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Biomedical subjects

C Petit

Publications and source records attributed to C Petit.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Anosmin-1 is a regionally restricted component of basement membranes and interstitial matrices during organogenesis: implications for the developmental anomalies of X chromosome-linked Kallmann syndrome.

Kallmann syndrome is a developmental disease characterized by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) deficiency and olfactory bulb hypoplasia. The gene underlying the X chromosome-linked form, KAL-1, has been identified for several years, yet the pathogenesis of the disease is not understood. By immunohistofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy, we establish that the KAL-1 encoded protein, anosmin-1, is a transient and regionally restricted component of extracellular matrices during organogenesis in man. Anosmin-1 was detected in the basement membranes and/or interstitial matrices of various structures including bronchial tubes, mesonephric tubules and duct, branches of the ureteric bud, muscular walls of the digestive tract and larger blood vessels, precartilaginous models of skeletal pieces, muscle tendons, head mesenchymes, inner ear, and forebrain subregions. Our results suggest that this protein acts as a local, rather than a long-range, cue during organogenesis. In the olfactory system, anosmin-1 was detected from week 5 onward. The protein was restricted to the olfactory bulb presumptive region and later, to the primitive olfactory bulbs. We therefore suggest that the genetic defect underlying X-linked Kallmann syndrome disrupts the terminal navigation of the early olfactory axons or directly affects the initial steps of olfactory bulb differentiation. The mechanism of the GnRH deficiency is also discussed, relying on the evidence that anosmin-1 is present in the medial walls of the primitive cerebral hemispheres, along the rostro-caudal migratory pathway of the GnRH-synthesizing neurons, at 6 weeks. Finally, the present results strongly suggest that the renal aplasia observed in about one third of the affected individuals results from primary failure of the collecting duct system.

Basement Membrane↗
PubMed1999

Townes-Brocks syndrome: detection of a SALL1 mutation hot spot and evidence for a position effect in one patient.

Townes-Brocks syndrome (TBS) is an autosomal dominant developmental disorder characterized by anal and thumb malformations and by ear anomalies that can affect the three compartments and usually lead to hearing loss. The gene underlying TBS, SALL1, is a human homolog of the Drosophila spalt gene which encodes a transcription factor. A search for SALL1 mutations undertaken in 11 unrelated affected individuals (five familial and six sporadic cases) led to the detection of mutations in nine of them. One nonsense and six different novel frameshift mutations, all located in the second exon, were identified. Together with the previously reported mutations [Kohlhase et al., 1999], they establish that TBS results from haploinsufficiency. The finding of de novo mutations in the sporadic cases is consistent with the proposed complete penetrance of the disease. Moreover, the occurrence of the same 826C>T transition in a CG dimer, in three sporadic cases from the present series and three sporadic cases from the other series [Kohlhase et al., 1999] (i.e., six of the eight mutations identified in sporadic cases), reveals the existence of a mutation hotspot. Six different SALL1 polymorphisms were identified in the course of the present study, three of which are clustered in a particular region of the gene that encodes a stretch of serine residues. Finally, the chromosome 16 breakpoint of a t(5;16)(p15.3;q12.1) translocation carried by a TBS-affected individual was mapped at least 180 kb telomeric to SALL1, thus indicating that a position effect underlies the disease in this individual.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1999

The zebrafish eya1 gene and its expression pattern during embryogenesis.

The eyes absent-like genes encode a group of putative transcriptional coactivators with a sole representative in Drosophila and several members in mammals. Haploinsufficiency of the human EYA1 gene results in branchio-oto-renal syndrome characterized by developmental anomalies of the branchial arches, the three compartments of the ear and the kidney. As a first step towards a functional analysis of this gene in lower vertebrates, we isolated its zebrafish homologue, eya1, and studied its expression pattern during embryogenesis. The eya1 cDNA predicts a protein with 84.7% identity with the human homologue. Transcripts are first detected at the tailbud stage in presumptive cranial placodal precursor cells. Thereafter, eya1 expression continues in anterior pituitary, olfactory, otic, and lateral line placodes. Aside from these placodal sites of expression, eya1 transcripts were observed in the somites, developing pectoral fins, and branchial arches. No expression was found in pronephros or Wolffian duct of the zebrafish renal system. Within the developing ear, eya1 expression becomes confined to the ventral part of the otic vesicle from where the acoustic ganglion precursor cells arise and the sensory patches differentiate. In the lateral line, eya1 is expressed in the placodes, ganglia, migrating primordia, and receptive organs at all developmental stages, including both the differentiating hair and supporting cells. Taken together, these results indicate a remarkable similarity in both the structure and expression pattern of eya1 between higher and lower vertebrates, suggesting that the function of this gene has been conserved throughout vertebrate evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Evolutionary consequences of diploid-polyploid hybrid zones in wild species.

Hybrid zones between cytotypes with different ploidy levels are particularly interesting for studying the ecology and the evolution of reproductive interactions between closely related taxa. Diploid-polyploid hybrid zones differ fundamentally from those between diploids in that they reflect certain conditions that are characteristic of the early stage of polyploid establishment, and allow tests of hypotheses relating to the dynamics and evolution of polyploid complexes. Recent theoretical and empirical studies have provided important data on the evolution of isolating mechanisms in diploid-polyploid contact zones, but have also shown that introgression might counteract the evolution of isolating mechanisms.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

A mutation in OTOF, encoding otoferlin, a FER-1-like protein, causes DFNB9, a nonsyndromic form of deafness.

Using a candidate gene approach, we identified a novel human gene, OTOF, underlying an autosomal recessive, nonsyndromic prelingual deafness, DFNB9. The same nonsense mutation was detected in four unrelated affected families of Lebanese origin. OTOF is the second member of a mammalian gene family related to Caenorhabditis elegans fer-1. It encodes a predicted cytosolic protein (of 1,230 aa) with three C2 domains and a single carboxy-terminal transmembrane domain. The sequence homologies and predicted structure of otoferlin, the protein encoded by OTOF, suggest its involvement in vesicle membrane fusion. In the inner ear, the expression of the orthologous mouse gene, mainly in the sensory hair cells, indicates that such a role could apply to synaptic vesicles.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

A novel locus for Usher syndrome type II, USH2B, maps to chromosome 3 at p23-24.2.

Usher type II syndrome is defined by the association of retinitis pigmentosa, appearing in the late second to early third decade of life, with congenital moderate to severe non-progressive hearing loss. This double sensory impairment is not accompanied by vestibular dysfunction. To date, only one Usher type II locus, USH2A, at chromosome band 1q41, has been defined. Here, we demonstrate by linkage analysis, that the gene responsible for Usher type II syndrome in a Tunisian consanguineous family maps to chromosome 3 at position p23-24.2, thus providing definitive evidence for the genetic heterogeneity of the syndrome. A maximum lod score of 4.3 was obtained with the polymorphic microsatellite markers corresponding to loci D3S1578, D3S3647 and D3S3658. This maps the gene underlying USH2B to a chromosomal region which overlaps the interval defined for the non-syndromic sensorineural recessive deafness DFNB6, raising the possibility that a single gene underlies both defects. However, the audiometric features in the patients affected by USH2B and DFNB6 are very different.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1999

An alpha-tectorin gene defect causes a newly identified autosomal recessive form of sensorineural pre-lingual non-syndromic deafness, DFNB21.

In our efforts to identify new loci responsible for non-syndromic autosomal recessive forms of deafness, DFNB loci, we have pursued the analysis of large consanguineous affected families living in geographically isolated areas. Here, we report on the study of a Lebanese family comprising nine members presenting with a pre-lingual severe to profound sensorineural isolated form of deafness. Linkage analysis led to the characterization of a new locus, DFNB21, which was assigned to chromosome 11q23-25. Already mapped to this chromosomal region was TECTA. This gene encodes alpha-tectorin, a 2155 amino acid protein which is a component of the tectorial membrane. This gene recently has been shown to be responsible for a dominant form of deafness, DFNA8/12. Sequence analysis of the TECTA gene in the DFNB21-affected family revealed a G to A transition in the donor splice site (GT) of intron 9, predicted to lead to a truncated protein of 971 amino acids. This establishes that alpha-tectorin mutations can be responsible for both dominant and recessive forms of deafness. Comparison of the phenotype of the DFNB21 heterozygous carriers with that of DFNA8/12-affected individuals supports the hypothesis that the TECTA mutations which cause the dominant form of deafness have a dominant-negative effect. The present results provide genetic evidence for alpha-tectorin forming homo- or heteromeric structures.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Activity of a heat-induced reformulation of amphotericin B deoxycholate (fungizone) against Leishmania donovani.

