Gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy (GDLD) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease, which may result in bilateral loss of vision. The gene responsible for GDLD, M1S1 is mapped on the short arm of chromosome 1 (1p), but the possible etiology of this disease remains unclear. Corneal transplantation is the only treatment for visual rehabilitation. The detection of the mutations of the M1S1 gene and the possible etiological involvement of the amyloid deposits are discussed. The current literatures are extensively reviewed in this article.
Antigens, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; genetics ; Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary ; diagnosis ; genetics ; therapy ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule ; Humans ; Mutation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of cell adhesion molecule in the development and extramedullary infiltration (EI) of acute leukemia.

METHODSThe expressions of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) gene, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) genes in 25 acute leukemia patients bone marrow cells were detected by microarray and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSThe expressions of NCAM, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 gene were significantly higher in acute leukemia cells and leukemia cells with EI than in normal tissues and leukemia cells without EI, respectively, both by cDNA microarray and by RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONThe cDNA microarray is a powerful technique in analysis of acute leukemia cells associated genes. High expressions of cell adhesion molecule genes might be correlated with leukemia pathogenesis and infiltration of acute leukemia cell.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; Leukemia, Myeloid ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics

In order to study the polymorphism of Landsteiner-Wiener (LW) blood group gene in Chinese population, peripheral blood samples anticoagulated with EDTA from 160 unrelated volunteer blood donors were randomly collected, and genomic DNA were extracted. 160 DNA samples were analyzed for exon 1 of LW gene by direct DNA sequencing, and detected for LWa/LWb allele by improved PCR-SSP genotyping. The results showed that all LW allele in 160 donors were LWa homozygous, and the LWa allele occurred commonly. In conclusion, LWa allele occurs with incidence of 100% of donors in this study, while LWb allele has not been found in Chinese population.
Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Blood Donors ; Blood Group Antigens ; genetics ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; Exons ; genetics ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

CD99 is characteristically expressed in Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Recently its immunoreactivity has also been reported in other tumors. However, the significance of CD99 isoforms expressed in these tumors has not been elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the expression of CD99 isoforms and its relationship with histopathologic parameters in gastric adenocarcinomas. Paraffin sections of 46 gastric adenocarcinomas were stained with an anti-CD99 monoclonal antibody, YG32. Twelve (26.1%) cases of 46 gastric adenocarcinomas showed immunoreactivity to YG32. The CD99 expression was also seen both in non-neoplastic foveolar epithelial cells and infiltrating lymphocytes. In addition, Western blot and RT-PCR analyses revealed that the type I is the predominant isoform of CD99 in non-neoplastic and neoplastic gastric tissues. The CD99 expression was usually seen in the intestinal type adenocarcinoma, while rarely in the diffuse type. The CD99 immunoreactivity decreased in MMP-2-overexpressing adenocarcinomas (p=0.028). Our results suggest that the type I is the major isoform of CD99 expressed in non-neoplastic gastric mucosa and gastric adenocarcinomas and its downregulation in gastric adenocarcinoma may be associated with cellular dedifferentiation and/or MMP-2 overexpression.
Adenocarcinoma/*immunology/pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD/*analysis/genetics ; Cell Adhesion Molecules/*analysis/genetics ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa/cytology/immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinases/metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Protein Isoforms/analysis/genetics ; RNA, Messenger/genetics/metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms/*immunology/pathology

OBJECTIVETo construct a recombinant prokaryotic expression vector (plasmid) containing microneme protein 1 (MIC1) partial gene in toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) ZS2 isolate. The gene was expressed in varied Escherichia coli (E. coli) after sequencing.

METHODSThe gene fragment coding MIC 1 from the genomic DNA of T. gondii ZS2 isolate was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The gene was inserted to a prokaryotic expression vector pWR450-1 by digesting with restriction enzymes and linking reaction. The positive clone was screened on LB plates containing ampicillin and identified by restrictive enzyme digestion, PCR amplification and sequence analysis. The recombinant plasmid was transferred into E. coli TG1, JM109 (DE3) and DH5 alpha, and was expressed under the induction of IPTG. The expression products were identified by SDS-PAGE. The MIC1 gene structure was analyzed and compared in homology with the gene sequence of RH isolate using computer software.

RESULTSThe recombinant plasmid pWR450-1/MIC1, after cloning from acquired 471 bp MIC1 gene fragment and amplified from the genome gene ZS2, was complete homologous to the sequence of RH isolate, reflecting its highly conservative. The gene could be expressed as fusion protein with 70,000 in varied E. coli.

CONCLUSIONRecombinant plasmid pWR450-MIC1 was successfully constructed and could be expressed in different strains of E. coli, laying a foundation for research on its structure and function.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Protozoan ; analysis ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; Protozoan Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Toxoplasma ; genetics

OBJECTIVEThis study explored the effects of levetiracetam (LEV) on the expression of nerve cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) mRNA in the hippocampus of rats with epilepsy induced by lithium-pilocarpine (Li-PILO) in order to provide a basis for investigating the antiepileptic mechanism of LEV and its doseresponse.

METHODSForty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal control, a Li-PILO model and two LEV treatment groups (LEV: 150 and 300 mg/kg) (n=12 each). The LEV treatment groups received LEV by intragastric administration 6 hrs after status epilepticus (once daily for 2 two weeks). The expressions of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA in the hippocampus was determined by real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe expression of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA in the Li-PILO model group was significantly higher than in the normal control group (P<0.05). LEV treatment of 150 and 300 mg/kg significantly decreased the expression of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA compared with the Li-PILO model group (P<0.05). The LEV treatment group at the dose of 300 mg/kg showed significantly lower expression of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA than the 150 mg/kg LEV treatment group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLi-PILO can up-regulate the expressions of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA in the hippocampus of rats with epilepsy. LEV can inhibit the expression of NCAM and GAP-43 mRNA and the effect is associated with the dose of LEV.

