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.

Indirect Electroanalysis of 3-Methyl-4-Nitrophenol in Water Using Carbon Fiber Microelectrode Modified with Nickel Tetrasulfonated Phthalocyanine Complex

Electrochemical detection of 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (MNP) in direct phenol oxidation occurs at high potentials and generally leads to progressive passivation of the electrochemical sensor. This study describes the use of a carbon fiber microelectrode modified with a tetrasulfonated nickel phthalocyanine complex for the detection of MNP at a lower potential than that of direct phenol oxidation. The MNP voltammogram showed the presence of an anodic peak at -0.11 V vs SCE, corresponding to the oxidation of the hydroxylamine group generated after the reduction of the nitro group. The effect of buffer pH on the peak current and SWV parameters such as frequency, scan increment, and pulse amplitude were studied and optimized to have better electrochemical response of the proposed sensor. With these optimal parameters, the calibration curve shows that the peak current varied linearly as a function of MNP concentration, leading to a limit of detection (LoD) of 1.1 μg/L. These results show an appreciable sensitivity of the sensor for detecting the MNP at relatively low potentials, making it possible to avoid passivation phenomena.

4-F-α-PVP类似物4-F-3-Methyl-α-PVP盐酸盐的结构解析与表征

目的研究在没有对照品的情况下鉴定检材中1-(4-氟苯基)-2-(N-吡咯烷基)-1-戊酮[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)pentan-1-one,4-F-α-PVP]类似物1-(4-氟-3甲基苯基)-2-(N-吡咯烷基)-1-戊酮[1-(4-fluoro-3-methyl phenyl)-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)pentan-1-one,4-F-3-Methyl-α-PVP]盐酸盐的方法。方法综合利用直接进样电子电离-质谱(electron ionization-mass spectrometry,EI-MS)、GCMS、电喷雾离子化-高分辨质谱(electrospray ionization-high resolution mass spectrometry,ESI-HRMS)、超高效液相色谱-高分辨串联质谱(ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry,UPLC-HRMS/MS)、核磁共振(nuclear magnetic resonance,NMR)、离子色谱和傅里叶变换红外光谱法(Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,FTIR),实现对检材中未知化合物的结构解析与表征,并对该化合物在EI-MS和UPLC-HRMS/MS两种质谱分析方式下生成碎片离子的裂解机制进行推导。结果通过对检材中化合物的直接进样EI-MS、GC-MS、ESI-HRMS和UPLC-HRMS/MS分析,推断出未知化合物为4-F-α-PVP的结构类似物,可能苯环中多了1个甲基。根据核磁共振氢谱(1H-nuclear magnetic reso⁃nance,1 H-NMR)、核磁共振碳谱(13C-nuclear magnetic resonance,13C-NMR)等分析结果,进一步证明了甲基的位置在苯环的3-位。由于1H-NMR分析中实际氢的个数比4-F-3-Methyl-α-PVP中性分子多1个,推断该化合物以盐形式存在。离子色谱法分析结果表明该化合物含氯离子(含量11.14%~11.16%),结合FTIR对主要官能团信息的结构分析,最终确定该未知化合物为4-F-3-Methyl-α-PVP盐酸盐。结论建立了综合利用EI-MS、GC-MS、ESI-HRMS、UPLC-HRMS/MS、NMR、离子色谱和FTIR鉴定检材中4-F-3-Methyl-α-PVP盐酸盐的方法,将有助于法庭科学实验室在案件中鉴定该物质或其他具有类似结构的化合物。

食管鳞癌中microRNA let-7a-3甲基化与IGF-Ⅱ的相关性

目的探讨食管鳞癌组织中microRNA let-7a-3甲基化状态与血浆中类胰岛素样生长因子2(Insulin like growth factor 2,IGF-Ⅱ)表达的相关性。方法采用甲基化特异性PCR法(Methylation specific PCR,qMSP)检测83例食管癌及相对应的癌旁正常组织中let-7a-3甲基化状态,采用酶联免疫吸附试验(Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测血浆中IGF-Ⅱ的表达水平。结果83例食管鳞癌患者癌组织中的microRNA let-7a-3甲基化程度显著高于癌旁正常组织(P<0.001)。83例食管鳞癌患者血浆中IGF-Ⅱ的表达水平与let-7a-3基因的甲基化程度总体上呈正相关,具有统计学意义(r=0.600,P<0.001)。结论microRNA let-7a-3可能通过对下游分子的甲基化调控参与食管鳞癌的发生发展,这对了解食管鳞癌形成的机制具有重要意义,可为食管鳞癌的诊断和预后提供依据。

METTL3通过mRNA m6A甲基化促进类风湿关节炎滑膜成纤维细胞增殖、迁移及分泌炎症因子

目的探讨甲基转移酶样3(METTL3)对类风湿关节炎(RA)滑膜成纤维细胞增殖、迁移及分泌炎症因子的作用及机制。方法本研究纳入类风湿关节炎及骨关节炎患者各25例,留取滑膜组织,分别用RT-qPCR及免疫组化法检测METTL3表达水平,ELISA检测RNA m6A浓度;分离培养RA滑膜成纤维细胞,分为NC组、hi-METTL3(过表达METTL3)组、si-METTL3(敲低METTL3)组、STM2457(METTL3抑制剂)干预组,用CCK-8法检测细胞增殖,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡、ELISA检测细胞培养上清液白介素-6(IL-6)、白介素-17A(IL-17A)、肿瘤坏死因子-κB活化受体配体(RANKL)、骨保护素(OPG)的浓度。结果与骨关节炎滑膜组织相比,RA滑膜组织RNA m6A表达显著增高(P<0.05),METTL3的表达显著增高(P<0.05)。过表达METTL3后,滑膜成纤维细胞m6A表达增加,细胞增殖、迁移能力显著提高,凋亡无明显变化,分泌细胞因子IL-6、RANKL显著增加,OPG显著减少(P<0.05)。干扰METTL3表达后,滑膜成纤维细胞m6A表达减少,细胞增殖、迁移显著减低,分泌细胞因子IL-6、RANKL显著降低,OPG显著增高(P<0.05);使用METTL3抑制剂STM2457干预后,滑膜成纤维细胞增殖、迁移显著减低,分泌细胞因子IL-6、RANKL显著降低,OPG显著增高(P<0.05);各组表达IL-17A无显著差异。结论METTL3可能通过RNA m6A甲基化修饰促进RA滑膜成纤维细胞增殖、迁移及促进IL-6、RANKL的表达,抑制OPG的表达。

JMJD3 is a histone H3K27 demethylase

Histone methylation is an important epigenetic phenomenon that participates in a diverse array of cellular processes and has been found to be associated with cancer. Recent identification of several histone demethylases has proved that histone methylation is a reversible process. Through a candidate approach, we have biochemically identified JMJD3 as an H3K27 demethylase. Transfection of JMJD3 into HeLa cells caused a specific reduction oftrimethyl H3K27, but had no effect on di-and monomethyl H3K27, or histone lysine methylations on H3K4 and H3K9. The enzymatic activity requires the JmjC domain and the conserved histidine that has been suggested to be important for a cofactor binding. In vitro biochemical experiments demonstrated that JMJD3 directly catalyzes the demethylation. In addition, we found that JMJD3 is upregulated in prostate cancer, and its expression is higher in metastatic prostate cancer. Thus, we identified JMJD3 as a demethylase capable of removing the trimethyl group from histone H3 lysine 27 and upregulated in prostate cancer.

Promoter methylation and mRNA expression of DKK-3 and WIF-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM:To investigate the promoter methylation status and mRNA expression of DKK-3 and WIF-1 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:DKK-3 and WIF-1 acted as Wnt-antagonists and tumor suppressors,but hypermethylation of the gene promoter and low mRNA expression activated Wnt signaling aberrantly and induced the development of HCC.Methylation status of the DKK-3 and WIF-1 gene promoter was investigated using methylation specific polymerase chain reaction(PCR) in tumor and adjacent non-cancerous tissues from 33 HCC patients and 20 normal liver tissues served as control.The expression of DKK-3 and WIF-1 mRNA was also determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR.The relationship between methylation,mRNA expression,and clinical data,as well as methylation and mRNA expression of the two genes were analyzed.RESULTS:The methylation of DKK-3 and WIF-1 genes in HCC increased significantly compared with adjacent non-cancerous tissues and normal control tissues(χ2 =7.79,P < 0.05;χ2 = 4.89,P < 0.05),and no significant difference in methylation between adjacent non-cancerous tissues and normal control tissues was observed.In HCC tissues,significant differences in the DKK-3 promoter methylation were observed in age and cirrhosis,and significant differences of the WIF-1 promoter methylation were observed in HBsAg and cirrhosis.The average expression of DKK-3 mRNA in HCC and adjacent non-cancerous tissues was increased significantly compared with normal control tissues.The average expression of WIF-1 mRNA showed no significant difference among the three tissues.The mRNA expression of DKK-3 gene in HCC was decreased as the pathological grade increased.CONCLUSION:The aberrant promoter methylation and decreased expression of DKK-3 and WIF-1 may be an important mechanism in HCC,and may be a far-reaching significance in early diagnosis and therapy of HCC.

