PubMed HealthSearch

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Targeted expression”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

AGRN activates GPX4 via the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway to suppress ferroptosis in cervical cancer cells.

Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Targeting ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death driven by lipid peroxidation, has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which cervical cancer cells acquire resistance to ferroptosis. AGRN expression and its prognostic significance were analyzed in cervical cancer using TCGA and GTEx data. In vitro, AGRN levels were measured in HeLa, CaSki, and Ect1/E6E7 cells via qRT-PCR. mRNA and protein expression levels of AGRN, beta-catenin, and ferroptosis-related markers were evaluated by qRT-PCR and western blot (WB). Cell viability, RSL3 sensitivity (IC50), and lipid ROS were assessed via CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. In a xenograft model, RSL3's effect on tumor growth was examined. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and molecular analyses (qRT-PCR, WB, and flow cytometry) were performed on tumor tissues to evaluate AGRN, beta-catenin, Ki-67, ferroptosis-related genes, and lipid ROS. It is found through research that, AGRN was significantly upregulated in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. Its overexpression activated Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, resulting in elevated GPX4 and SLC7A11 levels and reduced CHAC1 and PTGS2 expression levels. These alterations decreased lipid ROS accumulation and enhanced resistance to RSL3-induced ferroptosis, an effect further confirmed in xenograft models. In short, In short, AGRN promotes ferroptosis resistance in cervical cancer by activating the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway and upregulating GPX4 expression. Targeting the AGRN-Wnt/beta-catenin-GPX4 axis may represent a novel therapeutic approach for cervical cancer.

Humans

Analysis of the L1 gene product of human papillomavirus type 16 by expression in a vaccinia virus recombinant.

The L1 open reading frame of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) has been expressed in vaccinia virus under the control of both the 7.5K early and late promoter, and the 4b major late promoter. Antibodies to a beta-galactosidase fusion protein containing a C-terminal portion of the HPV16 L1 gene product were used to compare the levels of L1 expression in the two recombinants, and showed that greater levels of expression were obtained when the gene was placed under the control of the 4b late promoter. Immunofluorescence studies revealed a nuclear location of the L1 gene product when expressed in vaccinia virus. Antibodies to the beta-galactosidase fusion protein detected a major polypeptide species of 57K and a minor species of 64K in Western blots of recombinant-infected cell lysates. The 64K species was not detected when cells were infected in the presence of tunicamycin, indicating that the primary translation product of the HPV16 L1 open reading frame is modified by N-linked glycosylation when expressed in vaccinia virus. Whereas antibodies to HPV16 L1 fusion proteins and to a peptide containing amino acids from the C terminus of HPV16 L1 reacted well in Western blots with the HPV16 L1 target expressed in vaccinia virus, no reactivity was observed with antibodies to bovine papillomavirus type 1 particles or to a HPV6b fusion protein.

Animals

Discrepancy between in vitro measurable and in vivo virus neutralizing cytotoxic T cell reactivities. Low T cell receptor specificity and avidity sufficient for in vitro proliferation or cytotoxicity to peptide-coated target cells but not for in vivo protection.

The TCR-alpha beta of CTL recognize peptide Ag in association with MHC class I molecules. TCR binding should be highly specific to guarantee pathogen specificity and to avoid self-reactivity. Therefore, the in vivo relevance of T cells exhibiting cross-reactivities in vitro and the respective role of the TCR affinities involved are not clear. To analyze high and low avidity T cell activities both in vitro and in vivo, we investigated primary and clonal CTL responses specific for the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus nucleoprotein 118-126 epitope in association with the two closely related H-2Ld or H-2Lq molecules. As expected, we found highly specific class I-allele-restricted CTL responses when antiviral protection or immunopathology in vivo and lysis of virus infected target cells in vitro were analyzed. In contrast, the CTL were MHC crossreactive and thus considerably less discriminatory against targets expressing high MHC-peptide densities and in proliferation assays. The data show that relatively high TCR avidities are required for virus neutralization in vivo, in contrast to in vitro analyses of peptide-coated target cells or proliferative T cell responses that may engage TCR of low avidity and broad specificity and therefore may not reflect biologically relevant TCR avidities.

Animals

Construction of Tn5 lac, a transposon that fuses lacZ expression to exogenous promoters, and its introduction into Myxococcus xanthus.

A promoterless trp-lac fusion fragment was inserted near one end of the bacterial transposon Tn5 in the correct orientation to fuse lacZ gene expression to promoters outside Tn5. The resulting transposon, Tn5 lac, retains the kanamycin-resistance gene of Tn5 and transposes in Escherichia coli at 6% the frequency of Tn5 to many different sites in a bacteriophage lambda target. Expression of beta-galactosidase, the product of the lacZ gene, from Tn5 lac insertions in phage lambda depends both on insertion into a transcription unit in the correct orientation and on the regulation of the promoter of the transcription unit, verifying that by transposition Tn5 lac can fuse lacZ expression to outside promoters. An insertion of Tn5 lac in bacteriophage P1 was isolated and used to introduce Tn5 lac into Myxococcus xanthus, a bacterium that undergoes multicellular development. Stable kanamycin-resistant transductants are obtained that contain no P1 DNA sequences but have Tn5 lac inserted at different sites in the Myxococcus chromosome. Individual transductants express different levels of beta-galactosidase. A chromogenic substrate of beta-galactosidase, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl beta-D-galactoside, is toxic in Myxococcus when cleaved in large amounts. In principle, Tn5 lac could be used to assay transcription in any bacterium in which Tn5 can transpose and beta-galactosidase can be measured.

Bacteriophage lambda

Target specificity and cell surface structures involved in the human cytolytic T lymphocyte response to endothelial cells.

Two long-term cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) lines derived from the peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of a single donor were analyzed for target specificity and involvement of cell surface molecules in CTL-target interactions. One line, AH2, was generated after stimulation with B lymphoblastoid cells. Cytolysis by these cells was restricted to targets expressing the appropriate HLA-A2 specificity and was blocked by mAb recognizing CD2, CD3, CD8, LFA-1, and LFA-3. The second line, AE1, was generated after stimulation with cultured endothelial cells derived from human newborn preputial microvessels. These CTL lysed all human target cells tested, except autologous cells and the Class I negative cell line Daudi. In addition, mAb specific for CD2, CD3, and CD8 did not affect cytolysis. Anti-LFA-1 and -LFA-3 mAb blocked cytolysis of B lymphoblastoid targets but not endothelial targets. These results indicate that some CTL utilize as yet uncharacterized cell surface structures for CTL-target interactions.

Antigens, Surface

Developmental expression of autoimmune target antigens during organogenesis.

A common factor existing among autoimmune target antigens was sought in association with their developmental expression during organogenesis. Autoimmunity against a certain organ was experimentally induced in rats by deliberate immunization with whole tissue extract of the respective organ. Histopathological changes in a target organ of the immunized rats were recorded, and tissue specificity of the raised autoantibodies was immunohistologically examined with tissue sections of normal adult rats. These immune sera were also reacted with tissue sections of a target organ in each stage of organogenesis, and the time of first expression of the target antigen was determined for each immune serum. As a result, induced autoantibodies were directed only to a limited number of tissue antigens, such as thyroid follicular antigens [gestation day 17 (17 GD)], salivary ductal antigens (18 GD), anterior pituitary antigens (21 GD), gastric parietal cell antigens (22 GD), neural myelin antigens (2 days after birth), retinal photo-receptor cell antigens (3 days after birth) and testicular germ cell antigens (4 weeks after birth). They were first expressed on the day indicated in parentheses. Comparing with the development of the immune system, which was monitored by demonstrating CD4- and/or CD8-positive cells in the developing thymus and spleen, a common feature of these potential autoimmune target antigens was found to be that they were expressed either in parallel with, or after, but never before, the development of the immune system. This observation might suggest why only a limited number of self antigens can be autoimmune target antigens among the enormously large number of antigen determinants existing in the whole extract of each organ.

Animals

The role of physical forces on cytotoxic T cell-target cell conjugate stability.

Theoretical considerations suggest that external forces play a significant role in cell-cell conjugate formation and may lead to the misinterpretation of adhesion data. To test this, the stability of conjugates formed between CTL and fibroblast target cells (TC) was examined in the controlled shear environment of a parallel plate flow chamber. Murine fibroblast targets expressing class I maternally transmitted Ag Mtaa or Mtab were grown on a glass slide that formed one wall of the flow chamber and were used in conjunction with anti-Mtaa and anti-Mtab specific mouse CTL clones to establish a panel of Ag-reciprocal targets and lymphocytes. Although cytolysis assays indicated that lymphocytes recognized and destroyed appropriate but not inappropriate targets, the stability of some CTL/TC conjugates was Ag independent. In all cases, the conjugate stability was shear dependent over a 100-fold range (0.04 to 4.0 dynes/cm2). For some clones, the ratio of the stabilities of Ag-specific CTL/TC conjugates to nonspecific conjugates was significantly enhanced with increasing shear. This implies that the role of Ag specificity in CTL/TC adhesion may be misinterpreted if the shear environment of CTL/TC conjugates is unknown or uncontrolled. Kinetic analysis revealed that conjugate stability was dependent on the exposure time to external forces and that there existed two populations of conjugates; weak associations that disengaged within the first 30 s of flow, and strong associations that remained attached even after a 5-min exposure to a steady shear stress. The stability of Ag-specific CTL/TC conjugates at 0.04 dynes/cm2 was enhanced by 50% as the temperature was increased from 25 to 37 degrees C, whereas the stability of nonspecific CTL/TC associations was not affected. This result indicates that significant Ag-specific strengthening may occur at physiologic temperatures. This work suggests the importance of attention to role of fluid mechanical shear stress in standard adhesion assays.

Animals

FBL-reactive CD8+ cytotoxic and CD4+ helper T lymphocytes recognize distinct Friend murine leukemia virus-encoded antigens.

Immunization of C57BL/6 (B6) mice with FBL, a Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV), induces both tumor-specific cytolytic CD8+ (CTL) and lymphokine-producing CD4+ Th that are effective in adoptive therapy of B6 mice bearing disseminated FBL leukemia. The current study evaluated the F-MuLV antigenic determinants expressed on FBL that are recognized by FBL-reactive CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. To identify the specificity of the FBL-reactive CD8+ CTL, Fisher rat embryo fibroblast (FRE) cells transfected with plasmids encoding F-MuLV gag or envelope (env) gene products plus the class I-restricting element Db were utilized. FBL-reactive CTL recognized FRE target cells transfected with the F-MuLV gag-encoded gene products, but failed to recognize targets expressing F-MuLV env. Attempts to generate env-specific CD8+ CTL by immunization with a recombinant vaccinia virus containing an inserted F-MuLV env gene were unsuccessful, despite the generation of a cytolytic response to vaccinia epitopes, implying that B6 mice fail to generate CD8+ CTL to env determinants. By contrast, CD4+ Th clones recognized FRE target cells transfected with env and not gag genes, and immunization with the recombinant vaccinia virus induced an env-specific CD4+ T cell response. These data show that in a Friend retrovirus-induced tumor model in which tumor rejection can be mediated by either CTL or Th, antigens derived from discrete retroviral proteins are predominantly responsible for activation of each T cell subset.

Animals

Differential effect of lithium on fos protooncogene expression mediated by receptor and postreceptor activators of protein kinase C and cyclic adenosine monophosphate: model for its antimanic action.

Lithium salts are the most effective agents used in treating manic-depressive illness. It has been suggested that lithium's therapeutic efficacy could be due to an inhibitory effect on either inositol phospholipid (IP) and/or cyclic nucleotide metabolism. We have investigated the effect of lithium on these two signal transduction pathways in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells by studying a common effector target, expression of the fos protooncogene. We find that lithium, at therapeutic doses, has an augmenting effect on phosphatidylinositol (PI)-mediated fos expression induced by activating a muscarinic cholinergic pathway, whereas it has no effect, at tenfold the therapeutic dose, on fos expression induced by receptor or postreceptor activators of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The lithium augmenting effect is also observed when the cells are treated with phorbol esters, which directly activate protein kinase C (PKC), suggesting that the level of lithium's interaction with the IP pathway is at the postreceptor level. We also show that phorbol esters induce extensive down regulation of subsequent cholinergic and phorbol ester responsiveness as well as heterologous down regulation of cAMP responses. Treatment of down-regulated cells with lithium leads to an enhanced responsiveness when cells are rechallenged with agonists that activate PKC but not by agonists that stimulate cAMP. We also show that carbamazepine, another antimanic agent, has an inhibitory effect on cAMP-mediated fos but no effect on the IP pathway. The opposite effects of lithium and carbamazepine on two critical transducing systems suggest a model for the antimanic action of these agents.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms

T cell receptor variable gene usage in a specific cytotoxic T cell response. Primary structure of the antigen-MHC receptor of four hapten-specific cytotoxic T cell clones.

The primary structure of the alpha and beta chains of the T cell antigen receptor in four cytotoxic T cell clones specific for N-iodoacetyl-sulfonic-naphthyl-ethylene-diamine (AED)-haptenated target cells displaying a particular class I MHC molecule has been determined. Two of the T cell clones, 8/10-2 and 5/10-20K, recognize AED-modified targets in association with H-2Kb, while the other two clones 5/10-20D and C9 react with AED-modified cells in the context of H-2Db. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of both the alpha and beta chain cDNAs and their deduced protein sequences indicates that a specific variable gene segment was not used to recognize the hapten and/or class I gene products. Furthermore, there does not appear to be any conserved amino acid residues used in the AED-specific response other than the framework amino acids. However, when the two clones 8/10-2 and 5/10-20D were compared, a striking similarity was seen in the J segments. These two clones that recognize AED in the context of different MHC epitopes used identical J alpha (J alpha 810) and J beta (J beta 2.6) gene segments. C9, specific for AED-Db, shared identical V beta (V beta 6) and J beta gene segments (J beta 1.1) as those of a cytotoxic T cell that recognizes allogeneic targets expressing Db. These data indicate that a simple rule governing the usage of the variable regions of either the alpha or beta T cell receptor (TcR) genes in the recognition of antigen and MHC gene products cannot be formulated. However, subtle similarities can be detected in some situations between the primary structures of the TcR and the targets they recognize.

Base Sequence

Natural killer cell and granulocyte Fc gamma receptor III (CD16) differ in membrane anchor and signal transduction.

CD16 is a low affinity Fc gamma R III expressed on granulocytes, macrophages and large granular lymphocytes, the mediators of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and NK. The occupancy of CD16 by aggregated IgG on large granular lymphocytes induces expression of activation markers, release of inflammatory mediators and triggering of effector functions such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Recently we and others described that CD16 is anchored to the membrane of granulocytes via a phosphatidylinositol glycan moiety. Here we show that the CD16 molecule expressed on NK cells, cultured monocytes, and lung macrophages is not phosphatidylinositol glycan moiety anchored. It is not released with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, and after removal of N-linked carbohydrate is 5 to 7 kDa larger than the granulocyte CD16 molecule, strongly suggesting the presence of transmembrane and cytoplasmic protein domains. Redirected killing of hybridoma targets expressing anti-CD16 surface Ig shows that NK cell CD16 is unable to do so. These findings demonstrate that NK cell and granulocyte CD16 have different membrane anchors and indicate that the type of membrane anchor is an important biologic mechanism for regulating the functional capacity of surface receptors.

Antigens, Differentiation

Cross-reactivity patterns of vaccinia-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes from H-2Kb mutants.

Limit-dilution cultures were used to select vaccinia-immune T-cell populations from bm1 and bm3 mutant mice that were not lytic for virus-infected targets expressing the Kb and Db MHC glycoprotein. Approximately 30% of virus-immune CTL were restricted in each case to Kbm1 and Kbm3, rather than to Db. Evidence of extensive cross-reactivity was found for these virus-immune CTL. Bm3 and bm11 mice sharing one amino acid mutation from wild-type but differing by a second mutation seen only in bm3 are the most cross-reactive pair in their presentation of vaccinia. The bm1 and bm10 pair with dissimilar mutations from wild-type affecting the same CNBr fragment are also largely cross-reactive. However, 30% cross-reactivity is also found for bm1 and bm3, which differ in separate CNBr fragments. That mutants expressing amino acid substitutions in the same region of the peptide tend to show more evidence of cross-reactivity does not necessarily mean the T cells see linear arrays of amino acids on the MHC glycoprotein. For instance, Kbm1 and Kbm10 differ for three amino acids, but bm1 T cells are highly lytic for bm10 virus-infected targets. However, there is no cross-reactivity for Kbm1 and Kb, which differ at only two amino acids. The key to further understanding may rest with defining the nature of the conformational differences among the Kbm1, Kbm10, and Kb glycoproteins.

Animals

HLA-B27 in inbred and non-inbred transgenic mice. Cell surface expression and recognition as an alloantigen in the absence of human beta 2-microglobulin.

A gene encoding the H chain of the human class I MHC Ag HLA-B27 was introduced into the germ lines of inbred C57BL/6 (B6) and non-inbred (B6 X SJL/J) F2 mice. By immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, the HLA-B27 gene product was expressed on lymphoid cells at levels comparable to the endogenous H-2b and H-2s class I MHC molecules. In both primary and secondary MLC between responder spleen cells from non-transgenic (B6 X SJL/J) F1 mice and transgenic stimulator cells, CTL were generated that specifically lysed mouse L cell (H-2k) or human B cell targets expressing HLA-B27, and this lysis thus appeared largely unrestricted by H-2. These results indicate that transgenic mice express a functional HLA-B27 gene product on cell surfaces in the absence of the human beta 2-microglobulin gene. These transgenic mice promise to be a valuable resource in the investigation of the unique role of HLA-B27 in inflammatory human disease.

Animals

Optimized AAV5-RPGR ORF15 Gene Therapy Rescues Photoreceptor Structure and Function in X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa Mouse Model.

PURPOSE: To develop and evaluate an rAAV5-based gene therapy vector expressing an optimized human RPGR ORF15 transgene (rAAV5-RPGR) for the treatment of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa caused by RPGR mutations, addressing the challenges of cloning the unstable wild-type ORF15 sequence. DESIGN: This was a prospective experimental study. SUBJECTS: This was an animal study. METHODS: An optimized RPGR ORF15 sequence was designed to eliminate problematic secondary structures and cryptic splice sites. In vitro expression was validated in HEK 293T and photoreceptor-like 661 W cells. A complete Rpgr knockout mouse model (Rpgr-knockout [KO]) was generated and characterized phenotypically. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed in Rpgr-KO mice via subretinal injection of rAAV5-RPGR at low (1 &#xd7; 10&#x2079; vg/eye), medium (3 &#xd7; 10&#x2079; vg/eye), or high (1 &#xd7; 10&#xb9;&#x2070; vg/eye) doses. Structural and functional outcomes were evaluated at 12- and 14-month postinjection. Short-term safety was assessed in rabbits 1 month after subretinal injection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Level of RPGR protein expression and Protein isoform profile (elimination of truncated isoforms), Cellular localization of transgene expression and Dose-dependence of expression, outer nuclear layer thickness, and electroretinography parameters. RESULTS: (1) The optimized vector increased RPGR protein expression 3.3-fold in vitro compared to wild-type and eliminated truncated isoforms. (2) Subretinal delivery of rAAV5-RPGR in mice demonstrated dose-dependent transgene expression localized correctly to photoreceptor inner segments. (3) In Rpgr-KO mice, high-dose treatment significantly preserved outer nuclear layer thickness at the injection site (42% greater than controls at 14 months, P < .01) and central retina (P < .05), reduced aberrant rhodopsin mislocalization (P < .01), and partially restored retinal function. ERG showed significantly improved scotopic a-wave (&#x2265;100 vs <90 &#xb5;V in controls at 10 cd&#xb7;s/m&#xb2;) and photopic b-wave amplitudes (49-66 vs 31-46 &#xb5;V at 30 cd&#xb7;s/m&#xb2;) in treated mice. (4) No vector-related toxicity was observed in rabbits. CONCLUSIONS: rAAV5-RPGR mediated efficiently, targeted expression of optimized RPGR-ORF15, significantly preserved photoreceptor structure and function in a severe X-linked retinitis pigmentosa mouse model, and demonstrated a favorable safety profile. This study provides preclinical proof-of-concept for RPGR-targeted gene replacement therapy.

Animals

Pituitary-specific and hormonally regulated gene expression directed by the rat proopiomelanocortin promoter in transgenic mice.

All aspects of POMC biosynthesis exhibit tissue-specific regulation. The single copy gene is highly expressed in anterior lobe (AL) corticotrophs and intermediate lobe (IL) melanotrophs of the pituitary gland and in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. POMC gene transcription in corticotrophs is induced by hypothalamic CRH and vasopressin and inhibited by adrenal glucocorticoids, while in melanotrophs it is predominantly regulated by beta-adrenergic neural input and dopamine. To identify the rat POMC (rPOMC) gene sequences necessary and sufficient to target expression and hormonal regulation in corticotrophs and melanotrophs, we generated 13 transgenic mice carrying rPOMC fusion genes. The genes consisted of 706 or 480 basepairs of rPOMC 5' flanking sequences ligated to either the E. coli LacZ gene encoding beta-galactosidase or the K1 mutant of the SV40 large T-antigen gene. Overall, half of the transgenic lines had reporter gene expression in their AL and IL in a pattern indistinguishable from ACTH immunohistochemistry. In three of these lines, beta-galactosidase or K1 T-antigen was localized by double immunofluorescence exclusively to ACTH-positive corticotrophs and melanotrophs. Transcriptional regulation of the rPOMC-LacZ fusion gene in response to hormonal manipulation was quantified by a fluorescence assay for beta-galactosidase enzyme activity in pituitary extracts. There was a 15-fold increase in AL enzyme activity after adrenalectomy and a 3-fold increase in IL activity after haloperidol treatment. X-gal histochemistry of pituitaries from hormonally treated mice confirmed the cellular specificity of these effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Developmental and liver-specific expression directed by the serum amyloid P component promoter in transgenic mice.

Transgenic mice were produced by microinjection of a human serum amyloid P component (hSAP) gene or a fusion gene (SS) comprising the promoter for hSAP (nucleotides -600 to -14 from the start codon) and the coding region of the hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). In adult mice, both transgenes were expressed only in the liver, and thus the pattern of expression resembled that of the endogenous mouse SAP gene. Both hSAP mRNA and HBsAg were first detected in liver on the second postnatal day. The level of these products increased rapidly and reached the maximum within the first week. These results suggest that the hSAP gene contains a short, cis-acting, developmental, and liver-specific regulatory sequence at the 5' or the 3' end and that this sequence can target expression of the foreign gene.

Animals

Influenza peptide-induced self-lysis and down-regulation of cloned cytotoxic T cells.

Virus-specific cytotoxic T-cell (Tc) clones can lyse target cells in vitro in the presence of their specific peptide epitopes. The lytic potency of murine influenza nucleoprotein (NP)-specific Tc clones was investigated after observing that target cell killing was reduced in the presence of high (greater than 0.2 microM) concentrations of specific NP peptide antigen. Following incubation of Tc for 16 hr in the presence of a range of peptide concentrations, two effects were observed; (i) a peptide dose-dependent mortality of Tc, which has been attributed to self-lysis by clonal Tc in the presence of specific peptide; (ii) and a reduced ability to specifically lyse NP-expressing target cells whilst retaining lectin-dependent lytic activity in the surviving Tc. This functional down-regulation was reversible after 24 hr incubation in the absence of peptide. Toxic effects were excluded, since inhibition of specific target lysis by Tc was mediated only be pretreatment with specifically recognized peptide.

Animals

The Jumonji C domain-containing proteins GmJMJ19 and GmJMJ20 link florigen signaling with epigenetic regulation of photoperiodic flowering and post-flowering plant height in soybean.

Soybean (Glycine max) is a photoperiod-sensitive legume whose latitudinal adaptation depends on the precise control of flowering time and plant height. Histone demethylases of the JmjC domain-containing (JMJ) protein family have been implicated in these processes across plant species, but their specific roles in soybean remain largely unexplored. Here, we identify soybean GmJMJ19 and GmJMJ20, two closely related JMJD5/KDM8 orthologs, as master epigenetic regulators that coordinately control both photoperiodic flowering and post-flowering plant height. Both genes exhibit intrinsic, rhythmic expression peaking at ZT12, and their encoded proteins physically interact with the florigen proteins FT2a and FT5a. Loss-of-function mutants display delayed flowering under long days (LDs) and increased plant height under both LDs and short days (SDs), whereas overexpression phenocopies the mutant flowering phenotype, indicating revealing a critical dosage requirement for proper function. Mechanistically, GmJMJ19 and GmJMJ20 are recruited by the FT/FD transcriptional complex to directly activate AP1a and AP1c expression through chromatin modulation. Population genomic analyses reveal distinct selection signatures: GmJMJ19 underwent sustained directional selection during cultivation, whereas GmJMJ20 experienced an early domestication sweep with limited subsequent change. Haplotype analysis identifies coordinated latitudinal clines, with the JMJ19H1/JMJ20H1 combination predominating at high latitudes to promote early flowering and limit height, while JMJ19H2/JMJ20H2 and wild JMJ19H3/JMJ20H3 alleles prevail at low latitudes, conferring later flowering and increased height. Collectively, our findings establish GmJMJ19 and GmJMJ20 as central chromatin regulators linking florigen signaling to downstream target expression and provide valuable allelic resources for breeding regionally adapted soybean varieties across a wide range of latitudinal environments.

Histone modulation