ABSTRACT
Bloomfield has pointed out that the kink structure occurs for sharp bending during DNA condensation process, until now, which has not been proved by experiments. Using UV Spectrophotometer, the effects of fluoride and chlorine on the polyamine-DNA condensation system can be detected. Fluoride and chlorine both belong to the halogen family, but their effects on spermine-DNA condensation system are totally different. Fluoride ions make blue-shift and hyperchromicity appear in the spermine-DNA condensation system, but chlorine ions only make insignificant hyperchromicity happen in this system. Both fluoride ions and chlorine ions only make insignificant hyperchromicity happen in spermidine-DNA condensation system. Based on the distinguished character of fluoride, a fluoride-sensor for "kink" structure in DNA condensation was developed and the second kind of "kink" structure only appear in the spermine-DNA condensation system.
Subject(s)
DNA/chemistry , Fluorides/chemistry , Spermidine/analogs & derivatives , Nucleic Acid Conformation , Spermidine/chemistryABSTRACT
WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) is a novel tumor suppressor gene, and its expression is reduced in various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). WWOX has been reported to be downregulated in HCC cell lines as well as in primary HCC tissues. It has been suggested that WWOX is implicated in Wnt/ß-catenin pathway, which is frequently affected in HCC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of WWOX, ß-catenin and T-cell factor 4 (TCF4) in HCC. Our result showed that downregulation of WWOX in HCC was correlated with cytoplasmic accumulation of ß-catenin. In addition, strong nuclear TCF4 expression was associated with tumor grade and stage in HCC. In conclusion, our result implied that downregulation of WWOX might lead to accumulation of cytoplasmic ß-catenin and the subsequent activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in HCC.