NLRP3/1-mediated pyroptosis:beneficial clues for the development of novel therapies for Alzheimer’s disease

The inflammasome is a multiprotein complex involved in innate immunity that mediates the inflammatory response leading to pyroptosis,which is a lytic,inflammatory form of cell death.There is accumulating evidence that nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)inflammasome-mediated microglial pyroptosis and NLRP1 inflammasome-mediated neuronal pyroptosis in the brain are closely associated with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.In this review,we summarize the possible pathogenic mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease,focusing on neuroinflammation.We also describe the structures of NLRP3 and NLRP1 and the role their activation plays in Alzheimer’s disease.Finally,we examine the neuroprotective activity of small-molecule inhibitors,endogenous inhibitor proteins,microRNAs,and natural bioactive molecules that target NLRP3 and NLRP1,based on the rationale that inhibiting NLRP3 and NLRP1 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis can be an effective therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer’s disease.

Inhibitory effect of saffron on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma via targeting of ESR1 and CCND1 by its active compound crocetin

Background:Traditional Chinese medicine is promising for managing challenging and complex disorders,including cancer,and in particular,saffron is applied in treating various cancer types.However,its potential therapeutic efficacy and active components in managing squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck(HNSCC)remain unclear yet.Methods:Using network pharmacology approaches,active ingredients of saffron,their target genes,and HNSCC-related genes were identified.Enrichment analyses were conducted for determining molecular functions and pathways enriched by genes that overlapped between the saffron target gene set and the HNSCC gene set.Among the four known active ingredients of saffron,crocetin was found to have the strongest inhibitory impact on HNSCC,based on the findings of cell viability and migration assays.Therefore,the potential target genes of crocetin in HNSCC cells were examined using molecular docking experiments and were confirmed by qPCR.Result s:Four active ingredients of saffron and 184 of their target genes were identified.Further,a total of 34 overlapping saffron-/HNSCC-associated targets related to the four active ingredients were screened,and crocetin was chosen for further investigation because it had the strongest inhibitory effect on HNSCC cells.Molecular docking experiments indicated that ESR1 and CCND1 were the target genes of crocetin.These results were confirmed through qPCR analysis,in which crocetin was found to lower the expression of the ESR1 and CCND1 genes in AMC-HN-8 and FaDu cells.Conclusion:According to our results,crocetin is a primary active anti-cancer component of saffron that may have potential in the development of novel HNSCC-treating medications.However,more thorough molecular research is necessary for confirming these results and elucidating the anti-cancer mechanism underlying saffron.

P-aminobenzoic acid promotes retinal regeneration through activation of Ascl1a in zebrafish

The retina of zebrafish can regenerate completely after injury.M ultiple studies have demonstrated that metabolic alte rations occur during retinal damage;however to date no study has identified a link between metabolites and retinal regeneration of zebrafish.Here,we performed an unbiased metabolome sequencing in the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-damaged retinas of zebrafish to demonstrate the metabolomic mechanism of retinal regeneration.Among the differentially-ex pressed metabolites,we found a significant decrease in p-aminobenzoic acid in the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-damaged retinas of zebrafish.Then,we investigated the role of p-aminobenzoic acid in retinal regeneration in adult zebrafish.Impo rtantly,p-aminobenzoic acid activated Achaetescute complex-like 1a expression,thereby promoting Müller glia reprogramming and division,as well as Müller glia-derived progenitor cell proliferation.Finally,we eliminated folic acid and inflammation as downstream effectors of PABA and demonstrated that PABA had little effect on Müller glia distribution.Taken together,these findings show that PABA contributes to retinal regeneration through activation of Achaetescute complex-like 1a expression in the N-methyl-Daspartic acid-damaged retinas of zebrafish.

Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 prevents the progression of liver injury

BACKGROUND Uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1(UGT1A1)plays a crucial role in metabolizing and detoxifying endogenous and exogenous substances.However,its contribution to the progression of liver damage remains unclear.AIM To determine the role and mechanism of UGT1A1 in liver damage progression.METHODS We investigated the relationship between UGT1A1 expression and liver injury through clinical research.Additionally,the impact and mechanism of UGT1A1 on the progression of liver injury was analyzed through a mouse model study.RESULTS Patients with UGT1A1 gene mutations showed varying degrees of liver damage,while patients with acute-onchronic liver failure(ACLF)exhibited relatively reduced levels of UGT1A1 protein in the liver as compared to patients with chronic hepatitis.This suggests that low UGT1A1 levels may be associated with the progression of liver damage.In mouse models of liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl_(4))and concanavalin A(ConA),the hepatic levels of UGT1A1 protein were found to be increased.In mice with lipopolysaccharide or liver steatosis-mediated liver-injury progression,the hepatic protein levels of UGT1A1 were decreased,which is consistent with the observations in patients with ACLF.UGT1A1 knockout exacerbated CCl_(4)-and ConA-induced liver injury,hepatocyte apoptosis and necroptosis in mice,intensified hepatocyte endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress and oxidative stress,and disrupted lipid metabolism.CONCLUSION UGT1A1 is upregulated as a compensatory response during liver injury,and interference with this upregulation process may worsen liver injury.UGT1A1 reduces ER stress,oxidative stress,and lipid metabolism disorder,thereby mitigating hepatocyte apoptosis and necroptosis.

Small molecule deoxynyboquinone triggers alkylation and ubiquitination of Keap1 at Cys489 on Kelch domain for Nrf2 activation and inflammatory therapy

Activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)by Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)alkylation plays a central role in anti-inflammatory therapy.However,activators of Nrf2 through alkylation of Keap1-Kelch domain have not been identified.Deoxynyboquinone(DNQ)is a natural small molecule discovered from marine actinomycetes.The current study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and molecular mechanisms of DNQ via alkylation of Keap1.DNQ exhibited significant anti-inflammatory properties both in vitro and in vivo.The pharmacophore responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of DNQ was determined to be theα,β-unsaturated amides moieties by a chemical reaction between DNQ and N-acetylcysteine.DNQ exerted anti-inflammatory effects through activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway.Keap1 was demonstrated to be the direct target of DNQ and bound with DNQ through conjugate addition reaction involving alkylation.The specific alkylation site of DNQ on Keap1 for Nrf2 activation was elucidated with a synthesized probe in conjunction with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.DNQ triggered the ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of Keap1 by alkylation of the cysteine residue 489(Cys489)on Keap1-Kelch domain,ultimately enabling the activation of Nrf2.Our findings revealed that DNQ exhibited potent anti-inflammatory capacity throughα,β-unsaturated amides moieties active group which specifically activated Nrf2 signal pathway via alkylation/ubiquitination of Keap1-Kelch domain,suggesting the potential values of targeting Cys489 on Keap1-Kelch domain by DNQ-like small molecules in inflammatory therapies.

Sorl1 knockout inhibits expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor:involvement in the development of late-onset Alzheimer's disease

Sortilin-related receptor 1(SORL1)is a critical gene associated with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.SORL1 contributes to the development and progression of this neurodegenerative condition by affecting the transport and metabolism of intracellularβ-amyloid precursor protein.To better understand the underlying mechanisms of SORL1 in the pathogenesis of late-onset Alzheimer s disease,in this study,we established a mouse model of SorI1 gene knockout using cluste red regularly inters paced short palindro mic repeats-associated protein 9 technology.We found that Sorl1-knocko ut mice displayed deficits in learning and memory.Furthermore,the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor was significantly downregulated in the hippocampus and co rtex,and amyloidβ-protein deposits were observed in the brains of 5orl1-knockout mice.In vitro,hippocampal neuronal cell synapses from homozygous Sorl1-knockout mice were impaired.The expression of synaptic proteins,including Drebrin and NR2B,was significantly reduced,and also their colocalization.Additionally,by knocking out the Sorl1 gene in N2a cells,we found that expression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor,NR2B,and cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element binding protein was also inhibited.These findings suggest that SORL1 participates in the pathogenesis of late-onset Alzheimer s disease by regulating the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR2B/cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element binding protein signaling axis.

Efficacy and predictive factors of transarterial chemoembolization combined with lenvatinib plus programmed cell death protein-1 inhibition for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND The efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with lenvatinib plus programmed cell death protein-1(PD-1)for unresectable hepato-cellular carcinoma(HCC)have rarely been evaluated and it is unknown which factors are related to efficacy.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and independent predictive factors of TACE combined with lenvatinib plus PD-1 inhibitors for unresectable HCC.METHODS This study retrospectively enrolled patients with unresectable HCC who received TACE/lenvatinib/PD-1 treatment between March 2019 and April 2022.Overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)were determined.The objective response rate(ORR)and disease control rate(DCR)were evaluated in accordance with the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.Additionally,the prognostic factors affecting the clinical outcome were assessed.RESULTS One hundred and two patients were enrolled with a median follow-up duration of 12.63 months.The median OS was 26.43 months(95%CI:17.00-35.87),and the median PFS was 10.07 months(95%CI:8.50-11.65).The ORR and DCR were 61.76%and 81.37%,respectively.The patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Classification(BCLC)B stage,early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)response(decrease),or early alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)response(decrease>20%)had superior OS and PFS than their counterparts.CONCLUSION This study showed that TACE/lenvatinib/PD-1 treatment was well tolerated with encouraging efficacy in patients with unresectable HCC.The patients with BCLC B-stage disease with early NLR response(decrease)and early AFP response(decrease>20%)may achieve better clinical outcomes with this triple therapy.

Downregulation of MUC1 Inhibits Proliferation and Promotes Apoptosis by Inactivating NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Objective To investigate the effect of mucin 1(MUC1)on the proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)and its regulatory mechanism.Methods The 60 NPC and paired para-cancer normal tissues were collected from October 2020 to July 2021 in Quanzhou First Hospital.The expression of MUC1 was measured by real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)in the patients with PNC.The 5-8F and HNE1 cells were transfected with siRNA control(si-control)or siRNA targeting MUC1(si-MUC1).Cell proliferation was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assay,and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry analysis in the 5-8F and HNE1 cells.The qPCR and ELISA were executed to analyze the levels of TNF-αand IL-6.Western blot was performed to measure the expression of MUC1,NFкB and apoptosis-related proteins(Bax and Bcl-2).Results The expression of MUC1 was up-regulated in the NPC tissues,and NPC patients with the high MUC1 expression were inclined to EBV infection,growth and metastasis of NPC.Loss of MUC1 restrained malignant features,including the proliferation and apoptosis,downregulated the expression of p-IкB、p-P65 and Bcl-2 and upregulated the expression of Bax in the NPC cells.Conclusion Downregulation of MUC1 restrained biological characteristics of malignancy,including cell proliferation and apoptosis,by inactivating NF-κB signaling pathway in NPC.

Humanβ-defensin-1 affects the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway and autophagy in colon cancer cells through long noncoding RNA TCONS_00014506

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer has a low 5-year survival rate and high mortality.Humanβ-defensin-1(hBD-1)may play an integral function in the innate immune system,contributing to the recognition and destruction of cancer cells.Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)are involved in the process of cell differentiation and growth.AIM To investigate the effect of hBD-1 on the mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway and autophagy in human colon cancer SW620 cells.METHODS CCK8 assay was utilized for the detection of cell proliferation and determination of the optimal drug concentration.Colony formation assay was employed to assess the effect of hBD-1 on SW620 cell proliferation.Bioinformatics was used to screen potentially biologically significant lncRNAs related to the mTOR pathway.Additionally,p-mTOR(Ser2448),Beclin1,and LC3II/I expression levels in SW620 cells were assessed through Western blot analysis.RESULTS hBD-1 inhibited the proliferative ability of SW620 cells,as evidenced by the reduction in the colony formation capacity of SW620 cells upon exposure to hBD-1.hBD-1 decreased the expression of p-mTOR(Ser2448)protein and increased the expression of Beclin1 and LC3II/I protein.Furthermore,bioinformatics analysis identified seven lncRNAs(2 upregulated and 5 downregulated)related to the mTOR pathway.The lncRNA TCONS_00014506 was ultimately selected.Following the inhibition of the lncRNA TCONS_00014506,exposure to hBD-1 inhibited p-mTOR(Ser2448)and promoted Beclin1 and LC3II/I protein expression.CONCLUSION hBD-1 inhibits the mTOR pathway and promotes autophagy by upregulating the expression of the lncRNA TCONS_00014506 in SW620 cells.

Atherosis-associated lnc_000048 activates PKR to enhance STAT1-mediated polarization of THP-1 macrophages to M1 phenotype

Our previous study has demonstrated that lnc_000048 is upregulated in large-artery atherosclerotic stroke and promotes atherosclerosis in ApoE^(-/-)mice.However,little is known about the role of lnc_000048 in classically activated macrophage(M1)polarization.In this study,we established THP-1-derived testing state macrophages(M0),M1 macrophages,and alternately activated macrophages(M2).Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to verify the expression of marker genes and the expression of lnc_000048 in macrophages.Flow cytometry was used to detect phenotypic proteins(CD11b,CD38,CD80).We generated cell lines with lentivirus-mediated upregulation or downregulation of lnc_000048.Flow cytometry,western blot,and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that down-regulation of lnc_000048 reduced M1 macrophage polarization and the inflammation response,while over-expression of lnc_000048 led to the opposite effect.Western blot results indicated that lnc_000048 enhanced the activation of the STAT1 pathway and mediated the M1 macrophage polarization.Moreover,catRAPID prediction,RNA-pull down,and mass spectrometry were used to identify and screen the protein kinase RNA-activated(PKR),then catRAPID and RPIseq were used to predict the binding ability of lnc_000048 to PKR.Immunofluorescence(IF)-RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)double labeling was performed to verify the subcellular colocalization of lnc_000048 and PKR in the cytoplasm of M1 macrophage.We speculate that lnc_000048 may form stem-loop structure-specific binding and activate PKR by inducing its phosphorylation,leading to activation of STAT1 phosphorylation and thereby enhancing STAT1 pathway-mediated polarization of THP-1 macrophages to M1 and inflammatory factor expression.Taken together,these results reveal that the lnc_000048/PKR/STAT1 axis plays a crucial role in the polarization of M1 macrophages and may be a novel therapeutic target for atherosclerosis alleviation in stroke.

Knockdown of the atypical protein kinase genes GhABC1K2-A05 and GhABC1K12-A07 make cotton more sensitive to salt and PEG stress

Activity of bc1 complex kinase(ABC1K)is an atypical protein kinase(aPK)that plays a crucial role in plant mitochondrial and plastid stress responses,but little is known about the responses of ABC1Ks to stress in cotton(Gossypium spp.).Here,we identified 40 ABC1Ks in upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)and found that the Gh ABC1Ks were unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes.The GhABC1K family members included 35 paralogous gene pairs and were expanded by segmental duplication.The GhABC1K promoter sequences contained diverse cis-acting regulatory elements relevant to hormone or stress responses.The qRT-PCR results revealed that most Gh ABC1Ks were upregulated by exposure to different stresses.Gh ABC1K2-A05 and Gh ABC1K12-A07 expression levels were upregulated by at least three stress treatments.These genes were further functionally characterized by virus-induced gene silencing(VIGS).Compared with the controls,the Gh ABC1K2-A05-and Gh ABC1K12-A07-silenced cotton lines exhibited higher malondialdehyde(MDA)contents,lower catalase(CAT),peroxidase(POD)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)activities and reduced chlorophyll and soluble sugar contents under NaCl and PEG stress.In addition,the expression levels of six stress marker genes(Gh DREB2A,Gh SOS1,Gh CIPK6,Gh SOS2,Gh WRKY33,and Gh RD29A)were significantly downregulated after stress in the Gh ABC1K2-A05-and Gh ABC1K12-A07-silenced lines.The results indicate that knockdown of Gh ABC1K2-A05 and Gh ABC1K12-A07 make cotton more sensitive to salt and PEG stress.These findings can provide valuable information for intensive studies of Gh ABC1Ks in the responses and resistance of cotton to abiotic stresses.

Inhibition of human cytochrome CYP1B1 by anthraquinone compounds,chrysophanol and physcion

The in vitro inhibitory effects of chrysophanol and physcion on CYP1B1 were explored,utilizing ethoxyresorufin as the substrate.The inhibition kinetics of CYP1B1 by these compounds were assessed with escalating doses of ethoxyresorufin.Both chrysophanol(IC_(50)(0.47±0.01)μmol·L^(-1))and physcion(IC_(50)(0.35±0.02)μmol·L^(-1))significantly reduce the catalytic efficiency of CYP1B1.The V_(max)and K_(m)values are determined to be(51.9912±10.0547)pmol·μg^(-1)(protein)·min^(-1) and(0.9663±0.2987)nmol·L^(-1)for chrysophanol,and(45.4227±1.9978)pmol·μg^(-1)(protein)·min^(-1) and(0.4367±0.0386)nmol·L^(-1)for physcion,respectively.Kinetic analysis reveals that chrysophanol and physcion exert mixed inhibitory effects on CYP1B1.This mixed inhibition is primarily characterized by the compounds’ability to competitively bind to the active sites of CYP1B1,as well as potentially through non-competitive mechanisms,thereby reducing the enzyme’s catalytic efficiency.Molecular docking studies are conducted to elucidate the interaction between anthraquinone derivatives and CYP1B1,indicating that these compounds may inhibit CYP1B1 activity by binding to their active sites.The demonstrated capacity of chrysophanol and physcion to inhibit CYP1B1 enzymatic function unveils a potential anticancer mechanism,advancing our comprehension of how the structure of anthraquinone derivatives correlates with CYP1B1 inhibition and paving the way for developing innovative cancer treatments.

Role of oncogenic long noncoding RNA KCNQ1OT1 in colon cancer

The role of lncRNA KCNQ1 opposite strand/antisense transcript 1(KCNQ1OT1)in colon cancer involves various tumorigenic processes and has been studed widely.However,the mechanism by which it promotes colon cancer remains unclear.Retrovirnl vector pSEB61 was retroftted in established HCT116 siKCN and SW480-siKCN cells to silence KCNQ1 OT1.Cellular proliferation was measured using CCK8 assay,and flow cytometry(FCM)detected cell cydle changes.RNA sequencing(RNA Seq)analysis showed differentially expressed genes(DEGs).Gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analyses were carried out to analyze enriched functions and signaling pathways.RT-qPCR,immunofluorescence,and western blotting were carried out to validate downstream gene expressions.The effects of tumorigenesis were evaluated in BALB/c nude mice by tumor xenografts.Our data revealed that the silencing of KONQ1OT1 in HCT116 and SW480 cells slowed cell growth and decreased the number of cells in the G2/M phase.RNA-Seq analysis showed the data of DEGs enriched in various GO and KEGG pathways such as DNA replication and cell cyde.RT qPCR,immunofluorescence,and western blotting confirmed downstream CCNE2 and PCNA gene expressions.HCT116 siKCN cells signifcantly suppressed tumorigenesis in BALB/c nude mice.Our study suggests that lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 may provide a promising therapeutic strategy for colon cancer.

TAX1BP1 and FIP200 orchestrate non-canonical autophagy of p62 aggregates for mouse neural stem cell maintenance

Autophagy plays a pivotal role in diverse biological processes,including the maintenance and differentiation of neural stem cells(NSCs).Interestingly,while complete deletion of Fip200 severely impairs NSC maintenance and differentiation,inhibiting canonical autophagy via deletion of core genes,such as Atg5,Atg16l1,and Atg7,or blockade of canonical interactions between FIP200 and ATG13(designated as FIP200-4A mutant or FIP200 KI)does not produce comparable detrimental effects.This highlights the likely critical involvement of the non-canonical functions of FIP200,the mechanisms of which have remained elusive.Here,utilizing genetic mouse models,we demonstrated that FIP200 mediates non-canonical autophagic degradation of p62/sequestome1,primarily via TAX1BP1 in NSCs.Conditional deletion of Tax1bp1 in fip200hGFAP conditional knock-in(cKI)mice led to NSC deficiency,resembling the fip200hGFAP conditional knockout(cKO)mouse phenotype.Notably,reintroducing wild-type TAX1BP1 not only restored the maintenance of NSCs derived from tax1bp1-knockout fip200hGFAP cKI mice but also led to a marked reduction in p62 aggregate accumulation.Conversely,a TAX1BP1 mutant incapable of binding to FIP200 or NBR1/p62 failed to achieve this restoration.Furthermore,conditional deletion of Tax1bp1 in fip200hGFAP cKO mice exacerbated NSC deficiency and p62 aggregate accumulation compared to fip200hGFAP cKO mice.Collectively,these findings illustrate the essential role of the FIP200-TAX1BP1 axis in mediating the non-canonical autophagic degradation of p62 aggregates towards NSC maintenance and function,presenting novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases.

Knockdown of RCN1 contributes to the apoptosis of colorectal cancer via regulating IP3R1

Background:The incidence of colorectal cancer(CRC)has been increasing in recent years.Thus,the discovery of factors that can assist in alleviating CRC is urgently warranted.Methods:To identify a potential factor involved in the development of CRC,we screened the upregulated genes in tumor tissues through four datasets from an online database.The expression of reticulocalbin 1(RCN1),a Ca2+-binding protein,was upregulated in the four datasets.Based on loss-offunction experiments,the effect of RCN1 on cell viability was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)assay.The regulatory effect of RCN1 on apoptosis was evaluated through Annexin V-fluorescein 5-isothiocyanate(FITC)/propidium iodide(PI)staining assay and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL)assay in RKO and SW480 cells.Activation of endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress signaling pathways was confirmed by estimating the phosphorylation and expression of PRKR-like ER kinase(PERK),inositol-requiring kinase-1(IRE1),transcription factor 6(ACT6),and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein(CHOP).The intracellular Ca2+homeostasis regulated by RCN1 was determined through the detection of Ca2+concentration and mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)measurement.Moreover,whether inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 1(IP3R1)was involved in the regulation of RCN1 in CRC was verified through the depletion of IP3R1 in RKO cells.Results:Knockdown of RCN1 reduced cell viability and facilitated apoptosis in RKO and SW480 cells.Phosphorylation of PERK and IRE1,activation of ATF6,and upregulation of CHOP were induced by the absence of RCN1,suggesting that the unfolded protein response(UPR)was activated in CRC cells.The concentration of Ca2+in mitochondria was increased after RCN1 depletion,followed by reduction in the MMP and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytoplasm in RKO and SW480 cells.Moreover,it was demonstrated that IP3R1 mediates the effect of RCN1 on apoptosis induced by ER stress in CRC cells.The downregulation of IP3R1 restored the RCN1 loss-induced apoptosis and the increased Ca2+concentration.Conclusion:Taken together,our results confirmed that silencing of RCN1 disrupted intracellular Ca2+homeostasis and promoted cell apoptosis caused by TG-induced ER stress by regulating IP3R1 and activating the UPR signaling pathways.

The HOXC10/NOD1/ERK axis drives osteolytic bone metastasis of pan-KRAS-mutant lung cancer

While KRAS mutation is the leading cause of low survival rates in lung cancer bone metastasis patients,effective treatments are still lacking.Here,we identified homeobox C10(HOXC10)as a lynchpin in pan-KRAS-mutant lung cancer bone metastasis.

Ganoderic acid A ameliorates renalfibrosis by suppressing the expression of NPC1L1

Objective: The study aimed to explore the protective mechanism of Ganoderic acid A (GAA) in renal fibrosisand to verify that GAA can ameliorate renal fibrosis by regulating the Niemann-pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) gene. Methods:Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) was used to treat Human Kidney-2 (HK-2) cells to establish a renal fibrosismodel. The differentially expressed genes in the control (CTRL) group, TGF-β1 group, and TGF-β1 + GAA group werescreened via transcriptome sequencing technology and verified by qPCR and Western blot experiments. The NPC1L1gene overexpression plasmid was constructed. The expression levels of N-cad, E-cad, and Slug-related proteins inCTRL, TGF-β1, TGF-β1+GAA (25 μg/mL), and TGF-β1+GAA (25 μg/mL) + NPC1L1 Overexpression (OE) groupswere detected by qPCR and Western blot analysis. Western blot analysis was used to identify the extracellular matrixassociated proteins Tenascin-C, α-SMA, and fibrosis-related protein Collagen I. Fibrosis marker protein Fibronectinwas detected and quantified by immunofluorescence. Results: Transcriptomic sequencing revealed that TGF-β1stimulation led to 267 differentially regulated genes, with 118 up-regulated and 149 down-regulated, while furthermodulation of 213 genes, comprising 112 up-regulated and 101 down-regulated genes, was observed in the GAAintervention group. The target gene in these processes was found to be NPC1L1 by investigations using GeneOntology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). qPCR and Western blot resultsconfirmed that TGF-β1 increased NPC1L1 expression, which was attenuated by GAA. Additionally, TGF-β1upregulated N-cad and Slug. However, GAA reversed this effect and NPC1L1 overexpression partially rescued theGAA effect. TGF-β1 also decreased E-cad expression, reversed by GAA, and NPC1L1 overexpression antagonized thisreversal. Furthermore, TGF-β1 promoted Collagen I, α-SMA, and Tenascin-C expression, and GAA reduced theselevels, effects that were reversed by NPC1L1 overexpression. Immunofluorescence results showed that TGF-β1increased fibronectin expression, which was decreased by GAA, and increased by NPC1L1 overexpression.Conclusion: GAA ameliorates renal fibrosis by antagonizing NPC1L1 gene expression inhibiting epithelialmesenchymal transition and reducing extracellular matrix formation.

Multi-genome evolutionary study of the ABC1 gene family and identification of the pleiotropic effects of OsABC1-13 in rice development

In four rice genomes,85 ABC1-family genes were identified by comparative genomics,evolution,genetics,and physiology.One,OsABC1-13,was shown by knockdown and knockout experiments to affect plant height,grain size,and photosynthetic capability.

Deregulation of interferon-gamma receptor 1 expression and its implications for lung adenocarcinoma progression

Interferon-gamma(IFN-γ)plays a dual role in cancer;it is both a pro-and an antitumorigenic cytokine,depending on the type of cancer.The deregulation of the IFN-γcanonic pathway is associated with several disorders,including vulner-ability to viral infections,inflammation,and cancer progression.In particular,the interplay between lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD)and viral infections appears to exist in association with the deregulation of IFN-γsignaling.In this mini-review,we investigated the status of the IFN-γsignaling pathway and the expression level of its components in LUAD.Interestingly,a reduction in IFNGR1 expression seems to be associated with LUAD progression,affecting defenses against viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.In addition,alterations in the expression of IFNGR1 may inhibit the antiproliferative action of IFN-γsignaling in LUAD.

The role of tazarotene-induced gene 1 in carcinogenesis:is it a tumor suppressor gene or an oncogene?

Tazarotene-induced gene 1(TIG1)is induced by a derivative of vitamin A and is known to regulate many important biological processes and control the development of cancer.TIG1 is widely expressed in various tissues;yet in many cancer tissues,it is not expressed because of the methylation of its promoter.Additionally,the expression of TIG1 in cancer cells inhibits their growth and invasion,suggesting that TIG1 acts as a tumor suppressor gene.However,in some cancers,poor prognosis is associated with TIG1 expression,indicating its protumor growth characteristics,especially in promoting the invasion of inflammatory breast cancer cells.This review comprehensively summarizes the roles of the TIG1 gene in cancer development and details the mechanisms through which TIG1 regulates cancer development,with the aim of understanding its various roles in cancer development.