Genomic structure of a novel LIM domain gene (ZNF185) in Xq28 and comparisons with the orthologous murine transcript

ZNF185 prevents stress fiber formation through the inhibition of RhoA in endothelial cells

Signaling through cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) promotes endothelial barrier function to prevent plasma leakage induced by inflammatory mediators. The discovery of PKA substrates in endothelial cells increases our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in vessel maturation. In this study, we evaluate a cAMP inducer, forskolin, and a phospho-PKA substrate antibody to identify ZNF185 as a PKA substrate. ZNF185 interacts with PKA and colocalizes with F-actin in endothelial cells. Both ZNF185 and F-actin accumulate in the plasma membrane region in response to forskolin to stabilize the cortical actin structure. By contrast, ZNF185 knockdown disrupts actin filaments and promotes stress fiber formation without inflammatory mediators. Constitutive activation of RhoA is induced by ZNF185 knockdown, which results in forskolin-resistant endothelial barrier dysfunction. Knockout of mouse Zfp185 which is an orthologous gene of human ZNF185 increases vascular leakage in response to inflammatory stimuli in vivo. Thrombin protease is used as a positive control to assemble stress fibers via RhoA activation. Unexpectedly, ZNF185 is cleaved by thrombin, resulting in an N-terminal actin-targeting domain and a C-terminal PKA-interacting domain. Irreversible dysfunction of ZNF185 protein potentially causes RhoA-dependent stress fiber formation by thrombin.

The genetic contribution of the X chromosome in age-related hearing loss

Age-related (AR) hearing loss (HL) is the most common sensory impairment with heritability of 55%. The aim of this study was to identify genetic variants on chromosome X associated with ARHL through the analysis of data obtained from the UK Biobank. We performed association analysis between self-reported measures of HL and genotyped and imputed variants on chromosome X from ∼460,000 white Europeans. We identified three loci associated with ARHL with a genome-wide significance level (p < 5 × 10^-8), ZNF185 (rs186256023, p = 4.9 × 10^-10) and MAP7D2 (rs4370706, p = 2.3 × 10^-8) in combined analysis of males and females, and LOC101928437 (rs138497700, p = 8.9 × 10^-9) in the sex-stratified analysis of males. In-silico mRNA expression analysis showed MAP7D2 and ZNF185 are expressed in mice and adult human inner ear tissues, particularly in the inner hair cells. We estimated that only a small amount of variation of ARHL, 0.4%, is explained by variants on the X chromosome. This study suggests that although there are likely a few genes contributing to ARHL on the X chromosome, the role that the X chromosome plays in the etiology of ARHL may be limited.

Zinc in Prostate Health and Disease: A Mini Review

Introduction-With the high global prevalence of prostate cancer and associated mortalities, it is important to enhance current clinical practices for better prostate cancer outcomes. The current review is towards understanding the value of Zn towards this mission. Method-General information on Zn in biology and multiple aspects of Zn involvement in prostate health and disease were referred to in PubMed. Results-The most influential feature of Zn towards prostate health is its ability to retain sufficient citrate levels for a healthy prostate. Zn deficiencies were recorded in serum, hair, and prostate tissue of men with prostate cancer compared to non-cancer controls. Zn gut absorption, albumin binding, and storage compete with various factors. There are multiple associations of Zn cellular influx and efflux transporters, Zn finger proteins, matrix metalloproteinases, and Zn signaling with prostate cancer outcomes. Such Zn marker variations associated with prostate cancer recorded from biological matrices may improve algorithms for prostate cancer screening, prognosis, and management when coupled with standard clinical practices. Discussion-The influence of Zn in prostatic health and disease is multidimensional, therefore more personalized Zn requirements may be beneficial. Several opportunities exist to utilize and improve understanding of Zn associations with prostate health and disease.

