Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tomohito Yamasaki, Ryutaro Tokutsu, Haruhi Sawa, Nazifa Naziha Razali, Momoka Hayashi, Jun Minagawa
Summary: Small RNAs form complexes with Argonaute proteins to repress gene expression. In the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, sRNAs contribute to the induction of photoprotection mediated by the blue-light receptor phototropin (PHOT) and the expression of LIGHT HARVESTING COMPLEX STRESS-RELATED 3 (LHCSR3). The sRNAs regulate the degree of photoprotection by controlling the expression of PHOT.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhen Wang, Junmei Kang, Juan Armando Casas-Mollano, Yongchao Dou, Shangang Jia, Qingchuan Yang, Chi Zhang, Heriberto Cerutti
Summary: The plant-specific protein kinase MLK4 regulates flowering time by phosphorylating histone H3, which in turn accelerates flowering by repressing the transcription of the negative flowering regulator FLC/MAF.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinyu Li, Mengxia Chen, Biru Liu, Peifen Lu, Xiang Lv, Xiang Zhao, Shuaiying Cui, Peipei Xu, Yukio Nakamura, Ryo Kurita, Bing Chen, David C. S. Huang, De-Pei Liu, Ming Liu, Quan Zhao
Summary: This study identified NonO as a novel transcriptional repressor of gamma-globin gene expression in human erythroid cells, through direct binding to the promoter. Depletion of NonO led to significant activation of gamma-globin expression. Further research also revealed a conserved role for NonO during mammalian evolution.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinyu Li, Mengxia Chen, Biru Liu, Peifen Lu, Xiang Lv, Xiang Zhao, Shuaiying Cui, Peipei Xu, Yukio Nakamura, Ryo Kurita, Bing Chen, David C. S. Huang, De-Pei Liu, Ming Liu, Quan Zhao
Summary: The study demonstrates that NonO interacts with SOX6 to repress gamma-globin gene expression in human erythroid cells, and depletion of NonO results in significant activation of gamma-globin expression. In vivo experiments using mice also confirm the role of NonO in reactivating globin gene expression, suggesting a conserved function of NonO during mammalian evolution.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Chuan Zhang, Lu Wang, Chi Jin, Jiahui Zhou, Chaofan Peng, Yong Wang, Ziwei Xu, Dongsheng Zhang, Yuanjian Huang, Yue Zhang, Dongjian Ji, Wen Peng, Kangpeng Jin, Junwei Tang, Yifei Feng, Yueming Sun
Summary: Colorectal cancer is a common cancer worldwide, with liver metastasis being a key factor affecting prognosis. A study revealed that Lnc-LALC can regulate CRC cell metastasis ability by affecting DNA methylation status, highlighting its important role in CRLM.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Heesun Kim, Yue-He Ding, Gangming Zhang, Yong-Hong Yan, Darryl Conte, Meng-Qiu Dong, Craig C. Mello
Summary: In eukaryotic cells, guided search is used to coordinate the control of dispersed genetic elements. SUMOylation of the type 1 histone deacetylase HDA-1 has been shown to be essential for Argonaute-directed transcriptional silencing in Caenorhabditis elegans by promoting the association of HDAC1 with chromatin remodeling factors and nuclear Argonaute.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jie Dong, Chantal LeBlanc, Axel Poulet, Benoit Mermaz, Gonzalo Villarino, Kimberly M. Webb, Valentin Joly, Josefina Mendez, Philipp Voigt, Yannick Jacob
Summary: This study unveils a key molecular role for H3.1K27me1 in maintaining transcriptional silencing and genome stability in plants, by restricting GCN5-mediated histone acetylation. The findings also suggest that H3.1K27 and H3.1K36 play essential functions in inducing genomic instability in the absence of H3.1K27me1. Furthermore, H3.1K36 acetylation by GCN5 is negatively regulated by H3.1K27me1 in vitro.
