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Hattori A, Fukami M. Nuclear Receptor Gene Variants Underlying Disorders/Differences of Sex Development through Abnormal Testicular Development. Biomolecules 2023; 13:691. [PMID: 37189438 PMCID: PMC10135730 DOI: 10.3390/biom13040691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Gonadal development is the first step in human reproduction. Aberrant gonadal development during the fetal period is a major cause of disorders/differences of sex development (DSD). To date, pathogenic variants of three nuclear receptor genes (NR5A1, NR0B1, and NR2F2) have been reported to cause DSD via atypical testicular development. In this review article, we describe the clinical significance of the NR5A1 variants as the cause of DSD and introduce novel findings from recent studies. NR5A1 variants are associated with 46,XY DSD and 46,XX testicular/ovotesticular DSD. Notably, both 46,XX DSD and 46,XY DSD caused by the NR5A1 variants show remarkable phenotypic variability, to which digenic/oligogenic inheritances potentially contribute. Additionally, we discuss the roles of NR0B1 and NR2F2 in the etiology of DSD. NR0B1 acts as an anti-testicular gene. Duplications containing NR0B1 result in 46,XY DSD, whereas deletions encompassing NR0B1 can underlie 46,XX testicular/ovotesticular DSD. NR2F2 has recently been reported as a causative gene for 46,XX testicular/ovotesticular DSD and possibly for 46,XY DSD, although the role of NR2F2 in gonadal development is unclear. The knowledge about these three nuclear receptors provides novel insights into the molecular networks involved in the gonadal development in human fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Hattori
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan;
- Division of Diversity Research, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
| | - Maki Fukami
- Department of Molecular Endocrinology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan;
- Division of Diversity Research, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
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2
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Almutairi MH, Alotaibi MM, Alonaizan R, Almutairi BO. Expression Profile of MAGE-B1 Gene and Its Hypomethylation Activation in Colon Cancer. Biomed Res Int 2022; 2022:6066567. [PMID: 35937396 PMCID: PMC9348940 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6066567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-testis (CT) genes are typically expressed in the testes; however, they have been linked to aberrant expression in a variety of malignancies. MAGE-B family genes are an example of CT genes. Therefore, the overarching objective of this study was to examine the expressions of MAGE-B family genes in several patients with colon cancer (CC) to see if they might be employed as cancer biomarkers in the early phases of cancer detection and to improve treatment. In this investigation, RT-PCR was used to analyze MAGE-B family genes in neighboring normal colon (NC) tissue from 10 CC patients. In addition, the effect of DNA demethylation on the expression status of the MAGE-B1 gene was evaluated by RT-PCR in HCT116 and Caco-2 cells and by qRT-PCR for HCT116 only after treating both CC cell lines with varying concentrations of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 μM) for 48 or 72 hours. All MAGE-B family genes except for MAGE-B1 showed weak bands in several samples of NC tissues: MAGE-B2, MAGE-B3, MAGE-B4, MAGE-B5, and MAGE-B6 genes were observed in 40%, 50%, 40%, 30%, and 60% of the NC samples, respectively. Nonetheless, they had strong bands in multiple samples of CC tissues, with 70%, 90%, 60%, 50%, and 90% of the CC samples, respectively. Interestingly, MAGE-B1 was detected in 60% of CC tissues but not in NC tissues, suggesting that it is a potential biomarker for early CC detection. MAGE-B1 expression was not observed in either untreated or DMSO-treated HCT116 cells after 48 or 72 hours of treatment. However, according to the RT-PCR and qRT-PCR results, the MAGE-B1 gene was overexpressed in the HCT116 cells treated with three different concentrations of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. This shows that demethylation plays a crucial role in MAGE-B1 expression activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhlid H. Almutairi
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box: 2455, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mona M. Alotaibi
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box: 2455, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rasha Alonaizan
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box: 2455, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bader O. Almutairi
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box: 2455, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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3
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Lee AK, Potts PR. A Comprehensive Guide to the MAGE Family of Ubiquitin Ligases. J Mol Biol 2017; 429:1114-1142. [PMID: 28300603 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Melanoma antigen (MAGE) genes are conserved in all eukaryotes and encode for proteins sharing a common MAGE homology domain. Although only a single MAGE gene exists in lower eukaryotes, the MAGE family rapidly expanded in eutherians and consists of more than 50 highly conserved genes in humans. A subset of MAGEs initially garnered interest as cancer biomarkers and immunotherapeutic targets due to their antigenic properties and unique expression pattern that is primary restricted to germ cells and aberrantly reactivated in various cancers. However, further investigation revealed that MAGEs not only drive tumorigenesis but also regulate pathways essential for diverse cellular and developmental processes. Therefore, MAGEs are implicated in a broad range of diseases including neurodevelopmental, renal, and lung disorders, and cancer. Recent biochemical and biophysical studies indicate that MAGEs assemble with E3 RING ubiquitin ligases to form MAGE-RING ligases (MRLs) and act as regulators of ubiquitination by modulating ligase activity, substrate specification, and subcellular localization. Here, we present a comprehensive guide to MAGEs highlighting the molecular mechanisms of MRLs and their physiological roles in germ cell and neural development, oncogenic functions in cancer, and potential as therapeutic targets in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Lee
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA
| | - Patrick Ryan Potts
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105-3678, USA.
