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.Incremental effectiveness of two-dose of mumps-containing vaccine in chidren
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(6):883-887
Objective:
To evaluate the incremental vaccine effectiveness (VE) of two dose of the mumps containing vaccine (MuCV) in chidren, so as to provide a basis for optimizing mumps immunization strategies.
Methods:
A 1∶2 frequency matched case-control study was conducted by using reported mumps cases in childcare centers or schools from Lu an, Hefei, Ma anshan and Huainan cities of Anhui Province from September 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, as a case group(383 cases). And healthy children in the same classroom were selected as a control group(766 cases). The MuCV immunization histories of participants were collected to estimate the incremental VE of the second dose of MuCV against mumps. Group comparisons were performed using the Chi square test or t-test. For matched case-control pairs, the Cox regression model was employed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for two dose MuCV vaccination and to estimate the incremental vaccine effectiveness (VE).
Results:
There were no statistically significant differences between the case and control groups regarding gender, age, dosage of MuCV vaccination and the time interval since the last dose vaccination( χ 2/t=0.05, 0.20, 0.94, -0.02, P >0.05). The proportions of the case and control groups vaccinated with two doses of MuCV were 26.63% and 29.37%, respectively, and the overall incremental VE of the second dose of MuCV was 40.73% (95% CI=3.03%-63.77%, P <0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that the incremental VE for children with a period of ≥1 year between the two doses of MuCV was 54.13% (95% CI=1.90%-78.56%, P <0.05), while for children with a period of <1 year, it was 30.63% (95% CI=-28.59%-62.58%, P >0.05). The incremental VE of the second dose of MuCV was 30.36% (95% CI=-25.95%-61.50%, P >0.05) in kindergarten children and 66.73% (95% CI=14.92%-86.99%, P <0.05) in elementary and secondary school students. The incremental VE was 28.78% (95% CI=-27.46%-60.21%, P >0.05) within five years of the last dose of MuCV vaccination and 66.07% (95% CI=-41.56%-91.87%, P >0.05) for vaccinations administered beyond five years.
Conclusions
The second dose of MuCV may offer additional protection for children; however, extending the interval between two dose of MuCV (<1 year) has shown limited incremental protective effects. Therefore, it is crucial to consider optimizing current immunization strategies for mumps.
3.Effect of acupuncture pretreatment on PINK1/Parkin pathway-mediated mitophagy in rats with exercise-induced muscle damage.
Yulin GUO ; Ming GAO ; Huan CHEN ; Hui LI ; Xun TIAN ; Yuan ZHAO ; Gang XU ; Junling WEN ; Shaoxiong LI
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(11):1617-1626
OBJECTIVE:
Based on the PTEN-induced hypothetical kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin pathway, the effect of acupuncture pretreatment on the expression of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins in gastrocnemius muscle tissue of rats with exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) was observed, and the underlying mechanism of acupuncture pretreatment for the prevention and treatment of EIMD was explored.
METHODS:
Of 88 SD male rats, aged 6 weeks, 8 rats were randomly selected as a blank group, and the remaining 80 rats were randomized into a model group and an acupuncture pretreatment group, with 40 rats in each group. Either the model group or the acupuncture pretreatment group was subdivided randomly into 5 subgroups with 8 rats in each one according to the time points of sample collection, 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after modeling. An intermittent downhill running centrifugal exercise was carried out on an animal experimental treadmill to establish the EIMD model in the model group and the acupuncture pretreatment group. The rats in the acupuncture pretreatment group received acupuncture at "Guanyuan" (CV6) and bilateral "Zusanli" (ST36), once a day for 20 min each time, for 7 consecutive days before EIMD model preparation. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of gastrocnemius muscle tissue in each group. The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum were detected by ELISA. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of PINK1, Parkin, sequestosome 1 (p62) and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B (LC3B) in rat gastrocnemius muscle tissue. Real-time PCR was adopted to detect the mRNA expression of PINK1, Parkin, p62 and LC3B in rat gastrocnemius muscle tissue.
