Nod1, a CARD protein, enhances pro-interleukin-1beta processing through the interaction with pro-caspase-1.

The production of bioactive interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is mediated by activated caspase-1. One of the known molecular mechanisms underlying pro-caspase-1 processing and activation involves interaction between the caspase recruit domains (CARDs) of caspase-1 and a serine/threonine kinase RIP2. While the association of Nod1 with both caspase-1 and RIP2 is already known, the consequences of these interactions are poorly understood.

Non-small cell lung cancers frequently express phosphorylated Akt; an immunohistochemical study.

Mounting evidence suggests that the alterations of Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) play an important role in tumorigenesis. Phosphorylated Akt regulates many of the key effector molecules involved in apoptosis, angiogenesis, and cell cycle progression during tumorigenesis. The expression of phosphorylated Akt has been described in some human malignancies, but not in primary human lung cancer.

Alterations of Fas-pathway genes associated with nodal metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer.

Many types of cancer cells are resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis by several mechanisms, including the mutations of the genes involved in Fas-mediated apoptosis. In this study, to explore the possibility that the mutations of the genes involved in the proximal pathway of Fas-mediated apoptosis (Fas, FADD, caspase 8 and caspase 10) are involved in cancer metastasis, we have analysed somatic mutation and deletion of these genes in 80 non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) with (n=43) and without (n=37) metastasis to the regional lymph nodes. We found 12 mutations (four Fas, four FADD, and four caspase 10 mutations) in 11 of 80 NSCLCs (13.

Inactivating mutations of CASP10 gene in non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

Caspase 10 (Mch4/FLICE2) is a caspase homologous to caspase 8. A recent report described that inherited CASP10 gene mutations underlie defective lymphocyte and dendritic cell apoptosis in autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS). In this study, to explore the possibility that mutation of this gene might be involved in the development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), we have analyzed the entire coding region and all splice sites of the CASP10 gene for the detection of somatic mutations in 117 human NHLs.

A combination of the micronucleus assay and a FISH technique for evaluation of the genotoxicity of 1,2,4-benzenetriol.

The cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay has emerged as one of the preferred methods for assessing chromosome damage. Micronuclei (MN) are small, extranuclear bodies that are formed in mitosis from acentric chromosomal fragments or chromosomes that are not included in each daughter nucleus. Thus, MN contain either chromosomal fragments or whole chromosomes.

Detection of chromosome-specific aneusomy and translocation by benzene metabolites in human lymphocytes using fluorescence in situ hybridization with DNA probes for chromosomes 5, 7, 8, and 21.

Benzene is a widespread human carcinogen, inducing leukemia and hematotoxicity. Exposure of human lymphocytes to benzene metabolites has been shown to cause genetic damage, including aneusomy and chromosome aberrations. In order to detect the specific chromosomal changes in chromosomes 5, 7, 8, and 21 induced by benzene metabolites, 1,2,4-benzenetriol (BT), hydroquinone (HQ), and trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) procedure in the metaphase spread of human lymphocytes was employed.