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Folic acid mediated attenuation of loss of heterozygosity of DCC tumor suppressor gene in the colonic mucosa of patients with colorectal adenomas.

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and/or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes are implicated in the initiation and progression of many malignancies, including colorectal cancer. Although accumulating evidence suggests a chemopreventive role for folate in colorectal cancer, regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. The primary objective of the current investigation was to determine whether folic acid would prevent LOH of the three tumor suppressor genes, deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC), adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and p53 in macroscopically normal appearing rectal mucosa of patients with adenomatous polyps. In addition, the effect of folic acid on rectal mucosal proliferation was determined. Twenty patients were randomized in a double-blind study to receive either folic acid 5mg once daily or identical placebo tablets for 1 year. Genomic DNA and total protein were extracted from the rectal mucosa at baseline and after 1 year of treatment and analyzed for LOH and protein levels of APC, DCC and p53 genes. In addition, paraffin-embedded mucosal specimens were analyzed for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunoreactivity, as a measure of cellular proliferative activity. Folate supplementation prevented LOH of DCC gene in five out of five (100%) patients who demonstrated baseline heterozygosity, whereas two out of four (50%) placebo-treated patients with baseline heterozygosity demonstrated allelic loss. Mucosal protein levels of DCC were also reduced in 7 of 10 (70%) placebo-treated patients compared to only 2 of 10 (20%) of patients treated with folate. Levels increased, however, in eight and three patients in the folic acid and placebo groups, respectively (P<0.02). Folic acid caused no change in allelic status of either APC or p53 gene. Folate supplementation caused a small, but not statistically significant, 16% reduction in mucosal proliferation, whereas placebo treatment resulted in a 88% (P<0.05) increase in this parameter, when compared with the corresponding baseline values. Our results indicate that folic acid prevents an increase in proliferation and arrests LOH of DCC gene and also stabilizes its protein in normal appearing rectal mucosa of patients with colorectal adenomas. Taken together, our data suggest that one of the ways folate may exert its chemopreventive effect is by stabilizing certain tumor suppressor gene(s) and preventing further increases in proliferation.

Adenoma↗

The significance of the expression of tumor suppressor gene DCC in human gliomas.

Deleted in colorectal carcinoma (DCC) gene has been as a candidate of tumor suppressor genes, has been identified recently and is thought to relate to the metastatic potential in some cancers. We examined the gene in 60 human gliomas (26 glioblastomas multiforme (GBMs), 16 anaplastic astrocytomas (AAs), 6 low grade astrocytomas (LGAs) of WHO Grade II, and 11 recurrent gliomas) and A172 human GBM cell line by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Twenty (77%) GBMs, 11 (69%) AAs, and 1 (17%) LGA revealed the reduced or absent DCC expression. Reduced DCC expression was also shown in 10 (91%) recurrent gliomas. Furthermore, in 5 cases with both primary and recurrent GBM, the DCC expressions of all recurrent tumors were lower than those of primary tumors. No significant correlation between DCC expression and Mib-1 labeling index was confirmed. The survival rate of patients without reduced DCC expression was significantly superior to that of patients with reduced DCC expression in overall malignant astrocytic tumors. In GBM and AA separately, DCC expression also tended to correlate with patient's prognosis. These results suggest that reduced DCC expression is an important marker in tumor malignancy and recurrence in astrocytic tumors and that may be a useful prognostic factor in patients with malignant astrocytic tumors.

Adolescent↗

Genomic alterations in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: loss of heterozygosity and Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a subset of head and neck squamous cell cancers with unique endemic distribution and aetiological co-factors. Epstein-Barr virus has been revealed to be an important aetiological factor for most nasopharyngeal carcinomas. Nevertheless, additional genetic alterations may be involved in their development and progression. The aim of this study was to determine the likely chromosomal locations of tumour-suppressor genes related to Epstein-Barr virus-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Fifty-six microsatellite polymorphic markers located on every autosomal arm were used to estimate the incidence of loss of heterozygosity in 27 Epstein-Barr virus-associated nasopharyngeal carcinomas. High frequencies of allelic loss were observed on chromosome 3p (75.0%) and 9p (87.0%). Chromosome 9q, 11q, 13q and 14q displayed loss in over 50%, while chromosome 3q, 6p, 16q, 19q and 22q exhibited loss in 35-50%. Furthermore, several other chromosomal arms demonstrated allelic loss in 20-35%. Additionally, 1 of the 27 cases showed microsatellite instability at multiple loci. These findings provide evidence of multiple genetic alterations during cancer development and clues for further studies of tumour-suppressor genes in Epstein-Barr virus-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Carcinoma↗

