Reactivating aberrantly hypermethylated p15 gene in leukemic T cells by a phenylhexyl isothiocyanate mediated inter-active mechanism on DNA and chromatin

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We have previously demonstrated that phenylhexyl isothiocyanate (PHI), a synthetic isothiocyanate, inhibits histone deacetylases and remodels chromatins to induce growth arrest in HL-60 myeloid leukemia cells in a concentration-dependent manner.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To investigate the effect of PHI, a novel histone deacetylases inhibitor (HDACi), on demethylation and activation of transcription of <it>p15 </it>in acute lymphoid leukemia cell line Molt-4, and to further decipher the potential mechanism of demethylation, DNA sequencing and modified methylation specific PCR (MSP) were used to screen <it>p15</it>-M and <it>p15</it>-U mRNA after Molt-4 cells were treated with PHI, 5-Aza and TSA. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), 3A (DNMT3A), 3B (DNMT3B) and <it>p15 </it>mRNA were measured by RT-PCR. P15 protein, acetylated histone H3 and histone H4 were detected by Western Blot.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The gene <it>p15 </it>in Molt-4 cells was hypermethylated and inactive. Hypermethylation of gene <it>p15 </it>was attenuated and <it>p15 </it>gene was activated de novo after 5 days exposure to PHI in a concentration-dependent manner. DNMT1 and DNMT3B were inhibited by PHI (P < 0.05). Alteration of DNMT3A was not significant at those concentrations. Acetylated histone H3 and histone H4 were accumulated markedly after exposure to PHI.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>PHI could induce both DNA demethylation and acetylated H3 and H4 accumulation in Molt-4 cells. Hypermethylation of gene <it>p15 </it>was reversed and <it>p15 </it>transcription could be reactivated de novo by PHI.</p

Orthogonal printing of uniform nanocomposite monolayer and oriented organic semiconductor crystals for high-performance nano-crystal floating gate memory

Inkjet printing is of great interest in the preparation of optoelectronic and microelectronic devices due to its low cost, low process temperature, versatile material compatibility, and ability to precisely manufacture multi-layer devices on demand. However, interlayer solvent erosion is a typical problem that limits the printing of organic semiconductor devices with multi-layer structures. In this study, we proposed a solution to address this erosion problem by designing polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinyl pyridine)-grafted Au nanoparticles (Au@PS-b-P4VP NPs). With a colloidal ink containing the Au@PS-b-P4VP NPs, we obtained a uniform monolayer of Au nano-crystal floating gates (NCFGs) embedded in the PS-b-P4VP tunneling dielectric (TD) layer using direct-ink-writing (DIW). Significantly, PS-b-P4VP has high erosion resistance against the semiconductor ink solvent, which enables multi-layer printing. An active layer of semiconductor crystals with high crystallinity and well-orientation was obtained by DIW. Moreover, we developed a strategy to improve the quality of the TD/semiconductor interface by introducing a polystyrene intermediate layer. We show that the NCFG memory devices exhibit a low threshold voltage (100 cycles), and long-term retention (>10 years). This study provides universal guidance for printing functional coatings and multi-layer devices

Drosophila Exo70 is Essential for Neurite Extension and Survival under Thermal Stress

The octomeric exocyst complex governs the final step of exocytosis in both plants and animals. Its roles, however, extend beyond exocytosis and include organelle biogenesis, ciliogenesis, cell migration, and cell growth. Exo70 is a conserved component of the exocyst whose function in Drosophila is unclear. In this study, we characterized two mutant alleles of Drosophila exo70. exo70 mutants exhibit reduced synaptic growth, locomotor activity, glutamate receptor density, and mEPSP amplitude. We found that presynaptic Exo70 is necessary for normal synaptic growth at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). At the neuromuscular junction, exo70 genetically interacts with the small GTPase ralA to regulate synaptic growth. Loss of Exo70 leads to the blockage of JNK signaling-, activity-, and temperature-induced synaptic outgrowths. We showed that this phenotype is associated with an impairment of integral membrane protein transport to the cell surface at synaptic terminals. In octopaminergic motor neurons, Exo70 is detected in synaptic varicosities, as well as the regions of membrane extensions in response to activity stimulation. Strikingly, mild thermal stress causes severe neurite outgrowth defects and pharate adult lethality in exo70 mutants. exo70 mutants also display defective locomotor activity in response to starvation stress. These results demonstrated that Exo70 is an important regulator of induced synaptic growth and is crucial for an organism’s adaptation to environmental changes

Reference genome of wild goat (<i>capra aegagrus</i>) and sequencing of goat breeds provide insight into genic basis of goat domestication

BACKGROUND: Domestic goats (Capra hircus) have been selected to play an essential role in agricultural production systems, since being domesticated from their wild progenitor, bezoar (Capra aegagrus). A detailed understanding of the genetic consequences imparted by the domestication process remains a key goal of evolutionary genomics. RESULTS: We constructed the reference genome of bezoar and sequenced representative breeds of domestic goats to search for genomic changes that likely have accompanied goat domestication and breed formation. Thirteen copy number variation genes associated with coat color were identified in domestic goats, among which ASIP gene duplication contributes to the generation of light coat-color phenotype in domestic goats. Analysis of rapidly evolving genes identified genic changes underlying behavior-related traits, immune response and production-related traits. CONCLUSION: Based on the comparison studies of copy number variation genes and rapidly evolving genes between wild and domestic goat, our findings and methodology shed light on the genetic mechanism of animal domestication and will facilitate future goat breeding. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1606-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

