1
|
Waarala ZM, Maini RS, Kowalski P, McMillan W, Kujjo LL. Megacolon as a Feature of Suspected Robinow Syndrome. Cureus 2022; 14:e30663. [PMID: 36426318 PMCID: PMC9681688 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.30663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
This study presents the routine prosection findings of a 73-year-old male cadaver, with the cause of death reported to be hypertension and respiratory failure. Deep thorax and abdomen dissection exposed profound external and internal anatomical abnormalities. Externally, the body exhibited the following: pectus excavatum; short-limbed dwarfism; and abnormalities of the head, face, and external genitalia. Most of these findings suggest that the donor had Robinow syndrome, a rare genetic disorder involving developmental delay and skeletal abnormalities akin to those found in this cadaver. The internal gross anatomical findings included the following: megacolon; hiatal hernia; bilateral inguinal hernias; laterally displaced right kidney with a fibrous adhesion extending from the inferior pole of the kidney to the inguinal canal; atypical branching of the abdominal aorta; superiorly displaced diaphragm; pulmonary hypoplasia; heart right of midline; and curved esophagus. Although determining the exact etiology of megacolon is difficult in a cadaveric specimen, it is important to investigate the physiological changes associated with it. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the space-occupying pathology of megacolon and to discuss a potential connection between megacolon and Robinow syndrome.
Collapse
|
2
|
Mao BP, Li L, Yan M, Lian Q, Ge R, Cheng CY. Environmental toxicants and cell polarity in the testis. Reprod Toxicol 2018; 81:253-258. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2018.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
3
|
Rodríguez F, Vallejos C, Ponce D, Unanue N, Hernández MI, Célis S, Arcos K, Belmar F, López MT, Cassorla F. Study of Ras/MAPK pathway gene variants in Chilean patients with Cryptorchidism. Andrology 2018; 6:579-584. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F. Rodríguez
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research; School of Medicine; University of Chile; Santiago Chile
| | - C. Vallejos
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research; School of Medicine; University of Chile; Santiago Chile
| | - D. Ponce
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research; School of Medicine; University of Chile; Santiago Chile
| | - N. Unanue
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research; School of Medicine; University of Chile; Santiago Chile
| | - M. I. Hernández
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research; School of Medicine; University of Chile; Santiago Chile
| | - S. Célis
- Pediatric Urology Department; Hospital Clínico San Borja - Arriarán; Santiago Chile
| | - K. Arcos
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research; School of Medicine; University of Chile; Santiago Chile
| | - F. Belmar
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research; School of Medicine; University of Chile; Santiago Chile
| | - M. T. López
- Pediatric Urology Department; Hospital Clínico San Borja - Arriarán; Santiago Chile
| | - F. Cassorla
- Institute of Maternal and Child Research; School of Medicine; University of Chile; Santiago Chile
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Barthold JS, Ivell R. Perspective: A Neuro-Hormonal Systems Approach to Understanding the Complexity of Cryptorchidism Susceptibility. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:401. [PMID: 30083133 PMCID: PMC6065160 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonsyndromic cryptorchidism is a common multifactorial, condition with long-term risks of subfertility and testicular cancer. Revealing the causes of cryptorchidism will likely improve prediction and prevention of adverse outcomes. Herein we provide our current perspective of cryptorchidism complexity in a synthesis of cumulative clinical and translational data generated by ourselves and others. From our recent comparison of genome-wide association study (GWAS) data of cryptorchidism with or without testicular germ cell tumor, we identified RBFOX family genes as candidate susceptibility loci. Notably, RBFOX proteins regulate production of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a sensory neuropeptide linked to testicular descent in animal models. We also re-analyzed existing fetal testis transcriptome data from a rat model of inherited cryptorchidism (the LE/orl strain) for enrichment of Leydig cell progenitor genes. The majority are coordinately downregulated, consistent with known reduced testicular testosterone levels in the LE/orl fetus, and similarly suppressed in the gubernaculum. Using qRT-PCR, we found dysregulation of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory transcripts ipsilateral to undescended testes. These data suggest that LE/orl cryptorchidism is associated with altered signaling in possibly related cell types in the testis and gubernaculum as well as DRG. Complementary rat and human studies thus lead us to propose a multi-level, integrated neuro-hormonal model of testicular descent. Variants in genes encoding RBFOX family proteins and/or their transcriptional targets combined with environmental exposures may disrupt this complex pathway to enhance cryptorchidism susceptibility. We believe that a systems approach is necessary to provide further insight into the causes and consequences of cryptorchidism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia S. Barthold
- Nemours Biomedical Research, Division of Urology, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, United States
- *Correspondence: Julia S. Barthold
| | - Richard Ivell
- School of Biosciences and School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhou B, Tang T, Chen P, Pu Y, Ma M, Zhang D, Li L, Zhang P, Song Y, Zhang L. The variations in the AXIN1 gene and susceptibility to cryptorchidism. J Pediatr Urol 2015; 11:132.e1-5. [PMID: 25802106 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2015.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptorchidism is one of the most common congenital anomalies in newborn boys. Although the mechanism responsible for the pathophysiology of cryptorchidism has not yet been well addressed, the Wnt signaling pathway has been involved in the development of cryptorchidism. Axin1 is a central component of the Wnt signaling pathway and may play a critical role in the development of cryptorchidism. OBJECTIVE We assumed that cryptorchidism risk and the AXIN1 gene may have an association. Thus we picked out three tag SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in the AXIN1 gene and aimed to investigate whether cryptorchidism risk is associated with polymorphisms in the AXIN1 gene. STUDY DESIGN The variants were discriminated using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. A total of 113 cases and 179 controls were recruited to participate in this study, including 92 unilateral cryptorchidism and 21 bilateral cases. In bilateral cases, the position of the testis was decided by the higher one. RESULTS A significantly increased cryptorchidism risk was found to be associated with both the T allele (p = 2e(-4), OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.37-2.78) and T/T genotype (p = 6e(-4), OR 4.00, 95% CI 1.79-9.09) of rs370681 polymorphism, and, compared with the C/C genotype, a significantly increased cryptorchidism risk was associated with the C/T-T/T genotype (p = 4e(-4), OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.47-4.00) of rs370681 polymorphisms. DISCUSSION Among the three tag SNPs we have chosen in AXIN1, two SNPs are located in the intron region, the other SNP is located in the synonymous codon region. Evidential research has indicated that introns and other non-protein-coding RNAs may have evolved to function as network control molecules in higher organisms. Therefore, we suspected that the tag SNPs may work as controls influencing the conduct of other genes rather than affecting the structure of the protein by influencing the coding of amino acid. There were limitations in our study. One is that we did not test the expression level of Axin1. Secondly, the number of the study subjects is limited. Finally, the molecular mechanisms by which AXIN1 is involved in susceptibility to cryptorchidism should be characterized. CONCLUSIONS We assessed the impact of the genetic variability of the AXIN1 gene on cryptorchidism. We have offered primary evidence that the T allele and T/T genotype of rs370681 polymorphisms and C/T genotype of rs1805105 polymorphisms in AXIN1 gene are more frequent in patients with cryptorchidism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhou
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, West China Institute of Women and Children's Health, Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Tielong Tang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, PR China
| | - Peng Chen
- Department of Forensic Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Yan Pu
- Department of Forensic Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Mingfu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Chongqing 400020, PR China; Chongqing Population and Family Planning Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing 400020, PR China
| | - Danyan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Chongqing 400020, PR China; Chongqing Population and Family Planning Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing 400020, PR China
| | - Lianbing Li
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health of National Health and Family Planning Commission, Chongqing 400020, PR China; Chongqing Population and Family Planning Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing 400020, PR China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Yaping Song
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, West China Institute of Women and Children's Health, Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Translational Medicine, West China Institute of Women and Children's Health, Key Laboratory of Obstetric & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China; Department of Forensic Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shivanna S, Harrold I, Shashar M, Meyer R, Kiang C, Francis J, Zhao Q, Feng H, Edelman ER, Rahimi N, Chitalia VC. The c-Cbl ubiquitin ligase regulates nuclear β-catenin and angiogenesis by its tyrosine phosphorylation mediated through the Wnt signaling pathway. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:12537-46. [PMID: 25784557 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.616623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays important roles in both the tumor-induced angiogenesis and tumorigenesis through the transcriptionally active nuclear β-catenin. Recently, c-Cbl was identified as a unique E3 ubiquitin ligase targeting the active nuclear β-catenin. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which c-Cbl regulates ubiquitination and degradation of active β-catenin. Here, we demonstrate that Wnt activation promotes the phosphorylation of c-Cbl at tyrosine 731(Tyr-731), which increases c-Cbl dimerization and binding to β-catenin. Tyr-731 phosphorylation and dimerization mediate c-Cbl nuclear translocation and lead to the degradation of nuclearly active β-catenin in the Wnt-on phase. c-Cbl activation also inhibits expression of the pro-angiogenic Wnt targets, IL-8 and VEGF. Phospho-Tyr-731-inactive mutant c-Cbl (Y731F) enhances and phosphomimetic mutant c-Cbl (Y731E) suppresses angiogenesis in zebrafish. Taken together, we have identified a novel mechanism for the regulation of active nuclear β-catenin by c-Cbl and its critical role in angiogenesis. This mechanism can be further explored to modulate both the pathological angiogenesis and the tumorigenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Itrat Harrold
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine, and
| | | | - Rosanna Meyer
- the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Chrystelle Kiang
- the Institute of Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, and the Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | | | - Qing Zhao
- the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | - Hui Feng
- Section of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine, and
| | - Elazer R Edelman
- the Institute of Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, and the Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Nader Rahimi
- the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pu Y, Chen P, Zhou B, Wang Y, Song Y, Peng Y, Rao L, Zhang L. Association between polymorphisms in AXIN1 gene and atrial septal defect. Biomarkers 2014; 19:674-8. [PMID: 25355064 DOI: 10.3109/1354750x.2014.978895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT AXIN1 is a central component of Wnt signalling pathway which is essential for embryonic development. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether polymorphisms of AXIN1 contribute to ASD susceptibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three tag SNPs (rs12921862, rs370681 and rs1805105) in AXIN1 were genotyped in 208 ASD patients and 302 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in a Chinese population. RESULTS Significantly increased ASD risk was observed to be associated with the A allele of rs12921862 (p < 0.0001, OR = 3.096, 95% CI = 2.037-4.717). Increased ASD risk was observed to be associated with rs370681 in a codominant (p = 0.043, OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.04-2.22) and overdominant model (p = 0.016, OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.08-2.27). CONCLUSION rs12921862 and rs370681 may contribute to ASD susceptibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Pu
- Department of Forensic Biology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University , Chengdu, Sichuan , P.R. China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ersoy B, Aköz T, Ekici S. Buried penis accompanied by undescended testicles and megameatus hypospadias as a severe genital manifestation of Robinow Syndrome. Eur Surg 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10353-014-0282-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
9
|
Barthold JS, Wang Y, Robbins A, Pike J, McDowell E, Johnson KJ, McCahan SM. Transcriptome analysis of the dihydrotestosterone-exposed fetal rat gubernaculum identifies common androgen and insulin-like 3 targets. Biol Reprod 2013; 89:143. [PMID: 24174575 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.112953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Androgens and insulin-like 3 (INSL3) are required for development of the fetal gubernaculum and testicular descent. Previous studies suggested that the INSL3-exposed fetal gubernacular transcriptome is enriched for genes involved in neural pathways. In the present study, we profiled the transcriptome of fetal gubernaculum explants exposed to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and compared this response to that with INSL3. We exposed fetal (Embryonic Day 17) rat gubernacula to DHT for 24 h (10 and 30 nM) or 6 h (1 and 10 nM) in organ culture and analyzed gene expression relative to that of vehicle-treated controls using Affymetrix arrays. Results were annotated using functional, pathway, and promoter analyses and independently validated for selected transcripts using quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Transcripts were differentially expressed after 24 h but not 6 h. Most highly overrepresented functional categories included those related to gene expression, skeletal and muscular development and function, and Wnt signaling. Promoter response elements enriched in the DHT-specific transcriptome included consensus sequences for c-ETS1, ELK1, CREB, CRE-BP1/c-June, NRF2, and USF. We observed that 55% of DHT probe sets were also differentially expressed after INSL3 exposure and that the direction of change was the same in 96%. The qRT-PCR results confirmed that DHT increased expression of the INSL3-responsive genes Crlf1 and Chrdl2 but reduced expression of Wnt4. We also validated reduced Tgfb2 and Cxcl12 and increased Slit3 expression following DHT exposure. These data suggest a robust overlap in the DHT- and INSL3-regulated transcriptome that may be mediated in part by CREB signaling and a common Wnt pathway response for both hormones in the fetal gubernaculum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia S Barthold
- Nemours Biomedical Research/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|