Project description:To test gene expression changes of human cancer cells and mouse surrounding tissue cells during tumor progression, 4 different types of cancer cells (MDA-MB231Br3, PC14Br4, KM12M, A375SM) were injected into mouse brain, skin and orthotopic sites. RNAs containing human cancer cells and mouse surrounding tissue cells were extracted and hybridized into human and mouse arrays at the same times and it revealed the brain microenvironment induced complete reprogramming of metasized cancer cells, resulting in a gain of neuronal cell characteristic , mimicking neurogenesis during development. Human in vivo: 4 KB, 4 KS, 3 KC, 5 MB, 5 MF, 4 MS, 3 PB, 3 PL, 4 PS, 5 AB, 5 AS , 1 BR_N_PC Mouse in vivo: 4 KB, 4 KS, 3 KC, 5 MB, 5 MF, 4 MS, 3 PB, 3 PL, 4 PS, 5 AB, 5 AS , 3 BR, 3 PC_BRM, 1 BR_PCM
Project description:Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is an AIDS-defining cancer caused by the KS-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Unanswered questions regarding KS are its cellular ontology and the conditions conducive to viral oncogenesis. We identify PDGFRA(+)/SCA-1(+) bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Pα(+)S MSCs) as KS spindle-cell progenitors and found that pro-angiogenic environmental conditions typical of KS are critical for KSHV sarcomagenesis. This is because growth in KS-like conditions generates a de-repressed KSHV epigenome allowing oncogenic KSHV gene expression in infected Pα(+)S MSCs. Furthermore, these growth conditions allow KSHV-infected Pα(+)S MSCs to overcome KSHV-driven oncogene-induced senescence and cell cycle arrest via a PDGFRA-signaling mechanism; thus identifying PDGFRA not only as a phenotypic determinant for KS-progenitors but also as a critical enabler for viral oncogenesis.
Project description:Here we map the localization of H3K27me3 in Drosophila Kc cells, as well as in Drosophila Kc cells wherein dCTCF is knock down. examination of genomic occupancy for H3K27me3, control samples used for Drosophila Kc were previously described (Wood, Van Bortle et al., 2011 GSE30740)
Project description:Comparison of transcriptional profiles after exposure of HaCaT cells to WC or WC-Co nanoparticles and respective amount of free cobalt in form of CoCl2 after 3 hours and 3 days of exposure. Genes responding especially to nanoparticles or leached cobalt ions should be determined.
Project description:Kabuki syndrome (KS) is a rare multiple congenital anomalies/mental retardation (MCA/MR) syndrome described in 19811,2. In 2010, exome sequencing identified MLL2 mutations in patients with KS3. Since then, 5 studies identified a mutation in MLL2 in 56-75,6% of KS patients3-7. Here, we describe 2 KS and 1 KS-like patient with a de novo partial or complete deletion of UTX, a histone demethylase interacting with MLL2 in gene regulation. UTX locates on the X chromosome and we showed that the X chromosome with the deleted copy of UTX is preferentially inactivated despite the fact that UTX escapes X-inactivation. This study unveiled deletion of UTX as a second cause of KS and highlights the growing role of histone methylase/demethylase in MCA/MR syndrome.