CsACO4, an ACC oxidase gene regulating male differentiation in cucumber

Ethylene has been implicated as a sex-determining hormone in cucumber: Its exogenous application increases femaleness and gynoecious genotypes were reported to produce more ethylene. 1- aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase (ACO) is the key enzyme in ethylene biosynthesis. In this study, a 1,188 base pair (bp) fragment was amplified from cucumber (Jinyan-4) genome with degenerated primers derived from the ACO amino acid consensus sequence among different plant species. The putative new gene was analyzed by bioinformatic tools. Phylogenic analysis result of the new gene (CsACO4, GenBank accession number AY450356) was in accordance with the evolution relationship of genetics among various plant species. The result of BLAST showed the sequence presented a very high match with the ACO genes from other plants; the homologue was from 80 to 99%. Using the sequence, a RNA interference (RNAi) transformation vector was constructed through the way of BP cloning. Eleven transgenic plants were obtained. The transgene integrated into cucumber genome was proved with PCR and southern blotting. The morphological exploration showed that the inserted RNAi target fragments could inhibit the endogenous CsACO4 gene expression and that it could regulate male differentiation in the lower nodes in cucumber.Keywords: Cucumber, ACC oxidase gene, RNAi, male differentiatio

microRNA 490-3P enhances the drug-resistance of human ovarian cancer cells

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding, single-stranded small RNAs that regulate gene expression negatively, which is involved in fundamental cellular processes. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-490-3P in the development of drug resistance in ovarian cancer cells. METHODS: The human ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780 and A2780/Taxol were exposed to paclitaxel in the presence or absence of microRNA 490-3P transfection, after which cell viability were performed by CCK-8 assay. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting were used to assess the mRNA and protein expression levels of GST-π, MDR1 or P-gp. RESULTS: Our results showed higher miR-490-3P mRNA expression level in A2780/Taxol cells than in A2780 cells (p < 0.05). Following miR-490-3P transfection, both A2780 and A2780/Taxol cells showed decreased sensitivity to paclitaxel. The mRNA expression levels of MDR1, GST-π (p < 0.05) and protein expression levels of P-gp, GST-π were down-regulated after miR-490-3P transfection in comparison to mock and negative control cancer cells. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate for the first time that microRNA 490-3P may be involved in the development of drug resistance in ovarian cancer. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13048-014-0084-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Neurochemical characterization of pERK-expressing spinal neurons in histamine-induced itch

Date of Acceptance: 08/07/2015 Acknowledgements This work was supported by grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2012CB966904, 2011CB51005), National Natural Science Foundation of China (31271182, 81200692, 91232724, 81200933, 81101026), Shanghai Natural Science Foundation (12ZR1434300), Key Specialty Construction Project of Pudong Health Bureau of Shanghai (PWZz2013-17), Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Neural Development (ZDSY20120617112838879), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (1500219072) and Sino-UK Higher Education Research Partnership for PhD Studies.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

1-[4-(2,3,4,6-Tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-allo­pyranos­yloxy)benzyl­idene]thio­semi­carbazide

The title compound, C22H27N3O10S, was synthesized by reaction of an ethanol solution of helicid (systematic name: 4-formylphenl-β-d-allopyranoside), thio­semicarbazide and acetic acid. The mol­ecule exhibits a trans conformation with respect to the C=N double bond. The pyran ring adopts a chair conformation. In the crystal structure, the mol­ecules are linked into chains parallel to the b axis by inter­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

(E)-4-(β-d-Allopyran­os­yloxy)cinnamyl 4-bromo­phenyl ketone ethanol solvate

The title compound, C21H21BrO7·C2H6O, was synthesized by the Claisen–Schimidt reaction of helicid (systematic name: 4-formyl­phenyl-β-d-allopyran­oside) with 4-bromo­aceto­phenone in ethanol. The pyran ring adopts a chair conformation. In the crystal structure, mol­ecules are linked into a three-dimensional network by inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

Effects of Astragalus

This paper studied the chronic fatigue induced by excessive exercise and the restoration effects of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on mitochondria. In vivo, we found that excessive exercise could cause oxidative stress statue which led to morphological and functional changes of mitochondria. The changes, including imbalance between mitochondria fusion-fission processes, activation of mitophagy, and decrease of PGC-1α expression, could be restored by APS. We further confirmed in vitro, and what is more, we found that APS may ameliorate mitochondrial dysfunction through Sirt1 pathway. Based on the results, we may figure out part of the molecular mechanism of mitochondrial amelioration by APS

BDNF-Related Imbalance of Copine 6 and Synaptic Plasticity Markers Couples With Depression-Like Behavior and Immune Activation in CUMS Rats

Chronic stress is a contributing risk factor in the pathogenesis of depression. Although the mechanisms are multifaceted, the relationship can be ascribed partly to stress-related alterations in immune activation and brain plasticity. Considering the increasing evidence regarding the role of Copine 6 in the regulation of synaptic plasticity, the aim of the present study is to investigate Copine 6 expression in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in a stress-induced depression rat model. The behavior of the rats was evaluated via the open field test, saccharin preference test, elevated plus maze test, tail suspension test, Morris water maze, and forced swimming test. The plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured, and the protein expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Copine 6, and synaptic plasticity markers in the hippocampus and the PFC were also detected. The results showed that chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) induces depression-like behavior in rats, accompanied by increased plasma concentrations of CRP and IL-6. Moreover, the protein expressions of BDNF, Copine 6, and synapsin I were decreased in both the hippocampus and the PFC of CUMS rats, and the protein expression of synaptotagmin I was decreased in the hippocampus. Furthermore, Pearson’s test revealed a potential relationship between the depression-like behavior, the plasma CRP concentration, and the protein expressions of BDNF, Copine 6, synapsin I, or synaptotagmin I in the hippocampus or the PFC. Together with our previous results, the current findings suggest that apart from immune activation, the BDNF-related imbalance of Copine 6 expression in the brain might play a crucial role in stress-associated depression-like behaviors and synaptic plasticity changes

A predator-prey interaction between a marine Pseudoalteromonas sp. and Gram-positive bacteria

Predator-prey interactions play important roles in the cycling of marine organic matter. Here we show that a Gram-negative bacterium isolated from marine sediments (Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain CF6-2) can kill Gram-positive bacteria of diverse peptidoglycan (PG) chemotypes by secreting the metalloprotease pseudoalterin. Secretion of the enzyme requires a Type II secretion system. Pseudoalterin binds to the glycan strands of Gram positive bacterial PG and degrades the PG peptide chains, leading to cell death. The released nutrients, including PG-derived D-amino acids, can then be utilized by strain CF6-2 for growth. Pseudoalterin synthesis is induced by PG degradation products such as glycine and glycine-rich oligopeptides. Genes encoding putative pseudoalterin-like proteins are found in many other marine bacteria. This study reveals a new microbial interaction in the ocean

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation is required for itch sensation in the spinal cord

BACKGROUND: Itch, chronic itch in particular, can have a significant negative impact on an individual’s quality of life. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying itch processing in the central nervous system remain largely unknown. RESULTS: We report here that activation of ERK signaling in the spinal cord is required for itch sensation. ERK activation, as revealed by anti-phosphorylated ERK1/2 immunostaining, is observed in the spinal dorsal horn of mice treated with intradermal injections of histamine and compound 48/80 but not chloroquine or SLIGRL-NH2, indicating that ERK activation only occurs in histamine-dependent acute itch. In addition, ERK activation is also observed in 2, 4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced itch. Consistently, intrathecal administration of the ERK phosphorylation inhibitor U0126 dramatically reduces the scratching behaviors induced by histamine and DNFB, but not by chloroquine. Furthermore, administration of the histamine receptor H1 antagonist chlorpheniramine decreases the scratching behaviors and ERK activation induced by histamine, but has no effect on DNFB-induced itch responses. Finally, the patch-clamp recording shows that in histamine-, chloroquine- and DNFB-treated mice the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC) of dorsal horn neurons is increased, and the decrease of action potential threshold is largely prevented by bathing of U0126 in histamine- and DNFB-treated mice but not those treated with chloroquine. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate a critical role for ERK activation in itch sensation at the spinal level