Abstract:An important class of mitochondrial function protein is referred to as an iron-sulfur cluster protein (Isc) family, which plays a vital role in the cellular energy metabolism, electron transfer, substrate-binding and activation, iron-sulfur storage, enzymatic reaction and gene regulation. Dysregulation in either the Isc assembly or transport processes would give rise to a deteriorative effect on both the intracellular iron homeostasis and the functionality of Isc-relevant proteins. Particularly, IscA (molecular mass, ～11 ku) is identified as a highly conserved member of the iron-sulfur protein hesB subfamily that can directly bind to iron ions and iron-sulfur [2Fe-2S] cluster and hence participates in the biosynthesis of iron sulfur cluster proteins. Thereby, IscA is postulated to display a paramount function in the iron-sulfur cluster assembly and cascade reaction system. Curiously, it is worth mentioning that two seemingly similar but different discoveries on the topic of IscA1 published respectively by Dr. Xie and Dr. Zhang’s groups in 2015, no matter whether they have attracted extensive public attention, unraveled that IscA1 possesses a putative magneto-receptor capability and thus IscA1 has been renamed as MagR/MAR in their papers. In addition, Xie’s group found that IscA could act as a magnetic sensor by means of forming magnetosensor (MagS) complex with Cry. Of crucial importance to notice, the expression of certain magneto-responsive genes in vivo could be regulated by the external magnetic field-stimulated activation of MagR, which would subsequently affect neural activity and the magnetic oriented animal behaviors. Regarding to the unique magneto-sensing function of MagR, the concept for “magnetogenetics” is proposed by Dr. Zhang’s group in combination of the genetic targeting to MagR/MAR with relevant remote magnetic stimulation. In this mini-review, we give a brief introduction into the discovery of MagR/IscA and its homologues together with their high evolutionary conservation, as well as current proceedings of researches on its physiological functions. Furthermore, we proposed an intracellular biomagnetic signaling-responsive mechanism insofar as to provide an explicit explanation of how MagR/IscA1 exerts it intrinsic function in magnetogenetics.

Abstract:Ca²⁺ is a universal intracellular messenger playing important roles in nearly all biological processes. Recent studies of structural biology have resolved near-atom-resolution structure of many Ca²⁺ permeable ion channels in their different open/close states. These advances have revealed the molecular mechanisms for the channel construction, operation, function and regulation, and provide a fundamental basis for understanding the process of Ca²⁺ signaling and related diseases.

Abstract:Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which a loss of tolerance of hepatic tissue is presumed. The concanavalin A (Con A)-induced autoimmune hepatitis model in mice is a well established and widely used model for investigating the pathogenesis mechanisms and pathological changes of T-cell dependent liver injury. Janus-activated kinases/signal transducer and activator of transcription(JAK/STAT)signal pathway paly a critical role for intracellular signal transduction in this model. The relevant literatures concerning the mechanism of the IFN-γ/STAT1 signal pathway, IL-4/STAT6 signal pathway and IL-12/STAT4 signal pathway which involved in Con A-induced hepatitis and the role of the IL-6/STAT3 signal pathway and IL-22/STAT3 signal pathway in protecting against Con A-induced hepatitis were reviewed in this article.

Abstract:Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) are important nuclear transcription factors, which play critical role in maintaining the balance of lipid metabolism via activating the expression of genes associated with the synthesis and uptake of cholesterol, fatty acids and triglycerides (TG). Recently, it has been shown that SREBPs have a close relationship with inflammation. SREBPs can promote the occurrence and development of inflammation. On the other hand, the inflammation can affect the expression of SREBPs, and thereby lead to dyslipidemia. Further research on the relationship between SREBPs and inflammation may provide novel direction for the prevention and treatment of diseases induced by inflammation and dyslipidemia.

Abstract:Homologous recombination (HR) is an important biological activity in the cells, indispensable for the maintenance of genome integrity and stability and closely relative to the human health. In recent years, there is a great progress in this field. Here, we recapitulated four models of HR repair for DNA double-strand break, the mechanism for recombinase RacA/Rad51 action, and the regulation of Rad51 by Rad51 mediators involved in the process of Rad51 nuclear localization, Rad51 binding to ssDNA, homologous DNA pairing, strand invasion and exchange. It is helpful to profoundly understand the HR.

