The mu oil tree(Vernicia montana Lour.) is a dioecious species, but the genetic mechanisms underlying its phenotypic sexual dimorphism are unclear. In this study, we determined two pivotal phases of sex differentiatio...The mu oil tree(Vernicia montana Lour.) is a dioecious species, but the genetic mechanisms underlying its phenotypic sexual dimorphism are unclear. In this study, we determined two pivotal phases of sex differentiation of mu oil tree via morphological and histological analyses of unisexual flowers:(Ⅰ) differentiation of male or female primordia to produce staminate flowers(SFs) or transient hermaphrodite flowers(HFs),and(Ⅱ) complete abortion of stamens in transient HFs to generate pistillate flowers(PFs). A total of 1621 sex-biased genes were identified by comparative transcriptome analysis which exhibited elevated rates of protein evolution than unbiased genes. The female-biased genes were enriched in the production of defense compounds while male-biased genes were focused on the production of viable pollens. Transcriptomebased analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes(DEGs) between PFs and SFs in phase Ⅰ involved in abscisic acid(ABA), auxin(AUX), cytokinin(CK), ethylene(ET), and gibberellin(GA) biosynthesis and signaling showed higher expression levels in males than in females in general, whereas the DEGs involved in jasmonic acid(JA) and salicylic acid(SA) pathways displayed opposite expression patterns. Moreover,differentially expressed endogenous ABA, AUX, GAs, JA, and SA exhibited consistent biased expression patterns with the DEGs by UPLC-MSbased analysis. Exogenous application of an anti-ethylene plant growth regulator could promote the development of stamens in PFs and generated HFs. Comparative transcriptomic and hormonal analyses of PFs and SFs in phase Ⅱ indicated an increase in ET concentration when abortion of stamens in PFs occurred. This study suggested that phytohormones play key roles in sex dimorphism and ET may determine the development of stamens in PFs of mu oil tree, which provides an insight into plant sex differentiation mechanisms.展开更多
Sex differences are widely observed under various circumstances ranging from physiolog- ical processes to therapeutic responses, and a myriad of sex-biased genes have been identified. In recent years, transcriptomic d...Sex differences are widely observed under various circumstances ranging from physiolog- ical processes to therapeutic responses, and a myriad of sex-biased genes have been identified. In recent years, transcriptomic datasets of microRNAs （miRNAs）, an important class of non-coding RNAs, become increasingly accessible. However, comprehensive analysis of sex difference in miRNA expression has not been performed. Here, we identified the differentially-expressed miR- NAs between males and females by examining the transcriptomic datasets available in public data- bases and conducted a systemic analysis of their biological characteristics. Consequently, we identified 73 female-biased miRNAs （FmiRs） and 163 male-biased miRNAs （MmiRs） across four tissues including brain, colorectal mucosa, peripheral blood, and cord blood. Our results suggest that compared to FmiRs, MmiRs tend to be clustered in the human genome and exhibit higher evolutionary rate, higher expression tissue specificity, and lower disease spectrum width. In addition.functional enrichment analysis of miRNAs show that FmiR genes are significantly associated with metabolism process and cell cycle process, whereas MmiR genes tend to be enriched for functions like histone modification and circadian rhythm. In all, the identification and analysis of sex-biased miRNAs together could provide new insights into the biological differences between females and males and facilitate the exploration of sex-biased disease susceptibility and therapy.展开更多
The effect of Fuzhuan brick tea(FBT)on metabolism in obese mice is mediated by regulation of N-methyltransferase by aryl hydrocarbon receptor.The expression of the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene is ...The effect of Fuzhuan brick tea(FBT)on metabolism in obese mice is mediated by regulation of N-methyltransferase by aryl hydrocarbon receptor.The expression of the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene is regulated by many transcription factors,and those specific to this effect need further investigation.Experimental animal studies have been designed to observe the effects of a single drug or the sequential effects of drugs.A washout period should be included if different drugs(e.g.,antibiotics and FBT)are given to avoid or reduce additive effects or synergy.Currently,most experimental studies performed in mice used only male animals.However,experience has revealed that the results of using only male mice are very likely to have sex differences.展开更多
Birth weight(BW)is a key determinant of infant mortality.Previous studies have reported seasonal fluctuation of BW.However,the responsible environmental factors remain disputable.High-altitude environment provides a g...Birth weight(BW)is a key determinant of infant mortality.Previous studies have reported seasonal fluctuation of BW.However,the responsible environmental factors remain disputable.High-altitude environment provides a great opportunity to test the current hypotheses due to its distinctive climate conditions.We collected BW data of~9000 Tibetan singletons born at Lhasa(elevation:3660 m)from 2014 to 2018.Using regression models,we analyzed BW seasonality of highland Tibetans.Multivariate models with meteorological factors as independent variables were employed to examine responsible environmental factors accounting for seasonal variation.We compared BW,low-BW prevalence and sex ratio between high-land and lowland populations,and we observed a significant seasonal pattern of BW in Tibetans,with a peak in winter and a trough in summer.Notably,there is a marked sex-biased pattern of BW seasonality(more striking in males than in females).Sunlight exposure in the 3rd trimester and barometric pressure exposure in the 2nd trimester are significantly correlated with BW,and the latter can be explained by seasonal change of oxygen partial pressure.In particular,due to the male-biased BW seasonality,we found a more serious BW reduction and higher prevalence of low-BW in males,and a skewed sex ratio in highlanders.The infant BW of highland Tibetans has a clear pattern of seasonality.The winter BW is larger than the summer BW,due to the longer sunlight exposure during the late-trimester.Male infants are more sensitive to hypoxia than female infants during the 2nd trimester,leading to more BW reduction and higher mortality.展开更多
Chiroptera is the second largest mammalian order in terms of species number.So far,there are more than 1400 known bat species across the six continents,making up 20%of the total number of mammalian species.1 Bats are ...Chiroptera is the second largest mammalian order in terms of species number.So far,there are more than 1400 known bat species across the six continents,making up 20%of the total number of mammalian species.1 Bats are well recognized to be the hosts of a number of highly pathogenic viruses,such as rabies virus,Hendra virus,Nipah virus,and Ebola virus,for a long time.2–5 Shortly after the severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS)epidemic which originated from Southern China in 2003,we discovered that bats were the ultimate reservoir of SARSrelated coronavirus(SARSr-CoV).6 In 2012,the cause of the even more fatal Middle East respiratory syndrome(MERS)which originated from the Middle East was also found to be another CoV,MERS-CoV.7 The ancestor of MERS-CoV was also from bats.8,9 Recently,the COVID-19 outbreak that has already officially infected more than 13 million patients with more than 574000 deaths was also confirmed to be due to another betacoronavirus,named SARS coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),from bats.10 Moreover,bat cell lines have also been harvested and propagated for the study of SARS-CoV,MERS-CoV,and SARS-CoV-2.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.32171843)the Postgraduate Scientific Research Innovation Project of Hunan Province (Grant No.CX20200696)the Scientific Innovation Fund for Graduate of Central South University of Forestry and Technology (Grant No.CX20201003)。
文摘The mu oil tree(Vernicia montana Lour.) is a dioecious species, but the genetic mechanisms underlying its phenotypic sexual dimorphism are unclear. In this study, we determined two pivotal phases of sex differentiation of mu oil tree via morphological and histological analyses of unisexual flowers:(Ⅰ) differentiation of male or female primordia to produce staminate flowers(SFs) or transient hermaphrodite flowers(HFs),and(Ⅱ) complete abortion of stamens in transient HFs to generate pistillate flowers(PFs). A total of 1621 sex-biased genes were identified by comparative transcriptome analysis which exhibited elevated rates of protein evolution than unbiased genes. The female-biased genes were enriched in the production of defense compounds while male-biased genes were focused on the production of viable pollens. Transcriptomebased analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes(DEGs) between PFs and SFs in phase Ⅰ involved in abscisic acid(ABA), auxin(AUX), cytokinin(CK), ethylene(ET), and gibberellin(GA) biosynthesis and signaling showed higher expression levels in males than in females in general, whereas the DEGs involved in jasmonic acid(JA) and salicylic acid(SA) pathways displayed opposite expression patterns. Moreover,differentially expressed endogenous ABA, AUX, GAs, JA, and SA exhibited consistent biased expression patterns with the DEGs by UPLC-MSbased analysis. Exogenous application of an anti-ethylene plant growth regulator could promote the development of stamens in PFs and generated HFs. Comparative transcriptomic and hormonal analyses of PFs and SFs in phase Ⅱ indicated an increase in ET concentration when abortion of stamens in PFs occurred. This study suggested that phytohormones play key roles in sex dimorphism and ET may determine the development of stamens in PFs of mu oil tree, which provides an insight into plant sex differentiation mechanisms.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 81670462 and 81422006) to QCthe Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities of China (Grant No. BMU2017YJ004) to YZ (Yuan Zhou)
文摘Sex differences are widely observed under various circumstances ranging from physiolog- ical processes to therapeutic responses, and a myriad of sex-biased genes have been identified. In recent years, transcriptomic datasets of microRNAs （miRNAs）, an important class of non-coding RNAs, become increasingly accessible. However, comprehensive analysis of sex difference in miRNA expression has not been performed. Here, we identified the differentially-expressed miR- NAs between males and females by examining the transcriptomic datasets available in public data- bases and conducted a systemic analysis of their biological characteristics. Consequently, we identified 73 female-biased miRNAs （FmiRs） and 163 male-biased miRNAs （MmiRs） across four tissues including brain, colorectal mucosa, peripheral blood, and cord blood. Our results suggest that compared to FmiRs, MmiRs tend to be clustered in the human genome and exhibit higher evolutionary rate, higher expression tissue specificity, and lower disease spectrum width. In addition.functional enrichment analysis of miRNAs show that FmiR genes are significantly associated with metabolism process and cell cycle process, whereas MmiR genes tend to be enriched for functions like histone modification and circadian rhythm. In all, the identification and analysis of sex-biased miRNAs together could provide new insights into the biological differences between females and males and facilitate the exploration of sex-biased disease susceptibility and therapy.
基金Supported by General Research Project of Education Department of Zhejiang Province,No.Y2021469552019 Taizhou Science and Technology Bureau Project,No.1902ky83The Second Batch of Research Projects on Teaching Reform in the 13th Five-Year Plan of Zhejiang Province,No.Jg20190460.
文摘The effect of Fuzhuan brick tea(FBT)on metabolism in obese mice is mediated by regulation of N-methyltransferase by aryl hydrocarbon receptor.The expression of the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene is regulated by many transcription factors,and those specific to this effect need further investigation.Experimental animal studies have been designed to observe the effects of a single drug or the sequential effects of drugs.A washout period should be included if different drugs(e.g.,antibiotics and FBT)are given to avoid or reduce additive effects or synergy.Currently,most experimental studies performed in mice used only male animals.However,experience has revealed that the results of using only male mice are very likely to have sex differences.
基金funded by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(91631306 to B.S,3217040584 and 32000390 to Y.H.,32070578 to X.Q and 32170629 to H.Z.)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS(to Y.H.)+2 种基金the Science and Technology General Program of Yunnan Province(202001AT070110 to Y.H.)the Provincial Natural Science Foundation of Tibet Autonomous Region(XZ2018ZRG-130 to J.L.)Tibetan Fukang Hospital(2017-04 to J.L.).
文摘Birth weight(BW)is a key determinant of infant mortality.Previous studies have reported seasonal fluctuation of BW.However,the responsible environmental factors remain disputable.High-altitude environment provides a great opportunity to test the current hypotheses due to its distinctive climate conditions.We collected BW data of~9000 Tibetan singletons born at Lhasa(elevation:3660 m)from 2014 to 2018.Using regression models,we analyzed BW seasonality of highland Tibetans.Multivariate models with meteorological factors as independent variables were employed to examine responsible environmental factors accounting for seasonal variation.We compared BW,low-BW prevalence and sex ratio between high-land and lowland populations,and we observed a significant seasonal pattern of BW in Tibetans,with a peak in winter and a trough in summer.Notably,there is a marked sex-biased pattern of BW seasonality(more striking in males than in females).Sunlight exposure in the 3rd trimester and barometric pressure exposure in the 2nd trimester are significantly correlated with BW,and the latter can be explained by seasonal change of oxygen partial pressure.In particular,due to the male-biased BW seasonality,we found a more serious BW reduction and higher prevalence of low-BW in males,and a skewed sex ratio in highlanders.The infant BW of highland Tibetans has a clear pattern of seasonality.The winter BW is larger than the summer BW,due to the longer sunlight exposure during the late-trimester.Male infants are more sensitive to hypoxia than female infants during the 2nd trimester,leading to more BW reduction and higher mortality.
基金the Theme-based Research Scheme(Grant number:T11/707/15)。
文摘Chiroptera is the second largest mammalian order in terms of species number.So far,there are more than 1400 known bat species across the six continents,making up 20%of the total number of mammalian species.1 Bats are well recognized to be the hosts of a number of highly pathogenic viruses,such as rabies virus,Hendra virus,Nipah virus,and Ebola virus,for a long time.2–5 Shortly after the severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS)epidemic which originated from Southern China in 2003,we discovered that bats were the ultimate reservoir of SARSrelated coronavirus(SARSr-CoV).6 In 2012,the cause of the even more fatal Middle East respiratory syndrome(MERS)which originated from the Middle East was also found to be another CoV,MERS-CoV.7 The ancestor of MERS-CoV was also from bats.8,9 Recently,the COVID-19 outbreak that has already officially infected more than 13 million patients with more than 574000 deaths was also confirmed to be due to another betacoronavirus,named SARS coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),from bats.10 Moreover,bat cell lines have also been harvested and propagated for the study of SARS-CoV,MERS-CoV,and SARS-CoV-2.
