1.Junctophilin-2 MORN-Helix Domain: Structural Basis for Membrane Binding and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy-associated Mutations
Jing-Xin WANG ; Zhi-Wei LI ; Wei LIU ; Wen-Qing ZHANG ; Jian-Chao LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):2103-2116
ObjectiveJunctophilin-2 (JPH2) is an essential structural protein that maintains junctional membrane complexes (JMCs) in cardiomyocytes by tethering the plasma membrane to the sarcoplasmic reticulum, thereby facilitating excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. Mutations in JPH2 have been associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), but the molecular mechanisms governing its membrane-binding properties and the functional relevance of its membrane occupation and recognition nexus (MORN) repeat motifs remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to elucidate the structural basis of JPH2 membrane association and its implications for HCM pathogenesis. MethodsA recombinant N-terminal fragment of mouse JPH2 (residues1-440), encompassing the MORN repeats and an adjacent helical region, was purified under near-physiological buffer conditions.X-ray crystallography was employed to determine the structure of the JPH2 MORN-Helix domain. Sequence conservation analysis across species and junctophilin isoforms was performed to assess the evolutionary conservation of key structural features. Functional membrane-binding assays were conducted using liposome co-sedimentation and cell-based localization studies in COS7 and HeLa cells. In addition, site-directed mutagenesis targeting positively charged residues and known HCM-associated mutations, including R347C, was used to evaluate their effects on membrane interaction and subcellular localization. ResultsThe crystal structure of the mouse JPH2 MORN-Helix domain was resolved at 2.6 Å, revealing a compact, elongated architecture consisting of multiple tandem MORN motifs arranged in a curved configuration, forming a continuous hydrophobic core stabilized by alternating aromatic residues. A C-terminal α-helix further reinforced structural integrity. Conservation analysis identified the inner groove of the MORN array as a highly conserved surface, suggesting its role as a protein-binding interface. A flexible linker segment enriched in positively charged residues, located adjacent to the MORN motifs, was found to mediate direct electrostatic interactions with negatively charged phospholipid membranes. Functional assays demonstrated that mutation of these basic residues impaired membrane association, while the HCM-linked R347C mutation completely abolished membrane localization in cellular assays, despite preserving the overall MORN-Helix fold in structural modeling. ConclusionThis study provides structural insight into the membrane-binding mechanism of the cardiomyocyte-specific protein JPH2, highlighting the dual roles of its MORN-Helix domain in membrane anchoring and protein interactions. The findings clarify the structural basis for membrane targeting via a positively charged linker and demonstrate that disruption of this interaction—such as that caused by the R347C mutation—likely contributes to HCM pathogenesis. These results not only enhance current understanding of JPH2 function in cardiac E-C coupling but also offer a structural framework for future investigations into the assembly and regulation of JMCs in both physiological and disease contexts.
2.Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome: Two Cases Treated with Autologous Seminal Plasma Subcutaneous Cluster Immunotherapy
Lun LI ; Yanping DUAN ; Fan ZHI ; Jing ZHANG ; Yu LI ; Bei LIU ; Jia YIN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2025;4(3):341-347
Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare condition characterized by the rapid onset of extreme fatigue, flu-like symptoms, difficulty concentrating, depression, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, itchy eyes, and other physical and psychological discomforts following ejaculation. This report presents the outcomes of two patients with POIS who underwent a two-year course of autologous seminal plasma subcutaneous cluster immunotherapy. Treatment efficacy was assessed using methods such as the symptom Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Union Physio-Psycho-Social Assessment Questionnaire (UPPSAQ)-70, and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The results suggest that autologous seminal plasma subcutaneous cluster immunother-apy may be a safe and effective therapeutic approach for POIS.
