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Biomedical subjects

N S Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to N S Thomas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Phenotypic evidence for a common pathogenesis in X-linked deafness pedigrees and in Xq13-q21 deletion related deafness.

A structural cochlear abnormality has been observed by high resolution CT scanning in some families where X-linked deafness is segregating. We now present evidence that the same abnormality is present in a deaf patient who has a deletion within Xq21. This observation provides phenotypic evidence that the genotypic basis of deafness is the same in both patient groups. It is also likely that the perilymphatic fluid "gusher" abnormality may be common to both.

Child

The synthesis of p58cyclin A and the phosphorylation of p34cdc2 are inhibited in human lymphoid cells arrested in G1 by alpha-interferon.

Daudi cells arrest in G1 in the presence of alpha-interferon. Such cells have little p58cyclin A, probably due to inhibition of p58cyclin A synthesis. The phosphorylation-associated migration shift of p34cdc2 is not seen in alpha-interferon-arrested cells. Cells arrested in late G1 by aphidicolin have abundant p58cyclin A and phosphorylated p34cdc2. Cell sorting showed that p58cyclin A increases in proliferating cells in late G1 and coincides with phosphorylation of p34cdc2.

Aphidicolin

Down-regulation of human protein kinase C alpha is associated with terminal neutrophil differentiation.

We have established an RNase protection method to quantify the expression of mRNA for the human protein kinase C (PK-C) isoforms alpha, beta 1, beta 2, and gamma. This was used to investigate whether each isoform is differentially expressed during the differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Myeloid and lymphoid cells express PK-C alpha, beta 1, and beta 2 mRNAs in various proportions. PK-C gamma mRNA was detected in human brain, but not in hematopoietic cells. PK-C alpha mRNA decreases as HL-60 cells mature to a neutrophil phenotype in response to retinoic acid, but its abundance does not change during monocytic differentiation in response to vitamin D3. PK-C alpha mRNA and protein were undetectable in peripheral blood neutrophils, but are present in monocytes. The mRNAs for PK-C beta 1 and beta 2 isoforms increase during HL-60 differentiation and are expressed in both neutrophils and monocytes. Therefore, the PK-C alpha isoform is specifically down-regulated during human neutrophil terminal differentiation. These data suggest that mature neutrophil functions do not require the PK-C alpha isoform.

Calcitriol

Identification of a nonsense mutation in the amelogenin gene (AMELX) in a family with X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta (AIH1).

A family with X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta (XAI) is described in which the disease is associated with a nonsense mutation in exon 5 of the amelogenin gene. This mutation involves a single base deletion (CCCC-->CCC) in the exon in an affected male, his sister and his mother. The effect of this deletion is to alter the reading frame and to introduce an inappropriate TGA stop codon (an opal mutation) into the exonic sequence of the amelogenin gene immediately 3' of the mutation. The clinical features in the examined members of this family indicate that, in some individuals, the most noticeable defect is of enamel hypoplasia. In others, the hypoplastic changes are subtle and might have been overlooked on cursory examination; the most noticeable change is of enamel colour, indicating a degree of hypomineralisation. We propose that the amelogenin gene is implicated in both the formation of enamel of normal thickness and in the normal mineralisation process.

Adolescent

Genetic heterogeneity in X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta.

The AMELX gene located at Xp22.1-p22.3 encodes for the enamel protein amelogenin and has been implicated as the gene responsible for the inherited dental abnormality X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta (XAI). Three families with XAI have been investigated using polymorphic DNA markers flanking the position of AMELX. Using two-point linkage analysis, linkage was established between XAI and several of these markers in two families, with a combined lod score of 6.05 for DXS16 at theta = 0.04. This supports the involvement of AMELX, located close to DXS16, in the XAI disease process (AIH1) in those families. Using multipoint linkage analysis, the combined maximum lod score for these two families was 7.30 for a location of AIH1 at 2 cM distal to DXS16. The support interval around this location extended about 8 cM proximal to DXS92, and the AIH1 location could not be precisely defined by multipoint mapping. Study of recombination events indicated that AIH1 lies in the interval between DXS143 and DXS85. There was significant evidence against linkage to this region in the third family, indicating locus heterogeneity in XAI. Further analysis with markers on the long arm of the X chromosome showed evidence of linkage to DXS144E and F9 with no recombination with either of these markers. Two-point analysis gave a peak lod score at DXS144E with a maximum lod score of 2.83 at theta = 0, with a peak lod score in multipoint linkage analysis of 2.84 at theta = 0. The support interval extended 9 cM proximal to DXS144E and 14 cM distal to F9.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amelogenesis Imperfecta

The retinoblastoma protein is partially phosphorylated during early G1 in cycling cells but not in G1 cells arrested with alpha-interferon.

The retinoblastoma protein (pRB) is thought to act as a tumour suppressor which is inactivated by phosphorylation. In quiescent (G0) cells pRB exists in a hypophosphorylated form (pRB110), but proliferating cells in G1 contain a significant proportion of phosphorylated pRB (pRB112-114). Studies of synchronized or elutriated cells have suggested that the phosphorylated forms of pRB disappear as cells pass from G2/M to G0/G1 and that pRB is phosphorylated again to pRB114 at the G1/S border. In this study we used two-parameter flow cytometry and cell sorting to isolate cycling cells in early and late G1 (G1A and G1B), and we show that partially phosphorylated pRB is present in cycling human lymphoid cells even in G1A. These G1A cells contain intermediate forms of pRB which become further phosphorylated to pRB112-114 as cells pass into G1B. Therefore pRB is at least partially phosphorylated from early G1 onwards. Cell cycle arrest by alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) results in an accumulation of cells in both G1A and G1B, and these cells contain mainly pRB110. Since pRB110 is thought to prevent cell proliferation, the cytostatic effect of alpha-IFN may therefore occur by preventing the initial phosphorylation of pRB during or prior to G1A.

Cell Cycle

Interferon-alpha treatment of Daudi cells down-regulates the octamer binding transcription/DNA replication factors Oct-1 and Oct-2.

Treatment of Daudi cells with alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) results in a considerable decrease in the levels of the octamer-binding DNA replication/transcription factors Oct-1 and Oct-2 and specifically inhibits gene expression by octamer-containing promoters. The inhibitory effect on octamer-binding proteins also occurs after culturing cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate but it does not occur following alpha-IFN treatment of an alpha-IFN-resistant variant of the Daudi cell line or of HeLa cells. We discuss the potential role of the decreased levels of octamer-binding proteins in the inhibition of cell proliferation.

Base Sequence

Differentiation-linked activation of the respiratory burst in a monocytic cell line (U937) via Fc gamma RII. A study of activation pathways and their regulation.

Activation of the respiratory burst in the monocytic cell line U937 by cross-linking human 40-kDa FcR for IgG (Fc gamma RII) with the IgG1 mAb, CIKM5, is dependent on the maturation state of the cell. Addition of anti-Fc gamma RII to undifferentiated cells does not activate the respiratory burst but differentiation with human rIFN-gamma (200 U/ml) for 13 to 15 days results in maximal stimulation by this agonist, with half-maximal responses in cells incubated for 10 to 12 days. During maturation the development of responsiveness to cross-linking Fc gamma RII occurs later than the development of responsiveness to the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (maximal responses at 7 to 9 days), or the chemotactic peptide FMLP (half-maximal responses at 7 to 9 days). The late development of maximal Fc gamma RII responses is not associated with either increased Fc gamma RII expression, enhanced calcium mobilization induced by anti-Fc gamma RII, changes in protein kinase C activity (PKC) or a switch in PKC isotype expression. Activation of the respiratory burst via Fc gamma RII may not be mediated by activation of PKC as the kinase inhibitors 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride and N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide dihydrochloride inhibited the Fc gamma RII response by less than 20% at concentrations which inhibit the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced respiratory burst by more than 80%. IFN-gamma U937 cells did not metabolize incorporated arachidonate into eicosanoids when stimulated with anti-Fc gamma RII, suggesting that eicosanoids do not mediate activation of the respiratory burst, and this was confirmed by the lack of inhibition by the specific 5'-lipoxygenase and glutathione S-transferase inhibitor, piriprost, and the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin. In addition there was no significant release of radiolabeled arachidonate in response to anti-Fc gamma RII. The response to anti-Fc gamma RII is inhibited by pertussis toxin, suggesting that signal transduction is via a GTP-binding protein. Agents that elevate intracellular cAMP increased the magnitude of the cAMP transients stimulated by anti-Fc gamma RII and also inhibited the respiratory burst. FMLP responses showed a similar pattern of sensitivity to this range of inhibitors, suggesting that both Fc gamma RII and FMLP receptor share common regulatory mechanisms. However, the termination of the respiratory burst activated via Fc gamma RII and FMLP receptor is independently regulated, in that after FMLP-induced activation there is no subsequent inhibition of the Fc gamma RII-mediated response and vice versa.

Antigens, Differentiation

An intracellular 50-kDa Fc gamma-binding protein is induced in human cells by alpha-IFN.

This report describes a novel intracellular Ig Fc-binding protein that is induced by alpha-IFN in a wide range of human cell types. The protein has a m.w. of 45,000 to 50,000 and it will bind human IgG but not IgM, IgA, or IgE. The IgG-binding specificity of this protein (designated Fc gamma BP) is similar to that of the Fc gamma RII receptor in that it binds only to mouse IgG1 and IgG2b but not IgG2a. It is an intracellular protein and is detectable by immunoprecipitation from [35S]methionine-labeled cells but it is undetectable on the cell surface. Fc gamma BP is a phosphoprotein, and the amount of phosphorylated Fc gamma BP increases after treatment with alpha-IFN. Although the function of this protein has yet to be determined, the induction of an Fc-binding protein by alpha-IFN suggests a role in the immune response, particularly during infection by viruses.

Antigens, Differentiation

Cell cycle regulation.

Over the past few years there has been a resurgance of interest in the cell cycle. The excitement has mainly been due to the fact that researchers all over the world who had been working on seemingly different processes in yeast, fruit flies, frogs and man have found that many of the processes and individual proteins have been highly conserved. In essence, what regulates the cell cycle in yeast also works in man. This review is biased towards cell cycle regulation in mammalian cells but we have also covered what is known about similar mechanisms in other organisms to provide a broader perspective to the field. We outline what is currently known about the cell cycle and the key points at which cell proliferation is controlled. We summarise recent work on cell cycle control genes and antioncogenes and the post-transcriptional regulation of the proteins for which they code. Finally we cover the relationship between the cell cycle and differentiation.

Cell Cycle

The B-cell and neuronal forms of the octamer-binding protein Oct-2 differ in DNA-binding specificity and functional activity.

B lymphocytes contain an octamer-binding transcription factor, Oct-2, that is absent in most other cell types and plays a critical role in the B-cell-specific transcription of the immunoglobulin genes. A neuronal form of this protein has also been detected in brain and neuronal cell lines by using a DNA mobility shift assay, and an Oct-2 mRNA is observed in these cells by Northern (RNA) blotting and in situ hybridization. We show that the neuronal form of Oct-2 differs from that found in B cells with respect to both DNA-binding specificity and functional activity. In particular, whereas the B-cell protein activates octamer-containing promoters, the neuronal protein inhibits octamer-mediated gene expression. The possible role of the neuronal form of Oct-2 in the regulation of neuronal gene expression and its relationship to B-cell Oct-2 are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence

Genetic localisation of the RP2 type of X linked retinitis pigmentosa in a large kindred.

Genetic linkage and deletion studies have led to the proposal that there are at least two loci on the X chromosome which are responsible for X linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP). One locus (RP3) has been closely defined by genetic linkage and deletion analyses and localised to the region between the ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) and chronic granulomatous disease (CYBB) loci in Xp21.1-p11.4. The other locus (RP2) has been assigned by linkage analysis alone to region Xp11.4-p11.2, but its localisation is less well defined. The results of a multipoint linkage analysis of a single large XLRP kindred using eight informative loci provide further evidence on the localisation of RP2 to this region. The maximum likelihood location of this locus shows a multipoint lod score of 7.17 close to DXS255 (in Xp11.22) and TIMP (in Xp11.3-p11.23), neither of which show recombination with RP2, in an area extending from 2 cM proximal to DXS7 to 1 cM distal to DXS14 (approximate 95% confidence limits).

Bayes Theorem

Assignment of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy to the distal region of Xq28: the results of a collaborative study.

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is an X-linked humeroperoneal dystrophy associated with cardiomyopathy that is distinct from the Duchenne and Becker forms of X-linked muscular dystrophy. Linkage analysis has assigned EDMD to the terminal region of the human X chromosome long arm. We report here further linkage analysis in two multigenerational EDMD families using seven Xq28 marker loci. Cumulative lod scores suggest that EDMD is approximately 2 cM from DXS52 (lod = 15.67) and very close to the factor VIII (F8C) and the red/green color pigment (R/GCP) loci, with respective lod scores of 9.62 and 10.77, without a single recombinant. Several recombinations between EDMD and three proximal Xq28 markers suggest that the EDMD gene is located in distal Xq28. Multipoint linkage analysis indicates that the odds are 2,000:1 that EDMD lies distal to DXS305. These data substantially refine the ability to perform accurate carrier detection, prenatal diagnosis, and the presymptomatic diagnosis of at-risk males for EDMD by linkage analysis. The positioning of the EDMD locus close to the loci for F8C and R/GCP will assist in future efforts to identify and isolate the disease gene.

Chromosome Mapping

The phosphorylation state of the retinoblastoma (RB) protein in G0/G1 is dependent on growth status.

The product of the retinoblastoma gene (RB) is a nuclear phosphoprotein which is thought to regulate the proliferation of cells. Its phosphorylation state changes with passage through the cell cycle and it has been proposed that RB protein in its hypo-phosphorylated form prevents cells proliferating. We have investigated the phosphorylation state of the RB protein in an actively-dividing human B-lymphoblastoid cell line and after cell cycle arrest caused by alpha-Interferon (alpha-IFN). We show that the phosphorylation state of the RB protein in cells with 2N DNA content depends on whether the cells are actively cycling. Our data is compatible with the proposal that dephosphorylation of the RB protein allows cells to enter a quiescent state. This study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms which may mediate the cytostatic effects of alpha-IFN.

Cell Line

Molecular cloning and characterization of the human double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase induced by interferon.

The double-stranded (ds) RNA-activated protein kinase from human cells is a 68 kd protein (p68 kinase) induced by interferon. On activation by dsRNA in the presence of ATP, the kinase becomes autophosphorylated and can catalyze the phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eIF2, which leads to an inhibition of the initiation of protein synthesis. Here we report the molecular cloning and characterization of several related cDNAs from which can be deduced the full-length p68 kinase sequence. All of the cDNAs identify a 2.5 kb RNA that is strongly induced by interferon. The deduced amino acid sequence of the p68 kinase predicts a protein of 550 amino acids containing all of the conserved domains specific for members of the protein kinase family, including the catalytic domain characteristic of serine/threonine kinases. In vitro translation of a reconstructed full-length p68 kinase cDNA yields a protein of 68 kd that binds dsRNA, is recognized by a monoclonal antibody raised against the native p68 kinase, and is autophosphorylated.

Amino Acid Sequence

Development of antibodies to unprotected glycosylation sites on recombinant human GM-CSF.

In 4 out of 16 patients receiving recombinant human granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) in phase I/II studies antibodies developed to the recombinant protein. The antibodies react with sites on the native protein backbone which are normally protected by O-linked glycosylation but which are exposed in rhGM-CSF produced in yeast and Escherichia coli. Antigenicity of recombinant human proteins due to non glycosylation may have relevance to the choice of host system for production of factors for clinical use.

Antibodies

Prenatal diagnosis of X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia by linkage analysis.

Prenatal diagnosis of X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia was previously performed by the direct histological analysis of fetal skin obtained by late second trimester fetoscopy. The recent gene mapping of the locus for the disorder to the region of Xq11-21.1 now permits the indirect prenatal diagnosis of the disorder by the method of linkage analysis, based on closely linked marker loci, during the first trimester of pregnancy. We report the prenatal diagnosis of a male fetus with a high probability of the disorder by a linkage analysis utilizing restriction fragment length polymorphisms at the DXS159, PGK1, and DXS72 loci, from a DNA sample obtained by a chorionic villus biopsy at 9 weeks gestation. After further counseling, the pregnancy was terminated but the diagnosis could not be confirmed by histological analysis, even though analysis of skin samples by light and electron microscopy showed lack of hair germs, primary dermal ridges, and sweat gland primordia, due to the early developmental stage of the fetus. The use of DNA-based linkage analysis now offers the opportunity for an earlier diagnosis of X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia by a method other than fetal skin sampling. However, families must also fully understand the present limitations of the method prior to undertaking the procedure.

Adult

Intragenic deletions in 164 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) studied with dystrophin cDNA.

DNA from 164 unrelated Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients was screened with cDNA probes from the dystrophin gene. Molecular deletions were demonstrated in 82 (50%) subjects. Sixty-two deletions (76%) were detected using cDNA probes Cf56a (cDNA 8) and Cf56b (cDNA 6-7) which map to the centre of the gene, while 22 deletions (27%) mapped to the 5' end of the gene. In three subjects, the deletion extended from the 5' end to the centre of the gene. One deletion was identified by probe 47-4 (cDNA 5b-7) alone. In six of the deletions, junction fragments of altered size were observed. Using the three cDNA probes, RW2kb, Cf56a (cDNA 8) and Cf56b (cDNA 6-7), 99% of the deletions were detected. This will have implications for prenatal diagnosis in deletion families. Unlike Becker muscular dystrophy, where the deletions are more homogeneous, the deletions in the present study were heterogeneous both in size and position. No correlation between intelligence and either site or extent of deletion was found.

Child