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SUMMARY TBL family proteins containing the domain of unknown function mainly act as xylan O‐acetyltransferases, but the specific molecular mechanism of their functions remains unclear in plants (especially in cotton) so far. In this study, we characterized the TBL family proteins containing the conserved GDS and DxxH motifs in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Among them, GhTBL3 is highly expressed in fibers at the stage of secondary cell wall (SCW) formation and mainly functions as O‐acetyltransferase to maintain acetylation of xylan in fiber SCW development. Overexpression of GhTBL3 in cotton promoted fiber SCW formation, resulting in increased fiber cell wall thickness. In contrast, suppression of GhTBL3 expression in cotton impaired fiber SCW synthesis, leading to the decreased fiber cell wall thickness, compared with wild type (WT). Furthermore, two fiber SCW‐related transcription factors GhMYBL1 and GhKNL1 were found to directly bind to the promoter of GhTBL3 in cotton. GhMYBL1 enhanced the transcription activity of GhTBL3, whereas GhKNL1 inhibited the expression of GhTBL3 in fibers. The acetylation level of xylan was remarkably decreased in fibers of GhMYBL1 RNAi transgenic cotton, but the acetylation level of xylan was significantly increased in fibers of GhKNL1 RNAi cotton, relative to WT. Given together, the above results suggested that GhTBL3 may be under the dual control of GhMYBL1 and GhKNL1 to maintain the suitable acetylation level of xylan required for fiber SCW formation in cotton. Thus, our data provide an effective clue for potentially improving fiber quality by genetic manipulation of GhTBL3 in cotton breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited research has been conducted on energy fluctuation during the transition state, despite the critical role of energy supply in microbial physiological metabolism. Results: This study aimed to investigate the regulatory function of transition state transcription factor AbrB on energy metabolism in Bacillus licheniformis WX-02. Firstly, the deletion of abrB was found to prolong the cell generation time, significantly reducing the intercellular ATP concentration and NADH/NAD+ ratio at the early stage. Subsequently, various target genes and transcription factors regulated by AbrB were identified through in vitro verification assays. Specifically, AbrB was shown to modulate energy metabolism by directly regulating the expression of genes pyk and pgk in substrate-level phosphorylation, as well as genes narK and narGHIJ associated with nitrate respiration. In terms of oxidative phosphorylation, AbrB not only directly regulated ATP generation genes, including cyd, atpB, hmp, ndh, qoxA and sdhC, but also influenced the expression of NAD-dependent enzymes and intracellular NADH/NAD+ ratio. Additionally, AbrB positively affected the expression of transcription factors CcpN, Fnr, Rex, and ResD involved in energy supply, while negatively affected the regulator CcpA. Overall, this study found that AbrB positively regulates both substrate-level phosphorylation and oxidative phosphorylation, while negatively regulating nitrate respiration. Conclusions: This study proposes a comprehensive regulatory network of AbrB on energy metabolism in Bacillus, expanding the understanding of regulatory mechanisms of AbrB and elucidating energy fluctuations during the transition state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epigenetics plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression and cellular differentiation. DNA methylation, involving the addition of methyl groups to specific cytosine bases, is a well-known epigenetic modification. The recent discovery of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) has provided new insights into cytosine modifications. 5hmC, derived from the oxidation of 5-methylcytosine (5mC), serves as both an intermediate in demethylation and a stable chemical modification in the genome. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the recent research advancements regarding the functions of 5hmC in development and disease. We discuss its implications in gene expression regulation, cellular differentiation, and its potential role as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in various diseases. Additionally, we highlight the challenges associated with accurately detecting and quantifying 5hmC and present the latest methodologies employed for its detection. Understanding the functional role of 5hmC in epigenetic regulation and further advancing our understanding of gene expression dynamics and cellular processes hold immense promise for the development of novel therapeutic strategies and precision medicine approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advanced metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) significantly contributes to high death rates among patients. The efficiency of targeted therapies and chemotherapeutic agents shows individual variability. Therefore, there is no effective treatment for advanced HCC. Zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) are known to be crucial in various tumors, especially on HCC. In our study, we verified that ZFP41 could suppress the progression and metastasis of HCC through in vitro and in vivo experiments. During the past years, N6‐methyladenine (m6A) regulation has also been increasingly reported in HCC. To investigate whether ZFP41 could be regulated via m6A methylation, our results showed that YTHDF3 bound to the mRNA of ZFP41 and degrade it. Subsequently, to further elucidate the function of ZFP41, we identified Snail, a well‐known oncogenic molecule, through RNA‐seq. As a canonical component in the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway, Snail plays a pivotal role and is a critical marker for tumor invasion and metastasis. Our results showed ZFP41 could inhibit Snail and the EMT pathway through its transcriptional repression. In conclusion, our study revealed that ZFP41 is a potential prognostic element for patients with HCC, and targeting ZFP41 might be used for translational clinical applications as a promising therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Adipose tissue has A vital impact on animal production efficiency. Postnatal development plays a key role in regulating adipose tissue function; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this early-life programming of adipose tissue remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptomes of adipose tissue between newborn and twenty-one days old Laiwu piglets, which is a Chinese indigenous breed characterized with high fat content. Our findings revealed a significant change in metabolic pattern as well as transcriptional and translational control in adipose tissue during this postnatal period, providing a better understanding of the development and function regulation of adipose tissue, improving pig production efficiency. Adipose tissue plays an important role in pig production efficiency. Studies have shown that postnatal development has a vital impact on adipose tissue; however, the mechanisms behind pig adipose tissue early-life programming remain unknown. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptomes of the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of 1-day and 21-day old Laiwu piglets. The results showed that the SAT of Laiwu piglets significantly increased from 1-day to 21-day, and transcriptome analysis showed that there were 2352 and 2596 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between 1-day and 21-day SAT in male and female piglets, respectively. Expression of genes in glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and glycogen metabolism such as pyruvate kinase M1/2 (PKM), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy kinase 1 (PCK1) and amylo-alpha-1, 6-glucosidase, 4-alpha-glucanotransferase (AGL) were significantly different between 1-day and 21-day SAT. Genes in lipid uptake, synthesis and lipolysis such as lipase E (LIPE), acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha (ACACA), Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 1 (HMGCS1) were also differentially expressed. Functional analysis showed enrichment of DEGs in transcriptional regulation, protein metabolism and cellular signal transduction. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks of these DEGs were analyzed and potential hub genes in these pathways were identified, such as transcriptional factors forkhead box O4 (FOXO4), CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta (CEBPB) and CCAAT enhancer binding protein delta (CEBPD), signal kinases BUB1 mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase (BUB1) and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), and proteostasis-related factors ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 C (UBE2C) and cathepsin D (CTSD). Moreover, we further analyzed the transcriptomes of SAT between genders and the results showed that there were 54 and 72 DEGs in 1-day and 21-day old SAT, respectively. Genes such as KDM5D and KDM6C showed gender-specific expression in 1-day and 21-day SAT. These results showed the significant changes in SAT between 1-day and 21-day in male and female Laiwu pigs, which would provide information to comprehensively understand the programming of adipose tissue early development and to regulate adipose tissue function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY The circadian clock organizes physiological processes in plants to occur at specific times of the day, optimizing efficient use of resources. Nitrate is a crucial inorganic nitrogen source for agricultural systems to sustain crop productivity. However, because nitrate fertilization has a negative impact on the environment, it is important to carefully manage nitrate levels. Understanding crop biological rhythms can lead to more ecologically friendly agricultural practices. Gating responses through the circadian clock could be a strategy to enhance root nitrate uptake and to limit nitrate runoff. In Arabidopsis, the NITRATE TRANSPORTER 2.1 (NRT2.1) gene encodes a key component of the high‐affinity nitrate transporter system. Our study reveals that NRT2.1 exhibits a rhythmic expression pattern, with daytime increases and nighttime decreases. The NRT2.1 promoter activity remains rhythmic under constant light, indicating a circadian regulation. The clock‐associated transcription factor LUX ARRHYTHMO (LUX) binds to the NRT2.1 promoter in vivo. Loss‐of‐function of LUX leads to increased NRT2.1 transcript levels and root nitrate uptake at dusk. This supports LUX acting as a transcriptional repressor and modulating NRT2.1 expression in a time‐dependent manner. Furthermore, applying nitrate at different times of the day results in varying magnitudes of the transcriptional response in nitrate‐regulated genes. We also demonstrate that a defect in the high‐affinity nitrate transport system feeds back to the central oscillator by modifying the LUX promoter activity. In conclusion, this study uncovers a molecular pathway connecting the root nitrate uptake and circadian clock, with potential agro‐chronobiological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrity of the actively transcribed genome against helix‐distorting DNA lesions relies on a multilayered cellular response that enhances Transcription‐Coupled Nucleotide Excision Repair (TC‐NER). When defective, TC‐NER is causatively associated with Cockayne‐Syndrome (CS), a rare severe human progeroid disorder. Although the presence of unresolved transcription‐blocking lesions is considered a driver of the aging process, the molecular features of the transcription‐driven response to genotoxic stress in CS‐B cells remain largely unknown. Here, an in‐depth view of the transcriptional and associated chromatin dynamics that occur in CS‐B cells illuminates the role of CSB therein. By employing high‐throughput genome‐wide approaches, we observed that absence of a functional CSB protein results in a delay in transcription progression, more positioned +1 nucleosomes, and less dynamic chromatin structure, compared to normal cells. We found that early after exposure to UV, CS‐B cells released RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) from promoter‐proximal pause sites into elongation. However, the magnitude of this response and the progression of RNAPII were reduced compared to normal counterparts. Notably, we detected increased post‐UV retainment of unprocessed nascent RNA transcripts and chromatin‐associated elongating RNAPII molecules. Contrary to the prevailing models, we found that transcription initiation is operational in CS‐B fibroblasts early after UV and that chromatin accessibility showed a marginal increase. Our study provides robust evidence for the role of CSB in shaping the transcription and chromatin landscape both in homeostasis and in response to genotoxic insults, which is independent of its known role in TC‐NER, and which may underlie major aspects of the CS phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic Ductal AdenoCarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a poor prognosis and is poorly amenable to modern therapies. A range of cell cultures reflecting different degrees of tumor differentiation and malignancy can serve as a model of PDAC development. Highly differentiated cells with low malignancy are characterized by increased expression of the KLF5 gene. The KLF5 protein is a vivid representative of multifunctional transcription factors, and its involvement in a variety of cellular processes, particularly in the pathology of various cancers, has been demonstrated. We investigated the spatial organization of chromatin of the regulatory regions of the KLF5 gene using highly differentiated Capan2 PDAC cells with a high