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Dar SA, Bhattacharya SN, Das S, Ramachandran VG, Banerjee BD, Arora P. Response of T-cell subpopulations to superantigen and recall antigen stimulation in systemic sclerosis. Indian J Dermatol 2012; 57:175-80. [PMID: 22707766 PMCID: PMC3371518 DOI: 10.4103/0019-5154.96187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is great disagreement regarding which effector T-cells are responsible for the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Further, the possible role of superantigens in modulating the T-cell phenotype responsible for the immunopathogenesis of this disease and the response of these patients to common recall antigens have not been adequately determined. Aims: To investigate the T-cell subsets and activation markers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of systemic sclerosis patients before and after stimulation with different bacterial superantigens and common recall antigens to better understand the immunopathogenesis of this disease. Materials and Methods: T-cells (CD3+) from 20 systemic sclerosis patients and 17 age-matched healthy controls were studied using flow cytometry for the expression of CD4, CD8, CD45RA, and CD45RO at baseline and upon stimulation with different superantigens and recall antigens. Patients were also tested for skin delayed hypersensitivity to common recall antigens. Results: The proportions of CD45RA+ (naive) and CD45RO+ (memory) CD4+ T-cells were found to be significantly higher in patients than in controls upon stimulation with bacterial superantigens. However, T-cells from these patients responded weakly to recall antigen stimulation, indicating a loss of specific memory cells. This was further supported by the skin delayed hypersensitivity test in which 16 patients were found to be anergic. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that both naïve (CD45RA+) and memory (CD45RO+) CD4+ superantigen-reactive T-cells are effector T-cells that may modulate the pathogenic autoantibody response in systemic sclerosis. Accumulation of these cells in these patients may result in increased risk of relapses and resistance to therapy.
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Arora P, Sen Gupta A. Note: reliable and reusable ultrahigh vacuum optical viewports. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2012; 83:046104. [PMID: 22559590 DOI: 10.1063/1.4704082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We report a simple technique for the realization of ultrahigh vacuum optical viewports. The technique relies on using specially designed thin copper knife-edges and using a thin layer of Vacseal(®) on tip of the knife-edges between the optical flat and the ConFlat(®) (CF) flange. The design of the windows is such that it gives uniform pressure on the flat without breaking it. The assembled window is a complete unit, which can be mounted directly onto a CF flange of the vacuum chamber. It can be removed and reused without breaking the window seal. The design is reliable as more than a dozen such windows have survived several bake out and cooling cycles and have been leak tested up to 10(-11) Torr l/s level with a commercial Helium leak detector. The advantages of this technique are ease of assembly and leak proof sealing that survives multiple temperature cycling making the windows reliable and reusable.
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Wall C, Arora P, Turkington PM, Chisholm R, Turkington PM. P231 "Safety-net" for abnormal chest radiographs with a low index of suspicion for malignancy. Thorax 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2011-201054c.231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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79
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Arora P, Agarwal A, Sen Gupta A. Simple alignment technique for polarisation maintaining fibres. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2011; 82:125103. [PMID: 22225245 DOI: 10.1063/1.3665210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We describe a simple technique for rapid alignment of input state of polarisation with respect to the preferred axis of polarisation maintaining fibres. In this technique a combination of a half-wave and a quarter-wave plate is used to turn the polarisation of incoming beam and to compensate for stress-induced perturbation of polarisation states in a laid-out fibre, respectively. The angular alignment technique is tested with temperature excursion on the fibre. The technique is easy to implement, affordable, and gives quick and accurate alignment.
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Parisaei M, Govind A, Clements J, Arora P, Lashkari H, Kapila P. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a North London antenatal population. Obstet Med 2011; 4:113-6. [PMID: 27579104 DOI: 10.1258/om.2011.110049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We evaluated the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the antenatal patients attending North Middlesex University Hospital between March 2008 and March 2009. STUDY DESIGN A prospective study of maternal levels of vitamin D at booking. RESULTS The prevalence of both deficient and insufficient levels of 25[OH]D was 87.6% across all included patients. CONCLUSION There is a high prevalence of asymptomatic vitamin D deficiency in the antenatal booking population.
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Goold R, Rabbanian S, Sutton L, Andre R, Arora P, Moonga J, Clarke AR, Schiavo G, Jat P, Collinge J, Tabrizi SJ. Rapid cell-surface prion protein conversion revealed using a novel cell system. Nat Commun 2011; 2:281. [PMID: 21505437 PMCID: PMC3104518 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2010] [Accepted: 03/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders with unique transmissible properties. The infectious and pathological agent is thought to be a misfolded conformer of the prion protein. Little is known about the initial events in prion infection because the infecting prion source has been immunologically indistinguishable from normal cellular prion protein (PrP(C)). Here we develop a unique cell system in which epitope-tagged PrP(C) is expressed in a PrP knockdown (KD) neuroblastoma cell line. The tagged PrP(C), when expressed in our PrP-KD cells, supports prion replication with the production of bona fide epitope-tagged infectious misfolded PrP (PrP(Sc)). Using this epitope-tagged PrP(Sc), we study the earliest events in cellular prion infection and PrP misfolding. We show that prion infection of cells is extremely rapid occurring within 1 min of prion exposure, and we demonstrate that the plasma membrane is the primary site of prion conversion.
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Sgaier SK, Mony P, Jayakumar S, McLaughlin C, Arora P, Kumar R, Bhatia P, Jha P. P1-82 Prevalence and correlates of herpes simplex virus-2 and syphilis infections in the general population in India. Br J Soc Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976c.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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83
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Arora P, Jha P, Nagelkerke N. SP3-64 Association between history of tuberculosis and vegetarianism from a nationally representative survey in India. Br J Soc Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976o.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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84
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Jha P, Kumar R, Khera A, Bhattacharya M, Arora P, Gajalakshmi V, Bhatia P, Kam D, Bassani D, Sullivan A, Suraweera W, McLaughlin C, Dhingra N, Nagelkerke N. O6-4.2 HIV mortality and infection in India: estimates from nationally representative mortality survey of 1.1 million homes. Br J Soc Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976b.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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85
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Dhingra N, Arora P, Jha P. P1-128 A systematic review of sexual risk factors for HIV in India. Br J Soc Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976d.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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86
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Arora P, Nagelkerke N, Sgaier SK, Kumar R, Dhingra N, Jha P. P1-81 HIV, HSV-2 and syphilis among married couples in India: patterns of discordance and concordance. Br J Soc Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976c.74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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87
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Arora P, Garcia-Bailo B, Dastani Z, Brenner D, Villegas A, Malik S, Richards B, El-Sohemy A, Karmali M, Badawi A. P2-15 Genetic polymorphisms of innate immunity-related inflammatory pathways and their association with factors related to type 2 diabetes. Br J Soc Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976h.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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88
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Brenner D, Arora P, Garica-Bailo B, El-Sohemy A, Karmali M, Badawi A. P2-32 Vitamin D in the prediction of metabolic syndrome: a target for public health intervention. Br J Soc Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976h.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Brenner D, Arora P, Karmali M, Badawi A. P2-33 The impact of the metabolic syndrome on cardiometabolic and inflammatory profiles among Canadian adults. Br J Soc Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976h.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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90
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Brenner D, Arora P, Garcia-Bailo B, Wolever T, El-Sohemy A, Karmali M, Badawi A. P2-31 Association between plasma vitamin D and metabolic syndrome in the Canadian population. Br J Soc Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1136/jech.2011.142976h.67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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91
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Kochar S, Arora P, Chattopadhyay AB. Tamoxifen Therapy for Breast Cancer and Endometrial Pathology. Med J Armed Forces India 2011; 61:313-5. [PMID: 27407795 DOI: 10.1016/s0377-1237(05)80052-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2002] [Accepted: 04/26/2005] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tamoxifen, used as adjuvant therapy for carcinoma breast in postmenopausal women to prevent relapse has estrogenic effect on the endometrium. METHODS 104 patients on tamoxifen for more than six months were subjected to a clinical examination and transvaginal sonography. Patients with endometrial thickness > 8 mm were further evaluated by hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. RESULTS 35(34%) patients were symptomatic. The average endometrial thickness was 11.2 mm which correlated with duration of tamoxifen use. 27(48%) patients had abnormal hysteroscopic findings. 35 (63%) of endometrial biopsies revealed abnormal endometrium. One case of endometrial carcinoma was diagnosed. The results were statistically analysed. There is a significant association between symptomatic status and endometrial thickness and duration of tamoxifen use. CONCLUSION All patients on long term tamoxifen should be annually screened for endometrial pathology.
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Arora P, Jha P, Nagelkerke N. Association between history of tuberculosis and vegetarianism from a nationally representative survey in India. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2011; 15:706-8. [PMID: 21756527 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.10.0510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
A vegetarian diet has been implicated as a risk factor for tuberculosis (TB) among South Asians in the United Kingdom. To explore whether this is also the case in India, we analysed data from the nationally representative National Family Health Survey-3 (2006) which collected information on TB and diet, and tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 1. TB was reported by heads of households. Using logistic regression, we found that vegetarianism was not a risk factor for TB among HIV-1 negative married men and women aged 15-49 (women) or 15-54 (men) years (OR 0.66, 95%CI 0.49-0.89), while poverty and a history of blood transfusions were.
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Bhatia V, Arora P, Pandey AK, Kaul U. Type IV Dual Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery:A Rare Anomaly. Heart Views 2011; 11:64-6. [PMID: 21187999 PMCID: PMC3000914 DOI: 10.4103/1995-705x.73214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Type IV dual left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery is a rare anomaly and was detected incidentally during a routine coronary angiogram. The article discusses the types of dual LAD and their clinical implications.
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Patwardhan S, Shyam AK, Sancheti P, Arora P, Nagda T, Naik P. Adult presentation of congenital muscular torticollis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 93:828-32. [DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.93b6.26232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Adult presentation of neglected congenital muscular torticollis is rare. We report 12 patients with this condition who underwent a modified Ferkel’s release comprising a bipolar release of sternocleidomastoid with Z-lengthening. They had a mean age of 24 years (17 to 31) and were followed up for a minimum of two years. Post-operatively a cervical collar was applied for three weeks with intermittent supervised active assisted exercises for six weeks. Outcome was assessed using a modified Lee score and a Cheng and Tang score. The mean pre-operative rotational deficit was 8.25° (0° to 15°) and mean lateral flexion deficit was 20.42° (15° to 30°), which improved after treatment to a mean of 1.67° (0° to 5°) and 7.0° (4° to 14°) after treatment, respectively. According to the modified Lee scoring system, six patients had excellent results, two had good results and four had fair results, and using the Cheng and Tang score, eight patients had excellent results and four had good results. Surgical management of adult patients with neglected congenital muscular torticollis using a modified Ferkel’s bipolar release gives excellent results. The range of neck movement and head tilt improved in all 12 patients and cosmesis improved in 11, despite the long-standing nature of the deformity.
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Arora P, Dilbaghi N, Chaudhury A. Opportunistic invasive fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina prognosis from immunocompromised humans to potential mitogenic RBL with an exceptional and novel antitumor and cytotoxic effect. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2011; 31:101-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s10096-011-1275-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2011] [Accepted: 04/12/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Dhebri A, Ellenbogen S, Arora P, Kishore M. Audit of Sentinel Node Biopsy (SNB): Comparing with National Standards. Eur J Surg Oncol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2011.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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97
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Sgaier SK, Mony P, Jayakumar S, McLaughlin C, Arora P, Kumar R, Bhatia P, Jha P. Prevalence and correlates of Herpes Simplex Virus-2 and syphilis infections in the general population in India. Sex Transm Infect 2010; 87:94-100. [PMID: 21059842 DOI: 10.1136/sti.2010.043687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence and correlates of Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) and syphilis infections in the general population in India. METHODS 2456 adults were surveyed in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chandigarh in India. Socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics were obtained through a questionnaire, and a dried blood spot (DBS) was collected from all individuals aged 18 years and over; sexual behaviour was collected from those aged 18-49 years. DBS samples were tested for HSV-2 and syphilis serology. The association between HSV-2 and syphilis infections with socio-demographic and behavioural variables was analysed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS The prevalence of HSV-2 and syphilis was 10.1% and 1.7%, respectively. Geographic differences in HSV-2 prevalence were significant, while for syphilis it was comparable. Urban-rural differences in prevalence were only seen for syphilis. For both infections, the prevalence between males and females was not significantly different. In males and females, HSV-2 prevalence increased significantly with increasing age; for syphilis, a slight trend was seen only in females. In a multivariable analysis, HSV-2 infection in males and females was associated with site, religion and testing positive for syphilis, in addition to reporting ≥ 2 lifetime partners in the previous year among males and being ever married or having had sex with a non-regular partner in the last year among females. CONCLUSIONS The burden and geographic heterogeneity of HSV-2 and syphilis infections in India are significant. A national household and DBS-based sexually transmitted infection (STI) surveillance system would enable monitoring, especially in relation to the HIV epidemic, and planning of evidence-based prevention and treatment programmes.
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Arora R, Chawla R, Marwah R, Arora P, Sharma RK, Kaushik V, Goel R, Kaur A, Silambarasan M, Tripathi RP, Bhardwaj JR. Potential of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Preventive Management of Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Pandemic: Thwarting Potential Disasters in the Bud. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2010; 2011:586506. [PMID: 20976081 PMCID: PMC2957173 DOI: 10.1155/2011/586506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2009] [Revised: 04/22/2010] [Accepted: 08/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of novel H1N1 has posed a situation that warrants urgent global attention. Though antiviral drugs are available in mainstream medicine for treating symptoms of swine flu, currently there is no preventive medicine available. Even when available, they would be in short supply and ineffective in a pandemic situation, for treating the masses worldwide. Besides the development of drug resistance, emergence of mutant strains of the virus, emergence of a more virulent strain, prohibitive costs of available drugs, time lag between vaccine developments, and mass casualties would pose difficult problems. In view of this, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) offers a plethora of interesting preventive possibilities in patients. Herbs exhibit a diverse array of biological activities and can be effectively harnessed for managing pandemic flu. Potentially active herbs can serve as effective anti influenza agents. The role of CAM for managing novel H1N1 flu and the mode of action of these botanicals is presented here in an evidence-based approach that can be followed to establish their potential use in the management of influenza pandemics. The complementary and alternative medicine approach deliberated in the paper should also be useful in treating the patients with serious influenza in non pandemic situations.
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Kaur S, Modi P, Srivastava V, Mudgal R, Tikoo S, Arora P, Mohanty D, Sengupta S. Chk1-dependent constitutive phosphorylation of BLM helicase at serine 646 decreases after DNA damage. Mol Cancer Res 2010; 8:1234-47. [PMID: 20719863 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-10-0233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BLM helicase, the protein mutated in Bloom syndrome, is involved in signal transduction cascades after DNA damage. BLM is phosphorylated on multiple residues by different kinases either after stress induction or during mitosis. Here, we have provided evidence that both Chk1 and Chk2 phosphorylated the NH(2)-terminal 660 amino acids of BLM. An internal region within the DExH motif of BLM negatively regulated the Chk1/Chk2-dependent NH(2)-terminal phosphorylation event. Using in silico analysis involving the Chk1 structure and its known substrate specificity, we predicted that Chk1 should preferentially phosphorylate BLM on serine 646 (Ser(646)). The prediction was validated in vitro by phosphopeptide analysis on BLM mutants and in vivo by usage of a newly generated phosphospecific polyclonal antibody. We showed that the phosphorylation at Ser(646) on BLM was constitutive and decreased rapidly after exposure to DNA damage. This resulted in the diminished interaction of BLM with nucleolin and PML isoforms, and consequently decreased BLM accumulation in the nucleolus and PML nuclear bodies. Instead, BLM relocalized to the sites of DNA damage and bound with the damage sensor protein, Nbs1. Mutant analysis confirmed that the binding to nucleolin and PML isoforms required Ser(646) phosphorylation. These results indicated that Chk1-mediated phosphorylation on BLM at Ser(646) might be a determinant for regulating subnuclear localization and could act as a marker for the activation status of BLM in response to DNA damage.
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Arora P, Mullan C, Lawton V. Post-caesarean vesico-uterine fistula leading to puerperal sepsis. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2010; 30:415. [PMID: 20455734 DOI: 10.3109/01443611003759265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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