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Biomedical subjects

Ian Smyth

Publications and source records attributed to Ian Smyth.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Human sebaceous tumors harbor inactivating mutations in LEF1.

We found that one-third of human sebaceous tumors examined had double-nucleotide substitutions in the same LEF1 allele, irrespective of DNA mismatch repair status. The mutations impaired both LEF1 binding to beta-catenin and transcriptional activation, and are the first tumor-associated mutations that inactivate Wnt signaling. Mutant LEF1 not only inhibited expression of beta-catenin target genes but also stimulated expression of sebocyte markers, suggesting that it may determine the differentiated characteristics of sebaceous tumors.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2005

The genetics of Fraser syndrome and the blebs mouse mutants.

Fraser syndrome is a recessive multisystem disorder characterized by embryonic epidermal blistering, cryptophthalmos, syndactyly, renal defects and a range of other developmental abnormalities. More than 17 years ago, the family of four mapped mouse blebs mutants was proposed as models of this disorder, given their striking phenotypic overlaps. In the last few years, these loci have been cloned, uncovering a family of three large extracellular matrix proteins and an intracellular adapter protein which are required for normal epidermal adhesion early in development. The proteins have also been shown to play a crucial role in the development and homeostasis of the kidney. We review the cloning and characterization of these genes and explore the consequences of their loss.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed2005

Identification of a new gene mutated in Fraser syndrome and mouse myelencephalic blebs.

Fraser syndrome is a recessive, multisystem disorder presenting with cryptophthalmos, syndactyly and renal defects and associated with loss-of-function mutations of the extracellular matrix protein FRAS1. Fras1 mutant mice have a blebbed phenotype characterized by intrauterine epithelial fragility generating serous and, later, hemorrhagic blisters. The myelencephalic blebs (my) strain has a similar phenotype. We mapped my to Frem2, a gene related to Fras1 and Frem1, and showed that a Frem2 gene-trap mutation was allelic to my. Expression of Frem2 in adult kidneys correlated with cyst formation in my homozygotes, indicating that the gene is required for maintaining the differentiated state of renal epithelia. Two individuals with Fraser syndrome were homozygous with respect to the same missense mutation of FREM2, confirming genetic heterogeneity. This is the only missense mutation reported in any blebbing mutant or individual with Fraser syndrome, suggesting that calcium binding in the CALXbeta-cadherin motif is important for normal functioning of FREM2.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The extracellular matrix gene Frem1 is essential for the normal adhesion of the embryonic epidermis.

Fraser syndrome is a rare recessive disorder characterized by cryptophthalmos, syndactyly, renal defects, and a range of other developmental abnormalities. Because of their extensive phenotypic overlap, the mouse blebbing mutants have been considered models of this disorder, and the recent isolation of mutations in Fras1 in both the blebbed mouse and human Fraser patients confirms this hypothesis. Here we report the identification of mutations in an extracellular matrix gene Fras1-related extracellular matrix gene 1 (Frem1) in both the classic head blebs mutant and in an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced allele. We show that inactivation of the gene results in the formation of in utero epidermal blisters beneath the lamina densa of the basement membrane and also in renal agenesis. Frem1 is expressed widely in the developing embryo in regions of epithelial/mesenchymal interaction and epidermal remodeling. Furthermore, Frem1 appears to act as a dermal mediator of basement membrane adhesion, apparently independently of the other known "blebs" proteins Fras1 and Grip1. Unlike both Fras1 and Grip1 mutants, collagen VI and Fras1 deposition in the basement membrane is normal, indicating that the protein plays an independent role in epidermal differentiation and is required for epidermal adhesion during embryonic development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Overexpression of Sonic Hedgehog suppresses embryonic hair follicle morphogenesis.

The Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signalling pathway plays a central role in the development of the skin and hair follicle and is a major determinant of skin tumorigenesis, most notably of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Various mouse models involving either ablation or overexpression of key members of the Shh signalling pathway display a range of skin tumours. To further examine the role of Shh in skin development, we have overexpressed Shh in a subset of interfollicular basal cells from 12.5 dpc under the control of the human keratin 1 (HK1) promoter. The HK1-Shh transgenic mice display a range of skin anomalies, including highly pigmented inguinal lesions and regions of alopecia. The most striking hair follicle phenotype is a suppression in embryonic follicle development between 14.0 and 19.0 dpc, resulting in a complete absence of guard, awl, and auchene hair fibres. These data indicate that alternative signals are responsible for the development of different hair follicles and point to a major role of Shh signalling in the morphogenesis of guard, awl, and auchene hair fibres. Through a comparison with other mouse models, the characteristics of the HK1-Shh transgenic mice suggest that the precise timing and site of Shh expression are key in dictating the resultant skin and tumour phenotype.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Patched 1 conditional null allele in mice.

The patched gene (Ptc) is a member of the hedgehog signaling pathway which plays a central role in the development of many invertebrate and vertebrate tissues. In addition, Ptc and a number of other pathway members are mutated in some common human cancers. Patched is the receptor for the hedgehog ligand and in the mouse ablation of the Ptc gene leads to developmental defects and an embryonic lethal phenotype. Here we describe a conditional Ptc allele in mice which will have utility for the temporospatial ablation of Ptc function.

Alleles↗