1.A Novel Scorpion Toxin LmKTx13 Inhibits the Voltage-gated Potassium Channel Kv1.3
Jia-Xin QIN ; Xiao-Qing LUO ; Min-Juan LU ; Jun-Xian JU ; Qing ZHOU ; Wen-Xing WANG ; Zhong-Hua LIU ; Min-Zhi CHEN ; Xi ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(10):1392-1401
Kv1.3,a voltage-gated potassium channel,is highly expressed in T lymphocytes,the nervous system,and vascular smooth muscle cells.It plays a critical role in membrane excitability and electrical signal transduction,serving as an important target for studying T-cell function and providing a promising direction for developing therapeutics against autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.Therefore,the de-velopment of specific inhibitors of Kv1.3 channel has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy for these disorders.In this study,we isolated and purified a novel Kv1.3-inhibitory peptide toxin,LmKTx13,from the venom of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chroma-tography(RP-HPLC).LmKTx13 consists of 38 amino acid residues,including six cysteines that form three disulfide bonds.Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed that LmKTx13 potently inhibited Kv1.3 with an IC50 of 7.92±3.0 nmol/L.Selectivity analysis showed that 2 μmol/L LmKTx13 also in-hibited Kv1.2 and Kv1.7,but exhibited no significant effects on other potassium channel subtypes or voltage-gated sodium channels.Further investigation into the mechanism demonstrated that LmKTx13 acts as a pore-blocking inhibitor of Kv1.3.By analyzing the effects of LmKTx13 on Kv1.3 channel gating ki-netics and performing sequence alignment of the pore regions of Kv1.3 and Kv1.5,we constructed site-directed mutants and identified the pore region of Kv1.3 as the critical binding site for LmKTx13.Key residues involved in the interaction included T425,G427,and H451.In summary,we discovered a no-vel pore-blocking Kv1.3 inhibitor,LmKTx13,from L.mucronatus venom,which exhibits high affinity and selectivity for Kv1.3.These findings highlight its potential as a potential lead molecule for developing Kv1.3-targeted therapeutics.
2.Construction of medical consumables selection indicator system based on analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy cluster method
Li-ping FAN ; Miao XIAO ; Guo-zhong LU ; Wei WANG ; Yu-yuan DENG ; Zhi-hong CHEN
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(11):78-83
Objective To construct a medical consumables selection indicator system based on analytic hierarchy process(AHP)and fuzzy cluster method.Methods Firstly,a medical consumables selection indicator system was established preliminarily with the literature research results and actual situation of hospital consumables management;secondly,13 experts in related fields were selected to execute two rounds of online questionnaires,the expert weights were determined with AHP,the importance of each selection indicator was scored by the expert evaluation method and fuzzy cluster method,and consistency analysis was carried out on the two rounds of expert evaluation results;finally,the final medical consumables selection indicator system was built with the 100-point scale.Results The constructed medical consumables selection indicator system was composed of 5 primary indicators,12 secondary indicators and 38 tertiary indicators.The primary indicators included consumables quality,clinical demand,cost-effectiveness,supply capacity and after-sales service,with the percentage-based scores being 27,25,14,26 and 8,respectively.Conclusion The medical consumables selection indicator system based on AHP and fuzzy cluster method with high reliability provides effective and reliable references for medical institutions to select medical consumables.
3.Effects of fangchinoline derivative LYY-32 on biological properties of BLM DNA helicase
Wang-ming ZHANG ; Qin-ying FENG ; Xiao-yu SONG ; Xin-zhong ZHOU ; Juan LU ; Wan-qing XIE ; Zhi-wen LAI ; Wei-dong PAN ; Jie-lin LIU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(9):1680-1686
Aim To investigate the effects of the fangchinoline derivative LYY-32 on the biological prop-erties of the BLM642-1290 DNA helicase,in order to lay a foundation for further research on its antitumor activity.Methods Fluorescence polarization assay,malachite green-phosphate and ammonium molybdate colorime-try,and fluorescein-labeled DNA gel electrophoresis experiments were conducted to study the effects of fangchinoline derivative LYY-32 on the DNA binding activity,ATPase activity,and DNA unwinding activity of BLM642-1290 DNA helicase.The effects of LYY-32 on the DNA unwinding activity of DNA helicase in cells were studied using fluorescent techniques and time-lapse microscopy.Ultraviolet spectral scanning was used to investigate the effects of LYY-32 on the confor-mation of the BLM642-1290 DNA helicase.Results At a concentration of 10 μmol·L-1,the inhibition rate of LYY-32 on BLM642-1290 DNA helicase binding to dsDNA was 53.17%.At a concentration of 5 μmol·L-1,the inhibition rate of LYY-32 on BLM642-1290 DNA helicase binding to ssDNA was 88.49%.The inhibition rate of LYY-32 on the ATPase activity of BLM642-1290 DNA he-licase was 89.3%at a concentration of 50 μmol·L-1.When the concentration of LYY-32 exceeded 5μmol·L-1,its inhibition rate on the DNA unwinding activity of BLM642-1290 DNA helicase was 100%.LYY-32 also significantly inhibited the DNA unwinding ac-tivity of DNA helicase in cells.However,LYY-32 had no effect on the conformation of BLM642-1290 DNA heli-case.Conclusion The DNA binding activity,AT-Pase activity,and DNA unwinding activity of BLM642-1290 DNA helicase could be significantly inhibi-ted by the fangchinoline derivative LYY-32.
4.A Novel Scorpion Toxin LmKTx13 Inhibits the Voltage-gated Potassium Channel Kv1.3
Jia-Xin QIN ; Xiao-Qing LUO ; Min-Juan LU ; Jun-Xian JU ; Qing ZHOU ; Wen-Xing WANG ; Zhong-Hua LIU ; Min-Zhi CHEN ; Xi ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(10):1392-1401
Kv1.3,a voltage-gated potassium channel,is highly expressed in T lymphocytes,the nervous system,and vascular smooth muscle cells.It plays a critical role in membrane excitability and electrical signal transduction,serving as an important target for studying T-cell function and providing a promising direction for developing therapeutics against autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.Therefore,the de-velopment of specific inhibitors of Kv1.3 channel has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy for these disorders.In this study,we isolated and purified a novel Kv1.3-inhibitory peptide toxin,LmKTx13,from the venom of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chroma-tography(RP-HPLC).LmKTx13 consists of 38 amino acid residues,including six cysteines that form three disulfide bonds.Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings revealed that LmKTx13 potently inhibited Kv1.3 with an IC50 of 7.92±3.0 nmol/L.Selectivity analysis showed that 2 μmol/L LmKTx13 also in-hibited Kv1.2 and Kv1.7,but exhibited no significant effects on other potassium channel subtypes or voltage-gated sodium channels.Further investigation into the mechanism demonstrated that LmKTx13 acts as a pore-blocking inhibitor of Kv1.3.By analyzing the effects of LmKTx13 on Kv1.3 channel gating ki-netics and performing sequence alignment of the pore regions of Kv1.3 and Kv1.5,we constructed site-directed mutants and identified the pore region of Kv1.3 as the critical binding site for LmKTx13.Key residues involved in the interaction included T425,G427,and H451.In summary,we discovered a no-vel pore-blocking Kv1.3 inhibitor,LmKTx13,from L.mucronatus venom,which exhibits high affinity and selectivity for Kv1.3.These findings highlight its potential as a potential lead molecule for developing Kv1.3-targeted therapeutics.
5.Construction of medical consumables selection indicator system based on analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy cluster method
Li-ping FAN ; Miao XIAO ; Guo-zhong LU ; Wei WANG ; Yu-yuan DENG ; Zhi-hong CHEN
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(11):78-83
Objective To construct a medical consumables selection indicator system based on analytic hierarchy process(AHP)and fuzzy cluster method.Methods Firstly,a medical consumables selection indicator system was established preliminarily with the literature research results and actual situation of hospital consumables management;secondly,13 experts in related fields were selected to execute two rounds of online questionnaires,the expert weights were determined with AHP,the importance of each selection indicator was scored by the expert evaluation method and fuzzy cluster method,and consistency analysis was carried out on the two rounds of expert evaluation results;finally,the final medical consumables selection indicator system was built with the 100-point scale.Results The constructed medical consumables selection indicator system was composed of 5 primary indicators,12 secondary indicators and 38 tertiary indicators.The primary indicators included consumables quality,clinical demand,cost-effectiveness,supply capacity and after-sales service,with the percentage-based scores being 27,25,14,26 and 8,respectively.Conclusion The medical consumables selection indicator system based on AHP and fuzzy cluster method with high reliability provides effective and reliable references for medical institutions to select medical consumables.