3.Ginkgo biloba extract activates Nrf2/ARE pathway to improve vascular endothelial dysfunction induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia in rats
Sheng-Yong SI ; Hong-Man LI ; Si-Si MIAO ; Xiao HAN ; Zhi-Jing LI ; Chao-Jun WEI ; Da-Nan LIU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(10):1837-1844
Aim To investigate the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract(GBE)on vascular endothelial dysfunc-tion induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia(CIH)in rats and its related mechanisms.Methods The CIH rat model was established,and 50 and 100 mg·kg-1 GBE was administered by intragastric administration.The systolic blood pressure(SBP)of the tail artery was detected in each group.HE staining was used to detect the morphology of aorta tissue.DAF-FM DA staining and nitric reductase assay were used to detect NO levels.ELISA was used to detect serum ET-1,TNF-α and IL-6 levels.DHE staining was used to de-tect reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels of aortic tis-sue.Kits were used to detect the serum levels of MDA,SOD and GSH-Px.Western blot was used to detect the levels of VCAM-1,ICAM-1,nucleus Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1 of aortic tissue.Results GBE sig-nificantly decreased the levels of SBP,ET-1,ROS,MDA,VCAM-1,ICAM-1,TNF-α and IL-6,and sig-nificantly increased the levels of NO,SOD,GSH-Px,nuclear Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1 in CIH rats.GBE sig-nificantly improved the histomorphology of aorta in CIH rats.Conclusions GBE can improve vascular endo-thelial dysfunction and reduce blood pressure in CIH model rats.The mechanism may be related to the acti-vation of Nrf2/ARE pathway and the inhibition of oxi-dative stress and inflammation by GBE.
4.Development and in vivo biomechanics of goat mobile artificial lumbar spine complex
Feng ZHANG ; Xi-Jing HE ; Jian-Tao LIU ; Rui WANG ; Jie QIN ; Quan-Jin ZANG ; Ting ZHANG ; Zhi-Yu LIU
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(3):281-287
Objective Mobile artificial lumbar complex(MALC)which suitable for reconstruction after subtotal lumbar resection in goats was developed,and to test stability of the complex and postoperative lumbar segmental motor function.Methods Eighteen male boer goats aged from 1 to 2 years old(weighted from 35 to 45 kg)were selected and divided into con-trol group,fusion group and non-fusion group,with 6 goats in each group.According to preoperative CT scans and MRI exami-nations of lumbar,the goat MALC was designed and performed by 3D printed for non-fusion group.Operation was performed on three groups respectively,and only vertebral body and disc were exposed in control group.In fusion group,L4 part of vertebral body and the upper and lower complete disc tissues were removed,and the lumbar spine bone plate fixation was performed with titanium mesh bone grafting.In non-fusion group,vertebral body and disc were removed in the same way,and MALC was im-planted.AP and lateral X-rays of lumbar vertebrae in goat were taken at 6 months after surgery,in order to understand whether the plant was dislocated,displaced and fractured.Biomechanical tests were performed on the specimens by mechanical instru-ment to measure range of motion(ROM)of L2,3,L,4,L4,5intervertebral space and the overall ROM of L2-5 lumbar vertebrae.Results MALC of lumbar vertebra was designed by 3D printing,and its component artificial vertebrae and upper and lower ar-tificial end plates were manufactured.The semi-spherical structure was fabricated by precision lathe using high-crosslinked polyethylene material,and the prosthesis was assembled.Postoperative AP and lateral X-rays of lumbar vertebra at 6 months showed the implant position of implant and MALC were good without displacement and dislocation.In vitro biomechanical test of lumbar vertebrae specimens:(1)There were no statistical significance in ROM of lumbar intervertebral space flexion and extension,lateral flexion and rotation on L.4 and L4,5,between non-fusion group and control group(P>0.05),while ROM of fu-sion group was significantly reduced compared with the other two groups(P<0.05).There were no significant difference in ROM of L2.3 intervertebral flexion and extension,lateral flexion and rotation between non-fusion group and control group(P>0.05),while fusion group was significantly increased compared with the other two groups(P<0.001).(2)There was no signifi-cant difference in overall lumbar ROM of L2-5(P>0.05).Conclusion The individual MALC could restore intervertebral height of lumbar vertebra while maintaining the stability of lumbar vertebra and re-establishing motor function of lumbar space.
