RNF38 inhibits osteosarcoma cell proliferation by binding to CRY1

The interplay between the PI3K/AKT pathway and circadian clock in physiologic and cancer-related pathologic conditions

The circadian clock is responsible for the regulation of different cellular processes, and its disturbance has been linked to the development of different diseases, such as cancer. The main molecular mechanism for this issue has been linked to the crosstalk between core clock regulators and intracellular pathways responsible for cell survival. The PI3K/AKT signalling pathway is one of the most known intracellular pathways in the case of cancer initiation and progression. This pathway regulates different aspects of cell survival including proliferation, apoptosis, metabolism, and response to environmental stimuli. Accumulating evidence indicates that there is a link between the PI3K/AKT pathway activity and circadian rhythm in physiologic and cancer-related pathogenesis. Different classes of PI3Ks and AKT isoforms are involved in regulating circadian clock components in a transcriptional and functional manner. Reversely, core clock components induce a rhythmic fashion in PI3K and AKT activity in physiologic and pathogenic conditions. The aim of this review is to re-examine the interplay between this pathway and circadian clock components in normal condition and cancer pathogenesis, which provides a better understanding of how circadian rhythms may be involved in cancer progression.

Detection of genetic variation in bovine CRY1 gene and its associations with carcass traits

The biological clock (also known as circadian clock) is closely related to growth and development, metabolism, and diseases in animals. As a part of the circadian clock, the cryptochrome circadian regulator 1 (CRY1) gene is involved in the regulation of biological processes such as osteogenesis, energy metabolism and cell proliferation, however, few studies have been reported on the relationship between this gene and animal carcass traits. Herein, a total of four insertion/deletion (InDel) loci within the CRY1 gene were detected in Shandong Black Cattle Genetic Resource (SDBCGR) population (n = 433). Among them, the P1-6-bp-del locus was polymorphic in population of interest. Moreover, the P1-6-bp-del locus showed two genotypes, with a higher insertion/insertion (II) genotype frequency (0.751) than insertion/deletion (ID) genotype frequency (0.249). Correlation analysis showed that the P1-6-bp-del locus polymorphisms were significantly associated with twenty carcass traits (e.g., slaughter weight, limb weight, and belly meat weight). Individuals with II genotype were significantly better than those with ID genotype for eighteen carcass traits. Therefore, the P1-6-bp-del locus of the CRY1 gene can be used as a molecular marker for beef cattle breeding.