Improvement of heat and drought photosynthetic tolerance in wheat by overaccumulation of glycinebetaine

Wang, Gui-Ping,Hui, Zhen,Li, Feng,Zhao, Mei-Rong,Zhang, Jin,Wang, Wei The Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology 2010 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.4 No.3

Within their natural habitat, crops are often subjected to drought and heat stress, which suppress crop growth and decrease crop production. Causing overaccumulation of glycinebetaine (GB) has been used to enhance the crop yield under stress. Here, we investigated the response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) photosynthesis to drought, heat stress and their combination with a transgenic wheat line (T6) overaccumulating GB and its wild-type (WT) Shi4185. Drought stress (DS) was imposed by controlling irrigation until the relative water content (RWC) of the flag leaves decreased to between 78 and 82%. Heat stress (HS) was applied by exposing wheat plants to $40^{\circ}C$ for 4 h. A combination of drought and heat stress was applied by subjecting the drought-stressed plants to a heat stress as above. The results indicated that all stresses decreased photosynthesis, but the combination of drought and heat stress exacerbated the negative effects on photosynthesis more than exposure to drought or heat stress alone. Drought stress decreased the transpiration rate (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs) and intercellular $CO_2$ concentration (Ci), while heat stress increased all of these; the deprivation of water was greater under drought stress than heat stress, but heat stress decreased the antioxidant enzyme activity to a greater extent. Overaccumulated GB could alleviate the decrease of photosynthesis caused by all stresses tested. These suggest that GB induces an increase of osmotic adjustments for drought tolerance, while its improvement of the antioxidative defense system including antioxidative enzymes and antioxidants may be more important for heat tolerance.

Anti-Angiogenic Activity of Gecko Aqueous Extracts and its Macromolecular Components in CAM and HUVE-12 Cells

Tang, Zhen,Huang, Shu-Qiong,Liu, Jian-Ting,Jiang, Gui-Xiang,Wang, Chun-Mei Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.5

Gecko is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine with remarkable antineoplastic activity. However, undefined mechanisms and ambiguity regarding active ingredients limit new drug development from gecko. This study was conducted to assess anti-angiogenic properties of the aqueous extracts of fresh gecko (AG) or macromolecular components separated from AG (M-AG). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) approach was applied to detect the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion of the tumor cells treated with AG or M-AG. The effect of AG or M-AG on vascular endothelial cell proliferation and migratory ability was analyzed by tetrazolium dye colorimetric method, transwell and wound-healing assays. Chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays were used to ensure the anti-angiogenic activity of M-AG in vivo. The results showed that AG or M-AG inhibited the VEGF secretion of tumor cells, the relative inhibition rates of AG and M-AG being 27.2% and 53.2% respectively at a concentration of $20{\mu}L/mL$. AG and M-AG inhibited the vascular endothelial (VE) cell proliferation with IC50 values of $11.5{\pm}0.5{\mu}L/mL$ and $12.9{\pm}0.4{\mu}L/mL$ respectively. The VE cell migration potential was inhibited significantly (p<0.01) by the AG (${\geq}24{\mu}L/mL$) or M-AG (${\geq}12\mu}L/mL$) treatment. In vivo, neovascularization of CAM treated with M-AG was inhibited significantly (p<0.05) at a concentration of ${\geq}0.4{\mu}L/mL$. This study provided evidence that anti-angiogenesis is one of the anti-tumor mechanisms of AG and M-AG, with the latter as a promising active component.

Emodin-Provoked Oxidative Stress Induces Apoptosis in Human Colon Cancer HCT116 Cells through a p53-Mitochondrial Apoptotic Pathway

Xie, Mei-Juan,Ma, Yi-Hua,Miao, Lin,Wang, Yan,Wang, Hai-Zhen,Xing, Ying-Ying,Xi, Tao,Lu, Yuan-Yuan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.13

Emodin, a natural anthraquinone isolated from the traditional Chinese medicine Radix rhizoma Rhei, can induce apoptosis in many kinds of cancer cells. This study demonstrated that emodin induces apoptosis in human colon cancer HCT116 cells by provoking oxidative stress, which subsequently triggers a p53-mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Emodin induced mitochondrial transmembrane potential loss, increase in Bax and decrease in Bcl-2 expression and mitochondrial translocation and release of cytochrome c to cytosol in HCT116 cells. In response to emodin-treatment, ROS increased rapidly, and subsequently p53 was overexpressed. Pretreatment with the antioxidant NAC diminished apoptosis and p53 overexpression induced by emodin. Transfecting p53 siRNA also attenuated apoptosis induced by emodin, Bax expression and mitochondrial translocation being reduced compared to treatment with emodin alone. Taken together, these results indicate that ROS is a trigger of emodin-induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells, and p53 expression increases under oxidative stress, leading to Bax-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis.

