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Somatic mutation of the APC gene in gastric cancer: frequent mutations in very well differentiated adenocarcinoma and signet-ring cell carcinoma.

We searched for somatic mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene in DNA samples isolated from 57 sporadic gastric cancers, by means of a ribonuclease (RNase) protection analysis coupled with DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Examining 30% of the APC coding region, including a region where somatic mutations in colorectal tumors are known to be clustered, we detected somatic mutations in 12 tumors; seven in 17 very well differentiated adenocarcinomas, two in 19 well or moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas, and three in ten signet-ring cell carcinomas. So far, no somatic mutations have been identified in 11 poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas. Eight of the 17 somatic mutations found in 12 tumors caused truncation of the gene product due to a nonsense mutation and a 1-, 2- or 5-bp deletion; nine others were point mutations that altered amino acids. Our results suggest that inactivation of APC plays a role in development of some gastric cancers, particularly very well differentiated adenocarcinomas and signet-ring cell carcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The GAA triplet-repeat sequence in Friedreich ataxia shows a high level of somatic instability in vivo, with a significant predilection for large contractions.

Friedreich ataxia is commonly caused by large expansions of a GAA triplet-repeat (GAA-TR) sequence in the first intron of the FRDA gene. We used small-pool PCR to analyze somatic variability among 7190 individual FRDA molecules from peripheral blood DNA of subjects carrying 12 different expanded alleles, ranging in size from 241 to 1105 triplets. Expanded alleles showed a length-dependent increase in somatic variability, with mutation loads ranging from 47% to 78%. We noted a strong contraction bias among long alleles (>500 triplets), which showed a 4-fold higher frequency of large contractions versus expansions. Some contractions were very large; of all somatic mutations scored, approximately 5% involved contractions of >50% of the original allele length, and 0.29% involved complete reversion to the normal/premutation length (< or =60 triplets). These observations contrast sharply with the strong expansion bias seen in expanded CTG triplet repeats in myotonic dystrophy. No somatic variability was detected in >6000 individual FRDA molecules analyzed from 15 normal alleles (8-25 triplets). A premutation allele with 44 uninterrupted GAA repeats was found to be unstable, ranging in size from 6 to 113 triplets, thus establishing the threshold for somatic instability between 26 and 44 GAA triplets. Analysis of an additional 7850 FRDA molecules from serially passaged lymphoblastoid cell lines carrying nine expanded alleles (132-933 triplets) showed very low mutation loads, ranging from 0% to 6.2%. Our data indicate that expanded GAA-TR alleles in Friedreich ataxia are highly mutable and have a natural tendency to contract in vivo, and that these properties depend on multiple factors, including DNA sequence, triplet-repeat length and unknown cell-type-specific factors.

DNA↗

Somatic mutations of the von Hippel-Lindau disease tumour suppressor gene in non-familial clear cell renal carcinoma.

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies have suggested that somatic mutations of a tumour suppressor gene or genes on chromosome 3p are a critical event in the pathogenesis of non-familial renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Germline mutations of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease gene predispose to early onset and multifocal clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and the mechanism of tumorigenesis in VHL disease is consistent with a one-hit mutation model. To investigate the role of somatic VHL gene mutations in non-familial RCC, we analysed 99 primary RCC for VHL gene mutations by SSCP and heteroduplex analysis. Somatic VHL gene mutations were identified in 30 of 65 (46%) sporadic RCC with chromosome 3p allele loss and one of 34 (3%) tumours with no LOH for chromosome 3p. The VHL gene mutations were heterogeneous (17 frameshift deletions, eight missense mutations, four frameshift insertions, one nonsense and one splice site mutation), but no mutations were detected in the first 120 codons of cloned coding sequence. Most RCCs with somatic VHL mutations (23 of 27 (85%) informative cases) had chromosome 3p25 allele loss in the region of the VHL gene so that both alleles of the VHL gene had been inactivated as expected from a two-hit model of tumorigenesis. Detailed histopathology was available for 59 of the tumours investigated: 18 of 43 (42%) RCC with a clear cell appearance had a somatic VHL gene mutation but none of 16 non-clear cell RCC (eight chromophilic, three chromophobe and five oncocytoma) (chi2 = 7.77, P < 0.025).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗

Pms2 is a genetic enhancer of trinucleotide CAG.CTG repeat somatic mosaicism: implications for the mechanism of triplet repeat expansion.

The expansion of CAG.CTG repeat sequences is the cause of several inherited human disorders. Longer alleles are associated with an earlier age of onset and more severe symptoms, and are highly unstable in the germline and soma with a marked tendency towards repeat length gains. Germinal expansions underlie anticipation; whereas age-dependent, tissue-specific, expansion-biased somatic instability probably contributes toward the progressive nature and tissue-specificity of the symptoms. The mechanism(s) of repeat instability is not known, but recent data have implicated mismatch-repair (MMR) gene mutS homologues in driving expansion. To gain further insight into the expansion mechanism, we have determined the levels of somatic mosaicism of a transgenic expanded CAG.CTG repeat in mice deficient for the Pms2 MMR gene. Pms2 is a MutL homologue that plays a critical role in the downstream processing of DNA mismatches. The rate of somatic expansion was reduced by approximately 50% in Pms2-null mice. A higher frequency of rare, but very large, deletions was also detected in these animals. No significant differences were observed between Pms2(+/+) and Pms2(+/-) mice, indicating that a single functional Pms2 allele is sufficient to generate normal levels of somatic mosaicism. These findings reveal that as well as MMR enzymes that directly bind mismatched DNA, proteins that are subsequently recruited to the complex also play a central role in the accumulation of repeat length changes. These data suggest that somatic expansion results not by replication slippage, single stranded annealing or simple MutS-mediated stabilization of secondary structures, but by inappropriate DNA MMR.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Somatic mutation rate of the APC gene.

BACKGROUND: Somatic inactivation of the wild-type APC gene is involved in the development of adenoma of familial adenomatous polyposis. This situation is also true in sporadic adenomas. It is of biological interest to know the somatic mutation rate of the APC gene. METHODS: The number of stem cells of the colon (N) and somatic mutation rate of the APC gene in a stem cell in a year (m) can induce age-specific incidence of adenomas. The number of stem cells was estimated as 10(8) according to previous reports. In the general population, expected adenomas at the end of age n years will be approximately Nm2n2/4. In patients with polyposis, the expected number of adenomas will be Nmn/2. By setting several figures for m, the expected incidence of adenomas was compared with the actual occurrences. RESULTS: If the mutation rate was set between 2/10(6) and 3/10(6) mutations/stem cell/year, the calculated numbers were well fitted to the actual data. Expected adenomas in polyposis patients at the age of 20 and 40 years were 2000 and 4000 and these were within actual experiences. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to estimate the somatic mutation rate of the APC gene. The estimated somatic mutation rate of the APC gene was between 2/10(6) and 3/10(6) mutations/stem cell/year.

Adenoma↗

Somatic mutation in human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 provirus and flanking cellular sequences during clonal expansion in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), the causative agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, shows intrapatient genetic variability. Although HTLV-1 can replicate via the reverse transcription of virion RNA to a double-stranded DNA provirus (the conventional manner for retroviruses), its predominant mode of replication is via the clonal expansion (mitosis) of the infected cell. This expansion is achieved by the viral oncoprotein Tax, which keeps the infected CD4 T lymphocyte cycling. Because Tax also interferes with cellular DNA repair pathways, we investigated whether somatic mutations of the provirus that occur during the division of infected cells could account for HTLV-1 genetic variability. METHODS: An inverse polymerase chain reaction strategy was designed to distinguish somatic mutations from reverse transcription-associated substitutions. This strategy allows the proviral sequences to be isolated together with flanking cellular sequences. Using this method, we sequenced 208 HTLV-1 provirus 3' segments, together with their integration sites, belonging to 29 distinct circulating cellular clones from infected individuals. RESULTS: For 60% of the clones, 8%-80% of infected cells harbored a mutated HTLV-1 provirus, without evidence of reverse transcription-associated mutations. Mutations within flanking cellular sequences were also identified at a frequency of 2.8 x 10(-4) substitution per base pair. Some of these clones carried multiple discrete substitutions or deletions, indicating progressive accumulation of mutations during clonal expansion. The overall frequency of somatic mutations increased with the degree of proliferation of infected T cells. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that, in vivo, HTLV-1 variation results mainly from postintegration events that consist of somatic mutations of the proviral sequence occurring during clonal expansion. The finding of substitutions in flanking sequences suggests that somatic mutations occurring after integration, presumably coupled with selection, help move the cellular clones toward a transformed phenotype, of which adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is the end point.

