Astrocyte elevated gene-1 induces breast cancer proliferation and invasion through upregulating HER2/neu expression

Background Astrocyte elevated gene-1 （AEG-1）, primarily identified as a late response gene induced by HIV-1 infection, plays multiple roles in the process of oncogenesis. This novel gene has been demonstrated to be involved in the several potent carcinogenic pathways, including PI3K/Akt pathway, nuclear factor （NF）-KB pathway, and Wnt/13-catenin pathway. Although the function of AEG-1 has been intensively investigated in recent years, the molecular mechanism underlying its oncogenic role is largely unknown. The aim of this research was to explore the potential function of AEG-1 in breast cancer development and progression. Methods AEG-1 was ectopically overexpressed in breast cancer MCF-7 cells and its biological effects on the proliferation and invasion of MCF-7 cells were studied by 3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide （MTT） and invasion assays. The expression of HER2/neu, a crucial oncogene involving in breast cancer carcinogenesis, was also determined. Results Overexpression of the AEG-1 promoted the proliferation and invasion ability of breast cancer cells, and upregulated the expression of HER2/neu, a crucial oncogene involving in breast cancer carcinogenesis. Conclusion AEG-1 might facilitate the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells by upregulating HER2/neu expression, which provides a potential target for breast cancer therapy.

Sall2和p21与肌萎缩侧索硬化症海马区病变关系分析

目的检测SOD1-G93A突变型肌萎缩侧索硬化症(ALS)转基因小鼠海马中婆罗双树样基因-2(Sall2)和细胞周期抑制因子p21的表达变化及其与ALS海马区病变的关系。方法将33对SOD1-G93A突变型ALS转基因小鼠和同窝野生型(WT)小鼠于95d、108d和122d分别取材,应用RT-PCR、Western blot和免疫组织化学染色实验检测Sall2和p21不同发病时期海马中mRNA和蛋白水平表达变化及其在海马中的表达规律。结果与同窝WT小鼠相比,Sall2 mRNA和蛋白在ALS转基因小鼠海马中108d、122d表达均下调,p21 mRNA水平无明显变化,p21蛋白在108d、122d表达均上调(P<0.05)。免疫组织化学染色结果显示,与同窝WT小鼠相比,122d龄ALS转基因小鼠海马中Sall2免疫反应性降低,而p21免疫反应性升高。结论ALS转基因小鼠中Sall2和p21的表达异常与ALS海马区病变密切相关。