PTPH1 dephosphorylates and cooperates with p38gamma MAPK to increase ras oncogenesis through PDZ-mediated interaction.

Protein phosphatases are believed to coordinate with kinases to execute biological functions, but examples of such integrated activities, however, are still missing. In this report, we have identified protein tyrosine phosphatase H1 (PTPH1) as a specific phosphatase for p38gamma mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and shown their cooperative oncogenic activity through direct binding. p38gamma, a Ras effector known to act independent of its phosphorylation, was first shown to require its unique PDZ-binding motif to increase Ras transformation.

p38gamma MAPK cooperates with c-Jun in trans-activating matrix metalloproteinase 9.

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) regulate gene expression through transcription factors. However, the precise mechanisms in this critical signal event are largely unknown. Here, we show that the transcription factor c-Jun is activated by p38gamma MAPK, and the activated c-Jun then recruits p38gamma as a cofactor into the matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) promoter to induce its trans-activation and cell invasion.

Transglutaminase 3 expression in C57BL/6J mouse embryo epidermis and the correlation with its differentiation.

Epidermal-type transglutaminase 3 (TGM3) is involved in the cross-linking of structural proteins to form the cornified envelope in the epidermis. In the present study, we detected the expression of TGM3 in the mouse embryo using RT-PCR. TGM3 mRNA is weakly presented from E11.

Expression patterns of esophageal cancer deregulated genes in C57BL/6J mouse embryogenesis.

Aim: To investigate the expression patterns of esophageal squamous cell cancer deregulated genes in mid to late stages of C57BL/6J mouse embryogenesis, and the correlation between these genes in embryonic development and tumorigenesis of esophageal squamous cell cancer.

Methods: Reverse northern screening was performed to examine the expression patterns of esophageal cancer deregulated genes in C57BL/6J mouse embryogenesis. To confirm the gene expression patterns, semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out for 3 of the randomly picked differentially expressed genes.

[Expression of annexin II in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To evaluate the expression of annexin II in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its relation with clinicopathological data.

Methods: The expression of annexin II mRNA and protein in paired cancer tissues and their adjacent quasi-normal tissues were detected by RT-PCR, immunohistochemical method and densitometric scanning. The relation between annexin II expression and the status of tumor differentiation was analyzed.