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Satoshi Nishizuka

Publications and source records attributed to Satoshi Nishizuka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Multiple tumor suppressor genes are increasingly methylated with age in non-neoplastic gastric epithelia.

A number of tumor suppressor and tumor-related genes are silenced by promoter hypermethylation in gastric cancer. Hypermethylation is not restricted to cancer cells, but is also present in non-neoplastic cells during aging. Such age-related methylation in non-neoplastic gastric epithelia is postulated to constitute a field defect that increases the risk for development of gastric cancer. To quantitatively evaluate age-related methylation in non-neoplastic gastric epithelia, we used a fiber-type DNA microarray on which methylated and unmethylated sequence probes were mounted. After bisulfite modification, a part of the promoter CpG island of four tumor suppressor genes, lysyl oxidase (LOX), p16, RUNX3 and tazarotene-induced gene 1 (TIG1), were amplified by PCR using Cy5 end labeled primers. Methylation rates (MRs) were calculated as the ratio of the fluorescence intensity of a methylated sequence probe to the total fluorescence intensity of methylated and unmethylated probes. Non-neoplastic gastric mucosa was obtained from 24 non-cancer-bearing stomachs at autopsy. MRs ranged from 0.0% to 77.2% (mean, 15.8%) for LOX, 0.0% to 45.8% (mean, 10.0%) for p16, 0.0% to 83.8% (mean, 9.0%) for RUNX3, and 0.0% to 46.1% (mean, 6.6%) for TIG1, and significantly correlated with aging (P < 0.01). The regression curves were: y = 0.013x(2) - 0.6184x + 4.0512, R(2) = 0.5728 (P < 0.001) for LOX; y = 0.0107x(2) - 0.6055x + 5.2943, R(2) = 0.7891 (P < 0.00001) for p16; y = 0.0182x(2) - 1.2234x + 11.566, R(2) = 0.5595 (P < 0.001) for RUNX3; and y = 0.0068 x(2) - 0.3586 x + 2.4306, R(2) = 0.4670 (P < 0.01) for TIG1. Thus, our present results are consistent with the notion that age-related methylation is associated with cancer susceptibility in the elderly. Quantitative analysis of DNA methylation using DNA microarrays is a promising method for risk assessment in the development of gastric cancer.

Adolescent↗

Profiling cancer stem cells using protein array technology.

Since cancer cells and somatic stem cells share the biological characteristics of self-renewal and proliferation, it has been suggested that the principles of stem cell biology can be applied to improve our understanding of cancer biology. Recent studies have shown that the majority of cancers appear to originate from a small subset of cells that have the ability of self-renewal and to proliferate, namely 'cancer stem cells'. The isolation of cancer stem cells has been demonstrated using cell surface markers in haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic malignancies. Advances in protein array technologies have enabled the use of minuscule amounts of biological materials to profile these cells at the molecular level. Using a combination of protein arrays and cancer stem cell isolation techniques, a higher resolution molecular profiling can be performed, which might improve therapies targeting the cancer stem cells.

Cell Communication↗

Constitutive activation of Akt contributes to the pathogenesis and survival of mantle cell lymphoma.

To determine whether the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), we investigated the phosphorylation status of Akt and multiple downstream targets in primary MCL cases and cell lines. Akt was phosphorylated in 12 of 12 aggressive blastoid MCL variants and in 4 of 4 MCL cell lines. In contrast, phosphorylated Akt was present in only 5 of 16 typical MCL, 3 at comparable levels to the blastoid cases, and 2 at low levels. The presence of p-Akt was accompanied by the phosphorylation of p27(kip1), FRKHL-1, MDM2, Bad, mTOR, and p70S6K. Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway in the MCL cell lines abrogated or reduced the phosphorylation of Akt, p27(kip1), FRKHL-1, MDM2, Bad, mTOR, GSK-3beta, IkappaB, and led to cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. Six MCL cases (5 with activated Akt and 1 with inactive Akt) and 3 of 4 cell lines showed loss of PTEN expression. PIK3CA mutations were not detected. We conclude that constitutive activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of MCL and preferentially occurs in blastoid variants. One possible mechanism of activation is loss of PTEN expression. These data suggest that PI3K/Akt inhibitors may be effective in the treatment of Akt-activated MCL.

Cell Cycle↗

AbMiner: a bioinformatic resource on available monoclonal antibodies and corresponding gene identifiers for genomic, proteomic, and immunologic studies.

BACKGROUND: Monoclonal antibodies are used extensively throughout the biomedical sciences for detection of antigens, either in vitro or in vivo. We, for example, have used them for quantitation of proteins on "reverse-phase" protein lysate arrays. For those studies, we quality-controlled > 600 available monoclonal antibodies and also needed to develop precise information on the genes that encode their antigens. Translation among the various protein and gene identifier types proved non-trivial because of one-to-many and many-to-one relationships. To organize the antibody, protein, and gene information, we initially developed a relational database in Filemaker for our own use. When it became apparent that the information would be useful to many other researchers faced with the need to choose or characterize antibodies, we developed it further as AbMiner, a fully relational web-based database under MySQL, programmed in Java. DESCRIPTION: AbMiner is a user-friendly, web-based relational database of information on > 600 commercially available antibodies that we validated by Western blot for protein microarray studies. It includes many types of information on the antibody, the immunogen, the vendor, the antigen, and the antigen's gene. Multiple gene and protein identifier types provide links to corresponding entries in a variety of other public databases, including resources for phosphorylation-specific antibodies. AbMiner also includes our quality-control data against a pool of 60 diverse cancer cell types (the NCI-60) and also protein expression levels for the NCI-60 cells measured using our high-density "reverse-phase" protein lysate microarrays for a selection of the listed antibodies. Some other available database resources give information on antibody specificity for one or a couple of cell types. In contrast, the data in AbMiner indicate specificity with respect to the antigens in a pool of 60 diverse cell types from nine different tissues of origin. CONCLUSION: AbMiner is a relational database that provides extensive information from our own laboratory and other sources on more than 600 available antibodies and the genes that encode the antibodies' antigens. The data will be made freely available at http://discover.nci.nih.gov/abminer.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Spreading of methylation within RUNX3 CpG island in gastric cancer.

RUNX3 is a novel tumor suppressor gene that is frequently silenced by promoter hypermethylation in gastric cancer. The methylation status of multiple regions within the RUNX3 promoter CpG island (3,478 bp) was examined in gastric cancer cell lines, primary gastric cancers and non-neoplastic gastric mucosa to clarify how methylation spreads within the CpG island. The critical regions for RUNX3 silencing were evaluated by analysis of cell lines. The most 5' region of the CpG island was methylated in 90% (9/10) of gastric cancer cell lines, 96% (43/45) of primary gastric cancers and in 96% (43/45) of non-neoplastic gastric mucosa. The frequencies of methylation were less near the transcription start site and were 40% (4/10) in cell lines, 53% (24/45) in primary gastric cancers and 11% (5/45) in non-neoplastic gastric mucosa, where methylation was proven to be critical for gene silencing. Thus, hypermethylation initially occurs at the most 5' region of the RUNX3 CpG island and spreads to the transcription start site before ultimately shutting down RUNX3 mRNA expression. The detection of hypermethylation at multiple regions within the RUNX3 CpG island may be useful in the diagnosis and risk assessment of gastric cancer.

Adult↗

Quantitative assessment of RUNX3 methylation in neoplastic and non-neoplastic gastric epithelia using a DNA microarray.

Silencing of the RUNX3 gene by hypermethylation of its promoter CpG island plays a major role in gastric carcinogenesis. To quantitatively evaluate RUNX3 methylation, a fiber-type DNA microarray was used on which methylated and unmethylated sequence probes were mounted. After bisulfite modification, a part of the RUNX3 promoter CpG island, at which methylation is critical for gene silencing, was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using a Cy5 end-labeled primer. Methylation rates (MR) were calculated as the ratio of the fluorescence intensity of a methylated sequence probe to the total fluorescence intensity of methylated and unmethylated probes. Five gastric cancer cell lines were analyzed, as well as 26 primary gastric cancers and their corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia. MR in four of the cancer cell lines that lost RUNX3 mRNA ranged from 99.0% to 99.7% (mean, 99.4%), whereas MR in the remaining cell line that expressed RUNX3 mRNA was 0.6%. In primary gastric cancers and their corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia, MR ranged from 0.2% to 76.5% (mean, 22.7%) and from 0.7% to 25.1% (mean, 5.5%). Ten (38.5%) of the 26 gastric cancers and none of their corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia had MR >30%. Most of the samples with MR >10% tested methylation-positive by conventional methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). This microarray-based methylation assay is a promising method for the quantitative assessment of gene methylation.

Adult↗

Integrating data on DNA copy number with gene expression levels and drug sensitivities in the NCI-60 cell line panel.

Chromosome rearrangement, a hallmark of cancer, has profound effects on carcinogenesis and tumor phenotype. We used a panel of 60 human cancer cell lines (the NCI-60) as a model system to identify relationships among DNA copy number, mRNA expression level, and drug sensitivity. For each of 64 cancer-relevant genes, we calculated all 4,096 possible Pearson's correlation coefficients relating DNA copy number (assessed by comparative genomic hybridization using bacterial artificial chromosome microarrays) and mRNA expression level (determined using both cDNA and Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays). The analysis identified an association of ERBB2 overexpression with 3p copy number, a finding supported by data from human tumors and a mouse model of ERBB2-induced carcinogenesis. When we examined the correlation between DNA copy number for all 353 unique loci on the bacterial artificial chromosome microarray and drug sensitivity for 118 drugs with putatively known mechanisms of action, we found a striking negative correlation (-0.983; 95% bootstrap confidence interval, -0.999 to -0.899) between activity of the enzyme drug L-asparaginase and DNA copy number of genes near asparagine synthetase in the ovarian cancer cells. Previous analysis of drug sensitivity and mRNA expression had suggested an inverse relationship between mRNA levels of asparagine synthetase and L-asparaginase sensitivity in the NCI-60. The concordance of pharmacogenomic findings at the DNA and mRNA levels strongly suggests further study of L-asparaginase for possible treatment of a low-synthetase subset of clinical ovarian cancers. The DNA copy number database presented here will enable other investigators to explore DNA transcript-drug relationships in their own domains of research focus.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Expression of tumor suppressor and tumor-related proteins in differentiated carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma with tubular component and pure undifferentiated carcinoma of the stomach.

BACKGROUND: The recent development of tissue microarray (TMA) technology allows high-throughput protein expression profiling of cancer tissues by immunohistochemistry. We attempted to clarify the derivation of undifferentiated-type gastric carcinoma with tubular component by using TMA. METHODS: We constructed a TMA system composed of six paraffin blocks in which 274 samples of formalin-fixed gastric carcinoma tissue from 274 patients were embedded. Using this system, we performed immunohistochemical stains for five tumor suppressor and tumor-related proteins, i.e. p53, p16, hMLH1, c-erbB-2 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The 274 gastric carcinomas were histopathologically divided into the following three groups according to the degree of differentiation: differentiated-type (D-type), undifferentiated-type with tubular component (UT-type) and pure undifferentiated-type (UP-type). Immunohistochemical results were then compared with histological types. RESULTS: The percentages of abnormal expression of each protein in D-type, UT-type and UP-type carcinomas were as follows: 27% (38/143), 17% (17/98) and 15% (5/33) for p53; 27% (39/143), 19% (19/98) and 18% (6/33) for p16; 38% (54/143), 44% (43/98) and 24% (8/33) for hMLH1; 15% (22/143), 5% (5/98) and 0% (0/33) for c-erbB-2; and 22% (31/143), 35% (34/98) and 70% (23/33) for CEA. UP-type carcinomas exhibited the lowest frequencies of abnormal expression for p53, p16, hMLH1 and c-erbB-2, but the highest frequencies for CEA. UT-type carcinomas generally showed intermediate frequencies between those of D-type and UP-type carcinomas. Differences between D-type and UP-type for c-erbB-2 (P < 0.05) and CEA (P < 0.001) were significant, as were differences between D-type and UT-type for c-erbB-2 (P < 0.05) and CEA (P < 0.05), and differences between UT-type and UP-type for hMLH1 (P < 0.05) and CEA (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings reveal that gastric carcinomas have distinct expression profiles for tumor suppressor and tumor-related proteins depending on histological types, and support the hypothesis that UT-type carcinomas are derived not only from D-type but also from UP-type carcinomas. We also found significant differences between abnormal protein expression and other clinicopathological parameters such as gender, age and status of tumor and nodes.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Demethylation of the synuclein gamma gene CpG island in primary gastric cancers and gastric cancer cell lines.

