Varying coordination modes and magnetic properties of copper(II) complexes with diazamesocyclic ligands by altering additional donor pendants on 1,5-diazacyclooctane

A series of new diazamesocyclic ligands based on a diazamesocycle, 1,5-diazacyclooctane (DACO), functionalized by additional donor groups--1,5-bis(N-1-methylimidazol-2-ylmethyl)-1,5- diazacyclooctane (L1), 1-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctane (HL2), 1,5-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctane (H2L3), and 1-(N-1-methylimidazol-2-ylmethyl)-1,5-diazacyclooctane (L4)--and their Cu(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the four Cu(II) complexes revealed that L1 forms a five-coordinate mononuclear complex, HL2 a N3- mu-bridged binuclear complex, H2L3 an oxygen mu-bridged trinuclear complex, and L4 a one-dimensional zigzag coordination polymeric complex with Cu(II). [CuL1ClO4](ClO4) (I): a = 12.194(2) A, b = 13.351(3) A, c = 14.473(3) A, beta = 107.10(3) degrees, Z = 4. [CuL2(N3)]2 (II): a = 8.1864(6) A, b = 18.141(2) A, c = 9.3307(7) A, beta = 103.662(6) degrees, Z = 2. [Cu3(L3)2Cl2] (III): a = 10.7296(13) A, b = 13.7707(17) A, c = 13.5523(17) A, beta = 106.350(3) degrees, Z = 2. ([CuL4Cl]2ClO4) infinity (IV): a = 7.279(1) A, b = 23.695(5) A, c = 19.308(4) A, beta = 100.28(3) degrees, Z = 8. All four complexes crystallize in the monoclinic crystal system with the P2(1)/c space group, and each Cu(II) center coordinated with DACO is pentacoordinated with a distorted square-pyramidal or trigonal-bipyrimidal coordination environment. In complex IV, the binuclear cation unit [CuL4Cl]2(2+) constitutes the fundamental building block of an infinite alternating zigzag chain structure, and the binuclear unit contains two types of geometries around the Cu(II) centers: the Cu(1) center is a distorted square-pyramidal environment, while the Cu(2) is a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination environment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first Cu(II) complex of a diazamesocyclic ligand with an infinite polymeric structure. The magnetic properties of complexes II, III, and IV have been investigated by variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements in the solid state. The obtained parameters are 2J = 2.06 cm-1 (II), -345.56 cm-1 (III), and -2.60 cm-1 (IV), which differ greatly from ferromagnetic to weak and strong antiferromagnetic coupling. These results unequivocally indicate that the nature of the pendant arms is a key factor governing the structure and properties of the complexes; therefore, the coordination modes and properties of the metal complexes of a diazamesocycle can be controlled by altering the pendant donors on it. Magneto-structural correlation has been precisely analyzed, and the solution properties of these complexes have also been described.

High-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination and quantitation of arabinosylguanine triphosphate and fludarabine triphosphate in human cells

A gradient anion-exchange high-performance liquid chromatographic assay was developed for the simultaneous determination and quantitation of the cytotoxic triphosphates of arabinosylguanine (ara-GTP) and fludarabine (F-ara-ATP). The method was validated with respect to selectivity, recovery, linearity, precision, and accuracy using authentic standards. To test this assay in a more complex biological matrix, perchloric acid extracts of circulating human leukemia cells spiked with known concentrations of ara-GTP and F-ara-ATP were examined. Finally, to assess the clinical utility of our method, perchloric acid extracts of circulating human leukemia cells isolated from patients treated with fludarabine and nelarabine were analyzed. The range of quantitation was 0.0125-10 nmol for the ara- and native NTPs in cellular extracts. This assay should be helpful in establishing the mechanistic rationales for drug scheduling and combinations of nelarabine and fludarabine, and for correlating the therapeutic efficacy and levels of the cytotoxic triphosphates in target cells.

[Transgenic mice model of human hepatitis B virus x gene]

OBJECTIVE

To set up a human hepatitis B virus x (HBx) gene transgenic model.

METHODS

The model was set up by microinjection, the integration and expression of the founders were identified by molecular hybridization.

RESULTS

A 1,800 bp DNA fragment containing the human HBx promoter and genomic DNA was microinjected into the male pronucleus of the fertilized eggs of mice. Three hundred and thirty-eight eggs survived from microinjection were transplanted into the oviduct of 16 pseudopregnant female, 12 pseudopregnant mice got pregnant and gave birth to 74 pups. Genomic DNA were extracted from the tails of the pups, Southern blot hybridization was used for determination of the integration of human HBx gene. The 1,800 bp microinjected fragment was used as the probe, 17 mice (founders) were identified of the integration of human HBx gene. Total RNA were extracted from the livers of the founders, all 17 founders were identified of the expression of human HBx gene by using Northern blot hybridization.

CONCLUSIONS

These results may provide animal models for studying on the correlation between chronic HBV infection and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

EGF stimulates gastrin promoter through activation of Sp1 kinase activity

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor activation stimulates gastrin gene expression through a GC-rich element called gastrin EGF response element (gERE). This element is bound by Sp1 family members and is a target of the ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) signal transduction cascade. This raised the possibility that Sp1 may be phosphorylated by kinases of this signaling pathway. Erk is capable of phosphorylating other mitogen-inducible transcription factors, e.g., Elk and Sap, suggesting that Erk may also mediate EGF-dependent phosphorylation of Sp1. This possibility was tested by studying Sp1-dependent kinase activity in extracts prepared from EGF-activated AGS cells by use of solid-phase kinase assays and immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled Sp1. The results revealed that Sp1 kinase activity (like gastrin promoter activation) is inhibited by PD-98059 and, therefore, is dependent on mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (Mek 1). However, EGF-dependent activation of endogenous Erk did not account for most of the Sp1 kinase activity, since Erk and additional Sp1 kinase activity analyzed in a solid-phase kinase assay eluted from an ion-exchange column in different fractions. Phosphoamino acid analysis of in vivo radiolabeled Sp1 demonstrated that the kinase phosphorylates Sp1 on Ser and Thr in response to EGF. Therefore, most EGF-stimulated Sp1 kinase activity is Mek 1 dependent and distinct from Erk.

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on the composition of egg yolk lipids

Forty-eight 27-wk-old White Leghorn hens were assigned randomly to four diets containing 0, 1.25, 2.5, or 5.0% conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Hens were fed the CLA diets for 2 wk before eggs were collected for the study. Classes of egg yolk lipids were separated, and fatty acid concentrations in total lipid, triglyceride (TG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylcholine (PC) were analyzed to determine the incorporation of dietary CLA isomers into different classes of egg yolk lipids. The amounts of CLA incorporated into lipid, PC, PE, and TG of egg yolk were proportional to the levels of CLA in the diet. However, more CLA was incorporated in TG than in PC and PE. The incorporation rates of different CLA isomers into different classes of lipids also were significantly different: cis-9, trans-11 and cis-10, trans-12 CLA were deposited more in TG, but cis-11, trans-13 CLA deposition in TG was significantly less. There were large differences in the concentrations of cis-8, trans-10 CLA in PC and PE. The inclusion of CLA into the diet influenced the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The contents of 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic, 9,12-octadecadienoic, and 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acids were decreased as dietary CLA increased. Three isomers of hexadecadienoic acid were found in egg yolk lipids from hens fed 5% dietary CLA. The detection of hexadecadienoic acid isomers in lipid indicates that the utilization of CLA as an energy source after the first round of beta-oxidation may be less favorable than that of 9,12-octadecadienoic acid.

ZBP-99 defines a conserved family of transcription factors and regulates ornithine decarboxylase gene expression

Among transcription factors that regulate ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene expression are those that interact with GC-rich promoters, including Sp1 and ZBP-89. Sp1 functions as a transactivator and ZBP-89 as a transrepressor of both the ODC and gastrin promoters. This study reports the cloning and characterization of a second member of the ZBP family that also binds GC boxes. ZBP-99 contains four Krüppel-type zinc fingers that collectively share 91% amino acid sequence similarity and 79% sequence identity with those found in ZBP-89. In addition, there are highly conserved amino acid sequences in the carboxy-terminal segments of the two genes. In spite of their structural similarities, the two proteins are encoded at distinct loci, ZBP-89 on chromosome 3q21 and ZBP-99 on 1q32.1. The predicted open reading frame of ZBP-99 cDNA encodes a 99-kDa protein. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that ZBP-99 protein specifically binds to the GC-rich promoter elements of gastrin and ODC genes. Northern blot analysis showed that a major ZBP-99 transcript of 5.6 kb is expressed ubiquitously at low levels, with elevated expression levels in placenta and in adult kidney, liver, and lymphocytes. Cotransfection of AGS gastric adenocarcinoma and HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma cells with a ZBP-99 expression construct and with an ODC reporter construct show that ZBP-99 repressed basal expression in the two cell lines by 80 and 60%, respectively. Collectively, the data suggest that ZBP-99 binds GC-rich promoters and may complement the activities mediated by ZBP-89.

Comparative analysis of HPLC profile of cytosolic thymidine kinase activity between hepatoma and regenerating liver in rat with reference to phosphorylation

Thymidine kinase (TK) activity in rat hepatoma JB1 and AH136B was mainly due to cytosolic TK and was much higher than that in rat regenerating liver. Two forms of cytosolic TK, designated as TK-I and TK-II, were revealed in addition to mitochondrial TK in anion-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of the enzyme extract from hepatoma JB1. During incubation of the enzyme extract at 20 degrees C in the presence of phosphatase inhibitor NaF, TK-II activity remained while TK-I activity almost disappeared. Thus, TK-II appeared to be more stable than TK-I. In Western blot analysis, TK-II was much more phosphorylated and exhibiting higher specific activity than TK-I. Meanwhile, regenerating liver derived from the rat 24 h after partial hepatectomy showed only TK-I activity, which completely disappeared after incubation at 20 degrees C even in the presence of NaF. Consequently, the presence of TK-II might account for the higher TK activity in hepatomas than in regenerating liver.

A new monoclonal anti-idiotypic catalytic antibody with a CPA-like activity

IIF9D8, a new monoclonal anti-idiotypic catalytic antibody with a CPA esterase-like activity was elicited by ID11D7, the monoclonal competitive inhibitory antibody to CPA. The hydrolysis of hippuryl-DL-phenyllactic acid by McAb IIF9D8 follows the Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The Km value and kcat are 0.036 M and 0.598 min(-1), respectively, and the rate acceleration (kcat/kuncat) is 30500. Compared with the previous McAb 32C3 induced by polyclonal antibodies to CPA, McAb IIF9D8 shows higher catalytic efficiency The catalytic antibodies with the catalytic properties similar to natural enzymes could be obtained by this approach.

[Serum levels of levonorgestrel during long-term use of Norplant]

OBJECTIVE

(1) Assessment of longest effective contraceptive duration of Norplant (containing levonorgestrel, LNG) by serum levonorgestrel levels. (2) To observe the possible relationships between the serum LNG levels of long-term use (5 years) and body weight.

METHODS

To determine serum LNG levels in 230 women among 1,356 cases at various intervals between 1 and 11 years after implantation using RIA kits provided by WHO.

RESULTS

The average serum levels of LNG in users of Norplant at the 1st, 3rd, 5th years were 1,273.5, 924.0 and 739.6 pmol/L respectively. From the 5th to 7th years average serum LNG levels showed almost a linear decline, and from the 7th through 10th year it did not show much changes. The average serum LNG level was (511.1 +/- 209) pmol/L. A significant negative correlation was found between serum LNG levels and body weight at the 5th years.

CONCLUSION

One set of Norplant implants may provide effective contraception for 8-10 years in women with body weights less than 60 kg.

Immunolabeling of the major cell surface protein antigen of Streptococcus sobrinus with monoclonal antibody

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the accessibility of monoclonal antibody (McAb), specific for the major cell surface protein antigen (PAg) of Streptococcus sobrinus, to the surface of its native epitopes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An indirect immunogold labeling technique was used to detect the reaction of McAb with S. sobrinus 6715. The reactions of polyclonal antibodies (PcAbs) against S. sobrinus 6715 or PAg with S. sobrinus 6715, S. mutans Ingbritt C and S. rattus BHT were studied as controls.

RESULTS

The results indicated that PAg was localized on the outer cell surface of S. sobrinus, and McAb was reactive with only a few epitopes of the cell surface, whereas PcAbs were found to be reactive with more epitopes.

CONCLUSIONS

McAb was specific for the PAg, but there was cross-reaction with S. mutans. Also there seemed to be an association between the fuzzy coat on the surface of S. sobrinus and PAg.

