1.The Role and Molecular Mechanism of N⁶-methyladenosine Modification in Spermatogenesis
Shi-Qi MENG ; Wen-Ting LU ; Xu CHENG ; Fan YANG ; Chang-Min NIU ; Ying ZHEGN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1297-1312
Spermatogenesis is a highly ordered and spatiotemporally regulated developmental process in the male reproductive system, during which spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), supported by the seminiferous tubule microenvironment, sequentially undergo mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis to ultimately generate structurally intact spermatozoa. This complex process is accompanied by extensive transcriptional reprogramming, chromatin remodeling, and finely tuned post-transcriptional regulation. Precise control of RNA fate is therefore essential for maintaining the continuity and fidelity of spermatogenesis, and its disruption represents a major molecular basis of male infertility. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant internal RNA modification in eukaryotes, has emerged as a critical regulator of post-transcriptional gene expression. m6A methyltransferases (“writers”) catalyze the addition of a methyl group to the N6 position of adenosine, m6A demethylases (“erasers”) remove the modification, and m6A-binding proteins (“readers”) recognize m6A-modified transcripts. Through the coordinated actions of these factors, m6A regulates transcript fate at multiple levels, including RNA splicing, nuclear export, stability, translation, and decay. Emerging evidence indicates that m6A-mediated regulation is essential across multiple stages of spermatogenesis, including SSC self-renewal and differentiation, meiotic progression, maintenance of chromosomal stability, and sperm morphogenesis. Beyond its intrinsic functions in germ cells, m6A also contributes to the regulation of the testicular microenvironment. In sertoli cells, m6A is involved in maintaining blood-testis barrier integrity, RNA processing, and paracrine signaling, thereby providing structural and metabolic support for germ cell development. In Leydig cells, m6A regulates steroidogenesis, particularly testosterone synthesis, and participates in cellular stress responses and metabolic homeostasis. Through these mechanisms, m6A indirectly influences spermatogenesis by modulating the functional state of testicular somatic cells, highlighting an integrated regulatory mode that combines cell-intrinsic and microenvironment-mediated effects. Notably, distinct classes of m6A regulators exhibit pronounced stage-specific functions and coordinated division of labor, collectively forming a multilayered and dynamic regulatory network. Writers often display dosage- and temporal window-dependent effects; erasers contribute to stage-specific demethylation and functional compensation; while readers function through a “switch-buffer” dual-layer architecture, and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) participate in substrate selection and post-transcriptional regulation. Importantly, emerging evidence suggests that some m6A-related proteins can function through noncanonical mechanisms independent of m6A recognition, such as intrinsic RNA-binding activity, helicase function, or ribonucleoprotein complex assembly, thereby expanding the functional landscape of the m6A regulatory system. Dysregulation of m6A machinery can lead to multiple spermatogenic defects, including impaired SSC self-renewal, meiotic arrest, abnormal chromatin remodeling, and defective sperm formation, ultimately resulting in male infertility. Despite substantial advances, several critical questions remain unresolved, including the distinction between m6A-dependent and -independent mechanisms, the spatiotemporal dynamics of m6A modifications at single-cell resolution, and the coordination and antagonism among different regulatory factors. In this review, we systematically summarize the dual regulation of spermatogenesis by germ cell-intrinsic mechanisms and the testicular microenvironment, and delineate the molecular mechanisms and stage-specific functions of the dynamic m6A regulatory network. We further discuss the current limitations in the field and propose feasible experimental strategies for future investigation. Collectively, this work aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the epitranscriptomic regulation of spermatogenesis and to offer theoretical insights into the pathogenesis and clinical management of male infertility.
