The X protein of hepatitis B virus activates hepatoma cell proliferation through repressing melanoma inhibitory activity 2 gene

In Memory of the Virologist Jianguo Wu, 1957-2022

It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the passing of the virologist Professor Jianguo Wu [...].

A Tribute to Professor Jianguo Wu

It has been a couple of months since Professor Jianguo Wu left us [...].

A family study implicates GBE1 in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders with an estimated heritability of >60%. Family-based genetic studies of ASD have generally focused on multiple small kindreds, searching for de novo variants of major effect. We hypothesized that molecular genetic analysis of large multiplex families would enable the identification of variants of milder effects. We studied a large multigenerational family of European ancestry with multiple family members affected with ASD or the broader autism phenotype (BAP). We identified a rare heterozygous variant in the gene encoding 1,4-ɑ-glucan branching enzyme 1 (GBE1) that was present in seven of seven individuals with ASD, nine of ten individuals with the BAP, and none of four tested unaffected individuals. We genotyped a community-acquired cohort of 389 individuals with ASD and identified three additional probands. Cascade analysis demonstrated that the variant was present in 11 of 13 individuals with familial ASD/BAP and neither of the two tested unaffected individuals in these three families, also of European ancestry. The variant was not enriched in the combined UK10K ASD cohorts of European ancestry but heterozygous GBE1 deletion was overrepresented in large ASD cohorts, collectively suggesting an association between GBE1 and ASD.

Identification of a Seven-lncRNA-mRNA Signature for Recurrence and Prognostic Prediction in Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Based on WGCNA and LASSO Analyses

Abnormal expressions of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and protein-encoding messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are important for the development of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This study developed an lncRNA-mRNA integrated classifier for the prediction of recurrence and prognosis in relapsed childhood ALL by using several transcriptome data. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis revealed that green, turquoise, yellow, and brown modules were preserved across the TARGET, GSE60926, GSE28460, and GSE17703 datasets, and they were associated with clinical relapse and death status. A total of 184 genes in these four modules were differentially expressed between recurrence and nonrecurrence samples. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis showed that seven genes constructed a prognostic signature (including one lncRNA: LINC00652 and six mRNAs: INSL3, NIPAL2, REN, RIMS2, RPRM, and SNAP91). Kaplan-Meier curve analysis observed that patients in the high-risk group had a significantly shorter overall survival than those of the low-risk group. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that this signature had high accuracy in predicting the 5-year overall survival and recurrence outcomes, respectively. LINC00652 may function by coexpressing with the above prognostic genes (INSL3, SNAP91, and REN) and lipid metabolism-related genes (MIA2, APOA1). Accordingly, this lncRNA-mRNA-based classifier may be clinically useful to predict the recurrence and prognosis for childhood ALL. These genes represent new targets to explain the mechanisms for ALL.

The importance of melanoma inhibitory activity gene family in the tumor progression of oral cancer

Oral squamous cell carcinoma has a high potential for locoregional invasion and nodal metastasis. Consequently, early detection of such malignancies is of immense importance. The melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) gene family comprises MIA, MIA2, transport and Golgi organization protein 1 (TANGO), and otoraplin (OTOR). These members of the MIA gene family have a highly conserved Src homology 3 (SH3)-like structure. Although the molecules of this family share 34-45% amino acid homology and 47-59% cDNA sequence homology, those members, excluding OTOR, play different tumor-associated functions. MIA has a pivotal role in the progression and metastasis of melanoma; MIA2 and TANGO have been suggested to possess tumor-suppressive functions; and OTOR is uniquely expressed in cochlea of the inner ear. Therefore, the definite functions of the MIA gene family in cancer cells remain unclear. Since the members of the MIA gene family are secreted proteins, these molecules might be useful tumor markers that can be detected in the body fluids, including serum and saliva. In this review, we described the molecular biological functions of the MIA gene family in oral cancer.

Tumor suppressive effect of PARP1 and FOXO3A in gastric cancers and its clinical implications

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase1 (PARP1) has been reported as a possible target for chemotherapy in many cancer types. However, its action mechanisms and clinical implications for gastric cancer survival are not yet fully understood. Here, we investigated the effect of PARP1 inhibition in the growth of gastric cancer cells. PARP1 inhibition by Olaparib or PARP1 siRNA could significantly attenuate growth and colony formation of gastric cancer cells, and which were mediated through induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest but not apoptosis. FOXO3A expression was induced by PARP1 inhibition, suggesting that FOXO3A might be one of downstream target of the PARP1 effect on gastric cancer cell growth. In addition, by performing tissue microarrays on the 166 cases of gastric cancer patients, we could observe that the expression status of PARP1 and FOXO3A were significantly associated with overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). Strikingly, combined expression status of PARP1 and FOXO3A showed better prediction for patient's clinical outcomes. The patient group with PARP1+/FOXO3A− expression had the worst prognosis while the patient group with PARP1−/FOXO3A+ had the most favorable prognosis (OS: P = 6.0 × 10⁻⁹, RFS: P = 2.2 × 10⁻⁸). In conclusion, we suggest that PARP1 and FOXO3A play critical roles in gastric cancer progression, and might have therapeutic and/or diagnostic potential in clinic.

A label-free hemin/G-quadruplex DNAzyme biosensor developed on electrochemically modified electrodes for detection of a HBV DNA segment

A label-free biosensor based on Au/G–CMWCNTs-GCE was proposed for the detection of a HBV DNA segment with a low LOD.

Quasispecies structure, cornerstone of hepatitis B virus infection: Mass sequencing approach

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus with complex replication, and high replication and mutation rates, leading to a heterogeneous viral population. The population is comprised of genomes that are closely related, but not identical; hence, HBV is considered a viral quasispecies. Quasispecies variability may be somewhat limited by the high degree of overlapping between the HBV coding regions, which is especially important in the P and S gene overlapping regions, but is less significant in the X and preCore/Core genes. Despite this restriction, several clinically and pathologically relevant variants have been characterized along the viral genome. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches enable high-throughput analysis of thousands of clonally amplified regions and are powerful tools for characterizing genetic diversity in viral strains. In the present review, we update the information regarding HBV variability and present a summary of the various NGS approaches available for research in this virus. In addition, we provide an analysis of the clinical implications of HBV variants and their study by NGS.

Hepatitis B virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma

Many factors are considered to contribute to hepatitis B virus (HBV) associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including products of HBV, HBV integration and mutation, and host susceptibility. HBV X protein (HBx) can interfere with several signal pathways that associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis, and the impact of HBx C-terminal truncation in the development of HCC has been implicated. Recent studies by advanced sequencing technologies have revealed recurrent HBV DNA integration sites in hepatoma cells and susceptible genes/SNPs play an important role in the pathogenesis of liver cancer. Epigenetic changes, immune and inflammatory factors are also important contributing factors for liver cancer. This mini-review provides an overview on the recent development of HBV induced HCC.

Protumoral roles of melanoma inhibitory activity 2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The role of melanoma inhibitory activity 2 (MIA2) was examined in human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

METHODS

MIA2 role was examined by immunohistochemistry of human OSCCs and knockdown studies using human 3 OSCC cell lines with MIA2 expression.

RESULTS

MIA2 expression was observed in 62 (66.7%) of 93 OSCCs and was associated with tumour expansion and nodal metastasis. Melanoma inhibitory activity 2 expression was inversely correlated with intratumoral infiltration of lymphocytes. Invasion and anti-apoptotic survival were reduced by MIA2 knockdown in HSC3 cells. MOLT-3 lymphocytes infiltrating the HSC3 cell layer was enhanced by MIA2 knockdown or MIA2 depletion with the antibody. In HSC3 cells, MIA2 knockdown decreased the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF-C, and VEGF-D. The downregulation of VEGF-C and -D was caused by inhibition of p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, respectively. Melanoma inhibitory activity 2 was co-precipitated with integrin α4 andα5 in HSC3 cells. Integrin α4 knockdown decreased p38 phosphorylation and increased apoptosis, whereas integrin α5 knockdown decreased c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation and apoptosis. Inhibition of JNK decreased apoptosis in the HSC3 cells.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the roles of MIA2 might be based on the variety of the integrins and the subtypes of mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Hepatitis B virus X protein up-regulates tumor necrosis factor-α expression in cultured mesangial cells via ERKs and NF-κB pathways

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx) on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) and the underlying intracellular signal pathways.

METHODS

The plasmid pCI-neo-X that carries the X gene of hepatitis B virus was transfected into cultured GMCs. HBx expression in the transfected GMCs was assessed by Western-blot. TNF-α protein and mRNA were assessed by ELISA and semi-quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. Three kinase inhibitors-U0126, an inhibitor of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs); lactacystin, an inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB); and SB203580, a selective inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase (p38 MAPK) were used to determine which intracellular signal pathways may underlie the action of HBx on TNF-α expression in transfected GMCs.

RESULTS

A significant increase in HBx expression in pCI-neo-X transfected GMCs was detected at 36 h and 48 h, which was not affected by any of those kinase inhibitors mentioned above. A similar increase in the expression of both TNF-α protein and mRNA was also observed at 36 h and 48 h, which was significantly decreased in the presence of U0126 or lactacytin, but not SB203580.

CONCLUSIONS

HBx upregulates TNF-α expression in cultured GMCs, possibly through ERKs and NF-κB pathway, but not p38 MAPK pathway.