HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

High-frequency Alu-mediated genomic recombination/deletion within the caspase-activated DNase gene in human hepatoma.

Abstract
The Alu repetitive elements, which constitute 10% of human genome, may serve as bridges for genomic recombination. However, their roles in tumorigenesis remain to be elucidated. Caspase-activated DNase (CAD), whose gene (hCAD) is mapped at chromosome 1p36, a region frequently displaying hemizygote deletion in many human cancers, is the key enzyme for nucleosome fragmentation during apoptosis. Recently, we detected many aberrant mRNAs for hCAD in many human hepatoma cells. To elucidate the genetic basis leading to the mRNA aberration, we used PCR-based chromosome walking to clone the corresponding genomic DNA identifying a novel Alu/Alu homologous recombination/deletion within hCAD in HepG2 and Hep3B cells. We then detected similar recombination events in 13 out of the 20 hepatoma tissues and in eight of the para-cancerous cirrhotic livers. The recombination was inclined to occur in males (P=0.031) and had marginal association with high-grade hepatoma (P=0.070) and tumor recurrence (P=0.070). The recombination caused exon-3 deletion, which in turn led to exon-3 skipping or replacement with a partial Alu-sequence, and consequential C-truncation of CAD. Our findings of high frequency of Alu-mediated hCAD deletion in human hepatoma not only underscore the implication of hCAD in hepatocarcinogenesis, but also highlight the potential roles of human repetitive sequences in mediating genome instability in human cancers.
AuthorsSen-Yung Hsieh, Wai-Ying Chen, Ta-Sen Yeh, I-Shyan Sheen, Shiu-Feng Huang
JournalOncogene (Oncogene) Vol. 24 Issue 43 Pg. 6584-9 (Sep 29 2005) ISSN: 0950-9232 [Print] England
PMID16007181 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Deoxyribonucleases
  • caspase-activated deoxyribonuclease
Topics
  • Alu Elements
  • Base Sequence
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (genetics)
  • Deoxyribonucleases (genetics, metabolism)
  • Gene Frequency
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms (genetics)
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Sequence Deletion

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: