Structure and Expression Analyses of a Gene Encoding Fructose-6-Phosphate, 2-Kinase/Fructose-2,6-Bisphosphatase from Maize

A full-length cDNA encoding fructose-6-phosphate, 2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase from maize (Zea mays L.) was cloned by the methods of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), and designated as mF2KP. The encoded protein is composed of two regions. Its COOH-terminal region is catalytic region and homologous to the enzymes from other eukaryotes; and its NH 2-terminal region is common and special region only in plant. A truncated fragment of mF2KP covering integrated catalytic region was expressed in Escherichia coli. The fusion protein had the activities of fructose-6-phosphate, 2-kinase as well as fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase. Northern blot showed that the transcript level of mF2KP in seedlings initiated from strong-vigor seeds is lower than that from weak-vigor seeds.

Isolation of a 1 195 bp 5′-Flanking Region of Rice Cytosolic Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and Analysis of Its Expression in Transgenic Rice

A genomic DNA fragment containing the 5'-upstream sequence and part of the open reading frame corresponding to the cytosolic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (cyFBPase) cDNA was isolated by Genome Walking. The 1 195 lip 5'-flanking region which started from the translation initiation ATG codon was fused to reporter gene encoding beta-glucuronidase (GUS) and stably transferred to rice via particle bombardment. Strong GUS activity was detected in leaves and leaf sheaths of transgenic rice, but not in culms and roots. Histochemical localization revealed that GUS expression was exclusively restricted to mesophyll cells in transgenic rice. Our results indicate that the 1 195 bp fragment contains all the cis-elements required for directing mesophyll-specific expression pattern in rice.

Cloning and expression analysis of the chloroplast fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase gene from Pyropia haitanensis

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase（FBPase） is one of the key enzymes in Calvin circle and starch biosynthesis. In this study, the full-length of cpFBPase gene from Pyropia haitanensis was cloned by using rapid amplification of cDNA ends（RACE） technology. The nucleotide sequence of PhcpFBPase consists of 1 400 bp, including a 5′ untranslated region（UTR） of 92 bp, a 3′？UTR of 69 bp, and an open reading frame（ORF） of 1 236 bp, which can be translated into a 412-amino-acid putative peptides with a molecular weight of 44.3 kDa and a theoretical pI of 5.23. Multiple sequence alignment indicated that the protein belonged to the chloroplast FBPase enzyme. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the protein assembled with the cpFBPase of a thermal tolerant unicellular red micro-algae Galdieria sulphuraria. Expression patterns analyzed by qRT-PCR revealed that the expression of PhcpFBPase gene in the thallus phage was 7-fold higher than in the conchocelis phage, which suggested the different mechanisms of inorganic carbon utilization among the different life phages of P. haitanensis. And the different response modes of PhcpFBPase mRNA levels to high temperature and desiccation stress indicated that PhcpFBPase played an important role in responsing to abiotic stress.

Overexpression of Brassica napus cytosolic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase and sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase genes significantly enhanced tobacco growth and biomass

Elevated activities of cytosolic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase(cyFBPase) and sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase(SBPase)are associated with higher yields in plants. In this study, the expression levels of the cyFBPase and SBPase genes were increased by overexpressing rape(Brassica napus) cDNA in tobacco(Nicotiana tabacum) plants. The transgenic plants coexpressing cy FBPase and SBPase(TpFS), or expressing single cy FBPase(TpF) or SBPase(TpS) had 1.77-, 1.55-, 1.23-fold cyFBPase and 1.45-, 1.12-, 1.36-fold SBPase activities as compared to the wild-type(WT), respectively. Photosynthesis rates of TpF, TpS and TpFS increased 4, 20 and 25% compared with WT plants. The SBPase and cyFBPase positively regulated each other and functioned synergistically in transgenic tobacco plants. In addition, the sucrose contents of the three transgenic plants were higher than that of WT plants. The starch accumulation of the TpFS and TpS plants was improved by 53 and 37%, but slightly decreased in TpF plants. Moreover, the transgenic tobacco plants harbouring SBPase and/or cyFBPase genes showed improvements in their growth, biomass, dry weight, plant height, stem diameter, leaf size,flower number, and pod weight. In conclusion, co-expression of SBPase and cyFBPase may pave a new way for improving crop yield in agricultural applications.

