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C T Basson

Publications and source records attributed to C T Basson.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Advances in the molecular genetics of congenital structural heart disease.

Molecular genetic analyses have generated significant advances in our understanding of congenital heart disease. Techniques of genetic mapping with polymorphic microsatellites and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) have provided informative tools for localization and identification of disease genes. Some cardiovascular diseases have proven to result from single gene defects. Others relate to more complex etiologies involving several genes and their interactions. Elucidation of the molecular genetic etiologies of congenital heart disease prompts consideration of DNA testing for cardiac disorders. Future integration of these diagnostic modalities with improved treatments may ultimately decrease morbidity and mortality from congenital heart diseases.

Animals↗

Identification of a novel genetic locus for familial cardiac myxomas and Carney complex.

BACKGROUND: Intracardiac myxomas are significant causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality through embolic stroke and heart failure. In the autosomal dominant syndrome Carney complex, intracardiac myxomas arise in the setting of lentiginosis and other lesions associated with cutaneous hyperpigmentation, extracardiac myxomas, and nonmyxomatous tumors. Genetic factors that regulate cardiac tumor growth remain unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used the molecular genetic techniques of linkage analysis to study 4 kindreds affected by Carney complex to determine the genetic basis of this syndrome. Our investigation confirmed genetic heterogeneity of Carney complex. Moreover, genetic linkage analysis with polymorphic short tandem repeats on the long arm of chromosome 17 revealed maximal pairwise LOD scores of 5.9, 1.5, 1.8, and 2.9 for families YA, YB, YC01, and YC11, respectively. Haplotype analysis excluded a founder effect at this locus. These data identify a major 17 cM locus on chromosome 17q2 that contains the Carney complex disease gene. CONCLUSIONS: The ultimate identification and analysis of the Carney complex disease gene at this human chromosome 17q2 locus will facilitate diagnosis and treatment of cardiac myxomas and will foster new concepts in regulation of cardiac cell growth and differentiation.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17↗

Congenital heart disease caused by mutations in the transcription factor NKX2-5.

Mutations in the gene encoding the homeobox transcription factor NKX2-5 were found to cause nonsyndromic, human congenital heart disease. A dominant disease locus associated with cardiac malformations and atrioventricular conduction abnormalities was mapped to chromosome 5q35, where NKX2-5, a Drosophila tinman homolog, is located. Three different NKX2-5 mutations were identified. Two are predicted to impair binding of NKX2-5 to target DNA, resulting in haploinsufficiency, and a third potentially augments target-DNA binding. These data indicate that NKX2-5 is important for regulation of septation during cardiac morphogenesis and for maturation and maintenance of atrioventricular node function throughout life.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Reduced penetrance, variable expressivity, and genetic heterogeneity of familial atrial septal defects.

BACKGROUND: Secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common congenital heart malformation that occurs as an isolated anomaly in 10% of individuals with congenital heart disease. Although some embryological pathways have been elucidated, the molecular etiologies of ASD are not fully understood. Most cases of ASD are isolated, but some individuals with ASD have a family history of this defect or other congenital heart malformations. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical evaluation of three families identified individuals with ASD in multiple generations. ASD was transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait in each family. ASD was the most common anomaly, but other heart defects occurred alone or in association with ASD in individuals from each kindred. Genome-wide linkage studies in one kindred localized a familial ASD disease gene to chromosome 5p (multipoint LOD score=3.6, theta=0.0). Assessment of 20 family members with the disease haplotype revealed that 9 had ASD, 8 were clinically unaffected, and 3 had other cardiac defects (aortic stenosis, atrial septal aneurysm, and persistent left superior vena cava). Familial ASD did not map to chromosome 5p in two other families. CONCLUSIONS: Familial ASD is a genetically heterogeneous disorder; one disease gene maps to chromosome 5p. Recognition of the heritable basis of familial ASD is complicated by low disease penetrance and variable expressivity. Identification of ASD or other congenital heart defects in more than one family member should prompt clinical evaluation of all relatives.

Adult↗

Carney complex, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Cowden disease, and Bannayan-Zonana syndrome share cutaneous and endocrine manifestations, but not genetic loci.

Carney complex (CC), Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), Cowden disease (CD), and Bannayan-Zonana syndrome (BZS) share clinical features, such as mucocutaneous lentigines and multiple tumors (thyroid, breast, ovarian, and testicular neoplasms), and autosomal dominant inheritance. A genetic locus has been identified for CC on chromosome 2 (2p16), and the genes for PJS, CD, and BZS were recently identified; genetic heterogeneity appears likely in both CC and PJS. The genes for PJS and CD/BZS, STK11/LKB1 and PTEN, respectively, may act as tumor suppressors, because loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the PJS and CD/BZS loci has been demonstrated in tumors excised from patients with these disorders. We studied 2 families with CC in whom the disease could not be shown to segregate with polymorphic markers from the 2p16 locus. Their members presented with lesions frequently seen in PJS and the other lentiginosis syndromes. We also tested 16 tumors and cell lines established from patients with CC for LOH involving the PJS and CD/BZS loci. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, tumor cell lines, and tissues and subjected to PCR amplification with primers from microsatellite sequences flanking the STK11/LKB1 and PTEN genes on 19p13 and 10q23, respectively, and a putative PJS locus on 19q13. All loci were excluded as candidates in both families with LOD scores less than 2 and/or by haplotype analysis. LOH for these loci was not present in any of the tumors that were histologically identical to those seen in PJS. The overall rate of LOH for the PJS and CD/BZS loci in tumors from patients with CC was less than 10%. We conclude that despite substantial clinical overlap among CC, PJS, CD, and BZS, LOH for the STK11 and PTEN loci is an infrequent event in CC-related tumors. Linkage analysis excluded the PJS and CD/BZS loci on chromosomes 19 (19p13 and 19q13) and 10 (10q23) from harboring the gene defect(s) responsible for the phenotype in these 2 families.

Adolescent↗

Genetic heterogeneity of familial atrial myxoma syndromes (Carney complex).

Familial atrial myxomas may present as a component of the Carney complex, an autosomal dominant multiple neoplasia and lentiginosis syndrome. Although a gene defect for the Carney complex in some families maps to chromosome 2p, this syndrome is genetically heterogeneous, and other genetic loci also produce familial atrial myxomas.

Adult↗

Mutations in human TBX5 [corrected] cause limb and cardiac malformation in Holt-Oram syndrome.

Holt-Oram syndrome is characterized by upper limb malformations and cardiac septation defects. Here, we demonstrate that mutations in the human TBX5 gene underlie this disorder. TBX5 was cloned from the disease locus on human chromosome 12q24.1 and identified as a member of the T-box transcription factor family. A nonsense mutation in TBX5 causes Holt-Oram syndrome in affected members of one family; a TBX5 missense mutation was identified in affected members of another. We conclude that TBX5 is critical for limb and heart development and suggest that haploinsufficiency of TBX5 causes Holt-Oram syndrome.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Identification, characterization, and chromosomal localization of the human homolog (hES) of ES/130.

The chicken extracellular matrix glycoprotein ES/ 130 is necessary for epithelial--mesenchymal transformation in the developing heart and is also expressed in noncardiac chicken tissues such as limb and notochord. We have identified hES, the human homolog of chicken ES/130. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis (FISH) localizes hES to human chromosome 20p11.2-p12. FISH analyses of individuals with 20p12 deletions and affected by Alagille syndrome exclude hES as a candidate gene for this disorder. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction studies reveal that hES is expressed in both fetal and adult human tissues and that hES expression in the left ventricle is increased in the failing adult heart. Further studies will evaluate how hES mutations may relate to congenital human cardiac and skeletal anomalies as well as cardiac remodeling in the adult.

Adult↗

New understandings in the genetics of congenital heart disease.

In spite of the amazing success during the past half century in diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease, very little is known of its cause. However, a genetic cause has been clearly established for many forms of cardiovascular disease, and new understandings in the molecular genetics of congenital heart disease provide further insight. Progress has been quite impressive for some cardiovascular abnormalities, whereas in other areas the findings are more preliminary. For example, the molecular genetic cause of supravalvular aortic stenosis and the heart disease associated with Marfan syndrome has been clearly established. Impressive progress has been made in conotruncal defects, Holt-Oram syndrome, Alagille syndrome, and total anomalous pulmonary venous connection. In other areas, such as patent ductus arteriosus and atrioventricular septal defect, the findings are more preliminary. Taken as a whole, the prospect of understanding the genetic basis of congenital heart disease has never been better. Understanding the cause of congenital heart disease will provide new insights into both normal cardiac development and the pathophysiologic basis of congenital heart defects.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Genetic heterogeneity of heart-hand syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Heart-hand syndromes compose a class of combined congenital cardiac and limb deformities. The proto-typical heart-hand disorder is Holt-Oram syndrome, which is characterized by cardiac septation defects and radial ray limb deformity. We have recently mapped the Holt-Oram syndrome gene defect to the long arm of human chromosome 12 in two families. The role of this disease locus in the pathogenesis of related conditions such as heart-hand syndrome type III (cardiac conduction disease accompanied by skeletal malformations) or familial atrial septal defects is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical evaluations and genetic linkage analyses were performed in five additional kindreds with Holt-Oram syndrome and also in one kindred with heart-hand syndrome type III and one kindred with familial atrial septal defect and conduction disease. Holt-Oram syndrome in all five kindreds mapped to chromosome 12q2. These studies and previous data provide odds of greater than 10(25):1 that the Holt-Oram syndrome disease gene is at chromosome 12q2. In contrast, neither the phenotypically similar disorder heart-hand syndrome type III nor the locus responsible for a familial atrial septal defect with atrioventricular block maps to chromosome 12q2. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that heart-hand syndromes are genetically heterogeneous. Conditions that clinically appear to be partial phenocopies of Holt-Oram syndrome arise from distinct disease genes.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12↗

