Genomic binding of NF-Y in mouse and human cells.

NF-Y is a Transcription Factor that regulates transcription through binding to the CCAAT-box. To understand its strategy, we analyzed 16 ChIP-seq datasets from human and mouse cells. Shared loci, mostly located in promoters of expressed genes of cell cycle, metabolism and gene expression pathways, are associated with histone marks of active chromatin and specific modules of TFs. Other peaks are in enhancers and Transposable Elements -TE- of retroviral origin in human and mouse. We evaluated the relationship with USF1, a common synergistic partner in promoters and MLT1 TEs, upon NF-YB inactivation: USF1 binding decreases in promoters, modestly in MLT1, suggesting a pioneering role of NF-Y in formers, not in the latters. These data define a common set of NF-Y functional targets across different mammalian cell types, suggesting a pioneering role in promoters with respect to TEs.

SUMOylation of zebrafish transcription factor Zbtb21 affects its transcription activity.

Background: Post-translational modification by Small Ubiquitin-like MOdifier (SUMO) is an important mechanism to regulate protein activity, protein stability, and localization of substrates. Zbtb21 is a zinc finger and BTB (Broad-complex, Tram-track and Bric à brac) domain-containing transcription factor. Bioinformatic prediction suggests several putative SUMOylated sites in Zbtb21 protein. Methods: Two evolutionarily conserved lysine residues in Zbtb21 protein were mutated alone or in combination to disrupt the binding with SUMO molecules. Western blot and co-immunoprecipitation analyses were performed to detect the SUMOylation state of wild type and mutant Zbtb21 proteins, respectively. Luciferase reporter assays were conducted to evaluate their transcription activities. Meanwhile, immunofluorescence staining was carried out to show their sub-nuclear localizations. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation was performed to detect the interaction between Zbtb21 and its partners. Results: Phylogenetically conserved lysines 419 and 845 of zebrafish Zbtb21 protein can be conjugated with SUMO molecules. SUMOylation does not affect the subcellular localization and protein stability of Zbtb21, as well as the interaction with Zbtb14 or Zbtb21. Nevertheless, luciferase reporter assays revealed that Zbtb21 is a dual-function transcription factor which exerts activation or repression effect on different promoters, and SUMOylation can modulate the transcriptional activity of Zbtb21 in regulating downstream target genes. Hence, Zbtb21 is identified as a novel substrate of SUMOylation, which would be important for its function. Conclusions: Zebrafish Zbtb21 protein can be SUMOylated on lysines 419 and 845, which is evolutionary conserved. SUMOylation affects the dual role of Zbtb21 on transcription.

StHsfB5 Promotes Heat Resistance by Directly Regulating the Expression of Hsp Genes in Potato.

With global warming, high temperatures have become a major environmental stress that inhibits plant growth and development. Plants evolve several mechanisms to cope with heat stress accordingly. One of the important mechanisms is the Hsf (heat shock factor)-Hsp (heat shock protein) signaling pathway. Therefore, the plant transcription factor Hsf family plays important roles in response to heat stress. All Hsfs can be divided into three classes (A, B, and C). Usually, class-A Hsfs are transcriptional activators, while class-B Hsfs are transcriptional repressors. In potato, our previous work identified 27 Hsfs in the genome and analyzed HsfA3 and HsfA4C functions that promote potato heat resistance. However, the function of HsfB is still elusive. In this study, the unique B5 member StHsfB5 in potato was obtained, and its characterizations and functions were comprehensively analyzed. A quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay showed that StHsfB5 was highly expressed in root, and its expression was induced by heat treatment and different kinds of phytohormones. The subcellular localization of StHsfB5 was in the nucleus, which is consistent with the characterization of transcription factors. The transgenic lines overexpressing StHsfB5 showed higher heat resistance compared with that of the control nontransgenic lines and inhibitory lines. Experiments on the interaction between protein and DNA indicated that the StHsfB5 protein can directly bind to the promoters of target genes small Hsps (sHsp17.6, sHsp21, and sHsp22.7) and Hsp80, and then induce the expressions of these target genes. All these results showed that StHsfB5 may be a coactivator that promotes potato heat resistance ability by directly inducing the expression of its target genes sHsp17.6, sHsp21, sHsp22.7, and Hsp80.

