Single-cell transcriptomic profiling reveals ZEB1-mediated regulation in microglial subtypes and the impact of exercise on neuroinflammatory responses

Background:This study aims to identify distinct cellular subtypes within brain tissue using single-cell transcriptomic analysis,focusing on specific biomarkers that differentiate cell types and the effects of traditional and exercise therapy.Methods:Four samples were analyzed:older control(OC),older exercise(OE),younger control(YC),and younger exercise(YE).Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to distinguish cellular subtypes through their biomarker profiles.Data visualization included violin and t-SNE plots to illustrate biomarker expression across cell clusters such as oligodendrocytes,microglia,and astrocytes.Additionally,BV2 cells were exposed to amyloid-beta fragments to simulate Alzheimer’s disease,assessing the impact of exercise-induced cellular responses.Results:Distinct cellular subtypes were identified:oligodendrocytes(MBP,St18),microglia(Dock8),and astrocytes(Aqp4,Gpc5).Sample OE was predominantly oligodendrocytes,while YE had more astrocytes,inhibitory neurons,and Canal-Retzius cells.YC showed a significant presence of Olfm3+ganglion neurons.ZEB1 gene knockout revealed changes in SMAD family gene expression,which regulate ferroptosis.Oxidative stress levels were also evaluated.Conclusion:This profiling enhances our understanding of brain cellular functions and interactions,potentially informing targeted therapies in neurological research.Exercise may influence brain cell immune responses and cell death pathways by regulating specific gene expressions,offering new insights for treating neuroinflammation and degeneration.

An integrated microfluidics platform with high-throughput single-cell cloning array and concentration gradient generator for efficient cancer drug effect screening

Background:Tumor cell heterogeneity mediated drug resistance has been recognized as the stumbling block of cancer treatment.Elucidating the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs at single-cell level in a high-throughput way is thus of great value for developing precision therapy.However,current techniques suffer from limitations in dynamically characterizing the responses of thousands of single cells or cell clones presented to multiple drug conditions.Methods:We developed a new microfluidics-based“SMART”platform that is Simple to operate,able to generate a Massive single-cell array and Multiplex drug concentrations,capable of keeping cells Alive,Retainable and Trackable in the microchambers.These features are achieved by integrating a Microfluidic chamber Array(4320 units)and a sixConcentration gradient generator(MAC),which enables highly efficient analysis of leukemia drug effects on single cells and cell clones in a high-throughput way.Results:A simple procedure produces 6 on-chip drug gradients to treat more than 3000 single cells or single-cell derived clones and thus allows an efficient and precise analysis of cell heterogeneity.The statistic results reveal that Imatinib(Ima)and Resveratrol(Res)combination treatment on single cells or clones is much more efficient than Ima or Res single drug treatment,indicated by the markedly reduced half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50).Additionally,single-cell derived clones demonstrate a higher IC_(50) in each drug treatment compared to single cells.Moreover,primary cells isolated from two leukemia patients are also found with apparent heterogeneity upon drug treatment on MAC.Conclusions:This microfluidics-based“SMART”platform allows high-throughput single-cell capture and culture,dynamic drug-gradient treatment and cell response monitoring,which represents a new approach to efficiently investigate anticancer drug effects and should benefit drug discovery for leukemia and other cancers.

Expression profiling of immune cells in systemic lupuserythematosus by single-cell RNA sequencing

Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by abnormal cellular and humoral immune responses and excessive autoantibody production.The precise pathologic mechanism of SLE remains elusive.The advent of single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)enables unbiased analysis of the molecular differences of cell populations at the single-cell level.We used scRNA-seq to profile the transcriptomes of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from an SLE patient compared with a healthy control(HC).A total of 16,021 cells were analyzed and partitioned into 12 distinct clusters.The marker genes of each cluster and the four major immune cell types(B cells,CD4+T cells,CD8+T cells,myeloid cells,and NK cells)were determined.Moreover,several genes involved in antigen processing and presentation through MHCII were highly enriched.GO enrichment analyses revealed abnormal gene expression patterns and signaling pathways in SLE.Of note,pseudotime analysis revealed that there was a different lineage hierarchy in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)of the SLE patient,indicating that the cell states were substantially altered under disease conditions.Our analysis provides a comprehensive map of the cell types and states of the PBMCs of SLE patients at the single-cell level for a better understanding of the pathogenesis,diagnosis,and treatment of SLE.

Cloning and Prokaryotic Expression of FnBP Ligand Binding Gene of Staphylococcus aureus

[Objective] The study aimed to clone the FnBP ligand binding gene of Staphylococcus aureus and run prokaryotic expression by constructing a prokaryotic expression vector. [Method] The gene encoding FnBP ligand binding gene was amplified from S.aureus chromosomal DNA by PCR technique. After T-A cloning, plasmid pMD18- FnBP was constructed. pMD18- FnBP and pET28a(+)were digested by BamH Ⅰ and EcoR Ⅰ double enzymes, then the purified FnBP ligand binding gene was subcloned into the expression vector pET28a(+), and the prokaryotic expression vector pET28a-FnBP was thus constructed. The constructed plasmid pET28a-FnBP was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) competent cells. The bacterium was induced by IPTG and the expressed products were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. [Result] The gene fragment with the length of 370 bp was amplified by PCR approach. One approximately 30 kD exogenous protein was observed in SDS-PAGE analysis. Western blot analysis indicates the protein has antigenicity of S.aureus. [Conclusion] The FnBP ligand binding gene of S.aureus was successfully cloned and expressed in prokaryotic cells.

Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of FTZ-F1 in the Half-smooth Tongue-sole, Cynoglossus semilaevis

To investigate the expression characteristics of sex related gene of FTZ-F 1 in the half-smooth tongue-sole （Cynoglossus semilaevis）, the homologue FTZ-F1 （hsFTZ-F1） full-length cDNA was isolated from the testis by homologous cloning, and the cDNA included the open reading frame and a 66bp 5＇-UTR, along with a 1619bp 3＇-UTR, encoding a predicted 485 amino acid protein. Sequence, tissue distribution and phylogenic analyses of the FTZ-F1 showed that the hsFTZ-F1 belonged to SF-1/Ad4BP group. The hsFTZ-F1 transcripts were highly abundant in the gonads, kidneys, brain and head-kidneys, but weakly in other tissues. However, the expression level in the brain and head-kidney of female was highly abundant than in the male. The hsFTZ-F1 expression was highly abundant in the embryo than in the larvae, which suggested that the hsFTZ-F1 may be involved in the organogenesis in the tongue sole.

Cloning and Expression of Curcin, a Ribosome-Inactivating Protein from the Seeds of Jatropha curcas

Curcin, a ribosome-inactivating protein with a molecular weight of about 28.2 kD, which strongly inhibits the protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysate system with an IC50 value of about (0.19 +/- 0.01) nmol/L, was purified from the seeds of Jatropha curcas L. The protein has the activity of rRNA N-glycosidase. Degenerate primers were designed based on the N-terminal partial sequence from purified curcin. The full-length curcin cDNA by RT-PCR and 5'-RACE was cloned. The deduced amino acids sequence indicates that a preprotein with 20 amino acid residues is first translated and then processed to a mature protein with 251 amino acids. The deduced amino acids sequence shares homology of 33% and 57% to those of type I ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) and A chain of type II RIPs, respectively. The sequence encoding mature curcin was integrated into the pQE-30 vector for expression in Escherichia coli strain M15 (pREP4). The purified recombinant curcin was able to inhibit protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysate system.

Cloning and Prokaryotic Expression of VP1 Gene of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) Type O

According to the complete genome of foot-and-mouth disease virus(FMDV)type O,a pair of special primers was designed to amplify VP1 gene.The VP1 gene was amplified by RT-PCR and subsequently inserted into the expression vector pGEX-6p-1 and induced by IPTG.Then SDS-PAGE showed the expressed protein was 51 kD in molecular weight.Then the product was purified by GSTrap FF columns.The product was detected through Western-blot that showed the protein has antigenicity.It provided fundamental data and materials for further investigation on diagnosis method of FMDV.

MOLECULAR CLONING AND FUNCTIONAL EXPRESSION OF α-BUNGAROTOXIN (V31) FROM CHINESE CONTINENTAL BANDED KRAIT

The cDNA encoding a variant of α bungarotoxin was cloned from the venom glands of Bungarus multicinctus by RT PCR.The deduced protein precursor contained a 21 amino acid signal peptide and a following 74 amino acid mature protein.The signal peptide is very similar to those of short chain neurotoxins,κ neurotoxins and cardiotoxins.The amino acid sequence of the mature protein is identical to α bungarotoxin (V31),a minor variant of α bungarotoxin identified by protein sequencing technique.Furthermore,the cDNA encoding the deletion precursor of α bungarotoxin was also cloned.By use of pMAL p2,the variant was overexpressed in E coli as a soluble fusion protein and purified by sepharose 6B amylose affinity chromatography,which was confirmed by western blotting with the antisera agai nst α bungarotoxin.The recombinant variant was achieved after digestion by factor X a.It displayed about 1/6 in vivo toxicity of natural α bungarotoxin.The successful cloning and functional expression of α bungarotoxin provided a basis for the future study of structure function of long neurotoxins.

Molecular Cloning and Expression of RSSG58 Gene in Rice Sperm Cells

Myosins, a large family of structurally diverse mechanoenzymes, which, upon interaction with actin filaments, convert energy from ATP hydrolysis into mechanical force, play an important role in male reproductive processes. In this study we report the rice ( Oryza sativa L.) RSSG58 gene, which was cloned from the cDNA library of rice sperm cells by using sperm cell mainly expression subtractive clone as probe. This gene encodes a putative 66.7 W polypeptide, which shows similarity to the myosin heavy chain of Arabidopsis thaliana, and consists of 579 amino acids with an isoelectric point (pI) of 4.885. RSSG58, which is a member of a divergent gene family, generates transcripts of 2 278 bp and 2 437 bp that differ only in their polyadenylation sites. Southern hybridization showed that RSSG58 has only one copy in rice genome and RSSG58 transcripts are most abundant in sperm cells, with two distinct signals. The RT-PCR analysis indicated that the transcriptions of the RSSG58 gene were various in the different development stages and tissues. The greatest accumulation of RSSG58 mRNA was detected in sperm cells, while weaker expression was detected in leaves, microspore mother cells, unicellular microspore pollen stage, two-cell stage pollens, mature pollens and pollinated ovaries. These results suggest that RSSG58 is especially abundantly expressed in rice sperm cells.

Cloning and expression analysis of a long type peptidoglycan recognition protein(PGRP-L) from Xenopus tropicalis

Peptidoglycan recognition proteins（PGRPs） are a family of pattern recognition receptors（PRRs） of the immune system,which bind and hydrolyze bacterial peptidoglycan.Here,a long type PGRP（PGRP-L） was first cloned in the lower vertebrate species Xenopus tropicalis（Xt）.The XtPGRP-L possessed a conserved genomic structure with five exons and four introns.The alignment and phylogenetic analysis indicated that XtPGRP-L might be a type of amidase-like PGRP.The 3-D model showed that XtPGRP-L possessed a conserved structure compared with the Drosophila PGRP-Lb.During embryonic development,XtPGRP-L was not expressed until the 72 h tadpole stage.In adult tissues,it was strongly expressed in the liver,lung,intestine,and stomach.Furthermore,after LPS stimulation,the expression of XtPGRP-L was up-regulated significantly in the liver,intestine and spleen,indicating that XtPGRP-L may play an important role in the innate immunity of Xenopus tropicalis.

Cloning and Differential Expression of a 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate Synthase cDNA from Peach

The ACC synthase is the key enzyme in ethylene biosynthesis and fruit ripening. To study the mechanism of ACC synthase in peach Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) fruit ripening, we cloned a full_length cDNA of ACC synthase pacs from peach using 5′/3′ RACE PCR. The nucleic acid sequence of pacs was 1 848 bp, containing 177 bp of 5′untranslated sequence, 1 449 bp of an open reading frame, and 219 bp of 3′untranslated sequence (excluding the stop codon TAA). The pacs open reading frame encoded a 483_amino acid polypeptide with a predicted size of 54 kD and a calculated PI of 6.43. The deduced protein from ACC synthase cDNA pacs had 65%, 70%, 75%, and 90% homology with the other deduced proteins from tomato (S19677), plum (AB031026), papaya (U68216) and apple (AB034993), which contained the active site of ACC synthase SLSKDMGFPGFR conserved among these plant ACC synthases. RNA_based PCR amplification combined with hybridization analysis with pacs and another ACC synthase cDNApacs12 (AF467782) cloned by us before as probes, indicated that expression patterns of both clones were very similar. mRNAs of both clones expressed in the alabastrum and petal, and were induced after ethylene treatment. Wounding and IAA treatments could induce ACC synthase expression of both clones in the leaves. However, the wounding treatment of leaves has induced more abundant pacs ACC synthase expression than that ofpacs12. Pacs mRNA expressed in both green mature and ripening fruit, whilepacs12mRNA was little or undetectable in green mature fruit, but apparent in ripening fruit. Both clone mRNAs accumulated more in leaves (following wounding and IAA treatments) and flowers than in fruits.

Cloning and Prokaryotic Expression of NS1 Gene of Porcine Parvovirus (PPV) SD1 Strain

[Objective] The research aimed to provide the theoretical basis for establishing a rapid diagnosis method for porcine parvovirus（PPV）. [ Method] One pair of primers were designed according to PPV genome sequences on GenBank website and the sequences of prokaryotic expression vector pET30a （ ＋ ） with multiple cloning sites. The whole sequence of NS1 gene in PPV SD1 strain was amplified by using PCR technology and the positive recombinant plasmid was analyzed by sequencing and homology comparison. The prokaryotic expression recombinant plasmid PET30a/NS1 was constructed to make its induction expression in Escherichia coll. [ Result] The target fragment with the length of 2 208 bp was obtained from PCR amplification. The nucleotide homologies between the cloned NS1 gene and the reported relevant PPV genes were from 97.3 % to 99.4 %, which indicated that NS1 gene had high conservation. But it had a 12-basepair successive deletion near the hydroxyl end. The cloned PPV NS1 gene was successfully expressed in prokaryotic cell, and its expression products existed mostly in inclusion bodies. [ Conclusion] The results of SDS-PAGE detection showed that the molecular weight of PPV NS1 protein was 86 KD.

Cloning and Expression of Conserved Sequences of cry Gene in E.coli Strain Rosetta(DE3)

[Objective] The aim was to clone the conserved sequences of cry gene and express them in Rosetta （DE3）. [Method] Specific primers were designed according to NCBI database information and the conserved sequences of cry gene were amplified by PCR from Bt transgenic cotton. Then recombinant plasmids were constructed and expressed in E. coil strain Rosetta （DE3）. Finally, the effects of different concentrations and inducing time of IPTG on the expression level of protein were investigated. [Result] Two conserved sequences （304 and 853 bp respectively） of cry gene were amplified. The result of SDS-PAGE confirmed that the recombinant plasmids pGEX-4t-I-304 and pGEX-4t-1-853 could express fusion proteins by IPTG induction and the molecular weight of protein products was 39 and 62.4 kDa respectively, which was in accordance with predicted result. The optimal protein ex- pression conditions were confirmed as induction with 0.15 mmol/L IPTG for 7 h. [Conclusion] This study prepared the ground for the further detection of Bt transgenic crops.

Cloning and Expression of Wheat Heat-shock Protein 60 (HSP60) Gene in E.coli

[Objective]The aim was to construct the wheat heat-shock protein 60 （HSP60） gene in prokaryotic expression vector and express HSP60 efficiently in E.coli. [Method]According to the wheat HSP60 gene sequence in GenBank,a pair of primers P1/P2 were designed and synthesized. The wheat HSP60 gene fragment was amplified from the wheat RNA by RT-PCR and inserted into bacterial expression vector of pGEX-4T-1. The construct of pGEX-4T-1-HSP60 was subsequently transformed into E.coli BL21. [Result]The construct of pGEX-4T-1-HSP60 was verified by restriction endonuclease digestion and sequenced. Compared with the sequences of wheat HSP60 genes in GenBank,homology accounted to 100%. Expression of the GST-HSP60 fusion protein was induced with IPTG. Its molecular weight was about 90 kD. The result was identified by electrophoresis of SDS-PAGE. Expression of the protein bands was consistent with the expected size. [Conclusion]The recombinant prokaryotic expression vector in pGEX-4T-1-HSP60 was constructed successfully and expressed stably in E.coli BL21. This will lay the foundation for further study on the functions of the protein and its mechanism.

Cloning and Expression Analysis of PtFATB Gene Encoding the Acyl-acyl Carrier Protein Thioesterase in Populus tomentosa Carr

Acyl-ACP thioesterases （FATs） terminates the fatty acid synthesis and allow the transport of fatty acids out of the plastids, which are the important determinants of cellular metabolism. FATB is a member of FAT enzymes that has been described previously in most of the plants. In silico cloning is a new method that utilizes the bioinformatics on the complete genome and available EST database. In this study, a full-length cDNA clone of PtFATB gene was isolated from Populus tomentosa using this approach. It is 1,450 bp in length and the open reading frame encodes a peptide of 421 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence shows significant homology with those from other plant species, which contain typical domains owned by FATB proteins. The transcripts of PtFATB were abundant in leaves, and less in roots detected by using semiquantitative RT-PCR. When the shoots were subjected to the stress treatments （cold, dry, NaC1） and ABA （Abscisic acid）, the expression of PtFATB was only slightly reduced under the treatment of low temperature. This suggests that the expression of PtFATB is in a constitutive fashion. This study provides the basis not only for the identification and characterization of this gene but also for the improvement of cold tolerance by controlling the expression of the PtFATB gene in trees in near future.

