1.Cryo-EM structures of Nipah virus polymerase complex reveal highly varied interactions between L and P proteins among paramyxoviruses.
Lu XUE ; Tiancai CHANG ; Jiacheng GUI ; Zimu LI ; Heyu ZHAO ; Binqian ZOU ; Junnan LU ; Mei LI ; Xin WEN ; Shenghua GAO ; Peng ZHAN ; Lijun RONG ; Liqiang FENG ; Peng GONG ; Jun HE ; Xinwen CHEN ; Xiaoli XIONG
Protein & Cell 2025;16(8):705-723
Nipah virus (NiV) and related viruses form a distinct henipavirus genus within the Paramyxoviridae family. NiV continues to spillover into the humans causing deadly outbreaks with increasing human-bat interaction. NiV encodes the large protein (L) and phosphoprotein (P) to form the viral RNA polymerase machinery. Their sequences show limited homologies to those of non-henipavirus paramyxoviruses. We report two cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the Nipah virus (NiV) polymerase L-P complex, expressed and purified in either its full-length or truncated form. The structures resolve the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and polyribonucleotidyl transferase (PRNTase) domains of the L protein, as well as a tetrameric P protein bundle bound to the L-RdRp domain. L-protein C-terminal regions are unresolved, indicating flexibility. Two PRNTase domain zinc-binding sites, conserved in most Mononegavirales, are confirmed essential for NiV polymerase activity. The structures further reveal anchoring of the P protein bundle and P protein X domain (XD) linkers on L, via an interaction pattern distinct among Paramyxoviridae. These interactions facilitate binding of a P protein XD linker in the nucleotide entry channel and distinct positioning of other XD linkers. We show that the disruption of the L-P interactions reduces NiV polymerase activity. The reported structures should facilitate rational antiviral-drug discovery and provide a guide for the functional study of NiV polymerase.
Nipah Virus/chemistry*
;
Cryoelectron Microscopy
;
Viral Proteins/genetics*
;
RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase/genetics*
;
Phosphoproteins/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Models, Molecular
;
Protein Binding
2.Study on Synthesis and Antioxidant Activities in Vitro of Curcumin Pyrazole Derivative
Hua-Jun ZHANG ; Can-Ming LI ; Qin-Xue SUI ; Mei-Qi ZHAN ; Jing GONG ; Li-Ping ZHU ; Tao WANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(9):2452-2456
Objective To construct curcumin pyrazole derivative by the reaction of diketone of curcumin and benzylhydrazine based on the above structure-activity relationship,and to explore its antioxidant activity to provide experimental basis for the development of curcumin antioxidant derivative.Methods Curcumin-N-substituted pyrazole derivative was synthesized from curcumin and benzylhydrazine.The structures of the derivative were confirmed by infrared spectroscopy(IR),nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-NMR,13C-NMR)and LC-MS.The antioxidant activity in vitro of the derivative was evaluated by determination of curcumin and its pyrazole derivative scavenging ability for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH)free radical and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid(ABTS)free radical.Results Curcumin pyrazole derivative was successfully synthesized.Curcumin and its pyrazole derivative showed good free radical scavenging effects in the range of 4.6-73.6,6.25-100 μg·mL-1,respectively,with a significant dose-effect relationship.The half-maximal inhibition(IC50)values of curcumin and its pyrazole derivatives determined by DPPH method were 14.24,40.37 μg·mL-1,respectively,while the IC50 values of curcumin and its pyrazole derivatives determined by ABTS method were 36.65,19.26 μg·mL-1,respectively.Conclusion The antioxidant activity of β-dione of curcumin was retained through the substitution of the pyrazole ring,and the curcumin pyrazole derivative deserves further investigation as a potential antioxidant.
