INTESTINAL CANCERS & DISEASES Crosstalk between Microbiota-Derived Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Intestinal Epithelial HIF Augments Tissue Barrier Function The authors determined the role of epithelial butyrate metabolism in establishing the austere oxygenation profile of the distal gut. Bacteria-derived butyrate affects epithelial O2 consumption and results in stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), a transcription factor coordinating barrier protection. [Cell Host Microbe] Abstract | Graphical Abstract miR-1269 Promotes Metastasis and Forms a Positive Feedback Loop with TGF-β Investigators showed that miR-1269a promotes colorectal cancer metastasis and forms a positive feedback loop with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling. [Nat Commun] Abstract mTOR Inhibitors Induce Apoptosis in Colon Cancer Cells via CHOP-Dependent DR5 Induction on 4E-BP1 Dephosphorylation Researchers showed that apoptosis plays a key role in everolimus and temsirolimus anti-tumor activities in colon cancer cells and xenografts through the DR5, FADD and caspase-8 axis, and is strongly enhanced by tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand and 5-fluorouracil. [Oncogene] Abstract High Nitric Oxide Production, Secondary to Inducible-Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression, Is Essential for Regulation of the Tumor-Initiating Properties of Colon Cancer Stem Cells Scientists showed an integral role for endogenous Nitric Oxide (NO) and inducible NO synthase activity in the biology of colon cancer stem cells (CSCs). Colon CSCs with high endogenous NO production displayed higher tumorigenic abilities than low endogenous NO fractions. [J Pathol] Abstract Simulated Microgravity Disrupts Intestinal Homeostasis and Increases Colitis Susceptibility Researchers investigated whether simulated microgravity influences the intestinal homeostasis and increases the susceptibility to colon inflammation. [FASEB J] Abstract Sirt7 Promotes Gastric Cancer Growth and Inhibits Apoptosis by Epigenetically Inhibiting miR-34a Scientists report that Sirtuin 7 (Sirt7), a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent class III histone deacetylase, is over-expressed in human gastric cancer tissues. [Sci Rep] Full Article PTEN Represses Colon Cancer Progression through Inhibiting Paxillin Transcription via PI3K/AKT/NF-kB Pathway Investigators demonstrated that tumor suppressor gene phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) overexpression or knockdown in Lovo colon cancer cells decreased or increased paxillin expression, respectively. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article Quercetin Represses Apolipoprotein B Expression by Inhibiting the Transcriptional Activity of C/EBPβ To identify novel targets of quercetin in intestinal enterocytes, researchers performed mRNA profiling using human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells. [PLoS One] Full Article |