Author Report for: Chang XNo contact information in database for Chang X
Chang X, Ding X, Wang J, Cai Q, Wang G, Liu J Ref: Ann Med, 55:2226910, 2023 : PubMed ESTHER: Chang_2023_Ann.Med_55_2226910 PubMedSearch: Chang 2023 Ann.Med 55 2226910 PubMedID: 37350750 Abstract OBJECTIVE: Graves' disease (GD) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease. The production of anti-thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb) is associated with a loss of immune tolerance. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is expressed on multiple immune cells. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum concentration/activity of DPP4 and the severity of hyperthyroidism in GD patients. METHODS: A total of 82 newly diagnosed drug-naive patients with GD hyperthyroidism, 20 patients with non-autoimmune thyrotoxicosis and 122 age- and sex- matched healthy controls were enrolled. The clinical parameters and serum concentration and activity of DPP4 were measured. RESULTS: The GD group had increased serum concentration and activity of DPP4 than the healthy controls and patients with non-autoimmune thyrotoxicosis, while no significant difference was observed in the latter two groups. Multivariate linear regression indicated that the serum concentration/activity of DPP4 were positively associated with FT3, FT4 and TRAb levels in the GD patients. And the positive association between serum concentration/activity of DPP4 and TRAb was remained even after adjustment for confounding factors (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The GD patients had significantly increased serum concentration/activity of DPP4. And the serum concentration/activity of DPP4 was positively associated with the severity of hyperthyroidism in GD patients.Key messagesThe activity and concentration of DPP4 in patients with Graves' disease were higher than those in healthy controls.There was a significant positive correlation between serum DPP4 concentration and TRAb levels in patients with Graves' disease.In patients with Graves 'disease, serum DPP4 activity was positively correlated with TRAb levels. Title: Coupling multifactor dominated the biochemical response and the alterations of intestinal microflora of earthworm Pheretima guillelmi due to typical herbicides Chang X, Fu F, Sun Y, Zhao L, Li X, Li Y Ref: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, :, 2023 : PubMed ESTHER: Chang_2023_Environ.Sci.Pollut.Res.Int__ PubMedSearch: Chang 2023 Environ.Sci.Pollut.Res.Int PubMedID: 37526832 Abstract The excessive application of herbicides on farmlands can substantially reduce labor costs and increase crop yields, but can also have undesirable effects on terrestrial ecosystems. To evaluate the ecological toxicity of herbicides, metolachlor and fomesafen, two typical herbicides that are extensively used worldwide were chosen as target pollutants, and the endogeic earthworm Pheretima guillelmi, which is widely distributed in China, was selected as the test organism. A laboratory-scale microcosmic experiment was set, and energy resources, enzymes, and the composition and connections of intestinal microorganisms in earthworms were determined. Both herbicides depleted the energy resources of the earthworms, especially glycogen contents; increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes; and inhibited acetylcholinesterase. Moreover, the richness and diversity of the intestinal bacterial community of the earthworms were suppressed. Additionally, the bacterial composition at the genus level changed greatly and the connections between dominant bacteria increased dramatically. Most interactions among the bacterial genera belonging to the same and different phyla showed mutualism and competition, respectively. Importantly, metolachlor with higher toxicity had a transitory effect on these indicators in earthworms, whereas fomesafen, with lower toxicity but stronger bioaccumulation potential, exerted a sustaining impact on earthworms. Collectively, these results indicate that the toxic effects of herbicides on terrestrial organisms should be comprehensively considered in combination with biological toxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and other factors. Title: Improved Production of Recombinant Carboxylesterase FumDM by Co-Expressing Molecular Chaperones in Pichia pastoris Jiang L, Guan X, Liu H, Chang X, Sun J, Sun C, Zhao C Ref: Toxins (Basel), 15:, 2023 : PubMed ESTHER: Jiang_2023_Toxins.(Basel)_15_ PubMedSearch: Jiang 2023 Toxins.(Basel) 15 PubMedID: 36828470 Gene_locus related to this paper: sphmc-FumD Abstract Fumonisins (FBs) are mycotoxins that threaten public health and food safety worldwide. Enzymatic degradation of Fumonisin B1 (FB(1)) through decarboxylation has attracted much attention, whereas application of FB(1) carboxylesterase in detoxification requires more effective expression of the recombinant carboxylesterase. In this study, the carboxylesterase FumDM from Sphingopyxis sp. ASAG22 was codon-optimized and co-expressed with five different molecular chaperones (PDI, CPR5, ERO1, HAC1, and Bip) in order to improve the expression level of FumDM in Pichia pastoris (also known as Komagataella phaffii) GS115. The co-expression of different chaperones caused varying degrees of improvement in FumDM activity for FB(1). The enzyme activities of recombinant strains over-expressing PDI and CPR5 reached the highest levels of 259.47 U/mL and 161.34 U/mL, 635% and 357% higher than the original enzyme activity, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis of the two recombinant strains in comparison with the control strain showed that the correct folding of proteins assisted by molecular chaperones played a key role in the improvement of FumDM expression and its enzyme activity. This study demonstrated that co-expression of carboxylesterase FumDM and folding chaperones was an efficient strategy and therefore might inspire new perspectives on the improvement of carboxylesterase for detoxification of FB(1). Title: Predictive Value of Serum Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Complicated with Metabolic Syndrome in Elderly Patients Ren J, Chang M, Song S, Zhao R, Xing X, Chang X Ref: Clin Lab, 68:, 2022 : PubMed ESTHER: Ren_2022_Clin.Lab_68_ PubMedSearch: Ren 2022 Clin.Lab 68 PubMedID: 35975498 Abstract BACKGROUND: The aim was to investigate the predictive value of serum lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with metabolic syndrome (MS) in elderly patients. METHODS: A total of 296 patients with T2DM admitted from January 2019 to January 2021 were enrolled and assigned to MS group (n = 181) and non-MS group (n = 115). Their clinical data and laboratory test results were compared. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent risk factors for MS in T2DM patients. Spearman's analysis was utilized to explore the correlations between serum Lp-PLA2 level and detection indicators. The predictive value of Lp-PLA2 for MS was analyzed by plotting receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and Cox regression model was applied to explore the correlation of serum Lp-PLA2 level with MS. The results of data subjected to multivariate analysis were used to construct prediction models. RESULTS: The incidence rate of MS was 61.15% in T2DM patients. MS group had a significantly higher serum level of Lp-PLA2 than non-MS group (p < 0.05). Serum Lp-PLA2 was significantly positively correlated to FBG, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), FINS, and HOMA-IR, but significantly negatively associated with LDL-C (p < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve of Lp-PLA2 for predicting MS in T2DM patients was 0.724 (95% CI: 0.625 - 0.826, p < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of Lp-PLA2 with an optimal cutoff value of 82.96 ng/mL were 73.7%, 85.4%, 77.56%, and 93.24%, respectively. TC, TG, HDL-C, HbA1c, and Lp-PLA2 were independent risk factors for MS (p < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve of the risk prediction model established based on these indicators was 0.823, and the cutoff value, Youden index, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.219, 