Also published as: Alan Brown, Alan S Brown, Alex Brown, Alexandria C Brown, Amanda L Brown, Andrew A Brown, Andrew D Brown, Andrew John Brown, Anna-Leigh Brown, Ashley Brown, Audrey C Brown, Belinda M Brown, Bob Brown, Brieanna R Brown, C M Brown, C Randell Brown, Carolyn M Brown, Christopher A Brown, Christopher D Brown, Cynthia E Brown, D Brown, Darren L Brown, David Brown, David M Brown, David N Brown, Denver M Y Brown, Diane E Brown, Donald J Brown, Erin Louise Brown, Francesca K Brown, Guy C Brown, H Alex Brown, Heather B Brown, Heidi Brown, Ian Brown, Imogen T Brown, J A Brown, J Brown, J L Brown, J Mark Brown, Jacqueline T Brown, Jaime E Brown, James Mike Brown, James R Brown, Jane A Brown, Jane M Brown, Jane M Y Brown, Jason M Brown, Jennifer R Brown, Jenny M Brown, Jeremy P Brown, Jonathan D Brown, Jonathan M Brown, Jordan S Brown, Julie E Brown, Kathleen N Brown, Kevin Brown, Kevin M Brown, Kevin R Brown, Kyle A Brown, Lauren M Brown, Liam H Brown, Lily A Brown, Lindsay A Brown, Lisha Brown, Lisha G Brown, M Brown, Maile R Brown, Mark Brown, Matthew Brown, Michael R Brown, Michael S Brown, Morris Brown, Morris J Brown, Myles Brown, N Brown, N R Brown, Natasha J Brown, Nathan Brown, Nicholas G Brown, Nicholas H Brown, Oliver I Brown, P O Brown, Patrick A Brown, Patrick O Brown, Peter J Brown, Rachel A Brown, Rachel Brown, Rebecca J Brown, Richard Brown, Richard J P Brown, Robert A Brown, Robert Brown, Robert J Brown, Russell W Brown, S M Brown, Sabrina Brown, Sherine Brown, Spencer J Brown, Thomas Brown, Todd T Brown, Vienna R Brown, W Mark Brown, W T Brown, W Ted Brown, W Virgil Brown, Wilson J Brown
Apolipoproteins (apo) A-I and C-III are components of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), a quantitative trait negatively correlated with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We analyzed th Show more
Apolipoproteins (apo) A-I and C-III are components of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), a quantitative trait negatively correlated with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We analyzed the contribution of individual and pairwise combinations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the APOA1/APOC3 genes to HDL-C variability to evaluate (1) consistency of published single-SNP studies with our single-SNP analyses; (2) consistency of single-SNP and two-SNP phenotype-genotype relationships across race-, gender-, and geographical location-dependent contexts; and (3) the contribution of single SNPs and pairs of SNPs to variability beyond that explained by plasma apo A-I concentration. We analyzed 45 SNPs in 3,831 young African-American (N=1,858) and European-American (N=1,973) females and males ascertained by the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. We found three SNPs that significantly impact HDL-C variability in both the literature and the CARDIA sample. Single-SNP analyses identified only one of five significant HDL-C SNP genotype relationships in the CARDIA study that was consistent across all race-, gender-, and geographical location-dependent contexts. The other four were consistent across geographical locations for a particular race-gender context. The portion of total phenotypic variance explained by single-SNP genotypes and genotypes defined by pairs of SNPs was less than 3%, an amount that is miniscule compared to the contribution explained by variability in plasma apo A-I concentration. Our findings illustrate the impact of context-dependence on SNP selection for prediction of CVD risk factor variability. Show less
Genotype-phenotype associations were studied in 517 subjects clinically affected by classical neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). Genetic loci CLN1-3 were analyzed in regard to age of onset, initial Show more
Genotype-phenotype associations were studied in 517 subjects clinically affected by classical neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). Genetic loci CLN1-3 were analyzed in regard to age of onset, initial neurological symptoms, and electron microscope (EM) profiles. The most common initial symptom leading to a clinical evaluation was developmental delay (30%) in NCL1, seizures (42.4%) in NCL2, and vision problems (53.5%) in NCL3. Eighty-two percent of NCL1 cases had granular osmiophilic deposits (GRODs) or mixed-GROD-containing EM profiles; 94% of NCL2 cases had curvilinear (CV) or mixed-CV-containing profiles; and 91% of NCL3 had fingerprint (FP) or mixed-FP-containing profiles. The mixed-type EM profile was found in approximately one-third of the NCL cases. DNA mutations within a specific CLN gene were further correlated with NCL phenotypes. Seizures were noticed to associate with common mutations 523G>A and 636C>T of CLN2 in NCL2 but not with common mutations 223G>A and 451C>T of CLN1 in NCL1. Vision loss was the initial symptom in all types of mutations in NCL3. Surprisingly, our data showed that the age of onset was atypical in 51.3% of NCL1 (infantile form) cases, 19.7% of NCL2 (late-infantile form) cases, and 42.8% of NCL3 (juvenile form) cases. Our data provide an overall picture regarding the clinical recognition of classical childhood NCLs. This may assist in the prediction and genetic identification of NCL1-3 via their characteristic clinical features. Show less
N4WBP5A (Ndfip2) belongs to an evolutionarily conserved group of Nedd4-interacting proteins with two homologues in mammalian species. We have previously shown that N4WBP5A expression in Xenopus oocyte Show more
N4WBP5A (Ndfip2) belongs to an evolutionarily conserved group of Nedd4-interacting proteins with two homologues in mammalian species. We have previously shown that N4WBP5A expression in Xenopus oocytes results in increased cell-surface expression of the epithelial sodium channel. N4WBPs are characterized by one or two amino terminal PPxY motifs and three transmembrane domains. Here we show that both PPxY motifs of N4WBP5A mediate interaction with WW domains of Nedd4 and that N4WBP5A can physically interact with the WW domains of several Nedd4-family proteins. N4WBP5A is ubiquitinated and ubiquitination does not significantly affect the turnover of N4WBP5A protein. Ubiquitination of N4WBP5A is enhanced by Nedd4 and Nedd4-2 expression. N4WBP5A localizes to the Golgi, vesicles associated with the Golgi complex and to multivesicular bodies. We show that the ectopic expression of N4WBP5A inhibits receptor-mediated endocytosis of labelled epidermal growth factor. N4WBP5A overexpression inhibits accumulation of EGF in large endocytic/lysosomal vesicles suggestive of a role for N4WBP5A in protein trafficking. We propose that N4WBP5A acts as an adaptor to recruit Nedd4 family ubiquitin-protein ligases to the protein trafficking machinery. Show less
To test the hypothesis that APOC3 gene polymorphisms modulate the effect of saturated fat (SAT) intake on plasma lipoproteins and LDL size. We studied 336 randomly selected residents from Costa Rica. Show more
To test the hypothesis that APOC3 gene polymorphisms modulate the effect of saturated fat (SAT) intake on plasma lipoproteins and LDL size. We studied 336 randomly selected residents from Costa Rica. APOC3 polymorphisms were genotyped in the promoter region (T-455C, T-625del) and the C3238G 3' untranslated region (UTR). Dietary intake was assessed by a validated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and median saturated fat intake (11%) was used to define low and high exposure to saturated fat. Allele frequencies were 0.49, 0.51 and 0.19 for the APOC3-455C, -625de1, and APOC3 3238G alleles, respectively. Significant gene-diet interactions were found for total (P<0.0004) and LDL cholesterol (P<0.01). In homozygotes for the APOC3-455T-625T alleles, saturated fat intake was associated with a 13% increase in total cholesterol (P<0.001) and a 20% increase in LDL cholesterol (P<0.001). In contrast, no association between plasma lipoproteins and saturated fat intake was found among carriers of the APOC3-455C-625del allele. The APOC3 3238G UTR allele did not modify the observed association. Compared to a diet high in saturated fat, a habitually low saturated fat diet is associated with a beneficial lipoprotein profile only among homozygotes of the APOC3 promoter 455T-625T polymorphism. Show less
The BRCA2 gene is mutated in familial breast and ovarian cancer, and its product is implicated in DNA repair and transcriptional regulation. Here we identify a protein, EMSY, which binds BRCA2 within Show more
The BRCA2 gene is mutated in familial breast and ovarian cancer, and its product is implicated in DNA repair and transcriptional regulation. Here we identify a protein, EMSY, which binds BRCA2 within a region (exon 3) deleted in cancer. EMSY is capable of silencing the activation potential of BRCA2 exon 3, associates with chromatin regulators HP1beta and BS69, and localizes to sites of repair following DNA damage. EMSY maps to chromosome 11q13.5, a region known to be involved in breast and ovarian cancer. We show that the EMSY gene is amplified almost exclusively in sporadic breast cancer (13%) and higher-grade ovarian cancer (17%). In addition, EMSY amplification is associated with worse survival, particularly in node-negative breast cancer, suggesting that it may be of prognostic value. The remarkable clinical overlap between sporadic EMSY amplification and familial BRCA2 deletion implicates a BRCA2 pathway in sporadic breast and ovarian cancer. Show less
Jen-Tsan Chi, Howard Y Chang, Guttorm Haraldsen+8 more · 2003 · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · National Academy of Sciences · added 2026-04-24
The vascular system is locally specialized to accommodate widely varying blood flow and pressure and the distinct needs of individual tissues. The endothelial cells (ECs) that line the lumens of blood Show more
The vascular system is locally specialized to accommodate widely varying blood flow and pressure and the distinct needs of individual tissues. The endothelial cells (ECs) that line the lumens of blood and lymphatic vessels play an integral role in the regional specialization of vascular structure and physiology. However, our understanding of EC diversity is limited. To explore EC specialization on a global scale, we used DNA microarrays to determine the expression profile of 53 cultured ECs. We found that ECs from different blood vessels and microvascular ECs from different tissues have distinct and characteristic gene expression profiles. Pervasive differences in gene expression patterns distinguish the ECs of large vessels from microvascular ECs. We identified groups of genes characteristic of arterial and venous endothelium. Hey2, the human homologue of the zebrafish gene gridlock, was selectively expressed in arterial ECs and induced the expression of several arterial-specific genes. Several genes critical in the establishment of left/right asymmetry were expressed preferentially in venous ECs, suggesting coordination between vascular differentiation and body plan development. Tissue-specific expression patterns in different tissue microvascular ECs suggest they are distinct differentiated cell types that play roles in the local physiology of their respective organs and tissues. Show less
The EXT family of genes is involved in the developmentally important biosynthesis of heparan sulfate molecules. Members of the EXT family have a demonstrated role in gastrulation, wing formation in fl Show more
The EXT family of genes is involved in the developmentally important biosynthesis of heparan sulfate molecules. Members of the EXT family have a demonstrated role in gastrulation, wing formation in flies, and proper bone development in vertebrates. EXT family members have been isolated from several phylogenetically diverse species. We report here, the isolation of the first Xenopus laevis EXT1 family member and discuss the evolutionary origins of this gene family. Show less
Recent studies have characterised a family of giant cytoskeletal crosslinkers encoded by the short stop gene in Drosophila and the dystonin/BPAG1 and MACF1 genes in mammals. We refer to the products o Show more
Recent studies have characterised a family of giant cytoskeletal crosslinkers encoded by the short stop gene in Drosophila and the dystonin/BPAG1 and MACF1 genes in mammals. We refer to the products of these genes as spectraplakins to highlight the fact that they share features with both the spectrin and plakin superfamilies. These genes produce a variety of large proteins, up to almost 9000 residues long, which can potentially extend 0.4 micro m across a cell. Spectraplakins can interact with all three elements of the cytoskeleton: actin, microtubules and intermediate filaments. The analysis of mutant phenotypes in BPAG1 in mouse and short stop in Drosophila demonstrates that spectraplakins have diverse roles. These include linking the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton, linking together different elements of the cytoskeleton and organising membrane domains. Show less
Heterochromatin represents a cytologically visible state of heritable gene repression. In the yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the swi6 gene encodes a heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1)-like chromodomai Show more
