E-26 Transformation-specific Related Gene Expression and Outcomes in Cytogenetically Normal Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The E-26 transformation-specific related gene (ERG) is frequently expressed in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia (CN-AML). Herein, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between the prognostic significance of ERG expression and CN-AML. METHODS: A systematic review of PubMed database and other search engines were used to identify the studies between January 2005 and November 2016. A total of 667 CN-AML patients were collected from seven published studies. Of the 667 patients underwent intensive chemotherapy, 429 had low expression of ERG and 238 had high expression of ERG. Summary odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the ERG expression and CN-AML were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using Chi-squared-based Q- statistic test and I2 statistics. All statistical analyses were performed using R.3.3.1 software packages (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) and RevMan5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark). RESULTS: Overall, patients with high ERG expression had a worse relapse (OR = 2.5127, 95% CI: 1.5177-4.1601, P = 0.0003) and lower complete remission (OR = 0. 3495, 95% CI: 0.2418-0.5051, P< 0.0001). With regard to the known molecular markers, both internal tandem duplications of the fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 gene (OR = 3.8634, 95% CI: 1.8285-8.1626, P = 0.004) and brain and acute leukemia, cytoplasmic (OR = 3.1538, 95% CI: 2.0537-4.8432, P< 0.0001) were associated with the ERG expression. In addition, the results showed a statistical significance between French-American-British (FAB) classification subtype (minimally differentiated AML and AML without maturation, OR = 4.7902, 95% CI: 2.7772-8.2624, P< 0.0001; acute monocytic leukemia, OR = 0.2324, 95% CI: 0.0899-0.6006, P = 0.0026) and ERG expression. CONCLUSION: High ERG expression might be used as a strong adverse prognostic factor in CN-AML.

[Palmitoylation of heat shock protein 90 in mouse sperm].

Protein palmitoylation, one of post-translation modifications, refers to the addition of saturated 16-carbon palmitic acid to cysteine residues via the thioester bond. It plays key roles in various functional activities, such as the interaction, stability and location of proteins. Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), an important molecular chaperone, has been reported to be involved in sperm capacitation. However, it remains unclear whether protein palmitoylation exists in sperm and whether Hsp90 in sperm is palmitoylated under different physiological conditions. In this study, we examined whether the protein palmitoylation is present in mouse cauda epididymis sperm using acyl-biotin exchange method, predicted the potential palmitoylated sites of Hsp90 by the software CSS-Palm 4.0 and detected the palmitoylated Hsp90 in the mouse sperm from caput epididymis and cauda epididymis by immunoprecipitation. We found that some proteins, approximately 50, 65, 72, 85 and 130 kDa, were palmitoylated in mouse cauda epididymis sperm. Five sites in two Hsp90 isoforms were predicted to be palmitoylated. The results also showed that Hsp90 in mouse sperm was palmitoylated and its palmitoylation level was involved in different physiological conditions: the palmitoylation level of cauda epididymis sperm was higher than that of caput epididymis sperm; and the palmitoylation level after capacitation was much higher than that before capacitation. In conclusion, this study reveals that protein palmitoylation is present in mouse sperm and the palmitoylated Hsp90 is associated with different physiological conditions in sperm.

Peptide toxins and small-molecule blockers of BK channels.

Large conductance, Ca(2+)-activated potassium (BK) channels play important roles in the regulation of neuronal excitability and the control of smooth muscle contractions. BK channels can be activated by changes in both the membrane potential and intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations. Here, we provide an overview of the structural and pharmacological properties of BK channel blockers. First, the properties of different venom peptide toxins from scorpions and snakes are described, with a focus on their characteristic structural motifs, including their disulfide bond formation pattern, the binding interface between the toxin and BK channel, and the functional consequence of the blockage of BK channels by these toxins. Then, some representative non-peptide blockers of BK channels are also described, including their molecular formula and pharmacological effects on BK channels. The detailed categorization and descriptions of these BK channel blockers will provide mechanistic insights into the blockade of BK channels. The structures of peptide toxins and non-peptide compounds could provide templates for the design of new channel blockers, and facilitate the optimization of lead compounds for further therapeutic applications in neurological disorders or cardiovascular diseases.