Nuclear translocation of PKC-α is associated with cell cycle arrest and erythroid differentiation in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs).

PI-PLCβ1 is involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) pathogenesis. Moreover, the increased activity of PI-PLCβ1 reduces the expression of PKC-α, which, in turn, delays the cell proliferation and is linked to erythropoiesis. Lenalidomide is currently used in low-risk patients with MDS and del(5q), where it can suppress the del(5q) clone and restore normal erythropoiesis.

The human Smoothened inhibitor PF-04449913 induces exit from quiescence and loss of multipotent Drosophila hematopoietic progenitor cells.

The efficient treatment of hematological malignancies as Acute Myeloid Leukemia, myelofibrosis and Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, requires the elimination of cancer-initiating cells and the prevention of disease relapse through targeting pathways that stimulate generation and maintenance of these cells. In mammals, inhibition of Smoothened, the key mediator of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, reduces Chronic Myeloid Leukemia progression and propagation. These findings make Smo a candidate target to inhibit maintenance of leukemia-initiating cells.

Clinical Impact of Hypomethylating Agents in the Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of hematologic diseases, mainly affecting the elderly, characterized by unilinear or multilinear peripheral cytopenia, bone marrow ineffective haemopoiesis, and a varying risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). On the basis of the prognostic score systems currently used, MDS patients are generally classified as having higher risk (HR) or lower risk (LR) MDS. Two drugs, azacitidine (AZA) and decitabine (DAC), defined, because of their proven mechanism of action, as DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTIs), or hypomethylating agents (HMAs), have proven effective in improving peripheral cytopenias and quality of life, reducing or eliminating transfusion need, delaying leukemic evolution, and (only for AZA) prolonging overall survival (OS).

Notch signaling during development requires the function of awd, the Drosophila homolog of human metastasis suppressor gene Nm23.

Background: The Drosophila abnormal wing discs (awd) belongs to a highly conserved family of genes implicated in metastasis suppression, metabolic homeostasis and epithelial morphogenesis. The cellular function of the mammalian members of this family, the Nm23 proteins, has not yet been clearly defined. Previous awd genetic analyses unraveled its endocytic role that is required for proper internalization of receptors controlling different signaling pathways.