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Abstract The highly unique zigzag-shaped stem phenotype in tea plants boasts significant ornamental value and is exceptionally rare. To investigate the genetic mechanism behind this trait, we developed BC1 artificial hybrid populations. Our genetic analysis revealed the zigzag-shaped trait as a qualitative trait. Utilizing whole-genome resequencing, we constructed a high-density genetic map from the BC1 population, incorporating 5,250 SNP markers across 15 linkage groups, covering 3,328.51 cM with an average marker interval distance of 0.68 cM. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) for the zigzag-shaped trait was identified on chromosome 4, within a 61.2 to 97.2 Mb range, accounting for a phenotypic variation explained (PVE) value of 13.62%. Within this QTL, six candidate genes were pinpointed. To better understand their roles, we analyzed gene expression in various tissues and individuals with erect and zigzag-shaped stems. The results implicated CsXTH (CSS0035625) and CsCIPK14 (CSS0044366) as potential key contributors to the zigzag-shaped stem formation. These discoveries lay a robust foundation for future functional genetic mapping and tea plant genetic enhancement.

Abstract Background MicroRNAs have an important role in diverse biological processes including tumorigenesis. MiR-223 has been reported to be deregulated in several human cancer types. However, its biological role has not been functionally characterized in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). The following study investigates the role of miR-223-3p in LSCC growth and metastasis and its underlying mechanism. Methods MicroRNA profiling analyses were conducted to determine differential miRNAs expression levels in LSCC tumor tissues that successfully formed xenografts in immunocompromised mice (XG) and failed tumor tissues (no-XG). RT-PCR and in situ hybridization (ISH) was performed to evaluate the expression of miR-223-3p in 12 paired adjacent normal tissues and LSCC specimens. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed by CCK-8, colony formation and Transwell assay, respectively. The role of miR-223-3p in LSCC tumorigenesis was examined using xenograft nude models. Bioinformatics analysis, Dual-luciferase reporter assays, Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and Western blot analysis were used to identify the direct target of miR-223-3p and its interactions. Results MiR-223-3p was downregulated in LSCC tissues that successfully formed xenografts (XG) compared with tumor tissues that failed (no-XG), which was also significantly reduced in LSCC tissues compared with the adjacent normal tissues. Gain- and loss-of function experiments showed that miR-223-3p inhibited proliferation and migration in vitro. More importantly, miR-223-3p overexpression greatly suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that mutant p53 bound to the promoter region of miR-223 and reduced its transcription. Meanwhile, p53 is a direct target of miR-223-3p. Thus, miR-223-3p regulated mutant p53 expression in a feedback loop that inhibited cell proliferation and migration. Conclusions Our study identified miR-223-3p, as a tumor suppressor gene, markedly inhibited cell proliferation and migration via miR-223-3p-mutant p53 feedback loop, which suggested miR-223-3p might be a new therapeutic target in LSCC bearing p53 mutations.

Abstract Background Patients with metastatic or relapsed gallbladder cancer generally have a poor prognosis. Therefore, targeting metastasis is one arm of therapeutic strategies to treat gallbladder cancer. Methods Levels of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) were measured in samples of gallbladder cancer by immunohistochemical staining. Wound healing, migration and invasion assays were used to investigate the motility of cells. Western blot assay was used to investigate the levels of TCTP and other proteins. Liver metastasis models and lung metastasis models were established to investigate the inhibitory effect of Dihydroartemisinin on gallbladder cancer metastasis. Results TCTP is aberrantly expressed in gallbladder cancer patients and associated with metastasis and a poor prognosis. Depleting TCTP significantly inhibited gallbladder cancer cell migration and invasion. We found that Dihydroartemisinin as a potent inhibitor of TCTP inhibited TCTP-dependent cell migration and invasion by reducing cell division control protein 42 homolog (Cdc42) activation. In addition, in mice with xenografted tumors, treatment with Dihydroartemisinin decreased gallbladder cancer cell metastases and improved survival. Conclusions These findings provide new insights into the therapeutic activity of Dihydroartemisinin as a treatment for gallbladder cancer metastasis.

In the original publication of this article [1], there are mistakes in Fig. 3A and Fig. 3D.