Genome-wide functional synergy between amplified and mutated genes in human breast cancer.

A single cancer cell contains large numbers of genetic alterations that in combination create the malignant phenotype. However, whether amplified and mutated genes form functional and physical interaction networks that could explain the selection for cells with combined alterations is unknown. To investigate this issue, we characterized copy number alterations in 191 breast tumors using dense single nucleotide polymorphism arrays and identified 1,747 genes with copy number gain organized into 30 amplicons.

Atherosclerosis and liver inflammation induced by increased dietary cholesterol intake: a combined transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis.

Background: Increased dietary cholesterol intake is associated with atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis development requires a lipid and an inflammatory component. It is unclear where and how the inflammatory component develops.

Allelic polymorphisms in the interleukin-4 promoter regions and their association with bronchial asthma among the Russian population.

Background: Susceptibility to the development of bronchial asthma (BA) and other atopic diseases is known to be associated with genetic components.

Objective: To evaluate the possible role of the polymorphisms in IL-4 gene promoters (C-33T, C-590T and G-1098T) in modulating allergic response and asthma in the Russian population.

Methods: The polymorphism analysis was carried out by PCR-RFLP; IL-4 and total IgE concentrations were determined by ELISA.