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Biomedical subjects

A Guiochon-Mantel

Publications and source records attributed to A Guiochon-Mantel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Thymidine phosphorylase gene mutations in patients with mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy syndrome.

The mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) syndrome is characterized by the association of gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms. It is a rare autosomal recessive mitochondrial disorder with multiple mitochondrial DNA deletions and/or depletion. It is caused by thymidine phosphorylase (TP) gene mutations resulting in a complete abolition of TP activity. We tested 31 unrelated patients presenting either with a complete MNGIE syndrome (8 patients), a severe intestinal pseudo-obstruction (10 patients), and multiple deletions and/or depletion of mitochondrial DNA (13 patients). All the tested patients presenting with a complete MNGIE had increased thymidine levels in plasma and urine, and no TP activity. The group with pseudo-obstruction syndrome had normal or partial reduction of TP activity. We found pathogenic mutations on TP gene only in the MNGIE syndrome group: all the MNGIE patients were compound heterozygous or homozygous for mutations in the TP gene. Eight of these mutations are yet unreported, confirming the lack of genotype/phenotype correlation in this syndrome. Enzymatic activity and thymidine level are thus rapid diagnosis tests to detect MNGIE affected patients prior to genetic testing for patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Adult↗

The range of chronic demyelinating neuropathy of infancy: a clinico-pathological and genetic study of 15 unrelated cases.

The concept of Dejerine-Sottas disease, which corresponds to presumed recessive demyelinating neuropathies with onset in infancy, remains controversial. To learn more on the subject, we performed a clinico-pathological and molecular genetic study in 15 unrelated patients with the Dejerine-Sottas phenotype seen over a 16 year period. There were 12 females and 3 males, born to asymptomatic parents. Study of the PMP22, P0 and Egr2 genes was performed in all cases and 14 underwent a nerve biopsy. First manifestations of neuropathy occurred before 3 years of age in all patients. An inherited disorder was suspected in 10 patients, because of their family history and/or disclosure of a molecular genetic defect in 4 of them. One patient had a recessively transmitted homozygous point mutation (Arg157Trp) of the PMP22 gene. A heterozygous duplication of the 17p11.2-12 segment was detected in one offspring of a consanguineous marriage. One patient carried a "de novo" heterozygous Ser72Leu substitution in the PMP22. A heterozygous double mutation of the P0 gene including a "de novo" Val42 deletion and an Ala221Thr substitution, maternally inherited, were found in an apparently sporadic case. No mutation of the Egr2 gene was identified. A neuropathy with focally folded myelin sheaths (CMT4B) was diagnosed in the nerve biopsy specimens of two patients. In five patients, the clinico-pathological findings along with the absence of an identified mutation suggested the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy of infantile onset. Our findings illustrate the genetic heterogeneity of cases with identified mutations, the scarcity of cases with "demonstrated" recessive transmission and the likelihood of early acquired chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in several patients.

Adolescent↗

Phe 84 deletion of the PMP22 gene associated with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy HMSN III with multiple cranial neuropathy: clinical, neurophysiological and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN) is a heterogeneous group of peripheral neuropathies which are diagnosed on the basis of clinical, electrophysiological and neuropathological findings. Among the hypertrophic demyelinating neuropathies, HMSN III is the most severe. It is often associated with de novo mutations in the genes encoding for peripheral myelin proteins. While peripheral nerve hypertrophy is an expected finding in HMSN III, cranial nerve hypertrophy is exceptional. Here we describe a mutation in the PMP22 gene in a 19-year-old man with infantile onset of sensory motor polyneuropathy without family history and multiple cranial nerve hypertrophy shown by cranial magnetic resonance imaging.

Adult↗

[Specific modulators of estrogen action].

Selective estradiol receptor modulators (SERMs) are specific modulators of estradiol action. They are used in therapeutics to obtain an estrogenic effect on certain cells and an antiestrogenic effect on other cells. Recent progress in the knowledge of the mechanism of action of estradiols implies that new molecules could be designed. This progress involves the cloning of a new estradiol receptor, ER beta, the discovery of co-activators and the elucidation of their molecular mechanism of action, and the crystallization of the ligand binding domain in the presence of an agonist or an antagonist.

Animals↗

[Regulation of the differentiation and proliferation of smooth muscle cells by the sex hormones].

Steroids effects are mediated by their receptors. These proteins define the large family of steroid hormone receptors, characterized by the presence of 3 functional domains: a transactivation domain, a DNA-binding domain and a ligand-binding domain. Receptor activation induces the modulation of transcription of specific genes, and as a consequence, the modulation of production of specific proteins. Sex steroid receptors are located in the nucleus. This nuclear localization is in fact a dynamic situation, resulting from a continuous shuttling of the receptor between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. The recent discovery that an additional estrogen receptor is present in various tissues has advanced our understanding of the mechanism underlying estrogen signalling. Non genomic effects of steroids have also been described. Sex steroids inhibit proliferation of smooth muscle cells. On the contrary, they stimulate proliferation of tumoral muscle cells. The mechanisms of sex steroid effects on cellular proliferation are complex, and may involve transcriptional or non transcriptional phenomena.

Cell Differentiation↗

Peripheral neuropathy with hypomyelination, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and deafness: a developmental "neural crest syndrome" related to a SOX10 mutation.

We describe the case of a girl with an unusual congenital phenotype, combining peculiar peripheral nerve lesions with hypomyelination, chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction, and deafness. She was found to have a de novo heterozygous frameshift mutation in the gene encoding the SOX10 transcription factor. The likely role of SOX10 in determining the fate of Schwann cells during early embryogenesis may explain the peripheral nervous system developmental disorder observed in this patient.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Recessive inheritance of a new point mutation of the PMP22 gene in Dejerine-Sottas disease.

The existence of recessive transmission of Dejerine-Sottas disease, a severe demyelinating neuropathy of childhood, has been questioned, because only heterozygous mutations of the myelin proteins P0 or PMP22 genes have been identified in virtually all patients with this phenotype. We report on a family with 3 affected children with this phenotype, born to clinically and electrophysiologically unaffected parents. All 3 children carried a previously unknown homozygous missense point mutation (Arg157Trp) of the PMP22 gene. The parents were heterozygous for the same mutation. These findings demonstrate the occurrence of recessive transmission in this setting.

Adult↗

The Roussy-Lévy family: from the original description to the gene.

In 1926, Roussy and Lévy described a large family whose members manifested an early onset dominantly inherited gait ataxia, pes cavus, and areflexia, which was eventually associated with distal muscle atrophy, postural tremor, and minor sensory loss. Slow nerve conduction and demyelination of nerve fibers with onion bulb formations in nerve biopsy specimens led to the Roussy-Lévy syndrome (RLS) being considered a variant of demyelinating Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT-1). In the present article, we report on the long-term follow-up, on nerve biopsy findings, and on the underlying molecular genetic defect in members of the original family studied by Roussy and Lévy. All patients were able to walk during their seventh decade of life. Morphologically, a chronic demyelinating neuropathy with the remarkable aspects of a focally hypertrophic myelin sheath and major loss of myelinated fibers was observed in nerve biopsy specimens of 3 members of this family. Molecular genetic testing identified a previously unknown heterozygous missense point mutation which yielded an Asn131Lys substitution in the extracellular domain of the myelin protein zero (P0). These findings show that the Roussy-Lévy family belongs to the CMT-1B subtype and has original morphological and genetic features.

Aged↗

[Steroid receptors and mechanism of action of sex steroids].

Steroid hormone receptors define a large family of proteins. Recently, a new estradiol receptor has been identified. This discovery suggests the existence of a previously unrecognized pathway of estrogen signalling. Moreover, it implies important pharmacological consequences. Receptors activation induces the modulation of transcription of specific genes. Proteins involved in this effect have been identified: coactivators, corepressors and cointegrators. Their mechanism of action have been characterized. They modify histone acetylation of the corresponding promotor. Sex steroid receptors are located in the nucleus. This nuclear localization is in fact a dynamic situation, resulting from a continuous shuttling of the receptor between the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Non genomic effects of steroids have also been described.

Animals↗

[Estrogen biosynthesis and receptors].

Most of the enzymes involved in steroidogenesis belong to the family of cytochrome P 450. Most of the corresponding genes have been cloned. The key enzyme for estradiol biosynthesis is P 450 arom. Several germline mutations have been described. These observations have lead to reconsider the role of estradiol. Estradiol plays a key role in bone growth and mineralisation and in gonadotrope regulation in male. Moreover, the recent discovery that an additional estrogen receptor (ER beta) is present in various tissues has advanced our understanding of the mechanisms underlying estrogen signalling. It suggests the existence of two previously unrecognized pathways of estrogen signalling: via the ER beta subtype in tissues exclusively expressing this subtype and via the formation of heterodimers in tissues expressing both ER subtypes. Various models have been suggested as explanations for the stricking cell and promoter-specific effects of estrogens and antiestrogens, all on the basis of the assumption that only a single ER exists. These models have to be reconsidered. Moreover, new antiestrogens with improved therapeutic profiles could be designed.

Animals↗

Mechanisms of progesterone receptor export from nuclei: role of nuclear localization signal, nuclear export signal, and ran guanosine triphosphate.

Steroid hormone receptors are, in most cases, mainly nuclear proteins that undergo a continuous nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. The mechanism of the nuclear export of these proteins remains largely unknown. To approach this problem experimentally in vivo, we have prepared cell lines permanently coexpressing the wild-type nuclear progesterone receptor (PR) and a cytoplasmic receptor mutant deleted of its nuclear localization signal (NLS) [(deltaNLS)PR]. Each receptor species was deleted from the epitope recognized by a specific monoclonal antibody, thus allowing separated observation of the two receptor forms in the same cells. Administration of hormone provoked formation of heterodimers during nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and import of (deltaNLS)PR into the nucleus. Washing out of the hormone allowed us to follow the export of (deltaNLS)PR into the cytoplasm. Microinjection of BSA coupled to a NLS inhibited the export of (deltaNLS)PR. On the contrary, microinjection of BSA coupled to a nuclear export signal (NES) was without effect. Moreover, leptomycin B, which inhibits NES-mediated export, was also without effect. tsBN2 cells contain a thermosensitive RCC1 protein (Ran GTP exchange protein). At the nonpermissive temperature, the nuclear export of (deltaNLS)PR could be observed, whereas the export of NES-BSA was suppressed. Microinjection of GTPgammaS confirmed that the export of (deltaNLS)PR was not dependent on GTP hydrolysis. These experiments show that the nuclear export of PR is not NES mediated but probably involves the NLS. It does not involve Ran GTP, and it is not dependent on the hydrolysis of GTP. The nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of steroid hormone receptors thus appears to utilize mechanisms different from those previously described for some viral, regulatory, and heterogeneous ribonuclear proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The Ernst Schering Poster Award. Intracellular traffic of steroid hormone receptors.

The signal responsible for the nuclear localization of the progesterone receptor has been characterized. It is a complex signal. The study of the mechanism of this nuclear localization has revealed that the receptor continuously shuttles between nucleus and the cytoplasm. The receptor diffuses into the cytoplasm and is constantly and actively transported back into the nucleus. The same phenomenon exists for estradiol and glucocorticoid receptors. The mechanism of entry of proteins into the nucleus is well documented, whereas the mechanism of their outward movement to the cytoplasm is not understood. We have grafted different nuclear localization signals (NLSs) onto beta-galactosidase and have studied the traffic of this protein using heterokaryons and microinjection experiments. We have demonstrated that the same NLSs are involved in both the inward and the outward movement of proteins through the nuclear membrane. These results suggest that the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling may be a general phenomenon for nuclear proteins that could possibly undergo modifications in the cytoplasm and exert some biological activities there. These conclusions also imply that at least part of the cellular machinery involved in the nuclear import of proteins may function bidirectionally. Using these techniques, we have shown that the two major antiprogestins, RU486 and ZK98299, act at the same distal level of hormone action.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Effect of PML and PML-RAR on the transactivation properties and subcellular localization of steroid hormone receptors].

PML is a protein involved in the t (15, 17) translocation of promyelocytic leukemia and is mainly localized in nuclear bodies. Here we show that PML exerts a very powerful enhancing activity (up to 20-fold) on the transactivating properties of the progesterone receptor (PR) and has a similar effect on several other steroid hormone receptors. There is probably a direct or indirect interaction between PR and PML since when the latter was expressed at high concentrations it shifted PR into the nuclear bodies. Use of deletion mutants showed that both activation functions (AF1 and AF2) of PR as well as the coiled coil and His-Cys rich domains of PML were required for transcriptional enhancement. The fusion protein PML-RAR, which is not localized in nuclear bodies, also enhanced the transactivating activity of PR but this effect was totally suppressed by the administration of retinoic acid. PML, which is ubiquitously expressed, may thus be involved in the transactivation properties of steroid hormone receptors. This mechanism may also play a role in the oncogenic properties of PML-RAR and in their suppression by the retinoic acid.

In Vitro Techniques↗

Effect of PML and PML-RAR on the transactivation properties and subcellular distribution of steroid hormone receptors.

PML (promyelocytic leukemia) is a protein involved in the t (15;17) translocation of promyelocytic leukemia and is mainly localized in nuclear bodies. Here we show that PML exerts a very powerful enhancing activity (up to 20-fold) on the transactivating properties of the progesterone receptor (PR) and has a similar effect on several other steroid hormone receptors. There is probably a direct or indirect interaction between PR and PML, because when the latter was expressed at high concentrations it shifted PR into the nuclear bodies. The use of deletion mutants showed that both activation functions (AF1 and AF2) of PR as well as the coiled coil and His-Cys-rich domains of PML were required for transcriptional enhancement. The fusion protein PML-RAR which is not localized in nuclear bodies, also enhanced the transactivating activity of PR, but this effect was totally suppressed by the administration of retinoic acid. PML, which is ubiquitously expressed, may thus be involved in the transactivation properties of steroid hormone receptors. This mechanism may also play a role in the oncogenic properties of PML-RAR and in their suppression by retinoic acid.

Animals↗

Nuclear localization signals also mediate the outward movement of proteins from the nucleus.

Several nuclear proteins, including steroid hormone receptors, have been shown to shuttle continuously between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The mechanism of entry of proteins into the nucleus is well documented, whereas the mechanism of their outward movement into the cytoplasm is not understood. We have grafted the nuclear localization signals of the progesterone receptor or the simian virus 40 large tumor antigen onto beta-galactosidase. These additions were shown to impart to the protein the ability to shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Microinjected proteins devoid of a nuclear localization signal were unable to exit from the nucleus. The same nuclear localization signals are thus involved in both the inward and the outward movement of proteins through the nuclear membrane. We also show that although the nuclear import requires energy, the nuclear export does not. These results suggest that the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling may be a general phenomenon for nuclear proteins that could possibly undergo modifications in the cytoplasm and exert some biological activities there. These conclusions also imply that at least part of the cellular machinery involved in the nuclear import of proteins may function bidirectionally.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cytoplasmic-nuclear trafficking of progesterone receptor. In vivo study of the mechanism of action of antiprogestins.

The signal responsible for the nuclear localization of the progesterone receptor has been characterized. The study of the mechanism of this nuclear localization has revealed that the receptor continuously shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. The receptor diffuses into the cytoplasm and is constantly and actively transported back into the nucleus. Preliminary evidence suggests that the same mechanism exists for estradiol and glucocorticoid receptors. Experiments designed to study the traffic of steroid hormone receptors have been applied to the determination of the molecular mechanism of action of antisteroids. Using these techniques, we have shown that two major antiprogestins, RU486 and ZK98299, act at the same point in the cell as the hormone.

Animals↗

In vivo functional protein-protein interaction: nuclear targeted hsp90 shifts cytoplasmic steroid receptor mutants into the nucleus.

In target tissue extracts, heat shock protein hsp90 has been found associated to all unliganded steroid receptors. Modulation of important functions of these receptors, including prevention of DNA binding and optimization of transcriptional activity, has been attributed to hsp90. However no unequivocal in vivo demonstration of interaction between receptors and hsp90 has been presented. We targeted chicken hsp90, a mainly cytoplasmic protein, with the nucleoplasmin nuclear localization signal (90NLS). After transfection into COS-7 cells, 90NLS was found in the nucleus with specific immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy techniques. A human glucocorticosteroid receptor mutant devoid of NLS sequence was also expressed in COS-7 cells and found exclusively cytoplasmic. Coexpression of 90NLS and of the cytoplasmic human glucocorticosteroid receptor mutant led to complete nuclear localization of the receptor, indicating its piggyback transport by 90NLS and thus physical and functional interaction between the two proteins in the absence of hormone. The same nuclear localization was obtained after cotransfection of 90NLS and a cytoplasmic rabbit progesterone receptor mutant. Finally, coexpression of wild-type rabbit progesterone receptor (nuclear) and wildtype hsp90 (cytoplasmic) into COS-7 cells provoked partial relocalization of hsp90 into the nucleus. These experiments lay the groundwork on which to study hsp90 as a chaperone, regulating activities of steroid receptors and possibly participating in their nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling.

Amino Acid Sequence↗