Abstract P2-19-05: Inhibitor Screening Utilizing Human Kinase Multiplex Arrays

Protein kinase pathways show dysregulation in cancer, usually displaying increased activation. Kinases are typically influenced by extracellular signals, and many kinases are now considered to be therapeutic targets. Upon phosphorylation, kinases regulate signaling pathways that effect cellular processes. Individual cell lines, including cancer cells, express different kinase activation patterns. Previously, we have shown the phospho-tyrosine kinase profile of MDA-MB-453 cells, most notably the Erb family of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases, to be hyperactivated in this breast cancer cell line. Using a new kinase multiplex plate-based array, we have seen similar activation of multiple intracellular kinases, such as Akt and Erk. As a result, the MDA-MB-453 cells were selected for treatment with a kinase inhibitor library (Enzo, Catalog # BML-2832-0100). While several of the inhibitors block kinase activation, other inhibitors block proteins that are upstream from their kinase target. After incubation with the inhibitor library, a multiplex kinase array was utilized to screen the effects of the inhibitors on the MDA-MB-453 cells. In contrast with MCF-7 cells, MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells showed a basal hyperactivation of the Akt and GSK-3β kinases. The activation of Akt could be selectively inhibited by SB-203580, SB-202190, ML-7, and BML-265 inhibitors. The results obtained in the multiplex assay were verified by singleplex ELISA for Akt. Hence, the data collected with the multiplex assay provide a rapid analysis of the inhibitors’ effects on defined signaling pathways. This allows for a faster identification of kinase inhibitors that may affect cancer cells.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-19-05.

Olfactory functioning and cognitive abilities: a twin study

A Swedish version of the National Geographic Smell Survey (Wysocki and Gilbert 1989) was completed by 227 twin pairs from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging. Twins ranged in age from 45 to 89 years. Quantitative genetic analysis of four measures of olfactory functioning indicated moderate heritability for odor identification and perceived intensity and nonsignificant heritability for odor detection and perceived pleasantness. Bivariate analyses revealed that the relationship between odor identification and measures of verbal ability was primarily genetically mediated. The results provided further support for the hypothesis that odor identification and verbal ability in general tap the same cognitive domain (Larsson 1997).

Genetic and environmental influences on a measure of infant attachment security

A twin study of infant attachment security at age 24 months was conducted on archival data for a sample of 99 MZ pairs and 108 DZ pairs from the Louisville Twin Study. MZ concordance for attachment was 62.6%, which was significantly greater than the DZ concordance of 44.4%. Concordances were transformed into polychoric correlations, and LISREL was used to conduct a quantitative genetic analysis of the data. Results indicated that 25% of the variability in attachment was attributable to genetic factors, and the remaining 75% was attributable to non-shared environmental effects. No evidence was found for a contribution from shared environmental influences to attachment security. Possible concerns about the validity of twin methodology are addressed and various interpretations of the results are presented.

Odor identification: influences of age, gender, cognition, and personality

The aim of this study was to examine the influences of age, gender, cognitive abilities, and personality styles on odor identification. Participants (N = 532) aged 45-87 years from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging were assessed with a Swedish version of the National Geographic Smell Survey. Both detection and identification of olfactory information were impaired with age. Gender had no effect on detection or identification. Hierarchical regressions revealed that proficiency in semantic memory, intensity perception, and personality style (i.e., neuroticism, impulsivity, and lack of assertiveness) were potent predictors for successful odor identification, even when individual variations in chronological age, sex, education, and global cognitive functioning were taken into account.

Novel purification scheme and functions for a C3-binding protein from Streptococcus pneumoniae

To isolate microbial proteins capable of binding the third component of complement (C3), we coupled the free sulfhydryl group of methylamine-inactivated C3 to a thiolSepharose matrix. This simple technique facilitated the purification of the first C3-binding protein isolated from a bacterium (Streptococcus pneumoniae). Both metastable (native) and thioester-disrupted C3 were recognized by this protein; binding of C3 was noncovalent, independent of thioester conformation, and preferential for the C3 alpha-chain. Sequencing of amino-terminal and internal peptides from the C3-binding protein disclosed a proline-rich region spanning approximately 20 amino acids and a signal peptide that had not been previously reported. The gene was isolated from a library of genomic DNA from laboratory strain CP1200 by screening with a 1200 bp PCR product amplified from degenerate oligonucleotides encoding the amino terminal sequence and the internal proline-rich sequence. The open reading frame spanned 1692 bp; all peptide sequences were identified in the translated gene product, which also contained at least three choline-binding repeats at the carboxy-terminus. The gene was conserved, and the translated protein was functionally active in pneumococcal clinical isolates of serotypes 1, 3, 4, 14, and 19F. Serum from a patient recovering from acute pneumococcal infection contained IgG antibodies specific for this protein by immunoblot. Wide conservation among clinical isolates, saturable binding of C3, and the ability to stimulate the human immune response have not previously been reported for this choline-binding protein. A similar biochemical approach should enable the identification of other C3-binding proteins in microorganisms able to elude complement-mediated host defense.

Contribution of age, genes, and environment to the relationship between perceptual speed and cognitive ability

The aim of this study was to examine genetic influences on cognitive ability in adulthood in the context of the relationship between perceptual speed and cognitive aging. Quantitative genetic analysis of data from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging allowed for estimation of the contribution of age, genetic, and environmental effects to the variance in a latent cognitive factor and to the covariance between the cognitive factor and perceptual speed. The sample included 292 pairs of monozygotic and dizygotic twins. both reared together and reared apart, ranging in age from 40 to 84 years. Analysis of components of total variance in the cognitive factor indicated that 90% of the age-related variance in the cognitive factor was shared with perceptual speed and 70% of the genetic variance in the cognitive factor was shared with perceptual speed. The correlation between the speed and cognitive factors was primarily genetically mediated.

Contribution of age, genes, and environment to the relationship between perceptual speed and cognitive ability

The aim of this study was to examine genetic influences on cognitive ability in adulthood in the context of the relationship between perceptual speed and cognitive aging. Quantitative genetic analysis of data from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging allowed for estimation of the contribution of age, genetic, and environmental effects to the variance in a latent cognitive factor and to the covariance between the cognitive factor and perceptual speed. The sample included 292 pairs of monozygotic and dizygotic twins. both reared together and reared apart, ranging in age from 40 to 84 years. Analysis of components of total variance in the cognitive factor indicated that 90% of the age-related variance in the cognitive factor was shared with perceptual speed and 70% of the genetic variance in the cognitive factor was shared with perceptual speed. The correlation between the speed and cognitive factors was primarily genetically mediated.

Quantitative genetic analysis of biobehavioral markers of aging in Swedish studies of adult twins

OBJECTIVES

This article will examine the generalizability of markers of aging across samples and cultures and the genetic and environmental influences on them.

METHODS

As part of two studies, 18 demographic, cognitive, physiological, personality, and behavioral variables were available from 459 twin pairs ranging in age from 40 to 90 years. Twelve markers of aging were identified using stepwise regression. Factor analysis of the markers produced four factors: general knowledge, fluid abilities, cardiovascular functioning, and well-being.

RESULTS

Analysis of twin similarity for the factors suggested that genetic and environmental influences varied greatly. Significant age differences in heritability were found for three of the four factors.

DISCUSSION

Results indicate one aging theory cannot account for changes in all markers of aging. Aging of various systems occurs as a result of different combinations of genetic and environmental influences.

Longitudinal and cross-sectional twin data on cognitive abilities in adulthood: the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging

Cross-sequential methods of analysis, designed to separate age and cohort effects, were applied to data from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging. Thirteen cognitive variables were collected at 3 times of measurement separated by 3-year intervals. Data were available from 85 individuals from monozygotic (MZ) pairs reared apart, 132 from MZ pairs reared together, 207 from dizygotic (DZ) pairs reared apart, and 178 from DZ pairs reared together (age range at first assessment: 41-84 years). Time x Cohort interactions were found for mean performance on 8 of the measures, revealing stable mean performance in the younger cohorts and longitudinal decreases in mean performance in the older cohorts. Cohort and time effects for total variance were mixed; little evidence was found for increases in variance with age. Age changes and cohort differences in genetic and environmental components of variance were test-specific; several Cohort x Time interactions attained significance. Heritability of the general cognitive ability factor showed significant longitudinal decreases over time in the older cohorts.

Age differences in the nature and origin of individual differences in memory: a behavior genetic analysis

Measures of memory performance and cognitive and lifestyle variables were obtained from 147 younger twin pairs (27 to 60 years) and 194 older twin pairs (60 to 94 years) as part of the Minnesota Twin Study of Adult Development and Aging. Correlational and behavior genetic analyses were combined to investigate age differences in 1) the relationship between memory performance and cognitive and lifestyle variables, 2) genetic and environmental influences on memory performance, and 3) genetic and environmental mediation of the relationship between memory and predictor variables. No age differences in heritability were found. Qualitative age differences in memory processes were suggested by age group differences in the correlations between memory and cognitive factors. Even though age differences in phenotypic correlations had been demonstrated, no age differences in the genetic and environmental mediation of the correlations were found. In other words, the magnitude of the correlation between memory and cognitive factors varied across age groups but the nature of the relationship did not.

Longitudinal and cross-sectional twin data on cognitive abilities in adulthood: the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging

Cross-sequential methods of analysis, designed to separate age and cohort effects, were applied to data from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging. Thirteen cognitive variables were collected at 3 times of measurement separated by 3-year intervals. Data were available from 85 individuals from monozygotic (MZ) pairs reared apart, 132 from MZ pairs reared together, 207 from dizygotic (DZ) pairs reared apart, and 178 from DZ pairs reared together (age range at first assessment: 41-84 years). Time x Cohort interactions were found for mean performance on 8 of the measures, revealing stable mean performance in the younger cohorts and longitudinal decreases in mean performance in the older cohorts. Cohort and time effects for total variance were mixed; little evidence was found for increases in variance with age. Age changes and cohort differences in genetic and environmental components of variance were test-specific; several Cohort x Time interactions attained significance. Heritability of the general cognitive ability factor showed significant longitudinal decreases over time in the older cohorts.

Preliminary results from a twin study of infant--caregiver attachment

Two pilot studies were conducted. First, the validity of a measure of infant-caregiver attachment for twins was assessed. Sixteen twin pairs from the Louisville Twin Study (LTS) were assessed in the Strange Situation (SS) at ages 19 or 25 months. Concordance between the LTS procedure and the SS procedure for assessing attachment was 78.1%, significantly greater than chance. Second, twin similarity for attachment as measured by the LTS procedure was assessed. Videotapes of 34 MZ pairs and 26 DZ pairs at ages 18 and 24 months were rated in terms of attachment behavior. MZ concordance for attachment was 67.6%, significantly greater than the DZ concordance rate of 38.5%. Results are discussed in the context of current debate in attachment theory.

Sex differences and nonadditivity in heritability of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire Scales

A sex-limitation model was applied to the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) data from the Minnesota Twin Family Registry. The sample included 626 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs, 517 same-sex dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs, and 114 opposite-sex DZ twin pairs ranging in age from 27 to 64 years (mean age = 37.8). In addition, whenever possible, family members of the twins were also assessed: 1,690 spouses, 495 parents, 322 siblings, and 535 offspring. The goals of the present investigation were to analyze the covariance matrices to determine whether (a) there was evidence for sex limitation of heritability of the MPQ scales and (b) there was evidence for nonadditive genetic influences on these scales. Significant sex differences in heritability were found for 3 of the scales: Alienation, Control, and Absorption. In addition, evidence for dominance was found for all scales except Traditionalism and Absorption.

Sex differences and nonadditivity in heritability of the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire Scales

A sex-limitation model was applied to the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire (MPQ) data from the Minnesota Twin Family Registry. The sample included 626 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs, 517 same-sex dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs, and 114 opposite-sex DZ twin pairs ranging in age from 27 to 64 years (mean age = 37.8). In addition, whenever possible, family members of the twins were also assessed: 1,690 spouses, 495 parents, 322 siblings, and 535 offspring. The goals of the present investigation were to analyze the covariance matrices to determine whether (a) there was evidence for sex limitation of heritability of the MPQ scales and (b) there was evidence for nonadditive genetic influences on these scales. Significant sex differences in heritability were found for 3 of the scales: Alienation, Control, and Absorption. In addition, evidence for dominance was found for all scales except Traditionalism and Absorption.

Genetic influences on memory performance in adulthood: comparison of Minnesota and Swedish twin data

Results from 2 twin studies of aging differ concerning the heritability of memory performance in adulthood. Heritability estimates from the Minnesota Twin Study of Adult Development and Aging (MTSADA; D. Finkel & M. McGue, 1993) are larger than estimates from the Swedish data (N. L. Pedersen, R. Plomin, J. R. Nesselroade, & G. E. McClearn, 1992). Memory data were available from MTSADA on a sample of 112 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs and 111 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs ages 27 to 88 years and from the Swedish study on a sample of 86 MZ and 110 DZ twin pairs who were reared together and were ages 27 to 85 years. Univariate and multivariate behavior genetic analyses were conducted to determine the significance and source of differences in heritability across studies. No significant age differences were found in either study. Study differences were found at the level of specific memory measures, but not at the level of a general memory factor.

