Single-molecule visualization of mRNA circularization during translation

Translation is mediated by precisely orchestrated sequential interactions among translation initiation components, mRNA, and ribosomes. Biochemical, structural, and genetic techniques have revealed the fundamental mechanism that determines what occurs and when, where and in what order. Most mRNAs are circularized via the eIF4E–eIF4G–PABP interaction, which stabilizes mRNAs and enhances translation by recycling ribosomes. However, studies using single-molecule fluorescence imaging have allowed for the visualization of complex data that opposes the traditional “functional circularization” theory. Here, we briefly introduce single-molecule techniques applied to studies on mRNA circularization and describe the results of in vitro and live-cell imaging. Finally, we discuss relevant insights and questions gained from single-molecule research related to translation.Subject terms: Single-molecule biophysics, Ribosome     

Rutin Inhibits Ox-LDL-Mediated Macrophage Inflammation and Foam Cell Formation by Inducing Autophagy and Modulating PI3K/ATK Signaling

Atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the leading causes of death among the elderly, and is primarily caused by foam cell generation and macrophage inflammation. Rutin is an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, and antiviral flavonoid molecule, known to have anti-atherosclerotic and autophagy-inducing properties, but its biological mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we uncovered that rutin could suppress the generation of inflammatory factors and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ox-LDL-induced M2 macrophages and enhance their polarization. Moreover, rutin could decrease foam cell production, as shown by oil red O staining. In addition, rutin could increase the number of autophagosomes and the LC3II/I ratio, while lowering p62 expression. Furthermore, rutin could significantly inhibit the PI3K/ATK signaling pathway. In summary, rutin inhibits ox-LDL-mediated macrophage inflammation and foam cell formation by inducing autophagy and modulating PI3K/ATK signaling, showing potential in treating atherosclerosis.     

The Pharmacokinetics in Mice and Cell Uptake of Thymus Immunosuppressive Pentapeptide Using LC-MS/MS Analysis

Thymus immunosuppressive pentapeptide (TIPP) is a novel anti-inflammatory peptide with high efficacy and low toxicity. This study aims to establish a selective LC-MS/MS method for analyzing the analyte TIPP in biological samples, laying the foundation for further PK and PD studies of TIPP. Protein precipitation was conducted in acetonitrile supplemented with 2% formic acid and 25 mg/mL dithiothreitol as a stabilizer, which was followed by backwashing the organic phase using dichloromethane. The chromatographic separation of TIPP was achieved on a C18 column with a gradient elution method. During positive electrospray ionization, TIPP was analyzed via multiple-reaction monitoring. The linear relationships between the concentration of TIPP and peak area in murine plasma cell lysates, supernatants, and the final cell rinse PBS were established within the ranges of 20–5000 ng/mL, 1–200 ng/mL, 10–200 μg/mL, and 0.1–20 ng/mL, respectively (r² > 0.99). Validated according to U.S. FDA guidelines, the proposed method was proved to be acceptable. Such a method had been successfully applied to investigate the pharmacokinetics of TIPP in mice via subcutaneous injection. The plasma half-life in mice was 5.987 ± 1.824 min, suggesting that TIPP is swiftly eliminated in vivo. The amount of TIPP uptake by RBL-2H3 cells was determined using this method, which was also visually verified by confocal. Furthermore, the effective intracellular concentration of TIPP was deduced by comparing the intracellular concentration of TIPP and degrees of inflammation, enlightening further investigation on the intracellular target and mechanism of TIPP.     

Insights into the Allosteric Effect of SENP1 Q597A Mutation on the Hydrolytic Reaction of SUMO1 via an Integrated Computational Study

Small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO)-specific protease 1 (SENP1) is a cysteine protease that catalyzes the cleavage of the C-terminus of SUMO1 for the processing of SUMO precursors and deSUMOylation of target proteins. SENP1 is considered to be a promising target for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and prostate cancer. SENP1 Gln597 is located at the unstructured loop connecting the helices α4 to α5. The Q597A mutation of SENP1 allosterically disrupts the hydrolytic reaction of SUMO1 through an unknown mechanism. Here, extensive multiple replicates of microsecond molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, coupled with principal component analysis, dynamic cross-correlation analysis, community network analysis, and binding free energy calculations, were performed to elucidate the detailed mechanism. Our MD simulations showed that the Q597A mutation induced marked dynamic conformational changes in SENP1, especially in the unstructured loop connecting the helices α4 to α5 which the mutation site occupies. Moreover, the Q597A mutation caused conformational changes to catalytic Cys603 and His533 at the active site, which might impair the catalytic activity of SENP1 in processing SUMO1. Moreover, binding free energy calculations revealed that the Q597A mutation had a minor effect on the binding affinity of SUMO1 to SENP1. Together, these results may broaden our understanding of the allosteric modulation of the SENP1−SUMO1 complex.     

盐酸去氯羟嗪和盐酸氯丙那林的毛细管电泳-电致化学发光法同时测定

基于盐酸去氯羟嗪和盐酸氯丙那林都能增强联吡啶钌的电致化学发光信号,建立了一种分离检测海珠喘息定片中盐酸去氯羟嗪和盐酸氯丙那林的毛细管电泳-电致化学发光新方法.考察了联吡啶钌浓度、检测电位、磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS)浓度及其pH值、进样电压和进样时间等实验条件对分离、检测体系的影响.在优化的实验条件下,海珠喘息定片中的盐酸去氯羟嗪和盐酸氯丙那林在4 min内可实现分离检测.其线性范围均为5×107～1 × 10-5mol/L(相关系数分别为0.998 4和0.999 0),检出限分别为1.05×10-7mol/L和6.98×10-8mol/L(S/N=3).     

芥子气中毒人员尿液标记物谱分析及其临床诊断应用

该研究基于暴露生物标记物溯源思路,应用于解决芥子气(SM)临床早期诊断、溯源确证难题.建立了芥子气中毒患者尿液中7 种游离代谢产物的两步固相萃取/超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(SPE/UPLC-MS/MS)同时定量方法,检出限为5 pg/mL～1 ng/mL,定量下限为10 pg/mL～5 ng/mL;结合前期建立的4 种...     

无焰燃烧烟密度标准物质的研制

介绍无焰燃烧烟密度标准物质的研制方法。选用合适的α-纤维素作为原材料,经打浆造纸后,作为标准物质候选物,经均匀性检验和稳定性考察合格后,对标准物质进行定值。在无焰燃烧条件下烟密度标准物质的标准值为175,扩展不确定度为8;校正烟密度标准物质的标准值为166,扩展不确定度为8。     

以混合价镍氢氧化物为镍源固气合成LiNi0.7Co0.25Al0.05O2

层状LiCoO2作为锂离子二次电池电极正极材料已得到广泛应用。由于钴资源匮乏及成本高,致使进一步提高比容量和比能量以及降低成本的研究引起关注。诸如LiCoO2体材中钴被M(N i,Mn,Ti,Mg)替代或部分被替代的研究[1-3],表面修饰研究[4-6],合成方法研究如固相法[7],溶胶凝胶法[8],共沉淀法[9],微波加热合成法[10]等。与钴相比,镍资源相对丰富且对环境友好,故以镍代钴合成LiCo1-xN ixO2的研究成为热点[11-13]。由于N i2 难以被氧化成N i3 致使合成时易生成非化学计量化合物,加之在充放电过程中,由于Li 离子与N i3 离子半径相近易产生阳离…     

Application of Two Novel Acoustic Emission Parameters on Identifying the Instability of Granite

The issue of monitoring and early warning of rock instability has received increasing critical attention in the study of rock engineering. To investigate the damage evolution process of granite under triaxial compression tests, acoustic emission (AE) tests were performed simultaneously. This study firstly introduced two novel parameters, i.e., the coefficient of variation (CoV) of the information entropy and correlation dimension of the amplitude data from the AE tests, to identify the precursor of the failure of granite. Then the relationship between the changes in these parameters and the stress-time curve was compared and analyzed. The results of this study show that: (1) There is a strong correlation between the CoV of the information entropy and the failure process of granite. The granite failed when the CoV curve raised to a plateau, which could be used as an indicator of rock instability. (2) The fluctuation of the correlation dimension indicates the different stages during the loading process, i.e., the initial compaction stage, the linear elastic stage, the yield stage, and the failure stage. Each stage contains a descending and a rising process in the correlation dimension curve, and the exhibited starting point or the bottom point at the correlation dimension curve could be selected as the indicator point for the rock instability. (3) The combined analysis of the Information entropy and Correlation dimension can improve the accuracy of rock instability prediction. This study provides new insights into the prediction of rock instability, which has theoretical implications for the stability of subsurface engineering rock masses.     

Theragnostic Applications of Mammal and Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Latest Findings,Current Technologies,and Prospects

The way cells communicate is not fully understood. However, it is well-known that extracellular vesicles (EVs) are involved. Researchers initially thought that EVs were used by cells to remove cellular waste. It is now clear that EVs function as signaling molecules released by cells to communicate with one another, carrying a cargo representing the mother cell. Furthermore, these EVs can be found in all biological fluids, making them the perfect non-invasive diagnostic tool, as their cargo causes functional changes in the cells upon receiving, unlike synthetic drug carriers. EVs last longer in circulation and instigate minor immune responses, making them the perfect drug carrier. This review sheds light on the latest development in EVs isolation, characterization and, application as therapeutic cargo, novel drug loading techniques, and diagnostic tools. We also address the advancement in plant-derived EVs, their characteristics, and applications; since plant-derived EVs only recently gained focus, we listed the latest findings. Although there is much more to learn about, EV is a wide field of research; what scientists have discovered so far is fascinating. This paper is suitable for those new to the field seeking to understand EVs and those already familiar with it but wanting to review the latest findings.