0.656, 78.87%, and 87.66%, respectively, indicating higher predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum Lp-PLA2 level is an independent risk factor for MS in T2DM patients. Lp-PLA2 (82.87 ng/mL) has high predictive value for MS. Title: Characterization of a carboxylesterase with hyper-thermostability and alkali-stability from Streptomyces lividans TK24 Chang X, Wu S, Chen J, Xiong S, Wang P, Shi X, Wang A, Wang B Ref: Extremophiles, :, 2021 : PubMed ESTHER: Chang_2021_Extremophiles__ PubMedSearch: Chang 2021 Extremophiles PubMedID: 33515353 Gene_locus related to this paper: strco-SCO2123 Abstract A gene (estA', 804 bp) from Streptomyces lividans TK24 was artificially synthesized and successfully overexpressed as a 6His-tagged fusion protein in Escherichia coli. It encoded a carboxylesterase (EstA) that composed of 267 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 28.56 kDa. Multiple sequence alignment indicated that EstA has typical characteristics of esterases, including a catalytic triad (Ser93-Asp194-His224) and a conserved pentapeptide motif (Gly91-Leu92-Ser93-Met94-Gly95). Simultaneously, phylogenetic analysis indicated that EstA belongs to family VI. Biochemical characterization displayed its optimum enzyme activity was at 55 and pH 8.5. Additionally, EstA exhibited higher activity towards short carbon substrates and showed the outstanding catalytic efficiency for pNPA2 with k(cat)/K(m) of 2296.14 +/- 10.35 s(-1) mM(-1). Notably, EstA has hyper-thermostability and good alkali stability. The activity of EstA did not change obviously when incubated at 50 and 100 for 337 and 1 h, independently. Besides, by incubating at 100 for 6 h, EstA remained about half of its initial activity. Moreover, EstA showed stability at pH ranging from 8.0 to 11.0, and about 90% residual enzyme activity was reserved by being treated at pH 8.0 or 9.0 for 80 h, especially. Such multiple features prepare EstA for a potential candidate in the field of biological catalysis of some industrial applications under harsh conditions. Title: Characterization of a novel hyper-thermostable and chlorpyrifos-hydrolyzing carboxylesterase EstC: A representative of the new esterase family XIX Wang B, Wu S, Chang X, Chen J, Ma J, Wang P, Zhu G Ref: Pestic Biochem Physiol, 170:104704, 2020 : PubMed ESTHER: Wang_2020_Pestic.Biochem.Physiol_170_104704 PubMedSearch: Wang 2020 Pestic.Biochem.Physiol 170 104704 PubMedID: 32980065 Gene_locus related to this paper: strco-estli Inhibitor(s) related to this paper: Chlorpyrifos Abstract Carboxylesterases have widely been used in a series of industrial applications, especially, the detoxification of pesticide residues. In the present study, EstC, a novel carboxylesterase from Streptomyces lividans TK24, was successfully heterogeneously expressed, purified and characterized. Phylogenetic analysis showed that EstC can be assigned as the first member of a novel family XIX. Multiple sequence alignment indicated that EstC has highly conserved structural features, including a catalytic triad formed by Ser155, Asp248 and His278, as well as a canonical Gly-His-Ser-Ala-Gly pentapeptide. Biochemical characterization indicated that EstC exhibited maximal activity at pH 9.0 (Tris-HCl buffer) and 55 degC. It also showed higher activity towards short-chain substrates, with the highest activity for p-nitrophenyl acetate (pNPA2) (K(m) = 0.31 +/- 0.02 mM, k(cat)/K(m) = 1923.35 +/- 9.62 s(-1) mM(-1)) compared to other pNP esters used in this experiment. Notably, EstC showed hyper-thermostability and good alkali stability. The activity of EstC had no significant changes when it was incubated under 55 degC for 100 h and reached half-life after incubation at 100 degC for 8 h. Beyond that, EstC also showed stability at pH ranging from 6.0 to 11.0 and about 90% residual activity still reserved after treatment at pH 8.0 or 9.0 for 26 h, especially. Furthermore, EstC had outstanding potential for bioremediation of chlorpyrifos-contaminated environment. The recombinant enzyme (0.5 U mL(-1)) could hydrolyze 79.89% chlorpyrifos (5 mg L(-1)) at 37 degC within 80 min. These properties will make EstC have a potential application value in various industrial productions and detoxification of chlorpyrifos residues. Title: NDRG1 Controls Gastric Cancer Migration and Invasion through Regulating MMP-9 Chang X, Xu X, Xue X, Ma J, Li Z, Deng P, Chen J, Zhang S, Zhi Y, Dai D Ref: Pathol Oncol Res, 22:789, 2016 : PubMed ESTHER: Chang_2016_Pathol.Oncol.Res_22_789 PubMedSearch: Chang 2016 Pathol.Oncol.Res 22 789 PubMedID: 27154576 Abstract The purpose of this study is to detect the clinical significance of NDRG1 and its relationship with MMP-9 in gastric cancer metastatic progression. 101 cases of gastric cancer specimens were utilized to identify the protein expression of NDRG1 and MMP-9 by immunohistochemistry, their clinical significance was also analyzed. The suppression by siRNA-NDRG1 was employed to detect the role of NDRG1 in gastric cancer progression and its relationship with MMP-9. NDRG1 expression was correlated inversely with the degree of tumor cell differentiation (p < 0.01), invasion depth (p < 0.05), lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05) and TNM stage (p < 0.05), whereas MMP-9 was positive correlated with the degree of tumor cell differentiation (p < 0.01), lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05) and TNM stage (p < 0.05), but not correlated with invasion depth (p>0.05). Furthermore, cell proliferation and invasion effect were remarkably enhanced when NDRG1 was silencing, but MMP-9 expression was increased. NDRG1 silencing enhances gastric cancer cells progression through upregulating MMP-9. It suggests that NDRG1 may inhibit the metastasis of gastric cancer via regulating MMP-9. Title: The Toxicity and Detoxifying Mechanism of Cycloxaprid and Buprofezin in Controlling Sogatella furcifera (Homoptera: Delphacidae) Chang X, Yuan Y, Zhang T, Wang D, Du X, Wu X, Chen H, Chen Y, Jiao Y, Teng H Ref: J Insect Sci, 15:, 2015 : PubMed ESTHER: Chang_2015_J.Insect.Sci_15_ PubMedSearch: Chang 2015 J.Insect.Sci 15 PubMedID: 26175461 Abstract The effects of cycloxaprid (a modified neonicotinoid insecticide) and buprofezin (a thiadiazine insecticide) on mortality of the white-backed planthopper (WBPH), Sogatella furcifera, were determined in laboratory assays. Cycloxaprid killed WBPH nymphs and adults but buprofezin killed only nymphs, and cycloxaprid acted faster than buprofezin. One day after infestation, mortality of third-instar nymphs was >65% with cycloxaprid at 125 mg liter(-1) but was <38% with buprofezin at 148 mg liter(-1). By the 4th day after infestation, however, control of nymphs by the two insecticides was similar, and cycloxaprid at 125 mg liter(-1) caused >/=80% mortality of adults but buprofezin at 148 mg liter(-1) (the highest rate tested) caused almost no adult mortality. LC50 values for cycloxaprid were lowest with nymphs, intermediate with adult males, and highest with adult females. Although buprofezin was slower acting than cycloxaprid, its LC50 for nymphs 5 d after infestation was 3.79-fold lower than that of cycloxaprid. Mean carboxylesterase (CarE) specific activity of nymphal WBPH treated with cycloxaprid and buprofezin was higher than that of control, but there was no significant difference between cycloxaprid and control (no insecticide), and it was significantly higher for buprofezin than those of cycloxaprid and control. For glutathione S-transferase and mixed function oxygenase, the specific activity of nymphal WBPH treated with buprofezin was significantly higher than those of cycloxaprid and control, too. Title: Alleviating effects of bushen-yizhi formula on ibotenic Acid-induced cholinergic impairments in rat Hou XQ, Zhang L, Yang C, Rong CP, He WQ, Zhang CX, Li S, Su RY, Chang X and Wang Q <3 more author(s)> Hou XQ, Zhang L, Yang C, Rong CP, He WQ, Zhang CX, Li S, Su RY, Chang X, Qin JH, Chen YB, Xian SX, Wang Q (- 3) Ref: Rejuvenation Res, 18:111, 2015 : PubMed ESTHER: Hou_2015_Rejuvenation.Res_18_111 PubMedSearch: Hou 2015 Rejuvenation.Res 18 111 PubMedID: 25482164 Abstract This study explored the curative effect and underlying mechanisms of a traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription, Bushen-Yizhi formula (BSYZ), in ibotenic acid (IBO)-induced rats. Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests showed that BSYZ significantly improved spatial and object memory. Brain immunohistochemistry staining showed that BSYZ significantly up-regulated expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the hippocampus and cortex. The protein tyrosine kinase high-affinity receptor TrkA was slightly increased in the hippocampus and cortex, and significantly enhanced in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) after BSYZ intervention. The immunoreactivity of the p75 low-affinity receptor in BSYZ-treated rats was significantly strengthened in the cortex. Similar expression trends of nerve growth factor (NGF), TrkA, and p75 mRNA were observed in the hippocampus and cortex. Additionally, BSYZ reversed IBO-induced disorders of acetylcholine (ACh) levels, ChAT, and cholinesterase (ChE) in the cortex, which was consistent with the changes in mRNA levels of ChAT and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Expression of ChAT and AChE proteins and mRNA in the hippocampus was up-regulated, whereas the apoptosis-relative protein cleaved caspase-3 was decreased after administration of BSYZ. Moreover, changes in cell death were confirmed by histological morphology. Thus, the results indicated that the BSYZ formula could ameliorate memory impairments in IBO-induced rats, and it exerted its therapeutic action probably by modulating cholinergic pathways, NGF signaling, and anti-apoptosis. Overall, it is suggested that the BSYZ formula might be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other cholinergic impairment-related diseases. Title: NDRG1 expression is related to the progression and prognosis of gastric cancer patients through modulating proliferation, invasion and cell cycle of gastric cancer cells Chang X, Xu X, Ma J, Xue X, Li Z, Deng P, Zhang S, Zhi Y, Chen J, Dai D Ref: Mol Biol Rep, 41:6215, 2014 : PubMed ESTHER: Chang_2014_Mol.Biol.Rep_41_6215 PubMedSearch: Chang 2014 Mol.Biol.Rep 41 6215 PubMedID: 24985974 Abstract N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) has been proposed as a tumor suppressor gene in many different types of tumors, but its potential function and corresponding mechanism are not yet fully elucidated. This study aims to detect the possible function of NDRG1 in gastric cancer progression. In this study, 112 paired gastric cancer tissues and corresponding nonmalignant gastric tissues were utilized to identify the differential protein expression of NDRG1 by immunohistochemistry and its clinical significance was analyzed. Furthermore, 49 of 112 paired gastric specimens were used to detect the differential mRNA expression by real-time PCR. The over expression of NDRG1 in human gastric cancer cell line AGS by PcDNA3.1-NDRG1 transfection was utilized to detect the role of NDRG1 in regulating the biological behavior of gastric cancer. NDRG1 expression was significantly decreased in primary gastric cancer tissues, compared with its corresponding nonmalignant gastric tissues (p < 0.05), and its decreased expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (p < 0.01), invasion depth (p < 0.01) and differentiation (p < 0.05). Additionally, the overall survival rate of gastric cancer patients with high expression of NDRG1 was higher than those with low expression during the follow-up period. NDRG1 overexpression suppressed cells proliferation, invasion and induced a G1 cell cycle arrest in gastric cancer. Furthermore, the down-regulation of NDRG1 in gastric cancer metastatic progression was correlated to E-cadherin and MMP-9. Our results verify that NDRG1 acts as a tumor suppressor gene and may play an important role in the metastasis progression and prognosis of gastric cancer. Title: Insecticide resistance of Anopheles sinensis and An. vagus in Hainan Island, a malaria-endemic area of China Qin Q, Li Y, Zhong D, Zhou N, Chang X, Li C, Cui