1.The Structure and Function of The YopJ Family Effectors in The Bacterial Type III Secretion System
Ao-Ning LI ; Wen-Bo LI ; Yu-Ying LU ; Min-Hui ZHU ; Yu-Long QIN ; Yong ZHAO ; Zhao-Huan ZHANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):516-533
The Type III Secretion System (T3SS) serves as a pivotal virulence apparatus for numerous Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, enabling them to infect both animal and plant hosts. Functioning as a molecular syringe, the T3SS directly translocates bacterial effector proteins from the bacterial cytoplasm into the interior of eukaryotic host cells. These effectors are central weapons that precisely manipulate a wide spectrum of host cellular physiological processes, ranging from cytoskeletal dynamics to immune signaling, to establish a favorable niche for bacterial survival and proliferation. Among the diverse arsenal of T3SS effectors, the YopJ family constitutes a critical group of virulence factors. Members of this family are characterized by a conserved catalytic triad structure—a hallmark of the CE clan of cysteine proteases that has been evolutionarily repurposed to confer acetyltransferase activity. A defining and intriguing feature of these enzymes is their stringent dependence on a host-derived eukaryotic cofactor, inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6), for allosteric activation. This requirement acts as a sophisticated molecular safeguard, ensuring enzymatic activity only within the appropriate host environment, thereby preventing detrimental effects on the bacterium itself. While seminal studies on individual members such as Yersinia’s YopJ and Salmonella’s AvrA have provided deep mechanistic insights, a systematic and integrative understanding of the structure-function relationships across the entire family remains fragmented. Key questions persist regarding how a conserved catalytic core has diverged to recognize distinct host substrates in different kingdoms of life. To address this gap, this article provides a systematic review of the YopJ family, focusing on three interconnected aspects: their structural features, their catalytic mechanism, and their divergent immunosuppressive strategies in animal versus plant hosts. By conducting a comparative analysis of the sequences and resolved three-dimensional structures of three representative members (e.g., HopZ1a, PopP2, AvrA), we elucidate regions of significant variation embedded within the conserved core catalytic architecture. These variable regions, often involving surface loops and substrate-binding interfaces, are crucial determinants of target specificity and functional specialization. The functional divergence of this effector family is most apparent when comparing their modes of action in different hosts. In animal hosts, YopJ-family effectors primarily sabotage innate immune signaling pathways. They achieve this by acetylating key serine and threonine residues within the activation loops of critical kinases in the MAPK and NF‑κB pathways. This post-translational modification blocks the phosphorylation and subsequent activation of these kinases, leading to potent suppression of inflammatory cytokine production. Conversely, in plant hosts, the strategy broadens to dismantle the two-tiered plant immune system. YopJ homologs target a more diverse set of substrates, including immune-associated receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases (RLCKs), microtubule networks via tubulin acetylation (which disrupts cellular trafficking and signaling), and transcription factors central to defense gene regulation. This multi-target approach effectively suppresses both Pattern-Triggered Immunity (PTI) and Effector-Triggered Immunity (ETI). In conclusion, this synthesis aims to deepen the mechanistic understanding of YopJ family-mediated pathogenesis by integrating structural biology with cellular function across host kingdoms. Elucidating the precise molecular basis for substrate selection—how conserved platforms achieve target diversity—is a major frontier. Furthermore, this knowledge provides a vital theoretical foundation for developing novel anti-virulence strategies. Targeting the conserved IP6-binding pocket or the catalytic acetyltransferase activity itself represents a promising avenue for designing broad-spectrum inhibitors that could disarm this critical family of bacterial effectors, potentially offering new therapeutic approaches against a range of pathogenic bacteria.
