Integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology revealed the key active ingredients for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in the Citrus reticulata 'Dahongpao' peel.

Citrus reticulata pericarpium (CRP), the peel of Citrus reticulata 'Dahongpao' (DHP) is a medicinal herb with significant therapeutic value for treating ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the active therapeutic components of CRP are unclear. This study aims to reveal the metabolites potentially associated with the pharmacological properties of CRP. We performed flavonoid-targeting metabolomics to characterize the components of CRP (anti-UC part), tangerine pith and Citrus reticulata semen (no anti-UC effects parts) of DHP and further screened active components of CRP using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were used to study the anti-inflammatory effect of the selected biologically active components. The therapeutic effects of the selected components were further investigated in a mouse model of UC induced by DSS. Three compounds, namely nobiletin, sinensetin, and hispidulin had the lowest docking scores among all screened ingredients. IL-6 and NO concentrations were significantly decreased in the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells compared with control cells treated with these compounds. Moreover, UC mice treated with these compounds showed a reversal in weight loss, inhibition of shortening of colon length, and amelioration of colon injury. Our results indicated that sinensetin, nobiletin, and hispidulin can be potentially used for the treatment of UC.

Spinning a Liquid Wheel and Driving Surface Thermomagnetic Convection with Light.

A typical Tesla thermomagnetic engine employs a solid magnetic wheel to convert thermal energy into mechanical energy, while thermomagnetic convection in ferrofluid is still challenging to observe because it is a volume convection that occurs in an enclosed space. Using a water-based ferrofluid, a liquid Tesla thermomagnetic engine is demonstrated and reports the observation of thermomagnetic convection on a free surface. Both types of fluid motions are driven by light and observed by simply placing ferrofluid on a cylindrical magnet. The surface thermomagnetic convection on the free surface is made possible by eliminating the Marangoni effect, while the spinning of the liquid wheel is achieved through the solid-like behavior of the ferrofluid under a strong magnetic field. Increasing the magnetic field reveals a transition from simple thermomagnetic convection to a combination of the central spin of the spiky wheel surrounded by thermomagnetic convection in the outer region of the ferrofluid. The coupling between multiple ferrofluid wheels through a fluid bridge is further demonstrated. These demonstrations not only unveil the unique properties of ferrofluid but also provide a new platform for studying complex fluid dynamics and thermomagnetic convection, opening up exciting opportunities for light-controlled fluid actuation and soft robotics.

Novosphingobium album sp. nov., Novosphingobium organovorum sp. nov. and Novosphingobium mangrovi sp. nov. with the organophosphorus pesticides degrading ability isolated from mangrove sediments.

Members of the genus Novosphingobium were frequently isolated from polluted environments and possess great bioremediation potential. Here, three species, designated B2637T, B2580T and B1949T, were isolated from mangrove sediments and might represent novel species in the genus Novosphingobium based on a polyphasic taxonomy study. Phylogenomic analysis revealed that strains B2580T, B1949T and B2637T clustered with Novosphingobium naphthalenivorans NBRC 102051T, 'N. profundi' F72 and N. decolorationis 502str22T, respectively. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between isolates and their closely related species were less than 94 and 54 %, respectively, all below the threshold of species discrimination. The sizes of the genomes of isolates B2580T, B2637T and B1949T ranged from 4.4 to 4.6 Mb, containing 63.3-66.4 % G+C content. Analysis of their genomic sequences identified genes related to pesticide degradation, heavy-metal resistance, nitrogen fixation, antibiotic resistance and sulphur metabolism, revealing the biotechnology potential of these isolates. Except for B2637T, B1949T and B2580T were able to grow in the presence of quinalphos. Results from these polyphasic taxonomic analyses support the affiliation of these strains to three novel species within the genus Novosphingobium, for which we propose the name Novosphingobium album sp. nov. B2580T (=KCTC 72967T=MCCC 1K04555T), Novosphingobium organovorum sp. nov. B1949T (=KCTC 92158T=MCCC 1K03763T) and Novosphingobium mangrovi sp. nov. B2637T (KCTC 72969T=MCCC 1K04460T).

