A53T mutant α-synuclein fibrils formed in macrophage are spread to neurons.

Lewy body (LB), which mainly consists of abnormal α-synuclein (αS) aggregates, is a histological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). αS aggregation and LB inclusions are induced by spreading αS fibrils to neurons; therefore, the formation and transmission of αS fibrils to neurons may play an essential role in initiating LB formation in neurons. αS expressed in neurons is released into the extracellular space and taken up by macrophages and microglia; therefore, we hypothesized that macrophages/microglia play a role in the formation and spread of αS fibrils. In this study, we aimed to investigate the involvement of macrophages/microglia in the formation and spread of αS fibrils using transgenic animals that express human αS in macrophages/microglia. Transgenic zebrafish expressing A53T mutated αS (αS_A53T) in macrophages/microglia revealed αS accumulation in neurons. Transcriptome analysis by RNA-seq of human αS and αS_A53T expressing zebrafish revealed that kinase genes and E3 ubiquitin protein ligase genes were significantly high, and neuronal activity and transport-related Gene Ontology terms were also isolated. Meanwhile, αS_A53T monomers were taken up by A-THP-1 cells; processed to larger molecules, which could be αS fibrils; and released from macrophage cells. Furthermore, the ubiquitin-proteasome system modulated αS fibrils in A-THP-1 cells. αS fibrils suggest being formed from monomers in macrophages and spread to neurons to induce αS aggregates. Therefore, macrophages may play an essential role in the formation of αS aggregates and the pathogenesis of PD.

Systemic oscillator-driven and nutrient-responsive hormonal regulation of daily expression rhythms for gluconeogenic enzyme genes in the mouse liver.

Gluconeogenesis is de novo glucose synthesis from substrates such as amino acids and is vital when glucose is lacking in the diurnal nutritional fluctuation. Accordingly, genes for hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes exhibit daily expression rhythms, whose detailed regulations under nutritional variations remain elusive. As a first step, we performed general systematic characterization of daily expression profiles of gluconeogenic enzyme genes for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), cytosolic form (Pck1), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), catalytic subunit (G6pc), and tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) (Tat) in the mouse liver. On a standard diet fed ad libitum, mRNA levels of these genes showed robust daily rhythms with a peak or an elevation phase during the late sleep-fasting period in the diurnal feeding/fasting (wake/sleep) cycle. The rhythmicity was preserved in constant darkness, modulated with prolonged fasting, attenuated by Clock mutation, and entrained to varied photoperiods and time-restricted feedings. These results are concordant with the notion that gluconeogenic enzyme genes are under the control of the intrinsic circadian oscillator, which is entrained by the light/dark cycle, and which in turn entrains the feeding/fasting cycle and also drives systemic signaling pathways such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. On the other hand, time-restricted feedings also showed that the ingestion schedule, when separated from the light/dark cycle, can serve as an independent entrainer to daily expression rhythms of gluconeogenic enzyme genes. Moreover, nutritional changes dramatically modified expression profiles of the genes. In addition to prolonged fasting, a high-fat diet and a high-carbohydrate (no-protein) diet caused modification of daily expression rhythms of the genes, with characteristic changes in profiles of glucoregulatory hormones such as corticosterone, glucagon, and insulin, as well as their modulators including ghrelin, leptin, resistin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Remarkably, high-protein (60% casein or soy-protein) diets activated the gluconeogenic enzyme genes atypically during the wake-feeding period, with paradoxical up-regulation of glucagon, which frequently formed correlation networks with other humoral factors. Based on these results, we propose that daily expression rhythms of gluconeogenic enzyme genes are under the control of systemic oscillator-driven and nutrient-responsive hormones.

