Novel proteins with binding specificity for DNA CTG repeats and RNA CUG repeats: implications for myotonic dystrophy

While an unstable CTG triplet repeat expansion is responsible for myotonic dystrophy, the mechanism whereby this genetic defect induces the disease remains unknown. To detect proteins binding to CTG triplet repeats, we performed bandshift analysis using as probes double- stranded DNA fragments having CTG repeats [ds(CTG)6-10] and single- stranded oligonucleotides having CTG repeats ss(CTG)8 or RNA CUG triplet repeats (CUG)8. The source of protein was nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts of HeLa cells, fibroblasts and myotubes. Proteins binding to the double-stranded DNA repeat [ds(CTG)6-10], were inhibited by nonlabeled ds(CTG)6-10, but not by a non-specific DNA fragment (USF/AD-ML). Another protein binding to ssCTG probe and RNA CUG probe was inhibited by nonlabeled (CTG)8 and (CUG)8. Nonlabeled oligos with different triplet repeat sequences, ss(CAG)8 or ss(CGG)8, did not inhibit binding to the ss(CTG)8 probe. However, when labeled as probes, the (CAG)8 and (CGG)8 bound to proteins distinct from the CTG proteins and binding was inhibited by nonlabeled (CAG)8 or (CGG)8 respectively. The protein binding only to the RNA repeat (CUG)8 was inhibited by nonlabeled (CUG)8 but not by nonlabeled single- or double-stranded CTG repeats. Furthermore, the CUG-BP exhibited no binding to an RNA oligonucleotide of triplet repeats of the same length but having a different sequence, CGG. The CUG binding protein was localized to the cytoplasm, whereas dsDNA binding proteins were localized to the nuclear extract. Thus, several trinucleotide binding proteins exist and their specificity is determined by the triplet sequence. The novel protein, CUG-BP, is particularly interesting since it binds to triplet repeats known to be present in myotonin protein kinase mRNA which is responsible for myotonic dystrophy.      

Serum pregnancy-specific beta1-glycoprotein before embryo transfer is related to endometrial thickness and to outcome prognosis in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization treatment

We have previously observed the repeated presence of low but detectable amounts of the trophoblast marker pregnancy-specific beta1-glycoprotein (SP1) in the serum of some women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment around the time of oocyte retrieval. The occurrence of these signals seemed to be restricted to a defined group of patients which also showed a lower pregnancy success rate in a preliminary study. To test our hypothesis we have analysed 173 consecutive cycles leading to an embryo transfer. Fifty-four cycles (31%) had a serum SP1 level of at least 0.1 ng/ml between days embryo transfer -5 and embryo transfer (group A). Five pregnancies were obtained in this group (pregnancy rate = 9.3%), while in group B, defined by the absence of detectable SP1 before embryo transfer (119 cycles), 36 ongoing pregnancies were achieved (30.3%). Ten of the 41 pregnancies were achieved in 33 first-time non-pregnant patients undergoing further attempts during the study period. Again the pregnancy rate was higher in the first-time group B women (9/23 versus 1/10 for group A). Patients tended to remain in their groups A or B, the latter being associated with a better immediate as well as subsequent chance for pregnancy. Group A cycles had a significantly lower endometrial thickness two days before oocyte retrieval than group B (P = 0.0011). We postulate that the presence of an unknown, maternal and progesterone- or follicle stimulating hormone-independent factor in some patients could stimulate tonic ectopic SP1 synthesis and at the same time negatively influence endometrial development.      

Cutaneous necrotizing venulitis: a sequential analysis of the morphological alterations occurring after mast cell degranulation in a patient with a unique syndrome

An unusual patient, with dermal nodules, flexion contractures of the fingers and toes, cold-induced urticaria, dermographism and serum hypocomplementaemia, had necrotizing cutaneous venulitis underlying the spontaneous lesions. Since necrotizing cutaneous venulitis could be experimentally induced by the physical stimuli of cold or trauma, the time-course of histopathological events was documented in the skin of this patient. The histopathological alterations were studied in 1 micron thick, Epon-embedded skin biopsy specimens over an interval of 6 days. The early massive degranulation of the mast cells was followed by the sequential infiltration of neutrophilic, eosinophilic and basophilic polymorphonuclear leucocytes, by the development of venular endothelial cell necrosis and by the deposition of fibrin. The persistent serum hypocomplementaemia involved the classic activating and amplification pathways. It seems possible that the unusual combination of pathobiological processes involving the mast cells and the complement system in this patient has created a unique syndrome, in which venules are damaged and the sheaths of the extensor tendons of the hands and feet become affected in time.     

The mouse Mid1 gene: implications for the pathogenesis of Opitz syndrome and the evolution of the mammalian pseudoautosomal region

We have recently reported isolation of the gene responsible for X- linked Opitz G/BBB syndrome, a defect of midline development. MID1 is located on the distal short arm of the human X chromosome (Xp22. 3) and encodes a novel member of the B box family of zinc finger proteins. We have now cloned the murine homolog of MID1 and performed preliminary expression studies during development. Mid1 expression in undifferentiated cells in the central nervous, gastrointestinal and urogenital systems suggests that abnormal cell proliferation may underlie the defect in midline development characteristic of Opitz syndrome. We have also found that Mid1 is located within the mouse pseudoautosomal region (PAR) in Mus musculus , while it seems to be X- specific in Mus spretus. Therefore, Mid1 is likely to be a recent acquisition of the M. musculus PAR. Genetic and FISH analyses also demonstrated a high frequency of unequal crossovers in the murine PAR, creating spontaneous deletion/duplication events involving Mid1. These data provide evidence for the first time that genetic instability of the PAR may affect functionally important genes. In addition, we show that MID1 is the first example of a gene subject to X-inactivation in man while escaping it in mouse. These data contribute to a better understanding of the molecular content and evolution of the rodent PAR.      

Interchromosomal duplications of the adrenoleukodystrophy locus: a phenomenon of pericentromeric plasticity

A 9.7 kb segment encompassing exons 7-10 of the adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) locus of the X chromosome has duplicated to specific locations near the pericentromeric regions of human chromosomes 2p11,10p11, 16p11 and 22q11. Comparative sequence analysis reveals 92-96% nucleotide identity, indicating that the autosomal ALD paralogs arose relatively recently during the course of higher primate evolution (5-10 million years ago). Analysis of sequences flanking the duplication region identifies the presence of an unusual GCTTTTTGC repeat which may be a sequence-specific integration site for the process of pericentromeric- directed transposition. The breakpoint sequence and phylogenetic analysis predict a two-step transposition model, in which a duplication from Xq28 to pericentromeric 2p11 occurred once, followed by a rapid distribution of a larger duplicon cassette among the pericentromeric regions. In addition to facilitating more effective mutation detection among ALD patients, these findings provide further insight into the molecular basis underlying a pericentromeric-directed mechanism for non- homologous interchromosomal exchange.      

p53 immunoreactivity in hepatocellular adenoma, focal nodular hyperplasia, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma

The prolonged half-life of mutant p53 makes feasible its immunocytochemical detection. In order to assess the pathogenetic role of mutant p53 in regenerative and neoplastc liver disease we studied its immunohistochemical expression in cases of hepatic cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), cirrhosis with areas of HCC, hepatocellular adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia. The study included needle and wedge biopsies of 50 cirrhotic livers, 59 HCCs (36 of them with associated cirrhosis), six adenomas and two focal nodular hyperplasias. Sixty-five HCC fineneedle cytology specimens were also included in the study. There was no immunohistochemical evidence of mutant p53 expression in any of the cases of cirrhotic liver (except for one instance associated with HCC) adenoma or focal nodular hyperplasia. In contrast p53 was detected in 8.5% of HCC cases in the biopsy series and 24% of HCC cases in the fine needle aspiration series. In addition, mutant p53 expression in HCC was positively correlated with tumour grade. According to grade, the distribution of p53 positive immunoreactivity among HCCs was as follows: Grade I-II, 0% of cases in the biopsy series and 9% in the fine needle aspirates; Grade III, 18% in the biopsy series and 55% in the fine needle aspirates; and Grade IV, 40% in the biopsy series. Therefore, mutant p53 expression does not seem to be associated with benign liver lesions but seems to correlate with the progression of HCC through various grades of increasing malignancy.     

虾青素对去卵巢糖尿病大鼠骨质流失的防治作用

目的探讨虾青素能否防治去卵巢糖尿病大鼠的骨质流失以及可能的机制。方法 3月龄雌性SD大鼠分为3组(每组6只):对照组CON(假手术),模型组OVX/T1DM(去卵巢糖尿病大鼠),药物组OVX/T1DM-ASX(去卵巢糖尿病大鼠,给予虾青素100 mg/(kg·d)。结果连续治疗60 d后,与OVX/T1DM组相比,OVX/T1DM-ASX组骨密度(BMD)明显升高(P0.01),血清I型胶原蛋白(CTX-1)、骨钙素、I型前胶原蛋白n端前肽(PINP)、抗酒石酸磷酸酶5b(TRACP 5b)水平均显著升高(P0.01)。虾青素治疗能抑制去卵巢糖尿病大鼠骨组织形态学的改变,减少骨髓脂肪细胞增加,提高OPG/RANKL的比值。结论虾青素对绝经后糖尿病骨质流失有保护作用,这种作用与调控OPG/RANKL轴有关。     

电离辐射对放射工作者职业健康的影响

目的 分析放射工作者外周血象、淋巴细胞微核及染色体畸变情况,为放射工作者职业防护和健康监测提供依据。方法 对2015年、2017年和2019年连续3次接受健康检查的127名放射工作者进行淋巴细胞微核、染色体及血象分析,将其设为放射组。另外选取133名无射线接触史的医务人员设为对照组;结果 放射组中淋巴细胞微核率和染色体畸变率高于对照组,白细胞和血小板计数低于对照组,均具有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。127名放射工作者外周血白细胞总数随着接触电离辐射时间的增长逐渐降低,染色体畸变率逐渐增加,均具有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。损害工龄大于20年的放射工作者染色体畸变率高于低工龄组,不同损害工龄之间比较无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。核医学与介入治疗工种染色体畸变率高于其他工种,具有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。结论 长时间接触低剂量电离辐射可使放射工作者白细胞总数降低和淋巴细胞染色体畸变率增加,应加强放射工作者防护措施以备降低电离辐射损伤程度,特别要加强核医学和介入治疗放射工作人员的职业防护。