Identification of candidate biomarkers for GBM based on WGCNA.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most aggressive form of primary brain tumor, poses a considerable challenge in neuro-oncology. Despite advancements in therapeutic approaches, the prognosis for GBM patients remains bleak, primarily attributed to its inherent resistance to conventional treatments and a high recurrence rate. The primary goal of this study was to acquire molecular insights into GBM by constructing a gene co-expression network, aiming to identify and predict key genes and signaling pathways associated with this challenging condition. To investigate differentially expressed genes between various grades of Glioblastoma (GBM), we employed Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) methodology. Through this approach, we were able to identify modules with specific expression patterns in GBM. Next, genes from these modules were performed Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis using ClusterProfiler package. Our findings revealed a negative correlation between biological processes associated with neuronal development and functioning and GBM. Conversely, the processes related to the cell cycle, glomerular development, and ECM-receptor interaction exhibited a positive correlation with GBM. Subsequently, hub genes, including SYP, TYROBP, and ANXA5, were identified. This study offers a comprehensive overview of the existing research landscape on GBM, underscoring the challenges encountered by clinicians and researchers in devising effective therapeutic strategies.

Target sequence capture data shed light on the deeper evolutionary relationships of subgenus Chamaecerasus in Lonicera (Caprifoliaceae).

The genus Lonicera L. is widely distributed in the north temperate zone and is well-known for its high species richness and morphological diversity. Previous studies have suggested that many sections of Lonicera are not monophyletic and phylogenetic relationships within the genus are still poorly resolved. In this study, we sampled 37 accessions of Lonicera, covering four sections of subgenus Chamaecerasus plus six outgroup taxa, to recover the main clades of Lonicera based on sequences of nuclear loci generated by target enrichment and cpDNA from genome skimming. We found extensive cytonuclear discordance across the subgenus. Both nuclear and plastid phylogenetic analyses supported subgenus Chamaecerasus sister to subgenus Lonicera. Within subgenus Chamaecerasus, sections Isika and Nintooa were each polyphyletic. Based on the nuclear and chloroplast phylogenies, we propose to merge Lonicera korolkowii into section Coeloxylosteum and Lonicera caerulea into section Nintooa. In addition, Lonicera is estimated to have originated in the mid Oligocene (26.45 Ma). The stem age of section Nintooa was estimated to be 17.09 Ma (95% HPD: 13.30-24.45). The stem age of subgenus Lonicera was estimated to be 16.35 Ma (95% HPD: 14.12-23.66). Ancestral area reconstruction analyses indicate that subgenus Chamaecerasus originated in East Asia and Central Asia. In addition, sections Coeloxylosteum and Nintooa originated in East Asia, with subsequent dispersals into other areas. The aridification of the Asian interior likely promoted the rapid radiation of sections Coeloxylosteum and Nintooa within this region. Moreover, our biogeographic analysis fully supports the Bering and the North Atlantic Land Bridge hypotheses for the intercontinental migrations in the Northern Hemisphere. Overall, this study provides new insights into the taxonomically complex lineages of subgenus Chamaecerasus and the process of speciation.

PD-1 blocking strategy for enhancing the anti-tumor effect of CAR T cells targeted CD105.

Purpos: CD105 has become a promising target of immunotherapy development for highly specific expression on the neovascular surface of most types of tumor cells. In previous studies, we constructed a CAR T cell (CD105 CAR T cell) and observed significant antitumor activity. In this study, we optimized the structure of CD105 CAR to increase PD-1 antibody secretion function (CD105 × PD-1 CAR T cells). Methods: we tested whether Increased PD-1 antibody secretion with CAR T cells targeted CD105 could promote in vitro proliferation, proinflammatory cytokine production and cytotoxicity,or not. For the in vivo experiments, we constructed a subcutaneously transplanted tumor model and placed it in NOD/SCID mice to verify the anti-tumor effect of this therapy. Results: Our data showed that the PD-1 antibody secreted by CD105 × PD-1 CAR T cells could specifically bind to the PD-1 receptor of T cells then blocked the PD-1/PD-L-1 signaling pathway, thus enhancing the activation and proliferation of CAR T cells. After incubation of CD105 × PD-1 CAR T cells with HepG2 as a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line expressing CD105, the results showed that CD105 × PD-1 CAR T cells increased the expression levels of CD69 and CD62L, enhanced the proliferation capacity of CAR T cells, and secreted more IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ than CD105 CAR T cells. Conclusion: These data showed that CD105 × PD-1 CAR T cells was specifically killing tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. Our findings may therefore provide a promising new strategy for the improvement of CAR T therapy for solid tumors.

