Effects of herbal cake separated moxibustion on Tim-4 and ubiquitination of PD-1 in rabbits with immunosuppression / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of herbal cake separated moxibustion on macrophage effector molecule T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-4 (Tim-4) and ubiquitination of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) in rabbits with immunosuppression, and to explore the possible mechanism on herbal cake separated moxibustion in improving immunosuppression.@*METHODS@#Thirty-two big-ear white rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxa stick moxibustion group and a herbal cake separated moxibustion group, 8 rabbits in each group. Except the normal group, the immunosuppression model was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide of60 mg/kg in the other 3 groups. "Shenque" (CV 8), "Shenshu" (BL 23), "Zusanli" (ST 36), etc. were selected in both the moxa stick moxibustion group and the herbal cake separated moxibustion group. Moxa stick moxibustion was applied in the moxa stick moxibustion group, one cone at each acupoint; herbal cake separated moxibustion was applied in the herbal cake separated moxibustion group, 5 cones at each acupoint. The intervention was given once every other day for 10 times in both groups. Leukocyte content in peripheral blood was detected by blood cell analyzer; the positive expression of PD-1 in CD+4 T lymphocytes, CD+8T lymphocytes and CD+68 macrophages in peripheral blood was measured by flow cytometry, the serum levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), CD8, CD68 and Tim-4 were detected by ELISA, and the expression of Tim-4 and F-box only protein 38 (FBXO38) in the liver and spleen tissues was measured by immunohistochemistry.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal group, in the model group, white blood cell count (WBC) and percentage of neutrophils (NEU%) were decreased while percentage of lymphocyte (LYM%) was increased (P<0.01) in peripheral blood; the positive expression rates of PD-1 in CD+4 T lymphocytes, CD+8T lymphocytes and CD+68 macrophages in peripheral blood were increased (P<0.01); the serum levels of IL-2, CD68 and Tim-4 were increased (P<0.01), the serum level of CD8 was decreased (P<0.01); the average optical density (AOD) of Tim-4 in the liver tissue and FBXO38 in the liver and spleen tissues was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the moxa stick moxibustion group and the herbal cake separated moxibustion group, WBC and NEU% were increased (P<0.01); the positive expression rates of PD-1 in CD+4 T lymphocytes, CD+8T lymphocytes and CD+68 macrophages in peripheral blood were decreased (P<0.01); the serum levels of IL-2, CD68 and Tim-4 were decreased (P<0.01), the serum levels of CD8 were increased (P<0.01); the AOD of Tim-4 and FBXO38 in the liver tissue and FBXO38 in the spleen tissue was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the moxa stick moxibustion group, in the herbal cake separated moxibustion group, the positive expression rate of PD-1 in CD+68 macrophages in peripheral blood was increased (P<0.05); serum level of Tim-4 was increased (P<0.01); AOD of Tim-4 in the liver tissue was decreased (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Herbal cake separated moxibustion can improve immunosuppression by regulating the expression of macrophage effector molecule Tim-4 and the FBXO38 mediated ubiquitination of PD-1, Tim-4 may be one of the specific indexes of immunomodulation involving with herbal cake separated moxibustion.

miRNA-mediated regulation of auxin signaling pathway during plant development and stress responses

Auxin is one of the most important plant growth hormones, playing a crucial role in development as well as instress responses. Auxin biosynthesis and signaling pathway comprises a series of events including auxinperception by the receptor, activation, and function of auxin response factors and control by auxin repressors.All these factors are regulated by several different microRNAs during leaf, flower and fruit development,anther development, nodulation, lateral and adventitious root development, potato tuber development as wellas during heat stress, submergence, boron toxicity, aluminium stress responses, etc., as depicted in the availableliterature. In this review a thorough study on miRNA-mediated regulation of auxin biosynthesis and signalinghas been done in various plant species. The data gathered can be utilized to point out the particular miRNAmediated regulation module which can be utilized to modulate the expression of the miRNA and therebymodulation of the auxin pathway. Information in this review would be beneficial to utilize the miRNAexpression to generate the protocol for engineering plants with altered auxin signaling pathway to obtain betteryield and improved stress tolerance.

