Human SNF2L Gene Is Regulated Constitutively and Inducibly in Neural Cells via a cAMP-Response Element

Yu Xia,Laicheng Wang,Chunyan Ma,Yaoqin Gong,Yueran Zhao 연세대학교의과대학 2013 Yonsei medical journal Vol.54 No.3

Purpose: SNF2L belongs to Imitation Switch family and plays an essential role in neural tissues and gonads. In our previous studies, we have demonstrated that the basal transcription of human SNF2L gene is regulated by two cis-elements, cAMP response element (CRE)- and Sp1-binding sites. Recent studies suggested that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) stimulation significantly up-regulated SNF2L expression in ovarian granulose cells. These data suggested that protein kinase-mediated signal pathways might also regulate SNF2L expression in neural cells. We therefore investigated the effects of agents that activate protein kinases A on SNF2L gene expression in neural cells. Materials and Methods: To increase intracellular cAMP levels, all neural cells were treated with forskolin and dbcAMP, two cAMP response activators. We exmined the effects of cAMP on the promoter activity of human SNF2L gene by luciferase reporter gene assays, and further examined the effects of cAMP on endogenous SNF2L mRNA levels by qPCR. Results: Transient expression of a luciferase fusion gene under the control of the SNF2L promoter was significantly increased by treatment of rat primary neurons with forskolin or dbcAMP, but not PC12, C6 and SH-SY5Y cells. Consistently, treatment with forskolin or dbcAMP could enhance endogenous SNF2L mRNA levels also only in rat primary neurons. Conclusion: These results suggest that the CRE consensus sequence in the SNF2L proximal promoter most likely confers constitutive activation and regulation by cAMP in neural cells.

Positive effects of porcine IL-2 and IL-4 on virus-specific immune responses induced by the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) ORF5 DNA vaccine in swine

Deyuan Tang,Jian Liu,Chunyan Li,Hua Zhang,Ping Ma,Xianfeng Luo,Zhiyong Zeng,Nining Hong,Xia Liu,Bin Wang,Feng Wang,Zhenlei Gan,Fei Hao 대한수의학회 2014 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.15 No.1

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects ofporcine interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 genes on enhancing theimmunogenicity of a porcine reproductive and respiratorysyndrome virus ORF5 DNA vaccine in piglets. Eukaryoticexpression plasmids pcDNA-ORF5, pcDNA-IL-2, andpcDNA-IL-4 were constructed and then expressed in Marc-145cells. The effects of these genes were detected using an indirectimmunofluorescent assay and reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Characteristicfluorescence was observed at different times after pcDNAORF5was expressed in the Marc-145 cells, and PCR productscorresponding to ORF5, IL-2, and IL-4 genes were detected at48 h. Based on these data, healthy piglets were injectedintramuscularly with different combinations of the purifiedplasmids: pcDNA-ORF5 alone, pcDNA-ORF5 + pcDNA-IL-2,pcDNA-ORF5 + pcDNA-IL-4, and pcDNA-ORF5 + pcDNAIL-4 + pcDNA-IL-2. The ensuing humoral immune responses,percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, proliferationindices, and interferon-γ expression were analyzed. Resultsrevealed that the piglets co-immunized with pcDNA-ORF5 +pcDNA-IL-4 + pcDNA-IL-2 plasmids developed significantlyhigher antibody titers and neutralizing antibody levels, hadsignificantly increased levels of specific T lymphocyteproliferation, elevated percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ Tlymphocytes, and significantly higher IFN-γ production thanthe other inoculated pigs (p < 0.05).

Synthesis and Photovoltaic Properties of Alternating Conjugated Polymers Derived from Thiophene-Benzothiadiazole Block and Fluorene/Indenofluorene Units

Jianfeng Li,Junfeng Tong,Peng Zhang,Chunyan Yang,Dejia Chen,Yuancheng Zhu,Yangjun Xia,Duowang Fan 대한화학회 2014 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.35 No.2

A new donor-accepter-donor-accepter-donor (D-A-D-A-D) type 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-thiophene-based acceptor unit 2,5-di(4-(5-bromo-4-octylthiophen-2-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-7-yl)thiophene (DTBTTBr2) was synthesized. Copolymerized with fluorene and indeno[1,2-b]fluorene electron-rich moieties, two alternating narrow band gap (NBG) copolymers PF-DTBTT and PIF-DTBTT were prepared. And two copolymers exhibit broad and strong absorption in the range of 300-700 nm with optical band gap of about 1.75 eV. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels vary between –5.43 and –5.52 eV and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels range from –3.64 to –3.77 eV. Potential applications of the copolymers as electron donor material and PC71BM ([6,6]-phenyl-C71 butyric acid methyl ester) as electron acceptors were investigated for photovoltaic solar cells (PSCs). Photovoltaic performances based on the blend of PF-DTBTT/PC71BM (w:w; 1:2) and PIF-DTBTT/PC71BM (w:w; 1:2) with devices configuration as ITO/ PEDOT: PSS/blend/Ca/Al, show an incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 2.34% and 2.56% with the open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.87 V and 0.90 V, short circuit current density (Jsc) of 6.02 mA/ cm2 and 6.12 mA/cm2 under an AM1.5 simulator (100 mW/cm2). The photocurrent responses exhibit the onset wavelength extending up to 720 nm. These results indicate that the resulted narrow band gap copolymers are viable electron donor materials for polymer solar cells.

Synthesis and Photovoltaic Properties of Alternating Conjugated Polymers Derived from Thiophene-Benzothiadiazole Block and Fluorene/Indenofluorene Units

Li, Jianfeng,Tong, Junfeng,Zhang, Peng,Yang, Chunyan,Chen, Dejia,Zhu, Yuancheng,Xia, Yangjun,Fan, Duowang Korean Chemical Society 2014 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.35 No.2

A new donor-accepter-donor-accepter-donor (D-A-D-A-D) type 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-thiophene-based acceptor unit 2,5-di(4-(5-bromo-4-octylthiophen-2-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-7-yl)thiophene ($DTBTTBr_2$) was synthesized. Copolymerized with fluorene and indeno[1,2-b]fluorene electron-rich moieties, two alternating narrow band gap (NBG) copolymers PF-DTBTT and PIF-DTBTT were prepared. And two copolymers exhibit broad and strong absorption in the range of 300-700 nm with optical band gap of about 1.75 eV. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels vary between -5.43 and -5.52 eV and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels range from -3.64 to -3.77 eV. Potential applications of the copolymers as electron donor material and $PC_{71}BM$ ([6,6]-phenyl-$C_{71}$ butyric acid methyl ester) as electron acceptors were investigated for photovoltaic solar cells (PSCs). Photovoltaic performances based on the blend of PF-DTBTT/$PC_{71}BM$ (w:w; 1:2) and PIF-DTBTT/$PC_{71}BM$ (w:w; 1:2) with devices configuration as ITO/PEDOT: PSS/blend/Ca/Al, show an incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 2.34% and 2.56% with the open circuit voltage ($V_{oc}$) of 0.87 V and 0.90 V, short circuit current density ($J_{sc}$) of $6.02mA/cm^2$ and $6.12mA/cm^2$ under an AM1.5 simulator ($100mA/cm^2$). The photocurrent responses exhibit the onset wavelength extending up to 720 nm. These results indicate that the resulted narrow band gap copolymers are viable electron donor materials for polymer solar cells.

The effect of colored plastic films on the photosynthetic characteristics and content of active ingredients of Dysosma versipellis

Bing He,Yao Chen,Hua Zhang,Chunyan Xia,Qing Zhang,Wei Lin 한국원예학회 2018 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.59 No.4

Light intensity and quality affect photosynthesis, plant morphology, and the synthesis of primary and secondary metabolites. Dysosma versipellis (Hance) M. Cheng is an endangered species endemic to China, and a highly valued medicinal and ornamental plant. In this study, we discuss the effects of different light spectrums conferred by colored plastic films on photosynthesis and the contents of active ingredients of D. versipellis. D. versipellis plants were cultured for 90 days under white, red, yellow, or blue film. The blue film treatment generally increased the chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate (Pn), maximal photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), actual photochemical efficiency of PSII (ФPSII), photochemical quenching (qP), and the podophyllotoxin content of the rhizomes. The blue film treatment also decreased the maximum net photosynthetic rate (Amax), apparent photosynthetic quantum efficiency (AQY), and podophyllotoxin contents of the stems. The yellow film treatment resulted in a decline of the Amax, AQY, Fv/Fm, ФPSII, qP, chlorophyll contents, and podophyllotoxin contents of the leaves and rhizomes; however, the light compensation point (LCP), light saturation point, and minimum fluorescence (Fo) were increased. There were no significant differences in chlorophyll content, Amax, LCP, AQY, Fv/Fm, ФPSII, or qP between the white and red film treatments. These results suggest that in D. versipellis, blue film treatments promote photosynthesis and the accumulation of podophyllotoxin, while yellow film treatments inhibit photosynthesis and the accumulation of podophyllotoxin.

A New Anthracene-based Small Molecule as Cathode Interlayer for Efficient Polymer Solar Cells

Jianfeng Li,Chuang Zhao,Peng Zhang,Junfeng Tong,Chunyan Yang,Yangjun Xia,Duowang Fan 대한화학회 2015 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.36 No.4

A new small molecule with excellent electron-transporting property, namely 9,10-bis(2-(N-octyl-1,8-naphthalimid-4-yl)ethynyl)anthracene (BNA), is prepared and characterized. A polymer solar cell (PSC) based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenylC61-butyricacidmethyl ester (PC61BM) is also fabricated by using BNA as the cathode buffer layer between the Al electrode and photoactive layer, and their influence on the performance of the PSCs is investigated. It is found that the open-circuit voltage (V oc ), short-circuit current density (J sc ), and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of a device with a 6-nm BNA layer improved to 0.63 V, 9.74 mA/cm2, and 3.74%, respectively, which correspond to an increase of 53.6%, 38.0%, and 177% compared to those without the buffer layer. The BNA buffer layer could effectively improve the interfacial contact performance between the Al electrode and photoactive layer, decrease the series resistance, and improve the collection efficiency of carriers. The devices with appropriate thickness of the BNA buffer layer can also replace the common low-work-function metal Ca for increasing the PCE and lifetime of PSCs.