Quercetin inhibits truncated isoform of dopamine-and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein as adjuvant treatment for trastuzumab therapy resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer

Trastuzumab resistance is one of the causes of poor prognosis in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-positive(HER2+)breast cancer(BC).The truncated isoform of dopamine-and cAMPregulated phosphoprotein(t-DARPP)has been reported to be involved in trastuzumab therapy resistance and promoting tumor progression.To evaluate the t-DARPP expression in BC,paired tumors and surrounding normal tissues were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and confirmed higher DARPP-32 kDa family mRNA expression in HER2+BC tumor tissues.We established 2 patient-derived xenografts(PDX)mice models to test the efficacy of trastuzumab,named model 1(non-responder)and model 2(responder).t-DARPP and p95-HER2 protein-protein interactions were detected in PDX tumor tissue from non-responders using Förster resonance energy transfer assays.Instead,there is no response from the responder.Furthermore,mechanistic studies using transwell and western blot assays demonstrated that t-DARPP could upregulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition signaling proteins,enhance p95-HER2 expression and promote cell migration.We found that quercetin effectively reduced t-DARPP expression in HER2+BC cells.In t-DARPP ShRNA-suppressed cells,quercetin synergistically enhanced trastuzumab-induced apoptotic cell death and G2/M phase arrest.In conclusion,the combination of quercetin and trastuzumab treatment by targeting t-DARPP in HER2+BC patients has the potential as a biomarker for mitigating drug resistance.

A novel short transcript isoform of chicken IRF7 negatively regulates interferon-βproduction

Type I interferon(IFN-I)provides an important first line to protect avian species against pathogens invasion.IFN regulatory factor 7(IRF7)has been identified as the most important regulator for both DNA and RNA virus-induced IFN-I production in chickens.Although four splicing variants of IRF7 have been identified in mammals,it is still unclear whether alternative splicing patterns and the function of IRF7 isoform(s)exist in chickens.In this study,we reported a novel short transcript isoform of chicken IRF7(chIRF7),termed chIRF7-iso,which contained an intact N-terminal DNA-binding domain(DBD)and 14 amino acids different from chIRF7 in the C-terminal.Overexpression of chIRF7 in chicken leghorn male hepatocellular(LMH)cells activated the IFN-βpromoter and significantly inhibited Newcastle disease virus(NDV)and fowl adenovirus serotype 4(FAdV-4)replication.Conversely,overexpression of chIRF7-iso blocked the IFN-βpromoter activity and was favorable for NDV and FAdV-4 replication in vitro.Collectively,our results confirm that a novel chIRF7 isoform-mediated negative regulates IFN-βproduction,which will contribute to understanding the role of chIRF7 in innate antiviral response in chicken.

CD44异构体在HER23+阳性乳腺癌中的表达及其与预后的关系

背景跨膜蛋白CD44与癌细胞侵袭和转移行为有密切关系,其异构体CD44v6和CD44v8-10在HER23+阳性乳腺癌中的作用尚不明确。目的分析CD44异构体CD44v6和CD44v8-10在HER23+阳性乳腺癌中的表达及其与预后的关系。方法收集2019年1月—2022年6月就诊于东莞市妇幼保健院乳腺科经术前粗针穿刺活检确诊HER23+,并接受新辅助治疗后行手术切除的乳腺癌患者。应用免疫组织化学(IHC)对乳腺癌标本进行CD44v6和CD44v8-10染色,分析两者与HER2、雌激素受体、孕激素受体等临床病理特征和病理完全缓解(pathologic complete response,pCR)之间的关系。结果86例HER23+阳性乳腺癌患者年龄(46.99±10.01)岁,均为女性。全部患者均表现出CD44异构体异质性表达,其中55例(64.0%)CD44v6高表达,58例(67.4%)CD44v8-10高表达。CD44v6高表达组的ER阳性率(76.4%vs 48.4%,P=0.017)、PR阳性率(78.2%vs 19.4%,P<0.001)和Ki67阳性指数(81.8%vs 61.3%,P=0.043)均高于CD44v6低表达组,差异有统计学意义。CD44v8-10高表达组的PR阳性率(70.7%vs 28.6%,P<0.001)和淋巴结转移发生率(72.4%vs 14.3%,P<0.001)均高于CD44v8-10低表达组,差异有统计学意义。此外,CD44v6低表达组和CD44v8-10低表达组的pCR率均显著高于CD44v6高表达组(54.8%vs 30.9%,P=0.039)和CD44v8-10高表达组(71.4%vs 24.1%,P<0.001),差异有统计学意义。多因素Logistic回归分析显示HER2弥漫3+和CD44v8-10高表达的患者pCR率更低(OR=5.281,95%CI:1.346~20.718,P=0.017;OR=5.062,95%CI:1.232~20.799,P=0.024)。结论CD44异构体与HER23+阳性乳腺癌的恶性特征相关,CD44v8-10可作为HER2弥漫3+预后不良的标志物。

Phosphorus Starvation-induced Expression of Leaf Acid Phosphatase Isoforms in Soybean

Leaf acid phosphatase (APase) activities of 274 soybean genotypes were surveyed under field conditions with two levels of P supplies, and a nutrient solution culture experiment with eight selected genotypes was subsequently conducted under greenhouse conditions to further characterize APase activity and its isoform expression induced by P starvation. Results from the field experiment showed that there was a great genotypic variation for leaf APase activity among the tested soybean genotypes from different origins, and APase activity in many of the tested genotypes (about 60%) was generally increased in the treatment without P fertilizer addition. Results from the nutrient solution culture experiment showed that APase activity in all the eight tested genotypes was generally enhanced by P starvation. Six isoforms of APases were detected in isoelectric focusing gels with samples from both young and old leaves. The activity of all the six isoforms was increased by P starvation, but no new APase isoform was induced. Our results suggest that leaf APase activity could serve as an enzymatic indicator of P starvation for soybean; the increase in leaf APase activity under low P stress was mainly caused by the increase in the activity of existing isoforms but not by the induction of new isoforms.

Differential Expression of PKC Isoforms and Their Tumoricidal Activity in Two Macrophage Cell Lines: Involvement of Nitric Oxide-dependent Mechanisms

Objective: To investigate the role of PKC isoforms in the regulation of LPS-triggered tumoricidal activity in macrophages and further elucidate its signal mechanisms. Methods: Two macrophage cell lines (P388D1 and RAW264.7) were stimulated by LPS alone, or with long-term of PMA pretreatment. Then cytotoxicities to P815 cells (by MTT assay) and IL-1, TNF- (by ELISA) and nitric oxide (NO) production (by Griess reagent) in supernatants were measured. Western blot for PKC isoforms after long-term PMA pretreatment was analyzed. Results: RAW264.7 cells were stimulated with LPS to kill target tumor cells P815, whereas P388D1 cells failed to develop such an ability. Down-regulation of PKC isoforms by chronic treatment with PMA significantly inhibited the LPS-induced cytotoxicity in RAW264.7 cells. In unstimulated state, Western blotting with rabbit antiserum specific for the PKC, 1, 2, or showed all 5 isoforms were detected in P388D1 cells, while only PKC, PKC1 and PKC were detected in RAW264.7 cells. Exposure of the cells to long-term of PMA treatment significantly down-regulated the expression of PKC, PKC1 and PKC in RAW264.7 cells. But in P388D1 cells, although PKC, PKC and PKC were down-regulated, the expression of PKC1 and PKC2 could not be regulated. Comparing with LPS-induced IL-1, TNF- and NO production by the two macrophage cell lines, P388D1 failed to produce NO. In RAW264.7 cells, LPS-induced NO production and antitumor activity was attenuated by the addition of L-NAME, an iNOS inhibitor. Conclusion: The results indicated a critical role of PKC in LPS-induced antitumor activity and this cytotoxicity is mainly due to PKC- mediated NO production by RAW264.7 cells, but not a direct cytotoxic activity.

禽白血病病毒J亚群感染鸡组织中细胞受体chNHE 1的表达分析

旨在研究鸡钠氢交换蛋白1(chicken sodium hydrogen exchanger isoform 1,chNHE1)在不同类型鸡组织内的表达情况,J亚群禽白血病病毒(subgroup J avian leukosis virus, ALV-J)的组织嗜性及ALV-J感染后组织chNHE1的mRNA变化情况。本研究利用qPCR技术,检测了商品肉鸡、商品蛋鸡和SPF鸡脏器内的chNHE1转录量,ALV-J感染鸡后各组织的病毒载量及组织chNHE1的转录量的变化。结果显示,chNHE1在3种类型鸡的心、肝、脾、肺、肾、盲肠扁桃体、胸腺和法氏囊中均能检测到,但转录量高低存在较大差异,其中,免疫器官内的chNHE1转录量相对较高;SPF鸡接种ALV-J后,心、脾、肾和盲肠扁桃体中的病毒载量相对较高,而肝、肺、胸腺和法氏囊中的病毒载量相对较低;ALV-J感染后,脾、肾和盲肠扁桃体中的chNHE1转录量明显上调,但心中的转录量与空白对照相比无明显变化。本研究分析了3种类型鸡chNHE1的组织转录特点及ALV-J感染对组织内chNHE1转录的影响,该研究结果为探究受体chNHE1的转录与ALV-J的组织嗜性的关系提供重要的理论依据。

ADCY6通过上皮-间质转化抑制结直肠癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭

目的:探究腺苷酸环化酶亚型6(ADCY6)表达量在结直肠癌(CRC)细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭中的作用机制。方法:通过生物信息学数据库分析ADCY6在各种肿瘤中的表达情况,并分析ADCY6表达水平与结直肠癌患者不良预后及临床病理特征的关系。使用定量实时逆转录(RT-qPCR)和蛋白质免疫印迹(Western blot)法检测结直肠癌细胞中ADCY6 mRNA和蛋白表达。CCK-8法检测ADCY6对结直肠癌细胞增殖的影响,Transwell实验用于检测ADCY6对细胞迁移和侵袭的影响。将转染ADCY6过表达载体的结直肠癌细胞皮下注射到BALB/c小鼠中,构建裸鼠移植肿瘤动物模型,计算肿瘤体积和质量,绘制生长曲线。然后在结直肠癌细胞中过表达ADCY6检测上皮-间充质转化(EMT)关键蛋白的表达以证实ADCY6通过抑制EMT发挥作用。结果:ADCY6在多种恶性肿瘤中低表达,ADCY6 mRNA在CRC组织中的表达水平降低,且ADCY6蛋白在结肠癌中也低表达。ADCY6的表达与年龄、肿瘤分期和淋巴结转移相关。ADCY6在FHC细胞中的表达水平高于CRC细胞。过表达ADCY6可抑制CRC细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭,且ADCY6过表达可抑制肿瘤体积和重量。ADCY6的上调可导致EMT相关的N-钙粘蛋白、波形蛋白和Ki-67的表达水平降低,同时导致细胞黏附分子的表达水平增升高。结论:ADCY6的低表达与CRC患者的不良预后有关,且ADCY6可能通过介导EMT抑制CRC细胞的恶性生物学行为。

前列腺特异性抗原同源异构体2及其衍生物对血清前列腺特异性抗原4~10μg/L前列腺病变患者的临床诊断价值

目的探讨前列腺特异性抗原(PSA)同源异构体2(P2PSA)及其衍生物在血清PSA 4~10μg/L前列腺病变患者临床诊断中的应用。方法选取2021年6月至2022年6月景德镇第一人民医院及南昌大学第二附属医院收治的血清PSA 4~10μg/L的52例前列腺病变患者作为研究对象,根据直肠超声引导下前列腺穿刺活检结果分为实验组(前列腺癌)与对照组(良性前列腺增生),每组26例。两组均行血清标志物检测[总PSA(tPSA)、P2PSA及百分比P2PSA(%P2PSA)、游离PSA(fPSA)、前列腺健康指数(PHI)],比较两组血清标志物,采用Logistic分析法分析血清标志物检测与前列腺癌的相关性,采用Spearman分析法分析血清标志物与前列腺癌侵袭性、淋巴结转移风险的相关性,绘制ROC曲线分析血清标志物对前列腺癌的诊断效能。结果两组tPSA水平比较差异比较无统计学意义;实验组P2PSA水平、%P2PSA、PHI水平均高于对照组,fPSA水平低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Logistic分析结果显示,tPSA与前列腺癌无相关性;P2PSA、%P2PSA、PHI均与前列腺癌呈正相关(P<0.05);fPSA与前列腺癌呈负相关(P<0.05)。Spearman分析结果显示,tPSA与前列腺癌侵袭性、淋巴结转移风险无相关;P2PSA、%P2PSA、PHI均与前列腺癌侵袭性、淋巴结转移风险均呈正相关(P<0.05);fPSA与前列腺癌侵袭性、淋巴结转移风险均呈负相关(P<0.05)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,P2PSA、%P2PSA、fPSA、PHI诊断前列腺癌的AUC分别为0.783、0.746、0.740、0.777,灵敏度分别为76.92%、65.38%、69.23%、61.54%,特异度分别为69.23%、80.77%、73.08%、80.77%,截断值分别为>18.80μg/L、>1.57、≤1.52μg/L、>4.73,均具备一定的诊断效能(AUC>0.7);tPSA诊断前列腺癌的AUC为0.525,诊断效能较差。结论P2PSA、%P2PSA、fPSA、PHI在血清PSA 4~10μg/L前列腺病变患者临床诊断中均具备一定的诊断效能,且P2PSA、%P2PSA、fPSA、PHI与前列腺癌侵袭性及淋巴结转移风险密切相关,可应用于前列腺癌患者的临床诊断以及前列腺癌侵袭性、淋巴结转移风险的评估。

联合SHOX2、RASSF1A及CEA构建的列线图模型对肺癌发生的预测价值

目的 联合矮小同源盒基因2(Short stature homeobox gene 2,SHOX2)、RAS相关结构域家族1亚型A(RAS association domain family 1,isoform A,RASSF1A)及癌胚抗原(Carcinoembryonic antigen,CEA)构建预测肺癌发生的列线图模型,并确定该模型的预测价值。方法 选择2020年1月至2022年12月在新疆医科大学第一附属医院就诊的88例肺癌患者及肺良性肿瘤患者219名。比较两组患者的人口统计学和临床特征信息以及支气管肺泡灌洗液(Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,BALF)中SHOX2和RASSF1A基因的甲基化水平。进行单因素分析及多因素Logistic回归分析筛选出影响肺癌发生的变量构建列线图,并评估其预测效能。结果 肺癌患者中SHOX2阳性36例(41.4%),RASSF1A阳性30例(34.5%)。肺癌患者CEA、细胞角蛋白19片段(Cytokeratin 19 fragment,CYFRA21-1)、鳞状上皮细胞癌抗原(Squamous cell carcinoma antigen,SCCA)、胃泌素释放肽前体(Pro-gastrinreleasing peptide,Pro-GRP)水平与肺良性肿瘤患者比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Logistic回归分析显示,SHOX2、RASSF1A和CEA为肺癌发生的独立危险因素(P<0.05),基于上述独立风险因素所构建的列线图模型显示出良好的区分能力(AUC=0.926),具有较好的一致性且获益良好。结论 联合SHOX2、RASSF1A和CEA构建的列线图模型对肺癌发生具有较高的预测价值,可为肺癌的早期诊断提供依据。

Analysis of Gene Expression of Seven Isoforms of ADP-glucose Pyrophosphorylase in Rice Endosperm under Different Temperature Conditions

