Epithelial tubule interconnection driven by HGF-Met signaling in the kidney.

The formation of functional epithelial tubules is critical for the development and maintenance of many organ systems. While the mechanisms of tubule formation by epithelial cells are well studied, the process of tubule anastomosis-where tubules connect to form a continuous network-remains poorly understood. In this study, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze embryonic mouse kidney tubules undergoing anastomosis.

Epithelial tubule interconnection driven by HGF-Met signaling in the kidney.

The formation of functional epithelial tubules is a central feature of many organ systems. Although the process of tubule formation by epithelial cells is well-studied, the way in which tubules connect with each other (i.e.

Genome-wide methylation landscape during somatic embryogenesis in Medicago truncatula reveals correlation between Tnt1 retrotransposition and hyperactive methylation regions.

Medicago truncatula is a model legume for fundamental research on legume biology and symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Tnt1, a retrotransposon from tobacco, was used to generate insertion mutants in M. truncatula R108.

Role of NADPH Oxidase 4 in Corneal Endothelial Cells Is Mediated by Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Autophagy.

Human corneal-endothelial cells (hCEnCs) are located on the inner layer of the cornea. Injury to CEnCs leads to permanent corneal edema, requiring corneal transplantation. NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) has been reported to be implicated in the pathogenesis of CEnCs diseases.

MiR-302a Regenerates Human Corneal Endothelial Cells against IFN-γ-Induced Cell Death.

Damage to human corneal endothelial cells (hCECs) leads to bullous keratopathy because these cells cannot be regenerated in vivo. In this study, we investigated the protective role of microRNA (miR)-302a against interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-induced senescence and cell death of hCECs. Cultured hCECs were transfected with miR-302a and treated with IFN-γ (20 ng/mL) to evaluate the protective effect of miR-302a on IFN-γ-induced cell death.

Functional role of formate dehydrogenase 1 (FDH1) for host and nonhost disease resistance against bacterial pathogens.

Nonhost disease resistance is the most common type of plant defense mechanism against potential pathogens. In the present study, the metabolic enzyme formate dehydrogenase 1 (FDH1) was identified to associate with nonhost disease resistance in Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana. In Arabidopsis, AtFDH1 was highly upregulated in response to both host and nonhost bacterial pathogens.

Agrobacterium expressing a type III secretion system delivers Pseudomonas effectors into plant cells to enhance transformation.

Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation (AMT) is the basis of modern-day plant biotechnology. One major drawback of this technology is the recalcitrance of many plant species/varieties to Agrobacterium infection, most likely caused by elicitation of plant defense responses. Here, we develop a strategy to increase AMT by engineering Agrobacterium tumefaciens to express a type III secretion system (T3SS) from Pseudomonas syringae and individually deliver the P.

Proteasomal Degradation of JAZ9 by Salt- and Drought-Induced Ring Finger 1 During Pathogen Infection.

E3 ubiquitin ligase salt- and drought-induced ring finger 1 (SDIR1) plays a novel role in modulating plant immunity against pathogens. The molecular interactors of SDIR1 during pathogen infection are not known. SDIR1-interacting jasmonate zinc-finger inflorescence meristem domain (JAZ) proteins were identified through a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screen.

The Arabidopsis Iron-Sulfur (Fe-S) Cluster Gene Plays a Role in Host and Nonhost Disease Resistance by Accumulation of Defense-Related Metabolites.

Until recently, genes from the iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster pathway were not known to have a role in plant disease resistance. The () and () genes are part of a set of 27 Fe-S cluster genes induced after infection with host and nonhost pathogens in Arabidopsis. A role for in plant immunity was recently demonstrated.

Protocol for determining protein cysteine thiol redox status using western blot analysis.

This protocol describes the analysis of protein cysteine redox status. Redox status is crucial in regulating protein activity, stability, and redox signaling cascades. It is determined by conjugation with 1.

Antagonistic Regulation by CPN60A and CLPC1 of TRXL1 that Regulates MDH Activity Leading to Plant Disease Resistance and Thermotolerance.

Global warming and emerging plant diseases challenge agricultural food/feed production. We identify mechanism(s) regulating both plant thermotolerance and disease resistance. Using virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS)-based genetic screening, we identify a thioredoxin-like 1 (TRXL1) gene involved in plant nonhost disease resistance and thermotolerance.

A Novel Role of Salt- and Drought-Induced RING 1 Protein in Modulating Plant Defense Against Hemibiotrophic and Necrotrophic Pathogens.

Many plant-encoded E3 ligases are known to be involved in plant defense. Here, we report a novel role of E3 ligase SALT- AND DROUGHT-INDUCED RING FINGER1 (SDIR1) in plant immunity. Even though SDIR1 is reasonably well-characterized, its role in biotic stress response is not known.

Ribosomal protein QM/RPL10 positively regulates defence and protein translation mechanisms during nonhost disease resistance.

Ribosomes play an integral part in plant growth, development, and defence responses. We report here the role of ribosomal protein large (RPL) subunit QM/RPL10 in nonhost disease resistance. The RPL10-silenced Nicotiana benthamiana plants showed compromised disease resistance against nonhost pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv.

Insertional mutagenesis of Brachypodium distachyon using the Tnt1 retrotransposable element.

Brachypodium distachyon is an annual C3 grass used as a monocot model system in functional genomics research. Insertional mutagenesis is a powerful tool for both forward and reverse genetics studies. In this study, we explored the possibility of using the tobacco retrotransposon Tnt1 to create a transposon-based insertion mutant population in B.

Nucleolar GTP-Binding Protein 1-2 (NOG1-2) Interacts with Jasmonate-ZIMDomain Protein 9 (JAZ9) to Regulate Stomatal Aperture during Plant Immunity.

Plant defense responses at stomata and apoplast are the most important early events during plant⁻bacteria interactions. The key components of stomatal defense responses have not been fully characterized. A GTPase encoding gene, , which is required for stomatal innate immunity against bacterial pathogens, was recently identified.

GENERAL CONTROL NONREPRESSIBLE4 Degrades 14-3-3 and the RIN4 Complex to Regulate Stomatal Aperture with Implications on Nonhost Disease Resistance and Drought Tolerance.

Plants have complex and adaptive innate immune responses against pathogen infections. Stomata are key entry points for many plant pathogens. Both pathogens and plants regulate stomatal aperture for pathogen entry and defense, respectively.

The small GTPase, nucleolar GTP-binding protein 1 (NOG1), has a novel role in plant innate immunity.

Plant defense responses at stomata and apoplast are the most important early events during plant-bacteria interactions. The key components for the signaling of stomatal defense and nonhost resistance have not been fully characterized. Here we report the newly identified small GTPase, Nucleolar GTP-binding protein 1 (NOG1), functions for plant immunity against bacterial pathogens.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs suppress cancer stem cells via inhibiting PTGS2 (cyclooxygenase 2) and NOTCH/HES1 and activating PPARG in colorectal cancer.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a pivotal role in cancer relapse or metastasis. We investigated the CSC-suppressing effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the relevant mechanisms in colorectal cancer. We measured the effect of NSAIDs on CSC populations in Caco-2 or SW620 cells using colosphere formation and flow cytometric analysis of PROM1 (CD133)(+) CD44(+) cells after indomethacin treatment with/without prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARG) antagonist, and examined the effect of indomethacin on transcriptional activity and protein expression of NOTCH/HES1 and PPARG.

Differential expression of CD133 based on microsatellite instability status in human colorectal cancer.

The association between the types of genomic instability and cancer stem cell (CSC) has not been elucidated. We aimed to investigate the expressions of CSC markers with respect to microsatellite instability (MSI) status in human colorectal cancer (CRC). Immunostainings for CD133, CD44, and CD166, and K-ras mutation analysis were performed on 50 MSI-high (MSI-H), and 50 microsatellite stable (MSS) CRC tissues.

Wear evaluation of the human enamel opposing different Y-TZP dental ceramics and other porcelains.

Purpose: This study examined the wear resistance of human enamel and feldspathic porcelain after simulated mastication against 3 zirconia ceramics, heat-pressed ceramic and conventional feldspathic porcelain.

Materials And Methods: Human teeth and feldspathic porcelain cusp were tested against ceramic discs. 5 brands were tested - 3 monolithic zirconia, Prettau, Lava, and Rainbow, one lithium disilicate, IPS e.

The role of myofibroblasts in upregulation of S100A8 and S100A9 and the differentiation of myeloid cells in the colorectal cancer microenvironment.

Background/aim: S100A8/A9 and myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment play an important role in cancer invasion and progression, and the effect of tumor-infiltrated myofibroblasts on myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment is relatively unknown. Accordingly, we investigated the role of myofibroblasts in the upregulation of S100A8/A9 as well as in the differentiation of myeloid cells in the colorectal cancer (CRC) microenvironment.

Materials And Methods: To investigate the interactions among cancer cells, myofibroblasts, and inflammatory cells in the microenvironment of CRC, we used 10 CRC cell lines, 18CO cells and THP-1 cells, which were co-cultured with each other or cultured in conditioned media (CM) of other cells.

Association analysis of thromboxane A synthase 1 gene polymorphisms with aspirin intolerance in asthmatic patients.

Aim: Thromboxane A synthase (TBXAS1) converts prostaglandin H to thromboxane A, a potent constrictor of smooth respiratory muscle. Thus, functional alterations of the TBXAS1 gene may contribute to aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA).

Materials & Methods: We investigated the relationship between SNPs in the TBXAS1 gene and AIA.