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Biomedical subjects

B Segers

Publications and source records attributed to B Segers.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Isolated supradiaphragmatic descending thoracic aorta stenosis in a Takayasu's disease: surgical cure.

A 21-year-old male patient presented with a typical middle aortic syndrome. Echography disclosed a severe narrowing of the lower thoracic aorta with parietal thickening. The isolated character of the lesion was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and aortography. The surgical cure was realized by a Dacron bypass between the upper thoracic descending aorta and the juxta-diaphragmatic thoracic aorta. Aortic biopsy confirmed Takayasu's disease. Postoperative course was uneventful with normalized blood pressure. The therapeutic options, surgery versus percutaneous dilatation and stent, are discussed.

Adult↗

An integrated restriction fragment length polymorphism--amplified fragment length polymorphism linkage map for cultivated sunflower.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) maps have been constructed for cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) using three independent sets of RFLP probes. The aim of this research was to integrate RFLP markers from two sets with RFLP markers for resistance gene candidate (RGC) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Genomic DNA samples of HA370 and HA372, the parents of the F2 population used to build the map, were screened for AFLPs using 42 primer combinations and RFLPs using 136 cDNA probes (RFLP analyses were performed on DNA digested with EcoRI, HindIII, EcoRV, or DraI). The AFLP primers produced 446 polymorphic and 1101 monomorphic bands between HA370 and HA372. The integrated map was built by genotyping 296 AFLP and 104 RFLP markers on 180 HA370 x HA372 F2 progeny (the AFLP marker assays were performed using 18 primer combinations). The HA370 x HA372 map comprised 17 linkage groups, presumably corresponding to the 17 haploid chromosomes of sunflower, had a mean density of 3.3 cM, and was 1326 cM long. Six RGC RFLP loci were polymorphic and mapped to three linkage groups (LG8, LG13, and LG15). AFLP markers were densely clustered on several linkage groups, and presumably reside in centromeric regions where recombination is reduced and the ratio of genetic to physical distance is low. Strategies for targeting markers to euchromatic DNA need to be tested in sunflower. The HA370 x HA372 map integrated 14 of 17 linkage groups from two independent RFLP maps. Three linkage groups were devoid of RFLP markers from one of the two maps.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Refined localization of the alpha 1-subunit of the skeletal muscle L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (CACNL1A3) to human chromosome 1q32 by in situ hybridization.

We isolated and partially sequenced a cosmid clone containing the human skeletal muscle L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel gene (CACNL1A3). The cosmid clone, which was also found to contain a novel dinucleotide repeat marker for the CACNL1A3 gene, was used for the chromosomal localization of CACNL1A3 by in situ hybridization. Our results refine the localization of CACNL1A3 on the long arm of human chromosome 1 to band q32.

Base Sequence↗

Cloning, chromosomal localization, and functional expression of the alpha 1 subunit of the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel from normal human heart.

A unique structural variant of the cardiac L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel alpha 1 subunit cDNA was isolated from libraries derived from normal human heart mRNA. The deduced amino acid sequence shows significant homology to other calcium channel alpha 1 subunits. However, differences from the rabbit heart alpha 1 include a shortened N-terminus, a unique C-terminal insertion, and both forms of an alternatively spliced motif IV S3 region. The shortened N-terminus provides optimal access to consensus sequences thought to facilitate translation. Northern blot analysis revealed a single hybridizing mRNA species of 9.4 kb. The gene for the human heart alpha 1 subunit was localized specifically to the distal region of chromosome 12p13. The cloned alpha 1 subunit was expressed in Xenopus oocytes and single-channel analyses revealed native-like pharmacology and channel properties.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure and genomic sequence of the myotonic dystrophy (DM kinase) gene.

The mutation causing myotonic dystrophy (DM) has recently been identified as an unstable CTG trinucleotide repeat located in the 3' untranslated region of a gene encoding for a protein with putative serine-threonine protein kinase activity. In this report we present the genomic sequences of the human and murine DM kinase gene. A comparison of these sequences with each other and with known cDNA sequences from both species, led us to predict a translation initiation codon, as well as determine the organization of the DM kinase gene. Several polymorphisms within the human DM kinase gene have been identified, and PCR assays to detect two of these are described. The complete sequence and characterization of the structure of the DM kinase gene, as well as the identification of novel polymorphisms within the gene, represent an important step in a further understanding of the genetics of myotonic dystrophy and the molecular biology of the gene.

Animals↗

Genetic mapping of the beta 1- and gamma-subunits of the human skeletal muscle L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel on chromosome 17q and exclusion as candidate genes for malignant hyperthermia susceptibility.

Malignant hyperthermia susceptibility (MHS) is an autosomal dominant disorder of skeletal muscle which manifests as a life-threatening hypermetabolic crisis triggered by commonly-used inhalation anaesthetics and depolarizing muscle relaxants. Defects in the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) protein have been proposed to underly MHS, but significant genetic heterogeneity in MHS has recently been demonstrated. In order to investigate the potential roles played by other skeletal muscle calcium channels in MHS, we isolated cosmids containing the gene encoding the beta 1-subunit of skeletal muscle L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (CACNLB1). We identified a new, highly polymorphic dinucleotide repeat motif close to this gene, and linkage analysis placed the marker proximal to the HOX2B locus, previously localized to chromosome segment 17q21-q22. We recently identified a novel marker within the gamma-subunit locus (CACNLG) at band 17q24, and since both markers are within the 17q11.2-q24 region reported to contain the MHS2 locus, we tested them for linkage in MHS families whose disease trait has been shown not to co-segregate with markers for the RYR1 region on chromosome 19q13.1. Our results exclude CACNLB1 and CACNLG as candidate genes for MHS2, and do not support the reported chromosome 17q localization for the MHS2 locus in our families.

Base Sequence↗

Localization of the gamma-subunit of the skeletal muscle L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel gene (CACNLG) to human chromosome band 17q24 by in situ hybridization and identification of a polymorphic repetitive DNA sequence at the gene locus.

The skeletal muscle dihydropyridine receptor consists of five subunits and fulfils an essential role in excitation-contraction coupling. A genomic clone for the human gamma subunit was used to map the gene (CACNLG) to chromosome band 17q24 by in situ hybridization. Contained within the gene is a 416-bp polymorphic repetitive DNA element that is potentially useful as a genetic marker.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

High-resolution physical mapping of four microsatellite repeat markers near the RYR1 locus on chromosome 19q13.1 and apparent exclusion of the MHS locus from this region in two malignant hyperthermia susceptible families.

Malignant hyperthermia susceptibility (MHS) is a potentially lethal, hereditary disorder of skeletal muscle that may be triggered by inhalation anesthetics and depolarizing muscle relaxants. Defects in the gene encoding the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) localized on human chromosome 19q13.1 have been proposed to be responsible for MHS. Using a chromosome 19-specific human/hamster somatic cell hybrid mapping panel, we were able to determine that four closely linked microsatellite repeat markers bracket RYR1 with the order 19cen-D19S75-D19S191-RYR1-(D19S47, D19S190)-19ter. Application of the four markers to genetic studies of MHS showed recombination between the markers and MHS in two families, with linkage analysis apparently excluding the MHS locus from the RYR1 region of 19q13.1. These results therefore support the recent observations of genetic heterogeneity in MHS.

Animals↗

Characterization of the myotonic dystrophy region predicts multiple protein isoform-encoding mRNAs.

The mutation underlying myotonic dystrophy (DM) has been identified as an expansion of a polymorphic CTG-repeat in a gene encoding protein kinase activity. Brain and heart transcripts of the DM-kinase (DMR-B15) gene are subject to alternative RNA splicing in both human and mouse. The unstable [CTG]5-30 motif is found uniquely in humans, although the flanking nucleotides are also present in mouse. Characterization of the DM region of both species reveals another active gene (DMR-N9) in close proximity to the kinase gene. DMR-N9 transcripts, mainly expressed in brain and testis, possess a single, large open reading frame, but the function of its protein product is unknown. Clinical manifestation of DM may be caused by the expanded CTG-repeat compromising the (alternative) expression of DM-kinase or DMR-N9 proteins.

Alternative Splicing↗