Using Methylation-Specific PCR to Study RB1 Promoter Hypermethylation.

It has increasingly been considered crucial the understanding of DNA methylation of Tumor Suppressor Gene (TSG) promoters, such as that of retinoblastoma 1 gene (RB1), and its role during carcinogenesis. We present a detailed and optimized protocol of the methylation-specific PCR (MSP) technique to study RB1 gene promoter hypermethylation.

Association between human papillomavirus and Epstein - Barr virus DNA and gene promoter methylation of RB1 and CDH1 in the cervical lesions: a transversal study.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) inactivates the retinoblastoma 1 (RB1) gene by promoter methylation and reduces cellular E-cadherin expression by overexpression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an oncogenic virus that may be related to cervical carcinogenesis. In gastric cancer, it has been demonstrated that E-cadherin gene (CDH1) hypermethylation is associated with DNMT1 overexpression by EBV infection.

Charge prediction machine: tool for inferring precursor charge states of electron transfer dissociation tandem mass spectra.

Electron transfer dissociation (ETD) can dissociate highly charged ions. Efficient analysis of ions dissociated with ETD requires accurate determination of charge states for calculation of molecular weight. We created an algorithm to assign the charge state of ions often used for ETD.

Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia p53 expression, p53 gene mutation and HPV in recurrent/progressive cases.

Objective: To evaluate p53 protein overexpression and p53 gene mutation in primary and recurrent undifferentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), establishing the recurrence and progression rates, median time interval, and sites of the initial lesion and first recurrence, addressing the relationship with HPV infection.

Study Design: Twenty women with undifferentiated VIN treated with wide surgical excision were followed every 6 months for 7 years and divided into groups with and without recurrence/progression. p53 Protein was detected in paraffin sections using the monoclonal p53 antibody.