Role of ras and gsp oncogenes in human epithelial thyroid tumorigenesis.
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Adenoma↗
Biomedical subjects
J Feunteun
Publications and source records attributed to J Feunteun.
Episomal amplification or chromosomal integration of the viral genome: alternative pathways in hamster polyomavirus-induced lymphomas.
The state and expression of the hamster polyomavirus genome in a large panel of virus-induced lymphomas have been investigated. The viral genome is present within tumor cells either as abundant nonrandomly deleted extrachromosomal copies or as a single copy integrated into cellular DNA. We show that these two physical states are likely to be functionally equivalent: first, deletion and integration of the viral genome both inactivate the late coding region; second, the amount of viral early RNAs yielded by a single integrated copy appears to be very similar to that associated with several thousands of extrachromosomal copies of the viral genome. These data underline two essential requisites for hamster polyomavirus to become lymphomagenous: suppression of the late coding functions of the viral genome and expression of the viral oncogenes above a threshold level.
Animals↗
Oncogenic potential of guanine nucleotide stimulatory factor alpha subunit in thyroid glands of transgenic mice.
Transgenic mice have been used to address the issue of the oncogenic potential of mutant guanine nucleotide stimulatory factor (Gs) alpha subunit in the thyroid gland. The expression of the mutant Arg-201-->His Gs alpha subunit transgene has been directed to murine thyroid epithelial cells by bovine thyroglobulin promoter. The transgenic animals develop hyperfunctioning thyroid adenomas with increased intracellular cAMP levels and high uptake of [125I]iodine and produced elevated levels of circulating triiodothyronine and thyroxine. These animals demonstrate that the mutant form of Gs alpha subunit carries an oncogenic activity, thus supporting the model that deregulation of cAMP level alters growth control in thyroid epithelium. These animals represent models for humans with autonomously functioning thyroid nodules.
Animals↗
Histology of BRCA1-associated ovarian tumours.
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Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗
The gene for hereditary breast-ovarian cancer, BRCA1, maps distal to EDH17B2 in chromosome region 17q12-q21.
A gene for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, BRCA1, has been mapped to chromosome 17q12-q21. This gene is responsible for cancer susceptibility in the majority of families with multiple cases of ovarian cancer and early-onset breast cancer. We report linkage results of a family with 10 cases of breast cancer and a single case of ovarian cancer. A recombinant event in this family places BRCA1 distal (telomeric) to the locus EDH17B2, which codes for the enzyme estradiol 17 beta-dehydrogenase II. This recombinant is based on the appearance of breast cancer in a 45 year old woman. Under our genetic model, we estimate the probability that this woman carries a BRCA1 mutation to be 94%. These data further reduce the region of assignment of BRCA1 on chromosome 17q12-q21 and should expedite positional cloning of this important gene.
Adult↗
In vivo replication of the hamster polyomavirus genome and generation of specific deletions in the process of lymphomagenesis.
Hamster polyomavirus (HaPV) causes lymphomas when injected into newborn hamsters. These tumors are virus-free but accumulate large amounts of deleted extrachromosomal viral genomes. In order to identify the major sites of virus replication in animals, we have monitored the HaPV DNA present in different organs at various times after injection. The data demonstrate that viral replication preferentially occurs in lymphoid organs. Lymphoma-associated viral genomes display specific deletions. PCR analysis shows that such viral genomes are the only variants detectable in infected animals, suggesting that they are generated by a specific cellular mechanism. We have tested the possible role of the lymphoid cell-specific V(D)J recombination activity in the generation of these specific variants. Our results indicate that this mechanism is not solely responsible for the viral genome rearrangement, if involved at all.
Animals↗
Apoptosis is antagonized by large T antigens in the pathway to immortalization by polyomaviruses.
The viability of rat embryo cells immortalized by thermosensitive mutants of SV40 or polyoma Large T antigen is impaired at the non-permissive temperature thus demonstrating that the immortal phenotype is dominantly maintained by Large T antigens. We have observed that exposing these cells to the restrictive temperature not only induces growth arrest but also causes apoptotic cell death. We present evidence supporting the model that polyomaviruses may indeed establish immortality by antagonizing the lethal effects of tumor suppressor genes via physical interactions between their products and Large T antigens. In the case of SV40-immortalized cells REtsAF, shift-up to 39.5 degrees C dissociates Large T antigen/p53 complexes releasing wild-type p53 molecules capable of inducing apoptotic cell death. In polyomavirus-immortalized cells, apoptosis may result from an alternative pathway mediated by other unidentified negatively acting molecules.
Animals↗
Germ-line exclusion of a single p53 allele by premature termination of translation in a Li-Fraumeni syndrome family.
Germline p53 mutations have been detected in approximately half of the families affected by the Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), in which they are believed to represent the genetic status predisposing to multiple cancers. Failure to detect mutations in the other half of LFS families suggests that sequence analysis, which has been limited to the p53 gene coding region, have overlooked other genetic events lying outside of this region or/and that alterations in other gene(s) than p53 may also lead to the syndrome. In this report, we present the evidence that a single base pair deletion in the p53 coding sequence, leading to premature signal termination of translation, generates a null allele by preventing transport of mutant allele mRNAs into the cytoplasm. This allelic exclusion which confers a status of unizygote vis-à-vis the wild-type p53 gene to individuals who carry the mutant allele, leads to predisposition to multiple cancers in a Li-Fraumeni family. Thus, the loss of the wild-type p53 allele appears as the rate limiting step in tumor induction.
Alleles↗
DNA screening for breast/ovarian cancer susceptibility based on linked markers. A family study.
BACKGROUND: Linkage to chromosome 17q has been identified in hereditary breast cancer and hereditary breast/ovarian cancer syndrome. A hereditary breast/ovarian cancer syndrome kindred was identified that yielded a highly significant lod score (4.20) when 17q markers were studied, enabling us to identify those who probably carried the cancer-associated gene among the high-risk members of the family. METHODS: High-risk members of the hereditary breast/ovarian cancer syndrome kindred were offered counselling on the basis of 17q markers. Family members responding positively received one-to-one genetic counseling in a structured setting. Subjects were educated before disclosure, and the immediate impact of this information was assessed after disclosure. RESULTS: We provided genetic counseling on the basis of linkage findings to 32 relatives (four men and 28 women). Women who were told they were linkage positive expressed an increased motivation for surveillance and prophylactic surgery. Most women who were told they were linkage negative indicated that they would not proceed with prophylactic surgery but would continue careful surveillance. To date, there has been no evidence of serious emotional disturbances resulting from this disclosure. We believe that this experience can be used by cancer geneticists and physicians in developing protocols for genetic counseling in cancer-associated hereditary disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians must understand current developments in cancer genetics and linkage so that they can be applied to genetic counseling and treatment of high-risk patients.
Adult↗
Increasing incidence of breast cancer in family with BRCA1 mutation.
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Adult↗
The human insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 gene maps to chromosome region 17q12-q21.1 and is close to the gene for hereditary breast-ovarian cancer.
The gene for insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 (IGFBP4) codes for a serum protein that binds to the family of insulin-like growth factors and modulates their activity. It has been mapped by in situ hybridization to chromosome region 17q12-q21.1. We have developed a CA-repeat polymorphism from a cosmid clone containing IGFBP4. By linkage analysis, IGFBP4 maps to the chromosome 17q interval THRA1-D17S579. This interval also contains the gene for hereditary breast-ovarian cancer, BRCA1. Genetic recombination between IGFBP4 and BRCA1 places IGFBP4 centromeric to the cancer susceptibility gene and effectively excludes it as a candidate gene for BRCA1. IGFBP4 is, however, one of the closest known centromeric markers for BRCA1; the estimated recombination fraction is 0.015. IGFBP4 and D17S579 together define a 2.8-cM interval that contains BRCA1.
Base Sequence↗
Genetic mapping of the breast-ovarian cancer syndrome to a small interval on chromosome 17q12-21: exclusion of candidate genes EDH17B2 and RARA.
A susceptibility gene for hereditary breast-ovarian cancer, BRCA1, has been assigned by linkage analysis to chromosome 17q21. Candidate genes in this region include EDH17B2, which encodes estradiol 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase II (17 beta-HSD II), and RARA, the gene for retinoic acid receptor alpha. We have typed 22 breast and breast-ovarian cancer families with eight polymorphisms from the chromosome 17q12-21 region, including two in the EDH17B2 gene. Genetic recombination with the breast cancer trait excludes RARA from further consideration as a candidate gene for BRCA1. Both BRCA1 and EDH17B2 map to a 6 cM interval (between THRA1 and D17S579) and no recombination was observed between the two genes. However, direct sequencing of overlapping PCR products containing the entire EDH17B2 gene in four unrelated affected women did not uncover any sequence variation, other than previously described polymorphisms. Mutations in the EDH17B2 gene, therefore do not appear to be responsible for the hereditary breast-ovarian cancer syndrome. Single meiotic crossovers in affected women suggest that BRCA1 is flanked by the loci RARA and D17S78.
17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
Distinct segments of the hamster polyomavirus regulatory region have differential effects on DNA replication.
The replication of plasmids containing various fragments of the hamster polyomavirus (HaPV) DNA non-coding region was tested in a permissive hamster cell line. We first investigated the importance of some methodological parameters including the time course and the amount of transfecting plasmid DNA and have shown that these factors can greatly influence the relative amount of newly replicated DNA accumulated within the transfected cells. Taking these into account, quantitative comparisons could be made showing the effect of various parts of the regulatory sequence on the HaPV DNA replication.
Animals↗
Viral genomes maintained extrachromosomally in hamster polyomavirus-induced lymphomas display a cell-specific replication in vitro.
Hamster polyomavirus causes lymphomas when injected into newborn Syrian hamsters. Large amounts of extrachromosomal viral genomes are accumulated in the lymphoma cells. These genomes are characterized by deletions affecting the late coding region as well as a specific part of the noncoding regulatory region. By contrast with wild-type genomes, lymphoma-associated genomes replicate in a lymphoblastoid cell line but not in a fibroblastic cell line. The deletion acts in a cis-dominant manner and is the primary determinant of this host-range effect on replication. The boundaries of the regulatory region necessary for viral DNA replication in the two cell contexts have been defined. The regulatory region can be functionally divided in two domains: one domain (distal from the origin of replication) is necessary for viral genome replication in fibroblasts, whereas the other domain (proximal to the origin of replication) is functional only in the lymphoblastoid cell context and contains the sequence specifically conserved in the lymphoma-associated genomes. This sequence harbors a motif recognized by a lymphoblastoid cell-specific trans-acting factor.
Animals↗
Mutations within the hamster polyomavirus large T antigen domain involved in pRb binding impair virus productive cycle and immortalization capacity.
Hamster polyomavirus (HaPV) causes lymphoma and leukemia when injected into newborn Syrian hamsters and achieves full transformation of rodent fibroblasts in vitro. It offers a comprehensive model to study at a molecular level the contributions of the viral oncogenes to neoplastic transformation in vitro and in the animal. We have investigated the ability of HaPV large T antigen to form a complex with the product of the retinoblastoma gene (pRb) in vitro. In this report, we demonstrate that HaPV large T antigen can indeed complex the pRb polypeptide. In order to investigate to what extent this interaction might contribute to tumor induction by the virus, we have introduced two different point mutations within the putative pRb-binding sequence of large T antigen, and as a preliminary to in vivo experiments we have studied their effects in vitro on some biological activities relevant to tumor induction. We show that the substitution (Glu-134-->Lys) obliterates pRb binding, suggesting that Glu-134 participates in the interaction between pRb and large T antigen, whereas the substitution (Glu-135-->Lys) has no effect. The Lys-134 mutation is strongly deleterious to the immortalization capacity of the viral genome, whereas the Lys-135 mutation has no effect. Neither of the two mutations affects the capacity of the viral genome to induce foci formation in the rat established cell line F111. These results indicate that the interaction between large T and pRb is required in the immortalization process but irrelevant to transformation. Both mutants show at least partial impairment of replication and productive cycle.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
A breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility gene maps to chromosome 17q21.
Nineteen North American Caucasian families that contain a minimum of four confirmed cases of breast or ovarian cancer have been studied. Four polymorphisms (cLB17.1, D17S579, D17S588, and D17S74), which span a region of approximately 15 cM on chromosome 17q12, were typed. Our data confirm the location of a dominant gene conferring susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer (maximum lod = 9.78) and suggest that the breast-ovarian cancer syndrome is genetically heterogeneous. Two recombinants in one large family suggest that the breast-ovarian cancer locus lies between D17S588 and D17S579.
Adult↗
Metastatic phenotype of murine tumor cells expressing different cooperating oncogenes.
Four murine cellular tumor models expressing various combinations of oncogenes (SV40 large T and v-Ha-ras, SV40 large T and v-src, SV40 large T and neu, adenovirus EIA and v-Ha-ras) induce sarcoma when they are inoculated s.c. into the DBA/2 syngenic mice. The metastatic patterns, distribution and fate of these tumor cells transplanted by two different routes into syngenic DBA/2 mice have been studied. All the tumor cell lines except EIA-ras, induce massive overt artificial metastases principally in the lung after i.v. injection. In s.c. tumor-bearing mice, a few resting cells colonize the lung as micrometastases. When removed from this tissue context and injected s.c. these cells regain their proliferative potential and grow as local tumors which again give rise to occult pulmonary micrometastases.
Adenovirus Early Proteins↗
SV40-immortalization of rabbit articular chondrocytes: alteration of differentiated functions.
Cell lines were established from rabbit articular chondrocytes following transfection with a plasmid encoding SV40 early function genes. This resulted in cell immortalization (130 passages have been completed for the oldest cell line) with acquisition of characteristics of partial transformation such as reduced serum requirements for normal and clonal growth. The immortalized chondrocytes, called SVRAC, did not form multilayer foci when maintained in postconfluent culture. Their ability to form colonies in soft agar was not increased in comparison with normal chondrocytes, but they were weakly tumorigenic in nude mice. SVRAC lost the ability to synthesize type II collagen and Alcian blue-stainable matrix, which are markers of the differentiated chondrocyte phenotype, and synthesized predominantly type I collagen. Studies of collagen gene expression showed that pro alpha 1 (II) mRNA was undetectable, whereas pro alpha 1 (I) collagen mRNA was expressed even in late passage cultures. Unlike normal dedifferentiated chondrocytes, SVRAC were unable to re-express the differentiated phenotype in response to tridimensional culture or microfilament depolymerization. Cell lines obtained from chondrocytes transfected either in primary culture or just after release of cells from cartilage displayed the same behaviour. Thus SV40 early genes were able to immortalize rabbit articular chondrocytes, but the resulting cell lines displayed an apparently irreversibly dedifferentiated phenotype. These cell lines can be used as models to identify regulatory pathways that are required for the maintenance or reexpression of differentiated function in chondrocytes.
Animals↗