An approximately 140-kb deletion associated with feline spinal muscular atrophy implies an essential LIX1 function for motor neuron survival. | LitMetric
Laboratory of Comparative Medical Genetics, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
Published: September 2006
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
The leading genetic cause of infant mortality is spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders. Previously we described a domestic cat model of autosomal recessive, juvenile-onset SMA similar to human SMA type III. Here we report results of a whole-genome scan for linkage in the feline SMA pedigree using recently developed species-specific and comparative mapping resources. We identified a novel SMA gene candidate, LIX1, in an approximately140-kb deletion on feline chromosome A1q in a region of conserved synteny to human chromosome 5q15. Though LIX1 function is unknown, the predicted secondary structure is compatible with a role in RNA metabolism. LIX1 expression is largely restricted to the central nervous system, primarily in spinal motor neurons, thus offering explanation of the tissue restriction of pathology in feline SMA. An exon sequence screen of 25 human SMA cases, not otherwise explicable by mutations at the SMN1 locus, failed to identify comparable LIX1 mutations. Nonetheless, a LIX1-associated etiology in feline SMA implicates a previously undetected mechanism of motor neuron maintenance and mandates consideration of LIX1 as a candidate gene in human SMA when SMN1 mutations are not found.
Objective: Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a common genetic disorder characterized by iron overload, which, if undiagnosed, can lead to severe organ damage. There are four types of HH. Type 1 HH, the most common form, is primarily caused by a common variant in Western Europe (p.
Fibrosis, characterised by excessive extracellular matrix deposition, contributes to both organ failure and significant mortality worldwide. Whereas fibroblasts are activated into myofibroblasts, marked by phenotypic factors such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), periostin, fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and heat shock protein 47 (HSP47), the cellular processes of trans-differentiation for fibrosis development remain poorly understood. Herein, we hypothesised that the molecular signalling of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), a crucial biochemical molecule for protein prenylation, is essential in the regulation of profibrotic mechanisms for fibroblast-to-myofibroblast activation.
To investigate and compare the clinical efficacy and prognosis of D3 lymphadenectomy/complete mesocolic excision in treatment of right colon cancer with different medial boundaries. We searched The Cochrane Library, Pubmed, Embase, CBM, VIP, CNKI, and WanFang data bases for superior mesenteric artery (SMA)-oriented and superior mesenteric vein (SMV)-oriented D3 lymphadenectomy/complete mesocolic excision from inception to December, 2023. The resultant data were submitted to meta-analysis using RevMan 5.
Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients benefit from pre-mRNA splicing modifiers targeting the SMN2 gene, which aims to increase functional SMN production. The animal toxicity affecting spermatogenesis associated with one such treatment raised questions about male SMA patients' spermatogenesis.
Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to July 2023.
Background: Spinal muscular atrophy linked to chromosome 5q (SMA-5q) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the gene.
Objective: To describe the key demographic, clinical and genetic characteristics, as well as natural history data of patients with SMA-5q.
Methods: Up to January 2022, 706 patients with confirmed genetic diagnosis of SMA-5q, or their parents, completed a self-reported questionnaire on natural history, genetic characteristics, drug treatments, and multidisciplinary care.