Conformation of 60-residue peptide fragment from N-terminal of porcine kidney fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase

Limited digestion of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase with subtilisin produces an S-peptide with an about 60-residue peptide fragment that is non-covalently associated with the enzyme. The 60-residue peptide fragment con-sists of the most part of allosteric site for AMP binding. It could be separated from S-protein by gel filtration with a Sephadex G-75 column equilibrated with 9% formic acid. According to X-ray diffraction results the S-peptide consists of two α-helices without β-strand and the α-helix content is about 60% in the 60-residue-peptide fragment. When the enzyme is subjected to limited proteolysis with subtilisin, the secondary structure of the enzyme does not show a de-tectable change in CD spectrum. The CD spectra of the isolated S-peptide were measured under different concentra-tions. In the absence of GuHCl, S-peptide had 30% a-helix and 38.5% turn-like structure but had no β-strand, sug-gesting that the N-terminal 60-residue fragment, which is synthesized initially by ribosome, would form a conforma-tion spontaneously similar to that of the isolated 60-residue-peptide, i.e. about 30% a-helix and 30% turn-like struc-ture. As the elongation of the peptide chain of the enzyme proceeds, the newly synthesized segment or the final entire enzyme, in turn, affects the conformation of prior peptide segment and adjusts its conformation to the final native state. The content of a-helix did not increase as perturbing the conformation of S-peptide by adding ethanol, cyclohex-ane or a small amount of SDS. On the contrary, the ordered structure was slightly decreased, indicating that the dif-ference of conformations of S-peptide in the isolated form and in the associated protein was not an artifact produced by isolation process.

Preliminary crystallographic analysis of recombinant chicken liver fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase

The bisphosphatase domain of chicken liver 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphos-phosphatase was expressed in high yield Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Single crystals of chicken liver bisphophatase domain suitable for X-ray diffraction were obtained by the hanging drop vapor diffusion method. The crystals belong to tetragonal space group P41212 or P43213 with two molecules per asymmetric unit. The determined cell dimensions are: a=b= 10.02 nm, c= 13.98 nm, α=β=г=90°. EHffraction data were collected on Weissenberg camera with synchrotron radiation at 0.32nm resolution.

Preparation of monoclonal antibodies against chicken liver 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase and their effects on enzyme activities

The effects of the monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) directed against chicken liver 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (6PF-2-K/Fru-2, 6-P2ase) on the structure and function of the enzyme were studied. Using chicken liver 6PF-2-K/Fru-2,5-P2asc as antigen, 7 clones of monoclonal antibodies specifically binding with the antigen were obtained. The epitopes of the antigen recognized by the 6 McAbs localized on the fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase domain of chicken liver 6PF-2-K/Fru-2, 6-P2ase, and the other (H2) are on the 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase domain. All of the 7 McAbs could activate the kinase activity of the bifunctional enzyme by twofold and had a similar effect on the bisphosphatase activity of the bifunctional enzyme which resulted in a fourfold increase of the bisphosphatase activity of the bifunctional enzyme. However, the McAbs did not affect the activity of the separated fructose-2, 6-bisphosphatase domain. The results suggested that the Fru-2, 6-P2ases in the bifunctional enzyme and in the separated bisphosphatase domain were in two different conformation and activity states.

AMP makes native snake muscle fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase to an alkaline enzyme

A substance in the crude preparation of NADP+ has been found, which activates snake muscle fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase at pH 9.2 and inhibits the enzyme at pH 7.5. After isolation and extensive characterization, the substance has been determined to be AMP. The activation depends on the concentrations of Mg2+ and could be observed only at concentrations above 1 mmol/L. In the presence of AMP, snake muscle fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase resembles an alkaline enzyme. Kinetic studies indicate that AMP and Mg2+ competitively regulate the activity of the enzyme. AMP releases the inhibition of Mg2+ at high concentration at alkaline pH. It has been reported that fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase with a pH optimum in the alkaline region is caused by limited proteolysis. AMP is also able to make fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase to be an alkaline enzyme. This finding indicates that proteolysis may not be the only reason for shift of the optimum pH of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase to alkaline side and it may imply some significance in physiological regulation.

Status epilepticus due to fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase deficiency caused by FBP1 gene mutation

Introduction:Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) deficiency is a rare inherited disorder in gluconeogenesis,characterized by hypoglycemia,ketonuria,metabolic acidosis and convulsions.Case presentation:We describe two brothers with FBPase deficiency.The proband developed severe hypoglycemia and progressed to status epilepticus,and the brother showed slightly hypoglycemia with a good prognosis.Whole exome sequencing (WES) identified compound heterozygous variants [c.333+1333+2delinsTC and c.490G>A (p.Gly164Ser)] in fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase 1 gene in the two brothers,which were inherited from the father and the mother,respectively.Conclusion:Genetic analysis provided a solid basis for a definite diagnosis and the determination of precision therapies for the patient.

