Since its initial report in Vietnam in early 2019, the African swine fever (ASF), a highly lethal and severe viral swine disease worldwide, continues to cause outbreaks in other Southeast Asian ...countries. This study analyzed and compared the genomic sequences of ASF viruses (ASFVs) during the first outbreak in Hung Yen (VN/HY/2019-ASFV1) and Quynh Phu provinces (VN/QP/2019-ASFV1) in Vietnam in 2019, and the subsequent outbreak in Hung Yen (VN/HY/2022-ASFV2) in 2022, to those of other ASFV strains. VN/HY/2019-ASFV1, VN/QP/2019-ASFV1, and VN/HY/2022-ASFV2 genomes were 189,113, 189,081, and 189,607 bp in length, encoding 196, 196, and 203 open reading frames (ORFs), respectively. VN/HY/2019-ASFV1 and VN/QP/2019-ASFV1 shared a 99.91–99.99% average nucleotide identity with genotype II strains. Variations were identified in 28 ORFs in VN/HY/2019-ASFV1 and VN/QP/2019-ASFV1 compared to 20 ASFV strains, and 16 ORFs in VN/HY/2022-ASFV2 compared to VN/HY/2019-ASFV1 and VN/QP/2019-ASFV1. Vietnamese ASFV genomes were classified as IGR II variants between the I73R and I329L genes, with two copy tandem repeats between the A179L and A137R genes. A phylogenetic analysis based on the whole genomes of 27 ASFV strains indicated that the Vietnamese ASFV strains are genetically related to Estonia 2014, ASFV-SY18, and Russia/Odintsovo_02/14. These results reveal the complete genome sequences of ASFV circulating during the first outbreak in 2019, providing important insights into understanding the evolution, transmission, and genetic variation of ASFV in Vietnam.
Interactions between metals and microbes are critical in geomicrobiology and vital in microbial ecophysiological processes. Methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) and ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms (AOM) ...are key members in aerobic environments to start the C and N cycles. Ammonia and methane are firstly oxidized by copper-binding metalloproteins, monooxygenases, and diverse iron and copper-containing enzymes that contribute to electron transportation in the energy gain pathway, which is evolutionally connected between MOB and AOM. In this review, we summarized recently updated insight into the diverse physiological pathway of aerobic ammonia and methane oxidation of different MOB and AOM groups and compared the metabolic diversity mediated by different metalloenzymes. The elevation of iron and copper concentrations in ecosystems would be critical in the activity and growth of MOB and AOM, the outcome of which can eventually influence the global C and N cycles. Therefore, we also described the impact of various concentrations of metal compounds on the physiology of MOB and AOM. This review study could give a fundamental strategy to control MOB and AOM in diverse ecosystems because they are significantly related to climate change, eutrophication, and the remediation of contaminated sites for detoxifying pollutants.
Amyloid precursor protein (
), presenilin 1 (
), and presenilin 2 (
) are associated with autosomal-dominant early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Most mutations have been identified in the
gene. We ...discovered a
mutation (Tyr389His) in a Korean patient with early-onset AD who presented memory decline at 41 years of age followed by language, memory, and visuospatial dysfunctions. As this is the third such patient identified in Korea, this mutation may be involved in AD pathogenesis, suggesting that routine screening is necessary in this population. Altered intra-molecular interactions with the mutated amino acid may result in the destabilization of γ-secretase. In the future, a panel incorporating genes with relatively high-frequency rare variants, along with the
gene, may predict the onset of AD and facilitate customized treatment.
X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP)-associated factor 1 (XAF1) is a tumor suppressor that is frequently inactivated in many human cancers. However, the molecular mechanism underlying its ...growth-inhibitory function remains largely unknown. Here, we report that XAF1 forms a positive feedback loop with p53 and acts as a molecular switch in p53-mediated cell-fate decisions favoring apoptosis over cell-cycle arrest. XAF1 binds directly to the N-terminal proline-rich domain of p53 and thus interferes with E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2 binding and ubiquitination of p53. XAF1 stimulates homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2)-mediated Ser-46 phosphorylation of p53 by blocking E3 ubiquitin ligase Siah2 interaction with and ubiquitination of HIPK2. XAF1 also steps up the termination of p53-mediated cell-cycle arrest by activating zinc finger protein 313 (ZNF313), a p21 ᵂᴬF¹-targeting ubiquitin E3 ligase. XAF1 interacts with p53, Siah2, and ZNF313 through the zinc finger domains 5, 6, and 7, respectively, and truncated XAF1 isoforms preferentially expressed in cancer cells fail to form a feedback loop with p53. Together, this study uncovers a novel role for XAF1 in p53 stress response, adding a new layer of complexity to the mechanisms by which p53 determines cell-fate decisions.
Significance Epigenetic inactivation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP)-associated factor 1 (XAF1) is frequently observed in multiple human malignancies. However, the mechanisms underlying its tumor-suppression function remain largely undefined. Here, we identify XAF1 as a positive feedback regulator of p53, which directs the apoptotic switch of p53 signaling. As a unique transcription target of p53 in signaling apoptosis, XAF1 acts as a competitor of E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2 in binding to p53 and thus disrupts the p53–MDM2 regulatory loop. Moreover, XAF1 appears to promote homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2)-mediated p53 phosphorylation by interrupting HIPK2-targeting function of E3 ubiquitin ligase Siah2 and promotes zinc finger protein 313 (ZNF313)-induced p21 ᵂᴬF¹ ubiquitination. XAF1 thus represents one critical regulator of p53’s cell-fate decision function, suggesting that restoring the p53–XAF1 feedback loop could be an attractive avenue for the therapeutic intervention of malignant tumor progression.
Solid phase speciation of chromium in dry dust deposition and road paint was determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Spherical black carbon ...aggregates in dry dust deposition contained discrete nano-sized lead chromate (PbCrO4) and zinc chromate (ZnCrO4), which likely originated from yellow traffic paint and zinc chromate primer (corrosion resistant pigment), respectively based on their main applications. Road marking paint samples from auto roads included lead chromate particles whose size, shape, composition and crystal structure were similar to those in dry dust deposition. A slight difference was found at the particle boundary. Namely, lead chromate in traffic paint was encapsulated by silica-bearing matrix, while discrete lead chromate in the black carbon of dry deposition was rarely enclosed within silica-bearing matrix. The Cr K edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectrum for dry deposition showed the characteristic pre-edge resonance peak similar to the spectra for the Cr(VI) standard and road paint, but the lower intensity. The amount of Cr(VI) accounted for approximately 45% of the total Cr in the dust sample. The solid phase speciation of Cr observed using TEM and their valence states determined using XANES were consistent with the chemical speciation determined using the sequential extraction. The contribution of this study is that XANES was applied to identify Cr valance states in urban dust deposition and zinc chromate was found as a Cr(VI) phase in dry dust deposition using TEM. These study results provide novel data on Cr speciation and Cr(VI)-containing mineral phases in dry dust deposition and their potential sources. Based on the wide use of lead and zinc chromate, atmospheric contamination with these solid phase speciation of Cr(VI) is expected in other cities in the world.
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•Spherical black carbon aggregates with Cr were observed in dust dry deposition.•Discrete nano-sized lead chromate and zinc chromate were observed in the aggregates.•Yellow traffic road marking paint is a source of lead chromate particles in dust.•Cr(VI) accounted for about 45% of the total Cr in the dust sample based on XANES.
Nano-size lead and zinc chromate particles were observed within spherical black carbon aggregates in dry dust deposition, and lead chromate originated from traffic paint on roads.
To understand membrane protein biogenesis, we need to explore folding within a bilayer context. Here, we describe a single-molecule force microscopy technique that monitors the folding of helical ...membrane proteins in vesicle and bicelle environments. After completely unfolding the protein at high force, we lower the force to initiate folding while transmembrane helices are aligned in a zigzag manner within the bilayer, thereby imposing minimal constraints on folding. We used the approach to characterize the folding pathways of the
rhomboid protease GlpG and the human β
-adrenergic receptor. Despite their evolutionary distance, both proteins fold in a strict N-to-C-terminal fashion, accruing structures in units of helical hairpins. These common features suggest that integral helical membrane proteins have evolved to maximize their fitness with cotranslational folding.
Physicochemical characteristics of bottom sediment in the Hoedong reservoir were studied to evaluate the effectiveness of the reservoir as traps for trace metals. Roadside soil, stream sediment and ...background soil were also studied for comparison. Sequential extractions were carried out, and lead isotopic compositions of each extraction were determined to apportion Pb sources. Besides, particle size distribution of roadside soil, and metal concentrations and Pb isotopes of each size group were determined to characterize metal contamination. In result, Zn and Cu were enriched in sediment through roadside soil. The data on metal partitioning implied that Zn posed potential hazards for water quality. Meanwhile, the noticeable reduction of the 206Pb/207Pb isotopic ratio in the acid-soluble fraction in the size group 200 μm - 2 mm of national roadside soil indicated that this size group was highly contaminated by automotive emission with precipitation of acid-soluble secondary minerals during evaporation. Based on the Pb isotopic ratios, the dry deposition of Asian dust (AD) and non-Asian dust (NAD) affected roadside soil, while the effects of AD and NAD on bottom sediment appeared to be low given the low metal concentrations in sediment. Metal concentrations and Pb isotopic compositions indicated that sediments were a mixture of background and roadside soil. Source apportionment calculations showed that the average proportion of traffic Pb in bottom and stream sediments was respectively 34 and 31% in non-residual fractions, and 26 and 28% in residual fraction. The residual fraction of sediments appeared to be as contaminated as the non-residual fractions.
•The data on metal partitioning implied that Zn posed a potential hazard for water.•The size group 200 μm - 2 mm of national roadside soil seemed highly contaminated.•Automotive emissions seemed precipitated as secondary minerals during evaporation.•Sediments were a mixture of background soil and automotive Pb sources.•Residual fraction appeared to be as contaminated as non-residual fractions.
A physical interlocking interface that can tightly bind a sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) membrane and a Nafion catalyst layer in polymer electrolyte fuel cells is demonstrated. Owing ...to higher expansion with hydration for SPAES than for Nafion, a strong normal force is generated at the interface of a SPAES pillar and a Nafion hole, resulting in an 8‐fold increase of the interfacial bonding strength at RH 50% and a 4.7‐times increase of the wet/dry cycling durability.
The etiology of early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) is associated with alterations in the production of amyloid beta (Aβ) species caused by mutations in the
,
, and
genes. Mutations affect intra- ...or inter-molecular interactions and processes between the γ-secretase complex and amyloid precursor protein (APP), leading to the aberrant sequential cleavage of Aβ species. A 64-year-old woman presented with progressive memory decline, mild right hippocampal atrophy, and a family history of Alzheimer's dementia (AD). Whole exome sequencing was performed to evaluate AD-related gene mutations, which were verified by Sanger sequencing. A mutation-caused structural alteration of APP was predicted using in silico prediction programs. Two AD-related mutations, in
(rs761339914; c.G1651A; p.V551M) and
(rs533813519; c.C505A; p.H169N), were identified. The
Val551Met mutation in the E2 domain may influence APP homodimerization through changes in intramolecular interactions between adjacent amino acids, altering Aβ production. The second mutation was
His169Asn mutation, which was previously reported in five EOAD patients from Korea and China, with a relatively high frequency in the East Asian population. According to a previous report, the presenilin 2 protein was predicted to result in a major helical torsion by
His169Asn mutation. Notably, the co-existence of
Val551Met and
His169Asn may induce a synergistic effect by both mutations. Future functional studies are needed to clarify the pathological effects of these double mutations.
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