NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

iotechniques to identify the gene located in mouse chromosome 1 that is involved in the regulation of peak bone density. B.
Technical Objective 2: Our second technical objective has been focused on identifying the key genes that are involved in soft
tissue repair/regeneration using inbred strains of mice as model systems. C. Technical Objective 3: The goal of our third
technical objective is to identify and characterize novel genes, using ENU mutagenesis techniques and to elucidate the
function of known genes that play a key role in the metabolism of bone and soft tissue.
DTIC
Bones; Fracturing; Genes; Maintenance; Wound Healing
20040050677 University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Advanced Cancer Detection Center
Krischer, Jeffrey P.; Oct. 2003; 135 pp.; In English
Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAMD17-01-2-0056
Report No.(s): AD-A420948; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A07, Hardcopy
The goals of the Advanced Cancer Detection Center include the discovery of molecular and genetic markers of cancer
risk, the identification of individuals at high risk for cancer through screening and the testing of methods to prevent cancer.
DTIC
Cancer
20040050678 General Hospital Corp., Boston, MA
Mitochondria Polymorphism in Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Kurtz, Andreas C.; Nov. 2003; 47 pp.; In English; Original contains color illustrations
Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAMD17-00-1-0535
Report No.(s): AD-A420949; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
NF1 is characterized clinically by the development of plexiform and multiple cutaneous neurofibromas. There is no
correlation between the numbers, size or prevalence of neurofibromas and the type of mutations in the NF1 gene, suggesting
a role for genetic modifiers. Genetic polymorphism in mitochondria could cause variability in the observed tumor phenotype
in NF1. Here, we analyzed somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations in cutaneous and plexiform neurofibromas to determine if
certain mutations are found predominantly in tumors. We found somatic mutations in 9 of 18 plexiform neurofibromas and
9 of 19 cutaneous neurofibromas. All mutations detected were in the hypervariable D-loop region, where origin of replication
and transcriptional regulators are located. Most mutations appeared to be homoplasmic in the tumors. In addition, pre-existing
soamtic mtDNA mutations were detected in healthy skin of NF1 patients. Our analysis found that these pre-existing somatic
mtDNA mutations accumulate in the tumor, suggesting a selection for the mutated mitochondria in all cell types present in
neurofibromas. In a second ongoing set of experiments we analyze the proportion of germ line mitochondrial DNA variants
in a cohort of 500 NF1 patients with high numbers and low numbers of cutaneous neurofibromas.
DTIC
Deoxyribonucleic Acid; Genetic Engineering; Mitochondria; Neoplasms; Polymorphism
20040050679 Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY
Characterization of the Hen as a Model for Human Ovarian Cancer
Johnson, Patricia A.; Sep. 2003; 13 pp.; In English; Original contains color illustrations
Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAMD17-00-1-0560
Report No.(s): AD-A420950; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A03, Hardcopy
Investigation of basic factors involved in malignant transformation of the ovary has been hampered by the lack of an
appropriate animal model. Most animals, with the exception of the domestic hen, do not spontaneously develop ovarian cancer.
The use of two related genetic strains, which differ in spontaneous incidence of ovarian cancer may reveal an important
difference between the two strains that could underlie the differential susceptibility to ovarian cancer. We have examined many
hens of both strains and have observed that the marked difference in incidence between the strains has been maintained. We
have characterized the tumors in terms of ovalburnin expression as an indication of site or origin. We have also examined the
expression of markers in the tumors. Our second approach was to manipulate the rate of follicle development and ovulation
to examine the effect of repetitive ovulation on incidence. This experiment was not possible so we have instead focused on
hormones related to ovulation. We found that the C strain has higher circulating levels of progesterone as compared to the K
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