FOXl2基因的研究现状

FOXL2基因为一单外显子基因,定位于染色体的3q23区域,编码一个分叉头的转录因子。FOXL2基因的正常表达是维持女性性别特征的极其重要的基本条件。该基因若发生突变可导致女性性别特征呈现异常。同时证实其是睑裂狭小、逆向内眦赘皮和上睑下垂综合征（blepharophimosis—ptosis—epicanthus inversus syndrome,BPES）的致病基因。此外,FOXL2基因发生突变与卵巢早衰（premature ovarian failure,POF）有关,并认为FOXL2是卵巢分化早期的调控因子。另有资料提示FOXL2基因突变与生殖系统肿瘤有相关性。     

FOXL2、SOX14及BPESC1 mRNA在小睑裂综合征患者眼睑组织中表达水平的研究

目的 研究小睑裂综合征（blephamphimosis—ptosis—epicanthusinversus syndrome,BPES）患者与正常人相比眼睑组织中FOX12、SOX14及BPESC13个基因mRNA的相对表达水平,探讨这3个基因与BPES的相关性,以及可能存在的发病机制。方法TRIzol法抽提眼睑组织总RNA,反转录为cDNA,应用实时荧光定量PCR技术分别检测15例BPES患者（A组）及15例正常人眼睑组织（B组）中FOXL2、SOX14和BPESClmRNA的表达水平,用两配对样本wilcoxon符号秩检验法和2-AAC,法分析两组数据及其差异。结果FOXL2、SOX14和BPESCI3个基因tuRNA的表达水平在A、B两组间的差异均具有统计学意义,P值均〈0．05。A、B两组间,FOXL2基因的△Ct之差（△△ct）,负秩与证秩的平均秩分别为6．00和8．50,SOX14基[天1的△△Ct负秩与正秩的平均秩分别为4．20和9．33,BPESC1基因的△△ct负秩与正秩的平均秩分别为8．23和6．50,可认为A组FOXL2基因和SOXl4基因的△ct值大于B组,BPESCI基因的△ct值小于B组,即A组的FOXL2基因和SOX14基因的表达水平低于B组,BPESCI基因表达水平高于B组。结论FOXL2、BPESC1及SOX14均与BPES具有一定相关性,FOXL2和SOX14的低表达以及BPESC1的高表达可能与BPES的发病相关。     

Identification of BPESC1, a Novel Gene Disrupted by a Balanced Chromosomal Translocation, t(3;4)(q23;p15.2), in a Patient with BPES

The blepharophimosis syndrome (BPES) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by blepharophimosis, ptosis, epicanthus inversus, and telecanthus. In type I, BPES is associated with female infertility, while in type II, the eyelid defect occurs by itself. The BPES syndrome has been mapped to 3q23. Previously, we constructed a YAC-, PAC-, and cosmid-based physical map surrounding the 3q23 translocation breakpoint of a t(3;4)(q23;p15.2) BPES patient, containing a 110-kb PAC (169-C 10) and a 43-kb cosmid (11-L 10) spanning the breakpoint. In this report, we present the identification of BPESC1 (BPES candidate 1), a novel candidate gene that is disrupted by the translocation on chromosome 3. Cloning of the cDNA has been performed starting from a testis-specific EST, AI032396, found in cosmid 11-L 10. The cDNA sequence of BPESC1 is 3518 bp in size and contains an open reading frame of 351 bp. No significant similarities with known proteins have been found in the sequence databases. BPESC1 contains three exons and spans a genomic fragment of 17.5 kb. Expression of BPESC1 was observed in adult testis tissue. We performed mutation analysis in 28 unrelated familial and sporadic BPES patients, but, apart from the disruption by the translocation, found no other disease-causing mutations. These data make it unlikely that BPESC1 plays a major role in the pathogenesis of BPES.     

The blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome: delineation of two types

The blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is rare and autosomal dominant. A family is presented and analyzed together with 38 kindreds with BPES reported in the literature. The results demonstrate the existence of two types of the syndrome: type I with infertility in affected females, and type II which is transmitted by females and males. The two entities are further differentiated by incomplete penetrance only in type II and by differences in the sex ratios of the affected children. Female infertility in type I is a predominant symptom, and the distinction between the two types is of importance for genetic counseling.     

Foxl2 gene and the development of the ovary: a story about goat, mouse, fish and woman

In this review, we describe recent results concerning the genetics of sex determination in mammals. Particularly, we developed the study of the FOXL2 gene and its implication in genetic anomalies in goats (PIS mutation) and humans (BPES). We present the expression of FOXL2 in the ovaries of different species.     

Molecular characterization of lysozyme type II gene in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): evidence of gene duplication

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) have two types of lysozyme. Type II lysozyme differs from type I by only one amino acid, but only type II lysozyme has significant bactericidal activity. Due to this novel antibacterial property, lysozyme type II appears to be a candidate gene for enhancing disease resistance in fish as well as livestock species. Using polymerase chain reaction the lysozyme type II gene was amplified from genomic DNA isolated from rainbow trout. Two amplified fragments of 2041 and 2589 bp were observed. Sequencing revealed both amplicons were lysozyme genes having nearly identical nucleotide sequences, except the longer fragment has 548 base pairs inserted in intron 2 at nucleotide position 513 and a few point mutations within intron 2. Both versions of trout lysozyme type II gene were comprised of four exons and three introns. We also demonstrated that trout lysozyme is most likely encoded by these two different genes.     

Closing in on the BPES gene on 3q23: mapping of a de Novo reciprocal translocation t(3;4)(q23;p15.2) breakpoint within a 45-kb cosmid and mapping of three candidate genes, RBP1, RBP2, and beta'-COP, distal to the breakpoint

BPES is a genetic disorder presenting with blepharophimosis, ptosis of the eyelids, epicanthus inversus, and telecanthus. BPES type I is associated with female infertility, whereas type II presents without additional symptoms. Hitherto, it remains unknown whether BPES type I results from a defect in a single gene or from a contiguous gene syndrome. Previous cytogenetic and linkage analyses have assigned a BPES locus to 3q23, in a 5-cM interval between D3S1615 and D3S1316. In this report, we describe the molecular and physical characterization of the 3q23 breakpoint in a BPES patient with a t(3;4)(q23;p15.2) translocation. Eight YACs located around and within the D3S1615-D3S1316 interval were mapped relative to the 3q23 breakpoint; 5 YACs spanning the 3q23 breakpoint were identified. Thirteen STSs and ESTs were localized on the YAC map. Subsequent hybridization of 2 YACs spanning the breakpoint to the Human RPCI1 PAC Library and the Human Chromosome 3 LLNL Cosmid Library resulted in the identification of 12 PACs and 50 cosmids respectively, allowing the construction of a detailed PAC and cosmid physical map. A refined position-telomeric to the breakpoint-of 3 candidate genes, cellular retinol-binding proteins 1 and 2 (RBP1, RBP2) and the coatomer beta' subunit (beta'-COP), was obtained on this physical map. Furthermore, a PAC and cosmid contig encompassing the breakpoint was constructed. PAC 169-C 10 and cosmid 11-L 10 crossing the breakpoint have sizes of 110 and 45 kb, respectively. The isolation of coding sequences in these clones and in the rest of the contig will greatly facilitate further efforts toward positional cloning of the gene(s) involved in BPES.     

Cloning of the human keratin 18 gene and its expression in nonepithelial mouse cells.

Human keratin 18 (K18) and the homologous mouse protein, Endo B, are intermediate filament subunits of the type I keratin class. Both are expressed in many simple epithelial cell types including trophoblasts, the first differentiated cell type to appear during mouse embryogenesis. The K18 gene was identified and cloned from among the 15 to 20 similar sequences identified within the human genome. The identity of the cloned gene was confirmed by comparing the sequence of the first two exons to the K18 cDNA sequence and transfecting the gene into various murine cell lines and verifying the encoded protein as K18 by immunoprecipitation and partial peptide mapping. The transfected K18 gene was expressed in mouse HR9 parietal endodermal cells and mouse fibroblasts even though the fibroblasts fail to express endogenous Endo B. S1 nuclease protection analysis indicated that mRNA synthesized from the transfected K18 gene is initiated at the same position as authentic K18 mRNA found in both BeWo trophoblastoma cells and HeLa cells. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that the human K18 protein is stable in murine parietal endodermal cells (HR9) which express EndoA, a complementary mouse type II keratin. Surprisingly, however, K18 was degraded when synthesized in cells which lack a type II keratin. This turnover of K18 may be an important mechanism by which epithelial cells maintain equal molar amounts of both type I and II keratins. In addition, the levels of the endogenous type I Endo B in parietal endodermal cells were compensatingly down regulated in the presence of the K18 protein, while the levels of the endogenous type II Endo A were not affected in any of the transfected cell lines.