17~45岁肥胖门诊患者的6分钟步行试验距离参考方程研究

背景 目前6分钟步行试验(6MWT)已经被广泛用于评估肥胖人群的运动能力,并为制订干预措施提供了参考依据。国外已有研究提出了其他人群的6MWT距离参考方程,但中国17~45岁且BMI≥30 kg/m^(2)肥胖受试者的6MWT距离参考方程研究较少。目的 为17~45岁门诊肥胖受试者制订6MWT距离参考方程,并评估其影响因素。方法 根据美国胸科学会指南,前瞻性选取2022年6月—2023年9月于江苏省苏北人民医院内分泌科肥胖门诊部就诊的143名年龄17~45岁且BMI≥30 kg/m^(2)的成年人(71名男性和72名女性),进行人体测量和6MWT。采用逐步多元回归模型建立6MWT距离参考方程,将新建立的6MWT距离参考方程与现有的预测方程进行比较。结果 143名受试者的平均6MWT距离为(506.1±49.8)m,其中男性平均6MWT距离为(515.7±50.1)m,大于女性的平均6MWT距离(496.6±47.9)m(P<0.05)。在年龄段17~23岁、24~30岁、31~37岁以及38~45岁中,男性与女性6MWT距离比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。男性受试者的体质量、BMI、最大心率(HR_(max))、心率差(ΔHR)、腰围、舒张压差(ΔDBP)、Borg量表评分差(ΔBorg)与6MWT距离相关(P<0.05),女性受试者的体质量、BMI、腰围与6MWT距离相关(P<0.05)。以步进的方法将潜在的影响因素纳入多元线性回归方程中,最终建立6MWT距离参考公式:男性y=494.463+1.414×ΔHR-3.903×BMI+0.874×HR_(max),R^(2)=0.429,女性y=670.448+0.299×ΔHR-4.342×BMI-0.195×HR_(max),R^(2)=0.312。结论 17~45岁门诊肥胖受试者中,男性的平均6MWT距离长于女性,且在不同年龄段均有显著差异。男性的体质量、BMI、HR_(max)、ΔHR、腰围、ΔDBP、ΔBorg与6MWT距离相关,女性的体质量、BMI、腰围、ΔSBP与6MWT距离相关。通过多元线性回归分析,为男性和女性分别建立了预测6MWT距离的参考方程,这些公式可能为评估个体的体能水平提供有价值的参考。

金属二聚体和氮共掺杂石墨烯(Gra)M_(2)N_(6)-Gra(M=Cr-Cu)的NO_(2)吸附特性理论研究

NO_(2)是空气污染物的主要成分之一,设计和开发高效的气敏传感器对NO_(2)进行检测具有重要意义.本工作利用基于密度泛函理论(DFT)的第一性原理计算方法对不同过渡金属原子形成的金属二聚体和氮共掺杂石墨烯(Gra)M_(2)N_(6)-Gra(M=Cr-Cu)的NO_(2)吸附特性进行了研究.结果表明,NO_(2)分子与M_(2)N_(6)-Gra之间均存在明显的化学吸附作用.其中,Ni_(2)N_(6)-Gra和Cu_(2)N_(6)-Gra体系具备较为适中的恢复时间(分别约为5秒和14分钟),这意味着这两个体系是开发新型NO_(2)气敏材料的潜在候选者.其它体系(M_(2)N_(6)-Gra,M=Cr-Co)强的吸附作用导致恢复时间过长,从而使得它们不适合作为NO_(2)气敏材料.这一研究不仅有望为设计和开发性能优异的新型NO_(2)气敏材料提供有益理论指导,还将有益于人们深入认识M_(2)N_(6)-Gra材料的NO_(2)电催化合成NO或NH 3性能.

