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Results for “Potential modifier genes”

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At least 649 records · Page 36Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

The nitric oxide releasing agent sodium nitroprusside modulates cocaine-induced immediate early gene expression in rat brain.

The nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP pathway triggers key events in synaptic phenomena involved in learning and memory. Using in situ hybridization, the present report demonstrates that NO released by sodium nitroprusside regulates egr-1, c-fos, and junB immediate early gene expression in rat forebrain. These genes, which are rapidly and transiently induced in response to diverse extracellular stimulation, coordinate alterations in gene expression underlying neuronal plasticity. Intracerebroventricular injection of sodium nitroprusside induced immediate early gene expression, which was highest in the nucleus accumbens. On the other hand, sodium nitroprusside abolished the cocaine-induced early gene expression in the dopaminergic projection fields nucleus accumbens, caudate-putamen, and frontal cortex. Further studies are warranted to explore the potential of the NO/cGMP/cGMP-dependent protein kinase pathway to modify cocaine-related behavioral effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Characterization of K562 cells following introduction of a mutant N-ras gene.

A mutant human N-ras gene (codon 61, C to A substitution) was electroporated into the human leukemic cell line K562, originally derived from a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in blast crisis. Despite confirmation of mutant N-ras gene integration and expression, mutant transfected cells exhibited no growth advantage when characterized in suspension cultures and clonogenic assays, and serum deprivation impaired proliferation of both normal and mutant N-ras transfected cells equally. A subclone containing a mutant N-ras gene displayed a proliferation rate and differentiation potential identical to that of non-transfected cells. The failure of N-ras mutations to modify K562 cell behavior is in keeping with the infrequent observation of N-ras mutations in blastic transformation of CML.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Diet and DNA methylation interactions in cancer prevention.

Epigenetic events constitute an important mechanism by which gene function is selectively activated or inactivated. Since epigenetic events are susceptible to change they offer potential explanations of how environmental factors, including diet, may modify cancer risk and tumor behavior. Abnormal methylation patterns are a nearly universal finding in cancer, as changes in DNA methylation have been observed in many cancer tissues (e.g., colon, stomach, uterine cervix, prostate, thyroid, and breast). Site-specific alterations in DNA methylation have also been observed in cancer and may play a significant role in gene regulation and cancer development. This review presents intriguing evidence that part of the anticancer properties attributed to several bioactive food components, encompassing both essential nutrients and non-essential components, may relate to DNA methylation patterns. Four sites where dietary factors may be interrelated with DNA methylation are discussed. First, dietary factors may influence the supply of methyl groups available for the formation of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Second, dietary factors may modify the utilization of methyl groups by processes including shifts in DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) activity. A third plausible mechanism may relate to DNA demethylation activity. Finally, the DNA methylation patterns may influence the response to a bioactive food component.

DNA Methylation↗
PubMed2005

Targeted correction of a chromosomal point mutation by modified single-stranded oligonucleotides in a GFP recovery system.

Synthetic oligonucleotides had been employed in DNA repair and promised great potentials in gene therapy. To test the ability of single-stranded oligonucleotide (SSO)-mediated gene repair within a chromosomal site in human cells, a HeLa cell line stably integrated with mutant enhanced green fluorescence protein gene (mEGFP) in the genome was established. Transfection with specific SSOs successfully repaired the mEGFP gene and resulted in the expression of functional fluorescence proteins, which could be detected by fluorescence microscopy and FACS assay. Western blot showed that EGFP was only present in the cells transfected with correction SSOs rather than the control SSOs. Furthermore, DNA sequencing confirmed that phenotype change resulted from the designated nucleotide correction at the target site. Using this reporter system, we determined the optimal structure of SSO by investigating the effect of length, modifications, and polarities of SSOs as well as the positions of the mismatch-forming nucleotide on the efficiency of SSO-mediated gene repair. Interestingly, we found that SSOs with mismatch-forming nucleotide positioned at different positions have varying potencies that homology at the 5'-end of SSOs was more crucial for the SSO's activity. These results provided guidance for designing effective SSOs as tools for treating monogenic inherited diseases.

Chromosome Aberrations↗
PubMed2001

Genetic engineering within the adult brain: implications for molecular approaches to behavioral neuroscience.

Currently, the most popular technology used to modify the molecular makeup of the nervous system is through germline modifications of early embryos. This allows to construct gene 'knock-ins' (gene overexpression) or 'knock-outs' (gene deletions). This technology leads to gene additions or deletions from the earliest developmental stages. This can potentially lead to compensatory genetic changes. The technology to achieve inducible and cell-type-specific changes in gene expression in transgenic animals has been established. However, it is not yet possible, to reliably turn a particular gene 'on' or 'off' exclusively in adult animals. Alternatively, the use of gene transfer technology in fully mature animals could overcome many of these shortcomings. Gene therapy is the use of nucleic acids as drugs, and uses gene transfer technology to genetically engineer adult animals. Viral and nonviral vectors have been modified to serve as vectors for nucleic acid sequences of interest. Thus, over the last two decades, methods have been developed to deliver particular nucleic acids directly to target tissues. Further technological advances allow delivery of transgenes or antisense mRNAs directly to predetermined cell types, as well as their delivery under the control of inducible promoter elements. Combined transgenic (i.e., germline modifications) and viral vector technology will also be very powerful in allowing the genetic modification of selected neuronal populations in adult animals. In this review, we discuss the potential of gene delivery to the brain to analyze the effect of genetic engineering of particular neuronal groups on behavior, as well as recent developments and applications of newly engineered vector systems to allow transgenesis within nervous structures of adult animals.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Allelic loss and tumor pathology in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Allelic loss is a common occurrence in head and neck tumors and has been shown to be an independent predictor of prognosis; however, the relationship between allelic loss and tumor pathology is not well-known. We studied 139 patients who were newly diagnosed with squamous cell cancer of the head and neck to determine whether tumor pathology was correlated with allelic loss at one or more of eight different regions on chromosomes 3p, 5q, 8p, 9p, 10p, 18q, and 21q. At each chromosomal region, loss of heterozygosity at any one of three or four highly polymorphic microsatellite markers that spanned the region in question was considered evidence for allelic loss. A pathologist scored all tumors for seven tumor pathology and host interface parameters. Mean allelic loss across all eight regions was associated with mitotic index (P =.034) and inflammatory response (P =.005). For allelic loss at specific chromosomal regions, the most statistically significant trends were between overall tumor grade and 3p14.2-p13 (P =.014), mitotic index and 3p24.3-p14.3 (P =.026), 9p24.2-p21 (P =.004) and 18q12.3-q23 (P =.009), inflammatory response and 3p14.2-p13 (P =.008) and 9p24.2-p21 (P =.001), desmoplastic response and 9p24.2-p21 (P =.009), and pattern of invasion and 21q21-q22.2 (P =.015). Our results suggest that genes involved in tumor suppression and oncogenesis can potentially be classified based on specific pathologic events in head and neck squamous cell carcinogenesis that they modify.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1998

[Transgenic pigs for xenotransplants for humans].

Microinjection of foreign DNA is currently the only successful procedure to achieve gene transfer in farm animals, though at low efficiency (1-3% transgenic offspring). Integration of the transgene occurs random, expression is normally independent from the number of integrated copies, but can be affected by the site of integration. In most cases, the transgene is inherited according to the Mendelian rules. To achieve xenotransplantation complement regulating gene constructs have been integrated and expressed in transgenic pigs. Upon transfer of hearts from such transgenic pigs to primates the hyperacute rejection response was overcome and an average survival of approximately 40 days was obtained. It is expected that organs from transgenic pigs will be clinically available within the next 5 to 10 years after open questions in particular on the potential transmission of pathogens have been clarified.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Expression profiling of glycosyltransferases using RT-PCR.

The quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a method used to quantify messenger RNA (mRNA) levels. It is particularly applicable to quantification of mRNAs that are transcribed at very low levels, such as glycosyltransferases (GTs). In this chapter, I describe preliminary experiments for obtaining conditions for a quantitative RT-PCR method to quantify transcript levels of GTs and related genes potentially involved in L-selectin-mediated lymphocyte homing in the mouse gastric mucosa infected by Helicobacter felis. This method was developed by modifying conventional RT-PCR protocols and does not require fluorescence-detecting thermal cyclers. The method described here is particularly useful for assaying large numbers of samples that require very accurate analysis.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Forced expression of cytidine deaminase confers resistance to cytosine arabinoside and gemcitabine.

Genes that confer cellular resistance to cytotoxic agents have potential applications both for marrow protection following cancer chemotherapy and as dominant selectable markers for the selection of genetically modified hematopoietic cell populations in vivo. Cytidine analogues, including cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), 2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine (gemcitabine), and other drugs represent a clinically important class of chemotherapeutic agents for which no drug resistance gene has yet been described. Studies were performed to determine whether forced expression of a gene encoding the enzyme cytidine deaminase can confer resistance to cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) and gemcitabine in vitro. A pooled population of NIH3T3 cells overexpressing cytidine deaminase from a retroviral construct based on the LXSN-vector (LCDSN) demonstrated a 4.5-fold increased resistance to Ara-C based on the 50% inhibitory concentration (ID50) and a 3.7-fold increased resistance to Ara-C based on the 80% inhibitory concentration (ID80) relative to cells transduced with a control vector. In the hemopoietic cell line CCRF-CEM, the same retroviral construct conferred a 2.1-fold increased resistance to Ara-C by ID50 and a 3.0-fold increased resistance to Ara-C by ID80 relative to cells transduced with a control vector. CEM cells transduced with LCDSN were also resistant to gemcitabine (2.4-fold by ID50 and 2.5-fold by ID80). Furthermore, Ara-C-resistance could be completely reversed in LCDSN-transduced CEM cells by a specific inhibitor of cytidine deaminase, tetrahydrouridine (THU). Expression of the transgene was confirmed by RNase-protection assay and by an enzyme activity assay. These results provide the first direct evidence that forced expression of cytidine deaminase confers cellular resistance to Ara-C and gemcitabine.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed2001

Particle formation by a conserved domain of the herpes simplex virus protein VP22 facilitating protein and nucleic acid delivery.

VP22, a structural protein of herpes simplex virus, exhibits unusual trafficking properties which we proposed might be exploited in gene and protein delivery applications. To pursue the use of the protein itself for cargo delivery into cells, we developed an expression system for the C-terminal half of VP22, residues 159-301 (VP22.C1), and purified the protein in high yields. Addition of short oligonucleotides (ODNs) induced the assembly of novel particles, which were regular spheres with a size range of 0.3 to 1.0 microm in diameter, incorporating both protein and ODN. Following the particles in living cells using fluorescently tagged ODNs, we show that they enter efficiently within 2-4 h, and reside stably in the cell cytoplasm for up to several days. Remarkably, however, light activation induced particle disruption and release of the protein and ODN to the nucleus and cytoplasm within seconds, a process that we have captured by time lapse microscopy. In addition to delivering antisense ODNs, ribozymes, and RNA/DNA hybrids, the VP22.C1 protein could also be modified to include peptides or proteins. These particles have the potential for delivery of a wide range of therapeutic agents in gene therapy and vaccine development.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Osteogenic differentiation of recombinant adeno-associated virus 2-transduced murine mesenchymal stem cells and development of an immunocompetent mouse model for ex vivo osteoporosis gene therapy.

Gene therapy for osteopenic conditions including osteoporosis is a potential alternative to pharmacotherapy for cost effectiveness, long-term viability, and the ability to enhance bone mass by anabolic approaches. Increased understanding of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) lineage differentiation during osteogenesis, and of the molecular pathways involved in bone cell production, provides an opportunity for the advancement of gene therapy approaches for osteopenic conditions. The potential of MSCs in osteoblast differentiation and the relative ease of MSC isolation and culturing offer a promising resource for the development of ex vivo gene therapy for bone defects. In an effort to develop ex vivo gene therapy for osteoporosis, we used gene-modified MSCs in a preclinical mouse model to determine the efficiency of transduction of murine MSCs by recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV) vectors carrying reporter genes and determined their osteogenic potential after recombinant AAV-mediated expression of bone morphogenic protein 2, known to induce osteoblast differentiation. Although surgical ovariectomy is believed to induce progressive bone loss in mouse models, similar to an osteoporosis-like phenotype in humans, several factors, including hormonal alteration and dietary habits, significantly affect both the onset and progression of the disease. Thus, in the present study, we determined the influence of these factors and developed an immunocompetent mouse model of osteoporosis with degenerative bone loss as in the human pathology.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1996

Intracerebral tetracycline-dependent regulation of gene expression in grafts of neural precursors.

Tight control of the activity of a therapeutic gene introduced in vivo is a major issue in gene therapy research. Appropriate levels of expression may be crucial for gene correction. The tetracycline-sensitive regulatory system is highly effective for transcriptional regulation of foreign genes in mammalian cells. Here we report tight tetracycline-dependent regulation of a luciferase reporter gene transferred into the rat brain in the genetically modified neural precursor cell line ST14A as early as 2 days and until at least 6 days after transplantation. This is the first demonstration of the potential of this regulatory system for the modulation of the expression of therapeutic genes introduced into the central nervous system.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Antigen-dependent transgene expression in kidney transplantation: a novel approach using gene-engineered T lymphocytes.

So far, gene therapy in transplantation mainly focuses on the expression of therapeutic proteins in the graft itself. Insufficient transfection and inflammatory responses that are due to the immunogenicity of multiple vector systems are often limiting factors in these approaches. The potential of genetically modified T lymphocytes was investigated as a delivery system for therapeutic transgenes to transplanted organs as a way to circumvent immunogenicity and efficiency problems in a rat transplant model. Gene-engineering of alloantigen-specific rat T cell lines was performed by using a Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMuLV)-based enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) encoding retroviral transduction system. The ex vivo gene-modified lymphocytes were adoptively transferred into syngeneic rats carrying allogeneic, syngeneic, or third party kidneys. Homing behavior, activation level, and transgene expression of the adoptively given cells were monitored. The T(EGFP) lymphocytes infiltrated the transplanted kidneys in an antigen-specific manner. High numbers of alloantigen-specific T lymphocytes accumulated exclusively in allografts but not in syngeneic or third party grafts. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that only T(EGFP) lymphocytes found in allografts had an activated phenotype that resulted in higher transgene expression. Alloantigen-specific homing, activation, and transgene expression are important prerequisites for the guarantee of localized delivery and expression of transgenic proteins by gene-engineered T lymphocytes. Antigen-specific gene-targeting strategies using ex vivo modified T lymphocytes with donor specificity are a novel approach to the delivery of therapeutic transgenes in transplantation.

Adoptive Transfer↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of GM-CSF and IL-2 co-expression on the anti-tumor immune response.

We evaluated the effect of potential therapeutic genes, GM-CSF and IL-2 respectively, or in combination of both cytokines, on the activation of systemic antitumor responses. CT26 tumor cells were modified to secrete GM-CSF and/or IL-2. The growth rate of the modified tumor cells versus the parental CT26 cells did not show any difference. When we implanted the CT26 tumor cells which secrete either GM-CSF or IL-2, delayed and suppressed tumorigenicity was observed. However, another CT26 cell line which expresses both GM-CSF and IL-2 (CT26/GMCSF/IL-2) did not form any tumor mass in the immunocompetent syngeneic Balb/c mice, showing the potential immune responses. Immunohistochemical examination of the modified tumor masses implanted with the cells expressing GM-CSF or IL-2 showed increased necrosis and infiltration of NK (CD56+) lineage cells and macrophage/monocytes. In the vaccination model, the growth of rechallenged wild-type CT26 was more suppressed int he mice which were injected with GM-CSF or IL-2, however, the wild-type CT26 tumor formed normal tumor mass in the mice vaccinated with CT26/GM-CSF/IL-2 showing acute non-T-cell mediated immune response. As a treatment, we injected those modified tumor cells into the established tumor. There we could find tumor growth suppression by the injection of cytokine-modified CT26 cells, especially by the CT26/GM-CSF/IL-2. In the present study we could induce the eradication of tumorigenicity by the transfection of both GM-CSF and IL-2 genes and a potent role in the growth suppression of an established tumor.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Activation of human cancer/testis antigen gene, XAGE-1, in tumor cells is correlated with CpG island hypomethylation.

Expression of the XAGE-1 antigen is restricted to germ cells of the testis and a variety of neoplastic tissues. To date, the molecular mechanism for regulating expression of this cancer/testis antigen gene has been unknown. To evaluate methylation as a potential mechanism for regulating expression of this gene, we first correlated gene methylation status (measured by sequencing of bisulfide-modified DNA and COBRA) to expression of XAGE-1 mRNA in normal and cancerous cells. This analysis revealed dense methylation of the CpG island in the XAGE-1 gene promoter for the normal and cancerous cells that do not express this gene but loss of this methylation in normal testis, cancer cell lines and the primary gastric cancers where the gene is highly expressed. Further supporting the role of methylation in regulating expression of XAGE-1 were observations that treatment of 2 heavily methylated cell lines, SNU620 and HT29, with 5'-aza-deoxycytidine resulted in demethylation of XAGE-1 promoter and corresponding expression of this gene. Finally, we cloned various segments of the CpG-rich XAGE-1 gene promoter linked to a luciferase reporter construct and transiently transfected this construct into HCT116 cells. These experiments confirmed transcriptional regulatory activity for the promoter region that incorporates the CpG island and demonstrated that in vitro methylation of this island results in loss of promoter activity. Collectively, these studies indicate that XAGE-1 expression in normal and cancerous tissues is regulated by methylation of the CpG island in the gene promoter.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1997