Suppression of inducible cyclooxygenase 2 gene transcription by aspirin and sodium salicylate

The pharmacological action of salicylate cannot be explained by its inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity. In this report, the effects of aspirin and sodium salicylate on COX-2 expressions in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and foreskin fibroblasts were evaluated. Aspirin and sodium salicylate at therapeutic concentrations equipotently blocked COX-2 mRNA and protein levels induced by interleukin-1beta and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The suppressing effect was more pronounced in cultured cells deprived of fetal bovine serum for 24 h, suggesting that it may be cell cycle related. Salicylate inhibited nascent COX-2 transcript synthesis but had no effect on COX-2 mRNA stability. It inhibited COX-2 promoter activity in a concentration-dependent manner. In mice pretreated with aspirin (10 and 30 mg/kg), followed by challenge with lipopolysaccharide, COX-2 mRNA expression in peritoneal macrophages was markedly suppressed. These findings suggest that salicylate exerts its antiinflammatory action in part by suppressing COX-2 induction, thereby reducing the synthesis of proinflammatory prostaglandins.

[Skeletal metastasis pattern in non-small cell lung cancer and its related factors.]

BACKGROUND

To study the pattern of skeletal metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer and its associated factors.

METHODS

Six hundreds and thirty-eight patients with non-small cell lung cancer pathologically proved were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The percentage of skeletal metastasis was 35. 3 % in 638 cases. Multiple metastasis accounted for 201 cases. The sites of metastatic lesions for each patient was 3. 4. There was highly significant difference in different site of skeletal metastasis , for instance , thorax , spine , pelvis , limbs and skull in order of incidence ( P < 0. 005) . Bone metastasis rate of adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma groups was remarkably higher than that of squamous cell carcinoma ( P < 0. 005) , which was highly significant higher in stage III - IV than that in stage I - II ( P < 0. 005) . The rate in patients with lower-differentiated lung cancer was also highly significant higher than those with well-differentiated cancer ( P < 0. 005) .

CONCLUSIONS

Skeletal metastasis is frequent in patients with lung cancer. Bone imaging should be performed routinely in all lung cancer patients , and it is helpful to estimate the stage and to make the therapeutic arrangement of lung cancer.

Effects of monoclonal antibody on colonization of Streptococcus sobrinus and development of dental caries in rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of local application of monoclonal antibody (McAb) raised against the 210KD cell surface protein antigen (PAg) of Streptococcus sobrinus on the colonization of rats' teeth and the development of dental caries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: group 1 received McAb against PAg; group 2 received unrelated mice ascites; group 3 received pure buffered saline. The bacteria were applied 6 times to the occlusal surfaces of molars and to the labial surfaces of incisors. After three applications, streptomycin-resistant S. sobrinus 6715 was applied to the teeth and the rats were fed with caries-inducing diet 2000. The number of colonized S. sobrinus was counted on the streptomycin-supplemented mutans streptocci agar and expressed as a percentage of the total colonies on BHI agar. The presence of caries was examined and scored following Keyes' procedure.

RESULTS

There were significantly lower levels of colonization by S. sobrinus on rats' teeth and lower mean caries scores on the teeth treated with McAb compared with those in the control groups.

CONCLUSION

Local passive immunization with McAb against PAg may be an effective way to prevent colonization by implanted S. sobrinus and development of dental caries.

Sp1 phosphorylation by Erk 2 stimulates DNA binding

EGF stimulates gene expression through a variety of signal transduction pathways that include the ras-Erk pathway. We have shown previously that EGF receptor activation stimulates gastrin gene expression through a GC-rich element called gERE. This element binds Sp1 family members and raises the possibility that the ras-Erk signal transduction cascade may target this novel EGF responsive element. Moreover, it is known that Erk 2 is capable of phosphorylating other mitogen-inducible transcription factors, e.g., Elk, Sap suggesting that Erk may also inducibly phosphorylate Sp1. To test this hypothesis directly using cotransfection experiments, we show that ras and Erk 2 activation indeed target the gERE element. The Mek 1 kinase inhibitor, PD98059, blocks 50% of EGF-inducible gastrin promoter activity. Pretreatment of the extracts with recombinant Erk2 stimulated Sp1 binding; whereas dephosphorylation reduced but did not eliminate Sp1 binding. Together, these studies demonstrate the novel finding that inducible binding of Sp1 is regulated by its state of phosphorylation. Further, gastrin promoter activation is mediated in part by the ras-Erk signaling cascade that targets Sp1.

[A pathological study on pulmonary fibrosis caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the morphologic characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) induced pulmonary fibrosis.

METHODS

41 autopsy cases of COPD were chosen as the study group and other 10 autopsy cases died from non-respiratory diseases as control group. Histochemical stain and image quantitative analysis were used to identify the type of collagen.

RESULTS

In 36 cases (88%) of study group, fibrosis proliferation could be seen in peri-bronchial area, especially in the bronchi under grade VI. Respiratory bronchiole and alveoli were also involved in 11 cases. The main component of collagen in fibrosis area was identified as type III collagen by sirius red stain, reticular fiber could also be seen by Gomori stain. The type III collagen in alveoli distributed interruptedly. Image quantitative analysis showed: the integral optical density (A) of type III collagen was much higher than that of type I collagen in peri-bronchial area (P < 0.01); Both A of type III and type I collagen in peri-bronchial area were higher than that in alveolar area (P < 0.01). Mucous purulent plugs, interrupted elastic fibers in bronchial wall and chronic inflammation accompanied with lymphocytes infiltration in fibrosis area could also be seen.

CONCLUSIONS

COPD induced pulmonary fibrosis distributed mainly in peri-bronchial area, especially in the bronchi under grade VI. The main component of proliferative collagen was type III collagen. The genesis of pulmonary fibrosis might be associated with chronic inflammation accompanied with lymphocytes. Peri-bronchial fibrosis, interrupt of elastic fibers in bronchial wall caused the bronchial lumen narrowed or collapsed making both airway obstruction and ventilation insufficiency deteriorated.

Imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis in the development of colorectal carcinoma

To evaluate the relationship between cell proliferation and apoptosis in sporadic colorectal carcinogenesis, immunohistochemistry for proliferation-associated antigen Ki-67 and in situ end labelling for identifying apoptotic bodies were performed on paraffin sections from 59 adenomas and 22 carcinomas. These results were correlated with the expression of the proliferation and apoptosis modulators Bcl-2 and p53. Carcinomas showed increased proliferation and apoptosis compared with adenomas (P<0.0001, P<0.001, respectively). There were positive linear correlations between proliferation and apoptosis in adenomas and carcinomas (P<0.02, P<0.05, respectively). The proliferative rate increased significantly from mild to moderate, and from moderate to severe dysplasia (P<0.002, P<0.001, respectively). Apoptotic rate also increased in this sequence, but the increases did not reach statistical significance (both P>0.05). Expression of Bcl-2 was associated with lower apoptotic rate in adenomas (P<0.025) but not in carcinomas (P>0.25), whereas p53 expression was correlated with higher proliferative rate in both adenomas and carcinomas (P<0.01, P<0.05, respectively). An inverse relationship between Bcl-2 and p53 expression was seen in both adenomas and carcinomas (P<0.05, P<0.005, respectively). These data suggest that the normal balance between proliferation and apoptosis is disturbed in colorectal carcinogenesis, both being increased, but proliferation occurs in excess. Bcl-2 and p53 may each play a role in modulating cell apoptosis or proliferation during the development of colorectal carcinoma.

[Crackle detection and classification based on matched wavelet transform]

In this paper, we present a method for crackle detection which is based on 'matched' wavelet transform. We first modeled crackles as a mathematical function. Then we designed a matched mother wavelet based on this model. Applying a soft-threshold to the results of the continuous wavelet transform to suppress noise further, we obtained the optimal scale Crackles were detected based on the envelope of the signal at optimal scale, and could be classified based on energy distribution with scale. The theory, methods and experimental results are given in detail.

The anesthetic isoflurane decreases ionized calcium and increases parathyroid hormone and osteocalcin in cynomolgus monkeys

The effects of anesthetics on calcium metabolism in cynomolgus monkeys were studied. Eight adult female cynomolgus monkeys were used in a crossover design. Blood was collected from each of the monkeys at four timepoints: (1) while conscious; (2) following induction of anesthesia with ketamine, ketamine and atropine, isoflurane, or no anesthetic; (3) at 30 min; and (4) 120 min thereafter. Four experiments were performed with a 1 week washout period between sessions, such that each monkey received each treatment. Potassium was lower in anesthetized monkeys than in those that remained conscious. Cortisol, although high, did not differ among anesthetic treatments. Ketamine and ketamine/atropine did not consistently affect ionized calcium or parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations. Isoflurane decreased ionized calcium (0.05 mmol/L), and increased PTH and osteocalcin twofold. The serum inorganic fluoride concentration was higher in monkeys anesthetized with isoflurane than with ketamine/atropine, which may partially account for the decrease in ionized calcium with isoflurane. The increases in PTH and osteocalcin are presumably secondary to the decrease in ionized calcium.

Compound GW506U78 in refractory hematologic malignancies: relationship between cellular pharmacokinetics and clinical response

PURPOSE

In vitro investigations with arabinosylguanine (ara-G) demonstrated potent cytotoxicity to T-lymphoblastoid cell lines. The goals of the present study were to evaluate GW506U78, a prodrug of ara-G, against human hematologic malignancies and to determine its pharmacokinetics in plasma and cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During a phase I multicenter trial of GW506U78, 26 patients were treated at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC). Daily doses between 20 and 60 mg/kg were administered for 5 days. Parallel plasma and cellular pharmacokinetic studies were conducted.

RESULTS

Complete (n=5) or partial remission (n=5) was achieved in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), T-lymphoid blast crisis, T-lymphoma, and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) (n=13). In contrast, patients with B-ALL, B-lymphoma, acute myelogenous leukemia (AMI), or T-CLL did not respond. Peak plasma concentrations of GW506U78 and ara-G were dose-dependent. The elimination of GW506U78 (half-life [t1/2]=17 minutes) was faster than the elimination of ara-G (t1/2=3.7 hours). Median peak concentrations of ara-GTP were 23, 42, 85, and 93 micromol/L at 20, 30, 40, and 60 mg/kg, respectively. T-lymphoblasts accumulated significantly (P=.0008) higher peak arabinsylguanosine triphosphate (ara-GTP) (median, 140 micromol/L; n=7) compared with other diagnoses (median, 50 micromol/L; n=9) and normal mononuclear cells (n=3). The ara-GTP elimination was slow in all diagnoses (median, > 24 hours). Responders accumulated significantly (P=.0005) higher levels of ara-GTP (median, 157 micromol/L) compared with patients who failed to respond (median, 44 micromol/L).

CONCLUSION

GW506U78 is an effective prodrug and a potent agent for hematologic malignancies with major efficacy in T-cell diseases. The pharmacokinetics of ara-GTP in leukemia cells are strongly correlated with clinical responses to GW506U78.

Cloning and expression analysis of a novel salicylate suppressible gene, Hs-CUL-3, a member of cullin/Cdc53 family

By using a mRNA differential display technique to search for salicylate suppressible genes, we identified a cDNA in human foreskin fibroblasts, which by GenBankTM DNA data base search shows sequence homology to the recently reported cullin/Cdc53 (CUL) family genes, especially CUL-3. We have cloned the full-length human CUL-3 (Hs-CUL-3) cDNA. It encodes a 768-amino acid polypeptide and has a predicted molecular weight of 88,939. The amino acid sequence of Hs-CUL-3 shows 46% homology to that of its Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog, Ce-CUL-3, and 27 and 23% to that of Hs-CUL-1 and Hs-CUL-2, respectively. Northern blot analysis showed that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate increased the expression of Hs-CUL-3 mRNA in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, and this increase was inhibited by sodium salicylate. Hs-CUL-3 widely expressed in human tissues and its expression in cultured COLO205 colon cancer cells was increased when compared with that in normal colon cells. It is likely that Hs-CUL-3 is involved in cell proliferation control.

[Study on the deletion and mutation of p16 gene in human non-small cell lung cancer.]

BACKGROUND

To study the relationship between the deletion and mutation of p16 gene and clinicopathologic manifestations of human non2small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) .

METHODS

Silver staining PCR-SSCP method of control amount of template DNA was used to detect exon 2 of p16 gene in human NSCLC tissue specimens.

RESULTS

The deletion of p16 gene was identified in 13 out of 40 specimens. Of the 40 specimens , 3 showed a variant band indicative of the mutation. There was significant correlation between the frequency of the deletion and mutation (40 %) and clinicopathologic stage ( P < 0. 05) .

CONCLUSIONS

The deletion and mutation of p16 gene may play an important role in carcinogenesis ,development and metastasis of human NSCLC.