Yin Yang 1 suppresses tumor invasion and metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by negatively regulating eIF4E transcriptional activity and expression.

Tumor metastasis is a leading cause of death in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Previous research has identified that transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1) acts as a tumor suppressor that inhibits cell proliferation and tumor growth in NPC; however, the role and the molecular mechanisms of YY1 in NPC invasion and metastasis remain unclear. In this study, we discovered that YY1 could inhibit the migration and invasion of NPC cells in vitro as well as NPC xenograft tumor metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, we identified eIF4E as a direct downstream target of YY1, and YY1 could negatively regulate the expression of eIF4E at transcriptional level. Moreover, we found that eIF4E promoted the migration and invasion of NPC cells as well as NPC lung metastasis, suggesting its potential as a pro-metastatic mediator in NPC. Importantly, restoring eIF4E expression could partially reverse the inhibitory effects of YY1 on NPC malignancy. In consistent with these findings, the expression of YY1 was downregulated while eIF4E was upregulated in NPC patients with metastasis, and there was a negative correlation between YY1 and eIF4E expression. Collectively, our results indicate that YY1 suppresses the invasion and metastasis of NPC by negatively regulating eIF4E transcription. Therefore, targeting the YY1/eIF4E transcriptional axis could be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of patients with NPC.

Betalain biosynthesis in red pulp pitaya is regulated via HuMYB132: a R-R type MYB transcription factor.

BACKGROUND: Multiple MYB transcription factors (TFs) are involved in the regulation of plant coloring. Betalain is a kind of natural plant pigment and its biosynthesis is regulated by a number of enzymes. Despite this, little is known about the molecular properties and roles of MYB TFs in pitaya betalain biosynthesis. RESULTS: In the present study, we identified a 1R-MYB gene, HuMYB132, which is preferentially expressed in red-pulp pitaya at the mature stage. It was clustered with Arabidopsis R-R-type genes and had two DNA-binding domains and a histidine-rich region. The expression assays in N. benthamiana and yeast indicated that HuMYB132 is a nucleus-localized protein with transcriptional activation activity. Dual luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) demonstrated that HuMYB132 could promote the transcriptional activities of HuADH1, HuCYP76AD1-1, and HuDODA1 by binding to their promoters. Silencing HuMYB132 reduced betalain accumulation and the expression levels of betalain biosynthetic genes in pitaya pulps. CONCLUSIONS: According to our findings, HuMYB132, a R-R type member of 1R-MYB TF subfamily, positively regulates pitaya betalain biosynthesis by regulating the expression of HuADH1, HuCYP76AD1-1, and HuDODA1. The present study provides a new theoretical reference for the management of pitaya betalain biosynthesis and also provides an essential basis for future regulation of betalain biosynthesis in Hylocereus.

The phosphorylation to acetylation/methylation cascade in transcriptional regulation: how kinases regulate transcriptional activities of DNA/histone-modifying enzymes.

Transcription factors directly regulate gene expression by recognizing and binding to specific DNA sequences, involving the dynamic alterations of chromatin structure and the formation of a complex with different kinds of cofactors, like DNA/histone modifying-enzymes, chromatin remodeling factors, and cell cycle factors. Despite the significance of transcription factors, it remains unclear to determine how these cofactors are regulated to cooperate with transcription factors, especially DNA/histone modifying-enzymes. It has been known that DNA/histone modifying-enzymes are regulated by post-translational modifications. And the most common and important modification is phosphorylation. Even though various DNA/histone modifying-enzymes have been classified and partly explained how phosphorylated sites of these enzymes function characteristically in recent studies. It still needs to find out the relationship between phosphorylation of these enzymes and the diseases-associated transcriptional regulation. Here this review describes how phosphorylation affects the transcription activity of these enzymes and other functions, including protein stability, subcellular localization, binding to chromatin, and interaction with other proteins.

Endothelium function biomarkers and carotid intima-media thickness changes in relation to NOS3 (rs2070744) and GNB3 (rs5443) genes polymorphism in the essential arterial hypertension.

Objective. The aim of the present study was to clarify the endothelial function biomarkers and carotid "intima media" thickness (IMT) changes in relation to GNB3 (rs5443) and NOS3 (rs2070744) genes polymorphism in the essential arterial hypertension (EAH). Methods. One-hundred EAH patients (48 - control) participated in the case-control study. Soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1), total NO metabolites (NO2 -+NO3 -), transcriptional activity of NOS3 gene, endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery (FMD BA), and carotid IMT were studied. GNB3 (rs5443) and NOS3 (rs2070744) genotyping was performed by TaqMan probes (CFX96™Real-Time PCR). Results. The connection of NOS3 (rs2070744) with decreased total NO metabolites (F=71.11; p<0.001), reduced NOS3 genes transcription activity (F=8.71; p<0.001) and increased sVCAM-1 (F=6.96; p=0.002), especially in the C-allele carriers (particularly in CC-genotype patients with lower NO - 16.46% and 40.88%; p<0.001), lowered the transcription activity of NOS3 gene - 46.03% 7 times (p<0.001), and become higher sVCAM-1 - 35.48% and 89.48% (p<0.001), respectively. ANOVA did not confirm the association of GNB3 (rs5443) gene with endothelial function and carotid IMT. Severe EAH was associated with increased carotid IMT - 50.0% (p<0.001) and 57.14% (p=0.007), wider carotid arteries - 17.36% (p=0.012) and 21.79% (p=0.004), and decreased NOS3 genes transcription activity - 34.54% (p=0.003). Atherosclerotic plaques were unilateral - 24.77% (χ2=5.35; p=0.021) or bilateral - 27.62% (χ2=5.79; p=0.016). IMT---gt---0.9 mm was followed by a higher BP (p<0.001), FMD BA 11.80% decrease with compensatory increase in carotid arteries diameters - 17.38% and 21.99% (p<0.001) and sVCAM-1 by 20.49% (p=0.005). Conclusion. NOS3 (rs2070744), but not GNB3 (rs5443), gene associated with the essential arterial hypertension severity relying upon the endothelial function impairment and NOS3 genes reduced transcription activity.

Correlation of Human Leukocyte Antigen-E Genomic Polymorphism with Leukemia and Functional Study of Human Leukocyte Antigen-E Different Type Promoters.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E is one of the least polymorphic nonclassical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I genes; its nucleotide variability can affect immune response. In this study, we assess the correlation between HLA-E polymorphism and leukemia and further study the transcriptional activity of promoter variation at nucleotide position-26. A total of 142 healthy blood donors and 111 leukemia patients were collected. The genomic sequence of HLA-E was amplified by high-fidelity reaction system and identified by Sanger and cloning sequencing. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to detect the transcription activity of promoter variation at nucleotide position-26. In the HLA-E genomic sequence results, a total of 16 alleles and 32 genotypes were detected; the HLA-E*01:01:01:06 allele had a significantly lower frequency in leukemia patients than in healthy participants (p = 0.026 < 0.05). And the HLA-E*01:03:02:01, *01:03:02:01 genotype showed the greatest difference in frequency between the two groups of participants (p = 0.028 < 0.05). Eight HLA-E alleles were first reported worldwide in Chinese individuals. The results of the dual luciferase reporter gene experiment showed that the transcription activity of the mutant-type promoter (HLA-E*01:01:01:06 with "T" allele at nucleotide position-26) was significantly lower compared with the wild-type promoter (HLA-E*01:01:01:01 with "G" allele at nucleotide position-26) (p = 0.0242 < 0.05). HLA-E*01:01:01:06 allele has a protective effect against leukemia through decreasing transcription activity by "T" variation at nucleotide position-26.

