Publications by authors named "Xinwen Liang"
Blast disease caused by is a devastating disease that limits rice grain production. Here, we synthesized rhamnolipid (RL) modified silica nanoparticles (SiONPs) based on the excellent antimicrobial activity of RL against various phytopathogens and the role of SiONPs in alleviating plant diseases and investigated the roles and mechanisms of RL@SiONPs application in controlling rice blast disease. Two-week-old rice seedlings were sprayed with 100 mL/L of different materials before pathogen inoculation, and blast incidence was investigated 5 days after inoculation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMacroautophagy/autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved cellular degradation pathway, involves phagophores that sequester cytoplasmic constituents and mature into autophagosomes for subsequent lysosomal delivery. The gene family, comprising the and subfamilies in mammals, encodes ubiquitin-like proteins that are conjugated to phagophore membranes during autophagosome biogenesis. A central question in the field is how Atg8-family proteins are precisely involved in autophagosome formation, which remains controversial and challenging, at least in part due to the short lifespan of phagophores.
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- Macroautophagy involves creating structures called autophagosomes for cellular cleanup, and disrupting their closure has unknown effects.
- Researchers created mice with a specific mutation that impairs autophagosome closure, resulting in various issues like protein buildup and growth problems, though some survive into adulthood.
- The study found that this mutation causes the buildup of a protein (TBK1) on forming autophagosomes, leading to increased phosphorylation and aggregation of other proteins, suggesting a new role for these structures in managing cellular waste.
In plants, the conserved plant-specific photoreceptor UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8) perceives ultraviolet-B (UV-B) light and mediates UV-B-induced photomorphogenesis and stress acclimation. In this study, we reveal that UV-B light treatment shortens seedlings, increases stem thickness, and enhances UV-B stress tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa) via its two UV-B photoreceptors OsUVR8a and OsUVR8b. Although the rice and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) UVR8 (AtUVR8) photoreceptors all form monomers in response to UV-B light, OsUVR8a, and OsUVR8b function is only partially conserved with respect to AtUVR8 in UV-B-induced photomorphogenesis and stress acclimation.
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- VPS37A is a key component of the ESCRT-I complex, necessary for bringing certain ESCRT proteins to the phagophore, which is crucial for closing autophagosomes.
- The exact process of how VPS37A reaches the phagophore is unclear, but its N-terminal domain interacts with highly curved membranes due to specific motifs around its UEVL domain.
- Mutations in these interaction motifs disrupt the localization of ESCRT-I to the phagophore, leading to incomplete phagophore closure and impaired autophagy, suggesting that the phagophore's unique shape is important for the assembly of the necessary machinery for autophagosome formation.
A novel multiplex PCR based method for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes clonal complex 8.
Int J Food Microbiol
January 2024
Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne pathogen worldwide, which could cause listeriosis with a 20-30 % fatality rate in immunocompromised individuals. Listeria monocytogenes MLST clonal complex (CC) 8 strain is a common clone in food and clinical cases. The aim of this study was to develop multiplex PCR (mPCR) and high-resolution melting (HRM) qPCR to simultaneously detect L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe gene encodes a subunit of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)-I complex that is frequently lost in a wide variety of human solid cancers. We have previously demonstrated the role of VPS37A in directing the ESCRT membrane scission machinery to seal the phagophore for autophagosome completion. Here, we report that -deficient cells exhibit an accumulation of the apoptotic initiator CASP8 (caspase 8) on the phagophore and are primed to undergo rapid apoptosis through the intracellular death-inducing signaling complex (iDISC)-mediated CASP8 activation upon exposure to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.
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- Researchers used gallic acid to create a new compound called 1-(substituted aromatic acyl)-4-(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoyl) thiosemicarbazone through a two-step process.
- They also synthesized new gallic acid amide derivatives that included 1,3,4-thiadiazole via a cyclic reaction.
- The effectiveness of these new compounds against Vibrio harveyi was tested, with compound 5b demonstrating the strongest inhibition at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.0313mg/mL.
Article Synopsis
- Listeria monocytogenes is a significant foodborne pathogen with a high fatality rate in vulnerable populations, prompting the need for effective detection methods.
