SIMULTANEOUS OVER-EXPRESSION OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR- Ⅱ (IGF- Ⅱ ) AND IGF- Ⅱ RECEPTOR(IGF- Ⅱ R) GENES IN HUMAN PRIMARY CANCER-IMPLICATION OF AUTOCRINE AND PARACRINE MECHANISM IN AUTONOMOUS GROWTH OF HEPATIC CANCER

This is first report about the simultaneous over-expression of both Insulin-like growth factor (IGF- I ) and its receptor (IGF- I R) at mRNA level in human primary hepatic Cancer (PHC). In 10 PHC samples from China, IGF-I and IGF- I R were both over-expressed, whereas only a background signal was detected in normal liver. In 5 pairs of PHC and its non- tumorous adjacent liver tissues from South Africa, IGF- I and IGF- I R were also over-expressed in PHC. mRNA expression of IGF- I in all 5 cases and IGF- I R in 4 of 5 cases were higher in cancer than non- tumorous adjacent liver tissues. These results strongly implicate that an autocrine and/ or paracrine mechanism might be Involved in formation and progression of PHC.

Analysis of Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in Human Paraoxonase 1 Gene(Q192R) with Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry

Introduction Single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） are the most abundant DNA markers in the human genome occurring at a frequency of one in every 500--1000 nucleotides. A variety of methods have been used for the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms, including restriction fragment length polymorphism （RFLP）, direct sequencing by using laser-induced fluorescence detectionTM, fluorescence energy transfer, MALDI-TOF MS combined with primer extension or invasive cleavage, and fluorescence polarization. During the past two decades, mass spectrometry has become a very popular tool in the analysis of biomolecules and is perfectly suited to the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） due to its speed, low cost, and accuracy. In this work, we used MALDI TOF mass spectrometry to detect the fragments of restriction endonuclease hydrolysis of PCR products flanking a SNP located at paraoxonase 1（Q192R）. Compared with electrophoresis, this method requires less time of analysis and possess a higher accuracy.

Disease Prevention and Alleviation by Human Myoblast Transplantation

Myoblast implantation is a unique, patented technology of muscle regeneration being tested in Phase III clinical trials of muscular dystrophy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, Phase II trial of cancer, and Phase I trial of Type II diabetes. Differentiated and committed, myoblasts are not stem cells. Implanted myoblasts fuse spontaneously among themselves, replenishing genetically normal myofibers. They also fuse with genetically abnormal myofibers of muscular dystrophy, cardiomyopathy, or Type II diabetes, transferring their nuclei containing the normal human genome to provide stable, long-term expression of the missing gene products. They develop to become cardiomyocytes in the infracted myocardium. Myoblasts transduced with VEGF165 allow concomitant regeneration of blood capillaries and myofibers. They are potent biologics for treating heart failure, ischemic cardiomyopathy, diabetic ischemia, erectile dysfunction, and baldness. Myoblasts, because of their small size, spindle shape, and resilience, can grow within wrinkles and on skin surfaces, thus enhancing the color, luster and texture of the skin “plated” with them. They can be injected subcutaneously as a cellular filler to reduce wrinkles. Intramuscular injection of myoblasts can augment the size, shape, consistency, tone and strength of muscle groups, improving the lines, contours and vitality to sculpt a youthful appearance. This highly promising technology has great social economic values in treating hereditary, fatal and debilitating disease conditions.

EFFECT OF MATRINE ON EXPRESSION OF HCCR1 AND HCCR2 PROTEINS IN CULTURAL HUMAN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMAS CELLS

Objective： To explore the effects of matrine on HCCR1 and HCCR2 expression in cultural human hepatocellular carcinomas （HCC） cells at the level of gene and protein. Methods： Three methods, representational difference analysis （RDA） of cDNA, microarrays and fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH） were used to detect levels of mRNA and protein expression of HCCR1 and HCCR-2 before and after treatment of matrine. Results： Matrine had inhibitory effect on the mRNA and protein expression of HCCR1 and HCCR2 in cultural HCC cells. Conclusion： Matrine has inhibitory effect on gene transcription, protein expression of HCCR 1 and HCCR2 in cultural HCC cells.

