Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “monogenic”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources

A nonsense mutation in the exon 2 of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A lyase (HL) gene producing three mature mRNAs is the main cause of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric aciduria in European Mediterranean patients.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaric aciduria is a rare recessive monogenic disorder that affects ketogenesis and the catabolism of L-leucine. We report the biochemical and molecular characterization of a mutation in the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A lyase gene in four new probands, three Spanish and one Turkish, affected by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric aciduria, all homozygous for the nonsense mutation Glu37Ter, which was reported by our group in two probands of Portuguese and Moroccan origin (15). In addition to the aberrant mRNAs found in the two previous probands, a novel species of mature HL mRNA was observed in the patients studied here, since a new cDNA, skipped in exons 2 and 3, was obtained from the mRNAs by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Thus, three mRNA species were produced in aberrant splicings as a result of this nonsense mutation: (i) one of the expected size that contains the premature stop codon UAA, (ii) another with a deletion of 84 bp corresponding to the whole of exon 2, and (iii) a new species found now, with a deletion of 192 bp corresponding to skipping of the whole of exons 2 and 3, whose translation product led to the loss of seven amino acids in the leader peptide and 57 amino acids in the terminal domain of the mature enzyme. The association of a nonsense mutation with the skipping of the exon that contains it, plus the following exon, is an unusual finding not seen previously in HL deficiencies. The mutation described here shows the highest incidence (> 37%) of total HL deficiencies reported.

Child, Preschool↗

Human insulin gene is a target gene of hepatocyte nuclear factor-1alpha (HNF-1alpha) and HNF-1beta.

Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a monogenic form of diabetes characterized by autosomal dominant inheritance, early-onset, and impaired insulin secretion. The type 3 and type 5 forms of MODY result from mutations in the genes encoding the transcription factor, hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-1alpha and HNF-1beta, respectively. The mechanism by which mutations in one allele of the HNF-1 gene impair pancreatic beta cell function is unclear. We studied the effects of wild-type and four mutant (L12H, R263C, P379fsdelCT, and L584S585fsinsTC) HNF-1alpha, which were identified in Japanese subjects with MODY3 on human insulin gene transcription. Both wild-type (WT) HNF-1alpha and HNF-1beta bound to the oligonucleotide containing the A3 element sequence in the human insulin promoter and transactivated the insulin-luciferase reporter gene by 30- and 31-fold, respectively. In contrast, binding of L12H, R263C and L584S585fsinsTC-HNF-1alpha to the probe was impaired. Transactivation activity by the four mutant HNF-1alpha was reduced (4.3 to 43.3% of WT). These data suggest that the insulin gene is a candidate target gene of HNF-1alpha/HNF-1beta and the impairment of insulin gene transcription by mutations in the HNF-1 gene might be involved in the pathogenesis of MODY.

Animals↗

Venation pattern formation in Arabidopsis thaliana vegetative leaves.

Branching net-like structures are a trait common to most multicellular organisms. However, our knowledge is still poor when it comes to the genetic operations at work in pattern formation of complex network structures such as the vasculature of plants and animals. In order to initiate a causal analysis of venation pattern formation in dicotyledonous plant leaves, we have first studied its developmental profile in vegetative leaves of a wild-type strain of the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana. As landmarks of the complexity of the venation pattern, we have defined three main developmental parameters, which have been quantitatively followed in time: the ratios of (a) the length and (b) the number of branchpoints of the vein network with the surface of the lamina, which decrease in parallel as the leaf grows, only small differences existing between successive leaves, and (c) the number of hydathodes per leaf, which increases both during leaf expansion and from juvenile to adult rosette leaves. We next searched for natural variations in the first vegetative leaves of 266 ecotypes, finding only 2 which showed a venation pattern unequivocally different from that of the rest, Ba-1 and Ei-5, the latter displaying an extremely simple pattern that we have called Hemivenata. This phenotype, which is inherited as a monogenic recessive trait, is visible both in leaves and in cotyledons and seems to arise from a perturbation in an early acting patterning mechanism. Finally, we have screened for mutants with abnormal venation pattern but normally shaped leaves, concluding that such a phenotype is rare, since only one recessive mutation was obtained, extrahydathodes, characterized by the presence of an increased number of hydathodes per leaf.

Arabidopsis↗

Coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolemia, and atherosclerosis. II. Misrepresented data.

Early development of the hypercholesterolemic/lipid hypothesis of atherosclerosis was based on false premises including fallacious national mortality rates and misrepresentation of the vascular lesions in cholesterol-overfed animals and monogenic hypercholesterolemias (MH). Nonspecific coronary heart disease (CHD) was inappropriately used as a surrogate of atherosclerosis, unmeasured and unseen. Causality was assumed and implied by classifying statistical correlates of CHD as atherogenic risk factors. These faults were compounded by methodological errors, pooling of all causes of CHD, a large clinical diagnostic error, biased age selection of cohorts leading to confounding by age and MH, and emphasis on population and cohort mean values which conceal heterogeneity within cohorts and are inapplicable to individuals. Overzealous investigators neglected to review the premises and relevant pathology on which the hypothesis was based or to reconcile valid criticisms, inconsistencies, and invalidation of CHD epidemiology by pathological, experimental, and iatrogenic evidence. Statistical data, pertaining to CHD but with no scientific applicability to atherosclerosis, progressively imparted to readers a misleading perception of the relationship of serum cholesterol to CHD. Concurrently the statistical serum cholesterol range was unjustifiably abandoned. The evidence establishes that the lipid hypothesis of atherosclerosis lacks scientific basis.

Adult↗

The "campus syndrome" in pigs: neurological, neurophysiological, and neuropharmacological characterization of a new genetic animal model of high-frequency tremor.

Inherited neurological diseases in animals are of interest to a wide range of scientific disciplines, particularly because such animals may be suited as genetic animal models for respective human disorders. Because the pig has a number of anatomic and physiologic features similar to those of human beings, this species is becoming increasingly popular in biomedical research. The usefulness of pigs as genetic models of neurological diseases is illustrated by the porcine model of malignant hyperthermia (MH), i.e., a frequently fatal myopathic disease in both pigs and humans. In the present study, we describe a new hereditary movement disorder in Pietrain pigs, which may represent a useful genetic animal model of high-frequency tremor. Because the disorder was first detected in the offspring of a boar named "Campus," we use the term "Campus syndrome" in this respect. Segregation analysis of breeding studies indicates that the syndrome is inherited as a monogenic dominant trait. DNA-based testing of the mutation involved in MH myopathy showed that expression of the Campus syndrome in pigs is not dependent on homozygosity for the MH mutation. In affected pigs, the Campus syndrome develops at an average age of 27 days. The syndrome is characterized by muscular weakness and a very intense tremor of the legs when standing and walking but not when at rest in a lying position. The intensity of tremor and muscular weakness progressively increases with age, resulting in pronounced postural instability. Despite these neurological abnormalities, body weight gain in affected pigs does not differ from that in unaffected siblings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

DUMPS cattle carry a point mutation in the uridine monophosphate synthase gene.

Deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase (DUMPS) is a monogenic autosomal recessive disorder in cattle, resulting in early embryonic death of homozygous offspring. To identify the mutation responsible for DUMPS, liver RNA from identified, DUMPS heterozygous animals from the Holstein and Red Holstein breeds was reverse transcribed. Amplification of cDNA with sequence-specific primers and subsequent sequencing of the PCR products revealed a mutation (C-->T) with the loss of an AvaI site at codon 405, resulting in a premature stop codon with a truncated C-terminal catalytic subunit of the protein. A direct DNA test based on PCR was developed and subsequently tested on 102 animals. Complete concurrence of deficiency of UMPS and the presence of the described point mutation in heterozygous animals was observed, thus confirming this point mutation as the basic defect in DUMPS cattle.

Animals↗

Cloning of a novel homeobox-containing gene, PKNOX1, and mapping to human chromosome 21q22.3.

To contribute to the development of the transcript map of human chromosome 21 and to the understanding of the pathogenesis of Down syndrome, we have used exon trapping to identify portions of genes from pools of HC21-specific cosmids. More than 550 potential exons have been isolated to date. One such trapped exon, hmc37a09 (GenBank Accession No. X88106), was identical to a region of a human EST, L12425 (GenBank Accession No. D31072). Its predicted amino acid sequence was homologous to the homeodomain region of homeobox-containing genes. Using the trapped sequence and the EST as probes to screen human fetal brain and kidney cDNA libraries, we have cloned the corresponding full-length cDNA. This novel gene encodes a homeodomain-containing polypeptide of 436 amino acids. The most closely related sequence is that of the mouse Meis1, a PBX-like homeobox gene. The homeodomain of the novel gene is closely related to those of the mammalian PBX family and the plant Knotted1 family (involved in plant development). This gene is named PKNOX1 by the Human Nomenclature Committee. By PCR amplification, hybridization, and genetic linkage analysis using a (GT)n polymorphism in the 3'UTR, we have precisely localized PKNOX1 to chromosome 21q22.3 between markers D21S212 and D21S25 on YAC350F7. PKNOX1 is expressed in many human tissues tested by Northern blot analysis. The involvement of the PKNOX1 gene in Down syndrome and/or monogenic disorders associated with dysfunction of this gene is presently unknown. Targeted disruption of the PKNOX1 homolog in mice will enhance our understanding of its biological function in normal mammalian development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning of the TMPRSS2 gene, which encodes a novel serine protease with transmembrane, LDLRA, and SRCR domains and maps to 21q22.3.

To contribute to the development of the transcription map of human chromosome 21 (HC21), we have used exon trapping from pools of HC21-specific cosmids. Using selected trapped exons, we have identified a novel gene (named TMPRSS2) that encodes a multimeric protein with a serine protease domain. The TMPRSS2 3.8-kb mRNA is expressed strongly in small intestine and weakly in several other tissues. The full-length cDNA encodes a predicted protein of 492 amino acids that contains the following domains: (i) A serine protease domain (aa 255-492) of the S1 family that probably cleaves at Arg or Lys residues. (ii) An SRCR (scavenger receptor cysteine-rich) domain (aa 149-242) of group A (6 conserved Cys). This type of domain is involved in the binding to other cell surface or extracellular molecules. (iii) An LDLRA (LDL receptor class A) domain (aa 113-148). This type of domain forms a binding site for calcium. (iv) A predicted transmembrane domain (aa 84-106). No typical signal peptide was recognized. The gene was mapped to 21q22.3 between markers ERG and D21S56 in the same P1 as MX1. The physiological role of TMPRSS2 and its involvement in trisomy 21 phenotypes or monogenic disorders that map to HC21 are unknown.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Two isoforms of a human intersectin (ITSN) protein are produced by brain-specific alternative splicing in a stop codon.

Using selected trapped exons with homology to specific protein domains, we identified a new full-length cDNA encoding a protein containing many motifs for protein-protein interactions. There are two major mRNA transcripts, a ubiquitously expressed mRNA of 5.3 kb and a brain-specific transcript of approximately 15 kb, encoding proteins of 1220 and 1721 amino acids, respectively. The stop codon of the ORF of the shorter transcript is split between adjacent exons. In brain tissues the last exon of the short transcript is skipped, and an alternative downstream exon, the first of several additional, is used to produce the 15-kb mRNA. The putative human protein is highly homologous to Xenopus intersectin (81% identical) and to Drosophila dynamin-associated protein, Dap160 (31% identical) and was termed intersectin (ITSN). Both human proteins contain five SH3 (Src homology 3) domains, two EH (Eps15 homology) domains, and an alpha-helix-forming region. The brain-specific long transcript encodes for three additional domains: a GEF (guanine-nucleotide exchange factors), a PH (pleckstrin homology), and a C2 domain. The Drosophila homologue is associated with dynamin, a protein family involved in the endocytic pathway and/or synaptic vesicle recycling. The structure of the human ITSN protein is consistent with its involvement in membrane-associated molecular trafficking and signal transduction pathways. The human ITSN gene has been mapped to 21q22. 1-q22.2 between markers D21S319 and D21S65, and its importance in Down syndrome and monogenic disorders is currently unknown.

Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport↗

Recombinant congenic strains derived from A/J and C57BL/6J: a tool for genetic dissection of complex traits.

Complex genetic traits can be dissected in mice, using well-defined sets of recombinant inbred strains, congenic strains, and recombinant congenic strains (RCS). We report the creation of a series of 37 independent RCS derived from the commonly used inbred strains of laboratory mouse A/J (A) and C57BL/6J (B6). These RCS were derived by systematic inbreeding of independent pairs of animals from a (F1 x A) x A and a (F1 x B) x B double backcross (N3), to create AcB and BcA strains, respectively. Fifteen AcB strains and 22 BcA strains at between 18 and 30 generations of inbreeding have been generated, are healthy, and show stable breeding performance. These strains have been genotyped for a total of 625 informative microsatellite DNA markers covering the entire genome, with an average spacing of 2.6 cM. Haplotype analyses indicate that on average, AcB and BcA strains contain 13.25% of the donor genome, a value close to the 12.5% expected from the breeding scheme used in their creation. In the AcB set, approximately 79% of the B6 genome has been transferred in independent strains, while in the BcA set approximately 84% of the A genome is represented on the B6 background. This represents an excellent coverage of congenic segments from both parental genomes in the two sets of strains, which can now be used to map simple and complex traits in a genome-wide fashion. As an example of the power of AcB/BcA strains as a mapping tool, the 37 strains were typed for susceptibility to infection with Legionella pneumophila, a monogenic trait controlled by the Lgn1 locus on Chromosome 13. Analysis of the strain distribution pattern of L. pneumophila susceptibility allowed direct mapping of Lgn1 to a 3-cM interval. The AcB/BcA set should prove a useful tool with which to investigate the complex genetic basis of known interstrain differences between A and B6 for many important diseases.

Animals↗

Homozygotes for a R869G mutation in the beta -myosin heavy chain gene have a severe form of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

UNLABELLED: Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (FHC) is an autosomal dominant disease characterised by ventricular hypertrophy, with predominant involvement of the interventricular septum. It is a monogenic disease with a high level of genetic heterogeneity (nine genes and more than 110 mutations reported so far). We describe a family with a new R869G mutation in the beta -myosin heavy chain gene (MYH7). This mutation was found in the heterozygous status in both parents and in the homozygous status in the two children. A haplotype analysis on the MYH7 locus with microsatellite markers showed that the same haplotype is transmitted within the family, suggesting a founder effect. Clinically, the father was asymptomatic with mild left ventricular hypertrophy on echocardiography. The mother had a mild form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and remained asymptomatic until 60 years old when an atrial fibrillation occurred. For the two children, clinical diagnosis was performed at 12 and 8 years and atrial fibrillation occurred at 17 years. For both children, the evolution was characterized by left ventricle (LV) systolic dysfunction and a severe dilatation of the left atrium before 40 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: In this family, a new R869G mutation in the MYH7 gene was found. Interestingly, a mutation was found at the homozygous status for the first time in FHC. This finding suggests that this particular mutation is compatible with life, but for homozygous subjects, age at onset of symptoms was earlier and the disease much more severe than in the heterozygous subjects, suggesting a gene-dose effect.

Adult↗

Identification of Disease Genes in Genetic Isolates

Genetic isolates represent exceptional resources in the identification of disease loci. Not only have specific monogenic diseases become enriched and families frequent enough to be utilized in linkage analyses, but also the vast majority of patients carry the same mutation and share identical chromosomal haplotypes at significant distances. Additionally, regional isolates often reveal an increased prevalence of common polygenic diseases, and a hypothesis that selected predisposing genes can be efficiently identified due to a restricted number of ancestor mutations seems relevant. The current genome map with highly informative markers provides the basic tools for a genome-wide random search of disease loci. Special strategies including maximal utilization of linkage disequilibrium and scanning for shared chromosomal regions can be adapted in isolated populations, and this should greatly enhance the efficiency of locus identification even in complex human diseases.

Journal Article↗

Two novel low-density lipoprotein receptor gene mutations (E397X and 347delGCC) in St. Petersburg familial hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a monogenic disease known to be caused by low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene mutations, results in the development of premature atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease in affected individuals. The spectrum of LDLR gene mutations in Russia is poorly known. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, followed by DNA sequencing, we have screened selected exons of the LDLR gene in 80 unrelated St. Petersburg FH patients for the presence of mutations. Two new LDLR gene mutations, 347delGCC and E397X, were characterized among individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia in St. Petersburg. The carriers of both mutations possessed highly elevated blood serum cholesterol. Cosegregation of E397X mutation and LDLR gene RFLP haplotypes with hyperlipidemia was demonstrated by family study. Both mutations seem to be specific to Slavic patients.

Adult↗

Characterization of phenylketonuria missense substitutions, distant from the phenylalanine hydroxylase active site, illustrates a paradigm for mechanism and potential modulation of phenotype.

Missense mutations account for 48% of all reported human disease-causing alleles. Since few are predicted to ablate directly an enzyme's catalytic site or other functionally important amino acid residues, how do most missense mutations cause loss of function and lead to disease? The classic monogenic phenotype hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA), manifesting notably as phenylketonuria (PKU), where missense mutations in the PAH gene compose 60% of the alleles impairing phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) function, allows us to examine this question. Here we characterize four PKU-associated PAH mutations (F39L, K42I, L48S, I65T), each changing an amino acid distant from the enzyme active site. Using three complementary in vitro protein expression systems, and 3D-structural localization, we demonstrate a common mechanism. PAH protein folding is affected, causing altered oligomerization and accelerated proteolytic degradation, leading to reduced cellular levels of this cytosolic protein. Enzyme specific activity and kinetic properties are not adversely affected, implying that the only way these mutations reduce enzyme activity within cells in vivo is by producing structural changes which provoke the cell to destroy the aberrant protein. The F39L, L48S, and I65T PAH mutations were selected because each is associated with a spectrum of in vivo HPA among patients. Our in vitro data suggest that interindividual differences in cellular handling of the mutant, but active, PAH proteins will contribute to the observed variability of phenotypic severity. PKU thus supports a newly emerging paradigm both for mechanism whereby missense mutations cause genetic disease and for potential modulation of a disease phenotype.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Adaptive multiscale ultrasound compounding using phase information.

The recent availability of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography offers a convenient, low-cost alternative for detection and diagnosis of heart pathologies. However, a complete description of the heart can be obtained only by combining the information provided by different acoustic windows. We present a new method for compounding 3D ultrasound scans acquired from different views. The method uses multiscale information about ocal structure definition and orientation to weight the contributions of the images. We propose to use image phase to obtain these image characteristics while keeping invariance to image contrast. The monogenic signal provides a convenient, integrated approach for this purpose. We have evaluated our algorithm on synthetic images and heart scans from volunteers, showing it provides a significant improvement in image quality when compared to traditional compounding methods.

Algorithms↗

New therapeutics for the treatment of glycosphingolipid lysosomal storage diseases.

Glycosphingolipid lysosomal storage diseases are a small but challenging group of human disorders to treat. Although these appear to be monogenic disorders where the catalytic activity of enzymes in glycosphingolipid catabolism is impaired, the presentation and severity of disease is heterogeneous. Treatment is often restricted to palliative care, but in some disorders enzyme replacement does offer a significant clinical improvement of disease severity. An alternative therapeutic approach termed "substrate deprivation" or "substrate reduction therapy" (SRT) aims to reduce cellular glycosphingolipid biosynthesis to match the impairment in catalytic activity seen in lysosomal storage disorders. N-Alkylated imino sugars are nitrogen containing polyhydroxylated heterocycles that have inhibitory activity against the first enzyme in the pathway for glucosylating sphingolipid in eukaryotic cells, ceramide-specific glucosyltransferase. The use of N-alkylated imino sugars to establish SRT as an alternative therapeutic strategy is described in cell culture and gene knockout mouse disease models. One imino sugar, N-butyl-DNJ (NB-DNJ) has been used in clinical trials for type 1 Gaucher disease and has shown to be an effective and safe therapy for this disorder. The results of these trials and the prospects of improvement to the design of imino sugar compounds for treating Gaucher and other glycosphingolipid lysosomal storage disorders will be discussed.

1-Deoxynojirimycin↗

Genetic causes of Parkinson's disease: extending the pathway.

The functional characterization of identified disease genes in monogenic forms of Parkinson's disease (PD) allows first insights into molecular pathways leading to neurodegeneration and dysfunction of the nigrostriatal system. There is increasing evidence that disturbance of the ubiquitin proteasome pathway is one important feature of this process underscoring the relevance of protein misfolding and accumulation in the neurodegenerative process of PD. Other genes are involved in mitochondrial homeostasis and still others link newly identified signalling pathways to the established paradigm of oxidative stress in PD. Additional factors are posttranslational modifications of key proteins such as phosphorylation. Also, molecular data support the role of altered iron metabolism in PD. Here we describe known genes and novel genetic susceptibility factors and define their role in neurodegeneration.

Animals↗

Molecular mechanisms of nigral neurodegeneration in Park2 and regulation of parkin protein by other proteins.

Most of the patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are sporadic. However, Since identification of monogenic forms of PD, the contribution of genetic factors to the pathogenesis of sporadic PD is proposed as one of major risk factors. Indeed, this is supported by the demonstration of the high concordance in twins, increased risk among relatives of PD patients in case control and family studies. Thus, the functional analysis for the gene products for familial PD provides us a good hint to elucidate the pathogenesis of nigral degeneration. For example, although alpha-synuclein is involved in a rare dominant form of familial PD with dopa responsive parkinsonian features, this molecule is a major component of and Lewy bodies (LBs). In contrast, Park2 (parkin-related disease) is the most frequent form among patients with young-onset PD. However, Park2 brains generally lack the formation of LBs. In the other word, parkin responsible for Park2 is essential for the formation of LBs. Thus, both alpha-synuclein and parkin are speculated to share a common pathway. Here, we reviewed the parkin function and molecular mechanisms of Park2.

Gene Expression Regulation↗