Aldo-keto reductase family member C3(AKR1C3)promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth by producing prostaglandin F2α

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a leading cause of death worldwide.Current therapies are effective for HCC patients with early disease,but many patients suffer recurrence after surgery and have a poor response to chemotherapy.Therefore,new therapeutic targets are needed.We analyzed gene expression profiles between HCC tissues and normal adjacent tissues from public databases and found that the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism was significantly different.The analysis showed that AKR1C3 was upregulated in tumors,and high AKR1C3 expression was associated with a poorer prognosis in HCC patients.In vitro,assays demonstrated that the knockdown of AKR1C3 or the addition of the AKR1C3 inhibitor indomethacin suppressed the growth and colony formation of HCC cell lines.Knockdown of AKR1C3 in Huh7 cells reduced tumor growth in vivo.To explore the mechanism,we performed pathway enrichment analysis,and the results linked the expression of AKR1C3 with prostaglandin F2 alpha(PGF2a)downstream target genes.Suppression of AKR1C3 activity reduced the production of PGF2a,and supplementation with PGF2a restored the growth of indomethacin-treated Huh7 cells.Knockdown of the PGF receptor(PTGFR)and treatment with a PTGFR inhibitor significantly reduced HCC growth.We showed that indomethacin potentiated the sensitivity of Huh7 cells to sorafenib.In summary,our results indicate that AKR1C3 upregulation may promote HCC growth by promoting the production of PGF2α,and suppression of PTGFR limited HCC growth.Therefore,targeting the AKR1C3-PGF2a-PTGFR axis may be a new strategy for the treatment of HCC.

Fe^(3+)对细粒菱锌矿和方解石分散行为的影响

方解石矿泥的覆盖和高价金属阳离子的存在是影响粒径−20μm细粒菱锌矿浮选效果的关键因素,两者通过改变菱锌矿的表面性质而恶化其分散性和浮选环境。本文选择菱锌矿浮选中常见的Fe^(3+)为研究对象,通过吸附试验、Zeta电位、XPS分析,DLVO理论计算等考察Fe^(3+)对菱锌矿和方解石的分散行为规律和作用机理。结果表明:两种矿物对Fe^(3+)的吸附行为基本一致,但Fe^(3+)对菱锌矿分散行为的影响程度大于Fe^(3+)对方解石分散行为的影响。当Fe^(3+)浓度为5×10^(−4)mol/L时,菱锌矿分散行为被完全破坏。溶液化学及DLVO理论计算结果表明,Fe^(3+)吸附在矿物表面形成了羟基络合物或Fe(OH)3,导致菱锌矿颗粒间作用力小于方解石的,这是Fe^(3+)破坏菱锌矿分散行为、影响粒径−20μm细粒菱锌矿浮选的主要原因。

不同形态聚乙烯微塑料对Fe^(3+)的吸附性能

为探究聚乙烯(PE)微塑料的不同形态对Fe^(3+)吸附性能的影响,分析两者之间的相互作用。选用低密度聚乙烯(LDPE)和线型低密度聚乙烯(LLDPE)作为不同形态PE的代表,利用SEM、FTIR、吸附比表面测试法及Zeta电位表征其结构形貌,并通过静态吸附实验探讨不同形态PE对Fe^(3+)的吸附效果影响。结果表明LDPE相较于LLDPE具有更优的颗粒分散性、比表面积和表面负电性,其对Fe^(3+)的最大吸附量达到5.01 mg·L^(-1),PE对Fe^(3+)的吸附量随着微塑料投加量的增加先增大后减小,升温有利于吸附反应的进行。LDPE和LLDPE对Fe^(3+)的吸附均符合准一级动力学和朗缪尔模型,这表明吸附过程以单层物理吸附为主;颗粒内扩散模型表明吸附过程以表面吸附为主,且内扩散不是吸附速率控制的唯一步骤。此外,扩散力和静电力是LDPE和LLDPE吸附Fe^(3+)的主要作用机制,并且不受其线型结构的影响。

一例Eu-MOF材料的构筑及对Fe^(3+)与硝基芳香族爆炸物的荧光检测性能

金属阳离子和硝基芳香族爆炸物的大量排放对环境和人体健康造成了严重威胁,对它们的高效检测具有重要的研究意义和挑战性,金属-有机骨架(MOFs)是一类新型的荧光传感检测材料.本文采用溶剂热法合成了一例具有fcu拓扑结构的Eu-MOF材料,[(CH_(3))_(2)NH_(2)]_(2)[Eu_(6)(μ_(3)-OH)_(8)(EDDC)_(6)]·8DMA·3MeOH·6H_(2)O[JLUMOF128,H_(2)EDDC=(E)-4,4′-(乙烯-1,2-取代基)二苯甲酸],并通过单晶X射线衍射、粉末X射线衍射、X射线光电子能谱、红外光谱、元素分析和热重分析对其结构及组成进行了表征.结果表明,由于荧光配体H_(2)EDDC的引入,JLU-MOF128表现出显著的荧光性能,在DMF溶液中对Fe^(3+)、2,4,6-三硝基苯酚(TNP)和2,4-二硝基苯酚(2,4-DNP)具有较好的检测效果,Ksv值分别为2.09×10^(4),8.49×10^(4)和5.75×10^(4)L/mol,检测限分别为5.99,1.51和1.93μmol/L.在金属阳离子和硝基芳香族爆炸物的检测方面,JLU-MOF128是一种理想的多感应荧光传感材料.

含酚类煤化工废水自还原Fe^(3+)类芬顿体系研究

煤化工废水水质复杂,难降解有机物及氨氮含量高,给废水处理带来较大难度。现有的煤化工废水处理技术(混凝法、吸附法、膜生物反应法等)具有成本高、运行不稳定、预处理效果差等缺陷,难以满足煤化工行业发展的需要。为了高效处理煤化工废水,本文利用煤化工废水中酚类有机物的还原性促进Fe^(3+)/Fe^(2+)的循环,提出了一种利用Fe^(3+)/H_(2)O_(2)类芬顿体系处理煤化工废水的方法。实验结果表明:Fe^(3+)/H_(2)O_(2)体系中COD、TOC、TN、NH3-N的去除率可以达到74.63%、52.62%、10.46%、15.11%;相比于其他体系,Fe^(3+)/H_(2)O_(2)体系出水色度明显降低,UV-Vis光谱下降幅度最大,铁泥量也明显减少。Q-TOF分析结果表明:废水中主要的8种有机物为酚类或具有醛基、羰基、羧基、碳碳双键或者酯基等还原性的官能团。通过测定COD去除率和pH、Fe^(3+)/Fe^(2+)、H_(2)O_(2)等含量随时间的变化趋势,提出了Fe^(3+)/H_(2)O_(2)体系去除有机物的机理:废水中的还原性有机物将Fe^(3+)还原为Fe^(2+),促进Fe^(3+)/Fe^(2+)循环,生成的Fe^(2+)与H_(2)O_(2)发生芬顿反应,实现废水中有机污染物的去除。利用控制变量法,确定了最佳运行工况为:Fe_(2)(SO_(4))_(3)添加量为1.0 g/L、H_(2)O_(2)添加量为50 mmol/L、反应温度为30℃、初始pH为6.8。在此工况下,反应60 min后,煤化工废水的COD、TOC、TN、NH_(3)-N去除效果良好,色度明显降低,BOD_(5)和COD的比值(B/C)从0.17提升至0.47,可生化性大幅提高。本文证实了利用含酚类煤化工废水自还原Fe^(3+)/H_(2)O_(2)体系的可行性,降低了运行成本,可为后续研究及工程应用提供理论基础。

Fe^(3+)对浮钨尾矿中受抑萤石的活化作用及其与方解石浮选分离的影响

白钨矿、萤石和方解石的浮选中,抑制剂的加入往往会增加后续萤石、方解石浮选分离的难度。通过浮选实验、吸附量测试、Zeta电位测量及溶液化学计算,研究了Fe^(3+)对浮钨尾矿中受抑萤石的活化作用及其与方解石浮选分离的影响及机理。单矿物浮选实验结果表明,Fe^(3+)单独添加对方解石的抑制作用远大于萤石。水玻璃单独添加时,两种矿物同时被抑制。在pH为8.0、水玻璃用量为300 mg/L、油酸钠用量为1.5×10^(-4)mol/L的条件下,萤石、方解石浮选回收率分别为13.49%和16.83%。水玻璃体系中引入Fe^(3+),在pH为8.0、水玻璃用量为75 mg/L、Fe^(3+)用量为3×10^(-4)mol/L、油酸钠用量为1.5×10^(-4)mol/L的条件下,萤石、方解石浮选回收率分别为82.01%和15.64%,Fe^(3+)的加入提高了水玻璃体系中受抑萤石的可浮性,选择性活化了萤石,机理分析表明,Fe^(3+)更容易在方解石表面发生吸附,阻碍了油酸钠的吸附。水玻璃体系中加入Fe^(3+)后,溶液中Fe^(3+)的水解组分Fe(OH)^(2+)、Fe(OH)_(4)^(-)选择性地与萤石表面水玻璃的水解组分Si(OH)_(4)、SiO(OH)_(3)^(-)发生化学反应,生成Fe^(+)-水玻璃聚合物,使得萤石表面的水玻璃水解组分含量减少,恢复了萤石的可浮性,而Fe^(+)-水玻璃聚合物则较多地在方解石表面发生吸附,更加抑制了方解石的浮选。

养殖废水中Fe^(3+)累积对藻菌共生体EPS分泌及膜污染特征的影响

通过在养殖废水中分别投加不同浓度的Fe^(3+)进行藻菌共生体的培养,探究Fe^(3+)对藻菌共生体胞外聚合物(EPS)分泌的影响,并将提取的EPS各组分拆分,结合膜污染测试实验考察藻菌共生体混合液和其各组分导致的膜污染特征变化情况。实验结果表明,Fe^(3+)的加入通过影响EPS各组分的含量可有效减缓膜污染,在其投加质量浓度为150 mg/L时,膜污染最轻。采用Hermia经典模型对膜通量衰减过程进行拟合分析,结果发现,滤饼层的形成是膜污染形成的主要原因之一,此外Fe^(3+)增加会引起微生物絮体粒径变化,进而对膜污染产生显著影响。膜面污染物成分分析发现,其主要组成成分为色氨酸类蛋白质、酪氨酸类蛋白质和微生物代谢副产物。

绿萝制备蓝色荧光碳量子点及对Fe^(3+)的检测

以绿萝为原料,通过水热法合成了蓝色荧光碳量子点(CQDs),考察了原料质量浓度、水热温度、CQDs浓度对CQDs荧光强度的影响,确定了最佳工艺条件:原料质量浓度3.3g/L、反应温度260℃、反应时间4h,此条件下制备的CQDs荧光强度最高。同时研究了盐离子浓度、紫外灯光照射时间、溶液pH对CQDs荧光强度的影响,结果表明CQDs有较好的盐稳定性和光稳定性,对pH有一定的依赖性,酸性条件下CQDs荧光强度相对较高。傅里叶变换红外光谱、X射线光电子能谱分析表明CQDs表面含有羟基、羧基等官能团,在水中有良好的溶解性。Fe^(3+)对CQDs的荧光有明显的猝灭作用,其他金属离子对其干扰性小,基于荧光强度与Fe^(3+)浓度之间的线性关系,CQDs能快速地检测水溶液中Fe^(3+)浓度,最低检测限为0.77μmol/L。

基于Fe^(3+)-DA-APS自催化体系的Fe_(3)O_(4)/PAA水凝胶的制备及性能研究

以Fe_(3)O_(4)纳米粒子为磁性组分,基于AA(丙烯酸)与部分Fe3O4反应产生的Fe3+、多巴胺(DA)构建双重自催化过硫酸铵(APS)的自由基聚合体系,在低温下制备了Fe_(3)O_(4)/聚丙烯酸(PAA)水凝胶,并对其进行表征。研究结果表明:Fe_(3)O_(4)/PAA水凝胶具有良好的力学性能,断裂伸长率、拉伸强度分别为900%、251.1 kPa;同时,其可较好粘附不同基材,在钢材上粘附-剥离循环20次后粘附强度仍稳定在30.7 kPa左右;此外,其还可感应极小形变,并在166 ms内快速响应。该Fe_(3)O_(4)/PAA水凝胶综合性能良好,具备应用于柔性传感器等领域的潜力。

Cloning and functional characterization of two cDNAs encoding NADPH-dependent 3-ketoacyl-CoA reductased from developing cotton fibers

Genes encoding enzymes involved in biosynthesis of very long chain fatty acids were significantly up-regulatedduring early cotton fiber development. Two cDNAs, GhKCR1 and GhKCR2 encoding putative cotton 3-ketoacyl-CoAreductases that catalyze the second step in fatty acid elongation, were isolated from developing cotton fibers. GhKCR1and 2 contain open reading frames of 963 bp and 924 bp encoding proteins of 320 and 307 amino acid residues,respectively. Quantatitive RT-PCR analysis showed that both these genes were highly preferentially expressed duringthe cotton fiber elongation period with much lower levels recovered from roots, stems and leaves. GhKCR1 and 2showed 30%-32% identity to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ybr159p at the deduced amino acid level. These cotton cDNAswere cloned and expressed in yeast haploid ybr159w? mutant that was deficient in 3-ketoacyl-CoA reductase activity.Wild-type growth rate was restored in ybr159w? cells that expressed either GhKCR1 or 2. Further analysis showed thatGhKCR1 and 2 were co-sedimented within the membranous pellet fraction after high-speed centrifugation, similar to theyeast endoplasmic reticulum marker ScKar2p. Both GhKCR(s) showed NADPH-dependent 3-ketoacyl-CoA reductaseactivity in an in vitro assay system using palmitoyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA as substrates. Our results suggest thatGhKCR1 and 2 are functional orthologues of ScYbr159p.

LiLu(MoO_(4))_(2):Eu^(3+)的制备及其对Fe^(3+)离子的荧光检测研究

Fe^(3+)在生命过程中扮演着重要的角色,开发一种能够快速定量检测Fe^(3+)离子的荧光探针有着重要意义。采用溶胶-凝胶法成功制备了四方相白钨矿结构的LiLu(MoO_(4))_(2):Eu^(3+)荧光粉,粒径为1~2μm;通过荧光光谱研究了所得荧光粉的光学性质,确定了Eu^(3+)的最佳发光掺杂摩尔浓度为15%。所得LiLu(MoO_(4))_(2):15%Eu^(3+)对Fe^(3+)离子的检测下限为14.4μmol/L,并且具有高选择性和抗干扰性。

Primary 4-3-oxosteroid 5β-reductase deficiency:Two cases in China

Aldo-keto reductase 1D1(AKR1D1) deficiency,a rare but life-threatening form of bile acid deficiency,has not been previously described in China.Here,we describe the first two primary 4-3-oxosteroid 5β-reductase deficiency patients in China's Mainland diagnosed by fast atom bombardment-mass spectroscopy of urinary bile acids and confirmed by genetic analysis.A high proportion of atypical 3-oxo-4-bile acids in the urine indicated a deficiency in 4-3-oxosteroid 5β-reductase.All of the coding exons and adjacent intronic sequence of the AKR1D1 gene were sequenced using peripheral lymphocyte genomic DNA of two patients and one of the patient's parents.One patient exhibited compound heterozygous mutations:c.396C>A and c.722A>T,while the other was heterozygous for the mutation c.797G>A.Based on these mutations,a diagnosis of primary 4-3-oxosteroid 5β-reductase deficiency could be confirmed.With ursodeoxycholic acid treatment and fat-soluble vitamin supplements,liver function tests normalized rapidly,and the degree of hepatomegaly was markedly reduced in both patients.

NPCl-CDs/Fe^(3+)荧光探针的制备及对L-Cys的传感检测

以葡萄糖、乙二胺、浓盐酸和浓磷酸作为反应前体,采用一步水热法合成了一种蓝绿色的荧光碳点NPCl-CDs,并以此构建了NPCl-CDs/Fe^(3+)荧光探针用于实际样品中L-半胱氨酸(L-Cys)的定量检测.实验结果表明,在NPCl-CDs中加入Fe^(3+)可使NPCl-CDs的荧光猝灭,当向NPCl-CDs/Fe^(3+)猝灭体系中引入L-Cys时,体系的荧光强度得以恢复.由此构建了一种用于L-Cys定量检测的新型“开-关-开”NPCl-CDs/Fe^(3+)-L-Cys荧光传感系统.该方法在5.8~60.0μmol/L浓度范围内呈现较宽的线性区域,检出限为0.052μmol/L.该荧光传感系统对L-Cys表现出良好的选择性,对实际样品中L-Cys的检测具有潜在的应用价值.

Identification of a Highly Expressed 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Gene in the Root Tissue of <i>Taraxacum kok-saghyz</i>

Kazakh dandelion (Taraxacum kok-saghyz, Tk) is a rubber-producing plant currently being investigated as a source of natural rubber for industrial applications. Like many other isoprenoids, rubber is a downstream product of the mevalonate pathway. The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) enzyme catalyzes the conversion of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA to mevalonic acid, a key regulatory step in the MVA pathway. Such regulated steps provide targets for increases in isoprenoid and rubber contents via genetic engineering to increase enzyme activities. In this study, we identify a TkHMGR1 gene that is highly expressed in the roots of Kazakh dandelion, the main tissue where rubber is synthesized and stored. This finding paves the way for further molecular and genetic studies of the TkHMGR1 gene, and its role in rubber biosynthesis in Tk and other rubber-producing plants.

不同因素对Fe^(3+)-TiO_(2)/ACF降解NH_(3)的影响

为了探究不同因素对Fe^(3+)-TiO_(2)/活性炭纤维(ACF)降解氨气(NH_(3))的影响规律,采用Fe^(3+)-TiO_(2)/ACF复合材料,以NH_(3)为目标降解物,研究初始浓度、流速、光催化剂负载量以及光照强度对Fe^(3+)-TiO_(2)/ACF降解NH_(3)的影响,并进行了相应的反应动力学分析。结果表明:随着初始浓度的增加,NH_(3)降解率呈现略微降低的趋势,光催化过程基本符合L-H一级反应动力学模型;随着流速的增加,NH_(3)降解率表现为先升高后降低,其光催化过程也基本符合L-H一级反应动力学模型;随着光催化剂负载量以及光照强度的增加,NH_(3)降解率表现为略微增加的趋势。

B位Fe^(3+)掺杂Na_(0.5)Bi_(0.49)TiO_(3)陶瓷的电导性能

采用固相合成法制备了x=0,0.02,0.04和0.06的Na_(0.5)Bi_(0.49)Ti_(1-x)Fe_(x)O_(3-δ)(NBT)粉末材料,经压制成型并在1000~1150℃烧结制备了片状陶瓷样品。通过XRD,SEM和EIS测试研究了Fe^(3+)掺杂量x对NBT陶瓷性能的影响。结果表明,NBT材料在掺杂Fe^(3+)后出现了新相NaBiTi_(6)O_(14),且含量随x的增加而变多。材料在掺杂后的烧结温度降低了100~150℃,同时材料的晶粒变得细小。在300~700℃测试温度范围内,x=0.02,0.04和0.06的样品的电导率在相同温度下都处于同一数量级,相对于x=0的样品的电导率提升了约1000倍。x=0.04的样品具有最高的电导率,在600℃和700℃的测试温度下,电导率分别达到9.8 mS/cm和17.0 mS/cm。

Δ4-3-oxosteroid-5β-reductase deficiency: Responses to oral bile acid therapy and long-term outcomes

BACKGROUND Disorders of primary bile acid synthesis may be life-threatening if undiagnosed,or not treated with primary bile acid replacement therapy. To date, there are few reports on the management and follow-up of patients with Δ4-3-oxosteroid 5β-reductase(AKR1 D1) deficiency. We hypothesized that a retrospective analysis of the responses to oral bile acid replacement therapy with chenodeoxycholic acid(CDCA) in patients with this bile acid synthesis disorder will increase our understanding of the disease progression and permit evaluation of this treatment regimen as an alternative to the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) approved drug cholic acid, which is currently unavailable in China.AIM To evaluate the therapeutic responses of patients with AKR1 D1 deficiency to oral bile acid therapy, specifically CDCA.METHODS Twelve patients with AKR1 D1 deficiency, confirmed by fast atom bombardment ionization-mass spectrometry analysis of urine and by gene sequencing for mutations in AKR1 D1, were treated with differing doses of CDCA or ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA). The clinical and biochemical responses to therapy were monitored over a period ranging 0.5-6.4 years. Dose adjustment, to optimize the therapeutic dose, was based on changes in serum biochemistry parameters,notably liver function tests, and suppression of the urinary levels of atypical hepatotoxic 3-oxo-Δ4-bile acids measured by mass spectrometry.RESULTS Physical examination, serum biochemistry parameters, and sonographic findings improved in all 12 patients during bile acid therapy, except one who underwent liver transplantation. Urine bile acid analysis confirmed a significant reduction in atypical hepatotoxic 3-oxo-Δ4 bile acids concomitant with clinical and biochemical improvements in those patients treated with CDCA. UDCA was ineffective in down-regulating endogenous bile acid synthesis as evidenced from the inability to suppress the urinary excretion of atypical 3-oxo-Δ4-bile acids. The dose of CDCA required for optimal clinical and biochemical responses varied from 5.5-10 mg/kg per day among patients based on maximum suppression of the atypical bile acids and improvement in serum biochemistry parameters, and careful titration of the dose was necessary to avoid side effects from CDCA.CONCLUSION The primary bile acid CDCA is effective in treating AKR1 D1 deficiency but the therapeutic dose requires individualized optimization. UDCA is not recommended for long-term management.

锌金属有机骨架材料在食品Fe^(3+)检测中的应用

以2,2',5,5'-偶氮苯四羧酸(ABTC)、1,2,4-三氮唑(Tz)和硝酸锌为原料合成的一种锌金属有机骨架材料([(CH_(3))_(2)NH_(2)][Zn_(2)(ABTC)(Tz)]·3DMF)作为研究对象,用荧光光谱法对该材料的荧光特性进行探究。测试结果显示,相较于其他离子而言,Fe^(3+)离子的样品溶液发光强度猝灭效果最为明显,并且Zn-MOF材料对Fe^(3+)离子有良好的猝灭效果和选择性。利用Zn-MOF材料的这一特性,在实验中以Zn-MOF材料作为荧光探针来测定食品(紫菜、猪肝粉、奶粉、核桃和牛肉)中Fe^(3+)的含量。

Recombinant adenovirus-mediated overexpression of 3β-hydroxysteroid-Δ24 reductase

3β-Hydroxysteroid-△24 reductase （DHCR24） is a multifunctional enzyme that localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and has neuroprotective and cholesterol-synthesizing activities. DHCR24 overexpression confers neuroprotection against apoptosis caused by amyloid β deposition. The present study aimed to construct two recombinant adenoviruses driving DHCR24 expression specifically in neurons. Two SYN1 promoter DNA fragments were obtained from human （h） and rat （r）. Recombinant Ad-r（h）SYN1-DHCR24 was transfected into AD-293, N2A （mouse neuroblastoma）, and MIN6 （mouse pancreatic carcinoma） cells. Western blot analysis showed DHCR24 was specially expressed in 293 and N2A cells, but no specific band was found in MIN6 cells. This demonstrates that the recombinant adenoviruses successfully express DHCR24, and no expression is observed in non-neuronal cells. TUNEL assay results showed apoptosis was inhibited in adenovirus-transfected neurons. Detecting reactive oxygen species by immunoflu- orescence, we found that adenovirus transfection inhibits apoptosis through scavenging excess reactive oxygen species. Our findings show that the recombinant DHCR24 adenoviruses induce neuron-specific DHCR24 expression, and thereby lay the foundation for further studies on DHCR24 gene therapy for Alzheimer＇s disease.

Expression of <i>T4HR1</i>, a 1,3,6,8-Tetrahydroxynaphthalene Reductase Gene Involved in Melanin Biosynthesis, Is Enhanced by Near-Ultraviolet Irradiation in <i>Bipolaris oryzae</i>

Bipolaris oryzae is the causal agent of brown spot disease in rice and produces the dark pigment melanin. We isolated and characterized T4HR1 gene encoding 1,3,6,8-tetrahydroxynaphthalene (1,3,6,8-THN) reductase, which converted 1,3,6,8-THN to scytalone in the melanin biosynthesis from B. oryzae. A sequence analysis showed that the T4HR1 gene encoded a putative protein of 268 amino acids showing 50% - 99% sequence identity to other fungal 1,3,6,8-THN reductases. Targeted disruption of the T4HR1 gene showed a different phenotype of mycelial color due to an accumulation of shunt products compared to those of wild-type on PDA plates using tricyclazole as a melanin biosynthesis inhibitor. A quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression of T4HR1 transcripts was enhanced by near-ultraviolet (NUV) irradiation and regulated by transcriptional factor BMR1, similar to three other melanin biosynthesis genes (polyketide synthase gene [PKS1], scytalone dehydratase gene [SCD1], and 1,3,8-THN reductase gene [THR1]) in the melanin biosynthesis of B. oryzae. These results suggested that common transcriptional mechanisms could regulate the enhanced gene expression of these melanin biosynthesis genes by NUV irradiation in B. oryzae.