Heterochromatin represents a cytologically visible state of heritable gene repression. In the yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the swi6 gene encodes a heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1)-like chromodomain protein that localizes to heterochromatin domains, including the centromeres, telomeres, and the donor mating-type loci, and is involved in silencing at these loci. We identify here the functional domains of swi6p and demonstrate that the chromodomain from a mammalian HP1-like protein, M31, can functionally replace that of swi6p, showing that chromodomain function is conserved from yeasts to humans. Site-directed mutagenesis, based on a modeled three-dimensional structure of the swi6p chromodomain, shows that the hydrophobic amino acids which lie in the core of the structure are critical for biological function. Gel filtration, gel overlay experiments, and mass spectroscopy show that HP1 proteins can self-associate, and we suggest that it is as oligomers that HP1 proteins are incorporated into heterochromatin complexes that silence gene activity. Show less
Late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL), an autosomal recessively inherited lysosomal storage disorder characterized by autofluorescent inclusions and rapid progression of neurodegenerat Show more
Late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL), an autosomal recessively inherited lysosomal storage disorder characterized by autofluorescent inclusions and rapid progression of neurodegeneration, is due to CLN2 gene mutations. However, CLN2 mutation analysis has failed to identify some clinically diagnosed "late-infantile" NCL cases. This study was conducted to further characterize genetic heterogeneity in families affected by LINCL. DNA mutations in the CLN1, CLN2, and CLN3 genes that underlie INCL (infantile NCL), LINCL, and JNCL (juvenile NCL), respectively, were studied with molecular analyses. A total of 252 families affected by childhood NCL were studied. Of 109 families clinically diagnosed as having LINCL, 3 were determined to have either INCL or JNCL by identification of mutation(s) in CLN1 or CLN3. Six families diagnosed initially as having JNCL were found to have LINCL based on the finding of mutations in the CLN2 gene. In addition, several novel mutations were identified. Clinical and genetic heterogeneity of LINCL was demonstrated in nine LINCL families studied. Show less
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a large group of autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorders with both enzymatic deficiency and structural protein dysfunction. Three typical forms, t Show more
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a large group of autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorders with both enzymatic deficiency and structural protein dysfunction. Three typical forms, the infantile (INCL), late-infantile (LINCL), and juvenile (JNCL), are among the most common childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorders. They result from mutations on genes CLN1, CLN2, and CLN3, respectively. We determined that the mutations 223A --> G and 451C --> T in CLN1, T523-1G --> C, and 636 C --> T in CLN2, and deletion of a 1.02-kb genomic fragment in CLN3 are the five common mutations for NCL. To offer clinical genetic testing for the NCLs, we have developed simple and quick PCR-based molecular tests for detecting INCL-, LINCL-, and JNCL-affected individuals from 180 NCL families (27 INCL, 76 LINCL, and 77 JNCL). The sensitivity of testing to detect NCL patients among clinically suspected individuals was determined to be 78% (21/27) for INCL, 66% (54/76) for LINCL, and 75% (58/77) for JNCL. When molecular screening for carriers was conducted among the normal siblings or parents of the probands, we identified two carriers out of three individuals tested for INCL, 20/56 (35.7%) carriers for LINCL, and 48/106 (45.3%) carriers for JNCL families. In addition, 5% (9/180) of NCL patients revealed genetic heterogeneity and were reclassified. Seven patients previously diagnosed as having JNCL were now found to carry mutations of CLN2 (5/7) or CLN1 (2/7) and 2 with late-infantile onsets were identified as carrying mutations of CLN1. Our data demonstrate the importance of DNA testing to detect accurately both affected individuals and carriers in NCL families. Show less
The lysosomal storage of lipofuscins is the common pathological feature that characterizes the infantile, late-infantile, juvenile (Batten's disease), and Finnish-variant neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosi Show more
The lysosomal storage of lipofuscins is the common pathological feature that characterizes the infantile, late-infantile, juvenile (Batten's disease), and Finnish-variant neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (INCL, LINCL, JNCL and FNCL), which are due to mutations in the genes CLN1, CLN2, CLN3, and CLN5, respectively. The CLN1 and CLN2 genes encode lysosomal enzymes, but the CLN3 and CLN5 genes encode membrane-spanning proteins. Why deficiencies of lysosomal enzymes and membrane-spanning proteins produce similar clinical phenotypes and pathological changes is still unanswered. We hypothesize that CLN-encoded proteins may comprise a functional pathogenic pathway, in which protein associations may play important roles. To test this hypothesis, we studied protein-protein interactions among the CLN1-, CLN2-, and CLN3-encoded proteins using a yeast two-hybrid system. Our results provided no evidence that CLN-encoded proteins interact with each other. This suggests there may be unidentified components in NCL pathogenesis. Show less
D Stickens, D Brown, G A Evans · 2000 · Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists · Wiley · added 2026-04-24
Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is a genetically heterogeneous disease characterized by the development of bony protuberances at the ends of all long bones. Genetic analyses have revealed HME to b Show more
Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is a genetically heterogeneous disease characterized by the development of bony protuberances at the ends of all long bones. Genetic analyses have revealed HME to be a multigenic disorder linked to three loci on chromosomes 8q24 (EXT1), 11p11-13 (EXT2), and 19p (EXT3). The EXT1 and EXT2 genes have been cloned and defined as glycosyltransferases involved in the synthesis of heparan sulfate. EST database analysis has demonstrated additional gene family members, EXT-like genes (EXTL1, EXTL2, and EXTL3), not associated with a HME locus. The mouse homologs of EXT1 and EXT2 have also been cloned and shown to be 99% and 95% identical to their human counterparts, respectively. Here, we report the identification of the mouse EXTL1 gene and show it is 74% identical to the human EXTL1 gene. Expression studies of all three mouse EXT genes throughout various stages of embryonic development were carried out and whole-mount in situ hybridization in the developing limb buds showed high levels of expression of all three EXT genes. However, in situ hybridization of sectioned embryos revealed remarkable differences in expression profiles of EXT1, EXT2, and EXTL1. The identical expression patterns found for the EXT1 and EXT2 genes support the recent observation that both proteins form a glycosyltransferase complex. We suggest a model for exostoses formation based on the involvement of EXT1 and EXT2 in the Indian hedgehog/parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) signaling pathway, an important regulator of the chondrocyte maturation process. Show less
no PDFDOI: 10.1002/1097-0177(200007)218:3<452::AID-DVDY1000>3.0.CO;2-P
We sought to create a comprehensive catalog of yeast genes whose transcript levels vary periodically within the cell cycle. To this end, we used DNA microarrays and samples from yeast cultures synchro Show more
We sought to create a comprehensive catalog of yeast genes whose transcript levels vary periodically within the cell cycle. To this end, we used DNA microarrays and samples from yeast cultures synchronized by three independent methods: alpha factor arrest, elutriation, and arrest of a cdc15 temperature-sensitive mutant. Using periodicity and correlation algorithms, we identified 800 genes that meet an objective minimum criterion for cell cycle regulation. In separate experiments, designed to examine the effects of inducing either the G1 cyclin Cln3p or the B-type cyclin Clb2p, we found that the mRNA levels of more than half of these 800 genes respond to one or both of these cyclins. Furthermore, we analyzed our set of cell cycle-regulated genes for known and new promoter elements and show that several known elements (or variations thereof) contain information predictive of cell cycle regulation. A full description and complete data sets are available at http://cellcycle-www.stanford.edu Show less
