The BRIP1 helicase functions independently of BRCA1 in the Fanconi anemia pathway for DNA crosslink repair

BRIP1 (also called BACH1) is a DEAH helicase that interacts with the BRCT domain of BRCA1 (refs. 1-6) and has an important role in BRCA1-dependent DNA repair and checkpoint functions. We cloned the chicken ortholog of BRIP1 and established a homozygous knockout in the avian B-cell line DT40. The phenotype of these brip1 mutant cells in response to DNA damage differs from that of brca1 mutant cells and more closely resembles that of fancc mutant cells, with a profound sensitivity to the DNA-crosslinking agent cisplatin and acute cell-cycle arrest in late S-G2 phase. These defects are corrected by expression of human BRIP1 lacking the BRCT-interaction domain. Moreover, in human cells exposed to mitomycin C, short interfering RNA-mediated knock-down of BRIP1 leads to a substantial increase in chromosome aberrations, a characteristic phenotype of cells derived from individuals with Fanconi anemia. Because brip1 mutant cells are proficient for ubiquitination of FANCD2 protein, our data indicate that BRIP1 has a function in the Fanconi anemia pathway that is independent of BRCA1 and downstream of FANCD2 activation.     

An hypothesis to explain the relation between the synthesis and release of animal viruses from infected cells and the lipid content of the viruses

Zusammenfassung Eine Hypothese über die Synthese und die Freisetzung von tierpathogenen Viren wird entwickelt. Diejenigen Viren, die durch einen kontinuierlichen Prozess freigesetzt werden, werden an der Zellperipherie zusammengefügt. Beim Durchtritt durch die Zellmembran erhalten sie eine Schutzhülle aus Lipiden, die aus den in der Zellmembran lokalisierten Lipiden der Wirtszelle stammen. Alle derartigen Viren sind gegen Äther empfindlich und enthalten Lipide als essentiellen Bestandteil. Diejenigen Viren, die stossartig freigesetzt werden, werden dagegen im Innern der Zelle zusammengefügt und enthalten keine essentielle Lipid-Komponente. Diese Hypothese wird auch auf die Tumor-Viren angewandt.     

Collaborative genome-wide association analysis supports a role for ANK3 and CACNA1C in bipolar disorder

To identify susceptibility loci for bipolar disorder, we tested 1.8 million variants in 4,387 cases and 6,209 controls and identified a region of strong association (rs10994336, P = 9.1 x 10(-9)) in ANK3 (ankyrin G). We also found further support for the previously reported CACNA1C (alpha 1C subunit of the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel; combined P = 7.0 x 10(-8), rs1006737). Our results suggest that ion channelopathies may be involved in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder.     

Bv8 regulates myeloid-cell-dependent tumour angiogenesis

Bone-marrow-derived cells facilitate tumour angiogenesis, but the molecular mechanisms of this facilitation are incompletely understood. We have previously shown that the related EG-VEGF and Bv8 proteins, also known as prokineticin 1 (Prok1) and prokineticin 2 (Prok2), promote both tissue-specific angiogenesis and haematopoietic cell mobilization. Unlike EG-VEGF, Bv8 is expressed in the bone marrow. Here we show that implantation of tumour cells in mice resulted in upregulation of Bv8 in CD11b+Gr1+ myeloid cells. We identified granulocyte colony-stimulating factor as a major positive regulator of Bv8 expression. Anti-Bv8 antibodies reduced CD11b+Gr1+ cell mobilization elicited by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Adenoviral delivery of Bv8 into tumours was shown to promote angiogenesis. Anti-Bv8 antibodies inhibited growth of several tumours in mice and suppressed angiogenesis. Anti-Bv8 treatment also reduced CD11b+Gr1+ cells, both in peripheral blood and in tumours. The effects of anti-Bv8 antibodies were additive to those of anti-Vegf antibodies or cytotoxic chemotherapy. Thus, Bv8 modulates mobilization of CD11b+Gr1+ cells from the bone marrow during tumour development and also promotes angiogenesis locally.