Determining the Aethalometer multiple scattering enhancement factor C from the filter loading parameter.

Light-absorbing aerosols heat the atmosphere; an accurate quantification of their absorption coefficient is mandatory. However, standard reference instruments (CAPS, MAAP, PAX, PTAAM) are not always available at each measuring site around the world. By integrating all previous published studies concerning the Aethalometers, the AE33 filter loading parameter, provided by the dual-spot algorithm, were used to determine the multiple scattering enhancement factor from the Aethalometer itself (hereinafter CAE) on an yearly and a monthly basis. The method was developed in Milan, where Aethalometer measurements were compared with MAAP data; the comparison showed a good agreement in terms of equivalent black carbon (R2 = 0.93; slope = 1.02 and a negligible intercept = 0.12 µg m-3) leading to a yearly experimental multiple scattering enhancement factor of 2.51 ± 0.04 (hereinafter CMAAP). On a yearly time base the CAE values obtained using the new approach was 2.52 ± 0.01, corresponding to the experimental one (CMAAP). Considering the seasonal behavior, higher experimental CMAAP and computed CAE values were found in summer (2.83 ± 0.12) whereas, the lower ones in winter/early-spring (2.37 ± 0.03), in agreement with the single scattering albedo behavior in the Po Valley. Overall, the agreement between the experimental CMAAP and CAE showed a root mean squared error (RMSE) of just 0.038 on the CMAAP prediction, characterized by a slope close to 1 (1.001 ± 0.178), a negligible intercept (-0.002 ± 0.455) and a high degree of correlation (R2 = 0.955). From an environmental point of view, the application of a dynamic (space/time) determination of CAE increases the accuracy of the aerosol heating rate (compared to applying a fixed C value) up to 16 % solely in Milan, and to 114 % when applied in the Arctic at 80°N.

Specific Ion Effects and pH Dependence on the Interaction Forces between Polystyrene Particles.

Colloidal interactions have been extensively studied due to the wide number of applications where colloids are present. In general, the electric double layer force and the van der Waals interaction dominate the net force acting between two colloids at large separation distances. However, it is well accepted that some other phenomena, especially those acting at short separation distances, might be relevant and induce substantial changes in the force profiles. Within these phenomena, those related to the surface contact angle, the hydration degree of the ions, or the pH, may dominate the force profiles features, not only at short distances. In this paper, we analyzed the effect of the pH and counterion type on the long-range as well as short-range forces between polystyrene colloidal particles by using the colloidal probe technique based on AFM. Our results confirm that the features of the force profiles between polystyrene surfaces are strongly affected by the pH and hydration degree of the counterions in solution. Additionally, we performed a study of the role of the pH on the wettability properties of hydrated and nonhydrated polystyrene sheets to scan the wettability properties of this material with pH. Contact angle measurements confirmed that the polystyrene surface is hydrophobic in aqueous solutions over the entire range of pHs investigated. These results are in good agreement with the features observed in the force profiles at low pH. At high pH, a short-range repulsion similar to the one observed for hydrophilic materials is observed. This repulsion scales with the pH, and it also depends on the hydration degree of the ions in solution. This way, the short-range forces between polystyrene surfaces may be tunable with the pH, and its origin does not seem to be related to the hydrophobicity of the material.

Circulating sRAGE in the diagnosis of osteolytic bone metastasis.

Despite the clinical importance of metastasis to the skeleton, the diagnostic tools for early detection and monitoring of bone metastasis lack sensitivity and specificity. We evaluated a promising new serum biomarker, the soluble form of the Receptor of Advanced Glycosylated End-products (sRAGE). sRAGE is involved in the Wnt-signaling pathway, and has been reported to reduce the risk of cancer. We investigated the diagnostic potential of sRAGE to improve the detection and monitoring of bone metastasis. We measured sRAGE in the serum of control healthy subjects, patients with primary tumors and patients with bone metastasis. sRAGE was also correlated with the Wnt inhibitors DKK-1 and sclerostin, the bone resorption markers MMP-2, MMP-9 and TRAP5, and the metastatic marker survivin. sRAGE was significantly lower in primary tumor and metastatic patients than in healthy subjects. sRAGE also showed a strong negative correlation with DKK-1, sclerostin, MMP-2, MMP-9, TRAP5b and survivin. These results indicated that sRAGE might play a protective role in bone metastasis progression, and it may diagnostic significance for detecting and monitoring osteolytic metastases.

