Analysis of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) gene reveals the unique evolution of the giant panda

Consolidating Organometallic Complex Empowers Mitochondria-Directed Chemotherapy against Resistant Cancer via Stemness and Metastasis Inhibition

Cancer treatment has faced severe obstacles due to the smart biological system of cancer cells. Herein, we report a three-in-one agent Ir-CA via attenuation of cancer cell stemness with the down-regulated biomarker CD133 expression from the mitochondria-directed chemotherapy. Over 80% of Ir-CA could accumulate in mitochondria, result in severe mitochondrial dysfunctions, and subsequently initiate mitophagy and cell cycle arrest to kill cisplatin-resistant A549R cells. In vitro and in vivo antimetastatic experiments demonstrated that Ir-CA can effectively inhibit metastasis with down-regulated MMP-2/MMP-9. RNA seq analysis and Western blotting indicated that Ir-CA also suppresses the GSTP1 expression to decrease the intracellular Pt-GS adducts, resulting in the detoxification and resensitization to cisplatin of A549R cells. In vivo evaluation indicated that Ir-CA restrains the tumor growth and has minimal side effects and superior biocompatibility. This work not only provides the first three-in-one agent to attenuate cancer cell stemness and simultaneously realize anticancer, antimetastasis, and conquer metallodrug resistance but also demonstrates the effectiveness of the mitochondria-directed strategy in cancer treatment.

Phylogenetic Relationships of Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus) Based on Mitochondrial DNA from Sumatra and Other Southeast Asian Regions

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The <i>Helarctos malayanus</i> is the sole bear species-living in Indonesia (Sumatra and Borneo). The available biological data for sun bears (<i>H. malayanus</i>) in Sumatra is limited, especially for morphological and genetic data. A morphological approach is difficult to do. Therefore, a molecular approach is the most likely choice. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out on <i>H. malayanus</i> in Central Sumatra (Dharmasraya, South Solok and Riau) using the Cytochrome B gene. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Blood samples from three individuals of <i>H. malayanus</i> were obtained at the Sumatran Tiger Rehabilitation Center, Dharmasraya. Three <i>H. malayanus</i> Central Sumatra sequences and 62 GenBank sequences were used in the analysis. The DNA sequences were analyzed using the DNA Star, AliView, Bioedit, DNA SP, haplotype network, IQ Tree and MEGA software. <b>Results:</b> Forty-one haplotypes were identified in 65 sequences, with 17 haplotypes belonging to <i>H. malayanus</i>. Haplotype network analysis divides <i>H. malayanus</i> into Haplogroup I (Sundaland) and Haplogroup II (Mainland). All individuals of <i>H. malayanus</i> in Central Sumatra have the same haplotype as Peninsular Malaysia sequence. The sun bear (<i>H. malayanus</i>) has a monophyletic relationship with other bear species. The <i>H. malayanus</i> has a higher genetic distance between the two lineages (1.0-2.3%) than the genetic distance within the subpopulations of each lineage. <b>Conclusion:</b> The study results supported sun bear (<i>H. malayanus</i>) divided into two different lineages: Mainland (subcluster 1) and Sundaland (subcluster 2 and 3). The geographic isolation causes the absence of gene flow, which results in high genetic distance between sun bears (<i>H. malayanus</i>) in Sundaland and Mainland lineages.

Fighting metallodrug resistance through alteration of drug metabolism and blockage of autophagic flux by mitochondria-targeting AIEgens

PPh3-decorated mitochondrial-targeting AIEgens could fight metallodrug resistance through alteration of drug metabolism and blockage of autophagic flux.

Characteristics Evaluation of a Barcode Sequence of Two Limnonectes (Anura) Sympatric Populations from Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi

&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Cytochrome c oxidase gene subunit-I (COI) has conserved and variable regions and along with the 658 nucleotide base pairs at the '5 of these have been used as animal barcode, species identification and evolutionary studies of several vertebrates, especially Anura. This research was conducted to characterize the nucleotides of the COI sequence gene of (&lt;i&gt;Limnonectes cf. grunniens&lt;/i&gt;) that live sympatrically with &lt;i&gt;L. modestus&lt;/i&gt; on several headwater streams in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; This research is explorative, samples of frogs were obtained from the Lahundape and Moramo headwater streams. A total of 16 frogs were sampled and the genomic DNA of frog samples was extracted and, then amplified using the PCR method. The next steps are sequencing and analysis using MEGA 7. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; The result showed nucleotides along 688 to 705 base pairs. There were two haplotypes of &lt;i&gt;L. cf. grunniens&lt;/i&gt; and three &lt;i&gt;L. modestus&lt;/i&gt;. &lt;i&gt;L. cf. grunniens &lt;/i&gt;consist of 32.6% Thymine (Uracil), 32.3% Cytisine, 17.9% Adenine and 17.9% Guanine. While &lt;i&gt;L. modestus&lt;/i&gt; is 37.6% Thymine, 26.0% Cytosine, 20.7% Adenine and 15.8% Guanine. Based on Kimura-2 parameter, the genetic distance between genera ranges from 0.25-0.26 while the genetic distance between species is 0.00-0.01. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; Phylogeny trees based on partial sequences of COI frog genes showed that &lt;i&gt;L. cf. grunniens&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;L. modestus&lt;/i&gt; are monophyletic with bootstrapped values ranging from 86-100% and differentiated between species. There is a genetic variability of COI sequences of &lt;i&gt;Limnonectes cf. grunniens&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;L. modestus&lt;/i&gt; from Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi.

Toxicity responses of different organs of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to silver nanoparticles with different particle sizes and surface coatings

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in aquatic ecosystems are toxic to aquatic organisms. In this study, we aimed to investigate the toxicities and molecular mechanisms of AgNPs with different surface coatings (sodium citrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone) and particle sizes (20 nm and 100 nm) in the gills, intestines, and muscles of zebrafish after 96 h of exposure. Our results indicated that the contribution of particle size to AgNP toxicity was greater than that of the surface coating. Citrate-coated AgNPs were more toxic than polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated AgNPs, and 20-nm AgNPs were more toxic than 100-nm AgNPs. The toxic effects of AgNPs to the tissues were in the order intestines > gills > muscles. Differential expression of genes with the different AgNPs confirmed that they had toxic effects in the zebrafish tissues at the molecular level. Our comprehensive comparison of the toxicities of different AgNPs to aquatic ecosystems will be helpful for further risk assessments of AgNPs.

Reverse chemical ecology: Olfactory proteins from the giant panda and their interactions with putative pheromones and bamboo volatiles

The giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca belongs to the family of Ursidae; however, it is not carnivorous, feeding almost exclusively on bamboo. Being equipped with a typical carnivorous digestive apparatus, the giant panda cannot get enough energy for an active life and spends most of its time digesting food or sleeping. Feeding and mating are both regulated by odors and pheromones; therefore, a better knowledge of olfaction at the molecular level can help in designing strategies for the conservation of this species. In this context, we have identified the odorant-binding protein (OBP) repertoire of the giant panda and mapped the protein expression in nasal mucus and saliva through proteomics. Four OBPs have been identified in nasal mucus, while the other two were not detected in the samples examined. In particular, AimelOBP3 is similar to a subset of OBPs reported as pheromone carriers in the urine of rodents, saliva of the boar, and seminal fluid of the rabbit. We expressed this protein, mapped its binding specificity, and determined its crystal structure. Structural data guided the design and preparation of three protein mutants bearing single-amino acid replacements in the ligand-binding pocket, for which the corresponding binding affinity spectra were measured. We also expressed AimelOBP5, which is markedly different from AimelOBP3 and complementary in its binding spectrum. By comparing our binding data with the structures of bamboo volatiles and those of typical mammalian pheromones, we formulate hypotheses on which may be the most relevant semiochemicals for the giant panda.