1.Ursodeoxycholic acid inhibits the uptake of cystine through SLC7A11 and impairs de novo synthesis of glutathione.
Fu'an XIE ; Yujia NIU ; Xiaobing CHEN ; Xu KONG ; Guangting YAN ; Aobo ZHUANG ; Xi LI ; Lanlan LIAN ; Dongmei QIN ; Quan ZHANG ; Ruyi ZHANG ; Kunrong YANG ; Xiaogang XIA ; Kun CHEN ; Mengmeng XIAO ; Chunkang YANG ; Ting WU ; Ye SHEN ; Chundong YU ; Chenghua LUO ; Shu-Hai LIN ; Wengang LI
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(1):101068-101068
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a naturally occurring, low-toxicity, and hydrophilic bile acid (BA) in the human body that is converted by intestinal flora using primary BA. Solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) functions to uptake extracellular cystine in exchange for glutamate, and is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers. Retroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) refers to liposarcoma originating from the retroperitoneal area. Lipidomics analysis revealed that UDCA was one of the most significantly downregulated metabolites in sera of RLPS patients compared with healthy subjects. The augmentation of UDCA concentration (≥25 μg/mL) demonstrated a suppressive effect on the proliferation of liposarcoma cells. [15N2]-cystine and [13C5]-glutamine isotope tracing revealed that UDCA impairs cystine uptake and glutathione (GSH) synthesis. Mechanistically, UDCA binds to the cystine transporter SLC7A11 to inhibit cystine uptake and impair GSH de novo synthesis, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, UDCA can promote the anti-cancer effects of ferroptosis inducers (Erastin, RSL3), the murine double minute 2 (MDM2) inhibitors (Nutlin 3a, RG7112), cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) inhibitor (Abemaciclib), and glutaminase inhibitor (CB839). Together, UDCA functions as a cystine exchange factor that binds to SLC7A11 for antitumor activity, and SLC7A11 is not only a new transporter for BA but also a clinically applicable target for UDCA. More importantly, in combination with other antitumor chemotherapy or physiotherapy treatments, UDCA may provide effective and promising treatment strategies for RLPS or other types of tumors in a ROS-dependent manner.
2.Nanopore Protein Sequencing
Zi-Yi LI ; Ya-Kun YI ; Lei LIU ; Hai-Chen WU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(10):2498-2518
The success of the Human Genome Project has significantly deepened our understanding of genomics and catalyzed a growing focus on proteomics, as researchers aim to decipher the complex relationship between genes and proteins. Given the central role of proteins in regulating physiological processes—including DNA replication, metabolic reactions, signal transduction, pH balance, and cellular structure—developing advanced protein sequencing technologies is critical. Proteins are fundamental to nearly all biological activities, making their detailed study essential for understanding cellular functions and disease mechanisms. The Edman degradation method, developed in the 1950s, was a breakthrough in sequencing short peptides. However, its limitations in read length (fewer than 50 amino acids) and slow cycle time fall short of modern demands. Mass spectrometry has since emerged as the gold standard in protein sequencing due to its high accuracy, throughput, and reproducibility. The method is enhanced by a robust sample preparation workflow and advances in mass spectrometry technology. Despite these strengths, mass spectrometry faces limitations in dynamic range, sensitivity, read length, and sequence coverage, hindering complete de novo protein sequencing. These technological gaps underscore the need for innovative methods to provide more detailed and accurate protein sequence data. In the past decade, new protein sequencing methods, including tunneling current, fluorescence fingerprinting, and real-time dynamic fluorescence, have shown significant developmental potential. However, these methods are not yet ready for widespread application, as each still faces technical hurdles. Meanwhile, advances in nanopore DNA sequencing have sparked interest in applying nanopore technology to protein sequencing, particularly owing to its speed, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. Unlike DNA sequencing, protein sequencing presents greater challenges due to proteins’ complex three-dimensional structures, heterogeneous electrical charges, difficulties in directional movement, and diverse amino acid compositions, further complicated by post-translational modifications. Researchers have made significant strides in addressing these challenges, such as using unfolding enzymes, high temperatures, high voltage, and deformers to unravel protein structures, and employing charged sequences and electroosmotic flow to control peptide translocation. The latest strategies for nanopore protein sequencing can be broadly categorized into three approaches: strand sequencing, enzyme-assisted nanopore sequencing, and nanopore fingerprinting. In strand sequencing, dragging a protein-oligonucleotide conjugate through a nanopore with the aid of protein motors generates stepped current signals produced by the peptide strand. In enzyme-assisted nanopore sequencing, 20 proteinogenic amino acids and various post-translational modifications have been distinguished using nanopores, and sequencing of short peptides has also been demonstrated. In nanopore fingerprinting, polypeptide fragments resulting from protease digestion of a protein can be identified through nanopore sensing. Despite these advances, further improvements in protein engineering, data processing, identification accuracy, and read length are needed to make these strategies practically useful. This review provides an overview of the current major approaches to nanopore protein sequencing, emphasizing the strategies, recent advances, breakthroughs and challenges in nanopore protein sequencing. As nanopore technology continues to evolve, it is expected to offer more efficient and accurate sequencing solutions in proteomics, potentially leading to new technological breakthroughs in biochemistry and biomedicine.
