DNA methyltransferase inhibitor assay system based on the HBx-induced DNA methylation of E-cadherin

We here report a simple assay system for DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors based on the HBx-induced DNA methylation of E-cadherin. A stable cell line named G1 was generated by co-transfecting E-cadherin luciferase reporter and HBx-expression plasmid into HepG2 cells. Treatment of G1 cells with DNMT inhibitors, 5-azacytidine, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, and procainamaid, dose-dependently inhibited DNA methylation of E-cadherin promoter in the reporter, resulting in up-regulation of luciferase levels and its enzyme activity. Treatment with all-trans retinoic acid that is known to inhibit DNMT expression, also induced similar effects. Our system can be useful for development of epi-drugs targeting DNA methylation in malignancies.     

Geranyl chalcone derivatives with antifungal and radical scavenging properties from the leaves of Artocarpus nobilis

Antifungal activity guided fractionation of the n-butanol extract from the methanol extract of the leaves of Artocarpus nobilis furnished 2',4',4-trihydroxy-3'-geranylchalcone (1), 2 ',4',4-trihydroxy-3'-[6-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2(E),7-octadienyl]chalcone (2), 2',4',4-trihydroxy-3'-[2-hydroxy-7-methyl-3-methylene-6-octaenyl]chalcone (3), 2',3,4,4'-tetrahydroxy-3'-geranylchalcone (4), 2',3,4,4'-tetrahydroxy-3'-[6-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-2(E),7-octadienyl]chalcone (5). The chalcones 3 and 5 are new natural products whereas 1 and 2 are reported first time from the family Moraceae. All these compounds showed good fungicidal activity against Cladosporium cladosporioides and high radical scavenging activity towards the 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical in TLC bio-autography method.     

DNMTs are required for delayed genome instability caused by radiation

The ability of ionizing radiation to initiate genomic instability has been harnessed in the clinic where the localized delivery of controlled doses of radiation is used to induce cell death in tumor cells. Though very effective as a therapy, tumor relapse can occur in vivo and its appearance has been attributed to the radio-resistance of cells with stem cell-like features. The molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena are unclear but there is evidence suggesting an inverse correlation between radiation-induced genomic instability and global hypomethylation. To further investigate the relationship between DNA hypomethylation, radiosensitivity and genomic stability in stem-like cells we have studied mouse embryonic stem cells containing differing levels of DNA methylation due to the presence or absence of DNA methyltransferases. Unexpectedly, we found that global levels of methylation do not determine radiosensitivity. In particular, radiation-induced delayed genomic instability was observed at the Hprt gene locus only in wild-type cells. Furthermore, absence of Dnmt1 resulted in a 10-fold increase in de novo Hprt mutation rate, which was unaltered by radiation. Our data indicate that functional DNMTs are required for radiation-induced genomic instability, and that individual DNMTs play distinct roles in genome stability. We propose that DNMTS may contribute to the acquirement of radio-resistance in stem-like cells.     

盐酸右美托咪定联合盐酸罗哌卡因胸椎旁神经阻滞对肺癌根治术患者血清炎性因子和免疫学指标的影响

摘要 目的：探讨盐酸右美托咪定联合盐酸罗哌卡因胸椎旁神经阻滞（TPVB）对肺癌根治术患者血清炎性因子和免疫学指标的影响。方法：选取2018年4月~2020年4月期间于我院行肺癌根治术的患者400例,根据信封抽签法分为对照组和观察组,各200例,对照组给予盐酸罗哌卡因TPVB,观察组在对照组基础上联合盐酸右美托咪定,对比两组疼痛、炎性因子、免疫学指标、血流动力学及不良反应。结果：观察组术后6 h（T5）~术后48h（T8）时间点视觉模拟评分法（VAS）评分均低于对照组（P<0.05）。对照组插管后5 min（T1）~术毕（T3）时间点心率（HR）及平均动脉压（MAP）较麻醉诱导前（T0）时间点升高（P<0.013）,观察组T1~T3时间点HR、MAP低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组T8时间点白介素-6（IL-6）、C反应蛋白（CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）均较T0下降,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组T8时间点CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺均较T0时间点下降,但观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）,CD8⁺均较T0时间点升高,但观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组不良反应总发生率低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：盐酸右美托咪定联合盐酸罗哌卡因TPVB用于肺癌根治术患者,可稳定血流动力学,且可获得较好的镇痛效果,降低不良反应发生率,减轻术后炎性损伤及免疫抑制。     

Cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of 5-(2,4-dimethylbenzyl)pyrrolidin-2-one extracted from marine Streptomyces VITSVK5 spp.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of 5-(2,4-dimethylbenzyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (DMBPO) extracted from marine Streptomyces VITSVK5 spp. The strain was isolated from sediment samples collected at the Marakkanam coast of Bay of Bengal, India. Systematic screening of isolates for anti-Aspergillus activity resulted in the identification of Streptomyces species designated as Streptomyces VITSVK5 spp. Bioactivity guided extraction and purification yielded a compound 5-(2,4-dimethylbenzyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (DMBPO) and was tested for cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity. The structure of the extracted compound was established by spectroscopic studies and identified as 5-(2,4-dimethylbenzyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (DMBPO). DMBPO exhibited cytotoxic activity on HEP 2 and Hep G2 cell lines with the IC₅₀ value of 2.8 μg/ml and 8.3 μg/ml, respectively, as compared to Vero cell line (22.6). DMBPO showed the hemolytic EC₅₀ value of 288 μg/ml on human erythrocytes. DMBPO treatment showed fewer (31.7%) aberrations, gaps and chromatid breaks as compared to untreated controls (27.8%) of human chromosomes. DMBPO also exhibited significant (44.13% at 5 μg/ml DMBPO) DPPH radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant activity (50.10% at 5 μg/ml DMBPO). The results of this study showed that DMBPO is cytotoxic to cancer cells and possesses antioxidant property.     

HL-60细胞内DNA甲基化作用与RNA聚合酶活力的关系

以 S-腺苷酰 - L-甲硫氨酸 ( SAM)为诱导物 ,在 1 0 μmol/L最佳浓度下可诱导 HL- 60细胞分化达 1 6%左右 .HPLC测定结果证明 ,诱导物处理后 HL- 60细胞 DNA甲基化水平升高 .通过 3 H-UTP同位素参入法 ,测定了不同处理时间和不同浓度 SAM对 HL- 60细胞 DNA模板体外转录活性的影响 ,发现体外活力下降 .比较了不同浓度α-鹅膏蕈碱存在下 RNA聚合酶活力的变化 ,结果表明 SAM处理后细胞中不同 RNA转录产物所占份额改变     

肝癌乙型肝炎病毒感染患者术后恩替卡韦抗病毒治疗的临床疗效及安全性评价

目的:探讨肝癌乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染患者根治性切除术后采用恩替卡韦抗病毒治疗的临床疗效及安全性。方法:收集2015年1月-2017年8月在我院行根治性切除术的肝癌HBV感染患者279例为研究对象,以血清HBV-DNA载量10~5 copies/ml为界限,分为高病毒复制组128例,低病毒复制组151例,按照随机数字表法将高病毒复制组分为高-治疗组64例、高-对照组64例,将低病毒复制组分为低-治疗组76例、低-对照组75例。高-治疗组和低-治疗组术后给予恩替卡韦0.5 mg/d,高-对照组和低-对照组未行抗病毒治疗。比较手术前、术后7 d各组的血清HBV-DNA水平,血清白蛋白(ALB)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、前白蛋白(PA),以及术后并发症的发生情况。结果:高-治疗组、高-对照组、低-治疗组、低-对照组术后血清ALB、PA均较治疗前降低,血清ALT均较治疗前升高,且高-治疗组或低-治疗组术后血清ALB、PA均高于高-对照组或低-对照组,血清ALT水平均低于高-对照组或低-对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);高-治疗组或低-治疗组术后血清HBV-DNA水平均低于治疗前,且均低于同期高-对照组或低-对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。高-治疗组与高-对照组、低-治疗组与低-对照组患者术后并发症发生率均无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:恩替卡韦能显著改善肝癌HBV感染患者术后的血清HBV-DNA载量水平和肝功能,安全性高,值得临床推广。     

Inhibition of angiogenesis by S-adenosylmethionine

Metastasis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in cancer. One of the steps in metastasis process is the formation of new blood vessels. Aberrant DNA methylation patterns are common in cancer cells. In recent studies, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), which is a DNA methylating agent, has been found to have inhibitory effects on some carcinoma cells in vivo and in vitro. In the present study, we have used SAM to investigate whether it is effective against angiogenesis in vitro. Our results have shown that SAM can reduce the formation and organization of capillary-like structures of endothelial cells in tumoral environment. Besides, we have found SAM can block endothelial cell proliferation and the migration of cells towards growth factors-rich media. In conclusion, our study suggests that SAM may be used against angiogenesis as a natural bio-product.