新型超声快速处理活检标本保存不同年限对DNA质量的影响

背景:新型超声组织处理技术越来越多地被用来进行分子生物学分析,研究新型超声处理不同存储年限组织DNA的质量,对进一步分子检测的标本质控具有重要意义。目的:探讨新型超声处理活检标本存储不同年限对DNA质量的影响,以期为分子检测探索最佳的标本存储时间。方法:收集40例乳腺穿刺小活检组织,采用超声技术制作石蜡标本,按照存储年限分为4组:<1年组、1-3年组、>3-5年组及>5年组,每组10例,对石蜡标本进行切片,每张切片厚3μm,切片10-15张,提取DNA后通过Nanophotometer N60超微量分光光度计和Qubit 4.0荧光计检测DNA的质量浓度,记录A_(260)/A_(280)比值判定DNA的纯度,利用全自动毛细管电泳核酸分析仪(Qsep 100)检测DNA片段完整性,以评估DNA片段的质量。结果与结论:4组样本A_(260)/A_(280)均值在1.8-2.0之间,达到纯度要求,无明显差异。4组样本的DNA质量浓度(Qubit浓度)均值分别为30.39,14.33,2.52,1.95 ng/μL;DNA的平均N/Q比值分别为6.48,14.18,24.56,29.86;DNA质量数均值分别为5.64,1.76,1.24,0.80;大片段占比均值分别为56.08%,17.72%,12.68%,7.90%。PCR检测内控基因Ct均值分别为15.32,17.09,18.39,21.24。与<1年组相比,其余3组DNA浓度显著降低,N/Q比值显著增加,DNA质量数和大片段占比均值显著降低,Ct值升高,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。实验结果表明,对于新型超声处理活检标本,应优先选择存储<1年的样本进行日常分子检测,储存3年内的样本可满足二代测序等检测要求,5年内样本仅可尝试进行PCR等检测,存储超过5年的样本不建议进行后续分子检测。

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.

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.

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.

DNA methylation in poultry:a review

As an important epigenetic modification,DNA methylation is involved in many biological processes such as animal cell differentiation,embryonic development,genomic imprinting and sex chromosome inactivation.As DNA methylation sequencing becomes more sophisticated,it becomes possible to use it to solve more zoological problems.This paper reviews the characteristics of DNA methylation,with emphasis on the research and application of DNA methylation in poultry.

基于中医证候与精液质量相关参数构建精子DNA碎片预测模型与验证

背景:中医证候与精液质量相关参数相结合,共同预测精子DNA碎片指数(DNA fragmentation index,DFI)异常增高的发生并绘制列线图,能显著提高临床的实操性与应用效能,为临床全面评估精液质量,采取积极干预措施以改善临床结局及制定个体化医疗方案提供依据。目的:探讨基于中医证候与精液质量相关参数构建精子DNA碎片的预测模型与验证。方法:回顾性分析2019年7月至2021年7月在广西壮族自治区南溪山医院中医男科接受中医证候诊断及精子DNA碎片率检查的不育患者共420例,据《人类精液检查与处理实验室手册》(第6版),将其中137例精子DFI>30%患者纳入精子DFI异常增高组,将283例精子DFI≤30%作为对照组;首先采用单因素分析筛选精子DFI异常增高的影响因素,然后采用套索算法(LASSO)校正因子共线性问题并筛选出最佳匹配因子后,将其纳入多因素向前逐步Logistic回归找出其独立影响因素并绘制列线图,最后采用受试者工作曲线、校准曲线、临床决策曲线、临床影响曲线对该预测模型进行区分度与准确度及临床应用效能验证。结果与结论:①单因素分析结果显示,年龄、体质量指数、前向运动率、精子总活率、精子浓度、精子形态学、肾阳虚衰证、湿热下注证、肾精不足证为引发精子DFI异常增高的影响因子(P<0.05);②通过LASSO回归进一步筛选出的最佳匹配因素为年龄、体质量指数、精子总活率、精子浓度、精子形态学、肾阳虚衰证、湿热下注证、肾精不足证(P<0.05);③多因素向前逐步Logistic回归结果显示年龄、体质量指数、精子浓度、精子总活率、湿热下注证、肾阳虚衰证共6项为引发精子DFI异常增高的独立影响因素;④受试者工作曲线显示,模型组曲线下面积为0.760(0.713,0.806),验证组曲线下面积为0.745(0.714,0.776),说明该预测模型具有较好的区分度;⑤校准曲线平均绝对误差0.040,Hosmer-Lemeshow检验P>0.05,表明该模型预测发生精子DFI异常增高的概率与实际发生精子DFI异常增高的概率无显著统计学差异,证实该模型具有较好的准确度;⑥临床决策曲线与临床影响曲线显示,模型组与验证组分别在阈概率值为0.08-0.84与0.09-0.78时具有临床最大净获益,且在该阈概率范围内具有较好的临床应用效能;⑦结果表明,年龄、体质量指数、精子浓度、精子总活率、湿热下注证、肾阳虚衰证为引发精子DFI异常增高的独立影响因素,通过其构建的临床预测模型列线图具有较好的临床预测价值与临床应用效能,可为临床全面评估精液质量、预后与干预及个体化医疗服务提供依据。

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.

Advances in DNA methylation and its role in cytoplasmic male sterility in higher plants

The impact of epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation on plant phenotypes has expanded the possibilities for crop development.DNA methylation plays a part in the regulation of both the chromatin structure and gene expression,and the enzyme involved,DNA methyltransferase,executes the methylation process within the plant genome.By regulating crucial biological pathways,epigenetic changes actively contribute to the creation of the phenotype.Therefore,epigenome editing may assist in overcoming some of the drawbacks of genome editing,which can have minor off-target consequences and merely facilitate the loss of a gene’s function.These drawbacks include gene knockout,which can have such off-target effects.This review provides examples of several molecular characteristics of DNA methylation,as well as some plant physiological processes that are impacted by these epigenetic changes in the plants.We also discuss how DNA alterations might be used to improve crops and meet the demands of sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming.

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.

DNA Methylation of KLRC1 and KLRC3 in Autoimmune Thyroiditis:Perspective of Different Water Iodine Exposure

Objective This study aimed to identify differentially methylated genes(DMGs) associated with natural killer cells in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis(AIT), focusing on the influence of varying water iodine exposure levels.Methods Participants were divided into categories based on median water iodine(MWI)concentrations: iodine-fortified areas(IFA, MWI < 10 μg/L), iodine-adequate areas(IAA, 40 ≤ MWI ≤ 100μg/L), and iodine-excessive areas(IEA, MWI > 300 μg/L). A total of 176 matched AIT cases and controls were recruited and divided into 89, 40, and 47 pairs for IFA, IAA, and IEA, respectively. DMGs were identified using 850K Bead Chip analysis for 10/10 paired samples. Validation of DNA methylation and m RNA expression levels of the DMGs was conducted using Methyl Target^(TM) and QRT-PCR for 176/176paired samples.Results KLRC1, KLRC3, and SH2D1B were identified as significant DMGs. Validation revealed that KLRC1 was hypomethylated and highly expressed, whereas KLRC3 was hypermethylated and highly expressed in individuals with AIT. Furthermore, KLRC1 was hypomethylated and highly expressed in both IFA and IEA.Conclusion The DNA methylation status of KLRC1 and KLRC3 may play crucial roles in AIT pathogenesis. Additionally, DNA methylation of KLRC1 seems to be influenced by different iodine concentrations in water.

Effectiveness of fecal DNA syndecan-2 methylation testing for detection of colorectal cancer in a high-risk Chinese population

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)is among the most prevalent and life-threatening malignancies worldwide.Syndecan-2 methylation(mSDC2)testing has emerged as a widely used biomarker for early detection of CRC in stool and serum samples.Cancer(CRC)is among the most prevalent and life-threatening malignancies worldwide.mSDC2 testing has emerged as a widely used biomarker for early detection of CRC in stool and serum samples.AIM To validate the effectiveness of fecal DNA mSDC2 testing in the detection of CRC among a high-risk Chinese population to provide evidence-based data for the development of diagnostic and/or screening guidelines for CRC in China.METHODS A high-risk Chinese cohort consisting of 1130 individuals aged 40-79 years was selected for evaluation via fecal mSDC2 testing.Sensitivity and specificity for CRC,advanced adenoma(AA)and advanced colorectal neoplasia(ACN)were determined.High-risk factors for the incidence of colorectal lesions were determined and a logistic regression model was constructed to reflect the efficacy of the test.RESULTS A total of 1035 high-risk individuals were included in this study according to established criteria.Among them,16 suffered from CRC(1.55%),65 from AA(6.28%)and 189 from non-AAs(18.26%);150 patients were diagnosed with polyps(14.49%).Diagnoses were established based upon colonoscopic and pathological examinations.Sensitivities of the mSDC2 test for CRC and AA were 87.50%and 40.00%,respectively;specificities were 95.61%for other groups.Positive predictive values of the mSDC2 test for CRC,AA and ACN were 16.09%,29.89%and 45.98%,respectively;the negative predictive value for CRC was 99.79%.After adjusting for other high-risk covariates,mSDC2 test positivity was found to be a significant risk factor for the occurrence of ACN(P<0.001).CONCLUSION Our findings confirmed that offering fecal mSDC2 testing and colonoscopy in combination for CRC screening is effective for earlier detection of malignant colorectal lesions in a high-risk Chinese population.

FTA-环介导等温扩增技术直接提取变异链球菌DNA的效果评价

背景:变异链球菌是龋病的重要病原菌,及时检测变异链球菌水平对龋病的早发现、早治疗有重要意义。目的:建立并评价FTA-环介导等温扩增(loop-mediated isothermal amplification,LAMP)技术直接提取变异链球菌DNA的应用效果。方法:①制备含有ATCC标准菌株变异链球菌的菌悬液,接种于脑心浸出液培养基,充分混匀后按10倍梯度稀释成7种浓度(4.2×10^(7),4.2×10^(6),4.2×10^(5),4.2×10^(4),4.2×10^(3),4.2×10^(2),4.2×10 CFU/mL),每个稀释级做2个平行对照,并增加无菌水作为空白对照;②分别采用FTA卡、常规煮沸法、试剂盒提取及裂解液提取4种方法直接提取菌株DNA,通过LAMP技术进行扩增,并进行特异性试验,比较4种提取方法的差异。结果与结论:①4种方法提取的DNA均满足LAMP扩增的要求;②特异性试验结果显示,只有变异链球菌才可特异扩增出靶基因;③裂解液提取法最低检测限为4.2×10^(3) CFU/mL,FTA卡提取法最低检测限为4.2×10^(4) CFU/mL,试剂盒提取法和常规煮沸法最低检测限分别为4.2×10^(6) CFU/mL和4.2×10^(7) CFU/mL;④4种提取方法其他方面的比较显示,试剂盒提取法的实验成本、步骤数和时间都是最高;其他3种方法步骤数一致,其中FTA卡所需仪器设备最少,常规煮沸法单次成本最低,裂解液提取法所需时间最少;FTA卡和裂解液提取法仅需少量菌即可提取成功,后者在时间方面优于FTA卡,但相较于FTA卡其单次成本高,所需设备多;⑤结果说明,该研究建立的FTA-LAMP技术具有操作简便、特异性强、灵敏度高、结果可视化等优势,有望为高效提取检测变异链球菌提供新途径。

基于活产建立体外受精-胚胎移植精子DNA碎片指数的参考阈值及子代短期安全性

背景:精子DNA碎片指数与受精、胚胎发育潜能、胚胎植入、流产及子代安全性等存在显著的相关性。然而,其临床参考值受多种因素的影响,导致临床意义极其有限,该研究以活产为结局,通过倾向评分匹配校正其他混杂因素后,构建精子DNA碎片指数与活产的最佳临床截断值,并对其进行内外部验证,具有较好的预测价值及临床应用效能。目的:探讨基于活产建立体外受精-胚胎移植精子DNA碎片指数的参考阈值及子代短期安全性。方法:选取2019年5月至2021年5月于常州市妇幼保健院接受体外受精-胚胎移植患者1921例,以倾向匹配容差0.02为标准,1∶1进行倾向评分匹配,结果活产组与非活产组各成功匹配540例,以此建立模型组;通过选取同时期广西壮族自治区南溪山医院接受体外受精-胚胎移植患者135例作为外部验证组;采用受试者工作曲线探求精子DNA碎片指数对活产的临床最佳截断值,分别采用限制性立方样条曲线、标准曲线、临床决策曲线、临床影响曲线及内外部验证等方法,对该截断值的准确性及临床应用效能进行评估。结果与结论:(1)非活产组精子DNA碎片指数显著高于活产组且与活产存在显著的负相关性(r=-0.444,P<0.001);(2)受试者工作曲线结果显示,DNA碎片指数对活产的最佳截断值为24.33%,曲线下面积为0.775(0.746,0.804),特异度为72.60%,敏感度为78.90%,准确度为75.70%;(3)限制性立方样条曲线拟合Logistic回归结果显示,当精子DNA碎片指数大于24.57%时,临床非活产的风险呈趋势性增涨;(4)Logistic回归概率分析结果显示,精子DNA碎片指数为活产的危险因素[OR(95%CI)=0.916(0.904,0.928),P<0.001],且当精子DNA碎片指数大于27.78%时,临床活产发生的概率将小于50%,随着精子DNA碎片指数每增高1个单位,活产的概率下降8.4%;(5)内外部对该临床截断值的验证均显示,该截点具有一定的临床预测价值及准确性;(6)临床决策曲线与临床影响曲线显示,以该临床截断值建立的预测模型在阈概率为0.22-0.73时具有临床最大净获益值,且在该阈概率范围内损失与获益的比值始终小于1,证实该预测模型具有较好的临床应用效能;(7)精子DNA碎片指数与子代短期安全性分析结果显示,精子DNA碎片指数与出生儿早产、体质量、畸形、性别差异无显著性;(8)结果表明,精子DNA碎片指数对体外受精-胚胎移植活产的最佳临床截断值为24.33%,以此建立的临床预测模型具有较好的区分度、准确度与临床应用效能,精子DNA碎片指数对子代短期安全性影响并不显著,但仍需大样本及长期的追踪评估。

Plasma DNA methylation detection for early screening,diagnosis,and monitoring of esophageal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND The early diagnosis rate of esophageal cancer(EC),one of the most prevalent digestive tract cancers worldwide,remains low.AIM To investigate the utility of plasma SHOX2,SEPTIN9,EPO,and RNF180 methylation in the clinical diagnosis and monitoring of EC.Plasma samples were collected from 210 patients at Hubei Cancer Hospital,and TaqMan polymerase chain reaction was employed to detect plasma SHOX2,SEPTIN9,RNF180,and EPO methylation.The area under the curve was used to estimate their diagnostic value for EC.Cox and logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the independent screening risk factors for patients with EC.RESULTS The sensitivity and specificity of combined assessment of plasma SHOX2,SEPTIN9,RNF180,and EPO methylation for adenocarcinoma,squamous cell carcinoma(SCC),and EC detection were 66.67%and 86.27%,77.40%and 85.29%,and 76.19%and 86.27%,respectively;the area under the curve values for diagnosing adenocarcinoma,SCC,and EC were 0.737[95%confidence interval(CI):0.584–0.89],0.824(95%CI:0.775–0.891),and 0.864(95%CI:0.809–0.92),respectively.CONCLUSION According to our findings,plasma SHOX2,SEPTIN9,RNF180,and EPO methylation exhibits appreciated sensitivity for diagnosing EC.The precise measurement of plasma SHOX2,SEPTIN9,RNF180,and EPO methylation can improve EC diagnosis and therapy efficacy monitoring.

DNA Methylation Variation Is Identified in Monozygotic Twins Discordant for Congenital Heart Diseases

Aims:Multiple genes and environmental factors are known to be involved in congenital heart disease(CHD),but epigenetic variation has received little attention.Monozygotic(MZ)twins with CHD provide a unique model for exploring this phenomenon.In order to investigate the potential role of Deoxyribonucleic Acid(DNA)methyla-tion in CHD pathogenesis,the present study examined DNA methylation variation in MZ twins discordant for CHD,especially ventricular septal defect(VSD).Methods and Results:Using genome-wide DNA methylation profiles,we identified 4004 differentially methylated regions(DMRs)in 18 MZ twin pairs discordant for CHD,and 2826 genes were identified.Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)analysis revealed a list of CHD-associated pathways.To further investigate the role of DNA methylation in VSD,data from 7 pairs of MZ twins with VSD were analyzed.We identified 1614 DMRs corresponding to 1443 genes associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy,cyclic guanosine monopho-sphate-protein kinase G(cGMP-PKG)signaling pathway by KEGG analysis,and cell-cell adhesion,calcium ion transmembrane transport by GO analysis.A proportion of DMR-associated genes were involved in calcium signaling pathways.The methylation changes of calcium signaling genes might be related to VSD pathogenesis.Conclusion:CHD is associated with differential DNA methylation in MZ twins.CHD may be etiologically linked to DNA methylation,and methylation of calcium signaling genes may be involved in the development of VSD.

基于SM2和DNA的图像加密算法

近年来,随着互联网的全面普及,公民对信息安全和隐私保护提出了新的更高的要求,为了保护公民的数据安全,并且满足“打赢新时代网络战争”的要求,对图像加密算法的研究与实现进行深入的研究,提出了一种基于国密SM2数字信封和脱氧核糖核酸(Deoxyribonucleic acid,DNA)编码的图像加密技术,将图像编码技术、公钥技术、口令保护技术相结合.在该算法中,通过使用Python重点实现了密钥空间的复杂性、图像的鲁棒性、随机性、低相关性,同时对图像的直方图进行了分析,研究结果表明,在实现公钥加密算法国产化替代的同时,增强了加密的安全性.

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.

Punicalagin prevents obesity-related cardiac dysfunction through promoting DNA demethylation in mice

The aim of this study was to investigate whether punicalagin(PU)could prevent obesity-related cardiac dysfunction by promoting DNA demethy lation,and to explore its possible mechanism.C57BL/6J mice were fed with standard diet,high-fat diet(HFD),HFD supplemented with resveratrol,low-dose PU(LPU)and high-dose PU(HPU)for 8 weeks.Compared with HFD group,body weight was significantly lower in PU treatment groups,number of cardionwocytes and the protein level of myosin heavy chain 7B were significantly higher in PU treatment groups.Levels of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and 5-formylcytosine were significantly lower in HFD group than in other groups.Compared with the HFD group,the protein level of ten-eleven translocation enzyme(TET)2 was significantly higher in PU treatment groups,p-AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)was significantly higher in LPU group.Levels of total antioxidant capacity and the protein levels of complexesⅡ/Ⅲ/Ⅴ,oxoglutarate dehydrogenase,succinate dehydrogenase B and fumarate hdrolase were significantly lower in HFD group than PU treatment group.The ratio of(succinic acid+fumaric acid)/a-ketoglutarate was significantly higher in HFD group than other groups.In conclusion,PU up-regulated TETs enzyme activities and TET2 protein stability through alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction and activating AMPK,so as to promote DNA demethylation,thus preventing obesity-related cardiac dysfunction.

Peripheral mitochondrial DNA as a neuroinflammatory biomarker for major depressive disorder

In the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder, chronic stress-related neuroinflammation hinders favorable prognosis and antidepressant response. Mitochondrial DNA may be an inflammatory trigger, after its release from stress-induced dysfunctional central nervous system mitochondria into peripheral circulation. This evidence supports the potential use of peripheral mitochondrial DNA as a neuroinflammatory biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of major depressive disorder. Herein, we critically review the neuroinflammation theory in major depressive disorder, providing compelling evidence that mitochondrial DNA release acts as a critical biological substrate, and that it constitutes the neuroinflammatory disease pathway. After its release, mitochondrial DNA can be carried in the exosomes and transported to extracellular spaces in the central nervous system and peripheral circulation. Detectable exosomes render encaged mitochondrial DNA relatively stable. This mitochondrial DNA in peripheral circulation can thus be directly detected in clinical practice. These characteristics illustrate the potential for mitochondrial DNA to serve as an innovative clinical biomarker and molecular treatment target for major depressive disorder. This review also highlights the future potential value of clinical applications combining mitochondrial DNA with a panel of other biomarkers, to improve diagnostic precision in major depressive disorder.

Stress Treatments and DNA Methylation Affected the Somatic Embryogenesis of Citrus Callus

The evaluation on the callus embryogenesis capacity of 15 genotypes of citrus showed that stress treatments were conducive to somatic embryogenesis and could enhance the recovery of the missed capacity of embryogenesis for some genotypes. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and methylation sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) analysis indicated that there existed significant differences in DNA methylation status between the callus capable of producing somatic embryoids and that which missed the embryogenesis capacity of the same genotype Newhall navel orange ( Citrus sinensis Osb. cv. Newhall). The DNA methylation level of the former was lower than that of the latter. However, RAPD profiles did not show any difference between these two kinds of callus.