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Biomedical subjects

E Schröck

Publications and source records attributed to E Schröck.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) with neurological abnormalities and without chromosomal instability.

BACKGROUND: Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) is an autosomal recessive chromosomal instability disorder with hypersensitivity to ionising radiation. The clinical phenotype is characterised by congenital microcephaly, mild dysmorphic facial appearance, growth retardation, immunodeficiency, and greatly increased risk for lymphoreticular malignancy. Most NBS patients are of Slavic origin and homozygous for the founder mutation 657del5. The frequency of 657del5 heterozygotes in the Czech population is 1:150. Recently, another NBS1 mutation, 643C>T(R215W), with uncertain pathogenicity was found to have higher frequency among tumour patients of Slavic origin than in controls. This alteration results in the substitution of the basic amino acid arginine with the non-polar tryptophan and thus could potentially interfere with the function of the NBS1 protein, nibrin. METHODS AND RESULTS: Children with congenital microcephaly are routinely tested for the 657del5 mutation in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Here, we describe for the first time a severe form of NBS without chromosomal instability in monozygotic twin brothers with profound congenital microcephaly and developmental delay who are compound heterozygotes for the 657del5 and 643C>T(R215W) NBS1 mutations. Both children showed reduced expression of full length nibrin when compared with a control and a heterozygote for the 657del5 mutation. Radiation response processes such as phosphorylation of ATM and phosphorylation/stabilisation of p53, which are promoted by NBS1, are strongly reduced in cells from these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Interestingly, the patients are more severely affected than classical NBS patients. Consequently, we postulate that homozygosity for the 643C>T(R215W) mutation will also lead to a, possibly very, severe disease phenotype.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

[Genetic alterations in sinonasal adenocarcinoma in wood workers studies with comparative genomic hybridization].

Eleven wood-workers with sinonasal adenocarcinoma were analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization. This technique serves as a screening test for regions of copy number changes in tumor genomes. We have applied the technique to map DNA gains and losses in 9 cases of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumors and 2 cases of frozen tumors. Gains were found most frequently than losses. Whole arm chromosomic gains were detected in high frequencies at 8q, 7q, 12q and 18p and losses at 18q, 8p, 10q, 5q, 14q and 17p. The segment most frequently amplified was 18p11.1-q11 (45%), even though others like 7q21-22 (18%) were related with lower survival rates. This analysis allows us to know for the first time the chromosomic aberrations that occur and may play an important role in sinonasal adenocarcinoma. In the future, comparative genomic hybridization could be used in the woodworkers with long exposition to wood dust to detect initial genetic aberrations and obtain an early treatment and diagnosis of the disease.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Jumping translocations are common in solid tumor cell lines and result in recurrent fusions of whole chromosome arms.

Jumping translocations (JTs) and segmental jumping translocations (SJTs) are unbalanced translocations involving a donor chromosome arm or chromosome segment that has fused to multiple recipient chromosomes. In leukemia, where JTs have been predominantly observed, the donor segment (usually 1q) preferentially fuses to the telomere regions of recipient chromosomes. In this study, spectral karyotyping (SKY) and FISH analysis revealed 188 JTs and SJTs in 10 cell lines derived from carcinomas of the bladder, prostate, breast, cervix, and pancreas. Multiple JTs and SJTs were detected in each cell line and contributed to recurrent unbalanced whole-arm translocations involving chromosome arms 5p, 14q, 15q, 20q, and 21q. Sixty percent (113/188) of JT breakpoints occurred within centromere or pericentromeric regions of the recipient chromosomes, whereas only 12% of the breakpoints were located in the telomere regions. JT breakpoints of both donor and recipient chromosomes coincided with numerous fragile sites as well as viral integration sites for human DNA viruses. The JTs within each tumor cell line promoted clonal progression, leading to the acquisition of extra copies of the donated chromosome segments that often contained oncogenes (MYC, ABL, HER2/NEU, etc.), consequently resulting in tumor-specific genomic imbalances. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Carcinoma↗

Spectral karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization detect novel chromosomal aberrations, a recurring involvement of chromosome 21 and amplification of the MYC oncogene in acute myeloid leukaemia M2.

