PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Receptor, Notch4”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

No evidence for association between NOTCH4 and schizophrenia in a large family-based and case-control association analysis.

OBJECTIVES: An analysis of 80 British parent-offspring trios by Wei and Hemmings in 2000 revealed thre1e out of five markers within the NOTCH4 locus to be strongly associated with schizophrenia. In our present study, we have examined NOTCH4 markers in large samples of German and Palestinian-Arab origin. METHODS: Our study population comprised a German case-control sample (n=512 schizophrenia patients and n=232 controls) and two independent parent-offspring trio samples of German (n=159 trios) and Palestinian-Arab (n=208 trios) descent. We examined a total of ten single nucleotide polymorphisms within the NOTCH4 locus and the adjacent loci, spanning a region of approximately 100 kb. RESULTS: Neither single marker nor haplotype analyses showed association with schizophrenia. In addition, analyses of the German case-control and trio samples revealed no significant association between NOTCH4 polymorphisms and early-onset schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that NOTCH4 is unlikely to play a major role in the genetic predisposition to schizophrenia in the German or the Palestinian-Arab population.

Case-Control Studies↗

Family-based association study of the NOTCH4 gene in schizophrenia using Japanese and Chinese samples.

BACKGROUND: A family based association study in a British sample found the NOTCH4 gene to be associated with schizophrenia; however, all six replication studies failed to confirm the finding. METHODS: We performed a family based association study of NOTCH4 and schizophrenia in 123 trios (16 Japanese and 107 Chinese). In addition to the original study's polymorphisms, we examined four new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)--SNPs_A, B, C and D--around SNP1 of the original study. We genotyped all samples for SNPs_A-D and for SNP1 and (CTG)n of the original study. RESULTS: We found no significant associations between NOTCH4 and schizophrenia or its subtypes for all polymorphisms, regardless of gender. The finding remained negative when the Chinese sample was analyzed separately. Exploratory analyses suggested that SNP_A may be associated with early-onset schizophrenia and that SNP1 may be associated with schizophrenia characterized by numerous negative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: NOTCH4 is not a significant susceptibility gene for schizophrenia when clinical heterogeneity is ignored; however, NOTCH4 may be associated with early-onset schizophrenia or schizophrenia with many negative symptoms, but these findings should be interpreted cautiously.

Adult↗

Association analysis of NOTCH4 loci in schizophrenia using family and population-based controls.

A genetic association between NOTCH4 and schizophrenia has previously been proposed. Unsing all markers previously shown to be associated, we found no evidence for such in three independent family-based samples (n=519 parent-offspring trios), and a case-control sample derived from the same ethnic background as the original observation. These data strongly suggest that NOTCH4 is not a significant susceptibility allele for schizophrenia.

Case-Control Studies↗

NOTCH4 gene haplotype is associated with schizophrenia in African Americans.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between the NOTCH4 gene and schizophrenia in African American (AA) and European American (EA) subjects. METHODS: Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the NOTCH4 locus were genotyped in 123 AA schizophrenia patients, 223 EA schizophrenia patients, 85 AA healthy control subjects, and 211 EA healthy control subjects. The specific markers studied were -1725T/G and -25T/C. Comparisons of allele and haplotype frequencies between patients and control subjects were performed with the chi-square test, the Fisher's Exact Test, and CLUMP software. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) between these two SNPs was calculated with the 3LOCUS program. RESULTS: The haplotype -1725G/-25T associates to schizophrenia in AA subjects (p =.0008), but not in EA subjects. Alleles -1725G and allele -25T are in positive LD both in AAs and EAs. Allele and haplotype frequencies differ significantly between AAs and EAs. CONCLUSIONS: The haplotype -1725G/-25T at the NOTCH4 locus, which results from SNPs of NOTCH4 that are in LD, may increase susceptibility to schizophrenia in AAs. Any effect of this locus on risk for schizophrenia is population-specific.

Black or African American↗

Gene organization of human NOTCH4 and (CTG)n polymorphism in this human counterpart gene of mouse proto-oncogene Int3.

The cDNA and genomic clones for the human counterpart of the mouse mammary tumor gene Int3 were isolated and sequenced. We designated this human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III gene as NOTCH4, since very recently, by sequencing cDNA clones, the complete form of the mouse proto-oncogene Int3 has been clarified and named Notch4. The present human NOTCH4 sequence is the first example of the genomic sequence for the extracellular portion of the mammalian Notch4, and by comparing it with the mouse Notch4 cDNA sequence, the exon/intron organization was clarified. The comparison of the predicted amino acid sequence of human NOTCH4 with those of other Notch homologues of a wide range of species revealed four subfamilies for mammalian Notch. In the protein coding region of human NOTCH4, we found (CTG)n repeats showing a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism for different human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes. Ten genes mapped on 6p21.3, including NOTCH4, were found to have counterparts structurally and functionally similar to those mostly mapped on 9q33-q34, indicating segmental chromosome duplication during the course of evolution. Similarity of genes on chromosomes 1, 6, 9 and 19 was also discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Intracisternal type A particle-mediated activation of the Notch4/int3 gene in a mouse mammary tumor: generation of truncated Notch4/int3 mRNAs by retroviral splicing events.

The int3 oncogene was discovered as a frequent target in mouse mammary tumor virus-induced mammary tumors and encodes the intracellular domain of a Notch4/int3 protein. In one spontaneous mammary tumor, no. 9, that developed in a BALB/c mouse, we have found an insertion of a 1.2-kb sequence, consisting of a 5' long terminal repeat and gag sequences of an intracisternal type A particle (IAP) as well as an extra copy of the Notch4/int3 genomic sequences containing exons 23 and 24, into the intron between exons 24 and 25 of the Notch4/int3 gene. In this tumor, unique splicing events between the IAP and the Notch4/int3 sequences generated two types of IAP-Notch4/int3 fusion transcripts encoding two different portions of the intracellular domain of Notch4/int3 proteins: one with a RAM domain and the other without. Interestingly, these two proteins showed different subcellular localizations in a mouse mammary epithelial cell line, HC-11.

Alleles↗

NOTCH4 gene promoter polymorphism is associated with the age of onset in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES: The NOTCH4 gene has a promoter polymor-phism at position -25, which leads to the three genotypes TT, CT and CC. These have been suggested to present a novel independent genetic risk factor for schizophrenia. We conducted a prospective case-control study to explore the impact of NOTCH4 T-25C polymorphism on the factors associated with schizophrenia. METHOD: NOTCH4 gene promoter T-25C polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction among 94 patients with schizophrenia and 94 healthy age-matched and sex-matched blood donors. RESULTS: The T allele was highly associated with an earlier age of onset in male patients of schizophrenia (Kaplan-Meier log-rank test P<0.0001). Moreover, the male patients carrying the T allele were born significantly more often in June-November compared with other months of the year [odds ratio=3.92 (95% confidence interval=1.025-15.018), P=0.046]. No association was determined, however, between the NOTCH4 gene polymorphism under study and schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: The NOTCH4 T-25C polymorphism has an important effect on the age of onset in schizophrenia and thus may be related to an early pathogenesis of schizophrenia in young patients. Alternatively, these findings may represent a significant genetic marker for managing subgroups and etiological clues in schizophrenia.

Adult↗

sel-10, a negative regulator of lin-12 activity in Caenorhabditis elegans, encodes a member of the CDC4 family of proteins.

Mutations that influence lin-12 activity in Caenorhabditis elegans may identify conserved factors that regulate the activity of lin-12/Notch proteins. We describe genetic evidence indicating that sel-10 is a negative regulator of lin-12/Notch-mediated signaling in C. elegans. Sequence analysis shows that SEL-10 is a member of the CDC4 family of proteins and has a potential human ortholog. Coimmunoprecipitation data indicate that C. elegans SEL-10 complexes with LIN-12 and with murine Notch4. We propose that SEL-10 promotes the ubiquitin-mediated turnover of LIN-12/Notch proteins, and discuss potential roles for the regulation of lin-12/Notch activity by sel-10 in cell fate decisions and tumorigenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning, characterization, and the complete 56.8-kilobase DNA sequence of the human NOTCH4 gene.

The first complete mammalian genomic sequence reported thus far in the Notch gene family, including a putative promoter region and 30 exons of the human NOTCH4 gene spanning 56.8 kb of DNA, were sequenced. The NOTCH4 locus contains a TATA-less promoter with two putative transcription initiation sites (Inr), three RBP-Jkappa sites, and two GATA recognition sites. Two cDNA isoforms, NOTCH4(L) and NOTCH4(S),were identified. Whereas the NOTCH4(S) isoform contains the entire coding sequence, the NOTCH4(L) isoform has two unspliced intronic sequences between exons 11 and 12 and exons 20 and 21 and a misspliced exon 6. Consistent with these results, two alternatively spliced isoforms of transcripts of approximately 9.3 and 6.7 kb were detected by Northern blot analysis. The predicted amino acid sequence of the NOTCH4 protein based on the NOTCH4(S) cDNA sequence contains 2003 amino acids and includes the predominant motifs of the Notch family: 29 epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like repeats, 3 Notch/lin-12 repeats, a transmembrane region, 6 cdc10/Ankyrin repeats, and a PEST domain.

Adult↗

Notch4, a non-HLA gene in the MHC is strongly associated with the most severe form of alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a disorder primarily affecting the hair and nails in which associated autoimmune or atopic disease is common. Genetically, it is a complex trait with evidence of a role for genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), the interleukin-1 cluster and chromosome 21 in the pathogenesis. The strongest association is with HLA class II alleles, although whether this indicates a direct contribution to the pathogenesis or results merely from linkage disequilibrium with nearby disease genes is unknown. Notch4 is a recently defined gene in the HLA class III region. Notch signalling is a direct determinant of keratinocyte growth arrest and entry into differentiation. A possible role for Notch in hair growth has been indicated by transgenic mouse findings that activation of the Notch pathway in the hair cortex leads to aberrant differentiation of adjacent hair-shaft layers. Notch4 is therefore a plausible candidate gene for AA. We have examined two polymorphisms in the coding sequence of the Notch4 gene at positions +1297 and +3063 in a case-control study of 116 AA patients and 142 ethnically matched, healthy control subjects. The initial analysis showed a significant association of AA in the overall data set with the Notch4(T+1297C) polymorphism (P<0.001) but not with Notch4(A+3063G). To confirm this association, we genotyped an additional 62 patients and found that the risk for disease was higher in Notch4(+1297C) homozygotes [odds ratio (OR) 3.43 (1.63, 7.19)] than in heterozygotes [OR 2.58 (1.57, 4.24)]. On classifying the patients by severity of disease, the association appeared to be confined to the severest form (alopecia universalis) [OR 4.02 (1.64, 9.88), P=0.0014]. These results support previous findings showing that different HLA susceptibility alleles are associated with mild and severe AA.

Alleles↗

Failure to confirm NOTCH4 association with schizophrenia in a large population-based sample from Scotland.

The NOTCH4 gene was recently reported to be associated with schizophrenia based on TDT analysis of 80 British trios. The strongest evidence for association derived from two microsatellites. We genotyped both loci in a large sample of unrelated Scottish schizophrenics and controls, but failed to replicate the reported association, finding instead that each putative schizophrenia-associated allele had a somewhat lower frequency in schizophrenics than in controls.

Alleles↗

The role of the vascular endothelial growth factor-Delta-like 4 ligand/Notch4-ephrin B2 cascade in tumor vessel remodeling and endothelial cell functions.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Delta-like 4 ligand (DLL4) are the only genes whose haploinsufficiency results in vascular abnormalities. Although many common pathways are up-regulated in both vascular development and tumor angiogenesis and in vascular remodeling, the role of the Delta/Notch pathway has not been clearly defined in tumor angiogenesis. In this study, we assessed the expression of DLL4, Notch4, and ephrin B2 in transgenic mice developing hepatocarcinoma characterized by a strong remodeling of the tumor sinusoids. We also investigated the role of VEGF in the expression and biological functions of these molecules on human venous endothelial cells. In transgenic livers, we showed that DLL4, active Notch4, and ephrin B2 were gradually up-regulated within the hepatocarcinoma progression and expressed on tumor sinusoidal endothelial cells. In venous endothelial cells, we showed that VEGF up-regulates DLL4 and presenilin, and increased the activation of Notch4, leading to an up-regulation of ephrin B2 with a down-regulation of Eph B4. We also showed that the activation of Notch4 is required for VEGF-induced up-regulation of ephrin B2 and the differentiation of human venous endothelial cells in vitro. Accordingly, the disruption of Notch4 signaling by pharmacologic inhibition of presenilin or addition of soluble DLL4 inhibited the effect of VEGF on human venous endothelial cell migration and differentiation. Our study strongly suggests that a coordinated activation of DDL4/Notch4 and ephrin B2 pathways downstream of VEGF plays a key role in the abnormal remodeling of tumor vessels.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

A family-based and case-control association study of the NOTCH4 gene and schizophrenia.

Recently a strong positive association between schizophrenia and Notch4 has been reported. Both individual markers and haplotypes showed association with the disease, with five markers (three microsatellites and two SNPs) being tested. In order to test this finding we genotyped these markers in the Han Chinese population using a sample of 544 cases and 621 controls as well as >300 trios. Analysis of allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies in both samples showed no association between the markers and the disease. Our results would indicate that a significant role for the Notch4 gene in schizophrenia can be ruled out in the Han Chinese. However, similar studies are necessary in the Caucasian population as linkage disequilibrium arrangements and founder effects may differ between these two populations.

Adolescent↗

Snail-regulated genes in malignant melanoma.

The demonstration that zinc-finger transcriptional repressors can control E-cadherin expression in epithelial cells has provided a new avenue of research in the field of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). One of these zinc-finger molecules is the transcription factor Snail, which controls gastrulation and neural crest EMT in different species. Additionally, Snail is involved in the development of malignant melanoma where a dramatic change in E-cadherin expression is an important early step for melanoma progression. For this study, a human cancer cDNA array was used which includes genes involved in cancer development and progression. Using the array we compared the gene expression pattern of the melanoma cell line Mel Im with a Mel Im cell clone stable transfected with antisense (as) SNAIL cDNA. We validated the significant differences of the expression of genes on mRNA level. Primarily, we observed changes in the expression of genes involved in EMT. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed a down-regulation of MMP-2, EMMPRIN, SPARC, TIMP-1, t-PA, RhoA and Notch4 expression and a re-induction of E-cadherin expression in the as Snail cell clones. Furthermore, we measured the expression of integrin beta3, NM23b and RhoB. Additionally, we investigated whether the selected genes are influenced only through Snail or if E-cadherin can influence the expression of these genes. In summary, all examined genes which are influenced through Snail have a regulatory function in EMT processes as does Snail itself. The Snail target gene E-cadherin has no regulatory function with respect to the selected genes.

Cadherins↗

Dysfunction of the mitotic:meiotic switch as a potential cause of neoplastic conversion of primordial germ cells.

Germ cell tumours (GCT) are thought to arise as the result of a defect in early development, probably shortly after arrival of the migrating primordial germ cells (PGC) in the genital ridge when, if in a male genital ridge, the germ cells arrest in mitosis, but in a female genital ridge they enter meiosis. We suggest that dysfunction of the mitotic:meiotic switch, with cells aberrantly co-expressing functions pertinent to both states, might provide the genetic instability that could initiate tumour development. If this hypothesis is correct, GCT could arise because of disruption in the function of any one of a number of different genes involved in controlling mitosis and meiosis, rather than being dependent upon a single prominent susceptibility gene. The Notch signalling system is one candidate system for controlling the switch and we have identified expression of Notch2 and Notch4 in seminomas and carcinoma in situ. Thus those two members of the Notch family are candidates for proto-oncogenes that could play a role in GCT development. We have also identified a human homologue of the synaptonemal complex protein, SCP3, and have found its apparently aberrant expression in some established EC cell lines. One possibility is that abnormal regulation of such proteins involved in the synaptonemal complex could also lead to genetic instability in PGC and so also initiate tumour development.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

Identification of novel single nucleotide polymorphisms within the NOTCH4 gene and determination of association with MHC alleles.

