PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Resta

Publications and source records attributed to N Resta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Cancer risks in LKB1 germline mutation carriers.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Germline mutations in the LKB1 gene are known to cause Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, which is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by hamartomatous polyposis and mucocutaneous pigmentation. This syndrome is associated with an increased risk of malignancies in different organs but there is a lack of data on cancer range and risk in LKB1 germline mutation carriers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cumulative incidence of cancer in 149 Peutz-Jeghers syndrome patients with germline mutation(s) in LKB1 was estimated using Kaplan-Meier time to cancer onset analyses and compared between relevant subgroups with log rank tests. RESULTS: Thirty two cancers were found in LKB1 mutation carriers. Overall cancer risks at ages 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 years were 6%, 18%, 31%, 41%, and 67%, respectively. There were similar overall cancer risks between male and female carriers. However, there were overall cancer risk differences for exon 6 mutation carriers versus non-exon 6 mutation carriers (log rank p=0.022 overall, 0.56 in males, 0.0000084 in females). Most (22/32) of the cancers occurred in the gastrointestinal tract, and the overall gastrointestinal cancer risks at ages 40, 50, 60, and 70 years were 12%, 24%, 34%, and 63%, respectively. In females, the risks for developing gynaecologic cancer at ages 40 and 50 years were 13% and 18%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in exon 6 of LKB1 are associated with a higher cancer risk than mutations within other regions of the gene. Moreover, this study provides age related cumulative risks of developing cancer in LKB1 mutation carriers that should be useful for developing a tailor made cancer surveillance protocol for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome patients.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases↗
PubMed2003

Functional analysis of LKB1/STK11 mutants and two aberrant isoforms found in Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome patients.

Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS) is thought to be caused by mutations occurring in the widely expressed serine/threonine protein kinase named LKB1/STK11. Recent work has led to the identification of four mutants (R304W, I177N, K175-D176del, L263fsX286) and two novel aberrant LKB1/STK11 cDNA isoforms (r291-464del, r485-1283del) in a group of PJS Italian patients. Three of the four mutations only change 1 or 2 amino acids in the LKB1/STK11 catalytic domain. Here we demonstrate that all six LKB1/STK11 variants analysed are completely inactive in vitro as they were unable to autophosphorylate at Thr336, the major LKB1/STK11 autophosphorylation site, and to phosphorylate the p53 tumour suppressor protein. We also show that 5 out of the 6 variants are entirely localised in the nucleus in contrast to the wild type LKB1/STK11, which is detected in both the nucleus and cytoplasm. Finally we demonstrate that all 6 LKB1/STK11 variants, in contrast to wild type LKB1/STK11, are unable to suppress the growth of melanoma G361 cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the LKB1 mutations investigated in this study lead to the loss of serine/threonine kinase activity and are therefore likely to be the primary cause of PJS development in the patients that they were isolated from.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases↗
PubMed2003

Endoglin gene mutations and polymorphisms in Italian patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Autosomal-dominant hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a genetically heterogeneous disease caused by mutations in at least two different loci. We screened for mutations in four Italian families where segregation studies showed clear evidence of linkage to the endoglin (ENG) locus. In addition, one sporadic case and three patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, belonging to small nuclear families unsuitable for linkage analysis, were included in the screening. The proband from each family was investigated using single-strand conformation polymorphism and heteroduplex analysis; potential variants were sequenced. Four novel and one previously reported mutation were detected, as well as three new polymorphisms. The novel mutations included deletions in exon 1 (patient 581/02), exon 5 (patient 780/01) and exon 7 (patient 700/01), and a C-->T229 substitution in exon 3 (patient 462/02). When analysing patient 700/01 and his affected daughter, we encountered a mutant ENG allele with two mutations--a deletion in exon 7 and a substitution in exon 12--which converts isoleucine 575 into threonine, in a non-conserved region. Both mutations were absent in the two healthy sons of the patient, while the polymorphic variant in exon 12 was present in his healthy father. These results and haplotype-segregation studies suggest that a de novo deletion had occurred in the gamete of paternal origin. For the first time the parental germline in which a de novo HHT mutation occurred has been identified.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed2002

Two novel mutations and a new STK11/LKB1 gene isoform in Peutz-Jeghers patients.

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare autosomal dominantly inherited disorder with variable expression and incomplete penetrance characterized by mucocutaneous pigmentation, predisposition to hamartomatous intestinal polyposis, and various other neoplasms. It occurs in approximately 1 in 8,300 to 29,000 live births. In nearly 50% of patients PJS is caused by germ line mutations in the STK11/LKB1 serine/threonine kinase gene, the only kinase gene currently known to act as a tumor suppressor. We have performed a mutation search in the STK11/LKB1 gene in 8 sporadic cases and 3 PJS families using a combination of different screening techniques. We have identified four mutations, two of which I177N and the IVS2+1A->G, were previously unreported. We have also evaluated the presence of cDNA alterations by means of RT-PCR analysis and direct cDNA sequencing and have found two aberrant transcripts in a single PJS case despite the lack of any apparent genomic alteration. Finally, we report the presence of a novel STK11/LKB1 cDNA isoform observed in all the normal subjects studied as well as in the majority of the PJS patients.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases↗
PubMed2002

Cyclin E and chromosome instability in colorectal cancer cell lines.

AIMS/BACKGROUND: The development of colorectal cancer depends on at least two distinct pathways involving genetic instability, namely: chromosome instability (CIN) and microsatellite instability. Cyclin E is involved in aneuploidy and several cancer types show an abnormal number of chromosomes. METHODS: Cyclin E protein and mRNA values were analysed in human fetal skin fibroblasts and five colorectal cancer cell lines. RESULTS: Cells with an aberrant number of chromosomes had higher cyclin E mRNA values and a significant increase in protein concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that cyclin E regulation is altered in aneuploid cells and is an important factor in the CIN pathway.

Chromosome Aberrations↗
PubMed2001

Y-chromosome haplotypes in Italy: the GEFI collaborative database.

A sample of 1176 males from 10 Italian regions have been typed for DYS19, DYS389-I, DYS389-II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, and DYS385. Individual haplotype data are available on line. A low degree of variation is present among regions. Use of this database is specifically recommended for forensic applications in Italy.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed2001

The proliferative response of HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells to bombesin-like peptides.

Bombesin-like peptides (BLP) and their receptors are widely distributed throughout the intestine and are potential mitogens for gastrointestinal cancers. In this study we characterized the proliferation induced by BLP in the human adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29. The number of HT-29 cells, partially serum deprived (1% fetal bovine serum) for 48 h, was increased after 24 h of stimulation with bombesin, GRP, neuromedin B (NMB) and neuromedin C (NMC) ranging from 0.1 nM up to 1 microM. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction studies, revealed the presence of mRNA for NMB and for the GRP preferring receptor (GRP-R). mRNA for GRP, NMB preferring receptor (NMB-R) and bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3) were not detected. [D-Phe(6)]bombesin-(6-13)methyl ester (A1) and BIM-23127 (A2), are considered as inhibitors of binding to GRP-R and NMB-R, respectively. Surprisingly, A1 and A2 stimulated the proliferation of HT-29 cells. Moreover, in the simultaneous presence of 1 microM A1 and 0.1 microM GRP or 0.1 nM or 0.1 microM bombesin, inhibition of the proliferation was observed. Our data demonstrate that the proliferation induced by BLP in HT-29 cells is due to interaction with the GRP-R.

Bombesin↗
PubMed2001

Nine novel APC mutations in Italian FAP patients.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a common hereditary syndrome characterized by early development of colorectal cancer consequent to extensive adenomatous polyps of the colon. In addition to the colonic manifestations the syndrome presents several extracolonic features including polyps of the upper gastrointestinal tract, congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment, jaw cysts, osteomata and desmoid tumors. In this study the entire APC coding region has been analysed for mutation in a panel of one Turcot and 33 unrelated Italian FAP patients using SSCP analysis, PTT and DNA sequencing. We detected APC mutations in 23 of them and identified nine which, to our knowledge were not previously reported. All of these novel mutations are in exon 15, including two nonsense mutations, 6 deletions or insertions leading to premature termination of the protein and one missense mutation (7697G>A). This last mutation occurs in the EB1-binding domain of the APC protein and segregates in four relatives of the patient with three of them presenting 2-3 adenomatous polyps.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2000

Involvement of PTEN mutations in the genetic pathways of colorectal cancerogenesis.

So far, somatic mutations of the PTEN gene have been found in several different neoplasms but not in colorectal tumours. As exons 7 and 8 of the PTEN coding sequence contain an (A)(6)repeat and mononucleotide repeat sequences are targets for mutations in tumours with microsatellite instability (MI), we screened a panel of sporadic colorectal tumours exhibiting MI to test whether PTEN gene repeats are frequently mutated in MI(+)colorectal cancers. Of 32 cases studied, seven mutations were found in six (18.75%) patients, as a PTEN biallelic frameshift mutation was observed in one case, with consequent loss of function of the gene. Loss of heterozygosity, evaluated in the remaining five cases using the microsatellite marker D10S541, was detected in two of three informative samples. To further address the role of the PTEN gene in MI(+)colorectal cancer, in the six patients with mutated PTEN, we analysed the mononucleotide repeats of six other genes: BAX, hMSH3, hMSH6, TGFbRII, IGFIIR and APC. In two of these six patients, mutations of the TGFbRII gene only were present, indicating that PTEN may have a role in the mutator pathway of colorectal tumorigenesis. Overall, these results indicate that PTEN mutations are selected for during tumorigenesis in MI(+)colorectal tumours. The mutation of both PTEN alleles and evidence that the PTEN protein is expressed in normal colon suggest that loss of function of this gene could play a direct role in tumorigenesis.

Colorectal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1998

STK11 mutations in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and sporadic colon cancer.

A potential tumor suppressor gene, STK11 , encoding a serine threonine kinase, has recently been identified on chromosome 19p13. Germ-line mutations of this gene have been found in patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS). To further investigate the relevance of STK11 mutations in PJS, we analyzed its coding sequence in nine patients and identified two deletions and three missense mutations. Because intestinal carcinomas have been observed to develop in association with PJS, we analyzed tumors from 71 patients for allelic deletions (loss of heterozygosity) and STK11 gene mutations, to elucidate the etiological role of STK11 gene in sporadic colorectal cancer. Loss of heterozygosity, evaluated using the microsatellite D19S886, was observed in 10 of 52 informative cases. No somatic mutations were detected except for a missense alteration in one tumor. Our data indicate the heterogeneity of PJS and the infrequent involvement of the STK11 gene in colorectal cancer.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases↗
PubMed1998

The familial adenomatous polyposis region exhibits many different haplotypes.

In the present study, we used five different polymorphic markers to construct the haplotype at the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) locus in families with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and in the normal Italian population. Non-ambiguous haplotypes were reconstructed from 246 normal chromosomes and 65 FAP chromosomes. In the control population, the four polymorphisms intragenic to APC gave rise to 16 haplotypes, the most common of which (II and XV) accounted for over 50% of all chromosomes. In FAP patients, 13 haplotypes were found but their distribution was not statistically different from normal subjects. Eighty complete chromosomal haplotypes (many fewer than the theoretical maximum of 208) for the five polymorphic sites assayed were observed in the control population, 35 being found in the FAP patients. We compared the distribution of these haplotypes within the two groups; no statistically significant differences between normal and FAP chromosomes were found. The elevated heterogeneity of FAP chromosomes was clearly confirmed by the observation that 19 patients who carried one or other of the two most common APC mutations (nt 3183 and nt 3927) showed 18 different haplotypes. On the basis of these results, we were not able to identify a founder FAP chromosome. Various mechanisms are presented to explain this observation.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1996

Clinical findings in a family with familial adenomatous polyposis and a missense mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli gene.

BACKGROUND: More than 100 different mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene have been identified; virtually all lead to the production of a truncated protein. Clinical details of patients with missense mutations undoubtedly cosegregating with the disease have not been reported and may be relevant in understanding the APC protein function. METHODS: In one family with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) the APC gene was analyzed by SSCP and sequencing of the aberrant SSCP band. RESULTS: A missense mutation in exon 15 at nucleotide 4921 segregating with the disease was observed. This predicts a tryptophan instead of an arginine at amino acid 1641 of the APC protein. No such mutation was present in 100 control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: In this family the colonic manifestations are as expected for classical FAP. However, the occurrence of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium is unusual, owing to the inconsistency of this manifestation between family members and because congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium is generally absent when mutations are after codon 1387.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1993

Infertility in carriers of two bisatellited marker chromosomes.

Two unrelated sterile patients, a male and a female, with karyotypes characterized by the presence of two supernumerary bisatellited marker chromosomes, were studied with the aid of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Using alphoid centromeric specific probes, the markers were identified as an idic (15) (pter-q11) and a mar (14). In both cases a single accessory bisatellited marker was present in the karyotype of one of the parents. A possible correlation between the excess of constitutive heterochromatin and meiotic disturbances in the two patients is discussed.

Adult↗