1.Astrocytic dopamine D1 receptor modulates glutamatergic transmission and synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex through d-serine.
Yanan YIN ; Jian HU ; Haipeng WU ; Xinyu YANG ; Jingwen QI ; Lang HUANG ; Zhengyi LUO ; Shiyang JIN ; Nengyuan HU ; Zhoucai LUO ; Tong LUO ; Hao CHEN ; Xiaowen LI ; Chunhua YUAN ; Shuji LI ; Jianming YANG ; Yihua CHEN ; Tianming GAO
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(9):4692-4710
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a pivotal role in orchestrating higher-order emotional and cognitive processes, a function that depends on the precise modulation of synaptic activity. Although pharmacological studies have demonstrated that dopamine signaling through dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1) in the PFC is essential for these functions, the cell-type-specific and molecular mechanisms underlying the neuromodulatory effects remain elusive. Using cell-type-specific knockout mice and patch-clamp recordings, we investigated the regulatory role of DRD1 on neurons and astrocytes in synaptic transmission and plasticity. Furthermore, we explored the mechanisms by which DRD1 on astrocytes regulate synaptic transmission and plasticity at the cellular level, as well as emotional and cognitive functions at the behavioral level, through two-photon imaging, microdialysis, high-performance liquid chromatography, transcriptome sequencing, and behavioral testing. We found that conditional knockout of the Drd1 in astrocytes (CKOAST) increased glutamatergic synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), whereas Drd1 deletion in pyramidal neurons did not affect synaptic transmission. The elevated level of d-serine in the mPFC of CKOAST mice increased glutamatergic transmission and LTP through NMDA receptors. In addition, CKOAST mice exhibited abnormal emotional and cognitive function. Notably, these behavioral changes in CKOAST mice could be reversed through the administration of d-serine degrease to the mPFC. These results highlight the critical role of the astrocytic DRD1 in modulating mPFC synaptic transmission and plasticity, as well as higher brain functions through d-serine, and may shed light on the treatment of mental disorders.
2.Dimeric natural product panepocyclinol A inhibits STAT3 via di-covalent modification.
Li LI ; Yuezhou WANG ; Yiqiu WANG ; Xiaoyang LI ; Qihong DENG ; Fei GAO ; Wenhua LIAN ; Yunzhan LI ; Fu GUI ; Yanling WEI ; Su-Jie ZHU ; Cai-Hong YUN ; Lei ZHANG ; Zhiyu HU ; Qingyan XU ; Xiaobing WU ; Lanfen CHEN ; Dawang ZHOU ; Jianming ZHANG ; Fei XIA ; Xianming DENG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):409-423
Homo- or heterodimeric compounds that affect dimeric protein function through interaction between monomeric moieties and protein subunits can serve as valuable sources of potent and selective drug candidates. Here, we screened an in-house dimeric natural product collection, and panepocyclinol A (PecA) emerged as a selective and potent STAT3 inhibitor with profound anti-tumor efficacy. Through cross-linking C712/C718 residues in separate STAT3 monomers with two distinct Michael receptors, PecA inhibits STAT3 DNA binding affinity and transcription activity. Molecular dynamics simulation reveals the key conformation changes of STAT3 dimers upon the di-covalent binding with PecA that abolishes its DNA interactions. Furthermore, PecA exhibits high efficacy against anaplastic large T cell lymphoma in vitro and in vivo, especially those with constitutively activated STAT3 or STAT3Y640F. In summary, our study describes a distinct and effective di-covalent modification for the dimeric compound PecA to disrupt STAT3 function.
3.A CYP80B enzyme from Stephania tetrandra enables the 3'-hydroxylation of N-methylcoclaurine and coclaurine in the biosynthesis of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids.
Yaoting LI ; Yuhan FENG ; Wan GUO ; Yu GAO ; Jiatao ZHANG ; Lu YANG ; Chun LEI ; Yun KANG ; Yaqin WANG ; Xudong QU ; Jianming HUANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(5):630-640
Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) are a structurally diverse group of plant metabolites renowned for their pharmacological properties. However, sustainable sources for these compounds remain limited. Consequently, researchers are focusing on elucidating BIA biosynthetic pathways and genes to explore alternative sources using synthetic biology approaches. CYP80B, a family of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes, plays a crucial role in BIA biosynthesis. Previously reported CYP80Bs are known to catalyze the 3'-hydroxylation of (S)-N-methylcoclaurine, with the N-methyl group essential for catalytic activity. In this study, we successfully cloned a full-length CYP80B gene (StCYP80B) from Stephania tetrandra (S. tetrandra) and identified its function using a yeast heterologous expression system. Both in vivo yeast feeding and in vitro enzyme analysis demonstrated that StCYP80B could catalyze N-methylcoclaurine and coclaurine into their respective 3'-hydroxylated products. Notably, StCYP80B exhibited an expanded substrate selectivity compared to previously reported wild-type CYP80Bs, as it did not require an N-methyl group for hydroxylase activity. Furthermore, StCYP80B displayed a clear preference for the (S)-configuration. Co-expression of StCYP80B with the CYP450 reductases (CPRs, StCPR1, and StCPR2), also cloned from S. tetrandra, significantly enhanced the catalytic activity towards (S)-coclaurine. Site-directed mutagenesis of StCYP80B revealed that the residue H205 is crucial for coclaurine catalysis. Additionally, StCYP80B exhibited tissue-specific expression in plants. This study provides new genetic resources for the biosynthesis of BIAs and further elucidates their synthetic pathway in natural plant systems.
Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/chemistry*
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Benzylisoquinolines/chemistry*
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Hydroxylation
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Plant Proteins/chemistry*
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Alkaloids/metabolism*
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Stephania tetrandra/genetics*
4.Diagnosis and treatment of 11 cases of liver injury due to percutaneous nephrolithotripsy
Yuyang YANG ; Taisheng LIANG ; Gang WU ; Xin ZHANG ; Jianming LIANG ; Botao TANG ; Hongjun GAO ; Jian WANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(1):37-40
【Objective】 To explore the diagnosis and management of liver injury caused by percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL), so as to provide reference for the diagnoise and treatment of similar patients. 【Methods】 The clinical data of 926 patients who underwent PCNL during Oct.2017 and Oct.2022 were searched, and the data of those complicated with liver injury were analyzed. 【Results】 A total of 11 cases were collected, including 6 males and 5 females, average age (55.00±13.25)years.All injuries were confirmed with CT.The average decrease of hemoglobin after operation was (14.00±11.97)g/L.One patient needed blood transfusion due to pyonephrosis and multiple operations, and all patients were cured and discharged after delaying the removal of nephrostomy tube [an average of (6.73±1.27)days] . 【Conclusion】 In the absence of obvious signs of peritonitis and hemodynamic stability, conservative treatment of liver injury caused by PCNL is safe and effective.
5.Characteristics of retinal microcirculation after phacoemulsification and factors affecting visual acuity
Jiqi ZHENG ; Yupei FENG ; Guobin WANG ; Jianming CHEN ; Chen GAO ; Mei ZHANG ; Dengting WANG
International Eye Science 2024;24(2):270-276
AIM:To investigate the changes of retinal microcirculation after phacoemulsification and the influencing factors of visual acuity.METHODS: Retrospective analysis. A total of 264 cataract patients(264 eyes)who underwent phacoemulsification in our hospital from January 2022 to December 2022 were selected as the study objects. Patients were divided into < 0.3 group(66 eyes)and ≥0.3 group(198 eyes)according to the recovery of best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)at 3 mo after surgery. The changes of retinal microcirculation indexes were compared before and after treatment. Logistic regression and LASSO regression models were used to screen the influencing factors of postoperative BCVA. A nomogram prediction model of postoperative BCVA was constructed and verified. A restricted cubic spline Logistic regression model was established to analyze the dose-response relationship between end-diastolic velocity(EDV), peak systolic velocity(PSV)and the risk of BCVA recovery.RESULTS: At 3 mo postoperatively, EDV and PSV were significantly improved compared with those before treatment, and resistance index(RI)levels were significantly lower than those before treatment(all P<0.05). Preoperative EDV, PSV, aqueous humor cell grade, fundus lesion grade, advanced age and Emery grade were influencing factors for poor BCVA recovery after phacoemulsification in cataract patients(P<0.05). The AUC before and after validation of the nomogram model by Bootstrap method were 0.869(95%CI: 0.815-0.903)and 0.866(95%CI: 0.802-0.895), respectively. The sensitivity was 88.36% and 88.27%, and the specificity was 91.82% and 91.78%, respectively. Restricted cubic spline model analysis showed no nonlinear dose-response relationship between EDV and PSV levels and the risk of poor BCVA recovery in either male or female(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: After phacoemulsification, retinal microcirculation in cataract patients improved significantly. EDV, PSV, aqueous humor cell grade, fundus lesion grade, advanced age and Emery grade are all factors influencing poor BCVA recovery after cataract surgery.