2.The Role and Molecular Mechanism of N⁶-methyladenosine Modification in Spermatogenesis
Shi-Qi MENG ; Wen-Ting LU ; Xu CHENG ; Fan YANG ; Chang-Min NIU ; Ying ZHEGN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(5):1297-1312
Spermatogenesis is a highly ordered and spatiotemporally regulated developmental process in the male reproductive system, during which spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), supported by the seminiferous tubule microenvironment, sequentially undergo mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis to ultimately generate structurally intact spermatozoa. This complex process is accompanied by extensive transcriptional reprogramming, chromatin remodeling, and finely tuned post-transcriptional regulation. Precise control of RNA fate is therefore essential for maintaining the continuity and fidelity of spermatogenesis, and its disruption represents a major molecular basis of male infertility. N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant internal RNA modification in eukaryotes, has emerged as a critical regulator of post-transcriptional gene expression. m6A methyltransferases (“writers”) catalyze the addition of a methyl group to the N6 position of adenosine, m6A demethylases (“erasers”) remove the modification, and m6A-binding proteins (“readers”) recognize m6A-modified transcripts. Through the coordinated actions of these factors, m6A regulates transcript fate at multiple levels, including RNA splicing, nuclear export, stability, translation, and decay. Emerging evidence indicates that m6A-mediated regulation is essential across multiple stages of spermatogenesis, including SSC self-renewal and differentiation, meiotic progression, maintenance of chromosomal stability, and sperm morphogenesis. Beyond its intrinsic functions in germ cells, m6A also contributes to the regulation of the testicular microenvironment. In sertoli cells, m6A is involved in maintaining blood-testis barrier integrity, RNA processing, and paracrine signaling, thereby providing structural and metabolic support for germ cell development. In Leydig cells, m6A regulates steroidogenesis, particularly testosterone synthesis, and participates in cellular stress responses and metabolic homeostasis. Through these mechanisms, m6A indirectly influences spermatogenesis by modulating the functional state of testicular somatic cells, highlighting an integrated regulatory mode that combines cell-intrinsic and microenvironment-mediated effects. Notably, distinct classes of m6A regulators exhibit pronounced stage-specific functions and coordinated division of labor, collectively forming a multilayered and dynamic regulatory network. Writers often display dosage- and temporal window-dependent effects; erasers contribute to stage-specific demethylation and functional compensation; while readers function through a “switch-buffer” dual-layer architecture, and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) participate in substrate selection and post-transcriptional regulation. Importantly, emerging evidence suggests that some m6A-related proteins can function through noncanonical mechanisms independent of m6A recognition, such as intrinsic RNA-binding activity, helicase function, or ribonucleoprotein complex assembly, thereby expanding the functional landscape of the m6A regulatory system. Dysregulation of m6A machinery can lead to multiple spermatogenic defects, including impaired SSC self-renewal, meiotic arrest, abnormal chromatin remodeling, and defective sperm formation, ultimately resulting in male infertility. Despite substantial advances, several critical questions remain unresolved, including the distinction between m6A-dependent and -independent mechanisms, the spatiotemporal dynamics of m6A modifications at single-cell resolution, and the coordination and antagonism among different regulatory factors. In this review, we systematically summarize the dual regulation of spermatogenesis by germ cell-intrinsic mechanisms and the testicular microenvironment, and delineate the molecular mechanisms and stage-specific functions of the dynamic m6A regulatory network. We further discuss the current limitations in the field and propose feasible experimental strategies for future investigation. Collectively, this work aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the epitranscriptomic regulation of spermatogenesis and to offer theoretical insights into the pathogenesis and clinical management of male infertility.
3.Clinical and Neuroelectrophysiological Features of Autoimmune Nodopathy
Hongfei TAI ; Xunyan HUANG ; Songtao NIU ; Bin CHEN ; Yuzhi SHI ; Xingao WANG ; Fan JIAN ; Hua PAN ; Zaiqiang ZHANG
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(2):191-199
To summarize the clinical characteristics, antibody spectrum and neuroelectrophysiological features of autoimmune nodopathy(AN), and to explore the phenotypic differences among different antibody-positive subgroups. The clinical and electrophysiological data of patients definitely diagnosed with AN in Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from October 2018 to January 2026 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 33 patients with AN were included. Antibody examination results showed that, anti-neurofascin(NF)155 antibody was the most prevalent, detected in 17 patients(51.50%), followed by anti-contactin-1(CNTN1) antibody in 8 patients(24.24%). Anti-NF186 antibody(4 cases, 12.12%), anti-contactin-associated protein 1(Caspr1) antibody(2 cases, 6.06%) and dual-target antibody positivity(2 cases, 6.06%) were relatively uncommon. The main clinical manifestations of AN patients included symmetric distal paresthesia of the extremities(32 cases, 96.97%), limb weakness(31 cases, 93.93%) and sensory ataxia(25 cases, 75.76%). Different antibody-positive subgroups presented distinct phenotypic features: patients with positive anti-NF155 antibody had a relatively younger age of onset, chronic onset and a high incidence of tremor, which was dominated by immunoglobulin(Ig)G4 subclass antibodies; patients with positive anti-CNTN1 antibody had a relatively advanced age of onset, mostly presented with acute or subacute onset, and were prone to complicated nephrotic syndrome; patients with positive anti-NF186 antibody had relatively mild nerve conduction damage; patients with anti-Caspr1 antibody manifested acute or subacute onset, with relatively elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein level and 24-h intrathecal IgG synthesis rate. The prominent neuroelectrophysiological manifestations of AN included decreased motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities, prolonged distal latency, frequent non-compressive conduction block and abnormal temporal dispersion. Definite sensory nerve action potentials could not be elicited in more than half of the patients. Patients with AN show high heterogeneity in clinical and neuroelectrophysiological characteristics, and different antibody-positive subgroups correspond to specific clinical and neuroelectrophysiological phenotypes.