Synergistic Anti-cancer Effect and Mechanism of FZKA Decoction Combined with Gefitinib on A549 Cells / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To observe the effect of Fuzheng Kangai (FZKA) decoction combined with gefitinib on the cells proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells in vitro and in vivo, and relevant mechanisms. Method::The A549 cell proliferation of the control group, FZKA decoction groups (0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2 g·L-1), Gefitinib groups (10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 μmol·L-1) for 24, 48, 72 hours, and FZKA decoction (2 g·L-1) combined with Gefitinib (10 μmol·L-1) groups for 24 hours was detected by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The changes of cell apoptosis, invasion and metastasis abilities of A549 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, Wound Healing, transwell invasion assay. Western blot assay was used to examine the protein expressions of cleaved Caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma-2 associated X (Bax), F-box and WD repeat domain-containing (FBW7) and myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) in vitro. Result::Compared with control group, FZKA decoction group and Gefitinib group inhibited the cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, cell invasion and metastasis abilities in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner, and improve the protein expressions of Bax, Caspase-3, FBW7, but decreased the protein expressions of Bcl-2, MCL-1 (P<0.05). Compared with treatment with Gefitinib alone, FZKA combined with Gefitinib inhibited the proliferation of A549 cells, and induced apoptosis more significantly (P<0.05). Compared with treatment with Gefitinib alone, the cell scratch healing and invasion abilities were significantly reduced after combined treatment (P<0.05). FZKA decoction combined with Gefitinib up-regulated Bax, Caspase-3 and FBW7 protein expressions, and down-regulated Bcl-2 and MCL-1 protein expressions compared with treatment with Gifitinib alone (P<0.05). Conclusion::FZKA decoction combined with Gefitinib can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis, and induce apoptosis on A549 cells. The mechanism may be associated with the FBW7/MCL-1 pathway.

FBXW7 and RhoA / Rho kinase protein expressions are involved in myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of F-box / Protein-containing WD-40 domain protein (FBXW7), Ras homologous family member A (RhoA), Rho-associated coiled coil protein kinase (ROCK) and myocardial fibrosis in diabetes. Methods SD The rats were randomly divided into a normal control group and a diabetes model group, and a disposable ip streptozotocin 60 mg · kg-1 was used to establish a rat model of type 1 diabetes, which was tested at 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks, respectively. HE staining to observe the morphological changes of rat heart tissue; Masson staining and measurement of myocardial hydroxyproline (HYP) content to observe the degree of myocardial collagen deposition; ELISA to detect serum FBXW7, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth Factor (CTGF) content; Western blotting and immunohistochemical detection of FBXW7, RhoA and ROCK1 protein expression in myocardium. Results The myocardial cells of the diabetic model group were found to have varying degrees of focal myocardial cell degeneration, necrosis, and fibrous tissue. Hyperplasia, etc. Compared with the normal control group, the collagen deposition area and collagen content in the myocardial tissue of the model group rats increased significantly at 4 to 16 weeks (P <0.05, P <0.01), showing an increasing trend; 2 to 4 weeks The content of FBXW7 in the serum of rats increased significantly (P <0.01). It decreased at 8 weeks, but was still significantly higher than the normal control group (P <0.01); at 8 to 16 weeks, the levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF in the serum of rats gradually increased (P <0.01). The results showed that the myocardial RhoA and ROCK1 protein expressions in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group at each time point (P <0.05, P <0.01); the myocardial FBXW7 expression in the model group rats was higher than that in the normal control group at 2 to 12 weeks Significantly increased (P <0.01, P <0.01), with the highest expression at 4 weeks, decreased expression at 8-16 weeks, and negatively correlated with time (r = -0.988, P <0.05), but still higher than the normal control group ( P <0.01). Conclusion FBXW7 and RhoA / Rho kinase are involved in the development of myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats and may become targets for the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Identification of Genes Related to Fungicide Resistance in Fusarium fujikuroi

We identified two genes related to fungicide resistance in Fusarium fujikuroi through random mutagenesis. Targeted gene deletions showed that survival factor 1 deletion resulted in higher sensitivity to fungicides, while deletion of the gene encoding F-box/WD-repeat protein increased resistance, suggesting that the genes affect fungicide resistance in different ways.

Research progress of FBXW7 in ovarian cancer / 中国综合临床

As a tumor suppressor gene,FBXW7 is a member of the F-box protein family,and FBXW7 can regulates cell growth and cycle progression.FBXW7 has more than 20 substrates,most of which are cancer proteins,and a few are tumor suppressor factors,which are highly expressed in most tumors.FBXW7's gene deficiency or deletion can cause chromosome instability and lead to tumorigenesis.In this paper,the molecular structure,functional characteristics and the mechanism of action in gynecological malignant tumors of ovarian cancer are reviewed.

Expression and clinical significance of MCL-1 and FBW7 proteins in breast cancer polyploid induced by spindle poisons / 天津医药

Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) and F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBW7) in breast cancer polyploid induced by spindle poisons. Methods (1) Nocodazole spindle poison was used to treat breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231. The morphological changes of cells were ob?served under microscope, and cells were harvested in 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. The cell cycle and DNA-ploidy changes were examined by flow cytometry. The expressions of FBW7 and MCL-1 proteins were detected by Western blot assay. (2) A multikinase inhibitor (Sorafenib) with Nocodazole or Taxol was used to treat MDA-MB-231 cells. MCL-1 protein expression was detected by Western blot assay after 48 h treatment. The cell cycle and DNA-ploidy changes were examined by flow cy?tometry after 48 h treatment. MTT method was used to observe cell proliferation after 48 and 72 h treatment. Results (1)Af?ter treatment by Nocodazole, polyploid characteristics of large cell size and nucleus were appeared. The percentages of octa?ploid were (0.8±0.2)%, (8.5±2.3)%, (7.8±2.0)%, (9.9±0.9)%, (28.2±0.8)%and (35.1±4.9)%after 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h treatment, showing the increasing trend in turn (P<0.001). The number of polyploidy (tetraploid and octaploid) cells was as high as (97.6±0.7)%after 48 h treatment. The expression level of FBW7 protein was decreased significantly but the expres?sion of MCL-1 protein was increased significantly after 48 h treatment. (2) After 48 h treatment, the expression level of MCL-1 protein, polyploidy percentage and cell proliferation decreased significantly in Nocodazole+Sorafenib group and Taxol+Sorafenib group compared with those of Nocodazole group and Taxol group (P<0.05). Conclusion The lower expression of FBW7 protein and over-expression of MCL-1 protein are correlated with the formation of breast cancer polyploidy. Sorafenib can reduce polyploid tumor cells by inhibiting MCL-1 protein expression.

The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System and F-box Proteins in Pathogenic Fungi

The ubiquitin-proteasome system is one of the major protein turnover mechanisms that plays important roles in the regulation of a variety of cellular functions. It is composed of E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3 ubiquitin ligases that transfer ubiquitin to the substrates that are subjected to degradation in the 26S proteasome. The Skp1, Cullin, F-box protein (SCF) E3 ligases are the largest E3 gene family, in which the F-box protein is the key component to determine substrate specificity. Although the SCF E3 ligase and its F-box proteins have been extensively studied in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, only limited studies have been reported on the role of F-box proteins in other fungi. Recently, a number of studies revealed that F-box proteins are required for fungal pathogenicity. In this communication, we review the current understanding of F-box proteins in pathogenic fungi.

OsCOI1, a Putative COI1 in Rice, Show MeJA and ABA Dependent Expression / 生物化学与生物物理进展

A novel gene, which was a homologue of Arabidopsis COI1 was isolated from rice (Oryza sativa L.) by RT-PCR and designated as OsCOI1. It encoded a protein of 595 amino acids. The similar F-box motif and 16 leucine-rich repeats were found in the deduced protein OsCOI1. OsCOI1 and COI1 showed high homology (74%) at amino acid level. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the expression of OsCOI1 in rice varied obviously after treatment with MeJA and ABA but was not affected by SA and ET, suggesting that the specific function of OsCOI1 in JA signal pathway and related ABA pathway.

Recognition of vitiligo associated protein VTT-1 gene and its sequence analysis / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of VIT-1 gene in melanocytes of patients with vitiligo, and to analyze the difference of its sequence. Methods The skin from the foreskins of healthy men by circumcision and from the non-lesional area on the buttocks of 5 patients were digested by dispase, then the epidermis and dermis were separated, and the melanocytes were isolated. Then we cultured the melanocytes from the controls in TICVA medium and those from the patients in TICVA medium supplemented with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and endothelin-1 ( ET-1). The expression of VIT-1 gene was measured by RT-PCR, the full-length cDNA of VIT-1 ORF was cloned and sequenced, and sequence difference was analyzed by CLUSTAL W ( 1.83 ) software. Results The expression levels of VIT-1 gene were significantly lower in melanocytes from the patients than in those from the controls. An 81 bp-intron was found in the VIT-1 ORF. VIT-1 was a fragment of FBXO11, located at its 3' end. Conclusion VIT-1 gene is not a new gene, but a fragment of FBXO11, and a member of F-box protein family.