ABSTRACT
There is an urgent need for molecular marker studies of adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix. This study utilized oligomicroarray and pathway analyses to characterize a transcriptomic signature with molecular networks associated with AC and SCC. A 10K oligomicroarray was used to identify potential transcripts that were differentially expressed in cervical cancers from 28 patients and common reference RNAs from 17 different normal cervixes. Molecular networks were correlated using genomics tools to globally explore cellular pathways. Gene expression levels of 46 transcripts separated cancer samples into AC and SCC groups. Genes including: KRT17, IGFBP2, CALCA and VIPR1 were differentially expressed in AC and SCC. In addition, we identified a transcriptomic signature that predicted tumor classification and progression based upon its cellular processes. The downregulated signatures for SCC were cell death of pheochromocytoma cells (P=0.0037), apoptosis of neurons (P=0.009) and damage to DNA (P=0.0038). By contrast, the upregulated molecular signatures in AC were immunological disorder (P=0.006), splenomegaly (P=0.0053) and hepatic system disorder (P=0.006). The G2/M DNA damage checkpoint regulation pathway (P=0.05) was found to be significantly linked to IGF1R as a new regulatory component of a putative cytoplasmic signaling cascade in SCC. By contrast, the antigen presenting canonical pathway (P=0.038) appeared to be linked to PPARγ in AC. Taken together, these experiments provide important new information regarding the role of molecular networks in mediating SCC and AC, possibly through two independent pathways, and contribute to provide new targets for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/genetics , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics , Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/genetics , Calcitonin/genetics , Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide , Down-Regulation , Female , G2 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints , Humans , Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2/genetics , Keratin-17/genetics , PPAR gamma/genetics , Protein Precursors/genetics , Receptor, IGF Type 1/genetics , Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide, Type I/genetics , Signal Transduction/genetics , Up-RegulationABSTRACT
Ovarian cancer is the most common cause of disease-related death in women globally. Detection of ovarian cancer using new biomarkers is necessary for early diagnosis. To date, there have been no obvious biomarkers for ovarian cancer detection in the incipient stage. In this study, we discovered potential diagnostic serological biomarkers for ovarian cancer using the Experion™ automated electrophoresis system. Sera from 14 healthy women and 84 ovarian cancer patients at stages I- IV were applied to the Experion to compare the protein expression levels. To examine the protein expression pattern of Experion data, proteins in the samples were resolved using 10 and 15% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and visualized by silver staining. The candidate biomarkers elevated in ovarian cancer were purified and determined using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. α-2-macroglobulin (173.7 kDa), ceruloplasmin (147 kDa), inter-α-trypsin inhibitor family heavy chain-related protein (126 kDa), C-1 inhibitor (115.2 kDa) and hemoglobin α/ß (14.4 kDa were overexpressed in the ovarian cancer sera. This study documents a novel way to measure ovarian cancer or cancer-related proteins for biomarkers using the Experion assay system, which should be easily adaptable for high-throughput diagnosis to establish databases of ovarian cancer for clinical applications.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor/blood , Blood Proteins/metabolism , Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/blood , Ovarian Neoplasms/blood , Adult , Aged , Biomarkers, Tumor/isolation & purification , Blood Proteins/isolation & purification , Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial , Case-Control Studies , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Female , Gene Expression , Humans , Middle Aged , Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/diagnosis , Ovarian Neoplasms/diagnosis , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-IonizationABSTRACT
Heterocyclic fluorophores are useful materials in the search for new biologically active compounds and diagnostic methods. We have been interested in the chemistry of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic molecules for many years. Quinoxaline is a representative fluorophore. We have reported on several quinoxalines in recent years. Quinoxaline can easily change its absorption and emission wavelength by oxidation with the proton base in the nitrogen of the quinoxaline ring. In this study, we designed and synthesized several 2,3-distyrylquinoxaline and thieno[3,4-b]quinoxaline derivatives, Each with different electron-donating capabilities. The designed quinoxalines were substituted for the dodecyloxy groups on the benzene ring and stillbene groups were attached by knoevenagel reaction or Hornor-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) reaction on the 2,3-positions of the pyrazine ring. They amplified the electron donating capability of the quinoxaline structure. Thus, the weak base property of nitrogen in the heterocyclic ring was increased, especially in a protonic condition. The property in an acidic condition was revealed by fluorescence quenching. However, fluorescent spectral change was observed, especially when the N,N-dimethylamino group was attached to the stillbene group. These properties were also observed in electrospun fibers containing those synthesized compounds. Electrospun fibers contained quinoxaline colorants are expected to have various applications in chemosensors.
