Profiling of gene fusion involving targetable genes in Chinese gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Approximately half of all new cases of gastric cancer(GC)and related deaths occur in China.More than 80%of patients with GC are diagnosed at an advanced stage,which results in poor prognosis.Although HER2-directed therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors have been somewhat successful,new drugs are still needed for the treatment of GC.Notably,several gene fusion-targeted drugs have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for solid tumors,including GC,such as larotrectinib for NTRK fusion-positive cancers and zenocutuzumab for NRG1 fusion-positive cancers.However,gene fusions involving targetable genes have not been well characterized in Chinese patients with GC.AIM To identify the profile of fusions involving targetable genes in Chinese patients with GC using clinical specimens and determine the distribution of patients with gene fusion variants among the molecular subtypes of GC.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed gene fusion events in tumor tissue samples from 954 Chinese patients with GC.Clinicopathological characteristics were obtained from their medical records.Genetic alterations,such as single nucleotide variants,indels,amplifications,and gene fusions,were identified using a targeted sequencing panel containing 825 genes.Fusions were validated by fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)using break-apart probes.The microsatellite instability(MSI)status was evaluated using MSIsensor from the targeted sequencing panel data.Tumor mutational burden(TMB)was calculated using the total number of nonsynonymous mutations divided by the total genomic targeted region.Chi-square analysis was used to determine the enrichment of gene fusions associated with the molecular subtypes of GC.RESULTS We found that 1.68%(16/954)of patients harbored 20 fusion events involving targetable genes.RARA fusions(n=5)were the most common,followed by FGFR2,BRAF,MET,FGFR3,RET,ALK,EGFR,NTRK2,and NRG1 fusions.Two of the RARA fusions,EML4-ALK(E6:E20)and EGFRSEPTIN14(E7:E10),have been identified in other tumors but not in GC.Surprisingly,18 gene fusion events were previously not reported in any cancer types.Twelve of the eighteen novel gene fusions included complete exons encoding functional domains of targetable genes,such as the tyrosine kinase domain of receptor tyrosine kinases and the DNA-and ligand-binding domains of RARA.Consistent with the results of detection using the targeted sequencing fusion panel,the results of FISH(fluorescence in situ hybridization)confirmed the rearrangement of FGFR2 and BRAF in tumors from patients 04 and 09,respectively.Genetic analysis indicated that the fusion genes were significantly enriched in patients with ERBB2 amplification(P=0.02);however,there were no significant differences between fusion-positive and fusion-negative patients in age,sex,MSI status,and TMB.CONCLUSION We characterized the landscape of fusions involving targetable genes in a Chinese GC cohort and found that 1.68%of patients with GC harbor potential targetable gene fusions,which were enriched in patients with ERBB2 amplification.Gene fusion detection may provide a potential treatment strategy for patients with GC with disease progression following standard therapy.

Left lower lobe sleeve resection for the clear cell variant of pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma(PMEC)is a rare malignancy that arises from minor salivary glands within the tracheobronchial tree.The clear cell variant of PMEC is exceptionally uncommon and presents notable diagnostic challenges,primarily attributable to its morphological similarity to other tumors containing clear cells.CASE SUMMARY A 22-year-old male,formerly in good health,came in with a two-month duration of persistent cough and production of sputum.Subsequent imaging and bronchoscopy examinations revealed a 2 cm tumor in the distal left main bronchus,which resulted in complete atelectasis of the left lung.Further assessment via positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans and endoscopic biopsy confirmed the primary malignant nature of the tumor,charac-terized by clear cell morphology in most of the tumor cells.The patient underwent a left lower lobe sleeve resection accompanied by systematic mediastinal lymph node dissection.Molecular pathology analysis subsequently revealed a CRTC3-MAML2 gene fusion,leading to a definitive pathological diagnosis of the clear cell variant of PMEC,staged as T2N0M0.After surgery,the patient experienced a smooth recovery and exhibited no signs of recurrence during the one-and-a-half-year follow-up period.CONCLUSION This article describes an unusual case of a clear cell variant of PMEC characterized by the presence of a CRTC3-MAML2 gene fusion in a 22-year-old male.The patient underwent successful left lower lobe sleeve resection.This case underscores the distinctive challenges associated with diagnosing and treating this uncommon malignancy,underscoring the importance of precise diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies.

Transgenic rice expressing a novel phytase-lactoferricin fusion gene to improve phosphorus availability and antibacterial activity

The developing trends of livestock production are efficiency availability of phytate phosphorus and abuse of antibiotics. safety and sustainability, which face two major challenges： low As a solution phytases and antimicrobial peptides are applied as feed additives. However, phytases and antimicrobial peptides are susceptible to proteases, costly by fermentation and potential toxic to production hosts. We transformed an optimized phytase-lactoferricin fusion gene PhyLfdriven by an en- dosperm-specific promoter Gt13aP and Bar （bialaphos resistance） gene as a selection maker into rice. The Bar and PhyLf genes were integrated into the rice genome, stably inherited and expressed. Their phosphinothricin acetyl transferase （PAT） protein content oftransgenic plants with glufosinate resistance varied between 50.45-93.39 IJg g-l. Fusion protein expressed especially in the seeds of transgenic rice had a summit phytase activity at 32.30 U g-l, which increased by 61.71-fold com- pared to the control/check group （CK） and 7.54-fold compared to un-optimized transgenic plant. The highest inorganic phosphorus （Pi） content of the transgenic seeds reached 13.15 mg g-~, increased by 12.77-fold compared to that of CK. Preliminary antibacterial experiments showed that the enterokinase hydrolysate product of fusion protein could inhibit the growth of Escherichia coil DH5a. These results indicated that the protein PhyLf has the potential to increase availability of feed phytate phosphorus, improve consumer＇s immunity and reduce the use of antibiotics.

PCA3 and TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusions as diagnostic biomarkers for prostate cancer

The incidence of prostate cancer （PCa） is rising steadily among males in many countries. Serum prostate-specific antigen （PSA） is widely applied to clinical diagnosis and screening of PCa. However, the so-called grey area of PSA levels 4.0-10.0 ng/mL has a low specificity of 25-40% resulting in a high rate of negative biopsy and overtreatment. So in order to treat PCa patients in early stage, there is an urgent need for new biomarkers in PCa diagnosis. The PCA3 gene, a non-coding RNA （ncRNA） that is highly expressed in prostate cancer （PCa） cells, has been identified as a molecular biomarkers to detect PCa, of which PCA3 has already under clinical application. PCA3 is strongly overexpressed in malignant prostate tissue compared to benign or normal adjacent one. Newly, PCA3 is considered to be a promising biomarker in clinical diagnosis and targeted therapy. The diagnostic significance of PCA3, however, is awaiting further researches. Moreover, it has been demonstrated recently that TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion is identified as the predominant genetic change in patients diagnosed with PCa. Recent study revealed that combination of the PC43 and TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion test optimizes PCa detection compared with that of single biomarker, which would lead to a considerable reduction of the number of prostate biopsies. In this review, we focused on the potential use of PCA3 and TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion detection in the diagnosis of PCa.

Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of DHBV DNA vaccines expressing envelope and capsid fusion proteins in ducks delivered by attenuated Salmonella typhimurium

Duck hepatitis B virus(DHBV) shares many basic characteristics with hepatitis B virus(HBV) and is an attractive model for vaccine development. In this study, DHBV DNA vaccines were designed to express envelope and capsid fusion proteins to enhance the breadth of immune response in ducks. Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium(SL7207) was used as a carrier and adjuvant to boost the magnitude of immune response. Based on this strategy, novel DNA vaccines(SL7207-p VAX1-LC and SL7207-p VAX1-SC) were generated. Growth kinetics, genetic stabilities and relative transcription levels of the L, S and C genes introduced by these vaccine strains were measured before inoculation to guarantee safety and efficacy. The relative transcript levels of the CD4 and CD8 T genes and the antibody levels(Ig Y) in ducks receiving the vaccines were higher than those in single gene delivered groups. Additionally, the copy number of covalently closed circular DNA in hepatocytes after DHBV challenge also provided evidence that our fusion vaccines could enhance the protective efficiency against DHBV infection in ducks.

Stable Expression of Hantavirus H8205 Strain G1/IL-2 Gene and Immune Protection of the Fusion Gene

To explore the feasibility of stable expression of Hantavirus H8205 strain G1 segment and human IL-2 fusion gene in Vero cells, and to examine the immune protection effects on mice vaccinated with this recombinant eukaryotic expression vector containing Hantavirus G1 gene and IL-2 gene. With the help of lipofectamine, the Vero cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1/HisB-IL-2-G1 and the positive cells were selected by G418. IFAT and SDS-PAGE elec- trophoresis were used to determine the stable transfection and expression of recombinant protein. Each mouse was inoculated with plasmids intramuscularly （i.m.） three times, 2 boosts were given at 2-week intervals, serum anti-hantavirus antibodies were detected by ELISA and neutralizing antibodies （NAb） were detected by Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test. The fusion protein expressed in Vero cells was 78 kD, corresponding to the estimated molecular size. The neutralizing antibody titers of mice with pcDNA3.1/HisB-IL-2-G1 were 1：20-1：80. IL-2/G1 fusion gene could be transferred in Vero cells and stably express the fusion protein. Specific humeral immune responses in mice can be induced with the recombinant eukaryotic expression vector containing the fusion gene, which lays the foundation for further development of therapeutic HTNV vaccine.

Contruction of the Genetic Engineering Strain Expressed Nontoxic ST_1-LT_B Fusion Protein Against Enterotoxigenic Eschenichia coli

Thermostable enterotoxinⅠ(ST1) mutant genes and thermolabile enterotoxin B subunit (LTB)genes were amplified by PCR from plasmids of Eschenichia coli C83902. The recombinantexpression plasmid pZST3LTB containing ST1-LTB fusion gene was constructed by recombinantDNA technique and then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). The ST1-LTB fusionprotein was highly expressed in recombinant strain BL21(DE3)(pZST3LTB) and the fusionprotein was about 38.53% of total cellular protein by SDS-PAGE and thin-layer gelscanning analysis. More important, mice immunized with crude preparation containing thefusion protein inclusion bodies or inactivated recombinant strain produced antibodiesthat were able to recognize ST1 in vitro. These sera antibodies were able to neutralizethe biological activity of native ST1 in the suckling mouse assay. Hence the ST1-LTBfusion protein was nontoxic and immunogenic, the constructed recombinant strain BL21(DE3)(pZST3LTB) could be used as a candidate of vaccine strain.

Detection of TMPRSS2：ERG fusion gene in circulating prostate cancer cells

Aim： To investigate the existence of TMPRSS2：ERG fusion gene in circulating tumor cells （CTC） from prostate cancer patients and its potential in monitoring tumor metastasis. Methods- We analyzed the frequency of TMPRSS2： ERG and TMPRSS2：ETV1 transcripts in 27 prostate cancer biopsies from prostatectomies, and TMPRSS2：ERG transcripts in CTC isolated from 15 patients with advanced androgen independent disease using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. Fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH） was applied to analyze the genomic truncation of ERG, which is the result of TMPRSS2：ERG fusion in 10 of the 15 CTC samples. Results： TMPRSS2： ERG transcripts were found in 44% of our samples, but we did not detect expression of TMPRSS2：ETV1. Using FISH analysis we detected chromosomal rearrangements affecting the ERG gene in 6 of 10 CTC samples, including 1 case with associated TMPRSS2：ERG fusion at the primary site. However, TMPRSS2：ERG transcripts were not detected in any of the 15 CTC samples, including the 10 cases analyzed by FISH. Conclusion： Although further study is required to address the association between TMPRSS2：ERG fusion and prostate cancer metastasis, detection of genomic truncation of the ERG gene by FISH analysis could be useful for monitoring the appearance of CTC and the potential for prostate cancer metastasis.

INHIBITION OF APOPTOSIS BY bcr-abl FUSION GENE IN K562 CELLS

Objective: To investigate the effect of bcr-abl fusion gene on CML cell apoptosis. Methods: Apoptosis of ex-vivo cultured K562 cells were observed after exposure to synthetic 18 mer antisense oligodeoxynucleotide complementary to the bcr-abl junction (b3a2). Results: Apoptosis of K562 cells was significantly increased associated with inhibition of bcr-abl expression. Conclusion: bcr-abl fusion gene formation due to chromosome translocation may be the major mechanism of CML via inhibition of apoptosis.

