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Xu M, Xu H, Lei Z, Xing B, Dickschat JS, Yang D, Ma M. Structural Insights Into the Terpene Cyclization Domains of Two Fungal Sesterterpene Synthases and Enzymatic Engineering for Sesterterpene Diversification. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202405140. [PMID: 38584136 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202405140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Little is known about the structures and catalytic mechanisms of sesterterpene synthases (StTSs), which greatly hinders the structure-based engineering of StTSs for structural diversity expansion of sesterterpenes. We here report on the crystal structures of the terpene cyclization (TC) domains of two fungal StTSs: sesterfisherol synthase (NfSS) and sesterbrasiliatriene synthase (PbSS). Both TC structures contain benzyltriethylammonium chloride (BTAC), pyrophosphate (PPi), and magnesium ions (Mg2+), clearly defining the catalytic active sites. A combination of theory and experiments including carbocationic intermediates modeling, site-directed mutagenesis, and isotope labeling provided detailed insights into the structural basis for their catalytic mechanisms. Structure-based engineering of NfSS and PbSS resulted in the formation of 20 sesterterpenes including 13 new compounds and four pairs of epimers with different configurations at C18. These results expand the structural diversity of sesterterpenes and provide important insights for future synthetic biology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Houchao Xu
- Kekulé Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Strasse 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Zhenyu Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Baiying Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jeroen S Dickschat
- Kekulé Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Gerhard-Domagk-Strasse 1, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Donghui Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Ming Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
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Shao F, Shen Q, Yang Z, Yang W, Lu Z, Zheng J, Zhang L, Li H. Research Progress of Natural Active Substances with Immunosuppressive Activity. Molecules 2024; 29:2359. [PMID: 38792220 PMCID: PMC11124018 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of autoimmune diseases globally has prompted extensive research and the development of immunosuppressants. Currently, immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine, rapamycin, and tacrolimus have been utilized in clinical practice. However, long-term use of these drugs may lead to a series of adverse effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore novel drug candidates for treating autoimmune diseases. This review aims to find potential candidate molecules for natural immunosuppressive compounds derived from plants, animals, and fungi over the past decade. These compounds include terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and others. Among them, compounds 49, 151, 173, 200, 204, and 247 have excellent activity; their IC50 were less than 1 μM. A total of 109 compounds have good immunosuppressive activity, with IC50 ranging from 1 to 10 μM. These active compounds have high medicinal potential. The names, sources, structures, immunosuppressive activity, and the structure-activity relationship were summarized and analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Shao
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (F.S.)
| | - Qiying Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (F.S.)
| | - Zhengfei Yang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
| | - Wenqian Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (F.S.)
| | - Zixiang Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (F.S.)
| | - Jie Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (F.S.)
| | - Liming Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (F.S.)
| | - Hangying Li
- School of Pharmacy, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China; (F.S.)
- Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Diseases, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China
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Guo K, Zhou TT, Luo SH, Liu YC, Liu Y, Li SH. Leucosceptrane Sesterterpenoids as a New Type of Natural Immunosuppressive Agents in Treating Sepsis. J Med Chem 2024; 67:513-528. [PMID: 38150591 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Intragastric administration of the total sesterterpenoid extract (TSE) of medicinal plant Leucosceptrum canum at 2.5 g/kg dose protected mice from LPS-induced sepsis. Phytochemical investigation led to the isolation and identification of 47 leucosceptrane sesterterpenoids (1-47) including 30 new compounds (1-30) with complicated oxygenation patterns. Biological screening indicated their immunosuppressive activity via inhibiting IFN-γ secretion and/or proliferation of T cells with different potencies. Mechanism study of compounds 9, 25, and 32 revealed that they inhibited the activations of AKT-mTOR, JNK, p38 MAPK or ERK pathway in T cells and macrophages. In addition, compounds 9 and 25 induced G0/G1 cell arrest of T cells. The major component, leucosceptroid N (32), significantly lowered the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in peripheral blood serum, and ameliorated the multiorgan damages of LPS-induced sepsis mice at 25 mg/kg dose. These findings suggest that leucosceptrane sesterterpenoids are a new type of potential immunosuppressive agents for sepsis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, and Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, P. R. China
| | - Ting-Ting Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shi-Hong Luo
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, P. R. China
| | - Yan-Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, and Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, P. R. China
| | - Sheng-Hong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, and Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, P. R. China
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Liu J, Yan Q, Wang LX, He XP, Hu H, Liu YC, Li D, Liu Y, Guo K, Li SH. Secoiridoids from the traditional Chinese medicine Swertia pseudochinensis. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2023; 210:113642. [PMID: 36933879 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Detailed phytochemical investigation on the traditional Chinese medicine Swertia pseudochinensis Hara led to the isolation of ten undescribed secoiridoids and fifteen known analogs. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis (including 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS). Selected isolates were assayed for their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities, and moderate anti-inflammatory activity via inhibiting the secretion of cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in macrophages RAW264.7 induced by LPS were observed. Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus was not found at 100 μM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, And Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Qin Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, And Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, PR China
| | - Li-Xia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, And Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Xiao-Ping He
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, And Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Hong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, And Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Yan-Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, And Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, PR China
| | - Dan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, And Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, And Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Kai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, And Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China.
| | - Sheng-Hong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, And Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, And Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, PR China.
