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P53, N- and K-Ras, and beta-catenin gene mutations and prognostic factors in nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma from Hokkaido, Japan.

We have shown previously that nasal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma was associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and had peculiar clinical features. However, little is known about its biological and genetic changes. The aim of this study is to determine the p53, N- and K-ras, and beta-catenin status in this lymphoma in relation to EBV status and clinical features. The study group consisted of 32 Japanese patients with nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma. The p53 and beta-catenin expression, phenotype, and EBV-oncogenic protein latent membrane protein type 1 (LMP-1) were determined by immunoperoxidase staining. The presence of EBV-encoded small nuclear early region (EBER) RNA was determined by in situ hybridization. The p53 mutations (exons 5 to 9), N- and K-ras mutations (exons 1 and 2), and beta-catenin mutations (exon 3) were analyzed by direct sequencing of the PCR-amplified products that were obtained from laser-microdissected tissues. CD56, CD43, and CD3 were expressed in 32 (100%), in 31 (96%), and in 18 (56%) tumors, respectively. EBER RNA was detected in 31 (96%) tumors. LMP-1 was expressed in 15 (48%) tumors, and p53 and beta-catenin protein were overexpressed in 18 (56%) and 4 (13%) tumors, respectively. Six mutations of the p53 gene, 1 mutation of each N- and K-ras gene, and 8 mutations of beta-catenin gene were detected in 6 (19%), 1 (3%), and 5 (16%) tumors, respectively. The p53 missense mutation was associated with LMP-1 expression (P = 0.038), but not with p53 overexpression. Kaplan-Meier analysis as well as univariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards model showed that high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level (P = 0.009, P = 0.0100, respectively), large cell, immunoblastoid polymorphous histology (P = 0.005, P = 0.0162, respectively), and p53 missense mutations (P = 0.021, P = 0.0342, respectively) were significantly related to worse cause-specific survival. Multivariate analysis showed that p53 missense mutation was the most independent among these 3 factors. Although the incidence of thep53, N- and K-ras, and beta-catenin gene mutations is not high, p53 missense mutation has a prognostic value for aggressive course in nasal NK/T-cell lymphoma.

Adult↗

Prostate cancer and the genomic revolution: Advances using microarray analyses.

The emerging technology of microarray analysis allows the establishment of molecular portraits of prostate cancer and the discovery of novel genes involved in the carcinogenesis process. Many novel genes have already been identified using this technique, and functional analyses of these genes are currently being tested. The combination of microarray analysis with other recently developed high-throughput techniques, such as proteomics, tissue arrays, and gene promoter-methylation, especially using tissue microdissection methods, will provide us with more comprehensive insights into how prostate cancer develops and responds to gene-targeted therapies. Animal models of prostate cancer are being characterized by high throughput techniques to better define the similarities and differences between those models and the human disease, and to determine whether particular models may be useful for specific targeted therapies in pre-clinical studies. Although profiling of mRNA expression provides important information of gene expression, the development of proteomic technologies will allow for an even more precise global insight into cellular signaling and structural alterations during prostate carcinogenesis. Not only will the "omic" revolution change basic science, but it will lead to a new era of molecular medicine.

Animals↗

Alterations of M(2)-muscarinic receptor protein and mRNA expression in the urothelium and muscle layer of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat urinary bladder.

Diabetes associated alterations of M2-muscarinic receptors (M2-mAChR) in the urothelium and muscle layer of the urinary bladder were studied using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups; group I: normal control rats; group II: STZ-induced diabetic rats, 2 weeks after induction. The bladder was divided into urothelium and muscle layer by microdissection. Tissue M2-mAChR protein levels were measured by Western blotting. Expression of the mRNA that encoded M2-mAChR was estimated using the method of reverse transcription combined with polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). M2-mAChR protein and mRNA expressions were found in both the urothelium and muscle layer of the rat urinary bladder. In control rats, the M2-mAChR protein expression ratio in the urothelium and muscle layer was 1:1.66; that for mRNA was 1:0.97. Two weeks after induction of diabetes, the M2-mAChR mRNA expression in the urothelium and muscle layer were significantly increased by 44.4% (P<0.01, n=8) and 28.6% (P<0.01, n=8), respectively. Correspondently, the bladder M2-mAChR protein levels were significantly increased by 33.3% (P<0.001, n=8) in the urothelium and 25.3% (P<0.01, n=8) in the muscle layer of the diabetic rats. In conclusion, M2-mAChR mRNA and protein are expressed in both the urothelium and muscle layer of the rat urinary bladder. STZ-induced diabetes increases mRNA and protein expression of the M2-mAChR in the urothelium as well as the muscle layer.

