Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:2.6.1.1 (aspartate aminotransferase)
 21,665 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The PCAF gene encodes the p300/CBP-Associated Factor (PCAF), a histone acetyltransferase, which regulates p53 by acetylation of Lys320 in the C-terminal portion of p53. While the p53 gene is one of the most frequently mutated tumor suppressor genes in human tumors, such mutations occur in only 30% of astrocytic tumors. Since PCAF can regulate p53 activity, abrogation of PCAF function by PCAF gene mutation could be an alternate mechanism to inactivate the p53 pathway in tumors lacking p53 mutations. To test this hypothesis, we determined the nucleotide sequence of the entire PCAF coding region in 37 astrocytic tumors (17 glioblastomas, 10 anaplastic astrocytomas, 7 low-grade astrocytomas, and 3 pilocytic astrocytomas). We detected two single-nucleotide alterations that represented non-deleterious polymorphisms (GAG > GAA Glu103Glu, AAT > AGT Asn386Ser) but no obvious functional mutations. Moreover, the frequency of the Asn386Ser allele that contained Ser386 in glioma patients was not statistically different from its frequency in individuals without disease, and no significant association was observed between the PCAF polymorphisms and the presence or absence of p53 mutations in the tumors. We conclude that the PCAF gene is not mutated during the development of the astrocytic tumors studied here.
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PMID:Analysis of the p300/CBP-Associated Factor (PCAF) gene in astrocytic tumors. 1089 2

The present study aimed at detecting DNA damage and fragmentation as well as histone acetylation depending on oxidative stress caused by CCl4 intoxication. Also, the protective role of N-acetyl cysteine, a precursor for GSH, in DNA damage is investigated. Sixty rats were used in this study. In order to induce liver toxicity, CCl4 in was dissolved in olive oil (1/1) and injected intraperitoneally as a single dose (2 ml/kg). N-acetyl cysteine application (intraperitoneal, 50 mg/kg/day) was started 3 days prior to CCl4 injection and continued during the experimental period. Control groups were given olive oil and N-acetyl cysteine. After 6 and 72 h of CCl4 injection, blood and liver tissue were taken under ether anesthesia. Nuclear extracts were prepared from liver. Changes in serum AST and ALT activities as well as MDA, TAS, and TOS levels showed that CCl4 caused lipid peroxidation and liver damage. However, lipid peroxidation and liver damage were reduced in the N-acetyl cysteine group. Increased levels in 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine and histone acetyltransferase activities, decreased histone deacetylase activities, and DNA breakage detected in nuclear extracts showed that CCl4 intoxication induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat liver. The results of the present study indicate that N-acetyl cysteine has a protective effect on CCl4-induced DNA damage.
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PMID:Determination of DNA damage in experimental liver intoxication and role of N-acetyl cysteine. 2481 10