BCL6 enables Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells to survive BCR-ABL1 kinase inhibition

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are widely used to treat patients with leukaemia driven by BCR-ABL1 (ref. 1) and other oncogenic tyrosine kinases. Recent efforts have focused on developing more potent TKIs that also inhibit mutant tyrosine kinases. However, even effective TKIs typically fail to eradicate leukaemia-initiating cells (LICs), which often cause recurrence of leukaemia after initially successful treatment. Here we report the discovery of a novel mechanism of drug resistance, which is based on protective feedback signalling of leukaemia cells in response to treatment with TKI. We identify BCL6 as a central component of this drug-resistance pathway and demonstrate that targeted inhibition of BCL6 leads to eradication of drug-resistant and leukaemia-initiating subclones.     

Genetic variegation of clonal architecture and propagating cells in leukaemia

Little is known of the genetic architecture of cancer at the subclonal and single-cell level or in the cells responsible for cancer clone maintenance and propagation. Here we have examined this issue in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in which the ETV6-RUNX1 gene fusion is an early or initiating genetic lesion followed by a modest number of recurrent or 'driver' copy number alterations. By multiplexing fluorescence in situ hybridization probes for these mutations, up to eight genetic abnormalities can be detected in single cells, a genetic signature of subclones identified and a composite picture of subclonal architecture and putative ancestral trees assembled. Subclones in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia have variegated genetics and complex, nonlinear or branching evolutionary histories. Copy number alterations are independently and reiteratively acquired in subclones of individual patients, and in no preferential order. Clonal architecture is dynamic and is subject to change in the lead-up to a diagnosis and in relapse. Leukaemia propagating cells, assayed by serial transplantation in NOD/SCID IL2Rγ(null) mice, are also genetically variegated, mirroring subclonal patterns, and vary in competitive regenerative capacity in vivo. These data have implications for cancer genomics and for the targeted therapy of cancer.     

直接分离于工业和农业土样中的阿特拉津降解菌的基因分型

对农药污染的工业和农业土样中获得的116株阿特拉津降解菌进行分类鉴定,降解菌通过ERIC PCR和16S rRNA系统进化树分析发现了12种种系型。其中工业土样中鉴定出隶属于节杆菌属的8种种系型降解菌,具有与金黄节杆菌系统进化群体类似的基因种。从无植物生长的工业重度污染土样中检测到嗜碱假单胞菌和Gulosibacter molinativorax系统进化群体间存在着同一种基因型。农业玉米根际土样只分离到3种种系型,与产脲节杆菌类似的基因型是玉米根际普遍存在并占主导地位的降解菌,另外2种种系型代表着具有环境特异性的两个不同起源的类诺卡氏菌分支。基因分型结果暗示着阿特拉津降解群体的多样性和遗传结构的环境特异性,工业土壤中的污染率是影响降解群体多样性和遗传结构的主要因素。     

Pten dependence distinguishes haematopoietic stem cells from leukaemia-initiating cells

Recent advances have highlighted extensive phenotypic and functional similarities between normal stem cells and cancer stem cells. This raises the question of whether disease therapies can be developed that eliminate cancer stem cells without eliminating normal stem cells. Here we address this issue by conditionally deleting the Pten tumour suppressor gene in adult haematopoietic cells. This led to myeloproliferative disease within days and transplantable leukaemias within weeks. Pten deletion also promoted haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) proliferation. However, this led to HSC depletion via a cell-autonomous mechanism, preventing these cells from stably reconstituting irradiated mice. In contrast to leukaemia-initiating cells, HSCs were therefore unable to maintain themselves without Pten. These effects were mostly mediated by mTOR as they were inhibited by rapamycin. Rapamycin not only depleted leukaemia-initiating cells but also restored normal HSC function. Mechanistic differences between normal stem cells and cancer stem cells can thus be targeted to deplete cancer stem cells without damaging normal stem cells.     

