During embryonic development, both corneal epithelial cells (CECs) and keratinocytes (KCs) originate from the surface ectoderm. As a result of this shared origin, corneal epithelial cells may exhibit the same characteristics as the skin epidermis in pathological situations, while keratinocytes are ideal seed cells for tissue-engineered corneas. However, how the identities of keratinocytes and corneal epithelial cells are determined is currently unclear. In this study, to investigate the molecular mechanisms determining the identity of keratinocytes and corneal epithelial cells, small RNA and mRNA sequencing analyses of these two cell types were performed. Analysis of the sequencing data revealed that almost all the miRNAs in the Gtl2-Dio3 imprinting region were highly expressed in keratinocytes and accounted for 30% of all differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs). Since all the genes in the Gtl2-Dio3 imprinting region form a long polycistronic RNA under the control of the Gtl2 promoter, we next examined the expression of transcription factors and their binding near the Gtl2 locus. The findings indicated that the homeobox family dominated the differentially expressed transcription factors, and almost all Hox genes were silenced in corneal epithelial cells. Transcription binding site prediction and ChIP-seq revealed the binding of Hox proteins near the Gtl2 locus. Analysis of the Gtl-Dio3 miRNA target genes indicated that these miRNAs mainly regulate the Wnt signaling pathway and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The crucial transcription factors in corneal epithelial cells, Pax6, Otx2, and Foxc1, are also targets of Gtl-Dio3 miRNAs. Our study revealed potential mechanisms that determine the cellular identity of keratinocytes and corneal epithelial cells through the Hox/Gtl2-Dio3 miRNA axis, which provides a new perspective for understanding the developmental regulation of corneal epithelial cells and the mechanisms of corneal opacity, as well as for establishing the groundwork for promoting the transdifferentiation of keratinocytes into corneal epithelial cells.
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common type of ovarian cancer, which exhibits invasive traits. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) have been demonstrated to serve important functions in the pathogenesis of EOC. However, the function of miR-545 in EOC remains unknown. In the present study, the function of miR-545 in EOC was analyzed and it was identified that miR-545 is downregulated in EOC tissues and cell lines. Additionally, a low level of miR-545 expression was associated with a low survival rate of patients with EOC. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-545 inhibited cell growth and promoted apoptosis. Suppression of miR-545 promoted cell growth and inhibited apoptosis. Additionally, the RAC-γ serine/threonine-protein kinase gene was targeted by miR-545. Thus, it may be concluded that miR-545 exhibited antitumor traits in EOC.
Small molecules targeting RNA can be valuable chemical probes and potential therapeutics. The interactions between small molecules, particularly fragments, and RNA, however, can be difficult to detect due to their modest affinities and short residence times. Here, we describe the procedures for mapping the molecular fingerprints of small molecules in vitro and throughout the human transcriptome in live cells, identifying both the targets bound by the small molecule and the sites of binding therein. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to 1.
Evapotranspiration (ET) is an essential part of energy flow between the surface of the earth and the atmosphere, simultaneously involving the water, carbon, and energy cycles. It is mainly determined by climate, land use, and land cover changes. Additionally, there is still a need for quantitative characterization of the impacts of climate factors and human activities on ET and regional water resource efficiency in arid and semiarid regions. Based on Landsat-8 remote sensing imagery and land use data, the crop planting structures in the Liangzhou District of the middle reaches of the Shiyang River Basin were identified using a multiband and multi-temporal approach in this study. Subsequently, the ET of major cash crops was inverted using the three-temperature model. This research quantitatively describes the responses of wheat and corn to the climate and human activities over a two-year period. Furthermore, the impact of crop planting structures and climatic factors on ET was elucidated. The results indicate that a combination of multi-temporal green and shortwave infrared 1 bands is the optimal spectral combination to extract the planting structures. Compared to 2019, the wheat area decreased by 23.27% in 2020, while the corn area increased by 5.96%. Both crops exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity in ET during the growing season. The typical daily range of ET for wheat was 0.4–7.2 mm/day, and for corn, it was 1.5–4.0 mm/day. Among the climatic factors, temperature showed the highest correlation with ET (R = 0.80, p ≤ 0.05). Our research findings provide valuable insights for the fine identification of crop planting structures and a better understanding of the response of ET to climatic factors and planting structures.
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