Cdc2 Gene Research Articles

CDC42 enhances phagocytic activity and exhibits antimicrobial functions through the recruitment of IQGAP1 in Apostichopus japonicus

Cell Division Cycle 42 protein (CDC42) is a pivotal member of the Rho family of small GTPases, integral to cell signaling and the regulation of cell polarity. CDC42 is extensively documented to participate in host immunity, particularly in processes such as phagocytosis and cell migration. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms by which CDC42 affects host-bacteria interactions remain unclear in Echinoderms. In this study, we have isolated and characterized the CDC42 gene from Apostichopus japonicus, referred to as AjCDC42. The complete cDNA sequence of AjCDC42 extends 1282 base pairs, including a typical classical RHO domain, spanning amino acids from 6 to 179. Spatial expression analysis demonstrated that AjCDC42 is ubiquitously expressed across all examined tissues. Following infection with Vibrio splendidus and stimulation with LPS, the protein and mRNA levels of AjCDC42 were significantly upregulated in coelomocytes. Moreover, the knockdown of AjCDC42 significantly decreased V. splendidus-induced phagocytic activity in coelomocytes, leading to a reduced intracellular load of V. splendidus, as evidenced by flow cytometry and bacterial plate counting assays. Mechanistically, AjCDC42 was identified as an interacting partner of IQ Motif Containing GTPase Activating Protein 1 (AjIQGAP1) through the use of co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and GST pull-down assays combined with mass spectrometry techniques. Additional functional analyses revealed that the knockdown of AjIQGAP1 similarly decreased the phagocytic activity and the intracellular load of V. splendidus in coelomocytes. Furthermore, we detected that decreased levels of AjCDC42 and AjIQGAP1 impaired cytoskeletal rearrangement and delayed lysosomal clearance of V. splendidus. In summary, our findings underscore the pivotal role of the AjCDC42-AjIQGAP1 axis in regulating coelomocytes phagocytosis in A. japonicus during V. splendidus infection.

Combined Analysis of Second- and Third-Generation Transcriptome Sequencing for Gene Characteristics and Identification of Key Splicing Variants in Wound Healing of Ganxi Goat Skin

Ganxi goat is a local breed of goat unique to Jiangxi Province, China, named for its primary distribution in the Ganxi region. Ganxi goats are primarily raised through grazing, showing good adaptation to the local humid and hot climate, strong disease resistance, and occupying an important position in the local livestock industry. The skin, as the main barrier of the body, plays an indispensable role in resisting the invasion of external pathogenic factors and has received increasing attention in the medical and scientific fields. In this study, Ganxi goat skin was used as the research subject. Full-length transcriptome sequencing of Ganxi goat skin was performed using PacBio third-generation sequencing technology to supplement and improve the annotation information of the Ganxi goat genome. A combined analysis of second- and third-generation transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the splicing variant events of hub genes (CDC20, MMP2, TIMP1, and EDN1) and the expression changes in each splicing variant in skin samples on day 0 and day 5 after surgical wounding. The regulatory role of related hub gene splicing variants in wound healing was analyzed. A total of 926,667 full-length non-chimeric sequences were obtained, optimizing the annotation information of 3794 genomic gene loci and identifying 2834 new genes, 256 new LncRNAs, 12,283 alternative splicing events, 549 genes with polyadenylation, and 112 fusion genes. Three splicing variant forms were identified in both the CDC20 and EDN1 genes, seven in MMP2, and two in TIMP1. The expression levels of most splicing variants showed significant changes in the skin samples on days 0 and 5 after wounding, potentially participating in the regulation of wound healing. This study provides fundamental data for the annotation of the goat genome and offers a reference for studying the regulatory mechanisms of wound healing.

A Comparison of White and Yellow Seminal Plasma Phosphoproteomes Obtained from Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Semen.

