Promoter Function Research Articles

A Review on Dietary Flavonoids as Modulators of the Tumor Microenvironment.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is the local environment where malignant cells strive and survive, composed of cancer cells and their surroundings, regulating essential tumor survival, and promotion functions. Dietary flavonoids are abundantly present in common vegetables and fruits and exhibit good anti-cancer activities, which significantly inhibit tumorigenesis by targeting TME constituents and their interaction with cancer cells. This review aims to synthesize information concerning the modulation of TME by dietary flavonoids, as well as to provide insights into the molecular basis of its potential anti-tumor activities, with an emphasis on its ability to control intracellular signaling cascades that regulate the TME processes, involving cell proliferation, invasion and migration, continuous angiogenesis, and immune inflammation. This study will provide a theoretical basis for the development of the leading compound targeting TME for anti-cancer therapies from these dietary flavonoids.

Cis-Acting Element at the 5' Noncoding Region of Tacaribe Virus S RNA Modulates Genome Replication.

Tacaribe virus (TCRV) is the prototype of New World mammarenaviruses, a group that includes several members that cause hemorrhagic fevers in humans. The TCRV genome comprises two RNA segments, named S (small) and L (large). Both genomic segments contain noncoding regions (NCRs) at their 5' and 3' ends. While the 5'- and 3'-terminal 19-nucleotide sequences are known to be essential for promoter function, the role of their neighboring internal noncoding region (iNCR) sequences remains poorly understood. To analyze the relevance of the 5' and 3' iNCRs in TCRV S RNA synthesis, mutant S-like minigenomes and miniantigenomes were generated. Using a minireplicon assay, Northern blotting, and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, we demonstrated that the genomic 5' iNCR is specifically engaged in minigenome replication yet is not directly involved in minigenome transcription, and we showed that the S genome 3' iNCR is barely engaged in this process. Analysis of partial deletions and point mutations, as well as total or partial substitution of the 5' iNCR sequence, led us to conclude that the integrity of the whole genomic 5' iNCR is essential and that a local predicted secondary structure or RNA-RNA interactions between the 5' and 3' iNCRs are not strictly required for viral S RNA synthesis. Furthermore, we employed a TCRV reverse genetic approach to ask whether manipulation of the S genomic 5' iNCR sequence may be suitable for viral attenuation. We found that mutagenesis of the 5' promoter-proximal subregion slightly impacted recombinant TCRV virulence in vivo. IMPORTANCE The Mammarenavirus genus of the Arenaviridae family includes several members that cause severe hemorrhagic fevers associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, for which no FDA-approved vaccines and limited therapeutic resources are available. We provide evidence demonstrating the specific involvement of the TCRV S 5' noncoding sequence adjacent to the viral promoter in replication. In addition, we examined the relevance of this region in the context of an in vivo infection. Our findings provide insight into the mechanism through which this 5' viral RNA noncoding region assists the L polymerase for efficient viral S RNA synthesis. Also, these findings expand our understanding of the effect of genetic manipulation of New World mammarenavirus sequences aimed at the rational design of attenuated recombinant virus vaccine platforms.

Negotiating across languages: Metadiscourse in English and Spanish abstracts in Soil Science

This study aimed to contrast metadiscourse use across languages in abstracts in the field of Soil Science. Three corpora were compared: abstracts published in Spanish by Spanish speakers; abstracts published in English by Spanish speakers; and abstracts published in English by English speakers. Metadiscourse occurrences were qualitatively coded using computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software and interpreted in relation to independent variables language of publication, writers’ dominant language, and abstract rhetorical structure. Findings suggest an overall preference for boosting and a tendency to rely heavily on interpersonal features when presenting and discussing research outcomes, which may be accounted for in terms of the promotional function of the genre. Contrastive corpus analysis indicates a shift from Spanish local patterns of interaction when publishing in English towards dominating patterns of negotiation in the additional language, which might be attributed to the external demands posed by differing socio-pragmatic contexts of publication. Few divergencies observed in the use of hedging features and in the setting up of research background might indicate coexisting communication patterns and deliberate participation strategies by Spanish speakers.

