Overexpression of the MYB transcription factor MYB28 or MYB99 confers hypersensitivity to abscisic acid in arabidopsis

Yong-Tao Yu,Zhenwu Zhu,Kai Lu,Chao Bi,Shan Liang,Xiao-Fang Wang,Da-Peng Zhang 한국식물학회 2016 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.59 No.2

The phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays a vital role in plant development and response to abiotic stress, and many components in ABA signaling remain to be discovered to fully understand the highly complex ABA signaling network. Here we reported that over-expression of MYB28 or MYB99, two R2R3 MYB transcription factors in Arabidopsis thaliana, confers hypersensitivity to exogenous ABA during seed germination, cotyledon greening and early seedling growth. However, both myb28-1 and myb99-1 knockout mutants exhibit wild-type ABA phenotypes most likely due to a functional redundancy of the multiple MYB members. Real-time PCR analysis shows that over-expression of the MYB28 or MYB99 changes expression of a subset of ABA-responsive genes. Collectively, these findings suggest that MYB28 and MYB99 play important, positive roles in ABA signaling during seed germination and early seedling growth.

An experimental investigation on mechanical property and anchorage effect of bolted jointed rock mass

Yong Li,Chao Li,Lei Zhang,Weishen Zhu,Shucai Li,Jian Liu 한국지질과학협의회 2017 Geosciences Journal Vol.21 No.2

Apparent discontinuities can be easily found in natural rock medium owing to the constant motion and change of the Earth’s crust, which contains large amount of discontinuous surfaces such as faults, joints, cracks and so forth. Rock bolt is one of the most effective and economical reinforcing tools in practical geotechnical engineering for a long time. This paper investigates the mechanical properties, anchorage effect, cracking, and coalescence process of intact rock-like specimens, rock-like specimens containing flaws, and bolted rock-like specimens containing flaws. A series of uniaxial compression tests, splitting tests, and biaxial compression tests are performed on these specimens. Some findings can be observed from this study. (1) The number of rock bolt(s) and the anchoring angle have a great influence on the anchorage effect of rock bolt(s). With the increasing number of rock bolt(s), the uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), the splitting peak strength (which can be converted to the tensile strength), and biaxial compressive strength (BCS) can all be improved, whose variation tendencies do not follow a linear relationship. (2) The contributions to the tensile strength for rock bolt is greater than that to the UCS for the same-type specimen. (3) In the biaxial compression tests, with the increasing of the lateral pressures, the anchorage effect of rock bolt gradually declines and the lateral pressure plays a dominant role in improving the strength of the specimen. The failure characteristics of three types of laboratory tests have also been systematically analyzed in this paper.

Beneficial effects of natural Jeju groundwaters on lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats

Yan-chao Wang,Jin-miao Lu,Hui-zi Jin,Ai-niu Ma,Jin-yang Zhang,Nian Gong,Qi Xiao,Bin Zhu,Ying-fang Lv,Na Yu,Wei-dong Zhang,Yong-xiang Wang 한국영양학회 2014 Nutrition Research and Practice Vol.8 No.2

BACKGROUND: Groundwater is believed to possess many beneficial effects due to its natural source of various minerals. In this study, we examined the effects of natural Jeju groundwater S1 (SamdasooTM), S2 and S3 pumped up from different locations of Jeju Island, Korea, along with local tap water, on body weight gain, serum lipids and lipoproteins, and liver histopathology in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Rats were randomly and equally divided into 6 groups. Different water samples were supplied to the hyperlipidemic rats as their daily drinking water and the widely-used anti-hyperlipidemic drug simvastatin was used as a positive control. Body weight, serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured weekly. Liver weight, liver index and liver histopathology were examined after the execution of the rats. RESULTS: After drinking Jeju groundwaters for two months, S2 but not S3 significantly reduced weight growth and serum triglycerides levels and increased high density lipoprotein-C (HDL-C) without affecting total cholesterol or LDL-C. S1 and particularly S2 significantly reduced the severity of liver hypertrophy and steatosis. All Groundwaters had much higher contents of vanadium (S3>S2>S1>>tap water) whereas S1 and S2 but not S3 markedly blocked autoxidation of ferrous ions. CONCLUSION: Jeju Groundwater S1 and particularly S2 exhibit protective effects against hyperlipidemia and fatty liver and hypothesize that the beneficial effect of Jeju Groundwaters may be contributed from blockade of autoxidation of ferrous ions rather than their high contents of vanadium.

Abietane Diterpenoids from Perovskia atriplicifolia and Their Anti-HBV Activities

Zhi-Yong Jiang,Zhong-Qiu Li,Chao-Guan Huang,Jun Zhou,Qiu-Fen Hu,Wen-Xing Liu,Xiang-Zhong Huang,Wei Wang,Li-Zhu Zhang,Fu-Ting Xia 대한화학회 2015 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.36 No.2

Bioassay-guided phytochemical investigation on the 90% EtOH extract of Perovskia atriplicifolia resulted in the isolation of eight abietane diterpenoids, including three new ones (1–3). Based on spectroscopic methods involving 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy techniques, mass spectrometry, and optical rotation, the structures of the new compounds (1–3) were unambiguously characterized. Compounds 1–2 and 4–8 were evaluated for their anti-HBV (hepatitis B virus) activity in HepG 2.2.15 cell line. Results suggested rosmadial (8) had the most anti-HBV potency, suppressing the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg, with IC50 values of 0.09 and 0.34 mM, respectively.