Seminal plasma is rich in proteins originating from various male reproductive organs. The phosphorylation of these proteins can significantly impact sperm motility, capacitation, and acrosome reaction. Phosphoproteomics identifies, catalogues, and characterizes phosphorylated proteins. The phosphoproteomic profiling of seminal plasma offers valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms that influence semen quality and male fertility. Thus, the aim of this study was a phosphoproteomic analysis of white and yellow turkey seminal plasma. The experimental material consisted of 100 ejaculates from BIG-6 turkeys between 39 and 42 weeks of age. The collected white and yellow turkey seminal plasmas were analyzed for total protein content; the activity of selected enzymes, i.e., alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT); and the content of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Phosphoproteins were isolated from white and yellow seminal fluids, and the resulting protein fractions were separated by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Phosphorylated residues were immunodetected, and the isolated phosphoproteins were identified (nano LC-MS/MS). Yellow seminal plasmas were characterized by higher levels of total protein, GSH, and MDA, as well as higher levels of ALP, ACP, and GPx activity. There were no significant differences in the activity of SOD and CAT. A total of 113 phosphoproteins were identified in turkey seminal fluids. The functional analysis demonstrated that these phosphoproteins were mainly involved in oocyte fertilization, organization and metabolism of the actin cytoskeleton, amplification of the intracellular signal transduction pathway, general regulation of transport, vesicular transport, proteome composition of individual cellular compartments, and the organization and localization of selected cellular components and macromolecules. Increased phosphorylation of the fractions containing proteins encoded by SPARC, PPIB, TRFE, QSOX1, PRDX1, PRDX6, and FASN genes in white plasmas and the proteins encoded by CKB, ORM2, APOA1, SSC5D, RAP1B, CDC42, FTH, and TTH genes in yellow plasmas was observed based on differences in the optical density of selected bands. The obtained results indicate that the phosphorylation profiles of turkey seminal plasma proteins vary depending on the type of ejaculate.

Comprehensive pan-cancer analysis reveals CDC6 as a potential immunomodulatory agent and promising therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer.

CDC6 is critical in DNA replication initiation, but its expression patterns and clinical implications in cancer are underexplored. This study uses multi-omics data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to comprehensively analyze CDC6 across various cancers, aiming to evaluate its potential as a prognostic biomarker and explore its role in immunotherapy. By leveraging multi-omics data from TCGA, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of CDC6 expression across a variety of cancer types. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was employed to assess the association of CDC6 with key molecules implicated in pancreatic cancer. CDC6 expression was found to be significantly upregulated across a broad spectrum of cancers. High levels of CDC6 expression were associated with poor prognosis in several cancer types. Notable associations were observed between CDC6 expression and tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), as well as immune cell infiltration. Co-expression analysis revealed significant associations between CDC6 and prevalent immune checkpoint genes. A risk model incorporating CDC6-related genes, including CCNA1, CCNA2, CCND1, CCND2, CDC25B, CDC6, and CDK2, was developed for pancreatic cancer. CDC6 emerges as a promising prognostic biomarker and a potential target for immunotherapy across various cancers, including pancreatic cancer. It appears to modulate immune responses across cancer types, highlighting its regulatory role. Further exploration into the biological functions and clinical implications of CDC6 is warranted.

Prenatal Diagnosed Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum: Identifying the Underlying Genetic Etiologies.

To assess the genetic etiologies underlying agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) and its pregnancy outcomes in the era of next-generation sequencing. A retrospective analysis was conducted on prospectively collected prenatal ACC cases in which amniocentesis was performed between January 2016 and December 2022. ACC was divided into non-isolated and isolated according to the presence or absence of ultrasound abnormalities. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), karyotyping and exome sequencing (ES) were performed after genetic counseling. Pregnancy outcomes were assessed by pediatric neurosurgeons and were followed up by telephone through their parents. Sixty-eight fetuses with ACC were enrolled in this study. CMA detected eight cases with pathogenic copy number variants (CNVs) and all were non-isolated ACC, with a detection rate of 11.8% (8/68). Among the CMA abnormalities, the majority (6/8) were detectable by karyotyping. ES was performed in 26 cases with normal CMA, revealing pathogenic or likely pathogenic gene variations in 12 cases (46.2%, 12/26), involving L1CMA, SMARCB1, PPP2R1A, ARID1B, USP34, CDC42, NFIA and DCC genes. The detection rates of ES in isolated and non-isolated ACC were 40% (6/15) and 54.5% (6/11), respectively. After excluding cases where pregnancy was terminated (56 cases), there were 12 live births, ranging in age from 15months to 7years. Of these, 91.7% (11 out of 12) demonstrated normal neurodevelopmental outcomes. Specifically, all five cases with isolated ACC and negative ES results exhibited normal neurodevelopment. The remaining six cases with favorable outcomes were all isolated ACC, among which ES identified variants of DCC and USP34 gene in one each case. The other four cases were CMA-negative and declined ES. We highlight the efficacy of prenatal ES in determining the genetic etiology of ACC, whether isolated or not. Favorable neurodevelopmental outcomes were observed when ACC was isolated and with normal ES results.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (NIHTVBi029-A and NIHTVBi030-A) generated from two patients with a heterozygous mutation in the CDC42 gene

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were successfully generated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from two patients with a heterozygous mutation in the CDC42 gene. Both iPSC lines expressed pluripotency markers, differentiated into the three germ layers in vitro, showed normal karyotypes, and retained the disease-causing mutation. Created iPSC lines and their differentiated derivatives may be of interest in the study of the physiology of disease mechanisms and therapy.

