Search

Osteoblast differentiation is regulated by various transcription factors, signaling molecules, and posttranslational modifiers. The histone acetyltransferase Mof (Kat8) is involved in distinct physiological processes. However, the exact role of Mof in osteoblast differentiation and growth remains unknown. Herein, we demonstrated that Mof expression with histone H4K16 acetylation increased during osteoblast differentiation. Inhibition of Mof by siRNA knockdown or small molecule inhibitor, MG149 which is a potent histone acetyltransferase inhibitor, reduced the expression level and transactivation potential of osteogenic key markers, Runx2 and Osterix, thus inhibiting osteoblast differentiation. Besides, Mof overexpression also enhanced the protein levels of Runx2 and Osterix. Mof could directly bind the promoter region of Runx2/Osterix to potentiate their mRNA levels, possibly through Mof-mediated H4K16ac to facilitate the activation of transcriptional programs. Importantly, Mof physically interacts with Runx2/Osterix for the stimulation of osteoblast differentiation. Yet, Mof knockdown showed indistinguishable effect on cell proliferation or apoptosis in MSCs and preosteoblast cells. Taken together, our results uncover Mof functioning as a novel regulator of osteoblast differentiation via the promotional effects on Runx2/Osterix and rationalize Mof as a potential therapeutic target, like possible application of inhibitor MG149 for the treatment of osteosarcoma or developing specific Mof activator to ameliorate osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrogen generation rate (HGR) of NaBH4 hydrolyzation is sensitive to the pH value of its aqueous solution. The highly dispersed conduction band of metal-oxide semiconductors with d10 electronic configuration allows excellent mobility of photoexcited electrons, ensuring effective separation of photoexcited electron–hole pairs. In this study, ZnGa2O4, a conventional photocatalytic material with d10 electronic configuration was investigated for the synergistically photo-thermo-catalytic effect in NaBH4 hydrolyzation. The hydrogen generation tests revealed that photoexcited holes as OH−-trapping agent promoted hydrogen generated from NaBH4 hydrolyzation. Meanwhile, the consumption of photoexcited holes accelerated hydrogen generated from photoexcited electron reduction. Coupled with these two factors, ZnGa2O4 exhibited synergistically photo-thermo-catalytic effect in NaBH4 hydrolyzation. The HGR in photo-thermo driven condition offered several times higher than that in single-energy driven condition (irradiation or thermal radiation). The obtained catalysts, bare-ZnGa2O4 and ZnGa1.90Fe0.10O4 achieved optimum HGR at 313.15 K under ultraviolet-light (7.81 mmol h−1 g−1) and visible light (4.39 mmol h−1 g−1), respectively. In addition, the circular tests demonstrated ZnGa2O4 catalysts with high thermodynamic and chemical stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peritonitis is a serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Gut microbiota alterations occur in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The relationship between the gut microbiota and PD-related peritonitis (PRP) is still poorly understood. It is unclear whether the intestinal flora is involved in the pathogenesis of PRP. Methods: We collected fecal samples from PRP patients and normal group (NG) PD patients. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze the gut microbiota of PRP and NG patients while also comparing the gram-positive peritonitis (GPP), Escherichia coli peritonitis (EP) and culture-negative peritonitis (CNP) groups in the subgroup analysis. The demographic data and clinical indicators of all patients were collected. Results: Seventeen PRP patients and 28 NG patients were recruited for this study. The analysis of fecal community diversity with 16S rDNA sequencing showed an obvious change in the microbial structure of PRP patients, where Bacteroidetes and Synergistetes were upregulated at different levels, while Bacilli and Lactobacillus were downregulated at different levels compared to levels in the NG group. In the subgroup analysis, Saccharimonadaceae was significantly increased in the GPP group compared to the EP and CNP group. In addition, decreased gene function associated with metabolic pathways was observed in PRP patients. Conclusions: Bacteroidetes and Synergistetes were the dominant orders in PRP patients. The altered composition of the gut microbiota in PRP patients provided deeper insights into the pathogenesis of PRP, and these biomarkers might be established as potential therapeutic targets that deserve further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]