OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of brain protection against convulsive brain damage in premature brains by observing the changes of apoptotic-regulating genes of bcl-2 and c-Jun expression in the hippocampus in Wistar rats with different ages after status convulsion (SC).

METHODSSC was induced in infant Wistar rats (IRs) and adult Wistar rats (ARs) by intraperitoneal injection of lithium-pilocarpine. The rats were sacrificed at 3 hrs, 6 hrs, 12 hrs, 1 day, 3 days and 7 days after SC (n=8). Bcl-2 and c-Jun protein and mRNA levels were measured using immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR and in situ hybridization.

RESULTSc-Jun protein levels increased significantly at 3 hrs and reached the peak at 6 hrs after SC in both IRs and ARs compared to those in the normal control group (P<0.01). c-Jun protein levels started to decrease 12 hrs after SC in both IRs and ARs. The expression of c-Jun protein in IRs returned to the basal level 1 day after SC, while remained higher in ARs than in the normal control group by 7 days after SC. The expression of c-Jun protein in ARs was much higher than that in IRs from 6 hrs to 7 days after SC (P<0.05). c-Jun mRNA level was in parallel with the protein level as mentioned in IRs and ARs after SC. There were no changes observed in both bcl-2 protein and bcl-2 mRNA levels after SC in IRs and ARs.

CONCLUSIONSSC may induce an up-regulation of proapoptotic gene c-Jun in the hippocampus after SC, with a less strong extent and shorter duration in IRs compared to that in ARs. This might be one mechanism of brain protection against convulsive brain damage in IRs. The expression of bcl-2 remains unchanged after SC and is not affected by age in both IRs and ARs.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; analysis ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; analysis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seizures ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the potential relationship between the expressions of c-jun and c-fos oncogenes and the prognosis of medulloblastoma.

METHODSThe specimens from 70 cases of medulloblastoma of the posterior fossa and 10 cases of normal cerebellar tissues were collected to determine c-jun and c-fos expressions by immunohistochemical staining in formalin fixed paraffin-embedded sections.

RESULTS(1) It showed that c-fos and c-jun protein expression was negative in 10 normal cerebellar tissue, while positive c-fos, c-jun immunoreactivity was found in 70 medulloblastoma specimens. The positive rate of c-jun and c-fos was 80% and 77%, respectively. There was high expression of c-jun and c-fos protein in medulloblastoma tissues. (2) There were positive correlations and strong co-operativity between c-jun and c-fos expression (r = 0.493, P < 0.01). (3) Correlative analysis indicated that expression of c-jun, c-fos were significantly correlated with survival time (c-jun: r = -0.447, P < 0.01; c-fos: r = -0.590, P < 0.01). The higher the expression level of c-jun and c-fos protein was, the worse the prognosis was in medulloblastoma patients.

CONCLUSIONSHigh expression of c-jun and c-fos protein could be noted in medulloblastoma tissues. The two transcription factors show positive correlation and strong co-existence between c-jun and c-fos expressions. The expression levels of c-jun as well as c-fos are negatively correlated with the mortality rate and life expectancy of patients with medulloblastoma. In addition, the co-expression of c-jun and c-fos could serve as an indicator for judging the prognosis of medulloblastoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Infant ; Male ; Medulloblastoma ; metabolism ; mortality ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; analysis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; analysis ; Survival Analysis ; Survival Rate

Following kainate (KA)-induced epilepsy, rat hippocampal neurons strongly ex-press immediate early gene (IEG) products, i.e., c-FOS and c-JUN, and neural stress protein, HSP72. Prolonged expression of c-JUN and c-FOS 48 hr after cerebral ischemia has been underwent delayed neuronal death. However, it is not yet clear whether IEGs actually assume the essential roles in the cell death process or simply as a by-product due to external stimuli because of the prolonged expression of c-FOS, more than one week, on intact CA2 neurons of the hippocampus in a KA-induced epilepsy model. This study investigated the relationships between prolonged expression of c-JUN and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in a KA-induced epilepsy model. Epileptic seizure was induced in rats by a single microinjection of KA (1g/l) into the left amygdala. Characteristic seizures and hippocampal neuronal injury were developed. The expression of c-JUN was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and neuronal apoptosis by in situ end labeling. The seizures were associated with c-JUN expression in the hippocampal neurons, of which the level showed a positive correlation with that of apoptosis. Losses of hippocampal neurons, especially in the CA3 region, were partly caused by apoptotic cell death via a c-JUN-mediated signaling pathway. This is thought to be an important component in the pathogenesis of hippocampal neuronal injury via KA-induced epilepsy.
Animal ; *Apoptosis ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/chemically induced/*metabolism/pathology ; Hippocampus/*chemistry/pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kainic Acid/*toxicity ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun/*analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo study the ability of aqueous extract of Hericium erinaceus mushroom in the treatment of nerve injury following peroneal nerve crush in Sprague-Dawley rats.

METHODSAqueous extract of Hericium erinaceus was given by daily oral administration following peroneal nerve crush injury in Sprague-Dawley rats. The expression of protein kinase B (Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways; and c-Jun and c-Fos genes were studied in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) whereas the activity of protein synthesis was assessed in peroneal nerves by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSPeripheral nerve injury leads to changes at the axonal site of injury and remotely located DRG containing cell bodies of sensory afferent neurons. Immunofluorescence studies showed that DRG neurons ipsilateral to the crush injury in rats of treated groups expressed higher immunoreactivities for Akt, MAPK, c-Jun and c-Fos as compared with negative control group (P <0.05). The intensity of nuclear ribonucleoprotein in the distal segments of crushed nerves of treated groups was significantly higher than in the negative control group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONH. erinaceus is capable of promoting peripheral nerve regeneration after injury. Potential signaling pathways include Akt, MAPK, c-Jun, and c-Fos, and protein synthesis have been shown to be involved in its action.

Agaricales ; chemistry ; Animals ; Axons ; pathology ; Female ; Ganglia, Spinal ; metabolism ; Glucans ; analysis ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Nerve Crush ; Nerve Regeneration ; physiology ; Peripheral Nerves ; enzymology ; physiology ; Peroneal Nerve ; physiology ; Protein Biosynthesis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the decrease in expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) after trauma is associated with changes in DNA binding activity of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and activator protein-1 (AP-1).

METHODSMice with closed impact injury with fracture in both hind limbs were adopted as the trauma model. Spleen lymphocytes were isolated from traumatized mice and stimulated with Con-A. Culture supernatants were assayed for IL-2 activity, and total RNA was extracted from spleen lymphocytes and assayed for IL-2 mRNA. DNA binding activity of NFAT and AP-1 were measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The expression of c-Fos, c-Jun and JunB proteins was determined by the Western blot analysis.

RESULTSDNA binding activity of NFAT and AP-1 gradually decreased to a minimum of 41% and 49%, respectively, of the control on the 4th day after injury, which was closely followed by the decline in IL-2 activity and IL-2 mRNA. A decrease in the expression of c-Fos on the 1st and 4th day after trauma had no significant effect on c-Jun expression; the increase in expression of JunB was only on the 1st day after injury.

CONCLUSIONDecreased IL-2 expression is, at least in part, due to a decline in the activation of NFAT and AP-1 in traumatized mice. The decline in DNA binding activity of NFAT and AP-1 is partly due to a trauma-induced block in the expression of c-Fos.

Animals ; Cell Nucleus ; chemistry ; DNA ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Female ; Interleukin-2 ; analysis ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; Nuclear Proteins ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; analysis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; analysis ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; metabolism ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism

To explore the mechanisms for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in children and provide genomic evidence for its early diagnosis and treatment.
 Methods: The peripheral blood gene chip datasets from 12 children with T2DM and 24 healthy children were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) at National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The differentially expressed genes were screened by R language software. GenCLiP 2.0, STRING, and Cytoscape software were used to analyze the biological functions, protein-protein interaction network, signal pathway, gene-pathway network, expression of key genes, and predictive value between the two differentially expressed genes.
 Results: A total of 79 differentially expressed genes were identified. Among them, 58 (73.42%) were up-regulated, and 21 (26.58%) were down-regulated. Differentially expressed genes mainly involved molecular functions and biological processes, such as defensive response, response to external stimulus, and inflammatory responses. At the same time, they were mainly involved in the Leishmaniasis, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. interleukin 1β (IL-1β), jun proto-oncogene (JUN), and IL-8 were 3 important linking nodes in the protein-protein interaction network. JUN and IL-1β were key genes, which were related to interleukin 17 (1L-17) signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway and so on. The expression of JUN gene in peripheral blood of children with T2DM was decreased while the expression of IL-1β gene was increased. JUN and IL-1β genes possessed certain diagnostic and predictive value in children with T2DM.
 Conclusion: The gene expression profile of peripheral blood in children with T2DM changes significantly. The genes of JUN and IL-1β are closely related to T2DM in children. IL-1β gene expression level shows a better predictive value on T2DM in children.
Child ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; diagnosis ; genetics ; therapy ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; genetics ; Software ; Transcriptome ; Up-Regulation

BACKGROUNDSolar ultraviolet (UV) irradiation induces the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) by activating cellular signalling transduction pathways. MMPs are responsible for the degradation and/or inhibition of synthesis of collagenous extracellular matrix in connective tissues. We mimicked the action of environmental ultraviolet on skin and investigated the effects of UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes HaCaT and IL-1alpha on mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase activation, c-Jun and c-Fos (AP-1 is composed of Jun and Fos proteins) mRNA expression and MMP-1 production in UVA-irradiated dermal fibroblasts.