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4
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Chen S, Zhang H, Wang F, Zhang W, Peng G. nr0b1 (DAX1) mutation in zebrafish causes female-to-male sex reversal through abnormal gonadal proliferation and differentiation. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2016; 433:105-16. [PMID: 27267667 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Revised: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Sex determinations are diverse in vertebrates. Although many sex-determining genes and pathways are conserved, the mechanistic roles of these genes and pathways in the genetic sex determination are not well understood. DAX1 (encoded by the NR0B1 gene) is a vertebrate specific orphan nuclear receptor that regulates gonadal development and sexual determination. In human, duplication of the NR0B1 gene leads to male-to-female sex reversal. In mice, Nr0b1 shows both pro-testis and anti-testis functions. We generated inheritable nr0b1 mutation in the zebrafish and found the nr0b1 mutation caused homozygous mutants to develop as fertile males due to female-to-male sex reversal. The nr0b1 mutation did not increase Caspase-3 labeling nor tp53 expression in the developing gonads. Introduction of a tp53 mutation into the nr0b1 mutant did not rescue the sex-reversal phenotype. Further examination revealed reduction in cell proliferation and abnormal somatic cell differentiation in the nr0b1 mutant gonads at the undifferentiated and bi-potential ovary stages. Together, our results suggest nr0b1 regulates somatic cell differentiation and cell proliferation to ensure normal sex development in the zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijie Chen
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hefei Zhang
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fenghua Wang
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Gang Peng
- Institutes of Brain Science, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Hagiwara Y, Sieverling L, Hanif F, Anton J, Dickinson ER, Bui TTT, Andreeva A, Barran PE, Cota E, Nikolova PV. Consequences of point mutations in melanoma-associated antigen 4 (MAGE-A4) protein: Insights from structural and biophysical studies. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25182. [PMID: 27121989 PMCID: PMC4848555 DOI: 10.1038/srep25182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Melanoma-Associated Antigen A4 (MAGE-A4) protein is a target for cancer therapy. The function of this protein is not well understood. We report the first comprehensive study on key cancer-associated MAGE-A4 mutations and provide analysis on the consequences of these mutations on the structure, folding and stability of the protein. Based on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Circular Dichroism, these mutations had no significant effects on the structure and the folding of the protein. Some mutations affected the thermal stability of the protein remarkably. Native mass spectrometry of wild-type MAGE-A4 showed a broad charge state distribution suggestive of a structurally dynamic protein. Significant intensity was found in relatively low charge states, indicative of a predominantly globular form and some population in more extended states. The latter is supported by Ion Mobility measurements. The MAGE-A4 mutants exhibited similar features. These novel molecular insights shed further light on better understanding of these proteins, which are implicated in a wide range of human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshio Hagiwara
- King's College London, Faculty of Life Sciences &Medicine, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford St, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Lina Sieverling
- King's College London, Faculty of Life Sciences &Medicine, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford St, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Farina Hanif
- King's College London, Faculty of Life Sciences &Medicine, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford St, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Jensy Anton
- King's College London, Faculty of Life Sciences &Medicine, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford St, London, SE1 9NH, UK
| | - Eleanor R Dickinson
- Michael Barber Centre for Collaborative Mass Spectrometry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Tam T T Bui
- Biomolecular Spectroscopy Centre, King's College London, The Wolfson Wing, Hodgkin Building, London SE1 1UL
| | | | - Perdita E Barran
- Michael Barber Centre for Collaborative Mass Spectrometry, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Ernesto Cota
- Imperial College London, Faculty of Natural Sciences, London, SW7 2AZ
| | - Penka V Nikolova
- King's College London, Faculty of Life Sciences &Medicine, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford St, London, SE1 9NH, UK
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Dong Y, Yi Y, Yao H, Yang Z, Hu H, Liu J, Gao C, Zhang M, Zhou L, Asan, Yi X, Liang Z. Targeted next-generation sequencing identification of mutations in patients with disorders of sex development. BMC Med Genet 2016; 17:23. [PMID: 26980296 PMCID: PMC4791760 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-016-0286-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The identification of causative mutations is important for treatment decisions and genetic counseling of patients with disorders of sex development (DSD). Here, we designed a new assay based on targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) to diagnose these genetically heterogeneous disorders. METHODS All coding regions and flanking sequences of 219 genes implicated in DSD were designed to be included on a panel. A total of 45 samples were used for sex chromosome dosage validation by targeted sequencing using the NGS platform. Among these, 21 samples were processed to find the causative mutation. RESULTS The sex chromosome dosages of all 45 samples in this assay were concordant with their corresponding karyotyping results. Among the 21 DSD patients, a total of 11 mutations in SRY, NR0B1, AR, CYP17A1, GK, CHD7, and SRD5A2 were identified, including five single nucleotide variants, three InDels, one in-frame duplication, one SRY-positive 46,XX, and one gross duplication with an estimated size of more than 427,038 bp containing NR0B1 and GK. We also identified six novel mutations: c.230_231insA in SRY, c.7389delA in CHD7, c.273C>G in NR0B1, and c.2158G>A, c.1825A>G, and c.2057_2065dupTGTGTGCTG in AR. CONCLUSIONS Our assay was able to make a genetic diagnosis for eight DSD patients (38.1%), and identified variants of uncertain clinical significance in the other three cases (14.3%). Targeted NGS is therefore a comprehensive and efficient method to diagnose DSD. This work also expands the pathogenic mutation spectrum of DSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanling Dong
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuting Yi
- Binhai Genomics Institute, BGI-Tianjin, Tianjin, China.,BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.,Tianjin Enterprise Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Diagnostic, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong Yao
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ziying Yang
- Binhai Genomics Institute, BGI-Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Huamei Hu
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiucheng Liu
- Binhai Genomics Institute, BGI-Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Changxin Gao
- Binhai Genomics Institute, BGI-Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Binhai Genomics Institute, BGI-Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Liying Zhou
- Binhai Genomics Institute, BGI-Tianjin, Tianjin, China
| | - Asan
- Binhai Genomics Institute, BGI-Tianjin, Tianjin, China.,BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.,Tianjin Enterprise Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Diagnostic, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Yi
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Zhiqing Liang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Abstract
DAX-1/NR0B1 is an unusual orphan receptor that has a pivotal role in the development and function of steroidogenic tissues and of the reproductive axis. Recent studies have also indicated that this transcription factor has an important function in stem cell biology and in several types of cancer. Here I critically review the most important findings on the role of DAX-1 in development, physiology, and disease of endocrine tissues since the cloning of its gene twenty years ago.
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Abstract
CONTEXT Disorders of sex development (DSDs) may arise from genetic defects in testis or ovary determination. Current analytical technologies and improved understanding of major regulatory pathways have cast new insight into the genetic basis for these disorders. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION A PubMed search was performed for the years 2011-13 using the terms "disorder of sex development," "gonadal dysgenesis," "ovarian dysgenesis," "array CGH," and "whole exome sequencing." Only articles from peer-reviewed journals were included. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Key themes that emerged included aberrant regulation of SOX9 via the hTES promoter in 46,XY gonadal DSDs, the role of the MAPK pathway in normal and aberrant gonadal development, and the role of new technologies in identification of gonadal DSDs. CONCLUSIONS With the advent of the robust new technologies of array comparative genomic hybridization and genomic sequencing in recent years, many new sex-determining genes have been identified. These genes have been organized into ovarian- and testicular-determining pathways that can block each other's activities. Identification of a mutation in a sex-determining gene in an individual affected with a DSD may warrant more extensive investigation for other phenotypic effects as well as genetic testing of other family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Ostrer
- Departments of Pathology, Genetics, and Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
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Sukumaran A, Desmangles JC, Gartner LA, Buchlis J. Duplication of dosage sensitive sex reversal area in a 46, XY patient with normal sex determining region of Y causing complete sex reversal. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2013; 26:775-9. [PMID: 23612644 DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2012-0354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Accepted: 02/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sex chromosome composition of the primordial gonad, either 46XX or 46XY, determines its differentiation as ovaries or testes. Local hormones secreted by developing gonads and tissue specific transcription factors influence the differentiation of external and internal genital structures. Dosage sensitive sex reversal adrenal hypoplasia congenita critical region (DAX1) on Xp21 is a gene which is expressed in the developing adrenals, gonads, hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Duplication of this area causes dosage sensitive male-to-female sex reversal while mutation or deletion leads to adrenal hypoplasia congenita with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in affected males. AIM To report a case with duplication of the X chromosome segment within the region of Xp21.1-22.2 resulting in 46 XY sex reversal and a literature review on DAX1 and dosage sensitive sex reversal (DSS). METHODS AND RESULTS We present the clinical history, physical findings, laboratory, and imaging study results in a newborn baby. This infant was sex assigned as female at birth and had normal female external genitalia. Chromosome analysis was done due to multiple minor malformations and showed a karyotype of 46 Xp+Y. Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis revealed the duplication in the DSS area. CONCLUSION Duplication of the DAX1 gene on the X chromosome with normal sex determining region of Y (SRY) results in 46 XY sex reversal. This was inherited from the mother who had normal ovarian function. Additional problems include growth failure, mental retardation and multiple congenital anomalies. The baby did not have a mutation or deletion of DAX1, which would have caused adrenal insufficiency and hypogonadism.
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Barbaro M, Cook J, Lagerstedt-Robinson K, Wedell A. Multigeneration Inheritance through Fertile XX Carriers of an NR0B1 (DAX1) Locus Duplication in a Kindred of Females with Isolated XY Gonadal Dysgenesis. Int J Endocrinol 2012; 2012:504904. [PMID: 22518125 PMCID: PMC3299259 DOI: 10.1155/2012/504904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2011] [Revised: 11/21/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A 160 kb minimal common region in Xp21 has been determined as the cause of XY gonadal dysgenesis, if duplicated. The region contains the MAGEB genes and the NR0B1 gene; this is the candidate for gonadal dysgenesis if overexpressed. Most patients present gonadal dysgenesis within a more complex phenotype. However, few independent cases have recently been described presenting with isolated XY gonadal dysgenesis caused by relatively small NR0B1 locus duplications. We have identified another NR0B1 duplication in two sisters with isolated XY gonadal dysgenesis with an X-linked inheritance pattern. We performed X-inactivation studies in three fertile female carriers of three different small NR0B1 locus duplications identified by our group. The carrier mothers did not show obvious skewing of X-chromosome inactivation, suggesting that NR0B1 overexpression does not impair ovarian function. We furthermore emphasize the importance to investigate the NR0B1 locus also in patients with isolated XY gonadal dysgenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Barbaro
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institut, Karolinska University Hospital, CMM L8:02, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
- *Michela Barbaro:
| | - Jackie Cook
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Sheffield S 102 TH, UK
| | - Kristina Lagerstedt-Robinson
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institut, Karolinska University Hospital, CMM L8:02, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Wedell
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institut, Karolinska University Hospital, CMM L8:02, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
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Hoftman ADC, Tai LQ, Tze S, Seligson D, Gatti RA, McCurdy DK. MAGE-B2 autoantibody: a new biomarker for pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus. J Rheumatol 2008; 35:2430-8. [PMID: 19004030 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.080333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Melanoma-associated antigen gene B2 (MAGE-B2) encodes an embryonic antigen normally silenced after birth except in testis and placenta. We identified the MAGE-B2 gene and autoantibodies in pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) glomerulonephritis. We investigated the prevalence of MAGE-B2 autoantibodies in association with active SLE, to determine a pathogenetic role of MAGE-B2 protein through its distribution in cells and tissues. METHODS A cross-sectional study analyzed the frequency of MAGE-B2 autoantibodies in 40 patients with pediatric SLE, 23 adult controls, and 16 patients with pediatric juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) using Western blots containing recombinant MAGE-B2. SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) and British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) index measured SLE disease activity. Tissue distribution of MAGE-B2 protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blots. RESULTS Seventeen (43%) of 40 pediatric SLE patients had MAGE-B2 autoantibodies as compared to 0 of 16 JRA patients and 2 of 23 adult controls. SLE disease activity was significantly higher in MAGE-B2 autoantibody-positive versus autoantibody-negative patients (SLEDAI-2K, mean 10.9 vs 5.2, p = 0.013; BILAG, mean 15.3 vs 6.3, p = 0.023). Active nephritis was more prevalent (60% vs 24%) in MAGE-B2 autoantibody-positive than autoantibody-negative SLE patients. MAGE-B2 protein was visualized in SLE kidney proximal convoluted tubules and in tumor epithelial cells, but not in lymphoblastoid cells. CONCLUSION MAGE-B2 autoantibody appears to be a clinically relevant biomarker for pediatric SLE disease activity and nephritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice D C Hoftman
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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Barbaro M, Cicognani A, Balsamo A, Löfgren Å, Baldazzi L, Wedell A, Oscarson M. Gene dosage imbalances in patients with 46,XY gonadal DSD detected by an in-house-designed synthetic probe set for multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis. Clin Genet 2008; 73:453-64. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.2008.00980.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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13
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitilyn Allen
- Department of Plant Pathology and Women's Studies, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
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14
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Barbaro M, Oscarson M, Schoumans J, Staaf J, Ivarsson SA, Wedell A. Isolated 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis in two sisters caused by a Xp21.2 interstitial duplication containing the DAX1 gene. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007; 92:3305-13. [PMID: 17504899 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2007-0505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Testis development is a tightly regulated process that requires an efficient and coordinated spatiotemporal action of many factors, and it has been shown that several genes involved in gonadal development exert a dosage effect. Chromosomal imbalances have been reported in several patients presenting with gonadal dysgenesis as part of severe dysmorphic phenotypes. RESULTS We screened for submicroscopic DNA copy number variations in two sisters with an apparent normal 46,XY karyotype and female external genitalia due to gonadal dysgenesis, and in which mutations in known candidate genes had been excluded. By high-resolution tiling bacterial artificial chromosome array comparative genome hybridization, a submicroscopic duplication at Xp21.2 containing DAX1 (NR0B1) was identified. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, multiple ligation probe amplification, and PCR, the rearrangement was further characterized. This revealed a 637-kb tandem duplication that in addition to DAX1 includes the four MAGEB genes, the hypothetical gene CXorf21, GK, and part of the MAP3K7IP3 gene. Sequencing and analysis of the breakpoint boundaries and duplication junction suggest that the duplication originated through a coupled homologous and nonhomologous recombination process. CONCLUSIONS This represents the first duplication on Xp21.2 identified in patients with isolated gonadal dysgenesis because all previously described XY subjects with Xp21 duplications presented with gonadal dysgenesis as part of a more complex phenotype, including mental retardation and/or malformations. Thus, our data support DAX1 as a dosage sensitive gene responsible for gonadal dysgenesis and highlight the importance of considering DAX1 locus duplications in the evaluation of all cases of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Barbaro