Cloning and Expression of IL-2 Gene from Holstein-Friesian Cow

[Objective] The aim of this study is to clone bovine interleukin-2 gene(IL-2)and observe its expression in prokaryotic cells.[Method]Bovine IL-2 gene was amplified from total RNA of peripheral blood lymphocytes of holstein-friesian cows by RT-PCR.Subsequently,the gene was cloned into pGEX-2T prokaryotic expression plasmid to construct recombinant,which was then transformed into Escherichia Coli BL21.After IPTG induction,SDS-PAGE analysis was conducted.[Result]A 500 bp target fragment corresponding with expectation was obtained by RT-PCR.The cloned gene successfully expressed fusion protein of about 43 kD in prokaryotic cells.[Conclusion]This study provided a theoretical and material basis for further researches on IL-2 gene.

Cloning and Expression of pilA Gene of Outer Membrane Protein of Haemophilus parasuis

[Objective] The aim was to clone and express the pilA gene of outer membrane protein of Haemophilus parasuis.[Method] The published pilA gene sequence of HPS was analyzed for primer synthesis,and the genome of serotype 5-type of HPS was used as template for PCR amplification of the pilA gene of HPS;the recombinant expression plasmid was constructed and transformed into E.coli BL21（DE3）after induced by IPTG.SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis were then carried out.[Result] The molecular weight of expressed protein was consistent with the expected（43 kD）.[Conclusion] The results provided a foundation for the preparation of subunit vaccine and diagnostic reagents.

Cloning,Identification and Differential Expression Analysis of Full-length cDNA of Carp Interleukin-1β

[Objective] The research aimed to carry out the cloning,identification and differential expression analysis of carp interleukin-1β （IL-1β） cDNA. [Method] By using DD-RTPCR method,the differential expression cDNA fragments were gained. The cDNA library of carp peripheral blood leucocytes which was stimulated by the mitogen was screened,and the full length cDNA of carp IL-1β was cloned. Moreover,the sequence analysis and differential expression analysis were carried out. [Result] The positive clone which had a whole ORF that encoded 276 amino acids was obtained. The cluster analysis showed that the amino acid sequence of carp IL-1β and Japanese carp closely gathered as a branch,and the homoeology of amino acid sequence reached 95%. The clustering order was the carassius,zebra fish,pig,cattle,horse,human and mouse in turn. The differential expression analysis showed that the expression of IL-1β in the leucocytes significantly increased in the prior period （4 h） after the mitogen stimulated. But as the time went by （12 and 24 h）,it didn＇t increase in the same period. The total trend of expression amount presented the peak type. [Conclusion] The research laid the foundation for further studying the expression manner,function characteristic,regulation mechanism of IL-1β in vivo and its action mechanisms in the inflammatory reaction,emergency reaction and immune response.

Cloning, Analysis and Prokaryotic Expression of DsSP Gene from Dunaliella salina

[Objective] The purpose of this study was to clone a starch phosphorylase gene from Dunaliella salina and to preliminarily analyze its basic properties and protein expression. [Method] RT-PCR and RACE （rapid amplification of cDNA ends） method was used for gene cloning; basic properties of the gene were analyzed using bioinformatics method; prokaryotic expression vector PGS21a-DsSP was constructed and transformed into E. coil BL21; the fusion protein was purified and detected by GST-SefinoseTM Kit and Western Blot, respectively. [Result] A starch phos-phorylase gene （GenBank accession No. KF061044） named DsSP was successfully isolated from D. salina. Basic properties, subcellular localization, secondary structure and tertiary structure of the protein were analyzed and predicted. The fusion protein was found in the supernatant and inclusion bodies. The supernatant protein was successfully purified. Western Blot analysis showed that the fusion protein was successfully expressed in E. coil BL21. [Conclusion] This study laid experimental foun- dation for further clarifying the function and mechanism of DsSP.

Cloning of Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase accD Subunit Gene from Brassica campestris and Effect of Its Expression on Oil Content

[Objective] This study aimed to clone accD gene from Brassica campestris （Yunnan small rapeseed） with different oil content and analyze the effect of accD gene expression level on rapeseed oil content. [Method] The accD gene encoding β-CT Ⅱsubunit of acetyl-CoA carboxylase was cloned from Yunnan small rapeseeds with different oil content. Then, sequence alignment and the influence upon seed oil content by the expression of accD gene were analyzed. [Result] There were a few base pair substitutes among the accD genes from different Yunnan small rapeseeds, and their homology was up to 98.6%. The expression of accD gene was increased with reproduction development, and reached peak in late-stage siliques. The seed oil content was positively influenced by the expression of accD gene in middle-stage and late-stage siliques. [Conclusion] This study provides a certain theoretical basis for illustrating the molecular mechanism about rapeseed oil content and breeding new high-oil rapeseed cultivars.