3.Internal iliac artery ligation as a damage control method in hemodynamically unstable pelvic fractures: A systematic review of the literature
Hui LI ; Tao AI ; Guang-Bin HUANG ; Jun YANG ; Gong-Bin WEI ; Jin-Mou GAO ; Ping HE ; Xue-Mei CAO ; Ding-Yuan DU
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2024;27(5):288-294
Purpose::Internal iliac artery ligation (IIAL) has been used as a damage control procedure to treat hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture for many years. However, there is ongoing debate regarding the effectiveness and safety of this hemostatic method. Therefore, we performed a systematic literature review to assess the efficacy and safety of IIAL for pelvic fracture hemostasis.Methods::Three major databases, PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar, were searched to screen eligible original studies published in English journals. Two reviewers independently read the titles, abstracts, and full texts of all literature. Articles were included if they reported the use and effects of IIAL.Results::A total of 171 articles were initially identified, with 22 fully meeting the inclusion criteria. Among the analyzed cases, up to 66.7% of patients had associated abdominal and pelvic organ injuries, with the urethra being the most frequently injured organ, followed by the bowel. The outcomes of IIAL for achieving hemostasis in pelvic fractures were found to be satisfactory, with an effective rate of 80%. Hemorrhagic shock was the leading cause of death, followed by craniocerebral injury. Notably, no reports of ischemic complications involving the pelvic organs due to IIAL were found.Conclusion::IIAL has a good effect in treating hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture without the risk of pelvic organ ischemia. This procedure should be considered a priority for hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture patients with abdominal organ injuries.
4.Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking and Experimental Verification of the Mechanism of Miao-Yi-Ai-Tang Inhibiting the Proliferation of Small Cell Lung Cancer through WNT/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Shan CHEN ; Bo LI ; Zhengxing GE ; Tao TAN ; Jun ZHANG ; Mei YU ; Xiangqun GONG
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;26(7):1847-1861
Objective To use network pharmacology to mine and predict the targets and related signaling pathways of Miaoyao Yiai Tang(Miao-Yi-Ai-Tang,MYAT)in the treatment of small cell lung cancer(SCLC).And animal experiments to verify its mechanism of action,to provide a theoretical basis for basic experiments and clinical applications.Methods The active ingredients of MYAT were obtained from the TCMSP database,combined with PubMed data,Swiss Target Prediction database and Uniprot database to obtain potential targets;SCLC-related genes were collected through the DrugBank database,Genecards database,OMIM database and TTD database,and the Venny 2.1 platform After obtaining the intersection genes of MYAT and SCLC,import them into the STRING database,construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,use Cytoscape 3.9.1 software for visual analysis,and use Metascape database for GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis,to predict the direct action target and signaling pathway of MYAT in the treatment of SCLC.Using AutoDock Tools 1.5.7 software for molecular docking to verify the close relationship between the two.For cytological experiment verification,the cultured cells were treated with MYAT and the expression of β-catenin,AXIN,c-myc was detected by qPCR,and the expression of β-catenin in the cells was detected by Western blot;animal experiments were established to establish a subcutaneous xenograft tumor model of lung cancer NCI-H446,to observe the effect of MYAT on tumor growth.Results A total of 65 effective components of MYAT,1368 SCLC genes,and 260 MYAT-SCLC intersection genes were obtained.Enrichment analysis showed that they were related to cancer pathways,PD-L1/PD-1 pathways,NF-κB pathways,Wnt and other signaling pathways.The results of molecular docking validation showed that the binding energies of active components and core target proteins were all<0 kJ·mol-1,which indicated that the protein could spontaneously bind to active components and be stable.Cell experiments showed that the expression levels of β-catenin,c-myc and AXIN mRNA were significantly down-regulated in the MYAT group(P<0.05).Animal experiments show that:MYAT can significantly inhibit the growth of tumors in vivo.Conclusion Miao-Yi-Ai-Tang can inhibit the proliferation of small cell lung cancer through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
5.Research progress of inducing ferroptosis of cancer stem cells against colorectal cancer
Li-Na GONG ; Meng-Ling YUAN ; Xue-Ying CHENG ; Chen-Yang XU ; Jun PAN ; Qiu-Tong CHEN ; Ling WANG ; Zi-Li ZHANG ; Mei GUO
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(6):1030-1034
Cancer stem cell(CSC)are the"seed"cells in the occurrence,development,metastasis and recurrence of colorectal cancer.Targeted killing of CSC provides a new target for anti-colorectal cancer therapy.Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death mode due to the abnormal accumulation of intracellular i-ron ions,which results in the massive reactive oxygen species(ROS)and lipid peroxides,leading to cell death.Studies have shown that cancer stem cells are more enriched in iron ions than non-CSC,which provides a new perspective for targeting ferropto-sis in cancer stem cells against colorectal cancer.This article re-views the research progress of inducing CSC ferroptosis in the treatment of colorectal cancer,such as targeted regulation of SLC7A11 expression in CSC,chelating iron in CSC lysosomes,targeting CSC phenotypic plasticity,reversing CSC iron homeo-stasis,and targeting CSC lipid droplet metabolism induce CSC ferroptosis,which provides new ideas for anti-tumor therapy.