Cloning and subcellular location of the PnMYB1R1 gene from Panax notoginseng and expression analysis with different stresses / 药学学报

MYB transcription factors, one of the largest transcription factor families in plants, play an important role in signal transduction, plant growth and plant resistance. In this study a full-length cDNA of the PnMYB1R1 gene was cloned from Panax notoginseng. Sequence analysis, prokaryotic expression and purification, subcellular location, transcriptional activity analysis, tissue-specific analysis and expression analysis under different abiotic stresses was performed. The open reading frame (ORF) of PnMYB1R gene was 738 bp, encoding a protein of 245 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass (MW) of 27.0 kD. The sequence analysis and polygenetic analysis indicated that the PnMYB1R1 protein contains a conserved R3 domain, belonging to TRF-like protein in 1R-MYB-type transcription factors. The recombinant PnMYB1R1 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells using the prokaryotic expression vector pET28a-PnMYB1R1 and was purified. Subcellular localization analysis showed that PnMYB1R1 was localized in the nucleus. Transcriptional activity analysis indicated that the PnMYB1R1 transcription factor has transcriptional activation activity. Expression analysis indicated that PnMYB1R1 was primarily expressed in roots, followed by stems and leaves, and then rootlets. The expression level of PnMYB1R1 in root, stems, leaves and rootlets was influenced by salt, low temperature and drought treatment, while the abundance of PnMYB1R1 was significantly induced by salt stress in these tissues. These results provide valuable insights into the role of 1R-MYB transcription factors in plant defense.

The GWAS Analysis of Body Size and Population Verification of Related SNPs in Hu Sheep.

Body size is an important indicator of growth and health in sheep. In the present study, we performed Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) to detect significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with Hu sheep's body size. After genotyping parental (G1) and offspring (G2) generation of the nucleus herd for meat production of Hu sheep and conducting GWAS on the body height, chest circumference, body length, tail length, and tail width of the two groups, 5 SNPs associated with body height and 4 SNPs correlated with chest circumference were identified at the chromosomal significance level. No SNPs were significantly correlated to body length, tail length, and width. Four out of the 9 SNPs were found to be located within the 4 genes. KITLG and CADM2 are considered as candidate functional genes related to body height; MCTP1 and COL4A6 are candidate functional genes related to chest circumference. The 9 SNPs found in GWAS were verified using the G3 generation of the nucleus herd for meat production. Nine products were amplified around the 9 sites, and 29 SNPs were found; 3 mutation sites, G > C mutation at 134 bp downstream of s554331, T > G mutation at 19 bp upstream of s26859.1, and A > G mutation at 81 bp downstream of s26859.1, were significantly correlated to the body height. Dual-luciferase reporter gene experiments showed that the 3 SNPs could significantly impact dual-luciferase and gene transcription activity.

