TY - JOUR T1 - De novo small deletion affecting transcription start site of short isoform of AUTS2 gene in a patient with syndromic neurodevelopmental defects. JF - Am J Med Genet A Y1 - 2021 A1 - Martinez-Delgado, Beatriz A1 - Lopez-Martin, Estrella A1 - Lara-Herguedas, Julián A1 - Monzon, Sara A1 - Cuesta, Isabel A1 - Juliá, Miguel A1 - Aquino, Virginia A1 - Rodriguez-Martin, Carlos A1 - Damian, Alejandra A1 - Gonzalo, Irene A1 - Gomez-Mariano, Gema A1 - Baladron, Beatriz A1 - Cazorla, Rosario A1 - Iglesias, Gema A1 - Roman, Enriqueta A1 - Ros, Purificacion A1 - Tutor, Pablo A1 - Mellor, Susana A1 - Jimenez, Carlos A1 - Cabrejas, Maria Jose A1 - Gonzalez-Vioque, Emiliano A1 - Alonso, Javier A1 - Bermejo-Sánchez, Eva A1 - Posada, Manuel KW - Child, Preschool KW - Cytoskeletal Proteins KW - Dwarfism KW - Exons KW - Gene Expression Regulation KW - Genetic Association Studies KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Neurodevelopmental Disorders KW - Protein Isoforms KW - RNA, Messenger KW - Sequence Deletion KW - Syndrome KW - Transcription Factors KW - Transcription Initiation Site KW - Transcription, Genetic AB -

Disruption of the autism susceptibility candidate 2 (AUTS2) gene through genomic rearrangements, copy number variations (CNVs), and intragenic deletions and mutations, has been recurrently involved in syndromic forms of developmental delay and intellectual disability, known as AUTS2 syndrome. The AUTS2 gene plays an important role in regulation of neuronal migration, and when altered, associates with a variable phenotype from severely to mildly affected patients. The more severe phenotypes significantly correlate with the presence of defects affecting the C-terminus part of the gene. This article reports a new patient with a syndromic neurodevelopmental disorder, who presents a deletion of 30 nucleotides in the exon 9 of the AUTS2 gene. Importantly, this deletion includes the transcription start site for the AUTS2 short transcript isoform, which has an important role in brain development. Gene expression analysis of AUTS2 full-length and short isoforms revealed that the deletion found in this patient causes a remarkable reduction in the expression level, not only of the short isoform, but also of the full AUTS2 transcripts. This report adds more evidence for the role of mutated AUTS2 short transcripts in the development of a severe phenotype in the AUTS2 syndrome.

VL - 185 IS - 3 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Real world evidence of calcifediol or vitamin D prescription and mortality rate of COVID-19 in a retrospective cohort of hospitalized Andalusian patients. JF - Sci Rep Y1 - 2021 A1 - Loucera, Carlos A1 - Peña-Chilet, Maria A1 - Esteban-Medina, Marina A1 - Muñoyerro-Muñiz, Dolores A1 - Villegas, Román A1 - López-Miranda, José A1 - Rodríguez-Baño, Jesús A1 - Túnez, Isaac A1 - Bouillon, Roger A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Quesada Gomez, Jose Manuel KW - Calcifediol KW - COVID-19 KW - Female KW - Humans KW - Kaplan-Meier Estimate KW - Male KW - Retrospective Studies KW - Spain KW - Survival Analysis KW - Vitamin D AB -

COVID-19 is a major worldwide health problem because of acute respiratory distress syndrome, and mortality. Several lines of evidence have suggested a relationship between the vitamin D endocrine system and severity of COVID-19. We present a survival study on a retrospective cohort of 15,968 patients, comprising all COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Andalusia between January and November 2020. Based on a central registry of electronic health records (the Andalusian Population Health Database, BPS), prescription of vitamin D or its metabolites within 15-30 days before hospitalization were recorded. The effect of prescription of vitamin D (metabolites) for other indication previous to the hospitalization was studied with respect to patient survival. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and hazard ratios support an association between prescription of these metabolites and patient survival. Such association was stronger for calcifediol (Hazard Ratio, HR = 0.67, with 95% confidence interval, CI, of [0.50-0.91]) than for cholecalciferol (HR = 0.75, with 95% CI of [0.61-0.91]), when prescribed 15 days prior hospitalization. Although the relation is maintained, there is a general decrease of this effect when a longer period of 30 days prior hospitalization is considered (calcifediol HR = 0.73, with 95% CI [0.57-0.95] and cholecalciferol HR = 0.88, with 95% CI [0.75, 1.03]), suggesting that association was stronger when the prescription was closer to the hospitalization.

VL - 11 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Community Assessment of the Predictability of Cancer Protein and Phosphoprotein Levels from Genomics and Transcriptomics. JF - Cell Syst Y1 - 2020 A1 - Yang, Mi A1 - Petralia, Francesca A1 - Li, Zhi A1 - Li, Hongyang A1 - Ma, Weiping A1 - Song, Xiaoyu A1 - Kim, Sunkyu A1 - Lee, Heewon A1 - Yu, Han A1 - Lee, Bora A1 - Bae, Seohui A1 - Heo, Eunji A1 - Kaczmarczyk, Jan A1 - Stępniak, Piotr A1 - Warchoł, Michał A1 - Yu, Thomas A1 - Calinawan, Anna P A1 - Boutros, Paul C A1 - Payne, Samuel H A1 - Reva, Boris A1 - Boja, Emily A1 - Rodriguez, Henry A1 - Stolovitzky, Gustavo A1 - Guan, Yuanfang A1 - Kang, Jaewoo A1 - Wang, Pei A1 - Fenyö, David A1 - Saez-Rodriguez, Julio KW - Crowdsourcing KW - Female KW - Genomics KW - Humans KW - Machine Learning KW - Male KW - Neoplasms KW - Phosphoproteins KW - Proteins KW - Proteomics KW - Transcriptome AB -

Cancer is driven by genomic alterations, but the processes causing this disease are largely performed by proteins. However, proteins are harder and more expensive to measure than genes and transcripts. To catalyze developments of methods to infer protein levels from other omics measurements, we leveraged crowdsourcing via the NCI-CPTAC DREAM proteogenomic challenge. We asked for methods to predict protein and phosphorylation levels from genomic and transcriptomic data in cancer patients. The best performance was achieved by an ensemble of models, including as predictors transcript level of the corresponding genes, interaction between genes, conservation across tumor types, and phosphosite proximity for phosphorylation prediction. Proteins from metabolic pathways and complexes were the best and worst predicted, respectively. The performance of even the best-performing model was modest, suggesting that many proteins are strongly regulated through translational control and degradation. Our results set a reference for the limitations of computational inference in proteogenomics. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the Supplemental Information.

VL - 11 IS - 2 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32710834?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Mechanistic Models of Signaling Pathways Reveal the Drug Action Mechanisms behind Gender-Specific Gene Expression for Cancer Treatments. JF - Cells Y1 - 2020 A1 - Cubuk, Cankut A1 - Can, Fatma E A1 - Peña-Chilet, Maria A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin KW - Female KW - Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Neoplasms KW - Signal Transduction AB -

Despite the existence of differences in gene expression across numerous genes between males and females having been known for a long time, these have been mostly ignored in many studies, including drug development and its therapeutic use. In fact, the consequences of such differences over the disease mechanisms or the drug action mechanisms are completely unknown. Here we applied mechanistic mathematical models of signaling activity to reveal the ultimate functional consequences that gender-specific gene expression activities have over cell functionality and fate. Moreover, we also used the mechanistic modeling framework to simulate the drug interventions and unravel how drug action mechanisms are affected by gender-specific differential gene expression. Interestingly, some cancers have many biological processes significantly affected by these gender-specific differences (e.g., bladder or head and neck carcinomas), while others (e.g., glioblastoma or rectum cancer) are almost insensitive to them. We found that many of these gender-specific differences affect cancer-specific pathways or in physiological signaling pathways, also involved in cancer origin and development. Finally, mechanistic models have the potential to be used for finding alternative therapeutic interventions on the pathways targeted by the drug, which lead to similar results compensating the downstream consequences of gender-specific differences in gene expression.

VL - 9 IS - 7 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32610626?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Nivolumab and sunitinib combination in advanced soft tissue sarcomas: a multicenter, single-arm, phase Ib/II trial. JF - J Immunother Cancer Y1 - 2020 A1 - Martin-Broto, Javier A1 - Hindi, Nadia A1 - Grignani, Giovanni A1 - Martinez-Trufero, Javier A1 - Redondo, Andres A1 - Valverde, Claudia A1 - Stacchiotti, Silvia A1 - Lopez-Pousa, Antonio A1 - D'Ambrosio, Lorenzo A1 - Gutierrez, Antonio A1 - Perez-Vega, Herminia A1 - Encinas-Tobajas, Victor A1 - de Alava, Enrique A1 - Collini, Paola A1 - Peña-Chilet, Maria A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Carrasco-Garcia, Irene A1 - Lopez-Alvarez, Maria A1 - Moura, David S A1 - Lopez-Martin, Jose A KW - Adult KW - Aged KW - Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological KW - Female KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Nivolumab KW - Sarcoma KW - Sunitinib KW - Young Adult AB -

BACKGROUND: Sarcomas exhibit low expression of factors related to immune response, which could explain the modest activity of PD-1 inhibitors. A potential strategy to convert a cold into an inflamed microenvironment lies on a combination therapy. As tumor angiogenesis promotes immunosuppression, we designed a phase Ib/II trial to test the double inhibition of angiogenesis (sunitinib) and PD-1/PD-L1 axis (nivolumab).

