Overexpression of SMYD2 in gastric cancer

Background: SET and MYND domain-containing protein 2 (SMYD2) is a lysine methyltransferase for histone H3, p53 and Rb and inhibits their transactivation activities. In this study, we tested whether SMYD2 (1q42) acts as a cancer-promoting factor by being overexpressed in gastric cancer. Methods: We analysed 7 gastric cancer cell lines and 147 primary tumor samples of gastric cancer, which were curatively resected in our hospital. Results: SET and MYND domain-containing protein 2 was detected in these cell lines (five out of seven cell lines; 71.4%) and primary tumor samples (fifty-six out of one hundred and forty-seven cases; 38.1%). Knockdown of SMYD2 using specific small interfering RNA inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of SMYD2-overexpressing cells in a TP53 mutation-independent manner. Overexpression of SMYD2 protein correlated with larger tumor size, more aggressive lymphatic invasion, deeper tumor invasion and higher rates of lymph node metastasis and recurrence. Patients with SMYD2-overexpressing tumours had a worse overall rate of survival than those with non-expressing tumours (P=0.0073, log-rank test) in an intensity and proportion score-dependent manner. Moreover, multivariate analysis demonstrated that SMYD2 was independently associated with worse outcome (P=0.0021, hazard ratio 4.25 (1.69–10.7)). Conclusions: These findings suggest that SMYD2 has a crucial role in tumor cell proliferation by its overexpression and highlight its usefulness as a prognostic factor and potential therapeutic target in gastric cancer

Effects of coexisting metal ions on the redox potential dependence of chalcopyrite leaching in sulfuric acid solutions

The leaching rate of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) in H2SO4 solutions depends on the redox potential determined by the concentration ratio of Fe3+ to Fe2+, and the rate is higher at redox potentials below a critical value (critical potential). In actual leaching systems, different metal ions are released from coexisting minerals to the aqueous phase. The present study investigated the effects of coexisting metal ions on the critical potential of chalcopyrite leaching. Shaking-flask leaching experiments were carried out with 0.1 g of ground chalcopyrite and 10 cm3 of 0.1 kmol m- 3 H2SO4 containing 0.1 kmol m- 3 Fe2+ and 0.001 kmol m- 3 of the metal ions at 298 K in air. The initial redox potential was adjusted by adding Fe3+, and the amount of Cu extracted after 24 h was investigated as a function of the potential. The results indicate that the critical potential increases by the addition of Ag+ or Bi3+ but is not affected by Pd2+, Hg2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, or Mn2+. The results were interpreted by a reaction model assuming the formation of intermediate Cu2S due to the reduction of chalcopyrite and subsequent oxidation of the Cu2S at potentials below the critical potential. Catalytic effects of metal ions on chalcopyrite leaching are also discussed based on the experimental results and the proposed model