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Phosphoinositides are important signaling molecules involved in the regulation of vesicular trafficking. It has been implicated that phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P 2 is involved in insulin-regulated GLUT4 translocation in adipocytes. However, it remains unclear where and how PI(4,5)P 2 regulates discrete steps of GLUT4 vesicle translocation in adipocytes, especially on the exocytic arm of regulation. Here, we employed optogenetic tools to acutely control the PI(4,5)P 2 metabolism in living cells. By combination of TIRFM imaging, we were able to monitor the temporal-spatial-dependent PI(4,5)P 2 regulation on discrete steps of GLUT4 translocation in adipocytes. We found that the plasma membrane localized PI(4,5)P 2 is crucial for proper insulin signaling propagation and for insulin-stimulated GLUT4 vesicle translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Global depletion of PI(4,5)P 2 on the cell surface blunted insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation and abolished insulin effects in promotion of the docking and fusion of GLUT4 vesicle with the plasma membrane. Furthermore, by development of a novel optogenetic module to selectively modulate PI(4,5)P 2 levels on the GLUT4 vesicle docking site, we identified an important regulatory role of PI(4,5)P 2 in controlling of vesicle docking process. Local depletion of PI(4,5)P 2 at the vesicle docking site promoted GLUT4 vesicle undocking, diminished insulin-stimulated GLUT4 vesicle docking and fusion, but without perturbation of insulin signaling propagation in adipocytes. Our results provide strong evidence that cell surface PI(4,5)P 2 plays two distinct functions on regulation of the exocytic trafficking of GLUT4 in adipocytes. PI(4,5)P 2 not only regulates the proper activation of insulin signaling in general but also controls GLUT4 vesicle docking process at the vesicle-membrane contact sites. Unlabelled Image • Development of optogenetic tools for subcellular control of PI(4,5)P 2 metabolism • PI(4,5)P 2 regulates insulin signaling propagation and GLUT4 translocation • PI(4,5)P 2 locally modulates single GLUT4 vesicle docking in adipocytes • PI(4,5)P 2 plays two distinct functions on exocytic trafficking of GLUT4 vesicle [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around 6.6 million tons of spent coffee is produced per year, resulting in resources loss and potential environmental risks. Hence, a green technique is required to reuse the spent coffee grains. In this study, coffee grounds were burnt at 900 °C to generate the biochar (BC) for the synthesis of the porous adsorbent (ZIF-8 @BC) by growing ZIF-8 on the surface of BC. We applied the well-prepared ZIF-8 @BC to remove Congo red (CR) in water. The maximum adsorption capacity of ZIF-8 @BC on Congo red in water was up to 1080.4 mg/g, which was significantly higher than that of many different types of BCs reported in previous studies. The reasons for its highly efficient adsorption of CR probably was attributed to metal ions and coordinatively unsaturated sites in the material. Also, BC enabled the less aggregation of ZIF-8 to provide sufficient specific surface area for CR adsorption. From the analysis of the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir model, the adsorption of ZIF-8 @BC on CR was a homogeneously chemical adsorption process regulated by electrostatic interaction, π-π stacking and metal coordination. [Display omitted] • Successful using SCGs to synthesis a novel adsorbent ZIF-8 @BC. • Powerful adsorption performance of ZIF-8 @BC for CR. • Strong regeneration and recyclability of ZIF-8 @BC for practical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease caused by a long-term imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. The discovery of three different shades of adipose tissues has implications in terms of understanding the pathogenesis and potential interventions for obesity and its related complications. Fat browning, as well as activation of brown adipocytes and new beige adipocytes differentiated from adipogenic progenitor cells, are emerging as interesting and promising methods to curb obesity because of their unique capacity to upregulate non-shivering thermogenesis. This capacity is due to catabolism of stored energy to generate heat through the best characterized thermogenic effector uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). A variety of phytochemicals have been shown in the literature to contribute to thermogenesis by acting as chemical uncouplers, UCP1 inducers or regulators of fat differentiation and browning. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms and strategies for targeting adipose-mediated thermogenesis and highlight the role of phytochemicals in targeting adipose thermogenesis to fight against obesity. We also discuss proposed targets for how these phytochemical molecules promote BAT activity, WAT browning and beige cell development, thereby offering novel insights into interventional strategies of how phytochemicals may help prevent and manage obesity via adipose thermogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epitranscriptome (RNA modification) plays a vital role in a variety of biological events. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most prevalent mRNA modification in eukaryotic cells. Dynamic and reversible m6A modification affects the plasticity of epitranscriptome, which plays an essential role in lipid metabolism. In this review, we comprehensively delineated the role and mechanism of m6A modification in the regulation of lipid metabolism in adipose tissue and liver, and summarized phytochemicals that improve lipid metabolism disturbance by targeting m6A regulator, providing potential lead candidates for drug therapeutics. Moreover, we discussed the main challenges and possible future directions in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological transformation is an inevitable trend for the development of land consolidation (LC) worldwide, and the research on carbon effect of LC is an important theoretical basis for promoting the construction of Eco-LC. However, there is currently a lack of analysis of the carbon effect based on the whole process of LC, ignoring the stage elements and temporal factors. This study applied Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method to construct a research framework and accounting system for carbon footprint assessment of LC, and explored the carbon effect in a typical land consolidation project area (LCPA) of China. Results showed that: (a) The carbon effect of the project area was characterized as carbon emission during the whole life cycle of LC. Carbon footprint before and after LC was 3.251 tCE·ha−1·a−1 and 2.401 tCE·ha−1·a−1 respectively. The carbon storage reduced and the carbon footprint is declined by 0.850 tCE·ha−1·a−1. (b) Carbon effect varied among different stages of LC. The Benefit Period (BP) was the only stage that was manifested as carbon absorption (−14.65%), while all the other stages were manifested as carbon emission. Among them, as to the carbon emission, the Construction Period (CP) played a decisive role with the most proportion (102.74%), followed by DP and RP, and the carbon effect of PP was negligible. (c) The dominant factors of carbon effect at different stages were also different. During CP, cement contributed the most to the carbon emission in this case. During RP, carbon sequestration effect of cropland proved to be the most significant. During RP, the carbon sequestration effect of cultivated land and the carbon emission effect of unused land were the most prominent. During BP, the carbon sequestration capacity of farmland ecosystems proved to be greater than the carbon emissions from agricultural activities. This study contributes to providing certain theoretical guidance and method reference for the realization of Low-Carbon LC project planning, with this comprehensive and reliable method. Image 1 • LCA was applied to the research of carbon footprint assessment for LC, both at the whole life cycle of LC and the BP stage. • The research framework and accounting system of carbon footprint assessment for the whole life cycle of LC were constructed. • The carbon effect of the project area was characterized as carbon emission during the whole life cycle of LC. • Carbon effect and the dominant factors varied among different stages of LC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]