Sequencing of the alpha-synuclein gene in a large series of cases of familial Parkinson's disease fails to reveal any further mutations. The European Consortium on Genetic Susceptibility in Parkinson's Disease (GSPD)

A mutation in exon 4 of the human alpha-synuclein gene was reported recently in four families with autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD). In order to examine whether mutations in this exon or elsewhere in the gene are common in familial PD, all seven exons of the alpha- synuclein gene were amplified by PCR from index cases of 30 European and American Caucasian kindreds affected with autosomal dominant PD. Each product was sequenced directly and examined for mutations in the open reading frame. No mutations were found in any of the samples examined. We conclude that the A53T change described in the alpha- synuclein gene is a rare cause of PD or may even be a rare variant. Mutations in the regulatory or intronic regions of the gene were not excluded by this study.      

Distribution of mutations in the PEX gene in families with X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets (HYP)

Mutations in the PEX gene at Xp22.1 (phosphate-regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidases, on the X-chromosome), are responsible for X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets (HYP). Homology of PEX to the M13 family of Zn2+ metallopeptidases which include neprilysin (NEP) as prototype, has raised important questions regarding PEX function at the molecular level. The aim of this study was to analyse 99 HYP families for PEX gene mutations, and to correlate predicted changes in the protein structure with Zn2+ metallopeptidase gene function. Primers flanking 22 characterised exons were used to amplify DNA by PCR, and SSCP was then used to screen for mutations. Deletions, insertions, nonsense mutations, stop codons and splice mutations occurred in 83% of families screened for in all 22 exons, and 51% of a separate set of families screened in 17 PEX gene exons. Missense mutations in four regions of the gene were informative regarding function, with one mutation in the Zn2+-binding site predicted to alter substrate enzyme interaction and catalysis. Computer analysis of the remaining mutations predicted changes in secondary structure, N-glycosylation, protein phosphorylation and catalytic site molecular structure. The wide range of mutations that align with regions required for protease activity in NEP suggests that PEX also functions as a protease, and may act by processing factor(s) involved in bone mineral metabolism.      

Breakpoint clusters of the PML gene in acute promyelocytic leukemia: Primary structure of the reciprocal products of the PML-RARA gene in a patient with t(15;17)

DNA studies of the translocation t(15;17) in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) have shown that the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) gene on chromosome 17 is juxtaposed to the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) gene on chromosome 15. The PML breakpoints have been mapped to 3 clusters: bcr1, bcr2, and bcr3. We have examined the PML breakpoint distribution in a series of 33 Chinese patients with APL Twenty-two patients fell within bcr1, 2 within bcr2, and 9 within bcr3. The primary structure of the reciprocal chromosome translocation joints of one patient and that of their normal counterparts have been determined and compared to those of 2 previously reported cases. These studies revealed possible topoisomerase II cleavage sites close to the breakpoints and suggested implications of DNA attachment sites to nuclear matrix. We propose that these features are relevant to the process of illegitimate recombination generating the translocation. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

酮替酚对鸡蛋过敏特应性皮炎患儿淋巴细胞增殖反应的抑制作用

作者探讨了鸡蛋过敏特应性皮炎(AD)患儿外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)对卵白蛋白(OA)刺激的增殖反应并观察了酮替酚(KF)对此反应的影响.结果提示AD患儿的PBMCs增殖反应显著高于健康儿童;KF可剂量依赖性地抑制鸡蛋过敏AD患儿PBMCs对OA刺激的增殖反应,且这一效应可通过KF抑制T细胞的作用而得以实现.KF对植物血凝素(PHA)和破伤风类毒素(TT)诱导的PBMCs增殖反应无抑制作用.这说明KF只抑制食物过敏AD患者PBMCs对食物抗原的特异性增殖反应.     

分化抗原5C5在人免疫细胞的表达

目的　明确 5C5蛋白为分化抗原 ,检测其在人免疫细胞的表达 ,以及它的信号传导作用。方法　用 5C5蛋白免疫小鼠 ,制备抗 5C5蛋白的单抗。用反义技术制备 5C5蛋白表达抑制的 3D5细胞。用免疫荧光染色和Western印迹确定 5C5单抗的特异性。用胞膜蛋白免疫沉淀和流式细胞术确定其分化抗原的性质。用双色免疫荧光染色流式细胞术检测 5C5分化抗原在多种人免疫细胞的表达。用Fura 3 AM试剂作探针 ,用激光共聚焦显微镜观察胞内Ca2 + 浓度的变化。结果　制备了抗 5C5蛋白的特异性单抗。用 5C5单抗作探针 ,从 3D5细胞膜免疫沉淀到 1条相对分子质量 (Mr)为 19× 10 3的蛋白带 ,并在活 3D5细胞见阳性免疫荧光染色。 5C5分化抗原在人周围血CD19+ 、CD14 + 、CD4 + 、CD8+ 和CD5 6 + 细胞的表达率分别为 (33.4 7± 7.9) %、(86 .13± 6 .7) %、(15 .79± 7.1) %、(18.11±12 .77) %和 (11.76± 7.4 7) % ,在人免疫细胞株的表达率分别为 5 8.0 % (Nalm6 )、72 .7% (3D5 )、5 3.6 %(BJAB)、6 1.0 % (Daudi)、6 .9% (SKW6 )、6 .3% (Jurkat)、5 .8% (Peer)、2 1.3% (K5 6 2 )和 39.1% (U937)。3D5细胞在 5C5单抗刺激下 ,胞内Ca2 + 浓度逐渐增高 ,可达 2倍左右 ,对照小鼠Ig则无此作用。结论5C5蛋白为一个分化抗原 ,在人周