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Myeloma with xanthoderma due to an IgG lambdamonoclonal anti-flavin antibody.

When yellow skin and yellow hair developed in an elderly patient with multiple myeloma, we ruled out the usual causes of such pigmentation but identified a monoclonal IgGlambda (lgGGar) with anti-flavin antibody activity. Purified IgGGar was bright yellow, and the acid-dissociated chromophore was identified as riboflavin by chromatography and absorption spectroscopy. Native IgGGar contained 1.45 moles of flavin per mole of IgG, and increased to 2 moles with addition of riboflavin to saturation. The flavin was localized to the Fab fragment and was bound to IgGGar with high affinity. IgGGar showed strongest affinities for riboflavin, flavin mononucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide, and lower affinities for dinitrophenyl derivatives and naphthoquinone. The demonstration of hapten bound to the circulating monoclonal immunoglobulin in this case suggests the possibility of bound but colorless haptens on other myeloma proteins as well as on normal immunoglobulins.

Aged↗

Newly described weathering pattern in pili annulati hair shafts: a scanning electron microscopic study.

Certain scalp hair shafts from 2 of 10 cases of pili annulati examined by scanning electron microscopy exhibited an unusual weathering pattern. The majority of affected hair shafts showed minor surface abnormalities at regular intervals (nodes) associated with the underlying spaces. However, in a few examples, there was marked damage to the cuticle at the nodes exposing the underlying cortex; in severe cases there was cracking of both cuticle and cortex. These damaged nodes were also associated with trichorrhexis nodosa-like breaks of the hair shaft. This study shows that the nodes in pili annulati may have some inherent weakness that could result in breaks in the hair shaft exposed to physical trauma.

Hair↗

Persistent depigmented regrowth after alopecia areata.

We report a case of persistent depigmented hair regrowth from the site of a patch of alopecia areata. It is well known that hair may regrow unpigmented from a site of alopecia areata; however, it was previously thought that this was temporary, lasting no longer than the first hair cycle.

Adolescent↗

Pigmented spots in the wool-bearing skin on white merino sheep induced by ultraviolet light.

Black-grey pigmented skin spots, some of which contained pigmented wool fibres, were observed in a flock of 8.5-year-old white Merino ewes. The spots were concentrated along the backline and increased in number following shearing, suggesting exposure to sunlight to be of importance in the development of these non-congenital pigmented skin spots in genetically white Merino sheep. To test the effect of ultraviolet light, white Merino sheep, ranging in age from 3 to 8 years, had a closely clipped midside area of wool-bearing skin irradiated on each of 28 consecutive days. Pigmented skin spots developed in 6 of the 16 white Merino sheep irradiated. Spots first appeared after 10 days of irradiation, the number subsequently increasing with time, and two skin spots were found to contain sparse numbers of black-grey pigmented wool fibres. Histological examination showed both the naturally occurring and irradiation-induced pigmented skin spots resulted from an increase in both number and activity of melanocytes localized along the epidermal-dermal border of the epidermis. With time, the melanocytes were observed to have entered, to varying depths, the outer-root sheath of follicles still producing white wool fibres. These ultraviolet-light-induced changes to epidermal melanocytes in white Merino sheep presumably occur due to alterations within the local tissue environment in which the melanocytes lie.

Aging↗

A cDNA encoding tyrosinase-related protein maps to the brown locus in mouse.

A mouse melanoma cDNA clone was isolated by virtue of its reactivity with two antisera raised against tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) from two species, hamster and mouse. The cDNA (5A) cross-hybridizes with another, pMT4 [Shibahara, S., Tomita, V., Sakakura, T., Nager, C., Bhabatosh, C. & Muller, R. (1986) Nucleic Acids Res. 14, 2413-2427], previously thought to encode mouse tyrosinase. Two other cDNAs, one human and one mouse, have been reported recently [Kwon, B. S., Haq, A. K., Pomerantz, S. H. & Halaban, R. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84, 7473-7477; and Yamamoto, H., Takeuchi, S., Kudo, T., Makino, K., Nakata, A., Shinoda, T. & Takeuchi, T. (1987) Jpn. J. Genet. 62, 271-277] as candidates for tyrosinase, and they map at or very close to the mouse albino (c) locus. The proteins they encode are very similar to each other but are distinct from (although related to) the pMT4-encoded protein. Here I use recombinant inbred strains to localize pMT4 at or close to the mouse brown (b) locus. I suggest that the gene mapping to c is the authentic tyrosinase gene, whereas that mapping to b encodes a tyrosinase-related protein. All b mutations in laboratory strains are associated with the same diagnostic Taq I fragment, suggesting that all derive from the same original mutation. I discuss possible function(s) of the tyrosinase-related protein.

Animals↗

High frequency of mosaic mutants produced by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea exposure of mouse zygotes.

Mouse zygotes containing one multiple-recessive parental genome (a, b; p cch; d se; s) and the corresponding wild-type alleles in the other were exposed to N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) at various stages in vivo. At weaning age, the resulting mice were examined for mutations at the marked loci as well as at others producing externally visible phenotypes. Because of viability problems in one of two reciprocal crosses, the bulk of the mutagenesis data are derived from the cross that detects recessive mutations in the maternal genome. The mutation rate was approximately 8 times higher in groups treated 2.5-3 hr postmating (sperm entry, completion of second meiotic division) than in those injected 5-6 hr postmating (pronuclear formation). In the former more sensitive zygote population, the mutation rate is about an order of magnitude greater than that induced by the same ENU exposure (50 mg/kg) to spermatogonial stem cells. Of 11 mutants recovered, 8 were mosaics. Progeny tests have demonstrated germ-line involvement for most of the mosaics, and the average fraction of the germ line carrying the mutation is close to 50%. The nature of the mutations indicates (i) that the mosaicism results not from misassortment at the first cleavage but from mutation affecting one DNA strand of the maternal chromosome, and (ii) that the mutations are intragenic lesions rather than multilocus deletions, thus resembling ENU-induced mutations in spermatogonia. The finding that mosaicism for presumed point mutations is readily inducible by ENU treatment of zygotes may provide a means of generating genetic materials that can be of use for developmental studies.

Animals↗

Ectopic expression of the agouti gene in transgenic mice causes obesity, features of type II diabetes, and yellow fur.

Mice that carry the lethal yellow (Ay) or viable yellow (Avy) mutation, two dominant mutations of the agouti (a) gene in mouse chromosome 2, exhibit a phenotype that includes yellow fur, marked obesity, a form of type II diabetes associated with insulin resistance, and an increased susceptibility to tumor development. Molecular analyses of these and several other dominant "obese yellow" a-locus mutations suggested that ectopic expression of the normal agouti protein gives rise to this complex pleiotropic phenotype. We have now tested this hypothesis directly by generating transgenic mice that ectopically express an agouti cDNA clone encoding the normal agouti protein in all tissues examined. Transgenic mice of both sexes have yellow fur, become obese, and develop hyperinsulinemia. In addition, male transgenic mice develop hyperglycemia by 12-20 weeks of age. These results demonstrate conclusively that the ectopic agouti expression is responsible for most, if not all, of the phenotypic traits of the dominant, obese yellow mutants.

Aging↗

Vitronectin is not essential for normal mammalian development and fertility.

Vitronectin (VN) is an abundant glycoprotein present in plasma and the extracellular matrix of most tissues. Though the precise function of VN in vivo is unknown, it has been implicated as a participant in diverse biological processes, including cell attachment and spreading, complement activation, and regulation of hemostasis. The major site of synthesis appears to be the liver, though VN is also found in the brain at an early stage of mouse organogenesis, suggesting that it may play an important role in mouse development. Genetic deficiency of VN has not been reported in humans or in other higher organisms. To examine the biologic function of VN within the context of the intact animal, we have established a murine model for VN deficiency through targeted disruption of the murine VN gene. Southern blot analysis of DNA obtained from homozygous null mice demonstrates deletion of all VN coding sequences, and immunological analysis confirms the complete absence of VN protein expression in plasma. However, heterozygous mice carrying one normal and one null VN allele and homozygous null mice completely deficient in VN demonstrate normal development, fertility, and survival. Sera obtained from VN-deficient mice are completely deficient in "serum spreading factor" and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 binding activities. These observations demonstrate that VN is not essential for cell adhesion and migration during normal mouse development and suggest that its role in these processes may partially overlap with other adhesive matrix components.

Aging↗

Carcinogens induce reversion of the mouse pink-eyed unstable mutation.

Deletions and other genome rearrangements are associated with carcinogenesis and inheritable diseases. The pink-eyed unstable (pun) mutation in the mouse is caused by duplication of a 70-kb internal fragment of the p gene. Spontaneous reversion events in homozygous pun/pun mice occur through deletion of a duplicated sequence. Reversion events in premelanocytes in the mouse embryo detected as black spots on the gray fur of the offspring were inducible by the carcinogen x-rays, ethyl methanesulfonate, methyl methanesulfonate, ethyl nitrosourea, benzo[a]pyrene, trichloroethylene, benzene, and sodium arsenate. The latter three carcinogens are not detectable with several in vitro or in vivo mutagenesis assays. We studied the molecular mechanism of the carcinogen-induced reversion events by cDNA analysis using reverse transcriptase-PCR method and identified the induced reversion events as deletions. DNA deletion assays may be sensitive indicators for carcinogen exposure.

Animals↗

Detection of targeted GFP-Hox gene fusions during mouse embryogenesis.

The ability to use a vital cell marker to study mouse embryogenesis will open new avenues of experimental research. Recently, the use of transgenic mice, containing multiple copies of the jellyfish gene encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP), has begun to realize this potential. Here, we show that the fluorescent signals produced by single-copy, targeted GFP in-frame fusions with two different murine Hox genes, Hoxa1 and Hoxc13, are readily detectable by using confocal microscopy. Since Hoxa1 is expressed early and Hoxc13 is expressed late in mouse embryogenesis, this study shows that single-copy GFP gene fusions can be used through most of mouse embryogenesis. Previously, targeted lacZ gene fusions have been very useful for analyzing mouse mutants. Use of GFP gene fusions extends the benefits of targeted lacZ gene fusions by providing the additional utility of a vital marker. Our analysis of the Hoxc13(GFPneo) embryos reveals GFP expression in each of the sites expected from analysis of Hoxc13(lacZneo) embryos. Similarly, Hoxa1(GFPneo) expression was detected in all of the sites predicted from RNA in situ analysis. GFP expression in the foregut pocket of Hoxa1(GFPneo) embryos suggests a role for Hoxa1 in foregut-mediated differentiation of the cardiogenic mesoderm.

Aging↗

Regulation of human melanocortin 1 receptor signaling and trafficking by Thr-308 and Ser-316 and its alteration in variant alleles associated with red hair and skin cancer.

The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) positively coupled to adenylyl cyclase, is a key regulator of melanocyte proliferation and differentiation and a determinant of pigmentation, skin phototype, and skin cancer risk. MC1R activation stimulates melanogenesis and increases the ratio of black, strongly photoprotective eumelanins to yellowish and poorly photoprotective pheomelanin pigments. Desensitization and internalization are key regulatory mechanisms of GPCR signaling. Agonist-induced desensitization usually depends on phosphorylation by a GPCR kinase (GRK) followed by receptor internalization in endocytic vesicles. We have shown that MC1R desensitization is mediated by two GRKs expressed in melanocytes and melanoma cells, GRK2 and GRK6. Here we show that in contrast with this dual specificity for desensitization, GRK6 but not GRK2 mediated MC1R internalization. Mutagenesis studies suggested that the targets of GRK6 are two residues located in the MC1R cytosolic C terminus, Thr-308 and Ser-316. A T308D/S316D mutant mimicking their phosphorylated state was constitutively desensitized and associated with endosomes, whereas a T308A/S316A mutant was resistant to desensitization and internalization. We studied the desensitization and internalization of three variant MC1R forms associated with red hair and increased skin cancer risk: R151C, R160W, and D294H. These variants showed a less efficient desensitization. Moreover, D294H was resistant to internalization, thus accounting for its abnormally high surface expression. Co-expression of variant and wild type MC1R modified its desensitization and internalization behavior. These data suggest that MC1R might be regulated by novel mechanisms including differential effects of GRKs and altered desensitization rates of certain allelic combinations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hair colour in the Faroe and Orkney Islands.

