Association of DNA methylation/demethylation with the functional outcome of stroke in a hyperinflammatory state

Inflammation is closely related to stroke prognosis, and high inflammation status leads to poor functional outcome in stroke. DNA methylation is involved in the pathogenesis and prognosis of stroke. However, the effect of DNA methylation on stroke at high levels of inflammation is unclear. In this study, we constructed a hyperinflammatory cerebral ischemia mouse model and investigated the effect of hypomethylation and hypermethylation on the functional outcome. We constructed a mouse model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and treated the mice with lipopolysaccharide to induce a hyperinflammatory state. To investigate the effect of DNA methylation on stroke, we used small molecule inhibitors to restrain the function of key DNA methylation and demethylation enzymes. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, neurological function scores, neurobehavioral tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative reverse transcription PCR and western blot assay were used to evaluate the effects after stroke in mice. We assessed changes in the global methylation status by measuring DNA 5-mc and DNA 5-hmc levels in peripheral blood after the use of the inhibitor. In the group treated with the DNA methylation inhibitor, brain tissue 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining showed an increase in infarct volume, which was accompanied by a decrease in neurological scores and worsening of neurobehavioral performance. The levels of inflammatory factors interleukin 6 and interleukin-1 beta in ischemic brain tissue and plasma were elevated, indicating increased inflammation. Related inflammatory pathway exploration showed significant overactivation of nuclear factor kappa B. These results suggested that inhibiting DNA methylation led to poor functional outcome in mice with high inflammation following stroke. Further, the effects were reversed by inhibition of DNA demethylation. Our findings suggest that DNA methylation regulates the inflammatory response in stroke and has an important role in the functional outcome of hyperinflammatory stroke.

Clinical-DNA Correlates of Anxiety in Patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Introduction: Anxiety disorders have a lifetime prevalence of 34% with a similar level of heritability (31%) yet lack objective markers that could differentiate patients with underlying conditions. Up to 60%-70% of patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome have anxiety that meets criteria of generalized anxiety disorder, their clinical-DNA findings worth examining as biomarkers for patients with generalized anxiety. Method: Of the 1899 patients diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, 1261 were systematically evaluated for 80 history and 40 physical findings and separated into 826 who reported anxiety and 435 who did not. The most consistently reported or management-directing 60 of these clinical findings were, along with variations in genes relevant to these disorders, examined for association with anxiety. Results: Among the 30 anxiety- associated findings judged most predictive of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in patients with anxiety were expected ones of adrenergic stimulation (difficulty concentrating-87% frequency and 1.26 anxiety/no anxiety ratio;chronic fatigue-84%, 1.17;sleep issues 69%, 1.52 that are criteria for generalized anxiety disorder) or of cholinergic suppression (e.g., frequent nausea 64%, 1.26). Less associated but more discriminating for underlying disease were those reflective of neuromuscular impact (e.g., chronic daily headaches 76%, 1.12);hypermobility (e.g., awareness of flexibility 72%, 1.03), or skin changes (e.g., elasticity around jaw 71%, 1.06). Anxiety-associated DNA variants included 54 of 88 in collagen type I/V/VII/IX genes, 14 of 16 in sodium channel SCN9A/10A/ 11A genes, 59 of 85 in POLG/MT-DNA genes, and 21 of 28 in profilaggrin- FLG genes that respectively impacted tissue laxity, sensory neural, autonomic-mitochondrial, and autonomic-inflammatory functions. Conclusion: Analysis of pathogenetic mechanisms in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome selected some 50 clinical-DNA findings useful for its diagnosis in those with generalized anxiety disorders.

Mutations of mitochondrion DNA in mouse tumors

Objective： To ascertain the variations of mitochondrion DNA （mtDNA） in mouse tumors and to inquire into the relationship between mutations of mtDNA and carcinogenesis Methods： The variations of D-loop, ND3 and tRNA^Met＋Glu＋Ile gene fragments of mtDNA from six tumor cell lines of mice were analyzed by PCR technology with restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis （polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, PCR-RFLP） and single strand conformation polymorphism analysis （SSCP-PCR） method. Results： ND3 and tRNA^Met＋Glu＋Ile gene fragments ofmtDNA from the tumors showed no variation in 27 endonuclease sites; D-loop ofmtDNA from Hca-F had an additional endonuclease sites of Hinf I in contrast to that of the inbred mouse. Deeply analyzed by PCR-SSCP, the D-loop ofmtDNA was found to possess mutations in 4 of 6 tumors. Conclusion： D-loop is the hot spot of tumor mtDNA mutation which can act as contributors to the carcinogenic

HBsAg ELISA+/HBV DNA NAT-献血者血清学与分子生物学特征分析

目的 了解西安地区无偿献血人群HBsAg ELISA检测结果与HBV DNA检测结果不一致的标本相关血清学标志物的分布情况。方法 收集2022年11月1日—2023年4月30日陕西省血液中心HBsAg ELISA+/HBV DNA NAT-(ELISA+/NAT-)标本共计71份,对其采用电化学发光法检测乙肝血清学标志物,同时复检巢式PCR扩增HBV S区和C区基因片段。结果 双ELISA+/NAT-标本(n=30)巢式PCR检测阳性率远高于单ELISA+/NAT-标本(n=41)(60%vs 24.40%,P<0.05)。前者献血者100%为初次献血者,血清抗-HBc阳性率100%,血清学模式以1、4、5此3项阳性(80%)为主;后者献血者中31.7%为重复献血者,血清抗-HBc阳性率仅为19.51%,血清学模式以单2项阳性(43.90%)和全阴(36.58%)为主。结论 单ELISA+结果存在较多假阳性,导致不必要的血液报废;而NAT-标本可能存在低水平的HBV DNA,产生漏检风险。建议针对单HBsAg ELISA+/NAT-献血者,采用多套系统多种方法追溯检测,提高献血者HBV筛查的准确度,减少不必要的血液浪费。

安徽新安江水牛mtDNA D-Loop区遗传多样性与系统进化研究

试验旨在分析安徽省黄山市新安江流域上游地区新安江水牛群体的分子遗传特性,探究其母系起源与遗传多样性。利用PCR扩增和测序技术测定28头新安江水牛的mtDNA D-Loop序列,下载GenBank数据库中24个中国水牛群体的693条D-Loop序列,利用生物信息学分析其遗传多样性,构建Neighbor-joining系统发生树和Media-joining网络,探索不同水牛群体的遗传距离。结果显示,28头新安江水牛的mtDNA D-Loop序列共有117个变异位点,构成25种单倍型,其核苷酸多样性为0.02602±0.00303,单倍型多样性为0.989±0.014。新安江水牛群体的变异性水平与中国其他水牛群体接近。N-J系统进化树显示,新安江水牛25个单倍型分为A、B两个支系,具有A支系和B支系2个母系来源,其中A支系占据主导地位。Media-joining进化网络显示,中国水牛主要为沼泽型水牛,分为沼泽型水牛A支系和B支系,B支系又分为b1亚支系和b2亚支系。综上,新安江水牛群体变异水平与中国其他地方水牛群体接近,群体遗传多样性丰富;且新安江水牛属于沼泽型水牛,具有2个线粒体母系来源,与我国其他地方水牛群体具有一定的遗传距离。

基于环境DNA metabarcoding的中街山列岛鱼类物种多样性

岛礁生境支撑着极高的水生生物多样性,而鱼类物种多样性是水生生物多样性的重要组成部分。为准确了解岛礁海域的鱼类时空分布格局和多样性特征,依靠传统的渔业资源调查方式存在诸多的困难与挑战,亟需建立灵敏、高效的生物多样性监测方法。本研究于2019年在中街山列岛海域设置了4个采样站位,并在2、5、8和11月等4个时间采集海水表层样品,采用环境DNA metabarcoding技术进行高通量测序。结果显示,中街山列岛近岸海区共检测出鱼类37种,隶属于10目26科36属;鱼类种数呈现夏季>冬季>秋季>春季的趋势;四季共有种仅2种,约占鱼类总种数的5.41%;只在一个季节被检测出的鱼类约占总种数的54.05%。结合NMDS分析和ANOSIM检验的结果显示,鱼类群落在不同季节间有显著差异,而在不同站位间无显著差异。鱼类群落的均匀度较为稳定,多样性和丰富度指数在站位间无明显变化,但在季节间表现为夏季最高、春季最低。研究表明,中街山列岛近岸海区的鱼类分布受季节影响较大,而在不同采样站位的差异不大,可能受站位较为集中的影响。

