Susceptibility of HPV-18 Cancer Cells to HIV Protease Inhibitors.

Cervical cancer cases continue to rise despite all the advanced screening and preventative measures put in place, which include human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. These soaring numbers can be attributed to the lack of effective anticancer drugs against cervical cancer; thus, repurposing the human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitors is an attractive innovation. Therefore, this work was aimed at evaluating the potential anticancer activities of HIV-PIs against cervical cancer cells.

KLHL20 and its role in cell homeostasis: A new perspective and therapeutic potential.

Ubiquitin ligases are proteins with the ability to trigger non-degradative signaling or proteasomal destruction by attracting substrates and facilitating ubiquitin transfer onto target proteins. Over the years, there has been a continuous discovery of new ubiquitin ligases, and Kelch-like protein 20 (KLHL20) is one of the most recent discoveries that have several biological roles which include its role in ubiquitin ligase activities. KLHL20 binds as a substrate component of ubiquitin ligase Cullin3 (Cul3).

The Role of Death-Associated Protein Kinase-1 in Cell Homeostasis-Related Processes.

Tremendous amount of financial resources and manpower have been invested to understand the function of numerous genes that are deregulated during the carcinogenesis process, which can be targeted for anticancer therapeutic interventions. () is one of the genes that have shown potential as biomarkers for cancer treatment. It is a member of the kinase family, which also includes Death-associated protein kinase 2 (DAPK-2), Death-associated protein kinase 3 (DAPK-3), Death-associated protein kinase-related apoptosis-inducing kinase 1 (DRAK-1) and Death-associated protein kinase-related apoptosis-inducing kinase 2 (DRAK-2).

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in HIV-mediated carcinogenesis: Role in cell homeostasis, cell survival processes and drug resistance.

There is accruing data implicating long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the development and progression of non-communicable diseases such as cancer. These lncRNAs have been implicated in many diverse HIV-host interactions, some of which are beneficial to HIV propagation. The virus-host interactions induce the expression of HIV-regulated long non-coding RNAs, which are implicated in the carcinogenesis process, therefore, it is critical to understand the molecular mechanisms that underpin these HIV-regulated lncRNAs, especially in cancer formation.

-Related Anticancer Activities of Bulb Extracts Against Lung Cancer.

Current lung cancer treatment strategies are ineffective, and lung cancer cases continue to soar; thus, novel anticancer drugs and targets are needed, and medicinal plants are promising to offer better alternatives. This study was aimed at analysing two splice variants during the potential anticancer activities of () methanol and water extracts against different human lung cancer cell lines of varying mutation status, and these included mutant H1573 and mutant H1437 and -wild type (A549) cells. The anticancer activities of the extracts were assessed by establishing the cytotoxic effect and the apoptosis-inducing capacity of these extracts, using the MTT assay and Annexin V analysis, respectively, with the latter confirmed using fluorescence microscopy.

Molecular Mechanisms of HIV Protease Inhibitors Against HPV-Associated Cervical Cancer: Restoration of Tumour Suppressor Activities.

Cervical cancer is a Human Papilloma virus-related disease, which is on the rise in a number of countries, globally. Two essential oncogenes, and , drive cell transformation and cancer development. These two oncoproteins target two of the most important tumour suppressors, p53 and pRB, for degradation through the ubiquitin ligase pathway, thus, blocking apoptosis activation and deregulation of cell cycle.

Cholesterol-Lowering Phytochemicals: Targeting the Mevalonate Pathway for Anticancer Interventions.

There are a plethora of cancer causes and the road to fully understanding the carcinogenesis process remains a dream that keeps changing. However, a list of role players that are implicated in the carcinogens process is getting lengthier. Cholesterol is known as bad sterol that is heavily linked with cardiovascular diseases; however, it is also comprehensively associated with carcinogenesis.

Selective cytotoxicity effect of bulb extracts against p53 mutant HT-29 and p53 wild-type Caco-2 colorectal cancer cells through STAT5B regulation.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of oncological-related deaths and the third most diagnosed malignancy, worldwide. The emergence of chemoresistance is a fundamental drawback of colorectal cancer therapies and there is an urgent need for novel plant-derived therapeutics. In this regard, other compounds are needed to improve the efficacy of treatment against colorectal cancer.

Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs), viral oncogenomics, and aberrant splicing events: therapeutics implications.

It has been estimated that worldwide up to 10% of all human cancers are the result of viral infection, with 7.2% of all cancers in the developed world have a viral aetiology. In contrast, 22.

Downregulation of variant 1 during arsenic trioxide-mediated cell cycle arrest and curcumin-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Aim: To determine the expression patterns of the spliced variants during arsenic trioxide-mediated cell cycle arrest and curcumin-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.

Materials & Methods: AsO and curcumin were used to study cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and the expression of variants. The MUSE Cell Analyser was used to analyze cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and multicaspase activity while apoptosis was further confirmed using microscopy.

Expression Analysis of RbBP6 in human cancers: a Prospective biomarker.

Retinoblastoma binding protein 6 (RBBP6) is a cancer-related protein that has been implicated in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis. RBBP6 isoform 1 has been demonstrated to interact with two tumour suppressors, p53 and pRB. Isoform 1 been shown to regulate p53 through its ubiquitin ligase activity, thus implicating in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis.

RBBP6 Is Abundantly Expressed in Human Cervical Carcinoma and May Be Implicated in Its Malignant Progression.

RBBP6 is a novel gene encoding splicing-associated proteins. There are 3 protein isoforms (isoforms 1-3). RBBP6 isoforms 1 has been shown to interact with both p53 and Rb.

Survivin Splice Variants in Arsenic Trioxide (As₂O₃)-Induced Deactivation of PI3K and MAPK Cell Signalling Pathways in MCF-7 Cells.

Several pathways are deregulated during carcinogenesis but most notably, tumour cells can lose cell cycle control and acquire resistance to apoptosis by expressing a number of anti-apoptotic proteins such as the Inhibitors of Apoptosis Protein (IAP) family of proteins that include survivin, which is implicated in cancer development. There is no study which had proven that arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃) has any effect on the splicing machinery of survivin and its splice variants, hence this study was aimed at determining the cytotoxic effect of As₂O₃ and its effect on the expression pattern of survivin splice variants in MCF-7 cells. As₂O₃ inhibited the growth of the MCF-7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner.

Translocator Protein (TSPO) as a Potential Biomarker in Human Cancers.

TSPO is a receptor involved in the regulation of cellular proliferation, apoptosis and mitochondrial functions. Previous studies showed that the expression of TSPO protein correlated positively with tumour malignancy and negatively with patient survival. The aim of this study was to determine the transcription of mRNA in various types of normal and cancer tissues.

Synthesis of NiO nanoparticles via a green route using Monsonia burkeana: The physical and biological properties.

NiO nanoparticles have emerged as ideal candidates in various fields due to their magnetic, electrical and optical properties. The coupling of plant extracts that have anticancer and antibacterial properties with NiO nanoparticles has increased their usage in the biomedical field. In this work, we report on the novel synthesis of NiO nanoparticles using a local medicinal plant, Monsonia burkenea.

Abnormalities in alternative splicing of angiogenesis-related genes and their role in HIV-related cancers.

Alternative splicing of mRNA leads to an increase in proteome biodiversity by allowing the generation of multiple mRNAs, coding for multiple protein isoforms of various structural and functional properties from a single primary pre-mRNA transcript. The protein isoforms produced are tightly regulated in normal development but are mostly deregulated in various cancers. In HIV-infected individuals with AIDS, there is an increase in aberrant alternative splicing, resulting in an increase in HIV/AIDS-related cancers, such as Kaposi's sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and cervical cancer.

Significant up-regulation of 1-ACBP, B-ACBP and PBR genes in immune cells within the oesophageal malignant tissue and a possible link in carcinogenic angiogenesis.

Oesophageal cancer ranks as the sixth most common malignancy in the world, and recent evidence has shown that its incidence is increasing. ACBPs (Acyl-coA binding proteins) act as intracellular carrier-proteins for medium to long chain acyl-coA, mediating fatty acid transport to the mitochondrion for ß-oxidation. ACBPs are also believed to be putative ligands of PBR (peripheral benzodiazepine receptor), and once they bind to this receptor they facilitate mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, presumably favouring apoptosis.

Expression analysis and association of RBBP6 with apoptosis in colon cancers.

Apoptosis is normally kept under strict control by a range of regulators and inhibitors, and loss of this regulation strongly directs tumour progression. The novel RBBP6 gene has been implicated in apoptosis due to its ability to bind both p53 and Rb, as well as its structural and functional affiliation to ubiquitin and E3 ligases. RBBP6 has already been implicated as an important marker for cancer diagnosis and many studies have investigated its suitability as a potential genetic target for cancer treatment.

South African Herbal Extracts as Potential Chemopreventive Agents: Screening for Anticancer Splicing Activity.

RT-PCR is an invaluable tool for the detection and characterization of mRNA. Cancer cell lines are treated with crude plant extracts and RNA is extracted and purified with DNase prior to RT-PCR. RT-PCR first-strand cDNA synthesis is done using random primers and can be refrigerated at 4 °C.

The Role of MicroRNAs in Kidney Disease.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that regulate pathophysiological processes that suppress gene expression by binding to messenger RNAs. These biomolecules can be used to study gene regulation and protein expression, which will allow better understanding of many biological processes such as cell cycle progression and apoptosis that control the fate of cells. Several pathways have also been implicated to be involved in kidney diseases such as Transforming Growth Factor-β, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase signaling, and Wnt signaling pathways.

The association of RBBP6 variant 3 expressions with apoptosis in human immunodeficiency virus-associated nephropathy (HIVAN).

South Africa has one of the highest HIV infection rates in the world. One of the complications of HIV infection is the development of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN), which is characterized by deregulation in tubular epithelial apoptosis. The pathways that HIV-1 promotes in the pathogenesis of HIVAN remain less understood.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) could be involved in a regulatory role in apoptosis and a link between apoptosis and insulin resistance.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4), a mammalian mitochondrial serine kinase has emerged as an interesting candidate for diabetes therapy. Due to the high prevalence of this disease especially type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the health complications associated with it, there is extensive effort to find the appropriate treatment. Understanding the regulation of PDK4 activity would therefore contribute significantly to the development of therapeutic agents.

WITHDRAWN: Investigating the link of ceramide synthases (CerSes) 4 and 5 in endometrial and colon cancers.

The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published, http://dx.doi.org/10.

Linking the ceramide synthases (CerSs) 4 and 5 with apoptosis, endometrial and colon cancers.

Ceramide synthases (CerSs) also known as Longevity Assurance (LASS) genes belong to a family of six related genes. CerS gene products have been shown to produce ceramide, hence their name CerSs. Ceramide is a bio-effector molecule, belonging to the family of sphingolipids (SLs), which are important components of cell membranes, and has been implicated in cancer and apoptosis.