Identification of Pyroptosis-Related Gene Signatures and Construction of the Risk Model to Predict BCR in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in men. Pyroptosis is related to tumor immune infiltration and tumor microenvironment (TME) and has been confirmed to be related to the progression of a variety of tumors. However, the relationship between prostate cancer and pyroptosis, as well as TME and tumor immune infiltration, has not been discussed yet. We obtained and combined the RNA-seq data of prostate cancer from TCGA and GEO databases, analyzed the differential expression of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs), and divided them into two groups according to the PRG expression level. The relationship between pyroptosis subtypes and the TME of prostate cancer was further verified, and the differential expression genes (DEGs) in the two subtypes were identified. The relationship between the DEGs and clinicopathology was explored and KEGG and GO enrichment analysis was conducted; it was found that most DEGs were enriched in immune-related pathways. Then, we randomly divided datasets into training and testing sets, performed the LASSO and multicox progression analysis, selected eight genes as prognostic signatures and used the eight genes, calculated the risk score, and then separated the entire cohort into high- and low-risk groups. The prognosis between two groups and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year ROC curves of biochemical relapse (BCR) were verified in training, testing, and the entire cohort, respectively. The TME, CSC index, mutation, and drug susceptibility were also discussed.

The Scleraxis Transcription Factor Directly Regulates Multiple Distinct Molecular and Cellular Processes During Early Tendon Cell Differentiation

Proper development of tendons is crucial for the integration and function of the musculoskeletal system. Currently little is known about the molecular mechanisms controlling tendon development and tendon cell differentiation. The transcription factor Scleraxis (Scx) is expressed throughout tendon development and plays essential roles in both embryonic tendon development and adult tendon healing, but few direct target genes of Scx in tendon development have been reported and genome-wide identification of Scx direct target genes in vivo has been lacking. In this study, we have generated a Scx^Flag knockin mouse strain, which produces fully functional endogenous Scx proteins containing a 2xFLAG epitope tag at the carboxy terminus. We mapped the genome-wide Scx binding sites in the developing limb tendon tissues, identifying 12,097 high quality Scx regulatory cis-elements in-around 7,520 genes. Comparative analysis with previously reported embryonic tendon cell RNA-seq data identified 490 candidate Scx direct target genes in early tendon development. Furthermore, we characterized a new Scx gene-knockout mouse line and performed whole transcriptome RNA sequencing analysis of E15.5 forelimb tendon cells from Scx^–/– embryos and control littermates, identifying 68 genes whose expression in the developing tendon tissues significantly depended on Scx function. Combined analysis of the ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data yielded 32 direct target genes that required Scx for activation and an additional 17 target genes whose expression was suppressed by Scx during early tendon development. We further analyzed and validated Scx-dependent tendon-specific expression patterns of a subset of the target genes, including Fmod, Kera, Htra3, Ssc5d, Tnmd, and Zfp185, by in situ hybridization and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. These results provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms mediating Scx function in tendon development and homeostasis. The ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data provide a rich resource for aiding design of further studies of the mechanisms regulating tendon cell differentiation and tendon tissue regeneration. The Scx^Flag mice provide a valuable new tool for unraveling the molecular mechanisms involving Scx in the protein interaction and gene-regulatory networks underlying many developmental and disease processes.

HEATR1 Deficiency Promotes Chemoresistance via Upregulating ZNF185 and Downregulating SMAD4 in Pancreatic Cancer

Objective

To discover the correlated gene with HEATR1 in regulating chemoresistance of gemcitabine.

Methods

Gene chip analysis was performed to find out differential genes between HEATR1-KD and control groups. The top 20 genes were subjected to high-content screening, and functional assay was implemented. Gene expression profiling was carried out to find the downstream target. Immunohistochemistry and survival analysis were performed.

Results

ZNF185 fold change (4.5285) was the most significant between the HEATR1-KD and control groups. Knocking down ZNF185 could promote the chemosensitivity, apoptosis, and proliferative inhibition, with SMAD4 significantly upregulated. Patients with high HEATR1 and SMAD4 or low ZNF185 exhibited better survival.

Conclusion

HEATR1, ZNF185, and SMAD4 could affect the chemosensitivity of gemcitabine and may be the indicators of gemcitabine selection in the chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer.

