Association of the PDCD5 locus with lung cancer risk and prognosis in smokers.

Purpose: Whole-genome scan association analysis was carried out to identify genetic variants predictive of lung cancer risk in smokers and to confirm the identified variants in an independent sample.

Patients And Methods: A case-control study was performed using two pools consisting of DNA from 322 German smoking lung cancer patients and 273 healthy smoking controls, respectively. A replication study was carried out using 254 Italian lung adenocarcinoma (ADCA) patients and 235 healthy controls.

Association between a variation in LRCH1 and knee osteoarthritis: a genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism association study using DNA pooling.

Objective: To perform a large-scale association analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in patients with radiographically defined osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

Methods: We examined >25,000 SNPs located within approximately 14,000 genes for associations with radiographically defined knee OA, using polymerase chain reaction and MassExtend amplification techniques. Allele frequencies were estimated initially in DNA pools from 335 female patients with knee OA and 335 asymptomatic and radiographically negative female control subjects.

Genetic polymorphisms in DPF3 associated with risk of breast cancer and lymph node metastases.

Background: Several studies have identified rare genetic variations responsible for many cases of familial breast cancer but their contribution to total breast cancer incidence is relatively small. More common genetic variations with low penetrance have been postulated to account for a higher proportion of the population risk of breast cancer.

Methods And Results: In an effort to identify genes that influence non-familial breast cancer risk, we tested over 25,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within approximately 14,000 genes in a large-scale case-control study in 254 German women with breast cancer and 268 age-matched women without malignant disease.

Association between a variation in the phosphodiesterase 4D gene and bone mineral density.

Background: Fragility fractures caused by osteoporosis are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in aging populations. Bone mineral density (BMD) is a useful surrogate marker for risk of fracture and is a highly heritable trait. The genetic variants underlying this genetic contribution are largely unknown.

Association of the NuMA region on chromosome 11q13 with breast cancer susceptibility.

The development of breast cancer is a complex process that involves multiple genes at many stages, from initial cell cycle dysregulation to disease progression. To identify genetic variations that influence this process, we conducted a large-scale association study using a collection of German cases and controls and >25,000 SNPs located within 16,000 genes. One of the loci identified was located on chromosome 11q13 [odds ratio (OR)=1.

Large-scale association study identifies ICAM gene region as breast and prostate cancer susceptibility locus.

We conducted a large-scale association study to identify genes that influence nonfamilial breast cancer risk using a collection of German cases and matched controls and >25,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms located within 16,000 genes. One of the candidate loci identified was located on chromosome 19p13.2 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.

Large-scale validation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in gene regions.

Genome-wide association studies using large numbers of bi-allelic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been proposed as a potentially powerful method for identifying genes involved in common diseases. To assemble a SNP collection appropriate for large-scale association, we designed assays for 226,099 publicly available SNPs located primarily within known and predicted gene regions. Allele frequencies were estimated in a sample of 92 CEPH Caucasians using chip-based MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry with pooled DNA.

Modulation of p47PHOX activity by site-specific phosphorylation: Akt-dependent activation of the NADPH oxidase.

The leukocyte NADPH oxidase catalyzes the reduction of oxygen to O(2)(-) at the expense of NADPH. Extensive phosphorylation of the oxidase subunit p47(PHOX) occurs during the activation of the enzyme in intact cells. p47(PHOX) carrying certain serine-to-alanine mutations fails to support NADPH oxidase activity in intact cells, suggesting that the phosphorylation of specific serines on p47(PHOX) is required for the activation of the oxidase.