-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: It remains difficult to obtain high-resolution atomic force microscopy images of HIV-1 integrase bound to DNA in a dimeric or tetrameric fashion. We therefore constructed specific target DNAs to assess HIV-1 integrase binding and purified the complex by dialysis prior to analysis. Our resulting atomic force microscopy analyses indicated precise size of binding human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) recombinant integrase in a tetrameric manner, inducing formation of a loop-like or figure-eight-like secondary structure in the target DNA. Our findings regarding the target DNA secondary structure provide new insights into the intermediate states of retroviral integration.
PLoS ONE 01/2013; 8(1):e53572. · 4.09 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Microchimerism after liver transplantation is considered to promote graft tolerance or tissue repair, but its significance is controversial. By using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of short tandem repeat (STR) loci after laser capture microdissection of hepatocyte nuclei, we compared the proportions of recipient-derived hepatocytes in long-term stable liver allografts and late dysfunctional allografts caused by chronic rejection or idiopathic post-transplantation hepatitis. Through fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), we also analyzed the presence of recipient-derived Y-positive hepatocytes in the biopsies of livers transplanted from female donors to male recipients. The study population comprised 24 pediatric liver transplant recipients who survived with the initial graft, whose 10-year protocol biopsy records were available, and who had normal liver function (stable graft, SG; n=13) or a late dysfunctional graft (LDG; n=11) with similar follow-up periods (mean 10.8 years in the SG group and 11.2 years in the LDG group). STR analysis revealed that hepatocyte chimerism occurred in 7 of 13 (54%) SGs and 5 of 11 (45%) LDGs (p=0.68). The proportion of hepatocyte chimerism was low, with a mean of 3% seen in 2 of 3 female-to-male transplanted livers (one each of SG and LDG). In conclusion, hepatocyte chimerism was a constant event. The extent of engraftment of recipient-derived hepatocytes does not seem to correlate with the degree of hepatic injury in long-term liver allografts.
Transplant Immunology 12/2012; · 1.46 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The bile canaliculus is the smallest and first biliary channel and is formed by two or three adjacent hepatocytes. Previous studies of chronic cholangiopathies such as primary sclerosing cholangitis have focused on the bile ductules. However, little is known about the pathological alterations in bile canaliculi in the early phase of cholangiopathies. AIM: To characterize the bile canalicular morphology in the early phase of sclerosing cholangitis we used 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine-induced mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis. METHODS: Mice were fed a diet with 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (0.1%). Serum biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic analyses were performed 1, 2, 4, and 7 days after feeding. RESULTS: All experimental groups showed significantly increased serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase levels. From day 1, bile canalicular abnormalities such as dilatation and meandering and loss of microvilli were observed. After bile canalicular abnormalities had appeared, substantial infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed amongst the necrotic cells and periductal region. After these inflammatory changes, cholangiocytes proliferated in the portal area and formed ductular reactions. Finally, periductal fibrosis appeared. CONCLUSION: This study provides novel evidence of the occurrence of bile canalicular abnormalities during the early phase of sclerosing cholangitis.
Digestive and Liver Disease 10/2012; · 3.05 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We present here analytical data using the 15 STR typing (Identifiler) kit regarding heterozygote balance in experimental DNA samples including one or two persons. Surprisingly, the allelic imbalance was observed even in samples consisting of only one person but adequate DNA for the standard protocol. The variance of heterozygote balance was more expanded in two-person mixtures than in one-person samples. Therefore, it is not suitable to use allelic peak heights/areas for estimating the genotypes of the contributors such as the quantitative analysis. We also reevaluated the effectiveness of qualitative analysis by simulation, i.e. consideration of the probability of all possible genotype combinations from the typing results of a mixed DNA sample. As demonstrated, the qualitative analysis using 15 STR loci is still extremely effective even in a mixture from two or three individuals.
