Improved colonoscopy is revealing precancerous lesions that were frequently missed in the past, and ∼30% of those detected today have nonpolypoid morphologies ranging from slightly raised to depressed. To characterize these lesions molecularly, we assessed transcription of 23,768 genes in 42 precancerous lesions (25 slightly elevated nonpolypoid and 17 pedunculated polypoid), each with corresponding samples of normal mucosa. Nonpolypoid versus polypoid morphology explained most gene expression variance among samples; histology, size, and degree of dysplasia were also linked to specific patterns. Expression changes in polypoid lesions frequently affected cell-cycling pathways, whereas cell-survival dysregulation predominated in nonpolypoid lesions. The latter also displayed fewer and less dramatic expression changes than polypoid lesions. Paradigmatic of this trend was progressive loss through the normal > nonpolypoid > polypoid > cancer sequence of TMIGD1 mRNA and protein. This finding, along with TMIGD1 protein expression patterns in tissues and cell lines, suggests that TMIGD1 might be associated with intestinal-cell differentiation. We conclude that molecular dysregulation in slightly elevated, nonpolypoid, precancerous colorectal lesions may be somewhat less severe than that observed in classic adenomatous polyps.

Members of hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) familiesharboring heterozygous germline mutations in the DNA mismatch repair genes hMSH2 or hMLH1 present with tumors generally two to three decades earlier than individuals with nonfamilial sporadic colon cancer. We searched for phenotypic features that might predispose heterozygous cells from HNPCC kindreds to malignant transformation. hMSH2 ؉/؊ lymphoblastoid cell lines were found to be on average about 4-fold more tolerant than wild-type cells to killing by the methylating agent temozolomide, a phenotype that is invariably linked with impairment of the mismatch repair system. This finding was associated with an average 2-fold decrease of the steady-state level of hMSH2 protein in hMSH2 ؉/؊ cell lines. In contrast, hMLH1 ؉/؊ heterozygous cells were indistinguishable from normal controls in these assays. Thus, despite the fact that HNPCC families harboring mutations in hMSH2 or hMLH1 cannot be distinguished clinically, the early stages of the carcinogenic process in hMSH2 and hMLH1 mutation carriers may be different. Should hMSH2 ؉/؊ colonocytes and lymphoblasts harbor a similar phenotype, the increased tolerance of the former to DNA-damaging agents present in the human colon may play a key role in the initiation of the carcinogenic process.

Germline mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes account for the majority of hereditary breast ovarian cancer (HBOC).Identification of causal mutations may have significant impact on clinical management of such families. Despite high mutation detection rate, many HBOC cases remain without identified cause. These cases warrant use of several analysis methods, such as those for large genomic rearrangements and DNA copy number changes, or analysis other genes, shown to be associated with increased HBOC risk.We assessed 585 Slovak HBOC for presence of mutations in BRCA genes. Sequencing revealed mutations in 100 families, representing 17.1% (88% and 12% of mutations were located in BRCA1 and BRCA2, respectively).Four of the mutations, c.80+4del4, c.1938_1947del10 and c.1166delG in BRCA1 and c.6589delA in BRCA2 gene have been described only in Slovak population. Using MLPA analysis, we detected two large genomic rearrangements in 3 families, a deletion of exons 21 and 22, and a rare deletion of a whole BRCA1 gene. Twentyseven different variants of uncertain clinical effect (4 novel) and 14 distinct SNP BRCA1 haplotypes were detected. Their potential effect was considered using the prediction software packages Align GVGD, Pmut and Polyphen.We observed that the best clinical criterion for the initiation of BRCA1 analysis is the presence of breast cancer at 40 years of age in the association with the presence of ovarian cancer diagnosed around the age of 50.Conversely, the best clinical criterion for starting with BRCA2 analysis is the presence of breast cancer diagnosed in older age (above 50), or the presence of breast cancer in conjunction with carcinomas at different sites e.g. prostate, colorectum, ovary, uterus. Finally we have seen that the analyses of other HBOC risk gene TP53 and specific mutation in CHEK2*c.1100delC in Slovak HBOC families were not efficient since no mutations were found in these genes. 2

BACKGROUND:In the workup of patients with suspected hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), detection of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) could help pinpoint the mismatch-repair (MMR) gene carrying the germline mutation, but analysis of microsatellite markers has proved unreliable for this purpose. We developed a simple, low-cost method based on singlenucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping and capillary electrophoresis for the assessment of LOH at 2 MMR loci simultaneously.

Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is a dominantly-inherited cancer predisposition syndrome, in which the susceptibility to cancer of the colon, endometrium and ovary is linked to germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. We have recently initiated a cancer prevention program in suspected HNPCC families in the Slovak Republic. The first ten families fulfilling Amsterdam criteria or Bethesda guidelines were screened for germline mutations in MLH1 and MSH2, two MMR genes most frequently mutated in HNPCC families. Six mutations were identified, five of which have not been reported previously. Two of the three new mutations in MLH1 (c.380+2T>A; c.307-2A>C) were absent from 100 chromosomes of healthy controls and probably cause a splicing defect, while the third was a 1 bp deletion (c.1261delA). In the MSH2 gene, one new nonsense (c.1030C>T [p.Q344X]) and one missense (c.524T>C [p.L175P]) mutation were identified. This latter variant was not found in 104 alleles of healthy control individuals. Moreover, a previously-reported pathogenic mutation (c.677G>T [p.R226L]) was found in one kindred. The clinical data and the genotypic and phenotypic evaluation of the tumors indicate that all the new alterations are pathogenic HNPCC mutations.

No abstract

The effect of synthetic isothiocyanate ethyl-4-isothiocyanatobutanoate (E-4IB) on survival of mismatch repair-proficient TK6 and -deficient MT1 cell lines as well as the influence of proteasomal inhibitor MG132, caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk, and ATM inhibitor caffeine on E-4IB modulation of cell cycle and apoptosis was evaluated. Flow cytometric analyses of DNA double strand breaks (gamma-H2AX), mitotic fraction (phospho-histone H3), cell cycle modulation, apoptosis induction (sub-G(0) fraction and fluorescein diacetate staining), and dissipation of transmembrane mitochondrial potential (JC-1 staining) were performed. Western blotting was used for the evaluation of ERK activation, expression of p53, p21(cip1/waf1) and GADD45alpha proteins, as well as PARP fragmentation. Analysis of mitotic nuclei was performed for chromosomal aberrations assessment. MT1 cells were more resistant to E-4IB treatment then TK6 cells (IC(50) 8 muM vs. 4 muM). In both cell lines E-4IB treatment induced phosphorylation of H2AX, increase of p53 protein level, phospho-histone H3 staining, and G(2)/M arrest. The sub-G(0) fragmentation was accompanied by PARP degradation, decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and diminished p21(cip1/waf1) protein expression in TK6 cells. Caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk decreased E-4IB induced sub-G(0) fragmentation and extent of apoptosis in TK6 cells, while proteasome inhibitor MG132 increased number of apoptotic cells in both cell lines tested. A number of aberrant metaphases and clastogenic effect of high E-4IB concentration was observed. The synthetic isothiocyanate E-4IB induced DNA strand breaks, increased mitotic fraction and apoptosis potentiated by MG132 inhibitor in both mismatch repair-proficient and -deficient cell lines.

No abstract