Urinary miRNA profiles in chronic kidney injury - Benefits of extracellular vesicle enrichment and miRNAs as potential biomarkers for renal fibrosis, glomerular injury and endothelial dysfunction

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are regulators of gene expression and play an important role in physiological homeostasis and disease. In biofluids miRNAs can be found in protein complexes or in extracellular vesicles (EVs). Altered urinary miRNAs are reported as potential biomarkers for chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this context we compared established urinary protein biomarkers for kidney injury with urinary miRNA profiles in obese ZSF1 and hypertensive renin transgenic rats. Additionally, the benefit of urinary EV enrichment was investigated in vivo and the potential association of urinary miRNAs with renal fibrosis in vitro. Kidney damage in both rat models was confirmed by histopathology, proteinuria, and increased levels of urinary protein biomarkers. In total 290 miRNAs were elevated in obese ZSF1 rats compared to lean controls, while 38 miRNAs were altered in obese ZSF1 rats during 14 to 26 weeks of age. These 38 miRNAs correlated better with disease progression than established urinary protein biomarkers. MiRNAs increased in obese ZSF1 rats were associated with renal inflammation, fibrosis, and glomerular injury. Eight miRNAs were also changed in urinary EVs of renin transgenic rats, including one which might play a role in endothelial dysfunction. EV enrichment increased the number and detection level of several miRNAs implicated in renal fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. Our results show the benefit of EV enrichment for miRNA detection and the potential of total urine and urinary EV-associated miRNAs as biomarkers of altered kidney physiology, renal fibrosis and glomerular injury, and disease progression in hypertension and obesity induced CKD.

Cardiovascular protection by combination of the selective nonsteroidal MR antagonist finerenone and the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin in a preclinical model of hypertension-induced end-organ damage

Background

The nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist finerenone and SGLT2 inhibitors have demonstrated clinical benefits in HFrEF and CKD patients with T2D. Cardiovascular protection with finerenone and the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin in combination in hypertensive cardiorenal disease is unknown.

Purpose

To test the hypothesis that the combination of finerenone with empagliflozin provides cardiovascular protection in preclinical hypertension-induced end-organ damage.

Methods

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality was studied in hypertensive L-NAME (20 mg/L) treated renin-transgenic (mRen2)27 rats. Rats (10–11 weeks old female, n=13–17/group) were treated once daily orally for up to 7 weeks with placebo, finerenone (1 and 3 mg/kg), empagliflozin (3 and 10 mg/kg), or a combination of the respective low doses. Blood pressure (week 1, 3 and 5), urinary (week 2 and 6) and plasma parameters (week 6 and at the end of the study) were determined during the course of the study, while cardiac histology and left ventricular gene expression analysis were performed after study end.

Results

Empagliflozin induced a strong and dose-dependent increase in urinary glucose excretion which was not influenced by finerenone co-administration in the combination arm. Treatment with 3 mg/kg finerenone and the low dose combination significantly decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) after 3 and 5 weeks as well as plasma uric acid after 6 weeks. SBP was significantly more reduced in the combination arm vs. the individual monotherapies after 3 weeks. Plasma NT-proBNP was reduced by empagliflozin, finerenone and the combination with similar efficacy. There was a dose-dependent protection from cardiac vasculopathy, cardiac and vascular fibrosis with both agents while low dose combination therapy was more efficient than the respective monotherapy dosages on these cardiac histology parameters. Placebo-treated rats demonstrated a ca. 50% survival rate over the course of 7 weeks while low dose combination provided the most prominent survival benefit (93%).

Conclusion

Non-steroidal MR antagonism by finerenone and SGLT2 inhibition by empagliflozin confer cardiovascular protection in preclinical hypertensive-induced cardiorenal disease. Combination of these two modes of action at low dosages revealed efficacious reduction in blood pressure, cardiac lesions and mortality indicating a strong potential for combined clinical use in cardiorenal patient populations.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): BAYER AG

