1.Terms Related to The Study of Biomacromolecular Condensates
Ke RUAN ; Xiao-Feng FANG ; Dan LI ; Pi-Long LI ; Yi LIN ; Zheng WANG ; Yun-Yu SHI ; Ming-Jie ZHANG ; Hong ZHANG ; Cong LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):1027-1035
Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.
2.The Mechanism of Blue Light in Inactivating Microorganisms and Its Applications in The Food and Medical Fields
Ruo-Hong BI ; Rong-Qian WU ; Yi LÜ ; Xiao-Fei LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1219-1228
Blue light inactivation technology, particularly at the 405 nm wavelength, has demonstrated distinct and multifaceted mechanisms of action against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, offering a promising alternative to conventional antibiotic therapies. For Gram-positive pathogens such as Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the bactericidal effects are primarily mediated by endogenous porphyrins (e.g., protoporphyrin III, coproporphyrin III, and uroporphyrin III), which exhibit strong absorption peaks between 400-430 nm. Upon irradiation, these porphyrins are photoexcited to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, and superoxide anions, which collectively induce oxidative damage to cellular components. Early studies by Endarko et al. revealed that (405±5) nm blue light at 185 J/cm² effectively inactivated L. monocytogenes without exogenous photosensitizers, supporting the hypothesis of intrinsic photosensitizer involvement. Subsequent work by Masson-Meyers et al. demonstrated that 405 nm light at 121 J/cm² suppressed MRSA growth by activating endogenous porphyrins, leading to ROS accumulation. Kim et al. further elucidated that ROS generated under 405 nm irradiation directly interact with unsaturated fatty acids in bacterial membranes, initiating lipid peroxidation. This process disrupts membrane fluidity, compromises structural integrity, and impairs membrane-bound proteins, ultimately causing cell death. In contrast, Gram-negative bacteria such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Helicobacter pylori, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii exhibit more complex inactivation pathways. While endogenous porphyrins remain central to ROS generation, studies reveal additional photodynamic contributors, including flavins (e.g., riboflavin) and bacterial pigments. For instance, H. pylori naturally accumulates protoporphyrin and coproporphyrin mixtures, enabling efficient 405 nm light-mediated inactivation without antibiotic resistance concerns. Kim et al. demonstrated that 405 nm light at 288 J/cm² inactivates Salmonella by inducing genomic DNA oxidation (e.g., 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine formation) and disrupting membrane functions, particularly efflux pumps and glucose uptake systems. Huang et al. highlighted the enhanced efficacy of pulsed 405 nm light over continuous irradiation for E. coli, attributing this to increased membrane damage and optimized ROS generation through frequency-dependent photodynamic effects. Environmental factors such as temperature, pH, and osmotic stress further modulate susceptibility, sublethal stress conditions (e.g., high salinity or acidic environments) weaken bacterial membranes, rendering cells more vulnerable to subsequent ROS-mediated damage. The 405 nm blue light inactivates drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa through endogenous porphyrins, pyocyanin, and pyoverdine, with the inactivation efficacy influenced by bacterial growth phase and culture medium composition. Intriguingly, repeated 405 nm exposure (20 cycles) failed to induce resistance in A. baumannii, with transient tolerance linked to transient overexpression of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., superoxide dismutase) or stress-response genes (e.g., oxyR). For Gram-positive bacteria, porphyrin abundance dictates sensitivity, whereas in Gram-negative species, membrane architecture and accessory pigments modulate outcomes. Critically, ROS-mediated damage is nonspecific, targeting DNA, proteins, and lipids simultaneously, thereby minimizing resistance evolution. The 405 nm blue light technology, as a non-chemical sterilization method, shows promise in medical and food industries. It enhances infection control through photodynamic therapy and disinfection, synergizing with red light for anti-inflammatory treatments (e.g., acne). In food processing, it effectively inactivates pathogens (e.g., E. coli, S. aureus) without altering food quality. Despite efficacy against multidrug-resistant A. baumannii, challenges include device standardization, limited penetration in complex materials, and optimization of photosensitizers/light parameters. Interdisciplinary research is needed to address these limitations and scale applications in healthcare, food safety, and environmental decontamination.
3.Relationship between sarcopenia and cardiovascular disease among middle-aged and older adults with normal weight in China: functional limitation plays a mediating role.
Hui CHENG ; Zhihui JIA ; Jiaheng CHEN ; Yao Jie XIE ; Jose HERNANDEZ ; Harry H X WANG
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;30():46-46
BACKGROUND:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the predominant cause of mortality in China. However, the mechanisms linking sarcopenia to CVD remain poorly understood, particularly in normal-weight populations. Individuals with the absence of overweight or obesity may tend to experience missed opportunities for timely intervention. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between sarcopenia and incidence of new-onset CVD in a normal-weight population, and to examine the mediating effect of functional limitation in this relationship.
METHODS:
We conducted a closed-cohort analysis using a nationwide sample of 4,147 middle-aged and older adults with normal weight in China. We performed Cox proportional hazards regression analysis to explore the associations of baseline sarcopenia with incident CVD. The difference method was applied to estimate the mediation proportion of functional limitation in this association.
RESULTS:
Over a mean follow-up period of 7.62 years, CVD occurred in 835 participants. In the multivariable-adjusted Cox model, individuals with sarcopenia exhibited a significantly higher likelihood of developing incident CVD compared to those without sarcopenia (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-1.73, P < 0.001). Similar associations were observed for the incidence of heart disease and stroke. Functional limitation accounted for approximately 15.0% of the total effect of sarcopenia on incident CVD (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Sarcopenia exerts both direct and indirect effects on incident CVD among middle-aged and older adults who are normal weight, with functional limitation serving as a significant mediator. Interventions targeting both sarcopenia and functional limitation may offer a promising strategy for enhancing cardiovascular health in this population.
Humans
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Sarcopenia/complications*
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China/epidemiology*
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology*
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Aged
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Incidence
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Cohort Studies
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Proportional Hazards Models
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Risk Factors
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Aged, 80 and over
;
Longitudinal Studies
4.Anti-SARS-CoV-2 prodrug ATV006 has broad-spectrum antiviral activity against human and animal coronaviruses.
Tiefeng XU ; Kun LI ; Siyao HUANG ; Konstantin I IVANOV ; Sidi YANG ; Yanxi JI ; Hanwei ZHANG ; Wenbin WU ; Ye HE ; Qiang ZENG ; Feng CONG ; Qifan ZHOU ; Yingjun LI ; Jian PAN ; Jincun ZHAO ; Chunmei LI ; Xumu ZHANG ; Liu CAO ; Deyin GUO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(5):2498-2510
Coronavirus-related diseases pose a significant challenge to the global health system. Given the diversity of coronaviruses and the unpredictable nature of disease outbreaks, the traditional "one bug, one drug" paradigm struggles to address the growing number of emerging crises. Therefore, there is an urgent need for therapeutic agents with broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus activity. Here, we provide evidence that ATV006, an anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleoside analog targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), has broad antiviral activity against human and animal coronaviruses. Using mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) as a model, we show that ATV006 has potent prophylactic and therapeutic activity against murine coronavirus infection in vivo. Remarkably, ATV006 successfully inhibits viral replication in mice even when administered 96 h after infection. Due to its oral bioavailability and potency against multiple coronaviruses, ATV006 has the potential to become a useful antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 and other circulating and emerging coronaviruses in humans and animals.
5.MGMT activated by Wnt pathway promotes cisplatin tolerance through inducing slow-cycling cells and nonhomologous end joining in colorectal cancer
Zhang HAOWEI ; Li QIXIN ; Guo XIAOLONG ; Wu HONG ; Hu CHENHAO ; Liu GAIXIA ; Yu TIANYU ; Hu XIAKE ; Qiu QUANPENG ; Guo GANG ; She JUNJUN ; Chen YINNAN
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(6):863-877
Chemotherapy resistance plays a pivotal role in the prognosis and therapeutic failure of patients with colorectal cancer(CRC).Cisplatin(DDP)-resistant cells exhibit an inherent ability to evade the toxic chemotherapeutic drug effects which are characterized by the activation of slow-cycle programs and DNA repair.Among the elements that lead to DDP resistance,O6-methylguanine(O6-MG)-DNA-meth-yltransferase(MGMT),a DNA-repair enzyme,performs a quintessential role.In this study,we clarify the significant involvement of MGMT in conferring DDP resistance in CRC,elucidating the underlying mechanism of the regulatory actions of MGMT.A notable upregulation of MGMT in DDP-resistant cancer cells was found in our study,and MGMT repression amplifies the sensitivity of these cells to DDP treatment in vitro and in vivo.Conversely,in cancer cells,MGMT overexpression abolishes their sensi-tivity to DDP treatment.Mechanistically,the interaction between MGMT and cyclin dependent kinase 1(CDK1)inducing slow-cycling cells is attainted via the promotion of ubiquitination degradation of CDK1.Meanwhile,to achieve nonhomologous end joining,MGMT interacts with XRCC6 to resist chemotherapy drugs.Our transcriptome data from samples of 88 patients with CRC suggest that MGMT expression is co-related with the Wnt signaling pathway activation,and several Wnt inhibitors can repress drug-resistant cells.In summary,our results point out that MGMT is a potential therapeutic target and predictive marker of chemoresistance in CRC.
6.An optimal medicinal and edible Chinese herbal formula attenuates particulate matter-induced lung injury through its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis activities.
Huan ZHANG ; Jun KANG ; Wuyan GUO ; Fujie WANG ; Mengjiao GUO ; Shanshan FENG ; Wuai ZHOU ; Jinnan LI ; Ayesha T TAHIR ; Shaoshan WANG ; Xinjun DU ; Hui ZHAO ; Weihua WANG ; Hong ZHU ; Bo ZHANG
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2023;15(3):407-420
OBJECTIVE:
Identifying novel strategies to prevent particulate matter (PM)-induced lung injury is crucial for the reduction of the morbidity of chronic respiratory diseases. The combined intervention represented by herbal formulae for simultaneously targeting multiple pathological processes can provide a more beneficial effect than the single intervention. The aim of this paper is therefore to design a safe and effective medicinal and edible Chinese herbs (MECHs) formula against PM-induced lung injury.
METHODS:
PM-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory response and apoptosis A549 cell model were used to screen anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic MECHs, respectively. A network pharmacology method was utilized to rationally design a novel herbal formula. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer was utilized to assess the quality control of MECHs formula. The excretion of magnetic iron oxide nanospheres of the MECHs formula was estimated in zebrafish. The MECH formula against PM-induced lung injury was investigated with mice experiments.
RESULTS:
Five selected herbs were rationally designed to form a new MECH formula, including Citri Exocarpium Rubrum (Juhong), Lablab Semen Album (Baibiandou), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), Mori Folium (Sangye) and Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma (Yuzhu). The formula effectively promoted the magnetic iron oxide nanospheres excretion in zebrafish. The mid/high dose formula significantly prevented PM-induced lung damage in mice by enhancing the activity of SOD and GSH-Px, reducing the MDA and ROS level and attenuating the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α), down regulating the protein expression of NF-κB, STAT3 and Caspase-3.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that the effective MECHs formula will become a novel strategy for preventing PM-induced lung injury and provide a paradigm for the development of functional foods using MECHs.
7.Analysis of the colorectal cancer screening results of the target population in Linhai City,Zhejiang Province from 2020 to 2021
Linqing ZHEN ; Zhengguo XU ; Chao LI ; Xiaoxiao YANG ; Pengcheng JIN ; Yuguang WANG ; Shiwei GUO ; Hong XU ; Hongchen GU
Tumor 2023;43(1):42-52
Objective:To provide strategical reference for large-scale colorectal cancer screening with full regional coverage by analyzing the results of the first colorectal cancer screening in the target population in Linhai city,Zhejiang Province. Methods:The target population of 50-74 years old in Linhai were invited to take part in the colorectal cancer screening program from 2020 to 2021.The risk of colorectal cancer of the participants were preliminarily evaluated by questionnaire and qualitative fecal occult blood test(FOBT),and participants with positive screening results were suggested to take colonoscopy test for further evaluation.The screening results were collected and analyzed. Results:A total of 71 942 people were screened from 2020 to 2021,and 15 1 70 of them were found positive in preliminary screening.The positive rate in males was significantly higher than that in females(x 2=724.005,P<0.001),and the positive rate was highest in the population of 60-69 years old during preliminary screening.The compliance rate of colonoscopy was 24.1 9%with no significant difference between males and females(x 2=0.256,P=0.61 3),showing a decreasing trend as the age increases.From 2020 to 2021,the detection rate of lesions by colonoscopy was 52.92%,with 47 case of colorectal cancer(CRC),333 case of advanced colorectal adenoma,561 case of non-advanced colorectal adenoma and 1 001 case of benign lesions.The detection rate of lesions in males was much higher than that in females(x 2=82.451,P<0.001).The detection rates of lesions,advanced colorectal adenoma,and non-advanced adenoma showed increasing trends with the age.The compliance rate of colonoscopy,the detection rate of lesions,and the detection rate of CRC,advanced colorectal adenoma,and non-advanced adenoma were 32.94%,69.53%,2.87%,1 6.85%and 1 9.71%,respectively,in participants who were both assessed as high-risk according to questionnaire evaluation and FOBT positive,the highest among all participants.The compliance rate of colonoscopy in 2021 was obviously higher than that in 2020(32.11%vs 1 9.09%,P<0.001),but no significant difference was found in the detection rate of lesions between 2021 and 2020(P>0.05). Conclusion:From 2020 to 2021,the compliance rate of colonoscopy was low and the detection rate of colorectal lesions was high during the screening of colorectal cancer in the target population in Linhai,Zhejiang Province.It is necessary to enhance the public awareness of the importance of colorectal cancer screening,standardize the enrollment criteria,and improve the compliance of colonoscopy,in orderto give full play to primary screening in the general public.
8.Clinicopathologic and protein markers distinguishing the “polymerase epsilon exonuclease” from the “copy number low” subtype of endometrial cancer
Kidong KIM ; Suhyun HWANGBO ; Hyojin KIM ; Yong Beom KIM ; Jae Hong NO ; Dong Hoon x SUH ; Taesung PARK
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2022;33(3):e27-
Objective:
The need to perform genetic sequencing to diagnose the polymerase epsilon exonuclease (POLE) subtype of endometrial cancer (EC) hinders the adoption of molecular classification. We investigated clinicopathologic and protein markers that distinguish the POLE from the copy number (CN)-low subtype in EC.
Methods:
Ninety-one samples (15 POLE, 76 CN-low) were selected from The Cancer Genome Atlas EC dataset. Clinicopathologic and normalized reverse phase protein array expression data were analyzed for associations with the subtypes. A logistic model including selected markers was constructed by stepwise selection using area under the curve (AUC) from 5-fold cross-validation (CV). The selected markers were validated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a separate cohort.
Results:
Body mass index (BMI) and tumor grade were significantly associated with the POLE subtype. With BMI and tumor grade as covariates, 5 proteins were associated with the EC subtypes. The stepwise selection method identified BMI, cyclin B1, caspase 8, and X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) as markers distinguishing the POLE from the CN-low subtype. The mean of CV AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and balanced accuracy of the selected model were 0.97, 0.91, 0.87, and 0.89, respectively. IHC validation showed that cyclin B1 expression was significantly higher in the POLE than in the CN-low subtype and receiver operating characteristic curve of cyclin B1 expression in IHC revealed AUC of 0.683.
Conclusion
BMI and expression of cyclin B1, caspase 8, and XBP1 are candidate markers distinguishing the POLE from the CN-low subtype. Cyclin B1 IHC may replace POLE sequencing in molecular classification of EC.
9.Reduced Firing of Nucleus Accumbens Parvalbumin Interneurons Impairs Risk Avoidance in DISC1 Transgenic Mice.
Xinyi ZHOU ; Bifeng WU ; Wenhao LIU ; Qian XIAO ; Wei HE ; Ying ZHOU ; Pengfei WEI ; Xu ZHANG ; Yue LIU ; Jie WANG ; Jufang HE ; Zhigang ZHANG ; Weidong LI ; Liping WANG ; Jie TU
Neuroscience Bulletin 2021;37(9):1325-1338
A strong animal survival instinct is to approach objects and situations that are of benefit and to avoid risk. In humans, a large proportion of mental disorders are accompanied by impairments in risk avoidance. One of the most important genes involved in mental disorders is disrupted-in-schizophrenia-1 (DISC1), and animal models in which this gene has some level of dysfunction show emotion-related impairments. However, it is not known whether DISC1 mouse models have an impairment in avoiding potential risks. In the present study, we used DISC1-N terminal truncation (DISC1-N
Animals
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Interneurons/metabolism*
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Mice
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Mice, Transgenic
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Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism*
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Neurons/metabolism*
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Nucleus Accumbens/metabolism*
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Parvalbumins/metabolism*
10.Characterization, isolation, and culture of spermatogonial stem cells in
Guo-Ping MAO ; Ming-Hui NIU ; Ying-Hong CUI ; Rui-Ling TANG ; Wei CHEN ; Bang LIU ; Zuping HE
Asian Journal of Andrology 2021;23(3):240-248
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have great applications in both reproductive and regenerative medicine. Primates including monkeys are very similar to humans with regard to physiology and pathology. Nevertheless, little is known about the isolation, the characteristics, and the culture of primate SSCs. This study was designed to identify, isolate, and culture monkey SSCs. Immunocytochemistry was used to identify markers for monkey SSCs. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor alpha-1 (GFRA1)-enriched spermatogonia were isolated from monkeys, namely Macaca fascicularis (M. fascicularis), by two-step enzymatic digestion and magnetic-activated cell sorting, and they were cultured on precoated plates in the conditioned medium. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunocytochemistry, and RNA sequencing were used to compare phenotype and transcriptomes in GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia between 0 day and 14 days of culture, and xenotransplantation was performed to evaluate the function of GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia. SSCs shared some phenotypes with rodent and human SSCs. GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia with high purity and viability were isolated from M. fascicularis testes. The freshly isolated cells expressed numerous markers for rodent SSCs, and they were cultured for 14 days. The expression of numerous SSC markers was maintained during the cultivation of GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia. RNA sequencing reflected a 97.3% similarity in global gene profiles between 0 day and 14 days of culture. The xenotransplantation assay indicated that the GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia formed colonies and proliferated in vivo in the recipient c-Kit

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