Gene expression profile and enrichment pathways in different stages of bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer is a highly heterogeneous neoplasm. We examined the gene expression profile in 3 bladder cancer stages (Ta, T1, T2) using expression microarray analysis of 40 bladder tumors. Differentially expressed genes were found by the t-test, with <0.005 as the significance threshold. KEGG pathway-enrichment analysis was used to study the signaling pathways of the genes. We found 36 genes that could be used as molecular markers for predicting the transition from Ta-T1 to T1-T2. Among these, 11 overlapped between Ta-T1 and T1-T2 stages. Six genes were down-regulated at the Ta-T1 stage, but were up-regulated at the T1-T2 stage (ANXA5, ATP6V1B2, CTGF, GEM, IL13RA1, and LCP1); 5 genes were up-regulated at the Ta-T1 stage, but down-regulated at the T1-T2 stage (ACPP, GNL1, RIPK1, RAPGEF3, and ZER1). Another 25 genes changed relative expression levels at the T1-T2 stage. These genes (including COL1A1, COL1A2, FN1, ITGA5, LGALS1, SPP1, VIM, POSTN, and COL18A1) may be involved in bladder cancer progression by affecting extracellular matrix-receptor interaction and focal adhesion. The cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and calcium-signaling pathway were associated with bladder cancer progression at both the Ta-T1 and T1-T2 stages.

Synthesis of Drosophila melanogaster acetylcholinesterase gene using yeast preferred codons and its expression in Pichia pastoris.

To improve the expression level of recombinant Drosophila melanogaster AChE (R-DmAChE) in Pichia pastoris, the cDNA of DmAChE was first optimized and synthesized based on the preferred codon usage of P. pastoris. The synthesized AChE cDNA without glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) signal peptide sequence was then ligated to the P. pastoris expression vector, generating the plasmid pPIC9K/DmAChE. The linearized plasmid was homologously integrated into the genome of P. pastoris GS115 via electrotransformation. Finally seven transformants with high expression level of R-DmAChE activity were obtained. The highest production of R-DmAChE in shake-flask culture after 5-day induction by methanol was 718.50 units/mL, which was about three times higher than our previous expression level of native DmAChE gene in P. pastoris. Thus, these new strains with the ability to secret R-DmAChE in the medium could be used for production of R-DmAChE to decrease the cost of the enzyme expense for rapid detection of organophosphate and carbamate insecticide residues.

Effects of conjugated linoleic acid on color and lipid oxidation of beef patties during cold storage.

The effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on color and lipid oxidation of beef patties were investigated. Ground beef was divided into three batches. The control patties were prepared with 90% lean meat and 10% tallow. The second treatment consisted of 90% lean meat with 9.5% tallow+0.5% CLA sources. The third treatment consisted of 90% lean meat with 8% tallow+2% CLA sources. The patties were wrap-packaged and then stored at 4° for 14 days. The CLA concentration significantly increased (P<0.05) by substituting CLA sources for fat. Storage of the patties did not alter the CLA concentration in beef patties. The treatment substituted with CLA sources had significantly lower TBARS (2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) values (P<0.05) than the control. For oxymyoglobin contents and a* value, substituted CLA sources treatments had significantly higher values than the control. However, L* value significantly increased by substituting CLA sources for fat.

Genes relevant with osteoarthritis by comparison gene expression profiles of synovial membrane of osteoarthritis patients at different stages.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify biological markers about osteoarthritis (OA) which is a polygenic disease by investigating the gene expression profiles of the synovium samples from early-stage and end-stage OA patients for the diagnosis and treatment of OA. METHODS: The gene expression profile of GSE32317 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, including 10 samples from early-stage OA patients and 9 samples from end-stage OA patients. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by Significance Analysis of Microarrays. The co-expression network of DEGs was constructed by Pearson correlation test. Then, modules in the constructed co-expression network were selected by MCODE Plugin. What's more, EASE (Expression Analysis Systematic Explorer) was used to define the significant functions and pathways in the identified modules. RESULTS: Total 419 DEGs were identified, among which 112 were up-regulated and 307 down-regulated. We selected 7 statistically significant modules with gene number above 10 and phenotypic correlation test of modules showed that all the modules had significant correlation with OA (p < 0.05). The genes of module 1, module 2 and module 7 were significantly related to immune system functions, protein glycosylation functions, bone, chondrocytes and cartilage functions, respectively. The most significant pathway in module 3 and module 5 was Wnt signal pathway, and in module 4 was Toll-like receptor signal pathway. CONCLUSIONS: DEGs related to immune response, cartilage development, protein glycosylation, muscle development, and DEGs participated in the Wnt signaling pathway and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway might be the potential target genes for the OA treatment.