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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic implications of BCL6 rearrangement in a uniformly treated population of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and to characterise the relationship between BCL6 rearrangement and prognostic factors. A total of 269 patients with DLBCL entered a randomised trial comparing the chemotherapy regimen CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) to the MACOP-B (methotrexate, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, bleomycin) regimen. In 44 cases, frozen tissue was available for assessment of BCL6 status by Southern blot analysis. BCL6 was rearranged in six of 43 evaluable cases (14%), and was associated with elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and a higher patient age. No association between BCL6 status and expression of BCL2, Ki-67 or TP53 was found. Patients presenting with BCL6 rearrangement displayed a weak trend towards better overall and failure-free survival (67 and 67% at 5 years), compared to patients with germline BCL6 (63 and 52%), but the difference was not statistically significant. In accordance with previously published series, the presence of BCL6 rearrangement does not define a prognostically distinct subgroup of DLBCL. Assessment of BCL6 status may, however, be of clinical interest when related to other prognostic variables.
International Journal of Oncology 02/2002; 20(1):161-5. · 2.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The human cDNA for cartilage intermediate layer protein (CILP) codes for a larger precursor protein that consists of CILP and a homologue to porcine Nucleotide pyrophosphohydrolase (NTPPHase) [Lorenzo et al. 1998a. J. Biol. Chem. 273, 23469-23475]. The human gene has now been isolated and characterized. Southern blot analysis indicated a single copy of the CILP gene in the human genome. The gene spans approximately 15.3 kbp of genomic DNA, and is organized in nine exons. The 5' flanking region contains a putative promoter region with a TATA-like box localized from -29 to -23 bp upstream of the transcription start site. Analysis of the putative promoter region revealed potentially cis-regulatory eukaryotic elements such as GATA-1, MyoD, MZF1, and CdxA. The protein coding region begins in exon 2 with the putative signal peptide. CILP is encoded from exon 3 to exon 9. In addition, exon 9 also codes for the entire NTPPHase homologue and contains the 3' untranslated region of the gene. All the introns follow the 'gt-ag' rule, except the last intron, intron 8, that belongs to the minor class of pre-mRNA introns that contain 'at-ac' at their 5' and 3' ends, respectively. The CILP gene was mapped to human chromosome 15q22.
Matrix Biology 11/1999; 18(5):445-54. · 3.30 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Myxoid liposarcomas (MLS) carry a t(12;16) or, more rarely, a t(12;22) resulting in fusion of the transcription factor gene CHOP on chromosome 12 with TLS/FUS on chromosome 16 or EWS on chromosome 22. The chimeric TLS-CHOP or EWS-CHOP proteins most probably function as abnormal transcription factors, causing transcriptional de-regulation of several target genes and relaxation of functions critical for growth and differentiation control. A PCR-based subtractive hybridization technique was used to identify genes that are differentially expressed in TLS-CHOP-carrying MLS but not in normal fat tissue. Six myxoid-liposarcoma-associated transcripts, MLAT, were isolated. The genes identified as MLAT can be divided into 2 groups. MLAT1, 2 and 6 show high similarity to glia-derived nexin, neuronatin and the RET oncogene, respectively, all normally involved in development of tissues of neural origin. MLAT3 to MLAT5 represent new genes.
International Journal of Cancer 10/1999; 83(1):30-3. · 5.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: TFG was discovered as a fusion partner of NTRK1 in human papillary thyroid carcinoma. We assembled the mouse TFG cDNA from EST sequences and 5' end RACE product, identified full coding length TFG EST clones in pig (c17b07) and Schistosoma mansoni (SMNAS62), and analyzed the genomic structure of TFG in Caenorhabditis elegans (Y63D3A). The protein sequences of mouse, pig, and S. mansoni TFG are highly homologous to human TFG. The C. elegans sequence has diverged, but its predicted secondary structure is remarkably conserved. Human, mouse, and C. elegans TFG contain a putative trimeric N-terminal coiled-coil domain, glycosylation, myristylation, and phosphorylation sites, and SH2- and SH3-binding motifs. The SH2-binding motif is absent in C. elegans TFG. The expression of TFG does not vary among 7, 11, 15, and 19 day mouse embryonal stages. In situ hybridization with a TFG probe in 10, 5-day whole mouse embryos showed preferential staining of the limb buds, branchial arches, nasal processes, and brain, and weak staining of the primitive spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 05/1999; 257(1):67-73. · 2.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Huntington disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder associated with expansions of an unstable CAG trinucleotide repeat in exon 1 of the IT15 gene. In normal individuals, IT15 contains up to 35 CAG repeats, while in affected the repeat length is >36. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to estimate the number of CAG repeats but may be inefficient in long repeats because of the high C+G content of the HD locus. We present a novel PCR approach for the diagnosis of HD, which permits direct visualization of the amplified products on agarose gel, using ethidium bromide. It is based on the methylation-sensitive conversion of C residues to U by bisulfite treatment of single-stranded DNA and subsequent amplification of the sense strand with specific primers. The bisulfite treatment dramatically reduces the C + G content of the region; thus, the high Tm and stable secondary structures are no longer obstacles to PCR. In both normal and affected individuals, UAG repeats (5'- CAG-3', before bisulfite treatment) in the sense strand can easily be amplified and visualized on a gel by ethidium bromide staining. The method has considerable advantages compared with other described PCR-based diagnostic tests for HD.
Human Mutation 02/1999; 13(3):232-6. · 5.69 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Fragile X syndrome is associated with the expansion of the number of CGG trinucleotide tandem repeats at the 5' untranslated region of the FMR1 gene. The number of CGG trinucleotide repeats in normal individuals ranges between 5 and 50, in asymptomatic carrier individuals it ranges between 50 and 200, and in affected individuals it is more than 200 CGG repeats. In addition, in affected individuals the cytosine residues in the CGG repeats and the adjacent CpG island are methylated and the FMR1 gene is transcriptionally inactive. The most common diagnostic method for the detection of the syndrome is Southern blot analysis. Methods based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) could facilitate the rapid screening of large numbers of individuals by accurately determining the number of CGG repeats. Current PCR techniques for amplification of CGG repeats are, however, inefficient and unreliable because of their 100% C+G composition. Thus, most of the described PCR protocols require subsequent Southern blot analysis and autoradiography. We present a novel PCR approach for the diagnosis of fragile X syndrome based on the methylation-sensitive conversion of C residues to U by bisulfite on single-strand DNA and subsequent amplification of the antisense strand with specific primers. A PCR with primers for methylated C residues will amplify the CpG dinucleotide region upstream to CGG repeats exclusively in affected males. As a result of extensive mismatch between primers and bisulfite-treated DNA, no PCR fragments will be obtained in normal and transmitting males. Moreover, the bisulfite treatment dramatically reduces the C+G component of the region; thus, the high Tm and the strong secondary structures are no longer obstacles for PCR amplification. In normal and carrier individuals, UUG repeats (previously 3'-CCG-5') in the antisense strand can easily be amplified and visualized on a gel by ethidium bromide staining. We applied our method on 25 males previously diagnosed by Southern blot analysis. All the samples were easily and accurately diagnosed. The method has considerable advantages compared with other diagnostic tests for fragile X syndrome.
Human Mutation 02/1999; 14(1):71-9. · 5.69 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Clone 120041 was selected from the EST database for sequence similarity to DEK and SET proteins rearranged in leukemias. The ends of the cDNA were isolated by RACE technique. The assembled cDNA encodes an LRR-containing protein of 251 amino acids designated APRIL (acidic protein rich in leucines). APRIL has high similarity to human pp32, also named PHAPI (bovine I[PP2A]1), and to rat LANP, respectively. APRIL shows tissue-specific expression as shown by Northern blot analysis. It was localized to 15q25 by FISH.
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 02/1998; 1395(2):176-80. · 4.66 Impact Factor
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Melanoma Research 01/1998; 7(6):517-8. · 2.19 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), originally described as a product of activated lymphocytes, has been defined as a 12 kDa protein, expressed in a wide variety of tissues. Here MIF is identified as a phenylpyruvate tautomerase (EC 5.3.2.1) having p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate and phenylpyruvate as its natural substrates. The definition of MIF as an enzyme may yield insight into the mechanism of action of this proinflammatory and immunomodulating cytokine.
FEBS Letters 12/1997; 417(1):85-8. · 3.54 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We have sequenced the breakpoint regions in one acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(16;21)(p11;q22) resulting in the formation of a FUS/ERG hybrid gene and in four myxoid liposarcomas (MLS), three of which had the translocation t(12;16) (q13;p11) and a FUS/CHOP fusion gene and one with t(12;22;20)(q13;q12;q11) and an EWS/CHOP hybrid gene. The breakpoints were localized to intron 7 of FUS, intron 1 of CHOP, an intronic sequence of ERG and intron 7 of EWS. In two MLS cases with t(12;16) and in the AML, the breaks in intron 7 of FUS had occurred close to each other, a few nucleotides downstream from a TG dinucleotide repeat region. The break in the two MLS had occurred in the same ATGGTG hexamer and in the AML 40 nucleotides upstream from the hexamer. The third case of t(12;16) MLS had a break upstream and near a TC-dinucleotide repeat region and a sequence similar to the chi bacterial recombination element was found to flank the breakpoint. In the MLS with the EWS/ CHOP hybrid gene, the break in intron 7 of EWS had occurred close to an Alu sequence. Similarly, in all 4 MLS, the breaks in intron 1 of CHOP were near an Alu sequence. No Alu or other repetitive sequences were found 250 bp upstream or downstream from the break in the ERG intron involved in the AML case. In the AML, the MLS with ESW/CHOP and in one MLS with FUS/CHOP there were one, two and six, respectively, nucleotide identity between the contributing germline sequences in the breakpoint. In the other two MLS cases, two and three extra nucleotides of unknown origin were inserted between the FUS and CHOP sequences. At the junction and/or in its close vicinity, identical oligomers, frequently containing a trinucleotide TGG, were found in both partner genes. Our data thus show that all four genes-FUS, EWS, CHOP and ERG-contain characteristic motifs in the breakpoint regions which may serve as specific recognition sites for DNA-binding proteins and have functional importance in the recombination events taking place between the chromosomes. Different sequence motifs may, however, play a role in each individual case.
Oncogene 10/1997; 15(11):1357-62. · 6.37 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: It is well established that the majority of myxoid/round cell liposarcomas (LPS) are characterized by a reciprocal translocation t(12;16)(q13;p11) which at the molecular level results infusion of the CHOP and FUS/TLS genes. It is assumed that functional characterization of these genes may provide insight into the molecular pathogenesis of this tumour type. This study describes two new cases of myxoid/round cell LPS having a t(12;22). By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) it has been shown that this leads to fusion between the CHOP and EWS genes, thus indicating involvement of the EWS gene, at least occasionally, in yet another sarcoma type. Combining these two cases with two others which were recently similarly characterized at the molecular level, their clinicopathological features have been compared with cases having the more usual t(12;16). It was not possible to identify any clinical or pathological differences between these molecular genetic subsets. The relevance or significance of these gene fusion products in myxoid/round cell LPS remains to be determined.
The Journal of Pathology 09/1997; 182(4):437-41. · 6.32 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We used nested reverse transcriptase PCR to investigate the expression of the FHIT gene, a presumptive tumor suppressor gene located in chromosomal band 3p 14.2, in non-neoplastic samples. Multiple transcripts of the FHIT gene were found in peripheral blood lymphocytes, skeletal muscle, and liver of healthy individuals, as well as in a cell line derived from isynovial tissue. The data indicate that variable splicing of the FHIT transcript, leading to deletions of exons and thus anomalous or absent FHIT protein production, occurs frequently in non-neoplastic tissues. Hence, the finding of multiple nonfunctional FHIT transcripts is not tumor-specific and cannot be used as a genetic marker of neoplasia.
Genes Chromosomes and Cancer 09/1997; 19(4):215-9. · 3.31 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Homology searches in the Expressed Sequence Tag Database were performed using SPYGQ-rich regions as query sequences to find genes encoding protein regions similar to the N-terminal parts of the sarcoma-associated EWS and FUS proteins. Clone 22911 (T74973), encoding a SPYGQ-rich region in its 5' end, and several other clones that overlapped 22911 were selected. The combined data made it possible to assemble a full-length cDNA sequence. This cDNA sequence is 1677 bp, containing an initiation codon ATG, an open reading frame of 400 amino acids, a poly(A) signal, and a poly(A) tail. We found 100% identity between the 5' part of the consensus sequence and the 598-bp-long sequence named TFG. The TFG sequence is fused to the 3' end of NTRK1, generating the TRK-T3 fusion transcript found in papillary thyroid carcinoma. The cDNA therefore represents the full-length transcript of the TFG gene. TFG was localized to 3q11-q12 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The 3' and the 5' ends of the TFG cDNA probe hybridized to a 2.2-kb band on Northern blot filters in all tissues examined.
Genomics 06/1997; 41(3):327-31. · 3.02 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We have used nested reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and PCR on genomic DNA to search for aberrations in the FHIT and PTPRG genes, both located in chromosomal band 3p14.2, in specimens from cytogenetically analyzed benign breast lesions (three samples with atypical hyperplasia and one with fibroadenosis) from two women belonging to breast cancer families. The transcription analysis showed that the FHIT gene was either not expressed or that its expression was dramatically reduced to a level not detectable by nested RT-PCR in the samples with atypical hyperplasia. Genomic analysis of exons 3 and 5 of FHIT and exon 12 of PTPRG provided evidence that these DNA segments were homozygously deleted in the majority of the cells. These data are in line with the histopathological features and cytogenetic findings in the three samples; none contained normal parenchyma, and all had chromosomal aberrations involving band 3p14. RT-PCR analysis of the fibroadenosis specimen, which had a normal karyotype, detected the expected 856-bp fragment as well as an additional alternative transcript variant of FHIT with 1014 bp. The additional 158-bp sequence, which may add 38 amino acids to the NH2-terminal part of the previously described FHIT protein, was inserted between exons 4 and 5 and seems to be a new exon located in intron 4 of FHIT.
Cancer Research 12/1996; 56(21):4871-5. · 7.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Myxoid liposarcoma (MLS) is the most common subtype of liposarcoma. The cytogenetic hallmark of MLS is the pathognomonic t(12;16)(q13;p11), present in more than 85% of cases. The translocation leads to the fusion of the CHOP and FUS genes at 12q13 and 16p11, respectively, and the generation of a FUS/CHOP hybrid protein. The presence of a tumor-specific chimeric gene makes it possible to identify MLS cells by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We have analyzed peripheral blood samples obtained during a 10-year period at diagnosis of primary and/or recurrent disease in 19 MLS patients with t(12;16) and in one MLS patient with t(12;22;20), resulting in the fusion of the CHOP and EWS genes. Nested PCR on genomic DNA from blood samples amplified FUS/CHOP hybrid fragments in three patients and EWS/CHOP in the patient with t(12;22;20). There was no obvious association between PCR findings and clinical outcome, but larger series are needed to draw any firm conclusions.
Genes Chromosomes and Cancer 11/1996; 17(2):102-7. · 3.31 Impact Factor
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P Aman,
I Panagopoulos,
C Lassen,
T Fioretos,
M Mencinger,
H Toresson,
M Höglund,
A Forster,
T H Rabbitts,
D Ron,
N Mandahl,
F Mitelman
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ABSTRACT: FUS (TLS) was first identified as the 5'-part of a fusion gene with CHOP (GADD153, DDIT3) in myxoid liposarcomas with t(12; 16)(q13; p11). Homologies were found with the EWS oncogene, which is rearranged in Ewing sarcomas and other neoplasias. The genomic structure of FUS shows extensive similarities with that of EWS, but the exon/intron structures differ in the 5' parts, and overall FUS is smaller than EWS. Exon 3 of FUS corresponds to exons 3 and 4 in EWS. FUS exons 4-6 correspond to EWS exons 5-8. Exons 7 to 15 of FUS are very similar to those in EWS, although the EWS exons are larger than the corresponding FUS exons. FUS and EWS were expressed in all tissues investigated. The transcripts were stable within the 160-min half-life experiments. No or little variation in FUS or EWS expression was seen when resting lymphocytes were activated. These observations indicate that FUS and EWS belong to the housekeeping type of genes. This view is supported by the presence of the housekeeping gene type of promoter region in both genes.
Genomics 11/1996; 37(1):1-8. · 3.02 Impact Factor
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European Journal Of Haematology 10/1996; 57(3):254-6. · 2.61 Impact Factor
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N Mandahl,
M Akerman, P Aman,
P Dal Cin,
I De Wever,
C D Fletcher,
F Mertens,
F Mitelman,
J Rosai,
A Rydholm,
R Sciot,
G Tallini,
H Van den Berghe,
W Van de Ven,
R Vanni,
H Willén
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ABSTRACT: Ordinary lipomas are cytogenetically characterized by a variety of balanced rearrangements involving chromosome segment 12ql3-15, and atypical lipomatous tumors (ALT) by supernumerary ring chromosomes or giant markers known to contain amplified 12q sequences. In a series of 228 cytogenetically analyzed and histopathologically reexamined ordinary lipomas and ALT, 10 tumors showed unbalanced chromosome-12 aberrations. All 4 tumors with loss of segments from 12q were classified as ordinary lipomas, whereas 5 of the 6 tumors showing gain of 12q material were diagnosed as ALT. One or three extra copies of 12q15-q24 were present in all 5 ALT. We conclude that duplication of 12q sequences may be a sufficient level of amplification for development of the microscopic appearance that characterizes ALT.
International Journal of Cancer 10/1996; 67(5):632-5. · 5.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The translocation t(12;16)(q13;p11), which cytogenetically characterizes myxoid liposarcomas (MLS), results in a fusion of the CHOP gene in 12q13 and the FUS gene in 16p11, creating a chimeric FUS/CHOP gene. We have identified two cases of MLS with translocations giving rise to recombination between 12q13 and 22q12. The result was a fusion of the N-terminal part of the EWS gene in 22q12, involved in a number of mesenchymal tumor types, with the CHOP gene and the creation of an EWS/CHOP chimeric gene. The presence of the EWS/CHOP chimeric gene in MLS shows that (i) the N-terminal part of FUS may be replaced by the N-terminal part of EWS in a CHOP fusion oncoprotein (ii) the two N-terminal parts, when fused to certain transcription factors, have a common or very similar oncogenic potential and (iii) the tumorigenic process in MLS and the morphogenetically distinctly different EWS-associated tumor types may be related.
Oncogene 03/1996; 12(3):489-94. · 6.37 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Recent studies of melanin biosynthesis have uncovered an unusual enzymatic activity which converts the non-naturally occurring D-isomer of 2-carboxy-2,3-dihydroindole-5,6-quinone (dopachrome) into 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA). The aim of the present investigation was to isolate and characterize the enzyme catalyzing this tautomerization reaction.
After we performed a tissue survey of D-dopachrome tautomerase activity, 10 bovine lenses were homogenized and used as a source of enzyme. A soluble fraction was obtained by high-speed centrifugation and subjected to successive FPLC chromatography on Phenyl-sepharose, Mono S cation-exchange, and Superdex gel-filtration. The isolated enzyme was electrophoresed, blotted onto PVDF membrane, and the N terminus analyzed by gas phase micro-sequencing.
The protein catalyzing the conversion of D-dopachrome to DHICA was purified to homogeneity in 14% yield and showed a molecular weight of 12 kD when analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The first 27 amino acid residues of this protein were sequenced and found to be identical with those of bovine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). The catalytic activity of native MIF was confirmed by studies of purified recombinant human MIF, which showed the same tautomerase activity. While L-dopachrome was not a substrate for this reaction, the methyl esters of the L- and D-isomers were found to be better substrates for MIF than D-dopachrome.
MIF has been described recently to be an anterior pituitary hormone and to be released from immune cells stimulated by low concentrations of glucocorticoids. Once secreted, MIF acts to control, or counter-regulate, the immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids on the immune system. Although the tested substrate, D-dopachrome, does not occur naturally, the observation that MIF has tautomerase activity suggests that MIF may mediate its biological effects by an enzymatic reaction. These data also offer a potential approach for the design of small molecule pharmacological inhibitors of MIF that may modulate its potent immunoregulatory effects in vivo.
Molecular Medicine 02/1996; 2(1):143-9. · 3.76 Impact Factor
