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Cell-based partitioning.

Partitioning techniques are widely used to classify compound sets or databases according to specific chemical or biological criteria. Partitioning is conceptually related to, yet algorithmically distinct from, conventional clustering methods and is particularly suitable for efficient processing of very large compound sets. Currently, some of the most popular partitioning approaches in the chemoinformatics field involve dimension reduction of initially defined chemistry spaces and creation of subsections of low-dimensional space for molecular classification. These subsections are often called cells. Original chemical reference spaces are generated through selection of various descriptors of molecular structure and properties. Principles and methodological aspects of dimension reduction of chemical spaces and compound partitioning in low-dimensional space are described herein.

Information Services↗

Cancer proteomics: from biomarker discovery to signal pathway profiling.

In the post-genomic era of science, the field of proteomics promises the discovery of new molecular targets for therapy, biomarkers for early detection, and new endpoints for therapeutic efficacy and toxicity. Patient-specific targeted therapeutics with reduced toxicity and increased efficacy, the ultimate goal for rational drug development, can only be achieved if direct analyses of the tissue cells in the actual human malignancy are analyzed. To that end, technologies such as Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM), is providing unparalleled access to the purified diseased human cells directly from tissue specimens. However, limited availability of patient material is a challenge towards the development of new highly sensitive proteomic methodologies. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), still the mainstay of most proteomic analysis of disease, is being complemented, and in some instances replaced by new exciting approaches to multiparametric protein characterization. The use of rapid, high throughput mass spectrometric-based fingerprints of peptides and proteins may prove to be valuable for new molecular classification of human tumors and disease stages. Coupled with LCM, high-density protein arrays, antibody arrays, and small molecular arrays, could have a substantial impact on proteomic profiling of human malignancies. Finally, detailed real-time knowledge about the states of intracellular signaling circuitry and pathways in the normal and malignant cells before, during and after therapy will yield invaluable information about mechanism of action and efficacy of existing and novel therapeutics for the treatment of human cancer.

Biomarkers↗

Molecular changes in brain tumors: prognostic and therapeutic impact.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review focuses on recent advances in the molecular biology of the main primary brain tumors (gliomas, medulloblastomas, and ependymomas), with particular emphasis on prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets. RECENT FINDINGS: Current biologic markers are useful for predicting prognosis (e.g. 1p/19q codeletion in grade 2 and 3 gliomas, nuclear beta-catenin expression in medulloblastoma) or response to the treatment (e.g. the methyl guanyl methyl transferase promoter methylation status). Recent gene profiling studies have identified specific molecular signatures that permit a molecular classification and that also provide new, potentially useful prognostic markers. The studies have also shown a striking parallel between central nervous system ontogenesis and the oncogenesis of brain tumors. By elucidating the underlying activated molecular pathways, these approaches provide the basis for a biologic therapy to target the critically activated pathways. SUMMARY: Important advances have been made in the biologic understanding, molecular subclassification, and identification of prognostic markers in brain tumors, thereby improving the current classifications. Such data provide a rational basis for current and future targeted biologically based strategies.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[Brain tumors: the current WHO classification and neuroimagings].

The current World Health Organization Classification of tumors of the Central Nervous System (WHO 2000) lists more than 120 types of brain tumors. Classification of brain tumors is an evolving process, with obsolete entities discarded and newly recognized tumors added with each successive revision. In the past, classification has relied heavily on morphologic pattern recognition and immunohistochemical identification of differentiation antigens. With the discovery of the association between deletions on chromosomes 1 and 19 and the chemosensitivity of anaplasic oligodendrogliomas, a new era of molecular classification of brain tumors began. It is a virtual certainty that current advances in molecular methodologies, particularly in the fields of genomics, transcriptonomics, and proteomics, will revolutionize brain tumor classificaton in the very near future.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Profiling the molecular difference between Patched- and p53-dependent rhabdomyosarcoma.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly malignant tumor that is histologically related to skeletal muscle, yet genetic and molecular lesions underlying its genesis and progression remain largely unknown. In this study we have compared the molecular profiles of two different mouse models of RMS, each associated with a defined primary genetic defect known to play a role in rhabdomyosarcomagenesis in man. We report that RMS of heterozygous Patched1 (Ptch1) mice show less aggressive growth and a greater degree of differentiation than RMS of heterozygous p53 mice. By means of cDNA microarray analysis we demonstrate that RMS in Ptch1 mutants predominantly express a number of myogenic markers, including myogenic differentiation 1, myosin heavy chain, actin, troponin and tropomyosin, as well as genes associated with Hedgehog/Patched signaling like insulin-like growth factor 2, forkhead box gene Foxf1 and the growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible gene Gadd45a. In sharp contrast, RMS in p53 mutants display higher expression levels of cell cycle-associated genes like cyclin B1, cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and the proliferation marker Ki-67. These results demonstrate that different causative mutations lead to distinct gene expression profiles in RMS, which appear to reflect their different biological characteristics. Our results provide a first step towards a molecular classification of different forms of RMS. If the described differences can be confirmed in human RMS our results will contribute to a new molecular taxonomy of this cancer, which will be critical for gene mutation- and expression-specific therapy.

Alleles↗

Mathematical modeling of noise and discovery of genetic expression classes in gliomas.

The microarray array experimental system generates noisy data that require validation by other experimental methods for measuring gene expression. Here we present an algebraic modeling of noise that extracts expression measurements true to a high degree of confidence. This work profiles the expression of 19 200 cDNAs in 35 human gliomas; the experiments are designed to generate four replicate spots/gene with switching of probes. The validity of the extracted measurements is confirmed by: (1) cluster analysis that generates a molecular classification differentiating glioblastoma from lower-grade tumors and radiation necrosis; (2) By what other investigators have reported in gliomas using paradigms for assaying molecular expression other than gene profiling; and (3) Real-time RT-PCR. The results yield a genetic analysis of gliomas and identify classes of genetic expression that link novel genes to the biology of gliomas.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Seven novel and stable translocations associated with oncogenic gene expression in malignant melanoma.

Cytogenetics has not only precipitated the discovery of several oncogenes, but has also led to the molecular classification of numerous malignancies. The correct identification of aberrations in many tumors has, however, been hindered by extensive tumor complexity and the limitations of molecular cytogenetic techniques. In this study, we have investigated five malignant melanoma (MM) cell lines from at least three different passages using high-resolution R-banding and the recently developed methods of comparative genomic hybridization and multicolor or multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization. We subsequently detected nine consistent translocations, seven of which were novel: dic(1;11)(p10;q14), der(9)t(3;9)(p12;p11), der(4)t(9;4;7)(q33:p15-q23:q21), der(14)t(5;14)(q12;q32), der(9)t(9;22)(p21;q11), der(19)t(19;20)(p13.3;p11), der(10)t(2;12;7;10)(q31:p12-->pter:q11.2-->q31:q21), der(19)t(10;19)(q23;q13), and der(20)t(Y;20)(q11.23;q13.3). Furthermore, using the human HG-U133A GeneChip, positive expression levels of oncogenes or tumor-related genes located at the regions of chromosomal breakpoints were identified, including AKT1, BMI1, CDK6, CTNNB1, E2F1, GPNMB, GPRK7, KBRAS2, LDB2, LIMK1, MAPK1, MEL, MP1, MUC18, NRCAM, PBX3, RAB22A, RAB38, SNK, and STK4, indicating an association between chromosomal breakpoints and altered gene expression. Moreover, we also show that growth of all five cell lines can be significantly reduced by downregulating CDK6 gene expression with small interfering RNA (siRNA). Because the majority of these breakpoints have been reported previously in MM, our results support the idea of common mechanisms in this disease.

Cell Line↗

Recent advances in the research and development of human defensins.

Human defensins are a family of cationic antimicrobial peptides with molecular weights of 4-5 kDa, containing a conserved six disulphide-linked cysteine motif. During the last two decades a series of endogenous alpha- and beta-human defensins were discovered. They exhibit a broad range of antimicrobial properties and are thought to be ideal therapeutic agents because of their potential ability to circumvent the problems of acquired resistance often observed with other antimicrobial therapies. Because of their appealing medical and pharmaceutical potential there has been an emphasis on human defensins in medical and molecular biology research in recent years. This paper aims to present a comprehensive review of recent advances in the study of human defensins including their discovery, classification, molecular properties, expression, mechanisms of action and potential medical applications. In addition, the advances in producing human defensins via genetic engineered cells are summarized from research works in our group (besides host cells including E. coli, B. subtilis and yeast systems, the cell-free protein synthesis system was also employed to express human beta-defensin-2) along with other related published works. The present challenges and prospects for the potential application of human defensins are also discussed.

Gene Expression Regulation↗

Novel molecular signaling and classification of human clinically nonfunctional pituitary adenomas identified by gene expression profiling and proteomic analyses.

Pituitary adenomas comprise 10% of intracranial tumors and occur in about 20% of the population. They cause significant morbidity by compression of regional structures or the inappropriate expression of pituitary hormones. Their molecular pathogenesis is unclear, and the current classification of clinically nonfunctional tumors does not reflect any molecular distinctions between the subtypes. To further elucidate the molecular changes that contribute to the development of these tumors and reclassify them according to the molecular basis, we investigated 11 nonfunctional pituitary adenomas and eight normal pituitary glands, using 33 oligonucleotide GeneChip microarrays. We validated microarray results with the reverse transcription real-time quantitative PCR, using a larger number of nonfunctional adenomas. We also used proteomic analysis to examine protein expression in these nonfunctional adenomas. Microarray analysis identified significant increases in the expression of 115 genes and decreases in 169 genes, whereas proteomic analysis identified 21 up-regulated and 29 down-regulated proteins. We observed changes in expression of SFRP1, TLE2, PITX2, NOTCH3, and DLK1, suggesting that the developmental Wnt and Notch pathways are activated and important for the progression of nonfunctional pituitary adenomas. We further analyzed gene expression profiles of all nonfunctional pituitary subtypes to each other and identified genes that were affected uniquely in each subtype. These results show distinct gene and protein expression patterns in adenomas, provide new insight into the pathogenesis and molecular classification of nonfunctional pituitary adenomas, and suggest that therapeutic targeting of the Notch pathway could be effective for these tumors.

Adenoma↗

Molecular and biochemical classification of plant-derived food allergens.

Molecular biology and biochemical techniques have significantly advanced the knowledge of allergens derived from plant foods. Surprisingly, many of the known plant food allergens are homologous to pathogenesis-related proteins (PRs), proteins that are induced by pathogens, wounding, or certain environmental stresses. PRs have been classified into 14 families. Examples of allergens homologous to PRs include chitinases (PR-3 family) from avocado, banana, and chestnut; antifungal proteins such as the thaumatin-like proteins (PR-5) from cherry and apple; proteins homologous to the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 (PR-10) from vegetables and fruits; and lipid transfer proteins (PR-14) from fruits and cereals. Allergens other than PR homologs can be allotted to other well-known protein families such as inhibitors of alpha-amylases and trypsin from cereal seeds, profilins from fruits and vegetables, seed storage proteins from nuts and mustard seeds, and proteases from fruits. As more clinical data and structural information on allergenic molecules becomes available, we may finally be able to answer what characteristics of a molecule are responsible for its allergenicity.

Allergens↗

Osteoarthritis phenotypes: advancing precision medicine through clinical, structural, and molecular stratification.

PURPOSE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is now understood as a heterogeneous syndrome driven by diverse biological, biomechanical, metabolic, genetic, and molecular mechanisms. This variability explains differences in disease progression and treatment response, challenging the traditional "one-size-fits-all" approach. This review highlights OA phenotyping as a key step toward precision medicine, focusing on clinical, structural, and molecular classifications that inform individualized care. METHODS: A narrative review was conducted using a non-systematic search of major databases and Osteoarthritis Research Society International sources (2010-2026). Evidence was thematically synthesized across clinical, imaging, and molecular domains to characterize OA phenotypes and their potential relevance to precision medicine. RESULTS: Multiple OA phenotypes were identified: inflammatory, metabolic, biomechanical, cartilage-subchondral, pain-sensitization, and aging/senescence. These exhibit distinct clinical features, risk factors, and therapeutic responses. Imaging-based phenotypes (e.g., inflammatory, meniscus-cartilage, subchondral bone, atrophic, hypertrophic) and molecular endotypes (low turnover, structural damage, systemic inflammation) further refine stratification. Pain-structure discordance is notable in sensitization phenotypes and may predict poorer surgical outcomes. Joint-specific variations and emerging genomic and epigenetic insights underscore disease complexity. Advances in imaging, biomarkers, and machine learning may enable earlier detection and patient clustering, though clinical application remains limited. CONCLUSION: Phenotype- and endotype-based classification represents a critical advancement toward precision OA management. Tailored interventions based on stratification hold promise for improving outcomes; however, clinical translation remains limited by overlapping phenotypes, lack of validated biomarkers, and inconsistent results from phenotype-driven trials. Wider clinical adoption requires standardized definitions, validation across joints, and integration of multimodal diagnostic tools into routine practice.

Humans↗

Gene expression profiling of lymphoid malignancies.

Comprehensive gene expression profiling using DNA microarrays is providing a molecular classification of cancer into disease categories that are homogeneous with respect to pathogenesis and clinical behavior. Gene expression profiling revealed that diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) consists of at least two molecularly distinct diseases that are derived from distinct stages of B cell differentiation and have strikingly different clinical outcomes. By contrast, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was found to be a single disease defined by a characteristic gene expression signature. Nonetheless, gene expression profiling distinguished two clinically divergent CLL subtypes and provided evidence that signaling through the B cell antigen receptor may play a role in the clinically aggressive subtype. Gene expression analysis also illuminated the mechanism of lymphomagenesis caused by BCL-6 translocations and provided evidence that the NF-kappa B signaling pathway is a new molecular therapeutic target in DLBCL.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗

Gene expression profiling of gastric cancer by microarray combined with laser capture microdissection.

