Possible role of Toxoplasma gondii in brain cancer through modulation of host microRNAs.

Background: The obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii infects humans and other warm-blooded animals and establishes a chronic infection in the central nervous system after invasion. Studies showing a positive correlation between anti-Toxoplasma antibodies and incidences of brain cancer have led to the notion that Toxoplasma infections increase the risk of brain cancer. However, molecular events involved in Toxoplasma induced brain cancers are not well understood.

Targeted proteomic dissection of Toxoplasma cytoskeleton sub-compartments using MORN1.

The basal complex in Toxoplasma functions as the contractile ring in the cell division process. Basal complex contraction tapers the daughter cytoskeleton toward the basal end and is required for daughter segregation. We have previously shown that the protein MORN1 is essential for basal complex assembly and likely acts as a scaffolding protein.

Cloning and characterization of high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) of Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi.

A human homologue of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein was cloned and characterized from the human filarial parasites Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. Sequence analysis showed that W. bancrofti HMGB1 (WbHMGB1) and B.

A DOC2 protein identified by mutational profiling is essential for apicomplexan parasite exocytosis.

Exocytosis is essential to the lytic cycle of apicomplexan parasites and required for the pathogenesis of toxoplasmosis and malaria. DOC2 proteins recruit the membrane fusion machinery required for exocytosis in a Ca(2+)-dependent fashion. Here, the phenotype of a Toxoplasma gondii conditional mutant impaired in host cell invasion and egress was pinpointed to a defect in secretion of the micronemes, an apicomplexan-specific organelle that contains adhesion proteins.

Targeting receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) expression induces apoptosis and inhibits prostate tumor growth.

Expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) plays a key role in the progression of prostate cancer. However, the therapeutic potential of targeting RAGE expression in prostate cancer is not yet evaluated. Therefore in this study, we have investigated the effects of silencing the expression of RAGE by RNAi approach both in vitro and in vivo.

18α-glycyrrhetinic acid targets prostate cancer cells by down-regulating inflammation-related genes.

Glycyrrhetinic acid is an active triterpenoid metabolite of glycyrrhizin abundantly present in licorice roots. Glycyrrhetinic acid exists as α and β stereo-isomeric forms. Both stereo-isomeric forms are known to have anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity.

An insertional trap for conditional gene expression in Toxoplasma gondii: identification of TAF250 as an essential gene.

Toxoplasmosis is characterized by fast lytic replication cycles leading to severe tissue lesions. Successful host cell invasion is essential for pathogenesis. The division cycle of Toxoplasma gondii is characterized by an unusual cell cycle progression and a distinct internal budding mechanism.

T-oligo induces apoptosis in advanced prostate cancer cells.

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men. As cancer progresses from an androgen-sensitive stage to hormone-refractory stage, it turns resistant to androgen ablation therapy. At this stage, effective newer therapies that induce apoptosis are needed for treatment of prostate cancer.

Gene silencing of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) by siRNA inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells.

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is a novel anti apoptotic protein which is highly expressed in several cancer cell types including prostate cancer. However, studies investigating the role of TCTP in prostate cancer are scarce. Therefore, in this study we evaluated the effect of small interference RNA (siRNA) based knocking down of TCTP gene in prostate cancer cells.

Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) constructs targeting high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) expression leads to inhibition of prostate cancer cell survival and apoptosis.

High mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1), transcriptional activity regulatory protein is associated with most cancers including prostate cancer. To investigate the effects of down-regulation of HMGB1 expression, we have transfected LNCaP cells with four short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting HMGB1 plasmid vectors. Transfection with the four shRNAs efficiently and specifically reduced the HMGB1 expression in LNCaP cells.

Glycyrrhizin induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cell lines DU-145 and LNCaP.

Over 2 million Americans are currently living with prostate cancer. Current chemotherapeutic strategies are only partially effective in controlling the disease. There is always a need for an effective newer drug for treating prostate cancer.

Brugia malayi: comparison of protective immune responses induced by Bm-alt-2 DNA, recombinant Bm-ALT-2 protein and prime-boost vaccine regimens in a jird model.

Immunization of jirds with Bm-alt-2 elicited partial protection against challenge infection with the filarial parasite Brugia malayi. In this study, we initially compared the protective immune responses elicited following immunization with recombinant Bm-ALT-2 protein regimen and Bm-alt-2 DNA regimen. These studies showed that protein vaccination conferred approximately 75% protection compared to DNA vaccination that conferred only 57% protection.