Establishment of a prognosis predictive model for liver cancer based on expression of genes involved in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway

BACKGROUND The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway(UPP)has been proven to play important roles in cancer.AIM To investigate the prognostic significance of genes involved in the UPP and develop a predictive model for liver cancer based on the expression of these genes.METHODS In this study,UPP-related E1,E2,E3,deubiquitylating enzyme,and proteasome gene sets were obtained from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)database,aiming to screen the prognostic genes using univariate and multivariate regression analysis and develop a prognosis predictive model based RESULTS Five genes(including autophagy related 10,proteasome 20S subunit alpha 8,proteasome 20S subunit beta 2,ubiquitin specific peptidase 17 like family member 2,and ubiquitin specific peptidase 8)were proven significantly correlated with prognosis and used to develop a prognosis predictive model for liver cancer.Among training,validation,and Gene Expression Omnibus sets,the overall survival differed significantly between the high-risk and low-risk groups.The expression of the five genes was significantly associated with immunocyte infiltration,tumor stage,and postoperative recurrence.A total of 111 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified between the high-risk and low-risk groups and they were enriched in 20 and 5 gene ontology and KEGG pathways.Cell division cycle 20,Kelch repeat and BTB domain containing 11,and DDB1 and CUL4 associated factor 4 like 2 were the DEGs in the E3 gene set that correlated with survival.CONCLUSION We have constructed a prognosis predictive model in patients with liver cancer,which contains five genes that associate with immunocyte infiltration,tumor stage,and postoperative recurrence.

The Influence of Aerial Exposure on Sea Anemones Aulactinia veratra Mucin Genes Expression Using the RNA Sequencing

Mucin genes are the main component of mucus. The sea anemone species, Aulactinia veratra (Phylum Cnidaria) contains different types of mucin genes. In the intertidal zone, A. veratra is found to be exposed to air during the low tide and produces large quantities of mucus as an external covering. The relation between low tide and mucus secretion is still unclear, and what is the role of mucin during arial exposure is not yet investigated. This study hypothesised that the mucin genes in A. veratra would have significantly high expression in response to aerial exposure. Therefore, the aim of current study was to examine and analyses the response of A. veratra mucins in response to an experiment involving three hours of aerial exposure. To achieve this, aim the RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were used to examine the expression profile of A. veratra mucin genes in response to aerial exposure. The generated results have shown that, Mucin4-like and mucin5B-like were up-regulated in response to the three hours of aerial exposure in A. veratra. This finding shows a significant role of mucin5B-like and mucin4-like genes in response to air stress at low tide. The data generated from this study could be used in conjunction with future mucin gene studies of sea anemones and other cnidarians to compare A. veratra mucin gene expression results across time, and to extend our understanding of mucin stress response in this phylum.

Effects of pyraclostrobin on growth,oxidative stress,and gene expression in relation to stress and ATP-binding cassette transporters in Tetrahymena thermophila

Pyraclostrobin(PYR),a widely used fungicide,has negative effects on fish and algae,but its toxicity in protozoa remains unclear.In this study,the effects of PYR on the growth,oxidative stress,and gene expression related to stress and ATP-binding cassette(ABC)transporters in Tetrahymena thermophila were investigated.The result showed that the 96-h IC_(50)of PYR against T.thermophila was 17.2 mg/L.Moreover,PYR inhibited the growth of T.thermophila in concentration-or time-dependent manner.A morphological study revealed that the shape and size of T.thermophila changed,and damage of cell membrane surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy after 96 h of PYR exposure.The activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT)increased throughout the experiment.In contrast,the glutathione(GSH)content was increased at 24 h and 48 h of exposure and decreased at 96 h.Moreover,a significant increase in malondialdehyde(MDA)level was observed in T.thermophila after96 h of exposure.Furthermore,PYR upregulated the HSP703,HSP705,GPx2,and ABAC15 gene expression in the 0.1–5-mg/L groups and downregulated the HSP704,HSP90,TGR,and ABCC52 mRNA levels at 96 h of exposure.These results suggest that PYR may exert adverse effects on T.thermophila by inducing oxidative stress and changing the gene expression related to ABC transporters and stress,which may enrich the understanding of the toxicity mechanism of PYR in aquatic organisms and provide reference data for aquatic ecological risk assessments.

