Roles of MT-ND1 in Cancer

The energy shift toward glycolysis is one of the hallmarks of cancer.Complex I is a vital enzyme complex necessary for oxidative phosphorylation.The mitochondrially encoded NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit 1(MT-ND1)is the largest subunit coded by mitochondria of complex I.The present study summarizes the structure and biological function of MT-ND1.From databases and literature,the expressions and mutations of MT-ND1 in a variety of cancers have been reviewed.MT-ND1 may be a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.It is also a potential target for cancer therapy.

Microsatellite variation between Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) and European eel (Anguilla anguilla)

Allelic variation in a total of 7 microsatellites was examined between elvers of freshwater eels (Anguilla japonica and Anguilla anguilla). The number of alleles at these loci ranged from 8 to 26. A single test of each locus revealed significant deficits of heterozygotes (P<0.01). Significant departure from expectations of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was found for all loci within four subpopulations of A. japonica, which opposes the panmixia hypothesis of Schmidt. Also exact tests of population differentiation based on allelic fre- quency distribution disagree the hypothesis of random distribution of individuals among populations. Population structure among four populations of A. japonica was revealed with FST value of 0.009 8 (P=0.000 48; 10 000 iteration). Pairwise matrixes of FST and RST showed a significant difference between two distantly related spe- cies—A. japonica and A. anguilla. Divergent time of the two species calculated by Goldstein method is over 2 million years. The results may challenge the Schmidt’s theory about the distribution of freshwater eels.

Oligomicroarray-based primary study of gene expression profile changes in Barrett’s esophagus

Objective: To analyze the differential expression genes (DEGs) between Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and normal esophagus mucosa and explore the target genes related to the development and progression of BE. Methods: The total RNAs of matched BE and normal esophagus mucosa of BE patients were isolated using one step Trizol method. Matched RNAs were qualified using 10 g/L agarose gel electrophoresis. cRNAs were synthesized, fluorescence labeled and purified after total RNAs were purified. The RNAs of BE and normal esophagus mucosa were hybridized with Agilent oligomicroarray (30 968 probes). The fluorescence intensity features were detected by Agilent scanner and quantified by feature extraction software. Results: (1) The total RNA, reverse transcription product and fluorescence labeled cRNA were all of high quality; (2) There were 142 up-regulated genes and 284 down-regulated genes among 2-fold DEGs. Conclusion: Microarray-based studies are feasible in endoscopically obtained tissues. Many BE-associated genes are screened by the high-throughput gene chip. The development and progression of BE is a complicated process involving multiple genes and multiple procedures, and functional study of these genes may help to identify the key genes or pathways involved in the pathogenesis and development of BE.

Characteristics of Lymphocyte Nuclear Factor-κB Signal Transduction Kinase Expression in Aging Process and Regulatory Effect of Epimedium Flavonoids

Objective：To study the characteristics of lymphocyte nuclear factor kappa B（NF-κB） signal transduction kinase-related molecular mRNA differential expressions at various month age segments in aging process and the intervening effect of Epimedium flavonoids（EF） on it.Methods：Sixty SD rats were divided into six groups,according to animals＇ age,i.e.,the 3 days（d） group,the 4 months（m） group,the 10 m group,the 18 m group,the 27 m group,and the 27 m＋EF group.RNA was extracted from separated splenic lymphocytes. Adopting NF-κB signal path functional genome oligonucleotide gene-chip（128 related genes）,the integral characteristics and differences of NF-κB signal transduction kinase-related mRNA expressions were determined, and the intervening effect of EF was examined.Results：The mean level of the NF-κB signal transduction kinase-related mRNA expressions in rats＇ splenic lymphocytes lowered with aging;the highest expression was presented at 3 d after birth,and then,it lowered gradually,with the lowest level at 18 m or 27 m.After EF intervention,the expression level was raised to the 10-18 m level in the aged rats.Conclusion：The changing rules of lymphocyte NF-κB-signal-transduction-kinase-related mRNA expressions in various stages of aging are helpful for selecting the well time for preventing and intervening aging,and will also give a hint to the molecular index for assessment of senility retarding researches.

Subtyping of type A influenza by sequencing the variable regions of HA gene specifically amplified with RT-PCR

The outbreak of a novel influenza A(H1N1) virus across the globe poses a threat to human health.It is of paramount importance to develop a rapid,reliable and inexpensive diagnostic procedure.Based on the bioinformatic information from public database,primers specific for influenza A virus surface protein haemagglutinin(HA) of several subtypes(including H1,H2,H3,H5,H7 and H9) were designed.Primer-specific PCR products were subjected to sequencing for accurately distinguishing H1 and H3 subtypes from others.This sequencing-based detection method will not only be applied to rapid detection and simultaneous subtype identification of new influenza A virus H1N1,but also provide the strategies to monitor other new types ofinfluenza virus with explosive potential.

Structure modeling and spatial epitope analysis for HA protein of the novel H1N1 influenza virus

In recent months,a novel influenza virus H1N1 broke out around the world.With bioinformatics technology,the 3D structure of HA protein was obtained,and the epitope residues were predicted with the method developed in our group for this novel flu virus.58 amino acids were identified as potential epitope residues,the majority of which clustered at the surface of the globular head of HA protein.Although it is located at the similar position,the epitope of HA protein for the novel H1N1 flu virus has obvious differences in the electrostatic potential compared to that of HA proteins from previous flu viruses.

Fluorescent glycan nanoparticle-based FACS assays for the identification of genuine drug-resistant cancer cells with differentiation potential

Herein we develop a unique differentiated-uptake strategy capable of efficient and high-purity isolation of genuine drug-resistant(DR)cells from three types of drug-surviving cancer cells,which include paclitaxel-surviving human ovarian OVCAR-3 cancer cells and human lung carcinoma A549/Taxol cells,and doxorubicin-surviving human immortalized myelogenous leukemia K562/ADR cells.By using this strategy which relies on fluorescent glycan nanoparticle(FGNP)-based fluorescence-activated cell sorting(FACS)assays,two subpopulations with distinct fluorescences existing in drug-surviving OVCAR-3 cells were separated,and we found that the lower fluorescence(LF)subpopulation consisted of DR cells,while the higher fluorescence(HF)subpopulation was comprised of non-DR cells.Besides,the DR cells and their progenies were found distinct in their increased expression of drug-resistant genes.More intriguingly,by using the FGNP-based FACS assay to detect DR/non-DR phenotypes,we found that the DR phenotype had a potential to differentiate into the non-DR progeny,which demonstrates the differentiation feature of stem-like cancer cells.Further research disclosed that the assay can quantitatively detect the degree of drug resistance in DR cells,as well as the reversal of drug resistance that are tackled by various therapeutic methods.The strategy thus paves the way to develop theranostic approaches associated with chemotherapy-resistance and cancer stemness.

Erratum to: Fluorescent glycan nanoparticle-based FACS assays for the identification of genuine drug-resistant cancer cells with differentiation potential

Erratum to Nano Research 2020,13(11):3110-3122 https://d0i.0rg/l 0.1007/s 12274-020-2981-8 The article Fluorescent glycan nanoparticle-based FACS assays for the identification of genuine drug-resistant cancer cells with differentiation potential,written by Chenglong Wang et al.,was erroneously originally published electronically on the publishers internet portal(currently SpringerLink)on 10 August 2020 with the Acknowledgements.