Presence of the mouse mammary-tumor virus (mmtv) pol gene in breast-cancer.

We have used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect sequences related to the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) reverse transcriptase gene in DNA from breast cancer cell lines and an extensive series of breast tumors. Similar MMTV-related sequences were observed in DNA from normal tissues. The segments amplified by PCR showed over 90% homology to the nucleotide sequence of the MMTV pol gene and no significant differences were noted between the DNA from normal or tumor tissue.

Sensitivity of fresh acute myeloid leukemia cells to etoposide: relationship with cell growth characteristics and DNA single-strand breaks.

In this study, we evaluated the individual in vitro sensitivity of fresh acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells to VP-16, and attempted to correlate VP-16 cytotoxicity with AML cell growth characteristics and drug-induced DNA single-strand breaks (SSB). Primary (PE1) colony inhibition assays allowed us to characterize two distinct groups of AML: group I (patients 1 through 6), which displayed sensitivity to VP-16 similar to that of normal CFU-GM (IC90 of 20.52 +/- 2.

Expression of the ETS2 and transferrin receptor genes in Philadelphia-positive chronic myeloid leukemia patients with a reciprocal t(3;21).

The translocation t(3;21)(q26;q22) is a rare recurring clonal abnormality, either preceding or associated with blast crisis in Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. We previously localized the chromosomal breakpoints at 3q26.2 and 21q22.

A novel human lymphoma cell line (Deglis) with dual B/T phenotype and gene rearrangements and containing Epstein-Barr virus genomes.

We report a new and apparently unique human lymphoma cell line termed Deglis. The line was established from a polymorphic centroblastic lymphoma. The cell line and its source carry a dual B-cell and T-cell phenotype and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genomes.

Effect of melphalan against self-renewal capacity of leukemic progenitors in acute myeloblastic leukemia.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of melphalan on both terminal divisions and self-renewal capacity of acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) progenitors (colony-forming units, CFU-L) grown in methylcellulose. Terminal divisions and self-renewal were assayed by primary (PE1) and secondary (PE2) colony formation, respectively. Thirteen cases of AML, were tested.

Screening for new mutations in the LDL receptor gene in seven French familial hypercholesterolemia families by the single strand conformation polymorphism method.

To investigate the molecular basis of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in France, we applied the single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method to the promoter region and the 18 exons of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene. Seven probands, 4 heterozygotes, 2 compound heterozygotes, and 1 homozygote, belonging to FH families were tested. In all cases, previous genetic analysis and/or LDL receptor fibroblast assay had shown that the disease was due to defects in the LDLR gene.

Detection of Epstein-Barr virus sequences in primary brain lymphoma without immunodeficiency.

We searched for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) sequences by enzymatic DNA amplification in nine primary brain lymphomas from patients without immunodeficiency. We used seven nonlymphoma brain tumors as negative controls, and the Raji cell line as a positive control. We detected EBV DNA, using ethidium bromide-stained-agarose minigel electrophoresis and dot blot hybridization, in the positive control and in only one brain lymphoma tumor; we did not detect EBV DNA in the other tumors.

Ecdysterone decreases the transcription level of the retrotransposons 1731 and 412 in a Drosophila cell line.

Cultured Drosophila melanogaster cells are responsive to the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (ecdysterone). The transcripts of two copia-like transposable elements, 412 and 1731 were examined in cells treated for different lengths of time by the hormone. Using dot-blot and Northern-blot analysis, we have shown that the transcripts of these two retrotransposons were rapidly decreased by ecdysterone treatment.

Clonotypic heterogeneity in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas.

The antigen receptor genes studied (immunoglobulin gene for B-cells, and T-cell receptor -beta or -gamma gene for T-cells) represent the most powerful tools for diagnosing the clonality of a lymphoid lineage. We have clonotyped 23 cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and 5 were found to be clonotypically all heterogeneous. Analysis of each patient was performed either from serial skin biopsies taken several months apart or from different tumor samples.

Regulatory elements in the first intron contribute to transcriptional regulation of the beta 3 tubulin gene by 20-hydroxyecdysone in Drosophila Kc cells.

We have studied the transcriptional regulation of the beta 3 tubulin gene by the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-OH-E) in Drosophila Kc cells. A series of hybrid genes with varying tubulin gene lengths driving the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) gene were constructed. The promoter activity was assayed after transient expression in Kc cells, in the presence or absence of 20-OH-E.

Translocation t(3;21)(q26;q22) in acute myeloblastic leukemia secondary to polycythemia vera.

A case of acute myeloblastic leukemia secondary to polycythemia vera suggests that the t(3;21) translocation is not restricted to blastic phases of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) but can be associated with blastic phases occurring after other myeloproliferative syndromes. All published cases were in myeloid crises. Furthermore, this translocation may have been induced by mutagenic effects of either 32P or various chemotherapies administered in this case.

CD30-positive large cell lymphomas ('Ki-1 lymphoma') are associated with a chromosomal translocation involving 5q35.

A chromosomal translocation involving a breakpoint on the long arm of chromosome 5 at position q35 has been reported previously in 17 cases of neoplasia. In 14 of these cases the translocation involves exchange of material between chromosome 2 p23 and chromosome 5. Most cases had been diagnosed histologically as malignant histiocytosis but it was suggested recently, following the study of three cases in one of the author's laboratories, that such tumours are in reality lymphoid tumours.

Detection of Epstein-Barr viral genomes in lymph nodes of Hodgkin's disease patients.

Previous studies using Southern blot analysis or in situ hybridization have shown that approximately 20% of patients with Hodgkin's disease have Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in involved tissues. We used the more sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to determine if a higher percentage of EBV could be detected. Of the 16 Hodgkin's disease patients studied, the PCR technique detected EBV in eight (50%).

Dual genotype in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and pseudolymphomas.

Genomic DNA digests of skin biopsies from 20 patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphomas and pseudolymphomas were studied by hybridization, using probes for the constant region of the T-cell receptor beta chain and the joining region of the immunoglobin heavy chain gene. Skin biopsies from all 20 patients contained a monoclonal T-cell population. In addition, DNA from 5 patients contained an immunoglobulin gene rearrangement.

Production of anti-B monoclonal antibodies (DBB.42, DBA.44, DNA.7, and DND.53) reactive on paraffin-embedded tissues with a new B-lymphoma cell line grafted into athymic nude mice.

A new B-lymphoma cell line (DEAU-cell line) was established from a diffuse large-cell lymphoma (centroblastic type) and was successfully grafted in athymic nude mice. Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) were generated using splenocytes of DEAU-tumor bearing mice. Before the fusion experiments, cellular immunity of the mice bearing growing DEAU tumors was restored by injection of spleen cells from conventional Balb/C mice.

20-OH-ecdysone regulates 60 C beta tubulin gene expression in Kc cells and during Drosophila development.

Cultured Kc cells of Drosophila melanogaster are sensitive to the insect moulting hormone, 20-hydroxy-ecdysone (20-OH-E). Morphological changes of Kc-treated cells were observed and electron microscopic analysis of pseudopodia shows a large increase in the number of microtubules, all arranged in the same orientation. The 60 C beta tubulin gene which is expressed only in 20-OH-E-treated cells encodes a 2.

[Prenatal diagnosis of X-linked adrenal hypoplasia associated with glycerol kinase deficiency].

We report a case of X-linked adrenal hypoplasia associated with glycerol kinase deficiency in a boy. Cytogenetic studies and X-linked probes did not demonstrate deletion at Xp21. These probes are not informative enough to be used in prenatal diagnosis.

Study of T-cell antigen receptor gene rearrangement: a useful tool for early diagnosis of mycosis fungoides.

A 50-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of eczema. Using study of T-cell receptor gene rearrangement on skin biopsies, a diagnosis of mycosis fungoides was made, then confirmed by evolution. This observation provides the opportunity to discuss the usefulness of molecular biology for the early diagnosis of mycosis fungoides.

Serum neuron-specific/nonneuronal enolase ratio in the diagnosis of neuroblastomas.

Pretreatment samples from 24 children with neuroectodermal tumors (two ganglioneuromas, 22 neuroblastomas) and from 106 others with various tumors were submitted to the enzymatic determination of the serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE). The enzymatic procedure employed in this study allows the systematic determination of the NSE and of the nonneuronal enolase (NNE), thus permitting the calculation of the ratio of the two enolase components. Like results obtained with other procedures, enzymatic determined serum NSE results were raised in a high proportion of Stage IV neuroblastoma (100%) but elevated values also were found in a considerable number of the other tumors (29.

Enzymatic determination of serum neuron-specific enolase in small cell lung cancers. Utility of the serum neuron-specific enolase/serum nonneuronal enolase ratio.

Increasing interest is shown in the determination of the serum neuron-specific enolase for the diagnosis and the follow-up studies of small cell lung cancers. We report results obtained by an enzymatic procedure that permits the simultaneous determination of the neuron and nonneuron-specific enolase and the calculation of the ratio of these two components. The utility of this ratio which characterizes elevations of the serum neuron-specific enolase from a poor or rich source of this component was tested in 38 patients with small cell lung carcinoma and in 57 subjects suffering from other bronchogenic cancers.

Association of the Philadelphia chromosome and 5q- in secondary blood disorder.

A patient developed a secondary blood disorder 7 years after radiotherapy for a gastric lymphoma. The initial myelodysplastic syndrome evolved to a myeloproliferative phase with transient polycythemia, progressive thrombocythemia, and hyperleukocytosis. Chromosome analysis performed in the terminal phase showed del(5)(q13q31),t(9;22)(q34;q11), and a complex rearrangement involving chromosomes #2 and #3.