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Fujimura J. Sex Genes: A Critical Sociomaterial Approach to the Politics and Molecular Genetics of Sex Determination. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society 2006. [DOI: 10.1086/505612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Martínez A, Olarte I, Mergold MA, Gutiérrez M, Rozen E, Collazo J, Amancio-Chassin O, Ordóñez RM, Montesinos JJ, Mayani H, McCurdy DK, Ostrosky-Wegman P, Garrido-Guerrero E, Miranda EI. mRNA expression of MAGE-A3 gene in leukemia cells. Leuk Res 2006; 31:33-7. [PMID: 16806467 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2006.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2006] [Revised: 04/06/2006] [Accepted: 05/13/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Leukemia-associated antigens such as proteins encoded by MAGE genes might provide tools for immunotherapy of leukemia. Positive and negative results of MAGE-A gene expression in hematological malignancies have been reported. This led us to study MAGE-A gene expression in human leukemias using RT-PCR. Among 115 leukemias from various subtypes, 14/34 (41.17%) AML were positive for one of the three genes analyzed (MAGE-A1 1/32; MAGE-A3 10/32; MAGE-B2 3/12). Expression was also detected in 23/76 (30.26%) B-cell ALL patients (MAGE-A1 2/53; MAGE-A3 20/53; MAGE-B2 1/32). One of these patients expressed both MAGE-A1 (weak signal) and -A3 (strong signal) genes. Other patient with CML were positive for MAGE-B2 (1/5, 20%). MAGE-A3 expression data were corroborated by real time RT-PCR through determination of MAGE-A3 transcript levels. We concluded that the MAGE-A3 gene is expressed at the mRNA level in a proportion of human leukemias.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Martínez
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Servicio de Hematología, Hospital General de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Col. Doctores, 06726 México City D.F., Mexico
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17
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Mizukami M, Hanagiri T, Baba T, Fukuyama T, Nagata Y, So T, Ichiki Y, Sugaya M, Yasuda M, Takenoyama M, Sugio K, Yasumoto K. Identification of tumor associated antigens recognized by IgG from tumor-infiltrating B cells of lung cancer: correlation between Ab titer of the patient's sera and the clinical course. Cancer Sci 2006; 96:882-8. [PMID: 16367908 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2005.00119.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that TIB recognize tumor antigens and produce antibodies against them. In the present study, we identified three tumor antigens recognized by TIB in lung cancer and evaluated whether changes in the antibody titer against these antigens correlated with the patient's clinical course. A lung cancer cell line, G603L, was established from a primary lung tumor of a patient, G603. Seven months later, adrenal metastasis was detected and surgically resected. The latter tumor was mildly infiltrated with B cells and xenotransplanted into SCID mice to obtain human IgG. A cDNA library was constructed from G603L and SEREX was carried out using TIB-derived IgG. The sero-reactive clones were sequenced and one of these antigens was revealed to be MAGE-B2 whereas the others were novel antigens. In the immuno-monitoring of the patient's sera, high antibody titer against MAGE-B2 was observed before operation and the titer decreased after resection of the primary tumor. It was elevated again at the time of adrenal metastasis, but then decreased after resection. The change in antibody titer against the second antigen was similar to MAGE-B2, and the antibody titer against the third antigen was low before the primary operation but increased at the time of recurrence. Our results suggest that TIB recognized tumor antigens and the antibody titers against these antigens were changed along with the patient's clinical course. Therefore, these antibodies could be used as tumor markers for the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makiko Mizukami
- Department of Surgery II, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Iseigaoka 1-1, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan.
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18
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Abstract
Cancer/testis antigens (CT-antigens) are proteins that are predominantly expressed in cancer and testis and thus are possible targets for immunotherapy. Most of them form large multigene families. The evolution of the MAGE-A family of CT-antigens is characterized by four processes: (1) gene duplications; (2) duplications of the initial exon; (3) point mutations and short insertions/deletions inactivating splicing sites or creating new sites; and (4) deletions removing sites and creating chimeric exons. All this concerns the genomic regions upstream of the coding region, creating a wide diversity of isoforms with different 5'-untranslated regions. Many of these isoforms are gene-specific and have emerged due to point mutations in alternative and constitutive splicing sites. There are also examples of chimeric mRNAs, likely produced by splicing of read-through transcripts. Since there is consistent use of homologous sites for different genes and no random, indiscriminant use of preexisting cryptic sites, it is likely that most observed isoforms are functional, and do not result from relaxed control in transformed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irena I Artamonova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry RAS, Miklukho-Maklaya 16/10, Moscow 117997, Russia
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19
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Peng JR, Chen HS, Mou DC, Cao J, Cong X, Qin LL, Wei L, Leng XS, Wang Y, Chen WF. Expression of cancer/testis (CT) antigens in Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma and its correlation with clinical parameters. Cancer Lett 2005; 219:223-32. [PMID: 15723723 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2004.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2004] [Revised: 07/21/2004] [Accepted: 07/22/2004] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
For investigating the expression of cancer/testis (CT) antigens in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China, and evaluating the correlations between the expression of these CT antigens and clinical parameters, we collected tumors and adjacent non-cancerous tissues of 43 HCC patients from Beijing and 30 HCC patients from Guangxi province. Expression of the mRNA of 14 CT antigens was evaluated by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The correlation between CT antigen expression and clinical parameters was statistically analyzed. The mRNA expression frequencies of CT antigens in tumor tissue were: MAGE-A1, 69.9%; MAGE-A3, 47.9%; MAGE-A4, 20.0%; MAGE-A10, 36.7%; SSX-1, 67.4%; SSX-2, 35.6%; SSX-4, 48.8%; SSX-5, 30.2%; NY-ESO-1, 42.5%; MAGE-B1, 52.0%; MAGE-B2, 60.0%; MAGE-C1, 48.0%; MAGE-C2, 68.0%; and SCP-1, 33.3%. However, in adjacent tissues, no CT antigen mRNA expression was detected, except SSX-1 in 9.3% patients. In each HCC tissue, the expression of a minimum of one, two, or three CT antigens was in the range of 80-90, 70-80 or 50-70%, respectively. MAGE-A3 mRNA expression differed between the HCC patients in Beijing and Guangxi (P=0.002). The average age of the HCC patients bearing CT antigen positive tumors was higher than that of the HCC patients bearing CT antigen negative tumors. The expression of MAGE-A3, SSX-1, SSX-2, SSX-4, MAGE-B2, MAGE-C1, and MAGE-C2 correlated significantly with older age (P<0.05). Moreover, the expressions of MAGE-A4 and SCP-1 were related to alpha-fetoprotein abnormality (P<0.05), and the expression of NY-ESO-1 was related to early tumor stage (P<0.05). There was no correlation observed between the expression of CT antigens and the sex, HBV infection or tumor size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-run Peng
- Center of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University Health Science Center People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
