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.Predictive model for severe adverse reaction associated with bevacizumab based on the global trigger tool and machine learning
Yongfei FU ; Xin LONG ; Hongzhen XU ; Jian TANG ; Xiangqing LI ; Yucheng LONG ; Dong QIN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(4):497-503
OBJECTIVE To confirm trigger items for adverse drug reaction (ADR) induced by bevacizumab, to identify and analyze the occurrence of related ADR, and to establish a predictive model for severe adverse reaction (SAR) caused by this drug. METHODS Based on the global trigger tool (GTT) theory, and referencing the GTT White Paper, drug package inserts and relevant literature, trigger items for bevacizumab-related ADR were confirmed using a single-round Delphi method. Utilizing these established items, electronic medical records of relevant patients at Guilin People’s Hospital from January 2020 to September 2024 were actively screened via the China Hospital Pharmacovigilance System. Pharmacists then identified and tallied the occurrence of bevacizumab-induced ADR. Data from patients with any positive trigger item served as the study subjects (divided into training and test sets at a ratio of 7∶3), candidate feature variables were selected from 39 related variables using the Boruta algorithm, and the multivariable Logistic regression analysis was performed with the occurrence of SAR as the dependent variable. Based on these candidate features, Logistic Regression, Extreme Gradient Boosting, Light Gradient Boosting Machine, Random Forest, and Categorical Boosting models were constructed. Model performance was evaluated using metrics including the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve and recall rate. The Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method was applied to analyze and interpret the contribution of each variable. A nomogram was constructed based on the optimal model. RESULTS A total of 38 trigger items for active monitoring of bevacizumab-related ADR were determined, comprising 17 laboratory indicators, 13 clinical manifestations, and 8 intervention measures. In total, 483 patients with positive trigger items were included, and 318 patients with bevacizumab-induced ADR were identified, including 83 SARs. The positive predictive values for the trigger items and cases were 43.57% (708/1 625) and 63.84% (318/483), respectively. Bevacizumab-induced ADR involved 7 systems/organs, with the hematological system being the most frequently involved (64.15%). The Boruta algorithm selected 7 vari ables: serum potassium, hematocrit, albumin-to-globulin ratio, prealbumin, hypertension history, age and red blood cell count. Multivariable Logistic regression showed that elevated serum potassium levels were associated with a decreased risk of bevacizumab-induced SAR (OR=0.234, P =0.002), while a history of hypertension (OR=2.642, P =0.006) and increased age (OR=1.040, P =0.025) were associated with an increased risk. The Logistic Regression model demonstrated superior performance with higher AUC, F1 score and recall rate (0.761, 0.447, 0.607), compared to other models. SHAP evaluation results indicated that variables such as serum potassium, hematocrit, and age ranked highest in importance. CONCLUSIONS Totally 38 trigger entries have been successfully identified for active screening of bevacizumab-related ADR. Elevated serum potassium levels are a protective factor against bevacizumab-induced SAR, whereas the hypertension history and increased age are risk factors. The Logistic Regression model is the optimal predictive model.
3.Prokaryotic expression of eIF3i gene encoding protein from lamb testicular cells and the preparation and application of its polyclonal antibody
Qin WU ; Shuaibin WU ; Simei XIAN ; Youci LONG ; Weihao ZHENG ; Mengyi YU ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(7):1478-1484
The eIF3i gene was amplified from lamb testicular(LT)cells by PCR and cloned into pCold vector to construct the pCold-eIF3i plasmid.Plasmid PCR,double enzyme digestion and se-quencing were used to verify the results.The recombinant eIF3i protein was induced under the op-timized expression conditions.The expression and reactogenicity of the target protein were detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blot.New Zealand white rabbits were immunized with purified recom-binant eIF3i protein combined with Freund's complete and incomplete adjuvants for three times.Se-rum samples were collected after immunization.Indirect ELISA was used to detect antiserum titer,and Western blot was used to analyze antibody specificity.Indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA)was used to detect the application effect of antibodies.The results showed that the size of LT eIF3i gene was 978 bp.The optimal expression conditions for the eIF3i recombinant protein were as follows:IPTG concentration of 0.2 mmol/L,temperature of 37 ℃,and induction time of 8 h.The recombinant eIF3i protein was expressed as an inclusion body with a size of about 36 kDa.The titer of polyclonal antibody against eIF3i protein was 1∶51 200.Western blot and IFA showed that the prepared polyclonal antibody against eIF3i protein had good reactivity and specificity.In conclusion,we successfully prepared rabbit anti-eif3i polyclonal antibody and confirmed that it could specifically recognize endogenous eIF3i protein,which laid a foundation for further study on the biological function of eIF3i protein.
