Prenatal diagnosis of fetal ZTTK syndrome: a case report / 中华围产医学杂志

This article reported the prenatal diagnosis of a fetus with ZTTK syndrome. A pregnant woman underwent preimplantation genetic diagnosis because her partner carried a balanced chromosomal translocation. Chromosomal karyotype analysis and copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) performed on amniocytes collected at 18 + weeks of gestation revealed no abnormalities. Ultrasonography performed at 23 +5 and 26 +3 weeks of gestation revealed severe fetal growth restriction, cerebellar dysplasia, poorly visualized sacrum and coccyx, and spina bifida. MRI of the fetal brain showed that the bilateral cerebellar hemispheres of the fetus were small and the cisterna magna was large at 23 +6 weeks of gestation. Whole exome sequencing in the pedigree identified a heterozygous variant c.2092delG (p.Glu698fs*4) in the exon 3 of the fetal SON gene, which was not inherited from the parents and proved to be a de novo mutation. Mutations in the locus are pathogenic, causing ZTTK syndrome. After genetic counseling, the pregnant woman and her family chose to terminate the pregnancy.

Transcriptome-wide identification and expression pattern analysis for Dof gene family in Panax ginseng from Jilin / 中国中药杂志

Dof(DNA binding with one finger), a unique class of transcription factors in plants, play an important role in seed development, tissue differentiation, and metabolic regulation. To identify the number and function of Dof gene family members in Panax ginseng, this study identified the members of Dof gene family in P. ginseng and systematically analyzed their structures, evolution, functional differentiation, expression patterns, and interactions using bioinformatics methods at the transcriptome level. At the same time, the association analysis of Dof genes from P. ginseng with key enzyme genes for ginsenoside synthesis was carried out to screen the candidate PgDof genes involved in the regulation of ginsenoside biosynthesis. The results showed that there were 54 genes belonging to the Dof gene family in P. ginseng from Jilin. All PgDof genes had Zf-Dof conserved motifs, implying that they were evolutionarily conserved and could be divided into five groups. Expression pattern analysis confirmed that the expression of PgDof gene family members in different tissues, different year-old P. ginseng, and different farm varieties varied significantly. Simultaneously, as revealed by "gene-saponin content" and "gene-gene" linkage analysis, an important candidate PgDof14-1 gene involved in the regulation of ginsenoside biosynthesis was obtained. From the established genetic transformation system of this gene in the hairy roots of P. ginseng, a positive hairy root clone was determined. This study has laid a theoretical foundation for the study of Dof gene family in P. ginseng.

The upregulation mechanism of OCT4 signaling by ID1 in colorectal cancer / 药学学报

Inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (ID1) has an aberrantly high expression in multiple cancer tissues, including colon cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and so on, which is closely related to cancer aggressiveness and poor clinical outcomes in cancer patients. It has been reported that ID1 maintains colorectal cancer cells (CRCs) stemness traits and contributes to the CRC drug resistance. While, the biological molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this research, we found that ID1 upregulates octamer binding transcription factor (OCT4) protein level as well as OCT4 signaling pathway via Western blot, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), dual-luciferase reporter assay, and real-time PCR. Through the in vitro sphere formation assay, we found that overexpression of OCT4 reverses the inhibitory effect of knocking down ID1 on CRC sphere formation ability. With the help of JASPAR and GEPIA database, we predicted a novel transcriptional repressor—forkhead box D3 (FOXD3) of OCT4. Finally, by using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), confocal and real-time PCR, we demonstrated that ID1 interacts with FOXD3 to inhibit its transcriptional repression activity and therefore to upregulate OCT4 transcription and OCT4 signaling pathway. In conclusion, this study provides a new theoretical basis for the regulation mechanism of colon cancer stem cells, and the newly found protein-protein interaction of ID1-FOXD3 provides a potential drug target for the therapy of CRC.