2.Efficacy and safety of a facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention with half-dose recombinant staphylokinase in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Tian-yu WU ; Wen-hao ZHANG ; Peng-sheng CHEN ; Chen LI ; Tian WU ; Zhan LÜ ; Tong WANG ; Kun LIU ; Zhi-wen TAO ; Xiao-xuan GONG ; Liang YUAN ; Yong LI ; Bo CHEN ; Xin CHEN ; Zeng-guang CHEN ; Nai-quan YANG ; Yuan-yuan SANG ; Xiao-yan WANG ; Bai-hong LI ; Li ZHU ; Guo-yu WANG ; Xin ZHAO ; Chuan LU ; Jun JIANG ; Rui-na HAO ; Chun-jian LI
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(8):431-438
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)with half-dose recombinant staphylokinase(r-SAK)in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)who are expected to undergo PCI within 120 minutes.Methods From October 2021 to August 2022,a total of 200 STEMI patients in eight centers were included and randomly assigned in a 1﹕1 ratio to either r-SAK group or control group.Patients received loading doses of aspirin and ticagrelor and intravenous heparin and were randomized to receive an intravenous bolus of either 5 mg r-SAK or normal saline prior to PCI.The outcomes were set as ST-segment resolution(STR)at 60-90 minutes after PCI,the proportion and transition of pathological Q waves on the 5th day after PCI,and the proportion of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T(hs-cTnT)peaking within 12 hours of onset.The safety outcome was major bleeding events defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium(BARC)≥type 3 bleeding during hospitalization.Results Compared with the control group,the r-SAK group had a higher proportion of STR≥70%within 60-90 minutes after PCI(58.3%vs.40.3%,P=0.009);a lower proportion of pathological Q waves(59.1%vs.74.1%,P=0.040);a lower rate of Q wave progression(14.8%vs.43.2%,P<0.001);a higher rate of Q wave disappearance(12.5%vs.3.7%,P=0.027);and a higher proportion of hs-cTnT peaking within 12 hours of symptom onset[31/40(77.5%)vs.17/33(51.5%),P=0.027].Regarding the safety outcome,no significant difference in BARC≥type 3 bleeding was found between the two groups during hospitalization(P>0.05).Conclusions For STEMI patients who were expected to undergo primary PCI within 120 minutes of symptom onset,the facilitated PCI with half-dose r-SAK significantly increased the proportion of STR≥70%at 60-90 minutes after PCI,reduced the formation of pathological Q waves,and shortened the time to peak hs-cTnT,without increasing the risk of bleeding,which should be an alternative reperfusion strategy worthy of further study.
3.Clinical Study on the Combination of Yugu Ju Detergent and Fusidic Acid Cream for the Repair of Chronic Wounds Caused by Staphylococcus Aureus Infection
Ran-dong PENG ; Jun ZHAO ; Wen-bo YANG ; Jun-wei BI ; Hong-xi LIU
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(15):2431-2437
Objective:Observation of the therapeutic effect of Yugu Ju detergent combined with fusidic acid cream on the repair of wounds infected with Staphylococcus aureus,as well as its impact on serum inflammatory markers TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,oxidative stress markers MDA,ROS,SOD and Nrf2 levels.Methods:96 patients with skin defects and SA U infection caused by trauma admitted to the hospital from June 2021 to December 2023 were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group.Both groups were treated with debridement,while the control group was treated with external application of fusidic acid cream.The treatment group received external washing with Yugu Ju detergent in addition to the control group.One course of treatment lasted for 7 days,with three consecutive courses of treatment.Observe the wound healing rate,bacterial clearance rate,and changes in TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,SOD,MDA,ROS,and Nrf2 before and after treatment to evaluate clinical efficacy and safety.Results:The total clinical effective rate of the observation group after treatment was 93.75%(45/48),while that of the control group was 75%(36/48).The observation group was significantly better than the control group(P<0.05);The wound healing rate and bacterial clearance rate of the observation group at each time point after treatment were higher than those of the control group(P<0.05);After treatment,the Nrf2 and SOD values in the observation group were higher than those in the control group,while the TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β,MDA,and ROS values were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).No adverse reactions occurred during the treatment of both groups.Conclusion:The combination of Yugu Ju detergent and Fusidic acid cream can inhibit SA U and promote the healing of infectious wounds,which may be related to the activation of Nrf2 expression to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory response.It is safe and effective,and worthy of promotion and application.
4.Feasibility of day surgery mode of laparoscopic appendectomy and con-struct the prediction model of the nomogram based on college students
Wen-bo ZHAO ; Er-min MA ; Wei-yi SUN ; Nan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(7):511-516
Objective:To investigate the feasibility of daily laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis in college students and establish a predictive model of the nomogram.Methods:A prospective analysis was performed on 82 college students with acute appendicitis who were admitted to hospital continuously from December 2023 to De-cember 2024.All patients received laparoscopic appendectomy and accelerated rehabilitation surgical measures combin-ing traditional Chinese and Western medicine,and were divided into two groups according to whether the daytime op-eration mode was achieved.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent influencing factors for achieving the day surgery model,and the prediction model was constructed,evaluated and verified.Results:Of the 82 patients,46(56%)achieved the daytime operation mode,the mean length of hospitalization was(41.37±6.33)h,and no serious complications were observed 30 days after surgery.The independent influencing factors for achieving this model were CRP≤13.9 mg/L,abdominal pain time≤22 h,appendix diameter≤10 mm,no drainage tube placed,and postoperative VAS score≤2.5(all P<0.05).The area under the curve of the prediction model was 0.905(95%CI:0.845~0.966),and the calibration chart indicated that the predicted probability of the model was in good agreement with the ac-tual probability,and the decision curve showed good clinical benefit.Conclusion:It is safe and feasible for college stu-dents to receive day surgery mode of laparoscopic appendectomy.The created nomogram model has good predictive ability,which can identify eligible patients as early as possible,and take timely intervention measures to improve the achievement rate.
5.Time-Dependent Transcriptional Dynamics of Contextual Fear Memory Retrieval Reveals the Function of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 9 in Reconsolidation.
Wen-Ting GUO ; Wen-Xing LI ; Yu-Chen LIU ; Ya-Bo ZHAO ; Lin XU ; Qi-Xin ZHOU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(1):16-32
Numerous studies on the formation and consolidation of memory have shown that memory processes are characterized by phase-dependent and dynamic regulation. Memory retrieval, as the only representation of memory content and an active form of memory processing that induces memory reconsolidation, has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Although the molecular mechanisms specific to memory retrieval-induced reconsolidation have been gradually revealed, an understanding of the time-dependent regulatory mechanisms of this process is still lacking. In this study, we applied a transcriptome analysis of memory retrieval at different time points in the recent memory stage. Differential expression analysis and Short Time-series Expression Miner (STEM) depicting temporal gene expression patterns indicated that most differential gene expression occurred at 48 h, and the STEM cluster showing the greatest transcriptional upregulation at 48 h demonstrated the most significant difference. We then screened the differentially-expressed genes associated with that met the expression patterns of those cluster-identified genes that have been reported to be involved in learning and memory processes in addition to dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9). Further quantitative polymerase chain reaction verification and pharmacological intervention suggested that DPP9 is involved in 48-h fear memory retrieval and viral vector-mediated overexpression of DPP9 countered the 48-h retrieval-induced attenuation of fear memory. Taken together, our findings suggest that temporal gene expression patterns are induced by recent memory retrieval and provide hitherto undocumented evidence of the role of DPP9 in the retrieval-induced reconsolidation of fear memory.
Animals
;
Fear/physiology*
;
Male
;
Dipeptidyl-Peptidases and Tripeptidyl-Peptidases/genetics*
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Memory Consolidation/physiology*
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Time Factors
;
Mental Recall/drug effects*
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Mice
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Gene Expression Profiling
6.Artificial intelligence guided Raman spectroscopy in biomedicine: Applications and prospects.
Yuan LIU ; Sitong CHEN ; Xiaomin XIONG ; Zhenguo WEN ; Long ZHAO ; Bo XU ; Qianjin GUO ; Jianye XIA ; Jianfeng PEI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(11):101271-101271
Due to its high sensitivity and non-destructive nature, Raman spectroscopy has become an essential analytical tool in biopharmaceutical analysis and drug development. Despite of the computational demands, data requirements, or ethical considerations, artificial intelligence (AI) and particularly deep learning algorithms has further advanced Raman spectroscopy by enhancing data processing, feature extraction, and model optimization, which not only improves the accuracy and efficiency of Raman spectroscopy detection, but also greatly expands its range of application. AI-guided Raman spectroscopy has numerous applications in biomedicine, including characterizing drug structures, analyzing drug forms, controlling drug quality, identifying components, and studying drug-biomolecule interactions. AI-guided Raman spectroscopy has also revolutionized biomedical research and clinical diagnostics, particularly in disease early diagnosis and treatment optimization. Therefore, AI methods are crucial to advancing Raman spectroscopy in biopharmaceutical research and clinical diagnostics, offering new perspectives and tools for disease treatment and pharmaceutical process control. In summary, integrating AI and Raman spectroscopy in biomedicine has significantly improved analytical capabilities, offering innovative approaches for research and clinical applications.
7.Advances in the role of protein post-translational modifications in circadian rhythm regulation.
