Analysis of Inactivation of hMLH1 by Promoter Hypermethylation and Microsatellite Instability in Gastric Carcinogenesis

OBJECTIVE To study the microsatellite instability (MSI) and methylation state of the hMLH1 gene promoter and their mechanisms underlying the development of gastric cancer. METHODS Forty-one gastric cancer samples were obtained from patients undergoing surgery and 46 chronic atrophic gastritis tissues with dysplasia or intestinal metaplasia (IM) were obtained from patients undergoing gastro-endoscopy. Fourteen normal gastric mucosal samples were used as controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from the samples and 5 microsatellite markers were used to measure MSI. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was used to screen the methylation state of the samples. DNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry were performed to verify the results. RESULTS MSI was identified in 22 out of the 41 (53.7%) gastric cancers, of which 8 cases showed high-level MSI (2 or more loci altered) and 14 showed low-level MSI (1 locus altered). MSI was also detected in 12 out of 46 (26.1%) pre-cancerous lesions of the stomach, whereas it was not seen in the normal tissue. Moreover, hMLH1 hypermethylation was detected in 17 out of the 41 (41.5%) gastric cancers, 9 out of the 46 (19.6%) pre-cancerous lesions and 0 out of the 14 normal tissue. Significant differences in frequency of MSI and hMLH1 promoter methylation were observed among gastric cancers, precancerous lesions and normal gastric tissue. Gastric samples with MSI had a tendency to be hypermethylated in the hMLH1 promoter. DNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry results also confirmed that hMLH1 promoter methylation could lead to loss of the hMLH1 protein and gene silence which sequentely resulted in gene mismatch and MSI. CONCLUSION Accumulation of MSI and hMLH1 promoter methylation may be important early molecular events during gastric carcinogenesis and may contribute to the acquisition of a transformed cell phenotype and the development of gastric cancer.

Candidate genes conferring ethylene-response in cultivated peanuts determined by BSA-seq and fine-mapping

Ethylene plays essential roles in plant growth,development and stress responses.The ethylene signaling pathway and molecular mechanism have been studied extensively in Arabidopsis and rice but limited in peanuts.Here,we established a sand-culture method to screen pingyangmycin mutagenized peanut lines based on their specific response to ethylene(“triple response”).An ethylene-insensitive mutant,inhibition of peanut hypocotyl elongation 1(iph1),was identified that showed reduced sensitivity to ethylene in both hypocotyl elongation and root growth.Through bulked segregant analysis sequencing,a major gene related to iph1,named AhIPH1,was preliminarily mapped at the chromosome Arahy.01,and further narrowed to a 450-kb genomic region through substitution mapping strategy.A total of 7014 genes were differentially expressed among the ACC treatment through RNA-seq analysis,of which only the Arahy.5BLU0Q gene in the candidate mapping interval was differentially expressed between WT and mutant iph1.Integrating sequence variations,functional annotation and transcriptome analysis revealed that a predicated gene,Arahy.5BLU0Q,encoding SNF1 protein kinase,may be the candidate gene for AhIPH1.This gene contained two single-nucleotide polymorphisms at promoter region and was more highly expressed in iph1 than WT.Our findings reveal a novel ethylene-responsive gene,which provides a theoretical foundation and new genetic resources for the mechanism of ethylene signaling in peanuts.

Pathogenesis of chronic enteropathy associated with the SLCO2A1 gene:Hypotheses and conundrums

Chronic enteropathy associated with the SLCO2A1 gene(CEAS)is a complex gastroenterological condition characterized by multiple ulcers in the small intestine with chronic bleeding and protein loss.This review explores the potential mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of CEAS,focusing on the role of SLCO2A1-encoded prostaglandin transporter OATP2A1 and its impact on prostaglandin E2(PGE2)levels.Studies have suggested that elevated PGE2 levels contribute to mucosal damage,inflammation,and disruption of the intestinal barrier.The effects of PGE2 on macrophage activation and Maxi-Cl channel functionality,as well as its interaction with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs play crucial roles in the progression of CEAS.Understanding the balance between its protective and pro-inflammatory effects and the complex interactions within the gastrointestinal tract can shed light on potential therapeutic targets for CEAS and guide the development of novel,targeted therapies.

New perspectives in prognostication of hepatocellular carcinoma:The role and clinical implications of transient receptor potential family genes

The study titled“Transient receptor potential-related risk model predicts prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients”is a significant contribution to hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)research,highlighting the role of transient receptor potential(TRP)family genes in the disease’s progression and prognosis.Utilizing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database,it establishes a new risk assessment model,emphasizing the interaction of TRP genes with tumor proliferation pathways,key metabolic reactions like retinol metabolism,and the tumor immune microenvironment.Notably,the overexpression of the TRPC1 gene in HCC correlates with poorer patient survival outcomes,suggesting its potential as a prognostic biomarker and a target for personalized therapy,particularly in strategies combining immunotherapy and anti-TRP agents.

Understanding the role of transmembrane 9 superfamily member 1 in bladder cancer pathogenesis

In this editorial we comment on the article by Wei et al,published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Clinical Oncology.The authors investigated the role of Transmembrane 9 superfamily member 1(TM9SF1)protein in bladder cancer(BC)carcinogenesis.Lentiviral vectors were used to achieve silencing or overexpression of TM9SF1 gene in three BC cell lines.These cell lines were then subject to cell counting kit 8,wound-healing assay,transwell assay,and flow cytometry.Proliferation,migration,and invasion of BC cells were increased in cell lines subjected to TM9SF1 overexpression.TM9SF1 silencing inhibited proliferation,migration and invasion of BC cells.The authors conclude that TM9SF1 may be an oncogene in bladder cancer pathogenesis.

A cluster of mutagenesis revealed an osmotic regulatory role of the OsPIP1 genes in enhancing rice salt tolerance

Aquaporins play important regulatory roles in improving plant abiotic stress tolerance.To better understand whether the Os PIP1 genes collectively dominate the osmotic regulation in rice under salt stress,a cluster editing of the Os PIP1;1,Os PIP1;2 and Os PIP1;3 genes in rice was performed by CRISPR/Cas9 system.Sequencing showed that two mutants with Cas9-free,line 14 and line 18 were successfully edited.Briefly,line 14 deleted a single C base in both the Os PIP1;1 and Os PIP1;3 genes,and inserted a single T base in the Os PIP1;2 gene,respectively.While line 18 demonstrated an insertion of a single A base in the Os PIP1;1gene and a single T base in both the Os PIP1;2 and Os PIP1;3 genes,respectively.Multiplex editing of the Os PIP1 genes significantly inhibited photosynthetic rate and accumulation of compatible metabolites,but increased MDA contents and osmotic potentials in the mutants,thus delaying rice growth under salt stress.Functional loss of the Os PIP1 genes obviously suppressed the expressions of the Os PIP1,Os SOS1,Os CIPK24 and Os CBL4 genes,and increased the influxes of Na+and effluxes of K^(+)/H^(+)in the roots,thus accumulating more Na+in rice mutants under salt stress.This study suggests that the Os PIP1 genes are essential modulators collectively contributing to the enhancement of rice salt stress tolerance,and multiplex editing of the Os PIP1 genes provides insight into the osmotic regulation of the PIP genes.

Mismatch repair genes (hMLH1, hPMS1, hPMS2, GTBP/hMSH6,HMSH2) in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: DNA misrnatch repair (MMR) is an impotent mechanism for maintaining fidelity of genomic DNA. Abnormalities in one or more MMR genes are implicated in the development of many cancers. We investigated the role of expression of MMR genes (hMLH1, hPMS1, hPMS2, GTBP/hMSH6, hMSH2) in hepatocellular carcinogenesis. METHODS: We evaluated the expression level of MMR genes in 33 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases using the multiplex reverse transcription (RT) PCR assays, as well as in 16 cases of normal adjacent hepatic tissues. Β-actin gene was used as an internal control and calibrator for quantification of gene expression. RESULTS: Out of the 33 studied cases, 25 were HCV positiveand 30 (90.9%) showed reduced expression in one or more of the studied MMR genes. Reduced expression was found in hMSH2 (71.9%), hMLH1 (53.3%), GTBP (51.1%), hPMS2 (33.3%) and hPMS1 (6%). A significant correlation was found between reduced expression of hPMS2(P= 0.0069) and GTBP(P= 0.0034), hPMS2and non-cirrhosis (P= 0.0197),hMLH1 and high grade. On the other hand, 57.1%, 50%, 20%, 18.8%, and 6% of the normal tissues distant to tumors showed reduced expression of hMSH2, hMLH1, GTBP, hPMS2, and hPMS1 respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between the expression level of hMSH2(P= 0.008), hMLH1 (P= 0.001) and GTBP (P = 0.032)and HCC, between hPMS2, GTBP and HCVassociated HCC (P＜0.001, 0.002).CONCLUSION: Reduced expression of MMR genes seemsto play an important role in HCV-associated HCC. hPMS2 islikely involved at an early stage of hepatocarcinogenesis since it was detected in normal adjacent tissues. Reduced expression of hPMS2 provides a growth advantage and stimulates proliferation which encourages malignant transformation in non-cirrhotic HCV-infected patients via acquisition of more genetic damages.