Hair samples from 274 Faroe Islanders (mean age 16.7 years) and 246 Orkney Islanders (mean age 13.5 years) were classified and divided into eight colour categories by matching them to standard samples on the "Haarfarbentafel nach Fischer-Saller". Sex differences in the proportions in each category in both the Faroese (144 males, 130 females) and Orcadians (120 males, 126 females) were tested by x(2) and were not significant. A highly significant difference (1% level) was found in the proportions in the eight categories between the total Faroese and Orcadian samples. The Faroese subjects, despite their higher mean age, have a higher proportion of light-haired individuals. Hair of a "smoky-grey" tone, clearly unrelated to greying with age, and not represented on the Fischer-Saller scale, is reported and was found to be predominantly a feature of Orcadian males. The results for the Faroe and Orkney Islanders are compared with data for other North Atlantic populations.

Adolescent↗

Skin and hair reflectance in women with red hair.

Skin and hair reflectance were measured with the Photovolt Spectrophotometer in 33 young women with red hair. Four skin sites were measured: forehead, check, inner arm and shoulder. A subsample of 15 red-headed women were tested before and at the end of the summer to test for tanning effects. The study was designed to test for relationships between hair and skin colour by reflectance spectrophotometry. As expected, subjects generally had very pale skin colour, pronounced freckling and very little tanning ability. Eumelanin (brown-black) pigment, as estimated by reflectance at 650 nm, was minimal at all skin and hair sites. Hair and inner arm reflectance values were highly correlated at short wavelengths, suggesting phaeomelanin as the source of the relationship. Estimates of tanning ability by use of the R/G ratio were very low in this sample of redheads.

Adult↗

The effects of feedback lighting on the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity and the reproductive maturation of the male Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus).

The non-parametric model of entrainment suggests that brief pulses of light, delivered between dusk and dawn can simulate the phasing effects of full photoperiods or even constant light (LL). Feedback lighting (LDFB) is a lighting condition where individual animals, otherwise in constant darkness (DD), are exposed to light in response to a monitored behavior. The specific purpose of this type of illumination is to expose the circadian cycle to light only during the subjective night. LDFB has been used to support this hypothesis in several species of nocturnal rodents and one species of diurnal primate by producing similar free-running periods in LDFB as in LL. This lighting condition has also been used to test the hypothesis that exposing the subjective night to even short duration light pulses will maintain reproductive function in long day breeders. In the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), however, LDFB is not as photostimulatory as LL despite extensive light exposure during the subjective night. In the experiments presented here, a group of immature male Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) were placed in individual light-tight sound attenuated chambers where they had free access to food, water and an activity wheel. The animals were exposed to one of four lighting conditions [DD, LL, LDFB or a neighbor control of feedback lighting (LDFB NC)] for approximately 30 days shortly after weaning. LDFB NC is a lighting condition where a neighbor control hamster receives the identical lighting regime as a paired animal exposing itself to LDFB, yet the neighbor has no control over it. A fifth group was exposed to a light-dark cycle of 16 hours of light and 8 hours of dark (LD16:8). This group was housed in cages in a colony room and did not have access to a running wheel. The free-running periods of the locomotor activity rhythms for hamsters exposed to LDFB and LL were not similar, unlike the results for rats, Syrian hamsters, mice, monkeys and even mature Djungarian hamsters. Immature hamsters exposed to DD and LDFB NC developed more slowly than animals exposed to LL or LD16:8, while hamsters in LDFB developed at an intermediate rate. Thus, it appears that LDFB, although capable of inducing reproductive function in immature Djungarian hamsters, is not as photostimulatory as may have been expected from current photoperiodic models, despite substantial light exposure during the subjective night. Furthermore, this data may suggest that the circadian system of 18-48 day old Djungarian hamsters are still undergoing organizational maturation.

Adrenal Glands↗