Plants have acquired sophisticated stress response systems to adapt to changing environments. It is important to understand plants＇ stress response mechanisms in the effort to improve crop productivity under stressfu...Plants have acquired sophisticated stress response systems to adapt to changing environments. It is important to understand plants＇ stress response mechanisms in the effort to improve crop productivity under stressful conditions. The AP2/ERF transcription factors are known to regulate diverse processes of plant development and stress responses. In this study, the molecular characteristics and biological functions of AP2/ERFs in a variety of plant species were analyzed. AP2/ERFs, especially those in DREB and ERF subfamilies, are ideal candidates for crop improvement because their overexpression enhances tolerances to drought, salt, freezing, as well as resistances to multiple diseases in the transgenic plants. The comprehensive analysis of physiological functions is useful in elucidating the biological roles of AP2/ERF family genes in gene interaction, pathway regulation, and defense response under stress environments, which should provide new opportunities for the crop tolerance engineering.展开更多
Seventy-five previously known plant microRNAs (miRNAs) were classified into 14 families according to their gene sequence identity. A total of 18,694 plant expressed sequence tags (EST) were found in the GenBank EST da...Seventy-five previously known plant microRNAs (miRNAs) were classified into 14 families according to their gene sequence identity. A total of 18,694 plant expressed sequence tags (EST) were found in the GenBank EST databases by comparing all previously known Arabidopsis miRNAs to GenBank’s plant EST databases with BLAST algorithms. After removing the EST sequences with high numbers (more than 2) of mismatched nucleotides, a total of 812 EST contigs were identified. After predicting and scoring the RNA secondary structure of the 812 EST sequences using mFold software, 338 new potential miRNAs were identified in 60 plant species. miRNAs are widespread. Some microRNAs may highly conserve in the plant kingdom, and they may have the same ancestor in very early evolution. There is no nucleotide substitution in most miRNAs among many plant species. Some of the new identified potential miRNAs may be induced and regulated by environmental biotic and abiotic stresses. Some may be preferentially expressed in specific tissues, and are regulated by developmental switching. These findings suggest that EST analysis is a good alternative strategy for identifying new miRNA candidates, their targets, and other genes. A large number of miRNAs exist in different plant species and play important roles in plant developmental switching and plant responses to environmental abiotic and biotic stresses as well as signal transduction. Environmental stresses and developmental switching may be the signals for synthesis and regulation of miRNAs in plants. A model for miRNA induction and expression, and gene regulation by miRNA is hypothesized.展开更多
Plants often face the challenge of severe environmental conditions, which include various biotic and abiotic stresses that exert adverse effects on plant growth and development. During evolution, plants have evolved c...Plants often face the challenge of severe environmental conditions, which include various biotic and abiotic stresses that exert adverse effects on plant growth and development. During evolution, plants have evolved complex regulatory mechanisms to adapt to various environmental stressors. One of the consequences of stress is an increase in the cellular concentration of reactive oxygen species （ROS）, which are subsequently converted to hydrogen peroxide （H2O2）. Even under normal conditions, higher plants produce ROS during metabolic processes. Excess concentrations of ROS result in oxidative damage to or the apoptotic death of cells. Development of an antioxidant defense system in plants protects them against oxidative stress damage. These ROS and, more particularly, H2O2, play versatile roles in normal plant physiological processes and in resistance to stresses. Recently, H2O2 has been regarded as a signaling molecule and regulator of the expression of some genes in cells. This review describes various aspects of H2O2 function, generation and scavenging, gene regulation and cross-links with other physiological molecules during plant growth, development and resistance responses.展开更多
AIM: To demonstrate the relationship between H-ras oncogene and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis. METHODS: Activated H-ras oncogene was transfected into SMMC 7721, a cell line derived from human HCC, by calci...AIM: To demonstrate the relationship between H-ras oncogene and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis. METHODS: Activated H-ras oncogene was transfected into SMMC 7721, a cell line derived from human HCC, by calcium phosphate transfection method. Some metastasis-related parameters were detected in vitro, including adhesion assay, migration assay, expression of collagenase IV(c IV ase) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). RESULTS: The abilities of H-ras-transfected cell clones in adhesion to laminin (LN) or fibronectin (FN), migration, c IV ase secretion increased markedly, and the expression of EGFR elevated moderately. More importantly, these alterations were consistent positively with the expression of p21, the protein product of H-ras oncogene. CONCLUSION: H-ras oncogene could induce the metastatic phenotype of HCC cell in vitro to raise its metastatic potential.展开更多
