Detection of HOXA3 gene expression and apoptosis in myocardial tissues of children with tetralogy of fallot / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To explore the potential role of HOXA3 gene in children with tetralogy of fallot (TOF) by detection the expression of HOXA3 mRNA and protein levels,as well as the apoptotic cardiomyocytes in the developing heart tissues.Methods Twenty-two surgical samples from sporadic cases of TOF determined by prenatal color Doppler ultrasound and autopsy [gestational age(25.67 ± 7.68) weeks,TOF group] were examined with quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot to evaluate the expression of HOXA3 gene.Twelve age-matched autopsies without heart structural abnormalities [gestational age (26.55 ± 6.36) weeks,control group] were also included.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling(TUNEL) assay was performed to clarify the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes.The difference between the 2 groups and the correlation analysis of HOXA3 level and the apoptotic cardiomyocytes were performed with SPSS 13.0 software.Results Compared with control group,HOXA3 mRNA expression of the outflow tract of the right ventricle from the TOF group was significantly reduced(P ＜ O.01).Western blot also confirmed that the HOXA3 protein was accordingly reduced(P ＜0.01).The proportion of apoptotic cardiomyocytes in samples of TOF group was significantly greater than that of control group (P ＜ 0.01).The proportion of apoptotic cells was strongly correlated with the mRNA and protein expression of HOXA3 (r =-0.566,-0.759,all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Reduction of HOXA3 gene expression and the increase of apoptotic cardiomyocytes at the crucial stage during heart development may play a potential role in the onset of TOF.

The role of insulin-like growth factor-2 gene differentially methylated regions in TCDD-induced malformation / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on the development of fetal rats and to explore the relationship between TCDD-induced abnormal development in rats and the expression and the methylation of insulin-like growth factor 2 gene (Igf2).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A single dose of 10 microg/kg TCDD was given to gestation day (GD) 10 pregnant rats by gavage. On GD20, the fetuses were taken out and examined. The crown-rump length, the body weight and the placental weight were measured. The expression of Igf2 in liver was detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription (RT-PCR) and Western blot. The methylation of Igf2 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in liver was analyzed by a methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme Hpa II PCR assay and a bisulfite-modified DNA sequencing procedure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the treatment group, 12.2% of the fetuses were either dead or absorbed, and 11.6% of them were malformed. For the live fetuses, their crown-rump length, body weight and placental weight were significantly lower than those of the control group. The relative amount of Igf2 mRNA in the treated livers and the control livers was 0.77 +/- 0.11 and 0.27+/- 0.15, respectively. The number was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.01). Western blot also showed a remarkable up regulation of Igf2 protein in liver after treatment. The two groups showed no difference in the methylation status of Igf2 DMR1 in liver. The DMR2 Igf2 was significantly hypomethylated in the treated livers than in the control livers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Exposure to TCDD in pregnancy can lead fetal rats to death, absorption, malformation and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). The TCDD led abnormal development in rats may be associated with the hypomethylated DMR2 of Igf2 and the up regulation of Igf2 in liver.</p>

Non-invasive prenatal genetic diagnosis using multiple displacement amplification / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility of multiple displacement amplification (MDA) to apply in the non-invasive prenatal genetic diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Maternal blood was obtained from 20 pregnant women at 7 to 25 weeks of gestation. After the discontinuous density gradient centrifugation with Percoll, the fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) were stained with Kleihauer test. All positive NRBCs were collected by micromanipulator and then performed with MDA. Sex and short tandern repeat (STR) analysis were determind from a small aliquot of the reaction. The origin of NRBCs was verified and prenatal diagnosis of DMD was made at the same time.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The product length of MDA was >15 kb, while primer extension preamplification (PEP) is only about 1 kb. We completed non-invasive prenatal genetic diagnosis of 6 fetus at high risk of DMD using MDA. The results were all coincident with amniotic fluid control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The MDA method which provides a highly uniform representation across the genome, representing the entire genome with minimal amplification bias, shows good application prospects.</p>

Novel partners of S100A8 identified in laryngeal cancer cell lines / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore mechanism of S100A8 in the oncogenesis and development of laryngeal cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Proteins interacting with S100A8 were isolated from laryngeal cancer cell lines Hep-2 by immunoprecipitation assay with anti-S100A8 antibody. The target bands were cut out and identified by maxtrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF). The peptide mass fingerprinting data of the proteins identified were analyzed based on the Mascot database. The NF-kappa B binding sites of the proteins were predicted by P-Match software. The binding ability of one of the proteins to S100A8 was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four proteins interacting with S100A8 were obtained, which were hypothetical protein LOC80154, MHC class I HLA-B, similar to T-box 1 isoform C and sarcolemmal associated protein 1. The four genes were predicted to have NF-kappa B binding sites. MHC class I HLA-B, which is one of targets in NF-kappa B pathway, was first confirmed to have the binding ability to S100A8.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The novel partners of S100A8 identified in the study might be involved in NF-kappa B pathway. The binding ability of MHC class I HLA-B to S100A8 implies that S100A8 might function as a new member with other proteins including HLA-B in NF-kappa B pathway. These findings provide a new clue to further study on the molecular mechanism of S100A8 in the genesis of laryngeal carcinomas.</p>

Application study on inversion diagnosis of F8 gene in hemophilia A / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an effective method of genetic diagnosis on hemophilia A (HA) by detecting the inversion mutation in intron 22 of F8 gene.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Intron 22 inversion mutation in F8 gene was detected by using long distance-polymerase chain reaction (LD-PCR) and inversion-PCR (I-PCR) in 31 HA patients. The mothers of HA patients with intron 22 inversion mutation were selected to carrier diagnosis and amniotic fluid of the pregnant women with inversion mutation was collected at intermediate stage of gestation, and used to prenatal genetic diagnosis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seven patients showed F8 gene inversion mutation in thirty-one patients. Three in four mothers of HA patients with intron 22 inversion mutation were diagnosed as carriers. The prenatal diagnosis result indicated that the fetus conceived in the HA-carrier woman was normal individual.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The detection of intron 22 inversion mutation by LD-PCR and I-PCR is time-saving, and can be used in prenatal diagnosis on HA.</p>

Study of the SH3-domain GRB2-like 2 gene expression in laryngeal carcinoma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Laryngeal carcinoma is a common malignant tumor of the upper respiratory tract, and in 95% of cases the tumor is laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). The abnormity of SH3-domain GRB2-like 2 (SH3GL2) gene was found in LSCC. In order to clarify the relationship between SH3GL2 gene and LSCC, we evaluated the expression of the SH3GL2 gene in LSCC.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression and find the various rules of SH3GL2 gene in LSCC.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The result of real-time PCR showed that the expression level of SH3GL2 mRNA in LSCC tissue was apparently down-regulated; immunohistochemical analysis showed that SH3GL2 protein was mainly located in cytoplasm, the rate of positive cells and SH3GL2 protein expression level were fluctuated with the pathological classification of LSCC; the result of Western blotting showed that SH3GL2 protein was down-regulated significantly in LSCC samples, especially in metastatic lymph nodes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results suggest that SH3GL2 is a LSCC related gene and its expression level is fluctuated with the pathological classification which indicate that SH3GL2 participates in the development and progression of LSCC. And it may be considered as a novel tumor marker to find both a new anti-oncogene and relative factors of invasion and metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma.</p>

Decreased expression of DICER1 in gastric cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The role of epigenetics in gene expression regulation and development significantly enhances our understanding of carcinogenesis. All the tumor related genes may be the target of epigenetical or genetic regulation. We selected some epigenetically regulated genes for cDNA array analysis and observed variability in the expression of the DICER1 gene in distinct stages of gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the expression of DICER1, an epigenetically regulated gene, and gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To detect the expression of 506 tumor-associated genes, including DICER1, in the matched cancerous mucosa, pre-malignant lesion (adjacent mucosa), non-cancerous gastric mucosa and distant lymphocyte metastatic lesion in 3 cases of gastric cancers using cDNA array. DICER1 mRNA expression and DICER1 protein expression were further analyzed by Real-time PCR and Western blot in 32 cases of progressive gastric cancer. DICER1 protein expression was also detected in 33 early and 30 progressive gastric cancers by the immunohistochemistry (IHC) method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 3 cases of gastric cancer cDNA array showed dramatically decreased expression of DICER1 in pre-malignant lesion, cancerous mucosa and distant lymphocyte metastatic lesions compared with matched noncancerous gastric mucosa, pre-malignant lesion and cancerous mucosa. Real-time PCR results showed that the expression level of DICER1 mRNA in gastric cancer was significantly down-regulated compared to normal gastric tissue (P < 0.05). The IHC assay also showed that the expression of DICER1 was significantly decreased in progressive gastric cancer. Among the 63 cases of gastric cancers, 13/33 early (39.4%) and 19/30 (63.3%) progressive cancers showed negative expression of DICER1 (50.8%). The difference in expression of DICER1 between early and progressive gastric cancers was significant (P < 0.01). The result of Western blotting showed that DICER1 protein was down-regulated significantly in advanced gastric cancer (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>DICER1 expression is decreased during the progression of gastric cancer, especially in progressive gastric cancers, which indicating DICER1 may play an important role in the development of cancer and the epigenetical regulation involved.</p>

Proteomic analysis of the ankle joint bone, ankle joint tissue and spinal cord of clubfoot-like deformity in rat fetuses / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the etiology of idiopathic talipes equinovarus (ITEV) in all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) induced clubfoot-like deformity in rat fetuses with two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry (MS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clubfoot-like deformity model in rat fetuses was induced with ATRA (135 mg/kg) in gestation day (GD10) pregnant Wistar rats. 2-DE was applied to separate the total proteins of ankle joint tissue, ankle joint bone and spinal cord of the animal models. The Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining gels were analyzed by 2-DE software PDQuest 7.1.0. Selected differential protein spots were identified with peptide mass fingerprinting based on matrix-assisted laser adsorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and database searching. xiap, tnnt1 and col2 alpha 1, three genes of the differential proteins, were identified furthermore. Apoptosis study was made in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick end labeling.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were many differential expressed proteins in the clubfoot-like deformity model. Out of the differentially expressed proteins,16 protein spots were identified to be differentially expressed in the clubfoot-like deformity model with MS. Three of the 16 protein spots, xiap, tnnt1 and col2 alpha 1 were confirmed to be significantly down-regulated by the RT-PCR, and Xiap was further confirmed to be significantly down-regulated with immunohistochemistry. Another randomly selected gene, ngfr, did not express differently in ATRA-induced clubfoot-like deformity in rat fetuses. The rates of the apoptosis in the spinal, bone of the clubfoot-like deformity fetuses was 5.4 and 10 times of those of the normal fetuses respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggest that there are certain differently expressed proteins in ankle joint tissue, ankle joint bone and spinal cord of the ATRA-induced clubfoot-like deformity in rat fetuses, and Xiap, sTnT, and Col2 alpha 1 show a significant correlation with ITEV. Ngfr is not correlation with ITEV. Apoptosis plays a key role in the development of ITEV and related to the decreased expression of the Xiap.</p>

Analysis of chromosome aberrations in the cell derived from primary cell culture of laryngeal carcinoma and the Hep-2 cell line / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for characteristic chromosome changes in primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and Hep-2 cell line and to realize the relationship between the cytogenetic abnormality and the pathogenetic mechanism in LSCC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The fresh resulted samples of LSCC were analyzed with an improved primary cell culture for chromosome preparation and G-banding technique. Hep-2 cell line was analyzed by high resolution banding technique. Molecular cytogenetics analysis was made by chromosome 6 painting probe.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four primary LSCC succeeded in primary cell culture and obtained metaphases, one was tetraploid, the other three were triploid. The chromosome mode of Hep-2 cell line was from 68 to 75 and fifteen marker chromosomes were found. The most structural abnormalities of chromosome in primary LSCC and HEP-2 cell line were unbalance translocation, terminal deletion and isochromosome. The complicate aberration in chromosome 6 was common in LSCC and Hep-2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>6q-, I(5p), 17p-, 5q- are considered as characteristic chomosome changs in LSCC. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) may enhance the ability of detecting complicated chromosome rearrangements and marker chromosomes, which could provide more value data to verify the chromosome characteristic aberration in LSCC.</p>

Average-12.9 chromosome imbalances coupling with 15 differential expression genes possibly involved in the carcinogenesis, progression and metastasis of supraglottic laryngeal squamous cell cancer / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>With the objective of discovering novel putative chromosomal regions and special genes involved in the carcinogenesis, progression and metastasis of laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>DNA copy profile of LSCC were obtained and analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and a computerized digital image analysis system. cDNA microarray of LSCC was performed and the profile was analyzed by Hierarchical clustering.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CGH analysis showed average-12.9 gains and losses of chromosomes in LSCC. Relatively high frequencies of gains were found at 3q15-21 (14/18), 5p12-13 (11/18), 8q22-24 (6/18), 11q12-13 (8/18), 15q21-23 (7/18) and 18p11 (8/18), while those of losses at 1p13-21 (8/18), 3p21-23 (14/18), 5q21-22 (14/18), 9p12-pter (11/18) and 13q21-31 (8/18). Hierarchical clustering analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes were segregated into three groups. Three genes differentially expressed in process I (normal tissue to cancer) and process II (cancer to lymph node metastasis), and the Cy5/Cy3 ratios of twelve genes were either higher than 5.0 or lower than 0.2 in process I or process II. The fifteen special genes were first reported possibly to be the relationships with LSCC. In particular, 4 genes of them, which were cytochrome C oxidase Va, PPBP, EPHX2 and PON1, were first reported to correlate with tumorigenesis. SH3GL2, which was one of the 15 special genes, was located at one of the special chromosome regions, 9p12-pter.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The important genes and special chromosomal aberrances might provide us a clue for further investigation of carcinogenesis, progression and metastasis in LSCC.</p>

Gene expression patterns in gastric cancer / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify gene expression patterns in distinct stages of intestinal-type gastric cancer(GC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Gene expression patterns of distinct stages of intestinal-type GC samples from 3 patients were compared with cDNA microarray, which contained 576 genes. There were 506 target genes, which included 51 genes identified from our previous experiment with suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH) and other 455 genes chosen for their important roles in cancers. Hierarchical clustering was performed to clarify genes in association with distinct stages of GC.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One hundred and eighty-one differentially expressed genes with average Cy5:Cy3 ratios higher than 2.0 or lower than 0.5 in at least one stage of GC were identified by cDNA microarray. Among them, 48 genes were up-regulated and 133 down-regulated. Hierarchical clustering analysis separated the differentially expressed genes in different stages of GC into 5 main characteristic groups. Some important differentially expressed genes in different stages of GC were identified, such as SEC23IP, LIPF, ES(BQ291520), SLC5A1, PG(encoding similar to pepsin A precursor), CXCR4, DICER1, SH3GL2, and IGF2R.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The differentially expressed gene patterns and some important genes were identified, which might be useful in further study on carcinogenesis, progression and metastasis of intestinal-type GC.</p>

A progress toward research on alternative splicing of genes in tumor cells / 中华医学遗传学杂志

Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA is an important mechanism for regulating gene function at the post-transcription level and for producing proteomic diversity in higher eukaryotes. The alternative splicing is regulated by the interaction between diverse cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors. Alternative splicing events of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and metastasis suppressor genes are associated with the initiation and development of human neoplasms. The protein isoforms sourced from alternative splicing take part in regulating the gene transcription, cell cycle, apoptosis of cells, and playing a role in tumor growth. It is possible for molecular therapy to target directly isoforms of protein produced by alternative splicing or to interfere with the process of alternative splicing.

The investigation of STK15 gene amplification and overexpression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of STK15 gene amplification and overexpression to genesis and development of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>STK15 gene amplification in 40 cases carcinoma tissues and normal tissues as control was detected by differential PCR approach. STK15 mRNA and protein levels were evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 40 LSCC cases, STK15 gene amplification was found in 14 tumor tissues(35%), mRNA overexpression in 27 tumor tissues(67.5%), and protein upregulated in 29 tumor tissues(72.5%). Statistics analysis showed that STK15 gene amplification and mRNA overexpression were obviously associated to differentiation degree of LSCC, and protein overexpression was closely associated with both differentiation degree and pathological grades of LSCC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This research results suggest that STK15 gene amplification contributes to its mRNA and protein overexpression through affecting the exact replication of centrosome and separation of chromosomes. STK15 gene thus plays a role in LSCC oncogenesis and malignant progression.</p>

Association of the GLI gene with ventricular septal defect after the susceptibility gene being narrowed to 3.56 cM in 12q13 / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Our previous research has suggested that genes around D12S1056 in 12q13 may confer susceptibility to ventricular septal defect (VSD) in humans. The present study was to define the chromosome region assignment by transmission disequilibrium test (TDT), and to identify the important candidate gene by family-based association study and haplotype analysis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Surrounding D12S1056, ten microsatellite markers including D12S329, D12S305, D12S1662, D12S1056, D12S1293, D12S334, D12S102, D12S83, D12S1655 and D12S1691 were chosen, and TDT was performed in 62 nuclear family trios each consisting of an affected child and two healty parents. Subsequently, the GLI gene, a positional candidate gene that maps to the target region, was selected for further analysis. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), G11888C, G11388A, and G11625T, were selected for family-based association study and haplotype analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>VSD was significantly associated with all selected markers except D12S1691 [72.2 centi morgen (cM)] and D12S1700 (75.76 cM). VSD was also significantly associated with G11888C (chi(2) = 5.918, P = 0.015), G11388A (chi(2) = 8.067, P = 0.005), and G11625T (chi(2) = 11.842, P = 0.001). Haplotype analysis showed a strong linkage disequilibrium between G11888C and G11388A (D' = 0.999), but in significant (chi(2) = 1.035, df = 2, P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The susceptibility gene of VSD was mapped to 3.56 cM in 12q13 by TDT, and the GLI gene, an important candidate in the target region, was associated with VSD.</p>

Association and mutation analysis of GLI3 gene in idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the association and mutation of GLI3 gene in idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus(ICTEV).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>(1) Genotype of 2 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in 84 idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus nuclear pedigree were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Association analysis was directed between single SNP locus and ICTEV through ETDT software, respectively.(2) Mutation sites in exon 9,10,11,12 of GLI3 gene were detected in 103 patients with ICTEV by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>rs929387ls located in exon 14 of GLI3 gene have transmission disequilibrium in 84 nuclear pedigrees (P<0.05), and rs846266 located in exon 4 have no transmission disequilibrium (P>0.05). A synonymous mutation in exon 9 was detected in one patient and his mother.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is an association between GLI3 gene and ICTEV, and exons 9,10,11,12 are not its mutation hot spots.</p>

Screening and analysis of associated genes in the carcinogenesis and progression of gastric cancer / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen and analyze the important associated genes in different stages of gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) to screen differentially expressed genes; detecting the expression of genes in different stages of gastric cancer with dot blot hybridization; and verifying the results with semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-six differentially expressed gene fragments were obtained by means of SSH. Among them,24 were known genes, 1 was a new expressed sequence tags(EST), and 1 was a hypothetical gene. The results of dot blot hybridization demonstrated that the expressions of Annexin A2, RPS29, RPS12 etc. in dysplasia were higher than those in normal mucosa; the expressions of RPS12 etc.in early cancer were higher than those in normal mucosa;the expressions of cytochromosome C oxidase II, ferritin light chain, RPS12 etc. in advanced gastric cancer and lymph node metastases were consistently higher than those in normal mucosa. The expression of proteasome 26S subunit gene in advanced gastric cancer was higher than that in normal mucosa. The expression of RPS12 was consistently higher in different stages of gastric cancer. It was demonstrated by RT-PCR that the expression of RPS12 in gastric cancer was higher than that in normal mucosa.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The authors have identified some important genes that might be involved in the carcinogenesis and progression of gastric cancer, and RPS12 may play more important roles in gastric cancer.</p>