Fatty Acid Binding Protein 5 (FABP5) Promotes Aggressiveness of Gastric Cancer Through Modulation of Tumor Immunity

Shu Zhang,Mei-qing Qiu,Hui-jun Wang,Ya-fei Ju,Zhen Liu,Tao Wang,Shi-feng Kan,Zhen Yang,Ya-yun Cui,You-qiang Ke,Hong-min He,Li Sun 대한위암학회 2023 Journal of gastric cancer Vol.23 No.2

Purpose: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most lethal cancer globally and is associated with poor prognosis. Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) can regulate biological properties of carcinoma cells. FABP5 is overexpressed in many types of cancers; however, the role and mechanisms of action of FABP5 in GC remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical and biological functions of FABP5 in GC. Materials and Methods: We assessed FABP5 expression using immunohistochemical analysis in 79 patients with GC and evaluated its biological functions following in vitro and in vivo ectopic expression. FABP5 targets relevant to GC progression were determined using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Results: Elevated FABP5 expression was closely associated with poor outcomes, and ectopic expression of FABP5 promoted proliferation, invasion, migration, and carcinogenicity of GC cells, thus suggesting its potential tumor-promoting role in GC. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis indicated that FABP5 activates immune-related pathways, including cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathways, interleukin-17 signaling, and tumor necrosis factor signaling, suggesting an important rationale for the possible development of therapies that combine FABP5-targeted drugs with immunotherapeutics. Conclusions: These findings highlight the biological mechanisms and clinical implications of FABP5 in GC and suggest its potential as an adverse prognostic factor and/or therapeutic target.

Research Progress in SiC-Based Ceramic Matrix Composites

Shaoming Dong,Zhen Wang,Haijun Zhou,Yan-Mei Kan,Xiangyu Zhang,Yusheng Ding,Le Gao,Bin Wu,Jianbao Hu 한국세라믹학회 2012 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.49 No.4

SiC-based ceramic matrix composites show many advantages over their monolithic ceramic counterparts, which makes them potential candidates for applications in various fields. Depending strongly on the chemical composition and microstructure of the fiber reinforcement, matrix as well as the fiber/matrix interphase in the material, the properties of ceramic matrix composites(CMCs) are highly tailorable. In this paper, the latest progresses in the interphase design, matrix modification and fiber reinforcement decoration of CMCs are reviewed, their effects on the properties of the CMCs are introduced.

Adaptive polymorphism of tetrameric alpha-amylase inhibitors in wild emmer wheat

Ji-Rui Wang,Mei Deng,Ya-Xi Liu,Xin Qiao,Zhen-Hong Chen,Qian-Tao Jiang,Zhi-En Pu,Yu-Ming Wei,Eviatar Nevo,You-Liang Zheng 한국유전학회 2011 Genes & Genomics Vol.33 No.4

α-Amylase inhibitors are attractive candidates for the control of seed weevils as these insects are highly dependent on starch as an energy source. Wheat tetrameric α-amylase inhibitor (WTAI) is a mixture (60 kDa) of 3 units: WTAI-CM2 plus 2 WTAI-CM3 plus WTAI-CM16, where none of the subunits is active on its own. A total of 334 gene sequences were obtained from 14 populations (131 accessions= genotypes) of wild emmer wheat. The frequencies of SNPs in WTAI-CM2,WTAI-CM3 and WTAI-CM16 were 1 out of 87.6, 101.4, and 108.0 bases, where 5, 5 and 4 SNPs were detected in the coding sequence, respectively. The nucleotide sequence of each unit of tetrameric α-amylase inhibitors were much more conserved than that of dimeric or monomeric inhibitors. The wild emmer wheat populations showed diversity on three WTAI loci,both between and within populations. It was revealed that WTAI were naturally selected for across populations by a ratio of dN/dS as expected. The results of purifying and positive selection hypothesis (p<0.05) also showed that the sequences of WTAI were contributed by natural selection, which ensures the protein function conservation as well as the inhibition diversity with insects amylase enzyme. Ecological factors, singly or in combination, explained a significant proportion of the variations in the SNPs. Ecological factors have an important evolutionary role in gene differentiation at these loci, and tetrameric α-amylase inhibitors are obviously adaptively selected under different environments.