MiR-205-driven downregulation of cholesterol biosynthesis through SQLE-inhibition identifies therapeutic vulnerability in aggressive prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) shows strong dependence on the androgen receptor (AR) pathway. Here, we show that squalene epoxidase (SQLE), an enzyme of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, is overexpressed in advanced PCa and its expression correlates with poor survival. SQLE expression is controlled by micro-RNA 205 (miR-205), which is significantly downregulated in advanced PCa. Restoration of miR-205 expression or competitive inhibition of SQLE led to inhibition of de novo cholesterol biosynthesis. Furthermore, SQLE was essential for proliferation of AR-positive PCa cell lines, including abiraterone or enzalutamide resistant derivatives, and blocked transactivation of the AR pathway. Inhibition of SQLE with the FDA approved antifungal drug terbinafine also efficiently blocked orthotopic tumour growth in mice. Finally, terbinafine reduced levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in three out of four late-stage PCa patients. These results highlight SQLE as a therapeutic target for the treatment of advanced PCa.

Mechanism and dynamics of fatty acid photodecarboxylase

Fatty acid photodecarboxylase (FAP) is a photoenzyme with potential green chemistry applications. By combining static, time-resolved, and cryotrapping spectroscopy and crystallography as well as computation, we characterized Chlorella variabilis FAP reaction intermediates on time scales from subpicoseconds to milliseconds. High-resolution crystal structures from synchrotron and free electron laser x-ray sources highlighted an unusual bent shape of the oxidized flavin chromophore. We demonstrate that decarboxylation occurs directly upon reduction of the excited flavin by the fatty acid substrate. Along with flavin reoxidation by the alkyl radical intermediate, a major fraction of the cleaved carbon dioxide unexpectedly transformed in 100 nanoseconds, most likely into bicarbonate. This reaction is orders of magnitude faster than in solution. Two strictly conserved residues, R451 and C432, are essential for substrate stabilization and functional charge transfer.

New methodologies in ageing research

Ageing is arguably the most complex phenotype that occurs in humans. To understand and treat ageing as well as associated diseases, highly specialised technologies are emerging that reveal critical insight into the underlying mechanisms and provide new hope for previously untreated diseases. Herein, we describe the latest developments in cutting edge technologies applied across the field of ageing research. We cover emerging model organisms, high-throughput methodologies and machine-driven approaches. In all, this review will give you a glimpse of what will be pushing the field onwards and upwards.

Zur Problematik der Interpretation von Studien über Arzneimittelnebenwirkungen

Nach, einer allgemeinen Diskussion der biometrischen Aspekte bei prospektiven und retrospektiven Arzneimittelprüfungen wird an konstruierten Beispielen gezeigt, daß nur. biometrisch geplante und prospektiv angelegte, kontrollierte Studien eindeutig interpretierbare Informationen zum Problem der Verursachung von Nebenwirkungen durch. Pharmaka liefern können. Die verallgemeinernde Interpretation von Ergebnissen aus nichtkontrollierten Untersuchungen, insbesondere retrospektiv angelegten Vergleichsstudien, ist fehlbar und daher im streng naturwissenschaftlichen Sinne abzulehnen.

Management of horses with focus on blanketing and clipping practices reported by members of the Swedish and Norwegian equestrian community

Limited information is available on the extent to which blankets are used on horses and the owners' reasoning behind clipping the horse's coat. Research on the effects of those practices on horse welfare is scarce but results indicate that blanketing and clipping may not be necessary from the horse's perspective and can interfere with the horse's thermoregulatory capacities. Therefore, this survey collected robust, quantitative data on the housing routines and management of horses with focus on blanketing and clipping practices as reported by members of the Swedish and Norwegian equestrian community. Horse owners were approached via an online survey, which was distributed to equestrian organizations and social media. Data from 4,122 Swedish and 2,075 Norwegian respondents were collected, of which 91 and 84% of respondents, respectively, reported using blankets on horses during turnout. Almost all respondents owning warmblood riding horses used blankets outdoors (97% in Sweden and 96% in Norway) whereas owners with Icelandic horses and coldblood riding horses used blankets significantly less ( < 0.05). Blankets were mainly used during rainy, cold, or windy weather conditions and in ambient temperatures of 10°C and below. The horse's coat was clipped by 67% of respondents in Sweden and 35% of Norwegian respondents whereby owners with warmblood horses and horses primarily used for dressage and competition reported clipping the coat most frequently. In contrast to scientific results indicating that recovery time after exercise increases with blankets and that clipped horses have a greater heat loss capacity, only around 50% of respondents agreed to these statements. This indicates that evidence-based information on all aspects of blanketing and clipping has not yet been widely distributed in practice. More research is encouraged, specifically looking at the effect of blankets on sweaty horses being turned out after intense physical exercise and the effect of blankets on social interactions such as mutual grooming. Future efforts should be tailored to disseminate knowledge more efficiently, which can ultimately stimulate thoughtful decision-making by horse owners concerning the use of blankets and clipping the horse's coat.

