5'-UTR and ORF elements, as well as the 3'-UTR regulate the translation of Cyclin

Novel insights into small open reading frame-encoded micropeptides in hepatocellular carcinoma: A potential breakthrough

Traditionally, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are regarded as a class of RNA transcripts that lack encoding capability; however, advancements in technology have revealed that some ncRNAs contain small open reading frames (sORFs) that are capable of encoding micropeptides of approximately 150 amino acids in length. sORF-encoded micropeptides (SEPs) have emerged as intriguing entities in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) research, shedding light on this previously unexplored realm. Recent studies have highlighted the regulatory functions of SEPs in the occurrence and progression of HCC. Some SEPs exhibit inhibitory effects on HCC, but others facilitate its development. This discovery has revolutionized the landscape of HCC research and clinical management. Here, we introduce the concept and characteristics of SEPs, summarize their associations with HCC, and elucidate their carcinogenic mechanisms in HCC metabolism, signaling pathways, cell proliferation, and metastasis. In addition, we propose a step-by-step workflow for the investigation of HCC-associated SEPs. Lastly, we discuss the challenges and prospects of applying SEPs in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC. This review aims to facilitate the discovery, optimization, and clinical application of HCC-related SEPs, inspiring the development of early diagnostic, individualized, and precision therapeutic strategies for HCC.

Meiotic Cell Cycle Progression in Mouse Oocytes: Role of Cyclins

All eukaryotic cells, including oocytes, utilize an engine called cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) to drive the cell cycle. Cdks are activated by a co-factor called cyclin, which regulates their activity. The key Cdk-cyclin complex that regulates the oocyte cell cycle is known as Cdk1-cyclin B1. Recent studies have elucidated the roles of other cyclins, such as B2, B3, A2, and O, in oocyte cell cycle regulation. This review aims to discuss the recently discovered roles of various cyclins in mouse oocyte cell cycle regulation in accordance with the sequential progression of the cell cycle. In addition, this review addresses the translation and degradation of cyclins to modulate the activity of Cdks. Overall, the literature indicates that each cyclin performs unique and redundant functions at various stages of the cell cycle, while their expression and degradation are tightly regulated. Taken together, this review provides new insights into the regulatory role and function of cyclins in oocyte cell cycle progression.

Transcriptomic profiling reveals the neuroendocrine-disrupting effect and toxicity mechanism of TBBPA-DHEE exposure in zebrafish (Danio rerio) during sexual development

TBBPA bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ether (TBBPA-DHEE) pollution in the environment has raised serious public health concerns due to its potential neuroendocrine-disrupting effects. The neuroendocrine-disrupting effects of TBBPA-DHEE on marine spices, on the other hand, have received little attention. The behavioral, neuroendocrine-disrupting, and possible reproductive toxicity of TBBPA-DHEE were assessed in sexual developing zebrafish treated for 40 days by examining locomotor activity, Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and quantifying gene expression. In addition, transcriptome profiling was carried out to explore the possible mechanisms. According to our findings, TBBPA-DHEE treated zebrafish showed altered locomotor activity, a potential neuroendocrine-disrupting effect via the toxic effect on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which is evident in decreased levels of GnRH, FSH, and LH, according to our findings. The transcriptomic profiling reveals that a total of 216 DEGs were detected (5 upregulated and 211 down-regulated). Transcriptomic analysis shows that TBBPA-DHEE exposure caused decreased transcript levels of genes (cyp11a1, ccna1, ccnb2, ccnb1, cpeb1b, wee2) involved in cell cycle oocyte meiosis, progesterone mediated oocyte maturation, and ovarian steroidogenesis, which are known reproduction-related pathways. Overall, these findings add to our understanding of the impact of TBBPA-DHEE and biomonitoring in the maritime environment.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of glycosyltransferase gene family 1 in Quercus robur L

Glycosyltransferase gene family 1, also known as uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase (UGT), is the largest glycosyltransferase family in plants, playing a vital role in their growth and development. In this study, 244 UGT genes with conserved PSPG motifs were identified in the genome of Quercus robur L. The collinearity analysis results showed that tandem repeat was the main way of UGT genes expansion in Q. robur, with 21 groups of 55 tandem repeat genes. UGT genes were divided into 15 subgroups A-P; group K was lost, and the gene structure and conserved domain of the same subgroup were basically the same. Cis-element analysis showed that upstream 2,000 bp promoter sequence of UGT genes contained light response elements, plant hormone response elements, and stress-related cis-elements, which indicated that UGT genes of Q. robur might be regulated by various metabolic pathways. In particular, some UGTs in group L of Q. robur contained a conserved promoter structure. The expression pattern analysis results demonstrated that UGT genes of groups B, D, E, and I were differentially expressed under Tortrix viridana L. stress. The expression of UGTs in group E decreased under stress, the expression of group L increased, and that of genes in groups D and B were different. The functions of UGT genes in E and L groups are relatively conservative, and their functions may also conserve among species. The study results have a particular reference value for further research on the function of Q. robur UGT genes.

Sexually dimorphic expression and regulatory sequence of dnali1 in the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

Dynein axonemal light intermediate chain 1 (dnali1) is an important part of axonemal dyneins and plays an important role in the growth and development of animals. However, there is little information about dnali1 in fish. Herein, we cloned dnali1 gene from the genome of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), a commercially important maricultured fish in China, Japan, and Korea, and analyzed its expression patterns in different gender fish. The flounder dnali1 DNA sequence contained a 771 bp open reading frame (ORF), two different sizes of 5' untranslated region (5'UTR), and a 1499 bp 3' untranslated region (3'UTR). Two duplicated 922 nt fragments were found in dnali1 mRNA. The first fragment contained the downstream coding region and the front portion of 3'UTR, and the second fragment was entirely located in 3'UTR. Multiple alignments indicated that the flounder Dnali1 protein contained the putative conserved coiled-coil domain. Its expression showed sexually dimorphic with predominant expression in the flounder testis, and lower expression in other tissues. The gene with the longer 5'UTR was specifically expressed in the testis. The highest expression level in the testis was detected at stages IV and V. Transient expression analysis showed that the 922 bp repeated sequence 3'UTR of dnali1 down-regulated the expression of GFP at the early stage in zebrafish. The flounder dnali1 might play an important role in the testis, especially in the period of spermatogenesis, and the 5'UTR and the repetitive sequences in 3'UTR might contain some regulatory elements for the cilia.

Coelenterazine-Dependent Luciferases as a Powerful Analytical Tool for Research and Biomedical Applications

: The functioning of bioluminescent systems in most of the known marine organisms is based on the oxidation reaction of the same substrate-coelenterazine (CTZ), catalyzed by luciferase. Despite the diversity in structures and the functioning mechanisms, these enzymes can be united into a common group called CTZ-dependent luciferases. Among these, there are two sharply different types of the system organization-Ca2+-regulated photoproteins and luciferases themselves that function in accordance with the classical enzyme-substrate kinetics. Along with deep and comprehensive fundamental research on these systems, approaches and methods of their practical use as highly sensitive reporters in analytics have been developed. The research aiming at the creation of artificial luciferases and synthetic CTZ analogues with new unique properties has led to the development of new experimental analytical methods based on them. The commercial availability of many ready-to-use assay systems based on CTZ-dependent luciferases is also important when choosing them by first-time-users. The development of analytical methods based on these bioluminescent systems is currently booming. The bioluminescent systems under consideration were successfully applied in various biological research areas, which confirms them to be a powerful analytical tool. In this review, we consider the main directions, results, and achievements in research involving these luciferases.