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.Research progress on strategies for toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement of triptolide
Xiaoqing ZHENG ; Ying DING ; Shanshan XU ; Long WANG ; Shanshan HAN ; Yaping XING ; Meng ZHANG ; Wenhao LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1496-1501
Triptolide (TP), the core active component of the traditional Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii , exhibits remarkable pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and anti-tumor effects, and holds broad application prospects in the treatment of major diseases such as autoimmune diseases and malignant tumors. However, TP has a narrow therapeutic window and causes multi-organ toxicities including liver, kidney and reproductive toxicities, which severely restrict its safe clinical application and new drug development. Therefore, toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement has become a core scientific problem urgently to be solved in this field. This paper systematically reviews the four core strategies for TP toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement, including structural modification, dosage form improvement, herbal compatibility, and external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine. Among them, structural modification optimizes the toxic and efficacy characteristics of TP from the molecular structure level, with typica l derivatives including (5 R )-5-hydroxy triptolide, ZT01, PG490-88, etc. Dosage form modification achieves toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement via targeted and sustained-controlled drug release of diverse delivery systems. It includes triptolide preparations such as nanoparticles, liposomes, microemulsion gels and liquid crystals, possessing favorable clinical transformation potential. The herbal compatibility and external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine conform to the holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine and have a profound clinical application foundation, but their mechanisms of action are insufficiently elucidated, and they lack unified standardized specifications and high-quality evidence-based proof. In the future, we should rely on multi-omics technology to elucidate the toxic and efficacy mechanisms, integrate technologies to optimize preparations, improve the evaluation system and promote clinical transformation.
3.Current status and influencing factors of work readiness in patients returning to work after lung cancer surgery
Yuanyuan YIN ; Xingxia LONG ; Jie ZHANG ; Yanli, JI ; Ying ZHU ; Lijun HE ; Mei YANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):1079-1084
Objective To investigate the current status of work readiness and its influencing factors among patients returning to work after lung cancer surgery. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on young and middle-aged postoperative lung cancer patients who were treated at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from March to September 2023 and returned to their jobs. Data were collected through a general information questionnaire, readiness for return-to-work scale (RRTW), general self-efficacy scale (GSES), and simplified coping style questionnaire (SCSQ). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore the factors affecting the work readiness of patients returning to work. Results A total of 219 patients were included, with 59 males and 160 females aged 18-60 years. Among the postoperative lung cancer patients returning to work, 73.1% were in the active maintenance stage of return-to-work readiness with a RRTW score of (17.59±1.48) points, and 26.9% were in the uncertain maintenance stage with a RRTW score of (16.22±1.50) points. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients aged≤30 years (OR=52.381), employees of enterprises and institutions (OR=7.682), agricultural, pastoral, fishery, forestry laborers (OR=15.665), positive coping (OR=5.043), those with higher self-efficacy (OR=1.157) and engaged in physically demanding work (OR=2.449) had higher return-to-work readiness, while patients with≥2 children (OR=0.055), self-payment (OR=0.044), and those working more than 40 hours per week (OR=0.122) had lower return-to-work readiness. Conclusion The return-to-work readiness of young and middle-aged postoperative lung cancer patients needs to be improved, and occupation, job nature, main coping styles, general self-efficacy and other factors are associated with return-to-work readiness.
4.Regulatory role of SLC30A6 in hepatocellular carcinoma and screening for traditional Chinese medicine small-molecule inhibitors
Yi-han LIU ; Long CUI ; Ying ZHANG ; Zhan-ge LI ; Li-na WANG ; Rui QIE
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(2):283-289
Aim To explore the role of zinc transporter 6(SLC30A6)on the proliferation,migration and inva-sion capabilities of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)cell line Huh7,and to identify potential traditional Chi-nese medicine(TCM)small-molecule inhibitors targe-ting SLC30A6 from the China Natural Products Data-base(CNPD)using virtual screening techniques.Methods The expression levels,clinical characteris-ticsand prognostic value of SLC30A6 in HCC were pre-dicted based on TCGA and ICGC datasets.SLC30A6 was knocked down in Huh7 cells using lentiviral trans-fection.The effects on cell proliferation,migration,and invasion were assessed using CCK-8,EdU,wound heal-ing,and Transwell assays.The regulation of HCC cancer stem cell markers(CD44,CD133,CD90)by SLC30A6 was also examined.Based on the CNPD,a docking-based virtual screening strategy was employed,including high-throughput virtual screening,standard precision virtual screening,and high-precision virtual screening,to identify the potential drug candidates with high specificity and favorable drug-likeness.Results SLC30A6 expression was upregulated in HCC tissues.Higher SLC30A6 levels were associated with advanced pathological stages,histological grades,alpha-fetopro-tein(AFP)levels,vascular invasion,and poor progno-sis in HCC patients.SLC30A6 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation,migration,and invasion of Huh7 cells and reduced the levels of HCC cancer stem cell markers.Virtual screening identified six potential TCM small-molecule inhibitors.Conclusions SLC30A6 can regulate the proliferation,migrationand invasion of HCC cells.SLC30A6 may serve as a poten-tial prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.
5.Effect of different decompression methods on unilateral biportal endoscopy in the treatment of elderly patients with severe lumbar spinal stenosis
Zhi-long ZHANG ; Hai-ying WANG ; Feng-hua MA ; Yan-jie HOU
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(9):780-784
Objective To investigate the effect of different decompression methods on the efficacy of the unilateral biportal endoscopy(UBE)in the treatment of severe lumbar spinal stenosis(LSS).Methods A total of 203 elderly patients with LSS who underwent UBE treatment in our hospital from September 2021 to June 2024 were selected and divided into the unilateral group(102 cases)and the bilateral group(101 cases)according to different decompression methods.The unilateral group underwent unilateral decompression during operation,while the bilateral group underwent bilateral decompression(with bilateral decompression through the same incision and unilateral approach)during operation.The perioperative conditions,anatomical image parameters,visual analogue scale(VAS)scores,Oswestry disability index(ODI),and complications were compared between the two groups.The rehabilitation progress and complications of patients with different Charlson comorbidity index(CCI)values were compared.Results The operation time of patients in the bilateral group was longer than that in the unilateral group(P<0.05).The dural sac area and lumbar spinal canal area of patients in the bilateral group were larger than those in the unilateral group immediately after operation and 3 months after operation(P<0.05).The VAS scores and ODI 7 days and 3 months after operation of patients in the bilateral group were lower than those in the unilateral group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the total incidence of complications between the two groups of patients(P>0.05).The first time of getting out of bed after operation and hospital stay in patients with CCI value>2 scores were longer than those in patients with CCI value≤2 scores(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with unilateral decompression,bilateral decompression for elderly patients with severe LSS takes a longer surgical time,but it can better restore lumbar shape,alleviate pain,improve lumbar function,and has higher safety,and the milder the patient's condition,the faster the postoperative recovery.
6.Mechanism of Qingre Zhixue granules in treatment of IgA vasculitis nephritis based on network pharmacology and animal experiments
Shan-shan XU ; Shan-shan HAN ; Ying DING ; Yan-lin DAI ; Long WANG ; Yan XU ; Xia ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):762-771
Aim To investigate the mechanism of ac-tion of Qingre Zhixue granules in the treatment of IgA vasculitic nephritis(IgAVN)based on network phar-macology and animal experiments.Methods The ac-tive ingredients and targets of Qingre Zhixue granules were screened out by TCMSP database.The disease targets of IgAVN were retrieved by Disgenet,Gene-cards OMIM and TTD databases.The intersection tar-gets were obtained by WeChat online database,and the information was imported into Cytoscope 3.7.1 soft-ware and STRING analysis platform to construct a drug-active component-therapeutic target network.Based on the core targets,GO and KEGG pathway enrichment a-nalysis was performed through the Metascape database to select key targets and core active components.The results of network pharmacology were verified by ani-mal experiments.The animal model of IgAVN was con-structed by the combination of disease and syndrome.The urine red blood cells and 24-hour urine protein of IgAVN model rats after intervention of Qingre Zhixue granules were detected.HE staining and IgA immuno-fluorescence deposition of renal tissue were observed.Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to detect the ex-pression of core targets in renal tissue.Results Net-work pharmacology showed that 109 active ingredients,402 drug targets,1 285 disease targets and 113 inter-section targets were obtained.The core targets screened by protein interaction and network topology a-nalysis were IL6,TNF,VEGFA,etc.The core drug ingredients were quercetin,paeoniflorin,luteolin,kaempferol and baicalein.A total of 2 545 gene func-tions were enriched by GO,and 164 gene pathways were enriched by KEGG.Qingre Zhixue granules could treat IgAVN by regulating TNF signaling pathway,MAPK signaling pathway,IL-17 signaling pathway,HIF-1 signaling pathway,Toll receptor signaling path-way,NF-κB signaling pathway and apoptosis.Animal experiments showed that compared with the blank group,the urine red blood cells and 24-hour urine pro-tein quantification in the model group increased(P<0.05);the expression of serum IL-6,TNF-α and VEGF-α increased(P<0.05).HE staining showed glomerular mesangial proliferation,capillary lumen ste-nosis,accompanied by a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration,glomerular IgA immunofluorescence deposition;the expression of TNF-α,p-p65,p-p38 protein and TNF-α mRNA in renal tissue increased(P<0.05).After the intervention of Qingre Zhixue gran-ules,urine red blood cells and 24-hour urine protein decreased(P<0.05).The changes of renal HE stai-ning were improved and glomerular IgA deposition was reduced.TNF-α,p-p65,p-p38 protein and TNF-αmRNA in renal tissue decreased(P<0.05).Conclu-sions The active ingredients such as quercetin,peony glycoside and luteolin Qingre Zhixue granules regulate TNF signaling pathway,MAPK signaling pathway,IL-17 signaling pathway and reduce IL-6,TNF-α and VEGF-α in the treatment of IgAVN.