METHODSFollowing UVA irradiation, the culture medium of fibroblasts was replaced by culture medium from UVB-irradiated HaCaT, or replaced by the complete culture medium with interleukin (IL)-1alpha. MAP kinase activity expression in fibroblasts was detected by Western blot. c-Jun and c-Fos mRNA expressions were determined by reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); MMP-1 production in culture medium was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSCulture medium from UVB-irradiated keratinocytes increased MAP kinase activity and c-Jun mRNA expression in UVA-irradiated fibroblasts. IL-1alpha increased MAP kinase activity and c-Jun mRNA expression, IL-1alpha also increased c-Fos mRNA expression. Both culture media from UVB-irradiated human keratinocytes and externally applied IL-1alpha increased MMP-1 production in UVA-irradiated fibroblasts.

CONCLUSIONSUVB-irradiated keratinocytes and IL-1alpha indirectly promote MMP-1 production in UVA-irradiated fibroblasts by increasing MAP kinase/AP-1 activity. IL-1 may play an important role in the paracrine activation and dermal collagen excessive degradation leading to skin photoaging.

Cell Line ; Enzyme Activation ; Fibroblasts ; enzymology ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; pharmacology ; Keratinocytes ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; biosynthesis ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Skin ; radiation effects ; Skin Aging ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; metabolism ; Ultraviolet Rays

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) level is tightly regulated at the transcriptional level. To determine the detailed molecular mechanisms of TSP-1 expression, nine serial 5'-deletion constructs of the human genomic tsp-1 promoter (nucleotides -2,220 to +756) were prepared, inserted into luciferase reporter plasmids, and transiently transfected into the Hep3B human hepatocarcinoma cell. Among the nine 5'-deletion constructs, pTSP-Luc-4 (-767~+756) had consistently decreased luciferase activity with or without PMA stimulation, whereas a further truncated construct [pTSP-Luc-4' (-407~+756)] had increased levels of expression. By searching the nucleotides from -767 to -407, a consensus binding sequence (5'-CCATTTT-3') for the repressor Yin Yang-1 (YY-1) at nucleotide -440 was identified. The suppression induced by this site was weakened in the presence of the region upstream of nucleotide -767 (pTSP-Luc-1 and -2). Nuclear protein directly bound to an oligonucleotide containing the repressive YY-1 sequence but the binding capacity of the sequence was decreased by the increased c-Jun levels. Moreover, proteins immunoprecipitated with anti-YY-1 revealed an interaction between c-Jun and YY-1 factor. These data suggest that the repressive YY-1 site of the tsp-1 promoter could not be functional via activating positive cis-elements on the upstream from this site and weakened via c-Jun/YY-1 interactions.
Binding Sites/genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA-Binding Proteins/*metabolism ; Down-Regulation/genetics ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Genes, Reporter/genetics ; Humans ; Luciferases/analysis/genetics ; Promoter Regions (Genetics)/*genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun/genetics/*metabolism ; Repressor Proteins/*metabolism ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Sequence Deletion/genetics ; Thrombospondin 1/*genetics/metabolism ; Transcription Factor AP-1/metabolism ; Transcription Factors/*metabolism

BACKGROUNDIt is known that ultraviolet irradiation can affect cellular function through a number of signaling pathways. (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major effective component in green tea and can offer protection from ultraviolet-induced damage. In this study, we investigated the protective mechanism of EGCG on human dermal fibroblasts damaged by ultraviolet A (UVA) in vitro.

METHODSTranscription factor Jun protein levels were measured by Western blot. Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) mRNA were studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis in conjunction with computer-assisted image analysis. MMP-1 and TIMP-1 proteins were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSEGCG decreased transcription activity of Jun protein after induction by UVA. Both the mRNA and protein levels of MMP-1 were increased by UVA irradiation, while no significant changes were observed in TIMP-1 levels. The ratio of MMP-1 to TIMP-1 showed statistically significant differences compared with the control. EGCG decreased the ratio of MMP-1 to TIMP-1 by inhibiting UVA-induced MMP-1 expression (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEGCG can protect human fibroblasts against UVA damage by downregulating the transcription activity of Jun protein and the expression of MMP-1. The ratio of MMP-1 to TIMP-1, rather than the levels of MMP-1 or TIMP-1 alone, may play a significant role in human skin photodamage.

Catechin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; analysis ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Radiation-Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Ultraviolet Rays

OBJECTIVEWe examined alterations in the expression of tumorigenesis-related genes in the pituitary gland of rats exposed to electromagnetic pulses (EMP).

METHODSThe global gene expression profiles of the pituitary gland in EMP-exposed and control groups were detected by cDNA microarray analysis. We then validated and further investigated the reduced expression of two tumorigenesis-related genes, Pten, and Jund, by assessing their mRNA and protein expression by quantitative real-time-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry in the pituitary gland of rats 6 months after exposure to EMP.

RESULTSEMP exposure induced genome-wide gene expression changes in the rat pituitary gland. There was decreased expression of the Pten and Jund mRNAs and proteins in EMP-exposed rats compared with in unexposed control animals.

CONCLUSIONEMP exposure alters the expression of tumorigenesis-related genes in the pituitary gland. These tumorigenesis-related genes are potentially involved in the development of pituitary gland tumors in rats.

Adenoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Down-Regulation ; Electromagnetic Phenomena ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pituitary Gland ; metabolism ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction