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J Kudoh

Publications and source records attributed to J Kudoh.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Positional cloning of the APECED gene.

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type I (APS 1, also called APECED) is an autosomal-recessive disorder that maps to human chromosome 21q22.3 between markers D21S49 and D21S171 by linkage studies. We have isolated a novel gene from this region, AIRE (autoimmune regulator), which encodes a protein containing motifs suggestive of a transcription factor including two zinc-finger (PHD-finger) motifs, a proline-rich region and three LXXLL motifs. Two mutations, a C-->T substitution that changes the Arg 257 (CGA) to a stop codon (TGA) and an A-->G substitution that changes the Lys 83 (AAG) to a Glu codon (GAG), were found in this novel gene in Swiss and Finnish APECED patients. The Arg257stop (R257X) is the predominant mutation in Finnish APECED patients, accounting for 10/12 alleles studied. These results indicate that this gene is responsible for the pathogenesis of APECED. The identification of the gene defective in APECED should facilitate the genetic diagnosis and potential treatment of the disease and further enhance our general understanding of the mechanisms underlying autoimmune diseases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Cloning of two human homologs of the Drosophila single-minded gene SIM1 on chromosome 6q and SIM2 on 21q within the Down syndrome chromosomal region.

As part of our effort to clone genes of human chromosome 21 that may contribute to Down syndrome, we have previously isolated four exons with homology to Drosophila single-minded (sim) gene, which encodes a transcription factor that is a master regulator of fruit fly neurogenesis. These exons were used to clone and characterize two human homologs of the Drosophila sim gene, SIM1 and SIM2, which map to chromosomes 6q16.3-q21 and 21q22.2, respectively; SIM2 maps within the so-called Down syndrome chromosomal region. Recently, two mouse homologs, Sim1 and Sim2, also have been identified. There is a high level of homology among human, mouse, and Drosophila sim genes in their amino-terminal half where the conserved bHLH, PAS1, PAS2, and HST domains are present. In contrast, the carboxy-terminal parts are only homologous between SIM1 and Sim1 and SIM2 and Sim2. Two isoforms (SIM2 and SIM2s) of human SIM2 have been detected that differ in their 3' ends. Northern blot analysis revealed one mRNA SIM1 species of approximately 9.5 kb and four different mRNA SIM2 species of 2.7, 3, 4.4, and 6 kb in human fetal kidney. The function of both human SIM1 and SIM2 is unknown. However, three copies of SIM2 may contribute to some specific Down syndrome phenotypes because of (1) mapping position, (2) potential function as transcriptional repressor, (3) likely dimerization with other transcription factors, (4) the temporal and spatial expression pattern of mouse Sim2, and (5) the potentially analogous role of human SIM2 to that of Drosophila sim during neurogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Screening of H-ras gene point mutations in 50 cases of bladder carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Mutation converts the H-ras gene into an activated oncogene in about 10% of human bladder cancers. Codons 12 and 61 are the major "hot spots" for activation. A simple and accurate method to detect point mutations in these codons may be clinically useful for early diagnosis of bladder cancer. METHODS: Bladder cancer samples from 50 patients, plus 10 samples of normal bladder mucosa, were analyzed for possible point mutation of the H-ras gene at either codon 12 or codon 61. The H-ras gene DNA segments that include these 2 codons were amplified by PCR methods, then the possible presence of a point mutation was evaluated at each codon by susceptibility of the respective DNA segments to digestion with the restriction enzyme and by dot blot hybridization assay. A bladder cancer patient who had an H-ras gene mutation was examined to see whether the mutation was also detectable in the cells released in the urine. RESULTS: Definite or possible point mutations were found in 6 (12%) out of 50 bladder cancer patients, while no mutation was detected in normal mucosa. A point mutation could also be detected in cells isolated from the patient's urine sample. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of point mutations at codon 12 or codon 61 of the H-ras gene found in this study was similar to that previously estimated for human bladder cancer by DNA transfection assay. The method we have used for detecting point mutations of the H-ras gene provides a simple and highly accurate way to detect mutated cancer cells even in the urine. It may be clinically usable for early diagnosis of bladder cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Sudden onset of bronchospasm and persistent hypotension during spinal anesthesia in a patient on long-term psychotropic therapy].