7.Regulatory role of SLC30A6 in hepatocellular carcinoma and screening for traditional Chinese medicine small-molecule inhibitors
Yi-han LIU ; Long CUI ; Ying ZHANG ; Zhan-ge LI ; Li-na WANG ; Rui QIE
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(2):283-289
Aim To explore the role of zinc transporter 6(SLC30A6)on the proliferation,migration and inva-sion capabilities of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)cell line Huh7,and to identify potential traditional Chi-nese medicine(TCM)small-molecule inhibitors targe-ting SLC30A6 from the China Natural Products Data-base(CNPD)using virtual screening techniques.Methods The expression levels,clinical characteris-ticsand prognostic value of SLC30A6 in HCC were pre-dicted based on TCGA and ICGC datasets.SLC30A6 was knocked down in Huh7 cells using lentiviral trans-fection.The effects on cell proliferation,migration,and invasion were assessed using CCK-8,EdU,wound heal-ing,and Transwell assays.The regulation of HCC cancer stem cell markers(CD44,CD133,CD90)by SLC30A6 was also examined.Based on the CNPD,a docking-based virtual screening strategy was employed,including high-throughput virtual screening,standard precision virtual screening,and high-precision virtual screening,to identify the potential drug candidates with high specificity and favorable drug-likeness.Results SLC30A6 expression was upregulated in HCC tissues.Higher SLC30A6 levels were associated with advanced pathological stages,histological grades,alpha-fetopro-tein(AFP)levels,vascular invasion,and poor progno-sis in HCC patients.SLC30A6 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation,migration,and invasion of Huh7 cells and reduced the levels of HCC cancer stem cell markers.Virtual screening identified six potential TCM small-molecule inhibitors.Conclusions SLC30A6 can regulate the proliferation,migrationand invasion of HCC cells.SLC30A6 may serve as a poten-tial prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.
8.Feasibility study of using clinical trial individual-level data sample bank as external control to support drug and device development:taking transcatheter aortic valve replacement device as an example
Xiao-ying LIN ; Chi-lie DANZENG ; Duo-er WANG ; Ying-xuan ZHU ; Ye LU ; Fan GAO ; Yuan-xin LI ; Meng-zhu SU ; Zi-long ZHANG ; Min CHEN ; Qi-ze LI ; Ru JIANG ; Yan-yan ZHAO ; Yang WANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(8):459-466
Objective To explore the feasibility and corresponding implementation methods of constructing a sample resource bank based on individual-level data of completed clinical trials and using it to construct external controls for drug/device clinical trials.Methods Taking the pre-marketing clinical trial of transcatheter active valve replacement(TAVR)for the treatment of aortic valve stenosis as an example,the individual-level databases of multiple trials were standardized to form a sample bank.The original data of any trial in the sample bank were selected as the experimental group,and the remaining samples were selected as the control group.The potential confounding was handled by using the propensity score matching and stratification methods to clarify the process of constructing external controls based on the sample bank of individual-level data of clinical trials.Results This study included individual-level data of single-group trials of 4 TAVR devices,with a total of 569 subjects(59.2%male).The number of subjects in Trials 1 to 4 was 120,120,163,and 166,respectively.Propensity score matching enabled the matching of 113,117,125,and 147 subjects with comparable or similar characteristics from individual-level data from other trials,respectively,demonstrating a high matching success rate.The PS score distribution plot after stratification showed that the proportions of subjects in the experimental and control groups in strata 1 to 5 in scheme 1 were 4/103,11/103,22/92,32/87,and 51/64,respectively.For all constructed external controlled trials,a certain number of control samples with similar baseline characteristics to the experimental groups were distributed within each propensity score stratum.The results of the simulation test also reflected the potential differences between different devices in the 12-month all-cause mortality rate.Conclusions The sample bank constructed with individual-level data from clinical trials,as a high-quality data source,can serve as a source of external control for single-arm trials in the same field,and as a useful supplement to the external control scenario of real-world evidence to support drug and device development.At the same time,targeted research on research methods and bias control measures in related fields is also needed.
9.Design of performance testing platfrom for proportional solenoid valves in ventilators
Long-ying YE ; Ming-kang TANG ; Pei-pei ZHANG ; Ke-sheng WANG ; Dan LING ; Qian-hong HE
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(1):13-19
Objective To design a performance testing platform to evaluate the working status and performance characteristics of the ventilator proportional solenoid valve.Methods The performance testing platform had its hardware including a high-pressure gas source,a pressure regulating valve,sensors and etc,and its software designed based on PyQt5 and composed of several modules for data acquisition,parameter setting,image display,indicator computation,result output and etc.Two kinds of proportional solenoid valves(Valve 1、Valve2)were selected for static and dynamic tests to verify the performance of the platform.Results The platform developed facilitated the proportional solenoid valve to carry out accurate computation of static and dynamic indicators at real time and time domain and waveform feature extraction of sensor data by precision control and data acquisition for the proportional solenoid valve.Static tests showed that Valve 1 gained advantages over Valve 2 in static flow characteristics involving in lowered repeatability,return error and offset while enhanced stability;dynamic tests indicated Valve 2 had rapid flow variations and significant flow fluctuation impacts,Valve 1 showed smooth dynamic response changes,and Valve 2 behaved better than Valve 1 in dynamic performance.Conclusion The testing platform developed comprehensively demonstrates the performance characteristics and working performance of the ventilator proportional solenoid valve,which is of great significance to enhance the reliability and safety of the ventilator.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(1):13-19]
10.Correlations of PTTG1 and UBE2C with prognosis of liver cancer based on bioinformatics analysis
Lichao CAO ; Ying BA ; Fang CHEN ; Long XU ; Chendi YU ; Xiaoping LU ; Hezi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science 2025;43(1):50-58
Objective To explore the T/NK cell-related differentially expressed genes(T/NK-DEGs)related to the prognosis of liver cancer based on the single-cell RNA-seq data,gene expression data and clinical information in the GEO and TCGA databases,and construct the prognostic model of liver cancer.Methods The single-cell RNA-seq data and gene expression matrices of liver cancer were obtained from the GEO database.The TCGA-LIHC cohorts,including mRNA expression data,clinical information,survival infor-mation,and somatic mutation data,were obtained from the TCGA database.Based on the two databases,the prognostic model of liver cancer patients was constructed by the bioinformatics method,and the performance of the model was predicted.Results Two T/NK-DEGs,PTTG1 and UBE2C,were identified to be associated with the prognosis of liver cancer and a prognostic model of liver cancer was constructed based on them.According to the risk score,the patients were divided into the high-risk score group and low-risk score group,in which the patients with high-risk score had a worse prognosis than those with low-risk score.The areas under the receiv-er operating characteristics(ROC)curve(AUCROC)of the prognostic model at 1-year,3-year and 5-year time points were 0.685,0.647 and 0.594,respectively.The higher risk score was correlated with the advanced pathological stage(Ⅰstage,Ⅱstage,andⅢstage)and T-stage(T1,T2,and T3)(P<0.05).The prognostic model was able to predict the proportion of tumor infiltrating immune cells,and the sensitivity of immunotherapy and chemotherapy drugs in patients with liver cancer.Conclusion The constructed prog-nostic model in this study has an important role in the prediction of individualized survival and clinical treatment response of patients with liver cancer.

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