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Depletion interactions are thought to significantly contribute to the organization of intracellular structures in the crowded cytosol. The strength of depletion interactions depends on physical parameters such as the depletant number density and the depletant size ratio. Cells are known to dynamically regulate these two parameters by varying the copy number of proteins of a wide distribution of sizes. However, mammalian cells are also known to keep the total protein mass density remarkably constant, to within 0.5% throughout the cell cycle. We thus ask how the strength of depletion interactions varies when the total depletant mass is held fixed, a.k.a. fixed-mass depletion. We answer this question via scaling arguments, as well as by studying depletion effects on networks of reconstituted semiflexible actin in silico and in vitro. We examine the maximum strength of the depletion interaction potential U∗ as a function of q, the size ratio between the depletant and the matter being depleted. We uncover a scaling relation U∗ ∼ qζ for two cases: fixed volume fraction φ and fixed mass density ρ. For fixed volume fraction, we report ζ < 0. For the fixed mass density case, we report ζ > 0, which suggests that the depletion interaction strength increases as the depletant size ratio is increased. To test this prediction, we prepared our filament networks at fixed mass concentrations with varying sizes of the depletant molecule poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). We characterize the depletion interaction strength in our simulations via the mesh size. In experiments, we observe two distinct actin network morphologies, which we call weakly bundled and strongly bundled. We identify a mass concentration where different PEG depletant sizes lead to weakly bundled or strongly bundled morphologies. For these conditions, we find that the mesh size and intra-bundle spacing between filaments across the different morphologies do not show significant differences, while the dynamic light scattering relaxation time and storage modulus between the two states do show significant differences. Our results demonstrate the ability to tune actin network morphology and mechanics by controlling depletant size and give insights into depletion interaction mechanisms under the fixed-depletant-mass constraint relevant to living cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the D3-type cyclin function during gynoecium development in Arabidopsis and how they are related to the hormone cytokinin and the transcription factor SPATULA. Growth throughout the life of plants is sustained by cell division and differentiation processes in meristematic tissues. In Arabidopsis, gynoecium development implies a multiphasic process where the tissues required for pollination, fertilization, and seed development form. The Carpel Margin Meristem (CMM) is a mass of undifferentiated cells that gives rise to the gynoecium internal tissues, such as septum, ovules, placenta, funiculus, transmitting tract, style, and stigma. Different genetic and hormonal factors, including cytokinin, control the CMM function. Cytokinin regulates the cell cycle transitions through the activation of cell cycle regulators as cyclin genes. D3-type cyclins are expressed in proliferative tissues, favoring the mitotic cell cycle over the endoreduplication. Though the role of cytokinin in CMM and gynoecium development is highly studied, its specific role in regulating the cell cycle in this tissue remains unclear. Additionally, despite extensive research on the relationship between CYCD3 genes and cytokinin, the regulatory mechanism that connects them remains elusive. Here, we found that D3-type cyclins are expressed in proliferative medial and lateral tissues. Conversely, the depletion of the three CYCD3 genes showed that they are not essential for gynoecium development. However, the addition of exogenous cytokinin showed that they could control the division/differentiation balance in gynoecium internal tissues and outgrowths. Finally, we found that SPATULA can be a mechanistic link between cytokinin and the D3-type cyclins. The data suggest that the role of D3-type cyclins in gynoecium development is related to the cytokinin response, and they might be activated by the transcription factor SPATULA.

Mutations in human nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) factors are enriched in neurodevelopmental disorders. We show that deletion of key NMD factor Upf2 in mouse embryonic neural progenitor cells causes perinatal microcephaly but deletion in immature neurons does not, indicating NMD's critical roles in progenitors. Upf2 knockout (KO) prolongs the cell cycle of radial glia progenitor cells, promotes their transition into intermediate progenitors, and leads to reduced upper-layer neurons. CRISPRi screening identified Trp53 knockdown rescuing Upf2KO progenitors without globally reversing NMD inhibition, implying marginal contributions of most NMD targets to the cell cycle defect. Integrated functional genomics shows that NMD degrades selective TRP53 downstream targets, including Cdkn1a, which, without NMD suppression, slow the cell cycle. Trp53KO restores the progenitor cell pool and rescues the microcephaly of Upf2KO mice. Therefore, one physiological role of NMD in the developing brain is to degrade selective TRP53 targets to control progenitor cell cycle and brain size.

Active loop extrusion—the process of formation of dynamically growing chromatin loops due to the motor activity of DNA–binding protein complexes—is a firmly established mechanism responsible for chromatin spatial organization at different stages of a cell cycle in eukaryotes and bacteria. The theoretical insight into the effect of loop extrusion on the experimentally measured statistics of chromatin conformation can be gained with an appropriately chosen polymer model. Here, we consider the simplest analytically solvable model of an interphase chromosome, which is treated as an ideal chain with disorder of sufficiently sparse random loops whose conformations are sampled from the equilibrium ensemble. This framework allows us to arrive at the closed-form analytical expression for the mean-squared distance between pairs of genomic loci, which is valid beyond the one-loop approximation in diagrammatic representation. In addition, we analyze the loop-induced deviation of chain conformations from the Gaussian statistics by calculating kurtosis of probability density of the pairwise separation vector. The presented results suggest the possible ways of estimating the characteristics of the loop extrusion process based on the experimental data on the scale-dependent statistics of intra-chromosomal pair-wise distances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a single-copy organelle that cannot be generated de novo, suggesting coordination between the mechanisms overseeing ER integrity and those controlling the cell cycle to maintain organelle inheritance. The Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) is a conserved signaling network that regulates ER homeostasis. Here, we show that pharmacological and genetic inhibition of the UPR sensors IRE1, ATF6, and PERK in unstressed cells delays the cell cycle, with PERK inhibition showing the most penetrant effect, which was associated with a slowdown of the G1-to-S/G2 transition. Treatment with the small molecule ISRIB to bypass the effects of PERK-dependent phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF2α had no such effect, suggesting that cell cycle timing depends on PERKs kinase activity but is independent of eIF2α phosphorylation. Using complementary light and electron microscopy and flow cytometry-based analyses, we also demonstrate that the ER enlarges before mitosis. Together, our results suggest coordination between UPR signaling and the cell cycle to maintain ER physiology during cell division.

Entry into the cell cycle in late G1 phase occurs only when sufficient growth has occurred. In budding yeast, a cyclin called Cln3 is thought to link cell-cycle entry to cell growth. Cln3 accumulates during growth in early G1 phase and eventually helps trigger expression of late G1 phase cyclins that drive cell-cycle entry. All current models for cell-cycle entry assume that expression of late G1 phase cyclins is initiated at the transcriptional level. Current models also assume that the sole function of Cln3 in cell-cycle entry is to promote transcription of late G1 phase cyclins, and that Cln3 works solely in G1 phase. Here, we show that cell cycle-dependent expression of the late G1 phase cyclin Cln2 does not require any functions of the CLN2 promoter. Moreover, Cln3 can influence accumulation of Cln2 protein via posttranscriptional mechanisms. Finally, we show that Cln3 has functions in mitosis that strongly influence cell size. Together, these discoveries reveal the existence of surprising new mechanisms that challenge current models for control of cell-cycle entry and cell size.

BACKGROUND: A traditional view is that stem cells (SCs) divide slowly. Meanwhile, both embryonic and pluripotent SCs display a shorter cell cycle duration (CCD) in comparison to more committed progenitors (CPs). METHODS: We examined the in vitro proliferation and cycling behavior of somatic adult human cells using live cell imaging of passage zero keratinocytes and single-cell RNA sequencing. RESULTS: We found two populations of keratinocytes: those with short CCD and protracted near exponential growth, and those with long CCD and terminal differentiation. Applying the ergodic principle, the comparative numbers of cycling cells in S phase in an enriched population of SCs confirmed a shorter CCD than CPs. Further, analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing of cycling adult human keratinocyte SCs and CPs indicated a shortening of both G1 and G2M phases in the SC. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to the pervasive paradigm, SCs progress through cell cycle more quickly than more differentiated dividing CPs. Thus, somatic human adult keratinocyte SCs may divide infrequently, but divide rapidly when they divide. Additionally, it was found that SC-like proliferation persisted in vitro.

The road from transcription to protein synthesis is paved with many obstacles, allowing for several modes of post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. A fundamental player in mRNA biology is DDX3X, an RNA binding protein that canonically regulates mRNA translation. By monitoring dynamics of mRNA abundance and translation following DDX3X depletion, we observe stabilization of translationally suppressed mRNAs. We use interpretable statistical learning models to uncover GC content in the coding sequence as the major feature underlying RNA stabilization. This result corroborates GC content-related mRNA regulation detectable in other studies, including hundreds of ENCODE datasets and recent work focusing on mRNA dynamics in the cell cycle. We provide further evidence for mRNA stabilization by detailed analysis of RNA-seq profiles in hundreds of samples, including a Ddx3x conditional knockout mouse model exhibiting cell cycle and neurogenesis defects. Our study identifies a ubiquitous feature underlying mRNA regulation and highlights the importance of quantifying multiple steps of the gene expression cascade, where RNA abundance and protein production are often uncoupled.

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a crucial role in transcriptional regulation and are implicated in various diseases, including cancer. They are involved in histone tail deacetylation and canonically linked to transcriptional repression. Previous studies suggested that HDAC recruitment to cell-cycle gene promoters via the retinoblastoma (RB) protein or the DREAM complex through SIN3B is essential for G1/S and G2/M gene repression during cell-cycle arrest and exit. Here we investigate the interplay among DREAM, RB, SIN3 proteins, and HDACs in the context of cell-cycle gene repression. Knockout of SIN3B does not globally derepress cell-cycle genes in non-proliferating HCT116 and C2C12 cells. Loss of SIN3A/B moderately upregulates several cell-cycle genes in HCT116 cells but does so independently of DREAM/RB. HDAC inhibition does not induce general upregulation of RB/DREAM target genes in arrested transformed or non-transformed cells. Our findings suggest that E2F:RB and DREAM complexes can repress cell-cycle genes without relying on HDAC activity.

Plumbagin (PLB), a naphthoquinone compound, has been proven to have anti-cancer properties in different types of cancers. However, the anti-tumor actions as well as molecular processes in osteosarcoma (OS) remain unclear. This study investigates the underlying mechanisms of PLB in human OS cells in vitro. Our study showed that PLB significantly inhibited the proliferation of human OS cells in a time- and dosage-dependent manner. RNA sequencing data revealed that the efficacy of PLB is related to cell cycle, cell death, and p38 MAPK signaling pathway in KHOS-240S cells. Further studies indicated that PLB triggers G2/M phase arrest, mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis, as well as ferroptosis in human OS cells. Mechanistically, PLB treatment increased ROS generation that activates the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. BIRB 796, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, partly reversed PLB-induced phase arrest of G2/M and cell death. Furthermore, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, significantly decreased G2/M phase arrest and cell death and reversed p38 MAPK activation caused by PLB. In conclusion, PLB induces arrest G2/M arrest, apoptosis as well as ferroptosis in human OS cells via ROS generation and p38 MAPK activation. There is potential for PLB to be an effective treatment for OS. • PLB induces G2/M arrest, apoptosis, and ferroptosis in human osteosarcoma cells. • The anti-osteosarcoma effect of Plumbagin is related to the ROS/p38 MAPK pathway. • PLB could be a promising therapeutic agent for osteosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a biochemical viewpoint, the cell cycle is controlled by the phosphorylation of cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) substrates, and the phosphorylation level is determined by the enzymatic balance between CDK and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). However, the conventional techniques for analyzing protein phosphorylation using radioisotopes and antibodies involve many operational steps and take days before obtaining results, making them difficult to apply to high‐throughput screening and real‐time observations. In this study, we developed luminescent probes with a light intensity that changes depending on its phosphorylation state. We modified the Nano‐lantern probe (Renilla luciferase‐based Ca2+ probe) by introducing a CDK‐substrate peptide and a phosphopeptide‐binding domain into the luciferase. Our initial trial resulted in new probes that could report the CDK/PP2A balance in a purified system. Further modifications of these probes (replacing the phospho‐Ser with phospho‐Thr and randomly replacing its surrounding amino acids) improved the dynamic range by up to four‐fold, making them practical for use in the Xenopus egg extracts system, where many physiological events can be reproduced. Taken together, our new probes enabled the monitoring of the CDK/PP2A balance in real time, and are applicable to high‐throughput systems; the new probes thus appear promising for use in substrate and drug screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HDAC8, a member of class I HDACs, plays a pivotal role in cell cycle regulation by deacetylating the cohesin subunit SMC3. While cyclins and CDKs are well-established cell cycle regulators, our knowledge of other regulators remains limited. Here we reveal the acetylation of K202 in HDAC8 as a key cell cycle regulator responsive to stress. K202 acetylation in HDAC8, primarily catalyzed by Tip60, restricts HDAC8 activity, leading to increased SMC3 acetylation and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, cells expressing the mutant form of HDAC8 mimicking K202 acetylation display significant alterations in gene expression, potentially linked to changes in 3D genome structure, including enhanced chromatid loop interactions. K202 acetylation impairs cell cycle progression by disrupting the expression of cell cycle-related genes and sister chromatid cohesion, resulting in G2/M phase arrest. These findings indicate the reversible acetylation of HDAC8 as a cell cycle regulator, expanding our understanding of stress-responsive cell cycle dynamics. Synopsis: Reversible acetylation of HDAC8 regulates SMC3 acetylation during the cell cycle, thereby impacting three-dimensional genome architecture, gene expression, and sister chromatid cohesion. These findings identify HDAC8 acetylation as a regulator of cell cycle dynamics. Acetylation at lysine 202 of HDAC8 inhibits its enzymatic activity. The acetylation levels of HDAC8 fluctuate dynamically throughout the cell cycle and in response to external stress stimuli. Acetylation of HDAC8 modifies three-dimensional chromatin structure and promotes the formation of chromatin loops. Acetylation of HDAC8 results in defects in sister chromatid cohesion. Reversible acetylation of HDAC8 regulates SMC3 acetylation during the cell cycle, thereby impacting three-dimensional genome architecture, gene expression, and sister chromatid cohesion. These findings identify HDAC8 acetylation as a regulator of cell cycle dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer (BRCA) remains to be among the main causes of cancer-associated mortality in women globally. HGH1 homolog (HGH1) has been reported to be associated with tumor immunity. However, the function of HGH1 in BRCA remains unclear. Therefore, the present study examined the potential role of HGH1 in BRCA. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were used to obtain RNA-seq data for BRCA. A protein localization of HGH1 was determined by using the Human Protein Atlas (HPA), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining revealed an upregulation in the expression of HGH1 in clinical BRCA tissues. Xenograft mice were used to test tumor growth and HGH1 expression in breast cancer cells. The protein interaction information of HGH1 was analyzed using the GeneMANIA website. Based on univariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier methods, we evaluated the role of HGH1 in BRCA prognosis. HGH1-related differentially expressed genes were analyzed using GO, KEGG, and GSEA. We also examined the relationship between HGH1 expression, immune checkpoints, and immune infiltration. CCK-8, EdU, and colony formation assays were used to measure cell proliferation, and western blot analysis was used to evaluate HGH1's role in BRCA. Results: IHC results showed that the expression of HGH1 was significantly upregulated in BRCA tissues compared to normal tissues. High levels of HGH1 expression was associated with worse clinical features and a worse prognosis. HGH1 expression was an independent predictor of BRCA outcomes in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Functionally, western blot analysis showed that HGH1 is implicated in cell cycle. As well, knocking down HGH1 significantly reduced BRCA cells' proliferative abilities. Crucially, HGH1 expression levels were positively correlated with Th2 cell infiltration and negatively correlated with Tcm cell infiltration. Conclusion: Biomarkers such as HGH1 can reliably predict prognosis in BRCA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malassezia is a lipophilic commensal yeast that resides mainly on the mammalian skin and is also found to associate with the internal organs. Dysbiosis of Malassezia is related to several diseases and often escapes detection as it is difficult to culture and maintain. Malassezia cell wall differs from other budding yeasts like S. cerevisiae due to the difference in the lipid content and is difficult to transform. In this study, we present a methodology to stain Malassezia's nucleus and perform cell cycle studies. However, staining presents a challenge due to its exceptionally thick cell wall with high lipid content, hindering conventional methods. Our novel methodology addresses this challenge and enables the staining of the Malassezia nucleus with a low background. This would allow researchers to visualize the overall nuclear health specifically nuclear morphology and analyze DNA content, crucial for cell cycle progression. By employing DNA-specific dyes like DAPI or Hoechst, we can observe the nuclear structure, and using PI we can differentiate cells in distinct cell cycle phases using techniques like flow cytometry. This novel staining methodology unlocks the door for in-depth cell cycle analysis in Malassezia which has challenged us through ages being refractory to genetic manipulations, paving the way for a deeper understanding of this commensal fungus and its potential role in human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Nano‐sized bivalent metal complexes, specifically [M(L)2] with L = 2‐((E)‐((4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐(((E)‐4‐methylbenzylidene)amino)phenyl)‐imino)methyl)benzenethiol] (C23H22N2S) and M = Cu (II) (C1), Co (II) (C2), Ni (II) (C3), and Zn (II) (C4), underwent synthesis and subsequent characterization. Elemental analyses, infrared, NMR, mass, electronic, magnetic susceptibility, conductivity assessments, and X‐ray diffraction studies were used to assess our bivalent metal complexes. DFT studies were used to study the tautomeric equilibrium of the tridentate thio‐Schiff base ligand (HL), via the DFT\B3LYP method in connection with a 6–311G* correlation consistent basis set. Two tautomers, which are thione and thiol forms, were studied to estimate the predominant one. The metal formed four coordinated with the tridentate N2S donor thio‐Schiff base to form octahedral geometry complexes. The SEM, TEM, XRD, AFM, and EDX of the studied complexes unveiled distinct and strong diffraction peaks, signifying their crystalline nature and providing evidence of their particle sizes being within the nano‐size. The crystal sizes calculated for all complexes were determined to be ranging from 27.73 to 76.39 nm. The interactions between metal complexes and calf thymus DNA, and their potential for mimicking insulin activity, were investigated in a controlled lab setting by measuring their ability to inhibit alpha‐amylase. The antimicrobial potential of thio‐Schiff base ligand (HL) plus complexes (C1–C4) were tested. The viscosity and UV–Vis absorption determinations were utilized to assess the calf thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) interaction with the nano‐sized metal (II) chelates. Our flow cytometry data indicate significant levels of apoptosis and cell cycle arresting in both liver and breast cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercialization of all‐solid‐state Li batteries (ASSLBs) demands solid electrolytes with strong cost‐competitiveness, low density (for enabling satisfactory energy densities), and decent anode compatibility (the need for cathode compatibility can be circumvented by the cathode coating techniques that are widely applied in sulfide‐based ASSLBs). However, none of the reported oxide, sulfide, or chloride solid electrolytes meets these requirements simultaneously. Here, we design a Li7P3S7.5O3.5 (LPSO) solid electrolyte, which shows a combination of all the aforementioned characteristics. The synthesis of this material does not need the expensive Li2S, so the raw materials cost is only $14.42/kg, which, unlike most solid electrolytes, lies below the $50/kg threshold for commercialization. The density of LPSO is 1.70 g cm−3, considerably lower than those of the oxide (typically above 5 g cm−3) and chloride (around 2.5 g cm−3) solid electrolytes. Besides, LPSO also shows excellent anode compatibility. The Li|LPSO|Li cell cycles stably with a potential of ~50 mV under 0.1 mA cm−2 for over 4200 h at 25 °C, and the all‐solid‐state pouch cell with the Si anode shows a capacity retention of 89.29 % after 200 cycles under 88.6 mA g−1 at 60 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The centromere, a chromosome locus defined by the histone H3-like protein centromeric protein A (CENP-A), promotes assembly of the kinetochore to bind microtubules during cell division. Centromere maintenance requires CENP-A to be actively replenished by dedicated protein machinery in the early G1 phase of the cell cycle to compensate for its dilution after DNA replication. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) limit CENP-A deposition to once per cell cycle and function as negative regulators outside of early G1. Antithetically, Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) promotes CENP-A deposition in early G1, but the molecular details of this process are still unknown. We reveal here a phosphorylation network that recruits PLK1 to the deposition machinery to control a conformational switch required for licensing the CENP-A deposition reaction. Our findings clarify how PLK1 contributes to the epigenetic maintenance of centromeres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objectives Methods Results Conclusion The role of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)‐3β in adult T‐cell leukemia (ATL) caused by human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) is paradoxical and enigmatic. Here, we investigated the role of GSK‐3β and its potential as a therapeutic target for ATL.Cell proliferation/survival, cell cycle, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were examined using the WST‐8 assay, flow cytometry, and Hoechst 33342 staining, respectively. Expression of GSK‐3β and cell cycle/death‐related proteins, and survival signals was analyzed using RT‐PCR, immunofluorescence staining, and immunoblotting.HTLV‐1‐infected T‐cell lines showed nuclear accumulation of GSK‐3β. GSK‐3β knockdown and its inhibition with 9‐ING‐41 and LY2090314 suppressed cell proliferation/survival. 9‐ING‐41 induced G2/M arrest by enhancing the expression of γH2AX, p53, p21, and p27, and suppressing the expression of CDK1, cyclin A/B, and c‐Myc. It induced caspase‐mediated apoptosis by decreasing the expression of Bcl‐xL, Mcl‐1, XIAP, c‐IAP1/2, and survivin, and increasing the expression of Bak and Bax. 9‐ING‐41 also induced ferroptosis and necroptosis, promoted JNK phosphorylation, and suppressed IKKγ and JunB expression. It inhibited the phosphorylation of IκBα, Akt, and STAT3/5, induced ROS production, and reduced glycolysis‐derived lactate levels.GSK‐3β functions as an oncogene in ATL and could be a potential therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a complex disease that significantly contributes to recurrent retinal detachment. Its development is notably affected by epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), where apoptosis plays a crucial role as a regulator of EMT. However, the function of MeCP2 in governing apoptosis and EMT in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and its implications for PVR development have remained inadequately understood. Thus, we investigated the impact of MeCP2 on proliferation, migration, apoptosis and EMT in ARPE‐19 cells to provide a fresh perspective on the etiology of PVR. The morphological changes in ARPE‐19 cells induced by recombinant human MeCP2 protein and MeCP2 knockdown were observed. Wound healing assay were performed to verify the effects of recombinant human MeCP2 protein and MeCP2 knockdown on ARPE‐19 cell migration. Furthermore, cell proliferation was assessed using the CCK‐8 assay and flow cytometry. Western blot analysis, quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), and immunofluorescence analysis were conducted to measure the protein levels associated with apoptosis, cell cycle and EMT. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assays confirmed that MeCP2 promoted EMT formation in ARPE‐19 cells. The CCK‐8 assay revealed that MeCP2 treatment enhanced the proliferation of ARPE‐19 cells, whereas MeCP2 knockdown inhibited ARPE‐19 cell proliferation. Treatment with recombinant human MeCP2 protein and MeCP2 knockdown altered the morphology of ARPE‐19 cells. Wound healing assay demonstrated that MeCP2 knockdown inhibited ARPE‐19 cell migration, and MeCP2 treatment promoted ARPE‐19 cell migration. MeCP2 knockdown induced a G0/G1 phase block, inhibiting cell growth, and qRT‐PCR data indicated reduced expression of cell cycle‐related genes. Increased apoptosis was observed after MeCP2 knockdown in ARPE‐19 cells. Overall, MeCP2 treatment stimulates cell proliferation, migration and EMT formation; conversely, MeCP2 knockdown inhibits EMT, cell proliferation, migration and cell cycle G1/S phase transition, and induces apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioma is the most aggressive intracranial malignancy and is associated with poor survival rates and limited quality of life, impairing neuropsychological function and cognitive competence in survivors. The Proteasome Subunit Alpha Type-5 (PSMA5) is a multicatalytic proteinase complex that has been linked with tumor progression but is rarely reported in glioma. This study investigates the expression pattern, prognostic characteristics, and potential biological functions of PSMA5 in glioma. PSMA5 was significantly overexpressed in 28 types of cancer when compared to normal tissue. Furthermore, elevated levels of PSMA5 were