Activation of NFAT by HGF and IGF-1 via ARF6 and its effector ASAP1 promotes uveal melanoma metastasis.

Preventing or effectively treating metastatic uveal melanoma (UM) is critical because it occurs in about half of patients and confers a very poor prognosis. There is emerging evidence that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) promote metastasis and contribute to the striking metastatic hepatotropism observed in UM metastasis. However, the molecular mechanisms by which HGF and IGF-1 promote UM liver metastasis have not been elucidated.

Neuroinflammatory disease disrupts the blood-CNS barrier via crosstalk between proinflammatory and endothelial-to-mesenchymal-transition signaling.

Breakdown of the blood-central nervous system barrier (BCNSB) is a hallmark of many neuroinflammatory disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Using a mouse model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we show that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) occurs in the CNS before the onset of clinical symptoms and plays a major role in the breakdown of BCNSB function. EndoMT can be induced by an IL-1β-stimulated signaling pathway in which activation of the small GTPase ADP ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) leads to crosstalk with the activin receptor-like kinase (ALK)-SMAD1/5 pathway.

Spatial dynamics of Chinese Muntjac related to past and future climate fluctuations.

Climate fluctuations in the past and in the future are likely to result in population expansions, shifts, or the contraction of the ecological niche of many species, and potentially leading to the changes in their geographical distributions. Prediction of suitable habitats has been developed as a useful tool for the assessment of habitat suitability and resource conservation to protect wildlife. Here, we model the ancestral demographic history of the extant modern Chinese Muntjac populations using approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) and used the maximum entropy model to simulate the past and predict the future spatial dynamics of the species under climate oscillations.

Hidden species diversity in Pachyhynobius: A multiple approaches species delimitation with mitogenomes.

The lack of distinct morphological features of cryptic species is a hard problem for taxonomy, especially when the taxa are closely related with considerable amounts of ancestral polymorphism. Lately, intensive coalescent-based analyses involving multiple loci have become the preferred method to assess the extent of genetic distinctiveness in otherwise phenotypically similar populations. Previously, phylogenetic studies on Pachyhynobius shangchengensis uncovered five extremely deeply divergent clades, which suggested that this species may be a cryptic species complex.

How much genetic variation is stored in the endangered and fragmented shrub Maxim?

Maxim (Zygophyllaceae) is an endangered species endemic to western Inner Mongolia and China, and is currently threatened by habitat loss and human over-exploitation. We explored the genetic background, its genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history, based on 12 polymorphic nuclear microsatellite loci. Our results indicated high genetic diversity in extant populations, but no distinguishable gene cluster corresponding with a specific biogeography.

Rapid and recent diversification patterns in Anseriformes birds: Inferred from molecular phylogeny and diversification analyses.

The Anseriformes is a well-known and widely distributed bird order, with more than 150 species in the world. This paper aims to revise the classification, determine the phylogenetic relationships and diversification patterns in Anseriformes by exploring the Cyt b, ND2, COI genes and the complete mitochondrial genomes (mito-genomes). Molecular phylogeny and genetic distance analyses suggest that the Dendrocygna species should be considered as an independent family, Dendrocygnidae, rather than a member of Anatidae.

Yangtze River, an insignificant genetic boundary in tufted deer (): the evidence from a first population genetics study.

Great rivers were generally looked at as the geographical barrier to gene flow for many taxonomic groups. The Yangtze River is the third largest river in the world, and flows across South China and into the East China Sea. Up until now, few studies have been carried out to evaluate its effect as a geographical barrier.

Phylogenetic studies of (Passeridae: ) based on complete mitochondrial DNA sequences.

Rufous-breasted Accentor () is a small-sized bunting with an extremely geographical range in the world. Here, the complete mitochondrial genome of (16,830 bp in length) has been analyzed for building the database. Similar to the typical mtDNA of vertebrates, it contained 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes and 22 tRNA genes) and a non-coding region (D-loop).

Sequencing of complete mitochondrial genome for Tsinling Tree Toad ().

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of was determined in this research. The length of mitogenome is 17850 bp, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, 1 O and 1 control region. The phylogentic tree was reconstructed using the BI method based on concatenated nucleotide sequences of mtDNA genes (12S ribosomal small subunit gene/12S rRNA; NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 gene/ND1, including adjacent transfer RNAs and the partial 16S ribosomal large subunit gene).

Extremely low genetic diversity of mtDNA control region and remarkable population differentiation of Ichthyophis bannanicus (Amphibia: Gymnophiona).

It is widely accepted that the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) gene evolves more quickly than protein-encoding genes, such as ND2 and Cyt b, with few exceptions. However, some species have a different evolution pattern. In the present study, we sequenced the mtDNA CR partial sequences (454 base pairs) of 142 individuals from five sampling sites of Ichthyophis bannanicus and compared the genetic diversity and structure with the information from the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) and Cytochrome b (Cyt b) genes within this species.

Phylogenetic studies of Anas clypeata (Anatidae: Anas) based on complete mitochondrial DNA sequences.

Northern shoveler (Anas clypeata) is a middle-sized duck living in an extremely geographical range in northern hemisphere. Here, the complete mitochondrial genome of A. clypeata (16 599 bp in length) has been analyzed for building the database.

Species Delimitation in the Genus Moschus (Ruminantia: Moschidae) and Its High-Plateau Origin.

The authenticity of controversial species is a significant challenge for systematic biologists. Moschidae is a small family of musk deer in the Artiodactyla, composing only one genus, Moschus. Historically, the number of species in the Moschidae family has been debated.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Glaucidium brodiei (Strigiformes: Strigidae).

In this paper, the complete mitochondrial genome of Glaucidium brodiei is sequenced and reported for the first time. The mitochondrial genome is a circular molecule of 17,318 bp in length, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and a control region. Overall base composition of the complete mitochondrial DNA is A (29.

Complete sequence and gene organization of the mitochondrial genome of Asio flammeus (Strigiformes, strigidae).

The complete sequence of the mitochondrial genome was determined for Asio flammeus, which is distributed widely in geography. The length of the complete mitochondrial genome was 18,966 bp, containing 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), and 1 non-coding region (D-loop). All the genes were distributed on the H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes which were encoded on the L-strand.

The complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome of the Oriental Pieris, Pieris canidia (Lepidoptera: pieridae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Pieris canidia was investigated and analyzed. The mitochondrial genome is a circular molecule of 15,153 bp, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and an A+T-rich region. The nucleotide composition of the P.

Mitochondrial genome of Emberiza elegans (Emberizidae: Emberiza).

Emberiza elegans is a common bunting with very wide geographical distribution. In this paper, the complete mitochondrial genome of E. elegans (16,779 bp in length) was analyzed for building the database.