The heat treatment of amphotericin B deoxycholate (Fungizone), which was previously shown to induce superaggregation and decrease the toxicity of the drug to mammalian cells, increased its activity against Leishmania donovani in BALB/c mice, whereas it reduced its toxicity. Heat treatment preserved the activity of Fungizone against L. donovani HU3-infected mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1999

Oligomerization within virions and subcellular localization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase.

Previous biochemical and genetic evidence indicated that the functional form of retroviral integrase protein (IN) is a multimer. A direct demonstration of IN oligomerization during the infectious cycle was, however, missing, due to the absence of a sensitive detection method. We describe here the generation of infectious human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) viral clones carrying IN protein tagged with highly antigenic epitopes. In this setting, we could readily visualize IN both in producer cells and in viral particles. More interestingly, we detected IN oligomers, the formation of which was dependent on disulfide bridges and took place inside virions. Additionally, expression of a tagged HIV-1 IN in the absence of other viral components resulted in almost exclusive nuclear accumulation of the protein. Mutation of a conserved cysteine in the proposed dimer interface determined the loss of viral infectivity, associated with a reduction of IN oligomer formation and the redistribution of the mutated protein in the nucleus and cytoplasm. Epitope tagging of HIV-1 IN expressed alone or in the context of a replication-competent viral clone provides powerful tools to validate debated issues on the implication of this enzyme in different steps of the viral cycle.

Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed1999

Novel donors of nitric oxide derived of S-nitrosocysteine possessing antioxidant activities.

Novel S-nitrosothiols possessing a phenolic function were investigated as nitric oxide (NO) donors. A study of NO release from these derivatives was carried out by electron spin resonance (ESR). All compounds gave rise to a characteristic three-line ESR signal in the presence of the complex [Fe(II)(MGD)2], revealing the formation of the complex [Fe(II)(MGD)2(NO)]. Furthermore, tests based on cytochrome c reduction were performed in order to study the ability of each phenolic disulfide, the final organic decomposition product of S-nitrosothiols, to trap superoxide radical anion (O2-). This study revealed a high reactivity of 1b and 3b towards O2-. For these two compounds, the respective inhibitory concentration (IC) 50 values were 92 microM and 43 microM.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed1998

Dextran sulfate enhances the level of an oxidative DNA damage biomarker, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine, in rat colonic mucosa.

Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) given in drinking water can induce colonic inflammation and produce colorectal tumors in rodents, although it is not directly genotoxic. The hypothesis that DSS can produce free radicals and induce oxidative DNA damage in colonic mucosa has been tested. In rats fed for 2 days with water containing 3% and 6% DSS, colonic inflammation manifestations were recorded and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo), a major biomarker of oxidative DNA damage, was assayed in colonic mucosa. As compared with control rats given pure water, inflammatory manifestations were seen in rats given DSS. At the same time, 8-oxodGuo levels in colonic mucosa were doubled (P < 0.001). These results suggest that formation of oxidative DNA damage in colonic mucosa depends on inflammation and maybe on the production of reactive oxygen species. This study shows that DSS can induce oxidative DNA damage within only 2 days, which could explain in part its carcinogenic properties.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Role of mouse cryptochrome blue-light photoreceptor in circadian photoresponses.