The Beneficial Effects of Dietary Astragali Radix Are Related to the Regulation of Gut Microbiota and Its Metabolites

Zhi Chai,Zhen-Yu Li,Ling Wang,Lan Yang,Xiao-Ling Cheng,Xue-Mei Qin 한국식품영양과학회 2024 Journal of medicinal food Vol.27 No.1

Astragali Radix (AR) or its extract has been used as an herbal medicine and dietary supplement in China,Europe, and the United States. The gut microbiota could provide new insights for exploring dietary supplements’ underlyingmechanism on organisms. However, no reports have focused on the regulatory effect of AR on the gut microbiota as a dietarysupplement. In this study, healthy ICR mice of either sex were divided into AR and control (CON) groups and given AR waterextract (4.55 mg/kg$day-1) or saline by gavage for 14 days, respectively. Then 16S rRNA gene sequencing and ultra-highperformanceliquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry-based fecal metabolomics wereintegrated to investigate the benefits of dietary AR. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis was also introduced toinvestigate the metabolites with highly synergistic changes. AR supplementation influenced the structure of intestinal microflora,especially enriching short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria g_Coprobacillus, g_Prevotella, and g_Parabacteroides. AR also significantly altered the fecal metabolome, mainly related to amino acid metabolism, nucleotidemetabolism, and bile acid (BA) metabolism. Moreover, the increased secondary BAs and BA-sulfates might closely relate tointestinal microflora. These findings provide valuable insights for future research of dietary AR as a functional food.

Dosimetric Verification for Primary Focal Hypermetabolism of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients Treated with Dynamic Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy

Xin, Yong,Wang, Jia-Yang,Li, Liang,Tang, Tian-You,Liu, Gui-Hong,Wang, Jian-She,Xu, Yu-Mei,Chen, Yong,Zhang, Long-Zhen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.3

Objective: To make sure the feasibility with $^{18F}FDG$ PET/CT to guided dynamic intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, by dosimetric verification before treatment. Methods: Chose 11 patients in III~IVA nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with functional image-guided IMRT and absolute and relative dosimetric verification by Varian 23EX LA, ionization chamber, 2DICA of I'mRT Matrixx and IBA detachable phantom. Drawing outline and making treatment plan were by different imaging techniques (CT and $^{18F}FDG$ PET/CT). The dose distributions of the various regional were realized by SMART. Results: The absolute mean errors of interest area were $2.39%{\pm}0.66$ using 0.6cc ice chamber. Results using DTA method, the average relative dose measurements within our protocol (3%, 3 mm) were 87.64% at 300 MU/min in all filed. Conclusions: Dosimetric verification before IMRT is obligatory and necessary. Ionization chamber and 2DICA of I'mRT Matrixx was the effective dosimetric verification tool for primary focal hyper metabolism in functional image-guided dynamic IMRT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Our preliminary evidence indicates that functional image-guided dynamic IMRT is feasible.

Research Progress in SiC-Based Ceramic Matrix Composites

Dong, Shaoming,Wang, Zhen,Zhou, Haijun,Kan, Yan-Mei,Zhang, Xiangyu,Ding, Yusheng,Gao, Le,Wu, Bin,Hu, Jianbao The Korean Ceramic Society 2012 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.49 No.4

SiC-based ceramic matrix composites show many advantages over their monolithic ceramic counterparts, which makes them potential candidates for applications in various fields. Depending strongly on the chemical composition and microstructure of the fiber reinforcement, matrix as well as the fiber/matrix interphase in the material, the properties of ceramic matrix composites(CMCs) are highly tailorable. In this paper, the latest progresses in the interphase design, matrix modification and fiber reinforcement decoration of CMCs are reviewed, their effects on the properties of the CMCs are introduced.

Metabolism of dl-Praeruptorin A in Rat Liver Microsomes using HPLC-Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Hang Ruan,Xuan Zhu,Zhen Zhang,Xin-fang Liang,Yan Fu,Mei-qin Su,Qi-lin Liu,Xiu-min Wang 대한약학회 2011 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.34 No.8

dl-Praeruptorin A (Pd-Ia) is the major active constituent of the traditional Chinese medicine Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn. Recently it has been identified as a novel agent in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Accordingly, we investigated the metabolism of Pd-Ia in rat liver microsomes. The involvement of cytochrome P450 (CYP) and CYP isoforms were identified using a CYP-specific inhibitor (SKF-525A), CYP-selective inhibitors (α-naphthoflavone, metyrapone, fluvastatin, quinidine, disulfiram, ketoconazole and ticlopidine) and CYP-selective inducers (phenobarbital, dexamethasone and β-naphthoflavone). Residual concentrations of the substrate and metabolites were determined by HPLC, and further identified by their mass spectra and chromatographic behavior. These experiments showed that CYP450 is involved in Pd-Ia metabolism, and that the major CYP isoform responsible is CYP3A1/2, which acts in a concentration-dependent manner. Four Pd-Ia metabolites (M1, M2, M3, and M4) were detected after incubation with rat liver microsomes. Hydroxylation was the primary metabolic pathway of Pd-Ia, and possible chemical structures of the metabolites were identified. Further research is now needed to link the metabolism of Pd-Ia to its drug-drug interactions.