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.Progress in Methods for Electrochemical Detection of Thrombin
Di WU ; Xi-Yao ZHANG ; Jing-Jing XU ; Yi-Ting CHEN ; Wen-Qi TANG ; Wen-Hui XU ; Song-Min CHEN ; Qiong HU ; Li NIU
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(9):1403-1410
As a serine protease,thrombin can convert soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin and plays a pivotal role in the coagulation cascade.Therefore,the accurate quantitative assay of thrombin levels is of great value in the evaluation of coagulation function,clinical screening and prognostic monitoring of coagulation-related diseases,and screening of drugs for targeted therapy.Existing methods for thrombin detection can be divided into two categories,e.g.,the assay of concentration levels using nucleic acid aptamers as the affinity elements and the assay of activity levels based on the hydrolytic cleavage of substrate peptides.In recent years,electrochemical biosensors have attracted much attention in thrombin detection due to high sensitivity,high selectivity,simple instrument,fast response,and good portability.In this review,the latest research progress in methods for electrochemical detection of thrombin was summarized,focusing on the detection principles and the applied signal amplification strategies of related electrochemical biosensors.In addition,the challenges with respect to the practical use of electrochemical thrombin biosensors and the prospects were discussed.
4.Regional Differences and Source Apportionment of Atmospheric Volatile Organic Compounds in A Typical Industrial City During Summer
Yu-Ting REN ; Li-Juan YANG ; Yang-Yang LIU ; Min XU ; Mei WANG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(10):1714-1721,中插45-中插53
A method for determining volatile organic compounds(VOCs)in environmental air samples using thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(TD-GC/MS)was developed.The qualitative and quantitative analyses of 103 kinds of VOC species were achieved under the optimal conditions such as cold trap desorption temperature and time during the thermal desorption process,combined with full-scan data acquisition using an electron impact ionization source.With a sampling volume of 3.0 L,the method exhibited detection limits of 0.1-0.5 μg/m3 and quantitation limits of 0.4-2.0 μg/m3.At spiked concentrations of 1.0 μg/m3 and 10.0 μg/m3,the recoveries ranged from 60.5%to 118.0%,with relative standard deviations varying from 2.37%to 18.70%.Furthermore,all target compounds showed correlation coefficients(R2)exceeding 0.997 across their respective concentration ranges,demonstrating that the method had high accuracy and reliability.Using this method,a study was conducted to investigate the spatial variations and source apportionment of VOCs across urban,suburban,and rural sites in Anyang,a representative industrial city,during the summer season.The results revealed significant differences in VOC concentrations among the three regions.The urban site recorded the highest concentration at 40.1 μg/m3,followed by the rural site at 23.5 μg/m3,while the suburban site had the lowest concentration of 9.74 μg/m3.With regard to compositional characteristics,alkanes were the dominant components in the urban and rural areas,whereas oxygenated VOCs were predominant in the suburban site.The ozone formation potential(OFP)also varied significantly across regions:96.0 μg/m3 in urban areas,72.0 μg/m3 in rural areas,and only 27.6 μg/m3 in suburban areas.Alkenes were identified as the primary contributors to the total ozone formation potential(TOFP)in all regions,highlighting their critical role in atmospheric oxidation processes.Source apportionment analysis using the positive matrix factorization(PMF)model identified combustion sources,natural sources,chemical industry emissions,industrial emissions,solvent use,and vehicle emissions as the major sources of VOCs in Anyang during summer.Notably,chemical industry emissions and combustion sources were dominant in urban and rural areas,whereas combustion sources and natural sources were more prominent in the suburban area,reflecting distinct emission patterns and anthropogenic activities across the regions.
