GRP78 Secreted by Colon Cancer Cells Facilitates Cell Proliferation via PI3K/Akt Signaling

Fu, Rong,Yang, Peng,Wu, Hai-Li,Li, Zong-Wei,Li, Zhuo-Yu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.17

Glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is usually recognized as a chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum. However, increasing evidence indicates that GRP78 can be translocated to the cell surface, acting as a signaling receptor for a variety of ligands. Since little is known about the secretion of GRP78 and its role in the progression of colon cancer we here focused on GRP78 from colon cancer cells, and purified GRP78 protein mimicking the secreted GRP78 was able to utilize cell surface GRP78 as its receptor, activating downstream PI3K/Akt and Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling and promote colon cancer cell proliferation. Our study revealed a new mode of action of autocrine GRP78 in cancer progression: secreted GRP78 binds to cell surface GRP78 as its receptor and activates intracellular proliferation signaling.

Paris polyphylla Smith Extract Induces Apoptosis and Activates Cancer Suppressor Gene Connexin26 Expression

Li, Fu-Rong,Jiao, Peng,Yao, Shu-Tong,Sang, Hui,Qin, Shu-Cun,Zhang, Wei,Zhang, Ya-Bin,Gao, Lin-Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.1

Background: The inhibition of tumor cell growth without toxicity to normal cells is an important target in cancer therapy. One possible way to increase the efficacy of anticancer drugs and to decrease toxicity or side effects is to develop traditional natural products, especially from medicinal plants. Paris polyphylla Smith has shown anti-tumour effects by inhibition of tumor promotion and inducement of tumor cell apoptosis, but mechanisms are still not well understood. The present study was to explore the effect of Paris polyphylla Smith extract (PPSE) on connexin26 and growth control in human esophageal cancer ECA109 cells. Methods: The effects of PPSE on Connexin26 were examined by RT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence; cell growth and proliferation were examined by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results: PPSE inhibited the growth and proliferation on esophageal cancer ECA109 cells, while increasing the expression of connexin26 mRNA and protein; conversely, PPSE decreased Bcl-2 and increased Bad. Conclusion: This study firstly shows that PPSE can increase connexin26 expression at mRNA and protein level, exerting anti-tumour effects on esophageal cacner ECA109 cells via inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing cell apoptosis.

Microstructural Evolution and Dynamic Recrystallization Behavior of the Homogenized 2195 Al–Li Alloy During Hot Deformation

Rong Fu,Yuanchun Huang,Yu Liu,Hui Li 대한금속·재료학회 2023 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.29 No.9

The thermal deformation behavior in homogenized 2195 Al–Li alloy was studied at different deformation temperatures(370–520 °C and strain rates (0.001–1 s−1). The flow stress decreases with decreasing strain rate or increasing temperature. The significant decrease in flow stress from 370 to 420 °C is related to the fact that movements of dislocations and (sub)grain boundaries at low temperatures are hindered by the dynamic precipitation of numerous fine secondary phases (mainlyAl2CuLi(T1) phases). Meanwhile, it was found that flow localization regions appear in the microstructure at 370 °C/1 s−1. Besides, DRX and DRV increase with decreasing lnZ (Zener–Hollomon parameter) values, particularly for lnZ values lessthan 26.32 (520 °C/0.1 s−1). The DRX mechanism was discussed for different lnZ based on the variation of misorientationangle and the characteristics of different DRXs. The DDRX is dominant when lnZ ≥ 30.70; CDRX and DDRX dominate at30.70 > lnZ > 26.32; CDRX mainly occurs at lnZ ≤ 26.32; when lnZ value decreases to 21.72, DRX grains with the characteristicsof CDRX and GDRX appear.

Hyperin Extracted from Manchurian Rhododendron Leaf Induces Apoptosis in Human Endometrial Cancer Cells Through a Mitochondrial Pathway

Li, Fu-Rong,Yu, Feng-Xiu,Yao, Shu-Tong,Si, Yan-Hong,Zhang, Wei,Gao, Lin-Lin Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.8

Background: A number of effective prevention measures have been introduced in attempts to substantially reduce both the incidence and mortality due to many kinds of cancer. The search for new anti-cancer compounds in foods or in plant medicines is one realistic and promising approach to prevention. Chinese medicines provide a rich pool of novel and efficacious agents for cancer prevention and treatment. Previously it was demonstratrated that hyperin extracted from the Manchurian rhododendron leaf reduces the proliferation of many cancer cells. The present study was carried out to evaluate its effects on human endometrial cancer cell viability and apoptosis and to investigate its mechanisms of action in RL952 cells. Methods: Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. Intracellular calcium ions were detected using laser-scanning confocal microscopy. The effects of hyperin on apoptosis related proteins in RL952 cells were examined using Western blot analysis. Results: The growth of RL952 cells was inhibited by treatment with hyperin. OD values of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were increased and expression of bcl-2 was increased and bax was decreased in protein levels in RL952 cells after 24 h of hyperin treatment, Moreover, intracellular calcium accumulation occurred in hyperin-treated cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that hyperin may play an important role in tumor growth suppression by inducing apoptosis in human endometrial cells via a $Ca^{2+}$-related mitochondrion apoptotic pathway in RL952 cells.

Bond Distortion and Electron States in Charged $C_{60}{^2-}$

Fu, Rong-Tang,Fu, Rou-Li,Lee, Kee-Hag,Sun, Xin,Ye, Hong-Juan Korean Chemical Society 1993 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.14 No.6

By considering both electron-electron and electron-lattice interactions, the effect of charge transfer on the bond structure and electronic states of $C_{60}$ is studied without configuration limitation. The results show that the electron-electron interaction does not eliminate the layer structure of the bond distortion and the self-trapping of transferred electrons. For charged ${C_{60}}^{2-}$, there exist two localized electronic states, which possess laminar wave functions, and four nonequivalent groups of carbon atoms, which induce a fine-structure in the NMR spectrum line.

Localization of QTLs for Husk Proportion and Lignin Content Using a High-Density Genetic Linkage Map of Brassica napus

Fu You Fu,Lie Zhao Liu,You Rong Chai,Li Chen,Tao Yang,Ai Fen Ma,Cun Ming Qu,Lin Jiang,Zheng Sheng Zhang,Jia Na Li 한국유전학회 2007 Genes & Genomics Vol.29 No.3

Husk proportion (HP) and lignin content (LC) are two important traits of seed quality of B. napus. Efficient selection of these two traits is an important way to improve the seed quality in meal improvement. A set of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of B. napus (GH06 × Zhongyou 821) was used for mapping QTLs of HP and LC in a two-year study in different environments. 509 markers (78 SSR markers, 66 RAPD markers and 365 SRAP markers) were mapped on 26 linkage groups with an average length of 73.96 cM. The map covered a total of 1923 cM, and the average distance between two adjacent markers was 3.78 cM. Analysis of variance of LC and HP indicated that. LC might not be significantly affected by environment (F = 2.96 < 3.02) and HP might be affected by genotype × environment interactions. A total of 15 significant QTLs were detected in eight linkage groups with a LOD threshold value of 2.5 (LR ≥ 11.5) by CIM, explaining 4.99-16.14% of phenotype variation. Some QTLs of LC and HP were detected in near regions of the same linkage groups, such as qLCBB05-6-1 and qLCWZ06-6-1, qLCBB05-10-2 and qLCBB06-10-1 and qLCWZ06-10-2, qHPBB05-9-3 and qHPBB06-9-1, qHPBB05-10-4 and qHPBB06-10-2 and qHPBB06-10-3 and qHPWZ06-10-1. This study indicates that the repeatedly detected QTLs of LC and HP might be major-effect QTLs of LC and HP.

Overexpressing <i>IbCBF3</i> increases low temperature and drought stress tolerance in transgenic sweetpotato

Jin, Rong,Kim, Beg Hab,Ji, Chang Yoon,Kim, Ho Soo,Li, Hong Min,Ma, Dai Fu,Kwak, Sang-Soo Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam. 2017 Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Vol. No.

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Dehydration-responsive element-binding/C-repeat-binding factor (DREB/CBF) proteins regulate the transcription of genes involved in cold acclimation in several species. However, little is known about the physiological functions of CBF proteins in the low temperature-sensitive crop sweetpotato. We previously reported that the <I>DREB1/CBF-like</I> sweetpotato gene <I>SwDREB1/IbCBF3</I> is involved in responses to diverse abiotic stresses. In this study, we confirmed that IbCBF3 is localized to the nucleus and binds to the C-repeat/dehydration-responsive elements (CRT/DRE) in the promoters of cold-regulated (<I>COR</I>) genes. We generated transgenic sweetpotato plants overexpressing <I>IbCBF3</I> under the control of the CaMV 35S promoter (referred to as SC plants) and evaluated their responses to various abiotic stresses. <I>IbCBF3</I> expression was dramatically induced by cold and drought but much less strongly induced by high salinity and ABA. We further characterized two SC lines (SC3 and SC6) with high levels of <I>IbCBF3</I> transcript. The SC plants displayed enhanced tolerance to cold, drought, and oxidative stress on the whole-plant level. Under cold stress treatment (4 °C for 48 h), severe wilting and chilling injury were observed in the leaves of wild-type (WT) plants, whereas SC plants were not affected by cold stress. In addition, the <I>COR</I> genes were significantly upregulated in SC plants compared with the WT. The SC plants also showed significantly higher tolerance to drought stress than the WT, which was associated with higher photosynthesis efficiency and lower hydrogen peroxide levels. These results indicate that IbCBF3 is a functional transcription factor involved in the responses to various abiotic stresses in sweetpotato.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> IbCBF3 binds to CRT/DRE in the promoters of <I>COR</I> genes. </LI> <LI> Overexpression of <I>IbCBF3</I> increases cold and drought stress tolerance in sweetpotato. </LI> <LI> <I>IbCOR</I> expression is higher in <I>IbCBF3</I>-overexpressing sweetpotato than in the WT. </LI> </UL> </P>

Value of PAX1 Methylation Analysis by MS-HRM in the Triage of Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance

Li, Shi-Rong,Wang, Zhen-Ming,Wang, Yu-Hui,Wang, Xi-Bo,Zhao, Jian-Qiang,Xue, Hai-Bin,Jiang, Fu-Guo Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.14

Background: Detection of cervical high grade lesions in patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) is still a challenge. Our study tested the efficacy of the paired boxed gene 1 (PAX1) methylation analysis by methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) in the detection of high grade lesions in ASCUS and compared performance with the hybrid capture 2 (HC2) human papillomavirus (HPV) test. Materials and Methods: A total of 463 consecutive ASCUS women from primary screening were selected. Their cervical scrapings were collected and assessed by PAX1 methylation analysis (MS-HRM) and high-risk HPV-DNA test (HC2). All patients with ASCUS were admitted to colposcopy and cervical biopsies. The Chisquare test was used to test the differences of PAX1 methylation or HPV infection between groups. Results: The specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy for detecting CIN2 + lesions were: 95.6%, 82.4%, and 94.6%, respectively, for the PAX1 MS-HRM test; and 59.7%, 64.7%, and 60.0% for the HC2 HPV test. Conclusions: The PAX1 methylation analysis by MS-HRM demonstrated a better performance than the high-risk HPV-DNA test for the detection of high grade lesions (CIN2 +) in ASCUS cases. This approach could screen out the majority of low grade cases of ASCUS, and thus reduce the referral rate to colposcopy.

Biological Control of Apple Ring Rot on Fruit by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 9001

Li, Yan,Han, Li-Rong,Zhang, Yuanyuan,Fu, Xuechi,Chen, Xinyi,Zhang, Lixia,Mei, Ruhong,Wang, Qi The Korean Society of Plant Pathology 2013 Plant Pathology Journal Vol.29 No.2

Apple ring rot disease, caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea (Moug. ex. Fr) Ces. et de Not., is one of the most important diseases on apple fruits. In this study, strain 9001 isolated from healthy apple fruits from an infested orchard was evaluated for its biocontrol activity against apple ring rot in vitro and in vivo. Strain 9001 showed obvious antagonistic activity to B. dothidea YL-1 when plated on potato dextrose agar. Soaking healthy apples in the bacterial suspensions of strain 9001 prior to artificial inoculation of fungal pathogen resulted in a dramatic decrease in disease incidence when compared to the control. Moreover, either field application in the growth season or postharvest treatment of apples from infected orchards with bacterial suspensions of strain 9001 resulted in significantly reduced disease incidence within the storage period for 4 months at room temperature. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA and the gyrA gene, strain 9001 was identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. These results indicated that B. amyloliquefaciens 9001 could be a promising agent in biocontrol of apple ring rot on fruit, which might help to minimize the yield loss of apple fruit during the long postharvest period.

Research on the Oxidation-Protective Coatings for Carbon/Carbon Composites

Li, He-Jun,Fu, Qian-Gang,Huang, Jian-Feng,Zeng, Xie-Rong,Li, Ke-Zhi Korean Carbon Society 2005 Carbon Letters Vol.6 No.2

Anti-oxidation coatings are the key technique for carbon/carbon (C/C) composites used as the thermal structural materials. The microstructure and oxidation behavior of several kinds of high-performance ceramic coatings for C/C composites prepared in Northwestern Polytechnical University were introduced in this paper. It showed that the ceramic coatings such as SiC, Si-$MoSi_2$, SiC-$MoSi_2$, $Al_2O_3$-mullite-SiC and SiC/yttrium silicate/glass coatings possessed excellent oxidation resistance at high temperatures, and some of these coatings were characterized with excellent thermal shock resistance. The SiC-$MoSi_2$ coating system has the best oxidation protective property, which can effectively protect C/C composites from oxidation up to 1973 K. In addition, the protection and failure reasons of some coatings at high temperature were also provided.