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Objective To investigate the effects of scribble planar cell polarity protein(SCRIB)on proliferation,apoptosis,and autophagy of glioblastoma(GBM)and elucidate its potential underlying mechanisms.Methods The expression level of SCRIB in GBM tissue was queried through the Biomarker Exploration of Solid Tumors(BEST)database.Lentivirus-mediated shRNA interference was employed to downregulate SCRIB expression in human glioblastoma cell lines U87 and U251,which were divided into negative control group(mock)and SCRIB shRNA interference groups(kd1 and kd2).SCRIB expression levels were detected using Western blotting(WB)and quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).EdU incorporation and cell apoptosis rates were detected by flow cytometry(FCM).CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation vitality of U87 and U251 cells,and WB was used to detect the expression of proliferation-related proteins.Immunofluorescence(IF)staining was conducted to detect the expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3 and p62,followed by quantitative analysis across multiple fields.WB was also used to detect the expression levels of LC3,p62,and proteins in the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway.Results Compared with that of normal tissues,SCRIB mRNA expression level was significantly upregulated in GBM tissues(P＜0.05).FCM results showed that EdU incorporation rates were significantly reduced(P＜0.001)while cell apoptosis rates were markedly increased(P＜0.001)in U87 and U251 cells with SCRIB knockdown.CCK-8 results indicated that compared with the mock group,the proliferation vitality of U87 and U251 cells in the SCRIB knockdown group was significantly downregulated(P＜0.001).IF staining showed that LC3 fluorescence aggregation was significantly enhanced(P＜0.001),while p62 fluorescence aggregation was significantly reduced(P＜0.001)in the SCRIB knockdown group.WB results showed that compared with the mock group,the protein expression levels of p27,LC3,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 were upregulated,while C-Myc,Cyclin D1,MCM,PCNA and p62 were downregulated,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Conclusion Downregulation of SCRIB may induce autophagy and apoptosis in glioblastoma cells by inhibiting the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway,thereby suppressing cell proliferation.

Objective To investigate the effects of scribble planar cell polarity protein(SCRIB)on proliferation,apoptosis,and autophagy of glioblastoma(GBM)and elucidate its potential underlying mechanisms.Methods The expression level of SCRIB in GBM tissue was queried through the Biomarker Exploration of Solid Tumors(BEST)database.Lentivirus-mediated shRNA interference was employed to downregulate SCRIB expression in human glioblastoma cell lines U87 and U251,which were divided into negative control group(mock)and SCRIB shRNA interference groups(kd1 and kd2).SCRIB expression levels were detected using Western blotting(WB)and quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).EdU incorporation and cell apoptosis rates were detected by flow cytometry(FCM).CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation vitality of U87 and U251 cells,and WB was used to detect the expression of proliferation-related proteins.Immunofluorescence(IF)staining was conducted to detect the expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3 and p62,followed by quantitative analysis across multiple fields.WB was also used to detect the expression levels of LC3,p62,and proteins in the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway.Results Compared with that of normal tissues,SCRIB mRNA expression level was significantly upregulated in GBM tissues(P＜0.05).FCM results showed that EdU incorporation rates were significantly reduced(P＜0.001)while cell apoptosis rates were markedly increased(P＜0.001)in U87 and U251 cells with SCRIB knockdown.CCK-8 results indicated that compared with the mock group,the proliferation vitality of U87 and U251 cells in the SCRIB knockdown group was significantly downregulated(P＜0.001).IF staining showed that LC3 fluorescence aggregation was significantly enhanced(P＜0.001),while p62 fluorescence aggregation was significantly reduced(P＜0.001)in the SCRIB knockdown group.WB results showed that compared with the mock group,the protein expression levels of p27,LC3,p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 were upregulated,while C-Myc,Cyclin D1,MCM,PCNA and p62 were downregulated,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Conclusion Downregulation of SCRIB may induce autophagy and apoptosis in glioblastoma cells by inhibiting the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway,thereby suppressing cell proliferation.

Objective:To evaluate the utility of whole-exome sequencing (WES) in early diagnosis for children with language delay/disorder.Methods:Children with language delay/disorder who were admitted to the Department of Health Care, Children′s Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Pediatric Institute from January 2019 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Based on informed consent, the peripheral blood of the children and their parents was collected for WES. Combining the clinical phenotypes of the children, the candidate variants, including single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and copy number variations (CNVs), were selected for validation and family segregation analysis using Sanger sequencing, real-time PCR or CNV-Seq. The pathogenicity of variants was evaluated based on ACMG guideline following with finial genetic diagnosis. Based on whether genetic diagnosis was achieved or not, 125 children with comprehensive examination of the Children Neuropsychological and Behavioral Scale(CNBS-R2016) were sub-grouped (positive/negative group), and the total scores and the detailed scores of five developmental sections (gross motor, fine motor, adaptive ability, language and social behavior ability) between two subgroups were compared.Results:A total of 165 children with language delay/disorder were recruited, including 109 males and 56 females. The ratio of boys to girls was 1.95∶1.The age of the children was (3.2±1.2) years old, the median age was 3.0 years. 45 children carry disease-related pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants, including 36 SNVs and 9 CNVs. The genetic diagnostic yield of this cohort was 27.3% (45/165). The inheritance analysis for core family members showed de novo variant accounted for 86% of genetic diagnosis (31/36). The positive diagnosis rate in girls was 45% (25/56), which was significantly higher than that in boys (18.3%, 20/109, χ2=12.171, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of positive diagnosis among all age groups (χ2=4.349, P>0.05). Interestingly, the scores of gross motors of positive group were significantly lower than that of negative group (61.5 vs. 69.4, t=-2.610, P<0.05). Otherwise, no significant difference was seen between two groups( t=-0.933, -1.298, -0.114, -0.214, all P>0.05). Conclusions:Language delay/disorder has complex genetic heterogeneity. WES has important application value in early etiological diagnosis for children with language delay/disorder.

Objective:To evaluate the utility of whole-exome sequencing (WES) in early diagnosis for children with language delay/disorder.Methods:Children with language delay/disorder who were admitted to the Department of Health Care, Children′s Hospital Affiliated to the Capital Pediatric Institute from January 2019 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Based on informed consent, the peripheral blood of the children and their parents was collected for WES. Combining the clinical phenotypes of the children, the candidate variants, including single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and copy number variations (CNVs), were selected for validation and family segregation analysis using Sanger sequencing, real-time PCR or CNV-Seq. The pathogenicity of variants was evaluated based on ACMG guideline following with finial genetic diagnosis. Based on whether genetic diagnosis was achieved or not, 125 children with comprehensive examination of the Children Neuropsychological and Behavioral Scale(CNBS-R2016) were sub-grouped (positive/negative group), and the total scores and the detailed scores of five developmental sections (gross motor, fine motor, adaptive ability, language and social behavior ability) between two subgroups were compared.Results:A total of 165 children with language delay/disorder were recruited, including 109 males and 56 females. The ratio of boys to girls was 1.95∶1.The age of the children was (3.2±1.2) years old, the median age was 3.0 years. 45 children carry disease-related pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants, including 36 SNVs and 9 CNVs. The genetic diagnostic yield of this cohort was 27.3% (45/165). The inheritance analysis for core family members showed de novo variant accounted for 86% of genetic diagnosis (31/36). The positive diagnosis rate in girls was 45% (25/56), which was significantly higher than that in boys (18.3%, 20/109, χ2=12.171, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of positive diagnosis among all age groups (χ2=4.349, P>0.05). Interestingly, the scores of gross motors of positive group were significantly lower than that of negative group (61.5 vs. 69.4, t=-2.610, P<0.05). Otherwise, no significant difference was seen between two groups( t=-0.933, -1.298, -0.114, -0.214, all P>0.05). Conclusions:Language delay/disorder has complex genetic heterogeneity. WES has important application value in early etiological diagnosis for children with language delay/disorder.

Objective To describe the clinical spectrum,especially sleep disorder in three patients diagnosed with Morvan syndrome.Methods Three consecutive patients were identified with Morvan syndrome in the Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital between December 2014 and March 2016.The character in three cases has been studied from several aspects such as clinical presentation, imaging, polysomnography (PSG), cerebrospinal fluid and serum.Results Serum test showed serum contactin-associated protein 2 (CASPR2)antibodies strongly positive (+++) and leucine-rich glioma inactivated protein 1 antibodies positive (+) in three patients.Neuropsychiatric features, neuromyotonia, neuropathic pain, dysautonomia, agrypnia excitata presented in all three patients.The agrypnia excitata was characterized by severe insomnia, excessive motor activity during the night.Agrypnia excitata was diagnosed in three patients according to their history.PSG was finished in case 2 and case 3.PSG in one patient (case 2) documented severe insomnia (sleep efficiency was 59%), lack of cyclic sleep organization with a predominance of stage 1 non-rapid eye movement sleep episodes intermixed with brief rapid eye movement, and a marked reduction of spindles and delta sleep;PSG in another patient (case 3) revealed complete absence of recognizable sleep.Sleep disorders and other symptoms resolved completely or almost completely in two patients (case 1,case 2) who received immunotherapy.Case 3 died from sudden cardiac death before immunotherapy.Conclusions Morvan syndrome usually is associated with high-titer CASPR2 antibodies in serum.Agrypnia excitata is cardinal manifestation of Morvan syndrome in association with a spectrum of neurologic presentations.Early immunotherapy could provide a favorable outcome.

Objective To cultivate human leukemia cells (HL-60) which were transiently transfected either a miR-126 mimic or inhibitor,and then to characterize the proliferation and apoptotic behavior of the transfected leukemia cells.Methods The leukemia cell line was developed and RT-PCR was performed to evaluate miR-126 expression levels.An instantaneous plasmid tmnsfection technique was used to transfect cells with either the miR-126 mimic or inhibitor.CCK-8,FCM,and clone formation tests were performed to analyze the proliferative and apoptotic behaviors of the leukemia cells.Results Proliferation was significantly decreased in cells transfected with the miR-126 mimic for 0,24,48,and 72 hours (P ＜ 0.05).Specifically,the G1,S,and G2 phases were significantly inhibited (P ＜ 0.05),the late and early apoptosis (UR+LR) rate increased (P ＜ 0.05),and the average rate of colony formation was also significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05).Additionally,proliferation was significantly increased in cells transfected with the miR-126 inhibitor for 0,24,48,and 72 hours (P ＜ 0.05).Specifically,the G1,S,and G2 phases were increased (P ＜ 0.05),the UR + LR decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.05),and the average rate of colony formation was significantly increased (P ＜0.05).Conclusion In HL-60 cells,miR-126 can inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis;thus,miR-126 may play an important role in the occurrence and development of leukemia as a tumor-suppressor miRNA.

Objective: To investigate the function and mechanism of zinc finger protein 750 (ZNF750) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: Xenograft in nude mice was applied to detect the tumorigenesis of ZNF750-depleted ESCC cells. Western blot was performed to observe the expression of downstream target protein of ZNF750 in ESCC cell lines and xenograft tumor tissues in which ZNF750 was knocked down. 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the proliferation of ZNF750 stably depleted cells after restoration of its target protein. Results: The tumor weight of blank control, negative control and ZNF750 knockdown groups was 137±26 mg, 161±31 mg and 463±89 mg, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.01). The expressions of Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) in ZNF750-depleted ESCC cells and its derived tumor tissue xenograft in nude mice were significantly down-regulated. Restoration of KLF4 in ZNF750 stably depleted cells significantly inhibited the cell proliferation (P<0.01). Conclusions ZNF750 may be a new tumor suppressor in the tumorigenesis of ESCC, and the inhibition of cell proliferation induced by ZNF750 may be partially through the regulation of KLF4 expression.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Mps1 on BRAFWT/MEK/ERK pathway in the presence of wild type BRAF or BRAFV600E in melanoma.

METHODSMelanoma cells harboring BRAFWT genotype were transfected either with pBabe-puro-GST-BRAF-WT and/or pBabe-puro-GFP-Mps1-WT or pBabe-puro-GST-BRAFV600E and/or pBabe-puro-GFP-Mps1-WT, followed by Western blot to detect Mps1 and p-ERK expression. The melanoma cells harboring BRAFWT and BRAFV600E genotype were infected with pSUPER-Mps1 retrovirus to knockdown the endogenous Mps1 protein, followed by Western blot to detect Mps1 and p-ERK expression. Meanwhile, melanoma cells harboring BRAFV600E genotype were infected with pBabe-puro-GFP-Mps1 and Western blot was performed to detect Mps1 and p-ERK expression.

RESULTSIn melanoma cells harboring BRAFWT genotype and transfected with pBabe-puro-GST-BRAF-WT and pBabe-puro-GFP-Mps1-WT, phospho-ERK levels were notably reduced as compared to either negative control or empty vector. However, cells transfected with pBabe-puro-GST-BRAFV600E and pBabe-puro-GFP-Mps1-WT, phospho-ERK levels did not change significantly compared with either negative control or empty vector. Knockout of Mps1 in BRAF wild-type cell lines led to an increased ERK activity. However, there was no significant change of ERK activity in BRAFV600E cell lines in the absence of Mps1. The expression of p-ERK in BRAFV600E mutant cell lines infected with pBabe-puro-GFP-Mps1-WT did not show any significant difference from either negative control or empty vector.

CONCLUSIONSBased on these findings, it suggests that there exists an auto-regulatory negative feedback loop between the Mps1 kinase and BRAFWT/ERK signaling. Oncogenic BRAFV600E abrogates the regulatory negative feedback loop of Mps1 on the MAPK pathway.

Cell Cycle Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Melanoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mutation ; Phenotype ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; metabolism ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Transfection