Parvularcula maris sp. nov., an algicidal bacterium isolated from seawater.

A taxonomic study was carried out on strain BGMRC 0090T, which was isolated from seawater. The isolate was a Gram-negative, aerobic, flagellated, rod-shaped bacterium with algicidal activity. Optimal growth was observed at 30 °C, pH 6.0 and with 2 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain BGMRC 0090T belonged to the genus Parvularcula, with highest sequence similarity to Parvularcula lutaonensis CC-MMS-1T (98.4 %). Average nucleotide identity, amino acid identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain BGMRC 0090T and five strains of the genus Parvularcula with publicly available genomes were below 84.0, 69.2 and 21.4 %, respectively. The genome of strain BGMRC 0090T was 3.2 Mb with 64.8 mol% DNA G+C content and encoded 2905 predicted proteins, three rRNA, 42 tRNA and four ncRNA genes. Some algicidal biosynthesis-associated genes were detected in the genome. Strain BGMRC 0090T contained Q-10 as the major quinone. The predominant fatty acids were identified as summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c/ω6c) and C16 : 0. Based on the polyphasic evidence presented in this paper, strain BGMRC 0090T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Parvularcula, for which the name Parvularcula maris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BGMRC 0090T (= KCTC 92591T=MCCC 1K08100T).

Development of a micro-Raman system for in vivo studying the mechanism of laser biological effects.

The laser irradiation on organism will produce a series of biological effects, which can be used for basic medical research, diagnosis and treatments of diseases. However, the mechanism of this biological effects is still unclear. As a sensitive molecular monitoring technique, Raman spectroscopy has became a very popular detection method in biomedical research especially in vivo study. In this paper, we present a compact and flexible micro-Raman system for in vivo studying the mechanism of laser biological effects. The system has the two functions of laser induction and Raman measurement, which can realize the micro-area radiation of laser and simultaneously collect the corresponding Raman spectra in vivo. The detection method provided by this home-built system is able to deepen the understanding of laser biological effects mechanism at molecular level, so it is expected that the system is significant for the treatments and diagnosis of diseases in the near future.

Allorhizobium sonneratiae sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from the root of Sonneratia apetala.

A novel endophytic bacterium, designated strain BGMRC 0089T, was isolated from a surface-sterilized root of Sonneratia apetala. Cells were observed to be Gram-negative, rod-shaped and motile with polar flagella. Strain BGMRC 0089T was found to grow optimally at 28-30 °C, pH 7.0-8.0 and in the presence of 1 % (w/v) NaCl. Strain BGMRC 0089T contained ubiquinone Q-10 and the predominant fatty acid was summed feature 8. The polar lipid profile of strain BGMRC 0089T was found to contain diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine and phosphatidylethanolamine. Based on the results of 16S rRNA gene analysis, this isolate has the closest phylogenetic relationships with Rhizobium lemnae L6-16T (96.5 %) and Allorhizobium oryziradicis N19T (96.4 %). Average nucleotide identity, amino acid identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values of the isolate with the type strains of the genera Rhizobium and Allorhizobium were below 84.6, 73.9 and 22.1  %, respectively. Analysis the 4.55 Mb draft genome of strain BGMRC 0089T revealed several plant-associated genes, which may play important roles for the plant in the adaptation to the mangrove habitat. Based on its distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain BGMRC 0089T is proposed to represent a novel Allorhizobium species, for which the name Allorhizobium sonneratiae sp. nov. is proposed (type strain BGMRC 0089T=DSM 100171T=MCCC 1K04805T).

Mycolicibacterium aurantiacum sp. nov. and Mycolicibacterium xanthum sp. nov., two novel actinobacteria isolated from mangrove sediments.

