Analyzing the FHIT Gene by RT-PCR, Western Blotting, and Immunohistochemistry.

FHIT (fragile histidine triad) is a tumor-suppressor gene located at chromosome band 3p14.2. The genomic locus, which is greater than 1 Mb, contains 10 small exons that make up the 1.1-kb FHIT cDNA. The coding region starts in exon 5 and stops in exon 9, producing a 16.8-kDa cytoplasmic protein. The FHIT locus contains the hereditary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) t(3;8) translocation, and also encompasses the FRA3B common fragile region (for review, 1). Numerous studies have proven that the FHIT gene is inactivated by deletions in both primary tumors and cell lines derived from head and neck, stomach, lung, and kidney cancers (2-6). Since FHIT is inactivated in so many cancers, it is essential to learn its normal function and analyze how the loss of its function contributes to the progression and development of cancer. For example, an early event in the lungs of a smoker is breakage at the FHIT locus, causing a reduced or absent FHIT protein expression in the preneoplastic lesions. Compensation for the functional loss of FHIT via a recombinant, nonfragile FHITgene may prove therapeutically useful (7,8). Our studies have also shown that the FHIT gene is altered or absent in the majority of transitional-cell carcinoma (TCC) cases of the bladder examined (9). Through the utilization of molecular techniques such as those described here, FHIT alterations may be detected in an early stage of cancer, and thus prove to be a useful diagnostic tool to prevent cancer progression.

Loss of FHIT expression in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

Cytogenetic and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies demonstrated chromosome 3p deletions in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). We recently cloned the tumor suppressor gene FHIT (fragile histidine triad) at 3p14.2, one of the most frequently deleted chromosomal regions in TCC of the bladder, and showed that it is the target of environmental carcinogens. Abnormalities at the FHIT locus have been found in tumors of the lung, breast, cervix, head and neck, stomach, pancreas, and clear cell carcinoma of the kidney. We examined six TCC derived cell lines (SW780, T24, Hs228T, CRL7930, CRL7833, and HTB9) and 30 primary TCC of the bladder for the integrity of the FHIT transcript, using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to investigate a potential role of the FHIT gene in TCC of the bladder. In addition, we tested expression of the Fhit protein in the six TCC-derived cell lines by Western blot analysis and in 85 specimens of primary TCCs by immunohistochemistry. Three of the six cell lines (50%) did not show the wild-type FHIT transcript, and Fhit protein was not detected in four of the six cell lines (67%) tested. Fhit expression also was correlated with pathological and clinical status. A significant correlation was observed between reduced Fhit expression and advanced stage of the tumors. Overall, 26 of 30 (87%) primary TCCs showed abnormal transcripts. Fhit protein was absent or greatly reduced in 61% of the TCCs analyzed by immunohistochemistry. These results suggested that loss of Fhit expression may be as important in the development of bladder cancer as it is for other neoplasms caused by environmental carcinogens.

Evaluation of antibacterial activity of belizean plants: an improved method.

The influences of medium type, inoculum density, and a cold incubation on antimicrobial assay sensitivity were tested. The largest and most distinct zones were produced using nutrient agar and the 1/10 4 inoculum density for Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis but a 1/10 12 inoculum density for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli . The greatest number of zones were detected without cold incubation. Using this method, eight plants from Belize were screened for antibacterial activity. Six plants showed activity against the four organisms tested. Both inoculum density and medium type played important roles in assay sensitivity; however, inoculum density was of more practical significance.