fluorescence-labeling-to-visualize-low-expressed-proteins-in-zebrafish

Fluorescence Labeling to Visualize Low-Expressed Proteins in Zebrafish

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in (KI) technology allows for easier fluorescent-protein tagging in zebrafish (Danio rerio), a preferred model organism for in ...

Xiamen University

The study explored the cross-talk between the microRNA miR-34a and prominin 1 in the development of laryngeal cancer (LC), which has an unacceptable high mortality rate. We predicted that miR-34a might target prominin 1. miR-34a and prominin 1 expression was analyzed with reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The correlation between miR-34a and prominin 1 was determined by linear regression analysis. miR-34a and prominin 1 overexpression and miR-34a inhibition were achieved in LC cells to analyze their relationship. The roles of miR-34a and prominin 1 in LC cell proliferation were studied with CCK-8 assay. The results showed miR-34a was downregulated, and prominin 1 was upregulated in LC. In addition, prominin 1 and miR-34a were inversely correlated across cancer tissue samples. In cancer cells, miR-34a overexpression downregulated prominin 1, while miR-34a knockdown upregulated prominin 1. Moreover, miR-34a overexpression reduced the enchaining effects of prominin 1 on LC cell proliferation. Therefore, miR-34a might suppress LC cell proliferation by targeting prominin 1.

miR-34a Suppresses Cell Proliferation in Laryngeal Cancer by Targeting Prominin 1.

Temperature is one of the climatic factors that shape the geographic distribution of plant populations. Mangroves are temperature-sensitive plants, and their distributions are severely limited by low temperatures. It is unknown, however, to what extent temperature contributes to their population differentiation and evolution.  (Rhizophoraceae) is a mangrove species with high cold tolerance in the Northern Hemisphere. We investigated the phenotypic responses of an artificial population of , with plants transplanted from different source populations, to extremely low temperatures during winter of 2015-2016 in Yueqing County (28°20'N), Zhejiang Province of China. Using two binary traits, "with/without leaves alive on the branches" and "with/without alive buds on the tips of branches," we classified plants in this artificial population into strong, moderate and poor cold resistance groups. We further assessed the genetic diversity, structure and differentiation of these three groups, as well as five natural populations along a latitudinal gradient using ten nuclear and six plastid microsatellite markers. Microsatellite data revealed genetic differentiation among the natural populations along the latitudinal gradient. Molecular data indicated that the cold tolerance of three groups in the artificial population was associated with their geographic origins, and that the most cold-tolerant group came from the northernmost natural population. Our study thus indicates that natural populations of  may have evolved divergent capacity of cold tolerance.

Differentiation of Cold Tolerance in an Artificial Population of a Mangrove Species, , Is Associated With Geographic Origins.

The demand for disposable face masks (DFMs) increased sharply in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, information regarding the underlying roles of the largely discarded DFMs in the environment is extremely lacking. This study focused on the pristine and UV-aged DFMs as vectors of metal ions (Pb(Ⅱ), Cd(Ⅱ), and Sr(Ⅱ)). Further, the aging mechanism of DFMs with UV radiation as well as the interaction mechanisms between DFMs and metal ions were investigated. Results revealed that the aging process would help to promote more metal ions adsorbed onto DFMs, which was mainly attributed to the presence of oxygen-containing groups on the aged DFMs. The adsorption affinity of pristine and aged DFMs for the metal ions followed Pb(Ⅱ) > Cd(Ⅱ) > Sr(Ⅱ), which was positively corrected with the electronegativity of the metals. Interestingly, we found that even if DFMs were not disrupted, DFMs had similar or even higher adsorption affinity for metals compared with other existing microplastics. Besides, regarding environmental factors, including salinity and solution pH played a crucial role in the adsorption processes, with greater adsorption capacities for pristine and aged DFMs at higher pH values and low salinity. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory further confirmed that the pristine DFMs interacted with the metals mainly through electrostatic interaction, while electrostatic interaction and surface complexation jointly regulated the adsorption of the metals onto aged DFMs. Overall, these findings would help to evaluate environmental behaviors and risks of DFMs associated with metals.

