We have reported that transfer of chromosome 3 (Chr3) containing a single wild-type copy of the hMLH1 gene into HCT116 colon cancer cells, a cell line deficient in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) activity attributable to inactivating hMLH1 mutations, corrects all of the aspects of the MMR repair-deficient phenotype. We inhibited the expression of the wild-type hMLH1 gene using antisense RNA in HCT116...

BACKGROUND MMR vaccine has been reported to cause gait disturbance, and this possible association has been claimed to support the MMR-causes-autism theory. AIMS To determine whether any association between gait disturbance and MMR vaccination exceeds the age related background rate of gait disturbance, using record linkage and self control case series analyses. METHODS MMR vaccination recor...

The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination was first introduced in the UK in 1988 [1]. Since then, cases of measles, mumps and rubella has steadily declined to very low rates [2]. Prior to its UK introduction, MMR has been in regular used in the US since 1972 and Scandinavia since 1982 [3] plus a number of European countries have adopted its usage. The wealth of experience that exists glo...

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) is an important replication error avoidance mechanism that prevents mutation. The association of defective MMR with familial and sporadic gastrointestinal and endometrial cancer has been acknowledged for some years. More recently, it has become apparent that MMR defects are common in acute myeloid leukaemia/myelodysplastic syndrome (AML/MDS) that follows successful che...

Mismatch repair (MMR) proteins contribute to genome integrity by correcting replication errors. In higher eukaryotes, MMR proteins also regulate the cellular response to DNA lesions such as oxidized, alkylated, or crosslinked bases. Previous studies have linked MMR proteins to the activation of apoptosis through p53-dependent and p53-independent mechanisms. MMR-deficient cells exhibit variable ...

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a hypermutable phenotype that usually arises from either a germline mutation in components of the mismatch repair (MMR) machinery (i.e. hMLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2) in patients with Lynch syndrome (LS) or somatic hypermethylation of the hMLH1 promoter in sporadic carcinomas. In all colorectal cancers (CRC) is possible to identify the MMR deficiency through pro...

This paper [1] presents a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing four types of messages, designed to promote MMR vaccination among parents of eligible children against a control (non-vaccination related) message, using three outcome measures designed to reflect: (i) misperception that MMR vaccine causes autism, (ii) perceptions about serious side effects related to the vaccine, and (iii) p...

To ascertain measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunisation coverage among school leavers in an inner city London borough following a local MMR catch-up initiative, a questionnaire was sent to parents and guardians of adolescents who attended the 12 secondary schools in Haringey and were due for the school leavers' vaccination. The questionnaire enquired about previous history of MMR vaccination and ...

Public debate over the safety of the trivalent measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the drop in vaccination rates in several countries persists despite its almost universal use and accepted effectiveness. We carried out a systematic review to assess the evidence of unintended effects (beneficial or harmful) associated with MMR and the applicability of systematic reviewing methods to the...

Mutations in MMR (DNA mismatch repair) genes underlie HNPCC (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer) and also a significant proportion of sporadic colorectal cancers. MMR maintains genome stability and suppresses tumour formation by correcting DNA replication errors and by mediating an apoptotic response to DNA damage. Analysis of mouse lines with MMR missense mutations demonstrates that these M...