[Objective] This study aimed to analyze the effects of temperature on the expression of AGPase isoform genes in rice endosperm during milk stage. [Method] Different temperature treatments （33 and 25 ℃ of daily mean temperature for high and normal temperature treatments, respectively） and the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR （ FQPCR） were used to analyze the expression patterns of seven isoforms （AGPS1, AGPS2a, AGPS2b, AGPL1, AGPL2, AGPL3 and AGPL4） of ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase （AGPase） which was the key enzyme in starch synthesis and metabolism in rice endosperm of two rice varieties Teqing and Thai Fragrant Rice. [Result] The AGPase isoforms AGPS2b, AGPL2 and AGPL3 had much higher expression than the other four isoforms, thus they were thought to be the main expression patterns of AGPase in rice endosperm. The relative expressions of AGPL2 was the highest among all the isoforms. The relative expressions of AGPS2b, AGPL2 and AGPL3 were higher in the normal temperature treatment than in the high temperature treatment in both rice varieties. The relative expression of the three enzyme genes in milk stages in Teqing was higher than those in Thai Fragrant Rice under different temperature treatments. [Conclusion] This study provides a theoretical basis for further use of molecular biology techniques to cultivate stable high-quality rice varieties.

Hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells protect neurons from cardiac arrest-induced pyroptosis

Cardiac arrest can lead to severe neurological impairment as a result of inflammation,mitochondrial dysfunction,and post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation neurological damage.Hypoxic preconditioning has been shown to improve migration and survival of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells and reduce pyroptosis after cardiac arrest,but the specific mechanisms by which hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells protect against brain injury after cardiac arrest are unknown.To this end,we established an in vitro co-culture model of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells and oxygen–glucose deprived primary neurons and found that hypoxic preconditioning enhanced the protective effect of bone marrow stromal stem cells against neuronal pyroptosis,possibly through inhibition of the MAPK and nuclear factor κB pathways.Subsequently,we transplanted hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells into the lateral ventricle after the return of spontaneous circulation in an 8-minute cardiac arrest rat model induced by asphyxia.The results showed that hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells significantly reduced cardiac arrest–induced neuronal pyroptosis,oxidative stress,and mitochondrial damage,whereas knockdown of the liver isoform of phosphofructokinase in bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibited these effects.To conclude,hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells offer a promising therapeutic approach for neuronal injury following cardiac arrest,and their beneficial effects are potentially associated with increased expression of the liver isoform of phosphofructokinase following hypoxic preconditioning.

怀玉山三叶青TOM2BisoformX1基因克隆和功能分析

为揭示怀玉山三叶青TOM2BisoformX1(tobamovirusmultiplicationprotein2BisoformX1)的生物学功能提供理论依据,本研究通过怀玉山三叶青试管苗转录组数据库筛选到怀玉山三叶青TOM2BisoformX1基因的核心片段,利用RT-PCR技术克隆了该基因,并采用生物信息学、转基因瞬时表达和实时定量PCR方法对其进行序列分析、亚细胞定位、组织表达分析和功能分析。结果表明,怀玉山三叶青TOM2BisoformX1基因cDNA总长度为432bp,G+C含量为50.46%;编码143个氨基酸,分子量15392.36Da,等电点7.87,为亲水性蛋白;二级结构由α-螺旋(50.35%)、β-片层(2.10%)、无规则卷曲(47.55%)构成;三级结构为单体;预测怀玉山三叶青TOM2BisoformX1主要存在于细胞核中;怀玉山三叶青TOM2BisoformX1与葡萄(Vitis vinifera)TOM2BisoformX1(GenBank:XP_010664025.1)的同源性最高,达到83.92%。通过烟草叶片亚细胞定位分析表明,TOM2BisoformX1定位于细胞质和细胞核中。实时定量PCR结果显示,TOM2BisoformX1基因在怀玉山三叶青两个栽培种中的表达存在器官特异性,‘怀玉2号’和‘怀玉1号’均在叶中表达量最高;TOM2BisoformX1转基因阳性烟草的三叶青花叶病毒表达量显著高于TOM2BisoformX1转基因阴性烟草;与转基因阴性烟草相比,转基因阳性烟草的净光合速率(Pn)、气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、实际光化学量子效率(ΦPSⅡ)、光化学淬灭系数(qP)及电子传递效率(ETR)显著下降,而非光化学淬灭系数(NPQ)显著上升。怀玉山三叶青TOM2BisoformX1具有典型TOM2BisoformX1的结构特征,氨基酸序列及核酸序列与同源物种相似度高,进化上高度保守,且可促进三叶青烟草花叶病毒的增殖,降低植株的光合作用效率。

锌离子对CHO细胞IgG2抗体表达及二硫键异构体分布的影响

目的:研究Zn^(2+)对中国仓鼠卵巢细胞(CHO细胞)生长、IgG2表达及其二硫键异构体分布的影响。方法:补料分批培养外分泌IgG2的CHO细胞株中,分别添加不同浓度的葡萄糖酸锌,每天监测细胞密度以及活率;培养14 d后离心除细胞得上清液,通过生化分析仪测定上清液中IgG2含量,之后应用蛋白A磁珠亲和得到IgG2纯化样品,非还原十二烷基硫酸钠毛细管电泳(nrCE-SDS)、阳离子交换高效液相色谱(CEX-HPLC)和反相高效液相色谱(RP-HPLC)检测IgG2二硫键异构体分布。结果:25~200μmol/L浓度条件下,Zn^(2+)对于CHO细胞生长,活率维持以及IgG2抗体的表达均有一定的负面影响,并与Zn^(2+)浓度具有负相关性;而Zn^(2+)的添加能够显著提高IgG2二硫键异构体中IgG2-B亚型的比例,下调IgG2-A和IgG2-A/B两种亚型比例。其中100μmol/L Zn^(2+)效果最明显,IgG2-B比例提高近10个百分点。结论:Zn^(2+)能够抑制CHO细胞生长以及IgG2表达,同时Zn^(2+)对二硫键异构体的调控至关重要。

Androgen receptor isoforms in human and rat prostate

Aim: To investigate the androgen receptor (AR) isoforms and its variability of expression in human and rat prostatictissues. Methods: Human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatic cancer tissues were obtained from pa-tients undergoing prostatectomy, and rat ventral prostate was incised 3 days after castration. Forty-one AR-positive BPHspecimens, 3 prostatic cancer specimens, and 6 rat prostates were used. After processing at 4℃, the tissues were ex-amined by means of high resolution isoelectric focusing (IEF) technique to determine their AR isoforms. Results:From the prostatic specimens, 3 types of AR isoforms were detected with pI values at 6.5, 6.0, and 5.3. In humanBPH tissues, 15/41 (36.6%) specimens showed all the three types of isoforms, while 19/41 (46.3%) showed 2 iso-fora at various combinations and 7/41 (17.1%), 1 isoform. For the 3 prostatic cancer specimens, one showed 3 iso-forms, one, 2 isoforms, and the other failed to show any isoform. All rat prostatic tissues showed 2 isoforms at differ-ent combinations. Binding of ~3H-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to the isoforms was inhibited by the addition of 100-foldexcess of DHT or testosterone, but not progesterone, oestradiol or diethylstilboestrol. Conclusion: AR isoforms aredifferent in different patients. Although their genesis is not clear, the therapeutic implication of the present observationappears to be interesting, that may help clarifying the individual differences in the response to hormonal therapy.(Asian J Androl 2000 Dec; 2: 307-310)

Role of PRMTs in cancer: Could minor isoforms be leaving a mark?

Protein arginine methyltransferases(PRMTs) catalyze the methylation of a variety of protein substrates, many of which have been linked to the development, progression and aggressiveness of different types of cancer. Moreover, aberrant expression of PRMTs has been observed in several cancer types. While the link between PRMTs and cancer is a relatively new area of interest, the functional implications documented thus far warrant further investigations into its therapeutic potential. However, the expression of these enzymes and the regulation of their activity in cancer are still significantly understudied. Currently there are nine main members of the PRMT family. Further, the existence of alternatively spliced isoforms for several of these family members provides an additional layer of complexity. Specifically, PRMT1, PRMT2, CARM1 and PRMT7 have been shown to have alternative isoforms and others may be currently unrealized. Our knowledge with respect to the relative expression and the specific functions of these isoforms is largely lacking and needs attention. Here we present a review of the current knowledge of theknown alternative PRMT isoforms and provide a rationale for how they may impact on cancer and represent potentially useful targets for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Characterization of four hemocyanin isoforms in Litopenaeus vannamei

In this study, the gene encoding hemocyanin subunit L, Lv Hc L, was cloned from Litopenaeus vannamei and the genomic organization was characterized. This gene was diverse with many SNPs and also had at least four isoforms, while one of them（Lv Hc L4） only had two exons and the exon2 was missed. Transcription analysis showed that these isoforms of Lv Hc L were up-regulated after WSSV challenge in WSSV-resistant shrimp, while the transcriptions were decreased constantly in WSSV-susceptible shrimp. It is suggested that the hemocyanin had rich polymorphism and was involved in the antiviral response. These results could extend our previous findings and provide insights into the immune feature of hemocyanin, which would be helpful for further studies aimed at antiviral mechanism in invertebrate.

Survivin isoforms and clinicopathological characteristics in colorectal adenocarcinomas using real-time qPCR

AIM:To investigate three isoforms of survivin in colorectal adenocarcinomas.METHODS:We used the LightCycler Technology(Roche),along with a common forward primer and reverse primers specific for the splice variants and two common hybridization probes labeled with fluorescein and LightCycler-Red fluorophore(LC-Red 640).Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) was performed on cDNAs from 52 tumor specimens from colorectal cancer patients and 10 unrelated normal colorectal tissues.In the patients group,carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) and CA19-9 tumor markers were also measured immunochemically.RESULTS:Wild type survivin mRNA isoform was expressed in 48%of the 52 tumor samples,survivin-2b in 38%and survivin-ΔΕx3 in 29%,while no expression was found in normal tissues.The mRNA expression of wild type survivin presented a significant correlation with the expression of the ratio of survivin-2b,survivin-ΔΕx3,survivin-2b/wild type survivin and survivin-ΔΕx3/wild type survivin(P<0.001).The mRNA expression of wildsurvivin and survivin-ΔΕx3 was related with tumor size and invasion(P=0.006 and P<0.005,respectively).A significant difference was found between survivin-2b and morphologic cancer type.Also,the ratio of survivin-ΔEx3/ wild-survivin was significantly associated with prognosis.No association was observed between the three isoforms and grade,metastasis,Dukes stage and gender.The three isoforms were not correlated with CEA and CA19-9.CONCLUSION:Survivin isoforms may play a role in cell apoptosis and their quantification could provide information about clinical management of patients suffering from colorectal cancer.

Changes of Levels of Glutamine Synthetase Isoforms in Roots and Leaves in Responseto Nitrogen Fertilizer Application at Different Growth Stages in Irrigated Rice

Nitrogen is a key element to control the growth and yield of crops. Fertilizer urea nitrogen (N) 60,45, and 30 kg/hm2 was applied at three different stages, midtillering, panicle initiation, and flowering, of the growth and development of rice plants, respectively. At both midtillering and panicle initiation, the total activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) in rice roots and leaves was incrased remarkably as a result of a large amount of ammonia absorbed by roots. Native-PAGE and activity staining showed that the increase of total activity in rice roots and leaves was due to the synthesis of GSrb in roots and GS2 in leaves and that the activity of GSra in roots and GS1 in leaves remained constant. The results showed that the assimilation of external nitrogen was carried out by GSrb but not GSra in rice roots and that the activitry of GS2 was induced also by the external nitrogen, and that GSrb played main role in meeting the needs of the rapid tillering for nitrogen. At flowering, the activity of GS in rice roots and leaves did not change almost after topdressing. These rssults suggest that the change of GS activity in rice roots may use as a measure of the utilization efficiency of the fertilizer.

