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Biomedical subjects

A Bradley

Publications and source records attributed to A Bradley.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

An integrated gene and SSLP BAC map framework of mouse chromosome 11.

Physical maps are important resources both in sequencing and in functional analyses of large genomes. Global contig-building approaches are regarded to be more efficient relative to the cumulative outcome of scattered and more localized physical mapping studies accompanying positional cloning. This work is part of an effort to assemble a complete physical map of mouse chromosome 11 in which selection of clones containing specific genetic markers from genomic libraries is the first step in the process. Using a previously developed strategy, we identified 361 bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) containing 88 gene markers. Since the linkage positions of markers chosen for these studies are known, the BAC framework obtained is anchored to the genetic map and represents about 13% of the length of the entire chromosome. Together with similar assignments of BACs generated previously using D11Mit markers (Cai et al., 1988, Genomics, 54: 387-397), 36-40% of the chromosome 11 is now assembled into contigs, and these contigs correlate through 51 clones carrying both gene and simple sequence length polymorphism markers.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Congenital heart disease in mice deficient for the DiGeorge syndrome region.

The heterozygous chromosome deletion within the band 22q11 (del22q11) is an important cause of congenital cardiovascular defects. It is the genetic basis of DiGeorge syndrome and causes the most common deletion syndrome in humans. Because the deleted region is largely conserved in the mouse, we were able to engineer a chromosome deletion (Df1) spanning a segment of the murine region homologous to the human deleted region. Here we describe heterozygously deleted (Df1/+) mice with cardiovascular abnormalities of the same type as those associated with del22q11; we have traced the embryological origin of these abnormalities to defective development of the fourth pharyngeal arch arteries. Genetic complementation of the deletion using a chromosome duplicated for the Df1 DNA segment corrects the heart defects, indicating that they are caused by reduced dosage of genes located within Df1. The Df1/+ mouse model reveals the pathogenic basis of the most clinically severe aspect of DiGeorge syndrome and uncovers a new mechanism leading to aortic arch abnormalities. These mutants represent a mouse model of a human deletion syndrome generated by chromosome engineering.

Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport↗
PubMed1999

Multiple roles for activin-like kinase-2 signaling during mouse embryogenesis.

The members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily are secreted proteins that interact with cell-surface receptors to elicit signals that regulate a variety of biological processes during vertebrate embryogenesis. Alk2, also known as ActRIA, Tsk7L, and SKR1, encodes a type I TGF-beta family receptor for activins and BMP-7. Initially, Alk2 transcripts are detected in the visceral endoderm of gastrula stage mouse embryos, suggesting a signaling role in extraembryonic tissues during development. To study the role of Alk2 during mammalian development, Alk2 mutant mice were generated. After embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5), no homozygous mutants were recovered from heterozygote matings. Homozygous mutants with morphological defects were first detected at E7.0 and were smaller than controls. Morphological and molecular examination demonstrated that Alk2 mutant embryos formed a primitive streak, although abnormally thickened, and were arrested in their development around the late streak stage. These gastrulation defects were rescued in chimeric embryos generated by injection of Alk2 mutant embryonic stem (ES) cells into wild-type blastocysts. This rescue of gastrulation defects was also observed in chimeric embryos generated by aggregation of Alk2 homozygous mutant ES cells with tetraploid wild-type embryos. However, at E9.5, these embryos that were completely ES-derived also had defects. In contrast, chimeric embryos generated by injection of wild-type ES cells into Alk2 mutant blastocysts did not show rescue of the gastrulation defects. These results suggest that signaling through this type I receptor is essential in extraembryonic tissues at the time of gastrulation for normal mesoderm formation and also suggest that subsequent Alk2 signaling is essential for normal development after gastrulation.

Activin Receptors, Type I↗
PubMed1999

The mPer2 gene encodes a functional component of the mammalian circadian clock.

Circadian rhythms are driven by endogenous biological clocks that regulate many biochemical, physiological and behavioural processes in a wide range of life forms. In mammals, there is a master circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the anterior hypothalamus. Three putative mammalian homologues (mPer1, mPer2 and mPer3) of the Drosophila circadian clock gene period (per) have been identified. The mPer genes share a conserved PAS domain (a dimerization domain found in Per, Arnt and Sim) and show a circadian expression pattern in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. To assess the in vivo function of mPer2, we generated and characterized a deletion mutation in the PAS domain of the mouse mPer2 gene. Here we show that mice homozygous for this mutation display a shorter circadian period followed by a loss of circadian rhythmicity in constant darkness. The mutation also diminishes the oscillating expression of both mPer1 and mPer2 in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, indicating that mPer2 may regulate mPer1 in vivo. These data provide evidence that an mPer gene functions in the circadian clock, and define mPer2 as a component of the mammalian circadian oscillator.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Disruption of mRad50 causes embryonic stem cell lethality, abnormal embryonic development, and sensitivity to ionizing radiation.

The Mre11/Rad50 protein complex functions in diverse aspects of the cellular response to double-strand breaks (DSBs), including the detection of DNA damage, the activation of cell cycle checkpoints, and DSB repair. Whereas genetic analyses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae have provided insight regarding DSB repair functions of this highly conserved complex, the implication of the human complex in Nijmegen breakage syndrome reveals its role in cell cycle checkpoint functions. We established mRad50 mutant mice to examine the role of the mammalian Mre11/Rad50 protein complex in the DNA damage response. Early embryonic cells deficient in mRad50 are hypersensitive to ionizing radiation, consistent with a role for this complex in the repair of ionizing radiation-induced DSBs. However, the null mrad50 mutation is lethal in cultured embryonic stem cells and in early developing embryos, indicating that the mammalian Mre11/Rad50 protein complex mediates functions in normally growing cells that are essential for viability.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

A system for rapid generation of coat color-tagged knockouts and defined chromosomal rearrangements in mice.

Gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells can be used to generate single gene mutations or defined multi-megabase chromosomal rearrangements when applied with the Cre- loxP recombination system. While single knockouts are essential for uncovering functions of cloned genes, chromosomal rearrangements are great genetic tools for mapping, mutagenesis screens and functional genomics. The conventional approach to generate mice with targeted alterations of the genome requires extensive molecular cloning to build targeting vectors and DNA-based genotyping for stock maintenance. Here we describe the design and construction of a two-library system to facilitate high throughput gene targeting and chromo-somal engineering. The unique feature of these libraries is that once a clone is isolated, it is essentially ready to be used for insertional targeting in ES cells. The two libraries each bear a complementary set of genetic markers tailored so that the vector can be used for Cre- loxP -based chromosome engineering as well as single knockouts. By incorporating mouse coat color markers into the vectors, we illustrate a widely applicable method for stock maintenance of ES cell-derived mice with single gene knockouts or more extensive chromosomal rearrangements.

Agouti Signaling Protein↗
PubMed1999

p63 is a p53 homologue required for limb and epidermal morphogenesis.

The p53 tumour suppressor is a transcription factor that regulates the progression of the cell through its cycle and cell death (apoptosis) in response to environmental stimuli such as DNA damage and hypoxia. Even though p53 modulates these critical cellular processes, mice that lack p53 are developmentally normal, suggesting that p53-related proteins might compensate for the functions of p53 during embryogenesis. Two p53 homologues, p63 and p73, are known and here we describe the function of p63 in vivo. Mice lacking p63 are born alive but have striking developmental defects. Their limbs are absent or truncated, defects that are caused by a failure of the apical ectodermal ridge to differentiate. The skin of p63-deficient mice does not progress past an early developmental stage: it lacks stratification and does not express differentiation markers. Structures dependent upon epidermal-mesenchymal interactions during embryonic development, such as hair follicles, teeth and mammary glands, are absent in p63-deficient mice. Thus, in contrast to p53, p63 is essential for several aspects of ectodermal differentiation during embryogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Targeted deletion of the IgA constant region in mice leads to IgA deficiency with alterations in expression of other Ig isotypes.

A murine model of IgA deficiency has been established by targeted deletion of the IgA switch and constant regions in embryonic stem cells. B cells from IgA-deficient mice were incapable of producing IgA in vitro in response to TGF-beta. IgA-deficient mice expressed higher levels of IgM and IgG in serum and gastrointestinal secretions and decreased levels of IgE in serum and pulmonary secretions. Expression of IgG subclasses was complex, with the most consistent finding being an increase in IgG2b and a decrease in IgG3 in serum and secretions. No detectable IgA Abs were observed following mucosal immunization against influenza; however, compared with those in wild-type mice, increased levels of IgM Abs were seen in both serum and secretions. Development of lymphoid tissues as well as T and B lymphocyte function appeared normal otherwise. Peyer's patches in IgA-deficient mice were well developed with prominent germinal centers despite the absence of IgA in these germinal centers or intestinal lamina propria. Lymphocytes from IgA-deficient mice responded to T and B cell mitogens comparable to those of wild-type mice, while T cells from IgA-deficient mice produced comparable levels of IFN-gamma and IL-4 mRNA and protein. In conclusion, mice with targeted deletion of the IgA switch and constant regions are completely deficient in IgA and exhibit altered expression of other Ig isotypes, notably IgM, IgG2b, IgG3, and IgE, but otherwise have normal lymphocyte development, proliferative responses, and cytokine production.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Requirement for Wnt3 in vertebrate axis formation.

Several studies have implicated Wnt signalling in primary axis formation during vertebrate embryogenesis, yet no Wnt protein has been shown to be essential for this process. In the mouse, primitive streak formation is the first overt morphological sign of the anterior-posterior axis. Here we show that Wnt3 is expressed before gastrulation in the proximal epiblast of the egg cylinder, then is restricted to the posterior proximal epiblast and its associated visceral endoderm and subsequently to the primitive streak and mesoderm. Wnt3-/- mice develop a normal egg cylinder but do not form a primitive streak, mesoderm or node. The epiblast continues to proliferate in an undifferentiated state that lacks anterior-posterior neural patterning, but anterior visceral endoderm markers are expressed and correctly positioned. Our results suggest that regional patterning of the visceral endoderm is independent of primitive streak formation, but the subsequent establishment of anterior-posterior neural pattern in the ectoderm is dependent on derivatives of the primitive streak. These studies provide genetic proof for the requirement of Wnt3 in primary axis formation in the mouse.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Engineering a mouse balancer chromosome.

Balancer chromosomes are genetic reagents that are used in Drosophila melanogaster for stock maintenance and mutagenesis screens. Despite their utility, balancer chromosomes are rarely used in mice because they are difficult to generate using conventional methods. Here we describe the engineering of a mouse balancer chromosome with the Cre-loxP recombination system. The chromosome features a 24-centiMorgan (cM) inversion between Trp53 (also known as p53) and Wnt3 on mouse chromosome 11 that is recessive lethal and dominantly marked with a K14-Agouti transgene. When allelic to a wild-type chromosome, the inversion suppresses crossing over in the inversion interval, accompanied by elevated recombination in the flanking regions. The inversion functions as a balancer chromosome because it can be used to maintain a lethal mutation in the inversion interval as a self-sustaining trans-heterozygous stock. This strategy can be used to generate similar genetic reagents throughout the mouse genome. Engineering of visibly marked inversions and deficiencies is an important step toward functional analyses of the mouse genome and will facilitate large-scale mutagenesis programs.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Mouse ENU mutagenesis.

The progress of human genome sequencing is driving genetic approaches to define gene function. Strategies such as gene traps and chemical mutagenesis will soon generate a large mutant mouse resource. Point mutations induced by N -ethyl- N -nitrosourea (ENU) provide a unique mutant resource because they: (i) reflect the consequences of single gene change independent of position effects; (ii) provide a fine-structure dissection of protein function; (iii) display a range of mutant effects from complete or partial loss of function to exaggerated function; and (iv) discover gene functions in an unbiased manner. Phenotype-driven ENU screens in the mouse are emphasizing relevance to human clinical disease by targeting cardiology, physiology, neurology, immunity, hematopoiesis and mammalian development. Such approaches are extremely powerful in understanding complex human diseases and traits: the base-pair changes may accurately model base changes found in human diseases, and subtle mutant alleles in a standard genetic background provide the ability to analyze the consequences of compound genotypes. Ongoing mouse ENU mutagenesis experiments are generating a treasure trove of new mutations to allow an in-depth study of a single gene, a chromosomal region or a biological system.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

A Wnt5a pathway underlies outgrowth of multiple structures in the vertebrate embryo.

Morphogenesis depends on the precise control of basic cellular processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation. Wnt5a may regulate these processes since it is expressed in a gradient at the caudal end of the growing embryo during gastrulation, and later in the distal-most aspect of several structures that extend from the body. A loss-of-function mutation of Wnt5a leads to an inability to extend the A-P axis due to a progressive reduction in the size of caudal structures. In the limbs, truncation of the proximal skeleton and absence of distal digits correlates with reduced proliferation of putative progenitor cells within the progress zone. However, expression of progress zone markers, and several genes implicated in distal outgrowth and patterning including Distalless, Hoxd and Fgf family members was not altered. Taken together with the outgrowth defects observed in the developing face, ears and genitals, our data indicates that Wnt5a regulates a pathway common to many structures whose development requires extension from the primary body axis. The reduced number of proliferating cells in both the progress zone and the primitive streak mesoderm suggests that one function of Wnt5a is to regulate the proliferation of progenitor cells.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1999

Apodization by the Stiles-Crawford effect moderates the visual impact of retinal image defocus.

Previous optical modeling of the human eye with large pupils has predicted a larger impact of defocus on the human contrast sensitivity function and modulation transfer function than is observed experimentally. Theory predicts that aberrations and the Stiles-Crawford effect (SCE) should both lead to increased depth of focus, resulting in higher contrast sensitivities and veridical (not phase-reversed) perception over a larger range of spatial frequencies in defocused retinal images. Using a wave optics model, we examine these predictions quantitatively and compare them with psychophysical experiments that measure the effect of defocus on contrast sensitivity and perceived phase reversals. We find that SCE apodization has its biggest effect on defocused image quality when defocus and spherical aberration have the same sign. A model including typical amounts of spherical aberration and pupil apodization provides a dramatically improved prediction of the effects of defocus on contrast sensitivity with large pupils. The SCE can significantly improve defocused image quality and defocused vision, particularly for tasks that require veridical phase perception.

Contrast Sensitivity↗
PubMed1998

Overexpression of Mdm2 in mice reveals a p53-independent role for Mdm2 in tumorigenesis.

The Mdm2 proto-oncogene is amplified to high copy numbers in human sarcomas and is overexpressed in a wide variety of other human cancers. Because Mdm2 protein forms a complex with the p53 tumor suppressor protein and down-regulates p53 function, the oncogenic potential of Mdm2 is presumed to be p53-dependent. To model these conditions in mice, we have used the entire Mdm2 gene, under transcriptional control of its native promoter region, as a transgene to create mice that overexpress Mdm2. The transgenic mice are predisposed to spontaneous tumor formation, and the incidence of sarcomas observed in the Mdm2-transgenic mice in the presence or absence of functional p53 demonstrates that, in addition to Mdm2-mediated inactivation of p53, there exists a p53-independent role for Mdm2 in tumorigenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

An anchored framework BAC map of mouse chromosome 11 assembled using multiplex oligonucleotide hybridization.

Despite abundant library resources for many organisms, physical mapping of these organisms has been seriously limited due to lack of efficient library screening techniques. We have developed a highly efficient strategy for large-scale screening of genomic libraries based on multiplex oligonucleotide hybridization on high-density genomic filters. We have applied this strategy to generate a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) anchored map of mouse chromosome 11. Using the MIT mouse SSLP data, 320 pairs of oligonucleotide probes were designed with an "overgo" computer program that selects new primer sequences that avoid the microsatellite repeat. BACs identified by these probes are automatically anchored to the chromosome. Ninety-two percent of the probes identified positive clones from a 5.9-fold coverage mouse BAC library with an average of 7 positive clones per marker. An average of 4.2 clones was confirmed for 204 markers by PCR. Our data show that a large number of clones can be efficiently isolated from a large genomic library using this strategy with minimal effort. This strategy will have wide application for large-scale mapping and sequencing of human and other large genomes.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Chromosomal transposition of a Tc1/mariner-like element in mouse embryonic stem cells.

Mouse has become an increasingly important organism for modeling human diseases and for determining gene function in a mammalian context. Unfortunately, transposon-tagged mutagenesis, one of the most valuable tools for functional genomics, still is not available in this organism. On the other hand, it has long been speculated that members of the Tc1/mariner-like elements may be less dependent on host factors and, hence, can be introduced into heterologous organisms. However, this prediction has not been realized in mice. We report here the chromosomal transposition of the Sleeping Beauty (SB) element in mouse embryonic stem cells, providing evidence that it can be used as an in vivo mutagen in mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Retention of wild-type p53 in tumors from p53 heterozygous mice: reduction of p53 dosage can promote cancer formation.

Tumor suppressor genes are generally viewed as being recessive at the cellular level, so that mutation or loss of both tumor suppressor alleles is a prerequisite for tumor formation. The tumor suppressor gene, p53, is mutated in approximately 50% of human sporadic cancers and in an inherited cancer predisposition (Li-Fraumeni syndrome). We have analyzed the status of the wild-type p53 allele in tumors taken from p53-deficient heterozygous (p53+/-) mice. These mice inherit a single null p53 allele and develop tumors much earlier than those mice with two functional copies of wild-type p53. We present evidence that a high proportion of the tumors from the p53+/- mice retain an intact, functional, wild-type p53 allele. Unlike p53+/- tumors which lose their wild-type allele, the tumors which retain an intact p53 allele express p53 protein that induces apoptosis following gamma-irradiation, activates p21(WAF1/CIP1) and Mdm2 expression, represses PCNA expression (a negatively regulated target of wild-type p53), shows high levels of binding to oligonucleotides containing a wild-type p53 response element and prevents chromosomal instability as measured by comparative genomic hybridization. These results indicate that loss of both p53 alleles is not a prerequisite for tumor formation and that mere reduction in p53 levels may be sufficient to promote tumorigenesis.

Animals↗