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S Gilad

Publications and source records attributed to S Gilad.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Ataxia-telangiectasia locus: sequence analysis of 184 kb of human genomic DNA containing the entire ATM gene.

Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is an autosomal recessive disorder involving cerebellar degeneration, immunodeficiency, chromosomal instability, radiosensitivity, and cancer predisposition. The genomic organization of the A-T gene, designated ATM, was established recently. To date, more than 100 A-T-associated mutations have been reported in the ATM gene that do not support the existence of one or several mutational hotspots. To allow genotype/phenotype correlations it will be important to find additional ATM mutations. The nature and location of the mutations will also provide insights into the molecular processes that underly the disease. To facilitate the search for ATM mutations and to establish the basis for the identification of transcriptional regulatory elements, we have sequenced and report here 184,490 bp of genomic sequence from the human 11q22-23 chromosomal region containing the entire ATM gene, spanning 146 kb, and 10 kb of the 5'-region of an adjacent gene named E14/NPAT. The latter shares a bidirectional promoter with ATM and is transcribed in the opposite direction. The entire region is transcribed to approximately 85% and translated to 5%. Genome-wide repeats were found to constitute 37.2%, with LINE (17.1%) and Alu (14.6%) being the main repetitive elements. The high representation of LINE repeats is attributable to the presence of three full-length LINE-1s, inserted in the same orientation in introns 18 and 63 as well as downstream of the ATM gene. Homology searches suggest that ATM exon 2 could have derived from a mammalian interspersed repeat (MIR). Promoter recognition algorithms identified divergent promoter elements within the CpG island, which lies between the ATM and E14/NPAT genes, and provide evidence for a putative second ATM promoter located within intron 3, immediately upstream of the first coding exon. The low G+C level (38.1%) of the ATM locus is reflected in a strongly biased codon and amino acid usage of the gene.

Ataxia Telangiectasia↗

A human gene (DDX10) encoding a putative DEAD-box RNA helicase at 11q22-q23.

A human gene encoding a putative RNA helicase, designated DDX10, was identified 400 kb telomeric to the ataxia-telangiectasia gene at chromosome 11q22-q23. The predicted amino acid sequence shows very high similarity to a subgroup of DEAD-box RNA helicases involved in ribosome biogenesis. This novel gene encodes a 3.2-kb transcript in a variety of human tissues. A processed pseudogene of DDX10 was detected at chromosome 9q21-q22. We observed a rare trinucleotide repeat length polymorphism within the coding sequence of DDX10.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ataxia-telangiectasia: founder effect among north African Jews.

The ATM gene is responsible for the autosomal recessive disorder ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), characterized by cerebellar degeneration, immunodeficiency and cancer predisposition. A-T carriers were reported to be moderately cancer-prone. A wide variety of A-T mutations, most of which are unique to single families, were identified in various ethnic groups, precluding carrier screening with mutation-specific assays. However, a single mutation was observed in 32/33 defective ATM alleles in Jewish A-T families of North African origin, coming from various regions of Morocco and Tunisia. This mutation, 103C-->T, results in a stop codon at position 35 of the ATM protein. In keeping with the nature of this mutation, various antibodies directed against the ATM protein failed to defect this protein in patient cells. A rapid carrier detection assay detected this mutation in three out of 488 ATM alleles of Jewish Moroccan or Tunisian origin. This founder effect provides a unique opportunity for population-based screening for A-T carriers in a large Jewish community.

Africa, Northern↗

Predominance of null mutations in ataxia-telangiectasia.

Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is an autosomal recessive disorder involving cerebellar degeneration, immunodeficiency, chromosomal instability, radiosensitivity and cancer predisposition. The responsible gene, ATM, was recently identified by positional cloning and found to encode a putative 350 kDa protein with a Pl 3-kinase-like domain, presumably involved in mediating cell cycle arrest in response to radiation-induced DNA damage. The nature and location of A-T mutations should provide insight into the function of the ATM protein and the molecular basis of this pleiotropic disease. Of 44 A-T mutations identified by us to date, 39 (89%) are expected to inactivate the ATM protein by truncating it, by abolishing correct initiation or termination of translation, or by deleting large segments. Additional mutations are four smaller in-frame deletions and insertions, and one substitution of a highly conserved amino acid at the Pl 3-kinase domain. The emerging profile of mutations causing A-T is thus dominated by those expected to completely inactivate the ATM protein. ATM mutations with milder effects may result in phenotypes related, but not identical, to A-T.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A single ataxia telangiectasia gene with a product similar to PI-3 kinase.

A gene, ATM, that is mutated in the autosomal recessive disorder ataxia telangiectasia (AT) was identified by positional cloning on chromosome 11q22-23. AT is characterized by cerebellar degeneration, immunodeficiency, chromosomal instability, cancer predisposition, radiation sensitivity, and cell cycle abnormalities. The disease is genetically heterogeneous, with four complementation groups that have been suspected to represent different genes. ATM, which has a transcript of 12 kilobases, was found to be mutated in AT patients from all complementation groups, indicating that it is probably the sole gene responsible for this disorder. A partial ATM complementary DNA clone of 5.9 kilobases encoded a putative protein that is similar to several yeast and mammalian phosphatidylinositol-3' kinases that are involved in mitogenic signal transduction, meiotic recombination, and cell cycle control. The discovery of ATM should enhance understanding of AT and related syndromes and may allow the identification of AT heterozygotes, who are at increased risk of cancer.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A high-density microsatellite map of the ataxia-telangiectasia locus.

The locus of the autosomal recessive disorder ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) has been assigned by linkage analysis with biallelic markers to a 4-Mb interval on chromosome 11q22-23, between GRIA4 and D11S1897. We have undertaken to saturate the A-T region with highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. To this end, we have identified seven new polymorphic CA-repeats in this region, and have mapped to it five new markers generated by Genethon and the Cooperative Human Linkage Center. These markers are in addition to 12 others that we have previously mapped or generated at the A-T locus. All 24 markers have been integrated into a high-density microsatellite map spanning some 6 Mb DNA. This map, which contains the A-T locus and flanking sequences, allows the construction of extensive, highly informative haplotypes.

Ataxia Telangiectasia↗

Assessment of 5 alpha-reductase activity in hirsute women: comparison of serum androstanediol glucuronide with urinary androsterone and aetiocholanolone excretion.

OBJECTIVE: Recent evidence suggests that androstanediol glucuronide (AG), a metabolite of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) formed in skin, is frequently elevated in hirsute women, presumably reflecting enhanced 5 alpha-reductase activity. An alternative method of demonstrating 5 alpha-reductase activity is the androsterone (A)/aetiocholanolone (E) ratio in urine. A and E are the 5 alpha- and 5 beta-reduced metabolites, respectively, of androstenedione, which is the principal metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone (D). Although serum AG and the urinary A/E ratio have both been considered valid methods for assessing 5 alpha-reductase activity, the two have not been previously compared in hirsute women. The present study was undertaken to assess 5 alpha-reductase activity in hirsute patients as determined by these two different methods. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: We surveyed 47 untreated women (ages 17-33) with various degrees of hirsutism. Serum testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, and AG were determined. Additionally, A, E and D were measured in 24-hour collections of urine. RESULTS: For the 47 women, 37 had elevated blood levels of AG (17.4 +/- 2.2, mean +/- SEM; normal < 8 nmol/l), but only 18 of these had an increased urinary A/E ratio (> 1.5). All but one of the remainder had elevated urinary and/or serum androgen levels. Overall, no significant correlation between AG and A/E was observed. There was a highly significant correlation between AG in serum and A in urine (r = 0.82, P < 0.001). AG was also positively related to dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (r = 0.64; P < 0.005), bioavailable testosterone (r = 0.6; P < 0.001), aetiocholanolone (r = 0.58; P < 0.001) and total testosterone (r = 0.52; P < 0.01). In contrast, A/E was not significantly related to androgen production. CONCLUSIONS: There is a poor correlation between AG and the A/E ratio in hirsute women. Although AG may be raised by increased 5 alpha-reductase activity, it is probably also affected by the presence of elevated androgens regardless of 5 alpha-reductase activity.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗

Effect of 5-alpha-reductase inhibition on sex-hormone-binding globulin in elderly men.

In this study we examined the possibility that chronic reduction in serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) attained by pharmacologic inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase modulates serum sex-hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in elderly men. Twenty-one men, ages 58-79 years (mean 66) with benign prostatic hypertrophy were treated with the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride (5 mg daily) for 12 months. Serum DHT declined by 80% (p < 0.001) and total testosterone rose by 14% (p < 0.05). Serum SHBG concentration remained unchanged (44.1 +/- 4.5 vs 45.2 +/- 5.7 nmol/l for pre- and post-therapy levels, respectively). Thus, the conversion of testosterone to DHT is not required to maintain the androgenic effect on serum SHBG concentration in elderly men.

Aged↗

Physical and genetic mapping at the ATA/ATC locus on chromosome 11q22-23.

Genetic heterogeneity in ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) points to four different genes responsible for this disease. The two major A-T genes, ATA and ATC, were localized by genetic analysis close to each other on chromosome 11q22-23, prompting efforts of positional cloning. Essential steps in positional cloning are long-range cloning of the genomic region of interest, and derivation of highly polymorphic markers that would allow further reduction of the interval carrying the A-T gene. We constructed genomic contigs across the D11S611-D1S424 region harbouring the ATA and ATC genes in yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) vectors. These contigs were used as a fine mapping tool and enabled us to localize along the A-T region, eight microsatellite markers generated randomly by genome mapping centres. In addition, we used specific YAC clones to generate five new microsatellite markers based on polymorphic CA repeats. Recombination mapping based on Israeli A-T families indicates that the ATC gene is distal to the locus D11S1817. Further linkage analysis using these markers is expected to reduce the major A-T locus considerably to a size appropriate for cosmid cloning and identification of transcribed sequences.

Ataxia Telangiectasia↗

Laboratory monitoring of androgenic activity in benign prostate hypertrophy treated with a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor.

Testosterone and androstenedione are metabolized by 5 alpha- and 5 beta-reductases to androsterone (A) and etiocholanolone (E), respectively. These are excreted in the urine as conjugates, and the A/E ratio in normal men is usually greater than or equal to 1.5 (as opposed to 1 in women) because of the high 5 alpha-reductase activity in the prostate. The A/E ratio can be determined simply by gas chromatography after acid hydrolysis of a urine sample, extraction of steroids, and formation of trimethylsilyl derivatives. A timed collection of urine is unnecessary because the ratio of A/E is used rather than absolute values. In men suffering from benign prostate hypertrophy who are treated with Finasteride (a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor), the A/E ratio decreases to less than 0.5. The A/E ratio decrease can be detected long before there is clinical improvement.

5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors↗

Estrone-3-glucuronide chemiluminescence immunoassay: an alternative method for monitoring induction of ovulation with human menopausal gonadotropin in an in vitro fertilization program.

A simple, rapid, and sensitive solid-phase immunoassay procedure for the determination of estrone-3-glucuronide (E1-3-G), which uses chemiluminescence as the end point in unextracted morning urine, is described. Thirty-one patients undergoing induction of ovulation in an in vitro fertilization (IVF) unit participated in the study. From day 3 of the menstrual cycle until the day of hCG administration, morning blood samples and morning urine specimens were collected for the determination of serum 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and urine E1-3-G, respectively. A good correlation was noted between E2 measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and the E1-3-G measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA), from day 5 up to the day of hCG administration (0.6 less than r less than 0.85, P less than 0.001). It is evident from this study that the CIA measurement of E1-3-G in morning urine is an accurate and rapid (2.5 hours) method and is convenient for monitoring induction of ovulation with human menopausal gonadotropins.

Adult↗

Calcitonin induced increase in ACTH, beta-endorphin and cortisol secretion.

The response of ACTH, beta-endorphin and cortisol to calcitonin administration was investigated in 8 subjects with recent fractures of the vertebrae due to postmenopausal or senile osteoporosis (Ost) and in seven normal healthy controls (NC). A significant increase of the three hormones was observed in 13 subjects. The maximum increase was observed between 15 and 60 min.: the cortisol level (microgram/100 ml) rose from 14.3 +/- 1.9 to 24.8 +/- 3.2 (P less than 0.05) in Ost and from 7.7 +/- 0.6 to 21.7 +/- 1.7 (P less than 0.001) in NC, the beta-endorphin (pmol/l) from 5.8 +/- 0.6 and to 21.2 +/- 1.3 in OST (P less than 0.001) and from 5.9 +/- 0.4 to 21.9 +/- 4.5 (P less than 0.01) in NC and the ACTH levels (pg/ml) from 21.3 +/- 5.7 to 61.7 +/- 3.6 (P less than 0.001) in OST and from 30.0 +/- 6.2 to 58.8 +/- 7.5 (P less than 0.05) in NC. The results indicate a possible role of calcitonin in modulating the anterior pituitary function. It also suggests that the analgesic effect of calcitonin might be mediated by the increase of beta-endorphin. The possibility that this analgesic effect of calcitonin is due to its direct binding to the opiate receptors was excluded in the present study by in vitro binding assay.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