We experienced perioperative management of a patient on long-term psychotropic therapy. The patient was a 65-year-old man who underwent TUR of the prostate under spinal anesthesia. Bronchospasm and persistent hypotension occurred immediately after the beginning of TUR. Aminophylline improved bronchospasm, but it was difficult to keep blood pressure with continuous infusion of norepinephrine or epinephrine. The patient recovered from anesthesia safely. We should pay attention to bronchospasm as well as hypotension in a patient on long-term psychotropic therapy during perioperative period.

Aminophylline↗
PubMed1996

Chromosomal mapping of a family of human glutamine synthetase genes: functional gene (GLUL) on 1q25, pseudogene (GLULP) on 9p13, and three related genes (GLULL1, GLULL2, GLULL3) on 5q33, 11p15, and 11q24.

Glutamine synthetase (GS) is a ubiquitous enzyme that catalyzes the ATP-dependent conversion of glutamate to glutamine using ammonia as the nitrogen source. Using human GS cDNA as a probe, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library consisting of two-fold coverage of the human genome was screened, and 18 clones were obtained. The restriction analysis of the human insert DNAs provided a basis to divide these 18 BAC clones into five groups, suggesting the existence of a GS gene family in the human genome. PCR analysis using three sets of primers designed from the reported sequences for GS cDNA and a processed pseudogene identified the corresponding BAC clones. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed the chromosomal localization of these five genes: the GS gene to 1q25 (GLUL), the processed pseudogene to 9p13 (GLULP), and three related gene to 5q33 (GLULL1), 11p15 (GLULL2), and 11q24 (GLULL3), respectively.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1996

Isolation of cDNA for a novel human protein KNP-I that is homologous to the E. coli SCRP-27A protein from the autoimmune polyglandular disease type I (APECED) region of chromosome 21q22.3.

We have isolated cDNA clones for a novel human protein KNP-I from fetal brain and bone marrow cDNA libraries. Northern blot analysis indicated that the KNP-I gene is ubiquitously expressed in various human tissues. Significant homology of the KNP-I protein with Escherichia coli anti-sigma cross-reacting protein (SCRP-27A) (44% identity) and zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio) esl protein (49% identity) suggested that the KNP-I protein may be involved in a basic cellular function. Genomic sequencing revealed that the KNP-I gene consists of seven exons spanning 12 kb. Exon 5 was involved in alternative splicing. The KNP-I gene was mapped between D21S1460 and D21S25 on human chromosome 21q22.3, 26 kb distal to a Not 1 site of D21S1460. Thus, this novel KNP-I gene could be a candidate gene for autoimmune polyglandular disease type I (APECED) and other disorders mapped to this region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Cloning of a human homolog of the Drosophila minibrain/rat Dyrk gene from "the Down syndrome critical region" of chromosome 21.

To isolate genes responsible for some features of Down syndrome, we performed exon trapping experiments using a series of cosmid clones derived from "the Down syndrome critical region" of chromosome 21 and isolated six exons which are highly homologous to the sequence of Drosophila minibrain (mnb) gene. The Drosophila mnb gene encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase that is required in distinct neuroblast proliferation centers during postembryonic neurogenesis. Using one of these six exons as a probe, we isolated cDNA clones for human homolog of Drosophila mnb gene (MNB) from a fetal brain cDNA library. Human MNB cDNA encodes a protein of 754 amino acids with a nuclear targeting sequence and a catalytic domain common to the serine/threonine-specific protein kinase. The human MNB protein strikingly resembles the recently discovered rat Dyrk protein kinase with a dual specificity. The MNB mRNA is expressed in various tissues including fetal and adult brains. The remarkable similarity of human MNB protein to Drosophila mnb and rat Dyrk proteins implies that human MNB protein may play a significant role in a signaling pathway regulating nuclear functions of neuronal cell proliferation, contributing to certain features of Down syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

The mammalian single-minded (SIM) gene: mouse cDNA structure and diencephalic expression indicate a candidate gene for Down syndrome.

