1.Role of SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Tumor Drug Resistance
Gui-Zhen ZHU ; Qiao YE ; Yuan LUO ; Jie PENG ; Lu WANG ; Zhao-Ting YANG ; Feng-Sen DUAN ; Bing-Qian GUO ; Zhu-Song MEI ; Guang-Yun WANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):20-31
Tumor drug resistance is an important problem in the failure of chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy, which is a complex process involving chromatin remodeling. SWI/SNF is one of the most studied ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes in tumorigenesis, which plays an important role in the coordination of chromatin structural stability, gene expression, and post-translation modification. However, its mechanism in tumor drug resistance has not been systematically combed. SWI/SNF can be divided into 3 types according to its subunit composition: BAF, PBAF, and ncBAF. These 3 subtypes all contain two mutually exclusive ATPase catalytic subunits (SMARCA2 or SMARCA4), core subunits (SMARCC1 and SMARCD1), and regulatory subunits (ARID1A, PBRM1, and ACTB, etc.), which can control gene expression by regulating chromatin structure. The change of SWI/SNF complex subunits is one of the important factors of tumor drug resistance and progress. SMARCA4 and ARID1A are the most widely studied subunits in tumor drug resistance. Low expression of SMARCA4 can lead to the deletion of the transcription inhibitor of the BCL2L1 gene in mantle cell lymphoma, which will result in transcription up-regulation and significant resistance to the combination therapy of ibrutinib and venetoclax. Low expression of SMARCA4 and high expression of SMARCA2 can activate the FGFR1-pERK1/2 signaling pathway in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma cells, which induces the overexpression of anti-apoptosis gene BCL2 and results in carboplatin resistance. SMARCA4 deletion can up-regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by activating YAP1 gene expression in triple-negative breast cancer. It can also reduce the expression of Ca2+ channel IP3R3 in ovarian and lung cancer, resulting in the transfer of Ca2+ needed to induce apoptosis from endoplasmic reticulum to mitochondria damage. Thus, these two tumors are resistant to cisplatin. It has been found that verteporfin can overcome the drug resistance induced by SMARCA4 deletion. However, this inhibitor has not been applied in clinical practice. Therefore, it is a promising research direction to develop SWI/SNF ATPase targeted drugs with high oral bioavailability to treat patients with tumor resistance induced by low expression or deletion of SMARCA4. ARID1A deletion can activate the expression of ANXA1 protein in HER2+ breast cancer cells or down-regulate the expression of progesterone receptor B protein in endometrial cancer cells. The drug resistance of these two tumor cells to trastuzumab or progesterone is induced by activating AKT pathway. ARID1A deletion in ovarian cancer can increase the expression of MRP2 protein and make it resistant to carboplatin and paclitaxel. ARID1A deletion also can up-regulate the phosphorylation levels of EGFR, ErbB2, and RAF1 oncogene proteins.The ErbB and VEGF pathway are activated and EMT is increased. As a result, lung adenocarcinoma is resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Although great progress has been made in the research on the mechanism of SWI/SNF complex inducing tumor drug resistance, most of the research is still at the protein level. It is necessary to comprehensively and deeply explore the detailed mechanism of drug resistance from gene, transcription, protein, and metabolite levels by using multi-omics techniques, which can provide sufficient theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of poor tumor prognosis caused by mutation or abnormal expression of SWI/SNF subunits in clinical practice.
2.Mitochondial-located miRNAs in The Regulation of mtDNA Expression
Peng-Xiao WANG ; Le-Rong CHEN ; Zhen WANG ; Jian-Gang LONG ; Yun-Hua PENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1649-1660
Mitochondria, functioning not only as the central hub of cellular energy metabolism but also as semi-autonomous organelles, orchestrate cellular fate decisions through their endogenous mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which encodes core components of the electron transport chain. Emerging research has identified microRNAs localized within mitochondria, termed mitochondria-located microRNAs (mitomiRs). Recent studies have revealed that mitomiRs are transcribed from nuclear DNA (nDNA), processed and matured in the cytoplasm, and subsequently transported into mitochondria. mitomiRs regulate mtDNA through diverse mechanisms, including modulation of mtDNA expression at the translational level and direct binding to mtDNA to influence transcription. Aberrant expression of mitomiRs leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and contributes to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. Restoring mitomiR expression to physiological levels using mitomiRs mimics or inhibitors has been shown to improve mitochondrial function and alleviate related diseases. Consequently, the regulatory mechanisms of mitomiRs have become a major focus in mitochondrial research. Given that mitomiRs are located in mitochondria, targeted delivery strategies designed for mtDNA can be adapted for the delivery of mitomiRs mimics or inhibitors. However, numerous intracellular and extracellular barriers remain, highlighting the need for more precise and efficient delivery systems in the future. The regulation of mtDNA expression mediated by mitomiRs not only expands our understanding of miRNA functions in post-transcriptional gene regulation but also provides promising molecular targets for the treatment of mitochondrial-related diseases. This review systematically summarizes recent research progress on mitomiRs in regulating mtDNA expression and discusses the underlying mechanisms of mitomiRs-mtDNA interactions. Additionally, it provides new perspectives on precision therapeutic strategies, with a particular emphasis on mitomiRs-based regulation of mitochondrial function in mitochondrial-related diseases.
3.Thoughts on Development Path of Traditional Chinese Medicine Processing Technology from Perspective of Traditional Medicine and Techniques
Ying LIU ; Yun WANG ; Zhe JIA ; Peng ZHANG ; Jie ZOU ; Cun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):233-240
As an important part of Chinese traditional culture, the processing technology of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) carries the wisdom of TCM for thousands of years, and its process is complex and rigorous. With the popularization of modern production technology, traditional processing techiques are facing the dual pressures from technological innovation and production standardization under the perspective of intangible cultural heritage. The modernization of TCM processing technology is an inevitable trend for industrial upgrading, but it cannot be separated from the foundation of traditional skills and ignore the core concepts and cultural values it embodies. Therefore, by analyzing the core characteristics of TCM processing technology and its differences with modern production, this paper discusses the establishment of a synergistic innovation mechanism between traditional techniques and modern technologies, the promotion of joint research and development between scientific research institutes and the industry, the strengthening of standardization of processing techniques, and the enhancement of social education and industry training to improve the recognition and inheritance of processing techniques in order to achieve the goal of innovation and protection of TCM processing technologies in the context of modernization, and to promote the high-quality development of the TCM processing industry.
4.A new xanthone from the Polygala tenuifolia Willd. of northern Shaanxi
Yun-peng JIA ; Lu LIU ; Xiao-jun YANG ; Chao WANG ; Huo-bing REN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(3):667-672
Ten compounds were isolated and purified from ethanol extracts of dried roots bark of
5.Clinical remission and transmural healing of ustekinumab in patients with Crohn's disease
Yun WU ; Yalan XU ; Guoyan ZHANG ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Junyao WANG ; Peng YOU ; Tao PENG ; Yulan LIU ; Ning CHEN
Journal of Peking University(Health Sciences) 2024;56(2):253-259
