Journal of Genetics and Genomics

The role of microRNAs in colorectal cancer

Mao Liu, Huiping Chen

2010, 37(6): 347-358. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(09)60053-9

Abstract (68) HTML PDF (1)

Abstract:
MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs which regulate gene expression in a post-transcriptional manner. Although the first study was published about 15 years ago, knowledge about their role in regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and immunity has been greatly advanced recently. Their association with formation, angiogenesis, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance of tumors has become one of the core issues in epigenetics of cancer. Here, we summarize the latest findings concerning microRNAs involved in different signal pathways leading to colorectal cancer, introduce some new potential microRNAs as biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis, and analyze its application in the treatment of cancer.

Changgen Xie, Xiaona Zhou, Xingwang Deng, Yan Guo

2010, 37(6): 359-369. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(09)60054-0

Abstract (74) HTML PDF (1)

Abstract:
NPR1 (Nonexpressor of Pathogenesis-Related gene 1) is a major co-activator of plant defense. Phosphorylations of NPR1 play important roles in fine-tuning its activity, however a kinase corresponding to such modification remains uncharacterized. Here, we report that NPR1 interacts with PKS5 (SOS2-like Protein Kinase 5). The AKR (AnKyrin Repeats) motif of NPR1 is required for this interaction. PKS5 phosphorylates NPR1 at the C-terminal region. Expression of PKS5 is induced quickly by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. Expression level of two NPR1 target genes, WRKY38 and WRKY62, is reduced and/or delayed in pks5 mutants. Moreover, the expression of WRKY38 and WRKY62 displays a similar pattern in npr1-1pks5-1 double mutant comparing to that in npr1-1. Our results suggest that PKS5 functions at the upstream of NPR1 and might mediate expression of WRKY38 and WRKY62 possibly by interacting with and phosphorylating NPR1.

Polymorphisms in PPARD, PPARG and APM1 associated with four types of Traditional Chinese Medicine constitutions

Yanrui Wu, Yina Cun, Jing Dong, Jingru Shao, Shengjun Luo, Shengjie Nie, Haijing Yu, Bingrong Zheng, Qi Wang, Chunjie Xiao

2010, 37(6): 371-379. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(09)60055-2

Abstract (65) HTML PDF (1)

Abstract:
Based on the theory of constitution of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the human population is divided into nine constitutions including one balanced constitution (Normality) and eight unbalanced constitutions (Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency, Phlegm-wetness, Qi-deficiency, Wetness-heat, Blood stasis, Depressed constitution, and Inherited special constitution). Different constitutions have specific metabolic features and different susceptibility to certain diseases. However, whether a genetic basis accounts for such constitution classification is yet to be determined. Here we performed a genetic study to assess the association between genetic variations of metabolic genes including PPARD, PPARG and APM1 and the constitutions. A total of 233 individuals of the Han population in China were classified into four groups, Normality, Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency and Phlegm-wetness with whom 23 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the three genes were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Biased distribution ofPPARD rs2267669 and rs2076167, APM1 rs7627128 and rs1063539 in Yang-deficiency, PPARG Pro12Ala in Yin-deficiency and PPARD rs2076167, APM1 rs266729 and rs7627128 in Phlegm-wetness were observed. The frequencies of Haplotype13 (Hap13) of PPARG in Yin-deficiency, Hap25 of APM1 in Yang-deficiency and Hap2 of PPARD and Hap14 of PPARG in Phlegm-wetness, were significantly different from those in Normality, suggesting those might be group-associated haplotypes. These results suggested that single SNP and haplotypes of PPARD, PPARG and APM1 may underlie the genetic basis of the constitutions classified in TCM.

Molecular characterization of thyroid peroxidase gene in porcine (sus scrofa)

Ying Wang, Xiaofeng Zhao, Xiaoling Jiang, Xuchuan Hua, Ningying Xu

2010, 37(6): 381-388. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(09)60056-4

Abstract (60) HTML PDF (0)

Abstract:
Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is the key enzyme involved in thyroid hormone synthesis. Several mutations in the TPO gene may affect the normal growth and development of mammals. In this study, the TPO gene was mapped, its expression level was determined in thyroid grand at the age of 1, 20, 45, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days for Jinhua pig, the alternative splicing form was searched and the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP, A/G⁶⁴²) of TPO gene was analyzed. The results showed that the porcine TPO was mapped to 3q22-27, the expression level of TPO was relatively stable among the various ages and two novel transcript variants in porcine TPO gene were found: the splicing variant TPO-2 lacked exon 8, while TPO-3 lacked exon 8 and exon 14, 15, 16. Moreover, we found that the SNP of A/G⁶⁴² in the fourteenth exon of TPO gene was significantly associated with ham weight (P < 0.05). Our results provided important basis on the regulation and metabolism of the thyroid gland in animals.

Overexpression of the tonoplast aquaporin AtTIP5;1 conferred tolerance to boron toxicity in Arabidopsis

Yongqi Pang, Lijuan Li, Fei Ren, Pingli Lu, Pengcheng Wei, Jinghui Cai, Lingguo Xin, Juan Zhang, Jia Chen, Xuechen Wang

2010, 37(6): 389-397. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(09)60057-6

Abstract (75) HTML PDF (0)

Abstract:
Boron (B) toxicity to plants is responsible for low crop productivity in many regions of the world. Here we report a novel and effective means to alleviate the B toxicity to plants under high B circumstance. Functional characterization of AtTIP5;1, an aquaporin gene, revealed that overexpression of AtTIP5;1 (OxAtTIP5;1) in Arabidopsis significantly increased its tolerance to high B toxicity. Compared to wild-type plants, OxAtTIP5;1 plants exhibited longer hypocotyls, accelerated development, increased silique production under high B treatments. GUS staining and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) results demonstrated that the expression of AtTIP5;1 was induced by high B concentration treatment. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the AtTIP5;1-GFP fusion protein was localized on the tonoplast membrane, which was consistent with the prediction based on bioinformatics. Taken together, our results suggest that AtTIP5;1 is involved in B transport pathway possibly via vacuolar compartmentation for B, and that overexpression of AtTIP5;1 in plants may provide an effective way to overcome the problem resulting from high B concentration toxicity.

Genetic analysis of tolerance to photo-oxidative stress induced by high light in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Hongwei Li, Yiping Tong, Bin Li, Ruilian Jing, Congming Lu, Zhensheng Li

2010, 37(6): 399-412. doi: 10.1016/S1673-8527(09)60058-8

Abstract (83) HTML PDF (0)

Abstract:
High light induced photooxidation (HLIP) usually leads to leaf premature senescence and causes great yield loss in winter wheat. In order to explore the genetic control of wheat tolerance to HLIP stress, a quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was conducted on a set of doubled haploid population, derived from two winter wheat cultivars. Actual values of chlorophyll content (Chl), minimum fluorescence level (Fo), maximum fluorescence level (Fm), and the maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm) under both HLIP and non-stress conditions as well as the ratios of HLIP to non-stress were evaluated. HLIP considerably reduced Chl, Fm, and Fv/Fm, but increased Fo, compared with that under non-stress condition. A total of 27, 16, and 28 QTLs were associated with the investigated traits under HLIP and non-stress and the ratios of HLIP to non-stress, respectively. Most of the QTLs for the ratios of HLIP to non-stress collocated or nearly linked with those detected under HLIP condition. HLIP-induced QTLs were mapped on 15 chromosomes, involving in 1A, 1B, 1D, 2A, 2B, 2D, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4D, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7D while those expressed under non-stress condition involved in nine chromosomes, including 1B, 1D, 2A, 2B, 3B, 4A, 5A, 5B, and 7A. The expression patterns of QTLs under HLIP condition were different from that under non-stress condition except for six loci on five chromosomes. The phenotypic variance explained by individual QTL ranged from 5.0% to 19.7% under HLIP, 8.3% to 20.8% under non-stress, and 4.9% to 20.2% for the ratios of HLIP to non-stress, respectively. Some markers, for example, Xgwm192 and WMC331 on 4D regulating Chl, Fo, Fm, and Fv/Fm under HLIP condition, might be used in marker assistant selection.

2010 Vol. 37, No. 6