PIWI-interacting RNAs: Mitochondria-based biogenesis and functions in cancer.

PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNAs), once thought to be mainly functioning in germlines, are now known to play an essential role in somatic and cancerous tissues. Ping-pong cycle initiation and mitochondria-based phased production constitute the core of the piRNA biogenesis and these two processes are well conserved in mammals, including humans. By being involved in DNA methylation, histone marker deposition, mRNA degradation, and protein modification, piRNAs also contribute to carcinogenesis partly due to oncogenic stress-induced piRNA dysregulation.

ISG15 inhibits cancer cell growth and promotes apoptosis.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related mortality in women in developing countries. Interferon (IFN)-α has been widely used in the treatment of various types of cancer, including cervical cancer, and IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), an ubiquitin-like protein, is upregulated by IFN-α treatment. The anti-virus and antitumor effects of ISG15 have been reported; however, its mechanism of action have not yet been fully elucidated.

Effects of a Particular Heptapeptide on the IFN-α-Sensitive CML Cells.

Using the phage display biopanning technique, we have previously identified a heptapeptide KLWVIPQ which specifically binds to the surface of the IFN-α-sensitive but not the IFN-α-resistant CML cells. The effects of this heptapeptide on the IFN-α-sensitive CML cells were investigated in the present study. IFN-α-sensitive KT-1/A3 and IFN-α-resistant KT-1/A3R CML cells were transfected by pEGFP-KLWVIPQ expression vector and/or induced by IFN-α.

ISG15 inhibits IFN-α-resistant liver cancer cell growth.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent tumors worldwide. Interferon-α (IFN-α) has been widely used in the treatment of HCC, but patients eventually develop resistance. ISG15 ubiquitin-like modifier (ISG15) is a ubiquitin-like protein transcriptionally regulated by IFN-α which shows antivirus and antitumor activities.

Polymorphisms of DNA repair genes XPD, XRCC1, and OGG1, and lung adenocarcinoma susceptibility in Chinese population.

Lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) is one of the major histological types of lung cancer. Genetic polymorphism in DNA repair genes and lung ADC susceptibility is well documented. In this case-control study, the association between the polymorphic sites of DNA repair genes XPD-751, XRCC1-399, and OGG1-326, and lung ADC susceptibility in ethnic Han Chinese population has been investigated.

CYP2A6, CYP1A1, and CYP2D6 polymorphisms in lung cancer patients from central south China.

Lung cancer is a common cause of cancer-related death. The link between risk of lung cancer susceptibility and genetic polymorphisms in metabolic enzymes is well documented. In this study, the relationships between lung cancer susceptibility and polymorphisms in the phase I metabolic enzyme genes CYP1A1, CYP2D6, and CYP2A6 were investigated.

Regulatory effects of resveratrol on antioxidant enzymes: a mechanism of growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in cancer cells.

Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenol that is known as a powerful chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic anticancer molecule. This study focused on the effects of RSV on the activities and expression levels of antioxidant enzymes in the cancer cells. Prostate cancer PC-3 cells, hepatic cancer HepG2 cells, breast cancer MCF-7 cells and the non-cancerous HEK293T kidney epithelial cells were treated with a wide range of RSV concentrations (10-100 μM) for 24-72 h.

Identification of heptapeptides interacting with IFN-α-sensitive CML cells.

Background: Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) is the traditional therapeutic agent for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The molecular mechanism of IFN-α efficacy in the treatment of CML is not fully clear.

Objectives: To identify the peptides and/or proteins that bind to the proteins specifically expressed on the surface of IFN-α-sensitive CML cells by using a phage display library.

Anticancer activities of Nigella sativa (black cumin).

Nigella sativa has been used as traditional medicine for centuries. The crude oil and thymoquinone (TQ) extracted from its seeds and oil are effective against many diseases like cancer, cardiovascular complications, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease etc. It is effective against cancer in blood system, lung, kidney, liver, prostate, breast, cervix, skin with much safety.

Genetic mutations of p53 and k-ras in gastric carcinoma patients from Hunan, China.

This case-control study investigated the mutations in p53 and k-ras genes of 123 gastric carcinoma patients and 129 normal individuals from Hunan, China. By isolating genomic DNA from peripheral blood and employing polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing, the mutations of p53 exons-5, 6, 7, and 8 and k-ras were detected. The overall mutation frequency of p53 was 29.

Genetic polymorphisms of metabolic enzymes-CYP1A1, CYP2D6, GSTM1, and GSTT1, and gastric carcinoma susceptibility.

Genetic polymorphisms in metabolic enzymes are associated with numerous cancers. In this study, the relationships between genetic polymorphisms of phase I metabolic enzymes including cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), CYP2D6 and phase II metabolic enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and GSTT1 and gastric carcinoma susceptibility were investigated. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood of 129 healthy controls and 123 gastric carcinoma patients from Han ethnic group of Hunan Province located in Central South China.

HLA class I (ABC) upregulation on peripheral blood CD3+/CD8+ T lymphocyte surface is a potential predictor of acute rejection in renal transplantation.

Background: Renal transplantation is currently the prevalent therapy for most patients with end-stage renal disease. No clinical markers for such rejection have been universally accepted. We aimed to investigate the possibility of use of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I (ABC) on peripheral blood CD3+/CD8+ T lymphocytes as a marker of acute rejection.