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Novellino L, Castelli C, Parmiani G. A listing of human tumor antigens recognized by T cells: March 2004 update. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2005; 54:187-207. [PMID: 15309328 PMCID: PMC11032843 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-004-0560-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 362] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2004] [Accepted: 04/21/2004] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The technological advances occurred in the last few years have led to a great increase in the number of tumor associated antigens (TAA) that are currently available for clinical applications. In this review we provide a comprehensive list of human tumor antigens as reported in the literature updated at February 2004. The list includes all T cell-defined epitopes, while excluding analogs or artificially modified epitopes, as well as virus-encoded and antibodies-recognized antigens. TAAs are listed in alphabetical order along with the epitope sequence and the HLA allele which restricts recognition by T cells. Data on the tissue distribution of each antigen are also provided together with an extensive bibliography that allows a rapid search for any additional information may be needed on each single antigen or epitope. Overall, the updated list is a database tool for clinicians, scientists and students who have an interest in the field of tumor immunology and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Novellino
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via G. Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Castelli
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via G. Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Parmiani
- Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via G. Venezian 1, 20133 Milan, Italy
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21
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Laduron S, Deplus R, Zhou S, Kholmanskikh O, Godelaine D, De Smet C, Hayward SD, Fuks F, Boon T, De Plaen E. MAGE-A1 interacts with adaptor SKIP and the deacetylase HDAC1 to repress transcription. Nucleic Acids Res 2004; 32:4340-50. [PMID: 15316101 PMCID: PMC514365 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkh735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
MAGE-A1 belongs to a family of 12 genes that are active in various types of tumors and silent in normal tissues except in male germ-line cells. The MAGE-encoded antigens recognized by T cells are highly tumor-specific targets for T cell-oriented cancer immunotherapy. The function of MAGE-A1 is currently unknown. To analyze it, we attempted to identify protein partners of MAGE-A1. Using yeast two-hybrid screening, we detected an interaction between MAGE-A1 and Ski Interacting Protein (SKIP). SKIP is a transcriptional regulator that connects DNA-binding proteins to proteins that either activate or repress transcription. We show that MAGE-A1 inhibits the activity of a SKIP-interacting transactivator, namely the intracellular part of Notch1. Deletion analysis indicated that this inhibition requires the binding of MAGE-A1 to SKIP. Moreover, MAGE-A1 was found to actively repress transcription by binding and recruiting histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1). Our results indicate that by binding to SKIP and by recruiting HDACs, MAGE-A1 can act as a potent transcriptional repressor. MAGE-A1 could therefore participate in the setting of specific gene expression patterns for tumor cell growth or spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Laduron
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels branch, and Cellular Genetics Unit, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels B1200, Belgium
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22
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Abstract
The unusual orphan member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily DAX-1 (NR0B1) owes its name to its double role in human pathology. On one side, duplications in Xp21, containing the DAX-1 gene, cause phenotypic sex reversal in XY individuals. On the other side, DAX-1 gene mutations are responsible for adrenal hypoplasia congenita, invariably associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. DAX-1 functions as a global negative regulator of steroid hormone production by repressing the expression of multiple genes involved in the steroidogenic pathway. Here we review the mechanism of DAX-1 function in adrenal and gonadal differentiation, with special emphasis on recent results showing the critical role of DAX-1 protein misfolding in the pathogenesis of adrenal hypoplasia congenita.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enzo Lalli
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université Louis Pasteur, 67404 Illkirch, Strasbourg, France.
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23
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Abstract
Cancer/testis-associated genes (CTAs) are a subgroup of tumor antigens with a restricted expression in testis and malignancies. During the last decade, many of these immunotherapy candidate genes have been discovered using various approaches. Most of these genes are localized on the X-chromosome, often as multigene families. Methylation status seems to be the main, but not the only regulator of their specific expression pattern. In testis, CTAs are exclusively present in cells of the germ cell lineage, though there is a lot of variation in the moment of expression during different stages of sperm development. Likewise, there is also a lot of heterogeneity in the expression of CTAs in melanoma samples. Clues regarding functionality of CTAs for many of these proteins point to a role in cell cycle regulation or transcriptional control. Better insights in the function of these genes may shed light on the link between spermatogenesis and tumor growth and could be of use in anti-tumor therapies. This review outlines the CTA family and focuses on their expression and putative function during male germ cell development and melanocytic tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert J W Zendman
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center St. Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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24
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Le Caignec C, Baron S, McElreavey K, Joubert M, Rival JM, Mechinaud F, David A. 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis: evidence for autosomal dominant transmission in a large kindred. Am J Med Genet A 2003; 116A:37-43. [PMID: 12476449 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.10820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
46,XY gonadal dysgenesis is characterized by abnormal testicular determination. We describe a large kindred in which various disorders of sexual development were observed, ranging from completely female phenotype without ambiguities of the external genitalia (five cases) to men with isolated penile or perineal hypospadias (four cases), including two cases with moderate virilization and one case with ambiguity of the external genitalia. Histologic examination of gonadal tissue was performed on seven subjects. These findings were suggestive of complete gonadal dysgenesis in one patient, partial gonadal dysgenesis in three patients, and mixed gonadal dysgenesis in three patients. Four patients developed gonadal tumors (two gonadoblastoma, two dysgerminoma, and one immature teratoma, i.e., one patient had a dysgerminoma with some areas of gonadoblastoma). All affected subjects had no other congenital anomalies or dysmorphic features. Analysis of families with several affected individuals with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis implied an X-linked mode of inheritance because of the apparent absence of male-to-male transmission. However, a sex-limited autosomal dominant mode of inheritance affecting only XY individuals could not be ruled out. Analysis of the pedigree we report indicated an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance because of male-to-male transmission. This kindred supports the involvement of at least one autosomal gene in non-syndromic 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Le Caignec
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Nantes, France.
