Inherited genetic modifiers and pharmacologic agents that enhance fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression reverse the clinical severity of sickle cell disease (SCD). Recent efforts to develop novel strategies of HbF induction include discovery of molecular targets that regulate γ-globin gene transcription and translation. The purpose of this study was to perform genome-wide microRNA (miRNA) analysis to identify genes associated with HbF expression in patients with SCD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe yeast vacuole plays key roles in cellular stress responses. Here, we show that deletion of , the fission yeast homolog of the Chediak-Higashi Syndrome / gene, increases vacuolar size, similar to deletion of the Rab4 homolog . Overexpression of lvs1-YFP rescued vacuolar size in cells, but ypt4-YFP did not rescue , suggesting that may act downstream of .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChildren with hemoglobin SC (HbSC) disease suffer a significant incidence of silent cerebral infarcts but stroke is rare. A 2-year-old African American boy with HbSC disease presented with focal neurologic deficits associated with magnetic resonance imaging evidence of cerebral infarction with vascular abnormalities. After the acute episode he was treated with monthly transfusions and subsequently transitioned to hydroxyurea therapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMembrane trafficking is essential to eukaryotic life and is controlled by a complex network of proteins that regulate movement of proteins and lipids between organelles. The GBF1/GEA family of Guanine nucleotide Exchange Factors (GEFs) regulates trafficking between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi by catalyzing the exchange of GDP for GTP on ADP Ribosylation Factors (Arfs). Activated Arfs recruit coat protein complex 1 (COP-I) to form vesicles that ferry cargo between these organelles.
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