Association between the XRCC3 T241M polymorphism and risk of cancer: Evidence from 157 case–control studies

The T241M polymorphism in the X-ray cross-complementing group 3 (XRCC3) had been implicated in cancer susceptibility. The previous published data on the association between XRCC3 T241M polymorphism and cancer risk remained controversial. Hence, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the association between cancer susceptibility and XRCC3 T241M (61,861 cases and 84,584 controls from 157 studies) polymorphism in different inheritance models. We used odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals to assess the strength of the association. Overall, significantly increased cancer risk was observed in any genetic model (dominant model: odds ration [OR] = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00–1.13; recessive model: OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.08–1.23; additive model: OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.08–1.28) when all eligible studies were pooled into the meta-analysis. In further stratified and sensitivity analyses, the elevated risk remained for subgroups of bladder cancer and breast cancer, especially in Caucasians. In addition, significantly decreased lung cancer risk was also observed. In summary, this meta-analysis suggests the participation of XRCC3 T241M in the susceptibility for bladder cancer and breast cancer, especially in Caucasians, and XRCC3 T241M polymorphism is associated with decreased lung cancer risk. Moreover, our work also points out the importance of new studies for T241M association in some cancer types, such as gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and melanoma skin cancer, where at least some of the covariates responsible for heterogeneity could be controlled, to obtain a more conclusive understanding about the function of the XRCC3 polymorphism in cancer development.     

The F-Box Domain-Dependent Activity of EMI1 Regulates PARPi Sensitivity in Triple-Negative Breast Cancers

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HRR、PLR与中重度颅脑损伤患者短期死亡的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨血红蛋白/红细胞分布宽度比值（HRR）、血小板/淋巴细胞比值（PLR）与中重度颅脑损伤（TBI）患者短期死亡的关系。方法：回顾性收集2019年9月～2021年9月徐州医科大学附属医院收治的162例中重度TBI患者的病历资料，根据患者入院30d内生存状态分为死亡组和存活组。计算HRR和PLR，采用多因素Logistic回归分析中重度TBI患者短期死亡的影响因素，受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析格拉斯哥昏迷量表（GCS）评分联合HRR、PLR对中重度TBI患者短期死亡的预测价值。结果：162例中重度TBI患者入院30 d内死亡率为35.80%（58/162）。与存活组比较，死亡组HRR降低，PLR升高（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示，GCS评分＜9分、瞳孔散大、脑疝和HRR降低、PLR升高为中重度TBI患者短期死亡的独立危险因素（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线分析显示，HRR、PLR联合GCS评分预测中重度TBI患者短期死亡的曲线下面积最大，为0.924。结论：HRR降低和PLR升高与中重度TBI患者短期死亡相关，可能成为中重度TBI患者短期死亡的辅助预测指标，在GCS评分基础上联合HRR、PLR能提升对中重度TBI患者短期死亡的预测价值。     

在中国汉族人群中,以家系传递分析肿瘤坏死因子a-308A/G单核苷酸多态性与抽动秽语综合征

目的：探讨在中国汉族人群中,肿瘤坏死因子a（TNF-alpha,TNF-a）基因启动子区-308A/G单核苷酸多态性与抽动秽语综合征（Tourette syndrome,TS）的遗传易感性。方法：91例TS患者及其父母组成的核心家系成员经聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性（polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment lengthpolymor phism,PCR-RFLP）方法进行基因分型,评估所有研究对象的TNF-a-308A/G位点的等位基因频率和基因型频率的分布,进行传递不平衡检验（transmission disequilibrium test,TDT）,单体型相对风险（haplotype-based haplotyp erelativerisk,HHRR）,单体型风险（haplotype relative riskHRR）的研究。结果：TS患者及其父母的等位基因分布经Hardy-Weinberg（H-W）平衡检验显示符合遗传平衡法则。（x2〈3.84;P〉0.05）TDT、HHRR和HRR研究结果显示该多态性位点的等位基因频率和基因型频率均不存在传递不平衡。结论：我们的数据表明肿瘤坏死因子a启动子区-308A/G单核苷酸多态性位点不是中国汉族人群TS的易感基因位点。     

在中国汉族人群中，以家系传递分析肿瘤坏死因子a-308A/G单核苷酸多 态性与抽动秽语综合征

目的:探讨在中国汉族人群中,肿瘤坏死因子a(TNF-alpha,TNF-a)基因启动子区-308A/G单核苷酸多态性与抽动秽语综合征(Tourette syndrome,TS)的遗传易感性。方法:91例TS患者及其父母组成的核心家系成员经聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性(polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment lengthpolymor phism,PCR-RFLP)方法进行基因分型,评估所有研究对象的TNF-a-308A/G位点的等位基因频率和基因型频率的分布,进行传递不平衡检验(transmission disequilibrium test,TDT),单体型相对风险(haplotype-based haplotyp erelativerisk,HHRR),单体型风险(haplotype relative riskHRR)的研究。结果:TS患者及其父母的等位基因分布经Hardy-Weinberg(H-W)平衡检验显示符合遗传平衡法则。(x2<3.84;P>0.05)TDT、HHRR和HRR研究结果显示该多态性位点的等位基因频率和基因型频率均不存在传递不平衡。结论:我们的数据表明肿瘤坏死因子a启动子区-308A/G单核苷酸多态性位点不是中国汉族人群TS的易感基因位点。     

Allosteric modulation of zinc speciation by fatty acids

Background

Serum albumin is the major protein component of blood plasma and is responsible for the circulatory transport of a range of small molecules that include fatty acids, hormones, metal ions and drugs. Studies examining the ligand-binding properties of albumin make up a large proportion of the literature. However, many of these studies do not address the fact that albumin carries multiple ligands (including metal ions) simultaneously in vivo. Thus the binding of a particular ligand may influence both the affinity and dynamics of albumin interactions with another.

Scope of review

Here we review the Zn^2 + and fatty acid transport properties of albumin and highlight an important interplay that exists between them. Also the impact of this dynamic interaction upon the distribution of plasma Zn^2 +, its effect upon cellular Zn^2 + uptake and its importance in the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia are considered.

Major conclusions

We previously identified the major binding site for Zn^2 + on albumin. Furthermore, we revealed that Zn^2 +-binding at this site and fatty acid-binding at the FA2 site are interdependent. This suggests that the binding of fatty acids to albumin may serve as an allosteric switch to modulate Zn^2 +-binding to albumin in blood plasma.

General significance

Fatty acid levels in the blood are dynamic and chronic elevation of plasma fatty acid levels is associated with some metabolic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Since the binding of Zn^2 + to albumin is important for the control of circulatory/cellular Zn^2 + dynamics, this relationship is likely to have important physiological and pathological implications. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Serum Albumin.     

Effects of chromatin decondensation on alternative NHEJ

In cells of higher eukaryotes, repair of DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) utilizes different forms of potentially error-prone non-homologous end joining (NHEJ): canonical DNA-PK-dependent (C-NHEJ) and alternative backup pathways (A-NHEJ). In contrast to C-NHEJ, A-NHEJ shows pronounced efficiency fluctuations throughout the cell cycle and is severely compromised as cells cease proliferating and enter the plateau phase (Windhofer et al., 2007 [23]). The molecular mechanisms underpinning this response remain unknown but changes in chromatin structure are prime candidate-A-NHEJ-modulators. Since parameters beyond chromatin acetylation appear to determine A-NHEJ efficiency (Manova et al., 2012 0210 and 0380), we study here the role of chromatin decondensation mediated either by treatment with 5′-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (AzadC) or growth in hypotonic conditions, on A-NHEJ. We report that both treatments have no detectable effect on C-NHEJ but provoke, specifically for A-NHEJ, cell-growth-dependent effects. These results uncover for the first time a link between A-NHEJ and chromatin organization and provide means for understanding the regulatory mechanisms underpinning the growth-state dependency of A-NHEJ. A-NHEJ is implicated in the formation of chromosomal translocations and in chromosome fusions that underlie genomic instability and carcinogenesis. The observations reported here may therefore contribute to the development of drug-based A-NHEJ suppression-strategies aiming at optimizing cancer treatment outcomes and possibly also at suppressing carcinogenesis.     

