Polymorphisms of DNA repair-related genes with susceptibility and prognosis of prostate cancer

We aimed to investigate the association between genetic variants of the DNA repair genes XPG, CSB, XPC, CCNH, and MMS19L in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway and risk of prostate cancer in a population in China. This study included 229 patients with newly diagnosed and histopathologically confirmed primary prostate cancer and 238 healthy controls. Genotyping of XPG, CSB, XPC, CCNH, and MMS19L were performed on a 384-well plate on the MassARRAY platform. Associations between the polymorphisms of the six genes and risk of prostate cancer were analyzed using conditional logistical regression. We found that the variant genotype TT of the XPG rs2296147 polymorphism was moderately significantly associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer compared to the wild-type genotype CC [odds ratio (OR)=1.79, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.01-3.25], and individuals carrying the GG genotype of the CSB rs2228526 polymorphism were associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer (OR=1.95, 95%CI=1.02-3.74). The combination genotype of the XPG T allele and the CSB G allele was associated with a moderately higher risk of prostate cancer risk (OR=1.84, 95%CI=1.06-3.20). In conclusion, we found that polymorphisms in XPG rs2296147 and CSB rs2228526 were significantly associated with prostate cancer susceptibility in the Chinese population analyzed. Our results support the hypothesis that naturally occurring genetic variation of DNA repair genes increases susceptibility to prostate cancer.

First Report of Sweet potato chlorotic fleck virus Infecting Sweet Potato in Sichuan Province, China

Sweet potato chlorotic fleck virus (SPCFV) is one of several viruses naturally infecting sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.), and it has recently been classified as a new member of the genus Carlavirus (family Flexiviridae) (1). However, SPCFV is distantly related to typical carlaviruses, as most of its putative gene products share amino acid sequence identities of <40% with those of typical carlaviruses (1). China is the largest sweet potato producing country in the world. So far, SPCFV has been reported in eastern China, such as Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan (3), and Guangdong (2) provinces, but no reports exist in western China. Sichuan Province, located in southwestern China, is the largest sweet potato producing area in the country. There are big differences between the environment and climate conditions between Sichuan and eastern China. During 2012, a survey was constructed to determine the genetic diversity and distribution of sweet potato viruses in Sichuan. Forty-seven sweet potato samples exhibiting virus-like symptoms were collected from four different geographic areas of the province. Western blotting using the antisera obtained from the International Potato Center showed that two samples were positive for SPCFV, whereas with reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, only one isolate of SPCFV was obtained from a sample exhibiting symptoms of chlorosis, leaf distortion, and vein clearing. Serological detection indicated that the plant was co-infected with SPCFV, Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), and Sweet potato virus G (SPVG). Total RNA was extracted from symptomatic leaves using Trizol reagent (Invitrogen) according to the manufacturer's protocol, and RT-PCR was performed by using primer pairs SPCFV-CP F (5'-ATGGCGGCGAAGGAGGCTGATA-3') and SPCFV-CP R (5'-TCACTTGCACTTCCCATTAC-3') corresponding to the entire coat protein (CP) gene of SPCFV. Expected DNA fragments of 900 bp were obtained from the symptomatic plant but not from control plants. The obtained fragments were purified and cloned into the PMD19-T vector (TaKaRa). Recombinant plasmids were then transformed into competent cells of Escherichia coli strain DH5α. Nucleotide BLAST analysis revealed that the 900-bp fragment (GenBank Accession No. KC414676) shared 87 to 91% nucleotide identities with other SPCFV isolates available in the GenBank database. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the co-infection between SPCFV and other sweet potato viruses including SPFMV and SPVG in China, and this is the first molecular report of SPCFV in Sichuan, western China. It shows that SPCFV is spreading to a new ecological area of China, and the spread of the virus may affect sweet potato crop yields in western China. Some measures must be carried out quickly to control the virus. References: (1) V. Aritua et al. Arch. Virol. 152:813, 2007. (2) V. Aritua et al. Plant Dis. 93:87, 2009. (3) Q. Wang et al. Crop. Prot. 29:110, 2010.

Predicting targeted polypharmacology for drug repositioning and multi- target drug discovery

Prediction of polypharmacology of known drugs and new molecules against selected multiple targets is highly useful for finding new therapeutic applications of existing drugs (drug repositioning) and for discovering multi-target drugs with improved therapeutic efficacies by collective regulations of primary therapeutic targets, compensatory signalling and drug resistance mechanisms. In this review, we describe recent progresses in exploration of in-silico methods for predicting polypharmacology of known drugs and new molecules by means of structure-based (molecular docking, binding- site structural similarity, receptor-based pharmacophore searching), expression-based (expression profile/signature similarity disease-drug and drug-drug networks), ligand-based (similarity searching, side-effect similarity, QSAR, machine learning), and fragment-based approaches that have shown promising potential in facilitating drug repositioning and the discovery of multi-target drugs.

Direct targeting of SUZ12/ROCK2 by miR-200b/c inhibits cholangiocarcinoma tumourigenesis and metastasis

Background:

The multidrug resistance and distant metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma result in high postoperative recurrence and low long-term survival rates. It has been demonstrated that the ectopic expression of miR-200 suppresses the multidrug resistance and metastasis of cancer. However, the expression and function of miR-200 in cholangiocarcinoma has not yet been described.

Methods:

In this study, we identified dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs, miR) in cholangiocarcinoma tissue by microarray analysis, and subsequent real-time PCR and northern blot analyses validated the expression of candidate miR. We performed functional analyses and investigated the relationship between miR-200b/c expression and the properties of cholangiocarcinoma cells. A dual luciferase assay was applied to examine the effect of miRNAs on the 3′-UTR of target genes, and we demonstrated the function of the target gene by siRNA transfection identifying the downstream pathway via western blotting.

Results:

We found significantly downregulated expression of four miR-200 family members (miR-200a/b/c/429) and then confirmed that ectopic miR-200b/200c inhibits the migration and invasion of cholangiocarcinoma cells both in vitro and in vivo. We found that miR-200b/c influenced the tumourigenesis of cholangiocarcinoma cells including their tumour-initiating capacity, sphere formation, and drug resistance. We further found that miR-200b/c regulated migration and invasion capacities by directly targeting rho-kinase 2 and regulated tumorigenic properties by directly targeting SUZ12 (a subunit of a polycomb repressor complex).

Conclusion:

Our study shows that miR-200b/c has a critical role in the regulation of the tumorigenic and metastatic capacity of cholangiocarcinoma and reveals the probable underlying mechanisms.

The anti-tumoral efficacy of a docetaxel-loaded liposomal drug delivery system modified with transferrin for ovarian cancer

To reduce the toxic effect on normal cells and improve the treatment effects of docetaxel, a novel transferrin modified docetaxel-loaded long circulating liposome for ovarian tumor was established for the first time. The transferrin-modified long-circulating liposomes loaded with docetaxel (TF-LP-DOC) were prepared by the post-insertion method and exhibited excellent characteristics in terms of particle size, encapsulation efficiency and stability. We investigated the targeting efficiencies of liposomes by the cellular uptake in vitro and biodistribution in vivo, and identified the therapeutic effects using cytotoxicity experiment (in vitro)and tumor growth inhibition (in vivo) on ovarian cancer. The in vitro and in vivo results showed that TF-LP-DOC were successfully established and presented an enhanced targeting ability. With decreased side effect and improved anti-tumor efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs, TF-LP-DOC proved itself to be a very promising tumor targeted drug delivery system.

Multipass cell based on confocal mirrors for sensitive broadband laser spectroscopy in the near infrared

We report on broadband absorption spectroscopy in the near IR using a multipass cell design based on highly reflecting mirrors in a confocal arrangement having the particular aim of achieving long optical paths. We demonstrate a path length of 314 m in a cell consisting of two sets of highly reflecting mirrors with identical focal length, spaced 0.5 m apart. The multipass cell covers this path length in a relatively small volume of 1.25 l with the light beam sampling the whole volume. In a first application, the absorption spectra of the greenhouse gases CO(2), CH(4), and CO were measured. In these measurements we used a femtosecond fiber laser with a broadband spectral range spanning the near IR from 1.5 to 1.7 μm. The absorption spectra show a high signal-to-noise ratio, from which we derive a sensitivity limit of 6 ppmv for methane observed in a mixture with air.

Development and characterization of microsatellite loci in a threatened marine fish, Cheilinus undulatus (humphead wrasse)

Cheilinus undulatus (humphead wrasse) is a marine fish distributed widely throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific. It has been listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red Data Book and in CITES Appendix II four times. Fifteen microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for this species. The number of alleles ranged from 3 to 15 per locus, and the observed and expected heterozygosity ranged between 0.0323-0.7742 and 0.2597-0.8773, respectively. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.2353-0.8520. Four microsatellite loci deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg expectations. No significant linkage disequilibrium was found among any of the loci. These microsatellite loci will be useful for future investigations of genetic variation in the wrasse population.

Virtual screening methods as tools for drug lead discovery from large chemical libraries

Virtual screening methods have been developed and explored as useful tools for searching drug lead compounds from chemical libraries, including large libraries that have become publically available. In this review, we discussed the new developments in exploring virtual screening methods for enhanced performance in searching large chemical libraries, their applications in screening libraries of ~ 1 million or more compounds in the last five years, the difficulties in their applications, and the strategies for further improving these methods.

Dynamic Performance of Single-Screws of Different Configurations

A 45 mm diameter single-screw “transparent” extruder was employed for an investigation on the dynamic performance of screws of different configurations. The extruder had eight glass windows installed along the entire metal barrel which enabled visual observation to be easily made. It was demonstrated, with this extruder, that pressure profile appeared to be an important factor for screw performance such as throughput rate, residence time, mixing characteristics, break-up of solid-bed, etc. The full-flight screw had the lowest pressure profile among all the screws tested, and its performance was found to be generally inferior to that of the mixing screws. The Darnell and Mol solid plug flow theory was shown to be applicable only to the mixing screws for the solid flow behaviour in the entire solid conveying section. The secondary flight of the barrier screw was found to effectively suppress solid bed break-up, but only at low screw speed. A screw with a Maddock mixing device was found to have the highest throughput rate. Other findings were believed to be of practical significance in the screw design.

Prediction of Screw Length Required for Polymer Melting and Melting Characteristics

The previous study on the dynamic processing characteristics of co-rotating twin-screw extruder based on a visible technique (which employed a “transparent” extruder) performed by the authors Wong et al. [1 and 2] had enabled a quantitative treatment to be carried out in the present paper on the melting behaviour of polymer during an extrusion process. The qualitative analysis performed previously [1] had led to the development of a melting model which was capable of revealing some of the fundamental melting behaviour. The model also enabled the determination of the length of screw required for completing melting (Zr). Melting characteristics in terms of effects of solid feeding rate, temperature, screw speed and channel depth on the predicted Zr were discussed to further our understanding on melting performance of polymer melt in intermeshing corotating twin-screw extruder.

Human endogenous retrovirus W family envelope gene activates the small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel in human neuroblastoma cells through CREB

Numerous studies have shown that human endogenous retrovirus W family (HERV-W) envelope gene (env) is related to various diseases but the underlying mechanism has remained poorly understood. Our previous study showed that there was abnormal expression of HERV-W env in sera of patients with schizophrenia. In this paper, we reported that overexpression of the HERV-W env elevated the levels of small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel protein 3 (SK3) in human neuroblastoma cells. Using a luciferase reporter system and RNA interference method, we found that functional cAMP response element site was required for the expression of SK3 triggered by HERV-W env. In addition, it was also found that the SK3 channel was activated by HERV-W env. Further study indicated that cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) was required for the activation of the SK3 channel. Thus, a novel signaling mechanism of how HERV-W env influences neuronal activity and contributes to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia was proposed.

Posterior second sacral alar iliac screw insertion: anatomic study in a Chinese population

OBJECTIVE

To provide radiographic parameters for optimal placement of posterior second sacral alar iliac (S2AI) screw for instrumentation and fusion of scoliosis to the second sacral level in a Chinese population.

METHODS

S2AI screw trajectories were mapped on three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) reconstructions of 60 normal adult pelvises. 1 mm inferior and 1 mm lateral to the S1 dorsal foramen were chosen as the entry point, and ideal S2AI screw trajectories were explored by rotating and cutting the 3D pelvis, ensuring that the trajectories were of maximum length and width. The directions and depth of these determined trajectories were then measured.

RESULTS

The ideal S2AI screw trajectories could be found in each pelvis. The left and right screw trajectory parameters for males were shown as follows: angulation was L 29.15 ± 8.60° vs. R 29.96 ± 8.28° (p = 0.286) caudally in the sagittal plane and L 36.49 ± 3.14° vs. R 37.16 ± 3.14° (p = 0.165) laterally in the transverse plane. The maximal and intrasacral lengths of trajectory were L 121.25 ± 8.33 vs. R 120.63 ± 7.54 mm (p = 0.460) and L 26.20 ± 3.31 vs. R 26.92 ± 4.76 mm (p = 0.268). The entry point was L 28.87 ± 3.33 vs. R 29.79 ± 3.55 mm (p = 0.186) lateral to the second sacral midline, and L 44.14 ± 11.87 vs. R 43.89 ± 12.53 mm (p = 0.687) underneath the skin. The trajectories for females were more caudal (L: 34.50 ± 6.56° vs. 29.15 ± 8.60°, p = 0.009; R: 35.72 ± 7.53° vs. 29.96 ± 8.28°, p = 0.007) in the sagittal plane, but the lateral angulation in the transverse plane showed no difference between genders (p > 0.05). The female iliac medullar cavities were obviously narrower than those of males (L: 14.76 ± 2.46 vs. 16.98 ± 3.52, p = 0.006; R: 14.94 ± 2.60 vs. 17.00 ± 2.81, p = 0.005). Although the average maximal length of trajectories for females were about 5 mm shorter than those of males, intrasacral length were equal to those of males. Furthermore, both the distance from entry point to the S2 midline and skin in the transverse plane showed no difference between genders.

CONCLUSION

The feasibility to insert S2AI screws to the sacrum and ilium in an Asian population along with the ideal entry angle and length of trajectory were identified for clinical practice.

Labor induction and augmentation in women with multiple sclerosis

Background:

Fatigue and pelvic organ dysfunction are common among women with multiple sclerosis (MS), which may prolong labor and increase the risk of labor induction and/or augmentation.

Objective:

We set out to investigate the association between MS and related clinical factors (disease duration and the Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS) with labor induction/augmentation.

Methods:

Data from the British Columbia (BC) MS database were linked with the BC Perinatal Database Registry. Multivariable models were used to compare the likelihood of labor induction and augmentation between attempted vaginal deliveries (1998–2009) in women with MS ( n=381) and the general population ( n=2615).

Results:

In the MS cohort, 94/381 deliveries (25%) required labor induction and 147/381 deliveries (39%) required labor augmentation. Having MS was not associated with labor induction (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.68–1.22, p=0.54) or augmentation (adjusted OR=0.91; 95% CI=0.72–1.15, p=0.43), but was associated with multiple methods of labor induction (OR=1.94; 95% CI=1.23–3.06, p=0.004). A higher EDSS score was associated with an increased risk of labor induction (adjusted p=0.04), but not labor augmentation (adjusted p > 0.5). Disease duration was not associated with either outcome (adjusted p > 0.2).

Conclusions:

Greater intervention may be required to initiate labor for women with a higher degree of disability due to MS.

Knockdown of RNF2 induces apoptosis by regulating MDM2 and p53 stability

RNF2, also known as Ring1B/Ring2, is a component of the polycomb repression complex 1 (PRC1). RNF2 is highly expressed in many tumors, suggesting that it might have an oncogenic function, but the mechanism is unknown. Here we show that knockdown of RNF2 significantly inhibits both cell proliferation and colony formation in soft agar, and induces apoptosis in cancer cells. Knockdown of RNF2 in HCT116 p53^+/+ cells resulted in significantly more apoptosis than was observed in RNF2 knockdown HCT116 p53^−/− cells, indicating that RNF2 knockdown-induced apoptosis is partially dependent on p53. Various p53-targeted genes were increased in RNF2 knockdown cells. Further studies revealed that in RNF2 knockdown cells, the p53 protein level was increased, the half-life of p53 was prolonged and p53 ubiquitination was decreased. In contrast, cells overexpressing RNF2 showed a decreased p53 protein level, a shorter p53 half-life and increased p53 ubiquitination. Importantly, we found that RNF2 directly binds with both p53 and MDM2 and promotes MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitination. RNF2 overexpression could also increase the half-life of MDM2 and inhibit its ubiquitination. The regulation on p53 and MDM2 stability by RNF2 was also observed during the etoposide-induced DNA damage response. These results provide a possible mechanism explaining the oncogenic function of RNF2, and because RNF2 is important for cancer cell survival and proliferation, it might be an ideal target for cancer therapy or prevention.

Dual-source dual-energy computed tomography angiography for active gastrointestinal bleeding: a preliminary study

AIM

To assess the utility of dual-source dual-energy computed tomography angiography (DSDECTA) in the diagnosis of active gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From June 2010 to September 2011, 58 consecutive patients with clinical signs of active GIB underwent DSDECTA. Two radiologists, blinded to clinical data, interpreted images from DSDECTA independently, with discordant interpretation resolved by consensus. The standards of reference included digital subtraction angiography, endoscopy, surgery, or final pathology reports. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values, and accuracy of DSDECTA for detection of active GIB were evaluated. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was undertaken and the area under the curve (AUC) calculated.

RESULTS

Active GIB source was identified in 39 of 58 patients (67.2%), all of which were confirmed by one or more reference standard. Negative DSDECTA results were obtained in 19 patients (32.8%). Of these, 15 patients did not require any further intervention and were discharged without incident. The overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of DSDECTA was 88.6, 100, 100, 73.7, and 91.4%, respectively. The AUC was 0.935 ± 0.063. The dose reduction of a dual-phase DSDECTA protocol was approximately 30%, compared with that of a triple-phase protocol used in a previous study.

CONCLUSION

DSDECTA can act as an accurate method for detection and localization of active GIB and has a relatively low radiation dose.

Prevalence of the HPA-18w to -21w alleles in the Chinese Han population

Recently, four new platelet alloantigen (HPA) systems HPA-18w to-21w were identified. However, genotyping for HPA-18w to -21w alleles was rarely reported. Here, we established a polymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing (PCR-SBT) method and investigated the distribution of HPA-18w to -21w alleles in the Chinese Han population. The specific primers of HPA-18w, -19w, -20w and -21w were designed, and the PCR products were bidirectionally sequenced. 855 randomly selected platelet donors were genotyped for HPA-18w to -21w with the PCR-SBT method. The results showed that all individuals were monomorphic for HPA-18w to HPA-20w with a/a homozygous frequency of 1.0 and absence of HPA-18bw to -20bw alleles. The frequencies of the HPA-21a/21a and HPA-21a/21b genotypes were 0.981(839/855) and 0.019(16/855), respectively. Seven mutations were confirmed on sequenced region separate from HPA polymorphisms, including ITGA2 (IVS17+48G>A and IVS17+72G>A), ITGA2B (IVS19-26C>G) and ITGB3 (IVS4+234C>T, IVS11-19 T>C, IVS11-104T>C and GT repeats from IVS11-131 to IVS11-109). These data will provide useful information for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of alloimmune thrombocytopaenia.

C35T mutation could slightly decrease the activity of human α-(1,2)-fucosyltransferase

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The C35T mutant α-(1,2)-fucosyltransferase (FUT1) gene had been reported related to the para-Bombay phenotype, but recently, our laboratory found that the C35T was a polymorphism in the Chinese population. This study aims at further clarifying the property of C35T mutant FUT1.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The mutant C35T FUT1 gene was cloned into expression vector in vitro, the mRNA expression was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the mutant enzyme's activity was determined in vitro.

RESULTS

The results showed that the frequencies of 35C and 35T alleles were 0.735 and 0.265, respectively. The FUT1 mRNA level of transfected cells with C35T recombination vector showed 99.85% of the wild-type FUT1 transfected cells. The enzyme relative activity of transfected cell lysates with C35T FUT1 recombination vector was 79.45% compared with that of the wild-type FUT1 transfected cell lysates. The K(m)(phenyl-gal) value of enzyme encoded by C35T allele was 0.5 times higher than that of the enzyme encoded by FUT1 wild-type allele.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that FUT1 C35T was a polymorphism in the Chinese population and did not affect its mRNA transcription, but could slightly decrease the activity of human α-(1,2)-fucosyltransferase in vitro.

Relative mortality and survival in multiple sclerosis: findings from British Columbia, Canada

OBJECTIVE

To examine mortality and factors associated with survival in a population based multiple sclerosis (MS) cohort.

METHODS

Clinical and demographic data of MS patients registered with the British Columbia MS clinics (1980-2004) were linked to provincial death data, and patients were followed until death, emigration or study end (31 December 2007). Absolute survival and the influence of patient characteristics (sex, disease course (primary progressive (PPMS) vs relapsing onset (R-MS)) and onset age) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier analyses (from birth and disease onset). Mortality relative to the general population was examined using standardised mortality ratios. Excess mortality associated with patient characteristics and time period of cohort entry was assessed by relative survival modelling.

RESULTS

Of 6917 patients, 1025 died. Median survival age was 78.6 years (95% CI 77.5 to 79.7) for women and 74.3 years (95% CI 73.1 to 75.4) for men. Survival from onset was longer for R-MS (49.7 years; 95% CI 47.9 to 51.5) than for PPMS (32.5 years; 95% CI 29.5 to 35.7); however, survival age was similar. The overall standardised mortality ratios was 2.89 (95% CI 2.71 to 3.07), and patients survived approximately 6 years less than expected, relative to the general population. PPMS had a higher relative mortality risk compared with R-MS (relative mortality ratio (RMR) 1.52; 95% CI 1.30 to 1.80). Women with PPMS had a relative survival disadvantage compared with men with PPMS (RMR 1.55; 95% CI 1.19 to 2.01). Relative survival within 10 years of cohort entry was similar between time periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Some of the longest MS survival times are reported here but the risk of death was still greater than in the age, sex and calendar year matched general population. No evidence of increased survival over time was found when improved survival in the general population was taken into consideration.

P5-06-11: Quercetin-3-Methyl Ether Inhibits Lapatinib-Sensitive and Lapatinib-Resistant Breast Cancer Cell Growth by Inducing G2/M Arrest and Apoptosis

Background: Lapatinib, an oral, small-molecule, reversible inhibitor of both EGFR and HER2, is highly active in HER2 positive breast cancer as a single agent and in combination with other therapeutics. However, resistance against lapatinib is an unresolved problem in clinical oncology. Recently, interest in the use of natural compounds to prevent or treat cancers has gained increasing interest because of presumed low toxicity. Quercetin-3-methyl ether, a naturally occurring compound present in various plants, has potent anticancer activity.

Material and Methods: Quercetin-3-methyl ether was obtained from Analyticon Discovery (Potsdam, Germany). Lapatinib-resistant SK-Br-3 (SK-Br-3-Lap R) cells were isolated in the laboratory of Cell Biology and Biotherapy at the Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Naples, Italy. Parental SK-Br-3 and SK-Br-3-Lap R cells were cultured in monolayers at 37 °C in a 5% CO2 incubator in 10% FBS/McCoy supplemented with penicillin/streptomycin (100 units/ml; Invitrogen). SK-Br-3 Lap R cells were routinely maintained in 1 μM lapatinib. Anchorage-dependent and -independent growth and cell cycle were assessed in the presence and absence of quercetin-3-methyl ether. Results: Here, we found that quercetin-3-methyl ether caused in a significant growth inhibition of lapatinib-sensitive and -resistant breast cancer cells. Western blot data showed that quercetin-3-methyl ether had no effect on Akt or MAPKs signaling in resistant cells. However, quercetin-3-methyl ether caused a pronounced G2/M block mainly through the Chk1-Cdc25c-cyclin B1/Cdk1 pathway in lapatinib-sensitive and -resistant cells. In contrast, lapatinib produced an accumulation of cells in the G1 phase mediated through cyclin D1, but only in lapatinib-sensitive cells. Moreover, quercetin-3-methyl ether induced significant apoptosis, accompanied with an increase the levels of in cleaved caspase 3, caspase 7 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in both cell lines.

Conclusion: Overall, these results suggested that quercetin-3-methyl ether might be a novel and promising therapeutic agent in lapatinib-sensitive or -resistant breast cancer patients.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-06-11.

A novel FUT1 allele was identified in a Chinese individual with para-Bombay phenotype

BACKGROUND

The para-Bombay phenotype is characterised by H-deficient or H partially deficient red blood cells (RBCs) in individuals who secrete ABH antigens in their saliva. Samples from an individual whose RBCs had an apparent para-Bombay phenotype and his family members were investigated and a novel FUT1 allele was identified.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RBCs' phenotype was characterised by standard serologic technique. Genomic DNA was sequenced with primers that amplified the coding sequence of FUT1 and FUT2, respectively. Routine ABO genotyping analysis was performed. Haplotypes of FUT1 were identified by TOPO cloning sequencing. Recombination expression vectors of FUT1 mutation alleles were constructed and transfected into COS-7 cells. The pα-(1,2)-fucosyltransferase activity of expression protein was determined.

RESULTS

B101/O02 genotype of the proband was correlated with ABH substances in saliva. The proband carried a new FUT1 allele which showed 35C/T, 235G/C and 682A/G heterozygote by directly DNA sequencing. Two haplotypes, 235C and 35T+682G, were identified by TOPO cloning sequencing and COS-7 cells transfected with five recombination vectors including wild-type, 35T, 235C, 682G and 35T+682G alleles were established respectively. The α-(1,2)-fucosyltransferase activities of cell lysates which had transfected with 35T, 235C, 682G and 35T+682G recombination vectors showed 79·45, 16·23, 80·32 and 24·59%, respectively, compared with that of the wild-type FUT1-transfected cell lysates.

CONCLUSION

A novel FUT1 allele 235C was identified, which greatly diminished the activity of α-(1,2)-fucosyltransferase.

Sequence variation and genetic diversity in the giant panda

About 336-444 bp mitochondrial D-loop region and tRNA gene were sequenced for 40 individuals of the giant panda which were collected from Mabian, Meigu, Yuexi, Baoxing, Pingwu, Qingchuan, Nanping and Baishuijiang, respectively. 9 haplotypes were found in 21 founders. The results showed that the giant panda has low genetic variations, and that there is no notable genetic isolation among geographical populations. The ancestor of the living giant panda population perhaps appeared in the late Pleistocene, and unfortunately, might have suffered bottleneck attacks. Afterwards, its genetic diversity seemed to recover to some extent.

Analysis of the complete cDNA sequences of HLA-DRB1 alleles with group-specific amplification primers in the Chinese Han population

Currently for the majority of HLA-DRB1 alleles the focus has been mainly on exon 2 and complete cDNA sequences of HLA-DRB1 alleles are rare. In this study, we analyzed the complete coding sequences of partial alleles of HLA-DRB1 locus. The cDNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using the group-specific primers located in the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions to obtain the complete coding sequences. The amplification products were sequenced using an ABI BigDye® Terminator Cycle Sequencing kit. The HLA-DRB1 allele phylogenetic tree was analyzed by dnaman software. Full-length cDNA sequences of 22 HLA-DRB1 alleles were obtained in this study. HLA-DRB1*08:09, DRB1 *12:02:01, and DRB1*13:12 alleles were first reported for complete coding sequences. The sequences of exon 1 of HLA-DRB1*04:06:01, DRB1*08:03:02, and DRB1 *14:07:01 were newly presented. The complete coding sequences of HLA-DRB1 *01:01:01, DRB1*03:01:01:01, DRB1*04:01:01, DRB1*04:05:01, DRB1*07:01:01: 01, DRB1*09:01:02, DRB1*10:01:01, DRB1*11:01:01, DRB1*12:01:01, DRB1*13: 01:01, DRB1*13:02:01, DRB1*14:04, DRB1*14:54, DRB1*15:01:01:01, DRB1*15: 02:01, and DRB1*16:02:01 were identical to those previously reported. Forty polymorphic positions in complete coding sequences outside exon 2 of these HLA-DRB1 alleles were confirmed. According to the phylogenetic tree of full-length coding sequence, the HLA-DRB1 allele was classified into seven major allelic lineages. In conclusion, a protocol for HLA-DRB1 cDNA amplification and sequencing was improved and the data may help to determine the polymorphism of coding sequences outside exon 2.

Human platelet antigen allele frequencies and new mutations on platelet glycoprotein genes in the Chinese Han population

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The frequencies of human platelet antigens (HPAs) vary between different populations. In this study, we determined the HPA allele frequencies in the Chinese Han population and identified situation of incompatibility possibly leading to alloimmunisation.

METHODS

A total of 750 volunteer blood donors of the Chinese Han population were genotyped for HPA-1 to -17w systems. HPA genotyping was determined by polymerase chain reaction sequence-based typing.

RESULTS

Among the 17 HPA systems, the allele frequency is different from other populations. We noted the absence of HPA-7bw to HPA-14bw, HPA-16bw and HPA-17bw alleles in the population. The estimated incompatibility probabilities regarding platelet antigens 1 to 6w and 15 systems after transfusion of random donor platelet were from 0·004 to 0·373. Thirteen glycoprotein alleles were observed in the population. In addition, we identified 16 novel mutations on the glycoprotein genes separated from HPA polymorphisms, including GP1BA (517-525delAAC), ITGA2B (2722C>T and IVS26+85T>C), ITGA2 (1521C>T, 2474T>G and IVS20+10 G>C), ITGB3 (1476G>A, IVS10+19C>A, 1813G>A, IVS11+21G>A, IVS11+152A>G and IVS11-104T>C), GP1BB (IVS1-79G>A, IVS1-27C>T and 129G>A) and CD109 (2139A>G). Five of them could lead to amino acid deletion, substitution or premature stop codon in corresponding glycoprotein.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a high degree of polymorphism of the membrane glycoprotein genes related to human platelet alloantigen-1 to -17w systems in the Chinese Han population. These data could have some impact on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of alloimmune thrombocytopenia.

Update of PROFEAT: a web server for computing structural and physicochemical features of proteins and peptides from amino acid sequence

Sequence-derived structural and physicochemical features have been extensively used for analyzing and predicting structural, functional, expression and interaction profiles of proteins and peptides. PROFEAT has been developed as a web server for computing commonly used features of proteins and peptides from amino acid sequence. To facilitate more extensive studies of protein and peptides, numerous improvements and updates have been made to PROFEAT. We added new functions for computing descriptors of protein–protein and protein–small molecule interactions, segment descriptors for local properties of protein sequences, topological descriptors for peptide sequences and small molecule structures. We also added new feature groups for proteins and peptides (pseudo-amino acid composition, amphiphilic pseudo-amino acid composition, total amino acid properties and atomic-level topological descriptors) as well as for small molecules (atomic-level topological descriptors). Overall, PROFEAT computes 11 feature groups of descriptors for proteins and peptides, and a feature group of more than 400 descriptors for small molecules plus the derived features for protein–protein and protein–small molecule interactions. Our computational algorithms have been extensively tested and used in a number of published works for predicting proteins of specific structural or functional classes, protein–protein interactions, peptides of specific functions and quantitative structure activity relationships of small molecules. PROFEAT is accessible free of charge at http://bidd.cz3.nus.edu.sg/cgi-bin/prof/protein/profnew.cgi.