Pheophytin- a derivatives possessing plastoquinone and phylloquinone analogs in the peripheral 3-substituent were prepared by Friedel–Crafts reactions of a 3-hydroxymethyl-chlorin as one of the chlorophyll- a derivatives with benzo- and naphthohydroquinones, respectively, and successive oxidation of the 1,4-dihydroxy-aryl groups in the resulting dehydration products. The 3-quinonylmethyl-chlorins exhibited ultraviolet–visible...

The first-generation pCMViR-TSC, implemented through the promoter sandwich rule, yields 10- to 100-fold higher gene expression than the standard plasmid used with the CMV (cytomegalovirus) or CAG promoter. However, the vector’s shortcomings limit its utility to transient expression only, as it is not suitable for establishing stable transformants in mammalian cells. To overcome this weakness, we here introduce the improved pla...

Compiling evidence has indicated that S100A11 expression at high levels is closely associated with various cancer species. Consistent with the results reported elsewhere, we have also revealed that S100A11 is highly expressed in squamous cell carcinoma, mesothelioma, and pancreatic cancers and plays a crucial role in cancer progression when secreted into extracellular fluid. Those studies are all focused on the extracellular r...

The adenovirus-REIC/Dkk-3 expression vector (Ad-REIC) has been the focus of numerous clinical studies due to its potential for the quenching of cancers. The cancer-suppressing mechanisms of the REIC/DKK- 3 gene depend on multiple pathways that exert both direct and indirect effects on cancers. The direct effect is triggered by REIC/Dkk-3-mediated ER stress that causes cancer-selective apoptosis, and the indirect effect can be...