6.Genetic characterization of coxsackievirus A6 in Mianyang city in 2022
Yue GONG ; Kexin ZONG ; Qian CHENG ; Lulu WANG ; Renhe ZHU ; Qin LUO ; Yanhai WANG ; Guoyong MEI ; Jun HAN ; Qinqin SONG
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2024;44(5):414-422
Objective:To investigate the etiology of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Mianyang city in 2022, and to analyze the genetic characteristics of coxsackievirus A6.Methods:Pharyngeal swabs were collected from patients with HFMD in Mianyang city in 2022. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect enteroviruses in the samples. Part of the VP1 gene in enterovirus-positive samples was amplified by nested PCR using enterovirus typing primers to further identify the viral types. The VP1 coding region of all CVA6-positive samples and the whole genome of some samples were amplified and sequenced by PCR. The endemic strain in Mianyang city was analyzed for phylogeny, gene homology, amino acid variation and genetic recombination.Results:A total of 151 pharyngeal swabs were collected, and 104 enterovirus-positive samples were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, with an overall detection rate of 68.88% (104/151). The typing results showed that there were 77 cases of CVA6 infection, with a positive rate of 50.99% (77/151). The full-length VP1 genes of 77 CVA6 strains were amplified, sequenced, and successfully spliced, and phylogenetic analysis showed that all 77 strains were of the D3 genotype. There were multiple amino acid variant sites in the prevalent strains in Mianyang city compared with the reference strain. Twenty whole genome sequences were amplified, sequenced, and successfully spliced, and homology analysis showed that the nucleotide homology between the 20 positive sequences ranged from 97.0% to 99.9%. Phylogenetic tree and recombination analysis showed that no recombination occurred in the coding regions of the epidemic strains in this study.Conclusions:The predominant pathogen causing HFMD in Mianyang city in 2022 is CVA6 D3 subtype, which is consistent with the national epidemic in 2022.
7.Dissection of Cellular Communication between Human Primary Osteoblasts and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Osteoarthritis at Single-Cell Resolution
Ying LIU ; Yan CHEN ; Xiao-Hua LI ; Chong CAO ; Hui-Xi ZHANG ; Cui ZHOU ; Yu CHEN ; Yun GONG ; Jun-Xiao YANG ; Liang CHENG ; Xiang-Ding CHEN ; Hui SHEN ; Hong-Mei XIAO ; Li-Jun TAN ; Hong-Wen DENG
International Journal of Stem Cells 2023;16(3):342-355
Background and Objectives:
Osteoblasts are derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and playimportant role in bone remodeling. While our previous studies have investigated the cell subtypes and heterogeneity in osteoblasts and BMMSCs separately, cell-to-cell communications between osteoblasts and BMMSCs in vivo in humans have not been characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate the cellular communication between human primary osteoblasts and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.
