Satellite DNA Amplification in Advanced Prostate Cancer Is Largely Independent From Euchromatic and Oncogene Amplicons.

Recently, we were able to show that satellite DNA amplification (satDNA-AMP) is present in advanced prostate cancer. A chromosome microarray study provided first evidence that satDNA-AMP appears to be largely independent of centromere-near/pericentric euchromatic copy number alterations. Therefore, it might be carefully suggested that satDNA-AMP could be a new and independent marker for advanced tumor progression.

Sites of chromosomal instability in the context of nuclear architecture and function.

Chromosomal fragile sites are described as areas within the tightly packed mitotic chromatin that appear as breaks or gaps mostly tracing back to a loosened structure and not a real nicked break within the DNA molecule. Most facts about fragile sites result from studies in mitotic cells, mainly during metaphase and mainly in lymphocytes. Here, we synthesize facts about the genomic regions that are prone to form gaps and breaks on metaphase chromosomes in the context of interphase.

FANCD2 binding identifies conserved fragile sites at large transcribed genes in avian cells.

Common Chromosomal Fragile Sites (CFSs) are specific genomic regions prone to form breaks on metaphase chromosomes in response to replication stress. Moreover, CFSs are mutational hotspots in cancer genomes, showing that the mutational mechanisms that operate at CFSs are highly active in cancer cells. Orthologs of human CFSs are found in a number of other mammals, but the extent of CFS conservation beyond the mammalian lineage is unclear.

RNF8 and RNF168 but not HERC2 are required for DNA damage-induced ubiquitylation in chicken DT40 cells.

The ubiquitylation cascade plays an important role in the recruitment of repair factors at DNA double-strand breaks. The involvement of a growing number of ubiquitin E3 ligases adds to the complexity of the DNA damage-induced ubiquitin signaling. Here we use the genetically tractable avian cell line DT40 to investigate the role of HERC2, RNF8 and RNF168 in the DNA damage-induced ubiquitylation pathway.

Physical mechanisms shaping the Drosophila dorsoventral compartment boundary.

Background: Separating cells with distinct identities and fates by straight and sharp compartment boundaries is important for growth and pattern formation during animal development. The physical mechanisms shaping compartment boundaries, however, are not fully understood.

Results: We combine theory and quantitative experiments to investigate the roles of different mechanisms to shape compartment boundaries.