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Apis laboriosa is the largest honeybee that lives mainly on cliff faces, with strong migratory ability. In this study, we firstly sequenced and assembled two complete mitochondrial genomes of A. laboriosa isolated from two distant locations in China (Chongqing and Shangri‐La regions). Combined with the published mitochondrial genome of A. laboriosa from Nepal, comparative genomic analyses were conducted to gain insight into the genetic diversity of giant honeybees from different geographical distributions. The mitochondrial genomes of A. laboriosa from Chongqing and Shangri‐La regions were 15,579 and 15,683 bp in length, respectively, both larger than that from Nepal with the length of 15,510 bp. Three mitochondrial genomes all harbor 37 common genes and present the same AT bias and the frequency of codon usage. However, the fragments including COX1, SSUrRNA, LSUrRNA, and the AT‐rich region of the mitochondrial genome from Shangri‐La region demonstrate distinctive insertions and deletions compared to those from Chongqing and Nepal regions. Phylogenetic trees of mitochondrial genomes show that A. laboriosa from Chongqing is most closely related to that from Nepal, rather than to Shangri‐La. Genetic distance between Shangri‐La and Chongqing or Nepal was even larger than that between the various subspecies of Apis mellifera. Overall, these results unmark that A. laboriosa in different geographical distributions can exhibit high genetic diversity at the mitochondrial genomic level, and therein, A. laboriosa from Shangri‐La may be the subspecies. All these studies will contribute to our understanding of the geographical distribution and genetic differentiation of black giant honeybee in Asian region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of metabolic diseases has progressively increased, which has a negative impact on human health and life safety globally. Due to the good efficacy and limited side effects, there is growing interest in developing effective drugs to treat metabolic diseases from natural compounds. Kaempferol (KMP), an important flavonoid, exists in many vegetables, fruits, and traditional medicinal plants. Recently, KMP has received widespread attention worldwide due to its good potential in the treatment of metabolic diseases. To promote the basic research and clinical application of KMP, this review provides a timely and comprehensive summary of the pharmacological advances of KMP in the treatment of four metabolic diseases and its potential molecular mechanisms of action, including diabetes mellitus, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and atherosclerosis. According to the research, KMP shows remarkable therapeutic effects on metabolic diseases by regulating multiple signaling transduction pathways such as NF-κB, Nrf2, AMPK, PI3K/AKT, TLR4, and ER stress. In addition, the most recent literature on KMP's natural source, pharmacokinetics studies, as well as toxicity and safety are also discussed in this review, thus providing a foundation and evidence for further studies to develop novel and effective drugs from natural compounds. Collectively, our manuscript strongly suggested that KMP could be a promising candidate for the treatment of metabolic diseases. [Display omitted] ● Dietary sources, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of kaempferol. ● Kaempferol has the potential to prevent and treat several metabolic diseases. ● Diabetes, obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/ non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, atherosclerosis. ● NF-κB, Nrf2, AMPK, PI3K/AKT, TLR4, and ER stress. ● Future perspectives of kaempferol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The vacuolar H+-pyrophosphatase (VHP) is a proton pump, which energizes transport across the tonoplast. The contributions of VHP to ion, organic acid and sugar storage are unclear in fruit. Here we characterized the role of an apple vacuolar H+-pyrophosphatase gene (MdVHP1) in Na+, malate and soluble sugar accumulation. MdVHP1 expression was consistent with VHP activities in apple fruits at most developmental stages, and highly significantly correlated with Na+ concentration during fruit development. In apple fruits treated in vitro (i.e., fruit-bearing branches were cultured in Hoagland solution containing each of salt, malate and sucrose, respectively, or irradiated by blue light), MdVHP1 expression was significantly correlated with Na+ and malate transporter genes MdNHX1 and MdtDT, while subunit A of the vacuolar H+-ATPase (MdVHA-A) was significantly correlated with MdtDT and sucrose transporter gene (MdSUT1). In addition, MdVHP1 overexpression noticeably promoted Na+ and malate accumulation, but slightly increased soluble sugar accumulation in transgenic apple callus and tomato fruit, partially by regulating transporter genes MdNHX1, MdtDT and MdSUT1. Taken together, it appears that MdVHP1 favorably contributes to Na+, malate and soluble sugar accumulation in apple fruit. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cytosolic NAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase (cyMDH) is an enzyme crucial for malate synthesis in the cytosol. The apple MdcyMDH gene (GenBank Accession No. DQ221207) encoding the cyMDH enzyme in apple was cloned and functionally characterized. The protein was subcellularly localized to the cytoplasm and plasma membrane. Based on kinetic parameters, it mainly catalyzes the reaction from oxalacetic acid (OAA) to malate in vitro. The expression level of MdcyMDH was positively correlated with malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activity throughout fruit development, but not with malate content, especially in the ripening apple fruit. MdcyMDH overexpression contributed to malate accumulation in the apple callus and tomato. Taken together, our results support the involvement of MdcyMDH directly in malate synthesis and indirectly in malate accumulation through the regulation of genes/enzymes associated with malate degradation and transportation, gluconeogenesis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is well-known that cytosolic NAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase (cyMDH; l-malate:NAD-oxidoreductase; EC 1.1.1.37) is an enzyme crucial for malic acid synthesis in the cytosol. Nothing is known about cyMDH in growth and stress tolerance. Here we characterised the role of the apple cyMDH gene (MdcyMDH, GenBank ID: DQ221207) in growth and tolerance to cold and salt stresses. MdcyMDH transcripts were highly accumulated in vigorously growing apple tissues, organs and suspension cells. In addition, MdcyMDH was sensitive to cold and salt stresses. MdcyMDH overexpression favourably contributed to cell and plant growth and conferred stress tolerance both in the apple callus and tomato. Taken together, our results indicated that MdcyMDH is involved in plant and cell growth as well as the tolerance to cold and salt stresses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Malic acid (MA) in apple fruit is the predominant organic acid associated with taste, flavour and juice quality. In this study, three full-length cDNAs of MdPEPC, MdVHA-A and MdcyME were cloned from apple fruit. They encoded cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (MdPEPC, EC 4.1.1.31), subunit A of vacuolar H+-ATPase (MdVHA, EC 3.6.1.3) and cytosolic NADP-dependent malic enzyme (MdcyME, EC 1.1.1.40), respectively, for MA synthesis, transportation and degradation. Real-time quantitative PCR discovered that the expression levels of three genes varied with development stages, and that their expression patterns differed between low acid (LA) and high acid (HA) genotypes. In addition, enzyme activity assay showed that PEPC and VHA contributed positively to MA accumulation during fruit development both in LA and HA, while cyME did negatively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: cDNA-AFLP, coupled with bulked segregant analysis (BSA), was used to screen genes expressed differently between low- and high-acid apple fruits from hybrids of ‘Toko’בFuji’ (Malus × domestica Borkh.). Sixty-four combinations of AFLP primers produced 2240 fragments, of which only one showed different expression between low- and high-acid fruits. The specific fragment was cloned and sequenced, and the complete cDNA was achieved by 3′ and 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The screened gene, designated as Mal-DDNA (GenBank accession no. DQ417661), showed no significant homology to clones in GenBank. The relatedness between fruit acidity and the transcription level of Mal-DDNA was identified by RT-PCR analysis on 30 hybrids. RT-PCR analysis indicated that Mal-DDNA transcripted in low-acid fruits at both early and ripe stages whereas in high- and mid-acid fruits, it did not transcript at the early stage. RNA gel-blot hybridization indicated that Mal-DDNA transcripted only in fruits and had clear difference between low- and high/mid-acid fruits. There was a good indication that Mal-DDNA existed as one copy in apple genome by Southern blot. Possible regulation of Mal-DDNA in apple fruit acidity is also discussed in the paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: In plants, CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1) is a key negative regulator in photoperiod response. However, the biological function of COP1-interacting protein 1 (CIP1) and the regulatory mechanism of the CIP1-COP1 interaction are not fully understood. Results: Here, we identified the apple MdCIP1 gene based on the Arabidopsis AtCIP1 gene. Expression pattern analysis showed that MdCIP1 was constitutively expressed in various tissues of apple, and responded to stress and hormone signals at the transcriptional level. Ectopic expression of MdCIP1 complemented the phenotypes of the Arabidopsis cip1 mutant, and MdCIP1 inhibited anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple calli. In addition, the biochemical assay demonstrated that MdCIP1 could interact with MdCOP1 protein by their coiled-coil domain, and MdCIP1-OX/cop1–4 had a similar phenotype in photomorphogenesis with the cop1–4 mutant, suggesting that COP1 is epistatic to CIP1. Furthermore, the transient transformation assay indicated that MdCIP1 repressed anthocyanin biosynthesis in an MdCOP1-mediated pathway. Conclusion: Take together, this study finds that MdCIP1 acts as a repressor in regulating hypocotyl elongation and anthocyanin biosynthesis through MdCOP1 in apple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grafting grapevines on resistant rootstocks is an effective tool to overcome biotic and abiotic stress constraints. The increasing consumer attention for fruit quality makes it indispensable to evaluate the impacts of resistant rootstocks on fruit quality. In this paper, berry quality modifications induced by the rootstocks were determined in the ‘Summer Black’ grape. Compared to the own-rooted vines, berry and cluster weights, berry texture and skin color were altered by the rootstocks to varying extents. Beta maintained TSS/TA and the contents of fructose, glucose and sucrose; in contrast, SO4, 5BB and 101–14 M impaired these parameters. The rootstocks modified berry nutrition and flavor by affecting the contents of cations and free amino acids. Aroma amount and components were largely modified by the rootstocks; Beta largely enhanced the amount of total aroma volatiles and ester compounds while SO4 imparted the reverse influence. Hence, berry nutrition and flavor were widely modified by the rootstocks; the Beta rootstock favored berry quality, and SO4 impaired berry quality; the effects of 5BB and 101–14 M on berry quality varied according to the different parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we characterized the role of an apple cytosolic malate dehydrogenase gene ( Mdcy MDH) in the tolerance to salt and cold stresses and investigated its regulation mechanism in stress tolerance. The Mdcy MDH transcript was induced by mild cold and salt treatments, and Mdcy MDH-overexpressing apple plants possessed improved cold and salt tolerance compared to wild-type ( WT) plants. A digital gene expression tag profiling analysis revealed that Mdcy MDH overexpression largely altered some biological processes, including hormone signal transduction, photosynthesis, citrate cycle and oxidation-reduction. Further experiments verified that Mdcy MDH overexpression modified the mitochondrial and chloroplast metabolisms and elevated the level of reducing power, primarily caused by increased ascorbate and glutathione, as well as the increased ratios of ascorbate/dehydroascorbate and glutathione/glutathione disulphide, under normal and especially stress conditions. Concurrently, the transgenic plants produced a high H2O2 content, but a low [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe deficiency is a widespread nutritional disorder in plants. The basic helix-loop-helix ( bHLH) transcription factors ( TFs), especially Ib subgroup bHLH TFs which are involved in iron uptake, have been identified. In this study, an IVc subgroup bHLH TF Mdb HLH104 was identified and characterized as a key component in the response to Fe deficiency in apple. The overexpression of the Mdb HLH104 gene noticeably increased the H+- ATPase activity under iron limitation conditions and the tolerance to Fe deficiency in transgenic apple plants and calli. Further investigation showed that Mdb HLH104 proteins bonded directly to the promoter of the Md AHA8 gene, thereby positively regulating its expression, the plasma membrane ( PM) H+- ATPase activity and Fe uptake. Similarly, Mdb HLH104 directly modulated the expression of three Fe-responsive bHLH genes, Mdb HLH38, Mdb HLH39 and Md PYE. In addition, Mdb HLH104 interacted with 5 other IVc subgroup bHLH proteins to coregulate the expression of the Md AHA8 gene, the activity of PM H+- ATPase and the content of Fe in apple calli. Therefore, Mdb HLH104 acts together with other apple bHLH TFs to regulate Fe uptake by modulating the expression of the Md AHA8 gene and the activity of PM H+- ATPase in apple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the performance limitations of traditional ship-type and cylindrical FPSO, this paper presents a new concept of sandglass-type FPSO. For the new sandglass-type floating model, firstly by using classic boundary element method based on wave potential theory, the effects of shape parameters on motion performance of sandglass-type model are studied. Then the wave frequency versus minimum heave motion RAO is selected as the critical design parameter to control heave motion of new floating model, and its convenient engineering estimation expression is theoretically and mathematically deduced. Furthermore, on this basis the design guideline for sandglass shape is analyzed and proposed. Next according to the information of a cylindrical FPSO, a sandglass-type floating model with the same basic function has been designed. Finally, by analyzing the numerical solution and experimental data, the numerical boundary element method and design guideline in this paper can be validated to be effective and accurate. Furthermore, it can be found that the sandglass-type design can obviously improve the hydrodynamic performance of FPSO. Thus this paper can provide an innovative engineering platform and a design proposal for the development of ocean oil and gas exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Different concentrations of a sodium chloride spray were applied to the grapevine cultivar Kyoho to determine the effects of salinity on berry quality. The fruit’s fresh weight, relative water content, hardness and titratable acid were gradually enhanced with increased salt concentrations. Anthocyanin and soluble solids increased after treatment with moderate salinity (20 and 60mM); however, the results were reversed under high salinity (100 and 150mM). The soluble sugars glucose, fructose and sucrose increased after treatment with moderate salinity, whereas glucose and fructose declined under high salinity. For the six organic acids tested, their total levels were elevated by salinity, which increased the production of tartaric and malic acids. The aroma of the berry was extremely sensitive to salinity and showed a considerable decline in abundance and variety at 20mM NaCl. In summary, moderate salinity enhanced the overall berry quality, but decreased the aroma quality, whereas high salinity decreased the berry quality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Vacuole H+-ATPases (VHAs) are plant proton pumps, which play a crucial role in plant growth and stress tolerance. In the present study, we demonstrated that the apple vacuolar H+-ATPase subunit A (MdVHA-A) is highly conserved with subunit A of VHA (VHA-A) proteins from other plant species. MdVHA-A was expressed in vegetative and reproductive organs. In apple in vitro shoot cultures, expression was induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated osmotic stress. We further verified that over-expression of MdVHA-A conferred transgenic tobacco seedlings with enhanced vacuole H+-ATPase (VHA) activity and improved drought tolerance. The enhanced PEG-mimic drought response of transgenic tobacco seedlings was related to an extended lateral root system (dependent on auxin translocation) and more efficient osmotic adjustment. Our results indicate that MdVHA-A is a candidate gene for improving drought tolerance in plants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

ABSTRACT Low environmental temperatures promote anthocyanin accumulation and fruit colouration by up-regulating the expression of genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis and regulation in many fruit trees. However, the molecular mechanism by which fruit trees regulate this process in response to low temperature (LT) remains largely unknown. In this study, the cold-induced bHLH transcription factor gene MdbHLH3 was isolated from an apple tree and was found to interact physically and specifically through two regions (amino acids 1-23 and 186-228) at the N terminus with the MYB partner MdMYB1 (allelic to MdMYB10). Subsequently, MdbHLH3 bound to the promoters of the anthocyanin biosynthesis genes MdDFR and MdUFGT and the regulatory gene MdMYB1 to activate their expression. Furthermore, the MdbHLH3 protein was post-translationally modified, possibly involving phosphorylation following exposure to LTs, which enhanced its promoter-binding capacity and transcription activity. Our results demonstrate the molecular mechanism by which MdbHLH3 regulates LT-induced anthocyanin accumulation and fruit colouration in apple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The survival of plant cells strongly depends on maintaining or adjusting the activity of the V-ATPase under drought conditions. In this study, a V-ATPase gene, VHA-B, was identified in an apple cDNA library, and an analysis of the deduced MdVHA-B protein sequence showed that it clusters with VHA-B proteins of other species. The expression of MdVHA-B was induced by abiotic stress, including abscisic acid (ABA), salinity, drought and low and high temperatures. Furthermore, the over-expression of MdVHA-B in transgenic tomato plants resulted in a high tolerance to drought stress, reduced relative water loss and malondialdehyde contents and increased levels of free proline and H+-ATPase activity compared to the wild-type plants (WT). Additionally, it has similar sensibility to exogenous ABA in transgenic MdVHA-B tomato seeds and seedlings, while more sensitive to polyethylene glycol in transgenic tomato compared with WT. This study indicates that MdVHA-B plays an important role in drought stress, yet may act independently of the ABA signaling pathway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Plants respond to various environmental stresses by activating 'stress genes'. CIPKs (CBL-interacting protein kinases) family genes play an important role in the process of stress response. In this study, a CIPK gene MdSOS2 was isolated from apple ( Malus × Domestica). Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that it is highly similar with Arabidopsis AtSOS2 and contained the conserved domains and motifs. Expression analysis demonstrated that MdSOS2 expressed in all tested organs at different levels, and positively in response to salt stress. Furthermore, the ectopic expression of MdSOS2 complemented the function of Arabidopsis sos2 mutant, and conferred enhanced salt tolerance to the transgenic Arabidopsis. Yeast two-hybrid assay indicated that the N-terminal of MdSOS2 protein physically interacted with MdSOS3 and AtSOS3, respectively, suggesting that SOS pathway operates in apple tree. Finally, MdSOS2 overexpression enhanced, while its suppression reduced the tolerance to salt in transgenic apple calluses, indicating that MdSOS2 acts as a positive regulator in response to salt stress in apple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The products of the FIS genes play important regulatory roles in diverse developmental processes, especially in seed formation after fertilization. In this study, a FIS-class gene MhFIE was isolated from apple. It encoded a predicted protein highly similar to polycomb group (PcG) protein FERTILIZATION-INDEPENDENT ENDOSPERM (FIE). MhFIE functioned as an Arabidopsis FIE homologue, as indicated by functional complementation experiment using Arabidopsis fie mutant. In addition, BiFC assay showed that MhFIE protein interacted with AtCLF. Furthermore, transgenic Arabidopsis ectopically expressing MhFIE produced less APETALA3 (AtAP3) and AGAMOUS (AtAG) transcripts than WT control, and therefore exhibited abnormal flower, seed development. These results suggested that polycomb complex including FIE and CLF proteins played an important role in reproductive development by regulating the expression of its downstream genes. In addition, it was found that MhFIE constitutively expressed in various tissues tested. Its expression levels were lower in apomictic apple species than the sexual reproductive species, suggested it was possibly involved into apomixis in apple. Furthermore, the hybrids of tea crabapple generated MhFIE transcripts at different levels. The parthenogenesis capacity was negatively correlated with MhFIE expression level in these hybrids. These results suggested that MhFIE was involved into the regulation of flower development and apomixis in apple. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: DELLA proteins are essential components of GA signal transduction. MhGAI1 was isolated from the tea crabapple (Malus hupehensis Redh. var. pingyiensis), and it was found to encode a DELLA protein. Mhgai1 is a GA-insensitive allele that was artificially generated via a bridge-PCR approach. Ectopic expression of Mhgai1 reduced plant stature, decreased spontaneous fruit-set-ratio and enhanced drought-tolerance in transgenic tomatoes. In addition, we examined the long-distance movement of Mhgai1 mRNAs by grafting experiments and SqRT-PCR analysis. It was found that the wild-type scions accumulated Mhgai1 transcripts trafficked from the transgenic rootstocks and therefore exhibited dwarf phenotypes. Furthermore, transgenic tomato plants produced more soluble solids, sugars and organic acids compared to wild-type tomatoes, suggesting an involvement of GA signaling in the regulation of fruit quality. Despite noticeable accumulation in the leaves and stems of WT scions, Mhgai1 transcripts were undetectable in flowers and fruit. Therefore, fruit quality