PPP1R1B (protein phosphatase 1, regulatory (inhibitor) subunit 1B (dopamine and cAMP regulated phosphoprotein, DARPP-32))

Review on PPP1R1B (protein phosphatase 1, regulatory (inhibitor) subunit 1B (dopamine and cAMP regulated phosphoprotein, DARPP-32)), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

Dopamine and cAMP‐regulated phosphoprotein 32kDa (DARPP‐32), protein phosphatase‐1 and cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 expression in ovarian cancer

Dopamine and cyclic‐AMP activated phosphoprotein Mr32kDa (DARPP‐32) is a central signalling protein in neurotransmission. Following DARPP‐32 phosphorylation by protein kinase A (PKA), DARPP‐32 becomes a potent protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) inhibitor. DARPP‐32 can itself inhibit PKA following DARPP‐32 phosphorylation by cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5). Increasing evidence indicates a role for DARPP‐32 and its associated signalling pathways in cancer; however, its role in ovarian cancer remains unclear. Using immunohistochemistry, expression of DARPP‐32, PP1 and Cdk5 was determined in a large cohort of primary tumours from ovarian cancer patients (n = 428, 445 and 434 respectively) to evaluate associations between clinical outcome and clinicopathological criteria. Low cytoplasmic and nuclear DARPP‐32 expression was associated with shorter patient overall survival and progression‐free survival (P = .001, .001, .004 and .037 respectively). Low nuclear and cytoplasmic DARPP‐32 expression remained significantly associated with overall survival in multivariate Cox regression (P = .045, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.734, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.542‐0.993 and P = .001, HR = 0.494, 95% CI = 0.325‐0.749, respectively). High cytoplasmic and nuclear PP1 expression was associated with shorter patient overall survival and high cytoplasmic PP1 expression with shorter progression‐free survival (P = .005, .033, and .037, respectively). High Cdk5 expression was associated with shorter progression‐free survival (P = .006). These data suggest a role for DARPP‐32 and associated signalling kinases as prognostic markers with clinical utility in ovarian cancer

DNA copy number changes in young gastric cancer patients with special reference to chromosome 19

Only a few cytogenetic and genetic studies have been performed in gastric cancer patients in young age groups. In the present study we used the comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH) method to characterise frequent DNA copy number changes in 22 gastric cancer patients of 45 years or younger and three gastric cancer cell lines established from patients younger than 45 years. Analysis of DNA copy number changes revealed frequent DNA copy number increases at chromosomes 17q (52%), 19q (68%) and 20q (64%). To confirm the CGH results and to characterise the amplicon region on the most frequently amplified chromosome, chromosome 19, we carried out fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) analysis and Southern blot analysis. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation with the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone mapped to 19q12 indicated a copy number increase in all eight tumour specimens studied. Southern blot analysis of six tumour specimens and three tumour cell lines, with five probes mapped to the 19q12-13.2 region, suggested cyclin E to be one of the candidate target genes in the 19q region for gastric cancer tumorigenesis. Cyclin E protein overexpression was verified in tumours with amplification on chromosome 19. Further studies are required to investigate the biological and clinical significance of 19q amplicon and cyclin E upregulation in gastric cancer of young patient

Primary pleural leiomyosarcoma with rapid progression and fatal outcome: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Leiomyosarcomas are neoplasms of smooth muscles that most commonly arise from the uterus, gastrointestinal tract, or soft tissue. Primary pleural leiomyosarcoma is extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, only nine cases have been published to date. Because of the rarity of pleural leiomyosarcoma and its similarity (clinical and histological) to other pleural neoplasms, particularly sarcomatous mesothelioma, diagnosis is often difficult.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 58-year-old North African man was admitted with complaints of dyspnea and chest pain to our hospital. Chest computed tomography revealed right pleural effusion and pleural thickening. A transthoracic needle biopsy yielded a diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma, and tumor cells were strongly and uniformly positive for vimentin, a smooth muscle actin at immunohistochemical analysis. A general examination did not show any metastatic lesions in other areas. One month after diagnosis, the tumor grew rapidly, with pulmonary invasion, and therefore he was treated only by palliative care. He died from respiratory failure one month later. Because no organ of origin of the leiomyosarcoma, other than the pleura, was detected, this case was diagnosed as a primary pleural leiomyosarcoma.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although leiomyosarcoma originating from the pleura is rare, this entity is increasingly described. The purpose of presenting this case report is to raise awareness among clinicians to consider this clinical entity as a differential diagnosis when a pleural mass is identified.</p

Programmed Chemotherapy for Patients with Metastatic Unresectable Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in the treatment of metastatic unresectable gastric cancers (MGC) include the development of new antitumor drugs and new regimens for their use. However, the selection of individually designed regimens by gastric cancer (GC) subtype remains problematic. Here, we investigated the clinical usefulness of programmed chemotherapy. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: MGC patients were classified into three groups by clinical condition. We implemented a chemotherapy program consisting of S-1 combination regimens. Median survival time (MST) of level 1 patients was 416 days (95% CI: 313-506 days), with an overall response rate of 47%. MSTs of level 2 and 3 patients were 208 (95% CI: 153-287 days) and 95 days (95% CI: 28-136 days), respectively. Grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia in 12% and anorexia in 6%. All treatment- related toxicities were resolved, and no treatment-related deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This program provided reasonable selection of case-matching regimens and may improve the survival of patients with MGC. Further, it may represent the first clinical tool to provide efficient chemotherapy course selection for MGC. Ongoing analysis of newly developed drugs and regimens will allow the efficacy of this chemotherapy program to be improved

In silico analysis and verification of S100 gene expression in gastric cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The S100 protein family comprises 22 members whose protein sequences encompass at least one EF-hand Ca²⁺binding motif. They were involved in the regulation of a number of cellular processes such as cell cycle progression and differentiation. However, the expression status of S100 family members in gastric cancer was not known yet.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Combined with analysis of series analysis of gene expression, virtual Northern blot and microarray data, the expression levels of S100 family members in normal and malignant stomach tissues were systematically investigated. The expression of S100A3 was further evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At least 5 S100 genes were found to be upregulated in gastric cance by in silico analysis. Among them, four genes, including S100A2, S100A4, S100A7 and S100A10, were reported to overexpressed in gastric cancer previously. The expression of S100A3 in eighty patients of gastric cancer was further examined. The results showed that the mean expression levels of S100A3 in gastric cancer tissues were 2.5 times as high as in adjacent non-tumorous tissues. S100A3 expression was correlated with tumor differentiation and TNM (Tumor-Node-Metastasis) stage of gastric cancer, which was relatively highly expressed in poorly differentiated and advanced gastric cancer tissues (<it>P </it>< 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>To our knowledge this is the first report of systematic evaluation of S100 gene expressions in gastric cancers by multiple in silico analysis. The results indicated that overexpression of S100 gene family members were characteristics of gastric cancers and S100A3 might play important roles in differentiation and progression of gastric cancer.</p

Chromosomal aberrations in benign and malignant Bilharzia-associated bladder lesions analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization

BACKGROUND: Bilharzia-associated bladder cancer (BAC) is a major health problem in countries where urinary schistosomiasis is endemic. Characterization of the genetic alterations in this cancer might enhance our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease but, in contrast to nonbilharzia bladder cancer, BAC has rarely been the object of such scrutiny. In the present study, we aimed to characterize chromosomal imbalances in benign and malignant post-bilharzial lesions, and to determine whether their unique etiology yields a distinct cytogenetic profile as compared to chemically induced bladder tumors. METHODS: DNAs from 20 archival paraffin-embedded post-bilharzial bladder lesions (6 benign and 14 malignant) obtained from Sudanese patients (12 males and 8 females) with a history of urinary bilharziasis were investigated for chromosomal imbalances using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Subsequent FISH analysis with pericentromeric probes was performed on paraffin sections of the same cases to confirm the CGH results. RESULTS: Seven of the 20 lesions (6 carcinomas and one granuloma) showed chromosomal imbalances varying from 1 to 6 changes. The most common chromosomal imbalances detected were losses of 1p21-31, 8p21-pter, and 9p and gain of 19p material, seen in three cases each, including the benign lesion. CONCLUSION: Most of the detected imbalances have been repeatedly reported in non-bilharzial bladder carcinomas, suggesting that the cytogenetic profiles of chemical- and bilharzia-induced carcinomas are largely similar. However, loss of 9p seems to be more ubiquitous in BAC than in bladder cancer in industrialized countries

Location-Specific Epigenetic Regulation of the Metallothionein 3 Gene in Esophageal Adenocarcinomas

