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Biomedical subjects

K Malik

Publications and source records attributed to K Malik.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Structure of the human type-I interferon gene cluster determined from a YAC clone contig.

A map of the type-I interferon gene cluster located on the short arm of human chromosome 9 (9p) has been constructed using a contig of YAC clones. This map contains 26 interferon (IFN) genes and pseudogenes, and it accounts for all, except one, of the IFN sequences previously reported by other authors, plus a new IFNW pseudogene. The most distal gene on 9p is IFNB, and the most proximal one is IFNWP19. The direction of transcription for the 20 most distal IFN sequences is toward the telomere and for the 6 most proximal sequences, toward the centromere. Several regions of the cluster show evidence of ancestral duplication events. Some of these events may be explained by unequal crossing over between adjacent tandem genes. The location of several breakpoints within the cluster, from deletions associated with leukemias and gliomas, was also determined.

Base Sequence↗

Evaluation of defined antigen vaccines against Schistosoma bovis and S. japonicum in bovines.

Our objective is to contribute to the development of defined antigen vaccines for schistosomiasis by evaluating the protective efficacy of Schistosoma bovis and S. japonicum antigens in their natural bovine hosts. Antigens under evaluation include some already identified as vaccine candidates: glutathione S-transferases (GSTs); KLH, which shares protective epitopes with the protective antigen GP38 of S. mansoni; and Sj23, the analogue of the vaccine candidate Sm23 antigen. In another approach, since crude freeze/thaw schistosomular antigen plus BCG(F/T vaccine) has proved protective against S. japonicum in bovines, as it was against S. mansoni in mice, we are carrying out further evaluations both of this crude antigen and of recombinant-derived paramyosins. In a third line of work, novel vaccine candidate antigens identified by screening our cDNA libraries with various passively protective animal sera are being evaluated in animal experiments. In the Sudan we have shown that vaccination of calves with either native S. bovis GSTs or KLH induces high levels of fecundity-suppression without causing a significant reduction in adult worm recoveries. Therefore, recombinant-derived S. bovis 28kD GST is now being evaluated, as are the effects of combined GST/KLH vaccination. In China, sheep have been vaccinated with either S. japonicum GSTs, with KLH, or with the F/T vaccine, as a prelude to trials in bovines. As judged by adult worm recoveries, each type of vaccine induced significant protection, and there was also evidence, particularly with the GST and F/T vaccines, of fecundity-suppressive effects. As with the S. bovis/cattle system therefore, both GST and KLH showed protective effects against S. japonicum in sheep.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Homozygous loss of the interferon genes defines the critical region on 9p that is deleted in lung cancers.

Cytogenetic analyses of non-small cell lung cancer have revealed deletions of the short arm of chromosome 9 with breakpoints at 9p11-pter in a significant proportion of tumors. Recent evidence suggests that homozygous loss of the interferon (IFN) and methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) genes located on 9p and a tumor suppressor gene closely linked to them is associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and with gliomas. We have observed alterations of DNA sequences on 9p which include the IFN genes at a significant frequency in all types of human lung cancers (20 of 56 or 36%). The genetic alterations observed include homozygous or hemizygous deletions of the IFN genes as well as rearrangement of contiguous DNA sequences. In addition to these genomic alterations, 10 of 22 (45%) cell lines examined lacked MTAP enzyme activity. Overall, 24 of 56 (43%) lung cancer cell lines examined had hemizygous or homozygous loss of DNA sequences which include the IFN or MTAP genes. These findings suggest that the putative tumor suppressor gene at this locus contributes to the malignant process in lung cancers, as well as other types of human cancer.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

Molecular analysis of deletions of the short arm of chromosome 9 in human gliomas.

Previous studies have suggested that structural abnormalities involving the short arm of chromosome 9 are frequently associated with gliomas. The alpha-, beta-, and omega-interferon (IFNA, IFNB1, and IFNW, respectively) and the methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) genes have been mapped to the short arm of chromosome 9, band p22. Homozygous deletions of these genes have been reported in many leukemia- and glioma-derived cell lines. In this report, we present a detailed analysis of partial and complete homozygous or hemizygous deletions of DNA sequences on 9p in human cell lines and primary tumor samples of glioma patients. Ten of 15 (67%) glioma-derived cell lines had hemizygous or homozygous deletion of IFN genes or rearrangement of sequences around these genes, while 13 of 35 (37%) primary glioma tumor samples had hemizygous (8 tumors) or homozygous (5 tumors) deletion of the IFN genes. The shortest region of overlap of these deletions maps in the interval between the centromeric end of the IFN gene cluster and the MTAP gene. In the cell lines and primary tumors examined, these gross genomic alterations were seen only in association with high grade or recurrent gliomas. Our observations confirm that loss of DNA sequences on 9p, particularly the IFN genes, occurs at a significant frequency in gliomas, and may represent an important step in the progression of these tumors. These results are consistent with a model of tumorigenesis in which the development or progression of cancer involves the loss or inactivation of a gene or several genes that normally act to suppress tumorigenesis. One such gene may be located on 9p; this gene may be closely linked to the IFN genes. Nevertheless, loss of the IFN genes, when it occurs, may play an additional role in the progression of these tumors.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Serum and leukocyte lactate dehydrogenase activity in leukaemias.

Lactate dehydrogenase (LHD) content of serum and leukocytes was examined in 42 haematologically normal healthy volunteers and in 34 patients suffering from various types of leukaemia. All patients were studied at the time of presentation and before any therapeutic intervention. Serum LDH was elevated in all types of leukaemia. In acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) a significant elevation of leukocyte LDH activity (p less than 0.005) was noted. In acute lymphoblastic leukaemia leukocyte (ALL), LDH was significantly elevated when compared to normal lymphocyte LDH (p less than 0.01) levels, but not when compared to total normal leukocyte LDH levels. In chronic leukaemias, leukocyte LDH levels were not significantly different from the normal. Comparison of LDH isoenzyme pattern in peripheral blood cells with that of serum, both in normal and in leukaemia cases showed more "M" type enzyme in the cells than in the serum. However, the "M" type enzyme was significantly elevated only in AML cases (p less than 0.005). Serum LDH and peripheral blood leukocyte count compared in normal subjects and in leukaemia cases showed no correlation.

Adult↗

Studies of human retroviruses in relation to adult T-cell leukaemia, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, and multiple sclerosis.

Studies of adult T-cell leukaemia virus/human T-cell leukaemia/lymphotropic viruses (ATLV/HTLV-I) in Japan indicate that the virus is involved only with the development of ATL. By contrast, reports from the U.S.A. about HTLV have from time to time claimed that related HTLV are concerned not only with ATL of black persons, but also with a wide range of diseases, such as mycosis fungoides/Sezary's syndrome, T-cell hairy cell leukaemia, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and also multiple sclerosis. Using morphological, biological, serological and molecular hybridisation studies, we were able to confirm that the viruses implicated in the development of ATL and AIDS are distinct and that ATLV/HTLV-I is involved only in ATL, and HIV/LAV/HTLV-III only in AIDS. In vitro, ATLV/HTLV-I transformed and immortalised T-cells, while HIV/LAV/HTLV-III killed our T-cells. Failure to detect any serological cross-reaction indicates that all the structural proteins are different. Likewise, Southern blot studies failed to reveal any cross-hybridisation. Sixty patients with multiple sclerosis failed to reveal any association with ATLV/HTLV-I or with HIV/LAV/HTLV-III. Our conclusion is that ATLV/HTLV-I is involved only in ATL of Japanese and of some black persons of African origin, and that HIV/LAV/HTLV-III is associated only in AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Manic syndrome].

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Bipolar Disorder↗

[Neurasthenia].

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Humans↗