OBJECTIVE: Deficient brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the important mechanisms underlying the neuroplasticity abnormalities in schizophrenia. Aberration in BDNF signaling pathways directly or circuitously influences neurotransmitters like glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). For the first time, this study attempts to construct and simulate the BDNF-neurotransmitter network in order to assess the effects of BDNF deficiency on glutamate and GABA. METHODS: Using CellDesigner, we modeled BDNF interactions with calcium influx via N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-Calmodulin activation; synthesis of GABA via cell cycle regulators protein kinase B, glycogen synthase kinase and β-catenin; transportation of glutamate and GABA. Steady state stability, perturbation time-course simulation and sensitivity analysis were performed in COPASI after assigning the kinetic functions, optimizing the unknown parameters using random search and genetic algorithm. RESULTS: Study observations suggest that increased glutamate in hippocampus, similar to that seen in schizophrenia, could potentially be contributed by indirect pathway originated from BDNF. Deficient BDNF could suppress Glutamate decarboxylase 67-mediated GABA synthesis. Further, deficient BDNF corresponded to impaired transport via vesicular glutamate transporter, thereby further increasing the intracellular glutamate in GABAergic and glutamatergic cells. BDNF also altered calcium dependent neuroplasticity via NMDAR modulation. Sensitivity analysis showed that Calmodulin, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and CREB regulated transcription coactivator-1 played significant role in this network. CONCLUSION: The study presents in silico quantitative model of biochemical network constituting the key signaling molecules implicated in schizophrenia pathogenesis. It provides mechanistic insights into putative contribution of deficient BNDF towards alterations in neurotransmitters and neuroplasticity that are consistent with current understanding of the disorder.
Amino Acid Transport System X-AG ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor* ; Calcium ; Calmodulin ; Cell Cycle ; Computer Simulation* ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid* ; Glutamate Decarboxylase ; Glutamic Acid* ; Glycogen Synthase Kinases ; Hippocampus ; N-Methylaspartate ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Schizophrenia* ; Signal Transduction ; Transportation

BACKGROUNDBrain acid soluble protein 1 (BASP1) is identified as a novel potential tumor suppressor in several cancers. However, its role in thyroid cancer has not been investigated yet. In the present study, the antitumor activities of BASP1 against the growth and migration of thyroid cancer cells were evaluated.

METHODSBASP1 expression in thyroid cancer tissues and normal tissues were examined by immunohistochemical staining and the association between its expression and prognosis was analyzed. pcDNA-BASP1 carrying full length of BASP1 cDNA was constructed to restore the expression of BASP1 in thyroid cancer cell lines (BHT-101 and KMH-2). The cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo was evaluated by WST-1 assay and xenograft tumor models, respectively. Cell cycle distribution after transfection was analyzed using flow cytometry. Cell apoptosis after transfection was examined by annexin V/propidium iodide assay. The migration was examined using transwell assay.

RESULTSBASP1 expression was abundant in normal tissues while it is significantly decreased in cancer tissues (P = 0.000). pcDNA-BASP1 restored the expression of BASP1 and significantly inhibited the growth of BHT-101 and KMH-2 cells as well as xenograft tumors in nude mice (P = 0.000). pcDNA-BASP1 induced G1 arrest and apoptosis in BHT-101 and KMH-2 cells. In addition, pcDNA-BASP1 significantly inhibited the cell migration.

CONCLUSIONSDownregulation of BASP1 expression may play a role in the tumorigenesis of thyroid cancer. Restoration of BASP1 expression exerted extensive antitumor activities against growth and migration of thyroid cancer cells, which suggested that BASP1 gene might act as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of thyroid cancer.