Legal Medicine 10/2012;
-
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-based mass spectrometry (MS) to the proteomic analysis of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue presents significant technical challenges. In situ enzymatic digestion is frequently used to unlock formalin-fixed tissues for analysis, but the results are often unsatisfactory. Here, we report a new, simplified in situ pretreatment method for preparing tissue sections for MS that involves heating with vapor containing acetonitrile in a small airtight pressurized space. The utility of the novel method is shown using FFPE tissue of human colon carcinoma. The number and intensity of MALDI peaks obtained from analysis of pretreated tissue was significantly higher than control tissue not subjected to pretreatment. A prominent peak (m/z 850) apparently specific to cancerous tissue was identified as a fragment of histone H2A in FFPE tissue pretreated using our method. This highly sensitive treatment may enable MALDI-MS analysis of archived pathological FFPE samples, thus leading to the identification of new biomarkers.
PLoS ONE 08/2012; 7(8):e41607. · 4.09 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Pituitary abscess is a rare disease presenting with nonspecific clinical symptoms, and diagnosis is often difficult. This disease is potentially life-threatening, but most cases have a chronic and indolent course. We report a case of a 60-year-old man with a pituitary abscess associated with pituitary adenoma who died 5 days after the onset of clinical symptoms without a definitive diagnosis. Postmortem computed tomography and autopsy findings revealed a sellar mass with cystic change and extension toward the optic chiasm. Histopathology of the lesion demonstrated an abscess with suppurative meningitis and encephalitis. The disturbance of the cardiac autonomic nervous system because of hypothalamus involvement was suggested as the cause of rapid progression and death. This case provides useful information for clinicians to avoid a lethal outcome.
The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology: official publication of the National Association of Medical Examiners 07/2012; 33(3):280-3. · 0.71 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The long-term fate of aged liver allografts in young recipients who received grafts from older donors is unknown. We evaluated graft aging by analyzing hepatocytic telomere length and karyotypic changes. Seventeen pediatric individuals who underwent living-donor liver transplantation for congenital biliary diseases were selected. At a median of 10.4 years post-transplant, ten had tolerated grafts with weaned off immunosuppressants, and seven had idiopathic post-transplantation hepatitis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to evaluate the telomere signal intensity (TI) and karyotypic changes. First, we measured predictive age-dependent TI decline with regression analysis of donor livers. The mean TI at the earliest (within a year) and latest biopsies was significantly lower than the predicted TI of the studied allografts. With univariate analysis, a higher abnormal karyotype ratio in the donor liver was correlated with development of idiopathic post-transplantation hepatitis. With multivariate analysis that included clinical parameters, a greater TI decline at the earliest biopsy was correlated with the development of idiopathic post-transplantation hepatitis. In conclusion, graft aging as measured by TI decline and donor abnormal karyotype ratio was associated with idiopathic post-transplantation hepatitis of long-term transplanted liver allografts.
Transplant International 07/2012; 25(9):956-66. · 2.92 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) is a rare disease characterized by progressive and obliterative cholangiopathy in infants and is one of the major causes of secondary vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) due to cholestasis-induced fat malabsorption. Breast feeding increases the tendency of bleeding in EHBA patients because breast milk contains low amounts of vitamin K. A 2-month-old female infant unexpectedly died, with symptoms of vomiting and jaundice prior to death. She had been born by uncomplicated vaginal delivery and exhibited normal growth and development with breastfeeding. There was no history of trauma. She received vitamin K prophylaxis orally. In an emergency hospital, a CT scan showed a right intracranial hematoma and mass effect with midline shift to the left. In the postmortem examination, severe atresia was observed in the whole extrahepatic bile duct. Histologically, cholestasis, periductal fibrosis, and distorted bile ductules were noted. The gallbladder was not identified. A subdural hematoma and cerebellar tonsillar herniation were found; however, no traumatic injury in any part of the body was observed. Together, these findings suggest that the subdural hemorrhage was caused by secondary vitamin K deficiency resulting from a combination of cholestasis-induced fat malabsorption and breastfeeding. Subdural hemorrhage by secondary VKDB sometimes occurs even when vitamin K prophylaxis is continued. This case demonstrated that intrinsic factors, such as secondary VKDB (e.g., EHBA, neonatal hepatitis, chronic diarrhea), should also be considered in infant autopsy cases presenting with subdural hemorrhage.
Forensic science international 05/2012; 221(1-3):e25-9. · 2.10 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We report a unique case of transmesenteric hernia resulting in death, which went undiagnosed during a recent hospital visit. The victim was a 2.5-year-old girl who - with the exception of chronic constipation - had no medical history. One night she complained of abdominal pains and was taken to a pediatric hospital where doctors performed an abdominal X-ray and echography. No significant findings suggesting bowel obstruction (e.g. air-fluid levels or dilation of the bowel) were obtained on examinations and bloody feces were not observed in this particular episode. As her abdominal pain gradually attenuated, the doctor allowed her to return home. A few hours later, she lost consciousness and expired despite resuscitation efforts attempted at an emergency hospital. A subsequent autopsy revealed that the small bowel had herniated through a defect in the mesentery resulting in two consecutive and inversely forming loops, in which each loop protruded on either side of the mesentery. This rare morphological anatomy seems to have progressed in a two-step process. The girl's mild abdominal pain was likely induced by herniation and formation of the first intestinal loop, followed by severe shock occurring when the subsequent intestinal segment invaginated into the same defect forming the second loop on the opposite side of the mesentery. This case illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing transmesenteric hernia due to the presentation of unspecific symptoms; especially in infants and toddlers. Furthermore, this report demonstrates the value of a complete autopsy in cases of sudden and unexpected deaths involving children.
Forensic science international 08/2011; 214(1-3):e39-42. · 2.10 Impact Factor
-
Tatsuaki Tsuruyama,
Takuya Hiratsuka,
Guang Jin,
Yukiko Imai,
Haruya Takeuchi,
Yasuhiro Maruyama,
Kazuya Kanaya, Munetaka Ozeki,
Tetsuya Takakuwa,
Hironori Haga,
Keiji Tamaki,
Takuro Nakamura
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Murine leukemia retrovirus (MLV) vectors are highly effective tools for introducing a foreign gene into a target host genome. However, it remains unclear how integrated retroviral promoter activity is influenced by the upstream or downstream sequences and how the host cell phenotype is influenced by the integrated promoter activity. Herein, we analyzed a set of pre-B lymphoma clones in which the MLV genome was integrated into the signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 5a (Stat5a) gene. Among the clones, the lymphoma clones with a provirus integrating into the middle position of the palindromic target sequences showed significantly higher transcription of the Stat5a gene; and p300 and other transcriptional factors formed complexes, with binding to the proviral-host junctional DNA segment. By using a luciferase assay, the upstream and downstream sequences of the provirus contributed to the up-regulation of proviral promoter activity. In concomitance with the higher Stat5a transcription, the immunoglobulin gene recombination was arrested. Antiapoptotic activity was significantly higher, with an increase in Bcl-xL, one of the targets of STAT5A, when IL-7 was supplied. Thus, a minute difference between MLV integration sites can lead to large differences in the host phenotype through the formation of transcription factor complexes on the proviral-host junctional DNA segment, suggesting that caution is necessary in monitoring integration sites when working with MLV vectors.
American Journal Of Pathology 03/2011; 178(3):1374-86. · 4.89 Impact Factor
-
Tatsuaki Tsuruyama,
Yukiko Imai,
Haruya Takeuchi,
Takuya Hiratsuka,
Yasuhiro Maruyama,
Kazuya Kanaya,
Richard Kaszynski,
Guang Jin,
Tomoko Okuno, Munetaka Ozeki,
Takuro Nakamura,
Tetsuya Takakuwa,
Toshiaki Manabe,
Keiji Tamaki,
Hiroshi Hiai
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: IL-7R, FLT3, and CD43 are surface antigens expressed during the transition from pro-B to pre-B cells in BM. To understand interactions between their signaling pathways, we analyzed spontaneous mouse B-LBLs with dual MLV integration into Stat5a and Fiz1 or Stat5a and Hipk2. MLV integration resulted in up-regulation of these genes in lymphoma cells compared with normal pro-B cells from the BM. In lymphomas with both integrations into Stat5a and Fiz1, increases in phosphorylated STAT5A and expression of c-Myc, a target gene of STAT5A, were observed following stimulation of the FLT3. Clones with the dual integrations grew faster in IL-7 and FLT3L-supplemented medium than clones with Stat5a integration alone. On the other hand, in lymphomas with integrations into Stat5a and Hipk2, increases in phosphorylated STAT5A and expression of c-Myc were observed following cross-linking of CD43. In conclusion, FLT3 and CD43 signaling pathways involve STAT5A via Fiz1 and Hipk2 in B-LBLs. Identification of the dual MLV integration sites in B-LBLs, therefore, will provide an excellent tool for identification of the signaling pathways in B-LBLs.