Uncovering the disposable face masks as vectors of metal ions (Pb(Ⅱ), Cd(Ⅱ), Sr(Ⅱ)) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), an abundant and eco-friendly bioproduct associated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), contributes significantly to the soil particle aggregation and carbon sequestration. Although much research has been conducted on the storage of GRSP at different spatio-temporal scales in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the deposition of GRSP in large-scale coastal environments has not been revealed, which hinders an in-depth understanding of GRSP storage patterns and environmental controls, and this knowledge gap has become one of the key uncertainties in understanding the ecological functions of GRSP as blue carbon components in coastal environments. Therefore, we conducted large-scale experiments (spanning subtropical and warm temperate climate zones, coastlines over 2500 km) to test the relative contributions of environmental drivers that shape unique GRSP storage. In salt marshes of China, we found that the abundance of GRSP ranges from 0.29 mg g to 1.10 mg g, and its concentration decreases with increasing latitude (R = 0.30, p < 0.01). The GRSP-C/SOC of salt marshes ranged from 4 % to 43 % and increased with the increase in latitude (R = 0.13, p < 0.05). The carbon contribution of GRSP does not follow the trend of increasing abundance, but is limited by the total amount of background organic carbon. In salt marsh wetlands, precipitation, clay content and pH are the main factors influencing GRSP storage. GRSP is positively correlated with precipitation (R = 0.42, p < 0.01) and clay content (R = 0.59, p < 0.01), but negatively correlated with pH (R = 0.48, p < 0.01). The relative contributions of the main factors to the GRSP differed across climatic zones. Soil properties, such as clay content and pH, explained 19.8 % of the GRSP in subtropical salt marshes (20°N < 34°N), however, in warm temperate salt marshes (34°N < 40°N), precipitation explained 18.9 % of the GRSP variation. Our study provides insight into the distribution and function of GRSP in coastal environments.

Change in glomalin-related soil protein along latitudinal gradient encompassing subtropical and temperate blue carbon zones.

Ectopic pancreatic cyst presenting as a giant cervical and mediastinal mass：A case report.

Estuarine sedimentation is an important historical record of potentially toxic metal (PTM) emissions from human activities that can be used to improve environmental management. However, the contribution of different human activities to PTM deposition has not been accurately estimated, and their coupled relationship with riverine organic matter is typically not considered. In this study, we reconstruct the century-scale PTM depositional history of sediment cores from the Yangtze Grand Delta. Eight potential metal sources (PMSs) were identified using positive matrix factorization, and the results of lagged correlation determined the PMSs associated with the riverine discharge of the Yangtze River. Riverine PTMs were predominantly composed of Cr (79.0%), Ni (77.3%), and Pb (64.1%) but were deprived in Cu (34.9%). Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), which is a typical terrestrial refractory carbon, has a strong affinity for Cu, and contributed to 2.82-22.6% Cu deposition. The change in the PMS is mainly related to power generation, whereas the GRSP-bound PTM is mainly related to road construction and transportation. We advocate for responsible management of human activities in river catchments, particularly on coal-based power generation and road transportation, to maintain ecological security and promote the overall achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Centennial-scale source shift in potentially toxic metal(loid)s in Yangtze River.

The objective of this study is to assess the prognostic value of Ki67 and p16 proteins in laryngeal cancer.

Expression of p16 and Ki67 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and their clinical significance.

The impact of residual chlorine on the dissemination of antibiotic resistance during the distribution and storage of water has become a critical concern. However, the influence of rising temperatures attributed to global warming on this process remains ambiguous, warranting further investigation. This study investigated the effects of different temperatures (17, 27, 37, and 42°C) on the conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) under residual chlorine (0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mg/L). The results indicated that high temperatures significantly increased the conjugative transfer frequency of ARGs in intra-species under residual chlorine. Compared to 17°C, the transfer frequencies at 27°C, 37°C, and 42°C increased by 1.07-2.43, 1.20-4.80, and 1.24-2.82 times, respectively. The promoting effect of high temperatures was mainly due to the generation of reactive oxygen species, the triggered SOS response, and the formation of pilus channels. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that higher temperature stimulates the electron transport chain, thereby enhancing ATP production and facilitating the processes of conjugative, as confirmed by inhibitor validation. Additionally, rising temperatures similarly promoted the frequency of conjugative transfer in inter-species and communities under residual chlorine. These further highlighted the risk of antibiotic resistance spread in extreme and prolonged high-temperature events. The increased risk of antibiotic resistance in the process of drinking water transmission under the background of climate warming is emphasized.

Binghuang Zhang

State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology,
School of Life Sciences,
Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences,
State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences

Xiamen University

Fluorescence Labeling to Visualize Low-Expressed Proteins in Zebrafish