Project description:We performed RNA-Seq technology for quantification of differential expression of cacao cell suspensions under light/dark conditions. By obtaining over 15 millions of reads per sample, we cuantified the differential gene expression in structural, regulatory and light signaling genes associated with flavonoid biosynthesis. Our results indicated that light treatments can effectively regulate flavonoid profiles, shifting catechin - epicatechin ratios, in particular as a response to switching from white to blue light. The results demonstrated that HY5, MYB12, ANR and LAR were differentially regulated under light/dark conditions and could be targeted by overexpression aiming to improve catechin synthesis in cell cultures. Additionally, co-expression analyses of late flavonoid biosynthetic genes ANS, ANR and LAR showed a larger number of shared partners in the dark compared to selective partners in white-blue treatment. In conclusion, our RNA-Seq analysis of cacao cells cultured under different light conditions provides a platform to dissect key aspects into the genetic regulatory network of flavonoids. These light-responsive candidate genes can be used further to modulate the flavonoid production in in vitro systems with value-added characteristics.
Project description:Kangxian formula (KXF), composed of 5 traditional Chinese distinct herbs including Panax Notoginseng, Radix Salviae, Spatholobus Suberectus Dunn, Hedysarum Multijugum Maxim and Citri Grandis Exocarpium, is a proved recipe showing promising outcomes in treating hypertension and cardiac remodeling in clinic. However, the effect of longterm treatment with KXF in such a condition and the related molecular mechanisms remain ambiguous. Here, we evaluated the effect of KXF on the gut microbiota and the prevention of hypertension and cardiac remodeling.
Project description:Diets rich in flavanols are known to exert beneficial cardiovascular health effects. We previously showed that epicatechin metabolites reduce monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion by modulating expression of genes in HUVECs involved in cell adhesion signaling pathways. The aim of the present study is to examine potential epigenetic remodeling of HUVEC cells upon inflammation in presence or absence of cocoa derived epicatechin metabolites through genomewide DNA methylation profiling. Epicatechin metabolites were found to trigger DNA hypermethylation in gene bodies and intergenic genomic regions, while hypomethylation in promoter regions. In addition, pathway enrichment of differentially methylated genes demonstrates epigenetic remodeling cell adhesion and cytoskeleton signaling pathways. Finally, in silico docking supports evidence for direct regulation of DNMTs through epicatechin binding. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that epicatechin metabolites elicit vascular health effects in part through epigenetic regulation of endothelial cell adhesion functions.
Project description:Rubus chingii Hu, indigenous to China, is very rich in flavonoids. With the exception of anthocyanin, fruit flavonoids were much higher than most berries including other raspberry species, which partly contributed to its high phenolics and antioxidant capability. In contrast to other raspberries, anthocyanin and other flavonoids decreased as fruit matured. We investigated four typical phases of fruit maturation using transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. The results indicate that the down-regulation of phenylpropanoid, flavonoid and anthocyanin biosynthesis are responsible for the metabolic decrease. The down-regulation of RcCHS (CL6140.Contig5) and RcCHI (Unigene14858 and Unigene22344) at gene and protein levels were associated with decreases of naringenin/naringenin chalcone respectively. Down-regulation of RcLAR (CL9527.Contig3) at gene and protein levels was consistent with decreases of afzelechin/epiafzelechin, catechin/epicatechin, and gallocatechin/epigallocatechin. However, multiple genes/proteins involved in the enzymatic pathways were divergent and differently regulated, e.g. Rc4CL genes/proteins were down-regulated while Rc4CL-like was maintained at constantly low levels.
