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Molecular Pain May 2024Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disease characterized by chronic visceral pain with a complex etiology and challenging...
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disease characterized by chronic visceral pain with a complex etiology and challenging treatment. Although accumulating evidence supports the involvement of central nervous system sensitization in the development of visceral pain, the precise molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this study, we highlight the critical regulatory role of lysine-specific demethylase 6B (KDM6B) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in chronic visceral pain. To simulate clinical IBS conditions, we utilized the neonatal maternal deprivation (NMD) mouse model. Our results demonstrated that NMD induced chronic visceral pain and anxiety-like behaviors in mice. Notably, the protein expression level of KDM6B significantly increased in the ACC of NMD mice, leading to a reduction in the expression level of H32K7me3. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that KDM6B primarily co-localizes with neurons in the ACC, with minimal presence in microglia and astrocytes. Injecting GSK-J4 (a KDM6B-specific inhibitor) into ACC of NMD mice, resulted in a significant alleviation in chronic visceral pain and anxiety-like behaviors, as well as a remarkable reduction in NR2B expression level. ChIP assay further indicated that KDM6B regulates NR2B expression by influencing the demethylation of H3K27me3. In summary, our findings underscore the critical role of KDM6B in regulating chronic visceral pain and anxiety-like behaviors in NMD mice. These insights provide a basis for further understanding the molecular pathways involved in IBS and may pave the way for targeted therapeutic interventions.
PubMed: 38795338
DOI: 10.1177/17448069241260349 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024As global arid conditions worsen and groundwater resources diminish, drought stress has emerged as a critical impediment to plant growth and development globally,... (Review)
Review
As global arid conditions worsen and groundwater resources diminish, drought stress has emerged as a critical impediment to plant growth and development globally, notably causing declines in crop yields and even the extinction of certain cultivated species. Numerous studies on drought resistance have demonstrated that DNA methylation dynamically interacts with plant responses to drought stress by modulating gene expression and developmental processes. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these interactions remain elusive. This article consolidates the latest research on the role of DNA methylation in plant responses to drought stress across various species, focusing on methods of methylation detection, mechanisms of methylation pattern alteration (including DNA de novo methylation, DNA maintenance methylation, and DNA demethylation), and overall responses to drought conditions. While many studies have observed significant shifts in genome-wide or gene promoter methylation levels in drought-stressed plants, the identification of specific genes and pathways involved remains limited. This review aims to furnish a reference for detailed research into plant responses to drought stress through epigenetic approaches, striving to identify drought resistance genes regulated by DNA methylation, specific signaling pathways, and their molecular mechanisms of action.
PubMed: 38794470
DOI: 10.3390/plants13101400 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Pectin is a structural polysaccharide and a major component of plant cell walls. Pectate lyases are a class of enzymes that degrade demethylated pectin by cleaving the...
Pectin is a structural polysaccharide and a major component of plant cell walls. Pectate lyases are a class of enzymes that degrade demethylated pectin by cleaving the α-1,4-glycosidic bond, and they play an important role in plant growth and development. Currently, little is known about the gene family members and their involvement in salt stress in potato. In this study, we utilized bioinformatics to identify members of the potato pectate lyase gene family and analyzed their gene and amino acid sequence characteristics. The results showed that a total of 27 members of the pectate lyase gene family were identified in potato. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that these genes were divided into eight groups. Analysis of their promoters indicated that several members' promoter regions contained a significant number of hormone and stress response elements. Further, we found that several members responded positively to salt treatment under single salt and mixed salt stress. Since exhibited a consistent expression pattern under both single and mixed salt stress conditions, its subcellular localization was determined. The results indicated that StPL18 is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. The results will establish a foundation for analyzing the functions of potato pectate lyase family members and their expression under salt stress.
PubMed: 38794393
DOI: 10.3390/plants13101322 -
Microorganisms Apr 2024Demethylation inhibitors (DMIs), including prochloraz, are popular fungicides to control citrus postharvest pathogens such as (green mold). However, many strains have...
Demethylation inhibitors (DMIs), including prochloraz, are popular fungicides to control citrus postharvest pathogens such as (green mold). However, many strains have developed prochloraz resistance, which decreases drug efficacy. Specific major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter gene , encoding drug-efflux pump protein MFS2, has been identified in strain F6 (PdF6) to confer fungal strain prochloraz resistance. However, except for the drug-efflux pump function of MFS2, other mechanisms relating to the Pd are not fully clear. The present study reported a transcriptome investigation on the -defective strain. Comparing to the wild-type strain, the -defective strain showed 717 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) without prochloraz induction, and 1221 DEGs with prochloraz induction. The obtained DEGs included multiple isoforms of MFS transporter-encoding genes, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter-encoding genes, and multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) family protein-encoding genes. Many of these putative drug-efflux pump protein-encoding genes had significantly lower transcript abundances in the -defective strain at prochloraz induction, as compared to the wild-type strain, including twenty-two MFS transporter-encoding genes ( to ), two ABC transporter-encoding genes ( and ), and three MATE protein-encoding genes ( to ). The prochloraz induction on special drug-efflux pump protein genes in the wild-type strain was not observed in the -defective strain, including , , , , , and . On the other hand, the up-regulation of other drug-efflux pump protein genes in the -defective strain cannot recover the fungal prochloraz resistance, including , , , , , and to . The functional enrichment of DEGs based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG), and euKaryotic Orthologous Groups (KOG) database resources suggested some essential contributors to the -relating prochloraz resistance, including ribosome biosynthesis-related genes, oxidative phosphorylation genes, steroid biosynthesis-related genes, fatty acid and lipid metabolism-related genes, and carbon- and nitrogen-metabolism-related genes. The results indicated that the MFS2 transporter might be involved in the regulation of multiple drug-efflux pump protein gene expressions and multiple metabolism-related gene expressions, thus playing an important role in developing prochloraz resistance.
PubMed: 38792718
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050888 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Compound 7-16 was designed and synthesized in our previous study and was identified as a more potential selective 5-HT receptor antagonist and inverse agonist for...
Compound 7-16 was designed and synthesized in our previous study and was identified as a more potential selective 5-HT receptor antagonist and inverse agonist for treating Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP). Then, the metabolism, disposition, and excretion properties of 7-16 and its potential inhibition on transporters were investigated in this study to highlight advancements in the understanding of its therapeutic mechanisms. The results indicate that a total of 10 metabolites of 7-16/[C]7-16 were identified and determined in five species of liver microsomes and in rats using UPLC-Q Exactive high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with radioanalysis. Metabolites formed in human liver microsomes could be covered by animal species. 7-16 is mainly metabolized through mono-oxidation (M470-2) and N-demethylation (M440), and the CYP3A4 isozyme was responsible for both metabolic reactions. Based on the excretion data in bile and urine, the absorption rate of 7-16 was at least 74.7%. 7-16 had weak inhibition on P-glycoprotein and no effect on the transport activity of OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OAT1, OAT3, and OCT2 transporters. The comprehensive pharmacokinetic properties indicate that 7-16 deserves further development as a new treatment drug for PDP.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Rats; Parkinson Disease; Microsomes, Liver; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists; Male; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists
PubMed: 38792047
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102184 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Lignin, the largest non-carbohydrate component of lignocellulosic biomass, is also a recalcitrant component of the plant cell wall. While the aerobic degradation...
Lignin, the largest non-carbohydrate component of lignocellulosic biomass, is also a recalcitrant component of the plant cell wall. While the aerobic degradation mechanism of lignin has been well-documented, the anaerobic degradation mechanism is still largely elusive. In this work, a versatile facultative anaerobic lignin-degrading bacterium, TL3, was isolated from a termite gut, and was found to metabolize a variety of carbon sources and produce a single kind or multiple kinds of acids. The percent degradation of alkali lignin reached 14.8% under anaerobic conditions, and could reach 17.4% in the presence of glucose within 72 h. Based on the results of infrared spectroscopy and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, it can be inferred that the anaerobic degradation of lignin may undergo the cleavage of the C-O bond (β-O-4), as well as the C-C bond (β-5 and β-β), and involve the oxidation of the side chain, demethylation, and the destruction of the aromatic ring skeleton. Although the anaerobic degradation of lignin by TL3 was slightly weaker than that under aerobic conditions, it could be further enhanced by adding glucose as an electron donor. These results may shed new light on the mechanisms of anaerobic lignin degradation.
Topics: Lignin; Anaerobiosis; Glucose; Klebsiella; Biomass; Biodegradation, Environmental; Animals
PubMed: 38792038
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102177 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Green mold, caused by , is the major cause of citrus postharvest decay. Currently, the application of sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide is one of the main...
Green mold, caused by , is the major cause of citrus postharvest decay. Currently, the application of sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicide is one of the main control measures to prevent green mold. However, the fungicide-resistance problem in the pathogen is growing. The regulatory mechanism of DMI fungicide resistance in is poorly understood. Here, we first performed transcriptomic analysis of the strain Pdw03 treated with imazalil (IMZ) for 2 and 12 h. A total of 1338 genes were up-regulated and 1635 were down-regulated under IMZ treatment for 2 h compared to control while 1700 were up-regulated and 1661 down-regulated under IMZ treatment for 12 h. The expression of about half of the genes in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway was affected during IMZ stress. Further analysis identified that 84 of 320 transcription factors (TFs) were differentially expressed at both conditions, making them potential regulators in DMI resistance. To confirm their roles, three differentially expressed TFs were selected to generate disruption mutants using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The results showed that two of them had no response to IMZ stress while ∆ was more sensitive compared with the wild type. However, disruption of did not affect the ergosterol content. The defect in IMZ sensitivity of ∆ was restored by genetic complementation of the mutant with a functional copy of . Taken together, our results offer a rich source of information to identify novel regulators in DMI resistance.
PubMed: 38786715
DOI: 10.3390/jof10050360 -
Biomolecules May 2024Histone demethylases, enzymes responsible for removing methyl groups from histone proteins, have emerged as critical players in regulating gene expression and chromatin... (Review)
Review
Histone demethylases, enzymes responsible for removing methyl groups from histone proteins, have emerged as critical players in regulating gene expression and chromatin dynamics, thereby influencing various cellular processes. LSD2 and LSD1 have attracted considerable interest among these demethylases because of their associations with cancer. However, while LSD1 has received significant attention, LSD2 has not been recognized to the same extent. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive comparison between LSD2 and LSD1, with a focus on exploring LSD2's implications. While both share structural similarities, LSD2 possesses unique features as well. Functionally, LSD2 shows diverse roles, particularly in cancer, with tissue-dependent roles. Additionally, LSD2 extends beyond histone demethylation, impacting DNA methylation, cancer cell reprogramming, E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and DNA damage repair pathways. This study underscores the distinct roles of LSD2, providing insights into their contributions to cancer and other cellular processes.
Topics: Histone Demethylases; Humans; Neoplasms; Epigenesis, Genetic; DNA Methylation; Histones; DNA Repair; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; F-Box Proteins; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases
PubMed: 38785960
DOI: 10.3390/biom14050553 -
Biomolecules Apr 2024H19 is an essential imprinted gene that is expressed to govern normal embryonic development. During reprogramming, the parental pronuclei have asymmetric reprogramming...
H19 is an essential imprinted gene that is expressed to govern normal embryonic development. During reprogramming, the parental pronuclei have asymmetric reprogramming capacities and the critical reprogramming factors predominantly reside in the male pronucleus. After inhibiting the expression of H19 and Gtl2, androgenetic haploid ESCs (AG-haESCs) can efficiently and stably support the generation of healthy SC pups at a rate of ~20%, and double-knockout parthenogenetic haESCs can also produce efficiently. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell reprogramming is thought to have a characteristic epigenetic pattern that is the reverse of its developmental potential; however, it is unclear how H19 participates in iPS cell reprogramming. Here, we showed that the expression of H19 was transiently increased during iPSC reprogramming. H19 knockdown resulted in greater reprogramming efficiency. The genes associated with pluripotency showed enhanced expression during the early reprogramming process, and the Oct4 promoter was demethylated by bisulfite genomic sequencing analysis. Moreover, expression analysis revealed that the mesenchymal master regulators associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were downregulated during reprogramming in H19 knockdown. These findings provide functional insight into the role of H19 as a barrier to the early reprogramming process.
Topics: Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells; RNA, Long Noncoding; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Animals; Cellular Reprogramming; Epigenesis, Genetic; Mice; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Male; DNA Methylation
PubMed: 38785917
DOI: 10.3390/biom14050509 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology Apr 2024The high recurrence rate of cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in women. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an antitumor drug used to treat many types of cancer,...
Norcantharidin Enhances the Antitumor Effect of 5-Fluorouracil by Inducing Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer Cells: Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Experimental Validation.
The high recurrence rate of cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in women. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an antitumor drug used to treat many types of cancer, but its diminishing effectiveness and side effects limit its use. Norcantharidin (NCTD), a demethylated derivative of cantharidin, exhibits various biological activities. Here, we investigated whether NCTD could potentiate 5-FU to induce cervical cancer cell death. To assess the cell viability and synergistic effects of the drugs, cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays were performed using HR-HPV-positive cervical cancer cell lines. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and TUNEL assays were performed to confirm the induction of apoptosis. The synergistic effect of NCTD on the antitumor activity of 5-FU was analyzed using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. Apoptosis-related proteins were examined using immunoblotting. The combination of NCTD and 5-FU was synergistic in cervical cancer cell lines. Network pharmacological analysis identified 10 common targets of NCTD and 5-FU for cervical cancer treatment. Molecular docking showed the strong binding affinity of both compounds with CA12, CASP9, and PTGS1. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the complex system of both drugs with caspase-9 could be in a stable state. NCTD enhanced 5-FU-mediated cytotoxicity by activating apoptosis-related proteins. NCTD acts synergistically with 5-FU to inhibit cervical cancer cell proliferation. NCTD enhances 5-FU-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cell lines via the caspase-dependent pathway.
PubMed: 38785510
DOI: 10.3390/cimb46050242