6.Expert consensus on clinical application of 177Lu-prostate specific membrane antigen radio-ligand therapy in prostate cancer
Guobing LIU ; Weihai ZHUO ; Yushen GU ; Zhi YANG ; Yue CHEN ; Wei FAN ; Jianming GUO ; Jian TAN ; Xiaohua ZHU ; Li HUO ; Xiaoli LAN ; Biao LI ; Weibing MIAO ; Shaoli SONG ; Hao XU ; Rong TIAN ; Quanyong LUO ; Feng WANG ; Xuemei WANG ; Aimin YANG ; Dong DAI ; Zhiyong DENG ; Jinhua ZHAO ; Xiaoliang CHEN ; Yan FAN ; Zairong GAO ; Xingmin HAN ; Ningyi JIANG ; Anren KUANG ; Yansong LIN ; Fugeng LIU ; Cen LOU ; Xinhui SU ; Lijun TANG ; Hui WANG ; Xinlu WANG ; Fuzhou YANG ; Hui YANG ; Xinming ZHAO ; Bo YANG ; Xiaodong HUANG ; Jiliang CHEN ; Sijin LI ; Jing WANG ; Yaming LI ; Hongcheng SHI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine 2024;31(5):844-850,封3
177Lu-prostate specific membrane antigen(PSMA)radio-ligand therapy has been approved abroad for advanced prostate cancer and has been in several clinical trials in China.Based on domestic clinical practice and experimental data and referred to international experience and viewpoints,the expert group forms a consensus on the clinical application of 177Lu-PSMA radio-ligand therapy in prostate cancer to guide clinical practice.
7.Pathogenic investigation of human respiratory syncytial virus infection in kindergarten children in Tongzhou District, Beijing City in 2023
Lin ZOU ; Chong ZHANG ; Ling TONG ; Xiao LIU ; Jing MA ; Jianguo WANG ; Fang WANG ; Xiang GAO ; Lu XI ; Jianming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(8):1150-1153
The study focused on individuals with influenza-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and other respiratory symptoms) in three kindergartens in Tongzhou District, Beijing City, in April 2023. Nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected, and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect common respiratory pathogens in the collected specimens. Positive specimens were subjected to sequencing analysis of the highly variable region of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) G protein, homology analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis. A total of 25 fever cases were collected from 3 kindergartens, aged 3-8 years old, with an age M ( Q1, Q3) of 4 (3.5, 5) years old. Ten confirmed cases of HRSV positive were screened and detected using the fluorescent quantitative PCR method, with a total detection rate of 40% (10/25). Typing identification and sequencing analysis confirmed that the main epidemic type was HRSV subtype B, which was highly homologous and closely related to previous epidemic strains in the region. Through pathogen investigation and analysis, it was preliminarily determined that this epidemic was dominated by HRSV subtype B.
8.Pathogenic investigation of human respiratory syncytial virus infection in kindergarten children in Tongzhou District, Beijing City in 2023
Lin ZOU ; Chong ZHANG ; Ling TONG ; Xiao LIU ; Jing MA ; Jianguo WANG ; Fang WANG ; Xiang GAO ; Lu XI ; Jianming ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2024;58(8):1150-1153
The study focused on individuals with influenza-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, and other respiratory symptoms) in three kindergartens in Tongzhou District, Beijing City, in April 2023. Nasopharyngeal swab specimens were collected, and real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to detect common respiratory pathogens in the collected specimens. Positive specimens were subjected to sequencing analysis of the highly variable region of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) G protein, homology analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis. A total of 25 fever cases were collected from 3 kindergartens, aged 3-8 years old, with an age M ( Q1, Q3) of 4 (3.5, 5) years old. Ten confirmed cases of HRSV positive were screened and detected using the fluorescent quantitative PCR method, with a total detection rate of 40% (10/25). Typing identification and sequencing analysis confirmed that the main epidemic type was HRSV subtype B, which was highly homologous and closely related to previous epidemic strains in the region. Through pathogen investigation and analysis, it was preliminarily determined that this epidemic was dominated by HRSV subtype B.
