45 research outputs found
Identification of <em>CHIP</em> as a novel causative gene for autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia
Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias are a group of neurodegenerative disorders that are characterized by complex clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Although more than 20 disease-causing genes have been identified, many patients are still currently without a molecular diagnosis. In a two-generation autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia family, we mapped a linkage to a minimal candidate region on chromosome 16p13.3 flanked by single-nucleotide polymorphism markers rs11248850 and rs1218762. By combining the defined linkage region with the whole-exome sequencing results, we identified a homozygous mutation (c.493CT) in CHIP (NM_005861) in this family. Using Sanger sequencing, we also identified two compound heterozygous mutations (c.389AT/c.441GT; c.621C>G/c.707GC) in CHIP gene in two additional kindreds. These mutations co-segregated exactly with the disease in these families and were not observed in 500 control subjects with matched ancestry. CHIP colocalized with NR2A, a subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, in the cerebellum, pons, medulla oblongata, hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Wild-type, but not disease-associated mutant CHIPs promoted the degradation of NR2A, which may underlie the pathogenesis of ataxia. In conclusion, using a combination of whole-exome sequencing and linkage analysis, we identified CHIP, encoding a U-box containing ubiquitin E3 ligase, as a novel causative gene for autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxia
Ppm1b negatively regulates necroptosis through dephosphorylating âRip3
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łéèŠăThe auto-phosphorylation of murine âreceptor-interacting protein 3 (âRip3) on Thr 231 and Ser 232 in the necrosome is required to trigger necroptosis. However, how âRip3 phosphorylation is regulated is still largely unknown. Here we identified âprotein phosphatase 1B (âPpm1b) as a âRip3 phosphatase and found that âPpm1b restricts necroptosis in two settings: spontaneous necroptosis caused by âRip3 auto-phosphorylation in resting cells, and âtumour necrosis factor-α (âTNF)-induced necroptosis in cultured cells. We revealed that âPpm1b selectively suppresses necroptosis through the dephosphorylation of âRip3, which then prevents the recruitment of âmixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (âMlkl) to the necrosome. We further showed that âPpm1b deficiency (âPpm1bd/d) in mice enhanced âTNF-induced death in a âRip3-dependent manner, and the role of âPpm1b in inhibiting necroptosis was evidenced by elevated âRip3 phosphorylation and tissue damage in the caecum of âTNF-treated âPpm1bd/d mice. These data indicate that âPpm1b negatively regulates necroptosis through dephosphorylating âRip3 in vitro and in vivo
Identifying SYNE1 Ataxia With Novel Mutations in a Chinese Population
Objective: Variants in SYNE1 have been widely reported in ataxia patients in Europe, with highly variable clinical phenotype. Until now, no mutation of SYNE1 ataxia has been reported among the Chinese population. Our aim was to screen for SYNE1 ataxia patients in China and extend the clinicogenetic spectrum.Methods: Variants in SYNE1 were detected by high-throughput sequencing on a cohort of 126 unrelated index patients with unexplained autosomal recessive or sporadic ataxia. Pathogenicity assessments of SYNE1 variants were interpreted according to the ACMG guidelines. Potential pathogenic variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Clinical assessments were conducted by two experienced neurologists.Results: Two Chinese families with variable ataxia syndrome were identified (accounting for 1.6%; 2/126), separately caused by the novel homozygous SYNE1 mutation (NM_033071.3: c.21568C>T, p.Arg7190Ter), and compound heterozygous SYNE1 mutation (NM_033071.3: c.18684G>A, p.Trp6228Ter; c.17944C>T, p.Arg5982Ter), characterized by motor neuron impairment, mental retardation and arthrogryposis.Conclusions:SYNE1 ataxia exists in the Chinese population, as a rare form of autosomal recessive ataxia, with a complex phenotype. Our findings expanded the ethnic, phenotypic and genetic diversity of SYNE1 ataxia
Hyperproduction of Alcohol Using Yeast Fermentation in Highly Concentrated Molasses Medium
Cane molasses, a major byproduct in the sugar industry, is generally
consumed for alcohol production. However, the alcohol production
process needs to overcome three major challenges including increasing
the productivity of alcohol fermentation, lowering the energy
consumption for alcohol conversion and decreasing the environmental
pollution caused by the alcoholic yeast fermentation process. To meet
these challenges, a screening process was conducted using 13 high
osmotic tolerant yeast strains. Among the strains, a Saccharomyces
cerevisiae  strain 1912 was found to produce high alcohol
concentrations during fermentation with high starting molasses
concentrations such as 50% (W/V) molasses. In the test, 13.6% (V/V)
alcohol was produced in the molasses fermentation broth after 72 h of
incubation with an initial Yunnan molasses concentration of 50% in a 5
L fermentor. 15.0% (V/V) alcohol was obtained after 48 h of
fermentation in shaking flasks containing 30% (W/V) initial total sugar
concentration in diluted molasses. The performance of this strain in
the shaking flasks was successfully scaled up to a 5-L fermentor
vessel. Strain 1912 seems to be a better alcohol producer than the
currently used alcohol production strain 2.1190
System Design of Electricity Generation Using Waste Heat from LNG Automobile
According to the research, thermoelectricity generation can recycle the heat contained in the cooling system of internal combustion engine. This paper is about taking advantage of the feature in the huge temperature difference at about 560 °C which is formed between high-temperature engine and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) in low temperature and the ability that LNG provides semiconductor with thermoelectric conversion material so as to produce the maximum output voltage in low temperature. We take advantage of lead telluride materials that adapt to the high temperature environment and bismuth telluride materials that adapt to the low temperature environment, both of which forms a circuit and are designed as a thermoelectric power generation device. Also, we confirm the possibility of applying the device to cars
Immunoregulatory role of exosomes derived from differentiating mesenchymal stromal cells on inflammation and osteogenesis
Bone marrowâderived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BMSCs) can differentiate into boneâforming osteoblasts, playing a crucial role in bone regeneration. Exosomes are naturally cellâsecreted nanovesicles and are lately regraded as an emerging mediator of cellular communication in physiological and pathological conditions. The present study aimed at investigating the complex cellular communications, especially those among the differentiating BMSCs, immune cells (e.g., macrophages), and newly recruited BMSCs via exosomeâmediated pathways. Exosomes were first isolated from osteogenically differentiating BMSCs at various stages (Day 0, Day 3, Day 7, and Day 14, respectively). The cellular uptake of isolated exosomes was examined in macrophages and human BMSCs (hBMSCs). The exosomes collected at various osteogenic differentiation stages (0dâexo, 3dâexo, 7dâexo, and 14dâexo) had no effect on the viability of hBMSCs. The uptake of exosomes (0dâexo, 3dâexo, and 7dâexo) significantly decreased proinflammatoryâgene expression and the level of an M1 phenotypic marker. Our results then revealed that 3dâexo, 7dâexo, and 14dâexo led to a remarkable increase in mesenchymal stem/stromal cell migration. In addition, 0dâexo significantly promoted the expression of early osteogenic markers, such as alkaline phosphatase and bone morphogenetic protein 2, indicating a proâosteogenic role of hBMSCâderived exosomes. Collectively, these results suggest that exosomes derived from differentiating mesenchymal stem/stromal cells play a unique osteoimmunomodulatory role in the regulation of bone dynamics
Multifunctional CaâZnâSi-based micro-nano spheres with anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and dentin regenerative properties for pulp capping application
