Redox signalling to nuclear regulatory proteins by reactive oxygen species contributes to oestrogen-induced growth of breast cancer cells

Background: 17β-Oestradiol (E2)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in regulating the growth of breast cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanism of this is not clear. Here we show how ROS through a novel redox signalling pathway involving nuclear respiratory factor-1 (NRF-1) and p27 contribute to E2-induced growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Methods: Chromatin immunoprecipitation, qPCR, mass spectrometry, redox western blot, colony formation, cell proliferation, ROS assay, and immunofluorescence microscopy were used to study the role of NRF-1. Results: The major novel finding of this study is the demonstration of oxidative modification of phosphatases PTEN and CDC25A by E2-generated ROS along with the subsequent activation of AKT and ERK pathways that culminated in the activation of NRF-1 leading to the upregulation of cell cycle genes. 17β-Oestradiol-induced ROS by influencing nuclear proteins p27 and Jab1 also contributed to the growth of MCF-7 cells. Conclusions: Taken together, our results present evidence in the support of E2-induced ROS-mediated AKT signalling leading to the activation of NRF-1-regulated cell cycle genes as well as the impairment of p27 activity, which is presumably necessary for the growth of MCF-7 cells. These observations are important because they provide a new paradigm by which oestrogen may contribute to the growth of breast cancer

Induced spawning of catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), using d-Lys6 salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog

In this study, the effect of d-Lys6 salmon gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (sGnRH-A) on spawning of Heteropneustes fossilis has been evaluated. A single intramuscular injection of d-Lys6 sGnRH-A (25–500 μg/kg body weight) induced spawning in all the fish.Spawning also occurred at a lower dose (10 μg/kg body weight), but required the application of gentle pressure on the soft and distended belly to shed the eggs. Fish administered an equal volume of saline (controls) did not spawn. The latency period (interval between the time of injection and spawning) ranged consistently between 14 and 18 h. Injections of d-Lys6 sGnRH-A at different time-points of the photodiurnal cycle did not influence the induced spawning of fish and the same latency period was maintained. The eggs produced after induced spawning were viable and fertilizable in vitro. The dopamine antagonist domperidone did not potentiate the effect of d-Lys6 sGnRH-A in H. fossilis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of d-Lys6 sGnRH-A being used for the spawning of fish

Roundtable, Moderated by Herbert Ricardo

Elvira D. Milano Building Peace in Early Childhood It\u27s in the first six years of life that all the possibilities of humanization are developed. The childhood is then a magical place of unfolding of potentialities. If we think that the initial level covers the period from birth to 6/8 years old and taking into account all the learning that happens there, we see the importance of making emotions visible, recognize them, and that the learling of conflict resolution is crucial for the development of proactive individuals for a society that believes that peace is possible. Cesar Murillo DOING THE RIGHT THING - Maintaining Good Corporate Citizenship where the Competition is Corrupt The roundtable discussion would center around the ability of multi-national and local companies and organizations to compete, operate effectively and/or provide a positive social impact in environments where corruption is prevalent. Typically, competition comes from organizations and companies emanating from nations that are not bound by the same types of anti-corruption laws and regulations that US, UK and other western governments are supposed to adhere. Indeed, in some cases the corrupt practices may even be state sponsored. How can you maintain your moral compass and remain competitive? Alok Deoraj Adolescent Health Should be the Top Global Priority We have made unprecedented progress in technology and health to improve the quality of life and increase our longevity. Our focus however, on the health of adolescent phase of the life has been muted. Today’s adolescents will be driving sustainable development goals (SDGs) and they will be 2030 policy and decision-makers. Emerging evidence from the biological and environmental interventions suggest that death and disability among adolescents are preventable because the health behaviors, e.g., substance abuse, smoking, inter personal violence or food choices that are adopted during adolescence can have lasting impacts on health through the life course. Therefore, tending to their health needs and providing environmental and emotional support for them to thrive, must be the top global priority