Reduced expression of deleted colorectal carcinoma (DCC) protein in established colon cancers.

Using a bacterial fusion protein, a deleted colorectal carcinoma (DCC)-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) 127-22 was established. Although MAb 127-22 reacted with almost all normal tissues, it did not react or only weakly reacted with many cancer cell lines, including colonic cancer lines, in flow cytometry. In Western immunoblots, the MAb reacted with a single 190-kDa molecule in a myeloma line Ara-10 extract. This component was scarcely detected in colonic cancer cell lines. Immunoblots of samples from 25 pairs of colonic cancers and adjacent normal tissues and from five adenoma tissues revealed that all normal colonic and adenoma tissues significantly expressed the DCC protein, whereas colonic cancer tissues showed poor expression. These results indicate not only deletion of and lowered mRNA expression of the DCC gene, but also marked reduction of DCC protein occurred in colonic cancer tissues. In addition, colonic cancer patients with liver metastasis expressed significantly lower levels of DCC than those without, suggesting the prognostic value of DCC expression.

Animals↗

Detection of the DCC gene product in normal and malignant colorectal tissues and its relation to a codon 201 mutation.

Protein expression of the putative tumour-suppressor gene DCC on chromosome 18q was evaluated in a panel of 16 matched colorectal cancer and normal colonic tissue samples together with DCC mRNA expression and allelic deletions (loss of heterozygosity, LOH). Determined by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-LOH assay, 12 of the 16 (75%) cases were informative with LOH occurring in 2 of the 12 cases. For DCC mRNA, transcripts could be detected in all analysed normal tissues (eight out of eight) by RT-PCR, whereas 6 of the 15 tumours were negative. DCC protein expression, investigated by immunohistochemistry using the monoclonal antibody 15041 A directed against the intracellular domain, was homogeneously positive in all normal tissue samples. In tumour tissues, no DCC protein was seen in 11 out of 16 samples (69%). For the DCC codon 201, we found a loss of a wild-type codon sequence caused by mutation or LOH in at least 8 out of 15 cases (53%) compared with the corresponding normal tissue. DCC protein expression was undetectable in eight of the nine tumours missing both wild-type codons. Only one of the five tumours with retained DCC protein expression had no detectable wild-type codon 201. In addition, 9 out of 15 normal tissue specimens were mutated in codon 201. In two out of three cases with homozygous wild-type codons in peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) DNA, mutations were already observed in the tumour adjacent normal colonic mucosa. We conclude that DCC immunostaining should be introduced in the clinicopathological routine because of its strong correlation with the known prognostic markers 18q LOH and mutation of codon 201.

Blotting, Southern↗

Microsatellite analysis of the DCC gene in nephroblastomas: pathologic correlations and prognostic implications.

Microsatellite instability has been reported in a wide variety of cancer types. Inactivation or loss of tumour suppressor genes has been shown to result in cell cycle deregulation and neoplastic growth. We conducted a microsatellite study using fluorescent-based DNA technology to determine whether mutations in the microsatellite sequences of the deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) gene, a tumour suppressor at 18q21.1, have any pathologic correlation or prognostic significance in nephroblastomas. Normal and tumour DNA was isolated from 106 cases of nephroblastoma using the standard proteinase K digestion and phenol-chloroform extraction method from paraffin wax-embedded tissue. Polymerase chain reaction using three microsatellite markers; D18S21, D18S34 and D18S58, for the DCC gene were performed. The polymerase chain reaction products were analysed on the ALF Express Automated DNA sequencer. The results were correlated with age at diagnosis, preoperative chemotherapy, clinicopathological stage, histological classification and patient outcome using chi(2) test. Allelic imbalance/loss of heterozygosity appeared to be a more frequent genetic aberration than microsatellite instability with 20% of cases showing allelic imbalance/loss of heterozygosity and only 9% of cases showing microsatellite instability. Genetic aberrations were more frequent in unfavourable histology tumours compared to favourable histology tumours (P=0.012). All patients with genetic aberrations for more than one DCC marker died independent of histological classification and stage (P=0.016). There was no statistically significant difference when DCC aberrations were compared with age at diagnosis, preoperative chemotherapy and clinicopathological stage. In conclusion, this study has found that multiple aberrations involving the DCC locus may play a role in the progression of nephroblastomas, and hence confer a poorer prognosis.

Adolescent↗

Cyclic AMP/GMP-dependent modulation of Ca2+ channels sets the polarity of nerve growth-cone turning.

Signalling by intracellular second messengers such as cyclic nucleotides and Ca2+ is known to regulate attractive and repulsive guidance of axons by extracellular factors. However, the mechanism of interaction among these second messengers in determining the polarity of the guidance response is largely unknown. Here, we report that the ratio of cyclic AMP to cyclic GMP activities sets the polarity of netrin-1-induced axon guidance: high ratios favour attraction, whereas low ratios favour repulsion. Whole-cell recordings of Ca2+ currents at Xenopus spinal neuron growth cones indicate that cyclic nucleotide signalling directly modulates the activity of L-type Ca2+ channels (LCCs) in axonal growth cones. Furthermore, cGMP signalling activated by an arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase metabolite suppresses LCC activity triggered by netrin-1, and is required for growth-cone repulsion mediated by the DCC-UNC5 receptor complex. By linking cAMP and cGMP signalling and modulation of Ca2+ channel activity in growth cones, these findings delineate an early membrane-associated event responsible for signal transduction during bi-directional axon guidance.

Animals↗

Netrin PIPes up.

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Animals↗

Evaluation of candidate tumour suppressor genes on chromosome 18 in colorectal cancers.

Chromosome deletions are the most common genetic events observed in cancer. These deletions are generally thought to reflect the existence of a tumour suppressor gene within the lost region. However, when the lost region does not precisely coincide with a hereditary cancer locus, identification of the putative tumour suppressor gene (target of the deletion) can be problematic. For example, previous studies have demonstrated that chromosome 18q is lost in over 60% of colorectal as well as in other cancers, but the lost region could not be precisely determined. Here we present a rigorous strategy for mapping and evaluating allelic deletions in sporadic tumours, and apply it to the evaluation of chromosome 18 in colorectal cancers. Using this approach, we define a minimally lost region (MLR) on chromosome 18q21, which contains at least two candidate tumour suppressor genes, DPC4 and DCC. The analysis further suggested genetic heterogeneity, with DPC4 the deletion target in up to a third of the cases and DCC or a neighbouring gene the target in the remaining tumours.

Alleles↗

DCC expression is related to mucinous differentiation but not changes in expression of p21(WAF1/Cip1) and p27Kip1, apoptosis, cell proliferation and human papillomavirus infection in uterine cervical adenocarcinomas.

To clarify possible roles of DCC expression in tumour differentiation and cell kinetics, we immunohistochemically investigated 80 uterine cervical adenocarcinomas (C-ACs), including 31 mucinous (M) and 31 endometrioid (E) lesions, and 18 adenocarcinomas in situ (AIS), along with 39 normal cervical samples. The results were compared with findings for p21(WAF1/Cip1) and p27Kip1 expression, apoptosis, cell proliferation and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Nine C-AC cases were also examined using a combination of the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot hybridization, as well as Western blot assays. Significantly decreased DCC scores were observed in E-ACs but not M-ACs, as compared to normal cervical glandular epithelia and AIS. Average p21(WAF1/Cip1) and p27Kip1 scores were significantly higher in E-ACs than M-ACs, in line with high apoptotic, mitotic and Ki-67 labelling indices. A concordance of the results for DCC and p21(WAF1/Cip1) expression between mRNA- and protein-based assays was also noted. Change of DCC expression, however, was not related to any of the cell kinetic markers or clinicopathological features in ACs of either type. There was also no association with the HPV status, although infection was significantly linked with high values for cell kinetics. These results suggest that DCC expression in C-ACs is closely associated with mucinous differentiation.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Reduced expression of APC and DCC gene protein in breast cancer.

AIMS: To investigate if the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein and the deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) protein expression can be demonstrated by an immuno-histochemical method and to study the role of APC and DCC gene inactivation in the development and progression of breast cancer using colorectal cancer as a control model. METHODS AND RESULTS: The reduced or loss of protein expression of the APC and DCC genes was studied in 27 surgical specimens of primary breast cancer using an immunohistochemical method. Reduced or lost expression was identified in 11 out of 27 samples (40.7%) for the APC gene and 15 out of 27 samples (55.6%) for the DCC gene. No statistically significant difference was observed between the reduced or lost protein expression and the histological grading of breast tumour for both the APC and the DCC gene. CONCLUSIONS: Both gene proteins can be demonstrated by the immunohistochemical method. Reduced or loss of APC and DCC gene product were observed in 40.7% and 55.6% cases of primary breast cancer respectively. Further work is required to investigate the significance of the finding.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein↗

Prognostic value of genomic alterations in minimal residual cancer cells purified from the blood of breast cancer patients.

The prognostic value of disseminated tumour cells derived from 353 breast cancer patients was evaluated. Disseminated tumour cells were purified from blood using a newly established method and nucleic acids were subsequently isolated. We investigated genomic imbalances (GI) such as mutation, amplification and loss of heterozygosity of 13 tumour suppressor genes and 2 proto-oncogenes using DNA from isolated minimal residual cancer cells. Significant correlations were found between genomic alterations of the DCC - and c-erbB-2 genes in disseminated breast cancer cells and actuarial relapse-free survival. Furthermore, increasing numbers of genomic imbalances measured in disseminated tumour cells were significantly associated with worse prognosis of recurrent disease. Logistic regression and Cox multivariate analysis led to the identification of genomic imbalances as an independent prognostic factor. Determination of disseminated tumour cells by genotyping of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes seems not only to be a useful adjunct in follow up of carcinoma patients but provides also valuable additional individualized prognostic and predictive information in breast cancer patients beyond the TNM system.

Adult↗

Analysis of transforming activity of human synovial sarcoma-associated chimeric protein SYT-SSX1 bound to chromatin remodeling factor hBRM/hSNF2 alpha.

Human synovial sarcoma has been shown to exclusively harbor the chromosomal translocation t(X;18) that produces the chimeric gene SYT-SSX. However, the role of SYT-SSX in cellular transformation remains unclear. In this study, we have established 3Y1 rat fibroblast cell lines that constitutively express SYT, SSX1, and SYT-SSX1 and found that SYT-SSX1 promoted growth rate in culture, anchorage-independent growth in soft agar, and tumor formation in nude mice. Deletion of the N-terminal 181 amino acids of SYT-SSX1 caused loss of its transforming activity. Furthermore, association of SYT-SSX1 with the chromatin remodeling factor hBRM/hSNF2 alpha, which regulates transcription, was demonstrated in both SYT-SSX1-expressing 3Y1 cells and in the human synovial sarcoma cell line HS-SY-II. The binding region between the two molecules was shown to reside within the N-terminal 181 amino acids stretch (aa 1--181) of SYT-SSX1 and 50 amino acids (aa 156--205) of hBRM/hSNF2 alpha and we found that the overexpression of this binding region of hBRM/hSNF2 alpha significantly suppressed the anchorage-independent growth of SYT-SSX1-expressing 3Y1 cells. To analyze the transcriptional regulation by SYT-SSX1, we established conditional expression system of SYT-SSX1 and examined the gene expression profiles. The down-regulation of potential tumor suppressor DCC was observed among 1,176 genes analyzed by microarray analysis, and semi-quantitative reverse transcription--PCR confirmed this finding. These data clearly demonstrate transforming activity of human oncogene SYT-SSX1 and also involvement of chromatin remodeling factor hBRM/hSNF2 alpha in human cancer.

Agar↗

DCC-dependent phospholipase C signaling in netrin-1-induced neurite elongation.

Netrins, a family of secreted molecules, play important roles in axon pathfinding during nervous system development. Although phosphatidylinositol signaling has been implicated in this event, how netrin-1 regulates phosphatidylinositol signaling remains poorly understood. Here we provide evidence that netrin-1 stimulates phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate hydrolysis in cortical neurons. This event appears to be mediated by DCC (deleted in colorectal cancer), but not neogenin or Unc5h2. Netrin-1 induces phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma) tyrosine phosphorylation. Inhibition of PLC activity attenuates netrin-1-induced cortical neurite outgrowth. These results suggest that netrin-1 regulates phosphatidylinositol turnover and demonstrate a crucial role of PLC signaling in netrin-1-induced neurite elongation.

Animals↗

Different beta-catenin immunoexpression in carcinoid tumors of the appendix in comparison to other gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors.

Carcinoid tumor of the appendix is an endocrine tumor that is histologically similar to, but biologically less aggressive than carcinoids arising from other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we examined E-cadherin, beta-catenin, DCC, p53 and Ki67 immunoexpression in cases of carcinoid of the appendix and made a comparison with non-appendiceal carcinoid tumors. Nine cases of appendiceal carcinoid and 11 biopsies of carcinoid of other parts of the gastrointestinal tract, five cases of the small intestine and six of the stomach were immunohistochemically evaluated for Ki67, p53, DCC, E-cadherin and beta-catenin. Two main patterns of beta-catenin staining were observed. The first pattern was characterized as membranous and cytoplasmic, and was seen mainly in the peripheral cells of the nests. The second pattern was diffuse, predominantly membranous. Most (five of seven) appendiceal carcinoids and only three of 11 non-appendiceal cases showed the first staining pattern (p < 0.05). Immunoexpression of E-cadherin and DCC was similar in both groups. p53 and Ki-67 immunostaining revealed stronger nuclear positivity in the non-appendiceal carcinoid tumors (statistically not significant). We found a pattern of beta-catenin immunostaining in typical carcinoid tumors of the appendix that was different from the pattern seen in non-appendiceal carcinoid tumors. This alteration suggests that carcinoid of the appendix may represent a different subtype of carcinoid tumors with different immunohistochemical and biological behavior.

Adult↗

Prognostic significance of the deleted in colorectal cancer gene protein expression in high-risk resected gastric carcinoma.

The deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) gene is a candidate tumor suppressor gene that may be associated with differentiation and proliferation of normal cells. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of 18q, where the gene is located, and absence of DCC protein expression have been associated with worse prognosis in certain subgroups of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma. We studied the prognostic significance of loss-of-protein expression in 66 patients with resected gastric cancer with a high probability of relapse (T3, T4, N+). The DCC protein was detected with immunohistochemistry using an anti-DCC monoclonal antibody on paraffin-embedded sections. The DCC protein expression was present in 51 cases (77.3%) and absent in 15 cases (22.7%). Poorly differentiated and signet ring carcinomas had significantly lower expression than more differentiated tumors (p < 0.05) as did diffuse-type tumors compared to intestinal and mixed (p < 0.01). There was no correlation with proliferation rate, estimated immunohistochemically using an anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) monoclonal antibody. Absence of DCC protein was an independent favorable prognostic factor (median survival 57 months vs. 18 months, p = 0.0176). The DCC protein expression was correlated with relapse site: all patients with distant metastases were positive for DCC staining, while one-third of patients with local/peritoneal relapse were negative (p < 0.01). In conclusion, DCC protein expression seems to be a significant prognostic factor in high-risk resected gastric cancer. Our results support previous data associating the DCC gene with differentiation and indicate that this gene may play a role in the metastatic potential of these tumors. These findings need to be confirmed by future larger studies.

Adenocarcinoma↗