Carotenoid components and their biosynthesis in a bud mutant of Shiranui mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) with citrine flavedo

Carotenoids are secondary metabolite responsible for colored pigments in plants and microbes (Li et al., 2022). They are a class of C₄₀ tetraterpenoids consisting of eight isoprenoid units, and can be classified into carotenes and xanthophylls on the basis of their functional groups (Saini et al., 2015). Carotenes can be linear (phytoene, phytofluene, and ζ‍-carotene) or branched (β‍-carotene and α‍-carotene). Xanthophylls comprise β,β‍-xanthophylls (β‍-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, violaxanthins, and neoxanthin) and β,ε‍-xanthophylls (α-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, and lutein). Citrus fruits are complex sources of carotenoids, which are the principal pigments responsible for the typical orange color of most types (Chen, 2020). The difference in total carotenoid content and the diversity of carotenoid isomer proportion also accounts for other colors of citrus fruits, such as yellow, red, and pink (Chen, 2020).

[mRNA expression of MDR3 gene in the blood of preterm infants with parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis]

OBJECTIVE

To study the association between the expression of the MDR3 gene and the pathogenesis of parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis (PNAC) in preterm infants.

METHODS

Among the preterm infants who were admitted to the hospital from June 2011 to November 2017 and received parenteral nutrition for more than 14 days, 80 who did not develop PNAC were enrolled as non-PNAC group, and 76 who developed PNAC were enrolled as PNAC group. On days 1, 14, 30, 60 and 90 after birth, serum hepatobiliary biochemical parameters [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBil), direct bilirubin (DBil), total bile acid (TBA) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT)], fibrosis indices [hyaluronic acid, laminin, procollagen III N-terminal peptide and type IV collagen] and clinical manifestations were observed. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of MDR3 in both groups, and the correlation between the mRNA expression of MDR3 and serum hepatobiliary biochemical parameters was analyzed.

RESULTS

In the PNAC group, serum levels of hepatobiliary biochemical parameters and fibrosis indices increased on day 14 after birth and reached the peak on day 30 after birth, followed by a reduction on day 60 after birth. On days 14, 30, 60 and 90 after birth, the PNAC group had significantly higher serum levels of hepatobiliary biochemical parameters and fibrosis indices than the non-PNAC group (P<0.05). The PNAC group had higher relative mRNA expression of MDR3 in peripheral blood cells than the non-PNAC group (P<0.05). In the PNAC group, the relative mRNA expression of MDR3 in peripheral blood cells was negatively correlated with serum levels of hepatobiliary biochemical parameters (ALT, TBil, DBil, TBA and γ-GT) (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

High mRNA expression of MDR3 in preterm infants may be associated with the development of PNAC, and further studies are needed to identify the mechanism.

[Promoter methylation and expression of death-associated protein kinase gene in acute leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical implications of death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) promoter methylation and DAPK gene expression in untreated patients with acute leukemia.

METHODS

Methylation-specific PCR and RT-PCR were employed to detect the DAPK gene methylation and mRNA expression in the bone marrow of 60 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 55 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), and 17 normal subjects.

RESULTS

The positivity rate of DAPK methylation was significantly higher in ALL patients (29.1%) than in AML patients group (5%) and normal subjects (0%) (P<0.01). No correlation was found between DAPK gene methylation and the clinical features in ALL patients (P>0.05). DAPK mRNA expression level differed significantly among the 3 groups (P=0.000), and was the highest in normal subjects and the lowest in ALL patients. In ALL patients, the expression level of DAPK mRNA showed a significant inverse correlation with DAPK promoter methylation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The methylation rate of DAPK gene is higher in untreated ALL patients than in AML patients and normal subjects. DAPK gene methylation is not correlated with the clinical features of ALL patients but is probably related with the low gene expression level of DAPK in these patients.

Insulin promotes vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and apoptosis via differential regulation of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand

BACKGROUND

Insulin regulates glucose homeostasis but can also promote vascular smooth muscle (VSMC) proliferation, important in atherogenesis. Recently, we showed that tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) stimulates intimal thickening via accelerated growth of VSMCs. The aim of the present study was to determine whether insulin-induced effects on VSMCs occur via TRAIL.

METHODS

Expression of TRAIL and TRAIL receptor in response to insulin and glucose was determined by polymerase chain reaction. Transcriptional activity was assessed using wild-type and site-specific mutations of the TRAIL promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation studies were performed. VSMC proliferation and apoptosis was measured.

RESULTS

Insulin and glucose exposure to VSMC for 24 h stimulated TRAIL mRNA expression. This was also evident at the transcriptional level. Both insulin- and glucose-inducible TRAIL transcriptional activity was blocked by dominant-negative specificity protein-1 (Sp1) overexpression. There are five functional Sp1-binding elements (Sp1-1, Sp1-2, Sp-5/6 and Sp1-7) on the TRAIL promoter. Insulin required the Sp1-1 and Sp1-2 sites, but glucose needed all Sp1-binding sites to induce transcription. Furthermore, insulin (but not glucose) was able to promote VSMC proliferation over time, associated with increased decoy receptor-2 (DcR2) expression. In contrast, chronic 5-day exposure of VSMC to 1 µg/mL insulin repressed TRAIL and DcR2 expression, and reduced Sp1 enrichment on the TRAIL promoter. This was associated with increased cell death.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study provide a new mechanistic insight into how TRAIL is regulated by insulin. This may have significant implications at different stages of diabetes-associated cardiovascular disease. Thus, TRAIL may offer a novel therapeutic solution to combat insulin-induced vascular pathologies.

[Effects of irradiation on proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of irradiation on the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells.

METHODS

MC3T3-E1 cells were irradiated 24 h after initial seeding. Gamma-radiation was administered at 0, 4, and 8 Gy as single doses by using a 60Co source. Cell proliferation was assessed at days 1, 3, 5, and 7 post-irradiation by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylte-trazolium bromide assay. The collagen secretion of the cells was measured through sirius red staining at day 12 post-irradiation. The expressions of osteogenesis-related genes were assessed through real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction at day 16 post-irradiation. The matrix mineralization caused by cells was evaluated through alizarin red staining at day 28 post-irradiation.

RESULTS

The cells exposed to 4 Gy or 8 Gy demonstrated significantly lower proliferation rates compared with the non-irradiated group. Doses of 4 Gy or more significantly inhibited the expressions of osteogenesis-related genes (Osterix and osteocalcin). Collagen secretion and cell mineralization were significantly reduced by the 8 Gy dose.

CONCLUSION

60Co gamma-rays dose-dependently suppress the proliferation, collagen secretion, and mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells. Furthermore, radiation seems to dose-dependently inhibit the expressions of osteogenesis-related genes of the cells.