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Hot spot gene mutations in splicing factor 3b subunit 1 (SF3B1) are observed in many types of cancer and create abundant aberrant mRNA splicing, which is profoundly implicated in tumorigenesis. Here, we identified that the SF3B1 K700E (SF3B1K700E) mutation is strongly associated with tumor growth in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Knockdown of SF3B1 significantly retarded cell proliferation and tumor growth in a cell line (Panc05.04) with the SF3B1K700E mutation. However, SF3B1 knockdown had no notable effect on cell proliferation in two cell lines (BxPC3 and AsPC1) carrying wild‐type SF3B1. Ectopic expression of SF3B1K700E but not SF3B1WT in SF3B1‐knockout Panc05.04 cells largely restored the inhibitory role induced by SF3B1 knockdown. Introduction of the SF3B1K700E mutation in BxPC3 and AsPC1 cells also boosted cell proliferation. Gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated a close correlation between SF3B1 mutation and aerobic glycolysis. Functional analyses showed that the SF3B1K700E mutation promoted tumor glycolysis, as evidenced by glucose consumption, lactate release, and extracellular acidification rate. Mechanistically, the SF3B1 mutation promoted the aberrant splicing of PPP2R5A and led to the activation of the glycolytic regulator c‐Myc via post‐translational regulation. Pharmacological activation of PP2A with FTY‐720 markedly compromised the growth advantage induced by the SF3B1K700E mutation in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our data suggest a novel function for SF3B1 mutation in the Warburg effect, and this finding may offer a potential therapeutic strategy against PDAC with the SF3B1K700E mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Echinacea purpurea ( EP), a globally popular herbal medicine, has been used to treat various diseases in human and animals. However, little has been reported about its effects in fish. In this study, crucian carp ( Carassius auratus) were selected to evaluate the effects of EP on growth performance and antioxidant response and the expressions of micro RNAs. The results showed EP could stimulate the growth of crucian carp with the best effect was observed at dose of 4 g kg−1. In serum, the content of hydroxyl radical (· OH) and malondialdehyde ( MDA) decreased by EP supplementation, whereas the activities of superoxide dismutase ( SOD), catalase ( CAT) and glutathione reductase ( GR) increased. Similarly, the content of · OH decreased, and the activities of CAT, GPX and GR increased in liver of crucian carp. Furthermore, in livers of crucian carp, EP supplements upregulated the expressions of the micro RNAs (miR-16, miR-21, miR-125b, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-181a and miR-223), which had been confirmed to participate in regulating antioxidant and immune function in mammals. Our results suggest EP supplements in diets stimulated growth performance and antioxidant response of crucian carp. In liver, the upregulation of specific mi RNAs may participate in the antioxidant effects of EP diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on first-principles spin-polarized density functional theory calculations, the relative stability, electronic structures, and magnetic properties of semi-fluorinated gallium nitride (GaN) sheets are investigated. The most stable conformation exhibits ferromagnetic (FM) ground state with a magnetic moment of about 1.0 µB per fluorine. The half-metallic ferromagnetism is mainly attributed to the charge transfers from N to F atoms. Fluorination leads to unpaired spins in N-2p z states and unsaturated F-2p orbitals. The hole-mediated double exchange is responsible for the ferromagnetism in GaN sheets. In addition, GaN nanoribbons (GaNNRs) fluorinated only Ga edges are FM. This opens a route toward metal-free magnetic materials which have a huge possibility of making spintronic devices and nanomagnets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]