Journal of leukocyte biology 04/2010; 88(1):107-16. · 4.99 Impact Factor
-
Richard H Kaszynski,
Shinya Akatsuka,
Takuya Hiratsuka,
Guang Jin, Munetaka Ozeki,
Tomoko Okuno,
Takuro Nakamura,
Toshiaki Manabe,
Tetsuya Takakuwa,
Hiroshi Hiai,
Shinya Toyokuni,
Keiji Tamaki,
Tatsuaki Tsuruyama
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: While the molecular mechanisms underlying microsatellite instability (MSI) have been exhaustively investigated, identifying the patterns of MSI distribution within diverse cancer genomes has remained an elusive issue. In the present study, we conducted genome-wide MSI screening in B-cell lymphoblastic lymphomas (B-LBL) which spontaneously develop in the SL/Kh strain of mice. Tumor samples harvested from 16 mice were investigated using a framework map consisting of 150 microsatellite markers spaced at increments of roughly 0.5-3.0 centimorgans, spanning the entirety of mouse chromosomes (mus musculus chromosomes [MMU]) 3-6. MMU3 contains a quantitative trait locus (QTL), Bomb1 (bone marrow pre-B1), known to induce an aberrant expansion of pre-B cells in bone marrow prior to the onset of B-LBL in SL/Kh mice. The remaining chromosomes were selected on the basis of those most closely resembling MMU3 in terms of total estimated length (maximum variance 10 Mb). MSI was confirmed at 2<or= markers in DNA derived from tumor tissues in 15 SL/Kh mice (93.7%), while healthy splenic DNA samples screened in parallel were consistently negative for MSI. The overall MSI incidence was significantly higher on MMU3 compared with MMU4-6 (P = 0.031). Additionally, by applying spatial point pattern analysis combined with a 1-D version of Ripley's K-function, we successfully demonstrated the predilection of MSI-susceptible loci to structure a massive cluster within the Bomb1 locus. Our study is the first to suggest that a QTL concomitantly serves as a hotspot for MSI-susceptible loci and sheds new light on somatic cancer genetics.
Cancer Science 03/2010; 101(3):800-5. · 3.33 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: HL-60 human leukemia cells, differentiated into a neutrophil lineage by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment, express three members of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) gene family, CEA-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1; CD66a), CEACAM3 (CD66d), and CEACAM6 (CD66c). CD66d is a neutrophil lineage-specific marker, and CD66a and CD66c are found on epithelial and other cells. HL-60 cells continuously treated with ATRA underwent apoptosis, and cells transiently treated for 1 day underwent cell-cycle arrest, entered into senescence, and exhibited reduced apoptosis with CD66-positive cells accounting for the majority of live cells. CD66 antigens were also induced in NB4 leukemic cells upon continuous treatment with ATRA. NB4 cells underwent apoptosis with a higher frequency in transient versus continuous-treated cells (38% vs. 19% at Day 5), in contrast to HL-60 cells that underwent cell-cycle arrest and senescence when transiently treated with ATRA. CD66 antigens were not induced in transient, ATRA-treated NB4 cells compared with HL-60 cells. Cell-cycle arrest in HL-60 cells involved reduction in expression levels of p21, cyclins D and E, while Rb1 exhibited reduction in protein levels without changes in mRNA levels over the time course of ATRA treatment. Analysis of several proapoptotic proteins implicated the activation of calpain and cleavage of Bax in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, similar to published studies about the apoptosis of neutrophils. CD1d expression was also induced by ATRA in HL-60 cells and ligation with anti-CD1d antibody-induced apoptosis. In contrast, CD1d-positive primary monocytes were protected from spontaneous apoptosis by CD1d ligation. These studies demonstrate distinct cell fates for ATRA-treated HL-60 cells that provide new insights into ATRA-induced cell differentiation.
