316 research outputs found
Characterization of three alternative transcripts of the BRCA1 gene in patients with breast cancer and a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer who tested negative for pathogenic mutations
No full textObtention and characterization of undifferentiated stem cell of embryonated eggs from Caligo illioneus illioneus (CRAMER, 1776) (Lepidoptera, Morphidae: Brassolini) as cellular model of Lepidoptera
No full textA subespécie Caligo illioneus illioneus, conhecida popularmente por Olho-de-coruja é uma Lepdóptera importante da Mata Atlântica no Brasil, possuindo ampla distribuição Neotropical, sendo predadora voraz de diversas culturas agrícolas de importância econômica quando em seus estádios de lagarta. Desde o descobrimento da primeira estabilização por Grace (1962), mais de 500 linhagens celulares de insetos já foram estabelecidas, sendo ferramentas valiosas para o progresso nos estudos fisiológicos, propagação in vitro de patógenos, pesquisas sobre controle de pragas e na produção de proteínas recombinantes. Porém, poucos trabalhos apresentaram resultados positivos com linhagens de células tronco embrionárias, especialmente em Lepidópteras. Este projeto teve como objetivo obter, isolar e caracterizar células tronco indiferenciadas de ovos embrionados de Caligo illioneus illioneusobtidas a partir de culturas primárias sob protocolo de cultivo celular específico para Lepidópteras, armazenamento em nitrogênio líquido, avaliação da manutenção e expansão in vitro. Através de análises anatômicas e taxonômicas, confirmou-se que a subespécie tratava-se de Caligo illioneus illioneus. As análises ultraestruturais do cório do ovo, através de microscopia eletrônica de varredura, demonstraram variação de 32-35 carenas verticais, havendo diferenças taxonômicas no cório do ovo das espécies do gênero Caligo. Após a obtenção das células do embrião, estas foram isoladas e cultivadas em meio de cultura celular DMEM-High suplementado, em temperatura de 22°C sem a adição de CO2. Foram realizadas as análises de aspectos citológicos, morfologia celular, ciclo celular, análises de imunofenotipagem por citometria de fluxo e potencial elétrico e funcional da membrana mitocondrial. As células apresentaram formato globóide, sem adesão ao substrato, com o núcleo bem delimitado e com baixo volume celular. Os dados obtidos pelas análises do ciclo celular das 4 amostras em diferentes passagens demonstraram que o protocolo estabelecido para a cultura celular foi favorável, com significativo rendimento no número de células, na expansão e criopreservação, confirmado pelo aumento na proporção de células nas fases G2/M e de Síntese, e que as células estavam realizando os processos naturais de interfase e de divisão celular responsável pela embriogênese e crescimento. A análise de imunofenotipagem por citometria de fluxo apresentou marcações positivas com alta expressão para os marcadores de células pluripotentes (Sox2 e Oct 3/4), marcadores de morte celular por apoptose (Caspase 3 e HSP70), marcadores específicos de insetos (Anti Rab-5, Axons BP 102, GM 130 e Dro. FMR1) e marcadores de células de origem mesenquimal (Stro-1, Vimentina), apresentando baixa expressão somente em CD 90. O experimento de potencial elétrico e funcional da membrana mitocondrial apresentou células metabolicamente ativas, não evidenciando diferenças significativas entre as culturas primárias e entre terceira e quinta passagens das 4 amostras. Concluiu-se que foi possível estabelecer um protocolo de cultura celular para Lepidópteras livre de patógenos e que os ovos embrionados de Caligo illioneus illioneus com 3 e 4 dias para a eclosão