A biophysical signature of network affiliation and sensory processing in mitral cells

One defining characteristic of the mammalian brain is its neuronal diversity. For a given region, substructure, layer or even cell type, variability in neuronal morphology and connectivity persists. Although it is well known that such cellular properties vary considerably according to neuronal type, the substantial biophysical diversity of neurons of the same morphological class is typically averaged out and ignored. Here we show that the amplitude of hyperpolarization-evoked sag of membrane potential recorded in olfactory bulb mitral cells is an emergent, homotypic property of local networks and sensory information processing. Simultaneous whole-cell recordings from pairs of cells show that the amount of hyperpolarization-evoked sag potential and current (Ih) is stereotypic for mitral cells belonging to the same glomerular circuit. This is corroborated by a mosaic, glomerulus-based pattern of expression of the HCN2 (hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel 2) subunit of the Ih channel. Furthermore, inter-glomerular differences in both membrane potential sag and HCN2 protein are diminished when sensory input to glomeruli is genetically and globally altered so that only one type of odorant receptor is universally expressed. Population diversity in this intrinsic property therefore reflects differential expression between local mitral cell networks processing distinct odour-related information.     

PML targeting eradicates quiescent leukaemia-initiating cells

The existence of a small population of 'cancer-initiating cells' responsible for tumour maintenance has been firmly demonstrated in leukaemia. This concept is currently being tested in solid tumours. Leukaemia-initiating cells, particularly those that are in a quiescent state, are thought to be resistant to chemotherapy and targeted therapies, resulting in disease relapse. Chronic myeloid leukaemia is a paradigmatic haematopoietic stem cell disease in which the leukaemia-initiating-cell pool is not eradicated by current therapy, leading to disease relapse on drug discontinuation. Here we define the critical role of the promyelocytic leukaemia protein (PML) tumour suppressor in haematopoietic stem cell maintenance, and present a new therapeutic approach for targeting quiescent leukaemia-initiating cells and possibly cancer-initiating cells by pharmacological inhibition of PML.     

Genetically haploid spermatids are phenotypically diploid

Because chromosomal homologues segregate from one another during meiosis, spermatids are genetically different. Post-meiotic gene expression could lead to gametic differences, some of which might lead to preferential transmission of certain alleles over others. In both insects and mammals, however, all the cells derived from a single spermatogonial cell develop within a common syncytium formed as a result of incomplete cytokinesis at each of the mitotic and meiotic cell divisions. It has been proposed that the intercellular bridges connecting the cells, which are about 1 micron in diameter, permit the sharing of cytoplasmic constituents, thus ensuring the synchronous development of a clone of cells and gametic equivalence between haploid spermatids. By analysing the product of a transgene which is expressed exclusively in post-meiotic germ cells in hemizygous transgenic mice, we have shown that genetically distinct spermatids share the product of the transgene and hence can be phenotypically equivalent.     

BRAF mutation predicts sensitivity to MEK inhibition

The kinase pathway comprising RAS, RAF, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) is activated in most human tumours, often through gain-of-function mutations of RAS and RAF family members. Using small-molecule inhibitors of MEK and an integrated genetic and pharmacologic analysis, we find that mutation of BRAF is associated with enhanced and selective sensitivity to MEK inhibition when compared to either 'wild-type' cells or cells harbouring a RAS mutation. This MEK dependency was observed in BRAF mutant cells regardless of tissue lineage, and correlated with both downregulation of cyclin D1 protein expression and the induction of G1 arrest. Pharmacological MEK inhibition completely abrogated tumour growth in BRAF mutant xenografts, whereas RAS mutant tumours were only partially inhibited. These data suggest an exquisite dependency on MEK activity in BRAF mutant tumours, and offer a rational therapeutic strategy for this genetically defined tumour subtype.     

应用亲缘系数分析四川小麦种质资源的遗传多样性

对代表四川小麦优良种质的40个小麦品种进行了亲缘系数分析，探讨遗传多样性，结果表明，约60％品种组合间的COP值为0，所有供试品种COP值变异范围为0．00－0．75，平均值仅为0．08，表明大多数品种在系谱上的遗传关系很小或无遗传关系，通过COP聚类分析将供试材料聚为6个类群，2个引进品种各自聚为一个类群，其余38个品种分别以繁6，阿勃，绵阳11号，成都光头4个优势亲本聚为不同的大类群与亚类群，分析认为，供试品种间系谱上的遗传差异较大，遗传多样性较高，文中对不同育种单位及不同时期小麦遗传多样性进行了分析。     

Pregnancy: a cloned horse born to its dam twin

Several animal species, including sheep, mice, cattle, goats, rabbits, cats, pigs and, more recently, mules have been reproduced by somatic cell cloning, with the offspring being a genetic copy of the animal donor of the nuclear material used for transfer into an enucleated oocyte. Here we use this technology to clone an adult horse and show that it is possible to establish a viable, full-term pregnancy in which the surrogate mother is also the nuclear donor. The cloned offspring is therefore genetically identical to the mare who carried it, challenging the idea that maternal immunological recognition of fetal antigens influences the well-being of the fetus and the outcome of the pregnancy.     

武进港浮游微生物群落研究

通过 T-RFLP 分析和构建 16S rRNA小型基因文库相结合的方法, 研究了江苏省常州市武进港塘桥段微生物群落结构特点。T-RFLP 分析结果表明, 该群落的多样性较高,但均匀度较低。基于 Ribosomal Database Project Ⅱ的分析结果表明, 该处水样的浮游微生物群落种类较多, 还含有尚未分出门的微生物种群, 而变形菌门为最优势的类群。通过与 GenBank 中已知序列对比(BLAST)发现, 具有较高相似性的克隆数较多, 但也存在很多未知种类的新细菌。此外,还探讨了一些已知属的微生物的环境意义。     

Systematic identification of genomic markers of drug sensitivity in cancer cells

Clinical responses to anticancer therapies are often restricted to a subset of patients. In some cases, mutated cancer genes are potent biomarkers for responses to targeted agents. Here, to uncover new biomarkers of sensitivity and resistance to cancer therapeutics, we screened a panel of several hundred cancer cell lines--which represent much of the tissue-type and genetic diversity of human cancers--with 130 drugs under clinical and preclinical investigation. In aggregate, we found that mutated cancer genes were associated with cellular response to most currently available cancer drugs. Classic oncogene addiction paradigms were modified by additional tissue-specific or expression biomarkers, and some frequently mutated genes were associated with sensitivity to a broad range of therapeutic agents. Unexpected relationships were revealed, including the marked sensitivity of Ewing's sarcoma cells harbouring the EWS (also known as EWSR1)-FLI1 gene translocation to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. By linking drug activity to the functional complexity of cancer genomes, systematic pharmacogenomic profiling in cancer cell lines provides a powerful biomarker discovery platform to guide rational cancer therapeutic strategies.     

Distant metastasis occurs late during the genetic evolution of pancreatic cancer

Metastasis, the dissemination and growth of neoplastic cells in an organ distinct from that in which they originated, is the most common cause of death in cancer patients. This is particularly true for pancreatic cancers, where most patients are diagnosed with metastatic disease and few show a sustained response to chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Whether the dismal prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer compared to patients with other types of cancer is a result of late diagnosis or early dissemination of disease to distant organs is not known. Here we rely on data generated by sequencing the genomes of seven pancreatic cancer metastases to evaluate the clonal relationships among primary and metastatic cancers. We find that clonal populations that give rise to distant metastases are represented within the primary carcinoma, but these clones are genetically evolved from the original parental, non-metastatic clone. Thus, genetic heterogeneity of metastases reflects that within the primary carcinoma. A quantitative analysis of the timing of the genetic evolution of pancreatic cancer was performed, indicating at least a decade between the occurrence of the initiating mutation and the birth of the parental, non-metastatic founder cell. At least five more years are required for the acquisition of metastatic ability and patients die an average of two years thereafter. These data provide novel insights into the genetic features underlying pancreatic cancer progression and define a broad time window of opportunity for early detection to prevent deaths from metastatic disease.     

当代的生命科学研究

论述了生命科学研究取得的新成果,包括植物基因工程、克隆技术研究、基因工程药物开发以及生物技术促成的定向进化开发,对这些成果进行了评论并展示了其未来的发展.     

基于克隆选择的小世界优化算法

针对小世界算法在多极值等复杂函数优化中存在算法后期种群多样性退化、全局搜索效率下降等问题,提出一种基于种群克隆选择的小世界优化算法。该算法以小世界现象信息传递的高效性改进克隆过程中体细胞高频变异的随机性,实现克隆增殖、克隆选择以及小世界网络短连接等算子在局部空间的搜索,克隆删除与小世界随机长连接在全局空间的搜索。实验结果表明:各种克隆算子与小世界变异算子相结合,增加了种群的多样性,扩大了搜索范围。与其他算法相比,该算法在收敛速度和多极值点函数搜索能力等方面具有明显改善。     

Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms contribute to motor neuron pathfinding

Many lines of evidence indicate that genetically distinct subtypes of motor neurons are specified during development, with each type having characteristic properties of axon guidance and cell-body migration. Motor neuron subtypes express unique combinations of LIM-type homeodomain factors that may act as intrinsic genetic regulators of the cytoskeletal events that mediate cell migration, axon navigation or both. Although experimentally displaced motor neurons can pioneer new routes to their targets, in many cases the axons of motor neurons in complete isolation from their normal territories passively follow stereotypical pathways dictated by the environment. To investigate the nonspecific versus genetically controlled regulation of motor connectivity we forced all motor neurons to express ectopically a LIM gene combination appropriate for the subgroup that innervates axial muscles. Here we show that this genetic alteration is sufficient to convert the cell body settling pattern, gene-expression profile and axonal projections of all motor neurons to that of the axial subclass. Nevertheless, elevated occupancy of the axial pathway can override their genetic program, causing some axons to project to alternative targets.     

Genetic similarity between mates and extra-pair parentage in three species of shorebirds

Matings between close relatives often reduce the fitness of offspring, probably because homozygosity leads to the expression of recessive deleterious alleles. Studies of several animals have shown that reproductive success is lower when genetic similarity between parents is high, and that survival and other measures of fitness increase with individual levels of genetic diversity. These studies indicate that natural selection may favour the avoidance of matings with genetically similar individuals. But constraints on social mate choice, such as a lack of alternatives, can lead to pairing with genetically similar mates. In such cases, it has been suggested that females may seek extra-pair copulations with less related males, but the evidence is weak or lacking. Here we report a strong positive relationship between the genetic similarity of social pair members and the occurrence of extra-pair paternity and maternity ('quasi-parasitism') in three species of shorebirds. We propose that extra-pair parentage may represent adaptive behavioural strategies to avoid the negative effects of pairing with a genetically similar mate.     

马尾松松材线虫病抗性无性系的筛选和遗传多样性分析

【目的】 松材线虫病是松属致命性的世界检疫性森林病害。筛选和创新抗性遗传资源是马尾松抗松材线虫病育种的重要基础。松材线虫病重灾疫区自然淘汰存留下来的马尾松资源,可能是开展马尾松抗松材线虫病育种潜在的重要遗传基础,值得进一步深入挖掘、系统评价和开发利用。本研究通过对110个对松材线虫病具有抗性表型的无性系进行遗传多样性、生长性状测定和保存率调查,综合评价其在抗性育种中的潜在价值。【方法】 通过接种松材线虫对马尾松的1 201个初选无性系进行筛选,并对110个具有抗线虫表型的重选无性系进行遗传多样性RAPD和生长性状评价。从14对SCAR分子标记引物中筛选通用性强、多态性位点高的两组引物,用于MuPS(Multiplex-PCR of SCAR markers) 反应扩增和遗传多态性位点检测。基于79个MuPS唯一型无性系群体,采用Popgene 32软件估算的遗传多样性,结合生长量和存活率指标,评估该批遗传资源在马尾松抗性育种中的潜在价值。【结果】 初选的1 201个无性系(来自251个马尾松初选家系),经松材线虫接种筛选后,获得110个无性系(来自初选家系中的81个),由两组引物扩增得到92种MuPS分型。其中,有79个无性系为单一的MuPS分型所完全准确识别(占71.81%)。基于79个具单一MuPS分型的无性系群体遗传多样性分析表明,群体所有位点的平均有效等位基因数(N_e)为1.508 1个,Nei’s基因多样度(H)为0.302 3,Shannon多样性指数(I)为0.459 1。无性系体间遗传参数差异明显,N_e变幅为1.012 8~1.998 1,H变幅为0.012 6~0.499 5,I变幅为0.038 5~0.692 7。具有抗松材线虫病表型的110个马尾松无性系存活83个。保存无性系间其生长性状存在显著差异,树高、胸径和单株材积生长量变幅分别为4.6~10.7 m,6.7~21.7 cm和0.012 3~0.189 4 m³,生长量最大的休3-3号无性系立木材积(0.189 4m³)为最小的无性系广27-2的(0.012 3 m³)15倍以上。【结论】 马尾松1 201个初选无性系,经野外人工接种松材线虫的抗性筛选后,110个无性系表现出对松材线虫病有显著的抗性表型,占初选无性系的9.09%。这些经过抗性筛选的无性系在材积生长性状上达到了极显著差异水平。这意味着在抗性改良基础上,进行生长量改良的策略是可行的。与已有的天然和人工育种群体的遗传多样性参数相比,本研究虽然经初选和抗性复选淘汰了90%以上的无性系,仍保留了群体中较高的遗传多样性。综上,笔者认为这批初选资源经抗性筛选存留的遗传资源,在马尾松抗松材线虫病育种研究中具有明显的潜在价值。