Frequency of regulatory T cells determines the outcome of the T-cell-engaging antibody blinatumomab in patients with B-precursor ALL

Blinatumomab can induce a complete haematological remission in patients in 46.6% with relapsed/refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (r/r ALL) resulting in a survival benefit when compared with chemotherapy. Only bone marrow blast counts before therapy have shown a weak prediction of response. Here we investigated the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs), measured by CD4/CD25/FOXP3 expression, in predicting the outcome of immunotherapy with the CD19-directed bispecific T-cell engager construct blinatumomab. Blinatumomab responders (n=22) had an average of 4.82% Tregs (confidence interval (CI): 1.79-8.34%) in the peripheral blood, whereas non-responders (n=20) demonstrated 10.25% Tregs (CI: 3.36-65.9%). All other tested markers showed either no prediction value or an inferior prediction level including blast BM counts and the classical enzyme marker lactate dehydrogenase. With a cutoff of 8.525%, Treg enumeration can identify 100% of all blinatumomab responders and exclude 70% of the non-responders. The effect is facilitated by blinatumomab-activated Tregs, leading to interleukin-10 production, resulting in suppression of T-cell proliferation and reduced CD8-mediated lysis of ALL cells. Proliferation of patients' T cells can be restored by upfront removal of Tregs. Thus, enumeration of Treg identifies r/r ALL patients with a high response rate to blinatumomab. Therapeutic removal of Tregs may convert blinatumomab non-responders to responders.

A Nordic survey of management practices and owners' attitudes towards keeping horses in groups

Keeping horses in groups is widely recommended but limited information is available about how this is implemented in practice. The aim of this survey was to describe how horses are kept in the Nordic countries in relation to sex, age, breed, and equestrian discipline and to assess owners' attitudes toward keeping horses in groups. Horse owners in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden were approached using a web-based questionnaire, which was translated into 4 languages and distributed online via equestrian forums, organizations, and social media. The number of respondents was 3,229, taking care of 17,248 horses. Only 8% of horses were never kept in groups, 47% were permanently grouped for 24 h/d, and 45% were stabled singly but grouped during turnout. Yearlings were most often permanently kept in groups (75%), mares and geldings more commonly during parts of the day (50 and 51%, respectively), and stallions were often kept alone (38%). Icelandic horses were more likely to be permanently kept in groups (36%) than warmbloods (16%) and ponies (15%). Twice as many competition horses (51%) were never grouped compared with horses used for breeding (20%) or leisure purposes (15%). The majority of respondents (86%) strongly agreed that group housing benefits horse welfare and that it is important for horses to have the company of conspecifics (92%). Nevertheless, not all horses were kept in groups, showing that attitudes toward group housing may not necessarily reflect current management. The risk of injury was a concern of many respondents (45%), as was introducing unfamiliar horses into already established groups (40%) and challenges in relation to feeding in groups (44%). Safety of people (23%) and difficulties handling group-kept horses (19%) were regarded as less problematic. Results suggest that the majority of horses have the possibility to freely interact with other horses, either as fulltime members of a group during 24 h/d or during turnout. Future research should address the extent to which being a part-time member of a group affects horse welfare. For permanent group housing to become more widespread, such as it is the case for most farm animals, future research could focus on solving some of the reoccurring problems perceived with keeping horses in groups. The dissemination of evidence-based information on all aspects around keeping horses in groups can ultimately stimulate further positive changes in the management of group-kept horses.

Daytime shelter use of individually kept horses during Swedish summer

In Sweden, no provision for summer shelter to protect horses from heat and insects is required, although access to shelter for horses kept outdoors 24 h during winter is a requirement. This study investigated horses' daytime shelter-seeking behavior in relation to weather conditions and insect activity during a 2-wk period in summer. Eight Warmblood riding horses had access to 2 shelters of different design to test which shelter design is preferred by horses. Furthermore, rectal and skin temperatures and insect-defensive behavior were measured to test whether horses would benefit from the provision of shade. The horses were kept alone in paddocks for 4 d. During 2 d, horses had access to 2 shelters: 1) open shelter with roof and uncovered sides and 2) closed shelter with roof, wind nets on 2 sides, and opaque plastic opposite the entrance. Weather conditions (ambient temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, wind speed) were recorded every 10 min. The number of insects (flies, mosquitos) was counted from insect traps placed in each shelter and outside. Behavior (shelter use, insect-defensive behavior, locomotion, grazing) was recorded at 5-min intervals between 0900 to 1200 h and 1300 to 1600 h and rectal and skin temperatures were measured at 0800 h, 1200 h, and 1600 h. Data were analyzed with PROC MIXED and GLIMMIX procedure for Generalized Linear Mixed Models. Ambient temperature ranged from 16 to 25°C (average temperature humidity index 65.7 ± 1.4). Five horses preferred the closed shelter and were observed inside up to 2.5 h continuously. Greater wind speed decreased the likelihood of observing horses inside the shelter ( < 0.001), as did lower numbers of flies ( < 0.001). The insect-defensive behaviors, skin shiver and ear flick, were performed less frequently when horses were using the closed shelter ( < 0.001), indicating that they were less disturbed by insects. Thirty-minute shelter use had no effect on rectal and skin temperatures ( > 0.05). Results showed that horses made use of shelters during the summer even when weather conditions were moderate. A shelter with roof and covers on 3 sides was preferred over a shelter with roof only and can reduce insect-defensive behavior.

Training young horses to social separation: effect of a companion horse on training efficiency

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY

The intensity with which a horse responds to separation from its group and subsequently to being alone is relevant for both horse and handler safety. Identification of training methods that may reduce responses to separation would be useful in practice.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether the initial presence of a familiar companion horse modifies responses to separation from the group, lowers stress levels (as measured by heart rate) and increases training efficiency.

HYPOTHESIS

Habituation to separation proceeds more quickly if the horse is first trained with a companion, and heart rate is lower when the horse is subsequently trained alone, compared to control horses trained individually from the start.

METHODS

Young mares (n = 32), kept in groups of 4 were exposed to social separation: 2 horses of the group were trained singly (S1, n = 16) and the remaining 2 horses (n = 16) were trained first with a companion (P2) and then alone (P1). The training comprised 3 steps whereby distance from the group was gradually increased. The final learning criterion was met when a horse fed calmly alone inside a test arena (Step 3). Horses that were trained in a pair had to succeed in Step 3 together before they repeated the steps alone. Feeding behaviour and heart rate were recorded.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between S1 and P1 horses, indicating that the initial pair-training did not reduce responses in P1 horses. However, heart rate was significantly lower when horses were trained in pairs (P2) compared to when the same horses were subsequently trained alone (P1).

CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE

It may not be efficient to habituate naïve young horses to social separation initially with a partner as these horses appear to have to relearn being in the test situation alone when switching to the individual training.

Domain Structure of Poled Ferroelectric (111) PZT (PbZr0.25Ti0.75O3) Films

Films of (111) oriented self-polarized, tetragonal ferroelectric PZT crystallites on (100)Si/SiO2(250 nm)/(111) Pt (50 nm) have been investigated by STM, AFM and SAXS. After metallization of the PZT surface with a Cr-Ni film (5.2 nm thickness) or a Ti film (5.0 nm thickness), single domains were visible on the metal surface by STM measurements as parallel stripes. The lamellar stripes had a width of 10.5 – 25.2 nm and a vertical corrugation of 0.9 – 3.0 nm at the intersection line of the domain walls with the crystallite surface.

High resolution AFM with EBD supertips on unmetallized samples revealed areas of typically several µm in diameter showing crystallites with perfectly parallel aligned (90°) domains of 10 - 15 nm width with their boundaries along {110} planes. Single domain walls were visible as a trace on the surface by a negative corrugation effect of 1.0 – 1.5 nm. This corrugation is assumed to be a reflection of the strain distribution normal to the surface. Furthermore, coherency (oxygen) defects are accumulated at the interface between 90 ° twin domains.

SAXS investigations allowed to estimate a mean value of domain thickness of 17.5 nm. Exertion of stress (5.1 104Nm−2) to the film resulted in an increase of domain width by ∼1%.

Treatment of early hepatic artery complications after adult liver transplantation: A single center experience

Introduction

Hepatic artery complication represents recognized sequel of liver transplantation that carries significant morbidity and mortality. Besides retransplantation, hepatic artery recanalization is provided surgically, or by percutaneous angioplasty and stent placement. This study provides an analysis of a single center experience comparing surgical and interventional treatments in cases of early hepatic artery complications.

Methods

In this retrospective single center study, 25 of 365 liver transplant recipients were enrolled who developed early hepatic artery complication after transplantation. Percutaneous intervention was performed in 10 cases, while surgical therapy in 15 cases. Mean follow-up time was not different between the groups (505±377 vs. 706±940 days, respectively).

Results

6 patients in the Intervention Group and 10 patients in the Surgery Group are alive. The retransplantation rate (1 and 3) was lower after interventional procedures, while the development of biliary complications was higher. The mortality rate was higher after operative treatment (2 and 5).

Conclusion

Interventional therapy is a feasible and safe technique for treatment of early hepatic artery complication after transplantation. Being less invasive it is an invaluable alternative treatment having results comparable to surgical methods.

Radiofrequency ablation of an intercalyceal neoplasm in a transplanted kidney using percutaneous nephrostomy for cooling — Safety and early result

Kidney neoplasms can occur after kidney transplantation in low percentage. In this report we delineate a rare case of neoplasm in the transplanted kidney detected on screening ultrasonographic examination. Due to the intercalyceal location of the tumor percutaneous radiofrequency ablation was planned with continuous cooling the collecting system avoiding the thermal damage. To the best of our knowledge this method has never been reported applying in transplanted kidney. The two-month CT follow-up verified no residual tumor and the kidney function remained in normal range during this period. These facts imply that the method can be safely applied.

Downstaging of hepatocellular carcinoma with radiofrequency ablation on the Hungarian liver transplantation waiting list — Early results and learned lessons

Hepatocellular carcinoma, which has developed in liver cirrhosis is a disease where liver transplantation can provide a cure both for the tumour and the underlying liver damage. However, patients can only be transplanted when the tumour number and size do not exceed the Milan criteria. Tumour ablation methods — such as radiofrequency ablation — can provide a chance to make the patient eligible for transplantation. Among the 416 Hungarian liver transplanted patients there are 6 who had received different types of ablative therapy as bridging therapy in different institutions. On the basis of analysis of the patients' data we created a guideline for the treatment of cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with the aim of developing a uniform Hungarian approach.

Sorption of radionuclides onto natural clay rocks

Reactions of U(VI) and Eu/Cm(III) with natural clay rock (Opalinus Clay, Switzerland, and Callovo-Oxfordian Clay, France) are investigated by batch and spectroscopic experiments as well as geochemical calculations. The aim of the studies is to identify those minerals in the heterogeneous multiphase systems with sometimes high calcite content which control lanthanide and actinide sorption. The outcome of batch sorption studies with natural clay rocks (2 g/L natural clay rock, 0.1 mol/L NaClO4, pH 3−11) and thermodynamic calculations is compared with experimental results using a synthetic mixture consisting of purified Na-montmorillonite and calcite (ratio 80:20[wt.]%). Our studies show that U(VI) sorption decreases at intermediate pH (6.5−9) where dissolved U(VI) carbonate species predominate. In the high pH region (>9) U(VI) sorption again increases by formation of ternary hydroxo surface complexes on the clay mineral fraction, whereby calculated U(VI) sorption overestimates experimental data for the natural rock. Complete sorption to natural clay rock and the synthetic clay/calcite mixture is observed for Eu(III) at pH>7 for the conditions studied. Model calculations again point to the predominance of clay-sorbed species even though calculated speciation underestimates the experimentally observed sorption at pH 6−9 slightly. Preliminary time-resolved laser-fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) studies using Cm(III) as fluorescent probe reveal the appearance of several Cm(III)-clay surface species in the pH range 5−11, but give no indications for the presence of calcite-bound Cm(III). We conclude that the clay minerals in the multiphasic clay rock act as main sorbents for tri- and hexavalent actinides.

