MiR-214-3p promotes proliferation and inhibits estradiol synthesis in porcine granulosa cells

Background: Granulosa cells(GCs) proliferation and estradiol synthesis significantly affect follicular development.The miR-214-3p expression in the ovarian tissues of high-yielding sows is higher than that in low-yielding sows,indicating that miR-214-3p may be involved in sow fertility. However, the functions and mechanisms of miR-214-3p on GCs are unclear. This study focuses on miR-214-3p in terms of the effects on GCs proliferation and estradiol synthesis.Results: Our findings revealed that miR-214-3p promotes proliferation and inhibits estradiol synthesis in porcine GCs. MiR-214-3p can increase the percentage of S-phase cells, the number of EdU labeled positive cells, and cell viability. However, E2 concentration was reduced after miR-214-3p agomir treatment. We also found that miR-214-3p up-regulates the expression of cell cycle genes including cell cycle protein B(Cyclin B), cell cycle protein D(Cyclin D), cell cycle protein E(Cyclin E), and cyclin-dependent kinase 4(CDK4) at the transcription and translation levels, but down-regulates the mRNA and protein levels of cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1(CYP11A1), cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1(CYP19A1), and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein(StAR)(i.e., the key enzymes in estradiol synthesis). On-line prediction, bioinformatics analysis, a luciferase reporter assay, RT-qPCR, and Western blot results showed that the target genes of miR-214-3p in proliferation and estradiol synthesis are Mfn2 and NR5A1, respectively.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that miR-214-3 p plays an important role in the functional regulation of porcine GCs and therefore may be a target gene for regulating follicular development.

Oleic acid reduces steroidogenesis by changing the lipid type stored in lipid droplets of ovarian granulosa cells

Background:Oleic acid is an abundant free fatty acid present in livestock that are in a negative energy-balance state,and it may have detrimental effects on female reproduction and fertility.Oleic acid induces lipid accumulation in bovine granulosa cells,which leads to a foam cell-like morphology and reduced steroidogenesis.However,why oleic acid increases lipid accumulation but decreases steroidogenesis remains unclear.This study focused on oleic acid’s effects on lipid type and steroidogenesis.Results:Oleic acid increased the lipid accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner and mainly increased the triglyceride level and decreased the cholesterol ester level.Oleic acid also led to a decline in estradiol and progesterone production in porcine granulosa cells in vitro.In addition,oleic acid up-regulated the expression of CD36 and diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2,but down-regulated the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarylcoenzyme A reductase,scavenger receptor class B member 1 and acetyl-Coenzyme A acetyltransferase 2,as well as steroidogenesis-related genes,including cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1,cytochrome P450family 19 subfamily A member 1 and 3 as well as steroidogenic acute regulatory protein at the mRNA and protein levels.An oleic acid-rich diet also enhanced the triglyceride levels and reduced the cholesterol levels in ovarian tissues of female mice,which resulted in lower estradiol levels than in control-fed mice.Compared with the control,decreases in estrus days and the numbers of antral follicles and corpora lutea,as well as an increase in the numbers of the atretic follicles,were found in the oleic acid-fed female mice.Conclusions:Oleic acid changed the lipid type stored in lipid droplets of ovarian granulosa cells,and led to a decrease in steroidogenesis.These results improve our understanding of fertility decline in livestock that are in a negative energy-balance state.

Vaccinia virus viability under different environmental conditions and different disinfectants treatment

Monkeypox(mpox)outbreak in 2022 has caused more than 91,000 cases,has spread to 115 countries,regions,and territories,and has thus attracted much attention.The stability of poxvirus particles in the environment is recognized as an important factor in determining their transmission.However,few studies have investigated the persistence of poxviruses on material surfaces under various environmental conditions,and their sensitivity to biocides.Here,we systematically measured the stability of vaccinia virus(VACV)under different environmental conditions and sensitivity to inactivation methods via plaque assay,quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR),and Gaussia luciferase(G‐luciferase)reporter system.The results show that VACV is stable on the surface of stainless steel,glass,clothing,plastic,towel,A4 paper,and tissue and persists much longer at 4℃ and?20℃,but is effectively inactivated by ultraviolet(UV)irradiation,heat treatment,and chemical reagents.Our study raises the awareness of long persistence of poxviruses in the environment and provides a simple solution to inactivate poxviruses using common disinfectants,which is expected to help the control and prevention of mpox virus and future poxvirus outbreaks.

Erianin suppresses constitutive activation of MAPK signaling pathway by inhibition of CRAF and MEK1/2

Constitutive activation of RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling pathway(MAPK pathway)frequently occurs in many cancers harboring RAS or RAF oncogenic mutations.Because of the paradoxical activation induced by a single use of BRAF or MEK inhibitors,dual-target RAF and MEK treatment is thought to be a promising strategy.In this work,we evaluated erianin is a novel inhibitor of CRAF and MEK1/2 kinases,thus suppressing constitutive activation of the MAPK signaling pathway induced by BRAF V600E or RAS mutations.KinaseProfiler enzyme profiling,surface plasmon resonance(SPR),isothermal titration calorimetry(ITC),cellular thermal shift assay,computational docking,and molecular dynamics simulations were utilized to screen and identify erianin binding to CRAF and MEK1/2.Kinase assay,luminescent ADP detection assay,and enzyme kinetics assay were investigated to identify the efficiency of erianin in CRAF and MEK1/2 kinase activity.Notably,erianin suppressed BRAF V600E or RAS mutant melanoma and colorectal cancer cell by inhibiting MEK1/2 and CRAF but not BRAF kinase activity.Moreover,erianin attenuated melanoma and colorectal cancer in vivo.Overall,we provide a promising leading compound for BRAF V600E or RAS mutant melanoma and colorectal cancer through dual targeting of CRAF and MEK1/2.