In a search for molecular markers of progression in prostate cancer by means of di erential display, we have identi®ed a new gene, which we have designated PTOV1. Semiquantitative RT ± PCR has established that nine out of 11 tumors overexpress PTOV1 at levels signi®cantly higher than benign prostatic hyperplasia or normal prostate tissue. The human PTOV1 protein consists almost entirely of two repeated blocks of homology of 151 and 147 amino acids, joined by a short linker peptide, and is encoded by a 12-exon gene localized in chromosome 19q13.3. A Drosophila melanogaster PTOV1 homolog also contains two tandemly arranged PTOV blocks. A second gene, PTOV2, was identi®ed in humans and Drosophila, coding for proteins with a single PTOV homology block and unrelated amino-and carboxyl-terminal extensions. A 1.8-Kb PTOV1 transcript was detected abundantly in normal human brain, heart, skeletal muscle, kidney and liver, and at low levels in normal prostate. Immunocytochemical analysis and expression of chimeric GFP-PTOV1 proteins in cultured cells showed a predominantly perinuclear localization of PTOV1. In normal prostate tissue and in prostate adenomas, PTOV1 was undetectable or expressed at low levels, whereas nine out of 11 prostate adenocarcinomas showed a strong immunoreactivity, with a focal distribution in areas of carcinoma and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Therefore, PTOV1 is a previously unknown gene, overexpressed in early and late stages of prostate cancer. The PTOV homology block represents a new class of conserved sequence blocks present in human, rodent and¯y proteins. Oncogene (2001) 20, 1455 ± 1464.

It is well established that the activation of proto‐oncogenes could trigger uncontrolled cell growth and cancer development. Although this correlation has already been evidenced in several human tumors, no conclusive studies have related oncogene activation with the development of prostatic neoplasia. Nevertheless, some reports suggest that c‐erbB‐2, which is a prognostic marker in breast cancer, could be implicated in the development of prostatic adenocarcinoma. We have studied the expression of the c‐erbB‐2 oncoprotein in primary prostatic tissue in a series of 70 patients with metastasic disease, by means of immunohistochemistry. The NCL‐B 11 anti‐c‐erbB‐2 monoclonal antibody was used, and the immunoreactivity was quantified by image analysis. The overall rate of prostatic‐tissue sections presenting positive c‐erbB‐2 immunostaining was 64.3%. No significant relation was observed between histological grade and c‐erbB‐2 over‐expression or severity of the disease, based on the extent of metastases. The average specific survival in patients with c‐erbB‐2 over‐expression was 33 months, while it was 54 in patients with c‐erbB‐2 negativity; p < 0.034. These results, as well as the logistic‐regression analysis, suggest that expression of c‐erbB‐2 oncoprotein would be considered as an independent prognostic factor of metastatic prostate cancer. Moreover, it could discriminate between the prognosis of patients with Gleason score 2 to 7 and those with score 8 to 10. Our results suggest that the expression of c‐erbB‐2 oncoprotein in primary prostatic tissue could have a prognostic value in patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Int. J. Cancer (Pred. Oncol.) 84:421–425, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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Dengue-1 viruses responsible for the dengue fever outbreak in Easter Island in 2002 were isolated from acute-phase sera of dengue fever patients. In order to analyze the complete genome sequence, we designed primers to amplify contiguous segments across the entire sequence of the viral genome. RT-PCR products obtained were cloned, and complete nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were determined. This report constitutes the first complete genetic characterization of a DENV-1 isolate from Chile. Phylogenetic analysis shows that an Easter Island isolate is most closely related to Pacific DENV-1 genotype IV viruses.

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