Biology subjects

Cao, S.-J.

Publications and source records attributed to Cao, S.-J..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Berberrubine Inhibits Helicobacter pylori by Inducing Oxidative Stress

Helicobacter pylori is a prevalent pathogen that colonizes the pylorus and contributes to the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. The increasing antibiotic resistance in H. pylori presents a substantial challenge for effective eradication, making the development of more effective therapeutic strategies imperative. In this study, we screened 37 pure compounds (purity >95%), 3 ethanol extracts, and 6 aqueous extracts from 6 different medicinal herbs for their potential inhibitory effects against H. pylori in vitro. Among the tested compounds, 15 exhibited inhibitory activity, with berberrubine demonstrating the strongest effect, characterized by a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.011 mg/ml. The comparative transcriptome analysis revealed a significant upregulation of the oxidative stress response related genes, such as fumC and sodB, in H. pylori treated with berberrubine. Further in vitro assays confirmed that berberrubine exerted antibacterial activity by stimulating oxidative stress, as evidenced by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and impaired cell membrane integrity. Additionally, similar inhibitory tests were applied to Escherichia coli, a common gut opportunistic pathogen. The results showed that berberrubine inhibited E. coli through the same mechanism observed for H. pylori. In conclusion, berberrubine is a potent antibacterial agent against gastrointestinal pathogens, including H. pylori and E. coli, making it a promising candidate for further development as an antimicrobial therapeutic ImportanceThis study identified berberrubine as a potent antibacterial agent against gastrointestinal pathogens, including Helicobacter pylori and Escherichia coli by inducing cellular oxidative stress. Through increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and disruption of bacterial cell membrane integrity, berberrubine demonstrated strong efficacy in inhibiting drug-resistant pathogens. These findings highlight its potential as a promising therapeutic candidate for eradicating drug-resistant gastrointestinal pathogens.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Chinese fir genome and the evolution of gymnosperms

Seed plants comprise angiosperms and gymnosperms. The latter includes gnetophytes, cycads, Ginkgo, and conifers. Conifers are distributed worldwide, with 630 species distributed across eight families and 70 genera. Their distinctiveness has triggered much debate on their origin, evolution, and phylogenetic placement among seed plants. To better understand the evolution of gymnosperms and their relation to other seed plants, we report here a high-quality genome sequence for a tree species, Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), which has excellent timber quality and high aluminum adaptability and is a member of Cupressaceae with high levels of heterozygosity. We assembled an 11.24 Gb genome with a contig N50 value of 2.15 Mb and anchored the 10.89 Gb sequence to 11 chromosomes. Phylogenomic analyses showed that cycads sister to Ginkgo, which place to sister in all gymnosperm lineages, and Gnetales within conifers sister to Pinaceae. Whole-genome duplication (WGD) analysis showed that the ancestor of seed plants has differentiated into angiosperms and gymnosperms after having experienced a WGD event. The ancestor of extant gymnosperm has experienced a gymnosperm-specific WGD event and the extant angiosperms do not share a common WGD before their most recent common ancestor diverged into existing angiosperms lineages. Analysis of the MADS-box gene family of C. lanceolata revealed the developmental mechanism of the reproductive organs in C. lanceolata, which supported the (A)B(C) model of the development of gymnosperms reproductive organs. In addition, astringent seeds and shedding of whole branches (with withered leaves) might be a strategy of C. lanceolata that evolved during long-term adaptation to an aluminum-rich environment. The findings also reveal the molecular regulation mechanism of shade tolerance in C. lanceolata seedlings. Our results improve the resolution of ancestral genomic features within seed plants and the knowledge of genome evolution and diversification of gymnosperms.

genomics↗