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P Propping

Publications and source records attributed to P Propping.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Polymorphisms in the dopamine D2 receptor gene and their relationships to striatal dopamine receptor density of healthy volunteers.

The density of striatal dopamine D2 receptors has been shown to vary considerably among healthy subjects. This variability might be due to genetic or environmental factors. In the present analysis we searched for relationships between dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2) polymorphisms and striatal dopamine D2 receptor density in vivo, as measured by positron emission tomography and [11C]raclopride in 56 healthy subjects. There was a significant association between presence of a putative functional DRD2 promoter allele (-141C Del) and high striatal dopamine receptor density (t= 2.32, P= 0.02). In agreement with some previous studies the presence of the DRD2 TaqIA1 allele was associated with measures of low dopamine receptor density (t=2.58, P=0.01). Also the DRD2 TaqIB1 allele was associated with low dopamine receptor density (t= 2.58, P= 0.01) wheras there was no significant relationship between another common silent intronic DRD2 short tandem repeat polymorphism (STRP) and striatal dopamine D2 receptor density. The results suggest that DRD2 genotypes may participate differentially in the regulation of striatal dopamine D2 receptor density in healthy human subjects. The results should be interpreted with caution because of the limited sample size.

Adult↗

Novel Hairless mutations in two kindreds with autosomal recessive papular atrichia.

Papular atrichia is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized clinically by the occurrence of universal congenital alopecia and disseminated papular lesions. Recently, mutations in the human hairless (HR) gene have been reported in Irish and Arab Palestinian families with papular atrichia. We have studied two further kindreds with this clinical phenotype from other ethnic backgrounds. For mutation detection the complete coding region as well as exon-intron boundaries of the HR gene were sequenced. The first family is a Mexican family with clinically typical papular atrichia. Sequencing identified a homozygous deletion of 4 bp in exon 7 (2001delCCAG) leading to a premature stop codon in exon 8. The second family is a South Tyrolian family with affected individuals showing papular atrichia and retardation of bone age during childhood. All affected individuals were identified as homozygous for an A-->G transition at nucleotide position 2909 (exon 14) leading to an amino acid change of asparagine to serine in codon 970 (Asn970Ser). These data provide further evidence for the involvement of hairless mutations in papular atrichia. In addition, these findings suggest that the hairless protein is not only involved in hair development but also in the process of ossification during development.

Adult↗

Excess of high activity monoamine oxidase A gene promoter alleles in female patients with panic disorder.

A genetic contribution to the pathogenesis of panic disorder has been demonstrated by clinical genetic studies. Molecular genetic studies have focused on candidate genes suggested by the molecular mechanisms implied in the action of drugs utilized for therapy or in challenge tests. One class of drugs effective in the treatment of panic disorder is represented by monoamine oxidase A inhibitors. Therefore, the monoamine oxidase A gene on chromosome X is a prime candidate gene. In the present study we investigated a novel repeat polymorphism in the promoter of the monoamine oxidase A gene for association with panic disorder in two independent samples (German sample, n = 80; Italian sample, n = 129). Two alleles (3 and 4 repeats) were most common and constituted >97% of the observed alleles. Functional characterization in a luciferase assay demonstrated that the longer alleles (3a, 4 and 5) were more active than allele 3. Among females of both the German and the Italian samples of panic disorder patients (combined, n = 209) the longer alleles (3a, 4 and 5) were significantly more frequent than among females of the corresponding control samples (combined, n = 190, chi2 = 10.27, df = 1, P = 0.001). Together with the observation that inhibition of monoamine oxidase A is clinically effective in the treatment of panic disorder these findings suggest that increased monoamine oxidase A activity is a risk factor for panic disorder in female patients.

Alleles↗

Cystic sebaceous tumors as marker lesions for the Muir-Torre syndrome: a histopathologic and molecular genetic study.