ZNF185 is a p53 target gene following DNA damage

The transcription factor p53 is a key player in the tumour suppressive DNA damage response and a growing number of target genes involved in these pathways has been identified. p53 has been shown to be implicated in controlling cell motility and its mutant form enhances metastasis by loss of cell directionality, but the p53 role in this context has not yet being investigated. Here, we report that ZNF185, an actin cytoskeleton-associated protein from LIM-family of Zn-finger proteins, is induced following DNA-damage. ChIP-seq analysis, chromatin crosslinking immune-precipitation experiments and luciferase assays demonstrate that ZNF185 is a bona fide p53 target gene. Upon genotoxic stress, caused by DNA-damaging drug etoposide and UVB irradiation, ZNF185 expression is up-regulated and in etoposide-treated cells, ZNF185 depletion does not affect cell proliferation and apoptosis, but interferes with actin cytoskeleton remodelling and cell polarization. Bioinformatic analysis of different types of epithelial cancers from both TCGA and GTEx databases showed a significant decrease in ZNF185 mRNA level compared to normal tissues. These findings are confirmed by tissue micro-array IHC staining. Our data highlight the involvement of ZNF185 and cytoskeleton changes in p53-mediated cellular response to genotoxic stress and indicate ZNF185 as potential biomarker for epithelial cancer diagnosis.

NSDHL-containing duplication at Xq28 in a male patient with autism spectrum disorder: a case report

BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which genetics plays a key aetiological role. The gene encoding NAD(P)H steroid dehydrogenase-like protein (NSDHL) is expressed in developing cortical neurons and glia, and its mutation may result in intellectual disability or congenital hemidysplasia.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 8-year-old boy presented with a 260-kb NSDHL-containing duplication at Xq28 (151,868,909 - 152,129,300) inherited from his mother. His clinical features included defects in social communication and interaction, restricted interests, attention deficit, impulsive behaviour, minor facial anomalies and serum free fatty acid abnormality.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of an ASD patient with a related NSDHL-containing duplication at Xq28. Further studies and case reports are required for genetic research to demonstrate that duplication as well as mutation can cause neurodevelopmental diseases.

ZNF185 is a p63 target gene critical for epidermal differentiation and squamous cell carcinoma development

Development and maintenance of healthy stratified epithelia require the coordination of complex transcriptional programmes. The transcription factor p63, a member of the p53 family, plays a crucial role in epithelial development and homeostasis. Analysis of the p63-dependent transcriptome indicated that one important aspect of p63 functions in epithelial development is the regulation of cell–cell and cell–matrix adhesion programmes. However, limited knowledge exists on the relevant cell–cell adhesion molecules involved in physiological epithelial formation. Similarly, limited data are available to understand if deregulation of the cell–cell adhesion programme is important in tumour formation. Here, using the epidermis as an experimental model with the RNA sequencing approach, we identify a novel p63-regulated gene induced during differentiation, ZNF185. ZNF185 is an actin-cytoskeleton-associated Lin-l 1, Isl-1 and Mec-3 (LIM) domain-containing protein, whose function is poorly known. We found that p63 binds to a specific enhancer region, promoting its expression to sustain epithelial differentiation. ZNF185 silencing strongly impaired keratinocyte differentiation according to gene array analysis. ZNF185 is detected at the cell–cell periphery where it physically interacts with E-cadherin, indicating that it is important to maintain epithelial integrity beyond its pro-differentiation role. Interestingly, poorly differentiated, including head and neck, cervical and oesophageal, squamous cell carcinomas display loss of ZNF185 expression. Together, these studies reinforce that p63 is a crucial gene for maintaining epithelial tissue integrity and support the deregulation of the cell-cell adhesion programme,which plays a critical role in carcinoma development.

ZNF185-derived peptide induces fertility suppression in mice

Zinc finger protein 185 (ZNF185) belongs to the ZNF family and is involved in male reproduction. However, it is unclear whether ZNF185 may be a target candidate for contraceptive vaccines. In this study, antigenic peptides derived from ZNF185 were prepared, and their immune contraceptive effects were investigated using mice. Results from enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISAs) showed that peptide immunization induced an antibody titre increase that reached a peak in week 12. Peptide-3 and peptide-4 were then chosen for subsequent experiments. The results of the fertility assays showed that peptide immunization inhibited the mating and fertility rates of the mice, whereas there were no obvious changes in the number of pups per litter. Subsequently, epididymal sperm was analysed. The results demonstrated that the sperm count and sperm motility were significantly decreased in the peptide group, while the amount of abnormal sperm was significantly increased in the peptide-3 group. The male reproductive organs were also evaluated. There were no obvious differences in testis or epididymal weights, in the diameters of the seminiferous tubules, or in the thicknesses of the seminiferous epithelium between the peptide group and the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) group. In addition, histological analysis indicated that there were no obvious pathologic changes in testis and epididymal histology in the peptide group; however, the number of spermatozoa present in the epididymal lumen of the peptide group was significantly decreased when compared with the PBS group. Our study demonstrates for the first time that peptides derived from ZNF185 may induce fertility suppression in mice without damaging reproductive organs. These peptides have the potential to be used as a male contraceptive vaccine.

Zinc-finger proteins in health and disease

Zinc-finger proteins (ZNFs) are one of the most abundant groups of proteins and have a wide range of molecular functions. Given the wide variety of zinc-finger domains, ZNFs are able to interact with DNA, RNA, PAR (poly-ADP-ribose) and other proteins. Thus, ZNFs are involved in the regulation of several cellular processes. In fact, ZNFs are implicated in transcriptional regulation, ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation, signal transduction, actin targeting, DNA repair, cell migration, and numerous other processes. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge of this class of proteins. Firstly, we describe the actual classification of ZNFs, their structure and functions. Secondly, we focus on the biological role of ZNFs in the development of organisms under normal physiological and pathological conditions.

Zinc finger protein 185 is a liver metastasis-associated factor in colon cancer patients

LIM domain proteins are involved in several fundamental biological processes, including cell lineage specification, cytoskeleton organization and organ development. Zinc finger protein 185 (ZNF185) is one of the LIM domain proteins considered to be involved in the regulation of cellular differentiation and/or proliferation. However, the detailed functions and properties of ZNF185 in the multistep process of cancer biology have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we analyzed the association between ZNF185 and the clinicopathological characteristics of colon cancer, such as patient age and gender, histological type, lymphatic and venous involvement, T and N status, liver metastasis and stage. ZNF185 protein expression was immunohistochemically analyzed and ZNF185 was detected in the cancer cells of 78 of the 87 colon cancer patients. The correlation between ZNF185 and histological type was significant (P=0.010, G-test). ZNF185 expression was also significantly correlated with liver metastasis (P=0.030, G-test). A multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model was performed among cause-specific survival rate, ZNF185 expression and clinicopathological characteristics. Histological type, liver metastasis and ZNF185 expression were found to be independent prognostic indicators (P=0.028, P<0.0001 and P=0.036, respectively). Therefore, ZNF185 expression was found to be an independent indicator of liver metastasis and prognosis in patients with colon cancer.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel mouse actin-binding protein Zfp185

Zinc finger protein (Zfp) 185 is a mouse protein containing a Lin-l1, Isl-1 and Mec-3 (LIM) domains at its C-terminus. It was recognized by comparing the genome sequence between humans and mice in 1997. In this study, we cloned the full-length Zfp185 by means of RACE and RT-PCR. Zfp185 may be closely associated with F-actin in cells as determined by a confocal microscopy. With a series of deletants of Zfp185 and GST-pull-down assay, we determined that N-terminus region (1-144) but not the LIM domain at C-terminus of Zfp185 protein was essential and sufficient to bind to F-actin cytoskeleton. Thus, our data offered evidence for the association of mouse Zfp185 with F-actin, which supports the potential role of Zfp185 in cell fundamental activity.

ZNF185, an actin–cytoskeleton-associated growth inhibitory LIM protein in prostate cancer

We have recently identified ZNF185 as a gene that is downregulated in prostate cancer (PCa), in part via epigenetic alteration, and maybe associated with disease progression. In this study, we cloned the ZNF185 cDNA from normal human prostate tissues and investigated its biological function. We show that ZNF185 is a novel actin-cytoskeleton-associated Lin-l 1, Isl-1 and Mec-3 (LIM) domain-containing protein that localizes to F-actin structures, and is enriched at focal adhesions. We find that the NH(2)-terminal region, which we designate the actin-targeting domain, facilitates ZNF185 binding to actin in vitro and is both necessary and sufficient to mediate actin-cytoskeleton targeting of ZNF185, whereas the LIM domain, which is localized in the COOH-terminus is dispensable for this phenomenon. Interestingly, ectopic expression of full-length ZNF185, but not a mutant lacking the actin-targeting domain, could suppress proliferation and anchorage-independent growth of PCa cells. Together, our data suggest that ZNF185 may function as a tumor-suppressor protein by associating with the actin-cytoskeleton.

The systematic functional characterisation of Xq28 genes prioritises candidate disease genes

Background

Well known for its gene density and the large number of mapped diseases, the human sub-chromosomal region Xq28 has long been a focus of genome research. Over 40 of approximately 300 X-linked diseases map to this region, and systematic mapping, transcript identification, and mutation analysis has led to the identification of causative genes for 26 of these diseases, leaving another 17 diseases mapped to Xq28, where the causative gene is still unknown. To expedite disease gene identification, we have initiated the functional characterisation of all known Xq28 genes.

Results

By using a systematic approach, we describe the Xq28 genes by RNA in situ hybridisation and Northern blotting of the mouse orthologs, as well as subcellular localisation and data mining of the human genes. We have developed a relational web-accessible database with comprehensive query options integrating all experimental data. Using this database, we matched gene expression patterns with affected tissues for 16 of the 17 remaining Xq28 linked diseases, where the causative gene is unknown.

Conclusion

By using this systematic approach, we have prioritised genes in linkage regions of Xq28-mapped diseases to an amenable number for mutational screens. Our database can be queried by any researcher performing highly specified searches including diseases not listed in OMIM or diseases that might be linked to Xq28 in the future.

Transcriptional targets of the chromatin-remodelling factor SMARCA4/BRG1 in lung cancer cells

BRG1, also called SMARCA4, is the catalytic subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodelling complex and influences transcriptional regulation by disrupting histone-DNA contacts in an ATP-dependent manner. BRG1 and other members of the SWI/SNF complex become inactivated in tumours, implying a role in cancer development. To understand the contribution of BRG1 to lung tumourigenesis, we restored BRG1 in H1299 lung cancer cells and used cDNA microarray analysis to identify changes in gene expression. Forty-three transcripts became activated, whereas two were repressed. Chromatin immunoprecipitation of resulting candidate genes revealed that the CYP3A4 and ZNF185 promoters recruited BRG1 and that recruitment to the CYP3A4 promoter was specific to this gene and did not involve the CYP3A5 or CYP3A7 family members. Moreover, specifically BRG1 but not its homologue BRM was recruited to the CYP3A4 and ZNF185 promoters. To explore their potential relevance in lung tumours, levels of CYP3A4 and ZNF185 transcripts were evaluated in seven additional lung cancer cell lines. CYP3A4 was undetectable in any of the lung cancer cells tested, and only the CYP3A5 family member was present in the A549 and Calu-3 cells. In contrast, the amount of ZNF185 transcript clearly varied among lung cancer cell lines and severely reduced levels were observed in BRG1-deficient cells, except those of A427. We extended these observations to 27 lung primary tumours using real-time RT-PCR (TaqMan) and observed that four (15%) and 14 (52%) of them had BRG1 and ZNF185 downregulation, respectively, when compared with normal lung. No significant correlation between reduced levels of BRG1 and ZNF185 was observed, indicating that additional mechanisms to BRG1 inactivation may contribute to the loss of ZNF185 expression in lung tumours. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that transcriptional activation of ZNF185 and CYP3A4 is mediated by direct association of BRG1 with their promoters and also indicate that a decreased level of ZNF185 is a common feature of lung tumours and may be of biological relevance in lung carcinogenesis.

Digging up the canine genome – a tale to wag about

There is incredible morphological and behavioral diversity among the hundreds of breeds of the domestic dog, CANIS FAMILIARIS. Many of these breeds have come into existence within the last few hundred years. While there are obvious phenotypic differences among breeds, there is marked interbreed genetic homogeneity. Thus, study of canine genetics and genomics is of importance to comparative genomics, evolutionary biology and study of human hereditary diseases. The most recent version of the map of the canine genome is comprised of 3,270 markers mapped to 3,021 unique positions with an average intermarker distance of approximately 1 Mb. The markers include approximately 1,600 microsatellite markers, about 1,000 gene-based markers, and almost 700 bacterial artificial chromosome-end markers. Importantly, integration of radiation hybrid and linkage maps has greatly enhanced the utility of the map. Additionally, mapping the genome has led directly to characterization of microsatellite markers ideal for whole genome linkage scans. Thus, workers are now able to exploit the canine genome for a wide variety of genetic studies. Finally, the decision to sequence the canine genome highlights the dog's evolutionary and physiologic position between the mouse and human and its importance as a model for study of mammalian genetics and human hereditary diseases.

