Low serum gastrin associated with ER+ breast cancer development via inactivation of CCKBR/ERK/P65 signaling.

BACKGROUND: Gastrin is an important gastrointestinal hormone produced primarily by G-cells in the antrum of the stomach. It normally regulates gastric acid secretion and is implicated in a number of human disease states, but how its function affects breast cancer (BC) development is not documented. The current study investigated the suppressive effects of gastrin on BC and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Serum levels of gastrin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and correlation between gastrin level and development of BC was analyzed by chi-square test. Inhibitory effects of gastrin on BC were investigated by CCK-8 assay and nude mice models. Expressions of CCKBR/ERK/P65 in BC patients were determined through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot. Survival analysis was performed using the log-rank test. RESULTS: The results indicated that the serum level of gastrin in BC patients was lower compared with normal control. Cellular and molecular experiments indicated that reduction of gastrin is associated with inactivation of cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR)/ERK/P65 signaling in BC cells which is corresponding to molecular type of estrogen receptor (ER) positive BC. Furthermore, we found that low expression of gastrin/CCKBR/ERK /P65 was correlated to worse prognosis in BC patients. Gastrin or ERK/P65 activators inhibited ER+ BC through CCKBR-mediated activation of ERK/P65. Moreover, combination treatment with gastrin and tamoxifen more efficiently inhibited ER+ BC than tamoxifen alone. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that low serum gastrin is related to increased risk of ER+ BC development. The results also established that CCKBR/ERK/P65 signaling function is generally tumor suppressive in ER+ BC, indicating therapies should focus on restoring, not inhibiting, CCKBR/ERK/P65 pathway activity.

Cognitive-enhancing effects of polygalasaponin hydrolysate in aß(25-35)-induced amnesic mice.

Polygalasaponins are the major active constituents of Polygala tenuifolia exhibiting antiamnesic activity, but their applications are limited due to their toxicities. Evidence showed that the toxicities can be attenuated by hydrolysis. Herein, effects of a hydrolysate of polygalasaponins (HPS) on cognitive impairment induced by Aß(25-35) were assessed by Morris water maze and step-through passive avoidance tests. The impaired spatial reference memory was improved by HPS (50 and 100 mg/kg). In the acquisition trial of step-through test, HPS (50 and 100 mg/kg) increased the latency into the dark chamber and decreased the error frequency significantly (P < .05). However, no significant change was observed during the retention trial. Additionally, HPS increased the corresponding SOD activities (62.34%, 22.09%) and decreased MDA levels (28.21%, 32.35%) in both cortex and hippocampus as compared to model animals. These results show that HPS may be a useful treatment against amnesia probably via its antioxidant properties.

Interparticle Spacing Effect among Quantum Dots with High-Pressure Regulation.

In this paper, we explore whether interparticle spacing affects steady-state and transient-state optical properties by comparing close-packed CdSe/ZnS-quantum dots (QDs) and CdSe/ZnS-QDs dispersed in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). High-pressure is an effective physical means to adjust the interparticle spacing of QDs, which may artificially expand the application of QDs further. The results under high-pressure indicate that it is the reduced interparticle spacing rather than the enhanced quantum confinement effect with volume compression that has a stronger effect on exciton relaxation of CdSe/ZnS-QDs. This work is hoped to help us further understand the effect of interparticle spacing among QDs in various integrated environments.

