Sensitive Detection of Histidine Based on Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and Azo-Coupling Reaction

A method was developed for the rapid and sensitive detection of histidine using silver dendrimers as a substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy in combination with azo-coupling reaction. The azo-coupling reaction of 3-aminobenzylamine, 3-anilinosulfonic acid or 2-fluoro-4-mercaptoaniline (2-F-PATP) with histidine was investigated. The Raman spectra of the resulting products revealed that 2-F-PATP gave the best Raman fingerprint for histidine, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 10-21 mol/L. The characteristic peaks (at 1 387 and 1 432 cm-1) of the azo-coupling product of histidine were selected for quantitative analysis, and the intensity of the characteristic peaks in the Raman spectra showed a linear relationship with histidine concentration in a certain range, with correlation coefficients (R2) of 0.975 61 and 0.968 84, respectively. This method can be used for the determination of bovine serum albumin, human serum albumin, α-lactalbumin and apple juice. The proposed method is sensitive and simple to use, and has good application potential

(2,9-Dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline-κ2N,N′)bis(2-hydroxybenzoato-κO)copper(II)

The CuII atoms in the two independent molecules of the title compound, [Cu(C7H5O3)2(C14H12N2)], are each coordinated by a bidentate 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmphen) molecule and two monodentate 2-hydroxybenzoate anions in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The crystal packing is stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions between the dmphen rings of neighboring molecules, with distances between their ring planes of 3.5670 (4) and 3.5181 (9) Å

Data from: Genetic and epigenetic variations associated with adaptation to heterogeneous habitat conditions in a deciduous shrub

Environmentally induced phenotypic plasticity is thought to play an important role in the adaption of plant populations to heterogeneous habitat conditions, and yet the importance of epigenetic variation as a mechanism of adaptive plasticity in natural plant populations still merits further research. In this study, we investigated populations of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla (Chinese chastetree) from adjacent habitat types at seven sampling sites. Using several functional traits, we detected a significant differentiation between habitat types. With amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) and methylation-sensitive AFLP (MSAP), we found relatively high levels of genetic and epigenetic diversity but very low genetic and epigenetic differences between habitats within sites. Bayesian clustering showed a remarkable habitat-related differentiation and more genetic loci associated with the habitat type than epigenetic, suggesting that the adaptation to the habitat is genetically based. However, we did not find any significant correlation between genetic or epigenetic variation and habitat using simple and partial Mantel tests. Moreover, we found no correlation between genetic and ecologically relevant phenotypic variation and a significant correlation between epigenetic and phenotypic variation. Although we did not find any direct relationship between epigenetic variation and habitat environment, our findings suggest that epigenetic variation may complement genetic variation as a source of functional phenotypic diversity associated with adaptation to the heterogeneous habitat in natural plant populations

Data from: Genetic and epigenetic changes during the invasion of a cosmopolitan species (Phragmites australis)

While many introduced invasive species can increase genetic diversity through multiple introductions and/or hybridization to colonize successfully in new environments, others with low genetic diversity have to persist by alternative mechanisms such as epigenetic variation. Given that Phragmites australis is a cosmopolitan reed growing in a wide range of habitats and its invasion history, especially in North America, has been relatively well studied, it provides an ideal system for studying the role and relationship of genetic and epigenetic variation in biological invasions. We used amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and methylation-sensitive (MS) - AFLP methods to evaluate genetic and epigenetic diversity and structure in groups of the common reed across its range in the world. Evidence from analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) based on AFLP and MS-AFLP data supported the previous conclusion that the invasive introduced populations of P. australis in North America were from European and Mediterranean regions. In the Gulf Coast region, the introduced group harboured a high level of genetic variation relative to originating group from its native location, and it showed epigenetic diversity equal to that of the native group, if not higher, while the introduced group held lower genetic diversity than the native. In the Great Lakes region, the native group displayed very low genetic and epigenetic variation, and the introduced one showed slightly lower genetic and epigenetic diversity than the original one. Unexpectedly, AMOVA and principle component analysis (PCA) did not demonstrate any epigenetic convergence between native and introduced groups before genetic convergence. Our results suggested that intertwined changes in genetic and epigenetic variation were involved in the invasion success in North America. Although our study did not provide strong evidence proving the importance of epigenetic variation prior to genetic, it implied the same similar role of stable epigenetic diversity to genetic diversity in the adaptation of P. australis to local environment

Raw data of phenotypic, genetic and epigenetic variation

Raw data of phenotypic, genetic (AFLP) and epigenetic (MSAP) variatio

DataSheet1_SLC2A9 rs16890979 reduces uric acid absorption by kidney organoids.docx

Introduction: The excretion and absorption of uric acid (UA) by the kidneys helps regulate serum UA levels. GLUT9, encoded by SLC2A9, is mainly expressed in the renal tubules responsible for UA absorption. SLC2A9 polymorphisms are associated with different serum UA levels. However, the lack of proper in vitro models has stalled research on the mechanisms of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect UA metabolism in human urate transporters.Methods: In this study, we constructed a gene-edited human embryonic stem cells-9 (ESC-H9) derived kidney organoid bearing rs16890979, an SLC2A9 missense mutation with undetermined associations with hyperuricemia or hypouricemia. Kidney organoids derived from ESC-H9 with genetical overexpression (OE) and low expression (shRNA) of SLC2A9 to serve as controls to study the function of SLC2A9. The function of rs16890979 on UA metabolism was evaluated after placing the organoids to urate-containing medium and following histopathological analysis.Results: The kidney organoids with heterozygous or homozygous rs16890979 mutations showed normal SLC2A9 expression levels and histological distribution, phenotypically similar to the wild-type controls. However, reduced absorption of UA by the kidney organoids with rs16890979 mutants was observed. This finding together with the observation that UA absorption is increased in organoids with SLC2A9 overexpression and decreased in those with SLC2A9 knockdown, suggest that GLUT9 is responsible for UA absorption, and the rs16890979 SNP may compromise this functionality. Moreover, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was detected in organoids after UA treatment, especially in the kidney organoid carrying GLUT9OE, suggesting the cytobiological mechanism explaining the pathological features in hyperuricosuria-related renal injury.Discussion: This study showing the transitional value of kidney organoid modeling the function of SNPs on UA metabolism. With a defined genetic background and a confirmed UA absorption function should be useful for studies on renal histological, cellular, and molecular mechanisms with this organoid model.</p