Two novel actinobacteria with the ability to degrade kerosene, designated as B3033T and Y57T, were isolated from mangrove sediments in Tieshan Harbour, South China Sea. Both strains are Gram-staining-positive, non-spore forming, slow-growing, oxidase-positive, non-motile and aerobic. Their major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0 and C18 : 1ω9c. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed the close relationship of strain B3033T to Mycobacterium kyogaense DSM 107316T (99.4 % nucleotide identity) and strain Y57T to Mycolicibacterium chubuense ATCC 27278T (98.7 %) and Mycolicibacterium rufum JS14T (98.7 %). Whole genome average nucleotide blast identity (ANI) and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between the two isolates and the type strains of species of the genus Mycolicibacterium were lower than 94 and 45 %, respectively, which were below the threshold values of 95 % (for ANI) and 70 % (for dDDH) recommended for bacterial species differentiation. The genome sequence of B3033T comprised a circular 11.0 Mb chromosome with a DNA G+C content of 68.1 mol%. Y57T had a genome size of 5.6 Mb and a DNA G+C content of 68.7 mol%. Genes involved in degradation of aromatic compounds and copper resistance were identified in the genomes of both strains that could improve their adaptive capacity to the mangrove environment. These results combined with those of chemotaxonomic analyses, MALDI-TOF MS profiles and phenotypic analyses support the affiliation of these strains to two novel species within the genus Mycolicibacterium, for which we propose the names Mycolicibacterium aurantiacum sp. nov. B3033T (=KCTC 49712T=MCCC 1K04526T) and Mycolicibacterium xanthum sp. nov. Y57T (=KCTC 49711T=MCCC 1K04875T) as type strains.

Acuticoccus mangrovi sp. nov., with an antibacterial property, isolated from mangrove sediment.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, milky white bacterium, designated B2012T, was isolated from mangrove sediment collected at Beibu Gulf, South China Sea. Antimicrobial activity assay revealed that the isolate possesses the capability of producing antibacterial compounds. Strain B2012T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence relatedness (96.9-95.5 %) with members of the genus Acuticoccus. The isolate and all known Acuticoccus species contain Q-10 as the main respiratory quinone and have the same polar lipid components (phosphatidylcholine, unidentified glycolipid, unidentified lipid, unidentified amino lipid and phosphatidylglycerol). However, genomic relatedness referred by values of average nucleotide identity, digital DNA-DNA hybridization, average amino acid identity and the percentage of conserved proteins between strain B2012T and other type strains of the genus Acuticoccus were below the proposed thresholds for species discrimination. The genome of strain B2012T was assembled into 65 scaffolds with an N50 size of 244239 bp, resulting in a 5.5 Mb genome size. Eight secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters were detected in this genome, including three non-ribosomal peptide biosynthetic loci encoding yet unknown natural products. Strain B2012T displayed moderately halophilic and alkaliphilic properties, growing optimally at 2-3 % (w/v) NaCl concentration and at pH 8-9. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 dimethyl aldehyde (DMA) and C16 : 0. Combined data from phenotypic, genotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses suggested that strain B2012T represents a novel species of the genus Acuticoccus, for which the name Acuticoccus mangrovi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is B2012T (=MCCC 1K04418T=KCTC 72962T).

Thermohalobaculum xanthum gen. nov., sp. nov., a moderately thermophilic bacterium isolated from mangrove sediment.

A novel moderately thermophilic and halophilic bacterium, designated strain M0105T, was isolated from mangrove sediment collected in the Beibu Gulf, south China. The isolate is Gram-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium with smooth colonies of pale-yellow appearance. Growth occurs at 15-46 °C (optimum 37-40 °C) and pH range of 6.0-10.0 (optimum pH 8.0-9.0). It required 1-7% NaCl (optimum 3-5%) for growth. Strain M0105T was affiliated to the family 'Rhodobacteraceae', sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Limibaculum halophilum CAU 1123T (96.8%). The major menaquinone Q-10 and the dominant unsaturated fatty acid (C18:1ω7) in this family were also detected in the strain M0105T. The genome sequence possesses a circular 4.1 Mb chromosome with a G + C content of 67.9%. Strain M0105T encoded many genes for cellular stress resistance and nutrient utilization, which could improve its adaptive capacity to the mangrove environment. Values of conserved proteins (POCP), average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity (AAI) and DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) between the isolate and closely related species were below the proposed threshold for species discrimination. Information from phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses proposed that strain M0105T should be assigned to a novel genus within the family 'Rhodobacteraceae'. Thus, we suggested that the strain M0105T represents a novel species in a new genus, for which the name Thermohalobaculum xanthum gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is M0105T (= BGMRC 2019T = KCTC 52118T = MCCC 1K03767T = NBRC 112057T).

