Molecular analysis of WWOX expression correlation with proliferation and apoptosis in glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common type of primary brain tumor in adults. WWOX is a tumor suppressor gene involved in carcinogenesis and cancer progression in many different neoplasms. Reduced WWOX expression is associated with more aggressive phenotype and poor patient outcome in several cancers. We investigated alternations of WWOX expression and its correlation with proliferation, apoptosis and signal trafficking in 67 glioblastoma multiforme specimens. Moreover, we examined the level of WWOX LOH and methylation status in WWOX promoter region. Our results suggest that loss of heterozygosity (relatively frequent in glioblastoma multiforme) along with promoter methylation may decrease the expression of this tumor suppressor gene. Our experiment revealed positive correlations between WWOX and Bcl2 and between WWOX and Ki67. We also confirmed that WWOX is positively correlated with ErbB4 signaling pathway in glioblastoma multiforme

MicroRNAs in β-cell biology, insulin resistance, diabetes and its complications

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small 19-23 nucleotide RNA molecules that act as regulators of protein expression in eukaryotic cells by inducing the translations] arrest and degradation of messenger RNAs (1). They are potent drivers of differentiation and development (1), and their dysregulation has been linked to many diseases. Here, we present an overview of the known and proposed roles and effects of miRNAs in type 1 and type 2 diabetes (TlD and T2D), focusing on β-cell biology, insulin resistance, and diabetes complications. Specifically, we discuss miRNAs in β-cell biology, altered expression of miRNAs in adipose tissue in response to obesity, and miRNA dysfunction in organs and tissues that may be affected in later stages of the disease. Additionally, we propose a set of research directions that may yield novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for this chronic illness. [First paragraph - No abstract available