Slide Session : OS-GAS-04 ; Gastroenterology : Uric Acid Regulates Hepatic Steatosis and Insulin Sig-naling Through the NLRP3 Infl ammasome Dependent Mechanism

( Wan Xing Yong ),( Xu Cheng Fu ),( Lu Chao ),( Yu Wei Lai ),( Zhu Hua Tuo ),( Yu Chao Hui ),( Li You Ming ) 대한내과학회 2014 대한내과학회 추계학술대회 Vol.2014 No.1

Background: Serum uric acid is strongly associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance in patients. However, whether this association is causally or coincidentally with NAFLD and insulin resistance remains uncertain, neither the mechanisms behind this association are unclear so far. Methods: We first analyzed the impact of uric acid on development of hepatic steatosis in mice and two cell models (HepG2 and HL7702), and then explored the effect of uric acid on insulin signaling, including phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and Akt in HepG2 and HL7702 cells. Further, we studied the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in regulation of hepatic steatosis and insulin signaling. Results: Uric acid directly induced hepatocyte fat accumulation both in vivo and in vitro. Further, uric acid treatment decreased insulin-induced phospho-Akt (ser437) and enhanced the phospho-IRS1(ser307) in HepG2 and HL7702 cells. Then, we found significant increases of NLRP3 inflammasome-related molecules, both mRNA and protein levels, including NLPR3, caspase-1, IL-1ß, and IL-18, in HepG2 and HL7702 cells stimulated with uric acid. We also found that uric acid induced significant elevations of IL-1ß and IL-18 levels in culture supernatants of HepG2 and HL7702 cells. Consistent with in vitro results, mice fed 8 weeks of hyperuricemia-inducing diet resulted in significant up-regulation of hepatic mRNA and protein expressions of NLPR3, caspase-1, IL-1ß and IL-18, and elevation of serum IL-1ß and IL-18 levels. Further experiments indicated that silencing NLRP3 expression significantly alleviated uric acid-induced fat accumulation in vitro. Moreover, inhibition of NLRP3 expression ameliorated uric acid induced insulin signaling impairing, confirmed by increased insulin- induced phospho-Akt (ser437) and reduced the phospho-IRS1(ser307) in vitro. Conclusions: Our results suggest that uric acid contributes to hepatic steatosis and impairs insulin signaling through the NLRP3 inflammasome dependent mechanism.

Effect of Exogenous Nitric Oxide on Vegetative and Reproductive Growth of Oriental Lily ‘Siberia’

Meng Wang,Bin Li,Yong-Chao Zhu,Li-Juan Niu,Xin Jin,Qing-Qing Xu,Wei-Biao Liao 한국원예학회 2015 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.56 No.5

Recent studies have shown that nitric oxide (NO) may be involved in diverse plant developmental processes as an important signal molecule. However, the effects of NO on vegetative and reproductive growth of intact plants are not fully understood. In our study, the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) at 3,000, 6,000 and 9,000 μM was used to characterize the roles of NO in vegetative and reproductive growth of “Siberia” lily. The results showed that the effects of NO on growth in “Siberia” lily were dose-dependent. Compared with the control (distilled water treatment), 3,000 μM SNP caused a significant increase in plant height and internode length. Significant differences were recorded in flowering period, lifetime of individual flowers, number of flowers per plant, flower diameter, and bud length with 6,000 μM SNP. However, 9,000 μM SNP resulted in negative effects on these parameters as compared to the control. Moreover, 3,000 μM SNP caused a significant increase in the contents of leaf chlorophyll, water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), starch, total carbohydrate, total soluble protein, and total nitrogen, all of which were decreased by high levels of SNP (9,000 μM). Together, these results indicated that NO treatments at the proper dosage can promote vegetative and reproductive growth, possibly by improving the levels of leaf chlorophyll, WSC, starch, total carbohydrate, total soluble protein and total nitrogen.

Dexmedetomidine Attenuates Neuropathic Pain by Inhibiting P2X7R Expression and ERK Phosphorylation in Rats

Jia-Piao Lin,Chao-Qin Chen,Ling-Er Huang,Na-na Li,Yan Yang,Sheng-Mei Zhu,Yong-Xing Yao 한국뇌신경과학회 2018 Experimental Neurobiology Vol.27 No.4

α2-Adrenoceptor agonists attenuate hypersensitivity under neuropathic conditions. However, the mechanisms underlying this attenuation remain largely unknown. In the present study, we explored the potential roles of purinergic receptor 7 (P2X7R)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling in the anti-nociceptive effect of dexmedetomidine in a rat model of neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. An animal model of CCI was adopted to mimic the clinical neuropathic pain state. Behavioral hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal stimuli was determined by von Frey filament and Hargreaves’ tests, and the spinal P2X7R expression level and ERK phosphorylation were analyzed using western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. In parallel with the development of mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia, a significant increase in P2X7R expression was noted in the ipsilateral spinal cord on day 7 after CCI. Intrathecal administration of dexmedetomidine (2.5 μg) for 3 days not only attenuated neuropathic pain but also inhibited the CCI-induced P2X7R upregulation and ERK phosphorylation. Intrathecal dexmedetomidine administration did not produce obvious effects on locomotor function. The present study demonstrated that dexmedetomidine attenuates the neuropathic pain induced by CCI of the sciatic nerve in rats by inhibiting spinal P2X7R expression and ERK phosphorylation, indicating the potential therapeutic implications of dexmedetomidine administration for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 Targets p53 Gene: Potential Role in Epstein-Barr Virus Associated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Dan-Min Xu,Yi-Lin Kong,Li Wang,Hua-Yuan Zhu,Jia-Zhu Wu,Yi Xia,Yue Li,Shu-Chao Qin,Lei Fan,Jian-Yong Li,Jin-Hua Liang,Wei Xu 대한암학회 2020 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.52 No.2

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)–microRNA (miRNA, miR)-BHRF1-1 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) as well as role of EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 in p53 gene. Materials and Methods Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to quantify EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 and p53 expression in cultured CLL. Results p53 aberration was associated with the higher expression level of EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 (p < 0.001) which was also an independent prognostic marker for overall survival (p=0.028; hazard ratio, 5.335; 95% confidence interval, 1.193 to 23.846) in 97 newly-diagnosed CLL patients after adjusted with International Prognostic Index for patients with CLL. We identified EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 as a viral miRNA regulator of p53. EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 repressed luciferase reporter activity by specific interaction with the seed region within the p53 3- untranslated region. Discordance of p53 messenger RNA and protein expression was associated with high EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 levels in CLL patients and cell lines. EBV-miR-BHRF1- 1 inhibition upregulated p53 protein expression, induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation in cell lines. EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 mimics downregulated p53 protein expression, decreased cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and induced cell proliferation in cell lines. Conclusion This study supported the role of EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 in p53 regulation in vitro. Our results support the potential of EBV-miR-BHRF1-1 as a therapeutic target in EBV-associated CLL with p53 gene aberration.

Effect of Hydrogen-rich Water on Vase Life and Quality in Cut Lily and Rose Flowers

Peng-Ju Ren,Xin Jin,Wei-Biao Liao,Meng Wang,Li-Juan Niu,Xue-Ping Li,Xiao-Ting Xu,Yong-Chao Zhu 한국원예학회 2017 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.58 No.6

Hydrogen gas (H2) functions as an important signaling molecule in diverse plant developmental processes. H2 is thought to delay postharvest ripening and senescence in fruit. However, little is known about the influence ofH2 on flower senescence. This study was conducted to determine whether H2 treatment could improve vase life andquality in cut lily (Lilium spp.) and rose (Rosa hybrid L.) flowers. Treatment with 0.5% and 1% hydrogen-rich water(HRW) increased vase life and maximum flower diameter in lily. In addition, 50% HRW treatment significantlyincreased vase life and maximum flower diameter in cut rose flowers. The fresh weight and leaf relative watercontent in cut lilies and roses were enhanced by proper doses of HRW. Compared with the control, HRW treatmentdecreased leaf stomata size in cut lily and rose flowers. HRW treatment significantly reduced leaf malondialdehydecontents and electrolyte leakage in cut lilies. Antioxidant enzyme activities were also improved by HRW treatment incut lily and rose flowers. These results suggest that exogenously applied H2 might improve vase life and postharvestquality in cut flowers by maintaining proper water balance and membrane stability and by reducing stomata size andoxidative damage.

Hydrogen peroxide is involved in abscisic acid-induced adventitious rooting in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under drought stress

Xue-Ping Li,Qing-Qing Xu,Wei-Biao Liao,Zhan-Jun Ma,Xiao-Ting Xu,Meng Wang,Peng-Ju Ren,Li-Juan Niu,Xin Jin,Yong-Chao Zhu 한국식물학회 2016 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.59 No.5

Abscisic acid (ABA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are important regulatory factors involved in plant development under adversity stress. Here, the involvement of H2O2 in ABA-induced adventitious root formation in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under drought stress was determined. The results indicated that exogenous ABA or H2O2 promoted adventitious rooting under drought stress, with a maximal biological response at 0.5 μM ABA or 800 μM H2O2. The promotive effects of ABA-induced adventitious rooting under drought stress were suppressed by CAT or DPI, suggesting that endogenous H2O2 might be involved in ABA-induced adventitious rooting. ABA increased relative water content (RWC), leaf chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, ΦPS II and qP), water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and soluble protein content, and peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and indoleacetate oxidase (IAAO) activities, while decreasing transpiration rate. However, the effects of ABA were inhibited by H2O2 scavenger CAT. Therefore, H2O2 may be involved in ABA-induced adventitious root development under drought stress by stimulating water and chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, carbohydrate and nitrogen content, as well as some enzyme activities.