- This study developed a novel multiplex PCR test to identify hypervirulent L. monocytogenes strains CC87 and CC88, achieving high specificity and low detection limits.
- The new PCR method allows for quick detection of these strains in food samples, presenting a cost-effective solution for monitoring contamination and assessing disinfection efforts in food production.
Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (PYCR in humans) catalyzes the final step of l-proline biosynthesis by catalyzing the reduction of L-Δ-pyrroline-5-carboxylate (L-P5C) to l-proline using NAD(P)H as the hydride donor. In humans, three isoforms PYCR1, PYCR2, and PYCR3 are known. Recent genome-wide association and clinical studies have revealed that homozygous mutations in human PYCR2 lead to postnatal microcephaly and hypomyelination, including hypomyelinating leukodystrophy type 10.
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- - PARP inhibitors (PARPi) are effective in treating tumors with BRCA2 mutations due to their ability to target cells that lack homologous recombination (HR) repair mechanisms, but not all HR-deficient patients respond positively.
- - The study used CRISPR genetic screens to identify factors that influence how cells respond to PARPi treatment, highlighting HUWE1 and KAT5 as key players in this process.
- - Depleting HUWE1 helps increase RAD51 levels to partially restore HR, while KAT5 loss alters repair mechanisms, providing insights into resistance to PARPi and potential biomarkers for treatment response in BRCA2-deficient cells.
Article Synopsis
- * Inhibiting the closure of phagophores by reducing CHMP2A leads to stabilized iDISCs and promotes apoptosis, while blocking iDISC formation through ATG7 deletion prevents cell death.
- * Loss of CHMP2A decreases tumor growth in neuroblastoma by enhancing apoptosis and reducing autophagy, suggesting that targeting the autophagy process could offer new cancer treatment strategies.
Article Synopsis
- The ESCRT complexes are crucial for processes like HIV-1 release, autophagosome closure, and cell division, with ESCRT-I being the primary complex that connects to HIV-1 Gag during virus release.
- Researchers determined the crystal structure of the human ESCRT-I headpiece, revealing it consists of a helical assembly with a repeating pattern of 12 molecules, which was confirmed through electron microscopy.
- Mutations in specific regions of the VPS28 protein prevent the formation of the ESCRT-I filaments, which impairs key cellular processes like HIV-1 release and autophagosome closure, highlighting the complex's important structural and functional roles.
Article Synopsis
- Bee pollen (BP) shows strong potential for protecting gut health, mainly due to its lipid components (BPLs), which include phospholipids and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
- A study examined how BPL-Cs interact with intestinal cells (Caco-2) under stress conditions, finding that they help maintain cell viability and strengthen cell membranes against damaging substances.
- The research identified specific lipid classes as potential biomarkers for assessing gut health and suggests that BP could be developed into beneficial dietary supplements for gastrointestinal protection.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the role of the ESCRT-III subunit CHMP2A and the AAA ATPase VPS4 in the closure of phagophores, which are essential for forming autophagosomes.
- Researchers developed a FACS-based assay to identify VPS37A, an ESCRT-I subunit, as a key player in completing phagophore closure, highlighting its unique localization and function.
- VPS37A is necessary for the recruitment of other ESCRT components during phagophore closure while showing that disruptions in related proteins can affect its presence on the phagophore, suggesting it manages the assembly of specific ESCRT machinery in this process.
Article Synopsis
- Researchers have identified Atg2A as a crucial protein for the growth of phagophores into autophagosomes, which are important structures in the process of autophagy.
- Atg2A localizes to the mitochondrial-associated ER membrane (MAM) through a specific domain and interacts with the outer mitochondrial membrane protein TOM40, requiring another protein, TOM70.
- The interactions between Atg2A and TOM40, as well as Atg2A and Atg9A, are essential for proper phagophore expansion, and disruptions in these interactions lead to the accumulation of Atg9A-vesicles near autophagic structures.
Article Synopsis
- Bee pollen (BP) shows potential health benefits, particularly in protecting against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but prior studies had not explored its specific protective roles in this context.
- Researchers used caco-2 cell models to mimic intestinal issues caused by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and found that BP pretreatment improved cell viability and strengthened the intestinal barrier against DSS damage.
- Molecular analysis indicated that BP up-regulated antioxidant genes and down-regulated inflammatory markers, suggesting its therapeutic potential in the early stages of colitis, with notable changes in metabolic profiles observed in treated cells.
Article Synopsis
- A study on Prunella vulgaris honey (PVH) shows its potential health benefits, particularly for gut health.
- PVH meets European and Chinese health standards and contains beneficial phenolic compounds, with rosmarinic acid identified as a key marker.
- In an animal model of colitis, PVH improved gut health by reducing disease symptoms and positively altering gut microbiota.
Article Synopsis
- BRCA proteins play a crucial role in repairing DNA through homologous recombination, and their inactivation is common in many human tumors, affecting treatment responses.
- PARP inhibitors can treat BRCA-mutant cancers, but not all patients are responsive, and resistance mechanisms have been identified, particularly in BRCA2-deficient cells.
- The study reveals that the transcriptional repressor E2F7 affects the sensitivity of BRCA2-deficient cells to chemotherapy by regulating RAD51, suggesting that E2F7 could be a potential biomarker for predicting responses to PARP inhibitor therapies.
Article Synopsis
- - Bee pollen (BP) is a nutrient-rich substance collected by honeybees, made from flower pollen, nectar, and bee secretions, showing promising therapeutic benefits due to its lipid content.
- - A new analytical method (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS) was developed to study the lipid profiles of BP from three key nectar plants: Brassica campestris, Camellia sinensis, and Nelumbo nucifera, identifying nine lipid classes with various species.
- - The study also highlighted the anti-inflammatory properties of BP lipid extracts, linked to high levels of phospholipids and unsaturated fatty acids, indicating its potential for future health applications.
Article Synopsis
- Proline plays a crucial role in cellular stress responses and helps minimize protein aggregation, but its specific effects on cell survival during misfolded protein accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) were previously underexplored.
- A study on Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed that knocking out proline biosynthesis genes (PRO1, PRO2, PRO3) increased sensitivity to ER stress, which could be restored by adding proline or complementing the genes.
- The pro3 mutant, in particular, exhibited heightened vulnerability to stress and oxidative challenges, while proline depletion inhibited the unfolded protein response (UPR), suggesting that proline's protective role is linked to UPR activity.
Article Synopsis
- Proline serves as a key stress response molecule across various organisms, aiding in managing cellular imbalances caused by environmental stress, which could inform agriculture and human health improvements.
- Recent studies indicate that proline metabolism influences cellular signaling, impacting processes like apoptosis and survival, largely through increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in mitochondria.
- Future research aims to explore proline's interactions with redox proteins to uncover new regulatory pathways and understand its role in cellular stress responses better.*
Article Synopsis
- Methionine (Met) in proteins can be oxidized to Met sulfoxide (MetO), which is a marker of oxidative stress linked to neurodegeneration and aging, but traditional methods for measuring this process are complex.
- Researchers identified methionine-rich proteins (MRPs) that lack cysteine, using them to study the oxidation and reduction of MetO through various assays, demonstrating a simple way to track these changes.
- The study found that MRPs are effective for assessing Met oxidation and reduction, suggesting they can be valuable tools in researching redox biology connected to reversible Met oxidation.
Article Synopsis
- - Proline metabolism plays a significant role in regulating apoptotic signaling and influencing tumor development, primarily through its oxidation to glutamate catalyzed by proline dehydrogenase (PRODH), which is controlled by the tumor suppressor p53.
- - Proline not only induces apoptosis but also demonstrates a protective effect against oxidative stress, as shown by its ability to increase cell viability and reduce damage in melanoma cells treated with hydrogen peroxide.
- - The protective mechanism involves the activation of the Akt signaling pathway, highlighting the necessity of PRODH in maintaining cell survival under oxidative stress, with similar results observed in prostate carcinoma cells.
Protein superfamilies can exhibit considerable diversification of function among their members in various organisms. The DJ-1 superfamily is composed of proteins that are principally involved in stress response and are widely distributed in all kingdoms of life. The model flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana contains three close homologs of animal DJ-1, all of which are tandem duplications of the DJ-1 domain.
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