Chicken UFL1 Restricts Avian Influenza Virus Replication by Disrupting the Viral Polymerase Complex and Facilitating Type I IFN Production.

During avian influenza virus (AIV) infection, host defensive proteins promote antiviral innate immunity or antagonize viral components to limit viral replication. UFM1-specific ligase 1 (UFL1) is involved in regulating innate immunity and DNA virus replication in mammals, but the molecular mechanism by which chicken (ch)UFL1 regulates AIV replication is unclear. In this study, we first identified chUFL1 as a negative regulator of AIV replication by enhancing innate immunity and disrupting the assembly of the viral polymerase complex. Mechanistically, chUFL1 interacted with chicken stimulator of IFN genes (chSTING) and contributed to chSTING dimerization and the formation of the STING-TBK1-IRF7 complex. We further demonstrated that chUFL1 promoted K63-linked polyubiquitination of chSTING at K308 to facilitate chSTING-mediated type I IFN production independent of UFMylation. Additionally, chUFL1 expression was upregulated in response to AIV infection. Importantly, chUFL1 also interacted with the AIV PA protein to inhibit viral polymerase activity. Furthermore, chUFL1 impeded the nuclear import of the AIV PA protein and the assembly of the viral polymerase complex to suppress AIV replication. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that chUFL1 restricts AIV replication by disrupting the viral polymerase complex and facilitating type I IFN production, which provides new insights into the regulation of AIV replication in chickens.

Simultaneous Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution and Degradation of Dye Wastewater without Cocatalysts and Sacrificial Agents Based on g-C3N5 and Hybridized Ni-MOF Derivative-CdS-DETA.

Inspired by energy conversion and waste reuse, hybridized Ni-MOF derivative-CdS-DETA/g-C3N5, a type-II heterojunction photocatalyst, is synthesized by a hydrothermal method for simultaneous and highly efficient photocatalytic degradation and hydrogen evolution in dye wastewater. Without the addition of cocatalysts and sacrificial agents, the optimal MOF-CD(2)/CN5 (i.e. Ni-MOF derivative-CdS-DETA (20 wt.%)/g-C3N5) exhibit good bifunctional catalytic activity, with a H2 evolution rate of 2974.4 µmol g-1 h-1 during the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB), and a removal rate of 99.97% for RhB. In the process of H2-evolution-only, triethanolamine is used as a sacrificial agent, exhibiting a high H2 evolution rate (19663.1 µmol g-1 h-1) in the absence of a cocatalyst, and outperforming most similar related materials (such as MOF/g-C3N5, MOF-CdS, CdS/g-C3N5). With the help of type-II heterojunction, holes are scavenged for the oxidative degradation of RhB, and electrons are used in the decomposition of water for H2 evolution during illumination. This work opens a new path for photocatalysts with dual functions of simultaneous efficient degradation and hydrogen evolution.

Construction of Ni3S4@ZIS@C3N5 photocatalyst with type II and Z-type heterojunctions by self-assembly for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

A novel ternary photocatalyst Ni3S4@ZIS@C3N5 with type II and Z-type heterojunctions was synthesized for the first time by hydrothermal and electrostatic self-assembly methods, effectively avoiding the thermal decomposition of C3N5 during the synthesis of the complex. The best ternary catalyst Ni3S4@ZIS@C3N5 is capable of achieving an optimal hydrogen evolution rate of 9750 mmol g-1 h-1, which is approximately 10.89 times as high as that of C3N5, indicating that the complex effectively enhanced the photocatalytic properties of the monomer. The coexistence of two types of heterojunctions in the complex effectively enhances photocatalytic performance, in which the monomer ZIS constructs type II scheme with Ni3S4 and Z-type scheme with C3N5, respectively. The two heterojunctions complement each other and jointly promote the rapid electron transfer from Ni3S4 and C3N5 to the ZIS surface. In conclusion, the cooperation of the two heterojunctions efficiently facilitates the migration of photogenerated carriers, thus enhancing the photocatalytic hydrogen generation performance of Ni3S4@ZIS@C3N5.

4-Methyl-5-vinyl thiazole modified Ni-MOF/g-C3N4/CdS composites for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution without precious metal cocatalysts.

The construction of heterojunction systems is an effective way to efficiently generate hydrogen by water photolysis. In this work, Ni-MOF (trimesic acid, (BTC)) and g-C3N4 (denoted as CN) were combined, and then Ni-MOF/CN was modified by 4-Methyl-5-vinyl thiazole (denoted as MVTh). Finally, CdS was loaded on the surface of Ni-MOF/CN/MVTh to prepare the photocatalyst Ni-MOF/g-C3N4/MVTh/CdS (denoted as Ni/CN/M/Cd) with a triangular closed-loop path heterojunction for the first time. As a photocatalyst without precious metal cocatalysts, Ni/CN/M/Cd displayed high H2 evolution (17.844 mmol·g-1·h-1) under an optimum CdS loading of 40 wt%. The H2 evolution rate was approximately 79 times that of Ni-MOF/CN and exceeded those of almost all catalysts based on MOF/CN in the literature. The triangular closed-loop heterojunction formed between Ni-MOF, g-C3N4, and CdS could realize the directional migration of photocarriers and significantly diminished the transfer resistance of carriers. The Ni2+ in Ni-MOF provided many cocatalytic sites for H2 evolution via g-C3N4 and CdS. Furthermore, charge carrier separation in Ni-MOF/CN/CdS improved after the innovative addition of MVTh. This study provides a reference for the construction of a closed-loop heterojunction system without precious metal cocatalysts.

Application of a novel biomimetic double-ligand zirconium-based metal organic framework in environmental restoration and energy conversion.

The development of visible-light response photocatalysts with a high catalytic performance and long-term cyclic stability is of great significance in the field of energy and environmental protection. Inspired by photosynthesis, a novel three-dimensional coral zirconium-based metal organic framework (MOF) was synthesized using a double-ligand strategy. The optimal sample, Zr-TCPP-bpydc (2:1), (the ratio of tetra-(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin to 2,2'-bipyridine-5,5'-dicarboxylic acid is 2:1) shows an excellent photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation, and the effects of the amount of photocatalyst, pH and concentration on the degradation rate were investigated under the optimum conditions. It has a high degradation rate of tetracycline (98.12% for tetracycline and 96.74% for ofloxacin), which is 2.11 times higher than that of single ligand Zr-bpydc (zirconium-based MOF containing only 2,2'-bipyridine-5,5'-dicarboxylic acid). More importantly, it also has a good H2 evolution rate (213.68 µmol g-1h-1) and CO2 reduction (35.81 µmol g-1h-1). In addition, the intermediate pathway of degradation, photocatalytic enhancement mechanism and cycle stability were deeply studied by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and recycling tests. The synthesis of a three-dimensional biomimetic coral zirconium-based MOF material will provide guidance for the development of new, promising, and natural ideal photocatalytic materials.

Dietary nano cerium oxide promotes growth, relieves ammonia nitrogen stress, and improves immunity in crab (Eriocheir sinensis).

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in ammonia nitrogen toxicity. In this study, the beneficial effects of dietary nano cerium oxide (nano CeO2) as a potent antioxidant were examined in the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis). Crabs were fed a diet supplemented with 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, 6.4, or 12.8 mg/kg nano CeO2 for 60 d. The optimum supplementation level of nano CeO2 that significantly increased weight gain rate and decreased feed coefficient was 0.8 mg/kg. This level also offered immune protection when crabs were kept under ammonia nitrogen stress and/or exposed to pathogen infection (Aeromonas hydrophila). Supplementation with 0.8 mg/kg of CeO2 (i) relieved pathological damage to the hepatopancreas; (ii) increased hemocyte counts, including total number of hemocytes, granulocytes, and hyalinocytes; (iii) decreased malondialdehyde content and increased antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the hemolymph; (iv) increased the activities of lysozyme, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase in the hemolymph; and (v) increased gene and protein expression of cathepsin L in the hepatopancreas. Mortality increased when crabs were injected with bacteria under ammonia nitrogen stress, but dietary supplementation with 0.8 mg/kg nano CeO2 decreased the mortality rate. Thus, the results of this study suggested that dietary supplementation with nano CeO2 in crabs promoted growth and up-regulated immunity to bacterial infection under ammonia nitrogen stress.

Interleukin-12 receptor ß2 from grass carp: Molecular characterization and its involvement in Aeromonas hydrophila-induced intestinal inflammation.

Interleukin-12 receptor ß2 (IL-12Rß2) is a signaling subunit of heterodimeric receptors for IL-12 and IL-35. It plays important regulatory functions in the development of Th1 cells and in the expression of inflammatory cytokines in mammals and other higher vertebrates. However, little is known about IL-12Rß2 in teleost fish. In this work, we have cloned and characterized IL-12Rß2 from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). The full-length cDNA of grass carp IL-12Rß2 is 2875 bp, which encodes a mature protein with 741 amino acids. This mature protein contains three fibronectin type III domains, a transmembrane helix, and CXW and WSXWS-like motifs that are characteristic of the type I cytokine receptor family. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that cyprinid fish IL-12Rß2 formed a single branch, clearly separated from those of other vertebrates. We expressed and purified a recombinant grass carp IL-12Rß2 protein containing major antigenic regions, which was used to raise a polyclonal antibody. The specificity of the antibody was assessed by Western blotting analysis of whole cell lysates from Escherichia coli cells expressing the recombinant IL-12Rß2, grass carp intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes, and cultured C. idella kidney cells. To explore the potential regulatory role of IL-12Rß2 in inflammation, we generated an intestinal inflammation model by anal intubation of fish with Aeromonas hydrophila. Immunohistochemical staining of the inflamed intestines revealed that IL-12Rß2 expression is consistent with inflammatory cell recruitment during intestinal inflammation. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed that IL-12Rß2 is widely expressed in normal tissues and is up-regulated in most tissues after infecting with A. hydrophila. We found that IL-12Rß2, IL-12p35, and interferon-γ were expressed in similar patterns in the intestines during inflammation. Taken together, our results suggest that IL-12Rß2 is involved in the regulation of intestinal inflammation.