A Novel NAC Transcription Factor, , of Confers Cold and Drought Tolerance via Interacting with and Activating the Expression of Stress-Responsive Genes.

NAC (NAM, ATAF, and CUC) transcription factors are important regulator in abiotic stress and plant development. However, knowledge concerning the functions of plant NAC TFs functioning in stress tolerance and the underlying molecular basis are still limited. In this study, we report functional characterization of the NAC TF, PbeNAC1, isolated from were greatly induced by cold and drought, while salt stress had little effect on expression.

Overexpression of a bHLH1 Transcription Factor of Pyrus ussuriensis Confers Enhanced Cold Tolerance and Increases Expression of Stress-Responsive Genes.

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors are involved in arrays of physiological and biochemical processes. However, knowledge concerning the functions of bHLHs in cold tolerance remains poorly understood. In this study, a PubHLH1 gene isolated from Pyrus ussuriensis was characterized for its function in cold tolerance.

Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes Related to Dehydration Resistance in a Highly Drought-Tolerant Pear, Pyrus betulaefolia, as through RNA-Seq.

Drought is a major abiotic stress that affects plant growth, development and productivity. Pear is one of the most important deciduous fruit trees in the world, but the mechanisms of drought tolerance in this plant are still unclear. To better understand the molecular basis regarding drought stress response, RNA-seq was performed on samples collected before and after dehydration in Pyrus betulaefolia.

[SPR detection of affinity of antibacterial peptides in bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein domain for endotoxin].

Aim: To study the affinity of endotoxin for three antibacterial peptides derived from N-terminal domain of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein(BPI).

Methods: To design and synthesize three peptides from N-terminal domain of BPI, BPI22-36, BPI85-99 and BPI147-161.Surface plasmon resonance(SPR) was used to monitor the interaction between LPS/lipid A and the peptides and polymyxin B(PMB) immobilized on CM5 sensor chip.

Prognostic relevance of Bmi-1 expression and autoantibodies in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Overexpression of Bmi-1 has been observed in a variety of cancers, and it has been suggested to be an independent prognostic marker for the patients. The objective of this study was to determine the level of Bmi-1 expression or its autoantibodies in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and to correlate it with clinicopathologic data.

Methods: We first examined Bmi-1 expression in ESCC cell lines and tumor samples by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis.

Epstein-Barr virus-encoded LMP2A induces an epithelial-mesenchymal transition and increases the number of side population stem-like cancer cells in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

It has been recently reported that a side population of cells in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) displayed characteristics of stem-like cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the modulation of such stem-like cell populations in NPC remain unclear. Epstein-Barr virus was the first identified human tumor virus to be associated with various malignancies, most notably NPC.

The polycomb group protein Bmi-1 represses the tumor suppressor PTEN and induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells.

The polycomb group protein B lymphoma Mo-MLV insertion region 1 homolog (Bmi-1) is dysregulated in various cancers, and its upregulation strongly correlates with an invasive phenotype and poor prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas. However, the underlying mechanism of Bmi-1-mediated invasiveness remains unknown. In the current study, we found that upregulation of Bmi-1 induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and enhanced the motility and invasiveness of human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells, whereas silencing endogenous Bmi-1 expression reversed EMT and reduced motility.

Pre-malignant nasopharyngeal epithelial cell models.

Experimental models that allow investigation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) progression could provide valuable insights of the molecular mechanism of nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis as well as potential clinical intervention. Because Epstein-Barr virus only infects humans and a few species of monkeys, representative NPC animal models have not been available so far. Attempts to provide cell models for early nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis have involved in the studies of in vitro transformation of normal finite lifespan human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells (NPEC) to immortality.

Sphingosine kinase 1 is associated with gastric cancer progression and poor survival of patients.

Purpose: The present study was to investigate the clinical significance of sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1), an oncoenzyme, in the development and progression of gastric cancer.

Experimental Design: mRNA and protein levels of SPHK1 expression in normal gastric epithelial cells, gastric cancer cell lines, and paired gastric cancer lesions and the adjacent noncancerous tissues were examined using reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was employed to analyze SPHK1 expression in 175 clinicopathologically characterized gastric cancer cases.

Centromere protein H is a novel prognostic marker for human nonsmall cell lung cancer progression and overall patient survival.

Background: Lung cancer is 1 of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide, and the high mortality from this disease is caused mainly by the lack of efficient diagnostic strategies for early-stage lung cancer. The objective of the current study was to investigate the expression pattern and clinicopathologic significance of centromere protein H (CENP-H) in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: The expression profile of CENP-H in normal lung epithelial cells, NSCLC cell lines, NSCLC tissues, and adjacent noncancerous lung tissues were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis.

BPI700-Fc gamma1(700) chimeric gene expression and its protective effect in a mice model of the lethal E. coli infection.

Background: Infections caused by gram-negative bacteria (GNB) often lead to high mortality in common clinical settings. The effect of traditional antibiotic therapy is hindered by drug-resistant bacteria and unneutralizable endotoxin. Few effective methods can protect high risk patients from bacterial infection.

[Expression of macrophage colony stimulating factor in brains of PDAPPV717I transgenic mice].

Objective: To identify the expression and distribution of macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) in brains of PDAPPV717I transgenic mice.

Methods: We detected the expression and distribution of M-CSF mRNA in brains of PDAPPV717I transgenic mice by using hybridization in situ and immunohistochemical staining.

Results: Expression of M-CSF mRNA was significantly higher in brains of PDAPPV717I transgenic mice than that in non-transgenic mice, and M-CSF mRNA in brain was mainly produced by reactive astrocytes.

[Serum levels of macrophage colony stimulating factor in the patients with Alzheimer's disease].

Objective: To investigate the availability of serum level of macrophage clony stimulating factor (M-CSF) as a marker for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: The serum levels of M-CSF in 70 patients with AD, 52 healthy controls, 22 patients with VAD (vascular dementia) were measured and the serum levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha in 32 patients with AD and 20 controls were measured as well.

Results: Serum levels of M-CSF were significantly elevated in patients with AD when compared with healthy controls (P < 0.