4.Extraction process optimization,component analysis and biological activity evaluation for total polyphenols from Conioselinum vaginatu
Jun-long WANG ; Hui-jie YAN ; Yong-gang LIN ; Zi-wei LI ; Wen-pan SHI ; Sheng-qi JIANG ; Bin WU ; Qin-ze GU
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(5):1449-1455
AIM To optimize the extraction process for total polyphenols from Conioselinum vaginatu(Spreng.)Thell.,make component analysis,and evaluate their anti-oxidant,hypoglycemic activities.METHODS The effects of ultrasound,enzymatic hydrolysis,acid hydrolysis,alcohol extraction and hydrolysis processes on the extraction quantity of total polyphenols were investigated,respectively.With extraction temperature,extraction time,ethanol concetration and liquid-solid ratio as influencing factors,extraction quantity of total polyphenols as an evaluation index,the extraction process was optimized by response surface method.HPLC was adopted in the identification of polyphenolic composition and determination of their contents.Subsequently,total polyphenols' scavenging capacities on DPPH,ABTS,OH free radicals,total reducing power and inhibitory capacity on α-glucosidase were determined.RESULTS The highest extraction quantity of total polyphenols was observable when extraction process was employed.The optimal conditions were determined to be 62 ℃ for extraction temperature,54 min for extraction time,69%for ethanol concentration,and 50∶1 for liquid-solid ratio,the extraction quantity of total polyphenols was(9.51±0.2)mg GAE/g.Seven constituents existed in C.vaginatu,among which ferulic acid demonstrated the highest content,followed by that of myricetin,while D-tryptophan content was the lowest.At the concentration of 7.61 mg/L,total polyphenols displayed the scavenging rates on DPPH,ABTS,OH free radicals of 80.70%,85.97%,28.60%,total reducing power of 0.22,and inhibition rate on α-glucosidase of 77.23%,respectively.CONCLUSION This stable and reliable method can be used for the extraction of total polyphenols from C.vaginatum with strong anti-oxidant,hypoglycemic activities.
5.Establishment and application of RPA-LFD detection method for Pasteurella multocida from duck
Youci LONG ; Qinglin GU ; Simei XIAN ; Weihao ZHENG ; Qin WU ; Mengyi YU ; Jing LI ; Shuaibin WU
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(3):466-472
This study aims to establish a convenient,new and visual detection method for the field diagnosis of Pasteurella multocida(Pm).With reference to the Pm kmt1 gene conserved sequence published in GenBank,PCR amplification primers were designed,the amplified kmt1 gene was cloned into pMD19-T vector,and the recombinant plasmid standard pMD19-T-kmt 1 was estab-lished and identified by PCR and sequencing.Using pMD1 9-T-kmt 1 plasmid as template and kmt1 gene as target gene,basic primers were designed and synthesized.According to the requirements of LFD,a probe(Pm-P)was designed,and the RPA-LFD method for Pm detection was established by optimizing the reaction conditions.Specificity and sensitivity tests were carried out,and 64 clini-cal samples were tested by the method.The results showed that the established Pm RPA-LFD method could be amplified at 37 ℃ for 15 min.Escherichia coli(E.coli),Salmonella enteriditis(SE),Riemerella anatipestifer(RA),Staphylococcus,goose parvovirus(GPV),duck plague virus(DPV),Muscovy duck parvovirus(MDPV)DNA was extracted as the template,and plasmid standard pMD19-T-kmt 1 was used as the positive control.All the positive controls were negative,indicating that the method had good specificity.The plasmid standard pMD1 9-T-kmt 1 was diluted with a 10-fold ratio,and the plasmid standard with a concentration of 107-100 copies/μL was used as the template.The sensitivity was 1.50×101 copies/μ,,which was 100 times higher than that of PCR.A total of 64 clinical samples with suspected RA were subjected to testing using PCR,RPA and LAMP-LFD,with a 100%compliance rate for all three detection tests.The results show that the established RPA-LFD method has the characteristics of strong specificity,high sensitivity,fast speed and visualization,and can be applied to the field detection of Pm.
6.Quality evaluation of Rubi Fructus based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS,HPLC fingerprints and content determination
Shu-wan LI ; Yang-zhen LIAO ; Long-fei WANG ; Ya-qin ZHAO ; Jia-he FAN ; Yuan WEI ; Zhen OUYANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(4):1077-1084
AIM To evaluate the quality of Rubi Fructus.METHODS UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was adopted in the component identification,after which the HPLC fingerprints were established,cluster analysis,principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were used for chemical pattern recognition.and the contents of chlorogenic acid,ferulic acid,ellagic acid,isoquercitrin,kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside,astragalin,tiliroside quercetin,kaempferol were determined.RESULTS Total 34 constituents were identified.There were 19 common peaks in the fingerprints for 31 batches of medicinal materials with the similarities of more than 0.8.Wild varieties and cultivated varieties,and medicinal materials from different producing areas could be distinguished;4 principal components demonstrated the accumulative variance contribution rate of 84.142%;8 differential components were screened,2 of which were ellagic acid and astragalin.Ellagic acid and astragalin displayed higher contents in the wild varieties than those in the cultivated varieties(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS,HPLC fingerprints combined with content determination can be used for the quality control of Rubi Fructus.
7.Research advances in mitochondrial inflammation-mediated damage in central nervous system degenerative disorders
Shu-qin LI ; Sha-sha LIU ; Qian YAN ; Han-long WANG ; Yang SUN ; Yan-ting HUANG ; Hao-jie ZHANG ; Jin-ping LIANG ; Shi-feng CHU ; Yan-tao YANG ; Qi-di AI ; Nai-hong CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(12):2218-2225
Central nervous system(CNS)degenerative disorders refer to a spectrum of pathological alterations triggered by struc-tural damage to cerebral neural tissues,clinically manifested as diverse neurological dysfunction syndromes,including multiple sclerosis(MS),neurodegenerative diseases(NDs),and ische-mic stroke.The hallmark pathological features of these disorders involve irreversible neuronal damage and decompensation of functional neural networks,ultimately leading to progressive neurological deficits.Notably,with the accelerating global popu-lation aging,the incidence of these diseases has surged signifi-cantly.According to WHO statistics,they now rank among the top three global causes of disability and mortality.Current re-search has confirmed that the pathogenesis of CNS degenerative disorders exhibits high heterogeneity,encompassing multifaceted pathophysiological processes such as genetic predisposition,oxi-dative stress,protein misfolding,and metabolic dysregulation.This intricate pathogenic network not only complicates clinical differential diagnosis but also poses substantial challenges to the development of precision therapeutic strategies.Importantly,re-cent studies have revealed that mitochondrial homeostasis disrup-tion-induced inflammatory cascades(termed mitochondrial in-flammation)play a pivotal regulatory role in neurodegenerative progression.Key molecular mechanisms include impaired mito-phagy,aberrant mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)release and NL-RP3 inflammasome activation.This review systematically deci-phers the molecular regulatory network of mitochondrial inflam-mation,with a focus on its biological effects in critical pathologi-cal events such as blood-brain barrier disruption,microglial hy-peractivation and neuronal apoptosis.The overarching aim is to provide a theoretical foundation for developing innovative thera-peutic strategies targeting mitochondrial homeostasis restoration.
8.Prokaryotic expression of eIF3i gene encoding protein from lamb testicular cells and the preparation and application of its polyclonal antibody
Qin WU ; Shuaibin WU ; Simei XIAN ; Youci LONG ; Weihao ZHENG ; Mengyi YU ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2025;45(7):1478-1484
The eIF3i gene was amplified from lamb testicular(LT)cells by PCR and cloned into pCold vector to construct the pCold-eIF3i plasmid.Plasmid PCR,double enzyme digestion and se-quencing were used to verify the results.The recombinant eIF3i protein was induced under the op-timized expression conditions.The expression and reactogenicity of the target protein were detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blot.New Zealand white rabbits were immunized with purified recom-binant eIF3i protein combined with Freund's complete and incomplete adjuvants for three times.Se-rum samples were collected after immunization.Indirect ELISA was used to detect antiserum titer,and Western blot was used to analyze antibody specificity.Indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA)was used to detect the application effect of antibodies.The results showed that the size of LT eIF3i gene was 978 bp.The optimal expression conditions for the eIF3i recombinant protein were as follows:IPTG concentration of 0.2 mmol/L,temperature of 37 ℃,and induction time of 8 h.The recombinant eIF3i protein was expressed as an inclusion body with a size of about 36 kDa.The titer of polyclonal antibody against eIF3i protein was 1∶51 200.Western blot and IFA showed that the prepared polyclonal antibody against eIF3i protein had good reactivity and specificity.In conclusion,we successfully prepared rabbit anti-eif3i polyclonal antibody and confirmed that it could specifically recognize endogenous eIF3i protein,which laid a foundation for further study on the biological function of eIF3i protein.