DR-GAS: A database of functional genetic variants and their phosphorylation states in human DNA repair systems

We present DR-GAS¹, a unique, consolidated and comprehensive DNA repair genetic association studies database of human DNA repair system. It presents information on repair genes, assorted mechanisms of DNA repair, linkage disequilibrium, haplotype blocks, nsSNPs, phosphorylation sites, associated diseases, and pathways involved in repair systems. DNA repair is an intricate process which plays an essential role in maintaining the integrity of the genome by eradicating the damaging effect of internal and external changes in the genome. Hence, it is crucial to extensively understand the intact process of DNA repair, genes involved, non-synonymous SNPs which perhaps affect the function, phosphorylated residues and other related genetic parameters. All the corresponding entries for DNA repair genes, such as proteins, OMIM IDs, literature references and pathways are cross-referenced to their respective primary databases. DNA repair genes and their associated parameters are either represented in tabular or in graphical form through images elucidated by computational and statistical analyses. It is believed that the database will assist molecular biologists, biotechnologists, therapeutic developers and other scientific community to encounter biologically meaningful information, and meticulous contribution of genetic level information towards treacherous diseases in human DNA repair systems. DR-GAS is freely available for academic and research purposes at: http://www.bioinfoindia.org/drgas.     

Laryngeal cancer risk and common single nucleotide polymorphisms in nucleotide excision repair pathway genes ERCC1, ERCC2, ERCC3, ERCC4, ERCC5 and XPA

Because the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of laryngeal cancer are not well understood, we conducted a case–control study to determine the association between eight common SNPs in NER pathway genes and risk of laryngeal cancer, and the association between genetic polymorphisms and environmental factors. A 1:1 matched case–control study of 176 cases and 176 controls was conducted. Laryngeal cancer cases were more likely to smoke and drink (all P values < 0.05). Subjects with the ERCC1 rs11615 CC genotype and C allele had an increased risk of laryngeal cancer. Similarly, individuals with the ERCC5 rs17655 GG genotype and G allele had an increased risk of laryngeal cancer. Gene–gene interaction analysis showed that subjects carrying ERCC1 rs11615 C allele and XPG/ERCC5 rs17655 G allele had a greatly increased risk of breast cancer. Stratified analysis revealed that the interaction between polymorphisms of ERCC1 rs11615 and ERCC5 rs17655 and smoking on cancer risk was statistically significant, and ERCC1 rs11615 polymorphisms also had a significant interaction with drinking habit. In conclusion, our study suggests that ERCC1 rs11615 and ERCC5 rs17655 polymorphisms are associated with increased risk of laryngeal cancer, and that they confer more risk among smokers and drinkers.     

Functional and genetic analysis of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNC1/TRM2: evidences for its involvement in DNA double-strand break repair

We previously isolated the RNC1/TRM2 gene and provided evidence that it encodes a protein with a possible role in DNA double strand break repair. RNC1 was independently re-isolated as the TRM2 gene encoding a methyl transferase involved in tRNA maturation. Here we show that Trm2p purified as a fusion protein displayed 5' --> 3' exonuclease activity on double-strand (ds) DNA, and endonuclease activity on single-strand (ss) DNA, properties characteristic of previously isolated endo-exonucleases. A variant of Trm2p, Trm2p(ctDelta76aa) lacking 76 amino acids at the C-terminus retained nuclease activities but not the methyl transferase activity. Both the native and the variant exhibited sensitivity to the endo-exonuclease inhibitor pentamidine. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae trm2(Delta232-1920nt) mutant (containing only the first 231 nucleotides of the TRM2 gene) displayed low sensitivity to methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) and suppressed the MMS sensitivity of rad52 mutants in trm2(Delta232-1920nt)rad52 double mutants. The deletion of KU80, in trm2(Delta232-1920nt) mutant background displayed higher MMS sensitivity supporting the view of the possible role of Trm2p in a competing repair pathway separate from NHEJ. In addition, trm2 exo1 double mutants were synergistically more sensitive to MMS and ionizing radiation than either of the single mutant suggesting that TRM2 and EXO1 can functionally complement each other. However, the C-terminal portion, required for its methyl transferase activity was found not important for DNA repair. These results propose an important role for TRM2 in DNA repair with a potential involvement of its nuclease function in homologous recombination based repair of DNA DSBs.