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Alawneh RJ, Johnson AL, Hoover-Fong JE, Jackson EM, Steinberg JP, MacCarrick G. Postnatal Progressive Craniosynostosis in Syndromic Conditions: Two Patients With Saethre-Chotzen Due to TWIST1 Gene Deletions and Review of the Literature. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2022:10556656221090844. [PMID: 35354337 DOI: 10.1177/10556656221090844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS) is a known craniosynostosis syndrome with a variable presentation of craniofacial and somatic involvement. Congenital coronal craniosynostosis is most commonly observed in SCS; however, progressive postnatal craniosynostosis of other sutures has been reported. The authors present 2 infants with progressive postnatal craniosynostosis and SCS caused by chromosome 7p deletions including the TWIST1 gene. The evolution of their clinical features and a literature review of patients with syndromic, postnatal progressive craniosynostosis illustrate the importance of longitudinal observation and management of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rama J Alawneh
- Faculty of Medicine, King Abdullah University Hospital, 37251Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Andrea L Johnson
- Department of Cellular Biology and Molecular Genetics, 1068University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Julie Elizabeth Hoover-Fong
- Greenberg Center for Skeletal Dysplasias, Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eric M Jackson
- Department of Neurosurgery, 1500Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jordan P Steinberg
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Gretchen MacCarrick
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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2
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Fonteles CS, Finnell RH, Lei Y, Zurita-Jimenez ME, Monteiro AJ, George TM, Harshbarger RJ. De novo ALX4 variant detected in child with non-syndromic craniosynostosis. Braz J Med Biol Res 2021; 54:e11396. [PMID: 34586326 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x2021e11396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Current understanding of the genetic factors contributing to the etiology of non-syndromic craniosynostosis (NSC) remains scarce. The present work investigated the presence of variants in ALX4, EFNA4, and TWIST1 genes in children with NSC to verify if variants within these genes may contribute to the occurrence of these abnormal phenotypes. A total of 101 children (aged 45.07±40.94 months) with NSC participated in this cross-sectional study. Parents and siblings of the probands were invited to participate. Medical and family history of craniosynostosis were documented. Biological samples were collected to obtain genomic DNA. Coding exons of human TWIST1, ALX4, and EFNA4 genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequenced. Five missense variants were identified in ALX4 in children with bilateral coronal, sagittal, and metopic synostosis. A de novo ALX4 variant, c.799G>A: p.Ala267Thr, was identified in a proband with sagittal synostosis. Three missense variants were identified in the EFNA4 gene in children with metopic and sagittal synostosis. A TWIST1 variant occurred in a child with unilateral coronal synostosis. Variants were predicted to be among the 0.1% (TWIST1, c.380C>A: p. Ala127Glu) and 1% (ALX4, c.769C>T: p.Arg257Cys, c.799G>A: p.Ala267Thr, c.929G>A: p.Gly310Asp; EFNA4, c.178C>T: p.His60Tyr, C.283A>G: p.Lys95Glu, c.349C>A: Pro117Thr) most deleterious variants in the human genome. With the exception of ALX4, c.799G>A: p.Ala267Thr, all other variants were present in at least one non-affected family member, suggesting incomplete penetrance. Thus, these variants may contribute to the development of craniosynostosis, and should not be discarded as potential candidate genes in the diagnosis of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Fonteles
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Odontologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Odontologia e Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | - R H Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Departments of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Molecular and Human Genetics and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Y Lei
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - M E Zurita-Jimenez
- Dell Pediatric Research Institute, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - A J Monteiro
- Departamento de Estatística e Matemática Aplicada, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil
| | - T M George
- Plastic Surgery, Craniofacial Team at the Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, Department of Neurosurgery, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - R J Harshbarger
- Plastic Surgery, Craniofacial Team at the Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, Department of Pediatrics, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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Rizell S, Karlsson P, Ransjö M, Westerlund A, Yehia Z, Kölby L. Lateral and Frontal Cephalometric Measurements in a Cohort With Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2020; 58:838-846. [PMID: 33153317 DOI: 10.1177/1055665620969292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Descriptions of the craniofacial morphology in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS) are primarily based on case reports or visual assessments of affected families. The aim of this study was to compare cephalometric measurements of the craniofacial skeleton in a cohort of individuals with SCS and age- and sex-matched individuals without craniofacial anomalies. DESIGN Retrospective case series. PATIENTS Eight girls and 4 boys with SCS (age range, 7.0-19.2 years). METHODS Cephalometric measurements were performed using lateral and frontal cephalograms. RESULTS Most of the individuals with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome exhibited lower values for SNA, SNB, s-n and s-ar, while their NSL/NL, NSL/ML, NL/ML, and n-s-ba values were higher than the respective mean reference values for healthy individuals. In comparison with age- and sex-matched individuals without craniofacial anomalies, the individuals with SCS showed higher values for the maxillary and mandibular angular measurements, as well as for the menton midline angle. CONCLUSIONS This sample of 12 unrelated individuals with SCS is the largest collected to date for cephalometric measurements. We found that the syndrome is associated with bimaxillary retrognathism, posterior maxillary and mandibular inclination, neutral sagittal relation as well as a tendency toward an open vertical skeletal relation, a short and flattened skull base, and facial asymmetry, as compared to individuals without the syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rizell
- Clinic of Orthodontics, Gothenburg, Public Dental Service, Region Västra Götaland, Sweden
| | - Peter Karlsson
- Fjärås Public Dental Service Clinic, 3572Region Västra Götaland, Sweden
| | - Maria Ransjö
- Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, 3570University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Westerlund
- Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, 3570University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Zakaria Yehia
- Fridhemsplan Public Dental Service Clinic, 7674Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Kölby
- The Sahlgrenska Academy, 3570University of Gothenburg and Department of Plastic Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Twist1 Inactivation in Dmp1-Expressing Cells Increases Bone Mass but Does Not Affect the Anabolic Response to Sclerostin Neutralization. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184427. [PMID: 31505764 PMCID: PMC6769567 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays a major role in bone metabolism. Advances in our understanding of secreted regulators of Wnt have yielded several therapeutic targets to stimulate osteoanabolism—the most promising of which is the Wnt inhibitor sclerostin. Sclerostin antibody recently gained approval for clinical use to treat osteoporosis, but the biology surrounding sclerostin antagonism is still incompletely understood. Numerous factors regulate the efficacy of sclerostin inhibition on bone formation, a process known as self-regulation. In previous communications we reported that the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Twist1—a gene know to regulate skeletal development—is highly upregulated among the osteocyte cell population in mice treated with sclerostin antibody. In this communication, we tested the hypothesis that preventing Twist1 upregulation by deletion of Twist1 from late-stage osteoblasts and osteocytes would increase the efficacy of sclerostin antibody treatment, since Twist1 is known to restrain osteoblast activity in many models. Twist1-floxed loss-of-function mice were crossed to the Dmp1-Cre driver to delete Twist1 in Dmp1-expressing cells. Conditional Twist1 deletion was associated with a mild but significant increase in bone mass, as assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and microCT (µCT) for many endpoints in both male and female mice. Biomechanical properties of the femur were not affected by conditional mutation of Twist1. Sclerostin antibody improved all bone properties significantly, regardless of Twist1 status, sex, or endpoint examined. No interactions were detected when Twist1 status and antibody treatment were examined together, suggesting that Twist1 upregulation in the osteocyte population is not an endogenous mechanism that restrains the osteoanabolic effect of sclerostin antibody treatment. In summary, Twist1 inhibition in the late-stage osteoblast/osteocyte increases bone mass but does not affect the anabolic response to sclerostin neutralization.
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Ziegler A, Colin E, Goudenège D, Bonneau D. A snapshot of some pLI score pitfalls. Hum Mutat 2019; 40:839-841. [PMID: 30977936 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The pLI score reflects the tolerance of a given gene to the loss of function on the basis of the number of protein truncating variants, that is, the frameshift, splice donor, splice acceptor, and stop-gain variants referenced for this gene in control databases weighted by the size of the gene and the sequencing coverage. It is frequently used to prioritize candidate genes when analyzing whole exome or whole genome data. We list here the main pitfalls to consider before using this score. Concrete illustrations are given for each of these pitfalls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alban Ziegler
- Biochemistry and Genetics Department, University Hospital of Angers, Angers, France
| | - Estelle Colin
- Biochemistry and Genetics Department, University Hospital of Angers, Angers, France.,MitoLab, UMR CNRS 6015-INSERM, MitoVasc Institute, University of Angers, Angers, France
| | - David Goudenège
- MitoLab, UMR CNRS 6015-INSERM, MitoVasc Institute, University of Angers, Angers, France
| | - Dominique Bonneau
- Biochemistry and Genetics Department, University Hospital of Angers, Angers, France.,MitoLab, UMR CNRS 6015-INSERM, MitoVasc Institute, University of Angers, Angers, France
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7
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Di Gioia SA, Shaaban S, Tüysüz B, Elcioglu NH, Chan WM, Robson CD, Ecklund K, Gilette NM, Hamzaoglu A, Tayfun GA, Traboulsi EI, Engle EC. Recessive MYF5 Mutations Cause External Ophthalmoplegia, Rib, and Vertebral Anomalies. Am J Hum Genet 2018; 103:115-124. [PMID: 29887215 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
MYF5 is member of the Myc-like basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor family and, in cooperation with other myogenic regulatory factors MYOD and MYF5, is a key regulator of early stages of myogenesis. Here, we report three consanguineous families with biallelic homozygous loss-of-function mutations in MYF5 who define a clinical disorder characterized by congenital ophthalmoplegia with scoliosis and vertebral and rib anomalies. The clinical phenotype overlaps strikingly with that reported in several Myf5 knockout mouse models. Affected members of two families share a haploidentical region that contains a homozygous 10 bp frameshift mutation in exon 1 of MYF5 (c.23_32delAGTTCTCACC [p.Gln8Leufs∗86]) predicted to undergo nonsense-mediated decay. Affected members of the third family harbor a homozygous missense change in exon 1 of MYF5 (c.283C>T [p.Arg95Cys]). Using in vitro assays, we show that this missense mutation acts as a loss-of-function allele by impairing MYF5 DNA binding and nuclear localization. We performed whole-genome sequencing in one affected individual with the frameshift mutation and did not identify additional rare variants in the haploidentical region that might account for differences in severity among the families. These data support the direct role of MYF5 in rib, spine, and extraocular muscle formation in humans.
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Vastardis H, Mulliken JB, Glowacki J. Unilateral Coronal Synostosis: A Histomorphometric Study. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2017; 41:439-46. [PMID: 15222790 DOI: 10.1597/03-012.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This histomorphometric study compared the open and prematurely fused side of the coronal suture in subjects with unilateral coronal synostosis (UCS). Methods Sutures and parasutural bone were obtained from seven subjects with nonsyndromic UCS during operative correction at 3 to 24 months of age. Histological and cellular analyses were performed for the affected and open sutures. Specimens were examined by light and polarizing microscopy. Sutural patterns, osseous morphology, calvarial thickness, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells, and marrow spaces were evaluated histomorphologically, qualitatively, and semiquantitatively. Histomorphometry was performed to determine total projected area of marrow space as a percentage of unit area, total number of TRAP-positive cells per specimen, and perisutural cranial thickness. Results Polarizing microscopy showed that affected sutures were composed of more lamellar bone than the normal sutures. By light microscopy, the clinically fused sutures were 1.7-fold thicker (p < .02), had twofold larger marrow spaces (p < .0006), and contained sixfold more TRAP-positive osteoclasts in marrow spaces near the suture (p < .04) than the normal sutures. Quantitative analysis of the normal sutures revealed that calvarial thickness was greater with age and that there was an inverse correlation between medullary area and age. For the affected sutures, there was also an age-related increase in calvarial thickness. There were also trends for age-related declines in numbers of osteoclasts in both open and affected sides. Conclusions These results question the hypothesis that defective osteoclastic activity is pivotal in the pathogenesis of UCS and support the hypothesis that this condition results from abnormally active bony remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Vastardis
- Department of Growth and Development, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Schinagl C, Melum GR, Rødningen OK, Bjørgo K, Andresen JH. Severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and dysmorphic features in neonate with a deletion involving TWIST1 and PHF14: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2017; 11:226. [PMID: 28814329 PMCID: PMC5559830 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-017-1402-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Persistent pulmonary hypertension is a well-known disease of the newborn that in most cases responds well to treatment with nitric oxide and treatment of any underlying causes. Genetic causes of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn are rare. The TWIST1 gene is involved in morphogenetics, and deletions are known to cause Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. Deletions of PHF14 have never been reported in neonates, but animal studies have shown a link between severe defects in lung development and deletions of this gene. There have not, to the best of our knowledge, been any publications of a link between the genes TWIST1 and PHF14 and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, making this a novel finding. Case presentation We describe a white male neonate born at term to non-consanguineous white parents; he presented with dysmorphic features and a therapy-refractory persistent pulmonary hypertension. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization revealed the presence of a 14.7 Mb interstitial deletion on chromosome 7, encompassing the genes TWIST1 and PHF14. Conclusions The TWIST1 gene can explain our patient’s dysmorphic features. His severe persistent pulmonary hypertension has, however, not been described before in conjunction with the TWIST1 gene, but could be explained by involvement of PHF14, consistent with findings in animal experiments showing lethal respiratory failure with depletion of PHF14. These findings are novel and of importance for the clinical management and diagnostic workup of neonates with severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn and dysmorphic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Schinagl
- Department of Pediatrics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Kathrine Bjørgo
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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10
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Abstract
Craniosynostosis is the premature fusion of the calvarial sutures that is associated with a number of physical and intellectual disabilities spanning from pediatric to adult years. Over the past two decades, techniques in molecular genetics and more recently, advances in high-throughput DNA sequencing have been used to examine the underlying pathogenesis of this disease. To date, mutations in 57 genes have been identified as causing craniosynostosis and the number of newly discovered genes is growing rapidly as a result of the advances in genomic technologies. While contributions from both genetic and environmental factors in this disease are increasingly apparent, there remains a gap in knowledge that bridges the clinical characteristics and genetic markers of craniosynostosis with their signaling pathways and mechanotransduction processes. By linking genotype to phenotype, outlining the role of cell mechanics may further uncover the specific mechanotransduction pathways underlying craniosynostosis. Here, we present a brief overview of the recent findings in craniofacial genetics and cell mechanics, discussing how this information together with animal models is advancing our understanding of craniofacial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Al-Rekabi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 3900 E Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.,Seattle Children's Research Institute, Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, 1900 9 Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Michael L Cunningham
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, 1900 9 Ave, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Craniofacial Medicine and the, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Nathan J Sniadecki
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, 3900 E Stevens Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 3720 15 Ave NE, Seattle WA, 98105, USA
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Deng X, Pan H, Wang J, Wang B, Cheng Z, Cheng L, Zhao L, Li H, Ma X. Functional Analysis of Two Novel Mutations in TWIST1 Protein Motifs Found in Ventricular Septal Defect Patients. Pediatr Cardiol 2015; 36:1602-9. [PMID: 25981568 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-015-1202-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the possible genetic effect of sequence variations in TWIST1 on the pathogenesis of ventricular septal defect in humans. We examined the coding region of TWIST1 in a cohort of 196 Chinese people with non-syndromic ventricular septal defect patients and 200 healthy individuals as the controls. We identified two novel potential disease-associated mutations, NM_000474.3:c.247G>A (G83S) and NM_000474.3:c.283A>G (S95G). Both of them were identified for the first time and were not observed in the 200 controls without congenital heart disease. Using a dual-luciferase reporter assay, we showed that both of the mutations significantly down-regulated the repressive effect of TWIST1 on the E-cadherin promoter. Furthermore, a mammalian two-hybrid assay showed that both of the mutations significantly affected the interaction between TWIST1 and KAT2B. New mutations in the transcription factor TWIST1 that affect protein function were identified in 1.0 % (2/196) of Chinese patients with ventricular septal defect. Our data show, for the first time, that TWIST1 has a potential causative effect on the development of ventricular septal defect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Deng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36, Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Hong Pan
- Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100080, China.,Center for Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, 12 Dahuisi Road, Haidian, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100080, China.,Center for Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, 12 Dahuisi Road, Haidian, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Binbin Wang
- Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100080, China.,Center for Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, 12 Dahuisi Road, Haidian, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Zhi Cheng
- Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100080, China.,Center for Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, 12 Dahuisi Road, Haidian, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Longfei Cheng
- Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100080, China.,Center for Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, 12 Dahuisi Road, Haidian, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Lixi Zhao
- Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100080, China.,Center for Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, 12 Dahuisi Road, Haidian, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36, Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, 110004, China.
| | - Xu Ma
- Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100080, China. .,Center for Genetics, National Research Institute for Family Planning, 12 Dahuisi Road, Haidian, Beijing, 100081, China. .,World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research in Human Reproduction, Beijing, 100081, China.
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Maxhimer JB, Bradley JP, Lee JC. Signaling pathways in osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis: Lessons from cranial sutures and applications to regenerative medicine. Genes Dis 2015; 2:57-68. [PMID: 25961069 PMCID: PMC4425620 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2014.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the simplest models for examining the interplay between bone formation and resorption is the junction between the cranial bones. Although only roughly a quarter of patients diagnosed with craniosynostosis have been linked to known genetic disturbances, the molecular mechanisms elucidated from these studies have provided basic knowledge of bone homeostasis. This work has translated to methods and advances in bone tissue engineering. In this review, we examine the current knowledge of cranial suture biology derived from human craniosynostosis syndromes and discuss its application to regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin B. Maxhimer
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, CA, USA
| | - James P. Bradley
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Temple University/St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, PA, USA
| | - Justine C. Lee
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, CA, USA
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, USA
- Corresponding author. UCLA Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 465, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Tel.: +1 310 794 7616; fax: +1 310 206 6833.
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Tamura M, Amano T, Shiroishi T. The Hand2 Gene Dosage Effect in Developmental Defects and Human Congenital Disorders. Curr Top Dev Biol 2014; 110:129-52. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-405943-6.00003-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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14
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Saethre–Chotzen syndrome with an atypical phenotype: identification of TWIST microdeletion by array CGH. Childs Nerv Syst 2013; 29:2101-4. [PMID: 23958897 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-013-2235-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 07/13/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Saethre–Chotzen syndrome is a very rare autosomal dominant congenital disorder characterized by craniosynostosis and acrocephalosyndactyly. It is caused by a mutation in TWIST1, located on chromosome 7p21. A shortage of functional TWIST1 protein affects the development and maturation of cells in the skull, face, and limbs. The patient described in this report displayed craniofacial features classic for Saethre–Chotzen syndrome, including craniosynostosis, low-set ears, small pinna with prominent crura, a high-arched palate, and a simian crease on the left hand. He did not have the limb anomalies commonly seen in patients with Saethre–Chotzen syndrome, and the results of conventional chromosome analysis were normal. However, results of a microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) study confirmed the karyotype of46,XY.7p21.1p15.3(15,957,375-20,331,837)x1, a region that includes TWIST1. Subsequent fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis confirmed this result. No other chromosome was involved in the rearrangement. This case illustrates the important contribution of array CGH to the identification of TWIST microdeletions, even in a patient not showing the phenotype typical of Saethre–Chotzen syndrome.
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Janssen A, Hosen MJ, Jeannin P, Coucke PJ, De Paepe A, Vanakker OM. Second family with the Boston-type craniosynostosis syndrome: novel mutation and expansion of the clinical spectrum. Am J Med Genet A 2013; 161A:2352-7. [PMID: 23918290 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.36077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2013] [Accepted: 05/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Craniosynostosis, caused by early fusion of one or more cranial sutures, can affect the coronal or lambdoid sutures, or include premature fusion of the sagittal (scaphocephaly) or metopic suture (trigonocephaly). Often occurring as isolated finding, their co-existence in a craniosynostosis syndrome is infrequent. We describe a four-generation family with variable expression of a craniosynostosis phenotype with scaphocephaly and a particularly severe trigonocephaly. Molecular analysis revealed a missense mutation in the MSX2-associated with the Boston-type craniosynostosis syndrome-affecting the same amino-acid residue as in the original Boston family. Besides unique features such as the cranial sutures involved, minor limb abnormalities and incomplete penetrance, our patients share with the original family autosomal dominant inheritance and the presence of multiple endocranial erosions on CT imaging. Though these findings appear to be important diagnostic clues for MSX2-related craniosynostosis, it is noteworthy that the first affected generation in this family presented merely with isolated sagittal or unicoronal craniosynostosis and cutaneous syndactyly. Molecular analysis of MSX2 should therefore be considered in patients with isolated scaphocephaly/unicoronal synostosis, especially in the presence of a family history for craniosynostosis or syndactyly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Janssen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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Inducible knockout of Twist1 in young and adult mice prolongs hair growth cycle and has mild effects on general health, supporting Twist1 as a preferential cancer target. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 183:1281-1292. [PMID: 23906809 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2013] [Revised: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 06/26/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Twist1 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition, invasion, metastasis, stemness, and chemotherapy resistance in cancer cells and thus is a potential target for cancer therapy. However, Twist1-null mice are embryonic lethal, and people with one Twist1 germline mutant allele develop Saethre-Chotzen syndrome; it is questionable whether Twist1 can be targeted in patients without severe adverse effects. We found that Twist1 is expressed in several tissues, including fibroblasts of the mammary glands and dermal papilla cells of the hair follicles. We developed a tamoxifen-inducible Twist1 knockout mouse model; Twist1 knockout in 6-week-old female mice did not affect mammary gland morphogenesis and function during pregnancy and lactation. In both males and females, the knockout did not influence body weight gain, heart rate, or total lean and fat components. The knockout also did not alter blood pressure in males, although it slightly reduced blood pressure in females. Although Twist1 is not cyclically expressed in dermal papilla cells, knockout of Twist1 at postnatal day 13 (when hair follicles have developed) drastically extended the anagen phase and accelerated hair growth. These results indicate that Twist1 is not essential for maintaining an overall healthy condition in young and adult mice and that loss of function facilitates hair growth in adulthood, supporting Twist1 as a preferential target for cancer therapy.
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Adams A, McBratney-Owen B, Newby B, Bowen ME, Olsen BR, Warman ML. Presphenoidal synchondrosis fusion in DBA/2J mice. Mamm Genome 2012. [PMID: 23179633 PMCID: PMC3560942 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-012-9437-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Cranial base growth plates are important centers of longitudinal growth in the skull and are responsible for the proper anterior placement of the face and the stimulation of normal cranial vault development. We report that the presphenoidal synchondrosis (PSS), a midline growth plate of the cranial base, closes in the DBA/2J mouse strain but not in other common inbred strains. We investigated the genetics of PSS closure in DBA/2J mice by evaluating F1, F1 backcross, and/or F1 intercross offspring from matings with C57BL/6J and DBA/1J mice, whose PSS remain open. We observed that PSS closure is genetically determined, but not inherited as a simple Mendelian trait. Employing a genome-wide SNP array, we identified a region on chromosome 11 in the C57BL/6J strain that affected the frequency of PSS closure in F1 backcross and F1 intercross offspring. The equivalent region in the DBA/1J strain did not affect PSS closure in F1 intercross offspring. We conclude that PSS closure in the DBA/2J strain is complex and modified by different loci when outcrossed with C57BL/6J and DBA/1J mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allysa Adams
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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18
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Li S, Kendall SE, Raices R, Finlay J, Covarrubias M, Liu Z, Lowe G, Lin YH, Teh YH, Leigh V, Dhillon S, Flanagan S, Aboody KS, Glackin CA. TWIST1 associates with NF-κB subunit RELA via carboxyl-terminal WR domain to promote cell autonomous invasion through IL8 production. BMC Biol 2012; 10:73. [PMID: 22891766 PMCID: PMC3482588 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7007-10-73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2012] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Metastasis is the primary cause of death for cancer patients. TWIST1, an evolutionarily conserved basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, is a strong promoter of metastatic spread and its expression is elevated in many advanced human carcinomas. However, the molecular events triggered by TWIST1 to motivate dissemination of cancer cells are largely unknown. Results Here we show that TWIST1 induces the production of interleukin 8 (IL8), which activates matrix metalloproteinases and promotes invasion of breast epithelial and cancer cells. In this novel mechanism, TWIST1-mediated IL8 transcription is induced through the TWIST1 carboxy-terminal WR (Trp-Arg) domain instead of the classic DNA binding bHLH domain. Co-immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that the WR domain mediates the formation of a protein complex comprised of TWIST1 and the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) subunit RELA (p65/NF-κB3), which synergistically activates the transcriptional activity of NF-κB. This activation leads to increased DNA binding affinity of RELA to the IL8 promoter and thus induces the expression of the cytokine. Blockage of IL8 signaling by IL8 neutralizing antibodies or receptor inhibition reduced the invasiveness of both breast epithelial and cancer cells, indicating that TWIST1 induces autonomous cell invasion by establishing an IL8 antocrine loop. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that the TWIST1 WR domain plays a critical role in TWIST1-induced IL8 expression through interactions with and activation of NF-κB. The produced IL8 signals through an autocrine loop and promotes extracellular matrix degradation to enable cell invasion across the basement membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Li
- Division of Neurosciences, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
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Maia AM, da Silva JHM, Mencalha AL, Caffarena ER, Abdelhay E. Computational modeling of the bHLH domain of the transcription factor TWIST1 and R118C, S144R and K145E mutants. BMC Bioinformatics 2012; 13:184. [PMID: 22839202 PMCID: PMC3507644 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-13-184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2012] [Accepted: 07/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human TWIST1 is a highly conserved member of the regulatory basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors. TWIST1 forms homo- or heterodimers with E-box proteins, such as E2A (isoforms E12 and E47), MYOD and HAND2. Haploinsufficiency germ-line mutations of the twist1 gene in humans are the main cause of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS), which is characterized by limb abnormalities and premature fusion of cranial sutures. Because of the importance of TWIST1 in the regulation of embryonic development and its relationship with SCS, along with the lack of an experimentally solved 3D structure, we performed comparative modeling for the TWIST1 bHLH region arranged into wild-type homodimers and heterodimers with E47. In addition, three mutations that promote DNA binding failure (R118C, S144R and K145E) were studied on the TWIST1 monomer. We also explored the behavior of the mutant forms in aqueous solution using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, focusing on the structural changes of the wild-type versus mutant dimers. RESULTS The solvent-accessible surface area of the homodimers was smaller on wild-type dimers, which indicates that the cleft between the monomers remained more open on the mutant homodimers. RMSD and RMSF analyses indicated that mutated dimers presented values that were higher than those for the wild-type dimers. For a more careful investigation, the monomer was subdivided into four regions: basic, helix I, loop and helix II. The basic domain presented a higher flexibility in all of the parameters that were analyzed, and the mutant dimer basic domains presented values that were higher than the wild-type dimers. The essential dynamic analysis also indicated a higher collective motion for the basic domain. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest the mutations studied turned the dimers into more unstable structures with a wider cleft, which may be a reason for the loss of DNA binding capacity observed for in vitro circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Maia
- Laboratório de Célula-tronco – CEMO/INCA, Praça da Cruz Vermelha 23 6 andar, Centro, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brasil
| | - João HM da Silva
- Laboratório de Biofísica Computacional e Modelagem Molecular – PROCC/ FIOCRUZ, Av Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brasil
| | - André L Mencalha
- Laboratório de Célula-tronco – CEMO/INCA, Praça da Cruz Vermelha 23 6 andar, Centro, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brasil
| | - Ernesto R Caffarena
- Laboratório de Biofísica Computacional e Modelagem Molecular – PROCC/ FIOCRUZ, Av Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brasil
| | - Eliana Abdelhay
