Differential Impacts on Bacterial Composition and Abundance in Rhizosphere Compartments between Al-Tolerant and Al-Sensitive Soybean Genotypes in Acidic Soil

In this study, two soybean genotypes i.e. aluminum-tolerant Baxi 10 (BX10) and aluminum-sensitive Bendi 2 (BD2) were used as plant materials and the acidic red soil was used as growth medium. The soil layers from the inside to the outside of the root are: rhizospheric soil after washing (WRH), rhizospheric soil after brushing (BRH) and rhizospheric soil at two sides (SRH), respectively. The rhizosphere bacterial communities were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing of V4 hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA) amplicons via Illumina MiSeq. The results of alpha diversity showed that the BRH and SRH of BX10 were significantly lower on community richness than that of BD2, while the WRH existed no significant difference between BX10 and BD2. Among the three sampling compartments of the same soybean genotype, WRH had the lowest community richness and diversity while existed the highest coverage. Beta diversity analysis results displayed no significant difference for any compartment between the two genotypes, or among the three different sampling compartments for any same soybean genotype. However, the relative abundance of major bacterial taxa specifically nitrogen-fixating and/or aluminum-tolerant bacteria was significantly different in the compartments of the BRH and/or SRH at phylum and genus levels depicting genotype dependent variations in rhizosphere bacterial community. Strikingly, as compared with BRH and SRH, the WRH within the same genotype (BX10 or BD2) always had an enrichment effect on rhizosphere bacteria associated with nitrogen-fixation.

[Preliminary investigation of gender assignment in 46,XY disorders of sex development with severe male undermasculinisation]

Objective: To explore the feasibility of gender assignment in 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) with severe undermasculinisation mainly based on molecular diagnosis. Methods: A retrospective study of 45 patients of 46, XY DSD with severe undermasculinisation were admitted between November 2015 and October 2018 at Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. The initial social gender were all female, of whom the external genital manifestations were Prader 0 to 2; the degree of masculinity was scored using external masculinisation score (EMS); the position and development of the gonads were examined by ultrasound, cystoscopy and laparoscopy, also including assessing the development of the Wolffian tube and the Müllerian tube. The level and ratio of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone before and after hCG stimulation were evaluated for the function of Leydig cell and 5α-reductase-2. Gender role scales and sandbox games were used to assess gender role behavior. Genital sensitivity to androgen stimulation was assessed; A panel including 163 genes related to gender development were determined by second-generation sequencing in all 45 patients. Finally, a multidisciplinary team (MDT) makes a gender assignment after a comprehensive analysis mainly based on the molecular etiological diagnosis. Results: Thirty-nine out of 45 patients (87%) had an identifiable genetic etiology, and the remaining 6 (13%) were negative for genetic testing. Forty-five patients had EMS less than or equal to 3 points. Sexual psychological assessment was performed in 39 patients, with male dominance in 24 (62%) and female dominance in 15 (38%). The gender assignment was 23 cases (51%) for male and 19 cases (42%) for female, and 3 cases (7%) were not completely determined. Conclusions: Molecular diagnosis provides a strong basis for appropriate gender assignment of 46, XY DSD children with severe undermasculinisation. Based on molecular diagnosis, each DSD should be analyzed by professional MDT to analyze the clinical symptoms/signs, gonadal development, gonad tumor risk, external genital morphology, sexual psychological assessment, potential fertility opportunities, parental views, Social and cultural factors, etc. make appropriate gender assignment.

Enrichments/Derichments of Root-Associated Bacteria Related to Plant Growth and Nutrition Caused by the Growth of an EPSPS-Transgenic Maize Line in the Field