Comparative genome sequence analysis of the Bpa/Str region in mouse and Man

The progress of human and mouse genome sequencing programs presages the possibility of systematic cross-species comparison of the two genomes as a powerful tool for gene and regulatory element identification. As the opportunities to perform comparative sequence analysis emerge, it is important to develop parameters for such analyses and to examine the outcomes of cross-species comparison. Our analysis used gene prediction and a database search of 430 kb of genomic sequence covering the Bpa/Str region of the mouse X chromosome, and 745 kb of genomic sequence from the homologous human X chromosome region. We identified 11 genes in mouse and 13 genes and two pseudogenes in human. In addition, we compared the mouse and human sequences using pairwise alignment and searches for evolutionary conserved regions (ECRs) exceeding a defined threshold of sequence identity. This approach aided the identification of at least four further putative conserved genes in the region. Comparative sequencing revealed that this region is a mosaic in evolutionary terms, with considerably more rearrangement between the two species than realized previously from comparative mapping studies. Surprisingly, this region showed an extremely high LINE and low SINE content, low G+C content, and yet a relatively high gene density, in contrast to the low gene density usually associated with such regions.

Identification of a series of transforming growth factor beta-responsive genes by retrovirus-mediated gene trap screening

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) plays important roles in the regulation of proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis. To identify genes responsible for maintaining the phenotype induced by TGF-beta, we performed a retrovirus-mediated gene trap screening designed to isolate TGF-beta-responsive genes in human lung carcinoma cell line A549. After screening 249 trap lines, 21 were found to express the reporter beta-galactosidase gene in a TGF-beta-responsive manner. Interestingly, in large proportions of these trap lines, the reporter gene was responsive also to phorbol ester and was suppressed by gamma interferon. Fragments of all these trapped genes were recovered by 5'- and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), and in 15 out of 21 cases (71%), the TGF-beta responsiveness of the endogenous genes was confirmed by RNA blot hybridization. In at least five cases, the TGF-beta-induced upregulation was found to be cycloheximide resistant, suggesting the roles of the genes in the TGF-beta-induced primary responses. Sequence analyses revealed that 43% (9 of 21) of the trapped genes were novel and that the remainder included genes previously reported to be upregulated by TGF-beta, such as epidermal growth factor receptor and beta1 integrin, documenting the validity of this approach. Other known genes include the ones encoding the proteins associated with cell proliferation (ribosomal proteins S15a, hNRP/NAP-1, and lipocortin II), focal adhesions (paxillin), and transcriptional regulation (thyroid hormone receptor activator molecule 1 [TRAM-1]).

Analysis of a human cDNA containing a tissue-specific alternatively spliced LIM domain

A unique clone, isolated from a human pancreatic cDNA library, was sequenced and characterized. Northern blot analysis showed that the gene is active in a number of fetal and adult tissues, and immunoblots showed expression in nuclear and cytosolic cell fractions. The gene corresponding to the clone was localized to chromosome 13 by human/rodent somatic cell hybrid panels. The largest open reading frame contains a LIM domain, and the deduced peptide from the open reading frame appears to have the characteristics of a LIM-only protein, designated LMO7. RT-PCR and genomic sequence analyses indicate that expression of this gene product is subject to tissue-specific modulation by elimination of the LIM domain by alternative splicing in neural tissues.

X-linked dyskeratosis congenita is caused by mutations in a highly conserved gene with putative nucleolar functions

X-linked recessive dyskeratosis congenita (DKC) is a rare bone-marrow failure disorder linked to Xq28. Hybridization screening with 28 candidate cDNAs resulted in the detection of a 3' deletion in one DKC patient with a cDNA probe (derived from XAP101). Five different missense mutations in five unrelated patients were subsequently identified in XAP101, indicating that it is the gene responsible for X-linked DKC (DKC1). DKC1 is highly conserved across species barriers and is the orthologue of rat NAP57 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae CBF5. The peptide dyskerin contains two TruB pseudouridine (psi) synthase motifs, multiple phosphorylation sites, and a carboxy-terminal lysine-rich repeat domain. By analogy to the function of the known dyskerin orthologues, involvement in the cell cycle and nucleolar function is predicted for the protein.

Physical mapping of the mouse genome

This review is intended to provide an overview of techniques and a source of reagents for physical mapping of the mouse genome. It focuses on those applications, methods, or resources unique to the mouse and on the generation of comparative physical maps. The reference list is not comprehensive; rather, recent reviews on each topic and selected representative examples are given.