was less influenced by the grafting of WT scions onto transgenic rootstocks than they were by the ectopic expression of Mhgai1 in transgenic rootstocks. Taken together, MhGAI1, which functions as a repressor in the GA signaling pathway, and its GA-insensitive allele, Mhgai1, could turn out to be useful targets for the genetic improvement of dwarfing rootstocks in apples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vacuolar H+-translocating inorganic pyrophosphatase (VHP, EC 3.6.1.1) is an electrogenic proton pump, which is related to growth as well as abiotic stress tolerance in plants. In this study, a VHP gene MdVHP1 was isolated from apple. The alignment of nucleotide and amino acid sequences showed that it encoded a type I VHP protein. It expressed in vegetative and reproductive organs, and its expression was induced by salt, PEG-mediated osmotic stress, cold and heat in apple in vitro shoot cultures. MdVHP1 expression showed a similar pattern in different apple tissues, but different change dynamics in response to abiotic stresses, compared with MdVHP2 (another MdVHP gene in apple). MdVHP1 overexpression enhanced tolerance to salt, PEG-mimic drought, cold and heat in transgenic apple calluses, which was related to an increased accumulation of proline and decreased MDA content compared with control calluses. In addition, MdVHP1 overexpression confers improved tolerance to salt and drought in transgenic tomato, along with an increased ion accumulation, high RWC and low solute potential compared with wild type. These results indicate that MdVHP1 is an important regulator for plant tolerance to abiotic stresses by modulating internal stores of ions and solutes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the present study, three different substituted-polynitrogen heterocyclic ligands, Hatzpa (Hatzpa = 3-(5-Amino-tetrazol-1-yl)-propionic acid), Hpytzipa (Hpytzipa = 2-(5-Pyridin-3-yl-tetrazol-2-yl)-propionic acid), Hphtz (Hphtz = 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,4-triazole) have been chosen to react with CuCl 2 ·2H 2 O, resulting in the formation of three new compounds [Cu(atzpa) 2 ] (1), [Cu(pytzipa) 2 ] (2) and [Cu 4 (Hphtz) 8 ](ClO 4) 4 ·4H 2 O (3). Complex 1 displays a complex 2D structure; complex 2 shows a 2D layer network; complex 3 shows a tetranuclear Cu(II) structure. These compounds show considerable cytotoxicity towards human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). The MTT assay suggests that compound 2 with lowest half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC 50) is the most cytotoxic, compared with compounds 1 and 3. In addition, the cytotoxicity was also confirmed by DAPI fluorescent staining method. The migration of HeLa cells is inhibited by NPs of the three compounds. The results show that complex 1 – 3 NPs can inhibit cell proliferation and migration in vitro. [Display omitted] • Three new Cu(II) coordination polymers have been prepared, namely [Cu(atzpa) 2 ] (1), [Cu(pytzipa) 2 ] (2) and [Cu 4 (Hphtz) 8 ](ClO 4) 4 ·4H 2 O (3). • Complex 1 displays a complex 2D structure; complex 2 shows a 2D layer network; complex 3 shows a tetranuclear Cu(II) structure. • These compounds show considerable cytotoxicity towards human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). • The complexes 1 – 3 NPs can inhibit cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Three different substituted multi-nitrogen heterocyclic ligands, Hatzpa (Hatzpa = 3-(5-Amino-tetrazol-1-yl)-propionic acid), Hpytzipa (Hpytzipa = 2-(5-Pyridin-3-yl-tetrazol-2-yl)-propionic acid), Hphtz (Hphtz = 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,4-triazole) have been chosen to react with CuCl 2 ·2H 2 O, resulting in the formation of three new complexes [Cu(atzpa) 2 ] (1), [Cu(pytzipa) 2 ] (2) and [Cu 4 (Hphtz) 8 ](ClO 4) 4 ·4H 2 O (3). The coordination sites of the three ligands are mainly affected by the different substituents of the polynitrogen heterocycle. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 displays a 2D structure; complex 2 shows a 2D layer network; complex 3 shows a tetranuclear Cu(II) structure. These complexes show considerable cytotoxicity towards human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). The MTT assay suggested that, compared with complexes 1 and 2, complex 3 with lowest half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC 50) is the most cytotoxic. In addition, the cytotoxicity was also confirmed by DAPI fluorescent staining method. The migration of HeLa cells is inhibited by NPs of the three complexes. The results showed that the NPs of complexes 1 – 3 can inhibit cell proliferation and migration in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]