Bone morphogenetic protein induces bone invasion of melanoma by epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the Smad1/5 signaling pathway.

Oral malignant melanoma, which frequently invades the hard palate or maxillary bone, is extremely rare and has a poor prognosis. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is abundantly expressed in bone matrix and is highly expressed in malignant melanoma, inducing an aggressive phenotype. We examined the role of BMP signaling in the acquisition of an aggressive phenotype in melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

Linear Multiselenium Interactions in Dicationic Oligomers of 1,5-(Diselena)canes: Behavior of Se σ(m c-n e) (6≤m ≤16) Elucidated with QTAIM Dual Functional Analysis.

Invited for this month's cover picture is the group of Dr. Satoko Hayashi at Faculty of Systems Engineering and Chemistry at Wakayama University. The cover picture shows the linear Se σ(16c-30e) interactions, illustrated by the molecular graph type on the optimized structure of the dicationic octamer of 1,5-(diselena)cane.

Linear Multiselenium Interactions in Dicationic Oligomers of 1,5-(Diselena)canes: Behavior of Se σ(m c-n e) (6≤m ≤16) Elucidated with QTAIM Dual Functional Analysis.

The intrinsic dynamic and static nature m center-n electron interactions of the σ-type σ(m c-n e) were elucidated for the Se-Se interactions in dicationic oligomers of Se(CH CH CH ) Se (1 (Se, Se)) [n (Se, Se): n=1-8], especially for m ≥6, where n (Se, Se: n=1-8) are abbreviated by n (n=1-8), respectively. QTAIM dual functional analysis (QTAIM-DFA) was applied to the interactions. Perturbed structures generated using coordinates derived from the compliance constants (C ) were employed for QTAIM-DFA.

p130Cas induces bone invasion by oral squamous cell carcinoma by regulating tumor epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cell proliferation.

Bone invasion is a critical factor in determining the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is abundantly expressed in the bone matrix and is involved in the acquisition of aggressiveness by tumors. TGF-β is also important to cytoskeletal changes during tumor progression.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which is activated in odontomas, reduces Sema3A expression to regulate odontogenic epithelial cell proliferation and tooth germ development.

Odontomas, developmental anomalies of tooth germ, frequently occur in familial adenomatous polyposis patients with activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. However, roles of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in odontomas or odontogenic cells are unclear. Herein, we investigated β-catenin expression in odontomas and functions of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in tooth germ development.

Elucidation of the Mechanism of Increased Activity of Immunostimulatory DNA by the Formation of Polypod-like Structure.

Purpose: We previously demonstrated that the immunostimulatory activity of CpG DNA is increased by the formation of polypod-like structures. The present study was designed to elucidate the mechanism underlying this increase.

Methods: Tripodna (three pods) and hexapodna (six pods) were prepared.

GLI-mediated Keratin 17 expression promotes tumor cell growth through the anti-apoptotic function in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Purpose: Keratin 17 (KRT17) has been suggested as a potential diagnostic marker of squamous cell carcinoma including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The current study was conducted to clarify the function of KRT17 and its expression mechanism in OSCC.

Methods: Immunohistochemical analyses were carried out to examine the expression of KRT17, GLI family zinc finger (GLI)-1, GLI-2, or cleaved caspase-3 in OSCCs.

Linear Four-Chalcogen Interactions in Radical Cationic and Dicationic Dimers of 1,5-(Dichalcogena)canes: Nature of the Interactions Elucidated by QTAIM Dual Functional Analysis with QC Calculations.

The dynamic and static nature of extended hypervalent interactions of the E···E···E···E type are elucidated for four center-seven electron interactions (4c-7e) in the radical cationic dimers (1·) and 4c-6e in the dicationic dimers (1) of 1,5-(dichalcogena)canes (2: E(CHCHCH)E: E, E = S, Se, Te, and O). The quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules dual functional analysis (QTAIM-DFA) is applied for the analysis. Total electron energy densities H(r) are plotted versus H(r) - V(r)/2 [= (ℏ/8m)∇ρ(r)] at bond critical points (BCPs) of the interactions, where V(r) values show potential energy densities at BCPs.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) region gene 1 (FRG1) expression and possible function in mouse tooth germ development.

Abnormal expression of Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) region gene 1 (FRG1) is involved in the pathogenesis of FSHD. FRG1 is also important for the normal muscular and vascular development. Our previous study showed that FRG1 is one of the highly expressed genes in the mandible on embryonic day 10.

Prolyl isomerase Pin1 negatively regulates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) by associating with the CBS domain in the γ subunit.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a critical role in metabolic regulation. In this study, first, it was revealed that Pin1 associates with any isoform of γ, but not with either the α or the β subunit, of AMPK. The association between Pin1 and the AMPK γ1 subunit is mediated by the WW domain of Pin1 and the Thr(211)-Pro-containing motif located in the CBS domain of the γ1 subunit.

Thymosin beta 4 is associated with RUNX2 expression through the Smad and Akt signaling pathways in mouse dental epithelial cells.