5.The efficacy of different surgical methods for the different types of small-volume benign prostatic hyperplasia
Peng SUN ; Min XU ; Haixiao WU ; Ting HUANG ; Heng ZHANG ; Li ZHU
Chinese Journal of Urology 2025;46(4):275-279
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of different surgical approaches in treating various types of small-volume benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Methods:The data of 62 patients with small-volume BPH (≤30 ml) who were treated at Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from March 2018 to March 2023 were retrospective analyzed.The average age of the patients was (63.21 ± 5.38) years old.Among them, 9 patients had bladder calculi and 12 presented with urinary retention. Patients were stratified into two groups based on preoperative cystoscopy findings: 38 patients with hyperplasia of the middle or bilateral lobes underwent anterior lobe-sparing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP)(group A); 24 patients with bladder neck elevation and no significant hyperplasia received transurethral holmium laser incision of the prostate (group B). Preoperative baseline characteristics: international prostate symptom score(IPSS) were (23.68±4.89) and (22.59±3.62) respectively, quality of life (QOL) were (4.82±0.43) and (4.59±0.31) respectively, maximum flow rate (Q max)(7.89±1.83) ml/s and (7.26±1.72)ml/s respectively. The operative parameters (including procedure duration and catheterization time), postoperative complications (infection, urinary incontinence, and bladder neck contracture) were evaluated. Results:All 62 procedures were successfully completed. The mean operative time of group A was (32.36±6.17) minutes, postoperative catheterization duration was 1-3 days, and no cases of urinary incontinence or infection at 1-month follow-up. During the 12-month follow-up period, no cases of bladder neck contracture were observed in group A. The mean operative time of group B was (19.58 ± 3.87) minutes, and postoperative catheterization duration was 5-7 days. One case of fever with epididymitis was observed after operation, and there was no urinary incontinence at 1-month follow-up. During the 12-month follow-up period, no case of bladder neck contracture was observed in group B. Postoperative outcomes of group A and B at 1 month were as follows: IPSS (7.20±1.72) and (7.80±1.52) respectively, QOL (2.12±0.33) and (2.36±0.25) respectively, Q max(19.32±3.55)ml/s and (18.29±2.83)ml/s respectively.All postoperative parameters showed significant improvement compared with preoperative values ( P<0.05). Conclusions:For small-volume BPH, patients with middle or bilateral lobe hyperplasia can benefit from anterior lobe-sparing HoLEP, patients with bladder neck elevation and minimal hyperplasia can achieve optimal outcomes with transurethral holmium laser incision. Both approaches demonstrate significant symptom improvement with low rates of postoperative urinary incontinence and bladder neck contracture.
6.Effects of nuciferine on neuroinflammation and ferroptosis in mice with chronic hypoperfusion-induced white matter injury
Ting-ting DUAN ; Gui-min JIN ; Yuan-yuan ZHU ; Yu-hao XU ; Yue-feng LI ; Chen QIAO ; Ming YU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(10):1931-1940
Aim To explore the effects of nuciferine on cognitive behavior and the underlying mechanisms,white matter injury(WMI),neuroinflammation,and ferroptosis in mice with chronic ischemic WMI.Meth-ods Sixty C57BL/6 mice were divided into a control group,a bilateral common carotid artery stenosis(BCAS)model group,and low/high-dose nuciferine groups(20/40 mg·kg-1).A chronic ischemic WMI model was established using BCAS surgery.Following eight weeks of treatment,cognitive behavior(Y-maze,novel object recognition,Morris water maze),white matter integrity(LFB/MBP staining),microglial acti-vation(Iba-1 immunofluorescence),inflammatory cy-tokines(ELISA for TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6),ferroptosis markers(Fe2+,ROS,MDA,GSH),mitochondrial ultrastructure(electron microscopy),and protein ex-pression of the PI3K/Akt and NRF2/xCT/GPX4 signa-ling pathways(Western blot)were evaluated.Results Compared with the control group,the BCAS group showed significant cognitive decline(P<0.05),re-duced myelin density,elevated inflammatory cytokines and ferroptosis markers(Fe2+,ROS,MDA),shrunk-en mitochondria,and downregulated PI3K/Akt and NRF2/xCT/GPX4 pathway proteins(P<0.05).Nu-ciferine intervention significantly ameliorated these in-juries in BCAS mice,with the high-dose group exhibi-ting superior effects(P<0.05).Conclusions Nu-ciferine exerts protective effects against chronic ische-mic WMI and cognitive impairment by activating the PI3K/Akt and NRF2/xCT/GPX4 signaling pathways,thereby suppressing neuroinflammation and ferroptosis.
7.Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix:6 cases report and literature review
Ting JIANG ; Ying-xin GONG ; Miao MA ; Yan XU ; Jia-min ZHOU ; Jing-xin DING ; Xiao-xia LIU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(1):139-142
Adenoid cystic carcinoma(ACC)of the cervix is a rare and highly aggressive subtype of cervical cancer,accounting for less than 1%of all cervical cancer cases.ACC predominantly affects postmenopausal women over the age of 60,with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding being the most common symptom.Diagnosis of ACC primarily relies on histopathological examination and immunohistochemical analysis.Although there is currently no standard treatment protocol,surgical resection combined with radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy is considered to be an effective approach.However,the effectiveness is limited,particularly in advanced cases,which generally have a poor prognosis.The treatment and prognosis of ACC are closely related to tumor staging,perineural invasion,and margin status.This paper discusses the clinical data and follow-up of six ACC patients treated at our institution,and goes through a literature review,examines its clinical features and treatment outcomes,underscores the critical importance of early diagnosis and individualized treatment.
