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Biomedical subjects

T Norberg

Publications and source records attributed to T Norberg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Assessment of sequence-based p53 gene analysis in human breast cancer: messenger RNA in comparison with genomic DNA targets.

The high prevalence of p53 mutations in human cancers and the suggestion from several groups that the presence or absence of p53 mutations might have both prognostic and therapeutic consequences point to the importance of optimal methods for p53 determination. Several strategies exploring this have been described, based either on mRNA or genomic DNA as a template. However, no comparative study on the reliability of the two templates has been performed. The principal aim of this study was to study the concordance of RNA- and DNA-based direct sequencing methods in detecting p53 mutations in breast tumors. In 100 tumors, 22 mutations were detected by both methods. Furthermore, one stop mutation, two splice-site mutations, and one intron alteration were found only by genomic sequencing. In addition, the comparative study suggests that cells with missense mutations have increased steady-state concentrations of p53-specific mRNA, in contrast to cells with a gene encoding a truncated protein.

Aneuploidy

The p53 gene in breast cancer: prognostic value of complementary DNA sequencing versus immunohistochemistry.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene (also known as TP53) have been detected in a wide variety of human cancers. In breast cancer, the presence of p53 gene alterations has been associated with worse prognosis. PURPOSE: We compared a complementary DNA (cDNA)-based sequencing method and an immunohistochemical (IHC) method for their abilities to detect p53 mutations in breast cancer specimens. In addition, we determined the prognostic value of information obtained when these two methods were used. METHODS: Specimens from 316 primary breast tumors were evaluated for the presence of mutant p53 protein by use of the mouse monoclonal antibody Pab 1801 (that recognizes both wild-type and mutant forms of p53) and standard IHC methods. In addition, the entire coding region of p53 genes expressed in these tumors was screened for mutations by combining reverse transcription, the polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing. Probabilities for overall survival (OS), breast cancer-corrected survival (BCCS; death from breast cancer is the considered event), and relapse-free survival (RFS) were estimated by use of the Kaplan-Meier method, and survival curves for different patient subgroups were compared by use of the logrank method. All reported P values are from two-sided tests. RESULTS: Sixty-nine (22%) of 316 tumors had p53 gene mutations detected by the cDNA-based sequencing method; only 31 (45%) of these mutations were located in evolutionarily conserved portions of the p53 coding region. Sixty-four tumors (20% of the total) had elevated levels of p53 protein as detected by IHC, suggesting the presence of mutations. Of the sequencing-positive tumors (i.e., p53 mutant), 23 exhibited negative IHC reactions, indicating that IHC failed to detect 33% of the mutations. Furthermore, 19 of the IHC-positive tumors were sequencing negative (i.e., p53 wild-type), suggesting a 30% false-positive frequency with IHC. Four tumors (1.3% of the total) could not be analyzed by the cDNA-based sequencing method, and three tumors (1% of the total) could not be analyzed by IHC. The 5-year estimates for RFS, BCCS, and OS were significantly shorter for patients with p53 sequencing-positive tumors than for patients with sequencing-negative tumors (P = .001, P = .01, and P = .0003, respectively). Patients with IHC-positive tumors showed reduced survival in all three categories when compared with those with IHC-negative tumors, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a cDNA-based sequencing method to determine the status of the p53 gene in primary breast cancers yielded better prognostic information than IHC performed with the Pab 1801 monoclonal antibody.

Adult

Genes involved in cell cycle G1 checkpoint control are frequently mutated in human melanoma metastases.

A common characteristic of cancer cells is unrestrained cell division. This may be caused by mutational changes in genes coding for components of cell cycle-controlling networks. Alterations in genes involved in G1 checkpoint control have been registered in many human tumours, and investigations from several laboratories show that such alterations, taken together, are the most frequent changes detected in cancer cells. The present paper describes mutational analysis by polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR/SSCP) and nucleotide sequence analysis of the genes coding for the p15, p53 and N-ras proteins in 26 metastases from 25 melanoma patients. The registered mutation frequencies add together with previously registered mutations in p16 in the same patient samples to a substantial total frequency of 44% of patients with mutation in at least one of the investigated genes. These results show the occurrence of heterogeneous defects among components of the cell cycle controlling machinery in a human melanoma tumour sample collection and demonstrate that the total frequency of detected alterations increases with the number of cell cycle controlling genes included in the screening panel.