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Li T, Yu X, Ren Y, Kang M, Yang W, Feng L, Hu Q. The chromosome-level genome assembly of Gentiana dahurica (Gentianaceae) provides insights into gentiopicroside biosynthesis. DNA Res 2022; 29:dsac008. [PMID: 35380665 PMCID: PMC9019652 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dsac008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Gentiana dahurica Fisch. is a perennial herb of the family Gentianaceae. This species is used as a traditional Tibetan medicine because of its rich gentiopicroside constituents. Here, we generate a high-quality, chromosome-level genome of G. dahurica with a total length of 1,416.54 Mb. Comparative genomic analyses showed that G. dahurica shared one whole-genome duplication (WGD) event with Gelsemium sempervirens of the family Gelsemiaceaei and had one additional species-specific WGD after the ancient whole-genome triplication with other eudicots. Further transcriptome analyses identified numerous enzyme coding genes and the transcription factors related to gentiopicroside biosynthesis. A set of candidate cytochrome P450 genes were identified for being involved in biosynthetic shifts from swertiamarin to gentiopicroside. Both gene expressions and the contents measured by high-performance liquid chromatography indicated that the gentiopicrosides were mainly synthesized in the rhizomes with the highest contents. In addition, we found that two above-mentioned WGDs, contributed greatly to the identified candidate genes involving in gentiopicroside biosynthesis. The first reference genome of Gentianaceae we generated here will definitely accelerate evolutionary, ecological, and pharmaceutical studies of this family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Xi Yu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Yumeng Ren
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Minghui Kang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Wenjie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Landi Feng
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Quanjun Hu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
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Li S, Huang C, Li X, Meng X, Wen R, Zhang X, Zhang C, Li M. Bellidifolin from Gentianella acuta (Michx.) Hulten protects H9c2 cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced injury via the PI3K-Akt signal pathway. Toxicol Rep 2022; 9:1655-1665. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022] Open
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Guo K, Zhou TT, Ren X, Li D, Hu H, Liu YC, Liu Y, Li SH. Secoiridoids and triterpenoids from the traditional Tibetan medicine Gentiana veitchiorum and their immunosuppressive activity. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2021; 192:112961. [PMID: 34592512 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.112961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Two undescribed secoiridoids (dehydroxyl-swerimilegenin H and 9-oxo-swerimuslactone A) with eight known ones, and two undescribed triterpenoids [28-O-(3,4-dihydroxyl-benzyl)-lupeol and 17-hydroperoxide-28-norurs-12-en-3-one] with seven known ones, were isolated from the aerial parts of Gentiana veitchiorum, a traditional Tibetan medicine. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses (including 1D and 2D NMR, HRMS, IR, and specific rotation) and comparison with structurally related known compounds. The isolates were selected to evaluate for their immunosuppressive activity via inhibiting the proliferation of T cells and cytokine IFN-γ production in T cells. Among them, 28-O-(3,4-dihydroxyl-benzyl)-lupeol exhibited significant effect by inhibiting the proliferation of T cells (IC50, 20.08 μM) and T cell IFN-γ production (IC50, 7.29 μM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, And Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Ting-Ting Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, And Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, PR China
| | - Xue Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, And Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Dan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, And Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, PR China
| | - Hong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, And Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Yan-Chun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, And Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, PR China
| | - Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, And Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China
| | - Sheng-Hong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, And Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, And Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, PR China.
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Guo K, Liu Y, Li SH. The untapped potential of plant sesterterpenoids: chemistry, biological activities and biosynthesis. Nat Prod Rep 2021; 38:2293-2314. [PMID: 34114591 DOI: 10.1039/d1np00021g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Covering: 1969 up to 2021Sesterterpenoids, biosynthetically derived from the precursor, namely geranylfarnesyl diphosphate (GFDP) are amongst the rarest of all isoprenoids with approximately 1300 compounds known. Most sesterterpenoids originate from marine organisms (especially sponges), while only about 15% of these compounds are isolated from several families of plants such as Lamiaceae, Gentianaceae, and Nartheciaceae. Many plant sesterterpenoids possess highly oxygenated and complex cyclic skeletons and exhibit remarkable biological activities involving cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifeedant properties. Thus, due to their intrinsic chemical complexity and intriguing biological profiles, plant sesterterpenoids have attracted continuing interest from both chemists and biologists. However, the biosynthesis and distribution of sesterterpenoids in the plant kingdom still remain elusive, although substantial progress has been achieved in recent years. This review provides an overall coverage of sesterterpenoids originating from plant sources, followed by a classification of their chemical skeletons, which summarizes the distribution, chemistry, biological activities, biosynthesis and evolution of plant sesterterpenoids, aiming at strengthening the research efforts toward the untapped great potential of these unique natural product resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, P. R. China.
| | - Yan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, P. R. China. and State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, P. R. China.
| | - Sheng-Hong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, P. R. China. and State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, P. R. China.
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