Yes-associated protein inhibition ameliorates carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in mice by reducing VDR.

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl) has a wide range of toxic effects, especially causing acute liver injury (ALI), in which rapid compensation for hepatocyte loss ensures liver survival, but proliferation of surviving hepatocytes (known as endoreplication) may imply impaired residual function. Yes-associated protein (YAP) drives hepatocytes to undergo endoreplication and ploidy, the underlying mechanisms of which remain a mystery. In the present study, we uncover during CCl-mediated ALI accompanied by increased hepatocytes proliferation and YAP activation.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation in winter on physical performance of university students: a one-month randomized controlled trial.

Background: There is epidemiological evidence which suggests an association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and bone and muscle function; however, it is unclear whether vitamin D supplementation has an added benefit beyond bone health. Here, we investigated the effects of vitamin D supplementation (1 month) on physical performance in Chinese university students in winter.

Methods: One hundred and seventeen eligible subjects with 25(OH)D (19.

Jasmonate-regulated seed germination and crosstalk with other phytohormones.

Seed plants have evolved mechanisms that maintain the dormancy of mature seeds until the time is appropriate for germination. Seed germination is a critical step in the plant life cycle, and it is an important trait in relation to agricultural production. The process is precisely regulated by various internal and external factors, and in particular by diverse endogenous hormones.

Effect of 1α,25(OH)D-Treated M1 and M2 Macrophages on Cell Proliferation and Migration Ability in Ovarian Cancer.

The biological active form of vitamin D3, 1α,25-dehydroxyvitamin D3 [1α,25(OH)D], exerts pleiotropic effects including bone mineralization, anti-tumor, as well as immunomodulator. This study aimed to explore the potential impact of 1α,25(OH)D on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) infiltration in ovarian cancer. Firstly, human monocytic THP-1 cells were differentiated into macrophages (M0) in the presence of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA).

Phytomelatonin inhibits seed germination by regulating germination-related hormone signaling in Arabidopsis.

Seed germination is a vital initial stage in the life cycle of a plant, which determines subsequent vegetative growth and reproduction. Melatonin acts as a plant's master regulator and is also involved in the process of seed germination. In a recent study, we show that the high concentration melatonin inhibited seed germination in Arabidopsis.

A stable tetrazagallole and its radical anion dimer.

The reaction of the carbazole ligand supported Ga(I) compound LGa(THF) (3) and 1-azido-4-(-butyl)benzene (ArN) afforded the first stable tetrazagallole LGaNAr (4) bearing a three-coordinate Ga atom. Reduction of 4 with elemental potassium resulted in the radical dimer {[K(18-c-6)][4]˙}, featuring a strong antiferromagnetic interaction between the spin centers.

Melatonin inhibits seed germination by crosstalk with abscisic acid, gibberellin, and auxin in Arabidopsis.

Seed germination, an important developmental stage in the life cycle of seed plants, is regulated by complex signals. Melatonin is a signaling molecule associated with seed germination under stressful conditions, although the underlying regulatory mechanisms are largely unknown. In this study, we showed that a low concentration (10 µM or 100 µM) of melatonin had no effect on seed germination, but when the concentration of melatonin increased to 500 µM or 1000 µM, seed germination was significantly inhibited in Arabidopsis.

Molecular Mechanism Underlying the Synergetic Effect of Jasmonate on Abscisic Acid Signaling during Seed Germination in Arabidopsis.

Abscisic acid (ABA) is known to suppress seed germination and post-germinative growth of Arabidopsis (), and jasmonate (JA) enhances ABA function. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the crosstalk between the ABA and JA signaling pathways remains largely elusive. Here, we show that exogenous coronatine, a JA analog structurally similar to the active conjugate jasmonate-isoleucine, significantly enhances the delayed seed germination response to ABA.

The Transcription Factor INDUCER OF CBF EXPRESSION1 Interacts with ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE5 and DELLA Proteins to Fine-Tune Abscisic Acid Signaling during Seed Germination in Arabidopsis.

ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE5 (ABI5) is a crucial regulator of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathways involved in repressing seed germination and postgerminative growth in Arabidopsis (). ABI5 is precisely modulated at the posttranslational level; however, the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms underlying ABI5 and its interacting transcription factors remain largely unknown. Here, we found that INDUCER OF CBF EXPRESSION1 (ICE1) physically associates with ABI5.

Arabidopsis VQ10 interacts with WRKY8 to modulate basal defense against Botrytis cinerea.

Recent studies in Arabidopsis have revealed that some VQ motif-containing proteins physically interact with WRKY transcription factors; however, their specific biological functions are still poorly understood. In this study, we confirmed the interaction between VQ10 and WRKY8, and show that VQ10 and WRKY8 formed a complex in the plant cell nucleus. Yeast two-hybrid analysis showed that the middle region of WRKY8 and the VQ motif of VQ10 are critical for their interaction, and that this interaction promotes the DNA-binding activity of WRKY8.

Effects of PEMFs on Osx, Ocn, TRAP, and CTSK gene expression in postmenopausal osteoporosis model mice.

Ovariectomized mice were used to simulate the symptoms of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, and observe the effects of PEMF treatment on expression of Osx, Ocn, TRAP, and CTSK in ovariectomized mice. Thirty-week-old wild-type C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups (=10, each group): sham operation group, ovariectomy (OVX) group, and PEMF group. Mice in the sham group underwent sham ovariectomy, while mice in the remaining two groups were ovariectomized.

Jasmonate regulates leaf senescence and tolerance to cold stress: crosstalk with other phytohormones.

Plants are challenged with numerous abiotic stresses, such as drought, cold, heat, and salt stress. These environmental stresses are major causes of crop failure and reduced yields worldwide. Phytohormones play essential roles in regulating various plant physiological processes and alleviating stressful perturbations.

The DELLA-CONSTANS Transcription Factor Cascade Integrates Gibberellic Acid and Photoperiod Signaling to Regulate Flowering.

Gibberellin (GA) and photoperiod pathways have recently been demonstrated to collaboratively modulate flowering under long days (LDs). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this collaboration remain largely unclear. In this study, we found that GA-induced expression of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) under LDs was dependent on CONSTANS (CO), a critical transcription factor positively involved in photoperiod signaling.

Arabidopsis VQ motif-containing proteins VQ12 and VQ29 negatively modulate basal defense against Botrytis cinerea.

Arabidopsis VQ motif-containing proteins have recently been demonstrated to interact with several WRKY transcription factors; however, their specific biological functions and the molecular mechanisms underlying their involvement in defense responses remain largely unclear. Here, we showed that two VQ genes, VQ12 and VQ29, were highly responsive to the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. To characterize their roles in plant defense, we generated amiR-vq12 transgenic plants by using an artificial miRNA approach to suppress the expression of VQ12, and isolated a loss-of-function mutant of VQ29.