Physiological, genetical changes and cdc2 gene expression for osmotic stressed Vicia faba reveal the alleviation effect of gamma radiation and putrescine

Climate change caused increasing in soil salinity worldwide. Therefore, it is critical to enhance the capability of plant to tolerate salinity stress. For this goal, putrescine and irradiation by gamma radiation were used to improve the salt tolerance of Vicia faba (the most important human crop). The results indicated depression in mitotic division and all growth parameters associated with the induction of micronucleus (MN) when salinity increased to 100mM, while there was increase in mitotic aberrations. NaCl decreased total soluble sugar, while total N%, total free amino acid, proline and protein contents showed slight increase with increasing salinity stress. Putrescine and gamma radiation mitigated the effect of salinity on cell division and growth parameters. Salt stress decreased the expression of gene encoding cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdc2). Both putrescine and gamma radiation increased cdc2 expression. The genetic diversity has been detected among control and treated V. faba using ISSR and SCoT markers. Ten primers had successfully generated 129 reproducible polymorphic amplicons that were suitable for studying the genetic diversity between studied genotypes. ISSR markers provided more discriminating data and were more informative than SCoT markers. Besides, cluster analysis using UPGMA and PAC successfully explained the genetic diversity within studied genotypes. These findings emphasize the efficiency of putrescine and gamma radiation for alleviating the negative impact of salt stress. Moreover, prove the importance of assessing mitotic activity, chromosomes behavior, physiological parameters, the expression level of cdc2 and molecular diversity in V. faba under stress to improve the salt tolerance of it.

In-vitro study of cytotoxic and apoptotic potential of Thalassia hemprichii (Ehren.) Asch. And Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle against human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) with correlation to their chemical profile

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in women. Finding novel therapeutic agents with significant cytotoxic action and minimal adverse impact on normal cells becomes crucial. Today, natural anticancer agents present an unconventional method of treating cancer, either as a curative or preventative agent, with considerable concern for marine organisms.MethodsThe anticancer effect of the alcoholic extract of different Red Sea Seagrasses on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line has been investigated. Seagrasses were collected from Wadi El Gamal, Red Sea and extracted. Qualitative HPLC analysis was performed on the extracts for the identification of their active biomarkers. This study was aimed to explore the cytotoxic impact of Thalassia hemprichii (Ehren.) and Enhalus acoroides (L.f.) Royle on MCF-7 and their mode of action. Their anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells were performed using Neutral red assay. On the other hand, their apoptotic effect and their capacity to induce cell cycle arrest were investigated by flow cytometry assay. The effect of Seagrasses on the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔψM) was studied by using JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit in Seagrasses treated cancer cells to Δψ Caspases 3/7activity was examined using the colorimetric method. Gene expression analysis and quantitative real time RT-PCR for the sea grasses on MCF-7 was performed. Immune-blotting technique for Bcl-2 and p53 was investigated.ResultsHPLC analysis demonstrated that the extracts contained mainly flavonoids and polyphenols such as Caffeic acid, Chlorogenic acids, catechin and kaempferol that might be responsible for these anticancer effects. Seagrasses alcoholic crude extract markedly suppressed the growth and expansion of MCF-7 cells concentration-dependently with no toxicity against normal human skin fibroblast HSF. Thalassia hemprichii and Enhalus acoroides trigger mode of cell death primarily via apoptosis as confirmed by the flow cytometry. Additionally, they have ability to induce G0/S cell cycle arrest in MCF-7. The data showed the depletion in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔψM) in the treated cells dose-dependently Caspases 3/7activities markedly increased following 24 h treatment. Finally, Gene expression analysis showed a marked reduction in Bcl-2, Survivin and CDC2 gene expression levels and a significant increase in the expression of p53 and CC2D1A as compared to control cells.ConclusionIn summary, the Methanolic extract of seagrass, Thalassia hemperchii and Enhalus ocoroides are able to induce concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects in human MCF-7 cells through intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. This study reveals the beneficial importance of sea grasses as a source of anticancer agents. Further in vivo study is recommended for the active isolated biomolecules.

Establishment of an invitro cell coculture model for investigating the whitening mechanism of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil.

In vitro single-cell experiments may yield inconsistent results compared to clinical trials. To enhance the reliability of cosmetic active ingredient screening, a coculture model of B16F10-HaCaT cells was established invitro based on the structural characteristics of human skin, thereby improving the credibility of experimental outcomes. Currently, most cosmetic whitening additives primarily target simple efficacy goals such as inhibiting tyrosinase activity or melanin transfer. Therefore, investigating novel and efficient whitening additives has become a prominent research focus. The aim is to establish an invitro cell coculture model for more reliable experimental results and investigate the mechanism by which Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil inhibits melanin production and transfer. The impact of different concentrations of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil on cocultured cell proliferation rate was assessed using cck8 assay. Tyrosinase inhibition ability in cocultured cells was tested using levodopa as a substrate. Melanin production inhibition ability in coculture cells was evaluated by lysing cells with sodium hydroxide. The effect of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil on dendrite-related gene expression levels was examined through qPCR analysis. Additionally, Western blotting was employed to study the effect of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil on dendrite-related protein expression levels. Different concentrations of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil did not affect the proliferation activity of cocultured cells. A specific concentration of α-MSH increased cell tyrosinase activity, cellular melanin content, as well as Rac1, Cdc42, and PAR-2 gene and protein expression related to dendritic formation. Treatment with a certain concentration of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil resulted in decreased tyrosinase activity and melanin content in cells along with downregulated expression levels of Rac1, Cdc42, and PAR-2 genes and proteins associated with dendritic formation. Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil at specific concentrations exhibits the ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity, decrease melanin content, and possesses the potential to impede melanin transfer.

Inhibition of Melanoma Cell Growth by Salvianolic Acid A through CHK2-CDC25A Pathway Modulation.

This study investigated the impact of salvianolic acids, derived from Danshen, on melanoma cell growth. Specifically, we assessed the ability of salvianolic acid A (Sal A) to modulate melanoma cell proliferation. We used human melanoma A2058 and A375 cell lines to investigate the effects of Sal A on cell proliferation and death by measuring bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and lactate dehydrogenase release. We assessed cell viability and cycle progression using water soluble tetrazolium salt-1 (WST-1) mitochondrial staining and propidium iodide. Additionally, we used a phospho-kinase array to investigate intracellular kinase phosphorylation, specifically measuring the influence of Sal A on checkpoint kinase-2 (Chk-2) via western blot analysis. Sal A inhibited the growth of A2058 and A375 cells dose-responsively and induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Notably, Sal A selectively induces Chk-2 phosphorylation without affecting Chk-1, thereby degrading Chk-2-regulated genes Cdc25A and Cdc2. However, Sal A does not affect the Chk1-Cdc25C pathway. Salvianolic acids, especially Sal A, effectively hinder melanoma cell growth by inducing Chk-2 phosphorylation and disrupting G2/M checkpoint regulation.

A bioinspired regenerative antimicrobial hydrogel coating for cardiovascular implantable electronic devices

Elderly patients predispose to cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) pocket infections due to multiple comorbidities. Treating infections with the antibiotics further carry higher risks for complications, and surgical intervention can be costly when device removal and reimplantation are required, both emphasizing the importance of novel preventive strategies to minimize the incidence of pocket infections. To meet the unique needs for elderly, we constructed an CIED surface modified hydrogel which crosslinked polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) with hyaluronic acid-nitrobenzene (HN) to form the polymeric structures that mimic the natural environment for promoting “Pocket” surrounding tissue integration and healing. Importantly, we synthesized the new peptidomimetics FK-13 derived by shortening amino acid sequence of LL-37 which is the only human cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptide. By incorporating FK-13 with initial PN hydrogel via Schiff base formation, the created PN-FK hydrogel exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activityagainst bacteria with excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties in a long-term release manner. In an in vitro setting, PN-FK hydrogel demonstrated the regeneration capacity by expression of Hmox1, Col5 and Col6 associated genes in fibroblasts as well as expression of Gpx1, Cdc20 and MMP9 genes in stem cells to accelerate self-renewal, collagen secretion and reconstitution of matrix components. In the following in vivo model of subcutaneous implantation, CIED-shape titanium mesh with surface modification by PN-FK hydrogel efficiently subsided over-inflammation compared to bare titanium implant, and expedited collagen deposition and angiogenesis in peri-pocket tissues within 2 weeks. These findings underscore the potential of the PN-FK hydrogel as a transformative approach to CIED postoperative management, offering a dual-action solution that combines infection resistance with tissue regeneration capabilities.

A transcribed ultraconserved noncoding RNA, uc.285+, promotes colorectal cancer proliferation through dual targeting of CDC42 by directly binding mRNA and protein

The transcribed ultraconserved region (T-UCR) belongs to a new type of lncRNAs that are conserved in homologous regions of the rat, mouse and human genomes. A lot of research has reported that differential expression of T-UCRs can influence the development of various cancers, revealing the ability of T-UCRs as new therapeutic targets or potential cancer biomarkers. Most studies on the molecular mechanisms of T-UCRs in cancer have focused on ceRNA regulatory networks and interactions with target proteins, but the present study reveals an innovative dual-targeted regulatory approach in which T-UCRs bind directly to mRNAs and directly to proteins. We screened T-UCRs that may be related to colorectal cancer (CRC) by performing a whole-genome T-UCR gene microarray and further studied the functional mechanism of T-UCR uc.285+ in the development of CRC. Modulation of uc.285+ affected the proliferation of CRC cell lines and influenced the expression of the CDC42 gene. We also found that uc.285+ promoted the proliferation of CRC cells by directly binding to CDC42 mRNA and enhancing its stability while directly binding to CDC42 protein and affecting its stability. In short, our research on the characteristics of cell proliferation found that uc.285+ has a biological function in promoting CRC proliferation. uc.285+ may have considerable potential as a new diagnostic biomarker for CRC.

Gene expression analysis in plasma of patients with Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is a neurodegenerative disease, cannot be noticed until severe symptoms are observed. This poses a global challenge as the average human lifespan increases, making it a concern for the entire world population. Early diagnosis can play a crucial role in slowing the progression of the disease, thereby enhancing the quality of life for both the patient and their relatives. AD has been linked to alterations in mRNA expressions. The objective of the presented study was to determine whether there were significant differences in gene expression in blood plasma between Alzheimer's patients and healthy controls. MAPT, APP, Tubb3, TrkB, and CDC42 genes were selected as target genes due to their potential associations with AD. To analyse mRNA expression levels in the control group and AD patients, the real-time PCR (qPCR) method was performed. The findings indicate that MAPT, APP, Tubb3, and CDC42 genes' expression levels were significantly downregulated by 1.09, 1.08, 1.09, and 1.14 times, respectively (p<0.05) in AD patients. Although the TrkB gene expression appeared to be downregulated by 1.03 times in the AD group, it is not statistically different. Given the molecular associations between the pathways of the target genes and AD, changes in the expression of these genes may contribute to the pathogenesis of AD. They may represent potential biomarkers for early diagnosis.

Characterization of insulin-like growth factor 3 and its potential role in the spotted steed Hemibarbus maculatus ovary development

As a new member of the insulin-like growth factors (Igfs), Igf3 was reported to play a vital role in fish reproduction. However, in spotted steed, the function of Igf3 remains largely unknown. In the present study, we identified and characterized Igf3 gene in spotted steed. Structural analysis showed that Igf3 contained five domains (B, C, A, D, E) and six conserved cysteine residues. The expression of Igf3 mRNA and protein were increased during ovary development and peaked in the maturation stage. The subcellular localization of IGF3 was highly expressed in granulosa cells and theca cells. Furthermore, recombinant IGF3 protein was produced and in vitro treatment with ovarian follicles significantly promoted the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) rates of spotted steed follicles. The mRNA expression of cdc2 and cyclinB genes were significantly increased after IGF3 treatment, which were main components of maturation promoting factor (MPF). In addition, transcription levels of 3β-hsd, 20β-hsd, Cyp17a and Cyp19a1a were also changed. Taken together, these findings suggest that Igf3 is essential for ovary steroidogenesis and maturation in spotted steed.

Modelling Takenouchi-Kosaki syndrome using disease-specific iPSCs

Takenouchi-Kosaki Syndrome (TKS) is a congenital multi-organ disorder caused by the de novo missense mutation c.191A > G p. Tyr64Cys (Y64C) in the CDC42 gene. We previously elucidated the functional abnormalities and thrombopoietic effects of Y64C using HEK293 and MEG01 cells. In the present study, we used iPSCs derived from TKS patients to model the disease and successfully recapitulated macrothrombocytopenia, a prominent TKS phenotype. The megakaryopoietic differentiation potential of TKS-iPSCs and platelet production capacity were examined using an efficient platelet production method redesigned from existing protocols. The results obtained showed that TKS-iPSCs produced fewer hematopoietic progenitor cells, exhibited defective megakaryopoiesis, and released platelets with an abnormally low count and giant morphology. We herein report the first analysis of TKS-iPSC-derived megakaryocytes and platelets, and currently utilize this model to perform drug evaluations for TKS. Therefore, our simple yet effective differentiation method, which mimics the disease in a dish, is a feasible strategy for studying hematopoiesis and related diseases.

Effects of the insecticide imidacloprid on the post-embryonic development of the honey bee Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture has been linked to declines in bee populations worldwide. Imidacloprid is a widely used systemic insecticide that can be found in the pollen and nectar of plants and has the potential to negatively impact the development of bee larvae. We investigated the effects of oral exposure to a realistic field concentration (20.5 ng g−1) of imidacloprid on the midgut and fat body of Apis mellifera worker larvae. Our results showed that larvae exposed to imidacloprid exhibited changes in the midgut epithelium, including disorganization of the brush border, nuclear chromatin condensation, cytoplasm vacuolization, and release of cell fragments indication cell death. Additionally, histochemical analysis revealed that the midgut brush border glycocalyx was disorganized in exposed larvae. The fat body cells of imidacloprid-exposed larvae had a decrease in the size of lipid droplets from 50 to 8 μm and increase of 100 % of protein content, suggesting possible responses to the stress caused by the insecticide. However, the expression of de cdc20 gene, which plays a role in cell proliferation, was not affected in the midgut and fat body of treated larvae. These results suggest that imidacloprid negatively affects non-target organs during the larval development of A. mellifera potentially impacting this important pollinator species.

Prognostic significance and immune cell infiltration analysis of differentially expressed genes in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Objective: To explore and analyze differential expressed genes in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) by bioinformatics method, and to study their prognostic value in MPM and their potential role in immunotherapy. Methods: In January 2022, the dataset GSE51024 was downloaded from the GEO database, and MPM (55 cases) and normal tissue (41 cases) samples were obtained. Using R software and HMDD and miRNet database, MPM-related differential genes were screened and co-expressed genes were identified. Co-expressed genes were enriched and functionally annotated, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed and key genes were identified using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. TRRUST and GEPIA databases were used to predict transcription factors of key genes and to analyze prognosis and survival. The correlation between key genes and the degree of infiltration of immune cells was analyzed using TIMER. Results: A total of 435 co-expressed genes were obtained, which were mainly concentrated in the extracellular matrix tissue and the signaling pathways of cell adhesion molecules. Combined with PPI and TRRUST database, seven key MPM prognostic genes were identified. Among them, cyclin 20 (CDC20) , cell cycle checkpoint kinase 1 (CHEK1) , enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) , ribonucleotide reductase subunit M2 (RRM2) , topoisomerase 2A (TOP2A) , ubiquitin like plant homeodomain and ring finger domain 1 (UHRF1) were significantly up-regulated in MPM, while cyclin A1 (CCNA1) was significantly down-regulated. The expressions of CCNA1, CDC20, CHEK1, EZH2, RRM2, TOP2A and UHRF1 genes were significantly associated with MPM overall survival (P<0.05) . The expressions of CDC20, CHEK1, EZH2, RRM2 and TOP2A genes were positively correlated with B cells and dendritic cells (P<0.05) , and negatively correlated with neutrophils (P<0.05) . Conclusion: CCNA1, CDC20, CHEK1, EZH2, RRM2, TOP2A and UHRF1 may be potential prognostic markers in MPM patients, and their expressions may be related to MPM tumor immunity.

Effect of Arsenic Soil Contamination on Stress Response Metabolites, 5-Methylcytosine Level and CDC25 Expression in Spinach.

Experimental spinach plants grown in soil with (5, 10 and 20 ppm) arsenic (As) contamination were sampled in 21 days after As(V) contamination. Levels of As in spinach samples (from 0.31 ± 0.06 µg g-1 to 302.69 ± 11.83 µg g-1) were higher in roots and lower in leaves, which indicates a low ability of spinach to translocate As into leaves. Species of arsenic, As(III) and As(V), were represented in favor of the As (III) specie in contaminated variants, suggesting enzymatic arsenate reduction. In relation to predominant As accumulation in roots, changes in malondialdehyde levels were observed mainly in roots, where they decreased significantly with growing As contamination (from 11.97 ± 0.54 µg g-1 in control to 2.35 ± 0.43 µg g-1 in 20 ppm As). Higher values in roots than in leaves were observed in the case of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC). Despite that, a change in 5-mC by As contamination was further deepened in leaves (from 0.20 to 14.10%). In roots of spinach, expression of the CDC25 gene increased by the highest As contamination compared to the control. In the case of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total phenolic acids content and total antioxidant capacity were higher levels in leaves in all values, unlike the roots.

Integrated bioinformatics and wet-lab analysis revealed cell adhesion prominent genes CDC42, TAGLN and GSN as prognostic biomarkers in colonic-polyp lesions

Colorectal cancers are derived from intestinal polyps. Normally, alterations in cell adhesion genes expression cause deviation from the normal cell cycle, leading to cancer development, progression, and invasion. The present study aimed to investigate the elusive expression pattern of CDC42, TAGLN, and GSN genes in patients with high and low-risk polyp samples, and also colorectal cancer patients and their adjacent normal tissues. In upcoming study, 40 biopsy samples from Taleghani Hospital (Tehran, Iran) were collected, consisting of 20 colon polyps and 20 paired adjacent normal tissues. The expression of the nominated genes CDC42, TAGLN, and GSN was analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and relative quantification was determined using the 2−ΔΔCt method. ROC curve analysis was performed to compare high-risk and low-risk polyps for the investigated genes. The expression of adhesion molecule genes was also evaluated using TCGA data and the correlation between adhesion molecule gene expression and immunophenotype was analyzed. The role of mi-RNAs and lncRNAs in overexpression of adhesion molecule genes was studied. Lastly, GO and KEGG were performed to identify pathways related to adhesion molecule genes expression in healthy, normal adjacent, and COAD tissues. The results showed that the expression patterns of these genes were significantly elevated in high-risk adenomas compared to low-risk polyps and normal tissues and were associated with various clinicopathological characteristics. The estimated AUC for CDC42, TAGLN, and GSN were 0.87, 0.77, and 0.80, respectively. The study also analyzed COAD cancer patient data and found that the selected gene expression in cancer patients was significantly reduced compared to high-risk polyps and healthy tissues. Survival analysis showed that while the expression level of the GSN gene had no significant relationship with survival rate, the expression of CDC42 and TAGLN genes did have a meaningful relationship, but with opposite effects, suggesting the potential use of these genes as diagnostic or prognostic markers for colorectal cancer. The present study's findings suggest that the expression pattern of CDC42, TAGLN, and GSN genes was significantly increased during the transformation of normal tissue to polyp lesions, indicating their potential as prognostic biomarkers for colorectal polyp development. Further results provide valuable insights into the potential use of these genes as diagnostic or prognostic markers for colorectal cancer. However, further studies are necessary to validate these findings in larger cohorts and to explore the underlying mechanisms of these genes in the development and progression of colorectal cancer.

Transcriptomics and the origin of obligate parthenogenesis.

Despite the presence of obligately parthenogenetic (OP) lineages derived from sexual ancestors in diverse phylogenetic groups, the genetic mechanisms giving rise to the OP lineages remain poorly understood. The freshwater microcrustacean Daphnia pulex typically reproduces via cyclical parthenogenesis. However, some populations of OP D. pulex have emerged due to ancestral hybridization and introgression events between two cyclically parthenogenetic (CP) species D. pulex and D. pulicaria. These OP hybrids produce both subitaneous and resting eggs parthenogenetically, deviating from CP isolates where resting eggs are produced via conventional meiosis and mating. This study examines the genome-wide expression and alternative splicing patterns of early subitaneous versus early resting egg production in OP D. pulex isolates to gain insight into the genes and mechanisms underlying this transition to obligate parthenogenesis. Our differential expression and functional enrichment analyses revealed a downregulation of meiosis and cell cycle genes during early resting egg production, as well as divergent expression patterns of metabolism, biosynthesis, and signaling pathways between the two reproductive modes. These results provide important gene candidates for future experimental verification, including the CDC20 gene that activates the anaphase-promoting complex in meiosis.