Biomedical subjects

M M Maxwell

Publications and source records attributed to M M Maxwell.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

Ke 6 gene. Sequence and organization and aberrant regulation in murine polycystic kidney disease.

Ke 6 gene is a newly identified gene located in the major histocompatibility complex and is a candidate steroid dehydrogenase gene because of structural homology and regulatory similarities with mammalian steroid dehydrogenases. We report here the complete nucleotide sequence and intron-exon organization of the Ke 6 gene and cloning of the alternatively spliced Ke 6b transcript. We find that Ke 6 gene expression is down-regulated in pcy mice which is a murine model of polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Thus far, Ke 6 gene expression is down-regulated in all murine models of PKD we have examined. Abnormal steroid metabolism as a possible cause of PKD is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Coordinate regulation of 11 beta-HSD and Ke 6 genes in cpk mouse: implications for steroid metabolic defect in PKD.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is characterized by multiple renal cysts, which ultimately result in renal failure. We have reported the identification of a new gene, Ke 6, within the major histocompatibility complex, which is downregulated in two different mouse models of heritable PKD (N. Aziz, M. Maxwell, B. St.-Jacques, and B.M. Brenner. Mol. Cell. Biol. 13: 1847-1853, 1993). The Ke 6 gene gives rise to two transcripts, Ke 6a and Ke 6b. Ke 6a protein has significant homology to several mammalian and bacterial steroid dehydrogenases. The homology of Ke 6a protein to specific functional domains of the human and rat 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme (11 beta-HSD), which inactivates glucocorticoids, is substantial. We report here that the Ke 6 gene and the 11 beta-HSD gene are regulated in the same aberrant pattern in the cpk mouse. The strong evidence for a critical role of steroids in cystogenesis leads us to propose that a possible elevation of intrahepatic and intrarenal steroid levels occurs in the cpk mouse as a result of repression of steroid metabolic enzymes, which ultimately leads to development of cysts.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

PubMed1993

Downregulation of Ke 6, a novel gene encoded within the major histocompatibility complex, in murine polycystic kidney disease.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is characterized by progressive enlargement of the kidneys due to numerous expanding cysts ultimately leading to renal failure. We have identified a gene, Ke 6, located within the H-2K/tw5 region on mouse chromosome 17, which is downregulated in two distinct murine models of heritable PKD. Ke 6 is a member of the short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase family and possess remarkable amino acid sequence conservation with several bacterial proteins with oxidoreductase function. The Ke 6 gene gives rise to two transcripts--a 1-kb Ke 6a mRNA which is abundant in kidney and liver tissue and a 1.4-kb Ke 6b mRNA which is found at a moderate level in spleen tissue. We report here the complete nucleotide sequence of Ke 6a cDNA and the expression of the Ke 6 gene in murine models of PKD. The Ke 6 gene may be intimately involved in the manifestation of these cystic kidney diseases.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

PubMed1993