The rs10993994 risk allele for prostate cancer results in clinically relevant changes in microseminoprotein-beta expression in tissue and urine

Background

Microseminoprotein-beta (MSMB) regulates apoptosis and using genome-wide association studies the rs10993994 single nucleotide polymorphism in the MSMB promoter has been linked to an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. The promoter location of the risk allele, and its ability to reduce promoter activity, suggested that the rs10993994 risk allele could result in lowered MSMB in benign tissue leading to increased prostate cancer risk.

Methodology/Principal Findings

MSMB expression in benign and malignant prostate tissue was examined using immunohistochemistry and compared with the rs10993994 genotype. Urinary MSMB concentrations were determined by ELISA and correlated with urinary PSA, the presence or absence of cancer, rs10993994 genotype and age of onset. MSMB levels in prostate tissue and urine were greatly reduced with tumourigenesis. Urinary MSMB was better than urinary PSA at differentiating men with prostate cancer at all Gleason grades. The high risk allele was associated with heterogeneity of MSMB staining and loss of MSMB in both tissue and urine in benign prostate.

Conclusions

These data show that some high risk alleles discovered using genome-wide association studies produce phenotypic effects with potential clinical utility. We provide the first link between a low penetrance polymorphism for prostate cancer and a potential test in human tissue and bodily fluids. There is potential to develop tissue and urinary MSMB for a biomarker of prostate cancer risk, diagnosis and disease monitoring.     

The HIV-1 Subtype C Epidemic in South America Is Linked to the United Kingdom

Background

The global spread of HIV-1 has been accompanied by the emergence of genetically distinct viral strains. Over the past two decades subtype C viruses, which predominate in Southern and Eastern Africa, have spread rapidly throughout parts of South America. Phylogenetic studies indicate that subtype C viruses were introduced to South America through a single founder event that occurred in Southern Brazil. However, the external route via which subtype C viruses spread to the South American continent has remained unclear.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We used automated genotyping to screen 8,309 HIV-1 subtype C pol gene sequences sampled within the UK for isolates genetically linked to the subtype C epidemic in South America. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches were used to explore the phylogenetic relationships between 54 sequences identified in this screen, and a set of globally sampled subtype C reference sequences. Phylogenetic trees disclosed a robustly supported relationship between sequences from Brazil, the UK and East Africa. A monophyletic cluster comprised exclusively of sequences from the UK and Brazil was identified and dated to approximately the early 1980s using a Bayesian coalescent-based method. A sub-cluster of 27 sequences isolated from homosexual men of UK origin was also identified and dated to the early 1990s.

Conclusions

Phylogenetic, demographic and temporal data support the conclusion that the UK was a crucial staging post in the spread of subtype C from East Africa to South America. This unexpected finding demonstrates the role of diffuse international networks in the global spread of HIV-1 infection, and the utility of globally sampled viral sequence data in revealing these networks. Additionally, we show that subtype C viruses are spreading within the UK amongst men who have sex with men.     

The integration host factor of Escherichia coli binds to multiple sites at plasmid R6K gamma origin and is essential for replication.

Examination of the effect of the himA and himD mutants of E. coli on the maintenance of plasmid R6K has revealed that the gamma origin-containing replicons cannot be established in any of the mutants deficient in the production of E. coli Integration Host Factor (IHF). Contrary, the R6K derivatives containing other origins of the plasmid (alpha and/or beta) replicate in a host lacking functional IHF protein. We show that IHF protein binds specifically to a segment of the replication region which is essential for the activity of all three R6K origins. Mapping the IHF binding sequence with neocarzinostatin showed that the protein protects three segments of the origin: two strong binding sites reside within an AT-rich block, while the third, considerably weaker site is separated from the other two by a cluster of the seven 22 bp direct repeats. These seven repeats have been shown previously to bind the R6K-encoded initiator protein pi. We also demonstrate that the establishment of pi-origin complexes prior to IHF addition prevents the binding of the IHF protein to the gamma origin. The binding sequences of IHF and pi proteins do not overlap, therefore, we propose that the binding of pi protein alters the structure of the DNA and thereby prevents the subsequent binding of IHF protein.     

Proteins of the Bacillus stearothermophilus ribosome. Crystallization of proteins L30 and S5

Proteins L30 and S5 from the 50 S and 30 S subunits, respectively, of the Bacillus stearothermophilus ribosome have been crystallized. L30 crystals are tetragonal and the space group is P4(1)2(1)2 (or P4(3)2(1)2) with cell dimensions a = b = 46.3 A and c = 61.4 A. S5 crystals are trigonal with the space group P3(1)21 (or P3(2)21) and cell dimensions a = b = 59.3 A and c = 109.8 A. In both cases, there appears to be a single molecule in the asymmetric unit.     

High-level expression of self-processed HIV-1 protease in Escherichia coli using a synthetic gene

A synthetic gene coding for HIV-1 protease (PR) has been constructed and a system for its efficient expression in E. coli has been established: PR is synthesized as a fusion protein with E. coli dihydrofolate reductase under the control of a bacteriophage T7 promoter. The synthetic gene was constructed to enable rapid construction of defined mutants by restriction fragment replacement. A set of mutants has been constructed which may facilitate elucidation of the mechanism of PR self-cleavage from polyprotein precursors. We have demonstrated that the C-terminal residue (Phe99 in the native sequence) of the processing intermediate is absolutely required for subsequent cleavage at the N-terminal cleavage site. The potential structural role of this residue is discussed with reference to the recently published HIV-1 PR structure.     

鼻咽上皮细胞的调节性容积回缩能力及机制

用图像分析系统和通道阻断法研究了原代人胎儿鼻咽上皮细胞的调节性容积回缩(regulatoryvolumedecrease,RVD)能力及其机制。结果发现,低渗刺激可诱发鼻咽上皮细胞产生RVD,在160-240mOsmol/L范围内,RVD强弱与渗透压呈“S”形负相关(r=-0.99,P<0.05),与细胞肿胀程度呈“S”形正相关(=0.99,P<0.05)。Cl~-通道阻断剂tamoxifen(20μmol/L),ATP(10mmol/L)或NPPB(100μmol/L)对RVD阻抑率分别为100%(P<0.01),76.3%(P<0.01)和62.7%(P<0.01)。本研究表明,鼻咽上皮细胞受到低渗刺激时可产生RVD,Cl~-通道开放是其RVD的关键机制。     

Structure-based design, synthesis, and antimicrobial activity of purine derived SAH/MTA nucleosidase inhibitors

The structure-based design, synthesis, and biological activity of novel inhibitors of S-adenosyl homocysteine/methylthioadenosine (SAH/MTA) nucleosidase are described. Using 6-substituted purine and deaza purines as the core scaffolds, a systematic and structure guided series of modifications provided low nM inhibitors with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.