The molecular role of the Rothmund-Thomson-, RAPADILINO- and Baller-Gerold-gene product, RECQL4: recent progress

The RecQ family of DNA helicases is highly conserved throughout evolution and plays an important role in the maintenance of genomic stability in all organisms. Mutations in three of the five known family members in humans, BLM, WRN and RECQL4, give rise to disorders that are characterized by predisposition to cancer and premature aging, emphasizing the importance of studying the RecQ proteins and their cellular activities. Interestingly, three autosomal recessive disorders have been associated with mutations in the RECQL4 gene: Rothmund-Thomson, RAPADILINO, and Baller-Gerold syndromes, thus making RECQL4 unique within the RecQ family of DNA helicases. To date, however, the molecular function of RECQL4 and the possible cellular pathways in which it is involved remain poorly understood. Here, we present an overview of recent findings in connection with RECQL4 and try to highlight different directions the field could head, helping to clarify the role of RECQL4 in preventing tumorigenesis and maintenance of genome integrity in humans. Received 31 October 2006; received after revision 4 January 2007; accepted 5 February 2007     

From endoderm to pancreas: a multistep journey

The formation of the vertebrate pancreas is a complex process that typifies the basic steps of embryonic development. It involves the establishment of competence, specification, signaling from neighboring tissues, morphogenesis, and the elaboration of tissue-specific genetic networks. A full analysis of this multistep process will help us to understand classic principles of embryonic development. Furthermore, this will provide the blueprint for experimental programming of pancreas formation from embryonic stem cells in the context of diabetes cell-therapy. Although in the past decade many studies have contributed to a solid foundation for understanding pancreatogenesis, important gaps persist in our knowledge of early pancreas formation. This review will summarize the current understanding of the early mechanisms coming into play to pattern the "pre-pancreatic" region within the endoderm and, gradually, specify the pancreatic tissue.     

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: clinicopathology and molecular alterations

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS, OMIM 175200) is an unusual inherited intestinal polyposis syndrome associated with distinct peri-oral blue/black freckling [1–9]. Variable penetrance and clinical heterogeneity make it difficult to determine the exact frequency of PJS [4]. PJS is a cancer predisposition syndrome. Affected individuals are at high risk for intestinal and extra-intestinal cancers. In 1997, linkage studies mapped PJS to chromosome 19p [10, 11], and subsequently a serine/threonine kinase gene defect (LKB1) was noted in a majority of PJS cases [12, 13]. A phenotypically similar syndrome has been produced in an LKB1 mouse knockout model [14–18]. Several PJS kindred without LKB1 mutations have been described, suggesting other PJS loci [19–22]. The management of PJS is complex and evolving. New endoscopic technologies may improve management of intestinal polyposis. Identification of specific genetic mutations and their targets will more accurately assess the clinical course, and help gage the magnitude of cancer risk for affected individuals. Received 20 February 2006; received after revision 5 May 2006; accepted 15 June 2006     

Cancer and blood coagulation

In human patients, blood coagulation disorders often associate with cancer, even in its early stages. Recently, in vitro and in vivo experimental models have shown that oncogene expression, or inactivation of tumour suppressor genes, upregulate genes that control blood coagulation. These studies suggest that activation of blood clotting, leading to peritumoral fibrin deposition, is instrumental in cancer development. Fibrin can indeed build up a provisional matrix, supporting the invasive growth of neoplastic tissues and blood vessels. Interference with blood coagulation can thus be considered as part of a multifaceted therapeutic approach to cancer. Received 30 November 2005; received after revision 7 February 2005; accepted 8 February 2006     

黑线姬鼠、小白鼠颈髓NOS阳性神经元的分布比较

用NADPH-黄递酶组织化学方法显示野生动物黑线姬鼠与实验动物小白鼠颈髓内一氧化氮合酶（NOS）阳性神经元的分布.结果显示在黑线姬鼠与小白鼠颈髓中央管周围灰质、后角浅层以及前角灰质都有密集的NOS阳性神经元.与小白鼠相比,黑线姬鼠颈髓NOS阳性神经元数量较多,胞体较大,分布较密集,呈强阳性反应.结果提示野生动物黑线姬鼠与实验动物小白鼠颈髓的这些种间差异与它们生存的环境、生活习性有很大关系.     