Effects of antioxidant‑rich Lactiplantibacillus plantarum inoculated alfalfa silage on rumen fermentation, antioxidant and immunity status, and mammary gland gene expression in dairy goats

Background Milk synthesis in lactating animals demands high energy metabolism,which results in an increased production of reactive oxygen metabolites(ROM)causing an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants thereby inducing oxidative stress(OS)on the animals.To mitigate OS and postpartum disorders in dairy goats and gain insight into the impact of dietary choices on redox status during lactation,a feeding trial was conducted using alfalfa silage inoculated with a high-antioxidant strain of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum.Methods Twenty-four Guanzhong dairy goats(38.1±1.20 kg)were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments:one containing silage inoculated with L.plantarum MTD/1(RSMTD-1),and the other containing silage inoculated with high antioxidant activity L.plantarum 24-7(ES24-7).Results ES24-7-inoculated silage exhibited better fermentation quality and antioxidant activity compared to RSMTD-1.The ES24-7 diet elevated the total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC),superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxi-dase(GSH-Px),and catalase(CAT)activities in milk,serum,and feces of lactating goats(with the exception of T-AOC in milk).Additionally,the diet containing ES24-7 inoculated silage enhanced casein yield,milk free fatty acid(FFA)content,and vitamin A level in the goats’milk.Furthermore,an increase of immunoglobulin(Ig)A,IgG,IgM,inter-leukin(IL)-4,and IL-10 concentrations were observed,coupled with a reduction in IL-1β,IL-2,IL-6,interferon(IFN)-γ,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αconcentrations in the serum of lactating goats fed ES24-7.Higher concentrations of total volatile fatty acid(VFA),acetate,and propionate were observed in the rumen fluid of dairy goats fed ES24-7 inoculated silage.Moreover,the diet containing ES24-7 inoculated silage significantly upregulated the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2(NFE2L2),beta-carotene oxygenase 1(BCO1),SOD1,SOD2,SOD3,GPX2,CAT,glu-tathione-disulfide reductase(GSR),and heme oxygenase 1(HMOX1)genes in the mammary gland,while decreased the levels of NADPH oxidase 4(NOX4),TNF,and interferon gamma(IFNG).Conclusions These findings indicated that feeding L.plantarum 24-7 inoculated alfalfa silage not only improved rumen fermentation and milk quality in lactating dairy goats but also boosted their immunity and antioxidant status by modulating the expression of several genes related to antioxidant and inflammation in the mammary gland.

Decoding Retinoblastoma: Differential Gene Expression

Background: Retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular pediatric cancer, presents complexities in its genetic landscape that necessitate a deeper understanding for improved therapeutic interventions. This study leverages computational tools to dissect the differential gene expression profiles in retinoblastoma. Methods: Employing an in silico approach, we analyzed gene expression data from public repositories by applying rigorous statistical models, including limma and de seq 2, for identifying differentially expressed genes DEGs. Our findings were validated through cross-referencing with independent datasets and existing literature. We further employed functional annotation and pathway analysis to elucidate the biological significance of these DEGs. Results: Our computational analysis confirmed the dysregulation of key retinoblastoma-associated genes. In comparison to normal retinal tissue, RB1 exhibited a 2.5-fold increase in expression (adjusted p Conclusions: Our analysis reinforces the critical genetic alterations known in retinoblastoma and unveils new avenues for research into the disease’s molecular basis. The discovery of chemoresistance markers and immune-related genes opens potential pathways for personalized treatment strategies. The study’s outcomes emphasize the power of in silico analyses in unraveling complex cancer genomics.

Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of photosystem II(PsbX)gene family in upland cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Background Photosystem II(PSII)constitutes an intricate assembly of protein pigments,featuring extrinsic and intrinsic polypeptides within the photosynthetic membrane.The low-molecular-weight transmembrane protein PsbX has been identified in PSII,which is associated with the oxygen-evolving complex.The expression of PsbX gene protein is regulated by light.PsbX’s central role involves the regulation of PSII,facilitating the binding of quinone molecules to the Qb(PsbA)site,and it additionally plays a crucial role in optimizing the efficiency of photosynthesis.Despite these insights,a comprehensive understanding of the PsbX gene’s functions has remained elusive.Results In this study,we identified ten PsbX genes in Gossypium hirsutum L.The phylogenetic analysis results showed that 40 genes from nine species were classified into one clade.The resulting sequence logos exhibited substantial conservation across the N and C terminals at multiple sites among all Gossypium species.Furthermore,the ortholo-gous/paralogous,Ka/Ks ratio revealed that cotton PsbX genes subjected to positive as well as purifying selection pressure might lead to limited divergence,which resulted in the whole genome and segmental duplication.The expression patterns of GhPsbX genes exhibited variations across specific tissues,as indicated by the analysis.Moreover,the expression of GhPsbX genes could potentially be regulated in response to salt,intense light,and drought stresses.Therefore,GhPsbX genes may play a significant role in the modulation of photosynthesis under adverse abiotic conditions.Conclusion We examined the structure and function of PsbX gene family very first by using comparative genom-ics and systems biology approaches in cotton.It seems that PsbX gene family plays a vital role during the growth and development of cotton under stress conditions.Collectively,the results of this study provide basic information to unveil the molecular and physiological function of PsbX genes of cotton plants.

Genome-Wide Identification of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) CKX Gene Family and Expression Analysis in the Callus Tissue under Zeatin Treatment

The cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase(CKX)enzyme is essential for controlling thefluctuating levels of endogen-ous cytokinin(CK)and has a significant impact on different aspects of plant growth and development.Nonethe-less,there is limited knowledge about CKX genes in tomato(Solanum lycopersicum L.).Here we performed genome-wide identification and analysis of nine SlCKX family members in tomatoes using bioinformatics tools.The results revealed that nine SlCKX genes were unevenly distributed onfive chromosomes(Chr.1,Chr.4,Chr.8,Chr.10,and Chr.12).The amino acid length,isoelectric points,and molecular weight of the nine SlCKX proteins ranged from 453 to 553,5.77 to 8.59,and 51.661 to 62.494 kD,respectively.Subcellular localization analysis indi-cated that SlCKX2 proteins were located in both the vacuole and cytoplasmic matrix;SlCKX3 and SlCKX5 pro-teins were located in the vacuole;and SlCKX1,4,6,7,8,and 9 proteins were located in the cytoplasmic matrix.Furthermore,we observed differences in the gene structures and phylogenetic relationships of SlCKX proteins among different members.SlCKX1-9 were positioned on two out of the three branches of the CKX phylogenetic tree in the multispecies phylogenetic tree construction,revealing their strong conservation within phylogenetic subgroups.Unique patterns of expression of CKX genes were noticed in callus cultures exposed to varying con-centrations of exogenous ZT,suggesting their roles in specific developmental and physiological functions in the regeneration system.These results may facilitate subsequent functional analysis of SlCKX genes and provide valu-able insights for establishing an efficient regeneration system for tomatoes.

A Novel Deep Learning-Based Model for Classification of Wheat Gene Expression

Deep learning(DL)plays a critical role in processing and converting data into knowledge and decisions.DL technologies have been applied in a variety of applications,including image,video,and genome sequence analysis.In deep learning the most widely utilized architecture is Convolutional Neural Networks(CNN)are taught discriminatory traits in a supervised environment.In comparison to other classic neural networks,CNN makes use of a limited number of artificial neurons,therefore it is ideal for the recognition and processing of wheat gene sequences.Wheat is an essential crop of cereals for people around the world.Wheat Genotypes identification has an impact on the possible development of many countries in the agricultural sector.In quantitative genetics prediction of genetic values is a central issue.Wheat is an allohexaploid(AABBDD)with three distinct genomes.The sizes of the wheat genome are quite large compared to many other kinds and the availability of a diversity of genetic knowledge and normal structure at breeding lines of wheat,Therefore,genome sequence approaches based on techniques of Artificial Intelligence(AI)are necessary.This paper focuses on using the Wheat genome sequence will assist wheat producers in making better use of their genetic resources and managing genetic variation in their breeding program,as well as propose a novel model based on deep learning for offering a fundamental overview of genomic prediction theory and current constraints.In this paper,the hyperparameters of the network are optimized in the CNN to decrease the requirement for manual search and enhance network performance using a new proposed model built on an optimization algorithm and Convolutional Neural Networks(CNN).