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25
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Abstract
Characterization of tumor-associated antigens recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes which has evolved during recent years opens new possibilities for specific anti-cancer immunotherapy. Among different groups of tumor-associated antigens, cancer/testis (CT) antigens (expressed in many tumors and among normal tissues only in testes) represent the most perspective antigens for immunotherapy because of their broad tumor-specific expression. More than 50 CT antigens have been described so far and, for many of them, epitopes recognized by T lymphocytes have been identified. The most studied group of CT antigens is the MAGE proteins, which form the so-called MAGE superfamily, together with some MAGE-like proteins that have a different distribution than classical CT antigens. The MAGE superfamily includes five families: MAGE-A, MAGE-B, MAGE-C, MAGE-D, and necdin. Comparison of the structure of members of MAGE superfamily points to the existence of a domain organization of these proteins. The central, core domain (second domain) is highly conservative. The first domain is homologous among MAGE family members with a CT expression, but unique for each member of the MAGE-D and necdin families. In addition to the homology of the central domain, the third domain is also homologous among all members of MAGE superfamily, but to a much lesser extent. The MAGE-D proteins contain an additional, fourth domain, which in the case of MAGE-D3 coincides with trophinin, a separate molecule described previously as an adhesion molecule that participates in embryo implantation. The structural classification of the members of MAGE superfamily might help in the future to understand the biological function of MAGE proteins. One important property of the CT antigens is the up-regulation of their expression by DNA demethylating agents, indicating a possible mechanism for their re-expression in tumors. One of the implications of this particular property could be that a combination of immunotherapy targeting CT antigens with chemotherapy inducing up-regulation of CT antigens might result in more efficient tumor eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei F Kirkin
- Department of Tumor Cell Biology, Institute of Cancer Biology, Danish
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26
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Liu WS, Nordqvist K, Lau YF, Fredga K. Characterization of the Xp21-23 region in the wood lemming, a region involved in XY sex reversal. J Exp Zool 2001; 290:551-7. [PMID: 11748603 DOI: 10.1002/jez.1105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The wood lemming (Myopus schisticolor) harbors two types of X chromosome, a normal X and a variant X, designated X*. The X* chromosome contains a mutation that causes XY sex reversal. We have previously demonstrated that the Xp21-23 region is deleted from X* and is associated with XY sex reversal. To further analyze the deleted region, we have constructed and characterized seven X chromosome- and region-specific recombinant DNA libraries. Further, we have screened mouse fetal gonad cDNA libraries with the microdissected Xp21-23 DNA as a probe in an attempt to identify homologous and expressed sequences from the deletion. Fourteen positive clones were isolated, and sequence analyses showed that ten of these contained identical sequences homologous to mouse gamma-satellite sequences. One of the remaining four was perfectly homologous to the mouse gene Ccth (chaperonin containing t-complex polypeptide 1, eta subunit). Southern blot indicated that the Ccth cDNA was located on the X chromosome, not deleted from the X* but closely linked to the deletion region. Although the role of the Ccth containing region in sex determination of the wood lemming requires additional studies, the isolation of the mouse Ccth gene by the deletion Xp21-23 probe could be important since this gene is mainly expressed in testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- W S Liu
- Department of Conservation Biology and Genetics, Evolutionary Biology Centre (EBC), Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden.
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27
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Abstract
The melanoma antigen (MAGE) genes were initially isolated from melanomas and turned out to have an almost exclusively tumor-specific expression pattern. This led to the idea of using MAGE genes as targets for cancer immunotherapy, and MAGE peptides are currently being investigated as immunizing agents in clinical studies. Although 23 human and 12 mouse MAGE genes have been isolated in various tumors and characterized, not much is known about their function in normal cells. In adult tissues, most MAGE genes are expressed only in the testis and expression patterns suggest that this gene family is involved in germ cell development. In contrast to the MAGE genes, more functional data have accumulated around the MAGE related gene necdin. This gene encodes a neuron-specific growth suppressor that facilitates the entry of the cell into cell cycle arrest. Necdin is functionally similar to the retinoblastoma protein and binds to and represses the activity of cell-cycle-promoting proteins such as SV40 large T, adenovirus E1A, and the transcription factor E2F. Necdin also interacts with p53 and works in an additive manner to inhibit cell growth. In this review we will focus on the normal functions of MAGE genes and we speculate, based on the patterns of MAGE expression and on observed functions of necdin, that this gene family is involved in cell cycle regulation, especially during germ cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Ohman Forslund
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Medical Nobel Institute, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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28
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Abstract
The MAGE-B (MAGE-B1, -B2, -B3, and -B4) genes share strong homology with the MAGE-A gene family. MAGE-B1 and -B2 encode common tumor-specific peptide antigens. There is, however, still very little information about the expression of these genes in human gastro-intestinal carcinomas. We investigated the expression of MAGE-B1 and -B2 genes in 29 cell lines and 53 clinical tumor samples of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). MAGE-B1 and -B2 gene transcripts were detected by RT-PCR in 1 (3%) and 6 (21%) cell lines, and in 9 (17%) and 17 (32%) clinical samples, respectively. Among them, 7 / 29 (24%) cell lines and 19 / 53 (36%) clinical samples expressed at least either MAGE-B1 or -B2. A significant correlation was found between negative MAGE-B gene expression and vascular invasion (P = 0.008). In 45 out of 53 esophageal carcinoma RNA samples, the MAGE-A1, -A2, and -A3 genes were detected in 27 (60%), 23 (51%), and 30 (67%) samples, respectively, while the MAGE-B genes were detected in 18 (40%) samples. The frequency of MAGE-B gene expression in esophageal carcinoma was relatively higher than that observed for gastric or colorectal carcinomas (12% and 2%, respectively). Therefore, the MAGE-B genes could be used as targets in specific immunotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Nagashima
- Department of Surgery, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Beppu 874-0838, Japan
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29
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Goodfellow PN, Camerino G. DAX-1, an “antitestis” gene. In: Scherer G, Schmid M, editors. Genes and Mechanisms in Vertebrate Sex Determination. Basel: Birkhäuser; 2001. pp. 57-69. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-0348-7781-7_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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30
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Põld M, Põld A, Ma HJ, Sjak-Shieb NN, Vescio RA, Berensonb JR. Cloning of the first invertebrate MAGE paralogue: an epitope that activates T-cells in humans is highly conserved in evolution. Dev Comp Immunol 2000; 24:719-731. [PMID: 10906385 DOI: 10.1016/s0145-305x(00)00027-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The MAGE (Melanoma Associated Antigen) family tumor-specific antigens are shared by a number of histologically different tumors. Till date, only human and mouse MAGE genes have been characterized. Our study describes the first non-mammalian member of MAGE super-family, DMAGE from D. melanogaster. A conceptual translation of the cDNA of DMAGE identifies a putative protein that contains a motif that shares eight out of nine amino acids with the previously identified promiscuous, HLA-A2 restricted antigenic epitope in the C-terminus of human MAGE-B1 and -B2. Similarly, this motif of DMAGE shares seven out of nine amino acids with the same antigenic epitope of human MAGE-A3 and -A12. Thus, the phylogeny of proteins that activate tumor specific T-cells in mammals as unmutated self-proteins began at least 100 million years earlier in evolution than the emergence of the adaptive immune system of higher vertebrates. Northern analysis revealed that DMAGE is a developmentally regulated gene highly expressed in adult fruit fly and in the embryo of D. melanogaster. In contrast, the expression level of the mRNA of DMAGE in fruit fly larva is substantially lower than in embryo and adult fly. We propose that studies of DMAGE on D. melanogaster may help define the function(s) of MAGE super-family genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Põld
- Brentwood Biomedical Research Institute, Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Medical Center, CA 90073, USA.