Animals↗

Delivery of insulin-like growth factor-I to the rat brain and spinal cord along olfactory and trigeminal pathways following intranasal administration.

We investigated the CNS delivery of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), a 7.65 kDa protein neurotrophic factor, following intranasal administration and the possible pathways and mechanisms underlying transport from the nasal passages to the CNS. Anesthetized adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were given [125I]-IGF-I intranasally or intravenously and then killed by perfusion-fixation within 30 min. Other animals were killed following cisternal puncture and withdrawal of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or intranasal administration of unlabeled IGF-I or vehicle. Both gamma counting of microdissected tissue and high resolution phosphor imaging of tissue sections showed that the tissue concentrations and distribution following intranasal administration were consistent with two routes of rapid entry into the CNS: one associated with the peripheral olfactory system connecting the nasal passages with the olfactory bulbs and rostral brain regions (e.g. anterior olfactory nucleus and frontal cortex) and the other associated with the peripheral trigeminal system connecting the nasal passages with brainstem and spinal cord regions. Intranasal administration of [125I]-IGF-I also targeted the deep cervical lymph nodes, consistent with their possible role in lymphatic drainage of both the nasal passages and the CNS. Cisternal CSF did not contain [125I]-IGF-I following intranasal administration. Intravenous [125I]-IGF-I resulted in blood and peripheral tissue exposure similar to that seen following intranasal administration but CNS concentrations were significantly lower. Finally, delivery of IGF-I into the CNS activated IGF-I signaling pathways, confirming some portion of the IGF-I that reached CNS target sites was functionally intact. The results suggest intranasally delivered IGF-I can bypass the blood-brain barrier via olfactory- and trigeminal-associated extracellular pathways to rapidly elicit biological effects at multiple sites within the brain and spinal cord.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Primary follicular lymphoma of the small intestine: alpha4beta7 expression and immunoglobulin configuration suggest an origin from local antigen-experienced B cells.

Primary follicular lymphoma of the gastrointestinal tract (GI-FL) is a rare so far poorly studied entity. We analyzed four FL cases located in the small intestine and duodenum to gain insight in their pathogenesis and to find an explanation for their low tendency to disseminate outside the GI tract. GI-FLs resemble nodal FLs with respect to morphology and expression of typical GC markers such as CD10, CD38, and BCL-6. We established that the high levels of the anti-apoptosis protein BCL-2 in the tumor cells are in all cases due to a t(14;18) involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain and BCL-2 loci. Detailed immunoglobulin gene analyses on microdissected tissue samples further supported the GC-cell derivation: GI-FLs carry extensively mutated variable heavy-chain genes. The mutation patterns indicated that at some time point in development stringent antigen receptor-based selection processes must have occurred. Interestingly, three of four neoplasms expressed surface IgA, an immunoglobulin class typical of the mucosal immune system and seldom found in nodal FL. In contrast to nodal FLs, the GI-FLs expressed the alpha4beta7 integrin, an established mucosa-homing receptor also expressed by normal intestinal B and T lymphocytes and by low-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas. However, the chemokine receptor CXCR3, expressed on low-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas, was not detected on the GI-FLs or on nodal FLs. The combined data suggests that primary FL of the small intestine is a distinct entity that originates from local antigen-responsive B cells.

Adult↗

Analysis of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat 3) pathway in multiple myeloma: Stat 3 activation and cyclin D1 dysregulation are mutually exclusive events.

The signal transducer and activator of transcription molecules (Stats) play key roles in cytokine-induced signal transduction. Recently, it was proposed that constitutively activated Stat 3 (Stat 3 phosphorylated) contributes to the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM) by preventing apoptosis and inducing proliferation. The study aim was to investigate Stat 3 activation in a series of multiple myeloma (MM) cases and its effect on downstream targets such as the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, and Bcl-2, and the cell-cycle protein cyclin D1. Forty-eight cases of MM were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin sections using antibodies against cyclin D1, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mcl-1, p21, Stat 3, and Stat 3 phosphorylated (P). Their specificity was corroborated by Western blot analysis using eight human MM cell lines as control. The proliferation rate was assessed with the antibody MiB1. In addition, the mRNA levels of cyclin D1 and Stat 3 were determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction of paraffin-embedded microdissected tissue. Three different groups determined by the expression of Stat 3P and cyclin D1 (protein and mRNA) were identified: group 1, Stat 3-activated (23 cases, 48%). All cases revealed nuclear expression of Stat 3P. No elevation of Stat 3 mRNA was identified in any of the cases. Three cases in this group showed intermediate to low cyclin D1 protein and mRNA expression. Group 2 included 15 (31%) cases with cyclin D1 staining and lack of Stat 3P. All cases showed intermediate to high levels of cyclin D1 mRNA expression. Group 3 included 10 (21%) cases with no expression of either cyclin D1 or Stat 3P. High levels of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 were identified in 89% and 100% of all cases, respectively. In contrast to Bcl-xL and Mcl-1, the expression of Bcl-2 showed an inverse correlation with proliferation rate (P: 0.0003). No significant differences were found between the three groups in terms of proliferation rate or expression of anti-apoptotic proteins. However, cyclin D1+ cases were always well differentiated and were more likely to show a lymphoplasmocytoid differentiation (chi-square = 9.55). Overall, constitutive activation of Stat 3 was found in almost half (48%) of the investigated MM cases. However, this does not seem to have a major impact on the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and proliferation. We showed that cyclin D1 overexpression and Stat 3 activation are, mutually exclusive events in MM (P = 0.0066). The universal expression of Mcl-1, independent of activated Stat 3, suggests that its expression is constitutive and that it might play an important role in the pathogenesis of MM.

Aged↗

Microarray analysis of somitogenesis reveals novel targets of different WNT signaling pathways in the somitic mesoderm.

WNT signaling plays a major role in patterning the dermomyotome of the somitic mesoderm. However, knowledge of downstream target genes and their regulation is limited. To identify new genes involved in the development and early patterning of the somite, we performed a comparison of gene expression by microarray between the presomitic mesoderm and the 5 most recently formed somites of the mouse at embryonic day 9.5. We identified 207 genes upregulated and 120 genes downregulated in somite formation. Expression analysis and functional categorization of these genes demonstrate this to be a diverse pool that provides a valuable resource for studying somite development. Thus far, we have found three genes expressed in the dermomyotome of the early somite. Consistent with their expression patterns, these genes are transcriptional targets of WNT signals, but display differential activation by different WNTs. We further demonstrate that 1 of these genes, Troy, is a direct target of canonical WNT signaling, while the other 2 genes, Selp and Arl4, are not. Thus, our microarray study using microdissected tissues not only provides global information on gene expression during somite development, it also provides novel targets to study the inductive signaling pathways that direct somite patterning.

Adenoviridae↗

Molecular and immunohistochemical analysis of intraductal papillary neoplasms of the biliary tract.

Intraductal papillary neoplasms (IPNs) of the biliary tract are uncommon lesions that may be solitary or may spread extensively along the biliary tree. Some biliary IPNs are histologically and radiologically similar to intraductal papillary mucinous tumors (IPMNs) of the pancreas and present a risk for progression to invasive cholangiocarcinoma. Unlike pancreatic IPMNs, little is known about their molecular pathogenesis. We studied 14 biliary IPNs (including 5 cases with associated invasive cholangiocarcinoma) for genetic alterations in the APC/beta-catenin pathway, K-ras oncogene mutations, p53/chromosome 17p alterations, and Dpc4/18q alterations. Immunohistochemistry was performed for beta-catenin, p53, and Dpc4, and microdissected tissue was analyzed using direct DNA sequencing for exon 1 of K-ras and exon 3 of beta-catenin and allelic loss assays on chromosomes 5q, 17p, and 18q. Activating mutations in codon 12 of the K-ras oncogene were present in 4 of 14 (29%) biliary IPNs. Of these 4 cases, 2 patients had associated invasive cholangiocarcinoma, and identical K-ras mutations were present in both the intraductal and invasive components. Allelic loss on chromosome 18q was present in 4 of 13 informative cases (31%); however, no loss of normal Dpc4 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin protein was demonstrated in 3 of 12 cases (25%); however, there were no beta-catenin gene mutations, and allelic loss on 5q was present in only 1 of 10 informative cases (10%). Both immunohistochemistry for p53 and 17p allelic loss assays were negative. Biliary IPNs therefore demonstrate a K-ras gene mutation frequency that is lower than that previously reported for pancreatic IPMNs, but similar to that reported for hepatic cholangiocarcinomas. The presence of K-ras mutations in 2 purely intraductal neoplasms, and identical K-ras mutations in 2 cases with both intraductal and invasive components, suggests that these mutations arise early in tumorigenesis. Finally, the frequency of allelic loss on 18q suggests that a locus on 18q is involved in the molecular pathogenesis of biliary IPNs, but this locus is not DPC4.

Adult↗

Incidence of loss of heterozygosity at p53 and BRCA1 loci in serous surface carcinoma.

Serous surface carcinoma (SSC) is a neoplasm histologically indistinguishable from typical serous carcinomas that arise from the ovary but has a distinct clinical presentation. It is characterized by widespread peritoneal dissemination at presentation, but the ovaries are grossly normal in size and shape. If the carcinoma involves the ovaries microscopically, the tumor is confined to the surface or is minimally invasive. The recognition of this entity is important, because in some studies it appears to have a poorer prognosis than stage-matched serous cancers of the ovary. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the p53 (17p) and BRCA1 (17q) tumor suppressor genes has been frequently identified in sporadic ovarian carcinomas. Although 17p LOH is correlated with common p53 gene mutations, inactivating mutations of the BRCA1 gene are uncommon in sporadic ovarian cases. In contrast, germline BRCA1 mutations are responsible for some hereditary forms of ovarian cancer, where it has been suggested that germline BRCA1 mutations confer a more favorable prognosis. In this study, 12 sporadic SSC were assessed for the presence of allelic deletions on the p53 and BRCA1 gene loci. DNA from both tumor and normal cells was obtained for LOH studies using tissue microdissection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was performed with the polymorphic DNA markers TP53 (17p13.1/p53 gene) and D17S579 (17q/BRCA1 gene). LOH in the p53 and BRCA1 loci was detected in 62.5% and 66.6% of the cases, respectively. In 50% of tumors informative for both markers, it is possible that an entire chromosome may be lost. In conclusion, we have shown that LOH of the p53 and BRCA1 loci is a frequent event in sporadic SSC, similar to what has been described in the usual form of serous ovarian carcinoma. Mutational analysis will be necessary to determine the exact role of these genes in this group of tumors.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17↗

Gallbladder adenomas have molecular abnormalities different from those present in gallbladder carcinomas.

Although most gallbladder carcinomas evolve from dysplasia and carcinoma in situ, the role of gallbladder adenomas in the pathogenesis of gallbladder carcinoma is still controversial. A series of molecular changes including loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at 17p (TP53 gene), 13q (RB gene), 18q (DCC gene), and 9p21 (CDKN2a gene) chromosomal regions have been identified in dysplasias, carcinomas in situ, and invasive carcinomas of the gallbladder, whereas mutations in K- and N-ras genes are rare. To determine whether the molecular abnormalities of adenomas are similar to those found in carcinomas, we obtained extracted DNA from precisely microdissected tissue from 16 gallbladder adenomas (14 pyloric and 2 intestinal-type). We determined the presence of mutations in TP53, K- and N-ras genes, and LOH at five chromosomal regions (5q22 APC-MCC region, RB, TP53, DCC and 9p21-CDKN2a). For the TP53 mutation study, single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis in exons 4 to 8 were performed. K- and N-ras mutations detection was performed by designed restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method and sequencing. Only a single LOH (at 5q22) was detected in a gallbladder adenoma of intestinal type. No mutations at the TP53 were detected. Four adenomas (25%) showed K-ras mutations (two in codon 12 and two in codon 61). We conclude that gallbladder adenoma lacks the molecular changes frequently detected in dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and invasive carcinoma of the gallbladder. Likewise the occurrence of K-ras mutations at codon 12 and 61 in 25% of adenomas strongly suggests that these lesions are not precursors of invasive gallbladder carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The perinatal development of glucose-6-phosphatase activity distribution pattern in rat liver. A microdensitometrical study.

The ontogenetic development of the intralobular distribution pattern of glucose-6-phosphatase activity in the rat liver is described in terms of histochemical changes determined with microdensitometry. A newly developed cerium-lead technique was employed and compared with the common lead technique optimized by Teutsch (1978a). The cerium technique has advantages, meets the prerequisites for quantitative determinations and yields results comparable to biochemically obtained data from microdissected tissue. The first signs of a heterogeneous distribution pattern of glucose-6-phosphatase activity are observed on the 3rd d after birth, and differences between periportal and centrolobular areas are largest around 10th and 15th d. At 30th d after birth, the adult pattern is complete with a centrolobular glucose-6-phosphatase activity of 67% of the periportal value.

Aging↗

Genomic imbalances in Korean hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal malignant tumors in Southeast Asia. Thirty-one cirrhotic HCC, 14 noncirrhotic HCC, and 13 metastastic HCC in the Korean population were investigated on microdissected tissues for chromosomal aberrations by degenerate oligonucleotide-primed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) comparative genomic hybridization. A number of prominent sites of genomic imbalances were observed. The gains of 1q, 6p, 7, 8q, 12q, 13q3-q32, 16p, 17q, and 20q and the losses of 1p, 4q, 6q, 8p, 9p, and 13q regions were observed with a similar high frequency in all types. Various chromosomal aberrations were observed preferentially to specific types. Gains of 4p15-pter, 10q24-qter, 18p11-pter, and 19p10-pter and a loss of 11q14-q22 were observed in the cirrhotic HCC, whereas losses of 14q21-q23 and 10q22-q23 were observed in noncirrhotic HCC. In metastatic HCC, gains of 3q25-qter and Xp21-pter and losses of 21q11-qter and Y were observed. The recurrent gains and losses of chromosomal regions identified in this study are consistent with several previous observations and provide possible candidate regions for the involvement of tumorigenesis and progressions of HCC.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Microsatellite instability in in situ and invasive sporadic breast cancers of Japanese women.

We studied the timing of microsatellite instability (referred to as replication error; RER) presentation during human breast carcinogenesis using tissue microdissected from both in situ and invasive breast cancers of Japanese women. We analyzed 100 breast cancer specimens for RER at nine genomic loci on seven chromosomes. Eight of the 100 cases (8%) were RER-positive at one or more chromosomal loci. Additionally; we obtained genomic DNA from two of four RER-positive patients with an intraductal component, both of which showed microsatellite instability in in situ foci. This finding indicates that microsatellite instability may be an early event during human breast carcinogenesis.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Characterization of pepsinogen C as a potential biomarker for gastric cancer using a histo-proteomic approach.

We analyzed 74 cryostat sections of central gastric tumor, tumor margin, and normal gastric epithelium using ProteinChip Arrays and SELDI-TOF MS. One peak was significantly down-regulated in tumor tissue (P = 1.43 x 10(-6)) and identified as pepsinogen C using MS/MS analysis and immunodepletion. This signal was further characterized by immunohistochemistry. This work demonstrates that differentially expressed signals can be identified and assessed using a proteomic approach comprising tissue-microdissection, protein profiling, and immunohistochemistry.

Biomarkers↗

Chromosome paints from single copies of chromosomes.

We have used OmniPlex library technology to construct chromosome painting probes from single copies of flow sorted chromosomes. We show that this whole genome amplification technology is particularly efficient at amplifying single copies of chromosomes for the production of paints and that single aberrant chromosomes can be analysed in this way using reverse chromosome painting. The efficient generation of painting probes from single copies of sorted chromosomes has the advantage that the probe must be specific for the chromosome sorted and will not suffer from contamination from other chromosomes particularly in situations where flow karyotype peaks are poorly resolved. These initial results suggest that OmniPlex whole genome amplification will be equally effective in other cytogenetic applications where only small amounts of DNA are available, i.e. from single cells or from small pieces of microdissected tissue.

Child↗

Teratomatous genotype detected in malignancies of a non-germ cell phenotype.