Objective:To treat the Crohn's disease(CD)patients with ustekinumab(UST),to eva-luate their clinical and endoscopic remission,and to evaluate their transmural response(TR)and trans-mural healing(TH)condition using intestinal ultrasonography(IUS).Methods:Retrospective analysis was made on patients diagnosed with CD in Peking University People's Hospital from January 2020 to Au-gust 2022,who were treated with UST for remission induction and maintenance therapy.All the patients were evaluated on both week 8 and week 16/20 after treatment,including clinical,biochemical indica-tors,colonoscopy and IUS examination.Results:A total of 13 patients were enrolled in this study,inclu-ding 11 males and 2 females.The minimum age was 23 years,the maximum age was 73 years and the mean age was 36.92 years.All the patients were in the active stage of disease before treatment,and the average Best Crohn's disease activity index(Best CDAI)score was 270.12±105.55.In week 8,the Best CDAI score of the patients decreased from 270.12±105.55 to 133.16±48.66(t=4.977,P<0.001).Eight patients achieved clinical remission while 5 patients remained in the active stage.Nine patients underwent colonoscopy evaluation.The average simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease(SES-CD)score decreased from 10.71±7.14 before treatment to 6.00±7.81(t=2.483,P=0.048)in week 16/20.Four patients achieved endoscopic remission while 5 patients did not.In week 8,5 pa-tients achieved TR,2 patients achieved TH,the other 6 patients did not get TR or TH.In week 16/20,6 patients achieved TR,3 patients achieved TH while the other 4 patients did not get TR or TH.There was no significant statistical difference in the TR effect of UST between small intestine and colon lesions(Fisher test,P>0.999).The rate of UST transmural response in the patients who had had previous bio-logical agent therapy was lower than those with no previous biological agent therapy,but there was no sig-nificant statistical difference(Fisher test,P=0.491).Conclusion:After treatment of UST,the clinical and endoscopic conditions of the CD patients had been improved,and some patients could achieve clini-cal remission and endoscopic remission.UST had good TR and TH effects on CD.TR might appear in week 8,and the TR effect increased in week 16/20.There was no significant statistical difference in the TR effect between small intestine and colon lesions.TR effect of UST was better in the patients who had no previous biological agent therapy than those who had had other biological agents,but the result had no significant statistical difference.
6.Analysis of the efficacy and prognosis of radiotherapy in acute leukemia with extramedullary infiltration
Wenbin LEI ; Hui LIU ; Yan ZHANG ; Yinghao LU ; Yi HUANG ; Ying CHEN ; Rui GAO ; Xiao CHAI ; Yun ZHAN ; Jie XIONG ; Lingyun WANG ; Lei LIU ; Jishi WANG ; Peng ZHAO
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(4):547-554
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics,treatment methods,and prognosis of a-cute leukemia patients with extramedullary infiltration.Methods The clinical characteristics and treatment methods of 47 acute leukemia patients with extramedullary infiltration admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from April 2014 to April 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Subgroup analysis was performed according to whether there was extramedullary infiltration before transplantation,and whether there was isolated extramedullary recurrence after transplantation.Based on this analysis,the patients were di-vided into the pre-transplantation radiotherapy group and pre-transplantation non-radiotherapy group,the post-transplantation radiotherapy group and post-transplantation non-radiotherapy group.According to the treatment methods of central nervous system leukemia(CNSL),the patients were divided into the intrathecal injection group(n=12)and combination of intrathecal injection and radiotherapy group(n=13).The local remission situation,survival duration,and toxic and side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy were com-pared.Results For acute leukemia patients with extramedullary infiltration,the overall survival time(OS)in the radiotherapy group was better than that in the non-radiotherapy group(median OS:706 d vs.151 d,P=0.015).Subgroup analysis showed that the OS of the pre-transplantation radiotherapy group was better than that of the pre-transplantation non-radiotherapy group(median OS:592 d vs.386 d,P=0.035).For CNSL,the combination of intrathecal injection and radiotherapy group had a better OS than the intrathecal injection group(median OS:547 d vs.388 d,P=0.045).The event-free survival time(EFS)of the radiotherapy group was better than that of the non-radiotherapy group(median EFS:175 d vs.50 d,P=0.005).The COX pro-portional-hazards model showed that treatment with or without radiotherapy had a significant impact on the OS of acute leukemia patients with extramedullary infiltration.The risk of death in the pre-transplantation non-radiotherapy group was 2.231 times higher than that in the pre-transplantation radiotherapy group(HR=3.231,95%CI:1.021-10.227,P=0.046).Compared with the non-radiotherapy group,the radiother-apy group had a higher local remission and a lower risk of haematological toxicity,infection,and haemorrhage.Conclusion Radiotherapy can rapidly alleviate the local symptoms of acute leukemia complicated with extr-amedullary infiltration,prolong the survival time of these patients,and reduce the risk of hematologic toxicity,infection,and haemorrhage.
7.Toxicokinetics of MDMA and Its Metabolite MDA in Rats
Wei-Guang YU ; Qiang HE ; Zheng-Di WANG ; Cheng-Jun TIAN ; Jin-Kai WANG ; Qian ZHENG ; Fei REN ; Chao ZHANG ; You-Mei WANG ; Peng XU ; Zhi-Wen WEI ; Ke-Ming YUN
Journal of Forensic Medicine 2024;40(1):37-42
Objective To investigate the toxicokinetic differences of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine(MDMA)and its metabolite 4,5-methylene dioxy amphetamine(MDA)in rats af-ter single and continuous administration of MDMA,providing reference data for the forensic identifica-tion of MDMA.Methods A total of 24 rats in the single administration group were randomly divided into 5,10 and 20 mg/kg experimental groups and the control group,with 6 rats in each group.The ex-perimental group was given intraperitoneal injection of MDMA,and the control group was given intraperi-toneal injection of the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group.The amount of 0.5 mL blood was collected from the medial canthus 5 min,30 min,1 h,1.5 h,2 h,4 h,6 h,8 h,10 h,12 h after administration.In the continuous administration group,24 rats were randomly divided into the experi-mental group(18 rats)and the control group(6 rats).The experimental group was given MDMA 7 d by continuous intraperitoneal injection in increments of 5,7,9,11,13,15,17 mg/kg per day,respectively,while the control group was given the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group by in-traperitoneal injection.On the eighth day,the experimental rats were randomly divided into 5,10 and 20 mg/kg dose groups,with 6 rats in each group.MDMA was injected intraperitoneally,and the con-trol group was injected intraperitoneally with the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group.On the eighth day,0.5 mL of blood was taken from the medial canthus 5 min,30 min,1 h,1.5 h,2 h,4 h,6 h,8 h,10 h,12 h after administration.Liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect MDMA and MDA levels,and statistical software was employed for data analysis.Results In the single-administration group,peak concentrations of MDMA and MDA were reached at 5 min and 1 h after administration,respectively,with the largest detection time limit of 12 h.In the continuous administration group,peak concentrations were reached at 30 min and 1.5 h af-ter administration,respectively,with the largest detection time limit of 10 h.Nonlinear fitting equations for the concentration ratio of MDMA and MDA in plasma and administration time in the single-administration group and continuous administration group were as follows:T=10.362C-1.183,R2=0.974 6;T=7.397 3C-0.694,R2=0.961 5(T:injection time;C:concentration ratio of MDMA to MDA in plasma).Conclusions The toxicokinetic data of MDMA and its metabolite MDA in rats,obtained through single and continuous administration,including peak concentration,peak time,detection time limit,and the relationship between concentration ratio and administration time,provide a theoretical and data foundation for relevant forensic identification.
8.Implications of Approval of Cassiae Semen-based Health Food Products for Development and Supervision of Substances with both Edible and Medicinal Values
Peng DU ; Dan WANG ; Jixiang TIAN ; Yun WANG ; Mingxia SUN ; Guangyao CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(18):228-234
Cassiae Semen is a substance with both edible and medicinal uses approved by the National Health Administration, and it is widely used in health food products in China. In this study, an information database of Cassiae Semen-based health food products was constructed, and the common patterns of functional claims, major raw materials, and dosage forms were analyzed. The Apriori algorithm and network method were used to analyze the association rules of high-frequency ingredients with the three major functional claims: Maintaining blood lipid (cholesterol/triglyceride) level, controlling fat, and relaxing bowel. Secondly, based on the positioning and regulatory requirements of health food and the recent research progress in Cassiae Semen, this paper analyzed the problems in technology review and product development from safety, function claim, and quality controllability. Finally, suggestions were put forward to promote the inheritance and carry forward China's traditional healthcare culture and the achievement of the Healthy China Initiative. These suggestions included classifying and optimizing the access management of health food, innovating the traditional healthcare function claims, and strengthening the quality system construction and information disclosure of post-marketing evaluation.
