1.CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology and its applications in tumor therapy
Ziyue ZHANG ; Sihao ZHENG ; Yanjun GAO ; Yi YAO ; Qibin SONG
Journal of International Oncology 2022;49(9):546-549
Gene editing technology CRISPR/Cas9 and its derivative editing technologies including base editor and prime editor can precisely edit the target genome sequences, having been widely used in tumor therapy and achieved remarkable clinical results in tumor immunotherapy, human papilloma virus infection treatment and oncolytic virotherapy, providing a new means for tumor therapy.
2.Autoinflammatory Diseases: a Rapidly Advancing Field
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2022;1(3):238-244
Autoinflammatory diseases (AIDs) are a group of genetic disorders characterized by generalized inflammatory responses and multiorgan involvement primarily caused by dysregulated innate immunity. Since the introduction of this concept, AIDs has been a rapidly advancing research field including at least 56 diseases, deepening the understanding of the interaction between innate and adaptive immunity. Despite distinct features displayed by AIDs of different categories, genetic testing remains essential for highly suspected cases. The diagnosis of undifferentiated systemic autoinflammatory diseases, omics-powered precision stratification and targeted therapy for AIDs are promising research areas in the future. This article introduces the rapid progresses in AIDs concept, mechanism, and classification. We present a summary of the characteristic clinical phenotype, as well as the current diagnostic challenges and treatment experiences, in the hope of raising the awareness of these disorders.
3.Comparative Genome Analysis of Scutellaria baicalensis and Scutellaria barbata Reveals the Evolution of Active Flavonoid Biosynthesis.
Zhichao XU ; Ranran GAO ; Xiangdong PU ; Rong XU ; Jiyong WANG ; Sihao ZHENG ; Yan ZENG ; Jun CHEN ; Chunnian HE ; Jingyuan SONG
Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics 2020;18(3):230-240
Scutellaria baicalensis (S. baicalensis) and Scutellaria barbata (S. barbata) are common medicinal plants of the Lamiaceae family. Both produce specific flavonoid compounds, including baicalein, scutellarein, norwogonin, and wogonin, as well as their glycosides, which exhibit antioxidant and antitumor activities. Here, we report chromosome-level genome assemblies of S. baicalensis and S. barbata with quantitative chromosomal variation (2n = 18 and 2n = 26, respectively). The divergence of S. baicalensis and S. barbata occurred far earlier than previously reported, and a whole-genome duplication (WGD) event was identified. The insertion of long terminal repeat elements after speciation might be responsible for the observed chromosomal expansion and rearrangement. Comparative genome analysis of the congeneric species revealed the species-specific evolution of chrysin and apigenin biosynthetic genes, such as the S. baicalensis-specific tandem duplication of genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia lyase and chalcone synthase, and the S. barbata-specific duplication of genes encoding 4-CoA ligase. In addition, the paralogous duplication, colinearity, and expression diversity of CYP82D subfamily members revealed the functional divergence of genes encoding flavone hydroxylase between S. baicalensis and S. barbata. Analyzing these Scutellaria genomes reveals the common and species-specific evolution of flavone biosynthetic genes. Thus, these findings would facilitate the development of molecular breeding and studies of biosynthesis and regulation of bioactive compounds.
Evolution, Molecular
;
Flavonoids/biosynthesis*
;
Genome, Plant
;
Plant Extracts/genetics*
;
Scutellaria/metabolism*
;
Whole Genome Sequencing