Background MicroRNAs （miRNAs） are highly conserved small non-coding RNAs of 18-25 nucleotides （nt） that mediate post-transcriptional gene regulation. Hepatitis B virus （HBV） can cause either acute or chronic hep...Background MicroRNAs （miRNAs） are highly conserved small non-coding RNAs of 18-25 nucleotides （nt） that mediate post-transcriptional gene regulation. Hepatitis B virus （HBV） can cause either acute or chronic hepatitis B, and is a high risk factor for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Some mammalian viruses have been shown to modulate the expression of host cellular miRNAs. However, interactions between the HBV and the host cellular miRNAs are largely unknown.Methods miRNA microarray and Northern blotting analysis were used to compare the expression profile of cellular miRNAs of a stable HBV-expressing cell line HepG2.2.15 and its parent cell line HepG2. mRNA microarray assay and the miRanda program were used to predict the miRNA targets. A flow cytometric assay was further used to investigate the expression of human leukocyte antigen （HLA）-A.Results Eighteen miRNAs were differentially expressed between the two cell lines. Among them, eleven were up-regulated and seven were down-regulated in HepG2.2.15 cells. Northern blotting analysis confirmed that the expression of miR-181a, miR-181b, miR-200b and miR-146a were up-regulated and the expression of miR-15a was down-regulated, which was in consistent with the results of the microarray analysis. Furthermore, some putative miRNA targets were predicted and verified to be linked with mRNA expression. The 3′-UTR of HLA-A gene had one partially complementary site for miR-181a and miR-181 a might down-regulate the expression of HLA-A.Conclusion HBV replication modulates the expression of host cellular miRNAs, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of HBV-related liver diseases.展开更多
AIM: To establish the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the oncogenesis of human gastric carcinoma more directly. METHODS: The expression of VEGF and its receptor kinase-domain insert containing rec...AIM: To establish the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the oncogenesis of human gastric carcinoma more directly. METHODS: The expression of VEGF and its receptor kinase-domain insert containing receptor (KDR) in human gastric cancer tissue were observed by immunohistochemical staining. VEGF levels were manipulated in human gastric cancer cell using eukaryotic expression constructs designed to express the complete VEGF(165) complimentary DNA in either the sense or antisense orientation. The biological changes of the cells were observed in which VEGF was up-regulated or down-regulated. RESULTS: VEGF-positive rate was 50%, and VEGF was mainly localized in the cytoplasm and membrane of the tumor cells, while KDR was mainly located in the membrane of vascular endothelial cells in gastric cancer tissues and peri-cancerous tissue. In 2 cases of 50 specimens, the gastric cancer cells expressed KDR, localized in both the cytoplasm and membrane. Introduction of VEGF(165) antisense into human gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901, immunofluorescence intensity, 31.6%)) resulted in a significant reduction in VEGF-specific messenger RNA and total and cell surface VEGF protein (immunofluorescence intensity, 8.9%) (P【0.05). Conversely, stable integration of VEGF(165) in the sense orientation resulted in an increase in cellular and cell surface VEGF (immunofluorescence intensity, 75.4%) (P【0.05). Lowered VEGF levels were associated with a marked decrease in the growth of nude mouse xenografted tumor (at 33 days postimplantation, tumor volume: 345.40 +/- 136.31 mm3)(P【0.05 vs control SGC-7901 group: 1534.40 +/- 362.88 mm3), whereas up-regulation of VEGF resulted in increased xenografted tumor size (at 33 days postimplantation, tumor volume: 2350.50 +/- 637.70 mm3) (P【0.05 vs control SGC-7901 group). CONCLUSION: This study provides direct evidence that VEGF plays an important role in the oncogenesis of human gastric cancer.展开更多
目的利用生物信息学分析工具,从基因调控的角度阐述六味地黄丸治疗绝经期肾阴虚骨质疏松症的分子机制。方法运用生物信息学分析工具QOE、DAVID和STRING,对美国国家生物信息中心(National Center for Biotechnology Information,NCBI)中...目的利用生物信息学分析工具,从基因调控的角度阐述六味地黄丸治疗绝经期肾阴虚骨质疏松症的分子机制。方法运用生物信息学分析工具QOE、DAVID和STRING,对美国国家生物信息中心(National Center for Biotechnology Information,NCBI)中的GEO数据库中六味地黄丸治疗绝经期肾阴虚骨质疏松症的相关数据进行挖掘分析。结果生物信息学分析显示中药六味地黄丸在治疗绝经期肾阴虚骨质疏松症的过程中基因TNP1和MAP3K10的表达显著增加,而ZNF家族基因和XRN1、XPO1、NUP54等基因的表达显著下降。这些差异基因的功能富集和相关作用机理分析显示,下调XRN1基因和ZNF家族基因的表达可以降低其对雌激素表达的抑制;上调TNP1基因的表达促进雌激素与雌激素受体结合;上调MAP3K10基因的表达并下调XPO1基因和NUP54基因的表达能降低免疫应答。结论六味地黄丸对绝经期肾阴虚骨质疏松症的有益影响主要是通过促进雌激素表达及与其受体结合,并平衡免疫应答而促进骨组织的形成,从而达到改善骨质疏松。展开更多
基金supported by the National Transgenic Key Project of MOA(201 1ZX08002-002 and 2009ZX08009-083B)
