Interplay of LncRNA TUG1 and TGF-ß/P53 Expression in Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers worldwide. It is still necessary to further define the mechanisms and explore the therapeutic targets of CRC. Long non-coding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1 (LncRNA TUG1) was initially discovered as a transcript upregulated by taurine and is observed to be expressed in numerous human cancers. The Study Aim: This article was to explore the correlation between transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß)/tumor protein 53 (P53) signaling mechanisms as regulators for LncRNA TUG1 in Egyptian patients with CRC. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was achieved to study TGF-ß and P53 expression in CRC specimens vs. normal colonic specimens and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze LncRNA TUG1, TGF-ß, and P53 relative gene expression in 96 tissue specimens (neoplastic specimens and the corresponding adjacent non-neoplastic specimens). RESULTS: The expressions of LncRNA TUG1, TGF-ß, and P53 were overexpressed significantly in CRC specimens as opposed to the matched neighboring non-neoplastic specimens (P<0.001), also LncRNA TUG1 was significantly positively correlated to the expression of TGF-ß and P53 (r=0.89, 0.91 respectively, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings reveal that LncRNA TUG1 may be a molecular component in the TGF-ß/P53 signaling pathway, and LncRNA TUG1 could function as a CRC possible oncogene. LncRNA TUG1 may serve as a potential oncogene for CRC. The TGF-ß/P53/LncRNA TUG1 interactions may be employed as potential targets for CRC diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, and cure.

Associations of galectin-3 expression and LGALS-3 (rs4652) gene variant with coronary artery disease risk in diabetics.

BACKGROUND: Galectin-3 protein encoded by lectin galactoside-binding soluble-3 (LGALS-3) gene is an important genetic factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its cardiovascular obstacles in various populations. We aimed to elicit the pro-inflammatory effect of galectin-3 as determined by interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum levels and to explore the relationship between galectin-3 (LGALS-3 rs4652) gene variant and its expression levels with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk among T2DM Egyptian patients. METHODS: 112 lean subjects were compared to 100 T2DM without CAD and 84 T2DM with CAD. A tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction was used to test LGALS-3 (rs4652), and galectin3 expression was tested with a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum IL-6 was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: We found that the prevalence of LGALS-3 (rs4652) AC genotype and galectin-3 gene expression levels in T2DM with CAD were significantly higher than the additional 2 groups and were correlated positively to IL-6 circulating levels. Also, the C allele carriers (AC+CC) had significantly higher relative Galectin-3 expression levels compared to the A allele carriers (AA). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that galectin-3 expression levels and LGALS-3 (rs4652) AC genotype were coronary artery disease risk factors in people with type two diabetes among an Egyptian sample.

PCSK9 E670G (rs505151) Variant and Coronary Artery Disease Risk Among Diabetics.

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is an enzyme in the family of proprotein convertases implicated in lipid metabolism and is a significant genetic risk factor in cardiovascular diseases among various populations. Aim of the Study: This study explored the correlation between the alleles of the rs505151 (E670G) locus of the PCSK9 gene and its expression levels with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk in Egyptian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Subjects and Methods: A case-control study was performed on 112 lean subjects compared to 100 T2DM patients without CAD and 84 T2DM patients with CAD to investigate the relationships among PCSK9 expression levels, the E670G (rs505151) gene variant, lipid concentrations, and CAD risk in an Egyptian diabetic population. A restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to assess the gene polymorphism, and PCSK9 mRNA expression was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: The prevalence of the E670G (rs505151) AG genotype in diabetics with CAD was significantly greater than the other two groups. The PCSK9 gene expression levels in diabetics with CAD were significantly greater than the other two groups. G allele carriers (AG+GG) had a higher relative PCSK9 expression than A allele carriers. Conclusion: PCSK9 relative expression levels and the E670G (rs505151) AG genotype are CAD risk factors among Egyptian diabetics and are linked positively to the atherogenic index of plasma.