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Genome dynamics of the major histocompatibility complex: insights from genome paralogy.

It has recently become apparent that the human genome contains at least three regions that are paralogous to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The number of gene families with copies in the MHC and these paralogous regions is increasing steadily as genome analysis progresses. This review presents the updated listing of the human gene families that constitute the MHC paralogous group. When genes with multiple copies within the MHC, such as class I and class II genes, are counted as single entities, nearly one-third of the genes residing in the HLA complex have paralogous copies in at least one of the three paralogous regions. The review also discusses the long-term genome dynamics of the MHC, taking into account the rapidly accumulating information on the genomic organizations of the MHCs in various model organisms.

Animals↗

Gene expression analysis of the function of the male-specific lethal complex in Drosophila.

Dosage compensation refers to the equal expression of X-linked genes despite the difference in copy number between the two sexes. The male-specific lethal (MSL) complex is concentrated on the X chromosome in males. A gene expression assay for embryos was developed to examine the function of this complex. In mutant male embryos without either the MSL complex or MOF histone acetylase, dosage compensation is retained but autosomal expression is increased. Dosage compensation is lost in the double-mutant embryos. In embryos in which the MSL complex and MOF are targeted to the X chromosomes in females, the results are consistent with previous surveys showing that in general the X expression remains unchanged, but autosomal expression is reduced. Mutations in the ISWI chromatin-remodeling component cause increases specifically of X-linked genes in males. Thus, the function of the MSL complex in conjunction with ISWI is postulated to override the effect on gene expression of high histone acetylation on the male X. The basic determinant of dosage compensation is suggested to be an inverse dosage effect produced by an imbalance of transcription factors on the X vs. the autosomes. The sequestration of the MSL complex to the male X may have evolved to counteract a similar effect on the autosomes and to prevent an overexpression of the X chromosome in males that would otherwise occur due to the high levels of histone acetylation.

Acetyltransferases↗

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of cancer cell alterations.

Chromosomal abnormalities are the hallmark of cancer cells. Recurring and highly consistent structural and numerical alterations have been identified in a large number of leukemias, lymphomas, and solid tumors. The identification of recurrent genetic alterations and the isolation of molecular markers have clinical applications in the diagnosis and prognosis of neoplasia and in the detection of minimal residual disease that are essential for designing the most effective therapeutic approach. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) are powerful techniques for detection of genomic alterations. The battery of FISH methods and DNA probes that are available can resolve virtually any chromosomal alterations regardless of their complexity. Combined chromosome banding, multifluor or spectral karyotype, and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) allow identification of structural and numerical alterations on a global basis, mapping of the DNA copy number on the entire tumor genome, complete derivation of complex rearrangements, and localization of the breakpoints of translocations and deletions. Regions of recurrent alterations can be microdisected, amplified, microclone libraries constructed and probes localized on extended chromosomes or chromatin fibers for construction of high resolution physical maps that are critical for positional cloning and gene identification. In this review we attempted to cover the current trends in cancer molecular cytogenetics, and to outline the importance of molecular chromosome analysis in the understanding of oncogenesis and its clinical applications.

Chromosome Deletion↗

Mitochondrial translocation of DNMT3L suppresses oxidative phosphorylation and restrains megakaryopoiesis.

DNMT3L, a catalytically inactive member of the DNA methyltransferase family, is identified here as a negative regulator of megakaryopoiesis. In K562 cells undergoing PMA-induced megakaryocytic differentiation, DNMT3L protein levels declined progressively, and shRNA-mediated depletion enhanced differentiation, whereas overexpression attenuated it. Consistent with these findings, Dnmt3l-knockout mice exhibited elevated peripheral blood platelet counts and expanded bone marrow megakaryocytes. Mechanistically, megakaryocytic differentiation triggered rapid mitochondrial translocation of DNMT3L within 6 h; mitochondrial DNMT3L suppressed oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity and ATP production and downregulated mitochondrial-encoded genes spanning Complex I, III, IV, and ATP synthase, without altering mitochondrial DNA copy number. This metabolic suppression was mediated through compartment-specific remodeling of DNMT3L-containing protein complexes: upon differentiation, DNMT3L selectively dissociated from DNMT1 and DNMT3B in mitochondria, relieving the repressive constraint on OXPHOS, whereas in the nucleus DNMT3L remained associated with DNMT3A, which concomitantly accumulated during differentiation. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism by which a catalytically inactive epigenetic co-regulator spatially redistributes to coordinate mitochondrial metabolic output with nuclear epigenetic control, thereby facilitating terminal megakaryocytic maturation.