Mesobaculum littorinae gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from a sea snail Littorina scabra.

Members within the family Rhodbacteraceae are morphologically and genetically highly diverse, and originate mostly from coastal marine environments. In this study, a novel species of this family, designated M0103T, was isolated from the surface of a sea snail Littorina scabra. Strain M0103T is Gram-stain-negative, halophilic, non-motile and non-Bacteriochlorophyll a-producing bacterium. Several phenotypic characteristics of the isolate were similar to other species within this family, such as the sole respiratory quinone Q-10 and major fatty acid components C18 : 1 ω7c, C18 : 0 and C16 : 0. Strain M0103T contains a diphosphatidylglycerol, a phosphatidylglycerol, a phosphatidylcholine, a phosphatidy ethanolamine, a phosphatidylinositol, five unidentified phospholipids and four unidentified polar lipids. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, this isolate showed the closest phylogenetic relationship with 'Palleronia pontilimi' GH1-23T (95.1 %). Values of average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) of genome sequences were of 70.1-76.4 % and 18.3-20.9 % between the isolate and 24 closely related type strains. Analysis the 4.0 Mb genome of strain M0103T revealed several putative genes associated with cellular stress resistance, which may play protective roles for the isolate in the adaptation to a marine environment. Phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses suggested that strain M0103T represents a novel genus and novel species of the family Rhodobacteraceae, for which the name Mesobaculum littorinae gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M0103T (=MCCC 1K03619T=KCTC 62358T).

A four-protein metabolon assembled by a small peptide protein creates the pentacyclic carbonate ring of aldgamycins.

Organic carbonates (OCs) are a class of compounds featured by a carbonyl flanked by two alkoxy/aryloxy groups. They exist in either linear or cyclic forms, of which the majority encountered in nature adopt a pentacyclic structure. However, the enzymatic basis for pentacyclic carbonate ring formation remains elusive. Here, we reported that a four-protein metabolon (AlmUII-UV) assembled by a small peptide protein (AlmUV) appends a reactive N-hydroxylcarbamoyl moiety to the decarboxylated aldgamycins followed by a non-enzymatic condensation to give the pentacyclic carbonate ring. Our results have documented an unprecedent mechanism for carbonate formation.

Roseomonas coralli sp. nov., a heavy metal resistant bacterium isolated from coral.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, mesophilic, non-motile bacterium, designated M0104T, was isolated from a gorgonian coral collected from Xieyang island, Guangxi Province, PR China. Colonies of the strain were non-motile cocci and pink. The strain grew at 15-34 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 4.5-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and with 0-4% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0-2 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain M0104T was closely related to Roseomonas deserti JCM 31275T (96.2 %), Roseomonas vastitatis KCTC 62043T (96.0 %), Roseomonas aerofrigidensis JCM 31878T (95.9 %) and Roseomonas oryzae KCTC 42542T (95.7 %). The strain had an assembly size of 5.0 Mb and a G+C content of 71.0mol%. Genes involved in copper, cadmium, lead, arsenic and zinc resistance were identified in the genome of strain M0104T. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between the genome sequence of strain M0104T and those of closely related type strains were 19.4-24.9 % and 74.3-81.8 %, respectively. Strain M0104T contained C18:1 ω7c, C18:3 ω3c, anteiso C11:0 and C16:0 as the major fatty acids (>7 %) and ubiquinone Q-10 as the sole isoprenoid quinone. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine were its major polar lipids. Based on its phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic properties, strain M0104T is proposed to represent a novel species within the genus Roseomonas, for which the name Roseomonas coralli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M0104T (=KCTC 62359T=MCCC 1K03632T).