METHODS: This single-arm, phase Ib/II trial enrolled adult patients with selected subtypes of sarcoma. Phase Ib established two dose levels: level 0 with sunitinib 37.5 mg daily from day 1, plus nivolumab 3 mg/kg intravenously on day 15, and then every 2 weeks; and level -1 with sunitinib 37.5 mg on the first 14 days (induction) and then 25 mg per day plus nivolumab on the same schedule. The primary endpoint was to determine the recommended dose for phase II (phase I) and the 6-month progression-free survival rate, according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 (phase II).

RESULTS: From May 2017 to April 2019, 68 patients were enrolled: 16 in phase Ib and 52 in phase II. The recommended dose of sunitinib for phase II was 37.5 mg as induction and then 25 mg in combination with nivolumab. After a median follow-up of 17 months (4-26), the 6-month progression-free survival rate was 48% (95% CI 41% to 55%). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events included transaminitis (17.3%) and neutropenia (11.5%).

CONCLUSIONS: Sunitinib plus nivolumab is an active scheme with manageable toxicity in the treatment of selected patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma, with almost half of patients free of progression at 6 months. NCT03277924.

VL - 8 IS - 2 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33203665?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Optimised molecular genetic diagnostics of Fanconi anaemia by whole exome sequencing and functional studies. JF - J Med Genet Y1 - 2020 A1 - Bogliolo, Massimo A1 - Pujol, Roser A1 - Aza-Carmona, Miriam A1 - Muñoz-Subirana, Núria A1 - Rodriguez-Santiago, Benjamin A1 - Casado, José Antonio A1 - Rio, Paula A1 - Bauser, Christopher A1 - Reina-Castillón, Judith A1 - Lopez-Sanchez, Marcos A1 - Gonzalez-Quereda, Lidia A1 - Gallano, Pia A1 - Catalá, Albert A1 - Ruiz-Llobet, Ana A1 - Badell, Isabel A1 - Diaz-Heredia, Cristina A1 - Hladun, Raquel A1 - Senent, Leonort A1 - Argiles, Bienvenida A1 - Bergua Burgues, Juan Miguel A1 - Bañez, Fatima A1 - Arrizabalaga, Beatriz A1 - López Almaraz, Ricardo A1 - Lopez, Monica A1 - Figuera, Ángela A1 - Molinés, Antonio A1 - Pérez de Soto, Inmaculada A1 - Hernando, Inés A1 - Muñoz, Juan Antonio A1 - Del Rosario Marin, Maria A1 - Balmaña, Judith A1 - Stjepanovic, Neda A1 - Carrasco, Estela A1 - Cuesta, Isabel A1 - Cosuelo, José Miguel A1 - Regueiro, Alexandra A1 - Moraleda Jimenez, José A1 - Galera-Miñarro, Ana Maria A1 - Rosiñol, Laura A1 - Carrió, Anna A1 - Beléndez-Bieler, Cristina A1 - Escudero Soto, Antonio A1 - Cela, Elena A1 - de la Mata, Gregorio A1 - Fernández-Delgado, Rafael A1 - Garcia-Pardos, Maria Carmen A1 - Sáez-Villaverde, Raquel A1 - Barragaño, Marta A1 - Portugal, Raquel A1 - Lendinez, Francisco A1 - Hernadez, Ines A1 - Vagace, José Manue A1 - Tapia, Maria A1 - Nieto, José A1 - Garcia, Marta A1 - Gonzalez, Macarena A1 - Vicho, Cristina A1 - Galvez, Eva A1 - Valiente, Alberto A1 - Antelo, Maria Luisa A1 - Ancliff, Phil A1 - García, Francisco A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Sevilla, Julian A1 - Paprotka, Tobias A1 - Pérez-Jurado, Luis Alberto A1 - Bueren, Juan A1 - Surralles, Jordi KW - Cell Line KW - DNA Copy Number Variations KW - DNA Repair KW - DNA-Binding Proteins KW - Fanconi Anemia KW - Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group A Protein KW - Female KW - Gene Knockout Techniques KW - Genetic Predisposition to Disease KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Mutation, Missense KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - whole exome sequencing AB -

PURPOSE: Patients with Fanconi anaemia (FA), a rare DNA repair genetic disease, exhibit chromosome fragility, bone marrow failure, malformations and cancer susceptibility. FA molecular diagnosis is challenging since FA is caused by point mutations and large deletions in 22 genes following three heritability patterns. To optimise FA patients' characterisation, we developed a simplified but effective methodology based on whole exome sequencing (WES) and functional studies.

METHODS: 68 patients with FA were analysed by commercial WES services. Copy number variations were evaluated by sequencing data analysis with RStudio. To test missense variants, wt FANCA cDNA was cloned and variants were introduced by site-directed mutagenesis. Vectors were then tested for their ability to complement DNA repair defects of a FANCA-KO human cell line generated by TALEN technologies.

RESULTS: We identified 93.3% of mutated alleles including large deletions. We determined the pathogenicity of three FANCA missense variants and demonstrated that two variants reported in mutations databases as 'affecting functions' are SNPs. Deep analysis of sequencing data revealed patients' true mutations, highlighting the importance of functional analysis. In one patient, no pathogenic variant could be identified in any of the 22 known FA genes, and in seven patients, only one deleterious variant could be identified (three patients each with FANCA and FANCD2 and one patient with FANCE mutations) CONCLUSION: WES and proper bioinformatics analysis are sufficient to effectively characterise patients with FA regardless of the rarity of their complementation group, type of mutations, mosaic condition and DNA source.

VL - 57 IS - 4 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31586946?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Pazopanib for treatment of typical solitary fibrous tumours: a multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 trial. JF - Lancet Oncol Y1 - 2020 A1 - Martin-Broto, Javier A1 - Cruz, Josefina A1 - Penel, Nicolas A1 - Le Cesne, Axel A1 - Hindi, Nadia A1 - Luna, Pablo A1 - Moura, David S A1 - Bernabeu, Daniel A1 - de Alava, Enrique A1 - Lopez-Guerrero, Jose Antonio A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Peña-Chilet, Maria A1 - Gutierrez, Antonio A1 - Collini, Paola A1 - Karanian, Marie A1 - Redondo, Andres A1 - Lopez-Pousa, Antonio A1 - Grignani, Giovanni A1 - Diaz-Martin, Juan A1 - Marcilla, David A1 - Fernandez-Serra, Antonio A1 - Gonzalez-Aguilera, Cristina A1 - Casali, Paolo G A1 - Blay, Jean-Yves A1 - Stacchiotti, Silvia KW - Aged KW - Female KW - Follow-Up Studies KW - Humans KW - Indazoles KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Neoplasm Metastasis KW - Prognosis KW - Prospective Studies KW - Protein Kinase Inhibitors KW - Pyrimidines KW - Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors KW - Solitary Fibrous Tumors KW - Sulfonamides KW - Survival Rate AB -

BACKGROUND: Solitary fibrous tumour is an ultra-rare sarcoma, which encompasses different clinicopathological subgroups. The dedifferentiated subgroup shows an aggressive course with resistance to pazopanib, whereas in the malignant subgroup, pazopanib shows higher activity than in previous studies with chemotherapy. We designed a trial to test pazopanib activity in two different cohorts of solitary fibrous tumour: the malignant-dedifferentiated cohort, which was previously published, and the typical cohort, which is presented here.

METHODS: In this single-arm, phase 2 trial, adult patients (aged ≥18 years) diagnosed with confirmed metastatic or unresectable typical solitary fibrous tumour of any location, who had progressed in the previous 6 months (by Choi criteria or Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST]) and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-2 were enrolled at 11 tertiary hospitals in Italy, France, and Spain. Patients received pazopanib 800 mg once daily, taken orally, until progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal of consent, non-compliance, or a delay in pazopanib administration of longer than 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was proportion of patients achieving an overall response measured by Choi criteria in patients who received at least 1 month of treatment with at least one radiological assessment. All patients who received at least one dose of the study drug were included in the safety analyses. This study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02066285, and with the European Clinical Trials Database, EudraCT 2013-005456-15.

FINDINGS: From June 26, 2014, to Dec 13, 2018, of 40 patients who were assessed, 34 patients were enrolled and 31 patients were included in the response analysis. Median follow-up was 18 months (IQR 14-34), and 18 (58%) of 31 patients had a partial response, 12 (39%) had stable disease, and one (3%) showed progressive disease according to Choi criteria and central review. The proportion of overall response based on Choi criteria was 58% (95% CI 34-69). There were no deaths caused by toxicity, and the most frequent adverse events were diarrhoea (18 [53%] of 34 patients), fatigue (17 [50%]), and hypertension (17 [50%]).

