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Biomedical subjects

M H Wei

Publications and source records attributed to M H Wei.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A genetic linkage map of 96 loci on the short arm of human chromosome 3.

We constructed a genetic map of 96 loci on the short arm of human chromosome 3 (3p) in 59 families provided by the Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humaine (CEPH). Twenty-nine continuously linked loci were placed on the map with likelihood support of at least 1000:1; one locus, D3S213, was placed on the map with likelihood support of 871:1; D3Z1, an alpha satellite centromeric repeat probe, was placed on the map with likelihood support of 159:1; 65 loci were assigned regional locations. The average heterozygosity of the uniquely ordered markers was 49%. The map extends from 3p26, the terminal band of 3p, to the centromere (from D3S211 to D3Z1). Multipoint linkage analysis indicated that the male, female, and sex-averaged maps extend for 102, 147, and 116 cM, respectively. The mean genetic distance between uniquely ordered loci on the sex-averaged map was 4.0 cM. Probe density was greatest for the region of 3p between D3F15S2e and the telomere. The sex-averaged map contained two intervals greater than 10 cM. Seventeen probes were localized by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The loci described in this report will be useful in building an integrated genetic and physical map of this chromosome.

Chromosome Mapping↗

[Localization of oncoprotein P21ras in the human liver cancer].

Using the human liver cancer DNA transfected NIH/3T3 cell line, the human N-ras oncogene and the over expression of the oncoprotein P21ras was demonstrated, BALB/C mice were immunized. The spleen cells from the immunized mice were fused with SP2/0 myeloma cells. After the HAT medium selection and screening, two hybridoma cell lines, SCI-Oncogema 1 and 2, were established. In the immunoprecipitation test, the molecular weight of the protein reacting to Oncogema 1 was 21,000. This M.W 21,000 protein possessed the capability to bind with GTP, i.e. the character of P21ras. These data indicate that the Oncogema 1 is the monoclonal antibody against P21ras. Using Oncogema 1, specimens from 6 liver cancer patients were studied by immunopathology. With ABC stain, it was observed that the malignant cells in all the samples showed dark staining; the P21ras revealed over expression. Although the staining was heterogeneous, it implied that the ras oncogene was involved in the carcinogenesis of these six samples. No over expression was seen in the normal liver cells even in those around the cancerous lesion. However, dysplastic cells were moderately stained which means that the ras oncogene was activated and P21ras over expressed in these cells. The results suggest that the ras oncogene and P21ras play an important role in the early stage of liver cancer carcinogenesis.

Animals↗

Mechanism of tumorigenesis of renal carcinomas associated with the constitutional chromosome 3;8 translocation.

PURPOSE: Members of a family carrying a constitutional balanced translocation [t(3;8) (p14;q24)] have a high risk of developing multiple, bilateral clear-cell renal carcinomas. Two genetic mechanisms of carcinogenesis for this malignancy have been proposed: (1) disruption of a gene at the translocation breakpoint and (2) mutation of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor-suppressor gene at 3p25. This study further evaluates the role of the von Hippel-Lindau gene in the etiology and pathogenesis of t(3;8)-associated renal carcinomas. METHODS: Two new t(3;8)-associated renal carcinomas were tested for mutations in the von Hippel-Lindau gene by single-stranded conformational polymorphism analysis followed by direct DNA sequencing, for loss of alleles on chromosomes 3p and 8, and for methylation abnormalities in the first cloned exon of the von Hippel-Lindau gene. RESULTS: A missense mutation in the von Hippel-Lindau gene was found in one of the two t(3;8)-associated renal carcinomas. This mutation would produce a stop codon and a truncated protein. Both tumors showed a loss of alleles on the derivative 8 chromosome. When these results were combined with the results of our previous studies, two of the four t(3;8)-associated renal carcinomas, which were examined for molecular genetic changes, showed different von Hippel-Lindau somatic mutations. All renal tumors from the 3;8 translocation family showed loss of the translocated portion of chromosome 3. CONCLUSIONS: These results support a mechanism of tumorigenesis in the chromosome (3;8) translocation family that involves the loss of both copies of the von Hippel-Lindau gene.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