During the past decades, the effects of the transgenic crops on soil microbial communities have aroused widespread interest of scientists, which was mainly related to the health and growth of plants. In this study, the maize root-associated bacterial communities of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) transgenic glyphosate-tolerant (GT) maize line CC-2 (CC2) and its recipient variety Zhengdan958 (Z958) were compared at the tasseling and flowering stages by high-throughput sequencing of V3-V4 hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA) amplicons via Illumina MiSeq. In addition, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was also performed to analyze the nifH gene abundance between CC2 and Z958. Our results showed no significant difference in alpha/beta diversity of root-associated bacterial communities at the tasseling or flowering stage between CC2 and Z958 under field growth conditions. The relative abundances of the genera Bradyrhizobium and Bacillus including species B. cereus and B. muralis were significantly lower in the roots of CC2 than that of Z985 under field conditions. Both these species are regarded as plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB), as they belong to both nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing bacterial genera. The comparison of the relative abundance of nitrogen-fixing/phosphate-solubilizing bacteria at the class, order or family levels indicated that only one class Bacilli, one order Bacillales and one family Bacillaceae were found to be significantly lower in the roots of CC2 than that of Z985. These bacteria were also enriched in the roots and rhizospheric soil than in the surrounding soil at both two stages. Furthermore, the class Betaproteobacteria, the order Burkholderiales, the family Comamonadaceae, and the genus Acidovorax were significantly higher in the roots of CC2 than that of Z985 at the tasseling stage, meanwhile the order Burkholderiales and the family Comamonadaceae were also enriched in the roots than in the rhizospheric soil at both stages. Additionally, the nifH gene abundance at the tasseling stage in the rhizosphere soil also showed significant difference. The relative abundance of nifH gene was higher in the root samples and lower in the surrounding soil, which implicated that the roots of maize tend to be enriched in nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Impact of Glyphosate on the Rhizosphere Microbial Communities of An EPSPS-Transgenic Soybean Line ZUTS31 by Metagenome Sequencing

BACKGROUND

The worldwide use of glyphosate has dramatically increased, but also has been raising concern over its impact on mineral nutrition, plant pathogen, and soil microbiota. To date, the bulk of previous studies still have shown different results on the effect of glyphosate application on soil rhizosphere microbial communities.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to clarify whether glyphosate has impact on nitrogen-fixation, pathogen or disease suppression, and rhizosphere microbial community of a soybean EPSPS-transgenic line ZUTS31 in one growth season.

METHOD

Comparative analysis of the soil rhizosphere microbial communities was performed by 16S rRNA gene amplicons sequencing and shotgun metagenome sequencing analysis between the soybean line ZUTS31 foliar sprayed with diluted glyphosate solution and those sprayed with water only in seed-filling stage.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences of alpha diversity but with small and insignificant difference of beta diversity of soybean rhizosphere bacteria after glyphosate treatment. The significantly enriched Gene Ontology (GO) terms were cellular, metabolic, and single-organism of biological process together with binding, catalytic activity of molecular function. The hits and gene abundances of some functional genes being involved in Plant Growth-Promoting Traits (PGPT), especially most of nitrogen fixation genes, significantly decreased in the rhizosphere after glyphosate treatment.

CONCLUSION

Our present study indicated that the formulation of glyphosate-isopropylamine salt did not significantly affect the alpha and beta diversity of the rhizobacterial community of the soybean line ZUTS31, whereas it significantly influenced some functional genes involved in PGPT in the rhizosphere during the single growth season.

Involvement of LeMDR, an ATP-binding cassette protein gene, in shikonin transport and biosynthesis in Lithospermum erythrorhizon

BACKGROUND

Shikonin is a naphthoquinone secondary metabolite with important medicinal value and is found in Lithospermum erythrorhizon. Considering the limited knowledge on the membrane transport mechanism of shikonin, this study investigated such molecular mechanism.

RESULTS

We successfully isolated an ATP-binding cassette protein gene, LeMDR, from L. erythrorhizon. LeMDR is predominantly expressed in L. erythrorhizon roots, where shikonin accumulated. Functional analysis of LeMDR by using the yeast cell expression system revealed that LeMDR is possibly involved in the shikonin efflux transport. The accumulation of shikonin is lower in yeast cells transformed with LeMDR-overexpressing vector than that with empty vector. The transgenic hairy roots of L. erythrorhizon overexpressing LeMDR (MDRO) significantly enhanced shikonin production, whereas the RNA interference of LeMDR (MDRi) displayed a reverse trend. Moreover, the mRNA expression level of LeMDR was up-regulated by treatment with shikonin and shikonin-positive regulators, methyl jasmonate and indole-3-acetic acid. There might be a relationship of mutual regulation between the expression level of LeMDR and shikonin biosynthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrated the important role of LeMDR in transmembrane transport and biosynthesis of shikonin.

