Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal failure, contributing to severe morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Berberine (BBR) has been well characterized to exert ...renoprotective effects in DN progression. However, the action mechanism of BBR in DN remains to be fully understood.
The DN rat model was generated by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg body weight) while 30 mM high glucose (HG)-treated podocytes were used as an in vitro DN model. The fasting blood glucose level and ratio of kidney weight to body weight were measured after BBR treatment (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) in STZ-induced DN rats. The renal injury parameters including 24-h urinary protein, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were assessed. qRT-PCR was performed to detect the transcript amounts of inflammatory factors. The concentrations of inflammatory factors were evaluated by ELISA kits. Western blot analysis was conducted to measure the amounts of TLR4/NF-κB-related proteins. The apoptotic rate of podocytes was analyzed by flow cytometry using Annexin V/propidium iodide.
Berberine reduced renal injury in STZ-induced DN rat model, as evidenced by the decrease in fasting blood glucose, ratio of kidney weight to body weight, 24-h urinary protein, serum creatinine, and blood urine nitrogen. BBR attenuated the systemic and renal cortex inflammatory response and inhibited TLR4/NF-κB pathway in STZ-induced DN rats and HG-induced podocytes. Also, HG-induced apoptosis of podocytes was lowered by BBR administration. Furthermore, blockade of TLR4/NF-κB pathway by resatorvid (TAK-242) or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate aggravated the inhibitory effect of BBR on HG-induced inflammatory response and apoptosis in podocytes.
Berberine ameliorated DN through relieving STZ-induced renal injury, inflammatory response, and podocyte HG-induced apoptosis via inactivating TLR4/NF-κB pathway.
The first use of the combination of ammonium citrate (AC) and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) as coordinating precursors for the synthesis of highly fluorescent (quantum yield = 67%) ...multicolour nitrogen-doped carbon dots (CDs) is reported. Under UV light, these CDs emitted outstanding luminescence in colours from dark blue to red. Interestingly, a single component white-light CD point with high fluorescence efficiency was obtained by surface control. Alterations of the photoluminescence (PL) emission of these full-colour CDs were tentatively proposed to benefit from surface functional groups, such as Cdouble bond, length as m-dashO and Cdouble bond, length as m-dashN. An energy-level model was proposed to explain the continuously adjustable full-colour emission. The white light may be attributed to the overlap of diverse light emission induced by electron transitions between the energy levels. Subsequently, to avoid aggregation-induced solid-state fluorescence quenching, multicolour CD-based sandwich glasses with various colour emission was fabricated, which is anticipated to be compatible with the all-optical light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The facile preparation and outstanding optical features are believed to provide an alternative synthesis route and inspire more research into applications and CD-based materials of multicolour CDs.
An azo-functionalized porous organic framework (denoted as JJU-1) was synthesized via FeCl3-promoted oxidative coupling polymerization. By virtue of a porous skeleton and a light/heat responsive azo ...functional group, this task-specific JJU-1 displays a reversible stimuli-responsive adsorption property triggered by UV irradiation and heat treatment. The initial Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) surface area of this porous material is 467 m2 g–1. The CO2 sorption isotherms exhibit a slight decrease after UV irradiation because of the trans to cis conversion of the azo functional skeleton. It is worth mentioning that the responsive CO2 adsorption performance can be recycled for three cycles via alternating external stimuli, confirming the excellently reversible switchability of trans-to-cis isomerization and controllable CO2 adsorption.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been discovered to play a key role in adipogenesis, while the role of lncRNA human leukocyte antigen complex group 11 (HCG11) in adipocyte differentiation has not ...been studied clearly. We used human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAdMSCs) to establish a model of cell differentiation in vitro and found that expression of lncRNA HCG11 was decreased during adipogenesis through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Then, hAdMSCs were transfected with pcDNA-HCG11 or HCG11-shRNA (sh-HCG11); the adipogenic marker proteins were detected by Western blot, and the activity of lipogenesis enzymes was detected by spectrophotometry. The expression of CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein α, fatty acid-binding protein, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 and the levels of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase and fatty acid synthase FAS were significantly downregulated in hAdMSCs at different stages transfected with pcDNA-HCG11, while knockdown of lncRNA HCG11 promoted adipocyte differentiation. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that miR-204-5p was a potential target gene of HCG11, which was confirmed by luciferase reporter gene analysis and RNA pull-down analysis. In addition, miR-204-5p directly targeting the 3′-untranslated region of SIRT1 was also predicted by StarBase and verified by luciferase reporter gene analysis. Enforced expression of miR-204-5p negatively regulated the SIRT1 protein level. Furthermore, SIRT1 overexpression significantly inhibited adipogenic marker protein, levels of lipogenesis enzymes, and the proliferation of hAdMSCs. When pcDNA-HCG11 and miR-204-5p mimic were co-transfected into hAdMSCs, we found that the miR-204-5p mimic reversed the suppressor effect of pcDNA-HCG11. Taken together, we found that HCG11 negatively regulated cell proliferation and adipogenesis by the miR-204-5p/SIRT1 axis. Our findings might provide a new target for the study of adipogenesis in hAdMSCs and obesity.
A porous azo-functionalized organic polymer (JJU-2) was designed and prepared via oxidative coupling polymerization promoted by FeCl3. JJU-2 exhibited reversibly stimuli-responsive CO2 adsorption ...properties as a result of the trans/cis isomerization of the polymer’s azo-functionalized skeleton. Under UV irradiation and heat treatment, this porous material displayed various porous structures and CO2 adsorption properties. The initial Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of JJU-1 is 888 m2 g−1. After UV irradiation, the BET surface area decreases to 864 m2 g−1, along with the decrease of micropores around 0.50 nm and 1.27 nm during the trans-to-cis isomerization process. In addition, CO2 sorption isotherms demonstrate an 8%t decrease, and the calculated Qst of CO2 has decreased from 29.0 kJ mol−1 to 26.5 kJ mol−1 due to the trans to cis conversion of the azobenzene side group. It is noteworthy that JJU-2′s CO2 uptakes are nearly constant over three cycles of alternating external stimuli. Therefore, this azo-functionalized porous material was a potential carbon capture material that was responsive to stimuli.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The developmental plasticity of leaf size and shape is important for leaf function and plant survival. However, the mechanisms by which plants form diverse leaves in response to environmental ...conditions are not well understood. Here, we identified TIE1-ASSOCIATED RING-TYPE E3 LIGASE1 (TEAR1) and found that it regulates leaf development by promoting the degradation of TCP INTERACTOR-CONTAINING EAR MOTIF PROTEIN1 (TIE1), an important repressor of CINCINNATA (CIN)-like TEOSINTE BRANCHED1/CYCLOIDEA/PCF (TCP) transcription factors, which are key for leaf development. TEAR1 contains a typical C3H2C3-type RING domain and has E3 ligase activity. We show that TEAR1 interacts with the TCP repressor TIE1, which is ubiquitinated in vivo and degraded by the 26S proteasome system. We demonstrate that TEAR1 is colocalized with TIE1 in nuclei and negatively regulates TIE1 protein levels. Overexpression of TEAR1 rescued leaf defects caused by TIE1 overexpression, whereas disruption of TEAR1 resulted in leaf phenotypes resembling those caused by TIE1 overexpression or TCP dysfunction. Deficiency in TEAR partially rescued the leaf defects of TCP4 overexpression line and enhanced the wavy leaf phenotypes of jaw-5D. We propose that TEAR1 positively regulates CIN-like TCP activity to promote leaf development by mediating the degradation of the TCP repressor TIE1.
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BFBNIB, NMLJ, NUK, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
A zirconium-porphyrin metal–organic framework/graphene oxide composite is successfully constructed and employed to fabricate an aptamer-based electrochemical aptasensor with ultra-sensitive detecting ...performance for chloramphenicol.
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More and more attentions have been focused on design and synthesis of novel metal-organic framework/graphene oxide (MOF/GO) composites with unique performance. Zirconium-porphyrin MOF (PCN-222) is in-situ synthesis with the existence of GO with −COOH group to artfully fabricate a PCN-222/GO composite. This composite can be employed as functional material to modify the working electrode. Thanks to excellent electrical conductivity of GO, abundant mesoporous channels and numerous Zr(IV) metal sites of PCN-222, this composite can immobilize a large amount of aptamer through strong π-π stacking interaction and high affinity between phosphate group of aptamer and Zr(IV) site of PCN-222 simultaneously. Hence, an ultra-sensitive electrochemical aptasensor based on PCN-222/GO composite can quantificationally detect trace chloramphenicol with limit of detection of 7.04 pg/mL (21.79 pmol/L) from 0.01 ng/mL to 50 ng/mL by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy even in real samples. Meanwhile, this fabricated aptasensor reveals good repeatability, outstanding selectivity and preferable long-term storage. This research provides a useful approach to construct MOF/GO composites for fabricating electrochemical aptasensors in the electrochemical detection field.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Plants display thermomorphogenesis in response to high temperature (HT). PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4) is a central integrator regulated by numerous negative regulators. However, the ...mechanisms underpinning PIF4 positive regulation are largely unknown. Here, we find that TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1/CYCLOIDEA/PCF 5 (TCP5), TCP13, and TCP17 transcription factors promote the activity of PIF4 at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. TCP5 is rapidly induced by HT treatment, and TCP5 protein stability increases under HT. The overexpression of TCP5 causes constitutive thermomorphogenic phenotypes, whereas the tcp5 tcp13 tcp17 triple mutant exhibits aberrant thermomorphogenesis. We demonstrate that TCP5 not only physically interacts with PIF4 to enhance its activity but also directly binds to the promoter of PIF4 to increase its transcript. TCP5 and PIF4 share common downstream targets. The tcp5 tcp13 tcp17 mutant partially restores the long hypocotyls caused by PIF4 overexpression. Our findings provide a layer of understanding about the fine-scale regulation of PIF4 and plant thermomorphogenesis.
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•TCP5, TCP13, and TCP17 positively regulate plant thermomorphogenesis•TCP5 directly interacts with PIF4 transcription factor•TCPs and PIF4 share common downstream target genes•TCP5 promotes PIF4 activity at both transcriptional and protein levels
Biological Sciences; Molecular Biology; Plant Biology
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Shoot branching is a major determinant of plant architecture and is regulated by both endogenous and environmental factors. BRANCHED1 (BRC1) is a central local regulator that integrates signals ...controlling shoot branching. So far, the regulation of BRC1 activity at the protein level is still largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that TIE1 (TCP interactor containing EAR motif protein 1), a repressor previously identified as an important factor in the control of leaf development, also regulates shoot branching by repressing BRC1 activity. TIE1 is predominantly expressed in young axillary buds. The gain-of-function mutant tie1-D produced more branches and the overexpression of TIE1 recapitulated the increased branching of tie1-D, while disruption of TIE1 resulted in lower bud activity and fewer branches. We also demonstrated that the TIE1 protein interacts with BRC1 in vitro and in vivo. Expression of BRC1 fused with the C-terminus of the TIE1 protein in wild type caused excessive branching similar to that observed in tie1-D and brc1 loss-of-function mutants. Transcriptome analyses revealed that TIE1 regulated about 30% of the BRC1-dependent genes, including the BRC1 direct targets HB21, HB40 and HB53. These results indicate that TIE1 acts as a positive regulator of shoot branching by directly repressing BRC1 activity. Thus, our results reveal that TIE1 is an important shoot branching regulator, and provide new insights in the post-transcriptional regulation of the TCP transcription factor BRC1.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
An electrochemical aptasensor based on the Ag@POF composite is successfully fabricated with ultra-sensitiveness, high selectivity, remarkable stability and good repeatability in the detection of ...theophylline even in various real samples.
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Porous organic frameworks (POFs) are excellently stable porous materials, which can be employed as host platforms to support metal nanoparticles as functional composites for various applications. Herein, a novel POF is successfully prepared via Friedel-Crafts reaction. Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are embedded in the prepared POF to generate an Ag@POF composite, which not only possesses high surface area, outstanding physicochemical stability and outstretched π-conjugation skeleton, but also exhibits preferable electrochemical stability and conductivity. This composite is able to immobilize a mass of aptamer strands to fabricate an intriguing electrochemical aptasensor. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a commonly used technology to analyze the electrochemical signal variation. The Ag@POF-based biosensor shows the excellent electrochemical detection behavior through analyzing EIS. For instance theophylline as a research mode, the Ag@POF based electrochemical aptasensor reveals ultra-sensitiveness, high selectivity, remarkable stability, good repeatability and simple operability even in various real samples. Notably, this aptasensor has the sensitive detection performance with the limit of detection of 0.191 pg/mL (1.06 pmol/L) in a wide concentration range of 5.0 × 10-4 – 5.0 ng/mL (2.78 × 10-3 – 27.8 nmol/L).
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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