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Abo-Ahmed AI, Latifi F, El-kammar RI, Girgiri I. Merkel-like basal cells in the nasal septal island of dromedaries: Ultrastructure and possible functions. Saudi J Biol Sci 2023; 30:103764. [PMID: 37588572 PMCID: PMC10425395 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Unlike other Merkel cell types, the morphology and functions of the Merkel-like basal cells remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ultrastructural features of Merkel-like basal cells in the nasal septal island (NSI) of dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) using transmission electron microscopy and to speculate their potential functions. Ten pairs of nasal septal islands obtained from ten heads of dromedary camels were used for the current study. Interestingly, these cells have been identified in the basal layer of the neuroepithelium of the dromedary nasal septal island near the sensory nerve endings. These cells were ovoid to elliptical in shape and rested on the basal lamina. Their surface had spine like cytoplasmic processes which interwined with the adjacent basal cells. Their nuclei were large lobulated with 2-3 deep notches. Moreover, numerous dense-core granules surrounded by electron-lucent halo were aggregated in the basal portion of the cells close to the nerve ending as well as melanin pigments in the apical portion. The ultrastructural characteristics of the Merkel-like basal cells of NSI were typical to those of Merkel cells, but with some morphological differences, including their location, cellular attachments, and connections to other structures. The potential functions were discussed in the light of the cellular context and architecture. The Merkel-like basal cells of the NSI neuroepithelium might play a role in nociception and magnetoreception in dromedaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed I. Abo-Ahmed
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh 13736, Egypt
| | - Fatgzim Latifi
- Department of Veterinary, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - Reda I. El-kammar
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh 13736, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim Girgiri
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, PMB 1069, Nigeria
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2
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Davies C, Dötsch L, Ciulla MG, Hennes E, Yoshida K, Gasper R, Scheel R, Sievers S, Strohmann C, Kumar K, Ziegler S, Waldmann H. Identification of a Novel Pseudo-Natural Product Type IV IDO1 Inhibitor Chemotype. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022; 61:e202209374. [PMID: 35959923 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202209374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Natural product (NP)-inspired design principles provide invaluable guidance for bioactive compound discovery. Pseudo-natural products (PNPs) are de novo combinations of NP fragments to target biologically relevant chemical space not covered by NPs. We describe the design and synthesis of apoxidoles, a novel pseudo-NP class, whereby indole- and tetrahydropyridine fragments are linked in monopodal connectivity not found in nature. Apoxidoles are efficiently accessible by an enantioselective [4+2] annulation reaction. Biological evaluation revealed that apoxidoles define a new potent type IV inhibitor chemotype of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), a heme-containing enzyme considered a target for the treatment of neurodegeneration, autoimmunity and cancer. Apoxidoles target apo-IDO1, prevent heme binding and induce unique amino acid positioning as revealed by crystal structure analysis. Novel type IV apo-IDO1 inhibitors are in high demand, and apoxidoles may provide new opportunities for chemical biology and medicinal chemistry research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Davies
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemical Biology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany.,Technical University of Dortmund, Department of Chemical Biology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Lara Dötsch
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemical Biology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany.,Technical University of Dortmund, Department of Chemical Biology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Maria Gessica Ciulla
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemical Biology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany.,Current address: Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy.,Center for Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering (CNTE), ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20162, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabeth Hennes
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemical Biology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany.,Technical University of Dortmund, Department of Chemical Biology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Kei Yoshida
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemical Biology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Raphael Gasper
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemical Biology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Rebecca Scheel
- Technical University of Dortmund, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Sonja Sievers
- Compound Management and Screening Center (COMAS), Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Carsten Strohmann
- Technical University of Dortmund, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Kamal Kumar
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemical Biology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany.,Current address: AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 475, 42117, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Slava Ziegler
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemical Biology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Herbert Waldmann
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, Department of Chemical Biology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 11, 44227, Dortmund, Germany.,Technical University of Dortmund, Department of Chemical Biology, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
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3
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Davies C, Dötsch L, Ciulla MG, Hennes E, Yoshida K, Gasper R, Scheel R, Sievers S, Strohmann C, Kumar K, Ziegler S, Waldmann H. Identification of a Novel Pseudo‐Natural Product Type IV IDO1 Inhibitor Chemotype. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202209374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Davies
- Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie: Max-Planck-Institut fur molekulare Physiologie Chemical Biology GERMANY
| | - Lara Dötsch
- Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie: Max-Planck-Institut fur molekulare Physiologie Chemical Biology GERMANY
| | - Maria Gessica Ciulla
- Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie: Max-Planck-Institut fur molekulare Physiologie Chemical Biology GERMANY
| | - Elisabeth Hennes
- Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie: Max-Planck-Institut fur molekulare Physiologie Chemical Biology GERMANY
| | - Kei Yoshida
- Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie: Max-Planck-Institut fur molekulare Physiologie Chemical Biology GERMANY
| | - Raphael Gasper
- Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie: Max-Planck-Institut fur molekulare Physiologie Crystallography and Biophysics Facility GERMANY
| | - Rebecca Scheel
- Technische Universität Dortmund: Technische Universitat Dortmund Inorganic Chemistry GERMANY
| | - Sonja Sievers
- Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie: Max-Planck-Institut fur molekulare Physiologie Compound Management and Screening Center GERMANY
| | - Carsten Strohmann
- Technische Universität Dortmund: Technische Universitat Dortmund Inorganic Chemistry GERMANY
| | - Kamal Kumar
- Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie: Max-Planck-Institut fur molekulare Physiologie Chemical Biology GERMANY
| | - Slava Ziegler
- Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie: Max-Planck-Institut fur molekulare Physiologie Chemical Biology GERMANY
| | - Herbert Waldmann
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Physiology: Max-Planck-Institut fur molekulare Physiologie Chemical Biology Otto-Hahn-Str. 11 44227 Dortmund GERMANY
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Ahmed E, Abo-Ahmed AI, Latifi F. Ultrastructure and histochemistry of the subepithelial glands of the nasal septal island in dromedaries with special reference to the possible functions. Saudi J Biol Sci 2021; 28:5325-5331. [PMID: 34466111 PMCID: PMC8381000 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.05.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The NSI subepithelial glands in dromedaries had unique anatomical features. Their ultrastructural features are typical for APUD cells. They may have the structures required for synthesis of active peptides, amines and chemical mediators.
The nasal septal island (NSI) is a sensory patch of neuroepithelium located within the soft tissue of the nasal septum in dromedaries. The island has unique anatomical features, including the specialized subepithelial glands. The aim of the present study was to describe the microscopic features and ultrastructure of these subepithelial glands and to speculate the possible functions. A total of 10 camel heads were used for the study. Unlike the serous and mucous airway glands, the NSI glands’ ultrastructural features were typical for cells of the (Amine Precursor Uptake and Decarboxylation, APUD) system. These features were included, membrane bound secretory vesicles of varying electron density, smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the form of vesicles; electron dense mitochondria, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and free ribosomes. Alcian-PAS identifiable mucus granules were not observed, except for few clusters of cells, located at the luminal surface. The probable functions were discussed on basis of cellular morphology and context. In a conclusion, the NSI subepithelial glands in dromedaries had unique anatomical structures, and as many other APUD cells, they had the machinery required for synthesis of a variable number of biologically active peptides, amines and chemical mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Ahmed
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Egypt
| | - Ahmed I Abo-Ahmed
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Egypt
| | - Fatgzim Latifi
- Department of veterinary medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Bul. "Bill Clinton", p.n, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo
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Woźniak D, Cichy W, Przysławski J, Drzymała-Czyż S. The role of microbiota and enteroendocrine cells in maintaining homeostasis in the human digestive tract. Adv Med Sci 2021; 66:284-292. [PMID: 34098509 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2021.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The microbiota is a heterogeneous ecosystem consisting of diverse microorganisms unique to an individual, playing a crucial role in maintaining human body homeostasis. The microbiota, as a suggested endocrine organ, is also capable of producing and regulating hormones, playing an important role in food processing, synthesis of vitamins, pathogen displacement, and influencing functions of distant systems and organs. The efficient connections between the brain and intestines and microbiota ensure the maintenance of the digestive tract homeostasis, with the bidirectional brain and gut axis playing an important role in the regulation of digestion. Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) are a fascinating example of highly specified cells scattered throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They produce and release signaling molecules (hormones), thus modulate homeostatic functions. EECs are believed to be crucial sensors of gut microbiota or/and microbial metabolites, secreting peptide hormones and cytokines in response to them. The diet, microbiota, and EECs are inevitably dependent on one another, thus together (nutrients, microbiota, enterohormones) affect metabolism. This manuscript reviews the role of various components of the brain-gut axis in digestive and absorption processes, as well as the maintenance of digestive tract homeostasis and the consequences of disturbances in the individual components of this axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmara Woźniak
