Defective Genome Instability Suppressing Genes May Cause Some Types of Cancer
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 28 Apr 2016 |
|
Image: Drop-inoculation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants on an agar plate. The assay compares the viability of different yeast mutants (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons).
Cancer researchers reported in a recent study that defects in the expression of genes that suppress gross chromosomal rearrangements (GCRs) were linked to more than 93% of the ovarian and 66% of the colorectal cancer cases they had examined.
Investigators at the University of California, San Diego (USA) worked with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to identify genome instability suppressing (GIS) genes that acted to prevent chromosomal rearrangements. They reported in the April 13, 2016, online edition of the journal Nature Communications that by using this platform they had been able to identify182 GIS genes that suppressed GCR formation. Another 438 cooperatively acting GIS genes (cGIS) were identified that were not GIS genes, but suppressed the increased genome instability caused by individual query mutations.
Analysis of data derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) allowed the investigators to predict which human genes were associated with GIS pathways. This analysis revealed that a minimum of 93% of ovarian and 66% of colorectal cancer cases had defects affecting one or more predicted GIS gene. These defects included loss-of-function mutations, copy-number changes associated with reduced expression, and silencing. In contrast, acute myeloid leukemia cases did not appear to have defects affecting the predicted GIS genes.
"Mutated GIS genes have long been suspected of playing a role in the development of many types of cancers, but identifying them has been difficult due in large part to a lack of comprehensive GCR tests, or assays, in mammalian systems," said first author Dr. Christopher Putnam, adjunct assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. "Before our experiment, only a few dozen cGIS genes were known. Now we know of hundreds. Understanding this process allows us to think more about how carcinogenesis proceeds and it might give us insights into defects that could be therapeutically actionable in the future."
Related Links:
University of California, San Diego
Investigators at the University of California, San Diego (USA) worked with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to identify genome instability suppressing (GIS) genes that acted to prevent chromosomal rearrangements. They reported in the April 13, 2016, online edition of the journal Nature Communications that by using this platform they had been able to identify182 GIS genes that suppressed GCR formation. Another 438 cooperatively acting GIS genes (cGIS) were identified that were not GIS genes, but suppressed the increased genome instability caused by individual query mutations.
Analysis of data derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) allowed the investigators to predict which human genes were associated with GIS pathways. This analysis revealed that a minimum of 93% of ovarian and 66% of colorectal cancer cases had defects affecting one or more predicted GIS gene. These defects included loss-of-function mutations, copy-number changes associated with reduced expression, and silencing. In contrast, acute myeloid leukemia cases did not appear to have defects affecting the predicted GIS genes.
"Mutated GIS genes have long been suspected of playing a role in the development of many types of cancers, but identifying them has been difficult due in large part to a lack of comprehensive GCR tests, or assays, in mammalian systems," said first author Dr. Christopher Putnam, adjunct assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. "Before our experiment, only a few dozen cGIS genes were known. Now we know of hundreds. Understanding this process allows us to think more about how carcinogenesis proceeds and it might give us insights into defects that could be therapeutically actionable in the future."
Related Links:
University of California, San Diego
New
Gold Member
Pre- Eclampsia Control
Acusera Pre-Eclampsia Control
Repetitive Pipette
VWR® Stepper Pro
CMV CLIA Diagnostic
CLIA CMV IgA Screen Group
Latest BioResearch News
- New Genetic Cause Identified for Neurodevelopmental Disorder
- New Genetic Discovery Could Support Precision Diabetes Care
- Inherited Genetic Differences Help Explain Variable CAR T-Cell Therapy Outcomes
- AI-Powered Genome Mapping Reveals New Layer of Alzheimer’s Disease Biology
- Genetic Variations Reveal Mechanisms Behind Sudden Cardiac Death Risk
- Immune Biomarkers Support Early Risk Stratification in Oral Precancer
- Global Genetic Map Identifies Regional Parkinson’s Variants to Support Diagnostics
- Breakthrough Genetic Map Advances Understanding of Bone Disorders
- Study Identifies Hereditary Subtype of Aggressive Prostate Cancer
- Gene Variants Linked to Pollution-Exacerbated Asthma
- Single-Cell Analysis Mapping Links Inflammation Response to Acute Myeloid Leukemia
- Study Reveals New Insights into Rare Blood Cancer Development
- New Findings Clarify Molecular Drivers of Rare Small Intestinal Cancer
- Lung Cancer Study Reveals Cellular Program Behind Therapy Resistance
- Tumor Genome Marker May Predict Treatment Benefit in Pediatric Cancers
- Lysosomal Gene Defect Linked to Severe Childhood Brain Disorders
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
Blood Test Enters UK Primary Care Pathway for Earlier Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Alzheimer’s disease is often first suspected in primary care, yet definitive evaluation frequently depends on specialized imaging or cerebrospinal fluid testing. This creates a persistent gap between disease... Read more
Machine Learning Model Shows Promise for Improving Metanephrine Testing Accuracy
Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are rare tumors that form in or near the adrenal glands and cause overproduction of stress hormones. Plasma-free metanephrines are the recommended first-line test,... Read more
Molecular Diagnostics
view channel
Machine Learning Tool Improves Prediction of Liver Cancer Recurrence
Recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgery remains a major cause of poor outcomes and contributes to liver cancer’s rank as the world’s third leading cause of cancer death. The burden is particularly... Read more
AI-Powered Liquid Biopsy Detects Liver Cancer Across Diverse Populations
Liver cancer remains a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, with incidence rising alongside the growing burden of metabolic liver disease. Early detection can substantially improve outcomes, yet... Read more
Hematology
view channel
Age-Specific CBC Reference Intervals Support Pediatric Diagnosis in Vietnam
Complete blood count (CBC) results underpin pediatric evaluation for anemia, infection, inflammation, and platelet disorders. Yet laboratories in Vietnam have largely relied on reference intervals derived... Read more
Spectral Flow Cytometry Assay Enhances MRD Detection in Multiple Myeloma
Minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring is pivotal in multiple myeloma, where persistent malignant plasma cells drive relapse risk and help guide therapy decisions. In the United States, approximately... Read more
Immunology
view channel
Study Reveals Immune Mechanism Driving Severe COVID-19 Progression
Severe COVID-19 has highlighted gaps in understanding of early antiviral responses, particularly why some patients deteriorate despite timely care. Type I interferons are central to host defense, yet their... Read more
Antibody Profiling Identifies Preclinical Inflammatory Bowel Disease Years Before Diagnosis
Inflammatory bowel disease often develops after a prolonged symptom-free period, complicating timely recognition and clinical intervention. Limited understanding of immune activity during this silent phase... Read more
Ultrasensitive Blood Test Detects Sjögren’s Signature Years Before Diagnosis
Sjögren’s disease is a common autoimmune condition that can be difficult to recognize early, leading to delayed diagnosis and persistent symptom burden. It affects around half a million people in the UK... Read more
New Assays Expand Cytokine Testing for Transplant and Immunocompromised Patients
Eurofins Viracor has introduced three plasma-based assays—CXCL9 (Test Code 33607), CXCL10 (Test Code 33609), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) (Test Code 33611)—expanding its immunology testing menu for transplant... Read moreMicrobiology
view channel
Metagenomic Sequencing Enables Faster Diagnosis of Respiratory Infections in Cystic Fibrosis
Serious lung infections remain a major cause of morbidity among people with cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disorder characterized by persistent airway colonization and frequent antimicrobial exposure.... Read more
Portable Molecular Platform to Advance Point-of-Care Testing for Lassa Fever
Lassa fever remains a persistent public health threat in West Africa, causing an estimated 100,000–300,000 infections annually and high case fatality rates among hospitalized patients. Clinical management... Read more
Pathology
view channel
AI Pathology Tool Predicts Relapse Risk in Stage II Colorectal Cancer
Bowel cancer is Australia’s fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death, while remaining the third most common cancer worldwide. In stage-two disease, determining... Read more
AI Pathology Tool Stratifies Rectal Cancer to Guide Chemoradiotherapy
Choosing intensified regimens for locally advanced rectal cancer is challenging because these therapies can cause serious side effects. Colorectal cancer is the fourth-most fatal cancer in the UK, and... Read more
PD-L1 Assay Guides Pembrolizumab Eligibility in Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, and Peritoneal Cancers
Agilent Technologies’ PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx (Code SK006) has received European Union certification as a companion diagnostic to aid in identifying patients with epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or... Read more
Technology
view channel
Interoperable Data Platform Standardizes Multi-Cancer Blood Test Results
Proteotype Diagnostics has introduced Alchemi, a proprietary data and clinical workflow platform being developed for Enlighten, the company’s investigational blood-based multi-cancer test.... Read more
Training Device Improves Accuracy of Pooled Molecular Diagnostics
High-throughput molecular diagnostics have transformed infectious disease detection, but many workflows remain difficult to execute accurately without extensive training. Sample pooling can cut per‑test... Read more
New CE-Certified Software Advances Whole-Genome Cancer Testing
European hospitals are increasingly using comprehensive tumor genomics to guide therapy, but routine whole genome sequencing (WGS) requires validated, regulation-compliant workflows. A newly CE-certified... Read more
National Rare Disease Registry Standardizes Genetic and Clinical Data for Coordinated Care
Rare diseases collectively impose a significant clinical burden despite their individual rarity, often involving multisystem presentations and prolonged diagnostic journeys. Limited specialist expertise... Read moreIndustry
view channel
Genprex and Roche Collaborate on AI-Driven NSCLC Biomarker Testing
Patient stratification is central to advancing targeted oncology, yet clinical laboratories still face hurdles establishing robust, decision-ready biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer.... Read more