Recurring chromosomal aberrations are of aetiological, diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic importance in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). However, aberrations are detected in only two thirds of AML cases at diagnosis and recurrent balanced translocations in only 50%. Spectral karyotyping (SKY) enables simultaneous visualization of all human chromosomes in different colours, facilitating the comprehensive evaluation of chromosomal abnormalities. Therefore, SKY was used to characterize 37 cases of newly diagnosed AML-M2, previously analysed using G-banding. In 15/23 patients it was possible to obtain metaphases from viably frozen cells; in 22 additional cases, fixed-cell suspensions were used. Of the 70 chromosomal aberrations identified by SKY, 30 aberrations were detected for the first time, 18 aberrations were redefined and 22 were confirmed. SKY detected two reciprocal translocations, t(X;3) and t(11;19). In five cases, eight structural aberrations resulted in partial gains of chromosome 21, six of which were undetected by G-banding. In 4/5 cases, these resulted in copy number increases for AML1. Amplification of MYC was detected in three cases. Using SKY and FISH, clonal aberrations were identified in 5/18 cases with a presumed normal karyotype; 3/5 aberrations were of known unfavourable prognostic significance. Karyotypes were entered into a custom-designed SKY database, which will be integrated with other cytogenetic and genomic databases.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Spectral karyotyping and multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization reveal new tumor-specific chromosomal aberrations.

Spectral karyotyping (SKY), multiple fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH), cross-species color banding (Rx-FISH), multicolor chromosome banding, and other labeling techniques and strategies have been recent comprehensive technical developments in the field of molecular cytogenetics. The immediate goals of these methods are (1) to reliably characterize complex chromosomal rearrangements present in tumor karyotypes; (2) to screen for new tumor-specific chromosomal aberrations; (3) to improve genetic classification systems of different tumor types in correlation with clinical data, treatment regimens, detection of minimal residual disease, and prognosis; and (4) to identify new target regions for gene identification strategies. We present a brief overview of the different methods, including summaries of numerous published and submitted papers detailing specific cytogenetic aberrations associated with leukemias and lymphomas. To date, 640 tumor cases have been analyzed by SKY, including 410 hematologic malignancies, 146 solid tumors, and 45 mouse tumors.

Animals↗

Centrosome amplification and instability occurs exclusively in aneuploid, but not in diploid colorectal cancer cell lines, and correlates with numerical chromosomal aberrations.

Measurement of the nuclear DNA content allows classification of human cancers as either diploid or aneuploid. To gain further insight into mechanisms of aneuploidy, we compared the cytogenetic profile of mismatch-repair-deficient diploid versus mismatch-repair-proficient aneuploid colorectal carcinoma cell lines using comparative genomic hybridization and spectral karyotyping. Aneuploid carcinomas revealed an average of 19 chromosomal imbalances per cell line. Such numerical aberrations were exceedingly scarce in the diploid tumors. This pattern of chromosomal aberrations is consistent with a mechanism involving the impairment of chromosome segregation fidelity during mitotic cell division. In support of this idea, we demonstrate the exclusive occurrence of centrosome amplification and instability in all of the aneuploid tumor cell lines analyzed. All diploid tumors contained centrosomes that were functionally and structurally indistinguishable from those in normal human fibroblasts. Due to the observed differences in centrosomes between these two classes of tumors, we incubated the cells with the microtubule depolymerizing drugs nocodazole and griseofulvin. Our results indicate that the aneuploid tumor cell lines have an increased sensitivity to these reagents and a delay in aster formation and microtubule regrowth. However, microtubule nucleation was initiated from one or two centers in both the diploid and aneuploid cells. These observations support the notion that the integrity of the centrosome plays a central role in the development of aneuploidy. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 27:183-190, 2000. Published 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Aneuploidy↗

Comprehensive and definitive molecular cytogenetic characterization of HeLa cells by spectral karyotyping.

