High expression level of TAL1 gene in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia

AIM: To investigate the characteristic of T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia 1 (TAL1) gene expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines and in primary AML cells from de novo AML patients with different subtypes. METHODS: Real-time PCR was used to determine the expression of TAL1 mRNA in acute leukemia cell lines (Jurkat, CCRF-CEM, HL-60 and NB4 cell lines) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 47 newly diagnosed AML patients. Twelve healthy individuals were served as healthy control group. RESULTS: A significantly increased level in TAL1 mRNA was found in AML cell lines (HL-60 and NB4), T-cell acute lymphacytic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines (Jurkat, CCRF-CEM) and primary AML cells compared with the healthy controls. Over-expression of TAL1 was found in all detected AML subtypes, the highest level of TAL-1 mRNA was found in AML-M1 and AML-M5 subtype (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: High expression of TAL1 in AML might influence the differentiation and proliferation of myeloid cells, further investigation needs to confirm whether it would be as a biomarker for pathogenesis of AML.     

Two de novo mutations including 1 novel mutation in FBN1 and genotype-phenotype correlation in 2 Chinese Marfan syndrome families

AIM: To investigate the genetic cause of 2 Chinese families with Marfan syndrome. METHODS: The clinical and laboratory investigations were performed in the 2 unrelated Chinese families. Family 1 had 1 patient with cardiac problem. Family 2 had 2 patients:one died, and the other with respiratory and cardiac problems. Next generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing in the Marfan syndrome causal gene FBN1 were performed in the patient, his unaffected sister and the parents of family 1. Sanger sequencing covering all the exons and intron-exon boundaries were performed in the patient and the parents in family 2. Bioinformatic analysis was engaged in the variations unravelled. Fifty healthy individuals were also investigated in the same manner. RESULTS: Both patients were diagnosed with Marfan syndrome. A novel mutation c.4685G>A(p.Cys1562Tyr) was detected in the patient of family 1 but was absent in his parents and the unaffected sister. This is a previously unreported novel mutation. In the mutation a conserved Cys was substituted by a Tyr in amino acid 1562 affecting a TGF-β binding domain and the secondary structure in the encoded protein. We also detected the mutation c.3706T>C(p.Cys1236Arg) in the patient of family 2. It was absent in the unaffected parents, and therefore was a de novo mutation too. This mutation has been previously reported and known to be associated with neonatal Marfan syndrome. Both mutations were absent in the 50 healthy controls. We also compared the genotype and phenotypes of the 2 families. CONCLUSION: We report 2 de novo mutations in 2 Chinese families with Marfan syndrome. One of the 2 mutations is novel. The phenotype of the mutation c.4685G>A(p.Cys1562Tyr) in family 1 is associated with classical Marfan syndrome, while that of c.3706T>C(p.Cys1236Arg) in family 2 is with neonatal type of Marfan syndrome. De novo mutations may be a cause for a proportion of mutations underlying the disease. The novel mutation also expends the mutational spectrum of the FBN1 gene.     

The expression of β2 integrins and L-selectin on acute lymophocytic leukemic cells and its clinical implications

AIM and METHODS: To investigate the expression of adhesion molecule β₂ integrins (CD11a、CD11b) and L-selectin (CD62L )on acute lymophocyte leukemia (ALL) cells and its clinical implications. Adhesion molecules CD11a, CD11b and CD62L of 45 ALL patients and 25 health people were measured by flow-cytometric analysis. RESULTS: ①CD11a and CD11b expression were lower on ALL cells than the normal hematopoietic cells. The rate of low expression was 100% for CD11b, 50% for CD11a, respectively. CD62L expression were higher on ALL cells than the normal hematopoietic cells. ②The CD11a was lower expressed on B-ALL than T-ALL. CD62L was higher on T-ALL than B-ALL. ③The expression of CD11a in the invasion group was much higher than that in the non-invasive group (P<0.05). ④The levels of CD11a, CD11b were returned to normal levels at remission. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that there are abnormalities in the expression of cell adhesion molecules in ALL which may help identify ALL subtypes and the treatment effect.     

