Abstract. , a novel noncleavable, complexstabilizing type topoisomerase (topo) II inhibitor, has been shown to target topo II in mammalian cells (Ishida, R., T. Miki, T. Narita, R. Yui, S. Sato, K. R. Utsumi, K. Tanabe, and T. Andoh. 1991. Cancer Res. 51:4909--4916). With the aim of elucidating the roles of topo II in mammalian cells, we examined the effects of ICRF-193 on the transition through the S phase, when the genome is replicated, and through the M phase, when the replicated genome is condensed and segregated. Replication of the genome did not appear to be affected by the drug because the scheduled synthesis of DNA and activation of cdc2 kinase followed by increase in mitotic index occurred normally, while VP-16, a cleavable, complex-stabilizing type topo II inhibitor, inhibited all these processes. In the M phase, however, late stages of chromosome condensation and segregation were clearly blocked by . Inhibition at the stage of compaction of 300-nm diameter chromatin fibers to 600-nm diameter chromatids was demonstrated using the drug during premature chromosome condensation (PCC) induced in tsBN2 baby hamster kidney cells in early S and G2 phases. In spite of interference with M phase chromosome dynamics, other mitotic events such as activation of ode2 kinase, spindle apparatus reorganization and disassembly and re, assembly of nuclear envelopes occurred, and the cells traversed an unusual M phase termed "absence of chromosome segregation" (ACS)-M phase. Cells then continued through further cell cycle rounds, becoming polyploid and losing viability. This effect of ICRF-193 on the cell cycle was shown to parallel that of inactivation of topo II on the cell cycle of the ts top2 mutant yeast. The results strongly suggest that the essential roles of topo II are confined to the M phase, when the enzyme decatenates intertwined replicated chromosomes. In other phases of the cycle, including the S phase, topo II may thus play a complementary role with topo I in controlling the torsional strain accumulated in various genetic processes. topoisomerases (topo) t have been implicated in e maintenance of genetic processes such as repliation, transcription, and recombination by controlling the higher order chromosomal structure through the cell cycle (for review, see Wang, , 1987Cozzarelli and Address all correspondence to Ryoji Ishida,

These data suggest that (1) the proliferative activity of a resected specimen predicted the prognosis in patients with HCC; (2) the proliferative activity was closely correlated with the glucose metabolism, but not with angiogenesis.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-␤) signaling involves both tumor-suppression and oncogenesis. TGF-␤ activates the TGF-␤ type I receptor (T␤RI) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which differentially phosphorylate the mediator Smad3 to become COOHterminally phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3C) and linker-phosphorylated Smad3 (pSmad3L). T␤RI-dependent pSmad3C transmits a tumor-suppressive TGF-␤ signal, while JNK-dependent pSmad3L promotes carcinogenesis in human chronic liver disorders. The aim of this study is to elucidate how SP600125, a JNK inhibitor, affected rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, while focusing on the domain-specific phosphorylation of Smad3. The rats received subcutaneous injections of either SP600125 or vehicle 11 times weekly together with 100 ppm N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN) administration for 56 days and were sacrificed in order to evaluate HCC development 28 days after the last DEN administration. The number of tumor nodules greater than 3 mm in diameter and the liver weight/ body weight ratio were significantly lower in the SP600125-treated rats than those in the vehicle-treated rats (7.9 ؎ 0.8 versus 17.7 ؎ 0.9: P < 0.001; 6.3 ؎ 1.2 versus 7.1 ؎ 0.2%: P < 0.05). SP600125 significantly prolonged the median survival time in rats with DENinduced HCC (113 versus 97 days: log-rank P ‫؍‬ 0.0018). JNK/pSmad3L/c-Myc was enhanced in the rat hepatocytes exposed to DEN. However, T␤RI/pSmad3C/p21 WAF1 was impaired as DEN-induced HCC developed and progressed. The specific inhibition of JNK activity by SP600125 suppressed pSmad3L/c-Myc in the damaged hepatocytes and enhanced pSmad3C/p21 WAF1 , acting as a tumor suppressor in normal hepatocytes. Conclusion: Administration of SP600125 to DEN-treated rats shifted hepatocytic Smad3-mediated signal from oncogenesis to tumor suppression, thus suggesting that JNK could be a therapeutic target of human HCC development and progression.

Carbon nanomaterials, such as carbon nanohorns and carbon nanotubes, have attracted considerable attention for their biomedical applications. We report here the first application of carbon nanohorns (CNHs) as potent laser therapeutic agents for highly selective elimination of microorganisms. This is the first report, supported by direct observations, of the highly selective elimination of yeast and bacteria (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli) by employing molecular recognition element–CNH complexes and a near-infrared laser.

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