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ABSTRACT: Point mutations of alpha-globin genes in homozygous or in compound heterozygous states cause severe alpha-thalassemia (alpha-thal). Here we describe a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism-based method for easy detection of the point mutation Hb Sallanches [alpha104(G11)Cys-->Tyr, TGC>TAC], earlier detected by a sequencing technique. In a cohort of 104 unrelated putative alpha-thal patients, nine carried the mutation and two were homozygotes. The mutation occurred on both the alpha2- or alpha1-globin genes. The phenotypes, in conjunction with other point mutations or deletions, are presented. Earlier detected in Pakistan and Punjab of India, it is probably present all over the Indian subcontinent.
Hemoglobin 01/2009; 33(6):486-91. · 1.30 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We have used restriction site-dependent polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methodology for detection of the alpha-globin polyadenylation (poly A) signal mutation, AATAAA>AATA- - and Hb Sun Prairie [alpha 130(H13)Ala-->Pro, GCT>CCT (alpha2)] mutation. The former mutation produces Hb H disease in the homozygous state and occurs frequently in the Indian population. It was detected in nine of 77 putative alpha-thalassemia (alpha-thal) patients and in three of 13 beta-thal intermedia patients tested. Four of the nine alpha-thal patients were homozygotes for the mutation. The Hb Sun Prairie mutation was confirmed in two alpha-thal patients, one of whom was a homozygote and the other a heterozygote.
Hemoglobin 01/2008; 32(5):485-90. · 1.30 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: BCR-ABL-mediated chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) CD34(+) cell proliferation mostly depends on the nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27. The ubiquitin-ligase SCF(Skp2) promotes degradation of phosphorylated p27 at T187 in the nucleus, resulting in G1/S progression of the cells. On the other hand, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-directed T157 nuclear localization signal (NLS) phosphorylation results in cytoplasmic sequestration of p27, leading to abnormal integrin-mediated proliferation of CD34(+) CML cells.
We demonstrate the generation of an engineered Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) vector with a BAC backbone that has the unique capacity to carry doubly modified (DM) p27 (i.e. T187A, T157A p27) along with the BCR-ABL siRNA expression construct. The HSV-tk suicide gene has also been incorporated in the same vector, which promotes apoptosis in a BCR-ABL-independent pathway.
Expression of DM p27 markedly inhibits proliferation of BCR-ABL(+) primary human CML cells. Moreover, DM p27 strongly inhibits the growth of imatinib-resistant CML cells, compared to the T157A p27 (SM p27). The CML growth inhibition is found to be the result of significant G1/S arrest with concomitant increase in hypophosphorylated retinoblastoma (Rb). Moreover, the EBV vector mediated stable RNA interference induces apoptosis in K562 cells and reduces myeloid colony forming units.
We therefore propose a multi-gene delivery strategy for BCR-ABL(+) CML cells by targeting not only the fusion transcript, but also the downstream signaling, to overcome drug resistance in the acute phase of CML.
The Journal of Gene Medicine 11/2006; 8(10):1251-61. · 2.48 Impact Factor