9.Pathogen spectrum of hospitalized severe acute respiratory infection cases in a sentinel hospital in Tongzhou District of Beijing from 2019 to 2022
Lin ZOU ; Chong ZHANG ; Ling TONG ; Jianming ZHANG ; Jianguo WANG ; Fang WANG ; Xiang GAO ; Shujuan CUI ; Daitao ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2024;44(7):596-600
Objective:To investigate the pathogen spectrum and the epidemiological characteristics of hospitalized severe acute respiratory tract infection (SARI) cases in a sentinel hospital in Tongzhou District of Beijing from 2019 to 2022, and provide reference for scientific prevention and control of SARI.Methods:This study enrolled SARI patients in the Beijing Luhe Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022. Nasopharyngeal swabs or respiratory secretions of the patients were collected and analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR to detect the pathogens and their types. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the cases were analyzed.Results:In this study, 1 124 SARI cases were enrolled, of which 379 were positive for respiratory pathogens with a detection rate of 33.72%. Most of the SARI cases were positive for bacteria pathogens, and the detection rates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were high. Influenza A virus, parainfluenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus were the main viral pathogens detected in the cases. There were significant differences in the number of cases and the detection rate of respiratory pathogens among different age groups (χ 2=555, P=0.000 1). The predominant pathogens in different years were different. Mycoplasma pneumoniae [27.27% (51/187)] and influenza A virus [17.65% (33/187), ] were the predominant pathogens in 2019; parainfluenza virus [16.67% (10/60)], Mycoplasma pneumoniae [11.67% (7/60)], and Haemophilus influenzae [11.67% (7/60)] were the predominant pathogens in 2020; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia [24.39% (20/82)] and respiratory syncytial virus [19.51% (16/82)] were the predominant pathogens in 2021; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia [20% (10/50)] and parainfluenza virus [12% (6/50)] were the predominant pathogens in 2022. Conclusions:Most of the SARI cases in Tongzhou district of Beijing from 2019 to 2022 are caused by bacteria. More attention should be paid to the prevalence of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, as well as the prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and influenza A virus. The predominant pathogens change every year from 2019 to 2022. Therefore, the prevention and control strategies should be made accordingly. This study provides basis data for the national respiratory multipathogen surveillance program.
10.Incidence and related factors of umbilical venous catheter tip migration
Guanchu CHEN ; Hua CHUAN ; Ting YANG ; Jianming TANG ; Xiao TAN ; Tingting YIN ; Hongxia GAO
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2023;26(2):121-126
Objective:To analyze the incidence and the related factors of umbilical vein catheter (UVC) tip migration within 7 d after umbilical vein catheterization.Methods:This prospective study involved neonates who were successfully indwelled with UVCs in the Department of Neonatology of Gansu Provincial Women and Child-care Hospital from June 2020 to December 2021. The position of the UVC tip, length of umbilical stump, body weight, and abdominal circumference were recorded after the UVCs were inserted successfully, and the changes in these four data at 2, 24, 48, 72 h, and 7 d after catheterization were analyzed and compared. All the subjects were divided into the non-migrate group, inward migration group, and outward migration group. Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, or Kruskal Wallis H test were used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 157 newborns were enrolled, with 51 cases in the inward migration group, 62 cases in the outward migration group, and 44 cases in the non-migrate group. There were no significant differences among the three groups regarding gestational age, birth weight, gender, born through cesarean section, age at the time of catheterization, use of sedation, and feeding modes (all P>0.05). The migration rates of UVCs tip at 2, 24, 48, 72 h, and 7 d after catheterization were 0, 27.4% (43/157), 27.2% (31/114), 25.3% (21/83), and 29.0% (18/62), respectively. The cumulative migration rates at 24, 48, 72 h, and 7 d were 27.4% (43/157), 47.1% (74/157), 60.1% (95/157), and 72.0% (113/157), respectively. Compared with the non-migrate group, the inward migration group had a shorter umbilical cord stump at 24 and 48 h [0.5 cm (0.4-0.5 cm) vs 0.6 cm (0.5-0.8 cm); 0.4 cm (0.3-0.5 cm) vs 0.5 cm (0.5-0.6 cm), Z=-5.55 and -3.69, both P<0.05], less abdominal circumference increment at 48 and 72 h [0.6 cm (0.5-1.0 cm) vs 0.9 cm (0.7-1.2 cm); 0.6 cm (0.3-0.9 cm) vs 0.9 cm (0.7- 1.3 cm), Z=-2.03 and -2.09, both P<0.05)], and more weight loss percentage [-4.7% (-6.0%--3.6%) vs -3.1% (-3.7%--2.2%); -6.0% (-7.5%--5.0%) vs -3.9% (-5.1%--2.4%), Z=-3.75 and -2.96, both P<0.05]. The abdominal circumference increased more in the outward migration group at 24, 48, 72 h, and 7 d than those in the non-migrate group [1.6 cm (0.9-1.9 cm) vs 0.7 cm (0.5-0.9 cm); 1.5 cm (1.2-1.8 cm) vs 0.9 cm (0.7-1.2 cm); 1.7 cm (1.3-1.9 cm) vs 0.9 cm (0.7-1.3 cm); 1.6 cm (1.1-1.9 cm) vs 0.9 cm (0.6-1.3 cm), Z=-4.82, -4.79, -3.74, and -3.09, all P<0.05]. Conclusion:The incidence of UVC tip migration is high, which could be affected by dryness and retraction of the umbilical cord stump and the change in neonatal abdominal circumference and body weight.

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