α-Amylases are glycoside hydrolase enzymes that act on the α(1→4) glycosidic linkages in glycogen, starch, and related α-glucans, and are ubiquitously present in Nature. Most α-amylases have been classified in glycoside hydrolase family 13 with a typical (β/α)8-barrel containing two aspartic acid and one glutamic acid residue that play an essential role in catalysis. An atypical α-amylase (BmaN...

We previously cloned and characterized the tumor suppressor gene FHIT (fragile histidine triad) at chromosome 3p14.2 and found that this gene is altered by deletions in human tumors, including lung cancer. To assess the frequency and specificity of inactivation and its relevance in a clinical setting, we have produced antibodies against the Fhit protein and studied its expression in a series of...

PURPOSE We reported previously that the patients in whom cancer cells could be cultured as continuous cell lines had a poor prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. In this study, to evaluate additional evidence of prognostic significance and the genetic background of cell culture, we analyzed 203 ESCC patients. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Culture samples were obtained from re...

We previously cloned and characterized the tumor suppressor gene /•'////' (fragile histidine triad) at chromosome 3pl4.2 and found that this gene is altered In deletions in human tumors, including lung cancer. To assess the frequency and specificity of inactivation and its relevance in a clinical setting, we have produced antibodies against the Fhit protein and studied its expression in a ser...

Inadequate dietary Zn consumption increases susceptibility to esophageal and other cancers in humans and model organisms. Since Zn supplementation can prevent cancers in rodent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) models, we were interested in determining if it could have a preventive effect in a rodent skin cancer model, as a preclinical basis for considering a role for Zn in prevention of human nonm...

BACKGROUND Human FHIT (fragile histidine triad) gene is highly conserved gene homologous to a group of genes identified in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Loss of FHIT function may be important in the development and/or progression of various types of cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS We undertook a clinical study to analyze the relation between aberrant function of FHIT gene, tumor cell proliferatio...

We previously cloned and characterized the tumor suppressor gene /•'////' (fragile histidine triad) at chromosome 3pl4.2 and found that this gene is altered In deletions in human tumors, including lung cancer. To assess the frequency and specificity of inactivation and its relevance in a clinical setting, we have produced antibodies against the Fhit protein and studied its expression in a ser...

FHIT (fragile histidine triad), a candidate tumor suppressor gene, encompasses FRA3B, a region with the highest fragility in the human genome, and is altered in a large number of human cancers, particularly those of epithelial cell origin and associated with known carcinogenic agents. Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a major cancer worldwide, is closely related to carcinogenic agents such ...

In the last decade, the incidence rate of detection rate of superficial head, neck and esophageal squamous cell carcinomas has increased with the development of endoscopic imaging techniques. These cancers are thought to arise independently subsequent to tissue exposure to a common carcinogen e.g. alcohol or tobacco. This phenomenon has been termed field cancerization. To determine the molecula...