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Biomedical subjects

L Colleaux

Publications and source records attributed to L Colleaux.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

ATR-X mutations cause impaired nuclear location and altered DNA binding properties of the XNP/ATR-X protein.

Mutations in the XNP/ATR-X gene, located in Xq13.3, are associated with several X linked mental retardation syndromes, the best known being alpha thalassaemia with mental retardation (ATR-X). The XNP/ATR-X protein belongs to the family of SWI/SNF DNA helicases and contains three C2-C2 type zinc fingers of unknown function. Previous studies have shown that 65% of mutations of XNP have been found within the zinc finger domain (encoded by exons 7, 8, and the beginning of exon 9) while 35% of the mutations have been found in the helicase domain extending over 3 kb at the C-terminus of the protein. Although different types of mutations have been identified, no specific genotype-phenotype correlation has been found, suggesting that gene alteration leads to a loss of function irrespective of mutation type. Our aims were to understand the function of the XNP/ATR-X protein better, with specific attention to the functional consequences of mutations to the zinc finger domain. We used monoclonal antibodies directed against the XNP/ATR-X protein and performed immunocytochemical and western blot analyses, which showed altered or absent XNP/ATR-X expression in cells of affected patients. In addition, we used in vitro experiments to show that the zinc finger domain can mediate double stranded DNA binding and found that the DNA binding capacity of mutant forms in ATR-X patients is severely reduced. These data provide insights into the understanding of the functional significance of XNP/ATR-X mutations.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed1999

Transcript map of the human chromosome Xq11-Xq21 region: localization of 33 novel genes and one pseudogene.

The human Xq11-Xq21.3 region has been implicated in several inherited disorders including dystonia-parkinsonism (DYT3), sideroblastic anemia and several specific and non-specific forms of mental retardation (MR) syndromes. As part of a positional cloning effort to identify MR genes, we have generated a YAC-based transcript map. We first constructed a YAC/STS framework by extending previously published contigs. This framework map consists of a minimal set of 119 clones, covering approximately 20 Megabases (Mb) and allowing the precise ordering of 71 STSs between DXS136 and DXS472. This YAC contig was then used to define the positions of genes and expressed sequence tags (ESTs) assigned to the Xcen-Xq21.3 region. In addition to the genes previously localized to this part of the X chromosome, 18 transcription units corresponding to additional known genes or gene family members, one pseudogene and 15 novel transcripts were mapped. This transcriptional map incorporates 51 transcription units and provides a useful resource of candidate genes for some of the disorders assigned to this region of the X chromosome.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Evidence for a new X-linked mental retardation gene in Xp21-Xp22: clinical and molecular data in one family.

Linkage analysis was performed in three generations of a French family segregating a syndromal form of X-linked mental retardation. All affected males had neonatal hypotonia, seizures, muscular hypodevelopment, and severe mental deficiency. A peak lod score of 2.90 at a recombination fraction of theta = 0 was detected for DXS 1052 and DXS 451 (Xp22.13). Recombination between the disease locus and the polymorphic markers in DXS7163 and DXS1238 suggested a gene mapping to the Xp22.13-Xp21.2 region. Three candidate genes in this region were investigated: the cDNA for kinase Rsk-2 involved in Coffin-Lowry syndrome, the brain-specific exon of a transcript in the DMD locus (DP140 isoform of dystrophin), and exon 18 of the glycerol kinase gene, which is specific to fetal brain transcripts. All three sequences were normal.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Two unrelated patients with inversions of the X chromosome and non-specific mental retardation: physical and transcriptional mapping of their common breakpoint region in Xq13.1.

Two unrelated mildly retarded males with inversions of the X chromosome and non-specific mental retardation (MRX) are described. Case 1 has a pericentric inversion 46,Y,inv(X) (p11.1q13.1) and case 2 a paracentric inversion 46,Y,inv(X) (q13.1q28). Both male patients have severe learning difficulties. The same chromosomal abnormalities were found in their mothers who are intellectually normal. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation mapping showed a common area of breakage of each of the inverted chromosomes in Xq13.1 near DXS131 and DXS162. A detailed long range restriction map of the breakpoint region was constructed using YAC, PAC, and cosmid clones. We show that the two inverted chromosomes break within a short 250 kb region. Moreover, a group of ESTs corresponding to an as yet uncharacterised gene was mapped to the same critical interval. We hypothesise that the common inversion breakpoint region of the two cases in Xq13.1 may contain a new MRX gene.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed1998

Specific interaction between the XNP/ATR-X gene product and the SET domain of the human EZH2 protein.

Mutations in the XNP gene result in different inherited disorders, including the ATR-X syndrome which is characterized by mental retardation (MR) associated with alpha-thalaessemia. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that the XNP protein is a new member of the SNF2-like family, which comprises numerous members involved in a broad range of biological functions: transcriptional regulation, DNA repair and chromosome segregation. Since experiments on fibroblasts from ATR-X patients have provided no evidence for either a DNA repair defect or abnormal chromosome breakage or segregation, it seems more likely that the XNP protein is somehow involved in regulation of gene expression. Recent genetic and biochemical studies have led to the emerging concept that SNF2-like proteins are components of a large protein complex which may exert its functions by modulating chromatin structure. To investigate whether XNP could mediate the activity of gene-specific activators through chromatin remodelling, we performed a yeast two-hybrid analysis using XNP and several human heterochromatin-associated proteins. We found a specific interaction between the XNP and the EZH2 proteins. In light of these observations, we discuss how the XNP protein may regulate gene transcription at the chromatin level.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Determination of the genomic structure of the XNP/ATRX gene encoding a potential zinc finger helicase.

The XNP/ATR-X gene is involved in several X-linked mental retardation phenotypes: the ATR-X syndrome, the Juberg-Marsidi syndrome, and some severe mental retardation phenotypes without alpha-thalassemia. Using a vectorette strategy, we have identified and sequenced the intron/exon boundaries of this gene. The gene is composed of 35 exons. It encodes a potential protein of 2492 amino acids. A search of the databases identified three zinc finger motifs within the 5' end of the gene. Expression analysis in different tissues indicated that an alternative splicing event that involves exon 6 is occurring. One of these alternatively spliced transcripts is predominantly expressed in embryonic tissues. These data led us to search for mutations in the 5' region in ATRX patients without other mutations in the 3' region. In one patient a mutation was found in which part of exon 7 was removed from the XNP transcript, as a result of a mutation creating a novel splice site that is substituted for the natural splice site. This new splicing event removed one zinc finger motif. This is the first example of a mutation in XNP within the 5' coding region. It suggests that mutations will be predominantly found in the helicase region as well as in the zinc finger regions and leads us to propose a large screening of additional patients.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1996

Localisation of two candidate genes for mental retardation using a YAC physical map of the Xq21.1-21.2 subbands.

Genetic studies in families with X linked mental retardation have suggested the location of several MR genes in the human q21 region. Since the establishment of cloned resources is an essential step towards the cloning of genes involved in inherited diseases, we built a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) contig and an STS map of this part of the X chromosome. The contig, which extends from PGK1 in Xq13.3 to DXS1002 in Xq21.2, consists of 30 YACs mapped with 21 markers and spans about 6 Mb. The YAC contig was used as a framework to localise several previously known genes and CEPH/Genethon polymorphic markers, as well as to construct a physical map of the region surrounding one of these genes. We recently localised a presumed MR locus to the region flanked by DXS233 (proximal) and CHM (distal). In the present work, the zinc finger gene, ZNF6, has been shown to lie within this region and to be highly expressed in brain, making it a good candidate MR gene. Similarly the VDAC1 gene has been mapped between DXS986 and DXS72 and its candidate gene status for the Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome is discussed.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Construction of a YAC contig spanning the Xq13.3 subband.

The loci involved in several X-linked mental retardation syndromes have been linked to the pericentromeric region of the X chromosome long arm (Xq12-q21). To isolate candidate genes for these diseases, we set up the construction of YAC contigs spanning this region. Two of these syndromes (the Juberg-Marsidi syndrome and the alpha-thalessemia mental retardation syndrome) have been recently linked, with high lod scores, to polymorphic probes previously assigned to Xq13.3. We therefore constructed a first YAC contig, encompassing this band, from DXS441 to PGK1. The physical map, deduced from the isolated clones, extends over 2.1 Mb of genomic DNA. Restriction analysis of the YAC contig allowed us to map precisely the loci previously assigned to that chromosomal region and to define their relative order. The validity of this physical map has been checked by comparing Sfi I digests of the YACs to genomic fragments obtained with the same enzyme. A cDNA selection approach, already performed with a previous partial contig, has been extended to cover the whole region.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1995

Developmental changes of the 26 S proteasome in abdominal intersegmental muscles of Manduca sexta during programmed cell death.

cDNA clone MS73 codes for an ATPase that is a regulatory subunit of the 26 S proteasome. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrates that the expression of the gene dramatically increases in the pre-eclosion period. Western analyses show increases in other related. ATPases including MS73, MSS1, and mts2 but not TBP1. A similar increase in the 30-kDa subunit of the 20 S proteasome occurs. There are accompanying large changes in the peptidase activities of the 26 S proteasome. Relative to the 30-kDa subunit, there is no change in MSS1 and MS73, a 3-fold increase in mts2, and a 5-fold decline in TBP1. A large increase in the concentration of 26 S proteasomes together with extensive regulatory reprogramming may facilitate rapid muscular proteolysis.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1995

Use of interspersed repetitive sequences-PCR products for cDNA selection.

In order to increase the efficiency of cDNA selection approaches, we describe the use of interspersed repetitive sequences-PCR (IRS-PCR) products to isolate genes from large-insert genomic clones. IRS-PCR is conducted on total yeast DNA containing a YAC of interest so that there is no need to purify the starting genomic clone. This enables the production of large amounts of genomic substrate for cDNA selection and allows the use of unstable YAC clones. Moreover, the hybridization of the IRS-PCR product to the cDNA clones after selection introduces a positive selection step. We tested these PCR products from YACs for the presence of exons, using cDNAs originating from seven different genes. In each case, at least one exon was present in the IRS-PCR product. We have applied this strategy to four YAC clones originating from the human X Chromosome (Chr). All the selected cDNAs, strongly positive with the IRS-PCR product, did indeed originate from a gene in the region covered by the YAC. In all cases, the previously known genes contained in the genomic clones have been isolated. In addition, we have isolated human genes that have already been described but not assigned to any chromosomal region.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Complete DNA sequence of yeast chromosome XI.

The complete DNA sequence of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome XI has been determined. In addition to a compact arrangement of potential protein coding sequences, the 666,448-base-pair sequence has revealed general chromosome patterns; in particular, alternating regional variations in average base composition correlate with variations in local gene density along the chromosome. Significant discrepancies with the previously published genetic map demonstrate the need for using independent physical mapping criteria.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Generation and characterization of an ordered lambda clone array for the 460-kb region surrounding the murine Xist sequence.

The Xist sequence has several characteristics that make it a potential candidate for the X-inactivation center. To investigate the role of Xist and adjacent sequences lying within the X-inactivation center candidate region, a 460-kb region surrounding the murine Xist sequence has been arrayed in lambda contigs with a combination of IRS-PCR-based hybridization and YAC fragmentation. The orientation of the Xist sequence in relation to the telomere and centromere of the X Chromosome (Chr) has been established with this contig and shown to be inverted compared to that in human.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Rapid physical mapping of YAC inserts by random integration of I-Sce I sites.

We have developed a novel strategy, based on the random insertion by homologous recombination of artificial I-Sce I sites within mammalian repetitive DNA sequences, which should greatly facilitate the high resolution physical mapping of large DNA fragments cloned in YAC. A set of transgenic yeast strains containing appropriately spaced I-Sce I sites within the YAC insert defines a series of nested physical intervals against which new genes, clones or DNA fragments can be mapped by simple hybridisation. Sequential hybridisation using such a series of nested YAC fragments as probes can also allow the rapid sorting of phage or cosmid libraries into contigs. This approach, which has been applied to a YAC containing a 460 kb insert from the mouse X chromosome, may also have applications for the restriction mapping of large genomic segments, mapping of exons and the search for homologous genes.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Sequence of a segment of yeast chromosome XI identifies a new mitochondrial carrier, a new member of the G protein family, and a protein with the PAAKK motif of the H1 histones.

We have entirely sequenced an 8.3 kb segment localized on the left arm of chromosome XI of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Five new open reading frames have been uncovered. One of them encodes a new mitochondrial carrier protein which is dispensable for growth on glycerol medium. Another could be a new member of the G protein family. A third possesses the PAAKK motif common to H1 histones.

Amino Acid Sequence↗