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H-ras oncogene point mutations in arthritic synovium
A Roivainen1, J Jalava, L Pirilä
1Turku University, Finland.
Arthritis and Rheumatism
|October 27, 1997
Summary
Mutations in the H-ras proto-oncogene were found in synovial tissue from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and other joint diseases. These H-ras gene mutations were also present in healthy control samples, suggesting they are not specific to RA.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) involve synovial tissue inflammation.
- Proto-oncogene activation is implicated in various diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and significance of ras proto-oncogene mutations in synovial tissue.
- To compare mutation frequencies in RA, OA, other arthropathies, and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and automated sequencing were used to analyze H-, K-, and N-ras proto-oncogenes.
- Mutations were confirmed using restriction fragment length polymorphism and oligonucleotide hybridization.
Main Results:
- Point mutations in H-ras codons 13 and 14 were detected in RA, OA, and other arthropathies.
- The H-ras codon 14 mutation was most frequent in OA synovial tissue (94%).
- Identical mutations were also found in a subset of healthy cadaveric synovial samples.
Conclusions:
- H-ras proto-oncogene activation by point mutation occurs in synovial tissue across various arthropathies and in healthy controls.
- The observed H-ras mutations are not specific to rheumatoid arthritis.
- The functional role of the codon 14-mutated H-ras gene in joint disease requires further investigation.