3.Mechanism and research progress of S100A8/A9 in the microenvironment before high-risk tumor metastasis
Hai-Xia MING ; Zhao-Hua LIU ; Yan-Jun WANG ; Ming SHEN ; Yan-Wen CHEN ; Yang LI ; Ling-Ling YANG ; Qian-Kun LIANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(13):1991-1995
S100 calc-binding protein A8/A9(S100A8/A9)can induce the migration of primary tumor cells to distant target organs by binding multiple channel proteins,promote the formation of tumor metastasis microenvironment,and play an important role in the immune and inflammatory response of the body.It provides a new target and idea for the prevention and treatment of tumor metastasis and invasion.This paper mainly reviewed the expression and mechanism of S100A8/A9 on related channel proteins in a variety of high incidence tumors,in order to provide a new strategy for tumor prevention,diagnosis and treatment.
4.Study of acetyl-11-keto-3-boswellic acid inhibiting oral squamous cell carcinoma
Xin-Bang HUANG ; Yu WANG ; Qian YU ; Yong LI ; Biao-Dong LI ; Hai-Lei HE ; Kun CHEN ; Ling-Fan ZHAO
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(20):2993-2997
Objective To investigate the mechanism of apoptosis induced by acetyl-11-keto-3-boswellic acid(AKBA)in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)cells.Methods CAL27 were randomly divided into control group(conventional culture),low-dose group(40.00 μmol·L-1 AKBA),middle-dose group(80.00 μmol·L-1 AKBA),high-dose group(120.00 μmol·L-1 AKBA),3-methyladenine(3-MA)group(120.00 μmol·L-1 AKBA+2 mmol·L-1 autophagy inhibitor 3-MA).5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(Edu)assay was used to detect cell proliferation;Western blot assay was used to detect protein expression;flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis.Mice were randomly divided into model group(construct OSCC mouse model),AKBA-L group(10.00 mg·kg-1 AKBA after modeling),AKBA-H group(20.00 mg·kg-1 AKBA after modeling),10 animals per group.After 28 days of continuous administration,weight were detected;and the expression of related proteins were detected by Western blot assay.Results The Edu positive cell rates in control group,high-dose group were(40.18±2.53)%,(12.08±0.93)%,respectively;the protein levels of autophagy associated microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ in control group,high-dose group and 3-MA group were 0.33±0.05,2.93±0.39,0.56±0.07,respectively;phosphorylated adenylate activated protein kinase catalytic subunit alpha subunit 1(p-PRKAA1)protein levels were 0.34±0.04,1.03±0.07,0.99±0.09,respectively;the apoptosis rates were(4.65±0.39)%,(25.75±2.29)%,(14.92±1.49)%,respectively.The above indexes in hige-dose group were significantly different from those in the control group(all P<0.05).The above indexes in 3-MA group were significantly different from those in high-dose group(all P<0.05).The tumor weight of model group,AKBA-L group and AKBA-H group were(0.96±0.08),(0.55±0.06),(0.43±0.05)g,respectively;the protein levels of LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ were 0.47±0.09,0.94±0.21 and 1.69±0.34,respectively.The above indexes in AKBA-L group and AKBA-H group were significantly different from those in model group(all P<0.05).Conclusion AKBA can induce cytotoxic autophagy related apoptosis and inhibit CAL27 cell proliferation,which may be related to activation of AMPK signal.
5.Double J-tube indwelling after transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy reduces recurrence of ejaculatory duct obstruction
Kun PANG ; Bo CHEN ; Deng PAN ; Hao XU ; Yu-Yang MA ; Hai-Luo WANG ; Wei-Ling WANG
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(8):681-686
Objective:To introduce a surgical method involving the indwelling of double-J tubes(DJT)in the seminal vesicles after transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy(TSV)in order to reduce the recurrence of refractory ejaculatory duct obstruction(EDO).Methods:This randomized controlled trial included 67 EDO patients undergoing TSV in our hospitals,27 with(the trial group)and 29 without postoperative indwelling of DJTs in the seminal vesicles(the control group).We collected the general information on the pa-tients and TSV-related parameters,including age,body mass index(BMI),preoperative use of antibiotics,history of urinary tract dis-ease,operation time,hospital stay and intra-and postoperative complications,and performed comparative analyses particularly on the surgical effect,complications,recurrence rate and time to recurrence in the two groups of patients.Results:The patients in the trial and control groups were followed up for(40.5±10.6)and(32.5±14.8)months,respectively.There were no statistically signifi-cant differences in the baseline data,intra-and postoperative complications,and postoperative hospital days between the two groups(P>0.05).Compared with the controls,the patients in the trial group showed a significantly shorter operation time([62.8±6.1]vs[49.5±7.7]min,P<0.05)and a lower recurrence rate than the controls(18.5%vs 44.8%,P<0.05),but with no statisti-cally significant difference in the median time to recurrence(21.0 mo vs 22.0 mo,P>0.05).Conclusion:The novel technique of indwelling double-J tubes in the seminal vesicles after TSV can significantly reduce the recurrence rate of refractory EDO.
6.Research progress on mechanism of interaction between traditional Chinese medicine and intestinal flora
Jing WU ; Wei-Yi TIAN ; Kun CAI ; Su-Fang ZHOU ; Yao-Feng LI ; Xiang-Yun CHEN ; Hai-Bing QIAN ; Sha-Sha YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(10):1823-1829
Modern Chinese medicine studies have confirmed that the interaction between traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and intestinal flora is the key to the treatment of diseases with tradi-tional Chinese medicine.This interplay includes such activities as:traditional Chinese medicine can be metabolized by intestinal flora into effective components with different biological activities from its precursors;TCM chemicals improve the composition of gut microbiota,consequently ameliorating its dysfunction as well as associated pathological conditions;and gut microbiota mediate the interactions between the multiple chemicals in TCM.There-fore,it becomes an important way to understand the modern sci-entific connotation of traditional Chinese medicine theory to study the pharmacological mechanism of the efficacy of traditional Chi-nese medicine by targeting Gut microbiota.
7. Chr9∶52042693|52047844⁃miR⁃351⁃5p⁃Pten Is Involved in the Development and Progression of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome through a ceRNA Mechanism
Yuan WU ; Zu-Ming LI ; Si-Yi WU ; Jian-Kun CHEN ; Ji-Qiang LI ; Hai CHEN ; Shu-Bin CAI
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2023;39(11):1576-1587
Intermittent hypoxia (IH) is an important pathophysiological feature of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but its molecular mechanism is still unclear. We aim to investigate the role of endogenous competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network in the development of IH in OSA rats. An intermittent hypoxic rat model of OSA was constructed by hypoxic and reoxygenation cycles. CircRNAs and mRNAs were detected in rat bronchial tissues, and 230 up-regulated and 181 down-regulated circRNAs and 1238 up-regulated and 608 down-regulated mRNAs were analyzed and screened. The results of Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of the differential circRNAs and mRNAs suggested that they were mainly associated with metabolic pathways and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. The key circRNAs (the top six circRNAs with the largest differences) were further validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), chr9:52042693| 52047844 and chr4: 64889575|64899587 were expressed in bronchial tissues consistent with the sequencing results, which were used to further construct the ceRNA regulatory network. Four potential ceRNA regulatory networks were identified by TargetScan and miRanda database, combined with the results of differential circRNA and mRNA. The expression of molecules in the four potential ceRNA regulatory networks was detected by qRT-PCR in bronchial and lung tissues, and the results suggested that the expression of this regulatory network, chr9:52042693|52047844-miR-351-5p-Pten, was consistent with the sequencing results. The findings indicate that chr9:52042693 | 52047844-miR-351-5p-Pten may be involved in the development and progression of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome through a ceRNA mechanism.