level of KLF5 expression and poorly differentiated MIA PaCa2 PDAC cells with a low level of expression of this gene by circular chromosome conformation capture (4C-seq). It was shown that the number and distribution of contacts of the KLF5 regulatory region with other chromatin regions are significantly different for these types of cells; the number of contacts is significantly higher for Capan2 cells. There is a correlation between the expression level of genes close to KLF5 and the intensity of their sequence contacts with the KLF5 regulatory region, indicating that their expression is coordinated, possibly within the transcriptional factory. Capan2 is characterized by a high level of contacts of the KLF5 regulatory region with the gene-free region containing a cluster of PDAC-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP/InDel). Thus, the total number of contacts of the promoter region of the KLF5 gene and the expression level of most of the surrounding KLF5 genes decrease as the grade of cell malignancy increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate the occurrence, development and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We elucidated the expression features of MAGEA4-AS1 in patients with OSCC and its activity as an OSCC biomarker. Furthermore, the impact of up-regulation of MAGEA4-AS1 on the cellular behaviors (proliferation, migration and invasion) of OSCC cells and intrinsic signal mechanisms were evaluated. Firstly, we analyzed MAGEA4-AS1 expression data in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) OSCC using a bioinformatics approach and in 45 pairs of OSCC tissues using qPCR. Then CCK-8, ethynyl deoxyuridine, colony formation, transwell and wound healing assays were conducted to assess changes in the cell proliferation, migration and invasion protential of shMAGEA4-AS1 HSC3 and CAL27 cells. The RNA sequence of MAGEA4-AS1 was identified using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) assay. And whole-transcriptome sequencing was used to identify MAGEA4-AS1 affected genes. Additionally, dual-luciferase reporter system, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), and rescue experiments were performed to clarify the role of the MAGEA4-AS1-p53-MK2 signaling pathway. As results, we found MAGEA4-AS1 was up-regulated in OSCC tissues. We identified a 418 nucleotides length of the MAGEA4-AS1 transcript and it primarily located in the cell nucleus. MAGEA4-AS1 stable knockdown weakened the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of OSCC cells. Mechanistically, p53 protein was capable to activate MK2 gene transcription. RIP assay revealed an interaction between p53 and MAGEA4-AS1. MK2 up-regulation in MAGEA4-AS1 down-regulated OSCC cells restored MK2 and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition related proteins’ expression levels. In conclusion, MAGEA4-AS1-p53 complexes bind to MK2 promoter, enhancing the transcription of MK2 and activating the downstream signaling pathways, consequently promoting the proliferation and metastasis of OSCC cells. MAGEA4-AS1 may serve as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for OSCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The effects of blue light on photosynthetic organs have been studied. However, its effects on non-photosynthetic organs, in particular, on the early stages of rice caryopsis development, are unclear. Thus, we aimed to determine the metabolic characteristics of caryopsis development under blue light to improve the metabolic quality of crop kernels. Results: We conducted a multi-omics analysis of each of the three periods from the beginning of cellular differentiation to the end of morphogenesis in post-pollination seeds of a japonica rice variety to explore the effect of blue light on metabolic levels during these metabolic changes and its genetic basis. It was found that blue light caused a gradual decrease in auxin content, a significant increase in the accumulation of JA and flavonoids, and a downregulation of the expression of many starch-related genes and proteins, leads to reduced starch synthesis and smaller starch granules. In addition, the gene co-expression network identified three transcription factors that may regulate starch and two that may regulate flavonoids. Conclusions: It was found through multi-omics testing that hormones such as jasmonic acid and auxins, and metabolites including alkaloids, flavonoids, lipids, organic acids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids altered significantly. Transcriptome and proteome analyses showed that blue light affected the seed nutrient repository activity. Specifically, starch- and gluten-related genes and proteins were significantly downregulated. Co- and WGCNA analyses identified several transcription factors that were regulated under blue light and identified key regulators of starch. Our study provides an understanding of the effects of blue light on post-flowering development in Gramineae and provides a framework for blue light-induced synthesis of secondary metabolites. Highlights: Evaluate the impact of blue light on the secondary metabolite accumulation. Confirm the accumulation of hormones and flavonoids in different blue light. Identify key candidate genes related to starch and flavonoid. Blue light leads to reduced starch synthesis and smaller starch granules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold stress seriously affects plant development and secondary metabolism. The basic region/leucine zipper (bZIP) is one of the largest transcription factor (TFs) family and widely involved in plant cold stress response. However, the function of bZIP in Dendrobium catenatum has not been well‐documented. Cold inhibited the growth of D. catenatum and increased total polysaccharide and alkaloid contents in stems. Here, 62 DcbZIP genes were identified in D. catenatum, which were divided into 13 subfamilies. Among them, 58 DcbZIPs responded to cold stress, which were selected based on the transcriptome database produced from cold‐treated D. catenatum seedlings. Specifically, the expression of DcbZIP3/6/28 was highly induced by cold treatment in leaves or stems. Gene sequence analysis indicated that DcbZIP3/6/28 contains the bZIP conserved domain and is localized to the cell nucleus. Co‐expression networks showed that DcbZIP6 was significantly negatively correlated with PAL2 (palmitoyl‐CoA), which is involved in flavonoid metabolism. Moreover, DcbZIP28 has significant negative correlations with various metabolism‐related genes in the polysaccharide metabolic pathway, including PFKA1 (6‐phosphofructokinase), ALDO2 (aldose‐6‐phosphate reductase) and SCRK5 (fructokinase). These results implied that DcbZIP6 or DcbZIP28 are mainly involved in flavonoid or polysaccharide metabolism. Overall, these findings provide new insights into the roles of the DcbZIP gene family in secondary metabolism in D. catenatum under cold stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective·To clarify the regulatory role of CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) in lipid metabolism in liver cells, and explore the mechanisms by which CTCF regulates liver cell gene expression. Methods·Immortalized AML12 liver cell line was used as a model to investigate the functions of CTCF in liver cells. To stably knock down Ctcf, DNA sequences stably expressing Ctcf shRNA were integrated into AML12 cells through lentivirus. The knockdown efficiency of Ctcf was verified by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. The effects of Ctcf knockdown on cell growth and cell cycle were assessed by performing CCK-8 assay and propidium iodide (PI) staining. Intracellular lipids, labeled with Oil Red O staining, were analyzed and quantified to detect the effect of CTCF on lipid metabolism and lipid droplet accumulation in AML12 cells. Changes in CTCF genome distribution after Ctcf knockdown were analyzed using the Cleavage Under Targets and Tagmentation (CUT&Tag) method. Transcriptome changes in AML12 cells after Ctcf knockdown were quantified by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were employed to evaluate the functions of differentially expressed genes. The correlation between gene expression changes and CTCF binding changes was further assessed by performing statistical analyses. Results·The result of RT-qPCR showed that Ctcf is downregulated 63.4% in mRNA level and 57.7% in protein level (both P<0.05). Assay of the growth curve and cycle phase confirmed that cell proliferation was inhibited in the G1/G0 phase after Ctcf knockdown. After Ctcf knockdown, AML12 cells exhibited spontaneous accumulation of intracellular lipids, indicating dysregulation of lipid metabolism (P<0.05). Genome-wide CTCF binding analysis revealed significant changes, with most differential CTCF peaks showing decreased binding, although a subset of regions exhibited increased CTCF binding. Transcriptome analyses revealed that knocking down Ctcf resulted in significant expression changes in 1 344 genes. These differentially expressed genes were enriched in lipid metabolism pathways. Further analysis showed that genes associated with regions of increased CTCF binding were enriched in pathways related to lipid transport and localization, whereas genes associated with regions of decreased CTCF binding were mainly enriched in processes such as DNA damage repair, apoptosis, and cell cycle regulation. However, the binding changes of CTCF in the genome were not sufficient to lead to the expression changes of their neighboring genes. Conclusion·CTCF affects the metabolic function of liver cells by regulating the expression of lipid metabolismrelated genes. However, the binding changes of CTCF in the genome lack significant correlation with the expression of their neighboring genes, suggesting that CTCF mainly influences liver gene expression through long-distance regulation, possibly by modulating higher-order chromatin structure and enhancer-promoter interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug resistance is one of the major reasons of the poor prognosis and recurs frequently in glioma. Ferroptosis is considered to be a new therapeutic strategy for glioma. Methods: Microsomal glutathione S-transferase 1 (MGST1) expression in glioma samples was ensured through GAPIA database, qRT-PCR, western blotting assay and immunohistochemistry. The interaction between zinc finger protein 384 (ZNF384) and MGST1 promoter was analyzed through UCSC and JASPAR databases and further verified by ChIP and luciferase reporter assay. Cell viability and IC50 value of temozolomide (TMZ) was measured by CCK-8 assay. The production of MDA, GSH and ROS and the level of Fe2+ were determined using the corresponding kit. Results: MGST1 expression was increased in clinical glioma tissues and glioma cells. MGST1 expression was increased but ferroptosis was suppressed in TMZ-resistant cells when contrasted to parent cells. MGST1 silencing downregulated IC50 value of TMZ and cell viability but facilitated ferroptosis in TMZ-resistant cells and parent glioma cells. Moreover, our data indicated that ZNF384 interacted with MGST1 promoter and facilitated MGST1 expression. ZNF384 was also increased expression in TMZ-resistant cells, and showed a positive correlation with MGST1 expression in clinical level. ZNF384 decreasing enhanced the sensitivity of resistant cells to TMZ, while the effect of ZNF384 could be reversed by overexpression of MGST1. Conclusion: MGST1 transcription is regulated by transcription factor ZNF384 in TMZ-resistant cells. ZNF384 confers the resistance of glioma cells to TMZ through inhibition of ferroptosis by positively regulating MGST1 expression. The current study may provide some new understand to the mechanism of TMZ resistance in glioma. Highlights: MGST1 is increased in TMZ resistant glioma cells; ZNF384 is increased in TMZ resistant glioma cells; ZNF384 promotes the transcription and expression of MGST1; MGST1 decreasing promotes ferroptosis and TMZ sensitivity in TMZ resistant cells; The promoting effect of ZNF384 downregulation on ferroptosis is rescued by MGST1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Limited research has been conducted on energy fluctuation during the transition state, despite the critical role of energy supply in microbial physiological metabolism. Results This study aimed to investigate the regulatory function of transition state transcription factor AbrB on energy metabolism in Bacillus licheniformis WX-02. Firstly, the deletion of abrB was found to prolong the cell generation time, significantly reducing the intercellular ATP concentration and NADH/NAD+ ratio at the early stage. Subsequently, various target genes and transcription factors regulated by AbrB were identified through in vitro verification assays. Specifically, AbrB was shown to modulate energy metabolism by directly regulating the expression of genes pyk and pgk in substrate-level phosphorylation, as well as genes narK and narGHIJ associated with nitrate respiration. In terms of oxidative phosphorylation, AbrB not only directly regulated ATP generation genes, including cyd, atpB, hmp, ndh, qoxA and sdhC, but also influenced the expression of NAD-dependent enzymes and intracellular NADH/NAD+ ratio. Additionally, AbrB positively affected the expression of transcription factors CcpN, Fnr, Rex, and ResD involved in energy supply, while negatively affected the regulator CcpA. Overall, this study found that AbrB positively regulates both substrate-level phosphorylation and oxidative phosphorylation, while negatively regulating nitrate respiration. Conclusions This study proposes a comprehensive regulatory network of AbrB on energy metabolism in Bacillus, expanding the understanding of regulatory mechanisms of AbrB and elucidating energy fluctuations during the transition state.

Objective·To clarify the regulatory role of CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) in lipid metabolism in liver cells, and explore the mechanisms by which CTCF regulates liver cell gene expression.Methods·Immortalized AML12 liver cell line was used as a model to investigate the functions of CTCF in liver cells. To stably knock down Ctcf, DNA sequences stably expressing Ctcf shRNA were integrated into AML12 cells through lentivirus. The knockdown efficiency of Ctcf was verified by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. The effects of Ctcf knockdown on cell growth and cell cycle were assessed by performing CCK-8 assay and propidium iodide (PI) staining. Intracellular lipids, labeled with Oil Red O staining, were analyzed and quantified to detect the effect of CTCF on lipid metabolism and lipid droplet accumulation in AML12 cells. Changes in CTCF genome distribution after Ctcf knockdown were analyzed using the Cleavage Under Targets and Tagmentation (CUT&Tag) method. Transcriptome changes in AML12 cells after Ctcf knockdown were quantified by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were employed to evaluate the functions of differentially expressed genes. The correlation between gene expression changes and CTCF binding changes was further assessed by performing statistical analyses.Results·The result of RT-qPCR showed that Ctcf is downregulated 63.4% in mRNA level and 57.7% in protein level (both P

Abstract Fzf1 is a Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor containing five zinc fingers (ZFs). It regulates the expression of at least five downstream genes, including SSU1, YHB1, DDI2/3, and YNR064c, by recognizing a consensus sequence, CS2, found in these gene promoters. These gene products are involved in cellular responses to various chemical stresses. For example, SSU1 encodes a sodium sulfite efflux protein that confers sulfite resistance. However, the underlying molecular mechanism through which Fzf1 responds to chemical stress and coordinates target gene activation remains elusive. Interestingly, several mutations in the fourth ZF (ZF4) of Fzf1 have previously been reported to confer either sulfite resistance or elevated basal‐level expression of YHB1, indicating that ZF4 negatively impacts Fzf1 activity. Since ZF4 is dispensable for CS2 binding in vitro, we hypothesized that ZF4 is a negative regulator of Fzf1 and that chemically induced Fzf1‐regulated gene expression occurs via de‐repression. All five genes examined were cross‐induced by corresponding chemicals in an Fzf1‐dependent manner, and all three ZF4 mutations and a ZF4 deletion conferred increased basal‐level expression and SSU1‐dependent sulfite resistance. A ZF4 deletion did not alter the target DNA binding, consistent with the observed codominant phenotype. These observations collectively reveal that Fzf1 remains inactive by default at the target promoters and that its activation is at least partially achieved by self‐derepression through chemical modification and/or a conformational change.

Loss of ovarian homeostasis is associated with ovary dysfunction and female diseases; however, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the establishment of homeostasis and its function in the ovary have not been fully elucidated. Here, we showed that conditional knockout of Rab37 in oocytes impaired macroautophagy/autophagy proficiency in the ovary and interfered with follicular homeostasis and ovary development in mice. Flunarizine treatment upregulated autophagy, thus rescuing the impairment of follicular homeostasis and ovarian dysfunction in rab37 knockout mice by reprogramming of homeostasis. Notably, both the E2F1 and EGR2 transcription factors synergistically activated Rab37 transcription and promoted autophagy. Thus, RAB37-mediated autophagy ensures ovary function by maintaining ovarian homeostasis. Abbreviations: AMH: anti-Mullerian hormone; ATG: autophagy related; BECN1: beclin 1; cKO: conditional knockout; Cre: cyclization recombination enzyme; dpp: days postpartum; E2: estradiol; E2F1: E2F transcription factor 1; EBF1: EBF transcription factor 1; EGR2: early growth response 2; FSH: follicle stimulating hormone; LH: luteinizing hormone; mpp: months postpartum; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; RAB37: RAB37, member RAS oncogene family; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; TFEB: transcription factor EB; Zp3: zona pellucida glycoprotein 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The effects of blue light on photosynthetic organs have been studied. However, its effects on non-photosynthetic organs, in particular, on the early stages of rice caryopsis development, are unclear. Thus, we aimed to determine the metabolic characteristics of caryopsis development under blue light to improve the metabolic quality of crop kernels. Results We conducted a multi-omics analysis of each of the three periods from the beginning of cellular differentiation to the end of morphogenesis in post-pollination seeds of a japonica rice variety to explore the effect of blue light on metabolic levels during these metabolic changes and its genetic basis. It was found that blue light caused a gradual decrease in auxin content, a significant increase in the accumulation of JA and flavonoids, and a downregulation of the expression of many starch-related genes and proteins, leads to reduced starch synthesis and smaller starch granules. In addition, the gene co-expression network identified three transcription factors that may regulate starch and two that may regulate flavonoids. Conclusions It was found through multi-omics testing that hormones such as jasmonic acid and auxins, and metabolites including alkaloids, flavonoids, lipids, organic acids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids altered significantly. Transcriptome and proteome analyses showed that blue light affected the seed nutrient repository activity. Specifically, starch- and gluten-related genes and proteins were significantly downregulated. Co- and WGCNA analyses identified several transcription factors that were regulated under blue light and identified key regulators of starch. Our study provides an understanding of the effects of blue light on post-flowering development in Gramineae and provides a framework for blue light-induced synthesis of secondary metabolites. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Tripartite motif-containing 24 (TRIM24), also known as transcriptional intermediary factor 1α (TIF1α), is the founding member of TIF1 family. Recent evidence indicates that aberrant expression of TRIM24, functions as an oncogene, is associated with poor prognosis across various cancer types. TRIM24 exhibits a multifaceted structure comprising an N-terminal TRIM region with a RING domain, B-box type 1 and type 2 domains, and a coiled-coil region, as well as a C-terminal plant-homeodomain (PHD)-bromodomain. The bromodomain serves as a ‘reader’ of epigenetic histone marks, regulating chromatin structure and gene expression by linking associated proteins to acetylated nucleosomal targets, thereby controlling transcription of genes. Notably, bromodomains have emerged as compelling targets for cancer therapeutic development. In addition, TRIM24 plays specialized roles as a signal transduction molecule, orchestrating various cellular signaling cascades in cancer cells. Herein, we review the recent advancements in understanding the functions of TRIM24, and demonstrate the research progress in utilizing TRIM24 as a target for cancer therapy.

B cells play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various diseases, such as autoimmune disorders, cancers, and infections. Unlike regulatory T cells, the anti-inflammatory capabilities of B cells have only recently garnered attention. Cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β are among the key secreted immunosuppressive factors, therefore studying the characteristics of their transcriptional regulation in B cells appears to be a relevant task. This study focuses on characterizing the promoter regions of IL10 and TGFB1 genes in immortalized B cell lines representing different developmental stages – Reh and Raji. To achieve this, we identified potential promoter regions guided by the epigenetic features of functional regulatory regions determined by bioinformatics methods of ChIP-Seq data analysis of chromatin marks in CD19+ lymphocytes. We examined the activity of selected promoters using reporter analysis in B cells. Additionally, we studied the impact of a single nucleotide polymorphism rs1800469 in the TGFB1 promoter, which is associated with the development of colorectal cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and the risk of radiation fibrosis. Our results showed increased promoter activity of IL10 and TGFB1 in the Reh pro-B cells compared to the Raji mature B cells upon stimulation. Interestingly, the presence of the minor allele of rs1800469 led to enhanced TGFB1 promoter activity in the Reh cells. Higher activity of IL10 and TGFB1 promoters in acute lymphoblastic leukemia Reh cells may be associated with the increased immunosuppression, which is characteristic of this pathology. It is also possible that activation of pro-B cells Reh induces their differentiation into monocyte-like cells, which can be polarized into alternatively activated (M2) macrophages by autocrine TGF-β and IL-10. M2 macrophages can function as tumor-associated macrophages and contribute to the development of colorectal cancer. Moreover, increased levels of TGF-β in tissues increase the risks of fibrosis and decrease inflammation levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Exposure to methyl methane sulfonate (MMS), an alkylating agent, induces DNA damage, increasing cellular and metabolic sensitivity, leading to cellular demise and a delay in the cell cycle. This delay is attributed to changes in global transcription regulation, resulting in significant alterations in the proteome. Numerous studies have focused on transcriptome changes post-MMS treatment. However, cellular proteomic changes remain underexplored. This brief literature review is based on the assessment of studies obtained from several PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases and Google Scholar using specific keywords. The article is based on manuscripts published between 2005 and 2024. Proteomic analysis identified 53 proteins, with 36 upregulated, 10 downregulated statuses, and a few exhibiting no or negligible changes. MMS exposure reflected changes in the phosphorylation status of the carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II (RNAP-II) and a gross change in the transcriptome. Literature also supports the proteome change of the RNAP-II complex and ~1640 peptides, corresponding to 27 interacting proteins and the twelve RNAP-II subunits. The identified proteins were involved in DNA repair and energy pathway modulation. Notably, significant changes were observed in enzymes mostly related to carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, predominantly, glycolysis, the fate of pyruvate, and the biosynthetic pathways of amino acid metabolism. The available literature supports a co-regulated response to MMS-induced DNA damage involving both DNA repair mechanisms and metabolic pathways.

