Objective Taking CNE-2Z multicellular spheroids (MCSs) as the simulation of solid tumors, to investigate the role of SAPK/JNK signaling pathway in multicellular resistance to radiotherapy for human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods Human NPC cell line CNE-2Z were cultured into multicellular spheroids by using liquid overlay technique, then divided into control MCSs, irradiated MCSs (average dose in one minute: 2 Gy), sp-600125(a specific inhibitor for SAPK/JNK signaling pathway)+irradiated MCSs, sp-600125+MCSs. Western blotting was employed to analyze the activity of SAPK/JNK signaling pathway in MCSs, and the expression of Caspase-3 protein before and after sp-600125 treatment; X-ray induced cell apoptotisis in MCSs before and after sp-600125 treatment was detected by TUNEL. Results The level of SAPK/JNK phosphorylation in MCSs was a dynamic course after radiation, and the phosphorylation peaked at 2 h after irradiation; The apoptotic rate of MCSs (P

Objective To evaluate the clinical features and guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH-1) gene mutation in a family with dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD).Methods The clinical features of this family were collected and their peripheral blood samples were screened for mutation in GCH-1 gene using PCR and DNA direct sequencing.Results The clinical features among each patient in this family were different.But all affected family members had quite a good response to levodopa treatment without significant adverse reactions.DNA test showed an AT deletion mutation at point of 631-632 in the 6th exon of GCH-1 gene in 5 affected members and 1 asymptomatic immediate family member.Conclusions Clinical heterogeneity is an important characteristic of DRD and clinical symptoms vary intra-families.Same gene type may cause different phenotype and not all carriers are patients.The deletion mutation at point of 631-632 in the 6th exon of GCH-1 gene should be considered as a pathogenic mutation for DRD.