Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.7.7.6 (RNA polymerase)
34,946 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The hypomyelinating leukodystrophies X-linked Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like disease (PMLD) are characterized by nystagmus, progressive spasticity, and ataxia. In a consanguineous family with PMLD, we performed a genomewide linkage scan using the GeneChip Mapping EA 10K Array (Affymetrix) and detected a single gene locus on chromosome 1q41-q42. This region harbors the GJA12 gene, which encodes gap junction protein alpha 12 (or connexin 46.6). Gap junction proteins assemble into intercellular channels through which signaling ions and small molecules are exchanged. GJA12 is highly expressed in oligodendrocytes, and, therefore, it serves as an excellent candidate for hypomyelination in PMLD. In three of six families with PMLD, we detected five different GJA12 mutations, including missense, nonsense, and frameshift mutations. We thereby confirm previous assumptions that PMLD is genetically heterogeneous. Although the murine Gja12 ortholog is not expressed in sciatic nerve, we did detect GJA12 transcripts in human sciatic and sural nerve tissue by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. These results are in accordance with the electrophysiological finding of reduced motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities in patients with PMLD, which argues for a demyelinating neuropathy. In this study, we demonstrate that GJA12 plays a key role in central myelination and is involved in peripheral myelination in humans.
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PMID:Mutations in the gene encoding gap junction protein alpha 12 (connexin 46.6) cause Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like disease. 1519 6

Based on the formation of the XY body at pachytene and expression studies of a few X-linked genes, the X and Y chromosomes seem to undergo transcriptional inactivation during mammalian spermatogenesis. However, the extent and the mechanism of X and Y inactivation are not known. Here, we show that both the X and Y chromosomes undergo sequential changes in their histone modifications beginning at the pachytene stage of meiosis. These changes usually are associated with transcriptional inactivation in somatic cells, and they coincide with the exclusion of the phosphorylated (active) form of RNA polymerase II from the XY body. Both sex chromosomes undergo extensive deacetylation at histones H3 and H4 and (di)methylation of lysine (K)9 on histone H3; however, there are no changes in H3-K4 methylation. These changes persist even when the XY body disappears in late pachytene, and the X and Y chromosomes segregate from one another after the first meiotic division. By the spermatid stage, histone modifications of the X and Y chromosomes revert to those of active chromatin and RNA polymerase II reengages with both chromosomes. Our observations indicate that X and Y inactivation is extensive and persists even when the X and Y chromosomes are separated in secondary spermatocytes. These findings provide insights into epigenetic programming and chromatin dynamics in the male germ line.
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PMID:Dynamic histone modifications mark sex chromosome inactivation and reactivation during mammalian spermatogenesis. 1553 32

In Drosophila, the dosage compensation complex (DCC) mediates upregulation of transcription from the single male X chromosome. Despite coating the polytene male X, the DCC pattern looks discontinuous and probably reflects DCC dynamic associations with genes active at a given moment of development in a salivary gland. To test this hypothesis, we compared binding patterns of the DCC and of the elongating form of RNA polymerase II (PolIIo). We found that, unlike PolIIo, the DCC demonstrates a stable banded pattern throughout larval development and escapes binding to a subset of transcriptionally active areas, including developmental puffs. Moreover, these proteins are not completely colocalized at the electron microscopy level. These data combined imply that simple recognition of PolII machinery or of general features of active chromatin is either insufficient or not involved in DCC recruitment to its targets. We propose that DCC-mediated site-specific upregulation of transcription is not the fate of all active X-linked genes in males. Additionally, we found that DCC subunit MLE associates dynamically with developmental and heat-shock-induced puffs and, surprisingly, with those developing within DCC-devoid regions of the male X, thus resembling the PolIIo pattern. These data imply that, independently of other MSL proteins, the RNA-helicase MLE might participate in general transcriptional regulation or RNA processing.
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PMID:The Drosophila dosage compensation complex binds to polytene chromosomes independently of developmental changes in transcription. 1607 33