RESULTS:
Compared with the blank group, the mitochondria of gastrocnemius muscles showed obvious swelling in the 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h model subgroups , autophagosomes were formed in the 12 h and 24 h model subgroups, and the mitochondrial morphology returned to normal gradually in the 72 h model subgroup. The serum MDA contents of rats in 5 model subgroups increased (P<0.01, P<0.05). The contents of SOD and CAT in the subgroups of 0 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expression levels of PINK1, Parkin and LC3B in gastrocnemius muscle tissue of rats in 0 h, 12 h and 24 h subgroups were elevated (P<0.01); and the protein and mRNA expression levels of p62 in the 0 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h subgroups were reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05). Compared with the model subgroup at the same time point, the myofibril damage and the degree of mitochondrial swelling were mild in each acupuncture pretreatment subgroup, and the numbers of autophagosomes were fewer. The contents of MDA in the acupuncture pretreatment subgroups decreased at 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h (P<0.05, P<0.01). The contents of SOD and CAT in the 12 h acupuncture pretreatment subgroup increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The protein and mRNA expression levels of PINK1 and Parkin in the 0 h, 12 h, and 24 h acupuncture pretreatment subgroups decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05). The protein and mRNA expression levels of LC3B in the 12 h acupuncture pretreatment subgroup decreased (P<0.01), and that of p62 in the 0 h and 24 h acupuncture pretreatment subgroups increased (P<0.01, P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The intermittent downhill running centrifugal exercise induces the excessive mitochondrial autophagy. Acupuncture pretreatment may attenuate EIMD, and the underlying mechanism is related to the regulation of PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway expression, reducing oxidative stress damage in skeletal muscle cells, and inhibiting mitochondrial autophagy overactivation.
Animals
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Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics*
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Male
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Rats
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Acupuncture Therapy
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Protein Kinases/genetics*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Mitophagy
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Humans
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Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism*
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Physical Conditioning, Animal
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Muscular Diseases/physiopathology*
;
Signal Transduction
4.The Impairment Attention Capture by Topological Change in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Hui-Lin XU ; Huan-Jun XI ; Tao DUAN ; Jing LI ; Dan-Dan LI ; Kai WANG ; Chun-Yan ZHU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):223-232
ObjectiveAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties with communication and social interaction, restricted and repetitive behaviors. Previous studies have indicated that individuals with ASD exhibit early and lifelong attention deficits, which are closely related to the core symptoms of ASD. Basic visual attention processes may provide a critical foundation for their social communication and interaction abilities. Therefore, this study explores the behavior of children with ASD in capturing attention to changes in topological properties. MethodsOur study recruited twenty-seven ASD children diagnosed by professional clinicians according to DSM-5 and twenty-eight typically developing (TD) age-matched controls. In an attention capture task, we recorded the saccadic behaviors of children with ASD and TD in response to topological change (TC) and non-topological change (nTC) stimuli. Saccadic reaction time (SRT), visual search time (VS), and first fixation dwell time (FFDT) were used as indicators of attentional bias. Pearson correlation tests between the clinical assessment scales and attentional bias were conducted. ResultsThis study found that TD children had significantly faster SRT (P<0.05) and VS (P<0.05) for the TC stimuli compared to the nTC stimuli, while the children with ASD did not exhibit significant differences in either measure (P>0.05). Additionally, ASD children demonstrated significantly less attention towards the TC targets (measured by FFDT), in comparison to TD children (P<0.05). Furthermore, ASD children exhibited a significant negative linear correlation between their attentional bias (measured by VS) and their scores on the compulsive subscale (P<0.05). ConclusionThe results suggest that children with ASD have difficulty shifting their attention to objects with topological changes during change detection. This atypical attention may affect the child’s cognitive and behavioral development, thereby impacting their social communication and interaction. In sum, our findings indicate that difficulties in attentional capture by TC may be a key feature of ASD.
5.Oroxylin A induces apoptosis in Ishikawa cell line of endometrial cancer via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Huan-huan ZHAO ; Yu-qian JIAO ; Ruo-qi QIAO ; Xue BAI ; Na WANG ; Yun-jie TIAN ; Wen-ling FAN ; Li LI ; Su-wen SU ; Yan FU ; Hui ZHANG ; Hong-fang YANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(3):555-560
Aim To investigate the effect of oroxylin A(OA)on apoptosis in Ishikawa cell line of endometrial cancer and the underlying mechanism through the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT)signaling pathway.Methods Ishikawa cells were treated with different concentrations of OA(0,4,8,10,12,and 20 μmol·L-1)for 24 h-72 h,the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay,apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,and the protein ex-pression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax),PI3K/AKT,recombinant cytochrome P450 1B1(CYP1B1),and catechol-O-methyltransferase(COMT)were detected by Western blot technique.Results OA inhibited the prolifera-tion of Ishikawa cells in a concentration-and time-de-pendent manner.Compared with the blank control group,the expression of Bax protein increased signifi-cantly,while the expression of Bcl-2 protein decreased significantly with the increase of OA concentration.The expression of COMT protein increased significant-ly,while the expression of CYP1B1 protein decreased significantly.PI3K/AKT:IGF-1(PI3 K agonist)sup-plementation reversed the effect,the expression of COMT protein significantly decreased,and the expres-sion of CYP1B1 protein significantly increased.Con-clusions OA exerts anti-tumor effects in Ishikawa cells of endometrial cancer,which may be related to cell apoptosis mediated by the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
6.Effects of robust optimization parameters on radiation dose in proton radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer
Hui ZHOU ; Yibin ZHANG ; Jiayi CHEN ; Yujie WANG ; Huan LI ; Cheng XU
Chinese Journal of Medical Physics 2025;42(5):561-565,570
The effects of different robust optimization parameters on the doses to organs-at-risk(OAR)and the clinical target volume(CTV)in proton therapy plans for localized prostate cancer are explored for identifying the optimal robust optimization parameters.A retrospective analysis is conducted on 10 cases in which proton plans with a total dose of 76 Gy delivered in 38 fractions are designed.In robust optimization,uncertainties of 3.5%in range and setup errors of 3,5 and 7 mm are considered.After being grouped by setup errors,3 groups of plans are obtained.The effects of setup errors on the doses to CTV and OAR are analyzed,and the robustness of the CTV dose is assessed,including the worst-case values of dosimetric parameters and the passing rates under different scenarios.The results show that as the setup error increased,the doses to OAR tended to rise.Compared with the 3 mm plan group,the 5 mm and 7 mm plan groups experience increases of 1.99%and 5.15%in rectal V70,3.71%and 10.01%in rectal V45,0.93%and 2.55%in bladder V70,and 1.71%and 5.27%in bladder V45,respectively;similar patterns are observed for the doses to sigmoid colon and bulbous urethra,and the differences are statistically significant(P<0.05).In robustness analysis,the CTV D99 in the 5 mm and 7 mm plan groups increases by 0.68 Gy and 0.95 Gy as compared with the 3 mm plan group,with passing rates improving by 7.2%and 9.6%,respectively(passing criterion:D95 receives at least 100%of the prescribed dose),with significant differences(P<0.05).Considering both OAR dose and CTV robustness,the setup error of 5 mm is found to be a reasonable choice for robust optimization in proton therapy plans for localized prostate cancer,as it can effectively balance the enhancement of CTV dose robustness with the control of dose escalation to OAR.
7.Nanoplastics and microplastics impair spatial memory ability in mice by inhibiting autophagy
Huimei LIANG ; Jiarui PAN ; Xueer LIN ; Minyi ZHAO ; Huan ZENG ; Yuqiang CHEN ; Hou-hui SONG ; Wei WANG ; Jinghua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(10):2246-2255
Approximately 300 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year,which has a serious impact on human health,marine life and the livestock industry.Microplastics have also been detected in meat and milk samples.Research has shown that nanoplastics(NP)(<1 μm)and mi-croplastics(MP)(1 μm-5 mm)can affect the digestive,immune and reproductive systems of ani-mals.This experiment aims to investigate whether NP and MP regulate autophagy and damage the nervous system and spatial memory of animals.This experiment was divided into control group,nanoplastic group(PS-NP group,0.1 μm)and microplastic group(PS-MP group,1 μm),with 20 mice in each group.The mice were given 0.5 mL of PS-NP and PS-MP every day for 35 consecutive days,followed by neck amputation and brain analysis.The results showed that NPs and MPs of dif-ferent diameters caused varying degrees of damage to the brains of mice.In the behavioral tests of new object recognition,barnes maze and Y-shaped maze spatial memory,compared with the control group,the PS-NP group and PS-MP group showed a significant decrease in spatial memory ability of mice.HE staining results showed that neuronal cells in the PS-NP and PS-MP groups of mice exhibited shrinkage,decreased cell volume and deepened staining.The number of Nissl bodies de-creased,leading to dissolution and disappearance.RT-PCR and Western blot results showed that compared with the control group,the expression of glutamate receptors NR1,NR2A and NR2B in-creased in mice administered NP and MP orally,while the expression of autophagy related proteins Parkin,LC3B and Beclin1 was inhibited.In summary,this study suggests that nanoplastics and mi-croplastics stimulate glutamate receptors in mice by inhibiting the autophagy pathway,leading to impaired spatial memory.
8.Subacute toxicity study of triethylenediammonium perchlorate ammonium complex salt in rats
Hui DENG ; Hongni LIU ; Huan LI ; Ting GAO ; Cunzhi LI ; Xiaoqiang LYU ; Zhiyong LIU ; Junhong GAO
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(9):693-697
Objective:To investigate the subacute toxicity and target organs of triethylenediammonium perchlorate ammonium complex salt (DAP-4) .Methods:In August 2024, 40 SPF-grade SD rats were selected, with 10 rats in each group, half male and half female. There were 45, 140, and 420 mg/kg DAP-4 groups and a control group. Rats in each dose DAP-4 group were orally administered the corresponding amount of DAP-4 solution, while the control group was given the same dose of 1% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. SD rats were given intragastric administration once a day for 28 consecutive days. The behaviors, histopathological changes, and blood physiological and biochemical indicators of rats were detected at the corresponding time points respectively. One-way analysis of variance was used for the comparison of quantitative data between groups.Results:Compared with the control group, the body weight, food intake and food utilization rate of female and male rats in the 420 mg/kg DAP-4 group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), while no abnormalities were observed in the other dose groups. Compared with the control group, the white blood cell count of female rats in the 420 mg/kg DAP-4 group decreased, while the hemoglobin and hematocrit decreased and the total serum protein increased of male rats ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, fibrinogen was increased in both female and male rats in the 420 mg/kg DAP-4 group, and the thrombin time of female rats was shortened ( P<0.05). In each dose group, the livers of female and male rats showed varying degrees of vacuolar degeneration, and the renal tubules of female rats were swollen. Conclusion:420 mg/kg DAP-4 can cause damage to the liver and kidney of rats, and the maximal no effect level of DAP-4 for rats is 140 mg/kg.
9.Research progress of the prevention, care, and treatment services along the HIV/AIDS care cascade
Hui XIANG ; Wei MA ; Fangfang CHEN ; Huan LIU ; Houlin TANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(8):1506-1512
Since the 1980 s, AIDS has been a significant global public health threat. With the "95-95-95" targets for HIV/AIDS prevention and control, the HIV/AIDS "prevention, testing, and treatment" care cascade covering the entire process has become a core strategy. The present study examines combs the connotation and development of the HIV/AIDS care cascade, exploring application throughout the entire process and at each linkage. It analyzes extension value in key populations and HIV co-infected other infectious diseases, identifies obstacles in practice, and proposes strategies to help optimize, innovate, and precisely target HIV/AIDS prevention and control in China.
10.Subacute toxicity study of triethylenediammonium perchlorate ammonium complex salt in rats
Hui DENG ; Hongni LIU ; Huan LI ; Ting GAO ; Cunzhi LI ; Xiaoqiang LYU ; Zhiyong LIU ; Junhong GAO
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2025;43(9):693-697
Objective:To investigate the subacute toxicity and target organs of triethylenediammonium perchlorate ammonium complex salt (DAP-4) .Methods:In August 2024, 40 SPF-grade SD rats were selected, with 10 rats in each group, half male and half female. There were 45, 140, and 420 mg/kg DAP-4 groups and a control group. Rats in each dose DAP-4 group were orally administered the corresponding amount of DAP-4 solution, while the control group was given the same dose of 1% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. SD rats were given intragastric administration once a day for 28 consecutive days. The behaviors, histopathological changes, and blood physiological and biochemical indicators of rats were detected at the corresponding time points respectively. One-way analysis of variance was used for the comparison of quantitative data between groups.Results:Compared with the control group, the body weight, food intake and food utilization rate of female and male rats in the 420 mg/kg DAP-4 group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), while no abnormalities were observed in the other dose groups. Compared with the control group, the white blood cell count of female rats in the 420 mg/kg DAP-4 group decreased, while the hemoglobin and hematocrit decreased and the total serum protein increased of male rats ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, fibrinogen was increased in both female and male rats in the 420 mg/kg DAP-4 group, and the thrombin time of female rats was shortened ( P<0.05). In each dose group, the livers of female and male rats showed varying degrees of vacuolar degeneration, and the renal tubules of female rats were swollen. Conclusion:420 mg/kg DAP-4 can cause damage to the liver and kidney of rats, and the maximal no effect level of DAP-4 for rats is 140 mg/kg.


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