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Biomedical subjects

Yan Ji

Publications and source records attributed to Yan Ji.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Phenotypes of Hereditary Diseases Associated With Rauch-Steindl Syndrome.

PURPOSE: Prenatal phenotypic manifestations of genetic disorders associated with NSD2 variants remain poorly characterized. This study presents our institutional experience with the prenatal diagnosis of NSD2-associated genetic disorders, specifically Rauch-Steindl syndrome (RAUST), aiming to improve understanding of both the molecular and clinical features of RAUST. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of six fetuses and one adult diagnosed with RAUST at our institution and thoroughly reviewed the prenatal ultrasound reports of six fetuses. Prenatal and postnatal phenotypes of RAUST cases were summarized alongside findings from previously published literature. Correlations between NSD2 variant locations, variant types, and phenotypes were analyzed. Additionally, protein modeling was used to visualize structural changes in NSD2 protein before and after C-terminal variants. We integrated single-cell transcriptomic and gene expression data from multiple public databases to investigate spatiotemporal expression patterns of NSD2 during human fetal development. RESULTS: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) was the most prevalent prenatal manifestation in RAUST fetuses, followed by microcephaly. Bilateral renal hypoplasia emerged as a novel prenatal ultrasonographic feature. Postnatally, speech and motor developmental delays were the most commonly reported phenotypes, followed by physical developmental delays and intellectual disability. Genotype-phenotype correlation analysis revealed an association between N-terminal truncating variants in NSD2 and impaired fetal growth parameters. Notably, C-terminal truncating variants-predicted not to directly impact NSD2 functional domains-also exerted disease-causing effects. CONCLUSION: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of prenatal phenotypes in RAUST cases, enriching the prenatal phenotypic spectrum of the disease and facilitating early diagnosis and clinical management of RAUST. Furthermore, our genotype-phenotype correlation findings lay a foundational basis for future research into the complex molecular mechanisms underlying NSD2-associated genetic disorders.

Humans↗

Transcriptomic insights into the molecular mechanism of antifouling agent-induced settlement inhibition in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas.

Marine biofouling remains a persistent challenge to maritime industries and marine ecosystems worldwide. In this study, we systematically evaluated the acute toxicity, settlement inhibitory efficacy, and underlying molecular mechanisms of an N-oleyl-1,3-propanediamine-based antifouling agent using pediveliger larvae of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. The 96 h-LC50 of the agent was determined to be 0.81 mg/L, and exposure to 1.68 mg/L achieved complete larval settlement inhibition without inducing significant acute toxicity. Transcriptomic analysis identified 791 differentially expressed genes, dominated by downregulated genes associated with ribosomal function, translation, cell adhesion, and cytoskeletal organization. The agent exerts its inhibitory effect primarily through the global suppression of protein synthesis, disruption of cell-substrate adhesion and cytoskeletal integrity, and induction of proteotoxic stress responses. These findings reveal a multi-pathway molecular mechanism underlying antifouling agent-induced settlement inhibition in oyster larvae and provide key molecular biomarkers to support the development of eco-friendly antifouling technologies.

Animals↗

Transcriptomic analysis reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibition of Mytilus edulis attachment by biofouling control agents.

This study combined acute toxicity assays, phenotypic quantification, and transcriptomic profiling to systematically investigate the inhibitory effects and molecular regulatory mechanisms of a novel alkylamine-based antifouling agent on survival, byssus secretion, and attachment behavior of juvenile Mytilus edulis. The 96 h-LC50 of the agent to juvenile M. edulis was 8.84 mg/L, and 10 mg/L of the agent completely inhibited mussel attachment within 24 h, significantly reducing byssal thread number, length, and diameter while increasing detachment frequency, resulting in irreversible attachment failure. Transcriptomic analysis identified 2746 differentially expressed genes, which were mainly enriched in pathways including signal transduction, immune defense, stress response, cytoskeleton organization, and protein binding. KEGG and GSEA enrichment revealed that the antifouling agent activated the MAPK stress signaling pathway, disturbed transcriptional regulation, and impaired intracellular homeostasis and cytoskeletal stability, thereby synergistically suppressing the expression of key byssal protein genes including mfp-1 and mfp-3 and ultimately blocking byssus synthesis and adhesion. This study clarifies the multi-pathway molecular mechanism underlying antifouling agent-induced attachment inhibition in M. edulis, and provides core molecular targets and theoretical support for developing efficient, specific antifouling activity, and potentially applicable marine antifouling technologies.

Animals↗

Vitamin D inhibits the formation of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in Nkx3.1;Pten mutant mice.

PURPOSE: Epidemiologic studies have shown that reduced levels of vitamin D represent a major risk factor for prostate cancer. In this report, we have examined the efficacy of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25 D(3)) as a chemopreventive agent using Nkx3.1; Pten mutant mice, which recapitulate stages of prostate carcinogenesis from prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) to adenocarcinoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: 1,25 D(3) (or vehicle) was delivered continuously to Nkx3.1; Pten mutant or control mice for a 4-month period beginning before (precancerous cohort) or after (cancerous cohort) these mice developed PIN. At the conclusion of the study, the mice were analyzed for the occurrence of PIN and/or cancer phenotypes by histologic analyses and immunostaining using known markers of cancer progression in these mice. RESULTS: We found that sustained delivery of 1,25 D(3) to the Nkx3.1; Pten mutant mice resulted in a significant reduction in the formation of PIN while having no apparent effect on the control mice. Furthermore, 1,25 D(3) was maximally effective when delivered before, rather than subsequent to, the initial occurrence of PIN. We further show that this 1,25 D(3)-mediated inhibition of PIN was coincident with up-regulation of vitamin D receptor expression in the prostatic epithelium of the mutant mice, as well as in CASP prostate epithelial cell lines developed from these mice, while having no effect on androgen receptor expression or androgen receptor signaling. CONCLUSION: Our findings show the value of chemoprevention studies using Nkx3.1; Pten mutant mice, particularly for evaluating the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of potential agents and to gain insights about the optimal timing of their delivery. In particular, our study predicts that vitamin D may have differential effects during early-stage versus late-stage disease and that it is more likely to be beneficial if delivered either before the overt manifestation of clinically detectable disease or during the earliest disease stages, rather than in advanced disease. Thus, our findings support the assessment of vitamin D analogues for chemoprevention in clinical trials targeting patients with early-stage disease and also establish molecular markers that can be used in such trials to determine biological activity and to optimize further clinical trials.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Gene expression profiling changes induced by a novel Gemini Vitamin D derivative during the progression of breast cancer.

We investigated gene expression changes induced by a novel Gemini Vitamin D(3) analog, RO-438-3582 (1alpha,25-dihydroxy-20S-21(3-hydroxy-3-methyl-butyl)-23-yne-26,27-hexafluoro-cholecalciferol, Ro3582), in a unique human breast MCF10 model. We used two breast epithelial cell lines from this model, namely MCF10AT1 (Ha-ras oncogene transfected MCF10A, early premalignant) and MCF10CA1a (fully malignant and metastatic derived from the MCF10AT1 line). We analyzed gene expression changes induced by Ro3582 using GeneChip technology, quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, or a gene transcription assay. Interestingly, we found distinct gene expression profile differences between Ro3582-induced response of the early premalignant MCF10AT1 and the malignant and metastatic MCF10CA1a cell lines. Moreover, while the Gemini Vitamin D(3) analog Ro3582 modulated the expression of several Vitamin D target genes such as the 24-hydroxylase, CD14, osteocalcin, and osteopontin in both cell lines, Ro3582 regulated many genes involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis, cell adhesion, invasion, angiogenesis as well as cell signaling pathways, such as the BMP and TGF-beta systems, differently in the two cell lines. The Gemini Vitamin D(3) analog Ro3582 induced more significant gene changes in the early premalignant MCF10AT1 cells than in the malignant metastatic MCF10CA1a cells, suggesting that Gemini Vitamin D(3) analogs may be more effective in preventing the progression of an early stage of breast carcinogenesis than in treating late stage breast cancer.

Apoptosis↗

A novel vitamin D derivative activates bone morphogenetic protein signaling in MCF10 breast epithelial cells.

We investigated the action of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3)], a novel Gemini vitamin D(3) analog Ro-438-3582 [1alpha,25-dihydroxy-20S-21(3-hydroxy-3-methyl-butyl)-23-yne-26,27-hexafluorocholecalciferol (Ro3582)], and a classic vitamin D(3) analog Ro-26-2198 [1alpha,25-dihydroxy-16,23(Z)-diene-26,27-hexafluoro-19-nor-cholecalciferol (Ro2198)] in modulating the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) system in MCF10 immortalized breast epithelial cells. We found that 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3), Ro3582, and Ro2198 all enhanced BMP/Smad signaling by increasing the phosphorylation of receptor-regulated Smads. Ro3582 was more active than Ro2198, but both were considerably more active than 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3.) Ro3582 enhanced BMP/Smad signaling by 1) inducing the phosphorylation of receptor-regulated Smads (Smad1/5), 2) increasing the accumulation of phosphorylated Smad1/5 in the nucleus, and 3) activating BMP-mediated transcription in MCF10 breast epithelial cells. Furthermore, Ro3582 induced the synthesis of BMP-2 and BMP-6 mRNA and protein, and the expression of Smad6 mRNA in MCF10 breast epithelial cells was inhibited by Ro3582. The induction of phospho-Smad1/5 by Ro3582 was inhibited by treatment with the BMP antagonist Noggin, whereas neutralizing antibody to TGF-beta did not block the induction of phospho-Smad1/5 by Ro3582. Treatment with Noggin also blocked the effect of Ro3582 on nuclear accumulation of phospho-Smad1/5 and the induction of BMP-2 and BMP-6 mRNA synthesis. These results indicate that the activation of BMP/Smad signaling by the Gemini vitamin D(3) analog Ro3582 may be through the production of BMP ligands, including BMP-2 and BMP-6, and/or down-regulation of the inhibitory Smad6. This is the first report to show that 1alpha,25(OH)(2)D(3) and its derivatives activate BMP/Smad-specific signaling in human breast epithelial cells.

Antibodies↗

The synthetic triterpenoid CDDO-imidazolide induces monocytic differentiation by activating the Smad and ERK signaling pathways in HL60 leukemia cells.

Synthetic triterpenoids, CDDO (2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oic acid) or CDDO-imidazolide [2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oic acid imidazolide (CDDO-Im)], induce cell differentiation in myeloid leukemia cells but their mechanism of action is not known. CDDO-Im induces monocytic differentiation markers, CD14, and nonspecific esterase in HL60 leukemia cells. We show that CDDO-Im activates the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway and up-regulates CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta, a transcription factor critical for monocytic differentiation. The monocytic differentiation induced by CDDO-Im was partially blocked by the mitogen-activated protein kinase/ERK kinase 1 inhibitor PD98059, suggesting that the mitogen-activated protein kinase-ERK1/2 pathway plays a role in the differentiation induced by CDDO-Im. Furthermore, CDDO-Im activates the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)/Smad signaling pathway. CDDO-Im enhanced the phosphorylation of the receptor-regulated Smads, phospho-Smad3, and phospho-Smad1/5, but not phospho-Smad2, and induced the expression of Smad4. Monocytic differentiation induced by CDDO-Im was blocked by both TGF-beta antibody and the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist Noggin. This indicates that activation of the Smad signaling pathway by triterpenoids is an important mechanism of monocytic differentiation. CDDO-Im induced the synthesis of mRNA for TGF-beta2, BMP6, TGF-beta type II receptor, and BMP type II receptor. CDDO-Im synergized with members of the TGF-beta superfamily or with 1alpha,25(OH)2vitamin D3 (D3) in monocytic differentiation, and the synergistic effect was particularly striking in combination with D3. The combination of triterpenoids and D3 may have a practical use in differentiation therapy of myeloid leukemia as well as for promoting the formation of bone and cartilage.

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 6↗

Pharmacokinetics of dietary phenethyl isothiocyanate in rats.

PURPOSE: Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is a dietary component present in cruciferous vegetables and reported to have chemopreventive properties. Previous reports of PEITC pharmacokinetics have measured total ITC (PEITC and its metabolites) in plasma. Our objective was to examine the dose-dependent pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of unchanged PEITC, as well as its pH- and temperature-dependent stability and its serum protein binding. METHODS: Stability was studied at different pH values at room temperature and 4 degrees C. Protein binding was determined by equilibrium dialysis. For the pharmacokinetics study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with PEITC at doses of 2, 10, 100, or 400 micromol/kg intravenously or 10 or 100 micromol/kg orally. Plasma samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted by WinNonlin and ADAPT II. RESULTS: Phenethyl isothiocyanate was stable in aqueous buffers at pH 7.4 with half-lives of 56.1 and 108 h at room temperature and 4 degrees C, respectively. The free fraction of PEITC in rat serum was 0.019. The clearance (Cl) at a low dose of PEITC (2 micromol/kg) was 0.70 +/- 0.17 L h(-1) kg(-1) with an apparent volume of distribution (Vss) of 1.94 +/- 0.42 L/kg. At higher doses, Cl tended to decrease, whereas Vss increased. Oral bioavailability of PEITC was 115 and 93% at doses of 10 and 100 micromol/kg, respectively. A three-compartment model with Michaelis-Menten elimination and distribution was found to best characterize the plasma concentration profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Phenethyl isothiocyanate is stable in biological samples, with increased stability under refrigerated conditions. It has high oral bioavailability, low clearance, and high protein binding in rats; nonlinear elimination and distribution occur following the administration of high doses. This investigation represents the first report of the pharmacokinetics of dietary PEITC.

Administration, Oral↗

Transport of dietary phenethyl isothiocyanate is mediated by multidrug resistance protein 2 but not P-glycoprotein.

We demonstrated recently that phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a potent anticarcinogen present in cruciferous vegetables, inhibited P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1) and that MRP1 can transport PEITC and/or its metabolites. In this study, we have examined whether PEITC is transported by P-gp and MRP2, two transporters with high expression in human intestine, liver and kidney. Using (14)C-PEITC, no significant difference was observed for the intracellular accumulation of PEITC in human breast cancer MCF-7/sensitive (control) and MCF-7/ADR (P-gp overexpressing) cells at PEITC concentrations of 1, 10 and 50 microM. Moreover, the presence of verapamil or PSC833, two P-gp inhibitors, had no significant effect on the intracellular accumulation of PEITC in P-gp overexpressing MCF-7/ADR and MDA435/LCC6MDR1 cells, indicating that PEITC may not be a substrate for P-gp. In contrast, (14)C-PEITC intracellular accumulation in the kidney epithelial MDCK II/MRP2 cells (transfected with human MRP2) was significantly lower than in the wild-type MDCK II/wt cells at PEITC concentrations of 1, 5, 10 and 50 microM. The presence of MK571, an MRP inhibitor, significantly enhanced (14)C-PEITC accumulation in MDCK II/MRP2 but not MDCK II/wt cells. Furthermore, depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH) following treatment with buthionine sulphoximine, an inhibitor of GSH biosynthesis, significantly increased (14)C-PEITC intracellular accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner. Transcellular transport studies also demonstrated that depletion of intracellular GSH reduced the mean ratio of basal-to-apical transport to apical-to-basal transport of PEITC in MDCK II/MRP2, but not MDCK II/wt cell monolayers. These results indicate that GSH plays an important role in the MRP2-mediated transport of PEITC. The findings provide new information concerning the interactions between PEITC and membrane transporters and suggest the possibility of PEITC interactions with xenobiotics that are MRP2 substrates.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B↗

The rationale for deltanoids in therapy for myeloid leukemia: role of KSR-MAPK-C/EBP pathway.

The evidence for the promising potential for derivatives of Vitamin D (deltanoids) in the treatment of myeloid leukemias is increasing, but currently is not matched by the understanding of the precise mechanisms by which these anti-neoplastic effects are achieved. Unlike solid tumors in which growth retardation by deltanoids appears to result from inhibition of cell proliferation and the promotion of cell death by apoptosis, control of myeloid leukemia proliferation by deltanoids results from the induction of differentiation of the immature myelo-monocytic cells towards functional monocytic cells. We present here the accumulating evidence that a pathway that is initiated by deltanoid activation of Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and leads to monocytic differentiation of human myeloblastic HL60 cells, includes the MEK-ERK and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), their positive and negative regulators and a downstream effector C/EBPbeta. As in other cells, the abundance of VDR protein increases shortly after an exposure of HL60 cells to 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1alpha,25(OH)(2) D(3)). Other early events include a parallel upregulation of kinase suppressor of Ras (KSR-1) and the activation of the ERK MAPK pathway and data suggest that KSR-1 acts to amplify the signal provided by low concentrations of 1alpha,25(OH)(2) D(3). Maintenance of monocytic differentiation may be enhanced by JNK, but diminished by p38, MAPK signaling. Downstream, one of the targets of these pathways is C/EBPbeta, which can directly interact with the promoter for CD14, a gene characteristically expressed in monocytes. Importantly, in freshly obtained acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-M2 cells exposed to PRI-2191, a novel deltanoid with a modified side chain, upregulation of C/EBPbeta paralleled the induction of monocytic differentiation. These data provide a basis for the hypothesis that deltanoid-induced upregulation of C/EBPbeta bypasses the block to granulocytic differentiation in myeloid leukemia cells by redirecting the cells to monocytic differentiation.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Fluorescence and aggregation behavior of poly(amidoamine) dendrimers peripherally modified with aromatic chromophores: the effect of dendritic architectures.

PAMAM dendrimers of the zeroth to fifth generation (G0-5) have been peripherally modified with phenyl, naphthyl, pyrenyl, and dansyl chromophores. Their fluorescence behaviors are strongly affected by the dendritic architectures at different generations. These dendrimers modified with hydrophobic chromphores can self-organize into vesicular aggregates at the low generations G0-3 in water. The size and aggregation number of these vesicles decrease with increasing generation from G0 to G3. Critical aggregation concentration determined by fluorescence spectroscopy reveals that these aggregates can be favorably formed in the order of G3 > G2 > G1. In contrast to the vesicles made from traditional amphiphilic compounds, these dendrimer-based vesicles are very adhesive due to the H-bonding interaction and entanglement of dendritic branches located in the outer layer. A large number of multivesicle assemblies, i.e., "twins" and "quins" consisting of two and five vesicles, were clearly identifiable with transmission electron (TEM) and atomic force microscopy. For the dendrimers with peripheral pyrenyl chromophores, triangle-like vesicles were observed in water. The hydrophobic interphase thickness of the vesicular bilayer is ca. 2.0-3.2 nm determined by fluorescence resonance energy transfer methods, which agrees well with the thickness directly observed with TEM.

Journal Article↗

Syndecan-1 ectodomain regulates matrix-dependent signaling in human breast carcinoma cells.

Syndecan-1 was overexpressed in T47D, MCF-7, or Hs578t human breast carcinoma cell lines, mimicking overexpression observed in carcinomas in vivo. Overexpression of syndecan-1, or its ectodomain alone fused to a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor (GPI-mS1ED), promotes cell rounding in 2D culture. Deletions within the syndecan-1 ectodomain (S1ED) implicate an active site within the core protein between the glycosaminoglycan attachment region and the transmembrane domain. Polyclonal antibodies directed against the ectodomain, or treatment with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein, block activity and revert GPI-mS1ED overexpressing cells to a normal morphology. Extracellular matrix (ECM)-dependent signaling appears to be targeted, as GPI-mS1ED cells attach and spread similarly to control cells in response to E-cadherin engagement, but fail to spread on integrin-dependent ligands. However, integrin-dependent cell attachment, and integrin activation and subsequent FAK phosphorylation are unaffected, suggesting that the syndecan regulates the integration of signaling following matrix adhesion. In 3D culture, where syndecan-1 may have a more critical role in cell behavior, the disrupted signaling leads to poorly cohesive, invasive colonies. Thus, altered matrix-dependent signaling due to increased levels of cell surface syndecan-1 may lead to epithelial cell invasion during early stages of tumorigenesis.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Novel Gemini analogs of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) with enhanced transcriptional activity.

The active form of vitamin D, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)), exerts its effects through regulation of target gene transcription. Configuration at C-20 of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) is important in determining potency, as shown by the high potency of analogs with inverted configuration at C-20 (20-epi compounds). Gemini analogs of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) contain two side chains, combining a C-20-normal with a C20-epi side chain. We studied the potency of analogs combining double (Gemini) side chains with a 23-triple bond and a C-26,27-hexafluoro substitution in either the 20-epi (analog 20R) or 20-normal (analog 20S) side chain. These novel Gemini analogs were 8-50-fold more potent than 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in inducing U937, HL-60G, and THP-1 differentiation and 5-50-fold more potent in inducing transcription from the osteocalcin vitamin D response element or the 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3)-24-hydroxylase (24OHase) promoter. In vivo, following i.p. injection in vitamin D-deficient mice, the 20S analog induced significantly higher levels of calbindin-D(9K) mRNA in intestine, and 24OHase and calbindin-D(28K) in kidney than 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) or analog 20R. Increased potency did not correlate with ligand-receptor binding affinity. In GST-pull down assays using in vitro translated VDR, Gemini analogs showed equivalent (or even attenuated) potency to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in recruiting cofactors DRIP205 and GRIP-1 to VDR. However, Gemini analogs were up to 15-fold more potent than 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in recruiting the same cofactors to VDR in GST-pull down assays using equal amounts of VDR from nuclear extracts of VDR transfected and hormone treated (24 hr) COS-7 cells. Deletion of C-19 in either 20S or 20R Gemini analogs resulted overall in slightly less potent analogs compared to Gemini itself. We conclude that enhanced potency of the novel Gemini analogs is at least partly due to increased metabolic stability of the analogs, resulting in more cofactor binding and elevated levels of transcription.

Animals↗

Retinoblastoma protein and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta are required for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced monocytic differentiation of HL60 cells.

Derivatives of vitamin D (deltanoids) are well known to have the ability to induce differentiation of a variety of malignant cells, including human leukemia cells, but the signaling pathways that lead to such an outcome are unclear. In this study we investigated the role of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) beta in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25D(3))-induced monocytic differentiation of human leukemia HL60 cells. It was found that in this system, pRb is up-regulated within 12 h of exposure to the inducer, and the kinetics of its increase parallel the appearance of the early markers of differentiation, CD14 and monocyte-specific esterase. The increase in pRb expression was accompanied by a similar increase in C/EBPbeta protein, and these two proteins coimmunoprecipitated, suggesting formation of a complex. Oligonucleotides antisense to pRb or C/EBPbeta (but not to C/EBPalpha) or containing the C/EBP-binding sequence ("decoys"), all inhibited 1,25D(3)-induced differentiation. Inhibition of signaling by vitamin D receptor or by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun-NH(2)-terminal kinase pathways using pharmacological inhibitors ZK159222, PD98059, or SP600125, respectively, inhibited pRb and C/EBPbeta expression and differentiation in a coordinate manner. In contrast, inhibition of the p38MAPK pathway by SB202190 potentiated differentiation and the up-regulation of pRb and C/EBPbeta. We suggest that 1,25D(3) may signal monocytic differentiation of HL60 cells in a vitamin D receptor-dependent manner that includes activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun-NH(2)-terminal kinase MAPK pathways, which then up-regulate pRb and C/EBPbeta expression and in turn initiate the differentiation process.

CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta↗

Effect of organic isothiocyanates on breast cancer resistance protein (ABCG2)-mediated transport.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of organic isothiocyanates (ITCs), dietary compounds with chemopreventive activity, on breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP)-mediated transport. METHODS: The effect of 12 ITCs on the cellular accumulation of mitoxantrone (MX) was measured in both BCRP-overexpressing and BCRP-negative human breast cancer (MCF-7) and large cell lung carcinoma (NCI-H460) cells by flow cytometric analysis. The ITCs showing activity in MX accumulation were examined for their effect on MX cytotoxicity, and the intracellular accumulation of radiolabeled phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) was measured in both BCRP-overexpressing and BCRP-negative NCI-H460 cells. RESULTS: ITCs significantly increased MX accumulation and reversed its cytotoxicity in resistant cells, but had a small or no effect in sensitive cells. The effects of ITCs on MX accumulation and cytotoxicity were ITC-concentration dependent. Significant increases in MX accumulation were observed at ITC concentrations of 10 or 30 microM, and significant reversal of MX cytotoxicity was generally observed at ITC concentrations of 10 microM. Intracellular accumulation of radiolabeled PEITC in BCRP-overexpressing cells was significantly lower than that in BCRP-negative cells and was increased significantly by the BCRP inhibitor fumitremorgin C (FTC). CONCLUSIONS: Certain ITCs are BCRP inhibitors and PEITC and/or its cellular metabolite(s) may represent BCRP substrates, suggesting the potential for diet-drug interactions.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Mem↗

[Study on transformation of snowdrop lectin gene to chrysanthemum and aphid resistance of the transgenic plants].

Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in chrysanthemum was studied to prevent the insect pest of aphid (Mizus persicae). The gna gene was successfully transferred into chrysanthemum by leaf dish, and 93 transgenic clones were obtained. The highest transformation frequency 11.21% was achieved on the optimization facts, which were medium YEB with pH5.6, bacterial concentration OD600 = 0.4, precultivation for one day, cocultivation for four days, the cocultivation media supplemented with GA3 0.5 mg/L and leaf explants growed for 45 days. The results from PCR and FQ-PCR analysis confirmed that gna gene was integrated into the genome of chrysanthemum plants. The insect bioassay with aphid showed that the aphid resistance of different transgenic plants was difference, and the rate of aphid population inhibition of them were from 10% to 84% with an average rate of 39.4%. The leaf-extracts from different transgenic plants showed varying actinties in red-blood cell bioassay.

Animals↗

Determination of phenethyl isothiocyanate in human plasma and urine by ammonia derivatization and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is a dietary compound present in cruciferous vegetables that has cancer-preventive properties. Our objective was to develop and validate a novel liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry procedure to analyze PEITC concentrations in human plasma and urine. Following hexane extraction, ammonia was added to samples to derivatize PEITC to phenethylthiourea. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C(18) column with acetonitrile/5 mM formic acid (60:40, v/v) as the mobile phase followed by tandem mass spectrometry detection in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Deuterium-labeled PEITC was used as the internal standard. The detection limit was 2 nM and calibration curves were linear from 7.8 to 2000 nM. The intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation were less than 5 and 10%, respectively. The intra- and inter-day accuracies ranged from 101.0 to 104.2% and from 102.8 to 118.6%, respectively. The recovery from spiked human plasma and urine ranged from 100.3 to 113.5% and from 98.3 to 103.9%, respectively. The assay was used to measure PEITC in plasma and urine samples obtained from subjects after consumption of 100g of watercress. This novel assay represents the first analytical method with the sensitivity and specificity to determine plasma and urine concentrations of PEITC.

Adult↗