Central role of Yes-associated protein and WW-domain-containing transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif in pancreatic cancer development

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC) remains a deadly disease with no efficacious treatment options. PDAC incidence is projected to increase, which may be caused at least partially by the obesity epidemic. Significantly enhanced efforts to prevent or intercept this cancer are clearly warranted. Oncogenic KRAS mutations are recognized initiating events in PDAC development, however, they are not entirely sufficient for the development of fully invasive PDAC.Additional genetic alterations and/or environmental, nutritional, and metabolic signals, as present in obesity, type-2 diabetes mellitus, and inflammation, are required for full PDAC formation. We hypothesize that oncogenic KRAS increases the intensity and duration of the growth-promoting signaling network.Recent exciting studies from different laboratories indicate that the activity of the transcriptional co-activators Yes-associated protein(YAP) and WW-domaincontaining transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif(TAZ) play a critical role in the promotion and maintenance of PDAC operating as key downstream target of KRAS signaling. While initially thought to be primarily an effector of the tumor-suppressive Hippo pathway, more recent studies revealed that YAP/TAZ subcellular localization and co-transcriptional activity is regulated by multiple upstream signals. Overall, YAP has emerged as a central node of transcriptional convergence in growth-promoting signaling in PDAC cells. Indeed, YAP expression is an independent unfavorable prognostic marker for overall survival of PDAC. In what follows, we will review studies implicating YAP/TAZ in pancreatic cancer development and consider different approaches to target these transcriptional regulators.

恶性疟原虫新的PDZ包含蛋白编码区基因的分离与克隆

目的分离、克隆一种新的恶性疟原虫PDZ结构域包含蛋白(PfPCP)编码区基因,并初步研究其红内期表达。方法分析恶性疟原虫基因组3号染色体数据库,设计特异的引物,利用RT-PCR从恶性疟原虫海南株红内期mRNA扩增PfPCP编码区基因利用生物信息学相关软件分析所扩增的基因;利用Western印迹法分析PfPCP在红内期的表达。结果从恶性疟原虫mRNA扩增到的PfPCP编码区基因长度为2076bpcDNA克隆,编码蛋白长为691氨基酸,具有典型的PDZ结构域。Western印迹显示,该基因在红内期裂殖体期特异性表达。结论获得新的恶性疟原虫PfPCP编码区基因,该基因在恶性疟原虫红内期裂殖体期特异性表达。

ZASP基因突变所致肌原纤维病一家系报道及文献复习

目的通过对ZASP基因突变所致肌原纤维病一家系报道及文献复习,了解该病的临床、病理及基因突变特点。方法分析1例远端肌病患者的临床、肌肉MRI及肌肉病理特点,并追踪其家系家族史。先证者外周血提取DNA,进行目标区序列捕获二代测序(含58个肌病相关基因),明确存在ZASP基因变异。对家系其他成员进行Sanger测序进一步明确及验证突变位点。结果先证者为中年女性,52岁起病,表现为进行性双下肢无力伴双腿变细。先证者家系2代15名中,除先证者外共6名存在肌肉受累,4名为先证者同代亲属,临床特点与先证者类似;2名为先证者下一代亲属,其中1名仅有闭目肌受累及肌酸激酶(CK)轻度升高(291 U·L-1),另1名仅有CK轻度升高(199 U·L-1)。先证者肌肉病理发现肌细胞内有异常嗜伊红物质沉积和镶边空泡形成,免疫组化染色可见肌纤维内desmin蛋白沉积。电镜下可见Z线附近致密颗粒沉积。目标区序列捕获二代测序及Sanger测序确定该家系致病基因为ZASP基因已报道错义突变p.A147T(c.G439A)。结论 ZASP基因突变所致的肌原纤维病家系为国内首次报道。