5.Drug sensitivity and genomic characteristics of a strain of Listeria monocytogenes ST5 isolated from a neonate
Zeng-Bin LIU ; Li LIU ; Zhi-Rong LI ; Cai-Hong XU ; Hong-Bin WANG ; Ru-Gang YANG ; Tao FAN ; Jian-Hong ZHAO ; Jing-Rui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 2024;40(7):644-651
This study aimed to determine the drug resistance phenotype and genetic characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes ST5 LK100 isolated from a neonate,which provided a basis for the diagnosis and treatment of L.monocyto-genes infection and to enhance the understanding of the genomic characteristics of this strain.A suspected L.monocytogenes strain was isolated from the gastric juice sample of an infected neonate,and identified with a VITEK2 Compact automatic mi-crobial identification instrument and 16S RNA sequencing.Five drug sensitivity tests were conducted on the identified strain with the E-test method.Additionally,the whole genome of the strain was sequenced using a third-generation sequencing plat-form.The antibiotic resistance elements of the strain were identified by BlastN with the CARD antibiotic resistance gene data-base.The multilocus sequence typing(MLST),serotyping,and virulence genes of the strain was determined by Pasteur da-tabase,the virulence gene distribution was analyzed using the virulence analysis website.The prophages of the strain were predicted and annotate by PHASTER online website.The strain(LK100)isolated from the neonate was identified as L.monocytogenes.This strain was sensitive to penicillin,ampicil-lin,meropenem,erythromycin,and trimethoprim-sulfame-thoxazole antibiotics.The MLST type and serotype was ST5 and 1/2b-3b,respectively.The total length of the chromoso-mal genome of LK100 was 3 032 582 bp with a GC content of 37.91%,and it contained a complete circular plasmid with a se-quence length of 52 822 bp.The strain LK100 carried complete InlA protein,LIPI-1 pathogenicity island,SSI-1 stress survival island,and an LGI2 genomic island.The intrinsic antibiotic resistance genes were mainly located on the chromosome.Five prophage sequences were predicted in the LK100 genome.This study identified a strain of ST5 L.monocytogenes LK100 from an infected neonate and characterized its genome and antibiotic sensitivity,laying the foundation for further research on ST5 L.monocytogenes.
6.Systematic Analysis of Histone Post-translational Modifications in Macrophages Regulated by Quercetin Based on Super-SILAC
Zhi-Qing LIU ; Lin-Hui ZHAI ; Jing JI ; Min-Jia TAN ; Ping LIU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2024;40(11):1574-1584
Quercetin (Que) is a flavonoid compound widely distributed in nature with various biological activities.Its anti-inflammatory effect plays a crucial role in many diseases,closely related to its regula-tion of histone post-translational modifications.However,there have been no detailed reports on the anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin regulating histone post-translational modifications.In this study,we first investigated the effect of quercetin on the M1 macrophages polarization.The results showed that quercetin can significantly down-regulate the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6 ) in M1 macrophages.Next,we used the super stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (super-SI-LAC) method derived from SILAC technology based on mass spectrometry to systematically analyze the post-translational modification levels of histone in macrophages treated with quercetin.A total of 30 his-tone modification sites were quantified,of which 12 histone lysine acetylation marks were significantly downregulated and 4 lysine methylation sites were upregulated (fold change>1.2,P<0.05),and some sites were verified by Western blot (WB),which was consistent with the mass spectrometry results.In conclusion,a comprehensive analysis of quercetin on regulating macrophage histone modifications in this study provides reliable data references and new insights for studying its anti-inflammatory mechanism.