High-resolution genetic mapping and identification of candidate genes for the wheat stem rust resistance gene Sr8155B1

Stem rust,caused by Puccinia graminis f.sp.tritici(Pgt),threatens global wheat production.Development of cultivars with increased resistance to stem rust by identification,mapping,and deployment of resistance genes is the best strategy for controlling the disease.In this study,we performed fine mapping and characterization of the all-stage stem rust resistance(Sr)gene Sr8155B1 from the durum wheat line 8155-B1.In seedling tests of biparental populations,Sr8155B1 was effective against six Chinese Pgt races tested.In a segregating population of 5060 gametes,Sr8155B1 was mapped to a 0.06-cM region flanked by markers Pku2772 and Pku43365,corresponding to 1.5-and 2.7-Mb regions in the Svevo and Chinese Spring reference genomes.Both regions include several typical nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat(NLR)and protein kinase genes that represent candidate genes.Among them,three NLR genes and three receptor-like protein kinases were highly polymorphic between the parental lines and their transcripts were upregulated in the homozygous resistant line TdR2 relative to its susceptible sister line TdS4.Four markers(Pku2772,Pku43365,Pku2950,and Pku3721)developed in this study,together with seedling resistance responses,correctly predicted Sr8155B1 absence or presence in 78 tetraploid wheat genotypes tested.The presence of Sr8155B1 in tetraploid wheat accessions CItr 14916,PI 197492,and PI 197493 was confirmed by mapping in three F_(2)populations.The genetic map and linked markers developed in this study may accelerate the deployment of Sr8155B1-mediated resistance in wheat breeding programs.

Regulatory role of NFAT1 signaling in articular chondrocyteactivities and osteoarthritis pathogenesis

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of joint disease, is characterized clinically by joint pain, stiffness,and deformity. OA is now considered a whole joint disease;however, the breakdown of the articular cartilage remains themajor hallmark of the disease. Current treatments targeting OA symptoms have a limited impact on impeding orreversing the OA progression. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying OA development isa critical barrier to progress in OA therapy. Recent studies by the current authors’ group and others have revealedthat the nuclear factor of activated T cell 1 (NFAT1), a member of the NFAT family of transcription factors, regulatesthe expression of many anabolic and catabolic genes in articular chondrocytes of adult mice. Mice lacking NFAT1exhibit normal skeletal development but display OA in both appendicular and spinal facet joints as adults. Thisreview mainly focuses on the recent advances in the regulatory role of NFAT1 transcription factor in the activities ofarticular chondrocytes and its implication in the pathogenesis of OA.

Changes of p53 and Waf1p21 and cell proliferation in esophageal carcinogenesis

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大鼠Neurogenesin-1基因真核表达载体的构建及在cos-7细胞中的表达

目的克隆大鼠海马中Neurogenesin-1(Ng1)基因片段,构建pSecTag2/HygroB-Ng1真核表达载体,并检测其在cos-7细胞中的表达,为进一步研究该基因对脊髓神经干细胞分化的影响提供实验依据。方法在无RNA酶污染的条件下提取出大鼠海马总RNA。利用逆转录聚合酶链反应扩增出Ng1基因片段。将该基因片段连接到真核表达载体pSecTag2/HygroB,聚合酶链反应初步筛选,双酶切鉴定后送测序。将构建成功的重组真核表达载体转染入cos-7细胞,Westernblot鉴定重组Ng1蛋白的表达。结果逆转录聚合酶链反应成功获得大鼠Ng1cDNA。随机挑选10个重组真核表达载体的克隆,聚合酶链反应筛选出阳性克隆2个,经双酶切鉴定、测序及Blast分析鉴定重组质粒构建成功。脂质体介导转染cos-7细胞48h后,Westernblot鉴定重组Ng1蛋白在cos-7细胞中的表达,在46ku处出现阳性条带。结论大鼠海马Ng1基因的真核表达载体pSecTag2/HygroB-Ng1构建成功,转染cos-7细胞后能够表达重组Ng1蛋白。

NS特异性干扰载体pGenesil-1-NS的构建及鉴定

目的核干细胞因子(nucleostemin,NS)是维持干细胞和癌细胞增殖所必需的蛋白质,可能成为肿瘤基因治疗的潜在靶点.本文旨在构建靶向NS干扰载体p Genesil-1-NS,为后续实验奠定基础.方法基于已发布的NS mRNA序列(NM_206825),选取5'-AAGCCTA GGAAAGACCCAGG-3'(397-416)作为候选靶序列,按shRNA载体设计原则,设计合成两条互补DNA链,退火后插入载体,并以酶切和测序鉴定重组转化子.结果经酶切及测序鉴定证实合成序列正确插入载体.结论成功构建NS特异性干扰载体p Genesil-1-NS,可用于NS在肿瘤中的功能研究.

Study on the Function of ORF Genes of Porcine Circovirus-like Virus P1

[Objectives]This study was conducted to determine the functions of eight ORF genes of porcine circovirus-like virus P1.[Methods]The double-copy tandem molecular cloning of porcine circovirus-like virus P1 genome was used to construct molecular clones with eight ORFs deleted by DNA site-directed mutagenesis technology.After transfected into PK15 cells for a certain period of time,RNA were extracted and was used to verify whether the eight ORFs were deleted or not and used for gene microarry analysis.The GO functions and KEGG pathway enrichment of differentially expressed genes were analyzed.[Results]P1 ORF1 is mainly involved in the biological processes of defense response to virus,signal transduction,regulation of Rab GTPase activity,and lipid metabolic process,and involved in the molecular functions of protein phosphatase inhibitor activity,phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C activity,2 iron,2 sulfur cluster binding,phosphoric diester hydrolase activity,and Rab GTPase activator activity,and in the KEGG pathways of secretion of digestive gland and nervous system development.P1 ORF2 is mainly involved in the biological processes of positive regulation of leukocyte chemotaxis,positive regulation of cell proliferation,positive regulation of cell migration,defense response to virus,regulation of cell growth,and involved in the molecular functions of insulin-like growth factor binding,and chemokine activity,and in the KEGG pathways of cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway,RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway,toll-like receptor signaling pathway,chemokine signaling pathway,and cytokines,cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction.The biological processes,molecular functions and related pathways involving P1 ORF3 and ORF5 are basically similar to those of ORF2.P1 ORF8 is mainly involved in the biological processes of purine ribonucleotide biosynthetic process,amino acid transport,defense response to virus,amino acid transmembrane transport,and involved in molecular functions of N6-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)AMP AMP-lyase(fumarate-forming)activity,iron-sulfur cluster binding,amino acid transmembrane transporter activity.[Conclusions]The analysis of the ORF functions of P1 virus lays a foundation for the study of its pathogenicity and pathogenesis.

错配修复蛋白hMSH2 hMLH1表达在胃癌发生中的作用及临床意义

目的:探讨错配修复蛋白hMSH2、hMLH1表达及其在细胞内表达位置对胃癌发生的影响及临床意义。方法:收集大连医科大学附属第一医院胃癌标本172例、癌旁胃粘膜标本151例,非癌患者胃粘膜标本34例,应用免疫组织化学方法检测每例胃粘膜标本hMSH2、hMLH1蛋白的表达情况(包括其在细胞内表达位置),应用χ2检验,Spearman等级相关分析在SPSS13.0统计软件上作相关统计。结果:胃癌、癌旁胃粘膜和非癌患者胃粘膜hMSH2蛋白表达率分别为69.8%(120/172)、49.7%(75/151)和32.4%(11/34),胃癌组显著高于后两组(P=0.000),而后两组间无显著性差异(P=0.067);hMLH1蛋白表达率分别为73.3%(126/172)、57.6%(87/151)和41.2%(14/34),胃癌组显著高于后两组(P=0.000),而后两组间无显著性差异(P=0.082)。hMSH2和hMLH1蛋白表达率与胃癌患者的性别、年龄及胃癌分化程度均无显著相关关系。胃癌、癌旁胃粘膜和非癌患者胃粘膜hMSH2蛋白细胞核表达率分别为70.0%(84/120)、58.7%(44/75)和36.4%(4/11),细胞浆表达率分别为30.0%(36/120)、41.3%(31/75)和63.6%(7/11);胃癌、癌旁胃粘膜、非癌患者胃粘膜中,hMSH2蛋白细胞核表达率逐渐降低,而细胞浆表达率则逐渐增高(r=0.161,P=0.020)。三种不同胃粘膜间,hMLH1蛋白在细胞内表达位置无显著性差异(P=0.878)。结论:同时检测胃粘膜错配修复蛋白hMSH2和hMLH1的表达及其细胞内表达位置可能有助于胃癌的早期预警。

Reprimo 和 hMLH1基因甲基化在胃癌早期诊断价值的研究

目的：探讨 Reprimo 和 hMLH1基因启动子区甲基化检测在胃癌早期诊断中的价值。方法通过陕西省人民医院2013年9月-2014年4月收治的慢性萎缩性胃炎伴肠上皮化生患者50例、异型增生患者50例、胃癌患者50例，取内镜下胃活检组织，并取正常胃黏膜活检组织30例作为对照组，分析 Reprimo 基因和 hMLH1基因启动子区甲基化表达情况，比较各组患者间的差异。结果患者组的胃黏膜组织中 Reprimo 基因和 hMLH1基因启动子区甲基化阳性率显著高于正常组，差异有统计学意义（P ＜0.05）。Reprimo 基因启动子区甲基化阳性率：慢性萎缩性胃炎伴肠上皮化生组28％（χ^2＝10.18，P ＜0.05）；异型增生组56％（χ^2＝25.84，P ＜0.05）；胃癌组62％（χ^2＝30.36，P ＜0.05）；hMLH1基因启动子区甲基化阳性率：慢性萎缩性胃炎伴肠上皮化生组20％（χ^2＝4.39，P ＜0.05）；异型增生组44％（χ^2＝15.13，P ＜0.05）；胃癌组48％（χ^2＝17.41，P ＜0.05），检测的特异度高。结论Reprimo 和 hMLH1基因甲基化检测在胃癌早期诊断中的价值很高，特异度高，是一种有效的诊断方式，在患者的临床诊断方面拥有广阔的治疗前景。

The Effects of Dwarfing Genes (Rht-B1b, Rht-D1b, and Rht8) with Different Sensitivity to GA_3 on the Coleoptile Length and Plant Height of Wheat

Understanding the effects of wheat dwarfing genes on the coleoptile length and plant height is crucial for the proper utilization of dwarfing genes in the improvement of wheat yield. Molecular marker analysis combined with pedigree information were used to classify wheat cultivars widely planted in major wheat growing regions in China into different categories based on the dwarfing genes they carried. The effects of the dwarfing genes with different sensitivity to gibberellins （GA3） on the coleoptile length and plant height were analyzed. Screening of 129 cultivars by molecular marker analysis revealed that 58 genotypes of wheat contained the dwarfing gene Rht-B1b, 24 genotypes of wheat contained Rht-D1b gene and 73 genotypes of wheat possessed Rht8 gene. In addition, among these 129 cultivars, 35 genotypes of wheat cultivars contained both Rht-B1b and Rht8 genes and 16 genotypes of wheat cultivars contained both Rht-D1b and Rht8 genes. Wheat cultivars with the dwarfing genes Rht-B1b or Rht-D1b were insensitive to GA3, while the cultivars with the dwarfing gene Rht8 were sensitive to GA3. Most of the wheat genotypes containing combination of Rht8 gene with either Rht-B1b or Rht-D1b gene were insensitive to GA3. The plant height was reduced by 24.6, 30.4, 28.2, and 32.2%, respectively, for the wheat cultivars containing Rht-B1b, Rht-D1b, Rht-B1b ＋ Rht8, and Rht-D1b ＋ Rht8 genes. The plant height was reduced by 14.3% for the wheat cultivar containing GA3-sensitive gene Rht8. The coleoptile length was shortened by 25.4, 31.3, 28.4 and 31.3%, respectively, in the wheat cultivars containing Rht-B1b, Rht-D1b, Rht-B1b ＋Rht8 and Rht-D1b ＋ Rht8 genes, while the coleoptile length was shortened only by 6.2% for the wheat cultivar containing Rht8 gene. We conclude that GA3-insensitive dwarfing genes （Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b） are not suitable for the wheat improvement in dryland because these two genes have effect on reducing both plant height and coleoptile length. In contrast, GA3- sensitive dwarfing gene （Rht8） is a relatively ideal candidate for the wheat improvement since it significantly reduces the plant height of wheat, but has less effect on the coleoptile length.

EMP-1 Promotes Tumorigenesis of NSCLC through PI3K/AKT Pathway

This study examined the role of EMP-1 in tumorigenesis of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and the possible mechanism. Specimens were collected from 28 patients with benign lung diseases and 28 with NSCLC, and immunohis to chemically detected to evaluate the correlation of EMP-1 expression to the clinical features of NSCLC. Recombinant adenovirus was constructed to over-express EMP-1 and then infect PC9 cells. Cell proliferation was measured by Ki67 staining. Western blotting was performed to examine the effect of EMP-1 on the PI3K/AKT signaling. Moreover, tumor xeno-grafts were established by subcutaneous injection of PC9 cell suspension (about 5×107/mL in 100 μL of PBS) into the right hind limbs of athymic nude mice. The results showed EMP-1 was significantly up-regulated in NSCLC patients as compared with those with benign lung diseases. Over-expression of EMP-1 promoted proliferation of PC9 cells, which coincided with the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. EMP-1 promoted the growth of xenografts of PC9 cells in athymic nude mice. It was concluded that EMP-1 expression may contribute to the development and progress of NSCLC by activating PI3K/AKT pathway.

Systemic acquired resistance, NPR1, and pathogenesis-related genes in wheat and barley

In Arabidopsis, systemic acquired resistance （SAR） is established beyond the initial infection by a pathogen or is directly induced by treatment with salicylic acid （SA） or its functional analogs, 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acid （INA） and benzothiadiazole （BTH）. NPR1 protein is considered the master regulator of SAR in both SA signal sensing and transduction. In wheat （Triticum aesfivum） and barley （Hordeum vulgare）, both pathogen infection and BTH treatment can induce broad-spectrum resistance to various diseases, including powdery mildew, leaf rust, Fusarium head blight, etc. However, three different types of SAR-like responses including acquired resistance （AR）, systemic immunity （SI）, and BTH-induced resistance （BIR） seem to be achieved by activating different gene pathways. Recent research on wheat and barley NPR1 homologs in AR and SI has provided the initial clue for understanding the mechanism of SAR in these two plant species. In this review, the specific features ofAR, Si, and BIR in wheat and barley were summarized and compared with that of SAR in model plants of Arabidopsis and rice. Research updates on downstream genes of SAR, including pathogenesis-related （PR） and BTH-induced genes, were highlighted.

Characterization of NPR1 Genes from Norton and Cabernet Sauvignon Grapevine

Non-expressor of pathogenesis-related genes 1 （NPR1） plays a significant role in the defense responses of plants to pathogens by regulating the expression of defense-related genes. In the present study, we isolated two NPR1 genes from Vitis aestivalis cv. Norton and Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon, which were referred to as VaNPR1.1 and VvNPR1. 1-CS, respectively. They encode a protein of 584 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 64.8 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point （pI） of 5.74. The predicted amino acid sequences of VaNPR1.1 and VvNPR1.1-CS differ by only one amino acid. Over-expression of VaNPR1.1 gene in Arabidopsis npr1-1 mutant plants restores the transcriptional expression of AtPR-1 gene, though not to the full scale. This result demonstrated that a grapevine VaNPR1.1 possesses a similar function to the Arabidopsis NPR1 in the regulation of defense-related genes. Over-expression of VaNPR1.1 in transgenic Arabidopsis plant increased tolerance to salinity, but had no effect on the drought tolerance. We conclude that VaNPR1.1 is a functional ortholog of AtNPR1 and also involved in grapevine＇s response to the salt stress.

Effects of epinephrine on angiogenesis-related gene expressions in cultured rat cardiomyocytes

Epinephrine is often used for the treatment of patients with heart failure, low cardiac output and cardiac arrest. It can acutely improve hemodynamic parameters; however, it does not seem to improve longer term clinical outcomes. Therefore, we hypothesized that epinephrine may induce unfavorable changes in gene expression of cardiomyocyte. Thus, we investigated effects of epinephrine exposure on the mediation or modulation of gene expression of cultured cardiomyocytes at a genome-wide scale. Our investigation revealed that exposure of cardiomyocytes to epinephrine in an in vitro environment can up-regulate the expression ofangiopoietin-2 gene （~ 2.1 times）, and down-regulate the gene expression of neuregulin 1 （-3.7 times）, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 （-2.4 times） and SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein-2 （-4.5 times）. These changes suggest that epinephrine exposure may induce inhibition of angiogenesis-related gene expressions in cultured rat cardiomyocytes. The precise clinical significance of these changes in gene expression, which was induced by epinephrine exposure, warrants further experimental and clinical investigations.