Advances in microfluidic-based DNA methylation analysis

DNA methylation has been extensively investigated in recent years,not least because of its known relationship with various diseases.Progress in analytical methods can greatly increase the relevance of DNA methylation studies to both clinical medicine and scientific research.Microflu-idic chips are excellent carriers for molecular analysis,and their use can provide improvements from multiple aspects.On-chip molecular analysis has received extensive attention owing to its advantages of portability,high throughput,low cost,and high efficiency.In recent years,the use of novel microfluidic chips for DNA methylation analysis has been widely reported and has shown obvious superiority to conventional methods.In this review,wefirst focus on DNA methylation and its applications.Then,we discuss advanced microfluidic-based methods for DNA methylation analysis and describe the great progress that has been made in recent years.Finally,we summarize the advantages that microfluidic technology brings to DNA methylation analysis and describe several challenges and perspectives for on-chip DNA methylation analysis.This review should help researchers improve their understanding and make progress in developing microfluidic-based methods for DNA methylation analysis.

基于环境DNA metabarcoding的舟山及其邻近海域鱼类空间分布格局的初步研究

为了解舟山及其邻近海域主要鱼类群落的种类组成,监测和保护其多样性,本研究于2019年5月在舟山及其邻近海域9个站位共采集了27个水样,采用环境DNA(environmental DNA,eDNA)metabarcoding技术确定了各站位鱼类群落组成和生物多样性。结果显示,舟山及其邻近海域共检出52种鱼类,隶属于18目37科49属,有4种鱼类仅注释到属级分类阶元。其中,鲈形目和鲭形目占比最高,分别为28.85%和15.38%,不同海域优势种存在较大差异。多样性(Shannon指数、Simpson指数和Pielou指数)表现趋势基本相同,均表现为舟山近海海域>长江河口海域>舟山外海海域。各鱼种eDNA在不同水层变化趋势大致可以分为3种,且多数鱼种序列丰度在水层间的变化趋势与其栖息水层偏好高度吻合。此外,通过与其他学者的研究结果进行比较分析,发现同一时间相同海域的eDNA metabarcoding研究结果差异较大,表明目前eDNA技术仍不能完全替代传统调查方法。未来可以将eDNA metabarcoding技术作为一种辅助手段应用于渔业资源监测,提高检测效率并减少对生态系统的干扰。本研究可为岛礁海域的鱼类群落调研提供新的思路和方法。

基于环境DNA metabarcoding的西轩岛近海鱼类多样性研究

鱼类多样性的保护对于生态系统的科学管理和资源的可持续利用至关重要。环境DNA metabarcoding技术的出现和应用为水生生物的调查与监测带来了强有力的技术革新。本研究以浙江舟山近海岛屿——西轩岛为例,设计了4个不同采样站位,先后于2019年2月(冬季)、5月(春季)和11月(秋季)共采集水样12个,通过环境DNA提取、扩增、高通量测序以及生物信息学分析,对西轩岛近海鱼类多样性进行了分析,同时评估了鱼类多样性的时空差异。结果显示,共监测到鱼类33种,隶属于12目26科32属,其中,鲈形目(Perciformes)种类最多,共19种,约占所有种类的57.6%。不同采样季节的多样性指数和均匀度指数均存在显著差异,表明季节可能是影响西轩岛近海鱼类多样性的因素之一。综合时间和空间分析的结果显示,在繁殖季节且远离舟山本岛一侧的采样点监测到的鱼种数量更多。通过比对之前传统渔业资源调查的结果发现,不同季节优势种存在较大变化,可能与采样点数量较少且集中有关。进化树富集结果显示,各季节的优势鱼种与传统调查手段的结果有较大差异,表明目前环境DNA仍不能完全替代传统调查方法,但可以将环境DNA方法与传统的调查方法相结合,以确保监测结果的准确性和可靠性。

Unveiling DNA methylation in Alzheimer’s disease:a review of array-based human brain studies

The intricacies of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis are being increasingly illuminated by the exploration of epigenetic mechanisms,particularly DNA methylation.This review comprehensively surveys recent human-centered studies that investigate whole genome DNA methylation in Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology.The examination of various brain regions reveals distinctive DNA methylation patterns that associate with the Braak stage and Alzheimer’s disease progression.The entorhinal cortex emerges as a focal point due to its early histological alterations and subsequent impact on downstream regions like the hippocampus.Notably,ANK1 hypermethylation,a protein implicated in neurofibrillary tangle formation,was recurrently identified in the entorhinal cortex.Further,the middle temporal gyrus and prefrontal cortex were shown to exhibit significant hypermethylation of genes like HOXA3,RHBDF2,and MCF2L,potentially influencing neuroinflammatory processes.The complex role of BIN1 in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease is underscored by its association with altered methylation patterns.Despite the disparities across studies,these findings highlight the intricate interplay between epigenetic modifications and Alzheimer’s disease pathology.Future research efforts should address methodological variations,incorporate diverse cohorts,and consider environmental factors to unravel the nuanced epigenetic landscape underlying Alzheimer’s disease progression.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Radio Protective Activities of Lycopene from Tomato Extract against Radiation—Induced DNA Aberration

Background: The accumulation of free radicals is linked to a number of diseases. Free radicals can be scavenged by antioxidants and reduce their harmful effects. It is therefore essential to look for naturally occurring antioxidants that come from plants, as synthetic antioxidants are toxic, carcinogenic and problematic for the environment. Lycopene is one of the carotenoids, a pigment that dissolves in fat and has antioxidant properties. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity were assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The impact of lycopene on bacteria (E. coli) susceptibility to γ-radiation was examined by radio sensitivity assay. The study also examined the induction of strand breaks in plasmid pUC19 DNA and how lycopene extract protected the DNA from γ-radiation in vitro. Results: At varying concentrations, lycopene demonstrated its ability to scavenge free radicals such as 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). IC50 for lycopene was determined at 112 μg/mL which was almost partial to IC50 of standard antioxidant L-ascorbic acid. The D10 value 180 Gy of E. coli was found to be >2-fold higher in the extract-containing lycopene sample than in the extract-free controls. The lycopene extracts inhibited the radiation-induced deterioration of the plasmid pUC19 DNA. At an IC50 concentration, lycopene provided the highest level of protection. Conclusion: Lycopene functions as an efficient free radical scavenger and possible natural antioxidant source. For cancer patients and others who frequently expose themselves to radiation, lycopene may be a useful plant-based pharmaceutical product for treating a variety of diseases caused by free radicals.

Chromatin condensation but not DNA integrity of pig sperm is greater in the sperm-rich fraction

Background Protamination and condensation of sperm chromatin as well as DNA integrity play an essential role during fertilization and embryo development.In some mammals,like pigs,ejaculates are emitted in three separate fractions:pre-sperm,sperm-rich(SRF)and post sperm-rich(PSRF).These fractions are known to vary in volume,sperm concentration and quality,as well as in the origin and composition of seminal plasma(SP),with differences being also observed within the SRF one.Yet,whether disparities in the DNA integrity and chromatin condensation and pro-tamination of their sperm exist has not been interrogated.Results This study determined chromatin protamination(Chromomycin A3 test,CMA_(3)),condensation(Dibromobi-mane test,DBB),and DNA integrity(Comet assay)in the pig sperm contained in the first 10 m L of the SRF(SRF-P1),the remaining portion of the sperm-rich fraction(SRF-P2),and the post sperm-rich fraction(PSRF).While chromatin protamination was found to be similar between the different ejaculate fractions(P>0.05),chromatin condensation was seen to be greater in SRF-P1 and SRF-P2 than in the PSRF(P=0.018 and P=0.004,respectively).Regarding DNA integrity,no differences between fractions were observed(P>0.05).As the SRF-P1 has the highest sperm concentra-tion and ejaculate fractions are known to differ in antioxidant composition,the oxidative stress index(OSi)in SP,calcu-lated as total oxidant activity divided by total antioxidant capacity,was tested and confirmed to be higher in the SRF-P1 than in SRF-P2 and PSRF(0.42±0.06 vs.0.23±0.09 and 0.08±0.00,respectively;P<0.01);this index,in addition,was observed to be correlated to the sperm concentration of each fraction(Rs=0.973;P<0.001).Conclusion While sperm DNA integrity was not found to differ between ejaculate fractions,SRF-P1 and SRF-P2 were observed to exhibit greater chromatin condensation than the PSRF.This could be related to the OSi of each fraction.

LncRNA HOTAIR promotes DNA damage repair and radioresistance by targeting ATR in colorectal cancer

Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)have been implicated in cancer progression and drug resistance development.Moreover,there is evidence that lncRNA HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA(HOTAIR)is involved in colorectal cancer(CRC)progression.The present study aimed to examine the functional role of lncRNA HOTAIR in conferring radiotherapy resistance in CRC cells,as well as the underlying mechanism.The relative expression levels of HOTAIR were examined in 70 pairs of CRC tumor and para-cancerous tissues,as well as in radiosensitive and radioresistant samples.The correlations between HOTAIR expression levels and clinical features of patients with CRC were assessed using the Chi-square test.Functional assays such as cell proliferation,colony formation and apoptosis assays were conducted to determine the radiosensitivity in CRC cells with HOTAIR silencing after treatment with different doses of radiation.RNA pull-down assay andfluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)were used to determine the interaction between HOTAIR and DNA damage response mediator ataxia-telangiectasia mutated-and Rad3-related(ATR).HOTAIR was significantly upregulated in CRC tumor tissues,especially in radioresistant tumor samples.The elevated expression of HOTAIR was correlated with more advanced histological grades,distance metastasis and the poor prognosis in patients with CRC.Silencing HOTAIR suppressed the proliferation and promoted apoptosis and radiosensitivity in CRC cells.HOTAIR knockdown also inhibited the tumorigenesis of CRC cells and enhanced the sensitivity to radiotherapy in a mouse xenograft model.Moreover,the data showed that HOTAIR could interact with ATR to regulate the DNA damage repair signaling pathway.Silencing HOTAIR impaired the ATR-ATR interacting protein(ATRIP)complex and signaling in cell cycle progression.Collectively,the present results indicate that lncRNA HOTAIR facilitates the DNA damage response pathway and promotes radioresistance in CRC cells by targeting ATR.

Rice melatonin deficiency causes premature leaf senescence via DNA methylation regulation

In a study of DNA methylation changes in melatonin-deficient rice mutants,mutant plants showed premature leaf senescence during grain-filling and reduced grain yield.Melatonin deficiency led to transcriptional reprogramming,especially of genes involved in chlorophyll and carbon metabolism,redox regulation,and transcriptional regulation,during dark-induced leaf senescence.Hypomethylation of mCG and mCHG in the melatonin-deficient rice mutants was associated with the expression change of both protein-coding genes and transposable element-related genes.Changes in gene expression and DNA methylation in the melatonin-deficient mutants were compensated by exogenous application of melatonin.A decreased S-adenosyl-L-methionine level may have contributed to the DNA methylation variations in rice mutants of melatonin deficiency under dark conditions.

Anti-inflammatory and DNA Repair Effects of Astragaloside IV on PC12 Cells Damaged by Lipopolysaccharide

Objective This study aimed to establish a neural cell injury model in vitro by stimulating PC12 cells with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and to examine the effects of astragaloside IV on key targets using high-throughput sequence technology and bioinformatics analyses.Methods PC12 cells in the logarithmic growth phase were treated with LPS at final concentrations of 0.25,0.5,0.75,1,and 1.25 mg/mL for 24 h.Cell morphology was evaluated,and cell survival rates were calculated.A neurocyte inflammatory model was established with LPS treatment,which reached a 50%cell survival rate.PC12 cells were treated with 0.01,0.1,1,10,or 100µmol/L astragaloside IV for 24 h.The concentration of astragaloside IV that did not affect the cell survival rate was selected as the treatment group for subsequent experiments.NOS activity was detected by colorimetry;the expression levels of ERCC2,XRCC4,XRCC2,TNF-α,IL-1β,TLR4,NOS and COX-2 mRNA and protein were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blotting.The differentially expressed genes(DEGs)between the groups were screened using a second-generation sequence(fold change>2,P<0.05)with the following KEGG enrichment analysis,RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of DEGs related to the IL-17 pathway in different groups of PC12 cells.Results The viability of PC12 cells was not altered by treatment with 0.01,0.1,or 1µmol/L astragaloside IV for 24 h(P>0.05).However,after treatment with 0.5,0.75,1,or 1.25 mg/mL LPS for 24 h,the viability steadily decreased(P<0.01).The mRNA and protein expression levels of ERCC2,XRCC4,XRCC2,TNF-α,IL-1β,TLR4,NOS,and COX-2 were significantly increased after PC12 cells were treated with 1 mg/mL LPS for 24 h(P<0.01);however,these changes were reversed when PC12 cells were pretreated with 0.01,0.1,or 1µmol/L astragaloside IV in PC12 cells and then treated with 1 mg/mL LPS for 24 h(P<0.05).Second-generation sequencing revealed that 1026 genes were upregulated,while 1287 genes were downregulated.The DEGs were associated with autophagy,TNF-α,interleukin-17,MAPK,P53,Toll-like receptor,and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways.Furthermore,PC12 cells treated with a 1 mg/mL LPS for 24 h exhibited increased mRNA and protein expression of CCL2,CCL11,CCL7,MMP3,and MMP10,which are associated with the IL-17 pathway.RT-qPCR and Western blotting analyses confirmed that the DEGs listed above corresponded to the sequence assay results.Conclusion LPS can damage PC12 cells and cause inflammatory reactions in nerve cells and DNA damage.astragaloside IV plays an anti-inflammatory and DNA damage protective role and inhibits the IL-17 signaling pathway to exert a neuroprotective effect in vitro.

Enhancing the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells by reducing spermine synthase through promoting autophagy and DNA damage

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC),the third most common cancer worldwide,has increasingly detrimental effects on human health.Radiotherapy resistance diminishes treatment efficacy.Studies suggest that spermine synthase(SMS)may serve as a potential target to enhance the radiosensitivity.AIM To investigate the association between SMS and radiosensitivity in CRC cells,along with a detailed elucidation of the underlying mechanisms.METHODS Western blot was adopted to assess SMS expression in normal colonic epithelial cells and CRC cell lines.HCT116 cells were transfected with control/SMS-specific shRNA or control/pcDNA3.1-SMS plasmids.Assessments included cell viability,colony formation,and apoptosis via MTT assays,colony formation assays,and flow cytometry.Radiosensitivity was studied in SMS-specific shRNA-transfected HCT116 cells post-4 Gy radiation,evaluating cell viability,colony formation,apoptosis,DNA damage(comet assays),autophagy(immunofluorescence),and mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway protein expression(western blot).RESULTS Significant up-regulation of SMS expression levels was observed in the CRC cell lines.Upon down-regulation of SMS expression,cellular viability and colonyforming ability were markedly suppressed,concomitant with a notable increase in apoptotic indices.Furthermore,attenuation of SMS expression significantly augmented the sensitivity of HCT116 cells to radiation therapy,evidenced by a pronounced elevation in levels of cellular DNA damage and autophagy.Impor tantly,down-regulation of SMS corresponded with a marked reduction in the expression levels of proteins associated with the mTOR signaling pathway.CONCLUSION Knocking down SMS attenuates the mTOR signaling pathway,thereby promoting cellular autophagy and DNA damage to enhance the radiosensitivity of CRC cells.

Ganoboninketal C from Ganoderma boninense improves the efficacy of CDDP-based chemotherapy through inhibiting translesion DNA synthesis

Translesion DNA synthesis(TLS)can bypass DNA lesions caused by chemotherapeutic drugs,which usually result in drug resistance.Given its key role in mutagenesis and cell survival after DNA damage,inhibition of the TLS pathway has emerged as a potential target for improving the efficacy of DNA-damaging agents such as cisplatin(CDDP),a widely used anticancer agent.Unfortunately,few suitable natural TLS inhibitors have been reported.Here,we found that a triterpenoid compound Ganoboninketal C(26-3)from Ganoderma boninense,a traditional Chinese medicine,can impair CDDP-induced TLS polymerase eta(Polη)focus formation,PCNA monoubiquitination as well as mutagenesis.Moreover,26-3 can significantly sensitize tumor cells to CDDP killing and reduce the proportion of cancer stem cells in AGS and promote apoptosis after CDDP exposure.Interestingly,26-3 can also sensitize tumor cells to Gefitinib therapy.Mechanistically,through RNA-seq analysis,we found that 26-3 could abrogate the CDDP-induced upregulation of Polηand PIDD(p53-induced protein with a death domain),2 known factors promoting TLS pathway.Furthermore,we found that activating transcription factor 3 is a potential novel TLS modulator.Taken together,we have identified a natural TLS inhibitor 26-3,which can be potentially used as an adjuvant to improve clinical efficacy.

Comparative DNA methylation reveals epigenetic adaptation to high altitude in snub-nosed monkeys

DNA methylation plays a crucial role in environmental adaptations.Here,using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing,we generated comprehensive genome-wide DNA methylation profiles for the high-altitude Yunnan snub-nosed monkey(Rhinopithecus bieti)and the closely related golden snub-nosed monkey(R.roxellana).Our findings indicated a slight increase in overall DNA methylation levels in golden snub-nosed monkeys compared to Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys,suggesting a higher prevalence of hypermethylated genomic regions in the former.Comparative genomic methylation analysis demonstrated that genes associated with differentially methylated regions were involved in membrane fusion,vesicular formation and trafficking,hemoglobin function,cell cycle regulation,and neuronal differentiation.These results suggest that the high-altitude-related epigenetic modifications are extensive,involving a complete adaptation process from the inhibition of single Ca^(2+)channel proteins to multiple proteins collaboratively enhancing vesicular function or inhibiting cell differentiation and proliferation.Functional assays demonstrated that overexpression or down-regulation of candidate genes,such as SNX10,TIMELESS,and CACYBP,influenced cell viability under stress conditions.Overall,this research suggests that comparing DNA methylation across closely related species can identify novel candidate genomic regions and genes associated with local adaptations,thereby deepening our understanding of the mechanisms underlying environmental adaptations.

The DNA damage repair complex MoMMS21-MoSMC5 is required for infection-related development and pathogenicity of Magnaporthe oryzae

The conserved DNA damage repair complex,MMS21-SMC5/6(Methyl methane sulfonate 21-Structural maintenance of chromosomes 5/6),has been extensively studied in yeast,animals,and plants.However,its role in phytopathogenic fungi,particularly in the highly destructive rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae,remains unknown.In this study,we functionally characterized the homologues of this complex,MoMMS21 and MoSMC5,in M.oryzae.We first demonstrated the importance of DNA damage repair in M.oryzae by showing that the DNA damage inducer phleomycin inhibited vegetative growth,infection-related development and pathogenicity in this fungus.Additionally,we discovered that MoMMS21 and MoSMC5 interacted in the nuclei,suggesting that they also function as a complex in M.oryzae.Gene deletion experiments revealed that both MoMMS21 and MoSMC5 are required for infection-related development and pathogenicity in M.oryzae,while only MoMMS21 deletion affected growth and sensitivity to phleomycin,indicating its specific involvement in DNA damage repair.Overall,our results provide insights into the roles of MoMMS21 and MoSMC5 in M.oryzae,highlighting their functions beyond DNA damage repair.

DNA Damage-driven Inflammatory Cytokines:Reprogramming of Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Application of Oncotherapy

DNA damage occurs across tumorigenesis and tumor development.Tumor intrinsic DNA damage can not only increase the risk of mutations responsible for tumor generation but also initiate a cellular stress response to orchestrate the tumor immune microenvironment(TIME)and dominate tumor progression.Accumulating evidence documents that multiple signaling pathways,including cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes(cGAS-STING)and ataxia telangiectasia-mutated protein/ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein(ATM/ATR),are activated downstream of DNA damage and they are associated with the secretion of diverse cytokines.These cytokines possess multifaced functions in the anti-tumor immune response.Thus,it is necessary to deeply interpret the complex TIME reshaped by damaged DNA and tumor-derived cytokines,critical for the development of effective tumor therapies.This manuscript comprehensively reviews the relationship between the DNA damage response and related cytokines in tumors and depicts the dual immunoregulatory roles of these cytokines.We also summarize clinical trials targeting signaling pathways and cytokines associated with DNA damage and provide future perspectives on emerging technologies.