Tetracycline derivative minocycline inhibits autophagy and inflammation in concanavalin-a-activated human hepatoma cells.

Inhibition of soluble matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity is among the non-antibiotic cellular effects exerted by the anti-inflammatory tetracycline derivative minocycline. The impact of minocycline on the signal transduction functions of membrane-bound MMPs is however unknown. We assessed minocycline in a concanavalin-A (ConA)-activated human HepG2 hepatoma cell model, a condition known to increase the expression of membrane type-1 MMP (MT-MMP) and to trigger inflammatory and autophagy processes.

Decreasing stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 expression inhibits β-catenin signaling in breast cancer cells.

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) is an endoplasmic reticulum anchored enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids, mainly palmytoleyl-CoA and oleyl-CoA. Recent studies have revealed a function for SCD1 in the modulation of signaling processes related to cell proliferation, survival and transformation to cancer. We used MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells to analyze the role of SCD1 in the metastatic acquisition of breast cancer cells.

Evaluation of microsatellite instability, MLH1 expression and hMLH1 promoter hypermethylation in colorectal carcinomas among Tunisians patients.

Background: About 10% to 15% of sporadic colorectal cancers demonstrate high level of microsatellite instability that is generally associated with aberrant methylation of hMLH1 promoter.

Aim: To investigate the association between MSI status, hMLH1 protein expression and methylation status of the hMLH1 promoter in a cohort of Tunisian sporadic colorectal cancer.

Methods: Expression of MLH1 and MSH2 was determined by immunohistochemistry and the MSI status was analysed by microfluid-based on-chip electrophoresis.

Impact of MDM2 polymorphism: increased risk of developing colorectal cancer and a poor prognosis in the Tunisian population.

Introduction: MDM2 was originally identified as an oncoprotein that binds to p53 and inhibits p53-mediated transactivation. Scientists have described functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the MDM2 gene. They showed that the genotype of SNP 309 induces an increase in the level of MDM2 protein, which causes attenuation of the p53 pathway.

Relationship between expression of ras p21 oncoprotein and mutation status of the K-ras gene in sporadic colorectal cancer patients in Tunisia.

Introduction: The K-ras proto-oncogene encodes a protein (p21-ras) belonging to the family of GTP/GDP-binding proteins with GTPase activity. The activation of ras family genes plays an important role in colorectal tumorigenesis. Frequency of K-ras mutations and overexpression of the protein in colorectal cancer (CRC) vary between 14% and 50% and between 29% and 76%, respectively.