GATA-4 and FOG-2 expression in pediatric ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors replicates embryonal gonadal phenotype: results from the TREP project

Multifaceted Role of PRDM Proteins in Human Cancer

The PR/SET domain family (PRDM) comprise a family of genes whose protein products share a conserved N-terminal PR [PRDI-BF1 (positive regulatory domain I-binding factor 1) and RIZ1 (retinoblastoma protein-interacting zinc finger gene 1)] homologous domain structurally and functionally similar to the catalytic SET [Su(var)3-9, enhancer-of-zeste and trithorax] domain of histone methyltransferases (HMTs). These genes are involved in epigenetic regulation of gene expression through their intrinsic HMTase activity or via interactions with other chromatin modifying enzymes. In this way they control a broad spectrum of biological processes, including proliferation and differentiation control, cell cycle progression, and maintenance of immune cell homeostasis. In cancer, tumor-specific dysfunctions of PRDM genes alter their expression by genetic and/or epigenetic modifications. A common characteristic of most PRDM genes is to encode for two main molecular variants with or without the PR domain. They are generated by either alternative splicing or alternative use of different promoters and play opposite roles, particularly in cancer where their imbalance can be often observed. In this scenario, PRDM proteins are involved in cancer onset, invasion, and metastasis and their altered expression is related to poor prognosis and clinical outcome. These functions strongly suggest their potential use in cancer management as diagnostic or prognostic tools and as new targets of therapeutic intervention.

Bioinformatics analyses and biological function of lncRNA ZFPM2-AS1 and ZFPM2 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most lethal malignant tumors worldwide; however, the etiology of HCC still remains poorly understood. In the present study, cancer-omics databases, including The Cancer Genome Atlas, GTEx and Gene Expression Omnibus, were systematically analyzed in order to investigate the role of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) zinc finger protein, FOG family member 2-antisense 1 (ZFPM2-AS1) and the zinc finger protein, FOG family member 2 (ZFPM2) gene in the occurrence and progression of HCC. It was identified that the expression levels of lncRNA ZFPM2-AS1 were significantly increased in HCC tissues, whereas expression levels of the ZFPM2 gene were significantly decreased in HCC tissues compared with normal liver tissues. Higher expression levels of ZFPM2-AS1 were significantly associated with a less favorable prognosis of HCC, whereas higher expression levels of the ZFPM2 gene were associated with a more favorable prognosis of HCC. Genetic alterations in the ZFPM2 gene may contribute to a worse prognosis of HCC. Validation of the GSE14520 dataset also demon stared that ZFPM2 gene expression levels were significantly decreased in HCC tissues (P<0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the ZFPM2 gene indicated high accuracy of this gene in distinguishing between HCC tissues and non-tumor tissues. The areas under the ROC curves were >0.8. Using integrated strategies, the present study demonstrated that lncRNA ZFPM2-AS1 and the ZFPM2 gene may contribute to the occurrence and prognosis of HCC. These findings may provide a novel understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the occurrence and prognosis of HCC.

The molecular mechanism of ovarian granulosa cell tumors

Over these years, more and more sex cord-stromal tumors have been reported. Granulosa cell tumor (GCT) is a rare tumor in ovaries, accounts for 2% to 5% of ovarian cancers. The main different feature of GCTs from other ovarian cancers is that GCTs can lead to abnormally secreted hormones (estrogen, inhibin and Müllerian inhibiting substance). The GCT is divided into two categories according to the age of patients, namely AGCT (adult granulosa cell tumor) and JGCT (Juvenile granulosa cell tumor). AGCT patients accounts for 95%. Although the pathogenesis is not clear, FOXL2 (Forkhead box L2) mutation was considered as the most critical factor in AGCT development. The current treatment is dominated by surgery. Target therapy remains in the adjuvant therapy stage, such as hormone therapy. During these years, other pathogenic factors were also explored, such as PI3K/AKT (phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase; serine/threonine kinase), TGF-β (Transforming growth factor beta) signaling pathway, Notch signaling pathway, GATA4 and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). These factors and signaling pathway play important roles in GCT cell proliferation, apoptosis, or angiogenesis. The purpose of this review is to summarize the possible pathogenic factors and signaling pathways, which may shed lights on developing potential therapeutic targets for GCT.

GATA factors in endocrine neoplasia

GATA transcription factors are structurally-related zinc finger proteins that recognize the consensus DNA sequence WGATAA (the GATA motif), an essential cis-acting element in the promoters and enhancers of many genes. These transcription factors regulate cell fate specification and differentiation in a wide array of tissues. As demonstrated by genetic analyses of mice and humans, GATA factors play pivotal roles in the development, homeostasis, and function of several endocrine organs including the adrenal cortex, ovary, pancreas, parathyroid, pituitary, and testis. Additionally, GATA factors have been shown to be mutated, overexpressed, or underexpressed in a variety of endocrine tumors (e.g., adrenocortical neoplasms, parathyroid tumors, pituitary adenomas, and sex cord stromal tumors). Emerging evidence suggests that GATA factors play a direct role in the initiation, proliferation, or propagation of certain endocrine tumors via modulation of key developmental signaling pathways implicated in oncogenesis, such as the WNT/β-catenin and TGFβ pathways. Altered expression or function of GATA factors can also affect the metabolism, ploidy, and invasiveness of tumor cells. This article provides an overview of the role of GATA factors in endocrine neoplasms. Relevant animal models are highlighted.

Translational Research in Pediatrics IV: Solid Tissue Collection and Processing

Solid tissues are critical for child-health research. Specimens are commonly obtained at the time of biopsy/surgery or postmortem. Research tissues can also be obtained at the time of organ retrieval for donation or from tissue that would otherwise have been discarded. Navigating the ethics of solid tissue collection from children is challenging, and optimal handling practices are imperative to maximize tissue quality. Fresh biopsy/surgical specimens can be affected by a variety of factors, including age, gender, BMI, relative humidity, freeze/thaw steps, and tissue fixation solutions. Postmortem tissues are also vulnerable to agonal factors, body storage temperature, and postmortem intervals. Nonoptimal tissue handling practices result in nucleotide degradation, decreased protein stability, artificial posttranslational protein modifications, and altered lipid concentrations. Tissue pH and tryptophan levels are 2 methods to judge the quality of solid tissue collected for research purposes; however, the RNA integrity number, together with analyses of housekeeping genes, is the new standard. A comprehensive clinical data set accompanying all tissue samples is imperative. In this review, we examined: the ethical standards relating to solid tissue procurement from children; potential sources of solid tissues; optimal practices for solid tissue processing, handling, and storage; and reliable markers of solid tissue quality.

Localization of the Trace Elements Iron, Zinc and Selenium in Relation to Anatomical Structures in Bovine Ovaries by X-Ray Fluorescence Imaging

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used to image 40 histological cross-sections of bovine ovaries (n=19), focusing on structures including: antral follicles at different stages of growth or atresia, corpora lutea at three stages of development (II-IV), and capillaries, arterioles, and other blood vessels. This method identified three key trace elements [iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se)] within the ovarian tissue which appeared to be localized to specific structures. Owing to minimal preprocessing of the ovaries, important high-resolution information regarding the spatial distribution of these elements was obtained with elemental trends and colocalizations of Fe and Zn apparent, as well as the infrequent appearance of Se surrounding the antrum of large follicles, as previously reported. The ability to use synchrotron radiation to measure trace element distributions in bovine ovaries at such high resolution and over such large areas could have a significant impact on understanding the mechanisms of ovarian development. This research is intended to form a baseline study of healthy ovaries which can later be extended to disease states, thereby improving our current understanding of infertility and endocrine diseases involving the ovary.