Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Zabel

Publications and source records attributed to B Zabel.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Acromesomelic dysplasia Maroteaux type maps to human chromosome 9.

Acromesomelic dysplasias are skeletal disorders that disproportionately affect the middle and distal segments of the appendicular skeleton. We report genetic mapping studies in four families with acromesomelic dysplasia Maroteaux type (AMDM), an autosomal recessive osteochondrodysplasia. A peak LOD score of 5.1 at recombination fraction 0 was obtained with fully informative markers on human chromosome 9. In three of the four families, the affected offspring are products of consanguineous marriages; if it is assumed that these affected offspring are homozygous by descent for the region containing the AMDM locus, a 6.9-cM AMDM candidate interval can be defined by markers D9S1853 and D9S1874. The mapping of the AMDM locus to human chromosome 9 indicates that AMDM is genetically distinct from the two other mapped acromesomelic dysplasias, Hunter-Thompson type and Grebe type, which are caused by mutations in CDMP1 on human chromosome 20.

Bone and Bones↗

Mutation analysis of LMX1B gene in nail-patella syndrome patients.

Nail-patella syndrome (NPS), a pleiotropic disorder exhibiting autosomal dominant inheritance, has been studied for >100 years. Recent evidence shows that NPS is the result of mutations in the LIM-homeodomain gene LMX1B. To determine whether specific LMX1B mutations are associated with different aspects of the NPS phenotype, we screened a cohort of 41 NPS families for LMX1B mutations. A total of 25 mutations were identified in 37 families. The nature of the mutations supports the hypothesis that NPS is the result of haploinsufficiency for LMX1B. There was no evidence of correlation between aspects of the NPS phenotype and specific mutations.

Animals↗

Loss of heterozygosity studies and deletion mapping identify two putative chromosome 14q tumor suppressor loci in renal oncocytomas.

Renal oncocytoma is considered to be a benign tumor that shares some phenotypic features with chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Recently, we described high frequencies of allelic loss at 1p, 2p, 6p, 10p, 13q, 14q, 17p, and 21q, which correlate significantly with the chromophobe subtype of RCC. To investigate the genetic relationship between these two entities, we examined 12 oncocytomas for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at these regions. In addition, we included markers for 3p, 5q, 7q, 11p, and 22q. The only chromosomal region showing similarly high frequencies of allelic loss for both subtypes was 14q. Therefore, a genetic relationship between renal oncocytoma and chromophobe RCC seems questionable. Eight of 12 oncocytomas (67%) showed LOH at 14q, a frequency that was significantly higher (P < 0.001, chi(2) test) than the frequencies of LOH in all other regions. To define regions potentially harboring novel tumor suppressor genes, we performed multifluorescence microsatellite analysis with 13 markers spanning 14q. Interstitial deletions at different regions of 14q were detected, with the highest frequencies at D14S258 (14q23-24.3) and D14S292 (14q32.1-32.2). 14q LOH might be associated with advanced-stage RCCs or other tumors, but it does not seem to indicate progression in oncocytomas. Its role in pathogenesis of renal oncocytomas remains to be clarified. Here, we provide evidence for two distinct tumor suppressor gene loci at 14q in renal oncocytoma, which will be useful for further fine-mapping studies of these critical regions.

Adenoma, Oxyphilic↗

Functional characterization of human nucleosome assembly protein-2 (NAP1L4) suggests a role as a histone chaperone.

Histones are thought to play a key role in regulating gene expression at the level of DNA packaging. Recent evidence suggests that transcriptional activation requires competition of transcription factors with histones for binding to regulatory regions and that there may be several mechanisms by which this is achieved. We have characterized a human nucleosome assembly protein, NAP-2, previously identified by positional cloning at 11p15.5, a region implicated in several disease processes including Wilms tumor (WT) etiology. The deduced amino acid sequence of NAP-2 indicates that it encodes a protein with a potential nuclear localization motif and two clusters of highly acidic residues. Functional analysis of recombinant NAP-2 protein purified from Escherichia coli demonstrates that this protein can interact with both core and linker histones. We demonstrate that recombinant NAP-2 can transfer histones onto naked DNA templates. Deletion mutagenesis of NAP-2 demonstrates that both NH3- and COOH-terminal domains are required for histone transfer activity. Subcellular localization studies of NAP-2 indicate that it can shuttle between the cytoplasm and the nucleus, suggesting a role as a histone chaperone. Given the potential role of the human NAP-2 gene (HGMW-approved symbol NAP1L4) in WT etiology, we have elucidated the exon/intron structure of this gene and have analyzed the mutational status of NAP-2 in sporadic WTs. Our results, coupled with tumor suppression assays in G401 WT cells, do not support a role for NAP-2 in the etiology of WT. A putative role for NAP-2 in regulating cellular differentiation is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Kniest dysplasia: Dr. W. Kniest, his patient, the molecular defect.

Kniest dysplasia is a severe chondrodysplasia caused by the defective formation of type II collagen. We report about Dr. Kniest, who first described the condition in 1952, and his patient, who, at the age of 50 years is severely handicapped with short stature, restricted joint mobility, and blindness but is mentally alert and leads an active life. Molecular analysis of the patient's DNA showed a single base (G) deletion involving the GT dinucleotide at the start of intron 18 destroying a splice site of the COL2A1 gene. This is in accordance with molecular findings in other patients with Kniest dysplasia and confirms, in the original patient, that the disorder is caused by small inframe deletions often due to exon skipping as a result of COL2A1 splice site mutations.

Bone and Bones↗

Human fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 gene (FGFR3): genomic sequence and primer set information for gene analysis.

We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the human fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene, including 800 bp of the 5'-flanking region and compared the sequence with the previously published murine Fgfr3 gene. The organization of the gene is highly conserved between man and mouse. We used the intron sequences to design a set of primers that allow amplification of the 17 exons (2-18) that encode the complete open reading frame. Using these primers the FGFR3 gene can be amplified at the genomic level, which significantly facilitates mutational screening.

DNA Primers↗

Resistance to thyroid hormone in a family caused by a new point mutation L330S in the thyroid receptor (TR) beta gene.

Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is an inherited defect manifesting as variable tissue hyporesponsiveness to thyroid hormone, usually caused by mutations in the thyroid hormone receptor beta (TR beta) gene. Up to now 78 mutations in this gene have been identified, mostly clustered in two regions located in exon 9 and 10. We describe a new point mutation replacing the normal thymidine-1274 with a cytosine that results in the substitution of the normal leucine-330 with a serine (L330S) in the receptor protein. This mutation was identified in an 11-year-old boy who presented with symptoms and signs suggestive of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Interestingly a mutation in the same codon (L330F) has been previously described in a patient who presented with stigmata suggestive of thyrotoxicosis.

Child↗

A specific collagen type II gene (COL2A1) mutation presenting as spondyloperipheral dysplasia.

We report on a patient with a skeletal dysplasia characterized by short stature, spondylo-epiphyseal involvement, and brachydactyly E-like changes. This condition has been described as spondyloperipheral dysplasia and the few published cases suggest autosomal dominant inheritance with considerable clinical variability. We found our sporadic case to be due to a collagen type II defect resulting from a specific COL2A1 mutation. This mutation is the first to be located at the C-terminal outside the helical domain of COL2A1. A frameshift as consequence of a 5 bp duplication in exon 51 leads to a stop codon. The resulting truncated C-propeptide region seems to affect helix formation and produces changes of chondrocyte morphology, collagen type II fibril structure and cartilage matrix composition. Our case with its distinct phenotype adds another chondrodysplasia to the clinical spectrum of type II collagenopathies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Osteopathia striata with cranial sclerosis: variable expressivity in a four generation pedigree.

Osteopathia striata is a manifestation of several bone dysplasias. In association with cranial sclerosis it represents a separate entity, which is not limited to the bones but may affect other structures, leading to abnormal face, cleft palate, deafness, heart defects, and vertebral anomalies. Neurological findings range from normal development to marked retardation with hydrocephalus, cranial nerve deficiencies and deafness. Ten families, including our own, clearly demonstrate autosomal dominant inheritance with female preponderance and great inter- and intrafamilial variability.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

An unknown spondylo-meta-epiphyseal dysplasia in sibs with extreme short stature.

In three sibs of Jordanian descent a unique type of severe spondylo-meta-epiphyseal dysplasia results in extreme disproportionate dwarfism. They have a distinct facial appearance with hypotelorism, prognathia, and hypodontia. The limbs are short and the hands and feet stubby. Radiologically, the irregular end plates of the vertebral bodies, the very small and late appearing epiphyseal ossification centres, and the hypoplastic acetabular roofs are most impressive. Histopathologic studies of the growth plate demonstrate characteristic findings with fingerprint-like inclusion bodies in the hypertrophic chondrocytes. This seems to be a distinct, autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia.

Adolescent↗

Prenatal identification of a heterozygous status in two fetuses at risk for glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Glucose-galactose malabsorption (GGM) is an autosomal recessive disorder which presents with severe osmotic diarrhoea shortly after birth. Two proband siblings with GGM were previously demonstrated to contain a missense mutation (D28N) in the Na(+)-dependent glucose/galactose cotransporter (SGLT1) that accounts for the defect in sugar absorption. Prenatal screening for GGM was performed in two subsequent pregnancies in this large consanguineous family. The first exon of the SGLT1 gene was PCR-amplified from genomic DNA and screened for the presence of the D28N mutation by EcoRV restriction digestion. The proband's sibling was heterozygous and a cousin was not a carrier of the D28N mutation. Both children at 2-years of age remain healthy and have had no diarrhoeal symptoms. Molecular biology techniques will allow a prospective determination of the presence of an abnormal SGLT1 allete and potentially decrease the postnatal morbidity.

Amniocentesis↗

Microdissection and DOP-PCR-based reverse chromosome painting as a fast and reliable strategy in the analysis of various structural chromosome abnormalities.

Reverse chromosome painting has become a powerful tool in clinical genetics for the characterization of cytogenetically unclassifiable aberrations. In this report, the application of a sensitive and rapid procedure for the complete and precise identification of four different de novo structural chromosome abnormalities is presented. These chromosome rearrangements include a marker derived from chromosome 3(cen-q11), an interstitial deletion of chromosome 13 [del(13)(q14q22)], an unbalanced translocation [46,XY, -4, +der(4)t(4;8)(p 15.2;p21.1)] leading to Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, and a partial inverted duplication in conjunction with a partial deletion of chromosome 5p [46,XX, -5, +der(5)(:p13-p15.1::p15.1-qter)] which is responsible for the manifestation of the cri-du-chat syndrome. The importance of a fast and reliable evaluation of complex chromosome aberrations in pre- and postnatal diagnosis with regard to comprehensive genetic counselling is emphasized.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

New point mutation (R243W) in the hormone binding domain of the c-erbA beta 1 gene in a family with generalized resistance to thyroid hormone.

Two years after the first mutation on exon 7 in the carboxy-terminal part of the hinge domain (D) was reported (Behr and Loos 1992), we have identified the second mutation on exon 7 in patients with GRTH. Interestingly, our mutation it is not located in the two previously described "hot spot regions", but instead very close to the hinge domain (D) of the receptor protein that is essential for the function of the hormone binding domain (E) (Lin et al., 1991). Confirming the observation that the majority of single base substitutions causing human genetic diseases or DNA polymorphisms follow the hot spot mutation rule of CG to TG and CG to CA transition (Barker et al., 1984), an additional CpG dinucleotide transition has been identified.

Adult↗

Two different PAX3 gene mutations causing Waardenburg syndrome type I.

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is a form of autosomal dominant inherited deafness combined with specific congenital anomalies. WS types I and III are correlated with mutations in the PAX3 gene on chromosome 2q37. In this report we describe two mutations in the human PAX3 gene causing WS type I in two families. One mutation is an insertion in the paired box domain resulting in a protein termination within the paired box. The second mutation is a base pair substitution producing an arginine to cysteine amino acid change in the homeobox region.

Base Sequence↗

Imprint switching on human chromosome 15 may involve alternative transcripts of the SNRPN gene.

Imprinting on human chromosome 15 is regulated by an imprinting centre, which has been mapped to a 100-kb region including exon 1 of SNRPN. From this region we have identified novel transcripts, which represent alternative transcripts of the SNRPN gene. The novel exons lack protein coding potential and are expressed from the paternal chromosome only. We have also identified intragenic deletions and a point mutation in patients who have Angelman or Prader-Willi syndrome due to a parental imprint switch failure. This suggests that imprint switching on human chromosome 15 may involve alternative SNRPN transcripts.

Alternative Splicing↗

Mutations within the gene encoding the alpha 1 (X) chain of type X collagen (COL10A1) cause metaphyseal chondrodysplasia type Schmid but not several other forms of metaphyseal chondrodysplasia.

Type X collagen is a homotrimer of alpha 1 (X) chains encoded by the COL10A1 gene. It is synthesised specifically and transiently by hypertrophic chondrocytes at sites of endochondral ossification. Point mutations and deletions in the region of the COL10A1 gene encoding the alpha 1 (X) carboxyl-terminal (NC1) domain have previously been identified in subjects with metaphyseal chondrodysplasia type Schmid (MCDS). To determine whether mutations in other regions of the gene caused MCDS or comparable phenotypes, we used PCR followed by SSCP to analyse the coding and promoter regions of the COL10A1 gene, as well as the intron/exon boundaries of five further subjects with MCDS, one subject with atypical MCDS, and nine subjects with other forms of metaphyseal chondrodysplasia. Using this approach, three of the subjects with MCDS were found to be heterozygous for the deletions 1864delACTT, 1956delT, and 2029delAC in the region of COL10A1 encoding the NC1 domain. These deletions would lead to alterations in the reading frame, premature stop codons, and the translation of truncated protein products. A fourth subject with MCDS was found to be heterozygous for a single base pair transition, T1894C, that would lead to the substitution of the amino acid residue serine at position 600 by proline within the NC1 domain. We did not, however, detect mutations in the coding and non-coding regions of COL10A1 in one subject with MCDS, the subject with atypical MCDS, and in the nine subjects with other forms of metaphyseal chondrodysplasia. We propose that the nature and distribution of mutations within the NC1 domain of COL10A1 causing MCDS argues against the hypothesis that the phenotype arises simply through haploinsufficiency but that an, as yet, unexplained mutation mechanism underlies this phenotype.

Adolescent↗

The deletion of six amino acids at the C-terminus of the alpha 1 (II) chain causes overmodification of type II and type XI collagen: further evidence for the association between small deletions in COL2A1 and Kniest dysplasia.

We have identified an 18 bp deletion in exon 49 of the type II procollagen gene (COL2A1) in a patient with Kniest dysplasia. The deletion is located at the very C-terminus of the helical domain and removes two of three Gly-Pro-Pro triplets at positions 1007-1012, which are thought to be involved in helix formation and stability. Morphological investigation of an iliac crest biopsy showed large inclusions in the endoplasmic reticulum of chondrocytes, reflecting impaired secretion of type II collagen. Electrophoretic analysis of collagens extracted from cartilage or synthesised by cultured chondrocytes showed that type II and also type XI procollagen molecules containing mutant alpha 1 (II) chains showed post-translational overmodification. These observations provide further evidence for the general association of Kniest dysplasia with small deletions in the helical domain of type II collagen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