1.En Bloc Resection of Thoracic and Upper Lumbar Spinal Tumors Using a Novel Rotation-Reversion Technique through Posterior-Only Approach
Ming LU ; Changhe HOU ; Wei CHEN ; Zixiong LEI ; Shuangwu DAI ; Shaohua DU ; Qinglin JIN ; Dadi JIN ; Haomiao LI
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2025;17(2):346-353
Background:
En bloc resection is recommended for the treatment of malignant and aggressive benign spinal tumors; however, it often requires a combined anterior-posterior approach, which is usually accompanied by longer surgical duration, increased blood loss, larger trauma, and surgical complexity. The present study describes a novel rotation-reversion technique for en bloc resection of the thoracic and upper lumbar spinal tumors using a posterior-only approach and evaluate its safety and efficacy.
Methods:
Thirteen patients with thoracic and upper lumbar (L1-L3) spinal tumors were treated with en bloc resection using the rotation-reversion technique through a posterior-only approach at our institution between 2015 and 2023. The clinical characteristics and surgical results of the patients were reviewed and analyzed.
Results:
Posterior-only en bloc resection was performed successfully in all 13 patients using the rotation-reversion technique, with a median follow-up of 30.4 months (range, 6–74 months). The average maximum size of these 13 tumors was 5.7 × 5.8 × 4.8 cm.The mean operation time and blood loss were 458.5 minutes (range, 220–880 minutes) and 3,146.2 mL (range, 1,000–6,000 mL), respectively, with 4 of the 13 patients (30.8%) experiencing perioperative complications. Negative margins were achieved in all the 13 patients (100%). One patient experienced local recurrence (7.7%) and 1 patient experienced instrumentation failures. Interbody fusion was confirmed in 11 of the 13 patients (84.6%), with a median fusion time of 6.9 months. All of the 13 patients experienced varying degrees of mild postoperative neurological deficits owing to resection of the nerve roots affected by tumor invasion of the vertebrae. No vessel injury or postoperative neurological paralysis occurred, except 1 patient who had been completely paralyzed before surgery.
Conclusions
The rotation-reversion technique is an effective procedure for en bloc resection of selected thoracic and upper lumbar spinal tumors through the posterior-only approach.
2.En Bloc Resection of Thoracic and Upper Lumbar Spinal Tumors Using a Novel Rotation-Reversion Technique through Posterior-Only Approach
Ming LU ; Changhe HOU ; Wei CHEN ; Zixiong LEI ; Shuangwu DAI ; Shaohua DU ; Qinglin JIN ; Dadi JIN ; Haomiao LI
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2025;17(2):346-353
Background:
En bloc resection is recommended for the treatment of malignant and aggressive benign spinal tumors; however, it often requires a combined anterior-posterior approach, which is usually accompanied by longer surgical duration, increased blood loss, larger trauma, and surgical complexity. The present study describes a novel rotation-reversion technique for en bloc resection of the thoracic and upper lumbar spinal tumors using a posterior-only approach and evaluate its safety and efficacy.
Methods:
Thirteen patients with thoracic and upper lumbar (L1-L3) spinal tumors were treated with en bloc resection using the rotation-reversion technique through a posterior-only approach at our institution between 2015 and 2023. The clinical characteristics and surgical results of the patients were reviewed and analyzed.
Results:
Posterior-only en bloc resection was performed successfully in all 13 patients using the rotation-reversion technique, with a median follow-up of 30.4 months (range, 6–74 months). The average maximum size of these 13 tumors was 5.7 × 5.8 × 4.8 cm.The mean operation time and blood loss were 458.5 minutes (range, 220–880 minutes) and 3,146.2 mL (range, 1,000–6,000 mL), respectively, with 4 of the 13 patients (30.8%) experiencing perioperative complications. Negative margins were achieved in all the 13 patients (100%). One patient experienced local recurrence (7.7%) and 1 patient experienced instrumentation failures. Interbody fusion was confirmed in 11 of the 13 patients (84.6%), with a median fusion time of 6.9 months. All of the 13 patients experienced varying degrees of mild postoperative neurological deficits owing to resection of the nerve roots affected by tumor invasion of the vertebrae. No vessel injury or postoperative neurological paralysis occurred, except 1 patient who had been completely paralyzed before surgery.
Conclusions
The rotation-reversion technique is an effective procedure for en bloc resection of selected thoracic and upper lumbar spinal tumors through the posterior-only approach.
3.En Bloc Resection of Thoracic and Upper Lumbar Spinal Tumors Using a Novel Rotation-Reversion Technique through Posterior-Only Approach
Ming LU ; Changhe HOU ; Wei CHEN ; Zixiong LEI ; Shuangwu DAI ; Shaohua DU ; Qinglin JIN ; Dadi JIN ; Haomiao LI
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2025;17(2):346-353
Background:
En bloc resection is recommended for the treatment of malignant and aggressive benign spinal tumors; however, it often requires a combined anterior-posterior approach, which is usually accompanied by longer surgical duration, increased blood loss, larger trauma, and surgical complexity. The present study describes a novel rotation-reversion technique for en bloc resection of the thoracic and upper lumbar spinal tumors using a posterior-only approach and evaluate its safety and efficacy.
Methods:
Thirteen patients with thoracic and upper lumbar (L1-L3) spinal tumors were treated with en bloc resection using the rotation-reversion technique through a posterior-only approach at our institution between 2015 and 2023. The clinical characteristics and surgical results of the patients were reviewed and analyzed.
Results:
Posterior-only en bloc resection was performed successfully in all 13 patients using the rotation-reversion technique, with a median follow-up of 30.4 months (range, 6–74 months). The average maximum size of these 13 tumors was 5.7 × 5.8 × 4.8 cm.The mean operation time and blood loss were 458.5 minutes (range, 220–880 minutes) and 3,146.2 mL (range, 1,000–6,000 mL), respectively, with 4 of the 13 patients (30.8%) experiencing perioperative complications. Negative margins were achieved in all the 13 patients (100%). One patient experienced local recurrence (7.7%) and 1 patient experienced instrumentation failures. Interbody fusion was confirmed in 11 of the 13 patients (84.6%), with a median fusion time of 6.9 months. All of the 13 patients experienced varying degrees of mild postoperative neurological deficits owing to resection of the nerve roots affected by tumor invasion of the vertebrae. No vessel injury or postoperative neurological paralysis occurred, except 1 patient who had been completely paralyzed before surgery.
Conclusions
The rotation-reversion technique is an effective procedure for en bloc resection of selected thoracic and upper lumbar spinal tumors through the posterior-only approach.
4.En Bloc Resection of Thoracic and Upper Lumbar Spinal Tumors Using a Novel Rotation-Reversion Technique through Posterior-Only Approach
Ming LU ; Changhe HOU ; Wei CHEN ; Zixiong LEI ; Shuangwu DAI ; Shaohua DU ; Qinglin JIN ; Dadi JIN ; Haomiao LI
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2025;17(2):346-353
Background:
En bloc resection is recommended for the treatment of malignant and aggressive benign spinal tumors; however, it often requires a combined anterior-posterior approach, which is usually accompanied by longer surgical duration, increased blood loss, larger trauma, and surgical complexity. The present study describes a novel rotation-reversion technique for en bloc resection of the thoracic and upper lumbar spinal tumors using a posterior-only approach and evaluate its safety and efficacy.
Methods:
Thirteen patients with thoracic and upper lumbar (L1-L3) spinal tumors were treated with en bloc resection using the rotation-reversion technique through a posterior-only approach at our institution between 2015 and 2023. The clinical characteristics and surgical results of the patients were reviewed and analyzed.
Results:
Posterior-only en bloc resection was performed successfully in all 13 patients using the rotation-reversion technique, with a median follow-up of 30.4 months (range, 6–74 months). The average maximum size of these 13 tumors was 5.7 × 5.8 × 4.8 cm.The mean operation time and blood loss were 458.5 minutes (range, 220–880 minutes) and 3,146.2 mL (range, 1,000–6,000 mL), respectively, with 4 of the 13 patients (30.8%) experiencing perioperative complications. Negative margins were achieved in all the 13 patients (100%). One patient experienced local recurrence (7.7%) and 1 patient experienced instrumentation failures. Interbody fusion was confirmed in 11 of the 13 patients (84.6%), with a median fusion time of 6.9 months. All of the 13 patients experienced varying degrees of mild postoperative neurological deficits owing to resection of the nerve roots affected by tumor invasion of the vertebrae. No vessel injury or postoperative neurological paralysis occurred, except 1 patient who had been completely paralyzed before surgery.
Conclusions
The rotation-reversion technique is an effective procedure for en bloc resection of selected thoracic and upper lumbar spinal tumors through the posterior-only approach.
5.The Application of Spatial Resolved Metabolomics in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Lu-Tao XU ; Qian LI ; Shu-Lei HAN ; Huan CHEN ; Hong-Wei HOU ; Qing-Yuan HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2346-2359
The pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) is fundamentally linked to complex and profound alterations in metabolic networks within the brain, which exhibit marked spatial heterogeneity. While conventional bulk metabolomics is powerful for detecting global metabolic shifts, it inherently lacks spatial resolution. This methodological limitation hampers the ability to interrogate critical metabolic dysregulation within discrete anatomical brain regions and specific cellular microenvironments, thereby constraining a deeper understanding of the core pathological mechanisms that initiate and drive NDDs. To address this critical gap, spatial metabolomics, with mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) at its core, has emerged as a transformative approach. It uniquely overcomes the limitations of bulk methods by enabling high-resolution, simultaneous detection and precise localization of hundreds to thousands of endogenous molecules—including primary metabolites, complex lipids, neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and essential metal ions—directly in situ from tissue sections. This powerful capability offers an unprecedented spatial perspective for investigating the intricate and heterogeneous chemical landscape of NDD pathology, opening new avenues for discovery. Accordingly, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the field, beginning with a discussion of the technical features, optimal application scenarios, and current limitations of major MSI platforms. These include the widely adopted matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-MSI, the ultra-high-resolution technique of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS)-MSI, and the ambient ionization method of desorption electrospray ionization (DESI)-MSI, along with other emerging technologies. We then highlight the pivotal applications of spatial metabolomics in NDD research, particularly its role in elucidating the profound chemical heterogeneity within distinct pathological microenvironments. These applications include mapping unique molecular signatures around amyloid β‑protein (Aβ) plaques, uncovering the metabolic consequences of neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, and characterizing the lipid and metabolite composition of Lewy bodies. Moreover, we examine how spatial metabolomics contributes to constructing detailed metabolic vulnerability maps across the brain, shedding light on the biochemical factors that render certain neuronal populations and anatomical regions selectively susceptible to degeneration while others remain resilient. Looking beyond current applications, we explore the immense potential of integrating spatial metabolomics with other advanced research methodologies. This includes its combination with three-dimensional brain organoid models to recapitulate disease-relevant metabolic processes, its linkage with multi-organ axis studies to investigate how systemic metabolic health influences neurodegeneration, and its convergence with single-cell and subcellular analyses to achieve unprecedented molecular resolution. In conclusion, this review not only summarizes the current state and critical role of spatial metabolomics in NDD research but also offers a forward-looking perspective on its transformative potential. We envision its continued impact in advancing our fundamental understanding of NDDs and accelerating translation into clinical practice—from the discovery of novel biomarkers for early diagnosis to the development of high-throughput drug screening platforms and the realization of precision medicine for individuals affected by these devastating disorders.
6.Finite element analysis of thumb thrust in lumbar fixed-point rotation manipulation
Shaoting SU ; Honghai ZHOU ; Zhaomeng HOU ; Yan LU ; Wei WANG ; Yixin CHEN ; Longhao CHEN ; Cong TIAN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(12):1823-1828
BACKGROUND:Lumbar fixed-point rotation operation needs collaborative operation of the doctor's hands,and outputs rotation and thumb thrust.Lumbar disc herniation can be treated through disc displacement and adjusting stress distribution.However,the mechanical effects of thumb thrust and the biomechanical effects of loading direction on manipulative effects remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To compare the biomechanical difference of lumbar fixed-point rotation manipulation for treating lumbar disc herniation under different thrust directions. METHODS:The L3-5 normal three-dimensional finite element model was constructed and validity was verified.According to the intervertebral disc degeneration Pfirrmann grade,intervertebral disc degeneration was simulated by modifying the L4/5 intervertebral space height,the volume of the nucleus pulposus,as well as the material parameters of the annulus fibrosus,nucleus pulposus,and ligament.Finally,the pathological model of L4/5 moderate disc degeneration with left para-central herniation was constructed,and then the pathological models were used as research objects.Simulation technique:spinning to the right;taking the condition on changing the direction of the thumb thrust to establish three modes of operation(M1:thumb push to the left;M2:thumb push to the right;M3:no thrust push).The protrusion displacement and the disc stress,and the stress and strain of the facet joint cartilage were compared in the three operating modes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Maximum displacement value of L4/5 disc herniation:displacement was 2.672 3 mm for M1,1.156 1 mm for M2,1.826 4 mm for M3,M1>M3>M2.(2)The maximum Von Mises stress of L4/5 discs was 1.846 7 MPa for M1,0.419 0 MPa for M2,and 1.257 9 MPa for M3,M1>M3>M2.(3)L4/5 bilateral small cartilage produced different degrees of contact stress changes:It was 0.485 5 MPa for M1,0.026 7 MPa for M2,and 0.441 4 MPa for M3,M1>M3>M2.Right cartilage contact force was 0.000 5 MPa for M1,0.025 9 MPa for M2,and 0.001 3 MPa for M3,M2>M3>M1;the left greater than the right,M1 had the highest value;cartilage strain was consistent with contact stress changes.(4)Different operation modes will have some biomechanical influences on the diseased intervertebral disc and accessory structure.The M1 operation mode can maximize the displacement of protrusion,disc stress and left joint cartilage contact,which can better promote disc displacement,balance stress distribution and reduce facet joint disorder,so the operation is better.
7.Mechanism of Cigarette Smoke-induced Injury to Alveolar Epithelial Cells
Jian-Lu TIAN ; Hong-Juan WANG ; Huan CHEN ; Hong-Wei HOU ; Qing-Yuan HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(9):2144-2155
Smoking is the leading preventable risk factor for disease and death worldwide. Tobacco and its smoke contain a complex mix of over 9 500 chemical substances, including oxidative gases, heavy metals, and 83 known carcinogens. Long-term smoking is a significant risk factor for respiratory diseases such as acute lung injury, emphysema, and pulmonary fibrosis. Damage to alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) is a common pathological feature in these smoking-related lung diseases. AECs, which line the surface of the alveoli, play a crucial role in preventing overexpansion or collapse, secreting cell factors and surfactants, containing abundant mitochondria, and being essential for lung tissue maturation, gas exchange, metabolism, and repair after damage. Damage to these cells can lead to pulmonary edema and alveolar collapse. Cigarette smoke (CS) can disrupt alveolar epithelial cell function through various pathways, resulting in cell death, tissue damage, and the development of lung diseases.This review summarizes recent research on the damage caused by CS to AECs, showing that CS can promote cell death and damage through induction of oxidative stress, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. It also affects the proliferative function of alveolar type II epithelial cells. The review highlights that CS-induced oxidative stress is a key factor in causing various types of damage, with TRP ion channels serving as important triggers. Inhibiting CS-induced oxidative damage can significantly prevent cell death and subsequent diseases such as pulmonary emphysema. The activation of the same pathway induced by CS can lead to different types of cell damage, potentially encouraging the development of different diseases. CS can either directly induce or indirectly promote cell inflammation through endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and senescence. There are interconnected relationships between these mechanisms, and SIRT1 is an important protein in preventing CS-induced AECs damage. Increasing SIRT1 activity can alleviate CS-induced autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and senescence in various cell damages; its substrate NAD+ is already used clinically, and its effectiveness in COPD treatment deserves further exploration. The impact of CS on cells varies based on concentration: lower concentrations stimulate stress responses or apoptosis, while higher concentrations lead to apoptosis or necrosis through various mechanisms, ultimately impairing lung epithelial function. When external stimuli exceed the cells’ self-healing capacity, they can cause damage to cells, lung epithelial barriers, and alveoli, promoting the development of related lung diseases. Key proteins that play a protective role may serve as potential targets to mitigate cell damage.This review provides insights into the various mechanisms through which CS induces damage to AECs, covering important transcription factors, DNA repair proteins, and membrane channel proteins, paving the way for the study of new mechanisms and pathways. However, there are still unanswered questions, such as the need for further exploration of the upstream pathways of CS-induced autophagy in AECs and the intrinsic mechanisms of CS in enhancing the stem cell properties of AECs and its relationship to the occurrence of lung cancer.It is expected that this article will provide a theoretical basis for future research on the mechanisms of lung epithelial cell damage caused by CS or its individual components and inspire clinical strategies for the prevention and treatment of smoking-related lung diseases.
