1.Analysis of T7 RNA Polymerase: From Structure-function Relationship to dsRNA Challenge and Biotechnological Applications
Wei-Chen NING ; Yu HUA ; Hui-Ling YOU ; Qiu-Shi LI ; Yao WU ; Yun-Long LIU ; Zhen-Xin HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(9):2280-2294
T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) is one of the simplest known RNA polymerases. Its unique structural features make it a critical model for studying the mechanisms of RNA synthesis. This review systematically examines the static crystal structure of T7 RNAP, beginning with an in-depth examination of its characteristic “thumb”, “palm”, and “finger” domains, which form the classic “right-hand-like” architecture. By detailing these structural elements, this review establishes a foundation for understanding the overall organization of T7 RNAP. This review systematically maps the functional roles of secondary structural elements and their subdomains in transcriptional catalysis, progressively elucidating the fundamental relationships between structure and function. Further, the intrinsic flexibility of T7 RNAP and its applications in research are also discussed. Additionally, the review presents the structural diagrams of the enzyme at different stages of the transcription process, and through these diagrams, it provides a detailed description of the complete transcription process of T7 RNAP. By integrating structural dynamics and kinetics analyses, the review constructs a comprehensive framework that bridges static structure to dynamic processes. Despite its advantages, T7 RNAP has a notable limitation: it generates double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a byproduct. The presence of dsRNA not only compromises the purity of mRNA products but also elicits nonspecific immune responses, which pose significant challenges for biotechnological and therapeutic applications. The review provides a detailed exploration of the mechanisms underlying dsRNA formation during T7 RNAP catalysis, reviews current strategies to mitigate this issue, and highlights recent progress in the field. A key focus is the semi-rational design of T7 RNAP mutants engineered to minimize dsRNA generation and enhance catalytic performance. Beyond its role in transcription, T7 RNAP exhibits rapid development and extensive application in fields, including gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccines. This review systematically examines the structure-function relationships of T7 RNAP, elucidates the mechanisms of dsRNA formation, and discusses engineering strategies to optimize its performance. It further explores the engineering optimization and functional expansion of T7 RNAP. Furthermore, this review also addresses the pressing issues that currently need resolution, discusses the major challenges in the practical application of T7 RNAP, and provides an outlook on potential future research directions. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of T7 RNAP, ranging from its structural architecture to cutting-edge applications. We systematically examine: (1) the characteristic right-hand domains (thumb, palm, fingers) that define its minimalistic structure; (2) the structure-function relationships underlying transcriptional catalysis; and (3) the dynamic transitions during the complete transcription cycle. While highlighting T7 RNAP’s versatility in gene editing, biosensing, and mRNA vaccine production, we critically address its major limitation—dsRNA byproduct formation—and evaluate engineering solutions including semi-rationally designed mutants. By synthesizing current knowledge and identifying key challenges, this work aims to provide novel insights for the development and application of T7 RNAP and to foster further thought and progress in related fields.
2.Analysis of risk factors for gastrointestinal fistula after esophageal cancer surgery
Tao CHEN ; Jia YANG ; Zhen-Yu WU ; Yao ZHANG ; Lei CHEN
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(5):420-424
Objective To investigate the risk factors for gastrointestinal fistula after esophageal cancer surgery.Methods The clinical data of 437 patients who underwent esophagectomy in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.According to whether gastrointestinal fistula occurred after operation,they were divided into the study group(n=157)and the control group(n=280).The related risk factors of the ocurrence of postoperative gastrointestinal fistula were screened by univariate and multivariate analyses.Results The results of the univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences of patients between the two groups in terms of operation time,anastomotic site,tumor location,tumor infiltration depth,surgical method,pleural adhesion,reinforcement suture of anastomotic stoma,post-operative pulmonary infection,and postoperative incision infection(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that pleural adhesion,operation time≥4.5 hours,postoperative pulmonary infection,and postoperative incision infection were independent risk factors for the occurence of postoperative gastrointestinal fistula(P<0.05).The reinforcement suture of anastomotic stoma and the increase of the first postoperative hemoglobin level were independent protective factors for the occurrence of postoperative gastrointestinal fistula(P<0.05).Conclusion Controlling operation time,applying active anti-infection measures,implementing dressing changes,taking reinforcement suture of anastomotic stoma,and correcting of anemia may help to reduce the occurrence of gastrointestinal fistulas after esophagectomy.
