Mouse Slfn8 and Slfn9 genes complement human cells lacking SLFN11 during the replication stress response

The Schlafen (SLFN)11 gene has been implicated in various biological processes such as suppression of HIV replication, replication stress response, and sensitization of cancer cells to chemotherapy. Due to the rapid diversification of the SLFN family members, it remains uncertain whether a direct ortholog of human SLFN11 exists in mice. Here we show that mSLFN8/9 and hSLFN11 were rapidly recruited to microlaser-irradiated DNA damage tracks. Furthermore, Slfn8/9 expression could complement SLFN11 loss in human SLFN11⁻⁄⁻ cells, and as a result, reduced the growth rate to wild-type levels and partially restored sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents. In addition, both Slfn8/9 and SLFN11 expression accelerated stalled fork degradation and decreased RPA and RAD51 foci numbers after DNA damage. Based on these results, we propose that mouse Slfn8 and Slfn9 genes may share an orthologous function with human SLFN11. This notion may facilitate understanding of SLFN11’s biological role through in vivo studies via mouse modeling

Monitoring mature tomato (red stage) quality during storage using ultraviolet-induced visible fluorescence image

The potential of UV-induced fluorescence imaging was investigated as a non-destructive tool to monitor postharvest quality degradation of tomatoes harvested at the red stage and stored at 25 °C. The fluorescence images (excitation at 365 nm) were found to be a better indicator of tomato quality degradation than color images after color saturation. Tomatoes were stored at 25 °C for 9 d. The changes in color and fluorescence of tomato were evaluated by two types of images: Color and fluorescence images. A conventional colorimeter was also used for as a reference. Changes in the RGB ratio for these two types of images were opposite. In the color images, the G ratio decreased rapidly for the initial 3 or 5 d and then stabilized afterwards. On the other hand, in the fluorescence images, the G ratio increased continuously up to 9 d. Given that temperature conditions during transportation and storage of tomatoes is not always ideal, the results from this research provide the foundation for developing a postharvest monitoring system of mature tomato quality degradation

The ribonuclease domain function is dispensable for SLFN11 to mediate cell fate decision during replication stress response

The SLFN11 gene participates in cell fate decision following cancer chemotherapy and encodes the N-terminal ribonuclease (RNase) domain and the C-terminal helicase/ATPase domain. How these domains contribute to the chemotherapeutic response remains controversial. Here, we expressed SLFN11 containing mutations in two critical residues required for RNase activity in SLFN11⁻/⁻ cells. We found that this mutant was still able to suppress DNA damage tolerance, destabilized the stalled replication forks, and perturbed recruitment of the fork protector RAD51. In contrast, we confirmed that the helicase domain was essential to accelerate fork degradation. The fork degradation by the RNase mutant was dependent on both DNA2 and MRE11 nuclease, but not on MRE11's novel interactor FXR1. Collectively, these results supported the view that the RNase domain function is dispensable for SLFN11 to mediate cell fate decision during replication stress response

Mesonephric adenocarcinoma of the uterine corpus with intracystic growth completely confined to the myometrium: a case report and literature review

Abstract Background Mesonephric adenocarcinoma (MA) is a rare tumor believed to arise from mesonephric remnants occurring mostly in the uterine cervix and, to a lesser extent, the corpus. Since the first case report of MA in the corpus in 1995, only 16 cases have been reported in the English literature. A recent report suggested that MA originates in Müllerian tissue and exhibits the mesonephric differentiation phenotype. Case presentation An asymptomatic 61-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of elevated levels of tumor markers. Imaging revealed an intramural lesion of the uterine corpus exhibiting fluorodeoxyglucose uptake. A total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed. The tumor was completely confined to the corpus wall and was composed of an intracystic bulky component and an invasive component in the myometrial layer. The tumor exhibited a variety of growth patterns, including a characteristic tubular pattern with dense eosinophilic secretion reminiscent of the thyroid, as well as a variety of morphologies, such as acinar, papillary, and ductal structures. The structures were immunoreactive for CK7, vimentin, CD10, calretinin, PAX8, and GATA3 and almost completely negative for ER/PgR. CA125 and CA19–9 antigen expression was also detected. Conclusion A case of MA with a unique growth pattern of an intracystic mass within the corpus wall is presented. The histogenesis and differential diagnoses are discussed. The histogenesis of MA is not yet clear. We hypothesize two different pathways involved: 1) direct development from the mesonephric remnants and/or 2) mesonephric transformation of Müllerian adenocarcinoma