Effect of Chuanzhifang component (ZGC) on macrophage inflammatory injury based on whole gene expression profile

Objective: The effect of Chuanzhi Fang (ZGC) on the whole genome expression profile of RAW264.7 cells activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was analyzed, and to explore the possible mechanism of action and core target of this formula on macrophage inflammatory injury at the overall level. Methods: A model of LPS-induced inflammation in RAW264.7 cells was constructed, and the effect of ZGC intervention on the genome-wide expression of inflammatory macrophages 3was examined by gene microarray technology, GO/KEGG enrichment analysis was performed for significantly differentially expressed genes among each group. Results: The results of genome-wide expression profiling microarray analysis showed that the ZGC intervention group upregulated the expression of 5 genes including C4bp and inhibited the expression of 22 genes including Mgat3, Psma6, and Siglecg relative to the LPS model group. KEGG signaling pathway analysis results showed that ZGC mainly acted through cytokine receptor interaction and the C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway. Conclusion: ZGC can interfere with the abnormal expression of 27 genes in inflammatory macrophages, and the related genes may exert corresponding anti-inflammatory effects by affecting cytokine receptor interactions, C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway, and TLR4/ NF-κB signaling pathway.

In Vivo Improvements in Facial Appearance and in Vitro Changes in Gene Expression Using a Topical Formulation Designed to Repair Environmentally Induced DNA Damage

Background: While sunscreen has been accepted as a mainline defence against photodamage from ultraviolet, visible light and near-infrared radiation, there appears to be a lack of research into photorepair. The concept of protecting the skin during the day and repairing cellular damage at night is intuitive, yet specific strategies revolving around combinations of proven reparative active ingredients remain unelucidated. Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of a solar repair Formulation following ultraviolet and environmental exposure in order to improve overall skin health and appearance through three hypotheses: The Formulation increases expression of DNA repair mechanisms markers;The Formulation enhances overall skin appearance through reducing signs of inflammation, elevating hydration, reinforcing skin firmness and amplifying radiance;In-Vivo efficacy test results are aligned with measured gene expression changes. Methods: The Formulation (#6NIC1.V1.1-1) was tested for: In-vitro LDH cytotoxicity activity, In-vitro qPCR gene expression with and without ultraviolet exposure on a reconstructed 3-dimensional skin model, and In-Vivo efficacy study on a panel of 22 participants objectively and subjectively. Results: Skin radiance, firmness, hydration, redness, and inflammation are significantly improved after In-Vivo skin exposure to the Formulation and environmental challenges such as ultraviolet radiation. These outcomes were confirmed by in-vitro genetic testing on a reconstructed human skin model. Conclusion: The studies allowed us to identify and group results in four main skin functions that were significantly enhanced following the application of the Formulation: firmness, hydration, radiance and soothing.

Genome-wide identification of TPS genes in sesame and analysis of their expression in response to abiotic stresses

Trehalose and its precursor,trehalose-6-phosphate,play critical roles in plant metabolism and response to abiotic stresses.Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase(TPS)is a key enzyme in the trehalose synthesis pathway.Hence this study identified TPS genes in sesame(SiTPSs)and examined their expression patterns under various abiotic stresses.Totally,ten SiTPSs were identified and comprehensively characterized.SiTPSs were found to be unevenly distributed on five out of 13 sesame chromosomes and were predicted to be localized in chloroplasts and vacuoles of cells.Phylogenetic analysis classified SiTPS proteins into two groups(I and II),which was supported by gene structure and conserved motif analyses.Analysis of cis-acting elements in promoter regions of SiTPSs revealed that they might primarily involve developmental and environmental responses.SiTPSs exhibited different expression patterns in different tissues and under different abiotic stresses.Most group II SiTPS genes(SiTPS4-SiTPS10)were strongly induced by drought,salt,waterlogging,and osmotic stress.Particularly,SiTPS10 was the most significantly up-regulated under various abiotic stresses,indicating it is a candidate gene for improving sesame tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses.Our results provide insight into the TPS gene family in sesame and fundamental resources for genomics studies towards dissecting SiTPS genes’functions.

Genome-wide identification and spatiotemporal expression profiling of zinc finger SWIM domain-containing protein family genes

The biological function of the novel zinc-finger SWIM domain-containing protein family(ZSWIM)during embryonic development remains elusive.Here,we conducted a genome-wide analysis to explore the evolutionary processes of the ZSWIM gene family members in mice,Xenopus tropicalis,zebrafish,and humans.We identified nine putative ZSWIM genes in the human and mouse genome,eight in the Xenopus genome,and five in the zebrafish genome.Based on multiple sequence alignment,three members,ZSWIM5,ZSWIM6,and ZSWIM8,demonstrated the highest homology across all four species.Using available RNA sequencing(RNAseq)data,ZSWIM genes were found to be widely expressed across different tissues,with distinct tissuespecific properties.To identify the functions of the ZSWIM protein family during embryogenesis,we examined temporal and spatial expression patterns of zswim family genes in Xenopus embryos.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)revealed that each member had a distinct expression profile.Whole-mount in situ hybridization showed that both zswim1 and zswim3 were maternally expressed genes;zswim5 and zswim6were expressed throughout embryogenesis and displayed dynamic expression in the brain,eyes,somite,and bronchial arch at the late tailbud stages;zswim7 was detected in the eye area;zswim8 showed a dynamic expression pattern during the tailbud stages,with expression detected in the brain,eyes,and somite;zswim9 was faintly expressed throughout embryonic development.This study provides a foundation for future research to delineate the functions of ZSWIM gene members.

Identification and expression analysis of sugar transporter family genes reveal the role of ZmSTP2 and ZmSTP20 in maize disease resistance

Sugar is an indispensable source of energy for plant growth and development, and it requires the participation of sugar transporter proteins(STPs) for crossing the hydrophobic barrier in plants. Here, we systematically identified the genes encoding sugar transporters in the genome of maize(Zea mays L.), analyzed their expression patterns under different conditions, and determined their functions in disease resistance. The results showed that the mazie sugar transporter family contained 24 members, all of which were predicted to be distributed on the cell membrane and had a highly conserved transmembrane transport domain. The tissue-specific expression of the maize sugar transporter genes was analyzed, and the expression level of these genes was found to be significantly different in different tissues. The analysis of biotic and abiotic stress data showed that the expression levels of the sugar transporter genes changed significantly under different stress factors. The expression levels of Zm STP2 and Zm STP20 continued to increase following Fusarium graminearum infection. By performing disease resistance analysis of zmstp2 and zmstp20 mutants, we found that after inoculation with Cochliobolus carbonum, Setosphaeria turcica, Cochliobolus heterostrophus, and F. graminearum, the lesion area of the mutants was significantly higher than that of the wild-type B73 plant. In this study, the genes encoding sugar transporters in maize were systematically identified and analyzed at the whole genome level. The expression patterns of the sugar transporter-encoding genes in different tissues of maize and under biotic and abiotic stresses were revealed, which laid an important theoretical foundation for further elucidation of their functions.

Analysis of differentially expressed genes related to cerebral ischaemia in young rats based on the Gene Expression Omnibus database

BACKGROUND The incidence rate of cerebral infarction in young people is increasing day by day,the age of onset tends to be younger,and its internal pathogenesis and mechanism are very complicated,which leads to greater difficulties in treatment.Therefore,it is essential to analyze the key pathway that affects the onset of cerebral infarction in young people from the perspective of genetics.AIM To compare the differentially expressed genes in the brain tissue of young and aged rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion and to analyse their effect on the key signalling pathway involved in the development of cerebral ischaemia in young rats.METHODS The Gene Expression Omnibus 2R online analysis tool was used to analyse the differentially expressed genes in the GSE166162 dataset regarding the development of cerebral ischaemia in young and aged groups of rats.DAVID 6.8 software was further used to filter the differentially expressed genes.These genes were subjected to Gene Ontology(GO)function analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis to determine the key gene pathway that affects the occurrence of cerebral ischaemia in young rats.RESULTS Thirty-five differentially expressed genes(such as Igf2,Col1a2,and Sfrp1)were obtained;73 GO enrichment analysis pathways are mainly involved in biological processes such as drug response,amino acid stimulation response,blood vessel development,various signalling pathways,and enzyme regulation.They are involved in molecular functions such as drug binding,protein binding,dopamine binding,metal ion binding,and dopamine neurotransmitter receptor activity.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed a significantly enriched pathway:The cyclic adenosine monophosphate(c-AMP)signalling pathway.CONCLUSION The c-AMP signalling pathway might be the key pathway in the intervention of cerebral infarction in young people.

