<p>The array-based form of comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) is a new methodology that has shown to be of significant importance. This thesis focuses on the development of array-CGH with the aim to define candidate regions/genes on chromosome 22 in a wide spectrum of cancer-related conditions. In <b>paper I</b>, we developed and applied the first comprehensive genomic microarray, representing human chromosome 22, for analysis of DNA copy number. Using this array-based approach, we identified gene copy number alterations, including heterozygous/homozygous deletions, amplifications, IGLV/IGLC locus instability and the breakpoints of imbalanced translocation, in several 22q-associated disorders. In <b>paper II</b>, we applied the same array to perform DNA copy number profiling of a series of ovarian carcinoma. cDNA arrays were also used in this study to correlate gene expression levels with DNA-copy number. In the course of this analysis, we determined a small 3.5 Mb candidate 22q telomeric region and suggested a number of specific candidate genes. <b>Paper III</b> described the comprehensive and high-resolution analysis of chromosome 22 in a large set of various stage breast cancers. Multiple distinct patterns of genetic aberrations were observed. The smallest identified candidate locus was 220 kb in size and mapped to a gene-rich region in the vicinity of telomere of 22q. Intriguing result of this study was the detection of high frequency (26.6%) of intra-tumoral clonal variation in gene copy number profiles, which should be viewed as a high number, considering that we study in detail only a single human chromosome. In <b>paper IV</b>, we profiled a series of 28 Wilms tumor samples using 22q-array in order to assess specific regions affected with DNA dosage-alterations. The distribution of aberrations defined a complex amplifier genotype and delimited two tumor suppressor/oncogene candidate loci. These results open up for several avenues for continued research of these tumor forms. These findings also demonstrate the power of array-CGH in the precise determination of minute DNA copy number alterations and strengthen the notion that further studies, preferentially in the context of the entire human genome, are needed.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA/oai:DiVA.org:uu-6272 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Benetkiewicz, Magdalena |
| Publisher | Uppsala University, Department of Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala : Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary, text |
| Relation | Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Medicine, 1651-6206 ; 99 |
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