Chromosome-associated protein D3 promotes bacterial clearance in human intestinal epithelial cells by repressing expression of amino acid transporters

Revitalizing gut barrier integrity: role of miR-192-5p in enhancing autophagy via Rictor in enteritis

Intestinal inflammation and compromised barrier function are critical factors in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disorders. This study aimed to investigate the role of miR-192-5p in modulating intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) integrity and its association with autophagy. A DSS-induced colitis model was used to assess the effects of miR-192-5p on intestinal inflammation. In vitro experiments involved cell culture and transient transfection techniques. Various assays, including dual-luciferase reporter gene assays, quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting, and measurements of transepithelial electrical resistance, were performed to evaluate changes in miR-192-5p expression, Rictor levels, and autophagy flux. Immunofluorescence staining, H&E staining, TEER measurements, and FITC-dextran analysis were also used. Our findings revealed a reduced expression of miR-192-5p in inflamed intestinal tissues, correlating with impaired IEB function. Overexpression of miR-192-5p alleviated TNF-induced IEB dysfunction by targeting Rictor, resulting in enhanced autophagy flux in enterocytes (ECs). Moreover, the therapeutic potential of miR-192-5p was substantiated in colitis mice, wherein increased miR-192-5p expression ameliorated intestinal inflammatory injury by enhancing autophagy flux in ECs through the modulation of Rictor. Our study highlights the therapeutic potential of miR-192-5p in enteritis by demonstrating its role in regulating autophagy and preserving IEB function. Targeting the miR-192-5p/Rictor axis is a promising approach for mitigating gut inflammatory injury and improving barrier integrity in patients with enteritis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We uncover the pivotal role of miR-192-5p in fortifying intestinal barriers amidst inflammation. Reduced miR-192-5p levels correlated with compromised gut integrity during inflammation. Notably, boosting miR-192-5p reversed gut damage by enhancing autophagy via suppressing Rictor, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for fortifying the intestinal barrier and alleviating inflammation in patients with enteritis.

Knockdown of NCAPD3 inhibits the tumorigenesis of non-small cell lung cancer by regulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidence indicates that aberrant non-SMC condensin II complex subunit D3 (NCAPD3) is associated with carcinogenesis of various cancers. Nevertheless, the biological role of NCAPD3 in the pathogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were performed to assess NCAPD3 expression in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. The ability of cell proliferation, invasion, and migration was evaluated by CCK-8 assays, EdU assays, Transwell assays, and scratch wound healing assays. Flow cytometry was performed to verify the cell cycle and apoptosis. RNA-sequence and rescue experiment were performed to reveal the underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS

The results showed that the expression of NCAPD3 was significantly elevated in NSCLC tissues. High NCAPD3 expression in NSCLC patients was substantially associated with a worse prognosis. Functionally, knockdown of NCAPD3 resulted in cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in NSCLC cells as well as a significant inhibition of proliferation, invasion, and migration. Furthermore, RNA-sequencing analysis suggested that NCAPD3 contributes to NSCLC carcinogenesis by regulating PI3K/Akt/FOXO4 pathway. Insulin-like growth factors-1 (IGF-1), an activator of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, could reverse NCAPD3 silence-mediated proliferation inhibition and apoptosis in NSCLC cells.

CONCLUSION

NCAPD3 suppresses apoptosis and promotes cell proliferation via the PI3K/Akt/FOXO4 signaling pathway, suggesting a potential use for NCAPD3 inhibitors as NSCLC therapeutics.

NCAPD3 exerts tumor-promoting effects in prostatic cancer via dual impact on miR-30a-5p by STAT3-MALAT1 and MYC

Non-SMC condensin II complex subunit D3 (NCAPD3) is a subunit of the non-structural maintenance of chromosomes condensin II complex, which involves chromosome condensation and segregation during mitosis. NCAPD3 has recently been demonstrated as a crucial oncogenic factor. However, the underlying mechanism of NCAPD3 in prostate cancer (PCa) remains not completely clear. In this study, we confirmed that lncRNA MALAT1 was induced by NCAPD3-STAT3, and the expression of miR-30a-5p was controlled by NCAPD3 in PCa cells by miRNA-seq. Through quantitative real-time PCR, fluorescence in situ hybridization, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry assay, we demonstrated that miR-30a-5p was lowly expressed in PCa cells and tissues compared to the controls, which was contrary to NCAPD3 expression and markedly downregulated by NCAPD3. Then, MALAT1 was analyzed for the complementary sequence in the potential interaction with miR-30a-5p by using the predicted target module of public databases. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation were carried out to verify that MALAT1 functioned as a sponge for miR-30a-5p to reduce miR-30a-5p expression. Meanwhile, MYC acted as a transcriptional repressor to directly bind the promoter of the miR-30a-5p located gene and repress the miR-30a-5p expression. Furthermore, the upregulation of NCAPD3 on cell viability and migration was significantly attenuated in PC-3 cells when miR-30a-5p was overexpressed. NCAPD3 overexpression also accelerated tumor growth in the xenograft mouse model and repressed miR-30-5p. In summary, this work elucidates NCAPD3 inhibits miR-30a-5p through two pathways: increasing STAT3-MALAT1 to sponge miR-30a-5p and increasing MYC to directly inhibit miR-30a-5p transcription, which could serve as potential therapeutic targets for prostate cancer.

Exploration of the Potential Mechanism of Yujin Powder Treating Dampness-heat Diarrhea by Integrating UPLC-MS/MS and Network Pharmacology Prediction

BACKGROUND

Yujin powder (YJP) is a classic prescription for treating dampness-heat diarrhea (DHD) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), but the main functional active ingredients and the exact mechanisms have not been systematically studied.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to preliminarily explore the potential mechanisms of YJP for treating DHD by integrating UPLC-MS/MS and network pharmacology methods.

METHODS

Ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) technology was used to determine the ingredients of YJP. And then, the targets of these components were predicted and screened from TCMSP, SwissTargetPrediction databases. The disease targets related to DHD were obtained by using the databases of GeneCards, OMIM, DisGeNET, TTD, and DrugBank. The protein-protein interaction networks (PPI) of YJP-DHD were constructed using the STRING database and Origin 2022 software to identify the cross-targets by screening the core-acting targets and a network diagram by Cytoscape 3.8.2 software was also constructed. Metascape database was used for performing GO and KEGG enrichment anlysis on the core genes. Finally, molecular docking was used to verify the results with AutoDock 4.2.6, AutoDock Tools 1.5.6, PyMOL 2.4.0, and Open Babel 2.3.2 software.

RESULTS

597 components in YJP were detected, and 153 active components were obtained through database screening, among them the key active ingredients include coptisine, berberine, baicalein, etc. There were 362 targets treating DHD, among them the core targets included TNF, IL-6, ALB, etc. The enriched KEGG pathways mainly involve PI3K-Akt, TNF, MAPK, etc. Molecular docking results showed that coptisine, berberine, baicalein, etc., had a strong affinity with TNF, IL-6, and MAPK14. Therefore, TNF, IL-6, MAPK14, ALB, etc., are the key targets of the active ingredients of YJP coptisine, baicalein, and berberine, etc. They have the potential to regulate PI3K-Akt, MAPK, and TNF signalling pathways. The component-target-disease network diagram revealed that YJP treated DHD through the effects of anti-inflammation, anti-diarrhea, immunoregulation, and improving intestinal mucosal injury.

CONCLUSION

It is demonstrated that YJP treats DHD mainly through the main active ingredients coptisine, berberine, baicalein, etc. comprehensively exerting the effects of anti-inflammation, anti-diarrhea, immunoregulation, and improving intestinal mucosal injury, which will provide evidence for further in-depth studying the mechanism of YJP treating DHD.

Engineered procyanidin-Fe nanoparticle alleviates intestinal inflammation through scavenging ROS and altering gut microbiome in colitis mice

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation, intestinal barrier injury, and imbalance of gut microbiota. Excess accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is closely correlated with the development and reoccurrence of IBD. Previous researches demonstrate that procyanidin, as a natural antioxidant, exhibits strong ability of eliminating ROS, thus showing good therapeutic effects in the inflammation-related diseases. Non-etheless, its poor stability and solubility always limits the therapeutic outcomes. Here, we typically designed an antioxidant coordination polymer nanoparticle using the engineering of procyanidin (Pc) and free iron (Fe), named Pc-Fe nanozyme, for effectively scavenging ROS and further inhibiting inflammation while altering the gut microbiome for the treatment of colitis. Furthermore, in vitro experiments uncover that Pc-Fe nanoparticles exert strong multi biomimic activities, including peroxidase, and glutathione peroxidase, for the scavenging of ROS and protecting cells from oxidative injury. In addition, the colon accumulation of Pc-Fe nanozyme effectively protects the intestinal mucosa from oxidative damage while significantly downregulates pro-inflammatory factors, repairs the intestinal barriers and alternates gut microbiome after orally administrated in sodium dextran sulfate (DSS) induced colitis mice. The results collectively illustrate that the multienzyme mimicking Pc-Fe nanozyme owns high potential for treating IBD through scavenging ROS, inhibiting inflammation, repairing gut barriers and alternating gut microbiome, which further promising its clinical translation on IBD treatment and other ROS induced intestinal diseases.

Condensin I and condensin II proteins form a LINE-1 dependent super condensin complex and cooperate to repress LINE-1

Condensin I and condensin II are multi-subunit complexes that are known for their individual roles in genome organization and preventing genomic instability. However, interactions between condensin I and condensin II subunits and cooperative roles for condensin I and condensin II, outside of their genome organizing functions, have not been reported. We previously discovered that condensin II cooperates with Gamma Interferon Activated Inhibitor of Translation (GAIT) proteins to associate with Long INterspersed Element-1 (LINE-1 or L1) RNA and repress L1 protein expression and the retrotransposition of engineered L1 retrotransposition in cultured human cells. Here, we report that the L1 3'UTR is required for condensin II and GAIT association with L1 RNA, and deletion of the L1 RNA 3'UTR results in increased L1 protein expression and retrotransposition. Interestingly, like condensin II, we report that condensin I also binds GAIT proteins, associates with the L1 RNA 3'UTR, and represses L1 retrotransposition. We provide evidence that the condensin I protein, NCAPD2, is required for condensin II and GAIT protein association with L1 RNA. Furthermore, condensin I and condensin II subunits interact to form a L1-dependent super condensin complex (SCC) which is located primarily within the cytoplasm of both transformed and primary epithelial cells. These data suggest that increases in L1 expression in epithelial cells promote cytoplasmic condensin protein associations that facilitate a feedback loop in which condensins may cooperate to mediate L1 repression.

CD98hc in host-pathogen interactions: roles of the multifunctional host protein during infections

The eukaryotic protein CD98hc (also known as 4F2, FRP-1 or SLC3A2) is a membrane glycoprotein and one of the heavy chains of the family of heterodimeric amino acids transporters. It can associate with any of 6 different light chains to form distinct amino acid transporters. CD98hc is also involved in mediation of intracellular integrin signaling. Besides its physiological roles in the development of the placenta and the immune system, CD98hc is important during pathological processes such as tumorigenesis and host-pathogen interaction. Since its first identification as Fusion Regulatory Protein 1 regulating cell fusion in cells infected by the Newcastle disease virus, CD98hc has been reported to be mediating many viral, apicomplexan, and bacterial infectious processes. In this review we describe the role of CD98hc and its associated light chains in bacterial, apicomplexan, and viral pathogenesis. We also discuss the consequences of infection on the expression and localization of these proteins. The identification of the cellular processes in which CD98hc is involved during pathogenesis highlights the key role of this host protein in infectious diseases.

Amino Acid Solute Carrier Transporters in Inflammation and Autoimmunity

The past decade exposed the importance of many homeostasis and metabolism related proteins in autoimmunity disease and inflammation. Solute carriers (SLCs) are a group of membrane channels that can transport amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, nutrients, and neurotransmitters. This review summarizes the role of SLCs amino acid transporters in inflammation and autoimmunity disease. In detail, the importance of Glutamate transporters SLC1A1, SLC1A2, and SLC1A3, mainly expressed in the brain where they help prevent glutamate excitotoxicity, is discussed in the context of central nervous system disorders such as multiple sclerosis. Similarly, the cationic amino acid transporter SLC7A1 (CAT1), which is an important arginine transporter for T cells, and SLC7A2 (CAT2), essential for innate immunity. SLC3 family proteins, which bind with light chains from the SLC7 family (SLC7A5, SLC7A7 and SLC7A11) to form heteromeric amino acid transporters, are also explored to describe their roles in T cells, NK cells, macrophages and tumor immunotherapies. Altogether, the link between SLC amino acid transporters with inflammation and autoimmunity may contribute to a better understanding of underlying mechanism of disease and provide novel potential therapeutic avenues. Significance Statement SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In this review, we summarize the link between SLC amino acid transporters and inflammation and immune responses, specially SLC1 family members and SLC7 members. Studying the link may contribute to a better understanding of related diseases and provide potential therapeutic targets and useful to the researchers who have interest in the involvement of amino acids in immunity.

Regulatory mechanism of androgen receptor on NCAPD3 gene expression in prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Androgen receptor (AR) is an essential transcriptional factor that contributes to the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). NCAPD3 is a component of the condensin II complex and plays a critical role in cell mitosis by regulating chromosome condensation; however, the relationship between NCAPD3 and AR remains unknown.

METHODS

Transcriptome sequencing assay is carried out to analyze the expression of the NCAP family in clinic samples. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing, ChIP assay, and dual-luciferase assay are used to identify the androgen-responsive element in NCAPD3 enhancer. Immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and western-blot assay are employed to check the expression of genes in PCa tissues and in PCa cells. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy analysis is used for identifying the regulation of AR on NCAPD3-mediated chromosome condensation. Colony formation, cell cycle assay, wound healing assay, and transwell experiments are used to explore the regulation of AR on the functions of NCAPD3. In vivo experiment is employed to identify in vitro experimental results.

RESULTS

NCAPD3 is an androgen/AR axis-targeted gene and is involved in AR-induced PCa cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Androgen treatment and AR overexpression increase the expression of NCAPD3 in PCa cell lines. The canonical exist in the enhancer region of NCAPD3. Androgen/AR axis regulates NCAPD3-invovled chromosome condensation during cell mitosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our report demonstrated that NCAPD3 is an androgen-responsive gene and upregulated by androgen/AR axis and involved in AR-promoted progression of PCa, suggesting a potential role of NCAPD3 in the PCa development.

Non-SMC condensin I complex subunit D2 and non-SMC condensin II complex subunit D3 induces inflammation via the IKK/NF-κB pathway in ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, nonspecific intestinal inflammatory disease with undefined pathogenesis. Non-SMC condensin I complex subunit D2 (NCAPD2) and non-SMC condensin II complex subunit D3 (NCAPD3) play pivotal roles in chromosome assembly and segregation during both mitosis and meiosis. To date, there has been no relevant report about the functional role of NCAPD2 and NCAPD3 in UC.

AIM

To determine the level of NCAPD2/3 in intestinal mucosa and explore the mechanisms of NCAPD2/3 in UC.

METHODS

Levels of NCAPD2/3 in intestinal tissue were detected in 30 UC patients and 30 healthy individuals with in situ hybridization (ISH). In vitro, NCM60 cells were divided into the NC group, model group, si-NCAPD2 group, si-NCAPD3 group and si-NCAPD2+si-NCAPD3 group. Inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA, IKK and NF-κB were evaluated by western blot, and IKK nucleation and NF-κB volume were analyzed by immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTS

Compared with expression in healthy individuals, NCAPD2 and NCAPD3 expression in intestinal tissue was significantly upregulated (P < 0.001) in UC patients. Compared with levels in the model group, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the si-NCAPD2, si-NCAPD3 and si-NCAPD2+si-NCAPD3 groups were significantly downregulated (P < 0.01). IKK and NF-κB protein expression in the si-NCAPD2, si-NCAPD3 and si-NCAPD2+si-NCAPD3 groups was significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Moreover, IKK nucleation and NF-κB volume were suppressed upon si-NCAPD2, si-NCAPD3 and si-NCAPD2+ si-NCAPD3 transfection.

CONCLUSION

NCAPD2/3 is highly expressed in the intestinal mucosa of patients with active UC. Overexpression of NCAPD2/3 promotes the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by modulating the IKK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Condensin II protein dysfunction impacts mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial oxidative stress responses

The maintenance of mitochondrial respiratory function and homeostasis is essential to human health. Here, we identify condensin II subunits as novel regulators of mitochondrial respiration and mitochondrial stress responses. Condensin II is present in the nucleus and cytoplasm. While the effects of condensin II depletion on nuclear genome organization are well studied, the effects on essential cytoplasmic and metabolic processes are not as well understood. Excitingly, we observe that condensin II chromosome-associated protein (CAP) subunits individually localize to different regions of mitochondria, suggesting possible mitochondrial-specific functions independent from those mediated by the canonical condensin II holocomplex. Changes in cellular ATP levels and mitochondrial respiration are observed in condensin II CAP subunit-deficient cells. Surprisingly, we find that loss of NCAPD3 also sensitizes cells to oxidative stress. Together, these studies identify new, and possibly independent, roles for condensin II CAP subunits in preventing mitochondrial damage and dysfunction. These findings reveal a new area of condensin protein research that could contribute to the identification of targets to treat diseases where aberrant function of condensin II proteins is implicated.