3.Diagnostic concordance and influencing factors of quantitative flow fraction and fractional flow reserve
Rui-Tao ZHANG ; Peng-Xin XIE ; Zhen-Yu TIAN ; Lin MI ; Ji-Sheng ZHOU ; Ben-Zhen WU ; Li-Yun HE ; Li-Jun GUO
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2024;32(9):481-488
Objective This study aimed to explore the diagnostic concordance of fractional flow reserve(FFR)and quantitative flow ratio(QFR)and the characteristics affecting this concordance.Methods Patients with non-acute myocardial infarction admitted to the Department of Cardiology,Peking University Third Hospital between January 2019 and December 2021 were enrolled.The patients were divided into four groups:FFR+/QFR+and FFR-/QFR-,FFR+/QFR-and FFR-/QFR+with FFR or QFR≤0.80 as positive and>0.80 as negative.Using FFR as the gold standard,the diagnostic value of QFR was analyzed,and differences in clinical features and pathological characteristics among the groups were compared.Results A total of 236 patients were included.The mean age was(64.48±9.63)years,and 67.8%were male.All patients had 30%-70%coronary stenosis.The consistency rate of QFR and FFR was 78.0%(n=184),and the Person correlation coefficient was 0.557(P<0.001).Among FFR+patients,the minimum lumen diameter was larger[(1.56±0.34)mm vs.(1.39±0.31)mm,P=0.019],lesion length was shorter[(21.37±11.73)mm vs.(36.86±18.09)mm,P<0.001],and coronary angiography-based index of microcirculartory resistance(AMR)was higher[(277.50±28.87)mmHg·s/m vs.(178.02±49.13)mmHg·s/m,P<0.001]in the disconcordance group.Multivariate regression analysis suggested that AMR[OR 0.93,95%CI 0.88-0.99,P=0.030]and lesion length[OR 1.27,95%CI 1.01-1.60,P=0.045]were independent predictors of disconcordance.In the FFR-group,the lesion length was longer[(33.08±16.05)mm vs.(21.40±13.36)mm,P=0.020],and AMR[(169.66±24.01)mmHg·s/m vs.(265.95±44.78)mmHg·s/m,P<0.001]and low-density lipoprotein-C[1.57(1.10,1.97)mmol/L vs.2.15(1.79,2.74)mmol/L,P=0.031]were lower in the disconcordance group.No statistically significant variables were identified by multivariate regression.Conclusions QFR had high diagnostic value compared with FFR.In the FFR+group,AMR and lesion length may have affected the diagnostic consistency of QFR and FFR.The study provided more evidence for the clinical application of QFR.
4.Impacts of FABP4 silencing on endoplasmic reticulum stress and insulin resistance in gestational diabetes mellitus rats by regulating PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway
Zhen LI ; Dongping YU ; Wu LUO ; Ting TAO ; Hui CHEN ; Ning WANG
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(4):705-713
Objective:To investigate the impacts of fatty acid binding protein 4(FABP4)silencing on endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)and insulin resistance(IR)in gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)rats by regulating protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/eukaryotic initiation factor 2α(eIF2α)/transcription factor 4(ATF4)/C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)signaling pathway.Methods:GDM rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ).Rats were injected with FABP4 siRNA plasmid(si-FABP4),negative control plasmid(NC)and PERK activator(CCT020312)via tail vein,and were randomly grouped into Normal group,GDM group,GDM+NC group,GDM+si-FABP4 group and GDM+si-FABP4+CCT020312 group.The levels of FABP4,blood lipids,inflammatory markers and oxidative stress markers in pancreatic tissue were detected,the expres-sions of PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway-related proteins in pancreatic tissue were detected.HTR-8/SVneo cells were divided into 5 groups:Control group,high glucose(HG)group,HG+NC group,HG+si-FABP4 group,HG+si-FABP4+CCT020312 group.After 24 h,the expressions of FABP4 and PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway related proteins were detected.Results:Compared with Normal group,the level of FABP4 in the serum and pancreatic tissue of the GDM group were obviously up-regu-lated(P<0.05).FABP4 silencing obviously reduced FBG and IR,decreased the levels of blood lipids,CRP,TNF-α,IL-6 and MDA,and increased the levels of SOD and CAT(P<0.05).Furthermore,FABP4 silencing attenuated pancreatic and placental tissue damages.After CCT020312 up-regulated the phosphorylation levels of PERK and eIF2α and the protein expressions of ATF4 and CHOP,the inhibitory effects of FABP4 silencing on IR,inflammation,oxidative stress,and pancreatic and placental damages in GDM rats were reversed(P<0.05).FABP4 was up-regulated in HTR-8/SVneo cells induced by HG,and silencing FABP4 inhibited the protein ex-pression of the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway,while CCT020312 reversed this change(P<0.05).Conclusion:FABP4 silencing improves IR and ERS in GDM rats by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress,and the mechanism is related to the inhibition of PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP signaling pathway.
5.Expert consensus on the rational use of psychotropic drugs related to intensive care medicine
Shenglin SHE ; Zhen SONG ; Tongwen SUN ; Jingguo ZHAI ; Yan YU ; Ningbo YANG ; Maosheng FANG ; Wenbin GUO ; Man WANG ; Guanglei XUN ; Lulu ZHANG ; Xijia XU ; Xiaoli WU ; Qinling WEI ; Fang LIU ; Huiping LI ; Xingrong SONG ; Youping WANG ; Yingjun ZHENG ; Xueqin SONG
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2024;50(9):513-524
Critical care medicine-related treatment is an interdisciplinary and multi-professional process,often leading to secondary or concomitant mental disorders in clinical practice.Currently,there is no consensus on the pharmacological treatment of related mental illnesses in China.The Chinese Society of Psychosomatic Medicine collaborated with the Critical Care Medicine expert group to form a consensus writing expert group.After a systematic review of relevant literature,summarizing published domestic and foreign literature,and extensive discussions,the consensus was developed.The consensus elaborates on the principles and processes of the standardized use of psychotropic drugs in critical care medicine,as well as the clinical indications,precautions,and specific drug selection of various psychiatric medications,providing feasible suggestions and guidance for the clinical application of psychiatric medications in the intensive care unit.
6.Exploration and Practice of the Construction of Molecular Biology in English
Yu-Meng CHEN ; Meng-Hao CAI ; Hai-Zhen WU ; Li-Qiang FAN ; Jian ZHAO ; Hui-Zhan ZHANG ; Jian-Hua FAN
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2024;40(10):1471-1478
Molecular Biology is a key basic professional course for all the students specializing in Biolo-gy,Biotechnology,and Bioengineering.With the promotion of double world-class project and first-class undergraduate construction,the development of English-taught course faces challenges.We started to teach the Molecular Biology course in English at the East China University of Science and Technology since 2019,the construction of Molecular Biology course has been reformed and practiced,including the combination of imagery,vividness and classroom teaching,the combination of advanced,cutting-edge and classical theories,and the comprehensive coverage of the teaching process,which has effectively pro-moted the construction and practice of Molecular Biology course.The Molecular Biology course taught in English greatly increased the students'professional and scientific research ability,international vision and English academic communication ability,comprehensive ability and satisfaction,and teachers'teaching and research ability.This course provides an effective reference for fostering innovative profes-sional first-class undergraduates and the construction of Molecular Biology course.
7.Effect of 1,10-phenanthrone monohydrate on biofilm formation in Escherichia coli
Yu WANG ; Zhouhui WU ; Heng DU ; Shuang XIAO ; Lin LU ; Zhen WANG
Chinese Journal of Veterinary Science 2024;44(9):2017-2024,2071
The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-biofilm activity of 1,10-PHEN against E.coli and to analyze its anti-membrane mechanism.The bacteriostatic effect of 1,10-PHEN on E.coli was evaluated by measuring the time bactericidal curve,and the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration(MBIC)of 1,10-PHEN on E.coli was measured.The inhibitory effect of 1,10-PHEN on E.coli biofilm under fluorescence microscope was observed.The effects of 1,10-PHEN on the development stage and EPS of E.coli biofilm were detected.The inhibitory effect of 1,10-PHEN on E.coli was concentration-dependent.The MBIC values of E.coli E-10 were 12.5 μmol/L,and 50.0 μmol/L could significantly destroy the mature biofilm of E.coli.1,10-PHEN could in-hibit the formation of biofilm by inhibiting the adhesion ability of E.coli at the early stage of bio-film formation.1,10-PHEN could inhibit the synthesis and secretion of EPS from E.coli biofilm.1,10-PHEN could inhibit the synthesis and secretion of EPS from E.coli biofilm,and the inhibition rates of EPS at 1/4 MIC were 32%and 78%,respectively.The inhibitory rates of 1,10-PHEN on eDNA of ATCC 29522 and E-10 at 1/4 MIC concentration were 72%and 61%,respectively,and the inhibitory rates of MIC concentration on extracellular protein were 69%and 56%.In conclusion,1,10-PHEN has anti-biofilm activity against E.coli,which provides a new idea for find-ing alternative antibiotics.
