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Biomedical subjects

L C Tsui

Publications and source records attributed to L C Tsui.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Heterodimeric interaction of the retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptors in transcriptional regulation on the gamma F-crystallin everted retinoic acid response element.

Previously, we have identified a hormone response element (gamma F-HRE) composed of an everted repeat of the half-site (A/G)GGTCA motif separated by 8 base pairs that mediates retinoic acid (RA) activation of the gamma F-crystallin promoter. Here, we report that this element is bound by the thyroid hormone (T3) receptor in the form of heterodimers with either the retinoid X receptor (RXR) or the retinoic acid receptor (RAR). The T3R/RXR heterodimer binds to this element with high affinity but the transcriptional activity of the T3 receptor on this element is effectively antagonized by RAR alpha. Thus, RAR alpha exerts a dominant effect on the gamma F-HRE-everted repeat by mediating both RA activation and preventing T3 response. Although RAR/T3R heterodimers bind to the gamma F-HRE, they do not appear to be involved in transcriptional regulation since they bind with low affinity, and their ability to bind DNA is dramatically decreased by T3. Repression requires the DNA- and ligand-binding domains of RAR alpha and is consistent with a competitive DNA binding model of repression. However, in vitro binding studies indicate that RAR/RXR heterodimers form less stable interactions with the gamma F-HRE compared with T3R/RXR heterodimers; this suggests that in vivo the binding affinity of RAR/RXR heterodimers may be enhanced by accessory factors.

Animals↗

Evidence for locus heterogeneity in human autosomal dominant split hand/split foot malformation.

Split hand/split foot (SHSF; also known as ectrodactyly) is a human developmental disorder characterized by missing central digits and other distal limb malformations. An association between SHSF and cytogenetically visible rearrangements of chromosome 7 at bands q21-q22 provides compelling evidence for the location of a causative gene at this location, and the locus has been designated SHFD1. In the present study, marker loci were localized to the SHFD1 critical region through the analysis of somatic cell hybrids derived from individuals with SHSF and cytogenetic abnormalities involving the 7q21-q22 region. Combined genetic and physical data suggest that the order of markers in the SHFD1 critical region is cen-D7S492-D7S527-(D7S479-D7S491)-SHFD1-++ +D7S554-D7S518-qter. Dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms at three of these loci were used to test for linkage of SHSF to this region in a large pedigree that demonstrates autosomal dominant SHSF. Evidence against linkage of the SHSF gene to 7q21-q22 was obtained in this pedigree. Therefore, combined molecular and genetic data provide evidence for locus heterogeneity in autosomal dominant SHSF. We propose the name SHSF2 for this second locus.

Adult↗

Receptor-binding, tyrosine phosphorylation and chromosome localization of the mouse SH2-containing phosphotyrosine phosphatase Syp.

The murine phosphotyrosine phosphatase, Syp, is a widely-expressed cytoplasmic enzyme that contains two SH2 domains. Syp is physically associated with activated receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), apparently through its SH2 domains. This phosphatase is rapidly phosphorylated in cells treated with PDGF or EGF, and is constitutively phosphorylated in v-src transformed cells. Here we report that either the N-terminal or C-terminal Syp SH2 domain alone bound to the activated beta PDGF receptor or EGF-receptor in vitro, and that the two SH2 domains linked together exhibited synergistic binding. Substitution of the Tyr1009 autophosphorylation site in the C-terminal tail of activated beta PDGFR with Phe abolished the in vitro binding of either SH2 domain to the activated receptor. A 9 amino acid phosphopeptide corresponding to the Tyr1009 autophosphorylation site of the beta PDGFR inhibited association of the Syp SH2 domains with the receptor. These results indicate that the Syp SH2 domains have an intrinsic specificity for the Tyr1009 autophosphorylation site of the beta PDGFR that dictates binding of the intact Syp phosphatase, and suggest that both SH2 domains have a related binding specificity. Phosphoamino acid analysis of Syp from PDGF-stimulated cells indicated that PDGF primarily induces Syp phosphorylation on tyrosine residues. The mouse Syp gene has been mapped to chromosome 5F region by the fluorescence in situ hybridization. These findings suggest specific functions for Syp in signal transduction downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases.

Animals↗

MLK-3: identification of a widely-expressed protein kinase bearing an SH3 domain and a leucine zipper-basic region domain.

We have identified a novel protein kinase, designated MLK-3, from human thymus using RT-PCR and cDNA library screening. The deduced open reading frame, derived from sequencing a 3.5 kb MLK-3 cDNA, encodes a protein of 847 amino acids with several interesting structural features. These include an SH3 domain in the absence of an SH2 domain, a region containing two leucine zippers with an adjacent carboxy-terminal basic region, and a proline rich region. This kinase shows homology with the mixed-lineage family of protein kinases (MLK) and shares the unusual leucine zipper-basic motif found in previously identified MLK kinases. By northern analysis, MLK-3 mRNA was detected in a wide variety of normal and transformed human cell lines and tissue specimens. The gene encoding MLK-3 has been mapped using fluorescence in situ hybridization to human chromosome 11 q13.1-13.3, a region frequently altered in human malignancies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A human gene that shows identity with the gene encoding the angiotensin receptor is located on chromosome 11.

We report the cloning of a gene, intronless in its coding region, which we have named APJ. This gene was cloned using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with a set of primers designed on the basis of the conservation that members of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) have in their transmembrane (TM) regions. The putative receptor protein, APJ, shares closest identity to the angiotensin receptor (AT1) ranging from 40 to 50% in the hydrophobic TM regions of these receptors. The transcripts for this gene were detected in many regions of the brain. PCR analysis of somatic cell lines found APJ-related sequences to be only present on chromosome 11, and high-resolution mapping by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) sublocalized APJ on band q12.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Multi-ion pore behaviour in the CFTR chloride channel.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a non-rectifying, low-conductance channel regulated by ATP and phosphorylation, which mediates apical chloride conductance in secretory epithelia and malfunctions in cystic fibrosis (CF). Mutations at Lys 335 and Arg 347 in the sixth predicted transmembrane helix of CFTR alter its halide selectivity in whole-cell studies and its single channel conductance, but the physical basis of these alterations is unknown and permeation in CFTR is poorly understood. Here we present evidence that wild-type CFTR can contain more than one anion simultaneously. The conductance of CFTR passes through a minimum when channels are bathed in mixtures of two permeant anions. This anomalous mole fraction effect can be abolished by replacing Arg 347 with an aspartate and can be toggled on or off by varying the pH after the same residue is replaced with a histidine. Thus the CFTR channel should provide a convenient model in which to study multi-ion pore behaviour and conduction. The loss of multiple occupancy may explain how naturally occurring CF mutations at this site cause disease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure and chromosomal localization of the human constitutive endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene.

Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase is a unique NO synthase isoform that is expressed constitutively by vascular endothelium both in vivo and in vitro and is believed essential to local vascular homeostasis. This calcium/calmodulin-dependent isoform is distinct from neuronal NO synthase. Genomic clones encoding the human endothelial NO synthase were isolated and the structural organization of the gene was determined. The gene contains 26 exons spanning approximately 21 kilobases of genomic DNA, encodes a messenger RNA of 4052 nucleotides, and is present as a single copy in the haploid human genome. Characterization of 5'-flanking genomic regions indicates that the endothelial NO synthase promoter is "TATA-less" and exhibits proximal promoter elements consistent with a constitutively expressed gene that is found in endothelial cells, namely Sp1 and GATA motifs. The 5'-flanking region contains putative AP-1, AP-2, NF-1, heavy metal, acute-phase response shear stress, and sterol-regulatory cis-elements. The human endothelial NO synthase gene was assigned to the 7q35-->7q36 region of chromosome 7 by Southern blot hybridization of human-rodent somatic cell hybrid lines and fluorescence in situ hybridization, whereas human neuronal NO synthase localized to the 12q24.2 region of chromosome 12.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Identification of revertants for the cystic fibrosis delta F508 mutation using STE6-CFTR chimeras in yeast.

Mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) cause cystic fibrosis; the most common mutation is deletion of phenylalanine at position 508 (delta F508). We constructed STE6-CFTR chimeras with portions of the first nucleotide-binding domain (NBD1) of the yeast STE6 a-factor transporter replaced by portions of CFTR NBD1. The chimeras were functional in yeast, but mating efficiency decreased when delta F508 was introduced into NBD1. We isolated two delta F508 revertant mutations (R553M and R553Q) that restored mating; both were located within the CFTR NBD1 sequence. Introduction of these revertant mutations into human CFTR partially corrected the processing and Cl- channel gating defects caused by the delta F508 mutation. These results suggest that the NBD1s of CFTR and STE6 share a similar structure and function and that, in CFTR, the regions containing F508 and R553 interact. They also indicate that the abnormal conformation produced by delta F508 can be partially corrected by additional alterations in the protein.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Developmental regulation and cell type-specific expression of the murine gamma F-crystallin gene is mediated through a lens-specific element containing the gamma F-1 binding site.

The mouse gamma F-crystallin gene, one of six differentially regulated members of the gamma-crystallin gene family, is expressed exclusively in central nuclear fiber cells of the adult lens. The expression of this gene is controlled through regulatory elements contained in two upstream enhancers and the proximal promoter. Here we show that while the upstream enhancers and the proximal promoter could each direct gene expression in fiber cells formed at early stages of lens growth and development, cooperation between these elements is required to achieve expression in fiber cells formed at later stages. Evidence is provided that cooperative interaction between these elements modulates gene expression by increasing promoter strength. We also show that sequences within the proximal promoter region that bind lens cell nuclear factor gamma F-1 are sufficient to elicit gene expression in central nuclear fiber cells of the adult lens.

Animals↗

Refined mapping of the GM2 activator protein (GM2A) locus to 5q31.3-q33.1, distal to the spinal muscular atrophy locus.

The GM2 activator locus (GM2A) had previously been considered as a candidate gene for some forms of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA; mapped to 5q11.2-q13.3). It was eliminated as a possible candidate because PCR-based mapping failed to localize the gene to chromosome 5, as was previously reported using an ELISA-based methodology. However, we demonstrated that the PCR primers used preferentially amplified a processed pseudogene (GM2AP) that we mapped to chromosome 3 and that GM2A was located on chromosome 5. In this report, we reconsider the candidacy of GM2A by refining its localization on chromosome 5 using fluorescence in situ hybridization. We localize GM2A to 5q31.3-q33.1; thus, it is not a candidate gene for SMA.

Cells, Cultured↗

Chromosomal localization of the human gene encoding the 51-kDa subunit of mitochondrial complex I (NDUFV1) to 11q13.

The 51-kDa flavoprotein subunit of mitochondrial NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (Complex I) [NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone), flavoprotein 1 (51 kDa); EC 1.6.5.3] plays an important role in the formation of the NADH-binding site and is believed to be the principal site of entry for electrons donated by NADH into the respiratory chain. Human cDNA fragments of the 51-kDa protein were generated by polymerase chain reaction and used to localize the gene (NDUFV1) for this subunit to 11q13 by two separate techniques. This region of the human genome is strongly implicated in a number of different forms of cancer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mapping the midkine family of developmentally regulated signaling molecules.

Midkine (Mdk) and heparin-binding neurotrophic factor (Hbnf)/pleiotrophin (Ptn) comprise the Midkine family of developmentally regulated signaling molecules. We have determined the chromosomal localization of these genes in the mouse by use of single-strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCPs), which facilitated the typing of Mdk and Hbnf alleles in recombinant inbred (RI) strains and interspecific backcrosses. Mapping was performed relative to other cloned genes, as well as simple sequence length polymorphisms (SSLPs) in the interspecific backcrosses. Mdk maps to mouse Chromosome (Chr) 2, linked to the Hoxd gene cluster. Hbnf maps to proximal mouse Chr 6, linked to the Cftr and Cpa genes. Comparative mapping of human MDK and HBNF employing species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers and human monochromosomal somatic cell hybrids assigns MDK to human Chr 11 and HBNF to human Chr 7q32-qter.

Animals↗

Modes of DAPI banding and simultaneous in situ hybridization.

By controlling the degree of chromatin denaturation through formamide incubation, or by heat treatment and/or by high pH, three types of high quality 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) bands can be produced sequentially on the same set of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)-incorporated chromosomes: first DAPI multibanding (the equivalent of Q-banding), then partial C-banding including distamycin A (DA)/DAPI banding, and finally C-banding pattern. It is assumed that the different DAPI-chromatin interactions following these treatments reflect the different chromatin structures at the chromosomal sites. Since the DAPI banding protocol is compatible with in situ hybridization, the combination of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with DAPI banding allows the simultaneous detection of signals from the DNA probes and the identification of the chromosomal band location of the probe. We demonstrate this useful application with the localization of the cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene probes to their appropriate bands.

Cells, Cultured↗