Phosphatase and tensin homology deleted in chromosome 10,hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha gene expression in colorectal adenoma and adenocarcinoma and their relation to vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression

To examine phosphatase and tensin homology deleted in chromosome 10 (PTEN),hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) gene expressions and their relation to vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) protein expression in the patients with human colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas.Methods The expression of PTEN,HIF-1 alpha gene was detected by using in situ hybridization,and the VEGF expression levels by immunohistochemistry in colorectal adenomas and primary colorectal adenocarcinoma.Results Strong expression of HIF-1 alpha was detectable in the majority of colorectal dadenocarcinoma,particularly surrounding areas of necrosis in adenocarcinoma.PTEN,HIF-1 alpha mRNA and VEGF protein were positive in 51.6%,67.7% and 59.7% respectively in 62 cases of adenocarcinomas,and 77.8%,44.4% and 33.3% respectively in 18 cases of adenomas.The positive rate of VEGF was higher in the patients with colorectal adenocarcinomas than that in those with adenomas,whereas that of PTEN mRNA was contrary.HIF-1 mRNA expression was correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis,liver metastasis,Duke’s stage and recurrence.During colorectal tumor progression,the expression of HIF-1 alpha mRNA was positively correlated with the VEGF protein expression (χ2= 4.751 ,P<0.05),but negatively with the PTEN mRNA expression(χ2=21.84,P<0.01).Conclusion The absence or low expression of PTEN and the increased levels of HIF-1α and VEGF may paly an important role in carcinogenesis and progression of colorectal carcinoma.These results suggest that VEGF upregulated by HIF-1 alpha gene may be involved in angiogenesis of colorectal adenocarcinoma.4 refs,1 tab.

Development and Utilization of 1S^1 Chromosomearm-specific Molecular Markers of Aegilops longissima

Introducing the 1S^1 chromosome of Aegilops longissima into wheat genome can significantly improve wheat grain quality and contents of iron and zinc. Therefore, the development of molecular markers specific to 1S^1 chromosome of A. longissima is of important significance for breeding high-quality wheat with high contents of iron and zinc in grains. In this study, nine molecular markers specific to 1S^1 chromosome of A. longissima were developed, including two 1S^1S specific markers,six 1S^1L specific markers and one 1S^1 specific marker which was located on both short and long arms. The practicability of these molecular markers were verified using hybrid population as materials. The results showed that hybrid population could be effectively screened and identified, which indicated that the developed 1S^1 chromosome-specific molecular markers could be used for screening and identification of hybrid population and could be used in marker-assisted breeding of high-quality wheat with high contents of Fe and Zn in grains.

Meiotic Behavior of 1BL/1RS Translocation Chromosome and Alien Chromosome in Two Tri-genera Hybrids

The behavior of wheat-rye translocation chromosome and alien chromosome including Thinopyrum and Haynaldia chromosome at meiosis was investigated in two hybrids by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Misdivision of translocation chromosome at anaphase I and rye chromatin micronucleus at tetrad stage were observed, A plant with one normal 1BL/1RS translocation chromosome and one 1BL/1RS translocation chromosome deleted about 1/3 of rye chromosome arm in length was identified. One plant with wheat-Thinopyrum non-Robertson translocation chromosome was also detected in the F-2 population of Yi4212 x Yi4095. That could be the results of unequal misdivision of wheat-rye 1BL/1RS translocation chromosome and Thinopyrum chromosome during meiosis. No interaction between translocation chromosome and alien chromosome at meiosis was supported by the data of the distribution frequencies of translocation chromosome and Thinopyrum or Haynaldia chromosome in the progeny of two hybrids. The results may be useful to cultivate new germplasms with different length of rye 1R short arm and wheat-alien non-Robertson translocation tines under wheat background.

Exploring Codon Usage Patterns of Alternatively Spliced Genes in Human Chromosome 1

In this study, 414 whole protein-coding sequences (238 004 codons) of alternatively spliced genes of human chromosome 1 have been employed to explore the patterns of codon usage bias among genes. Overall codon usage data analysis indicates that G- and C-ending codons are predominant in the genes. The base usage in all three codon positions suggests a selection-mutation balance. Multivariate statistical analysis reveals that the codon usage variation has a strong positive correlation with the expressivities of the genes (r=0.5790, P<0.0001). All 27 codons identified as optimal are G- and C-ending codons. Correlation analysis shows a strong negative correlation between the gene length and codon adaptation index value (r=0.2252, P<0.0001), and a significantly positive correlation between the gene length and Nc values (r=0.1876, P<0.0001). These results suggest that the comparatively shorter genes in the genes have higher codon usage bias to maximize translational efficiency, and selection may also contribute to the reduction of highly expressed proteins.

Loss of heterozygosity for loci on chromosome arms 1p and 10q in oligoden-droglial tumors: relationship to outcome and chemosensitivity

Oligodendroglial tumors frequently have deletions ofchromosomal loci on lp and l9q.Loas of heterozygosity(LOH)of chromosome 10 may be a negative prognostic factor.We reviewed 23 patients with oligodendroglial tumors,toevaluate the frequency of lp and 10q LOH and correlate with clinical outcome.Three loci(DlS402,DlSl 172,MCT118)on lp and 2 loci(Dl0S520 and D10S521)on 10q were analyzed for LOH using PCR techniques.

Relationship Between Gene-Phenotype and Clinical Manifestations of Chromosomal Copy Number Variations Indicated by Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing

Objective:To analyze the clinical value of non-invasive prenatal testing(NIPT)in detecting chromosomal copy number variations(CNVs)and to explore the relationship between gene expression and clinical manifestations of chromosomal copy number variations.Methods:3551 naturally conceived singleton pregnant women who underwent NIPT were included in this study.The NIPT revealed abnormalities other than sex chromosome abnormalities and trisomy 13,18,and 21.Pregnant women with chromosome copy number variations underwent genetic counseling and prenatal ultrasound examination.Interventional prenatal diagnosis and chromosome microarray analysis(CMA)were performed.The clinical phenotypes and pregnancy outcomes of different prenatal diagnoses were analyzed.Additionally,a follow-up was conducted by telephone to track fetal development after birth,at six months,and one year post-birth.Results:A total of 53 cases among 3551 cases showed chromosomal copy number variation.Interventional prenatal diagnosis was performed in 36 cases:27 cases were negative and 8 were consistent with the NIPT test results.This indicates that NIPT’s positive predictive value(PPV)in CNVs is 22.22%.Conclusion:NIPT has certain clinical significance in screening chromosome copy number variations and is expected to become a routine screening for chromosomal microdeletions and microduplications.However,further interventional prenatal diagnosis is still needed to identify fetal CNVs.

Prognostic significance of microsatellite alterations at 1p36 in cholangiocarcinoma

AIM： To investigate loss of heterozygosity （LOH） and microsatellite instability （MSI） on the chromosomal region 1p36-pter in cholangiocarcinoma （CCA） patients and determine the association between microsatellite alterations and clinicopathological parameters. METHODS： Ten polymorphic microsatellite markers were determined for LOH and MSI using GS-3000 gel scan fragment autoanalyzer. RESULTS： Sixty-eight out of 90 cases （75.6%） showed LOH in one or more loci. LOH was found most frequently at DIS199 （40.0%）, DIS507 （34.6%）, DIS2845 （30.5%）, and DIS2734 （30.1%）. MSI was found in 34 of 90 cases （37.8%） at one or more loci. Fine mapping at lp36 showed two distinctive regions of common loss, which were D1S2845 and the 25.5-cM region between D1S507 and D1S2734, indicating the existence of putative tumor suppressor genes that is likely to play important roles in the development of CCA. Patients with LOH at D1S234 showed less lymphatic invasion （P = 0.017）, whereas patients with LOH at D1S2676 exhibited more lymphatic invasion than those without （P = 0.031）. LOH at D1S2845 showed a significant correlation with nerve invasion （P = 0.029）. Moreover, patients who demonstrated MSI at D1S228 showed a poor prognosis （P = 0.0026）. CONCLUSION： Allelic loss plays a major role in microsatellite alterations at chromosome lp36, which may contribute to carcinogenesis and pathogenesis of liver fluke related CCA and these alterations can be used as molecular prognostic indicators for CCA patients.

Potential effects of CRM1 inhibition in mantle cell lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma （MCL） is an aggressive histotype of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The disease has no known cure, which prompts the urgent need for novel therapeutic agents. Chromosomal region maintenance 1 （CRM1） may play a role in human neoplasia and serve as a novel target of cancer treatment. This study summarizes MCL pathogenesis and determines the involvement of CRM1 in the regulation of several vital signaling pathways contributing to MCL pathogenesis, including the pathways of cell cycle progression, DNA damage response, phosphoinositide kinase-3, nuclear factor-kB activation, and chromosomal stability. A preclinical study is also presented to compare the CRNI1 status in MCL cell lines and primary MCL cells with normal B cells, as well as the therapeutic efficiency of CRM1 inhibition in MCL in vitro and in vivo, which make these agents potential targets of novel MCL treatments.

Molecular Determinants Responsible for the Subcellular Localization of HSV-1 UL4 Protein

The function of the herpes simplex virus type 1 （HSV-1） UL4 protein is still elusive. Our objective is to investigate the subcellular transport mechanism of the UL4 protein. In this study, fluorescence microscopy was employed to investigate the subcellular localization of UL4 and characterize the transport mechanism in living cells. By constructing a series of deletion mutants fused with enhanced yellow fluorescent protein （EYFP）, the nuclear export signals （NES） of UL4 were for the first time mapped to amino acid residues 178 to 186. In addition, the N-terminal 19 amino acids are identified to be required for the granule-like cytoplasmic pattem of UL4. Furthermore, the UL4 protein was demonstrated to be exported to the cytoplasm through the NES in a chromosomal region maintenance 1 （CRM1）-dependent manner involving RanGTP hydrolysis

Decreased serum platelet derived growth factor BB levels in acute and increased in chronic pancreatitis

AIM: To examine circulating growth factor concentrations in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP), and walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN).

OsRLR4 binds to the OsAUX1 promoter to negatively regulate primary root development in rice

Root architecture is one of the most important agronomic traits that determines rice crop yield. The primary root(PR) absorbs mineral nutrients and provides mechanical support;however, the molecular mechanisms of PR elongation remain unclear in rice. Here, the two loss-of-function T-DNA insertion mutants of root length regulator 4(Os RLR4), osrlr4-1 and osrlr4-2 with longer PR, and three Os RLR4 overexpression lines, OE-Os RLR4-1/-2/-3 with shorter PR compared to the wild type/Hwayoung(WT/HY), were identified. Os RLR4 isone of five members of the PRAF subfamily of the regulator chromosome condensation1(RCC1) family. Phylogenetic analysis of Os RLR4 from wild and cultivated rice indicated that it is under selective sweeps, suggesting its potential role in domestication. Os RLR4 controls PR development by regulating auxin accumulation in the PR tip and thus the root apical meristem activity. A series of biochemical and genetic analyses demonstrated that Os RLR4 functions directly upstream of the auxin transporter Os AUX1. Moreover, Os RLR4 interacts with the TRITHORAX-like protein Os Trx1 to promote H3 K4 me3 deposition at the Os AUX1 promoter, thus altering its transcription level. This work provides insight into the cooperation of auxin and epigenetic modifications in regulating root architecture and provides a genetic resource for plant architecture breeding.

Chromosomal cryptic insertion of the terminal region and its formative mechanism determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization

OBJECTIVE: To determine the karyotype of a cryptic structural abnormality and explore the mechanism of apparent chromosomal terminal deletion. METHODS: Fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) with a whole chromosome 7 painting probe and a 7q subterminal probe (7q36-->qter), prepared by chromosome microdissection technique, was used to analyze a case with a history of spontaneous abortion and 7q terminal deletion detected by conventional G-banding technique. RESULTS: The case was a maternal cryptic insertional translocation between chromosome region 1p32 and 7q32-->q35. The region of chromosome 7q36-->qter was not inserted in to chromosome 1, and the abnormal chromosome 7 was not a terminal deletion but an interstitial deletion. CONCLUSIONS: Chromosome insertion of the terminal region retains its telomere, which is consistent with the concept of a three-break rearrangement. Interstitial deletion may be regarded as another mechanism for terminal deletion in the chromosome banding level. Combined with chromosome microdissection, FISH technique could be a powerful diagnostic tool for detecting chromosome structural abnormalities.

Down-regulation of mitotic checkpoint in transformed human embryo lung fibroblasts induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguaridine

Background Mutations in mitotic checkpoint genes have been detected in several human cancers, which exhibit chromosome instability. We wanted to know whether mutation of hBub1 could occur in transformed human embryo lung fibroblasts (HELF) cells induced by a chemical carcinogen.Methods HELF cells were transformed by N-methyl-N’-nitro-N- nitrosoguaridine (MNNG), and three flasks of transformed HELF cells (named as T1, T2, and T3) were selected as amplifiers, and mutations of hBub1 in these transformed cells were analyzed by PCR-SSCP and sequencing.Results It was found that any one of three transformed cell lines exhibited aneuploidy with a low mitotic checkpoint function. Subsequent PCR-SSCP and sequence analysis showed an AGT to CGT or ATT mutation at codon 80 in hBub1 gene in T1 cells with a resultant change in amino acid sequence.Conclusion Our study demonstrated that the mitotic checkpoint genes could be targets of MNNG.