c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinase Promotes Apoptosis by Down-Regulating the Transcriptional Co-repressor CtBP

Genetic knock out of the transcriptional co-repressor carboxyl-terminal-binding protein (CtBP) in mouse embryonic fibroblasts results in up-regulation of several genes involved in apoptosis. We predicted, therefore, that a propensity toward apoptosis might be regulated through changes in cellular CtBP levels. Previously, we have identified the homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 as such a regulator and demonstrated that HIPK2 activation causes Ser-422 phosphorylation and degradation of CtBP. In this study, we found that c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1 activation triggered CtBP phosphorylation on Ser-422 and subsequent degradation, inducing p53-independent apoptosis in human lung cancer cells. JNK1 has previously been linked to UV-directed apoptosis. Expression of MKK7-JNK1 or exposure to UV irradiation reduced cellular levels of CtBP via a proteasome-mediated pathway. This effect was prevented by JNK1 deficiency. In addition, sustained activation of the JNK1 pathway by cisplatin similarly triggered CtBP degradation. These findings provide a novel target for chemotherapy in cancers lacking p53

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of the Canna edulis Ker Gawl. (Cannaceae)

Canna edulis Ker Gawl. is an essential traditional tuber crop used for fresh consumption and to isolate starch in some tropical and semitropical regions. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of C. edulis has been determined in this study. The total genome size is 164,650 bp in length and contains a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 27,278 bp, which were separated by large single-copy (LSC) and small single-copy (SSC) of 91,421 bp and 18,673 bp, respectively. A total of 131 genes were predicted including 86 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes and 37 tRNA genes. Further, maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis revealed that C. edulis belongs to Cannaceae in Zingiberales. The chloroplast genome of C. edulis is first complete genome sequence in Cannaceae and would play a significant role in the development of molecular markers in plant phylogenetic and population genetic studies

Investigation of Catalytic Co-Pyrolysis Characteristics and Synergistic Effect of Oily Sludge and Walnut Shell

The co-pyrolysis of oily sludge and walnut shell is a reliable method for solid waste treatment and waste recycling. In this paper, a thermogravimetric analysis was used to study the thermodynamics and synergy effect of oily sludge (OS) and walnut shell (WS) at four heating rates (10, 20, 30, and 40 °C/min) in the temperature range from 50–850 °C. Two model-free methods (FWO and KAS) were used to calculate the activation energy. The results showed that the heating rate had no significant effect on the pyrolysis process. The addition of walnut shell improved the pyrolysis process of the samples. Mixture 1OS3WS had a synergy effect, while other blends showed an inhibitory effect. The synergy effect of co-pyrolysis was strongest when the mass ratio of oily sludge was 25%. The activation energy of the Zn-ZSM-5/25 catalyst was the lowest, and the residual substances were the least, indicating that the Zn-ZSM-5/25 was beneficial to the co-pyrolysis of oily sludge and walnut shell. The analysis of catalytic pyrolysis products by Py-GC/MS found that co-pyrolysis was beneficial to the generation of aromatic hydrocarbons. This study provided a method for the resource utilization of hazardous waste and biomass waste, which was conducive to the production of aromatic chemicals with added value while reducing environmental pollution

Earth-Abundant and Non-Toxic SiX (X = S, Se) Monolayers as Highly Efficient Thermoelectric Materials

Current thermoelectric (TE) materials often have low performance or contain less abundant and/or toxic elements, thus limiting their large-scale applications. Therefore, new TE materials with high efficiency and low cost are strongly desirable. Here we demonstrate that, SiS and SiSe monolayers made from non-toxic and earth-abundant elements intrinsically have low thermal conductivities arising from their low-frequency optical phonon branches with large overlaps with acoustic phonon modes, which is similar to the state-of-the-art experimentally demonstrated material SnSe with a layered structure. Together with high thermal power factors due to their two-dimensional nature, they show promising TE performances with large figure of merit (ZT) values exceeding 1 or 2 over a wide range of temperatures. We establish some basic understanding of identifying layered materials with low thermal conductivities, which can guide and stimulate the search and study of other layered materials for TE applications.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figure

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of the Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi (Leguminosae)

Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi is an essential traditional oriental medicine with therapeutic effects. In this study, we assembled the complete chloroplast genome of P. lobata. The total genome size was 153,442 bp in length, containing a large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,162 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) of 17,998 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,641 bp, and possessing 35.41% GC content. In addition, the whole chloroplast genome encodes a total of 129 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic tree analysis of 48 species in the family Papilionoideae of Leguminosae indicated that P. lobata was belong to Papilionoideae and closely related to the genus, Pachyrhizus, Vigna and Phaseolus

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of the Dioscorea esculenta (Lour.) Burkill (Dioscoreaceae)

Dioscorea esculenta (Lour.) Burkill is an essential tuber crop with pharmacological effects in the family Dioscoreaceae. The complete chloroplast genome of D. esculenta was determined in this study. The total genome size is 153, 437 bp in length and demonstrates a typical quadripartite structure containing a large single copy (LSC, 83,628 bp) and a small single copy (SSC, 18,893 bp), separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRa, IRb) of 25,458 bp. The GC content of the complete chloroplast genome sequence is 37.07%. A total of 131 genes were predicted including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic tree analysis of 25 species belonging to the genus Dioscorea indicated that D. esculenta and D. sansibarensis were clustered into one branch

Metabolic regulation of SIRT1 transcription via a HIC1:CtBP corepressor complex

The Sir2 histone deacetylases are important for gene regulation, metabolism, and longevity. A unique feature of these enzymes is their utilization of NAD(+) as a cosubstrate, which has led to the suggestion that Sir2 activity reflects the cellular energy state. We show that SIRT1, a mammalian Sir2 homologue, is also controlled at the transcriptional level through a mechanism that is specific for this isoform. Treatment with the glycolytic blocker 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) decreases association of the redox sensor CtBP with HIC1, an inhibitor of SIRT1 transcription. We propose that the reduction in transcriptional repression mediated by HIC1, due to the decrease of CtBP binding, increases SIRT1 expression. This mechanism allows the specific regulation of SIRT1 in response to nutrient deprivation