定向电场下W_(6)C_(6)团簇的超卤素调制及非线性光学特性

本文采用密度泛函(DFT)方法研究了定向外电场(OEEF)对W_(6)C_(6)团簇几何结构、电子性质以及非线性光学响应(NLO)的影响.计算结果表明W_(6)C_(6)的结构在一定OEEF强度下可以保持稳定.OEEF可以增大W_(6)C_(6)团簇的电子亲和能(EA值),且在特定强度下,OEEF可以将W_(6)C_(6)团簇转变为超卤素.通过对EA值的非线性拟合可以实现对W_(6)C_(6)团簇的连续调制.进一步对不同外电场下W_(6)C_(6)团簇的最高占据分子轨道(HOMO)和最低未占据分子轨道(LUMO)能级进行分析,发现OEEF降低了W_(6)C_(6)团簇LUMO能级是其EA值增大的主因.此外,OEEF可以显著增大W_(6)C_(6)团簇的平均极化率和第一超极化率,尤其是第一超极化率,改变其非线性光学性质.

血清淀粉样蛋白A、白介素6、肿瘤坏死因子α及微小RNA在脓毒症并发急性肾损伤患儿中的表达及预后评估价值研究

背景 急性肾损伤(AKI)是脓毒症常见并发症,机体免疫-炎症指标是预测脓毒症并发AKI患儿预后的常用指标,目前从微小RNA(miR)方面评估的研究较少,有待临床探究。目的 探究血清淀粉样蛋白A(SAA)、白介素6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)及miR在脓毒症并发AKI患儿中的表达,并分析其对预后的评估价值。方法 选取2020年3月—2023年3月平顶山市第一人民医院收治的100例脓毒症并发AKI患儿为观察组,另选取同期80例单纯脓毒症患儿为对照组。收集患者一般资料,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测血清SAA、IL-6、TNF-α水平,采用实时荧光定量PCR法检测miR-21-3p、miR-182-5p、miR-128-3p相对表达量。比较两组序贯性器官功能衰竭(SOFA)评分、急性生理与慢性健康(APACHEⅡ)评分。采用Pearson相关性检验分析血清SAA、IL-6、TNF-α及miR水平与SOFA、APACHEⅡ评分的相关性。绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线探究血清SAA、IL-6、TNF-α及miR水平对脓毒症并发AKI患儿死亡的预测价值并计算ROC曲线下面积(AUC)。结果 观察组SOFA评分、APACHEⅡ评分、血清SAA、IL-6、TNF-α、miR-21-3p、miR-182-5p、miR-128-3p水平均高于对照组(P<0.05)。住院28 d后观察组74例患儿生存,26例患儿死亡。生存患儿血清SAA、IL-6、TNF-α、miR-21-3p、miR-182-5p、miR-128-3p均低于死亡患儿(P<0.05)。血清SAA、IL-6、TNF-α、miR-21-3p、miR-182-5p、miR-128-3p与SOFA、APACHEⅡ评分均呈正相关(P<0.05)。ROC曲线结果显示联合预测的AUC为0.926(95%CI=0.856~0.969,P<0.05)。结论 脓毒症并发AKI患儿血清SAA、IL-6、TNF-α、miR-21-3p、miR-182-5p、miR-128-3p异常高表达,临床检测各项指标水平对患儿预后评估有较高价值及预警作用。

Electronic structure and ultraviolet spectra of p-C_(6)H_(4)-C_(20)

Geometry optimization of p-C_(6)H_(4)-connected cyclo[20]carbon(p-C_(6)H_(4)-C_(20))was carried out at M062X/6-311G(d,p)level,three kinds of bond orders(Mayer,Laplacian,and Wiberg),electron-hole distributions,localized orbital locators(LOL),and infrared(IR)spectrum were also performed at the same level.Based on TD-DFT M062X/6-311G(d,p)method,the first 20 excited states and ultraviolet(UV)spectra of p-C_(6)H_(4)-C_(20) were calculated.Calculation results of π-electron delocalization analyses prove thatπ-electron delocalization of p-C_(6)H_(4)-C_(20) is more likely to occur on shorter C-C bonds rather than longer C-C bonds,and inside/outside of the ring plane rather than above/below the ring plane.Two absorption peaks of p-C_(6)H_(4)-C_(20) locate at about 319 nm and 236 nm,respectively.

Regulator of G protein signaling 6 mediates exercise-induced recovery of hippocampal neurogenesis,learning,and memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Hippocampal neuronal loss causes cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is reduced in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.Exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in rodents and improves memory and slows cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.However,the molecular pathways for exercise-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and improved cognition in Alzheimer’s disease are poorly understood.Recently,regulator of G protein signaling 6(RGS6)was identified as the mediator of voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mice.Here,we generated novel RGS6fl/fl;APP_(SWE) mice and used retroviral approaches to examine the impact of RGS6 deletion from dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells on voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition in an amyloid-based Alzheimer’s disease mouse model.We found that voluntary running in APP_(SWE) mice restored their hippocampal cognitive impairments to that of control mice.This cognitive rescue was abolished by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells,which also abolished running-mediated increases in adult hippocampal neurogenesis.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis was reduced in sedentary APP_(SWE) mice versus control mice,with basal adult hippocampal neurogenesis reduced by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells.RGS6 was expressed in neurons within the dentate gyrus of patients with Alzheimer’s disease with significant loss of these RGS6-expressing neurons.Thus,RGS6 mediated voluntary running-induced rescue of impaired cognition and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in APP_(SWE) mice,identifying RGS6 in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells as a possible therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease.

Protein arginine methyltransferase-6 regulates heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F expression and is a potential target for the treatment of neuropathic pain

Protein arginine methyltransferase-6 participates in a range of biological functions,particularly RNA processing,transcription,chromatin remodeling,and endosomal trafficking.However,it remains unclear whether protein arginine methyl transferase-6 modifies neuropathic pain and,if so,what the mechanisms of this effect.In this study,protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression levels and its effect on neuropathic pain were investigated in the spared nerve injury model,chronic constriction injury model and bone cancer pain model,using immunohistochemistry,western blotting,immunoprecipitation,and label-free proteomic analysis.The results showed that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 mostly co-localized withβ-tubulinⅢin the dorsal root ganglion,and that its expression decreased following spared nerve injury,chronic constriction injury and bone cancer pain.In addition,PRMT6 knockout(Prmt6~(-/-))mice exhibited pain hypersensitivity.Furthermore,the development of spared nerve injury-induced hypersensitivity to mechanical pain was attenuated by blocking the decrease in protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression.Moreover,when protein arginine methyltransferase-6 expression was downregulated in the dorsal root ganglion in mice without spared nerve injury,increased levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases were observed in the ipsilateral dorsal horn,and the response to mechanical stimuli was enhanced.Mechanistically,protein arginine methyltransferase-6 appeared to contribute to spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain by regulating the expression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F.Additionally,protein arginine methyltransfe rase-6-mediated modulation of hete rogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein-F expression required amino atids 319 to 388,but not classical H3R2 methylation.These findings indicated that protein arginine methyltransferase-6 is a potential therapeutic target fo r the treatment of peripheral neuro pathic pain.

Salsolinol as an RNA m~6A methylation inducer mediates dopaminergic neuronal death by regulating YAP1 and autophagy

Salsolinol(1-methyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline,Sal)is a catechol isoquinoline that causes neurotoxicity and shares structural similarity with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine,an environmental toxin that causes Parkinson's disease.However,the mechanism by which Sal mediates dopaminergic neuronal death remains unclear.In this study,we found that Sal significantly enhanced the global level of N~6-methyladenosine(m~6A)RNA methylation in PC12 cells,mainly by inducing the downregulation of the expression of m~6A demethylases fat mass and obesity-associated protein(FTO)and alk B homolog 5(ALKBH5).RNA sequencing analysis showed that Sal downregulated the Hippo signaling pathway.The m~6A reader YTH domain-containing family protein 2(YTHDF2)promoted the degradation of m~6A-containing Yes-associated protein 1(YAP1)mRNA,which is a downstream key effector in the Hippo signaling pathway.Additionally,downregulation of YAP1 promoted autophagy,indicating that the mutual regulation between YAP1 and autophagy can lead to neurotoxicity.These findings reveal the role of Sal on m~6A RNA methylation and suggest that Sal may act as an RNA methylation inducer mediating dopaminergic neuronal death through YAP1 and autophagy.Our results provide greater insights into the neurotoxic effects of catechol isoquinolines compared with other studies and may be a reference for assessing the involvement of RNA methylation in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

Mutual regulation of microglia and astrocytes after Gas6 inhibits spinal cord injury

Invasive inflammation and excessive scar formation are the main reasons for the difficulty in repairing nervous tissue after spinal cord injury.Microglia and astrocytes play key roles in the spinal cord injury micro-environment and share a close interaction.However,the mechanisms involved remain unclear.In this study,we found that after spinal cord injury,resting microglia(M0)were polarized into pro-inflammatory phenotypes(MG1 and MG3),while resting astrocytes were polarized into reactive and scar-forming phenotypes.The expression of growth arrest-specific 6(Gas6)and its receptor Axl were significantly down-regulated in microglia and astrocytes after spinal cord injury.In vitro experiments showed that Gas6 had negative effects on the polarization of reactive astrocytes and pro-inflammatory microglia,and even inhibited the cross-regulation between them.We further demonstrated that Gas6 can inhibit the polarization of reactive astrocytes by suppressing the activation of the Yes-associated protein signaling pathway.This,in turn,inhibited the polarization of pro-inflammatory microglia by suppressing the activation of the nuclear factor-κB/p65 and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathways.In vivo experiments showed that Gas6 inhibited the polarization of pro-inflammatory microglia and reactive astrocytes in the injured spinal cord,thereby promoting tissue repair and motor function recovery.Overall,Gas6 may play a role in the treatment of spinal cord injury.It can inhibit the inflammatory pathway of microglia and polarization of astrocytes,attenuate the interaction between microglia and astrocytes in the inflammatory microenvironment,and thereby alleviate local inflammation and reduce scar formation in the spinal cord.

AAV2-PDE6B restores retinal structure and function in the retinal degeneration 10 mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa by promoting phototransduction and inhibiting apoptosis

Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited diseases that lead to retinal degeneration and photoreceptor cell death.However,there is no effective treatment for retinitis pigmentosa caused by PDE6B mutation.Adeno-associated virus(AAV)-mediated gene therapy is a promising strategy for treating retinitis pigmentosa.The aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanisms by which AAV2-PDE6B rescues retinal function.To do this,we injected retinal degeneration 10(rd10)mice subretinally with AAV2-PDE6B and assessed the therapeutic effects on retinal function and structure using dark-and light-adapted electroretinogram,optical coherence tomography,and immunofluorescence.Data-independent acquisition-mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis was conducted to investigate protein expression levels and pathway enrichment,and the results from this analysis were verified by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.AAV2-PDE6B injection significantly upregulated PDE6βexpression,preserved electroretinogram responses,and preserved outer nuclear layer thickness in rd10 mice.Differentially expressed proteins between wild-type and rd10 mice were closely related to visual perception,and treating rd10 mice with AAV2-PDE6B restored differentially expressed protein expression to levels similar to those seen in wild-type mice.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins whose expression was most significantly altered by AAV2-PDE6B injection were enriched in phototransduction pathways.Furthermore,the phototransductionrelated proteins Pde6α,Rom1,Rho,Aldh1a1,and Rbp1 exhibited opposite expression patterns in rd10 mice with or without AAV2-PDE6B treatment.Finally,Bax/Bcl-2,p-ERK/ERK,and p-c-Fos/c-Fos expression levels decreased in rd10 mice following AAV2-PDE6B treatment.Our data suggest that AAV2-PDE6B-mediated gene therapy promotes phototransduction and inhibits apoptosis by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway and upregulating Bcl-2/Bax expression in retinitis pigmentosa.

“Zero‑Strain” NiNb_(2)O_(6) Fibers for All‑Climate Lithium Storage

Niobates are promising all-climate Li^(+)-storage anode material due to their fast charge transport,large specific capacities,and resistance to electrolyte reaction.However,their moderate unit-cellvolume expansion(generally 5%–10%)during Li^(+)storage causes unsatisfactory long-term cyclability.Here,“zero-strain”NiNb_(2)O_(6) fibers are explored as a new anode material with comprehensively good electrochemical properties.During Li^(+)storage,the expansion of electrochemical inactive NiO_(6) octahedra almost fully offsets the shrinkage of active NbO_(6) octahedra through reversible O movement.Such superior volume-accommodation capability of the NiO_(6) layers guarantees the“zero-strain”behavior of NiNb_(2)O_(6) in a broad temperature range(0.53%//0.51%//0.74%at 25//−10//60℃),leading to the excellent cyclability of the NiNb_(2)O_(6) fibers(92.8%//99.2%//91.1%capacity retention after 1000//2000//1000 cycles at 10C and 25//−10//60℃).This NiNb_(2)O_(6) material further exhibits a large reversible capacity(300//184//318 mAh g−1 at 0.1C and 25//−10//60℃)and outstanding rate performance(10 to 0.5C capacity percentage of 64.3%//50.0%//65.4%at 25//−10//60℃).Therefore,the NiNb_(2)O_(6) fibers are especially suitable for large-capacity,fast-charging,long-life,and all-climate lithium-ion batteries.