PRRSV GP5 inhibits the antivirus effects of chaperone-mediated autophagy by targeting LAMP2A.

Autophagy is an important biological process in host defense against viral infection. However, many viruses have evolved various strategies to disrupt the host antiviral system. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a typical immunosuppressive virus with a large economic impact on the swine industry. At present, studies on the escape mechanism of PRRSV in the autophagy process, especially through chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), are limited. This study confirmed that PRRSV glycoprotein 5 (GP5) could disrupt the formation of the GFAP-LAMP2A complex by inhibiting the MTORC2/PHLPP1/GFAP pathway, promoting the dissociation of the pGFAP-EF1α complex, and blocking the K63-linked polyubiquitination of LAMP2A to inhibit the activity of CMA. Further research demonstrated that CMA plays an anti-PRRSV role by antagonizing nonstructural protein 11 (NSP11)-mediated inhibition of type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling. Taken together, these results indicate that PRRSV GP5 inhibits the antiviral effect of CMA by targeting LAMP2A. This research provides new insight into the escape mechanism of immunosuppressive viruses in CMA. IMPORTANCE: Viruses have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to manipulate autophagy to evade degradation and immune responses. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a typical immunosuppressive virus that causes enormous economic losses in the swine industry. However, the mechanism by which PRRSV manipulates autophagy to defend against host antiviral effects remains unclear. In this study, we found that PRRSV GP5 interacts with LAMP2A and disrupts the formation of the GFAP-LAMP2A complex, thus inhibiting the activity of CMA and subsequently enhancing the inhibitory effect of the NSP11-mediated IFN-I signaling pathway, ultimately facilitating PRRSV replication. Our study revealed a novel mechanism by which PRRSV escapes host antiviral effects through CMA, providing a potential host target, LAMP2A, for developing antiviral drugs and contributing to understanding the escape mechanism of immunosuppressive viruses.

Programmable Tetrahedral DNA-RNA Nanocages Woven with Stimuli-Responsive siRNA for Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy of Multidrug-Resistant Tumors.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle limiting the effectiveness of chemotherapy against cancer. The combination strategy of chemotherapeutic agents and siRNA targeting drug efflux has emerged as an effective cancer treatment to overcome MDR. Herein, stimuli-responsive programmable tetrahedral DNA-RNA nanocages (TDRN) have been rationally designed and developed for dynamic co-delivery of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) siRNA. Specifically, the sense and antisense strand sequences of the P-gp siRNA, which are programmable bricks with terminal disulfide bond conjugation, are precisely embedded in one edge of the DNA tetrahedron. TDRN provides a stimuli-responsive release element for dynamic control of functional cargo P-gp siRNA that is significantly more stable than the "tail-like" TDN nanostructures. The stable and highly rigid 3D nanostructure of the siRNA-organized TDRN nanocages demonstrated a notable improvement in the stability of RNase A and mouse serum, as well as long-term storage stability for up to 4 weeks, as evidenced by this study. These biocompatible and multifunctional TDRN nanocarriers with gold nanocluster-assisted delivery (TDRN@Dox@AuNCp) are successfully used to achieve synergistic RNAi/Chemo-therapy in vitro and in vivo. This programmable TDRN drug delivery system, which integrates RNAi therapy and chemotherapy, offers a promising approach for treating multidrug-resistant tumors.

Development of a Quorum Sensing-Mediated Bacterial Autolytic System in Escherichia coli for Automatic Release of Intracellular Products.

Escherichia coli, one of the most efficient expression hosts for recombinant proteins, is widely used in chemical, medical, food, and other industries. De novo engineering of gene regulation circuits and cell density-controlled E. coli cell lysis are promising directions for the release of intracellular bioproducts. Here, we developed an E. coli autolytic system, named the quorum sensing-mediated bacterial autolytic (QS-BA) system, by incorporating an acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL)-based YasI/YasR-type quorum sensing circuit from Pseudoalteromonas into E. coli cells. The results showed that the E. coli QS-BA system can release the intracellular bioproducts into the cell culture medium in terms of E. coli cell density, which offers an environmentally-friendly, economical, efficient, and flexible E. coli lysis platform for production of recombinant proteins. The QS-BA system has the potential to serve as an integrated system for the large-scale production of target products in E. coli for medical and industrial applications.

Hybrid mRMR and multi-objective particle swarm feature selection methods and application to metabolomics of traditional Chinese medicine.

Metabolomics data has high-dimensional features and a small sample size, which is typical of high-dimensional small sample (HDSS) data. Too high a dimensionality leads to the curse of dimensionality, and too small a sample size tends to trigger overfitting, which poses a challenge to deeper mining in metabolomics. Feature selection is a valuable technique for effectively handling the challenges HDSS data poses. For the feature selection problem of HDSS data in metabolomics, a hybrid Max-Relevance and Min-Redundancy (mRMR) and multi-objective particle swarm feature selection method (MCMOPSO) is proposed. Experimental results using metabolomics data and various University of California, Irvine (UCI) public datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of MCMOPSO in selecting feature subsets with a limited number of high-quality features. MCMOPSO achieves this by efficiently eliminating irrelevant and redundant features, showcasing its efficacy. Therefore, MCMOPSO is a powerful approach for selecting features from high-dimensional metabolomics data with limited sample sizes.

A new chemical derivatization reagent sulfonyl piperazinyl for the quantification of fatty acids using LC-MS/MS.

In our previous study, a chemical derivatization reagent named 5-(dimethylamino) naphthalene-1-sulfonyl piperazine (Dns-PP) was developed to enhance the chromatographic retention and the mass spectrometric response of free fatty acids (FFAs) in reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (RPLC-ESI-MS). However, Dns-PP exhibited strong preferences for long-chain FFAs, with limited improvement for short- or medium-chain FFAs. In this study, a new series of labeling reagents targeting FFAs were designed, synthesized, and evaluated. Among these reagents, Tmt-PP (N2, N2, N4, N4-tetramethyl-6-(4-(piperazin-1-ylsulfonyl) phenyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) exhibited the best MS response and was selected for further evaluations. We compared Tmt-PP with Dns-PP and four commonly used carboxyl labeling reagents from existing studies, demonstrating the advantages of Tmt-PP. Further comparisons between Tmt-PP and Dns-PP in measuring FFAs from biological samples revealed that Tmt-PP labeling enhanced the MS response for about 80 % (30/38) of the measured FFAs, particularly for short- and medium-chain FFAs. Moreover, Tmt-PP labeling significantly improved the chromatographic retention of short-chain FFAs. To ensure accurate quantification, we developed a stable isotope-labeled Tmt-PP (i.e., d12-Tmt-PP) to react with chemical standards and serve as one-to-one internal standards (IS). The method was validated for accuracy, precision, sensitivity, linearity, stability, extraction efficiency, as well as matrix effect. Overall, this study introduced a new chemical derivatization reagent Tmt-PP (d12-Tmt-PP), providing a sensitive and accurate option for quantifying FFAs in biological samples.

Design, concise synthesis and evaluation of novel amide-based combretastatin A-4 analogues as potent tubulin inhibitors.

As our ongoing work, a novel series of the amide-based CA-4 analogues were successfully designed, synthesized, and explored for their biological evaluation. Among these compounds, 7d and 8a illustrated most potent antiproliferative activity toward A549, HeLa, HCT116, and HT-29 cell lines. Most importantly, these two compounds didn't display noticeable cytotoxic activity on the non-tumoural cell line HEK-293. Further mechanism studies revealed that analogue 8a was identified as a novel tubulin polymerization inhibitor with an IC50 value of 6.90 µM, which is comparable with CA-4. The subsequent investigations unveiled that analogue 8a not only effectively caused cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase but also induced apoptosis in A549 cells via a concentration-dependent manner. The molecular docking revealed that 8a could occupy well the colchicine-binding site of tubulin. Collectively, these findings indicate that amide-based CA-4 scaffold could be worthy of further evaluation for development of novel tubulin inhibitors with improved safety profile.

