Emerging roles of tissue factor in viral hemorrhagic fever

Activation of coagulation by tissue factor (TF) is frequently observed in sepsis syndrome and is documented in certain viral hemorrhagic fevers. Coagulation protease complexes signal by activating the G-protein coupled, protease-activated receptors that regulate inflammation. Blockade of TF attenuates lethality in experimental models of Ebola virus infection but - similar to findings in bacterial sepsis - reduction of inflammation, rather than attenuation of coagulation, predicts survival of treated animals. Thus, targeting TF appears to aid the antiviral immune response in hemorrhagic fevers, and further studies are encouraged to define how TF-dependent signaling regulates immunity.     

Emerging roles for Interleukin-11 in disease

Interleukin (IL)-11 belongs to the IL-6 family of cytokines, discovered over 30 years ago. While early studies focused on the ability of IL-11 to stimulate megakaryocytopoiesis, the importance of this cytokine to inflammatory disease and cancers is only just beginning to be uncovered. This review outlines recent advances in our understanding of IL-11 biology, and highlights the development of novel therapeutics with the potential for clinical targeting of signaling by this cytokine in multiple diseases.     

Emerging roles of RAC1 in treating lung cancer patients

The Ras‐related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1), a member of the Rho family of small guanosine triphosphatases, is critical for many cellular activities, such as phagocytosis, adhesion, migration, motility, cell proliferation, and axonal growth. In addition, RAC1 plays an important role in cancer angiogenesis, invasion, and migration, and it has been reported to be related to most cancers, such as breast cancer, gastric cancer, testicular germ cell cancer, and lung cancer. Recently, the therapeutic target of RAC1 in cancer has been investigated. In addition, some investigations have shown that inhibition of RAC1 can reverse drug‐resistance in non‐small cell lung cancer. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in understanding the role of RAC1 in lung cancer and the underlying mechanisms and discuss its value in clinical therapy.     

Emerging roles for the BAI1 protein family in the regulation of phagocytosis,synaptogenesis, neurovasculature,and tumor development

While G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have received considerable attention for their biological activity in a diversity of physiological functions and have become targets for therapeutic intervention in many diseases, the function of the cell adhesion subfamily of GPCRs remains poorly understood. Within this group, the family of brain angiogenesis inhibitor molecules (BAI1-3) has become increasingly appreciated for their diverse roles in biology and disease. In particular, recent findings suggest emerging roles for BAI1 in the regulation of phenomena including phagocytosis, synaptogenesis, and the inhibition of tumor growth and angiogenesis via the processing of its extracellular domain into secreted vasculostatins. Here we summarize the known biological features of the BAI proteins, including their structure, proteolysis events, and interacting partners, and their recently identified ability to regulate certain signaling pathways. Finally, we discuss the potential of the BAIs as therapeutics or targets for diseases as varied as cancer, stroke, and schizophrenia.     

一种可特异识别Hmox1增强子的人工转录因子的构建

目的:设计一种可特异识别人血红素加氧酶-1基因(Hmox1)增强子的人工转录因子.方法:以锌指蛋白(ZFP)作为人工转录因子的DNA结合结构域,在人Hmox1增强子上选择一段序列作为锌指蛋白靶序列,提交Zinc finger tools 3.0设计得到该锌指蛋白的氨基酸序列,通过Swiss Model同源建模,对设计结果进行分析;将锌指蛋白与效应结构域相连组成完整的人工转录因子,用双荧光素酶报告基因检测系统检测其活性.结果:得到了能特异识别人Hmox1增强子的锌指蛋白氨基酸序列,同源建模结果显示其空间结构稳定,所构建的完整人工转录因子经双荧光素酶报告基因检测系统检测能特异上调报告基因的表达.结论:设计得到的人工转录因子经实验验证能特异识别人Hmox1增强子并有效上调报告基因的表达,为进一步构建可上调细胞核内Hmox1表达的人工转录因子奠定了基础.     

Emerging roles for specific fatty acids in developmental processes

Animals synthesize a vast range of fatty acids serving diverse cellular functions. The roles of specific fatty acids in early development are just beginning to be characterized. In the March 15, 2012, issue of Genes & Development, Kniazeva and colleagues (pp. 554-566) describe how the particular combination of a branched chain fatty acid and an acyl-CoA synthetase is required for critical cellular processes during early embryogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans.