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- Klionsky, Daniel J., et al.
(author)
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Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
- 2012
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In: Autophagy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1554-8635 .- 1554-8627. ; 8:4, s. 445-544
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
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2. |
- Han, Yang, et al.
(author)
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X-radiation inhibits histone deacetylase 1 and 2, upregulates Axin expression and induces apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer
- 2012
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In: Radiation Oncology. - : BioMed Central. - 1748-717X. ; 7:183
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundHistone deacetylase (HDAC) plays an important role in the deacetylation of histone, which can alter gene expression patterns and affect cell behavior associated with malignant transformation. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationships between HDAC1, HDAC2, clinicopathologic characteristics, patient prognosis and apoptosis, to clarify the mechanism of upregulation of the Axis inhibitor Axin (an important regulator of the Wnt pathway) by X-radiation and to elucidate the effect of siRNA on radiation therapy of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsHDAC1 and HDAC2 expression levels were measured by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription PCR. Apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-nick end labeling and fluorescence activated cell sorting. BE1 cells expressing Axin were exposed to 2 Gy of X-radiation.ResultsExpression of HDAC1 and that of HDAC2 were correlated, and significantly higher in NSCLC tissues than in normal lung tissues (P < 0.05). HDAC1 and HDAC2 expression was correlated with pTNM stage and negatively correlated with differentiation of NSCLC and apoptotic index (P < 0.05). The prognosis of patients with low expression of HDAC1 and HDAC2 was better than that of those with high expression. X-radiation and siRNA inhibited HDAC1 and HDAC2 expression in NSCLC cells and Axin levels were significantly higher in BE1 cells.ConclusionsX-radiation and siRNA inhibit expression of HDAC1 and HDAC2, weaken the inhibitory effect of HDAC on Axin, upregulate Axin expression and induce apoptosis of lung cancer cells. Inhibition of HDAC1 and HDAC2 is a means of enhancing the radiosensitivity of NSCLC.
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3. |
- Ma, Li-Jun, et al.
(author)
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Comparative genomics reveals mobile pathogenicity chromosomes in Fusarium.
- 2010
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-4687 .- 0028-0836. ; 464:7287, s. 367-73
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fusarium species are among the most important phytopathogenic and toxigenic fungi. To understand the molecular underpinnings of pathogenicity in the genus Fusarium, we compared the genomes of three phenotypically diverse species: Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici. Our analysis revealed lineage-specific (LS) genomic regions in F. oxysporum that include four entire chromosomes and account for more than one-quarter of the genome. LS regions are rich in transposons and genes with distinct evolutionary profiles but related to pathogenicity, indicative of horizontal acquisition. Experimentally, we demonstrate the transfer of two LS chromosomes between strains of F. oxysporum, converting a non-pathogenic strain into a pathogen. Transfer of LS chromosomes between otherwise genetically isolated strains explains the polyphyletic origin of host specificity and the emergence of new pathogenic lineages in F. oxysporum. These findings put the evolution of fungal pathogenicity into a new perspective.
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4. |
- Song, Xiuneng, et al.
(author)
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Theoretical Study of Core Excitations of Fullerene-Based Polymer Solar Cell Acceptors
- 2012
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In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1932-7447 .- 1932-7455. ; 116:45, s. 23938-23944
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- First-principles simulations for the C K-edge X-ray photoelectron (XPS) and near-edge X-ray fine-structure (NEXAFS) spectra of representative polymer solar cell acceptor (PSCA) molecules have been carried out with special focuses on the [6,6]-phenyl-Cn+1-butyric acid methyl ester (PCnBM, n = 60, 70, 84). In the XPS spectra, evident red shift of core binding energies are observed in PCnBM as compared to the corresponding fullerene C-n, which is due to weak electronic charge transfer from the side chain to the fullerene backbone and consequently increased electron screening. Special emphasis is paid to a spectral peak at ca. 284.7 eV, which is caused by resonances of phenyl-ring carbons in the side chain and is important in characterizing the electronic structures of different PSCA molecules. Additionally, we propose a modified version of the building block (MBB) approach for quick estimation of the NEXAFS spectra, which is useful when computational resources are limited or massive systems are under study. This method is based on our component analysis on the side chain and fullerene backbone parts and adds only a further empirical fine-tuning after the conventional BB approach. Our calculated results are in good agreement with available experiments.
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5. |
- Zang, Xiao-Ying, et al.
(author)
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Pivotal factors interfering in 24-hour blood pressure fluctuation and arterial stiffness in a community of Chinese elderly hypertensive patients
- 2013
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In: Journal of Clinical Nursing. - : Wiley. - 0962-1067 .- 1365-2702. ; 22:3/4, s. 379-388
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims and objectives: To explore which sociodemographic and clinical factors could interfere in the parameters of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and determine the affecting factors of Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index.Background: Although the clinical relevance of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index have been studied, the explanation of their role and related interfering factors remains controversial in patients with different disease or age, etc.Design: Cross-sectional study.Methods: The study was carried out between October 2008–October 2009. A convenience sample of hypertensive patients over 60 years old was recruited in China. Twenty-four hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was carried out on the non-dominant arm using an oscillometric device.Results: (1) All 95 patients completed the study and their ages ranged from 60–76 years. (2) There were statistical differences for certain parameters of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring between different characteristics of patients. Financial status was an important factor interfering in patients’ BP fluctuation, especially daytime and 24 hours systolic pressure. The higher body mass index the patients had, the higher the pressure was. (3) Multiple variants logistic analysis of Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index showed statistical differences only in coefficient variation of 24-hour diastolic pressure and daytime systolic blood pressure.Conclusions: There are more factors that interfered with systolic pressure and diastolic pressure during the day than nigh. Patients who have less nocturnal dipping may have a higher night time systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. The coefficient of variation of 24 hours diastolic pressure and daytime systolic pressure contribute more to Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index which should arouse practitioners’ attention.Relevance to clinical practice: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring should be used as a routine procedure, as well as Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index calculated for older hypertensive patients. The findings may be used to guide community health providers to pay more attention to the factors that may influence BP fluctuation and Ambulatory Arterial Stiffness Index according to individual’s characteristics.
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6. |
- Zhang, Biaobiao, et al.
(author)
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Homogeneous Oxidation of Water by Iron Complexes with Macrocyclic Ligands
- 2014
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In: Chemistry - An Asian Journal. - : Wiley. - 1861-4728 .- 1861-471X. ; 9:6, s. 1515-1518
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The activity of eleven separated iron complexes and nine in situ-generated iron complexes towards catalytic water oxidation have been examined in aqueous solutions with Ce(NH4)(2)(NO3)(6) as the oxidant. Two iron complexes bearing tridentate and tetradentate macrocyclic ligands were found to be novel water oxidation catalysts. The one with tetradentate ligand exhibited a promising activity with a turnover number of 65 for oxygen evolution.
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