APOPTOSIS INDUCTION BY THE RECOMBINANT FUSION APOPTOSIS INDUCING FACTOR ON HELA CELLS

Objective: To obtain the recombinant fusion AIF genes inserted into the eukaryotic expression vectorpIRES2-EGFP, to observe the expression and location ofthe fusion AIF genes (3NE: PE(280-358)-AIF1-120, and4NE: PE(280-364)-AIF1-120), and to detect and compare their apoptosis inducing effects on the transfected HeLacells. Methods: Full-length human AIF gene was clonedby RT-PCR, and its N-terminal mitochondrial localization sequence (MLS) was replaced by part sequence ofPsuedomonas exotoxin A (PE) translocation domain(PEII(280-358/364)), then the recombinant fusion geneswere inserted into the pIRES2-EGFP eukaryotic expression vector. After these genes were transiently transfected into HeLa cells with LipofectAmine, the expression of therecombinant fusion AIF genes and their effects on HeLacells were detected by fluorescent microscopy, laser confocal microscopy and electron microscopy. Results: Theeukaryotic expression vectors containing the recombinant fusion AIF genes (pIRES2-EGFP-PEII(280-358/364)-AIF1- 120) were constructed successfully. It wasdemonstrated that the fusion AIF protein genes wereexpressed effectively in the transfected cells, with the GFP co-expressed in cells by indirect immunofluorescence staining analysis. After transfection, expression of the genes could induce HeLa cells to exhibit the typical apoptosis features: such as plasma membrane blebbing and peripheral chromatin condensation. As compared with control groups, the untreated cells and the void vector transfected cells, the living cell number of the AIF gene transfected cells reduced distinctly. Conclusion: Our data prove that the expression of the recombinant human AIF fusion genes could induce apoptosis in transfected HeLa cells, which provides new strategy for cancer killing.

VISUALIZATION OF HEAD AND NECK CANCER MODELS WITH A TRIPLE FUSION REPORTER GENE

The development of experimental animal models for head and neck tumors generally rely on the biol uminescence imaging to achieve the dynamic monitoring of the tumor growth and metastasis due to the complicated anatomical structures.Since the bioluminescence imaging is largely affected by the intracellular luciferase expression level and external D-luciferin concentrations,its imaging accuracy requires further confirmation.Here,a new triple fusion reportelr gene,which consists of a herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase(TK)gene for radioactive imaging,a far-red fuorescent protein(mLumin)gene for fuorescent imaging,and a firefly luciferase gene for bioluminescence imaging,was introduced for in vrivo observation of the head and neck tumors through multi-modality imaging.Results show that fuorescence and bioluminescence signals from mLumin and luciferase,respectively,were clearly observed in tumor cells,and TK could activate suicide pathway of the cells in the presence of nucleotide analog-ganciclovir(GCV),demonstrating the effecti veness of individual functions of each gene.Moreover,subcutaneous and metastasis animal models for head and neck tumors using the fusion reporter gene-expressing cell lines were established,allowing multi-modality imaging in vio.Together,the established tumor models of head and neck cancer based on the newly developed triple fusion reporter gene are ideal for monitoring tumor growth,assessing the drug therapeutic efficacy and verifying the effec-tiveness of new treatments.

Detection of EGFR-SEPT14 fusion in cell-free DNA of a patient with advanced gastric cancer: A case report

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is the fifth most diagnosed cancer worldwide and the third most common cause of cancer-related death.In recent decades,increasing application of next-generation sequencing has enabled detection of molecular aberrations,including fusions.In cases where tissue is difficult to obtain,cell-free DNA(cfDNA)is used for detecting mutations to identify the molecular profile of cancer.Here,we report a rare case of EGFR-SEPT14 fusion detected from cfDNA analysis in a patient with gastric cancer.CASE SUMMARY A 49-year-old female diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer in July 2019 received capecitabine and then combination chemotherapy of ramucirumab and paclitaxel,but ascites was detected.The therapy was switched to nivolumab,but disease progression was observed on a positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan in May 2020.Therapy was discontinued,and cfDNA nextgeneration sequencing was immediately evaluated.All genomic variants,including fusions,were analyzed from cfDNA.The following somatic alterations were detected from the patient’s cfDNA:an APC frameshift mutation(NM_000038.5:c.6579del,p.V2194fs)with variant allele frequency of 0.5%,an EGFR amplification with a copy number of 17.3,and an EGFR-SEPT14 fusion with variant allele frequency of 45.3%.The site of the fusion was exon 24 of EGFR fused to exon 10 of SEPT14.The fusion was in-frame and considered to be protooncogenic. Although the patient refused to continue therapy, we suggest thatEGFR-targeted therapies be tried in such future cases.CONCLUSIONThe expanded applications of the cfDNA assay may open a new horizon intreatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Detection of EWS-FLI1 fusion transcripts in paraffin embedded tissues of peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

Objective: To assess the feasibility and significance of detecting EWS-FLI1fusion transcripts in paraffin embedded tissues of peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Methods: Twelve formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of PNET were retrieved from archive and consultation materials, together with eight cases of controlled tumor. EWS-FLI1 fusion transcripts were detected by nested RT-PCR. Home-keeping gene β-actin was used to detect the quality of mRNA. Results: β-actin mRNA was detected in 9 of the 12 tumor cases. EWS-FLI1 fusion transcripts were detected in 6 cases, among which 4 had a “type 1” fusion transcript and 2 had a “type 2” fusion transcript. None of the controlled tumor was detected the fusion gene. Conclusion: RT-PCR is a feasible method for the detection of EWS-FLI1 fusion transcripts in FFPE tissues in PNET and the result is meaningful in differential diagnosis and prognostic evaluation.

Secretory carcinoma——impact of translocation and gene fusions on salivary gland tumor

Secretory carcinoma（SC）, previously described as mammary analogue secretory carcinoma（MASC）, is a recently described salivary gland tumor which morphologically resembles mammary secretory carcinoma. The first description of SC/MASC, reported by Skálová et al. in 2010, was as a rare salivary carcinoma imitating secretory carcinoma of the breast. SC/MASC is a unique salivary gland tumor with morphological overlap with acinic cell carcinoma（Aci CC）, mucoepidermoid carcinoma（MEC）, and adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified（ADCNOS）. SC/MASC shares similar clinicopathological features with Aci CC. As a critical difference between SC/MASC and Aci CC, SC/MASC characteristically has the chromosomal translocation t（12;15）（p13;q25） which leads to a fusion gene between the ETV6 gene on chromosome 12 and the NTRK3 gene on chromosome 15. This genetic background is an important differential diagnostic finding for excluding other salivary gland tumors and may be a critical factor determining the prognosis for patients with SC/MASC. Research in recent years has provided a large body of new data on SC/MASC and suggests the possibility that the ETV6-NTRK3 translocation could be a therapeutic target. Here, we review the morphological and clinicopathological features of SC/MASC and discuss new directions for therapy.

Paradigm shift of chemotherapy and systemic treatment for biliary tract cancer

Biliary tract cancers(BTC)are frequently identified at late stages and have a poor prognosis due to limited systemic treatment regimens.For more than a decade,the combination of gemcitabine and cis-platin has served as the first-line standard treatment.There are few choices for second-line chemo-therapy.Targeted treatment with fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 inhibitors,neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase inhibitors,and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 inhibitors has had important results.Immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICI)such as pembrolizumab are only used in first-line treatment for microsatellite instability high patients.The TOPAZ-1 trial's outcome is encouraging,and there are several trials underway that might soon put targeted treatment and ICI combos into first-line options.Newer targets and agents for existing goals are being studied,which may represent a paradigm shift in BTC management.Due to a scarcity of targetable mutations and the higher toxicity profile of the current medications,the new category of drugs may occupy a significant role in BTC therapies.

The diverse heterogeneity of molecular alterations in prostate cancer identified through next-generation sequencing

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of global cancer-related death but attempts to improve diagnoses and develop novel therapies have been confounded by significant patient heterogeneity. In recent years, the application of next-generation sequencing to hundreds of prostate tumours has defined novel molecular subtypes and characterized extensive genomic aberration underlying disease initiation and progression. It is now clear that the heterogeneity observed in the clinic is underpinned by a molecular landscape rife with complexity, where genomic rearrangements and rare mutations combine to amplify transcriptomic diversity. This review dissects our current understanding of prostate cancer ＇omics＇, including the sentinel role of copy number variation, the growing spectrum of oncogenic fusion genes, the potential influence of chromothripsis, and breakthroughs in defining mutation-associated subtypes. Increasing evidence suggests that genomic lesions frequently converge on specific cellular functions and signalling pathways, yet recurrent gene aberration appears rare. Therefore, it is critical that we continue to define individual tumour genomes, especially in the context of their expressed transcriptome. Only through improved characterisation of tumour to tumour variability can we advance to an age of precision therapy and personalized oncology.

Successful treatment of relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia with arsenic trioxide in a hemodialysis-dependent patient: A case report

BACKGROUND Arsenic trioxide(ATO)is recommended for patients who do not achieve molecular remission or who have molecular or morphologic relapse.However,there are no guidelines for adjusting ATO dosage in patients with severe renal failure or on dialysis.Herein,we report the successful treatment of relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia(APL)in a patient on hemodialysis with ATO single agent and review the cases in literature.CASE SUMMARY A 46-year-old woman who has been on hemodialysis to chronic glomerulonephritis for 15 years visited our hospital for pancytopenia.She had been seen for pancytopenia 3 years ago and had been diagnosed with APL.She also received chemotherapy for APL but unfortunately was lost to follow-up after her second consolidation chemotherapy.She was noted to have pancytopenia by her nephrologist during hemodialysis 1 mo ago.Bone marrow biopsy and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)tests revealed a diagnosis of relapsed APL.Treatment for relapsed APL with ATO single agent was started and she achieved molecular remission after administering 24 doses of ATO.Thus far,four consolidation therapies have been performed with the ATO single agent,and,to date,the molecular remission has been maintained as negative promyelocytic leukemia/retinoic acid receptor-αfusion gene as confirmed by RTPCR testing for two years.CONCLUSION This is a rare case of relapsed APL successfully treated with the single agent ATO in a patient on hemodialysis.

Needle tract seeding of papillary thyroid carcinoma after fine-needle capillary biopsy:A case report

BACKGROUND Fine-needle biopsy is an accurate and cost-efficient tool for the assessment of thyroid nodules.It includes two primary methods:Fine-needle capillary biopsy(FNCB)and fine-needle aspiration biopsy.Needle tract seeding(NTS)is a rare complication of thyroid fine-needle biopsy mainly caused by fine-needle aspiration biopsy rather than FNCB.Here,we present an extremely rare case of a papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)patient with FNCB-derived NTS.CASE SUMMARY We report a 32-year-old woman with PTC who showed subcutaneous NTS 1 year after FNCB and thyroidectomy.NTS was diagnosed based on clinical manifestations,biochemistry indices,and imaging(computed tomography and ultrasound).Pathological identification of PTC metastases consistent with the puncture path is the gold standard for diagnosis.Surgical resection was the main method used to treat the disease.After surgery,thyroid function tests and ultrasound scans were performed every 3-6 mo.To date,no evidence of tumor recurrence has been observed.CONCLUSION FNCB is a safe procedure as NTS is rare,and can be easily removed surgically with no recurrence.Accordingly,NTS should not limit the usefulness of FNCB.

Polyhedrosis Virus in Bacillus thuringiensis

This study was conducted to build a recombinant strain with highly insecticidal activity and a wide host range by using the crylAc and p74 gene. Firstly, the p74 gene was amplified from the genosome ofAutographa californica multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus. The crylAc gene and the terminator gene of crylAc, named crylAct, were amplified from the plasmid of Bt 4.0718 strain. Three T vectors, named pTp74, pT1Ac, and pT1Act which held the aimed gene p74, cry1Ac, and crylAct, respectively, and two middle vectors, named pTp74Act and pTIAcp74 which held the aimed fusion gene p74-crylAct and cry lAc-p74, respectively, were built by using pMDI 8-T. Then pTiAcp74 and the shuttle plasmid were digested and linked and an expressing-vector pH1Acp74 was built. Finally, pH1Acp74 was transformed into the acrystalliferous strain XBU001 and the aimed recombinant strain XBU-H1Acp74 was obtained. The expression of Bt transformant XBU-H1Acp74 was analyzed by SDS-PAGE which showed XBU-H1Acp74 could produce 130 kDa CrylAc protein and 50 kDa P74 protein. The insecticidal activity of transformant against Spodoptera exigua was evaluated compared with the contrast strains HTX-42 （only crylAc gene was transformed into XBU001） after autolysis. The LCs0 of HTX-42 was higher than that of the XBU-H IAcp74＇s, which implied that P74 could increase the efficacy and range of Bt Cry toxins in insect control. The fusion gene of crylAc and p74 were constructed successfully which will be served as the foundation lbr constructing the fusion genes of Bt cry gene and other foreign genes.

DETECTION OF t(14:18) CHROMOSOMAL TRANSLOCATIONIN PARAFFIN - EMBEDDED HEPATOCELLULARCARCINOMA TISSUE BY IN SITU PCR

Objective: To understand the relationship between (14; 18) chromosomal translocation and hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: Semi-nested in situ PCR (SNISPCR) technique was used to detected bcl-2/JH fusion gene in 40 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Results: Bcl-2/JH fusion gene was detected in 10 of 40 HCC. There were no significant differences in bcl-2/JH fusion formation between histopathological grades and metastases (P>0.05). Conclusion: By detecting bcl-2 fusion gene in HCC, we think that t(14; 18) chromosomal translocation is not a specific change in lymphoma. t(14; 18) chromosomal translocation may not an important cause in pathologenesis of HCC.