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Yao Tang

Publications and source records attributed to Yao Tang.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of Short-Term Energy Limitation at Different Levels With Normal Protein Intake on Hepatic Lipid Metabolism and the Gut Microbiota in Overweight/Obese Mice.

This study investigated the sex-specific effects of graded short-term energy limitation (EL) with normal protein intake on hepatic lipid metabolism and the gut microbiota in overweight/obese mice. Mice were allocated to a normal control (NC) group, a high-fat diet model (MC) group, and groups receiving 20%, 30% or 40% EL (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;8 per group). All mice underwent blood biochemistry, liver biochemistry, histological, liver metabolomic, and fecal microbiota community genomic analyses. Relative to the NC group, both male and female MC mice developed varying degrees of insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, and sex hormone dysregulation. However, disrupted hepatic lipid metabolism was detected solely in male mice, in association with changes in key lipid-metabolizing enzymes and metabolites; female mice showed only disturbed total cholesterol (TC) metabolism, which was linked to alterations in the cholesterol synthesis rate-limiting enzyme HMGCR. With normal protein intake, 20%, 30%, and 40% EL reduced hepatic triglyceride and TC synthesis in overweight/obese male mice by suppressing the expression of the key lipogenic enzyme DGAT and the activities of ACC and HMGCR (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). An effect on the lipolytic enzymes CPT1 and CYP7A1 was detected only at 30% EL (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05), and hepatic metabolite profiles varied with the degree of EL. In female mice, only 40% EL significantly decreased TC synthesis by inhibiting both HMGCR expression and enzymatic activity (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). Furthermore, irrespective of sex, short-term EL (all levels) with normal protein intake reduced the gut Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in overweight/obese mice (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). In conclusion, graded short-term EL with adequate protein intake exerts differential effects on hepatic lipid metabolism and the gut microbiota in overweight/obese mice, with pronounced sex-specific differences.

energy limitation

Discovery of antimicrobial peptides from incomplete biosynthetic gene clusters to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria.

The escalating crisis of multidrug-resistant bacteria necessitates innovative antibiotic discovery platforms. Conventional antimicrobial peptide (AMP) mining often relies on complete biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), leaving fragmented genomic resources underexplored. Here, we present an evolution-inspired approach to reconstruct and predict AMPs from partial BGCs. Applying this strategy to 954 Paenibacillus genomes identifies five polymyxin-like peptides, NP001-NP005, with broad in vitro activity. Crucially, in murine models of polymyxin-resistant infection, NP001 reduced bacterial burdens by up to 1,000-fold in a thigh infection model and improved survival (50% vs. 0%) in a lethal peritonitis model. Structural simulations and biophysical assays revealed that NP001 maintains high affinity for bacterial membranes and effectively binds to MCR-1-modified lipid A, a key colistin-resistance mechanism. Moreover, Leu at position 10 of NP001 plays a key role in antibacterial activity against MCR-1-resistant bacteria. Our work establishes a generalizable framework for AMP discovery and introduces a promising therapeutic candidate, NP001, which effectively counteracts polymyxin-resistant pathogens.

Multigene Family

Non-destructive prediction of lead content in oilseed rape leaves by fluorescence hyperspectral technology based on neural network.

Based on fluorescence hyperspectral imaging (FHSI), this study targeted rapid, non-destructive quantification of lead (Pb) content in oilseed rape leaves treated with varying silicon (Si) concentrations, acquiring fluorescence spectra over the 484.43-1001.61&#xa0;nm wavelength range. To optimize spectral data quality, preprocessing methods (Savitzky-Golay smoothing, first derivative, detrending) were comprehensively compared. Characteristic wavelengths were then selected via interval variable iterative shrinkage, which effectively compressed data dimensionality and reduced computational load. A hybrid SE-CL1DA model, fusing a 1D convolutional neural network, a long short-term memory network and SE attention mechanism was constructed, with Bayesian optimization tuning hyperparameters to boost stability. The BO-SE-CL1DA outperformed both traditional machine learning and insufficiently optimized deep learning model (Rp2=0.9609, RMSE&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.0377&#xa0;mg/kg, RPD&#xa0;=&#xa0;5.1736), thus enabling accurate Pb estimation, supporting Si-regulated heavy metal stress management and facilitating agricultural contamination monitoring.

Plant Leaves

A conserved antioxidant defense at the endoplasmic reticulum membrane.

Oxidative protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is essential for eukaryotic cells yet generates hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a reactive oxygen species. The ER-transmembrane protein that supports ER proteostasis and guards the cytosol for antioxidant defense remains unidentified. Here, we combine AlphaFold2 and functional screens in C. elegans to discover a previously uncharacterized and evolutionarily conserved protein ERGU-1 that fulfills these roles. Deleting ERGU-1 upregulates H2O2 and NRF2/SKN-1-dependent gene expression. ERGU-1 deficiency also impairs organismal reproduction and behavioral responses to H2O2. Both C. elegans ERGU-1 and human homolog TMEM161B localize to ER membranes, forming reticular networks. Human and Drosophila homologs of ERGU-1 rescue C. elegans mutant phenotypes, demonstrating ancient and conserved functions. In addition, purified ERGU-1 and TMEM161B exhibit redox-modulated oligomeric states. Together, our results reveal an ER-membrane-specific machinery, suggesting a conserved mechanism for maintaining ER redox homeostasis and proteostasis in animal cells.

Animals