Article
Oncology
Chong Wang, Tao Wang, Kang-Jing Li, Ling-Hong Hu, Yue Li, Yu-Zhong Yu, Tao Xie, Sha Zhu, Du-Jiang Fu, Yang Wang, Xian-Zi Zeng, Feng-Ping Liu, Hong Chen, Zhe-Sheng Chen, Ning-Han Feng, Jinghua Liu, Yong Jiang, Shan-Chao Zhao
Summary: The SETD4 protein plays a crucial role in prostate cancer by catalyzing histone lysine methylation and suppressing NUPR1 transcription, leading to the inhibition of Akt signaling pathway and preventing PCa development.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rebecca A. Lee, Maggie Chang, Nicholas Yiv, Ariel Tsay, Sharon Tian, Danielle Li, Coralie Poulard, Michael R. Stallcup, Miles A. Pufall, Jen-Chywan Wang
Summary: The classical dogma of glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance states that it is caused by the activation of certain genes. However, this study shows that glucocorticoids can also stimulate the expression of insulin-sensitizing genes. The transcriptional co-regulator EHMT2 plays a key role in this process, as it is involved in the induction of Irs2 to restrict the extent of insulin resistance caused by glucocorticoids.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kikyo Watanabe, Masashi Ugaki
Summary: The study demonstrated that the replication-associated protein (Rep) and RepA encoded by Tobacco yellow dwarf virus (TYDV) have TGS suppressor activity, leading to decreased accumulation of 24-nt siRNAs, suggesting that Rep and RepA can block the steps before the loading of siRNAs into Argonaute (AGO) proteins. This is the first report of TGS suppressors in the genus Mastrevirus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kexin Tan, Jiangzhu Zheng, Cheng Liu, Xianghan Liu, Xiaomin Liu, Tengteng Gao, Xinyang Song, Zhiwei Wei, Fengwang Ma, Chao Li
Summary: The heterologous expression of human HIOMT gene in apple plants significantly improved their adaptation to salt stress, primarily by increasing melatonin concentration, maintaining a high photosynthetic capacity, reducing reactive oxygen species accumulation, and maintaining normal ion homeostasis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yue Fei, Douglas E. Pyott, Attila Molnar
Summary: The study demonstrated that high temperature impairs virus-induced transcriptional gene silencing (ViTGS), leading to inefficient transmission of epigenetic gene silencing to subsequent generations. This finding contributes to understanding the impact of environmental conditions on primary and secondary siRNA production and may pave the way to design/optimize ViTGS for transgene-free crop improvement.
Review
Developmental Biology
Andrew Keniry, Marnie E. Blewitt
Summary: This article discusses the silencing process of the second X chromosome in females in mammals, and the crucial role of chromatin features in establishing and maintaining the silent state. It also explores the possibility of learning from this process to potentially treat X-linked diseases in females.
Article
Oncology
Huili Li, Jiliang Wang, Kun Huang, Tao Zhang, Lu Gao, Sai Yang, Wangyang Yi, Yanfeng Niu, Hongli Liu, Zheng Wang, Guobin Wang, Kaixiong Tao, Lin Wang, Kailin Cai
Summary: Nkx2.5 is highly expressed in CRC tissues, especially in poorly differentiated cells. However, the exact role of Nkx2.5 in CRC cells remains unclear.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jin-peng Sun, Xue-hong Wei, Xiao-mei Cong, Wen-hua Zhang, Le-Xin Qiu, Xiao-nan Zang
Summary: In this study, a model for astaxanthin production similar to H. pluvialis was constructed in C. reinhardtii by combining carotenoid metabolism and fatty acid metabolism. It was found that lipids contribute to the synthesis of astaxanthin by regulating carbon flow, and the expression of the MECR gene related to long-chain fatty acid synthesis further increases the astaxanthin content.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chenba Zhu, Yimei Xi, Xiaoqian Zhai, Jinghan Wang, Fantao Kong, Zhanyou Chi
Summary: The study demonstrated that Trebouxiophyte can efficiently produce with bicarbonate as the sole carbon source, providing a good example of selecting a balanced bicarbonate concentration to simultaneously achieve high biomass productivity and CUE. The results also showed that outdoor cultivation in a floating photobioreactor produced a higher biomass concentration, highest areal biomass productivity, and CUE compared to an open pond, highlighting the potential of using bicarbonate in microalgae cultivation for improved efficiency.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yimei Xi, Fantao Kong, Zhanyou Chi
Summary: This study investigated the regulatory mechanism of beta-carotene accumulation in Dunaliella salina under stress conditions, revealing a positive correlation between cellular ROS level and beta-carotene content, and a negative correlation between F-v/F-m of PSII and beta-carotene content. Transcriptional analysis showed that ROS induce beta-carotene accumulation by modulating genes involved in photosynthesis and beta-carotene biosynthesis.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bolong Li, Ru Chen, Chenba Zhu, Fantao Kong
Summary: Luminescence, a phenomenon that produces light in living organisms, has been successfully introduced into plant cells through genetic engineering, resulting in plants that can glow in the dark. These plants not only serve as biomarkers but also provide a new source of lighting.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Yonghua Li-Beisson, Fantao Kong, Pengfei Wang, Youngsook Lee, Byung-Ho Kang
Summary: Lipid droplets are specialized organelles in eukaryotic cells, consisting of a triacylglycerol core surrounded by a monolayer of membrane lipids. Their functions range from energy storage to signal transduction, and their turnover is tightly coordinated with cellular metabolic needs in a fluctuating environment. In Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, key components of lipid droplet turnover have been identified, highlighting the physiological significance of this process in algal oil research.
Article
Cell Biology
Yutaro Kinoshita, Yoichi Sato, Tetsuya Sakurai, Tomohito Yamasaki, Hirofumi Yamamoto, Masanori Hiraoka
Summary: The mechanism of cellular differentiation and multicellular morphogenesis in multicellular marine algae remains mostly unknown. A study on the leafy seaweed Gayralia oxysperma revealed that its blade cells maintain their totipotency, while its rhizoid cells lose the ability to divide and differentiate. This is in contrast to the previously studied Ulva, suggesting that the morphogenesis system in Gayralia is fundamentally different and requires further investigation.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bae Young Choi, Donghwan Shim, Fantao Kong, Pascaline Auroy, Yuree Lee, Yonghua Li-Beisson, Youngsook Lee, Yasuyo Yamaoka
Summary: This study identified MYB1 as a key regulator of lipid metabolism in microalgae under stress conditions. MYB1 promotes lipid accumulation by facilitating fatty acid transport from the chloroplast to the endoplasmic reticulum.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Chong Yu, Hao Pang, Jing-Han Wang, Zhan-You Chi, Qian Zhang, Fan-Tao Kong, Yong-Ping Xu, Shu-Ying Li, Jian Che
Summary: Global antibiotics consumption and release into the environment pose a threat to public health and ecosystems. Conventional treatment methods are moderately effective, while microalgae-based technology is a promising alternative. Previous studies focused on removal performances rather than mechanisms and toxicity. This study aims to connect antibiotics occurrence, microalgae-based removal, and toxicity to provide valuable information for related fields.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Miao Yang, Xi Xie, Fan-Tao Kong, Kun-Peng Xie, Si-Hui Yu, Jing-Yi Ma, Song Xue, Zheng Gong
Summary: This study investigates the glycerolipidomic response of Chlamydomonas starchless mutant BAFJ5 under high light and nitrogen-deprived conditions, revealing differences in TAG biosynthesis metabolism and membrane lipid remodeling under different carbon supply regimes.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ayat J. S. Al-Azab, Yuichi Aoki, Fean D. Sarian, Yuki Sori, Dwiyantari Widyaningrum, Tomohito Yamasaki, Fantao Kong, Takeshi Ohama
Summary: Exposure to resin nanoparticles composed of isobutyl cyanoacrylate polymers can induce acute cell death in microalgal species. The upregulation of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes and cell wall hydrolytic enzymes plays a key role in inducing cell death in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Han Lu, Keqing Liu, Hao Zhang, Xi Xie, Yunlong Ge, Zhanyou Chi, Song Xue, Fantao Kong, Takeshi Ohama
Summary: Microalgae are a promising feedstock for renewable fuels and their oil accumulation can be enhanced by exposure to nanoparticles. However, previous studies have used mostly non-biodegradable nanoparticles, limiting their application in biofuel production. This study reports the use of biodegradable engineered resin nanoparticles (iBCA-NPs) to enhance TAG and starch accumulation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Short exposure to iBCA-NPs increased cellular TAG and starch contents significantly, with improved TAG production and increased fatty acid content. The addition of iBCA-NPs also increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and upregulated the activities of antioxidant enzymes. The study demonstrates a useful approach to enhance energy-rich reserve accumulation in microalgae.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ru Chen, Yasuyo Yamaoka, Yanbin Feng, Zhanyou Chi, Song Xue, Fantao Kong
Summary: Lipid transporters play a synergistic role in oil accumulation in microalgae under normal conditions, but their effects under stress conditions are unclear. In this study, the co-expression of fatty acid transporters (FAX1 and FAX2) and ABC transporter (ABCA2) in the green microalga Chlamydomonas was found to significantly increase the TAG content, as well as membrane lipids, starch, and biomass. The overexpression also upregulated genes involved in TAG, fatty acid, and starch biosynthesis, and caused changes in photosynthesis activity and ROS levels during nitrogen deprivation. This strategy could be applied to other microalgae for the production of FA-derived energy-rich compounds.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tomohito Yamasaki, Ryutaro Tokutsu, Haruhi Sawa, Nazifa Naziha Razali, Momoka Hayashi, Jun Minagawa
Summary: Small RNAs form complexes with Argonaute proteins to repress gene expression. In the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, sRNAs contribute to the induction of photoprotection mediated by the blue-light receptor phototropin (PHOT) and the expression of LIGHT HARVESTING COMPLEX STRESS-RELATED 3 (LHCSR3). The sRNAs regulate the degree of photoprotection by controlling the expression of PHOT.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yimei Xi, Bolei Han, Fantao Kong, Tingting You, Ran Bi, Xiangfeng Zeng, Shaofeng Wang, Yongfeng Jia
Summary: A novel phosphate transporter DsPht1 was found to be highly upregulated in Dunaliella salina after arsenic exposure. Overexpressing DsPht1 in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii increased arsenic uptake and transformation, making it promising for effective phytoremediation of arsenic-contaminated water.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jilong Zhao, Yunlong Ge, Keqing Liu, Yasuyo Yamaoka, Di Zhang, Zhanyou Chi, Mahinur Akkaya, Fantao Kong
Summary: Under standard growth conditions, overexpressing MYB1 in Chlamydomonas increased lipid accumulation, starch and protein content, and biomass production. This provides a promising genetic engineering tool for biofuel production in microalgae.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ru Chen, Miao Yang, Mengjie Li, Hao Zhang, Han Lu, Xiaotan Dou, Shiqi Feng, Song Xue, Chenba Zhu, Zhanyou Chi, Fantao Kong
Summary: This study demonstrates that co-overexpression of chloroplast and endoplasmic reticulum-localized fatty acid transporters in Chlamydomonas enhances lipid accumulation and metabolism, particularly the remobilization of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The findings suggest a potential strategy for increasing the production of energy-rich and value-added compounds in microalgae.
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)