miR-222 enhances HBx-HepG2 cell growth via regulation of BCL2L13 gene

AIM: To investigate the regulation of miR-222 on BCL2L13 gene and its effect on the growth and apoptosis of HBx-HepG2 cells, and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The expression level of miR-222 was detected by RT-qPCR. The HBx-HepG2 cell growth was examined by MTT and colony formation assays. The cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The recombination vector pmirGLO-BCL2L13 was constructed, and dual-luciferase reporter experiment was performed to validate the target of miR-222. RESULTS: The expression level of miR-222 in the HBx-HepG2 cells was significantly higher than that in the L02 cells (P<0.05). Over-expression of miR-222 enhanced HBx-HepG2 cell growth, changed cell cycle, and inhibited apoptosis (P<0.05). Knockdown of miR-222 reduced HBx-HepG2 cell growth, changed cell cycle, and increased cell apoptotic rate (P<0.05). BCL2L13 was down-regulated in the HBx-HepG2 cells as compared with L02 cells (P<0.05), and knockdown of miR-222 in the HBx-HepG2 cells increased the expression level of BCL2L13 (P<0.05). The results of dual-luciferase reporter assay and restore experiment showed that miR-222 negatively regulated the expression of BCL2L13 via targeting 3'UTR of BCL2L13, resulting in the promotion of HBx-HepG2 cell growth. CONCLUSION: miR-222 enhances HBx-HepG2 cell growth via down-regulation of BCL2L13.     

An improved allele-specific PCR primer design method for SNP marker analysis and its application

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Although Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) marker is an invaluable tool for positional cloning, association study and evolutionary analysis, low SNP detection efficiency by Allele-Specific PCR (AS-PCR) still restricts its application as molecular marker like other markers such as Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR). To overcome this problem, primers with a single nucleotide artificial mismatch introduced within the three bases closest to the 3'end (SNP site) have been used in AS-PCR. However, for one SNP site, nine possible mismatches can be generated among the three bases and how to select the right one to increase primer specificity is still a challenge. RESULTS: In this study, different from the previous reports which used a limited quantity of primers randomly (several or dozen pairs), we systematically investigated the effects of mismatch base pairs, mismatch sites and SNP types on primer specificity with 2071 primer pairs, which were designed based on SNPs from Brassica oleracea 01-88 and 02-12. According to the statistical results, we (1) found that the primers designed with SNP (A/T), in which the mismatch (CA) in the 3rd nucleotide from the 3' end, had the highest allele-specificity (81.9%). This information could be used when designing primers from a large quantity of SNP sites; (2) performed the primer design principle which forms the one and only best primer for every SNP type. This is never reported in previous studies. Additionally, we further identified its availability in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and sesame (Sesamum indicum). High polymorphism percent (75%) of the designed primers indicated it is a general method and can be applied in other species. CONCLUSION: The method provided in this study can generate primers more effectively for every SNP site compared to other AS-PCR primer design methods. The high allele-specific efficiency of the SNP primer allows the feasibility for low- to moderate- throughput SNP analyses and is much suitable for gene mapping, map-based cloning, and marker-assisted selection in crops.     

Inhibitory effect of anti-miR-196a on invasion and migration of human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells

AIM:To investigate the expression of miR-196a in different pancreatic cancer cell lines and to observe the effect of anti-miR-196a on the biological behaviors of human pancreatic cancer PANC-1 cells. METHODS:The expression of miR-196a in the pancreatic cancer cells was examined by real-time quantitative PCR. Anti-miR-196a was chemically synthesized and transfected into PANC-1 cells by Lipofectamine 2000. The cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Matrigel invasion assay was performed to examine the migration and invasion of the tumor cells. The wild-type and mutant-type NF-κB inhibitor α(NFKBIA) 3'UTR luciferase reporter vectors were constructed. The relative activity of Renilla luciferase was detected to confirm the binding site of miR-196a on NFKBIA mRNA. RESULTS:The expression of miR-196a in human pancreatic cancer cell lines was significantly higher than that in human pancreatic ductal epithelial H6c7 cells. The expression of anti-miR-196a in miR-196a group was down-regulated. After transfected with miR-196a, no change of cell proliferation and apoptosis was observed, but the abilities of invasion and migration were reduced(P<0.01). Compared with negative control, wild-type NFKBIA3'UTR or mutant-type NFKBIA 3'UTR, cotransfection of anti-miR-196a and wild-type NFKBIA 3'UTR significantly increased the relative activity of Renilla luciferase. CONCLUSION:miR-196a is one of the oncomiRs and may be a target microRNA of human pancreatic cancer for gene therapy.     