Originating from post-meiotic germ cells, mature ovarian teratomas (MOT) are genetically homozygous tumors within heterozygous hosts. MOT may be associated with malignant tumors of a non-germ cell phenotype (so-called malignant transformation). Based on the presence of in situ changes, some cases have been hypothesized to arise from teratomatous tissue. However, other malignancies associated with mature teratomas, such as sarcomas, may originate from either teratomatous elements or preexisting somatic ovarian tissue. Eight cases of MOT containing various histologic types of malignancy, including four squamous cell carcinomas, two sarcomas, one thyroid carcinoma, and one carcinoid tumor, were selected for study. Using selective tissue microdissection and PCR-based analysis of the extracted DNA, we compared the genotypic pattern of the mature teratomatous components to the associated malignant neoplasm with a random panel of highly informative genetic markers for different chromosomes. In all eight cases, genetic analysis of the malignant component revealed a homozygous genotype. In seven cases, the genetic profiles of mature teratomas and the associated malignant tumors were identical, suggesting a direct pathogenetic relationship between these lesions. In one case, the malignant component revealed homozygosity of different alleles compared with mature teratoma, suggesting independent teratomatous growth processes. This finding indicates that some ovarian malignancies of the non-germ cell phenotype arise in teratoma and fall into the spectrum of germ cell tumors.

DNA, Neoplasm↗

Frequent allelic imbalance and loss of protein expression of the DNA repair gene hOGG1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Reactive oxygen species produced by aerobic cellular metabolism or through exposure to environmental carcinogens can cause oxidative DNA damage by generating DNA base lesions and strand breakage. Prime among these base lesions is the conversion of guanine to 8-oxoguanine. Among 20 or so oxidative DNA base lesions, 8-oxoguanine is the most abundant and is critical in terms of mutagenesis because it is capable of mispairing with adenine, which, if not sufficiently repaired, may lead to G:C to T:A transversion upon DNA replication. The gene encoding human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (hOGG1), capable of excision repair of 8-oxoguanine, has been recently cloned, characterized, and mapped to the short arm of chromosome 3 (3p25-26), a region showing frequent loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In the present study, we developed a tissue microdissection approach designed for use with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens which is capable of detecting and characterizing the hOGG1 allelic loss using two highly informative, intragenic single nucleotide polymorphisms. Among 45 cases of HNSCC, 18 cases were informative. We analyzed these 18 cases and found that 11 showed evidence of hOGG1 allelic loss. By immunohistochemical staining on a total of 71 HNSCC cases using a commercially available anti-hOGG1 antibody, we showed that hOGG1 gene expression was markedly suppressed in up to 38% of the cases. The frequent allelic imbalance and suppression of the hOGG1 gene thus imply that repair for oxidative DNA damages may be relevant in future studies on head and neck squamous carcinogenesis.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

A PCR-based amplification method retaining the quantitative difference between two complex genomes.

With the increasing emergence of genome-wide analysis technologies (including comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), expression profiling on microarrays, differential display (DD), subtractive hybridization, and representational difference analysis (RDA)), there is frequently a need to amplify entire genomes or cDNAs by PCR to obtain enough material for comparisons among target and control samples. A major problem with PCR is that amplification occurs in a nonlinear manner and reproducibility is influenced by stray impurities. As a result, when two complex DNA populations are amplified separately, the quantitative relationship between two genes after amplification is generally not the same as their relation before amplification. Here we describe balanced PCR, a procedure that faithfully retains the difference among corresponding amplified genes by using a simple principle. Two distinct genomic DNA samples are tagged with oligonucleotides containing both a common and a unique DNA sequence. The genomic DNA samples are pooled and amplified in a single PCR tube using the common DNA tag. By mixing the two genomes, PCR loses the ability to discriminate among the different alleles and the influence of impurities is eliminated. The PCR-amplified pooled samples can be separated using the DNA tag unique to each individual genomic DNA sample. The principle of this method has been validated with synthetic DNA, genomic DNA, and cDNA applied on microarrays. By removing the bias of PCR, this method allows a balanced amplification of allelic fragments from two complex DNAs even after three sequential rounds of PCR. This balanced PCR approach should allow genetic analysis in minute laser-microdissected tissues, paraffin-embedded archived material, or single cells.

DNA, Complementary↗