Deubiquitinase USP47/UBP64E Regulates β-Catenin Ubiquitination and Degradation and Plays a Positive Role in Wnt Signaling

Wnt signaling plays important roles in development and tumorigenesis. A central question about the Wnt pathway is the regulation of β-catenin. Phosphorylation of β-catenin by CK1α and GSK3 promotes β-catenin binding to β-TrCP, leading to β-catenin degradation through the proteasome. The phosphorylation and ubiquitination of β-catenin have been well characterized; however, it is unknown whether and how a deubiquitinase is involved. In this study, by screening RNA interference (RNAi) libraries, we identified USP47 as a deubiquitinase that prevents β-catenin ubiquitination. Inactivation of USP47 by RNAi increased β-catenin ubiquitination, attenuated Wnt signaling, and repressed cancer cell growth. Furthermore, USP47 deubiquitinates itself, whereas β-TrCP promotes USP47 ubiquitination through interaction with an atypical motif in USP47. Finally, in vivo studies in the Drosophila wing suggest that UBP64E, the USP47 counterpart in Drosophila, is required for Armadillo stabilization and plays a positive role in regulating Wnt target gene expression

Effect of the application of peanut shell, bamboo, and maize straw biochars on the bioavailability of Cd and growth of maize in Cd-contaminated soil

Biochar is a versatile, carbon-rich, organic material that can effectively immobilize Cd in the soil. In this study, peanut shell biochar (SP), maize straw biochar (MS), and bamboo straw biochar (BS) were applied in different proportions to evaluate their effects on the remediation of Cd-contaminated farmland soil and plant growth. The results revealed that both single and mixed applications of biochar substantially increased corn biomass and chlorophyll content compared to the unamended control treatment, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline contents were largely unaffected. The bamboo straw block biochar with maize straw biochar at a mass ratio of 2:1 (DBM) significantly increased the dry total biomass of maize (+107.24% compared to the unamended soil). SP application has highly increased the SPAD value. PB with BS application at a mass ratio of 1:1 (MSB) significantly decreased the soluble sugar content (+21.81% compared to the unamended control soil). Soil pH was increased by the application of biochar alone and in combination with feedstocks. The soil content of Fe/Mn oxide-bound (OX) and exchangeable-bound Cd (EX) was decreased, whereas that of carbonate-bound Cd (CA), residue-bound Cd (RE), and organic-bound Cd (OM) contents increased. The Cd content in corn grains under MSB and SP application was markedly reduced by 42.62% and 31.48%, respectively, compared to the unamended control soil. Overall, MSB and SP applications were effective in improving soil quality and crop growth

Multi-Target Element-Based Screening of Maize Varieties with Low Accumulation of Heavy Metals (HMs) and Metalloids: Uptake, Transport, and Health Risks

Mitigating heavy metals (HMs) contamination and ensuring the safe production of crops is of paramount importance for sustainable agriculture development. The purpose of the current field plot study was to select maize varieties with low HMs and metalloids in their edible parts but high accumulation in other parts. The cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr) contents of 11 maize varieties were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry, and the plant growth and bioconcentration factors (BFs) were examined. Furthermore, the average daily intake (ADDi) of HMs in maize grains was calculated to assess the associated health risks. The results revealed that the growth of variety TZ23 was minimally impacted HMs and metalloids. The grains of all of the tested maize varieties contained Cr, As, and Pb contents in accordance with National Food Safety Standards (NFSSs, GB2762-2017, ≤0.1 mg·kg−1), while the Cd concentration in grains of varieties QJN1, LSCR, and JN20 were 0.084 mg·kg−1, 0.094 mg·kg−1, and 0.077 mg·kg−1, respectively, in accordance with NFSSs. The translocation factor (TF) of As, Pb and Cr in the grains of 11 maize varieties were found to be less than 1. However, the TF of grain Cd in varieties LYN9, JYN9, and QJN3 exceeded 1. For varieties HNY21, TZ23, and LYN9, the TF of Cd, As, Pb, and Cr in the stems/leaves was less than 1. Cluster analysis revealed that the grains of variety HNY21 had the lowest accumulation capacity of all four HMs. Importantly, the variety JN20 exhibited a high accumulation capacity for Pb and a low capacity for As, while both varieties SKN11 and QJN3 had high accumulation capacities for Cd and low capacities for As. Health risk (HR) indices of the different age groups displayed an overall trend of children > elderly > young adult. Among the HMs and metalloids, Cd and Cr pose the greatest health risks of maize intake. Variety QJN3 posed a significant HR due to chronic toxicity. This study provides a scientific basis for multi-element pollution control and screening of maize varieties suitable for cultivation in mining areas and the remediation of HMs-contaminated soils

Protective effects of mild hypothermia against hepatic injury in rats with acute liver failure

Introduction and Objectives: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a severe disease which is associated with a high mortality rate. As mild hypothermia has been shown to have protective effects on the brain, this study aimed to determine whether it also provides protection to the liver in rats with ALF and to explore its underlying mechanism. Materials and methods: In total, 72 rats were divided into 3 groups: control group (CG, treated with normal saline), normothermia group (NG, treated with d-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide; d-GalN/LPS), and mild hypothermia group (MHG, treated with d-GalN/LPS and kept in a state of mild hypothermia, defined as an anal temperature of 32–35 °C). The rats were examined at 4, 8, and 12 h after treatment. Results: Mild hypothermia treatment significantly reduced serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels and improved the liver condition of rats with d-GalN/LPS-induced ALF at 12 h. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels were significantly lower in the MHG than in the NG at 4 h, but no significant differences were observed in the interleukin-10 levels between the NG and MHG at any time. The serum and hepatic levels of high mobility group box 1 were significantly lower in the MHG than in the NG at 8 and 12 h. The protein expression levels of cytochrome C and cleaved-caspase 3 in hepatic tissues were significantly lower in the MHG than in the NG at 8 h. Conclusion: Mild hypothermia improved the liver conditions of rats with ALF via its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects