Cloning and Bioinformatics Analysis of CsFK111 Gene from Cucumbers

At the early stage,the transcriptome sequencing technique was used to detect the differentially expressed gene CsFK111 between vine cucumber and dwarf cucumber D0462.The gene was cloned,and bioinformatics software tools were used to analyze and predict the gene family and this gene.There were 30 members of the cucumber F-box gene family.The coding region of the cucumber CsFK111 gene was full-length 1314 bp,which encoded 437 amino acids and was predicted to be located in the nucleus.The protein encoded by this gene was a non-transmembrane protein,and the prediction of the secondary structure showed thatβ-lamellar structure and irregular crimp were dominant.A comparison of the phylogenetic tree showed that it was closest to cantaloupe and belonged to the same branch.The results provided a basis for future study on the regulation mechanism of the CsFK111 gene on cucumber dwarfing and also laid a foundation for further study of FBK family proteins.

Molecular Cloning and Bioinformatics Analysis of msrA Gene from Vibrio alginolyticus Strain HY9901

[Objectives]This study was conducted to understand the structure and function of MsrA protein.[Methods]With Vibrio alginolyticus HY9901 as the object of study,primers were designed to amplify the full-length gene of msrA,and its bioinformatics analysis was carried out.[Results]The full length of msrA gene was 639 bp,encoding 212 amino acids,and its theoretical molecular weight was about 23729.60 Da.The protein had a stable structure,and it was hydrophobic overall.The structure of signal peptides at the N terminal of the amino acid sequence was predicted,and it was found that there was no signal peptide cleavage site and no transmembrane region.The amino acid sequence of MsrA contained multiple signal binding sites.Protein subcellular localization showed that MsrA protein was most likely located in the cytoplasm.Homology analysis showed that MsrA of V.alginolyticus had high homology with other Vibrio species,and the highest homology with V.alginolyticus.In the prediction of functional domains,MsrA had the function of methionine sulfoxide reduction.In secondary structure prediction,MsrA contained random coils at a proportion of 46.70%,which was the highest.The similarity between the tertiary structure model of MsrA and template Q87SW6.1.A was 89.15%.PTM analysis showed that MsrA protein had many PTM modification sites such as phosphorylation and glycosylation sites.[Conclusions]This study provides some reference value for further study on the role of MsrA in bacterial antioxidant stress.

Molecular Cloning of sodB Gene from Vibrio alginolyticus HY9901 and Its Bioinformatics Analysis

Vibrio alginolyticus is a zoonotic bacterium.A pair of specific primers was designed using the sodB gene sequence of Vibrio alginolyticus HY9901 in order to amplify the full length of the gene by PCR.The results indicated that the total length of the sodB gene was 585 bp and that it could encode 194 amino acids.The predicted amino acid sequence derivation indicated that the molecular weight of the protein was approximately 21.56 kDa,with an isoelectric point of 4.95.Upon prediction of the N-terminal signal peptide structure of the protein,no significant signal peptide cleavage site was observed,indicating that the protein lacked both a signal peptide and a transmembrane region.The amino acid sequence contained an N-glycosylation site,a casein kinase II phosphorylation site,a microsomal C-terminal target signal site,and a manganese and iron superoxide dismutase signal site.The probability of intracytoplasmic localization of the SodB protein was 56.5%,which was analyzed according to the subcellular localization of the protein.The amino acid sequence of the sodB gene of V.alginolyticus exhibited 98%-100%homology to other Vibrio species,clustering into the same subfamily with V.parahaem,indicating a relatively close relationship between them.In the prediction of protein structure,the proportions ofα-helix,random coil,β-sheet,and extended strand were 48.45%,30.41%,5.67%,and 15.46%,respectively.The similarity to template 1dt0.1.A reached 71.58%.A PTM site analysis revealed the presence of phosphorylation,glycosylation,ubiquitination,sumoylation,acetylation,and methylation modification sites,as well as the absence of lactylation modification sites.

