Biomedical subjects

Ming Gong

Publications and source records attributed to Ming Gong.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2026

Halosimplex yunnanense sp. nov., a novel haloarchaeon from an underground salt mine.

Strain J119T, a halophilic archaeon, was isolated from a salt mine sample collected in Yunnan Province, China. Cells are spherical (diameter 0.5-0.7 µm) or short‑rod‑shaped (0.4-0.5 × 0.7-0.8 µm), non‑motile, Gram‑stain‑negative, and can grow at 20-55°C (optimum 42°C), with NaCl tolerance ranging from 15% to 30% (w/v) (optimum 20%) and a pH growth range of 5.5-9.0 (optimum pH 7.0). Strain J119T's nearly complete 16S rRNA gene sequence (1,452 bp; accession MW736888.1) shows the highest sequence similarity (97.32%) to Halosimplex salinum YPL4T; this value is lower than the species boundary threshold of 98.65%. Its rpoB' gene (1,830 bp; NZ_JBTJEL000000000.1) shares the highest similarity (95.52%) with Halosimplex aquaticum XZYJT29T. Genomic analyses revealed that the average amino acid identity, average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain J119T and strains YPL4T and XZYJT29T were 78.58%, 82.59%, 25.50% and 82.61%, 85.70%, 29.20%, respectively. The genomic DNA G + C content of strain J119T is 66.5%. Phenotypic, phylogenetic, and genome-based analyses suggest that strain J119T (= KCTC 4326T = MCCC 4K00178T) represents a novel species of the genus Halosimplex, for which the name Halosimplex yunnanense sp. nov. is proposed.

RNA, Ribosomal, 16S↗

PubMed2026

Familial short stature: genetic architecture, risk stratification, and precision management.

BACKGROUND: Familial short stature (FSS) has traditionally been considered a benign growth pattern characterized by short stature clustering within families and has often been regarded as a normal variant of growth. However, recent advances in genomic technologies have demonstrated that a subset of children presenting with an FSS phenotype harbor identifiable monogenic variants, particularly in genes involved in growth plate development and skeletal growth. These findings challenge the traditional phenotype-based understanding of FSS and support an etiology-oriented diagnostic framework. OBJECTIVE: To summarize current knowledge regarding the genetic architecture of FSS, review existing clinical risk stratification frameworks for genetic evaluation, and evaluate available evidence regarding treatment outcomes across different genetic etiologies. METHODS: A literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to May 2026, using keywords including "familial short stature," "familial idiopathic short stature," "genetic testing," "ACAN," "SHOX," and "NPR2". Relevant original studies and review articles addressing genotype-phenotype correlations, diagnostic yield of genetic testing, or responses to recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy were considered. RESULTS: Emerging evidence indicates that monogenic variants can be identified in a subset of children with an FSS phenotype, especially among those with more severe short stature and autosomal dominant inheritance patterns. Variants affecting growth plate biology represent some of the most frequently reported genetic causes of FSS, with ACAN, SHOX, and NPR2 being the most frequently implicated genes. Existing clinical frameworks based on parental height patterns and inheritance characteristics may help stratify patients with FSS according to the likelihood of monogenic etiology and guide selection of individuals who may benefit from genetic testing. Available evidence suggests that rhGH therapy may improve growth outcomes in several monogenic forms of FSS, although treatment responses vary according to genetic etiology. CONCLUSIONS: FSS should be regarded as a heterogeneous clinical phenotype rather than a single diagnostic entity. Integration of existing clinical risk stratification approaches with molecular diagnosis may enable more precise identification of underlying genetic causes and facilitate individualized therapeutic decision-making. Future advances in FSS management will likely depend on precision medicine approaches linking phenotype, genotype, and treatment response.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

CRISPR-based gene knockout in the model haloarchaeon Haloferax mediterranei.

Halophilic archaea, a specialized group of extremophiles that inhabit hypersaline environments, exhibit distinctive physiological and metabolic features. Traditional genetic manipulation of these organisms, predominantly reliant on homologous recombination techniques, suffers from limitations such as complex procedures and extended timelines, which hinder functional genomics research and the development of practical applications. This study established a CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)-mediated gene knockout system in the model halophilic archaeon Haloferax mediterranei. A polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated transformation method was used to deliver a plasmid carrying a mini-CRISPR array into H. mediterranei. The crtB gene, involved in pigment synthesis, was successfully knocked out, demonstrating the feasibility of CRISPR-based editing in H. mediterranei. To further validate the reliability and targeting accuracy of the system, the hlyR4 gene, encoding an extracellular serine protease, was also disrupted. The CRISPR-mediated gene knockout efficiency for hlyR4 reached 27%, significantly higher than the approximately 3% efficiency achieved with conventional homologous recombination. The establishment of this CRISPR-based gene knockout system provides a more efficient genetic tool for H. mediterranei and lays a new experimental foundation for exploiting microbial resources from extreme environments. In this study, H. mediterranei was selected as the model organism for haloarchaea. For the first time, we successfully constructed a CRISPR-based gene knockout system in a model halophilic archaeon. This system provides a solution for CRISPR-based gene knockout tools, which are currently unavailable in model halophilic archaea, and offers an effective tool for functional genomics studies in extremophiles.

Haloferax mediterranei↗