No Association Between the USP7 Gene Polymorphisms and Colorectal Cancer in the Chinese Han Population

Li, Xin,Wang, Yang,Li, Xing-Wang,Liu, Bao-Cheng,Zhao, Qing-Zhu,Li, Wei-Dong,Chen, Shi-Qing,Huang, Xiao-Ye,Yang, Feng-Ping,Wang, Quan,Wang, Jin-Fen,Xiao, Yan-Zeng,Xu, Yi-Feng,Feng, Guo-Yin,Peng, Zhi-Ha Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Colorectal cancer (CRC), now the third most common cancer across the world, is known to aggregate in families. USP7 is a very important protein with an important role in regulating the p53 pathway, which is critical for genomic stability and tumor suppression. We here genotyped eight SNPs within the USP7 gene and conducted a case-control study in 312 CRC patients and 270 healthy subjects in the Chinese Han population. No significant associations were found for any single SNP and CRC risk. Our data eliminate USP7 as a potential candidate gene towards for CRC in the Han Chinese population.

Flower cultivation regimes aff ect apocarotenoid accumulation and gene expression during the development of saff ron stigma

Gui-Fen Zhou,Li-Qin Li,Jiemiao Lu,Jing Li,Chong Yao,Peng Sun,Kaohua Liu,Yan Dong,Luping Qin,Xiao-Dong Qian 한국원예학회 2020 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.61 No.3

The quality of commercial saff ron largely depends on apocarotenoid levels. Whether they are aff ected by diff erent fl owercultivation regimes remains unknown. In present study, apocarotenoid levels and the expression profi les of 12 genes relatedto apocarotenoid biosynthesis between fi eld- and indoor-cultivated Crocus sativus L. were analyzed during stigma development. Under both cultivation regimes, apocarotenoid accumulation and gene expression showed similar profi les, fi rstsharply increasing and then gradually decreasing with stigma development, which suggested the coordinated function ofgene expression and apocarotenoid accumulation. However, the rate of increase/decrease varied widely between two blossomregimes at diff erent developmental stages. Based on correlation analysis, βCH1 and ZDS seemed to play a more crucial rolein apocarotenoid accumulation under both cultivation regimes. At anthesis, the total apocarotenoid level in saff ron cultivatedin the fi eld was higher than that cultivated indoors. This may be due to lower gene expression levels in the apocarotenoidpathway, especially βCH1 , ZDS , and CCD2 , and higher CCD4a and NCED expression in the competitive pathway in saff roncultivated indoors than that in the fi eld, which indicated higher conversion in apocarotenoid biosynthesis fl ux from crocinsand picrocrocin synthesis to β-ionone and the ABA biosynthetic branch in saff ron cultivated indoors. These results providevaluable information for modifying planting mode to enhance saff ron quality.

Shortest Path Analyses in the Protein-Protein Interaction Network of NGAL (Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin) Overexpression in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Du, Ze-Peng,Wu, Bing-Li,Wang, Shao-Hong,Shen, Jin-Hui,Lin, Xuan-Hao,Zheng, Chun-Peng,Wu, Zhi-Yong,Qiu, Xiao-Yang,Zhan, Xiao-Fen,Xu, Li-Yan,Li, En-Min Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.16

NGAL (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) is a novel cancer-related protein involves multiple functions in many cancers and other diseases. We previously overexpressed NGAL to analyze its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this study, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) was constructed and the shortest paths from NGAL to transcription factors in the network were analyzed. We found 28 shortest paths from NGAL to RELA, most of them obeying the principle of extracellular to cytoplasm, then nucleus. These shortest paths were also prioritized according to their normalized intensity from the microarray by the order of interaction cascades. A systems approach was developed in this study by linking differentially expressed genes with publicly available PPI data, Gene Ontology and subcellular localizaton for the integrated analyses. These shortest paths from NGAL to DEG transcription factors or other transcription factors in the PPI network provide important clues for future experimental identification of new pathways.

Network Analyses of Gene Expression following Fascin Knockdown in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

Du, Ze-Peng,Wu, Bing-Li,Xie, Jian-Jun,Lin, Xuan-Hao,Qiu, Xiao-Yang,Zhan, Xiao-Fen,Wang, Shao-Hong,Shen, Jin-Hui,Li, En-Min,Xu, Li-Yan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.13

Fascin-1 (FSCN1) is an actin-bundling protein that induces cell membrane protrusions, increases cell motility, and is overexpressed in various human epithelial cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We analyzed various protein-protein interactions (PPI) of differentially-expressed genes (DEGs), in fascin knockdown ESCC cells, to explore the role of fascin overexpression. The node-degree distributions indicated these PPI sub-networks to be characterized as scale-free. Subcellular localization analysis revealed DEGs to interact with other proteins directly or indirectly, distributed in multiple layers of extracellular membrane-cytoskeleton/ cytoplasm-nucleus. The functional annotation map revealed hundreds of significant gene ontology (GO) terms, especially those associated with cytoskeleton organization of FSCN1. The Random Walk with Restart algorithm was applied to identify the prioritizations of these DEGs when considering their relationship with FSCN1. These analyses based on PPI network have greatly expanded our comprehension of the mRNA expression profile following fascin knockdown to future examine the roles and mechanisms of fascin action.

Molecular characterization and functional analysis of two trehalose transporter genes in the cabbage beetle, Colaphellus bowringi

Li Jia-Xu,Cao Zhen,Guo Shuang,Tian Zhong,Liu Wen,Zhu Fen,Wang Xiao-Ping 한국응용곤충학회 2020 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.23 No.3

The trehalose, major blood sugar in insects, enhances stress resistance of diapausing individuals in adverse environment and provides an energy source for reproduction. Trehalose transporters (TRETs) play an important role in transport of trehalose from trehalose-producing tissues, e.g. fat body, to trehalose-consuming tissues. Although studies have shown that trehalose contributes to diapause and reproduction, the function of TRETs in these processes remains unclear. In this work, we cloned two TRET genes, TRET1a and TRET1b, from the cabbage beetle Colaphellus bowringi, which is capable of entering reproductive diapause under long-day conditions. We also analyzed the expression profiles of these two genes and investigated their potential roles in diapause and reproduction. The results suggested that both TRET1a and TRET1b belong to sugar-transporter and major facilitator superfamilies. Interestingly, TRET1a was highly expressed in the fat bodies of diapause-destined (DD) females but TRET1b was predominantly expressed in the ovaries of non-diapause-destined (NDD) females. Hormonal induction indicated that juvenile hormone induced TRET1b but repressed TRET1a at transcriptional levels. Methoprene-tolerant and Krüppel homolog 1 mediated the JH-suppressed TRET1a expression but were not involved in the regulation of TRET1b expression by JH. RNAi of TRET1a in DD females elevated the trehalose content in the fat bodies and suppressed the expression of a couple of genes related to stress resistance, which is a critical diapause trait. Knockdown of TRET1b in NDD females reduced the trehalose content in the ovaries but had no apparent effect on the ovary development and yolk deposition. These data suggest that TRET1a and TRET1b could regulate the trehalose content in specific tissues and may play potential roles in reproductive diapause in the females of C. bowringi. Introduction Diapause is a survival strategy for many insects in adapting to adverse environmental conditions (Tauber and Tauber, 1976; Tougeron, 2019). Diapause is a dynamic successive process that consists of diapause induction, preparation, initiation, maintenance, termination, and post-diapause quiescence (Kostal, 2006). Insects accumulate enormous nutrients such as sugars and lipids to enter diapause during diapause preparation phase (Hahn and Denlinger, 2007, 2011). The trehalose is the major hemolymph sugar in insects. The sugar not only provides source of energy but also protects proteins and cellular membranes from dehydration, desiccation, heat, cold, and oxidation (Elbein et al., 2003; Li et al., 2002; Richards et al., 2002; Wyatt and Kalf, 1957; Yancey, 2005; Zhu et al., 2008). Therefore, trehalose can play roles in reproduction and diapause by mediating energy supply and stress tolerance, respectively (Kamei et al., 2011; Lu et al., 2019; Xu et al., 2009).

Histomorphological study on embryogenesis of the honeybee Apis cerana

Xiao Fen Hu,Li Ke,Zhi Jiang Zeng 한국응용곤충학회 2019 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.22 No.3

As important pollination species, honeybees play substantial impacts on the balance of global ecosystem, including two best-known honeybees Apis mellifera and Apis cerana. Embryogenesis is a fundamental stage of honeybee development and plays important roles in supporting the whole-life developmental process. However, few studies were reported on honeybee embryonic morphology using egg section, possibly due to the fragility of honeybee eggs and the difficulty of making embryonic sections. In this study, we reported a simply equipped method of frozen sectioning and PI (propidium iodide) staining to show the inner structure and cell distribution of A. cerena embryos at the different embryonic developmental stages. We found that the stages of A. cerena embryogenesis could also be typically classified into ten developmental stages, which are similar with the sister honeybee species, A. mellifera. To be noted, besides the cell distribution in the whole egg, we clearly observed the migration route of embryonic cells during the early embryonic development in A. cerena. This study provides a new insight into the whole process of honeybee embryogenesis from the perspective of egg sectioning, a histological basis for genetic manipulation using A. cerena eggs, and a reference method for egg sectioning for other insect species.

Association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Prostaglandin-endoperoxide Synthase 2 (PTGS2) and Phospholipase A₂ Group IIA (PLA2G2A) Genes with Susceptibility to Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Liu, Fen,Wei, Wen-Qiang,Cormier, Robert T.,Zhang, Shu-Tian,Qiao, You-Lin,Li, Xin-Qing,Zhu, Sheng-Tao,Zhai, Yan-Chun,Peng, Xiao-Xia,Yan, Yu-Xiang,Wu, Li-Juan,He, Dian,He, Yan Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.4

Background: The prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and phospholipase A2 group IIA (PLA2G2A) genes encode enzymes that are involved in arachidonic acid and prostaglandin biosynthesis. Dysregulation of both genes is associated with inflammation and carcinogenesis, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We therefore hypothesized that there is an association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these genes and susceptibility to ESCC. Methods: We performed a gene-wide tag SNP-based association study to examine the association of SNPs in PTGS2 and PLA2G2A with ESCC in 269 patients and 269 healthy controls from Taihangshan Mountain, Henan and Hebei Provinces, the rural area of China which has the highest incidence of esophageal cancer in the world. Thirteen tag SNPs in PLA2G2A and 4 functional SNPs in PTGS2 were selected and genotyped using a high-throughput Mass Array genotyping platform. Results: We found a modest increased risk of ESCC in subjects with the PTGS2 rs12042763 AA genotype (OR=1.23; 95% CI, 1.00-3.04) compared with genotype GG. For PLA2G2A, a decreased risk of ESCC was observed in subjects with the rs11677 CT (OR=0.51, 95%CI, 0.29-0.85) or TT genotype (OR=0.51, 95%CI, 0.17-0.96) or the T carriers (CT+TT) (OR=0.52, 95%CI, 0.31-0.85) when compared with the CC genotype. Also for PLA2G2A, rs2236771 C allele carriers were more frequent in the control group (P=0.02). Subjects with the GC (OR=0.55, 95%CI, 0.33-0.93) or CC genotype (OR=0.38, 95% CI, 0.16-0.94) or the C carriers (GC+CC) (OR=0.52, 95%CI, 0.32-0.85) showed a negative association with ESCC susceptibility. Conclusions: Our results suggest that PTGS2 and PLA2G2A gene polymorphisms may modify the risk of ESCC development.

Ginkgolic Acid Suppresses Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Growth by Inducing Apoptosis and Inhibiting AKT/NF-κB Signaling

Yu Xiao,Fen Li,Anyuan Zheng,Qibing Chen,Fuhai Chen,Xiang Cheng,Zezhang Tao 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.8

Even though nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is not common worldwide, it is a major public health burden in endemic areas. Distant metastasis often leads to a poor prognosis for NPC; therefore, new and effective anticancer strategies are needed. Ginkgolic acid (GA) is small-molecule compound existing in Ginkgo biloba that has various biologically relevant activities, including antitumor properties; however, its effects and mechanism of action in NPC are unknown. The effects of GA on NPC and such underlying mechanisms were investigated using 5–8F and CNE2 cells and NP69 human immortalized nasopharyngeal epithelial cells in this study. Moreover, the xenograft models were built to examine GA's effection in vivo. GA treatment decreased the survival and invasive capacity of 5–8F and CNE2 and induced their apoptosis, which varied with dose; this was accompanied by downregulation of B cell lymphoma (Bcl)2, upregulation of Bcl2-associated X protein, and activation of poly-ADP ribose polymerase, and caspase-9/-3. G0/G1 phase arrest was induced by GA in NPCs. It also reduced the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 6 and its regulators cyclin D2 and cyclin D3. GA inhibited the activation of protein kinase B/nuclear factor signaling; this effect was potentiated with GA and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which also enhanced 5-FU-induced apoptosis. In summary, GA may be effective as an adjuvant to conventional chemotherapy drugs in preventing the progression of NPC.

Microarray Analysis of the Hypoxia-induced Gene Expression Profile in Malignant C6 Glioma Cells

Huang, Xiao-Dong,Wang, Ze-Fen,Dai, Li-Ming,Li, Zhi-Qiang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

Hypoxia is commonly featured during glioma growth and plays an important role in the processes underlying tumor progression to increasing malignancy. Here we compared the gene expression profiles of rat C6 malignant glioma cells under normoxic and hypoxic conditions by cDNA microarray analysis. Compared to normoxic culture conditions, 180 genes were up-regulated and 67 genes were down-regulated under hypoxia mimicked by $CoCl_2$ treatment. These differentially expressed genes were involved in mutiple biological functions including development and differentiation, immune and stress response, metabolic process, and cellular physiological response. It was found that hypoxia significantly regulated genes involved in regulation of glycolysis and cell differentiation, as well as intracellular signalling pathways related to Notch and focal adhesion, which are closely associated with tumor malignant growth. These results should facilitate investigation of the role of hypoxia in the glioma development and exploration of therapeutic targets for inhibition of glioma growth.

A comprehensive analysis and comparison between vacuum and electric oven drying methods on Chinese saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

Chong Yao,Xiao-Dong Qian,Gui-Fen Zhou,Shu-Wei Zhang,Li-Qin Li,Qiaosheng Guo 한국식품과학회 2019 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.28 No.2

The red stigmas of saffron are one of the mostexpensive spices in the world and serve as a traditionalChinese medicine. More saffron has been cultivated inChina, and different drying technologies have been studied. However, a comprehensive and comparative analysis ofdifferent drying approaches has not been well studied. Inthis study, we compared electric oven and vacuum ovendrying approaches on saffron. We found saffron was driedquicker under high vacuum drying mode with high temperatureand the quicker drying rate provided, the moreopen microstructural interstices on the saffron surface. Both methods were best fit to Midilli and Kucuk model. Besides, the coloring, aroma and bitterness strength afterdrying showed the similar results. In sum, our data suggestedthe optimal drying temperature was 100 C for20 min for two evaluated methods, however consideringthe machine cost, the electric oven drying would be the firstchoice.