Comparative Genomics and Functional Studies of Putative mA Methyltransferase (METTL) Genes in Cotton.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification plays important regulatory roles in plant development and adapting to the environment, which requires methyltransferases to achieve the methylation process. However, there has been no research regarding m6A RNA methyltransferases in cotton. Here, a systematic analysis of the m6A methyltransferase (METTL) gene family was performed on twelve cotton species, resulting in six METTLs identified in five allotetraploid cottons, respectively, and three to four METTLs in the seven diploid species.

Characterization of cotton ARF factors and the role of GhARF2b in fiber development.

Background: Cotton fiber is a model system for studying plant cell development. At present, the functions of many transcription factors in cotton fiber development have been elucidated, however, the roles of auxin response factor (ARF) genes in cotton fiber development need be further explored.

Results: Here, we identify auxin response factor (ARF) genes in three cotton species: the tetraploid upland cotton G.

Genome-wide characterization of the GRF family and their roles in response to salt stress in Gossypium.

Background: Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is the most important world-wide fiber crop but salt stress limits cotton production in coastal and other areas. Growth regulation factors (GRFs) play regulatory roles in response to salt stress, but their roles have not been studied in cotton under salt stress.

Gossypium barbadense and Gossypium hirsutum genomes provide insights into the origin and evolution of allotetraploid cotton.

Allotetraploid cotton is an economically important natural-fiber-producing crop worldwide. After polyploidization, Gossypium hirsutum L. evolved to produce a higher fiber yield and to better survive harsh environments than Gossypium barbadense, which produces superior-quality fibers.

microRNA-340 influences cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion by targeting NF-κB1 in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is a serious threat to human health, and its pathogenesis may be regulated by a variety of mRNAs. Abnormal expression of microRNA-340 has been frequently reported in many malignant neoplasms, while the molecular mechanism of miR-340 has not been explored in gastric cancer. In this study, the mRNA level of miR-340 was determined by real-time PCR in GC cell lines.

99Tc-MDP-induced human osteoblast proliferation, differentiation and expression of osteoprotegerin.

The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of technetium methylenediphosphonate (99Tc-MDP) on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts. Human iliac cancellous bone was isolated and cultured with either 99Tc‑MDP, β fibroblast growth factor (as a positive control) or medium only (as a negative control). Proliferation was assessed by direct cell counting, CCK‑8 assay and bromodeoxyuridine staining.

Gossypium barbadense genome sequence provides insight into the evolution of extra-long staple fiber and specialized metabolites.

Of the two cultivated species of allopolyploid cotton, Gossypium barbadense produces extra-long fibers for the production of superior textiles. We sequenced its genome (AD)2 and performed a comparative analysis. We identified three bursts of retrotransposons from 20 million years ago (Mya) and a genome-wide uneven pseudogenization peak at 11-20 Mya, which likely contributed to genomic divergences.

The deficiency of Gαq leads to enhanced T-cell survival.

We have previously reported that Gαq, the α subunit of the Gq protein, had important roles in dendritic cell migration, B-cell survival and autoimmunity. In this study, we showed that the deficiency of Gαq led to enhanced T-cell survival. Cultured Gnaq(-/-) T cells exhibited survival advantages both in medium alone and in the presence of anti-CD3 stimulation.

High throughput screening (HTS) in identification new ligands and drugable targets of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) which constitute one of the largest and most versatile families of cell surface receptors are involved in a wide spectrum of physiological functions, such as, neuronal transmission, chemotaxis, pacemaker activity and embryonic development. Therefore, in the past a few years GPCR families have become very important targets in pharmaceutical design. However, according to the human genome project, there are approximately 1000 genes encoding GPCRs, only about 200 of GPCRs have known ligands and functions.

Textiles wastewater treatment using anoxic filter bed and biological wriggle bed-ozone biological aerated filter.

In this study, the performance of the anoxic filter bed and biological wriggle bed-ozone biological aerated filter (AFB-BWB-O(3)-BAF) process treating real textile dyeing wastewater was investigated. After more than 2 month process operation, the average effluent COD concentration of the AFB, BWB, O(3)-BAF were 704.8 mg/L, 294.

A novel anti-tissue factor monoclonal antibody with anticoagulant potency derived from synthesized multiple antigenic peptide through blocking FX combination with TF.

Tissue factor (TF) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various thrombotic disorders. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that specifically target TF may have potential as antithrombotic therapy. We designed a unique TF peptide (TFP) that was specific for the binding site to factor X (FX).

Design of a novel plasminogen activator based on the structure of hirudin.

Using a phage library, seven peptide sequences with high affinity to human microplasminogen were obtained. Caseinolytic assay indicated that only the synthesized peptide P07 had slight fibrinolytic activity. To enhance its plasminogen activation ability, peptide P07 was fused into loop 32-35 of hirudin.

Molecular design and characterization of recombinant long half-life mutants of human tissue factor pathway inhibitor.

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is a physiological inhibitor of extrinsic pathway of coagulation and has biological functions of anticoagulation and anti-inflammation. Although TFPI has been proved to be a good therapeutic agent of sepsis, inflammatory shock, and DIC, the clinical application and therapeutic effects of TFPI are impeded because of its short half-life in vivo. In order to prolong the half-life of TFPI, homology modeling and molecule docking were performed on a computer workstation principally in protein structural biology and binding characteristics between TFPI and its receptor LRP (low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein).

Construction and characterization of novel staphylokinase variants with antiplatelet aggregation activity and reduced immunogenecity.

To develop target thrombolytic agents with fibrinolytic activity, antiplatelet aggregation activity and reduced immunogenicity, two staphylokinase variants containing Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) motif were constructed. Gene expression was induced in E. coli JF1125 and the variants, designated DGR and RL1, were purified with gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography and the purity was over 95%.

[The binding sites of estrogen receptor for miyabenol C and kobophenol A].

To examine the binding sites of miyabenol C (Miy C) and kobophenol A ( Kob A) with estrogen receptor (ER), computer modeling was applied to determine 3D structure of Miy C and Kob A. Molecular docking of the components to ER was carried out to find the binding sites between them. PCR mutagenesis was used to change the structure of ER cDNA.