Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:3.2.1.23 (beta-galactosidase)
14,648 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

With dendritic neurofilaments (NFs) and NF reassembly experiments, the phosphorylation of NF-H was found related to development of crossbridges, resulting in alignment of core filaments. When treated with aluminum chloride, rabbits died acutely with tetanic spasm in which NFs were accumulated in neuronal perikarya and proximal axons. Compared with axonal NFs, the NFs accumulated in the perikarya were composed of less-developed cross-bridges and more irregularly aligned core filaments, and their NF-H, although it became phosphorylated, was less phosphorylated. Transgenic mice expressing NF-H-beta-galactosidase protein also showed NF accumulation in the perikarya, which was similar in organization and NF-H phosphorylation to that in aluminum-treated rabbits, but NFs were almost absent from the axonal compartment in these mice that did not show any overt phenotype. Jimpy mutant mice, with dysmyelinated axons and a short lifespan, showed a significant increase in NF density in the axonal compartment. NF-H and its mRNA were drastically enhanced in expression in these mice, whereas enhancement in expression of NF-L and its mRNA was slight. Most increased NF-H, and probably NF-M also, in the axons was of the nonphosphrylated form. NFs that increased in the axons were also constructed of irregularly organized core filaments linked with fewer crossbridges. Another dysmyelinating mutant type of mice, shiverer mice, also showed similar morphological, immunocytochemical, and behavioral characteristics. Taken together, axonal NF accumulation rather than that in the perikarya must be toxic for neurons to provoke axonal degeneration, possibly resulting in reduction of lifespan. In other transgenic mice, however, the elimination of NFs from the axonal compartment seems to make the neuron vulnerable. Nevertheless, because overexpression of NF-H displayed severe neurological disorder while elimination of this protein appeared to be more resistant to some neurotoxic agent, NF-H appears to function as an exacerbation factor when it exists in the neurologically disordered condition. However, as NF-H is provided with a unique carboxy-terminal tail domain that is highly phosphorylated in the axon and because disruption of its gene affected the survival of axons, which did not develop normal axonal caliber, NF-H should play an important role in healthy neurons.
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PMID:Neurofilaments in health and disease. 1181 Apr 76

The primary circadian pacemaker, in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the mammalian brain, is photoentrained by light signals from the eyes through the retinohypothalamic tract. Retinal rod and cone cells are not required for photoentrainment. Recent evidence suggests that the entraining photoreceptors are retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) that project to the SCN. The visual pigment for this photoreceptor may be melanopsin, an opsin-like protein whose coding messenger RNA is found in a subset of mammalian RGCs. By cloning rat melanopsin and generating specific antibodies, we show that melanopsin is present in cell bodies, dendrites, and proximal axonal segments of a subset of rat RGCs. In mice heterozygous for tau-lacZ targeted to the melanopsin gene locus, beta-galactosidase-positive RGC axons projected to the SCN and other brain nuclei involved in circadian photoentrainment or the pupillary light reflex. Rat RGCs that exhibited intrinsic photosensitivity invariably expressed melanopsin. Hence, melanopsin is most likely the visual pigment of phototransducing RGCs that set the circadian clock and initiate other non-image-forming visual functions.
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PMID:Melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells: architecture, projections, and intrinsic photosensitivity. 1183 99

NFH-LacZ transgenic mice are characterized by expression of a non-endogenous fusion protein between a truncated form of mouse NFH (neurofilament of heavy molecular weight) and the complete Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase protein. These transgenic mice were compared to their respective controls on two background strains (C3H and FVB) in several sensorimotor tests. NFH-LacZ mice were deficient in tests requiring balance and equilibrium in a manner generally independent of genetic background. In particular, NFH-LacZ mice fell more quickly than controls from two stationary beams and had fewer rears in an open-field. The transgenic mice were also impaired during the initial trials of sensorimotor learning on the rotorod. We conclude that despite the absence of overt signs of sensorimotor weakness in their home cage, the disruption of the NFH gene, causing neurofilament accumulations in the cell body and diminished axonal calibers of motoneurons, is sufficient to cause motor deficits that resemble the early stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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PMID:Sensorimotor functions in transgenic mice expressing the neurofilament/heavy-LacZ fusion protein on two genetic backgrounds. 1204 62

Little is known about molecular and cellular responses to spinal cord injury in primates. In this study, the normal milieu of the primate spinal cord was disturbed by multiple needle penetrations and cell injections in the mid-thoracic spinal cord; subsequent effects on local axons and expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules were examined, together with effects of cellular delivery of nerve growth factor (NGF) to the injured region. Four adult rhesus monkeys each received injections of two grafts of autologous fibroblasts genetically modified to secrete human NGF, and, in control injection sites, two separate grafts of autologous fibroblasts transduced to express the reporter gene, beta-galactosidase. Three months later, Schwann cells extensively infiltrated the region of localized injury and penetrated both NGF and control fibroblast grafts. Marked upregulation of several ECM molecules occurred, including chondroitin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans and type IV collagen, in or adjacent to all injection sites. Schwann cells were an apparent source of some ECM expression. Spinal cord sensory axons and putative coerulospinal axons extended into both graft types, but they penetrated NGF grafts to a significantly greater extent. Many of these axons expressed the cell adhesion molecule L1. Thus, extensive cellular and molecular changes occur at sites of localized primate spinal cord injury and grafting, attributable in part to migrating Schwann cells, and are accompanied by spontaneous axonal plasticity. These molecular and cellular events closely resemble those observed in the rodent spinal cord after injury. Furthermore, as in rodent studies, cellular delivery of a trophic factor significantly augments axonal plasticity in the primate spinal cord.
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PMID:Spontaneous and augmented growth of axons in the primate spinal cord: effects of local injury and nerve growth factor-secreting cell grafts. 1211 95

Fibroblast growth factor 14 (FGF14) belongs to a distinct subclass of FGFs that is expressed in the developing and adult CNS. We disrupted the Fgf14 gene and introduced an Fgf14(N-beta-Gal) allele that abolished Fgf14 expression and generated a fusion protein (FGF14N-beta-gal) containing the first exon of FGF14 and beta-galactosidase. Fgf14-deficient mice were viable, fertile, and anatomically normal, but developed ataxia and a paroxysmal hyperkinetic movement disorder. Neuropharmacological studies showed that Fgf14-deficient mice have reduced responses to dopamine agonists. The paroxysmal hyperkinetic movement disorder phenocopies a form of dystonia, a disease often associated with dysfunction of the putamen. Strikingly, the FGF14N-beta-gal chimeric protein was efficiently transported into neuronal processes in the basal ganglia and cerebellum. Together, these studies identify a novel function for FGF14 in neuronal signaling and implicate FGF14 in axonal trafficking and synaptosomal function.
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PMID:Ataxia and paroxysmal dyskinesia in mice lacking axonally transported FGF14. 1212 6

Protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma (PTPsigma) is a member of the LAR family of receptor tyrosine phosphatases and is highly expressed in the nervous system during development. PTPsigma is homologous to the Drosophila DLAR, which plays a key role in the targeting of axonal growth cones in flies. We have previously inactivated the Ptprs gene in mice and demonstrated stunted growth, developmental delays, and neurological and neuroendocrine defects in the PTPsigma null animals. Here, we mapped the expression of the lac-Z reporter gene included in the knockout cassette and surveyed the development of the CNS in these mice after birth. The strongest expression of beta-galactosidase (PTPsigma) was observed in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, olfactory bulbs, and subependymal layer. Our analysis reveals hippocampal dysgenesis, reductions in the thickness of the corpus callosum and the cerebral cortex, and late expression of the growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) in the knockout animals. Architectural abnormalities in the brain and spinal cord were confirmed by immunoreactivity to neurofilament and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibodies. Several of these neural abnormalities were corrected with age, suggesting a delay in neurological development related to the knockout of the Ptprs gene. These data suggest that PTPsigma is likely involved in neurogenesis, axonal growth, and axonal pathfinding in the maturation of the mammalian CNS.
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PMID:Protein tyrosine phosphatase sigma-deficient mice show aberrant cytoarchitecture and structural abnormalities in the central nervous system. 1223 61

The transcription factor PAX6 has been implicated in forebrain patterning, cerebral cortical arealization and in development of thalamocortical connections. Using a Pax6/lacZ knockout mouse, in which the endogenous Pax6 expression is reflected by beta-galactosidase activity, we have studied the consequences of the loss of Pax6 function on thalamocortical (TCA) and corticofugal axon (CFA) pathfinding during the period of embryonic day (E) 14.5 to E18.5. Carbocyanine dye tracing in Pax6 heterozygotes (Pax6(+/-)) and Pax6 wild-type (Pax6(+/+)) brains revealed that CFAs and TCAs temporarily arrested their growth at E14.5 at the border of the beta-galactosidase-positive region at the pallial/subpallial boundary (PSPB), before they continued towards their targets. However, in Pax6 homozygous (Pax6(-/-)) embryos, CFAs and TCAs were unable to encounter each other at the PSPB and reach their final targets. Instead of crossing the PSPB, they had the tendency to descend into the ventral pallium in large aberrant fascicles. In addition, cells with a presumptive guide-post function, which are normally situated in the ventral thalamus, internal capsule and hypothalamus, were more dispersed in the hypothalamus and ventral pallium. These pathfinding defects were confirmed by immunohistochemistry for L1 and TAG1, markers of the early axonal connections. The aberrant development of axonal connections in absence of Pax6 function appear to be related to ultrastructural defects of cells along the PSPB, as well as to a failure of axonal guidance molecule expression, including Sema3c and Sema5a.
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PMID:Pax6 is required for the normal development of the forebrain axonal connections. 1239 12

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector has been developed as an attractive gene delivery system with proven safety. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is proposed to be a promising therapeutic agent for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other motor neuron diseases. The purpose of this report was to investigate transgenic GDNF expression at different time points post AAV mediated GDNF intramuscular delivery. An AAV vector was constructed to encode a recombinant fusion of GDNF tagged with a FLAG sequence at the C-terminal (AAV-GDNF) to distinguish it from its endogenous counterpart. A single intramuscular injection of AAV-GDNF led to substantial expression of transgenic GDNF which remained for at least 10 months in transduced gastrocnemius muscle. This transgenic GDNF was distributed in a large number of myofibers, mainly in the vicinity of the sarcolemma and predominantly concentrated at the sites of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Furthermore, transgenic GDNF, but not beta-galactosidase expressed as a control, was detected in the motoneurons that projected axons to the injected muscles, thus, indicating retrograde axonal transportation of the transgenic GDNF. This study provides a basis for a strategy of intramuscular AAV-GDNF delivery to protect motoneurons as a possible means of ALS treatment.
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PMID:Intramuscular injection of AAV-GDNF results in sustained expression of transgenic GDNF, and its delivery to spinal motoneurons by retrograde transport. 1250 22

The present study uniquely combines olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) implantation with ex vivo adenoviral (AdV) vector-based neurotrophin gene therapy in an attempt to enhance regeneration after cervical spinal cord injury. Primary OEG were transduced with AdV vectors encoding rat brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), or bacterial marker protein beta-galactosidase (LacZ) and subsequently implanted into adult Fischer rats directly after unilateral transection of the dorsolateral funiculus. Implanted animals received a total of 2 x 105 OEG that were subjected to transduction with neurotrophin-encoding AdV vector, AdV-LacZ, or no vector, respectively. At 4 months after injury, lesion volumes were smaller in all OEG implanted rats and significantly reduced in size after implantation of neurotrophin-encoding AdV vector-transduced OEG. All OEG grafts were filled with neurofilament-positive axons, and AdV vector-mediated expression of BDNF by implanted cells significantly enhanced regenerative sprouting of the rubrospinal tract. Behavioral analysis revealed that OEG-implanted rats displayed better locomotion during horizontal rope walking than unimplanted lesioned controls. Recovery of hind limb function was also improved after implantation of OEG that were transduced with a BDNF- or NT-3-encoding AdV vector. Hind limb performance during horizontal rope locomotion did directly correlate with lesion size, suggesting that neuroprotective effects of OEG implants contributed to the level of functional recovery. Thus, our results demonstrate that genetic engineering of OEG not only resulted in a cell that was more effective in promoting axonal outgrowth but could also lead to enhanced recovery after injury, possibly by sparing of spinal tissue.
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PMID:