- Laboratório de Célula-tronco – CEMO/INCA, Praça da Cruz Vermelha 23 6 andar, Centro, Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Brasil
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Spaggiari E, Aboura A, Sinico M, Mabboux P, Dupont C, Delezoide AL, Guimiot F. Prenatal diagnosis of a 7p15-p21 deletion encompassing the TWIST1 gene involved in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. Eur J Med Genet 2012; 55:498-501. [PMID: 22569119 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2012.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Saethre-Chotzen syndrome is a craniosynostosis syndrome that is rarely diagnosed prenatally. It is caused by cytogenetic deletions or mutations of the TWIST1 gene. We report here a de novo prenatal case with clinically and molecularly well defined Saethre-Chotzen syndrome due to a TWIST1 deletion. This is the first reported case of a deletion encompassing the TWIST1 gene to be diagnosed prenatally. We recommend screening for a deletion of the TWIST1 gene if signs of coronal craniosynostosis with no clear etiology are observed on ultrasound examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Spaggiari
- Department of Developmental Biology, AP-HP, Robert Debré Hospital, 48, Boulevard Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France
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21
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Qin Q, Xu Y, He T, Qin C, Xu J. Normal and disease-related biological functions of Twist1 and underlying molecular mechanisms. Cell Res 2011; 22:90-106. [PMID: 21876555 DOI: 10.1038/cr.2011.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 318] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This article reviews the molecular structure, expression pattern, physiological function, pathological roles and molecular mechanisms of Twist1 in development, genetic disease and cancer. Twist1 is a basic helix-loop-helix domain-containing transcription factor. It forms homo- or hetero-dimers in order to bind the Nde1 E-box element and activate or repress its target genes. During development, Twist1 is essential for mesoderm specification and differentiation. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations of the human Twist1 gene cause several diseases including the Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. The Twist1-null mouse embryos die with unclosed cranial neural tubes and defective head mesenchyme, somites and limb buds. Twist1 is expressed in breast, liver, prostate, gastric and other types of cancers, and its expression is usually associated with invasive and metastatic cancer phenotypes. In cancer cells, Twist1 is upregulated by multiple factors including SRC-1, STAT3, MSX2, HIF-1α, integrin-linked kinase and NF-κB. Twist1 significantly enhances epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer cell migration and invasion, hence promoting cancer metastasis. Twist1 promotes EMT in part by directly repressing E-cadherin expression by recruiting the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase complex for gene repression and by upregulating Bmi1, AKT2, YB-1, etc. Emerging evidence also suggests that Twist1 plays a role in expansion and chemotherapeutic resistance of cancer stem cells. Further understanding of the mechanisms by which Twist1 promotes metastasis and identification of Twist1 functional modulators may hold promise for developing new strategies to inhibit EMT and cancer metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Qin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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22
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A newly described bovine type 2 scurs syndrome segregates with a frame-shift mutation in TWIST1. PLoS One 2011; 6:e22242. [PMID: 21814570 PMCID: PMC3141036 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2011] [Accepted: 06/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The developmental pathways involved in horn development are complex and still poorly understood. Here we report the description of a new dominant inherited syndrome in the bovine Charolais breed that we have named type 2 scurs. Clinical examination revealed that, despite a strong phenotypic variability, all affected individuals show both horn abnormalities similar to classical scurs phenotype and skull interfrontal suture synostosis. Based on a genome-wide linkage analysis using Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip genotyping data from 57 half-sib and full-sib progeny, this locus was mapped to a 1.7 Mb interval on bovine chromosome 4. Within this region, the TWIST1 gene encoding a transcription factor was considered as a strong candidate gene since its haploinsufficiency is responsible for the human Saethre-Chotzen syndrome, characterized by skull coronal suture synostosis. Sequencing of the TWIST1 gene identified a c.148_157dup (p.A56RfsX87) frame-shift mutation predicted to completely inactivate this gene. Genotyping 17 scurred and 20 horned founders of our pedigree as well as 48 unrelated horned controls revealed a perfect association between this mutation and the type 2 scurs phenotype. Subsequent genotyping of 32 individuals born from heterozygous parents showed that homozygous mutated progeny are completely absent, which is consistent with the embryonic lethality reported in Drosophila and mouse suffering from TWIST1 complete insufficiency. Finally, data from previous studies on model species and a fine description of type 2 scurs symptoms allowed us to propose different mechanisms to explain the features of this syndrome. In conclusion, this first report on the identification of a potential causal mutation affecting horn development in cattle offers a unique opportunity to better understand horn ontogenesis.
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Peña WA, Slavotinek A, Oberoi S. Saethre-Chotzen syndrome: a case report. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2010; 47:318-21. [PMID: 19860490 DOI: 10.1597/07-202.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (acrocephalosyndactyly type III) is a craniosynostosis syndrome inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Although similar to the other craniosynostosis syndromes in its clinical presentation, this syndrome is caused by a mutation in the TWIST1 gene. The TWIST1 gene product is a transcription factor containing a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) domain important in the development of the head and limbs. Clinical features of this syndrome include unilateral or bilateral coronal synostosis, ptosis, low-set ears, hearing loss, hypertelorism, maxillary hypoplasia, deviated nasal septum, broad great toes, clinodactyly, and syndactyly. We report a young girl with clinical features of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome who has a previously undescribed sequence variant in the TWIST1 gene, corresponding to p.R191M. The location of the altered amino acid in the Twist-box of TWIST1, the high conservation of this amino acid between different species, and the phenotype of the child all support a pathogenic role for this novel TWIST1 sequence alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A Peña
- Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Orofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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24
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Lamônica DA, Maximino LP, Feniman MR, Silva GK, Zanchetta S, Abramides DV, Passos-Bueno MR, Rocha K, Richieri-Costa A. Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome, Pro136His TWIST Mutation, Hearing Loss, and External and Middle Ear Structural Anomalies: Report on a Brazilian Family. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2010; 47:548-52. [DOI: 10.1597/08-251.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To describe the clinical, speech, hearing, and imaging findings in three members of a Brazilian family with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS) who presented some unusual characteristics within the spectrum of the syndrome. Design Clinical evaluation was performed by a multidisciplinary team. Direct sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction–amplified coding region of the TWIST1 gene, routine and electrophysiological hearing evaluation, speech evaluation, and imaging studies through computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed. Results TWIST1 gene analysis revealed a Pro136His mutation in all patients. Hearing evaluation showed peripherial and mixed hearing loss in two of the patients, one of them with severe unilateral microtia. Computed tomography scan showed structural middle ear anomalies, and MRI showed distortion of the skull contour as well as some of the brain structures. Conclusions We report a previously undescribed TWIST1 gene mutation in patients with SCS. There is evidence that indicates hearing loss (conductive and mixed) can be related both with middle ear (microtia, high jugular bulb, and enlarged vestibules) as well as with brain stem anomalies. Here we discuss the relationship between the gene mutation and the clinical, imaging, speech, and hearing findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dionísia A.C. Lamônica
- University of São Paulo, College of Dentistry, Speech-Pathology and Audiology Department, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana P. Maximino
- University of São Paulo, College of Dentistry, Speech-Pathology and Audiology Department, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariza Ribeiro Feniman
- University of São Paulo, College of Dentistry, Speech-Pathology and Audiology Department, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Greyce K. Silva
- University of São Paulo, College of Dentistry, Speech-Pathology and Audiology Department, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Sthella Zanchetta
- University of São Paulo, College of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaringology & Head and Neck Surgery, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Dagma V.M. Abramides
- University of São Paulo, College of Dentistry, Speech-Pathology and Audiology Department, Bauru, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Rita Passos-Bueno
- University of São Paulo, Human Genome Project of the Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Kátia Rocha
- University of São Paulo, Human Genome Project of the Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Antonio Richieri-Costa
- University of São Paulo's Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, Bauru, Brazil
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25
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Vichalkovski A, Gresko E, Hess D, Restuccia DF, Hemmings BA. PKB/AKT phosphorylation of the transcription factor Twist-1 at Ser42 inhibits p53 activity in response to DNA damage. Oncogene 2010; 29:3554-65. [PMID: 20400976 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) is ubiquitously expressed in cells. Phosphorylation of its multiple targets in response to various stimuli, including growth factors or cytokines, promotes cell survival and inhibits apoptosis. PKB is upregulated in many different cancers and a significant amount of the enzyme is present in its activated form. Here we show that PKB phosphorylates one of the anti-apoptotic proteins--transcription factor Twist-1 at Ser42. Cells expressing Twist-1 displayed inefficient p53 upregulation in response to DNA damage induced by gamma-irradiation or the genotoxic drug adriamycin. This influenced the activation of p53 target genes such as p21(Waf1) and Bax and led to aberrant cell-cycle regulation and the inhibition of apoptosis. The impaired induction of these p53 effector molecules is likely to be mediated by PKB-dependent phosphorylation of Twist-1 because, unlike the wild-type mutant, the Twist-1 S42A mutant did not confer cell resistance to DNA damage. Moreover, phosphorylation of Twist-1 at Ser42 was shown in vivo in various human cancer tissues, suggesting that this post-translational modification ensures functional activation of Twist-1 after promotion of survival during carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vichalkovski
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Maulbeerstrasse 66, Basel, Switzerland
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26
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Abstract
Over the past decade, the reactivation of TWIST embryonic transcription factors has been described as a frequent event and a marker of poor prognosis in an impressive array of human cancers. Growing evidence now supports the premise that these cancers hijack TWIST's embryonic functions, granting oncogenic and metastatic properties. In this review, we report on the history and recent breakthroughs in understanding TWIST protein functions and the emerging role of the associated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumorigenesis. We then broaden the discussion to address the general contribution of reactivating embryonic programs in cancerogenesis.
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BARNES RALSTONM, FIRULLI ANTHONYB. A twist of insight - the role of Twist-family bHLH factors in development. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2009; 53:909-24. [PMID: 19378251 PMCID: PMC2737731 DOI: 10.1387/ijdb.082747rb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Members of the Twist-family of bHLH proteins play a pivotal role in a number of essential developmental programs. Twist-family bHLH proteins function by dimerizing with other bHLH members and binding to cis- regulatory elements, called E-boxes. While Twist-family members may simply exhibit a preference in terms of high-affinity binding partners, a complex, multilevel cascade of regulation creates a dynamic role for these bHLH proteins. We summarize in this review information on each Twist-family member concerning expression pattern, function, regulation, downstream targets, and interactions with other bHLH proteins. Additionally, we focus on the phospho-regulatory mechanisms that tightly control posttranslational modification of Twist-family member bHLH proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- RALSTON M. BARNES
- Riley Heart Research Center, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Departments of Anatomy and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - ANTHONY B. FIRULLI
- Riley Heart Research Center, Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Departments of Anatomy and Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana Medical School, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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28
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Yan-Qi Z, Xue-Yan G, Shuang H, Yu C, Fu-Lin G, Fei-Hu B, Shi-Ren S, Xu-Feng W, Jie D, Dai-Ming F. Expression and significance of TWIST basic helix-loop-helix protein over-expression in gastric cancer. Pathology 2007; 39:470-5. [PMID: 17886095 DOI: 10.1080/00313020701570053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
AIMS TWIST protein has been implicated in neoplastic transformation and development of some cancers. In this study, we aimed to investigate the expression of TWIST in gastric cancer and its clinical significance. METHODS A total of 76 cases of archival gastric cancer tissues were immunohistochemically evaluated for TWIST expression, and its expression was correlated with clinicopathological parameters. Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA of TWIST in four gastric cancer cell lines and a normal immortalised gastric epithelial cell line (GES-1). The expression of TWIST protein in these cell lines and 14 pairs of fresh gastric carcinoma and adjacent normal tissue samples was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS TWIST expression increased in diffuse-type gastric carcinoma compared with intestinal-type gastric carcinoma (26/42, 61.9% versus 9/34, 26.5%, p<0.05). TWIST expression was significantly increased in 35 (46.1%) of the 76 cancers and correlated with lymph node metastasis (node positive rate 60.4%; node negative rate 21.4%; p<0.05). The expression of TWIST protein was higher in 9/14 (64.3%) fresh cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. The expression of mRNA and protein of TWIST in gastric cancer cell lines was up-regulated compared with that in GES-1. CONCLUSIONS TWIST was highly expressed in gastric cancer. Its up-regulation was associated with the neoplastic transformation and subsequent development of gastric cancer. Therefore, TWIST may be a useful prognostic marker and target for gastric cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Yan-Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, 17 The West Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710032, China
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29
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TWIST microdeletion identified by array CGH in a patient presenting Saethre-Chotzen phenotype and a complex rearrangement involving chromosomes 2 and 7. Eur J Med Genet 2007; 51:156-64. [PMID: 18255367 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2007.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2007] [Accepted: 12/10/2007] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS), also known as acrocephalosyndactyly III, is an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder characterized by craniofacial and limb anomalies. SCS is generally caused by mutations in the TWIST gene, but several 7p21.3 microdeletions involving the entire gene have also been described. The patient reported here presented with craniosynostosis, ptosis, brachydactyly and syndactyly of toes. Standard lymphocyte karyotype showed a de novo apparently balanced but complex constitution with a translocation between the short arms of chromosomes 2 and 7 and an insertion of the 7(q21.3q22) band in the short arm of the same chromosome 7. Interestingly, array CGH displayed a unique 690 kb deletion in 7p21.3 involving the TWIST gene, consistent with the phenotype. This case illustrates the important contribution of array CGH to identification of complex chromosomal rearrangements.
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Rogaeva A, Albert PR. The mental retardation gene CC2D1A/Freud-1 encodes a long isoform that binds conserved DNA elements to repress gene transcription. Eur J Neurosci 2007; 26:965-74. [PMID: 17714190 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2007.05727.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The CC2D1A/Freud-1 gene has recently been linked to non-syndromic mental retardation and a short isoform of mouse Five prime REpressor Under Dual repression binding protein 1 (Freud-1) can repress the serotonin-1A (5-HT1A) receptor gene in rodent cells. In this study, we addressed the expression, localization and regulation of the human 5-HT1A receptor gene by a long isoform of human Freud-1 protein (Freud-1L). We show that human CC2D1A/Freud-1 RNA is expressed in brain and peripheral tissues and encodes short and long isoforms, which differ by an upstream in-frame translational start site. Whereas previous studies identified the short isoform of Freud-1 as the predominant isoform in rodent cells, we demonstrate that the long isoform is more abundant in human cells, especially in the nuclear fraction. The nuclear localization of Freud-1L was enriched upon inhibition of chromosome region maintenance 1/exportin 1-dependent nuclear export, indicating a dynamic regulation of Freud-1 nuclear localization. Consistent with a functional role in the nucleus, human Freud-1L bound specifically to its dual repressor element in the 5-HT1A receptor gene in vitro and repressed transcription from these sites. Importantly, chromatin immunoprecipitation using antibodies specific for human Freud-1L demonstrated that it is bound to the dual repressor element in chromatin, indicating a functional role in regulating the basal expression of the 5-HT1A receptor gene. Taken together, these results indicate that both the short and long isoforms of Freud-1 are expressed, although Freud-1L is the major isoform that regulates the human 5-HT1A receptor gene. Disruption of transcriptional regulation by mutation of Freud-1 may play a role in abnormal brain function leading to mental retardation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Rogaeva
- Ottawa Health Research Institute (Neuroscience), and Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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31
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Seto ML, Hing AV, Chang J, Hu M, Kapp-Simon KA, Patel PK, Burton BK, Kane AA, Smyth MD, Hopper R, Ellenbogen RG, Stevenson K, Speltz ML, Cunningham ML. Isolated sagittal and coronal craniosynostosis associated with TWIST box mutations. Am J Med Genet A 2007; 143A:678-86. [PMID: 17343269 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.31630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Craniosynostosis, the premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures, affects 1 in 2,500 live births. Isolated single-suture fusion is most prevalent, with sagittal synostosis occurring in 1/5,000 live births. The etiology of isolated (nonsyndromic) single-suture craniosynostosis is largely unknown. In syndromic craniosynostosis, there is a highly nonrandom pattern of causative autosomal dominant mutations involving TWIST1 and fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs). Prior to our study, there were no published TWIST1 mutations in the anti-osteogenic C-terminus, recently coined the TWIST Box, which binds and inhibits RUNX2 transactivation. RUNX2 is the principal master switch for osteogenesis. We performed mutational analysis on 164 infants with isolated, single-suture craniosynostosis for mutations in TWIST1, the IgIIIa exon of FGFR1, the IgIIIa and IgIIIc exons of FGFR2, and the Pro250Arg site of FGFR3. We identified two patients with novel TWIST Box mutations: one with isolated sagittal synostosis and one with isolated coronal synostosis. Kress et al. [2006] reported a TWIST Box "nondisease-causing polymorphism" in a patient with isolated sagittal synostosis. However, compelling evidence suggests that their and our sequence alterations are pathogenic: (1) a mouse with a mutation of the same residue as our sagittal synostosis patient developed sagittal synostosis, (2) mutation of the same residue precluded TWIST1 interaction with RUNX2, (3) each mutation involved nonconservative amino acid substitutions in highly conserved residues across species, and (4) control chromosomes lacked TWIST Box sequence alterations. We suggest that genetic testing of patients with isolated sagittal or coronal synostosis should include TWIST1 mutational analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne L Seto
- Division of Craniofacial Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-6320, USA.
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Abstract
Craniosynostosis is a defect of the skull caused by early fusion of one or more of the cranial sutures and affects 3 to 5 individuals per 10,000 live births. Craniosynostosis can be divided into two main groups: syndromic and nonsyndromic. Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis is typically an isolated finding that is classified according to the suture(s) involved. Syndromic craniosynostosis is associated with various dysmorphisms involving the face, skeleton, nervous system, and other anomalies and is usually accompanied by developmental delay. More than 180 syndromes exist that contain craniosynostosis. Secondary effects of craniosynostosis may include vision problems and increased intracranial pressure, among others. The molecular basis of many types of syndromic craniosynostosis is known, and diagnostic testing strategies will often lead to a specific diagnosis.
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Sahlin P, Windh P, Lauritzen C, Emanuelsson M, Grönberg H, Stenman G. Women with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome are at increased risk of breast cancer. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2007; 46:656-60. [PMID: 17437280 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.20449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The Saethre-Chotzen syndrome is an autosomal, dominantly inherited craniosynostosis caused by mutations in the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor gene TWIST1. This syndrome has hitherto not been associated with an increased risk of cancer. However, recent studies, using a murine breast tumor model, have shown that Twist may act as a key regulator of metastasis and that the gene is overexpressed in subsets of sporadic human breast cancers. Here, we report a novel association between the Saethre-Chotzen syndrome and breast cancer. In 15 Swedish Saethre-Chotzen families, 15 of 29 (52%) women carriers over the age of 25 had developed breast cancer. At least four patients developed breast cancer before 40 years of age, and five between 40 and 50 years of age. The observed cases with breast cancer (n = 15) are significantly higher than expected (n = 0.89), which gives a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of 16.80 (95% CI 1.54-32.06). Our finding of a high frequency of breast cancer in women with the Saethre-Chotzen syndrome identifies breast cancer as an important and previously unrecognized symptom characteristic of this syndrome. The results strongly suggest that women carriers of this syndrome would benefit from genetic counseling and enrolment in surveillance programs including yearly mammography. Our results also indicate that the TWIST1 gene may be a novel breast cancer susceptibility gene. Additional studies are, however, necessary to reveal the mechanism by which TWIST1 may predispose to early onset breast cancer in Saethre-Chotzen patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pelle Sahlin
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
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Cunningham ML, Seto ML, Ratisoontorn C, Heike CL, Hing AV. Syndromic craniosynostosis: from history to hydrogen bonds. Orthod Craniofac Res 2007; 10:67-81. [PMID: 17552943 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-6343.2007.00389.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The syndromic craniosynostoses, usually involving multiple sutures, are hereditary forms of craniosynostosis associated with extracranial phenotypes such as limb, cardiac, CNS and tracheal malformations. The genetic etiology of syndromic craniosynostosis in humans is only partially understood. Syndromic synostosis has been found to be associated with mutations of the fibroblast growth factor receptor family (FGFR1, -R2, -R3), TWIST1, MSX2, and EFNB1. Apert, Pfeiffer, Crouzon, and Jackson-Weiss syndromes are due to gain-of-function mutations of FGFR2 in either the Ig II-III linker region (Apert) or Ig III domain. Loss of function mutations of TWIST1 and gain-of-function mutations of MSX2 lead to Saethre-Chotzen and Boston-type syndromes, respectively. The mutations in Pfeiffer (FGFR1), Muenke (FGFR3), and Apert syndrome (FGFR2) are caused by the same amino acid substitution in a highly conserved region of the Ig II-III linker region of these proteins, which suggests that these receptor tyrosine kinases have an overlapping function in suture biology. In this review we will discuss the historical descriptions, current phenotypes and molecular causes of the more common forms of syndromic craniosynostosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Machael L Cunningham
- Division of Craniofacial Medicine, University of Washington Department of Pediatrics and Children's Craniofacial Center, Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Yuen HF, Chua CW, Chan YP, Wong YC, Wang X, Chan KW. Significance of TWIST and E-cadherin expression in the metastatic progression of prostatic cancer. Histopathology 2007; 50:648-58. [PMID: 17394502 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2007.02665.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
AIM Development of metastasis is one of the main causes of prostatic cancer-related death. We have previously found that up-regulation of TWIST, a highly conserved basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, in prostatic cancer cells can promote epithelial to mesenchymal transition through down-regulation of E-cadherin. The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of TWIST and to correlate TWIST and E-cadherin expression in prostatic cancer specimens. METHODS AND RESULTS TWIST and E-cadherin expression was studied in 115 prostatic cancer specimens, eight cases of prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and 37 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia by immunohistochemistry. Increased cytoplasmic expression of TWIST was associated with malignant transformation of prostatic epithelium and histological progression of prostatic cancer, while nuclear TWIST expression was significant in predicting the metastatic potential of the primary prostatic cancer. In addition, high levels of TWIST expression were also significantly associated with aberrant E-cadherin expression. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that TWIST may serve as a prognostic marker for high-grade prostatic cancer. In addition, up-regulation of TWIST in combination with aberrant E-cadherin expression in primary prostatic cancer specimens may predict development of distal metastatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- H-F Yuen
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
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Guenou H, Kaabeche K, Dufour C, Miraoui H, Marie PJ. Down-regulation of ubiquitin ligase Cbl induced by twist haploinsufficiency in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome results in increased PI3K/Akt signaling and osteoblast proliferation. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2006; 169:1303-11. [PMID: 17003487 PMCID: PMC1698848 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2006.060102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Genetic mutations of Twist, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, induce premature fusion of cranial sutures in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS). We report here a previously undescribed mechanism involved in the altered osteoblastogenesis in SCS. Cranial osteoblasts from an SCS patient with a Twist mutation causing basic helix-loop-helix deletion exhibited decreased expression of E3 ubiquitin ligase Cbl compared with wild-type osteoblasts. This was associated with decreased ubiquitin-mediated degradation of phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3K) and increased PI3K expression and PI3K/Akt signaling. Increased PI3K immunoreactivity was also found in osteoblasts in histological sections of affected cranial sutures from SCS patients. Transfection with Twist or Cbl abolished the increased PI3K/Akt signaling in Twist mutant osteoblasts. Forced overexpression of Cbl did not correct the altered expression of osteoblast differentiation markers in Twist mutant cells. In contrast, pharmacological inhibition of PI3K/Akt, but not ERK signaling, corrected the increased cell growth in Twist mutant osteoblasts. The results show that Twist haploinsufficiency results in decreased Cbl-mediated PI3K degradation in osteoblasts, causing PI3K accumulation and activation of PI3K/Akt-dependent osteoblast growth. This provides genetic and biochemical evidence for a role for Cbl-mediated PI3K signaling in the altered osteoblast phenotype induced by Twist haploinsufficiency in SCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hind Guenou
- Laboratory of Osteoblast Biology and Pathology, INSERM U 606, Lariboisière Hospital, 2 rue Ambroise Paré, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France
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Demontis S, Rigo C, Piccinin S, Mizzau M, Sonego M, Fabris M, Brancolini C, Maestro R. Twist is substrate for caspase cleavage and proteasome-mediated degradation. Cell Death Differ 2006; 13:335-45. [PMID: 16096654 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cdd.4401744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Twist is a member of the basic helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors. An aberrant Twist expression has been found in diverse types of cancer, including sarcomas, carcinomas and lymphomas, supporting a role for Twist in tumor progression. Twist is known to be essential for mesodermal development. However, since a prolonged Twist expression results in a block of muscle, cartilage and bone differentiation, Twist has to be excluded from somites during late embryogenesis for terminal differentiation to occur. This implies that Twist expression must be target of a tight control. Here we provide evidence that Twist undergoes post-transcriptional regulation. Twist is substrate for cleavage by caspases during apoptosis and its cleavage results in ubiquitin-mediated proteasome degradation. Our findings suggest that Twist post-transcriptional regulation may play an important role in tissue determination and raise the possibility that alterations in the protein turnover may account for Twist overexpression observed in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Demontis