[Antiviral effects of an effective section of a prescription of traditional Chinese medicine on influenza virus A in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To study the inhibitive effects of an effective section of a prescription of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM-ES) on influenza virus A FM1 strain in vitro. METHODS: The experiments were performed by microcytopathic-inhibiting-assay, Neutral Red stain and inhibiting plaque-forming units (PFU) test on MDCK cell strain. By means of observing the cytopathic effects (CPE), measuring the absorbance [D(lambda)] and counting the PFU, according to Reed-Muench assay, the TCM-ES's effective dosage of 50 percentage (EC50) and treatment index (TI) to FM1 were calculated. The inhibiting dose of 50 percentage of PFU (IC50) was also figured up. RESULTS: By CPE assay, TCM-ES'S EC50, MTC and TI to 100TCID50 FM1 strain infection were (300 +/- 18.3) mg/L, (75 +/- 6.8) mg/L and (7.1 +/- 0.7), respectively; Whereas, ribavirin's EC50, MTC and TI was (52.3 +/- 10.1) mg/L, (25 +/- 4.1) mg/L and (20.8 +/- 5.1), respectively. By Neutral Red stain assay,TCM-ES's IC50 and TI was (285.0 +/- 19.2) mg/L and (7.2 +/- 0.6), respectively; whereas ribavirin's IC50 and TI was (45.3 +/- 4. 9) mg/L and (21.2 +/- 3.1), respectively. By reducing PFU assay, the IC50 of TCM-ES and ribavirin was 300 mg/L and 50 mg/L, respectively. All the results above were almost consistent with each other (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TCM-ES assumes antiviral action on IFV-FM1 strain in a certain degree in vitro and can rebel intracellular virus. But it is worse than the positive control medicine of ribavirin and is worthy of further study.

Genome-wide identification of chitin-binding proteins and characterization of BmCBP1 in the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

The insect cuticle plays important roles in numerous physiological functions to protect the body from invasion of pathogens, physical injury and dehydration. In this report, we conducted a comprehensive genome-wide search for genes encoding proteins with peritrophin A-type (ChtBD2) chitin-binding domain (CBD) in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. One of these genes, which encodes the cuticle protein BmCBP1, was additionally cloned, and its expression and location during the process of development and molting in B. mori were investigated. In total, 46 protein-coding genes were identified in the silkworm genome, including those encoding 15 cuticle proteins analogous to peritrophins with one CBD (CPAP1s), nine cuticle proteins analogous to peritrophins with three CBD (CPAP3s), 15 peritrophic membrane proteins (PMPs), four chitinases, and three chitin deacetylases, which contained at least one ChtBD2 domain. Microarray analysis indicated that CPAP-encoding genes were widely expressed in various tissues, whereas PMP genes were highly expressed in the midgut. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting showed that the cuticle protein BmCBP1 was highly expressed in the epidermis and head, particularly during molting and metamorphosis. An immunofluorescence study revealed that chitin co-localized with BmCBP1 at the epidermal surface during molting. Additionally, BmCBP1 was notably up-regulated by 20-hydroxyecdysone treatment. These results provide a genome-level view of the chitin-binding protein in silkworm and suggest that BmCBP1 participates in the formation of the new cuticle during molting.

Anti-tumor effects of paeonol in a HepA-hepatoma bearing mouse model via induction of tumor cell apoptosis and stimulation of IL-2 and TNF-alpha production.

Paeonol, a phenolic component from the root bark of Paeonia moutan, is traditionally used as a Chinese herbal medicine to activate the blood flow and remove blood stasis. Evidence shows that paeonol have anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which paeonol exerts the anti-tumor effects by using a murine model of hepatoma established by in vivo injection of mouse HepA-hepatoma cells. Treatment of mice with 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg/day of paeonol significantly inhibited the growth of the HepA tumor in mice, induced HepA cell apoptosis as demonstrated by light microscopy and electron microscopy analyses, decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and increased the expression of Bax in HepA tumor tissues in a dose-related manner. Administration of paeonol in vivo also elevated serum levels of IL-2 and TNF-alpha in tumor-bearing mice. Moreover, splenocytes and macrophages isolated from paeonol-treated HepA tumor-bearing mice produced higher levels of IL-2 and TNF-alpha in response to concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide stimulation, respectively, compared to these isolated from non-treated HepA tumor-bearing mice. In vitro treatment with paeonol was able to directly stimulate IL-2 and TNF-alpha production in splenocytes and macrophages from tumor-bearing mice, respectively. In conclusion, paeonol has the anti-tumor effect against hepatoma cells, which are likely mediated via induction of tumor cell apoptosis and stimulation of IL-2 and TNF-alpha production. Paeonol could be a promising drug to treat hepatocellular carcinoma.

Effect of lumiracoxib on proliferation and apoptosis of human nonsmall cell lung cancer cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Lumiracoxib is a highly selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor with antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities comparable with class specific drugs, but with much improved gastrointestinal safety. No studies have examined lumiracoxib for antitumorigenic activity on human nonsmall cell lung cancer cell lines in vitro or its possible molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The antiproliferative effect of lumiracoxib alone or combined with docetaxol on A549 and NCI-H460 lines was assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Drug-drug interactions were analyzed using the coefficient of drug interaction (CDI) to characterize the interactions as synergism, additivity or antagonism. Morphological changes were observed by acridine orange fluorescent staining. Extent of apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Lumiracoxib (15 - 240 micromol/L) has an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of A549 and NCI-H460 cell lines in concentration- and time-dependent manners with the IC50 values of 2597 micromol/L and 833 micromol/L, respectively. The synergistic effect was prominent when lumiracoxib (15 - 240 micromol/L) was combined with docetaxol (0.2 - 2 micromol/L) (CDI < 1). Fluorescent staining showed that lumiracoxib could induce apoptosis in A549 and NCI-H460 cells. Lumiracoxib treatment also caused an increase of the sub-G1 fraction in each cell line and resulted in an increase of G0/G1-phase cells and a decrease of S-phase cells. CONCLUSIONS: Lumiracoxib had antiproliferative effect on the human nonsmall cell lung cancer cell lines A549 and NCI-H460 and had a significant synergy with docetaxol, which may be related to apoptotic induction and cell cycle arrest.

Genetic distance of SARS coronavirus from the recent natural case.

Phylogenetic analysis of SARS coronavirus isolates based on the spike gene and protein sequence using Neighbor-Joining, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods indicated that a recent human SARS-CoV isolate was closer to some human SARS-CoV isolates from earlier epidemic phase than to the SARS-CoV-like viruses isolated from wild animals during previous epidemic phase. A reasonable judgment based on phylogenetic relationship and sequence variations it is likely that the recent human SARS-CoV isolate is closer to an unknown SARS-CoV predecessor.

Antiproliferation and apoptosis induction of paeonol in HepG2 cells.

AIM: To investigate the antiproliferative effect of paeonol (Pae) used alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents [cisplatin (CDDP), doxorubicin (DOX) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)] on human hepatoma cell line HepG2 and the possible mechanisms. METHODS: The cytotoxic effect of drugs on HepG2 cells was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Morphologic changes were observed by acridine orange (AO) fluorescence staining. Cell cycle and apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). Drug-drug interactions were analyzed by the coefficient of drug interaction (CDI). RESULTS: Pae (7.81-250 mg/L) had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with the IC50 value of (104.77 +/- 7.28) mg/L. AO fluorescence staining and FCM assays showed that Pae induced apoptosis and arrested cell cycle at S phase in HepG2 cells. Further, different extent synergisms were observed when Pae (15.63, 31.25, 62.5 mg/L) was combined with CDDP (0.31-2.5 mg/L), DOX (0.16-1.25 mg/L), or 5-FU (12.5-100 mg/L) at appropriate concentrations. The IC50 value of the three drugs decreased dramatically when combined with Pae (P < 0.01). Of the three different combinations, the sensitivity of cells to drugs was considerably different. CONCLUSION: Pae had a significant growth-inhibitory effect on the human hepatoma cell line HepG2, which may be related to apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest. It also can enhance the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents on HepG2 cells, and the S phase arrest induced by Pae may be one of the mechanisms of these interactions.

[Analysis of relationship between semen quality and sperm acrosin activity].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the activity of human sperm acrosin and semen parameters in male infertile patients and discuss the effect of sperm acrosin activity on semen quality. METHODS: Activity of human sperm acrosin, PMN-elastase, fructose, alpha-glucosidase, zinc, acid phosphatase levels and HOST of 214 male infertile patients were detected. Semen analysis was performed using WLJY-9000 WeiLi colorful semen quality analyzer. There were 111 cases of normal activity of human sperm acrosin (48.2 - 218.7 microIU/10(6) sperm), 103 cases abnormal (< 48.2 microIU/10(6) sperm). Using the group of normal activity of sperm acrosin to be the control, semen parameters was analyzed and compared with those of the group of abnormal activity of sperm acrosin. RESULTS: There were significant difference (P < 0.001) between the 2 groups (normal and abnormal) in the areas of sperm density, motile sperm rate, percentage of grade (a + b) sperm and HOST. There were also significant difference in PMN-elastase, fructose and alpha-glucosidase (P < 0.05). There was no difference among sperm volume, zinc and acid phosphatase (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a strong correlation between the activity of human sperm sperm acrosin and semen quality. Activity of sperm acrosin is a reliable index of semen quality.

Cognitive-enhancing effects of hydrolysate of polygalasaponin in SAMP8 mice.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to evaluate the cognitive-enhancing effects of hydrolysate of polygalasaponin (HPS) on senescence accelerate mouse P8 (SAMP8) mice, an effective Alzheimer's disease (AD) model, and to research the relevant mechanisms. METHODS: The cognitive-enhancing effects of HPS on SAMP8 mice were assessed using Morris water maze (MWM) and step-through passive avoidance tests. Then N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit expression for both the cortex and hippocampus of mice was observed using Western blotting. RESULTS: HPS (25 and 50 mg/kg) improved the escape rate and decreased the escape latency and time spent in the target quadrant for the SAMP8 mice in the MWM after oral administration of HPS for 10 d. Moreover, it decreased error times in the passive avoidance tests. Western blotting showed that HPS was able to reverse the levels of NMDAR1 and NMDAR2B expression in the cortex or hippocampus of model mice. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that HPS can improve cognitive deficits in SAMP8 mice, and this mechanism might be associated with NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-related pathways.

Tenuifolin, a secondary saponin from hydrolysates of polygalasaponins, counteracts the neurotoxicity induced by Aß25-35 peptides in vitro and in vivo.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with damage to hippocampal neurons and declines in cognitive functions. The accumulation of amyloid peptides is regarded as a crucial event in the initiation of AD. The neurotoxicity induced by Aß25-35 peptides was used to screen for cytoprotective factors in vitro, and the cognitive deficits induced by the injection of Aß25-35 into the hippocampus were used to evaluate effect on learning and memory. Our previous study revealed that hydrolysate of polygalasaponins (HPS) clearly improve the cognitive deficits induced by the injection of Aß25-35 in mice, but the potential active constituent of HPS remains unclear. The purposes of this study were to separate and purify the secondary saponins of HPS, screen for neuroprotective effects of the constituents in vitro, and to evaluate the effect of cognition in vivo. Various chromatographic methods were used to separate and purify the HPS. The neuroprotective effects were examined in Aß25-35-damage-induced PC12 cells. The protective effect of tenuifolin on the cognitive impairments induced by Aß25-35 injection was assessed using the Morris water maze and step-through passive avoidance tests. Tenuifolin and fallaxsaponin A were isolated from the HPS. Tenuifolin possessed neuroprotective effects against Aß25-35-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells and significantly improved the cognitive deficits induced by the intrahippocampal injection of Aß25-35 in mice. Thus, tenuifolin is one of the active constituents of HPS against the neurotoxicity induced by Aß25-35 peptides in vitro and in vivo.

Neuroprotective effects of forsythiaside on learning and memory deficits in senescence-accelerated mouse prone (SAMP8) mice.

