A modifying locus for familial adenomatous polyposis may be present on chromosome 1p35-p36
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS
Authors: Tomlinson, IPM; Neale, K; Talbot, IC; Spigelman, AD; Williams, CB; Phillips, RKS; Bodmer, WF
Abstract
Mutations of the APC gene cause familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) in humans and multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) in laboratory mouse strains. A dominant modifying gene (Mom1), which partially suppresses the min phenotype, has been mapped to mouse chromosome 4. This region is syntenic with human chromosome 1p35-p36. The phospholipase A2 (Pla2s) locus is an excellent candidate for Mom1 and the equivalent human locus PLA2G2A is found on chromosome 1p35. It does not necessarily follow, however, than any modifier of mouse polyposis also influences human disease. In order to test whether a locus on Ip modifies FAP, subjects from 28 FAP families have been typed at microsatellite loci on this chromosome arm. The severity of their duodenal polyposis has also been assessed by endoscopy. Pedigree (led score) linkage analysis found no evidence of a simple, dominant modifying gene, comparable with the action of Mom1 in inbred mouse strains. Given the more complex genetic and environmental interactions likely to exist in outbred human populations, it is probably more appropriate to use tests which do not specify a mode of inheritance. Using these methods of analysis, the data suggest that a locus on chromosome 1p35-p36 may influence the severity of duodenal FAP.
An expression signature classifies chemotherapy-resistant pediatric osteosarcoma
CANCER RESEARCH
Authors: Mintz, MB; Sowers, R; Brown, KM; Hilmer, SC; Mazza, B; Huvos, AG; Meyers, PA; LaFleur, B; McDonough, WS; Henry, MM; Ramsey, KE; Antonescu, CR; Chen, W; Healey, JH; Daluski, A; Berens, ME; MacDonald, TJ; Gorlick, R; Stephan, DA
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is the, most common malignant bone tumor in children. Osteosarcoma patients who respond poorly to chemotherapy are at a higher risk of relapse and adverse outcome. Therefore, it was the aim of this study to identify prognostic factors at the time of diagnosis to characterize the genes predictive of poor survival outcome and to identify potential novel therapeutic targets. Expression profiling of 30 osteosarcoma diagnostic biopsy samples, 15 with inferior necrosis following induction chemotherapy (Huvos I/II) and 15 with superior necrosis following induction chemotherapy (Huvos III/IV), was conducted using Affymetrix U95Av2 oligonucleotide microarrays. One hundred and four genes were found to be statistically significant and highly differentially expressed between Huvos I/II and III/IV patients. Statistically significant genes were validated on a small independent cohort comprised of osteosarcoma xenograft tumor samples. Markers of Huvos I/II response predominantly were gene products involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment remodeling and osteoclast differentiation. A striking finding was the significant decrease in osteoprotegerin, an osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor. Additional genes involved in osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, which were statistically different, include annexin 2, SALAD, PLA2G2A, and TGFbeta1. ECM remodeling genes include desmoplakin, SPARCL1, biglycan, and PECAM. Gene expression of select genes involved in tumor. progression, ECM remodeling, and osteoclastogenesis were validated via quantitative reverse transcription-PCR in an independent cohort. We propose that osteosarcoma tumor-driven changes in the bone microenvironment contribute to the chemotherapy-resistant phenotype and offer testable hypotheses to potentially enhance therapeutic response.