Novel autoantibodies against the proteasome subunit PSMA7 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify autoantibodies using sera from ALS patients and elucidate their roles in disease pathology. METHODS: An immunological screening was performed with a phage expression library SEREX method using sera from 3 ALS patients to identify ALS-related autoantibodies. Levels of antibodies identified by SEREX were measured in 33 ALS patients and 30 normal controls (NCs) by AlphaLISA using recombinant non-full-length proteins. The results were then validated by ELISA using full-length proteins in 71 ALS patients, 30 NCs and 34 disease controls (DCs). The relationship between the titres and clinical profiles of ALS patients were examined. RESULTS: Four autoantibodies identified by SEREX were proteasome subunit alpha type 7 (PSMA7), vimentin, hydroxymethylbilane synthase and TBC1 domain family member 2 (TBC1D2). AlphaLISA revealed that only the anti-PSMA7 and anti-TBC1D2 levels were significantly different between the ALS and NCs groups. ELISA showed that only the levels of antibody against PSMA7, involved in protein degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPP), were higher in the ALS group than both the NC (P < .01) and DC (P = .034) groups. Anti-PSMA7 levels tended to be negatively correlated with the logarithm of disease duration (P = .052) and were significantly positively correlated with the logarithm of creatine kinase levels (P = .011). The anti-PSMA7 antibody levels were different between patients with and without dysphagia (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Serum anti-PSMA7 antibody might be a disease-promoting factor in early-stage ALS and might be a biomarker of ALS. Anti-PSMA7 autoantibody might contribute to the pathogenesis of ALS, possibly via its role in the UPP.

Real-time methylation-specific PCR for the evaluation of methylation status of MGMT gene in glioblastoma.

The methylation status of the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene is a strong predictor for the efficacy of temozolomide chemotherapy and survival periods. However, the correlation between the extent of methylation and the difference in survival times has not been fully clarified. Simple and quantitative evaluations of the methylation status in the promotor region of the MGMT gene are expected to be worldwide standardized diagnostics. We applied real-time semi-quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (SQ-MSP) of the MGMT gene promoter region to 84 glioblastoma patients. The SQ-MSP result showed that the ΔCt value, which represents the difference between uCt and mCt (uCt value - mCt value), is inversely correlated with overall survival. With adequate cutoff setting, this assay showed that those patients suffering from a tumor with low ΔCt (methylated) survived significantly longer than those having tumors with high ΔCt (un-methylated). The most significant difference was observed when the cutoff was set at a ΔCt of 2. Using this cutoff point, the result of MGMT immunohistochemical analysis was also significantly correlated with the methylation status examined with real-time SQ-MSP. These results collectively show that MGMT promoter methylation status actually affects patients' survival and protein expression depending on its methylation level, and the extent of methylated CpGs would be better assessed with real-time SQ-MSP than with the standard gel-based MSP. This method is cost- and labor-saving compared with pyrosequencing, and significantly contributes to the accurate and objective prediction of patient survival.

Elevation of Autoantibody in Patients with Ischemic Stroke.

Recent clinical research has revealed a significant correlation between atherosclerosis, one of the primary etiologies of ischemic stroke, and the immune system. Assuming that "disease-specific autoantibodies are produced in the sera of patients with ischemic stroke," we investigated multiple arteriosclerosis-related antibodies using the serological identification of antigens by recombinant cDNA expression cloning (SEREX), an established method for identifying antigenic proteins. We either screened a human aortic endothelial cell cDNA library or conducted protein array screening using the sera from patients with ischemic stroke, such as carotid artery stenosis or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Next, we measured serum antibody levels using amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assay-linked immunosorbent assay (AlphaLISA) in patient/healthy donor (HD) cohorts and identified several antigens, the antibody levels of which were significantly higher in patients with ischemic stroke than in HDs. This review introduced the method of identifying antigens by the SEREX and protein microarray and summarized antigenic proteins. In particular, it focused on anti-replication protein A2 antibody and anti-programmed cell death 11 antibody, which are significantly related to atherosclerotic plaque and ischemic brain tissue, respectively, and proposed the mechanism of elevated autoantibody levels against them. Furthermore, this review suggests a possibility of clinical application as an atherosclerotic disease diagnostic marker for TIA or cerebral infarction.

