FOXO1 promotes the expression of canonical WNT target genes in examined basal-like breast and glioblastoma multiforme cancer cells.

Basal-like breast cancer (BBC) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are aggressive cancers associated with poor prognosis. BBC and GBM have stem cell-like gene expression signatures, which are in part driven by forkhead box O (FOXO) transcription factors. To gain further insight into the impact of FOXO1 in BBC, we treated BT549 cells with AS1842856 and performed RNA sequencing.

NVP-BEZ235 or JAKi Treatment leads to decreased survival of examined GBM and BBC cells.

Cancer cells almost universally harbor constitutively active Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase (PI3K) Pathway activity via mutation of key signaling components and/or epigenetic mechanisms. Scores of PI3K Pathway inhibitors are currently under investigation as putative chemotherapeutics. However, feedback and stem cell mechanisms induced by PI3K Pathway inhibition can lead to reduced treatment efficacy.

The PI3K pathway impacts stem gene expression in a set of glioblastoma cell lines.

Background: The PI3K pathway controls diverse cellular processes including growth, survival, metabolism, and apoptosis. Nuclear FOXO factors were observed in cancers that harbor constitutively active PI3K pathway output and stem signatures. FOXO1 and FOXO3 were previously published to induce stem genes such as OCT4 in embryonic stem cells.

Seasonal detection of atrazine and atzA in man-made waterways receiving agricultural runoff in a subtropical, semi-arid environment (Hidalgo County, Texas, USA).

Atrazine is a widely-used herbicide that can impact non-target organisms in the environment but can be biologically degraded by several types of microorganisms. In this study, the gene atzA, which encodes for the initial step in bacterially-mediated atrazine degradation, was used as an indicator of atrazine pollution in agricultural canals located in Hidalgo County, Texas, USA. The concentration of atrazine and atzA were monitored once per month for 12 months during 2010-2011.

A CRISPR View of Biological Mechanisms.

A decade ago, only six manuscripts would be found on a PubMed search for "CRISPR," compared to 2,011 manuscripts in 2016. The purpose of this review is to discuss this emergent technology that has revolutionized molecular biological research in just a few years. Endogenous CRISPR mechanisms are harbored by bacteria and archaea as an adaptive defense system that targets foreign DNA from viruses and plasmids.

New Frontiers for the NFIL3 bZIP Transcription Factor in Cancer, Metabolism and Beyond.

The bZIP transcription factor NFIL3 (Nuclear factor Interleukin 3 regulated, also known as E4 binding protein 4, E4BP4) regulates diverse biological processes from circadian rhythm to cellular viability. Recently, a host of novel roles have been identified for NFIL3 in immunological signal transduction, cancer, aging and metabolism. Elucidating the signaling pathways that are impacted by NFIL3 and the regulatory mechanisms that it targets, inhibits or activates will be critical for developing a clearer picture of its physiological roles in disease and normal processes.

Nickel and cobalt resistance engineered in Escherichia coli by overexpression of serine acetyltransferase from the nickel hyperaccumulator plant Thlaspi goesingense.

The overexpression of serine acetyltransferase from the Ni-hyperaccumulating plant Thlaspi goesingense causes enhanced nickel and cobalt resistance in Escherichia coli. Furthermore, overexpression of T. goesingense serine acetyltransferase results in enhanced sensitivity to cadmium and has no significant effect on resistance to zinc.

The plant CDF family member TgMTP1 from the Ni/Zn hyperaccumulator Thlaspi goesingense acts to enhance efflux of Zn at the plasma membrane when expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

To avoid metal toxicity, organisms have evolved mechanisms including efflux of metal ions from cells and sequestration into internal cellular compartments. Members of the ubiquitous cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) family are known to play an important role in these processes. Overexpression of the plant CDF family member metal tolerance protein 1 (MTP1) from the Ni/Zn hyperaccumulator Thlaspi goesingense (TgMTP1), in the Saccharomyces cerevisiaeDelta zinc resistance conferring (zrc)1Delta cobalt transporter (cot)1 double mutant, suppressed the Zn sensitivity of this strain.