Human Intestinal Enteroids as a Model System of Shigella Pathogenesis

The enteric bacterium and intracellular human pathogen Shigella causes hundreds of millions of cases of the diarrheal disease shigellosis per year worldwide. Shigella is acquired by ingestion of contaminated food or water; upon reaching the colon, the bacteria invade colonic epithelial cells, replicate intracellularly, spread to adjacent cells, and provoke an intense inflammatory response. There is no animal model that faithfully recapitulates human disease; thus, cultured cells have been used to model Shigella pathogenesis. However, the use of transformed cells in culture does not provide the same environment to the bacteria as the normal human intestinal epithelium. Recent advances in tissue culture now enable the cultivation of human intestinal enteroids (HIEs), which are derived from human intestinal stem cells, grown ex vivo, and then differentiated into "mini-intestines." Here, we demonstrate that HIEs can be used to model Shigella pathogenesis. We show that Shigella flexneri invades polarized HIE monolayers preferentially via the basolateral surface. After S. flexneri invades HIE monolayers, S. flexneri replicates within HIE cells and forms actin tails. S. flexneri also increases the expression of HIE proinflammatory signals and the amino acid transporter SLC7A5. Finally, we demonstrate that disruption of HIE tight junctions enables S. flexneri invasion via the apical surface.

Epigenetics, DNA Organization, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence of IBD is increasing, with more cases occurring in developed countries. Multiple factors such as genetics, environmental changes, gut microbiota, and immune abnormalities have been associated with development of IBD. In recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that epigenetic modifications of chromatin and the manner in which chromatin is organized in the nucleus are additionally important elements that can influence responses induced by the factors described above, and may therefore contribute to the onset and pathogenesis of IBD. Epigenetics and chromatin organization regulate diverse functions that include maintenance of homeostasis in the intestinal epithelium, the development and differentiation of immune cells, and modulation of responses generated by the immune system to defend against potential pathogens. Furthermore, changes in epigenetic chromatin marks and in chromatin organization have now been linked to differential gene expression in IBD patient cells. Although direct evidence for a role of histone modifications in IBD is currently very limited, in this review, we summarize the links between various epigenetic modifications, the proteins that catalyze or recognize these modifications, and the development or progression of IBD in human and experimental IBD. We also discuss how epigenetics influence the organization of DNA contacts to regulate gene expression and the implications this may have for diagnosing and treating IBD.

Condensin action and compaction

Condensin is a multi-subunit protein complex that belongs to the family of structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complexes. Condensins regulate chromosome structure in a wide range of processes including chromosome segregation, gene regulation, DNA repair and recombination. Recent research defined the structural features and molecular activities of condensins, but it is unclear how these activities are connected to the multitude of phenotypes and functions attributed to condensins. In this review, we briefly discuss the different molecular mechanisms by which condensins may regulate global chromosome compaction, organization of topologically associated domains, clustering of specific loci such as tRNA genes, rDNA segregation, and gene regulation.

Comparing and Contrasting the Effects of Drosophila Condensin II Subunit dCAP-D3 Overexpression and Depletion in Vivo

The Condensin II complex plays important, conserved roles in genome organization throughout the cell cycle and in the regulation of gene expression. Previous studies have linked decreased Condensin II subunit expression with a variety of diseases. Here, we show that elevated levels of Condensin II subunits are detected in somatic cancers. To evaluate potential biological effects of elevated Condensin II levels, we overexpressed the Condensin II subunit, dCAP-D3 in Drosophila melanogaster larval tissues and examined the effects on the mitotic- and interphase-specific functions of Condensin II. Interestingly, while ubiquitous overexpression resulted in pupal lethality, tissue specific overexpression of dCAP-D3 caused formation of nucleoplasmic protein aggregates which slowed mitotic prophase progression, mimicking results observed when dCAP-D3 levels are depleted. Surprisingly, dCAP-D3 aggregate formation resulted in faster transitions from metaphase to anaphase. Overexpressed dCAP-D3 protein failed to precipitate other Condensin II subunits in nondividing tissues, but did cause changes to gene expression which occurred in a manner opposite of what was observed when dCAP-D3 levels were depleted in both dividing and nondividing tissues. Our findings show that altering dCAP-D3 levels in either direction has detrimental effects on mitotic timing, the regulation of gene expression, and organism development. Taken together, these data suggest that the different roles for Condensin II throughout the cell cycle may be independent of each other and/or that dCAP-D3 may possess functions that are separate from those involving its association with the Condensin II complex. If conserved, these findings could have implications for tumors harboring elevated CAP-D3 levels.

Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli in inflammatory bowel disease

Intestinal microbiome dysbiosis has been consistently described in patients with IBD. In the last decades, Escherichia coli, and the adherent-invasive E coli (AIEC) pathotype in particular, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of IBD. Since the discovery of AIEC, two decades ago, progress has been made in unravelling these bacteria characteristics and its interaction with the gut immune system. The mechanisms of adhesion of AIEC to intestinal epithelial cells (via FimH and cell adhesion molecule 6) and its ability to escape autophagy when inside macrophages are reviewed here. We also explore the existing data on the prevalence of AIEC in patients with Crohn's disease and UC, and the association between the presence of AIEC and disease location, activity and postoperative recurrence. Finally, we highlight potential therapeutic strategies targeting AIEC colonisation of gut mucosa, including the use of phage therapy, bacteriocins and antiadhesive molecules. These strategies may open new avenues for the prevention and treatment of IBD in the future.

Condensin II and GAIT complexes cooperate to restrict LINE-1 retrotransposition in epithelial cells

LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposons can mobilize (retrotranspose) within the human genome, and mutagenic de novo L1 insertions can lead to human diseases, including cancers. As a result, cells are actively engaged in preventing L1 retrotransposition. This work reveals that the human Condensin II complex restricts L1 retrotransposition in both non-transformed and transformed cell lines through inhibition of L1 transcription and translation. Condensin II subunits, CAP-D3 and CAP-H2, interact with members of the Gamma-Interferon Activated Inhibitor of Translation (GAIT) complex including the glutamyl-prolyl-tRNA synthetase (EPRS), the ribosomal protein L13a, Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and NS1 associated protein 1 (NSAP1). GAIT has been shown to inhibit translation of mRNAs encoding inflammatory proteins in myeloid cells by preventing the binding of the translation initiation complex, in response to Interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Excitingly, our data show that Condensin II promotes complexation of GAIT subunits. Furthermore, RNA-Immunoprecipitation experiments in epithelial cells demonstrate that Condensin II and GAIT subunits associate with L1 RNA in a co-dependent manner, independent of IFN-γ. These findings suggest that cooperation between the Condensin II and GAIT complexes may facilitate a novel mechanism of L1 repression, thus contributing to the maintenance of genome stability in somatic cells.

Role of Autophagy in the Maintenance of Intestinal Homeostasis

Genome-wide association studies of inflammatory bowel disease have identified several risk loci in genes that regulate autophagy, and studies have provided insight into the functional effects of these polymorphisms. We review the mechanisms by which autophagy contributes to intestinal homeostasis, focusing on its cell type-specific roles in regulating gut ecology, restricting pathogenic bacteria, and controlling inflammation. Based on this information, we are beginning to understand how alterations in autophagy can contribute to intestinal inflammation.

Acupuncture and regulation of gastrointestinal function

In China, acupuncture has been considered an effective method for treating gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction diseases for thousands of years. In fact, acupuncture has gained progressive acceptance from both practitioners and patients worldwide. However, the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms in treating GI dysfunction have not yet been established due to a lack of systematic and comprehensive review articles. Therefore, the aim of this review is to discuss the efficacy of acupuncture as a treatment for GI dysfunction and the associated underlying mechanisms. A search of PubMed was conducted for articles that were published over the past 10 years using the terms “acupuncture”, “gastrointestine”, and other relevant keywords. In the following review, we describe the effect and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture on GI function from the perspectives of GI motility, visceral sensitivity, the GI barrier, and the brain-gut axis. The dual regulatory effects of acupuncture may manifest by promoting gastric peristalsis in subjects with low initial gastric motility, and suppressing peristalsis in subjects with active initial motility. In addition, the regulation of acupuncture on gastric motility may be intensity-dependent. Our findings suggest that further studies are needed to investigate the effects and more systematic mechanisms in treating GI dysfunction, and to promote the application of acupuncture for the treatment of GI diseases.