apresentaram maior duração em cultura celular, possuindo células indiferenciadas, representando, deste modo, uma ferramenta promissora com grande potencial para pesquisas em biotecnologia e biologia molecular, principalmente devido ao fato da espécie ser de importância ecológica, médica e em controle de pragas nas ciências agráriasCaligo illioneus illioneus subspecies, known popularly by Owl Butterfly, is an important Lepdoptera of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, with wide distribution Neotropical, being a voracious predator of various agricultural crops of economic importance when in their caterpillar stages. Since discovery of the first stabilization by Grace (1962), over 500 insect cell lines have been established and are valuable tools for progress in physiological studies, in vitro propagation of pathogens, research on pest control and the production of recombinant proteins. However, few studies showed positive results to embryonic stem cell lines, especially in Lepidoptera. This study aimed to obtain, isolate and characterize undifferentiated stem cells of embryonated eggs from Caligo illioneus illioneus, obtained from primary cultures under specific cell culture protocol to Lepidoptera, storage in liquid nitrogen, evaluation of maintenance and expansion in vitro. By means of anatomical and taxonomic analysis, it was confirmed that the subspecies was Caligo illioneus illioneus. Ultrastructural analysis of the egg chorion, by scanning electron microscopy showed variation of 32-35 vertical carina, having taxonomic differences in egg chorion at the Caligo species. After obtaining the embryonic cells, these were isolated and cultured in cell culture medium DMEM-High supplemented, at 22 ° C without addition of CO2. They were carried out analysis of cytological aspects, cell morphology, cell cycle, immunophenotyping by flow cytometry and electrical and functional potential of mitochondrial membrane. The cells showed globoid shape without adhesion to the substrate, with well-defined nucleus and low cell volume. Data obtained by cell cycle analysis of the four samples at different passages showed that established protocol for cell culture was favorable, with significant yield relative to the number of cells, the expansion and cryopreservation, confirmed by the increase in the proportion of cells in G2/M and Synthesis phases, and the cells were performing the natural processes of interphase and cell division, responsible for embryogenesis and growth. Immunophenotyping analysis by flow cytometry showed positive markings with high expression for pluripotent cells markers (Sox2 e Oct 3/4), markers of cell death by apoptosis (Caspase 3 e HSP70), specific markers for insects (Anti Rab-5, Axons BP 102, GM 130 e Dro. FMR1) and mesenchymal cell markers (Stro-1, Vimentina), presenting low expression only in CD 90. The electrical and functional potential analysis of mitochondrial membrane has resulted in metabolically active cells, not evidencing significant differences among primary cultures and between the third and fifth passages of 4 samples. It was concluded that it was possible to establish a cell culture protocol to Lepidoptera free from pathogens and that embryonated eggs from Caligo illioneus illioneus with 3 to 4 days for hatching showed longer duration in cell culture, having undifferentiated cells, representing in this way, a promising tool with great potential for research in biotechnology and molecular biology, mainly due to this species have ecological and medical importance and in control pests at the agricultural science
Breast Cancer Susceptibility: the role of BRCA2 in Homologous Recombination.
No full textAbstract
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and a small proportion of breast cancer cases, in particular those arising at a young age, is attributable to highly penetrant autosomal dominant genes, as BRCA1 and BRCA2. Heterozygous germline protein truncating mutations in the tumour suppressor gene BRCA2 predispose carriers to breast and ovarian cancer. The influence of unclassified variants (UCVs), on cancer risk and on gene function has not been determined. As BRCA2 mutant cells exhibit defective Double Strand Break Repair (DSBR) by HR we want to study the effect of BRCA2 wt and its mutated forms expression on spontaneous HR in two
model systems; yeast is a good genetic model system to investigate factors affecting HR as demonstrated by Caligo et al., in 2008, and HeLa G1 human cell line have a recombination substrate useful to investigate HR in a clonogenic assay (Ciotta C. et al. 1998). We have selected 11 BRCA2 UCVs (G173V, D191V, S286P, M927V, T1011R, L1019V, N1878K, S2006R, R2108C, G2353R and V3091I) to test their effect on HR. Moreover we have chosen a pathogenic control (G2748D) and three neutral controls (H372N, M1915T and A2951T). BRCA2 wt increase spontaneous HR in yeast while the variants T1011R and S2006R behave differently to the wt reducing intra and
inter- recombination as the pathogenic control G2748D. The overexpression of BRCA2 wt increases spontaneous HR in HeLa G1 cells as evaluated by a clonogenic assay and the variants D191V, N1878K, S2006R, R2108C, G2353R, V3091I behave in a different way respect the wt as the pathogenic control G2748D. In conclusion our data suggested that BRCA2 is deeper involved in spontaneous HR both in yeast and mammalian cells but the mechanisms that regulate its role have to be clarified. We observed that the transgene expression of BRCA2 wt increase HR and BRCA2 variants could affect the levels of HR
Non-Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in Childhood: A Review
No full textCongenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive disorders due to defects in adrenal steroid biosynthesis. In about 90% of patients, CAH is caused by pathogenetic variants in CYP21A2 gene, impairing the function of 21-hydroxylase (21-OH) enzyme. CAH can present as classical form (simple virilizing or salt wasting) or as non-classical form (NC-CAH). NC-CAH is due to pathogenetic variants in the CYP21A2 gene that result in 20–70% residual activity of 21-hydroxylase. Early diagnosis may be missed, mainly in childhood, jeopardizing long-term outcome. This paper will review some information on clinical findings, symptoms, diagnostic approaches, and treatments of NC-CAH in childhood, allowing better management and long-term outcome
Effects on human transcriptome of mutated BRCA1 BRCT domain: A microarray study
No full textAbstract Background BRCA1 (breast cancer 1, early onset) missense mutations have been detected in familial breast and ovarian cancers, but the role of these variants in cancer predisposition is often difficult to ascertain. In this work, the molecular mechanisms affected in human cells by two BRCA1 missense variants, M1775R and A1789T, both located in the second BRCT (BRCA1 C Terminus) domain, have been investigated. Both these variants were isolated from familial breast cancer patients and the study of their effect on yeast cell transcriptome has previously provided interesting clues to their possible role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Methods We compared by Human Whole Genome Microarrays the expression profiles of HeLa cells transfected with one or the other variant and HeLa cells transfected with BRCA1 wild-type. Microarray data analysis was performed by three comparisons: M1775R versus wild-type (M1775RvsWT-contrast), A1789T versus wild-type (A1789TvsWT-contrast) and the mutated BRCT domain versus wild-type (MutvsWT-contrast), considering the two variants as a single mutation of BRCT domain. Results 201 differentially expressed genes were found in M1775RvsWT-contrast, 313 in A1789TvsWT-contrast and 173 in MutvsWT-contrast. Most of these genes mapped in pathways deregulated in cancer, such as cell cycle progression and DNA damage response and repair. Conclusions Our results represent the first molecular evidence of the pathogenetic role of M1775R, already proposed by functional studies, and give support to a similar role for A1789T that we first hypothesized based on the yeast cell experiments. This is in line with the very recently suggested role of BRCT domain as the main effector of BRCA1 tumor suppressor activity.</p
Myelodysplastic syndromes: advantages of a combined cytogenetic and molecular diagnostic workup
No full textIn this study we present a new diagnostic workup for the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) including FISH, aCGH, and somatic mutation assays in addition to the conventional cytogenetics (CC). We analyzed 61 patients by CC, FISH for chromosome 5, 7, 8 and PDGFR rearrangements, aCGH, and PCR for ASXL1, EZH2, TP53, TET2, RUNX1, DNMT3A, SF3B1 somatic mutations. Moreover, we quantified WT1 and RPS14 gene expression levels, in order to find their possible adjunctive value and their possible clinical impact. CC analysis showed 32% of patients with at least one aberration. FISH analysis detected chromosomal aberrations in 24% of patients and recovered 5 cases (13.5%) at normal karyotype (two 5q- syndromes, one del(7) case, two cases with PDGFR rearrangement). The aGCH detected 10 "new" unbalanced cases in respect of the CC, including one with alteration of the ETV6 gene. After mutational analysis, 33 patients (54%) presented at least one mutation and represented the only marker of clonality in 36% of all patients. The statistical analysis confirmed the prognostic role of CC either on overall or on progression-free-survival. In addition, deletions detected by aCGH and WT1 over-expression negatively conditioned survival. In conclusion, our work showed that 1) the addition of FISH (at least for chr. 5 and 7) can improve the definition of the risk score; 2) mutational analysis, especially for the TP53 and SF3B1, could better define the type of MDS and represent a "clinical warning"; 3) the aCGH use could be probably applied to selected cases (with suboptimal response or failure)
Effect of BRCA1 missense variants on gene reversion in DNA double-strand break repair mutants and cell cycle-arrested cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
No full textEvaluation of the functional impact of germline BRCA1 variants that are likely to be associated to breast and ovarian cancer could help to investigate the mechanism of BRCA1 tumorigenesis. Expression of pathogenic BRCA1 missense variants increased homologous recombination (HR) and gene reversion (GR) in yeast. We thought to exploit yeast genetics to shed light on BRCA1-induced genome instability and tumorigenesis. We determined the effect on GR of several neutral and pathogenic BRCA1 variants in the yeast strain RSY6wt and its isogenic DSB repair mutants, such as mre11a, rad50a and rad51a. In the RSY6wt, four out of five pathogenic and two out of six neutral variants significantly increased GR; rad51a strain, the pathogenic variants C61G and A1708E induced a weak but significant increase in GR. On the other hand, in rad50a mutant expressing the pathogenic variants localised at the BRCT domain, a further GR increase was seen. The neutral variant N132K and the VUS A1789T induced a weak GR increase in mre11a mutant. Thus, BRCA1 missense variants require specific genetic functions and presumably induced GR by different mechanisms. As DNA repair is regulated by cell cycle, we determined the effect on GR of BRCA1 variants in cell cycle-Arrested RSYwt cells. GR is highly BRCA1-inducible in S-phase-Arrested cells as compared to G1 or G2. Sequence analysis of genomic DNA from ILV1 revertant clones showed that BRCA1-induced ilv1-92 reversion by base substitution when GR is at least 6-fold over the control. Our study demonstrated that BRCA1 may interfere with yeast DNA repair functions that are active in S-phase causing high level of GR. In addition, we confirmed here that yeast could be a reliable model to investigate the mechanism and genetic requirements of BRCA1-induced genome instability. Finally, developing yeast-based assays to characterise BRCA1 missense variants could be useful to design more precise therapies
RAD52 influences the effect of BRCA1/2 missense variants on homologous recombination and gene reversion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
No full textThe breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, are key players in the homologous recombination (HR) repair pathway and act as tumor suppressors by maintaining genome stability. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has no BRCA1/2 homolog; however, a number of HR genes are evolutionary conserved between human and yeast. Among them, RAD52 is involved in DNA double strand break (DSB) repair by HR, and promotes genome stability. We previously reported that the heterologous expression of cancer-associated BRCA1/2 missense variants in growing yeast cultures affects both spontaneous HR and gene reversion (GR) suggesting that yeast could be a reliable system to assess the functional impact of variants. Because inhibition of Rad52p is lethal in BRCA1/2 mutated tumors, and Rad52p is conserved between humans and yeast, we asked if the effect of BRCA1/2 variants on HR and GR could be affected by loss of RAD52. We found that the rad52∆ mutation predominantly suppressed the stimulation of HR in yeast by pathogenic BRCA1 variants but also facilitated increased GR by pathogenic variants. Conversely, the rad52∆ mutation stimulated HR by a pathogenic BRCA2 variant in yeast but had no effect on GR. These results demonstrate a functional interplay between the pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants and Rad52p in budding yeast, supporting the use of budding yeast as a suitable system for evaluating potential chemotherapeutic strategies
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