4.Literature analysis of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis induced by empagliflozin
Zhenzhen LEI ; Wei RUI ; Yanling SHI ; Jiayue ZHU ; Ying GANG ; Xiaodi SUN ; Hao ZHAN ; Junnan WANG ; Yukun NIU ; Wenxiang ZHANG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(14):1874-1879
OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical characteristics of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (euDKA) induced by empagliflozin, and provide references for safe medication. METHODS Case reports of euDKA induced by empagliflozin were retrieved and analyzed from PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang Data. The Naranjo’s scale was adopted to assess the causal relationship between empagliflozin and euDKA. RESULTS A total of 29 patients were enrolled, including 16 males and 13 females,with a median age of 58 years. All patients were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus; 22 patients had at least one comorbidity. The median time to euDKA onset was 60 days after administration, and 7 cases occurred within 2 weeks of treatment. Perioperative periods,fasting,and low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diets were the main predisposing factors. Common presentations included nausea,vomiting, fatigue, tachypnea,and tachycardia. The causal relationship between empagliflozin and euDKA was assessed as “probable” in all cases. According to adverse reaction severity grading, 13 cases were grade 3 (severe) and 16 cases were grade 4 (life-threatening). All patients discontinued empagliflozin and recovered after corresponding treatment. CONCLUSIONS euDKA is a serious adverse reaction to empagliflozin, which mostly occurs early in treatment. Perioperative periods, fasting, and ketogenic diets are prone to induce euDKA. Elderly patients and those with comorbidities are at higher risk. Risk assessment should be conducted before clinical administration; blood ketones and acid-base monitoring should be strengthened in the early medication period; withhold the drug before elective surgery, avoid prolonged fasting;upon diagnosis, discontinue empagliflozin and initiate intravenous insulin, provide fluid resuscitation promptly, and use other treatments to improve patient prognosis.
5.Kidney Gastrin/CCKBR Attenuates Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Inhibiting SGLT2-Mediated Glucose Reabsorption through Erk/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Xue ZHANG ; Yuhan ZHANG ; Yang SHI ; Dou SHI ; Min NIU ; Xue LIU ; Xing LIU ; Zhiwei YANG ; Xianxian WU
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2025;49(2):194-209
Background:
Both sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) and Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) rely on a favorable Na-electrochemical gradient. Gastrin, through the cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR), can induce natriuresis and diuresis by inhibiting renal NHEs activity. The present study aims to unveil the role of renal CCKBR in diabetes through SGLT2-mediated glucose reabsorption.
Methods:
Renal tubule-specific Cckbr-knockout (CckbrCKO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice were utilized to investigate the effect of renal CCKBR on SGLT2 and systemic glucose homeostasis under normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD with a subsequent injection of a low dose of streptozotocin. The regulation of SGLT2 expression by gastrin/CCKBR and the underlying mechanism was explored using human kidney (HK)-2 cells.
Results:
CCKBR was downregulated in kidneys of diabetic mice. Compared with WT mice, CckbrCKO mice exhibited a greater susceptibility to obesity and diabetes when subjected to HFD.
6.Association of digit ratio with polymorphisms at three loci of matrix metalloproteinase 9 gene in Ningxia Han youths
Meng-Yi YANG ; Jin ZHANG ; Shi-Bo NIU ; Jie DANG ; Zhan-Bing MA ; Hong LU ; Zheng-Hao HUO ; Yu XU ; Dan SHEN
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(1):74-79
Objective To investigate the association of digit ratio with single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)at three loci(rs17576,rs3918249,rs9509)of matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP-9)gene.Methods A total of 804 Ningxia Han youths(399 males and 405 females)were used as the study subjects.A digital camera was used to take frontal photographs of the hands,and image analysis software was used to mark the anatomical points and measure the lengths of each finger of both hands(2D,3D,4D,5D);Multiplexed PCR was used to detect the three polymorphic sites of the MMP-9 gene,SPSS 25.0 and R Studio software were used for data analysis and plotting.Results The 2D/3D(P<0.05)and 2D/4D(left,P<0.01,right,P<0.05)of both hands,2D/5D(P<0.01),3D/5D,4D/5D(P<0.05)of the right hand,and 3D/4D(P<0.05)of the left hand in female youths of Ningxia Han were significantly higher than those in males,Differences in genotypes and allele frequencies at all 3 loci of the MMP-9 gene were not statistically significant between genders(P>0.05).Right hand 2D/4D was significantly associated with genotypes at the rs17576 and rs3918249 loci in male youths(P<0.05).Conclusion MMP-9 gene SNPs(rs17576 and rs3918249)may be associated with the formation of 2D/4D of Ningxia Han male youths.
7.Telpegfilgrastim for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in breast cancer: A multicenter, randomized, phase 3 study.
Yuankai SHI ; Qingyuan ZHANG ; Junsheng WANG ; Zhong OUYANG ; Tienan YI ; Jiazhuan MEI ; Xinshuai WANG ; Zhidong PEI ; Tao SUN ; Junheng BAI ; Shundong CANG ; Yarong LI ; Guohong FU ; Tianjiang MA ; Huaqiu SHI ; Jinping LIU ; Xiaojia WANG ; Hongrui NIU ; Yanzhen GUO ; Shengyu ZHOU ; Li SUN
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):496-498
8.Discovery of selective HDAC6 inhibitors driven by artificial intelligence and molecular dynamics simulation approaches.
Xingang LIU ; Hao YANG ; Xinyu LIU ; Minjie MOU ; Jie LIU ; Wenying YAN ; Tianle NIU ; Ziyang ZHANG ; He SHI ; Xiangdong SU ; Xuedong LI ; Yang ZHANG ; Qingzhong JIA
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(8):101338-101338
Increasing evidence showed that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) dysfunction is directly associated with the onset and progression of various diseases, especially cancers, making the development of HDAC6-targeted anti-tumor agents a research hotspot. In this study, artificial intelligence (AI) technology and molecular simulation strategies were fully integrated to construct an efficient and precise drug screening pipeline, which combined Voting strategy based on compound-protein interaction (CPI) prediction models, cascade molecular docking, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations. The biological potential of the screened compounds was further evaluated through enzymatic and cellular activity assays. Among the identified compounds, Cmpd.18 exhibited more potent HDAC6 enzyme inhibitory activity (IC50 = 5.41 nM) than that of tubastatin A (TubA) (IC50 = 15.11 nM), along with a favorable subtype selectivity profile (selectivity index ≈ 117.23 for HDAC1), which was further verified by the Western blot analysis. Additionally, Cmpd.18 induced G2/M phase arrest and promoted apoptosis in HCT-116 cells, exerting desirable antiproliferative activity (IC50 = 2.59 μM). Furthermore, based on long-term MD simulation trajectory, the key residues facilitating Cmpd.18's binding were identified by decomposition free energy analysis, thereby elucidating its binding mechanism. Moreover, the representative conformation analysis also indicated that Cmpd.18 could stably bind to the active pocket in an effective conformation, thus demonstrating the potential for in-depth research of the 2-(2-phenoxyethyl)pyridazin-3(2H)-one scaffold.
9.Analysis of the occurrence and risk factors of microperforations in surgical gloves used in dermatovenereology surgeries
Dan-li TANG ; Wei-na ZHANG ; Yan-yan NIU ; Ai-xiu SHI ; Fei HAN
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2025;34(5):444-447
Objective To clarify the occurrence,location distribution,and risk factors of microperforations in surgical gloves used in dermatovenereology surgeries.Methods A total of 898 sterilized surgical gloves worn by right-handed medical staff during dermatovenereology surgeries in Suqian Hospital of Jiangsu Province Hospital from May 2022 to April 2024 were selected as the research objects.The occurrence and location distribution of microperforations in all sterilized surgical gloves after surgery were collected.Univariate analysis and binary Logistic regression analysis were conducted on the factors that might lead to the occurrence of microperforations.Results Among the 898 gloves selected in this study,61 gloves(6.79%)had microperforations;the incidence of microperforations in the gloves worn on the left hand was significantly higher than that in the gloves worn on the right hand(P<0.05);microperforations were prone to occur on the palmar surfaces of the index finger and thumb of the gloves.The results of univariate and binary Logistic regression analyses showed that the use of special instruments,surgery duration≥60 minutes,ingrown nails surgery,and worn by the chief surgeon were the risk factors for the occur-rence of microperforations in sterilized surgical gloves(OR>1,P<0.05),while wearing double-layer gloves was the protective factor to avoid the occurrence of microperforations(OR<1,P<0.05).Conclusion The sterilized surgical gloves are more likely to occur microperforations if involved special instruments in surgery,surgery duration≥60 minutes,and ingrown nails surgery,and worn by the chief surgeon,while wearing double-layer gloves can reduce the incidence of microperforations.
10.The study of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT dual-modality habitat imaging in predicting epidermal growth factor receptor mutation status of lung adenocarcinoma
Rong NIU ; Jinbao FENG ; Jianxiong GAO ; Xinyu GE ; Yan SUN ; Yunmei SHI ; Yuetao WANG ; Xiaonan SHAO
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(4):409-417
Objective:To explore the value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18F-FDG) PET-CT dual-modality habitat imaging technology in predicting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status in lung adenocarcinoma. Methods:This study was designed as a cross-sectional study. Clinical and imaging data of 403 patients with lung adenocarcinoma who underwent 18F-FDG PET-CT imaging with definitive EGFR results from January 2018 to April 2022 at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into a development set (282 cases) and a validation set (121 cases) using a stratified random sampling method at a 7∶3 ratio. An adaptive clustering algorithm was used to segment the regions of interest, forming different habitats and obtaining derived parameters. Independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare clinical, imaging indicators, and habitat-derived parameters between EGFR mutant and wild-type patient. The clinical, imaging indicators, and habitat-derived parameters that showed statistically significant differences in univariate analysis were included in multivariate logistic regression to construct clinical and clinical-habitat combined models, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the model′s ability to predict EGFR mutations in lung adenocarcinoma. Additionally, the net reclassification index (NRI) was employed to assess the model′s classification improvement capability. Results:There were 249 cases of EGFR mutation and 154 cases of wild type. The optimal number of habitats was two, namely Habitat 1 and Habitat 2. The parameters included in the clinical model were smoking history, bronchial sign, pleural indentation sign, and tumor diameter. The parameters incorporated into the clinical-habitat combined model were smoking history, bronchial sign, pleural indentation sign, Habitat 2, and Habitat 1 voxel count. In the development set, the AUCs for predicting EGFR mutations in lung adenocarcinoma using the clinical model and the clinical-habitat combined model were 0.723 and 0.733, respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( Z=0.60, P=0.549); In the validation set, the AUCs were 0.684 and 0.715, respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( Z=1.32, P=0.186). The accuracy (0.694) and specificity (0.609) of the clinical-habitat combined model in the validation set were slightly higher than those of the clinical model (0.686 and 0.565, respectively). NRI analysis confirmed that the clinical-habitat combined model improved the correct classification of EGFR wild-type lung adenocarcinoma by 10.9% compared to the clinical model ( P=0.018). Conclusion:18F-FDG PET-CT dual-modality habitat imaging technology can be used to analyze the microenvironment of lung adenocarcinoma and has the potential in non-invasively predicting EGFR mutation status, providing an important basis for personalized and accurate treatment of patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

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