INDUCTION OF C-MYC GENE AMPLIFICATION BY HYDROXYUREA AND ITS INHIBITION BY HOMOHARRINGTONINE

Induction of c-myc gene amplification in L1210 cells by hydroxyurea and its inhibition by homohar-ringtonine were investigated using the DNA-DNA molecular hybridization technique. When the cells were treated with hydroxyurea 1.0 mM for 16 hours, and incubated a further 16 hours in a drug-free medium, the c-myc gene amplified 23.5-fold. If homohar-ringtonine 50 μM was used at the same time as hydroxyurea, gene amplification did not occur. Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein biosynthesis, produced a similar effect. Our results indicated that a (or some) protein factor(s) might be involved in gene amplification. Detailed analysis showed that the synthesis of this protein factor(s) started 4 hours before the initiation of the S phase but did not continue in the S phase. It was also found that this protein factor(s) was very labile and began to degrade 2 hours after its appearance.

THE EXPRESSIONS OF HBV X GENE AND ets-2, IGF-Ⅰ, c-myc AND N-ras ONCOGENES IN HUMAN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA AND TUMOR-ADJACENT TISSUES

The expressions of HBV X gene and ets-2, IGF-I, c-myc and N-ras were studied in 7 pairs of human primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) and tumor-adjacent tissues, using RNA hybridization and im-munoblot methods. The results showed that specific 17 and 28 kD HBV X gene products (HBxAg) were existed in a portion of PHC and tumor-adjacent tissues. The 17 kD HBxAg was detected in the sera of 3 patients who also had 17 kD HBxAg in their liver tissues. Multiple expressions of oncogenes such as ets-2, c-myc and N-ras were observed in PHC and tumor-adjacent tissues that had HBxAg expressed, indicating HBxAg might function as a transactivator in the course of intracellular proto-oncogene activation. It is also observed that in some tumor-adjacnet tissues the expressions of ets-2, c-myc and N-ras were higher than those in corresponding PHC. The relationship of HBxAg to the expression of est-2, IGF-Ⅱ, c-myc and their possible roles in the carcinogenesis of PHC are discussed.

Deregulated c-myc expression in quiescent CHO cellsinduces target gene transcription and subsequent apoptotic phenotype

Human c-myc cDNA was fused with the hormonebinding domain (HBD) cDNA of murine estrogen receptorgene and the chimeric gene was introduced into the CHOcells. The fusion protein, c-MycER, becomes activatedwhen the synthetic steroid, 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (OHT),binds HBD. Activated c-MycER, likely c-Myc, can inducequiescent CHO cells reentry into S phase and subsequentcell death under serum-free condition. In addition, theexpression of some proposed c-myc target genes such asODC, MrDb, cad, rcc1 and rc1 were found to increase uponOHT induction before S, phase entry and apoptosis, indicating that these target genes are involved in cell cycleregulation and/or apoptosis control. However, the mutantD106-143c-MycER protein does not have above activities.

Gene therapy with antisense c-myc adenovirus for human gastric carcino-ma cell line in vitro and for implanted carcinoma in nude mice

Objective:To study the effects of recombinant antisense c-myc adenovirus (rAS-c-myc-Ad) on SGG 7901 human gastric carcinoma cell line in for and in nude mice. Methods:The effects of rAS-c-myc-Ad and LacZ-Ad on SGG 7901 gastric carcinoma cells were observed with X-galstaining, MTT, DNA gradient degradation test, TUNEL, flow cytometry, PCR and western blot. The therapeutic effects of rAS-c-myc-Ad on the implanted ax 7901 cells in nude mice were also ob served.Results: rAS-c-myc-Ad significantly inhibited the growth of SGG 7901 cells and induced their apoptosis. After the treatment of rAS-c-myc-Ad, the prolifetion rate of the cells was decreased by 44’ l% in de and SGC 7901 cells failed to form caxcinoma ther they were implanted into nude mice. Injection of rAS-c-myc-Ad into the carcinoma subcutaneously implanted to the nude mice significantly inhibited the growth of the implanted carcinoma with an inhibition rate of 68. 9%. Conclusion: rAS-c- myc- Ad significantly inhibits the growth of SGG 7901 human gastric carcinoma cells in vitro and in nude

INCREASED EXPRESSION OF PDGF AND C-MYC GENES IN LUNGS AND PULMONARY ARTERIES OF PULMONARY HYPERTENSIVE RATS INDUCED BY HYPOXIA

The role of growth factors and proto-oncogene in pulmonary vascular structural remodelling is not well known.The present study examined gene expression of platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF)-A and -B chain and proto-oncogene,c-myc,in lung tissue and pulmonary artery of rats exposed to hypoxia and compared to those levels of gene expression in normal rats.Normal lungs and pulmonary artery expressed PDGF-A chain transcript of 1.7 kb and PDGF-B chain transcript of 3.5 Kb.The c-myc transcript of 2.2 kb was expressed as well. After hypoxic exposure for 7 and 14 days mRNA levels of PDGF-B chain and cmyc were elevated significantly compared with those of control rats.PDGF-A chain mRNA increased after hypoxia for 7 days,and then declined.These results suggest that activation of autocrine and/or paracrine is important in proliferation mechanism of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in hypoxic pulmonary hypertensive rats.

Expressions of oncogenes c-fos and c-myc in skin lesion of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Objective:To explore the expressions of c-fos and c-myc in skin lesion of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma(CSCC).Methods:Using retrospective analysis.73 cases of CSCC were selected from Department of Dermatology,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University.which were removed between January 2000 and January 2012.It was considered as experimental group.Meanwhile.11 cases of normal skin specimens of non tumor patients were selected as control group.The expression level of c-fos and c-myc was compared in the two groups.Results:The expressions of c-fos[72.60%(53/73)]and c-myc[83.56%(61/73)]in experimental group were statistically significant(P≤0.05)compared with control group(0%).Expression of c-myc protein was negatively related to differentiation of CSCC.The difference was statistically significant(X^2=7.26.P=0.001<0.05).While expression of c-fos protein was positively related to differentiation of CSCC.which was statistically significant(X^2=7.47,P=0.0012<0.025).Conclusions:The expression level of c-fos and c-myc can be used as an importan indicator of CSCC differentiation,and it has closely connection with the differentiated degree,which can guide clinical prognosis.

A STUDY OF C-MYC ONCOGENE EXPRESSION AND AMPLIFICATION IN COLORECTAL CANCER

Expression of c-myc oncogene transcripts in colorectal neoplasia was studied in paraffin embedded tissue sections from 25 patients undergoing surgery and from the rectal carcinoma cell line HR-8348 by using in situ hybridization,and its amplification was investigated in tumor and normal mucosa tissue from 25 coloproctomy samples by slot blot hybridization. Overexpression of this gene was seen in 78% (7/9) of the benign adenomas and 91% (20/22) of the malignancies sampled. There was no significant correlation between overexpression and the histologic type or grade, and no significant relationship between the level of expression and clinical stage was found, although overexpression was apparently more common in tumors with metastasis. Amplification of the gene was found in 0 of 4 benign adenomas and 7 of 22 malignancies. No obvious correlation was found between amplification and histological type or grade, though amplification was more frequent in tumors with metastasis. Amplification was also found in 2 adenomas with malignant change. The results suggest that multiple factors are involved in the progression of colorectal cancer , and in situ hybridization with a nonradiolabeled probe is useful in the detection of gene expression.

Promoter hypermethylation of tissue specific tumor supressor genes and point mutation in K-ras, c-myc proto-oncogenes in urinary (transitional cell) bladder carcinoma

In a total of 83 UN specimens were investigated for proto-oncogene mutations, tumor supressor genes promoter methylation status and c-myc and Ki-67 expression. Point mutations in c-myc were detected in cases with high grade and proliferation index. Mutated K-ras proto-onco- gene profiles were detected in 17 (21%) tumoral spiecemens that examined. Tumor specimens were also showed hypermethylated promoter domain for the SFRP2, MGMT tumor supressor genes. These findings showed the combine effect of mutated c-myc and K-ras oncogene and epigenetic inactivation of tissue specific tumor supressor genes (TS) play a crucial role in tumor progression and recurrence in UN carcinogenesis.

Proliferation and C-myc Gene Expression of Smooth Muscle Cells in Rabbit Carotid Artery after Stenting

Objectives To investigate theproliferation of smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and theexpression of c-myc gene in rabbit carotid arieries af-ter stenting. Methods Platinium-Iridium stent wereimplanted into the right carotid arteries of 16 rabbitsunder vision. 7,14,30 and 90 days after the stentingprocedure, morphological changes of VSMCs were ob-served under light and transmission electron micro-scope. The c-myc gene expression was detected by insitu hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemicalstaining. Results 7 days afer stenting, the pheno-type of VSMCs changed from contractile to syntheticphenotype; there were a number of proliferative VSM-Cs in the neointima. At 14 and 30 days, there weresynthetic and transitive VSMCs. At 90 days, the phe-notype of VSMCs recovered to contractile phenotype.The ultrastructure of typical synthetic phenotype ofVSMCs were round, containing a large amount ofrough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. C-myc expression were positive both by ISH and im-munohistochemical staining. Conclusions C - mycgene expression increases and closely relates to VSM-Cs proliferation afer stenting. It may play an impor-tant role in the in-stent restenosis.

β-catenin up-regulates the expression of cyclinD1, c-myc and MMP-7 in human pancreatic cancer: Relationships with carcinogenesis and metastasis

AIM:To investigate whether abnormal expression of β-catenin in conjunction with overexpression of cyclinD1, c-myc and matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) correlated with the carcinogenesis, metastasis and prognosis of pancreatic cancer, and to analyze the relationship of β-catenin expression with cyclinDl, c-myc and MMP-7 expression. METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry,we examined the expression of β-catenin, cyclinD1,c-myc and MMP-7 in 47 pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues, 12 pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and 10 normal pancreases, respectively. Proliferation cell nuclear antigen was also tested as the index of proliferative activity of pancreatic cancer cells. RESULTS: In 10 cases of normal pancreatic tissues, epithelial cells showed equally strong membranous expression of β-catenin protein at the cell-cell boundaries, but the expression of cyclinDl, c-myc and MMP-7 was negative. The expression of β-catenin, cyclinD1, c-myc and MMP-7 in PanIN and pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues had no significant difference [6/12 and 32/47 (68.1%), 6/12 and 35/47 (74.5%), 5/12 and 33/47 (70.2%), 7/12 and 30/47 (63.8%), respectively]. The abnormal expression of β-catenin was significantly correlated to metastasis and one-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer, but had no relation with size, differentiation and cell proliferation. The expression of cyclinD1 was correlated with cell proliferation and extent of differentiation, but not with size, metastasis and one-year survival rate of the pancreatic cancer. The expression of c-myc was not correlated with size, extent of differentiation, metastasis and 1-year survival rate, but closely with cell proliferation of pancreatic cancer. The overexpression of MMP-7 was significantly associated with metastasis and 1-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer,but not with size, extent of differentiation and cell proliferation.There was a highly significant positive association between abnormal expression of β-catenin and overexpression of cyclinD1, c-myc and MMP-7 not only in PanIN (r= 1.000, 0.845, 0.845), but also in pancreatic cancer (r= 0.437, 0.452, 0.435). CONCLUSION: The abnormal expression of β-catenin plays a key role in the carcinogenesis and progression of human pancreatic carcinoma by up-regulating the expression of cyclinDl, c-myc and MMP-7, resulting in the degradation of extracellular matrix and uncontrolled cell proliferation and differentiation,β-catenin abnormal expression and MMP-7 overexpression may be considered as two useful markers for determining metastasis and prognosis of human pancreatic cancer.

Expression of p53 and C-myc genes and its clinical relevance in the hepatocellular carcinomatous and pericarcinomatous tissues

AIM: To investigate the possible roles of p53 and C-mycgenes in the primary hepatocellular carcinogenesis and therelationship between the liver hyperplastic nodule(LHN) andhepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS: The expression of p53 and C-myc genes wasdetected immunohist-ochemically in 73 and 60 cases of HCCand pericarcinomatous tissues, respectively .RESULTS: The positive expression of p53 in HCC wassignificantly higher than that in pericarcinomatous tissues(P＜0.05). In pericarcinomatous tissues, the p53 expressionwas observed only in LHN, but not in liver cirrhosis (LC) andnormal liver tissues. The positive expression rate of C-mycin HCC or LHN was significantly higher than that in LC ornormal liver tissues (P＜0.05 and P＜0.01), however, nosignificant difference was found between HCC and LHN(P＞0.05). The positive expression rate of p53 and C-myc inHCC was correlated with the histological differentiation, thatin the poorly differentiated was significantly higher than thatin well differentiated samples (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION: The overexpression of p53 and C-myc genesmight play a role in the carcinogenesis of HCC; And LHNseems a preneoplastic lesion related to hepatocarcinogenesis;No evidence supports that LC contribute directly to thehepatocarcinogenesis.

Distribution of oval cells and c-myc mRNA expression in mouse hepatocarcinogenesis

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess theroles of oval cells and c-myc mRNA in the process of hepa-tocarcinogenesis and to clarify the function of carcinogenec-myc in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma( HCC) and the mechanism of inhibitory function of uscha-ridin on HCC in mouse hepatocarcinogenesis.METHODS: A total of 120 clean SD mice were divided intonormal group, cancer induction group, and interventiongroup. The normal group was fed with standard foragewhile the rest two groups were given p-dimethylaminoazo-benzene (DAB) to induce cancer. Thirteen weeks after in-duction of cancer, the two groups were fed with standardforage and water. Once the pattern was set up, the inter-vention group was given uscharidin injection into the ab-dominal cavity from the first week to the 14th week. Onthe 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th,22nd, and 24th week, all mice were killed and biopsiedfrom the liver lobe for pathological analysis. At the sametime, the number of tumor nodes was counted and the ex-pression of c-myc mRNA was tested by RT-PCR.RESULTS: Since the 2nd week after cancer induction, pro-liferated oval cells could be seen in the portal area. Initially,the oval cells appeared in the cortical layer of the portalarea, then proliferated gradually and immigrated into theliver parenchyma. In the period of fibrosis after liver proli-feration, proliferated heaps of oval cells were noted in bothportal and peripheral areas. In the period of carcinomatouschange, oval cells could be seen both outside and inside ofcancer nodes, but most of them were distributed outside.The c-myc gene was expressed negatively in the liver tissueof mice. The quantity of the expression began to increaseat the time of infection of the liver and tended to increasewith the degree of hepatic injury. In the period of cancera-tion, the expression level of c-myc mRNA increased gra-dually. The intervention of uscharidin could not inhibit butdelay the increase of the expression of c-myc mRNA.CONCLUSION: Oval cells are closely related to hepatocar-cinoma cells, which play an important role in the occur-rence and development of hepatocarcinogenesis. Uschari-din can inhibit the occurrence of hepatocarcinogenesis orlocal spreading at the early stage of cancer induction byDAB, but it cannot inhibit the expression of c-myc.

Tissue array for Tp53,C-myc,CCND1 gene over-expression in different tumors

AIM:To rapidly detect molecular alterations in different malignancies and investigate the possible role of Tp53,C-myc,and CCND1 genes in development of tumors in human organs and their adjacent normal tissues,as well as the possible relation between well-and poorly-differentiated tumors.METHODS:A tissue array consisting of seven different tumors was generated.The tissue array included 120 points of esophagus,120 points of stomach,80 points of rectum,60 points of thyroid gland,100 points of mammary gland,80 points of liver,and 80 points of colon.Expressions of Tp53,C-myc,and CCND1 were determined by RNA in situ hybridization.3' terminal digoxin-labeled anti-sense single stranded oligonucleotide and locked nucleic acid modifying probe were used.RESULTS:The expression level of Tp53 gene was higher in six different carcinoma tissue samples than in paracancerous tissue samples with the exception in colon carcinoma tissue samples(P < 0.05).The expression level of CCND1 gene was significantly different in different carcinoma tissue samples with the exception in esophagus and colon carcinoma tissue samples.The expression level of C-myc gene was different in esophagus carcinoma tissue samples(c2 = 18.495,P = 0.000),stomach carcinoma tissue samples(c2 = 23.750,P = 0.000),and thyroid gland tissue samples(c2 = 10.999,P = 0.004).The intensity of signals was also different in different carcinoma tissue samples and paracancerous tissue samples.CONCLUSION:Over-expression of the Tp53,CCND1,and C-myc genes appears to play a role in development of human cancer by regulating the expression of mRNA.Tp53,CCND1 and C-myc genes are significantly correlated with the development of different carcinomas.

Expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor in cirrhotic tissues and their relations to proto-oncogene c-fos, c-myc

Objective: To investigate the significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogene- sis of liver cirrhosis and the correlation between VEGF and proto-oncogene c-fos and c-myc in cir- rhotic liver. Methods: The proteins of VEGF, c-fos, and c-myc were identified immunohistochemically in each tissue section of 53 cases of liver cirrhosis. The correlations between VEGF, c-fos and c-myc were analyzed. The levels of VEGF protein in different Child gradings were also compared. Results: The proteins of VEGF were more highly ex- pressed in Child A and B patients than in Child C patients and controls. The expressions of both c-fos and c-myc were not statistically significant between VEGF positive and negative patients. Conclusions: The protein level of VEGF can reflect the compensation status of cirrhosis patients and may act as an anti-cirrhotic factor. The proto-oncogene c- fos, c-myc and VEGF may have different mecha- nisms in the course of cirrhosis or hepatic tumorigen- esis.

c-Myc Knockout as a Model for Gene Editing for Training Healthcare Professional Students

Correction of genetic errors, commonly known as gene editing, holds promise to treat diseases with unmet medical needs. However, gene therapy trials do encounter unwanted outcomes, because of an incomplete understanding of the disease states, and gene therapy processes, among others. This situation encourages a concept that healthcare professionals receiving laboratory research training will not only identify inadequacies in basic biomedical knowledge of gene therapies but also provide tangible refinements. To this end, we have undertaken the PharmD student training in gene editing in a basic research laboratory setting. As a model, MYC gene was chosen for knockout using CRISPR-Cas9 method in HT29 and OVCAR8 cells. Students were involved in the design of MYC-specific gRNAs, subcloning into Cas9-carrying plasmid, and selection of knockout clones from the transfected cells. Subsequently, genomic DNA isolation and sequencing, analysis of clonal DNA sequences using online bioinformatics tools, western blotting, cell proliferation and cell division cycle experiments, were performed to characterize the MYC knockout clones. Results presented in this communication suggest that healthcare professionals who received laboratory training gain a better understanding of the disease states and mechanisms, gene therapy protocols, limitations of gene therapies, ability to critically evaluate the literature and confidence in the oversight of gene therapies in the clinic.

The Synergistic Effects Study of C-myc and C-erbB-2 in the Carcinogenesis of Gastric Carcinoma

Objective: To study the significance of c-myc and c-erbB-2 oncogene expression in gastric cancer. Methods: 81 gastric cancer specimens were detected for c-myc and c-erbB-2 oncogene amplification using non-radioactive in situ hybridization method. Results: The amplification rates for c-myc and c-erbB-2 were 67.9% and 50.6% respectively, and there were significant correlation in the amplification of these two genes (χ2 = 7.26, P Conclusions: The amplification of c-myc and c-erbB-2 may play an important role in gastric cancer development, and these two genes may have synergistic effect.

Peripheral blood RNA biomarkers can predict lesion severity in degenerative cervical myelopathy

Degenerative cervical myelopathy is a common cause of spinal cord injury,with longer symptom duration and higher myelopathy severity indicating a worse prognosis.While numerous studies have investigated serological biomarkers for acute spinal cord injury,few studies have explored such biomarkers for diagnosing degenerative cervical myelopathy.This study involved 30 patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy(51.3±7.3 years old,12 women and 18 men),seven healthy controls(25.7±1.7 years old,one woman and six men),and nine patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy(51.9±8.6 years old,three women and six men).Analysis of blood samples from the three groups showed clear differences in transcriptomic characteristics.Enrichment analysis identified 128 differentially expressed genes that were enriched in patients with neurological disabilities.Using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis,we constructed a five-gene model(TBCD,TPM2,PNKD,EIF4G2,and AP5Z1)to diagnose degenerative cervical myelopathy with an accuracy of 93.5%.One-gene models(TCAP and SDHA)identified mild and severe degenerative cervical myelopathy with accuracies of 83.3%and 76.7%,respectively.Signatures of two immune cell types(memory B cells and memory-activated CD4^(+)T cells)predicted levels of lesions in degenerative cervical myelopathy with 80%accuracy.Our results suggest that peripheral blood RNA biomarkers could be used to predict lesion severity in degenerative cervical myelopathy.

Correlation of c-Myc and PIK3R3 expression with invasion and migration genes in melanoma tissue

Objective:To study the correlation of c-Myc and PIK3R3 expression with invasion and migration genes in melanoma tissue.Methods: Surgical removed melanoma tissue and normal skin tissue left in full-thickness skin grafting in 95 Clinical Department, Fuzhou General Hospital between May 2015 and March 2017 were selected, the RNA in the tissue was separated and extracted, and then fluorescence quantitative PCR kit was used to determine the mRNA expression of c-Myc and PIK3R3 as well as invasion and migration genes.Results:c-Myc, PIK3R3, CXCL12, CXCR4, CXCR7, NRP1, MMP2, MMP9 and CatK mRNA expression in melanoma tissue were significantly higher than those in normal skin tissue while E-cadherin, TIMP1 and KISS1 mRNA expression were significantly lower than those in normal skin tissue;c-Myc mRNA expression in melanoma tissue was positively correlated with PIK3R3 mRNA expression;CXCL12, CXCR4, CXCR7, NRP1, MMP2, MMP9 and CatK mRNA expression in melanoma tissue with higher c-Myc expression were significantly higher than those in melanoma tissue with lower c-Myc expression while E-cadherin, TIMP1 and KISS1 mRNA expression were significantly lower than those in melanoma tissue with lower c-Myc expression.Conclusion:The high expression of c-Myc and PIK3R3 in melanoma tissue can promote the invasion and migration of cancer cells.

Heterogeneity of mature oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system

Mature oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths that are crucial for the insulation of axons and efficient signal transmission in the central nervous system.Recent evidence has challenged the classical view of the functionally static mature oligodendrocyte and revealed a gamut of dynamic functions such as the ability to modulate neuronal circuitry and provide metabolic support to axons.Despite the recognition of potential heterogeneity in mature oligodendrocyte function,a comprehensive summary of mature oligodendrocyte diversity is lacking.We delve into early 20th-century studies by Robertson and Río-Hortega that laid the foundation for the modern identification of regional and morphological heterogeneity in mature oligodendrocytes.Indeed,recent morphologic and functional studies call into question the long-assumed homogeneity of mature oligodendrocyte function through the identification of distinct subtypes with varying myelination preferences.Furthermore,modern molecular investigations,employing techniques such as single cell/nucleus RNA sequencing,consistently unveil at least six mature oligodendrocyte subpopulations in the human central nervous system that are highly transcriptomically diverse and vary with central nervous system region.Age and disease related mature oligodendrocyte variation denotes the impact of pathological conditions such as multiple sclerosis,Alzheimer's disease,and psychiatric disorders.Nevertheless,caution is warranted when subclassifying mature oligodendrocytes because of the simplification needed to make conclusions about cell identity from temporally confined investigations.Future studies leveraging advanced techniques like spatial transcriptomics and single-cell proteomics promise a more nuanced understanding of mature oligodendrocyte heterogeneity.Such research avenues that precisely evaluate mature oligodendrocyte heterogeneity with care to understand the mitigating influence of species,sex,central nervous system region,age,and disease,hold promise for the development of therapeutic interventions targeting varied central nervous system pathology.