Tripartite motif-containing 24 (TRIM24), also known as transcriptional intermediary factor 1α (TIF1α), is the founding member of TIF1 family. Recent evidence indicates that aberrant expression of TRIM24, functions as an oncogene, is associated with poor prognosis across various cancer types. TRIM24 exhibits a multifaceted structure comprising an N-terminal TRIM region with a RING domain, B-box type 1 and type 2 domains, and a coiled-coil region, as well as a C-terminal plant-homeodomain (PHD)-bromodomain. The bromodomain serves as a 'reader' of epigenetic histone marks, regulating chromatin structure and gene expression by linking associated proteins to acetylated nucleosomal targets, thereby controlling transcription of genes. Notably, bromodomains have emerged as compelling targets for cancer therapeutic development. In addition, TRIM24 plays specialized roles as a signal transduction molecule, orchestrating various cellular signaling cascades in cancer cells. Herein, we review the recent advancements in understanding the functions of TRIM24, and demonstrate the research progress in utilizing TRIM24 as a target for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In plants, WRKY transcription factors play a crucial role in plant growth, development, and response to abiotic and biotic stress. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is an important legume crop. However, cowpea Fusarium wilt (CFW), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tracheiphilum (Fot), poses a serious threat to its production. In this study, we systematically identified members of the cowpea WRKY (VuWRKY) gene family and analyzed their expression patterns under CFW stress. A total of 91 WRKY transcription factors were identified in the cowpea genome. Phylogenetic and synteny analyses indicated that the expansion of VuWRKY genes in cowpea is primarily due to recent duplication events. Transcriptome analysis of cowpea inoculated with Fo revealed 31 differentially expressed VuWRKY genes, underscoring their role in the response to CFW infection. Four differentially expressed WRKY genes were selected for validation. Subcellular localization and Western blot assays showed their nuclear localization and normal expression in N. benthamiana. Additionally, yeast one-hybrid assays demonstrated that VuWRKY2 can bind to the promoter region of the Catalase (CAT) gene, indicating its potential role in transcriptional regulation. This study establishes a foundation for further exploration of the role and regulatory mechanisms of VuWRKY genes in response to CFW stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histone deacetylases 1 and 2 play a major role in the transcriptional regulation of T-regulatory (Treg) cells via interactions with a myriad of coregulatory factors. Sin3a has been well established as a Hdac1/2 cofactor, while its role within Tregs has not been established. In this study, the effects of conditional deletion of Sin3a within Foxp3+ Tregs were evaluated. Developmental deletion of Sin3a from Foxp3+ Tregs resulted in the rapid onset of fatal autoimmunity. Treg numbers were greatly reduced, while residual Tregs had impaired suppressive function. Mice also showed effector T-cell activation, autoantibody production, and widespread tissue injury. Mechanistically, Sin3a deletion resulted in decreased transcription of Foxp3 with a complete lack of CNS2 CpG demethylation. In addition, Foxp3 protein stability was impaired with an increased ex-Treg population. Thus, Sin3a plays a critical role in the maintenance of Treg identity and function and is essential for the expression and stability of Foxp3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene therapy has been adapted for improving malignant tumor treatment. However, pharmacotherapies targeting cancer remain limited and are generally inapplicable for rare disease patients. Oleanolic acid (OA) is a plant‐derived triterpenoid that is frequently used in Chinese medicine as a safe but slow‐acting treatment for many disorders. Here, the congruent pharmacological activities of OA and CRISPR‐dCas9 in targeting AURKA or KDM1A and improving disease‐specific prognosis and used a synthetic‐biology‐inspired design principle to engineer a therapeutic gene circuit that enables a concerted action of both drugs are utilized. In particular, the OA‐triggered CRISPR‐dCas9 transcriptional repression system rapidly and simultaneously attenuated lung and thyroid cancer. Collectively, this work shows that rationally engineered synthetic gene circuits are capable of treating multifactorial diseases in a synergistic manner by multiplexing the targeting efficiencies of single therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain М8 is a platform for development of the biotechnologies for biocatalytic production of acrylic monomers, the raw material for synthesis of acrylic heteropolymers. A genetic system for investigation of the cobalt-dependent transcription of nitrile hydratase genes in this strain was constructed, based on the reporter gene of the metal-independent acylamidase from Rhodococcus qingshengii TA37. The cobalt-regulated promoter was shown to be located at a significant distance (~0.5 kb) from nitrile hydratase genes. Excision of the region between the promoter and the nitrile hydratase genes decreased significantly both the promoter activity and the degree of regulation by cobalt. Our results improve the possibilities for rational design of regulated expression cassettes using the promoter of nitrile hydratase genes in Rhodococcus, and for further development of biocatalysts based on these bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transvection is a phenomenon of interallelic communication in which enhancers can activate a specific promoter located on a homologous chromosome. Insulators play a significant role in ensuring functional interactions between enhancers and promoters. In the presented work, we created a model where two or three copies of the insulator are located next to enhancers and promoters localized on homologous chromosomes. Using the Su(Hw) insulator as a model, we showed that the functional interaction between a pair of insulators promotes enhancer–promoter trans-interactions. The interaction between the three insulators, on the contrary, can lead to the formation of chromatin loops that sterically hinder the full enhancer–promoter interaction. The results of the work suggest the participation of insulators in the regulation of homologous chromosome pairing and in communication between distant genomic loci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous studies, we purified the DUB-module of the Drosophila SAGA complex and showed that a number of zinc proteins interact with it, including Aef1 and CG10543. In this work, we conducted a genome-wide study of the Aef1 and CG10543 proteins and showed that they are localized predominantly on the promoters of active genes. The binding sites of these proteins co-localize with the SAGA and dSWI/SNF chromatin modification and remodeling complexes, as well as with the ORC replication complex. It has been shown that the Aef1 and CG10543 proteins are involved in the regulation of the expression of some genes on the promoters of which they are located. Thus, the Aef1 and CG10543 proteins are new participants in the cell transcriptional network and co-localize with the main transcription and replication complexes of Drosophila. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. In HeLa cells, the HPV18 viral genome is integrated at chromosome 8q24.21 and activates transcription of the proto‐oncogene c‐Myc. However, the mechanism of how the integrated HPV genome and its transcribed RNAs exhibit transcription activation function has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we found that HPV18 transcripts contain an enhancer RNA‐like function to activate proximal genes including CCAT1‐5L and c‐Myc. We showed that the human genome‐integrated HPV18 genes are activated by transcription coregulators including BRD4 and Mediator. The transcribed HPV18 RNAs form a liquid‐like condensate at chromosome 8q24.21 locus, which in turn accumulates RNA polymerase II. Moreover, we focused on a relatively uncharacterized transcript from the upstream region of CCAT1, named URC. The URC RNA is transcribed as a chimera RNA with HPV18 and is composed of the 3′‐untranslated region of the HPV18 transcript. We experimentally showed that the URC contributes to stabilization of HPV18 RNAs by supplying a polyadenylation site for the HPV18 transcript. Our findings suggest that integrated HPV18 at 8q24.21 locus produces HPV18‐URC chimera RNA and promotes tumorigenesis through RNA‐based condensate formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid-liquid phase separation, a novel biochemical phenomenon, has been increasingly studied for its medical applications. It underlies the formation of membrane-less organelles and is involved in many cellular and biological processes. During transcriptional regulation, dynamic condensates are formed through interactions between transcriptional elements, such as transcription factors, coactivators, and mediators. Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation, but the precise mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis often remain to be elucidated. Emerging evidence has linked abnormal transcriptional condensates to several diseases, especially cancer, implying that phase separation plays an important role in tumorigenesis. Condensates formed by phase separation may have an effect on gene transcription in tumors. In the present review, we focus on the correlation between phase separation and transcriptional regulation, as well as how this phenomenon contributes to cancer development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myostatin is a known negative regulator of muscle tissue growth. Thus, an inhibitor of myostatin may be therapeutically useful as an anabolic agent for the muscle tissue. A promising gene-silencing approach for gene therapy is DNA interference (DNAi), a sequence that is complementary to the promoter region of a target gene. To confer resistance to nuclease digestion, several modifications such as methylphosphonate or phosphorothioate have been proposed, wherein a nonbridging oxygen atom in the oligonucleotide phosphate backbone is replaced by sulphur. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of the DNAi molecule with phosphorothioate (PS) and without phosphorothioate (WPS) modification for inhibition of myostatin gene expression in mice. Eighteen four-week-old male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups: DNAi-PS (n = 6), DNAi-WPS (n = 6) and control (n = 6). Intraperitoneal injections of DNAi (10 mg/kg) were given once a week, and mice body weights were measured weekly and sacrificed after three weeks. The expression of myostatin was assessed using real-time quantitative polymerace chain reaction. For histological evaluation, the skeletal muscle tissue was dissected from the biceps. The results were analysed by a t-test. Results demonstrated that administration of DNAi intraperitoneally with modification could suppress myostatin expression by up to 70%. Leg weight and histological analysis proved that chemically modified DNAi significantly suppressed the myostatin gene in mice. Overall, the results on DNA-induced gene silencing by antisense DNA oligonucleotides in animals can provide insight into the treatment of inherited diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

JAZ proteins are involved in the regulation of the jasmonate signaling pathway, which is responsible for various physiological processes, such as defense response, adaptation to abiotic stress, growth, and development in Arabidopsis. The conserved domains of JAZ proteins can serve as binding sites for a broad array of regulatory proteins and the diversity of these protein-protein pairings result in a variety of functional outcomes. Plant growth and defense are two physiological processes that can conflict with each other, resulting in undesirable plant trade-offs. Recent observations have revealed a distinguishing feature of JAZ4; it acts as negative regulator of both plant immunity and growth and development. We suggest that these complex biological processes can be decoupled at the JAZ4 regulatory node, due to prominent expression of JAZ4 in specific tissues and organs. This spatial separation of actions could explain the increased disease resistance and size of the plant root and shoot in the absence of JAZ4. At the tissue level, JAZ4 could play a role in crosstalk between hormones such as ethylene and auxin to control organ differentiation. Deciphering biding of JAZ4 to specific regulators in different tissues and the downstream responses is key to unraveling molecular mechanisms toward developing new crop improvement strategies.

Glioblastoma is recognized as the most aggressive tumor of the central nervous system, accounting for the majority of gliomas (57.3%) and approximately 15% of all brain tumors. Additionally, it represents 48.3% of primary malignant intracranial tumors. Overall survival extension among patients with glioblastoma remains challenging despite improvements in post-surgical treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Consequently, the development of novel therapeutic approaches specifically targeting glioma is of critical clinical relevance. Long non-coding RNAs, a class of non-coding RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides (nt), once considered as “noise” of transcription, are now acknowledged to play a critical role in a variety of molecular processes at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic levels, as well as in numerous physiological and pathological processes. A dysregulation of lncRNAs in glioma affects and alters many signaling pathways. A significant number of these lncRNAs have been discovered due to advances in high-throughput sequencing technology, which has also revealed their strong correlation with tumor development and progression, as well as their interaction with microRNAs. Nowadays, lncRNAs are thought to be promising targets for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic purposes. In this review, we will describe some lncRNAs and detail their classification and cellular localization, as well as their mechanisms of action and how they affect and alter many signaling pathways in glioblastoma. We will also discuss several research strategies for identifying and characterizing lncRNAs in tumors.

ABSTRACT Promiscuous biotin ligases derived from the bacterial enzyme BirA are used to identify proteins vicinal to a bait protein, thereby defining its proxisome. Despite the popularity of this approach, surprisingly little is known about its use in prokaryotes. Here, we compared the activity of four widely used promiscuous biotin ligases in the cytoplasm of Shigella flexneri, a pathogenic subgroup of Escherichia coli. Our data indicate that the kinetics of TurboID’s biotinylating activity is the highest of those tested. In addition, TurboID showed reduced interaction with the natural BirA binding partners, BccP and the biotin operator, when compared to its ancestor BioID. We therefore evaluated the ability of TurboID to probe the proxisome of the type III secretion system (T3SS) chaperone IpgC and the transcriptional activator MxiE. When the T3SS is inactive (off-state), these proteins are inhibited by forming complexes with the T3SS substrates OspD1 and IpaBC, respectively. In contrast, when the T3SS is active (on-state), OspD1 and IpaBC are secreted allowing MxiE and IpgC to interact together and activate their target genes. The results obtained with the IpgC and TurboID fusions capture a good fraction of these known interactions. It also suggests that the availability of IpgC increases in the on-state, resulting in a greater number of proteins detected in its vicinity. Among these is the T3SS ATPase SpaL (also known as Spa47 or SctN), further supporting the notion that chaperones escort their substrate to the T3SS. Interestingly, a specific subset of proteins conserved in E. coli completes the IpgC proxisome in the on-state.IMPORTANCEPromiscuous biotin ligases are widely used to study protein function in eukaryotes. Strikingly, their use in prokaryotes has been rare. Indeed, the small volume and the cytoplasmic location of the biotin ligase’s natural binding partners in these organisms pose unique challenges that can interfere with the study of the proxisome of proteins of interest. Here, we evaluated four of the most common promiscuous biotin ligases and found TurboID was best suited for use in the cytoplasm of Shigella flexneri. Using this method, we extended the proxisome of IpgC beyond its known direct binding partners involved in the regulation of the type III secretion system (T3SS) signaling cascade. Of particular interest for further study are transcription factors and housekeeping proteins that are enriched around IpgC when the T3SS is active. We propose a model in which the increased availability of IpgC in the on-state may allow cross-talk of the T3SS with other cellular processes.

Abstract Advanced metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) significantly contributes to high death rates among patients. The efficiency of targeted therapies and chemotherapeutic agents shows individual variability. Therefore, there is no effective treatment for advanced HCC. Zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) are known to be crucial in various tumors, especially on HCC. In our study, we verified that ZFP41 could suppress the progression and metastasis of HCC through in vitro and in vivo experiments. During the past years, N6‐methyladenine (m6A) regulation has also been increasingly reported in HCC. To investigate whether ZFP41 could be regulated via m6A methylation, our results showed that YTHDF3 bound to the mRNA of ZFP41 and degrade it. Subsequently, to further elucidate the function of ZFP41, we identified Snail, a well‐known oncogenic molecule, through RNA‐seq. As a canonical component in the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway, Snail plays a pivotal role and is a critical marker for tumor invasion and metastasis. Our results showed ZFP41 could inhibit Snail and the EMT pathway through its transcriptional repression. In conclusion, our study revealed that ZFP41 is a potential prognostic element for patients with HCC, and targeting ZFP41 might be used for translational clinical applications as a promising therapeutic target.

Abstract Dengue viruses (DENV) are positive-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the Flaviviridae family. DENV is the causative agent of dengue, the most rapidly spreading viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Each year, millions of people contract the virus through bites from infected female mosquitoes of the Aedes species. In the majority of individuals, the infection is asymptomatic, and the immune system successfully manages to control virus replication within a few days. Symptomatic individuals may present with a mild fever (Dengue fever or DF) that may or may not progress to a more critical disease termed Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or the fatal Dengue shock syndrome (DSS). In the absence of a universally accepted prophylactic vaccine or therapeutic drug, treatment is mostly restricted to supportive measures. Similar to many other viruses that induce acute illness, DENV has developed several ways to modulate host metabolism to create an environment conducive to genome replication and the dissemination of viral progeny. To search for new therapeutic options, understanding the underlying host-virus regulatory system involved in various biological processes of the viral life cycle is essential. This review aims to summarize the complex interaction between DENV and the host cellular machinery, comprising regulatory mechanisms at various molecular levels such as epigenetic modulation of the host genome, transcription of host genes, translation of viral and host mRNAs, post-transcriptional regulation of the host transcriptome, post-translational regulation of viral proteins, and pathways involved in protein degradation.

Abstract The polycomb group (PcG) comprises a set of proteins that exert epigenetic regulatory effects and play crucial roles in diverse biological processes, ranging from pluripotency and development to carcinogenesis. Among these proteins, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) stands out as a catalytic component of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which plays a role in regulating the expression of homologous (Hox) genes and initial stages of x chromosome inactivation. In numerous human cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), EZH2 is frequently overexpressed or activated and has been identified as a negative prognostic factor. Notably, EZH2 emerges as a significant gene involved in regulating the STAT3/HOTAIR axis, influencing HNSCC proliferation, differentiation, and promoting metastasis by modulating related oncogenes in oral cancer. Currently, various small molecule compounds have been developed as inhibitors specifically targeting EZH2 and have gained approval for treating refractory tumors. In this review, we delve into the epigenetic regulation mediated by EZH2/PRC2 in HNSCC, with a specific focus on exploring the potential roles and mechanisms of EZH2, its crucial contribution to targeted drug therapy, and its association with cancer markers and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, we aim to unravel its potential as a therapeutic strategy for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract Cancer stem cells (CSCs) were first discovered in the 1990s, revealing the mysteries of cancer origin, migration, recurrence and drug-resistance from a new perspective. The expression of pluripotent genes and complex signal regulatory networks are significant features of CSC, also act as core factors to affect the characteristics of CSC. Transcription is a necessary link to regulate the phenotype and potential of CSC, involving chromatin environment, nucleosome occupancy, histone modification, transcription factor (TF) availability and cis-regulatory elements, which suffer from ambient pressure. Especially, the expression and activity of pluripotent TFs are deeply affected by both internal and external factors, which is the foundation of CSC transcriptional regulation in the current research framework. Growing evidence indicates that regulating epigenetic modifications to alter cancer stemness is effective, and some special promoters and enhancers can serve as targets to influence the properties of CSC. Clarifying the factors that regulate CSC transcription will assist us directly target key stem genes and TFs, or hinder CSC transcription through environmental and other related factors, in order to achieve the goal of inhibiting CSC and tumors. This paper comprehensively reviews the traditional aspects of transcriptional regulation, and explores the progress and insights of the impact on CSC transcription and status through tumor microenvironment (TME), hypoxia, metabolism and new meaningful regulatory factors in conjunction with the latest research. Finally, we present opinions on omnidirectional targeting CSCs transcription to eliminate CSCs and address tumor resistance.

Abstract During harvesting, storage, transportation, and processing, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers undergo greening after exposure to light, leading to the accumulation of toxic glycoside alkaloids, resulting in quality deterioration and economic losses. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. This study compared the transcriptome and proteome differences among four potato cultivars during the light-induced greening process, identifying 3,751 unique proteins (high confidence; ≥91.7%). The levels of enzymes involved in steroidal glycoalkaloid biosynthesis varied among the cultivars. In addition, coexpression network analysis of the transcriptomic data identified the transcription factor MYB113 (Soltu.DM.10G020780.1) as a potential positive regulator of steroidal glycoalkaloid biosynthesis. The dual-luciferase assay revealed that StMYB113 could bind to the promoters of steroidal glycoalkaloid biosynthesis-related genes and activate them. The transgenic lines overexpressing Solanum tuberosum L. Myb domain protein (StMYB113) exhibited greater mRNA abundance of these genes and elevated levels of steroidal glycoalkaloids. This study provided a theoretical basis for exploring the impact of light on the synthesis of solanine in potatoes.

The adaptation of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium to stress conditions involves expression of genes within the regulon of the alternative sigma factor RpoN (σ54). RpoN-dependent transcription requires an activated bacterial enhancer binding protein (bEBP) that hydrolyzes ATP to remodel the RpoN-holoenzyme-promoter complex for transcription initiation. The bEBP RtcR in S. Typhimurium strain 14028s is activated by genotoxic stress to direct RpoN-dependent expression of the RNA repair operon rsr-yrlBA-rtcBA. The molecular signal for RtcR activation is an oligoribonucleotide with a 3'-terminal 2',3'-cyclic phosphate. We show in S. Typhimurium 14028s that the molecular signal is not a direct product of nucleic acid damage, but signal generation is dependent on a RecA-controlled SOS-response pathway, specifically, induction of prophage Gifsy-1. A genome-wide mutant screen and utilization of Gifsy prophage-cured strains indicated that the nucleoid-associated protein Fis and the Gifsy-1 prophage significantly impact RtcR activation. Directed-deletion analysis and genetic mapping by transduction demonstrated that a three-gene region (STM14_3218-3220) in Gifsy-1, which is variable between S. Typhimurium strains, is required for RtcR activation in strain 14028s and that the absence of STM14_3218-3220 in the Gifsy-1 prophages of S. Typhimurium strains LT2 and 4/74, which renders these strains unable to activate RtcR during genotoxic stress, can be rescued by complementation in cis by the region encompassing STM14_3218-3220. Thus, even though RtcR and the RNA repair operon are highly conserved in Salmonella enterica serovars, RtcR-dependent expression of the RNA repair operon in S. Typhimurium is controlled by a variable region of a prophage present in only some strains. IMPORTANCE The transcriptional activator RtcR and the RNA repair proteins whose expression it regulates, RtcA and RtcB, are widely conserved in Proteobacteria. In Salmonella Typhimurium 14028s, genotoxic stress activates RtcR to direct RpoN-dependent expression of the rsr-yrlBA-rtcBA operon. This work identifies key elements of a RecA-dependent pathway that generates the signal for RtcR activation in strain 14028s. This signaling pathway requires the presence of a specific region within the prophage Gifsy-1, yet this region is absent in most other wild-type Salmonella strains. Thus, we show that the activity of a widely conserved regulatory protein can be controlled by prophages with narrow phylogenetic distributions. This work highlights an underappreciated phenomenon where bacterial physiological functions are altered due to genetic rearrangement of prophages.

BackgroundThe microrchidia (MORC) proteins are a family of evolutionarily conserved GHKL-type ATPases involved in chromatin compaction and gene silencing. Arabidopsis MORC proteins act in the RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway, where they act as molecular tethers to ensure the efficient establishment of RdDM and de novo gene silencing. However, MORC proteins also have RdDM-independent functions although their underlying mechanisms are unknown.ResultsIn this study, we examine MORC binding regions where RdDM does not occur in order to shed light on the RdDM-independent functions of MORC proteins. We find that MORC proteins compact chromatin and reduce DNA accessibility to transcription factors, thereby repressing gene expression. We also find that MORC-mediated repression of gene expression is particularly important under conditions of stress. MORC-regulated transcription factors can in some cases regulate their own transcription, resulting in feedback loops.ConclusionsOur findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of MORC-mediated chromatin compaction and transcription regulation.

The PAF1 complex component Rtf1 is an RNA Polymerase II-interacting transcription regulatory protein that promotes transcription elongation and the co-transcriptional monoubiquitination of histone 2B. Rtf1 plays an essential role in the specification of cardiac progenitors from the lateral plate mesoderm during early embryogenesis, but its requirement in mature cardiac cells is unknown. Here, we investigate the importance of Rtf1 in neonatal and adult cardiomyocytes using knockdown and knockout approaches. We demonstrate that loss of Rtf1 activity in neonatal cardiomyocytes disrupts cell morphology and results in a breakdown of sarcomeres. Similarly, Rtf1 ablation in mature cardiomyocytes of the adult mouse heart leads to myofibril disorganization, disrupted cell-cell junctions, fibrosis, and systolic dysfunction. Rtf1 knockout hearts eventually fail and exhibit structural and gene expression defects resembling dilated cardiomyopathy. Intriguingly, we observed that loss of Rtf1 activity causes a rapid change in the expression of key cardiac structural and functional genes in both neonatal and adult cardiomyocytes, suggesting that Rtf1 is continuously required to support expression of the cardiac gene program.

