miR-330-3p suppresses liver cancer cell migration by targeting MAP2K1

MicroRNAs, considered as a promising focus for the treatment of tumors, are key regulators of a large number of genes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the biological functions of microRNA (miR)-330-3p in liver cancer as it had been identified previously that miR-330-3p was deregulated in liver cancer. In order to identify the function of miR-330-3p in liver cancer, the expression of miR-330-3p was determined in liver cancer tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. To elucidate the function of miR-330-3p in liver cancer, miR-330-3p was overexpressed using mimic transfection. Cell migration was inhibited by miR-330-3p in liver cancer cells. The miRNA target prediction databases were used to identify potential target genes of miR-330-3p in liver cancer. The RNA level of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MAP2K1) was downregulated by miR-330-3p in liver cancer cells. In conclusion, miR-330-3p suppresses cell migration by targeting MAP2K1 in liver cancer cells.

Transcriptomic profiling of progesterone in the male fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) testis

P4 is a hormone with diverse functions that include roles in reproduction, growth, and development. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of P4 on androgen production in the mature teleost testis and to identify molecular signaling cascades regulated by P4 to improve understanding of its role in male reproduction. Fathead minnow (FHM) testis explants were treated in vitro with two concentrations of P4 (10(-8) and 10(-6) M) for 6 and 12 h. P4 significantly increased testosterone (T) production in the FHM testis but did not affect 11-ketotestosterone. Gene network analysis revealed that insulin growth factor (Igf1) and tumor necrosis factor receptor (Tnfr) signaling was significantly depressed with P4 treatment after 12h. There was also a 20% increase in a gene network for follicle-stimulating hormone secretion and an 18% decrease in genes involved in vasopressin signaling. Genes in steroid metabolism (e.g. star, cyp19a, 11bhsd) were not significantly affected by P4 treatments in this study, and it is hypothesized that pre-existing molecular machinery may be more involved in the increased production of T rather than the de novo expression of steroid-related transcripts and receptors. There was a significant decrease in prostaglandin E synthase 3b (cytosolic) (ptges3b) after treatment with P4, suggesting that there is cross talk between P4 and prostaglandin pathways in the reproductive testis. P4 has a role in regulating steroid production in the male testis and may do so by modulating gene networks related to endocrine pathways, such as Igf1, Tnfr, and vasopressin.

Contribution of iNOS/sGC/PKG pathway, COX-2, CYP4A1, and gp91(phox) to the protective effect of 5,14-HEDGE, a 20-HETE mimetic, against vasodilation, hypotension, tachycardia, and inflammation in a rat model of septic shock

We have previously demonstrated that a stable synthetic analog of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), N-[20-hydroxyeicosa-5(Z),14(Z)-dienoyl]glycine (5,14-HEDGE), prevents vascular hyporeactivity, hypotension, tachycardia, and inflammation in rats treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and mortality in endotoxemic mice. These changes were attributed to decreased production of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS)-derived NO, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-derived vasodilator prostanoids, and proinflammatory mediators associated with increased cyctochrome P450 (CYP) 4A1-derived 20-HETE and CYP2C23-dependent antiinflammatory mediator formation. The aim of this study was to determine whether decreased expression and activity of iNOS, soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), protein kinase G (PKG), COX-2, gp91(phox) (NOX2; a superoxide generating NOX enzyme), and peroxynitrite production associated with increased expression of COX-1 and CYP4A1 and 20-HETE formation in renal and cardiovascular tissues of rats contributes to the effect of 5,14-HEDGE to prevent vasodilation, hypotension, tachycardia, and inflammation in response to systemic administration of LPS. Mean arterial pressure fell by 28mmHg and heart rate rose by 47beats/min in LPS (10mg/kg, i.p.)-treated rats. Administration of LPS also increased mRNA and protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 associated with a decrease in COX-1 and CYP4A1 mRNA and protein expression. Increased NOS activity, iNOS-heat shock protein 90 complex formation (an index for iNOS activity), protein expression of phosphorylated vasodilator stimulated phosphoprotein (an index for PKG activity), gp91(phox), p47(phox) (NOXO2; organizer subunit of gp91(phox)), and nitrotyrosine (an index for peroxynitrite production) as well as cGMP (an index for sGC activity), 6-keto-PGF1α (a stable metabolite PGI2) and PGE2 levels (indexes for COX activity), and nitrotyrosine levels by LPS were also associated with decreased CYP hydroxylase activity as measured by 20-HETE formation from arachidonic acid in renal microsomes of LPS-treated rats. These effects of LPS, except iNOS mRNA and COX-1 protein expression, were prevented by 5,14-HEDGE (30mg/kg, s.c.; 1h after LPS). A competitive antagonist of vasoconstrictor effects of 20-HETE, 20-hydroxyeicosa-6(Z),15(Z)-dienoic acid (30mg/kg, s.c.; 1h after LPS) reversed the effects of 5,14-HEDGE, except iNOS and COX-1 mRNA and protein expression as well as expression of CYP4A1 mRNA. These results suggest that increased CYP4A1 expression and 20-HETE formation associated with suppression of iNOS/sGC/PKG pathway, COX-2, and gp91(phox) participate in the protective effect of 5,14-HEDGE against vasodilation, hypotension, tachycardia, and inflammation in the rat model of septic shock.

A specific activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1) is required for Golgi fragmentation during mitosis

Incubation of permeabilized cells with mitotic extracts results in extensive fragmentation of the pericentriolarly organized stacks of cisternae. The fragmented Golgi membranes are subsequently dispersed from the pericentriolar region. We have shown previously that this process requires the cytosolic protein mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1). Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and ERK2, the known downstream targets of MEK1, are not required for this fragmentation (Acharya et al. 1998). We now provide evidence that MEK1 is specifically phosphorylated during mitosis. The mitotically phosphorylated MEK1, upon partial proteolysis with trypsin, generates a different peptide population compared with interphase MEK1. MEK1 cleaved with the lethal factor of the anthrax toxin can still be activated by its upstream mitotic kinases, and this form is fully active in the Golgi fragmentation process. We believe that the mitotic phosphorylation induces a change in the conformation of MEK1 and that this form of MEK1 recognizes Golgi membranes as a target compartment. Immunoelectron microscopy analysis reveals that treatment of permeabilized normal rat kidney (NRK) cells with mitotic extracts, treated with or without lethal factor, converts stacks of pericentriolar Golgi membranes into smaller fragments composed predominantly of tubuloreticular elements. These fragments are similar in distribution, morphology, and size to the fragments observed in the prometaphase/metaphase stage of the cell cycle in vivo.