Global targetome analysis reveals critical role of miR-29a in pancreatic stellate cell mediated regulation of PDAC tumor microenvironment.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive forms of malignancies with a nearly equal incidence and mortality rates in patients. Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are critical players in PDAC microenvironment to promote the aggressiveness and pathogenesis of the disease. Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play a significant role in progression of PDAC.

Identification and validation of quantitative trait loci for ascites syndrome in broiler chickens using whole genome resequencing.

Background: Ascites syndrome is a hypertensive, multifactorial, multigene trait affecting meat-type chickens imposing significant economic losses on the broiler industry. A region containing the CPQ gene has been previously identified as significantly affecting ascites phenotype. The region was discovered through whole genome resequencing focused on chicken chromosome 2.

The Role and Therapeutic Potential of miRNAs in Colorectal Liver Metastasis.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Liver metastasis is the major cause of CRC patient mortality, occurring in 60% patients with no effective therapies. Although studies have indicated the role of miRNAs in CRC, an in-depth miRNA expression analysis is essential to identify clinically relevant miRNAs and understand their potential in targeting liver metastasis.

miR-29a Is Repressed by MYC in Pancreatic Cancer and Its Restoration Drives Tumor-Suppressive Effects via Downregulation of LOXL2.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an intractable cancer with a dismal prognosis. miR-29a is commonly downregulated in PDAC; however, mechanisms for its loss and role still remain unclear. Here, we show that in PDAC, repression of miR-29a is directly mediated by MYC via promoter activity.

A Systematic Review of miR-29 in Cancer.

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small non-coding RNAs (∼22 nt in length) that are known as potent master regulators of eukaryotic gene expression. miRNAs have been shown to play a critical role in cancer pathogenesis, and the misregulation of miRNAs is a well-known feature of cancer. In recent years, miR-29 has emerged as a critical miRNA in various cancers, and it has been shown to regulate multiple oncogenic processes, including epigenetics, proteostasis, metabolism, proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and immunomodulation.

Development of a New Monochrome Multiplex qPCR Method for Relative Telomere Length Measurement in Cancer.

Excess telomere shortening has been observed in most cancer cells. The telomere quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay has become an important tool for epidemiological studies examining the effects of aging, stress, and other factors on the length of telomeres. Current telomere qPCR methods analyze the relative length of telomeres by amplifying telomere sequence products and normalizing with single-copy gene products.

A plasma telomeric cell-free DNA level in unaffected women with BRCA1 or/and BRCA2 mutations: a pilot study.

Plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a small DNA fragment circulating in the bloodstream originating from both non-tumor- and tumor-derived cells. A previous study showed that a plasma telomeric cfDNA level decreases in sporadic breast cancer patients compared to controls. Tumor suppressor gene products including BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1&2) play an important role in telomere maintenance.

Whole genome resequencing identifies the CPQ gene as a determinant of ascites syndrome in broilers.

Background: Ascites syndrome is the most severe manifestation of pulmonary hypertension in fast-growing broilers. The disease can be attributed to increased body weights of birds, where the higher metabolic load is not matched by sufficient oxygen supply to the cells and tissues. Although there are environmental components, the disease exhibits moderate to high heritability.

Further investigation of a quantitative trait locus for ascites on chromosome 9 in broiler chicken lines.

Previously, we reported a genome wide association study (GWAS) that had shown association of a region between 11.8 and 13.6 Mbp on chromosome 9 with ascites phenotype in broilers.