N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is methylation that occurs in the N6-position of adenosine, which is the most prevalent internal modification on eukaryotic mRNA. Accumulating evidence suggests that m6A modulates gene expression, thereby regulating cellular processes ranging from cell self-renewal, differentiation, invasion and apoptosis. M6A is installed by m6A methyltransferases, removed by m6A demethylases and recognized by reader proteins, which regulate of RNA metabolism including translation, splicing, export, degradation and microRNA processing. Alteration of m6A levels participates in cancer pathogenesis and development via regulating expression of tumor-related genes like BRD4, MYC, SOCS2 and EGFR. In this review, we elaborate on recent advances in research of m6A enzymes. We also highlight the underlying mechanism of m6A in cancer pathogenesis and progression. Finally, we review corresponding potential targets in cancer therapy.

Fluorescent aptamer probes physisorbed on graphene oxide (GO) have recently emerged as a useful sensing platform. Signal is generated by analyte-induced probe desorption. To address non-specific probe displacement and false positive signal, we herein report a covalently linked aptamer probe for ATP detection. A fluorophore and amino dual-modified aptamer was linked to the carboxyl group on GO with a coupling efficiency of ~50%. The linearity, specificity, stability, and regeneration of the covalent sensor was systematically studied and compared to the physisorbed probe. Both sensors have similar sensitivity, but the covalent one is more resistant to non-specific probe displacement by proteins. The covalent sensor has a dynamic range from 0.125 mM to 2 mM ATP in buffer at room temperature and is resistance to DNase I. Intracellular ATP imaging was demonstrated using the covalent sensor, which generated higher fluorescence signal than the physisorbed sensor. After stimulating the cells with 5 mM Ca 2+ for ATP production, the intracellular signal enhanced by 31.8%. This work highlights the advantages of covalent aptamer sensors using GO as both a quencher and a delivery vehicle for intracellular metabolite detection.3

Skeletal muscle is a major site for the oxidation of fatty acids (FA) in mammals, including humans. Using a swine model, we tested the hypothesis that dietary protein intake regulates the expression of key genes for lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle. A total of ninetysix barrows (forty-eight pure-bred Bama mini-pigs (fatty genotype) and forty-eight Landrace pigs (lean genotype)) were fed from 5 weeks of age to market weight. Pigs of fatty or lean genotype were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments (low-or adequate-protein diet), with twenty-four individually fed pigs per treatment. Our data showed that dietary protein levels affected the expression of genes involved in the anabolism and catabolism of lipids in the longissimus dorsi and biceps femoris muscles in a genotype-dependent manner. Specifically, Bama mini-pigs had more intramuscular fat, SFA and MUFA, as well as elevated mRNA expression levels of lipogenic genes, compared with Landrace pigs. In contrast, Bama mini-pigs had lower mRNA expression levels of lipolytic genes than Landrace pigs fed an adequate-protein diet in the growing phase. These data are consistent with higher white-fat deposition in Bama mini-pigs than in Landrace pigs. In conclusion, adequate provision of dietary protein (amino acids) plays an important role in regulating the expression of key lipogenic genes, and the growth of white adipose tissue, in a genotype-and tissue-specific manner. These findings have important implications for developing novel dietary strategies in pig production.

An efficient and highly regioselective protocol was developed for the preparation of 5-hydroxy-2-isoxazolines, which have been proved to be versatile synthons for isoxazles, beta-hydroxy oximes, and gamma-amino alcohols. Beta-lactams, commonly embedded in the skeletons of bioactive natural products, were also synthesized in two steps from beta-hydroxy oximes, providing a new strategy for the synthesis of this kind of compounds.