observed in patients with wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and exhibited a positive correlation with tumor grade. It was also found to be a standalone predictor of outcomes in glioma patients. Additionally, inhibiting PSMA5-induced cell cycle arrest may provide a therapeutic option for glioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flow cytometry is a versatile tool used for cell sorting, DNA content imaging, and determining various cellular characteristics. With the possibility of high-throughput analyses, it combines convenient labelling techniques to serve rapid, quantitative, and qualitative workflows. The ease of sample preparation and the broad range of applications render flow cytometry a preferred approach for many scientific questions. Yet, we lack practical adaptations to fully harness the quantitative and high-throughput capabilities of most cytometers for many organisms. Here, we present simple and advanced protocols for the analysis of total DNA content, de novo DNA synthesis, and protein association to chromatin in budding yeast and human cells. Upon optimization of experimental conditions and choice of fluorescent dyes, up to four parameters can be measured simultaneously and quantitatively for each cell of a population in a multi-well plate format. Reducing sample numbers, plastic waste, costs per well, and hands-on time without compromising signal quality or single-cell accuracy are the main advantages of the presented protocols. In proof-of-principle experiments, we show that DNA content increase in S-phase correlates with de novo DNA synthesis and can be predicted by the presence of the replicative helicase MCM2-7 on genomic DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The Ishikawa cell line is the most widely used model system for investigating implantation and endometrial cancer. Understanding the biology of this cell line is essential for developing effective interventional strategies. To gain a deeper understanding of its cellular protein profile, we extracted cellular proteins from Ishikawa cells and analyzed the peptides using mass spectrometry. Our goal was to create a proteomic resource specifically tailored for Ishikawa cells. This data set is of particular significance in the realm of targeted drug delivery. Liposomes are synthetic spherical vesicles composed of hydrophobic bilayer phospholipids and have received immense recognition as highly effective carriers for the delivery of pharmaceutical drugs and essential nutrients to the endometrium. Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine are often combined to create functional liposomal systems. To discern any potential interfering effects originating from the liposome backbone, our investigation involved direct effects of phospholipid liposomes on endometrial epithelial cells. Data description: The data set includes peptide spectra derived from the intracellular proteomes of Ishikawa endometrial cancer cell isolates and their phospholipid-treated counterparts. Representing a proteome-wide profile, this dataset aims to contribute to a broader understanding of the physiology of endometrial epithelial cells. Proteomic analysis identified key proteins involved in the intricate regulation of cellular metabolism, cell cycle progression, and signaling. Between-group analysis revealed no differentially expressed proteins after adjusting for multiple testing using the applied thresholds (p-value < 0.05 and |logFC| > 1). Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD050871. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans have been using plants in the treatment of various diseases for millennia. Currently, even with allopathic medicines available, numerous populations globally still use plants for therapeutic purposes. Although plants constitute a safer alternative compared to synthetic agents, it is well established that medicinal plants might also exert adverse effects. Thus, the present investigation aimed to assess the phytotoxic, cytotoxic, and genotoxic potential of two plants from the Brazilian Cerrado used in popular medicine, Davilla nitida (Vahl) Kubitzki, and Davilla elliptica (A. St.-Hil.). To this end, germination, growth, and cell cycle analyses were conducted using the plant model Lactuca sativa. Seeds and roots were treated with 0.0625 to 1 g/L for 48 hr under controlled conditions. The germination test demonstrated significant phytotoxic effects for both species at the highest concentrations tested, while none of the extracts produced significant effects in the lettuce growth test. In the microscopic analyses, the aneugenic and cytotoxic action of D. elliptica was evident. In the case of D. nitida greater clastogenic action and induction of micronuclei, (MN) were noted suggesting that the damage initiated by exposure to these extracts was not repaired or led to apoptosis. These findings indicated that the observed plant damage was transmitted to the next generation of cells by way of MN. These differences in the action of the two species may not be attributed to qualitative variations in the composition of the extracts as both are similar, but to quantitative differences associated with synergistic and antagonistic interactions between the compounds present in these extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TIMM9 has been identified as a mediator of essential functions in mitochondria, but its association with pan-cancer is poorly understood. We herein employed bioinformatics, computational chemistry techniques and experiments to investigate the role of TIMM9 in pan-cancer. Our analysis revealed that overexpression of TIMM9 was significantly associated with tumorigenesis, pathological stage progression, and metastasis. Missense mutations (particularly the S49L variant), copy number variations (CNV) and methylation alterations in TIMM9 were found to be associated with poor cancer prognosis. Moreover, TIMM9 was positively related with cell cycle progression, mitochondrial and ribosomal function, oxidative phosphorylation, TCA cycle activity, innate and adaptive immunity. Additionally, we discovered that TIMM9 could be regulated by cancer-associated signaling pathways, such as the mTOR pathway. Using molecular simulations, we identified ITFG1 as the protein that has the strongest physical association with TIMM9, which show a promising structural complement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional chemotherapy drugs for cervical cancer often cause significant toxic side effects and drug resistance problems, highlighting the urgent need for more innovative and effective treatment strategies. Magnesium alloy is known to be degradable and biocompatible. The release of degradation products Mg2+, OH−, and H2 from magnesium alloy can alter the tumor microenvironment, providing potential anti-tumor properties. We explored the innovative use of magnesium alloy biomaterials in the treatment of cervical cancer, investigating how various concentrations of Mg2+ on the proliferation and cell death of cervical cancer cells. The results revealed that varying concentrations of Mg2+ significantly inhibited cervical cancer by arresting the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis in SiHa cells, effectively reducing tumor cell proliferation. In vivo experiments demonstrated that 20 mM Mg2+ group had the smallest tumor volume, exhibiting a potent inhibitory effect on the biological characteristics of cervical cancer. This enhances the therapeutic potential of this biomaterial as a local anti-tumor therapy and lays a theoretical foundation for the potential application of magnesium in the treatment of cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant brain tumor, with a poor prognosis and life expectancy of 14–16 months after diagnosis. The standard treatment for GBM consists of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with temozolomide. Most patients become resistant to treatment after some time, and the tumor recurs. Therefore, there is a need for new drugs to manage GBM. Eslicarbazepine (ESL) is a well-known antiepileptic drug belonging to the dibenzazepine group with anticancer potentials. In this study, for the first time, we evaluated the potential effects of ESL on C6 cell growth, both in vitro and in vivo, and examined its molecular effects. Methods: To determine the effect of ESL on the c6 cell line, cell viability, proliferation, and migration were evaluated by MTT assay, colony formation, and wound healing assay. Also, apoptosis and cell cycle were examined by flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, and western blotting. In addition, an intracranial model in Wistar rats was used to investigate the effect of ESL in vivo, and the tumor size was measured using both Caliper and MRI. Results: The obtained results are extremely consistent and highly encouraging. C6 cell viability, proliferation, and migration were significantly suppressed in ESL-treated C6 cells (p < 0.001), as determined by cell-based assays. ESL treatment led to significant enhancement of apoptosis (p < 0.01), as determined by flow cytometry, and upregulation of genes involved in cell apoptosis, such as the Bax/Bcl2 ratio at RNA (p < 0.05) and protein levels (5.37-fold). Flow cytometric analysis of ESL-treated cells revealed G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. ESL-treated cells demonstrated 2.49-fold upregulation of p21 alongside, 0.22-fold downregulation of cyclin B1, and 0.34-fold downregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase-1 at the protein level. Administration of ESL (30 mg/kg) to male rats bearing C6 intracranial tumors also suppressed the tumor volume and weight (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Based on these novel findings, ESL has the potential for further experimental and clinical studies in glioblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusion Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide despite advances in cancer therapeutics. In several gynecological cancers, anti‐Müllerian hormone receptor type 2 (AMHR2) mediates AMH‐induced growth inhibition and is expressed at high levels. Furthermore, 5%–8% of NSCLCs exhibit high AMHR2 expression, suggesting that AMH may inhibit the progression of some lung cancers. However, the clinical relevance of AMHR2 expression and its role in lung cancer is not fully clarified.Immunostaining was performed on 79 surgical specimens of NSCLC. The Cancer Genome Atlas RNA‐seq data for lung adenocarcinoma were analyzed, and gene ontology and gene set enrichment analyses were performed. In cellular experiments, AMHR2‐overexpressing NSCLC cell lines were established, and the role of the AMH‐AMHR2 pathway in cell proliferation with recombinant human AMH protein treatment was examined.A total of 13 cases (16.5%) were positive for immunostaining in lung adenocarcinoma tissues; no positive signals were detected in lung squamous carcinoma tissues. Gene expression variation analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas data showed that the expression of genes related to the cell cycle was downregulated in the AMHR2‐high group. Cellular experiments showed that activation of the AMH‐AMHR2 pathway suppressed cell proliferation.In lung adenocarcinoma tissues with high expression of AMHR2, activation of the AMH‐AMHR2 pathway may suppress cell proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiotherapy is a commonly used method in the treatment of bladder cancers (BC). Radiation-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) is related to the immune response against cancers and their prognoses. Even though dendritic cells (DC) act as powerful antigen-presenting cells in the body, their precise role in this ICD process remains unclear. Accordingly, an in vitro study was undertaken to ascertain whether high-dose radiation-induced ICD of BC cells could regulate the immune response of DC. The results indicated that high-dose radiation treatments of BC cells significantly increased their levels of apoptosis, blocked their cell cycle in the G2/M phase, increased their expression of ICD-related proteins, and upregulated their secretion of CCL5 and CCL21 which control the directed migration of DC. It was also noted that expression of CD80, CD86, CCR5, and CCR7 on DC was upregulated in the medium containing the irradiated cells. In conclusion, the present findings illustrate that high-dose radiation can induce the occurrence of ICD within BC cells, concomitantly resulting in the activation of DC. Such findings could be of great significance in increasing the understanding how radiotherapy of BC may work to bring about reductions in cell activity and how these processes in turn lead to immunoregulation of the function of DC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two‐dimensional Ti3C2Tx MXene materials, with metal‐like conductivities and versatile terminals, have been considered to be promising surface modification materials for Zn‐metal‐based aqueous batteries (ZABs). However, the oxygen‐rich and hybridized terminations caused by conventional methods limit their advantages in inhibiting zinc dendrite growth and reducing corrosion‐related side reactions. Herein, −O‐depleted, −Cl‐terminated Ti3C2Tx was precisely fabricated by the molten salt electrochemical etching of Ti3AlC2, and controlled in situ terminal replacement from −Cl to unitary −S or −Se was achieved. The as‐prepared −O‐depleted and unitary‐terminal Ti3C2Tx as Zn anode coatings provided excellent hydrophobicity and enriched zinc‐ionophilic sites, facilitating Zn2+ horizontal transport for homogeneous deposition and effectively suppressing water‐induced side reactions. The as‐assembled Ti3C2Sx@Zn symmetric cell achieved a cycle life of up to 4200 h at a current density and areal capacity of 2 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2, respectively, with an impressive cumulative capacity of up to 7.25 Ah cm−2 at 5 mA cm−2//2 mAh cm−2. These findings provide an effective electrochemical strategy for tailoring −O‐depleted and unitary Ti3C2Tx surface terminals and advancing the understanding of the role of specific Ti3C2Tx surface chemistry in regulating the plating/stripping behaviors of metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cluster of differentiation 24 (CD24) is a highly glycosylated glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored surface protein, expressed in various tumor cells, as a "don't eat me" signaling molecule in tumor immune. This study aimed to investigate the potential features of CD24 in pan-cancer. Methods: The correlations between 22 immune cells and CD24 expression were using TIMER analysis. R package "ESTIMATE" was used to predict the proportion of immune and stromal cells in pan-cancer. Spearman's correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationships between CD24 expression and immune checkpoints, chemokines, mismatch repair, tumor mutation burden and microsatellite instability, and qPCR and western blot were conducted to assess CD24 expression levels in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC). In addition, loss of function was performed for the biological evaluation of CD24 in LIHC. Results: CD24 expression was positively correlated with myeloid cells, including neutrophils and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, in various tumors, such as BLCA, HNSC-HPV, HNSC, KICH, KIRC, KIRP, TGCT, THCA, THYM, and UCEC. In contrast, anti-tumor NK cells and NKT cells showed a negative association with CD24 expression in BRCA-Her2, ESCA, HNSC-HPV, KIRC, THCA, and THYM. The top three tumors with the highest correlation between CD24 and ImmuneScore were TGCT, THCA, and SKCM. Functional enrichment analysis revealed CD24 expression was negatively associated with various immune-related pathways. Immune checkpoints and chemokines also exhibited inverse correlations with CD24 in CESC, CHOL, COAD, ESCA, READ, TGCT, and THCA. Additionally, CD24 was overexpressed in most tumors, with high CD24 expression in BRCA, LIHC, and CESC correlating with poor prognosis. The TIDE database indicated tumors with high CD24 expression, particularly melanoma, were less responsive to PD1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. Finally, CD24 knockdown resulted in impaired proliferation and cell cycle progression in LIHC. Conclusion: CD24 participates in regulation of immune infiltration, influences patient prognosis and serves as a potential tumor marker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the effect of kaempferol (KAE) on the function of drug-resistant Bel-7402/5-Fu cells. Methods Bel-7402/5-Fu cells were treated with KAE, and cells were divided into the control group and the drug group (0.064, 0.320, 1.600, 8, 40, 200 µmol/L KAE). Cells were divided into the si-NC group and the DNA-PKcs interference group, or the control group, the KAE group, the KAE+si-DNA-PKcs group or the KAE+DMSO group, the KAE+ MG132 group and the KAE+CQ group based on interfering DNA dependent kinase catalytic subunits (DNA-PKcs) or addition of proteasome inhibitor MG132 or autophagy inhibitor CQ. Cell proliferation was detected using CCK-8. The expression level of histone H2AX phosphorylation (γ -H2AX), DNA-PKcs, DNA double strand break repair/V(D)J recombinant protein (Artemis) and drug pump gene (P-gp) were analyzed using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The stability of DNA-PKcs proteins was analyzed by protein stability experiments. Ubiquitination of DNA-PKcs protein was evaluated by immunoprecipitation assay. Results Compared to the control group, treating cells with 8 µmol/L KAE for 24 h inhibited about 50% of cell proliferation ability. Therefore, this time and concentration were chosen for subsequent research. Compared to the control group, the expression level of γ-H2AX mRNA and protein significantly increased, while expression levels of DNA-PKcs, Artemis and P-gp mRNA and proteins significantly decreased in the KAE group (P＜0.05). Compared to the control group, KAE promoted cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase of Bel-7402/5-Fu cells and increased cell apoptosis. Compared to the si-NC group, siRNA-1664 significantly downregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of DNAPKcs (P＜0.05). Compared with the KAE group, the effect of KAE was further promoted in the KAE+si-DNA-PKcs group of Bel-7402/5-Fu cells. Compared with the control group, the protein expression level of DNA-PKcs decreased in the KAE+ DMSO group (P＜0.05). Compared with the KAE+DMSO group, the protein expression level of DNA-PKcs increased in the KAE+MG132 group (P＜0.05), while there was no significant change in the protein expression level of DNA-PKcs in the KAE+CQ group (P＞0.05). Compared to the control group, there was promoted ubiquitination of DNA-PKcs in the KAE+ DMSO group, and the inhibited ubiquitination in the KAE+MG132 group (P＜0.05). Conclusion KAE may induce cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in drug-resistant Bel-7402/5-Fu cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, remains a formidable challenge, especially in the context of platinum-resistant disease. This study investigated the potential of the benzimidazole derivative BNZ-111 as a novel treatment strategy for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The human EOC cell lines A2780, HeyA8, SKOV3ip1, A2780-CP20, HeyA8-MDR, and SKOV3-TR were treated with BNZ-111, and cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle were assessed. It demonstrated strong cytotoxicity in both chemo-sensitive and chemo-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines, inducing apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest. In vivo experiments using orthotopic and patient-derived xenograft models showed significant tumor growth inhibition without apparent toxicity to vital organs. Unlike paclitaxel, BNZ-111 proved effective in paclitaxel-resistant cells, potentially by bypassing interaction with MDR1 and modulating β-3 tubulin expression to suppress microtubule dynamics. BNZ-111, with favorable drug-like properties, holds promise as a therapeutic option for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, addressing a critical clinical need in gynecologic oncology. [Display omitted] • The benzimidazole derivative BNZ-111 may be a novel treatment for ovarian cancer. • Disrupting tubulin polymerization is a mechanism of action through which BNZ-111 induces anti-cancer activity. • BNZ-111 demonstrates in vivo efficacy and potential for overcoming paclitaxel resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant number of the genetic alterations observed in cancer patients lie within nonprotein-coding segments of the genome, including regions coding for long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). LncRNAs display aberrant expression in breast cancer (BrCa), but the functional implications of this altered expression remain to be elucidated. By performing transcriptome screen in a triple negative BrCa (TNBC) isogenic 2D and 3D spheroid model, we observed aberrant expression of >1000 lncRNAs during BrCa progression. The chromatin-associated lncRNA MANCR shows elevated expression in metastatic TNBC. MANCR is upregulated in response to cellular stress and modulates DNA repair and cell proliferation. MANCR promotes metastasis as MANCR-depleted cells show reduced cell migration, invasion, and wound healing in vitro, and reduced metastatic lung colonization in xenograft experiments in vivo. Transcriptome analyses reveal that MANCR modulates expression and pre-mRNA splicing of genes, controlling DNA repair and checkpoint response. MANCR promotes the transcription of NET1A, a Rho-GEF that regulates DNA damage checkpoint and metastatic processes in cis, by differential promoter usage. Experiments suggest that MANCR regulates the expression of cancer-associated genes by modulating the association of various transcription factors and RNA-binding proteins. Our results identified the metastasis-promoting activities of MANCR in TNBC by cis-regulation of gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophages play a key role in ozone-induced lung injury by regulating both the initiation and resolution of inflammation. These distinct activities are mediated by pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory/proresolution macrophages which sequentially accumulate in injured tissues. Macrophage activation is dependent, in part, on intracellular metabolism. Herein, we used RNA-sequencing (seq) to identify signaling pathways regulating macrophage immunometabolic activity following exposure of mice to ozone (0.8 ppm, 3 h) or air control. Analysis of lung macrophages using an Agilent Seahorse showed that inhalation of ozone increased macrophage glycolytic activity and oxidative phosphorylation at 24 and 72 h post-exposure. An increase in the percentage of macrophages in S phase of the cell cycle was observed 24 h post ozone. RNA-seq revealed significant enrichment of pathways involved in innate immune signaling and cytokine production among differentially expressed genes at both 24 and 72 h after ozone, whereas pathways involved in cell cycle regulation were upregulated at 24 h and intracellular metabolism at 72 h. An interaction network analysis identified tumor suppressor 53 (TP53), E2F family of transcription factors (E2Fs), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1a/p21), and cyclin D1 (CCND1) as upstream regulators of cell cycle pathways at 24 h and TP53, nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group a member 1 (NR4A1/Nur77), and estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1/ERα) as central upstream regulators of mitochondrial respiration pathways at 72 h. To assess whether ERα regulates metabolic activity, we used ERα−/− mice. In both air and ozone-exposed mice, loss of ERα resulted in increases in glycolytic capacity and glycolytic reserve in lung macrophages with no effect on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Taken together, these results highlight the complex interaction between cell cycle, intracellular metabolism, and macrophage activation which may be important in the initiation and resolution of inflammation following ozone exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine whether 6 months of preoperative apalutamide for intermediate‐risk prostate cancer (IRPCa) reduces the aggregate postoperative radiotherapy risk and to evaluate associations of molecular perturbations with clinical outcomes in this study cohort. Patients and Methods: Between May 2018 and February 2020, eligible patients with IRPCa (Gleason 3 + 4 or 4 + 3 and clinical T2b‐c or prostate‐specific antigen level of 10–20 ng/mL) were treated with apalutamide 240 mg/day for 6 months followed by radical prostatectomy (RP) in this single‐arm, phase II trial. The primary endpoint was presence of any adverse pathological feature at risk of pelvic radiation (pathological T stage after neoadjuvant therapy [yp]T3 or ypN1 or positive surgical margins). Translational studies, including germline and somatic DNA alterations and RNA and protein expression, were performed on post‐apalutamide RP specimens, and assessed for associations with clinical outcomes. Results: A total of 40 patients underwent a RP, and only one patient discontinued apalutamide prior to 6 months. In all, 40% had adverse pathological features at time of RP, and the 3‐year biochemical recurrence (BCR) rate was 15%, with 27.5% being not evaluable. Genomic alterations frequently seen in metastatic PCas, such as androgen receptor (AR), tumour protein p53 (TP53), phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN), or BReast CAncer associated gene (BRCA1/2) were underrepresented in this localised cohort. Adverse pathological features and BCR at 3‐years were associated with increased expression of select cell cycle (e.g., E2F targets: adjusted P value [Padj] < 0.001, normalised enrichment score [NES] 2.47) and oxidative phosphorylation (Padj < 0.001, NES 1.62) pathways. Conclusions: Preoperative apalutamide did not reduce the aggregate postoperative radiation risk to the pre‐specified threshold in unselected men with IRPCa. However, transcriptomic analysis identified key dysregulated pathways in tumours associated with adverse pathological outcomes and BCR, which warrant future study. Further investigation of preoperative therapy is underway for men with high‐risk PCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult stem cells are necessary for the maintenance of many tissues, including the skin, blood, and intestinal lining. While most adult somatic cells have exited the cell cycle, adult stem cells maintain the ability to divide throughout an organism's lifetime. A recent study suggested that protein degradation may be important for cell cycle regulation in Drosophila intestinal stem cells. We hypothesized that two specific E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes, CRL4Cdt2 and SCFSkp2, might be required in Drosophila intestinal stem cells because both have been shown to mediate the destruction of the cell cycle inhibitor Dacapo (Dap). In this preliminary study, we used RNAi to knock down either Cdt2 or Skp2 to reduce the activity of either CRL4Cdt2 or SCFSkp2, respectively, in the adult intestine. Adult intestines with knockdown of either Cdt2 or Skp2 exhibited significant decreases in mitotic activity as well as changes in intestinal morphology. Our findings suggest that protein degradation mediated by both CRL4Cdt2 and SCFSkp2 is required for intestinal stem cell function and maintenance of the adult intestinal lining. Future experiments should explore specific proteins that accumulate following knockdown of Cdt2 or Skp2 and link protein accumulation to changes in stem cell function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of stomata presents a compelling model system for comprehending the initiation, proliferation, commitment and differentiation of de novo lineage‐specific stem cells. Precise, timely and robust cell fate and identity decisions are crucial for the proper progression and differentiation of functional stomata. Deviations from this precise specification result in developmental abnormalities and nonfunctional stomata. However, the molecular underpinnings of timely cell fate commitment have just begun to be unravelled. In this review, we explore the key regulatory strategies governing cell fate commitment, emphasizing the distinctions between embryonic and postembryonic stomatal development. Furthermore, the interplay of transcription factors and cell cycle machineries is pivotal in specifying the transition into differentiation. We aim to synthesize recent studies utilizing single‐cell as well as cell‐type‐specific transcriptomics, epigenomics and chromatin accessibility profiling to shed light on how master‐regulatory transcription factors and epigenetic machineries mutually influence each other to drive fate commitment and maintenance. Summary statement: In this review, we delve into the molecular mechanisms underlying timely and precise cell fate commitment during stomatal development. Emphasis is made on the differences between embryonic and postembryonic stomatal differentiation. We highlight recent discoveries on the transcriptional circuits that initiate and fortify stomatal fate transitions, as well as the epigenetic processes that facilitate fate commitment and maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Tamarillo (Solanum betaceum), native to the Andes and a PANC in Brazil, contains bioactive compounds with potential anticancer properties in vitro. This study aimed to assess the influence of tamarillo extracts for their antioxidant activity, chemical composition and antiproliferative effects on human prostate cells. Aqueous (AE) and ethanolic extracts (EE) were tested, revealing higher phenolic content and superior antioxidant activity in EE (TPC: 1191.78 ± 28.16 mg GAE/100 g, DPPH: 514.90 μmol TE g−1; FRAP: 150.35 ± 4.42 μmol Fe2SO4 g−1). UPLC‐MS analysis identified twenty‐two compound classes, mainly flavonoids (eleven), carboxylic acids and derivatives (eight), organooxygen compounds (eight) and fatty acyls (seven). Tamarillo extracts significantly reduced cell viability in DU‐145 and PC‐3 cells by almost 60% in 48 h, with PC‐3 cells showing greater resilience and a 30% reduction with EE. Additionally, tamarillo extracts induced cell cycle arrest (G2/M phase) and apoptosis, suggesting their potential as natural antioxidants with protective effects against prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to examine the expression patterns of secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) in the ovaries of Hu sheep and to explore the key downstream factors of SFRP5 in sheep granulosa cells (GCs) using RNA-seq. In the present study, SFRP5 was widely expressed in the ovary and localized to GCs and oocytes during various stages of follicular development. In addition, the expression of SFRP5 increased with follicular diameter. In contrast to the negative control, SFRP5 knockdown promoted the EdU-positive cell rate with an increase in PCNA mRNA and protein levels, whereas SFRP5 overexpression had the opposite effect. In addition, the cell cycle was propelled from the G0/G1 phase to the S phase with the upregulation of CCNB1, CCND1, CDK1, and CDK4 after SFRP5 knockdown. Moreover, SFRP5 overexpression enhanced the apoptosis of GCs with increased Caspase3 protein levels. Following SFRP5 knockdown, differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, Wnt, and Hippo signaling pathways, and several related candidate genes such as MMP1 , MMP3 , SFRP4 , INHA , TGFA , and CASP3 were screened. In general, this study enhances our understanding of the expression of SFRP5 in the GCs of Hu sheep, along with its functions in follicular development. • SFRP5 was widely expressed in different stages of follicular development of Hu sheep. • SFRP5 can inhibit and promote GCs proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. • SFRP5 regualated GCs function and state by PI3K/AKT, MAPK, Wnt, Hippo signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometrial carcinoma is one of most common malignant tumors in women, and ferroptosis is closely related to the development and treatment of endometrial carcinoma. The aim of this study was to screen ferroptosis-related genes associated with endometrial carcinoma and predict targeted drugs through bioinformatics. 761 differentially expressed genes were obtained by the dataset GSE63678 from the GEO database, and most of the genes were enriched in the KEGG_CELL_CYCLE and KEGG_OOCYTE_MEIOSIS signaling pathways. 22 ferroptosis-differentially expressed genes were obtained by intersection with the FerrDb database. These genes were involved in biological processes including macromolecular complex assembly and others, and involved in signal pathways including glutathione metabolism, p53 signaling pathway and others. CDKN2A, IDH1, NRAS, TFRC and GOT1 were obtained as hub genes by PPI network analysis. GEPIA showed that CDKN2A, IDH1, NRAS and TFRC were significantly expressed in endometrial carcinoma. Immunohistochemical results showed that CDKN2A, NRAS and TFRC were significantly expressed in endometrial carcinoma clinical tissue samples. The ROC constructed by TCGA database showed that CDKN2A, NRAS and TFRC had significant value in the diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma, and all had prognostic efficacy. 136,572-09-3 BOSS and others were identified as potential targeted drugs for endometrial carcinoma targeting ferroptosis. Our study has shown that ferroptosis-related genes CDKN2A, NRAS and TFRC are diagnostic markers of endometrial carcinoma, and 136,572-09-3 BOSS, methyprylon BOSS, daunorubicin CTD 00005752, nitroglycerin BOSS and dUTP BOSS, IRON BOSS, Imatinib mesylate BOSS, 2-Butanone BOSS, water BOSS, and L-thyroxine BOSS may be potential therapeutic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glioblastoma tumors are the most aggressive primary brain tumors that develop resistance to temozolomide (TMZ). Eribulin (ERB) exhibits a unique mechanism of action by inhibiting microtubule dynamics during the G2/M cell cycle phase. We utilized the T98G human glioma cell line to investigate the effects of ERB and TMZ, both individually and in combination. The experimental groups were established as follows: control, E5 (5 nM ERB), T0.75 (0.75 mM TMZ), T1 (1.0 mM TMZ), and combination groups (E5+T0.75 and E5+T1). All groups showed a significant decrease in cell proliferation. Apoptotic markers revealed a time-dependent increase in annexin-V expression, across all treatment groups at the 48-hour time point. Caspase-3, exhibited an increase in the combination treatment groups at the 48-hour mark. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed normal ultrastructural features in the glioma cells of the control group. However, treatments induced ultrastructural changes within the spheroid glioblastoma model, particularly in the combination groups. These changes included a dose-dependent increase in autophagic vacuoles and apoptotic morphology of the cells. In conclusion, the similarity in the mechanism of action between ERB and TMZ suggests the potential for synergistic effects when combined. Our results highlight that this combination induced severe damage and autophagy in glioma spheroids after 48 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most extensively used herbal medicines is chrysin, a naturally occurring flavone commonly detected in several natural products, including propolis and honey. Due to its various biological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-estrogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antibacterial and anticancer activities, chrysin has emerged as the leading contender for health benefits. Amongst the several pharmacological effects exhibited by chrysin, its anticancer activity is the most attractive. Several studies have demonstrated that chrysin suppresses tumor progression in cell lines and animal models by inducing apoptosis, disrupting the cell cycle and inhibiting migration without generating toxicity or undesired side-effects in normal cells. Furthermore, chrysin also inhibits multi-drug resistant proteins and is effective in combination therapy. The present review comprehensively discusses the research developments in the understanding of the potential of chrysin as a potent anticancer agent achieved by modulating various cell targets and signaling pathways involved in inflammation, cell survival, apoptosis, growth, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modifications at different positions on the aloperine molecule were performed to improve its anticancer activity and develop anticancer drugs. The in vitro anticancer activities of 44 synthesized compounds were evaluated. The effect of modification positions on anticancer activity was discussed and a structure–activity relationship analysis was established. A novel series of compounds with modifications at the N12 position showed much higher cytotoxicity than aloperine. Among them, compound 22 displayed promising in vitro anticancer activity against PC9 cells with a median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.43 μM. The mechanism studies indicated that compound 22 induced cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in PC9 cells. These results demonstrate the potential of aloperine thiourea derivatives in anticancer activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The treatment alternatives for bladder cancer (BLCA), the 10th most prevalent cancer in the world, need to be further investigated, and many active substances like Puerarin in herbal medicine were found to be effective in treating BLCA. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential treating mechanisms of Puerarin on BLCA. Methods: The cell counting kit 8 assay and flow cytometry were performed to confirm Puerarin’s ability to suppress BLCA. The differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were obtained by Tandem Mass Tags technology and functional enrichment analysis performed by Rstudio. The most enriched pathways were selected for study and the DEPs were screened out. Protein-protein interaction network maps were created using String and Cyto scape and key proteins, which will be analyzed for survival, expression, and upstream transcription factor prediction, were screened out using the cyto Hubba plugin. CHEA3 was used to obtain upstream transcription factor validated by molecular docking and western blotting experiments. Results: Cell counting kit 8 showed that Puerarin inhibited BLC Acells, with 50% inhibitory concentration of 218 µmol/L in T24 and 198 µmol/L in 5637. Flow cytometry reveals that Puerarin blocks T24 and 5637 cells in G1 phase. 1,385 DEPs were obtained and the enrichment analysis revealed that cell cycle and DNA replication were the two main areas in which DEPs were enriched. Cyclin-B-cyclin dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), cyclin B1 (CCNB1), and polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) were identified as key proteins, and their up stream transcription factor was predicted to be centromere protein A (CENPA). Puerarin’s binding energy to CENPA was determined by molecular docking to be −6.3 kcal/mol, indicating a strong binding interaction. Western blot showed that Puerarin significantly reduced the expression of CENPA. Conclusion: We hypothesize that Puerarin may inhibit the proliferation of bladder cancer cells by inhibiting CENPA expression to regulate PLK1and CCNB1 expression, thereby affecting cell cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic wounds have been associated with an elevated burden of cellular senescence, a state of essentially irreversible cell cycle arrest, resistance to apoptosis, and a secretory phenotype. However, whether senescent cells contribute to wound chronicity in humans remains unclear. The objective of this article is to assess the role of clinicopathological characteristics and cellular senescence in the time‐to‐healing of chronic wounds. Methods: A cohort of 79 patients with chronic wounds was evaluated in a single‐center academic practice from February 1, 2005, to February 28, 2015, and followed for up to 36 months. Clinical characteristics and wound biopsies were obtained at baseline, and time‐to‐healing was assessed. Wound biopsies were analyzed histologically for pathological characteristics and molecularly for markers of cellular senescence. In addition, biopsy slides were stained for p16INK4a expression. Results: No clinical or pathological characteristics were found to have significant associations with time‐to‐healing. A Cox proportional hazard ratio model revealed increased CDKN1A (p21CIP1/WAF1) expression to predict longer time‐to‐healing, and a model adjusted for gender and epidermal hyperplasia revealed increased CDKN1A expression and decreased PAPPA expression to predict longer time‐to‐healing. Increased p16INK4a staining was observed in diabetic wounds compared to non‐diabetic wounds, and the same association was observed in the context of high dermal fibrosis. Conclusions: The findings of this pilot study suggest that senescent cells contribute to wound chronicity in humans, especially in diabetic wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Brd4 is closely related with a variety of aging related diseases; • The role of Brd4 in regulating aging-related diseases is complex and multifaceted; • Cell cycle, apoptosis, cell senescence, SASP, senolytic effect, autophagy, and mitochondria dysfunction may be involved in Brd4 regulating aging. Aging, a complex and profound journey, leads us through a labyrinth of physiological and pathological transformations, rendering us increasingly susceptible to aging-related diseases. Emerging investigations have unveiled the function of bromodomain containing protein 4 (BRD4) in manipulating the aging process and driving the emergence and progression of aging-related diseases. This review aims to offer a comprehensive outline of BRD4′s functions involved in the aging process, and potential mechanisms through which BRD4 governs the initiation and progression of various aging-related diseases. BRD4 has a fundamental role in regulating the cell cycle, apoptosis, cellular senescence, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), senolysis, autophagy, and mitochondrial function, which are involved in the aging process. Several studies have indicated that BRD4 governs the initiation and progression of various aging-related diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, aging-related pulmonary fibrosis, and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Thus, the evidence from this review supports that BRD4 could be a promising target for managing various aging-related diseases, while further investigation is warranted to gain a thorough understanding of BRD4′s role in these diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting neural cell proliferation may represent an important strategy for enhancing brain repair after developmental brain injury. The present study aimed to assess the effects of melatonin on cell proliferation after an ischemic injury in the developing hippocampus, focusing on cell cycle dynamics. After in vivo neonatal hypoxia–ischemia (HI), hippocampal cell cycle dynamics were assessed by flow cytometry, together with histological evaluation of dentate gyrus cellularity and proliferation. Melatonin significantly increased the number of proliferating cells in the G2/M phase as well as the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and doublecortin (DCX) labeling reduced by HI. In vivo BrdU labeling revealed a higher BrdU-positivity in the dentate gyrus of ischemic rats treated with melatonin, an effect followed by increased cellularity and preserved hippocampal tissue integrity. These results indicate that the protective effect of melatonin after ischemic injury in neonatal rats may rely on the modulation of cell cycle dynamics of newborn hippocampal cells and increased cell proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to identify a candidate gene associated with paclitaxel (PTX) resistance and to evaluate functionally its biological role in the PTX‐resistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and clinical specimens. Methods: Microarray data series containing samples of different types of cancers resistant to PTX were analyzed and then a candidate gene associated with PTX resistance was identified using various bioinformatics tools. After the suppression of the target gene expression, changes in cell viability and colony‐forming ability were evaluated in PTX‐resistant FaDu and SCC‐9 cell lines. Results: Bioinformatics analyses of upregulated genes in PTX‐resistant cancer cells indicated that OAS3 was associated with PTX resistance. The downregulation of OAS3 expression significantly reduced the viability and colony‐forming capacity of PTX‐resistant SCC‐9 cells by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. Conclusions: The therapeutic targeting of OAS3 may resensitize PTX‐resistant HNSCC cells with high OAS3 expression to PTX treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing novel therapies that outperform the existing chemotherapeutic treatments is required for treatment-resistant ovarian clear cell carcinoma. We investigated the antitumor effect of metformin on ovarian clear cell carcinoma, enhancement of the antitumor effect by its combination with chemotherapy, and its molecular regulatory mechanism. First, we evaluated the viability of ovarian clear cell carcinoma lines using the water-soluble tetrazolium-1 assay and found that metformin suppressed cell viability. Cell viability was significantly suppressed by co-treatment with cisplatin and metformin. In contrast, co-treatment with paclitaxel and metformin showed no significant difference in viability compared with the group without metformin. Western blot analysis showed increased phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase in some cell lines and suppressed phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin in a particular cell line. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a significant increase in the rate of apoptosis in the metformin-treated group and rate of cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in a particular cell line. These results indicated that metformin may be effective against cultured ovarian clear cell carcinoma cells, particularly in combination with cisplatin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) can result in the reduction of sperm numbers, but the mechanisms have not been well elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of TiO2 NPs on cell cycle and apoptosis in spermatogonia and to explore the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in this process. The mouse spermatogonia cell line (GC-1) was treated with TiO2 NPs at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μg/mL) for 24 h to detect cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, and key proteins related to cell cycle and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The agonist (IGF-1) and inhibitor (LY294002) of PI3K were used to verify the role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in cell cycle and apoptosis. TiO2 NPs significantly inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase and resulted in apoptosis. TiO2 NPs downregulated the levels of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclins, including CDK4, CDK2, Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E1, while upregulated the levels of p21 and p53 proteins. Furthermore, TiO2 NPs inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway by decreasing the levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR. IGF-1 reversed the G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis caused by TiO2 NPs. However, LY294002 aggravated the G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis resulting from TiO2 NPs. Collectively, TiO2 NPs induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase and apoptosis through inhibiting the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which could be the main reason for the reduction in sperm numbers caused by TiO2 NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]