Gene knockdown studies revealed CCDC50 as a candidate gene in mantle cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia

The two B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma entities, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), show recurrent chromosomal gains of 3q25-q29, 12q13-q14 and 18q21-q22. The pathomechanisms affected by these aberrations are not understood. The aim of this study was to identify genes, located within these gained regions, which control cell death and cell survival of MCL and CLL cancer cells. Blood samples collected from 18 patients with CLL and 6 patients with MCL, as well as 6 cell lines representing both malignancies were analyzed by gene expression profiling. By a comparison of genomic DNA and gene expression, 72 candidate genes were identified. We performed a limited RNA interference screening with these candidates to identify genes affecting cell survival. CCDC50 (coiled coil domain containing protein 50), SERPINI2 and SMARCC2 mediated a reduction of cell viability in primary CLL cells as well as in cell lines. Gene knockdown and a nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) reporter gene assay revealed that CCDC50 is required for survival in MCL and CLL cells and controls NFkappaB signaling.

Stromal gene signatures in large-B-cell lymphomas

BACKGROUND

The addition of rituximab to combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP), or R-CHOP, has significantly improved the survival of patients with diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma. Whether gene-expression signatures correlate with survival after treatment of diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma is unclear.

METHODS

We profiled gene expression in pretreatment biopsy specimens from 181 patients with diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma who received CHOP and 233 patients with this disease who received R-CHOP. A multivariate gene-expression-based survival-predictor model derived from a training group was tested in a validation group.

RESULTS

A multivariate model created from three gene-expression signatures--termed "germinal-center B-cell," "stromal-1," and "stromal-2"--predicted survival both in patients who received CHOP and patients who received R-CHOP. The prognostically favorable stromal-1 signature reflected extracellular-matrix deposition and histiocytic infiltration. By contrast, the prognostically unfavorable stromal-2 signature reflected tumor blood-vessel density.

CONCLUSIONS

Survival after treatment of diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma is influenced by differences in immune cells, fibrosis, and angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment.

Validated simulation of the ion extraction grid lifetime

This article describes the validation of our extraction grid erosion modeling for gridded ion thrusters. Experimental data from three life tests of different thruster sizes and operation conditions was available. For all test cases, an excellent agreement was achieved between experimental and simulated data, which increased the confidence in the lifetime predictions of the code for space missions.

SNP-Array genotyping and spectral karyotyping reveal uniparental disomy as early mutational event in MSS- and MSI-colorectal cancer cell lines

In this study nine colorectal cancer cell lines were analysed by 10K SNP-arrays and spectral karyotyping (SKY). Complex chromosomal alterations and breakpoints of deleted or translocated fragments found by SKY could further be characterized by SNP-array analysis. Interestingly many monoallelic regions identified by SNP-array analysis display no copy number alterations, representing uniparental disomy (UPD). It was demonstrated that UPD seems to be involved in activation of early-acting tumor suppressor genes in MSS- (APC, CDKN2A) and MSI- (MLH1, MSH2, APC, CDKN2A) colorectal cancer cell lines. Genes involved later on in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence (i.e. TP53/SMAD4) were not found to be inactivated by UPD. Furthermore, identified amplified monoallelic regions may include oncogenes activated by allele-specific-amplification (i.e. Cyclin D1). However, at present, the majority of the monoallelic regions located in the present study have not yet been associated with known tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. Further studies are warranted to identify relevant genes in the respective regions and to further verify the results presented here.

Guilty by insolubility--does a protein's detergent insolubility reflect a caveolar location?

Several recent papers have described a simple approach to isolate caveolae and proteins involved in apical sorting in epithelial cells that is based on their detergent insolubility. These publications have excited such diverse fields of cell biology as intracellular protein transport, signal transduction and, in particular, research into caveolae. In this article, Kurzchalia, Hartmann and Dupree argue that a more critical evaluation of this detergent insolubility is needed before a subcellular location or function can be ascribed to a protein.