A newly identified Pirh2 substrate SCYL1-BP1 can bind to MDM2 and accelerate MDM2 self-ubiquitination.

The SCY1-like 1 binding protein 1 (SCYL1-BP1) protein was identified as an interacting partner of E3 ligase p53-induced RING H2 protein (Pirh2) and mouse double minute gene number 2 (MDM2) by yeast two-hybrid screening. Further investigation suggested there are two interactions involved in different mechanisms. SCYL1-BP1 can be ubiquitinated and degraded by Pirh2 but not by MDM2, which suggests that SCYL1-BP1 can be regulated by Pirh2.

SIAH-1 interacts with mammalian polyhomeotic homologues HPH2 and affects its stability via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.

Polycomb Group (PcG) genes encode proteins that form large multimeric and chromatin-associated complexes implicated in the stable repression of developmentally essential genes. HPH2, the Homo sapiens polyhomeotic homologue 2, functions as one of the subunits of PcG complex 1. In our study, SIAH-1, an E3 ligase, could directly associate with HPH2 both in vitro and in vivo.

A novel hPirh2 splicing variant without ubiquitin protein ligase activity interacts with p53 and is down-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma.

A novel splice variant of hPirh2, named hPirh2b, was isolated from human fetal liver cDNA library. hPirh2b has a 38-nucleotide deletion and encodes a 188-amino acid protein with a truncated RING-H2 domain. It shows no ubiquitin protein ligase activity.

Mapping of phosphorylation sites in human MSK1 activated by a novel interaction with MRK-beta.

The desire to map reliable phosphorylation signaling network has motivated the development of high-performance techniques. Targeted biochemical studies and updated methods employing MS techniques are most used in mapping the phosphorylation sites and verifying novel interactions of kinases. Previously, we have established a novel method to efficiently facilitate more comprehensive, accurate phosphorylation site mapping of individual phosphoproteins by using combination of multiple stage MS analysis with target-decoy database search against the much smaller targeted database.

Fast preparation of LiFePO4 nanoparticles for lithium batteries by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method.

Nanomaterial for lithium batteries can decrease mechanical strain upon lithium intercalation/ deintercalation from lattice, and lead to high rate capability. The currently available microwave technology permits the development and implantation of a temperature-controlled microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis (TCMH) of nano-sized cathode material for lithium batteries. Unlike in previous reported traditional hydrothermal synthesis of cathode material LiFePO4, the pure phase of LiFePO4 can be simply and rapidly synthesized for 5 minutes in water under hydrothermal treatment with microwave irradiation.

NUMBL interacts with TRAF6 and promotes the degradation of TRAF6.

Tumor necrosis factor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is an essential adaptor protein for IL-1R or TLR-mediated NF-kappaB signaling pathway activation. In previous work we have found NUMBL interacts with TAB2 and negatively regulates NF-kappaB signaling pathway. Here, we report that NUMBL directly binds to TRAF6 in vivo and in vitro.

Casein kinase 2 interacts with human mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase MSK1 and phosphorylates it at multiple sites.

Mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase (MSK1) palys a crucial role in the regulation of transcription downstream of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and mitogen- activated protein kinase p38. MSK1 can be phosphorylated and activated in cells by both ERK1/2 and p38alpha. In this study, Casein Kinase 2 (CK2) was identified as a binding and regulatory partner for MSK1.

Rad4 regulates protein turnover at a postubiquitylation step.

The ubiquitin (Ub)-binding protein Rad23 plays an important role in facilitating the transfer of substrates to the proteasome. However, the mechanism underlying Rad23's function in proteolysis remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Rad4, a Rad23-binding protein, also regulates ubiquitylated substrate turnover.

Bioactive SrTiO(3) nanotube arrays: strontium delivery platform on Ti-based osteoporotic bone implants.

Development of strontium releasing implants capable of stimulating bone formation and inhibiting bone resorption is a desirable solution for curing osteoporosis. In this work, well-ordered SrTiO(3) nanotube arrays capable of Sr release at a slow rate and for a long time are successfully fabricated on titanium by simple hydrothermal treatment of anodized titania nanotubes. This surface architecture combines the functions of nanoscaled topography and Sr release to enhance osseointegration while at the same time leaving space for loading of other functional substances.

Establish a recombinant yeast detection system to study the effect of MIP on transactivation function of hMafF in US2-driven gene transcription.

The human gene MafF (hMafF) is a member of bZip transcription factor Maf family, but it alone cannot activate its target genes. In 2006, a novel hMafF interacting protein (MIP) was identified. Transient transfection assay in Hela cells suggested that co-expression of MIP and hMafF could activate US2-driven transcription.

Human SMAD4 is phosphorylated at Thr9 and Ser138 by interacting with NLK.

Smads are important intracellular effectors in signaling pathways of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). Receptor-activated Smads combine with a common Smad4 to translocate into the nucleus where they cooperate with other transcription factors to activate or repress transcription. SMAD4 is an important tumor suppressor gene.

RIOK3 interacts with caspase-10 and negatively regulates the NF-kappaB signaling pathway.

RIOK3 was initially characterized as a homolog of Aspergillus nidulans sudD and showed down-regulation at the invasive front of malignant melanomas, but the molecular mechanism remains elusive. Here, we report that overexpression of RIOK3 inhibits TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB activation, but down-regulation of endogenous RIOK3 expression by siRNA potentiates it. A yeast two-hybrid experiment revealed that RIOK3 interacted with caspase-10, and further, a GST pull-down assay and endogenous coimmunoprecipitation validated the interaction.

Synthesis of hierarchical tree-like and jellyfish-like silicon oxide nanostructures.

Hierarchical tree-like and jellyfish-like SiOx nanostructures have been synthesized by annealing a mixture of carbon coated Ni nanoparticles (Ni@C) and SiO2 powers under argon atmosphere at 1400 degrees C. The synthesized products were characterized by electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The tree-like SiOx nanostructures consisting of the trunks and many branches and subbranches with diminishing diameters have been observed for the first time.

Field emission and optical properties of ZnO nanowires grown directly on conducting brass substrates.

Large-area and uniform ZnO nanowires have been produced directly on a conducting brass substrate by annealing a Cu0.66Zn0.34 foil under a mixture of argon and oxygen.

Direct growth of hexagonal Cd(OH)2 nanoplates from and on cadmium substrate.

Uniform hexagonal Cd(OH)2 nanoplates have been produced directly on Cd substrates by a hydrothermal process in alkaline solution containing (NH4)2S2)8 without the use of templates or surfactants. The Cd foil serves as both the Cd source and substrate. The morphology, structure, and composition of the Cd(OH)2 nanoplates are characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Direct growth of quasi-aligned ultrafine ZnS nanowire arrays on conducting zinc foils and their field emission properties.

Quasi-aligned ultrafine ZnS nanowire arrays have been grown directly on zinc substrates via a simple hydrothermal method. The morphology, structure, and composition are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The single-crystalline ultrafine ZnS nanowires have a hexagonal structure with typical diameters of 5-15 nm and lengths of up to micrometers.

Synthesis and field emission properties of rutile TiO2 nanowires arrays grown directly on a Ti metal self-source substrate.

Large-area and uniform quasi-aligned titanium oxide (TiO2) nanowire arrays have been produced in situ on a titanium (Ti) foil by a simple high-temperature oxidation process with acetone as the oxidant. The products are characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The TiO2 nanowires have a rutile single-crystalline structure.

IGFBP3 polymorphisms and risk of cancer: a meta-analysis.

Until now, there were several studies evaluating the association between the polymorphisms in the IGFBP3 gene and cancer risk in diverse populations and in multiple types of cancer, but their outcomes have been contradictory and need to be investigated further. Here, we performed a meta-analysis from all eligible case-control studies to address the association of IGFBP3 A-202C and Gly32Ala polymorphisms to cancer. 20 articles including 41 studies for A-202C variant including 28,322 cancer patients and 36,772 healthy controls and six articles for Gly32Ala variant including 4,477 cases and 5,443 controls were selected in our analysis.

Chromodomain helicase/adenosine triphosphatase DNA binding protein 1-like (CHD1l) gene suppresses the nucleus-to-mitochondria translocation of nur77 to sustain hepatocellular carcinoma cell survival.

Unlabelled: Amplification of 1q21 has been detected in 58% to 78% of primary hepatocellular carcinoma cases, suggesting that one or more oncogenes within the amplicon play a critical role in the development of this disease. The chromodomain helicase/adenosine triphosphatase DNA binding protein 1-like gene (CHD1L) is a recently identified oncogene localized at 1q21. Our previous studies have demonstrated that CHD1L has strong tumorigenic ability and confers high susceptibility to spontaneous tumors in a CHD1L-transgenic mouse model.

Intracellular chromosome breaks on silicon surface.

The genotoxicity of silicon (Si) is investigated by soaking crystalline Si in a complete culture medium for 60 days and conducting micronuclei tests (MNTs) utilizing hamster ovary (CHO) cells and its Ku80 deficient CHO mutant (xrs5) cells (DNA double-strand breaks repair deficiency). The intracellular concentrations of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) on Si are determined to elucidate the relationship between ROS/RNS and Si-induced genotoxicity by using CHO cells. The cells are treated with ROS scavenger (dimethyl sulfoxide) and MNT are performed.

C12ORF39, a novel secreted protein with a typical amidation processing signal.

In the present study we describe a novel secreted protein, named C12ORF39 (chromosome 12 open-reading framework 39), which contains a typical amidation/proteolytic processing signal (Gly-Arg-Arg motif). Interestingly, C12ORF39 protein is not hydrolysed, but is a full-length protein without signal peptides. Western blotting indicated that c-Myc-tagged C12ORF39 is secreted into culture medium in transfected HeLa cells.

A biomimetic hierarchical scaffold: natural growth of nanotitanates on three-dimensional microporous Ti-based metals.

Nanophase materials are promising alternative implant materials in tissue engineering. Here we report for the first time the large-scale direct growth of nanostructured bioactive titanates on three-dimensional (3D) microporous Ti-based metal (NiTi and Ti) scaffolds via a facile low temperature hydrothermal treatment. The nanostructured titanates show characteristics of 1D nanobelts/nanowires on a nanoskeleton layer.

hOLFML1, a novel secreted glycoprotein, enhances the proliferation of human cancer cell lines in vitro.

We describe a novel secreted protein, named hOLFML1 (human olfactomedin-like protein 1), with an olfectamine domain in its C-terminus, mainly expressed in the small intestine, liver, lung and heart. Immunohistochemical staining on human small intestine indicated that the protein localizes preferentially in the intestinal villi. Interestingly, ectopic hOLFML1 promoted proliferation of HeLa cells and increased the percentage of cells in S phase.

[Diagnosis of "unspecified psychotic disorder" in identifying criminal responsibility].

Objective: To explore diagnosis and management of "unspecified psychotic disorder" in determination of criminal responsibility.

Methods: Analysis of 12 cases of "unspecified psychotic disorder" during determination of criminal responsibility in Sichuan Forensic Expertise Center in Southwest China from January 2006 to July 2007.

Results: The main reason to diagnose unspecified psychotic disorder was there were insufficient information and findings .