Adult↗

Pain reactivity and somatization in kindergarten-age children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate predictors of somatization and pain reactivity in childhood. METHODS: Facial expressions of children undergoing inoculation were scored for pain reactivity. Measures of temperament, pain experience, pain models, parental behavior, and parental ability to decode pain were examined for their ability to predict pain reactivity and somatization in a structural modeling analysis. RESULTS: Pain reactivity was associated positively with parental reports of their child's somatization. Child temperament, previous negative experiences with medical procedures, and maternal responses to their children's pain were positively associated with pain reactivity. CONCLUSIONS: Temperament and pain experience may play a role in children's pain reactivity, and reactivity may contribute to the development of somatization. Although the model that guided the analysis proved to be a reasonable description of the outcomes, several anticipated relationships were not significant. We discuss implications for a refined model of somatization and for early identification and prevention.

Adult↗

Control of 5S RNA transcription in Xenopus somatic cell chromatin: activation with an oocyte extract.

A chromatin fraction enriched for Xenopus 5S RNA genes has been isolated by restriction endonuclease digestion and sucrose gradient velocity sedimentation. Soluble chromatin sedimenting at 70-80S contains approximately 50% of the oocyte-expressed 5S RNA genes and only 1.5-3% of total chromatin DNA; this represents a 15- to 30-fold purification of the 5S genes. Such chromatin isolated from somatic cells (blood and cultured kidney cells) retains the transcriptionally-inactive state of the oocyte-expressed 5S genes. Soluble chromatin from somatic cells prepared by micrococcal nuclease digestion also retains the inactive state of the oocyte-type 5S genes. It is likely that the level of chromatin structure responsible for inactivity of the oocyte genes in somatic cells is the nucleosome or short chains of nucleosomes and not supranucleosomal structures. The oocyte-type genes can be rendered transcriptionally active in somatic cell chromatin either by salt extraction of some chromosomal proteins or by treatment with the ion exchange resin Dowex A50W-X2. Alternatively, activation of these genes can be achieved by incubating somatic cell chromatin or nuclei with an extract prepared from Xenopus oocytes. This effect is not specific for 5S RNA genes as the transcription of other small RNAs (including pre-tRNA) is stimulated by the oocyte extract. The activating factor(s) is resistant to micrococcal nuclease, nondialyzable, heat labile and sensitive to trypsin; thus it is highly likely to be a protein or a group of proteins. Partial purification of the activating factor(s) has been achieved by ion exchange chromatography.

Animals↗

Relative contributions of germline gene variation and somatic mutation to immunoglobulin diversity in the mouse.

The relative contributions of germline gene variation and somatic mutation to immunoglobulin diversity were studied by comparing germline gene sequences with their rearranged counterparts for the mouse VH, V kappa, and V lambda genes. The mutation rate at the amino acid level was estimated to be 7.0% in the first and second complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) and 2.0% in the framework regions (FRs). The difference in the mutation rate at the nucleotide level between the CDRs and FRs was of the same order of magnitude as that for the amino acid level. Analysis of amino acid diversity or nucleotide diversity indicated that the contribution of somatic mutation to immunoglobulin diversity is approximately 5%. However, the contribution of somatic mutation to the number of different amino acid sequences of immunoglobulins is much larger than that estimated by the analysis of amino acid diversity, and more than 90% of the different immunoglobulins seem to be generated by somatic mutation. Examination of the pattern of nucleotide substitution has suggested that clonal selection after somatic mutation may not be as strong as generally believed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Somatic and zygotic embryos of Daucus carota L. display different protein patterns until conversion to plants.

