Hydrogen-bonded two-dimensional networks of 1,3,5-tris(10-carboxydecyloxy) benzene (TCDB) were formed on the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). With these networks as host networks and copper(II) phthalocyanine (CuPc) and coronene as guest molecules, the host-guest architectures of CuPc/ TCDB and coronene/TCDB were achieved when host and guest molecules coadsorb on HOPG. The monolayer structure of the networks of TCDB and the inclusion structures of host-guest systems were investigated by STM.
Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating the maintenance and destruction of intervertebral disc may lead to the development of new therapies for intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Here we present evidence from miRNA microarray analyses of clinical data sets along with in vitro and in vivo experiments that miR-141 is a key regulator of IDD. Gain- and loss-of-function studies show that miR-141 drives IDD by inducing nucleus pulposus (NP) apoptosis. Furthermore, miR-141 KO in mice attenuated spontaneous and surgically induced IDD. Mechanistically, miR-141 promotes IDD development by targeting and depleting SIRT1, a negative regulator of NF-κB pathway. Therapeutically, upregulation or downregulation of miR-141 by nanoparticle delivery in IDD model aggravated or alleviated experimental IDD, respectively. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which miR-141, in part, promotes IDD progression by interacting with SIRT1/NF-κB pathway. Blockade of miR-141 in vivo may serve as a potential therapeutic approach in the treatment of IDD.
Patient-specific iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes display key features of ARVC, including reduced cell surface localization of desmosomal proteins and a more adipogenic phenotype.
Identification of grain shape determining genes can facilitate breeding of rice cultivars with optimal grain shape and appearance quality. Here, we identify GS9 (Grain Shape Gene on Chromosome 9) gene by map-based cloning. The gs9 null mutant has slender grains, while overexpression GS9 results in round grains. GS9 encodes a protein without known conserved functional domain. It regulates grain shape by altering cell division. The interaction of GS9 and ovate family proteins OsOFP14 and OsOFP8 is modulated by OsGSK2 kinase, a key regulator of the brassinosteroids signaling pathway. Genetic interaction analysis reveals that GS9 functions independently from other previously identified grain size genes. Introducing the gs9 allele into elite rice cultivars significantly improves grain shape and appearance quality. It suggests potential application of gs9, alone or in combination with other grain size determining genes, in breeding of rice varieties with optimized grain shape.
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