RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The origin of cancer cells is the most fundamental yet unresolved problem in cancer research. Cancer cells are thought to be transformed from the normal cells. However, recent studies reveal that the primary cancer cells (PCCs) for cancer initiation and secondary cancer cells (SCCs) for cancer progression are formed in but not transformed from the senescent normal and cancer cells, respectively. Nevertheless, the cellular mechanism of PCCs/SCCs formation is unclear. Here, based on the evidences (1) the nascent PCCs/SCCs are small and organelle-less resembling bacteria; (2) our finding that the cyanobacterium TDX16 acquires its algal host DNA and turns into a new alga TDX16-DE by de novo organelle biogenesis, and (3) PCCs/SCCs formations share striking similarities with TDX16 development and transition, we propose the bacterial origin of cancer cells (BOCC). PRESENTATION OF THE HYPOTHESIS: The intracellular bacteria take up the DNAs of the senescent/necrotic normal cells/PCCs and then develop into PCCs/SCCs by hybridizing the acquired DNAs with their own ones and expressing the hybrid genomes. TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS: BOCC can be confirmed by testing BOCC-based predictions, such as normal cells with no intracellular bacteria can not "transform" into cancer cells in any conditions. IMPLICATIONS OF THE HYPOTHESIS: According to BOCC theory: (1) cancer cells are new single-celled eukaryotes, which is why the hallmarks of cancer are mostly the characteristics of protists; (2) genetic changes and instabilities are not the causes, but the consequences of cancer cell formation; and (3) the common role of carcinogens, infectious agents and relating factors is inducing or related to cellular senescence rather than mutations. Therefore, BOCC theory provides new rationale and direction for cancer research, prevention and therapy.
RESUMO
Two novel polymers exhibiting metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been synthesized by the combination of a metal ion with a benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate ligand (BTC) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) under hydrothermal conditions. The first compound, poly[[(µ4-benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylato-κ(4)O:O':O'':O''')(µ-hydroxido-κ(2)O:O)bis(1,10-phenanthroline-κ(2)N,N')dizinc(II)] 0.32-hydrate], {[Zn2(C9H3O6)(OH)(C12H8N2)2]·0.32H2O}n, denoted Zn-MOF, forms a two-dimensional network in which a binuclear Zn2 cluster serves as a 3-connecting node; the BTC trianion also acts as a 3-connecting centre. The overall topology is that of a 6(3) net. The phen ligands serve as appendages to the network and interdigitate with phen ligands belonging to adjacent parallel sheets. The second compound, poly[[(µ6-benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylato-κ(7)O(1),O(1'):O(1):O(3):O(3'):O(5):O(5'))(µ3-hydroxido-κ(2)O:O:O)(1,10-phenanthroline-κ(2)N,N')dimanganese(II)] 1.26-hydrate], {[Mn2(C9H3O6)(OH)(C12H8N2)]·1.26H2O}n, denoted Mn-MOF, exists as a three-dimensional network in which an Mn4 cluster serves as a 6-connecting unit, while the BTC trianion again plays the role of a 3-connecting centre. The overall topology is that of the rutile net. Phen ligands act as appendages to the network and form the `S-shaped' packing mode.
RESUMO
The two major astaxanthin-producing microorganisms Phaffia rhodozyma and Haematococcus pluvialis exhibited elevated astaxanthin yields under the mixed culture regime, and the changes in flux distribution were investigated by means of metabolic flux analysis (MFA). In the mixed culture of the two strains, the carbon flux towards astaxanthin formation in P. rhodozyma increased by 20%, which may be due to the enriched oxygen evolved through the photosynthesis of H. pluvialis. On the other hand, the uptake of pyruvate and CO(2) excreted by P. rhodozyma also facilitated astaxanthin synthesis in H. pluvialis, which reduced 33% of the carbon flux exported from Calvin cycle to the catabolic pathway, and in turn raised the carbon flux to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate by 25%. As a result, the carbon flux diverted to astaxanthin synthesis increased 2.8-fold in comparison with that in the pure culture.