MicroRNA-320a suppresses tumor progression by targeting PBX3 in gastric cancer and is downregulated by DNA methylation

BACKGROUND Ectopic expression of miRNAs promotes tumor development and progression.miRNA(miR)-320a is downregulated in many cancers,including gastric cancer(GC).However,the mechanism underlying its downregulation and the role of miR-320a in GC are unknown.AIM To determine expression and biological functions of miR-320a in GC and investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODS Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was used to determine expression of miR-320a in GC cell lines and tissues.TargetScanHuman7.1,miRDB,and microRNA.org were used to predict the possible targets of miR-320a,and a dual luciferase assay was used to confirm the findings.Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox 3(PBX3)in GC cells and tissue samples.Cell Counting Kit-8 proliferation,Transwell,wound healing,and apoptosis assays were performed to analyze the biological functions of miR-320a in GC cells.Methylation-specific PCR was used to analyze the methylation level of the miR-320a promoter CpG islands.5-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine(5-Aza-CdR)and trichostatin A(TSA)were used to treat GC cells.RESULTS miR-320a expression was lower in GC cell lines and tissues than in the normal gastric mucosa cell line GES-1 and matched adjacent normal tissues.miR-320a overexpression suppressed GC cell proliferation,invasion and migration,and induced apoptosis.PBX3 was a target of miR-320a in GC.The methylation level of the miR-320a promoter CpG islands was elevated and this was partly reversed by 5-Aza-CdR and TSA.CONCLUSION miR-320a acts as a tumor suppressor and inhibits malignant behavior of GC cells,partly by targeting PBX3.DNA methylation is an important mechanism associated with low expression of miR-320a.

Pentraxin 3 （PTX3） promoter methylation associated with PTX3 plasma levels and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in coronary artery disease

Background Pentraxin 3 （PTX3） is expressed in the heart under inflammatory conditions and plays an important role in atherogenesis. Patients with increased PTX3 levels may suffer from higher rates of cardiac events. Regulation of specific genes by promoter methylation is important in atherogenesis. The factors influencing PTX3 levels and the association between epigenetics and PTX3 levels have not been investigated. Methods Blood samples were collected from 64 patients admitted to the Department of Cardiology, 35 who had coronary artery disease （CAD）, and 29 who were CAD-free. Plasma levels of PTX3 were measured by ELISA. PTX3 promoter methylation was evaluated via methyl-specific PCR. The severity of coronary artery lesion was evaluated by angiography. Results The level of PTX3 promoter methylation in the CAD group was 62.69% ± 20.57%, significantly lower than that of the CAD-free group, which was 72.45% ± 11.84% （P = 0.03）. Lower PTX3 promoter methylation levels in the CAD group were associated with higher plasma PTX3 concentrations （r = -0.29, P = 0.02）. Furthermore, lower PTX3 promoter methylation levels were associated with higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio （NLR） in men （r = -0.58, P = 0.002）. Conclusions The present study provides new evidence that methylation of the PTX3 promoter is associated with PTX3 plasma levels and NLR in coronary artery disease. This study also shows that modification of epigenetics by chronic inflamma- tion might be a significant molecular mechanism in the atherosclerotic processes that influence plasma PTX3 concentrations.

Silencing SMYD3 in hepatoma demethylates RIZI promoter induces apoptosis and inhibits cell proliferation and migration

AIM： To investigate the role of SMYD3 in hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） development and progression and to verify whether its regulation activity was through RIZ1 inactivation. METHODS： Expression of SMYD3 in HCC cell lines and tissues were measured; silencing of SMYD3 by RNA interference （RNAi） was effectuated, hepatoma cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis were tested, with RIZl CpG promoter methylation, and corresponding mRNA expression were investigated. RESULTS： SMYD3 over-expression in HCC was associated with RIZl hypermethylation and mRNA down-expression. Suppression of SMYD3 expression de- methylated RIZl CpG promoter （P 〈 0.01） and increased RIZl mRNA expression （P 〈 0.01）. Consequently, SMYD3 down-expression with RIZl de-methylation strongly inhibited hepatoma cell growth （MTT inhibitory rates： Pgenesil-1-s1 60.95%± 7.97%, Pgenesil-1-s2 72.14% ± 9.68% vs Pgenesil-1-hk 6.89% ± 4.12%, P 〈 0.01） and migration （Pgenesil-1-s1 4.24% ± 1.58%, Pgenesil- 1-s1 4.87% ± 0.73% vs Pgenesil-1 19.03% ± 4.63%, Pgenesil-1-hk 19.95% ±5.21%, P 〈 0.01） and induced apoptosis （FCM subG1 phase Pgenesil-1-s1 19.07% ＋ 1.78%, Pgenesil-1-s2 17.68% ± 2.36% vs Pgenesil-1 0.47% ± 0.12%, Pgenesil-1-hk 1.46% ± 0.28%, P 〈 0.01. TUNEL-positive cells： Pgenesil-1-s1 40.24%± 5.18%, Pgenesil-1-s2 38.48% ± 4.65% vs Pgenesil-1 2.1B% - 1.34%, Pgenesil-1-hk 2.84%± 1.22%, P 〈 0.01） in HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION： These results demonstrate that SMYD3plays a critical role in the carcinogenesis and progression of HCC, The proliferation, migration induction and apoptosis inhibition activities of SMYD3 may be mediated through RIZl CpG promoter hypermethylation.

Demethylation of miR-34a upregulates expression of membrane palmitoylated proteins and promotes the apoptosis of liver cancer cells

BACKGROUND Liver cancer is a common cancer and the main cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.Liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world.Although miR-34a and palmitoyl membrane palmitoylated protein(MPP2)are reportedly involved in various cell processes,their precise roles in liver cancer are still unclear.AIM To investigate the expression of micro RNA 34a(miR-34a),methylation of the miR-34a promoter and the expression of MPP2 in liver cancer cells and their related mechanisms.METHODS Together,78 cases of liver cancer tissues and 78 cases of adjacent tissues were collected.The methylation degree of miR-34a promoter in liver cancer/paracancerous tissue and liver cancer cells/normal liver cells,and the expression levels of miR-34a and MPP2 in the above samples were detected.Demethylation of liver cancer cells or transfection of liver cancer cells with miR-34a mimetic was performed.The MPP2 overexpression vector was used to transfect liver cancer cells,and the changes in proliferation,invasion,apoptosis,migration,and other biological functions of liver cancer cells after the above interventions were observed.Double luciferase reporter genes were used to detect the targeting relationship between miR-34a and MPP2.RESULTS Clinical samples showed that the expression levels of miR-34a and MPP2 in liver cancer tissues were lower than those in the normal tissues.The methylation degree of miR-34a promoter region in liver cancer cells was higher than that in normal liver cells.After miR-34a demethylation/mimetic transfection/MPP2 overexpression,the apoptosis of liver cancer cells was increased;the proliferation,invasion and migration capabilities were decreased;the expression levels of caspase 3,caspase 9,E-cadherin,and B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2)-associated X protein were increased;and the expression levels of Bcl-2,N-cadherin,andβ-catenin were decreased.Double luciferase reporter genes confirmed that MPP2 is targeted by miR-34a.Rescue experiments showed that small interfering MPP2 could counteract the promoting effect of miR-34a demethylation on apoptosis and the inhibitory effect on cell proliferation,invasion,and migration.CONCLUSION miR-34a demethylation upregulates the expression level of MPP2 in liver cancer cells and promotes the apoptosis of liver cancer cells.miR-34a demethylation is a potential method for liver cancer treatment.

Theoretical Studies on the Aminolysis of Ester: Effects of the Catalysis and Substituent to the Reaction of Methyl Indole-3-acetate with Ammonia

A comprehensive exploration of the aminolysis mechanism for methyl indole-3-acetate with ammonia is carried out by employing the B3 LYP/6-311++G(d,p), M06-2 X/6-311++G(d,p) and MP2/6-311++G(d,p)//M06-2 X/6-311++G(d,p) levels. Two alterative reaction channels of the concerted and addition/elimination stepwise processes including the uncatalyzed, base-catalyzed reactions are taken into consideration. Subsequently, the substituent effects and solvent effects in methanol are also evaluated at the M06-2 X/6-311++G(d,p) level. The calculated results indicate that the calculated values of M06-2 X level are quite close to those of MP2, the stepwise pathway has more advantages to the concerted one for all of the reaction processes and the catalyst facilitates the proton migration and decreases the energy barriers as well. It is shown that the most preferred mechanism is the based-catalyzed stepwise process, the substituent of NH2 group slightly accelerates all the aminolysis reaction processes, and the solvent effect does not remarkably change the mechanism of the reaction.

Photoelectrocatalytic activity of immobilized Yb doped WO3 photocatalyst for degradation of methyl orange dye

Pure WOand Yb:WOthin films have been synthesized by spray pyrolysis technique. Effect of Yb doping concentration on photoelectrochemical, structural, morphological and optical properties of thin films are studied. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that all thin films are polycrystalline nature and exhibit monoclinic crystal structure. The 3 at% Yb:WOfilm shows superior photoelectrochemical（PEC） performance than that of pure WOfilm and it shows maximum photocurrent density（Iph= 1090 μA/cm） having onset potentials around +0.3 V/SCE in 0.01 M HClO. The photoelectrocatalytic process is more effective than that of the photocatalytic process for degradation of methyl orange（MO） dye. Yb doping in WOphotocatalyst is greatly effective to degrade MO dye. The enhancement in photoelectrocatalytic activity is mainly due to the suppressing the recombination rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The mineralization of MO dye in aqueous solution is studied by measuring chemical oxygen demand（COD） values.

Aberrant methylation of the 3q25 tumor suppressor gene PTX3 in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM:To identify the novel methylation-silenced gene pentraxin 3(PTX3) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).METHODS:PTX3 mRNA expression was examined in six human ESCC cell lines,one human immortalized normal esophageal epithelial cell line,primary ESCC tumor tissue,and paired adjacent nontumor tissue using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RTPCR).Semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry was used to examine cellular localisation and protein levels.Methylation specific PCR and bisulphite genomic sequencing were employed to investigate the methylation of the candidate gene.RESULTS:In the majority of ESCC cell lines,we found that PTX3 expression was down-regulated due to gene promoter hypermethylation,which was further confirmed by bisulphite genomic sequencing.Demethylation treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine restored PTX3 mRNA expression in ESCC cell lines.Methylation was more common in tumor tissues(85%) than in adjacent nontumor tissues(25%)(P < 0.01).CONCLUSION:PTX3 is down-regulated through promoter hypermethylation in ESCC,and could potentially serve as a biomarker of ESCC.

Peripheral Concentration of Hydroxyproline and 3-methyl-histidine in Postpartum Cow

A total of 16 Friesian cows were used in the study to determine the peripheral concentration of hydroxyproline(HYPRO) and 3 methyl histidine(3 MEHIS).The objectives of the experiment were to find out the relationship between collagen and myosin degradation and uterine involution in the postpartum cow.The results showed tht the mean concentrations of HYPRO and 3 MEHIS were 13.47±2.38 and 18.35±2.77 n mole/mL,respectively,for the cows during the days 60～90 postpartum.And for the cows immediately after calving the concentrations of HYPRO and 3 HEHIS reduced from 34.29 and 28.06 nmole/mL on the day one after calving to the normal lever of 13.23 and 17.97 n mole on the day 50 postpartum,respectively.There was a good correlation between the peripheral concentrations of both HYPRO and 3 MEHIS and the diameters of the involuting uterus(r=0.8128).

Methylation of TIMP3 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM: To measure the frequency of DNA methylation of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) promoter and relate this to any change of gene expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in patients from a region of high incidence in China.METHODS: Cancer cell lines were treated with or without the demethylating reagent 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine. Methylation of the TIMP3 promoter was assessed in three regions by melt curve analysis and its expression was assessed by real-time RT-PCR. Tumors and proximal resection margins were obtained from 64 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma from a region of high incidence in China. Methylation was assessed by melt curve analysis and expression by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: Methylation in one of the three promoter regions assessed correlated with gene silencing in esophageal cell lines. A degree of methylation of TIMP3 was found in only four esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, and partial loss of TIMP3 protein expression in just one.CONCLUSION: Methylation and loss of expression of TIMP3 occurs infrequently in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a region of high incidence in China.