Carrier Proteins

Overview on human breast cancer with focus on prognostic and predictive factors with special attention on the tumour suppressor gene p53.

A long list of potential prognostic markers has been analysed for breast cancer, some of them will be reviewed in this article. The lymph node status is still the best prognostic marker. The lymph node status combined with information on tumour size, receptor- and proliferation status of the tumour should be analysed as standard for all breast cancer patients. Prognostic information for breast cancer patients has also been described for the membrane protein c-erbB2, the protease cathepsin D, plasminogen activators and inhibitors, certain oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. Some of these factors also give potential additional information on the response to different oncological therapies, and are better denoted predictive factors. In this overview we shortly describe the above mentioned prognostic factors with major focus on the tumour suppressor gene p53 and its prognostic value and potential predictive value.

Apoptosis

Complete sequencing of the p53 gene provides prognostic information in breast cancer patients, particularly in relation to adjuvant systemic therapy and radiotherapy.

The complete coding region of the p53 gene was sequenced from 316 consecutively presented breast cancers, of which 97 were lymph node positive and 206 were node negative. The p53 status was related to prognosis and effect of adjuvant therapy. In all, 69 individual mutations, 29 in node-positive tumours, were demonstrated throughout the whole coding sequence. The mutation sites were partly different for node-positive and node-negative patients. p53 mutations in the evolutionary conserved regions II and V were associated with significantly worse prognosis. Adjuvant systemic therapy, especially with tamoxifen, along with radiotherapy seemed to be of less value to p53 mutation- and lymph node-positive tumours.

Amino Acids

p53 Status predicts survival in breast cancer patients treated with or without postoperative radiotherapy: a novel hypothesis based on clinical findings.

PURPOSE AND METHODS: Primary breast cancer tumors without axillary metastases from 206 consecutive patients in a population-based cohort were investigated with regard to the presence of an intact p53 gene using a cDNA-based sequencing method. Clinical follow-up data and outcome of node-negative patients without any adjuvant systemic therapy (n = 168) were related to locoregional radiotherapy and p53 status. RESULTS: Mutations in p53 occurred in 31 node-negative breast cancer patients who did not receive any systemic adjuvant treatment, but were treated with postoperative locoregional radiotherapy or nothing. Node-negative breast cancer patients with p53 mutations had significantly improved relapse-free survival (P = .0007), breast cancer-corrected survival (P = .01), and overall survival (P = .02) rates when treated with locoregional radiotherapy. In node-negative breast cancer patients with wild-type p53, there was no statistically significant difference in outcome between patients who received locoregional radiotherapy and those who did not. Cox proportional hazards models indicate that mutant p53 is associated with worse prognosis independent of response to radiotherapy and that response to radiotherapy is qualitatively different in tumors with p53 mutations compared with those with wild-type p53. CONCLUSION: Our clinical findings define a group of breast cancer patients in whom locoregional radiotherapy improves relapse-free, breast cancer-corrected, and overall survival. The outcome for irradiated node-negative breast cancer patients with p53 alterations indicates that irradiation can induce cell death even in the presence of p53 mutations.

Adult

The use of human milk fucosyltransferase in the synthesis of tumor-associated trimeric X determinants.