Salt Stress Affects the Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by Altering the Antioxidant Machinery and Expression of Hormones and Stress- Specific Genes

Understanding physiological responses in saline agriculture may facilitate wheat breeding programs.Based on a screening test,the Ningmai-14(NM-14)and Yangmai-23(YM-23)wheat cultivars were selected for further experiments to understand the underlying salinity tolerance mechanism.This study investigated the effects of five salinity levels such as Control(CK)=0(without NaCl stress),S1=0.20%,S2=0.25%,S3=0.30%and S4=0.35%of NaCl concentrations of soil on wheat plants.The results showed that increased salinity concentration reduced the growth and yield of wheat cultivars(NM-14 and YM-23).However,YM-23(12.7%)yielded more than NM-14 at maximum salinity stress.The higher salinity(S4)increased the concentration of Na^(+)(4.3 to 5.8-fold)and P contents(2.5 to 2.2-fold),while reducing the average concentrations of K^(+),Cu,and K^(+)/Na^(+)ratio.The higher salinity(S4)reduced the spikelet length by 21.35%(followed by grain spike−1),and the starch content by 18.81%.In the YM-23 cultivar,higher salinity increased superoxide dismutase(SOD),total antioxidant capacity(TAC),and amylase.Compared to NM-14,induced expression of TaYUC2,6,and TaGA13ox,20ox genes were recorded in YM-23.Similarly,in YM-23 the stress-specific genes such as TaHSP70,90 were enhanced whereas,TaSOS1,2 were suppressed.Overall,our study revealed that salt tolerant cultivars modulate hormonal and antioxidant activities,thus maintaining high growth.

Identification and Expression Analysis of Abscisic Acid Signal Transduction Genes in Hemp Seeds

Abscisic acid(ABA)is involved in regulating diverse biological processes,but its signal transduction genes and roles in hemp seed germination are not well known.Here,the ABA signaling pathway members,PYL,PP2C and SnRK2 gene families,were identified from the hemp reference genome,including 7 CsPYL(pyrab-actin resistance1-like,ABA receptor),8 CsPP2CA(group A protein phosphatase 2c),and 7 CsSnRK2(sucrose nonfermenting1-related protein kinase 2).The content of ABA in hemp seeds in germination stage is lower than that in non-germination stage.Exogenous ABA(1 or 10μM)treatment had a significant regulatory effect on the selected PYL,PP2C,SnRK2 gene families.CsAHG3 and CsHAI1 were most significantly affected by exogenous ABA treatment.Yeast two-hybrid experiments were performed to reveal that CsPYL5,CsSnRK2.2,and CsSnRK2.3 could interact with CsPP2CA7 and demonstrate that this interaction was ABA-independent.Our results indicated that CsPYL5,CsSnRK2.2,CsSnRK2.3 and CsPP2CA7 might involve in the ABA signaling transduction pathway of hemp seeds during the hemp seed germination stages.This study suggested that novel genetic views can be brought into investigation of ABA signaling pathway in hemp seeds and lay the foundation for further exploration of the mechanism of hemp seed germination.

Identification of key genes underlying clinical features of hepatocellular carcinoma based on weighted gene co‑expression network analysis and bioinformatics analysis

Objective: To identify module genes that are closely related to clinical features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by weighted gene co‑expression network analysis, and to provide a reference for early clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: GSE84598 chip data were downloaded from the GEO database, and module genes closely related to the clinical features of HCC were extracted by comprehensive weighted gene co‑expression network analysis. Hub genes were identified through protein interaction network analysis by the maximum clique centrality (MCC) algorithm;Finally, the expression of hub genes was validated by TCGA database and the Kaplan Meier plotter online database was used to evaluate the prognostic relationship between hub genes and HCC patients. Results: By comparing the gene expression data between HCC tissue samples and normal liver tissue samples, a total of 6 262 differentially expressed genes were obtained, of which 2 207 were upregulated and 4 055 were downregulated. Weighted gene co‑expression network analysis was applied to identify 120 genes of key modules. By intersecting with the differentially expressed genes, 115 candidate hub genes were obtained. The results of enrichment analysis showed that the candidate hub genes were closely related to cell mitosis, p53 signaling pathway and so on. Further application of the MCC algorithm to the protein interaction network of 115 candidate hub genes identified five hub genes, namely NUF2, RRM2, UBE2C, CDC20 and MAD2L1. Validation of hub genes by TCGA database revealed that all five hub genes were significantly upregulated in HCC tissues compared to normal liver tissues;Moreover, survival analysis revealed that high expression of hub genes was closely associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. Conclusions: This study identifies five hub genes by combining multiple databases, which may provide directions for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Gene Expression:A Review on Methods for the Study of Defense-Related Gene Differential Expression in Plants

