miR-21 coordinates tumor growth and modulates KRIT1 levels

miR-21 is overexpressed in tumors and it displays oncogenic activity. Here, we show that expression of miR-21 in primary tumors anticorrelates with KRIT1/CCM1, an interacting partner of the Ras-like GTPase Rap1, involved in Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCM). We present evidences that miR-21 silences KRIT1 by targeting its mRNA 3′UTR and that this interaction is involved in tumor growth control. In fact, miR-21 over-expression or KRIT1 knock-down promote anchorage independent tumor cell growth compared to controls, whereas the opposite is observed when anti-miR-21 or KRIT1 overexpression are employed. Our findings suggest that miR-21 promotes tumor cell growth, at least in part, by down-modulating the potential tumor suppressor KRIT1.     

Evaluation of vitamin D3 metabolites in Callithrix jacchus (common marmoset)

Vitamin D₃ (cholecalciferol) is endogenously produced in the skin of primates when exposed to the appropriate wavelengths of ultraviolet light (UV-B). Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) maintained indoors require dietary provision of vitamin D₃ due to lack of sunlight exposure. The minimum dietary vitamin D₃ requirement and the maximum amount of vitamin D₃ that can be metabolized by marmosets is unknown. Observations of metabolic bone disease and gastrointestinal malabsorption have led to wide variation in dietary vitamin D₃ provision amongst research institutions, with resulting variation in circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25(OH)D₃), the accepted marker for vitamin D sufficiency/deficiency. Multiple studies have reported serum 25(OH)D₃ in captive marmosets, but 25(OH)D₃ is not the final product of vitamin D₃ metabolism. In addition to serum 25(OH)D_3, we measured the most physiologically active metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25(OH)₂D₃), and the less well understood metabolite, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (24,25(OH)₂D₃) to characterize the marmoset's ability to metabolize dietary vitamin D₃. We present vitamin D₃ metabolite and related serum chemistry value colony reference ranges in marmosets provided diets with 26,367 (Colony A, N = 113) or 8,888 (Colony B, N = 52) international units (IU) of dietary vitamin D₃ per kilogram of dry matter. Colony A marmosets had higher serum 25(OH)D₃ (426 ng/ml [SD 200] vs. 215 ng/ml [SD 113]) and 24,25(OH)₂D₃ (53 ng/ml [SD 35] vs. 7 ng/ml [SD 5]). There was no difference in serum 1,25(OH)₂D₃ between the colonies. Serum 1,25(OH)₂D₃ increased and 25(OH)D₃ decreased with age, but the effect was weak. Marmosets tightly regulate metabolism of dietary vitamin D₃ into the active metabolite 1,25(OH)₂D₃; excess 25(OH)D₃ is metabolized into 24,25(OH)₂D₃. This ability explains the tolerance of high levels of dietary vitamin D₃ by marmosets, however, our data suggest that these high dietary levels are not required.     

Grapevine Viruses' Detection and Sanitary Selection in Grapevine Germplasm of Calabria (Southern Italy)

A survey of grapevine viruses present in the region of Calabria (southern Italy) was carried out, and the sanitary selection was conducted on various indigenous varieties. Serological (ELISA) and molecular (multiplex RT‐PCR) tests were used to detect the viruses included in the Italian certification programme: Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV), Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV), Grapevine leafroll associated virus 1 (GLRaV‐1), Grapevine leafroll associated virus 2 (GLRaV‐2), Grapevine leafroll associated virus 3 (GLRaV‐3), Grapevine virus A (GVA), Grapevine virus B (GVB) and Grapevine fleck virus (GFkV). The frequency with which the above viruses have been detected was 37.4, 32.6, 12.8, 7.7, 7.3, 1.9 and 0.3%, respectively, for GVA, GLRaV‐3, GFLV, GFKV, GLRaV‐1, GLRaV‐2 and GVB. ArMV was never found. The sanitary selection allowed for the detection of 6 putative clones of ‘Arvino’, 2 of ‘Magliocco dolce’ and 2 of the rootstock ‘17–37’ free of the above‐mentioned viruses. The necessary process for the commercialization of these clones as ‘certified’ propagation material was accomplished, and their official approval by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture is currently in progress.     

A large proportion of mediastinal and perirenal visceral fat of Siberian adult people is formed by UCP1 immunoreactive multilocular and paucilocular adipocytes

Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry - Many deleterious consequences for health of excessive fat accumulation are due to visceral fat. Browning of visceral fat is mainly cold dependent and has...