Transcession of DNA from Bacteria to Human Cells in Culture: A Possible Role in Oncogenesis

Anker, Philippe; Zajac, Vladimír; Lyautey, Jacqueline; Lederrey, Christine; Dunand, Christophe; Lefort, François; Mulcahy, Hugh; Heinemann, Jack A.; Stroun, Maurice

doi:10.1196/annals.1318.030

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Furthermore, extracellular DNA that has been spontaneously released by bacterial species amenable to genetic transformation has been shown to be genetically active [39,43]. Anker et al reported that when human cells and bacteria are both present together, as can be the case during septicemia, peritonitis, or subclinical inflammation of the gut, human cells can take up bacterial DNA [44]. Both cellular [45] and nuclear membranes [46] can be crossed by nuclear material and this enables it to gain access to the host genome [47].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both cellular [45] and nuclear membranes [46] can be crossed by nuclear material and this enables it to gain access to the host genome [47]. Thus, bacterial DNA transcessing into human cells might have medical implications, especially in the process of carcinogenesis [44]. It is possible that the role of bacteria in oncogenesis, such as demonstrated with helicobacter and gastric MALT lymphoma or gastric carcinoma [48,49], is underestimated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Analysis of bacteria from intestinal tract of FAP patients for the presence of APC-like sequences

et al. 2012

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SummaryBackgroundFamilial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary disease induced by germ-line mutations in the tumor suppressor APC gene. These initiate the early stages of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence in familial, but also in sporadic (in 80% to 90%), colon tumorigenesis. We found the presence of APC-like sequences in bacteria of FAP patients.Material/MethodsWe analyzed bacteria isolated from FAP patients’ rectal swabs. Total bacterial DNA was isolated and analyzed for detection of APC-like sequences using PCR. We also tested DNA homology rate and APC-like protein production.ResultsWe collected blood samples and rectal swabs from patients with confirmed diagnosis of FAP. They were analyzed for presence of sections from exon 15 of the APC gene. Most positive results were found in sections located exactly in the area called the MCR (mutation cluster region), where the highest frequency of APC gene mutations were identified. By sequencing PCR products from bacteria in section F–G together with a patient’s DNA sample and human APC gene, we found a more than 90% DNA homology rate. We also confirmed production of APC-like protein using Western blotting.ConclusionsOur results suggested two hypotheses. The APC-like protein might have same function as a truncated APC product, which is synthesized in most cases of mutations of APC gene in the MCR region in colorectal cancer cells. Alternatively, we can consider the possible existence of horizontal transfer of genetic information between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Our study can be considered as a pilot project. For confirmation of our hypotheses, further research is needed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of bacteria from intestinal tract of FAP patients for the presence of APC-like sequences

et al. 2012

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“…The released DNA from bacteria comes with its DNA‐dependent RNA polymerase 11 . When the bacterial DNA enters plant cells, 12 animal cells, 13 or human cells 14 there is a transient synthesis of bacterial RNA. This phenomenon plays a role in the crown gall, the tumor of a plant produced by Agrobacterium tumefaciens.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prehistory of the Notion of Circulating Nucleic Acids in Plasma/Serum (CNAPS)

Stroun

Anker

2006

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

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In the late 50s and early 60s of the last century, a theoretical fight was taking place between Western and Russian scientists about the theory explaining the mechanism of evolution. According to neo-Darwinism, evolution was the result of hazard and necessity, that is, mutations arriving by chance favoring the survival of the fittest. For the Russian geneticists, acquired characteristics were the basis of evolution, that is, the environment modified the characteristics of the gene. One of the main experiments on which the Russian geneticists based their theory was the transmission of hereditary characteristics by a special technique of grafting between two varieties of plants-a mentor plant and a pupil plant. The pupil variety being entirely dependent on the development of the mentor plant its hereditary characteristics were modified accordingly. In the Western world these experiments were regarded with doubt. We were among the few who tried to repeat this kind of experiment. After three generations of grafting between two varieties of eggplant, we succeeded in obtaining hereditary modifications of the pupil plants, which acquired some of the characteristics of the mentor variety. The linkage between some hereditary characteristics of the mentor plant were broken, the segregation of the offspring was abnormal, dominant characteristics appearing in the offspring of a recessive plant. Rather than adopting the views of the Russian scientists about acquired characteristics, we suggested that DNA was circulating between the mentor and pupil plants and assumed that some nucleic acid molecules bearing genetic information could enter the somatic and reproductive cells of the pupil plant at a propitious moment and remain active.

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Extracellular nucleic acids

Vlassov¹,

Laktionov²,

Rykova³

2007

BioEssays

157

102

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Extracellular nucleic acids are found in different biological fluids in the organism and in the environment: DNA is a ubiquitous component of the organic matter pool in the soil and in all marine and freshwater habitats. Data from recent studies strongly suggest that extracellular DNA and RNA play important biological roles in microbial communities and in higher organisms. DNA is an important component of bacterial biofilms and is involved in horizontal gene transfer. In recent years, the circulating extracellular nucleic acids were shown to be associated with some diseases. Attempts are being made to develop noninvasive methods of early tumor diagnostics based on analysis of circulating DNA and RNA. Recent observations demonstrated the possibility of nucleic acids exchange between eukaryotic cells and extracellular space suggesting their participation in so far unidentified biological processes.

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Transcession of DNA from Bacteria to Human Cells in Culture: A Possible Role in Oncogenesis

Cited by 5 publications

References 23 publications

Analysis of bacteria from intestinal tract of FAP patients for the presence of APC-like sequences

Analysis of bacteria from intestinal tract of FAP patients for the presence of APC-like sequences

Prehistory of the Notion of Circulating Nucleic Acids in Plasma/Serum (CNAPS)

Extracellular nucleic acids

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