Familial Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome maps to a locus on chromosome 7q3.

We have mapped a disease locus for Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) and familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) segregating in a large kindred to chromosome 7 band q3. Although WPW syndrome and FHC have been observed in members of the same family in prior studies, the relationship between these two diseases has remained enigmatic. A large family with 25 surviving individuals who are affected by one or both of these conditions was studied. The disease locus is closely linked to loci D7S688, D7S505, and D7S483 (maximum two point LOD score at D7S505 was 7.80 at theta = 0). While four different FHC loci have been described this is the first locus that can be mutated to cause both WPW and/or FHC.

Adolescent↗

The clinical and genetic spectrum of the Holt-Oram syndrome (heart-hand syndrome)

BACKGROUND: The Holt-Oram syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by skeletal abnormalities that are frequently accompanied by congenital cardiac defects. The cause of these disparate clinical features is unknown. To identify the chromosomal location of the Holt-Oram syndrome gene, we performed clinical and genetic studies. METHODS: Two large families with the Holt-Oram syndrome were evaluated by radiography of the hands, electrocardiography, and transthoracic echocardiography. Genetic-linkage analyses were performed with polymorphic DNA loci dispersed throughout the genome to identify a locus that was inherited with the Holt-Oram syndrome in family members. RESULTS: A total of 19 members of Family A had Holt-Oram syndrome with mild-to-moderate skeletal deformities, including triphalangeal thumbs and carpal-bone dysmorphism. All affected members of Family A had moderate-to-severe congenital cardiac abnormalities, such as ventricular or atrial septal defects or atrioventricular-canal defects. Eighteen members of a second kindred (Family B) had Holt-Oram syndrome with moderate-to-severe skeletal deformities, including phocomelia. Twelve of the affected members had no cardiac defects; six had only atrial septal defects. Genetic analyses demonstrated linkage of the disease in each family to polymorphic loci on the long arm of chromosome 12 (combined multipoint lod score, 16.8). These data suggest odds greater than 10(16):1 that the genetic defect for Holt-Oram syndrome is present on the long arm of chromosome 12 (12q2). CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in a gene on chromosome 12q2 can produce a wide range of disease phenotypes characteristic of the Holt-Oram syndrome. This gene has an important role in both skeletal and cardiac development.

Adolescent↗

A gene defect that causes conduction system disease and dilated cardiomyopathy maps to chromosome 1p1-1q1.

Longitudinal evaluation of a seven generation kindred with an inherited conduction system defect and dilated cardiomyopathy demonstrated autosomal dominant transmission of a progressive disorder that both perturbs atrioventricular conduction and depresses cardiac contractility. To elucidate the molecular genetic basis for this disorder, a genome-wide linkage analysis was performed. Polymorphic loci near the centromere of chromosome 1 demonstrated linkage to the disease locus (maximum multipoint lod score = 13.2 in the interval between D1S305 and D1S176). Based on the disease phenotype and map location we speculate that gap junction protein connexin 40 is a candidate for mutations that result in conduction system disease and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Adult↗

Biologically active Arg-Gly-Asp oligopeptides assume a type II beta-turn in solution.