L, Yan G, Chen XG Ref: Parasit Vectors, 7:92, 2014 : PubMed ESTHER: Qin_2014_Parasit.Vectors_7_92 PubMedSearch: Qin 2014 Parasit.Vectors 7 92 PubMedID: 24589247 Gene_locus related to this paper: anoga-ACHE1 Abstract BACKGROUND: Malaria is one of the most important public health problems in Southeast Asia, including Hainan Island, China. Vector control is the main malaria control measure, and insecticide resistance is a major concern for the effectiveness of chemical insecticide control programs. The objective of this study is to determine the resistance status of the main malaria vector species to pyrethroids and other insecticides recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for indoor residual sprays. Title: Genome sequence of Anopheles sinensis provides insight into genetics basis of mosquito competence for malaria parasites Zhou D, Zhang D, Ding G, Shi L, Hou Q, Ye Y, Xu Y, Zhou H, Xiong C and Zhu C <12 more author(s)> Zhou D, Zhang D, Ding G, Shi L, Hou Q, Ye Y, Xu Y, Zhou H, Xiong C, Li S, Yu J, Hong S, Yu X, Zou P, Chen C, Chang X, Wang W, Lv Y, Sun Y, Ma L, Shen B, Zhu C (- 12) Ref: BMC Genomics, 15:42, 2014 : PubMed ESTHER: Zhou_2014_BMC.Genomics_15_42 PubMedSearch: Zhou 2014 BMC.Genomics 15 42 PubMedID: 24438588 Gene_locus related to this paper: anoga-Q7PVF9, 9dipt-a0a084vlt1, 9dipt-a0a084vdq2, 9dipt-sime3xf.a, 9dipt-sime3xf.b, 9dipt-a0a084vbj8, 9dipt-a0a084wan7, 9dipt-a0a084wik4, 9dipt-a0a084wk64, 9dipt-a0a084wez8, 9dipt-a0a084vji7, 9dipt-a0a084vlc2, 9dipt-a0a084vsa5, 9dipt-a0a084wlk0, 9dipt-a0a084wah8, 9dipt-a0a084wln4, 9dipt-a0a084we78, 9dipt-a0a084wjm6, 9dipt-a0a084wjm7, 9dipt-a0a084we77, 9dipt-a0a084wlk1, 9dipt-a0a084we80, 9dipt-a0a084wjm4, 9dipt-a0a084w1n7, 9dipt-a0a084we79, 9dipt-a0a084wev9, 9dipt-a0a084vlc3, 9dipt-a0a084vdq4, 9dipt-a0a084vdq5, 9dipt-a0a084vdq1, 9dipt-a0a084wah9, 9dipt-a0a084wan6, 9dipt-a0a084wlj8, 9dipt-a0a084wk45, 9dipt-a0a084wk46, 9dipt-a0a084wlj9, 9dipt-a0a084vsa4, 9dipt-a0a084vs93, 9dipt-a0a084wl93, anosi-a0a0f7kyf5, anosi-a0a0f7l1f2, anosi-a0a084wum0, anost-a0a182xxz0, anosi-a0a084vn28, anosi-a0a084vpt0, anoga-q7q887 Abstract BACKGROUND: Anopheles sinensis is an important mosquito vector of Plasmodium vivax, which is the most frequent and widely distributed cause of recurring malaria throughout Asia, and particularly in China, Korea, and Japan. Title: Association of NDRG1 gene promoter methylation with reduced NDRG1 expression in gastric cancer cells and tissue specimens Chang X, Zhang S, Ma J, Li Z, Zhi Y, Chen J, Lu Y, Dai D Ref: Cell Biochem Biophys, 66:93, 2013 : PubMed ESTHER: Chang_2013_Cell.Biochem.Biophys_66_93 PubMedSearch: Chang 2013 Cell.Biochem.Biophys 66 93 PubMedID: 23099645 Abstract NDRG1 (N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1) plays a role in cell differentiation and suppression of tumor metastasis. This study aims to determine the expression of NDRG1 mRNA and protein in gastric cancer cell lines and tissue specimens and then assess the possible cause of its aberrant expression. Six gastric cancer cell lines and 20 pairs of normal and gastric cancer tissue samples were used to assess NDRG1 expression using Real-time PCR and Western blot. High-resolution melting analysis (HRM) and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) were performed to detect gene mutation and methylation, respectively, in cell lines and tissues samples. Expression of NDRG1 mRNA and protein was downregulated in gastric cancer cell lines and tissues. Specifically, expression of NDRG1 mRNA and protein was lower in all six gastric cancer cell lines than that of normal gastric cells, while 15 out of 20 cases of gastric cancer tissues had the reduced levels of NDRG1 mRNA and protein. HRM data showed that there was no mutation in NDRG1 gene, but MSP data showed high levels of NDRG1 gene promoter methylation in the CpG islands in both cell lines and tissue samples. Moreover, treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine upregulated NDRG1 expression in gastric cancer HGC27 cells, but not in the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A-treated HGC27 cells. In conclusion, this study has shown that expression of NDRG1 mRNA and protein was reduced in gastric cancer cell lines and tissues, which is due to methylation of NDRG1 gene promoter. Further study will unearth the clinical significance of the reduced NDRG1 protein in gastric cancer. Title: The functional genetic link of NLGN4X knockdown and neurodevelopment in neural stem cells Shi L, Chang X, Zhang P, Coba MP, Lu W, Wang K Ref: Hum Mol Genet, 22:3749, 2013 : PubMed ESTHER: Shi_2013_Hum.Mol.Genet_22_3749 PubMedSearch: Shi 2013 Hum.Mol.Genet 22 3749 PubMedID: 23710042 Abstract Genetic mutations in NLGN4X (neuroligin 4), including point mutations and copy number variants (CNVs), have been associated with susceptibility to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, it is unclear how mutations in NLGN4X result in neurodevelopmental defects. Here, we used neural stem cells (NSCs) as in vitro models to explore the impacts of NLGN4X knockdown on neurodevelopment. Using two shRNAmir-based vectors targeting NLGN4X and one control shRNAmir vector, we modulated NLGN4X expression and differentiated these NSCs into mature neurons. We monitored the neurodevelopmental process at Weeks 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6, based on morphological analysis and whole-genome gene expression profiling. At the cellular level, in NSCs with NLGN4X knockdown, we observed increasingly delayed neuronal development and compromised neurite formation, starting from Week 2 through Week 6 post differentiation. At the molecular level, we identified multiple pathways, such as neurogenesis, neuron differentiation and muscle development, which are increasingly disturbed in cells with NLGN4X knockdown. Notably, several postsynaptic genes, including DLG4, NLGN1 and NLGN3, also have decreased expression. Based on in vitro models, NLGN4X knockdown directly impacts neurodevelopmental process during the formation of neurons and their connections. Our functional genomics study highlights the utility of NSCs models in understanding the functional roles of CNVs in affecting neurodevelopment and conferring susceptibility to neurodevelopmental diseases. Title: Chlorpyrifos exposure causes alternation in dopamine metabolism in PC12 cells Xu F, Chang X, Lou D, Wu Q, Zhou Z Ref: Toxicol Mech Methods, 22:309, 2012 : PubMed ESTHER: Xu_2012_Toxicol.Mech.Methods_22_309 PubMedSearch: Xu 2012 Toxicol.Mech.Methods 22 309 PubMedID: 22356570 Abstract Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the organophosphorus pesticides widely used around the world, especially in China. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition is the main effect of organophosphorus insecticides exposure. Studies showed that CPF may also interfere with the metabolism of monoamine transmitters. To investigate the effects of CPF on dopaminergic pathway, the dopamine content, gene expression of catechol-O-methyl- transferase (COMT), vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT-2), and monoamine oxidase (MAO) and its activity in PC12 cells exposed to CPF was determined. Results showed that cell viability was decreased and total dopamine concentration was increased with CPF administration in a dose-dependent pattern. Gene of MAO was significantly downregulated in PC12 cells, while genes of COMT and VMAT-2 in PC12 cells did not show any change after CPF exposure. The MAO activity was decreased following incubation exposed to CPF. These results suggest that CPF may interfere with dopaminergic pathway through inhibition on gene and protein expression of MAO in vitro. Title: Comparative proteogenomic analysis of the Leptospira interrogans virulence-attenuated strain IPAV against the pathogenic strain 56601 Zhong Y, Chang X, Cao XJ, Zhang Y, Zheng H, Zhu Y, Cai C, Cui Z, Li YY and Guo XK <6 more author(s)> Zhong Y, Chang X, Cao XJ, Zhang Y, Zheng H, Zhu Y, Cai C, Cui Z, Li YY, Jiang XG, Zhao GP, Wang S, Li Y, Zeng R, Li X, Guo XK (- 6) Ref: Cell Res, 21:1210, 2011 : PubMed ESTHER: Zhong_2011_Cell.Res_21_1210 PubMedSearch: Zhong 2011 Cell.Res 21 1210 PubMedID: 21423275 Gene_locus related to this paper: lepin-q72tt9 Abstract The virulence-attenuated Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai strain IPAV was derived by prolonged laboratory passage from a highly virulent ancestral strain isolated in China. We studied the genetic variations of IPAV that render it avirulent via comparative analysis against the pathogenic L. interrogans serovar Lai strain 56601. The complete genome sequence of the IPAV strain was determined and used to compare with, and then rectify and reannotate the genome sequence of strain 56601. Aside from their highly similar genomic structure and gene order, a total of 33 insertions, 53 deletions and 301 single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) were detected throughout the genome of IPAV directly affecting 101 genes, either in their 5' upstream region or within their coding region. Among them, the majority of the 44 functional genes are involved in signal transduction, stress response, transmembrane transport and nitrogen metabolism. Comparative proteomic analysis based on quantitative liquid chromatography (LC)-MS/MS data revealed that among 1 627 selected pairs of orthologs, 174 genes in the IPAV strain were upregulated, with enrichment mainly in classes of energy production and lipid metabolism. In contrast, 228 genes in strain 56601 were upregulated, with the majority enriched in the categories of protein translation and DNA replication/repair. The combination of genomic and proteomic approaches illustrated that altered expression or mutations in critical genes, such as those encoding a Ser/Thr kinase, carbon-starvation protein CstA, glutamine synthetase, GTP-binding protein BipA, ribonucleotide-diphosphate reductase and phosphate transporter, and alterations in the translational profile of lipoproteins or outer membrane proteins are likely to account for the virulence attenuation in strain IPAV. Title: Cross-resistance study and biochemical mechanisms of thiamethoxam resistance in B-biotype Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Feng Y, Wu Q, Wang S, Chang X, Xie W, Xu B, Zhang Y Ref: Pest Manag Sci, 66:313, 2010 : PubMed ESTHER: Feng_2010_Pest.Manag.Sci_66_313 PubMedSearch: Feng 2010 Pest.Manag.Sci 66 313 PubMedID: 19937914 Inhibitor(s) related to this paper: Diethyl-maleate Abstract BACKGROUND: B-biotype Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) has invaded China over the past two decades. To understand the risks and to determine possible mechanisms of resistance to thiamethoxam in B. tabaci, a resistant strain was selected in the laboratory. Cross-resistance and the biochemical mechanisms of thiamethoxam resistance were investigated in the present study. RESULTS: A 66.3-fold thiamethoxam-resistant B. tabaci strain (TH-R) was established after selection for 36 generations. Compared with the susceptible strain (TH-S), the selected TH-R strain showed obvious cross-resistance to imidacloprid (47.3-fold), acetamiprid (35.8-fold), nitenpyram (9.99-fold), abamectin (5.33-fold) and carbosulfan (4.43-fold). No cross-resistance to fipronil, chlorpyrifos or deltamethrin was seen. Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP) exhibited significant synergism on thiamethoxam effects in the TH-R strain (3.14- and 2.37-fold respectively). However, diethyl maleate (DEM) did not act synergistically with thiamethoxam. Biochemical assays showed that cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activities increased 1.21- and 1.68-fold respectively, and carboxylesterase activity increased 2.96-fold in the TH-R strain. However, no difference was observed for glutathione S-transferase between the two strains. CONCLUSION: B-biotype B. tabaci develops resistance to thiamethoxam. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and carboxylesterase appear to be responsible for the resistance. Reasonable resistance management that avoids the use of cross-resistance insecticides may delay the development of resistance to thiamethoxam in this species. | |||||||
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