Nucleolin promotes tumor growth in colorectal cancer by enhancing hnRNPA1-mediated PKM2 alternative splicing

Emerging evidence indicates that metabolism reprogramming plays an important role in cancer progression.RNAbinding protein nucleolin(NCL)was reported to function as an important oncogenic factor in multiple cancer types.However,the role and mechanism of NCL in cancer metabolism are unknown.In this study,we found that NCL directly interacted with hnRNPA1 and promoted CRC cell proliferation by enhancing aerobic glycolysis.Mechanistically,NCL bound PKM pre-mRNA and increased hnRNPA1-mediated PKM alternative splicing,resulting in increased PKM2 expression and tumor growth.A seed-mediated growth approach was used to synthesize gold nanostars(GNS),which were further modified with aptamer AS1411(an NCL ligand),GE11(an EGFR ligand),and nuclear localization signal to obtain functionalized nanoparticles(GNSAS1411-GE11).GNS-AS1411-GE11 efficiently enter the nucleus of CRC cells and blocked the glycolysis-promoting effects of NCL,inhibiting the growth of CRC xenograft.Targeting NCL is a promising strategy for treating CRC.

Improved and sustainable agroecosystem, food security andenvironmental resilience through zero tillage with emphasis on soilsof temperate and subtropical climate regions: A review

Tillage is one of the agricultural management practices that significantly impacts agroecosystems,crop production,and the environment.Conventional tillage(CT)practices alter the soil environment and induce organic constituents’decomposition and the emission of greenhouse gases(GHGs),which contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming.Low organic matter,biological diversity,aggregate stability,high erosion and degradation of the soil environment,and sequestration strength are additional factors associated with CT,which negatively affect food security and environmental sustainability.As a result,CT is no more beneficial in the long run;consequently,zero tillage(ZT)could be a viable candidate for sustainable agriculture.The review to establish this systematically compared and summarized the effect of tillage systems(i.e.CT and ZT)by synthesizing and interpreting published data(>150 peer-reviewed articles)with>200 observations on soil ecosystem services and properties/agroecosystem,crop yield/food security,GHG emission,and carbon sequestration/environmental resilience.The review established that ZT improves soil structure,aggregate stability,biological diversity,organic matter and nutrients,water and water use efficiency,and reduces soil degradation,erosion,tillage machinery impacts,and GHG emissions.It allows timely seeding and better crop growth,increases yield and food security,improves carbon sequestration,strengthens soil storage potential,and helps to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on environmental resilience.Based on various latent direct and indirect benefits,resource-saving ability,and broad adoption scope of ZT,it is corroborated that ZT is a practical and potential approach for improved and sustainable agroecosystem,food security,and environmental resilience.