WRKY proteins are transcription factors (TFs) that regulate the expression of defense-related genes. The salicylic acid (SA)-inducible Oryza sativa WRKY6 (OsWRKY6) was identified as a positive ...regulator of Oryza sativa pathogenesis-related 10a (OsPR10a) by transient expression assays. A physical interaction between OsWRKY6 and W-box-like element 1 (WLE1), which positively regulates OsPR10a/probenazole induced protein 1 expression, was verified in vitro.
Several pathogenesis-related (PR) genes were constitutively activated, including OsPR10a, and transgenic rice (Oryza sativa) plants overexpressing (ox) OsWRKY6 exhibited enhanced disease resistance to pathogens. By contrast, PR gene induction was compromised in transgenic OsWRKY6-RNAi lines, suggesting that OsWRKY6 is a positive regulator of defense responses. OsWRKY6-ox lines displayed leaf lesions, and increased OsWRKY6 levels caused cell death.
Salicylic acid (SA) concentrations were higher in OsWRKY6-ox lines than in wild-type (WT) plants, and transcript levels of Oryza sativa isochorismate synthase 1 (OsICS1), which encodes a major enzyme involved in SA biosynthesis, were higher in OsWRKY6-ox lines than in WT. OsWRKY6 directly bound to the OsICS1 promoter in vivo. This indicates that OsWRKY6 can directly regulate OsICS1 expression and thereby increase SA concentrations. OsWRKY6 autoregulates its own expression. OsWRKY6 protein degradation is possibly regulated by ubiquitination.
Our results suggest that OsWRKY6 positively regulates defense responses through activation of OsICS1 expression and OsWRKY6 stabilization.
The growing severity of environmental problems such as plastic waste and climate change has inspired active research into solutions based on recyclable and renewable energy devices. Triboelectric ...nanogenerators (TENGs) that convert wasted mechanical energy into electrical energy offer a solution that needs to be made recyclable to reduce or eliminate the generation of electronic waste (e‐waste) on their disposal. In this study, an all‐recyclable TENG (AR‐TENG) based on a thermoplastic polymer with a nanohole pattern is developed; it delivers an excellent output power density of 1.547 W m−2 (peak output voltage = 360 V, current = 22 µA) and shows superior mechanochemical stability by maintaining its performance after immersion into seawater or 1 000 000 cyclic tests. The practical utility of this AR‐TENG is demonstrated through its use to power a buoy‐type ocean monitoring system and an intelligent life jacket, whereas recyclability is demonstrated by the re‐fabrication of the AR‐TENG; reusability in other devices is validated by the successful fabrication of a plasmonic color filter. This work paves the way for the efficient harvesting of renewable energy without the concomitant production of e‐waste; therefore, it contributes to the mitigation of global environmental problems such as global warming and ozone depletion.
An all‐recyclable triboelectric nanogenerator (AR‐TENG) that exhibits high power density and excellent mechanochemical stability is developed. The recyclability is demonstrated through its disassembly and fabrication of the plasmonic color filter. An ocean energy harvesting system based on AR‐TENG is developed and used to power a buoy‐type ocean monitoring system and intelligent life jacket.
Gymnopilus junonius
(Fr.) P. D. Orton (Cortinariaceae) is a hallucinogenic mushroom, a well-known poisonous mushroom that is widely known as "big laughter mushroom" because it causes excessive ...laughter in those who consume it. Chemical investigation of
G. junonius
fruiting bodies was performed, resulting in the isolation and structural identification of three sesquiterpenes (
1−3
), including a new trichothecene sesquiterpene (
2
) and a new tremulane sesquiterpene (
3
). Compound
1
was identified from
G. junonius
for the first time. The chemical structures of the new compounds were established by detailed analysis of 1D and 2D (
1
H–
1
H correlated spectroscopy COSY, heteronuclear single quantum coherence HSQC, and heteronuclear multiple-bond coherence HMBC) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). In particular, the absolute configurations of compounds
2
and
3
were unambiguously determined by quantum chemical electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. The isolated compounds (
1−3
) were evaluated for their cytotoxic effects on human lung and prostate cancer cell lines where trichothecene sesquiterpenes (
1
and
2
) showed remarkable cytotoxicity similar to that of the control drug, i.e., doxorubicin. Our findings provide experimental evidence suggesting the potential anti-cancer effects of trichothecene sesquiterpenes from a poisonous mushroom.
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•The methanolic extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves was investigated.•A new diarylpentanoid, ginkgobilol (1) and a known diarylpentanoid analog (2) were isolated.•The present study is the ...first to report the presence of diarylpentanoids in G. biloba.•Compound 2 increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production in C3H10T1/2.•Compound 2 promoted mRNA expression of the osteogenic markers, ALP and OPN.
Phytochemical analysis of methanol extracts of Ginkgo biloba leaves resulted in the isolation of a novel diarylpentanoid, ginkgobilol (1) and a known diarylpentanoid analog (2). The structure of the new compound was elucidated by analyzing NMR spectroscopic data and HR-ESIMS, and the absolute configuration was determined using gauge-including atomic orbital NMR chemical shift calculations, followed by DP4+ analysis and specific rotation value. Diarylpentanoids comprise two aromatic rings linked by a five-carbon bridge; these are relatively unique examples in natural products. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to report the presence of diarylpentanoids in G. biloba. Compound 2 increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production in C3H10T1/2, a murine mesenchymal stem cell line, in a dose-dependent manner. The promotion of osteogenic differentiation by the active compound 2 mediated by induction of transcriptional ALP and osteopontin (OPN) gene expression was confirmed using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction, thus indicating its remarkable bone formation activity.
In our previous study, we showed that capsaicin induces autophagy in several cell lines. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of capsaicin-induced autophagy in malignant (MCF-7 and ...MDA-MB-231) and normal (MCF10A) human breast cells. Capsaicin caused nonapoptotic cell cycle arrest of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells but induced apoptosis in MCF10A cells. In MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, capsaicin induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via inositol-requiring 1 and Chop and induced autophagy, as demonstrated by microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain-3 (LC3) conversion. Autophagy blocking by 3-methyladenine (3MA) or bafilomycin A1 (BaF1) activated caspase-4 and -7 and enhanced cell death. In MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, p38 was activated for more than 48 h by capsaicin treatment, but extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation decreased after 12 h, and LC3II levels continuously increased. Furthermore, treatment with 3MA markedly down-regulated capsaicin-induced p38 activation and LC3 conversion, and BaF1 completely down-regulated ERK activation and led to LC3II accumulation. In addition, pharmacological blockade or knockdown of the p38 gene down-regulated Akt activation and LC3II levels but did not affect ERK, and pharmacological blockade or knockdown of the ERK gene up-regulated LC3II induction by capsaicin. Knockdown of inositol-requiring 1 down-regulated p38-Akt signaling. In MCF10A cells, capsaicin did not elicit p38 activation and LC3 conversion and caused the sustained activation of caspase-4. Collectively, capsaicin-induced autophagy is regulated by p38 and ERK; p38 controls autophagy at the sequestration step, whereas ERK controls autophagy at the maturation step, and that autophagy is involved in the retardation of cell death by blocking capsaicin-induced ER stress-mediated apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-321 cells.
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been shown to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications. However, the role and mechanisms of ER stress in hypertension remain ...unclear. Thus, we hypothesized that enhanced ER stress contributes to the maintenance of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Sixteen-week old male SHRs and Wistar Kyoto Rats (WKYs) were used in this study. The SHRs were treated with ER stress inhibitor (Tauroursodeoxycholic acid; TUDCA, 100 mg/kg/day) for two weeks. There was a decrease in systolic blood pressure in SHR treated with TUDCA. The pressure-induced myogenic tone was significantly increased, whereas endothelium-dependent relaxation was significantly attenuated in SHR compared with WHY. Interestingly, treatment of ER stress inhibitor normalized myogenic responses and endothelium-dependent relaxation in SHR. These data were associated with an increase in expression or phosphorylation of ER stress markers (Bip, ATF6, CHOP, IRE1, XBP1, PERK, and eIF2α) in SHRs, which were reduced by TUDCA treatment. Furthermore, phosphorylation of MLC20 was increased in SHRs, which was reduced by the treatment of TUDCA. Therefore, our results suggest that ER stress could be a potential target for hypertension.
•A piezoelectric MEMS vector sensor with a cross-shaped beam and a mushroom-shaped mass was fabricated.•The crossed-shaped beam has well deposited piezoelectric thin film.•The directivity of the ...sensor was mechanically characterized from dipole patterns in x- and y-directions.•Finite element analysis was performed with air and underwater conditions to determine the dipole pattern.
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Vector hydrophones based on a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) hold great promise for underwater communications, due to their potential for miniaturization and mass production. Piezoelectric materials have recently been utilized in the fabrication of MEMS-based vector hydrophones, as less power is typically required for their operation. Here, we propose a millimeter-scale piezoelectric MEMS vector sensor with a suspended cross-shaped beam and a mushroom-shaped proof mass configuration. This design was inspired by the bio-transducer of the lateral line of fish. Sensor fabrication involved piezoelectric Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 thin-film deposition by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering onto the beam structure, followed by a multi-etching process and assembly using a three-axis microassembly technique. The fabricated MEMS vector sensor showed a resonance frequency above the working frequency range, which was suitable for naval applications. The directivity of the proposed sensor was determined by dipole patterns in the x and y directions, with a maximum relative sensitivity difference of −42 dB at 1 kHz. Finite element analysis results for the resonance frequency and directivity were in good agreement with the experimental results, suggesting that the proposed vector sensor could be used in underwater communications as a vector hydrophone.
RELT (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 19‐like, TNFRSF19L) is a TNFR superfamily member that is primarily expressed in immune cells and lymphoid tissues, but whose immunological ...function is not well‐defined. Here, we show that RELT is expressed by naive T cells and DCs, and their activation or maturation decreases RELT expression. Using RELT knockout (RELT−/−) mice, we demonstrate that RELT deficiency selectively promotes the homeostatic proliferation of CD4+ T cells but not CD8+ T cells, and enhances anti‐tumor CD8+ T‐cell responses. We also demonstrate, using an adoptive transfer model in which RELT is knocked‐out in either the transferred transgenic CD8+ T cells or the recipient melanoma‐bearing mice, that RELT on multiple immune cells limits the hyper‐response of tumor‐specific CD8+ T cells. Hyper‐responsiveness of RELT‐deficient T cells was induced by promoting their proliferation. Taken together, our findings suggest that RELT acts as a negative regulator that controls the early phase of T‐cell activation probably by promoting T‐cell apoptosis.
New player in coinhibition of T cell: RELT‐mediated regulation of conventional and homeostatic proliferation of T cells.
RELT expressing on resting T cells selectively inhibits homeostatic proliferation of CD4+ T cells, but not CD8+ T cells. In addition, RELT acts as a negative regulator that controls the early phase of T‐cell activation to avoid excessive T‐cell activation.
Self- piercing riveting (SPR) is an advanced process of the mechanical joining of two or more sheet metals by piercing a rivet into the sheets. SPR has been widely applied to join dissimilar ...materials that are difficult to join, such as aluminum alloys and steels, especially in automobile industries. In the present work, the Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) with thickness of 1.3 mm to SPFC 590DP steel with thickness of 1.2 mm was mechanical joined in lap configuration by the SPR process, and the effect of process parameters of force and shape of rivets on joints were investigated. The integrity of the joints was estimated by quality criteria in terms of the gap between the rivet head and the upper plate, remaining thickness of bottom plate and the length of interlock between the rivet and bottom plate. Furthermore, the tensile shear load, fatigue load and the fracture mode characteristics were investigated. From the result, maximum tensile-shear load of 1.94 kN was obtained at a force of 29 kN, which showed separation of CFRP due to fiber split phenomenon on interface of CFRP side in joints.
The interaction between regulatory T (Treg) cells and self-reactive T cells is a crucial mechanism for maintaining immune tolerance. In this study, we investigated the cross-activation of Treg cells ...by self-antigens and its impact on self-reactive CD8+ T cell responses, with a focus on the P53 signaling pathway. We discovered that major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I-restricted self-peptides not only activated CD8+ T cells but also induced the delayed proliferation of Treg cells. Following HLA-A*0201-restricted Melan-A-specific (pMelan) CD8+ T cells, we observed the direct expansion of Treg cells and concurrent suppression of pMelan+CD8+ T cell proliferation upon stimulation with Melan-A peptide. Transcriptome analysis revealed no significant alterations in specific signaling pathways in pMelan+CD8+ T cells that were co-cultured with activated Treg cells. However, there was a noticeable upregulation of genes involved in P53 accumulation, a critical regulator of cell survival and apoptosis. Consistent with such observation, the blockade of P53 induced a continuous proliferation of pMelan+CD8+ T cells. The concurrent stimulation of Treg cells through self-reactive TCRs by self-antigens provides insights into the immune system’s ability to control activated self-reactive CD8+ T cells as part of peripheral tolerance, highlighting the intricate interplay between Treg cells and CD8+ T cells and implicating therapeutic interventions in autoimmune diseases and cancer immunotherapy.
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