Development of Marine-Derived Compounds for Cancer Therapy

Cancer has always been a threat to human health with its high morbidity and mortality rates. Traditional therapy, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, plays a key role in cancer treatment. However, it is not able to prevent tumor recurrence, drug resistance and treatment side effects, which makes it a very attractive challenge to search for new effective and specific anticancer drugs. Nature is a valuable source of multiple pharmaceuticals, and most of the anticancer drugs are natural products or derived from them. Marine-derived compounds, such as nucleotides, proteins, peptides and amides, have also shed light on cancer therapy, and they are receiving a fast-growing interest due to their bioactive properties. Their mechanisms contain anti-angiogenic, anti-proliferative and anti-metastasis activities; cell cycle arrest; and induction of apoptosis. This review provides an overview on the development of marine-derived compounds with anticancer properties, both their applications and mechanisms, and discovered technologies.     

Glycol Chitosan-Based Fluorescent Theranostic Nanoagents for Cancer Therapy

Theranostics is an integrated nanosystem that combines therapeutics with diagnostics in attempt to develop new personalized treatments with enhanced therapeutic efficacy and safety. As a promising therapeutic paradigm with cutting-edge technologies, theranostic agents are able to simultaneously deliver therapeutic drugs and diagnostic imaging agents and also monitor the response to therapy. Polymeric nanosystems have been intensively explored for biomedical applications to diagnose and treat various cancers. In recent years, glycol chitosan-based nanoagents have been developed as dual-purpose materials for simultaneous diagnosis and therapy. They have shown great potential in cancer therapies, such as chemotherapeutics and nucleic acid and photodynamic therapies. In this review, we summarize the recent progress and potential applications of glycol chitosan-based fluorescent theranostic nanoagents for cancer treatments and discuss their possible underlying mechanisms.     

一种从花生种子中提取RNA的改进方法

花生种子中富含蛋白质、多糖和酚类化合物,从而增加了从中提取RNA的难度。作者通过实验对几种方法做了比较,并对其中的异硫氰酸胍方法稍做改变,结果得到的RNA产率较高,质量好,符合分子生物学实验要求。     

Fucoidan Structure and Its Impact on Glucose Metabolism: Implications for Diabetes and Cancer Therapy

Fucoidans are complex polysaccharides derived from brown seaweeds which consist of considerable proportions of L-fucose and other monosaccharides, and sulphated ester residues. The search for novel and natural bioproduct drugs (due to toxicity issues associated with chemotherapeutics) has led to the extensive study of fucoidan due to reports of it having several bioactive characteristics. Among other fucoidan bioactivities, antidiabetic and anticancer properties have received the most research attention in the past decade. However, the elucidation of the fucoidan structure and its biological activity is still vague. In addition, research has suggested that there is a link between diabetes and cancer; however, limited data exist where dual chemotherapeutic efforts are elucidated. This review provides an overview of glucose metabolism, which is the central process involved in the progression of both diseases. We also highlight potential therapeutic targets and show the relevance of fucoidan and its derivatives as a candidate for both cancer and diabetes therapy.     

Metabolite Profiling of Rosemary Cell Lines with Antiproliferative Potential against Human HT-29 Colon Cancer Cells

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a culinary and medicinal plant used in food and pharmaceutical industry. The wide range of biological activities is mainly...     

利用转基因技术初步鉴定香蕉RNA解旋酶基因功能

本研究利用前期抑制差减杂交技术筛选获得的香蕉果实上调表达的基因片段,经NCBI比对,表明该基因片段属于香蕉ATP依赖的RNA解旋酶(Helicase)基因家族成员,含有完整的RNA解旋酶超家族C-末端结构域HELICc结构。经Southern杂交证实,此RNA解旋酶基因在香蕉基因组中只有一个拷贝。构建RNA解旋酶基因的反义基因植物表达载体PBIPC86,转化番茄获得6株转基因番茄植株。转基因番茄植株的叶、花和生长形态均有变异,部分转基因番茄生长势弱。该研究结果对鉴定香蕉RNA解旋酶基因功能奠定了初步基础。     