The evaluation of potent antitumor activities of shikonin coumarin-carboxylic acid, PMMB232 through HIF-1α-mediated apoptosis

In current study, a series of shikonin derivatives were synthesized and its anticancer activity was evaluated. As a result, PMMB232 showed the best antiproliferation activity with an IC₅₀ value of 3.25±0.35μM. Further, treatment of HeLa cells with a variety of concentrations of target drug resulted in dose-dependent event marked by apoptosis. What's more, the mitochondrial potential (Δym) analysis was consistent with the apoptosis result. In addition, PARP was involved in the progress of apoptosis revealed by western blotting. To identify the detailed role and mechanism of PMMB232 in the progression of human cervical cancer, we detected the expression of HIF-1α and E-cadherin in HeLa cells. Results showed that expression of HIF-1α was downregulated, while E-cadherin protein was upregulated. Meanwhile, glycolysis related protein PDK1 was decreased in HeLa cells. Conversely, the expression of PDH-E1α was upregulated. Docking simulation results further indicate that PMMB232 could be well bound to HIF-1α. Taken together, our data indicate that compound PMMB232 could be developed as a potential anticancer agent.

Novel mechanisms for organic acid-mediated aluminium tolerance in roots and leaves of two contrasting soybean genotypes

Aluminium (Al) toxicity is one of the most important limiting factors for crop yield in acidic soils. However, the mechanisms that confer Al tolerance still remain largely unknown. To understand the molecular mechanism that confers different tolerance to Al, we performed global transcriptome analysis to the roots and leaves of two contrasting soybean genotypes, BX10 (Al-tolerant) and BD2 (Al-sensitive) under 0 and 50 μM Al3+ treatments, respectively. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses revealed that the expression levels of the genes involved in lipid/carbohydrate metabolism and jasmonic acid (JA)-mediated signalling pathway were highly induced in the roots and leaves of both soybean genotypes. The gene encoding enzymes, including pyruvate kinase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, ATP-citrate lyase and glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase 2, associated with organic acid metabolism were differentially expressed in the BX10 roots. In addition, the genes involved in citrate transport were differentially expressed. Among these genes, FRD3b was down-regulated only in BD2, whereas the other two multidrug and toxic compound extrusion genes were up-regulated in both soybean genotypes. These findings confirmed that BX10 roots secreted more citrate than BD2 to withstand Al stress. The gene encoding enzymes or regulators, such as lipoxygenase, 12-oxophytodienoate reductase, acyl-CoA oxidase and jasmonate ZIM-domain proteins, involved in JA biosynthesis and signalling were preferentially induced in BD2 leaves. This finding suggests that the JA defence response was activated, possibly weakening the growth of aerial parts because of excessive resource consumption and ATP biosynthesis deficiency. Our results suggest that the Al sensitivity in some soybean varieties could be attributed to the low level of citrate metabolism and exudation in the roots and the high level of JA-mediated defence response in the leaves.

Identification of New Shikonin Derivatives as Antitumor Agents Targeting STAT3 SH2 Domain

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is hyper-activated in diversiform human tumors and has been validated as an attractive therapeutic target. Current research showed that a natural product, shikonin, along with its synthetic analogues, is able to inhibit the activity of STAT3 potently. The potential space of shikonin in developing novel anti-cancer agents encouraged us to carry out the investigation of the probable binding mode with STAT3. From this foundation, we have designed new types of STAT3 SH2 inhibitors. Combined simulations were performed to filter for the lead compound, which was then substituted, synthesized and evaluated by a variety of bioassays. Among the entities, PMM-172 exhibited the best anti-proliferative activity against MDA-MB-231 cells with IC₅₀ value 1.98 ± 0.49 μM. Besides, it was identified to decrease luciferase activity, induce cell apoptosis and reduce mitochondrial transmembrane potential in MDA-MB-231 cells. Also, PMM-172 inhibited constitutive/inducible STAT3 activation without affecting STAT1 and STAT5 in MDA-MB-231 cells, and had no effect in non-tumorigenic MCF-10A cells. Moreover, PMM-172 suppressed STAT3 nuclear localization and STAT3 downstream target genes expression. Overall, these results indicate that the antitumor activity of PMM-172 is at least partially due to inhibition of STAT3 in breast cancer cells.

