Polymerase Chain Reaction-single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (polymerase + chain_reaction-single_strand_conformation_polymorphism)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


BRAF mutation associated with dysregulation of apoptosis in human colorectal neoplasms

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 6 2005
Nobunao Ikehara
Abstract To understand the role of BRAF dysfunction in the carcinogenesis and progression/development of colorectal tumors, the authors investigated genetic alterations in the BRAF gene in human colorectal neoplasms as well as the effects of an RAS inhibitor in BRAF -mutant cells. Seven colon cancer cell lines and 116 colorectal tumors (34 adenomas and 82 adenocarcinomas) were analyzed. Genetic alterations in the BRAF and K- ras genes were examined using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and direct sequencing analyses. The growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of the FTI-277 RAS inhibitor in colon cancer cell lines were analyzed as well. An immunohistochemical study was also performed to investigate the correlations between the clinicopathologic parameters involved in the Ki-67 labeling index and the number of apoptotic bodies in tumor cells. FTI-277 did not suppress the proliferation of BRAF -mutant cells (WiDr and TCO), but remarkably inhibited the growth of K- ras mutant cells (LoVo). Interestingly, LoVo cells underwent apoptosis by FTI-277 in a dose-dependent manner, whereas WiDr cells were resistant to this agent. In tumor samples, BRAF mutations were found in 1 (3.0%) of 33 adenomas and 6 (7.2%) of 83 adenocarcinomas. No tumor exhibited mutations in both the BRAF and K- ras genes. Neither BRAF nor K- ras mutations correlated with the Ki-67 labeling index immunohistochemically. However, the number of apoptotic bodies was significantly decreased in the BRAF -mutant tumors. Mutation in the BRAF gene may contribute to colorectal carcinogenesis by upregulating the antiapoptotic role of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Mutational Analysis and Functional Correlation With Phenotype in German Patients With Childhood-Type Hypophosphatasia

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 12 2001
Hideo Orimo
Abstract The tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) gene from five German family members with childhood-type hypophosphatasia (HOPS) was analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP)-direct sequencing method. Four novel missense mutations (T51M, R54S, L258P, and R374H) and two that had been described previously (A160T and R206W) were detected in the respective patients. Mutation A160T was detected in 3 distinct patients, and a polymorphism V505A that had been described previously was detected in the same allele as L258P mutation in 1 patient and in 2 fathers whose V505A alleles were not transmitted to the probands. No other mutations were found in 2 patients. Transient expression of the mutant proteins in COS-1 cells showed that the four novel mutations and R206W were severe alleles, whereas A160T was a moderate allele. Analysis of its enzymatic activity and genetic transmission patterns confirmed that V505A was a polymorphism. Immunoprecipitation of the transiently expressed proteins showed that levels of the 80-kDa mature form of the enzyme were diminished or absent with the severe alleles; instead, levels of high-molecular mass disulfide-linked aggregates were increased. These results suggest that in compound heterozygotes, the combination of severe and moderate alleles may combine to cause the mild phenotype seen in childhood-type HOPS. [source]


p53 expression, K- ras gene mutation and microsatellite instability in gastric B-cell lymphomas

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 9 2003
TORU HIYAMA
Abstract Background and Aims:, Genetic mechanisms involved in the development of gastric B-cell lymphomas remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to clarify the roles of mutations of the p53 and K- ras genes, and microsatellite instability (MSI) in the development of gastric B-cell lymphomas. Methods:, We investigated p53 immunoreactivity, mutations of the K- ras gene, and MSI in 27 gastric marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type (MZBCL) and 24 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL). p53 immunoreactivity was examined using a monoclonal antibody, DO-7. Mutation of the K- ras gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis. MSI was examined at five microsatellite loci with a microsatellite assay. Cases were classified as having high-frequency MSI (MSI-H) (, 2 loci showing instability), low-frequency MSI (MSI-L) (only one locus showing instability), or as microsatellite stable. Results:, p53 immunoreactivity was detected in 1 of 16 (6%) MZBCL and 8 of 19 (42%) DLBCL. Frequency of p53 immunoreactivity in DLBCL was significantly higher than that in MZBCL (P = 0.018). MSI-H was detected only in 1 of 20 (5%) DLBCL. None of the cases examined showed mutation of the K- ras gene. Conclusions:, These data suggest that mutations of the p53 gene may play an important role in the development of gastric DLBCL, and that mutations of the K- ras gene and MSI may be involved in little part of the development of gastric B-cell lymphomas. [source]


Genetic alterations of protein-o-mannosyltransferase-1 in glioneuronal and glial brain tumors with subarachnoid spread

NEUROPATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
Julia Snoei
Leptomeningeal spread is a casual but conspicuous finding in both low- and high-grade gliomas. We hypothesized a compromised integrity of the glia limitans-basal lamina complex due to glycosylation defects by loss of protein-o-mannosyltransferase-1 (POMT1) activity, also a well-known feature in developmental brain disorders with leptomeningeal heterotopia. Hypothesizing it as analogous in gliomas, we have performed a comprehensive polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis of the POMT1 gene in 41 brain tumor specimens. Each specimen was subjected to laser capture microdissection analyses to dissect: (i) subarachnoid tumor components; (ii) deeply localized tumor areas; and (iii) histologically unaffected CNS fragments. In addition, leukocyte DNA of healthy Caucasians served as controls (n = 100). Sequence alterations were found in exons 7, 9, 15 and 18. Exon 7 bore two sequence alterations, one 751C > T transition with amino acid exchange of arginine by tryptophane (Arg251Trp) (n = 12/41 in Tu vs n = 7/82 in Co) and a 752G > A transition with replacement of arginine by glutamine (Arg251Gln) (n = 3/41 in Tu vs n = 0/82 in Co) that were significantly increased in the tumor specimens compared to controls (P < 0.05). A 979G > A transition in exon 9 resulted in a valine to isoleucine switch (Val327Ile) (n = 6/40 in Tu vs n = 4/84 in Co). Individual specimens revealed a 1565G > A (Arg522Lys) transition in exon 15 and a 1922C > T (Ala641Val) transition in exon 18. Two gangliogliomas only revealed sequence alterations in the superficial area but not in intraparenchymal and adjacent control specimens. We conclude that a significant increase of POMT1 missense mutations may indicate a functional role in neoplastic conditions in individual tumors. Future studies will be important to evaluate a functional impact of POMT1 alterations in human brain tumors. [source]