Effects of Genistein and Daidzein on the Proliferation, Invasion, Migration and Adhesion of Melanoma Cells

IntroductionGenistein and daidzein (Fig.1 ) ,two majorisoflavonoids in soybeans,were reported to playimportant roles in cancer prevention[1 ,2 ] .Previousstudies demonstrated that genistein and daidzeininhibited the growth of leukemia,breast,colonand prostate cancers[38] .Our earlier studies alsodemonstrated that daidzein enhanced the immunefunction in mice[9,1 0 ] . These functions madegenistein and daidzein promising candidates forcancer prevention. However,it is usually themetastatic disse…     

Multiple Suppressive Effects of a Protein from Caesalpinia minax on Murine Melanoma Cells

IntroductionIn recent years,a great deal of attention hasfocused on finding potential anti- tumor agentsfrom natural sources[14 ] .A vast number ofpromising candidate molecules,especiallycomponents extracted from plants,have beenevaluated[59] .　 Herbs have a long history of use as Chinesetraditional medicine.Caesalpinia minax (C.minax) is a wild plantin Yunnan Province,China.The high level of ultraviolet radiation in thistropical province causes widespread skin diseases inthis area.Extract…     

Cloning, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of Calreticulin from Pearl Oyster Pinctada fucata

Calreticulin is a unique calcium-binding protein with multiple functions mostly located in the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum. A large amount of calcium is absorbed from the medium and transported to mineralization sites during biomineralization in pearl oyster. This paper describes the cloning of the full-length cDNA of calreticulin from Pinctada fucata, namely PCRT. PCRT encodes a deduced 414-amino acid protein, which includes a predicted 17- amino acid signal peptide and an endoplasmic reticulum retrieval sequence HDEL. The protein shows 63%-76% sequence identity and shares some common characteristics with calreticulins from other species. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR indicates that PCRT is ubiquitously expressed in all tissues tested with the highest expression in the hemolymph and the mantle. In situ hybridization analysis of PCRT in the mantle showed strong signals in the inner fold, the inner side of middle fold, and the inner side of outer fold of the mantle epithelium, All these results suggest PCRT might be involved in Ca^2＋ transport and storage during oyster biomineralization.     

Detection of Messenger RNA for Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) but not for GnRH Receptors in Rat Pancreas

IntroductionGonadotropin- releasing hormone ( Gn RH) ,whichis synthesized in the brain and secreted into theanterior pituitary,plays a central role in thecontrol of mammalian reproduction[1,2 ] .Gn RH andGn RH m RNA have been reported to exist in non-hypothalamic tissues such as ovary[3,4 ] ,breast[5] ,testes,and placenta[6] .The Gn RH binding siteand its m RNA have also been found inextrapituitary tissues,including gonads andplacenta[7] .These findings indicate the biologicalsignifican…     

Anti-Angiogenesis and Anti-Tumor Effect of Shark Cartilage Extract

IntroductionThe progression of a tumor cell from benigndelimited proliferation to malignant and metastaticgrowth is the majorcause of poorclinical outcomesof cancer therapy.Angiogenesis in the host is acharacteristic phenomenon of most malignanttumors.With adequate blood supply,tumor cellswill not only grow,but also acquire metastaticpotential[1] . This process may involve theproduction of tumor- derived mediators ofendothelial cell migration and proliferation throughenzymes ( such as collagen…     

Anti tumor Activity of Shark Cartilage Extract and Related Mechanisms *

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Partial Purification and Properties of an Acid Phosphatase from Pearl Oyster Pinctada Fucata

IntroductionAcid phosphatase ( ACP,EC 3.1 .3.2 ) andalkaline phosphatase ( ALP,EC 3.1 .3.1 ) havebeen found to exist widely in the biosphere frombacteria to plants,animals and humans[18] .Thetwo enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of variousphosphate containing compounds and act astransphosphorylases at acid- and alkaline- p Hvalue.In our lab,an alkaline phosphatase fromthe pearl oyster Pinctada fucata has been purifiedand some of its kinetics has been studied[9] .　Acid phosphatases actas ma…     

Physiological Defense Mechanism of Ligularia intermedia Against UV—B Radiation on Dongling Mountain

Liguloria intermedia growing at different altitudes were used to investigate the mechanism of ultraviolet (UV)-resistance on physiological aspects in the field. The tests compared the absorbance of the UV-absorbing compound, the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids, and the activities of peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in Ligularia intermedia growing at three different altitudes on Dongling Mountain in northern China. There were no significant differences between the plants growing at 1160m and 1820m. However, all of these factors increased dramatically at 2190m. The results indicate tha tthe UV-resistance of the plants mainly depends on the mechanism of filtering the radiation and preventing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage produced by UV-B.     

Genistein and Daidzein Effects on Proliferation, Cell Membranes, Cell Cycles and Cell Apoptosis of Different Cell Lines

IntroductionIsoflavonoids are found mainly in soybeans,aprimary food source for humans and herbivores.The structure and function of isoflavonoids aresimilar to 1 7β- estradiol (1 7β- E2 ) ,and have dualeffects as both mammal oestrogenicity and anti-oestrogenicity,so they are also termed isoflavonicphytoestrogens(IPE) .It has been reported thatthese compounds can reduce blood fat,as well asthe risk of cancer and osteoporosis[1] .Genistein and daidzein are two principleisoflavonoids in soybe…