The B-box protein CmBBX8 recruits chromatin modifiers CmFDM2/CmSWI3B to induce flowering in summer chrysanthemum.

The transition from vegetative to reproductive growth is essential for the flowering process of plants. In summer chrysanthemum, CmBBX8 exploits prominence function in floral transition by activating the expression of CmFTL1. However, how CmBBX8 induces CmFTL1 during the photoperiod inductive cycles remains unknown.

Progestogen-driven B7-H4 contributes to onco-fetal immune tolerance.

Immune tolerance mechanisms are shared in cancer and pregnancy. Through cross-analyzing single-cell RNA-sequencing data from multiple human cancer types and the maternal-fetal interface, we found B7-H4 (VTCN1) is an onco-fetal immune tolerance checkpoint. We showed that genetic deficiency of B7-H4 resulted in immune activation and fetal resorption in allogeneic pregnancy models.

Effects of latroeggtoxin-VI on dopamine and α-synuclein in PC12 cells and the implications for Parkinson's disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by death of dopaminergic neurons leading to dopamine deficiency, excessive α-synuclein facilitating Lewy body formation, etc. Latroeggtoxin-VI (LETX-VI), a proteinaceous neurotoxin discovered from the eggs of spider L. tredecimguttatus, was previously found to promote the synthesis and release of PC12 cells, showing a great potential as a drug candidate for PD.

BBX7 interacts with BBX8 to accelerate flowering in chrysanthemum.

The quantitative control of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) activation is important for the floral transition in flowering plants. However, the flowering regulation mechanisms in the day-neutral, summer-flowering chrysanthemum plant remain unclear. In this study, the chrysanthemum BBX7 homolog CmBBX7 was isolated and its flowering function was identified.

Insights into the mediation of Ca signaling in the promoting effects of LETX-VI on the synthesis and release of dopamine.

Latroeggtoxin-VI (LETX-VI) is an active protein and was previously demonstrated to have effects on the synthesis and release of dopamine. Hererin, the involvement of Ca signaling in the effects of LETX-VI on dopamine was systematically investigated, using PC12 cells as a neuron model. LETX-VI was shown to promote dopamine release from PC12 cells both in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca; however the presence of extracellular Ca was favorable for enhancing the promoting effects of LETX-VI on dopamine, because LETX-VI facilitated the influx of extracellular Ca through the L-type calcium channels in plasma membrane (PM) to increase cytosolic Ca concentration.

Analysis of differentially expressed genes discovers Latroeggtoxin VI-induced changes and SYNJ1 as a main target in PC12 cells.

Background: Previous preliminary work found that Latroeggtoxin-VI (LETX-VI), a proteinaceous neurotoxin from the eggs of spider Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, could promote the synthesis and release of dopamine in PC12 cells. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully clear. Here, the effects of LETX-VI on the gene expression profile and dopamine in PC12 cells were analyzed with the differential transcriptome-based strategies.

Latroeggtoxin-VI protects nerve cells and prevents depression by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway activation and excessive inflammation.

Depression has a high incidence and seriously endangers human health. Accumulated evidence indicates that targeting neuroinflammation is a potential avenue for neuroprotection and thus depression prevention. Herein, the effects of latroeggtoxin-VI (LETX-VI), a bioactive protein from the eggs of spider , on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and depression were systematically investigated using RAW264.

An ethylene-responsive transcription factor and a B-box protein coordinate vegetative growth and photoperiodic flowering in chrysanthemum.

Plants employ several endogenous and exogenous signals to guarantee timely floral transitions with floral integrators. To avoid premature flowering, flowering plants must control the balance between vegetative and floral development. As a Group II member of BBX family, CmBBX8 promotes flowering by directly activating CmFTL1 in summer-flowering chrysanthemum.

Rab3 and synaptotagmin proteins in the regulation of vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter release.

Ca-triggered neurotransmitter release involves complex regulatory mechanisms, including a series of protein-protein interactions. Three proteins, synaptobrevin (VAMP), synaptosomal-associated protein of 25kDa (SNAP-25) and syntaxin, constitute the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) core complex that plays key roles in controlling vesicle fusion and exocytosis. Many other proteins participate in the regulation of the processes via direct and/or indirect interaction with the SNARE complex.

Synaptotagmin 1-mediated cell membrane penetration and dopamine release enhancement by latroeggtoxin-VI.

Latroeggtoxin-VI (LETX-VI), a proteinaceous neurotoxin mined from the egg transcriptome of spider L. tredecimguttatus, was previously found to promote the release of dopamine from PC12 cells. However, the relevant molecular mechanism has not been fully clear.

Biochemical and cytotoxic evaluation of latroeggtoxin-VI against PC12 cells.

Latroeggtoxin-VI (LETX-VI) is a peptide neurotoxin discovered from Latrodectus tredecimguttatus eggs. In the current study, the action features of the neurotoxin on PC12 cells were systematically investigated. LETX-VI could promote dopamine release from PC12 cells in the absence and presence of Ca2+, involving an even more complex action mechanism in the presence of Ca2+ and when the treatment time was longer.

Incorporation of exome-based CNV analysis makes trio-WES a more powerful tool for clinical diagnosis in neurodevelopmental disorders: A retrospective study.

