PRAF3 induces apoptosis and inhibits migration and invasion in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prenylated Rab acceptor 1 domain family member 3 (PRAF3) is involved in the regulation of many cellular processes including apoptosis, migration and invasion. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of PRAF3 on apoptosis, migration and invasion in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The expression of <it>PRAF3 </it>mRNA and protein in primary ESCC and the matched normal tissues (57cases) was determined by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. Immunohistochemical analysis of PRAF3 expression was carried out in paraffin-embedded sections of ESCC and correlated with clinical features. The role of PRAF3 in apoptosis, migration and invasion was studied in ESCC cell lines of Eca109 and TE-1 through the adenovirus mediated PRAF3 gene transfer. The effect of PRAF3 on apoptosis was analyzed by annexin V-FITC assay. The regulation of PRAF3 on migration was determined by transwell and wounding healing assay, while the cellular invasion was analyzed by matrigel-coated transwell assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that the expression of PRAF3 was significantly down-regulated in ESCC tissue compared with the matched normal tissue and was correlated with the clinical features of pathological grade, tumor stage and lymph node metastasis. Moreover, overexpression of PRAF3 induced cell apoptosis through both caspase-8 and caspase-9 dependent pathways, and inhibited cell migration and invasion by suppressing the activity of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human ESCC cell lines.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data suggest that PRAF3 plays an important role in the regulation of tumor progression and metastasis and serves as a tumor suppressor in human ESCC. We propose that PRAF3 might be used as a potential therapeutic agent for human ESCC.</p

Subcellular distribution and expression of prenylated Rab acceptor 1 domain family, member 2 (PRAF2) in malignant glioma: Influence on cell survival and migration

Our previous studies revealed that the expression of the 19-kDa protein prenylated Rab acceptor 1 domain family, member 2 (PRAF2) is elevated in cancer tissues of the breast, colon, lung, and ovary, when compared to noncancerous tissues of paired samples. PRAF2 mRNA expression also correlated with several genetic and clinical features and is a candidate prognostic marker in the pediatric cancer neuroblastoma. The PRAF2-related proteins, PRAF1 and PRAF3, play multiple roles in cellular processes, including endo/exocytic vesicle trafficking and glutamate uptake. PRAF2 shares a high sequence homology with these family members, but its function remains unknown. In this study, we examined PRAF2 mRNA and protein expression in 20 different human cancer types using Affymetrix microarray and human tissue microarray (TMA) analyses, respectively. In addition, we investigated the subcellular distribution of PRAF2 by immunofluorescence microscopy and cell fractionation studies. PRAF2 mRNA and protein expression was elevated in several cancer tissues with highest levels in malignant glioma. At the molecular level, we detected native PRAF2 in small, vesicle-like structures throughout the cytoplasm as well as in and around cell nuclei of U-87 malignant glioma cells. We further found that monomeric and dimeric forms of PRAF2 are associated with different cell compartments, suggesting possible functional differences. Importantly, PRAF2 down-regulation by RNA interference significantly reduced the cell viability, migration, and invasiveness of U-87 cells. This study shows that PRAF2 expression is elevated in various tumors with exceptionally high expression in malignant gliomas, and PRAF2 therefore presents a candidate molecular target for therapeutic intervention. (Cancer Sci 2010

Field Dodder Life Cycle and Interaction with Host Plants

Cuscuta as a generalist type of holoparasitic plant interacts with various hostplants in different manners, and all Cuscuta species depend (absolutely) on hostplants to complete their life cycle. Field dodder is a parasitic plant that attaches tostems and leaves of broadleaf plants, including weeds, field crops, vegetables, andornamentals, across most agricultural regions of the world. Most hosts of Cuscutaplants are passive, only a few hosts are known to show clear resistance (e.g.,Ipomoea sp.). Unlike other weeds occurring in anthropogenic habitats that havebeen well-studied in their taxonomic, biological, and ecological aspects, as wellas their anatomical and physiological properties to some extent, the parasiticflowering species of the genus Cuscuta have been examined very scarcely despitethe great damage that they are able to cause. More extensive research is required in order to develop new means for parasitic weed control. A basic research shouldidentify new targets for control within the life cycle of the parasites and amongtheir metabolic activities