9.Anemia and iron metabolism characteristics in pregnant women with different genotypes of thalassemia: a retrospective cohort study
Linqing GUO ; Junqing LONG ; Lin KONG ; Dongru LI ; Yanqing TANG ; Xiaofeng HUANG ; Hui CHEN ; Yuqin QIN ; Yanyan LIANG ; Hongwei WEI
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2025;28(5):363-370
Objective:To investigate the anemia conditions and characteristics of iron metabolism during different stages of pregnancy in women with different genotypes of thalassemia.Methods:This cohort study selected 3 303 singleton pregnant women who underwent regular prenatal examinations and genetic tests of thalassemia and were delivered at Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from January 2019 to December 2023. According to the results of thalassemia gene testing, the women were divided into groups: those without thalassemia genes served as the control group (1 539 cases), and those with thalassemia genes (1 764 cases) were further divided based on genotype into the -α/αα group (326 cases), --/αα or -α/-α group (649 cases), point mutation α-thalassemia group (201 cases), β 0-thalassemia group (368 cases), β +-thalassemia group (91 cases), and α combined with β-thalassemia group (129 cases). Hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin (SF) levels were measured in the first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy. Differences in anemia and iron reserves among the groups at different pregnancy stages were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance, LSD test, Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test, and Bonferroni correction. Results:Compared to the first trimester, Hb levels decreased in the second and third trimester across all groups (LSD test, all P<0.05), and the severity of anemia increased (Bonferroni correction, all P<0.017). The severity of anemia varied among the groups at the same pregnancy stage ( Hfirst trimester=918.20, Hsecond trimester=1 224.50, Hthird trimester=980.19; all P<0.001), and Hb levels also differed ( Ffirst trimester=282.54, Fsecond trimester=352.31, Fthird trimester=239.02; all P<0.001). The β 0-thalassemia group had higher rates of moderate anemia in the first, second, and third trimester of pregnancy [38.6% (142/368), 85.3% (314/368), and 73.6% (271/368)] compared to other groups (Bonferroni correction, all P<0.002), and lower Hb levels [(102.1±8.9), (92.0±7.3), and (94.6±7.7) g/L] than other groups (LSD test, all P<0.05). As pregnancy progresses, SF levels in each group of pregnant women gradually decreased (LSD test, all P<0.05), and the degree of iron deficiency worsened (Bonferroni correction, all P<0.05). The iron deficiency rate in thalassemia pregnant women during the third trimester ranges from 21.5% (79/368) to 46.0% (150/326). The degree of iron deficiency varies among groups within the same gestational period ( Hfirst trimester=79.13, Hsecond trimester=203.98, Hthird trimester=130.55; all P<0.001), and SF levels also differ ( Ffirst trimester=17.28, Fsecond trimester=44.60, Fthird trimester=31.87; all P<0.001). Among them, the β 0-thalassemia group had the lowest iron deficiency rates in the second, and third trimesters [9.8% (36/368), and 21.5% (79/368)] (Bonferroni correction, all P<0.002). SF levels in the β 0-thalassemia and β +-thalassemia groups were higher than those in other groups during each gestational period (LSD test, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Pregnant women with thalassemia may experience varying degrees of iron deficiency during pregnancy, with the severity of iron deficiency and anemia increasing with gestational age. The degree of iron deficiency and anemia during pregnancy varies among pregnant women with different genotypes of thalassemia. Clinically, individualized management should be provided for pregnant women with thalassemia based on their genotypes, with dynamic monitoring of anemia and iron metabolism changes.
10.Mammographic imaging features of breast cancer and its correlation with microvascular density
Li-qin MA ; Li LIU ; Heng-li HU ; Yu-lei CHEN ; Long-zhou CHEN ; Zhi-gang HAN
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(3):258-262
Objective To investigate the mammographic imaging features of breast cancer and its correlation with microvascular density(MVD).Methods A total of 86 patients with breast cancer confirmed by surgical pathology in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps 7th Division Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were selected as the research objects.According to the modified Bloom Richard-son scoring system,the breast cancer patients were classified into histological grade Ⅰ(n=22),grade Ⅱ(n=25)and grade Ⅲ(n=39).All patients underwent preoperative mammographic imaging examination.Immunohistochemistry staining was performed and MVD count was conducted after operation.Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between MVD of breast cancer with different histo-logical grades and mammographic imaging features.Results The microvascular positive expression rate of breast cancer lesions was 100%,the MVD counts per visual field were 14~276 vessels,with an average of(72.58±16.37)vessels,of which the MVD counts of patients with histological grade Ⅰ to Ⅱ were 14 to 175 vessels,with an average of(42.10±13.51)vessels;the MVD counts of patients with histological grade Ⅲ was 22~276 vessels,with an average of(93.82±22.17)vessels.The MVD counts of patients with histological grade Ⅲ was signifi-cantly higher than that of patients with histological grade Ⅰ to Ⅱ,with statistically significant difference(t=19.627,P<0.001).The incidences of irregular margin,spicular sign,axillary lymph node metastasis and fine particle calcification in patients with histological gradeⅢ were higher than those in patients with histological grade Ⅰ to Ⅱ,with statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The MVD counts of breast cancer patients with irregular margin,spicular sign,axillary lymph node metastasis and fine particle calcification were higher than those of patients with smooth margin and without spicular sign,axillary lymph node metastasis or fine particle calcification,which was positively correlated with histological grades(P<0.05).Conclusion Some mammographic imaging features of breast cancer can reflect tumor angiogenesis to a certain extent,which can provide important reference for the treatment and prognosis of the disease,with certain clinical value.

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