en 2008-2835 2008-4625 276 5669 11181 gregorian >2009 >July-September 1 2 online 1 fulltext

en 23409221 Welcome to the second issue of the AJMB. I hope you have read and enjoyed the first edition. In this issue, like the first one, there is a mix of articles covering a wide range of topics including: Promoter analysis, DNA immunization, synthesis of nanoparticles, non-coding RNAs and Intellectual property (IP) issues. I believe the article entitled "Biotechnology-Related IP Law of Iran" is the first article of its kind published in Iran in which a comprehensive review of Iranian laws pertaining to biotechnology is addressed. Therefore, I encourage those who are interested in patenting a discovery and/or product in the field of biotechnology in Iran to read this article. On different note, the sixth National Biotechnology Congress took place on 13-15 August, 2009 at the Milad Tower Convention Center in Tehran. This three day congress appeared to be one of the most successful congresses held in the field of biotechnology in Iran. It was understood that about 1000 abstracts were accepted and the majority of them were in the disciplines of agriculture, medicine and marine biology. It was interesting to learn that (according to a research carried out by the organizers of the congress) from a good number of articles published in the area of biotechnology in 2009 (and indexed by ISI), ninety nine articles belonged to the authors and research centers in Iran. As the editor, I would like to take the opportunity to invite all researchers in the field of medical biotechnology to send in their original research works, review articles, short articles, etc. for publication in the AJMB. The AJMB is now indexed in several databases worldwide and it is anticipated to be included in further lists in the near future. 54 54 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=155 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/155.pdf AliM. ArdekaniReproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran2

en 23407615 The eukaryotic complexity involves the expression and regulation of genes via RNA-DNA, RNA-RNA, DNA-protein and RNA-protein interactions. Recently, the role of RNA molecules in the regulation of genes in higher organisms has become more evident, especially with the discovery that about 97% of the transcriptional output in higher organisms are represented as noncoding RNAs: rRNA, snoRNAs, tRNA, transposable elements, 5' and 3' untranslated regions, introns, intergenic regions and microRNAs. MicroRNAs function by negatively regulating gene expression via degradation or translational inhibition of their target mRNAs and thus participate in a wide variety of physiological and pathological cellular processes including: development, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis pathways. MicroRNA expression profiles in many types of cancers have been identified. Recent reports have revealed that the expression profiles of microRNAs change in various human cancers and appear to function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Abnormal microRNA expression has increasingly become a common feature of human cancers. In this review, we summarize the latest progress on the involvement of microRNAs in different types of cancer and their potential use as potential diagnostic and prognostic tumor biomarkers in the future. Biomarker, Cellular process, Expression, Micro RNA, Noncoding RNA 55 70 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=9 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/9.pdf MozhganMoslemi NaeiniReproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, Iran37AliM. ArdekaniReproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, Iran2

en 23407787 The field of vaccinology provides excellent promises to control different infectious and non-infectious diseases. Genetic immunization as a new tool in this area by using naked DNA has been shown to induce humoral as well as cellular immune responses with high efficiency. This demonstrates the enormous potential of this strategy for vaccination purposes. DNA vaccines have been widely used to develop vaccines against various pathogens as well as cancer, autoimmune diseases and allergy. However, despite their successful application in many pre-clinical disease models, their potency in human clinical trials has been insufficient to provide protective immunity. Several strategies have been applied to increase the potency of DNA vaccine. Among these strategies, the linkage of antigens to Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) and the utilization of different delivery systems have been demonstrated as efficient approaches for increasing the potency of DNA vaccines. The uptake of DNA plasmids by cells upon injection is inefficient. Two basic delivery approaches including physical delivery to achieve higher levels of antigen production and formulation with microparticles to target Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs) are effective in animal models. Alternatively, different regimens called prime-boost vaccination are also effective. In this regimen, naked DNA is utilized to prime the immune system and either recombinant viral vector or purified recombinant protein with proper adjuvant is used for boosting. In this review, we discuss recent advances in upgrading the efficiency of DNA vaccination in animal models. Adjuvant, Delivery system, DNA vaccination, Infectious disease, Prime-boost vaccination 71 88 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=10 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/10.pdf AzamBolhassaniMolecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran , Tehran, Iran50SimaRafati YazdiMolecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran , Tehran, Iran51

en 23407745 In this study, an attempt has been made to expound the Iranian law of intellectual property in relation to biotechnology. The most important themes studied are patents, industrial designs and trade marks. The latest relevant piece of legislation concerning the subject matters was passed in March 2008. However, the history of laws and regulations in this field goes back to early twentieth century (i.e. 1925). In this review, on the basis of the latest law passed in 2008, the topics explored are the responsible authority, patentable items and criteria, excluded items, registration procedure, rights conferred and sanctions. At the end, an attempt is made to put forward a few points as an analysis of the above Law from a critical point of view. Biotechnology, Industrial design, Iran IP law, Patent, Trade mark, IP rights 89 94 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=11 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/11.pdf MohammadRasekhBio Law and Ethics Department, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, Iran49

en 23407575 Although, coumarins are a group of compounds which are naturally found in some plants, they can be synthetically produced as well. Because of their diverse derivatives, origin and properties most of them can be used for medicinal purposes. For example, they can be used against fungal diseases or in studying structure and biological properties of antifungal agents to discover new compounds with the similar activity. A Structure Property/Activity Relationship (SAR) can be utilized in prediction of biological activity of desired molecules. Antifungal activity, Coumarin, Modeling, Neural network 95 103 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=12 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/12.pdf SaeedSoltaniMedical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran , Tehran, Iran52ShimaDianatMedical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran , Tehran, Iran53SoroushSardariMedical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran , Tehran, Iran54

en 23407883 Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) plays a key role in reproduction. This decapeptide is synthesized and released by hypothalamus and induces the pituitary gonadotrop cells to release pituitary gonadotropin hormones. In some extrapituitary compartments GnRH and its receptor act as part of the autocrine regulatory system of cell proliferation. The anticancer activity of GnRH and its analogues has been observed by many researchers. In this study the anticancer activity of a new analogue of GnRH and triptorelin was investigated by cell proliferation assay. Results indicate that proliferation of human breast and ovarian cancer cell lines are dose-dependently inhibited. The inhibitory efficiency of the new analogue is proved to be higher than the original triptorelin. In addition to its antimitogenic activity, evidence was found for the involvement of the apoptotic mechanism in the action of the new analogue and triptorelin. In conclusion, the new analogue can be considered as a good pharmaceutical candidate. Anticancer activity, Breast cancer, LHRH analogue, Ovarian cancer, Peptidomimetics, Triptorelin 105 110 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=13 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/13.pdf MohammadMirzaei Saleh-AbadyDepartment of Biophysics, School of Basic Science, Tarbiat Modares University , Tehran, Iran55AbdolaliAlizadehDepartment of Organic Chemistry, School of Basic Science, Tarbiat Modares University , Tehran, Iran56FereshtehShamsipourMonoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, Iran6HosseinNaderi-ManeshDepartment of Biophysics, School of Basic Science, Tarbiat Modares University , Tehran, Iran57

en 23407598 Many reports have been published about the biogenesis of silver nanoparticles using several plant extracts such as Pelargonium graveolens (P.graveolens- geranium) and Azadirachta indica (neem) but the capacity of their natural reducing constituents to form silver nanoparticles has not yet been studied. In this research the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using geraniol has been investigated. We successfully synthesized uniformly dispersed silver nanoparticles with a uniform size and shape in the range of 1 to 10 nm with an average size of 6 nm. Also the cytotoxicity of the prepared silver nanoparticles was investigated using a cancer cell line (Fibrosarcoma-Wehi 164). The cytotoxicity analysis of the sample shows a direct dose-response relationship; cytotoxicity increased at higher concentrations. At concentration of 1 µg/ml, silver nanoparticles was able to inhibit the cell line’s growth by less than 30%. Conversly, the presence of 5 µg/ml of silver nanoparticlse significantly inhibited the cell line’s growth (> 60%). The concentration necessary to produce 50% cell death was 2.6 µg/ml for this silver nanoparticles preapared with geraniol. Fibrosarcoma-Wehi 164, Geraniol, Green synthesis, Silver nanoparticle 111 115 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=14 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/14.pdf MonaSafaepourDepartment of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Biotechnology Research center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran58Ahmad RezaShahverdiDepartment of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Biotechnology Research center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran59Hamid RezaShahverdiDepartment of Material Science, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University , Tehran, Iran60Mohammad RezaKhorramizadehDepartment of Pathobiology, Faculty of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran61Ahmad RezaGohariMedicinal Plants Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran62

en 23407849 Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in developed countries. The prevalence of the disease is increasing in the world. Its annual incidence among Iranian women is about 7000 cases. RAP1A, a tumor suppressor gene, is located at 1p13.3 and plays an important role in the cellular adhesion pathway and is involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. The DOCK4 gene, which is located at 7q31.1, specifically activates RAP1A gene. In the present study, DNA samples from 64 cases of sporadic breast tumors (referred to Mehrad Hospital in Tehran) were screened using PCR-SSCP method and the number of observed variations compared with the control group (100 normal women). Mutation detection for coding exons of RAP1A gene and the 500 bp upstream of transcription initiation site as promoters of both DOCK4 and RAP1A were carried out and compared with the control group. The promoter region of DOCK4 showed a heterozygous mutation with G>A transition at nucleotide -303 in a fibroadenoma case. With regard to RAP1A we found a heterozygous mutation, G>A transition in an adenoid cystic carcinoma case, and another heterozygous mutation, G>T transversion in an intraductal papilloma case both at nucleotide +45. A homozygous variation, T>A transversion was also found at nucleotide +29 of a fibroadenoma case. The differences in the frequency of variations mentioned above were not statistically significant. However Fisher’s exact showed significant difference for T>A transversion. Although, the higher frequency of these mutations and variations may be related to the disease, a larger sample size is needed for the confirmation of our findings. DOCK4, Loss of heterozygosity (LOH), PCR-SSCP, RAP1A, Sporadic breast tumor 117 123 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=15 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/15.pdf AkramJalaliGenetic Research Centre, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences , Tehran, Iran48HassanEbrahimiGenetic Research Centre, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences , Tehran, Iran47MinaOhadiGenetic Research Centre, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences , Tehran, Iran46MasoodKarimlooEpidemiology and Biostatistics Department, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences , Tehran, Iran45AtenaIrani ShemiraniReproductive Biotechnology Research Centre, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, Iran44BehrokhMohajer MaghariReproductive Biotechnology Research Centre, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, Iran43Hamid RezaKhorram KhorshidReproductive Biotechnology Research Centre, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, Iran42

en 23407681 Gene expression profiling of ovarian carcinoma tissues has shown an increase of four-fold expression of SORT1 gene. Sortilin 1 (NTR-3) is a 95-100 kDa protein normally expressed in heart, brain, placenta, skeletal muscle, spinal cord, thyroid, and testis. However, its expression has never been reported in normal ovary. Here, we report expression of sortilin 1 in ovarian carcinoma tissues both at gene and protein levels. Sortilin 1 was expressed in all ovarian carcinoma patients (n=15) as well as ovarian carcinoma cell lines (n=5) regardless of their phenotypic characteristics. Non-malignant ovaries (n=6) did not express sortilin 1. The molecular basis for this ectopic expression is not yet clear. Our results showed a major cell surface expression of sortilin 1 rather than ER-Golgi compartment where it is mainly expressed. This finding may introduce sortilin 1 as a novel tumor marker for diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma and may signify its therapeutic value in targeted therapy. Ectopic, Expression, NTR, Ovarian carcinoma, Sortilin 125 131 https://www.ajmb.org/En/Article.aspx?id=16 https://www.ajmb.org/PDF/En/FullText/16.pdf ShaydaHemmatiDepartment of Cell and Molecular Biology, Khatam University , Tehran, Iran41Amir-HassanZarnaniImmunology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences , Tehran, Iran7Ahmad RezaMahmoudiMonoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, Iran33Mohammad RezaSadeghiReproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, Iran40HalehSoltanghoraeeReproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, Iran39Mohammad MehdiAkhondiReproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR , Tehran, Iran13MajidTarahomiReproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran38MahmoodJeddi-TehraniImmune and Gene Therapy Lab, CCK, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm, Sweden15HodjattallahRabbaniImmune and Gene Therapy Lab, CCK, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm, Sweden24