A two-anode reduction technique to monitor the defect and dope the surface of TiO2 nanotube array as photo-anode for water splitting

A two-anode reduction (TAR) technique is adopted to prepare, in one step without the existence of gaseous hydrogen, black TiO2 nanotubes co-doped with carbon and nitrogen. A sample prepared with the TAR technique for 2 min achieved the highest photocurrent response as 2.05 mA/cm2, which is 3 times as high as that of the pristine TiO2 nanotubes. A synergistic effect between black hydrogenation and C, N co-doping is observed. The light absorption in the whole ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) range is also greatly enhanced.Peer reviewe

Application progress of Non-invasive Micro-test Technology in environmental bioremediation and stress physiology research

ABSTRACTNon-invasive Micro-test Technology (NMT) measures the ions/molecules in and out of the samples in a real-time, three-dimensional and dynamic manner without damaging the biological samples to obtain ions/molecules concentration, flow rate and movement direction, providing evidence for the study of the transport mechanism of biological and external environmental substances. This paper introduces the structure, operation system and technical advantages of NMT, and compares it with other ion testing technologies. Additionally, we conclude that it possesses the following attributes: no damage to biological activity, large range of measurable samples and targets, high sensitivity, and rich data content. Furthermore, its application progress in recent years has been reviewed and prospected from the perspectives of environmental bioremediation and stress physiology, which provides a reference for sustainable biological and environmental research

Probing flexible conformations in molecular junctions by inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy

The probe of flexible molecular conformation is crucial for the electric application of molecular systems. We have developed a theoretical procedure to analyze the couplings of molecular local vibrations with the electron transportation process, which enables us to evaluate the structural fingerprints of some vibrational modes in the inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS). Based on a model molecule of Bis-(4-mercaptophenyl)-ether with a flexible center angle, we have revealed and validated a simple mathematical relationship between IETS signals and molecular angles. Our results might open a route to quantitatively measure key geometrical parameters of molecular junctions, which helps to achieve precise control of molecular devices

Evaluating the Applicability of High-Speed Air Flotation Technology for Water Supply: A Case Study in Tianjin Binhai New Area

The development and application of advanced water purification technology is crucial to guarantee a sufficient supply of clean water. However, conventional water purification technology consumes large amounts of coagulants, with the formation of intractable sludge. Herein, the applicability of high-speed air flotation technology for the purification of actual water sources was evaluated in Tianjin Binhai New Area. During a three-year survey, the raw water exhibited periodic pollution characteristics with algae cells as the main removal targets in all seasons. The raw water had both low temperatures and low turbidity in winter, another obstacle for water treatment. Based on the scientific analysis of the water’s quality, the water purification process was comprehensively optimized via regulating the dosage of agents and operating parameters and using high-speed air flotation equipment. The results showed that a dissolved air pressure of 0.40 MPa, reflux ratio of 8%, and SUEZ-1# dissolved air release head combined with pre-chlorination with PACl plus FeCl3 (PACl/FeCl3 ratio = 2:1) were suitable for attaining a good purification performance. High turbidity removal rates (80.9–86.2%) and algae cell removal rates (92.5–98.1%) were obtained even in the high algae period of summer and low turbidity period in the winter, proving the superior stability and applicability of the high-speed air flotation system

Mn Pretreatment Improves the Physiological Resistance and Root Exudation of <i>Celosia argentea</i> Linn. to Cadmium Stress

Phytoextraction using Celosia argentea Linn. by Mn pretreatment can potentially decontaminate Cd-contaminated soils. However, the mechanism that accelerates the Cd bioaccumulation is still unknown. In order to study the effect and mechanism of Mn pretreatment on Cd bioaccumulation in C. argentea, the hydroponic experiments were set to determine the chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, malondialdehyde content, and root exudation of C. argentea. The results indicated that after seven days of Mn pretreatment, both the biomass and Cd concentrations in plants increased compared to the control group. One of the mechanisms for this was the improvement in the physiological resistance of C. argentea following pretreatment with Mn. Compared with Cd stress alone, Mn pretreatment increased photosynthesis and reduced membrane lipid peroxidation. Meanwhile, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were significantly reduced in leaves of C. argentea after Mn pretreatment through the reduction in the production of reactive oxygen species. In addition, Mn promoted the exudation of organic acids in the roots of C. argentea. The contents of citric and malic acids increased by 55.3% and 26.4%, respectively, which may be another important reason for Mn pretreatment increasing Cd bioaccumulation in C. argentea. Therefore, the present work shows that the pretreatment of seedlings with Mn can provide a meaningful strategy to improve the remediation efficiency of Cd-contaminated soils by C. argentea