The cytoplasmic polyadenylation element (CPE)-binding protein (CPEB) binds to CPE containing mRNAs on their 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs). This RNA binding protein comes out many important tasks, especially in learning and memory, by modifying the translational efficiency of target mRNAs via poly (A) tailing. Overexpressed CPEB has been reported to induce the formation of stress granules (SGs), a sort of RNA granule in mammalian cell lines. RNA granule is considered to be a potentially important factor in learning and memory. However, there is no study about RNA granule in Aplysia. To examine whether an Aplysia CPEB, ApCPEB1, forms RNA granules, we overexpressed ApCPEB1-EGFP in Aplysia sensory neurons. Consistent with the localization of mammalian CPEB, overexpressed ApCPEB1 formed granular structures, and was colocalized with RNAs and another RNA binding protein, ApCPEB, showing that ApCPEB1 positive granules are RNA-protein complexes. In addition, ApCPEB1 has a high turnover rate in RNA granules which were mobile structures. Thus, our results indicate that overexpressed ApCPEB1 is incorporated into RNA granule which is a dynamic structure in Aplysia sensory neuron. We propose that ApCPEB1 granule might modulate translation, as other RNA granules do, and furthermore, influence memory.
Animals ; Aplysia/genetics/*metabolism ; Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching ; RNA/genetics/metabolism ; Sensory Receptor Cells/*metabolism ; mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors/genetics/metabolism/*physiology

Adult ; Benzamides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Male ; Mutation ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha ; genetics ; mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors

OBJECTIVETo analyze the cleavage activity of two deoxyribozymes targeting at hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in vitro and evaluate their prospects of antiviral therapy.

METHODSTwo specific sequences containing 5' ...A / U... 3' in HCV 5'-noncoding region and 5'-fragment of C region (5'-NCR-C) were selected as the target sites, and with the active region of 5'GGCTAGCTACAACGA3', two phosphorothioate deoxyribozymes (TDRz) named as TDRz-127 and TDRz1 were synthesized. HCV RNA 5'-NCR-C was transcribed in vitro from plasmid pHCV-neo which was completely linearized with restriction endonuclease Nar I, and its 5'-end phosphoric acid was deleted by calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (CIP), then radiolabelled with T4 polynucleotide kinase and gamma-32P-ATP. Under the conditions such as pH 7.5 and a 10 mmol/L Mg2+ concentration, TDRz-127 and TDRz1 were separately (a 5 micromol/L final concentration) or combinedly (each 2.5 micromol/L) mixed with the substrate RNA (200 nmol/L). After denaturation and then renaturation, the reaction systems were incubated in 37 degrees C, and aliquots were removed to terminate the reaction at intended time points. The cleavage products were separated with 8% denaturated polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and displayed by autoradiography. Finally, the optical density of each product band was measured with Gel Documentation-Analyzing Systems for calculating the percentages of cleaved HCV 5'-NCR-C.

RESULTSAfter reaction for 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 min under the adopted conditions, about 8.3%, 16.1%, 24.3%, 26.2%, 29.4% and 31.1% of HCV 5'-NCR-C was cleaved by TDRz-127 respectively; 7.4%, 13.0%, 15.6%, 18.7%, 19.4% and 20.3% by TDRz1; and 15.1%, 29.6%, 37.8%, 39.1%, 41.5%, 42.6% by combining the two TDRzs.

CONCLUSIONSCleavage percentage of both TDRz-127 and TDRz1 increases with the time, and the effect of combining the two TDRzs is better than that of anyone.

5' Untranslated Regions ; metabolism ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Catalytic ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hepacivirus ; enzymology ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional ; RNA, Catalytic ; metabolism ; RNA, Viral ; metabolism ; mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and laboratory features of chronic eosinophilic leukemias (CEL) and hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES).

METHODSThe clinical manifestations, laboratory parameters were retrospectively analyzed in 20 patients with HES/CEL. Detection of the FIP1L1-PDGFRA fusion gene was performed by nested RT-PCR. JAK2 V617F mutation screening was processed through allele-specific PCR combined with sequence analysis. PCR-RFLP was used to discriminate homozygous from heterozygous mutation patterns. TCR gamma rearrangement was detected by PCR.

RESULTSOf the 20 patients, 19 were males and one female, with a median age of 33 (20 to 57) years. The FIP1L1-PDGFRA fusion gene positivity in bone marrow mononuclear cells in 12 cases was identified. All the breakpoints were identified by direct sequencing of cloned RT-PCR products in FIP1L1 intron 10 - 12 and in PDGFRA exon 12. In CEL the most common involved organs were lungs, heart and nervous system. Splenomegaly was significantly more frequent in CEL than in HES (92.5% vs 42.5%, P = 0.031). Anemia and myelofibrosis were common in CEL. There was no significant difference in circulating absolute eosinophil, leukocyte, platelet counts, hemoglobin level and percentages of eosinophil and blast cell in bone marrow between CEL and HES. The morphological abnormalities of eosinophils on bone marrow smear were easily found in CEL, including hypogranularity, and cytoplasmic vacuolization, increased basophilic granule. One patient with HES was found to have heterozygous JAK2 V617F mutation. Six patients had TCR gamma rearrangement, including 4 CEL and 2 HES.