Journal of Leukocyte Biology 07/2008; 84(3):769-79. · 4.99 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a major lipid peroxidation product, reacts with histidine, lysine or cysteine residues of proteins to form hemiacetal Michael adducts and thus interferes with the functions of the proteins. Here we undertook to identify HNE-modified proteins in the target organ of a ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA)-induced renal carcinogenesis model with histidine-specific HNEJ-2 antibody. Immunoaffinity column separation and sequencing identified one of the major modified proteins as actin. To further explore the characteristics of actin as an HNE acceptor, we produced four novel monoclonal antibodies against HNE-modified keyhole limpet hemocyanin. All these antibodies (HNEJ-1, 3-5) recognized histidine adducts, but were different from HNEJ-2 in recognizing lysine and cysteine adducts to some extent. Actin, albumin, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), metallothionein and superoxide dismutase were treated in vitro with HNE and evaluated with these antibodies. The results revealed that actin was most sensitive to HNE modification and metallothionein most resistant. Furthermore, the residue-specificity of GAPDH was in accord with that shown by our recent mass spectrometry data. Immunohistochemistry with the antibodies revealed cytoplasmic staining with or without nuclear staining in the renal proximal tubules after Fe-NTA administration. The results suggest that actin is a major target protein for HNE modification in vivo, and that our monoclonal antibodies are useful for evaluating the HNE adducts produced.
Journal of Chromatography B 12/2005; 827(1):119-26. · 2.89 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: NF-kappaB has been well documented to play a critical role in signaling cell stress reactions. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) regulates cell proliferation and survival. GADD45beta is a primary cell cycle element responsive to NF-kappaB activation in anti-apoptotic responses. The present study provides evidence demonstrating that NK-kappaB, ERK and GADD45beta are co-activated by ionizing radiation (IR) in a pattern of mutually dependence to increase cell survival. Stress conditions generated in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells by the administration of a single exposure of 5 Gy IR resulted in the activation of ERK but not p38 or JNK, along with an enhancement of the NF-kappaB transactivation and GADD45beta expression. Overexpression of dominant negative Erk (DN-Erk) or pre-exposure to ERK inhibitor PD98059 inhibited NF-kappaB. Transfection of dominant negative mutant IkappaB that blocks NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, inhibited ERK activity and GADD45beta expression and increased cell radiosensitivity. Interaction of p65 and ERK was visualized in living MCF-7 cells by bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis. Antisense inhibition of GADD45beta strikingly blocked IR-induced NF-kappaB and ERK but not p38 and JNK. Overall, these results demonstrate a possibility that NF-kappaB, ERK, and GADD45beta are able to coordinate in a loop-like signaling network to defend cells against the cytotoxicity induced by ionizing radiation.
Journal of Biological Chemistry 05/2005; 280(13):12593-601. · 4.77 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: NF-κB has been well documented to play a critical role in signaling cell stress reactions. The extracellular signal-regulated
kinase (ERK) regulates cell proliferation and survival. GADD45β is a primary cell cycle element responsive to NF-κB activation
in anti-apoptotic responses. The present study provides evidence demonstrating that NK-κB, ERK and GADD45β are co-activated
by ionizing radiation (IR) in a pattern of mutually dependence to increase cell survival. Stress conditions generated in human
breast cancer MCF-7 cells by the administration of a single exposure of 5 Gy IR resulted in the activation of ERK but not
p38 or JNK, along with an enhancement of the NF-κB transactivation and GADD45β expression. Overexpression of dominant negative
Erk (DN-Erk) or pre-exposure to ERK inhibitor PD98059 inhibited NF-κB. Transfection of dominant negative mutant IκB that blocks
NF-κB nuclear translocation, inhibited ERK activity and GADD45β expression and increased cell radiosensitivity. Interaction
of p65 and ERK was visualized in living MCF-7 cells by bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis. Antisense inhibition
of GADD45β strikingly blocked IR-induced NF-κB and ERK but not p38 and JNK. Overall, these results demonstrate a possibility
that NF-κB, ERK, and GADD45β are able to coordinate in a loop-like signaling network to defend cells against the cytotoxicity
induced by ionizing radiation.
Journal of Biological Chemistry 03/2005; 280(13):12593-12601. · 4.77 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) induces oxidative renal damage leading to a high incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in rats. Differential display analysis of such RCCs revealed elevated expression of annexin 2 (Anx2), a substrate for kinases and a receptor for tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen. We conducted this study to clarify the significance of Anx2 in Fenton reaction-based carcinogenesis. Messenger RNA and protein levels of Anx2 were increased time-dependently in the rat kidney after Fe-NTA administration as well as in LLC-PK1 cells after exposure to H2O2. The latter was inhibited by pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate or catalase. Immunohistochemistry revealed negligible staining in the normal renal proximal tubules, but strong staining in regenerating proximal tubules, karyomegalic cells and RCCs. Metastasizing RCCs showed higher Anx2 protein levels. Anx2 was phosphorylated at serine and tyrosine residues in these cells and coimmunoprecipitated with phosphorylated actin. Overexpression of Anx2 induced a higher cell proliferation rate in LLC-PK1 cells. In contrast, a decrease in proliferation leading to apoptosis was observed after Anx2 antisense treatment to cell lines established from Fe-NTA-induced RCCs. These results suggest that Anx2 is regulated by redox status, and that persistent operation of this adaptive mechanism plays a role in the proliferation and metastasis of oxidative stress-induced cancer.
Oncogene 06/2004; 23(22):3980-9. · 6.37 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Oxidative stress has been associated with a variety of pathologic conditions in humans. Increasing the transcriptional activities of antioxidant enzymes might be a strategy to prevent oxidative stress-associated diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer. In the present paper, we studied the effects of extracts from 12 Mauritian endemic plants on the promoter activities of antioxidant enzymes; Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), catalase, and glutathione dismutase (GPx). The levels of total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins were measured. Four luciferase expression vectors (pGL3-Basic) with promoter region of each enzyme were constructed, transfected to COS7 cells followed by an exposure to each extract (25 microg/ml, 24h, non-toxic dose). Thereafter, luciferase activities were evaluated in comparison with a control luciferase vector with a herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter. Mauritian endemic plants contained high amounts of total phenols, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins. Total phenols and flavonoids were proportionally associated with Cu,Zn-SOD promoter activity, whereas they were inversely correlated with catalase promoter activity. These results suggest that the chemopreventive potentials of the extracts might reside in their abilities to modulate the expression of the antioxidant enzyme genes.
Free Radical Research 12/2003; 37(11):1215-24. · 2.88 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We found that the second intron of Stat5a was one of the common integration sites of the endogenous ecotropic murine leukemia virus, i.e., SL/Kh virus integration-1 (Svi1), in early pre-B lymphomas in SL/Kh mice. The high expression of STAT5A induced by Svi1 integration and activation accelerated the transcription of its target genes such as c-Myc. Transfection of the constitutively active Stat5a mutant cDNA, but not of the wild-type cDNA, to the bone marrow cells induced colony formation of pre-B cells in a methylcellulose medium and escaped from dependence on IL-7. Such growth depended on a genetic factor in the SL/Kh strain. Consitutively high expression of Stat5a either by retrovirus integration or transfection of active mutant cDNA can be lymphomagenic to early pre-B cells in collaboration with a certain genetic background factor of mice.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 07/2002; 99(12):8253-8. · 9.68 Impact Factor