文摘Plants have acquired sophisticated stress response systems to adapt to changing environments. It is important to understand plants＇ stress response mechanisms in the effort to improve crop productivity under stressful conditions. The AP2/ERF transcription factors are known to regulate diverse processes of plant development and stress responses. In this study, the molecular characteristics and biological functions of AP2/ERFs in a variety of plant species were analyzed. AP2/ERFs, especially those in DREB and ERF subfamilies, are ideal candidates for crop improvement because their overexpression enhances tolerances to drought, salt, freezing, as well as resistances to multiple diseases in the transgenic plants. The comprehensive analysis of physiological functions is useful in elucidating the biological roles of AP2/ERF family genes in gene interaction, pathway regulation, and defense response under stress environments, which should provide new opportunities for the crop tolerance engineering.
文摘Seventy-five previously known plant microRNAs (miRNAs) were classified into 14 families according to their gene sequence identity. A total of 18,694 plant expressed sequence tags (EST) were found in the GenBank EST databases by comparing all previously known Arabidopsis miRNAs to GenBank’s plant EST databases with BLAST algorithms. After removing the EST sequences with high numbers (more than 2) of mismatched nucleotides, a total of 812 EST contigs were identified. After predicting and scoring the RNA secondary structure of the 812 EST sequences using mFold software, 338 new potential miRNAs were identified in 60 plant species. miRNAs are widespread. Some microRNAs may highly conserve in the plant kingdom, and they may have the same ancestor in very early evolution. There is no nucleotide substitution in most miRNAs among many plant species. Some of the new identified potential miRNAs may be induced and regulated by environmental biotic and abiotic stresses. Some may be preferentially expressed in specific tissues, and are regulated by developmental switching. These findings suggest that EST analysis is a good alternative strategy for identifying new miRNA candidates, their targets, and other genes. A large number of miRNAs exist in different plant species and play important roles in plant developmental switching and plant responses to environmental abiotic and biotic stresses as well as signal transduction. Environmental stresses and developmental switching may be the signals for synthesis and regulation of miRNAs in plants. A model for miRNA induction and expression, and gene regulation by miRNA is hypothesized.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (3017023830670070)
文摘Plants often face the challenge of severe environmental conditions, which include various biotic and abiotic stresses that exert adverse effects on plant growth and development. During evolution, plants have evolved complex regulatory mechanisms to adapt to various environmental stressors. One of the consequences of stress is an increase in the cellular concentration of reactive oxygen species （ROS）, which are subsequently converted to hydrogen peroxide （H2O2）. Even under normal conditions, higher plants produce ROS during metabolic processes. Excess concentrations of ROS result in oxidative damage to or the apoptotic death of cells. Development of an antioxidant defense system in plants protects them against oxidative stress damage. These ROS and, more particularly, H2O2, play versatile roles in normal plant physiological processes and in resistance to stresses. Recently, H2O2 has been regarded as a signaling molecule and regulator of the expression of some genes in cells. This review describes various aspects of H2O2 function, generation and scavenging, gene regulation and cross-links with other physiological molecules during plant growth, development and resistance responses.
文摘AIM: To demonstrate the relationship between H-ras oncogene and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis. METHODS: Activated H-ras oncogene was transfected into SMMC 7721, a cell line derived from human HCC, by calcium phosphate transfection method. Some metastasis-related parameters were detected in vitro, including adhesion assay, migration assay, expression of collagenase IV(c IV ase) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). RESULTS: The abilities of H-ras-transfected cell clones in adhesion to laminin (LN) or fibronectin (FN), migration, c IV ase secretion increased markedly, and the expression of EGFR elevated moderately. More importantly, these alterations were consistent positively with the expression of p21, the protein product of H-ras oncogene. CONCLUSION: H-ras oncogene could induce the metastatic phenotype of HCC cell in vitro to raise its metastatic potential.
基金This study was supported by the grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China （No. 30700714） and the Major State Basic Research Development Program of China （973 Program, No. 2007CB512803）.Acknowledgement： We thank Dr. ZHANG Liang from Beijing Capital Bio Corporation of China for his helpful advice and comments.
