DPYSL2 as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker linked to immune infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Dihydropyrimidinase like 2 (DPYSL2) has been linked to tumor metastasis. However, the function of DPSY2L in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is yet to be explored. METHODS: Herein, we assessed DPYSL2 expression in various tumor types via online databases such as Oncomine and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). Further, we verified the low protein and mRNA expressions of DPYSL2 in LUAD via the ULCAN, The TCGA and GEPIA databases. We applied the ROC curve to examine the role of DPYSL2 in diagnosis. The prognostic significance of DPYSL2 was established through the Kaplan-Meier plotter and the Cox analyses (univariate and multivariate). TIMER was used to explore DPYSL2 expression and its connection to immune infiltrated cells. Through Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, the possible mechanism of DPYSL2 in LUAD was investigated. RESULTS: In this study, database analysis revealed lower DPYSL2 expression in LUAD than in normal tissues. The ROC curve suggested that expression of DPYSL2 had high diagnostic efficiency in LUAD. The DPYSL2 expression had an association with the survival time of LUAD patients in the Kaplan-Meier plotter and the Cox analyses. The results from TIMER depicted a markedly positive correlation of DPYSL2 expression with immune cells infiltrated in LUAD, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, CD4+ T cells, and neutrophils. Additionally, many gene markers for the immune system had similar positive correlations in the TIMER analysis. In Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, six immune-related signaling pathways were associated with DPYSL2. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, DPYSL2 is a novel biomarker with diagnostic and prognostic potential for LUAD as well as an immunotherapy target. HIGHLIGHTS: 1. Expression of DPYSL2 was considerably lower in LUAD than in normal tissues. 2. Investigation of multiple databases showed a high diagnostic value of DPYSL2 in LUAD. 3. DPYSL2 can independently predict the LUAD outcomes. 4. Immune-related mechanisms may be potential ways for DPYSL2 to play a role in LUAD.

LncRNA SNHG1 promotes EMT process in gastric cancer cells through regulation of the miR-15b/DCLK1/Notch1 axis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is a malignant tumour originating from the gastric mucosa epithelium that seriously threatens human health. DCLK1, miR-15b and lncRNA SNHG1 play potential roles in the occurrence of GC, but the mechanism remains unclear. METHODS: Gene expression of DCLK1, miR-15b and lncRNA SNHG1 was investigated by qRT-PCR. Protein expression was detected by Western blotting. Migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells was tested by a Transwell assay and wound healing assay. Cell proliferation was measured by an MTT assay. Finally, the correctness of the prediction results was confirmed by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: The expression of DCLK1, Notch1, and SNHG1 was increased in GC tissues, while the expression of miR-15b was decreased. Overexpression of lncRNA SNHG1 promoted the expression of DCLK1 and Nothc1 in GC cells. Moreover, miR-15b targeted DCLK1 to regulate Notch1 expression and inhibited the EMT process in GC cells. SNHG1 enhanced the effects of DCLK1/Notch1 on the EMT process through regulating miR-15b expression. CONCLUSION: SNHG1 enhances the EMT process in GC cells through DCLK1-mediated Notch1 pathway, which can be a potential target for treating GC.

MiR-185-3p regulates epithelial mesenchymal transition via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by targeting cathepsin D in gastric cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Recently research reported that miR-185-3p could serve as an independent prognosis factor in gastric cancer (GC). However, the functional role and underlying mechanism of miR-185-3p in GC and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression remains largely elusive. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was carried out to analyze the expression of miR-185-3p and cathepsin D in patient-derived GC samples and various GC cell lines. Scratch assay and Transwell assay were used to evaluate the migration ability. The influence of miR-185-3p on the cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry. Western blotting assay was performed to detect the expression of EMT associated proteins and the activity of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore, the interaction between miR-185-3p and cathepsin D was explored by dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: Our data revealed that miR-185-3p was down-regulated, while cathepsin D was up-regulated in both patient-derived GC samples and GC cells. Apart from inducing apoptosis, overexpression of miR-185-3p also inhibited EMT process and migration of GC cells. Mechanically, we firstly verified that miR-185-3p directly targeted the cathepsin D. Furthermore, miR-185-3p exerted its function on EMT process and migration via inhibiting cathepsin D to mediated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that miR-185-3p targeted cathepsin D inhibiting EMT process via PI3K/Akt signaling, which may serve as a potential prognosis factor and therapeutic target to reduce the malignancy of GCs.

Syntheses, structures and properties of silver-organic frameworks constructed with 1,2,3,4-benzenetetracarboxylic acid.

The reactions of 1,2,3,4-benzenetetracarboxylic acid (H(4)mpda) and different silver(I) salts under hydrothermal or solvent evaporation conditions yielded four unusual coordination complexes with interesting frameworks: [Ag(4)(mpda)](n) (1), {[Ag(2.5)(mpda)(bpy)(2)]·[Ag(bpy)]·[Ag(bpy)(H(2)O)]·(NO(3))(0.5)·(H(2)O)(9)}(n) (2), {[Ag(5)(mpda)(2)(bpy)(4)]·[Ag(bpy)]·[Ag(bpy)(H(2)O)]·[Ag(bpy)(H(2)O)]·(H(2)O)(16)}(n) (3), {[Ag(2)(mpda)(H(2)O)]·[Ag(bpy)]·[Ag(bpy)]}(n) (4) (bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine). Complex 1 displays a novel (3,4,7)-connected {4.6(2)}{4.6(5)}{4(2).6(13).8(5).10} topology, in which the carboxylic groups of the mpda(4-) ligand adopt variable coordination modes. In 1, besides Ag-O coordination bonding, AgAg and Agaromatic intermolecular interactions also make their appearance. In complexes 2-4, rare architectures comprising three or four isolated coordination polymers within the same crystalline structure have been obtained, respectively. In 2 and 3, neighboring layers are linked together through water tapes into a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture, which is also consolidated by π···π stacking, while independent infinite rod-like polymer chains fill the void space between layers. Interestingly, an anionic (H(2)O-NO(3)(-))(n) layer, built from water tapes and nitrate anions as well as consolidated by the mpda(4-) ligands, has been structurally identified in compound 2. A new water tape constructed from alternating tetramers and decamers has been obtained in compound 3. In compound 4, a right-handed helical chain and two rod-like polymeric chains are interconnected through host-guest molecular recognition to generate a three-dimensional chiral supramolecular architecture. Bulk materials for 1 and 4 have second-harmonic generation activity, being approximately 0.6 and 0.4 times that of urea. The IR spectra, thermogravimetric analysis and luminescent properties of all compounds were also investigated.

Tricyclohexylphosphine-cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine complexes: synthesis, crystal structures and application in Suzuki and Heck reactions.

A series of novel tricyclohexylphosphine (PCy(3))-cyclopalladated ferrocenylimine complexes 2c-2g have been easily synthesized. These new palladacycles are thermally stable and are not sensitive to air and moisture. Their detailed structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis and six different types of intermolecular hydrogen bonds are found to be existed in the crystals of these complexes. The use of 2c-2g as catalysts for Suzuki and Heck reactions was examined. They were found to be very efficient for the Suzuki reaction of aryl chlorides with phenylboronic acid. Typically, using 0.1 mol% of catalyst in the presence of 1.5 equivalent of Cs(2)CO(3) as base in dioxane at 100 degrees C provided coupled products in excellent yields. These complexes also displayed good activity in the Heck reaction of a range of aryl bromides with acrylic acid ethyl ester although they were not particularly useful for the activation of aryl chlorides.