Description: In this study, we constructed a high-quality cDNA library from the antennae of the Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). A total of 1,235 colonies with inserts greater than 0.7 kb were sequenced and analyzed. Homology searching coupled with bioinformatics analysis identified 15 and 7 cDNA sequences, respectively, encoding putative odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs). A phylogenetic tree of CsupCSPs showed that each CsupCSP has orthologs in Manduca sexta and Bombyx mori with strong bootstrapping support. One CSP was either very specific or more related to the CSPs of another species than to conspecific CSP. The expression profiles of the OBPs and CSPs in different tissues were measured by real-time quantitative PCR. The results revealed that of the 11 OBP genes, the transcript levels of CsupOBP1, CsupOBP5, and CsupOBP7 were higher in both male and female antennae than those in other tissues. And CsupCSP7 was highly expressed in both male and female antennae. Based on these results, the possible physiological functions of CsupOBPs and CsupCSPs were discussed.

Description: ABSTRACT Both activating and inactivating mutations in ctnnb1 , encoding β-catenin, have been implicated in liver tumorigenesis in humans and mice, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Herein we show that deletion of endogenous β-catenin in hepatocytes aggravated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development driven by an oncogenic version of β-catenin (CAT) in combination with HGF receptor MET. Although the mitogenic signaling and cell cycle progression was modestly impaired after CAT/MET transfection, the β-catenin-deficient livers displayed changes in transcriptomes, increased DNA damage response, expanded Sox9 + cells, and upregulation of pro-tumorigenic cytokines including IL-6 and TGF-β1. These events eventually exacerbated CAT/MET-driven hepatocarcinogenesis in β-catenin-deficient livers, featured by upregulation of Erk, Akt and Wnt/β-catenin signaling and cyclin D1 expression. The resultant mouse tumors showed similar transcriptomes to human HCC samples with concomitant CTNNB1 mutations and MET overexpression. These data argue that while dominantly activating mutants of β-catenin are oncogenic, inhibiting the oncogenic signaling pathway generates a pro-oncogenic microenvironment, which may facilitate HCC recurrence following a targeted therapy of the primary tumor. Therefore, an effective therapeutic strategy must require disruption of the oncogenic signaling in tumor cells and also suppression of the secondary tumor-promoting stromal effects in the liver microenvironment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Description: Sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs), which are located on the dendritic membrane of olfactory neurons, were considered as important components involved in pheromone reception in insects. In Drosophila melanogaster, mutants without SNMP are unable to evoke neuronal activities in the presence of pheromone cis-vaccenyl acetate (cVA). So deeply understanding the SNMPs functions may help to develop pheromone-mediated insect pest management tactics. The present study reports the identification and characterization of CmedSNMP1 and CmedSNMP2, two candidate SNMPs in the rice leaffolder, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, one of the serious rice insect pests in Asia. The comparison of amino acid sequences shows that CmedSNMP1 and CmedSNMP2 are very similar to the previously reported SNMPs isolated from moths such as Ostrinia nubilalis and O. furnacalis, respectively, but the two CmedSNMPs share low identity with each other. The distribution patterns of two CmedSNMPs in different tissues of adult moths were examined using RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. Although the two genes are expressed not only in antennae but also in nonolfactory tissues such as wings, legs, and body; the relative transcription level shows both CmedSNMP1 and CmedSNMP2 are highly enriched in antennae. The dN/dS ratios of the two CmedSNMPs indicate that the two genes are all subject to purifying selection and evolved to be functional genes. This work presents for the first time a study on the SNMPs of C. medinalis, which may help in providing guidance to future functional research of moth SNMPs.

Description: Bone cancer pain (BCP) is the most common complication in patients with bone cancer. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is believed to be involved in chronic pain conditions. In this paper, the expression and roles of GDNF were studied in a rat model of BCP induced by tibia injection of Walker 256 rat mammary gland carcinoma cells. Significant mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia and ongoing pain were observed beginning as early as day 5 post injection. The expression level of GDNF protein examined on day 16 after tibia injection was decreased in the L3 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and lumbar spinal cord, but not in other spinal levels or the anterior cingulate cortex. Phosphorylation of Ret, the receptor for GDNF family ligands, was also decreased. Furthermore, normalizing GDNF expression with lentiviral vector constructs in the spinal cord significantly reduced mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia, spinal glial activation, and pERK induction induced by tibia injection, but did not affect ongoing pain. Together these findings provide new evidence for the use of GDNF as a therapeutic treatment for bone cancer pain states. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Description: Formation of organs that consist primarily or exclusively of tubes is essential for metazoan development. Increasing evidence suggests that the morphogenesis and homeostasis of these tubular organs depend on proper orientation of the mitotic spindle during cell division. Consequently, improper spindle orientation can perturb spatial arrangement of daughter cells, resulting in congenital malformations or dysfunctions of tubular organs. Over the past decade, the association of spindle misorientation with brain diseases and cancer has been extensively studied. However, few studies have explored the effects of spindle misorientation on developmental disorders impacting tubular organs. Here, we examine and interpret recent literature that shows how tubular organ development relies on proper spindle orientation and discuss how defects in this cellular process are associated with the pathogenesis of tubular organ diseases. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Description: BACKGROUND: Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL) is a distinct subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in which the upper aerodigestive tract is the most commonly involved site. To date, optimal treatment strategies and prognosis for patients with ENKTL have not been fully defined. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety profiles of first-line combined gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and L-asparaginase (GELOX) followed by involved-field radiation therapy for patients with stage IE/IIE ENKTL. The primary endpoints were the complete response rate, the objective response rate, and toxicities. Secondary endpoints were overall survival and progression-free survival. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with newly diagnosed ENKTL were enrolled and completed the entire course of treatment. At the end of treatment, the overall response rate was 96.3%, including 20 patients (74.1%) who attained a complete response and 6 patients (22.2%) who attained a partial response. No patients developed disease progression during therapy. Grade 1 and 2 toxicities were frequent during GELOX, but grade 3 and 4 toxicities were few, and no treatment-related deaths occurred. At a median follow-up of 27.37 months, 7 patients (25.9%) experienced disease progression, and 4 of those patients died of disease. The rates of 2-year overall and progression-free survival were both 86%, and patients who attained a complete response at the end of treatment had significantly longer progression-free survival ( P = .012) and overall survival ( P = .021) than patients who did not attain a complete response. CONCLUSIONS: The current results indicated that GELOX followed by involved-field radiation therapy can be an effective and feasible treatment strategy for patients with stage IE/IIE ENKTL of the upper aerodigestive tract. These results will require further investigation in larger prospective trials. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.