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J K Cowell

Publications and source records attributed to J K Cowell.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Localization of the 8;13 translocation breakpoint associated with myeloproliferative disease to a 1.5 Mbp region of chromosome 13.

There are five reported cases of an atypical myeloproliferative disorder in which the leukemia cells have a consistent t(8;13)(p11;q12) translocation. We analyzed the breakpoint in metaphases from two of these patients by fluorescence in situ hybridization using a series of yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) derived from the 13q12 region. We found that a YAC containing the FLT1 and FLT3 oncogenes was localized distal to the 13q12 breakpoint and was not rearranged. YAC66, a YAC that lies immediately adjacent to the chromosome 13 centromere, was localized proximal to the 13q12 breakpoint and was not rearranged. A third YAC, which is located between FLT1 and YAC66, was unrearranged in normal metaphase chromosomes, but showed hybridization signals on both derivative chromosomes in both cases. Thus, the breakpoints in these two cases are localized to the same 1.5 Mbp region of 13q12. This may be the site of an unidentified gene involved in the pathogenesis of some types of leukemia.

Bone Marrow↗
PubMed1995

Germline mutations in the RB1 gene in patients with hereditary retinoblastoma.

We have analyzed the 27 exons and the promoter region of the RB1 gene in familial or sporadic bilateral retinoblastoma by using single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. For improvement over previous studies, a new set of primers has been designed, which allow for amplification of the coding and splicing sequences only. The positioning of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers was such that the resulting PCR products were of different sizes, which enabled us to analyze two different exons simultaneously and still distinguish between the banding profiles for both (biplex analysis). By using this approach, we were able to identify mutation in 22 new patients, but the overall efficiency of the procedure when we used a single-pass regimen was only 48%. The mutations were small insertions and deletions and point mutations in roughly equal proportions.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Molecular characterization of a (1;10)(p22;q21) constitutional translocation from a patient with neuroblastoma.

A constitutional t(1;10)(p22;q21) from a patient with stage IVS neuroblastoma has been isolated in somatic cell hybrids and the position of the breakpoints analyzed. On chromosome 1 the breakpoint lies in a 4-Mbp region flanked by minisatellite marker D1S234 and by D1S188, which lies in the region of F3. The chromosome 10 breakpoint lies between RBP3 and NAKNR below the MEN2 locus. Because, in patients with genetic disease, constitutional translocations frequently interrupt genes which are related to the clinical phenotype this rearrangement has identified two regions which potentially contain genes related to the development of neuroblastoma.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Regional localisation of tri- and tetranucleotide repeat sequence-containing cosmids on chromosome 13.

A human chromosome 13-specific cosmid library has been screened with oligonucleotides containing tri- and tetranucleotide repeats with motifs: GACA, GACT, CAC, TCC. 20 cosmid clones were identified and their physical location on chromosome 13 was determined using fluorescence in situ hybridisation. Over 80% of the cosmids were detected using tetranucleotide repeats of which 50% were GACT, but these were distributed along the length of the chromosome. Clones from the 13q12-->q14 and 13q32-->q34 regions were apparently overrepresented and 10% of cosmids were localised to the short arm of the chromosome. These simple tandem repeats will be an important addition to the genetic mapping strategy for human chromosome 13.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1994

Assignment of 55 novel cosmids to seven subregions of chromosome 13 using fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Fifty-five individual cosmids isolated from a chromosome 13-specific library have been regionally assigned using fluorescence in situ hybridization. These cosmids represent novel DNA markers that can be added to the limited number of DNA probes already available for this chromosome. Individual cosmids mapped along the length of the chromosome with almost equal distribution except that there appears to be an excess of probes from the distal 13q33-q34 region. Only two cosmids did not map back to chromosome 13, indicating that at least 96% of cosmids in this library are from this chromosome. The library is generally available as gridded colonies on nylon membranes suitable for hybridization screening.

Chromosome Walking↗
PubMed1994

Molecular genetic analysis of chromosome 11p in familial Wilms tumour.

In the family reported here, a mother and both of her children developed a Wilms tumour, and all three tumours were of the relatively rare monomorphous epithelial histopathological subtype. Using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, both sibs were shown to inherit the same maternal allele from the 11p13 region but different maternal alleles from the 11p15 region. Using a combination of single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing techniques, no mutations were identified in the WT1 tumour-suppressor gene from the 11p13 region, but a novel polymorphism was identified in exon 1. mRNA expression studies using the insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) gene, located in 11p15, showed that there was no relaxation of imprinting at this locus. There was also no evidence of loss of heterozygosity on the long arm of chromosome 16. These findings indicate that the WT1 and IGF-II genes, together with the long arm of chromosome 16, are not directly implicated in tumorigenesis in this Wilms family, but that a recombination event has occurred on the short arm of chromosome 11.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Assignment of sterol carrier protein X/sterol carrier protein 2 to 1p32 and its exclusion as the causative gene for infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

In the positional cloning of a disease gene with an unknown protein defect a spectrum of molecular biological methods is applied after linkage has been established. It is reasonable to analyze in detail any relevant candidate gene mapping to the particular chromosomal region. We report here the refined chromosomal assignment of SCPx/SCP2, a gene coding for the protein that is believed to have an important role in lipid metabolism by transporting many kinds of lipid molecules between organelles. This gene represents an excellent candidate gene for infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, earlier assigned to 1p32 by us, since lipid metabolism in the patient's brain appears to be significantly disturbed. Expression and structural analyses by Northern, Southern and Western blotting as well as SSCP and direct sequencing did not detect any differences between the cDNAs of patients and controls. Consequently, it is unlikely that a mutation in SCPx/SCP2 is the underlying cause of this severe neurodegenerative disease of childhood.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase↗
PubMed1994

Genetics of paediatric solid tumours.

The average child in the UK stands a 1:600 chance of developing a malignancy by the time they are 16 years of age, which compares with the 1 in 5 adults who die of cancer. The tumours children develop are very different from those seen in adult life. Histologically they resemble their relatively undifferentiated, fetal counterparts rather than the fully differentiated structures seen at, or soon after birth. The genetic events responsible for initiating children's tumours, therefore, must occur during embryonic life and prevent normal differentiation. These cells are frozen in the undifferentiated state and the malignant phenotype eventually arises as a result of secondary changes. The acquisition of secondary events occurs at varying rates and accounts for the variation in the time of presentation of the tumour. Unlike the adult situation environmental factors have not been identified as common causes of genetic damage in children's tumours.

Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Isolation and characterisation of a panel of cosmids which allows unequivocal identification of chromosome deletions involving the RB1 gene using fluorescence in situ hybridisation.

A series of cosmids covering the majority of the RB1 gene have been isolated from a flow sorted human chromosome 13 specific library. Using fluorescence in situ hybridisation these cosmids were all shown to hybridise to the 13q14 region but not to chromosomes known to carry subband deletions involving the RB1 gene. This panel of cosmids, therefore, can be used objectively for identification of RB1 gene deletions in tumour and normal cells.

Carboxylesterase↗
PubMed1994

A deletion hybrid breakpoint map of the chromosomal region 13q14-q21 orders 19 genetic markers in 10 intervals.

A deletion hybrid breakpoint map of the chromosomal region 13q14-q21 has been constructed using 19 DNA markers and 13 cell lines with breakpoints in this chromosomal region. The cell lines define 10 distinct intervals in this region, which spans approximately 20 Mb. The markers include 6 RFLP markers, 11 microsatellites that provisionally had been mapped to the region 13q14-21, and 2 new polymorphic CA-repeats that were developed from an EMBL3 library of cell line ICD, containing 13pter-q14.3. The following order of markers was established: CEN-D13S320-(D13S118, D13S153)-RB1-D13S319-D13S25-(D13S31, D13S59, D13S133, D13S137)-D13S163-D13S119-(D13S26, D13S55)-(D13S131, D13S134, D13S135, D13S144, D13S152)-TEL.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Frequent constitutional C to T mutations in CGA-arginine codons in the RB1 gene produce premature stop codons in patients with bilateral (hereditary) retinoblastoma.

We have shown previously that the most common point mutation in the RB1 gene in retinoblastoma tumours is a C-->T transition and that the majority of these occur in CGAarg codons. As a result of this mutation, a TGAstop codon is generated directly. We have analysed the 14 CGAarg codons in the RB1 gene for mutations in 113 patients with bilateral retinoblastoma. At 6 of these sites, C-->T mutations in CGA codons alter a restriction enzyme site which makes their identification relatively straightforward. It was necessary, however, to analyse the other 8 CGA codons using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. A total of 18 C-->T mutations were found, which represents 16% of all patients. Of these 13 (73%) were at two particular CGA codons in exon 8 (codon 251) and exon 17 (codon 552). During the course of the SSCP analysis, mutations were identified in 7 other individuals. Thus, 20-25% of all mutations can be identified by a relatively quick survey of the CGA codons in the RB1 gene, which has important implications for genetic screening programmes. All of the mutations in the RB1 gene in these bilaterally affected patients would be predicted to result in the absence of a functional protein.

Arginine↗
PubMed1994

Antisense oligonucleotides suppress B-cell lymphoma growth in a SCID-hu mouse model.

The t(14;18) translocation is found in the majority follicular lymphomas and some high grade B-cell lymphomas. This is results in deregulation of the BCL-2 gene and appears to play a role in oncogenesis. Various numbers of cells from a cell line derived spontaneously from a patient with B-cell lymphoma bearing the t(14;18) translocation and negative for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were injected by IP, IV, and SC routes into SCID mice. The mice developed lymphoma bearing the t(14;18) translocation with as few as 5 x 10(6) cells within 28 days. This was determined by histological examination. The higher the cell inoculation the more rapidly the lymphoma developed. Engraftment of the tumour cells was determined by PCR for the t(14;18) breakpoint region on peripheral blood samples and could be detected prior to development of overt lymphoma. Having established a lymphoma model the cells were treated with antisense oligonucleotides to the first open reading frame of the BCL-2 gene prior to inoculation of the SCID mice. Control treatments with sense and nonsense oligonucleotides was also performed. At 28 days the sense, nonsense and untreated cell SCID mice had developed lymphoma, however, the antisense treated group failed to develop lymphoma. The findings demonstrate the modelling of B-cell lymphoma bearing the t(14;18) translocation and the ability to modify the lymphoma process with the use of antisense oligonucleotides to the BCL-2 gene. Reduction of the BCL2 protein suppresses the oncogenic potential of these lymphoma cells confirming that it plays an essential role in the development of malignancy.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Frequent homozygous deletions of the D13S25 locus in chromosome region 13q14 defines the location of a gene critical in leukaemogenesis in chronic B-cell lymphocytic leukaemia.

Cytogenetic studies of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia show structural abnormalities involving the 13q14 chromosome region as the only karyotypic change in a significant proportion of tumours. This observation suggests the location of a gene important in leukaemogenesis. A series of 68 BCLL tumours have been analysed for allele loss using a series of probes from 13q14. Using intragenic polymorphic markers from the retinoblastoma predisposition gene LOH was observed in 25% of tumours including 3/6 showing cytogenetically obvious deletions of the 13q14 region and 3/6 showing translocations involving 13q14. However, three deletions with proximal breakpoints in 13q14 did not show allele loss, demonstrating that the breakpoint lay distal to RB1. Using the D13S25 locus, which lies 1.6 cM distal to RB1, allele loss was seen in 90% of tumours with structural rearrangements of 13q14 and 75% of tumours with an apparently normal karyotype. 50% of these tumours showed homozygous loss of D13S25, suggesting that a 'tumour suppressor gene' lies in this region. The more distal D13S31 locus, 1 cM distal to D13S25, was infrequently involved in allele loss demonstrating that the minimum region of overlap for homozygous deletions is approximately 1 Mbp around the D13S25 locus.

