effect of herpes simplex virus virion host shutoff gene- a new suicide gene- on tumor cells

The herpes simplex virus [HSV] UL41 gene product, virion host shutoff [Vhs] protein, mediates the rapid degradation of both viral and cellular mRNA. This ability suggests that Vhs protein can be used as a suicide gene in cancer gene therapy applications. The recent reports have shown that the degradation of cellular mRNA during herpes simplex infection is selective. RNA containing AU-rich elements [ARE] in their 3' untranslated ends are the targets for the Vhs protein. RNA that are not subject to Vhs protein-dependent degradation are up-regulated during HSV infection. ARE are frequently found in mRNA that encode proto-oncogenes, nuclear transcription factors, and cytokines. In many human cancers, the AU-rich stretch of proto-oncogenes and regulatory genes has impaired. To investigate whether Vhs protein might be useful for inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, a eukaryotic expression vector containing Vhs protein gene was constructed. Cell degradation and RNA content of HeLa and MRC-5 tumor cells after transfection with the constructed vector were studied. The results showed a strong inhibitory activity in proliferation of transfected tumor cells and a sharp decrease in their RNA content. These data suggest that Vhs protein can be considered as a candidate for suicide cancer gene therapy

Liver weight and the dimensions of its vessels and biliary ducts: a study on 40 Iranian cadavers

The number of liver transplantations are increasing in Iran. Precise knowledge concerning the anatomical dimensions and the effect of racial and environmental factors on them is of importance. This study was carried out to determine the anatomical dimensions of the liver, its vessels and biliary ducts in cadavers autopsied in the Medical Foundation in 1997. A total number of 40 cadavers without any abdominal surgeries or crushed intra-abdominal organs were studied. The personal and demographics attributes along with anatomical dimensions of the hepatic artery, portal vein, biliary, hepatic and cystic ducts ducts, their variants and probable anomalies along with the total liver weight were recorded. The cadavers were within the age range of 37 +/- 9 years and the weight range of 64 +/- 9 Kg. In all cases the portal vein was normal with a length ranging 8.3 +/- 2.2 cm. In 15% of the subjects the hepatic artery [right branch of superior mesenteric artery] was abnormal. The length of extra-hepatic ducts was 8.6 +/- 1.7 cm and the weight of the liver was 1453 +/- 260 g. The anatomical dimensions of liver, its vessels and biliary ducts were different from western reports. It is recommended to perform more detailed research on corpses from habitants of the region