Common plasma protein marker LCAT in aggressive human breast cancer and canine mammary tumor

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers. Although biomarkers are continuously being discovered, few specific markers, rather than classification markers, representing the aggressiveness and invasiveness of breast cancer are known. In this study, we used samples from canine mammary tumors in a comparative approach. We subjected 36 fractions of both canine normal and mammary tumor plasmas to high-performance quantitative proteomics analysis. Among the identified proteins, LCAT was selectively expressed in mixed tumor samples. With further MRM and Western blot validation, we discovered that the LCAT protein is an indicator of aggressive mammary tumors, an advanced stage of cancer, possibly highly metastatic. Interestingly, we also found that LCAT is overexpressed in high-grade and lymphnode-positive breast cancer in silico data. We also demonstrated that LCAT is highly expressed in the sera of advanced-stage human breast cancers within the same classification. In conclusion, we identified a possible common plasma protein biomarker, LCAT, that is highly expressed in aggressive human breast cancer and canine mammary tumor.     

Treatment of growth hormone attenuates hepatic steatosis in hyperlipidemic mice via downregulation of hepatic CD36 expression

ABSTRACT

The recombinant human growth hormone (GH) has been used for the treatment of growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and diverse short stature state, and its physiological and therapeutic effects are well documented. However, since the effect of GH treatment on metabolic disorders has not been well characterized, we injected GH to Western diet-fed low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (Ldlr ^?/?) mice to understand the exact effect of GH on metabolic diseases including atherosclerosis, hepatic steatosis, and obesity. Exogenous GH treatment increased plasma IGF-1 concentration and decreased body weight without affecting serum lipid profiles. GH treatment changed neither atherosclerotic lesion size nor collagen and smooth muscle cells accumulation in the lesion. GH treatment reduced macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue. Importantly, GH treatment attenuated hepatic steatosis and inflammation. The hepatic expression IL-1β mRNA were decreased by GH treatment. The mRNA and protein levels of CD36 were markedly decreased in GH treated mice without significant changes in other molecules related to lipid metabolism. Therefore, the treatment of GH treatment could attenuate hepatic steatosis and inflammation with downregulation of CD36 expression in hyperlipidemic condition.     

Hesperidin depolarizes the pacemaker potentials through 5-HT4 receptor in murine small intestinal interstitial cells of Cajal

ABSTRACT

Hesperidin, a citrus flavonoid, can exert numerous beneficial effects on human health. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are pacemaker cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In the present study, we investigated potential effects of hesperidin on pacemaker potential of ICC in murine small intestine and GI motility. A whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potential in ICC, and GI motility was investigated in vivo by recording gastric emptying (GE) and intestinal transit rate (ITR). Hesperidin depolarized pacemaker potentials of ICC in a dose-dependent manner. Pre-treatment with methoctramine or 4-DAMP did not inhibit hesperidin-induced pacemaker potential depolarization. Neither a 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist (Y25130) nor a 5-HT₇ receptor antagonist (SB269970) reduced the effect of hesperidin on ICC pacemaker potential, whereas the 5-HT₄ receptor antagonist RS39604 was found to inhibit this effect. In the presence of GDP–β–S, hesperidin-induced pacemaker potential depolarization was inhibited. Moreover, in the presence of U73122 and calphostin C, hesperidin did not depolarize pacemaker potentials. Furthermore, hesperidin accelerated GE and ITR in vivo. These results imply that hesperidin depolarized ICC pacemaker potential via 5-HT₄ receptors, G protein, and PLC/PKC dependent pathways and that it increased GI motility. Therefore, hesperidin may be a promising novel drug to regulate GI motility.     

RAPTURE (RAD capture) panel facilitates analyses characterizing sea lamprey reproductive ecology and movement dynamics

Genomic tools are lacking for invasive and native populations of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). Our objective was to discover single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci to conduct pedigree analyses to quantify reproductive contributions of adult sea lampreys and dispersion of sibling larval sea lampreys of different ages in Great Lakes tributaries. Additional applications of data were explored using additional geographically expansive samples. We used restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RAD‐Seq) to discover genetic variation in Duffins Creek (DC), Ontario, Canada, and the St. Clair River (SCR), Michigan, USA. We subsequently developed RAD capture baits to genotype 3,446 RAD loci that contained 11,970 SNPs. Based on RAD capture assays, estimates of variance in SNP allele frequency among five Great Lakes tributary populations (mean F_ST 0.008; range 0.00–0.018) were concordant with previous microsatellite‐based studies; however, outlier loci were identified that contributed substantially to spatial population genetic structure. At finer scales within streams, simulations indicated that accuracy in genetic pedigree reconstruction was high when 200 or 500 independent loci were used, even in situations of high spawner abundance (e.g., 1,000 adults). Based on empirical collections of larval sea lamprey genotypes, we found that age‐1 and age‐2 families of full and half‐siblings were widely but nonrandomly distributed within stream reaches sampled. Using the genomic scale set of SNP loci developed in this study, biologists can rapidly genotype sea lamprey in non‐native and native ranges to investigate questions pertaining to population structuring and reproductive ecology at previously unattainable scales.     

Study of the independent gametophytes found on Jeju Island in South Korea and the first record of the obligate independent gametophyte of Antrophyum obovatum Baker

Fern gametophytes have often been neglected in research; however, studies on gametophytes are crucial for a better understanding of the evolution of ferns. During their life cycle, some gametophytes produce large and long‐lived populations without producing sporophytes and reproduce independently through asexual means, such as through the formation of gemmae. In this study, we investigated independent gametophytes on the Jeju Island of Korea, which was located on the land bridge between East China and Japan during the glacial periods. Fourteen gametophyte populations were collected from seven sites, of which 13 populations were clearly identified as belonging to four fern species known to occur in Jeju Island with BLAST searches using rbcL and trnL‐F sequences. Surprisingly, the last remaining population constituted undescribed taxa in Korea. We presented the first report of the independent gametophytes of Antrophyum obovatum Baker which has not been previously recorded in Korea. It has been supposed that many ferns sought suitable habitat throughout the land bridge between China and Japan. However, Jeju Island might be unsuitable for vittarioid ferns that prefer a tropical or subtropical environment. Consequently, only two species of vittariod ferns (A. obovatum and Haplopteris flexuosa (Fée) E.H. Crane) in the form of a gametophyte and sporophyte, respectively, exist on Jeju Island. Therefore, this gametophyte population must be protected and managed from a conservation perspective. In the case of the independent gametophyte of Hymenophyllum wrightii Bosch, haplotype analysis was conducted based on the rbcL sequences and the result supported that the North American populations were migrated from Japan through land bridge during the glacial periods and Jeju populations were recently established by long‐distance dispersal of the Japanese populations.     

Insufficient potassium and sulfur supply threaten the productivity of perennial forage grasses in smallholder farms on tropical sandy soils

Plant and Soil - Perennial forage grass production has the potential to improve smallholder livelihoods in the tropics. However, nutrient management is often challenging, especially on infertile...