Molecular Cloning of Dynein Heavy Chain and the Effect of Dynein Inhibition on the Testicular Function of Portunus trituberculatus

Dynein is a motor protein with multiple transport functions. However, dynein’s role in crustacean testis is still unknown. We cloned the full-length cDNA of cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain (Pt-dhc) gene and its structure was analyzed. Its expression level was highest in testis. We injected the dynein inhibitor sodium orthovanadate (SOV) into the crab. The distribution of Portunus trituberculatus dynein heavy chain (Pt-DHC) in mature sperm was detected by immunofluorescence. The apoptosis of spermatids was detected using a TUNEL kit; gene expression in testis was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR). The expression of immune-related factors in the testis were detected by an enzyme activity kit. The results showed that the distribution of Pt-DHC was abnormal after SOV injection, indicating that the function of dynein was successfully inhibited. Apoptosis-related genes p53 and caspase-3, and antioxidant stress genes HSP70 and NOS were significantly decreased, and anti-apoptosis gene bcl-2 was significantly increased. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) were significantly decreased. The results showed that there was no apoptosis in testicular cells after dynein function was inhibited, but the cell function was disordered. This study laid a theoretical foundation for the further study of apoptosis in testis and the function of dynein in testis and breeding of P. trituberculatus.

The Mechanism of Nano-Particles Intervening Invasion and Metastasis of Lymphoma Based on Autophagy Targeted with miR-36b and Orienteering Analysis on Apoptosis Gene

Whether the expression of gene P53 related with autophagy and apoptosis and action was regulated by miR-36b was discussed in our study. And the action of orienteering nano-particles on intervening invasion and metastasis of lymphoma was analyzed. The normal lymphoid tissue collected from the patients with simple lymphatic hyperplasia was set as control. The lymphoma samples from patients with early indolent lymphoma were collected. The level of mRNA in miR-36b and P53 was detected by PCR. The level of P53 protein and level of mRNA in miR-36b and P53 among normal lymphoid cell, cell strain of low metastatic lymphoma and cell strain of high metastatic lymphoma was compared. They were divided into four groups: miR-NC group, orienteering nano-particles’ group, siRNA-NC group and siRNA-P53 group. The cell proliferative capacity was detected by FCM. The quantity of cell invasion and metastasis was detected by transwell. The expression quantity of P53 mRNA in lymphoma tissue was increased obviously compared with control group. The expression of miR-36b was lower while the expression of P53 was higher along with the later staging of TNM. And the express was related with the staging of TNM. The expression quantity of P53 mRNA in lymphoma cell was higher in normal cell notably. But expression quantity of miR-36b in lymphoma cell was lower in normal cell notably. The decreased of expression of miR-36b and increased of expression of P53 was related with enhancing the ability of invasion and metastasis of lymphoma cells.

The role of apoptosis gene methylation in the pathogenesis of breast and ovarian cancer

Актуальность. Рак молочной железы (РМЖ) и рак яичников (РЯ) наиболее часто диагностируемые типы рака у женщин, характеризующиеся своими клиническими особенностями, включая тяжёлое течение болезни и неблагоприятный прогноз. В России ежегодно умирают от этих видов опухолей более 29000 человек. Важную роль в патогенезе рака играет аберрантное метилирование CpG-островков промоторных областей в генах системы апоптоза. Ранее появились сообщения о гиперметилировании генов DAPK1, APAF1, BCL2, TP53 в некоторых видах опухолей. Однако, данные о роли метилирования этой группы генов в прогрессии РМЖ и РЯ представлены единичными сообщениями, а для генов BIM, BAX до настоящего момента до сих пор не представлены. Целью настоящей работы явилось исследование роли метилирования шести генов системы апоптоза, а именно, про-апоптозных генов APAF1, DAPK1, BIM, BAX, TP53, а также анти-апоптозного гена BCL2 в прогрессии РМЖ и РЯ. Методы. Образцы опухолей РМЖ и РЯ собраны и клинически охарактеризованы в НИИ клинической онкологии ФГБУ РОНЦ имени Н.Н. Блохина. Высокомолекулярную ДНК выделяли из ткани стандартным методом. Анализ уровня метилирования проводили с применением бисульфитной конверсии ДНК и количественной метилспецифичной ПЦР (МС-ПЦР) с детекцией в реальном времени. Для оценки значимости различий между исследуемыми группами применяли непараметрический критерий Манна-Уитни для независимых выборок. Результаты. Показано статистически значимое (р < 0,05) увеличение уровня метилирования генов BCL2, DAPK1 и BAX в образцах опухолей по сравнению с парной гистологически нормальной тканью яичников. При РМЖ наблюдали гиперметилирование четырёх про-апоптозных генов (DAPK1, APAF1, BIM, BAX) и, напротив, гипометилирование BCL2. Кроме того, нами выявлено, что уровень метилирования промоторных CpG-островков генов DAPK1, BIM, BAX, APAF1 статистически значимо коррелирует с клинической стадией (р < 0,001), с размером опухоли (р < 0,02), а для генов BIM, BAX - с метастазированием (р < 0,02) при РМЖ. Также нами было показано, что уровень метилирования гена BAX значимо коррелирует с клинической стадией; размером опухоли и с метастазированием при РЯ (р < 0,05). Заключение. Полученные нами данные показывают, какую роль метилирование исследованных генов апоптоза играет в возникновении и прогрессии РЯ и РМЖ и позволяют оценить их влияние на патофизиологический профиль опухолей яичников и молочной железы. Background. Breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) are the most commonly diagnosed types of cancer in women, which are characterized by severe course and unfavorable prognosis. In Russia, more than 29,000 people die from these types of tumors every year. Aberrant methylation of CpG islands located in the promoter regions of apoptosis genes play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Previously, there were reports of hypermethylation of the DAPK1, APAF1, BCL2, and TP53 genes in some types of tumors. However, reports of the role of the gene methylation in the progression of BC and OC are scarce, and for the BIM and BAX genes, this information is absent. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of methylation for six genes of the apoptosis system, namely, the pro-apoptotic genes APAF1, DAPK1, BIM, BAX, TP53, as well as the anti-apoptotic gene BCL2, in the progression of BC and OC. Methods. Samples of breast and ovarian tumors were collected and clinically characterized at the N.N. Blokhin Research Institute of Clinical Oncology. High molecular weight DNA was isolated from the tissue using standard methods. The methylation degree was assessed by bisulfite DNA conversion and real-time quantitative methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR). Significance of differences between the study groups was determined with the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test for independent samples. Results. The degree of BCL2, DAPK1, and BAX gene methylation was significantly increased (p<0.05) in tumor samples compared to matched histologically normal ovarian tissue. Hypermethylation of four pro-apoptotic genes (DAPK1, APAF1, BIM, and BAX) and, in contrast, hypomethylation of BCL2 were observed in BC. In addition, in BC, the promoter CpG island methylation of DAPK1, BIM, BAX, APAF1 genes significantly correlated with the clinical stage (p < 0.001), and with the tumor size (p < 0.02) whereas for BIM and BAX genes, the methylation degree correlated with metastasis (p < 0.02). In OC, the methylation degree of the BAX gene significantly correlated with the clinical stage, with the tumor size, and with metastasis (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The results of this study showed the role of apoptosis gene methylation in the development and progression of BC and OC and also allowed evaluating their influence on the pathophysiological profile of ovarian and breast tumors.

Quercetin against MCF7 and CAL51 breast cancer cell lines: apoptosis, gene expression and cytotoxicity of nano-quercetin

Aims: To evaluate the anti breast-cancer activity, biocompatibility and toxicity of poly(d,l)-lactic- co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-encapsulated quercetin nanoparticles (Q-PLGA-NPs). Materials & methods: Quercetin was nano-encapsulated by an emulsion–diffusion process, and the nanoparticles were fully characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffractions, FESEM and zeta-sizer analysis. Activity against CAL51 and MCF7 cell lines were assessed by DNA fragmentation assays, fluorescence microscopy, and acridine-orange, and propidium-iodide double-stainings. Biocompatibility towards red blood cells and toxicity towards mice were also explored. Results: The Q-PLGA-NPs exhibited apoptotic activity against the cell lines. The murine in vivo studies showed no significant alterations in the liver and kidney's functional biomarkers, and no apparent abnormalities, or tissue damages were observed in the histological images of the liver, spleen, lungs, heart and kidneys. Conclusion: The study established the preliminary in vitro efficacy and in vivo safety of Q-PLGA-NPs as a potential anti-breast cancer formulation.

Bombyx mori β-1,3-Glucan Recognition Protein 4 (BmβGRP4) Could Inhibit the Proliferation of B. mori Nucleopolyhedrovirus through Promoting Apoptosis

β-1,3-glucan recognition proteins (βGRPs) as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) play an important role in recognizing various pathogens and trigger complicated signaling pathways in insects. In this study, we identified a Bombyx mori β-1,3-glucan recognition protein gene named BmβGRP4, which showed differential expression, from a previous transcriptome database. The full-length cDNA sequence was 1244 bp, containing an open reading frame (ORF) of 1128 bp encoding 375 amino acids. BmβGRP4 was strongly expressed in the larval stages and highly expressed in the midgut of B. mori larvae in particular. After BmNPV infection, the expression of BmβGRP4 was reduced significantly in the midgut. Furthermore, a significant increase in the copy number of BmNPV was observed after the knockdown of BmβGRP4 in 5th instar larvae, while the overexpression of BmβGRP4 suppressed the proliferation of BmNPV in BmN cells. Subsequently, the expression analysis of several apoptosis-related genes and observation of the apoptosis morphology demonstrated that overexpression of BmβGRP4 facilitated apoptosis induced by BmNPV in BmN cells. Moreover, BmβGRP4 positively regulated the phosphatase and tensin homolog gene (BmPTEN), while expression of the inhibitor of apoptosis gene (BmIAP) was negatively regulated by BmβGRP4. Hence, we hypothesize that BmNPV infection might suppress BmPTEN and facilitate BmIAP to inhibit cell apoptosis by downregulating the expression of BmβGRP4 to escape host antiviral defense. Taken together, these results show that BmβGRP4 may play a role in B. mori response to BmNPV infection and lay a foundation for studying its functions.

Molecular Prognostic and Predictive Markers in Triple - Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined as a molecular subtype of breast cancer that lacks expression of hormone receptors (oestrogen and progesterone receptor) and HER2/neu/ErbB2 protein. It accounts for 15–20% of all invasive breast cancers. The occurrence of TNBC is often associated with younger age at the time of diagnosis and pre-menopausal status, early onset of menarche, higher body mass index (BMI) in the pre-menopausal period, race and ethnicity (African, Hispanic) and the presence of germline mutation in the BRCA1/2 genes or somatic mutation in the TP53 or PTEN genes. TNBCs are specific in its aggressive biological behaviour, shorter interval to disease progression and more frequent relapse within five years (19 to 40 months). The most of TNBCs are represented by high-grade invasive carcinomas of no special type (NST) with high proliferation index measured by Ki-67 nuclear expression, followed by metaplastic carcinomas, secretory carcinomas, and adenoid cystic carcinomas. Genetical and morphological heterogeneity inside TNBC is responsible for the higher frequency of primary and secondary resistance to systemic therapy. The scope of this chapter is to summarise the potential therapeutic agents involved in regulation of cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, apoptosis, gene expression and DNA damage or immune response. The insight into this issue is essential for the setting of the optimal chemotherapy regimen and targeted therapeutic strategy.

Probe into Reverse Operation of Apoptosis Gene

Objective: The programmed death process of cells according to gene coding belongs to apoptotic natural extinction (PCD). The purpose of this study is to explore the phenomenon of “returning to old age and rejuvenating children” in the extreme anoxia, no nutrients and survival in the extreme environment of fish and earthworm. Methods: the adult earthworms were put into the sealed quartz sand or fine yellow sand plastic bottle with humidity of 35-40%70 ml and poured out 100-150 d, then put back into the natural environment (simulated natural plastic basin) and raised 100-150 d, to collect the experimental information. The same object can be observed repeatedly. Results: The earthworms which were closed in the little oxygen-free and nutrition-deficient vials were reduced by autophagy, and the rings and reproductive pores disappeared completely. When they were put back into the natural environment for two or three months, they were all restored to their original morphological structure. Conclusion: Most of the same subjects underwent 1-3 years of cyclic observation. The biological structure was adapted to the changing environment. It was helped by the resonance of many biota and complex stress factors.

OLFML2A Downregulation Inhibits Glioma Proliferation through Suppression of Wnt/β-catenin Signaling

Background: Glioma is a highly heterogeneous and lethal tumor with extremely poor prognosis. Through analysis of TCGA data, we found that OLFML2A was significantly upregulated in glioma tissues and positively correlated with glioma grade and worse prognosis. However, the molecular function of OLFML2A and its underlying mechanism in glioma remain unclear.Methods: The expression of OLFML2A in glioma was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Celigo assay, MTT assay and flow cytometry were utilized to evaluate the effects of OLFML2A on glioma proliferation and apoptosis. Gene chip microarray analysis and ingenuity pathway analysis were used to investigate the potential regulatory mechanisms of OLFML2A, which were further assessed by q-PCR, western blotting and IHC. An animal transplanting glioma model and spectral computed tomography scan were used to verify OLFML2A expression in vivo.Results: In this study, we found that the expression of OLFML2A was significantly upregulated in glioma specimens and positively correlated with pathological grades in glioma patients. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of TCGA data revealed that glioma patients with higher expression of OLFML2A had shorter overall survival. Importantly, when we knocked down the expression of OLFML2A in glioma cells, cell proliferation was inhibited, and apoptosis was promoted. Mechanistically, downregulation of OLFML2A inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling by directly reducing the level of stabilized β-catenin and upregulating the expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) to indirectly suppress β-catenin, leading to repression of MYC, CD44 and CSKN2A2 expression. Furthermore, we found that OLFML2A downregulation clearly suppressed the growth of subcutaneous glioma and intracranial transplantation of glioma by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin pathway-dependent cell proliferation.Conclusion: Our data indicate the oncogenic effect of OLFML2A in glioma through regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which may provide a novel therapeutic target for glioma.