Cryptochromes are photoactive pigments in the eye that have been proposed to function as circadian photopigments. Mice lacking the cryptochrome 2 blue-light photoreceptor gene (mCry2) were tested for circadian clock-related functions. The mutant mice had a lower sensitivity to acute light induction of mPer1 in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) but exhibited normal circadian oscillations of mPer1 and mCry1 messenger RNA in the SCN. Behaviorally, the mutants had an intrinsic circadian period about 1 hour longer than normal and exhibited high-amplitude phase shifts in response to light pulses administered at circadian time 17. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that CRY2 protein modulates circadian responses in mice and suggest that cryptochromes have a role in circadian photoreception in mammals.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A particular case of deafness-oligodontia syndrome.

Two previous case reports described two sibs affected with both sensorineural hearing loss and oligodontia. Here, we report a similar syndrome in a male patient with an, as yet, undescribed vestibular aqueduct enlargement on tomodensitometry. The analysis of the parent's audiograms is consistent with the suggested autosomal recessive mode of inheritance of this disorder.

Anodontia↗
PubMed1998

Sequence characterization of a newly identified human alpha-tubulin gene (TUBA2).

We report on the isolation and initial characterization of a human alpha-tubulin gene named TUBA2. This gene is located in the 13q11 region and has been considered a candidate gene for two nonsyndromic deafnesses, DFNB1 and DFNA3. The gene, with a minimum size of 6.5 kb, contains five exons and four introns starting at codon positions 1, 76, 125, and 352, one of which is inserted between the initiation methionine codon and the codon specifying the second amino acid, arginine 2. Neither rearrangement nor point mutation was found in the coding region of the gene in DFNB1- and DFNA3-affected patients. The gene was therefore unlikely to be responsible for either of these deafnesses. During the characterization of TUBA2, the gene encoding connexin 26 was proven to be responsible for both DFNB1 and DFNA3 (D. P. Kelsell et al., 1997, Nature 387: 80-83). However, the present data offer the possibility of testing the involvement of the TUBA2 gene in the Clouston hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and the Kabuki syndrome, two genetic diseases that have recently been mapped to the 13q11 region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Eya1 expression in the developing ear and kidney: towards the understanding of the pathogenesis of Branchio-Oto-Renal (BOR) syndrome.

Branchio-Oto-Renal (BOR) syndrome is an autosomal dominant, early developmental defect characterised by varying combinations of branchial (fistulas, sinuses, and cysts), outer, middle and inner ear, and renal anomalies. The gene underlying this syndrome, EYA1, is homologous to the Drosophila developmental gene eyes absent which encodes a transcriptional co-activator required for eye specification. We report here the temporal and spatial pattern of expression of the murine homologue, Eya1, throughout ear and kidney development in relation to the anomalies of BOR syndrome. The expression of Eya1 in the branchial arch apparatus (namely in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th branchial clefts and pharyngeal pouches) at embryonic day (E)10.5, can be correlated with the branchial fistulas, sinuses, and cysts but not with the outer and middle ear anomalies. In contrast, Eya1 is expressed during the slightly more advanced stage of outer and middle ear morphogenesis at E13.5, in the mesenchyme adjacent to the first branchial cleft (the cleft will give rise to the external auditory canal and the surrounding mesenchyme to the auricular hillocks) and surrounding the primordia of the middle ear ossicles, and in the epithelium of the tubotympanic recess (the future tympanic cavity). During early inner ear development, Eya1 is expressed in the ventromedial wall of the otic vesicle (the site of the future sensory epithelia), in the statoacoustic ganglion, and in the periotic mesenchyme, consistent with the cochlear anomalies and sensorineural hearing loss of BOR syndrome. Subsequently, Eya1 expression is observed in the differentiating hair and supporting cells of the sensory epithelia, as well as in the associated ganglia, and persists after differentiation has taken place. This suggests that, in addition to a role in the morphogenetic process, Eya1 could also be implicated in the differentiation and/or survival of these inner ear cell populations. Finally, Eya1 expression in the condensing mesenchymal cells of the kidney is consistent with the excretory and collecting system anomalies of BOR syndrome. From the comparison of the Eya1 and Pax2 expression patterns during ear and kidney development, a contribution of these two genes to the same regulatory pathway can only be suggested in the mesenchymal-epithelial transition directing renal tubule formation.

Animals↗