Vitamin C enhances co-localization of novel TET1 nuclear bodies with both Cajal and PML bodies in colorectal cancer cells.

Deregulation of ten-eleven Translocation protein 1 (TET1) is commonly reported to induce imbalances in gene expression and subsequently to colorectal cancer development (CRC). On the other hand, vitamin C (VitC) improves the prognosis of colorectal cancer by reprogramming the cancer epigenome and limiting chemotherapeutic drug resistance events. In this study, we aimed to characterize TET1-specific subcellular compartments and evaluate the effect of VitC on TET1 compartmentalization in colonic tumour cells.

The Lebanese Red Algae : Promising Biomolecules against Colon Cancer Cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is ranked the second most lethal type of tumor globally. Thus, developing novel anti-cancer therapeutics that are less aggressive and more potent is needed. Recently, natural bioactive molecules are gaining interest as complementary and supportive antineoplastic treatments due to their safety, effectiveness, and low cost.

Fucoidan and Alginate from the Brown Algae and Their Combination with Vitamin C Trigger Apoptosis in Colon Cancer.

Brown seaweeds are producers of bioactive molecules which are known to inhibit oncogenic growth. Here, we investigated the antioxidant, cytotoxic, and apoptotic effects of two polysaccharides from the brown algae , namely fucoidan and alginate, in a panel of cancer cell lines and evaluated their effects when combined with vitamin C. Fucoidan and alginate were isolated from brown algae and characterized by HPLC, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy.

The Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of the Brown Algae are Mediated by the Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species.

Brown algae are a novel resource of biogenic molecules, however few studies have been conducted in the Mediterranean to assess the cytotoxic mechanisms of algal-derived compounds. This study focuses on the antineoplastic activity of extracts from non-investigated algae of the Lebanese coast, . Extracts' antineoplastic activities were evaluated by MTT and trypan blue on different tumorigenic cells.

Giant Inflatable Colon Model Enhances Lebanese Community Knowledge and Intention for Colorectal Cancer Screening.

Purpose: To assess the knowledge and intention for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening within the Lebanese community before and after a guided tour through an inflatable colon model.

Methods: The Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in collaboration with AMALOUNA educational nongovernmental organization launched awareness campaigns during which a walk-through inflatable colon was displayed.

ATL response to arsenic/interferon therapy is triggered by SUMO/PML/RNF4-dependent Tax degradation.

The human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-1) Tax transactivator initiates transformation in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), a highly aggressive chemotherapy-resistant malignancy. The arsenic/interferon combination, which triggers degradation of the Tax oncoprotein, selectively induces apoptosis of ATL cell lines and has significant clinical activity in Tax-driven murine ATL or human patients. However, the role of Tax loss in ATL response is disputed, and the molecular mechanisms driving degradation remain elusive.

Tax-1 and Tax-2 similarities and differences: focus on post-translational modifications and NF-κB activation.

Although human T cell leukemia virus type 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) share similar genetic organization, they have major differences in their pathogenesis and disease manifestation. HTLV-1 is capable of transforming T lymphocytes in infected patients resulting in adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma whereas HTLV-2 is not clearly associated with lymphoproliferative diseases. Numerous studies have provided accumulating evidence on the involvement of the viral transactivators Tax-1 versus Tax-2 in T cell transformation.

The combination of arsenic, interferon-alpha, and zidovudine restores an "immunocompetent-like" cytokine expression profile in patients with adult T-cell leukemia lymphoma.

Background: HTLV-I associated adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) carries a dismal prognosis due to chemo-resistance and immuno-compromised micro-environment. The combination of zidovudine and interferon-alpha (IFN) significantly improved survival in ATL. Promising results were reported by adding arsenic trioxide to zidovudine and IFN.

Animal models on HTLV-1 and related viruses: what did we learn?

Retroviruses are associated with a wide variety of diseases, including immunological, neurological disorders, and different forms of cancer. Among retroviruses, Oncovirinae regroup according to their genetic structure and sequence, several related viruses such as human T-cell lymphotropic viruses types 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2), simian T cell lymphotropic viruses types 1 and 2 (STLV-1 and STLV-2), and bovine leukemia virus (BLV). As in many diseases, animal models provide a useful tool for the studies of pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention.

Tax ubiquitylation and SUMOylation control the dynamic shuttling of Tax and NEMO between Ubc9 nuclear bodies and the centrosome.

The human T-lymphotropic virus type I oncoprotein Tax is critical for T-cell transformation, acting mainly through nuclear factor kappa B essential modulator (NEMO) binding and subsequent nuclear factor-κB activation. Tax localizes to Tax nuclear bodies and to the centrosome and is subjected to ubiquitylation and small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)ylation, which are both necessary for complete transcriptional activation. Using the photoconvertible fluorophore Dendra-2 coupled with live video confocal microscopy, we show for the first time that the same Tax molecule shuttles among Tax nuclear bodies and between these nuclear bodies and the centrosome, depending on its posttranslational modifications.