Synthesis, Spectral Characterization And Biopotential Significance Of Co(Ii) And Ni(Ii) Complexes With Biologically Active Ligands

New Cobalt(II) and Nickel(II) metal complexes of 2-aminothiazole (ATZ) and benzoate ion (BEN) ligands were synthesized under microwave irradiation. The empirical formulae and the structure of the complexes have been deduced from CHN analysis, electrical conductance, magnetic moment, electronic (DRS method), Infra Red spectra, TGA analysis, cyclic voltammetry and powder-XRD techniques. The low electrical conductance values indicate that the complexes are non-electrolyte (1:0) type. The electronic spectra and the magnetic moment indicate the structures of the complexes are found to be octahedral geometry. Infra Red spectra illustrate that 2-aminothiazole and benzoate ion is bonded to the metal ion in a monodentate approach. The antifungal activities of ligands and their cobalt(II) and nickel(II) metal complexes were studied aligned with the few microorganisms by agar - well diffusion method at 100,200 and 400 conc. µg/ml concentration. The prepared cobalt(II) and nickel(II) metal complexes show prospective action against the tested fungi as compared to free 2-aminothiazole ligand. The free radical scavenging action of the prepared complexes and the ligand has been resolute by measuring their interface with the stable free radical DPPH. The complexes have larger antioxidant activity as compared to the free ligand. DNA-binding properties have been calculated by fluorescence-emissions method. The obtained results suggest that the complexes powerfully bind to DNA because of metal complexes are well-known to speed up the drug action and the capability of healing agent which can repeatedly be enhanced leading coordination with a metal ion.

20()-Protopanaxatriol promotes the binding of P53 and DNA to regulate the antitumor network multiomic analysis

Although the tumor suppressor P53 is known to regulate a broad network of signaling pathways, it is still unclear how certain drugs influence these P53 signaling networks. Here, we used a comprehensive single-cell multiomics view of the effects of ginsenosides on cancer cells. Transcriptome and proteome profiling revealed that the antitumor activity of ginsenosides is closely associated with P53 protein. A miRNA-proteome interaction network revealed that P53 controlled the transcription of at least 38 proteins, and proteome-metabolome profiling analysis revealed that P53 regulated proteins involved in nucleotide metabolism, amino acid metabolism and "Warburg effect". The results of integrative multiomics analysis revealed P53 protein as a potential key target that influences the anti-tumor activity of ginsenosides. Furthermore, by applying affinity mass spectrometry (MS) screening and surface plasmon resonance fragment library screening, we confirmed that 20()-protopanaxatriol directly targeted adjacent regions of the P53 DNA-binding pocket and promoted the stability of P53-DNA interactions, which further induced a series of omics changes.

Overexpression of bHLH domain of HIF-1 failed to inhibit the HIF-1 transcriptional activity in hypoxia

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is considered as the most activated transcriptional factor in response to low oxygen level or hypoxia. HIF-1 binds the hypoxia response element (HRE) sequence in the promoter of different genes, mainly through the bHLH domain and activates the transcription of genes, especially those involved in angiogenesis and EMT. Considering the critical role of bHLH in binding HIF-1 to the HRE sequence, we hypothesized that bHLH could be a promising candidate to be targeted in hypoxia condition. METHODS: We inserted an inhibitory bHLH (ibHLH) domain in a pIRES2-EGFP vector and transfected HEK293T cells with either the control vector or the designed construct. The ibHLH domain consisted of bHLH domains of both HIF-1a and Arnt, capable of competing with HIF-1 in binding to HRE sequences. The transfected cells were then treated with 200 µM of cobalt chloride (CoCl2) for 48 h to induce hypoxia. Real-time PCR and western blot were performed to evaluate the effect of ibHLH on the genes and proteins involved in angiogenesis and EMT. RESULTS: Hypoxia was successfully induced in the HEK293T cell line as the gene expression of VEGF, vimentin, and ß-catenin were significantly increased after treatment of untransfected HEK293T cells with 200 µM CoCl2. The gene expression of VEGF, vimentin, and ß-catenin and protein level of ß-catenin were significantly decreased in the cells transfected with either control or ibHLH vectors in hypoxia. However, ibHLH failed to be effective on these genes and the protein level of ß-catenin, when compared to the control vector. We also observed that overexpression of ibHLH had more inhibitory effect on gene and protein expression of N-cadherin compared to the control vector. However, it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: bHLH has been reported to be an important domain involved in the DNA binding activity of HIF. However, we found that targeting this domain is not sufficient to inhibit the endogenous HIF-1 transcriptional activity. Further studies about the function of critical domains of HIF-1 are necessary for developing a specific HIF-1 inhibitor.

Translin: A multifunctional protein involved in nucleic acid metabolism

Translin, a highly conserved, DNA/RNA binding protein, is abundantly expressed in brain, testis and in certain malignancies. It was discovered initially in the quest to find proteins that bind to alternating polypurines-polypyrimidines repeats.It has been implicated to have a role in RNA metabolism (tRNA processing, RNAi, RNA transport, etc.), transcription,DNA damage response, etc. Studies from human, mice, drosophila and yeast have revealed that it forms an octameric ring,which is important for its function. Translin is a cytoplasmic protein, but under genotoxic stress, it migrates into thenucleus, binds to the break point hot spots and therefore, thought to be involved in chromosomal translocation events aswell as DNA damage related response. Its structure is known and DNA binding regions, GTP binding region and regionsresponsible for homotypic and heterotypic interaction are known. It forms a ball like structure with open central channel foraccommodating the substrate nucleic acids. Besides this, translin protein binds to 30 and 50 UTR of certain mRNAs andprobably regulates their availability for translation. It is also involved in mRNA transport and cell cycle progression. Itforms a heteromeric complex with translin associated factor-X (TRAX) to form C3PO complex which is involved in RNAsilencing process. Recently, it has been shown that translin is upregulated under starvation conditions in Drosophila and isinvolved in the integration of sleep and metabolic rate of the flies. Earlier studies classified translin as a DNA repair protein;however subsequent studies showed that it is a multifunctional protein. With this background, in this review we havesummarized the translin biochemical activities, cellular function as well as structural properties of this important protein.

Synthesis, Spectral Characterization And Pharmacological Significance Of Cr(Iii) And Mn(Ii) Complexes With Schiff Base And Thiocyanate Ion As Ligands

Cr(III) and Mn(II) metal complexes of Schiff base ligand derived from phenylacetylurea condensed with salicylaldehyde (SBPS) and thiocyanate(SCN-) ion were synthesized by using microwave irradiation. Microwave assisted synthesis gives high yield of the complexes within a very short time. The molecular formulae and the geometry of the complexes have been deduced from elemental analysis, metal estimation, electrical conductance, magnetic moment, electronic spectra, FT- IR, Far IR spectra, cyclic voltammetry, thermal analysis and powder-XRD techniques. The molar conductance values indicate that the complexes are non-electrolyte (1:0) type. FT-IR spectra show that Schiff base and thiocyanate ion are coordinated to the metal ion in a monodentate manner. The electronic spectra and the magnetic moment indicate the geometry of the complexes is found to be octahedral. The antimicrobial activities of ligands and their Cr(III) and Mn(II) complexes were studied against the microorganisms, viz., E. coli, Klebsiella Pneumonia, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, Bacillus cereus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus sojae and Candida albicans by agar well diffusion method. The complexes show moderate activity against the bacteria and enhanced activity against the fungi as compared to free SBPS ligand. The free radical scavenging activity of the complexes and the ligands has been determined by measuring their interaction with the stable free radical, DPPH. The complexes have larger antioxidant activity as compared to the ligand. DNA-binding properties have been studied by fluorescence-emissions method. The results suggest that the complexes strongly bind to DNA because of metal complexes are well-known to speed up the drug action and the ability of a therapeutic agent which can frequently be enhanced upon coordination with a metal ion.

Neonatal Kabuki syndrome: a report of two cases / 中华围产医学杂志

This paper reported the diagnosis and treatment of two neonates with Kabuki syndrome (KS).Neither of them had typical facial features of KS during the neonatal period,but poor response,abnormal appearance and multiple organ dysplasia were observed in both.Case 1 was lost to follow up after discharge,while typical KS facial features were gradually appeared in Case 2 including eversion of lower lateral eyelids,arched eyebrows,sparse eyebrow arch,flattened nasal tip,prominent ears,during a three-month follow-up after birth.Next-generation sequencing revealed that both neonates were KS caused by lysine methyltransferase 2D (KMT2D) gene mutation,of which case 1 had a heterozygous deletion mutation ofc.13895delC (p.P4632HfsTer8) in KMT2D gene,while case 2 had a heterozygous repeat mutation of c.12809dupA (p.T4271Dfs*63) in KMT2D gene.Both cases were defined as de novo mutations and the one carried by case 2 was a newly discovered pathogenic mutation.

Effect of lentivirus vector-mediated RNA interference dbpA gene silencing on the biological behavior of colorectal cancer cells / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of lentivirus-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) targeting DNA binding protein A (dbpA) on the proliferation and the biological behavior of colorectal cancer cell line SW620.Methods The experiment was divided into 3 groups:KD group (siRNA-dbpA,lentivirus interference group),CON group (non-specific sequence group) and NC group (blank control group).The lentiviral vector siRNA-dbpA was constructed and verified by PCR and DNA sequencing.SW620 cells were transfected with siRNA-dbpA plasmid,nontargeting siRNA plasmid,or empty plasmid.After 48 h the transfection,the cells were examined for dbpA expression using Western blot.After 72 hrs transfection,flow cytometry was used to detect the cell apoptosis and cell cycle changes.The cell growth inhibition rate was detected by MTT (4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide) assay,and then clone formation was detected,and the ability of SW620 cells to form tumors in vivo after dbpA was silenced was studied in nude mice.Results PCR analysis and DNA sequencing demonstrated that the RNAi sequence targeting dbpA gene was successfully inserted into the lentiviral vector.siRNA-dbpA transfection resulted in reduced expression of dbpA in SW620 cells.After transfection,the apoptosis rate of siRNA-dbpA-transfected cells increased to 26.60％ ± 0.38％,significantly higher than that in cells transfected with the nontargeting plasmid or the empty plasmid 12.54％ ± 0.25％ and 4.46％ ± 0.19％,respectively (F =28.159,P ＜0.01).The growth inhibition test indicate that the OD value of the fifth day in siRNA-dbpA group was 0.194 ±0.037,significantly lower than that in the other two groups 0.814 ±0.043 and 1.625 ±0.061,respectively(F =23.214,P ＜ 0.01).The colony formation number is 37 ± 3,64 ± 5and 175 ± 10 respectively,siRNA-dbpA is significantly higher than that in the other two groups(F =40.254,P ＜ 0.01).After the completion of nude mouse transplantation tumor model,through the detection of tumor volume,KD group (group siRNA-dbpA) tumor volume after 14 d and CON and NC group had obvious difference (F =38.256,P ＜ 0.05),and after 21d is more significant difference in tumor size (F =40.241,P ＜ 0.01),can be clearly observed after 35 d KD group (group siRNA-dbpA) growing tumors had differences with the control group (F =30.257,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Lentivirus-mediated RNAi targeting dbpA can effectively suppress the expression of dbpA in colorectal tumor in nude mice,it is proved that dbpA silencing has a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of living tumor cells and decrease the proliferation of the colorectal cells.

Impaired Nucleoporins Are Present in Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Motor Neurons that Exhibit Mislocalization of the 43-kDa TAR DNA-Binding Protein

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Disruption of nucleoporins has been reported in the motor neurons of patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS). However, the precise changes in the morphology of nucleoporins associated with the pathology of the 43-kDa TAR DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) in the disease process remain unknown. We investigated the expression of nucleoporins that constitute the nuclear pore complex (NPC) in spinal motor neurons that exhibit sALS in relation to TDP-43 pathology, which is a reliable neuropathological hallmark of sALS. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded sections of the lumbar spinal cord were obtained for immunofluorescence analysis from seven control subjects and six sALS patients. Anti-TDP-43 antibody, anti-nucleoporin p62 (NUP62) antibody, and anti-karyopherin beta 1 (KPNB1) antibody were applied as primary antibodies, and then visualized using appropriate secondary antibodies. The sections were then examined under a fluorescence microscope. RESULTS: NUP62 and KPNB1 immunoreactivity appeared as a smooth round rim bordering the nuclear margin in normal spinal motor neurons that exhibited nuclear TDP-43 immunoreactivity. sALS spinal motor neurons with apparent TDP-43 mislocalization demonstrated irregular, disrupted nuclear staining for NUP62 or KPNB1. Some atrophic sALS spinal motor neurons with TDP-43 mislocalization presented no NUP62 immunoreactivity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a close relationship between NPC alterations and TDP-43 pathology in the degenerative process of the motor neurons of sALS patients.

A 14-20 kDa protein binds to the upstream region of the phtM operon involved in the synthesis of phaseolotoxin in Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola NPS3121 / Una proteína de 14-20 kDa se une a la región río arriba del operón phtM involucrado en la síntesis de faseolotoxina en Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola NPS3121

Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola is a phytopathogenic bacterium in beans that produces a phytotoxin called phaseolotoxin, in whose synthesis a group of genes that belong to the "Pht cluster" are involved. This cluster comprises 23 genes arranged in 5 transcriptional units, two monocistronic (argK, phtL) and three polycistronic (phtA, phtD, phtM) operons, whose expression is increased at 18°C, correlating with the production of phaseolotoxin by the bacterium. So far, the regulatory mechanisms involved in phaseolotoxin synthesis are poorly understood and only the requirement of low temperatures for its synthesis has been demon strated. Therefore, in this study we searched for regulatory proteins that could be involved in the phaseolotoxin synthesis, focusing on the regulation of the phtM operon. Gel shift assays showed that the promoter region of the phtM operon contains binding sites for putative regulatory proteins, which are encoded outside the Pht cluster and are independent of the GacS-GacA two-component system. Deletion assays with the promoter region of the phtM operon show that the binding site for a putative transcription factor is located within a 58 bp region. The putative transcription factor of the phtM operon has an apparent molecular mass in the 14-20 kDa range. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that the transcription factor recognizes and binds the upstream phtM region as monomer o multimer of a single polypeptide. Our findings provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms involved in phaseolotoxin production, and suggest that the Pht cluster was integrated into the global regulatory mechanism of P. syringae pv. phaseolicola.

Advances on anti-neoplastic STAT3 inhibitors / 药学学报

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a kind of signal transduction protein involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and other important physiological processes in response to a large number of cytokines and growth factors in cells. It has been shown that constitutive activation of STAT3 is closely associated with oncogenesis and tumorigenesis. Inhibition of aberrant STAT3 signaling has been one of promising strategies for the development of anti-neoplastic therapeutics. The review summarizes the latest progress of STAT3 inhibitors in recent years from the perspective of targeting N-terminal domain, DNA binding domain, SH2 domain and C-terminal transactivation domain of STAT3.

Possible Role of Single Stranded DNA Binding Protein 3 on Skin Hydration by Regulating Epidermal Differentiation

BACKGROUND: Skin hydration is a common problem both in elderly and young people as dry skin may cause irritation, dermatological disorders, and wrinkles. While both genetic and environmental factors seem to influence skin hydration, thorough genetic studies on skin hydration have not yet been conducted. OBJECTIVE: We used a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to explore the genetic elements underlying skin hydration by regulating epidermal differentiation and skin barrier function. METHODS: A GWAS was conducted to investigate the genetic factors influencing skin hydration in 100 Korean females along with molecular studies of genes in human epidermal keratinocytes for functional study in vitro. RESULTS: Among several single nucleotide polymorphisms identified in GWAS, we focused on Single Stranded DNA Binding Protein 3 (SSBP3) which is associated with DNA replication and DNA damage repair. To better understand the role of SSBP3 in skin cells, we introduced a calcium-induced differentiation keratinocyte culture system model and found that SSBP3 was upregulated in keratinocytes in a differentiation dependent manner. When SSBP3 was overexpressed using a recombinant adenovirus, the expression of differentiation-related genes such as loricrin and involucrin was markedly increased. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results suggest that genetic variants in the intronic region of SSBP3 could be determinants in skin hydration of Korean females. SSBP3 represents a new candidate gene to evaluate the molecular basis of the hydration ability in individuals.

Progress of relationship between ubiquitinating enzyme damaged-DNA binding protein 2 and tumors / 肿瘤研究与临床

Ubiquitinating enzyme damaged-DNA binding protein 2 (DDB2) is a rind of DDB1 and CUL4-associated factors (DCAF), and identifies belonging to the family of ubiquitinating E3 enzymes. DDB2 combines with CUL4-DDB1 to form the ubiquitin ligase complex, and identifies targets protein substrate specificity to make the substrate ubiquitin and degradation. It affects the development of tumors through various pathways, such as DNA damage repair, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis, cell invasion and metastasis, cell premature senescence, cell proliferation and cancer stem cell population. This paper reviews the progress of the relationship between DDB2 and the development, treatment and prognosis judgment of tumors.

Analysis and functional study on lncRNA expression profile in primary biliary cirrhosis patients / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective Analyzing the lncRNA expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)of primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC)patients to provide new ideas for the pathogenesis,clinical diagnosis and treatment of PBC.Methods Collected peripheral blood from 30 PBC patients and 30 healthy volunteers, then separated PBMC.Four cases from each group were selected for long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA)expression microarray detection.Reverse transcription-PCR technology in a larger sample size was used to verify the microarray results.Bioinformatic analysis such as Cis-/Trans-target genes Gene ontology(GO)and pathway analysis, co-expression networks were conducted in order to provide a theoretical basis in the pathogenesis of PBC.Transfecting small interfering RNAs(siRNAs)for linc-pbc to see changes in the expression of nuclear receptor 4A group 3(NR4A3)and forkhead boxP3(FOXP3)and cell apoptosis in transfected PBMC.Results Compared to the healthy group, 749 lncRNA and 230 coding messenger RNA(mRNA)genes were abnormally expressed.Interestingly,NR4A3 gene was down-regulated by 78%.While linc-pbc, which was about 20 000 bp downstream of NR4A3 gene, increased 2.56-fold. Then design siRNA for linc-pbc.After transfection, mRNA and protein levels of NR4A3 and FOXP3 were up-regulated.Conclusions By recruiting PRC2 complex, linc-pbc may increased the methylation level of NR4A3 gene promoter region,thus decreasing the expression of NR4A3 in PBC patients and reduced NR4A3 futher downregulated the expression of FOXP 3 and reduced the amounts of immunosuppressive Treg cells in peripheral blood and liver tissue, breaking the equilibrium state of immune tolerance, and promoted the occurrence and development of the disease.

Expression and clinical significance of MMR protein and MLH1 promoter methylation testing in endometrial cancer / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective To explore the expression and clinical significance of mismatch repair (MMR)protein and MLH1 promoter methylation testing in endometrial cancer(EC). Methods A total of 420 cases with EC diagnosed by the surgical pathology examination from the Department of Pathology of PLA General Hospital, MLH1,MSH2,MSH6 and PMS2 protein in EC were detected by immunohistochemistry and methylation-specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification(MS-MLPA) testing. Results (1)Of the 420 tumor cases, the total expression loss rate of MMR protein was 34.5%(145/420), the expression loss rates of MLH1,MSH2,MSH6 and PMS2 protein were respectively 17.1%(72/420), 8.1% (34/420), 7.4%(31/420), 26.2%(110/420)and loss rates of MLH1 and PMS2,MSH2 and MSH6 were 16.7%(70/420), 6.2%(26/420). When there was a loss of MMR protein expression, any one or more protein expression deletions in MLH1, PMS2, MSH2 and MSH6, it could be Lynch syndrome related endometrial carcinoma(LS-EC). The expression loss rate of MMR protein in the poorly differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma was higher than that in the well differentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma(P<0.05).(2) The expression loss rate of MMR and PMS2 protein had statistically significant between the endometrioid adenocarcinoma and non-endometrioid adenocarcinoma(P<0.01). The expression loss rate of MSH2 protein had statistically significant in the stage Ⅲ(P<0.01). Moreover, there were also significant differences in depth of myometrial invasion and lymph node metastasis between the expression loss rate of MMR protein (P<0.05).(3)The expression loss rate of MLH1 protein was 72 cases and 57 cases had MLH1 promoter methylation testing(excluding those who were not qualified for DNA testing). The positive rate was 47.4% (27/57). Therefore, these patients were sporadic endometrial cancer, not non-LS-EC. Conclusions MMR protein may be play an important role in the development of endometrial cancer and be indicated poor prognosis. Immunohistochemical staining and MLH1 promoter methylation detection may be play an important role in the screening of the LS-EC.

Decreased expression of chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 9 is a novel independent prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancer

Previous studies suggested that chromodomain helicase DNA-binding proteins (CHDs), including CHD 1-8, were associated with several human diseases and cancers including lymphoma, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, etc. To date, little research on CHD 9 in human cancers has been reported. In this study, we assessed the prognostic value of CHD 9 in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). We screened for CHD 9 expression using immunohistochemical analysis in 87 surgical CRC specimens and found that the expression was upregulated in 81.5% of the cases, while 7.4% were decreased; in the remaining 11.1% of the cases, levels were not altered. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with high CHD 9 expression had better prognosis than those with low CHD 9 expression (54.5 vs 32.1%, P=0.034). Subsequently, Cox multi-factor survival regression analysis revealed that expression of CHD 9 protein was an independent predictor for CRC, with a hazard ratio of 0.503 (P=0.028). In addition, we found that CHD 9 expression was positively correlated with MSH2 (rs=0.232, P=0.036). We speculated that CHD9 might be a putative tumor suppressor gene, and could inhibit the development of CRC by participating in DNA repair processes. Our findings suggest that CHD 9 could be a novel prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for CRC. Further studies are needed to detect the effect of CHD 9 on cellular function and the expression of mismatch repair genes.

The Wnt Signaling Pathway and Related Therapeutic Drugs in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a series of neurodevelopmental disorder with a large genetic component. However, the pathogenic genes and molecular mechanisms of ASD have not been clearly defined. Recent technological advancements, such as next-generation sequencing, have led to the identification of certain loci that is responsible for the pathophysiology of ASD. Three functional pathways, such as chromatin remodeling, Wnt signaling and mitochondrial dysfunction are potentially involved in ASD. In this review, we will focus on recent studies of the involvement of Wnt signaling pathway components in ASD pathophysiology and related drugs used in ASD treatment.

NPHP1 knockdown induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To explore the impacts of NPHP1 knockdown on the phenotype of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Methods The expression of NPHP1 in MDCK cells was knockdown by siRNA interference. Cells were divided into normal control group, negative control group and siRNA group. The cellular morphology and migration were observed by light microscope. The mRNA expressions and activities of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP2 and MMP9) were detected by real time PCR and gelatin zymography. The mRNA and protein expressions of E-cadherin, β-catenin, zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1), ZO-1-associated nucleic acid binding protein (ZONAB) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were analyzed by real time PCR, Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Results Compared with those in normal control group, in siRNA group the mRNA expressions of E-cadherin, β-catenin and ZO-1 decreased, and MMP9, MMP2, α-SMA and ZONAB increased after interfering NPHP124 h (all P<0.05); the protein expressions of E-cadherin,β-catenin and ZO-1 decreased and ZONAB and α-SMA increased after 48 h (all P<0.05), and MDCK cells became elongated with enhanced migration capacity; siRNA cells had decreased expressions of E-cadherin and β-catenin on the membrane, but increased expression of ZONAB in cytoplasm and nucleoplasm after 72 h, and α-SMA was also observed in some interfered cells. Conclusions NPHP1 knockdown induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in MDCK cells, and ZO-1/ZONAB signaling pathway was activated. These changes may associate with renal interstitial fibrosis of Nephronophthisis type I.