Aged ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; physiology ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; physiology ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Nodular fasciitis is a pseudosarcomatous reactive process composed of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, and it is most common in the upper extremities. Nodular fasciitis of the external auditory canal is rare. To the best of our knowledge, less than 20 cases have been reported to date. We present a case of nodular fasciitis arising in the cartilaginous part of the external auditory canal. A 19-year-old man complained of an auricular mass with pruritus. Computed tomography showed a 1.7 cm sized soft tissue mass in the right external auditory canal, and total excision was performed. Histologic examination revealed spindle or stellate cells proliferation in a fascicular and storiform pattern. Lymphoid cells and erythrocytes were intermixed with tumor cells. The stroma was myxoid to hyalinized with a few microcysts. The tumor cells were immunoreactive for smooth muscle actin, but not for desmin, caldesmon, CD34, S-100, anaplastic lymphoma kinase, and cytokeratin. The patient has been doing well during the 1 year follow-up period.
Actins ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins ; Desmin ; Ear ; Ear Canal* ; Erythrocytes ; Fasciitis* ; Fibroblasts ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Keratins ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myofibroblasts ; Phosphotransferases ; Pruritus ; Upper Extremity ; Young Adult

Actins ; metabolism ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Desmin ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Leiomyoma, Epithelioid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Leiomyomatosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Leiomyosarcoma ; pathology ; Microfilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism ; Rhabdoid Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal ; metabolism ; pathology ; Uterine Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vascular Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Veins ; pathology ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEEffects of ginsenoside Rb1, Rg1 and Re on neurotrophic factor signal transduction pathway using liposome-mediated transfection of eukaryotic cells approach.

METHODThe injury model was established by treating SH-SY5Y cells with 0.6 mmol x L(-1) of corticosterone (CORT) by 24 h. SH-SY5Y cell were pretreated with CORT for 30 min followed by co-treated with 120,60 and 20 micromol x L(-1) of Rb1, 120, 80 and 40 micromol x L(-1) of Rg1 and 120, 80 and 40 micromol x L(-1) of Re for 24 h. Cells viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit (CCK) assay. CREB expressing Luciferase reporter gene was constructed and transfected with plasmid containing hRaf, hcAMP, hAkt, hCaMK gene into human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells using liposornal transfection reagent lipofection 2000. The expression of CREB before and after it addion of Rb1, Rg1 and Re was examined by Luc assay system and Western blotting.

RESULTCompared with normal control group, CORT significantly decreased the viability of SH-SY5Y cells to 67.21% (P < 0.01). CCK results show that Rb1 (60 micromol x L(-1)), Rg1 (80 micromol x L(-1)) and Re (80 micromol x L(-1)) on SH-SY5Y cells have significant protective effect (P < 0.01). Lucassay and Western blotting results show that the gene and protein levels of CREB increased significantly through the pathway of Raf and Akt with Rb1 and Rg1 (P < 0.01), Re can increase significantly the gene and protein levels of CREB through the pathway of Raf and CaMK II.

CONCLUSIONRb1, Rg1 and Re protects SH-SY5Y cells from CORT-induced damage and the neuroprotective mechanism may be associated with the Raf-CREB, Akt-CREB and CaMK II -CREB pathways.

Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Genes, Reporter ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Panax ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; raf Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

Adult ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Desmin ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Leiomyosarcoma ; pathology ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype, molecular genetics and differential diagnosis of solid variant of angiomatoid fibrous histocytoma.

METHODSThe clinicopathologic features of 3 cases of solid variant of angiomatoid fibrous histocytoma were analyzed and the literature was reviewed.

RESULTSThere were a total of 2 males and 1 female. The age of patients ranged from 9 to 12 years. The patients presented with a painless mass located in left forearm, left knee or back. The lesions were treated by complete surgical resection. On gross examination, the tumors varied from 1.6 cm to 4.5 cm in greatest dimension. They were well-circumscribed and had pale yellow to grayish-red solid cut surface. Histologically, the tumor was composed of histocytoid cells arranged in sheet-like pattern. A fibrous pseudocapsule surrounded by lymphocytes and plasma cells was identified. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells in all cases were positive for vimentin and CD68. They were negative for S100 protein, cytokeratin, CD34, CD31, smooth muscle actin, CD35, CD21 and CD30. Two cases also expressed CD99 and one of them was positive for desmin and epithelial membrane antigen. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization was positive for EWSR1 gene.

CONCLUSIONSSolid type represents a variant of angiomatoid fibrous histocytoma and is considered as tumor of borderline malignant potential. Definitive diagnosis requires thorough histologic examination and clinical correlation. Immunohistochemistry and EWSR1 gene study are helpful in further delineation and differential diagnosis. Complete resection or wide local excision with post-operative follow up is the main modality of treatment.

Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Back ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Child ; Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Forearm ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Knee ; Male ; Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue ; pathology ; Neurilemmoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA-Binding Protein EWS ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThis study investigated the association between a missense SNP in the codon of ADD1 phosphorylation site and the susceptibility of non-cardia gastric cancer in a Chinese population.

METHODSPhosphoSitePlus and dbSNP database were combined to discover missense SNPs in the codon of phosphorylation site. Then, we genotyped the missense SNP in 1, 998 cases with non-cardia gastric cancer and 2, 008 cancer-free controls of Chinese descent. Analysis was conducted by using Logistic model adjusted by gender and age.

RESULTSThe rs4963 in the codon of ADD1 phosphorylation site was found. The frequencies of the 3 rs4963 genotypes, CC, CG, GG, among controls were 25.2%, 50.4%, and 24.4%, respectively, among patients were 20.1%, 50.6%, and 29.3%, respectively. Compared with CC genotype, the rs4963 CG genotype and GG genotype significantly increased the risk of non-cardia gastric cancer with the odds ratios being 1.24 (95%CI: 1.06 ∼ 1.46, P = 0.008) and 1.49 (95%CI: 1.25 ∼ 1.78, P < 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSFnnctional polymorphism in the phosphorylation site of ADD1 (rs4963) may influence the susceptibility of non-cardia gastric cancer.

Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Codon ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation, Missense ; Odds Ratio ; Phosphorylation ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Stomach Neoplasms ; ethnology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of retinol acid (RA) and triiodothyronine (T3) on alleviating the impairment of cognitive function by sleep deprivation (SD).

METHODSMale Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: control group (C group), sleep deprivation group (SD group), sleep deprivation + RA group (SD + RA group) and sleep deprivation + T3 group (SD + T3 group). Open field test (OFT) was used to observe the nervous behavior of the rats after SD and electrophysiological brain stereotactic method was used to test long-term potentiation (LTP) in dentate gyrus (DG) of the rats. Ng protein expression was determined by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the SD group, the number of crossing in OFT, the changes of amplitude of population spike (PS) and the expression of Ng protein in hippocampus were higher significantly in the SD + RA and SD + T3 groups. All of these had not significant difference comparing with the C group.

CONCLUSIONRA and T3 may alleviate the restrain state of neural system after SD by augmenting the expression of Ng protein in hippocampus.

Animals ; Cognition ; drug effects ; Dentate Gyrus ; metabolism ; Long-Term Potentiation ; Male ; Neurogranin ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sleep Deprivation ; metabolism ; psychology ; Triiodothyronine ; pharmacology ; Vitamin A ; pharmacology

Genetic susceptibility is involved in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Association studies with a whole genome-based approach instead of a single or a few candidate genes may be useful for discovering new susceptible genes. Although the etiology of non-segmental and segmental types is different, the association between gene polymorphisms and vitiligo has been reported, without defining types or in non-segmental type. Whole genome-based single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were examined in patients with non-segmental and segmental types of vitiligo using the Affymetrix GeneChip 500K mapping array, and 10 functional classes of significant SNPs were selected. Genotyping and data analysis of selected 10 SNPs was performed using real-time PCR. Genotype and allele frequencies were significantly different between both types of vitiligo and three of the target SNPs, DNAH5 (rs2277046), STRN3 (rs2273171), and KIAA1005 (rs3213758). A stronger association was suggested between the mutation in KIAA1005 (rs3213758) and the segmental type compared to the non-segmental type of vitiligo. DNAH5 (rs2277046), STRN3 (rs2273171), and KIAA1005 (rs3213758) may be new vitiligo-related SNPs in Korean patients, either non-segmental or segmental type.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/*genetics ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/*genetics ; Autoantigens/*genetics ; Axonemal Dyneins/*genetics ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins/*genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; *Genome, Human ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Republic of Korea ; Vitiligo/*genetics ; Young Adult