Zi-Di ZHAO ; Qi-Miao HU ; Zi-Yi YANG ; Peng-Cheng SUN ; Bo-Wen JING ; Rong-Xi MAN ; Yuan XU ; Ru-Yu YAN ; Si-Yao QU ; Jian-Fei PEI
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(4):605-626
The circadian clock plays a critical role in regulating various physiological processes, including gene expression, metabolic regulation, immune response, and the sleep-wake cycle in living organisms. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are crucial regulatory mechanisms to maintain the precise oscillation of the circadian clock. By modulating the stability, activity, cell localization and protein-protein interactions of core clock proteins, PTMs enable these proteins to respond dynamically to environmental and intracellular changes, thereby sustaining the periodic oscillations of the circadian clock. Different types of PTMs exert their effects through distincting molecular mechanisms, collectively ensuring the proper function of the circadian system. This review systematically summarized several major types of PTMs, including phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation and oxidative modification, and overviewed their roles in regulating the core clock proteins and the associated pathways, with the goals of providing a theoretical foundation for the deeper understanding of clock mechanisms and the treatment of diseases associated with circadian disruption.
Protein Processing, Post-Translational/physiology*
;
Circadian Rhythm/physiology*
;
Humans
;
Animals
;
CLOCK Proteins/physiology*
;
Circadian Clocks/physiology*
;
Phosphorylation
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Acetylation
;
Ubiquitination
;
Sumoylation
8.Effective-compounds of Jinshui Huanxian formula ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting lipid droplet catabolism and thus macrophage M2 polarization
Wen-bo SHAO ; Jia-ping ZHENG ; Peng ZHAO ; Qin ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):369-378
This study aims to investigate the effects and mechanisms of the effective-compounds of Jinshui Huanxian formula (ECC-JHF) in improving pulmonary fibrosis. Animal experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Animal Experiment Center of Henan University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: IACUC-202306012). The mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced using bleomycin (BLM). Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining was used to detect the histopathological changes of lung tissues. Masson staining was used to assess the degree of fibrosis in lung tissues. Immunofluorescence (IF) and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) were performed to measure the expression of collagen type I (
9.Research status on the therapeutic potential of paeoniflorin in renal fibrosis based on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway
Lin-zhen JIA ; Tian-tian HAN ; Li-bo WEN ; Kun ZHAO ; Ren-jun GAO ; Ying LÜ ; Xue LI
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2025;41(1):132-136
The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin(PI3K/Akt/mTOR)signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the regulation of renal fibrosis by participating in inflammatory response,oxidative stress and autophagy.Paeoniflorin exhibits remarkable efficacy in treating myocardial and liver fibrosis.This article provides a comprehensive review on the research progress of paeoniflora in preventing and treating renal fibrosis through modulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway,offering novel insights for traditional Chinese medicine-based approaches to prevent and treat renal fibrosis.
10.Feasibility of day surgery mode of laparoscopic appendectomy and con-struct the prediction model of the nomogram based on college students
Wen-bo ZHAO ; Er-min MA ; Wei-yi SUN ; Nan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Current Advances in General Surgery 2025;28(7):511-516
Objective:To investigate the feasibility of daily laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis in college students and establish a predictive model of the nomogram.Methods:A prospective analysis was performed on 82 college students with acute appendicitis who were admitted to hospital continuously from December 2023 to De-cember 2024.All patients received laparoscopic appendectomy and accelerated rehabilitation surgical measures combin-ing traditional Chinese and Western medicine,and were divided into two groups according to whether the daytime op-eration mode was achieved.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent influencing factors for achieving the day surgery model,and the prediction model was constructed,evaluated and verified.Results:Of the 82 patients,46(56%)achieved the daytime operation mode,the mean length of hospitalization was(41.37±6.33)h,and no serious complications were observed 30 days after surgery.The independent influencing factors for achieving this model were CRP≤13.9 mg/L,abdominal pain time≤22 h,appendix diameter≤10 mm,no drainage tube placed,and postoperative VAS score≤2.5(all P<0.05).The area under the curve of the prediction model was 0.905(95%CI:0.845~0.966),and the calibration chart indicated that the predicted probability of the model was in good agreement with the ac-tual probability,and the decision curve showed good clinical benefit.Conclusion:It is safe and feasible for college stu-dents to receive day surgery mode of laparoscopic appendectomy.The created nomogram model has good predictive ability,which can identify eligible patients as early as possible,and take timely intervention measures to improve the achievement rate.

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