INTERPRETATION: To our knowledge, this is the first prospective trial of pazopanib for advanced typical solitary fibrous tumour. The manageable toxicity and activity shown by pazopanib in this cohort suggest that this drug could be considered as first-line treatment for advanced typical solitary fibrous tumour.

FUNDING: Spanish Group for Research on Sarcomas (GEIS), Italian Sarcoma Group (ISG), French Sarcoma Group (FSG), GlaxoSmithKline, and Novartis.

VL - 21 IS - 3 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32066540?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Fibroblast activation and abnormal extracellular matrix remodelling as common hallmarks in three cancer-prone genodermatoses. JF - Br J Dermatol Y1 - 2019 A1 - Chacón-Solano, E A1 - León, C A1 - Díaz, F A1 - García-García, F A1 - García, M A1 - Escámez, M J A1 - Guerrero-Aspizua, S A1 - Conti, C J A1 - Mencía, Á A1 - Martínez-Santamaría, L A1 - Llames, S A1 - Pévida, M A1 - Carbonell-Caballero, J A1 - Puig-Butillé, J A A1 - Maseda, R A1 - Puig, S A1 - de Lucas, R A1 - Baselga, E A1 - Larcher, F A1 - Dopazo, J A1 - Del Rio, M KW - Adolescent KW - Adult KW - Biopsy KW - Blister KW - Case-Control Studies KW - Cells, Cultured KW - Child KW - Child, Preschool KW - Epidermolysis Bullosa KW - Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica KW - Extracellular Matrix KW - Extracellular Matrix Proteins KW - Female KW - Fibroblasts KW - Fibrosis KW - Gene Expression Regulation KW - Healthy Volunteers KW - Humans KW - Infant KW - Infant, Newborn KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - mutation KW - Periodontal Diseases KW - Photosensitivity Disorders KW - Primary Cell Culture KW - RNA-seq KW - Skin KW - Xeroderma Pigmentosum KW - Young Adult AB -

BACKGROUND: Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), Kindler syndrome (KS) and xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C (XPC) are three cancer-prone genodermatoses whose causal genetic mutations cannot fully explain, on their own, the array of associated phenotypic manifestations. Recent evidence highlights the role of the stromal microenvironment in the pathology of these disorders.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate, by means of comparative gene expression analysis, the role played by dermal fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of RDEB, KS and XPC.

METHODS: We conducted RNA-Seq analysis, which included a thorough examination of the differentially expressed genes, a functional enrichment analysis and a description of affected signalling circuits. Transcriptomic data were validated at the protein level in cell cultures, serum samples and skin biopsies.

RESULTS: Interdisease comparisons against control fibroblasts revealed a unifying signature of 186 differentially expressed genes and four signalling pathways in the three genodermatoses. Remarkably, some of the uncovered expression changes suggest a synthetic fibroblast phenotype characterized by the aberrant expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Western blot and immunofluorescence in situ analyses validated the RNA-Seq data. In addition, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed increased circulating levels of periostin in patients with RDEB.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the different causal genetic defects converge into common changes in gene expression, possibly due to injury-sensitive events. These, in turn, trigger a cascade of reactions involving abnormal ECM deposition and underexpression of antioxidant enzymes. The elucidated expression signature provides new potential biomarkers and common therapeutic targets in RDEB, XPC and KS. What's already known about this topic? Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), Kindler syndrome (KS) and xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group C (XPC) are three genodermatoses with high predisposition to cancer development. Although their causal genetic mutations mainly affect epithelia, the dermal microenvironment likely contributes to the physiopathology of these disorders. What does this study add? We disclose a large overlapping transcription profile between XPC, KS and RDEB fibroblasts that points towards an activated phenotype with high matrix-synthetic capacity. This common signature seems to be independent of the primary causal deficiency, but reflects an underlying derangement of the extracellular matrix via transforming growth factor-β signalling activation and oxidative state imbalance. What is the translational message? This study broadens the current knowledge about the pathology of these diseases and highlights new targets and biomarkers for effective therapeutic intervention. It is suggested that high levels of circulating periostin could represent a potential biomarker in RDEB.

VL - 181 IS - 3 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30693469?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Pazopanib for treatment of advanced malignant and dedifferentiated solitary fibrous tumour: a multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 trial. JF - Lancet Oncol Y1 - 2019 A1 - Martin-Broto, Javier A1 - Stacchiotti, Silvia A1 - Lopez-Pousa, Antonio A1 - Redondo, Andres A1 - Bernabeu, Daniel A1 - de Alava, Enrique A1 - Casali, Paolo G A1 - Italiano, Antoine A1 - Gutierrez, Antonio A1 - Moura, David S A1 - Peña-Chilet, Maria A1 - Diaz-Martin, Juan A1 - Biscuola, Michele A1 - Taron, Miguel A1 - Collini, Paola A1 - Ranchere-Vince, Dominique A1 - Garcia Del Muro, Xavier A1 - Grignani, Giovanni A1 - Dumont, Sarah A1 - Martinez-Trufero, Javier A1 - Palmerini, Emanuela A1 - Hindi, Nadia A1 - Sebio, Ana A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Dei Tos, Angelo Paolo A1 - LeCesne, Axel A1 - Blay, Jean-Yves A1 - Cruz, Josefina KW - Adult KW - Aged KW - Angiogenesis Inhibitors KW - Antineoplastic Agents KW - Female KW - Humans KW - Indazoles KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Multivariate Analysis KW - Pyrimidines KW - Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors KW - Soft Tissue Neoplasms KW - Solitary Fibrous Tumors KW - Sulfonamides KW - Survival Analysis AB -

BACKGROUND: A solitary fibrous tumour is a rare soft-tissue tumour with three clinicopathological variants: typical, malignant, and dedifferentiated. Preclinical experiments and retrospective studies have shown different sensitivities of solitary fibrous tumour to chemotherapy and antiangiogenics. We therefore designed a trial to assess the activity of pazopanib in a cohort of patients with malignant or dedifferentiated solitary fibrous tumour. The clinical and translational results are presented here.

METHODS: In this single-arm, phase 2 trial, adult patients (aged ≥ 18 years) with histologically confirmed metastatic or unresectable malignant or dedifferentiated solitary fibrous tumour at any location, who had progressed (by RECIST and Choi criteria) in the previous 6 months and had an ECOG performance status of 0-2, were enrolled at 16 third-level hospitals with expertise in sarcoma care in Spain, Italy, and France. Patients received pazopanib 800 mg once daily, taken orally without food, at least 1 h before or 2 h after a meal, until progression or intolerance. The primary endpoint of the study was overall response measured by Choi criteria in the subset of the intention-to-treat population (patients who received at least 1 month of treatment with at least one radiological assessment). All patients who received at least one dose of the study drug were included in the safety analyses. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02066285, and with the European Clinical Trials Database, EudraCT number 2013-005456-15.

FINDINGS: From June 26, 2014, to Nov 24, 2016, of 40 patients assessed, 36 were enrolled (34 with malignant solitary fibrous tumour and two with dedifferentiated solitary fibrous tumour). Median follow-up was 27 months (IQR 16-31). Based on central radiology review, 18 (51%) of 35 evaluable patients had partial responses, nine (26%) had stable disease, and eight (23%) had progressive disease according to Choi criteria. Further enrolment of patients with dedifferentiated solitary fibrous tumour was stopped after detection of early and fast progressions in a planned interim analysis. 51% (95% CI 34-69) of 35 patients achieved an overall response according to Choi criteria. Ten (29%) of 35 patients died. There were no deaths related to adverse events and the most frequent grade 3 or higher adverse events were hypertension (11 [31%] of 36 patients), neutropenia (four [11%]), increased concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (four [11%]), and increased concentrations of bilirubin (three [8%]).

INTERPRETATION: To our knowledge, this is the first trial of pazopanib for treatment of malignant solitary fibrous tumour showing activity in this patient group. The manageable toxicity profile and the activity shown by pazopanib suggests that this drug could be an option for systemic treatment of advanced malignant solitary fibrous tumour, and provides a benchmark for future trials.

FUNDING: Spanish Group for Research on Sarcomas (GEIS), Italian Sarcoma Group (ISG), French Sarcoma Group (FSG), GlaxoSmithKline, and Novartis.

VL - 20 IS - 1 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30578023?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - LRH-1 agonism favours an immune-islet dialogue which protects against diabetes mellitus. JF - Nat Commun Y1 - 2018 A1 - Cobo-Vuilleumier, Nadia A1 - Lorenzo, Petra I A1 - Rodríguez, Noelia García A1 - Herrera Gómez, Irene de Gracia A1 - Fuente-Martin, Esther A1 - López-Noriega, Livia A1 - Mellado-Gil, José Manuel A1 - Romero-Zerbo, Silvana-Yanina A1 - Baquié, Mathurin A1 - Lachaud, Christian Claude A1 - Stifter, Katja A1 - Perdomo, German A1 - Bugliani, Marco A1 - De Tata, Vincenzo A1 - Bosco, Domenico A1 - Parnaud, Geraldine A1 - Pozo, David A1 - Hmadcha, Abdelkrim A1 - Florido, Javier P A1 - Toscano, Miguel G A1 - de Haan, Peter A1 - Schoonjans, Kristina A1 - Sánchez Palazón, Luis A1 - Marchetti, Piero A1 - Schirmbeck, Reinhold A1 - Martín-Montalvo, Alejandro A1 - Meda, Paolo A1 - Soria, Bernat A1 - Bermúdez-Silva, Francisco-Javier A1 - St-Onge, Luc A1 - Gauthier, Benoit R KW - Animals KW - Apoptosis KW - Cell Communication KW - Cell Survival KW - Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental KW - Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 KW - Female KW - Gene Expression Regulation KW - Humans KW - Hypoglycemic Agents KW - Immunity, Innate KW - insulin KW - Insulin-Secreting Cells KW - Islets of Langerhans KW - Islets of Langerhans Transplantation KW - Macrophages KW - Male KW - Mice KW - Mice, Inbred C57BL KW - Phenalenes KW - Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear KW - Streptozocin KW - T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory KW - Transplantation, Heterologous AB -

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is due to the selective destruction of islet beta cells by immune cells. Current therapies focused on repressing the immune attack or stimulating beta cell regeneration still have limited clinical efficacy. Therefore, it is timely to identify innovative targets to dampen the immune process, while promoting beta cell survival and function. Liver receptor homologue-1 (LRH-1) is a nuclear receptor that represses inflammation in digestive organs, and protects pancreatic islets against apoptosis. Here, we show that BL001, a small LRH-1 agonist, impedes hyperglycemia progression and the immune-dependent inflammation of pancreas in murine models of T1DM, and beta cell apoptosis in islets of type 2 diabetic patients, while increasing beta cell mass and insulin secretion. Thus, we suggest that LRH-1 agonism favors a dialogue between immune and islet cells, which could be druggable to protect against diabetes mellitus.

VL - 9 IS - 1 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29662071?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - The modular network structure of the mutational landscape of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. JF - PLoS One Y1 - 2018 A1 - Ibáñez, Mariam A1 - Carbonell-Caballero, José A1 - Such, Esperanza A1 - García-Alonso, Luz A1 - Liquori, Alessandro A1 - López-Pavía, María A1 - LLop, Marta A1 - Alonso, Carmen A1 - Barragán, Eva A1 - Gómez-Seguí, Inés A1 - Neef, Alexander A1 - Hervás, David A1 - Montesinos, Pau A1 - Sanz, Guillermo A1 - Sanz, Miguel Angel A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Cervera, José KW - Adult KW - Aged KW - Cytodiagnosis KW - Female KW - Gene Regulatory Networks KW - Genetic Association Studies KW - Genetic Heterogeneity KW - Humans KW - Karyotype KW - Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - mutation KW - Neoplasm Proteins KW - Nucleophosmin KW - Prognosis KW - whole exome sequencing AB -

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with the sequential accumulation of acquired genetic alterations. Although at diagnosis cytogenetic alterations are frequent in AML, roughly 50% of patients present an apparently normal karyotype (NK), leading to a highly heterogeneous prognosis. Due to this significant heterogeneity, it has been suggested that different molecular mechanisms may trigger the disease with diverse prognostic implications. We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) of tumor-normal matched samples of de novo AML-NK patients lacking mutations in NPM1, CEBPA or FLT3-ITD to identify new gene mutations with potential prognostic and therapeutic relevance to patients with AML. Novel candidate-genes, together with others previously described, were targeted resequenced in an independent cohort of 100 de novo AML patients classified in the cytogenetic intermediate-risk (IR) category. A mean of 4.89 mutations per sample were detected in 73 genes, 35 of which were mutated in more than one patient. After a network enrichment analysis, we defined a single in silico model and established a set of seed-genes that may trigger leukemogenesis in patients with normal karyotype. The high heterogeneity of gene mutations observed in AML patients suggested that a specific alteration could not be as essential as the interaction of deregulated pathways.

VL - 13 IS - 10 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30303964?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Mutations in TRAPPC11 are associated with a congenital disorder of glycosylation. JF - Hum Mutat Y1 - 2017 A1 - Matalonga, Leslie A1 - Bravo, Miren A1 - Serra-Peinado, Carla A1 - García-Pelegrí, Elisabeth A1 - Ugarteburu, Olatz A1 - Vidal, Silvia A1 - Llambrich, Maria A1 - Quintana, Ester A1 - Fuster-Jorge, Pedro A1 - Gonzalez-Bravo, Maria Nieves A1 - Beltran, Sergi A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Garcia-Garcia, Francisco A1 - Foulquier, François A1 - Matthijs, Gert A1 - Mills, Philippa A1 - Ribes, Antonia A1 - Egea, Gustavo A1 - Briones, Paz A1 - Tort, Frederic A1 - Girós, Marisa KW - Abnormalities, Multiple KW - Alleles KW - Amino Acid Substitution KW - Brain KW - Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation KW - Genotype KW - Humans KW - Magnetic Resonance Imaging KW - Male KW - mutation KW - Phenotype KW - Vesicular Transport Proteins KW - Whole Genome Sequencing AB -

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are a heterogeneous and rapidly growing group of diseases caused by abnormal glycosylation of proteins and/or lipids. Mutations in genes involved in the homeostasis of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the Golgi apparatus (GA), and the vesicular trafficking from the ER to the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) have been found to be associated with CDG. Here, we report a patient with defects in both N- and O-glycosylation combined with a delayed vesicular transport in the GA due to mutations in TRAPPC11, a subunit of the TRAPPIII complex. TRAPPIII is implicated in the anterograde transport from the ER to the ERGIC as well as in the vesicle export from the GA. This report expands the spectrum of genetic alterations associated with CDG, providing new insights for the diagnosis and the understanding of the physiopathological mechanisms underlying glycosylation disorders.

VL - 38 IS - 2 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27862579?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Human DNA methylomes of neurodegenerative diseases show common epigenomic patterns. JF - Transl Psychiatry Y1 - 2016 A1 - Sanchez-Mut, J V A1 - Heyn, H A1 - Vidal, E A1 - Moran, S A1 - Sayols, S A1 - Delgado-Morales, R A1 - Schultz, M D A1 - Ansoleaga, B A1 - Garcia-Esparcia, P A1 - Pons-Espinal, M A1 - de Lagran, M M A1 - Dopazo, J A1 - Rabano, A A1 - Avila, J A1 - Dierssen, M A1 - Lott, I A1 - Ferrer, I A1 - Ecker, J R A1 - Esteller, M KW - Adult KW - Aged KW - Aged, 80 and over KW - DNA Methylation KW - Epigenomics KW - Female KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - neurodegenerative diseases KW - Prefrontal Cortex KW - Tissue Array Analysis AB -

Different neurodegenerative disorders often show similar lesions, such as the presence of amyloid plaques, TAU-neurotangles and synuclein inclusions. The genetically inherited forms are rare, so we wondered whether shared epigenetic aberrations, such as those affecting DNA methylation, might also exist. The studied samples were gray matter samples from the prefrontal cortex of control and neurodegenerative disease-associated cases. We performed the DNA methylation analyses of Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer-like neurodegenerative profile associated with Down's syndrome samples. The DNA methylation landscapes obtained show that neurodegenerative diseases share similar aberrant CpG methylation shifts targeting a defined gene set. Our findings suggest that neurodegenerative disorders might have similar pathogenetic mechanisms that subsequently evolve into different clinical entities. The identified aberrant DNA methylation changes can be used as biomarkers of the disorders and as potential new targets for the development of new therapies.

VL - 6 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26784972?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Identification of the Photoreceptor Transcriptional Co-Repressor SAMD11 as Novel Cause of Autosomal Recessive Retinitis Pigmentosa. JF - Sci Rep Y1 - 2016 A1 - Corton, M A1 - Avila-Fernández, A A1 - Campello, L A1 - Sánchez, M A1 - Benavides, B A1 - López-Molina, M I A1 - Fernández-Sánchez, L A1 - Sánchez-Alcudia, R A1 - da Silva, L R J A1 - Reyes, N A1 - Martín-Garrido, E A1 - Zurita, O A1 - Fernández-San José, P A1 - Pérez-Carro, R A1 - García-García, F A1 - Dopazo, J A1 - García-Sandoval, B A1 - Cuenca, N A1 - Ayuso, C KW - Aged KW - Animals KW - Co-Repressor Proteins KW - Codon, Nonsense KW - Cohort Studies KW - Comparative Genomic Hybridization KW - Consanguinity KW - DNA Mutational Analysis KW - Exome KW - Eye Proteins KW - Female KW - Gene Expression Regulation KW - Genes, Recessive KW - Homeodomain Proteins KW - Homozygote KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Mice KW - Middle Aged KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - Protein Interaction Mapping KW - Retina KW - Retinal Dystrophies KW - Retinal Rod Photoreceptor Cells KW - Retinitis pigmentosa KW - Spain KW - Trans-Activators KW - Transcription Factors AB -

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the most frequent form of inherited retinal dystrophy is characterized by progressive photoreceptor degeneration. Many genes have been implicated in RP development, but several others remain to be identified. Using a combination of homozygosity mapping, whole-exome and targeted next-generation sequencing, we found a novel homozygous nonsense mutation in SAMD11 in five individuals diagnosed with adult-onset RP from two unrelated consanguineous Spanish families. SAMD11 is ortholog to the mouse major retinal SAM domain (mr-s) protein that is implicated in CRX-mediated transcriptional regulation in the retina. Accordingly, protein-protein network analysis revealed a significant interaction of SAMD11 with CRX. Immunoblotting analysis confirmed strong expression of SAMD11 in human retina. Immunolocalization studies revealed SAMD11 was detected in the three nuclear layers of the human retina and interestingly differential expression between cone and rod photoreceptors was observed. Our study strongly implicates SAMD11 as novel cause of RP playing an important role in the pathogenesis of human degeneration of photoreceptors.

VL - 6 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27734943?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Mutations in the MORC2 gene cause axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. JF - Brain Y1 - 2016 A1 - Sevilla, Teresa A1 - Lupo, Vincenzo A1 - Martínez-Rubio, Dolores A1 - Sancho, Paula A1 - Sivera, Rafael A1 - Chumillas, María J A1 - García-Romero, Mar A1 - Pascual-Pascual, Samuel I A1 - Muelas, Nuria A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Vílchez, Juan J A1 - Palau, Francesc A1 - Espinós, Carmen KW - Adult KW - Aged KW - Animals KW - Axons KW - Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease KW - Female KW - gene expression KW - Humans KW - Infant KW - Male KW - Mice KW - Middle Aged KW - mutation KW - Pedigree KW - Phenotype KW - Sciatic Nerve KW - Sural Nerve KW - Transcription Factors KW - Young Adult AB -

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a complex disorder with wide genetic heterogeneity. Here we present a new axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease form, associated with the gene microrchidia family CW-type zinc finger 2 (MORC2). Whole-exome sequencing in a family with autosomal dominant segregation identified the novel MORC2 p.R190W change in four patients. Further mutational screening in our axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease clinical series detected two additional sporadic cases, one patient who also carried the same MORC2 p.R190W mutation and another patient that harboured a MORC2 p.S25L mutation. Genetic and in silico studies strongly supported the pathogenicity of these sequence variants. The phenotype was variable and included patients with congenital or infantile onset, as well as others whose symptoms started in the second decade. The patients with early onset developed a spinal muscular atrophy-like picture, whereas in the later onset cases, the initial symptoms were cramps, distal weakness and sensory impairment. Weakness and atrophy progressed in a random and asymmetric fashion and involved limb girdle muscles, leading to a severe incapacity in adulthood. Sensory loss was always prominent and proportional to disease severity. Electrophysiological studies were consistent with an asymmetric axonal motor and sensory neuropathy, while fasciculations and myokymia were recorded rather frequently by needle electromyography. Sural nerve biopsy revealed pronounced multifocal depletion of myelinated fibres with some regenerative clusters and occasional small onion bulbs. Morc2 is expressed in both axons and Schwann cells of mouse peripheral nerve. Different roles in biological processes have been described for MORC2. As the silencing of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease genes have been associated with DNA damage response, it is tempting to speculate that a deregulation of this pathway may be linked to the axonal degeneration observed in MORC2 neuropathy, thus adding a new pathogenic mechanism to the long list of causes of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

VL - 139 IS - Pt 1 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26497905?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Screening of CD96 and ASXL1 in 11 patients with Opitz C or Bohring-Opitz syndromes. JF - Am J Med Genet A Y1 - 2016 A1 - Urreizti, Roser A1 - Roca-Ayats, Neus A1 - Trepat, Judith A1 - Garcia-Garcia, Francisco A1 - Alemán, Alejandro A1 - Orteschi, Daniela A1 - Marangi, Giuseppe A1 - Neri, Giovanni A1 - Opitz, John M A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Cormand, Bru A1 - Vilageliu, Lluïsa A1 - Balcells, Susana A1 - Grinberg, Daniel KW - Adolescent KW - Antigens, CD KW - Child KW - Child, Preschool KW - Craniosynostoses KW - Exome KW - Female KW - High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing KW - Humans KW - Infant KW - Intellectual Disability KW - Male KW - mutation KW - Pedigree KW - Phenotype KW - Prognosis KW - Repressor Proteins AB -

Opitz C trigonocephaly (or Opitz C syndrome, OTCS) and Bohring-Opitz syndrome (BOS or C-like syndrome) are two rare genetic disorders with phenotypic overlap. The genetic causes of these diseases are not understood. However, two genes have been associated with OTCS or BOS with dominantly inherited de novo mutations. Whereas CD96 has been related to OTCS (one case) and to BOS (one case), ASXL1 has been related to BOS only (several cases). In this study we analyze CD96 and ASXL1 in a group of 11 affected individuals, including 2 sibs, 10 of them were diagnosed with OTCS, and one had a BOS phenotype. Exome sequences were available on six patients with OTCS and three parent pairs. Thus, we could analyze the CD96 and ASXL1 sequences in these patients bioinformatically. Sanger sequencing of all exons of CD96 and ASXL1 was carried out in the remaining patients. Detailed scrutiny of the sequences and assessment of variants allowed us to exclude putative pathogenic and private mutations in all but one of the patients. In this patient (with BOS) we identified a de novo mutation in ASXL1 (c.2100dupT). By nature and location within the gene, this mutation resembles those previously described in other BOS patients and we conclude that it may be responsible for the condition. Our results indicate that in 10 of 11, the disease (OTCS or BOS) cannot be explained by small changes in CD96 or ASXL1. However, the cohort is too small to make generalizations about the genetic etiology of these diseases.

VL - 170A IS - 1 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26768331?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Serum metabolomic profiling facilitates the non-invasive identification of metabolic biomarkers associated with the onset and progression of non-small cell lung cancer. JF - Oncotarget Y1 - 2016 A1 - Puchades-Carrasco, Leonor A1 - Jantus-Lewintre, Eloisa A1 - Pérez-Rambla, Clara A1 - Garcia-Garcia, Francisco A1 - Lucas, Rut A1 - Calabuig, Silvia A1 - Blasco, Ana A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Camps, Carlos A1 - Pineda-Lucena, Antonio KW - Adult KW - Aged KW - Biomarkers, Tumor KW - Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung KW - Disease Progression KW - Female KW - Humans KW - Lung Neoplasms KW - Male KW - metabolomics KW - Middle Aged KW - Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy AB -

Lung cancer (LC) is responsible for most cancer deaths. One of the main factors contributing to the lethality of this disease is the fact that a large proportion of patients are diagnosed at advanced stages when a clinical intervention is unlikely to succeed. In this study, we evaluated the potential of metabolomics by 1H-NMR to facilitate the identification of accurate and reliable biomarkers to support the early diagnosis and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).We found that the metabolic profile of NSCLC patients, compared with healthy individuals, is characterized by statistically significant changes in the concentration of 18 metabolites representing different amino acids, organic acids and alcohols, as well as different lipids and molecules involved in lipid metabolism. Furthermore, the analysis of the differences between the metabolic profiles of NSCLC patients at different stages of the disease revealed the existence of 17 metabolites involved in metabolic changes associated with disease progression.Our results underscore the potential of metabolomics profiling to uncover pathophysiological mechanisms that could be useful to objectively discriminate NSCLC patients from healthy individuals, as well as between different stages of the disease.

VL - 7 IS - 11 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26883203?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - The EGR2 gene is involved in axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. JF - Eur J Neurol Y1 - 2015 A1 - Sevilla, T A1 - Sivera, R A1 - Martínez-Rubio, D A1 - Lupo, V A1 - Chumillas, M J A1 - Calpena, E A1 - Dopazo, J A1 - Vílchez, J J A1 - Palau, F A1 - Espinós, C KW - Adult KW - Aged KW - Aged, 80 and over KW - Axons KW - Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease KW - Early Growth Response Protein 2 KW - Exome KW - Female KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - mutation KW - Pedigree KW - Phenotype KW - Severity of Illness Index KW - Young Adult AB -

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A three-generation family affected by axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) was investigated with the aim of discovering genetic defects and to further characterize the phenotype.

METHODS: The clinical, nerve conduction studies and muscle magnetic resonance images of the patients were reviewed. A whole exome sequencing was performed and the changes were investigated by genetic studies, in silico analysis and luciferase reporter assays.

RESULTS: A novel c.1226G>A change (p.R409Q) in the EGR2 gene was identified. Patients presented with a typical, late-onset axonal CMT phenotype with variable severity that was confirmed in the ancillary tests. The in silico studies showed that the residue R409 is an evolutionary conserved amino acid. The p.R409Q mutation, which is predicted as probably damaging, would alter the conformation of the protein slightly and would cause a decrease of gene expression.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of an EGR2 mutation presenting as an axonal CMT phenotype with variable severity. This study broadens the phenotype of the EGR2-related neuropathies and suggests that the genetic testing of patients suffering from axonal CMT should include the EGR2 gene.

VL - 22 IS - 12 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26204789?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Exome sequencing reveals novel and recurrent mutations with clinical significance in inherited retinal dystrophies. JF - PLoS One Y1 - 2014 A1 - González-del Pozo, María A1 - Méndez-Vidal, Cristina A1 - Bravo-Gil, Nereida A1 - Vela-Boza, Alicia A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Borrego, Salud A1 - Antiňolo, Guillermo KW - Adolescent KW - Adult KW - Amino Acid Sequence KW - Base Sequence KW - Child KW - Chromosome Segregation KW - DNA Mutational Analysis KW - Exome KW - Family KW - Female KW - Humans KW - Inheritance Patterns KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Molecular Sequence Data KW - mutation KW - Pedigree KW - Retinal Dystrophies KW - Rhodopsin AB -

This study aimed to identify the underlying molecular genetic cause in four Spanish families clinically diagnosed of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), comprising one autosomal dominant RP (adRP), two autosomal recessive RP (arRP) and one with two possible modes of inheritance: arRP or X-Linked RP (XLRP). We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) using NimbleGen SeqCap EZ Exome V3 sample preparation kit and SOLID 5500xl platform. All variants passing filter criteria were validated by Sanger sequencing to confirm familial segregation and the absence in local control population. This strategy allowed the detection of: (i) one novel heterozygous splice-site deletion in RHO, c.937-2_944del, (ii) one rare homozygous mutation in C2orf71, c.1795T>C; p.Cys599Arg, not previously associated with the disease, (iii) two heterozygous null mutations in ABCA4, c.2041C>T; p.R681* and c.6088C>T; p.R2030*, and (iv) one mutation, c.2405-2406delAG; p.Glu802Glyfs*31 in the ORF15 of RPGR. The molecular findings for RHO and C2orf71 confirmed the initial diagnosis of adRP and arRP, respectively, while patients with the two ABCA4 mutations, both previously associated with Stargardt disease, presented symptoms of RP with early macular involvement. Finally, the X-Linked inheritance was confirmed for the family with the RPGR mutation. This latter finding allowed the inclusion of carrier sisters in our preimplantational genetic diagnosis program.

VL - 9 IS - 12 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25544989?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Two novel mutations in the BCKDK (branched-chain keto-acid dehydrogenase kinase) gene are responsible for a neurobehavioral deficit in two pediatric unrelated patients. JF - Hum Mutat Y1 - 2014 A1 - García-Cazorla, Angels A1 - Oyarzabal, Alfonso A1 - Fort, Joana A1 - Robles, Concepción A1 - Castejón, Esperanza A1 - Ruiz-Sala, Pedro A1 - Bodoy, Susanna A1 - Merinero, Begoña A1 - Lopez-Sala, Anna A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Nunes, Virginia A1 - Ugarte, Magdalena A1 - Artuch, Rafael A1 - Palacín, Manuel A1 - Rodríguez-Pombo, Pilar A1 - Alcaide, Patricia A1 - Navarrete, Rosa A1 - Sanz, Paloma A1 - Font-Llitjós, Mariona A1 - Vilaseca, Ma Antonia A1 - Ormaizabal, Aida A1 - Pristoupilova, Anna A1 - Agulló, Sergi Beltran KW - Amino Acids, Branched-Chain KW - Developmental Disabilities KW - Fibroblasts KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Mutation, Missense KW - Nervous System Diseases KW - Pediatrics KW - Protein Kinases AB -

Inactivating mutations in the BCKDK gene, which codes for the kinase responsible for the negative regulation of the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex (BCKD), have recently been associated with a form of autism in three families. In this work, two novel exonic BCKDK mutations, c.520C>G/p.R174G and c.1166T>C/p.L389P, were identified at the homozygous state in two unrelated children with persistently reduced body fluid levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), developmental delay, microcephaly, and neurobehavioral abnormalities. Functional analysis of the mutations confirmed the missense character of the c.1166T>C change and showed a splicing defect r.[520c>g;521_543del]/p.R174Gfs1*, for c.520C>G due to the presence of a new donor splice site. Mutation p.L389P showed total loss of kinase activity. Moreover, patient-derived fibroblasts showed undetectable (p.R174Gfs1*) or barely detectable (p.L389P) levels of BCKDK protein and its phosphorylated substrate (phospho-E1α), resulting in increased BCKD activity and the very rapid BCAA catabolism manifested by the patients' clinical phenotype. Based on these results, a protein-rich diet plus oral BCAA supplementation was implemented in the patient homozygous for p.R174Gfs1*. This treatment normalized plasma BCAA levels and improved growth, developmental and behavioral variables. Our results demonstrate that BCKDK mutations can result in neurobehavioral deficits in humans and support the rationale for dietary intervention.

VL - 35 IS - 4 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24449431?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Differential gene-expression analysis defines a molecular pattern related to olive pollen allergy. JF - J Biol Regul Homeost Agents Y1 - 2013 A1 - Aguerri, M A1 - Calzada, D A1 - Montaner, D A1 - Mata, M A1 - Florido, F A1 - Quiralte, J A1 - Dopazo, J A1 - Lahoz, C A1 - Cardaba, B KW - Adult KW - Female KW - Gene Expression Profiling KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Olea KW - Principal Component Analysis KW - Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal AB -

Analysis of gene-expression profiles by microarrays is useful for characterization of candidate genes, key regulatory networks, and to define phenotypes or molecular signatures which improve the diagnosis and/or classification of the allergic processes. We have used this approach in the study of olive pollen response in order to find differential molecular markers among responders and non-responders to this allergenic source. Five clinical groups, non-allergic, asymptomatic, allergic but not to olive pollen, untreated-olive-pollen allergic patients and olive-pollen allergic patients (under specific-immunotherapy), were assessed during and outside pollen seasons. Whole-genome gene expression analysis was performed in RNAs extracted from PBMCs. After assessment of data quality and principal components analysis (PCA), differential gene-expression, by multiple testing and, functional analyses by KEGG, for pathways and Gene-Ontology for biological processes were performed. Relevance was defined by fold change and corrected P values (less than 0.05). The most differential genes were validated by qRT-PCR in a larger set of individuals. Interestingly, gene-expression profiling obtained by PCA clearly showed five clusters of samples that correlated with the five clinical groups. Furthermore, differential gene expression and functional analyses revealed differential genes and pathways in the five clinical groups. The 93 most significant genes found were validated, and one set of 35 genes was able to discriminate profiles of olive pollen response. Our results, in addition to providing new information on allergic response, define a possible molecular signature for olive pollen allergy which could be useful for the diagnosis and treatment of this and other sensitizations.

VL - 27 IS - 2 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23830385?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Exome sequencing identifies a new mutation in SERAC1 in a patient with 3-methylglutaconic aciduria. JF - Mol Genet Metab Y1 - 2013 A1 - Tort, Frederic A1 - García-Silva, María Teresa A1 - Ferrer-Cortès, Xènia A1 - Navarro-Sastre, Aleix A1 - Garcia-Villoria, Judith A1 - Coll, Maria Josep A1 - Vidal, Enrique A1 - Jiménez-Almazán, Jorge A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Briones, Paz A1 - Elpeleg, Orly A1 - Ribes, Antonia KW - Adolescent KW - Adult KW - Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases KW - Child KW - Exome KW - Female KW - High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing KW - Humans KW - Infant KW - Male KW - Metabolism, Inborn Errors KW - mutation AB -

3-Methylglutaconic aciduria (3-MGA-uria) is a heterogeneous group of syndromes characterized by an increased excretion of 3-methylglutaconic and 3-methylglutaric acids. Five types of 3-MGA-uria (I to V) with different clinical presentations have been described. Causative mutations in TAZ, OPA3, DNAJC19, ATP12, ATP5E, and TMEM70 have been identified. After excluding the known genetic causes of 3-MGA-uria we used exome sequencing to investigate a patient with Leigh syndrome and 3-MGA-uria. We identified a homozygous variant in SERAC1 (c.202C>T; p.Arg68*), that generates a premature stop codon at position 68 of SERAC1 protein. Western blot analysis in patient's fibroblasts showed a complete absence of SERAC1 that was consistent with the prediction of a truncated protein and supports the pathogenic role of the mutation. During the course of this project a parallel study identified mutations in SERAC1 as the genetic cause of the disease in 15 patients with MEGDEL syndrome, which was compatible with the clinical and biochemical phenotypes of the patient described here. In addition, our patient developed microcephaly and optic atrophy, two features not previously reported in MEGDEL syndrome. We highlight the usefulness of exome sequencing to reveal the genetic bases of human rare diseases even if only one affected individual is available.

VL - 110 IS - 1-2 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23707711?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Grape antioxidant dietary fiber inhibits intestinal polyposis in ApcMin/+ mice: relation to cell cycle and immune response. JF - Carcinogenesis Y1 - 2013 A1 - Sánchez-Tena, Susana A1 - Lizarraga, Daneida A1 - Miranda, Anibal A1 - Vinardell, Maria P A1 - Garcia-Garcia, Francisco A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Torres, Josep L A1 - Saura-Calixto, Fulgencio A1 - Capellà, Gabriel A1 - Cascante, Marta KW - Animals KW - Antioxidants KW - Body Weight KW - Carcinogenesis KW - Cell Cycle KW - Cell Cycle Checkpoints KW - Colorectal Neoplasms KW - Dietary Fiber KW - Dietary Supplements KW - Down-Regulation KW - G1 Phase KW - Inflammation KW - Intestinal Polyposis KW - Intestinal Polyps KW - Intestine, Small KW - Male KW - Mice KW - Transcriptome KW - Vitis AB -

Epidemiological and experimental studies suggest that fiber and phenolic compounds might have a protective effect on the development of colon cancer in humans. Accordingly, we assessed the chemopreventive efficacy and associated mechanisms of action of a lyophilized red grape pomace containing proanthocyanidin (PA)-rich dietary fiber [grape antioxidant dietary fiber (GADF)] on spontaneous intestinal tumorigenesis in the Apc(Min/+) mouse model. Mice were fed a standard diet (control group) or a 1% (w/w) GADF-supplemented diet (GADF group) for 6 weeks. GADF supplementation greatly reduced intestinal tumorigenesis, significantly decreasing the total number of polyps by 76%. Moreover, size distribution analysis showed a considerable reduction in all polyp size categories [diameter <1mm (65%), 1-2mm (67%) and >2mm (87%)]. In terms of polyp formation in the proximal, middle and distal portions of the small intestine, a decrease of 76, 81 and 73% was observed, respectively. Putative molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibition of intestinal tumorigenesis were investigated by comparison of microarray expression profiles of GADF-treated and non-treated mice. We observed that the effects of GADF are mainly associated with the induction of a G1 cell cycle arrest and the downregulation of genes related to the immune response and inflammation. Our findings show for the first time the efficacy and associated mechanisms of action of GADF against intestinal tumorigenesis in Apc(Min/+) mice, suggesting its potential for the prevention of colorectal cancer.

VL - 34 IS - 8 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23615403?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Novel genes detected by transcriptional profiling from whole-blood cells in patients with early onset of acute coronary syndrome. JF - Clin Chim Acta Y1 - 2013 A1 - Silbiger, Vivian N A1 - Luchessi, André D A1 - Hirata, Rosário D C A1 - Lima-Neto, Lídio G A1 - Cavichioli, Débora A1 - Carracedo, Ángel A1 - Brión, Maria A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Garcia-Garcia, Francisco A1 - Dos Santos, Elizabete S A1 - Ramos, Rui F A1 - Sampaio, Marcelo F A1 - Armaganijan, Dikran A1 - Sousa, Amanda G M R A1 - Hirata, Mario H KW - Acute Coronary Syndrome KW - Acute-Phase Proteins KW - Adult KW - biomarkers KW - Blood Cells KW - Early Diagnosis KW - gene expression KW - Gene Expression Profiling KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis KW - RNA, Messenger KW - Transcriptome AB -

BACKGROUND: Genome-wide expression analysis using microarrays has been used as a research strategy to discovery new biomarkers and candidate genes for a number of diseases. We aim to find new biomarkers for the prediction of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with a differentially expressed mRNA profiling approach using whole genomic expression analysis in a peripheral blood cell model from patients with early ACS.

METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was carried out in two phases. On phase 1 a restricted clinical criteria (ACS-Ph1, n=9 and CG-Ph1, n=6) was used in order to select potential mRNA biomarkers candidates. A subsequent phase 2 study was performed using selected phase 1 markers analyzed by RT-qPCR using a larger and independent casuistic (ACS-Ph2, n=74 and CG-Ph2, n=41). A total of 549 genes were found to be differentially expressed in the first 48 h after the ACS-Ph1. Technical and biological validation further confirmed that ALOX15, AREG, BCL2A1, BCL2L1, CA1, COX7B, ECHDC3, IL18R1, IRS2, KCNE1, MMP9, MYL4 and TREML4, are differentially expressed in both phases of this study.

CONCLUSIONS: Transcriptomic analysis by microarray technology demonstrated differential expression during a 48 h time course suggesting a potential use of some of these genes as biomarkers for very early stages of ACS, as well as for monitoring early cardiac ischemic recovery.

VL - 421 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23535507?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Pathways systematically associated to Hirschsprung's disease. JF - Orphanet J Rare Dis Y1 - 2013 A1 - Fernández, Raquel M A1 - Bleda, Marta A1 - Luzón-Toro, Berta A1 - García-Alonso, Luz A1 - Arnold, Stacey A1 - Sribudiani, Yunia A1 - Besmond, Claude A1 - Lantieri, Francesca A1 - Doan, Betty A1 - Ceccherini, Isabella A1 - Lyonnet, Stanislas A1 - Hofstra, Robert Mw A1 - Chakravarti, Aravinda A1 - Antiňolo, Guillermo A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Borrego, Salud KW - Female KW - Genetic Predisposition to Disease KW - Genotype KW - Hirschsprung Disease KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide AB -

Despite it has been reported that several loci are involved in Hirschsprung's disease, the molecular basis of the disease remains yet essentially unknown. The study of collective properties of modules of functionally-related genes provides an efficient and sensitive statistical framework that can overcome sample size limitations in the study of rare diseases. Here, we present the extension of a previous study of a Spanish series of HSCR trios to an international cohort of 162 HSCR trios to validate the generality of the underlying functional basis of the Hirschsprung's disease mechanisms previously found. The Pathway-Based Analysis (PBA) confirms a strong association of gene ontology (GO) modules related to signal transduction and its regulation, enteric nervous system (ENS) formation and other processes related to the disease. In addition, network analysis recovers sub-networks significantly associated to the disease, which contain genes related to the same functionalities, thus providing an independent validation of these findings. The functional profiles of association obtained for patients populations from different countries were compared to each other. While gene associations were different at each series, the main functional associations were identical in all the five populations. These observations would also explain the reported low reproducibility of associations of individual disease genes across populations.

VL - 8 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24289864?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Role of CPI-17 in restoring skin homoeostasis in cutaneous field of cancerization: effects of topical application of a film-forming medical device containing photolyase and UV filters. JF - Exp Dermatol Y1 - 2013 A1 - Puig-Butille, Joan Anton A1 - Malvehy, Josep A1 - Potrony, Miriam A1 - Trullas, Carles A1 - Garcia-Garcia, Francisco A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Puig, Susana KW - Administration, Topical KW - Adult KW - Aged KW - Aged, 80 and over KW - Biopsy KW - Deoxyribodipyrimidine Photo-Lyase KW - Female KW - Gene Expression Profiling KW - Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic KW - Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic KW - Homeostasis KW - Humans KW - Inflammation KW - Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins KW - Liposomes KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Muscle Proteins KW - Phenotype KW - Phosphoprotein Phosphatases KW - Reactive Oxygen Species KW - Skin KW - Skin Neoplasms KW - Ultraviolet Rays AB -

Cutaneous field of cancerization (CFC) is caused in part by the carcinogenic effect of the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers CPD and 6-4 photoproducts (6-4PPs). Photoreactivation is carried out by photolyases which specifically recognize and repair both photoproducts. The study evaluates the molecular effects of topical application of a film-forming medical device containing photolyase and UV filters on the precancerous field in AK from seven patients. Skin improvement after treatment was confirmed in all patients by histopathological and molecular assessment. A gene set analysis showed that skin recovery was associated with biological processes involved in tissue homoeostasis and cell maintenance. The CFC response was associated with over-expression of the CPI-17 gene, and a dependence on the initial expression level was observed (P = 0.001). Low CPI-17 levels were directly associated with pro-inflammatory genes such as TNF (P = 0.012) and IL-1B (P = 0.07). Our results suggest a role for CPI-17 in restoring skin homoeostasis in CFC lesions.

VL - 22 IS - 7 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23800065?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Four new loci associations discovered by pathway-based and network analyses of the genome-wide variability profile of Hirschsprung's disease. JF - Orphanet J Rare Dis Y1 - 2012 A1 - Fernández, Raquel Ma A1 - Bleda, Marta A1 - Núñez-Torres, Rocío A1 - Medina, Ignacio A1 - Luzón-Toro, Berta A1 - García-Alonso, Luz A1 - Torroglosa, Ana A1 - Marbà, Martina A1 - Enguix-Riego, Ma Valle A1 - Montaner, David A1 - Antiňolo, Guillermo A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Borrego, Salud KW - Female KW - Genetic Predisposition to Disease KW - Genome-Wide Association Study KW - Genotype KW - Hirschsprung Disease KW - Humans KW - Male AB -

Finding gene associations in rare diseases is frequently hampered by the reduced numbers of patients accessible. Conventional gene-based association tests rely on the availability of large cohorts, which constitutes a serious limitation for its application in this scenario. To overcome this problem we have used here a combined strategy in which a pathway-based analysis (PBA) has been initially conducted to prioritize candidate genes in a Spanish cohort of 53 trios of short-segment Hirschsprung's disease. Candidate genes have been further validated in an independent population of 106 trios. The study revealed a strong association of 11 gene ontology (GO) modules related to signal transduction and its regulation, enteric nervous system (ENS) formation and other HSCR-related processes. Among the preselected candidates, a total of 4 loci, RASGEF1A, IQGAP2, DLC1 and CHRNA7, related to signal transduction and migration processes, were found to be significantly associated to HSCR. Network analysis also confirms their involvement in the network of already known disease genes. This approach, based on the study of functionally-related gene sets, requires of lower sample sizes and opens new opportunities for the study of rare diseases.

VL - 7 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23270508?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Hypoxia promotes efficient differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to functional endothelium. JF - Stem Cells Y1 - 2010 A1 - Prado-Lopez, Sonia A1 - Conesa, Ana A1 - Armiñán, Ana A1 - Martínez-Losa, Magdalena A1 - Escobedo-Lucea, Carmen A1 - Gandia, Carolina A1 - Tarazona, Sonia A1 - Melguizo, Dario A1 - Blesa, David A1 - Montaner, David A1 - Sanz-González, Silvia A1 - Sepúlveda, Pilar A1 - Götz, Stefan A1 - O'Connor, José Enrique A1 - Moreno, Ruben A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Burks, Deborah J A1 - Stojkovic, Miodrag KW - Angiopoietin-1 KW - Animals KW - biomarkers KW - Cell Culture Techniques KW - Cell Differentiation KW - Cell Hypoxia KW - Cell Transplantation KW - Cells, Cultured KW - Down-Regulation KW - Embryonic Stem Cells KW - Endothelial Cells KW - Gene Expression Profiling KW - Gene Expression Regulation KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Myocardial Infarction KW - Neovascularization, Physiologic KW - Oxygen KW - Pluripotent Stem Cells KW - Rats KW - Rats, Nude KW - Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A AB -

Early development of mammalian embryos occurs in an environment of relative hypoxia. Nevertheless, human embryonic stem cells (hESC), which are derived from the inner cell mass of blastocyst, are routinely cultured under the same atmospheric conditions (21% O(2)) as somatic cells. We hypothesized that O(2) levels modulate gene expression and differentiation potential of hESC, and thus, we performed gene profiling of hESC maintained under normoxic or hypoxic (1% or 5% O(2)) conditions. Our analysis revealed that hypoxia downregulates expression of pluripotency markers in hESC but increases significantly the expression of genes associated with angio- and vasculogenesis including vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoitein-like proteins. Consequently, we were able to efficiently differentiate hESC to functional endothelial cells (EC) by varying O(2) levels; after 24 hours at 5% O(2), more than 50% of cells were CD34+. Transplantation of resulting endothelial-like cells improved both systolic function and fractional shortening in a rodent model of myocardial infarction. Moreover, analysis of the infarcted zone revealed that transplanted EC reduced the area of fibrous scar tissue by 50%. Thus, use of hypoxic conditions to specify the endothelial lineage suggests a novel strategy for cellular therapies aimed at repair of damaged vasculature in pathologies such as cerebral ischemia and myocardial infarction.

VL - 28 IS - 3 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20049902?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Mutation spectrum of EYS in Spanish patients with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. JF - Hum Mutat Y1 - 2010 A1 - Barragán, Isabel A1 - Borrego, Salud A1 - Pieras, Juan Ignacio A1 - González-del Pozo, María A1 - Santoyo, Javier A1 - Ayuso, Carmen A1 - Baiget, Montserrat A1 - Millán, José M A1 - Mena, Marcela A1 - Abd El-Aziz, Mai M A1 - Audo, Isabelle A1 - Zeitz, Christina A1 - Littink, Karin W A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Bhattacharya, Shomi S A1 - Antiňolo, Guillermo KW - Amino Acid Sequence KW - Animals KW - Case-Control Studies KW - DNA Mutational Analysis KW - Drosophila Proteins KW - Evolution, Molecular KW - Eye Proteins KW - Female KW - Genes, Recessive KW - Genetic Variation KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Molecular Sequence Data KW - mutation KW - Pedigree KW - Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide KW - Protein Structure, Tertiary KW - Retinitis pigmentosa KW - Spain KW - Structural Homology, Protein AB -

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous group of inherited retinal dystrophies characterised ultimately by the loss of photoreceptor cells. We have recently identified a new gene(EYS) encoding an ortholog of Drosophila space maker (spam) as a commonly mutated gene in autosomal recessive RP. In the present study, we report the identification of 73 sequence variations in EYS, of which 28 are novel. Of these, 42.9% (12/28) are very likely pathogenic, 17.9% (5/28)are possibly pathogenic, whereas 39.3% (11/28) are SNPs. In addition, we have detected 3 pathogenic changes previously reported in other populations. We are also presenting the characterisation of EYS homologues in different species, and a detailed analysis of the EYS domains, with the identification of an interesting novel feature: a putative coiled-coil domain.Majority of the mutations in the arRP patients have been found within the domain structures of EYS. The minimum observed prevalence of distinct EYS mutations in our group of patients is of 15.9% (15/94), confirming a major involvement of EYS in the pathogenesis of arRP in the Spanish population. Along with the detection of three recurrent mutations in Caucasian population, our hypothesis of EYS being the first prevalent gene in arRP has been reinforced in the present study.

VL - 31 IS - 11 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21069908?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Molecular profiling related to poor prognosis in thyroid carcinoma. Combining gene expression data and biological information. JF - Oncogene Y1 - 2008 A1 - Montero-Conde, C A1 - Martín-Campos, J M A1 - Lerma, E A1 - Gimenez, G A1 - Martínez-Guitarte, J L A1 - Combalía, N A1 - Montaner, D A1 - Matías-Guiu, X A1 - Dopazo, J A1 - de Leiva, A A1 - Robledo, M A1 - Mauricio, D KW - Adenoma KW - Adolescent KW - Adult KW - Aged KW - Biomarkers, Tumor KW - Carcinoma KW - Carcinoma, Papillary KW - Cell Differentiation KW - Female KW - Gene Expression Profiling KW - Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Middle Aged KW - Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis KW - Prognosis KW - Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction KW - RNA, Neoplasm KW - Signal Transduction KW - Thyroid Neoplasms AB -

Undifferentiated and poorly differentiated thyroid tumors are responsible for more than half of thyroid cancer patient deaths in spite of their low incidence. Conventional treatments do not obtain substantial benefits, and the lack of alternative approaches limits patient survival. Additionally, the absence of prognostic markers for well-differentiated tumors complicates patient-specific treatments and favors the progression of recurrent forms. In order to recognize the molecular basis involved in tumor dedifferentiation and identify potential markers for thyroid cancer prognosis prediction, we analysed the expression profile of 44 thyroid primary tumors with different degrees of dedifferentiation and aggressiveness using cDNA microarrays. Transcriptome comparison of dedifferentiated and well-differentiated thyroid tumors identified 1031 genes with >2-fold difference in absolute values and false discovery rate of <0.15. According to known molecular interaction and reaction networks, the products of these genes were mainly clustered in the MAPkinase signaling pathway, the TGF-beta signaling pathway, focal adhesion and cell motility, activation of actin polymerization and cell cycle. An exhaustive search in several databases allowed us to identify various members of the matrix metalloproteinase, melanoma antigen A and collagen gene families within the upregulated gene set. We also identified a prognosis classifier comprising just 30 transcripts with an overall accuracy of 95%. These findings may clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in thyroid tumor dedifferentiation and provide a potential prognosis predictor as well as targets for new therapies.

VL - 27 IS - 11 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17873908?dopt=Abstract ER - TY - JOUR T1 - Evidence for systems-level molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis. JF - BMC Genomics Y1 - 2007 A1 - Hernández, Pilar A1 - Huerta-Cepas, Jaime A1 - Montaner, David A1 - Al-Shahrour, Fátima A1 - Valls, Joan A1 - Gómez, Laia A1 - Capellà, Gabriel A1 - Dopazo, Joaquin A1 - Pujana, Miguel Angel KW - Cell Transformation, Neoplastic KW - Gene Expression Profiling KW - Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic KW - Humans KW - Male KW - Models, Biological KW - Models, Genetic KW - Models, Statistical KW - Neoplasm Proteins KW - Neoplasms KW - Prostatic Neoplasms KW - Protein Interaction Mapping KW - RNA, Messenger KW - Signal Transduction KW - Systems biology AB -

BACKGROUND: Cancer arises from the consecutive acquisition of genetic alterations. Increasing evidence suggests that as a consequence of these alterations, molecular interactions are reprogrammed in the context of highly connected and regulated cellular networks. Coordinated reprogramming would allow the cell to acquire the capabilities for malignant growth.

RESULTS: Here, we determine the coordinated function of cancer gene products (i.e., proteins encoded by differentially expressed genes in tumors relative to healthy tissue counterparts, hereafter referred to as "CGPs") defined as their topological properties and organization in the interactome network. We show that CGPs are central to information exchange and propagation and that they are specifically organized to promote tumorigenesis. Centrality is identified by both local (degree) and global (betweenness and closeness) measures, and systematically appears in down-regulated CGPs. Up-regulated CGPs do not consistently exhibit centrality, but both types of cancer products determine the overall integrity of the network structure. In addition to centrality, down-regulated CGPs show topological association that correlates with common biological processes and pathways involved in tumorigenesis.

CONCLUSION: Given the current limited coverage of the human interactome, this study proposes that tumorigenesis takes place in a specific and organized way at the molecular systems-level and suggests a model that comprises the precise down-regulation of groups of topologically-associated proteins involved in particular functions, orchestrated with the up-regulation of specific proteins.

VL - 8 U1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17584915?dopt=Abstract ER -