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Varieties of Citrus are commercially important fruits that are cultivated worldwide and are valued for being highly nutritious and having an appealing flavor. Lignification of citrus fruit juice sacs is a serious physiological disorder that occurs during postharvest storage, for which the underlying transcriptional regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we identified and isolated a candidate MYB transcription factor, CsMYB85, that is involved in the regulation of lignin biosynthesis in Citrus sinensis , which has homologs in Arabidopsis and other plants. We found that during juice sac lignification, CsMYB85 expression levels increase significantly, and therefore, suspected that this gene may control lignin biosynthesis during the lignification process. Our results indicated that CsMYB85 binds the CsMYB330 promoter, regulates its expression, and interacts with CsMYB308 in transgenic yeast and tobacco. A transient expression assay indicated that Cs4CL1 expression levels and lignin content significantly increased in fruit juice sacs overexpressing CsMYB85. At4CL1 expression levels and lignin content were also significantly increased in Arabidopsis overexpressing CsMYB85. We accordingly present convincing evidence for the participation of the CsMYB85 transcription factor in fruit juice sac lignification, and thereby provide new insights into the transcriptional regulation of this process in citrus fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We isolated two TFs and investigated their function in the juice sacs lignification. • We found that two TFs can recognize and bind AC elements in the Cs4CL1 promoter. • We found that two TFs finely regulate expression of the Cs4CL1 gene. • The CsMYB330 was a transcriptional activator, whereas CsMYB308 was a transcriptional repressor. Abstract Lignin is one of the most important components of the plant cell wall, and the expression and transcriptional regulation of lignin biosynthesis-related genes have been studied widely in Arabidopsis and other plants. Citrus fruit juice sacs often undergo lignification, particularly during fruit ripening and storage periods; however, the underlying genetic mechanisms have been little investigated. In this study, we isolated and identified CsMYB330 and CsMYB308 transcription factors, and found that their expression levels are significantly altered during the lignification of citrus fruit juice sacs. We found that CsMYB330 and CsMYB308 can recognize and bind AC elements in the Cs4CL1 promoter and finely regulate expression of the Cs4CL1 gene. In this regulatory process, CsMYB330 was identified as a transcriptional activator, whereas CsMYB308 appears to be a transcriptional repressor. In addition, using a transient assay, we demonstrated that expression of the Cs4CL1 gene is significantly altered in fruit juice sacs overexpressing these two transcription factors. These results indicate that the transcription factors CsMYB330 and CsMYB308 play important roles in the lignification of citrus fruit juice sacs and provide novel insights into the transcriptional regulation associated with fruit juice sac lignification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N 6 -Methyladenosine (m 6 A) represents the most prevalent internal modification in mammalian mRNAs. Emerging evidences suggest that m 6 A modification is profoundly implicated in many biological processes, including cancer development. However, limited knowledge is available about the functional importance of m 6 A in lung cancer. In this study, by data mining The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we first identified fat mass- and obesity-associated protein (FTO) as a prognostic factor for lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Then we showed that FTO, but not other m 6 A modification genes including METTL3, METTL14 and ALKBH5, was the major dysregulated factor responsible for aberrant m 6 A modification in LUSC. Loss-of-function studies suggested that FTO knockdown effectively inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, while promoted cell apoptosis of L78 and NCI-H520 cells. Furthermore, overexpression of FTO, but not its mutant form, facilitated the malignant phenotypes of CHLH-1 cells. Mechanistically, FTO enhanced MZF1 expression by reducing m 6 A levels and mRNA stability in MZF1 mRNA transcript, leading to oncogenic functions. Taken together, our study demonstrates the functional importance of FTO in the tumor progression of LUSC and provides a potential therapeutic target for LUSC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: It has been reported that the numbers of people suffering from occupational asthma and skin rashes triggered by various chemicals in indoor air have increased markedly. Two-ethyl-hexanol (2-EH) is known to be an indoor air pollutant and its influence on health is of great concern. However, there are only a few reports regarding its effect on immune cells. Thus, we investigated the effects of 2-EH on immune responses in vitro with respect to effects on regulation of transcription factors as well as on 2-EH induced proliferation of spleen cells in vitro. The production of interleukin (IL)-6 and immunoglobulin were not induced by 2-EH. To characterize the effector cells of 2-EH, we prepared CD4-positive, CD8-positive, and peritoneal exudate cells (PEC). IL-2 was induced by 2-EH in CD4 cells, but not in CD8 cells. CD3-induced IL-2 expression was enhanced by 2-EH in CD4 cells, but not in CD8 cells. Moreover, IL-6 production was not induced by 2-EH in PEC. Nuclear factor-kappa B, nuclear factor of activated T, and signal transducer and activator of transcription-5 were activated by 2-EH in CD4 cells. Taken together, 2-EH activated CD4 cells, where this was accompanied by the activation of transcription factors. This suggested that the indoor pollutant 2-EH could function as a modulator of immune response. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: NADH-cytochrome b 5 reductase (CBR) is one of the most important components of cytochrome P450s, which play an essential role in the detoxification of xenobiotics as well as insecticide resistance in insect pest. In the present study, two novel full-length cDNAs of CBR of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) were amplified by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) techniques. The sequencing results showed that the transcripts were 1809bp and 1518bp for HaCBR1 and HaCBR2, respectively, including 969bp and 939bp of complete open reading frame (ORF), which encoded 322 and 312 amino acids respectively. The putative structure and function of HaCBR1 and HaCBR2 were preliminarily analyzed by SMART program. HaCBR1 and HaCBR2 (GenBank accession numbers: HQ638220 and HQ190046 HQ638220 HQ190046 ) showed high identities with CBRs of other species. The expression of HaCBR1 and HaCBR2 mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in most developmental stages of H. armigera with the exception of eggs, as well as in tissues such as cuticle, fatbody and midgut. The expression level of the two genes was significantly induced by phenobarbital (PB). These results would contribute to the understanding of CBR function in H. armigera and provide information for further study on the interactions of different components of cytochrome P450 enzyme systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Objective: About 1% of patients who receive blood transfusions will develop transfusion reactions. Febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction (FNHTR) is the most common type of transfusion reaction. It not only leads to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment, but also incurs a huge economic burden. This article reviews FNHTR systematically, aiming to make clinicians have a more comprehensive understanding of FNHTR and reduce the occurrence of this side effect., Methods: A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) included Blood Transfusion, Transfusion Reaction, and Febrile Non-Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction. The searches and literature screening were performed by 2 researchers; any differences of opinion or results were resolved through negotiation., Key Content and Findings: The pathophysiological mechanisms of FNHTR mainly included immune and non-immune pathways. The former was associated with antibodies against human leukocyte antigen (HLA) produced in transfused patients, while the latter was associated with cytokines released from blood products during storage. Women with a reproductive history and those patients with multiple blood transfusions were more likely to experience FNHTR. Primary hematologic disease, malignant disease, and transfusion with over 6 units of leukocyte-depleted packed red blood cells were independent risk factors for the development of FNHTR. FNHTR could be diagnosed by accompaniment of the fever symptom (body temperature ≥38 ℃, maybe an increase of body temperature of more than 1 ℃ compared with that before blood transfusion) during or within 4 hours after transfusion, or the presence of chills, shakes, headache, and nausea, among other symptoms. FNHTR should be mainly differentiated from other types of transfusion reactions with similar symptoms. Prophylactic strategies for the routine use of antipyretic drugs before transfusion remain controversial. Removal of leukocyte components from blood could reduce the incidence of FNHTR significantly., Conclusions: The pathogenesis of FNHTR is mainly associated with anti-HLA antibodies and cytokines released from blood products during storage. Specific markers and effective detection methods for FNHTR are still lacking. Treatment for FNHTR is currently limited to antipyretic drugs, sedation, and other symptomatic treatment measures. More studies are warranted to focus on the pathological mechanism of FNHTR., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://atm.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/atm-22-4932/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2022 Annals of Translational Medicine. All rights reserved.)

NADH-cytochrome b(5) reductase (CBR) is one of the most important components of cytochrome P450s, which play an essential role in the detoxification of xenobiotics as well as insecticide resistance in insect pest. In the present study, two novel full-length cDNAs of CBR of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) were amplified by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) techniques. The sequencing results showed that the transcripts were 1809bp and 1518bp for HaCBR1 and HaCBR2, respectively, including 969bp and 939bp of complete open reading frame (ORF), which encoded 322 and 312 amino acids respectively. The putative structure and function of HaCBR1 and HaCBR2 were preliminarily analyzed by SMART program. HaCBR1 and HaCBR2 (GenBank accession numbers: HQ638220 and HQ190046HQ638220HQ190046) showed high identities with CBRs of other species. The expression of HaCBR1 and HaCBR2 mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in most developmental stages of H. armigera with the exception of eggs, as well as in tissues such as cuticle, fatbody and midgut. The expression level of the two genes was significantly induced by phenobarbital (PB). These results would contribute to the understanding of CBR function in H. armigera and provide information for further study on the interactions of different components of cytochrome P450 enzyme systems., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Toluene has been extensively examined for effects on the central nervous system. To investigate the influence of low-level inhalation of toluene on the naive immune cells, male C3H/HeN mice were exposed to filtered air (control) and 50 ppm of toluene for 3 weeks. Low-level exposure resulted in (1) increased proliferation of thymocytes, (2) IL-2 production induced in thymocytes and (3) activation of the transcription factors NF-κB, STAT5 and NF-AT in thymocytes. These results suggest that thymocytes are sensitive cells and T cell activators are candidates for biomarkers for low-level exposure to toluene on naive immune cells., (Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)