Active and inactive genes localize preferentially in the periphery of chromosome territories.

The intranuclear position of a set of genes was analyzed with respect to the territories occupied by the whole chromosomes in which these genes are localized. Genes and their respective chromosome territories were simultaneously visualized in three-dimensionally preserved nuclei applying dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization. Three coding (DMD, MYH7, and HBB) and two noncoding sequences (D1Z2 and an anonymous sequence) were analyzed in four different cell types, including cells where DMD and MYH7 are actively transcribed. Spatial analysis by confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that the genes are preferentially located in the periphery of chromosome territories. This positioning was independent from the activity of the genes. In contrast, the non-expressed anonymous fragment was found randomly distributed or localized preferentially in the interior of the corresponding chromosome territory. Furthermore, the distribution of the analyzed genes within the territorial peripheries was found to be highly characteristic for each gene, and, again, independent from its expression. The impact of these findings with regard to the three-dimensional arrangement of the linear DNA string within chromosome territories, as well as with respect to a putative nuclear subcompartment confining gene expression, are discussed.

Expressed sequences as candidates for a novel tumor suppressor gene at band 13q14 in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma.

Deletions affecting the interval between the RB1 gene and marker D13S25 at band 13q14 are the most frequent genetic abnormalities of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) and indicate the presence of a novel tumor suppressor gene in this region. In the current study, a high resolution physical map of fragments spanning one megabasepair (Mb) of genomic DNA at the critical 13q14 segment was constructed. To define the minimal region of loss within the RB1 and D13S25 interval, we screened 322 B-CLLs for deletions at either of the two loci. Thirty mantle cell lymphomas (MCLs) were included in the analysis because we observed a 13q14 deletion pattern similar to B-CLL in this disease. The incidence of 13q14 deletions was 51% in B-CLL and 70% in MCL, respectively. No frequent loss of the BRCA2 gene at band 13q12 was found. Detailed deletion mapping at band 13q14 with probes from the RB1-D13S25 interval lead to the identification of a critical deletion region 400 kb in size. Within this region two segments were most frequently affected, one at D13S272 120 kb in size and another 240 kb distal of D13S272 80 kb in size. From these two segments expressed sequences were identified as candidates for the putative 13q14 tumor suppressor gene involved in the pathogenesis of B-CLL and MCL.

NMDA and D1 receptors mediate induction of c-fos and junB genes in striatum following morphine administration: implications for studies of memory.

The c-fos and junB immediate early genes (IEGs) were induced in neurons of the medial and ventral striatum following administration of morphine. The striatal induction of c-fos and junB mRNA and Fos protein was blocked by naloxone, the D1 dopamine (DA) receptor antagonists, SCH23390 and SCH39166, and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist, MK801. SCH23390 and MK801 did not block morphine induction of c-fos and junB in septum. Since the pattern of the morphine induction of c-fos and junB in striatum and nucleus accumbens was similar to that observed with cocaine and amphetamine [2,18,45,51], these data support current concepts that limbic striatum and nucleus accumbens are among the brain regions that mediate drug abuse [9,10,23,27,49]. If it is true that D1 receptors activate the CRE (cyclase response element) and NMDA receptors activate the SRE (serum response element) in the c-fos promoter [1], then this data suggests that serial activation of mu opiate, NMDA and D1 receptors on different neurons is required to induce Fos in striatal neurons with D1 Moreover, concurrent activation of NMDA and D1 receptors is required for Fos induction in striatal neurons. The Fos induced by this simultaneous activation of NMDA and D1 receptors should lead to long-term changes of gene expression that might also be involved in changes of brain circuits that could form the basis for 'memories' relating to prior exposure to addictive drugs.

Morphine induces c-fos and junB in striatum and nucleus accumbens via D1 and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.

Morphine induced the c-fos and junB immediate early genes in neurons of the medial and ventral striatum and nucleus accumbens. Induction of c-fos and junB mRNA and Fos protein was blocked by naloxone, the D1 dopamine (DA) receptor antagonists SCH23390 and SCH39166, and the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor antagonist MK801. SCH23390 attenuated morphine induction of AP-1 binding in striatum, suggesting that c-fos and junB contribute to AP-1 binding. SCH23390 and MK801 did not block morphine induction of c-fos and junB in septum. Since the morphine induction of c-fos and junB in striatum and nucleus accumbens (NA) was similar to that observed with cocaine and amphetamine, these data support current concepts that limbic striatum and NA are among the brain regions that mediate drug abuse. Furthermore, since DA and NMDA receptors may mediate opiate reward and opiate induction of c-fos and junB, the DA/NMDA regulation of c-fos and junB and their target genes may produce long-term changes in the striatal and NA circuits that contribute to opiate drug abuse.