Cloning and expression of a gene encoding an integrin-like protein in Candida albicans

The existence of integrin-like proteins in Candida albicans has been postulated because monoclonal antibodies to the leukocyte integrins alpha M and alpha X bind to blastospores and germ tubes, recognize a candidal surface protein of approximately 185 kDa, and inhibit candidal adhesion to human epithelium. The gene alpha INT1 was isolated from a library of C. albicans genomic DNA by screening with a cDNA probe from the transmembrane domain of human alpha M. The predicted polypeptide (alpha Int1p) of 188 kDa contains several motifs common to alpha M and alpha X: a putative I domain, two EF-hand divalent cation-binding sites, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tail with a single tyrosine residue. An internal RGD tripeptide is also present. Binding of anti-peptide antibodies raised to potential extracellular domains of alpha Int1p confirms surface localization in C. albicans blastopores. By Southern blotting, alpha INT1 is unique to C. albicans. Expression of alpha INT1 under control of a galactose-inducible promoter led to the production of germ tubes in haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae and in the corresponding ste12 mutant. Germ tubes were not observed in haploid yeast transformed with vector alone, in transformants expressing a galactose-inducible gene from Chlamydomonas, or in transformants grown in the presence of glucose or raffinose. Transformants producing alpha Int1p bound an anti-alpha M monoclonal antibody and exhibited enhanced aggregation. Studies of alpha Int1p reveal novel roles for primitive integrin-like proteins in adhesion and in STE12-independent morphogenesis.

Genetic influences on memory performance in adulthood: comparison of Minnesota and Swedish twin data

Results from 2 twin studies of aging differ concerning the heritability of memory performance in adulthood. Heritability estimates from the Minnesota Twin Study of Adult Development and Aging (MTSADA; D. Finkel & M. McGue, 1993) are larger than estimates from the Swedish data (N. L. Pedersen, R. Plomin, J. R. Nesselroade, & G. E. McClearn, 1992). Memory data were available from MTSADA on a sample of 112 monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs and 111 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs ages 27 to 88 years and from the Swedish study on a sample of 86 MZ and 110 DZ twin pairs who were reared together and were ages 27 to 85 years. Univariate and multivariate behavior genetic analyses were conducted to determine the significance and source of differences in heritability across studies. No significant age differences were found in either study. Study differences were found at the level of specific memory measures, but not at the level of a general memory factor.

Heritability of cognitive abilities in adult twins: comparison of Minnesota and Swedish data

Cross-sectional reports suggest heritability of cognitive ability increases throughout adulthood. To investigate this hypothesis, quantitative genetic analyses were conducted on four measures of cognitive ability (verbal, spatial, perceptual speed, memory). Data from Minnesota and Swedish twin studies of aging were compared. Heritability estimates and the factor structure of cognitive abilities could be equated across younger twins (age, 27-50) and middle-aged twins (age, 50-65) from both studies, suggesting stability of heritability during adulthood. The heritability of 81% for a general cognitive factor confirmed earlier findings of high heritability in younger and middle-aged samples. Older Swedish twins (age, 65-85) demonstrated significantly lower heritability estimates for cognitive abilities (54%) and a significantly different factor structure of cognitive ability.

Genetic and environmental influences on functional age: a twin study

Twin analyses were conducted to determine the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors on functional aging. As part of the ongoing Minnesota Twin Study of Adult Development and Aging (MTSADA), measures of 30 demographic, cognitive, physiological, personality, and behavioral variables were available from 140 monozygotic twin pairs and 97 dizygotic twin pairs ranging in age from 27 to 88 years. Functional age was based on a general linear regression model with chronological age as the dependent variable. Stepwise regression determined the subset of variables by MTSADA providing the best prediction of chronological age. Factor analysis of these 12 variables resulted in three factors: physiological measures, cognitive abilities, and processing speed. When entered into, a regression equation, the three factors accounted for 66% of the variance in chronological age. Analysis of twin similarity for components of functional age suggested the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors varies greatly for different components of functional aging. In addition, the genetic and shared environmental influences on the three components were common to all three, while the nonshared environmental influences were specific to each component.

Age differences in hypermnesia: word gain versus word loss

A hypermnesic task was administered to 82 younger adults (ages 27-39), 63 middle-aged adults (ages 40-59), and 119 older adults (ages 60-87). Previous research suggests that relational encoding prevents loss of items and item-specific encoding promotes item gains in a hypermnesic task (Klein et al., 1989) and that there are age differences in relational but not item-specific encoding (Luszcz et al., 1990). This information provided the basis for three predictions: (a) There are age differences in hypermnesia, (b) there are age differences in word losses in a hypermnesic task, and (c) there are no age differences in word gains in a hypermnesic task. In order to manipulate type of encoding, a list of words with high association strength (to evoke relational encoding) and words with low association strength (to evoke item-specific encoding) was constructed. The results of this investigation provide support for the encoding manipulation and for all three predictions. In addition, the nature of the age differences in word loss observed suggests that although older adults may be capable of relational encoding, this form of encoding is not as effective at preventing word loss for them as it is for younger adults.

Early flowering and reduced apical dominance result from ectopic expression of a rice MADS box gene

Recent studies with dicot plants reveal that floral organ development is controlled by a group of regulatory factors containing the MADS domain. In this study, we have isolated and characterized a cDNA clone from rice, OsMADS1, which encodes a MADS-domain-containing protein. The OsMADS1 amino acid sequence shows 56.2% identity to AGL2 and 44.4% identity to AP1. The MADS box region was the most homologous to other MADS-domain-containing proteins. Northern blot analysis indicated that the rice MADS gene was preferentially expressed in floral organs. In situ localization studies showed that the transcript was uniformly present in young flower primordia and later became localized in palea, lemma, and ovary. Ectopic expression of OsMAD1 with the CaMV 35S promoter in transgenic tobacco plants dramatically alters development, resulting in short, bushy, early-flowering plants with reduced apical dominance. These results suggest that the OsMADS1 gene is involved in flower induction and that it may be used for genetic manipulation of certain plant species.

The origins of individual differences in memory among the elderly: a behavior genetic analysis

The purpose of this investigation was to apply behavior genetic methods to investigate individual differences in memory performance. Memory and various cognitive and lifestyle variables were obtained from 93 monozygotic twin pairs and 67 dizygotic twin pairs aged 60-88 years as part of the Minnesota Twin Study of Adult Development and Aging. Univariate analysis, used to determine the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors on 4 measures of memory (word recall, immediate and delayed text recall, and figure memory), suggested that 55% of the variance in memory performance could be attributed to genetic factors. Bivariate analysis was used to determine the specific variables that mediate the genetic and environmental influences on memory. Results suggested that the relationship between memory and cognitive variables was genetic in nature, whereas the nature of the relationship between memory and lifestyle variables was environmental.

The origins of individual differences in memory among the elderly: a behavior genetic analysis

The purpose of this investigation was to apply behavior genetic methods to investigate individual differences in memory performance. Memory and various cognitive and lifestyle variables were obtained from 93 monozygotic twin pairs and 67 dizygotic twin pairs aged 60-88 years as part of the Minnesota Twin Study of Adult Development and Aging. Univariate analysis, used to determine the relative influence of genetic and environmental factors on 4 measures of memory (word recall, immediate and delayed text recall, and figure memory), suggested that 55% of the variance in memory performance could be attributed to genetic factors. Bivariate analysis was used to determine the specific variables that mediate the genetic and environmental influences on memory. Results suggested that the relationship between memory and cognitive variables was genetic in nature, whereas the nature of the relationship between memory and lifestyle variables was environmental.

Methylations of adenosine residues (m6A) in pre-mRNA are important for formation of late simian virus 40 mRNAs

Cycloleucine, a competitive inhibitor of methionine transferase was used to generate in vivo partially methylated mRNA in SV40-infected BSC-1 cells. Cycloleucine at 0.5 mg/ml causes more than a 30% decrease in internal m6As of late SV40 mRNA with only minor effect on the dimethyladenosine of the 5' caps m7GpppmAm. After treatment with 2 and 5 mg/ml of cycloleucine, internal m6As were reduced by 10- and 100-fold, respectively. The inhibition of BSC-1 mRNA methylations paralleled that observed for late SV40 mRNAs. In cells exposed to 2 mg/ml cycloleucine production of late SV40 mRNA was inhibited by 80% whereas the amount of SV40 nuclear RNA was only slightly reduced. Size fractionation of SV40 nuclear RNA from cycloleucine-treated cells revealed a loss of SV40 19 S RNA with a corresponding increase of fragmented RNA sedimenting between 11 to 5 S, so that the total amount of SV40 RNA in the nucleus was almost unchanged. Analysis of viral transcription complexes from cells treated with cycloleucine indicated that SV40 transcription was not affected by cycloleucine. SV40-transformed cells, in contrast to BSC-1 cells, were able to process and transport undermethylated RNA. When transformed cells were treated with 2 mg/ml cycloleucine no changes in quantities or size of cytoplasmic and nuclear RNA were detected. The data argues for a role of internal m6A moieties in modulating the processing-linked transport of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm of nontransformed cells. Transformed cells may escape these controls due to structural alterations in their perinuclear regions.