Ceruloplasmin or Fibronectin Synergism with Quartz Dust on Stimulating Collagen Gene Transcription in Human 2BS Fibroblast

Human α1(Ⅰ), α2(Ⅰ) and α1(Ⅲ) cDNA probes and RNA dot hybridization were employed to quantitate collagen mRNA changes after adding silica dust into the media of human 2BS fibroblasts. At all dosages used (100, 200, 500 and 1000μg), the α1(Ⅰ), α2(Ⅰ)and α1(Ⅲ) mRNA levels increased one day after dusting. At the same dosage of silica (100μg), α1(Ⅲ) mRNA increased earlier than type Ⅰ collagen mRNA did. The type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen mRNA contents in the experimental groups were higher than those in control on days 3, 5, 7 and 9. The effect of ceruloplasmin (Cp) and fibronectin (Fn) on collagen mRNA synthesis was also studied, after adding silica dust, Cp or Fn into the media of human 2BS fibroblast. The results showed that Cp and Fn have stimulating effect on collagen mRNA production. When both Cp and silica dust were added into cell culture media, the collagen mRNA level was increased more than those of adding either Cp or silica dust alone. Similar situations were found for Fn. Cp (or Fn) synergism with silica dust on stimulating transcription of human collagen gene was suggested

Correlation between human seizure-related gene 6 variants and idiopathic generalized epilepsy in a Southern Chinese Han population

This study sought to analyze the genotype and gene mutations of human seizure-related gene 6 in 98 patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy （non-febrile seizures）, who were selected from three generations of the Chinese Han population living in Shanghai, Zhejiang Province, Wuxi of Jiangsu Province, and Jiangxi Province of Southern China. Twenty-six patients＇ parents were available as a first-degree relatives group and 100 biologically unrelated healthy controls were collected as the control group. Based on the age of onset and seizure type, the patients were divided into six subgroups. Polymerase chain reaction and DNA direct sequencing analysis showed that the most frequent mutations c. 1249dupC （p.Gly418Argfx31 ） and c.1636A 〉 G （p.Thr546Ala） were detected in some idiopathic generalized epilepsy patients and tl^eir asymptomatic first-degree relatives （30.6% vs. 19.2% and 11.2% vs. 26.9%）. A novel mutation c.1807G 〉A （p.Val603Met） was found in a patient with late-onset idiopathic generalized epilepsy. There was no significant difference in the incidence of these three mutations among the different subgroups of idiopathic generalized epilepsy and controls. Thus, further analysis of a larger population is needed to confirm the assumption that human seizure-related gene 6 is a susceptibility gene for idiopathic generalized epilepsy with various sub-syndromes.

Seizure-related 6,a brain-specific expression gene,is highly expressed in the human cerebellum

Epilepsy is a complex, Mendelian disease, and most cases are sporadic. Genomic comparisons of tissue from identified monogenic epilepsies with multigenic and acquired syndromes could ultimately reveal crucial molecular neuropathology for an epileptic phenotype. In the present study, a novel gene, human seizure-related （hSEZ）-6, was isolated from a human brain cDNA library. hSEZ-6 comprises 17 exons and spans a region of at least 55.6 kb, which was localized to 17q 12 by radiation hybridization, hSEZ-6 exhibits two isoform types, hSEZ-6A and hSEZ-6B, which encode 996 and 995 amino acids, respectively. The two putative hSEZ-6 proteins contain similar motifs and share 82% and 84% identity with mouse SEZ-6A protein, whose expression level increased in mouse cerebral cortex-derived cells treated with a convulsant drug, pentylentetrazole. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that hSEZ-6 is expressed highly in the cerebellum and in nucleus of the extrapyramidal system, such as the caudate nucleus and putamen. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that hSEZ-6 is expressed in neurons rather than gliocytes, which suggests that hSEZ-6 is a seizure-related gone.

Prokaryotic Expression and Preparation of Polyantibody of Human Histydyl-tRNA Synthetase Related Gene

Summary: The aim of this study was to express and purify human histydyl-tRNA synthetase related gene and to prepare its polyantibody. The open reading frame was amplified by PCR, and then recombined into prokaryotic expression vector pQE30 and transformed into E. coli M15 for expression. The expressed products were induced by IPTG after the reconstructed pQE30 was transferred into M15. After purified by Ni affinity chromatography, the product was identified to be a single band by SDS-PAGE. The rabbits were inoculated with purified products. High-titer polyantibody was successfully prepared. Highly-purified expression product and prepared polyantibody may provide a good basis for further study.

EFFECTS OF PSEUDOFYPE RETROVIRUS CONTAINING HUMAN N-RAS ANTISENSE GENE ON THE GROWTH OF HUMAN LIVER CANCER LTNM4 TRANSPLANTED IN NUDE MICE

An amphotropic pseudotype retrovirus containing human N-ras antisense gene was constructed and packaged with helper cells. It has been previously demonstrated that the virus did inhibit the growth of human hepatocarcinoma cell line PLC PRF/5 in vitro accompanied with the blockage of p21 expression. Based on these results, further study was carried on to examine the effect of these viruses on the growth of human hepatoma transplanted LTNM4 in nude mice. It has been shown that the retrovirus containing human antisense N-ras gene could inhibit the hepatoma in nude mice at a rate of 78% (P<0.05) as compared with saline control. No inhibition was observed in group treated with retrovirus which contained no N-ras sequence. These results in vivo lend further support that human N-ras antisense gene mediated by retrovirus could block the expression of the relevant oncogene and lead to the inhibition of cancer growth. It also provided the basis for further approaches of gene therapy for human cancer.

EXPRESSION OF A MUTANT hTERT IN HUMAN BLADDER CARCINOMA CELL LINE T24 AND ITS CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

To construct a mutant pEGFP- hTERTexpression vector, to observe its steady expression intransfected human bladder carcinoma cell line T24 and its role in molecular regulatory mechanisms of telomerase, and to provide a new target gene for bladder cancer. Methods: PCR amplification was performed by using primers basedon the known gene sequence of hTERT. PCR productionwas cloned into plasmid pGEMT-T easy and the sequenceof mutant hTERT gene was analyzed. A recombinantmutant hTERT vector (pEGFP-hTERT) was constructed at the EcoR I and Sal I sites of the pEGFP-C1 vector. Aftertransfecting the fusion gene into bladder carcinoma cell line T24 by calcium phosphate-DNA coprecipitation, the steady expression of GFP-hTERT fusion protein was tested by fluorescent light microscopy. The proliferation changes ofbladder carcinoma cell line T24 were detected by lightmicroscopy and senescence correlated b-galactosidase staining. Results: Identification of pEGFP-hTERT byenzyme digestion showed that mutant hTERT fragment had been cloned into EcoR I and Sal I sites of the pEGFP-C1 vector. The steady expression of GFP-hTERT fusion protein was localized in the nucleus of transfected cells. Expression of senescence-associated b-galactosidase in transfected cells gradually increased with extended cultured time and cellgrowth was suppressed. Conclusion: The mutant-type hTERT gene suppresses the proliferation of bladder carcinoma cell line T24 by competitive effect on telomerase activity. This suggests that hTERT gene might be a suitable gene target for bladder cancer therapy.

SYNTHESIS AND EXPRESSION OF A GENE FOR HUMAN TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-ALPHA (TNF-α)

TNF-α was found originally In sera of Bacillus Calmette Guerln infected mice as a macrophage derived factor. It Is cytotoxlc for tumor cell and less or not toxic to normal cells in vitor. The gene for human TNF-α with E. coli-preferred codons has been designed according to the amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA. The gene with 504 bp was divided into 27 oligonucleotide fragments having 30. to 40 nucleotides each. The solid phase phosphotriester method was used for the synthesis of these oligonucleotides. The 27 fragments were annealed to three segments and then linked by T4 DNA ligase. The entire gene was incorporated into plasmld PDR540 with Tac promoter which was used to transform E. coli 7118. The expressed protein was estimated by SDSPAGE with a molecular weight of 1. 7×104Da. The cytotoxlc activity of the product against L-929 cell was 1. 0×107units/ml culture.

X-ray-induced Expression Changes of TNFSF4 Gene in Human Peripheral Blood

This study examined ionizing radiation-induced tumor necrosis factor （ligand） superfamily, member 4 （TNFSF4） mRNA expression changes in human peripheral blood cells and their distribution in a normal population. The results showed that expression level of TNFSF4 mRNA exhibited a dose- dependent response after different irradiation doses, but that was independent of incubation time post-irradiation. Moreover, it was not affected by age and gender in 51 healthy donors. Our studies indicate that TNFSF4 can be considered as a candidate gene to develop a new biodosimeter.

TRANSFORMING ACTIVITY OF DNA FROM HUMAN ESOPHAGEAL CANCER AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE TRANSFORMING GENE

Rat-1 cells were transfected with DNA from human esophageal cancer 2K, 4K, 6K, 7K. 8K. The transforming foci were obtained and the transforming cell lines were established. The cell lines can form larger colony in soft agar. Those nude mice injected subcutaneously with the cells suffered from larger fibrous sarcoma. This indicates that the cell lines have carcinogenicity. The experimental results suggest that human DNA sequence and human Ha-ras special 616Kb (BamHI) band are present in the DNA of the transforming cells. The over-expression of ras gene products P21 were found in the tissues of exophageal cancer, the tissues adjacent to tumor and the transforming cells.

Anti-tumor effects induced by gene vaccines co-expressing truncated human prostate specific membrane antigen gene and mouse 4-1BBL

Objective To investigate the influence of m4-1BBL on anti-tumor effects induced by truncated human prostate specific membrane antigen ( tPSMA ) gene in mice. Methods A eukaryotic expression plasmid encoding tPSMA and m4-1BBL ( pDC316-tPSMA-IRES m4-1BBL) ,pDC316-tPSMA and pDC316 were constructed.

Cloning and expression of human arresten gene and effect of its recombinant protein on endothelial cell proliferation

To clone human arresten gene and investigate biological activity of the recombinant protein.Methods Human arresten gene was obtained from the plasmid pGEMArr and subcloned into the BamHⅠ and Pst Ⅰ restriction sites of prokaryotic expression vector pRSET containing T7 promoter.The recombinant plasmid pRSETAN was subsequently transformed into the strain E.coli BL21(DE3),and the target gene was expressed under induction of IPTG.The expressed protein was extracted,purified by Ni 2+ chelation affinity chromatography and refoled.The effect of the recombinant protein on proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was also analyzed with the MTT assay.Results Endonuclease digesting and DNA sequencing confirmed that the arresten gene was correctly inserted into the expression vector.The recombinant protein was hightly expressed in the form of inclusion body in the host bacteria after induction.SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that the recombinant protein with a molecular weight of 26×103 amounted to 27% of the total bacterial proteins.The purity of the expected protein could reach over 96% through affinity chromatography.After renaturation,the recombinant protein could reach over 96% through affinity chromatography.After renaturation,the recombinant protein could significantly suppress proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelia cells(HUVECs) induced by vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).Conclusion Human arresten gene was successfully cloned into the expression vector pRSET and expressed at high level in Escherichia coli.Purified and refolded arresten protein could effectively inhibit proliferation of vascular endothelia cells.2 refs.

The establishment of stable transfection of human breast cancer cell line MDA-MD-468 with exogenous PTEN gene

To investigate exogenous PTEN gene transfected human breast cancer cell line MDA-MD-468.Methods Using the lipofectamine 2000 transfection technique,wild type PTEN gene was transducted into an in vitro cultured highly metastatic breast cancer cell line MDA-MD-468.After transfection,the cells were selected by G418.The resistant clones were chosen and expanded in DMEM culture medium.RT-PCR,immunohistochemical method and western blot were used to determine the expression of target genes.Results An anti-G418 cell clone was established and expanded in culture.The transfected PTEN gene MDA-MD-468 cells showed expression of PTEN mRNA and PTEN protein.Conclusion Human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 established in this study expresses consistently exogenous PTEN genes.4 refs,6 figs.

试论水土流失的人为侵蚀及其防治对策

剖析水土流失加剧的成因，不能不涉及人为侵蚀这个根本问题。人为侵蚀主要是由经济问题引起的，它的实质是人口需求侵蚀，经济增长侵蚀。有效运用经济手段是协调人类需求、经济增长与水土保持矛盾的一条重要途径。文章从经济角度提出了防治人为侵蚀的１０条对策。

Promoter methylation status of hMLH1,MGMT,and CDKN2A/p16 in colorectal adenomas

AIM:To investigate aberrant DNA methylation of CpG islands and subsequent low-or high-level DNA microsatellite instability(MSI)which is assumed to drive colon carcinogenesis. METHODS:DNA of healthy individuals,adenoma(tu-bular or villous/tubulovillous)patients,and colorectal carcinoma patients who underwent colonoscopy was used for assessing the prevalence of aberrant DNA methylation of human DNA mismatch repair gene mutator L homologue 1(hMLH1),Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A(CDKN2A/p16),and O-6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase(MGMT),as well as their rela- tion to MSI. RESULTS:The frequency of promoter methylation for each locus increased in the sequence healthy tissue/adenoma/carcinoma.MGMT showed the highest frequency in each group.MGMT and CDKN2A/p16 presented a statistically significant increase in promoter methylation between the less and more tumorigenic forms of colorectal adenomas(tubular vs tubullovillous and villous adenomas).All patients with tubulovillous/villous adenomas,as well as all colorectal cancer patients,showed promoter methylation in at least one of the examined loci.These findings suggest a potentially crucial role for methylation in the polyp/adenoma to cancer progres- sion in colorectal carcinogenesis.MSI and methylation seem to be interdependent,as simultaneous hMLH1, CDKN2A/p16,and MGMT promoter methylation was present in 8/9 colorectal cancer patients showing the MSI phenotype. CONCLUSION:Methylation analysis of hMLH1,CD- KN2A/p16,and MGMT revealed specific methylation profiles for tubular adenomas,tubulovillous/villous adenomas,and colorectal cancers,supporting the use of these alterations in assessment of colorectal tumorigenesis.

Association of HLA Alleles(A, B, DRB1) and HIV-1 Infection in the Han Population of Hubei, China

The HIV susceptibility and resistance alleles in the HLA genes were determined by investigating the distribution characteristics of the HLA alleles（A, B, and DRB1） in HIV-infected individuals of the Han population in Hubei, and by comparing these alleles with HIV-negative individuals from the same area. A cohort of 424 HIV-1 infected individuals were chosen as study subjects, and 836 HIV-negative healthy subjects from the same area served as the control population. HLA-A, B, and DRB1 allele typing was performed using polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes（PCR-SSOP） and polymerase chain reaction-sequencing based typing（PCR-SBT） techniques. Arlequin ver3.0 was used to analyze the allele and haplotype frequencies of HLA-A, B, and DRB 1, whereas Epi Info 7 and SPSS18.0 was used to analyze the differences in the HLA alleles between the HIV-1 positive and HIV-1 negative groups. A＊02：03, DRB1＊01：01, and DRB1＊15：01 alleles and their haplotypes as well as the HLA_Bw4-Bw6 hybrid showed a protective effect on HIV-1 infection. After adjusting for confounding factors such as age and sex, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that B＊15：02G, DRB1＊01：01, and DRB1＊15：01 subtypes were the resistance genes of HIV-1 infection, while B＊13：01 might increase susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. The correlation between A＊02：06 and B＊15：01G subtypes and HIV-1 susceptibility was independent of the age and sex of the host. This study demonstrated the influence of genetic factors in humans such as HLA polymorphism on individuals to resist HIV-1 infection. Association studies of HLA polymorphism, susceptibility/resistance to HIV-1 infection, and hosts＇ genetic background are of significant importance for research on HIV-1 pathogenesis and vaccine design.