Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.3.1.108 (TAT)
 2,389 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Wilms' tumor (WT) is the most common childhood renal malignancy. Although several genetic loci such as the WT1 gene have been known to relate to the biology of WT, the cause of the tumor is complex and the implicated molecular pathways are largely unknown. The beta-catenin gene encodes a protein playing an important role in the Wnt signaling pathway, and its mutations that abrogate specific serine/threonine phosphorylation sites and express oncogenic effect have been found in a variety of tumors. Implication of beta-catenin mutations in WT was investigated in 24 tumors collected from 20 WT patients. One patient had a total of five multiple tumors simultaneously in the bilateral kidneys. Exon 3 and its flanking regions encompassing mutational hot spots of the gene were examined by PCR-based methods. Samples indicating to harbor mutations were further analyzed by sequencing. Six tumors (6/24, 25%) from 4 patients (4/20, 20%) were confirmed to have mutations in heterozygous status. All the mutations, including five different types, were uniformly observed at codon 45 (Ser). Three mutations, Ser45Phe (TCT --> TTT), Ser45Tyr (TCT --> TAT), and Delta45 (deletion of TCT), were found in 3 of 19 unilateral WTs. Other three mutations were detected in three of five multiple tumors developed in the bilateral WT patient; a mutation of Delta45 in one of two tumors in the right kidney, and Ser45Cys (TCT --> TGT) and Ser45Pro (TCT --> CCT) in two of three tumors in the left kidney. Frequent beta-catenin mutations preferentially occurring at codon 45 most likely indicate special importance of this codon for the development of WT and existence of an underlying mechanism causing such a tissue-specific mutational pattern.
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PMID:Codon 45 of the beta-catenin gene, a specific mutational target site of Wilms' tumor. 1223 84

Craniopharyngiomas and pituitary adenomas are both tumors of the hypothalamic and pituitary region, respectively that are frequently associated with endocrine defects either because of direct involvement of hormone producing cells (most pituitary tumors) or because of secondary defects due to disturbance of hypothalamic function (some pituitary tumors and craniopharyngiomas). Some studies suggest that mutant beta-catenin gene cells in craniopharyngiomas and pituitary adenomas contribute to their tumorigenesis. DNA was extracted from 73 cranial tumors and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with previously described primers encompassing glycogen synthase kinase-3beta phosphorylation sites of the beta-catenin gene. Sequenced PCR products for possible beta-catenin gene mutations showed a total of 7/43 alterations in adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma-derived DNA samples. Two previously described beta-catenin mutations in codon 33 TCT(Ser) > TGT(Cys) and codon 37 TCT(Ser) > TTT(Phe), whereas three novel mutations in codon 41 ACC(Thr) > ATC(Ile), codon 33 TCT(Ser) > TAT(Tyr) and codon 32 GAC(Asp) > AAC(Asn) were observed. None of the 22 pituitary adenomas and the eight papillary craniopharyngiomas analyzed presented any sequence alterations. These findings demonstrate an association between beta-catenin gene alterations and craniopharyngiomas of the adamantinomatous type. Since this gene product is involved with development, these results suggest that beta-catenin mutations may contribute to the initiation and subsequent growth of congenital craniopharyngiomas.
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PMID:Beta-catenin mutations in craniopharyngiomas and pituitary adenomas. 1598 Sep 70