We revisited the cytogenetic alterations of the cervical adenocarcinoma cell line HeLa through the use of spectral karyotyping (SKY), comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). SKY analysis unequivocally characterized all abnormal chromosomes. Chromosomal breakpoints were primarily assigned by simultaneous assessment of SKY painted chromosomes and inverted 4,6-diamidino2-phenylindole banding from the same cell. Twenty clonally abnormal chromosomes were found. Comparison with previously reported HeLa G-banding karyotypes revealed a remarkably stable cytogenetic constitution because 18 of 20 markers that were found were present before. The classification of 12 markers was refined in this study. Our assignment of the remaining six markers was consistent with those described in the literature. The CGH map of chromosomal copy number gains and losses strikingly matched the SKY results and was, in a few instances, decisive for assigning breakpoints. The combined use of molecular cytogenetic methods SKY, CGH, and FISH with site-specific probes, in addition to inverted 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole or conventional G-banding analysis, provides the means to fully assess the genomic abnormalities in cancer cells. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are frequently integrated into the cellular DNA in cervical cancers. We mapped by FISH five HPV18 integration sites: three on normal chromosomes 8 at 8q24 and two on derivative chromosomes, der(5)t(5;22;8)(qll;q11q13;q24) and der(22)t(8; 22)(q24;q13), which have chromosome 8q24 material. An 8q24 copy number increase was detected by CGH. Dual-color FISH with a c-MYC probe mapping to 8q24 revealed colocalization with HPV18 at all integration sites, indicating that dispersion and amplification of the c-MYC gene sequences occurred after and was most likely triggered by the viral insertion at a single integration site. Numerical and structural chromosomal aberrations identified by SKY, genomic imbalances detected by CGH, as well as FISH localization of HPV18 integration at the c-MYC locus in HeLa cells are common and representative for advanced stage cervical cell carcinomas. The HeLa genome has been remarkably stable after years of continuous cultivation; therefore, the genetic alterations detected may have been present in the primary tumor and reflect events that are relevant to the development of cervical cancer.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Molecular cytogenetic analysis of the bladder carcinoma cell line BK-10 by spectral karyotyping.

The bladder cancer cell line BK-10 was established from a grade III-IV transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). BK-10 is near-tetraploid (+/-4n) and consists of two subclones with 20-25 structural aberrations. Here we report the cytogenetic analysis of BK-10 by G-banding, spectral karyotyping (SKY), and FISH. SKY refers to the hybridization of 24 differentially labeled chromosome painting probes and the simultaneous visualization of all human chromosomes using spectral imaging. SKY enabled us to confirm 12 markers in BK-10 previously described by G-banding, redefine 11 aberrations, and detect 4 hidden chromosomal rearrangements, 2 of which had been identified as normal or deleted copies of chromosome 20 and 1 as a normal chromosome 3. Twenty out of 21 translocations identified were unbalanced. FISH analysis of BK-10 using chromosome arm-specific paints, centromere probes, and oncogene/tumor suppressor gene-specific probes revealed a deletion of CDKN2A (p16) in all copies of chromosome 9, a low-level amplification of MYC (five copies), and loss of one copy of TP53; detected the presence of the Y chromosome in a hidden translocation; and detected four copies of ERBB-2. A probe set for BCR and ABL verified breakpoints for all translocations involving chromosomes 9 and 22. A new karyotype presentation, "SKY-gram," is introduced by combining data from G-banding, SKY, and FISH analysis. This study demonstrates the approach of combining molecular cytogenetic techniques to characterize fully the multiple complex chromosomal rearrangements found in the bladder cancer cell line BK-10, and to refine the chromosomal breakpoints for all translocations.

Aged↗

Genomic changes defining the genesis, progression, and malignancy potential in solid human tumors: a phenotype/genotype correlation.

The transition of normal epithelium to invasive carcinoma occurs sequentially. In colorectal and cervical carcinogenesis, this transition is reflected by histomorphologically defined grades of increasing dysplasia that untreated may progress to invasive disease. In an attempt to understand the role of chromosomal aberrations during tumorigenesis we have applied comparative genomic hybridization using DNA extracted from defined stages of colorectal and cervical tumors, from low- and high-grade astrocytic tumors and from diploid and aneuploid breast carcinomas. Genetic instability, as measured by the number of chromosomal copy alterations per case, increases significantly at the transition from precursor lesions to invasive carcinomas and continues to increase with tumor stage. Aggressive tumors have a higher number of copy alterations per case. High-level copy number changes (amplifications) become more prevalent in advanced-stage disease. Subtractive karyograms of chromosomal gains and losses were used to map tumor stage-specific chromosomal aberrations and clearly showed that nonrandom chromosomal aberrations occur during disease progression. In colorectal and cervical tumors, chromosomal copy number changes were correlated with nuclear DNA content, proliferative activity, expression levels of the tumor suppressor gene TP53, and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21/WAF1, as well as the presence of viral genomes. Here we summarize and review the results of this comprehensive phenotype/genotype correlation and discuss the relevance of stage-specific chromosomal aberrations with respect to diagnostic applications.

Disease Progression↗

Analysis of B-cell neoplasias by spectral karyotyping (SKY).

B-cell neoplasias represent a heterogeneous group of diseases, including acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and the broad spectrum of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL). Conventional cytogenetic analysis has revealed specific chromosomal aberrations in ALL as well as in NHL. Spectral karyotyping (SKY) is a novel molecular cytogenetic technique which allows the visualization of all human chromosomes in different colors, therefore greatly facilitating the recognition of chromosomal aberrations. The potential of SKY is exemplified by the fact that in our experience, 70% of the cases analyzed resulted in karyotypes where the majority of aberrations were either refined or new aberrations were detected when compared to their G-banding karyotypes. This also applies to the analysis of B-cell neoplasias. In hematologic malignancies, especially acute leukemias, specific chromosomal aberrations are of etiologic as well as diagnostic and prognostic importance. The identification of new recurrent chromosomal aberrations could therefore lead to a better characterization of disease entities or subgroups in ALL and NHL and further improve diagnosis, treatment stratification and ultimately prognosis. Interestingly, the comparison of the pattern of chromosomal aberrations in hematological neoplasias and carcinomas revealed striking differences. While about 50% of the aberrations in hematological malignancies are balanced translocations, such aberrations are exceedingly rare in epithelial cancers in which unbalanced structural and numerical aberrations prevail.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗

Specific chromosomal aberrations and amplification of the AIB1 nuclear receptor coactivator gene in pancreatic carcinomas.

To screen pancreatic carcinomas for chromosomal aberrations we have applied molecular cytogenetic techniques, including fluorescent in situ hybridization, comparative genomic hybridization, and spectral karyotyping to a series of nine established cell lines. Comparative genomic hybridization revealed recurring chromosomal gains on chromosome arms 3q, 5p, 7p, 8q, 12p, and 20q. Chromosome losses were mapped to chromosome arms 8p, 9p, 17p, 18q, 19p, and chromosome 21. The comparison with comparative genomic hybridization data from primary pancreatic tumors indicates that a specific pattern of chromosomal copy number changes is maintained in cell culture. Metaphase chromosomes from six cell lines were analyzed by spectral karyotyping, a technique that allows one to visualize all chromosomes simultaneously in different colors. Spectral karyotyping identified multiple chromosomal rearrangements, the majority of which were unbalanced. No recurring reciprocal translocation was detected. Cytogenetic aberrations were confirmed using fluorescent in situ hybridization with probes for the MDR gene and the tumor suppressor genes p16 and DCC. Copy number increases on chromosome 20q were validated with a probe specific for the nuclear receptor coactivator AIB1 that maps to chromosome 20q12. Amplification of this gene was identified in six of nine pancreatic cancer cell lines and correlated with increased expression.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Spectral karyotypic study of the HL-60 cell line: detection of complex rearrangements involving chromosomes 5, 7, and 16 and delineation of critical region of deletion on 5q31.1.

Interstitial deletions of the q arm of chromosome 5 have been associated with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML); therefore, accurate identification of rearrangements of this chromosome in a model cell line, HL-60, is important for understanding the critical genes involved in this disease. In this study, we employed a newly developed technology termed spectral karyotyping to delineate chromosomal rearrangements in this cell line. Our study revealed a derivative of chromosome 7 that resulted from translocations of chromosome arms 5q and 16q to 7q; that is, der(7)t(5;7)(?;q?)t(5;16)(?;q?). Interestingly, both chromosomes 5 and 7 were also involved in translocations with chromosome 16 in der(16) t(5;16)(q?;q?22-24) and der(16)t(7;16)(?;q?22-24), respectively. Other notable chromosomal abnormalities that were not previously reported in the HL-60 included an insertion of chromosome 8 in the q arm of chromosome 11, a translocation between chromosomes 9 and 14, and a translocation between chromosomes 14 and 15. In an attempt to define the loss of the 5q31.1 region in HL-60, we performed fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis by utilizing bacterial artificial chromosomes BAC1 and BAC2 that spanned the IL9 and EGR1 gene interval, which was previously shown to be a critical region of loss in AML. We showed that a copy of both BAC1 (spanning the D5S399 locus) and BAC2 (spanning the D5S393 locus centromeric to BAC1) were present in the normal chromosome 5, but a second copy of BAC1 was lost and a second copy of BAC2 was inserted in the der(16)t(7;16) chromosome. Thus, not only was this study the first to use the new 24-color karyotyping technique to identify several novel chromosomal rearrangements in HL-60, but it also narrowed the 5q31.1 critical region of deletion to the region represented by BAC1.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Prenatal diagnosis of a mosaic extra structurally abnormal chromosome by spectral karyotyping.

A de novo mosaic extra structurally abnormal chromosome (ESAC) was detected in 33 per cent of cultured amniotic fluid cells from a pregnant woman. Neither Q-banding nor fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) employing a DNA probe for nucleolar organizer region demonstrated the presence of satellites on the ESAC. Spectral karyotyping (SKY) was performed in this prenatal case and led to a quick and accurate determination of the ESAC as chromosome 14 in origin. The SKY finding was confirmed by conventional FISH analysis using a chromosome 14 specific painting probe. Subsequent hybridizations with a centromeric probe and a 14q subtelomeric probe were also performed to further characterize the ESAC. Absence of (TTAGGG)n sequence on the ESAC, determined postnatally, suggested it is a ring chromosome 14. Genetic counselling concerning these findings was provided to the parents who chose to continue the pregnancy. The male infant had no apparent abnormal phenotype at birth.

Adult↗

A recurring pattern of chromosomal aberrations in mammary gland tumors of MMTV-cmyc transgenic mice.

Mice carrying the MMTV-cmyc transgene develop mammary tumors at 9 to 12 months of age. Little is known about karyotypic changes in this model of human breast cancer. We have developed and applied molecular cytogenetic techniques to study chromosomal aberrations that occur in these tumors, namely, comparative genomic hybridization and spectral karyotyping. Cell lines from eight tumors were established and analyzed, four of which carried a heterozygous p53 mutation. All of the tumor cell lines revealed increases in ploidy and/or multiple numerical and structural chromosomal aberrations. No consistent differences were observed between cmyc/p53+/+ and cmyc/p53+/- tumors, suggesting that cmyc induces karyotype instability independent of p53 status. Loss of whole chromosome (Chr) 4 was detected in five of the eight tumors. Parts of Chr 4 are syntenic to human 1p31-p36, a region that is also deleted in human breast carcinomas. Four tumors carried translocations involving the distal portion of Chr 11 (syntenic to human chromosome arm 17q), including two translocations T(X;11), with cytogenetically identical breakpoints. We compare the pattern of chromosomal aberrations with human breast cancers, find similarities in several syntenic regions, and discuss the potential of an interspecies cytogenetic map of chromosomal gains and losses.

Animals↗

Analysis of ovarian borderline tumors using comparative genomic hybridization and fluorescence in situ hybridization.

It is unclear whether ovarian borderline tumors (tumors of low malignant potential) are independent entities or whether they are part of a continuum of tumor progression that culminates in ovarian carcinoma. Little is known about genetic abnormalities in borderline tumors because of the difficulty of growing them in culture for chromosome studies, and because the low ratio of tumor to nontumor cells can interfere with molecular genetic examination. To circumvent these problems, we performed comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) on 10 serous borderline tumors from nine patients, using microdissection to enrich the samples for tumor DNA and reduce contamination from stromal and inflammatory cells. CGH analysis revealed that three of the tumors had detectable chromosomal imbalances, whereas seven were in a balanced state. In those tumors with imbalances, the number of abnormalities ranged from 3-6 per tumor. Additional studies by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on disaggregated nuclei confirmed the imbalances detected by CGH, revealed one tumor to be hypertriploid, and indicated that the remaining tumors were diploid and in a balanced state. All abnormalities observed in the aneuploid cases are consistent with chromosomal aberrations previously reported for ovarian carinomas, providing further evidence that some borderline tumors are part of a continuum of tumor progression. These results also suggest that there may be different mechanisms leading to borderline tumor formation, including one associated with multiple chromosomal imbalances, and others that do not involve imbalances detectable by CGH. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 25:307-315, 1999.

Adult↗

Analysis of a de novo complex chromosome rearrangement involving chromosomes 4, 11, 12 and 13 and eight breakpoints by conventional cytogenetic, fluorescence in situ hybridization and spectral karyotyping.

A complex chromosome rearrangement (CCR) with eight breakpoints resulting in four derivative chromosomes (4, 11, 12 and 13) was detected prenatally in a male fetus of a twin pregnancy. The karyotype of the female second fetus was normal. The apparently balanced de novo CCR was identified by classical cytogenetic methods and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). We compared these findings with results from spectral karyotyping (SKY).

Abortion, Eugenic↗

Comparative genomic hybridization analysis of human parathyroid tumors.

Primary hyperparathyroidism is characterized by hypercalcemia and elevated parathyroid hormone levels. It can be caused by overactivity of one (adenoma or carcinoma) or more (hyperplasia or multiple adenoma) parathyroid glands. Parathyroid adenoma and hyperplasia are usually mono- or oligoclonal neoplasms. To establish whether parathyroid cancer has a genetic composition distinct from parathyroid adenoma, we analyzed 10 adenoma and 10 carcinoma cases by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Results show clear differences between the constitution of adenoma and carcinoma genomic DNA. The most frequent genomic alterations in adenoma included deletions on chromosomes 11, 17 (5 of 10 cases), and 22 (7 of 10 cases). In parathyroid carcinoma, frequent chromosomal deletions were on chromosome arm 1p (4 of 10 cases) and chromosome 17 (3 of 10 cases), and gains were on chromosome 5 (3 of 10 cases). Our data indicate that different genetic changes could contribute to the development of parathyroid adenoma and carcinoma; genomic losses predominate in adenoma, and gains along with some losses are found in carcinoma. Furthermore, the CGH results implicate several chromosomal regions that may harbor genes that could be potentially involved in the development of parathyroid adenoma and carcinoma.

Adenoma↗