Cost-Effective Method of Gene Synthesis by Sequencing from Microchip-Derived Oligos for Droplet Cloning

Gene synthesis has provided important contributions in various fields including genomics and medicine. Current genes are 7 - 30 cents depending on the assembly and sequencing methods performed. Demand for gene synthesis has been increasing for the past few decades, yet available methods remain expensive. A solution to this problem involves microchip-derived oligonucleotides (oligos), an oligo pool with a substantial number of oligo fragments. Microchips have been proposed as a tool for gene synthesis, but this approach has been criticized for its high error rate during sequencing. This study tests a possible cost-effective method for gene synthesis utilizing fragment assembly and golden gate assembly, which can be employed for quicker manufacturing and efficient execution of genes in the near future. The droplet method was tested in two trials to determine the viability of the method through the accuracy of the oligos sequenced. A preliminary research experiment was performed to determine the efficacy of oligo lengths ranging from two to four overlapping oligos through Gibson assembly. Of the three oligo lengths tested, only two fragment oligos were correctly sequenced. Two fragment oligos were used for the second experiment, which determined the efficacy of the droplet method in reducing gene synthesis cost and speed. The first trial utilized a high-fidelity polymerase and resulted in 3% correctly sequenced oligos, so the second trial utilized a non-high-fidelity polymerase, resulting in 8% correctly sequenced oligos. After calculating, the cost of gene synthesis lowers down to 0.8 cents/base. The final calculated cost of 0.8 cents/base is significantly cheaper than other manufacturing costs of 7 - 30 cents/base. Reducing the cost of gene synthesis provides new insight into the cost-effectiveness of present technologies and protocols and has the potential to benefit the fields of bioengineering and gene therapy.

Gene Cloning and Bioinformatics Analysis of phoR Gene from Vibrio alginolyticus HY9901

PhoR is a histidine kinase in a two-component regulatory system that regulates phosphorus metabolic pathways and undertakes the key mission of information transmission in pathogenic bacteria.The full-length phoR gene was successfully cloned from the Vibrio alginolyticus HY9901 strain.A comprehensive analysis of the cloned gene was conducted using bioinformatics.Sequence analysis revealed that the total length of the phoR gene(GenBank accession No.:KJ958404.1)is 1299 bp,with the coding region containing a total of 432 amino acid residues.The phylogenetic tree of PhoR revealed that it belongs to the same subclade as V.diabolicus.The SMART program was employed for the purpose of functional domain prediction,which revealed that PhoR possesses three major functional domains:PAS(amino acids 98-166),HisKA(amino acids 205-272),and HATPase_c(amino acids 317-429).

Cloning and Bioinformatics Analysis of hcp Gene in Aeromonas hydrophila

[Objectives]To explore the function of hcp gene in Aeromonas hydrophila.[Methods]A pair of specific primers was designed referring to the hcp gene sequence of A.hydrophila.The hcp gene was amplified by PCR,and performed bioinformatics analysis.[Results]The hcp gene had a total length of 1650 bp and encoded 549 amino acids.The theoretical molecular weight of the protein predicted was about 59476.44 kDa.After predicting the N-terminal signal peptide structure of the amino acid sequence,neither obvious signal peptide cleavage site nor signal peptide was found,and the protein had no transmembrane region.The amino acid sequence had a N-glycosylation site,4 protein kinase C phosphorylation sites,7 casein kinase II phosphorylation sites,9 N-myristoylation sites,4 isoprene binding sites,10 microbody C-terminal target signal sites,and an ATP/GTP binding site motif A(P-ring).The amino acid sequence of hcp gene of A.hydrophila was performed homology analysis with other Aeromonas strains,and it showed higher homology with A.veronii.In the secondary structure,theα-helix,β-sheet,random coil and extended strand accounted for 45.36%,6.01%,37.52%and 11.11%,respectively.The tertiary structure model consisted of 18α-helix and 22β-sheet.Analysis of protein-protein network interaction demonstrated that the proteins interacting with Hcp protein were AHA_3407,nrfA,nirB-1,nirB-2 and AHA_1112.[Conclusions]Through the bioinformatics prediction results,the basic information of hcp gene of A.hydrophila is preliminarily understood,and the possible function of this protein is predicted,in order to provide guidance for subsequent vaccine research.

Molecular Cloning and Bioinformatics Analysis of sucC Gene of Vibrio alginolyticus Strain HY9901

[Objectives]To clone the sucC gene of Vibrio alginolyticus strain HY9901 and conduct the bioinformatics analysis.[Methods]Based on the sucC gene of V.alginolyticus strain HY9901,specific primers were designed to amplify the full length sequence by PCR and make further analysis.[Results]The theoretical molecular weight of SucC protein was about 41528.45 Da,and the full length was 1167 bp,encoding 388 amino acids.It has no signal peptide and transmembrane region,and has a variety of functional sites.It is predicted that it is mainly located in the cytoplasm,and the ubiquitin and lactate modification sites overlap,and it has high gene homology with Vibrio parahaemolyticus.Theα-helix,random coil and extended strand are the main secondary structures.The similarity between the constructed three-level structure model and the template is high.[Conclusions]This study reveals the structural characteristics and functional potential of SucC protein,and provides a theoretical basis for the study of drug resistance mechanism and prevention strategies.

Molecular Cloning of clpX Gene from Vibrio alginolyticus HY9901 and Its Bioinformatics Analysis

According to the clpX gene sequence of Vibrio alginolyticus HY9901,a pair of specific primers were designed,and the full length was cloned by PCR and subjected to bioinformatics analysis.The results showed that the clpX gene was 1281 bp in length and encoded 426 amino acids.Its molecular structure formula was C 3842 H 6405 N 1281 O 1598 S 260,with a theoretical protein molecular weight of approximately 1044473.4 kDa and a theoretical pI value of 5.04.The clpX gene was predominantly situated within the cytoplasm,exhibiting unstable and hydrophilic protein characteristics.It possessed a signal peptide cleavage site,lacked a transmembrane region,and was not associated with any KEGG metabolic pathway.Additionally,it possessed 2 glycine phosphorylation sites,a CAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation site,a C-terminal amidation modification site,6 protein kinase C phosphorylation sites,7 microbody C-terminal target signal sites,and an ATP/GTP site.The clpX phylogenetic tree was constructed using the MEGA 5.0 software via the neighbor-joining method.The results demonstrated that the clpX of V.alginolyticus exhibited up to 100%affinity with the clpX of Vibrio spp.The single subunit 3D structure model of the ClpX protein was obtained using the SWISS-MODEL program.A structural and functional analysis of the protein revealed the presence of three distinct ClpX structural and functional domains.In the prediction of secondary structure,the proportions ofα-helix,random coil,β-sheet and extended strand were 40.38%,37.09%,5.40%and 17.14%,respectively.The analysis of the ClpX protein through the STRING database revealed that the proteins interacting with the ClpX protein were Tig,Atpd,Hflb,Msrb-2,Rpod,Clpp,Clpa,Lon-1,Hfq,and ANP63951.1.A computational analysis of the ClpX protein identified a number of post-translational modification sites,including phosphorylation,acetylation,ubiquitination,glycosylation,methylation,S-palmitoylation,and lactylation.The significance of this study is to analyze the function of the clpX gene and establish a robust foundation for subsequent investigations into the mechanism of the clpX gene in Vibrio alginolyticus.

Molecular Cloning and Bioinformatics Analysis of cyaA Gene of Vibrio alginolyticus Strain HY9901

[Objectives]This study was conducted to explore the biological functions of cyaA gene of Vibrio alginolyticus.[Methods]With DNA of V.alginolyticus HY 9901 as a template,primers were designed according to the sequence of cyaA gene,and the cyaA gene was amplified by PCR.Bioinformatics analysis was performed.[Results]The cyaA gene of V.alginolyticus HY9901 was 2529 bp in size,and encoded 842 amino acids.The molecular structure of CyaA protein was C_(4358)H_(6745)N_(1171)O_(1286)S_(35).Its theoretical molecular weight was 97.24167 kDa and the theoretical pI value was 5.56.It had no signal peptide and transmembrane domain.CyaA protein had three N-terminal glycosylation sites,one cAMP and cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation site,nine protein kinase C phosphorylation sites,nine casein kinase II phosphorylation sites,one tyrosine kinase phosphorylation site,seven N-terminal myristoylation sites,one pentenyl binding site and ten microbody C-terminal localization signal sites.Subcellular localization prediction showed that CyaA protein was mainly located in the nucleus and cytoplasm.Through multi-sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree construction,it was concluded that V.alginolyticus had high CyaA homology with other Vibrio species.cyaA of V.alginolyticus was clustered with Vibrio fluminensis and Vibrio marinisedimini,and they were closely related.The secondary structure of CyaA protein consisted ofα-helixes(43.11%),random coils(38.00%)and extended strands(14.49%).In protein network interaction,it was found that the proteins adjacent to CyaA protein were Crp-2,CpdA,Crr,PtsG-2,ANP67209.1,Crp-1,PykF,Pyk,RelA and Ndk.[Conclusions]This study provides a new idea for formulating strategies for the prevention and control of vibriosis.

Peripheral blood RNA biomarkers can predict lesion severity in degenerative cervical myelopathy

Degenerative cervical myelopathy is a common cause of spinal cord injury,with longer symptom duration and higher myelopathy severity indicating a worse prognosis.While numerous studies have investigated serological biomarkers for acute spinal cord injury,few studies have explored such biomarkers for diagnosing degenerative cervical myelopathy.This study involved 30 patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy(51.3±7.3 years old,12 women and 18 men),seven healthy controls(25.7±1.7 years old,one woman and six men),and nine patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy(51.9±8.6 years old,three women and six men).Analysis of blood samples from the three groups showed clear differences in transcriptomic characteristics.Enrichment analysis identified 128 differentially expressed genes that were enriched in patients with neurological disabilities.Using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis,we constructed a five-gene model(TBCD,TPM2,PNKD,EIF4G2,and AP5Z1)to diagnose degenerative cervical myelopathy with an accuracy of 93.5%.One-gene models(TCAP and SDHA)identified mild and severe degenerative cervical myelopathy with accuracies of 83.3%and 76.7%,respectively.Signatures of two immune cell types(memory B cells and memory-activated CD4^(+)T cells)predicted levels of lesions in degenerative cervical myelopathy with 80%accuracy.Our results suggest that peripheral blood RNA biomarkers could be used to predict lesion severity in degenerative cervical myelopathy.

Dysregulation of genes involved in the long-chain fatty acid transport in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is an aggressive lethal malignancy with limited options for treatment and a 5-year survival rate of 11%in the United States.As for other types of tumors,such as colorectal cancer,aberrant de novo lipid synthesis and reprogrammed lipid metabolism have been suggested to be associated with PDAC development and progression.AIM To identify the possible involvement of lipid metabolism in PDAC by analyzing in tumoral and non-tumoral tissues the expression level of the most relevant genes involved in the long-chain fatty acid(FA)import into cell.METHODS A gene expression analysis of FASN,CD36,SLC27A1,SLC27A2,SLC27A3,SLC27A4,SLC27A5,ACSL1,and ACSL3 was performed by qRT-PCR in 24 tumoral PDAC tissues and 11 samples from non-tumoral pancreatic tissues obtained via fine needle aspiration or via surgical resection.The genes were considered significantly dysregulated between the groups when the p value was<0.05 and the fold change(FC)was≤0.5 and≥2.RESULTS We found that three FA transporters and two long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases genes were significantly upregulated in the PDAC tissue compared to the non-tumoral tissue:SLC27A2(FC=5.66;P=0.033),SLC27A3(FC=2.68;P=0.040),SLC27A4(FC=3.13;P=0.033),ACSL1(FC=4.10;P<0.001),and ACSL3(FC=2.67;P=0.012).We further investigated any possible association between the levels of the analyzed mRNAs and the specific characteristics of the tumors,including the anatomic location,the lymph node involvement,and the presence of metastasis.A significant difference in the expression of SLC27A3(FC=3.28;P=0.040)was found comparing patients with and without lymph nodes involvement with an overexpression of this transcript in 17 patients presenting tumoral cells in the lymph nodes.CONCLUSION Despite the low number of patients analyzed,these preliminary results seem to be promising.Addressing lipid metabolism through a broad strategy could be a beneficial way to treat this malignancy.Future in vitro and in vivo studies on these genes may offer important insights into the mechanisms linking PDAC with the long-chain FA import pathway.

The autophagy-lysosome pathway:a potential target in the chemical and gene therapeutic strategies for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a common neurodegenerative disease with movement disorders associated with the intracytoplasmic deposition of aggregate proteins such asα-synuclein in neurons.As one of the major intracellular degradation pathways,the autophagy-lysosome pathway plays an important role in eliminating these proteins.Accumulating evidence has shown that upregulation of the autophagy-lysosome pathway may contribute to the clearance ofα-synuclein aggregates and protect against degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease.Moreover,multiple genes associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease are intimately linked to alterations in the autophagy-lysosome pathway.Thus,this pathway appears to be a promising therapeutic target for treatment of Parkinson’s disease.In this review,we briefly introduce the machinery of autophagy.Then,we provide a description of the effects of Parkinson’s disease–related genes on the autophagy-lysosome pathway.Finally,we highlight the potential chemical and genetic therapeutic strategies targeting the autophagy–lysosome pathway and their applications in Parkinson’s disease.

Recovery of the injured neural system through gene delivery to surviving neurons in Parkinson’s disease

A critical unaddressed problem in Parkinson’s disease is the lack of therapy that slows or hampers neurodegeneration.While medications effectively manage symptoms,they offer no long-term benefit because they fail to address the underlying neuronal loss.This highlights that the elusive goals of halting progression and restoring damaged neurons limit the long-term impact of current approaches.Recent clinical trials using gene therapy have demonstrated the safety of various vector delivery systems,dosages,and transgenes expressed in the central nervous system,signifying tangible and substantial progress in applying gene therapy as a promising Parkinson’s disease treatment.Intriguingly,at diagnosis,many dopamine neurons remain in the substantia nigra,offering a potential window for recovery and survival.We propose that modulating these surviving dopamine neurons and axons in the substantia nigra and striatum using gene therapy offers a potentially more impactful therapeutic approach for future research.Moreover,innovative gene therapies that focus on preserving the remaining elements may have significant potential for enhancing long-term outcomes and the quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s disease.In this review,we provide a perspective on how gene therapy can protect vulnerable elements in the substantia nigra and striatum,offering a novel approach to addressing Parkinson’s disease at its core.

AAV2-PDE6B restores retinal structure and function in the retinal degeneration 10 mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa by promoting phototransduction and inhibiting apoptosis

Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited diseases that lead to retinal degeneration and photoreceptor cell death.However,there is no effective treatment for retinitis pigmentosa caused by PDE6B mutation.Adeno-associated virus(AAV)-mediated gene therapy is a promising strategy for treating retinitis pigmentosa.The aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanisms by which AAV2-PDE6B rescues retinal function.To do this,we injected retinal degeneration 10(rd10)mice subretinally with AAV2-PDE6B and assessed the therapeutic effects on retinal function and structure using dark-and light-adapted electroretinogram,optical coherence tomography,and immunofluorescence.Data-independent acquisition-mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis was conducted to investigate protein expression levels and pathway enrichment,and the results from this analysis were verified by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.AAV2-PDE6B injection significantly upregulated PDE6βexpression,preserved electroretinogram responses,and preserved outer nuclear layer thickness in rd10 mice.Differentially expressed proteins between wild-type and rd10 mice were closely related to visual perception,and treating rd10 mice with AAV2-PDE6B restored differentially expressed protein expression to levels similar to those seen in wild-type mice.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins whose expression was most significantly altered by AAV2-PDE6B injection were enriched in phototransduction pathways.Furthermore,the phototransductionrelated proteins Pde6α,Rom1,Rho,Aldh1a1,and Rbp1 exhibited opposite expression patterns in rd10 mice with or without AAV2-PDE6B treatment.Finally,Bax/Bcl-2,p-ERK/ERK,and p-c-Fos/c-Fos expression levels decreased in rd10 mice following AAV2-PDE6B treatment.Our data suggest that AAV2-PDE6B-mediated gene therapy promotes phototransduction and inhibits apoptosis by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway and upregulating Bcl-2/Bax expression in retinitis pigmentosa.

Heterogeneity of mature oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system

Mature oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths that are crucial for the insulation of axons and efficient signal transmission in the central nervous system.Recent evidence has challenged the classical view of the functionally static mature oligodendrocyte and revealed a gamut of dynamic functions such as the ability to modulate neuronal circuitry and provide metabolic support to axons.Despite the recognition of potential heterogeneity in mature oligodendrocyte function,a comprehensive summary of mature oligodendrocyte diversity is lacking.We delve into early 20th-century studies by Robertson and Río-Hortega that laid the foundation for the modern identification of regional and morphological heterogeneity in mature oligodendrocytes.Indeed,recent morphologic and functional studies call into question the long-assumed homogeneity of mature oligodendrocyte function through the identification of distinct subtypes with varying myelination preferences.Furthermore,modern molecular investigations,employing techniques such as single cell/nucleus RNA sequencing,consistently unveil at least six mature oligodendrocyte subpopulations in the human central nervous system that are highly transcriptomically diverse and vary with central nervous system region.Age and disease related mature oligodendrocyte variation denotes the impact of pathological conditions such as multiple sclerosis,Alzheimer's disease,and psychiatric disorders.Nevertheless,caution is warranted when subclassifying mature oligodendrocytes because of the simplification needed to make conclusions about cell identity from temporally confined investigations.Future studies leveraging advanced techniques like spatial transcriptomics and single-cell proteomics promise a more nuanced understanding of mature oligodendrocyte heterogeneity.Such research avenues that precisely evaluate mature oligodendrocyte heterogeneity with care to understand the mitigating influence of species,sex,central nervous system region,age,and disease,hold promise for the development of therapeutic interventions targeting varied central nervous system pathology.

Pan-TRK positive uterine sarcoma in immunohistochemistry without neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase gene fusions:A case report

BACKGROUND The classification of uterine sarcomas is based on distinctive morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics,increasingly supported by molecular genetic diagnostics.Data on neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase(NTRK)gene fusionpositive uterine sarcoma,potentially aggressive and morphologically similar to fibrosarcoma,are limited due to its recent recognition.Pan-TRK immunohistochemistry(IHC)analysis serves as an effective screening tool with high sensitivity and specificity for NTRK-fusion malignancies.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a malignant mesenchymal tumor originating from the uterine cervix,which was pan-TRK IHC-positive but lacked NTRK gene fusions,accompanied by a brief literature review.A 55-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and distension,exhibiting significant ascites and multiple solid pelvic masses.Pelvic examination revealed a tumor encompassing the uterine cervix,extending to the vagina and uterine corpus.A punch biopsy of the cervix indicated NTRK sarcoma with positive immunochemical pan-TRK stain.However,subsequent next generation sequencing revealed no NTRK gene fusion,leading to a diagnosis of poorly differentiated,advanced-stage sarcoma.CONCLUSION The clinical significance of NTRK gene fusion lies in potential treatment with TRK inhibitors for positive sarcomas.Identifying such rare tumors is crucial due to the potential applicability of tropomyosin receptor kinase inhibitor treatment.

Genetic and epigenetic alterations associated with gestational diabetes mellitus and adverse neonatal outcomes

Gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)is a metabolic disorder,recognised during 24-28 weeks of pregnancy.GDM is linked with adverse newborn outcomes such as macrosomia,premature delivery,metabolic disorder,cardiovascular,and neurological disorders.Recent investigations have focused on the correlation of genetic factors such asβ-cell function and insulin secretary genes(transcription factor 7 like 2,potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily q member 1,adipo-nectin etc.)on maternal metabolism during gestation leading to GDM.Epigenetic alterations like DNA methylation,histone modification,and miRNA expression can influence gene expression and play a dominant role in feto-maternal meta-bolic pathways.Interactions between genes and environment,resulting in differ-ential gene expression patterns may lead to GDM.Researchers suggested that GDM women are more susceptible to insulin resistance,which alters intrauterine surroundings,resulting hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia.Epigenetic modi-fications in genes affecting neuroendocrine activities,and metabolism,increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in offspring.There is currently no treatment or effective preventive method for GDM,since the molecular processes of insulin resistance are not well understood.The present review was undertaken to un-derstand the pathophysiology of GDM and its effects on adverse neonatal out-comes.In addition,the study of genetic and epigenetic alterations will provide lead to researchers in the search for predictive molecular biomarkers.

Autophagy-targeting modulation to promote peripheral nerve regeneration

Nerve regeneration following traumatic peripheral nerve injuries and neuropathies is a complex process modulated by diverse factors and intricate molecular mechanisms.Past studies have focused on factors that stimulate axonal outgrowth and myelin regeneration.However,recent studies have highlighted the pivotal role of autophagy in peripheral nerve regeneration,particularly in the context of traumatic injuries.Consequently,autophagy-targeting modulation has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach to enhancing peripheral nerve regeneration.Our current understanding suggests that activating autophagy facilitates the rapid clearance of damaged axons and myelin sheaths,thereby enhancing neuronal survival and mitigating injury-induced oxidative stress and inflammation.These actions collectively contribute to creating a favorable microenvironment for structural and functional nerve regeneration.A range of autophagyinducing drugs and interventions have demonstrated beneficial effects in alleviating peripheral neuropathy and promoting nerve regeneration in preclinical models of traumatic peripheral nerve injuries.This review delves into the regulation of autophagy in cell types involved in peripheral nerve regeneration,summarizing the potential drugs and interventions that can be harnessed to promote this process.We hope that our review will offer novel insights and perspectives on the exploitation of autophagy pathways in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries and neuropathies.

Bidirectional regulation of the cyclic guanosine monophosphateadenosine monophosphate synthase-stimulator of interferon gene pathway and its impact on hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancerrelated deaths in China,and the treatment options are limited.The cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase(cGAS)activates the stimulator of interferon gene(STING)signaling pathway as a crucial immune response pathway in the cytoplasm,which detects cytoplasmic DNA to regulate innate and adaptive immune responses.As a potential therapeutic target,cGASSTING pathway markedly inhibits tumor cell proliferation and metastasis,with its activation being particularly relevant in HCC.However,prolonged pathway activation may lead to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment,which fostering the invasion or metastasis of liver tumor cells.AIM To investigate the dual-regulation mechanism of cGAS-STING in HCC.METHODS This review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines.The study conducted a comprehensive search for articles related to HCC on PubMed and Web of Science databases.Through rigorous screening and meticulous analysis of the retrieved literature,the research aimed to summarize and elucidate the impact of the cGAS-STING pathway on HCC tumors.RESULTS All authors collaboratively selected studies for inclusion,extracted data,and the initial search of online databases yielded 1445 studies.After removing duplicates,remaining 964 records were screened.Ultimately,55 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review.CONCLUSION Acute inflammation can have a few inhibitory effects on cancer,while chronic inflammation generally promotes its progression.Extended cGAS-STING pathway activation will result in a suppressive tumor microenvironment.

Genetic signatures of ERCC1 and ERCC2 expression,along with SNPs variants,unveil favorable prognosis in SCLC patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy

Background:Platinum chemotherapy(CT)remains the backbone of systemic therapy for patients with smallcell lung cancer(SCLC).The nucleotide excision repair(NER)pathway plays a central role in the repair of the DNA damage exerted by platinum agents.Alteration in this repair mechanism may affect patients’survival.Materials and Methods:We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 38 patients with extensive disease(ED)-SCLC who underwent platinum-CT at the Clinical Oncology Unit,Careggi University Hospital,Florence(Italy),from 2015 to 2020.mRNA expression analysis and single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)characterization of three NER pathway genes—namely ERCC1,ERCC2,and ERCC5—were performed on patient tumor samples.Results:Overall,elevated expression of ERCC genes was observed in SCLC patients compared to healthy controls.Patients with low ERCC1 and ERCC5 expression levels exhibited a better median progression-free survival(mPFS=7.1 vs.4.9 months,p=0.39 for ERCC1 and mPFS=6.9 vs.4.8 months,p=0.093 for ERCC5)and overall survival(mOS=8.7 vs.6.0 months,p=0.4 for ERCC1 and mOS=7.2 vs.6.2 months,p=0.13 for ERCC5).Genotyping analysis of five SNPs of ERCC genes showed a longer survival in patients harboring the wild-type genotype or the heterozygous variant of the ERCC1 rs11615 SNP(p=0.24 for PFS and p=0.14 for OS)and of the rs13181 and rs1799793 ERCC2 SNPs(p=0.43 and p=0.26 for PFS and p=0.21 and p=0.16 for OS,respectively)compared to patients with homozygous mutant genotypes.Conclusions:The comprehensive analysis of ERCC gene expression and SNP variants appears to identify patients who derive greater survival benefits from platinum-CT.