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Fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea Drury (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) is extremely adaptable and highly invasive in China as a defoliator of ornamental and forest trees. Both voltinism and diapause strategies of fall webworm in China are variable, and this variability contributes to it invasiveness. Little is known about molecular regulation of diapause in fall webworm. To gain insight into possible mechanisms of diapause induction, high-throughput RNA-seq data were generated from non-diapause pupae (NDP) and diapause pupae (DP). A total of 58,151 unigenes were assembled and researched against nine public databases. In total, 29,013 up-regulated and 3451 down-regulated unigenes were differentially expressed by DP when compared with those of NDP. Genes encoding proteins such as UDP-glycosyl transferase (UGT), cytochrome P450 and Hsp70 were predicted to be involved in diapause. Moreover, GO function and KEGG pathway enrichments were performed on all differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and showed that cell cycle and insulin signaling pathways may be related to the diapause of the fall webworm. This study provides valuable information about the fall webworm transcriptome for future gene function research, especially as it relates to diapause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Renal malformations are commonly found among patients carrying a 22q11 deletion which renders loss of Tbx1 gene, an important transcriptional factor implicated in a number of developmental processes. Smad1 is known to interact with Tbx1, but the exact mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we have measured the expression of Tbx1 in both murine and human tissues using RT-PCR, and analyzed its protein product and protein-protein interactions with Western blotting and immunoprecipitation assays. Precipitated proteins were verified with mass spectrometry. As discovered, Tbx1 binds with Hoxd10. Tbx1 and Hoxd10 genes also have similar expression profiles during murine kidney development. Based on homology between mouse and human, we hypothesized that such interaction also exists in human. Through a RNA interference experiment using a human embryonic kidney HEK293 cell line, we demonstrated that TBX1 can alter TGF-β/BMP, an important signaling pathway, through interacting with HOXD10. Above findings may shed light on the mechanism of TBX1 mutations leading to renal malformations found in patients carrying a 22q11 deletion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Triticeae species Australopyrum retrofractum (genome WW) produces a single high molecular weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS) in its endosperm. However, degenerate PCR amplification of its genome DNA revealed the presence of two related HMW-GS sequences, each consisting of an open reading frame. One of these (Glu-W1-2) has not previously been reported. Here, we sequenced Glu-W1-2 and showed that it encodes the same type of HMW-GS as Glu-W1-1, although its overall product length was much shorter, because the number of certain repetitive motifs was lower in its central region. Both A. retrofractum HMW-GSs have a unique repetitive motif, which differentiates them from other known x- and y-type subunits present in Triticeae species. We suggest that A. retrofractum must have diverged from the main Triticeae lineage prior to the Glu-1 duplication event which led to the evolution of the x- and y-type genes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• EccDNA profiles in alcoholic liver cirrhosis were characterized. • Transcriptome of alcoholic liver cirrhosis reveals potential eccDNA related over expressed gene. • Integrin alpha-2 had a higher abundance among eccDNA, transcriptome and proteomics suggested new molecular mechanism of alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) is a result of excessive and chronic alcohol consumption. Because alchol can cause DNA damage, extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) was investigated in ALC liver due to it can be a result of DNA damage. Considering eccDNA has ability to lead to genomic instability as an enhancer of gene transcription, we utilized Circle-Seq to identify differences in eccDNA profiles and gene expression patterns in liver samples obtained from ALC patients (n = 3) and healthy controls (n = 3) to investigate the role of eccDNA in the development of ALC. The abundance of eccDNA in ALC (mean = 13,349) were higher than the healthy control (mean = 11,557) without significant difference (pvalue = 0.6530). We observed 1,032 eccDNA containing genes showed higher expression in ALC patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05, log2FC > 1). Notably, we discovered seven genes that exhibited a significant positive correlation between eccDNA abundance and gene expression levels. These genes include A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 2 (ADAMTS2), Voltage-dependent L-type calcium channel subunit alpha-1C (CACNA1C), Protein TANC1 (TANC1), Integrin alpha-2 (ITGA2), EH domain-containing protein 4 (EHD4), Phosphofurin acidic cluster sorting protein 1 (PACS1), and Neuron navigator 2 (NAV2). Through mass spectrometry proteomics, ITGA2 were found to have significantly higher abbudance in ALC. Integrins are a family of proteins plays key roles in the fibrosis development of liver. Thus, our study opens a new perspective for liver fibrosis development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The roles of cyclooxygenase - 2 (COX2) −765G > C (rs20417) and −1195G > A (rs689466) polymorphisms in gastric cancer were intensively analyzed, but the results of these studies were inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis to elucidate the associations between these two COX2 polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk. Methods Eligible studies were searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library databases, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Vip, and Wanfang databases. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the genetic correlation between COX2 polymorphisms and gastric cancer susceptibility in five genetic models. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was conducted to estimate whether the evidence of the results is sufficient. Furthermore, their interactions with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) or smoking in gastric cancer were also assessed using a case-only method. Results The COX2 gene −765G > C polymorphism showed no significant association with gastric cancer susceptibility under all the five genetic models (take the allelic model for example: OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 0.95–2.09) in total analysis, and the stratification analysis by ethnicity indicated a similar association in Caucasian group under four genetic models (allelic model, dominant model, homozygous model, and heterozygous model). But in the subgroup of the Asian population, the −765G > C polymorphism was significantly associated with gastric cancer risk under the same contrast. The COX2 −1195G > A polymorphism showed significant correlation with gastric cancer susceptibility in total analysis, and stratification analysis by ethnicity also revealed a similar association in both Asian and Caucasian groups under the same contrast. Moreover, TSA confirmed such associations. Both H. pylori infection and cigarette smoking interacted with -765 C allele in gastric cancer (OR = 3.79, 95% CI: 1.15–12.43 and OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.38–4.48, respectively), but not in −1195 A allele (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 0.62–6.21, and OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.93–1.64, respectively). Conclusions COX2 −765G > C polymorphism may serve as a genetic biomarker of gastric cancer in Asians, but not in Caucasians. COX2 −1195G > A polymorphism may serve as a genetic biomarker of gastric cancer in both Asians and Caucasians. The −765G > C, rather than −1195G > A polymorphism interacted with H. pylori infection or cigarette smoking to increase gastric cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is among the most prevalent and complex congenital anatomic malformations in newborns. Interactions of cardiac progenitor with a broad range of cellular regulatory factors play key roles in the formation of mammalian heart and pathogenesis of CHD. STX18 is a soluble N -ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor, which is involved in numeral cellular activities such as organelle assembly and the cell cycle. The aim of this work was to find evidence on whether STX18 variations might be associated with CHD in Chinese Han populations. We evaluated SNPs rs2044, rs33952588, rs61740788, rs12504020 and rs12644497, which are located within the exon or intron sequences of the STX18 gene, for 310 Chinese Han CHD patients and 400 non-CHD controls. Using SPSS software (version 19.0) and the online software OEGE, we conducted statistical analyses and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test, respectively. Among the five SNPs identified in the STX18 gene, rs33952588 and rs61740788 had very low genetic heterozygosity. In contrast, the genetic heterozygosity of the remaining three variations rs12504020 and rs12644497 near the 5’UTR and rs2044 within 3’UTR of the STX18 gene was considerably high. Analysis of associations of these genetic variations with the risk of CHD showed that rs12644497 ( P value = 0.017 < 0.05) was associated with the risk of CHD, specifically VSD and ASD, whereas rs12504020 ( P value = 0.560 > 0.05) and rs2044 ( P value = 0.972 > 0.05) were not. The SNP rs12644497 in the STX18 gene was associated with CHD in Chinese Han populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of bovine adipose tissue involves complex developmental and physiological processes that play a vital role in determining the quality of beef; however, the regulatory mechanisms are largely unknown. Angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8) has been reported to be involved in the development of adipose tissue; however, the mechanism of adipogenesis which is regulated by ANGPTL8 has not been revealed in cattle. In this study, RT-qPCR and Oil Red O staining were performed to detect the expression of ANGPTL8 and adipocyte differentiation in bovine. We found that ANGPTL8 had a high expression level in adipose tissue and that the expression pattern was consistent with those of PPARγ , C/EBPα and LPL which are key regulators and transcription factors involved in preadipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis. The overexpression of ANGPTL8 by the adenovirus vector promoted lipid droplet formation in adipocytes. Thus, we speculated that ANGPTL8 could significantly enhance lipid deposition. Moreover, the expression of LPL and SREBP1 , key genes inhibiting adipogenesis, was significantly decreased by ANGPTL8 overexpression. These results suggested that ANGPTL8 promotes adipocyte differentiation. In conclusion, we consider that ANGPTL8 regulates adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in bovine. • ANGPTL8 has a high expression level in adipose tissue of bovine. • Overexpression of ANGPTL8 can significantly promote lipid deposition. • ANGPTL8 can significantly promote adipocyte differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the peripheral level of the insect olfaction, odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are thought to bind and transport exogenous hydrophobic volatiles to the odorant receptors (ORs) located on the dendrite membrane of the olfactory neurons. In this study, cDNA sequences of 29 OBP genes from Chilo suppressalis , a notorious rice pest, were identified, with 15 of them being newly reported. The tissue and temporal expression patterns of these CsupOBPs were determined by RT-PCR, revealing that CsupOBP8 , 10 and 24 were specifically expressed in the heads at larval stage and in antennae of both sexes at adult stage. In addition, CsupOBP 6 , 9 and 18 were expressed in much higher levels in heads than abdomen at the larval stage, while CsupPBP4 and CsupOBP1 , 3 , 8 , 11 and 24 were specifically expressed in antennae of both sexes at the adult stage. Such expression profile strongly suggests olfactory roles of these genes. Furthermore, the function of CsupOBP8 was chosen to be investigated by the competitive fluorescence binding assay. Results showed that CsupOBP8 displayed high binding affinities (Ki = 4.9–15.0 μM) with plant volatile β-ionone, nerolidol, farnesol and 2-hexanone, suggesting that CsupOBP8 plays olfactory roles through binding and transporting the plant volatiles. The study provides an important base for understanding the olfactory mechanisms in C. suppressalis . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]