Comprehensive Analyses of MELK-Associated ceRNA Networks Reveal a Potential Biomarker for Predicting Poor Prognosis and Immunotherapy Efficacy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world with high morbidity and mortality. Identifying specific molecular markers that can predict HCC prognosis is extremely important. MELK has been reported to play key roles in several types of human cancers and predict poor prognosis.

Small-molecule inhibitor targeting the Hsp70-Bim protein-protein interaction in CML cells overcomes BCR-ABL-independent TKI resistance.

Herein, we screened a novel inhibitor of the Hsp70-Bim protein-protein interaction (PPI), S1g-2, from a Bcl-2 inhibitor library; this compound specifically disrupted the Hsp70-Bim PPI by direct binding to an unknown site adjacent to that of an allosteric Hsp70 inhibitor MKT-077, showing binding affinity in sub-μM concentration range. S1g-2 exhibited overall 5-10-fold higher apoptosis-inducing activity in CML cells, primary CML blasts, and BCR-ABL-transformed BaF3 cells than other cancer cells, normal lymphocytes, and BaF3 cells, illustrating Hsp70-Bim PPI driven by BCR-ABL protects CML through oncoclient proteins that enriched in three pathways: eIF2 signaling, the regulation of eIF4E and p70S6K signaling, and the mTOR signaling pathways. Moreover, S1g-2 progressively enhanced lethality along with the increase in BCR-ABL-independent TKI resistance in the K562 cell lines and is more effective in primary samples from BCR-ABL-independent TKI-resistant patients than those from TKI-sensitive patients.

Using CETSA assay and a mathematical model to reveal dual Bcl-2/Mcl-1 inhibition and on-target mechanism for ABT-199 and S1.

Deepening understanding of how Bcl-2 family proteins protect cancer cells from apoptosis has driven the development of 'BH3 mimetic' drugs that target various anti-apoptotic Bcl-2-like proteins by mimicking their natural inhibitors, the BH3-only proteins. The proof of target engagement and an on-target mechanism validation are critical for evaluating drug development potential. To evaluate target engagement of BH3 mimetics in cells, we measured binding potency of ABT-199, A-1210477 and ABT-737 to Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 proteins by using a dose-response cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), similar affinity rank-order and selectivity were obtained in comparison with in vitro binding assays.

Puerarin suppression of Aβ-induced primary cortical neuron death is largely dependent on ERβ.

Recent study has suggested that estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) can decrease the risk of the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and phytoestrogen has been proposed as a potential alternative to ERT. In this study, we investigated the protective function of puerarin (a phytoestrogen isolated from puerarin lobate) against amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced toxicity in cortical neurons and established the connection between such a protection and estrogen receptor (ER) activation. Puerarin suppressed Aβ-induced cortical neuron death in a concentration-dependent manner.

[Relationship between BH3 mimetic S1 and expression of BCL-2 family members in acute myeloid leukemia].

Objective: This study was to investigate the molecular biomarkers of apoptosis induced by BH3 mimetic S1 in human primary AML cells.

Methods: Mononuclear cells were isolated from 27 newly diagnosed AML samples. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.

Mechanisms of anti-leukemic activity of the Bcl-2 homology domain-3 mimetic S1.

Most of leukemia exhibits inherent overexpressed Bcl-2-like proteins. Small molecule S1 is a BH3 mimetic discovered by our previous studies. The aim of this study is to dissect the details of apoptosis signaling induced by S1 in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cells and to provide a molecular basis for the use of S1 in AML treatment.

Pan-BH3 mimetic S1 exhibits broad-spectrum antitumour effects by cooperation between Bax and Bak.

Small molecule S1 is a pan-BH3 mimetic that can bind antiapoptotic Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 proteins. Herein, different Bcl-2 member expression cancer cell lines (NCI-H345, MCF-7, SMMC-7721 and Hela) and cells deficient in Bax and/or Bak by shRNA were used to unravel the cascade of events by which S1 promotes apoptosis compared with Bcl-2/Bcl-xL inhibitor ABT-737. We identified that S1 exhibited broader antitumour spectrum than ABT-737 through disruption of more Bcl-2 interactions including Mcl-1/Bak interaction.

[Differentiation and increase of dendritic cells from umbilical cord blood in vitro].

The aims of this study were to analyze the composition of umbilical cord blood cells (UCBC), to examine the characteristics of dendritic cells (DC) before and after culture, to search the method of differentiation and increase of DC in vitro and to appraise surface antigen from UCBC. Twelve units of umbilical cord blood were collected from May 2002 to September 2002. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 9 cases were collected from healthy adult donors.