Publications by authors named "Ai-Jia Ji"

Many functionally promiscuous plant 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclases (OSCs) have been found, but complete functional reshaping is rarely reported. In this study, we have identified two new plant OSCs: a unique protostadienol synthase (PDS) and a common cycloartenol synthase (CAS) from (Sam.) Juzep.

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Two cardenolide glycosides, corotoxigenin 3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-6-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside] (1) and coroglaucigenin 3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-6-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside] (2), were isolated from the seed fairs of Asclepias curassavica. The structures of 1-2 were determined based on the combination of the analysis of their MS, NMR spectroscopic data and acid hydrolysis. The inhibitory effects of compounds 1 and 2 on human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT116), non-small cell lung carcinoma cells (A549) and hepatic cancer cells (SMMC-7721) were evaluated.

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LBD(lateral organ boundaries)transcription factors play an important role in the regulation of plant growth, development and secondary metabolism. In order to explore the function of LBD genes in cannabis, the Cannabis sativa genome and transcriptome were used to identify the C. sativa LBD gene family, and analyzed their expression patterns.

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Article Synopsis
  • Camptotheca acuminata produces camptothecin (CPT), an important compound used for treating various cancers, and the study focuses on understanding how its biosynthesis is regulated by specific transcription factors called AP2/ERF.
  • A total of 198 AP2/ERF genes were identified in C. acuminata and classified into five subfamilies, with different expression patterns observed in various tissues.
  • The study highlights eight specific AP2/ERF transcription factors that may regulate CPT synthesis, particularly in the upper stem and immature bark, providing a basis for future research on enhancing CPT production.
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Objective: is a valuable herbal medicine with tanshinone and phenolic acid as the main biological active ingredients. The biosynthetic regulation of these bioactive compounds is controlled by a set of transcription factors (TFs). The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor plays an important role in various physiological and biochemical processes in plants.

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Background: Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) requires a stable internal control to avoid misinterpretation of data or errors for gene expression normalization. However, there are still no validated reference genes for stable internal control in Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Fuling).

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Article Synopsis
  • Medicinal fungi are crucial in traditional medicine but are facing resource scarcity and low bioactive compound levels.
  • The Velvet family and LaeA global regulator play key roles in the secondary metabolism and development of many fungi, influencing traits like asexual and sexual reproduction.
  • Understanding how Velvet and LaeA proteins work can help enhance the cultivation of medicinal fungi and boost the production of valuable bioactive compounds.
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Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) is a rapid, sensitive, and reliable technique for gene expression studies. The accuracy and reliability of qRT-PCR results depend on the stability of the reference genes used for gene normalization. Therefore, a systematic process of reference gene evaluation is needed.

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