Alleles↗
PubMed1994

Partial inactivation of the RB product in a family with incomplete penetrance of familial retinoblastoma and benign retinal tumors.

While familial retinoblastoma has served as the paradigm for the two-hit theory of tumorigenesis and for the concept of the tumor suppressor gene, the etiology of incomplete penetrance of familial retinoblastoma is poorly understood. To address the molecular basis for this phenotype we have studied the functional properties of a mutant Rb gene identified in a kindred with incomplete penetrance of familial retinoblastoma and evidence for regressed retinal lesions (retinomas). In contrast to all previously isolated RB mutant proteins, we demonstrated that the mutant product from this kindred retained the wildtype properties of nuclear localization, the ability to undergo hyperphosphorylation in vivo, and the capacity to suppress growth of RB(-) cells. Protein binding ('pocket') activity, however, was defective defining a new class of RB mutant with partial inactivation. The presence of this unique RB mutant in the germline of obligate carriers with incomplete penetrance and regressed retinal lesions suggests a molecular basis for this phenotype and supports the hypothesis that a minimum 'RB threshold' level of protein binding activity is required to suppress tumorigenesis.

Alleles↗
PubMed1993

Molecular mechanisms of oncogenic mutations in tumors from patients with bilateral and unilateral retinoblastoma.

The RB1 gene from 12 human retinoblastoma tumors has been analyzed exon-by-exon with the single-strand conformation polymorphism technique. Mutations were found in all tumors, and one-third of the tumors had independent mutations in both alleles neither of which were found in the germ line, confirming their true sporadic nature. In the remaining two-thirds of the tumors only one mutation was found, consistent with the loss-of-heterozygosity theory of tumorigenesis. Point mutations, the majority of which were C-->T transitions, were the most common abnormality and usually resulted in the conversion of an arginine codon to a stop codon. Small deletions were the second most common abnormality and most often created a downstream stop codon as the result of a reading frameshift. Deletions and point mutations also affected splice junctions. Direct repeats were present at the breakpoint junctions in the majority of deletions, supporting a slipped-mispairing mechanism. Point mutations generally produced DNA sequences which resulted in perfect homology with endogenous sequences which lay within 14 bp.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Assignment of four sequence-tagged sites to three subregions of 13q12 using a somatic cell hybrid mapping panel.

To define the position of a 13q12 breakpoint from a patient with ganglioneuroblastoma, a series of somatic cell hybrids carrying human chromosome translocations with breakpoints in the proximal part of chromosome 13 has been compiled. Sequence-tagged sites (STS) have been generated from a series of Alu-PCR probes previously shown to be in the 13q12 region. Together with an STS for the oncogene FLT1, these have been used to define the relative positions of the translocation breakpoints in the hybrids. In this way, four markers have been ordered in three subregions of 13q12 and reference breakpoints established. The refined physical map of 13q12 provides a series of reference markers with known locations and will be invaluable in the further characterization of breakpoints in this region.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Loss of heterozygosity at 11p13 in Wilms' tumours does not necessarily involve mutations in the WT1 gene.

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in tumour cells is generally accepted as 'exposing' recessive cancer genes. The short arm of chromosome 11 shows consistent LOH in Wilms' tumours along its entire length. Occasionally, however, only the 11p13 and/or the 11p15 regions are involved. Deletions of the 11p13 region consistently predisposes to Wilms' tumorigenesis. We have analysed the recently cloned WT1 gene from the 11p13 region exon-by-exon in five tumours previously shown to have undergone LOH for the 11p13 region, using single strand conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP) and PCR sequencing. Our analysis using SSCP failed to identify any band shifts in the WT1 gene from these tumours. In addition we also sequenced the zinc finger region of WT1, which is the part of the gene most frequently showing mutations. Only the normal sequence was found in all of these tumours. These results demonstrate that LOH in Wilms' tumours is not always related to mutations in the WT1 genes and argues strongly that another gene, probably in the 11p15 region, may be more important in Wilms' tumorigenesis.

Alleles↗