In the United States, juvenile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (JNCL) is the most common form of NCL. This study analyzed 191 cases, diagnosed on the basis of age-at-onset, clinical symptomatology, and Show more
In the United States, juvenile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (JNCL) is the most common form of NCL. This study analyzed 191 cases, diagnosed on the basis of age-at-onset, clinical symptomatology, and pathologic findings. Twenty percent (40/191) of these cases from 24/120 families manifested atypical clinical symptomatology and/or pathologic findings (typical revealed fingerprints and atypical revealed mixed inclusions, or only curvilinear or granular profiles) and, therefore, represent variant forms of JNCL. Those patients in the study with typical JNCL were a uniform group of cases, whereas the atypical were heterogenous and were divided into 8 subgroups based on the clinicopathologic findings. Forty-three families were analyzed (27 typical, 16 atypical) for the common 1.02 kb deletion and several pedigrees for novel mutations. In typical JNCL the common 1.02 kb deletion in both alleles (homozygous) were observed in 23/27, and only 1 allele (heterozygous) was exhibited in 4/27 families. In atypical JNCL families, 5/16 were heterozygous for the common 1.02 kb deletion. None of the remaining 11/16 families had the common 1.02 kb deletion in either allele, but in 9/11 cases the palmitoyl-protein thioesterase (PPT) levels were deficient. In cases where the mutation in CLN3 gene has not been identified, several possibilities may exist. The phenotype may be caused by a yet undefined mutation in CLN3 or may be due to overlapping with other forms of NCL. Show less
Batten disease, the juvenile form of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, is a prevalent neuron degenerative disorder of childhood. A 1.02-kb genomic deletion in the Batten disease gene CLN3 has been deter Show more
Batten disease, the juvenile form of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, is a prevalent neuron degenerative disorder of childhood. A 1.02-kb genomic deletion in the Batten disease gene CLN3 has been determined to be a common mutation. We developed a PCR method to screen for this deletion and tested 43 Batten disease probands. We found 36% (31/86) of Batten disease chromosomes did not carry the 1.02-kb deletion. Of the three heterozygotes for the 1.02-kb deletion, a novel G-to-A missense mutation at nucleotide 1020 of the CLN3 cDNA sequence was found on two of the non-1.02-kb deletion chromosomes. The missense mutation resulted in a substitution of glutamic acid (E) by lysine (K) at position 295 (E295 K). The E295 K mutation causes a change in predicted local protein conformation. This glutamic acid is a highly conserved acidic amino acid, being present in human, mouse, dog and yeast, which suggests it may play an important role in the function of the Batten disease protein. Show less
We present a clinicopathological study and the first molecular genetic analysis of a family with 2 siblings affected by a rare, protracted form of juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL). Molec Show more
We present a clinicopathological study and the first molecular genetic analysis of a family with 2 siblings affected by a rare, protracted form of juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL). Molecular genetic studies showed that both siblings, in addition to being heterozygous for the 1.02-kb CLN3 deletion, a common mutation in JNCL, also had a G-to-A missense mutation at nucleotide 1,020 of the CLN3 cDNA sequence on the non-1.02-kb deletion chromosomes. This point mutation resulted in a substitution of glutamic acid by lysine at position 295 of the CLN3 protein. Thus, a single point mutation at residue 295 of the CLN3 protein in protracted JNCL may underlie the phenotype in this form, which differs from that in classic JNCL. Show less
We have collected 122 late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL, CLN2) and 191 juvenile NCL (JNCL, CLN3) cases, diagnosed on the basis of age-at-onset, clinical symptomatology, and patholog Show more
We have collected 122 late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL, CLN2) and 191 juvenile NCL (JNCL, CLN3) cases, diagnosed on the basis of age-at-onset, clinical symptomatology, and pathological findings and representing the most common forms of NCL in the United States, and Europe. However, careful analysis of available data revealed that about 80% of cases show typical and 20% show atypical clinical course and/or pathological findings and thus, may represent variants of LINCL and JNCL, respectively. Recent progress in the biochemistry and molecular genetics of NCL inclined us to reevaluate these atypical NCL cases. The gene responsible for LINCL has not yet been identified, except for the Finnish variant. Accumulation of subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase, to curvilinear profiles, is found in LINCL cases. A novel variant of LINCL, with predominantly granular profiles in the lysosomal storage, as well as normal excretion of subunit c in urine samples, was found in five cases. When the palmitoyle-protein thioesterase (PPT) was studied in these five cases, it was found that the level was deficient, suggesting that they are not LINCL, but the infantile form of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (INCL). Using molecular genetic techniques in the typical JNCL cases, common 1.02 kb deletion to CLN3 was found in 23/27 (homozygotes) and in one allele 4/27 (heterozygotes) in affected pedigrees. In atypical JNCL pedigrees, it was found in 5/16 heterozygotes, while in 1/5 pedigrees, a novel mutation of one atypical JNCL where a single amino acid substitution at 295 E-->K was found in one allele. None of the atypical JNCL cases was homozygote. In atypical JNCL cases where mutation in CLN3 has not been identified (11/16 probands), several possibilities may exist. The phenotype may be caused by a yet undefined mutation in CLN3 or may be due to phenotypically overlapping with other forms of NCL. Pheno/genotypic correlation and the diagnostic difficulties are discussed. Show less
Hereditary multiple exostoses (EXT) is a genetically heterogeneous bone disorder caused by genes segregating on human chromosomes 8, 11, and 19 and designated EXT1, EXT2 and EXT3, respectively. Recent Show more
Hereditary multiple exostoses (EXT) is a genetically heterogeneous bone disorder caused by genes segregating on human chromosomes 8, 11, and 19 and designated EXT1, EXT2 and EXT3, respectively. Recently, the EXT1 gene has been isolated and partially characterized and appears to encode a tumor suppressor gene. We have identified six mutations in the human EXT1 gene from six unrelated multiple exostoses families segregating for the EXT gene on chromosome 8. One of the mutations we detected is the same 1-bp deletion in exon 6 that was previously reported in two independent EXT families. The other five mutations, in exons 1, 6, 9, and the splice junction at the 3' end of exon 2, are novel. In each case, the mutation is likely to result in a truncated or nonfunctional EXT1 protein. These results corroborate and extend the previous report of mutations in this gene in two EXT families, and provide additional support for the EXT1 gene as the cause of hereditary multiple exostoses in families showing linkage to chromosome 8. Show less
A novel gene encoding a 2.2 kilobase transcript has been isolated from the Xp21.1 region of the human X chromosome by exon amplification. The gene, called EXT1, spans 80 kilobases and contains 12 exon Show more
A novel gene encoding a 2.2 kilobase transcript has been isolated from the Xp21.1 region of the human X chromosome by exon amplification. The gene, called EXT1, spans 80 kilobases and contains 12 exons, at least two of which are alternatively spliced and have predicted products of 464 and 471 amino acids respectively. Conceptual translation of the open reading frames shows one product with a 30 amino acid signal peptide, which is absent from the alternative transcript, followed by three complement control protein domains, a hydrophobic region with a possible role in membrane anchorage and short 17 amino acid putative cytoplasmic carboxyl terminus. An alternative first exon contains a 39 amino acid open reading frame which is rich in serine and threonine residues and contains a potential chondroitin/dermatan sulphate attachment site. Northern analysis showed ETX1 expression within the retina and heart with lower levels in several other tissues. Since ETX1 lies within the region thought to contain the x-linked retinitis pigmentosa (xIRP) gene, RP3, it was screened for mutation within a set of 45 xIRP patients using single strand conformation analysis and/or chemical cleavage of mismatch using reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction amplification of polyA+RNA from blood cells. Three low frequently variants (17-23Ldel, P225S, S413F) were found in both patients and controls; one of which (P225S) was found in four of 45 unrelated patient chromosomes and one of 178 control chromosomes (p <0.001). The allelic association between P225S and xIRP alleles suggests a common ancestral chromosome bearing the P225S variant and an RP3 mutation at a neighbouring locus. Show less