Osteolytic bone metastasis is hampered by impinging on the interplay among autophagy, anoikis and ossification.

Here we show that the fate of osteolytic bone metastasis depends on the balance among autophagy, anoikis resistance and ossification, and that the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling pathway seems to have an important role in orchestrating bone colonization. These findings are consistent with the pathophysiology of bone metastasis that is influenced by the cross-talk of supportive and neoplastic cells through molecular signaling networks. We adopted the strategy to target metastasis and stroma with the use of adenovirally expressed NK4 (AdNK4) and Dasatinib to block HGF/Met axis and Src activity. In human bone metastatic 1833 cells, HGF conferred anoikis resistance via Akt and Src activities and HIF-1α induction, leading to Bim isoforms degradation. When Src and Met activities were inhibited with Dasatinib, the Bim isoforms accumulated conferring anoikis sensitivity. The proviability effect of HGF, under low-nutrient stress condition, was related to a faster autophagy deactivation with respect to HGF plus Dasatinib. In the 1833 xenograft model, AdNK4 switched metastasis vasculature to blood lacunae, increasing HIF-1α in metastasis. The combination of AdNK4 plus Dasatinib gave the most relevant results for mice survival, and the following molecular and cellular changes were found to be responsible. In bone metastasis, we observed a hypoxic condition - marked by HIF-1α - and an autophagy failure - marked by p62 without Beclin-1. Then, osteolytic bone metastases were largely prevented, because of autophagy failure in metastasis and ossification in bone marrow, with osteocalcin deposition. The abnormal repair process was triggered by the dysfunctional autophagy/anoikis interplay. In conclusion, the concomitant blockade of HGF/Met axis and Src activity seemed to induce HIF-1α in metastasis, whereas the bone marrow hypoxic response was reduced. As a consequence, anoikis resistance might be hampered favoring, instead, autophagy failure and neoformation of woven bone trabeculae. Mice survival was, therefore, prolonged by overcoming an escape strategy adopted by metastatic cells by disruption of tumor-stroma coevolution, showing the importance of autophagy inhibition for the therapy of bone metastasis.

Inhibitory effect of prepro-thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (178-199) on adrenocorticotrophic hormone secretion by human corticotroph tumours.

Prepro-thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) (178-199), a 22-amino acid cleavage product of the TRH prohormone, has been postulated to act as an adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ACTH)-release inhibitor. Indeed, although in vitro evidence indicates that this peptide may inhibit basal and stimulated ACTH secretion in rodent anterior pituitary primary cultures and cell lines, not all studies concur and no study has as yet evaluated the effect of this peptide in Cushing's disease. The present study aimed to test the effect of preproTRH(178-199) in human tumoural corticotrophs. Twenty-four human ACTH-secreting pituitary tumours (13 macroadenomas, 11 microadenomas) were collected during surgery and incubated with 10 or 100 nm preproTRH(178-199). ACTH secretion was assessed after 4 and 24 h of incubation by immunometric assay and expressed relative to levels observed in control, unchallenged wells (= 100%). Parallel experiments were performed in rat anterior pituitary primary cultures. A clear inhibition of ACTH secretion at 4 and 24 h was observed in 12 specimens (for 10 nm ppTRH: 70 +/- 4% control at 4 h and 83 +/- 5% control at 24 h; for 100 nm ppTRH: 70 +/- 4% control at 4 h and 85 +/- 5% control at 24 h), whereas a mild and short-lasting stimulatory effect was observed in three tumours and no changes in ACTH secretion in the remaining nine tumoural specimens. The inhibitory effect of preproTRH(178-199) was more evident in macroadenomas and significantly correlated with sensitivity to dexamethasone inhibition. Significant inhibition of ACTH secretion by preproTRH(178-199) in rat pituitary cultures was observed after 24 h of incubation. The present study conducted in a large series of human corticotroph tumours shows that preproTRH(178-199) inhibits tumoural ACTH secretion in a sizable proportion of specimens, in close relation to the size of the tumour and its sensitivity to glucocorticoid negative feedback. This appears a promising avenue of research and further studies are warranted to explore the full scope of preproTRH(178-199) as a regulator of ACTH secretion.

The role of inflammation and infection in prostate cancer: Importance in prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

It is currently estimated that infections and inflammatory responses are linked to 15-20% of all deaths from cancer worldwide. Many studies point to an important role of inflammation in prostate growth, although the contribution of inflammation to benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer is not completely understood. There is an unmet need for epidemiologic and molecular pathologic approaches to address the issue of inflammation and prostate cancer. Here we review the published evidence with respect to the involvement of inflammation and infection in prostate cancer. We also present an overarching hypothesis that chronic inflammation associated with aging and infection may play an important role in the etiology and progression of prostate cancer. As such, chronic inflammation may represent an important therapeutic target in prostate cancer.

Sam68 and ERKs regulate leptin-induced expression of OB-Rb mRNA in C2C12 myotubes.

Acute leptin treatment significantly increases the mRNA of the long isoform of leptin receptor (OB-Rb) in C2C12 myotubes after as little as 30min, without affecting that of the short isoform (OB-Ra). The Sam68 STAR protein has been implicated in leptin signal transduction as an adaptor molecule useful to recruit other signalling proteins. We found that leptin increased Sam68 tyrosine-phosphorylation so decreasing its poly(U)-binding capacity. RT-PCR analysis of the mRNA bound to immunoprecipitated Sam68 showed that Sam68 associated with OB-Rb but not OB-Ra mRNA in control and leptin-treated C2C12 cells. The siRNA-mediated silencing of Sam68 reduced its levels by 89% and abolished the leptin-mediated increase in OB-Rb mRNA. Leptin activates ERKs which in turn might phosphorylate Sam68 modifying its influence on mRNA. We did not observe any changes in Sam68 Ser/Thr phosphorylation but using the specific MEK1 inhibitor PD-98059 showed that leptin-mediated ERK activation is essential for leptin's effect on OB-Rb mRNA expression. Thus it appears that leptin has a positive short-term effect on the regulation of OB-Rb mRNA in C2C12 cells, involving both Sam68 and ERKs. These results might suggest that leptin signal acutely favours its own sensitivity.

Hypoxia-associated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-mediated androgen receptor activation and increased HIF-1alpha levels contribute to emergence of an aggressive phenotype in prostate cancer.

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is involved in the development and progression of prostate cancer. Tumor microvasculature contributes to continual exposure of prostate cancer cells to hypoxia-reoxygenation, however, the role of hypoxia-reoxygenation in prostate cancer progression and modulation of AR signaling is not understood. In this study, we evaluated the effects of hypoxia-reoxygenation in LNCaP cells, a line of hormone responsive human prostate cancer cells. Our results demonstrate that hypoxia-reoxygenation resulted in increased survival, higher clonogenicity and enhanced invasiveness of these cells. Moreover, hypoxia-reoxygenation was associated with an increased AR activity independent of androgens as well as increased hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1alpha) levels and activity. We also observed that the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway was an early response to hypoxia, and inhibition of p38 MAP kinase pathway by variety of approaches abolished hypoxia-reoxygenation induced increased AR activity as well as increased survival, clonogenicity and invasiveness. These results demonstrate a critical role for hypoxia-induced p38 MAP kinase pathway in androgen-independent AR activation in prostate cancer cells, and suggest that hypoxia-reoxygenation may select for aggressive androgen-independent prostate cancer phenotype.

Inhibitory effect of HGF on invasiveness of aggressive MDA-MB231 breast carcinoma cells, and role of HDACs.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), through Met receptor binding, fulfils numerous functions in invasive tumour growth (survival/proliferation, motility, apoptosis), but epigenetic control of gene expression in this process is poorly understood. In HGF-treated breast cancer cells we studied (a) the chemoinvasion towards CXCL12 (ligand of the chemokine-receptor CXCR4) and (b) the mechanistic basis, that is, the transduction pathways that regulate CXCR4-mediated invasion, and the role played by histone deacetylases (HDACs) after blockade with trichostatin A (TSA). In highly invasive and metastatic MDA-MB231 cells HGF had a dual inhibitory effect, reducing spontaneous migration and specific chemoinvasion towards CXCL12, the latter by decreasing CXCR4 transactivation and protein level. After HGF the levels of phosphorylated (therefore active) c-Src and Akt persistently increased, indicating a role of these signal transducers in the HGF-dependent cellular and molecular effects. c-Src wild-type expression vector (Srcwt) increased active c-Src and mimicked the HGF-dependent inhibition of CXCR4 transactivation. Our findings indicate that HDACs participated in the HGF-inhibitory effects. In fact, blockade of HDACs hindered the HGF- and Srcwt-dependent reductions of CXCR4 transactivation and invasiveness, while inhibition of endogenous c-Src was additive with HGF, further reducing specific chemoinvasion. In conclusion, in MDA-MB231 cells HDAC blockade with TSA partly counteracted the HGF-dependent effects through molecular events that included enhancement of the expression of the genes for invasiveness Met and CXCR4 (depending on serum conditions), reduction of endogenous phospho-c-Src/c-Src and phosphoAkt/Akt ratios and triggering of apoptosis. The potential therapeutic use of TSA should take into account the variable aggressiveness of breast carcinoma cells and microenvironment signals such as HGF at the secondary growth site of the tumour. It was interesting that HGF reduced motility and CXCR4 functionality only of MDA-MB231 cells, and not of low-invasive MCF-7 cells, suggesting a mechanism implicated in metastatic cell homing.

State-resolved reactivity of CH4(2nu3) on Pt(111) and Ni(111): effects of barrier height and transition state location.

Quantum state-resolved sticking coefficients on Pt(111) and Ni(111) surfaces have been measured for CH4 excited to the first overtone of the antisymmetric C-H stretch (2nu3) at well-defined kinetic energies in the range of 10-90 kJ/mol. The ground-state reactivity of CH4 is approximately 3 orders of magnitude lower on Ni(111) than on Pt(111) for kinetic energies in the range of 10-64 kJ/mol, reflecting a difference in barrier height of 28+/-6 kJ/mol. 2nu3 excitation of CH4 increases its reactivity by more than 4 orders of magnitude on Ni(111), whereas on Pt(111) the reactivity increase is lower by 2 orders of magnitude. We discuss the observed differences in the state-resolved reactivity for the ground state and 2nu3 excited state of methane in terms of a difference in barrier height and transition state location for the dissociation reaction on the two metal surfaces.

Early intracellular events induced by in vivo leptin treatment in mouse skeletal muscle.

Experimental evidence suggests that leptin may exert direct effects on peripheral tissues. In this study we investigated some transductional molecules in skeletal muscle, after intraperitoneal leptin injection in wild-type and ob/ob mice. By immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies, we observed a modified pattern of phosphotyrosine proteins. We then identified an increase in JAK2, IRS1 and IRS2 tyrosine-phosphorylation and in their association with p85, a subunit of PI3K. The increase in PI3K activity in immunoprecipitated p85 did not reach statistical significance, however, both Akt and GSK3 resulted significantly hyper-phosphorylated. Bad, an Akt substrate involved in cell survival, appeared modified in its phosphorylation. ERK1, ERK2 and p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation significantly increased, even if the latter only in wild-type animals. Finally, by EMSA experiments, we documented that leptin increased the DNA binding capacity of Stat3 homodimers and AP-1. Thus, leptin appears to activate, within minutes, some insulin signalling molecules. Stat3 and AP-1 activation by gene expression remodelling could subsequently trigger more leptin-specific effects. Further, leptin might play a still underestimated role in cell survival.

Hyperthermia induces gene expression of heat shock protein 70 and phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinases in the rat cerebellum.

In-vivo heat-shock induced heat shock factor (HSF) DNA-binding activity and accumulation of heat shock protein (hsp)70 mRNA in newborn and adult rat cerebellum was studied. We identified a high basal level of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation in the cerebellum, independently of age. Hyperthermia increased JNK1, decreased JNK2 but did not modify JNK3 phosphorylation in the newborn cerebellum, whereas decreased the phosphorylation of both JNK1 and JNK3 in adult rats. During recovery from hyperthermia, JNK2 phosphorylation returned to control level in the newborn, JNK1 appeared hyperphosphorylated only in the newborn, and JNK3 in all animals. JNK2 never appeared phosphorylated in the adult cerebellum. Hyperthermia increased p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation in the cerebellum, with different trends in newborn and adult rats during recovery. Heat shock increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation concomitant to tyrosine kinase receptor activation (epidermal growth factor-receptor in the newborn and insulin-like growth factor-receptor in the adult cerebellum). The behavior of stress kinases may underlie a different age-related vulnerability to heat stress of the cerebellum.

Leptin activates Stat3, Stat1 and AP-1 in mouse adipose tissue.

Intraperitoneal leptin administration to wild-type and ob/ob mice caused a prompt activation of Stat1 and Stat3, the former to a lesser extent, in epididymal adipose tissue. Immunoblot experiments showed that tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat3 increased in total cellular extracts and that the phosphorylated protein translocated into the nucleus upon leptin treatment. Tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Stat1 were evident only in ob/ob mice. Gel shift and supershift analyses showed that leptin activated sis-inducible element (SIE) binding activity of adipose nuclear extracts, with Stat3 homodimer as the predominant complex. Stat1/3 heterodimers and Stat1 homodimers take part as well in the response in wild-type and ob/ob mice, although to a lesser degree. AP-1 binding activity was also induced in adipose tissue by in vivo leptin treatment with a time course that suggests a post-transcriptional inductive mechanism. This effect was greater in the ob/ob than in wild-type mice. Our data indicate that leptin operates in vivo directly on adipose tissue by triggering responses that modulate gene expression.

Cellular signalling after in vivo heat shock in the liver.

In an experimental model of in vivo hyperthermia, we investigated the involvement of a number of signalling events in rat liver. We report that in vivo heat shock causes a powerful activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 kinase but does not trigger poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, a signature event of apoptosis. Among the upstream regulators of the kinases, we show that stress-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/nitrogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4 SEK1/MKK4 is not involved whereas MKK3 and/or MKK6 are activated. PAK activity displays a transient rise, whereas GCK does not change. PI3-kinase activity increases in anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates, suggesting a tyrosine kinase-dependent induction mechanism, and the co-immunoprecipitation of PI3-kinase with p60 Src kinase supports the involvement of this latter. GSK3, which may act downstream to PI3-kinase through AKT, undergoes hyperphosphorylation, thus playing a possible role in the protection from apoptosis and in the modulation of heat-shock transcription factor activity.

Age-dependent increase of collagenase expression can be reduced by alpha-tocopherol via protein kinase C inhibition.

Total protein kinase C (PKC) activity in human skin fibroblasts increases during in vivo aging as a function of the donor's age. During in vitro aging protein kinase C activity is also increased, as a function of cell passage number. Using PKC isoform specific antibodies, we demonstrate that the increase in total PKC activity is mainly due to the PKC a isoform. PKC alpha protein expression increased up to 8 fold during in vivo aging. Collagenase (MMP-1) gene transcription and protein expression also increased with age, concomitant with the increase in protein kinase C alpha. Furthermore, alpha-tocopherol, which inhibits protein kinase C activity, is able to diminish collagenase gene transcription without altering the level of its natural inhibitor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase, TIMP-1. We propose that an aging program leads to increased protein kinase C alpha expression and activity. This event would induce collagenase overexpression followed by increased collagen degradation. Our in vitro experiments with skin fibroblasts suggest that alpha-tocopherol may protect against skin aging by decreasing the level of collagenase expression, which is induced by environmental insults and by aging.

RRR-alpha-tocopherol regulation of gene transcription in response to the cell oxidant status.

