Bone morphogenetic protein-9 promotes the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer cells by activating PI3K/Akt and Smad1/5 pathways.

Non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is any type of epithelial lung cancer other than small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), which accounts for about 85% of all lung cancers. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-9 in humans is encoded by the growth differentiation factor 2 gene, which belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. In the present study, we explored the role of BMP-9 in A549 and NCI-H1650 cell proliferation and its possible molecular mechanisms.

Disruption of neurogenesis and cortical development in transgenic mice misexpressing Olig2, a gene in the Down syndrome critical region.

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Olig2 is crucial for mammalian central nervous system development. Human ortholog OLIG2 is located in the Down syndrome critical region in trisomy 21. To investigate the effect of Olig2 misexpression on brain development, we generated a developmentally regulated Olig2-overexpressing transgenic line with a Cre/loxP system.