Coat color and patterning phenotypes have been extensively studied as a model for advancing our understanding of the relationship between genetic and phenotypic variation. In this thesis, genes of relevance for pigment cell biology were investigated. The dissertation is divided in two parts. Forward genetics was used in the first part (Paper I and II) to identify the genes controlling the Silver and Sex-linked barring loci in chicken. In the second part, reverse genetics was employed to create a mouse line in which the PMEL17 protein is inactivated (Paper III). In Paper I, we report five mutations in SLC45A2 causing plumage color variants in both chicken and Japanese quail. Normal function of the SLC45A2 gene has previously been shown to be essential for the synthesis of both red/yellow pigment (pheomelanin) and brown/black pigment (eumelanin) in numerous species, including humans. The major discovery in this paper is the specific inhibition of pheomelanin in Silver chickens, whilst null mutations at this locus cause an almost complete absence of both pheomelanin and eumelanin. In Paper II, we report that Sex-linked barring in chickens is controlled by the CDKN2A/B tumor suppressor locus. The locus encodes two proteins, INK4B and ARF. The genetic analysis indicates that missense mutations in ARF or mutations in the promoter region of the ARF transcript are causing Sex-linked barring. In previous studies, mutations inactivating the CDKN2A/B tumor suppressor locus, have been shown to be responsible for familiar forms of human melanoma. Here we propose that these mutations in chicken CDKN2A/B cause the premature cell death of melanocytes as opposed to the cell proliferation and tumor growth associated with loss-of-function alleles in humans. In Paper III, we created a mouse line in which the PMEL17 protein is inactivated. Missense mutations in the gene encoding PMEL17 have previously been shown to be associated with reduced levels of eumelanin in epidermal tissues in several vertebrate species. The knockout mice are viable, fertile, and display no obvious developmental defects. The eumelanosomes within the melanocytes of these mice are spherical in contrast to the cigar-like shaped eumelanosomes present in wild-type animals. PMEL17 protein inactivation has only a subtle diluting effect on the coat color phenotype in four different genetic backgrounds. This suggests that other previously described alleles in vertebrates with more striking effects on pigmentation are dominant-negative mutations.

A carcinogênese na cavidade bucal é um processo de múltiplas etapas, apresentando alterações progressivas sobre o genoma celular. Portanto, o desenvolvimento do câncer na mucosa bucal muitas vezes é precedido por uma lesão potencialmente maligna. Os principais fatores de risco para o câncer bucal são o consumo de álcool e tabaco. O desafio atual é a busca de biomarcadores que demonstrem essas alterações precocemente, para que possam ser identificados os indivíduos de maior risco para o desenvolvimento do câncer bucal. Uma das primeiras alterações no processo de carcinogênese é o aumento da atividade proliferativa celular, geralmente causado por mutações nos genes que controlam o ciclo celular. O gene CDKN2A, localizado no lócus 9p21, é um gene comumente mutado nos cânceres humanos e codifica a proteína p16, que desempenha um papel crítico na regulação do ciclo celular. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a frequência de perda de heterozigosidade no lócus 9p21 e a atividade proliferativa celular na carcinogênese bucal, assim como avaliar a possibilidade de utilização da citopatologia bucal como ferramenta para coleta e análise de DNA. Para tal finalidade foi realizada a coleta citopatológica de indivíduos que foram divididos nos seguintes grupos: controle (n=24), álcool-fumo (n=26), leucoplasia (n=13) e grupo carcinoma (n=14). A partir do raspado citológico foi confeccionada uma lâmina para impregnação por prata e análise de AgNOR. O restante das células foi utilizado para extração do DNA para amplificação por PCR e sequenciamento. Observamos que os parâmetros de AgNOR e a frequência de mutações no lócus 9p21 foram maiores nos grupos expostos aos carcinógenos e com lesões em relação ao controle, porém sem diferenças estatisticamente significativas. O DNA obtido mostrou-se satisfatório em relação à concentração e à pureza. Os pacientes que apresentavam mutação em 9p21 apresentaram também maior velocidade de proliferação em relação aos pacientes sem mutações, embora essa diferença não tenha sido estatisticamente significativa. Concluímos que a citopatologia é um método útil para avaliação da atividade proliferativa e de mutações genéticas em pacientes com risco para transformação maligna em relação ao câncer bucal. / The carcinogenesis in the oral cavity is a multistep process, with progressive changes on the cellular genome. Therefore, the development of cancer in the oral mucosa is often preceded by a potentially malignant lesion. The main risk factors for oral cancer are alcohol and tobacco intake. The current challenge is the search for biomarkers that demonstrate these early changes, so higher risk individuals to the development of oral cancer can be identified. One of the earliest changes in the carcinogenesis process is the enhancement of cell proliferative activity, usually caused by mutations in cell cycle control genes. The CDKN2A gene, located in the 9p21 locus, is a commonly mutated gene in human cancers and encodes the p16 protein, which plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of loss of heterozygosity in the 9p21 locus and the cell proliferative activity in oral carcinogenesis. Moreover, to assess the possibility of using oral cytology as a tool for collecting and analyzing DNA. For this purpose was held cytopathologic collection of patients who were divided into the following groups: control (n=24), alcohol-smoking (n=26), leukoplakia (n=13) and carcinoma group (n= 4). From the cytology brush was made a slide for silver impregnation and AgNOR analysis. The remaining cells were used for DNA extraction, followed by PCR amplification and sequencing. We observed that the AgNOR parameters and the frequency of 9p21 locus mutations were higher in the groups exposed to carcinogens and injuries in the control, however without statistically significant differences. The DNA obtained was satisfactory in respect of concentration and purity. The patients with mutation in 9p21 also showed increased speed proliferation compared to patients without mutations, although this difference was not statistically significant. We conclude that the cytopathology is a useful method to evaluate the proliferative activity and gene mutations in patients with risk for malignant transformation to oral cancer.

A carcinogênese na cavidade bucal é um processo de múltiplas etapas, apresentando alterações progressivas sobre o genoma celular. Portanto, o desenvolvimento do câncer na mucosa bucal muitas vezes é precedido por uma lesão potencialmente maligna. Os principais fatores de risco para o câncer bucal são o consumo de álcool e tabaco. O desafio atual é a busca de biomarcadores que demonstrem essas alterações precocemente, para que possam ser identificados os indivíduos de maior risco para o desenvolvimento do câncer bucal. Uma das primeiras alterações no processo de carcinogênese é o aumento da atividade proliferativa celular, geralmente causado por mutações nos genes que controlam o ciclo celular. O gene CDKN2A, localizado no lócus 9p21, é um gene comumente mutado nos cânceres humanos e codifica a proteína p16, que desempenha um papel crítico na regulação do ciclo celular. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a frequência de perda de heterozigosidade no lócus 9p21 e a atividade proliferativa celular na carcinogênese bucal, assim como avaliar a possibilidade de utilização da citopatologia bucal como ferramenta para coleta e análise de DNA. Para tal finalidade foi realizada a coleta citopatológica de indivíduos que foram divididos nos seguintes grupos: controle (n=24), álcool-fumo (n=26), leucoplasia (n=13) e grupo carcinoma (n=14). A partir do raspado citológico foi confeccionada uma lâmina para impregnação por prata e análise de AgNOR. O restante das células foi utilizado para extração do DNA para amplificação por PCR e sequenciamento. Observamos que os parâmetros de AgNOR e a frequência de mutações no lócus 9p21 foram maiores nos grupos expostos aos carcinógenos e com lesões em relação ao controle, porém sem diferenças estatisticamente significativas. O DNA obtido mostrou-se satisfatório em relação à concentração e à pureza. Os pacientes que apresentavam mutação em 9p21 apresentaram também maior velocidade de proliferação em relação aos pacientes sem mutações, embora essa diferença não tenha sido estatisticamente significativa. Concluímos que a citopatologia é um método útil para avaliação da atividade proliferativa e de mutações genéticas em pacientes com risco para transformação maligna em relação ao câncer bucal. / The carcinogenesis in the oral cavity is a multistep process, with progressive changes on the cellular genome. Therefore, the development of cancer in the oral mucosa is often preceded by a potentially malignant lesion. The main risk factors for oral cancer are alcohol and tobacco intake. The current challenge is the search for biomarkers that demonstrate these early changes, so higher risk individuals to the development of oral cancer can be identified. One of the earliest changes in the carcinogenesis process is the enhancement of cell proliferative activity, usually caused by mutations in cell cycle control genes. The CDKN2A gene, located in the 9p21 locus, is a commonly mutated gene in human cancers and encodes the p16 protein, which plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of loss of heterozygosity in the 9p21 locus and the cell proliferative activity in oral carcinogenesis. Moreover, to assess the possibility of using oral cytology as a tool for collecting and analyzing DNA. For this purpose was held cytopathologic collection of patients who were divided into the following groups: control (n=24), alcohol-smoking (n=26), leukoplakia (n=13) and carcinoma group (n= 4). From the cytology brush was made a slide for silver impregnation and AgNOR analysis. The remaining cells were used for DNA extraction, followed by PCR amplification and sequencing. We observed that the AgNOR parameters and the frequency of 9p21 locus mutations were higher in the groups exposed to carcinogens and injuries in the control, however without statistically significant differences. The DNA obtained was satisfactory in respect of concentration and purity. The patients with mutation in 9p21 also showed increased speed proliferation compared to patients without mutations, although this difference was not statistically significant. We conclude that the cytopathology is a useful method to evaluate the proliferative activity and gene mutations in patients with risk for malignant transformation to oral cancer.

A carcinogênese na cavidade bucal é um processo de múltiplas etapas, apresentando alterações progressivas sobre o genoma celular. Portanto, o desenvolvimento do câncer na mucosa bucal muitas vezes é precedido por uma lesão potencialmente maligna. Os principais fatores de risco para o câncer bucal são o consumo de álcool e tabaco. O desafio atual é a busca de biomarcadores que demonstrem essas alterações precocemente, para que possam ser identificados os indivíduos de maior risco para o desenvolvimento do câncer bucal. Uma das primeiras alterações no processo de carcinogênese é o aumento da atividade proliferativa celular, geralmente causado por mutações nos genes que controlam o ciclo celular. O gene CDKN2A, localizado no lócus 9p21, é um gene comumente mutado nos cânceres humanos e codifica a proteína p16, que desempenha um papel crítico na regulação do ciclo celular. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a frequência de perda de heterozigosidade no lócus 9p21 e a atividade proliferativa celular na carcinogênese bucal, assim como avaliar a possibilidade de utilização da citopatologia bucal como ferramenta para coleta e análise de DNA. Para tal finalidade foi realizada a coleta citopatológica de indivíduos que foram divididos nos seguintes grupos: controle (n=24), álcool-fumo (n=26), leucoplasia (n=13) e grupo carcinoma (n=14). A partir do raspado citológico foi confeccionada uma lâmina para impregnação por prata e análise de AgNOR. O restante das células foi utilizado para extração do DNA para amplificação por PCR e sequenciamento. Observamos que os parâmetros de AgNOR e a frequência de mutações no lócus 9p21 foram maiores nos grupos expostos aos carcinógenos e com lesões em relação ao controle, porém sem diferenças estatisticamente significativas. O DNA obtido mostrou-se satisfatório em relação à concentração e à pureza. Os pacientes que apresentavam mutação em 9p21 apresentaram também maior velocidade de proliferação em relação aos pacientes sem mutações, embora essa diferença não tenha sido estatisticamente significativa. Concluímos que a citopatologia é um método útil para avaliação da atividade proliferativa e de mutações genéticas em pacientes com risco para transformação maligna em relação ao câncer bucal. / The carcinogenesis in the oral cavity is a multistep process, with progressive changes on the cellular genome. Therefore, the development of cancer in the oral mucosa is often preceded by a potentially malignant lesion. The main risk factors for oral cancer are alcohol and tobacco intake. The current challenge is the search for biomarkers that demonstrate these early changes, so higher risk individuals to the development of oral cancer can be identified. One of the earliest changes in the carcinogenesis process is the enhancement of cell proliferative activity, usually caused by mutations in cell cycle control genes. The CDKN2A gene, located in the 9p21 locus, is a commonly mutated gene in human cancers and encodes the p16 protein, which plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of loss of heterozygosity in the 9p21 locus and the cell proliferative activity in oral carcinogenesis. Moreover, to assess the possibility of using oral cytology as a tool for collecting and analyzing DNA. For this purpose was held cytopathologic collection of patients who were divided into the following groups: control (n=24), alcohol-smoking (n=26), leukoplakia (n=13) and carcinoma group (n= 4). From the cytology brush was made a slide for silver impregnation and AgNOR analysis. The remaining cells were used for DNA extraction, followed by PCR amplification and sequencing. We observed that the AgNOR parameters and the frequency of 9p21 locus mutations were higher in the groups exposed to carcinogens and injuries in the control, however without statistically significant differences. The DNA obtained was satisfactory in respect of concentration and purity. The patients with mutation in 9p21 also showed increased speed proliferation compared to patients without mutations, although this difference was not statistically significant. We conclude that the cytopathology is a useful method to evaluate the proliferative activity and gene mutations in patients with risk for malignant transformation to oral cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy which develops due to old age and lifestyle factors, low percent of patients afflicted by a genetic disorders. Half of all colorectal cancer patients are diagnosed after metastasis. The high rate of the late detection, emphasizes on the requirement of convenient and inexpensive diagnostic methods for comprehensive screening programs. The aim of this study was to discover proto-oncogenes mutation and assessment of tumor suppressor genes expression. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) histologically verified colorectal cancer samples were used. APC, KRAS and BRAF mutations were investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragments and direct sequencing. Gene expression assessment of MLH1, MGMT and CDKN2A were achieved via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In the present study we could detect a novel transversion heterozygous mutation in APC gene codon 1365 in three patients. BRAF codon 600 mutation were detected in one patient. KRAS codon 12 mutation was discovered in one sample and also a novel transition mutation in codon 15 was detected in 6 patients. In 80% of cases, MLH1 and MGMT expression were undetectable, in remaining 20%, MLH1 expression were reduced, but MGMT showed both reduced and increased expression compared to control. In 100% of patients CDKN2A expression was undetectable. The rate of mutations in predetermined hotspot codons and amount of uncommon mutations into APC, BRAF and KRAS in Nepalese patients indicates the requirement of further investigation in CRC patients from that part of the world. Also, the expression rate of MLH1, MGMT, CDKN2A and deficiency of an information source emphasizes the necessity of whole genome CRC expression profiling data to comparison and conclusion. / <p>-</p> / -

Background: Type 2 diabetes is thought to result from interactions between genetic and lifestyle factors, but few robust examples exist. The overarching aim of this thesis was to discover such interactions by studying cohorts of white youth and adults from northern Europe in which physical activity, genotypes, and diabetes-related traits or diabetes incidence had been ascertained.   Methods: The thesis includes four papers. In Paper I, we investigated associations and interactions between 35 common PPARGC1A polymorphisms and cardiovascular and metabolic disease traits in 2,101 Danish and Estonian children from the European Youth Heart Study (EYHS). Paper II used the same cohort to test associations and interactions on cardiometabolic traits for the diabetes-predisposing TCF7L2 polymorphism. In Paper III, we assessed associations for 17 type 2 diabetes gene polymorphisms on impaired glucose regulation (IGR) or incident type 2 diabetes, and tested whether these effects are modified by physical activity in a prospective cohort study of ~16,000 initially non-diabetic Swedish adults – the Malmö Preventive Project (MPP). Paper IV aimed to replicate main genetic effects and gene x physical activity interactions for an FTO polymorphism on obesity in 18,435 primarily non-diabetic Swedish (MPP) and Finnish (Prevalence, Prediction and Prevention of Diabetes in Botnia) adults. Results: In Paper I, nominally significant associations were observed for BMI (rs10018239, P=0.039), waist circumference (rs7656250, P=0.012; rs8192678 [Gly482Ser], P=0.015; rs3755863, P=0.02; rs10018239, P=0.043), systolic blood pressure (rs2970869, P=0.018) and fasting glucose concentrations (rs11724368, P=0.045). Stronger associations were observed for aerobic fitness (rs7656250, P=0.005; rs13117172, P=0.008) and fasting glucose concentrations (rs7657071, P=0.002). None remained significant after correcting for multiple statistical comparisons. We proceeded by testing for gene × physical activity interactions for the polymorphisms that showed statistical evidence of association (P&lt;0.05) in the main effect models, but none was statistically significant. In Paper II, the minor T allele at the rs7903146 variant was associated with higher glucose levels in older (beta=–0.098 mmol/l per minor allele copy, P=0.029) but not in younger children (beta=–0.001 mmol/l per minor allele copy, P=0.972). A significant inverse association between the minor allele at rs7903146 and height was evident in boys (beta=–1.073 cm per minor allele copy, P=0.001), but not in girls. The test of interaction between the TCF7L2 rs7903146 variant and physical activity on HOMA-B was nominally statistically significant (beta=0.022, Pinteraction=0.015), whereby physical activity reduced the effect of the risk allele on estimated beta-cell function. In Paper III, tests of gene x physical activity interactions on IGR-risk for three polymorphisms were nominally statistically significant: CDKN2A/B rs10811661 (Pinteraction=0.015); HNF1B rs4430796 (Pinteraction=0.026); PPARG rs1801282 (Pinteraction=0.04). Consistent interactions were observed for the CDKN2A/B (Pinteraction=0.013) and HNF1B (Pinteraction=0.0009) variants on 2 hr glucose concentrations. Where type 2 diabetes was the outcome, only one statistically significant interaction effect was observed and this was for the HNF1B rs4430796 variant (Pinteraction=0.0004). The interaction effects for HNF1B on 2 hr glucose and incident diabetes remained significant after correction for multiple testing (Pinteraction=0.015 and 0.0068, respectively). In Paper IV, the minor A allele at rs9939609 was associated with higher BMI (P&lt;0.0001). The tests of gene x physical activity interaction on BMI were not statistically significant in either cohort (Sweden: P=0.71, Finland: P=0.18). Conclusions: Variation at PPARGC1A is unlikely to have a major impact on cardiometabolic health in European children, but physical activity may modify the effect of the TFC7L2 variants on beta-cell function in this cohort. In Swedish adults, physical activity modifies the effects of common HNF1B and CDKN2A/B variants on risk of IGR and also modifies the effect of the HNF1B on type 2 diabetes risk. In Swedish and Finnish adults, we were unable to confirm previous reports of an interaction between FTO gene variation and physical activity on obesity predisposition.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2010. / Härtill 4 uppsatser. Även tryckt utgåva.

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2016-05-17T21:35:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Mario Cezar Saffi Junior.pdf: 600477 bytes, checksum: 389162272a6d7d9eb1d1a097d21a6d9a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-17T21:35:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mario Cezar Saffi Junior.pdf: 600477 bytes, checksum: 389162272a6d7d9eb1d1a097d21a6d9a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-01-22 / The cervical cancer is the first cancer of the female genital tract in Brazil and HPV is essential factor for carcinogenesis. The Brazilian program tracking proposes conventional cervical cytology as the primary method to detect cervical cancer, despite its low sensitivity. Risk factors associated with the spread of HPV are despised and not rely on a biomolecular tool that can increase the program offered by the Ministry of Health. The aim of this study was to determine whether the risk factors for cervical cancer may contribute to the conventional cervical cytology to increase diagnostic sensitivity and assess whether the mRNA indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) and mRNA CDKN2A / p16 may increase the diagnostic yield of this neoplasm. The logistic regression analysis was based on clinical variables (risk factors), cytological and biomolecular to seek an association with pathological results. The proportion of explained variance (PVE) for each variable studied was calculated by the formula omega, whereas the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated by the formulas of Galen and Gambino. We conclude that oral contraceptive showed greater predictive power of high-grade lesions compared to other risk factors, and that both the IDO mRNA as CDKN2A mRNA / p16 may help screening of cervical cancer, either when used alone, or in conjunction with conventional cervical cytology, increasing their sensitivity and maintaining a considerable specificity. / O câncer de colo uterino apresenta-se como a principal neoplasia do trato genital feminino no Brasil, sendo o HPV fator essencial para a carcinogênese. O programa brasileiro de rastreamento propõe a citologia oncológica cervical convencional como principal método para detectar o câncer do colo uterino, apesar da sua baixa sensibilidade. Os fatores de risco associados ao contágio do HPV são desprezados e não contamos com uma ferramenta biomolecular que possa incrementar o programa oferecido pelo Ministério da Saúde. O objetivo desse trabalho foi verificar se os fatores de risco para o câncer de colo uterino podem contribuir com a citologia oncológica cervical convencional para aumentar a sensibilidade diagnóstica e avaliar se o RNAm Indoleamine 2,3 dioxigenase (IDO) e o RNAm CDKN2A/p16 podem incrementar a capacidade diagnóstica dessa neoplasia. A análise de regressão logística foi baseada nas variáveis clínicas (fatores de risco), citológicas e biomoleculares a fim de buscar uma associação com o resultado anatomopatológico. A proporção de variação explicada (PVE) por cada uma das variáveis estudada foi calculada pela fórmula ômega, enquanto que a sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e o valor preditivo negativo foram calculados pelas fórmulas de Galen e Gambino. Concluímos que o uso do contraceptivo oral mostrou um maior poder de predição de lesões de alto grau em relação aos demais fatores de risco, e que tanto a RNAm IDO quanto o RNAm CDKN2A/p16 poderem auxiliar no rastreamento do câncer de colo uterino, seja quando usados de forma isolada, seja conjuntamente com a citologia cervical convencional, elevando sua sensibilidade e mantendo uma considerável especificidade.