Mapping of disease susceptibility loci within the MHC has been partly hampered by the high degree of polymorphism of the HLA genes and the high level of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between markers within the MHC region. It is therefore important to identify new markers and determine the level of LD between HLA alleles and non-HLA genes. The NOTCH4 gene lies at the centromeric end of the MHC class III region, approximately 335 kb telomeric of the DRB1 locus. The encoded protein is an oncogene that is important in regulating vascular development and remodelling. A recent report has linked polymorphisms within NOTCH4 with risk of developing schizophrenia. We have investigated if coding polymorphisms exist within this gene and have identified three single nucleotide polymorphisms; a synonomous T to C transition at +1297 (HGBASE accession number SNP000064386), a synonomous A to G transition at +3061 (SNP000064387) and an A to G transition at +3063 which results in a replacement of glycine with aspartic acid at amino acid 279 (SNP000064388). The allele frequencies of +1297T, +3061A and +3063G were 0.65, 0.66 and 0.66, respectively. Linkage disequilibrium was detected both between these markers and with MHC alleles. These findings can be used in the fine mapping of disease susceptibility alleles within the MHC.

Humans↗

Association study of Notch 4 polymorphisms with Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: The NOTCH4 gene is located at 6p21.3, a site shown in several studies to have significant linkage with Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential impact of two polymorphisms within this gene on the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: Genotyping of promoter and 5'-UTR polymorphisms was done in Scottish, English, and French populations. The potential functionality of the 5'-UTR polymorphism was assessed by testing its impact on A beta load in Alzheimer brains and also by undertaking electrophoretic mobility shift assays and transfection experiments. RESULTS: No association of the Notch4 polymorphisms alone with the disease was observed in any of the populations. However, an interaction of the 5'-UTR C/T polymorphism with the epsilon 4 allele of the APOE gene was detected in United Kingdom populations but not in the French. No relation between the 5'-UTR polymorphism and A beta loads was detected overall or in the presence or absence of the epsilon 4 allele. No DNA protein specific binding was found with proteins from neuroblastoma, glioma, or astrocytoma cells, and no allele dependent transcriptional activity was detected. CONCLUSIONS: No association between two NOTCH4 polymorphisms alone and Alzheimer's disease was observed in the three populations, but there was evidence of an increased risk associated with the 5'-UTR CC genotype in epsilon 4 bearers in the United Kingdom. As no functionality for this polymorphism could be determined, it is likely that the interaction is spurious or results from a linkage disequilibrium of this 5'-UTR polymorphism with another marker elsewhere in the 6p21.3 locus.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Conserved extended haplotypes of the major histocompatibility complex: further characterization.

Since the complete sequencing of a human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotype, interest in non-human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genes encoded in the MHC has been growing. Non-HLA genes, which outnumber the HLA genes, may contribute to or account for HLA and disease associations. Most information on non-HLA genes has been obtained in separate studies of individual loci. To comprehensively address polymorphisms of relevant non-HLA genes in 'conserved extended haplotypes' (CEH), we investigated 101 International Histocompatibility Workshop reference cell lines and nine additional anonymous samples representing all 37 unambiguously characterized CEHs at MICA, NFKBIL1, LTA, NCR3, AIF1, HSPA1A, HSPA1B, BF, NOTCH4 and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at HLA-DQA1 as well as MICA, NOTCH4, HSPA1B and all five tumour necrosis factor short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms. This work (1) provides an extensive catalogue of MHC polymorphisms in all CEHs, (2) unravels interrelationships between HLA and non-HLA haplotypical lineages, (3) resolves reported typing ambiguities and (4) describes haplospecific markers for a number of CEHs. Analysis also identified a DQA1 SNP and segments containing MHC class III polymorphisms that corresponded with class II (DRB3 and DRB4) lineages. These results portray the MHC where lineages containing non-HLA and HLA variants in linkage disequilibrium may operate in concert and can guide more thorough design and interpretation of HLA-disease relationships.

3' Untranslated Regions↗