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Biomedical subjects

M Oldridge

Publications and source records attributed to M Oldridge.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Differential effects of FGFR2 mutations on syndactyly and cleft palate in Apert syndrome.

Apert syndrome is a distinctive human malformation characterized by craniosynostosis and severe syndactyly of the hands and feet. It is caused by specific missense substitutions involving adjacent amino acids (Ser252Trp or Pro253Arg) in the linker between the second and third extracellular immunoglobulin domains of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2). We have developed a simple PCR assay for these mutations in genomic DNA, based on the creation of novel (SfiI) and (BstUI) restriction sites. Analysis of DNA from 70 unrelated patients with Apert syndrome showed that 45 had the Ser252Trp mutation and 25 had the Pro253Arg mutation. Phenotypic differences between these two groups of patients were investigated. Significant differences were found for severity of syndactyly and presence of cleft palate. The syndactyly was more severe with the Pro253Arg mutation, for both the hands and the feet. In contrast, cleft palate was significantly more common in the Ser252Trp patients. No convincing differences were found in the prevalence of other malformations associated with Apert syndrome. We conclude that, although the phenotype attributable to the two mutations is very similar, there are subtle differences. The opposite trends for severity of syndactyly and cleft palate in relation to the two mutations may relate to the varying patterns of temporal and tissue-specific expression of different fibroblast growth factors, the ligands for FGFR2.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗

Interaction of the chromosomal Tn 551 with two thermosensitive derivatives, pS1 and p delta D, of the plasmid pI9789 in Staphylococcus aureus.

The plasmid pI9789::Tn552 carries genes conferring resistance to penicillins and to cadmium, mercury and arsenate ions. The presence of Tn551 at one location in the chromosome of Staphylococcus aureus enhances the frequency of suppression of thermosensitivity of replication of the plasmids pS1 and p delta D which are derivatives of pI9789::Tn552. Bacteriophage propagated on the bacteria in which thermosensitivity of replication had been suppressed was used to transduce cadmium resistance to S. aureus PS80N. The cadmium-resistant transductants obtained carried plasmid pS1 or p delta D with a copy of Tn551 inserted into a specific site on pS1 but into several different sites on p delta D. The possible mechanisms of the suppression are discussed.

Base Sequence↗

Apert syndrome results from localized mutations of FGFR2 and is allelic with Crouzon syndrome.

Apert syndrome is a distinctive human malformation comprising craniosynostosis and severe syndactyly of the hands and feet. We have identified specific missense substitutions involving adjacent amino acids (Ser252Trp and Pro253Arg) in the linker between the second and third extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig) domains of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) in all 40 unrelated cases of Apert syndrome studied. Crouzon syndrome, characterized by craniosynostosis but normal limbs, was previously shown to result from allelic mutations of the third Ig domain of FGFR2. The contrasting effects of these mutations provide a genetic resource for dissecting the complex effects of signal transduction through FGFRs in cranial and limb morphogenesis.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗

Identical mutations in the FGFR2 gene cause both Pfeiffer and Crouzon syndrome phenotypes.

Mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene have been identified in Crouzon syndrome, an autosomal dominant condition causing premature fusion of the cranial sutures (craniosynostosis). A mutation in FGFR1 has been established in several families with Pfeiffer syndrome, where craniosynostosis is associated with specific digital abnormalities. We now report point mutations in FGFR2 in seven sporadic Pfeiffer syndrome patients. Six of the seven Pfeiffer syndrome patients share two missense mutations, which have also been reported in Crouzon syndrome. The Crouzon and Pfeiffer phenotypes usually breed true within families and the finding of identical mutations in unrelated individuals giving different phenotypes is a highly unexpected observation.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗

Mutations in the third immunoglobulin domain of the fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 gene in Crouzon syndrome.

Craniosynostosis, which affects approximately 1 in 2000 children, is the result of the abnormal development and/or premature fusion of the cranial sutures. Studies of mutations in patients with craniosynostosis have shown that the family of fibroblast growth factor receptor genes are extremely important in the correct formation of the skull, and digits. Mutations in the third immunoglobulin domain of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2), in part of the molecule corresponding to a tissue specific isoform (IIIc), can cause both Crouzon and Pfeiffer syndromes. Two specific mutations in the linking region between the second and third immunoglobulin domains of FGFR2 occur in Apert syndrome. We present here mutations associated with the Crouzon syndrome, also in the third immunoglobulin domain but in an upstream exon. This exon is expressed in both tissue isoforms. Five different mutations were detected in 11 unrelated individuals. A cysteine to phenylalanine change was found in six individuals. This cysteine forms half of the disulphide bridge maintaining the secondary structure of the immunoglobulin domain. The first deletion within an FGFR gene is reported. Together with mutations in exon IIIc these account for 25 mutations out of 40 Crouzon patients studied in our combined series (5).

Amino Acid Sequence↗