We have studied the fucosylation of a chemically synthesized trimer of N-acetyllactosamine [(LacNAc)3-EtPhNHCOCF3] with a fucosyltransferase preparation from normal human milk, which utilizes both type-1 and type-2 structures, whether sialylated or not. When fucose residues were added enzymically to the (LacNAc)3-EtPhNHCOCF3 hexasaccharide, mono-, di-, or trifucosylated oligosaccharide species were formed, containing the Lewisx determinant (Gal beta 1-->4[Fuc alpha 1-->3]Glc-NAc beta 1-->3). With excess GDP-fucose and prolonged reaction times, the trifucosylated product was formed in almost quantitative yield. Kinetic analysis of the fucosylation reaction indicated that there is a significant difference in the rate of transfer of the first, second and third fucose residues onto the acceptor molecule. The location of the fucose residues in the monofucosylated and difucosylated intermediate products was assessed by analyzing the digests obtained after endo-beta-galactosidase treatment by HPLC and reverse-phase chromatography. In addition, the fucosylated (LacNAc)3-EtPhNHCOCF3 structures were characterized by HPLC and were identified by 400-MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy. There is a highly preferred order in which the fucosyl residues are attached to (LacN-Ac)3-EtPhNHCOCF3. In the major pathway, the first two fucose residues are transferred with equal preference to the medial (GN3) and proximal (GN1) GlcNAc residues, whereas the third fucose is attached to the distal (GN5) GlcNAc residue. These results are of relevance in understanding the role of alpha-3-fucosyltransferase in the biosynthesis of Lewisx-related cell-surface carbohydrate structures, that function as ligands for selectin-type cell-adhesion molecules and may play a role in the invasion and metastasis of several carcinoma.

Amino Sugars

Quantitative sequence-activity models (QSAM)--tools for sequence design.

Models have been developed that allow the biological activity of a DNA segment to be altered in a desired direction. Partial least squares projections to latent structures (PLS) was used to establish a quantitative model between a numerical description of 68 bp fragments of 25 E.coli promoters and their corresponding quantitative measure of in vivo strength. This quantitative sequence-activity model (QSAM) was used to generate two 68 bp fragments predicted to be more potent promoters than any of those on which the model originally was based. The optimized structures were experimentally verified to be strong promoters in vivo.

Base Composition

Affinity purification of monoclonal antibodies, using a bifunctional oligosaccharide hapten.

A bifunctional hapten was synthesized consisting of a blood group A active tetrasaccharide (A-tetra) and a blood group Le(a) active pentasaccharide lacto-N-fucopentaose II (LNF II), linked to each other with a phenylaminothiourea spacer connecting the reducing ends (A-tetra-LNF II). The hapten was demonstrated to retain both blood group A and Le(a) activity and could be easily bound to both monoclonal anti-A and anti-Le(a) affinity columns. Due to the strong temperature dependence of the two antibodies their binding to oligosaccharides, the bifunctional hapten could be utilized to achieve easy desorption in the final step of affinity purification of either monoclonal anti-Le(a) or anti-A. The system is postulated to have general applicability in affinity purification of any ligate that binds with an avidity too high to achieve non-denaturing desorption.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Synthesis of the trisaccharide, 2-(p-trifluoroacetamidophenyl)ethyl O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-4)-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-4)-2-acet amido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside, corresponding to the blood group P1 determinant.

The 2-(p-trifluoroacetamidophenyl)ethyl beta-glycoside of the P1 antigen trisaccharide, O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-4)-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-4)-2- acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose, was synthesized. Thioglycoside intermediates were used as building blocks.

Carbohydrate Sequence

Solid phase synthesis of the fibronectin glycopeptide V(Gal beta 3GalNAc alpha)THPGY, its beta analogue, and the corresponding unglycosylated peptide.

The fibronectin fragment VTHPGY and the corresponding glycopeptides V(Gal beta 3GalNAc alpha)THPGY and V(Gal beta 3GalNAc beta)THPGY were synthesized by the FMOC/solid phase approach. FMOC derivatives of threonine, carrying O-linked, peracetylated Gal beta 3GalNAc chains were used for introduction (HOBt-mediated coupling) of the disaccharide moieties.

Amino Acid Sequence

MCH-induced pigment aggregation in teleost melanophores is associated with a cAMP reduction.

It has previously been shown that alpha 2-adrenoceptors are involved in noradrenaline-induced pigment aggregation within fish melanophores. In the present investigation, melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) elicited pigment aggregation (EC50 approximately 1 x 10(-7) M) that was associated with a significant reduction in the cAMP content; 1 x 10(-7) M MCH reduced the cAMP content from a basal level of 50.4 +/- 2.8 pmol/mg protein to 36.9 +/- 3.8 pmol/mg protein. Like the alpha 2-adrenoceptor-induced pigment aggregation, the MCH response was effectively blocked by the adenylate cyclase stimulator forskolin. These findings suggest that attenuation of cAMP may serve as an intracellular signal transduction mechanism for both MCH and noradrenaline.

Animals

Insulin gene enhancer binding protein Isl-1 is a member of a novel class of proteins containing both a homeo- and a Cys-His domain.

The activity of the rat insulin I gene enhancer is mainly dependent on two cis-acting protein-binding domains. Here we report the isolation of a complementary DNA encoding a protein, Isl-1, that binds to one of these domains. Isl-1 contains a homeodomain with greatest similarity to those of the Caenorhabditis elegans proteins encoded by mec-3 and lin-11. In addition, Isl-1, like the lin-11 and mec-3 gene products, contains a novel Cys-His domain which is reminiscent of known metal-binding regions. Together these proteins define a novel class of proteins containing both a homeo- and a Cys His-domain. Isl-1 is preferentially expressed in cells of pancreatic endocrine origin. If the structural homologies between Isl-1 and the C. elegans gene products reflect functional similarities, a role for Isl-1 in the development of pancreatic endocrine cells could be envisaged.

Amino Acid Sequence

Synthesis of mono- and disaccharide amino-acid derivatives for use in solid phase peptide synthesis.

N-Fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl-protected serine and threonine derivatives, carrying O-glycosidically alpha- or beta-linked peracetylated beta-D-Galp-(1-3)-D-GalNAcp carbohydrate chains, were prepared. These derivatives are intended for use in solid phase glycopeptide synthesis. Suitably protected mono- and disaccharide thioglycosides were used as carbohydrate intermediates. These were activated by treatment with bromine to give the glycosyl bromides, which were then used in silver triflate-promoted glycosidations of N-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl amino-acid phenacyl esters. Removal of the phenacyl esters with zinc gave the target free acids.

Amino Acids

Synthesis of an H type 2 and a Y (Le(y)) glycoside from thioglycoside intermediates.

The trisaccharide 2-(p-trifluoroacetamidophenyl)ethyl 2-acetamido-2- deoxy-4-O-[2-O-(alpha-L-fucopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]-beta-D- glucopyranoside 1 and the tetrasaccharide 2-(p-trifluoroacetamidophenyl)ethyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(alpha-L- fucopyranosyl)-4-O-[2-O-(alpha-L-fucopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]- beta-D-glucopyranoside 2 were synthesized. Thioglycosides, suitably protected, activated directly with methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate or dimethyl(methylthio)sulfonium tetrafluoroborate or activated after bromine treatment with halophilic reagents, were used as glycosyl donors in the construction of the glycosidic linkages.

Carbohydrate Conformation

Synthesis of a dimeric Lewis X hexasaccharide derivative corresponding to a tumor-associated glycolipid.

The dimeric Lewis X hexasaccharide p-trifluoroacetamidophenylethyl O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-[alpha-L-fucopyranosyl-(1----3)]-O- (2- acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O-beta-D-galactopyrano syl- (1----4)-O-[alpha-L-fucopyranosyl-(1----3)]-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D- glucopyranoside (14), which is a derivative of a tumor-associated glycolipid, was synthesized from thioglycoside intermediates. A protected disaccharide was used as a key-intermediate for synthesis of the p-nitrophenylethyl glycoside of suitably protected O-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-O-beta-D-GlcpN-(1----3)-O-beta-D-Galp-(1--- -4)-beta-D- GlcpN, which, after selective deblocking, was di-L-fucosylated and deprotected to give 14.

Biomarkers, Tumor