Methods:
and Results: To investigate the cell-to-cell communications between osteoblasts and BMMSCs and identifynew cell subtypes, we performed a systematic integration analysis with our single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) transcriptomes data from BMMSCs and osteoblasts. We successfully identified a novel preosteoblasts subtype which highly expressed ATF3, CCL2, CXCL2 and IRF1. Biological functional annotations of the transcriptomes suggested that the novel preosteoblasts subtype may inhibit osteoblasts differentiation, maintain cells to a less differentiated status and recruit osteoclasts. Ligand-receptor interaction analysis showed strong interaction between mature osteoblasts and BMMSCs. Meanwhile, we found FZD1 was highly expressed in BMMSCs of osteogenic differentiation direction. WIF1 and SFRP4, which were highly expressed in mature osteoblasts were reported to inhibit osteogenic differentiation. We speculated that WIF1 and sFRP4 expressed in mature osteoblasts inhibited the binding of FZD1 to Wnt ligand in BMMSCs, thereby further inhibiting osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs.
Conclusions
Our study provided a more systematic and comprehensive understanding of the heterogeneity of osteogenic cells. At the single cell level, this study provided insights into the cell-to-cell communications between BMMSCs and osteoblasts and mature osteoblasts may mediate negative feedback regulation of osteogenesis process.
8.Prediction of superantigen active sites and clonal expression of staphylococcal enterotoxin-like W.
Yu Hua YANG ; Xin KU ; Ya Nan GONG ; Fan Liang MENG ; Dong bo BU ; Ya Hui GUO ; Xiao Yue WEI ; Li Jin LONG ; Jia Ming FAN ; Mao Jun ZHANG ; Jian Zhong ZHANG ; Xiao Mei YAN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2023;44(4):629-635
Objective: The docking and superantigen activity sites of staphylococcal enterotoxin-like W (SElW) and T cell receptor (TCR) were predicted, and its SElW was cloned, expressed and purified. Methods: AlphaFold was used to predict the 3D structure of SElW protein monomers, and the protein models were evaluated with the help of the SAVES online server from ERRAT, Ramachandran plot, and Verify_3D. The ZDOCK server simulates the docking conformation of SElW and TCR, and the amino acid sequences of SElW and other serotype enterotoxins were aligned. The primers were designed to amplify selw, and the fragment was recombined into the pMD18-T vector and sequenced. Then recombinant plasmid pMD18-T was digested with BamHⅠand Hind Ⅲ. The target fragment was recombined into the expression plasmid pET-28a(+). After identification of the recombinant plasmid, the protein expression was induced by isopropyl-beta-D- thiogalactopyranoside. The SElW expressed in the supernatant was purified by affinity chromatography and quantified by the BCA method. Results: The predicted three-dimensional structure showed that the SElW protein was composed of two domains, the amino-terminal and the carboxy-terminal. The amino-terminal domain was composed of 3 α-helices and 6 β-sheets, and the carboxy-terminal domain included 2 α-helices and 7 antiparallel β-sheets composition. The overall quality factor score of the SElW protein model was 98.08, with 93.24% of the amino acids having a Verify_3D score ≥0.2 and no amino acids located in disallowed regions. The docking conformation with the highest score (1 521.328) was selected as the analysis object, and the 19 hydrogen bonds between the corresponding amino acid residues of SElW and TCR were analyzed by PyMOL. Combined with sequence alignment and the published data, this study predicted and found five important superantigen active sites, namely Y18, N19, W55, C88, and C98. The highly purified soluble recombinant protein SElW was obtained with cloning, expression, and protein purification. Conclusions: The study found five superantigen active sites in SElW protein that need special attention and successfully constructed and expressed the SElW protein, which laid the foundation for further exploration of the immune recognition mechanism of SElW.
Humans
;
Enterotoxins/genetics*
;
Superantigens/genetics*
;
Catalytic Domain
;
Selenoprotein W/metabolism*
;
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
9.Expert consensus on late stage of critical care management.