8.Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix:6 cases report and literature review
Ting JIANG ; Ying-xin GONG ; Miao MA ; Yan XU ; Jia-min ZHOU ; Jing-xin DING ; Xiao-xia LIU
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2025;52(1):139-142
Adenoid cystic carcinoma(ACC)of the cervix is a rare and highly aggressive subtype of cervical cancer,accounting for less than 1%of all cervical cancer cases.ACC predominantly affects postmenopausal women over the age of 60,with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding being the most common symptom.Diagnosis of ACC primarily relies on histopathological examination and immunohistochemical analysis.Although there is currently no standard treatment protocol,surgical resection combined with radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy is considered to be an effective approach.However,the effectiveness is limited,particularly in advanced cases,which generally have a poor prognosis.The treatment and prognosis of ACC are closely related to tumor staging,perineural invasion,and margin status.This paper discusses the clinical data and follow-up of six ACC patients treated at our institution,and goes through a literature review,examines its clinical features and treatment outcomes,underscores the critical importance of early diagnosis and individualized treatment.
9.Current status and suggestions on regulation of traditional Chinese medicine raw materials and preparations under regulatory system of drugs.
Li-Ping QU ; Yong-Dan XU ; Wei-Jing HE ; Ding-Kun ZHANG ; Nan YANG ; Min-Xian SONG ; Zhi-Qiang MIN ; Ting-Mo ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(3):824-832
At present, the cause of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in China has entered a new period of high-quality development. How to strengthen the foundation for the TCM industry from the source is an important issue that deserves the attention of the authorities, industry, and academia. This study systematically analyzed the regulatory system of TCM raw materials and preparations. The study took the TCM industry chain and the product life cycle as a clue and focused on the dimensions of TCM resource protection and plant cultivation(farming), production and quality supervision of TCM raw materials and preparations, and their market access and distribution. It analyzed the current situation of the regulation of TCM raw materials and preparations under the regulatory system of drugs, discussed the main problems, and put forward corresponding suggestions. The results can provide an important reference value for the subsequent improvement of the regulatory system of drugs and the construction of a prominent regulatory system of drugs in accordance with TCM characteristics.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/economics*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
;
China
;
Quality Control
;
Humans
;
Plants, Medicinal/chemistry*
10.Comprehensive Analysis of Oncogenic, Prognostic, and Immunological Roles of FANCD2 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Potential Predictor for Survival and Immunotherapy.
Meng Jiao XU ; Wen DENG ; Ting Ting JIANG ; Shi Yu WANG ; Ru Yu LIU ; Min CHANG ; Shu Ling WU ; Ge SHEN ; Xiao Xue CHEN ; Yuan Jiao GAO ; Hongxiao HAO ; Lei Ping HU ; Lu ZHANG ; Yao LU ; Wei YI ; Yao XIE ; Ming Hui LI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(3):313-327
OBJECTIVE:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is sensitive to ferroptosis, a new form of programmed cell death that occurs in most tumor types. However, the mechanism through which ferroptosis modulates HCC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the oncogenic role and prognostic value of FANCD2 and provide novel insights into the prognostic assessment and prediction of immunotherapy.
METHODS:
Using clinicopathological parameters and bioinformatic techniques, we comprehensively examined the expression of FANCD2 macroscopically and microcosmically. We conducted univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify the prognostic value of FANCD2 in HCC and elucidated the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of FANCD2 in oncogenesis by promoting iron-related death.
RESULTS:
FANCD2 was significantly upregulated in digestive system cancers with abundant immune infiltration. As an independent risk factor for HCC, a high FANCD2 expression level was associated with poor clinical outcomes and response to immune checkpoint blockade. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that FANCD2 was mainly involved in the cell cycle and CYP450 metabolism.
CONCLUSION
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively elucidate the oncogenic role of FANCD2. FANCD2 has a tumor-promoting aspect in the digestive system and acts as an independent risk factor in HCC; hence, it has recognized value for predicting tumor aggressiveness and prognosis and may be a potential biomarker for poor responsiveness to immunotherapy.
Humans
;
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis*
;
Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis*
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Immunotherapy
;
Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein/metabolism*
;
Prognosis
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*

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