Abstract:Vesicular trafficking is the major style for cargo transport and cell signaling in eukaryotic cells, in which Rabs play very important roles. Rab4 is one member of the Rab protein family involved in regulating early endosomal sorting and recycling pathway. Based on the different structure characteristics, Rab4 can be classified into three isoforms, including Rab4A, Rab4B and Rab4C. In this review, Rab4’s biological characteristics such as their structure, effectors and cargo proteins, were summarized and its role in autophagy, glucose uptake, neuromodulation, cardiac function and tumorigenesis was discussed.

Abstract:With the progress of imaging technology, the detection rate of malignant pancreatic cystic including mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), mucinous cystic adenocarcinoma (MCA) have increased, but the distinction between benign and malignant lesions remains a problem. This study is based on the results of surgical pathology and cystic fluid cytology in 35 cases from 120 cases diagnosed by CT or MRI in patients with pancreatic cystic tumor samples. Of the 35 cases, 17 are from the MCN group and 18 are from the serous cystic adenoma (SCN) group. The liquid samples are gained through fine needle biopsy under endoscopic ultrasonography (endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration, EUS- FNA ). A lectin microarray was used to character the altered glycosylation between MCN and SCN. The t test results show that 6 lectins (STL, WGA, BPL, DBA, PTL-Ⅰ and MAL-Ⅰ) showed different binding signals between two groups (P < 0. 05). Among these, STL, WGA, BPL and DBA exhibited increased binding signals in the MCN cyst (the ratio value > 2.0), which indicated the abundance of Tn antigen in MCN group was higher than that in SCN group. It may correlated with a significant increase in the mucin secretion of cancer epithelial cells. Conversely, the glycopatterns of GalNAcα-1, 3Gal and Galβ-1, 4GlcNAc identified by PTL -Ⅰ and MAL -Ⅰ were decreased in MCN group when compared with SCN group (ratio values < 0.5). In order to investigate precisely alterations of glycopatterns associated with MCN and SCN, SDS-PAGE and lectin blotting analysis was performed with STL and BPL staining. The binding signals of this glycoprotein were significantly higher in MCN than that in SCN groups.

Abstract:Five new and cheap rare earth complexes with larch tannin(LT) have been prepared by the chelating reaction of rare earth (Re³⁺) with larch tannin according the liquid phase synthesis method, and these complexes were characterized with FT-IR, XPS, UV and coordination number determination method. The antifungal activity of Re³⁺-LT against Aspergillus niger, Monascus anka, Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Actinomucor elegans was evaluated in vitro by using the oxford cup and agar dilution assay. It was found that the Re³⁺-LT complexes are effective for these four fungi, and the antifungal activity was in the order of Ce³⁺-LT > Gd³⁺-LT > La³⁺-LT > Nd³⁺-LT > Yb³⁺-LT. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Ce³⁺-LT to these four fungi is 1.6 g·L^-1, 1.6 g·L^-1, 0.8 g·L^-1, and 1.6 g·L^-1, respectively, while the Yb³⁺-LT is 3.2 g·L^-1, 1.6 g·L^-1 3.2 g·L^-1, and 3.2 g·L^-1, respectively. In terms of fugicide, Yb³⁺-LT is the best one and the minimum fugicide concentration of Yb³⁺-LT to these four fungi is 6.4 g·L^-1, 3.2 g·L^-1, 3.2 g·L^-1, and 6.4 g·L^-1, respectively. In addition, the fugicide activity of Nd³⁺-LT and Gd³⁺-LT against Aspergillus niger and Actinomucor elegans is less powerful even they have good antifungal activity.

Abstract:Heart diseases, e.g. sudden death, caused by the dysfunction of sino-atrial node could be treated by implanting electronic pacemakers, which, yet, have many disadvantages, such as the limited life of battery and infections. As a result, bio-pacemakers are expected to replace the electronic devices. In the paper, firstly, the inward-rectifier K⁺ current (I_K1) of the ventricular myocytes is inhibited to make the sing cell show automatic pacemaker activity. And then, based on the data of a human ventricular slice, we create a 2D tissue model of bio-pacemaker to investigate the feasibility of inducing bio-pacemaker in the right ventricle. Based on the model, the effects of electrical coupling and the funny current I_f on the pacemaker are discussed. We find that the pacing capability could be increased by both the weak coupling and strong I_f. However, the weak electrical coupling plays a more important role in the bio-pacemaker.

Abstract:Abnormal lysosome, Formaldehyde Dysmetabolism and age-related cognitive impairment