Recent Advances in Small Peptides of Marine Origin in Cancer Therapy

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, and antineoplastic drug research continues to be a major field in medicine development. The marine milieu has thousands of biological species that are a valuable source of novel functional proteins and peptides, which have been used in the treatment of many diseases, including cancer. In contrast with proteins and polypeptides, small peptides (with a molecular weight of less than 1000 Da) have overwhelming advantages, such as preferential and fast absorption, which can decrease the burden on human gastrointestinal function. Besides, these peptides are only connected by a few peptide bonds, and their small molecular weight makes it easy to modify and synthesize them. Specifically, small peptides can deliver nutrients and drugs to cells and tissues in the body. These characteristics make them stand out in relation to targeted drug therapy. Nowadays, the anticancer mechanisms of the small marine peptides are still largely not well understood; however, several marine peptides have been applied in preclinical treatment. This paper highlights the anticancer linear and cyclic small peptides in marine resources and presents a review of peptides and the derivatives and their mechanisms.     

香蕉果实类受体蛋白激酶基因克隆及RNAi载体构建

植物类受体蛋白激酶在植物的生长发育和信号转导中起到重要作用。以香蕉果实cDNA噬菌体文库为材料,通过原位杂交方法获得1个长度为1 689 bp的香蕉果实类受体蛋白激酶基因,编码563个氨基酸序列,包含1个高度保守的蛋白激酶家族结构域。Southern杂交分析结果表明,该基因在香蕉基因组中不止有1个拷贝。构建了该基因的RNAi干扰载体,为该基因功能研究打下基础。     

利用RNA干涉研究水稻锌指蛋白基因OsZRL的功能

 通过RNA干涉对一个水稻锌指蛋白基因OsZRL的功能进行分析。半定量RT PCR、定量PCR分析结果显示,转基因植株OsZRL基因表达水平显著下调。与野生型相比,OsZRL表达水平下调的转基因株系叶片变大,根系、茎秆更为发达,表明OsZRL的下调对水稻植株的生长有促进作用。OsZRL基因的表达模式和转基因幼苗表型显示OsZRL参与赤霉素、脱落酸信号途径。因而推测锌指蛋白OsZRL是受赤霉素、脱落酸调节的水稻生长发育负调控因子。     

PRSV-NIb基因同源dsRNA的原核表达及其在番木瓜叶片原生质体瞬时表达体系中诱导RNA沉默的研究

为探索利用PRSV-NIb基因同源dsRNA的原核表达产物在体外防治番木瓜环斑病毒的可行性,利用较保守的PRSV-NIb基因3’端的312、501和809 bp区段分别构建了含有PDK内含子的3个发夹RNA编码结构,并选用pSP73和M-Jml09LacY分别作为宿主载体和宿主菌构建了高效的dsRNA原核表达工程菌M-Jml09LacY/pSP73-RNAi-N312、M-Jml09LacY/pSP73-RNAi-N501、M-Jm109LacY/pSP73-RNAi-N809,经IPTG诱导成功表达了dsRNA,并证明dsRNA不被DNase I和RNase A降解,稳定性较好.还利用PRSV-NIb基因构建了GFP瞬时植物融合表达载体pNIb-GFP,对经3种dsRNA和GFP瞬时融合表达载体共转化的番木瓜叶片原生质体的共聚焦显微镜观察及通过半定量RT-PCR对其中mRNA表达量的分析,结果表明融合基因NIb-GFP的表达均发生了不同程度的下调,说明dsRNA在原生质体中引发了针对同源基因的沉默.     

Dysregulated Expression of Long Non-Coding RNA MINCR and EZH2 in Colorectal Cancer

Background:As critical regulators, lncRNAs have attracted attention from researchers for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic purposes in human carcinogenesis via interfering with mRNAs such as EZH2. Nevertheless, the potent roles and molecular mechanisms of these RNAs in CRC are not clearly known. Methods:In this study, the tissue expressions of lncRNA MINCR and EZH2 mRNA between colorectal tumors and polyps were compared with the adjacent normal tissues collected from 114 Iranian patients, using real-time PCR method. Furthermore, the correlation of the expression levels of MINCR and EZH2 with other clinical parameters was evaluated. Results:The significant overexpression of MINCR and EZH2 were observed in the CRC tissues compared to control tissues (p < 0.0001). This observation confirmed the association of these expression enhancements with the pathological stage of CRC patients. Conclusion:Our findings revealed that the expression of MINCR significantly alters during CRC development, and it can be identified as a potential biomarker for the detection of CRC.Key Words: Colorectal cancer, EZH2, Long non-coding RNA     

6-Bromoisatin Found in Muricid Mollusc Extracts Inhibits Colon Cancer Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis,Preventing Early Stage Tumor Formation in a Colorectal Cancer Rodent Model

Muricid molluscs are a natural source of brominated isatin with anticancer activity. The aim of this study was to examine the safety and efficacy of synthetic 6-bromoisatin for reducing the risk of early stage colorectal tumor formation. The purity of 6-bromoisatin was confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, then tested for in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity. A mouse model for colorectal cancer was utilized whereby colonic apoptosis and cell proliferation was measured 6 h after azoxymethane treatment by hematoxylin and immunohistochemical staining. Liver enzymes and other biochemistry parameters were measured in plasma and haematological assessment of the blood was conducted to assess potential toxic side-effects. 6-Bromoisatin inhibited proliferation of HT29 cells at IC₅₀ 223 μM (0.05 mg/mL) and induced apoptosis without increasing caspase 3/7 activity. In vivo 6-bromoisatin (0.05 mg/g) was found to significantly enhance the apoptotic index (p ≤ 0.001) and reduced cell proliferation (p ≤ 0.01) in the distal colon. There were no significant effects on mouse body weight, liver enzymes, biochemical factors or blood cells. However, 6-bromoisatin caused a decrease in the plasma level of potassium, suggesting a diuretic effect. In conclusion this study supports 6-bromoisatin in Muricidae extracts as a promising lead for prevention of colorectal cancer.     

RNA干涉下调RACK1基因表达增强水稻抗旱能力

 RACK1是一种多功能支架蛋白,广泛参与植物生长发育过程的调节。利用RNA干涉技术抑制水稻RACK1基因的表达,分析了RACK1基因在响应干旱胁迫中的功能。实时定量PCR对获得的转基因植株的RACK1基因表达分析结果表明,转基因水稻RACK1基因表达受抑制程度达50%左右。与非转基因水稻（对照）相比,转基因水稻耐干旱能力显著强于对照,其膜的过氧化酶和丙二醛的产生显著低于对照,而超氧化物歧化酶活性极显著高于对照。表明RACK1蛋白质调节水稻对干旱胁迫的耐性,并且这种调节在很大程度上与植株体内的氧化还原系统有关。     

Down-Regulated Expression of RACK1 Gene by RNA Interference Enhances Drought Tolerance in Rice

The receptor for activated C-kinase 1 (RACK1) is a highly conserved scaffold protein with versatile functions, and plays important roles in the regulation of plant growth and development. Transgenic rice plants, in which the expression of RACK1 gene was inhibited by RNA interference (RNAi), were studied to elucidate the possible functions of RACK1 in responses to drought stress in rice. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the expression of RACK1 in transgenic rice plants was inhibited by more than 50%. The tolerance to drought stress of the transgenic rice plants was higher as compared with the non-transgenic rice plants. The peroxidation of membrane and the production of malondialdehyde were significantly lower, and the superoxide dismutase activity in transgenic rice plants was significantly higher than those in non-trangenic rice plants. It is suggested that RACK1 negatively regulated the redox system-related tolerance to drought stress of rice plants.     

花生种子总RNA提取的一种有效方法

从植物中提取RNA的方法有多种,由于花生种子富含脂肪、蛋白质、多糖和酚类化合物,有些方法并不适于花生种子RNA的提取.本文设计了一种从花生种子中分离高质量总RNA的方法,并提取了花生的根、茎、叶、种子等不同器官的RNA.结果证明,利用该方法提取的花生种子总RNA质量较高,完全能满足后续的分子生物学研究.同样也适于花生根、茎、叶总RNA的提取.     

Antiproliferation and Apoptosis on RKO Colon Cancer by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Millingtonia hortensis</Emphasis>

Millingtonia hortensis is a medicinal plant widely used in many Asian countries. An aqueous crude extract of this plant has been shown the apoptosis induction on RKO colon cancer cells. However, its mechanism remains unknown. To learn more about this plant extract, we partially purified the crude extract using Sephadex LH-20 and three aqueous fractions were collected. Each fraction was investigated for cytotoxicity using MTT assay. Fraction 1 showed antiproliferative effect on RKO cells with dose-dependent manner, while fraction 2 and 3 had no effect. Induction of apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation method. Apoptotic cell numbers and the appearance of fragmented DNA increased with dose-dependent manner after treatment with fraction 1 for 48 h. We further investigated the expression of apoptotic protein by western blot analysis. Fraction 1 decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-x_L and p-Bad, while pro-apoptotic protein Bad, was not changed. Fraction 1 also decreased the expression of p-Akt and slightly increased the level of total Akt. These results indicated that fraction 1 is able to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis on RKO cells by decreasing the expression of Bcl-x_L, p-Bad and p-Akt which are involving in survival of cancer cells.     

Anti-proliferative Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melissa officinalis</Emphasis> on Human Colon Cancer Cell Line

Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) is consumed as a traditional herbal tea in the Mediterranean region. The cytotoxic effect of the 50% ethanolic and aqueous extract, determined by the MTT and NR assays, was evaluated in vitro on Human Colon Cancer Cell Line (HCT-116), using Triton 10% as positive control. The 50% ethanolic extract showed significant differences after 72 h of treatment, reducing cell proliferation to values close to 40%, even the lowest dose tested (5 μg/ml). In the MTT assay, the same extract caused the lowest cell viability with 13% at a concentration of 1,000 μg/ml after 72 h of treatment, being a value lower than Triton 10%. The antioxidant activity was also confirmed evaluating the capacity of the extracts to scavenge ABTS and DPPH radicals, and IC₅₀ values were highly correlated with the total phenolic and flavonoid content. Bioassay guided fractionation led to the isolation of an anti-proliferative compound, rosmarinic acid. Its structural elucidation was performed by HPLC/DAD/ESI/MS analysis. High dose of rosmarinic acid (1,000 μg/ml) was clearly cytotoxic against HCT-116 cells, with a significant decrease in cell number since the earliest time point (24 h).     

Gene Nomenclature System for Rice

The Committee on Gene Symbolization, Nomenclature and Linkage (CGSNL) of the Rice Genetics Cooperative has revised the gene nomenclature system for rice (Oryza) to take advantage of the completion of the rice genome sequence and the emergence of new methods for detecting, characterizing, and describing genes in the biological community. This paper outlines a set of standard procedures for describing genes based on DNA, RNA, and protein sequence information that have been annotated and mapped on the sequenced genome assemblies, as well as those determined by biochemical characterization and/or phenotype characterization by way of forward genetics. With these revisions, we enhance the potential for structural, functional, and evolutionary comparisons across organisms and seek to harmonize the rice gene nomenclature system with that of other model organisms. Newly identified rice genes can now be registered on-line at http://shigen.lab.nig.ac.jp/rice/oryzabase_submission/gene_nomenclature/.