SH2B3 aberrations enriched in iAMP21 B lymphoblastic leukemia.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) represents the most common childhood malignancy. Although survival for pediatric B-ALL has approached 90%, variability in outcome among and within cytogenetically defined subgroups persists. While G-banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) have been used to characterize leukemic clones, there is added value of chromosomal microarray and next generation sequencing in screening genome-wide for copy number aberrations, copy neutral loss of heterozygosity and nucleotide variations. Evaluation of novel genetic aberrations can provide information about the biologic mechanisms of cytogenetically defined subgroups associated with poor prognosis, explain heterogeneity in patient outcome and identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention. The high risk B-ALL intrachromosomal amplification of chromosome 21, (iAMP21), subtype is characterized by amplification of a region of chromosome 21 that typically encompasses the RUNX1 gene and is associated with poor prognosis. Analysis of chromosomal microarray and FISH data revealed that deletions of SH2B3, encoding a negative regulator of multiple tyrosine kinase and cytokine signaling pathways, are enriched among leukemias harboring iAMP21. Enrichment of SH2B3 aberrations in the iAMP21 subtype may indicate that loss of SH2B3 contributes to disease progression and raises the possibility that these leukemias may be sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Benzo(e)pyrene-induced alterations in the stereoselectivity of activation of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene to DNA-binding metabolites in hamster embryo cell cultures.

Benzo(e)pyrene [B(e)P], a weakly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, modifies tumor induction in mouse skin and the induction of mutation in mammalian cells by carcinogenic hydrocarbons. To determine how B(e)P alters the activation of the carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) to DNA-binding metabolites, the hydrocarbon-DNA adducts formed in Syrian hamster embryo cell cultures were analyzed after 24, 48, or 72 h of exposure to 0.1 microgram DMBA/ml medium in the presence of various doses of B(e)P. The total binding of DMBA to DNA was inhibited 3- to 4-fold by high doses of B(e)P, while the binding of DMBA to DNA was increased by low doses of B(e)P at 48 and 72 h of exposure. The amounts of the three major adducts tentatively identified as anti-DMBA-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide (DMBADE): deoxyguanosine, syn - DMBADE: deoxyadenosine (dAdo), and anti-DMBADE:dAdo decreased in the presence of 1.5 micrograms B(e)P/ml. In contrast, exposure to low doses of B(e)P, 0.1 and 0.3 microgram/ml medium, resulted in an increase in the amount of both anti-DMBADE:deoxyribonucleoside adducts and a decrease in the amount of syn-DMBADE:deoxyribonucleoside adduct present after 48 and 72 h of exposure. Thus, low doses of B(e)P specifically enhanced the formation of anti-DMBA-diol-epoxide:deoxyribonucleoside adducts, and this resulted in an increase in the total amount of DMBA bound to DNA. High doses of B(e)P resulted in a decrease in the formation of all DMBA:DNA adducts and consequently a decrease in the total binding of DMBA to DNA. The amount of DMBA bound to DNA in cultures exposed to a higher dose of DMBA, 0.2 microgram DMBA/ml medium, for 48 h decreased in the presence of both low and high concentrations of B(e)P. This decrease resulted from a reduction in the formation of all three major DMBA-DNA adducts as the dose of B(e)P increased, but the decrease was larger for the syn-DMBADE:dAdo adduct than for the anti-DMBADE:deoxyguanosine and :dAdo adducts. These results demonstrate that the effects of B(e)P on the metabolic activation of DMBA depend upon both the ratio of B(e)P:DMBA and the dose of DMBA. The ability of B(e)P to alter the stereochemical selectivity of activation of DMBA as well as the total amount of activated metabolites also suggests that the ratio of B(e)P:DMBA may be an important factor in B(e)P-induced modifications of the induction of biological effects by DMBA.

Benzo(e)pyrene-induced alterations in the binding of benzo(a)pyrene and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene to DNA in Sencar mouse epidermis.

