Biomedical subjects

N A Jenkins

Publications and source records attributed to N A Jenkins.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

F-MuLV acceleration of myelomonocytic tumorigenesis in SV40 large T antigen transgenic mice is accompanied by retroviral insertion at Fli1 and a novel locus, Fim4.

We describe here the development of a murine system for the identification of genes involved in myelomonocytic neoplasms. Transgenic C57BL/6J mice expressing SV40 early region under a myelomonocytic promoter develop histiocytic sarcomas with a latency of 167 days. We used retroviral proviral tagging to accelerate tumorigenesis and to uncover genetic changes that contribute to tumor development. Infection of transgenic mice with Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) shortened the latency of morbidity to 103 days (P< 0.001); this was associated with clonal proviral integrations in tumor DNA. As expected for F-MuLV, proviral insertions occurred at Fli1 in both transgenic and nontransgenic tumors. Four insertions were found at a novel locus, termed Fim4, on chromosome 6. This region is syntenic to human 7q32, a region that is commonly deleted in human myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. A murine BAC containing Fim4 was sequenced and analyzed, and while there was significant human-mouse homology in the area of the insertions, no candidate gene has been identified. Thus we have established a system to identify genes involved in myelomonocytic tumors, and have used it to identify Fim4, a new common site of proviral insertion. Study of this locus may provide insight into genes involved in AML-associated 7q32 deletions in humans.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Cloning, expression, and chromosomal localization of the mouse gene (Scgb3a1, alias Ugrp2) that encodes a member of the novel uteroglobin-related protein gene family.

The mouse UGRP gene family consists of two genes, Ugrp1 and Ugrp2. In this study, the genomic structure and expression patterns of Ugrp2 and its alternative spliced form were characterized. The authentic Ugrp2 gene has three exons and two introns, similar to the Ugrp1 gene, which produces a secreted protein. The Ugrp2 variant uses a sequence located between authentic exons 1 and 2, resulting in a cytoplasmic form due to a termination codon within the inserted sequence. Both mouse and human UGRP2 mRNAs are expressed in lung. In the case of human, the mRNA is expressed at the highest level in trachea, followed by salivary gland at a level similar to lung. Weak expression was also found in fetal lung and mammary gland. Ugrp2 was mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization to mouse chromosome 11A5-B1 and human chromosome 5q35. These regions are known to be homologous. Interspecific mouse backcross mapping was also performed to obtain further detailed localization of mouse Ugrp1 and Ugrp2.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed2001

The murine cysteinyl leukotriene 2 (CysLT2) receptor. cDNA and genomic cloning, alternative splicing, and in vitro characterization.

Two classes of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor, CysLT(1) and CysLT(2), have been identified and pharmacologically characterized in human tissues. Although the CysLT(1) receptor mediates the proinflammatory effects of leukotrienes in human asthma, the physiological roles of CysLT(2) receptor are not defined, and a suitable mouse model would be useful in delineating function. We report here the molecular cloning and characterization of the mouse CysLT(2) receptor (mCysLT(2)R) from heart tissue. mCysLT(2)R cDNA encodes a protein of 309 amino acids, truncated at both ends compared with the human ortholog (hCysLT(2)R). The gene resides on the central region of mouse chromosome 14 and is composed of 6 exons with the entire coding region located in the last exon. Two 5'-untranslated region splice variants were identified with the short form lacking exon 3 as the predominant transcript. Although the overall expression of mCysLT(2)R is very low, the highest expression was detected in spleen, thymus, and adrenal gland by ribonuclease protection assay, and discrete sites of expression in heart were observed by in situ hybridization. Intracellular calcium mobilization in response to cysteinyl leukotriene administration was detected in human embryonic kidney 293T cells transfected with recombinant mCysLT(2)R with a rank order of potency leukotriene C(4)(LTC(4) ) = LTD(4)>>LTE(4). [(3)H]LTD(4) binding to membranes expressing mCysLT(2)R could be effectively competed by LTC(4) and LTD(4) and only partially inhibited by LTE(4) and BAYu9773. The identification of mCysLT(2)R will be useful for establishing CysLT(2)R-deficient mice and determining novel leukotriene functions.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2001

Mutations in Mlph, encoding a member of the Rab effector family, cause the melanosome transport defects observed in leaden mice.

