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ROS1-fusion genes, resulting from chromosomal rearrangement, have been reported in 1-2% of human non-small cell lung cancer cases. More than 10 distinct ROS1-fusion genes, including break-point variants, have been identified to date. In this study, to investigate the in vivo oncogenic activities of one of the most frequently detected fusions, CD74-ROS1, as well as another SDC4-ROS1 fusion that has also been reported in several studies, we generated transgenic (TG) mouse strains that express either of the two ROS1-fusion genes specifically in lung alveolar type II cells. Mice in all TG lines developed tumorigenic nodules in the lung, and a few strains of both TG mouse lines demonstrated early-onset nodule development (multiple tumor lesions present in the lung at 2-4 weeks after birth); therefore, these two strains were selected for further investigation. Tumors developed progressively in the untreated TG mice of both lines, whereas those receiving oral administration of an ALK/MET/ROS1 inhibitor, crizotinib, and an ALK/ROS1 inhibitor, ASP3026, showed marked reduction in the tumor burden. Collectively, these data suggest that each of these two ROS1-fusion genes acts as a driver for the pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma in vivo The TG mice developed in this study are expected to serve as valuable tools for exploring novel therapeutic agents against ROS1-fusion-positive lung cancer., (© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Hearing loss is the most widespread sensory disorder, with an incidence of congenital genetic deafness of 1 in 1600 children. For many ethnic populations, the most prevalent form of genetic deafness is caused by recessive mutations in the gene gap junction protein, beta 2, 26 kDa (GJB2), which is also known as connexin 26 (Cx26). Despite this knowledge, existing treatment strategies do not completely recover speech perception. Here we used a gene delivery system to rescue hearing in a mouse model of Gjb2 deletion. Mice lacking Cx26 are characterized by profound deafness from birth and improper development of cochlear cells. Cochlear delivery of Gjb2 using an adeno-associated virus significantly improved the auditory responses and development of the cochlear structure. Using gene replacement to restore hearing in a new mouse model of Gjb2-related deafness may lead to the development of therapies for human hereditary deafness., (© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Mutant mouse models are indispensable tools for clarifying the functions of genes and for elucidating the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of human diseases. Currently, several large-scale mutagenesis projects that employ the chemical mutagen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) are underway worldwide. One specific aim of our ENU mutagenesis project is to generate diabetic mouse models. We screened 9375 animals for dominant traits using a clinical biochemical test and thereby identified 11 mutations in the glucokinase (Gk) gene that were associated with hyperglycemia. GK is a key regulator of insulin secretion in the pancreatic beta-cell. Approximately 190 heterozygous mutations in the human GK gene have been reported to cause maturity onset diabetes of the young, type 2 (MODY2). In addition, five mutations have been reported to cause permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM) when present on both alleles. The mutations in our 11 hyperglycemic mutants are located at different positions in Gk. Four have also been found in human MODY2 patients, and another mutant bears its mutation at the same location that is mutated in a PNDM patient. Thus, ENU mutagenesis is effective for developing mouse models for various human genetic diseases, including diabetes mellitus. Some of our Gk mutant lines displayed impaired glucose-responsive insulin secretion and the mutations had different effects on Gk mRNA levels and/or the stability of the GK protein. This collection of Gk mutants will be valuable for understanding GK gene function, for dissecting the function of the enzyme and as models of human MODY2 and PNDM.

8-Hydroxyguanine (8-OH-G) is a major pre-mutagenic lesion generated from reactive oxygen species. The Mmh/Ogg1 gene product plays a major role in maintaining genetic integrity by removing 8-OH-G by way of the base excision repair pathway. To investigate how oxidative stress influences the formation of 8-OH-G in Ogg1 mutant mice, a known oxidative agent, potassium bromate (KBrO(3)), was administered at a dose of 2 g/l in the drinking water to Ogg1(+/+), Ogg1(+/-) and Ogg1(-/-) mice for 12 weeks. Apurinic (AP) site lyase activity, measured by the excision of 8-OH-G from synthetic oligonucleotides, remained unchanged in kidney cell extracts isolated from Ogg1 mutant mice when the mice were pre-treated by KBrO(3). The levels of 8-OH-G in kidney DNA tremendously increased in a time-dependent manner following exposure of Ogg1(-/-) mice to KBrO(3). Of particular note, the amount of 8-OH-G in kidney DNA from Ogg1(-/-) mice treated with KBrO(3) was approximately 70 times that of KBrO(3)-treated Ogg1(+/+) mice. The accumulated 8-OH-G did not decrease 4 weeks after discontinuing treatment with KBrO(3). KBrO(3) treatment for 12 weeks gave rise to increased mutation frequencies at the transgenic gpt gene in Ogg1(+/+) mice kidney. Absence of the Ogg1 gene further enhanced the mutation frequency. Sequence data obtained from gpt mutants showed that the accumulated 8-OH-G caused mainly GC-->TA transversion and deletion. Other mutations including GC-->AT transition also showed a tendency to increase. These results indicate that 8-OH-G, produced by chronic exposure to exogenous oxidative stress agents, is not repaired to any significant extent within the overall genome of Ogg1(-/-) mice kidney.