Benzo(e)pyrene [B(e)P] cotreatment slightly increases the tumor-initiating activity of benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] and greatly decreases the tumor-initiating activity of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in Sencar mice (DiGiovanni et al., Carcinogenesis 3: 371-375, 1982). The effects of B(e)P on the binding of B(a)P and DMBA to Sencar mouse epidermis were investigated using a protocol similar to the mouse skin tumorigenicity studies. After 12 h of exposure to 50 nmol [3H]B(a)P and low or high doses of B(e)P, the level of [3H]B(a)P bound to mouse epidermal DNA increased by 30%. However, after 24 h exposure to 50 nmol [3H]B(a)P and after 12 or 24 h of exposure to 200 nmol [3H]B(a)P, B(e)P had no effect on the amount of [3H]B(a)P bound to DNA. The ration of anti-(the isomer with the epoxide and benzylic hydroxyl on opposite faces of the molecule) B(a)P-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide [B(a)PDE]-deoxyribonucleoside adducts to syn- (the isomer with the epoxide and benzylic hydroxyl on the same face of the molecule) B(a)PDE-deoxyribonucleoside adducts did not change at either initiating dose of B(a)P or at any time regardless of the dose of B(e)P. After 12 h of exposure to high doses of B(e)P and a 50-nmol initiating dose of B(a)P the level of [3H]B(a)P bound to DNA increased but there was no change in the proportion of particular B(a)PDE-deoxyribonucleoside adducts present. In contrast, B(e)P inhibited the binding of initiating doses of DMBA (5 and 20 nmol) to DNA after 12 and 48 h of exposure to all dose ratios of B(e)P:DMBA tested. The three major adducts, tentatively identified as anti-DMBA-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide (DMBADE):deoxyguanosine, syn-DMBADE:deoxyadenosine and anti-DMBADE:deoxyadenosine, decreased to the same relative extent as the dose of B(e)P increased. Thus, the effects of B(e)P on the total binding of these hydrocarbons to DNA in epidermis correlate with the cocarcinogenic and anticarcinogenic effects of B(e)P on B(a)P and DMBA, respectively, in a mouse skin initiation-promotion assay. These results indicate that the mechanism of the co- or anticarcinogenic action of hydrocarbons such as B(e)P involves alteration of the binding of carcinogenic hydrocarbons to DNA. They also suggest that measurement of carcinogenic hydrocarbon-DNA adducts formed during cotreatment with other hydrocarbons will provide a rapid method for predicting the co- or anticarcinogenic effect of the other hydrocarbons.

Benz[a]anthracene-induced alterations in the metabolic activation of benzo[a]pyrene by hamster embryo cell cultures.

Co-administration of benz[a]anthracene (BA) with benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) to hamster embryo cell cultures for 24 h resulted in a decrease in the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene by 40%, a decrease in the level of binding of B[a]P to DNA by 70% and a 10-fold reduction in mutation induction in a hamster embryo cell-mediated V79 cell mutation assay. This data indicates that the biological effects of co-administration of BA with B[a]P result from inhibition of the metabolic activation of B[a]P rather than induction of enzymes that detoxify the B[a]P.

Cloning of a breakpoint cluster region on chromosome 14 in uterine leiomyoma.

A recurrent reciprocal chromosomal translocation, t(12;14)(q15;q24) is frequently observed in uterine leiomyoma. Chromosome 12 breakpoints have been shown to occur in a region of approximately 150 kb that contains the gene for a high mobility group protein (HMGI-C). The breakpoint region on chromosome 14 has not been precisely defined. We have generated a contig of overlapping yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clones approximately 3 Mb in size. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed that this contig spanned the t(12;14) breakpoints in three uterine leiomyomas and that the breakpoints in these tumors occurred within a 1 Mb region. A 30 kb cosmid spanning one of the breakpoints was isolated to set the stage for identifying regions on chromosome 14 that may cause this region to be a preferential site for chromosomal translocation.

Bicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization on nuclei from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded testicular germ cell tumors: comparison with standard metaphase analysis.

Rearrangements of chromosome 12, especially i(12p), are common in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT). We have developed 12p and 12q chromosome arm-specific painting probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) through the use of chromosome microdissection. We developed a method to hybridize these probes to interphase nuclei released from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumors (PET). In this study, we compared simultaneous bicolor PET FISH painting with metaphase chromosome analysis of fresh tissue from the same tumor. Bicolor PET FISH produced patterns of 12p and 12q hybridization consistent with expectations based on metaphase chromosome analysis; adjoined 12p and 12q regions appeared to detect "normal" chromosome 12s, whereas relatively large isolated regions of 12p were suggestive of i(12p), and small 12p regions probably represent cryptic rearrangements of 12p. Fourteen tumors with successful cytogenetic analyses and available archival material from the same tumor source were selected for study. In a blinded analysis, PET FISH painting assessment was in very close agreement with karyotypic findings in seven subjects, in close agreement in five, and showed less agreement in two. Differences may be due in part to clonal selection during culture for metaphase studies, or regional selection within the tumor. Although PET FISH painting should not replace standard chromosome analysis, this study shows that it can reliably predict chromosome 12 constitution in TGCT, can serve as a useful adjunct to standard cytogenetics when such analysis is unsuccessful, and can provide limited karyotyping of archival materials.

Cytogenetic analyses of 85 testicular germ cell tumors: comparison of postchemotherapy and untreated tumors.

Cytogenetic analyses of 85 testicular germ cell tumors, of which 54 were karyotypically abnormal, showed recurrent breakpoints at chromosome bands 1p36, 1p13-1qh, 11q23, 19q13, and the pericentromeric regions of the acrocentric chromosomes. Postchemotherapy tumors had significantly more rearrangements of bands 3p25-p26, 6q16-q21, 8p22-p23 when compared with untreated tumors, while untreated tumors had more rearrangements of 9p22-p24 when compared with postchemotherapy tumors. Frequent breakpoints also were identified at 15q15 and 9qh in untreated tumors. Tumors of different histopathology, clinical stage, and treatment status showed no significant differences in the frequencies of i(12p)-positive and i(12p)-negative tumors.

Characterization of multiple 12p rearrangements in testicular germ cell tumor cell line 833K and its subclone 64CP by chromosome microdissection.

Rearrangements of chromosome arm 12p are known to be common in germ cell tumors (GCT). Previous studies, using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a whole chromosome 12 painting probe, showed unusual distributions of chromosome 12-derived chromatin in GCT cell line 833K and its cisplatin-resistant subclone, 64CP, located next to AgNOR (silver staining nucleolus organizer regions), some of which were ectopic. In this study, the ectopic stalk regions were shown by FISH to be composed of 18s and 28s rDNA, but were flanked by beta-satellite DNA, which may form a barrier around the rDNA. In order to determine the specific origins of the rearranged chromosome 12 segments, three different derived chromosome 12 regions were isolated from 64CP, using chromosomal microdissection. The microdissected fragments were labeled and hybridized by FISH to normal human chromosomes. All three segments localized to distal 12p; 12p12-->12pter, but with apparently different breakpoints for each segment. Furthermore, three-color FISH experiments with 12p band-specific probes demonstrated that the derivative chromosome 12 regions in 833K also originate from distal 12p (12p12-->p13). These sequences now can be evaluated for degree of overlap or common breakpoints which may be of significance in the development or progression of GCT.

Effects of pretreatment with benzo[a]pyrene on the stereochemical selectivity of metabolic activation of benzo[a]pyrene to DNA-binding metabolites in hamster embryo cell cultures.

The proportions of individual benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-DNA adducts present in rodent embryo cell cultures change with the length of time of exposure to BaP; the major alteration is an increase in the proportion of (+)-anti-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydroBaP (BaPDE)-deoxyguanosine (dG) adduct (Sebti et al., Cancer Res., 45 (1984) 1594-1600). To determine if this change in the BaP-DNA adducts could result from the induction of enzymes involved in oxidation of BaP, hamster embryo cell cultures were exposed to acetone or BaP for 24 h and then the medium was replaced with fresh medium containing [3H]BaP. After 5 h the BaP-pretreated cells had a 30% higher level of binding of BaP to DNA and formed a greater proportion of (+)-anti-BaPE-dG adduct than the acetone-pretreated control group. Cells pretreated for 24 h with BaP and then exposed to [3H]BaP and Actinomycin D for 5 h had a lower level of binding of BaP to DNA and a lower amount of (+)-anti-BaPDE-deoxyguanosine adduct than cells pretreated with acetone and exposed to [3H]BaP for 5 h. In contrast, pretreatment for 24 h with BaP plus Actinomycin D followed by a 5-h exposure to [3H]BaP resulted in a decrease in overall binding of BaP to DNA but had no effect on the amount of (+)-anti-BaPDE-deoxyguanosine adduct. Actinomycin D treatment had no significant effect on either the total amount of BaP metabolized, the formation of primary and water-soluble BaP metabolites, or cell viability, but reduced [3H]uridine incorporation into RNA by more than 65% at all times. These results suggest that induction of specific isozymes of cytochrome P-450 may be involved in the time-dependent increase in the proportion of (+)-anti-BaPDE-DNA adducts in BaP-treated cells. The state of induction of specific isozymes of cytochrome P-450 and the ability of the BaP dose applied to induce them may be major factors in determining the proportion of BaP metabolized to (+)-anti-BaPDE, the most carcinogenic stereoisomer of BaPDE.

7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-DNA adduct formation in Wistar rat and Syrian hamster embryo cell cultures.

The binding of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) to DNA was examined in Syrian hamster and Wistar rat embryo cell cultures exposed to DMBA for 5, 24, 48 and 72 h. The level of binding of DMBA to DNA was about twice as great in the hamster embryo cells as in the rat embryo cells at all times. Analysis of the DMBA-deoxyribonucleoside adducts by immobilized boronate chromatography demonstrated that the ratio of adducts with no cis vicinal hydroxyl groups to those containing cis vicinal hydroxyl groups was much greater in the rat embryo cells (from 2.2:1 to 2.9:1) than in the hamster embryo cells (from 1.3:1 to 1.6:1). The hamster embryo cells contained three major DMBADE-DNA adducts: based upon their chromatographic behavior and comparison with the three major DMBA-DNA adducts described by Dipple et al. in mouse embryo cell cultures (Biochemistry, 24 (1985) 2291), two were tentatively identified as resulting from the reaction of anti-DMBADE (the isomer of 1,2-epoxy-3,4-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-DMBA with the epoxide and benzylic hydroxyl on the opposite faces of the molecule) with deoxyguanosine and deoxyadenosine and one adduct resulted from reaction of syn-DMBADE (epoxide and benzylic hydroxyl on the same face of the molecule) with deoxyadenosine. The anti-DMBADE-deoxyguanosine, syn-DMBADE-deoxyadenosine, and anti-DMBADE-deoxyadenosine adducts were present in hamster embryo cell DNA in a ratio of 1.2:2:1. The Wistar rat embryo cell DNA contained a much larger proportion of the syn-DMBADE-deoxyadenosine adduct. The relative proportions of the three major DMBA-DNA adducts in Syrian hamster embryo cells were similar at all times, but the proportion of syn-DMBADE-deoxyadenosine adduct decreased slightly with time in the rat embryo cells. These results indicate that there are species specific differences in the stereospecificity of activation of DMBA to DNA-binding diol epoxides which parallel those observed for benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). The high proportion of deoxyadenosine adducts suggests that they may have an important role in the induction of biological effects by DMBA.

Further Evidence of Contrasting Phenotypes Caused by Reciprocal Deletions and Duplications: Duplication of NSD1 Causes Growth Retardation and Microcephaly.

Microduplications of the Sotos syndrome region containing NSD1 on 5q35 have recently been proposed to cause a syndrome of microcephaly, short stature and developmental delay. To further characterize this emerging syndrome, we report the clinical details of 12 individuals from 8 families found to have interstitial duplications involving NSD1, ranging in size from 370 kb to 3.7 Mb. All individuals are microcephalic, and height and childhood weight range from below average to severely restricted. Mild-to-moderate learning disabilities and/or developmental delay are present in all individuals, including carrier family members of probands; dysmorphic features and digital anomalies are present in a majority. Craniosynostosis is present in the individual with the largest duplication, though the duplication does not include MSX2, mutations of which can cause craniosynostosis, on 5q35.2. A comparison of the smallest duplication in our cohort that includes the entire NSD1 gene to the individual with the largest duplication that only partially overlaps NSD1 suggests that whole-gene duplication of NSD1 in and of itself may be sufficient to cause the abnormal growth parameters seen in these patients. NSD1 duplications may therefore be added to a growing list of copy number variations for which deletion and duplication of specific genes have contrasting effects on body development.

Benzo[e]pyrene-induced alterations in the binding of benzo[a]pyrene to DNA in hamster embryo cell cultures.

Benzo[e]pyrene (B[e]P), a weakly carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) modifies tumor induction in mouse skin and the induction of mutation in mammalian cells by carcinogenic PAH. To determine how B[e]P alters the metabolic activation of the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), early passage Syrian hamster embryo cell cultures were exposed to [3H]B[a]P or [3H]trans-7,8-dihydro-7,8-dihydroxyB[a]P (B[a]P-7,8-diol) in the presence of various concentrations of B[e]P for 24 h. The DNA was isolated, degraded to deoxyribonucleosides and the B[a]P-deoxyribonucleoside adducts were analyzed by h.p.l.c. As the dose of B[e]P increased, the amount of B[a]P bound to DNA decreased and the ratio of anti-B[a]P-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (B[a]PDE)-deoxyguanosine adduct to syn-B[a]PDE-deoxyguanosine adduct decreased. B[e]P treatment inhibited the binding of B[a]P-7,8-diol to DNA to a greater extent than it inhibited the binding of B[a]P and decreased the ratio of anti- to syn-B[a]PDE-deoxyguanosine adducts formed from the 7,8-diol. These results indicate that B[e]P decreases the activation of B[a]P to DNA-binding intermediates in these cells; especially the oxidation of B[a]P-7,8-diol to a diol-epoxide. The B[e]P-induced alterations in the ratio of DNA adducts formed from the syn- and anti-isomers of B[a]PDE suggest that B[e]P selectively inhibited certain pathways of metabolic activation of B[a]P. Thus, B[e]P-induced modifications in the biological activity of PAH may result from alteration in both the amounts and the relative proportions of various isomeric forms of the ultimate carcinogenic metabolites formed from PAH.

Metabolism and cytotoxicity of acetaminophen in hepatocyte cultures from rat, rabbit, dog, and monkey.

Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced cytotoxicity and metabolism were studied in hepatocyte cultures isolated from the rat, rabbit, dog, and monkey. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by morphological examination and by alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase released into the cell culture medium. The toxicity results obtained by these two methods were in agreement and can be explained by the biotransformation of APAP in each species. Rat and dog hepatocyte cultures contained the most APAP-sulfate conjugates, while the rabbit, dog, and monkey hepatocyte cultures contained the most APAP-glucuronide conjugates. The percentage of APAP-glutathione conjugate was very low in all species, indicating that either very little of the toxic APAP metabolite, N-acetylbenzoquinoneimine, was formed, or in the species susceptible to N-acetylbenzoquinoneimine-induced cytotoxicity, the glutathione S-transferase activity or the amount of glutathione was low. Rabbit hepatocytes transformed the most APAP during both short and long periods of exposure. Of the four species, the dog hepatocytes exhibited the highest level of APAP-induced cytotoxicity. The sensitivity of dog hepatocytes to APAP may be due to their low conjugating enzyme activity. Rat hepatocytes utilized all three pathways of APAP-biotransformation to prevent APAP-induced cytotoxicity. Monkey hepatocyte cultures had a very large capacity to transform APAP to a glucuronide conjugate and a very high level of glutathione S-transferase activity, and therefore did not exhibit any cytotoxicity. These studies indicate that the competing pathways of APAP conjugation in hepatocyte cultures from different species explain the differences observed in APAP-induced cytotoxicity.

Separation by ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatography of the glucuronide, sulfate and glutathione conjugates formed from benzo[a]pyrene in cell cultures from rodents, fish and humans.

A large proportion of the metabolites formed from benzo[a]pyrene (BP) in cell cultures from rodents, fish and humans result from conjugation of an oxidized metabolite of BP with sulfate, glucuronic acid or glutathione (GSH). To improve the analysis of these metabolites, a reversed-phase ion-pair h.p.l.c. system using a step gradient of methanol:tetrabutyl-ammonium bromide in ammonium formate buffer has been developed for the separation of these three classes of conjugates. This system separated 3-hydroxy-BP glucuronide and sulfate conjugates and resolved them from GSH conjugates of BP 4,5-oxide, 7,8-oxide and 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide. Cultures of early passage Syrian hamster, Wistar rat and Sencar mouse embryo cells, a bluegill fry (BF-2) cell line and a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) were exposed to [3H]BP for 24 h. Medium samples from each were extracted with chloroform: methanol:water, and the water-soluble metabolites were analyzed by ion-pair h.p.l.c. The largest peak of metabolites in the media from cell cultures from rodents and the bluegill fry cell line co-eluted with the glucuronic acid conjugate of 3-hydroxy-BP. These phenol-glucuronides represented 48-62% of the total water-soluble metabolites in the fish and rodent cell cultures. Treatment of this material with beta-glucuronidase released 3-hydroxy-BP and 9-hydroxy-BP in ratios from 3:4 to 13.3:1 in various cultures. Media from the bluegill fry cell line and the mouse embryo cell cultures also contained a peak of BP-diol glucuronides; treatment of these peaks with beta-glucuronidase released mainly BP-7,8-diol. In HepG2 cells, 40% of the water-soluble metabolites were identified as sulfate conjugates of 3-hydroxy-BP and 9-hydroxy-BP. No glucuronic acid conjugates of BP metabolites were detected in HepG2 cells. Only small amounts of the water-soluble metabolites from these cell cultures eluted in the same volumes as the synthetic GSH conjugate of BP-4,5-oxide, BP-7,8-oxide and BP-7,8-diol-9,10-oxide. These studies indicate that conjugation with glucuronic acid represents a major pathway of formation of water-soluble metabolites from BP in cells derived from a number of species and demonstrate the value of this ion-pair h.p.l.c. system for the analysis of conjugates formed from BP.

DNA sequence, chromosomal localization, and tissue expression of the mouse proteasome subunit lmp10 (Psmb10) gene.

Proteasomes are nonlysosomal multicatalytic proteases involved in antigen processing. Three of the 10 mammalian proteasome beta subunits (LMP2, LMP7, and LMP10) are induced by IFN-gamma. Two of these (LMP2 and LMP7) are encoded in the major histocompatibility complex of both human (chromosome 6) and mouse (chromosome 17). However, the human homologue of Lmp10, MECL1, is found on chromosome 16. Here we show that in mice, Lmp10 is a single-copy gene localized to chromosome 8, in a region of conserved synteny with human chromosome 16. Sequencing of a 129/SvJ strain genomic clone revealed that the gene has eight exons spanning 2.3 kb. Characterization of a full-length mouse cDNA clone indicates that Lmp10 encodes a protein of 273 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 29 kDa and an isoelectric point of 6.86. Northern analysis of Lmp2, Lmp7, and Lmp10 showed expression in heart, liver, thymus, lung, and spleen, but not in brain, kidney, skeletal muscle, or testis.

Metabolism and DNA adduct formation of benzo[a]pyrene and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in fish cell lines in culture.

The metabolic activation of the carcinogens benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) was examined in cell lines derived from bluegill fry (BF-2), rainbow trout (RTG-2) and brown bullhead (BB). All three cell lines metabolized BP (0.5 microgram/ml medium) almost completely to water-soluble metabolites within 120 h, but the maximum amount of BP bound to DNA ranged from only 5 pmol/mg DNA in the BF-2 cells to 17 in the BB cells and 44 in the RTG-2 cells. The major BP-DNA adduct in the BB and BF-2 cells was that formed by reaction of (+)-anti-BP-7,8-diol-9,10 epoxide [(+)anti-BPDE] with deoxyguanosine. This adduct was also present in the RTG-2 cell DNA, but there were larger amounts of unidentified polar BP-DNA adducts. Exposure of the cells to [3H]BP-7,8-diol, a metabolic precursor of (+)anti-BPDE, resulted in binding of 1.5, 12 and 35 pmol BP per mg DNA in the BF-2, BB and RTG-2 cells, respectively. More than 90% of the BP-7,8-diol added to the BF-2 cultures was recovered as a glucuronic acid conjugate, but the RTG-2 cells formed more glutathione conjugates than glucuronide conjugates. The BB cells formed both types of conjugates at a slower rate for more than 75% of the 7,8-diol was recovered unchanged after 24 h. The three cell lines differed in the proportion of a 0.1 microgram/ml dose of DMBA metabolized in 48 h: the values ranged from 47% in the BF-2 cells to 78% in the BB cells and 97% in the RTG-2 cells. The amount of DMBA bound to DNA ranged from 4.7 to 8.6 pmol/mg DNA in the three cell lines: DMBA-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide (DMBADE) adducts were present in the BB cell DNA, but no significant amounts of DMBADE-DNA adducts were detected in the RTG-2 or BF-2 cell DNA. These results demonstrate that fish cell cultures can activate BP to an ultimate carcinogenic metabolite, (+)anti-BPDE, but the level of binding of this metabolite to DNA is much lower than that which occurs in rodent embryo cell cultures. In BF-2 cell cultures formation of BP-7,8-diol-glucuronide effectively prevents the activation of this diol to (+)anti-BPDE. A substantial proportion of the BP-7,8-diol is also metabolized to glucuronide and glutathione conjugates in BB and RTG-2 cells. DMBA also binds to DNA at very low levels in these fish cell cultures. Thus effective conjugation of diols and their metabolites by fish cell lines appears to greatly reduce metabolic activation of hydrocarbons through the bay-region diol epoxide pathway that predominates in mammalian cell cultures.

Identification of multiple chromosome 12 abnormalities in human testicular germ cell tumors by two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

The distribution of segments of the short and long arms of chromosome 12 was distinguished by two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in 27 cytogenetically abnormal testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs). A 12p-specific probe was developed by chromosomal microdissection and sequence-independent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and was combined with a commercially available whole-chromosome 12 painting probe. The TGCTs included both i(12p)-positive and i(12p)-negative primary tumors and lymph node metastases from patients in clinical stage I or stage II who were not previously treated with chemotherapy. Rearrangements of the short arm of chromosome 12 and overrepresentation of 12p DNA sequences were found in all cases. In addition, cryptic rearrangements of 12p were found in 39% (7/18) of the i(12p)-positive tumors and in 78% (7/9) of the i(12p)-negative tumors. Only 7% (2/27) of all tumors had cryptic rearrangements of 12q.

Interphase chromosome painting of paraffin-embedded tissue in the differential diagnosis of possible germ cell tumors.

Germ cell tumors (GCTs) are the most frequent cancer in men aged 15 to 34 years. These tumors are highly responsive to therapy with platinum-containing regimens, and 80% of cases so treated can be considered cured. Cytogenetically, 80% of GCTs have an i(12p) regardless of tumor site or histopathology, and those that are i(12p) negative have other manifestations of 12p amplification. GCTs occasionally arise extragonadally, and such cases can be especially difficult to distinguish from poorly differentiated somatic carcinomas, a situation that poses a diagnostic and treatment dilemma We developed a technique for two-color fluorescence in situ hybridization chromosome painting on nuclei released from paraffin-embedded sections. In four tumors for which GCT was a differential diagnosis, we examined the 12p and 12q chromosome arm distributions by this technique. By use of 12p and 12q painting probes developed by microdissection, 12p and 12q were distinguished and their relative distributions evaluated. In each of the four cases, 12p regions seemed to be rearranged and over-represented relative to 12q regions. In three of the cases, an apparent i(12p) could be identified. These results support a diagnosis of GCT or GCT origin in these four cases. In tumors for which specific cytogenetic abnormalities are known, chromosome painting by fluorescence in situ hybridization using paraffin-embedded tissue is a useful technique to aid in the diagnosis of tumors that are difficult to differentiate. The patients can then be placed on treatment regimens appropriate for their specific tumor type.

Evidence that lymphangiomyomatosis is caused by TSC2 mutations: chromosome 16p13 loss of heterozygosity in angiomyolipomas and lymph nodes from women with lymphangiomyomatosis.

Lymphangiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease, of unknown etiology, affecting women almost exclusively. Lung transplantation is the only consistently effective therapy for LAM. Microscopically, LAM consists of a diffuse proliferation of smooth muscle cells. LAM can occur without evidence of other disease (referred to as "sporadic LAM") or in association with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). TSC is an autosomal dominant tumor suppressor gene syndrome characterized by seizures, mental retardation, and tumors in the brain, heart, skin, and kidney. Renal angiomyolipomas occur in approximately 50% of sporadic LAM patients and in 70% of TSC patients. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the chromosomal region for the TSC2 gene occurs in 60% of TSC-associated angiomyolipomas. Because of the similar pulmonary and renal manifestations of TSC and sporadic LAM, we hypothesized that LAM and TSC have a common genetic basis. We analyzed renal angiomyolipomas, from 13 women with sporadic LAM, for LOH in the regions of the TSC1 (chromosome 9q34) and TSC2 (chromosome 16p13) genes. TSC2 LOH was detected in seven (54%) of the angiomyolipomas. We also found TSC2 LOH in four lymph nodes from a woman with retroperitoneal LAM. No TSC1 LOH was found. Our findings indicate that the TSC2 gene may be involved in the pathogenesis of sporadic LAM. However, genetic transmission of LAM has not been reported. Women with LAM may have low-penetrance germ-line TSC2 mutations, or they may be mosaic, with TSC2 mutations in the lung and the kidney but not in other organs.

High selectivity of polyclonal antibodies against DNA modified by diastereomeric benzo[c]phenanthrene-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxides.

Polyclonal antibodies were developed in New Zealand White rabbits against DNA modified with diastereomeric benzo[c]phenanthrene-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide (B[c]PhDE)-1 (4-hydroxyl and epoxide cis) and B[c]PhDE-2 (4-hydroxyl and epoxide trans). Antiserum developed against B[c]PhDE-2-DNA was stereoselective. In competitive ELISA assays using wells coated with 160 fmol B[c]PhDE-2-DNA adducts, B[c]PhDE-2-DNA gave 50% inhibition at 200 fmol adducts/well. B[c]PhDE-1-DNA required a 10-fold higher amount of adducts/well to give 50% inhibition. Benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-2-DNA and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide-1-DNA caused only a 30% inhibition even at the highest doses tested (greater than 4000 fmol adducts/well). For antiserum developed against B[c]PhDE-1-DNA, 50% inhibition required 570 fmol B[c]PhDE-1-DNA adducts in wells coated with 100 fmol B[c]PhDE-1-DNA adducts. 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide-1-DNA and B[c]PhDE-2-DNA were also effective competitors: they caused 50% inhibition at 1900 and 1800 fmol adducts/well respectively. In contrast, benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-2-DNA gave no inhibition at the highest dose of competitor tested (4050 fmol adducts/well). Antisera from three rabbits immunized with B[c]PhDE-2-DNA demonstrated similar antigen specificities. The properties of these antisera differ from those reported previously for antibodies developed against benzo[a]pyrene-DNA in that they show selectivity for DNA modified by specific hydrocarbon diolepoxides, in one case for B[c]PhDE-2-DNA and in the other for B[c]PhDE-DNA or 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-3,4-diol-1,2-epoxide-1-DNA. The specificity of these antisera will facilitate analysis of the modification of DNA by different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon diolepoxides.