EIF2S3 pathogenic variants have been shown to cause MEHMO syndrome - a rare X-linked intellectual disability syndrome. In most cases, DNA diagnostics of MEHMO syndrome is performed using exome sequencing. We describe two cousins with profound intellectual disability, severe microcephaly, microgenitalism, hypoglycemia, epileptic seizures, and hypertrichosis, whose clinical symptoms allowed us to suspect MEHMO syndrome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Cystinosis is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder characterized by accumulation of cystine in lysosomes throughout the body. Cystinosis is caused by mutations in the CTNS gene that encodes the lysosomal cystine carrier protein cystinosin. CTNS mutations result in either complete absence or reduced cystine transporting function of the protein.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMutations inactivating the cilia-localized Pkd1 protein result in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a serious inherited syndrome affecting ∼ 1 in 500 people, in which accumulation of renal cysts eventually destroys kidney function. Severity of ADPKD varies throughout the population, for reasons thought to involve differences both in intragenic Pkd1 mutations and in modifier alleles. The scaffolding protein NEDD9, commonly dysregulated during cancer progression, interacts with Aurora-A (AURKA) kinase to control ciliary resorption, and with Src and other partners to influence proliferative signaling pathways often activated in ADPKD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe primary cilium is a well-established target in the pathogenesis of numerous developmental and chronic disorders, and more recently is attracting interest as a structure relevant to cancer. Here we discuss mechanisms by which changes in cilia can contribute to the formation and growth of tumors. We emphasize the cancer-relevance of cilia-dependent signaling pathways and proteins including mTOR, VHL, TSC, WNT, Aurora-A, NEDD9, and Hedgehog, and highlight the emerging role of ciliary dysfunction in renal cell carcinoma, medulloblastoma, and breast cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOverexpression of the NEDD9/HEF1/Cas-L scaffolding protein is frequent, and drives invasion and metastasis in breast, head and neck, colorectal, melanoma, lung and other types of cancer. We have examined the consequences of genetic ablation of Nedd9 in the MMTV-HER2/ERBB2/neu mouse mammary tumor model. Unexpectedly, we found that only a limited effect on metastasis in MMTV-neu;Nedd9(-/-) mice compared with MMTV-neu;Nedd9(+/+) mice, but instead a dramatic reduction in tumor incidence (18 versus 80%), and a significantly increased latency until tumor appearance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA method of statistical processing of electron micrographs of molecular objects modified by electron-dense labels containing mercury is proposed. The method allows one to study size, degree of modification and heterogeneity of objects. Application of the method for study of modified nitrogenase and its Fe-Mo containing co-factor, lysozyme, myoglobin, sodium thiomolybdate and trichlortriazine has shown the features of chemical modification and electron micrographs of these molecules.
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