8.Diagnosis and treatment of small-cell carcinoma of the prostate:A report of 2 cases
Long-Wei LU ; Xiu-Quan SHI ; Song XU ; Ding WU ; Lei WANG ; Dian FU ; Zhen-Yu XU
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(1):40-43
Objective:To explore the clinical manifestations,diagnosis,pathological features and treatment of small-cell carci-noma of the prostate(SCCP).Methods:We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical and pathological data of 2 cases of confirmed SCCP treated from November 2017 to March 2018,and reviewed relevant literature.Results:Both the patients had the symptoms of frequent,urgent and difficult urination,with an elevated level of PSA and grades Ⅱ-Ⅲ enlargement of the prostate at palpation.One underwent prostate puncture biopsy and the other received transurethral 1470 laser vaporization resection of the tumor.Postoperative pathology indicated prostate adenocarcinoma accompanied by SCCP in both of the cases.One of them was treated by eto-poside-platinum(EP)chemotherapy and died of systemic multiple organ failure 20 months after diagnosis,while the other underwent endocrine therapy and has lived with tumor up to the present day.Conclusion:The incidence rate of SCCP is low,its malignancy is high,and its prognosis is poor.The average survival of the patient is about 7 to 10 months after diagnosis.Currently there is no effec-tive management of the dissease,except by relying on the experience of the treatment of small-cell lung cancer,with chemotherapy as the main option.
9.Application of China-made Toumai? Robot in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy
Zhi-Feng WEI ; Yu-Hao CHEN ; Ze-Peng ZHU ; Qi JIANG ; Yu XIONG ; Feng-Feng LU ; Zhen-Qian SONG ; Bin JIANG ; Xiao-Feng ZHU ; Tian-Hao FENG ; Xiao-Feng XU ; Gang YANG ; Wu WEI ; Ai-Bing YAO ; Jing-Ping GE
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(8):696-700
Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficiency of China-made Toumai Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prosta-tectomy(LRP).Methods:This study included 40 cases of PCa treated from January 2023 to May 2023 by robot-assisted LRP with preservation of the bladder neck and maximal functional urethral length,15 cases with the assistance of Toumai Robot(the TMR group)and the other 25 with the assistance of da Vinci Robot as controls(the DVR group).We recorded the docking time,laparo-scopic surgery time,vesico-urethral anastomosis time,intraoperative blood loss and postoperative urinary continence,and compared them between the two groups.Results:Operations were successfully completed in all the cases.No statistically significant differ-ences were observed between the TMR and DVR groups in the docking time(6 min vs 5 min,P>0.05)or intraoperative blood loss(200 ml vs 150 ml,P>0.05).The TMR group,compared with the DVR group,showed a significantly longer median laparoscopic surgery time(146 min vs 130 min,P<0.05)and median vesico-urethral anastomosis time(19 min vs 16 min,P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences between the TMR and DVR groups in the rates of urinary continence recovery immediately af-ter surgery(60.0%[9/15]vs 64.0%[16/25],P>0.05)or at 1 month(80.0%[12/15])vs(76.0%[19/25],P>0.05),3 months(93.3%[14/15])vs(92.0%[23/25],P>0.05)and 6 months postoperatively(100%[15/15])vs(96%[24/25],P>0.05).Conclusion:China-made Toumai? Robot surgical system is safe and reliable for laparoscopic radical prosta-tectomy,with satisfactory postoperative recovery of urinary continence.
10.Chemical constituents from n-butanol fraction of Corydalis impatiens and their antioxidant activities
Chao-Fan DENG ; Ze-Dong NAN ; Zhen-Zhen WANG ; Jing-Ling YANG ; Zhen-Yu AN ; Xiu-Li WU ; Xiao-Li MA ; Zhi-Bo JIANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2024;46(11):3671-3676
AIM To study the chemical constituents from n-butanol fraction of Corydalis impatiens(Pall.)Fisch.and their antioxidant activities.METHODS The n-butanol fraction was isolated and purified by silica gel,MCI,ODS,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH method and tyrosinase method.RESULTS Fourteen compounds were isolated and identified as nicotinamide(1),methyl L-pyroglutamate(2),bungeanoline F(3),monomethyl fumarate(4),5-hydroxymethylfurfural(5),4-hydroxybenzoic acid(6),hydroxybenzoate(7),methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate(8),methyl ferulate(9),dimethylcaffeic acid(10),dimethyl feruloyl malate(11),(-)-4-O-feruloylquinic acid(12),syringaresinol(13)and(-)-loliolide(14).Compounds 1,8,11 and 13 showed strong antioxidant activites on DPPH free radicals,with IC50 values ranging from 54.47 to 97.4 μmol/L.Compound 13 had potential inhibitory effect on tyrosinase.CONCLUSION Compounds 4-14 are first isolated from Corydalis genus,and 3 is isolated from this plant for the first time.Compounds 1,8,11 and 13 have strong antioxidant activities.

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