Current Status of Human Papillomavirus-Related Head and Neck Cancer: From Viral Genome to Patient Care

Virologica Sinica - Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection identified as a definitive human carcinogen is increasingly being recognized for its role in carcinogenesis of human cancers. Up to...     

既主内政, 又辖外交——以PHR为中心的基因网络调控植物-菌根真菌的共生

磷是植物生长发育必需的大量矿质营养元素, 但自然界大部分土壤都存在严重缺磷的问题。为了适应这一营养逆境, 植物演化出一系列低磷胁迫应答反应。通过改变基因的转录水平调控低磷胁迫应答反应, 而转录因子PHR1在调控植物对低磷胁迫的转录响应中起关键作用。此外, 大部分陆生植物还能与丛枝菌根真菌建立共生关系, 通过丛枝菌根真菌更有效地从土壤中获取磷元素。最近, 中国科学院分子植物科学卓越创新中心王二涛研究组发现, 以PHR为中心的转录调控网络控制植物-丛枝菌根真菌共生的建立。因此, PHR不但在维持植物细胞自身的磷稳态中发挥作用, 而且参与植物与外界微生物的相互作用, 为植物有效地从环境中获得磷元素提供了另外一条途径。     

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine in comparison with chloroquine in moderate and severe patients with COVID-19

Science China Life Sciences -     

Targeting P2 receptors in purinergic signaling: a new strategy of active ingredients in traditional Chinese herbals for diseases treatment

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and its metabolites adenosine diphosphate, adenosine monophosphate, and adenosine in purinergic signaling pathway play important roles in many diseases. Activation of P2 receptors (P2R) channels and subsequent membrane depolarization can induce accumulation of extracellular ATP, and furtherly cause kinds of diseases, such as pain- and immune-related diseases, cardiac dysfunction, and tumorigenesis. Active ingredients of traditional Chinese herbals which exhibit superior pharmacological activities on diversified P2R channels have been considered as an alternative strategy of disease treatment. Experimental evidence of potential ingredients in Chinese herbs targeting P2R and their pharmacological activities were outlined in the study.

     

ARL4C might serve as a prognostic factor and a novel therapeutic target for gastric cancer: bioinformatics analyses and biological experiments

The ADP-ribosylation factor-like proteins (ARLs) have been proved to regulate the malignant phenotypes of several cancers. However, the exact role of ARLs in gastric cancer (GC) remains elusive. In this study, we systematically investigate the expression status, interactive relations, potential pathways, genetic variations and clinical values of ARLs in GC. We find that ARLs are significantly dysregulated in GC and involved in various cancer-related pathways. Subsequently, machine learning models identify ARL4C as one of the two most significant clinical indicators among ARLs for GC. Furthermore, ARL4C silencing remarkably inhibits the growth and metastasis of GC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, enrichment analysis indicates that ARL4C is highly correlated with TGF-β1 signalling. Correspondingly, TGF-β1 treatment dramatically increases ARL4C expression and ARL4C knockdown inhibits the phosphorylation level of Smads, downstream factors of TGF-β1. Meanwhile, the coexpression of ARL4C and TGF-β1 worsens the prognosis of GC patients. Our work comprehensively demonstrates the crucial role of ARLs in the carcinogenesis of GC and the specific mechanisms underlying the GC-promoting effects of TGF-β1. More importantly, we uncover the great promise of ARL4C-targeted therapy in improving the efficacy of TGF-β1 inhibitors for GC patients.