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The Cullin-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase (CRL) complex is the most common E3 ligase, and the SCF complex (CRL1) has the most diverse functions. Cullin1(CUL1) is a scaffolding protein for assembly of the complex. SCF has been shown to participate in the non-biological stress response pathways. In this study, a classic CUL1 protein was identified in Solanum tuberosum, StCUL1. A full-length cDNA of the StCUL1 gene was obtained from ED13 (a potato variety) by Ralstonia solanacearum inoculation using the RACE method. Sequence analysis indicated that the gene comprised 2662 bp, with an open reading frame of 2229 bp encoding 743 amino acids. The expression levels of the StCUL1 gene in potato treated with R. solanacearum and exogenous hormones (such as salicylic acid, jasmonic acid methyl ester and abscisic acid) at different time points were determined by real-time PCR. The results indicated that StCUL1 was induced not only by pathogenic bacteria, but also by exogenous hormones, with sustained high expression. However, there were some differences in the modes of expression. Tissue localization analysis indicated that its expression was tissue specific, and it was mainly in the phloem of the vascular system of stems and leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-specific remorin genes have been identified in angiosperms, gymnosperms, ferns, and mosses. Several remorin genes are highly conserved in plant genomes, and their basic characteristics have been determined. Remorins have multiple biological functions, including in antibacterial defense, signal transduction, damage repair, and resistance to environmental stresses. In the present study, a full-length cDNA clone of the StREMa4 remorin gene was isolated from Ralstonia solanacearum-infected potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivar 'ED13' plants through the rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Sequence analyses revealed that StREMa4 comprised 803 bp, including a 591 bp open reading frame that encoded a protein consisting of 197 amino acids. The StREMa4 protein was highly homologous to remorins from potato and other Solanaceae species. Real-time PCR analyses revealed that in addition to being up-regulated by Ralstonia solanacearum, StREMa4 expression was induced by exogenous hormones (i.e., salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate, and abscisic acid), with some differences in the expression patterns. Tissue localization analyses indicated that StREMa4 expression was tissue-specific, occurring primarily in the phloem of stem and leaf tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) is a pattern recognition receptor and plays key roles in inflammatory responses against pathogen infection. Recent evidence suggests that TLR5 is expressed in a wide variety of tumors and exhibits either pro-tumor or anti-tumor activities. In this study, we explored expression of TLR5 in the context of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluated the effects of TLR5 signaling in NSCLC cells. Methods: The lung carcinoma samples were collected from 113 patients diagnosed as NSCLC at Tumor Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine from January 2005 to December 2008. Immunohistochemistry was performed for TLR5 and the protein expression score was quantified using an established scoring system. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in all patients. TLR5 expression levels were correlated with DFS and OS using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Expression and subcellular localization of TLR5 were analyzed in NSCLC cell lines including SPC-A1, A549, H1975, and H1299 cells. Activation of TLR5 signaling pathway by flagellin was characterized by western blotting. Effects of flagellin on NSCLC cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, migration, and invasion were analyzed by BrdU incorporation assay, soft agar colony formation assay, wound-healing migration assay, and transwell invasion assay, respectively. Results: High expression of TLR5 was significantly associated with better prognosis in patients with NSCLC. We further demonstrated that activation of TLR5 by flagellin in NSCLC cells inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Conclusion: TLR5 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in NSCLC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]