Phosphorylation of islet-1 serine 269 by CDK1 increases its transcriptional activity and promotes cell proliferation in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for gastric cancer (GC), the survival of patients with advanced GC remains very low. Islet-1 (ISL1) is a LIM-homeodomain transcription factor, which is upregulated and promotes cell proliferation in GC. The exact mechanism by which ISL1 influences GC development is unclear. METHODS: Co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and glutathione S-transferase (GST)-pulldown assays were employed to evaluate the interaction of ISL1 with CDK1. Western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses were performed to evaluate the ability of CDK1 to phosphorylate ISL1 at Ser 269 in GC cell and tissue specimens. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), ChIP re-IP, luciferase reporter, and CCK-8 assays were combined with flow cytometry cell cycle analysis to detect the transactivation potency of ISL1-S269-p and its ability to promote cell proliferation. The self-stability and interaction with CDK1 of ISL1-S269-p were also determined. RESULTS: ISL1 is phosphorylated by CDK1 at serine 269 (S269) in vivo. Phosphorylation of ISL1 by CDK1 on serine 269 strengthened its binding on the cyclin B1 and cyclin B2 promoters and increased its transcriptional activity in GC. Furthermore, CDK1-dependent phosphorylation of ISL1 correlated positively with ISL1 protein self-stability in NIH3T3 cells. CONCLUSIONS: ISL1-S269-p increased ISL1 transcriptional activity and self-stability while binding to the cyclinB1 and cyclinB2 promoters promotes cell proliferation. ISL1-S269-p is therefore crucial for tumorigenesis and potentially a direct therapeutic target for GC.

Functional Study of Polymorphism 1888 C>T in the Promoter Region of Human PLUNC Gene.

BACKGROUND: Our previous study showed that a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of 1888 C>T located at promoter region of human PLUNC gene might affect the susceptibility of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a Chinese population. This study aims to analyze the effect of the genetic variant on PLUNC promoter activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The DNA fragments of the PLUNC promoter region including the SNP 1888 C>T were obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The recombinant plasmid of the fragment and the pGL3-Enhancer firefly luciferase reporter vector were cloned and identified. Relative luciferase activity (RLA) was measured and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was analyzed. RESULTS: Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that luciferase activity of the 1888 T-allele was significantly higher, compared with the C-allele. EMSA experiment proved that the PLUNC gene promoter region SNP 1888 TT genotype had the ability to bind the nucleus protein with the human NPC CEN2 cell, whereas the CC genotype had not. CONCLUSIONS: SNP 1888 C>T in the promoter region of PLUNC gene might be a functional mutant locus, indicating that individuals carrying SNP 1888 C-C genotype might be more likely to develop NCP due to the reduced expression of the PLUNC gene. Further functional studies on PLUNC genetic variants are warranted to verify our findings.

FLASH Binds p53 and Enhances its Transcriptional Activity / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

As an important transcription factor, the tumor suppressor protein p53 is involved in multiple biological processes such as cell cycle regulation, cell division, cell senescence and DNA repair The functional roles of p53 under various physiological conditions are inseparable from the assistance of many cofactors, which can regulate the protein modification, cellular sub-localization, and protein stability of p53 Therefore, the identification of p53-binding protein(s) has important biological significance for further understanding the signal transduction network of p53 in vivo. In the present study, a novel p53-binding protein, FADD-like interleukin-1β-converting enzyme associated huge protein (FLASH) was identified through a yeast two-hybrid screen The protein-protein interaction and the structural basis of the interaction between FLASH and p53 was also confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation analysis These studies have shown that p53 can simultaneously interact with both FLASH-N1 (aa 1 ~ 200) and FLASH-C1 (aa 1 534 ~ 1 780) In addition, both of FLASH-N and FLASH-C can interact with the same region of p53 (aa 293 ~ 393) Transcription analysis has revealed that the full length of FLASH and FLASH-M (aa 921 ~ 1533) can enhance the transcription activity of p53 In summary, FLASH can bind to p53 and enhance its transcriptional activity

Corrigendum: Molecular Insights Into Lysyl Oxidases in Cartilage Regeneration and Rejuvenation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00359.].

Corrigendum: Arabidopsis G-Protein ß Subunit AGB1 Interacts With BES1 to Regulate Brassinosteroid Signaling and Cell Elongation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.02225.].

Heat-response patterns of the heat shock transcription factor family in advanced development stages of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and thermotolerance-regulation by TaHsfA2-10.

BACKGROUND: Heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs) are present in majority of plants and play central roles in thermotolerance, transgenerational thermomemory, and many other stress responses. Our previous paper identified at least 82 Hsf members in a genome-wide study on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, we analyzed the Hsf expression profiles in the advanced development stages of wheat, isolated the markedly heat-responsive gene TaHsfA2-10 (GenBank accession number MK922287), and characterized this gene and its role in thermotolerance regulation in seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana (L. Heynh.). RESULTS: In the advanced development stages, wheat Hsf family transcription profiles exhibit different expression patterns and varying heat-responses in leaves and roots, and Hsfs are constitutively expressed to different degrees under the normal growth conditions. Overall, the majority of group A and B Hsfs are expressed in leaves while group C Hsfs are expressed at higher levels in roots. The expression of a few Hsf genes could not be detected. Heat shock (HS) caused upregulation about a quarter of genes in leaves and roots, while a number of genes were downregulated in response to HS. The highly heat-responsive gene TaHsfA2-10 was isolated through homeologous cloning. qRT-PCR revealed that TaHsfA2-10 is expressed in a wide range of tissues and organs of different development stages of wheat under the normal growth conditions. Compared to non-stress treatment, TaHsfA2-10 was highly upregulated in response to HS, H2O2, and salicylic acid (SA), and was downregulated by abscisic acid (ABA) treatment in two-leaf-old seedlings. Transient transfection of tobacco epidermal cells revealed subcellular localization of TaHsfA2-10 in the nucleus under the normal growth conditions. Phenotypic observation indicated that TaHsfA2-10 could improve both basal thermotolerance and acquired thermotolerance of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings and rescue the thermotolerance defect of the T-DNA insertion mutant athsfa2 during HS. Compared to wild type (WT) seedlings, the TaHsfA2-10-overexpressing lines displayed both higher chlorophyll contents and higher survival rates. Yeast one-hybrid assay results revealed that TaHsfA2-10 had transactivation activity. The expression levels of thermotolerance-related AtHsps in the TaHsfA2-10 transgeinc Arabidopsis thaliana were higher than those in WT after HS. CONCLUSIONS: Wheat Hsf family members exhibit diversification and specificity of transcription expression patterns in advanced development stages under the normal conditions and after HS. As a markedly responsive transcriptional factor to HS, SA and H2O2, TaHsfA2-10 involves in thermotolerance regulation of plants through binding to the HS responsive element in promoter domain of relative Hsps and upregulating the expression of Hsp genes.

Identification and subcellular localization of splicing factor arginine/serine-rich 10 in the microsporidian Nosema bombycis.

Splicing factors are important components of RNA editing in eukaryotic organisms and can produce many functional and coding genes, which is an indispensable step for the correct expression of corresponding proteins. In this study, we identified splicing factor arginine/serine-rich 10 protein in the microsporidian Nosema bombycis and named it NbSRSF10. The NbSRSF10 gene contains a complete ORF of 1449 bp in length that encodes a 482-amino acid polypeptide. The isoelectric point (pI) of the protein encoded by NbSRSF10 gene was 4.94. NbSRSF10 has a molecular weight of 54.6 kD and has no signal peptide. NbSRSF10 is comprised of arginine (11.41%), glutamic acid (11.41%) and serine (9.54%) among the total amino acids, and 7 α-helix, 7 ß-sheet and 15 random coils in secondary structure, and contains 71 phosphorylation sites, 22 N-glycosylation sites and 20 O-glycosylation sites. The three-dimensional structure of NbSRSF10 is similar to that of transformer-2 beta of Homo sapiens (hTra2-ß). Indirect immunofluorescence showed that the NbSRSF10 is localized in the cytoplasm of the dormant microsporidian spore and is transferred to the nuclei when N. bombycis develops into the proliferative and sporogonic phase. qPCR revealed that the relative expression of NbSRSF10 increased in the meronts stage and was found at a relatively low level in the sporogonic phase of development of N. bombycis, and was up-regulated again during infection in the host cell and early proliferative phase of second life cycle. These results suggested that the NbSRSF10 may participate in the whole life cycle and play an important role in transcription regulation of N. bombycis.

Molecular Insights Into Lysyl Oxidases in Cartilage Regeneration and Rejuvenation.

Articular cartilage remains among the most difficult tissues to regenerate due to its poor self-repair capacity. The lysyl oxidase family (LOX; also termed as protein-lysine 6-oxidase), mainly consists of lysyl oxidase (LO) and lysyl oxidase-like 1-4 (LOXL1-LOXL4), has been traditionally defined as cuproenzymes that are essential for stabilization of extracellular matrix, particularly cross-linking of collagen and elastin. LOX is essential in the musculoskeletal system, particularly cartilage. LOXs-mediated collagen cross-links are essential for the functional integrity of articular cartilage. Appropriate modulation of the expression or activity of certain LOX members selectively may become potential promising strategy for cartilage repair. In the current review, we summarized the advances of LOX in cartilage homeostasis and functioning, as well as copper-mediated activation of LOX through hypoxia-responsive signaling axis during recent decades. Also, the molecular signaling network governing LOX expression has been summarized, indicating that appropriate modulation of hypoxia-responsive-signaling-directed LOX expression through manipulation of bioavailability of copper and oxygen is promising for further clinical implications of cartilage regeneration, which has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for cartilage rejuvenation in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Therefore, targeted regulation of copper-mediated hypoxia-responsive signalling axis for selective modulation of LOX expression may become potential effective therapeutics for enhanced cartilage regeneration and rejuvenation in future clinical implications.

Histone Deacetylase HDA9 and WRKY53 Transcription Factor Are Mutual Antagonists in Regulation of Plant Stress Response.

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is important for plant adaptation to environmental changes. Previous results showed that Arabidopsis RPD3-like histone deacetylase HDA9 is known to function in repressing plant response to stress in Arabidopsis. However, how HDA9 targets to specific chromatin loci and controls gene expression networks involved in plant response to stress remains largely unclear. Here, we show that HDA9 represses stress tolerance response by interacting with and regulating the DNA binding and transcriptional activity of WRKY53, which functions as a high-hierarchy positive regulator of stress response. We found that WRKY53 is post-translationally modified by lysine acetylation at multiple sites, some of which are removed by HDA9, resulting in inhibition of WRKY53 transcription activity. Conversely, WRKY53 negatively regulates HDA9 histone deacetylase activity. Collectively, our results indicate that HDA9 and WRK53 are reciprocal negative regulators of each other's activities, illustrating how the functional interplay between a chromatin regulator and a transcription factor regulates stress tolerance in plants.

Genome-wide identification of growth-regulating factors in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis): in silico and experimental analyses.

Growth-regulating factor (GRF), a small plant-specific transcription factor (TF) family, is extensively involved in the regulation of growth and developmental processes. However, the GRF family has not been comprehensively studied in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), a typical non-timber forest member. Here, 18 GRF genes were identified and characterized from the moso bamboo genome, and they clustered into three subfamilies (A, B and C). PeGRF genes were analyzed to determine their gene structures, conserved motifs and promoter. The non-synonymous/synonymous substitution ratios of paralogous and orthologous were less than 1, indicating that the GRF family mainly experienced purifying selection during evolution. According to the analysis of tissue-specific expression patterns, the participation of moso bamboo GRFs might be required during the formation and development of these five tissues. Moreover, PeGRF proteins might be involved in the regulation of plant development in biological processes. The qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that PeGRF genes played essential roles in combating hormonal stresses and they might be involved in hormone regulation. PeGRF11, a nuclear localized protein as assessed by a subcellular localization assay, could interact with PeGIF3 in yeast and in planta according to yeast two-hybridization and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays (BiFC) assays. But PeGRF11, as a TF, had no transcriptional activity in yeast. These results provide useful information for future functional research on the GRF genes in moso bamboo.