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Biomedical subjects

T Soussi

Publications and source records attributed to T Soussi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Lymphomas in patients with Sjogren's syndrome are marginal zone B-cell neoplasms, arise in diverse extranodal and nodal sites, and are not associated with viruses.

The occurrence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is the most serious complication of Sjogren's syndrome (SS). We performed a study of 16 NHLs occurring in patients with an underlying SS. These lymphomas arose not only in salivary glands (7 cases) but also in other mucosal extranodal sites (the stomach [4 cases], the lung [3 cases], the skin [3 cases], the buccal mucosa [1 case], the thymus [1 case]) and in nodal sites (8 cases). Low-grade marginal zone lymphomas (MZL) were diagnosed in 12 of the 16 patients, 9 of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT) type in mucosal sites and 3 exclusively nodal. The 4 other patients presented with a high-grade B-cell lymphoma that was probably a histological transformation of an underlying low-grade MZL at least in 3 of the cases involving skin, stomach, and parotid, respectively. A t(14;18) translocation was detected in 1 of 8 lymphomas tested. We detected serum anti-p53 antibodies in 2 of the 14 studied patients. p53 protein was detected in 1 of 11 lymphomas tested. LMP protein and Eber RNAs of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were not detected in the 16 NHL biopsies. Using polymerase chain reaction, EBV was never detected except in 1 of 4 parotid lymphomas. No human T-lymphotropic virus 1 or human herpes virus 8 DNAs were detected in NHL biopsies. None of the patients had hepatitis C virus infection found using serological methods. Chemotherapy was usually efficient. In conclusion, lymphomas occurring in patients with an underlying SS are in most cases MZL. These lymphomas are not associated with viruses known to be present in other types of lymphomas. Some of the translocations or mutations of oncogenes or antioncogenes described in other lymphomas are detected in SS-associated lymphomas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Increase of spontaneous intrachromosomal homologous recombination in mammalian cells expressing a mutant p53 protein.

Homologous recombination plays an essential role in processes involved in genome stability/instability, such as molecular evolution, gene diversification, meiotic chromosome segregation, DNA repair and chromosomal rearrangements. p53 devoid cells exhibit predisposition to neoplasia, defects in G1 checkpoint and high genetic instability but a normal rate of point mutations. We investigated the effect of a p53 mutation, on spontaneous homologous recombination between intrachromosomal direct repeat sequences, in mouse L cells. In these cells, wild type for the p53 gene, we have overexpressed the mutant p53(175(Arg>His)) protein leading to a p53 mutant phenotype, as verified by the absence of a G1 arrest after gamma-irradiation. We show that the rate of spontaneous recombination is increased from five- to 20-fold in the mutant p53 lines. Moreover, this increase is observed in gene conversion as well as in deletion events. Our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of genetic instability due to a defect of p53.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Databases and software for the analysis of mutations in the human p53 gene, the human hprt gene and both the lacI and lacZ gene in transgenic rodents.

We have created databases and software applications for the analysis of DNA mutations at the humanp53gene, the humanhprtgene and both the rodent transgeniclacIandlacZlocus. The databases themselves are stand-alone dBASE files and the software for analysis of the databases runs on IBM-compatible computers. Each database has a separate software analysis program. The software created for these databases permit the filtering, ordering, report generation and display of information in the database. In addition, a significant number of routines have been developed for the analysis of single base substitutions. One method of obtaining the databases and software is via the World Wide Web (WWW). Open the following home page with a Web Browser: http://sunsite.unc.edu/dnam/mainpage.ht ml . Alternatively, the databases and programs are available via public FTP from: anonymous@sunsite.unc.edu . There is no password required to enter the system. The databases and software are found beneath the subdirectory: pub/academic/biology/dna-mutations. Two other programs are available at the site-a program for comparison of mutational spectra and a program for entry of mutational data into a relational database.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

p53 and APC gene mutations: software and databases.

A large number of different mutations in the APC and p53 tumor suppressor genes have been identified in various types of cancer. This substantial increase since our previous reports can enable analyses which were not previously possible. In order to capture all these new data, the software permitting analysis has been improved. This report describes the various improvements since the second release of the database.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed1997

Database of p53 gene somatic mutations in human tumors and cell lines: updated compilation and future prospects.

In recent years, there has been an exponential increase in the number of p53 mutations identified in human cancers. The p53 mutation database consists of a list of point mutations in thep53 gene of human tumors and cell lines, compiled from the published literature and made available through electronic media. The database is now maintained at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and is updated twice a year. The current version contains records on 5091 published mutations and is expected to surpass the 6000 mark in the January 1997 release. The database is available in various formats through the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) ftp server at: ftp://ftp.ebi.ac.uk/pub/databases/p53/ or by request from IARC (p53database@iarc.fr) and will be searchable through the SRS system in the near future. This report provides a description of the criteria for inclusion of data and of the current formats, a summary of the relevance ofp53 mutation analysis to clinical and biological questions, and a brief discussion of the prospects for future developments.

Databases, Factual↗
PubMed1997

Detection and monitoring of serum p53 antibodies in patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Detection of p53 antibodies in serum might be an effective indirect procedure to detect alterations of the p53 gene. AIMS: To assess the prevalence and the variation under treatment of p53 antibodies in patients with colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty four patients with colorectal cancer (26 men and 28 women, mean age 65, range 33-90 years) and 24 patients with non-malignant digestive disease were tested for p53 antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and for the carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19.9. Immunohistochemical detection of p53 protein tumour overexpression was performed in 38 cases. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (26%) with colorectal cancer but none of those with non-malignant disease displayed p53 antibodies. Overexpression of p53 was shown by immunohistochemistry in 22 patients (58%), 10 of whom also had p53 antibodies. The antibodies were present in four patients with high carcinoembryonic antigen and three patients with high carbohydrate antigen 19.9 concentrations, but also in 10 patients (33.3%) with normal values of these markers. The ratio of p53 antibodies decreased in 11 of 13 patients after tumour resection. In two patients variations in p53 ratio strongly correlated with tumour relapse or progression. CONCLUSION: Testing for serum p53 antibodies constitutes a useful technique for assessing alterations in p53 and may help physicians to follow up patients with colorectal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1996

Regulation of mutant p53 temperature-sensitive DNA binding.

We have examined in detail the DNA binding properties of several immunopurified tumor-derived mutant p53 proteins (Val-143 --> Ala, Arg-175 --> His, Arg-248 --> Trp, Arg-249 --> Ser, and Arg-273 --> His). While all mutants were defective for binding to DNA at 37 ;C, each bound specifically to several cognate p53 binding sites at sub-physiological temperatures (25-33 ;C), and several mutants activated transcription from a p53-responsive promoter at 26 degrees C in transfected H1299 cells. Heating mutant p53 proteins at 37 degrees C irreversibly destroyed their ability to subsequently bind at 25 degrees C. However, several different monoclonal antibodies that each share the ability to recognize an epitope encompassing amino acids 46-55 markedly stabilized binding by mutant p53 proteins at 37 degrees C. Both intact antibody and FAb fragments allowed mutant p53 to bind to DNA. By contrast, antibodies that recognize epitopes located elsewhere within p53 stabilized mutant p53 binding significantly less effectively. Our data show that the major hot-spot p53 mutants have the intrinsic ability to bind to DNA and that a unique region within the N terminus of p53 may be critical for rescuing them from loss of binding at physiological temperatures. This suggests the possibility of developing small molecules that can stabilize mutant p53 proteins under physiological conditions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Analysis of p53 serum antibodies in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene (also known as TP53) often leads to the synthesis of p53 protein that has a longer than normal half-life. Mutant p53 protein that accumulates in tumor cell nuclei can be detected by means of immunohistochemical staining techniques. Serum antibodies directed against p53 protein (p53-Abs) have been detected in some cancer patients. PURPOSE: We assayed serum samples from 80 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) for the presence of p53-Abs, and we evaluated potential associations between the presence of these antibodies and other histopathologic and clinical features. METHODS: Serum was collected from each patient at the time of diagnosis. In addition, tumor biopsy specimens were obtained before the initiation of treatment. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect p53-Abs. The accumulation of p53 protein in tumor cell nuclei was assessed immunohistochemically by use of the anti-p53 monoclonal antibody DO7. Patient treatment consisted of radiotherapy alone, primary chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy, or surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. Relapse-free and overall survival from the beginning of treatment were estimated by use of the Kaplan-Meier method; survival comparisons were made by use of the logrank statistic. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with survival. Reported P values are two-sided. RESULTS: Fifteen (18.8%) of the 80 patients had p53-Abs. Tumor cell nuclei in 43 (58.9%) of 73 assessable biopsy specimens exhibited strong p53 immunostaining. Patient treatment method and the accumulation of p53 protein in tumor cell nuclei were not associated with increased risks of relapse or death. In univariate analyses, advanced tumor stage (> T1 [TNM classification]) and the presence of p53-Abs were significantly associated with an increased risk of death (P for trend = .007 and P = .002, respectively), whereas advanced tumor stage, substantial regional lymph node involvement (> N1), and the presence of p53-Abs were associated with an increased risk of relapse (P for trend = .002, P = .02, and P < .0001, respectively). In multivariate analyses, advanced tumor stage and the presence of p53-Abs were significantly associated with increased risks of relapse (p for trend = .04 and P = .003, respectively) and death (P for trend = .04 and P = .03, respectively). At 2 years of follow-up, the overall survival proportion was 63% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 47%-80%) when no p53-Abs were detected compared with 29% (95% CI = 4%-54%) when p53-Abs were detected. Relapse-free survival at 2 years was 62% (95% CI = 49%-76%) if no p53-Abs were detected compared with 13% (95% CI = 0%-31%) if p53-Abs were detected. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The proportion of patients with HNSCC who have serum p53-Abs is smaller than that of patients exhibiting tumor cell accumulation of p53 protein. The presence of p53-Abs is significantly associated with increased risks of relapse and death.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Structural aspects of the p53 protein in relation to gene evolution: a second look.

Several years ago, a comparison of the amino acid sequences of p53 proteins from a variety of species enabled us to reveal structural features of this protein, giving clues to its function. Since then, numerous studies on the biochemical, immunological and biological functions of p53 as well as on its structure (including crystallography data) have provided considerable insight into the multifunctional aspects of p53. The purpose of this review is to present the most recent data concerning the various structural features of the p53 protein with special emphasis on its flexibility, which plays a key role in regulation of its biological activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

ATF/CREB site mediated transcriptional activation and p53 dependent repression of the cyclin A promoter.

Cyclin A is a pivotal regulatory protein which, in mammalian cells, is involved in the S phase of the cell cycle. Transcription of the human cyclin A gene is cell cycle regulated through tight control of its promoter. We have previously shown that the ATF/CREB site, present in the cyclin A promoter, mediates transcriptional regulation by cAMP responsive element binding proteins. The main goal of the present study was to investigate whether this site is involved in transcriptional regulation of the gene. We have constructed stable NIH-3T3 cell lines that express the luciferase reporter gene under the control of normal or mutated versions of the cyclin A promoter. We show that the ATF/CREB is required to achieve maximal levels of transcription from the cyclin A promoter starting in late G1. We also show that down-regulation of the cyclin A promoter by p53 does not implicate a direct binding of p53 to its cognate consensus sequence but occurs probably by interference with trans-activating factors. This result suggests that p53 can interfere with transcription of the cyclin A gene, in the absence of a TATA sequence in the promoter.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1996

Databases and software for the analysis of mutations in the human p53 gene, the human hprt gene and the lacZ gene in transgenic rodents.

We have created databases and software applications for the analysis of DNA mutations in the human p53 gene, the human hprt gene and the rodent transgenic lacZ locus. The databases themselves are stand-alone dBase files and the software for analysis of the databases runs on IBM- compatible computers. The software created for these databases permits filtering, ordering, report generation and display of information in the database. In addition, a significant number of routines have been developed for the analysis of single base substitutions. One method of obtaining the databases and software is via the World Wide Web (WWW). Open home page http://sunsite.unc.edu/dnam/mainpage.ht ml with a WWW browser. Alternatively, the databases and programs are available via public ftp from anonymous@sunsite.unc.edu. There is no password required to enter the system. The databases and software are found in subdirectory pub/academic/biology/dna-mutations. Two other programs are available at the WWW site, a program for comparison of mutational spectra and a program for entry of mutational data into a relational database.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

APC gene: database of germline and somatic mutations in human tumors and cell lines.

A database is described in which over 700 mutations in the human APC gene of tumors (colon cancer predominantly) are compiled from the literature. It includes both molecular informations about the mutations and also clinical data about the patients. A software have been designed in order to analyse all these informations in the database.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1996

Software and database for the analysis of mutations in the human FBN1 gene.

Fibrillin is the major component of extracellular microfibrils. Mutations in the fibrillin gene on chromosome 15 (FBN1) were described at first in the heritable connective tissue disorder, Marfan syndrome (MFS). More recently, FBN1 has also been shown to harbor mutations related to a spectrum of conditions phenotypically related to MFS and many mutations will have to be accumulated before genotype/phenotype relationships emerge. To facilitate mutational analysis of the FBN1 gene, a software package along with a computerized database (currently listing 63 entries) have been created.

DNA Mutational Analysis↗
PubMed1996

Somatic point mutations in the p53 gene of human tumors and cell lines: updated compilation.

In 1994 we described a list of approximately 2500 point mutations in the p53 gene of human tumors and cell lines which we had compiled from the published literature and made available electronically through the file server at the EMBL Data Library. This database, updated twice a year, now contains records on 4496 published mutations (July 1995 release) and can be obtained from the EMBL Outstation-the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) through the network or on CD-ROM. This report describes the criteria for inclusion of data in this database, a description of the current format and a brief discussion of the current relevance of p53 mutation analysis to clinical and biological questions.

CD-ROM↗
PubMed1996

p53 gene mutation: software and database.

A large number of different mutations in the tumor suppressor gene p53 gene have been identified in all types of cancer. As of September 1995, this database contains over 4200 mutations. This substantial increase since our previous report can enable epidemiological analyses which were not previously possible. In order to capture all these new data, the software permitting analysis has been improved. This report describes the various improvements since first release of the database.

Animals↗