Biosynthetic gene clusters(BGCs)are regions of a genome where genes involved in a biosynthetic pathway are in proximity.The origin and evolution of plant BGCs as well as their role in specialized metabolism remain lar...Biosynthetic gene clusters(BGCs)are regions of a genome where genes involved in a biosynthetic pathway are in proximity.The origin and evolution of plant BGCs as well as their role in specialized metabolism remain largely unclear.In this study,we have assembled a chromosome-scale genome of Japanese catnip(Schizonepeta tenuifolia)and discovered a BGC that contains multiple copies of genes involved in four adjacent steps in the biosynthesis of p-menthane monoterpenoids.This BGC has an unprecedented bipartite structure,with mirrored biosynthetic regions separated by 260 kilobases.This bipartite BGC includes identical copies of a gene encoding an old yellow enzyme,a type of flavin-dependent reductase.In vitro assays and virus-induced gene silencing revealed that this gene encodes the missing isopiperitenone reductase.This enzyme evolved from a completely different enzyme family to isopiperitenone reductase from closely related Mentha spp.,indicating convergent evolution of this pathway step.Phylogenomic analysis revealed that this bipartite BGC has emerged uniquely in the S.tenuifolia lineage and through insertion of pathway genes into a region rich in monoterpene synthases.The cluster gained its bipartite structure via an inverted duplication.The discovered bipartite BGC for p-menthane biosynthesis in S.tenuifolia has similarities to the recently described duplicated p-menthane biosynthesis gene pairs in the Mentha longifolia genome,providing an example of the convergent evolution of gene order.This work expands our understanding of plant BGCs with respect to both form and evolution,and highlights the power of BGCs for gene discovery in plant biosynthetic pathways.展开更多
Metabolic cardiovascular diseases have become a global health concern,and some of their risk factors are linked to several metabolic disorders.They are the leading causes of death in developing countries.Adipose tissu...Metabolic cardiovascular diseases have become a global health concern,and some of their risk factors are linked to several metabolic disorders.They are the leading causes of death in developing countries.Adipose tissues secrete a variety of adipokines that participate in regulating metabolism and various pathophysiological processes.Adiponectin is the most abundant pleiotropic adipokine and can increase insulin sensitivity,improve atherosclerosis,have anti-inflammatory properties,and exert a cardioprotective effect.Low adiponectin con-centrations are correlated with myocardial infarction,coronary atherosclerotic heart disease,hypertrophy,hypertension,and other metabolic cardiovascular dysfunctions.However,the relationship between adiponectin and cardiovascular diseases is complex,and the specific mechanism of action is not fully understood.Our summary and analysis of these issues are ex-pected to contribute to future treatment options.展开更多
Inwardly rectifying potassium(Kir)channels make it easier for K^(+)to enter into a cell and subsequently regulate cellular biological functions.Kir5.1(encoded by KCNJ16)alone can form a homotetramer and can form heter...Inwardly rectifying potassium(Kir)channels make it easier for K^(+)to enter into a cell and subsequently regulate cellular biological functions.Kir5.1(encoded by KCNJ16)alone can form a homotetramer and can form heterotetramers with Kir4.1(encoded by KCNJ10)or Kir4.2(encoded by KCNJ15).In most cases,homomeric Kir5.1 is non-functional,while hetero-meric Kir5.1 on the cell membrane contributes to the inward flow of K^(+)ions,which can be regulated by intracellular pH and a variety of signaling mechanisms.In the form of a heterotetramer,Kir5.1 regulates Kir4.1/4.2 activity and is involved in the maintenance of nephron function.Actually,homomeric Kir5.1 may also play a very important role in diseases,including in the ventilatory response to hypoxia and hypercapnia,hearing impairment,cardio-vascular disease and cancer.With an increase in the number of studies into the roles of Kir channels,researchers are paying more attention to the pathophysiological functions of Kir5.1.This minireview provides an overview regarding these Kir5.1 roles.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant nos.81973435 and 81473313)the National Natural Science Foundation for Young Scientists of China(grant no.81903756)+2 种基金the Open Project of the Natural Science Foundation of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine(no.NZY81903756)research on ecological planting and quality assurance of Jiangsu Dao-di herbs(2021)and a Jiangsu Government Scholarship for Overseas Studies(JS-2020-044).We also acknowledge support from the BBSRC(BBN006452/1)and UKRI(MR/S01862X/1).
文摘Biosynthetic gene clusters(BGCs)are regions of a genome where genes involved in a biosynthetic pathway are in proximity.The origin and evolution of plant BGCs as well as their role in specialized metabolism remain largely unclear.In this study,we have assembled a chromosome-scale genome of Japanese catnip(Schizonepeta tenuifolia)and discovered a BGC that contains multiple copies of genes involved in four adjacent steps in the biosynthesis of p-menthane monoterpenoids.This BGC has an unprecedented bipartite structure,with mirrored biosynthetic regions separated by 260 kilobases.This bipartite BGC includes identical copies of a gene encoding an old yellow enzyme,a type of flavin-dependent reductase.In vitro assays and virus-induced gene silencing revealed that this gene encodes the missing isopiperitenone reductase.This enzyme evolved from a completely different enzyme family to isopiperitenone reductase from closely related Mentha spp.,indicating convergent evolution of this pathway step.Phylogenomic analysis revealed that this bipartite BGC has emerged uniquely in the S.tenuifolia lineage and through insertion of pathway genes into a region rich in monoterpene synthases.The cluster gained its bipartite structure via an inverted duplication.The discovered bipartite BGC for p-menthane biosynthesis in S.tenuifolia has similarities to the recently described duplicated p-menthane biosynthesis gene pairs in the Mentha longifolia genome,providing an example of the convergent evolution of gene order.This work expands our understanding of plant BGCs with respect to both form and evolution,and highlights the power of BGCs for gene discovery in plant biosynthetic pathways.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82000792)General Project of Chongqing Natural Science Foundation(China)(No.cstc2020jcyj-msxm0409)+2 种基金Chongqing Science and Technology Bureau and Health Commission of Chinese Medicine Technology Innovation and Application Development Project(China)(No.2020ZY013540)General Project of Graduate Education and Teaching Reform of Chongqing University,Chongqing,China(No.cquyjg20329)Science and Health Joint Project of Dazu District Science and Technology Bureau(China)(No.DZKJ,2022CCC1001).
文摘Metabolic cardiovascular diseases have become a global health concern,and some of their risk factors are linked to several metabolic disorders.They are the leading causes of death in developing countries.Adipose tissues secrete a variety of adipokines that participate in regulating metabolism and various pathophysiological processes.Adiponectin is the most abundant pleiotropic adipokine and can increase insulin sensitivity,improve atherosclerosis,have anti-inflammatory properties,and exert a cardioprotective effect.Low adiponectin con-centrations are correlated with myocardial infarction,coronary atherosclerotic heart disease,hypertrophy,hypertension,and other metabolic cardiovascular dysfunctions.However,the relationship between adiponectin and cardiovascular diseases is complex,and the specific mechanism of action is not fully understood.Our summary and analysis of these issues are ex-pected to contribute to future treatment options.
文摘Inwardly rectifying potassium(Kir)channels make it easier for K^(+)to enter into a cell and subsequently regulate cellular biological functions.Kir5.1(encoded by KCNJ16)alone can form a homotetramer and can form heterotetramers with Kir4.1(encoded by KCNJ10)or Kir4.2(encoded by KCNJ15).In most cases,homomeric Kir5.1 is non-functional,while hetero-meric Kir5.1 on the cell membrane contributes to the inward flow of K^(+)ions,which can be regulated by intracellular pH and a variety of signaling mechanisms.In the form of a heterotetramer,Kir5.1 regulates Kir4.1/4.2 activity and is involved in the maintenance of nephron function.Actually,homomeric Kir5.1 may also play a very important role in diseases,including in the ventilatory response to hypoxia and hypercapnia,hearing impairment,cardio-vascular disease and cancer.With an increase in the number of studies into the roles of Kir channels,researchers are paying more attention to the pathophysiological functions of Kir5.1.This minireview provides an overview regarding these Kir5.1 roles.
