Characterization of the human oncogene SCL/TAL1 interrupting locus (Stil) mediated Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling transduction in proliferating mammalian dopaminergic neurons

Prussian blue nanoparticles-enabled sensitive and accurate ratiometric fluorescence immunoassay for histamine

Herein, a nanozyme-mediated ratiometric fluorescence immunoassay for histamine (HA) has been developed. Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) with outstanding peroxidase-like activity were labelled with goat anti-mouse IgG via a facile electrostatic adsorption to yield the nanozyme-antibody conjugate which acted as a bridge to link the ratiometric fluorescence readout with HA concentration. As substrate, o-phenylenediamine (OPD) was oxidized into 2,3-diaminophenazine (oxOPD) by H2O2 under the catalysis of PBNPs, producing a novel emission at 570 nm and quenching the fluorescence of carbon dots (CDs) at 450 nm simultaneously. Under optimal conditions, the ratio of fluorescence intensity at 570 nm and 450 nm (I570/I450) linearly correlated with HA concentration ranging from 1.6 ng/mL to 125 μg/mL, with a detection limit (LOD) of 1.2 ng/mL. In addition, analytical performances including specificity, accuracy and applicability were evaluated, which revealed that this ratiometric fluorescence immunoassay affords an effective platform for sensitive and accurate detection of HA.

STIL: a multi-function protein required for dopaminergic neural proliferation, protection, and regeneration

Degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the brain is the major cause for Parkinson’s disease (PD). While genetic loci and cellular pathways involved in DA neuron proliferation have been well documented, the genetic and molecular and cellular basis of DA cell survival remains to be elucidated. Recently, studies aimed to uncover the mechanisms of DA neural protection and regeneration have been reported. One of the most recent discoveries, i.e., multi-function of human oncogene SCL/TAL interrupting locus (Stil) in DA cell proliferation, neural protection, and regeneration, created a new field for studying DA cells and possible treatment of PD. In DA neurons, Stil functions through the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway by releasing the inhibition of SUFU to GLI1, and thereby enhances Shh-target gene transcription required for neural proliferation, protection, and regeneration. In this review article, we will highlight some of the new findings from researches relate to Stil in DA cells using zebrafish models and cultured mammalian PC12 cells. The findings may provide the proof-of-concept for the development of Stil as a tool for diagnosis and/or treatment of human diseases, particularly those caused by DA neural degeneration.

Recent advances in understanding inheritance of holoprosencephaly

Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a complex genetic disorder of the developing forebrain characterized by high phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. HPE was initially defined as an autosomal dominant disease, but recent research has shown that its mode of transmission is more complex. The past decade has witnessed rapid development of novel genetic technologies and significant progresses in clinical studies of HPE. In this review, we recapitulate genetic epidemiological studies of the largest European HPE cohort and summarize the novel genetic discoveries of HPE based on recently developed diagnostic methods. Our main purpose is to present different inheritance patterns that exist for HPE with a particular emphasis on oligogenic inheritance and its implications in genetic counseling.

STIL balancing primary microcephaly and cancer

Cell division and differentiation are two fundamental physiological processes that need to be tightly balanced to achieve harmonious development of an organ or a tissue without jeopardizing its homeostasis. The role played by the centriolar protein STIL is highly illustrative of this balance at different stages of life as deregulation of the human STIL gene expression has been associated with either insufficient brain development (primary microcephaly) or cancer, two conditions resulting from perturbations in cell cycle and chromosomal segregation. This review describes the recent advances on STIL functions in the control of centriole duplication and mitotic spindle integrity, and discusses how pathological perturbations of its finely tuned expression result in chromosomal instability in both embryonic and postnatal situations, highlighting the concept that common key factors are involved in developmental steps and tissue homeostasis.

Alcohol Regulates Genes that Are Associated with Response to Endocrine Therapy and Attenuates the Actions of Tamoxifen in Breast Cancer Cells

Hereditary, hormonal, and behavioral factors contribute to the development of breast cancer. Alcohol consumption is a modifiable behavior that is linked to increased breast cancer risks and is associated with the development of hormone-dependent breast cancers as well as disease progression and recurrence following endocrine treatment. In this study we examined the molecular mechanisms of action of alcohol by applying molecular, genetic, and genomic approaches in characterizing its effects on estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells. Treatments with alcohol promoted cell proliferation, increased growth factor signaling, and up-regulated the transcription of the ER target gene GREB1 but not the canonical target TFF1/pS2. Microarray analysis following alcohol treatment identified a large number of alcohol-responsive genes, including those which function in apoptotic and cell proliferation pathways. Furthermore, expression profiles of the responsive gene sets in tumors were strongly associated with clinical outcomes in patients who received endocrine therapy. Correspondingly, alcohol treatment attenuated the anti-proliferative effects of the endocrine therapeutic drug tamoxifen in ER-positive breast cancer cells. To determine the contribution and functions of responsive genes, their differential expression in tumors were assessed between outcome groups. The proto-oncogene BRAF was identified as a novel alcohol- and estrogen-induced gene that showed higher expression in patients with poor outcomes. Knock-down of BRAF, moreover, prevented the proliferation of breast cancer cells. These findings not only highlight the mechanistic basis of the effects of alcohol on breast cancer cells and increased risks for disease incidents and recurrence, but may facilitate the discovery and characterization of novel oncogenic pathways and markers in breast cancer research and therapeutics.

Homozygous STIL mutation causes holoprosencephaly and microcephaly in two siblings

Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a frequent congenital malformation of the brain characterized by impaired forebrain cleavage and midline facial anomalies. Heterozygous mutations in 14 genes have been identified in HPE patients that account for only 30% of HPE cases, suggesting the existence of other HPE genes. Data from homozygosity mapping and whole-exome sequencing in a consanguineous Turkish family were combined to identify a homozygous missense mutation (c.2150G>A; p.Gly717Glu) in STIL, common to the two affected children. STIL has a role in centriole formation and has previously been described in rare cases of microcephaly. Rescue experiments in U2OS cells showed that the STIL p.Gly717Glu mutation was not able to fully restore the centriole duplication failure following depletion of endogenous STIL protein indicating the deleterious role of the mutation. In situ hybridization experiments using chick embryos demonstrated that expression of Stil was in accordance with a function during early patterning of the forebrain. It is only the second time that a STIL homozygous mutation causing a recessive form of HPE was reported. This result also supports the genetic heterogeneity of HPE and increases the panel of genes to be tested for HPE diagnosis.