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a genetically heterogeneous group of diseases, affecting 1%-3% of children. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) has been widely used as a first-tier tool for identifying genetic causes of rare diseases. Trio-WES was performed in a cohort of 74 pedigrees with NDDs.

[Clinical and genetic analysis of a child with X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia].

Objective: To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of a child with X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED).

Methods: Clinical data of the child was collected. Peripheral blood samples were taken from the child and his parents with informed consent and subjected to copy number variation (CNV) analysis and whole exome sequencing (WES).

Pull-Down Assay-Guided Insights into the Effects of Latroeggtoxin-VI on Nerve Cells.

Latroeggtoxin-VI (LETX-VI) is a peptide neurotoxin newly found from the eggs of spider To explore the mechanism of action of the LETX-VI on nerve cells, the effects of LETX-VI on PC12 cells, a commonly used neuron model, were analyzed using a pull-down assay-guided strategy. LETX-VI was shown to interact with 164 PC12 cell proteins that have diverse molecular functions such as binding, catalysis, regulation, structural activity, etc., thereby extensively affecting the biological processes in the PC12 cells, particularly protein metabolism, response to stimulus, substance transport, and nucleic acid metabolism, with 56.

CHD7 promotes neural progenitor differentiation in embryonic stem cells via altered chromatin accessibility and nascent gene expression.

CHARGE syndrome, a rare multiple congenital anomaly condition, is caused by haploinsufficiency of the chromatin remodeling protein gene CHD7 (Chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 7). Brain abnormalities and intellectual disability are commonly observed in individuals with CHARGE, and neuronal differentiation is reduced in CHARGE patient-derived iPSCs and conditional knockout mouse brains. However, the mechanisms of CHD7 function in nervous system development are not well understood.

PBX1 expression in uterine natural killer cells drives fetal growth.

Abundant decidual natural killer (dNK) cells at the maternal-fetal interface are important during early pregnancy. However, functional subsets of dNK cells remain poorly understood. We describe a CD49aPBX homeobox 1 (PBX1) dNK cell subset that promotes fetal development in humans and mice.

[Phenotype and genetic analysis of three patients with PKHD1 associated autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease at childhood, teenage and advanced age].

Objective: The phenotype and genetics of three patients with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) at childhood, teenage and advanced age were analyzed.

Methods: Next generation sequencing (NGS) was applied to all the probands. PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to verify the suspicious gene variants screened by NGS in the probands and their family members, and one of the family got prenatal diagnosis.

In situ reversible color variation of a ready-made upconversion material using the designed component of a three-state fluorescence switching system.

In recent years, upconversion materials have attracted considerable attention because of their unique physicochemical features. Numerous studies have focused on the synthesis of upconversion materials with different colors. However, an easier way to vary the upconversion colors without changing the materials' components has not been extensively studied.

[Identification of pathogenic mutation in a Chinese pedigree affected with split hand/split foot malformation].

Objective: To detect potential mutation in a Chinese pedigree affected with split hand/split foot malformation (SHFM).

Methods: The patients were screened for genome-wide copy number variations with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray. Copy number variations were verified by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.

Excessive nerve growth factor impairs bidirectional communication between the oocyte and cumulus cells resulting in reduced oocyte competence.

Background: Excessive nerve growth factor (NGF) is commonly found in the follicular fluid of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Furthermore, oocytes from PCOS patients exhibit lower developmental competence. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between excessive NGF and low oocyte competence in vitro.

Expanding light utilization to the near-infrared region for hybrid bio-photoelectrochemical cells.

The insatiable energy demand asks for the maximum conversion of green renewable sources. Herein, we propose the first NIR-assisted glucose/air bio-photoelectrochemical (BPEC) cell comprising a rare earth up-conversion microcrystal (UCMC)-based polyterthiophene (pTTh) cathode. Upon irradiation with a 980 nm laser, UCMCs emit robust luminescence in the visible range, which can efficiently excite pTTh, catalyzing the reduction of oxygen and generating photocurrent.

Self-powered fluorescence display devices based on a fast self-charging/recharging battery (Mg/Prussian blue).

Stimuli-responsive (such as voltage and/or light) fluorescence display systems have attracted particular attention in their promising fields of application. However, there are few examples of self-powered fluorescence display devices. Here we designed and fabricated a self-powered fluorescence display device based on a fast-charging/recharging battery.

Punicalagin Mollifies Lead Acetate-Induced Oxidative Imbalance in Male Reproductive System.

Punicalagin (PU) is a known antioxidant. The present study examined PU to protect against lead-induced oxidative stress (OS) testicular damage in mice. Significant increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) after intraperitoneal injection of lead acetate (LA) indicated enormous generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

A high performance fluorescence switching system triggered electrochemically by Prussian blue with upconversion nanoparticles.

A high performance fluorescence switching system triggered electrochemically by Prussian blue with upconversion nanoparticles was proposed. We synthesized a kind of hexagonal monodisperse β-NaYF4:Yb(3+),Er(3+),Tm(3+) upconversion nanoparticle and manipulated the intensity ratio of red emission (at 653 nm) and green emission at (523 and 541 nm) around 2 : 1, in order to match well with the absorption spectrum of Prussian blue. Based on the efficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer and inner-filter effect of the as-synthesized upconversion nanoparticles and Prussian blue, the present fluorescence switching system shows obvious behavior with high fluorescence contrast and good stability.