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Genes Jun 2024Laccase (LAC) is a diverse group of genes found throughout the plant genome essential for plant growth and the response to stress by converting monolignin into intricate...
Laccase (LAC) is a diverse group of genes found throughout the plant genome essential for plant growth and the response to stress by converting monolignin into intricate lignin formations. However, a comprehensive investigation of maize laccase has not yet been documented. A bioinformatics approach was utilized in this research to conduct a thorough examination of maize ( L.), resulting in the identification and categorization of 22 laccase genes (ZmLAC) into six subfamilies. The gene structure and motifs of each subgroup were largely consistent. The distribution of the 22 LAC genes was uneven among the maize chromosomes, with the exception of chromosome 9. The differentiation of the genes was based on fragment replication, and the differentiation time was about 33.37 million years ago. ZmLAC proteins are primarily acidic proteins. There are 18 cis-acting elements in the promoter sequences of the maize LAC gene family associated with growth and development, stress, hormones, light response, and stress response. The analysis of tissue-specific expression revealed a high expression of the maize LAC gene family prior to the V9 stage, with minimal expression at post-V9. Upon reviewing the RNA-seq information from the publicly available transcriptome, it was discovered that , , and exhibited significant expression levels when exposed to various biotic and abiotic stress factors, suggesting their crucial involvement in stress responses and potential value for further research. This study offers an understanding of the functions of the LAC genes in maize's response to biotic and abiotic stress, along with a theoretical basis for comprehending the molecular processes at play.
Topics: Zea mays; Stress, Physiological; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Multigene Family; Laccase; Plant Proteins; Phylogeny; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Chromosomes, Plant
PubMed: 38927685
DOI: 10.3390/genes15060749 -
Genes Jun 2024Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease targeting the brain and spinal cord. Non-neuronal cells, including macrophages, may contribute to the...
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease targeting the brain and spinal cord. Non-neuronal cells, including macrophages, may contribute to the disruption of motor neurons (MNs), neuromuscular junction dismantling and clinical signs of ALS. Understanding the modality and the effect of MNs-macrophage communication is pivotal. Here, we focus on extracellular vesicle (EVS)-mediated communication and, in particular, we analyze the response of macrophages. NSC-34 cells transfected with mutant SOD1 (G93A, A4V, G85R, G37R) and differentiated towards MN-like cells, and Raw 264.7 macrophages are the cellular models of the study. mSOD1 NSC-34 cells release a high number of vesicles, both large-lEVs (300 nm diameter) and small-sEVs (90 nm diameter), containing inflammation-modulating molecules, and are efficiently taken up by macrophages. RT-PCR analysis of inflammation mediators demonstrated that the conditioned medium of mSOD1 NSC-34 cells polarizes Raw 264.7 macrophages towards both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory phenotypes. sEVs act on macrophages in a time-dependent manner: an anti-inflammatory response mediated by TGFβ firstly starts (12 h); successively, the response shifts towards a pro-inflammation IL-1β-mediated (48 h). The response of macrophages is strictly dependent on the SOD1 mutation type. The results suggest that EVs impact physiological and behavioral macrophage processes and are of potential relevance to MN degeneration.
Topics: Animals; Extracellular Vesicles; Mice; RAW 264.7 Cells; Superoxide Dismutase-1; Macrophages; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Motor Neurons; Inflammation; Mutation; Transfection; Humans
PubMed: 38927671
DOI: 10.3390/genes15060735 -
Genes Jun 2024Chilling stress is one of the main abiotic factors affecting rice growth and yield. In rice, chlorophyllide oxygenase encoded by is responsible for converting...
Chilling stress is one of the main abiotic factors affecting rice growth and yield. In rice, chlorophyllide oxygenase encoded by is responsible for converting chlorophyllide to chlorophyllide , playing a crucial role in photosynthesis and thus rice growth. However, little is known about the function of in chilling stress responses. The presence of the -acting element involved in low-temperature responsiveness (LTR) in the promoter implied that probably is a cold-responsive gene. The gene expression level of was usually inhibited by low temperatures during the day and promoted by low temperatures at night. The knockout mutants generated by the CRISPR-Cas9 technology in rice ( L.) exhibited significantly weakened chilling tolerance at the seedling stage. dysfunction led to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, an increase in relative electrolyte leakage, and a reduction in antioxidant gene expression under chilling stress. In addition, the functional deficiency of resulted in more severe damage to chloroplast morphology, such as abnormal grana thylakoid stacking, caused by low temperatures. Moreover, the rice yield was reduced in knockout mutants. Therefore, the elevated expression of probably has the potential to increase both rice yield and chilling tolerance simultaneously, providing a strategy to cultivate chilling-tolerant rice varieties with high yields.
