The human VAV proto-oncogene maps to chromosome region 19p12→19p13.2

Summary A novel human oncogene, designated VAV, has been recently characterized. This oncogene was generated by a rearrangement within the 5 coding sequences of a normal cellular gene, the VAV proto-oncogene. The normal VAV gene is specifically expressed in hematopoietic cells regardless of their differentiation lineage. We now report that the VAV locus has been localized in the human genome at chromosome 19p12 19p13.2 by analysis of its segregation pattern in rodenthuman somatic cell hybrids and by chromosomal in situ hybridization. The VAV locus might be closely linked to the insulin receptor (INSR) locus, as suggested by comigration of INSR and VAV high-molecular-weight DNA fragments after pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The VAV chromosomal assignment is of interest because chromosome region 19p13 is involved in different karyotypic abnormalities in a variety of malignancies including melanomas and leukemias. The identification of a novel proto-oncogene that maps to that region will enable us to define whether VAV is involved in any of the translocations observed.     

Localization of the spherocytosis gene to chromosome segment 8p11.22→8p21.1

Summary A case of hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is reported. Cytogenetic study revealed a de nove minute deletion of chromosome 8. The critical portion which affected the expression of the HS phenotype appeared to be localized to 8p11.228p21.1.     

Exposure to p,p′-DDE: A Risk Factor for Type 2 Diabetes

Background

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as PCBs, DDT and dioxins have in several cross-sectional studies shown strong associations with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Reversed causality can however not be excluded. The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate whether POPs concentration is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A case-control study was performed within a well-defined cohort of women, age 50–59 years, from the Southern part of Sweden. Biomarkers for POP exposure, 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p′-DDE) were analyzed in stored serum samples, which were collected at the baseline examination when the cohort was established. For 107 out of the 371 cases, serum samples were stored at least three years before their type 2 diabetes was diagnosed. In this data set, CB-153 and p,p′-DDE were not associated with an increased risk to develop type 2 diabetes. However, when only the cases (n = 39) that were diagnosed more than six years after the baseline examination and their controls were studied, the women in the highest exposed quartile showed an increased risk to develop type 2 diabetes (OR of 1.6 [95% 0.61, 4.0] for CB-153 and 5.5 [95% CI 1.2, 25] for p,p′-DDE).

Conclusions/Significance

The results from the present case-control study, including a follow-up design, confirms that p,p′-DDE exposure can be a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.     

Trp-tRNA synthetase bridges DNA-PKcs to PARP-1 to link IFN-γ and p53 signaling

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) engenders strong antiproliferative responses, in part through activation of p53. However, the long-known IFN-γ-dependent upregulation of human Trp-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS), a cytoplasmic enzyme that activates tryptophan to form Trp-AMP in the first step of protein synthesis, is unexplained. Here we report a nuclear complex of TrpRS with the catalytic subunit of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) and with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1), the major PARP in human cells. The IFN-γ-dependent poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of DNA-PKcs (which activates its kinase function) and concomitant activation of the tumor suppressor p53 were specifically prevented by Trp-SA, an analog of Trp-AMP that disrupted the TrpRS-DNA-PKcs-PARP-1 complex. The connection of TrpRS to p53 signaling in vivo was confirmed in a vertebrate system. These and further results suggest an unexpected evolutionary expansion of the protein synthesis apparatus to a nuclear role that links major signaling pathways.     

Soluble β-amyloid Precursor Protein Alpha Binds to p75 Neurotrophin Receptor to Promote Neurite Outgrowth

Background

The cleavage of β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) generates multiple proteins: Soluble β-amyloid Precursor Protein Alpha (sAPPα), sAPPβ, and amyloid β (Aβ). Previous studies have shown that sAPPα and sAPPβ possess neurotrophic properties, whereas Aβ is neurotoxic. However, the underlying mechanism of the opposing effects of APP fragments remains poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated the mechanism of sAPPα-mediated neurotrophic effects. sAPPα and sAPPβ interact with p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75^NTR), and sAPPα promotes neurite outgrowth.

Methods and Findings

First, we investigated whether APP fragments interact with p75^NTR, because full-length APP and Aβ have been shown to interact with p75^NTR in vitro. Both sAPPα and sAPPβ were co-immunoprecipitated with p75^NTR and co-localized with p75^NTR on COS-7 cells. The binding affinity of sAPPα and sAPPβ for p75^NTR was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Next, we investigated the effect of sAPPα on neurite outgrowth in mouse cortical neurons. Neurite outgrowth was promoted by sAPPα, but sAPPα was uneffective in a knockdown of p75^NTR.

Conclusion

We conclude that p75^NTR is the receptor for sAPPα to mediate neurotrophic effects.     

Inhibition of centriole duplication by centrobin depletion leads to p38–p53 mediated cell-cycle arrest

Previously, we have identified a novel centrosomal protein centrobin that asymmetrically localizes to the daughter centriole. We found that depletion of centrobin expression inhibited the centriole duplication and impaired cytokinesis. However, the biological significance of centrobin in the cell cycle remains unknown. In the current study, we observed that silencing centrobin significantly inhibited the proliferation of lung cancer cell A549 and prevented the cells from G1 to S transition, whereas the growth rate of lung cancer cell line H1299, a p53-null cell line, was not affected. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the G1–S-phase arrest induced by centrobin knockdown in A549 cells is mediated by the upregulation of cell-cycle regulator p53, which is associated with the activation of cellular stress induced p38 pathway instead of DNA damage induced ATM pathway. Inhibition of p38 activity or downregulation of p38 expression could overcome the cell-cycle arrest caused by centrobin depletion. Taken together, our current findings demonstrated that centrobin plays an important role in the progression of cell cycle, and a tight association between the cell-cycle progression and defective centrosomes caused by depletion of centrobin.     

Localization of the LDHA gene to 11p14→11p15 by in situ hybridization of an LDHA cDNA probe to two translocations with breakpoints in 11p13

Summary Lymphoblastoid cell lines established from two individuals with apparently balanced translocations involving 11p13 were used for LDHA regional localization. The karyotypes were 46,XY,t(4;11)(q21;p13) and 46,XY,t(1;11) (p22;p13). In situ hybridization of a human LDHA cDNA probe to chromosome preparations from these cell lines resulted in specific labeling over bands p14p15 of the normal chromosomes 11 and over bands 11p1411p15 of the derivative chromosomes 4 and 1. These results exclude LDHA from any region proximal to 11p13 and localize the gene to 11p1411p15.     

A Chinese Benign Adult Familial Myoclonic Epilepsy Pedigree Suggesting Linkage to Chromosome 5p15.31–p15.1

Benign adult familial myoclonic epilepsy (BAFME) has been mapped to chromosome 8q23.3–q24.1, 2p11.1–q12.1, 5p15.31–p15.1, and 3q26.32–3q28, in Japanese, Italian, Thai, and French pedigrees, respectively. Recently, we investigated a Chinese BAFME family. Clinical and electrophysiological studies revealed that nine individuals were affected with BAFME. We aimed to establish the causative gene for this pedigree. We genotyped 17 microsatellite markers covering the four previously identified chromosome regions and performed linkage analyses. The linkage analysis data showed that the LOD score was 2.80 for D5S486 at no recombination. This suggested linkage to 5p15.31–p15.1 and excluded linkage to the other three loci (LOD score <0 at no recombination). Our study suggests that the causative gene responsible for BAFME in the Chinese pedigree may be located on chromosome 5p15.31–p15.1.     

Mapping of the interleukin 5 receptor gene to human Chromosome 3 p25–p26 and to mouse Chromosome 6 close to the Raf-1 locus with polymorphic tandem repeat sequences

Simple-sequence tandem repeat sequences in the 3 UTR of interleukin 5 (IL5)-receptor gene of human and mouse are polymorphic in their length among humans and different strains of mice. In 20 different human Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed cell lines, six alleles of IL5R could be distinguished. In the mouse, three different alleles are found. With the human-specific IL5R tandem repeat marker in human-rodent somatic cell hybrids, the IL5R gene was mapped to human Chromosome (Chr) 3 p25–p26. With the mouse-specific IL5R tandem repeat sequence in recombinant inbred strains of mice, the Il5r gene was mapped to the distal part of mouse Chr 6 close to the Raf-1 locus.     

p53 and TGF-beta in development: prelude to tumor suppression?

Recent work in Xenopus embryos reveals an unexpected developmental role for the tumor suppressor gene p53. This finding may have implications for the evolution of p53, its interaction with Smads in TGF-beta dependent mesoderm specification, and the cooperation among p53 family members.     

A method to identify p62’s UBA domain interacting proteins

The UBA domain is a conserved sequence motif among polyubiquitin binding proteins. For the first time, we demonstrate a systematic, high throughput approach to identification of UBA domain-interacting proteins from a proteome-wide perspective. Using the rabbit reticulocyte lysatein vitro expression cloning system, we have successfully identified eleven proteins that interact with p62’s UBA domain, and the majority of the eleven proteins are associated with neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, p62 may play a novel regulatory role through its UBA domain. Our approach provides an easy route to the characterization of UBA domain interacting proteins and its application will unfold the important roles that the UBA domain plays. Published: December 12, 2003.     

Dandy-Walker malformations in a case of partial trisomy 9p (p12.1→pter) due to maternal translocation t(9;12)(p12.1;p13.3)

We describe a five-year-old proband presented with Dandy-Walker malformations, right microopthalmia, hamstring contractures, undescended testis with absence of testis in right scrotum in addition to typical trisomy 9p clinical features. Routine cytogenetic studies with GTG - banding showed 46,XY,der(12)t(9;12) (p12;q13.3),mat karyotype (trisomy 9p). Chromosomal analysis of the father was normal and phenotypically normal mother had 46,XX,t(9;12)(p12;q13) karyotype. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis with single copy probes bA5OIA2 (9p11.2), bA562M8 (12p12.1) and centromere probes (9) showed break point at 9p12.1 region. The gene dosage effect of Chromosome 9p along with environmental factors might be associated with Dandy- Walker malformations in the patient.