In previous studies by our group, we reported that thymosin beta 4 (Tb4) is closely associated with the initiation and development of the tooth germ, and can induce the expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) during the development of the tooth germ. RUNX2 regulates the expression of odontogenesis-related genes, such as amelogenin, X-linked (Amelx), ameloblastin (Ambn) and enamelin (Enam), as well as the differentiation of osteoblasts during bone formation. However, the mechanisms through which Tb4 induces the expression of RUNX2 remain unknown.

Itm2a expression in the developing mouse first lower molar, and the subcellular localization of Itm2a in mouse dental epithelial cells.

Itm2a is a type II transmembrane protein with a BRICHOS domain. We investigated the temporospatial mRNA and protein expression patterns of Itm2a in the developing lower first molar, and examined the subcellular localization of Itm2a in murine dental epithelial (mDE6) cells. From the initiation to the bud stage, the in situ and protein signals of Itm2a were not detected in either the dental epithelial or mesenchymal cells surrounding the tooth bud.

Induction of dental epithelial cell differentiation marker gene expression in non-odontogenic human keratinocytes by transfection with thymosin beta 4.

Previous studies have shown that the recombination of cells liberated from developing tooth germs develop into teeth. However, it is difficult to use human developing tooth germ as a source of cells because of ethical issues. Previous studies have reported that thymosin beta 4 (Tmsb4x) is closely related to the initiation and development of the tooth germ.

Chemoresistance to concanamycin A1 in human oral squamous cell carcinoma is attenuated by an HDAC inhibitor partly via suppression of Bcl-2 expression.

V-ATPase is involved in the acidification of the microenvironment around/in solid tumors, such as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). V-ATPase is thought to induce tumor invasion and multi-drug resistance in several malignant tumors, and it also contributes to maintaining the intracellular pH under an acidic microenvironment by inducing proton extrusion into the extracellular medium. However, there is little information regarding the effects of V-ATPase inhibitors on OSCCs.

The expression and function of thymosin beta 10 in tooth germ development.

This study presents the expression pattern and functions of thymosin beta 10 (Tbeta10), a Tbeta4 homologue during the development of mouse lower first molars. An in situ signal of Tbeta10 was detected on embryonic day 10.5 (E10.

Immunohistochemical expression of thymosin β4 in ameloblastomas and odontomas.

Ameloblastoma is regarded to be a benign odontogenic tumor, but it is destructive, locally invasive and presents a high rate of recurrence. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is closely associated with tooth germ development. Tβ4 also plays a role in malignant progression and invasion.

Multiple functional involvement of thymosin beta-4 in tooth germ development.

Thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) is known to be ubiquitously involved in the actin monomer sequestering on the cytoskeleton. Our previous study showed specific temporal and special in situ expression pattern of Tβ4 mRNA in dental epithelial and mesenchymal cells in the developing tooth germ of the mouse lower first molar. In this study, we examined the functional implications of Tβ4 in the developmental course of the mouse lower first molar.

STAT3 signal transduction through interleukin-22 in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Interleukin (IL)-22 is a member of the IL-10 family. Its main targets are epithelial cells, not immune cells. We examined IL-22 signal transduction in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells.

Oxidative stress caused by a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide induces senescence-like changes in mouse gingival fibroblasts.

Periodontal tissue deteriorates under persistent oxidative stress induced by inflammatory reactions in the microflora of the oral cavity. This study aimed to evaluate the cellular properties of mouse gingival fibroblasts (MGFs) in the presence of oxidative stress. MGFs from 10-, 30- and 52-week-old mice were used to evaluate the changes in the cellular properties with aging.

The transcription factor FBI-1/OCZF/LRF is expressed in osteoclasts and regulates RANKL-induced osteoclast formation in vitro and in vivo.

Objective: Since transcription factors expressed in osteoclasts are possible targets for regulation of bone destruction in bone disorders, we investigated the expression of the transcription factor FBI-1/OCZF/LRF (in humans, factor that binds to inducer of short transcripts of human immunodeficiency virus type 1; in rats, osteoclast-derived zinc finger; in mice, leukemia/lymphoma-related factor) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and assessed its role in osteoclastogenesis in vivo.

Methods: Expression of FBI-1/OCZF was investigated in subchondral osteoclasts in human RA and in rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) using immunostaining and in situ hybridization, respectively. Transgenic mice overexpressing OCZF (OCZF-Tg) under the control of the cathepsin K promoter were generated, and bone mineral density and bone histomorphometric features were determined by peripheral quantitative computed tomography, calcein double-labeling, and specific staining for osteoclasts and osteoblasts.

In situ expression of the mitochondrial ATPase6 gene in the developing tooth germ of the mouse lower first molar.

We previously performed cDNA subtraction between the mouse mandibles on embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) in the pre-initiation stage of the odontogenesis and E12.

Protogenin, a new member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, is implicated in the development of the mouse lower first molar.

Background: Protogenin (Prtg) has been identified as a gene which is highly expressed in the mouse mandible at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) by a cDNA subtraction method between mandibles at E10.

In situ expression of 15 kDa interferon alpha responsive gene in the developing tooth germ of the mouse lower first molar.

We previously performed cDNA subtraction between the mouse mandibles at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) and E12.

In situ expression of ribosomal protein L21 in developing tooth germ of the mouse lower first molar.

We previously performed cDNA subtraction between the mouse mandibles at embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) in the pre-initiation stage of the odontogenesis and E12.