The sequence Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) has been found to be the consensus sequence of matrix proteins for binding cell surface receptors (integrins). Studies with synthetic peptides containing the RGD sequence show that the biological activity of these oligopeptides is removed upon a conservative substitution of Glu for Asp in the RGD sequence. Two-dimensional 1H NMR methods were used to investigate the secondary structures in aqueous solution for two such oligopeptides of differing biological activity. The sequence Tyr-Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro, which binds to selected integrins, is found to assume a type II beta-turn at both pH 4 and 7. In contrast, the sequence Tyr-Gly-Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser-Pro, which does not interfere with integrin-mediated cell attachment, is found to assume a type I or III beta-turn at both pH 4 and 7. This comparison confirms not only that oligopeptides can assume a secondary structure in aqueous solution, but also that these structures may be important to biological functions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differential modulation of vascular cell integrin and extracellular matrix expression in vitro by TGF-beta 1 correlates with reciprocal effects on cell migration.

In vitro, BAEC and BASMC migratory phenotypes are known to be reciprocally modulated by both soluble factors and extracellular matrix proteins. In addition, integrin matrix receptors mediate endothelial and smooth muscle cell attachment and migration. To further elucidate these phenomena, we studied the effects of TGF-beta 1 on integrin expression by vascular BASMC and BAEC in tissue culture. TGF-beta 1 upregulated mRNA levels and surface pools of BASMC beta 3 integrin classes without modulating beta 1 integrin mRNA levels or expression of beta 1 integrin organization. In contrast to its effects on BASMC, TGF-beta 1 increased BAEC mRNA levels and surface expression of beta 1 and beta 3 integrins without altering their organization. Conversely, extracellular matrix components (fibronectin, laminin, and fibrinogen) organized cell surface integrins in both BASMC and BAEC without affecting the size of their cell surface pools. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that SMC and EC behavior in neointimal lesions may be modulated, in part, through a coordination of soluble factor and extracellular matrix protein regulation of integrin surface expression and organization.

Animals↗

Spatiotemporal segregation of endothelial cell integrin and nonintegrin extracellular matrix-binding proteins during adhesion events.

Bovine aortic endothelial cell (BAEC) attachments to laminin, fibronectin, and fibrinogen are inhibited by soluble arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD)-containing peptides, and YGRGDSP activity is responsive to titration of either soluble peptide or matrix protein. To assess the presence of RGD-dependent receptors, immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting studies were conducted and demonstrated integrin beta 1, beta 3, and associated alpha subunits as well as a beta 1 precursor. Immunofluorescence of BAECs plated on laminin, fibronectin, and fibrinogen reveals different matrix-binding specificities of each of these integrin subclasses. By 1 h after plating, organization of beta 1 integrin into fibrillar streaks is influenced by laminin and fibronectin, whereas beta 3 integrin punctate organization is influenced by fibrinogen and the integrin spatial distribution changes with time in culture. In contrast, the nonintegrin laminin-binding protein LB69 only organizes after cell-substrate contact is well established several hours after plating. Migration of BAECs is also mediated by both integrin and nonintegrin matrix-binding proteins. Specifically, BAEC migration on laminin is remarkably sensitive to RGD peptide inhibition, and, in its presence, beta 1 integrin organization dissipates and reorganizes into perinuclear vesicles. However, RGD peptides do not alter LB69 linear organization during migration. Similarly, agents that block LB69--e.g., antibodies to LB69 as well as YIGSR-NH2 peptide--do not inhibit attachment of nonmotile BAECs to laminin. However, both anti-LB69 and YIGSR-NH2 inhibit late adhesive events such as spreading. Accordingly, we propose that integrin and nonintegrin extracellular matrix-binding protein organizations in BAECs are both temporally and spatially segregated during attachment processes. High affinity nonintegrin interaction with matrix may create necessary stable contacts for longterm attachment, while lower affinity integrins may be important for initial cell adhesion as well as for transient contacts of motile BAECs.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Enzyme kinetics of a highly purified mitochondrial creatine kinase in comparison with cytosolic forms.

Mitochondrial creatine kinase (CK) purified from canine myocardium showed a single protein band on SDS-PAGE and was free of MMCK. Its amino acid composition was different than MMCK or BBCK and did not react to antiserum to MMCK or BBCK. Using purified mitochondrial, MM and BBCK, the velocity of reaction (V) was estimated for creatine phosphate (CP), creatine (C), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) over a wide range of concentrations including those at Vmax. The values for Km (mM/L) derived from Lineweaver-Burke plots are shown: (Table: see text). The affinity of mitochondrial CK for C is much greater than MMCK which is compatible with the energy shuttle hypothesis, namely ATP is converted by mitochondrial CK to CP, and then diffuses to the myofibril for conversion to ATP for utilization.

Amino Acids↗