7.Correlation between body fat distribution measured by quantitative CT and body mass index in adults receiving physical examination
Yang ZHOU ; Yongbing SUN ; Qi QIAO ; Xin QI ; Yawei DU ; Zhonglin LI ; Zhi ZOU ; Xiaoling WU ; Jing ZHOU ; Min QU ; Xiaolin ZHANG ; Yong WANG ; Shewei DOU ; Hongming LIU ; Fengshan YAN ; Jiadong ZHU ; Yongli LI
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2024;18(5):354-360
Objective:To analyze the correlation between body fat distribution measured by quantitative CT (QCT) and body mass index in adults receiving physical examination.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. From January to December 2021, 3 205 adults undergoing physical examination who met the inclusion criteria and underwent chest CT and QCT examination in the health management discipline of Henan Provincial People′s Hospital were selected as the research objects. The general data were collected; and the subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat area, total abdominal fat area, liver fat content, abdominal obesity and fatty liver detection rate were measured by QCT. According to body mass index, the subjects were divided into normal group (18.5-<24.0 kg/m 2, 1 343 cases), overweight group (24.0-<28.0 kg/m 2, 1 427 cases) and obesity group (≥28.0 kg/m 2, 435 cases). One-way analysis of variance and χ2 test were used to compare the differences of QCT indexes among the three groups. Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis were used to evaluate the correlation between QCT indexes and body mass index. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to analyze the diagnostic effect of QCT on obesity and fatty liver. Results:Subcutaneous fat area, visceral fat area, total abdominal fat area, liver fat content, abdominal obesity and fatty liver detection rate in obese group were all significantly higher than those in overweight group and normal group [males, (147.60±46.44) vs (104.33±27.68), (73.46±22.65) cm 2; (297.46±54.70) vs (229.40±53.12), (159.57±49.68) cm 2; (445.06±70.24) vs (333.73±62.91), (233.02±61.87) cm 2; 11.30% (7.90%, 15.55%) vs 8.75% (6.50%, 11.70%), 6.60% (4.80%, 8.70%); 100.0% vs 96.0%, 64.0%; 92.9% vs 86.7%, 73.3%; females, (213.96±48.61) vs (155.85±35.31), (107.24±31.01) cm 2; (185.41±43.88) vs (142.48±41.75), (96.56±36.50) cm 2; (399.37±68.07) vs (298.33±56.86), (203.80±57.53) cm 2; 9.80% (6.90%, 13.30%) vs 7.30% (5.05%, 9.80%), 5.40%(3.50%, 7.20%); 96.4% vs 74.8%, 28.9%; 87.3% vs 75.6%, 56.5%], and were all positively correlated with body mass index (males, r/ rs=0.709, 0.738, 0.831, 0.402, 0.464, 0.225; females, r/ rs=0.798, 0.695, 0.841, 0.416, 0.605, 0.276) (all P<0.001). In both male and female subjects, the detection rates of obesity based on QCT were significantly higher than those based on body mass index (male, 86.9% vs 16.6%; female, 49.3% vs 8.9%), and the detection rates of fatty liver based on QCT were significantly higher than those based on ultrasound (male, 83.6% vs 57.1%; female, 65.2% vs 27.6%) (all P<0.001). ROC curve showed that when the visceral fat area of 142 cm 2 was used as the cut-off value for the diagnosis of obesity in male subjects, the sensitivity and specificity was 100% and 15.8%, respectively; and when the cut-off value of liver fat content 5.0% was used to diagnose fatty liver, the sensitivity and specificity was 88.9% and 25.1%, respectively. When the visceral fat area of 115 cm 2 was set as the cut-off value for the diagnosis of obesity in female subjects, the sensitivity and specificity was 96.4% and 55.3%, respectively; when the liver fat content of 5.0% was set as the cut-off value for the diagnosis of fatty liver, the sensitivity and specificity was 83.7% and 43.2%, respectively. Conclusions:The indexes of abdominal fat and liver fat measured by QCT in adults receiving physical examination are all positively correlated with body mass index. The effect of QCT in the diagnosis of obesity and fatty liver are both better than body mass index and ultrasound.
8.Quantitative CT study of fat distribution in normal weight population
Yang ZHOU ; Qi QIAO ; Yongbing SUN ; Xin QI ; Yawei DU ; Zhonglin LI ; Zhi ZOU ; Xiaoling WU ; Jing ZHOU ; Min QU ; Xiaolin ZHANG ; Yong WANG ; Shewei DOU ; Hongming LIU ; Fengshan YAN ; Gong ZHANG ; Jiadong ZHU ; Yongli LI
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2024;18(6):410-415
Objective:To analyze the distribution of body fat with quantitative computed tomography (QCT) in people with normal body mass index (BMI).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in the physical examination population who underwent chest CT and QCT examination in the Department of Health Management, Henan Provincial People′s Hospital from January to December in 2021, and 1 395 physical examination subjects who met the inclusion criteria were selected as the research subjects. The subjects were divided into five groups according to their age. The general data of the subjects were collected. The total abdominal fat area (TFA), visceral fat area (VFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA), total abdominal muscle area (TMA) and muscle fat content (MFC) in the subjects were measured by QCT. One-way analysis of variance, Welch test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the above QCT measurement indexes between the two genders among different age groups with normal BMI. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between VFA and sarcopenia indexes. Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between VFA and linear correlation variables in the related indicators of sarcopenia.Results:There were significant differences in TFA, VFA, TMA and SMI among different age groups in subjects with normal BMI (all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that VFA was negatively correlated with TMA in some age groups (male: 18-39 years group: r=-0.351; 40-49 years group: r=-0.278; 60-69 years group: r=-0.245; female:40-49 years group: r=-0.251; 50-59 years group: r=-0.270;≥70 years group: r=-0.391; all P<0.01); it was negatively correlated with SMI (male: 18-39 years group: r=-0.352; 40-49 years group: r=-0.340; 50-59 years group: r=-0.266; 60-69 years group: r=-0.316; female: 40-49 years group: r=-0.240; 50-59 years group: r=-0.284; all P<0.001); it was positively correlated with MFC (male: 18-39 years group: r=0.342; 40-49 years group: r=0.291; female: 50-59 years group: r=0.133; 60-69 years group: r=0.284; all P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that VFA was independently and negatively correlated with SMI in both men and women after adjusting for age interference factors (male B=-1.881, t=-6.025, P<0.001; female B=-0.603, t=-2.887, P=0.004), and it was independently positively correlated with MFC (male B=1.230, t=4.271, P<0.001;female B=0.893, t=3.836, P<0.001). There was an independent negative correlation between VFA and TMA in male subjects ( B=0.263, t=2.478, P=0.013). Conclusions:VFA is correlated with TMA, SMI and MFC in people with normal BMI. Regardless of gender, SMI has a negative effect on VFA, and MFC has a positive effect on VFA.
