Are polymorphisms in O-methyltransferase genes associated with stover cell wall digestibility in European maize ( Zea mays L. )?
Several polymorphic sites for three O-methyltransferase loci were associated with stover cell wall digestibility. All three tested genes seem to be involved in controlling DNDF, in particular COMT. Thus, considerable variation among Bm3 wildtype alleles can be exploited for improving cell-wall digestibility. Target sites for functional markers were identified enabling development of efficient marker-based selection strategies.
These results provide the first evidence suggesting that inactivation of p16 appears to be a significant predictor for poor overall survival in NPC. Given that reduced p16 expression is observed in the majority of patients with NPC, this indicates that therapeutic strategies targeting the p16 pathway may be a biologically rational approach for NPC. The favorable prognostic value of EBER suggests that future clinical trials with NPC should consider stratifying for EBER status.