Phosphorylation Modulates Survivin Function in Behcet's Disease

Gastrodin destabilizes survivin and overcomes pemetrexed resistance

Survivin is a bifunctional protein that plays crucial roles in tumorigenesis. In the present study, we discovered that the natural product gastrodin suppressed the cell viability and colony formation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines A549, HCC827, and H460 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, gastrodin enhanced the protein levels of cleaved-caspase 3 by activating the endogenous mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Gastrodin inhibits protein kinase B (Akt)/WEE1/cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) signaling to downregulate survivin Thr34 phosphorylation. Survivin Thr34 dephosphorylation caused by gastrodin interfered with the binding of ubiquitin-specific protease 19 (USP19), which eventually destabilized survivin. We revealed that the growth of NSCLC xenograft tumors was markedly suppressed by gastrodin in vivo. Furthermore, gastrodin overcomes pemetrexed resistance in vivo or in vitro. Our results suggest that gastrodin is a potential antitumor agent by reducing survivin in NSCLC.

An ultrasensitive electrochemical sensor based on antimonene simultaneously detect multiple heavy metal ions in food samples

Here, we constructed a novel ultra-sensitive electrochemical sensor based on ZIF-67@antimonene (AMNFs) nanocomposites which are based on the first-principles density functional theory the adsorption properties of antimonene on heavy metal ions were studied for simultaneous determination of Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺. The ZIF-67@AMNFs was prepared by using ZIF-67 MOF surface loaded with a large amount of antimonene sheet. Its morphology and crystal structure were characterized by Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Functional ZIF-67@AMNFs due to its unique layered structure, large active surface area, strong adsorption capacity and good electrical conductivity. In addition, the adsorption capacity of the sensor electrode for Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ was effectively enhanced. The detection limits of Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ were 0.01 pM, 0.042 pM and 0.031 pM, respectively. The determination mechanism of Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ was further clarified based on the adsorption properties and electrochemical accumulation of antimonene on metal atoms. It has been successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in rice, sorghum, corn, milk, honey and tea samples, and has good practicability.

COVID -19: From the Molecular Mechanisms to Treatment

The 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causes severe pneumonia called COVID-19 and leads to severe acute respiratory syndrome with a high mortality rate. The SARS-CoV-2 virus in the human body leads to jumpstarting immune reactions and multi-organ inflammation, which has poorer outcomes in the presence of predisposing conditions, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, dysglycemia, abnormal adiposity, and even endothelial dysfunction via biomolecular mechanisms. In addition, leucopenia, hypoxemia, and high levels of both cytokines and chemokines in the acute phase of this disease, as well as some abnormalities in chest CT images, were reported in most patients. The spike protein in SARS-CoV-2, the primary cell surface protein, helps the virus anchor and enter the human host cells. Additionally, new mutations have mainly happened for spike protein, which has promoted the infection's transmissibility and severity, which may influence manufactured vaccines' efficacy. The exact mechanisms of the pathogenesis, besides molecular aspects of COVID-19 related to the disease stages, are not well known. The altered molecular functions in the case of immune responses, including T CD4+, CD8+, and NK cells, besides the overactivity in other components and outstanding factors in cytokines like interleukin-2, were involved in severe cases of SARS-CoV-2. Accordingly, it is highly needed to identify the SARSCoV-2 biomolecular characteristics to help identify the pathogenesis of COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate the biomolecular aspects of SARSCoV-2 infection, focusing on novel SARS-CoV-2 variants and their effects on vaccine efficacy.

Baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis family of proteins repeat-containing 5 gene methylation status in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma survivin levels in patients with Behçet's disease

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing 5 (BIRC5) gene methylation in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) compared to healthy controls and the association of survivin with BD activity.

Patients and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 43 BD patients (22 males, 21 females; mean age 36.6±10.1 years; range, 18 to 66 years) and 44 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (23 males, 21 females; mean age 35.4±7.5 years; range, 18 to 61 years) between August 2019 and December 2019. Sample size was calculated guided by taking into account the difference of 1.5 units between the mean expression of BIRC5 gene in the BD and control groups, as well as considering α=0.5 and power=80%. We assessed the methylation status of the BIRC5 gene in PBMCs of BD and control groups by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR). Plasma levels of survivin were measured by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Oral aphthous ulcer, genital ulcer, and skin lesions were the most common clinical manifestations in BD group. MS-PCR showed that the deoxyribonucleic acid samples of BD and control groups were not different in methylated and unmethylated areas and alleles were heterozygote. No significant difference was observed in the plasma levels of survivin in BD (98.86±25.5 pg/mL) and control (118.16±37.4 pg/mL) groups. There was no significant correlation between survivin plasma levels and BD activity.

Conclusion

Our study did not show any evidence of association between the alteration in the BIRC5 gene methylation, survivin production, and apoptosis dysregulation in BD.

Prominent roles of microRNA-142 in cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally via mRNA degradation, or translational repression. They have important roles in normal development and homeostasis maintenance. Many studies have revealed that aberrant expression of miRNAs is associated with development of pathological conditions, including cancers. MiRNAs can either promote or suppress tumorigenesis based on the regulation of gene expression by targeting multiple molecules. In recent years, several miRNAs have been reported to be dysregulated in various cancers. Most recent findings have shown that miR-142 gene, located at chromosome 17q22, is involved in cellular migration, proliferation, and apoptosis in different human cancers. The present review discusses some molecular mechanisms and the expression status of miRNA-142 in the pathogenesis of various cancers.