Feasibility of pre-operative mTOR inhibitor Sirolimus in children and young adults with desmoid tumor

Background: • Desmoid tumor represents an intermediate grade neoplasm with a striking predilection for locally invasive growth and recurrence following resection • More effective, well-tolerated non-surgical treatment options are needed • Current approaches • If feasible, watchful waiting is the preferred approach • 20-30% spontaneous regression • In situations where treatment is indicated, the following approaches are utilized • Surgery is the primary approach if minimal morbidity is anticipated • Medical therapies • Cytotoxic drugs • Tyrosine kinase inhibitors • Hydroxyurea • Gamma secretase inhibitors • mTOR Inhibitor Rationale • Desmoid tumor is well-known to be associated with deregulation of the APC/β-catenin pathway • Deregulation of the mTOR cell proliferation/survival pathway may play an important role in tumor biology when the APC/βcatenin pathway is disrupted • The mTOR inhibitor sirolimus is attractive as a potential targeted therapy for desmoid tumor • Well-tolerated in children and young adults • Can be given orally in tablet or liquid formulatio

Mapping of an origin of DNA replication in the promoter of fragile X gene FMR1

An origin of bidirectional DNA replication was mapped to the promoter of the FMR1 gene in human chromosome Xq27.3, which has been linked to the fragile X syndrome. This origin is adjacent to a CpG island and overlaps the site of expansion of the triplet repeat (CGG) at the fragile X instability site, FRAXA. The promoter region of FMR2 in the FRAXE site (approximately 600 kb away, in chromosome band Xq28) also includes an origin of replication, as previously described. FMR1 transcripts were detected in foreskin and male fetal lung fibroblasts, while FMR2 transcripts were not. However, both FMR1 and FMR2 were found to replicate late in S phase (approximately six hours into the S phase of normal human fibroblasts). The position of the origin of replication relative to the CGG repeat, and perhaps the late replication of these genes, might be important factors in the susceptibility to triplet repeat amplification at the FRAXA and FRAXE sites

DNA replication in early S phase pauses near newly activated origins

During the S phase of the cell cycle, the entire genome is replicated. There is a high level of orderliness to this process through the temporally and topologically coordinated activation of many replication origins situated along chromosomes. We investigated the program of replication from origins initiating in early S phase by labeling synchronized normal human fibroblasts (NHF1) with nucleotide analogs for various pulse times and measuring labeled tracks in combed DNA fibers. Our analysis showed that replication forks progress 9–35 kilobases from newly initiated origins, followed by a pause in synthesis before replication resumes. Pausing was not observed near origins that initiated in the middle of S phase. No evidence for pausing near origins was found at the beginning of the S phase in glioblastoma T98G cells. Treatment with the S phase checkpoint inhibitor caffeine abrogated pausing in NHF1 cells in early S phase. This suggests that pausing may comprise a novel aspect of the intra-S phase checkpoint pathway or a related new early S checkpoint. Further, it is possible that the loss of this regulatory process in cancer cells such as T98G could be a contributing factor in the genetic instability that typifies cancers

SWI/SNF complexes are required for full activation of the DNA-damage response

SWI/SNF complexes utilize BRG1 (also known as SMARCA4) or BRM (also known as SMARCA2) as alternative catalytic subunits with ATPase activity to remodel chromatin. These chromatin-remodeling complexes are required for mammalian development and are mutated in ~20% of all human primary tumors. Yet our knowledge of their tumor-suppressor mechanism is limited. To investigate the role of SWI/SNF complexes in the DNA-damage response (DDR), we used shRNAs to deplete BRG1 and BRM and then exposed these cells to a panel of 6 genotoxic agents. Compared to controls, the shRNA knockdown cells were hypersensitive to certain genotoxic agents that cause double-strand breaks (DSBs) associated with stalled/collapsed replication forks but not to ionizing radiation-induced DSBs that arise independently of DNA replication. These findings were supported by our analysis of DDR kinases, which demonstrated a more prominent role for SWI/SNF in the activation of the ATR-Chk1 pathway than the ATM-Chk2 pathway. Surprisingly, γH2AX induction was attenuated in shRNA knockdown cells exposed to a topoisomerase II inhibitor (etoposide) but not to other genotoxic agents including IR. However, this finding is compatible with recent studies linking SWI/SNF with TOP2A and TOP2BP1. Depletion of BRG1 and BRM did not result in genomic instability in a tumor-derived cell line but did result in nucleoplasmic bridges in normal human fibroblasts. Taken together, these results suggest that SWI/SNF tumor-suppressor activity involves a role in the DDR to attenuate replicative stress and genomic instability. These results may also help to inform the selection of chemotherapeutics for tumors deficient for SWI/SNF function

BRG1 co-localizes with DNA replication factors and is required for efficient replication fork progression

For DNA replication to occur, chromatin must be remodeled. Yet, we know very little about which proteins alter nucleosome occupancy at origins and replication forks and for what aspects of replication they are required. Here, we demonstrate that the BRG1 catalytic subunit of mammalian SWI/SNF-related complexes co-localizes with origin recognition complexes, GINS complexes, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen at sites of DNA replication on extended chromatin fibers. The specific pattern of BRG1 occupancy suggests it does not participate in origin selection but is involved in the firing of origins and the process of replication elongation. This latter function is confirmed by the fact that Brg1 mutant mouse embryos and RNAi knockdown cells exhibit a 50% reduction in replication fork progression rates, which is associated with decreased cell proliferation. This novel function of BRG1 is consistent with its requirement during embryogenesis and its role as a tumor suppressor to maintain genome stability and prevent cancer

DNA replication and the GINS complex: localization on extended chromatin fibers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The GINS complex is thought to be essential for the processes of initiation and elongation of DNA replication. This complex contains four subunits, one of which (Psf1) is proposed to bind to both chromatin and DNA replication-associated proteins. To date there have been no microscopic analyses to evaluate the chromatin distribution of this complex. Here, we show the organization of GINS complexes on extended chromatin fibers in relation to sites of DNA replication and replication-associated proteins.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using immunofluorescence microscopy we were able to visualize ORC1, ORC2, PCNA, and GINS complex proteins Psf1 and Psf2 bound to extended chromatin fibers. We were also able to detect these proteins concurrently with the visualization of tracks of recently replicated DNA where EdU, a thymidine analog, was incorporated. This allowed us to assess the chromatin association of proteins of interest in relation to the process of DNA replication. ORC and GINS proteins were found on chromatin fibers before replication could be detected. These proteins were also associated with newly replicated DNA in bead-like structures. Additionally, GINS proteins co-localized with PCNA at sites of active replication.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In agreement with its proposed role in the initiation of DNA replication, GINS proteins associated with chromatin near sites of ORC binding that were devoid of EdU (absence of DNA replication). The association of GINS proteins with PCNA was consistent with a role in the process of elongation. Additionally, the large size of our chromatin fibers (up to approximately 7 Mb) allowed for a more expansive analysis of the distance between active replicons than previously reported.</p

Foodability

The Portland Plan will consider current physical and socioeconomic conditions and trends and help establish shared visions, goals, and policies to guide the efforts of BPS and other city agencies over the next 20 years. BPS is interested in addressing food access issues in the Portland Plan, but does not have a defined, stakeholder-supported vision for food access. The Foodabilty project is developing a vision, goals, and strategy recommendations for food access in Portland that can be used to ground and direct future actions by the City and other organizations. It is supported by a set of maps displaying the contours of the City\u27s current geographies of food accessibility. The final vision statement and evaluation criteria will be used to evaluate the goals for implementation that may be used to move Portland closer to its vision for food access. The final report will include a matrix evaluating the effectiveness and appropriateness of recommended strategies for BPS and other organizations. This project was conducted under the supervision of Sy Adler and Ethan Seltzer