We have recently isolated a human homolog (hSIM) of the Drosophila single-minded (sim) gene from the Down syndrome critical region of chromosome 21 using the exon trapping method. The Drosophila sim gene encodes a transcription factor that regulates the development of the central nervous system midline cell lineage. To elucidate the structure of the mammalian SIM protein, we have isolated cDNA clones from a mouse embryo cDNA library. The cDNA clones encode a polypeptide of 657 amino acids with a bHLH (basic-helix-loop-helix) domain, characteristic of a large family of transcription factors, and a PAS (Per-Arnt-Sim) domain in the amino-terminal half region. Both of these domains have striking sequence homology with human SIM and Drosophila SIM proteins. In contrast, the carboxy-terminal half of the mouse SIM protein consists of a proline-rich region with no sequence homology to the Drosophila SIM protein. A similar proline-rich domain is known for the activator domain of a number of transcription factors. Whole-mount embryo in situ hybridization experiments revealed that the SIM mRNA is expressed prominently in the diencephalon of mouse embryos at 8-9.5 days postcoitum. The structural characteristics of the mouse SIM protein and its expression in the diencephalon during embryogenesis strongly suggest that the newly isolated mammalian SIM homolog may play a critical role in the development of the mammalian central nervous system. We propose that the human SIM gene may be one of the pathogenic genes of Down syndrome.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

An integrated map with cosmid/PAC contigs of a 4-Mb Down syndrome critical region.

The major phenotypic features of Down syndrome have been correlated with partial trisomies of chromosome 21, allowing us to define the candidate gene region to a 4-Mb segment on the 21q22.2 band. We present here a high-resolution physical map with megabase-sized cosmid/PAC contigs. This ordered clone library has provided unique material for the integration of a variety of mappable objects, including exons, cDNAs, restriction sites, etc. Furthermore, our results have exemplified a strategy for the completion of the chromosome 21 map to sequencing.

Bacteriophage P1↗
PubMed1995

Human ribosomal RNA gene cluster: identification of the proximal end containing a novel tandem repeat sequence.

Human ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) are arranged as tandem repeat clusters on the short arms of five pairs of acrocentric chromosomes. We have demonstrated that a majority of the rDNA clusters are detected as 3-Mb DNA fragments when released from human genomic DNA by EcoRV digestion. This indicated the absence of the EcoRV restriction site within the rDNA clusters. We then screened for rDNA-positive cosmid clones using a chromosome 22-specific cosmid library that was constructed from MboI partial digests of the flow-sorted chromosomes. Three hundred twenty rDNA-positive clones negative for the previously reported distal flanking sequence (pACR1) were chosen and subjected to EcoRV digestion. Seven clones susceptible to EcoRV were further characterized as candidate clones that might have been derived from the junctions of the 3-Mb rDNA cluster. We identified one clone containing part of the rDNA unit sequence and a novel flanking sequence. Detailed analysis of this unique clone revealed that the coding region of the last rRNA gene located at the proximal end of the cluster is interrupted with a novel sequence of approximately 147 bp that is tandemly repeated and is connected with an intervening 68-bp unique sequence. This junction sequence was readily amplified from chromosomes 21 and 15 as well as 22 using the polymerase chain reaction. Fluorescence in situ hybridization further indicated that the approximately 147-bp sequence repeat is commonly distributed among all the acrocentric short arms.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Risk of false-positive molecular genetic diagnosis of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy.

PURPOSE/METHODS: The most common pathogenic mitochondrial mutation at nucleotide 11778 in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy is usually detected by the loss of an SfaNI restriction site. To evaluate a false-positive diagnostic error in this molecular genetic assay, we investigated SfaNI polymorphism in 120 patients with bilateral optic atrophy. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: The ratio of false-positive to true-positive results was 1:36. Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism at nucleotide 11779 reflects a false-positive genetic error.

DNA↗
PubMed1995

The organization of the human immunoglobulin lambda gene locus.

To elucidate the complex structure of the human immunoglobulin lambda gene locus, a 1020-kb contig was constructed using 184 cosmid clones and one bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone. A high-resolution physical map of this contig revealed that the entire lambda gene locus is 911 kb in length. It contains seven constant region (C lambda) gene segments and 69 unique EcoRI-HindIII segments that hybridize to variable region gene (V lambda) probes. The VpreB gene, BCRL4, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase gene (GGT)-like sequences are also located within the lambda gene locus. Hybridization analysis suggested that the lambda gene locus has undergone extensive amplification events in evolution.

Base Sequence↗