Retinoic acid induces TGFbeta-dependent autocrine fibroblast growth

To evaluate the role of murine TFIID subunit TAF4 in activation of cellular genes by all-trans retinoic acid (T-RA), we have characterized the T-RA response of taf4(lox/-) and taf4(-/-) embryonic fibroblasts. T-RA regulates almost 1000 genes in taf4(lox/-) cells, but less than 300 in taf4(-/-) cells showing that TAF4 is required for T-RA regulation of most, but not all cellular genes. We further show that T-RA-treated taf4(lox/-) cells exhibit transforming growth factor (TGF)beta-dependent autocrine growth and identify a set of genes regulated by loss of TAF4 and by T-RA corresponding to key mediators of the TGFbeta signalling pathway. T-RA rapidly and potently induces expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) via a conserved DR2 type response element in its proximal promoter leading to serum-free autocrine growth. These results highlight the role of TAF4 as a cofactor in the cellular response to T-RA and identify the genetic programme of a novel cross talk between the T-RA and TGFbeta pathways that leads to deregulated cell growth.

The Antley-Bixler syndrome: report of two familial cases with severe renal and anal anomalies

The Antley-Bixler syndrome is characterized by premature closure of coronal and lambdoidal sutures, proptosis, depression of the nasal bridge, brachycephaly, radio-humeral synostosis and bowing of ulnae and femora associated with fractures. Most cases have been reported after birth with only one case diagnosed prenatally after recurrence of this autosomal recessive syndrome. The two present cases are of interest because of prenatal diagnosis of renal agenesis in the first case and early detection of clinical signs during the second pregnancy. Beside the unusual severity of the renal abnormalities, both cases had an imperforate anus in addition to the more common genital abnormalities.

CONCLUSION

Renal agenesis and imperforate anus may occur in the Antley-Bixler syndrome.