Impact of a Glyphosate-Tolerant Soybean Line on the Rhizobacteria, Revealed by Illumina MiSeq

The global commercial cultivation of transgenic crops, including glyphosate-tolerant soybean, has increased widely in recent decades with potential impact on the environment. The bulk of previous studies showed different results on the effects of the release of transgenic plants on the soil microbial community, especially rhizosphere bacteria. In this study, comparative analyses of the bacterial communities in the rhizosphere soils and surrounding soils were performed between the glyphosate-tolerant soybean line NZL06-698 (or simply N698), containing a glyphosate-insensitive EPSPS gene, and its control cultivar Mengdou12 (or simply MD12), by a 16S ribosomal RNA gene (16S rDNA) amplicon sequencing-based Illumina MiSeq platform. No statistically significant difference was found in the overall alpha diversity of the rhizosphere bacterial communities, although the species richness and evenness of the bacteria increased in the rhizosphere of N698 compared with that of MD12. Some influence on phylogenetic diversity of the rhizosphere bacterial communities was found between N698 and MD12 by beta diversity analysis based on weighted UniFrac distance. Furthermore, the relative abundances of part rhizosphere bacterial phyla and genera, which included some nitrogen-fixing bacteria, were significantly different between N698 and MD12. Our present results indicate some impact of the glyphosate-tolerant soybean line N698 on the phylogenetic diversity of rhizosphere bacterial communities together with a significant difference in the relative abundances of part rhizosphere bacteria at different classification levels as compared with its control cultivar MD12, when a comparative analysis of surrounding soils between N698 and MD12 was used as a systematic contrast study.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Chalcone-Containing Shikonin Derivatives as Inhibitors of Tubulin Polymerization

The biological importance of microtubules in mitosis makes them an interesting target for the development of anticancer agents. In this study, a series of novel chalcone-containing shikonin derivatives was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for biological activities. Among them, derivative PMMB-259 [(R)-1-(5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-4-methylpent-3-en-1-yl (E)-2-(4-(3-oxo-3-(3-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)prop-1-en-1-yl)phenoxy)acetate] was identified as a potent inhibitor of tubulin polymerization. Further investigation confirmed that PMMB-259 can induce MCF-7 cell apoptosis, reduce the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and arrest the cell cycle at the G₂ /M phase. Moreover, the morphological variation of treated cells was visualized by confocal microscopy. The results, along with docking simulations, further indicated that PMMB-259 can bind well to tubulin at the colchicine site. Overall, these studies may provide a new molecular scaffold for the further development of antitumor agents that target tubulin.

Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of formononetin derivatives as novel EGFR inhibitors via inhibiting growth, migration and inducing apoptosis in breast cancer cell line

Novel formononetin derivative 4v inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation, migration and induced apoptosis through targeting EGFR.

Comparison of miRNAs and Their Targets in Seed Development between Two Maize Inbred Lines by High-Throughput Sequencing and Degradome Analysis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in plant growth, development, and response to environment. For identifying and comparing miRNAs and their targets in seed development between two maize inbred lines (i.e. PH6WC and PH4CV), two sRNAs and two degradome libraries were constructed. Through high-throughput sequencing and miRNA identification, 55 conserved and 24 novel unique miRNA sequences were identified in two sRNA libraries; moreover, through degradome sequencing and analysis, 137 target transcripts corresponding to 38 unique miRNA sequences were identified in two degradome libraries. Subsequently, 16 significantly differentially expressed miRNA sequences were verified by qRT-PCR, in which 9 verified sequences obviously target 30 transcripts mainly involved with regulation in flowering and development in embryo. Therefore, the results suggested that some miRNAs (e.g. miR156, miR171, miR396 and miR444) related reproductive development might differentially express in seed development between the PH6WC and PH4CV maize inbred lines in this present study.

Shikonin derivatives as inhibitors of tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase: design, synthesis and biological evaluation

A series of novel tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors was designed and synthesized as anti-bacteria agents based on natural product shikonin and in silico scaffold modification strategy.

A potent anticancer agent of shikonin derivative targeting tubulin

In this study, a shikonin ester derivative, compound , was selected to evaluate its anticancer activities and we found that compound exhibited better antitubulin activities against the human HepG2 cell line with an IC50 value of 1.097 μM. Furthermore, the inhibition of tubulin polymerization results indicated that compound demonstrated the most potent antitubulin activity (IC50  = 13.88), which was compared with shikonin and colchicine as positive controls (IC50  = 25.28 μM and 22.56 μM), respectively. Compound was simulated to have good binding site with tubulin and arrested the cell cycle at G2/M phase, which also induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells, in which P53 and members of Bcl-2 protein family were both involved in the progress of apoptosis revealed by western blot. Confocal microscopy observations revealed compound targeted tubulin and altered its polymerization by interfering with microtubule organization. Based on these results, compound functions as a potent anticancer agent targeting tubulin.

Identification of miRNAs and their targets in transgenic Brassica napus and its acceptor (Westar) by high-throughput sequencing and degradome analysis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of noncoding small RNAs (sRNAs) that play many roles in plant growth, development, and the stress response.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of heterocyclic carboxylic acyl shikonin derivatives

A series of shikonin derivatives (1-13) that were acylated selectively by various thiophene or indol carboxylic acids at the side chain of shikonin were synthesized, and their biological activities were also evaluated as potential tubulin inhibitors. Among them, compound 3 ((R)-1-(5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-4-methylpent-3-enyl 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoate) and compound 8 ((R)-1-(5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-dioxo-1,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-4-methylpent-3-enyl 2-(thiophen-3-yl)acetate) exhibited good antiproliferative activity of A875 (IC50  = 0.005 ± 0.001 μm, 0.009  ± 0.002 μm) and HeLa (IC50  = 11.84 ± 0.64 μm, 4.62  ± 0.31 μm) cancer cell lines in vitro, respectively. Shikonin (IC50  = 0.46 ± 0.002 μm, 4.80 ± 0.48 μm) and colchicine (IC50  = 0.75 ± 0.05 μm, 17.79 ± 0.76 μm) were used as references. Meanwhile, they also showed the most potent growth inhibitory activity against tubulin (IC50 of 3.96  ± 0.13 μm and 3.05 ± 0.30 μm, respectively), which were compared with shikonin (IC50  =  15.20 ± 0.25 μm) and colchicine (IC50  = 3.50 ± 0.35 μm). Furthermore, from the results of flow cytometer, we found compound 3 can really inhibit HeLa cell proliferation and has low cell toxicity. Based on the preliminary results, compound 3 with potent inhibitory activity in tumor growth may be a potential anticancer agent.

Effects of perinatal hypothyroidism on rat behavior and its relation with apoptosis of hippocampus neurons

Thyroid hormone is an important factor for proper development of the mammalian brain. Perinatal hypothyroidism leads to long-term behavior and neuromotor competence alterations in humans and animals. Our study aimed to investigate the effects of perinatal hypothyroidism on behavior changes of rat pups and its relation with the apoptosis of hippocampus neurons. Behavior tests were taken to evaluate the effects caused by perinatal hypothyroidism. TUNEL staining was used to analyze the apoptosis of neurons on CA3 region of hippocampus. The study suggested that perinatal hypothyroidism affects behavior development, as well as leading to the decrease in spatial learning and memory capability. This condition can be improved with hormone substitute treatment. Furthermore, the changes of learning and memory capability are closely related to the increasing number of apoptotic neurons in the hippocampus.