9.Role of antioncogenes ADCY2/4/5/8 in cutaneous melanoma
Jing LI ; Zhi LI ; Yin YU ; Sutao LIU ; Qingchun DIAO ; Can WANG
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2024;57(8):698-708
Objective:To determine the expression of adenylate cyclase genes ADCY2/4/5/8 in cutaneous melanoma, to explore their roles and mechanisms of action, and to verify their effect on the proliferation and migration of the melanoma cell line A375.Methods:Data on the mRNA and protein expression of ADCY2/4/5/8, as well as the correlation between gene expression and prognosis, were analyzed through the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases; ADCY2/4/5/8 gene methylation and mutation status were analyzed through the UALCAN, DeMth, and cBioPortal databases; Gene Ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis were performed on the ADCY2/4/5/8 genes using the DAVID and STRING databases. qPCR was conducted to determine the relative mRNA expression of ADCY2/4/5/8 in the A375 melanoma cells and FF pigmented nevus cells. Cultured A375 cells were divided into experimental groups and control groups to be transfected with ADCY2/4/5/8 overexpression plasmids and empty vectors, respectively. Cell counting kit (CCK8) and Transwell assays were performed to evaluate the effect of ADCY2/4/5/8 overexpression on the proliferation and migration of A375 cells, qPCR was conducted to determine the relative mRNA expression of genes related to the proliferation and migration of A375 cells, and Western blot analysis to determine the expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway-related proteins in A375 cells after the overexpression of ADCY2/4/5/8. One-way analysis of variance and repeated measures analysis of variance were used for the comparison among multiple groups, and least significant difference- t test was used for multiple comparisons. Results:Bioinformatics analysis based on the GEPIA database showed that the mRNA expression of ADCY2, ADCY4, ADCY5, and ADCY8 was down-regulated in melanoma tissues ( n = 461) compared with normal tissues ( n = 558, P < 0.01) ; stratified analysis showed that the mRNA expression of ADCY2 ( P = 0.015) and ADCY8 ( P = 0.038) was correlated with tumor staging, and the lower the mRNA expression, the later the tumor stage. In the HPA database, the ADCY2/4/5/8 protein expression was reduced in 30 melanoma tissues compared with 30 normal tissues ( P < 0.001). Analysis of the UALCAN and DeMth database data showed elevated methylation levels of ADCY2/4/5/8 in melanoma tissues and metastatic melanoma tissues compared with normal tissues ( P < 0.001). Analysis of the DAVID and STRING database data demonstrated that the ADCY2/4/5/8 gene may inhibit cell proliferation and migration by activating the cAMP signaling pathway. qPCR showed that the relative mRNA expression of ADCY2/4/5/8 was lower in A375 cells than in FF cells. CCK8 assay showed that the survival rates of A375 cells were significantly lower in the ADCY2/4/5/8 overexpression groups than in the corresponding control groups at 48 and 72 hours (all P < 0.05). Transwell assay showed that the number of migratory A375 cells was significantly lower in the ADCY2/4/5/8 overexpression groups than in the corresponding control groups (all P < 0.01). As qPCR revealed, the ADCY2/4/5/8 overexpression groups showed significantly upregulated relative mRNA expression of epithelial cadherin, but significantly downregulated relative mRNA expression of Ki67, vimentin, neural cadherin, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 compared with the corresponding control groups (all P < 0.001). Western blot analysis showed that the protein expression of cAMP and phosphorylated protein kinase A (p-PKA) in A375 cells was significantly higher in the ADCY2/4/5/8 overexpression groups than in the corresponding control groups (all P < 0.001), but there were no significant differences in the PKA protein expression levels between the ADCY2/4/5/8 overexpression groups and the corresponding control groups (all P > 0.05) . Conclusion:The expression of ADCY2/4/5/8 was downregulated in melanoma tissues, and overexpressed ADCY2/4/5/8 could inhibit the proliferation and migration of melanoma cells, suggesting that ADCY2/4/5/8 may serve as potential tumor suppressor genes in the progression of melanoma.
10.Analysis of problems and countermeasures in the construction of geriatric department in hospitals of China
Peng QIAN ; Zhi LIU ; Liwei JING ; Xi GAO
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2024;40(6):415-418
Developing geriatric department is an important measure to address the aging population. In recent years, there had been some progress in the construction of geriatric departments in hospitals of China, but there was still significant room for improvement in the context of rapid aging. At present, the geriatric departments in hospitals were mainly facing problems and difficulties such as low attention within the hospital, shortage of geriatric medical professionals, imperfect payment systems, inapplicable performance evaluation indicators, and low social awareness. This study suggested that we should further strengthen the construction of geriatric departments in hospitals, accelerate the construction of geriatric medicine talent teams, promote the reform of payment methods related to geriatric medicine services, optimize the performance evaluation methods of geriatric medicine departments, and enhance the social identity of geriatric medicine departments, so as to provide references for promoting the sustainable and high-quality development of geriatric medicine departments in hospitals of China.

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