Identification of specific and common diagnostic antibody markers for gastrointestinal cancers by SEREX screening using testis cDNA phage library.

The present study was planned to identify novel serum antibody markers for digestive organ cancers. We have used screening by phage expression cloning and identified novel fourteen antigens in this experiment. The presence of auto-antibodies against these antigens in serum specimens was confirmed by western blotting. As for auto-antibodies against fourteen antigens, AlphaLISA (amplified luminescence proximity homogeneous assay) assay was performed in the sera of gastrointestinal cancers patients to confirm the results. Serum antibody levels against these fourteen recombinant proteins as antigens between healthy donors (HD) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients, gastric cancer (GC), or colon cancer (CC) were compared. The serum levels of all fourteen auto-antibodies were significantly higher in ESCC and GC than those of HD. Among those auto-antibodies, except ECSA2 and CCNL2, were also detected significantly higher levels in CC than those of HD. Receiver operating curve (ROC) revealed similar results except CCNL2 in CC. AUC values calculated by ROC were higher than 0.7 in auto-antibodies against TPI1, HOOK2, PUF60, PRDX4, HS3ST1, TUBA1B, TACSTD2, AKR1C3, BAMBI, DCAF15 in ESCC, auto-antibodies against TPI1, HOOK2, PUF60, PRDX4, TACSTD2, AKR1C3, BAMBI, DCAF15 in GC, and auto-antibodies against TPI1, HOOK2, PUF60 in CC. AUC of the combination of HOOK2 and anti-p53 antibodies in ESCC was observed to be as high as 0.8228. Higher serum antibody levels against ten antigens could be potential diagnostic tool for ESCC. Higher serum antibody levels against eight antigens could be potential diagnostic tool for GC, and serum antibody levels against three antigens could be potential diagnostic tool for CC.

Elevation of autoantibody level against PDCD11 in patients with transient ischemic attack.

BACKGROUND: Disease specific autoantibodies have been detected in the sera of patients with atherosclerosis-related diseases, such as cerebral infarction, cardiovascular disease. In the present study, we aimed to identify novel autoantibodies responsible for transient ischemic attack (TIA), a prodromal condition for cerebral infarction. METHODS: To identify candidate antigens, we screened a human aortic endothelial cell cDNA library using sera from 20 patients with TIA. Serum antibody levels were measured using amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assay-linked immunosorbent assay (AlphaLISA) in 2 independent patient/healthy donor (HD) cohorts (n = 192 and n = 906 in the second screening and validation cohort, respectively). RESULTS: First screening identified 3 candidate antigens. Of these, programmed cell death 11 (PDCD11) was determined to be associated with stroke (p < 0.0001), as evidenced from the second screening using AlphaLISA. The validation cohort revealed significantly higher antibody levels against PDCD11 (PDCD11-Ab levels) in patients with TIA than in HDs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the predictive value of PDCD11-Ab levels for TIA [Odds ratio (OR): 2.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33-4.57, p = 0.0039] was not inferior to other known risk factors for ischemic stroke, including age (OR: 4.97, 95% CI: 2.67-9.48, p < 0.0001); hypertension (OR: 3.21, 95% CI: 1.76-5.86, p = 0.0001); and diabetes (OR: 4.31, 95% CI: 1.74-11.2, p = 0.0015). CONCLUSION: Serum PDCD11-Ab level may serve as a potential biomarker for TIA.

Association of serum levels of antibodies against MMP1, CBX1, and CBX5 with transient ischemic attack and cerebral infarction.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a predictor for cerebral infarction (CI), and early diagnosis of TIA is extremely important for the prevention of CI. We set out to identify novel antibody biomarkers for TIA and CI, and detected matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), chromobox homolog 1 (CBX1), and chromobox homolog 5 (CBX5) as candidate antigens using serological identification of antigens by recombinant cDNA expression cloning (SEREX) and Western blotting to confirm the presence of serum antibodies against the antigens. Amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assay-linked immunosorbent assay (AlphaLISA) revealed that serum antibody levels were significantly higher in patients with TIA or acute-phase CI (aCI) compared with healthy donors (P < 0.01). Spearman's correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that levels of anti-MMP1, anti-CBX1, and anti-CBX5 antibodies were associated with age, cigarette-smoking habits, and blood pressure. Thus, serum levels of antibodies against MMP1, CBX1, and CBX5 could potentially serve as useful tools for diagnosing TIA and predicting the onset of aCI.

The Pluripotent Stem-Cell Marker Alkaline Phosphatase is Highly Expressed in Refractory Glioblastoma with DNA Hypomethylation.

Background: Hypomethylation of genomic DNA induces stem-cell properties in cancer cells and contributes to the treatment resistance of various malignancies. Objective: To examine the correlation between the methylation status of stem-cell-related genes and the treatment outcomes in patients with glioblastoma (GBM). Methods: The genome-wide DNA methylation status was determined using HumanMethylation450 BeadChips, and the methylation status was compared between a group of patients with good prognosis (survival > 4 yr) and a group with poor prognosis (survival < 1 yr). Immunohistochemistry for proteins translated from hypomethylated genes, including alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), CD133, and CD44, was performed in 70 GBMs and 60 oligodendroglial tumors. Results: The genomic DNA in refractory GBM was more hypomethylated than in GBM from patients with relatively long survival (P = .0111). Stem-cell-related genes including ALPL, CD133, and CD44 were also significantly hypomethylated. A validation study using immunohistochemistry showed that DNA hypomethylation was strongly correlated with high protein expression of ALPL, CD133, and CD44. GBM patients with short survival showed high expression of these stem-cell markers. Multivariate analysis confirmed that co-expression of ALPL + CD133 or ALPL + CD44 was a strong predictor of short survival. Anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors without isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutation were significantly correlated with high ALPL expression and poor survival. Conclusion: Accumulation of stem-cell properties due to aberrant DNA hypomethylation is associated with the refractory nature of GBM.

Role of Evaluating MGMT Status and 1p36 Deletion in Radiosurgery-Induced Anaplastic Ependymoma That Rapidly and Completely Resolved by Temozolomide Alone: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Stereotactic gamma knife surgery (GKS)-induced brain tumors are extremely rare, and no ependymal tumors induced by GKS have been reported. Therefore, little is known about their clinical, pathologic, and genetic features. In addition, a regimen of adjuvant chemotherapy for anaplastic ependymoma (AE) has not been established. A 77-year-old man presented with a gait disturbance and left-side cerebellar ataxia more than 19 years after GKS performed for a cerebellar arteriovenous malformation. Imaging studies demonstrated an enhancing mass in the irradiated field with signs of intraventricular dissemination. Surgical resection confirmed the diagnosis of AE. Temozolomide (TMZ) was administrated postoperatively because the methylated promoter region of O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) and 1p36 deletion were observed. Surprisingly, images 16 days after TMZ initiation demonstrated a complete resolution of the residual tumor that was maintained after three cycles of TMZ. This first case report of GKS-induced AE emphasizes the importance of genetic evaluation of MGMT and chromosomal deletion of 1p36 that are not commonly performed in primary ependymal tumors. In addition, it is speculated that a GKS-induced tumor may have a different genetic background compared with the primary tumor because the pathogenesis of the tumors differed.

Novel serum autoantibodies against talin1 in multiple sclerosis: Possible pathogenetic roles of the antibodies.

In the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), B cell/antibody-related mechanisms have recently received attention. To investigate the role of autoantibody in MS, we performed SEREX which can identify autoantibody cyclopedically. We identified serum antibodies against cytoskeletal protein talin1, and the levels of whom were remarkably higher in 39 MS than 43 normal controls (P < 0.01) and 35 disease controls (P = 0.06), and in MS patients without oligoclonal bands than ones with them. Moreover, we found negative-correlations between serum anti-talin1 antibody and IgG index in MS (P = 0.03). Anti-talin1 antibody exists in MS patients' sera, which may have some protective factor.

Identification of stroke-associated-antigens via screening of recombinant proteins from the human expression cDNA library (SEREX).

BACKGROUND: Because circulating antibodies against a variety of antigens have been detected in patients with coronary heart disease, carotid atherosclerosis and those who have suffered a stroke, it is suspected that immune response may be one of the mechanisms of atherogenesis The objective of this study is to identify novel antibodies in ischemic stroke patients by screening the expressed recombinant proteins using a human cDNA library (SEREX). METHODS: To identify the candidate antigens, cDNA library was screened by SEREX using plasma from ten patients with ischemic stroke. Subsequently, via ELISA using recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides, the serum antibody levels were measured in two independent patient/healthy donor (HD) cohorts (142 and 78 in the 2nd screening and a validation cohort, respectively). RESULTS: The initial screening resulted in the identification of six candidate antigens. Of these antigens, replication protein A2 (RPA2) was determined to be the antigen associated with stroke (P < 0.05) by ELISA with 2nd screening and validation cohort. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that the increased levels of the RPA2 antibodies (RPA2-Abs) associated with stroke independent of other risk factors for stroke (P < 0.05). Receiver operating curve analysis demonstrated that the area under the curve from ELISA using GST fusion RPA2 and synthetic peptides (bRPA2-132) were 0.867 (95% CI: 0.798-0.936) and 0.971 (95% CI: 0.940-1.00), respectively. If the cut-off value of the bRPA2-132-Ab level was determined to be 0.334, the sensitivity and specificity of the antibody level as the diagnostic marker for stroke were 0.323 (95% CI: 0.209-0.453) and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.713-1.00), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SEREX identified RPA2 as the antigen associated with ischemic stroke and serum auto-antibodies against RPA2 elevates in stroke patients. RPA2-Abs could become a biomarker for the evaluation of ischemic stroke at risk.

Circulating anti-filamin C autoantibody as a potential serum biomarker for low-grade gliomas.

BACKGROUND: Glioma is the most common primary malignant central nervous system tumor in adult, and is usually not curable due to its invasive nature. Establishment of serum biomarkers for glioma would be beneficial both for early diagnosis and adequate therapeutic intervention. Filamins are an actin cross-linker and filamin C (FLNC), normally restricted in muscle tissues, offers many signaling molecules an essential communication fields. Recently, filamins have been considered important for tumorigenesis in cancers. METHODS: We searched for novel glioma-associated antigens by serological identification of antigens utilizing recombinant cDNA expression cloning (SEREX), and found FLNC as a candidate protein. Tissue expressions of FLNC (both in normal and tumor tissues) were examined by immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR analyses. Serum anti-FLNC autoantibody level was measured by ELISA in normal volunteers and in the patients with various grade gliomas. RESULTS: FLNC was expressed in glioma tissues and its level got higher as tumor grade advanced. Anti-FLNC autoantibody was also detected in the serum of glioma patients, but its levels were inversely correlated with the tissue expression. Serum anti-FLNC autoantibody level was significantly higher in low-grade glioma patients than in high-grade glioma patients or in normal volunteers, which was confirmed in an independent validation set of patients' sera. The autoantibody levels in the patients with meningioma or cerebral infarction were at the same level of normal volunteers, and they were significantly lower than that of low-grade gliomas. Total IgG and anti-glutatione S-transferase (GST) antibody level were not altered among the patient groups, which suggest that the autoantibody response was specific for FLNC. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that serum anti-FLNC autoantibody can be a potential serum biomarker for early diagnosis of low-grade gliomas while it needs a large-scale clinical study.

The secretogranin II gene is a signal integrator of glutamate and dopamine inputs.

Cooperative gene regulation by different neurotransmitters likely underlies the long-term forms of associative learning and memory, but this mechanism largely remains to be elucidated. Following cDNA microarray analysis for genes regulated by Ca(2+) or cAMP, we found that the secretogranin II gene (Scg2) was cooperatively activated by glutamate and dopamine in primary cultured mouse hippocampal neurons. The Ca(2+) chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM) and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059 prevented Scg2 activation by glutamate or dopamine; thus, the Ca(2+) /MEK pathway is predicted to include a convergence point(s) of glutamatergic and dopaminergic signaling. Unexpectedly, the protein kinase A inhibitor KT5720 enhanced Scg2 activation by dopamine. The protein-synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide also enhanced Scg2 activation, and the proteasome inhibitor ZLLLH diminished the KT5720-mediated augmentation of Scg2 activation. These results are concordant with the notion that dopaminergic input leads to accumulation of a KT5720-sensitive transcriptional repressor, which is short-lived because of rapid degradation by proteasomes. This repression pathway may effectively limit the time window permissive to Scg2 activation by in-phase glutamate and dopamine inputs via the Ca(2+) /MEK pathway. We propose that the regulatory system of Scg2 expression is equipped with machinery that is refined for the signal integration of in-phase synaptic inputs. We proposed hypothetical mechanism for the regulation of the secretogranin II gene as a signal integrator of glutamate and dopamine inputs. Glutamate or dopamine activates the Ca(2+) /MEK/ERK pathway, which thus contributes to the signal integration. Concurrently, activation of the PKA inhibitor KT5720-sensitive pathway by dopamine leads to accumulation of the repressor protein X that is otherwise susceptible to proteasome degradation. This repression system may determine the time window permissive to the cooperative activation by in-phase glutamate and dopamine inputs.

Efficient subtractive cloning of genes activated by lipopolysaccharide and interferon γ in primary-cultured cortical cells of newborn mice.

Innate immune responses play a central role in neuroprotection and neurotoxicity during inflammatory processes that are triggered by pathogen-associated molecular pattern-exhibiting agents such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and that are modulated by inflammatory cytokines such as interferon γ (IFNγ). Recent findings describing the unexpected complexity of mammalian genomes and transcriptomes have stimulated further identification of novel transcripts involved in specific physiological and pathological processes, such as the neural innate immune response that alters the expression of many genes. We developed a system for efficient subtractive cloning that employs both sense and antisense cRNA drivers, and coupled it with in-house cDNA microarray analysis. This system enabled effective direct cloning of differentially expressed transcripts, from a small amount (0.5 µg) of total RNA. We applied this system to isolation of genes activated by LPS and IFNγ in primary-cultured cortical cells that were derived from newborn mice, to investigate the mechanisms involved in neuroprotection and neurotoxicity in maternal/perinatal infections that cause various brain injuries including periventricular leukomalacia. A number of genes involved in the immune and inflammatory response were identified, showing that neonatal neuronal/glial cells are highly responsive to LPS and IFNγ. Subsequent RNA blot analysis revealed that the identified genes were activated by LPS and IFNγ in a cooperative or distinctive manner, thereby supporting the notion that these bacterial and cellular inflammatory mediators can affect the brain through direct but complicated pathways. We also identified several novel clones of apparently non-coding RNAs that potentially harbor various regulatory functions. Characterization of the presently identified genes will give insights into mechanisms and interventions not only for perinatal infection-induced brain damage, but also for many other innate immunity-related brain disorders.

Autologous antibody to src-homology 3-domain GRB2-like 1 specifically increases in the sera of patients with low-grade gliomas.

BACKGROUND: Glioma is the most common primary malignant central nervous system tumor in adult, and is usually not curable in spite of various therapeutic approaches. Clarification of the oncogenic process in its early stage is important for the diagnosis and effective therapy. METHODS: In the present study, we used the serological identification of antigens by recombinant cDNA expression cloning (SEREX) to explore the subtle changes of the protein expression in low-grade glioma. The levels of serum autoantibodies to the SEREX-identified glioma-related antigens were analyzed by ELISA, and the epitope site was identified using deletion mutants and overlap peptide array. Changes in the serum autoantibody levels were examined in the rat glioma model using C6 and 9 L glioma cell lines. RESULTS: We identified 31 glioma-related antigens by SEREX. Among them, the serum level of autoantibody to src-homology 3-domain GRB2-like 1 (SH3GL1) was significantly higher in patients with low-grade glioma than healthy volunteers or high-grade gliomas. The 10 amino-acids at the C-terminal were identified as the epitope site by the overlap peptide array and the ELISA using deletion mutants. The tissue expression of SH3GL1 protein increased in proportion to glioma progression. The rat glioma models confirmed the increase of anti-SH3GL1 autoantibody level in the early stage and the suppression in the late stage. CONCLUSION: SH3GL1 may be involved in the oncogenic process of gliomas and effectively elicit an autologous antibody response in low-grade gliomas. The immunological reaction to SH3GL1 would contribute to the establishment of a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for gliomas.

Identification of a novel SEREX antigen family, ECSA, in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may improve with early diagnosis. Currently it is difficult to diagnose SCC in the early stage because there is a limited number of tumor markers available. RESULTS: Fifty-two esophageal SCC SEREX antigens were identified by SEREX (serological identification of antigens by recombinant cDNA expression cloning) using a cDNA phage library and sera of patients with esophageal SCC. Sequence analysis revealed that three of these antigens were similar in amino acid sequences, and they were designated as ECSA (esophageal carcinoma SEREX antigen)-1, -2 and -3. The ECSA family was also similar to an EST clone, hepatocellular carcinoma-associated antigen 25a (HCA25a). Serum antibody levels to ECSA-1, -2 and -3 were significantly higher in patients with esophageal SCC than in healthy donors. Based on the conserved amino acid sequences, three peptides were synthesized and used for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The serum antibody levels against one of these peptides were significantly higher in patients with esophageal SCC. This peptide sequence was also conserved in FAM119A, GOSR1 and BBS5, suggesting that these are also ECSA family members. Reverse transcription followed by quantitative PCR analysis showed that the mRNA expression levels of ECSA-1, -2 and -3 and FAM119A but not of HCA25a, GOSR1 and BBS5 were frequently elevated in esophageal SCC tissues. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified a new gene family designated ECSA. Serum antibodies against the conserved domain of the ECSA family may be a promising tumor marker for esophageal SCC.

Calpain regulates thymidylate synthase-5-fluoro-dUMP complex levels associated with response to 5-fluorouracil in gastric cancer cells.

Thymidylate synthase (TS) plays a major role in the response to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by binding directly to the 5-FU metabolite, 5-fluoro-dUMP (FdUMP). The change in the TS expression levels after 5-FU administration was examined in parallel to 5-FU responsiveness in six human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines to elucidate the source of variability of 5-FU sensitivity. MKN-1, SH-10-TC and MKN-74 cells were more resistant to 5-FU than MKN-28, KATO III and MKN-45 cells. Western blotting analysis revealed that the 5-FU sensitivity of these cells did not correlate with the basal TS expression levels but did correlate with rapid detection of the TS-FdUMP complex after exposure to 5-FU. In 5-FU-resistant cells, very low levels of the TS-FdUMP complex early after 5-FU exposure were elevated by pretreatment with calpain inhibitors such as benzyloxycarbonyl-leucyl-leucinal (ZLLH), benzyloxycarbonyl-leucyl-leucyl-leucinal (ZLLLH) and ALLN, but not by other protease inhibitors. In contrast, ONO-3403, which causes calpain activation, stimulated downregulation of the TS-FdUMP complex in 5-FU-sensitive cells. The expression levels of calpastatin, an endogenous calpain inhibitor, were higher in 5-FU-sensitive cells than in 5-FU-resistant cells. ZLLH increased the 5-FU sensitivity of 5-FU-resistant cells, whereas ONO-3403 decreased the sensitivity of 5-FU-sensitive cells. In addition, knockdown of m-calpain by siRNA increased the 5-FU sensitivity in 5-FU-resistant cells, while knockdown of calpastatin reduced the sensitivity in 5-FU-sensitive cells. These results suggest that calpain might reduce the chemosensitivity of human gastric cancer cells to 5-FU possibly by rapid degradation of the TS-FdUMP complex, a finding that is considered to have novel therapeutic implications.

Time of day and nutrients in feeding govern daily expression rhythms of the gene for sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1 in the mouse liver.

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) plays a central role in transcriptional regulation of genes for hepatic lipid synthesis that utilizes diet-derived nutrients such as carbohydrates and amino acids, and expression of SREBP-1 exhibits daily rhythms with a peak in the nocturnal feeding period under standard housing conditions of mice. Here, we report that the Srebp-1 expression rhythm shows time cue-independent and Clock mutation-sensitive circadian nature, and is synchronized with varied photoperiods apparently through entrainment of locomotor activity and food intake. Fasting caused diminution of Srebp-1 expression, while diabetic db/db and ob/ob mice showed constantly high expression with loss of rhythmicity. Time-restricted feedings during mid-light and mid-dark periods exhibited differential effects, the latter causing more severe damping of the oscillation. Therefore, "when to eat in a day (the light/dark cycle)," rather than "whenever to eat in a day," is a critical determinant to shape the daily rhythm of Srebp-1 expression. We further found that a high-carbohydrate diet and a high-protein diet, as well as a high-fat diet, cause phase shifts of the oscillation peak into the light period, underlining the importance of "what to eat." Daily rhythms of SREBP-1 protein levels and Akt phosphorylation levels also exhibited nutrient-responsive changes. Taken together, these findings provide a model for mechanisms by which time of day and nutrients in feeding shape daily rhythms of the Srebp-1 expression and possibly a number of other physiological functions with interindividual and interdaily differences in human beings and wild animals subjected to day-by-day changes in dietary timing and nutrients.

Identification of Makorin 1 as a novel SEREX antigen of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) represents one of the most malignant tumors. To improve the poor prognosis, it is necessary to diagnose esophageal SCC at early stages using new tumor markers. SEREX (serological identification of antigens by recombinant cDNA expression cloning) is suitable for large-scale screening of tumor antigens and has been applied for various types of human tumors. METHODS: Tumor markers of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were screened by SEREX method. The presence of serum anti-makorin 1 (MKRN1) antibodies (s-MKRN1-Abs) was examined by Western blotting using bacterially expressed MKRN1 protein. The expression levels of MKRN1 mRNA in tissues were examined by RT-PCR. The biological activity of MKRN1 was examined by transfection of ras-NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts with MKRN1 cDNA. Major ubiquitinated proteins in MKRN1-transfected cells were identified by immunoprecipitation with anti-ubiquitin antibody followed by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: MKRN1 was identified as a novel SEREX antigen of esophageal SCC. Although a total of 18 (25%) of 73 patients with esophageal SCC had s-MKRN1-Abs, none of the 43 healthy donors had a detectable level of s-MKRN1-Abs. There was no correlation between the presence of s-MKRN1-Abs and clinicopathological variables other than histological grading. Well-differentiated tumors were associated significantly with the presence of s-MKRN1-Abs in the patients. The mRNA levels of MKRN1 were frequently higher in esophageal SCC tissues than in the peripheral normal esophageal mucosa. Stable transfection of ras-NIH3T3 cells with MKRN1 cDNA induced prominent morphological changes such as enlargement of the cell body and spreading. Ubiquitination of 80- and 82-kDa proteins were clearly observed in MKRN1-transfected cells but not in the parental cells, which were identified as L-FILIP (filamin A interacting protein 1). CONCLUSION: MKRN1 is a novel SEREX antigen of esophageal SCC, and s-NKRN1-Abs can be a candidate of diagnostic markers of esophageal SCC with high specificity. It is plausible that MKRN1 is involved in carcinogenesis of the well-differentiated type of tumors possibly via ubiquitination of L-FILIP.