Pokemon Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor β-Smad4-Related Cell Proliferation Arrest in Breast Cancer through Specificity Protein 1

Ling Chen,Jing Zhong,Jiang-Hua Liu,Duan-Fang Liao,Ying-Ying Shen,Xiao-Lin Zhong,Xiao Xiao,Wen-Jun Ding,Xiu-Da Peng,Wei Xiong,Xu-Yu Zu 한국유방암학회 2019 Journal of breast cancer Vol.22 No.1

Purpose: Pokemon, also known as ZBTB7A, belongs to the POZ and Krüppel (POK) family of transcription repressors and is implicated in tumor progression as a key proto-oncogene. This present study aimed at determining the mechanism by which Pokemon inhibits transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-Smad4 pathway-dependent proliferation arrest of breast cancer cells via specificity protein 1 (SP1). Methods: Over-expressing plasmid or small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection was used to regulate Pokemon levels. The EdU incorporation assay, MTS assay, and clone formation were used to identify the inhibitory effect of Pokemon siRNA on cell proliferation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay confirmed that Pokemon deletion inhibited the expression of proliferation-associated genes. The dual-luciferase reporter assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and co-immunoprecipitation assay were used to analyze binding between Pokemon, Smad4, and SP1. Results: Pokemon deletion induced proliferation arrest of breast cancer cells and inhibited the expression of proliferation-associated genes, especially Smad4. Pokemon bound with SP1 to interdict Smad4 promoter activity. Information on clinical samples was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas data, in which the Pokemon mRNA levels showed a negative correlation with Smad4 levels in different subtypes of breast cancer in two independent datasets. Conclusion: We demonstrated that Pokemon binds to SP1 to down-regulate Smad4 expression, thereby promoting proliferation of breast cancer cells. This suggests that Pokemon is a potential TGFβ-signaling participant in breast cancer progression.

Catalytic topological insulator Bi₂Se₃ nanoparticles for <i>in</i> <i>vivo</i> protection against ionizing radiation

Zhang, Xiao-Dong,Jing, Yaqi,Song, Shasha,Yang, Jiang,Wang, Jun-Ying,Xue, Xuhui,Min, Yuho,Park, Gyeongbae,Shen, Xiu,Sun, Yuan-Ming,Jeong, Unyong Elsevier 2017 Nanomedicine Vol.13 No.5

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted wide interests in biological and medical applications. Layer-like Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> with high active surface area is promising for free radical scavenging. Here, we extended the medical applications of Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> NPs further to <I>in vivo</I> protection against ionizing radiation based on their superior antioxidant activities and electrocatalytic properties. It was found that Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> NPs can significantly increase the surviving fraction of mice after exposure of high-energy radiation of gamma ray. Additionally, the Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> NPs can help to recover radiation-lowered red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts and platelet levels. Further investigations revealed that Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> NPs behaved as functional free radical scavengers and significantly decreased the level of methylenedioxyamphetamine. <I>In vivo</I> toxicity studies showed that Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> NPs did not cause significant side effects in panels of blood chemistry, clinical biochemistry and pathology.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> NPs can significantly increase the surviving fraction of mice up to 70% after Gamma radiation. </LI> <LI> Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> NPs can help to recover radiation-lowered red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts and platelet levels. </LI> <LI> Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> NPs behaved as functional free radical scavengers and significantly decreased the level of methylenedioxyamphetamine. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical Abstract</B></P> <P>Layer-like Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> with high active surface area can protect mice against ionizing radiation based on their superior antioxidant activities and electrocatalytic properties. Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> NPs can significantly increase the surviving fraction of mice up to 70% after exposure of high-energy radiation of gamma ray. Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> NPs behaved as functional free radical scavengers and significantly decreased the level of methylenedioxyamphetamine. <I>In vivo</I> toxicity studies showed that Bi<SUB>2</SUB>Se<SUB>3</SUB> NPs did not cause significant side effects in panels of blood chemistry, clinical biochemistry and pathology.</P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Molecular characterization and expression profiles of IscA1 gene in a longdistance migrant, Agrotis segetum

Hong Chang,Jiang Long Guo,Xiao Wei Fu,Xiu Jing Shen,Youming Hou,Kongming Wu 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.21 No.4

Cryptochrome (CRYs) proteins have been elucidated as the molecular basis for magnetoreception in Drosophila, and a putative magnetic receptor (named IscA1) protein may aslo be involved in sensing magnetic fields in Drosophila. However, whether IscA1 has a conserved role in diverse animals and functions in orientation during animal migration is unknown. Here we report on the cloning and sequencing of the IscA1 gene from Agrotis segetum, which encodes a predicted protein IscA1 that has 131 amino acids and two conserved iron-sulphur cluster binding domains. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis were used to show that IscA1 had a relatively high homology from species of Noctuoidea. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that IscA1 was ubiquitously expressed in adult organs and, among all developmental stages, expression was higher in adults. When Agrotis segetum was exposed to 14 h light/10 h dark, IscA1 expression also showed daily oscillations, and constant light or dark disturbed these oscillations. IscA1 expression levels in a migratory population were higher than in a reared population and higher in a southward migratory population than in a northward. These findings suggest that the IscA1 gene in A. segetum might be associated with migration and provide a molecular basis for further study on the functions of IscA1 gene in magnetoreception and potential control of the turnip moth.

Historical Long-term Exposure to Pentachlorophenol Causing Risk of Cancer - A Community Study

Zheng, Rui-Zhi,Zhang, Qing-He,He, Yi-Xin,Zhang, Qian,Yang, Lin-Shen,Zhang, Zhi-Hua,Zhang, Xiu-Jun,Hu, Jing-Ting,Huang, Fen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.2

Background: Pervious studies suggested occupational workers exposure to pentachlorophenol (PCP) might contribute to increased risk of cancer. However, few studies have focused on associations between PCP and cancer risk at the community level. Objective: The present study was to explore the cancer risk for the community population living long-term in a PCP contaminated area. Methods: All the cancer cases diagnosed in 2009-2011 in Tongling City were collected. The cancer patients' residencies were geo-referenced in each district. The historical PCP usage for each district of Tongling was calculated as the PCP pollution index, which was further used to divide into PCP exposure categories. Standardized rate ratios (SRRs) of cancer incidence were applied to detect the cancer risk as exposure grade elevated. Correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between PCP pollution and cancer incidence. Results: A total of 5,288 cancer cases (3,451 male and 1,837 female) were identified. PCP usage was correlated with the incidence of leukemia (r=0.88, P=0.002) for males, and with cancer of the esophagus for males (r=0.83, P=0.008) and females (r=0.71, P=0.020). Compared with the low exposure category, significant SRRs for total cancer sites was obtained for high PCP exposure category (SRR=1.61, 95%CI=1.59-1.62). Most SRR values of the cancer sites were significantly increased as exposure grade elevated and exposure time extended. Conclusion: The present study found that community residents living in the PCP contaminated area had increased risk of cancers. Leukemias, lymphomas and nasopharyngeal and esophageal cancers are most possibly associated with PCP exposure.