Bo TANG ; Wen Jin CHEN ; Li Dan JIANG ; Shi Hong ZHU ; Bin SONG ; Yan Gong CHAO ; Tian Jiao SONG ; Wei HE ; Yang LIU ; Hong Min ZHANG ; Wen Zhao CHAI ; Man hong YIN ; Ran ZHU ; Li Xia LIU ; Jun WU ; Xin DING ; Xiu Ling SHANG ; Jun DUAN ; Qiang Hong XU ; Heng ZHANG ; Xiao Meng WANG ; Qi Bing HUANG ; Rui Chen GONG ; Zun Zhu LI ; Mei Shan LU ; Xiao Ting WANG
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2023;62(5):480-493
We wished to establish an expert consensus on late stage of critical care (CC) management. The panel comprised 13 experts in CC medicine. Each statement was assessed based on the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) principle. Then, the Delphi method was adopted by 17 experts to reassess the following 28 statements. (1) ESCAPE has evolved from a strategy of delirium management to a strategy of late stage of CC management. (2) The new version of ESCAPE is a strategy for optimizing treatment and comprehensive care of critically ill patients (CIPs) after the rescue period, including early mobilization, early rehabilitation, nutritional support, sleep management, mental assessment, cognitive-function training, emotional support, and optimizing sedation and analgesia. (3) Disease assessment to determine the starting point of early mobilization, early rehabilitation, and early enteral nutrition. (4) Early mobilization has synergistic effects upon the recovery of organ function. (5) Early functional exercise and rehabilitation are important means to promote CIP recovery, and gives them a sense of future prospects. (6) Timely start of enteral nutrition is conducive to early mobilization and early rehabilitation. (7) The spontaneous breathing test should be started as soon as possible, and a weaning plan should be selected step-by-step. (8) The waking process of CIPs should be realized in a planned and purposeful way. (9) Establishment of a sleep-wake rhythm is the key to sleep management in post-CC management. (10) The spontaneous awakening trial, spontaneous breathing trial, and sleep management should be carried out together. (11) The depth of sedation should be adjusted dynamically in the late stage of CC period. (12) Standardized sedation assessment is the premise of rational sedation. (13) Appropriate sedative drugs should be selected according to the objectives of sedation and drug characteristics. (14) A goal-directed minimization strategy for sedation should be implemented. (15) The principle of analgesia must be mastered first. (16) Subjective assessment is preferred for analgesia assessment. (17) Opioid-based analgesic strategies should be selected step-by-step according to the characteristics of different drugs. (18) There must be rational use of non-opioid analgesics and non-drug-based analgesic measures. (19) Pay attention to evaluation of the psychological status of CIPs. (20) Cognitive function in CIPs cannot be ignored. (21) Delirium management should be based on non-drug-based measures and rational use of drugs. (22) Reset treatment can be considered for severe delirium. (23) Psychological assessment should be conducted as early as possible to screen-out high-risk groups with post-traumatic stress disorder. (24) Emotional support, flexible visiting, and environment management are important components of humanistic management in the intensive care unit (ICU). (25) Emotional support from medical teams and families should be promoted through"ICU diaries"and other forms. (26) Environmental management should be carried out by enriching environmental content, limiting environmental interference, and optimizing the environmental atmosphere. (27) Reasonable promotion of flexible visitation should be done on the basis of prevention of nosocomial infection. (28) ESCAPE is an excellent project for late stage of CC management.
Humans
;
Consensus
;
Critical Care/methods*
;
Intensive Care Units
;
Pain/drug therapy*
;
Analgesics/therapeutic use*
;
Delirium/therapy*
;
Critical Illness
10.Research progress in the pathogenesis mechanism of dental fluorosis.
Qi Mei GONG ; Jun Qi LING ; Xi WEI
Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2023;58(3):217-223
Dental fluorosis is a developmental disturbance of dental enamel caused by excessive fluoride intake during tooth development, leading to the changes in morphology, structure and function of tooth enamel, which can affect the aesthetics and function of teeth. There are many factors which may account for the occurrence of dental fluorosis. However, the pathogenesis mechanism underlying dental fluorosis has not been fully clarified.In recent years, researches in the fields of fluoride-induced stress response pathways, signaling pathways and apoptosis at the molecular and genetic level had provided extensive knowledge of dental fluorosis. This article focuses on the latest research progress in the mechanism of dental fluorosis, which include the effects of fluoride on ameloblasts and enamel matrix proteins, genetic polymorphism and dietary nutrients, in order to provide new references for the targeted prevention and treatment of dental fluorosis.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail