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Conformational Polymorphism Analysis (conformational + polymorphism_analysis)
Selected AbstractsPrevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Pakistani breast and ovarian cancer patientsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 12 2006Muhammad U. Rashid Abstract Among Asian countries, Pakistan has the highest rates of breast and ovarian cancer. To assess the contribution of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 germ line mutations to these high rates, we conducted the first study of 176 Pakistani breast and ovarian cancer patients, selected on family history and on age of diagnosis. Comprehensive BRCA mutation screening was performed using a range of techniques, including denaturing high-pressure liquid chromatography, single strand conformational polymorphism analysis and protein truncation test, followed by DNA sequencing. Thirty deleterious germ-line mutations were identified in the 176 families (17.0%), including 23 in BRCA1 and 7 in BRCA2. Four mutations, 185delAG, 185insA, S1503X and R1835X, were recurrent; these accounted for 52% of all identified BRCA1 mutations. Haplotype analyses suggested founder effects for 3 of these. The prevalence of BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations was 42.8% for families with multiple cases of breast cancer, and was 50.0% for the breast/ovarian cancer families. The prevalence of mutations was 11.9% for single cases of early-onset breast cancer (,30 years) and was 9.0% for single cases of early-onset ovarian cancer (,45 years). Our findings show that BRCA mutations account for a substantial proportion of hereditary breast/ovarian cancer and early-onset breast and ovarian cancer cases in Pakistan. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Polymorphism of the ovine ,3 -adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB3) and its association with wool mean staple strength and yieldANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 6 2009R. H. Forrest Summary We investigated the possibility that variation in ovine ADRB3 is associated with various wool traits, in particular mean staple strength (MSS). Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism analysis of part of the ADRB3 intron was used to genotype 695 Merino lambs born on three farms in the South Island of New Zealand and which were shorn as 2-tooths. For each fleece, MSS, mean fibre diameter, mean staple length and yield were measured. The results from mixed-effects models and half-sib analyses suggest that ADRB3 alleles A and D have a negative impact on some wool traits, whereas ADRB3 alleles C and E appear to have a positive impact, with allele C potentially having a greater impact than allele E on MSS. This variation in the ADRB3 may assist in the genetic selection for increased MSS and yield in Merino sheep. [source] CDKN2A mutations in melanoma families from UruguayBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2009A.L. Borges Summary Background, Familial melanoma, a cluster of several cases within a single family, accounts for approximately 10% of cases of melanoma. Hereditary melanoma is defined as two or more first-degree relatives having melanoma. A member of a melanoma-prone family has a 35,70-fold increased relative risk of developing a melanoma. Genetic susceptibility is linked to the major susceptibility genes CDKN2A and CDK4, and the minor susceptibility gene MC1R. Objectives, To determine the clinical and genetic characteristics of cutaneous melanoma in melanoma-prone families from Uruguay. Methods, We studied 13 individuals from six melanoma-prone families living in Uruguay. Phenotype, familial and personal history were recorded. Molecular screening of CDKN2A and CDK4 was done by polymerase chain reaction,single strand conformational polymorphism analysis. The MC1R gene was sequenced. Results, Mutations in CDKN2A were detected in five of six families: c.,34G>T, p.G101W and p.E88X. A novel germline mutation p.E88X, associated with hereditary melanoma in two unrelated families, is described. We hypothesize that a founder effect occurred probably in the Mediterranean region. No mutations in CDK4 were detected. Six different MC1R variants, all previously reported, were present in Uruguayan families. Conclusions, The overall rate of deleterious CDKN2A mutations in our familial melanoma pedigrees, even though the sample size is small, was considerably higher (83%) than the often quoted range. [source] Inactivation of the CDKN2A and the p53 tumour suppressor genes in external genital carcinomas and their precursorsBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2007N. Soufir Summary Background, p53 has been extensively studied in external genital carcinoma (EGC), and is frequently inactivated, but little is known about the role of the CDKN2A tumour suppressor gene in the oncogenesis of EGC. Objectives, To investigate the role of CDKN2A and p53 in the pathogenesis of EGCs and their precursor lesions vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN3), penile intraepithelial neoplasia and lichen sclerosus (LS). Methods, By means of CDKN2A and p53 mutation screening (single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis and sequencing), methylation analysis of alternative CDKN2A promoters (methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction) and p53 immununochemistry, we analysed eight invasive EGCs (five from vulva and three from penis) and 25 precancerous lesions (two undifferentiated VIN3 and 23 vulval/penile lesions of LS) from 33 patients. Results, p53 mutations (mainly transversions) and CDKN2A mutations (including one hot spot) were present in 75% and 50% of invasive tumours, respectively, but were absent in all precancerous lesions. Remarkably, all CDKN2A -mutated tumours also harboured a p53 mutation. CDKN2A or p53 mutations were observed more frequently in LS-derived EGCs than in human papillomavirus-derived EGCs (P = 0·053). A positive anti-p53 staining, but without p53 mutations, was also detected in 30% of LS lesions, suggesting a p53 stabilization in response to inflammation and carcinogenic insult. Methylation of p16INK4a and p14ARF promoters was not a frequent mechanism of CDKN2A inactivation. Conclusions, Our study shows a high prevalence of co-inactivating mutations of p53 and/or CDKN2A genes in EGC, that seem to occur preferentially in LS-derived tumours and late in oncogenesis. [source] CD8-positive juvenile onset mycosis fungoides: an immunohistochemical and genotypic analysis of six casesBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2000L.R. Whittam Background,Childhood cases of cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma have not been well described. Objectives,We have undertaken an immunohistochemical and genotypic analysis of patients presenting with juvenile onset mycosis fungoides (MF). Patients/methods,Of 10 patients presenting over a 3-year period, six exhibited a CD8-positive phenotype. These six patients were also CD2, CD3 and TIA1 positive, but CD56 negative. Apart from the cytotoxic phenotype, these patients had clinicopathological features that were indistinguishable from ordinary cases of MF, with slowly evolving patches and plaques. Three patients were staged as 1A and three as 1B, with no evidence of nodal or systemic disease. Results,Patients responded well to conventional therapy, with no evidence of disease progression after 3 years follow-up. Epidermotropism was a prominent feature in four of the six cytotoxic cases. In two patients with an equivocal histology the diagnosis was confirmed by the finding of a clonal population, using polymerase chain reaction/single strand conformational polymorphism analysis of the T-cell receptor gamma gene in lesional skin. The same technique revealed that all blood samples analysed were polyclonal. Conclusions,These data show that cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma can pursue an indolent course and that cases of CD8-positive MF may be over-represented in childhood. [source] Mutations in the hMLH1 gene in Slovenian patients with gastric carcinomaCLINICAL GENETICS, Issue 5 2004P Hudler Alterations of multiple oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, together with genetic instability, are responsible for carcinogenesis in gastric cancer. The microsatellite mutator phenotype is the cause of many somatic frameshift and point mutations in non-coding repetitive sequences and in coding regions associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis. Genetic mutations in hMLH1 and transcriptional silencing of its promoter by hypermethylation lead to the inactivation of the mismatch repair system. In our study, we screened for mutations the hMLH1 gene in patients expressing the microsatellite instability genotype by using single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing. Seven changes were identified; of these, three (A92P, E433Q, and K618A) were germline mutations and the other four (IVS5 453 + 79 A > G, I219V, 1039 , 7 del (T)n, and IVS15 1668 , 19 A > G) germline polymorphisms. A92P and E433Q are novel, previously unidentified mutations. In addition, we found a rather complex distribution of mutations and polymorphisms in individual patients and in two cases also a methylated hMLH1 promoter. [source] |