8.Compatibility Mechanism of Mineral Medicine Os Draconis in Bupleuri Radix-containing Tri-herbal Medicines Based on Supramolecular Systems
Zi XING ; Junling HOU ; Yifan ZHAO ; Liman XIAO ; Mengjia WEI ; Mengyuan YANG ; Lu YUN ; Yuanfei NIU ; Zhijie ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(14):191-198
ObjectiveBy starting with the combination of Os Draconis, Bupleuri Radix, and Ostreae Concha, the role of mineral medicine Os Draconis in the combination of the Bupleuri Radix-containing tri-herbal medicines was preliminarily explored from the perspective of supramolecular system formation. Method① The appearance and Tyndall phenomenon of single decoction of Os Draconis, Bupleuri Radix, and Ostreae Concha, as well as co-decoction of Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis, Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis-Ostreae Concha, and Bupleuri Radix-Ostreae Concha were observed, and the average particle size, dispersion coefficient, and Zeta potential of suspension particles in each decoction were determined. The micromorphology of supramolecular structures was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). ② The pH of different compatibility systems, liquid viscosity coefficient, liquid surface tension, freeze-dried powder yield rate, and other physical properties were determined, and the interaction of different compatibility systems was detected by infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis). ③ The composition and content difference of different compatible systems were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). ResultCompared with the single decoction, the co-decoction had more obvious turbidity and Tyndall phenomenon. The particles in the co-decoction suspension were smaller and more evenly distributed, and the Zeta potential was reduced, indicating a more stable system. Under SEM, Bupleuri Radix was irregularly lamellar, and Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis and Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis-Ostreae Concha were mainly spherical nanoparticles. Bupleuri Radix-Ostreae Concha was irregularly lamellar, with a small number of spherical nanoparticles. The pH of the single decoction of Bupleuri Radix and co-decoction increased, and the viscosity coefficient increased. The liquid surface tension decreased. The freeze-dried powder yield rate of the Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis co-decoction was the highest, followed by Bupleuri Radix-Ostreae Concha decoction and Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis-Ostreae Concha decoction, and the yield rate of Bupleuri Radix single decoction was the lowest. The main change of FTIR was the stretching vibration of -OH, and the co-decoction moved to the low-frequency direction obviously. UV-Vis showed that the maximum absorption occurred at 295.8 nm for all groups, and the absorption intensity was different (Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis>Bupleuri Radix-Os Draconis-Ostreae Concha>Bupleuri Radix-Ostreae Concha>Bupleuri Radix). The components of Bupleuri Radix were used as the indexes, and the content of methanol extract determined by HPLC was higher than that of water extract, and the components of Bupleuri Radix single decoction were mainly saikosaponin a (SSa) and saikosaponin c (SSc), which were slightly higher after co-decoction compatibility. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS could identify 37 compounds in both single decoction and co-decoction. ConclusionThe combination of Bupleuri Radix, Os Draconis, and Ostreae Concha can form a smaller, more uniform, and stable nano-sized supramolecular system, which is conducive to the dissolution of the main components of Bupleuri Radix, and the Os Draconis contributes the most in this process.
9.Carrier screening for 223 monogenic diseases in Chinese population:a multi-center study in 33 104 individuals
Wei HOU ; Xiaolin FU ; Xiaoxiao XIE ; Chunyan ZHANG ; Jiaxin BIAN ; Xiao MAO ; Juan WEN ; Chunyu LUO ; Hua JIN ; Qian ZHU ; Qingwei QI ; Yeqing QIAN ; Jing YUAN ; Yanyan ZHAO ; Ailan YIN ; Shutie LI ; Yulin JIANG ; Manli ZHANG ; Rui XIAO ; Yanping LU
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(6):1015-1023
Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and mutation spectrum of monogenic diseases in Chinese population through a large-scale,multicenter carrier screening.Methods This study was conducted among a total of 33 104 participants(16 610 females)from 12 clinical centers across China.Carrier status for 223 genes was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing and different PCR methods.Results The overall combined carrier frequency was 55.58%for 197 autosomal genes and 1.84%for 26 X-linked genes in these participants.Among the 16 669 families,874 at-risk couples(5.24%)were identified.Specifically,584 couples(3.50%)were at risk for autosomal genes,306(1.84%)for X-linked genes,and 16 for both autosomal and X-linked genes.The most frequently detected autosomal at-risk genes included GJB2(autosomal recessive deafness type 1A,393 couples),HBA1/HBA2(α-thalassemia,36 couples),PAH(phenylketonuria,14 couples),and SMN1(spinal muscular atrophy,14 couples).The most frequently detected X-linked at-risk genes were G6PD(G6PD deficiency,236 couples),DMD(Duchenne muscular dystrophy,23 couples),and FMR1(fragile X syndrome,17 couples).After excluding GJB2 c.109G>A,the detection rate of at-risk couples was 3.91%(651/16 669),which was lowered to 1.72%(287/16 669)after further excluding G6PD.The theoretical incidence rate of severe monogenic birth defects was approximately 4.35‰(72.5/16 669).Screening for a battery of the top 22 most frequent genes in the at-risk couples could detect over 95%of at-risk couples,while screening for the top 54 genes further increased the detection rate to over 99%.Conclusion This study reveals the carrier frequencies of 223 monogenic genetic disorders in the Chinese population and provides evidence for carrier screening strategy development and panel design tailored to the Chinese population.In carrier testing,genetic counseling for specific genes or gene variants can be challenging,and the couples need to be informed of these difficulties before testing and provided with options for not screening these genes or gene variants.
10.Endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase: Possible Functions and Mechanisms
Xin-Rong LU ; Yong-Liang TONG ; Wei-Li KONG ; Lin ZOU ; Dan-Feng SHEN ; Shao-Xian LÜ ; Rui-Jie LIU ; Shao-Xing ZHANG ; Yu-Xin ZHANG ; Lin-Lin HOU ; Gui-Qin SUN ; Li CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(5):985-999
Endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (ENGase) is widely distributed in various organisms. The first reported ENGase activity was detected in Diplococcus pneumoniae in 1971. The protein (Endo D) was purified and its peptide sequence was determined in 1974. Three ENGases (Endo F1-F3) were discovered in Flavobacterium meningosepticum from 1982 to 1993. After that, the activity was detected from different species of bacteria, yeast, fungal, plant, mice, human, etc. Multiple ENGases were detected in some species, such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Trichoderma atroviride. The first preliminary crystallographic analysis of ENGase was conducted in 1994. But to date, only a few ENGases structures have been obtained, and the structure of human ENGase is still missing. The currently identified ENGases were distributed in the GH18 or GH85 families in Carbohydrate-Active enZyme (CAZy) database. GH18 ENGase only has hydrolytic activity, but GH85 ENGase has both hydrolytic and transglycosylation activity. Although ENGases of the two families have similar (β/α)8-TIM barrel structures, the active sites are slightly different. ENGase is an effective tool for glycan detection andglycan editing. Biochemically, ENGase can specifically hydrolyze β‑1,4 glycosidic bond between the twoN-acetylglucosamines (GlcNAc) on core pentasaccharide presented on glycopeptides and/or glycoproteins. Different ENGases may have different substrate specificity. The hydrolysis products are oligosaccharide chains and a GlcNAc or glycopeptides or glycoproteins with a GlcNAc. Conditionally, it can use the two products to produce a new glycopeptides or glycoprotein. Although ENGase is a common presentation in cell, its biological function remains unclear. Accumulated evidences demonstrated that ENGase is a none essential gene for living and a key regulator for differentiation. No ENGase gene was detected in the genomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and three other yeast species. Its expression was extremely low in lung. As glycoproteins are not produced by prokaryotic cells, a role for nutrition and/or microbial-host interaction was predicted for bacterium produced enzymes. In the embryonic lethality phenotype of the Ngly1-deficient mice can be partially rescued by Engase knockout, suggesting down regulation of Engase might be a solution for stress induced adaptation. Potential impacts of ENGase regulation on health and disease were presented. Rabeprazole, a drug used for stomach pain as a proton inhibitor, was identified as an inhibitor for ENGase. ENGases have been applied in vitro to produce antibodies with a designated glycan. The two step reactions were achieved by a pair of ENGase dominated for hydrolysis of substrate glycoprotein and synthesis of new glycoprotein with a free glycan of designed structure, respectively. In addition, ENGase was also been used in cell surface glycan editing. New application scenarios and new detection methods for glycobiological engineering are quickly opened up by the two functions of ENGase, especially in antibody remodeling and antibody drug conjugates. The discovery, distribution, structure property, enzymatic characteristics and recent researches in topical model organisms of ENGase were reviewed in this paper. Possible biological functions and mechanisms of ENGase, including differentiation, digestion of glycoproteins for nutrition and stress responding were hypothesised. In addition, the role of ENGase in glycan editing and synthetic biology was discussed. We hope this paper may provide insights for ENGase research and lay a solid foundation for applied and translational glycomics.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail