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James H Segars

Publications and source records attributed to James H Segars.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Strategy for elucidating differentially expressed genes in leiomyomata identified by microarray technology.

OBJECTIVE: cDNA microarray technology identifies genes that are differentially expressed between tissues. Our previous study identified several genes that might contribute to the fibroid phenotype. We therefore sought to confirm genes involved in three distinct signal transduction pathways. DESIGN: Evaluation of differential mRNA and protein expression of Dlk, Frizzled-2, and CD-24 in fibroids compared with adjacent myometrium. University hospital. PATIENT(S): Five women undergoing medically indicated hysterectomy for symptomatic fibroids. INTERVENTION(S): Microarray analysis of up to 33000 genes, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression of mRNA transcripts and protein in fibroid compared with myometrium.A more extensive microarray confirmed differential expression of Frizzled-2 and CD-24 but did not confirm Dlk overexpression. RT-PCR and real-time PCR demonstrated equivalent Dlk mRNA expression between fibroid and myometrium (ratio, 1.02), a slight Frizzled-2 overexpression (ratio, 2.09), and robust CD-24 overexpression in fibroids (ratio, 12.35). Western blot and immunohistochemistry confirmed Frizzled-2 overexpression, but did not confirm Dlk overexpression. CONCLUSION(S): Microarray technology is the first phase of tissue evaluation, but changes in gene expression must be confirmed. Confirmed genes can then be used to generate hypotheses testing their involvement in fibroid development.

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Estrogen action and cytoplasmic signaling cascades. Part I: membrane-associated signaling complexes.

Remarkable progress in recent years has suggested that estrogen action in vivo is complex and often involves activation of cytoplasmic signaling cascades in addition to genomic actions mediated directly through estrogen receptors alpha and beta. Rather than a linear response mediated solely through estrogen-responsive DNA elements, in vivo estrogen might simultaneously activate distinct signaling cascades that function as networks to coordinate tissue responses to estrogen. This complex signaling system provides for exquisite control and plasticity of response to estrogen at the tissue level, and undoubtedly contributes to the remarkable tissue-specific responses to estrogens. In part I of this series, we summarize cytoplasmic signaling modules involving estrogen or estrogen receptors, with particular focus on recently described membrane-associated signaling complexes.

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Estrogen action and cytoplasmic signaling pathways. Part II: the role of growth factors and phosphorylation in estrogen signaling.

In recent years, distinct signaling pathways involving specific complexes of cytoplasmic proteins have been shown to orchestrate estrogen action. These pathways might supplement or augment genomic effects of estrogen that are attributable to transcriptional activation by liganded receptor. Signals might be transduced through phosphorylation of the estrogen receptors (ERs), or indirectly through effects upon transcriptional coactivators or cell receptors. Estrogen signaling is coupled to growth factor signaling with feedback mechanisms directly impacting function of growth factor receptors. These signaling pathways regulate important physiological processes, such as cell growth and apoptosis. Here, we focus on cytoplasmic signaling pathways leading to activation of ERs.

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