About Book

Molecular cytogenetics is a branch of genetics devoted to the study by molecular methods of the structure and function of the cellular constituents concerned in heredity, including molecular analysis of chromosomes. It involves use of various molecular techniques to visualize one or more specific regions or whole of the genome. It allows a more efficient and rapid assessment of chromosomal imbalance in all or most cells. Molecular Cytogenetics encompasses all aspects of chromosome biology and the application of molecular cytogenetic techniques in all areas of biology and medicine, including structural and functional organization of the chromosome and nucleus, genome variation, expression and evolution, chromosome abnormalities and genomic variations in medical genetics and tumor genetics. This book is a valuable compilation of topics, ranging from the basic to the most complex theories and principles in the field of molecular cytogenetic. It provides thorough insights about the varied sub-branches of this field. It deals with human cytomegalovirus, cytokines, immunocytochemistry, cytokine signaling, cytogenetic techniques and cytotoxic chemical entities. Some of the themes covered in this book address the varied branches that fall under this category. The book is a complete source of knowledge on the present status of this important field. It is designed to provide in-depth knowledge about the various concepts and methodologies of this field to the students.

Preface............................................................................................................v

Chapter 1 Molecular Docking Studies of Enzyme Inhibitors and Cytotoxic Chemical Entities........................................................................................1

Abstract...................................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................2

2. Quantum mechanical calculations and molecular docking

studies of α-glucosidase inhibitors....................................................2

3. Molecular docking studies of novel quinoline derivatives as

potent β-glucuronidase inhibitors......................................................8

4. Morpholine hydrazone scaffold: synthesis, anticancer activity,

and docking studies...........................................................................14

5. Conclusion............................................................................................19

Acknowledgements.............................................................................19

Chapter 2 The Use of Molecular Cytogenetic Techniques for the Identification of Chromosomal Abnormalities............................................................22

Abstract.................................................................................................22

1. Introduction..........................................................................................22

2. Identification of the translocations..................................................27

3. Duplications.........................................................................................28

4. Deletions...............................................................................................28

5. Inversions..............................................................................................29

6. Complex chromosomal abnormalities.............................................29

7. Identification of the marker chromosome......................................30

8. Oncogenic amplifications...................................................................31

9. Final remarks and conclusion..........................................................31

Chapter 3 Molecular Machinery Regulating Exocytosis.....................................39

1. Introduction..........................................................................................39

2. The exocyst complex and vesicle interaction with the plasma

membrane.............................................................................................40

3. Small GTPases as regulators of exocytosis....................................42

4. Exocyst, SNARE complexes and membrane fusion

machinery.............................................................................................48

5. Post-translational modifications that regulate components of the

exocytic machinery.............................................................................49

6. Ubiquitin and small ubiquitin-like modifier in exocytosis.........69

7. Concluding remarks...........................................................................72

Chapter 4 “Suppressor of Cytokine Signalling” Molecules in Infection and

Inflammation............................................................................................106

1. Introduction........................................................................................106

2. SOCS at the molecular level...........................................................107

3. SOCS1 ................................................................................................108

4. SOCS3..................................................................................................118

5. Conclusion..........................................................................................126

Chapter 5 Application of Immunocytochemistry to Sputum Cells to Investigate

Molecular Mechanisms of Airway Inflammation...........................144

1. Introduction........................................................................................144

2. Sputum induction.............................................................................145

3. The conventional practice for cytologic study .........................151

4. Immunocytochemistry procedures .............................................153

5. Modifications of immunocytochemistry for sputum

specimen.............................................................................................155

6. Practical considerations....................................................................156

Chapter 6 Clinical Relevance of Cytokines, Chemokines and Adhesion

Molecules in Systemic Vasculitis.......................................................168

1. Introduction........................................................................................168

2. Endothelial cells are an important cellular component of

vascular inflammation......................................................................169

3. Cytokines involved in systemic vasculitis and anti-neutrophil

cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis .................................170

4. Chemokines involved in systemic vasculitis ..............................177

5. Conclusions .......................................................................................189

6. Acknowledgement ...........................................................................190

Chapter 7 DNA Polymerase Processivity Factor of Human Cytomegalovirus

May Be a Key Molecule for Molecular Coupling of Viral DNA

Replication to Transcription................................................................208

1. Introduction ......................................................................................208

2. Distinct regulation of HCMV DNA polymerase prosessivity

factor .................................................................................................209

3. Conclusion .........................................................................................223

4. Materials and methods ...................................................................223

5. Acknowlegement .............................................................................225

Citation......................................................................................................229

Index...........................................................................................................231

About Author

Abby Zellweger pursued his M.Sc. Degree in Genetic Engineering & Ph.D. in Genetics and Genomics from Technological University, Dunedin. She is a Guest Lecturer at Community College, Albury. She has edited numerous articles, research papers, and journals on molecular phylogenetic analysis, genetic modification of plants, cellular molecules, population genetics, molecular phylogenetic, and DNA sequencing. Zellweger has written many articles and research reports on genetics and its other branches. She has been an invited speaker at various international conferences and travels extensively for higher education programmes across the globe.