The plant genes involved in cellular signaling and metabolism have not been fully identified, while the function(s) of many of those which have are as yet incompletely characterized. Gene expression analysis allows the identification of genes and the study of their relationship with cellular processes. There are several options available for studying gene expression, including the use of cDNA and microarray libraries and techniques such as suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH), differential display (DD), RNA fingerprinting by arbitrary primed PCR (RAP), expressed sequence tags (EST), serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), representational difference analysis (RDA), cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Focusing on defense-related processes in plants, we present a brief review and examples of each of these methodologies and their advantages and limitations regarding the study of plant gene expression.

GST family genes in jujube actively respond to phytoplasma infection

Jujube witches’broom(JWB)caused by phytoplasma has a severely negative effect on multiple metabolisms in jujube.The GST gene family in plants participates in the regulation of a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses.This study aims to identify and reveal the changes in the jujube GST gene family in response to phytoplasma infection.Here,70 ZjGSTs were identified in the jujube genome and divided into 8 classes.Among them,the Tau-class,including 44 genes,was the largest.Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Tau-class genes were highly conserved among species,such as Arabidopsis,cotton,chickpea,and rice.Through chromosome location analysis,37.1%of genes were clustered,and 8 of 9 gene clusters were composed of Tau class members.Through RT-PCR,qRT-PCR and enzyme activity detection,the results showed that the expression of half(20/40)of the tested ZjGSTs was inhibited by phytoplasma infection in field and tissue culture conditions,and GST activity was also significantly reduced.In the resistant and susceptible varieties under phytoplasma infection,ZjGSTU49-ZjGSTU54 in the cluster IV showed opposite expression patterns,which may be due to functional divergence during evolution.Some upregulated genes(ZjGSTU45,ZjGSTU49,ZjGSTU59,and ZjGSTU70)might be involved in the process of jujube against JWB.The yeast two-hybrid results showed that all 6 Tauclass proteins tested could form homodimers or heterodimers.Overall,the comprehensive analysis of the jujube GST gene family revealed that ZjGSTs responded actively to phytoplasma infection.Furthermore,some screened genes(ZjGSTU24,ZjGSTU49-52,ZjGSTU70,and ZjDHAR10)will contribute to further functional studies of jujube-phytoplasma interactions.

Transcriptome analysis reveals immune-related genes in tissues of Vibrio anguillarum-infected turbot Scophthalmus maximus

Turbot Scophthalmus maximus is an important mariculture fish species with high economic value.However,the bacterial diseases caused by Vibrio anguillarum infection bring huge economic losses to the turbot aquaculture industry.To understand the immune response of the turbot against V.anguillarum infection and to explore novel immune-related genes,the transcriptome analysis of turbot spleen and gills were conducted after V.anguillarum infection.Differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were identified in spleen and gill of the turbot amounted to 17261 and 16436,respectively.A large number of immunerelated DEGs were enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction signaling pathway,and the others by the kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)enrichment.The gene ontology(GO)classification analysis revealed that V.anguillarum infection had the greatest effect on biological processes and cellular components.Twelve immune-related DEGs were identified in the spleen(cstl.1,egfl6,lamb21,v2rx4,calcr,and gpr78a)and gills(ghra,sh3gl2a,cst12,inhbaa,cxcl8,and il-1b)by heat map.The proteinprotein interaction(PPI)networks were constructed to analyze the immune mechanism.The results demonstrate that the maturation and antigen processing of major histocompatibility complex(MHC)class II molecule,and calcitonin-or adrenomedullin-regulated physiological activity were important events in the immunity of turbot against V.anguillarum infection.In the gills,the protein interactions in TGF-βsignaling pathway,production of inflammatory factors,and endocytosis regulation were most significant.Our research laid a foundation for discovering novel immune-related genes and enriching the knowledge of immune mechanisms of turbot against V.anguillarum infection.