Animals↗

Primate evolution of a human chromosome 1 hypervariable repetitive element.

The clone designated hMF #1 represents a clustered DNA family, located on chromosome 1, consisting of tandem arrays displaying a monomeric length of 40 bp and a repetition frequency of approximately 7 x 10(3) copies per haploid genome. The sequence hMF #1 reveals multiple restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) when human genomic DNA is digested with a variety of 4-6-bp recognition sequence restriction enzymes (i.e., Taq I, Eco RI, Pst I, etc.). When hamster and mouse genomic DNA was digested and analyzed, no cross-species homology could be observed. Further investigation revealed considerable hybridization in the higher primates (chimpanzee, gorilla, and orangutan) as well as some monkey species. The evolutionary relationship of this repetitive DNA sequence, found in humans, to that of other primates was explored using two hybridization methods: DNA dot blot to establish copy number and Southern DNA analysis to examine the complexity of the RFLPs. Homology to the hMF #1 sequence was found throughout the suborder Anthropoidea in 14 ape and New and Old World monkey species. However the sequence was absent in one species of the suborder Prosimii. Several discrepancies between "established" evolutionary relationships and those predicted by hMF #1 exist, which suggests that repetitive elements of this type are not reliable indicators of phylogenetic branching patterns. The phenomenon of marked diversity between sequence homologies and copy numbers of dispersed repetitive DNA of closely related species has been observed in Drosophila, mice, Galago, and higher primates. We report here a similar phenomenon for a clustered repeat that may have originated at an early stage of primate evolution.

Animals↗

Rom transcript of plasmid ColE1.

The ColE1 Rom protein contributes to copy number control by affecting the rate of formation of a complex between RNA II, the precursor of the primer for DNA replication, and RNA I, a small RNA complementary to the 5' end of RNA II. Interaction of RNA I with RNA II can affect plasmid copy number by preventing primer formation. Although the RNA I and RNA II transcripts have been well characterized, the rom mRNA has not previously been detected. We have now identified the rom mRNA, and determined its start site both in vitro and in vivo. We also have found that the rom mRNA terminates at any of several sites, and that its synthesis is not autoregulated by the Rom protein. By using an internal standard RNA to estimate the efficiency of detection of the rom mRNA, its level was determined to be about 1 molecule per cell.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Regulation of the expression of mitochondrial proteins: relationship between mtDNA copy number and cytochrome-c oxidase activity in human cells and tissues.

The relationship between the relative amounts of nuclear and mitochondrial genes for cytochrome-c oxidase subunits and their transcripts and cytochrome-c oxidase activity was investigated in several human tissues and cell lines to get more insight into the regulation of the expression of this mitochondrial enzyme complex. The results show: (1) a wide range of mtDNA copy numbers; (2) constant ratios between the steady-state levels of the transcripts for the various cytochrome-c oxidase subunits, and (3) large variations in cytochrome-c oxidase activity in different tissues and cell lines that could not be related to the differences in mtDNA copy number. We conclude that the transcription of genes for both mitochondrial and nuclear cytochrome-c oxidase subunits is regulated coordinatedly, but also that the mtDNA copy number plays a minor role in determining differences in cytochrome-c oxidase activity between different cell and tissue types.

Cell Nucleus↗

Genome signatures of colon carcinoma cell lines.

In cancer biology, cell lines are often used instead of primary tumors because of their widespread availability and close reflection of the in vivo state. Cancer is a genetic disease, commonly caused by small- and large-scale DNA rearrangements. Therefore, it is essential to know the genomic profiles of tumor cell lines to enable their correct and efficient use as experimental tools. Here, we present a comprehensive study of the genomic profiles of 20 colon cancer cell lines combining conventional karyotyping (G-banding), comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), and multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH). Major differences between the microsatellite instability (MSI) and chromosome instability (CIN) cell lines are shown; the CIN cell lines exhibited complex karyotypes involving many chromosomes (mean: 8.5 copy number changes), whereas the MSI cell lines showed considerably fewer aberrations (mean: 2.6). The 3 techniques complement each other to provide a detailed picture of the numerical and structural chromosomal changes that characterize cancer cells. Therefore, 7 of the cell lines (Colo320, EB, Fri, IS2, IS3, SW480, and V9P) are here completely karyotyped for the first time and, among these, 5 have not previously been cytogenetically described. By hierarchical cluster analysis, we show that the cell lines are representative models for primary carcinomas at the genome level. We also present the genomic profiles of an experimental model for tumor progression, including 3 cell lines (IS1, IS2, and IS3) established from a primary carcinoma, its corresponding liver- and peritoneal metastasis from the same patient. To address the question of clonality, we compared the genome of 3 common cell lines grown in 2 laboratories. Finally, we compared all our results with previously published CGH data and karyotypes of colorectal cell lines. In conclusion, the large variation in genetic complexity of the cell lines highlights the importance of a comprehensive reference of genomic profiles for investigators engaged in functional studies using these research tools.

Cell Line, Tumor↗

A new activating role for CO in cardiac mitochondrial biogenesis.

To investigate a possible new physiological role of carbon monoxide (CO), an endogenous gas involved in cell signaling and cytotoxicity, we tested the hypothesis that the mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species by CO activates mitochondrial biogenesis in the heart. In mice, transient elevations of cellular CO by five- to 20-fold increased the copy number of cardiac mitochondrial DNA, the content of respiratory complex I-V and interfibrillar mitochondrial density within 24 hours. Mitochondrial biogenesis is activated by gene and protein expression of the nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) and NRF2, of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1alpha, and of mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), which augmented the copy number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This is independent of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), as demonstrated by the identical responses in wild-type and endothelial NOS (eNOS)-deficient mice, and by the inhibition of inducible NOS (iNOS). In the heart and in isolated cardiomyocytes, CO activation involved both guanylate cyclase and the pro-survival kinase Akt/PKB. Akt activation was facilitated by mitochondrial binding of CO and by production of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Interference with Akt activity by blocking PI 3-kinase and by mitochondrial targeting of catalase to scavenge H(2)O(2) prevented binding of NRF1 to the Tfam promoter, thereby connecting mitochondrial H(2)O(2) to the pathway leading to mtDNA replication. The findings disclose mitochondrial CO and H(2)O(2) as new activating factors in cardiac mitochondrial biogenesis.

Animals↗

Determinants of functional burden pleiotropy and gene dosage responses across human traits.

Pleiotropic and monotonic effects of gene dosage are central to understanding comorbidities in developmental pediatric and psychiatric disorders, yet the underlying biological processes are not well characterized. Here we develop a functional burden analysis to investigate the association of all protein-coding copy-number variants, genome-wide, with 43 complex traits in approximately 500,000 UK Biobank participants. We test variant associations disrupting 172 tissue or cell-type gene sets, finding associations for all traits, which we replicate in the All of Us cohort. Functional burden pleiotropy, defined as the number of traits significantly associated with a gene set, correlates with genetic constraint and is higher for brain than non-brain functions, even after normalizing for genetic constraint. Levels of pleiotropy, measured by burden correlation, are similar in deletions and loss-of-function single-nucleotide variants, and higher than in common variants and duplications. Most gene dosage responses are non-monotonic, with deletions and duplications showing same-direction effects, and monotonic responses decrease with genetic constraint. We observe associations between functional gene sets and traits for either deletions or duplications, but rarely both, with negatively correlated effect sizes. Together, these results link genetic constraint and brain-specific mechanisms to the whole-body multimorbidity of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions.

Humans↗

Genetic dissection of centromere function.

A system to detect a minimal function of Saccharomyces cerevisiae centromeres in vivo has been developed. Centromere DNA mutants have been examined and found to be active in a plasmid copy number control assay in the absence of segregation. The experiments allow the identification of a minimal centromere unit, CDE III, independently of its ability to mediate chromosome segregation. Centromere-mediated plasmid copy number control correlates with the ability of CDE III to assemble a DNA-protein complex. Cells forced to maintain excess copies of CDE III exhibit increased loss of a nonessential artificial chromosome. Thus, segregationally impaired centromeres can have negative effects in trans on chromosome segregation. The use of a plasmid copy number control assay has allowed assembly steps preceding chromosome segregation to be defined.

Centromere↗

Gene duplication at the achaete-scute complex and morphological complexity of the peripheral nervous system in Diptera.

The number of achaete-scute genes increased during insect evolution, particularly in the Diptera lineage. Sequence comparison indicates that the four achaete-scute genes of Drosophila result from three independent duplication events. After duplication, the new genes acquired individual expression patterns but, in Drosophila, their products can compensate for one another, which raises the question: why retain all four genes? The complexity of the spatial expression of these genes on the notum increased in the lineage leading to the higher Diptera, allowing the development of stereotyped bristle patterns. This probably coincided in time with gene duplication events, raising the possibility that an increase in gene copy number might have provided the flexibility necessary for more complex transcriptional regulation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genomic and Transcriptomic Landscape of Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive Inflammatory Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma: A Multicenter Study.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive inflammatory follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (EBV+ IFDCS) is a rare indolent malignant neoplasm, which occurs almost exclusively in the liver or spleen and may arise from a common EBV-infected mesenchymal cell that differentiates along the follicular or fibroblastic dendritic cell pathway. Despite its rarity, it presents a pressing need for an improved understanding of its genetic underpinnings and potential treatment strategies for recurrent or disseminated cases. To address this, we conducted comprehensive whole-exome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing (mRNA-seq) analyses on 31 and 6 cases of EBV+ IFDCS, respectively, collected from multiple centers in China. We also compared the genetic features of EBV+ IFDCS with those of other EBV-associated malignancies. Our analyses revealed a relatively high somatic mutation rate and widespread copy number variations affecting the major histocompatibility complex-I/II in EBV+ IFDCS. Integrated mutational profiling identified key signaling pathways involved in epigenetic regulation, NF-κB signaling, RTK/RAS/PI(3)K, and the Hippo pathway. Furthermore, we identified several frequently altered genes that could serve as potential therapeutic targets in EBV+ IFDCS. Transcriptomic analysis unveiled significant upregulation of pathways related to virus infection, immune responses, and multiple immune checkpoint genes in EBV+ IFDCS. Comparative analysis demonstrated clear genetic distinctions between EBV+ IFDCS and other EBV-associated tumors. In conclusion, our study provides comprehensive insights into the unique genomic and transcriptomic landscape of EBV+ IFDCS. We have identified multiple genetic alterations that likely contribute to the development and progression of this malignancy. Our results suggest that targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors may hold promise as potential therapeutic approaches for patients with recurrent or disseminated EBV+ IFDCS.

Humans↗

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 antibodies in perinatal HIV-1 infection: association with human HIV-1 transmission, infection, and disease progression. For the Women and Infants Transmission Study.

Anti -human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 antibodies in 242 pregnant women and 238 infants were measured at birth and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months after birth, to estimate their association with perinatal transmission and infant disease progression. Maternal anti-p24 (P=.01) and anti-gp120 (P=.04) antibodies were inversely associated with vertical transmission rates, independent of maternal percentage of CD4 cells, hard drug use, duration of ruptured membranes, serum albumin levels, serum vitamin A levels, and quantitative HIV-1 peripheral mononuclear blood cell culture, but not with maternal plasma immune complex dissociated p24 or HIV-1 RNA copy number, both of which were highly correlated with antibodies. From ages 1-2 months, anti-gp120, -gp41, -p31, and -p66 decayed to a greater extent in infected than in uninfected infants. Infected infants produced anti-p24 antibody by age 2 months, anti-p17 by 4 months, and anti-p41 and anti-gp120 by 6 months. As early as birth, infants with rapid disease progression had lower levels of anti-p24 than did infants whose disease did not rapidly progress, but not independently of HIV-1 RNA levels.

Cohort Studies↗

Gene conversion and the evolution of protocadherin gene cluster diversity.

The synaptic cell adhesion molecules encoded by the protocadherin gene cluster are hypothesized to provide a molecular code involved in the generation of synaptic complexity in the developing brain. Variation in copy number and sequence content of protocadherin cluster genes among vertebrate species could reflect adaptive differences in protocadherin function. We have completed an analysis of zebrafish protocadherin cluster genes. Zebrafish have two unlinked protocadherin clusters, DrPcdh1 and DrPcdh2. Like mammalian protocadherin clusters, DrPcdh1 has both alpha and gamma variable and constant region exons. A consensus protocadherin promoter motif sequence identified in mammals is also conserved in zebrafish. Few orthologous relationships, however, are apparent between zebrafish and mammalian protocadherin proteins. Here we show that protocadherin cluster genes in human, mouse, rat, and zebrafish are subject to striking gene conversion events. These events are restricted to regions of the coding sequence, particularly the coding sequences of ectodomain 6 and the cytoplasmic domain. Diversity among paralogs is restricted to particular ectodomains that are excluded from conversion events. Conversion events are also strongly correlated with an increase in third-position GC content. We propose that the combination of lineage-specific duplication, restricted gene conversion, and adaptive variation in diversified ectodomains drives vertebrate protocadherin cluster evolution.

Animals↗

Profile of genetic alterations and tumorigenicity of human breast cancer cells.

The profile of genetic alterations in four breast carcinoma cell lines, SK-BR-3, BT-474, MDA-MB361 and ZR-75-1 was examined by comparative genomic hybridization, G-band karyotyping, reverse chromosome painting and fluorescence in situ hybridization of single-copy genes. These lines are aneuploid with complex structural rearrangements and have DNA copy-number imbalances involving multiple sites that include amplification of ERBB-2 and MYC proto-oncogenes which are implicated in breast cancer pathogenesis. A novel site of high level amplification was mapped on chromosome 15. All lines were tumorigenic in nude mice, however, the latency and the incidence of tumor formation varied; SK-BR-3 and MDA-MB361 produced tumors in a shorter time and had a higher total number of genomic imbalances compared to BT-474 and ZR-75-1 cells. Tumor cell behavior in vivo was not reflected by the rate of in vitro cell proliferation. Underrepresentation on the long arm of chromosome 18 was the sole alteration that correlated with an increased tumorigenicity. Chromosome 18q is rich in tumor suppressor genes and its loss is prevalent in primary node-positive breast tumors. Cell lines with monoclonal populations preserve the genetic characteristics of the primary tumor and their use may facilitate the detection of specific alterations associated with breast cancer progression.

Animals↗

Genomic profiling identifies discrete deletions associated with translocations in glioblastoma multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common tumor arising in the central nervous system. Patients with these tumors have limited treatment options and their disease is invariably fatal. Molecularly targeted agents offer the potential to improve patient treatment, however the use of these will require a fuller understanding of the genetic changes in these complex tumors. In this study, we identify copy number changes in a series of glioblastoma multiforme tumors and cell lines by applying high-resolution microarray comparative genomic hybridization. Molecular cytogenetic characterization of the cell lines revealed that copy number changes define translocation breakpoints. We focused on chromosome 6 and further characterized three regions of copy number change associated with translocations including a discrete deletion involving IGF2R, PARK2, PACRG and QKI and an unbalanced translocation involving POLH, GTPBP2 and PTPRZ1.

Adult↗

Discovery of over-expressed genes and genetic alterations in breast cancer cells using a combination of suppression subtractive hybridization, multiplex FISH and comparative genomic hybridization.

To identify genes that are involved in breast cancer, suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was utilized to construct a breast cancer subtracted library. Differential screening of the library isolated 28 genes which by Northern analysis were highly expressed in the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 compared to the normal breast cell line MCF12A. Sequence analysis revealed that 15 clones coded for previously described genes such as SNAP43, Cyr61, Thymosin beta4, tra1, elongation factor 1alpha, BSF-2/IL6, BiP, and GDP/GTP exchange protein. The remaining 13 clones did not match sequences in GenBank/EMBL database, indicating that they may be novel genes. SNAP43, a subunit of the TBP-TAF complex, was expressed 20-fold higher in MDA-MB-231 compared to MCF12A and several breast cancer cell lines, implying that SNAP43 may be involved in tumorigenesis of a specific subset of breast cancers. Amplification of SNAP43 was not found by Southern analysis. However, genetic alterations of MDA-MB-231 included a deletion of chromosome 14 with a reciprocal translocation t(6;14) and two additional translocations [t(12;14) and t(14;15)] as determined by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with YAC 823G8 located at chromosome 14q23 which contained SNAP43. Because of the numerous alterations observed by FISH in MDA-MB-231, we further explored the genetic abnormalities in this breast cancer cell line using multiplex FISH (M-FISH) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). These cells were replete with numerous complex structural rearrangements and had DNA copy-number imbalances involving multiple chromosomes including gains on chromosomes 2p, 2q31-q32, 3p14-pter, 5q, 6p, 7q36-qter, 11, 14q21-q24, 17p11.2-pter, 17q21-qter, 19, 20, Xp11-q13 and losses on chromosomes 4pter-q32, 8p, 9p21-p24, 10q26-qter, 16p13-pter, 18q12-qter, 22, Xp11.3-p22.1, Xq13-qter. In summary, SSH revealed a number of genes that were either novel or previously not associated with breast cancer. In addition, we found that breast cancer cells abounded with abnormalities as observed by M-FISH and CGH. Together, these results may facilitate defining the genetic alterations associated with breast cancer progression.

Breast Neoplasms↗