While pulp capping using a variety of materials has been applied clinically to preserve the health and vitality of the dental pulp and induce dentin repair no material meets all the anti-infection, anti-inflammation, and promoting pulp tissue regeneration criteria. Micro-nano materials of bioactive glasses (BG) with the biocompatibility and osteogenesis-promoting properties were developed for this study using Zn-doped bioactive glass (BGz) micro-nano spheres for dental pulp capping to control infection and inflammation and promote tissue regeneration. Of three key findings, the co-culture of Porphyromonas gingivalis showed that the BGz had an excellent antibacterial effect, and after being stimulated with BGz in vitro, macrophages showed a significant decrease of pro-inflammatory M1 markers compared with the undoped BG group. It is also noted that the conditioned medium derived from BGz-stimulated macrophages could significantly promote mineralized dentin formation of dental pulp cells (DPCs). In rats, acute pulp restoration experiments proved that BGz used as a pulp capping agent had excellent dentin regenerative properties. This work may provide a novel strategy to promote osteo/dentinogenic differentiation through regulating early inflammation, with potential applications in pulp capping
A Tick Cysteine Protease Inhibitor RHcyst-1 Exhibits Antitumor Potential
Background/Aims: We previously identified a potent and tight-binding inhibitor of cysteine proteases from Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, RHcyst-1, which belongs to the cystatin type 1 family. Cathepsins, which are members of the cysteine protease family, participate in various pathological processes, including the initiation and development of cancers. The present study aimed to investigate the antitumor effects of RHcyst-1 and to explore the underlying mechanism of these effects. Methods: Different tumor cells were treated with RHcyst-1 in vitro. Proliferation activity was evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8, and migration and invasion were determined by wound healing and TranswellÂź invasion assays. In addition, a mouse tumor therapy model was established by inoculating the left forelimb of mice with B16-F10 cells, and tumor progression was evaluated by assessing tumor volume and survival. Flow cytometry was conducted to evaluate myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), CD4+, and CD8+ T cell levels in PBMCs and spleens. Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze immune cell infiltration and angiogenesis in the tumors. Results: RHcyst-1 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of all four different tumor cells in vitro. Additionally, it inhibited tumor growth and improved survival in vivo. A decrease and an increase in MDSCs levels were observed in PBMCs and in the spleen, respectively, after RHcyst-1 application. Conclusions: Tick RHcyst-1 has potential antitumor efficacy, and the observed antitumor activities may be partly attributable to changes in cathepsin expression and MDSCs levels in the PBMCs and spleens. The findings of the present study suggest that RHcyst-1 may have the potential to be utilized in cancer treatment
Immunosuppressive effects of tick protein RHcyst-1 on murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells
Abstract Background Ticks, as blood-feeding arthropod vectors, have evolved their own unique mechanism to suppress host immune responses and evade immune defenses in order to complete blood-feeding. The immunoregulatory effect of tick bioactive molecules on hosts has been widely reported, and the cystatin family has been identified as one of the major immunomodulators. In previous studies, we obtained a novel tick salivary bioactive protein named RHcyst-1, which belongs to the type 1 cystatin family. Here, we demonstrated the effects of RHcyst-1 on the host immune response mainly on dendritic cell (DC) function. Understanding the function of tick-derived bioactive molecule may help to clarify the mechanisms of how ticks escape the host immune response and help to control ticks and tick-borne disease transmission. Methods Bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs) were generated and induced by GM-CSF and IL-4 with or without RHcyst-1 addition. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the differentiation and maturation of BMDCs and T cell cytokine production. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot were used to measure changes in expression within STAT and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Results Flow cytometry analysis revealed that RHcyst-1 inhibited the differentiation of BMDCs, but had no effect on the maturation of BMDCs. T cells co-cultured with DCs treated with RHcyst-1 produced significantly less TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2 than the control group. Further analysis showed that the mRNA level and phosphorylation of p38, ERK and STAT were significantly changed after RHcyst-1 added to bone marrow monocytes during the differentiation stage. Conclusions Our results suggest that RHcyst-1 is one of the major immunosuppressive proteins of BMDC function from blood-feeding ticks