Characterization of a bifunctional alginate lyase as a new member of the polysaccharide lyase family 17 from a marine strain BP-2.

OBJECTIVES: Bifunctional alginate lyase can efficiently saccharify alginate biomass and prepare functional oligosaccharides of alginate. RESULTS: A new BP-2 strain that produces alginate lyase was screened and identified from rotted Sargassum. A new alginate lyase, Alg17B, belonging to the polysaccharide lyase family 17, was isolated and purified from BP-2 fermentation broth by freeze-drying, dialysis, and ion exchange chromatography. The enzymatic properties of the purified lyase were investigated. The molecular weight of Alg17B was approximately 77 kDa, its optimum reaction temperature was 40-45 °C, and its optimum reaction pH was 7.5-8.0. The enzyme was relatively stable at pH 7.0-8.0, with a temperature range of 25-35 °C, and the specific activity of the purified enzyme reached 4036 U/mg. A low Na+ concentration stimulated Alg17B enzyme activity, but Ca2+, Zn2+, and other metal ions inhibited it. Substrate specificity analysis, thin-layer chromatography, and mass spectrometry showed that Alg17B is an alginate lyase that catalyses the hydrolysis of sodium alginate, polymannuronic acid (polyM) and polyguluronic acid to produce monosaccharides and low molecular weight oligosaccharides. Alg17B is also bifunctional, exhibiting both endolytic and exolytic activities toward alginate, and has a wide substrate utilization range with a preference for polyM. CONCLUSIONS: Alg17B can be used to saccharify the main carbohydrate, alginate, in the ethanolic production of brown algae fuel as well as in preparing and researching oligosaccharides.

Biosynthesis of an anti-tuberculosis sesterterpenoid asperterpenoid A.

A putative three-gene cluster for asperterpenoid A was identified. Step-wise reconstitution of this gene cluster in Aspergillus oryzae reveals that astC encodes a sesterterpene cyclase to synthesize preasperterpenoid A, which is dually oxidized by a P450 enzyme AstB to give asperterpenoid A along with a minor product asperterpenoid B, and asperterpenoid A is further oxidized by another P450 eznyme AstA to afford a new sesterterpenoid asperterpenoid C. Unexpectedly, asperterpenoids A and B, but not the final product asperterpenoid C, exhibit potent inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein tyrosine phosphatase B with IC50 values of 3-6 µM.

AlgM4: A New Salt-Activated Alginate Lyase of the PL7 Family with Endolytic Activity.

Alginate lyases are a group of enzymes that catalyze the depolymerization of alginates into oligosaccharides or monosaccharides. These enzymes have been widely used for a variety of purposes, such as producing bioactive oligosaccharides, controlling the rheological properties of polysaccharides, and performing structural analyses of polysaccharides. The algM4 gene of the marine bacterium Vibrio weizhoudaoensis M0101 encodes an alginate lyase that belongs to the polysaccharide lyase family 7 (PL7). In this study, the kinetic constants Vmax (maximum reaction rate) and Km (Michaelis constant) of AlgM4 activity were determined as 2.75 nmol/s and 2.72 mg/mL, respectively. The optimum temperature for AlgM4 activity was 30 °C, and at 70 °C, AlgM4 activity dropped to 11% of the maximum observed activity. The optimum pH for AlgM4 activity was 8.5, and AlgM4 was completely inactive at pH 11. The addition of 1 mol/L NaCl resulted in a more than sevenfold increase in the relative activity of AlgM4. The secondary structure of AlgM4 was altered in the presence of NaCl, which caused the α-helical content to decrease from 12.4 to 10.8% and the ß-sheet content to decrease by 1.7%. In addition, NaCl enhanced the thermal stability of AlgM4 and increased the midpoint of thermal denaturation (Tm) by 4.9 °C. AlgM4 exhibited an ability to degrade sodium alginate, poly-mannuronic acid (polyM), and poly-guluronic acid (polyG), resulting in the production of oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization (DP) of 2-9. AlgM4 possessed broader substrate, indicating that it is a bifunctional alginate lyase. Thus, AlgM4 is a novel salt-activated and bifunctional alginate lyase of the PL7 family with endolytic activity.

DEAD-Box Helicase 5 Interacts With Transcription Factor 12 and Promotes the Progression of Osteosarcoma by Stimulating Cell Cycle Progression.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a common malignant primary bone tumor. Its mechanism of development and progression is poorly understood. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic regimens available for the treatment of OS. DEAD-box helicase 5 (DDX5) is involved in oncogenic processes. This study aimed to explore the role of DDX5 in the development and progression of OS and its relationship with transcription factor 12 (TCF12), which is as an important molecule of Wnt signaling pathway. We found that the expressions of DDX5 and TCF12 protein were significantly higher in OS patients tissues and in the MG63 cells than in the corresponding normal tissues and human osteoblast cell hFOB 1.19. Overexpressions of both DDX5 and TCF12 were associated with clinicopathological features and poor prognosis of OS patients. siRNA based knockdown of DDX5 inhibited the proliferation of MG63 cells as demonstrated by an in vitro MTS assay and 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine DNA proliferation detection, and promoted apoptosis of MG63 cells measured by flow cytometry. In addition, DDX5 knockdown inhibited the MG63 cell migration and invasion on transwell assays. Further experiments showed that DDX5 knockdown not only inhibited the expression of TCF12 but also decreased the mRNA and protein levels of Cyclin E1, an important regulator of G1-S phase progression, suggesting that DDX5 was required for the entry of cells into S phase. Overexpression of TCF12 reversed the cell proliferation, migration and invasion in MG63 cells induced by DDX5 knockdown accompanied by the upregulation of Cyclin E1. Additionally, we observed that DDX5 interacted with TCF12 in both OS tissues and MG63 cells by Co-immunoprecipitation assays. Taken together, our study revealed that DDX5 interacts with TCF12 and promotes the progression of OS by stimulating cell cycle progression. Our results suggest that DDX5 and TCF12 could be potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of OS.

DDX3 binding with CK1ε was closely related to motor neuron degeneration of ALS by affecting neurite outgrowth.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons. The pathogenesis of ALS remains largely unknown. RNA helicase DDX3 is a multifunctional protein involved in several steps of gene expression. Casein kinase 1ε (CK1ε) is an important signal molecule of Wnt signaling pathway and is closely related to neurite growth. However, the roles of DDX3 and CK1ε in the pathogenesis of ALS remain unclear. In this study, we first investigated the expression of DDX3 and CK1ε in the spinal cord of SOD1-G93A ALS transgenic mice using RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical technique. Results showed that the altered expression of DDX3 and CK1ε was found in the spinal cord of ALS mice. DDX3 and CK1ε positive cells were mainly distributed in the anterior horn of spinal cord and co-localized with neurons not with glial cells, suggesting that the altered expression of DDX3 and CK1ε was closely related to motor neuron degeneration of ALS. Moreover, we selected NSC34 cell line and transfected pEGFP-G93A-SOD1 plasmid to further examine the mechanism. Knockdown of DDX3 that uses small interfering RNA (siRNA) decreased the mRNA and protein levels of CK1ε significantly and inhibited neurite outgrowth of SOD1 mutant NSC34 cells in vitro. Co-immunoprecipitation kit confirmed that DDX3 could band with CK1ε in vivo. Our data suggested that DDX3 binding with CK1ε was closely related to motor neuron degeneration of ALS by affecting neurite outgrowth. Thus, elucidating the underlying mechanisms of ALS is crucial for future development of ALS treatments.

Involvement of c-Fos in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in osteosarcoma cells accompanied by altered expression of Wnt2 and Fzd9.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive bone tumor, and proto-oncogene c-Fos is involved in this lethal disease. However, the role and molecular mechanism of c-Fos in the development and progression of OS remain enigmatic. As one of the Wnt family members, Wnt2 is closely associated with the development of several malignant tumors. In the present study, the expression of c-Fos, Wnt2, and its receptor Fzd9 in human OS tissues, MG63 OS cell line, and human osteoblast hFOB 1.19 cell line was detected by Western blot analysis, immunohistochemical staining, or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The role of c-Fos in the OS was clarified by treating MG63 cells with small interfering RNA to knockdown c-Fos. Then, cell migration and invasion were assayed by transwell assays and wound healing assay; cell proliferation was assayed by MTS method and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine DNA proliferation in vitro detection; cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometric method. Co-immunoprecipitation kit was used to confirm the relationship between c-Fos and Wnt2/Fzd9. We found that the expression of c-Fos, Wnt2, and Fzd9 protein was distinctly higher in human OS tissues than that in the adjacent non-cancerous tissues, and their expression in the MG63 OS cell line was markedly increased compared with that in the human osteoblast hFOB 1.19 cell line. Knockdown of c-Fos inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of MG63 cells, and promoted the apoptosis of MG63 cells. Moreover, knockdown of c-Fos inhibited the expression of Wnt2 and Fzd9 mRNA and protein. Our data enforced the evidence that knockdown of c-Fos inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted the apoptosis of OS cells accompanied by altered expression of Wnt2 and Fzd9. These findings offer new clues for OS development and progression, and c-Fos may be a potential therapeutic target for OS.

Characterization of Methyltransferase AlmCII in Chalcomycin Biosynthesis: The First TylF Family O-Methyltransferase Works on a 4'-Deoxysugar.

Sugar O-methylation is a ubiquitous modification in natural products and plays diverse roles. This realization has inspired many attempts to search for novel methyltransferases. Chalcomycins are a group of 16-membered macrolides containing two methylated sugars that require three methyltransferases for their biosynthesis. Here, we identified that AlmCII, a sugar O-methyltransferase belonging to the TylF family that was previously only known to methylate sugars with a 4'-hydroxy group, can methylate a 4',6'-dideoxysugar during the biosynthesis of chalcomycins. An in vitro enzymatic assay revealed that AlmCII is divalent metal-dependent with an optimal pH of 8.0 and optimal temperature of 42 °C. Moreover, the 3'-O-demethylated chalcomycins exhibit less than 6 % of the antibacterial activity of their parent compounds. This is the first report demonstrating that a TylF family O-methyltransferase can use a 4'-deoxy sugar as a substrate and highlighting the importance of this methylation for the antibacterial activity of chalcomycins.

The altered autophagy mediated by TFEB in animal and cell models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Autophagy is an intracellular degradation process that clears away aggregated proteins or aged and damaged organelles. Abnormalities in autophagy result in defects in clearance of these misfolded and aggregate proteins, which have been associated with neurodegenerative disorders. A key neuropathological hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that contributes to the progressive loss of motor neurons is abnormal protein aggregation of mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1). TFEB is a recently described gene that regulates autophagy. Several studies have reported that autophagy is altered in ALS, but little is known about the role and mechanisms of TFEB-mediated autophagy during the progression of ALS. In this study, altered expression of TFEB and Beclin-1 were detected in the spinal cords of ALS transgenic mice at different stages and in an NSC-34 cell model with the SOD1-G93A mutation using RT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry. The majority of cells positive for TFEB and Beclin-1 are ß-tubulin III-labeled neurons, especially in the anterior horn of the gray matter. Overexpression of TFEB in NSC-34 cells with the SOD1-G93A mutation increased the mRNA and protein levels of Beclin-1, accompanied by increased levels of LC3-II protein. MTS assay revealed that TFEB overexpression increased proliferation and survival of NSC-34 cells with the SOD1-G93A mutation. Our findings suggest that TFEB promotes autophagy by enhancing the expression of Beclin-1. The altered autophagy mediated by TFEB is a key element in the pathogenesis of ALS, making TFEB a very promising target for the development of novel drugs and new gene therapeutics for ALS.