RRR-alpha-Tocopherol, but not RRR-beta-tocopherol, negative regulates proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells at physiological concentrations. At the same concentrations RRR-alpha-tocopherol inhibits protein kinase C activity, whereas RRR-beta-tocopherol is ineffective. Furthermore, RRR-beta-tocopherol prevents the inhibition of cell growth and of protein kinase C activity caused by RRR-alpha-tocopherol. The negative regulation by RRR-alpha-tocopherol of protein kinase C activity appears to be the cause of smooth muscle cell growth inhibition. RRR-alpha-Tocopherol does not act by binding to protein kinase C directly but presumably by preventing protein kinase C activation. A second RRR-alpha-tocopherol effect has been found at the level of AP 1, the latter becoming activated by RRR-alpha-tocopherol under condition of protein kinase C inhibition or down regulation. AP-1 inhibition by RRR-alpha-tocopherol is seen, however, under condition of protein kinase C stimulation. Compositional changes of AP-1 have been found to be at the basis of the RRR-alpha-tocopherol effects. RRR-beta-tocopherol, provided with similar antioxidant properties, not only it does not affect AP 1 but it prevents the effects of RRR-alpha-tocopherol. Moreover, it has been observed that RRR-alpha-tocopherol is able to affect TRE regulated gene transcription. It is concluded that RRR-alpha-tocopherol acts specifically in vascular smooth muscle cells, by controlling a signal transduction pathway leading to cell proliferation by a non-antioxidant mechanism.

Signal transduction pathway of prolactin in rat liver.

We previously reported that a single intraperitoneal injection of prolactin (PRL) in female adult rats rapidly and transiently activates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the liver (Piccoletti et al., (1994) Biochem. J. 303, 429-423). Here we analysed the PRL signalling pathway that accounts for MAPK activation. We found that total liver MAPK kinase-1 phosphorylating activity and Raf-1 activity significantly increase after PRL treatment, following a time course that accounts for the activation of MAPK. We also identified a significant increase in the phosphotyrosine content of the 52 kDa Shc protein, accompanied by an increase in Shc coimmunoprecipitated Grb2, which suggests the Ras involvement by PRL. We found that Janus kinase (JAK)2 tyrosine kinase, which appears constitutively associated with the PRL receptor expressed in the liver, is activated and associated with Shc proteins after in vivo PRL treatment. Taken together our data provide evidence that in vivo PRL activates the Shc Ras Raf MAPK cascade in the liver by the involvement of JAK2 and suggests the possibility that the liver short form of PRL receptor plays a role in triggering this signalling pathway.

The MAP kinase cascades are activated during post-ischemic liver reperfusion.

We have investigated the involvement of MAP kinase cascades in the response of the liver to post-ischemic reperfusion. Both JNKs and ERKs are activated but the duration and magnitude of the increase in their activities appear to be different. JNK activation is more marked but shorter than that of ERKs. The increase observed in the phosphotyrosine content of the 52 kDa Shc protein, accompanied by an increased amount of co-immunoprecipitated Grb2, and the activation of Raf-1 kinase provide evidence of the involvement of a Ras-Raf-dependent pathway, with a time course that is similar to that of ERK activation. The treatment of rats with IL-1 receptor antagonist modified all of the described effects, suggesting that IL-1 plays a role in the response of the liver to reperfusion.

d-alpha-tocopherol inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation occurs at physiological concentrations, correlates with protein kinase C inhibition, and is independent of its antioxidant properties.

d-alpha-Tocopherol, but not d-beta-tocopherol, negatively regulates proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells at physiological concentrations. d-alpha-Tocopherol inhibits protein kinase C (PKC) activity, whereas d-beta-tocopherol is ineffective. Furthermore d-beta-tocopherol prevents the inhibition of cell growth and of PKC activity caused by d-alpha-tocopherol. The negative regulation by d-alpha-tocopherol of PKC activity appears to be the cause and not the effect of smooth muscle cell growth inhibition. d-alpha-Tocopherol does not act by binding to PKC directly but presumably by preventing PKC activation. It is concluded that, in vascular smooth muscle cells, d-alpha-tocopherol acts specifically through a nonantioxidant mechanism and exerts a negative control on a signal transduction pathway regulating cell proliferation.