Dihydroartemisinin and its anticancer activity against endometrial carcinoma and cervical cancer: involvement of apoptosis, autophagy and transferrin receptor

INTRODUCTION@#Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is a first-line antimalarial drug with relatively low toxicity. DHA has been speculated to possess a broad-spectrum antitumour effect. However, the potential value of DHA for the treatment of endometrial carcinoma or cervical cancer is unclear.@*METHODS@#We used human endometrial cancer cells and cervical cancer cells to assess whether DHA alone or when combined with cisplatin would induce cell death. We aimed to elucidate the role of autophagy in DHA-induced cytotoxicity in both endometrial and cervical cancer cells, and explore the impact of DHA treatment on cell proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy.@*RESULTS@#DHA alone or in combination with cisplatin induced cell death in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Caspase-3 mRNA and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels were markedly elevated following DHA treatment either in the presence or absence of cisplatin, suggesting a role of apoptosis in DHA-induced cell death. DHA treatment activated the autophagic pathway, as evidenced by increased monodansylcadaverine-positive staining, elevated microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-II/LC3-I ratio, and enhanced p62/sequestosome 1 degradation. Inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine further enhanced the cytotoxicity of DHA towards tumour cells. mRNA levels of transferrin receptor (TfR) were suppressed upon DHA treatment and knockdown of TfR by RNA interference caused further DHA induction of cancer cell death.@*CONCLUSION@#Our results suggest a clinical value for DHA in the treatment of endometrial carcinoma and cervical cancer. Our data revealed possible anticancer mechanisms of DHA that involve regulating apoptosis, autophagy pathway and levels of TfR.

A novel deletion mutation in AR gene causes complete androgen insensitivity syndrome in a Chinese family / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the mutation of the androgen receptor (AR) gene in a complete androgen insensitivity family.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from family members in the family. PCR and DNA sequencing were then employed to detect the mutation of AR gene.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A single nucleotide deletion of nucleotide A in exon 4 of the AR gene (1910delA) was detected in all the three patients in this family, which lead to Asn637Ile and Lys638stop. This mutation was also found in the mother (heterozygote) but was not observed in the normal controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 1910delA mutation of the AR gene is a novel mutation that leads to complete androgen insensitivity syndrome.</p>

Effect of RGZ on expression of PPAR-? in transplantation tumor of cholangiocarcinoma / 基础医学与临床

0.05);but as comparing with high dose group there is obvious significance(P

Fluorescence probe two-hybridization technique and its application in medical genechips / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a new nucleic acid hybridization detection technique which may be used in medical genechips.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The specific DNA fragment was detected by sequential two hybridization of fluorescence probe with template DNA and fixed DNA probe.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fluorescence probe two-hybridization (FPTH) was applied to genechips for the detection of sex-transmitted pathogens from culture strains, and the results showed that the values of fluorescence density of the positive groups decreased remarkably when compared with those of the negative group. Both the sensitivity and specificity for detecting clinical samples are higher than 90%. There is no need of any additional reagent in hybridization procedure, and the hybridization detection can be accomplished in 40 minutes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The FPTH technique is rapid, simple and reliable, it can also make the clinical detection process completely automatic and integrative.</p>

Nested coamplification polymerase chain reaction / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a simple and reliable method for intensifying the hybridization signals of gene chips.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The authors added EDTA and another FAM-labeled probe to the normal PCR products, denatured the mixture by heat, and then let the mixture hybridize with the fastened probes on the chip.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>With the use of EDTA and another FAM-labeled probe, the hybridization signals increased by 6 times or greater.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Adding EDTA and another probe to the normal PCR products is a simple and efficient method to intensify the hybridization signal of chips.</p>