Total protein patterns of different developmental stages of carrot zygotic and somatic embryos revealed by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis were compared using statistical dissimilarity index matrix, and some major polypeptides were partially sequenced. In spite of similar morphology, the protein patterns of somatic embryos at the torpedo stage were clearly different from those of zygotic embryos. In particular, none of the proteins specific of zygotic embryos required for maturation, previously identified, were accumulated in somatic embryos, namely the daucin (a globulin-type storage protein), the RAB25 protein (a late embryogenesis abundant protein) (Dodeman et al. 1998), as well as a novel globulin of M(r) 30,000, that we proposed to name apiacin. Somatic plantlets and seedlings also showed different patterns. This discrepancy likely reflects culture conditions, since somatic embryos recover a protein pattern close to that of seedlings after conversion to plant and growth on a carbon-free medium.

Daucus carota↗

A secreted peptide growth factor, phytosulfokine, acting as a stimulatory factor of carrot somatic embryo formation.

Somatic embryogenesis of the carrot (Daucus carota L.) depends on a set of factors, some of which accumulate in culture medium (conditioned medium, CM). When embryogenic cell clusters were transferred to an embryo-inducing medium, addition of CM derived from somatic embryo culture markedly stimulated somatic embryo formation. The active principles were purified using a simple bioassay system and identified to be phytosulfokines (PSKs), sulfated oligopeptide growth factors originally isolated from a CM derived from asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) mesophyll culture. Quantification studies using a competition ELISA system employing an anti-PSK-alpha polyclonal antibody showed that PSK production might be related to growth of cells, rather than development of somatic embryos. Thus the stimulatory effect of PSK on somatic embryo formation might be due to promotion of cell proliferation.

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

High stability of nuclear microsatellite loci during the early stages of somatic embryogenesis in Norway spruce.

Somatic embryos of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) differentiate from proembryogenic masses (PEMs), which are subject to autodestruction through programmed cell death. In PEMs, somatic embryo formation and activation of programmed cell death are interrelated processes. We sought to determine if activation of programmed cell death in PEMs is caused by genetic aberrations during somatic embryogenesis. Based on the finding that withdrawal of auxin and cytokinin induces programmed cell death in PEMs, 1-week-old cell suspensions were cultured in medium either with or without auxin and cytokinin and then transferred to maturation medium containing abscisic acid. We analyzed the stability of three nuclear simple sequence repeat (SSR) microsatellite markers at successive stages of somatic embryogenesis in two cell lines. There were no mutations at the SSR loci at any of the successive developmental stages from PEMs to cotyledonary embryos, irrespective of whether or not the proliferation medium in which cell suspensions had been cultured contained auxin or cytokinin. The morphologies of plants regenerated from the cultures were similar, although withdrawal of auxin and cytokinin significantly stimulated the yield of both embryos and plants. We conclude, therefore, that the high genetic stability of somatic embryos in Norway spruce is unaffected by the induction of programmed cell death caused by withdrawal of auxin and cytokinin.

Cell Line↗

Identification of porcine oocyte proteins that are associated with somatic cell nuclei after co-incubation.

