Novel Expression Patterns for Trefoil Peptides: Presence of Tff2 and Tff3 in Rodent Cochlea

Trefoil peptides: Tff1, Tff2 and Tff3, assigned to the so-called trefoil factor family (TFF), are secretory proteins predominantly expressed by the gastrointestinal (GI) epithelial cells. Their multiple protective functions include an important role in immune response and apoptosis. Here, a novel localization of Tff2 and Tff3 in the cochlea of mouse inner ear is presented. Tffs expression and localization in mouse cochlea was analyzed by using the quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry. Tff2 and Tff3 mRNA quantification by qPCR showed their presence in the cochlea. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the presence of Tff2 in the spiral ligament and limbus and for Tff3 in the spiral ligament and the organ of Corti. These new and surprising findings of Tff’s presence in the cochlea indicate a new role of TFFs connected with the organ of hearing which still needs to be physiologically evaluated

Large-scale physical mapping within the region 22q12.3-13.1 in meningioma

The lack of physical mapping data strongly restricts the analysis of the meningioma chromosomal region that was assigned to the bands 22q12.3-qter. Recently, we reported a new marker D22S16 for chromosome 22 that was assigned to the region 22q13-qter by in situ hybridization. Utilizing somatic cell hybrids we now sublocalized the marker D22S16 within the band region 22q12-13.1, thus placing it in the vicinity of the gene for the platelet derived growth factor (PDGFB). A physical map was established for the regions surrounding the PDGFB gene and the D22S16 marker. By means of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) D22S16 and PDGFB were found to be physically linked within 900 kb. We also identified two CpG clusters bordering the PDGFB gene. For the enzyme NotI, a variation of the PDGFB restriction pattern was found between different individuals. PFGE analysis of the two loci (PDFGB and D22S16) failed to identify major rearrangements in meningioma.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/29218/1/0000273.pd

PCR Expression Analysis Of the Estrogeninducible Gene Bcei in Gastrointestinal and Other Human Tumors

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to test for tumor cell specific expression of the BCEI gene. This new marker gene, reported at first for human breast cancer, was found specifically active in various gastrointestinal carcinomas by previously applying immunohistochemistry and RNA (Northern blot) analysis. Presently, by using reverse transcription -PCR analysis, a series of primary tumor tissues and established tumor cell lines were testcd for BCEI transcription. This approach was compared to immunostaining achieved by an antibody directed against the BCEI gene’s product. The result demonstrate the superior sensitivity of PCR by indicating the gene’ s expression in cases where immunohistochemical testing remained negative