miR-155 and miR-92 levels in ALL, post-transplant aGVHD, and CMV: possible new treatment options.

BACKGROUND: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignancy that leads to altered blast cell proliferation, survival, and maturation and eventually to the lethal accumulation of leukemic cells. Recently, dysregulated expression of various micro-RNAs (miRNAs) has been reported in hematologic malignancies, especially ALL. Cytomegalovirus infection can induce ALL in otherwise healthy individuals, so a more detailed evaluation of its role in ALL-endemic areas like Iran is required. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 70 newly diagnosed adults with ALL were recruited. The expression level of microRNA-155(miR-155) and microRNA-92(miR-92) was evaluated by real-time SYBR Green PCR. The correlations between the miRNAs mentioned above and the severity of disease, CMV infection, and acute graft vs. host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were assessed. B cell and T cell ALL distinction in the level of miRNAs was provided. RESULTS: After the statistical analysis, our results indicated a marked increase in the expression of miR-155 and miR-92 in ALL patients vs. healthy controls (*P = 0.002-*P = 0.03, respectively). Also, it was shown that the expression of miR-155 and miR-92 was higher in T cell ALL compared to B cell ALL (P = 0.01-P = 0.004, respectively), CMV seropositivity, and aGVHD. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the plasma signature of microRNA expression may act as a powerful marker for diagnosis and prognosis, providing knowledge outside cytogenetics. Elevation of miR-155 in plasma can be a beneficial therapeutic target for ALL patients, with consideration of higher plasma levels of miR-92 and miR-155 in CMV + and post-HSCT aGVHD patients.

Cloning of Bacillus subtilis phytase gene construct in Escherichia coli.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Phytase has a hydrolysis function of phytic acid, which yields inorganic phosphate. Bacillus species can produce thermostable alkaline phytase. The aim of this study was to isolate and clone a Phytase gene (Phy) from Bacillus subtilis in Escherichia coli. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, the extracellular PhyC gene was isolated from Bacillus subtilis Phytase C. After purification of the bands, DNA fragment of Phy gene was cloned by T/A cloning technique, and the clone was transformed into Escherichia coli. Afterward, the pGEM-Phy was transferred into E. coli Top-10 strain and the recombinants were plated on LB agar containing 100 µg/ml ampicillin. The colonization of 1171 bp of gene Phytase C was confirmed by PCR. The presence of gene-targeting in vector was confirmed with enzymatic digestion by XhoI and XbaI restriction enzymes. RESULTS: The Phytase gene was successfully cloned in E. coli. The result of cloning of 1171 bp Phytase gene was confirmed by PCR assay. CONCLUSION: Our impression of this article is that several methods, such as using along with microbial, plant phytase reproduction, or low-phytic acid corn may be the better way from a single phytase.