The d, ash, and ln coat color mutations provide a unique model system for the study of vesicle transport in mammals. All three mutant loci encode genes that are required for the polarized transport of melanosomes, the specialized, pigment-containing organelles of melanocytes, to the neighboring keratinocytes and eventually into coat hairs. Genetic studies suggest that these genes function in the same or overlapping pathways and are supported by biochemical studies showing that d encodes an actin-based melanosome transport motor, MyoVa, whereas ash encodes Rab27a, a protein that localizes to the melanosome and is postulated to serve as the MyoVa receptor. Here we show that ln encodes melanophilin (Mlph), a previously undescribed protein with homology to Rab effectors such as granuphilin, Slp3-a, and rabphilin-3A. Like all of these effectors, Mlph possesses two Zn(2+)-binding CX(2)CX(13,14)CX(2)C motifs and a short aromatic-rich amino acid region that is critical for Rab binding. However, Mlph does not contain the two Ca(2+)-binding C(2) domains found in these and other proteins involved in vesicle transport, suggesting that it represents a previously unrecognized class of Rab effectors. Collectively, our data show that Mlph is a critical component of the melanosome transport machinery and suggest that Mlph might function as part of a transport complex with Rab27a and MyoVa.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2001

Molecular characterization of the mouse Tem1/endosialin gene regulated by cell density in vitro and expressed in normal tissues in vivo.

Human tumor endothelial marker 1/endosialin (TEM1/endosialin) was recently identified as a novel tumor endothelial cell surface marker potentially involved in angiogenesis, although no specific function for this novel gene has been assigned so far. It was reported to be expressed in tumor endothelium but not in normal endothelium with the exception of perhaps the corpus luteum. Here we describe the cDNA and genomic sequences for the mouse Tem1/endosialin homolog, the identification and characterization of its promoter region, and an extensive characterization of its expression pattern in murine and human tissues and murine cell lines in vitro. The single copy gene that was mapped to chromosome 19 is intronless and encodes a 92-kDa protein that has 77.5% overall homology to the human protein. The remarkable findings are 1) this gene is ubiquitously expressed in normal human and mouse somatic tissues and during development, and 2) its expression at the mRNA level is density-dependent and up-regulated in serum-starved cells. In vitro, its expression is limited to cells of embryonic, endothelial, and preadipocyte origin, suggesting that the wide distribution of its expression in vivo is due to the presence of vascular endothelial cells in all the tissues. The ubiquitous expression in vivo is in contrast to previously reported expression limited to corpus luteum and highly angiogenic tissues such as tumors and wound tissue.

3T3 Cells↗

PubMed2001

The paralemmin protein family: identification of paralemmin-2, an isoform differentially spliced to AKAP2/AKAP-KL, and of palmdelphin, a more distant cytosolic relative.

Paralemmin is a protein implicated in plasma membrane dynamics. Here we describe the identification of two new paralemmin-related proteins. A partial paralemmin homolog, palmdelphin, is predominantly cytosolic, unlike paralemmin which is lipid-anchored to the plasma membrane through a C-terminal CaaX motif. We have mapped the mouse palmdelphin gene to distal chromosome 3 between Amy2 and Abcd3, in a region homologous to human chromosome 1p22-p21 where the human palmdelphin gene is located. We have also identified a second paralemmin isoform, paralemmin-2. It is expressed from a gene on human chromosome 9q31-q33 which ends only 33 kb upstream of the gene encoding the protein kinase A-binding protein,AKAP2/AKAP-KL. The closely adjacent paralemmin-2 and AKAP2 genes are functionally linked in a very unusual manner. Chimeric mRNAs are expressed, apparently by RNA readthrough and differential splicing, that encode natural fusion proteins in which either the N-terminal coiled-coil region or nearly the complete sequence of paralemmin-2 except its C-terminal CaaX motif is fused to AKAP2/AKAP-KL. The N-terminal coiled-coil region is conserved in paralemmin-1, paralemmin-2/AKAP2, palmdelphin and a fourth, uncharacterized gene, suggesting that it is a modular functional domain.

