analgesic activity assays. Recombinant BmK AGP-SYPU2 and its mutants were efficiently expressed in E. coli and purified to homogeneity using immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC) and cation exchange chromatography. The mouse-twisting test was used to detect the analgesic activity of BmK AGP-SYPU2 and its mutants. As a result, we identified glycines at the C-terminal end that, when altered, significantly affected analgesic activity. Also, Mut6566 was significantly decreased compared to BmK AGP-SYPU2. These data indicate that the glycines at the C-terminal end are important for the analgesic activity of BmK AGP-SYPU2. [BMB reports 2010; 43(12): 801-806]

Association of Six Susceptibility Loci with Prostate Cancer in Northern Chinese Men

Zhang, Yu-Rong,Xu, Yong,Yang, Kuo,Liu, Ming,Wei, Dong,Zhang, Yao-Guang,Shi, Xiao-Hong,Wang, Jian-Ye,Yang, Fan,Wang, Xin,Liang, Si-Ying,Zhao, Cheng-Xiao,Wang, Fei,Chen, Xin,Sun, Liang,Zhu, Xiao-Quan,Zh Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.12

Background/Aim: Six prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility loci were identified in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in populations of European decent. However, the associations of these 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with PCa has remained tobe clarified in men in Northern China. This study aimed to explore the loci associated with PCa risk in a Northern Chinese population. Methods: Blood samples and clinical information of 289 PCa patients and 288 controls from Beijing and Tianjin were collected. All risk SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-high resolution melting curve technology and gene sequencing. Associations between PCa and clinical covariates (age at diagnosis, prostate-specific antigen [PSA], Gleason score, tumor stage, and level of aggressiveness) and frequencies of alleles and genotypes of these SNPs were analyzed using genetic statistics. Results: Among the candidate SNPs, 11p15 (rs7127900, A) was associated with PCa risk (P = 0.02, odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09-2.46). Genotypes showed differences between cases and controls on 11p15 (rs7127900, A), 11q13 (rs7931342, T), and HNF1B (rs4430796, A) (P = 0.03, P = 0.01, and P = 0.04, respectively). The genotype TG on 11q13 (rs7931342, T) was positively associated with an increased Gleason score (P = 0.04, OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.02-4.55). Patients carrying TG on 17q24 (rs1859962, G) were negatively associated with an increased body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.03, OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.21-0.92) while those with AG on HNF1B (rs4430796, A) were more likely to have PSA increase (P = 0.002). Conclusion: Our study suggests that 11p15 (rs7127900, A) could be a susceptibility locus associated with PCa in Northern Chinese. Genotype TG on 11q13 (rs7931342, T) could be related to an increased Gleason score, AG on HNF1B (rs4430796, A) could be associated with PSA increase, and TG on 17q24 (rs1859962, G) could be negatively associated with an increased BMI in Chinese men with PCa.

Development of a Transient ihpRNA-induced Gene Silencing System for Functional Analysis in Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.)

Rongli Mo,Na Zhang,Sichao Yang,Qinglin Zhang,Zhengrong Luo 한국원예학회 2016 원예과학기술지 Vol.34 No.2

A transient ihpRNA-induced gene silencing system based on Agrobacterium-mediated injection infiltration has been established to evaluate candidate genes involved in proanthocyanidin (PAs) biosynthesis in persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.). We chose DkPDS (phytoene desaturase) as a gene-silencing target to evaluate the newly developed transient gene silencing system. Our qRT-PCR analysis indicated that two ihpRNA constructs (pHG-PDS5’ and pHG-PDS3’) targeted DkPDS, which also led to significantly reduce expression of DkPDS in ‘Mopanshi’ persimmon leaves. To further confirm the reliability of the system, we successfully utilized it for DkLAR (leucoanthocyanidin reductase) gene silencing. The expression levels of DkLAR in ‘Mopanshi’ and ‘Eshi 1’ leaves were ca. 6-fold and ca. 5-fold lower than those in leaves harboring empty vector (pHG-GFP), respectively. DMACA (4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde) staining and the Folin-Ciocalteau assay showed that the accumulation of PAs was markedly inhibited in ‘Mopanshi’, ‘Eshi 1’ and ‘Youhou’ leaves. These results indicate that DkLAR plays an important role in the accumulation of PAs in persimmon. The transient ihpRNA-induced gene silencing method developed in this study is a highly efficient and useful tool for functional analysis of persimmon genes involved in PA biosynthesis.

Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer in Rural Areas of Wuhan China: a Matched Case-control Study

Zhang, Bin,Zhou, Ai-Fen,Zhu, Chang-Cai,Zhang, Ling,Xiang, Bing,Chen, Zhong,Hu, Rong-Hua,Zhang, Ya-Qi,Qiu, Lin,Zhang, Yi-Ming,Xiong, Chao-Du,Du, Yu-Kai,Shi, Yu-Qin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Cervical cancer is a serious public health problem in developing countries. We investigated possible risk factors for cervical cancer in rural areas of Wuhan China using a matched case-control study with 33 women diagnosed with cervical cancer and 132 healthy women selected from the same area as matched controls. A questionnaire, which included questions about general demography conditions, environmental and genetic factors, the first sexual intercourse, first marriage age, age at first pregnancy, pregnancy first child's age, female personal health history, social psychological factors, dietary habits, smoking and alcohol status and other living habits was presented to all participants. At the same time, HPV infection of every participant was examined in laboratory testing. Results showed HPV infection (P<0.000, OR=23.4) and pregnancy first child's age (P<0.000, OR=13.1) to be risk factors for cervical cancer. Menopause (P=0.003, OR=0.073) was a protective factor against cervical cancer. However, there was no indication of associations of environmental (drinking water, insecticide, disinfectant) genetic (cancer family history), or life-style factors (smoking status, alcohol status, physical training, sleep quality), including dietary habits (intake of fruit and vegetable, meat, fried food, bean products and pickled food) or social psychological factors with cervical cancer. The results suggest that the risk of cervical cancer in Chinese rural women may be associated with HPV infection, menopause and the pregnancy first child's age.

Changes in Milk Production and Metabolic Parameters by Feeding Lactating Cows Based on Different Ratios of Corn Silage: Alfalfa Hay with Addition of Extruded Soybeans

Yana, Rong,Zhang, Ruizhong,Zhang, Xian,Jiang, Chao,Han, Jian-Guo,Zhang, Ying-Jun Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.6

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different ratios of corn silage (CS): alfalfa hay (AH), and extruded soybeans (ESB) on milk yield, milk composition, blood metabolites, and fatty acids in milk fat and plasma. Ninety multiparous Holstein cows were arranged in a randomized block design experiment which lasted 14 weeks. Treatments were arranged as a $3{\times}3$ factorial with 0%, 5% or 10% ESB (dry matter basis) and three forage treatments: I) 30% CS, 10% AH and 10% Leymus chinense hay (LC); ii) 20% corn silage, 20% alfalfa hay and 10% LC; iii) 10% CS, 30% AH and 10% LC. Cows were allowed to consume a total mixed ration ad libitum. There was no change of dry matter intake when cows were fed the experimental diets. As more AH was added to the diets, milk yield, milk protein content and yield, and trans9, cis11-conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) concentrations in milk fat and plasma increased. When ESB were supplemented to the diets, milk yield, and trans9, cis11-CLA concentration in milk fat and plasma increased. When 10% ESB was added to the diet containing 30% AH the trans9, cis11-CLA content (1.46 g/100 g of total fatty acids) in milk was the highest among all treatments. These results suggests that AH could replace part of a CS diet and be a good forage source of diet for dairy cows to improve milk yield and milk composition. Meanwhile, ESB could be included in the diet with high AH to improve production performance of dairy cows.

Development of a Transient ihpRNA-induced Gene Silencing System for Functional Analysis in Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.)

Mo, Rongli,Zhang, Na,Yang, Sichao,Zhang, Qinglin,Luo, Zhengrong Korean Society of Horticultural Science 2016 원예과학기술지 Vol.34 No.2

A transient ihpRNA-induced gene silencing system based on Agrobacterium-mediated injection infiltration has been established to evaluate candidate genes involved in proanthocyanidin (PAs) biosynthesis in persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.). We chose DkPDS (phytoene desaturase) as a gene-silencing target to evaluate the newly developed transient gene silencing system. Our qRT-PCR analysis indicated that two ihpRNA constructs (pHG-PDS5' and pHG-PDS3') targeted DkPDS, which also led to significantly reduce expression of DkPDS in 'Mopanshi' persimmon leaves. To further confirm the reliability of the system, we successfully utilized it for DkLAR (leucoanthocyanidin reductase) gene silencing. The expression levels of DkLAR in 'Mopanshi' and 'Eshi 1' leaves were ca. 6-fold and ca. 5-fold lower than those in leaves harboring empty vector (pHG-GFP), respectively. DMACA (4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde) staining and the Folin-Ciocalteau assay showed that the accumulation of PAs was markedly inhibited in 'Mopanshi', 'Eshi 1' and 'Youhou' leaves. These results indicate that DkLAR plays an important role in the accumulation of PAs in persimmon. The transient ihpRNA-induced gene silencing method developed in this study is a highly efficient and useful tool for functional analysis of persimmon genes involved in PA biosynthesis.