Metallothionein 3 (MT3) maintains intracellular metal homeostasis and protects against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced DNA damage. In this study, we investigated the epigenetic alterations and gene expression of the MT3 gene in esophageal adenocarcinomas (EACs).Using quantitative bisulfite pyrosequencing, we detected unique DNA methylation profiles in the MT3 promoter region. The CpG nucleotides from -372 to -306 from the transcription start site (TSS) were highly methylated in tumor (n = 64) and normal samples (n = 51), whereas CpG nucleotides closest to the TSS (-4 and +3) remained unmethylated in all normal and most tumor samples. Conversely, CpG nucleotides in two regions (from -139 to -49 and +296 to +344) were significantly hypermethylated in EACs as compared to normal samples [FDR<0.001, -log10(FDR)>3.0]. The DNA methylation levels from -127 to -8 CpG sites showed the strongest correlation with MT3 gene expression (r = -0.4, P<0.0001). Moreover, the DNA hypermethylation from -127 to -8 CpG sites significantly correlated with advanced tumor stages and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.005 and P = 0.0313, respectively). The ChIP analysis demonstrated a more repressive histone modification (H3K9me2) and less active histone modifications (H3K4me2, H3K9ace) in OE33 cells than in FLO-1 cells; concordant with the presence of higher DNA methylation levels and silencing of MT3 expression in OE33 as compared to FLO-1 cells. Treatment of OE33 cells with 5-Aza-deoxycitidine restored MT3 expression with demethylation of its promoter region and reversal of the histone modifications towards active histone marks.In summary, EACs are characterized by frequent epigenetic silencing of MT3. The choice of specific regions in the CpG island is a critical step in determining the functional role and prognostic value of DNA methylation in cancer cells

Protein Phosphatase 1 Dephosphorylates Profilin-1 at Ser-137

Profilin-1 (PFN1) plays an important role in the control of actin dynamics, and could represent an important therapeutic target in several diseases. We previously identified PFN1 as a huntingtin aggregation inhibitor, and others have implicated it as a tumor-suppressor. Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) directly phosphorylates PFN1 at Ser-137 to prevent its binding to polyproline sequences. This negatively regulates its anti-aggregation activity. However, the phosphatase that dephosphorylates PFN1 at Ser-137, and thus activates it, is unknown. Using a phospho-specific antibody against Ser-137 of PFN1, we characterized PFN1 dephosphorylation in cultured cells based on immunocytochemistry and a quantitative plate reader-based assay. Both okadaic acid and endothall increased pS137-PFN1 levels at concentrations more consistent with their known IC50s for protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) than protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Knockdown of the catalytic subunit of PP1 (PP1Cα), but not PP2A (PP2ACα), increased pS137-PFN1 levels. PP1Cα binds PFN1 in cultured cells, and this interaction was increased by a phosphomimetic mutation of PFN1 at Ser-137 (S137D). Together, these data define PP1 as the principal phosphatase for Ser-137 of PFN1, and provide mechanistic insights into PFN1 regulation by phosphorylation

A Comparative Molecular Dynamics Study of Methylation State Specificity of JMJD2A

Histone modifications have great importance in epigenetic regulation. JMJD2A is a histone demethylase which is selective for di- and trimethyl forms of residues Lys9 and Lys36 of Histone 3 tail (H3K9 and H3K36). We present a molecular dynamics simulations of mono-, di- and trimethylated histone tails in complex with JMJD2A catalytic domain to gain insight into how JMJD2A discriminates between the methylation states of H3K9. The methyl groups are located at specific distances and orientations with respect to Fe(II) in methylammonium binding pocket. For the trimethyllysine the mechanism which provides the effectual orientation of methyl groups is the symmetry, whereas for the dimethyllysine case the determining factors are the interactions between methyllysine head and its environment and subsequently the restriction on angular motion. The occurrence frequency of methyl groups in a certain proximity of Fe(II) comes out as the explanation of the enzyme activity difference on di- and tri-methylated peptides. Energy analysis suggests that recognition is mostly driven by van der Waals and followed by Coulombic interactions in the enzyme-substrate interface. The number (mono, di or tri) and orientations of methyl groups and water molecules significantly affect the extent of van der Waals interaction strengths. Hydrogen bonding analysis suggests that the interaction between JMJD2A and its substrates mainly comes from main chain-side chain interactions. Binding free energy analysis points out Arg8 as an important residue forming an intra-substrate hydrogen bond with tri and dimethylated Lys9 of the H3 chain. Our study provides new insights into how JMJD2A discriminates between its substrates from both a structural and dynamical point of view