StarD13 negatively regulates invadopodia formation and invasion in high-grade serous (HGS) ovarian adenocarcinoma cells by inhibiting Cdc42

Metastasis remains the main challenge to overcome for treating ovarian cancers. In this study, we investigate the potential role of the Cdc42 GAP StarD13 in the modulation of cell motility, invasion in ovarian cancer cells. StarD13 depletion does not affect the 2D motility of ovarian cancer cells. More importantly, StarD13 inhibits matrix degradation, invadopodia formation and cell invasion through the inhibition of Cdc42. StarD13 does not localize to mature TKS4-labeled invadopodia that possess matrix degradation ability, while a Cdc42 FRET biosensor, detects Cdc42 activation in these invadopodia. In fact, StarD13 localization and Cdc42 activation appear mutually exclusive in invadopodial structures. Finally, for the first time we uncover a potential role of Cdc42 in the direct recruitment of TKS4 to invadopodia. This study emphasizes the specific role of StarD13 as a narrow spatial regulator of Cdc42, inhibiting invasion, suggesting the suitability of StarD13 for targeted therapy.     

Molecular analysis of nutritional and hormonal regulation of female reproduction in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

Female reproduction includes maturation of oocytes and the synthesis of yolk proteins (vitellogenin, Vg) in the fat body and their deposition into the oocytes. Our recent studies showed that juvenile hormone (JH) regulates Vg synthesis and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) regulates oocyte maturation in the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum). Here, we report on the role of nutritional signaling on vitellogenesis and oogenesis. Comparison of gene expression between fed and starved beetles by microarray analysis showed the up-regulation of genes involved in energy homeostasis and down-regulation of genes involved in egg production in the starved beetles. The RNA interference (RNAi) aided knock-down in the expression of genes involved in insulin and TOR signaling pathways showed that both these signaling pathways play key roles in Vg synthesis and oocyte maturation. Starvation of female beetles resulted in a block in Vg synthesis but not in the progression of primary oocyte development to the resting stage. Feeding after starvation induced Vg synthesis and the progression of primary oocytes from the resting stage to the mature stage. However, in the beetles where JH or 20E synthesis or action was blocked by RNAi, both Vg synthesis and oocyte maturation were affected suggesting that both these hormones (JH and 20E) and nutritional signaling and their cross-talk regulate vitellogenesis and oogenesis.     

抗人精子蛋白17磁性纳米探针靶向的卵巢癌体内外磁共振成像

用MRI(magnetic resonance imaging)技术探索连接抗人精子蛋白17单克隆抗体(anti-Sp17 mAb)的磁性纳米探针对体外培养及动物体内Sp17+卵巢癌的靶向性。将anti-Sp17mAb连接到表面包覆壳聚糖的超顺磁性氧化铁纳米颗粒上,制成磁性纳米探针anti-Sp17-MNP,用作MRI阴性对比剂。将磁性纳米探针与Sp17+和Sp17-培养的肿瘤细胞共育,进行一系列体外磁共振成像实验。荷瘤小鼠尾静脉注射磁性纳米颗粒,用7T磁共振仪在体成像,观察肿瘤部位的信号变化,并用普鲁士蓝染色肿瘤组织切片,观察有无铁粒子聚集。体外MRI数据显示,anti-Sp17-MNP与细胞靶向结合,并与细胞共育2 h后,Sp17+HO-8910的T2*信号强度比Sp17-HepG2低2倍;anti-Sp17-MNP对肿瘤细胞的靶向作用可被重组人Sp17阻断。7T磁共振仪对动物在体肿瘤成像结果显示,感兴趣区因磁性纳米探针靶向聚集而导致信号降低,并经组织切片普鲁士蓝染色证实。本研究结果表明,用anti-Sp17抗体和新的合成路线制备的纳米探针具有用作MR对比剂进行分子成像的潜能。     

