Chronic hepatitis B is a global health problem. The clinical outcomes of chronic hepatitis B infection include asymptomatic carrier state, chronic hepatitis(CH), liver cirrhosis(LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)....Chronic hepatitis B is a global health problem. The clinical outcomes of chronic hepatitis B infection include asymptomatic carrier state, chronic hepatitis(CH), liver cirrhosis(LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Because of the spontaneous error rate inherent to viral reverse transcriptase, the hepatitis B virus(HBV) genome evolves during the course of infection under the antiviral pressure of host immunity. The clinical significance of pre-S/S variants has become increasingly recognized in patients with chronic HBV infection. Pre-S/S variants are often identified in hepatitis B carriers with CH, LC, and HCC, which suggests that these naturally occurring pre-S/S variants may contribute to the development of progressive liver damage and hepatocarcinogenesis. This paper reviews the function of the pre-S/S region along with recent findings related to the role of pre-S/S variants in liver diseases. According to the mutation type, five pre-S/S variants have been identified: pre-S deletion, pre-S point mutation, pre-S1 splice variant, C-terminus S point mutation, and pre-S/S nonsense mutation. Their associations with HBV genotype and the possible pathogenesis of pre-S/S variants are discussed. Different pre-S/S variants cause liver diseases through different mechanisms. Most cause the intracellular retention of HBV envelope proteins and induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, which results in liver diseases. Pre-S/S variants should be routinely determined in HBV carriers to help identify individuals who may be at a high risk of less favorable liver disease progression. Additional investigations are required to explore the molecular mechanisms of the pre-S/S variants involved in the pathogenesis of each stage of liver disease.展开更多
为探究WALLS ARE THIN(WAT1)在木本植物中木材形成以及响应胁迫中的作用,利用生物信息学工具进行分析,并以巨桉(Eucalyptus grandis)为材料克隆EgrWAT1S及其另一转录本EgrWAT1L,通过实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)探究其在不同组织、节间以...为探究WALLS ARE THIN(WAT1)在木本植物中木材形成以及响应胁迫中的作用,利用生物信息学工具进行分析,并以巨桉(Eucalyptus grandis)为材料克隆EgrWAT1S及其另一转录本EgrWAT1L,通过实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)探究其在不同组织、节间以及响应胁迫时的表达模式。结果表明:EgrWAT1S在韧皮部表达量较高,而EgrWAT1L主要表达在根部。在茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)、水杨酸(SA)处理和盐胁迫以及缺磷、缺硼处理时,其表达存在着明显不同的模式,在MeJA、SA处理时甚至存在着相反的表达模式。这些结果表明EgrWAT1L基因可能通过转录调控来影响EgrWAT1S表达和进一步的蛋白翻译来响应激素和胁迫处理。为进一步研究WAT1基因在巨桉生长发育过程中的作用和调控方式提供基础,也为将来桉树的分子育种提供可能。展开更多
In order to investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in human lower segments of myometrium obtained from women in labor and those not in labor and identify the splicing variant of COX-2, reverse transcri...In order to investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in human lower segments of myometrium obtained from women in labor and those not in labor and identify the splicing variant of COX-2, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of COX-2. The primers were designed and synthesized according to the sequence of rat COX-2 splice variant which was discovered firstly by us. Then the splicing variant of COX-2 in human myometrium from woman in labor was identified, cloned into vector and sequenced. The results showed that the expression of COX-2 mRNA was lower in human myometrium obtained from women who were not in labor than that in labor women and a new band of COX-2 was obtained in myometrium from labor woman. The fragment included an unspliced intron, which pitched between exons 7 and 8. It was suggested that COX-2 gene was not only expressed highly in human myometrium from woman in labor, but also produced splicing variant by alternative splicing.展开更多
Glutamate is a regulated molecule in the mammalian testis. Extracellular regulation of glutamate in the body is determined largely by the expression of plasmalemmal glutamate transporters. We have examined by PCR, wes...Glutamate is a regulated molecule in the mammalian testis. Extracellular regulation of glutamate in the body is determined largely by the expression of plasmalemmal glutamate transporters. We have examined by PCR, western blotting and immunocytochemistry the expression of a panel of sodium-dependent plasmalemmal glutamate transporters in the rat testis. Proteins examined included： glutamate aspartate transporter （GLAST）, glutamate transporter 1 （GLT1）, excitatory amino acid carrier 1 （EAAC1）, excitatory amino acid transporter 4 （EAAT4） and EAAT5. We demonstrate that many of the glutamate transporters in the testis are alternately spliced. GLAST is present as exon-3- and exon-9-skipping forms. GLT1 was similarly present as the alternately spliced forms GLT1 b and GLTlc, whereas the abundant brain form （GLTla） was detectable only at the mRNA level. EAAT5 was also strongly expressed, whereas EAAC1 and EAAT4 were absent. These patterns of expression were compared with the patterns of endogenous glutamate localization and with patterns of D-aspartate accumulation, as assessed by immunocytochemistry. The presence of multiple glutamate transporters in the testis, including unusually spliced forms, suggests that glutamate homeostasis may be critical in this organ. The apparent presence of many of these transporters in the testis and sperm may indicate a need for glutamate transport by such cells.展开更多
Objective Ovarian cancer(OC)is one of the most common and most lethal gynecological malignancies.OC has an age-dependent incidence and occurs more commonly in females older than 50 years old.Most OC patients are diagn...Objective Ovarian cancer(OC)is one of the most common and most lethal gynecological malignancies.OC has an age-dependent incidence and occurs more commonly in females older than 50 years old.Most OC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage and have a poor prognosis.Germline mutations in the BRCA1 DNA repair associated gene(BRCA1)and the BRCA2 DNA repair associated gene(BRCA2)account for 20%–25%of epithelial ovarian cancer(EOC).BRCA1 germline mutations are more common in Chinese EOC patients.Methods This study reported a three-generation Han-Chinese family containing four EOC patients and a rectal adenocarcinoma patient.Whole-exome sequencing was performed on two EOC patients and an unaffected individual.Variant validation was also performed in all available members by Sanger sequencing.Results A heterozygous splice site variant,c.4358-2A>G in the BRCA1 gene,was identified.Bioinformatic analysis showed that the variant may change the splicing machinery.Conclusion The BRCA1 splice site variant,c.4358-2A>G was identified as the likely genetic cause for EOC,and may also be associated with the increased risk of rectal adenocarcinoma in the family.The findings were beneficial for genetic counseling,helpful for cancer prevention in other family members,and may facilitate therapy decision-making in the future to reduce cancer lethality.展开更多
Objective:Small cell prostate carcinoma(SCPC)is a rare and highly malignant subtype of prostate cancer.SCPC frequently lacks androgen receptor(AR)and prostate-specific antigen(PSA)expression,and often responds poorly ...Objective:Small cell prostate carcinoma(SCPC)is a rare and highly malignant subtype of prostate cancer.SCPC frequently lacks androgen receptor(AR)and prostate-specific antigen(PSA)expression,and often responds poorly to androgen deprivation therapy(ADT).AR splice variant-7(AR-V7)is a truncated AR protein implicated in resistance to AR-targeting therapies.AR-V7 expression in castration-resistant prostate cancers has been evaluated extensively,and blood-based detection of AR-V7 has been associated with lack of response to abiraterone and enzalutamide.However,whether AR-V7 is expressed in SCPC is not known.Methods:Using validated antibodies,we performed immunohistochemistry(IHC)assay for the full-length AR(AR-FL)and(AR-V7)on post-ADT surgical SCPC specimens.Results:Seventy-five percent(9/12)of the specimens showed positive staining for the AR-FL with various intensities.Thirty-three percent(4/12)of the specimens showed positive staining for AR-V7.Among the specimens with positive AR-V7 staining,two samples displayed very weak staining,one sample showed weak-to-moderate staining,and one sample showed strong staining.All positive specimens displayed a heterogeneous pattern of AR-FL/AR-V7 staining.All specimens positive for AR-V7 were also positive for AR-FL.Conclusion:The study findings support the existence of measurable AR-FL and AR-V7 proteins in SCPC specimens.The results also have implications in detection of AR-V7 in specimens obtained through systemic sampling approaches such as circulating tumor cells.A positive AR-V7 finding by blood-based tests is not impossible in patients with SCPC who often demonstrate low PSA values.展开更多
基金Supported by the grant from the National Science Council(NSC 96-2320-B-030-004-MY3),Executive Yuan,Taiwan
文摘Chronic hepatitis B is a global health problem. The clinical outcomes of chronic hepatitis B infection include asymptomatic carrier state, chronic hepatitis(CH), liver cirrhosis(LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Because of the spontaneous error rate inherent to viral reverse transcriptase, the hepatitis B virus(HBV) genome evolves during the course of infection under the antiviral pressure of host immunity. The clinical significance of pre-S/S variants has become increasingly recognized in patients with chronic HBV infection. Pre-S/S variants are often identified in hepatitis B carriers with CH, LC, and HCC, which suggests that these naturally occurring pre-S/S variants may contribute to the development of progressive liver damage and hepatocarcinogenesis. This paper reviews the function of the pre-S/S region along with recent findings related to the role of pre-S/S variants in liver diseases. According to the mutation type, five pre-S/S variants have been identified: pre-S deletion, pre-S point mutation, pre-S1 splice variant, C-terminus S point mutation, and pre-S/S nonsense mutation. Their associations with HBV genotype and the possible pathogenesis of pre-S/S variants are discussed. Different pre-S/S variants cause liver diseases through different mechanisms. Most cause the intracellular retention of HBV envelope proteins and induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, which results in liver diseases. Pre-S/S variants should be routinely determined in HBV carriers to help identify individuals who may be at a high risk of less favorable liver disease progression. Additional investigations are required to explore the molecular mechanisms of the pre-S/S variants involved in the pathogenesis of each stage of liver disease.
文摘为探究WALLS ARE THIN(WAT1)在木本植物中木材形成以及响应胁迫中的作用,利用生物信息学工具进行分析,并以巨桉(Eucalyptus grandis)为材料克隆EgrWAT1S及其另一转录本EgrWAT1L,通过实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)探究其在不同组织、节间以及响应胁迫时的表达模式。结果表明:EgrWAT1S在韧皮部表达量较高,而EgrWAT1L主要表达在根部。在茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)、水杨酸(SA)处理和盐胁迫以及缺磷、缺硼处理时,其表达存在着明显不同的模式,在MeJA、SA处理时甚至存在着相反的表达模式。这些结果表明EgrWAT1L基因可能通过转录调控来影响EgrWAT1S表达和进一步的蛋白翻译来响应激素和胁迫处理。为进一步研究WAT1基因在巨桉生长发育过程中的作用和调控方式提供基础,也为将来桉树的分子育种提供可能。
基金This project was supported by grants from National Natu ral Sciences Foundation of China ( No. 30070929,30271363).
文摘In order to investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in human lower segments of myometrium obtained from women in labor and those not in labor and identify the splicing variant of COX-2, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of COX-2. The primers were designed and synthesized according to the sequence of rat COX-2 splice variant which was discovered firstly by us. Then the splicing variant of COX-2 in human myometrium from woman in labor was identified, cloned into vector and sequenced. The results showed that the expression of COX-2 mRNA was lower in human myometrium obtained from women who were not in labor than that in labor women and a new band of COX-2 was obtained in myometrium from labor woman. The fragment included an unspliced intron, which pitched between exons 7 and 8. It was suggested that COX-2 gene was not only expressed highly in human myometrium from woman in labor, but also produced splicing variant by alternative splicing.
文摘Glutamate is a regulated molecule in the mammalian testis. Extracellular regulation of glutamate in the body is determined largely by the expression of plasmalemmal glutamate transporters. We have examined by PCR, western blotting and immunocytochemistry the expression of a panel of sodium-dependent plasmalemmal glutamate transporters in the rat testis. Proteins examined included： glutamate aspartate transporter （GLAST）, glutamate transporter 1 （GLT1）, excitatory amino acid carrier 1 （EAAC1）, excitatory amino acid transporter 4 （EAAT4） and EAAT5. We demonstrate that many of the glutamate transporters in the testis are alternately spliced. GLAST is present as exon-3- and exon-9-skipping forms. GLT1 was similarly present as the alternately spliced forms GLT1 b and GLTlc, whereas the abundant brain form （GLTla） was detectable only at the mRNA level. EAAT5 was also strongly expressed, whereas EAAC1 and EAAT4 were absent. These patterns of expression were compared with the patterns of endogenous glutamate localization and with patterns of D-aspartate accumulation, as assessed by immunocytochemistry. The presence of multiple glutamate transporters in the testis, including unusually spliced forms, suggests that glutamate homeostasis may be critical in this organ. The apparent presence of many of these transporters in the testis and sperm may indicate a need for glutamate transport by such cells.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81800219 and No.81873686)Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province(No.2019JJ50927,No.2020JJ3057 and No.2020JJ4830)the Lotus Scholars Program of Hunan Province,and the Wisdom Accumulation and Talent Cultivation Project of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University(No.YX202109).
文摘Objective Ovarian cancer(OC)is one of the most common and most lethal gynecological malignancies.OC has an age-dependent incidence and occurs more commonly in females older than 50 years old.Most OC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage and have a poor prognosis.Germline mutations in the BRCA1 DNA repair associated gene(BRCA1)and the BRCA2 DNA repair associated gene(BRCA2)account for 20%–25%of epithelial ovarian cancer(EOC).BRCA1 germline mutations are more common in Chinese EOC patients.Methods This study reported a three-generation Han-Chinese family containing four EOC patients and a rectal adenocarcinoma patient.Whole-exome sequencing was performed on two EOC patients and an unaffected individual.Variant validation was also performed in all available members by Sanger sequencing.Results A heterozygous splice site variant,c.4358-2A>G in the BRCA1 gene,was identified.Bioinformatic analysis showed that the variant may change the splicing machinery.Conclusion The BRCA1 splice site variant,c.4358-2A>G was identified as the likely genetic cause for EOC,and may also be associated with the increased risk of rectal adenocarcinoma in the family.The findings were beneficial for genetic counseling,helpful for cancer prevention in other family members,and may facilitate therapy decision-making in the future to reduce cancer lethality.
基金The work at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants(R01 CA185297 and P30 CA006973)Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program Grants(W81XWH-15-2-0050)+1 种基金Johns Hopkins Prostate SPORE Grant(P50 CA058236)the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
文摘Objective:Small cell prostate carcinoma(SCPC)is a rare and highly malignant subtype of prostate cancer.SCPC frequently lacks androgen receptor(AR)and prostate-specific antigen(PSA)expression,and often responds poorly to androgen deprivation therapy(ADT).AR splice variant-7(AR-V7)is a truncated AR protein implicated in resistance to AR-targeting therapies.AR-V7 expression in castration-resistant prostate cancers has been evaluated extensively,and blood-based detection of AR-V7 has been associated with lack of response to abiraterone and enzalutamide.However,whether AR-V7 is expressed in SCPC is not known.Methods:Using validated antibodies,we performed immunohistochemistry(IHC)assay for the full-length AR(AR-FL)and(AR-V7)on post-ADT surgical SCPC specimens.Results:Seventy-five percent(9/12)of the specimens showed positive staining for the AR-FL with various intensities.Thirty-three percent(4/12)of the specimens showed positive staining for AR-V7.Among the specimens with positive AR-V7 staining,two samples displayed very weak staining,one sample showed weak-to-moderate staining,and one sample showed strong staining.All positive specimens displayed a heterogeneous pattern of AR-FL/AR-V7 staining.All specimens positive for AR-V7 were also positive for AR-FL.Conclusion:The study findings support the existence of measurable AR-FL and AR-V7 proteins in SCPC specimens.The results also have implications in detection of AR-V7 in specimens obtained through systemic sampling approaches such as circulating tumor cells.A positive AR-V7 finding by blood-based tests is not impossible in patients with SCPC who often demonstrate low PSA values.