PURPOSE: Whereas synuclein gamma (SNCG) gene expression is usually highly tissue-specific and restricted to the nervous system, SNCG is expressed in advanced-stage breast and ovarian cancers. When overexpressed, SNCG stimulates cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. It is thought that the molecular mechanism of CpG island demethylation may underlie aberrant SNCG expression. To determine whether aberrant SNCG expression and demethylation play a role in gastric carcinogenesis, we examined the expression and methylation status of SNCG in primary gastric cancers, gastric cancer cell lines, and non-neoplastic gastric mucosal tissues. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Ten gastric cancer cell lines, 105 primary gastric cancers, and 10 non-neoplastic gastric mucosal tissues were examined. SNCG expression and methylation status were examined by reverse transcription-PCR and bisulfite-single-strand conformational polymorphism followed by direct sequencing, respectively. The relationship between SNCG methylation status and various clinicopathological factors of the primary gastric cancers was then analyzed. RESULTS: SNCG mRNA expression was observed in 5 of 10 cell lines. Analysis of cell lines positive for SNCG expression revealed that most of the SNCG CpGs were demethylated. SNCG mRNA was not expressed in the 10 non-neoplastic gastric mucosal tissues, although several CpGs were demethylated. Of the 105 primary gastric cancers, 40 (38.1%) showed apparent SNCG demethylation, similar to the result obtained using cell lines. SNCG demethylation was more frequent in primary gastric cancers positive for lymph node metastasis (51%; 26 of 51) than in cancers without lymph node involvement (26%; 14 of 54; P < 0.05), and also more common in stage II-IV (48%; 27 of 56) than in stage I (27%; 13 of 49) cancers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant SNCG gene expression can occur via CpG island demethylation, and tends to occur during the more progressive stages of gastric carcinogenesis.

Adult↗

Comparing cDNA and oligonucleotide array data: concordance of gene expression across platforms for the NCI-60 cancer cells.

Microarray gene-expression profiles are generally validated one gene at a time by real-time RT-PCR. We describe here a different approach based on simultaneous mutual validation of large numbers of genes using two different expression-profiling platforms. The result described here for the NCI-60 cancer cell lines is a consensus set of genes that give similar profiles on spotted cDNA arrays and Affymetrix oligonucleotide chips. Global concordance is parameterized by a 'correlation of correlations' coefficient.

Algorithms↗

Proteomic profiling of the NCI-60 cancer cell lines using new high-density reverse-phase lysate microarrays.

Because most potential molecular markers and targets are proteins, proteomic profiling is expected to yield more direct answers to functional and pharmacological questions than does transcriptional profiling. To aid in such studies, we have developed a protocol for making reverse-phase protein lysate microarrays with larger numbers of spots than previously feasible. Our first application of these arrays was to profiling of the 60 human cancer cell lines (NCI-60) used by the National Cancer Institute to screen compounds for anticancer activity. Each glass slide microarray included 648 lysate spots representing the NCI-60 cell lines plus controls, each at 10 two-fold serial dilutions to provide a wide dynamic range. Mouse monoclonal antibodies and the catalyzed signal amplification system were used for immunoquantitation. The signal levels from the >30,000 data points for our first 52 antibodies were analyzed by using p-scan and a quantitative dose interpolation method. Clustered image maps revealed biologically interpretable patterns of protein expression. Among the principal early findings from these arrays were two promising pathological markers for distinguishing colon from ovarian adenocarcinomas. When we compared the patterns of protein expression with those we had obtained for the same genes at the mRNA level by using both cDNA and oligonucleotide arrays, a striking regularity appeared: cell-structure-related proteins almost invariably showed a high correlation between mRNA and protein levels across the NCI-60 cell lines, whereas non-cell-structure-related proteins showed poor correlation.

Blotting, Western↗

Diagnostic markers that distinguish colon and ovarian adenocarcinomas: identification by genomic, proteomic, and tissue array profiling.

Colon and ovarian cancers can be difficult to distinguish in the abdomen, and the distinction is important because it determines which drugs will be used for therapy. To identify molecular markers for that differential diagnosis, we developed a multistep protocol starting with the 60 human cancer cell lines used by the National Cancer Institute to screen for new anticancer agents. The steps included: (a) identification of candidate markers using cDNA microarrays; (b) verification of clone identities by resequencing; (c) corroboration of transcript levels using Affymetrix oligonucleotide chips; (d) quantitation of protein expression by "reverse-phase" protein microarray; and (e) prospective validation of candidate markers on clinical tumor sections in tissue microarrays. The two best candidates identified were villin for colon cancer cells and moesin for ovarian cancer cells. Because moesin stained stromal elements in both types of cancer, it would probably not have been identified as a marker if we had started with mRNA or protein profiling of bulk tumors. Villin appears at least as useful as the currently used colon cancer marker cytokeratin 20, and moesin also appears to have utility. The multistep process introduced here has the potential to produce additional markers for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.

Adenocarcinoma↗

MatchMiner: a tool for batch navigation among gene and gene product identifiers.

MatchMiner is a freely available program package for batch navigation among gene and gene product identifier types commonly encountered in microarray studies and other forms of 'omic' research. The user inputs a list of gene identifiers and then uses the Merge function to find the overlap with a second list of identifiers of either the same or a different type or uses the LookUp function to find corresponding identifiers.

Algorithms↗

Promoter methylation status of DAP-kinase and RUNX3 genes in neoplastic and non-neoplastic gastric epithelia.

Silencing of tumor suppressor and tumor-related genes by hypermethylation at promoter CpG islands is frequently found in human tumors, including gastric cancer. Promoter methylation is not restricted to cancer cells, and is also present in non-neoplastic cells as an age-related tissue-specific phenomenon. To clarify the physiological consequence of DAP-kinase and RUNX3 age-related methylation in gastric epithelia, we investigated the promoter methylation status of these genes in both neoplastic and non-neoplastic gastric epithelia obtained at autopsy and surgery, as well as in 10 gastric cancer cell lines. Methylation of DAP-kinase and RUNX3 was detected in 10% (1/10) and 70% (7/10) of the cell lines, respectively, and was almost concordant with their expression status. Among autopsy samples, methylation of these genes was not seen in non-neoplastic gastric epithelia from persons who were aged 22 years and below (0%; 0/4). DAP-kinase was methylated in 87% (13/15) of non-neoplastic gastric epithelia of persons who were aged 45 years or older, while RUNX3 methylation in non-neoplastic gastric epithelia was restricted to individuals who were aged 77 years or older. Among samples obtained from patients with stomach cancer, methylation was observed in both the neoplastic and the corresponding non-neoplastic gastric epithelia; 43% (40/93) and 73% (68/93) for DAP-kinase, and 45% (42/93) and 8% (7/93) for RUNX3, respectively. Frequencies of DAP-kinase and RUNX3 methylation differed significantly in non-neoplastic gastric epithelia (P < 0.01), although those in gastric cancers were almost the same. RUNX3 methylation is mostly cancer-specific, except for very old individuals, and therefore may be a possible molecular diagnostic marker and malignancy predictor.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Analysis of genetic and epigenetic alterations of the PTEN gene in gastric cancer.

The PTEN tumor suppressor gene on 10q23.3, responsible for the Cowden and Bannayan-Zonana syndromes, encodes a dual-specificity phosphatase able to dephosphorylate both tyrosine phosphate and serine/threonine phosphate residues. Mutational inactivation of PTEN has been reported in various malignancies, including endometrial cancers, ovarian cancers, and glioblastomas. In this study, we investigated PTEN gene mutations in 10 gastric cancer cell lines and 58 primary gastric cancers by polymerase chain reaction single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). Hypermethylation of promoter region CpG islands, an alternative mechanism of gene inactivation to coding region mutations, was also evaluated by methylation specific PCR (MSP). Only one (1.7%) of the 58 primary tumors carried a somatic 5-bp deletion in intron 7 of PTEN, which did not alter the mRNA sequence, and no mutations were detected in any of the cell lines. Similar levels of PTEN mRNA expression were observed in all cell lines and primary tumors studied by RT-PCR, and PTEN promoter CpG islands remained unmethylated. Therefore, we conclude that PTEN does not participate in gastric carcinogenesis as a tumor suppressor gene.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Promoter methylation status of E-cadherin, hMLH1, and p16 genes in nonneoplastic gastric epithelia.

Silencing of tumor suppressor and tumor-related genes by hypermethylation at promoter CpG islands is one of the major events in human tumorigenesis. Promoter methylation is also present in nonneoplastic cells as an age-related tissue-specific phenomenon that precedes the development of neoplasia. To clarify the significance of promoter methylation in nonneoplastic gastric epithelia as a precancerous signal, we investigated promoter methylation status of E-cadherin, hMLH1, and p16 genes in nonneoplastic cells of various organs obtained at autopsy, and compared the results with those of nonneoplastic epithelia of a cancerous stomach. Methylation of these genes was not seen in nonneoplastic cells of organs from people who were 22 years and younger (0%, 0 of 6). In contrast, E-cadherin and p16 were methylated in nonneoplastic gastric epithelia of persons who were 45 years or older. The numbers were 86% (12 of 14) and 29% (4 of 14), respectively. E-cadherin methylation occurred preferentially in the intestines, whereas p16 methylation was almost restricted to the stomach. For samples obtained from patients with stomach cancer, methylation was frequently observed in both neoplastic and corresponding nonneoplastic gastric epithelia: 47% (44 of 94) and 67% (63 of 94) for E-cadherin, 32% (30 of 94) and 24% (23 of 94) for hMLH1, and 22% (21 of 94) and 44% (41 of 94) for p16, respectively. hMLH1 methylation was not seen in nonneoplastic gastric epithelia from autopsy samples but occurred significantly in samples from nonneoplastic tissues of individuals with stomach cancer. Therefore, detection of hMLH1 methylation in nonneoplastic gastric epithelia may be useful for screening patients who may be at risk of developing gastric cancer.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