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31
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Serrano A, Lethé B, Delroisse JM, Lurquin C, De Plaen E, Brasseur F, Rimoldi D, Boon T. Quantitative evaluation of the expression of MAGE genes in tumors by limiting dilution of cDNA libraries. Int J Cancer 1999; 83:664-9. [PMID: 10521804 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0215(19991126)83:5<664::aid-ijc16>3.0.co;2-v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The MAGE-A genes are expressed in tumor cells but not in healthy tissues, except in male germ line cells and in placenta. They encode tumor-specific antigens recognized by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs). On the basis of semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays, 6 of the 12 members of the MAGE-A family, including MAGE-A1, were previously reported to have a high level of expression in tumors, whereas 5 other members, including MAGE-A10, were expressed at a much lower level, deemed to be insufficient for CTL recognition. However, analysis with antibodies has shown that some melanoma cell lines contain equivalent amounts of MAGE-A1 and MAGE-A10 proteins. This discrepancy appeared to be due to the low efficacy of the primers that had been used for the previous MAGE-A10 RT-PCR assays. This led us to develop a method that is independent of the efficacy of the PCR primers to evaluate MAGE-A gene expression. cDNA libraries from tumor cell lines were introduced into bacteria, of which 200 pools of about 500 bacteria were maintained in microcultures. The frequencies of the MAGE-A cDNA clones in each library were evaluated by performing PCR assays on each of these pools. The abundance of MAGE-A10 cDNAs was found to be similar to that of MAGE-A1 in 3 of the libraries that were analyzed, including 2 with high expression (1/6,400), confirming that MAGE-A10 is expressed at a high level. MAGE-A2, A3, A4, A6 and A12 cDNAs were also confirmed often to be present at a frequency of more than 1/10,000, a level of expression that should suffice for recognition of antigenic peptides encoded by these genes by cytolytic T cells. The remaining MAGE genes are either not expressed in tumors or are expressed at a very low level, with the exception of MAGE-A8 and 11, which show high expression in a very small number of tumors. This method also allowed us to isolate 5 MAGE-A cDNAs that we had not obtained previously, enabling us to delineate the exons in the sequences of genes MAGE-A5, A8, A9, A10 and A11.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Serrano
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels Branch, Brussels, Belgium
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32
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Huang LQ, Brasseur F, Serrano A, De Plaen E, van der Bruggen P, Boon T, Van Pel A. Cytolytic T Lymphocytes Recognize an Antigen Encoded by MAGE-A10 on a Human Melanoma. The Journal of Immunology 1999. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.162.11.6849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
From melanoma patient LB1751, cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) were generated that lysed specifically autologous tumor cells. To establish whether these CTL recognized one of the Ags that had previously been defined, a CTL clone was stimulated with cells expressing various MAGE genes. It produced TNF upon stimulation with target cells expressing MAGE-A10. The Ag was found to be nonapeptide GLYDGMEHL (codons 254–262), which is presented by HLA-A2.1. This is the first report on the generation of anti-MAGE CTL by autologous mixed lymphocyte-tumor cell culture (MLTC) from a melanoma patient other than patient MZ2, from whom the first MAGE gene was identified. MAGE genes are expressed in many tumors but not by normal tissues except male germline cells and placenta, which do not express HLA molecules. Therefore, the identification of an antigenic peptide derived from MAGE-A10 adds to the repertoire of tumor-specific shared Ags available for anti-tumoral vaccination trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan-Qing Huang
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels Branch, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Francis Brasseur
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels Branch, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alfonso Serrano
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels Branch, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Etienne De Plaen
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels Branch, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Thierry Boon
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels Branch, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Aline Van Pel
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels Branch, Brussels, Belgium
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Tsai TF, Armstrong D, Beaudet AL. Necdin-deficient mice do not show lethality or the obesity and infertility of Prader-Willi syndrome. Nat Genet 1999; 22:15-6. [PMID: 10319852 DOI: 10.1038/8722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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34
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De Plaen E, De Backer O, Arnaud D, Bonjean B, Chomez P, Martelange V, Avner P, Baldacci P, Babinet C, Hwang SY, Knowles B, Boon T. A new family of mouse genes homologous to the human MAGE genes. Genomics 1999; 55:176-84. [PMID: 9933564 DOI: 10.1006/geno.1998.5638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The human MAGE genes are expressed in a wide variety of tumors but not in normal cells, with the exception of the male germ cells, placenta, and, possibly, cells of the developing embryo. These genes encode tumor-specific antigens recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes. The MAGE genes are located on the X chromosome, in three clusters denoted MAGE-A, B, and C, mapping at q28, p21.3, and q26, respectively. The function of these genes remains unknown. Because mice offer many advantages for the study of genes that may be involved in embryonic development, we looked for the murine equivalents of the 12 human MAGE-A genes. Using a MAGE-A probe, we isolated 8 new murine genes that are homologous to the MAGE genes. On average, the open reading frames (ORFs) of these 8 closely related genes display a slightly higher degree of nucleotide identity with the MAGE-A ORFs than with the MAGE-B or MAGE-C ORFs. Furthermore, like MAGE-A genes, they encode acidic proteins, whereas the MAGE-B genes encode basic proteins. Accordingly, these 8 murine genes were named Mage-a1 to 8 (approved symbols Magea1 to 8). Mage-a genes were mapped in two different loci on the mouse X chromosome. Mage-a4 and Mage-a7 are located in a region that is syntenic to either Xp21 or Xq28. The 6 other genes are arranged in a cluster located in a region syntenic to Xp22. Like their human counterparts, Mage-a genes were found to be transcribed in adult testis, but not in other tissues. Expression of some Mage-a genes was also detected in tumor cell lines. Two Mage-a genes were found to be expressed in blastocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- E De Plaen
- Brussels Branch, 74 avenue Hippocrate-UCL 74.59, Brussels, B1200, Belgium
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Brinkmann U, Vasmatzis G, Lee B, Yerushalmi N, Essand M, Pastan I. PAGE-1, an X chromosome-linked GAGE-like gene that is expressed in normal and neoplastic prostate, testis, and uterus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1998; 95:10757-62. [PMID: 9724777 PMCID: PMC27968 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.95.18.10757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We have used a combination of computerized database mining and experimental expression analyses to identify a gene that is preferentially expressed in normal male and female reproductive tissues, prostate, testis, fallopian tube, uterus, and placenta, as well as in prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and uterine cancer. This gene is located on the human X chromosome, and it is homologous to a family of genes encoding GAGE-like proteins. GAGE proteins are expressed in a variety of tumors and in testis. We designate the novel gene PAGE-1 because the expression pattern in the Cancer Genome Anatomy Project libraries indicates that it is predominantly expressed in normal and neoplastic prostate. Further database analysis indicates the presence of other genes with high homology to PAGE-1, which were found in cDNA libraries derived from testis, pooled libraries (with testis), and in a germ cell tumor library. The expression of PAGE-1 in normal and malignant prostate, testicular, and uterine tissues makes it a possible target for the diagnosis and possibly for the vaccine-based therapy of neoplasms of prostate, testis, and uterus.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Brinkmann
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Division of Basic Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 37, Room 4E16, 37 Convent Drive MSC 4255, Bethesda, MD 20892-4255, USA
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36
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Abstract
DAX1, which encodes an unusual member of the nuclear hormone-receptor superfamily, is a gene that may be responsible for a sex-reversal syndrome in humans, referred to as dosage-sensitive sex reversal, in which XY individuals carrying duplications of Xp21, part of the small arm of the X chromosome, develop as females. XY mice carrying extra copies of mouse Dax1 as a transgene show delayed testis development when the gene is expressed at high levels, but do not normally show sex reversal. Complete sex reversal occurs, however, when the transgene is tested against weak alleles of the sex-determining Y-chromosome gene Sry. These results show that DAX1 is largely, if not solely, responsible for dosage-sensitive sex reversal and provide a model for early events in mammalian sex determination, when precise levels and timing of gene expression are critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Swain
- Division of Developmental Genetics, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK
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McCurdy DK, Tai LQ, Nguyen J, Wang Z, Yang HM, Udar N, Naiem F, Concannon P, Gatti RA. MAGE Xp-2: a member of the MAGE gene family isolated from an expression library using systemic lupus erythematosus sera. Mol Genet Metab 1998; 63:3-13. [PMID: 9538511 DOI: 10.1006/mgme.1997.2639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Two regions of the genome contain members of the MAGE gene family; Xq27-qter and Xp21.3. We isolated a transcript, MAGE Xp-2, by screening a cDNA library from the human epithelial carcinoma cell line, HEp-2, using autoantibodies from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The open reading frame (ORF) of MAGE Xp-2 is entirely contained in exon 4, a signature feature of the MAGE gene family. While MAGE Xp-2 shares genomic homology with MAGE Xp-1, the predicted proteins are quite divergent. Specific primers were designed to reliably distinguish between MAGE Xp-1 and MAGE Xp-2 expression. MAGE Xp-2 is expressed in testis, but not in other normal tissues. It is also expressed strongly in two of seven melanoma cell lines and one of four breast carcinomas. MAGE gene expression may be important not only for tumor recognition and cancer therapy, but, because it is the apparent target of autoantibodies in SLE sera, it may also play a role in autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- D K McCurdy
- Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Children's Hospital of Orange County, California 92868, USA
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Lurquin C, De Smet C, Brasseur F, Muscatelli F, Martelange V, De Plaen E, Brasseur R, Monaco AP, Boon T. Two members of the human MAGEB gene family located in Xp21.3 are expressed in tumors of various histological origins. Genomics 1997; 46:397-408. [PMID: 9441743 DOI: 10.1006/geno.1997.5052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Genes of the MAGE family direct the expression of tumor antigens recognized on a human melanoma by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes. Twelve closely related MAGE genes are located in the Xq28 region. These genes share 60-98% nucleotide identity in their coding region. The presence of homologous genes in a region of Xp21.3 has been reported previously. We obtained the complete sequence of a 42-kb stretch of this region. It contains four MAGE-related genes, which we propose to name MAGE-B1, B2, B3, and B4 (HGMW-approved symbols MAGEB1, MAGEB2, MAGEB3, and MAGEB4). The coding regions of these genes share 66-81% nucleotide identity and show 45-63% identity with those of the MAGE genes located in Xq28. Like the MAGE genes located in Xq28, the MAGE-B genes are silent in normal tissues with the exception of testis. Like MAGE-1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12 (HGMW-approved symbols MAGEA1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12), genes MAGE-B1 and MAGE-B2 are expressed in a significant fraction of tumors of various histological types. The transcription of MAGE-B1 and MAGE-B2 can be induced by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, suggesting that the activation of these genes in tumors results from a demethylation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Lurquin
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels Branch, Belgium.
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Abstract
Gene MAGE-4 (HGMW-approved symbol MAGE4) is expressed in several types of tumors, but not in normal tissues, except testis and placenta. The 5' end of this gene contains eight homologous exons spread over a 5.8-kb region. These exons are alternatively spliced to a unique second exon and a unique third exon, which encodes a protein of 317 amino acids. The analysis of transcripts found in testis, placenta, and a sarcoma cell line showed that each of the alternative first exons is used in at least one of these tissues. Various regions of the promoter of the fifth alternative exon (1.5) were cloned in a luciferase reporter plasmid, and the constructs were transfected in a sarcoma cell line that expresses MAGE-4. Two Ets motifs located between positions -70 and -29 relative to the transcription start site were found to drive 55% of the promoter activity. A region containing a Sp1 consensus binding site located upstream of the two Ets motifs was found to be responsible for 44% of the transcriptional activity. MAGE-4a promoters 1.4 and 1.6, which also contain the Sp1 and the two Ets binding motifs, supported a level of transcription comparable to that of promoter 1.5, whereas promoter 1.1, which contains only one Ets binding site, was sixfold less active. In line with observations made with gene MAGE-1 (HGMW-approved symbol MAGE1), we found that promoter 1.5 stimulated a high level of transcription in a melanoma cell line that does not express MAGE-4. This suggests that the tumor-specific expression of MAGE genes is not determined by the presence of specific transcription factors.
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MESH Headings
- Alternative Splicing/genetics
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Antigens, Neoplasm
- Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/pharmacology
- Azacitidine/analogs & derivatives
- Azacitidine/pharmacology
- Base Sequence
- Cloning, Molecular
- DNA, Neoplasm/metabolism
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Decitabine
- Exons/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Humans
- Male
- Melanoma
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Placenta/chemistry
- Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/analysis
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- Restriction Mapping
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Testis/chemistry
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
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Affiliation(s)
- E De Plaen
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels Branch, Belgium
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40
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Swain A, Zanaria E, Hacker A, Lovell-Badge R, Camerino G. Mouse Dax1 expression is consistent with a role in sex determination as well as in adrenal and hypothalamus function. Nat Genet 1996; 12:404-9. [PMID: 8630494 DOI: 10.1038/ng0496-404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 289] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Duplications of a chromosome Xp21 locus DSS (Dosage Sensitive Sex reversal) are associated with male to female sex reversal. An unusual member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, DAX1, maps to the DSS critical region and is responsible for X-linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita. Here we describe the isolation of the mouse Dax1 gene and its pattern of expression during development. Expression was detected in the first stages of gonadal and adrenal differentiation and in the developing hypothalamus. Moreover, Dax1 expression is down-regulated coincident with overt differentiation in the testis, but persists in the developing ovary. Comparison of the predicted protein products of the human and mouse genes show that specific domains are evolving rapidly. Our results suggest a basis for adrenal insufficiency and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in males affected by adrenal hypoplasia congenita and are consistent with a role for DAX1 in gonadal sex determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Swain
- Laboratory of Developmental Genetics, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London, UK
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