6.Expert Consensus on the Ethical Requirements for Generative AI-Assisted Academic Writing
You-Quan BU ; Yong-Fu CAO ; Zeng-Yi CHANG ; Hong-Yu CHEN ; Xiao-Wei CHEN ; Yuan-Yuan CHEN ; Zhu-Cheng CHEN ; Rui DENG ; Jie DING ; Zhong-Kai FAN ; Guo-Quan GAO ; Xu GAO ; Lan HU ; Xiao-Qing HU ; Hong-Ti JIA ; Ying KONG ; En-Min LI ; Ling LI ; Yu-Hua LI ; Jun-Rong LIU ; Zhi-Qiang LIU ; Ya-Ping LUO ; Xue-Mei LV ; Yan-Xi PEI ; Xiao-Zhong PENG ; Qi-Qun TANG ; You WAN ; Yong WANG ; Ming-Xu WANG ; Xian WANG ; Guang-Kuan XIE ; Jun XIE ; Xiao-Hua YAN ; Mei YIN ; Zhong-Shan YU ; Chun-Yan ZHOU ; Rui-Fang ZHU
Chinese Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2025;41(6):826-832
With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.
7.Mechanism of Cistanche phenylethanoid glycosides in treating osteoporosis by regulating osteogenic differentiation via SIRT2-C/EBPβ-AREG axis
Yue ZHANG ; Lizi YE ; Leiming LUO ; Yuanhui WANG ; Zhi WANG ; Zhong LI
Journal of China Medical University 2025;54(11):1011-1016,1022
Objective To explore the mechanism of Cistanche phenylethanoid glycosides(CPhGs)in treating osteoporosis by regu-lating osteogenic differentiation via SIRT2-C/EBPβ-AREG axis.Methods An osteoporosis mouse model was established using ova-riectomy.Trabecular number/thickness,bone formation rate,and tissue morphology were evaluated using micro-computed tomography,calcein double labeling,and hematoxylin and eosin staining,respectively.SIRT2,C/EBPβ,AREG,proteins related to the SIRT2-C/EBPβ-AREG axis,were analyzed by Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation.The mRNA expression of osteogenic differentiation marker genes OCN,OPN,RUNX2,C/EBPβ,and AREG were detected by real-time quantitative PCR.Results CPhGs intervention significantly improved the trabecular microarchitecture and promoted bone formation in mice undergoing ovariectomy,and the mechanism involved the activation of SIRT2-mediated deacetylation of C/EBPβ,which in turn upregulated AREG expression.Cell experiments confirmed that CPhGs significantly increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase and the expression of osteogenic genes such as OCN,OPN,and RUNX2 in MC3T3-E1 cells by enhancing the interaction between SIRT2 and C/EBPβ.Notably,this effect could be reversed by SIRT2 knockdown.Conclusion CPhGs regulate the osteogenic differentiation process through the SIRT2-C/EBPβ-AREG axis,providing a new molecular target and theoretical basis for the treatment of osteoporosis with the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine.
8.Study on synergistic promotion of ferroptosis in human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts by erastin combined with shikonin
Jian-jun WANG ; Yan-hua WANG ; Yu-ting TANG ; Jing-yi ZHANG ; Fang MA ; Xi HE ; Hui-xia YANG ; Qi-peng ZHAO ; Zhi-gang BAI ; Yin-ju HAO ; Gui-zhong LI ; Yi-deng JIANG ; Jiang-yong SHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(2):268-276
Aim To explore the mechanism of the syn-ergistic effect of the ferroptosis inducer erastin com-bined with shikonin in promoting ferroptosis in human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts(HSFBs).Methods Hypertrophic scar tissues provided by the General Hos-pital of Ningxia Medical University were collected,and HSFBs were extracted.HSFBs were identified by HE staining and immunofluorescence.The inhibitory rates of Era and SHK on HSFBs at different concentrations were detected by CCK-8 assay,and the IC50 value was calculated.CompuSyn software was used to calculate the co-use index(CI).Control group,Erastin(Era)group,shikonin(SHK)group and Era+SHK group were set up,and the number and morphological chan-ges of cells were observed after 24 hours of interven-tion.The ability of cell migration and invasion was de-tected by scratch test and Transwell test.The changes of malondialdehyde(MDA),total iron ion and reactive oxygen species(ROS)were detected by corresponding biochemical kits.The expressions of collagen I,α-SMA and GOT1,SLC7A11,GPX4 and FTH1 were detected by Western blot.Results The IC50 value of Era and SHK of primary HSFBs was 2.22 μmol·L-1 and 3.94μmol·L-1 respectively,which was used as the single drug concentration for subsequent experiments.The CompuSyn software was employed to calculate the CI value when the two drugs were used in combination,and the concentrations corresponding to CI=0.39597(Era:1.2 μmol·L-1+SHK:1.5 μmol·L-1)were selected as subsequent combination concentrations(Because when CI was equal to 0.395 97,the concen-tration of each drug was lower than the concentration of single drug,and the inhibition rate of combined drug was greater than 50%).Compared with the monother-apy group,the number of HSFBs in the SHK+Era group was significantly reduced,cell membrane showed breakage and vesiculation,cell wrinkling became smal-ler,and cytoplasm was concentrated.The migration and invasion ability of HSFBs in the SHK+Era group were obviously weakened(P<0.05),and the expres-sion of fibrosis-related proteins collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA was reduced(P<0.05);the contents of MDA,total i-ron ions,and ROS in HSFBs of the SHK+Era group increased(P<0.05),and the protein expression lev-els of SLC7A11,GOT1,GPX4,and FTH1 further de-creased(P<0.05).Conclusions Erastin in combi-nation with shikonin can synergistically inhibit the pro-liferation,migration and fibrosis levels of HSFBs.The mechanism may be that erastin enhances the inhibition of shikotin on GOT1,increases the levels of cellular i-ron ions,ROS,and lipid peroxides,thereby promoting ferroptosis in HSFBs.
9.Two new glycosides from the Citri Sarcodactylis Fructus
Jing-jing MIAO ; Ge-ge XIA ; Ge-ge ZHAO ; Yu-zhong ZHENG ; Yan-zhi WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):196-200
Six compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of
10.Effects of Yunpi Tongchang Formula on intestinal mucosal barrier damage via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in rats with opioid-induced constipation of Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome
Lu-mei ZHANG ; Zhi-ming ZHANG ; Zhong-yang SONG ; Xin WANG ; Qian XU ; Xia YANG ; Xin-yu LI ; Yan-yun SHEN ; Hai-hong ZHAO ; Zhi-gang WANG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(7):2205-2212
AIM To investigate the effects of Yunpi Tongchang Formula on intestinal mucosal barrier damage in rats with opioid-induced constipation(OIC)of Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome.METHODS In contrast to the 10 rats of the blank group,the 50 rats of the modeling group were induced into models of OIC of Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency Pattern by 7 days consecutive administration of both subcutaneous loperamide injection and alternating gavage of activated carbon ice water and vinegar.Following successful modeling,rats were randomly allocated into the model group,the mosapride citrate tablet group(1.35 mg/kg),and the high-dose,medium-dose,and low-dose Yunpi Tongchang Formula groups(15.12,7.56,3.78 g/kg),with 8 mice in each group.Upon the completion of the 14 days treatment,the rats had their TCM Syndrome scores assessed;their fecal water content,initial black stool excretion time,and small intestine propulsion rate measured;their colon tissue morphology observed by HE staining;their serum levels of IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1β detected by ELISA;their expressions of occludin and zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)in colon tissues detected by immunohistochemistry;their mRNA expressions of MyD88,TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in the colon tissues detected by RT-qPCR;and their protein expressions of MyD88,TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in the colon tissues detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared to the blank group,the model group had higher TCM Syndrome scores(P<0.01);lower fecal water content and small intestine propulsion rate(P<0.05,P<0.01);longer initial black stool excretion time(P<0.01);more mucosal edema in colon tissue,obvious inflammatory infiltration,and glandular disorder;increased serum levels of IL-6,TNF-α and IL-1 β(P<0.05);decreased colon expressions of ZO-1 and occludin(P<0.01);and increased mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB p65(P<0.01).Compared to the model group,both the medium-dose Yunpi Tongchang Formula group and the mosapride citrate tablet group demonstrated effectively reduced TCM syndrome scores(P<0.01);increased fecal water content and small intestine propulsion rate(P<0.05,P<0.01);and shorter initial black stool excretion time(P<0.01);improved colon mucosal edema and inflammatory infiltration;decreased serum levels of IL-6,TNF-α and IL-1β(P<0.01);upregulated protein expressions of ZO-1 and occludin(P<0.01);and downregulated mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB p65(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Yunpi Tongchang Formula significantly ameliorates constipation symptoms in OIC rat models of Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome because of its efficacy in attenuating intestinal inflammation and preserving the integrity of intestinal epithelial barrier structure,with its mechanistic action in downregulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway activation.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail