Thrombospondin-1 mimetics are promising novel therapeutics for MYC-associated medulloblastoma.

Background: Medulloblastoma (MB) comprises four subtypes of which group 3 MB are the most aggressive. Although overall survival for MB has improved, the outcome of group 3 MB remains dismal. C- amplification or MYC overexpression which characterizes group 3 MB is a strong negative prognostic factor and is frequently associated with metastases and relapses.

Crystal structure of Staphylococcus aureus Zn-glyoxalase I: new subfamily of glyoxalase I family.

The crystal structures of protein SA0856 from Staphylococcus aureus in its apo-form and in complex with a Zn-ion have been presented. The 152 amino acid protein consists of two similar domains with α + β topology. In both crystalline state and in solution, the protein forms a dimer with monomers related by a twofold pseudo-symmetry rotation axis.

JPO2/CDCA7L and LEDGF/p75 Are Novel Mediators of PI3K/AKT Signaling and Aggressive Phenotypes in Medulloblastoma.

Substantial evidence links Myc-PI3K/AKT signaling to the most aggressive subtype of medulloblastoma and this axis in medulloblastoma therapy. In this study, we advance understanding of how Myc-PI3K/AKT signaling contributes to this malignancy, specifically, in identifying the Myc-interacting protein JPO2 and its partner binding protein LEDGF/p75 as critical modulators of PI3K/AKT signaling and metastasis in medulloblastoma. JPO2 overexpression induced metastatic medulloblastoma in vivo through two synergistic feed-forward regulatory circuits involving LEDGF/p75 and AKT that promote metastatic phenotypes in this setting.

Molecular subgroups of atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumours in children: an integrated genomic and clinicopathological analysis.

Background: Rhabdoid brain tumours, also called atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumours, are lethal childhood cancers with characteristic genetic alterations of SMARCB1/hSNF5. Lack of biological understanding of the substantial clinical heterogeneity of these tumours restricts therapeutic advances. We integrated genomic and clinicopathological analyses of a cohort of patients with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumours to find out the molecular basis for clinical heterogeneity in these tumours.

The structure of SAV1646 from Staphylococcus aureus belonging to a new `ribosome-associated' subfamily of bacterial proteins.

The crystal structure of the SAV1646 protein from the pathogenic microorganism Staphylococcus aureus has been determined at 1.7 Å resolution. The 106-amino-acid protein forms a two-layer sandwich with α/β topology.

Markers of survival and metastatic potential in childhood CNS primitive neuro-ectodermal brain tumours: an integrative genomic analysis.

Background: Childhood CNS primitive neuro-ectodermal brain tumours (PNETs) are very aggressive brain tumours for which the molecular features and best treatment approaches are unknown. We assessed a large cohort of these rare tumours to identify molecular markers to enhance clinical management of this disease.

Methods: We obtained 142 primary hemispheric CNS PNET samples from 20 institutions in nine countries and examined transcriptional profiles for a subset of 51 samples and copy number profiles for a subset of 77 samples.

Carbon nanotube compared with carbon black: effects on bacterial survival against grazing by ciliates and antimicrobial treatments.

The ingestion and digestion of Escherichia coli by the ciliated protozoan, Tetrahymena thermophila, was investigated after an initial exposure to either water-soluble single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) or to carbon black (CB). Both SWNT and CB were internalised and visible in food vacuoles of ciliates. When presented with E.