Twist及Akt2在甲状腺乳头状癌中的表达及意义

目的探讨Twist、Akt2在甲状腺乳头状癌中的表达和相互关系。方法应用免疫组化方法,对60例甲状腺乳头状癌、10例结节性甲状腺肿进行Twist、Akt2表达的研究。结果甲状腺乳头状癌Twist及Akt2阳性表达率分别为81.67%(49/60)及60.00%(36/60),结节性甲状腺肿Twist及Akt2阳性表达率分别为0.00%(0/10)及10.00%(1/10),前者与后者相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);Twist及Akt2在甲状腺乳头状癌中的表达水平与病人的年龄及原发肿瘤分期无关,但与有无淋巴结转移相关(P<0.05),且Akt2的表达在T3,4期肿瘤及T1,2期肿瘤相比也具有显著性(P<0.05);Twist及Akt2的表达呈正相关(r=0.492,P=0.000)。结论在大多数甲状腺乳头状癌的上皮细胞中都存在Twist及Akt2的过表达,其淋巴结转移的发生与Twist及Akt2过表达或功能的不正常可能有密切的关系;Twist与Akt2的表达呈正相关。     

Fundulus heteroclitus: ovarian reproductive physiology and the impact of environmental contaminants

Fundulus heteroclitus, the mummichog or Atlantic killifish, is the dominant small-bodied fish species of the east coast estuaries and salt marshes of Canada and the USA, where it is present as two subspecies, the northern F. h. macrolepidotus and the southern F. h. heteroclitus. Recently identified as the premier teleost model in environmental biology, the species has long been of value in understanding evolved tolerance to toxicants and more lately in adding to our knowledge about reproductive effects of environmental endocrine disruptors. The body of literature on F. heteroclitus ovarian physiology and reproduction, from both field and laboratory studies, provides the foundation for present work focused on understanding the reproductive effects and modes of action of environmental toxicants. In this paper, we review the environmental and endocrine factors controlling ovarian and reproductive cycling in F. heteroclitus, noting specifics related to field and laboratory studies on the two subspecies as well as key research gaps compared to other fish species. We also summarize recent development of methodologies to study the effects of environmental contaminants on endocrine signalling and egg production in F. heteroclitus. Continued efforts to progress both our fundamental understanding of reproductive physiology in mummichog, coupled with studies focused on the modes of action of environmental contaminants, have high potential to further develop this teleost model. While the model may presently lag behind those based on other species of fish, the unique biochemical and physiological adaptations which allow F. heteroclitus to adapt to changing environmental and toxic conditions provide a valuable experimental system for comparative physiologists, ecotoxicologists and evolutionary biologists.     

FSH通过SATB1调控上皮性卵巢癌ES-2细胞的增殖和侵袭活性

目的：探讨特异AT序列结合蛋白1（special AT-rich sequence-bindingprotein,SATB1）在卵泡刺激素（Follicle stimulating hor-mone,FSH）诱导的上皮性卵巢癌ES-2细胞增殖和侵袭中的作用。方法：以Real-timePCR检测不同浓度FSH（0、10、20、40、80mlU／ml）处理后sATB1基因mRNA表达水平的变化。实验分4组：①siCon组,转染si-阴性对照（si-Negativecontrol）序列的实验组,对SATBl无干扰作用;②siSATB1组：转染特异性干扰下调SATB1的siSATB1序列;（3）FSH＋siCon组：以FSH处理的siCon组;（4）FSH＋siSATBl组：以FSH处理的sisATB1组。MTT法检测4组细胞的增殖情况,Westernblotting技术检测4组细胞细胞周期蛋白（CyclinDl）,基质金属蛋白酶2（MMP．2）的蛋白表达情况,Transwell侵袭实验检测4组细胞侵袭能力的变化。结果：1．FSH＋siCon组的细胞增殖能力明显高于siCon组的细胞增殖能力,FSH＋siCon组的CyclinD1蛋白相对表达量0．90＋0．08明显高于siCon组的0．37＋0．01（P均〈0．01）,提示FSH具有促进ES．2细胞增殖的作用。2．FSH＋siCon组的穿膜细胞数（30212）个明显高于siCon组（13919）个,FSH＋siCon组的MMP．2蛋白相对表达量0．40＋0．01明显高于siCon组的0．28＋0．02,提示FSH具有促进ES．2细胞侵袭能力的作用。3．随着FsH浓度的增高,SATBlmRNA的表达量逐渐增加,分别为1,1．66±0．04,1．79±0．21,2.31±0．03,以FsH浓度为80mlU／m1时最显著（P〈0．05）。4．FSH＋siSATBl组的细胞增殖能力明显低于FSH＋siCon组的细胞增殖能力,FSH＋siSATBl组的CyclinD1蛋白相对表达量0．22±0．02明显低于FSH＋siCon组的0．90±0．08（P均〈0．01）;FSH＋siSATB1组的穿膜细胞数（5216）个低于FSH＋siCon组的（30212）个,FSH＋siSATB1组的MMP-2蛋白相对表达量0．15±0．00明显低于FSH＋siCon组的0．40±0．01（P均〈0．01）,FSH促进ES-2细胞增殖和侵袭的能力由于SATB1基因表达的下降而被阻断。结论：SATBl是FSH作用的重要靶分子,介导FSH对上皮性卵巢癌ES-2细胞系增殖、侵袭活性的调控。     

钙黏附素和β-连接素与宫颈上皮内瘤变进展的关系

目的：观察钙黏附素（E—cadherin）和β-连接素（β-catenin）在不同级别宫颈上皮内瘤变组织中的表达,探讨其与宫颈上皮内瘤变进展的关系。方法：采用免疫组化法检测51例宫颈组织病理存档石蜡包埋组织钙黏附素（E—cadherin）和β-连接素（β-catenin）的表达,阳性信号采用图像分析仪进行定量分析：结果：E—cadherin在柱状上皮移位组及CINT组、C1NII组、CINIⅡ组中的平均光密度值（AOD）分别为：0．0866±0．0392、0．073±0．0122、0．0467±0．0056、0．0396±0．0097;β-catenin在柱状上皮移位组及CIN I组、CIN II组、CIN III组中的平均光密度值（AOD）分别为：0．1101±0．0116、0．1016±0．0108、0．0711±0．0062、0．0515±0．0091。随着CIN病变的升级,钙黏附素和β-连接素的表达均呈下降趋势,二者的平均光密度值（AOD）正相关（r=2．546．P=0．018〈0．05）。结论：钙黏附素、β-连接素与宫颈上皮内瘤变的进展相关,在估计CIN的预后中有一定意义,     

新疆维吾尔族妇女宫颈病变中PTEN表达的研究

目的:探讨PTEN基因与新疆维族妇女宫颈病变的相关关系。方法:选取维吾尔族妇女正常或炎症的宫颈组织30例、CINⅠ30例、CINⅡ/Ⅲ30例、宫颈鳞癌组织30例采用免疫组化SP法检测PTEN蛋白表达。结果:PTEN的蛋白表达率在正常或炎症的宫颈组织、CINⅠ、CINⅡ/Ⅲ、宫颈鳞癌组织中分别为83.3%、73.3%、56.7%、23.3%,SCC组阳性表达率明显减少,与前三组有显著性(P<0.05)。结论:新疆维族妇女宫颈病变组织中PTEN蛋白水平表达减少,其与新疆维族妇女宫颈病变呈负相关关系;是宫颈组织恶变的信号。     

湖南地区汉族人群p53基因第72位密码子多态性与宫颈鳞癌的相关性

目的：探讨宫颈组织p53基因第72位密码子的多态性及分析第72位密码子的多态性与湖南地区汉族人群宫颈鳞癌的相关性。方法：采用PCR方法扩增101例正常宫颈和150例宫颈鳞癌石蜡组织p53基因第72位密码子基因,回收目的片段进行测序。采用SPSS11．5软件分析p53基因第72位密码子的多态性。结果：p53第72位密码子基因测序结果显示,在宫颈鳞癌组织中Arg／Arg、Pro／Pro、Arg／Pro所占比例分别为40．66％、16．67％、42．67％;在正常宫颈组织中Arg／Arg、Pro／Pro、Arg／Pro所占比例分别为47．53％、7．92％、44．55％。统计学分析结果显示,Arg／Arg和Arg／Pro基因型在宫颈鳞癌和对照组中的表达差异没有统计学意义（P〉0．05）;Pro／Pro基因型在宫颈鳞癌组中所占比例显著高于正常宫颈组织（P〈0．05）。结论：p53基因第72位密码子Pro／pro基因型是湖南地区女性发生宫颈鳞癌易感因素。