PTEN-Long is a translational variant of PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog). Like PTEN, PTEN-Long is able to antagonize the PI3K-Akt pathway and inhibits tumor growth. In this study, we investigated the role PTEN-Long plays in the development and progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and explored the therapeutic possibility using proteinaceous PTEN-Long to treat ccRCC. We found that the protein levels of PTEN-Long were drastically reduced in ccRCC, which was correlated with increased levels of phosphorylated Akt (pAkt). Gain of function experiments showed overexpression of PTEN-Long in the ccRCC cell line 786-0 suppressed PI3K-Akt signaling, inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and eventually induced cell death. When purified PTEN-Long was added into cultured 786-0 cells, it entered cells, blocked Akt activation, and induced apoptosis involving Caspase 3 cleavage. Furthermore, PTEN-Long inhibited proliferation of 786-0 cells in xenograft mouse model. Our results implicated that understanding the roles of PTEN-Long in renal cell carcinogenesis has therapeutic significance.
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a novel phlebovirus that was identified to be the etiological pathogen of the emerging infectious disease, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). SFTSV could be transmitted through tick bite. Transmission of SFTSV among humans has also been reported mainly through direct blood contact. In July 2014, a cluster of six suspected SFTS cases occurred in Shandong Province, China. In this cluster, both symptomatic and asymptomatic persons were included. By analyzing the clinical data and results of laboratory tests, and conducting the epidemiological interviews with the cases and their families, risk factors responsible for the transmission were evaluated. The findings suggested that SFTSV transmission among humans may cause asymptomatic infection via personal contact without blood exposure.
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