cDNA cloning and mRNA expression of the human adrenoleukodystrophy related protein (ALDRP), a peroxisomal ABC transporter.

We have cloned the cDNA containing the complete coding region of the human adrenoleukodystrophy related (ALDR) gene. The 2220-bp open reading frame encodes a 740-amino-acid polypeptide with a predicted molecular weight of 83.3 kDa. The human ALDR protein displays high similarity (62.8% identical amino acid residues) to the human adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) gene. Analysis of ALDR expression revealed the presence of ALDR mRNA in a variety of human tissues, predominantly in brain and heart. This expression pattern is different from all other known peroxisomal ABC-transporters. Defects in the ALD gene are the primary cause of adrenoleukodystrophy, a demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. The ALD protein (ALDP) and the ALDR gene product are peroxisomal membrane proteins belonging to the superfamily of transporters containing an ATP-binding cassette (ABC-transporters). All known peroxisomal ABC-transporters represent only one-half of a functional transporter. They are expected to form dimers either as a homodimer or as a heterodimer. ALDRP is a potential dimerization partner of ALDP or other peroxisomal ABC-transporters. The ALDR gene is a candidate for a modifier gene, accounting for the strikingly varying clinical courses of ALD observed even within a family.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily D↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Significance of linkage disequilibrium between mutation C282Y and a MseI polymorphism in population screening and DNA diagnosis of hemochromatosis.

An increasing number of studies demonstrate a lack of phenotypic expression in subjects found to be homozygous for the common hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) mutation, C282Y. In this study the impact of possible overestimation of C282Y homozygosity, as a consequence of a MseI polymorphism identified in intron 4 of the HFE gene, was investigated in South African subjects. Utilization of a modified polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay highlighted the potential implications with respect to genotype/phenotype correlation studies, particularly in the general population. Mistyping rather than lack of disease association provides a plausible explanation for the phenomenon of C282Y homozygosity without iron overload. Reassessment of C282Y mutation status in such cases may result in justified population screening in HH.

DNA↗
PubMed2005

Clinical evaluation and mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis in three Chinese families with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy.

We report here the clinical, genetic, and molecular characterization of three Chinese families (WZ4, WZ5, and WZ6) with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). Clinical and genetic evaluations revealed the variable severity and age-of-onset in visual impairment in these families. Penetrances of visual impairment in these Chinese families were 33.3%, 35.7%, and 35.5%, respectively, with an average 34.8%. Furthermore, the average age-at-onset in those Chinese families was 17, 20, and 18 years. In addition, the ratios between affected male and female matrilineal relatives in these Chinese families were 3:0, 1:1, and 1.2:1, respectively. Sequence analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes in these pedigrees showed the distinct sets of mtDNA polymorphism, in addition to the identical G11778A mutation associated with LHON in many families. The fact that mtDNA of those pedigrees belonged to different haplogroups F1, D4, and M10 suggested that the G11778A mutation occurred sporadically and multiplied through evolution of the mtDNA in China. However, there was the absence of functionally significant mutations in tRNA and rRNAs or secondary LHON mutations in these Chinese families. The I187T mutation in the ND1, the S99A mutation in the A6, the V254I in CO3, and I58V in ND6 mutation, showing high evolutional conservation, may contribute to the phenotypic expression of the G11778A mutation in the WZ6 pedigree. By contrast, none of mtDNA variants are evolutionarily conserved and implicated to have significantly functional consequence in WZ4 and WZ5 pedigrees. Apparently, these variants do not have a potential modifying role in the development of visual impairment associated with G11778A mutation in those two families. Thus, nuclear modifier gene(s) or environmental factor(s) seem to account for the penetrance and expressivity of LHON in these three Chinese families carrying the G11778A mutation.

Adolescent↗