Targeting cyclin B1 inhibits proliferation and sensitizes breast cancer cells to taxol

Background Cyclin B1, the regulatory subunit of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1), is essential for the transition from G2 phase to mitosis. Cyclin B1 is very often found to be overexpressed in primary breast and cervical cancer cells as well as in cancer cell lines. Its expression is correlated with the malignancy of gynecological cancers. Methods In order to explore cyclin B1 as a potential target for gynecological cancer therapy, we studied the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) on different gynecological cancer cell lines by monitoring their proliferation rate, cell cycle profile, protein expression and activity, apoptosis induction and colony formation. Tumor formation in vivo was examined using mouse xenograft models. Results Downregulation of cyclin B1 inhibited proliferation of several breast and cervical cancer cell lines including MCF-7, BT-474, SK-BR-3, MDA-MB-231 and HeLa. After combining cyclin B1 siRNA with taxol, we observed an increased apoptotic rate accompanied by an enhanced antiproliferative effect in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, control HeLa cells were progressively growing, whereas the tumor growth of HeLa cells pre-treated with cyclin B1 siRNA was strongly inhibited in nude mice, indicating that cyclin B1 is indispensable for tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion Our data support the notion of cyclin B1 being essential for survival and proliferation of gynecological cancer cells. Concordantly, knockdown of cyclin B1 inhibits proliferation in vitro as well as in vivo. Moreover, targeting cyclin B1 sensitizes breast cancer cells to taxol, suggesting that specific cyclin B1 targeting is an attractive strategy for the combination with conventionally used agents in gynecological cancer therapy

Using the intelligent unit for traffic management of saturated urban road networks

Telematics systems development has already become a necessity due to the limited capacity of the road infrastructure. Transport can thus be better managed; also relevant information can be provided directly into the vehicles. Based on the development of communication technologies, namely „car-to-infrastructure” (C2I), the requirements are continuously rising – not only on the on-board units (OBU) but also on the infrastructure equipment and solution of particular modules for traffic management systems as well. The paper focuses on the design and simulation of control system in an intelligent unit on infrastructure that will be able to respond to the actual traffic situation and to communicate with the vehicles. The goal of this paper is to present the possibility of using such units in urban road infrastructure and to present an approach to traffic nodes management for saturated or over-saturated traffic states