Transactivation of the novel 5' cis-acting element of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) by human retroviral transactivators Tat and Tax.

The mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) encodes a 5' element crucial for transcription of its genome along with the Rem/Rem-responsive element (RmRE) responsible for nuclear export of this unspliced RNA. Whether the 5' element is Rem-responsive or has any functional interaction with host/viral factors to facilitate MMTV gene expression was tested in this study. Our results reveal that the 5' element is non-responsive to Rem, but can be transactivated by both HIV Tat and HTLV-1 Tax activators.

Organic extracts from Cleome droserifolia exhibit effective caspase-dependent anticancer activity.

Background: This study investigated the anticancer potential of the medicinal herb, Cleome droserifolia (CD), a local plant of the Arabian Peninsula. C. droserifolia is traditionally known for its rubefacient, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Differential Cytotoxic Potential of Leaf and Stem Extracts with the Ability to Induce Multiple Cell Death Pathways.

This study systematically analyzed the anticancer potential of (AO), a traditional medicinal plant of the Arabian Peninsula/East Africa known for its anti-inflammatory and pain relief properties. Tests of serial organic fractions from methanolic extracts of its leaves and stems revealed that only some fractions showed anti-proliferative potential with the dichloromethane fraction from leaves (AOD (L)) showing the most cytotoxic effect against both breast (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. The -butanol fraction from the stems (AOB (S)), on the other hand, was more effective against cervical cancer cells and did not harm the normal cells.

Identification and Characterization of the Caspase-Mediated Apoptotic Activity of and an Isolated Compound in Human Cancer Cells.

Plants of the genus (Lamiaceae or Labiatae family) are known historically for their medicinal value. Here, we identify and characterize the anticancer potential of and its active compound, IM60, in human cancer cells. The anti-proliferative effect of a methanol extract and its various fractions were analyzed in MCF-7 and HeLa cells in a dose- and time dependent manner.