Bacillus subtilis phage phi18: genomic analysis and receptor identification.

Bacillus subtilis strains play a pivotal role in the fermentation industry. B. subtilis phages can cause severe damage by infecting bacterial cells used in industrial fermentation processes. In this work, we isolated and characterized a Bacillus subtilis-infecting phage, termed phi18. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that phage phi18 particles have typical myovirus morphology, with an icosahedral head connected to a contractile tail. Genomic analysis revealed that the phage genome is a linear double-stranded DNA molecule of 147,298 bp with terminal redundancy of 14,434 bp, and 226 protein coding genes and four tRNA genes were predicted in the genome. Phage-resistant mutants were selected from a mariner transposon-insertion library of B. subtilis 168 in which two bacterial genes, tagE and pgcA, which are required for the glycosylation of wall teichoic acid (WTA), were found to be disrupted, suggesting that WTA is the receptor for phage phi18. Comparative genomic analysis showed that phage phi18 is a new member of the genus Okubovirus of the family Herelleviridae. Finally, general characteristics of the phage-resistant mutants, including biofilm formation, growth, and sporulation, were examined. The results showed that the phage-resistant mutants grew as rapidly as the parental strain B. subtilis 168 at 42 °C, suggesting that these phage-resistant mutants may be used as starters in fermentation processes.

Plastome structure, phylogenomic analyses and molecular dating of Arecaceae.

Arecaceae is a species-rich clade of Arecales, while also being regarded as a morphologically diverse angiosperm family with numerous species having significant economic, medicinal, and ornamental value. Although in-depth studies focused on the chloroplast structure of Arecaceae, as well as inferring phylogenetic relationships using gene fragments, have been reported in recent years, a comprehensive analysis of the chloroplast structure of Arecaceae is still needed. Here we perform a comprehensive analysis of the structural features of the chloroplast genome of Arecaceae, compare the variability of gene sequences, infer phylogenetic relationships, estimate species divergence times, and reconstruct ancestral morphological traits. In this study, 74 chloroplast genomes of Arecaceae were obtained, covering five subfamilies. The results show that all chloroplast genomes possess a typical tetrad structure ranging in size between 153,806-160,122 bp, with a total of 130-137 genes, including 76-82 protein-coding genes, 29-32 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. Additionally, the total GC content was between 36.9-37.7%. Analysis of the SC/IR boundary indicated that the IR region underwent expansion or contraction. Phylogenetic relationships indicate that all five subfamilies in Arecaceae are monophyletic and that Ceroxyloideae and Arecoideae are sister groups (BS/PP = 100/1). The results of molecular dating indicate that the age of the crown group of Arecaceae is likely to be 96.60 [84.90-107.60] Ma, while the age of the stem group is 102.40 [93.44-111.17] Ma. Reconstruction of ancestral traits indicate that the ancestral characteristics of the family include monoecious plants, one seed, six stamens, and a smooth pericarp.

Complete plastome sequence of Monoon laui (Merr.) B. Xue and R.M.K. Saunders, 2012: an endemic species in Hainan.

Monoon laui (Merr.) B. Xue and R.M.K. Saunders 2012 is produced in Hainan province. The trunk is straight, the wood texture is straight, and the material is slightly soft, which is suitable for furniture and building materials. In our study, we report and characterize the complete plastome of M. laui The complete length of the plastome of M. laui possesses 161,181 bp, including a large single-copy (LSC) of 89,556 bp, small single-copy (SSC) of 18,977 bp, and two inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,313 bp. The overall G/C content in the plastome of M. laui is 39.13%. The plastome contains 257 genes, consisting of 130 protein-coding genes (16 of which are duplicated in the IR), 37 tRNA genes (seven of which are duplicated in the IR), and eight rRNA genes (5S rRNA, 4.5S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and 23S rRNA). Here, we explore the phylogenetic relationships and make contributions to the conservation genetics of the specie of M. laui using the complete plastome sequence.

A novel lytic phage potentially effective for phage therapy against Burkholderia pseudomallei in the tropics.

BACKGROUND: Burkholderia pseudomallei is a tropical pathogen that causes melioidosis. Its intrinsic drug-resistance is a leading cause of treatment failure, and the few available antibiotics require prolonged use to be effective. This study aimed to assess the clinical potential of B. pseudomallei phages isolated from Hainan, China. METHODS: Burkholderia pseudomallei strain (HNBP001) was used as the isolation host, and phages were recovered from domestic environmental sources, which were submitted to the host range determination, lytic property assays, and stability tests. The best candidate was examined via the transmission electron microscope for classification. With its genome sequenced and analyzed, its protective efficacy against B. pseudomallei infection in A549 cells and Caenorhabditis elegans was evaluated, in which cell viability and survival rates were compared using the one-way ANOVA method and the log-rank test. RESULTS: A phage able to lyse 24/25 clinical isolates was recovered. It was classified in the Podoviridae family and was found to be amenable to propagation. Under the optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1, an eclipse period of around 20 min and a high titer (1012 PFU/ml) produced within 1 h were demonstrated. This phage was found stabile at a wide range of temperatures (24, 37, 40, 50, and 60 °C) and pH values (3-12). After being designated as vB_BpP_HN01, it was fully sequenced, and the 71,398 bp linear genome, containing 93 open reading frames and a tRNA-Asn, displayed a low sequence similarity with known viruses. Additionally, protective effects of applications of vB_BpP_HN01 (MOI = 0.1 and MOI = 1) alone or in combination with antibiotics were found to improve viability of infected cells (70.6 ± 6.8%, 85.8 ± 5.7%, 91.9 ± 1.8%, and 96.8 ± 1.8%, respectively). A significantly reduced mortality (10%) and a decreased pathogen load were demonstrated in infected C. elegans following the addition of this phage. CONCLUSIONS: As the first B. pseudomallei phage was isolated in Hainan, China, phage vB_BpP_HN01 was characterized by promising lytic property, stability, and efficiency of bacterial elimination during the in vitro/vivo experiments. Therefore, we can conclude that it is a potential alternative agent for combating melioidosis.

Phylogenomic analyses of the East Asian endemic Abelia (Caprifoliaceae) shed insights into the temporal and spatial diversification history with widespread hybridization.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Abelia (Caprifoliaceae) is a small genus with five species, including one artificial hybrid and several natural hybrids. The genus has a discontinuous distribution in Mainland China, Taiwan Island and the Ryukyu Islands, providing a model system to explore the mechanisms of species dispersal in the East Asian flora. However, the current phylogenetic relationships within Abelia remain uncertain. METHODS: We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships within Abelia using nuclear loci generated by target enrichment and plastomes from genome skimming. Divergence time estimation, ancestral area reconstruction and ecological niche modelling (ENM) were used to examine the diversification history of Abelia. KEY RESULTS: We found extensive cytonuclear discordance across the genus. By integrating lines of evidence from molecular phylogenies, divergence times and morphology, we propose to merge Abelia macrotera var. zabelioides into A. uniflora. Network analyses suggested that there have been multiple widespread hybridization events among Abelia species. These hybridization events may have contributed to the speciation mechanism and resulted in the high observed morphological diversity. The diversification of Abelia began in the early Eocene, followed by A. chinensis var. ionandra colonizing Taiwan Island during the Middle Miocene. The ENM results suggested an expansion of climatically suitable areas during the Last Glacial Maximum and range contraction during the Last Interglacial. Disjunction between the Himalayan-Hengduan Mountain region and Taiwan Island is probably the consequence of topographical isolation and postglacial contraction. CONCLUSIONS: We used genomic data to reconstruct the phylogeny of Abelia and found a clear pattern of reticulate evolution in the group. In addition, our results suggest that shrinkage of postglacial range and the heterogeneity of the terrain have led to the disjunction between Mainland China and Taiwan Island. This study provides important new insights into the speciation process and taxonomy of Abelia.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Phyllagathi hainanensis (Melastomataceae) and phylogenetic analysis.

Phyllagathi hainanensis (Merr. et Chun) C. Chen is a small shrubs of Melastomataceae. It is only distributed in Hainan provinces of China. The complete chloroplast genome of P. hainanensis is reported in this study. The complete chloroplast genome of P. hainanensis is 156,123 bp in length with a typical quadripartite structure, consisting of a large single-copy region (LSC, 85,497 bp), a single-copy region (SSC, 17,076 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs, 26,775 bp). There are 129 genes annotated, including 37 transfer RNA genes, 8 ribosomal RNA genes, and 84 proteincoding genes. The complete plastome sequence of P. hainanensis will provide a useful resource for phylogenetic studies in Melastomataceae.

Characterization of the complete chloroplast genome of Scorpiothyrsus erythrotrichus (Melastomataceae), an endemic to Hainan.

Scorpiothyrsus erythrotrichus belongs to Melastomataceae. Here, we present its complete plastome. To our knowledge, this is the first reported complete chloroplast genome of S. erythrotrichus. The complete plastome of S. erythrotrichus is 160,731 bp in length with a typical quadripartite structure, consisting of four regions: large single-copy (LSC) region (85,483 bp), small single-copy (SSC) region (17,007 bp), and two inverted repeat regions (IRs, 26,780 bp). It contains 128 genes (79 coding genes, four rRNAs, and 30 tRNAs). The overall GC content is 36.9% and in the LSC, SSC, and IR regions are 34.70%, 30.40%, and 42.50%, respectively. Our study contributes to the molecular phylogenetic studies of Scorpiothyrsus and Melastomataceae.

Alternaria Mycotoxins: An Overview of Toxicity, Metabolism, and Analysis in Food.

The genus Alternaria is widely distributed in the environment. Numerous species of the genus Alternaria can produce a variety of toxic secondary metabolites, called Alternaria mycotoxins. In this review, natural occurrence, toxicity, metabolism, and analytical methods are introduced. The contamination of these toxins in foodstuffs is ubiquitous, and most of these metabolites present genotoxic and cytotoxic effects. Moreover, Alternaria toxins are mainly hydroxylated to catechol metabolites and combined with sulfate and glucuronic acid in in vitro arrays. A more detailed summary of the metabolism of Alternaria toxins is presented in this work. To effectively detect and determine the mycotoxins in food, analytical methods with high sensitivity and good accuracy are also reviewed. This review will guide the formulation of maximum residue limit standards in the future, covering both toxicity and metabolic mechanism of Alternaria toxins.

MicroRNA-623 inhibits tumor progression and is a predictor of poor prognosis of breast cancer.

Dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) serve vital roles in the progression and prognosis of breast cancer. miR-623 has been reported to influence the progression of numerous other cancers, such as lung adenocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, however, its role in breast cancer remains unclear. In the present study, the mRNA expression of miR-623 was studied in 121 pairs of breast cancer and adjacent normal tissues and cultured cell lines by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR. The association between miR-623 expression and clinical characteristics or the overall survival rate of patients was investigated by the χ2 test or Cox regression analysis, respectively. The role of miR-623 in cell proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells was evaluated by cell transfection to regulate miR-623 expression and the CCK8 and Transwell assays, respectively. miR-623 was downregulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines compared with normal tissues and breast epithelial cell lines. The χ2 test demonstrated that the downregulation of miR-623 was associated with the tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage of patients with breast cancer. miR-623 and TNM stage were considered as two independent prognostic factors for breast cancer. Additionally, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells were promoted by the downregulation of miR-623, while upregulation of miR-623 led to inhibition of the aforementioned processes. Downregulation of miR-623 in breast cancer is associated with the development of breast cancer and indicates a poor prognosis of patients. The downregulation of miR-623 promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer. The findings of the present study indicate that miR-623 functions as a prognosis biomarker and a tumor suppressor in breast cancer, which provides a potential therapeutic target for patients with breast cancer.

Whole-Genome Sequence of Burkholderia pseudomallei Strain HNBP001, Isolated from a Melioidosis Patient in Hainan, China.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Burkholderia pseudomallei HNBP001, an epidemic strain isolated from a melioidosis patient with pneumonia in Hainan, China.

TIGD1, a gene of unknown function, involves cell-cycle progression and correlates with poor prognosis in human cancer.

BACKGROUND: Trigger transposable element-derived 1 (TIGD1), a human species-specific gene, was identified as a cell cycle-related differentially expressed gene during the formation of liver cancer. As far as we know, there are no reports about the function of TIGD1. This study aimed to explore the expression of TIGD1 in human cancers and establish whether elevated TIGD1 can be used as a prognostic cancer biomarker and its potential role in cancer. METHODS: Molecular profiling of TIGD1 in human cancers was assessed using a series of databases, including Oncomine, COSMIC, Kaplan-Meier, UCSC, and cBioPortal. RESULTS: We found that TIGD1 overexpressed in colorectal, gastric, liver, lung, and pancreatic cancers than their normal tissues and its expression might be negatively related with the prognosis. The TIGD1 coexpression genes were obtained from cBioPortal and analyzed using ClueGO plugin in Cytoscape to predict the function of TIGD1. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the elevated TIGD1 expression is coupled with a malignant survival rate in several cancers. It may play its role by regulating cell-cycle progression. These findings provide fresh insight into our understanding of TEs in cancers. As a previously unreported gene, future research is required to validate our findings and illuminate the molecular mechanisms. In conclusion, we systemically analyze the expression, prognostic value, and likely role of TIGD1, the unknown function gene, in cancer. Our finding provides evidence that TIGD1 involve in the cell cycle. These findings provide fresh insight into our understanding of TEs in cancers. Next, the detailed mechanism of TIGD1 needs to be studied in the future.

MicroRNA-9-5p functions as a tumor suppressor in papillary thyroid cancer via targeting BRAF.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are widely studied as key regulators of gene expression and are involved in various diseases by affecting the miRNA-mediated regulatory function. BRAF is an important oncogene in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis. In the present study, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the expression levels of miR-9-5p and BRAF mRNA in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Western blotting was used to detect BRAF protein level. A luciferase assay was used to verify the miR-9-5p target site in BRAF. Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry were used to assess cell proliferation, and apoptosis, respectively. In the present study, it was demonstrated that miR-9-5p is downregulated in malignant PTC. Using bioinformatics analysis, miR-9-5p was predicted to target the human BRAF 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR). A dual-luciferase assay demonstrated that miR-9-5p downregulated BRAF expression by directly targeting its 3'-UTR. Mutations in the 3'-UTR of BRAF completely abolished its interaction with miR-9-5p. Expression of exogenous miRNA that mimics miR-9-5p miRNA decreased BRAF protein and mRNA levels, while suppression of endogenous miR-9-5p resulted in an increase in BRAF protein, and mRNA levels. Furthermore, regulation of miR-9-5p was observed to suppress the viability of PTC cells by inducing apoptosis. Consistently, downregulation of miR-9-5p promoted proliferation of PTC cells by inhibiting the apoptosis of cells. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that miR-9-5p may perform an important role in PTC prognosis and therapy.

Quorum sensing influences phage infection efficiency via affecting cell population and physiological state.

Bacterial growth phase has been reported affecting phage infection. To underpin the related mechanism, infection efficiency of Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage K5 is characterized. When infecting the logarithmic cells, phage K5 produced significantly more infection centers than the stationary cells, well concordant with the viable cell ratio in the different growth phases. Additionally, the burst size decreased dramatically in the stationary cells, implying that the physiological state of the viable cells contributed to the productivity of phage K5, and it was consistent with the expression variation of the phage RNA polymerase. Quorum sensing inhibitor penicillic acid was applied and could significantly improve the viable cell proportion and the infection center numbers, but had less effect on the corresponding burst sizes. Moreover, the effect of penicillic acid and the quorum sensing regulator mutants on the production of phage C11 was also analyzed. Taken together, our data suggest that quorum sensing is involved in the defense of phage K5 infection by influencing the viable cell population and their physiological state, and it is an efficient and intrinsic pathway allowing bacteria to resist phage attacks in natural environment.

