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Increased C-MYC oncogene copy number detected with combined modified comparative genomic hybridization and FISH analysis in a Richter syndrome case with complex karyotype.

Modified comparative genomic hybridization (mCGH) was performed in a Richter syndrome case with a complex karyotype to identify and map gains of DNA sequences with possible importance in the pathogenesis and progression of the tumor. The mCGH analysis revealed a more intense signal on part of the long arm of one pair of chromosomes belonging to group C. The G-banding study showed that the increased DNA-sequence copy number originated from the 8q22-->qter chromosomal region. This increase was confirmed by performing a fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis on tumor metaphases by first using a chromosome 8-specific library and subsequently a C-MYC probe, which revealed positive staining on six different regions located on six different chromosomes, each one bearing a single copy of the C-MYC oncogene. These results show the existence of C-MYC oncogene copy-number increases and confirm the usefulness of mCGH in the genetic analysis of malignancies.

Aged↗

Quantitative proteomics: the copy number of pyruvate dehydrogenase is more than 10(2)-fold lower than that of complex III in human mitochondria.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and complex III are two key protein complexes in mitochondrial metabolic activity. Using a novel quantitative Western blotting method, we find that PDH and complex III exist at a steady-state ratio of 1:100, 1:128 and 1:202 in HeLa cell extracts, fibroblast mitochondria and heart tissue mitochondria, respectively. This difference in stoichiometry is reflected in the immunogold labeling intensities of the two complexes and by the much more sparse distribution of PDH in fluorescence microscopy. In Rho0 fibroblasts there is a 64% reduction of complex III but the concentration of PDH remains the same as wild-type.

Blotting, Western↗

E4 allele dosage does not predict cholinergic activity or synapse loss in Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and both cholinergic dysfunction and synapse loss in AD. BACKGROUND: A reduction in neocortical synapses and marked losses in the cholinergic system occur in AD. It has been suggested that the number of APOE epsilon4 alleles is inversely related to choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, thereby influencing cholinergic function. Whether APOE genotype may influence neocortical synapse loss remains unclear. METHODS: An autopsy series of 182 patients with AD (National Institute on Aging and Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease criteria) and 16 normal controls (NC). APOE genotype was determined in blood samples or in postmortem brain tissue. Midfrontal synapse counts (AU/microg) were quantified by a dot-immunobinding assay for synaptophysin (Syn). Midfrontal ChAT activity (nmol/h/100 mg) was assessed using standard assays. RESULTS: Mean midfrontal ChAT activity and Syn were both significantly reduced in patients with AD compared with NC. The relationship between ChAT activity and number of epsilon4 allele copies in AD was complex, with ChAT activity lower in patients with either two or no epsilon4 alleles compared with those with one epsilon4 allele. There was no relationship between APOE genotype and synapse loss in AD. Syn density was almost identical across the three genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike other studies, we failed to detect a linear relationship between ChAT activity and number of epsilon4 allele copies in the midfrontal cortex of this large sample of patients with AD. Our data also show that the presence of epsilon4 allele does not influence midfrontal synapse loss in AD. This suggests that factors other than APOE genotype may be operative in the decline in midfrontal cholinergic function and synapses seen in AD.

Aged↗

Yeast SUB1 is a suppressor of TFIIB mutations and has homology to the human co-activator PC4.

Activation of transcription in eukaryotes depends upon the interplay between transcriptional activators and general transcription factors. While direct contacts between activators and general factors have been demonstrated in vitro, an additional class of proteins, termed co-activators, is also required of transcriptional activation. Here we describe a yeast protein, SUB1, that was isolated as a suppressor of the cold-sensitive TFIIB R78H mutant. The N-terminal third of SUB1 is highly similar to the mammalian co-activator PC4. We show that increased expression of SUB1 suppresses two alleles of TFIIB (E62G, R78H) specifically and that the deletion of SUB1 is lethal in combination with these same two alleles. We show that SUB1 binds to TFIIB in vitro and that it specifically inhibits the formation of TBP-TFIIB-promoter complexes. Furthermore we show that increasing the copy number of SUB1 stimulates transcriptional activation in vivo. Based on our results and recent observations of others, we propose that SUB1 plays a role in the release of TFIIB from the transcription complex during transcription initiation.

Alleles↗

Negative control of plasmid pSC101 replication by increased concentrations of both initiator protein and iterons.

Increased intracellular concentrations of the initiator protein Rep (or RepA) interfere with pSC101 DNA replication, and mutated Rep proteins that result in an increase in plasmid copy numbers do not inhibit the replication. A rep mutant (rep(inh)) defective in the inhibitory activity was isolated and found to be a new high copy number mutant. The inhibitory function of Rep was enhanced by the coexistence of directly repeated sequences (DR; iterons) in the replication origin region (ori), but not by the inverted repeat sequences (IR) in ori and the rep promoter. This synergistic effect of Rep and DR sequences for the replication inhibition was dependent on their intracellular concentrations. Considering that DR sequences are the specific binding sites of the Rep monomer form, the Rep monomer-DR complex might be responsible for the inhibition of the plasmid replication. Furthermore, the Rep monomer in the crude cell extracts facilitated dimerization of DR DNA fragments by DNA ligase. Neither synergistic inhibitory function with DR nor Rep mediated dimerization of DR DNA was observed in high copy number mutant Rep proteins. The role of the Rep-iteron complex in the copy number control of pSC101 is discussed.

Journal Article↗

Differences in genetic alterations between primary lobular and ductal breast cancers detected by comparative genomic hybridization.

Infiltrating ductal (DC) and lobular carcinoma (LC) of the breast represent the most frequently observed varieties of invasive breast cancer, characterized by differences in their histological and clinical properties. Although comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) of invasive breast carcinomas has revealed a complex and consistent pattern of DNA copy number changes, the data with regard to type specific aberrations are limited. A comprehensive study was therefore performed on 19 LCs and 29 DCs to ascertain type-specific differences of unbalanced DNA copy number changes by CGH. Statistical analysis revealed significantly higher frequencies for underrepresentation of chromosomes 16q (p<0.01), 22 (p<0.05), and 17q (p<0.05), and a lower frequency for overrepresentation of chromosome 8q (p<0.01) in LC. Similar frequencies of non-random chromosomal changes in LC and DC were obtained for gain of 1q (74%/59%) and loss of 19p (53%/52%), parts of 1p (42%/41%) and 11q (21%/24%). Less frequently, gains mainly involving parts of chromosomes 20q, 20p, 3q, and 5p and partial losses of chromosomes 17p and 13 were observed in both groups of tumours. Minimal regions of overlapping amplifications were mapped to 17q23 exclusively in DC (17%) and 11q13-q14 in both DC and LC (21% and 11%, respectively). High occurrences of DNA copy number decreases were detected at the distal part of chromosomes 1p, 19 and 22, but further analysis is required to confirm these imbalances. It is suggested that the observed differences are involved in the development of type-specific properties of DC and LC.

Adult↗

Presence of ghost doublets of coded neuronal patterns: relation to synaptic memory storage.

Recent evidence demonstrates that controlled visual stimuli cause the generation, in the primary visual cortex of rhesus monkey cells, of large numbers of very precisely replicating copies of complex patterns of discharge consisting of three or more spikes, the patterns of which presumedly code for specific qualities of the stimuli presented. We present evidence that the copies of precisely replicating triplets of spikes, generally not exceeding 100 ms in duration, occur in close time proximity to many copies of highly precise "ghost" doublets. These doublets are defined as patterns consisting of two pulses, with precise separations in time, specifically those that would be generated if any one of the pulses making up a given replicating triplet were missing. In striking contrast, nonreplicating triplets (also present in these records)--that is, triplets made up of intervals that are not present in replicating triplets--are not accompanied by such ghost doublets. The persistence (memory) of capacity to produce such ghost doublets decays according to two independent kinetic rules. The first of these results in the disappearance of such doublets within about 0.1 s as measured by two independent methods, whereas the second disappears only after several minutes or longer. These results provide strong evidence consistent with the notion that at least some parts of the brain transmit, store representations of, and retrieve qualitative information through the use of a code consisting of specific patterns of nerve discharges in time.

Animals↗

Glycoproteins expression on platelet membrane in inherited macrothrombocytopenias.

INTRODUCTION: Inherited giant platelet disorders (IGPD) are a heterogeneous group of rare diseases characterized by thrombocytopenia, large platelets and variable bleeding symptoms. Glycoprotein (GP) expression on platelet surface in these conditions is poorly characterized. We have investigated the expression of constitutively expressed platelet membrane GP and the response to TRAP activation in a group of patients with different forms of inherited macrothrombocytopenias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two patients diagnosed Epstein syndrome (ES), two with Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) and eight with Mediterranean macrothrombocytopenia (MM) were studied using flow cytometry combined to monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). Mean platelet volume was also measured. RESULTS: In general, there was an increase in the binding of MoAbs directed against platelet membrane GPs in the patients studied (except, obviously, in BSS patients). The observed increase ranged between 0.9 and 3.36 times the value of the control for GPIbalpha, between 1.36 and 7.2 times for GPIIb-IIIa and 0.94 and 8.07 times for GPIV. However, when the observed value was divided by the measured platelet volume, the estimated density was similar to controls in the case of GPIbalpha but were increased for GPIIb-IIIa and GPIV. TRAP activation provoked significant increments in the number of copies of GPIIb-IIIa complexes present on platelet surface in controls (91%), MM patients (49%), but almost no changes in BSS platelets (6%). CONCLUSION: In the group of macrothrombocytopenia studied, an increase in the expression of platelet membrane GP was observed, although a wide variability exists even in patients with the same disorder.

Adolescent↗

Spontaneous separation of bi-stable biochemical systems into spatial domains of opposite phases.

Bi-stable chemical systems are the basic building blocks for intracellular memory and cell fate decision circuits. These circuits are built from molecules, which are present at low copy numbers and are slowly diffusing in complex intracellular geometries. The stochastic reaction-diffusion kinetics of a double-negative feedback system and a MAPK phosphorylation-dephosphorylation system is analysed with Monte-Carlo simulations of the reaction-diffusion master equation. The results show the geometry of intracellular reaction compartments to be important both for the duration and the locality of biochemical memory. Rules for when the systems lose global hysteresis by spontaneous separation into spatial domains in opposite phases are formulated in terms of geometrical constraints, diffusion rates and attractor escape times. The analysis is facilitated by a new efficient algorithm for exact sampling of the Markov process corresponding to the reaction-diffusion master equation.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Penelope retroelements from Drosophila virilis are active after transformation of Drosophila melanogaster.

The Penelope family of retroelements was first described in species of the Drosophila virilis group. Intact elements encode a reverse transcriptase and an endonuclease of the UvrC type, which may play a role in Penelope integration. Penelope is a key element in the induction of D. virilis hybrid dysgenesis, which involves the mobilization of several unrelated families of transposable elements. We here report the successful introduction of Penelope into the germ line of Drosophila melanogaster by P element-mediated transformation with three different constructs. Penelope is actively transcribed in the D. melanogaster genome only in lines transformed with a construct containing a full-length Penelope clone. The transcript is identical to that detected in D. virilis dysgenic hybrids. Most newly transposed Penelope elements have a very complex organization. Significant proliferation of Penelope copy number occurred in some lines during the 24-month period after transformation. The absence of copy number increase with two other constructs suggests that the 5' andor 3' UTRs of Penelope are required for successful transposition in D. melanogaster. No insect retroelement has previously been reported to be actively transcribed and to increase in copy number after interspecific transformation.

Animals↗

Computational methodologies for modelling, analysis and simulation of signalling networks.

This article is a critical review of computational techniques used to model, analyse and simulate signalling networks. We propose a conceptual framework, and discuss the role of signalling networks in three major areas: signal transduction, cellular rhythms and cell-to-cell communication. In order to avoid an overly abstract and general discussion, we focus on three case studies in the areas of receptor signalling and kinase cascades, cell-cycle regulation and wound healing. We report on a variety of modelling techniques and associated tools, in addition to the traditional approach based on ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which provide a range of descriptive and analytical powers. As the field matures, we expect a wider uptake of these alternative approaches for several reasons, including the need to take into account low protein copy numbers and noise and the great complexity of cellular organisation. An advantage offered by many of these alternative techniques, which have their origins in computing science, is the ability to perform sophisticated model analysis which can better relate predicted behaviour and observations.

Algorithms↗

Comparative genomic hybridization and prenatal diagnosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) which detects aneuploidies and submicroscopic deletions and duplications in one assay is now offered for genetic diagnosis in children and adults. Its application to prenatal diagnosis is still limited, but very promising. We predict that array-CGH on fetal DNA obtained through amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling and in the future possibly through noninvasive collection from the maternal cervix or blood, will transform the practice of prenatal diagnosis. RECENT FINDINGS: The power of array-CGH for genetic diagnosis and gene discovery is supported by recent studies. Most arrays for clinical use carry large DNA fragments, but alternative designs containing oligonucleotides will move into the clinic. Some oligonucleotide arrays can simultaneously analyze DNA copy number and single nucleotide polymorphisms, thereby adding potential assessment of uniparental disomy and paternity. Recent array-CGH studies have revealed extensive interindividual copy number variation of genomic segments, unanticipated complexity of apparently balanced translocations, and new phenotypes associated with DNA deletions and duplications. These observations affect counseling for prenatal diagnosis by array-CGH. SUMMARY: We believe that array-CGH will be embraced as a tool for prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal defects, but its introduction into clinical practice should proceed with caution by experienced laboratories.

Aneuploidy↗

Predicting human minisatellite polymorphism.

We seek to define sequence-based predictive criteria to identify polymorphic and hypermutable minisatellites in the human genome. Polymorphism of a representative pool of minisatellites, selected from human chromosomes 21 and 22, was experimentally measured by PCR typing in a population of unrelated individuals. Two predictive approaches were tested. One uses simple repeat characteristics (e.g., unit length, copy number, nucleotide bias) and a more complex measure, termed HistoryR, based on the presence of variant motifs in the tandem array. We find that HistoryR and percentage of GC are strongly correlated with polymorphism and, as predictive criteria, reduce by half the number of repeats to type while enriching the proportion with heterozygosity >/=0.5, from a background level of 43% to 59%. The second approach uses length differences between minisatellites in the two releases of the human genome sequence (from the public consortium and Celera). As a predictor, this similarly enriches the number of polymorphic minisatellites, but fails to identify an unexpectedly large number of these. Finally, typing of the highly polymorphic minisatellites in large families identified one new hypermutable minisatellite, located in a predicted coding sequence. This may represent the first coding human hypermutable minisatellite.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21↗

Mitochondrial Haplotype Shapes the Trajectory of Ovarian Aging in Genetically Heterogeneous Rats.

Ovarian aging leads to permanent reproductive senescence and systemic hormonal changes that predispose women to age-associated comorbidities. Despite these observations, the intrinsic mechanisms driving age-related ovarian decline are poorly defined. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations and instability are strongly associated with aging; however, it remains unknown if naturally occurring mitochondrial genetic variation influences the trajectory of ovarian aging. To address this, we compared two genetically heterogeneous rat cohorts (OKC-HETB and OKC-HETW) that differ in mitochondrial haplotype on a randomized but equivalently distributed nuclear background. The OKC-HETW haplotype was associated with accelerated loss of primordial follicles and pathological remodeling marked by fibrosis, macrophage infiltration, and multinucleated giant cells. These tissue-level pathologies were paralleled by mitochondrial dysfunction, characterized by decreased respiratory complex activity, ATP production, and mtDNA copy number. Mechanistically, we identified a haplotype-specific defect in mitochondrial genome maintenance. Although TFAM expression was normal, and total TFAM protein was elevated, OKC-HETW ovaries showed reduced mitochondrial TFAM abundance, TFAM-mtDNA binding, and TOMM20, suggesting that impaired TOMM20-mediated import is associated with compromised mitochondrial genomic stability. Longitudinal transcriptomic and proteomic analyses further indicate that mitochondrial haplotype influences the rate of ovarian aging, with OKC-HETW ovaries showing accelerated activation of inflammatory and fibrotic pathways alongside suppressed proteostasis and mitochondrial function. These defects corresponded to impairments in ovulation and a trend toward worsening oocyte quality. Collectively, our findings identify mitochondrial haplotype as a heritable modifier of ovarian aging rate that acts in concert with the nuclear genome, and a putative target for preserving ovarian function and female healthspan.

Animals↗

TaqStart Antibody: "hot start" PCR facilitated by a neutralizing monoclonal antibody directed against Taq DNA polymerase.

The specificity and DNA yield of PCRs are often improved by the "hot start" technique and analogous methods. The intent of the approach is to eliminate or prevent the generation of nonspecific PCR templates that may be synthesized at ambient temperature prior to thermal cycling. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised in mice to the purified DNA polymerase of Thermus aquaticus (Taq) were selected for their ability to reversibly block polymerase activity. The MAbs, incubated with Taq DNA polymerase and added to PCR tubes at ambient temperature, yield specific DNA fragments upon amplification when using high numbers of temperature cycles and a very low copy number of target DNA in a complex DNA background. This approach, using the TaqStart Antibody, permits the preparation of reaction mixtures at ambient temperatures without the subsequent opening of reaction tubes, use of grease or waxes, or of degradative enzymes and deoxyribonucleotide analogs.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

A De Novo 16p13.3 Triplication Underlying Early-Onset Complex Neurodegeneration.

BACKGROUND: Neurodegenerative disorders are clinically and genetically heterogeneous, characterized by progressive neuronal loss and multidomain functional decline. Despite a presumed genetic etiology, a substantial proportion of cases remain molecularly undiagnosed. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to identify the genetic cause of an early-onset neurodegenerative disorder presenting with ataxia and cognitive impairment. METHODS: Rare copy-number variants were detected via short-read whole-genome sequencing (WGS), with candidate structural models inferred using long-read WGS. We performed transcriptomic profiling of peripheral blood leukocytes by RNA sequencing, with validation using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: We identified a de novo copy-number gain at 16p13.3. Combined copy-number profiling and long-read WGS suggested a candidate model comprising a triplicated segment in tandem with a proximal duplication, joined to a distal duplication via an inverted junction. Transcriptomic analysis demonstrated significant upregulation of ATP6V0C, AMDHD2, and PDPK1. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support a role for structural variation in early-onset neurodegeneration and highlight the value of combining short-read copy-number profiling with long-read WGS to detect and characterize complex genomic rearrangements. &#xa9; 2026 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

16p13.3↗

Immune deficiency due to high copy numbers of an Ak beta transgene.

Because allelic polymorphism of the major histocompatibility complex class II antigens affects the immune response at several levels, we wished to characterize the contribution of a particular alpha or beta chain in vivo using transgenic mice. We have established and characterized 12 lines of H-2s/s mice carrying from 1 to 65 copies of an Ak beta transgene. The transgene was coexpressed with the endogenous allele in a tissue-specific manner, and Ak beta mRNA expression correlated well with transgene copy number. High copy number (extreme overexpression) of the transgene was associated with a variety of defects, including a significant reduction in Ia cell-surface expression, a severe decrease in B-cell number, abnormal extramedullary granulopoiesis, and an increased susceptibility to infection. In this paper we describe in detail the phenotype associated with high copy numbers of the Ak beta transgene. The defects we have observed may be relevant to similar phenomena seen in other transgenic mice. In addition, these mice have fortuitously provided a system in which to assess the effect of various levels of class II cell-surface expression in the thymus on selection of the T-cell repertoire.

Alleles↗

Bulged residues promote the progression of a loop-loop interaction to a stable and inhibitory antisense-target RNA complex.

In several groups of bacterial plasmids, antisense RNAs regulate copy number through inhibition of replication initiator protein synthesis. These RNAs are characterized by a long hairpin structure interrupted by several unpaired residues or bulged loops. In plasmid R1, the inhibitory complex between the antisense RNA (CopA) and its target mRNA (CopT) is characterized by a four-way junction structure and a side-by-side helical alignment. This topology facilitates the formation of a stabilizer intermolecular helix between distal regions of both RNAs, essential for in vivo control. The bulged residues in CopA/CopT were shown to be required for high in vitro binding rate and in vivo activity. This study addresses the question of why removal of bulged nucleotides blocks stable complex formation. Structure mapping, modification interference, and molecular modeling of bulged-less mutant CopA-CopT complexes suggests that, subsequent to loop-loop contact, helix propagation is prevented. Instead, a fully base paired loop-loop interaction is formed, inducing a continuous stacking of three helices. Consequently, the stabilizer helix cannot be formed, and stable complex formation is blocked. In contrast to the four-way junction topology, the loop-loop interaction alone failed to prevent ribosome binding at its loading site and, thus, inhibition of RepA translation was alleviated.

Base Pairing↗