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Metastatic breast cancer: sequencing hormonal therapy and positioning of fulvestrant.

Fulvestrant, a novel estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist with no agonist effects, binds, blocks, and degrades the ER, thereby downregulating cellular ER levels, which in turn leads to reduced expression of the progesterone receptor. Due to this specific working mechanism, fulvestrant is an important addition to the armamentarium of endocrine agents in advanced breast cancer (ABC). Fulvestrant has been shown to be equally effective as the third-generation aromatase inhibitor (AI) anastrozole in postmenopausal patients with hormone-sensitive ABC progressing prior to tamoxifen. In another randomized phase III trial, it was shown that fulvestrant had similar efficacy to tamoxifen in the first-line treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive ABC. When comparing the side effects of fulvestrant with tamoxifen and anastrozole, it was shown that fulvestrant is well tolerated compared with these agents and is associated with a lower incidence of joint disorders. Clinical benefit on fulvestrant treatment after AI therapy has been reported in a substantial number of patients (28-46%). On the other hand, it was also shown that sensitivity to further endocrine therapy is retained following progression on first-line or second-line fulvestrant (57% and 46% clinical benefit, respectively). In conclusion, fulvestrant provides us with an additional endocrine treatment option making it possible to prolong the time that patients with ABC can be treated with endocrine therapy.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗

Evolution of N-terminal sequences of the vertebrate HOXA13 protein.

While the the role of the homeodomain in HOX function has been evaluated extensively, little attention has been given to the non-homeodomain portions of the HOX proteins. To investigate the evolution of the HOXA13 protein and to identify conserved residues in the N-terminal region of the protein with potential functional significance, N-terminal Hoxa13 coding sequences were PCR-amplified from fish, amphibian, reptile, chicken, and marsupial and eutherian mammal genomic DNA. Compared with fish HOXA13, the mammalian protein has increased in size by 35% primarily owing to the accumulation of alanine repeats and flanking segments rich in proline, glycine, or serine within the first 215 amino acids. Certain residues and amino acid motifs were strongly conserved, and several HOXA13 N-terminal domains were also shared in the paralogous HOXB 13 and HOXD13 genes; however, other conserved regions appear to be unique to HOXA13. Two domains highly conserved in HOXA13 orthologs are shared with Drosophila AbdB and other vertebrate AbdB-like proteins. Marsupial and eutherian mammalian HOXA13 proteins have three large homopolymeric alanine repeats of 14, 12, and 17-18 residues that are absent in reptiles, birds, and fish. Thus, the repeats arose after the divergence of reptiles from the lineage that would give rise to the mammals. In contrast, other short homopolymeric alanine repeats in mammalian HOXA13 have remained virtually the same length, suggesting that forces driving or limiting repeat expansion are context dependent. Consecutive stretches of identical third-base usage in alanine codons within the large repeats were found, supporting replication slippage as a mechanism for their generation. However, numerous species-specific base substitutions affecting third-base alanine repeat codon positions were observed, particularly in the largest repeat. Therefore, if the large alanine repeats were present prior to eutherian mammal development as is suggested by the opossum data, then a dynamic process of recurring replication slippage and point mutation within alanine repeat codons must be considered to reconcile these observations. This model might also explain why the alanine repeats are flanked by proline, serine, and glycine-rich sequences, and it reveals a biological mechanism that promotes increases in protein size and, potentially, acquisition of new functions.

Alanine↗

A novel NF-kappa B p65 spliced transcript lacking exons 6 and 7 in a non-small cell lung carcinoma cell line.

Transcripts of the gene encoding the p65 subunit of the NF-kappa B/Rel transcription factor complex have been reported to undergo alternative splicing to generate one derivative lacking codons for amino acids (aa) 222 to 231 (p65 delta 1) and another that lacks codons for aa 13 to 25 (p65 delta 2) of the conserved Rel homology domain [Narayaran et al., Science 256 (1992) 317-320; Lyle et al., Gene 138 (1994) 265-266]. We have identified a third splicing event in a non-small-cell lung carcinoma cell line that potentially generates a novel p65 mRNA derivative lacking codons for aa 187 to 293 (p65 delta 3) of the Rel homology domain.

Alternative Splicing↗

Manipulation of the biosynthesis of protein-modifying glycoconjugates by the use of specific inhibitors.

Since it is possible to interfere with different steps in the dolichol pathway of protein glycosylation and in the processing of N-linked oligosaccharides information can be deduced as to the role of protein-bound carbohydrate by comparing the biochemical fates and functions of glycosylated proteins with their non-glycosylated counterparts, or with proteins exhibiting differences in the type of oligosaccharide side-chains. Cells infected with enveloped viruses are excellent model systems for studying the inhibition of protein glycosylation, since they contain a restricted number of glycoproteins, in some cases with well-defined functions. Tunicamycin, an antibiotic, as well as several sugar analogues have been found to inhibit the glycosylation of proteins by virtue of their antiviral properties. They interfere with different steps in the dolichol pathway of N-glycosylation resulting in a lack of functional lipid-linked oligosaccharide precursors. Trimming inhibitors, a second generation of inhibitors of glycosylation, interfere with the processing of oligosaccharides by specific glucosidases and mannosidases, resulting in a block of the conversion of high-mannose to complex-type oligosaccharides. Depending upon the compound used, glycoproteins contain glucosylated-high-mannose, high-mannose, or hybrid oligosaccharide structures instead of complex ones. Various effects of glycosylation inhibitors have been described: susceptibility to proteases, improper protein processing and misfolding of polypeptide chains, loss of biological activity, and alteration of the site of virus-budding. A third generation of inhibitors of glycosylation is emerging which are designed to interfere with late steps of N-glycosylation occurring after trimming, to bring about changes in the makeup of complex carbohydrates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1-Deoxynojirimycin↗

The DNA binding domain of herpes simplex virus type 1 origin binding protein is a transdominant inhibitor of virus replication.

The origin binding protein (OBP) of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 specifically interacts with two high-affinity sites in each HSV DNA replication origin. The sequence-specific DNA binding activity of OBP maps to the carboxy-terminal one-third of the protein. For a single binding site, recombinantly expressed forms of this DNA binding domain have the same sequence specificity and binding affinity as the full-length OBP. However, unlike the full-length protein, truncated OBP does not bind HSV replication origins in a cooperative manner. To determine if cooperative interactions between DNA-bound OBP molecules are essential for viral DNA replication, the 317-amino-acid carboxy-terminal DNA binding domain of OBP was expressed in chick embryo fibroblasts. Cells were infected with HSV type 1, and viral DNA synthesis and virus production were monitored. We found that cells expressing truncated OBP were severely restricted for virus replication and that HSV DNA synthesis was undetectable. The results demonstrate that the amino-terminal two-thirds of OBP is essential for HSV DNA replication and that the OBP DNA binding domain acts as a transdominant inhibitor of viral DNA replication. The results also suggest that this experimental approach could be used to generate a refined map of essential OBP functions and that the approach may be generally applicable to the analysis of the multifunction HSV DNA replication complex.

Animals↗

Generation of neutralization-resistant HIV-1 in vitro due to amino acid interchanges of third hypervariable env region.

Antigenic mutants of HIV-1 were isolated from three plaque-cloned viruses by the resistance of the virus to neutralizing mAb 0.5 beta against V3 domain of viral gp120, when the viruses were passaged in the presence of the antibody. However, when chronically infected MOLT-4 cells were treated with 0.5 beta mAb, recovered viruses from the 0.5 beta-treated cells showed no antigenic changes. The extent of genomic variation among antigenically distinct isolates was examined by nucleotide sequencing, which revealed a few base substitutions in 0.5 beta-binding site of all mutants isolated. The predicted amino acid replacements within 0.5 beta reacting epitope (V3 domain) causing the altered antigenicity were also identified for each of three isolates. Particularly, in one of the mutants, the most conserved Gly-Pro-Gly-Arg region located at the center of the V3 domain was changed to Gly-Gln-Gly-Arg. The radioimmunoprecipitation and synthetic peptide analyses revealed that this Pro320----Gln substitution reduced the binding affinity with 0.5 beta, although other mutations observed in the other mutants did not affect the binding affinity in radioimmunoprecipitation. We also observed that nucleic acid substitutions in the V3 domain occurred frequently in the absence of 0.5 beta mAb during our in vitro acute infection system using MT-4 cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Construction of an artificial tandem protein of the c-Myb DNA-binding domain and analysis of its DNA binding specificity.