Cysteine proteinases are hypothesized to be important virulence factors of Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amebic dysentery and liver abscesses. The release of a histolytic cysteine prot Show more
Cysteine proteinases are hypothesized to be important virulence factors of Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of amebic dysentery and liver abscesses. The release of a histolytic cysteine proteinase from E. histolytica correlates with the pathogenicity of both axenic strains and recent clinical isolates as determined by clinical history of invasive disease, zymodeme analysis, and cytopathic effect. We now show that pathogenic isolates have a unique cysteine proteinase gene (ACP1). Two other cysteine proteinase genes (ACP2, ACP3) are 85% identical to each other and are present in both pathogenic and nonpathogenic isolates. ACP1 is only 35 and 45% identical in sequence to the two genes found in all isolates and is present on a distinct chromosome-size DNA fragment. Presence of the ACP1 gene correlates with increased proteinase expression and activity in pathogenic isolates as well as cytopathic effect on a fibroblast monolayer, an in vitro assay of virulence. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence of the ACP1 proteinase gene reveals homology with cysteine proteinases released by activated macrophages and invasive cancer cells, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of tissue invasion. The observation that a histolytic cysteine proteinase gene is present only in pathogenic isolates of E. histolytica suggests that this aspect of virulence in amebiasis is genetically predetermined. Show less
beta-Glucuronidase (GUS) has become an important enzyme model for the genetic study of molecular disease, enzyme realization, and therapy, and for the biogenesis and function of the lysosome and lysos Show more
beta-Glucuronidase (GUS) has become an important enzyme model for the genetic study of molecular disease, enzyme realization, and therapy, and for the biogenesis and function of the lysosome and lysosomal enzymes. The genetics of human beta-glucuronidase was investigated utilizing 188 primary man-mouse and man-chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids segregating human chromosomes. Cell hybrids were derived from 16 different fusion experiments involving cells from ten different and unrelated individuals and six different rodent cell lines. The genetic relationship of GUS to 28 enzyme markers representing 19 linkage groups was determined, and chromosome studies on selected cell hybrids were performed. The evidence indicates that the beta-glucuronidase gene is assigned to chromosome 7 in man. Comparative linkage data in man and mouse indicate that the structural gene GUS is located in a region on chromosome 7 that has remained conserved during evolution. Involvement of other chromosomes whose genes may be important in the final expression of GUS was not observed. A tetrameric structure of human beta-glucuronidase was demonstrated by the formation of three heteropolymers migrating between the human and mouse molecular forms in chromosome 7 positive cell hybrids. Linkage of GUS to other lysosomal enzyme genes was investigated. beta-Hexosaminidase (HEXB) was assigned to chromosome 5; acid phosphatase2 (ACP2) and esterase A4 (ES-A4) were assigned to chromosome 11; HEXA was not linked to GUS; and alpha-galactosidase (alpha-GAL) was localized on the X chromosome. These assignments are consistent with previous reports. Evidence was not obtained for a cluster of lysosomal enzyme structural genes. In demonstrating that GUS was not assigned to chromosome 9 utilizing an X/9 translocation segregating in cell hybrids, the gene coding for human adenylate kinase1 was confirmed to be located on chromosome 9. Show less