Mutation of p53 and overexpression of STK15 in laryngeal squamous-cell carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between p53 gene mutations and STK15 abnormal expression in the development of human laryngeal squamous-cell carcinoma (LSCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>LSCC tissues and matched normal tissues were taken during operation from 55 patients without previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Following polymerase chain reaction amplification direct sequencing single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) combined with silver staining were used to detect mutations of p53 gene in exons 7 and 8 (p53E7 and p53E8) using genomic DNA from 110 specimens including 55 LSCC tissues and 55 matched normal tissues. STK15 expression were evaluated by RT-PCR with beta-actin as internal control.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mutation rate of p53E7 was 30.9% (compared to normal tissues, chi(2) = 8.66, P < 0.01). There was no mutation in p53E8. In 38 of the 55 cases (69.1%), the STK15 mRNA expression level was higher than that of the paired normal tissue. The STK15 to beta-actin ratio of average density value was 1.22 +/- 0.49 in the cancer tissue, and 0.99 +/- 0.54 in the normal tissues (t = 4.539, P < 0.01). In 14 of the 17 cases (82.4%) with p53E7 mutations, the STK15 expression was higher than that of normal tissue. In the 38 cases with STK15 over-expression, p53E7 mutation was found in 14 cases (36.8%). The rate of concurrence of p53E gene mutations and STK15 over-expression (25.5%) was higher than that of only p53E gene mutations (chi(2) = 26.025, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is significant association between p53 gene mutation and STK15 over-expression in laryngeal squamous-cell carcinoma.</p>

The primary observation of congenital clubfoot / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the possible correlations between clinical and experimental pathological changes of congenital clubfoot and the pathodynamic developmental procedure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-three female Wistar rats were administered with retinoic acid on the 10th day after pregnancy. And from February 2001 to February 2004, 48 patients were analyzed with electropysiological examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was clubfoot-like deformity in 53.7% of the experimental fetuses. Persistence of the embryonic position of the talus and tibia in fetuses was observed. Poor overlapping between talus and calcaneus was seen. Cell apoptosis at the anterior corner of spinal cord were seen. Of all the patients, 68.3% were abnormal with electropysiological examination. The pathological sites were frequently localized in lumbarsacral region.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Congenital clubfoot is correlated closely with defects of neural tube and spinal cord.</p>

Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes in HOXC gene cluster within susceptible region 12q13 of simple congenital heart disease / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In the candidate region 12q13 of simple congenital heart disease(CHD), four single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) in HOXC4 gene were chosen in order to investigate the distribution of SNP and haplotypes in simple CHD patients and normal people.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The genotype of 4 SNPs in 108 simple CHD patients and 200 normal people were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism(RFLP) and denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography(DHPLC). The statistical contingency table method was used to analyze SNP genotype frequency and gene frequency in patients and control group; then, the haplotypes were established and their frequencies in the two groups were assessed by PHASE software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>C16476T polymorphism was not detected; A17860G located in 3' flanking sequence of HOXC5 gene displayed significant difference between the two groups. The G allele frequency in simple CHD patients was higher than that in healthy controls(P < 0.05); the distribution of frequencies of 4 haplotypes showed significant difference(P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The A17860G located in 3'flanking sequence of HOXC5 gene is associated with simple CHD; the risk of CHD in the persons with G17860 is higher than that in those with A17860. the haplotype of 3 SNPs may be linked with the susceptible gene of simple CHD.</p>

Analysis of association between 5' HOXD gene and idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in HOXD10, HOXD12 and HOXD13 genes were chosen to investigate SNP and haplotypes distribution in idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus nuclear pedigrees.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Genotypes of 4 SNPs in 84 idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus nuclear pedigrees were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing. Analysis of association between SNP locus and idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus was performed using ETDT software. Haplotypes and their frequencies in 84 nuclear pedigrees were established and analyzed by TRANSMIT software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>rs847151 polymorphism was not detected; the rs847154 located in 5' flanking sequence of HOXD12 gene and the rs13392701 located in exon 1 of HOXD13 gene were noted to have transmission disequilibrium in 84 nuclear pedigrees (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>rs847154 located in 5' flanking sequence of HOXD12 gene and rs13392701 located in exon 1 of HOXD13 gene are associated with idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus; HOXD12 andHOXD13 are important susceptible genes of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus.</p>