An artificial tandem protein was generated using the third repeat of the c-Myb DNA-binding domain, and its DNA binding affinity and specificity were analyzed by a filter binding assay, isothermal titration calorimetry, and surface plasmon resonance. Although this artificial protein had the proper secondary structure, which is similar to the third repeat by itself, it could not bind to the expected base sequences specifically. Compared with the successful results of the zinc finger fusion proteins with novel sequence specificities, the cooperativity between the adjacent repeats, observed in the c-Myb-DNA complex, should also be required for the DNA recognition by the artificial tandem protein. Using the previous analyses of the DNA binding specificities by Myb homologous proteins, the differences in the DNA recognition mechanisms between the animal and plant Myb domains are also discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of esterase gp70 and its influence on growth and development of Dictyostelium discoideum.

Gp70 is an esterase originally called crystal protein because of its presence in crystalline structures in aggregation-competent Dictyostelium discoideum cells. Although postulated to break down spore coats, the function of gp70 in vivo was incompletely investigated. Our immunolocalization and biochemical studies of vegetative D. discoideum amoebae show that gp70 was recruited to phagosomes and found in lysosomes. Purified gp70 was effective at hydrolyzing naphthyl substrates with acyl chains typical of lipids and lipopolysaccharides, indicating that the gp70 was involved in digesting endocytosed molecules. The activity of purified gp70 was inhibited by reductants that retarded its electrophoretic mobility and verified the presence of intramolecular disulfide bonds predicted by its amino acid sequence. Compared to wild-type cells, cells overexpressing gp70 were more phagocytically active, had shorter generation times, and produced more fruiting bodies per unit area, while cells lacking gp70 were phagocytically less active with longer doubling times, developed more slowly, and had significantly fewer fruiting bodies per unit area. Consistent with the phenotype of a disrupted metabolism, one-third of the gp70-minus cells were large and multinucleated. Together, these results indicated that despite its crystalline appearance, gp70 was an active esterase involved in both the growth and the development of D. discoideum.

Animals↗

Random sequence analysis of genomic DNA of an anaerobic, thermophilic, halophilic bacterium, Halothermothrix orenii.

A pBluescriptSK+ vector library consisting of 3.360 clones with an average insert size of 3.5 kb was constructed from the genome of Halothermothrix orenii, a halophilic and thermoanaerobic member of the family Haloanaerobiaceae. From both ends, 77 clones were sequenced using T3 and T7 vector primers generating 154 sequence tags, representing approximately 85 kb of the genome. Comparison of sequence tags against the Gen-Bank database using BLASTX identified 66 known proteins and 15 conserved hypothetical proteins. The putative proteins included a V-ATPase, hydrogenases, and enzymes with potential for industrial applications. The overall G + C% of the codons used was 42.9% with a third-position G + C content of 38.6%. High levels of excess acidic amino acids were not detected in the putative proteins of H. orenii as compared to the mesophilic haloanaerobes. This lack may be the result of reduced activity of acidic, halophilic enzymes at high temperatures and intermediate salt concentrations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A biological consequence of variation in the site of D-JH gene rearrangement.

One mechanism which generates diversity in immunoglobulin variable (V) regions is flexibility in the site of recombination among the constituent genetic elements. Within a specific antibody family (that is, a particular VH-VL combination), variability in V-D-J rearrangement not only leads to sequence diversity at the boundary of the juxtaposed genes, but also enables the total length of the third complementarity-determining region (CDR-3) of the heavy chain to be conserved. We demonstrate here that the junctional diversity inherent in rearranged immunoglobulin genes can have consequences for the biology of the immune system. Sequence analysis of the expressed immunoglobulin genes of idiotypically variant as opposed to conventional B lymphocytes of a dominant antibody family showed that the variant B cells undergo a novel D-JH joining event such that an extra amino acid is inserted into the heavy chain CDR-3. The unique D-region conformation possessed by the variant B cells accounts for previous observations which showed that variant and conventional B cells could be differentially regulated in vivo by an autologous set of idiotope-specific B lymphocytes. Our findings indicate that D-region structure can determine the expression of regulatory idiotopes and suggest that the conservation of heavy-chain CDR-3 length within an antibody family may reflect regulatory as well as functional constraints.

Animals↗

Open-reading-frame sequence tags (OSTs) support the existence of at least 17,300 genes in C. elegans.

The genome sequences of Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster and Arabidopsis thaliana have been predicted to contain 19,000, 13,600 and 25,500 genes, respectively. Before this information can be fully used for evolutionary and functional studies, several issues need to be addressed. First, the gene number estimates obtained in silico and not yet supported by any experimental data need to be verified. For example, it seems biologically paradoxical that C. elegans would have 50% more genes than Drosophilia. Second, intron/exon predictions need to be tested experimentally. Third, complete sets of open reading frames (ORFs), or "ORFeomes," need to be cloned into various expression vectors. To address these issues simultaneously, we have designed and applied to C. elegans the following strategy. Predicted ORFs are amplified by PCR from a highly representative cDNA library using ORF-specific primers, cloned by Gateway recombination cloning and then sequenced to generate ORF sequence tags (OSTs) as a way to verify identity and splicing. In a sample (n=1,222) of the nearly 10,000 genes predicted ab initio (that is, for which no expressed sequence tag (EST) is available so far), at least 70% were verified by OSTs. We also observed that 27% of these experimentally confirmed genes have a structure different from that predicted by GeneFinder. We now have experimental evidence that supports the existence of at least 17,300 genes in C. elegans. Hence we suggest that gene counts based primarily on ESTs may underestimate the number of genes in human and in other organisms.

Animals↗

Structure of yeast phenylalanine-tRNA genes: an intervening DNA segment within the region coding for the tRNA.

Sixteen bacterial clones containing sequences complementary to yeast PhetRNA were isolated from a collection of hybrid plasmids containing BamHI restriction endonuclease-generated yeast DNA fragments inserted in the plasmid vector pBR315. Ten of these clones contained hybrid plasmids with distinct BamHI fragments. The sequence of the Phe-tRNA structural genes and adjacent regions of three of these clones is reported here. In the region flanking the tRNA gene, the sequence of two of the cloned DNAs is similar; the sequence of the third varies considerably. All three of the tRNA genes are bordered by A,T-rich regions. In particular, near the region coding for the 3' end of the tRNA there is a long sequence of As in the coding strand. This is reminiscent of the region of termination of transcription of the yeast 5S rRNA gene. The sequences coding for the Phe-tRNA contain an additional segment of 18 or 19 base pairs (depending upon the clone) not predicted by the yeast Phe-tRNA sequence. These intervening segments are nearly identical in the three clones and are located within the structural gene, two base pairs from the nucleotides coding for the tRNA anticodon.

Anticodon↗

High-frequency germ-line transmission of plasmid DNA sequences injected into fertilized zebrafish eggs.

With the goal of developing techniques for DNA insertional mutagenesis in zebrafish, we established procedures for rapidly obtaining and injecting large numbers of fertilized eggs. Using either of two plasmid constructs, we injected uncut DNA into fertilized eggs at the one- or two-cell stage. Fish hatched from injected eggs were raised to sexual maturity, and the frequency of transgenic founder fish was determined by pair-mating the fish and testing DNA extracted from pools of their 16-hr-old offspring by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then Southern analysis. Eggs injected with one of two different plasmids yielded no transgenic fish, but 7-25% (19 of 115 overall) of the eggs injected with the other plasmid transmitted the injected sequences to their offspring (F1). Of seven lines studied further, all were able to pass the foreign DNA sequences to the next (F2) generation. Inheritance in the F2 generation was Mendelian in the five lines tested. PCR and Southern analysis indicated that the plasmid sequences were present in multiple copies, probably tandemly arranged. Two founder fish carried more than one independent integration of the plasmid sequences. The line studied in more detail was a mosaic carrying two independently segregating copies of the transgene in one germ cell and a third copy in another germ-line precursor cell. The ability to obtain and inject large numbers of zebrafish eggs combined with a high frequency of germ-line integration may be steps toward the goal of being able to perform insertional mutagenesis with this organism.

Animals↗

Competing intrachain interactions regulate the formation of beta-sheet fibrils in bovine PrP peptides.

At the heart of the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), such as BSE, scrapie, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, lies a poorly understood structural rearrangement of PrP, an abundant glycoprotein of the nervous and lymphoid systems. The normal form (PrP(C)), rich in alpha-helix, converts into an aberrant beta-sheet-dominated form (PrP(Sc)), which seems to be at the center of the pathotoxic symptoms observed in TSEs. To understand this process better at a molecular level, we have studied the interactions between different peptides derived from bovine PrP and their structural significance. We show that two unstructured peptides derived from the central region of bovine PrP, residues 115-133 and 140-152, respectively, interact stoichiometrically under physiological conditions to generate beta-sheet-dominated fibrils. However, when both peptides are incubated in the presence of a third peptide derived from an adjoining alpha-helical region (residues 153-169), the formation of beta-sheet-rich fibrils is abolished. These data indicate that native PrP(C) helix 1 might inhibit the strong intrinsic beta-sheet-forming propensity of sequences immediately N-terminal to the globular core of PrP(C), by keeping in place intrachain interactions that would prevent these amyloidogenic regions from triggering aggregation. Moreover, these results indicate new ways in which PrP(Sc) formation could be prevented.

Animals↗

Murine leukemia virus pol gene products: analysis with antisera generated against reverse transcriptase and endonuclease fusion proteins expressed in Escherichia coli.

The organization of the murine leukemia virus (MuLV) pol gene was investigated by expressing molecular clones containing AKR MuLV reverse transcriptase or endonuclease or both gene segments in Escherichia coli and generating specific antisera against the expressed bacterial proteins. Reaction of these antisera with detergent-disrupted virus precipitated an 80-kilodalton (kDa) protein, the MuLV reverse transcriptase, and a 46-kDa protein which we believe is the viral endonuclease. A third (50-kDa) protein, related to reverse transcriptase, was also precipitated. Bacterial extracts of clones expressing reverse transcriptase and endonuclease sequences competed with the viral 80- and 46-kDa proteins, respectively. These results demonstrate that the antisera are specific for viral reverse transcriptase and endonuclease. Immunoprecipitation of AKR MuLV with antisera prepared against a bacterial protein containing only endonuclease sequences led to the observation that reverse transcriptase and endonuclease can be associated as a complex involving a disulfide bond(s).

AKR murine leukemia virus↗

Aromatase inhibitors and their use in the sequential setting.

Over the past decade several novel aromatase inhibitors have been introduced into clinical practice. The discovery of these drugs followed on from the observation that the main mechanism of action of aminogluthemide was via inhibition of the enzyme aromatase thereby reducing peripheral levels of oestradiol in postmenopausal patients. The second-generation drug, 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (formestane), was introduced in 1990 and although its use was limited by its need to be given parenterally it was found to be a well-tolerated form of endocrine therapy. Third-generation inhibitors include vorozole, letrozole, anastrozole and exemestane, the former three being non-steroidal inhibitors, the latter being a steroidal inhibitor. All are capable of inhibiting aromatase action by >95% compared with 80% in the case of 4-hydroxyandrostenedione. The sequential use of different generations of aromatase inhibitors in the same patients is discussed. Studies suggest that an optimal sequence of these compounds may well result in longer remission in patients with hormone receptor positive tumours.

Androstenedione↗

Nonreductive release of O-linked oligosaccharides from mucin glycoproteins for structure/function assignments as neoglycolipids: application in the detection of novel ligands for E-selectin.

The neoglycolipid technology comprises several microprocedures involving the generation of lipid-linked oligosaccharide probes for carbohydrate recognition studies in conjunction with oligosaccharide sequence determination by mass spectrometry. Although applicable to any desired oligosaccharides, procedures are greatly facilitated if the oligosaccharides are nonreduced, as conjugation is by reductive amination of a reducing end aldehyde to a phosphatidylethanolamine. Using bovine submaxillary mucin as a model for release of O-glycans in the reducing state, and based on yields of neoglycolipids and side-products from "peeling" reactions and degradation, aqueous ethylamine 70% w/v at 22 degrees C for 48 h has been selected in preference to other conditions, triethylamine, sodium hydroxide, and hydrazine. The integrity of the main acidic and neutral oligosaccharides released under these conditions, di- to octasaccharides, was established by analyses of free oligosaccharides by liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (LSIMS) and of the derived neoglycolipids by TLC-LSIMS; the repertoire compared favorably with that of the oligosaccharide alditols generated by conventional reductive alkaline borohydride treatment. More forcing conditions of ethylamine 70% w/v at 65 degrees C for 6 h were required to release oligosaccharides from porcine gastric mucin; di- to nonasaccharides were obtained of which about one-third had an intact core GalNAc. Relative to yields after reductive alkaline hydrolysis, the overall yields for these two glycoproteins were 20% and 40-50% for acidic and neutral oligosaccharides, respectively. Among O-glycans released from an ovarian cystadenoma glycoprotein using ethylamine, three variants of the sulfated Le(a/x) sequences were identified as ligands for the endothelial adhesion molecule E-selectin, one of which is based on the unusual backbone Gal-3/4GlcNAc-3Gal-3Gal.

Animals↗

Immunization with the C-terminal region of Trypanosoma cruzi ribosomal P1 and P2 proteins induces long-term duration cross-reactive antibodies with heart functional and structural alterations in young and aged mice.

The R13 peptide sequence (EEEDDDMGFGLFD) that corresponds to the C-terminal region of Trypanosoma cruzi ribosomal P1 and P2 proteins differs from the eukariotic P concensus sequence EESDDDMGFGLFD (H13) only in a nonconservative amino acid substitution. The immunization of BALB/c mice with R13 synthetic peptide coupled to a carrier protein (OVA) induces specific (anti-R13) and autoreactive (anti-H13 and anti-heart) antibodies as well as heart functional alterations. Since aged human and experimental animals are impaired in their responses to most foreign antigens but they produce greater amounts of autoantibodies, in this work we used aged mice as an experimental model able to exaggerate the autoimmune component of the R13-induced response in case it was present. We studied whether these antibodies generated in the absence of the parasite would induce pathological changes in heart tissues. The levels of antibodies against R13 (foreign antigen) and H13 (autoantigen) studied comparatively in 2- and 12-month-old mice 10 days after the third immunization with R13 coupled to OVA were, as we expected for a foreign antigen, higher in almost all sera from 2-month-old mice tested than in sera from 12-month-old mice. Besides, these specific and cross-reactive antibody response remain elevated as long as 150 days post third immunization. In addition, the isotype pattern that recognizes R13 and the self-sequence H13 showed no differences between sera from young and aged mice. Moreover, when ECG traces were obtained from immunized mice, the heart functional alterations observed at 10 days continued at 80 and 150 days after the third immunization, showing an association with the levels of antibodies. In addition, despite the fact that the heart tissue morphology showed no alterations 10 days post third immunization, several abnormalities in the tissue architecture were revealed at 80 and 150 days post third immunization. This report demonstrates the biological relevance of R13-induced cross-reactive antibodies in some of the electrophysiologic and histological changes found in T. cruzi-infected mammalians.

Aging↗