8.Difference in Nocturnal Erectile Function Between SRPE Patients and Normal People
Hai-bing HU ; Kun-kun ZHAO ; Yong-yi CHEN ; Yuan-hao LI ; Wen-jun BAI ; Ping LI
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2023;44(4):691-696
ObjectiveTo compare the nocturnal erectile function between SRPE patients and normal people. MethodsFrom July 1st, 2019 to December 15th, 2022, a clinical comparative study was conducted on 29 SRPE patients (experimental group) and 58 volunteers (control group) who visited our urology department. The Rigiscan System was used to monitor sleep monitoring time, the number of nocturnal erections and the rigidity, duration and circumference growth of the penis when the erection reached 60%~79% and 80%~100%, respectively. The patients and volunteers were asked to make written records when they woke up, and then the total number of awakenings and the number of awakenings when the penis erection reached 60% and 80% were compared between the two groups. ResultsAge was eliminated by matching. There was no statistically significant difference in sleep monitoring time, rigidity, circumference growth and duration of the penis when the erection reached 60%~79% and 80%~100%. between the two groups. In terms of sleep, there was a statistically significant difference in the total number of awakenings between the two groups[3(2 ~ 4)vs 0(0 ~ 0),P<0.01] .And the same was true for the number of awakenings when the penis erection exceeded 60%~79% [1(0 ~ 1)vs 0(0 ~ 0),P<0.01]and 80%~100% [2(1 ~ 3)vs 0(0 ~ 0),P<0.01]. ConclusionRigiscan monitoring showed that there was no difference between SRPE patients and normal male in nocturnal penile erection function. Painful awakening usually occurs when the penis erection reaches 60%~79% or 80%~100%, which reveals that SRPE may be caused by abnormal sensation of nocturnal erections or pain sensitivity in some of these patients.
9.Observation of liver indexes in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma treated with CAR-T-cells based on BCMA.
Qian SUN ; Yue Kun QI ; Kun Ming QI ; Zhi Ling YAN ; Hai CHENG ; Wei CHEN ; Feng ZHU ; Wei SANG ; De Peng LI ; Jiang CAO ; Ming SHI ; Zhen Yu LI ; Kai Lin XU
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2023;44(10):832-837
Objective: To observe the characteristics of the evolution of liver indexes in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) treated with CAR-T-cells based on BCMA. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed of patients with RRMM who received an infusion of anti-BCMA CAR-T-cells and anti-BCMA combined with anti-CD19 CAR-T-cells at our center between June 1, 2019, and February 28, 2023. Clinical data were collected to observe the characteristics of changes in liver indexes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), and direct bilirubin (DBIL) in patients, and its relationship with cytokine-release syndrome (CRS) . Results: Ninety-two patients were included in the analysis, including 41 patients (44.6%) in the group receiving a single infusion of anti-BCMA CAR-T-cells, and 51 patients (55.4%) in the group receiving an infusion of anti-BCMA combined with anti-CD19 CAR-T-cells. After infusing CAR-T-cells, 31 patients (33.7%) experienced changes in liver indexes at or above grade 2, which included 20 patients (21.7%) with changes in one index, five patients (5.4%) with changes in two indexes, and six patients (6.5%) with changes in three or more indexes. The median time of peak values of ALT and AST were d17 and d14, respectively, and the median duration of exceeding grade 2 was 5.0 and 3.5 days, respectively. The median time of peak values of TBIL and DBIL was on d19 and d21, respectively, and the median duration of exceeding grade 2 was 4.0 days, respectively. The median time of onset of CRS was d8, and the peak time of fever was d9. The ALT, AST, and TBIL of patients with CRS were higher than those of patients without CRS (P=0.011, 0.002, and 0.015, respectively). CRS is an independent factor that affects ALT and TBIL levels (OR=19.668, 95% CI 18.959-20.173, P=0.001). The evolution of liver indexes can be reversed through anti-CRS and liver-protection treatments, and no patient died of liver injury. Conclusions: In BCMA-based CAR-T-cell therapy for RRMM, CRS is an important factor causing the evolution of liver indexes. The evolution of liver indexes after CAR-T-cell infusion is transient and reversible after treatment.
Humans
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Antigens, CD19
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B-Cell Maturation Antigen/therapeutic use*
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Bilirubin
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Immunotherapy, Adoptive
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Liver
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Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy*
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Retrospective Studies
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T-Lymphocytes
10.Hyperprolinemia type Ⅰ caused by PRODH gene variation: 2 cases report and literature review.
Zhen Hua XIE ; Xian LI ; Meng Jun XIAO ; Jing LIU ; Qiang ZHANG ; Zhen Kun ZHANG ; Yan Ling YANG ; Hai Jun WANG ; Yong Xing CHEN ; Yao Dong ZHANG ; Dong Xiao LI
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2023;61(10):935-937

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