Crystal Structure and Anticancer Properties of Cinobufagin 3-Hemisuberate Methyl Ester

The title compound cinobufagin 3-hemisuberate methyl ester（1） was isolated from the venom of Bufo bufo gargarizans CANTOR. The crystal structure of 1, C35H48O9, was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It belongs to orthorhombic, space group P212121 with a = 8.9338（3）, b = 16.2970（4）, c = 22.4019（6） , V = 3261.59（16） 3, Mr = 612.73, Z = 4, Dc = 1.248 g/cm3, μ = 0.725 mm-1, F（000） = 1320, S = 1.040, the final R = 0.0374 and wR = 0.0412 for 4458 unique reflections, of which 4088 were observed（I 〉 2σ（I））. In the solid state, short intermolecular C-H...O interactions involving a methine and the ester carbonyl group in cinobufagin moiety and a methyl in the suberate moiety linked adjacent molecules into a three-dimensional network. Detailed analysis of the 1H-NMR data showed that X-ray structure of 1 would be expected to closely resemble the solution conformation in chloroform. Compound 1 was inactive for the inhibition of PC3 and HepG2 cancer cells, but the parent compound cinobufagin showed potent inhibition with IC50 values of 0.145 and 5.48 μM, respectively, indicating that esterification at C（3） decreased the cytotoxic effect of 1.

Expression of SOCS3 throughout liver regeneration is not regulated by DNA methylation

BACKGROUND:While suppressor of cytokine signaling 3(SOCS3) plays a crucial role in suppressing dysplasia and tumorigenesis,it also offers a typical instance of DNA methylation in the regulation of gene transcription,since the promoter region of the SOCS3 gene is rich in CpG islands(CGIs).During liver regeneration initiated by partial hepatectomy,SOCS3 acts as a suppressor to balance the acute-phase response and terminate the regeneration.This study aimed to determine whether the variation of SOCS3 expression throughout liver regeneration is also regulated by its DNA methylation.METHODS:We established a 70% partial hepatectomy mouse model and the animals were sacrificed at indicated times to assess the SOCS3 expression.We performed bisulfite sequencing PCR and DNA sequencing to investigate the detailed cytosine methylation in the SOCS3 gene.RESULTS:Within the promoter sequence,58 CGIs were identified and 30 were found variously methylated before or after operation;however,methylation remained at a very low level.No evidence indicated that the total methylation level or the methylation of any CpG site regularly changed throughout liver regeneration.CONCLUSION:DNA methylation or demethylation seems to be a relatively stable modification of cytosine,but not a dynamic and reversible process to regulate gene transcription in daily and acute pathophysiological events.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of H_3PW_(12)O_(40)/TiO_2 Nanometer Photocatalyst and Its Catalytic Performance for Methyl Orange

H3PW12O40/TiO2 nanometer photocatalyst was prepared by one step hydrothermal synthesis from H3PW12O40·nH20 and Ti（OBu）4, simultaneously realizing the load and modification of H3PW12O40. The catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy（FTIR）, powder X-ray diffraction（XRD）, nitrogen adsorp- tion-desorption analysis and scanning electron microscopy（SEM）. The results show that the catalyst is Keggin struc- ture and crystallized in anatase structure, the diameter and specific area of the prepared catalyst are 3.8 nm and 177.9 m^2/g, respectively, and its dispersity is better. The photocatalytic properties were compared for TiO2H3PW12O40/TiO2 prepared by impregnation and H3PW12O40/TiO2 prepared by hydrothermal method with methyl orange as a probe. The effects of H3PW12O40 loadings, crystallization method, initial pH and concentration of dye solution on the degradation of methyl orange were investigated.

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 inhibitor rescues the osteogenic ability of mesenchymal stem cells under osteoporotic conditions by modulating H3K4 methylation

Bone tissue engineering may be hindered by underlying osteoporosis because of a decreased osteogenic ability of autologous seed cells and an unfavorably changed microenvironment in these patients. Epigenetic regulation plays an important role in the developmental origins of osteoporosis; however, few studies have investigated the potential of epigenetic therapy to improve or rescue the osteogenic ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMMSCs) under osteoporotic conditions. Here, we investigated pargyline, an inhibitor of lysine-specific demethylase 1(LSD1), which mainly catalyzes the demethylation of the di- and mono-methylation of H3K4. We demonstrated that 1.5 mmol·Lpargyline was the optimal concentration for the osteogenic differentiation of human BMMSCs. Pargyline rescued the osteogenic differentiation ability of mouse BMMSCs under osteoporotic conditions by enhancing the dimethylation level of H3K4 at the promoter regions of osteogenesis-related genes. Moreover, pargyline partially rescued or prevented the osteoporotic conditions in aged or ovariectomized mouse models, respectively. By introducing the concept of epigenetic therapy into the field of osteoporosis, this study demonstrated that LSD1 inhibitors could improve the clinical practice of MSC-based bone tissue engineering and proposes their novel use to treat osteoporosis.