Visualize PIM-1 Protein Function and Its Interaction With PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway Regulated by Its Active Sites Through FRET Biosensors.

Pro-viral Insertion site for the Moloney Murine Leukemia virus 1 (PIM-1) is widely involved in various biological processes and diseases, which is based on its structure and functional sites. However, the relationship between active sites and function of PIM-1 kinase remains unclear due to the lack of effective study approaches in live cells. Herein, to visualize the effect of different active sites in PIM-1 protein on its function activity and relation with PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, three mutant probes of EPHY which was developed previously based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technology to detect PIM-1 kinase activity in living cells were further constructed and transfected into cells followed by treating with PIM-1 inhibitors, ATP and PI3K inhibitor, respectively.

Non-Invasive On-Off Fluorescent Biosensor for Endothelial Cell Detection.

For rapid and convenient detection of living endothelial cells (ECs) specifically without immunostaining, we developed a biosensor based on turn-on fluorescent protein, named LV-EcpG. It includes a high-affinity peptide E12P obtained through phage display technology for specifically recognizing ECs and a turn-on EGFP fused with two linker peptides. The "on-off" switching mechanism of this genetically encoded fluorescent protein-based biosensor (FPB) ensured that fluorescence signals were activated only when binding with ECs, thus enabling these FPB characters for direct, visual, and non-invasive detection of ECs.

The Pathological Factors Involved in Current Atherosclerotic Models.

Cardiovascular disease stemmed from atherosclerosis (AS) is well recognized to be the predominant cause of global death. To comprehensively clarify the pathogenesis of AS, exploit effective drugs, as well as develop therapeutic solutions, various atherosclerotic models were constructed and widely utilized by the scientific community. Compared with animal models, the atherosclerotic models play a prominent role not only in the targeted research of single pathological factor related to AS in the human derived system, but also in the combined study on multipathological factors leading to AS, thereby contributing tremendously to the in-depth elucidation of atherosclerotic pathological process.

Advances in Alzheimer's Disease-Associated Aβ Therapy Based on Peptide.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) urgently needs innovative treatments due to the increasing aging population and lack of effective drugs and therapies. The amyloid fibrosis of AD-associated β-amyloid (Aβ) that could induce a series of cascades, such as oxidative stress and inflammation, is a critical factor in the progression of AD. Recently, peptide-based therapies for AD are expected to be great potential strategies for the high specificity to the targets, low toxicity, fast blood clearance, rapid cell and tissue permeability, and superior biochemical characteristics.

Visualization of Cell Membrane Tension Regulated by the Microfilaments as a "Shock Absorber" in Micropatterned Cells.

The extracellular stress signal transmits along the cell membrane-cytoskeleton-focal adhesions (FAs) complex, regulating the cell function through membrane tension. However, the mechanism of the complex regulating membrane tension is still unclear. This study designed polydimethylsiloxane stamps with specific shapes to change the actin filaments' arrangement and FAs' distribution artificially in live cells, visualized the membrane tension in real time, and introduced the concept of information entropy to describe the order degree of the actin filaments and plasma membrane tension.

Accurate detection of reactive oxygen species by tuning an elastic motif (GPGGA) in nanopores.

We have developed a reactive oxygen species (ROS) sensor based on nanopores modified with GGGCEG(GPGGA)CEG. The formation of an intramolecular disulfide bond oxidized by ROS leads to conformation changes in GGGCEG(GPGGA)CEG, which then induces an obvious change in the size of the nanopores and a corresponding ionic current change. This work allows the accurate and dynamic monitoring of ROS through the combination of (GPGGA) and nanopores.

The Road to Unconventional Detections: Paper-Based Microfluidic Chips.

Conventional detectors are mostly made up of complicated structures that are hard to use. A paper-based microfluidic chip, however, combines the advantages of being small, efficient, easy to process, and environmentally friendly. The paper-based microfluidic chips for biomedical applications focus on efficiency, accuracy, integration, and innovation.

The role of Actopaxin in tumor metastasis.

Actopaxin is a newly discovered focal adhesions (FAs) protein, actin-binding protein and pseudopodia-enriched molecule. It can not only bind to a variety of FAs proteins (such as Paxillin, ILK and PINCH) and non-FAs proteins (such as TESK1, CdGAP, β2-adaptin, G3BP2, ADAR1 and CD29), but also participates in multiple signaling pathways. Thus, it plays a crucial role in regulating important processes of tumor metastasis, including matrix degradation, migration, and invasion, etc.

The explorations of dynamic interactions of paxillin at the focal adhesions.

Paxillin is one of the most important adapters in integrin-mediated adhesions that performs numerous crucial functions relying on its dynamic interactions. Its structural behavior serves different purposes, providing a base for several activities. The various domains of paxillin display different functions in the whole process of cell movements and have a significant role in cell adhesion, migration, signal transmission, and protein-protein interactions.

The raft cytoskeleton binding protein complexes personate functional regulators in cell behaviors.

Several cytoskeleton proteins interact with raft proteins to form raft-cytoskeleton binding protein complexes (RCPCs) that control cell migration and adhesion. The purpose of this paper is to review the latest research on the modes and mechanisms by which a RCPC controls different cellular functions. This paper discusses RCPC composition and its role in cytoskeleton reorganization, as well as the latest developments in molecular mechanisms that regulate cell adhesion and migration under normal conditions.

A systematic review on active sites and functions of PIM-1 protein.

The Proviral Integration of Molony murine leukemia virus (PIM)-1 protein contributes to the solid cancers and hematologic malignancies, cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and other life activities. Many studies have related these functions to its molecular structure, subcellular localization and expression level. However, recognition of specific active sites and their effects on the activity of this constitutively active kinase is still a challenge.

Impact of RIM-BPs in neuronal vesicles release.

Accurate signal transmission between neurons is accomplished by vesicle release with high spatiotemporal resolution in the central nervous system. The vesicle release occurs mainly in the active zone (AZ), a unique area on the presynaptic membrane. Many structural proteins expressed in the AZ connect with other proteins nearby.

Total flavonoids of alleviates cognitive impairment in mice.

Cognitive impairment (CI) refers to dysfunctional cognition, which encompasses a spectrum of disorders, ranging from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. Any factor that results in cortical damage may cause CI. Total flavonoids of (TFSP), have shown promising antioxidant and protective effects in animal models.

Bladder cancer hunting: A microfluidic paper-based analytical device.

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men, and it is becoming a prevalent malignancy. Most of the regular clinical examinations are prompt evaluations with cystoscopy, renal function testing, which require high-precision instrument, well-trained operators, and high cost. In this study, a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) was fabricated to detect nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) and bladder cancer antigen (BTA) from the urine samples.

S100A4: a novel partner for heat shock protein 47 in antler stem cells and insight into the calcium ion-induced conformational changes.

S100A4 is a multiple-function protein highly expressed in tumor or stem cells. We found S100A4 was a novel protein partner for heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) in deer antlerogenic periosteum cells (AP cells), indicating that S100A4 could bind with HSP47. S100A4 had both calcium-dependent and calcium-independent patterns (labeled as SCd and SCi, respectively) to execute different biological activities.

Antheraea pernyi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) and Its Importance in Sericulture, Food Consumption, and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Sericulture was developed in China in ancient times. Antheraea pernyi Guérin-Méneville was domesticated at least 2,000 yr ago, and Chinese farmers developed artificial rearing of A. pernyi before the 17th century.

Isolation and characterization of a spotted leaf 32 mutant with early leaf senescence and enhanced defense response in rice.

Leaf senescence is a complex biological process and defense responses play vital role for rice development, their molecular mechanisms, however, remain elusive in rice. We herein reported a rice mutant spotted leaf 32 (spl32) derived from a rice cultivar 9311 by radiation. The spl32 plants displayed early leaf senescence, identified by disintegration of chloroplasts as cellular evidence, dramatically decreased contents of chlorophyll, up-regulation of superoxide dismutase enzyme activity and malondialdehyde, as physiological characteristic, and both up-regulation of senescence-induced STAY GREEN gene and senescence-associated transcription factors, and down-regulation of photosynthesis-associated genes, as molecular indicators.

Comparative proteomics analysis of human osteosarcoma by 2D DIGE with MALDI-TOF/TOF MS.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant tumor of bone and the third most common cancer in childhood and adolescence. However, controversy concerning the ideal combination of chemotherapy agents ensued throughout the last quarter of the 20th century because of conflicting and often nonrandomized data. Collaborative efforts to increase understanding of the biology of osteosarcoma and the use of preclinical models to test novel protein targets will be critical to identify the path toward improving outcomes for patients.

The effects of velvet antler polypeptides on the phenotype and related biological indicators of osteoarthritic rabbit chondrocytes.

Objective: To study the effects of velvet antler polypeptides (VAPs) on osteoarthritic chondrocytes (OCs) in rabbits.

Methods: An osteoarthritic rabbit model was established according to Hulth's method. OCs were isolated and cultured for observation of the cell cycle.

[Effects of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction on blood lipid metabolism and its related gene expressions in rats with hyperlipidemia].

Objective: To observe the effects of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HJD), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on lipid metabolism and its related gene expressions in rats with hyperlipidemia.

Methods: Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, untreated group, Lipitor (atorvastatin) group, and low- and high-dose HJD groups. Except the normal control group, rats in the other groups were fed with high-fat diet to induce hyperlipidemia.

[Biocompatibility evaluation of nano TCP/gelatin/velvet antler polypeptide material].

Objective: To evaluate the biocompatibility of a new nano TCP/gelatin/velvet antler polypeptide material.

Methods: The nano TCP/gelatin/velvet antler polypeptide material was prepared, and the amorphous was observed by scanning electron microscope. L929 and NIH/3T3 cell lines were cultured conventionally.