CONCLUSIONS(1) There is a male predominance in HES/CEL, and the median age was in the thirties. (2) The most common involved organs in CEL were lung, heart and nervous system. Bone marrow morphology might be of a little help in diagnosis of CEL. (3) JAK2 V617F may be involved in the pathogenesis of HES. (4) Patients with CEL carried the FIP1L1-PDGFRA fusion gene and TCR gamma rearrangement concurrently, their relationship warrants further study.

Adult ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement ; Genes, T-Cell Receptor gamma ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Janus Kinase 2 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha ; genetics ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult ; mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors ; genetics

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilia may be associated with various primary and reactive conditions. The incidence and the causes of eosinophilia might have been changed according to the changes in the incidence of diseases such as cancer, chronic degenerative diseases, etc. We have conducted a retrospective study to investigate the incidence and causes of eosinophilia. METHODS: Eosinophilia and hypereosinophilia were defined when absolute eosinophil count was greater than 500/microL and 1,500/microL, respectively. Patient's clinical records were reviewed to find out the underlying clinical conditions responsible for causes of hypereosinophilia. Conventional chromosomal analysis, reverse transcriptase PCR and FISH for gene rearrangement were performed to check the presence of clonal eosinophilia. RESULTS: Out of 41,137 patients who had a hematology profile performed, 5,019 (12.2%) and 373 patients (0.9%) were found to have eosinophilia and hypereosinophilia, respectively. Among patients with hypereosinophilia, 227 patients (60.9%) had identifiable and/or possible causes. The major causes of hypereosinophilia were malignancy (35.2%), allergy and skin diseases (18.1%), infectious diseases (15.4%), hepatobiliary diseases (7.5%), bone marrow clonal diseases (6.6%) and parasite infections (6.6%). We also found a rare case of FIP1L1-PDGFRalpha positive chronic eosinophilic leukemia combined with light chain multiple myeloma. CONCLUSIONS: We found a difference in the distribution of causes of hypereosinophilia in comparison with previous Korean studies, and the most common cause of hypereosinophilia in the current study was malignancy. A rare case of clonal eosinophilia (chronic eosinophilic leukemia) associated with multiple myeloma was confirmed using molecular studies.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Marrow/pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Eosinophilia/epidemiology/*etiology/genetics ; Female ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome/epidemiology/*etiology/genetics ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/genetics/metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Factors ; Young Adult ; mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors/genetics/metabolism

The aim of study is to explore the characteristics of cytogenetics and molecular biology in patients with eosinophilia. Bone marrow samples from 79 cases of eosinophilia (AEoC ≥ 1.5×10(9)/L) were detected for PDGFRA/B and FGFR1 gene rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Forty-four samples were detected for T cell receptor (TCR) clonal rearrangement by PCR. The results showed that among 76 cases the FIP1L1/PDGFRA (F/P) fusion gene was detected in 19 cases, the CHIC2 deletion was detected in 19 cases, the PDGFRA rearrangement was detected in 4 cases, and no FIP1L1 rearrangement was detected. According to the 2008 WHO classification, diagnosis were revised as myeloid neoplasms with PDGFRA/B rearrangement in 20 (42%) of 48 patients and 5 (83%) of 6 patients with hypereosinophilia syndrome (HES) or chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL), respectively. The diagnosis in (17%) of 6 patients with CEL was revised as chronic eosinophilic leukemia, not otherwise as specified (CEL-NOS). Clonal cytogenetic abnormalities were detected in 1 case of CEL-NOS and 3 cases with PDGFRB rearrangement. Karyotypic abnormalities involved in chromosome 4q12 were not detected in all of the 21 cases with PDGFRA rearrangement. The clonal TCR gene rearrangement were detected in 33% (5/15), 40% (6/15), and 36% (5/14) cases with PDGFRA/B rearrangement, HES, or secondary eosinophilia, respectively. There was no statistical difference in incidence rate among 3 subgroups. It is concluded that PDGFRA/B rearrangement can be detected in many cases of HES or CEL. Interphase FISH and PCR testing can enhance the diagnostic rate of myeloid neoplasms with PDGFRA/B rearrangement.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement ; Humans ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; genetics ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 ; genetics ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha ; genetics ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Young Adult ; mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors ; genetics

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of imatinib mesylate (imatinib) for myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients with eosinophilia.

METHODSEight MPN patients with eosinophilia and positive FIP1L1-PDGFR alpha gene and one CEL, NOS were treated with 100 mg or 400 mg/d imatinib orally.

RESULTSHematological remission (HR) rate was 100%, including complete HR (CHR) rate 87.5%, and partial remission (PR) rate 12.5% with a median follow-up of 16 (6.0 -26.0 ) months. Complete molecular remission (cMR) rate was 85.7%. The median time of FIP1L1-PDGFR alpha fusion gene becoming negative was 4 (1.5 - 8) months. Three patients withdrew imatinib after getting cMR. After a median follow-up of 12 months, all the 3 patients remained in CHR. The main adverse effect of imatinib was mild myelosuppression occurring in 37.5% of patients in a median time of 6 (4 - 9) days after treatment.

CONCLUSIONImatinib in treatment of MPN with eosinophilia and positive FIP1L1-PDGFR alpha gene patients can induce high hematologic and molecular remission. The adverse effects of imatinib are mild and tolerable.

Adult ; Aged ; Benzamides ; Eosinophilia ; complications ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; complications ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha ; genetics ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult ; mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors ; genetics

BACKGROUNDThe FIP1L1-PDGFRalpha fusion gene plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic eosinophilic leukemia (CEL) and is a direct therapeutic target of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate.

METHODSIn 24 hypereosinophilic syndromes (HES) patients, using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), nested PCR and sequence analysis, we investigated the frequency of FIP1L1-PDGFRalpha and other abnormalities of tyrosine kinase family genes like PDGFRalpha, PDGFRbeta, C-KIT, FGFR1, ABL and FLT3 as well as gene mutation "hotspots", like MPL515 and JAK2V617F, frequently involved in myeloproliferative diseases. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to confirm the 4q12 deletion.

RESULTSThe FIP1L1-PDGFRalpha fusion transcript was found in 8 (33%) of 24 patients with HES, corresponding to the chromosome 4q12 deletion identified by FISH. The FIP1L1-PDGFRalpha-associated patients diagnosed with CEL, frequently had hepatosplenomegaly, eosinophil-related tissue damage, anemia, thrombocytopenia, myelofibrosis and a short overall survival time. Nevertheless, imatinib mesylate induced rapid and complete hematological responses in treated FIP1L1-PDGFRalpha cases, followed by molecular remission and reversal of myelofibrosis. FIP1L1-PDGFRalpha fusion could co-exist with other mutations of tyrosine kinase family genes, like FLT3 or PDGFRbeta. We also demonstrated that the SNPs of PDGFRbeta were associated with selective splicing of exon 19 in case 20.

CONCLUSIONSCorrelating the CEL genotype with phenotype, FIP1L1-PDGFRalpha emerges as a relatively homogeneous clinicobiological entity that co-exists with other abnormalities of tyrosine kinase family genes. It reflects the disease progression and there is a good response to imatinib. Detection of the FIP1L1-PDGFRalpha fusion gene is valid for both CEL diagnosis and therapy surveillance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Benzamides ; Chronic Disease ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Imatinib Mesylate ; In Situ Hybridization ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Oncogene Proteins v-abl ; genetics ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Phenotype ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 ; genetics ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 ; genetics ; mRNA Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factors ; genetics

Influenza A/H1N1 virus-encoded nonstructural, or NS1, protein inhibits the 3'-end processing of cellular pre-mRNAs by binding the cellular protein: the 30-kDa subunit of CPSF (cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor, CPSF30). CPSF30 binding site of the NS1 protein is a potential target for the development of drugs against influenza A/H1N1 virus. A yeast two-hybrid screening system was constructed and used for screening Chinese medicines that inhibit the interaction of the A/H1N1 flu NS1 protein and human CPSF30 protein. The NS1 gene of A/H1N1 virus was amplified by consecutive polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the human CPSF30 gene of HeLa cell cloned by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Then the two gene fragments confirmed by sequencing were subcloned into the yeast expression vectors pGBKT7 and pGADT7, respectively. The two constructs, bait vector pGBKNS1 and prey vector pGADCPSF, were co-transformed into yeast AH109. The eight individual yeast colonies were picked and subjected to verification by PCR/gel electrophoresis. The inhibition of the NS1-CPSF30 interaction was allowed the identification of selective inhibitors. The four of more than thirty identified Chinese medicines, including 'Shuanghuanglian oral liquid', showed the strong inhibition of the NS1-CPSF30 interaction.
Base Sequence ; Binding Sites ; Cleavage And Polyadenylation Specificity Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Amplification ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; genetics ; Peptide Fragments ; genetics ; Plasmids ; Protein Binding ; drug effects ; Transformation, Genetic ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism