First somatic mutation of E2F1 in a critical DNA binding residue discovered in well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the peritoneum

Background

Well differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the peritoneum (WDPMP) is a rare variant of epithelial mesothelioma of low malignancy potential, usually found in women with no history of asbestos exposure. In this study, we perform the first exome sequencing of WDPMP.

Results

WDPMP exome sequencing reveals the first somatic mutation of E2F1, R166H, to be identified in human cancer. The location is in the evolutionarily conserved DNA binding domain and computationally predicted to be mutated in the critical contact point between E2F1 and its DNA target. We show that the R166H mutation abrogates E2F1's DNA binding ability and is associated with reduced activation of E2F1 downstream target genes. Mutant E2F1 proteins are also observed in higher quantities when compared with wild-type E2F1 protein levels and the mutant protein's resistance to degradation was found to be the cause of its accumulation within mutant over-expressing cells. Cells over-expressing wild-type E2F1 show decreased proliferation compared to mutant over-expressing cells, but cell proliferation rates of mutant over-expressing cells were comparable to cells over-expressing the empty vector.

Conclusions

The R166H mutation in E2F1 is shown to have a deleterious effect on its DNA binding ability as well as increasing its stability and subsequent accumulation in R166H mutant cells. Based on the results, two compatible theories can be formed: R166H mutation appears to allow for protein over-expression while minimizing the apoptotic consequence and the R166H mutation may behave similarly to SV40 large T antigen, inhibiting tumor suppressive functions of retinoblastoma protein 1.     

Mixed Magnetism for Refrigeration and Energy Conversion

The efficient coupling between lattice degrees of freedom and spin degrees of freedom in magnetic materials can be used for refrigeration and energy conversion. This coupling is enhanced in materials exhibiting the giant magnetocaloric effect. First principle electronic structure calculations on hexagonal MnFe(P, Si) reveal a new form of magnetism: the coexistence of strong and weak magnetism in alternate atomic layers. The weak magnetism of Fe layers (disappearance of local magnetic moments at the Curie temperature) is responsible for a strong coupling with the crystal lattice while the strong magnetism in adjacent Mn‐layers ensures Curie temperatures high enough to enable operation at and above room temperature. Varying the composition on these magnetic sublattices gives a handle to tune the working temperature and to achieve a strong reduction of the undesired thermal hysteresis. In this way we design novel materials based on abundantly available elements with properties matched to the requirements of an efficient refrigeration or energy‐conversion cycle.     

酵母产γ-氨基丁酸发酵条件的研究

目的：研究酵母产γ-氨基丁酸的发酵条件,提高其产γ-氨基丁酸的能力。方法：以高产γ-氨基丁酸的酵母突变株为材料,通过单因素实验研究培养温度、摇床转速、接种量、种龄和培养时间等条件对菌株发酵生产γ-氨基丁酸的影响。结果：最适发酵条件为：培养温度30℃,摇床转速220 rpm,接种量4%,种龄为2d的种子菌,培养时间4d。在此发酵条件下,变异菌发酵液中γ-氨基丁酸含量高达2.588 g.L-1,较优化前提高了53%。结论：发酵条件的优化,提高了菌株产γ-氨基丁酸的能力。     

特发性腹膜后纤维化一例并文献复习

目的：分析腹膜后纤维化（RPF）的诊断以及治疗情况,以提高对RPF的认识。方法：回顾性分析我科18F-FDGPET/CT诊断的1例RPF患者的临床资料,并对相关文献进行复习。结果：本例患者以腹胀及右下腹部隐痛不适就诊,腹部CT表现为腹主动脉周围肿块,18F-FDGPET/CT显示腹膜后间隙中线大血管周围糖代谢增高肿块,经CT引导下穿刺及手术病理确诊为特发性腹膜后纤维化。结论：腹膜后纤维化属罕见病,CT、MRI在诊断中有较重要作用,PET/CT在IRPF的诊断及治疗随访中有比较重要的价值,在治疗方面,糖皮质激素治疗效果较好,晚期常需要手术治疗。     

Glycoengineered Pichia produced anti-HER2 is comparable to trastuzumab in preclinical study

Mammalian cell culture systems are used predominantly for the production of therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb) products. A number of alternative platforms, such as Pichia engineered with a humanized N-linked glycosylation pathway, have recently been developed for the production of mAbs. The glycosylation profiles of mAbs produced in glycoengineered Pichia are similar to those of mAbs produced in mammalian systems. This report presents for the first time the comprehensive characterization of an anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) mAb produced in glycoengineered Pichia, and a study comparing the anti-HER2 from Pichia, which had an amino acid sequence identical to trastuzumab, with trastuzumab. The comparative study covered a full spectrum of preclinical evaluation, including bioanalytical characterization, in vitro biological functions, in vivo anti-tumor efficacy and pharmacokinetics in both mice and non-human primates. Cell signaling and proliferation assays showed that anti-HER2 from Pichia had antagonist activities comparable to trastuzumab. However, Pichia-produced material showed a 5-fold increase in binding affinity to FcγIIIA and significantly enhanced antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity, presumably due to the lack of fucose on N-glycans. In a breast cancer xenograft mouse model, anti-HER2 was comparable to trastuzumab in tumor growth inhibition. Furthermore, comparable pharmacokinetic profiles were observed for anti-HER2 and trastuzumab in both mice and cynomolgus monkeys. We conclude that glycoengineered Pichia provides an alternative production platform for therapeutic mAbs and may be of particular interest for production of antibodies for which ADCC is part of the clinical mechanism of action.Key words: glycoengineered Pichia, anti-HER2, trastuzumab, xenograft, PK, ADCC