Recent evidence suggests that human gene promoters display gene expression regulatory mechanisms beyond the typical single gene local transcription modulation. In mammalian genomes, genes with an associated bidirectional promoter are abundant; bidirectional promoter architecture serves as a regulatory hub for a gene pair expression. However, it has been suggested that its contribution to transcriptional regulation might exceed local transcription initiation modulation. Despite their abundance, the functional consequences of bidirectional promoter architecture remain largely unexplored. This work studies the long-range gene expression regulatory role of a long non-coding RNA gene promoter using chromosome conformation capture methods. We found that this particular bidirectional promoter contributes to distal gene expression regulation in a target-specific manner by establishing promoter–promoter interactions. In particular, we validated that the promoter–promoter interactions of this regulatory element with the promoter of distal gene BBX contribute to modulating the transcription rate of this gene; removing the bidirectional promoter from its genomic context leads to a rearrangement of BBX promoter–enhancer interactions and to increased gene expression. Moreover, long-range regulatory functionality is not directly dependent on its associated non-coding gene pair expression levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To study and verify the function of de novo interferon regulatory factor (IRF8) frameshift mutation detected in an etiology screening of the cohort of children with recurrent pneumonia at the molecular level. Methods The recombinant overexpression plasmids with wildtype or mutated IRF8 genes were constructed to transiently transfect HEK293T cells, or packed into lentivirus to infect two kinds of immune cell lines. Q-PCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence and other experimental assays were performed to explore the differences of expression and the regulatory effect on downstream genes associated with inflammation. Results The recombinant vectors with wildtype or mutated IRF8 genes were constructed successfully, and the efficiency of transfection by plasmids and infection by packed lentivirus was remarkable as well. Compared with wildtype, the molecular weight of IRF8 variant was slightly increased, while the expression level presents in opposition, even if on transcription level. Moreover, the localization of IRF8 variant was detected in abundance in nucleus rather than cytoplasm, and its inhibition effect was enhanced on the downstream ISRE element in comparison with the wildtype IRF8 protein. Conclusion The de novo frameshift mutation was presumed as gain-of-function (GOF) mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polycomb group (PcG) comprises a set of proteins that exert epigenetic regulatory effects and play crucial roles in diverse biological processes, ranging from pluripotency and development to carcinogenesis. Among these proteins, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) stands out as a catalytic component of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which plays a role in regulating the expression of homologous (Hox) genes and initial stages of x chromosome inactivation. In numerous human cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), EZH2 is frequently overexpressed or activated and has been identified as a negative prognostic factor. Notably, EZH2 emerges as a significant gene involved in regulating the STAT3/HOTAIR axis, influencing HNSCC proliferation, differentiation, and promoting metastasis by modulating related oncogenes in oral cancer. Currently, various small molecule compounds have been developed as inhibitors specifically targeting EZH2 and have gained approval for treating refractory tumors. In this review, we delve into the epigenetic regulation mediated by EZH2/PRC2 in HNSCC, with a specific focus on exploring the potential roles and mechanisms of EZH2, its crucial contribution to targeted drug therapy, and its association with cancer markers and epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, we aim to unravel its potential as a therapeutic strategy for oral squamous cell carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Su(Hw) belongs to the class of proteins that organize chromosome architecture, determine promoter activity, and participate in formation of the boundaries/insulators between the regulatory domains. This protein contains a cluster of 12 zinc fingers of the C2H2 type, some of which are responsible for binding to the consensus site. The Su(Hw) protein forms complex with the Mod(mdg4)-67.2 and the CP190 proteins, where the last one binds to all known Drosophila insulators. To further study functioning of the Su(Hw)-dependent complexes, we used the previously described su(Hw)E8 mutation with inactive seventh zinc finger, which produces mutant protein that cannot bind to the consensus site. The present work shows that the Su(Hw)E8 protein continues to directly interact with the CP190 and Mod(mdg4)-67.2 proteins. Through interaction with Mod(mdg4)-67.2, the Su(Hw)E8 protein can be recruited into the Su(Hw)-dependent complexes formed on chromatin and enhance their insulator activity. Our results demonstrate that the Su(Hw) dependent complexes without bound DNA can be recruited to the Su(Hw) binding sites through the specific protein–protein interactions that are stabilized by Mod(mdg4)-67.2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold stress is a major meteorological threat to crop growth and yield. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays important roles in plant cold tolerance by activating the expression of cold‐responsive genes; however, the underlying transcriptional regulatory module remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that the cold‐ and ABA‐responsive transcription factor ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR 15 (ERF15) positively regulates ABA‐mediated cold tolerance in tomato. Exogenous ABA treatment significantly enhanced cold tolerance in wild‐type tomato plants but failed to rescue erf15 mutants from cold stress. Transcriptome analysis showed that ERF15 was associated with the expression of cold‐responsive transcription factors such as CBF1 and WRKY6. Further RT‐qPCR assays confirmed that the ABA‐induced increased in CBF1 and WRKY6 transcripts was suppressed in erf15 mutants when the plants were subjected to cold treatment. Moreover, yeast one‐hybrid assays, dual‐luciferase assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that ERF15 activated the transcription of CBF1 and WRKY6 by binding their promoters. Silencing CBF1 or WRKY6 significantly decreased cold tolerance. Overall, our study identified the role of ERF15 in conferring ABA‐mediated cold tolerance in tomato plants by activating CBF1 and WRKY6 expression. This study not only broadens our knowledge of the mechanism of ABA‐mediated cold tolerance in plants but also highlights ERF15 as an ideal target gene for cold‐tolerant crop breeding. Summary statement: This study demonstrated that the cold‐ and abscisic acid (ABA)‐responsive transcription factor ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR 15 positively regulates ABA‐mediated cold tolerance in tomato plants by activating CBF1 and WRKY6 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucocorticoids (GCs) act through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and are commonly used as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant medications. Chronic GC use has been linked with unwanted complications such as steroid-induced diabetes mellitus (SIDM), although the mechanisms for these effects are not completely understood. Modification of six GC parent molecules with 2-mercaptobenzothiazole resulted in consistently less promoter activity in transcriptional activation assays using a 3xGRE reporter construct while constantly reducing inflammatory pathway activity. The most selective candidate, DX1, demonstrated a significant reduction (87%) in transactivation compared to commercially available dexamethasone. DX1 also maintained 90% of the anti-inflammatory potential of dexamethasone while simultaneously displaying a reduced toxicity profile. Additionally, two novel and highly potent compounds, DX4 and PN4, were developed and shown to elicit similar mRNA expression at attomolar concentrations that dexamethasone exhibits at nanomolar dosages. To further explain these results, Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulations were performed to examine structural changes in the ligand-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor in response to docking with the top ligands. Differing interactions with the transcriptional activation function 2 (AF-2) region of the GR may be responsible for lower transactivation capacity in DX1. DX4 and PN4 lose contact with Arg611 due to a key interaction changing from a stronger hydrophilic to a weaker hydrophobic one, which leads to the formation of an unoccupied channel at the location of the deacylcortivazol (DAC)-expanded binding pocket. These findings provide insights into the structure–function relationships important for regulating anti-inflammatory activity, which has implications for clinical utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitis vinifera L. possesses high economic value, but its growth and yield are seriously affected by salt stress. Though melatonin (MT) has been widely reported to enhance tolerance towards abiotic stresses in plants, the regulatory role melatonin plays in resisting salt tolerance in grapevines has scarcely been studied. Here, we observed the phenotypes under the treatment of different melatonin concentrations, and then transcriptome and metabolome analyses were performed. A total of 457 metabolites were detected in CK- and MT-treated cell cultures at 1 WAT (week after treatment) and 4 WATs. Exogenous melatonin treatment significantly increased the endogenous melatonin content while down-regulating the flavonoid content. To be specific, the melatonin content was obviously up-regulated, while the contents of more than a dozen flavonoids were down-regulated. Auxin response genes and melatonin synthesis-related genes were regulated by the exogenous melatonin treatment. WGCNA (weighted gene coexpression network analysis) identified key salt-responsive genes; they were directly or indirectly involved in melatonin synthesis and auxin response. The synergistic effect of salt and melatonin treatment was investigated by transcriptome analysis, providing additional evidence for the stress-alleviating properties of melatonin through auxin-related pathways. The present study explored the impact of exogenous melatonin on grapevines' ability to adapt to salt stress and provided novel insights into enhancing their tolerance to salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]