Topics: Oryza; Seedlings; Cold Temperature; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Proteins; Oxygenases; Cold-Shock Response; Gene Knockout Techniques; Reactive Oxygen Species; Chlorophyll; Photosynthesis
PubMed: 38927664
DOI: 10.3390/genes15060721 -
Genes May 2024Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited immunodeficiency disease mainly caused by mutations in the X-linked gene that abrogate reactive oxygen species (ROS)...
Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited immunodeficiency disease mainly caused by mutations in the X-linked gene that abrogate reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in phagocytes and microbial defense. Gene repair using the CRISPR/Cas9 system in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) is a promising technology for therapy for CGD. To support the establishment of efficient and safe gene therapies for CGD, we generated a mouse model harboring a patient-derived mutation in the gene. Our CybbC517del mouse line shows the hallmarks of CGD and provides a source for Cybb-deficient HSPCs that can be used to evaluate gene-therapy approaches in vitro and in vivo. In a setup using Cas9 RNPs and an AAV repair vector in HSPCs, we show that the mutation can be repaired in 19% of treated cells and that treatment restores ROS production by macrophages. In conclusion, our CybbC517del mouse line provides a new platform for refining and evaluating novel gene therapies and studying X-CGD pathophysiology.
Topics: Granulomatous Disease, Chronic; Animals; Genetic Therapy; Mice; CRISPR-Cas Systems; Disease Models, Animal; NADPH Oxidase 2; Reactive Oxygen Species; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Humans; Macrophages; Mutation
PubMed: 38927642
DOI: 10.3390/genes15060706 -
Genes May 2024The Cosmonaut Sea is one of the least accessed regions in the Southern Ocean, and our knowledge about the fish biodiversity in the region is sparse. In this study, we...
The Cosmonaut Sea is one of the least accessed regions in the Southern Ocean, and our knowledge about the fish biodiversity in the region is sparse. In this study, we provided a description of demersal fish diversity in the Cosmonaut Sea by analysing cytochrome oxidase I () barcodes of 98 fish samples that were hauled by trawling during the 37th and 38th Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE) cruises. Twenty-four species representing 19 genera and 11 families, namely, Artedidraconidae, Bathydraconidae, Bathylagidae, Channichthyidae, Liparidae, Macrouridae, Muraenolepididae, Myctophidae, Nototheniidae, Paralepididae and Zoarcidae, were discriminated and identified, which were largely identical to local fish occurrence records and the general pattern of demersal fish communities at high Antarctic shelf areas. The validity of a barcoding gap failed to be detected and confirmed across all species due to the indicative signals of two potential cryptic species. Nevertheless, DNA barcoding still demonstrated to be a very efficient and sound method for the discrimination and classification of Antarctic fishes. In the future, various sampling strategies that cover all geographic sections and depth strata of the Cosmonaut Sea are encouraged to enhance our understanding of local fish communities, within which DNA barcoding can play an important role in either molecular taxonomy or the establishment of a dedicated local reference database for eDNA metabarcoding analyses.
Topics: Animals; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; Fishes; Biodiversity; Antarctic Regions; Electron Transport Complex IV; Phylogeny; Oceans and Seas
PubMed: 38927627
DOI: 10.3390/genes15060691 -
Biomolecules Jun 2024Vitamin D hydroxylation in the liver/kidney results in conversion to its physiologically active form of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)D]. 1,25(OH)D controls gene...
Vitamin D hydroxylation in the liver/kidney results in conversion to its physiologically active form of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)D]. 1,25(OH)D controls gene expression through the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) mainly expressed in intestinal epithelial cells. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 24A1 is a catabolic enzyme expressed in the kidneys. Interestingly, a recently identified mutation in another CYP enzyme, CYP3A4 (gain-of-function), caused type III vitamin D-dependent rickets. CYP3A are also expressed in the intestine, but their hydroxylation activities towards vitamin D substrates are unknown. We evaluated CYP3A or CYP24A1 activities on vitamin D action in cultured cells. In addition, we examined the expression level and regulation of CYP enzymes in intestines from mice. The expression of CYP3A or CYP24A1 significantly reduced 1,25(OH)D-VDRE activity. Moreover, in mice, mRNA was significantly induced by 1,25(OH)D in the intestine, but a mature form (approximately 55 kDa protein) was also expressed in mitochondria and induced by 1,25(OH)D, and this mitochondrial enzyme appears to hydroxylate 25OHD to 24,25(OH)D. Thus, CYP3A or CYP24A1 could locally attenuate 25OHD or 1,25(OH)D action, and we suggest the small intestine is both a vitamin D target tissue, as well as a newly recognized vitamin D-metabolizing tissue.
Topics: Animals; Vitamin D; Humans; Vitamin D3 24-Hydroxylase; Mice; Receptors, Calcitriol; Intestinal Mucosa; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A; Intestines; Calcitriol
PubMed: 38927120
DOI: 10.3390/biom14060717 -
Biomolecules Jun 2024Ginseng ( C. A. Meyer) is an ancient and valuable Chinese herbal medicine, and ginsenoside, as the main active ingredient of ginseng, has received wide attention because...
Ginseng ( C. A. Meyer) is an ancient and valuable Chinese herbal medicine, and ginsenoside, as the main active ingredient of ginseng, has received wide attention because of its various pharmacological active effects. Cytochrome P450 is the largest family of enzymes in plant metabolism and is involved in the biosynthesis of terpenoids, alkaloids, lipids, and other primary and secondary plant metabolites. It is significant to explore more genes with unknown functions and reveal their roles in ginsenoside synthesis. In this study, based on the five genes screened in the pre-laboratory, through the correlation analysis with the content of ginsenosides and the analysis of the interactions network of the key enzyme genes for ginsenoside synthesis, we screened out those highly correlated with ginsenosides, , as the target gene from among the five genes. Methyl jasmonate-induced treatment of ginseng adventitious roots showed that the gene responded to methyl jasmonate induction and was involved in the synthesis of ginsenosides. The gene was cloned and the overexpression vector pBI121-PgCYP309 and the interference vector pART27-PgCYP309 were constructed. Transformation of ginseng adventitious roots by the -mediated method and successful induction of transgenic ginseng hairy roots were achieved. The transformation rate of ginseng hairy roots with overexpression of the gene was 22.7%, and the transformation rate of ginseng hairy roots with interference of the gene was 40%. Analysis of ginseng saponin content and relative gene expression levels in positive ginseng hairy root asexual lines revealed a significant increase in PPD, PPT, and PPT-type monomeric saponins Re and Rg2. The relative expression levels of and genes were also significantly increased. gene promotes the synthesis of ginsenosides, and it was preliminarily verified that gene can promote the synthesis of dammarane-type ginsenosides.
Topics: Panax; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Ginsenosides; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Plant Roots; Plant Proteins; Oxylipins; Acetates; Cyclopentanes
PubMed: 38927118
DOI: 10.3390/biom14060715 -
Biomolecules Jun 2024The active form of vitamin D, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)D], is a principal regulator of calcium homeostasis through activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR)....
The active form of vitamin D, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)D], is a principal regulator of calcium homeostasis through activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Previous studies have shown that 2α-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1,25D (O1C3) and 2α-(3-hydroxypropoxy)-1,25D (O2C3), vitamin D derivatives resistant to inactivation enzymes, can activate VDR, induce leukemic cell differentiation, and increase blood calcium levels in rats more effectively than 1,25(OH)D. In this study, to further investigate the usefulness of 2α-substituted vitamin D derivatives, we examined the effects of O2C3, O1C3, and their derivatives on VDR activity in cells and mouse tissues and on osteoblast differentiation of dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells, a cell type with potential therapeutic application in regenerative medicine. In cell culture experiments using kidney-derived HEK293 cells, intestinal mucosa-derived CaCO cells, and osteoblast-derived MG63 cells, and in mouse experiments, O2C2, O2C3, O1C3, and O1C4 had a weaker effect than or equivalent effect to 1,25(OH)D in VDR transactivation and induction of the VDR target gene , but they enhanced osteoblast differentiation in DFAT cells equally to or more effectively than 1,25(OH)D. In long-term treatment with the compound without the medium change (7 days), the derivatives enhanced osteoblast differentiation more effectively than 1,25(OH)D. O2C3 and O1C3 were more stable than 1,25(OH)D in DFAT cell culture. These results indicate that 2α-substituted vitamin D derivatives, such as inactivation-resistant O2C3 and O1C3, are more effective than 1,25(OH)D in osteoblast differentiation of DFAT cells, suggesting potential roles in regenerative medicine with DFAT cells and other multipotent cells.
Topics: Humans; Osteoblasts; Animals; Receptors, Calcitriol; Cell Differentiation; Mice; HEK293 Cells; Vitamin D; Caco-2 Cells; Adipocytes; Cell Dedifferentiation; Male; Vitamin D3 24-Hydroxylase; Calcitriol
PubMed: 38927109
DOI: 10.3390/biom14060706 -
Biomolecules Jun 2024The antioxidant defense mechanisms play a critical role in mitigating the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Catalase stands out as a paramount... (Review)
Review
The antioxidant defense mechanisms play a critical role in mitigating the deleterious effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Catalase stands out as a paramount enzymatic antioxidant. It efficiently catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (HO) into water and oxygen, a potentially harmful byproduct of cellular metabolism. This reaction detoxifies HO and prevents oxidative damage. Catalase has been extensively studied as a therapeutic antioxidant. Its applications range from direct supplementation in conditions characterized by oxidative stress to gene therapy approaches to enhance endogenous catalase activity. The enzyme's stability, bioavailability, and the specificity of its delivery to target tissues are significant hurdles. Furthermore, studies employing conventional catalase formulations often face issues related to enzyme purity, activity, and longevity in the biological milieu. Addressing these challenges necessitates rigorous scientific inquiry and well-designed clinical trials. Such trials must be underpinned by sound experimental designs, incorporating advanced catalase formulations or novel delivery systems that can overcome existing limitations. Enhancing catalase's stability, specificity, and longevity in vivo could unlock its full therapeutic potential. It is necessary to understand the role of catalase in disease-specific contexts, paving the way for precision antioxidant therapy that could significantly impact the treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress.
Topics: Catalase; Humans; Oxidative Stress; Animals; Antioxidants; Reactive Oxygen Species; Hydrogen Peroxide; Genetic Therapy
PubMed: 38927099
DOI: 10.3390/biom14060697 -
Biomolecules Jun 2024Reactive oxygen species (ROSs) are byproducts of normal cellular metabolism and play pivotal roles in various physiological processes. Disruptions in the balance between... (Review)
Review
Reactive oxygen species (ROSs) are byproducts of normal cellular metabolism and play pivotal roles in various physiological processes. Disruptions in the balance between ROS levels and the body's antioxidant defenses can lead to the development of numerous diseases. Glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3), a key component of the body's antioxidant system, is an oxidoreductase enzyme. GPX3 mitigates oxidative damage by catalyzing the conversion of hydrogen peroxide into water. Beyond its antioxidant function, GPX3 is vital in regulating metabolism, modulating cell growth, inducing apoptosis and facilitating signal transduction. It also serves as a significant tumor suppressor in various cancers. Recent studies have revealed aberrant expression of GPX3 in several non-neoplastic diseases, associating it with multiple pathological processes. This review synthesizes the current understanding of GPX3 expression and regulation, highlighting its extensive roles in noncancerous diseases. Additionally, this paper evaluates the potential of GPX3 as a diagnostic biomarker and explores emerging therapeutic strategies targeting this enzyme, offering potential avenues for future clinical treatment of non-neoplastic conditions.
Topics: Humans; Glutathione Peroxidase; Reactive Oxygen Species; Oxidative Stress; Animals; Antioxidants; Noncommunicable Diseases
PubMed: 38927092
DOI: 10.3390/biom14060689