1.Predicting interactions between perfluoroalkyl substances and placental transporters base on molecular docking
Dan CAI ; Yi ZHANG ; Suqin TAN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(8):954-961
Background The affinity between placental transporters and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) could affect the placental transport and toxicity of PFAS, while the study on the interaction between PFAS and placental transporters is limited. Objective To explore interactions between PFAS and placental transporters using molecular docking, and to provide a theoretical basis for PFAS toxicity prediction and fetal health risk assessment. Methods Fifteen PFAS compounds, each conformationally sampled and energy-minimized, and 16 placental transporters, represented by their 3D structures, were imported into a molecular docking software (MOE 20140901). For each PFAS, 30 distinct conformations were generated and docked into the active pockets of the transporters using a semi-flexible docking mode. Docking poses were primarily scored and ranked based on their calculated binding free energy (ΔG, kcal·mol−1), with additional consideration given to hydrogen bonding interactions and the ligand's root mean square deviation (RMSD) at the binding site; the top 20 poses for each complex were subsequently output. Optimal binding configurations were identified as those exhibiting a relatively low binding free energy (ΔG ranging from −3 to −10 kcal·mol−1), well-defined hydrogen bonds, and an RMSD ≤ 2.0 Å. The binding capabilities of the PFAS to the placental transporters were then evaluated based on these optimal docking results. Results The PFAS could bind to the placental transporters, with structural specificity. For example, the binding capabilities increased as the carbon chain length of PFAS increased, and it was also higher for PFOS alternatives than for PFOS. Besides, the binding capabilities of sulfonic PFAS with the same carbon chain length was also stronger than that of carboxylic PFAS. For example, the binding capabilities of PFOS (C8) to 15 placental transporters was higher than that of PFOA (C8), except for glucose transporter 1 (PFOS vs. PFOA: −4.14 vs. −4.14). Further, PFAS might be bound to the placental transporter through hydrogen, ionic, and hydrophobic interactions. Conclusion PFAS are able to bind the placental transporters, and its toxicity and exposure risk can’t be ignored.
2.Study on quality standard of wine-processed Coptidis Rhizoma standard decoction
Huilin YANG ; Kaiwei HUANG ; Yanghua LI ; Suqin CAI ; Shuping XU ; Jiabao WEI ; Hui ZHANG ; Weizhi ZHAO ; Pei TAN
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;47(9):1285-1292
Objective:To establish the quality standard of the standard decoction of wine-processed Coptidis Rhizoma by studying the extraction rate, fingerprint and component quantitative analysis.Methods:ccording to the Technical Requirements for Quality Control and Standard Formulation of Chinese Medicine Formula Granules, 15 batches of the standard decoction of wine-processed Coptidis Rhizoma were prepared, and the paste rate was determined; HPLC fingerprints of 15 batches of standard decoction of wine-processed Coptidis Rhizoma were established, and evaluated by combining similarity evaluation, clustering analysis, principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis; the contents of berberine, epiberberine, pamadine, and safranine in the samples of the 15 batches were determined and analyzed their transfer rates.Results:A total of 15 batches of standard decoction samples were calibrated with 11 common peaks, referring to the recognition of 8 components. The similarity between the samples and the control product was greater than 0.900; the clustering analysis could cluster the 15 batches of samples into 2 classes; the results of the principal component analysis showed that the cumulative variance contribution rate of the 3 principal component factors was 89.388%; the OPLS-DA screened out the 3 components of the quality difference; the 15 batches of samples out of the paste rate was 15.7% -20.8%, and the mass fractions of berberine, epiberberine, safranine, and palmatine were 18.47%-24.38%, 2.82%-3.49%, 5.08%-6.69%, and 4.84%-6.68%, respectively, with transfer rates of 41.7%-61.7%, 46.9%-68.7%, 39.8%-61.5%, and 43.8%-65.2%.Conclusion:The fingerprint and content determination method established in this study is accurate, stable, simple, and can be used for the quality control and evaluation of the standard decoction of wine-processed Coptidis Rhizoma.
3.Research advances on centromere proteins shaping immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment to promote immune escape
Suqin Wang ; Jiayan Tan ; Ya Li
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(10):1975-1979
Abstract
Tumor immune escape represents a pivotal determinant of cancer immunotherapy failure. It's mechanistically linked to immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment(TME). The TME comprises tumor cells, immune cells, stromal components and extracellular matrix. These components interact synergistically to suppress antitumor immunity through multiple pathways, thereby promoting immune evasion. As crucial chromosomal stability regulators, centromere proteins(CENPs) remodel the TME via multifaceted mechanisms to potentiate immune evasion. This review synthesizes current knowledge on CENPs' role in tumor immune evasion, offering novel insights for cancer diagnostics and immunotherapy.
4.Protective mechanism of metallothionein on cultivated rat cardiomyocytes in hypoxic preconditioning
Huiying JIN ; Faqing LI ; Dexing FANG ; Suqin LI ; Weiguo TAN ; Huabiao CHEN
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 1986;0(04):-
AIM: Studying the mechanism of protective role of metallothionein (MT) in hypoxic preconditioning(HPC) of cultivated rat cardiomyocytes. METHODS: Using the model of hypoxia/reoxygenation of cultivated rat cardiomyocytes. Determing the contents of MT, malonyldialdehyde (MDA) - metabolism product of lipid peroxidation and the activities of Na+ - K+ ATPase, Ca2+ - Mg2+ ATPase of cardiomyocytes 24 h after HPC, the determining the relevant changes after using MT antibody. RESULTS: After 24 h in HPC, the contents of MT and activities of Na+ - K+ ATPase, Ca2+ - Mg2+ ATPase were obviously higher than those in the control and hypoxia/reoxygenation(P< 0. 05 ), and the contents of MDA were decreased remarkedly (P < 0.01 ). Then after using MT antibody, the activities of two enzyme were progressively decreased and the contents of MDA were significanily higher than those in the control and MT antibody - free groups(P < 0.01 ). CONCLUSION: HPC may induce excessive synthesis of MT, and MT can protect myocardial reoxygenation injury by eliminating lipid peroxidation and rising the activities of Na+ - K+ ATPase and Ca2+ - Mg2+ ATPase.


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