Modulation of Melanogenesis by Heme Oxygenase-1 via p53 in Normal Human Melanocytes.

As a key regulator of melanogenesis, p53 controls microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase expression. The anti-oxidant enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is induced by various forms of cellular stress and diverse oxidative stimuli. However, few studies have examined the role of HO-1 in melanogenesis.

Antimicrobial efficacy of granulysin-derived synthetic peptides in acne vulgaris.

Background: Antimicrobial peptides are considered as a potential alternative to antibiotic treatment in acne vulgaris because the development of a resistant strain of Propionibacterium acnes is problematic. Granulysin can be regarded as an ideal substance with which to treat acne because it has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.

Objectives: This study was performed to explore the effectiveness of granulysin-derived peptides (GDPs) in killing P.

The efficacy of intense pulsed light for treating erythematotelangiectatic rosacea is related to severity and age.

Background: Rosacea is a chronic cutaneous disease. Therapeutic modalities should be chosen based on the identified sub-types and clinical features in each patient. Vascular lasers, including intense pulsed light (IPL), are reportedly safe and effective in treating erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR).

Transcriptional and post-translational regulation of Bim is essential for TGF-β and TNF-α-induced apoptosis of gastric cancer cell.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) are well known as central signaling molecules in natural antitumor mechanisms. However, some cancer cells are resistant to TNF-α or TGF-β-induced death signaling. Herein, we investigated synergistic activities of TGF-β and TNF-α and molecular mechanisms involved in apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.

Protein aggregate spreading in neurodegenerative diseases: problems and perspectives.

Progressive accumulation of specific protein aggregates is a defining feature of many major neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, fronto-temporal dementia, Huntington's disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). Findings from several recent studies have suggested that aggregation-prone proteins, such as tau, α-synuclein, polyglutamine-containing proteins, and amyloid-β, can spread to other cells and brain regions, a phenomenon considered unique to prion disorders, such as CJD and bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Cell-to-cell propagation of protein aggregates may be the general underlying principle for progressive deterioration of neurodegenerative diseases.

Detection of low-level KRAS mutations using PNA-mediated asymmetric PCR clamping and melting curve analysis with unlabeled probes.

Detection of somatic mutations in clinical cancer specimens is often hampered by excess wild-type DNA. The aim of this study was to develop a simple and economical protocol without using fluorescent probes to detect low-level mutations. In this study, we combined peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-clamping PCR with asymmetric primers and a melting curve analysis using an unlabeled detection probe.

Mitochondrial microsatellite instability of colorectal cancer stroma.

Mitochondrial microsatellite instability (mtMSI) and mutations of mitochondrial DNA has been reported in cancer epithelia of carcinomas. However, mtMSI in cancer stroma has not yet been identified in human cancers. In this study, we attempted to determine if mtMSI occurs in the cancer stroma of sporadic colorectal cancers, and if the stromal mtMSI has any correlations with stromal nuclear MSI (nMSI) and cancer epithelial mtMSI.