Cystic sebaceous tumors (CST) are well-circumscribed, large, deeply located dermal sebaceous proliferations with a cystic growth pattern. We identified 12 CST in 8 of 19 patients with Muir-Torre syndrome (MTS). We interpret CST as a tumor spectrum with clearly benign cystic sebaceous adenomas at one end and proliferative atypical cystic sebaceous tumors at the other. When examining these proliferative atypical tumors on morphologic criteria alone, the possibility of an evolving cystic sebaceous carcinoma cannot be excluded. We have not observed recurrences or metastases, indicating that these lesions are not highly malignant carcinomas. In 10 of 12 cases of CST, we examined microsatellite instability (MSI). All 10 examined examples of CST from patients with MTS showed MSI characteristic for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), which is caused by autosomal dominant inherited DNA mismatch repair (MMR) defects. Mutational analysis of the MMR genes hMSH2 and hMLH1 had revealed different germline mutations in the hMSH2 gene in three of six examined patients with MTS with CST. We then found four more CST in patients without a history of internal malignancy. All four CST exhibited MSI. By mutational analysis in one of these patients we identified a truncating germline mutation in the MMR gene hMLH1. We conclude that CST is a marker for the mismatch repair-deficient subtype of MTS with a high risk for later internal malignancies. By recognizing CST, the histopathologist can suggest the great likelihood of MTS to the clinician.

Adenoma↗

Microsatellite instability-a useful diagnostic tool to select patients at high risk for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer: a study in different groups of patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Clinical diagnosis of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is based on a typical family history. As molecular genetic testing is predominantly restricted to these families, gene carriers not meeting the clinical criteria may be missed. AIMS: To examine the value of microsatellite instability (MSI) as a tool to increase the likelihood for uncovering a mismatch repair germline mutation in patients with colorectal cancer and to identify a genotype-phenotype relation in families with verified mutations. METHODS: Systematic search for germline mutations (hMSH2 and hMLH1 genes) was performed in 96 patients: 57 fulfilled the Amsterdam criteria (group 1) and 12 the looser HNPCC criteria (group 2). Seventeen patients showed familial clustering of cancers (group 3) and 10 patients under 50 years had sporadic cancer (group 4), the latter of whom all exhibited MSI+ tumours. RESULTS: A similar proportion of germline mutations was found in patients who fulfilled the clinical criteria of HNPCC and had MSI+ tumours (groups 1 and 2; 15/39) compared with patients who did not meet these clinical criteria but who had MSI+ tumours (groups 3 and 4; 8/27 patients). Affected relatives of patients with hMLH1 mutations showed a significantly higher frequency of colorectal cancer but a lower frequency of endometrium cancer than those with hMSH2 mutations. CONCLUSIONS: MSI in tumour tissue is a useful criterion for selecting patients who should be tested for germline mutations in the mismatch repair genes hMSH2 and hMLH1 irrespective of their family history. Among carriers of hMSH2 mutations the tumour spectrum was broader than among carriers of hMLH1 mutations.

Adult↗

Modified ligand binding to the naturally occurring Cys-124 variant of the human serotonin 5-HT1B receptor.

A substitution of phenylalanine by cysteine in position 124 is the only known naturally occurring variant of the human 5-HT1B (h5-HT1B) receptor. The present study was designed to evaluate the potential influence of the Cys-124 variant on pharmacological properties of the receptor and to test for an involvement of the mutation in the genetic predisposition to schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder. Binding of [3H]5-carboxamidotryptamine ([3H]5-CT) and its competition with serotonin receptor agonists and antagonists were determined in COS-7 cells transfected with the wild-type or the variant h5-HT1B receptor cDNA. In saturation experiments with [3H]5-CT, the maximum binding (Bmax) of the variant receptor was approximately 30% of the wild-type receptor. In competition experiments with 1 nM [3H]5-CT, the following serotonin receptor ligands exhibited a two to three times higher affinity for the mutant than for the wild-type receptor: dihydroergotamine, L-694,247, SB-216641, 5-CT, 5-HT, sumatriptan, RU24969 and methysergide (compounds listed at decreasing order of potency at the wild-type receptor). In contrast, the serotonin receptor antagonist ketanserin exhibited higher binding affinity for the wild-type than for the mutant h5-HT1B receptor and GR127939, (-)propranolol and BRL-15572 showed equal affinity for both types of receptor. Mutation screening of schizophrenic and bipolar patients revealed no relationship between the variant receptor and development of disease. In conclusion, our data suggest that the Cys-124 variant significantly affects the pharmacological properties of the h5-HT1B receptor. Carriers of the variant may exhibit differences in response to drugs acting on the h5-HT1B receptor or may develop side-effects to such agents.

Animals↗

Frequent 4-bp deletion in exon 9 of the SMAD4/MADH4 gene in familial juvenile polyposis patients.

Familial juvenile polyposis (FJP) is a hamartomatous polyposis syndrome characterized by the appearance of juvenile polyps in the gastrointestinal tract. Patients with this syndrome are at an increased risk for cancer of the colon, stomach, and pancreas. Recently, germline mutations in the SMAD4/DPC4 gene (official symbol MADH4) have been found in the majority of patients suffering from FJP. We have examined 11 unrelated patients with FJP for MADH4 germline mutations by direct sequencing of genomic DNA encompassing all 11 exons of the gene. Besides a novel mutation (959-960delAC at codon 277, exon 6) in one patient, we observed a 4-bp deletion (1372-1375delACAG) in exon 9 in two unrelated patients. Examination with microsatellite markers flanking MADH4 supports an independent origin of the mutation in these two families. The same 4-bp deletion in exon 9 has previously been described in three out of nine patients examined for MADH4 mutations. Our results combined with these previous data demonstrate that a unique 4-bp deletion in exon 9 of MADH4 accounts for about 25% of all FJP cases and that other MADH4 mutations occur in an additional 15% of patients. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 25:403-406, 1999.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

hSKCa3: no association of the polymorphic CAG repeat with bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia.

hSKCa3 is a neuronal small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel, which contains a polyglutamine tract, encoded by a polymorphic CAG repeat in the gene. Since an association between longer alleles of this CAG repeat and bipolar disorder or schizophrenia has been reported, we genotyped the polymorphic CAG repeat in 91 German family trios of patients with bipolar disorder I and used the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) to test for association. Applying a dichotomized model (< or = 19 or > 19 CAG triplets), we found no evidence for an association of longer alleles with bipolar disorder (TDT = 0.75, P = 0.386). Regarding the whole range of alleles, there was no preference in transmitting the larger of the two observed alleles from parents to the affected offspring. In parallel we performed an independent case-control study on German patients with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Again we did not detect an overrepresentation of longer CAG repeats in patients. Thus, our data do not support the hypothesis that longer CAG repeats in the hSkCa3 gene contribute to the susceptibility for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Adult↗

Genetic variation in human 5-HT receptors: potential pathogenetic and pharmacological role.

Mutation screening identified variants of h5-HT1A (Gly-22-Ser, Ile-28-Val, Arg-219-Leu), h5-HT1B (Phe-124-Cys), h5-HT2A (Thr-25-Asn, His-452-Tyr), h5-HT2C (Cys-23-Ser) and h5-HT7 (Thr-92-Lys, Pro-279-Leu) receptors. Screening of h5-HT1D, h5-ht1e, h5-ht1f and h5-ht5 receptor genes failed to detect any significant mutations. No differences in radioligand binding properties were observed between the h5-HT1A Ile-28-Val variant receptor (VR) and the wildtype receptor (WTR). Binding profiles of the h5-HT1A Gly-22-Val variant and the WTR were also very similar, but the 8-OH-DPAT-induced down-regulation and desensitization of the VR was attenuated. The h5-HT1B Phe-124-Cys variant leads to considerable changes in [3H]5-carboxamidotryptamine binding: Bmax was decreased and the affinity of various h5-HT1B ligands was modified (usually increased; e.g., in the case of sumatriptan). The h5-HT2A His-452-Tyr variant causes an alteration of the amplitude and timing of intracellular calcium mobilization in platelets from 452-His/452-Tyr heterozygous compared to 452-His/452-His homozygous individuals. Most, but not all, of the VRs listed above were examined for association with, e.g., bipolar depression and schizophrenia, yet no relation was observed. The most consistent finding was an association between a silent mutation (102T/C) in the h5-HT2A receptor gene and schizophrenia; this association may be explained by linkage disequilibrium with a functional variant in the regulatory region of the gene. Studies of the therapeutic response to clozapine produced no homogeneous results with respect to the pharmacogenetic significance of the various mutations in the h5-HT2A and h5-HT2C receptor genes.

Bipolar Disorder↗

[Germline mutation analysis in hMLH 1 and hMSH 2 genes in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer patients with familial history].

OBJECTIVE: Analysis for germline mutation in mismatch repair genes, hMLH1 and hMSH2, in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) patients and presymptomatic diagnosis in HNPCC families. METHODS: Genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood were subjected to mutation analysis in 35 exons of the hMLH1 and hMSH2 genes by heteroduplex and single strand conformation polymorphism(SSCP) followed by DNA sequencing of aberrant bands in 14 HNPCC and 10 colorectal cancer patients with familial history. RESULTS: Germline mutations were identified in 4/14 HNPCC patients and in 1/10 colorectal cancer patients with familial history, 2 of them in the hMLH1 and 3 in hMSH2 genes. The five mutations are all unique and are predicted to result in nonfunctional proteins by either frameshift (three), nonsense (one) or missense mutation (one) in evolutionarily conserved region. CONCLUSION: HNPPC is closely related to the mutations of mismatch repair genes. Germline mutation analysis for presymptomatic diagnosis in HNPCC could not be limited in the patients meeting clinical diagnosis criteria (Amsterdam 1991).

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

[Val384Asp in hMLH1 gene in Chinese, Japanese and German and its etiological role in colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate Va1384Asp of hMLH1 gene in Chinese, Japanese and German after the missense mutation were identified in Chinese colorectal cancer patients and to inquire into the etiological role of this mutation in colorectal cancer. METHODS: Genomic DNA extracted from normal colon tissue or peripheral blood were subjected to analysis in exon 12 of the hMLH1 gene by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) followed by DNA sequencing of aberrant bands in 26 Chinese and 109 German colorectal cancer patients and in 80 healthy Chinese, 80 Japanese and 100 German individuals . RESULTS: Va1384Asp in hMLH1 gene was found in 4 out of 26 Chinese colorectal patients; 3 of them were out of the 9 patients with colorectal cancer at young age (<50 years). Although 3 and 4 carriers of Va1384Asp in hMLH1 gene were identified in 80 healthy Chinese and 80 healthy Japanese individuals respectively, none were identified in German neither in 109 colorectal cancer patients, nor in 100 healthy German individuals. The frequency of Va1384Asp in hMLH1 gene in the Chinese with colorectal cancer at young age was higher than that in Chinese healthy individuals (P=0.013). CONCLUSION: Va1384Asp can be taken as a polymorphism in hMLH1 gene in Chinese and Japanese populations and may have a potential effect on age at onset of colorectal cancer.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Patterns of parental transmission and familial aggregation models in bipolar affective disorder.

Two recent studies [McMahon et al., 1995: Am J Hum Genet 56:1277-1286; Gershon et al., 1996: Am J Med Genet (Neuropsychiatr Genet) 67:202-207] reported an excess of maternal transmission in bipolar affective disorder in multiply affected families. In a sample of 130 families ascertained through a bipolar proband without regard to psychiatric family history we analysed the frequency of maternal (MAT) and paternal (PAT) transmissions, the morbid risk (MR) in relatives of transmitting mothers and fathers and the inheritance patterns in families with MAT vs. PAT transmission of the disease. In the total sample of 130 families we identified 39 families where the disease was transmitted from the paternal side (PAT families) and 35 families where the disease was transmitted from the maternal side (MAT families). Counting PAT and MAT transmissions in these unilineal families we found nearly equal numbers for both transmission types under a narrow (BP: bipolar disorder, schizoaffective-bipolar type disorder) and a broad definition (AFF: BP, recurrent unipolar depression) of the phenotype. The MRs for narrow and broad phenotypes were not significantly different in any type of PAT relative in PAT families vs. MAT relatives in MAT families. However, in PAT families there were two times more affected females than males with both disease models, while in MAT families there was no MR difference by relatives' sex. The transmission of BP was compatible with the Mendelian major gene model in PAT families and with the multifactorial model in MAT families. Extension of the relatives' phenotype led to borderline non-Mendelian major effects in PAT families and reproduced the multifactorial model in MAT families.

Bipolar Disorder↗

Polymorphic imprinting of the serotonin-2A (5-HT2A) receptor gene in human adult brain.

We have examined the imprinting status of the serotonin-2A (5-HT2A) receptor gene (HTR2A) in a series of 41 tissue samples from human adult brain. Using a HpaII RFLP polymorphism in the coding region, we obtained evidence of monoallelic expression of HTR2A in 4 out of 18 informative individuals. However, biallelic expression of HTR2A was observed in other individuals (14/18), suggesting that within the human population HTR2A imprinting in brain is polymorphic.

Alleles↗

Polymorphisms in the dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transporter genes and their relationships to monoamine metabolite concentrations in CSF of healthy volunteers.

Concentrations of monoamine metabolites (MM) in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been used extensively as indirect estimates of monoamine turnover in the brain. We investigated the possible relationships between DNA polymorphisms in the dopamine transporter (DAT), serotonin transporter (SERT), and norepinephrine transporter (NET) genes and CSF concentrations of homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in healthy volunteers (n = 66). The DAT polymorphism was not significantly associated with any of the monoamine metabolites, but a tendency for relationship with 5-HIAA was found in women. For both of the two SERT polymorphisms investigated, a functional promoter polymorphism and an intronic polymorphism without known function, significant relationships were found with CSF MHPG levels. No relationship was found between the SERT polymorphisms and CSF HVA and 5-HIAA. The NET polymorphism was associated with CSF MHPG levels but not HVA and 5-HIAA concentrations. The results suggest that SERT and NET genotypes may participate differentially in the regulation of the norepinephrine turnover rate under presumed steady-state conditions in the central nervous system. As only limited data so far indicate interactions between the serotonin and norepinephrine systems in the brain, and the NET polymorphism investigated is not known to be of functional significance, the results should be interpreted with caution until replicated.

Adult↗

Adenosine A1 receptor and bipolar affective disorder: systematic screening of the gene and association studies.

In the present study we sought to identify genetic variation in the adenosine A1 receptor (A1AR) gene on chromosome 1q31-32.1, which through alteration of protein function or level of expression might contribute to the genetic predisposition to bipolar affective disorder. We performed a systematic mutation scan of the whole coding sequence as well as 5' and 3' untranslated regions by means of single-strand conformation analysis. The region upstream to the coding sequence we investigated contains two functional promoters. Screening 42 patients with bipolar affective disorder, we detected 11 DNA sequence variants (48T/A, 267 + 275C/T, 805T/G, 1777C/A, 1827C/T, 1904C/T, 2126G/T, 2294insT, 2776C/T, 2777del36, 2819T/G). Determining the frequency of these variants in 42 anonymous blood donors, we observed a non-significant (P < 0.06) trend towards an underrepresentation of the 2126T variant in patients when compared to controls. On the other hand, the 2777del36 and the 2819G variant were not found among the controls. These findings were followed up in a large independent replication sample. However, we were not able to confirm the initial findings in the second sample. Our data suggest that genetically determined variation of the A1AR and its two promoters do not play a major role in the development of bipolar affective disorder.

Base Sequence↗

A potassium channel mutation in neonatal human epilepsy.

Benign familial neonatal convulsions (BFNC) is an autosomal dominant epilepsy of infancy, with loci mapped to human chromosomes 20q13.3 and 8q24. By positional cloning, a potassium channel gene (KCNQ2) located on 20q13.3 was isolated and found to be expressed in brain. Expression of KCNQ2 in frog (Xenopus laevis) oocytes led to potassium-selective currents that activated slowly with depolarization. In a large pedigree with BFNC, a five-base pair insertion would delete more than 300 amino acids from the KCNQ2 carboxyl terminus. Expression of the mutant channel did not yield measurable currents. Thus, impairment of potassium-dependent repolarization is likely to cause this age-specific epileptic syndrome.

Action Potentials↗