Genetic alterations associated with progression and recurrence in meningiomas.

Meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumors; they arise from the coverings of the brain. Although meningiomas are generally benign, some are more clinically aggressive, as reflected by their histopathological features or by their unexpected recurrence. We hypothesized that recurrent histologically benign meningiomas might have genetic features in common with those showing a more aggressive histology.

Differential expression profiling analyses identifies downregulation of 1p, 6q, and 14q genes and overexpression of 6p histone cluster 1 genes as markers of recurrence in meningiomas.

The majority of meningiomas are probably benign but a number of tumors display considerable histological and/or clinical aggressivity, sometimes with unexpectedly high recurrence rates after radical removal. Understanding the potential behavior of these tumors in individual patients is critical for rational therapeutic decision-making. This study aimed to identify gene expression profiles and candidate markers associated with original and recurrent meningiomas.

Worse outcome in primary glioblastoma multiforme with concurrent epidermal growth factor receptor and p53 alteration.

Primary glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), in contrast with secondary GBM, has been associated with the presence of EGFR amplification and absence of p53 mutation. In this study, we analyzed relevant molecular and clinical variables in 194 primary GBMs and tested them for survival analysis. Although most of the tumors showed a mutually exclusive pattern, concurrent alterations of EGFR and p53 were detected.

Isolation and bioenergetic characterization of mitochondria from Pichia pastoris.

Pichia pastoris is a methylotrophic yeast of high biotechnological interest. The bioenergetic properties of mitochondria from Pichia pastoris have not yet been determined. We report on a protocol for the isolation of the mitochondria in a state that shows good energy coupling.