Modeling sporadic juvenile ALS in iPSC-derived motor neurons explores the pathogenesis of FUSR503fs mutation.

Introduction: Fused in sarcoma (FUS) mutations represent the most common genetic etiology of juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (JALS), for which effective treatments are lacking. In a prior report, we identified a novel FUS mutation, c.1509dupA: p. R503fs (FUSR503fs), in a sporadic JALS patient. Methods: The physicochemical properties and structure of FUSR503fs protein were analyzed by software: Multi-electrode array (MEA) assay, calcium activity imaging assay and transcriptome analysis were used to explore the pathophysiological mechanism of iPSC derived motor neurons. Results: Structural analysis and predictions regarding physical and chemical properties of this mutation suggest that the reduction of phosphorylation and glycosylation sites, along with alterations in the amino acid sequence, may contribute to abnormal FUS accumulation within the cytoplasm and nucleus of induced pluripotent stem cell- derived motor neurons (MNs). Multi-electrode array and calcium activity imaging indicate diminished spontaneous electrical and calcium activity signals in MNs harboring the FUSR503fs mutation. Transcriptomic analysis reveals upregulation of genes associated with viral infection and downregulation of genes involved in neural function maintenance, such as the ATP6V1C2 gene. Treatment with ropinirole marginally mitigates the electrophysiological decline in FUSR503fs MNs, suggesting the utility of this cell model for mechanistic exploration and drug screening. Discussion: iPSCs-derived motor neurons from JALS patients are promising tools for drug screening. The pathological changes in motor neurons of FUSR503fs may occur earlier than in other known mutation types that have been reported.

Correlation between maternal serum biomarkers and the risk of fetal chromosome copy number variants: a single-center retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between the concentration of maternal serum biomarkers and the risk of fetal carrying chromosome copy number variants (CNVs). METHODS: Pregnant women identified as high risk in the second-trimester serological triple screening and underwent traditional amniotic fluid karyotype analysis, along with comparative genomic hybridization array (aCGH)/copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq), were included in the study. We divided the concentration of serum biomarkers, free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (fß-hCG), alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and unconjugated estriol (uE3), into three levels: abnormally low, normal and abnormally high. The prevalence of abnormally low, normal and abnormally high serum fß-hCG, AFP and uE3 levels in pregnant women with aberrant aCGH/CNV-seq results and normal controls was calculated. RESULTS: Among the 2877 cases with high risk in the second-trimester serological triple screening, there were 98 chromosome abnormalities revealed by karyotype analysis, while 209 abnormalities were detected by aCGH/CNVseq (P＜0.001) . The carrying rate of aberrant CNVs increased significantly when the maternal serum uE3 level was less than 0.4 multiple of median (MoM) of corresponding gestational weeks compared to normal controls, while the carrying rate of aberrant CNVs decreased significantly when the maternal serum fß-hCG level was greater than 2.5 MoM compared to normal controls. No significant difference was found in the AFP group. CONCLUSION: Low serum uE3 level (<0.4 MoM) was associated with an increased risk of aberrant CNVs.

Rationally introducing non-canonical amino acids to enhance catalytic activity of LmrR for Henry reaction.

The use of enzymes to catalyze Henry reaction has advantages of mild reaction conditions and low contamination, but low enzyme activity of promiscuous catalysis limits its application. Here, rational design was first performed to identify the key amino acid residues in Henry reaction catalyzed by Lactococcal multidrug resistance Regulator (LmrR). Further, non-canonical amino acids were introduced into LmrR, successfully obtaining variants that enhanced the catalytic activity of LmrR. The best variant, V15CNF, showed a 184% increase in enzyme activity compared to the wild type, and was 1.92 times more effective than the optimal natural amino acid variant, V15F. Additionally, this variant had a broad substrate spectrum, capable of catalyzing reactions between various aromatic aldehydes and nitromethane, with product yielded ranging from 55 to 99%. This study improved enzymatic catalytic activity by enhancing affinity between the enzyme and substrates, while breaking limited types of natural amino acid residues by introducing non-canonical amino acids into the enzyme, providing strategies for molecular modifications.