Forsythiaside (3,4-dihydroxy-ß-phenethyl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-4-O-caffeo yl-ß-d-glucopyranoside, C29H36O15), which is isolated from air-dried fruits of Forsythia suspensa, has been shown to possess anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study is to investigate the neuroprotective effects of forsythiaside on learning and memory deficits in the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8, a model of age-dependent neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease). Forsythiaside (60, 120 and 240mg/kg) was orally administered to aged (8months old) SAMP8 mice for 45days followed by evaluating cognitive impairment (Morris water maze and step-through passive avoidance), inflammation (interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels), oxidative stress (glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activities; malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) contents) and neurotransmitter such as norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), glutamate (GLU) gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and acetyl choline (ACh). In Morris water maze, forsythiaside had significantly reduced the latency time, the crossing numbers and time spent in target quadrant compared to aged SAMP8 mice. In passive avoidance test, a significant decline in number of errors while increase in latency was observed when compared with aged SAMP8 mice. Furthermore, a significant decrease in IL-1ß, NO, MDA and NE levels, and an increase in T-SOD and GSH-Px activities and GLU and Ach levels were evident in the brain homogenates of forsythiaside-treated mice compared to aged SAMP8 mice. These findings demonstrated that forsythiaside may be a useful treatment against amnesia.

Hierarchical self-assembly of CdTe quantum dots into hyperbranched nanobundles: suppression of biexciton Auger recombination.

In this paper, we report a novel nanobundle structure formed by the hierarchical self-assembly of TGA-capped CdTe quantum dots. HR-TEM confirms the polycrystalline phase of the bundle structure, and that pristine quantum dots are the building units. The steady state absorption and luminescence properties of the pristine quantum dots can be well inherited by the nanobundles. In transient state observation, carrier quenching induced by Auger recombination is found to be remarkably suppressed. Electron delocalizing to close building units is considered to be the reason. Suppression of Auger recombination may earn much more time for charge separation, which makes the novel nanobundle structures suitable for the excellent donor material in solar cell applications.

Studies on rice seed quality through analysis of a large-scale T-DNA insertion population.

A rice (Oryza sativa) T-DNA insertion population, which included more than 63 000 independent transgenic lines and 8 840 identified flanking sequence tags (FSTs) that were mapped onto the rice genome, was developed to systemically study the rice seed quality control. Genome-wide analysis of the FST distribution showed that T-DNA insertions were positively correlated with expressed genes, but negatively with transposable elements and small RNAs. In addition, the recovered T-DNAs were preferentially located at the untranslated region of the expressed genes. More than 11 000 putative homozygous lines were obtained through multi-generations of planting and resistance screening, and measurement of seed quality of around half of them, including the contents of starch, amylose, protein and fat, with a nondestructive near-infrared spectroscopy method, identified 551 mutants with unique or multiple altered parameters of seed quality. Analysis of the corresponding FSTs showed that genes participating in diverse functions, including metabolic processes and transcriptional regulation, were involved, indicating that seed quality is regulated by a complex network.

Synergistic effect of combining paeonol and cisplatin on apoptotic induction of human hepatoma cell lines.

AIM: To investigate whether paeonol (Pae) has synergistic effects with cisplatin (CDDP) on the growth-inhibition and apoptosis-induction of human hepatoma cell lines HepG2 and SMMC-7721. METHODS: The cytotoxic effect of drugs was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay. The coefficient of drug interaction was used to analyze the nature of drug interactions. Morphological changes were observed by acridine orange fluorescence staining. Cell cycle and the apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry. Bcl-2 and Bax expression were assayed by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Pae or CDDP had antiproliferative effect on the 2 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, with different sensitivities to drugs. More interestingly, a synergistic inhibitory effect on the viability of the 2 cell lines was observed after treatment with a combination of Pae (15.63, 31.25, and 62.5 mg/L) with various concentrations of CDDP. Further study showed typical morphological changes of apoptosis if the cells were exposed to the two agents for 24 h. The apoptotic rate of the cells with combination treatment was significantly higher than that of cells treated with Pae or CDDP alone. The expression of Bcl-2 decreased and that of Bax increased in the treated groups, especially in the combination group, with the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax decreasing correspondingly. Additionally, a combination of Pae with CDDP resulted in a stronger S phase arrest, compared with Pae or CDDP alone. CONCLUSION: Pae, in combination with CDDP, had a significantly synergistic growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effect on the 2 human hepatoma cell lines, which may be useful in hepatoma treatment.

A brassinolide-suppressed rice MADS-box transcription factor, OsMDP1, has a negative regulatory role in BR signaling.

The MADS-box transcription factor-encoding genes are expressed mainly during plant reproductive development, where they play important roles in controlling floral organ initiation and identity. Few previous reports have investigated the functions of MADS-box transcription factors expressed in vegetative tissues. Here we describe the functional characterization of a rice AG-like MADS-box protein, OsMDP1 (Oryza sativa MADS-domain-containing protein 1). A partial cDNA encoding a MADS-box domain was identified via high-throughput screening of rice brassinolide-regulated genes, and the full-length cDNA was subsequently isolated via screening of a cDNA library constructed from rice materials at tillering stage. Expression pattern analyses indicated that OsMDP1 is transcribed mainly in vegetative tissues, including the mature leaf, coleoptile, root-elongation zone, culm internode, and especially the joint region between the leaf blade and sheath. Further studies revealed that transcription of OsMDP1 is stimulated by darkness and suppressed by brassinolide treatment. OsMDP1 deficiency resulted in shortened primary roots, elongated coleoptiles and enhanced lamina joint inclinations. Moreover, transgenic plants showed hypersensitivities to exogenous brassinolide in terms of lamina joint inclination and coleoptile elongation. OsMDP1 deficiency resulted in enhanced expression of OsXTR1, which encodes xyloglucan endotransglycosylase, the cell-wall loosening enzyme necessary for cell elongation, and modulated expressions of multiple genes involved in cell signalling and gene transcription, indicating the key negative regulatory role of OsMDP1 in BR signalling.

OsPIPK 1, a rice phosphatidylinositol monophosphate kinase, regulates rice heading by modifying the expression of floral induction genes.

A rice gene, OsPIPK 1, encoding a 792-aa putative phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIPK), was identified and characterized. Comparison between the cDNA and genomic sequences revealed the presence of 10 exons (39-1050 bp) and 9 introns (88-745 bp) in OsPIPK 1 gene. The deduced amino acid sequence of OsPIPK1 contains a lipid kinase domain that is highly homologous to those of previously isolated PIPKs, and structural analysis revealed the intriguing presence of multiple MORN motifs at the N-terminus. The MORN motifs have also been detected in PIPKs from Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa, but not in the well-characterized PIPKs from animal and yeast cells. RT-PCR analysis indicated that OsPIPK 1 was expressed almost constitutively in roots, shoots, stems, leaves and flowers, and up-regulated following treatment with plant hormones or application of various stresses. An antisense transgenic strategy was used to suppress the expression of OsPIPK 1, and homozygous transgenic plants showed earlier heading (7-14 days earlier) than control plants, suggesting that OsPIPK 1 negatively regulates floral initiation. This was further confirmed by morphologic observation showing earlier floral development in antisense plants, as well as leaf emergence measurement indicating delayed leaf development under OsPIPK 1 deficiency, a common phenotype observed with earlier flowering. RT-PCR analysis and cDNA chip technology were used to examine transcripts of various genes in the transgenic plants and the results showed altered transcriptions of several flowering-time or -identity related genes, suggesting that OsPIPK 1 is involved in rice heading through regulation of floral induction genes, signaling and metabolic pathways.