Animals ; Anticonvulsants ; therapeutic use ; Epilepsy ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; GAP-43 Protein ; genetics ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; Piracetam ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma (EES) is a rare soft tissue tumor morphologically indistinguishable from the more common Ewing's sarcoma of bone. We report a case of EES arising in the hard palate of 34-yr-old male patient. Microscopically, the monotonous small round cells without neuronal differentiation showed membranous positive immunoreactivity for MIC2/CD99 and vimentin. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells showed a few intracytoplasmic organelles without evidence of neurosecretory granules or neurofilaments. The EWS-FLI1 chimeric gene was identified using the nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.
Adult ; Antigens, CD/analysis ; Cell Adhesion Molecules/analysis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics ; Palatal Neoplasms/genetics/metabolism/*pathology ; Palate, Hard/metabolism/*pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sarcoma, Ewing's/genetics/metabolism/*pathology ; Transcription, Genetic ; Vimentin/analysis

OBJECTIVETo clone migfilin-N terminal sequence into E.coli and obtain a fusion protein for preparing rabbit polyclonal antibody against migfilin, thereby facilitating the study of the role of migfilin in the biological behavior of colon cancer.

METHODSBased on human migfilin cDNA sequence, a pair of primers was designed to amplify migfilin-N terminal sequence by PCR. The PCR product was subcloned into the bacterial expression vector pGEX-4T-1 with EcoRI/XhoI sites, and the target recombinant plasmids were identified with enzymatic cleavage followed by DNA sequence analysis. By transforming the expression vector into component E.coli BL(21) cells, the GST-migfilin-N fusion protein was expressed with IPTG induction. Glutathione-sepharose beads were used to purify the fusion protein, and anti-migfilin polyclonal antibody was produced by immunization of rabbits with the purified GST-migfilin N-terminal fusion protein. The resultant anti-migfilin polyclonal antibody was purified by protein A beads and used for Western blotting for detecting migfilin expression in different cell lines.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONThe migfilin-N terminal gene fragment was cloned successfully, and purified GST-migfilin N-terminal fusion protein and anti-rabbit migfilin polyclonal antibodies were obtained. Western blot analysis demonstrates that the antibodies specifically detected migfilin expression in the cell lines, which may facilitate further investigation of the role of migfilin in the biology of colon cancer.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; immunology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cloning, Molecular ; Colonic Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; genetics ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo study the role of HLB-1 in regulating the organization and function of neuromuscular junctions in nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

METHODSTo evaluate the functions of HLB-1 in regulating the organization and function of neuromuscular junctions, effects of hlb-1 mutation on the synaptic structures were revealed by uncovering the expression patterns of SNB-1::GFP and UNC-49::GFP, and pharmacologic assays with aldicarb and levamisole were also used to test the synaptic functions. Further rescue and mosaic analysis confirmed HLB-1's role in regulating the organization and function of neuromuscular junctions.

RESULTSLoss of HLB-1 function did not result in defects in neuronal outgrowth or neuronal loss, but caused obvious defects of SNB-1::GFP and UNC-49::GFP puncta localization, suggesting the altered presynaptic and postsynaptic structures. The mutant animals exhibited severe defects in locomotion behaviors and altered responses to an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase and a cholinergic agonist, indicating the altered presynaptic and postsynaptic functions. Rescue and mosaic analysis experiments suggested that HLB-1 regulated synaptic functions in a cell nonautonomously way. Moreover, HLB-1 expression was not required for the presynaptic active zone morphology. Genetic evidence further demonstrated that hlb-1 acted in a parallel pathway with syd-2 to regulate the synaptic functions.

CONCLUSIONHLB-1 appeared as a new regulator for the organization and function of neuromuscular junctions in C. elegans.

Age Factors ; Amino Acid Motifs ; physiology ; Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Animals, Newborn ; Behavior, Animal ; physiology ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Carrier Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; genetics ; physiology ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Locomotion ; genetics ; Mutation ; physiology ; Neuromuscular Junction ; genetics ; physiology ; Phosphoproteins ; genetics ; physiology

In the post-genomic era, various computational methods that predict protein-protein interactions at the genome level are available; however, each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, resulting in false predictions. Here we developed a unique integrated approach to identify interacting partner(s) of Semaphorin 5A (SEMA5A), beginning with seven proteins sharing similar ligand interacting residues as putative binding partners. The methods include Dwyer and Root-Bernstein/Dillon theories of protein evolution, hydropathic complementarity of protein structure, pattern of protein functions among molecules, information on domain-domain interactions, co-expression of genes and protein evolution. Among the set of seven proteins selected as putative SEMA5A interacting partners, we found the functions of Plexin B3 and Neuropilin-2 to be associated with SEMA5A. We modeled the semaphorin domain structure of Plexin B3 and found that it shares similarity with SEMA5A. Moreover, a virtual expression database search and RT-PCR analysis showed co-expression of SEMA5A and Plexin B3 and these proteins were found to have co-evolved. In addition, we confirmed the interaction of SEMA5A with Plexin B3 in co-immunoprecipitation studies. Overall, these studies demonstrate that an integrated method of prediction can be used at the genome level for discovering many unknown protein binding partners with known ligand binding domains.
Binding Sites ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cluster Analysis ; Computational Biology ; methods ; Databases, Protein ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Immunoprecipitation ; Membrane Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Models, Molecular ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Protein Interaction Mapping ; methods ; Protein Structure, Tertiary ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction