MIG‐6 is essential for promoting glucose metabolic reprogramming and tumor growth in triple‐negative breast cancer

Treatment of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains challenging due to a lack of effective targeted therapies. Dysregulated glucose uptake and metabolism are essential for TNBC growth. Identifying the molecular drivers and mechanisms underlying the metabolic vulnerability of TNBC is key to exploiting dysregulated cancer metabolism for therapeutic applications. Mitogen‐inducible gene‐6 (MIG‐6) has long been thought of as a feedback inhibitor that targets activated EGFR and suppresses the growth of tumors driven by constitutive activated mutant EGFR. Here, our bioinformatics and histological analyses uncover that MIG‐6 is upregulated in TNBC and that MIG‐6 upregulation is positively correlated with poorer clinical outcomes in TNBC. Metabolic arrays and functional assays reveal that MIG‐6 drives glucose metabolism reprogramming toward glycolysis. Mechanistically, MIG‐6 recruits HAUSP deubiquitinase for stabilizing HIF1α protein expression and the subsequent upregulation of GLUT1 and other HIF1α‐regulated glycolytic genes, substantiating the comprehensive regulation of MIG‐6 in glucose metabolism. Moreover, our mouse studies demonstrate that MIG‐6 regulates GLUT1 expression in tumors and subsequent tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, this work reveals that MIG‐6 is a novel prognosis biomarker, metabolism regulator, and molecular driver of TNBC.     

Phylogenetic significance of the characteristics of simple sequence repeats at the genus level based on the complete chloroplast genome sequences of Cyatheaceae

The simple sequence repeats (SSRs) of plant chloroplasts show considerable genetic variation and have been widely used in species identification and phylogenetic relationship determination. Whether chloroplast genome SSRs can be used to classify Cyatheaceae species has not yet been studied. Therefore, the chloroplast genomes of eight Cyatheaceae species were sequenced, and their SSR characteristics were compared and statistically analyzed. The results showed that the chloroplast genome structure was highly conserved (genome size: 154,046–166,151 bp), and the gene content (117 genes) and gene order were highly consistent. The distribution characteristics of SSRs (number, relative abundance, relative density, GC content) showed taxon specificity. The primary results were the total numbers of SSRs and mononucleotides: Gymnosphaera (61–67 and 40–47, respectively), Alsophila (121–122 and 95–96), and Sphaeropteris (102–103 and 77–80). Statistical and clustering analyses of SSR characteristics showed that their distribution was consistent with the recent classification of Cyatheaceae, which divided the eight Cyatheaceae species into three genera. This study indicates that the distribution characteristics of Cyatheaceae chloroplast SSRs can provide useful phylogenic information at the genus level.     

Isoliquiritigenin Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Xenograft Tumor Growth of Human Lung Cancer Cells by Targeting Both Wild Type and L858R/T790M Mutant EGFR

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with diverse genetic alterations including mutation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Isoliquiritigenin (ILQ), a chalcone derivative, possesses anticancer activities. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ILQ on the growth of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-sensitive and -resistant NSCLC cells and elucidated its underlying mechanisms. Treatment with ILQ inhibited growth and induced apoptosis in both TKI-sensitive and -resistant NSCLC cells. ILQ-induced apoptosis was associated with the cleavage of caspase-3 and poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase, increased expression of Bim, and reduced expression of Bcl-2. In vitro kinase assay results revealed that ILQ inhibited the catalytic activity of both wild type and double mutant (L858R/T790M) EGFR. Treatment with ILQ inhibited the anchorage-independent growth of NIH3T3 cells stably transfected with either wild type or double-mutant EGFR with or without EGF stimulation. ILQ also reduced the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 in both TKI-sensitive and -resistant NSCLC cells, and attenuated the kinase activity of Akt1 and ERK2 in vitro. ILQ directly interacted with both wild type and double-mutant EGFR in an ATP-competitive manner. A docking model study showed that ILQ formed two hydrogen bonds (Glu-762 and Met-793) with wild type EGFR and three hydrogen bonds (Lys-745, Met-793, and Asp-855) with mutant EGFR. ILQ attenuated the xenograft tumor growth of H1975 cells, which was associated with decreased expression of Ki-67 and diminished phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. Taken together, ILQ suppresses NSCLC cell growth by directly targeting wild type or mutant EGFR.     

檵木与红花檵木的解剖结构研究

对7个不同地点的野生檵木、野生红花檵木、栽培红花檵木花的解剖结构进行了研究,浏阳大围山野生檵木花的数性遗传结构与其它地区的野生檵木有较大差异,4数性花和5～6数性花各占50%;红花檵木野生和栽培类型均以5数性花数量居多,不同于文献记载的檵木属植物4数性花的分类属征(每朵花花瓣、雄蕊、退化雄蕊及萼片均为4数).利用花的结构遗传变异探讨了红花檵木的起源和品种演化历史.     

白眉蝮蛇去整合素Adinbitor的基因克隆、表达及其部分生物学活性

为了寻找去整合素家族的新成员 ,研究其在抗血栓与抗肿瘤等方面的作用 ,从中国白眉蝮蛇毒腺中提取总RNA进行RT PCR扩增 ,获得了 2 19bp的白眉蝮蛇去整合素基因 .测序结果显示 ,其与韩国的同为蝮蛇去整合素的saxatilin的DNA序列同源性为 95 8% ,蛋白质序列同源性为 91 8% ,且蛋白质中含有去整合素的特征模体 RGD .将去整合素基因进行克隆、转化与诱导后 ,得到了该蛋白的可溶性高效表达 .经组氨酸亲和层析纯化 ,获得了分子量为 9kD的均质蛋白 ,并将其命名为adinbitor .活性测定结果显示 ,adinbitor能明显抑制由碱性成纤维细胞生长因子诱导的人脐静脉血管内皮细胞ECV30 4的增殖 ,诱导ECV30 4细胞发生凋亡 ,并且呈剂量依赖性方式抑制ADP诱导的人血小板聚集     

Interleukin-12 genetic administration suppressed metastatic liver tumor unsusceptible to CTL

A cytokine gene therapy approach was conducted against metastatic lesions of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-unsusceptible tumor in mice. The EBV-based and conventional plasmid vectors that encode murine interleukin-12 (IL-12) gene (pGEG.mIL-12 and pG.mIL-12, respectively) were intravenously transfected into the mice that had received a subcutaneous inoculation of M5076 sarcoma cells. The pGEG.mIL-12 transfection drastically suppressed the subcutaneous as well as hepatic metastatic tumors, resulting in significant prolongation of survival period of the animals. Although single administration with pG.mIL-12 was not effective, repetitive transfection with the plasmid significantly prolonged the longevity of the mice-bearing the metastatic liver tumors. Multiple transfection with either pGEG.mIL-12 or pG.mIL-12 also suppressed peritoneal carcinomatosis in mice that had been injected with M5076 cells into the peritoneal cavity. It was suggested that a high level IL-12 production elicited by the intravenous delivery of the cytokine gene may be quite effective in inhibiting metastatic and CTL-unsusceptible neoplasms.     

高压力对体外培养动脉中膜平滑肌细胞增殖及增殖相关蛋白和生长因子的影响

为了探讨力学因素在血管重建中的作用和机制,观察在单纯高压力条件下血管平滑肌细胞增殖及其相关蛋白和生长因子的变化。应用血管体外应力培养系统,在施加单纯压力的条件下培养猪颈总动脉。按压力大小,将培养的血管分为高压力(21．3kPa)组和正常压力(13．3kPa)组。两组血管均分别培养1、4和7d。免疫组织化学检测血管中膜平滑肌细胞的α-肌动蛋白,增殖细胞核抗原、血小板源性生长因子A、转化生长因子13l及P53蛋白的变化。结果显示：在高压力的作用下,随着培养时间的延长,α-肌动蛋白呈减少的趋势;增殖细胞核抗原,转化生长因子131、P53持续增多;血小板源性生长因子A先增加而后有所减少。说明高压力可明显促进血管平滑肌细胞表型的转变,发生增殖现象。提示高压力可能通过调节血小板源性生长因子A、转化生长因子131及P53蛋白的表达来调控血管平滑肌细胞的增殖。     

黄瓜雄花形成过程中心皮的发育

黄瓜(Cucumis sativus L.)为重要的经济作物,雌雄同株异花,是研究植物性别分化的经典材料。人们对黄瓜性别分化进行了广泛的研究。Astmon和Galun、任吉君和王艳对黄瓜性别分化的形态特征和器官发生进行了初步研究,表明黄瓜单性花分化和发育过程中经历了无性期、两性期和单性期,最终只有一种性别的性器官原基发育成有功能的性器官,从而形成单性花,而对单性花中未形成有功能器官的相反性别原基的研究报道甚少。我们对雄花发育过程进行了连续的形态学分析,并对不同时期雄花中的心皮进行了细胞计数和同工酶电泳分析,以期从性器官发育的角度探讨黄瓜性别表现的机理。     

卤虫(Artemia salina)孵化腺细胞分化时相的免疫细胞化学研究(简报)

动物孵化酶(hatching enzyme,HE)是早期胚胎在特定发育阶段由孵化腺细胞产生和分泌的,在动物早期胚胎孵化中具有关键性作用。孵化腺细胞(hatching gland cell,HGC)一般为单细胞腺体,是从胚胎发育到特定阶段(孵化前)出现、至胚胎孵出后的特定时期消失的一时性细胞(transient type ofcells)。完全分化的HGC内充满了低电子密度的酶原颗粒(孵化酶原颗粒),在鱼胚中的分布因物种而异。在大多数鱼中,HGC分布在胚体的外表面和/或卵黄囊中,一般为外胚层来源。如在虹蹲鱼HGC分布在胚体的前表面、卵黄囊、咽部、鳃的内表面及外表面,属于外胚层来源。而日本鳉鱼HGC     

Purification and characterization of a lipopeptide produced by Bacillus thuringiensis CMB26

AIMS: To isolate an antagonist for use in the biological control of phytopathogenic fungi including Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, then to purify and characterize the biocontrol agent produced by the antagonist. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacteria that exhibited antifungal activity against the causative agent pepper anthracnose were isolated from soil, with Bacillus thuringiensis CMB26 showing the strongest activity. A lipopeptide produced by B. thuringiensis CMB26 was precipitated by adjusting the pH 2 with 3 n HCl and extracted using chloroform/methanol (2:1, v/v) and reversed-phase HPLC. The molecular weight was estimated as 1447 Da by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Scanning electron and optical microscopies showed that the lipopeptide has activity against Escherichia coli O157:ac88, larvae of the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae crucivora) and phytopathogenic fungi. The lipopeptide had cyclic structure and the amino acid composition was L-Glu, D-Orn, L-Tyr, D-allo-Thr, D-Ala, D-Val, L-Pro, and L-Ile in a molar ratio of 3:1:2:1:1:2:1:1. The purified lipopeptide showed the same amino acid composition as fengycin, but differed slightly in fatty acid composition, in which the double bond was at carbons 13-14 (m/z 303, 316) and there was no methyl group. CONCLUSION: A lipopeptide was purified and characterized from B. thuringiensis CMB26 and found to be similar to the lipopeptide fengycin. This lipopeptide can function as a biocontrol agent, and exhibits fungicidal, bactericidal, and insecticidal activity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Compared with surfactin and iturin, the lipopeptide from B. thuringiensis CMB26 showed stronger antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi. This lipopeptide is a candidate for the biocontrol of pathogens in agriculture.