Relatively little is known with respect to the oocyte proteins that are involved in nuclear reprogramming of somatic cells in mammals. The aim of the present study was to use a cell-free incubation system between porcine oocyte proteins and somatic cell nuclei and to identify oocyte proteins that remain associated with these somatic cell nuclei. In two separate experiments, porcine oocytes were either labeled with biotin to label total proteins at the germinal vesicle stage or metaphase II stage or they were labeled with 0.1 mM (35)S-methionine either during the first 6 h or 22-28 h of in vitro maturation to characterize protein synthesis during two distinct phases. To determine which oocyte proteins associate with somatic nuclei, labeled proteins were incubated in a collecting buffer and energy-regenerating system with isolated ovarian epithelial-like cell nuclei. After incubation, the nuclei were subjected to a novel affinity-binding system to recover biotin-labeled oocyte proteins or two-dimensional SDS-PAGE for separation and visualization of radiolabeled proteins. Proteins of interest were sent for identification using either matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Of the proteins that remain associated with isolated nuclei after incubation, 4 were identified using the affinity-binding system and 24 were identified using mass spectrometry and the two-dimensional gel interface. This study has identified porcine oocyte proteins that associate with somatic cell nuclei in a cell-free system using proteomics techniques, providing a novel way to identify oocyte proteins potentially functionally involved in nuclear reprogramming.

Animals↗

Isolation of murine and porcine fetal stem cells from somatic tissue.

Adult stem cells have been previously isolated from a variety of somatic tissues, including bone marrow and the central nervous system; however, contribution of these cells to the germ line has not been shown. Here we demonstrate that fetal somatic explants contain a subpopulation of somatic stem cells (FSSCs), which can be induced to display features of lineage-uncommitted stem cells. After injection into blastocysts, these cells give rise to a variety of cell types in the resultant chimeric fetuses, including those of the mesodermal lineage; they even migrate into the genital ridge. In vitro, FSSCs exhibit characteristics of embryonic stem cells, including extended self-renewal; expression of stem cell marker genes, such as Pou5f1 (Oct4), Stat3, and Akp2 (Tnap) and growth as multicellular aggregates. We report that fetal tissue contains somatic stem cells with greater potency than previously thought, which might form a new source of stem cells useful in somatic nuclear transfer and cell therapy.

Animals↗

Interactions between somatic cells and germ cells throughout mammalian oogenesis.

Oocytes and their companion somatic cells maintain a close association throughout oogenesis and this association is essential for normal oocyte and follicular development. This review summarizes current concepts of the role of the somatic cells in the regulation of mammalian oocyte growth, the maintenance of meiotic arrest, the induction of oocyte maturation, and the acquisition of full embryonic developmental competence during oocyte maturation in vitro. Gap junctions appear to mediate these regulatory processes. The regulatory interaction of oocytes and somatic cells, however, is not unidirectional; the oocyte participates in the proliferation, development, and function of the follicular somatic cells. The oocyte secretes factors that enable the cumulus cells to synthesize hyaluronic acid and undergo cumulus expansion in response to hormonal stimulation. In addition, the oocyte produces factors that promote the proliferation of granulosa cells. These interactions in vitro do not appear to require the mediation of gap junctions. The oocyte also promotes the differentiation of granulosa cells into functional cumulus cells, but this function of the oocyte appears to require the continued presence and close association of the oocyte and granulosa cells. Therefore, oocytes and follicular somatic cells are interdependent for development and function.

Animals↗

The pharmacodynamic interaction between propofol and fentanyl with respect to the suppression of somatic or hemodynamic responses to skin incision, peritoneum incision, and abdominal wall retraction.

BACKGROUND: Sufficient propofol or fentanyl doses necessary to prevent the response to skin incision do not necessarily attenuate hemodynamic responses during surgery. The goal of this study was to characterize the pharmacodynamic interaction between propofol and fentanyl with respect to the suppression of somatic or hemodynamic responses after three stimuli: skin incision, peritoneum incision, and abdominal wall retraction. METHODS: Propofol and fentanyl were administered via computer-assisted continuous infusion to provide equilibration between plasma-blood and biophase concentrations. Patients were randomized to nine groups that received predetermined concentrations of fentanyl (from 0 to 9 ng/ml). Each patient was administered different target concentrations of propofol. Somatic and hemodynamic responses were measured before and after each of three different stimulations: skin incision (si), peritoneum incision (pi), and abdominal wall retraction (ret). The propofol plasma concentrations at which 50% of the patients did not respond to each type of stimulation (Cp50si, Cp50pi, and Cp50ret) were calculated by fitting the Loewe synergistic model. RESULTS: For propofol alone, Cp50si, Cp50pi, and Cp50ret were 12.9, 17.1, and 19.4 microg/ml, respectively. Increasing the fentanyl concentration markedly reduced propofol Cp50si, Cp50pi, and Cp50ret for somatic response, indicating the potential synergistic interaction of both drugs. During the prestimulation period, fentanyl did not decrease systolic blood pressure; however, propofol specifically decreased systolic blood pressure. Both drugs had a synergistic drug interaction on the systolic blood pressure increase after various surgical stimulations. Fentanyl and propofol concentrations that suppressed both the 50% probability of somatic response and the 50% probability of moderate hemodynamic change defined by the 15% systolic blood pressure increase over the prestimulation value were 3.6 ng/ml and 2.5 microg/ml for skin incision, 8.4 ng/ml and 1.6 microg/ml for peritoneum incision, and 5.9 ng/ml and 5.1 microg/ml for wall retraction, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The anesthesia requirements for stimuli that are more intense than skin incision should be considered during abdominal surgery. Somatic and hemodynamic responses varied depending on the type of surgical stimuli.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Plasma concentration of fentanyl with xenon to block somatic and hemodynamic responses to surgical incision.

BACKGROUND: Although anesthesia with xenon has been supplemented with fentanyl, its requirement has not been established. This study was conducted to determine the plasma concentrations of fentanyl necessary to suppress somatic and hemodynamic responses to surgical incision in 50% patients in the presence of 0.7 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) xenon. METHODS: Twenty-five patients were allocated randomly to predetermined fentanyl concentration between 0.5 and 4.0 ng/ml during 0.7 MAC xenon anesthesia. Fentanyl was administered using a pharmacokinetic model-driven computer-assisted continuous infusion device. At surgical incision each patient was monitored for somatic and hemodynamic responses. A somatic response was defined as any purposeful bodily movement. A positive hemodynamic response was defined as a more than 15% increase in heart rate or mean arterial pressure more than the preincision value. The concentrations of fentanyl to prevent somatic and hemodynamic responses in 50% of patients were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: The concentration of fentanyl to prevent a somatic response to skin incision in 50% of patients in the presence of 0.7 MAC xenon was 0.72 +/- 0.07 ng/ml and to prevent a hemodynamic response was 0.94 +/- 0.06 ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing these results with previously published results in the presence of 70% nitrous oxide, the fentanyl requirement in xenon anesthesia is smaller than that in the equianesthetic nitrous oxide anesthesia.

Abdomen↗

Parental reports of somatic symptoms in preschool children: prevalence and associations in a Spanish sample.

OBJECTIVE: To document prevalence and associations of somatic symptoms in Spanish preschool children. METHOD: Subjects were 3- to 5-year-olds attending nurseries (8 urban, 30 rural). Parental questionnaires (response rate 77%) were used to inquire about somatic symptoms in the child in the 2 weeks prior to assessment, about preschool absence and pediatric help-seeking, chronic family health problems, and recent stressful life events for the child. Parents completed questionnaires on child psychopathology (Early Childhood Inventory 4) and their own mental health (General Health Questionnaire). Children who were reported as complaining of symptoms frequently (four or more times) were compared to noncomplaining children. RESULTS: Parents reported that 452 of the 807 (56%) children complained of somatic symptoms at least once, significantly more so in urban than in rural areas. Frequent somatic complaints were reported for 165 of the 807 (20%) (abdominal pains 7.9%, tiredness 5.7%, leg pains 4%, headaches 2%, dizziness 0.4%). There were significant associations of frequent symptom reporting with days off preschool and pediatric clinic attendance, with emotional and behavioral symptoms in children, mental distress in parents, and urban abode. CONCLUSIONS: Somatic symptoms are common in preschool children. Results point to family influences.

Catchment Area, Health↗