CMTM6 and PD-1/PD-L1 overexpression is associated with the clinical characteristics of malignancy in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the expression of chemokine-like factor superfamily 6 (CMTM6) and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to further explore its clinical significance in OSCC. STUDY DESIGN: Samples of 44 OSCC and paracancerous tissues were investigated. We estimated the expression of the 3 proteins by immunohistochemistry and further detected mRNA expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry results demonstrated that the positive expression of CMTM6 and PD-1/PD-L1 in OSCC tissues was significantly higher than that in paracancerous tissues. Statistical significance was found between the 2 groups (all P < .05). Moreover, PD-L1 expression was related to OSCC clinical stage and lymph node metastasis (P < .05). The qRT-PCR results confirmed that the relative expression of CMTM6 and PD-1/PD-L1 mRNA in OSCC tissues was significantly higher than that in paracancerous tissues (all P < .05), and Spearman rank correlation showed that there was a significant relationship between mRNA and protein expression (all P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: CMTM6 and PD-1/PD-L1 were upregulated in OSCC, and CMTM6 may play a synergistic role with PD-1/PD-L1 in the immune pathway. Therefore, we believe that CMTM6 and PD-1/PD-L1 will become checkpoints for immunotherapy of OSCC.

UDP-glucosyltransferase71c5, a major glucosyltransferase, mediates abscisic acid homeostasis in Arabidopsis.

Abscisic acid (ABA) plays a key role in plant growth and development. The effect of ABA in plants mainly depends on its concentration, which is determined by a balance between biosynthesis and catabolism of ABA. In this study, we characterize a unique UDP-glucosyltransferase (UGT), UGT71C5, which plays an important role in ABA homeostasis by glucosylating ABA to abscisic acid -: glucose ester (GE) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Biochemical analyses show that UGT71C5 glucosylates ABA in vitro and in vivo. Mutation of UGT71C5 and down-expression of UGT71C5 in Arabidopsis cause delay in seed germination and enhanced drought tolerance. In contrast, overexpression of UGT71C5 accelerates seed germination and reduces drought tolerance. Determination of the content of ABA and ABA-GE in Arabidopsis revealed that mutation in UGT71C5 and down-expression of UGT71C5 resulted in increased level of ABA and reduced level of ABA-GE, whereas overexpression of UGT71C5 resulted in reduced level of ABA and increased level of ABA-GE. Furthermore, altered levels of ABA in plants lead to changes in transcript abundance of ABA-responsive genes, correlating with the concentration of ABA regulated by UGT71C5 in Arabidopsis. Our work shows that UGT71C5 plays a major role in ABA glucosylation for ABA homeostasis.

[Karyotype analysis of three Lonicera species growth in Sichuan].

OBJECTIVE: To provide the genetic reference for development and application of Lonicera species growth in Sichuan. METHODS: Shoot apices cells from Lonicera japonica, Lonicera japonica var. chinensis and Lonicera similis (cultivars) were used to make the chromosomal preparation. Their karyotypes were analyzed and the relevant parameters of chromosomes were measured by improved chromosome preparation technique. RESULTS: The chromosome numbers of three Lonicera species were 2n = 2X = 18; their chromosome length was 30.747, 33.231 and 36.948 microm; Their karyotype formula was 2n = 2X = 18 = 2m + 7sm, 2n = 2X = 18 = 8m + 8sm + 2st and 2n = 2X = 18 = 8sm + 10m; Their As. k was 64.013%, 64.380% and 61.949%; And their karyotypes belonged to 2B, 2B and 2A type, respectively. CONCLUSION: These three Lonicera species can be of the germplasm resources for widely cultivating since they have high degree genetic evolution.