- Department of Bromatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Wojciech Cichy
- Department of Cosmetology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The President Stanisław Wojciechowski State University of Applied Sciences in Kalisz, Kalisz, Poland
| | - Juliusz Przysławski
- Department of Bromatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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Bhattacharya S, Patel KK, Dehari D, Agrawal AK, Singh S. Melatonin and its ubiquitous anticancer effects. Mol Cell Biochem 2019; 462:133-155. [DOI: 10.1007/s11010-019-03617-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Ligiero Braga T, Santos-Oliveira R. PPoma Review: Epidemiology, Aetiopathogenesis, Prognosis and Treatment. Diseases 2018; 6:diseases6010008. [PMID: 29324681 PMCID: PMC5871954 DOI: 10.3390/diseases6010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Generally, pancreatic polypeptide-secreting tumor of the distal pancreas (PPoma) is classified as a rare tumor, and may occur sporadically or be associated in families or with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (NEM 1). It grows slowly, reaching large dimensions at the time of diagnosis and the symptomatology is fundamentally due to the mass effect, causing either non-specific abdominal pain or symptoms suggestive of obstruction of the pancreatic or biliary duct. Therefore, when detected, they are usually malignant, with metastases mainly in the liver. The combination of serum analysis of increased levels of chromogranin A and pancreatic polypeptide and pancreastatin is very useful with a sensitivity of up to 95%. However, in addition, scintigraphicexams with somatostatin analogues should be performed to better clarify the diagnosis. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice, despite surgical difficulty and because they are generally palliative due to the metastases. Surgeries for tumor volume reduction are also performed to relieve symptoms. Chemotherapy commonly uses streptozotocin and somatostatin analogues to treat residual disease. Unfortunately, the survival rates are still very low, less than 10%, and if metastases already exist, this percentage drops to 3%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais Ligiero Braga
- Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission, Nuclear Engineering Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21941906, Brazil.
| | - Ralph Santos-Oliveira
- Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission, Nuclear Engineering Institute, Rio de Janeiro 21941906, Brazil.
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Abstract
Thyroid hormones are crucial for organismal development and homeostasis. In humans, untreated congenital hypothyroidism due to thyroid agenesis inevitably leads to cretinism, which comprises irreversible brain dysfunction and dwarfism. Elucidating how the thyroid gland - the only source of thyroid hormones in the body - develops is thus key for understanding and treating thyroid dysgenesis, and for generating thyroid cells in vitro that might be used for cell-based therapies. Here, we review the principal mechanisms involved in thyroid organogenesis and functional differentiation, highlighting how the thyroid forerunner evolved from the endostyle in protochordates to the endocrine gland found in vertebrates. New findings on the specification and fate decisions of thyroid progenitors, and the morphogenesis of precursor cells into hormone-producing follicular units, are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikael Nilsson
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg SE-40530, Sweden
| | - Henrik Fagman
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Göteborg SE-40530, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Pathology and Genetics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg SE-41345, Sweden
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9
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Sromek M, Czetwertyńska M, Tarasińska M, Janiec-Jankowska A, Zub R, Ćwikła M, Nowakowska D, Chechlińska M. Analysis of Newly Identified and Rare Synonymous Genetic Variants in the RET Gene in Patients with Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma in Polish Population. Endocr Pathol 2017; 28. [PMID: 28647780 PMCID: PMC5552825 DOI: 10.1007/s12022-017-9487-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Gain-of-function germline mutations of the RET proto-oncogene are responsible for initiation of carcinogenesis within the thyroid gland and development of hereditary form of medullary thyroid carcinoma and MEN2 syndrome. Genotype-phenotype correlations are established for most RET mutations, but the importance of the synonymous changes in this gene remains debatable. We aimed to analyze RET gene variants in Polish population. Genetic testing for the RET gene variants was performed with standard methods in 585 people aged 1-85, including 448 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma and 131 of their first- and second-degree relatives, as well as six patients suspected of MTC/MEN2. Besides the most frequent synonymous changes, p.Leu769Leu, p.Ser836Ser, and p.Ser904Ser, four rare changes-c.1827C>T (p.Cys609Cys), c.2364C>T (p.Ile788Ile), c.2418C>T (p.Tyr806Tyr), and c.2673G>A (p.Ser891Ser)-were found in the RET gene, in the Polish population. Two of the rare changes, p.Cys609Cys and p.Ile788Ile, had not been previously described. The frequency of molecular synonymous variants in the general population was evaluated by testing 400 anonymous blood samples of neonates. Our findings may contribute to a better understanding of the genetic diversity of the RET gene and the involvement of synonymous variants in this diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sromek
- Department of Immunology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute - Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute - Oncology Center, W.K. Roentgen 5, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Czetwertyńska
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute - Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Tarasińska
- Department of Oncology, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aneta Janiec-Jankowska
- Department of Diagnostic Laboratory of Genetic Predispositions, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute - Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Renata Zub
- Department of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute - Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Ćwikła
- Department of Gastroenterological Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute - Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Nowakowska
- Genetic Counseling Unit, Cancer Prevention Center, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute - Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Chechlińska
- Department of Immunology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute - Oncology Center, Warsaw, Poland
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Nilsson M, Williams D. On the Origin of Cells and Derivation of Thyroid Cancer: C Cell Story Revisited. Eur Thyroid J 2016; 5:79-93. [PMID: 27493881 PMCID: PMC4949372 DOI: 10.1159/000447333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We will highlight and put into perspective new lineage tracing data from genetic studies in mice indicating that the genuine progenitors to C cells arise in the endoderm germ layer. This overturns the current concept of a neural crest origin of thyroid C cells referred to in every textbook and dedicated paper to this very day. As will become apparent, except for a single experiment, the neural crest theory has little or no support when the evolution and development of calcitonin-producing cells in the entire chordate family are considered. Instead, a unifying origin of all cells of the ultimobranchial bodies reopens questions on the histogenesis of certain thyroid pathologies previously difficult to explain. On this aspect, medullary thyroid cancer shows a stronger connection to gut neuroendocrine tumours than previously recognized. It is envisaged that novel factors implicated in C cell-derived tumour growth and progression will be discovered as the mechanisms that regulate lineage expansion of embryonic C cell precursors from pharyngeal endoderm are uncovered. We will not discuss why C cells go to the bother of burying themselves in the thyroid - this remains a mystery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikael Nilsson
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- *Mikael Nilsson, Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 425, SE-40530 Gothenburg (Sweden), E-Mail
| | - Dillwyn Williams
- Department of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Vitale L, Casadei R, Canaider S, Lenzi L, Strippoli P, D'Addabbo P, Giannone S, Carinci P, Zannotti M. Cysteine and tyrosine-rich 1 (CYYR1), a novel unpredicted gene on human chromosome 21 (21q21.2), encodes a cysteine and tyrosine-rich protein and defines a new family of highly conserved vertebrate-specific genes. Gene 2002; 290:141-51. [PMID: 12062809 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1119(02)00550-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A novel human gene has been identified by in-depth bioinformatics analysis of chromosome 21 segment 40/105 (21q21.1), with no coding region predicted in any previous analysis. Brain-derived DNA complementary to RNA (cDNA) sequencing predicts a 154-amino acid product with no similarity to any known protein. The gene has been named cysteine and tyrosine-rich protein 1 gene (symbol cysteine and tyrosine-rich 1, CYYR1). The CYYR1 messenger RNA was found by Northern blot analysis in a broad range of tissues (two transcripts of 3.4 and 2.2 kb). The gene consists of four exons and spans about 107 kb, including a very large intron of 85.8 kb. Analysis of expressed sequence tags shows high CYYR1 expression in cells belonging to the amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation system. We also cloned the cDNA of the murine ortholog Cyyr1, which was mapped by a radiation hybrid panel on chromosome 16 within the region corresponding to that containing the respective human homolog on chromosome 21. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis led to identification of several genes encoding CYYR1 homologous proteins. The most prominent feature identified in the protein family is a central, unique cysteine and tyrosine-rich domain, which is strongly conserved from lower vertebrates (fishes) to humans but is absent in bacteria and invertebrates.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Blotting, Northern
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21/genetics
- DNA, Complementary/chemistry
- DNA, Complementary/genetics
- Databases, Nucleic Acid
- Evolution, Molecular
- Expressed Sequence Tags
- Female
- Gene Expression
- Humans
- Membrane Proteins
- Mice
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Phylogeny
- Proteins/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Radiation Hybrid Mapping
- Sequence Alignment
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Vertebrates/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenza Vitale
- Istituto di Istologia ed Embriologia Generale, Università di Bologna, Bologna-Centro di Ricerca in Genetica Molecolare Fondazione CARISBO, Bologna, Via Belmeloro, Bologna, Italy
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