文摘Background MicroRNAs （miRNAs） are highly conserved small non-coding RNAs of 18-25 nucleotides （nt） that mediate post-transcriptional gene regulation. Hepatitis B virus （HBV） can cause either acute or chronic hepatitis B, and is a high risk factor for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Some mammalian viruses have been shown to modulate the expression of host cellular miRNAs. However, interactions between the HBV and the host cellular miRNAs are largely unknown.Methods miRNA microarray and Northern blotting analysis were used to compare the expression profile of cellular miRNAs of a stable HBV-expressing cell line HepG2.2.15 and its parent cell line HepG2. mRNA microarray assay and the miRanda program were used to predict the miRNA targets. A flow cytometric assay was further used to investigate the expression of human leukocyte antigen （HLA）-A.Results Eighteen miRNAs were differentially expressed between the two cell lines. Among them, eleven were up-regulated and seven were down-regulated in HepG2.2.15 cells. Northern blotting analysis confirmed that the expression of miR-181a, miR-181b, miR-200b and miR-146a were up-regulated and the expression of miR-15a was down-regulated, which was in consistent with the results of the microarray analysis. Furthermore, some putative miRNA targets were predicted and verified to be linked with mRNA expression. The 3′-UTR of HLA-A gene had one partially complementary site for miR-181a and miR-181 a might down-regulate the expression of HLA-A.Conclusion HBV replication modulates the expression of host cellular miRNAs, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of HBV-related liver diseases.
文摘AIM: To establish the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the oncogenesis of human gastric carcinoma more directly. METHODS: The expression of VEGF and its receptor kinase-domain insert containing receptor (KDR) in human gastric cancer tissue were observed by immunohistochemical staining. VEGF levels were manipulated in human gastric cancer cell using eukaryotic expression constructs designed to express the complete VEGF(165) complimentary DNA in either the sense or antisense orientation. The biological changes of the cells were observed in which VEGF was up-regulated or down-regulated. RESULTS: VEGF-positive rate was 50%, and VEGF was mainly localized in the cytoplasm and membrane of the tumor cells, while KDR was mainly located in the membrane of vascular endothelial cells in gastric cancer tissues and peri-cancerous tissue. In 2 cases of 50 specimens, the gastric cancer cells expressed KDR, localized in both the cytoplasm and membrane. Introduction of VEGF(165) antisense into human gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901, immunofluorescence intensity, 31.6%)) resulted in a significant reduction in VEGF-specific messenger RNA and total and cell surface VEGF protein (immunofluorescence intensity, 8.9%) (P【0.05). Conversely, stable integration of VEGF(165) in the sense orientation resulted in an increase in cellular and cell surface VEGF (immunofluorescence intensity, 75.4%) (P【0.05). Lowered VEGF levels were associated with a marked decrease in the growth of nude mouse xenografted tumor (at 33 days postimplantation, tumor volume: 345.40 +/- 136.31 mm3)(P【0.05 vs control SGC-7901 group: 1534.40 +/- 362.88 mm3), whereas up-regulation of VEGF resulted in increased xenografted tumor size (at 33 days postimplantation, tumor volume: 2350.50 +/- 637.70 mm3) (P【0.05 vs control SGC-7901 group). CONCLUSION: This study provides direct evidence that VEGF plays an important role in the oncogenesis of human gastric cancer.
文摘目的利用生物信息学分析工具,从基因调控的角度阐述六味地黄丸治疗绝经期肾阴虚骨质疏松症的分子机制。方法运用生物信息学分析工具QOE、DAVID和STRING,对美国国家生物信息中心(National Center for Biotechnology Information,NCBI)中的GEO数据库中六味地黄丸治疗绝经期肾阴虚骨质疏松症的相关数据进行挖掘分析。结果生物信息学分析显示中药六味地黄丸在治疗绝经期肾阴虚骨质疏松症的过程中基因TNP1和MAP3K10的表达显著增加,而ZNF家族基因和XRN1、XPO1、NUP54等基因的表达显著下降。这些差异基因的功能富集和相关作用机理分析显示,下调XRN1基因和ZNF家族基因的表达可以降低其对雌激素表达的抑制;上调TNP1基因的表达促进雌激素与雌激素受体结合;上调MAP3K10基因的表达并下调XPO1基因和NUP54基因的表达能降低免疫应答。结论六味地黄丸对绝经期肾阴虚骨质疏松症的有益影响主要是通过促进雌激素表达及与其受体结合,并平衡免疫应答而促进骨组织的形成,从而达到改善骨质疏松。