Haloperidol prevents ketamine- and phencyclidine-induced HSP70 protein expression but not microglial activation.

Noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, inclu ding ketamine and phencyclidine (PCP), produce abnormal intracellular vacuoles in posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortical neurons in the rat. Ketamine also induces 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) expression in pyramidal neurons in the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortex and, as shown by this study, activates microglia in the retrosplenial cortex of the rat. Whereas HSP70 protein expression was induced with ketamine doses of 40 mg/kg (ip) and higher, doses of 80 mg/kg and higher were required to activate microglia. HSP70-positive neurons were observed in 30- to 90-day-old rats but not in younger, 10- to 20- day old animals following ketamine (80 mg/kg, ip). Pretreatment with the antipsychotic drug haloperidol at doses of 1.0 mg/kg and above abolished all HSP70 immunostaining produced by ketamine (80 mg/kg). However, a single dose of haloperidol (5 mg/kg, im) did not decrease the number of microglia activated in retrosplenial cortex by ketamine (80-140 mg/kg). Similarly, PCP (10 and 50 mg/kg, ip)-induced microglial activation in the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortex of adult rats was not blocked by haloperidol (10 mg/kg, im, 1 h prior to PCP). These results suggest that ketamine and PCP injure neurons in the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortex of adults rats. Though haloperidol may afford some protection against this injury since it inhibits induction of HSP70 expression, the failure to prevent microglial activation suggests that single doses of haloperidol do not completely protect neurons from NMDA antagonist toxicity.

Matrix-based comparative genomic hybridization: biochips to screen for genomic imbalances.

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to metaphase chromosomes has been widely used for the genome-wide screening of genomic imbalances in tumor cells. Substitution of the chromosome targets by a matrix consisting of an ordered set of defined nucleic acid target sequences would greatly enhance the resolution and simplify the analysis procedure, both of which are prerequisites for a broad application of CGH as a diagnostic tool. However, hybridization of whole genomic human DNA to immobilized single-copy DNA fragments with complexities below the megabase pair level has been hampered by the low probability of specific binding because of the high probe complexity. We developed a protocol that allows CGH to chips consisting of glass slides with immobilized target DNAs arrayed in small spots. High-copy-number amplifications contained in tumor cells were rapidly scored by use of target DNAs as small as a cosmid. Low-copy-number gains and losses were identified reliably by their ratios by use of chromosome-specific DNA libraries or genomic fragments as small as 75 kb cloned in PI or PAC vectors as targets, thus greatly improving the resolution achievable by chromosomal CGH. The ratios obtained for the same chromosomal imbalance by matrix CGH and by chromosomal CGH corresponded very well. The new matrix CGH protocol provides a basis for the development of automated diagnostic procedures with biochips designed to meet clinical needs.

Neuronal injury produced by NMDA antagonists can be detected using heat shock proteins and can be blocked with antipsychotics.

Noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, including ketamine, MK-801, and phencyclidine (PCP), induce the HSP70 heat shock or stress gene in pyramidal neurons in rat posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortex. PCP also induces HSP70 in many other pyramidal neurons in brain including neocortex, insular cortex, piriform cortex, hippocampus, and basal nuclei of the amygdala. Several neurotransmitter antagonists, including haloperidol, clozapine, SCH-22390, diazepam, and muscimol, inhibited induction of HSP70 produced by PCP. Baclofen had no effect. Nifedipine blocked induction of HSP70 by PCP in cingulate, neocortex, and insular cortex but only partially blocked HSP70 in piriform cortex and amygdala. These data suggest that phencyclidine injures pyramidal neurons via dopamine D1, D2, D4, sigma, and other receptors. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists ameliorate the injury. A model is proposed whereby NMDA receptor blockade on GABA neurons decreases inhibitory inputs onto cortical pyramidal neurons and makes them more vulnerable to injury from a variety of excitatory inputs. It is possible that psychosis produced by PCP and other NMDA antagonists correlates with overactivity and eventual injury to cingulate pyramidal neurons.