9.Application of four qualitative occupational health risk assessment methods for cement dust hazard assessment
Yun WANG ; Li ZHANG ; Wenting HU ; Zhipeng WANG ; Dong LUO ; Zhongquan PENG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(5):72-76
Objective To compare the application of four domestic and foreign qualitative occupational health risk assessment methods for cement dust hazard assessment and explore their applicability, and to find out a method suitable for qualitative occupational health risk assessment of cement dust. Methods The Risk Assessment Method for Occupational Accidents and Diseases of Romania (Romania method),the Australian Occupational Health and Safety Risk Assessment Method (Australia method),MES method, and the qualitative method of International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM) were used to assess the occupational health risk of cement dust exposure posts in seven enterprises of Chongqing. The assessment results were analyzed and compared with Spearman correlation analysis, Mann-Whitney U test and weighted Kappa consistency test after standardizing by risk ratio (RR). Results The RRs of the four methods were all positively correlated with cement dust exposure concentration (the correlation coefficients were all greater than 0.6). The Romania method, the Australia method and the qualitative method of ICMM could identify a risk difference between the key posts and non-key posts. The qualitative method of ICMM was difficult to identify high-risk posts that require priority intervention. The Romania method and Australia method had strong consistency (Kappa=0.608, P<0.01), but only the Australia method could identify high-risk posts of cement dust. Conclusion In general, the Australia method is relatively better at identifying the risk differences of cement dust hazard in different posts and is more suitable for occupational health risk assessment of cement dust with more accurate assessment results.
10.The Role of Mechanical Sensitive Ion Channel Piezo in Digestive System Diseases
Si-Qi WANG ; Xiang-Yun YAN ; Yan-Qiu LI ; Fang-Li LUO ; Jun-Peng YAO ; Pei-Tao MA ; Yu-Jun HOU ; Hai-Yan QIN ; Yun-Zhou SHI ; Ying LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(8):1883-1894
The Piezo protein is a non-selective mechanosensitive cation channel that exhibits sensitivity to mechanical stimuli such as pressure and shear stress. It converts mechanical signals into bioelectric activity within cells, thus triggering specific biological responses. In the digestive system, Piezo protein plays a crucial role in maintaining normal physiological activities, including digestion, absorption, metabolic regulation, and immune modulation. However, dysregulation in Piezo protein expression may lead to the occurrence of several pathological conditions, including visceral hypersensitivity, impairment of intestinal mucosal barrier function, and immune inflammation.Therefore, conducting a comprehensive review of the physiological functions and pathological roles of Piezo protein in the digestive system is of paramount importance. In this review, we systematically summarize the structural and dynamic characteristics of Piezo protein, its expression patterns, and physiological functions in the digestive system. We particularly focus on elucidating the mechanisms of action of Piezo protein in digestive system tumor diseases, inflammatory diseases, fibrotic diseases, and functional disorders. Through the integration of the latest research findings, we have observed that Piezo protein plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various digestive system diseases. There exist intricate interactions between Piezo protein and multiple phenotypes of digestive system tumors such as proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. In inflammatory diseases, Piezo protein promotes intestinal immune responses and pancreatic trypsinogen activation, contributing to the development of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and pancreatitis. Additionally, Piezo1, through pathways involving co-action with the TRPV4 ion channel, facilitates neutrophil recruitment and suppresses HIF-1α ubiquitination, thereby mediating organ fibrosis in organs like the liver and pancreas. Moreover, Piezo protein regulation by gut microbiota or factors like age and gender can result in increased or decreased visceral sensitivity, and alterations in intestinal mucosal barrier structure and permeability, which are closely associated with functional disorders like irritable bowel sydrome (IBS) and functional consitipaction (FC). A thorough exploration of Piezo protein as a potential therapeutic target in digestive system diseases can provide a scientific basis and theoretical support for future clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies.


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