REGγ is a proteasome activator that facilitates the degradation of small peptides. Abnormally high expression of REGγ has been observed in thyroid carcinomas. The purpose of the present study was to explore the role of REGγ in poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC). For this purpose, small interfering RNA (siRNA) was introduced to down-regulate the level of REGγ in the PDTC cell line SW579. Down-regulation of REGγ at the mRNA and protein levels was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. FACS analysis revealed cell cycle arrest at the G1/S transition, the MTT assay showed inhibition of cell proliferation, and the Transwell assay showed restricted cell invasion. Furthermore, the expression of the p21 protein was increased, the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein decreased, and the expression of the p27 protein was unchanged as shown by Western blot analyses. REGγ plays a critical role in the cell cycle, proliferation and invasion of SW579 cells. The alteration of p21 and PCNA proteins related to the down-regulation of REGγ suggests that p21 and PCNA participate in the process of REGγ regulation of cell cycle progression and cell proliferation. Thus, targeting REGγ has a therapeutic potential in the management of PDTC patients.

A study on the bound states of Fe impurities in GaN by ultraviolet photoluminescence (PL) emissions is presented. Two elusive PL lines were observed at 3.463 eV (L1) and 3.447 eV (L2), respectively. The intensities of the two lines are proportional to the Fe concentration. The temperature dependence of L1 and L2 revealed acceptor-like and strong localized characteristic, respectively. Furthermore, Raman analysis indicated that L2 is correlated to an exciton bound to a nitride-vacancy (VN) related complex, i.e., [Fe2+-VN]. By co-doping with Si, the [Fe2+-VN]-related bound state will enable the spin-coupling between isolated iron ions.