A Kinase Anchor Proteins↗

PubMed2001

The OMP-lacZ transgene mimics the unusual expression pattern of OR-Z6, a new odorant receptor gene on mouse chromosome 6: implication for locus-dependent gene expression.

Reporter gene expression in the olfactory epithelium of H-lacZ6 transgenic mice mimics the cell-selective expression pattern known for some odorant receptor genes. The transgene construct in these mice consists of the lacZ coding region, driven by the proximal olfactory marker protein (OMP) gene promoter, and shows expression in a zonally confined subpopulation of olfactory neurons. To address mechanisms underlying the odorant receptor-like expression pattern of the lacZ construct, we analyzed the transgene-flanking region and identified OR-Z6, the first cloned odorant receptor gene that maps to mouse chromosome 6. OR-Z6 bears the highest sequence similarity (85%) to a human odorant receptor gene at the syntenic location on human chromosome 7. We analyzed the expression pattern of OR-Z6 in olfactory tissues of H-lacZ6 mice and show that it bears strong similarities to that mapped for beta-galactosidase. Expression of both genes in olfactory neurons is primarily restricted to the same medial subregion of the olfactory epithelium. Axons from both neuronal subpopulations project to the same ventromedial aspect of the anterior olfactory bulbs. Furthermore, colocalization analyses in H-lacZ6 mice demonstrate that OR-Z6-reactive glomeruli receive axonal input from lacZ-positive neurons as well. These results suggest that the expression of both genes is coordinated and that transgene expression in H-lacZ6 mice is regulated by locus-dependent mechanisms.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Genomic organization of the Shc-related phosphotyrosine adapters and characterization of the full-length Sck/ShcB: specific association of p68-Sck/ShcB with pp135.

The Shc gene family is an emerging family, containing at least three members designated Shc/ShcA, Sck/Sli/ShcB, N-Shc/Rai/ShcC in mammals. In this study, we determined the genomic organization of the mouse Shc family. Coding regions of ShcA, B, and C each comprised 12 exons, spanned approximately 6, 20, and 65 kb, and located on chromosome 3, 10, and 13, respectively. Based on this genome analysis, we determined the full-length structure of mouse Sck/ShcB as a 68-kD protein. We found that the 68-kD full-length Sck/ShcB was more efficiently phosphorylated upon EGF treatment than the previously-analyzed CH2-deleted form. We also found that Sck specifically interacted with a 135-kD phosphoprotein (pp135) through its SH2 domain following membrane depolarization. The Sck-pp135 interaction was reduced by Src kinase inhibitors. These results suggest that Sck, but not N-Shc nor Shc, transmit signals in conjunction with pp135 following Src activation and/or calcium entry in the cell.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2001

Sequence, chromosomal location and expression analysis of the murine homologue of human RAD51L2/RAD51C.

The Rad51 protein has been shown to play a vital role in the DNA repair process. In humans, its interaction with proteins like BRCA1 and BRCA2 has provided an insight into the mechanism of how these molecules function as tumor suppressors. Several members of the Rad51-like family have been recently identified, including RAD51L2. This gene has been found to be amplified in breast tumors suggesting its role in tumor progression. Here, we describe the cloning of the murine homologue of the human RAD51L2/RAD51C gene. Sequence analysis has revealed that the murine Rad51l2 protein is 86% identical and 93% similar to its human homologue. In spite of such high sequence conservation, the murine protein lacks the first nine amino acids present in the human protein. We have cloned and confirmed the sequence of the 5' end of the murine Rad51l2 cDNA using 5' RACE technique as well as by sequencing the genomic region flanking the first exon of the murine Rad51l2 gene. Northern analysis shows that Rad51l2 is expressed in several adult tissues as well as in embryos at various developmental stages. The murine Rad51l2 gene maps to chromosome 11 and is located in the syntenic region of human chromosome 17q22-23, where the human RAD51L2 is present.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Mutations in Cdh23 cause nonsyndromic hearing loss in waltzer mice.

Mutations at the waltzer (v) locus result in deafness and vestibular dysfunction due to degeneration of the neuroepithelium within the inner ear. Here, we use a positional cloning approach to show that waltzer encodes a novel cadherin (Cdh23), which is most closely related to the Drosophila Fat protein. A single nucleotide deletion in the v(J) allele and a single nucleotide insertion in the v allele are predicted to truncate each protein near the N-terminus and produce a functional null allele. In situ hybridization analysis showed that Cdh23 is expressed in the sensory hair cells of the inner ear, where it has been suggested to be a molecule critical for crosslinking of the stereocilia. In addition, Cdh23 is expressed in the urticulo-saccular foramen,the ductus reuniens, and Reissner's membrane, suggesting that Cdh23 may also be involved in maintaining the ionic composition of the endolymph. Finally, mutations in human CDH23 have recently been described for two loci, DFNB12 and USH1D, which cause nonsyndromic deafness, identifying waltzer as a mouse model for human hearing loss.

Alleles↗

PubMed2001

The small muscle-specific protein Csl modifies cell shape and promotes myocyte fusion in an insulin-like growth factor 1-dependent manner.

We have isolated a murine cDNA encoding a 9-kD protein, Chisel (Csl), in a screen for transcriptional targets of the cardiac homeodomain factor Nkx2-5. Csl transcripts were detected in atria and ventricles of the heart and in all skeletal muscles and smooth muscles of the stomach and pulmonary veins. Csl protein was distributed throughout the cytoplasm in fetal muscles, although costameric and M-line localization to the muscle cytoskeleton became obvious after further maturation. Targeted disruption of Csl showed no overt muscle phenotype. However, ectopic expression in C2C12 myoblasts induced formation of lamellipodia in which Csl protein became tethered to membrane ruffles. Migration of these cells was retarded in a monolayer wound repair assay. Csl-expressing myoblasts differentiated and fused normally, although in the presence of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 they showed dramatically enhanced fusion, leading to formation of large dysmorphogenic "myosacs." The activities of transcription factors nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and myocyte enhancer-binding factor (MEF)2, were also enhanced in an IGF-1 signaling-dependent manner. The dynamic cytoskeletal localization of Csl and its dominant effects on cell shape and behavior and transcription factor activity suggest that Csl plays a role in the regulatory network through which muscle cells coordinate their structural and functional states during growth, adaptation, and repair.

Aging↗

PubMed2001

A highly efficient Escherichia coli-based chromosome engineering system adapted for recombinogenic targeting and subcloning of BAC DNA.

Recently, a highly efficient recombination system for chromosome engineering in Escherichia coli was described that uses a defective lambda prophage to supply functions that protect and recombine a linear DNA targeting cassette with its substrate sequence (Yu et al., 2000, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97, 5978-5983). Importantly, the recombination is proficient with DNA homologies as short as 30-50 bp, making it possible to use PCR-amplified fragments as the targeting cassette. Here, we adapt this prophage system for use in bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) engineering by transferring it to DH10B cells, a BAC host strain. In addition, arabinose inducible cre and flpe genes are introduced into these cells to facilitate BAC modification using loxP and FRT sites. Next, we demonstrate the utility of this recombination system by using it to target cre to the 3' end of the mouse neuron-specific enolase (Eno2) gene carried on a 250-kb BAC, which made it possible to generate BAC transgenic mice that specifically express Cre in all mature neurons. In addition, we show that fragments as large as 80 kb can be subcloned from BACs by gap repair using this recombination system, obviating the need for restriction enzymes or DNA ligases. Finally, we show that BACs can be modified with this recombination system in the absence of drug selection. The ability to modify or subclone large fragments of genomic DNA with precision should facilitate many kinds of genomic experiments that were difficult or impossible to perform previously and aid in studies of gene function in the postgenomic era.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Activation of the Rap1 guanine nucleotide exchange gene, CalDAG-GEF I, in BXH-2 murine myeloid leukemia.

Here we report the recurrent proviral activation of the Rap1-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor CalDAG-GEF I (Kawasaki, H., Springett, G. M., Toki, S., Canales, J. J., Harlan, P., Blumenstiel, J. P., Chen, E. J., Bany, I. A., Mochizuki, N., Ashbacher, A., Matsuda, M., Housman, D. E., and Graybiel, A. M. (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 95, 13278-13283; Correction (1999) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 96, 318) gene in BXH-2 acute myeloid leukemia. We also show that CalDAG-GEF I encodes two protein isoforms, a full-length isoform (CalDAG-GEF Ia) and a C-terminally truncated isoform (CalDAG-GEF Ib). Expression of the full-length CalDAG-GEF Ia isoform in Rat2 fibroblasts enhances growth in low serum, whereas expression in Swiss 3T3 cells causes morphological transformation and increased saturation density. In FDCP1 myeloid cells, CalDAG-GEF Ia expression increases growth and saturation density in the presence of the diacylglycerol analogs phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which activates CalDAG-GEF Ia exchange activity. Likewise, in 32Dcl3 myeloblast cells, CalDAG-GEF Ia expression increases cell adherence to fibronectin in response to PMA and calcium ionophore and allows higher saturation densities and prolonged growth on fibronectin-coated plates. These effects were correlated with increased Rap1, but not Ras, protein activation following PMA and calcium ionophore treatment. Our results suggest that Rap1-GTP delivers signals that favor progression through the cell cycle and morphological transformation. The identification of CalDAG-GEF I as a proto-oncogene in BXH-2 acute myeloid leukemia is the first evidence implicating Rap1 signaling in myeloid leukemia.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

A novel transgenic marker for migrating limb muscle precursors and for vascular smooth muscle cells.

A unique pattern of LacZ expression was found in a transgenic mouse line, likely due to regulatory elements at the site of integration. Two new genes flanking the transgene were identified. At early stages of development, the transgene is transiently expressed in ventro-lateral demomyotomal cells migrating from the somites into the limb buds. At late developmental stages and in the adult, lacZ staining marks vascular smooth muscle cells throughout the vascular bed, with the exception of the major elastic arteries, and in pericytes. No expression was detected in skeletal and smooth muscles. Different patterns of expression in vascular smooth muscles was observed at distinct levels of the vascular tree, in arteries as well as in veins. Vessel injury, resulting in stimulation of smooth muscle cells proliferation and migration, is associated with transgene down-regulation. After the formation of neointima thickening, it is reactivated. This transgenic insertion may therefore be used as a useful marker to identify novel physiological cues or genetic elements involved in the regulation of the vascular smooth muscle phenotype(s). It may also provide an experimental tool for studying vasculature and the involvement of pericytes in regulating microvascular homeostasis.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

STK25 is a candidate gene for pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism.

We determined the chromosomal location of the mouse gene Stk25, encoding a member of the Ste20/PAK family of serine/threonine kinases, by interspecific backcross analysis. We mapped Stk25 to the central region of mouse chromosome 1 linked to Chrng (formerly Acrg) and En1. This central region of mouse chromosome 1 shares a region of homology with the long arm of human chromosome 2, suggesting that the human homologue of Stk25 would also map to 2q. We proved this prediction of syntenic homology correct by mapping human STK25 to 2q37. Deletion of the 2q37 region has been implicated in the expression of pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (PPHP), a disease which shares features of the Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) phenotype. To investigate a pathogenetic relationship between STK25 and PPHP, we carried out fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using an STK25 gene probe and chromosomes from PPHP patients characterized as having small deletions near the distal end of 2q. PPHP patient DNA showed no hybridization to STK25 genomic DNA, indicating that STK25 is contained within the deleted chromosomal region. This finding, in conjunction with previous studies demonstrating the role of Ste20/PAK kinases in heterotrimeric G protein signaling, suggests that STK25 is a positional candidate gene for PPHP.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

The genes encoding E-selectin (SELE) and lymphotactin (SCYC1) lie on separate chicken chromosomes although they are closely linked in human and mouse.

Three differentially expressed selectin genes (SELE, SELP, and SELL), important in the initial stages of leukocyte extravasation, have been reported in mammals. All three genes map close to the chemokine SCYC1 (small inducible cytokine subfamily C, member 1) in a large conserved chromosomal segment that extends from RXRG (retinoic acid receptor, gamma) to TNNT2 (troponin T2) on Chromosome (Chr) 1 in both human and mouse. In the mouse, we demonstrate that Sele is flanked by Prrx1 (paired-related homeobox gene 1) and Scyc1 and define the order of, and distances between, loci as centromere-Prrx1-(0.7+/-0.7 cM)-Sele-(1.2+/-0.9 cM)-Scyc1-telomere. In the chicken, we isolated BAC clones containing PRRX1, SELE, and SCYC1 and positioned them by fluorescent in situ hybridization. SELE and PRRX1 mapped to the short arm of chicken Chr 8 and SCYC1 mapped to the region equivalent to 1q11-1q13 on the long arm of chicken Chr 1. The location of SELE on chicken Chr 8 was independently established by linkage analysis of COM0185, an (AT)16 microsatellite locus identified in a BAC clone that contained SELE. COM0185 was linked to several loci that mapped to one end of chicken Chr 8, with the order of loci, and genetic distances (in cM) between them defined as MSU0435, MSU0325-(7.8+/-3.7)-COM0185-(5.8+/-3.2)-ROS0338-(9.6+/-4.0)-ABR0322-(3.8+/-2.6)-GLUL. We have therefore positioned an evolutionary breakpoint in mammals and chickens between SELE and SCYC1. Furthermore, comparative mapping analysis of the RXRG-TNNT2 chromosomal segment that is conserved on human and mouse Chr 1 indicates that it is divided into four segments in the chicken, each of which maps to a different chromosome.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Autosomal telomere exchange results in the rapid amplification and dispersion of Csf2ra genes in wild-derived mice.

Common laboratory strains such as C57BL/6J carry a single Csf2ra gene that maps to the distal end of Chromosome (Chr) 19. Here we report that several species of wild mice contain multiple Csf2ra genes. Using interspecific backcross mapping and in situ hybridization, we demonstrate that one of these species, Mus spretus, carries four Csf2ra genes dispersed among the distal tips of Chrs 4, 10, 13, and 19. Our data further suggest that these additional Csf2ra genes are not generated by retrotransposition, but rather by nonhomologous subtelomeric exchanges that could be mediated in part by ribosomal genes located at the subtelomeric regions of Chrs 4, 13, and 19. Although we do not know whether these additional Csf2ra genes are functionally active, our studies suggest that subtelomeric exchange provides a potent means for rapid gene amplification in the mouse.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

The murine perilipin gene: the lipid droplet-associated perilipins derive from tissue-specific, mRNA splice variants and define a gene family of ancient origin.

The Perilipins are a family of intracellular neutral lipid droplet storage proteins that are responsive to acute protein kinase A-mediated, hormonal stimulation. Perilipin (Peri) expression appears to be limited to adipocytes and steroidogenic cells, in which intracellular neutral lipid hydrolysis is regulated by protein kinase A. We have isolated cDNA sets and overlapping genomic fragments of the murine Peri locus and mapped chromosomal location, transcription start sites, polyadenylylation sites, and intron/exon junctions. Data confirm that the Perilipins are encoded by a single-copy gene, with alternative and tissue-specific, mRNA splicing and polyadenylylation yielding four different protein species. The Perilipin proteins have identical approximately 22-kDa amino termini with distinct carboxyl terminal sequences of varying lengths. These genomic and transcriptional maps of murine Perilipin are also essential for evaluating presumptive endogenous and targeted mutations within the locus. The N-terminal identity region of the Perilipins defines a sequence motif, which we term PAT, that is shared with the ADRP and TIP47 proteins; additionally, the PAT domain may represent a novel, conserved pattern for lipid storage droplet (LSD) proteins of vertebrates and invertebrates alike. Comparative genomics suggest the presence of related LSD genes in species as diverse as Drosophila and Dictyostelium.

5' Untranslated Regions↗