Role of Δ133p53 isoform in NF-κB inhibitor PDTC-mediated growth inhibition of MKN45 gastric cancer cells

AIM To investigate the role of Δ133p53 isoform in nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate(PDTC)-mediated growth inhibition of MKN45 gastric cancer cells.METHODS The growth rate of MKN45 cells after treatment with different concentrations of only PDTC or PTDC in combination with cisplatin was detected by the CCK-8 assay. m RNA expression levels of Δ133p53, p53β, and the NF-κB p65 subunit and p65 protein levels were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and immunofluorescence, respectively. Growth of MKN45 cells was significantly inhibited by PDTC alone in a dose-dependent manner(P < 0.01). Moreover, the inhibitory effect of cisplatin was remarkably enhanced in a dose-dependent manner by co-treatment with PDTC(P < 0.01).RESULTS RT-PCR analysis revealed that m RNA expression of p65 was curbed significantly in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with only PDTC(P < 0.01), and this suppressive effect was further enhanced when co-treated with cisplatin(P < 0.01). With respect to the other p53 isoforms, m RNA level of Δ133p53 was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with only PDTC or PTDC in combination with cisplatin(P < 0.01), whereas p53β m RNA expression was not altered by PDTC treatment(P > 0.05). A similar tendency of change in p65 protein expression, as observed for the corresponding m RNA, was detected by immunofluorescence analysis(P < 0.01). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated that Δ133p53 and p65 m RNA expression levels were positively related, while no significant relationship was observed between those of p65 and p53β(r = 0.076, P > 0.01).CONCLUSIONΔ133p53 isoform(not p53β) is required in PDTCinduced inhibition of MKN45 gastric cancer cells, indicating that disturbance in the cross-talk between p53 and NF-κB pathways is a promising target in pharmaceutical research for the development of treatment strategies for gastric cancer.

ApoE isoforms,treatment of diabetes and the risk of coronary heart disease

AIM:To analyze the risk of coronary heart disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)receiving standard medical treatment.METHODS:We performed a retrospective chart analysis of 269 middle-aged patients(age 45-64 years,mean age,53.9±5.5 years)with T2DM and without atherosclerotic cardiovascular events who underwent typing to determine their apolipoprotein E(apoE)isoforms.The apoE isoforms were determined using isoelectric focusing,followed by immunoblotting.We retrospectively evaluated the charts of the 269 patients,recorded between their first visit to the hospital(the study's start point,between 1987 and 1992)and the occurrence of an atherosclerotic cardiovascular event(the study's endpoint)or January 2004,whichever came first.The age-adjusted mean values and the prevalences of covariates were calculated to compare the laboratory data among the apoE phenotypes.To investigate the association of risk factors with the incidence of coronary heart disease during the follow-up period,monovariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used.RESULTS:At enrollment,the mean serum low density lipoprotein(LDL)cholesterol levels were lowest(2.92± 0.89 mmol/L)among the subjects with apoE2(apoE2/2 or apoE2/3)and highest(3.52±0.77 mmol/L)among the subjects with apoE4(apoE3/4 or apoE4/4).No significant differences in mean age or the percentage of smokers were observed among the three groups.Furthermore,no significant differences were observed in the systolic and diastolic blood pressures,body mass index,HbA1c level or serum triglyceride levels among the three groups.There were 47 cases of coronary heart disease over 3285 person-years of follow-up.An age-adjusted multivariate Cox proportional model identified diabetic retinopathy(hazard ratio,2.38,95% CI:1.28-4.43,P=0.006),a high systolic blood pressure(hazard ratio,1.04,95%CI:1.02-1.06,P<0.001) and high HbA1c values(hazard ratio,1.19,95%CI:1.02-1.38,P=0.0029),but not the LDL cholesterol value at enrollment(hazard ratio,1.01,95%CI:0.97-1.05,P=0.77)nor the specific apoE isoform,as significant predictors of coronary heart disease.CONCLUSION:Under standard medical treatment of diabetes,including the control of LDL cholesterol levels,the apoE4 isoform was not associated with coronary heart disease among T2DM patients.