Toxoplasma gondii Induces Pyroptosis in Human Placental Trophoblast and Amniotic Cells by Inducing ROS Production and Activation of Cathepsin B and NLRP1/NLRP3/NLRC4/AIM2 Inflammasome.

Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women may cause fetal anomalies; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The current study investigated whether T. gondii induces pyroptosis in human placental cells and the underlying mechanisms.

A suppressor of multiple extracellular matrix-degrading proteases and cancer metastasis.

Cancer metastasis remains the most poorly understood process in cancer biology. It involves the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins by a series of 'tumour-associated' proteases. Here we report the identification of a novel protease suppressor, NYD-SP8, which is located on human chromosome 19q13.

Expression of a novel alternative transcript of the novel retinal pigment epithelial cell gene NORPEG in human testes.

Aim: To identify a novel alternative transcript of the novel retinal pigment epithelial cell gene (NORPEG) expressed in the human testis.

Methods: A human testis cDNA microarray was established and hybridized with cDNA probes from human fetal testes, adult testes and human spermatozoa. Differentially expressed clones were sequenced and analyzed.

SMYD3-NY, a novel SMYD3 mRNA transcript variant, may have a role in human spermatogenesis.

Identification of genes specifically expressed in adult and fetal testis is important to further our understanding of testis development and function. In this study, a novel SMYD3 transcript variant, termed SMYD3-NY (GenBank Accession No. AY186742), was identified by hybridization of adult and fetal human testis cDNA probes with a human cDNA microarray.

Identification and characterization of cul-3b, a novel hominine CUL-3 transcript variant.

Aim: To identify genes related to the human testis development by substrate hybridization technique.

Methods: A human testis cDNA microarray was constructed and hybridized with probes prepared from human adult and fetal testes and spermatozoa mRNAs by reverse transcription reactions. The differentially expressed genes were sequenced.

Expression of a novel beta adaptin subunit mRNA splice variant in human testes.

Aim: To identify a novel isoform of adaptin 2 beta subunit (named Ap2beta-NY) and to investigate its relationship with testicular development and spermatogenesis.

Methods: Using a human testis cDNA microarray, a clone (Ap2beta-NY), which was strongly expressed in adult testes but weakly expressed in embryo testes, was sequenced and analyzed. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the tissue distribution and expression time pattern of Ap2beta-NY were determined.

Identification of a novel testis-specific gene and its potential roles in testis development/spermatogenesis.

Aim: To identify and characterize a novel gene with potential roles in testis development and spermatogenesis.

Methods: A cDNA microarray was constructed from a human testis large insert cDNA library and hybridized with probes of human or mouse adult and fetal testes. Differentially expressed genes were isolated and sequenced.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel splicing variant of PIASx.

Aim: To investigate molecular mechanism of testis development and spermatogenesis.

Methods: A human testis cDNA microarray was hybridized with probes from human adult testis, embryo testis and human sperm, and the differential expressed clones were sequenced and analyzed. Expression of PIAS-NY gene was analyzed by RT-PCR.

Expression of a novel pyridoxal kinase mRNA splice variant, PKH-T, in human testis.

Aim: To identify the genes specifically expressed in human adult and fetal testes and spermatozoa.

Methods: A human testis cDNA microarray was established. Then mRNAs of human adult and fetal testis and spermatozoa were purified and probes were prepared by a reverse transcription reaction with mRNA as the template.

[New targets of anticancer drugs and their pathways].

This article reviews recent advances in apoptosis on the pathway inducing cancer cell to death, including Bcl-2 family pathway, NF-kappa B pathway, P13K/Akt pathway, Rb gene and p53 gene, especially the targets of anticancer drug in these pathways. It could be useful for the anticancer drug design and estimate. Furthermore, those cancer/testis antigen gene products are potential targets for antigen-specific immunotherapy of carcinoma.

Cloning and characterization of a novel isoform of calpastatin in human adult testis.

Aim: To clone a new gene related to human spermatogenesis.

Methods: cDNA probes of embryo and adult testis were used to hybridize the cDNA microarray of adult testis, and the clones of differential hybridization were sequenced and analyzed.

Results: A novel isoform of calpastatin exclusively and highly expressed in human adult testis was found.