AIM: To examine the gene expression profile of gastric cancer (GC) by combination of laser capture microdissection (LCM) and microarray and to correlate the profiling with histological subtypes. METHODS: Using LCM, pure cancer cells were procured from 45 cancerous tissues. After procurement of about 5000 cells, total RNA was extracted and the quality of RNA was determined before further amplification and hybridization. One microgram of amplified RNA was converted to cDNA and hybridized to cDNA microarray. RESULTS: Among 45 cases, only 21 were qualified for their RNAs. A total of 62 arrays were performed. These included 42 arrays for cancer (21 cases with dye-swab duplication) and 20 arrays for non-tumorous cells (10 cases with dye-swab duplication) with universal reference. Analyzed data showed 504 genes were differentially expressed and could distinguish cancerous and non-cancerous groups with more than 99% accuracy. Of the 504 genes, trefoil factors 1, 2, and 3 were in the list and their expression patterns were consistent with previous reports. Immunohistochemical staining of trefoil factor 1 was also consistent with the array data. Analyses of the tumor group with these 504 genes showed that there were 3 subgroups of GC that did not correspond to any current classification system, including Lauren's classification. CONCLUSION: By using LCM, linear amplification of RNA, and cDNA microarray, we have identified a panel of genes that have the power to discriminate between GC and non-cancer groups. The new molecular classification and the identified novel genes in gastric carcinogenesis deserve further investigations to elucidate their clinicopathological significance.

Gene Expression Profiling↗

Molecular approaches for the analysis of chromogranins and secretogranins.

Recent molecular analyses have contributed to our knowledge about the chromogranin/secretogranin (Cg/Sg) family and their utility in diagnostic pathology. The genes for five of these proteins have been cloned, and the deduced amino acid sequences have provided insights into the structure and possible functions of the Cgs/Sgs, including their role as prohormones. Northern hybridization and in situ hybridization histochemistry have provided a great deal of information about the tissue distribution of the Cg/Sg gene products. Some neoplasms such as small cell lung carcinomas, which have little stored Cg/Sg protein, have abundant cytoplasmic mRNAs that can be readily detected by hybridization studies. Some other neoplasms such as neuroblastomas have decreased CgA and increased SgII mRNAs during maturation to ganglioneuromas. There is also a differential expression of Cgs/Sgs in some endocrine neoplasms such as parathyroid adenomas, which express abundant CgA mRNA and little CgB mRNA, and in pituitary prolactinomas, which express CgB mRNA but not CgA mRNA. The mRNA for CgA has been found unexpectedly in some neoplasms such as 15% of colonic adenocarcinomas. Thus, molecular approaches in the analysis of Cgs/Sgs should contribute to the diagnosis of endocrine neoplasms and may provide support for a molecular classification of neoplasms in diagnostic pathology.

Animals↗

Correlation between coronary morphology and molecular markers of fibrinolysis in unstable angina pectoris.

BACKGROUND: In acute coronary syndromes, marked alterations of coagulation and fibrinolysis have been observed, but no data are available concerning a possible relation to coronary stenosis morphology. METHODS: Thirty one patients with unstable angina pectoris were included. Culprit stenosis morphology judged from coronary angiography was graded using the modified ACC/AHA classification. Molecular and functional markers of hemostasis and fibrinolysis were determined from venous plasma samples obtained at admission. RESULTS: Patients with unstable angina pectoris had a moderate procoagulant state, especially a contact phase activation compared with age-matched controls (factor XII 93.9 +/- 5.6 vs 112.8 +/- 5.4%; P < 0.05; high molecular weight kininogen 55.3 +/- 5.4 vs 86.1 +/- 6.5%; P < 0.01). Thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) was not significantly elevated (7.6 +/- 1.9 vs 4.0 +/- 0.5 microg/l). Elevated plasminogen activator mass concentration (16.6 +/- 2.1 vs 5.4 +/- 0.6 ng/ml; P < 0.01) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity (9.9 +/- 3.0 vs 5.6 +/- 3.0 AU/ml; P < 0.05) indicated an alteration of the fibrinolysis. Complexity of coronary stenosis was positively correlated with tissue-type plasminogen activator (TPA) mass concentration (P < 0.01) and PAI activity (P < 0.05). No association was found to markers of a hypercoagulative state. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate a relation between alterations of the fibrinolytic system and coronary morphology, whereas the acute changes of coagulation occur independently of culprit stenosis complexity.

Adult↗

Molecular epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis in wild animals in Spain: a first approach to risk factor analysis.

In human tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), molecular epidemiology has accurately indicated the risk factors involved in active transmission of the disease, by comparing individuals whose isolates belong to a cluster with patients whose strains are considered unique. Nevertheless, this application has not been used in bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis). Our study describes the integration of epidemiological data into molecular classification data on M. bovis isolates. These were isolated from wild ungulates in Extremadura (western Spain) with the objective of detecting the risk factors linked to the association of strains in clades, which are indicators of the active spread of the disease. The molecular markers used were spoligotyping + VNTR typing (loci: VNTR 2165, VNTR 2461, VNTR 0577, VNTR 0580, VNTR 3192 VNTR 2163a and VNTR 2163b) on a population of 59 M. bovis strains isolated from deer (Cervus elaphus), 112 from wild boar (Sus scrofa), six from bovines, 28 from pigs and 2 from goats (n=207). Epidemiological variables included the animal species from which the strain was isolated, pathological condition of the host (incipient lesion, early and late generalisation), date of sampling (during or after the reproductive period) and hunting season. Bivariant analysis was used to establish the risk factors connected to the association of strains and later, the variables were evaluated by means of logistic regression. Molecular typing grouped a total of 131 strains (64.21%) in 28 clusters and 76 isolates shows unique profiles. The association of strains was connected to the appearance of macroscopic lesions during the reproductive period (O.R. 4.80; 95% CI 1.09-22.99, P<0.005), showing a possible higher transmission during the courting period. This happened mainly during the last hunting season analysed (2002-2003, O.R. 3.69; 95% CI 1.27-11.9, P<0.05), clashing with the time of higher prevalence of the disease in wild ungulates. Active spread was not connected to any species in particular, or to any concrete pathological condition.

Animals↗

Breast cancer molecular subtypes respond differently to preoperative chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Molecular classification of breast cancer has been proposed based on gene expression profiles of human tumors. Luminal, basal-like, normal-like, and erbB2+ subgroups were identified and were shown to have different prognoses. The goal of this research was to determine if these different molecular subtypes of breast cancer also respond differently to preoperative chemotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Fine needle aspirations of 82 breast cancers were obtained before starting preoperative paclitaxel followed by 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. Gene expression profiling was done with Affymetrix U133A microarrays and the previously reported "breast intrinsic" gene set was used for hierarchical clustering and multidimensional scaling to assign molecular class. RESULTS: The basal-like and erbB2+ subgroups were associated with the highest rates of pathologic complete response (CR), 45% [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 24-68] and 45% (95% CI, 23-68), respectively, whereas the luminal tumors had a pathologic CR rate of 6% (95% CI, 1-21). No pathologic CR was observed among the normal-like cancers (95% CI, 0-31). Molecular class was not independent of conventional cliniocopathologic predictors of response such as estrogen receptor status and nuclear grade. None of the 61 genes associated with pathologic CR in the basal-like group were associated with pathologic CR in the erbB2+ group, suggesting that the molecular mechanisms of chemotherapy sensitivity may vary between these two estrogen receptor-negative subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: The basal-like and erbB2+ subtypes of breast cancer are more sensitive to paclitaxel- and doxorubicin-containing preoperative chemotherapy than the luminal and normal-like cancers.

Adult↗

Alpha-adrenoceptors.

Major advances have been made in our understanding of the molecular structure and function of the alpha-adrenoceptors. Many new subtypes of the alpha-adrenoceptor have been identified recently through biochemical and pharmacological techniques and several of these receptors have been cloned and expressed in a variety of vector systems. Currently, at least seven subtypes of the alpha-adrenoceptor have been identified and the molecular structure and biochemical functions of these subtypes are beginning to be understood. The alpha-adrenoceptors belong to the super family of receptors that are coupled to guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (G-proteins). A variety of G-proteins are involved in the coupling of the various alpha-adrenoceptor subtypes to intracellular second messenger systems, which ultimately produce the end-organ response. The mechanisms by which the alpha-adrenoceptor subtypes recognize different G-proteins, as well as the molecular interactions between receptors and G-proteins, are the topics of current research. Furthermore, the physiological and pathophysiological role that alpha-adrenoceptors play in homeostasis and in a variety of disease states is also being elucidated. These major advances made in alpha-adrenoceptor classification, molecular structure, physiologic function, second messenger systems and therapeutic relevance are the subject of this review.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Agonists↗