Publications (18)152.79 Total impact
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Article: BHLHB3: a candidate tumor suppressor in lung cancer.
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ABSTRACT: BHLHB3 is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) domain-containing protein that acts as a transcriptional repressor. We found that BHLHB3 transcript levels were low in three human lung cancer cell lines and downregulated in human lung adenocarcinomas as compared to normal lung tissue. BHLHB3 gene overexpression inhibited colony formation of A549, NCI-H520 and NCI-H596 lung cancer cells. The reduced colony growth was likely due to inhibition of cell proliferation as suggested by the downregulation of cyclin D1 (CCND1) expression in NCI-H520 cells transfected to overexpress the BHLHB3 gene; no evidence of apoptosis was observed. These results point to the potential role of the BHLHB3 protein as a tumor suppressor for lung cancer.Oncogene 07/2008; 27(26):3761-4. · 6.37 Impact Factor -
Article: AZGP1 mRNA levels in normal human lung tissue correlate with lung cancer disease status.
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ABSTRACT: Evidence in animal models has suggested an association between susceptibility to lung tumorigenesis and gene-expression profiles in normal lung. Here, we compared RNA pools from normal lung tissue of lung adenocarcinoma patients (cases) or non-lung cancer patients (controls) by hybridization of whole-human genome expression arrays. Principal component analysis identified a gene-expression signature of 85 genes that distinguishes cases from controls as well as smokers from nonsmokers. Elevated mRNA levels of one of these genes, AZGP1, were significantly associated with disease status. These results support the hypothesis that differences in the gene-expression levels of the normal tissue may be predictive of genetic predisposition to lung cancer in humans.Oncogene 04/2008; 27(11):1650-6. · 6.37 Impact Factor -
Article: Identification of RASSF8 as a candidate lung tumor suppressor gene.
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ABSTRACT: The RASSF8 gene, which maps close to the KRAS2 gene, contains a RAS-associated domain and encodes a protein that is evolutionarily conserved from fish to humans. Analysis of the RASSF8 transcript revealed a complex expression pattern of 5'-UTR mRNA isoforms in normal lung and in lung adenocarcinomas (ADCAs), with no apparent differences. However, RASSF8 gene transcript levels were approximately seven-fold-lower in lung ADCAs as compared to normal lung tissue. Expression of RASSF8 protein by transfected lung cancer cells led to inhibition of anchorage-independent growth in soft agar in A549 cells and reduction of clonogenic activity in NCI-H520 cells. These results raise the possibility protein encoded by RASSF8 is a novel tumor suppressor for lung cancer.Oncogene 07/2006; 25(28):3934-8. · 6.37 Impact Factor -
Article: Linkage disequilibrium pattern in the L-myc gene in Italian and Japanese non-small-cell lung-cancer patients.
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ABSTRACT: Italian and Japanese non-small-cell lung-cancer patients were genotyped for an intragenic L-myc EcoRI restriction site polymorphism previously reported to be associated with lung-tumor prognosis in Asian populations but not in Caucasians. Screening of the L-myc sequence in Italian samples allowed identification of 2 additional 3'-UTR SNPs, located 2.3-3.0 kb from the EcoRI polymorphism, but no coding polymorphism was found. No significant association was found between any of the 3 SNPs and lung-tumor prognosis in Italian patients, consistent with the reported difference between Caucasian and Asian populations. Moreover, the newly discovered polymorphisms in the Italian group were not present in Japanese patients. Significant LD between EcoRI and the 2 other SNPs was detected in the Italian population, whereas no significant LD between the 2 3'-UTR markers was detected despite their close proximity (0.7 kb). Thus, the disparate conclusions about the role of L-myc polymorphism in tumor prognosis among different populations may rest in population-specific LD between the functional gene and the L-myc polymorphism.International Journal of Cancer 10/2001; 95(5):329-31. · 5.44 Impact Factor -
Article: A cancer modifier role for parathyroid hormone-related protein.
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ABSTRACT: The parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) gene (Pthlh) maps in the distal region of mouse chromosome 6 that contains a quantitative trait locus associated with genetic predisposition to skin tumorigenesis. Here, we report a genetic polymorphism located in the osteostatin encoding region of the Pthlh gene and that produces Thr/ Pro PTHrP variants. PthlhThr and PthlhPro alleles were significantly linked with resistance and susceptibility to skin carcinogenesis in phenotypically selected Car-R and Car-S outbred mice. Transfection of human NCI-H520 squamous cell carcinoma cells with the PthlhPro allele resulted in cells growing in clusters, tending to pile up, and growing at a significantly faster rate in nude mice than non-transfected and PthlhThr-transfected cells. These results point to the role of the Pthlh gene as a cancer modifier gene in skin tumorigenesis.Oncogene 12/2000; 19(47):5324-8. · 6.37 Impact Factor -
Article: Expression of Fhit protein during mouse development.
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ABSTRACT: Fhit protein has a putative tumor suppressor function in several types of human and experimental cancers. To assess whether Fhit is involved in fetal development we have examined the distribution of Fhit protein in the 12- through 16-day postcoitum mouse fetus and in postnatal day 0 mouse pups by immunocytochemistry. High levels of Fhit protein were observed in the endodermal derivatives, namely, bronchi, trachea, esophagus, stomach, and intestine, in the 12- to 16-day postcoitum mouse fetus and in the postnatal day 0 pup. Other tissues showed a more restricted pattern of Fhit protein expression. These results suggest that Fhit may play a role in the development of specific tissues during mouse development.The Anatomical Record 11/2000; 260(2):208-11. -
Article: Linkage disequilibrium and physical mapping of Pas1 in mice.
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ABSTRACT: By using linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis in 21 strains of known susceptibility to lung cancer and by assembling a YAC contig, we mapped to a approximately 1.5-Mb region on distal mouse chromosome 6 the Pas1 locus, the major determinant of lung cancer predisposition in mice. Our results, on the basis of haplotype and phenetic analysis, suggest that the Pas1(s) susceptibility allele is shared by several mouse-inbred strains of independent origin, which show either high or intermediate predisposition to lung tumorigenesis. Therefore, the Pas1(s) allele is probably derived from an ancestral mouse rather than from independent mutations of the same gene. We showed the feasibility of LD in common inbred strains for the fine mapping of disease loci, and provided the biological basis and the reagents for the cloning of the Pas1 gene.Genome Research 08/1999; 9(7):639-46. · 13.61 Impact Factor -
Article: Genetic mapping of cancer susceptibility/resistance loci in the mouse.
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ABSTRACT: Genetic linkage experiments using crosses between mouse inbred strains with an inherited predisposition and resistance to lung cancer make it possible to investigate the genetics of the complex inheritance of susceptibility and resistance to lung cancer. We have previously mapped a major locus (pulmonary adenoma susceptibility 1, Pas1) affecting inherited predisposition to lung cancer in mice onto chromosome 6, near Kras2. Appropriate crosses that include Pas1/+ mice provide a model system for identifying loci that can modify the lung cancer predisposition phenotype caused by Pas1. Using this approach, we mapped the pulmonary adenoma resistance 1 (Par1) locus on to mouse chromosome 11; this locus selectively inhibits lung tumor development in Pas1/+ animals and therefore behaves like a modulator gene of Pas1. More recently, we have mapped lung tumor modifier loci specifically affecting the initiation and progression of lung cancer. Thus experimental models provide an essential tool for the mapping of lung cancer susceptibility/resistance genes and for the subsequent cloning of candidate genes.Recent results in cancer research. Fortschritte der Krebsforschung. Progrès dans les recherches sur le cancer 02/1998; 154:292-7. -
Article: Analysis of the retinoic acid receptor alpha gene as a candidate for the pulmonary adenoma resistance 1 gene.
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ABSTRACT: The retinoic acid receptor alpha (Rara) gene, which maps in the same region as the pulmonary adenoma resistance (Par1) locus on mouse chromosome 11 (Manenti G et al., Nature Genet 12:455-457, 1996), was tested as a candidate gene for Par1. We report here the analysis of loss of heterozygosity, nucleotide sequence comparison, gene expression, and biochemical activity of the Rara gene from the Mus spretus(Par1/+) and A/J (Par1/-) mouse strains. The two Rara alleles were distinguished by two amino-acid variations but had similar biochemical activity and expression levels, leading to the exclusion of Rara as a candidate Par1 gene.Molecular Carcinogenesis 02/1998; 21(1):13-6. · 3.16 Impact Factor -
Article: Association of chromosome 12p genetic polymorphisms with lung adenocarcinoma risk and prognosis.
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ABSTRACT: The mapping near Kras2 of pulmonary adenoma susceptibility 1 (Pas1), a major locus affecting inherited predisposition to lung cancer in mice prompted us to test the homologous human region (12p12) for association with lung adenocarcinoma, by a population-based study. We genotyped 213 lung adenocarcinoma patients and 219 healthy blood donor subjects for five polymorphic markers mapping in the putative region of interest. Three marker polymorphisms, located in a region spanning approximately 700 kb, were significantly associated with lung adenocarcinoma risk. Furthermore, polymorphisms in KRAS2 and PTHLH loci were also associated with tumor prognosis. These results suggest the existence of a human Pas1 homologous locus on chromosome 12p12.Carcinogenesis 11/1997; 18(10):1917-20. · 5.70 Impact Factor -
Article: Downexpression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 in murine lung tumors.
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ABSTRACT: We analyzed the expression of the cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (Aldh1) gene in mouse lung tumors by northern blotting and immunocytochemical analysis. Aldh1 was abundantly expressed in normal lung tissue, with a predominant cellular localization on bronchiolar cells. However, expression of Aldh1 was strongly reduced (more than tenfold) in lung tumors. As aldehyde dehydrogenases metabolize some antitumor alkylating drugs to inactive compounds, the low expression of Aldh1 in lung tumors may account for the drug sensitivity of these tumors to chemotherapeutic agents.Molecular Carcinogenesis 08/1996; 16(3):123-5. · 3.16 Impact Factor -
Article: Genetic mapping of a pulmonary adenoma resistance (Par1) in mouse.
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ABSTRACT: Lung cancer, a major cause of death in the Western world, has a poor prognosis. So far, therapeutic strategies have had only a limited effect. Lung cancer risk is strongly associated with cigarette smoking and lung cancer pedigrees are rare. However, a possible polygenic nature of inherited predisposition to this cancer has been envisaged. Mouse inbred strains with inherited predisposition and resistance to lung cancer provide an important tool for the dissection of the genetics of this complex disease. The A/J strain carries the pulmonary adenoma susceptibility 1 (Pas1) locus and develops many lung tumours. We have mapped the M. spretus-derived locus that strongly resists the lung tumorigenesis in Pas1/+ mice. This locus, pulmonary adenoma resistance 1 (Par1) maps to mouse chromosome 11, near the Rara locus, with a lod score of 5.3. In Pas1/+ mice Par1 accounts for 23% of the phenotypic variance and 10 fold reduction in total tumour volume. These results provide evidence for a major resistance locus affecting the expression of an inherited predisposition to lung cancer.Nature Genetics 05/1996; 12(4):455-7. · 35.53 Impact Factor -
Article: Different susceptibility to lung tumorigenesis in mice with an identical Kras2 intron 2.
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ABSTRACT: The A/J mouse strain is genetically susceptible to pulmonary tumorigenesis. We have performed a genetic linkage analysis to map pulmonary adenoma susceptibility (Pas) loci in an urethane-treated (A/J x Mus spretus) x C57BL/6J (ASB) interspecific testcross. In this interspecific cross we have confirmed our previous results in AC3F2 mice on the mapping of the Pas1 locus to the distal region of chromosome 6, near Kras2 (Nature Genetics 3: 132-136, 1993). The A/J and M. spretus strains differed at the Pas1 locus, with the M. spretus providing the resistant allele. In the latter strain, we studied the nucleotide sequence of a portion of the second intron of Kras2 that contains polymorphisms associated with lung tumor susceptibility in several inbred strains. The lung tumor-resistant M. spretus strain had the same specific nucleotide sequence of susceptible strains. Mutations in codon 61 of Kras2 in urethane-induced lung tumors from ASF1 hybrids involved the A/J allele in all cases, while the M. spretus allele was never affected. Our results indicate that the M. spretus and A/J mice have an identical structure of the second intron of the Kras2 gene, but they differ in genetic susceptibility to pulmonary tumorigenesis and in mutability of their Kras2 allele.Genomics 10/1995; 29(2):438-44. · 3.02 Impact Factor -
Article: The daunorubicin-binding protein of Mr 54,000 is an aldehyde dehydrogenase and is down-regulated in mouse liver tumors and in tumor cell lines.
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ABSTRACT: A rabbit antiserum developed against purified rat liver daunorubicin-binding protein of M(r) 54,000 (DNR-BP54) cross-reacted with a mouse protein of the same molecular weight. This protein was expressed in the liver and several other organs of mice. A series of tumors and cell lines tested for the presence of the protein were negative. By immunocytochemistry, we found that DNR-BP54 was abundantly expressed in the cytoplasm of normal hepatocytes but was expressed at much lower levels in urethane-induced mouse liver tumors. By immunoscreening of a mouse liver cDNA library, we cloned the cDNA coding for DNR-BP54 and we found that this protein is aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (EC 1.2.1.3). This result was confirmed by the dehydrogenase activity found in pure preparations of DNR-BP54 from normal rat and mouse livers, assayed with acetaldehyde as substrate and NAD as cofactor. The enzyme activity was inhibited by daunorubicin. The inhibition was found to be competitive with respect to NAD.Molecular Pharmacology 12/1994; 46(5):896-900. · 4.88 Impact Factor -
Article: Multiple loci affect genetic predisposition to hepatocarcinogenesis in mice.
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ABSTRACT: The C3H/He mouse represents a good experimental model of genetic predisposition to hepatocellular tumor development. We analyzed an interspecific test-cross population of 106 urethane-treated male (C3H/He x Mus spretus) x C57BL/6J mice, typed with 222 genetic markers to locate precisely the hepatocellular tumor susceptibility (Hcs) loci. Three regions, on chromosomes 2, 5, and 19, showed a significant linkage with hepatocellular tumor development, as indicated by different quantitative indexes estimating liver tumor size. Liver tumor frequency was not genetically controlled. These loci are different from three other Hcs loci that we have previously mapped in an F2 progeny of the C3H/He mouse crossed with the resistant laboratory strain A/J. The present result indicates a multigenic model of inheritance for hepatocellular tumor susceptibility.Genomics 10/1994; 23(1):118-24. · 3.02 Impact Factor -
Article: A major susceptibility locus to murine lung carcinogenesis maps on chromosome 6.
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ABSTRACT: Lung tumours represent a major cause of death in humans, and although smoking represents the main pathogenetic factor, inheritance also plays a part. However, the identification of possible predisposing genetic factors is difficult, because of their low penetrance. We took advantage of murine strains that are genetically susceptible or resistant to lung tumour development, to map murine genes associated with susceptibility to lung carcinogenesis. An F2 population of urethan-treated A/J x C3H/He mice was scored with 83 genetic markers. A chromosome 6 distal region, spanning mice was scored with 83 genetic markers. A chromosome 6 distal region, spanning 35 centiMorgans, contained a major lung tumour susceptibility locus. No other chromosomal region was significantly associated with lung tumour development.Nature Genetics 03/1993; 3(2):132-6. · 35.53 Impact Factor -
Article: Chromosome mapping of murine susceptibility loci to liver carcinogenesis.
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ABSTRACT: The validity of mouse liver tumors is controversial in the risk assessment of carcinogenicity of chemicals in humans, because mice used in carcinogenicity bioassays are genetically predisposed to liver tumors. The argument could be resolved once liver tumor susceptibility genes have been cloned and their role in liver tumor development elucidated. We performed a genetic linkage analysis to map murine liver tumor susceptibility genes, as a first step toward their identification. An F2 population of 87 urethane-treated male A/J x C3H/He mice was scored with 83 genetic markers. Three regions, localized on chromosomes 7, 8, and 12, were found to contain putative liver tumor susceptibility genes.Cancer Research 02/1993; 53(2):209-11. · 7.86 Impact Factor -
Article: Incidence of mutations at codon 61 of the Ha-ras gene in liver tumors of mice genetically susceptible and resistant to hepatocarcinogenesis.
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ABSTRACT: By selective oligonucleotide hybridization of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified tumor DNAs we have analysed the incidence of mutations at codon 61 of the Ha-ras gene in 42 liver tumors spontaneously developed in Balb/c, C3Hf and B6C3 male mice, and in 79 liver tumors induced by the chemical carcinogens diethylnitrosamine (NDEA) and urethan in B6C3 and B6C male and female mice. The incidence of Ha-ras gene mutations in both spontaneously developed and urethan-induced liver tumors was 50%-63% in mice genetically susceptible to hepatocarcinogenesis (C3Hf, B6C3) and 7%-9% in mice genetically resistant (Balb/c, B6C). Urethan-induced tumors showed about the same incidence of ras mutations in male and in female B6C3 mice. NDEA-induced tumors showed a low incidence of Ha-ras mutations in both the hybrid mice (3/18 and 1/13 in B6C3 and B6C male mice, respectively). The most frequently found mutations were a C----A transversion at the 1st base of codon 61 in spontaneous tumors, and an A----T transversion at the 2nd base in urethan-induced tumors. Our results indicate that liver tumors induced by NDEA or urethan or spontaneously arisen have a different pattern of Ha-ras mutations at codon 61 and that these mutations constitute a rare molecular alteration in the pathogenesis of liver tumors in genetically resistant mice.Oncogene 03/1991; 6(2):333-8. · 6.37 Impact Factor
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Top Journals
- Oncogene (3)
- Genomics (2)
- Molecular Carcinogenesis (2)
- Nature Genetics (2)
- Oncogene (2)
Institutions
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1994–2008
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Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano
Milano, Lombardy, Italy
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1993
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University of Milan
Milano, Lombardy, Italy
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