- Unit of Molecular Mechanisms of Neoplastic Progression, Department of Experimental Oncology, CRO IRCCS National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy
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Kress W, Schropp C, Lieb G, Petersen B, Büsse-Ratzka M, Kunz J, Reinhart E, Schäfer WD, Sold J, Hoppe F, Pahnke J, Trusen A, Sörensen N, Krauss J, Collmann H. Saethre–Chotzen syndrome caused by TWIST 1 gene mutations: functional differentiation from Muenke coronal synostosis syndrome. Eur J Hum Genet 2005; 14:39-48. [PMID: 16251895 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS) is an autosomal dominant craniosynostosis syndrome with uni- or bilateral coronal synostosis and mild limb deformities. It is caused by loss-of-function mutations of the TWIST 1 gene. In an attempt to delineate functional features separating SCS from Muenke's syndrome, we screened patients presenting with coronal suture synostosis for mutations in the TWIST 1 gene, and for the Pro250Arg mutation in FGFR3. Within a total of 124 independent pedigrees, 39 (71 patients) were identified to carry 25 different mutations of TWIST 1 including 14 novel mutations, to which six whole gene deletions were added. The 71 patients were compared with 42 subjects from 24 pedigrees carrying the Pro250Arg mutation in FGFR3 and 65 subjects from 61 pedigrees without a detectable mutation. Classical SCS associated with a TWIST 1 mutation could be separated phenotypically from the Muenke phenotype on the basis of the following features: low-set frontal hairline, gross ptosis of eyelids, subnormal ear length, dilated parietal foramina, interdigital webbing, and hallux valgus or broad great toe with bifid distal phalanx. Functional differences were even more important: intracranial hypertension as a consequence of early progressive multisutural fusion was a significant problem in SCS only, while mental delay and sensorineural hearing loss were associated with the Muenke's syndrome. Contrary to previous reports, SCS patients with complete loss of one TWIST allele showed normal mental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram Kress
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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McDonald-McGinn DM, Gripp KW, Kirschner RE, Maisenbacher MK, Hustead V, Schauer GM, Keppler-Noreuil KM, Ciprero KL, Pasquariello P, LaRossa D, Bartlett SP, Whitaker LA, Zackai EH. Craniosynostosis: another feature of the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Am J Med Genet A 2005; 136A:358-62. [PMID: 16001439 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.30746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
We report on the presence of craniosynostosis in four patients with the 22q11.2 deletion. In light of previous reports of the association, we propose that the occurrence is higher than the general population incidence. Therefore, we suggest that craniosynostosis should be considered a manifestation of the 22q11.2 deletion and conversely that the 22q11.2 deletion should be considered in the differential diagnosis of craniosynostosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna M McDonald-McGinn
- Division of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
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de Heer IM, de Klein A, van den Ouweland AM, Vermeij-Keers C, Wouters CH, Vaandrager JM, Hovius SER, Hoogeboom JM. Clinical and Genetic Analysis of Patients with Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome. Plast Reconstr Surg 2005; 115:1894-902; discussion 1903-5. [PMID: 15923834 DOI: 10.1097/01.prs.0000165278.72168.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Saethre-Chotzen syndrome is a craniosynostosis syndrome further characterized by distinctive facial and limb abnormalities. It shows complete penetrance and variable expressivity and has been linked to the TWIST gene on chromosome 7p21; more than 80 different intragenic mutations and, recently, large deletions have been detected in Saethre-Chotzen patients. The aim of this study was to genetically and phenotypically characterize patients with a clinical diagnosis of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. METHODS Patients with a clinical diagnosis as well as those with a genetic diagnosis of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (n = 34) were included in the study. RESULTS The study showed that the important features of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome are brachycephaly (occurring in 74 percent of patients), a broad, depressed nasal bridge (65 percent), a high forehead (56 percent), ptosis (53 percent), and prominent auricular crura (56 percent). Furthermore, using different molecular techniques, pathogenic mutations in the TWIST gene were identified in 71 percent of patients. CONCLUSIONS Patients with deletions of the TWIST gene did not differ from those with intragenic TWIST mutations in frequency or severity of craniofacial abnormalities. However, they did distinguish themselves by the presence of many additional anomalies and diseases and--most importantly--the high frequency of mental retardation, which was borderline significant. The authors conclude that when using stringent inclusion criteria for studies of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome, patients who have a pathogenic mutation of the TWIST gene should be excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Marieke de Heer
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Guenou H, Kaabeche K, Mée SL, Marie PJ. A role for fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 in the altered osteoblast phenotype induced by Twist haploinsufficiency in the Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2005; 14:1429-39. [PMID: 15829502 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddi152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic mutations of Twist, a bHLH transcription factor, induce premature fusion of cranial sutures (craniosynostosis) in the Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS). The mechanisms by which Twist haploinsufficiency may alter osteoblast differentiation are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (Fgfr2) in the abnormal osteoblast differentiation in SCS. Cranial osteoblasts from an SCS patient with a Y103X mutation inducing deletion of the Twist bHLH domain showed decreased Fgfr2 mRNA levels associated with decreased expression of Runx2, bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteocalcin (OC), markers of differentiated osteoblasts, compared with wild-type osteoblasts. Transfection with Twist or Runx2 expression vectors, but not with Runx2 mutant which impairs DNA binding, restored Fgfr2, Runx2, BSP and OC expression in Twist mutant osteoblasts. EMSA analysis of mutant osteoblast nuclear extracts showed reduced Runx2 binding to a target OSE2 site in the Fgfr2 promoter. ChIP analyses showed that both Twist and Runx2 in mutant osteoblast nuclear extracts bind to a specific region in the Fgfr2 promoter. Significantly, forced expression of Fgfr2 restored Runx2 and osteoblast marker genes, whereas a dominant-negative Fgfr2 further decreased Runx2 and downstream genes in Twist mutant osteoblasts, indicating that alteration of Fgfr2 results in downregulation of osteoblast genes in Twist mutant osteoblasts. We conclude that Twist haploinsufficiency downregulates Fgfr2 mRNA expression, which in turn reduces Runx2 and downstream osteoblast-specific genes in human calvarial osteoblasts. This provides genetic and biochemical evidence for a role of Fgfr2 in the altered osteoblast phenotype induced by Twist haploinsufficiency in the SCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hind Guenou
- Laboratory of Osteoblast Biology and Pathology, INSERM U606, Paris, University Paris 7, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France
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Ratisoontorn C, Seto ML, Broughton KM, Cunningham ML. In vitro differentiation profile of osteoblasts derived from patients with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. Bone 2005; 36:627-34. [PMID: 15781003 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2005.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2004] [Revised: 12/17/2004] [Accepted: 01/24/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Seathre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS) is an autosomal dominant craniosynostosis syndrome, associated with loss-of-function mutations in the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, TWIST1. The biologic activity of TWIST1 has been implicated in the inhibition of differentiation of multiple cell lineages. Therefore, premature fusion of cranial sutures (craniosynostosis) in SCS may be mediated by altered differentiation of calvarial osteoblasts. In this study, we evaluated osteoblasts derived from calvarial bone of three patients with SCS and three unaffected individuals as controls to investigate the principle stages of osteoblast differentiation: (1) proliferation, (2) matrix maturation, and (3) mineralization. Using a BrdU-Hoechst flow cytometry assay, we found that the percent of proliferating cells was significantly reduced in cells derived from patients with SCS compared with those derived from controls (P < or = 0.05). In the matrix maturation stage, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activity and the expression of extracellular matrix genes, collagen I alpha 2 (COL1A2), osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OC), and the runt-related transcription factor RUNX2 were examined by enzymatic assay and real-time quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. We identified no significant differences in the expression of matrix related transcripts. However, we found significant reductions in ALP activity on days 3 and 7 and in RUNX2 expression on days 14 and 21 (P < or = 0.05). Quantitative alizarin red S mineralization assays showed a trend toward increased mineralization in osteoblasts derived from patients with SCS at days 21 and 28, although not statistically significant. Our results demonstrated that loss-of-function mutations of TWIST1 led to reduced proliferation regardless of the functional domain affected. We did not find any conclusive differences in matrix maturation or mineralization in these primary osteoblasts. It is plausible that mutations in different functional domains of TWIST1 have divergent effects on these later stages of differentiation.