FRAXE fragile site associated mental retardation (FRAXE MR) belongs to a group of non-syndromic X-linked mental retardation. Two genes, FMR2 and FMR3 (likely a non-coding RNA) are transcribed from the FRAXE CpG island in the opposite directions. While the contribution of the FMR2 gene to FRAXE MR has been demonstrated, the role of the FMR3 gene is not known. We have screened 441 Brazilian mentally handicapped males for CCG repeat expansions in the FMR2 gene and identified a boy with a mutation (c.-414_-357del58) immediately distal to the FRAXE CCG repeat. We have established a skin fibroblast cell line from this patient and tested expression of both FMR2 and FMR3 genes. Reverse transcriptase PCR studies on the FMR2 and FMR3 genes showed that only the FMR3 gene transcription was abolished, suggesting a possible causal relationship between the lack of FMR3 expression and mental retardation in this patient. In the literature, there have been few deletions described near the FRAXE CCG repeat, but none was followed with expression studies. This is the first study showing missing expression in the FMR3 gene with normal FMR2 transcription leading to FRAXE mutation-likely phenotype. The FMR3 gene is likely a non-coding RNA gene. So far all individuals with FRAXE CCG repeat expansions and cytogenetically detectable FRAXE fragile site have both FMR2 and FMR3 gene expression abolished. Although the function of the FMR3 gene is not known, our present study together with previous studies on FRAXE MR suggest that it may play role in the processes underpinning normal learning and memory.
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PMID:Lack of FMR3 expression in a male with non-syndromic mental retardation and a microdeletion immediately distal to FRAXE CCG repeat. 1646 43

TFIID is a general transcription factor required for transcription of most protein-coding genes by RNA polymerase II. TAF7L is an X-linked germ cell-specific paralogue of TAF7, which is a generally expressed component of TFIID. Here, we report the generation of Taf7l mutant mice by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells by using the Cre-loxP strategy. While spermatogenesis was completed in Taf7l(-/Y) mice, the weight of Taf7l(-/Y) testis decreased and the amount of sperm in the epididymides was sharply reduced. Mutant epididymal sperm exhibited abnormal morphology, including folded tails. Sperm motility was significantly reduced, and Taf7l(-/Y) males were fertile with reduced litter size. Microarray profiling revealed that the abundance of six gene transcripts (including Fscn1) in Taf7l(-/Y) testes decreased more than twofold. In particular, FSCN1 is an F-action-bundling protein and thus may be critical for normal sperm morphology and sperm motility. Although deficiency of Taf7l may be compensated in part by Taf7, Taf7l has apparently evolved new specialized functions in the gene-selective transcription in male germ cell differentiation. Our mouse studies suggest that mutations in the human TAF7L gene might be implicated in X-linked oligozoospermia in men.
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PMID:Abnormal sperm in mice lacking the Taf7l gene. 1724 99

A novel missense mutation in the mediator of RNA polymerase II transcription subunit 12 (MED12) gene has been found in the original family with Lujan syndrome and in a second family (K9359) that was initially considered to have Opitz-Kaveggia (FG) syndrome. A different missense mutation in the MED12 gene has been reported previously in the original family with FG syndrome and in five other families with compatible clinical findings. Neither sequence alteration has been found in over 1400 control X chromosomes. Lujan (Lujan-Fryns) syndrome is characterised by tall stature with asthenic habitus, macrocephaly, a tall narrow face, maxillary hypoplasia, a high narrow palate with dental crowding, a small or receding chin, long hands with hyperextensible digits, hypernasal speech, hypotonia, mild-to-moderate mental retardation, behavioural aberrations and dysgenesis of the corpus callosum. Although Lujan syndrome has not been previously considered to be in the differential diagnosis of FG syndrome, there are some overlapping clinical manifestations. Specifically, these are dysgenesis of the corpus callosum, macrocephaly/relative macrocephaly, a tall forehead, hypotonia, mental retardation and behavioural disturbances. Thus, it seems that these two X-linked mental retardation syndromes are allelic, with mutations in the MED12 gene.
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PMID:The original Lujan syndrome family has a novel missense mutation (p.N1007S) in the MED12 gene. 1736 3

The Mediator complex is a fluid assemblage of approximately 25 proteins that is essential for eukaryotic transcriptional regulation. Mediator of RNA polymerase II transcription (MED)12 (HOPA) is a 25-kb Xq13 member of the Mediator complex that plays a key role in the complex and directly moderates receptor tyrosine kinase, nuclear receptor and Wnt pathway signaling. Sequence variation in two MED12 protein domains has been linked to neuropsychiatric illness. First, variants in the Leu-Ser domain have been linked to Opitz-Kaveggia and Lujan syndromes, which are forms of X-linked mental retardation. Second, a balanced polymorphism in the C terminus opposite-paired domain, a key motif in the MED12-mediated transcriptional repression of Wnt signaling, has been associated with increased risk for psychosis. We conclude that variation of MED12 is associated with a wide variety of clinical presentations whose severity is dependent on the location and nature of the variation, and that a thorough understanding of MED12's role in transcriptional regulation could have significant benefits for human healthcare.
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PMID:Role of MED12 in transcription and human behavior. 1771 26

Dosage compensation refers to the equalization of most X-linked gene products between males, which have one X chromosome and a single dose of X-linked genes, and females, which have two X's and two doses of such genes. We developed a plasmid-based model of dosage compensation that allows new experimental approaches for the study of this regulatory mechanism. In Drosophila melanogaster, an enhanced rate of transcription of the X chromosome in males is dependent upon the presence of histone H4 acetylated at lysine 16. This chromatin mark occurs throughout active transcriptional units, leading us to the conclusion that the enhanced level of transcription is achieved through an enhanced rate of RNA polymerase elongation. We used the plasmid model to demonstrate that enhancement in the level of transcription does not depend on other histone marks and factors that have been associated with the process of elongation, thereby highlighting the special role played by histone H4 acetylated at lysine 16 in this process.
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PMID:A plasmid model system shows that Drosophila dosage compensation depends on the global acetylation of histone H4 at lysine 16 and is not affected by depletion of common transcription elongation chromatin marks. 1787 41

Mediator occupies a central role in RNA polymerase II transcription as a sensor, integrator, and processor of regulatory signals that converge on protein-coding gene promoters. Compared to its role in gene activation, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms and biological implications of Mediator as a transducer of repressive signals. Here we describe a protein interaction network required for extraneuronal gene silencing comprising Mediator, G9a histone methyltransferase, and the RE1 silencing transcription factor (REST; also known as neuron restrictive silencer factor, NRSF). We show that the MED12 interface in Mediator links REST with G9a-dependent histone H3K9 dimethylation to suppress neuronal genes in nonneuronal cells. Notably, missense mutations in MED12 causing the X-linked mental retardation (XLMR) disorders FG syndrome and Lujan syndrome disrupt its REST corepressor function. These findings implicate Mediator in epigenetic restriction of neuronal gene expression to the nervous system and suggest a pathologic basis for MED12-associated XLMR involving impaired REST-dependent neuronal gene regulation.
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PMID:Mediator links epigenetic silencing of neuronal gene expression with x-linked mental retardation. 1869 61

Polyglutamine tract-binding protein-1 (PQBP-1) is a nuclear protein that interacts with various proteins, including RNA polymerase II and the spliceosomal protein U5-15kD. PQBP-1 is known to be associated with X-linked mental retardation in which a frameshift mutation in the PQBP-1 gene occurs. In the present study, we demonstrate that PQBP-1 binds to U5-15kD via a continuous 23-residue segment within its C-terminal domain. Intriguingly, this segment is lost in the frameshift mutants of PQBP-1 associated with X-linked mental retardation. These findings suggest that the frameshift mutations in the PQBP-1 gene lead to expression of mutants lacking the ability to interact with U5-15kD.
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PMID:Polyglutamine tract-binding protein-1 binds to U5-15kD via a continuous 23-residue segment of the C-terminal domain. 2030 92


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