Carbon-free nanoporous gold based membrane electrocatalysts for fuel cells

Nanoporous gold(NPG) membranes made by dealloying consist of a bicontinuous network of Au ligaments and open pore channels, which have gained considerable attention as a platform for the design of carbon-free electrodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells(PEMFCs). Benefiting from a unique combination of high electronic conductivity, high surface area, and modifiable surface chemistry, these self-supporting membrane type electrodes allow integration of various structural functions required fo...     

Serine/threonine protein phosphatases in DNA damage response

DNA damage response (DDR) is among the most important of the mechanisms that maintain genome stability which, when destabilized, predisposes organs to cancer. Reversible phosphorylation mediated by protein kinases and protein phosphatases regulates most, if not all, cellular activities, including DDR. Protein kinase inhibitors have become the main focus of targeted therapy and anticancer drug development. However, our limited knowledge of protein phosphatase function is compromising our capacity to develop therapeutic agents against phosphatases. In this review, we summarize the roles of serine/threonine protein phosphatases involved in DDR and propose that in situ dephosphorylation of phosphoproteins by protein phosphatases, instead of proteasome-mediated degradation of phosphoproteins, is mainly employed by cells.     

非小细胞肺癌外周血有核细胞miRNA表达特点研究

miRNA在非小细胞肺癌的发生发展中发挥重要作用,为了解非小细胞肺癌患者外周血有核细胞的miRNA表达特征及其作用,采用第二代高通量测序技术对7例非小细胞肺癌患者和7例对照的外周血有核细胞miRNA表达水平进行检测,比较非小细胞肺癌患者与对照的外周血有核细胞miRNA表达特征,分析两者miRNA表达水平差异情况,共鉴定出非小细胞肺癌患者与对照的外周血有核细胞中有显著表达差异的miRNA 209种,其中肺癌样本miRNA表达上调的有138种,表达下调的有71种.研究结果显示非小细胞肺癌患者与对照样本的外周血有核细胞中miRNA表达具有显著差异,其中部分已被证实参与肿瘤发生、发展等过程.     

不同恶化程度胃癌细胞系的细胞间隙连接通讯功能及Cx43表达的差异

以人正常胃黏膜上皮细胞系GES-1和不同恶化程度的人胃癌细胞系(低恶化AGS细胞系、中恶化SGC-7901细胞系、高恶化BGC-823细胞系)为研究对象,采用激光共聚焦显微镜的荧光漂白恢复技术及划痕标记荧光染料示踪技术研究不同恶化程度的胃癌细胞系细胞间隙连接通讯(Gap junctional intercellular communication,GJIC)功能的差异;采用荧光定量PCR技术和间接免疫荧光技术检测间隙连接蛋白(Connexin43,Cx43)基因在mRNA和蛋白水平的表达差异,探求其与胃癌恶性程度的相关性.结果表明,在正常胃细胞系和低、中及高恶化胃腺癌细胞系中,细胞间的GJIC功能随着恶性程度的升高而减弱(AGS、SGC-7901)或消失(BGC-823),且Cx43蛋白及mRNA的表达量随着恶性程度的升高而下调(AGS、SGC-7901)或缺失(BGC-823).这提示胃癌恶性程度与胃癌细胞的GJIC功能显著相关(P<0.05),GJIC在胃癌发生中起重要作用.     

CeO2纳米颗粒对A549细胞的保护作用

探讨了CeO2纳米颗粒对体外培养的人肺腺癌细胞A549的生物效应.使用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)对CeO2纳米颗粒进行了表征,采用噻唑蓝比色法测定了不同质量浓度CeO2纳米颗粒悬液对A549细胞活性的影响,对其抗氧化能力进行了检测,并且测定了30 nm CeO2作用24 h后细胞中的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽(G...