Microbial Diversity and Biochemical Analysis of Suanzhou: A Traditional Chinese Fermented Cereal Gruel.

Suanzhou as a traditional Chinese gruel is fermented from proso millet and millet. The biochemical analysis showed Suanzhou had relatively high concentrations of lactic acid, acetic acid, and free amino acids. The metagenomics of Suanzhou were studied, with the analysis of the V4 region of 16S rRNA gene, the genera Lactobacillus and Acetobacter were found dominant with the average abundance of 58.2 and 24.4%, respectively; and with the analysis of the ITS1 region between 18S and 5.8S rRNA genes, 97.3% of the fungal community was found belonging to the genus Pichia and 2.7% belonging to five other genera. Moreover, the isolates recovered from 59 Suanzhou samples with various media were identified with the 16S rRNA or 18S rRNA gene analyses. Lactobacillus fermentum (26.9%), L. pentosus (19.4%), L. casei (17.9%), and L. brevis (16.4%) were the four dominant Lactobacillus species; Acetobacter lovaniensis (38.1%), A. syzygii (16.7%), A. okinawensis (16.7%), and A. indonesiensis (11.9%) were the four dominant Acetobacter species; and Pichia kudriavzevii (55.8%) and Galactomyces geotrichum (23.1%) were the two dominant fungal species. Additionally, L. pentosus p28-c and L. casei h28-c1 were selected for the fermentations mimicking the natural process. Collectively, our data demonstrate that Suanzhou is a nutritional food high in free amino acids and organic acids. Diverse Lactobacillus, Acetobacter, and yeast species are identified as the dominant microorganisms in Suanzhou. The isolated strains can be further characterized and used as starters for the industrial production of Suanzhou safely.

Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage K5 genome and identification of its receptor related genes.

Phage genomic information and the nature of host-phage interactions are important for phage applications. In this study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage K5 is characterized as a linear double-stranded genomic DNA molecule of 93,754 bp with identical 1182-bp direct terminal repeats. Comparative genomic analysis reveals that phage K5 is highly homologous to the "PaP1-like" phages. Thirteen mutants resistant to phage K5 are screened in a transposon mutant library. The disrupted genetic loci are identified as gene Y880_RS05480 encoding a putative O-antigen polymerase Wzy and gene wapH encoding a glycosyltransferase. The mutants are confirmed by the complementation experiment. The production of biofilm and the profile of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are further analyzed in the Y880_RS05480 mutant. Our data indicate that LPS is the receptor of phage K5.

Insertion sequence ISRP10 inactivation of the oprD gene in imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates.

Carbapenem resistance mechanisms were investigated in 32 imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates recovered from hospitalised children. Sequence analysis revealed that 31 of the isolates had an insertion sequence element ISRP10 disrupting the porin gene oprD, demonstrating that ISRP10 inactivation of oprD conferred imipenem resistance in the majority of the isolates. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was used to discriminate the isolates. In total, 11 sequence types (STs) were identified including 3 novel STs, and 68.3% (28/41) of the tested strains were characterised as clone ST253. In combination with random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, the imipenem-resistant isolates displayed a relatively high degree of genetic variability and were unlikely associated with nosocomial infections.

Correlations between the MEG-A3 gene and incidence of breast cancer.

The aim of the present study was to examine the interrelations between MEG-A3 gene and incidence of breast cancer. The expression of MEG-A3 gene in the tissue samples of patients with breast cancer and normal controls at RNA and protein levels was determined. Subsequently, the relative expression of RNA for the same patient was measured at different time-points (1, 3, 6, 8, 12 and 24 months), and the protein expression levels were determined using western blotting. The results showed that, the mRNA level in MEG-A3 gene of samples of patients with breast cancer was significantly higher than that of normal women (p<0.05). The MEG-A3 gene expression increased apparently with the prolongation and aggravation of the disease. In conclusion, there is a close correlation between MEG-A3 gene and the incidence of breast cancer; thus, MEG-A3 gene contributes to the occurrence and deterioration of breast cancer to some extent. It provides a theoretical basis for later disease treatment.