Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants expressing a β-1,3-glucanase from sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) show reduced callose deposition and increased tolerance to aluminium toxicity.

Seventy-one cultivars of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) were screened for aluminium (Al) tolerance by measuring relative root growth (RRG). Two contrasting cultivars, ROMA (Al tolerant) and POTCHETSTRM (Al sensitive), were selected to study shorter term responses to Al stress.

[Anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion gene expression, clinical pathological characteristics and prognosis in 95 Chinese patients with non-small cell lung cancer].

Objective: To examine the prevalence of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion gene in Chinese patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: In this study, 95 patients with NSCLC and corresponding clinical information and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks were included. Hematoxylin & eosin (HE) staining, conventional ALK immunochemistry (IHC) staining and intercalated antibody-enhanced polymer (iAEP) IHC staining, and dual-color split fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for ALK fusion gene were performed.

[Clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors of malignant phyllodes tumors].

Objective: To study the clinicopathologic features of malignant phyllodes tumors (PT) by histopathologic analyses, immunohistochemical profiling and DNA content assay, and evaluation of the clinical outcome.

Methods: Ten patients with malignant PT from 1999 to 2013 who were treated by surgery were enrolled in this study. The morphologic characteristics were studied under light microscope, standard two-step EnVision method of immunohistochemical staining was used to assess the expression of CK5/6, CKpan, 34β E12, desmin, p63, ER-α, PR, Ki-67, CD34, SMA, p53, p16, bcl-2 and CD117 in the tumors.

[Identification of nucleolar localization signal sequence of tumor metastasis suppressor gene-1].

Objective: To identify the putative specific localization signal sequence of tumor metastasis suppressor gene-1 (TMSG-1) and to explore the mechanism of subcellular localization of TMSG-1 protein.

Methods: Vectors expressing green fluorescence protein (GFP) tagged different TMSG-1 fragments were generated and transfected into human embryo kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. The expression of those fusion proteins was detected by Western blotting and their subcellular localizations were observed by laser confocal microscope.

[Silencing of tumor metastasis suppressor gene 1 promotes invasion of prostate cancer cell in vitro and its molecular mechanisms].

Objective: To explore the effect of small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting homosapiens longevity assurance homologue 2(LASS2, or TMSG1) on the invasion of PC-3M-2B4 (a variant subline of human prostate carcinoma cell line PC-3M with low metastatic potential) and its molecular mechanisms.

Methods: PC-3M-2B4 cells were transfected with siRNA by using lipofectamine 2000. The expression of LASS2 mRNA and protein was detected after transfection by real-time fluorogentic quantitative PCR (RFQ-PCR) and Western blot to screen the effective siRNA fragment.

[Transcriptional activation of TMSG-1 by complex of KLF6 and Sp1].

Objective: To investigate the regulatory mechanism of the transcription of tumor metastasis suppressor gene TMSG-1.

Methods: Luciferase reporter assay and site-directed mutagenesis were used to analyze the regulatory region of TMSG-1. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) were carried out to verify the interaction of KLF6 and Sp1 with the regulatory region of TMSG-1.

[Detection of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 gene in invasive breast cancer by fluorescence in situ hybridization and research of its association with tumor characteristics].

Objective: To investigate the concordance of detecting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) status of patients with invasive breast cancer by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for gene amplification and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for protein overexpression and to evaluate the association between tumour characteristics and HER-2 gene amplification.

Methods: The HER-2 status was evaluated in 41 invasive ductal breast carcinomas by both FISH and IHC. The associations between HER-2 gene amplification and other clinicopathological factors, tumour grade, estrogen receptor (ER), tumor emboli, lymph node status, were evaluated using the chi-square test.

[Influence of phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid microdomains 1 on biologic behavior of human prostatic cancer cell line in-vitro].

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of influence of phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid microdomains 1 (PAG1) on the biological behavior of human prostatic cancer cell line PC-3M-1E8.

Methods: The expression of GST-Raf1-RBD recombinant protein, a specific binding domain of active Ras (GTP-Ras), was induced by IPTG in JM109 bacterium. SDS-PAGE and coomassie brilliant blue staining were performed using cleaved product of the bacterium to determine the expression of the fusion protein.

TMSG-1 and its roles in tumor biology.

TMSG-1 is a newly discovered tumor metastasis suppressor gene, which plays important roles in promoting apoptosis and inhibiting invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. The inhibitory function of TMSG-1 in tumor cells may be related to vacuolar H+-ATPase and ceramide, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Studies on TMSG-1 are limited worldwide, and only a research group in Shanghai and our group have recently studied on it.

[Screening of phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid microdomains 1 (PAG1) by cDNA microarray and influence of overexpression of PAG1 on biologic behavior of human metastatic prostatic cancer cell line in vitro].

Objective: To screen for novel gene(s) associated with tumor metastasis, and to investigate the effect of overexpression of phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid microdomains 1 (PAG1) on the biological behaviors of human prostatic cancer cell line PC-3M-1E8 in vitro.

Methods: Four cDNA microarrays were constructed using cDNA library of prostatic cancer cells PC-3M-1E8 (high metastatic potential), PC-3M-2B4 (low metastatic potential), lung cancer cells PG-BE1 (high metastatic potential)and PG-LH7 (low metastatic potential)to screen genes which were differentially expressed according to their different metastatic properties. From a battery of differentially expressed genes, PAG1, which was markedly downregulated in both high metastatic sublines of PC-3M and PG was chosen for further investigation.

Extracellular ATP enhances in vitro invasion of prostate cancer cells by activating Rho GTPase and upregulating MMPs expression.

We previously found that in addition to anti-proliferation function, extracellular ATP had a pro-invasion effect on prostate cancer cells, and probably serves as an important regulator of invasion in local microenvironment. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that ATP increased the motility of prostate cancer cells, and promoted formation of lamellipodia and filopodia.

[Roles of p57KIP2 immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry in diagnosis of molar pregnancy].

Objective: To study the value of combined use of paternally imprinted gene product p57(KIP2) immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry in the differential diagnosis of placental hydropic diseases.

Methods: A total of 32 cases of hydropic placenta with DNA polymorphism information were collected, and the genetic results were used as basis for the diagnosis of complete hydatidiform moles (CHM), partial hydatidiform moles (PHM) or hydropic abortions. All cases were examined by histology, p57(KIP2) immunohistochemical staining (EnVision method) and flow cytometry DNA ploidy analysis.

[Malignant giant cell tumor of the tendon sheaths in the hand].

Objectives: To retrospectively study on malignant giant cell tumor of tendon sheath (MGCTTS) in the hand, and to evaluate its clinical, histologic, immunohistochemical features and biologic evolution.

Methods: Between January 1991 and December 2001, 10 patients with histologically proven MGCTTS were treated. The clinical material, radiographs and hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections were reviewed.

[Overexpression of human tumor metastasis-related gene TMSG-1 suppresses cell proliferation and invasion of a highly metastatic prostate cancer cell line PC-3M-1E8 in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the effects of tumor metastasis-related gene TMSG-1 overexpression on the proliferation and invasion of a highly metastatic prostate cancer cell line in vitro.

Methods: The eukaryotic expression plasmids containing full-length TMSG-1 cDNAs were stably transfected into the highly metastatic prostate cancer cell line PC-3M-1E8. Clones highly expressing TMSG-1 were identified by RT-PCR and Western Blot analysis after G418 screening.

[Correlation of expression of RhoC with invasiveness of breast cancer cells in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the expression of RhoC in breast cancer cells with different metastatic potential and its correlation with invasiveness.

Methods: Expression of RhoC mRNA and protein in human breast cancer cells MCF-7 with low metastatic potential and MDA-MB-231 with high metastatic potential was detected by RT-PCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. Eukaryotic expression plasmids of RhoC were constructed and transfected into MCF-7 cells.

[Aluminum lightens the adverse effects of excessive Mn on growth of soybean (Glycine max)].

The influence of aluminum (Al) on physiological and biological characteristics of soybean under manganese (Mn) stress was investigated. The results showed that Al suppressed the transport of Mn to shoots (Fig.2B, C), and subsequently alleviated the inhibition of shoot growth (Fig.

[Manganese uptake and transportation as well as antioxidant response to excess manganese in plants].

Manganese (Mn) is an essential micronutrient throughout all stages of plant development. Mn plays an important role in many metabolic processes in plants. It is of particular importance to photosynthetic organisms in the chloroplast of which a cluster of Mn atoms at the catalytic centre function in the light-induced water oxidation by photosystem II, and also function as a cofactor for a variety of enzymes, such as Mn-SOD.

[Correlation of expression of RhoC with invasiveness of prostate cancer cell line PC-3M in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the expression of RhoC in prostate cancer cells with different metastatic potential and the correlation with invasiveness.

Methods: Expression of RhoC mRNA and protein in human prostate cancer cell subclones PC-3M-2B4 with non-metastatic potential and PC-3M-1E8 with highly metastatic potential was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Eukaryotic expression plasmids of RhoC were constructed and transfected into PC-3M-2B4.

[P2Y purinergic receptor activated PI-3K/Akt signaling pathway in regulation of growth and invasion of prostatic cancer].

Objective: To investigate P2Y purinergic receptor activated PI-3K/Akt signaling pathway in the regulation of growth and invasion of prostate cancer in vitro.

Methods: Western blot was used to detect phosphorylation of Akt (a downstream target molecule of PI-3K) by P2Y receptor agonist in 1E8 cells (a highly metastatic subclone derived from PC-3 prostatic cancer cell line). Cell counts, flow cytometry, Matrigel invasion assay, wound healing assay and gelatin zymography were used to detect changes of biological behaviors of 1E8 cells after P2Y receptor activation.

[Overexpression of tumor metastasis suppressor gene 1 suppresses proliferation and invasion, but enhances apoptosis of human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects of tumor metastasis suppressor gene 1 (TMSG-1) overexpression on the proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of breast cancer cells and to determine possible correlations of TMSG-1 and metastasis of breast cancer.

Methods: Full-length human TMSG-1 coding sequences were cloned into plasmid pcDNA3.0-FLAG.

[Biological implications of the inhibition of survivin by RNA interference in human androgen-independent prostate carcinoma with highly metastatic potential].

Objective: To determine the expression level of survivin in androgen-independent prostate carcinoma, and to investigate the biological role of survivin in invasion and metastasis of androgen-independent prostate carcinoma.

Methods: Highly metastatic prostatic cancer cell line PC-3M-1E8 was stably transfected with pSilencer plasmid targeting survivin expression by RNA interference. The biological effects were observed, including anchorage-independent growth, in vitro invasion by soft agar colony formation and Boyden chamber assay, and also in vivo tumorigenesis in nude mice.

Magnesium enhances aluminum-induced citrate secretion in rice bean roots (Vigna umbellata) by restoring plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity.

We demonstrated that magnesium (Mg) can alleviate aluminum (Al) toxicity in rice bean [Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi] more effectively than is expected from a non-specific cation response. Micromolar concentrations of Mg alleviated the inhibition of root growth by Al but not by lanthanum, and neither strontium nor barium at the micromolar level alleviates Al toxicity.

Comparative studies on the effect of a protein-synthesis inhibitor on aluminium-induced secretion of organic acids from Fagopyrum esculentum Moench and Cassia tora L. roots.

Aluminium (Al)-induced secretion of organic acids from plant roots is considered a mechanism of Al resistance, but the processes leading to the secretion of organic acids are still unknown. In the present study, a protein-synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (CHM), was used to investigate its effect on Al-induced organic acid secretion in a pattern I (rapid exudation of organic acids under Al stress) plant buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) and a pattern II (exudation of organic acids was delayed by several hours under Al stress) plant Cassia tora L. A dose-response experiment showed that the secretion of oxalate by buckwheat roots was not affected by CHM when added in the range from 0 to 50 microM, with or without exposure to 100 microm Al, but the secretion of citrate was completely inhibited by 30 microM CHM in C.

[Effects of beta1-integrin, fibronectin and laminin on invasive behavior of human gliomas].

Objective: To investigate the effects of beta1-integrin, fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LN) on the invasive behavior of human gliomas.

Methods: Functional impacts of beta1-integrin, fibronectin and laminin on cell adhesion, migration and metastasis of U251 malignant glioblastoma cells were investigated by in vitro adhesion, migration and invasion assays. The amount and distributions of cellular microfilaments and pseudopodia were studied by fluorescent cytochemistry, confocal laser scanning microscope and scanning electron microscope.

Citrate transporters play a critical role in aluminium-stimulated citrate efflux in rice bean (Vigna umbellata) roots.

Background And Aims: Aluminium (Al) stimulates the efflux of citrate from apices of rice bean (Vigna umbellata) roots. This response is delayed at least 3 h when roots are exposed to 50 microm Al, indicating that some inducible processes leading to citrate efflux are involved. The physiological bases responsible for the delayed response were examined here.