SMAD4 mutations identified in Iranian patients with colorectal cancer and polyp.

AIM: Search for SMAD4 mutations in Colorectal cancer (CRC) or polyp in Iran. BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the five prevalent cancers among the Iranian population; however, its molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. The vast majority of CRCs arise from neoplastic polyp. METHODS: Colorectal cancer and polyp lesions with matched normal tissues from patients who had undergone colonoscopy in Taleghani Hospital (January 2009 - November 2010) were included in the study. DNA extraction and PCR-sequencing for exons 5-11 of the SMAD-4 gene were carried out on 39 and 30 specimens of polyp and adenocarcinoma, respectively. RESULTS: Of cancer and polyp specimens, 33.3% and 28.2%, respectively, were mutated in the Smad-4 gene. The majority of SMAD4 mutations, especially in the MH2 domain were missense mutations (63.6% and 68.75, respectively). In cancer, codon 435 and in polyp, codons 435 and 399 were the most common alterations. Unlike cancer specimens, transversion was found frequently in the polyp (56.25% vs. 35.7%). CG>TA transition was about 18.75% and 14.3% in cancer and polyp samples, respectively. Mutations of codon 264 and C.483-4 were seen both in cancer and neoplastic polyps. CONCLUSION: As frequent alterations, missense mutations are presumably selected during tumorigenesis and polyposis due to their structural impacts on SMAD4 functions and TGF-ß signaling pathway. The lower frequency of CG>TA can be attributed to global genome hypomethylation. Presumably, SMAD4 mutations had occurred in the primary polyps, and some of these mutated cells then developed into carcinoma. On the other hand, polyp-specific mutations may lower the risk of CRC.

Association of intron and exon polymorphisms of p53 gene in Iranian patients with gastritis.

AIM: The propose of this study was to evaluate the probable correlation between exon and intron polymorphisms of p53 gene and their association with clinicopathological aspects of gastritis. BACKGROUND: Regarding to the decisive role of p53 in the development of a variety of human cancers, a comprehensive study concerning probable correlation between polymorphisms in the p53 intron and exon in gastritis lesions, may open new insight toward gastric cancer development and prevention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PCR-Sequencing was done for exons and introns 2-7 on the 97 gastritis and normal samples, age range of 15-83 years. Also, microsatellite status was evaluated using five mono nucleotide repeat markers. Variation at codon 72 was associated with IVS2 + 38, p53INS3 and IVS3-29. In addition, IVS2 + 38 had association with polymorphism at codon 36 & 245. Gastritis samples had stable microsatellite except nine patients showing polymorphism for NR-21 and one for Bat-25. RESULTS: Most of patients with stable microsatellites (83.9%) had allele G at codon72 without p53INS3. In addition, all patients with GA and CG at codon 36 / IVS2 + 38 had stable microsatellites. Severity and activity of gastritis were in association with genotypes combined of codon 36/IVS2 + 38 and 245/IVS2 + 38 respectively. In addition, the profiles of combined variation at codon 72/IVS3-29 and codon 72/IVS6 + 31 were different between patients with ages less and greater than 45 years. CONCLUSION: As, some exon variations of p53 gene specially codon 72, were in association with alterations at introns and their combined genotypes were correlated with microsatellite status, pathological findings and age, therefore, it could be inferred that the these combinations of p53 gene polymorphisms work as a whole, not as single.

Molecular prevalence of JC virus in Tehran, Iran.

AIM: Since data about prevalence of JC virus in Iranian population is scarce, this study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of JC virus in healthy individuals who had attended Fajr hospital and Farjam clinical laboratory in Tehran, Iran. BACKGROUND: JC virus is the causative agent of progressive multifocal encephalopathy (PML) in individuals with suppressed immune system. There are some evidences that this virus is responsible for some forms of cancers for example colorectal and gastric cancers in humans. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Urine samples from 133 healthy individuals older than 18 years old were collected and after extraction of viral DNA, PCR was performed to determine the presence of virus. Results of the test and demographic data of subjects were entered into SPSS program and were analyzed by it. RESULTS: 71 subjects were male and 62 individuals were female. Mean age of the population was 42.23 ± 13.47. From the total number of 133 subjects, 51 (38.3%) individuals were positive for the presence of JC virus. Gender had statistically significant relationship with JC virus presence (p= 0.042). Age was not significantly related to JC virus presence status (p= 0.3). CONCLUSION: Obtained rate of JC prevalence in this study is similar to the results of studies in India and Philippine. Because of this virus's role in AIDS and the role of this virus in gastrointestinal cancers have been revealed in recent years, the more extended studies on the prevalence of this virus in different populations in Iran is necessary.