Isoform-specific silencing of WNK1-4 points to shared functions in promotion of contraction and growth of prostate stromal cells, which are inhibited by the WNK inhibitor, WNK463

Isoform-specific silencing of WNK1-4 points to shared functions in promotion of contraction and growth of prostate stromal cells, which are inhibited by the WNK inhibitor, WNK463

The education of specialized nurses' aides: current scenario and future perspectives

The complementary training in health care of the nurse aides (NAs), launched in Italy in 2003, has little impact on health care organisations. To analyse, through the regional provisions issued in the last three years, the current state of complementary training in health care and propose some recommendations for the nursing profession with respect to the inclusion of this figure in care teams. A documentary content analysis was conducted with respect to six main topics: recipients and admission to the courses, organisation and characteristics of the courses, learning evaluation, responsibilities of the new NAs, expected competences and skills. There is a clear need to update and standardise the contents of the courses, with a focus on current social and health problems and future scenarios, and to render more homogeneous the structure of the courses, to guarantee high standards at national level. The need of increasing the skills of the NAs is associated with the implementation of innovative care and organisational models that require the ability to care for populations whose needs have changed profoundly over the last twenty years. Health care teams with professionals with different skill-mix guarantee safe, appropriate, effective and efficient care: the organization should enable nurses to free up time to act out their competences in care planning, health promotion, therapeutic education, transition management and specialist functions.

Promoters and introns as key drivers for enhanced gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The transcription of genes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is governed by multiple layers of regulatory elements and proteins, cooperating to ensure optimum expression of the final protein product based on the cellular requirements. Promoters have always been regarded as the most important determinant of gene transcription, but introns also play a key role in the expression of intron-encoding genes. Some introns can enhance transcription when introduced either promoter-proximal or embedded in the open reading frame of genes. However, the outcome is seldom predictable, with some introns increasing or decreasing transcription depending on the promoter and reporter gene employed. This chapter provides an overview of the general structure and function of promoters and introns and how they may cooperate during transcription to allow intron-mediated enhancement of gene expression. Since S. cerevisiae is a suitable host for recombinant protein production on a commercial level, stronger and more controllable promoters are in high demand. Enhanced gene expression can be achieved via promoter engineering, which may include introns that increase the efficacy of recombinant expression cassettes. Different models for the role of introns in transcription are briefly discussed to show how these intervening sequences can actively interact with the transcription machinery. Furthermore, recent examples of improved protein production via the introduction of promoter-proximal introns are highlighted to showcase the potential value of intron-mediated enhancement of gene expression.

Plant Promoters and Terminators for High-Precision Bioengineering.

High-precision bioengineering and synthetic biology require fine-tuning gene expression at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Gene transcription is tightly regulated by promoters and terminators. Promoters determine the timing, tissues and cells, and levels of the expression of genes. Terminators mediate transcription termination of genes and affect mRNA levels posttranscriptionally, e.g., the 3'-end processing, stability, translation efficiency, and nuclear to cytoplasmic export of mRNAs. The promoter and terminator combination affects gene expression. In the present article, we review the function and features of plant core promoters, proximal and distal promoters, and terminators, and their effects on and benchmarking strategies for regulating gene expression.

Development of Chat-Based English Learning System

The purpose of this research is to develop an English learning system that makes effective use of chat. To learn a foreign language, it is essential to expose a child to it for a long period of time and to maintain motivation for learning. Focusing on the fact that Japanese people spend much more time using chat than the average of OECD member countries, we decided to use a chat app as an English learning system. This system has an English writing function and a conversation promotion function. If a user is having trouble creating an English sentence when sending a chat, the English writing function can easily create the sentence using its translation and template functions. The conversation promotion function provides topics to two users and proposes a simple reply to a user who is having trouble finding an answer during a conversation. The results of our evaluation show that conversation can be promoted by easily creating English sentences using the topic provision and template functions.

КОМУНІКАТИВНА МЕТА ТА ФУНКЦІЇ СУЧАСНОЇ СОЦІАЛЬНОЇ РЕКЛАМИ

The article is devoted to the study of social advertising as a special type of French advertising discourse, namely, to the definition of the communicative purpose and functions inherent to advertising discourse. Special attention was paid to the development of the classification of communicative goals of the advertising message and the definition of its functions in social advertising. Having studied the message of modern social advertising, we classified its communicative purpose as follows: 1) attracting attention or changing the attitude of the public to a certain problem; 2) call to change the behavioural model of society; 3) promotion of a certain way of life; 4) encouragement to specific actions; 5) forming of public opinion / social consciousness; 6) humanisation of society and its involvement in social processes. It is worth noting that depending on the type of communicative purpose of the advertising message, French social advertising performs the following functions: informative, promotional, explanatory (interpretive), preventive, economic (incentive to pay taxes), educational (educational), persuasive. Usually, one advertising message performs several functions at the same time, since the informative function in social advertising is often combined with a promotional or preventive function, the educational function with an interpretive function, and the persuasive function can be combined with any of the listed functions. The analysis of French social advertising messages showed that the communicative purpose of an advertising message and its functions are closely related, in other words, the functions of a social advertising message depend on its communicative purpose. To be as effective as possible in the process of social communication, advertising slogans must precisely combine language form, pragmatic instructions and communicative functions.

Crosstalk between myofibroblasts and macrophages: A regulative factor of valvular fibrosis in calcific aortic valve disease

Inflammation and fibrosis are highly correlated with the progression of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). As one of the differentiated forms of valvular interstitial cells, myofibroblasts play a critical role in CAVD's development as do macrophages. Although numerous studies have been conducted on them separately, their communication and interaction remain unclear. We used porcine aortic valves to isolate valve interstitial cells (VICs). VICs were induced to differentiate into myofibroblasts by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). After successful activation was determined, the myofibroblast-conditioned medium (CM) was collected and used to act on RAW264.7, a macrophage cell line. A migration and adhesion assay estimated the recruitment capability of myofibroblasts on macrophages. We used flow cytometry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and Western blot analysis to investigate myofibroblasts' polarity promotion function in macrophages. Finally, we used macrophage-CM on VICs to explore the differentiation induction function of polarized macrophages. Myofibroblast marker alpha-smooth muscle actin and M2 macrophage marker CD163 were detected as upregulated in CAVD patients, and their expression has a certain correlation. The Smad3/HA/CD44 axis activated the differentiation of myofibroblasts by Western blot. The myofibroblast-CM can promote chemotaxis and adhesion of macrophages through protein kinase B/chemokine (C-C motif) ligand5 and Smad3/HA/CD44, respectively. Hyaluronic acid (HA) inside the myofibroblast-CM stimulates macrophages to polarize into M2 macrophages. In turn, M2 macrophage-CM has the promotive ability to activate myofibroblasts but fails to induce the osteoblast differentiation of VICs directly. The crosstalk between myofibroblasts and macrophages causes the excessive activation of myofibroblasts. This positive feedback loop may play a vital role in CAVD progression.

A common mechanism links Epstein-Barr virus infections and autoimmune diseases.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is associated with a variety of the autoimmune diseases. There is apparently no unified model for the role of EBV in autoimmune diseases. In this article, the development of autoimmune diseases is proposed as a simple two-step process: specific autoimmune initiators may cause irreversible changes to genetic materials that increase autoimmune risks, and autoimmune promoters promote autoimmune disease formation once cells are susceptible to autoimmunity. EBV has several types of latencies including type III latency with higher proliferation potential. EBV could serve as autoimmune initiators for some autoimmune diseases. At the same time, EBV may play a promotional role in majority of the autoimmune diseases by repeated replenishment of EBV type III latency cells and inflammatory cytokine productions in persistent stage. The type III latency cells have enhanced capacity as antigen-presenting cells that would facilitate the development of both B and T cell-mediated autoimmunity. The repeated cytokine productions are achieved by the repeated infection of naive B-lymphocytes and proliferation of type III latency cells that produce inflammatory cytokines. Presentation of viral or self-antigens by EBV type III latency B lymphocytes may promote autoreactive B cell and T cell proliferation, which can be amplified by type III latency cells-mediated cytokines productions. Different autoimmune diseases may require different kinds of pathogenic immune cells and/or specific cytokines. Frequency of the replenishment of EBV type III latency cells may determine the specific effect of the promoter functions. A specific initiator plus EBV-mediated common promoter function may lead to development of a specific autoimmune disease and link EBV-infection to a variety of autoimmunity.

3D Gelatin Microsphere Scaffolds Promote Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Hemisection in Rats.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) damages signal connections and conductions, with the result that neuronal circuits are disrupted leading to neural dysfunctions. Such injuries represent a serious and relatively common central nervous system condition and current treatments have limited success in the reconstruction of nerve connections in injured areas, especially where sizeable gaps are present. Biomaterial scaffolds have become an effective alternative to nerve transplantation in filling these gaps and provide the foundation for simulating the 3D structure of solid organs. However, there remain some limitations with the application of 3D bioprinting for preparation of biomaterial scaffolds. Here, the approach in constructing and testing mini-tissue building blocks and self-assembly, solid 3D gelatin microsphere (GM) scaffolds with multiple voids as based on the convenient preparation of gelatin microspheres by microfluidic devices is described. These 3D GM scaffolds demonstrate suitable biocompatibility, biodegradation, porosity, low preparation costs, and relative ease of production. Moreover, 3D GM scaffolds can effectively bridge injury gaps, establish nerve connections and signal transductions, mitigate inflammatory microenvironments, and reduce glial scar formation. Accordingly, these 3D GM scaffolds can serve as a novel and effective bridging method to promote nerve regeneration and reconstruction and thus recovery of nerve function after SCI.

Exploring the Functional Role of an Alternative mRNA Transcript of the EPO Gene

Erythropoietin (EPO) is the key regulator of erythropoiesis and stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells into mature erythrocytes. In a previous study, we identified a frame-shift mutation in the EPO gene that causes familial erythrocytosis with elevated erythropoietin (EPO) levels by initiating excess production of EPO protein from an alternative EPO mRNA [1]. This alternative non-coding mRNA is transcribed from a promoter (P2) located in intron 1, whereas the full length mRNA that encodes the EPO protein is transcribed from the P1 promoter located upstream of exon 1. Large parts of intron 1 sequences, including the P2 transcript are conserved among different species (Figure 1A), suggesting that the P2 transcript could have an as yet unknown physiological function. To study the putative function of the P2 transcript, we performed experiments in a human cell line, Hep3B, which can produce EPO. We used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate mutant Hep3B clones with targeted deletions in intron 1 of the EPO gene. Close to the P2 transcription start site in intron 1, we identified three GATA-consensus motifs that might act as promoter elements for the P2 transcript. In the first round of CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, we targeted the first two GATA elements and expected to knock down the expression of the P2 transcript. Targeted Hep3B cells were sorted and deposited as single cells to derive clones that were genotyped by next generation sequencing. We obtained 2 clones with homozygous deletions in EPO intron 1 and one clone that was compound heterozygous (Figure 1A). In these Hep3B clones we assessed EPO mRNA expression by qPCR and EPO protein levels in the supernatant by ELISA (Figure 1B). Unexpectedly, the P2 transcript was still detectable in all three clones carrying deletions in intron 1 that eliminated GATA boxes 1 and 2 (data not shown). EPO P1 mRNA expression and EPO protein levels in the supernatant were slightly reduced in most of the clones. These data indicate that the GATA box 1 and 2 motifs are not required for generating the P2 transcript. We have now performed a second round of CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis. In one series we targeted all three GATA-motifs through a 186 bp deletion, and in a second series we targeted a highly conserved region upstream of the GATA boxes by a 93 bp deletion (Figure 1A). We obtained 4 clones homozygous for the 93 bp deletion and the clones for the 186 bp deletion are currently being expanded. The analysis of EPO mRNA and protein in these additions CRISPR/Cas9 clones will be presented. Our study shows that the GATA motifs 1 and 2 are not required for function of the P2 promoter in intron 1 of the EPO gene. However, deleting these two motifs in two different cell clones decreased the P1 full-length EPO mRNA expression and EPO protein production in Hep3B cells by 70.2% and 37.2%, respectively. Additional clones with deletion of all three GATA motifs and a highly conserved region upstream of the GATA boxes will likely provide more insights into the physiological role of the P2 transcript.

Functional verification of U6 promoters from Agaricus bisporus and the feasibility of target gene silencing by shRNA

CRISPR/Cas9 system has been proven to be an efficient tool to generate gene mutation. The expression of gRNA guiding Cas9 nuclease to target gene of interest was commonly driven by RNA polymerase III promoter in several organisms, most of which generally took advantage of U6 promoter. For identification of U6 promoter which could guide the expression of gRNA in Agaricus bisporus, we aligned U6 genes retrieved from NCBI against A. bisporus genome. A total of two U6 genes with the typical eukaryotic U6 functional sites and high sequence conservation were obtained. And then shRNA-mediated adenylate cyclase (AC) gene silencing cassette with ∼500 bp upstream of U6 genes was transformed into A. bisporus to explore the function of U6 promoters. Changes in expression of target gene AC and phenotype demonstrated that the two U6 promoters could effectively drive the expression of shRNA to silence the target gene implying that U6 promoters might be capable of driving the expression of gRNA of CRISPR/Cas9 system in A. bisporus. The identification of U6 genes and functional evaluation of U6 promoters would facilitate the application of shRNA and CRISPR/Cas9 system for investigation of function of target gene in A. bisporus in which targeted gene knockouts were likely to be difficult to be implemented because of multinucleate and heterokaryon.

CD36-Fatty Acid-Mediated Metastasis via the Bidirectional Interactions of Cancer Cells and Macrophages.

Tumour heterogeneity refers to the complexity of cell subpopulations coexisting within the tumour microenvironment (TME), such as proliferating tumour cells, tumour stromal cells and infiltrating immune cells. The bidirectional interactions between cancer and the surrounding microenvironment mark the tumour survival and promotion functions, which allow the cancer cells to become invasive and initiate the metastatic cascade. Importantly, these interactions have been closely associated with metabolic reprogramming, which can modulate the differentiation and functions of immune cells and thus initiate the antitumour response. The purpose of this report is to review the CD36 receptor, a prominent cell receptor in metabolic activity specifically in fatty acid (FA) uptake, for the metabolic symbiosis of cancer-macrophage. In this review, we provide an update on metabolic communication between tumour cells and macrophages, as well as how the immunometabolism indirectly orchestrates the tumour metastasis.

Plant growth promoting and antimicrobial functionalities of rhizosphere Pseudomonas species in flooded rice soils of coastal Odisha

AbstractMicrobiome‐plant interactions have been carried out all over the world in the hunt for growth‐promoting bacteria to augment agriculture. Therefore, diversity and plant growth promotion (PGP) functions of the predominant Gram‐negative bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., of the flooded rice rhizosphere were analyzed. Out of three most potent plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), phenotypic identity of two isolates (TB324, 325) was P. putida but another one (TB326) was P. chorii. Nevertheless, 16S rRNA phylogram claded all 3 (TB324, 325, and 326) potent isolates with P. putida. The isolates solubilized tricalcium phosphate (132.42–162.23 µg/ml), fixed nitrogen (75.46–325.41 nM ethylene/g bact./h), produced IAA (12.06–68.49 µg/ml), salicylic acid (6.54–6.75 µg/ml), hydrogen cyanide (0.03–0.05 ΔA625), siderophore (3.75–7.55 µM/ml), protease, cellulase and ammonia (TB326). Furthermore, the organisms differentially antagonized the phytopathogenic fungi viz. Xanthomonas oryzae, Magnoportha grisea, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Helminthosporium sp., Curvularia sp. and Rhizoctonia solani, as well as, entomopathogens like Fusarium, Nomurae, Verticillium, and Paecilomyces spp., and Beauveria bassiana. TB324, 325, and 326 tolerated abiotic stresses like pH 3–12, NaCl 9%–12%, sea salt 14% and sodium acetate 0.9–1.0 M. Besides, the organisms possessed different phenazine genes and their cellular protein constituents were comparable. All Pseudomonas isolates enhanced growth of potted rice plants over control. TB 326 enhanced maximum root (18.9 ± 0.25 cm) and shoot (73.4 ± 0.81 cm) growth.

Amino acids induce high seed-specific expression driven by a soybean (Glycine max) glycinin seed storage protein promoter.

We characterize GFP expression driven by a soybean glycinin promoter in transgenic soybean. We demonstrate specific amino acid-mediated induction of this promoter in developing soybean seeds in vitro. In plants, gene expression is primarily regulated by promoter regions which are located upstream of gene coding sequences. Promoters allow transcription in certain tissues and respond to environmental stimuli as well as other inductive phenomena. In soybean, seed storage proteins (SSPs) accumulate during seed development and account for most of the monetary and nutritional value of this crop. To better study the regulatory functions of a SSP promoter, we developed a cotyledon culture system where media and media addenda were evaluated for their effects on cotyledon development and promoter activity. Stably transformed soybean events containing a glycinin SSP promoter regulating the green fluorescent protein (GFP) were generated. Promoter activity, as visualized by GFP expression, was only observed in developing in planta seeds and in vitro-cultured isolated embryos and cotyledons from developing seeds when specific media addenda were included. Asparagine, proline, and especially glutamine induced glycinin promoter activity in cultured cotyledons from developing seeds. Other amino acids did not induce the glycinin promoter. Here, we report, for the first time, induction of a reintroduced glycinin SSP promoter by specific amino acids in cotyledon tissues during seed development.

Transcriptional Responses of Copper-Transport-Related Genes ctr1, ctr2 and atox1 and Their Roles in the Regulation of Cu Homeostasis in Yellow Catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco.

Here, we characterized the function of ctr1, ctr2 and atox1 promoters in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, a common freshwater teleost in Asian countries. We obtained 1359 bp, 1842 bp and 1825 bp sequences of ctr1, ctr2 and atox1 promoters, and predicted key transcription factor binding sites on their promoters, including MRE, SREBP1, NRF2, KLF4 and STAT3. Cu differentially influenced the activities of ctr1, ctr2 and atox1 promoters from different regions. We found that the −326/−334 bp and −1232/−1240 bp locus in the atox1 promoter were functional NRF2 binding sites, which negatively controlled the activity of the atox1 promoter. The −91/−100 bp locus in the ctr1 promoter and −232/−241 bp and −699/−708 bp locus in the atox1 promoter were functional SREBP1 binding sites, which positively controlled the activities of ctr1 and atox1 promoters. Cu inhibited the NRF2 binding ability to the atox1 promoter, but promoted the SREBP1 binding ability to the ctr1 and atox1 promoters. Dietary Cu excess significantly down-regulated hepatic mRNA and total protein expression of CTR1, CTR2 and ATOX1 of yellow catfish, compared to the adequate dietary Cu group. The subcellular localization showed that CTR1 was mainly localized on the cell membrane, CTR2 in the cell membrane and the lysosome, and ATOX1 in the cytoplasm. In conclusion, we demonstrated the regulatory mechanism of three Cu transporters at the transcription levels, and found the functional NRF2 and SREBP1 response elements in ctr1, ctr2 and atox1 promoters, which provided new insights into their roles in the regulation of Cu homeostasis in fish.

Effects of Chemical Fertilizer Reduction Combined with Straw Application on Diazotrophic Communities in a Double Rice Cropping System

Based on a three-year field experiment, the effects of reduced chemical fertilizer combined with straw application on paddy yield, soil fertility properties, and community structure of diazotrophs in a double-rice cropping field three years after straw application were examined. Three treatments were applied:conventional fertilizer application (CF), chemical fertilizer reduction combined with a low straw application rate (CFLS, 3 t·hm-2), and a high straw application rate (CFHS, 6 t·hm-2). The results showed that CFLS and CFHS did not significantly reduce rice grain yield (P>0.05); significantly neutralized soil acidification; increased soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon, and organic carbon content (P<0.05); and significantly reduced soil redox potential, ammonium nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen contents (P<0.05). This was more conducive to improve soil nitrogen use efficiency. Compared with those under the CF treatment, the natural nitrogen fixation functional communities of CFLS and CFHS increased the Shannon, PD, and Evenness indexes (P<0.05) due to the improvement of conditions such as the increase in soil carbon storage and the decrease in acidification degree. The relative abundance of microbial communities with nitrogen fixation, carbon fixation, and plant growth promotion functions such as Ferrigenium, Sulfurivermis, Methylomonas, Methylovulum, Ectothiorhodospira, and Nostoc increased significantly (P<0.05). In conclusion, the reduction in chemical fertilizer combined with 3 t·hm-2 and 6 t·hm-2 straw application was an effective measure to improve the community structure of soil diazotrophs and the potential of soil nitrogen fixation.

Lysine Methyltransferase NSD1 and Cancers: Any Role in Melanoma?

Simple SummaryEpigenetic events, which comprise post-translational modifications of histone tails or DNA methylation, control gene expression by altering chromatin structure without change in the DNA sequence. Histone tails modifications are driven by specific cellular enzymes such as histone methyltransferases or histone acetylases, which play a key role in regulating diverse biological processes. Their alteration may have consequences on growth and tumorigenesis.Epigenetic regulations, that comprise histone modifications and DNA methylation, are essential to processes as diverse as development and cancer. Among the histone post-translational modifications, lysine methylation represents one of the most important dynamic marks. Here, we focused on methyltransferases of the nuclear binding SET domain 1 (NSD) family, that catalyze the mono- and di-methylation of histone H3 lysine 36. We review the loss of function mutations of NSD1 in humans that are the main cause of SOTOS syndrome, a disease associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. We then report the role of NSD1 in triggering tumor suppressive or promoter functions according to the tissue context and we discuss the role of NSD1 in melanoma. Finally, we examine the ongoing efforts to target NSD1 signaling in cancers.