Research advances and trends in anatomy from 2013 to 2023: A visual analysis based on CiteSpace and VOSviewer.

As the cornerstone of medicine, the development of anatomy is related to many disciplines and fields and has received extensive attention from researchers. How to integrate and grasp the cutting-edge information in this field quickly is a challenge for researchers, so the aim of this study is to analyze research in anatomy using CiteSpace and VOSviewer in order to identify research hotspots and future directions. To offer a fresh viewpoint for assessing the academic influences of researchers, nations, or institutions on anatomy, and to examine the development of hotspots in anatomical study and to forecast future trends. A total of 4637 anatomy-related publications from 2013 to 2023 were collected from Web of Science Core Collection databases. Their temporal distribution, spatial distribution, cited authors, co-cited journals, keywords, and disciplinary connections in the literature were analyzed using CiteSpace and VOSviewer, and a knowledge graph was constructed. The temporal distribution shows a general fluctuation in the amount of literature published from 2013 to 2023. In spatial distribution, the total number of published articles was highest in the United States, the United Kingdom, and China, the United States leading. Tubbs, Rhoton, Iwanaga, and LaPrade are important authors in anatomy. Clinical Anatomy, Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, and Journal of Anatomy were the most highly cited journals. Analysis of keywords and citation emergence showed that the research hotspots and trends in anatomy focused mainly on anatomy education, digital technology, and surgical management. At the same time, anatomy showed a trend toward multidisciplinary crossover, developing closer relationships with molecular biology, immunology, and clinical medicine. Current research in anatomy focuses on innovative reform of the educational model and the application and promotion of digital technology. Also, multidisciplinary cross-fertilization is an inevitable trend for the future development of anatomy.

Quantitative estimation of dust transport in the desert region of northwest China by plutonium isotopes.

Dust is an important source of atmospheric pollution, and quantitative estimation of desert dust transport is crucial for air pollution control. In this study, five typical sandy soil profiles in the Tengger Desert were collected and analyzed for 239,240Pu concentration and 240Pu/239Pu atomic ratios in order to identify the source of 239,240Pu in this area and explore the sedimentary characteristics of dust in different profiles. The results revealed that the concentrations of 239,240Pu in the soil profiles were between 0.002 and 0.443 mBq/g with an exception of the deep layer soil at one site. The measured atomic ratios of 240Pu/239Pu are at the global atmospheric fallout level with a mean of 0.184 ± 0.020, indicating that global fallout is the dominant source of plutonium in this region. The total inventories of 239,240Pu in the reference sites in this area were estimated to be 39.2-44.6 Bq/m2, this is in agreement with the value from the global fallout of atmospheric nuclear weapon tests at the similar latitude (30-40 °N: 42 Bq/m2). The estimated erosion rate in the erosion profile utilizing soil erosion intensity mode is 2491 t/km2/yr and the soil erosion depth is 9.86 cm, While, the stacking rate of the accumulation profile is 1383 t/km2/yr, and the depth of accumulation is estimated to be 5.48 cm. The difference between the erosion and accumulation profiles indicated that approximately 1107 t/km2/yr of dust was exported from the Gobi landform area of the Tengger Desert, which might be transported long distance in the downwind direction.

A real-world disproportionality analysis of the FDA adverse event reporting system events for ibuprofen.

INTRODUCTION: Ibuprofen is commonly used as an over-the-counter (OTC) antipyretic and analgesic. As the frequency of its use has increased, there has been a corresponding increase in reports of associated adverse events (AEs). However, these events have not been systematically reported in the literature. Meanwhile, the importance of effective pharmacovigilance in evaluating the benefits and risks of drugs is being recognized. METHODS: The data was obtained indirectly from FAERS using the OpenVigil 2 database, lexically mapped using software such as MySQL, Microsoft Excel, and the R language, and then subjected to four more rigorous algorithms to detect risk signals associated with ibuprofen AEs. RESULTS: By analyzing data from the past 18 years, 878 ibuprofen-related AEs were identified as primary AEs. Notably, unexpected reproductive system and breast diseases, etc., which were unexpected, were observed as important system organ classes (SOCs) associated with ibuprofen. Among the 651 preferred terms (PTs) that simultaneously satisfy the four arithmetic methods, renal tubular acidosis and lip oedema are proposed as new signals for ibuprofen AEs. CONCLUSION: This study explores the important and valuable potential AEs and ADRs of ibuprofen at the SOC and PT levels, respectively. To provide a reference on decision-making for ibuprofen to promote rational clinical dosing.

Detection and analysis of signals of adverse events of memantine based on the US food and drug administration adverse event reporting system.

BACKGROUND: Despite its widespread use, the adverse effects (AEs) of memantine have not been well documented, and there is a need to find new ways to analyze the AEs of memantine. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: AEs in which the primary suspected drug was memantine were retrieved from the FAERS database. The proportional report ratio (PRR), reporting odds ratio (ROR), Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN), and empirical Bayesian geometric mean (EBGM) were used to detect potential positive signals between memantine and AEs. SAS, MySQL, EXCEL, and R language software were used for data processing and statistical analysis. RESULTS: This study gathered a total of 5808 reports of AEs associated with memantine. Of these reports, a greater proportion of female patients (51.17%) than male patients (36.33%) had AEs. The AEs reported by FAERS were mainly in psychiatric category (n = 2157, IC025 = 2.69), various neurologic disorders (n = 1608, IC025 = 2.04), systemic disorders and various site reactions (n = 842, IC025 = 1.29). Unexpected ocular adverse events have been reported, ophthalmic vein thrombosis (n = 4, IC025 = 3.47) and scleral discolouration (n = 7, IC025 = 3.1), which may worsen glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: This study observed conceivable new AEs signals and may supply important assist for scientific monitoring and threat identification of memantine.

Z-scheme heterojunction g-C3N4-TiO2 reinforced chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) film: Efficient and recyclable for fruit packaging.

Nanoparticles-loaded bio-based polymers have emerged as a sustainable substitute to traditional oil-based packaging materials, addressing the challenges of limited recyclability and significant environmental impact. However, the functionality and efficiency of nanoparticles have a significant impact on the application of bio-based composite films. Herein, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) coupled photocatalyst (g-C3N4-TiO2) was prepared by one-step calcination and introduced into chitosan (CS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution to fabricate g-C3N4-TiO2/CS/PVA green renewable composite film via solution casting method. The results demonstrated the successful preparation of a Z-scheme heterojunction g-C3N4-TiO2 with exceptional photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the incorporation of heterojunction enhanced mechanical properties, water barrier, and ultraviolet (UV) resistance properties of the fresh-keeping film. The g-C3N4-TiO2/CS/PVA composite film exhibited superior photocatalytic antibacterial preservation efficacy on strawberries under LED light, with a prolonged preservation time of up to 120 h, when compared to other films such as polyethylene (PE), CS/PVA, g-C3N4/CS/PVA, and TiO2/CS/PVA. In addition, the composite film has good recyclability and renewability. This work is expected to have great potential for low-cost fruit preservation and sustainable packaging, which also contributes to environmental protection.

Cortical Microhemorrhage Presentation of Small Vessel Primary Angiitis of the Central Nervous System.

OBJECTIVE: Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is a rare vasculitis restricted to the brain, spinal cord, and leptomeninges. This study aimed to describe the imaging characteristics of patients with small vessel PACNS (SV-PACNS) using 7 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: This ongoing prospective observational cohort study included patients who met the Calabrese and Mallek criteria and underwent 7 T MRI scan. The MRI protocol includes T1-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo imaging, T2 star weighted imaging, and susceptibility-weighted imaging. Two experienced readers independently reviewed the neuroimages. Clinical data were extracted from the electronic patient records. The findings were then applied to a cohort of patients with large vessel central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis. RESULTS: We included 21 patients with SV-PACNS from December 2021 to November 2023. Of these, 12 (57.14%) had cerebral cortical microhemorrhages with atrophy. The pattern with microhemorrhages was described in detail based on the gradient echo sequence, leading to the identification of what we have termed the "coral-like sign." The onset age of patients with coral-like sign (33.83 ± 9.93 years) appeared younger than that of patients without coral-like sign (42.11 ± 14.18 years) (P = 0.131). Furthermore, the cerebral lesions in patients with cortical microhemorrhagic SV-PACNS showed greater propensity toward bilateral lesions (P = 0.03). The coral-like sign was not observed in patients with large vessel CNS vasculitis. INTERPRETATION: The key characteristics of the coral-like sign represent cerebral cortical diffuse microhemorrhages with atrophy, which may be an important MRI pattern of SV-PACNS. ANN NEUROL 2024;96:194-203.

Highly flexible carbon nitride-polyethylene glycol-cellulose acetate film with photocatalytic antibacterial activity for fruit preservation.

Cellulose acetate film, as a biodegradable and biomass-derived material, has great potential applications in food packaging. However, the poor mechanical and antibacterial properties limit its applications. Herein, a highly flexible carbon nitride-polyethylene glycol-cellulose acetate (CN-PEG-CA) film was successfully prepared by combining graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) photocatalyst with cellulose acetate (CA). The g-C3N4 enables the film with antibacterial activity, as a green photocatalyst. PEG softens the rigid polymer CA and crosslinks CA, PEG, and g-C3N4 together by hydrogen bonding, as a flexible crosslinker. X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR) characterizations confirmed the successful preparation of the CN-PEG-CA film. The mechanical property tests demonstrated that adding PEG increased the elongation at break of the film by about 4 times. The composite film had high antibacterial activity, and the bactericidal rates on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were 99.98 % and 99.89 %, respectively. It effectively extended the shelf life of strawberries to 96 h and effectively maintained the quality of strawberries during storage. After 96 h, the weight loss rate of strawberries packaged with 15 % CN-PEG-CA film was 21.83 %, vitamin C content was 45.47 %, titratable acidity content was 0.89 %, and color, hardness and total soluble solids were well maintained. And biocompatibility test results showed that the film was safe and nontoxic. From the ecological and economic point of view, the highly flexible and biodegradable films with efficient photocatalytic antibacterial activity synthesized in this paper have great potential in the field of food packaging.

Identification of the ERF gene family of Mangifera indica and the defense response of MiERF4 to Xanthomonas campestris pv. mangiferaeindicae.

An important regulatory role for ethylene-responsive transcription factors (ERFs) is in plant growth and development, stress response, and hormone signaling. However, AP2/ERF family genes in mango have not been systematically studied. In this study, a total of 113 AP2/ERF family genes were identified from the mango genome and phylogenetically classified into five subfamilies: AP2 (28 genes), DREB (42 genes), ERF (33 genes), RAV (6 genes), and Soloist (4 genes). Of these, the ERF family, in conjunction with Arabidopsis and rice, forms a phylogenetic tree divided into seven groups, five of which have MiERF members. Analysis of gene structure and cis-elements showed that each MiERF gene contains only one AP2 structural domain, and that MiERF genes contain a large number of cis-elements associated with hormone signaling and stress response. Collinearity tests revealed a high degree of homology between MiERFs and CsERFs. Tissue-specific and stress-responsive expression profiling revealed that MiERF genes are primarily involved in the regulation of reproductive growth and are differentially and positively expressed in response to external hormones and pathogenic bacteria. Physiological results from a gain-of-function analysis of MiERF4 transiently overexpressed in tobacco and mango showed that transient expression of MiERF4 resulted in decreased colony count and callose deposition, as well as varying degrees of response to hormonal signals such as ETH, JA, and SA. Thus, MiERF4 may be involved in the JA/ETH signaling pathway to enhance plant defense against pathogenic bacteria. This study provides a basis for further research on the function and regulation of MiERF genes and lays a foundation for the selection of disease-resistant genes in mango.

Caffeic Acid O-Methyltransferase Gene Family in Mango (Mangifera indica L.) with Transcriptional Analysis under Biotic and Abiotic Stresses and the Role of MiCOMT1 in Salt Tolerance.

Caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) participates in various physiological activities in plants, such as positive responses to abiotic stresses and the signal transduction of phytohormones. In this study, 18 COMT genes were identified in the chromosome-level reference genome of mango, named MiCOMTs. A phylogenetic tree containing nine groups (I-IX) was constructed based on the amino acid sequences of the 71 COMT proteins from seven species. The phylogenetic tree indicated that the members of the MiCOMTs could be divided into four groups. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that all MiCOMT genes have particularly high expression levels during flowering. The expression levels of MiCOMTs were different under abiotic and biotic stresses, including salt and stimulated drought stresses, ABA and SA treatment, as well as Xanthomonas campestris pv. mangiferaeindicae and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides infection, respectively. Among them, the expression level of MiCOMT1 was significantly up-regulated at 6-72 h after salt and stimulated drought stresses. The results of gene function analysis via the transient overexpression of the MiCOMT1 gene in Nicotiana benthamiana showed that the MiCOMT1 gene can promote the accumulation of ABA and MeJA, and improve the salt tolerance of mango. These results are beneficial to future researchers aiming to understand the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of MiCOMT genes.

Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomic Analysis of Potential Host Proteins Interacting with GP5 in PRRSV-Infected PAMs.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a typical immunosuppressive virus causing a large economic impact on the swine industry. The structural protein GP5 of PRRSV plays a pivotal role in its pathogenicity and immune evasion. Virus-host interactions play a crucial part in viral replication and immune escape. Therefore, understanding the interactions between GP5 and host proteins are significant for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) control. However, the interaction network between GP5 and host proteins in primary porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) has not been reported. In this study, 709 GP5-interacting host proteins were identified in primary PAMs by immunoprecipitation coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that these proteins were involved in multiple cellular processes, such as translation, protein transport, and protein stabilization. Subsequently, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assay confirmed that GP5 could interact with antigen processing and presentation pathways related proteins. Finally, we found that GP5 may be a key protein that inhibits the antigen processing and presentation pathway during PRRSV infection. The novel host proteins identified in this study will be the candidates for studying the biological functions of GP5, which will provide new insights into PRRS prevention and vaccine development.

A gene cluster encoding a nonribosomal peptide synthetase-like enzyme catalyzes γ-aromatic butenolides.

Sea cucumber-derived fungi have attracted much attention due to their capacity to produce an incredible variety of secondary metabolites. Genome-wide information on Aspergillus micronesiensis H39 obtained using third-generation sequencing technology (PacBio-SMRT) showed that the strain contains nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-like gene clusters, which aroused our interest in mining its secondary metabolites. 11 known compounds (1-11), including two γ-aromatic butenolides (γ-AB) and five cytochalasans, were isolated from A. micronesiensis H39. The structures of the compounds were determined by NMR and ESIMS, and comparison with those reported in the literature. From the perspective of biogenetic origins, the γ-butyrolactone core of compounds 1 and 2 was assembled by NRPS-like enzyme. All of the obtained compounds showed no inhibitory activity against drug-resistant bacteria and fungi, as well as compounds 1 and 2 had no anti-angiogenic activity against zebrafish.