Effects of BCL6B on proliferation and migration of human colorectal carcinoma LoVo cells and its potential mechanism

AIM: To detect the endogenous expression of B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 6 member B (BCL6B) in FHC and LoVo cells, and to investigate the effects of BCL6B on proliferation and migration of LoVo cells for further exploring the underlying mechanism. METHODS: The endogenous expression of BCL6B in the FHC and LoVo cells was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. The methods of MTT assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay and Transwell chamber experiment were employed to examine the biological functions of BCL6B in the LoVo cells. The mRNA and protein levels of BCL6B, cyclin D1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The level of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: BCL6B expression was notably repressed in the LoVo cells as compared with the FHC cells, which were significantly increased by transfection with pcDNA3.1-BCL6B. The abilities of proliferation and migration of the LoVo cells at 72 h were inhibited by 28.33%(P<0.01) and 36.11%(P<0.05) in BCL6B group. The mRNA levels of cyclin D1 and MMP-9 in the cells of BCL6B group were decreased by 39.90%(P<0.01) and 77.36% (P<0.05), and the protein levels of cyclin D1, MMP-9 and p-AKT were reduced by 44.00%(P<0.05), 47.06%(P<0.01) and 32.88% (P<0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: BCL6B inhibits proliferation and migration of the LoVo cells, and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is involved in this process.     

番茄抗黄化曲叶病毒基因Ty-1的双重SNP标记的开发

本试验旨在开发一种新的设计共显性SNP标记的方法,以提高SNP标记检验的效率,并将其成功应用于番茄抗黄化曲叶病毒基因Ty-1的SNP标记开发中,提高了种质资源鉴定和育种分离世代材料筛选的效率。通过对抗病基因Ty-1和等位感病基因ty-1的cDNA序列进行比对,挑选了两个稳定扩增的多元非同义突变位点,分别用来设计Ty-1和ty-1的SNP标记NL3和NL2,将两个标记进行混合得到双重SNP标记NL2-3。通过用NL2-3检验已知的抗病和感病番茄材料,验证了其多态性和稳定性。并用NL2-3对抗感病材料的F₃代杂交分离群体和普通自交系进行了Ty-1的筛选,并经过田间观察进一步验证了该标记的可靠性。此方法开发得到的双重SNP标记只需要进行一次PCR反应和一次凝胶电泳就可以区分纯合抗、杂合抗、纯合感3种基因型,提高了育种选择的效率。     

Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of β-thalassemia by enriching cell-free fetal DNA in materal plasma

AIM: To establish a kind of simple and efficient method for cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) enrichment and to investigate its range of applications and the advantages and disadvantages.METHODS: (1) The single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs), which linked to paternal β-thalassemia mutations, were screened. We analyzed the contact between the SNPs in β- thalassemia gene (HBBgene) and haploid type by the Haploview software, and then selected these close SNPs which have higher heterozygosity with the HBBgene. (2) We selected 4 cases of different β-thalassemia mutations with their husband, and then we used TT-FAST-COLD-PCR to enrich the IVS-II-654 mutations in maternal plasma. If the IVS-II-654 mutation was not detected, we detected the SNP which linked to the IVS-II-654 mutation. Similarly, we used TT-FULL-COLD-PCR to enrich the CD41-42 mutations in the maternal plasma. At the same time, we used the conventional PCR to enrich CD41-42 mutation and IVS-II-654 mutation in the maternal plasma.RESULTS: (1) Nine cases of the SNP (rs7480526) linked to the mutation at IVS-II-654 in HBBgene, and 11 cases of the SNP (rs10768683) linked to the mutation at CD41-42 in HBBgene were detected. (2) We detected 1 case who inherited the paternal β-thalassemia mutation (IVS-II-654). We did not directly detect patermal IVS-II-654 mutation in maternal plasma, but detected the SNP linked to the IVS-II-654 mutation in the other case and had 100% detection, and 2 cases inherited the paternal β-thalassemia mutations (CD41-42) in the maternal plasma by TT-FULL-COLD-PCR and had 100% detection. However, we detected nothing by conventional PCR. CONCLUSION: TT-COLD-PCR is applicable to enrich cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma and is a method in the field of noninvasive prenatal diagnosis.     

宽皮柑橘单核苷酸多态性的高分辨率熔解曲线分型

 高分辨率熔解曲线分析（High resolution melting analysis,HRM）可以检测单碱基改变引起的DNA双链熔解温度（T_m）值变化,从而可以对样本在单核苷酸多态性分子标记（Single nucleotide polymor- phism,SNP）上进行基因分型。通过分析NCBI数据库中宽皮柑橘的表达序列标签（Expressed sequence tag,EST）数据鉴别SNP位点,并用小片段扩增法高分辨率熔解曲线分型技术（High resolution melting analysis of small amplicons）分析11个宽皮柑橘（Citrus reticulata）品种以及柳橙（Citrus sinensis Osbeck var.‘Liucheng’）的5个SNP位点的基因型。结果显示,小片段扩增法高分辨率熔解曲线分型可以快速、清楚地分辨纯合与杂合基因型,在校正温度差异后也可以很好地分辨同一个SNP位点不同的纯合型。统计分析表明样本在所有SNP位点上均存在多态性,5个SNP位点的平均多态性信息含量（PIC）为0.3190,显示样本在这组SNP位点上具有较高的杂合率。     

Expression of miRNA-93 in acute lymphocytic leukemia

AIM: To investigate the expression of microRNA (miRNA)-93 in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and its effect on the proliferation of acute T-cell leukemia Jurkat cells.METHODS: The expression of miRNA-93 in the bone marrow samples of patients with ALL was measured by real-time PCR. After down-regulation of miRNA-93 by transfection with miRNA-93 inhibitor in the Jurkat cells, the cell viability, cell proliferation and cell cycle distribution were detected by CCK-8 assay, EdU assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Furthermore, the protein levels of cell cycle-related molecules such as cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), phosphorylation retinoblastoma (Rb) and P27 were measured by Western blot.RESULTS: miRNA-93 was highly expressed in the patients with ALL, and the expression level was highest in the high risk patients. Down-regulation of miRNA-93 inhibited Jurkat cell viability, arrested cell cycle in G₁/S transition. In addition, the protein levels of cyclin D1, CDK4 and p-Rb were significantly decreased, the protein expression of P27 was increased in Jurkat cells trasfected with miRNA-93 inhibitor.CONCLUSION: miRNA-93 expression is increased in ALL patients. Down-regulation of miRNA-93 restrains cell proliferation in the acute T cell leukemia cell line Jurkat via regulating cell cycle-related molecules.     

苹果生长素运输基因MdABCB19的克隆及其在矮化砧木中的表达分析

以苹果矮化砧木M9和乔化砧木MM106为材料,克隆到一个3 753 bp的核苷酸序列,其编码1 250个氨基酸,含有两个ABC_membrance结构域,两个ABC_tran结构域,与梨、油菜和拟南芥的ABCB19基因高度同源,命名为MdABCB19。该序列在M9和MM106中存在一个非同义SNP,编码氨基酸由A突变为S,导致M9α螺旋少了一段。表达量分析表明,MdABCB19在砧木M9和MM106、长富2号/M9和长富2号/MM106均差异表达。启动子序列分析发现M9的MdABCB19启动子在起始密码子上游170 bp处有6个碱基(CTCTGT)缺失,导致缺失一个5'UTR Py-rich stretch motif。MM106的MdABCB19启动子活性高于M9,并且受光照调控。推测M9的MdABCB19启动子5'UTR Py-rich stretch motif缺失可能与其MdABCB19低表达有关;而氨基酸突变导致蛋白质三级结构α螺旋结构改变是否影响生长素运输,有待进一步研究。上述研究表明苹果MdABCB19可能通过调控生长素转运参与砧木苗矮化性状的调控。     

Expression and mechanisms of hsa_circ_087631 in patients with primary biliary cholangitis

AIM To explore the expression and mechanisms of circular RNA hsa_circ_087631 in the patients with primary biliary cholangitis （PBC）. METHODS RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of hsa_circ_087631 in PBC patients and healthy controls. Hsa-miR-346-overexpressing lentiviral vector pLenti-EF1a-EGFP-F2A-Puro-CMV-MCS was constructed and transfected into human acute T cell leukemia Jurkat cells， and then the expression levels of hsa_circ_087631， Bcl-6 mRNA and interleukin-21 （IL-21） mRNA were detected by RT-qPCR. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to identify the interactions between hsa_circ_087631 and hsa-miR-346. RESULTS The expression of hsa_circ_087631 in the PBC patients was significantly increased compared with the healthy subjects. Hsa-miR-346-overexpressing lentiviral vector pLenti-EF1a-EGFP-F2A-Puro-CMV-MCS was successfully constructed. The expression of hsa-miR-346 was significantly increased after the hsa-miR-346-overexpressing lentiviral vector was transfected into the Jurkat cells， while the expression levels of hsa_circ_0087631， Bcl-6 mRNA and IL-21 mRNA were significantly decreased. After wild-type or mutant hsa_circ_087631 vector and hsa-miR-346 mimics were transfected into 293T cells， the results of dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that hsa-miR-346 significantly decreased the luciferase activity of wild-type hsa_circ_087631 （P<0.01）， but the regulation did not change significantly after mutation of the predicted binding site. CONCLUSION Peripheral blood hsa_circ_087631 level is elevated in the PBC patients. The hsa_circ_087631/hsa-miR-346/Bcl-6 signaling may take effect in human T cells. Hsa-miR-346 significantly reduces the expression of hsa_circ_087631， but it may not be regulated by predicted binding sites.     

Celastrol blocks cell cycle of A549 cells by regulating miR-17-5p/miR-155-5p and targeting cyclin D1

AIM: To investigate the effect of celastrol on the cell cycle of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and to probe into its mechanisms.METHODS: A549 cells were exposed to celastrol at gradient concentrations. The cell viability and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively, and the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of celastrol was screened. The A549 cells were treated with celastrol at LC₅₀, and the cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of cyclin D1 was determined by Western blot, and the expression of microRNA (miR)-17-5p and miR-155-5p was detected by real-time PCR. The correlation between cyclin D1 and miR-17-5p or miR-155-5p was predicted by bioinformatics software. After miR-17-5p mimics/miR-155-5p mimics/mutant-miR-17-5p/mutant-miR-155-5p and pcDNA-GFP-cyclin D1-3'UTR were cotransfected into the A549 cells, the changes of GFP expression were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Finally, after miR-17-5p mimics or miR-155-5p mimics were transfeced into the A549 cells, the expression of miR-17-5p and miR-155-5p was detected by real-time PCR, and the protein level of cyclin D1 was determined by Western blot. RESULTS: With the increasing concentration of celastrol, the viability inhibition rate and apoptotic rate of the A549 cells were increased, indicating that celastrol effectively inhibited the growth of A549 cells and induced apoptosis. The LC₅₀ of celastrol was almost 3 μmol/L. After treatment with celastrol at LC₅₀, the A549 cell cycle was arrested at G₁ phase, the protein expression of cyclin D1 was down-regulated (P<0.01), and the expression levels of miR-17-5p and miR-155-5p were significantly increased (P<0.01). The results of bioinformatics software prediction indicated that there were binding sites for miR-17-5p and miR-155-5p in the 3'-UTR of cyclin D1. After cotransfected with miR-17-5p or miR-155-5p and pcDNA-GFP-cyclin D1-3'UTR into the A549 cells, the expression of GFP declined (P<0.05). After miR-17-5p or miR-155-5p mimics were transfected into A549 cells, the results of real-time PCR showed this treatment significantly increased the miRNA expression (P<0.01), and the results of Western blot showed the transfection inhibited cyclin D1 expression (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Celastrol blocks the A549 cells at G₁ phase, inhibits the viability and induces apoptosis, which may be caused by up-regulating the expression of miR-17-5p and miR-155-5p, and then down-regulating cyclin D1 expression. This study provides a new theoretical basis for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer with celastrol.     

Chinese traditional medicine berberine degrades CML characteristic protein BCR-ABL and its mechanisms

AIM: To investigate the target of Chinese traditional medicine berberine in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and the mechanism of berberine degradating CML characteristic protein BCR-ABL. METHODS: Molecular docking simulation and surface plasma resonance imaging (SPRi) were used to predict and confirm the probability of berberine binding with ABL1. Western blot was used to test the change of BCR-ABL and ubiquitination level before and after berberine treatment at 5 μmol/L for different time (0, 4, 12 and 24 h). The overall ubiquitination level of BCR-ABL was measured by immunoprecipitation. RESULTS: The results of molecular docking and SPRi revealed that berberine directly bound with the SH3-SH2, PTK and F-actin domains of ABL1. The BCR-ABL oncoprotein was degraded after berberine treatment at 5 μmol/L for 4, 12 and 24 h (P<0.05). The anti-flag-BCR-ABL immunoprecipitation revealed that the ubiquitination level of BCR-ABL was increased after berberine treatment. CONCLUSION: Berberine targets and degrades BCR-ABL oncoprotein by increasing ubiquitination level of BCR-ABL.     

NF-κB activation in keloid fibroblasts stimulated with TNF-α

AIM: To investigate NF-κB p65 activation and IκB-α expression in keloid fibroblasts (KFB) and normal skin fibroblasts (NSF) stimulated with TNF-α and to explore the underlying molecular pathogenesis of keloid formation. METHODS: Primary KFB was cultured. The location of NF-κB p65 and IκB-α in KFB and NSF at quiescent condition and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 after TNF-α stimulation were observed by immunofluorescence technique. NF-κB p65 DNA binding activity was detected with TransAMTM NF-κB p65 kit. The IκB-α protein level was determined by means of Western blotting technique. RESULTS: After stimulated with TNF-α, NF-κB p65 translocated into the nucleus. NF-κB p65 DNA binding activity increased to its maximum at 1 h and was dropped to normal at 4 h. TNF-α induced most degradation of IκB-α at 15 min and became detectable in cytoplasm after 4 h. KFB showed more sensitive ability to TNF-α stimulation than NSF. CONCLUSION: NF-κB may play a role in keloid pathogenesis.