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Backgrounds/Aims: Mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role inthe pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), where uncoupling protein (UCP) is actively involved. We previously reported the uncoupling activity of HDMCP and its role in liver steatosis. We now aim to investigate the degree and therapeutic effect of HDMCP in NASH and the regulatory role of miR-146 on HDMCP. Methods: NASH animal model was established by feeding BALB/c mice with MCD diet while L02 cell was cultured with high concentration of fatty acid (HFFA) for 72h to mimic the steatosis and inflammation of NASH in-vitro appearance. The steatosis level was assessed by H-E/oil-red staining and serum/supernatant marker detection. The inflammation activity was evaluated by levels of Hepatic activity index, transwell, apoptosis degree (TUNEL/flow cytometry) and serum/supernatant marker. HDMCP level was detected by western blot and miRNA expression was tested by qRT-PCR. NASH severity change was recorded after RNA interference while the regulatory role of miR-146 on HDMCP was confirmed by dual luciferase report system. The H2O2 and ATP levels were measured for mechanism exploration. Results: Increased HDMCP expression was identified in NASH animal model and HFFA-72h cultured L02 cell. Moreover, under regulation of miR-146, NASH alleviation was achieved after HDMCP downregulation in both in vivo and in vitro, according to the declination of steatosis and inflammation related markers. Though H2O2 and ATP levels were increased and decreased in NASH models, HDMCP down regulation both increased their levels. Conclusions: The miR-146-HDMCP-ATP/H2O2 pathway may provide novel mechanism and treatment option for NASH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential impact of transgene escape on the environment and food safety is a major concern to the scientists and public. This work aimed to assess the effect of intein-mediated gene splitting on containment of transgene flow. Two fusion genes, EPSPSn-In and Ic-EPSPSc, were constructed and integrated into N. tabacum, using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. EPSPSn-In encodes the first 295 aa of the herbicide resistance gene 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) fused with the first 123 aa of the Ssp DnaE intein (In), whereas Ic-EPSPSc encodes the 36 C-terminal aa of the Ssp DnaE intein (Ic) fused to the rest of EPSPS C terminus peptide sequences. Both EPSPSn-In and Ic-EPSPSc constructs were introduced into the same N. tabacum genome by genetic crossing. Hybrids displayed resistance to the herbicide N-(phosphonomethyl)-glycine (glyphosate). Western blot analysis of protein extracts from hybrid plants identified full-length EPSPS. Furthermore, all hybrid seeds germinated and grew normally on glyphosate selective medium. The 6-8 leaf hybrid plants showed tolerance of 2000 ppm glyphosate in field spraying. These results indicated that functional EPSPS protein was reassembled in vivo by intein-mediated trans-splicing in 100% of plants. In order to evaluate the effect of the gene splitting technique for containment of transgene flow, backcrossing experiments were carried out between hybrids, in which the foreign genes EPSPSn-In and Ic-EPSPSc were inserted into different chromosomes, and non-transgenic plants NC89. Among the 2812 backcrossing progeny, about 25% (664 plantlets) displayed glyphosate resistance. These data indicated that transgene flow could be reduced by 75%. Overall, our findings provide a new and highly effective approach for biological containment of transgene flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential impact of transgene escape on the environment and food safety is a major concern to the scientists and public. This work aimed to assess the effect of intein-mediated gene splitting on containment of transgene flow. Two fusion genes, EPSPSn-In and Ic-EPSPSc, were constructed and integrated into N. tabacum, using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. EPSPSn-In encodes the first 295 aa of the herbicide resistance gene 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) fused with the first 123 aa of the Ssp DnaE intein (In), whereas Ic-EPSPSc encodes the 36 C-terminal aa of the Ssp DnaE intein (Ic) fused to the rest of EPSPS C terminus peptide sequences. Both EPSPSn-In and Ic-EPSPSc constructs were introduced into the same N. tabacum genome by genetic crossing. Hybrids displayed resistance to the herbicide N-(phosphonomethyl)-glycine (glyphosate). Western blot analysis of protein extracts from hybrid plants identified full-length EPSPS. Furthermore, all hybrid seeds germinated and grew normally on glyphosate selective medium. The 6-8 leaf hybrid plants showed tolerance of 2000 ppm glyphosate in field spraying. These results indicated that functional EPSPS protein was reassembled in vivo by intein-mediated trans-splicing in 100% of plants. In order to evaluate the effect of the gene splitting technique for containment of transgene flow, backcrossing experiments were carried out between hybrids, in which the foreign genes EPSPSn-In and Ic-EPSPSc were inserted into different chromosomes, and non-transgenic plants NC89. Among the 2812 backcrossing progeny, about 25% (664 plantlets) displayed glyphosate resistance. These data indicated that transgene flow could be reduced by 75%. Overall, our findings provide a new and highly effective approach for biological containment of transgene flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]