Cofactor dynamics and sufficiency in estrogen receptor-regulated transcription

Many cofactors bind the hormone-activated estrogen receptor (ER), yet the specific regulators of endogenous ER-mediated gene transcription are unknown. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), we find that ER and a number of coactivators rapidly associate with estrogen responsive promoters following estrogen treatment in a cyclic fashion that is not predicted by current models of hormone activation. Cycles of ER complex assembly are followed by transcription. In contrast, the anti-estrogen tamoxifen (TAM) recruits corepressors but not coactivators. Using a genetic approach, we show that recruitment of the p160 class of coactivators is sufficient for gene activation and for the growth stimulatory actions of estrogen in breast cancer supporting a model in which ER cofactors play unique roles in estrogen signaling.

Suppressors of cytokine signaling-1 and -6 associate with and inhibit the insulin receptor. A potential mechanism for cytokine-mediated insulin resistance

Insulin resistance contributes to a number of metabolic disorders, including type II diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6, and hormones, such as growth hormone, are known to cause insulin resistance, but the mechanisms by which they inhibit the cellular response to insulin have not been elucidated. One mechanism by which these agents could cause insulin resistance is by inducing the expression of cellular proteins that inhibit insulin receptor (IR) signaling. Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are negative regulators of cytokine signaling pathways, the expression of which is regulated by certain cytokines. SOCS proteins are therefore attractive candidates as mediators of cytokine-induced insulin resistance. We have found that SOCS-1 and SOCS-6 interact with the IR when expressed in human hepatoma cells (HepG2) or in rat hepatoma cells overexpressing the human IR. In SOCS-1-expressing cells, insulin treatment increases the extent of interaction with the IR, whereas in SOCS-6-expressing cells the association with the IR appears to require insulin treatment. SOCS-1 and SOCS-6 do not inhibit insulin-dependent IR autophosphorylation, but both proteins inhibit insulin-dependent activation of ERK1/2 and protein kinase B in vivo and IR-directed phosphorylation of IRS-1 in vitro. These results suggest that SOCS proteins may be inhibitors of IR signaling and could mediate cytokine-induced insulin resistance and contribute to the pathogenesis of type II diabetes.

miR-23b-3p regulates the chemoresistance of gastric cancer cells by targeting ATG12 and HMGB2

Chemotherapy is an important treatment modality for gastric cancer (GC); however, it usually fails because of drug resistance, especially multidrug resistance (MDR). Previously, we found a novel subset of MDR-associated microRNAs (miRNAs) through high-throughput functional screening. In this report, we investigated the exact roles and mechanisms of miR-23b-3p in the MDR of GC. Using gain or loss-of-function in in vitro and in vivo experiments, we found that overexpression of miR-23b-3p reversed cancer cell resistance to multiple chemotherapeutics in vitro and sensitize tumors to chemotherapy in vivo. Reporter gene assay and western blot analysis showed that ATG12 and HMGB2 were the direct targets of miR-23b-3p. Meanwhile, ATG12 and HMGB2 were positively associated with the occurrence of autophagy. Reducing the expression of these target genes by siRNA or inhibition of autophagy both sensitized GC cells to chemotherapy. These findings suggest that a miR-23b-3p/ATG12/HMGB2/autophagy-regulatory loop has a critical role in MDR in GC. In addition, miR-23b-3p could be used as a prognostic factor for overall survival in GC. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that miR-23b-3p inhibited autophagy mediated by ATG12 and HMGB2 and sensitized GC cells to chemotherapy, and suggested the potential application of miR-23b-3p in drug resistance prediction and treatment.

BRG-1 is recruited to estrogen-responsive promoters and cooperates with factors involved in histone acetylation

Several factors that mediate activation by nuclear receptors also modify the chemical and structural composition of chromatin. Prominent in this diverse group is the steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC-1) family, which interact with agonist-bound nuclear receptors, thereby coupling them to multifunctional transcriptional coregulators such as CREB-binding protein (CBP), p300, and PCAF, all of which have potent histone acetyltransferase activity. Additionally factors including the Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG-1) that are involved in the structural remodeling of chromatin also mediate hormone-dependent transcriptional activation by nuclear receptors. Here, we provide evidence that these two distinct mechanisms of coactivation may operate in a collaborative manner. We demonstrate that transcriptional activation by the estrogen receptor (ER) requires functional BRG-1 and that the coactivation of estrogen signaling by either SRC-1 or CBP is BRG-1 dependent. We find that in response to estrogen, ER recruits BRG-1, thereby targeting BRG-1 to the promoters of estrogen-responsive genes in a manner that occurs simultaneous to histone acetylation. Finally, we demonstrate that BRG-1-mediated coactivation of ER signaling is regulated by the state of histone acetylation within a cell. Inhibition of histone deacetylation by trichostatin A dramatically increases BRG-1-mediated coactivation of ER signaling, and this increase is reversed by overexpression of histone deacetylase 1. These studies support a critical role for BRG-1 in ER action in which estrogen stimulates an ER-BRG-1 association coupling BRG-1 to regions of chromatin at the sites of estrogen-responsive promoters and promotes the activity of other recruited factors that alter the acetylation state of chromatin.

Differential regulation of collagen types I and III expression in cardiac fibroblasts by AGEs through TRB3/MAPK signaling pathway

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play an important role in collagen deposition in diabetic cardiomyopathy. TRB3, a mammalian homolog of Drosophila tribbles, functions to increase glucose intolerance and regulates cell proliferation. We demonstrated that AGEs induce collagen type I expression but inhibit collagen type III expression, accompanied by increased TRB3 expression. Furthermore, the collagen type I induced byAGEs was down-regulated after inhibition of ERK and p38-MAPK, the collagen type III reduced by AGEs was up-regulated after inhibition of ERK. The expression of collagen types I and III regulated by AGEs through MAPK was partly reversed after treatment with TRB3 siRNA. It suggests that the TRB3/MAPK signaling pathway participates in the regulation of collagen types I and III by AGEs and may provide new therapeutic strategies for diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Epidemiological investigation of outbreaks of fowl adenovirus infections in commercial chickens in China

One hundred and five fowl adenovirus (FAdV) strains were isolated in China from 2015 to 2016 from poultry with inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) and hydropericardium syndrome (HPS). Polymerase chain reactions determined that 68 were FAdV species C, five were FAdV species D, two were FAdV species E, and 30 contained two or more different FAdV strains. A phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolated FAdV strains clustered into three major groups: FAdV-C, FAdV-D and FAdV-E. Based on a hexon gene sequencing analysis, these viruses were genetically related to FAdV-4, FAdV-7, FAdV-8b and FAdV-11, of which FAdV-4 was dominant (93% of the strains). An epidemiological analysis showed that FAdVs had been circulating in broilers, domestic chickens, and layers, and co-infections with other immunosuppressive pathogens, such as chicken infectious anaemia virus, Marek's disease virus and reticuloendotheliosis virus, were identified. To control FAdVs, strict biosecurity protection measures are necessary, and a continued surveillance of FAdVs is needed to increase our understanding of the epidemiology of the viruses that are associated with IBH and HPS.

CHIP/Stub1 regulates the Warburg effect by promoting degradation of PKM2 in ovarian carcinoma

Tumor cells preferentially adopt aerobic glycolysis for their energy supply, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. It remains a matter of debate as to how the Warburg effect is regulated during tumor progression. Here, we show that CHIP (carboxyl terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein), a U-box E3 ligase, suppresses tumor progression in ovarian carcinomas by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis. While CHIP is downregulated in ovarian carcinoma, induced expression of CHIP results in significant inhibition of the tumor growth examined by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Reciprocally, depletion of CHIP leads to promotion of tumor growth. By a SiLAD proteomics analysis, we identified pyruvate kinase isoenzyme M2 (PKM2), a critical regulator of glycolysis in tumors, as a target that CHIP mediated for degradation. Accordingly, we show that CHIP regulates PKM2 protein stability and thereafter the energy metabolic processes. Depletion or knockout of CHIP increased the glycolytic products in both tumor and mouse embryonic fibroblast cells. Simultaneously, we observed that CHIP expression inversely correlated with PKM2 levels in human ovarian carcinomas. This study reveals a mechanism that the Warburg effect is regulated by CHIP through its function as an E3 ligase, which mediates the degradation of PKM2 during tumor progression. Our findings shed new light into understanding of ovarian carcinomas and may provide a new therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer.

Clinicopathologic risk factors for distant metastases from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

AIMS

The aim of this study is to investigate the clinicopathologic risk factors associated with distant metastases (DMs) from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs).

METHODS

Between February 1990 and February 2000, a retrospective analysis of 391 HNSCC patients was performed. The frequency and the clinicopathologic risk factors for DM were evaluated by using univariate chi(2) tests and multiple stepwise logistic regression models. Statistical analysis of overall survival was performed by using Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

44 patients (11.3%) developed DM in clinic. In a univariate analysis, clinical N stage, primary tumor site, level of tumor invasion, pathologic N stage and number of levels with pathologic lymph node were found to be significantly associated with the risk of DM. In a multivariate analysis, the most significant risk factors were number of levels with pathologic lymph node, level of tumor invasion, and primary tumor site. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that overall survival rates of 44 patients with DMs in clinic were 56.8% at 1 year, 9.1% at 3 years, and 6.8% at 5 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of levels with pathologic lymph node, the site of primary tumor and the level of tumor invasion are decisive risk factors in determining the development of DM in head and neck SCC patients. Patients with multilevel nodal involvement in neck, with laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas, and patients with primary tumor invasion into muscular, bone or cartilage have the highest risk of developing DM.

Signal relay by retinoic acid receptors alpha and beta in the retinoic acid-induced expression of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 in breast cancer cells

Neither retinoic acid receptor-beta (RARbeta) nor insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) is expressed in breast cancer cell line MCF-7. The expression of both proteins can be induced in response to all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA). By using an RARalpha-selective antagonist (Ro 41-5253), we demonstrated that RARbeta expression was induced by atRA through an RARalpha-dependent signaling pathway and that RARbeta induction was correlated with IGFBP-3 induction. However, MCF-7 cells transfected with sense RARbeta cDNA expressed IGFBP-3 even in the presence of the RARalpha-selective antagonist Ro 41-5253. On the other hand, antisense RARbeta cDNA transfection of MCF-7 cells blocked atRA-induced IGFBP-3 expression, indicating that RARbeta is directly involved in the mediation of IGFBP-3 induction by atRA. Induction of IGFBP-3 expression by atRA occurs at the transcriptional level, as measured by nuclear run-on assays. Finally, we showed that atRA-induced IGFBP-3 is functionally active in modulating the growth-promoting effect of IGF-I. These experiments indicate that RARalpha and RARbeta, both individually and together, are important in mammary gland homeostasis and breast cancer development. By linking IGFBP-3 to RARbeta, our experiments define the signal intersection between the retinoid and IGF systems in cell growth regulation and explain why loss of RARbeta might be critical in breast cancer carcinogenesis/progression.

Natural history of prediabetes in older adults from a population-based longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

The natural history of prediabetes in older adults remains unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the rate at which prediabetes progresses to diabetes, leads to death or reverts to normoglycaemia in older adults and to identify prognostic factors related to different outcomes of prediabetes.

METHODS

In the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care-Kungsholmen, 2575 diabetes-free participants aged ≥60 years were examined at baseline and followed for up to 12 years. At each wave, diabetes was diagnosed via medical examination, antidiabetic drug use, medical records or glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5%. Prediabetes was defined as HbA1c ≥5.7% and normoglycaemia as HbA1c <5.7% in diabetes-free participants. Data were analysed with multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

At baseline, 918 (36%) individuals had prediabetes. Of them, 204 (22%) reverted to normoglycaemia (3.4/100 person-years, 95% CI 5.6-12.3), 119 (13%) developed diabetes (2.0/100 person-years, 95% CI 1.7-2.4) and 215 (23%) died (13.0/100 person-years, 95% CI 11.4-14.9) during the 12-year follow-up. The rates of reversion, progression and mortality were higher in the first 6-year than in the second 6-year follow-up, albeit not statistically significant. Lower systolic blood pressure (SBP), absence of heart diseases and weight loss promoted the reversion from prediabetes to normoglycaemia, whilst obesity accelerated its progression to diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

During a 12-year follow-up, most of older adults with prediabetes remained stable or reverted to normoglycaemia, whereas only one-third developed diabetes or died. Lower SBP, no heart diseases and weight management may promote reversion to normoglycaemia, suggesting possible strategies for achieving normoglycaemia in older adults with prediabetes.

Identification of atypical porcine pestivirus infection in swine herds in China

Atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) have been detected in swine herds from the USA, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and most recently in Austria, suggesting a wide geographic distribution of this novel virus. Here, for the first time, we reported APPV infection in swine herds in China. Newborn piglets from two separate swine herds in Guangdong province were found showing typical congenital tremors in July and August 2016. RT-PCR, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed APPV infection occurred. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Chinese APPV strains, GD1 and GD2, formed independent branch from the USA, Germany and the Netherlands. Nucleotide identities between members of the APPV ranged between 83.1% and 83.5%, and this showed APPV is highly diverse. It is apparent that this provides the first molecular evidence of APPV infection in swine herds in China.

Phylogenetic and genetic variation analyses of porcine circovirus type 2 isolated from China

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is a causative agent of PCV2-associated disease, which is a growing problem in the swine industry worldwide. High nucleotide substitution occurs in the capsid (Cap) gene of PCV2, which allows the continuous evolution and the emergence of novel PCV2 strains. In this study, we sequenced 24 Chinese PCV2 strains collected from healthy and diseased pigs between 2013 and 2015. Analyses of the genome, Cap and phylogeny classified the 24 Chinese PCV2 strains as PCV-2a (four of 24), PCV-2b (five of 24) and PCV-2d (15 of 24). All strains shared 89.5%-100% and 87.2%-100% identities with the nucleotide and amino acid (aa) sequences of Cap, respectively. Selection pressure analysis showed that five sites at the epitope regions in Cap were under positive selection. Further analysis by Jameson-Wolf antigenic index indicated that aa substitutions occurring at the epitope regions contributed to the antigenic alterations of the different PCV2 strains. High genetic variation and genotype shift to PCV2d occurred in recent years, and different genotypes coexisted in Chinese pig herds. The data provide evidence for the increased genetic diversity and insights into the molecular epidemiology of PCV2.

Transcriptional feedback and definition of the circadian pacemaker in Drosophila and animals

The modern era of Drosophila circadian rhythms began with the landmark Benzer and Konopka paper and its definition of the period gene. The recombinant DNA revolution then led to the cloning and sequencing of this gene. This work did not result in a coherent view of circadian rhythm biochemistry, but experiments eventually gave rise to a transcription-centric view of circadian rhythm generation. Although these circadian transcription-translation feedback loops are still important, their contribution to core timekeeping is under challenge. Indeed, kinases and posttranslational regulation may be more important, based in part on recent in vitro work from cyanobacteria. In addition, kinase mutants or suspected kinase substrate mutants have unusually large period effects in Drosophila. This chapter discusses our recent experiments, which indicate that circadian transcription does indeed contribute to period determination in this system. We propose that cyanobacteria and animal clocks reflect two independent origins of circadian rhythms.

The induction and activation of STAT1 by all-trans-retinoic acid are mediated by RAR beta signaling pathways in breast cancer cells

Retinoic acid receptor-beta (RAR beta) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) are important mediators of the antiproliferative and apoptotic actions of retinoids and cytokines/growth factors, respectively. Expression of both RAR beta and STAT1 is lost in most breast cancer cell lines but it can be induced by retinoids in estrogen receptor-positive cells. We investigated a possible functional connection between these two mediators and present evidence supporting RAR beta as a tumor suppressor. First, by using different receptor-selective retinoids, we demonstrated that RAR beta induction in MCF-7 cells by all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) was associated with the activation of STAT1 gene transcription. The direct involvement of RAR beta in atRA-induced STAT1 gene activation was further demonstrated by showing that transfection with an anti-sense RAR beta construct blocked atRA-induced STAT1 expression in MCF-7 cells whereas introduction of a sense-RAR beta construct resulted in STAT1 induction by atRA in MDA-MB 231 cells. In addition, we showed that STAT1 was phosphorylated/activated under atRA treatment of MCF-7 cells; this process required the involvement of RAR beta and protein synthesis. STAT1 phosphorylation/activation was accompanied by increased tyrosine kinase activity that was not due to the activation of JAK1, JAK2 or Tyk 2, suggesting the possible involvement of an unidentified tyrosine kinase.

A viral microRNA downregulates metastasis suppressor CD82 and induces cell invasion and angiogenesis by activating the c-Met signaling

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is the most common AIDS-associated malignancy etiologically caused by Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). KS is a highly disseminated and vascularized tumor comprised of poorly differentiated spindle-shaped endothelial cells. KSHV encodes 12 pre-microRNAs (pre-miRNAs) that yield 25 mature miRNAs, but their roles in KSHV-induced tumor dissemination and angiogenesis remain largely unknown. KSHV-encoded miR-K12-6 (miR-K6) can produce two mature miRNAs, miR-K6-3p and miR-K6-5p. Recently, we have shown that miR-K6-3p promoted cell migration and angiogenesis by directly targeting SH3 domain binding glutamate-rich protein (SH3BGR) (PLoS Pathog. 2016;12(4):e1005605). Here, by using mass spectrometry, bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay, we showed that miR-K6-5p directly targeted the coding sequence (CDS) of CD82 molecule (CD82), a metastasis suppressor. Ectopic expression of miR-K6-5p specifically inhibited the expression of endogenous CD82 and strongly promoted endothelial cells invasion in vitro and angiogenesis in vivo. Overexpression of CD82 significantly inhibited cell invasion and angiogenesis induced by miR-K6-5p. Mechanistically, CD82 directly interacted with c-Met to inhibit its activation. MiR-K6-5p directly repressed CD82, relieving its inhibition on c-Met activation and inducing cell invasion and angiogenesis. Deletion of miR-K6 from KSHV genome abrogated KSHV suppression of CD82 resulting in compromised KSHV activation of c-Met pathway, and KSHV-induced invasion and angiogenesis. In conclusion, these results show that by inhibiting CD82, KSHV miR-K6-5p promotes cell invasion and angiogenesis by activating the c-Met pathway. Our findings illustrate that KSHV miRNAs may play an essential role in the dissemination and angiogenesis of KSHV-induced malignancies.

c-Myc is a major mediator of the synergistic growth inhibitory effects of retinoic acid and interferon in breast cancer cells

The molecular signaling events involved in the inhibition of breast cancer cell growth by retinoic acid and interferon-alpha were investigated. All-trans-retinoic acid and interferon-alpha acted synergistically to inhibit growth of both the estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and the estrogen receptor-negative line BT-20. In MCF-7 cells, all-trans-retinoic acid potentiated the effects of interferon-alpha by up-regulating the expression of the RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR). Consequently, the synergism between all-trans-retinoic acid and interferon-alpha down-regulated the expression of c-Myc, but not its functional partner, Max. Transfection of MCF-7 cells with a dominant-negative mutant of PKR relieved c-Myc down-regulation and cell growth inhibition, indicating that PKR is directly involved in c-Myc down-regulation and that c-Myc down-regulation is responsible for the inhibition of cell growth. Corresponding with c-Myc down-regulation, c-Myc.Max heterodimers bound to their consensus DNA sequence were undetectable in cells treated with all-trans-retinoic acid and interferon-alpha, indicating diminished c-Myc functionality. When c-Myc was overexpressed ectopically via a c-Myc expression vector, MCF-7 cells became resistant to growth inhibition by all-trans-retinoic acid plus interferon-alpha. These experiments define the following pathway as a major pathway in the synergistic growth inhibition of MCF-7 cells by all-trans-retinoic acid plus interferon-alpha: all-trans-retinoic acid + interferon-alpha --> upward arrow double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase --> downward arrow c-Myc --> cell growth inhibition.

Epidemiological investigation of pseudorabies in Shandong Province from 2013 to 2016

In late 2011, a variant pseudorabies virus (vPRV) emerged in Bartha-K61-vaccinated pig herds, resulting in high morbidity and mortality of piglets in China. Since 2013, the autopsy lesions, histological examinations, virus isolation, phylogenetic analysis and selection pressure analysis of the gE gene of vPRV were recorded for 395 clinical cases, and 5,033 pig serum samples were detected by PRV gE-coated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The major clinical symptoms were abortion in pregnant sows, fatal neurological signs in piglets and respiratory disease in growing pigs. Necrotic splenitis, hepatitis and lymphadenitis, haemorrhagic nephritis and non-suppurative encephalitis were observed by histopathological examination. Typical eosinophilic inclusion bodies were found in the nuclei of liver cells. Using PCR, 110 samples among 395 clinical cases tested positive for the gE gene. Fifteen vPRV strains were isolated and confirmed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the gE gene. The strains shared 97.1%-99.9% nucleotide (nt) and 96.6%-99.5% amino acid (aa) homology with PRV reference strains. Selection pressure analysis showed that one site in the codons of glycoprotein E was under positive selection. Of the 5,033 serum samples, 2,909 were positive by ELISA for a positive rate of 57.8%. These results showed that vPRV was still prevalent in Shandong Province, indicating severe PRV infectious pressure. The preparation of new vaccines against PRV is extremely urgent.

Core 3 mucin-type O-glycan restoration in colorectal cancer cells promotes MUC1/p53/miR-200c-dependent epithelial identity

The attachment of cell-surface carbohydrates to proteins mediated by the amino acids serine or threonine (O-glycan) is involved in tumor metastasis; the roles of O-glycans vary depending on their structure, but the detailed mechanisms by which O-glycans trigger signaling to control tumor metastasis are largely unknown. In this study, we found that the reduced expression of core 3 synthase correlated with metastasis to lymph nodes and distant organs, resulting in poor prognosis for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Mechanically, we revealed that mucin-type core 3 O-glycan was synthesized at the membrane-tethered MUC1 N terminus because of core 3 synthase expression in colon cancer cells. This further inhibited the translocation of MUC1-C to the nucleus, initiated p53 gene transcription that was dependent on the inhibition of MUC1-C nucleus translocation, activated p53-mediated miR-200c expression and resulted in mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET). Inhibition of MUC1 via small interfering RNA (siRNA) in re-expressed core 3 synthase colon cancer cells further inhibited MUC1-C nucleus translocation, increased p53 and miR-200c expression, and enhanced MET. However, inhibition of p53 via siRNA or miR-200c via miR-200c inhibitor in re-expressed core 3 synthase colon cancer cells promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a reversible manner. Core 3 synthase mRNA levels and the p53 mRNA levels or miR-200c levels in the colon cancerous samples were positively correlated. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism linking mucin-type core 3 O-glycan to the EMT-MET plasticity of CRC cells via MUC1/p53/miR-200c-dependent signaling cascade and shed light on therapeutic strategies to treat this malignancy.

Sensitivity of Botrytis cinerea From Nectarine/Cherry in China to Six Fungicides and Characterization of Resistant Isolates

Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of gray mold, can result in considerable preharvest and postharvest losses in many economically valuable plant species. Fungicides were widely used to minimize such losses, but fungicide resistances were detected frequently. In the present study, we collected 164 isolates from nectarine and cherry in China and tested the sensitivity to six fungicides. Among the tested isolates, 71 (43.3%) were resistant to azoxystrobin, 14 (8.5%) to cyprodinil, 7 (4.3%) to boscalid, 4 (2.4%) to carbendazim, 1 (0.6%) to iprodione, and no isolates were found to be resistant to fludioxonil. The EC₅₀ value and resistance factor (RF) of resistant isolates were determined. Fitness analysis showed that there were no significant differences between sensitive and resistant isolates for osmotic stress and pathogenicity, while more conidia production was observed for some resistant isolates. Control efficacy of fungicides showed that the resistant isolates could not be controlled efficiently by using corresponding fungicides. The point mutation G143A was detected in the Cyt b gene of the isolates resistant to azoxystrobin, while the point mutation H272R of SdhB gene was confirmed in boscalid-resistant isolates, and mutations E198V/A of TUB2 gene and mutation I365S of BcOs1 occurred in carbendazim-resistant and iprodione-resistant isolates, respectively. These results indicate that the occurrence of fungicide resistance greatly threatens the management of gray mold on stone fruits nectarine and cherry.

Sensitivity of Monilinia fructicola from Peach Farms in China to Four Fungicides and Characterization of Isolates Resistant to Carbendazim and Azoxystrobin

Brown rot of peach caused by Monilinia fructicola can cause considerable preharvest and postharvest losses in China. Fungicides are increasingly utilized to minimize such losses. Eighty isolates of M. fructicola were collected from commercial peach orchards located in five provinces in China and the sensitivity to carbendazim, azoxystrobin, tebuconazole, and boscalid was determined. Resistance to carbendazim was detected only in the Yunnan province in 15 of 16 isolates. Characterization of carbendazim-resistant isolates revealed stable resistance, no fitness penalty, and negative cross resistance to diethofencarb. Resistant isolates produced disease symptoms on detached fruit sprayed with label rates of formulated carbendazim and possessed the amino acid mutation E198A in β-tubulin. Resistance to azoxystrobin was detected in 3 of 10 isolates from Fujian. In contrast to carbendazim resistance, however, azoxystrobin resistance was unstable, associated with a fitness penalty, and not associated with mutations in the target gene cytochrome b. The concentration at which mycelial growth is inhibited 50% (EC₅₀) values of the azoxystrobin-sensitive isolates were 0.02 to 1.94 μg/ml, with a mean value of 0.54 μg/ml. All isolates were sensitive to tebuconazole, with a mean EC₅₀ value of 0.03 μg/ml. The EC₅₀ values for boscalid were 0.01 to 3.85 μg/ml, with a mean value of 1.02 μg/ml. Our results indicate that methyl benzimidazole carbamates (MBCs), quionon outside inhibitors, demethylation inhibitor fungicides, and succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors are likely to be very effective in controlling brown rot in many peach production areas in China, but that resistance to MBCs is emerging.

Oncological outcomes of standard versus prolonged time to surgery after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal cancer in the multicentre, randomised, controlled NeoRes II trial

BACKGROUND

The optimal time to surgery (TTS) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for oesophageal cancer is unknown and has traditionally been 4-6 weeks in clinical practice. Observational studies have suggested better outcomes, especially in terms of histological response, after prolonged delay of up to 3 months after nCRT. The NeoRes II trial is the first randomised trial to compare standard to prolonged TTS after nCRT for oesophageal cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with resectable, locally advanced oesophageal cancer were randomly assigned to standard delay of surgery of 4-6 weeks or prolonged delay of 10-12 weeks after nCRT. The primary endpoint was complete histological response of the primary tumour in patients with adenocarcinoma (AC). Secondary endpoints included histological tumour response, resection margins, overall and progression-free survival in all patients and stratified by histologic type.

RESULTS

Between February 2015 and March 2019, 249 patients from 10 participating centres in Sweden, Norway and Germany were randomised: 125 to standard and 124 to prolonged TTS. There was no significant difference in complete histological response between AC patients allocated to standard (21%) compared to prolonged (26%) TTS (P = 0.429). Tumour regression, resection margins and number of resected lymph nodes, total and metastatic, did not differ between the allocated interventions. The first quartile overall survival in patients allocated to standard TTS was 26.5 months compared to 14.2 months after prolonged TTS (P = 0.003) and the overall risk of death during follow-up was 35% higher after prolonged delay (hazard ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval 0.94-1.95, P = 0.107).

CONCLUSION

Prolonged TTS did not improve histological complete response or other pathological endpoints, while there was a strong trend towards worse survival, suggesting caution in routinely delaying surgery for >6 weeks after nCRT.

RBB, a novel transcription repressor, represses the transcription of HDM2 oncogene

The p53 tumor suppressor is important in many aspects of cell biology. Tight regulation of p53 is thus imperative for maintaining cell homeostasis and preventing tumorigenesis. The stabilization and activity of p53 is primarily regulated by MDM2, which is encoded for by HDM2. However, how the expression and activity of MDM2 is regulated remains largely unknown. Here, we report a novel BTB and BEN domains-containing protein, RBB. We demonstrated that RBB is a novel transcriptional repressor binding specific DNA motif via a homodimer and interacting with the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex. Genome wide transcription target analysis by ChIP sequencing revealed that RBB represses the transcription of a series of functionally important genes including HDM2. We showed that RBB recruits the NuRD complex to the internal promoter of HDM2 and inhibits the expression of MDM2 protein, leading to subsequent stabilization of tumor suppressor p53. Significantly, we showed that RBB suppresses cell proliferation and sensitizes cells to DNA damage-induced apoptosis. Our data indicate that RBB is a novel transcriptional repressor and an important regulator of p53 pathway.