The mechanisms underlying microRNA (miRNA) disruption in human disease are poorly understood. In cancer cells, the transcriptional silencing of tumor suppressor genes by CpG island promoter hypermethylation has emerged as a common hallmark. We wondered if the same epigenetic disruption can "hit" miRNAs in transformed cells. To address this issue, we have used cancer cells genetically deficient ...

We demonstrate the close relationship that exists between random sequence generation and working memory functioning. We clarify the nature of this link by examining the impact of concurrent requirements for random sequence response quality. Experiments 1A and 1B show that marking specific response choices for differential treatment, either by requiring an ancillary behaviour or by suppressing t...

During mitotic exit, missegregated chromosomes can recruit their own nuclear envelope (NE) to form micronuclei (MN). MN have reduced functioning compared to primary nuclei in the same cell, although the two compartments appear to be structurally comparable. Here we show that over 60% of MN undergo an irreversible loss of compartmentalization during interphase due to NE collapse. This disruption...

Several genetic and epigenetic signatures characterize cancer cells. However, the relationships (causal or consequence link, existence due to a same origin) between these 2 types of signatures were not fully elucidated. In the present work, we reported that the disruption of the DNMT1/PCNA/UHRF1 complex acts as an oncogenic event of the tumor transformation of brain (astrocytes), breast, lung a...

With their 2007 classification - shift work involving "circadian disruption" is probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A) - the International Agency for Research on Cancer [IARC] provided a riddle for scientists and the public alike. Thereafter, eighteen epidemiological investigations into shift work and a host of malignant endpoints (including cancers of the breast, prostate, lung, colon, rec...

The increasing use of electric lights has modified the natural light environment dramatically, posing novel challenges to both humans and wildlife. Indeed, several biomedical studies have linked artificial light at night to the disruption of circadian rhythms, with important consequences for human health, such as the increasing occurrence of metabolic syndromes, cancer and reduced immunity. In ...

The American Medical Association House of Delegates in June of 2012 adopted a policy statement on nighttime lighting and human health. This major policy statement summarizes the scientific evidence that nighttime electric light can disrupt circadian rhythms in humans and documents the rapidly advancing understanding from basic science of how disruption of circadian rhythmicity affects aspects o...

In budding yeast, actin disruption prevents nuclear division. This has been explained as activation of a morphogenesis checkpoint monitoring the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton. The checkpoint operates through inhibitory tyrosine phosphorylation of Cdc28, the budding yeast Cdc2 homolog. Wild-type Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells also arrest before mitosis after actin depolymerization. Oversi...

Inhibition of angiogenesis is an important new modality for cancer treatment. 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2) is a novel antitumor and antiangiogenic agent, currently in clinical trials, whose molecular mechanism of action remains unclear. Herein, we report that 2ME2 inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis at concentrations that efficiently disrupt tumor microtubules (MTs) in vivo. Mechanistically, we...