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Firulli BA, Krawchuk D, Centonze VE, Vargesson N, Virshup DM, Conway SJ, Cserjesi P, Laufer E, Firulli AB. Altered Twist1 and Hand2 dimerization is associated with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome and limb abnormalities. Nat Genet 2005; 37:373-81. [PMID: 15735646 PMCID: PMC2568820 DOI: 10.1038/ng1525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2004] [Accepted: 01/10/2005] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autosomal dominant mutations in the gene encoding the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Twist1 are associated with limb and craniofacial defects in humans with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. The molecular mechanism underlying these phenotypes is poorly understood. We show that ectopic expression of the related basic helix-loop-helix factor Hand2 phenocopies Twist1 loss of function in the limb and that the two factors have a gene dosage-dependent antagonistic interaction. Dimerization partner choice by Twist1 and Hand2 can be modulated by protein kinase A- and protein phosphatase 2A-regulated phosphorylation of conserved helix I residues. Notably, multiple Twist1 mutations associated with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome alter protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of Twist1, suggesting that misregulation of Twist1 dimerization through either stoichiometric or post-translational mechanisms underlies phenotypes of individuals with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth A Firulli
- Wells Center for Pediatric Research, James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana Medical School, 1044 W. Walnut R4 371, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-5225, USA.
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de Heer IM, Hoogeboom J, Vermeij-Keers C, de Klein A, Vaandrager JM. Postnatal onset of craniosynostosis in a case of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. J Craniofac Surg 2005; 15:1048-52. [PMID: 15547403 DOI: 10.1097/00001665-200411000-00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Saethre-Chotzen syndrome is a craniosynostosis syndrome characterized by facial and limb abnormalities. It is caused by mutations in the TWIST gene on chromosome 7p21. To date, more than 80 different mutations in TWIST have been reported in the literature.Recently, large deletions of chromosome 7p, encompassing the TWIST locus, have been detected in patients with clinical features of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. Strikingly, all these patients were severely mentally retarded, which is otherwise a rare finding in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. The authors report a patient with a large TWIST/7p deletion but with normal development. Furthermore, craniosynostosis was not present at birth or at the age of 4 months. However, skull radiographs taken at the age of 14 months showed stenosis of both coronal sutures, as well as of part of the sagittal suture. Reports on postnatal onset of craniosynostosis have been made in Crouzon syndrome but, to the authors' knowledge, never in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Marieke de Heer
- Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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45
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly A Lenton
- Children's Surgical Research Program, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5148, USA
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Cai J, Jabs EW. A twisted hand: bHLH protein phosphorylation and dimerization regulate limb development. Bioessays 2005; 27:1102-6. [PMID: 16237669 DOI: 10.1002/bies.20313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS), a human autosomal dominant condition with limb defects and craniosynostosis, is caused by haploinsufficiency of TWIST1, a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor. Until recently, the molecular pathogenesis of the limb defects in SCS has not been well understood. Now, Firulli et al.1 show in mouse and chick that ectopic expression of a related bHLH protein, Hand2, results in phenocopies of the limb defects caused by Twist1 loss-of-function mutations. These two proteins interact in a dosage-dependent antagonistic manner, and both can be regulated through phosphorylation at conserved helix I amino acid residues. These findings provide an important link between the misregulation of Twist1 dimerization and the limb phenotypes observed in SCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanliang Cai
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Center for Craniofacial Development and Disorders, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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Funato N, Twigg SRF, Higashihori N, Ohyama K, Wall SA, Wilkie AOM, Nakamura M. Functional analysis of natural mutations in two TWIST protein motifs. Hum Mutat 2005; 25:550-6. [PMID: 15880747 DOI: 10.1002/humu.20176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The basic helix-loop-helix protein Twist, a transcriptional repressor, is essential for embryogenesis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. Haploinsufficiency of the human TWIST1 gene, which causes the craniosynostosis disorder Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS), is related to failure to repress transcription of CDKN1A (which encodes p21/WAF1/CIP1), promoting osteoblast differentiation. We have examined the functional significance of natural TWIST1 variants present in craniosynostosis patients and in their healthy relatives. Both deletion and duplication variants of the glycine-rich tract Gly5AlaGly5 inhibited E2A (E12/E47)-dependent transcription of CDKN1A to a similar degree as wild-type protein, indicating that the length of this glycine tract is not critical for efficient transcriptional repression. We also evaluated a newly identified heterozygous TWIST1 variant (c.115C>G, encoding p.Arg39Gly), located within a putative nuclear localization signal (NLS), that was present in a child with mild SCS and her clinically unaffected father and grandmother. Unlike wild-type protein, this mutant required cotransfected E12 to localize to the nucleus, indicating that the NLS, including amino acid 39, is essential for nuclear localization; inhibition of E2A-dependent transcription of CDKN1A occurred normally. This analysis further dissects the structure-function relationships of TWIST and corroborates with phenotypic observations of disease expressivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko Funato
- Human Gene Sciences Center, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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Nacamuli RP, Wan DC, Lenton KA, Longaker MT. New developments in pediatric plastic surgery research. Clin Plast Surg 2005; 32:123-36, ix-x. [PMID: 15636770 DOI: 10.1016/j.cps.2004.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Pediatric plastic surgery research is a rapidly expanding field. Unique in many ways, researchers in this field stand at the union of multiple scientific specialties, including biomedical engineering, tissue engineering, polymer science, molecular biology, developmental biology, and genetics. The goal of this scientific effort is to translate research advances into improved treatments for children with congenital and acquired defects. Although the last decade has seen a dramatic acceleration in research related to pediatric plastic surgery, the next 10 years will no doubt lead to novel treatment strategies with improved clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall P Nacamuli
- Children's Surgical Research Program, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, 257 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5148, USA
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Stasinopoulos IA, Mironchik Y, Raman A, Wildes F, Winnard P, Raman V. HOXA5-Twist Interaction Alters p53 Homeostasis in Breast Cancer Cells. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:2294-9. [PMID: 15545268 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m411018200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The homeotic gene HOXA5 has been shown to play an important role in breast tumorigenesis. We have shown that loss of p53 correlated with loss of a developmentally regulated transcription factor, HOXA5, in primary breast cancer. Searching for potential protein interacting partners we found that HOXA5 binds to an anti-apoptotic protein, Twist. Furthermore, Twist-overexpressing MCF-7 cells displayed a deregulated p53 response to gamma-radiation and decreased regulation of downstream target genes. Using a p53-promoter-reporter system, we demonstrated that HOXA5 could partially restore the inhibitory effects of Twist on p53 target genes. These effects are likely mediated through both the transcriptional up-regulation of p53 and the protein-protein interaction between HOXA5 and Twist. Thus, the loss of HOXA5 expression could lead to the functional activation of Twist resulting in aberrant cell cycle regulation and promoting breast carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis A Stasinopoulos
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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Mulliken JB, Gripp KW, Stolle CA, Steinberger D, Müller U. Molecular analysis of patients with synostotic frontal plagiocephaly (unilateral coronal synostosis). Plast Reconstr Surg 2004; 113:1899-909. [PMID: 15253176 DOI: 10.1097/01.prs.0000122202.26792.bf] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in genes known to be responsible for most of the recognizable syndromes associated with bilateral coronal synostosis can be detected by molecular testing. The genetic alterations that could cause unilateral coronal synostosis are more elusive. It is recognized that FGFR and TWIST mutations can give rise to either bilateral or unilateral coronal synostosis, even in the same family. The authors undertook a prospective study of patients presenting with synostotic frontal plagiocephaly (unilateral coronal synostosis) to Children's Hospital Boston during the period from 1997 to 2000. Mutational analysis was performed on all patients and on selected parents whenever familial transmission was suspected. Intraoperative anthropometry was used in an effort to differentiate those patients in whom a mutation was detected from those in whom it was not. The anthropometric measures included bilateral sagittal orbital-globe distance, inter medial canthal distance, and nasal angulation. Macrocephaly and palpebral angulation were also considered possible determinants. There was a 2:1 female preponderance in 47 patients with synostotic frontal plagiocephaly. Mutations were found in eight of 47 patients: two patients with different single-amino-acid changes in FGFR2, three patients with FGFR3 Pro250Arg, and three patients with TWIST mutations. Another patient had craniofrontonasal syndrome for which a causative locus has been mapped to chromosome X, although molecular testing is not yet available. Two features were strongly associated with a detectable mutation in patients with synostotic frontal plagiocephaly: asymmetrical brachycephaly (retrusion of both supraorbital rims) and orbital hypertelorism. Other abnormalities in the craniofacial region and extremities were clues to a particular mutation in FGFR2, FGFR3, TWIST, or the X-linked mutation. Neither macrocephaly nor degree of nasal angulation nor relative vertical position of the lateral canthi correlated with mutational detection. An additional four patients in this study had either unilateral or bilateral coronal synostosis in an immediate relative and had anthropometric findings that predicted a mutation, and yet no genetic alteration was found. This suggests either that the authors' screening methods were not sufficiently sensitive or that perhaps there are other unknown pathogenic loci. Nevertheless, molecular testing is recommended for infants who have unilateral coronal synostosis, particularly if there are the anthropometric findings highlighted in this study or an otherwise suspicious feature in the child or a parent. Infants with either an identified or a suspected mutation usually need bilateral asymmetric advancement of the bandeau and may be more likely to require frontal revision in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- John B Mulliken
- Craniofacial Center, Division of Plastic Surgery, Children's Hospital Boston, Mass 02215, USA.
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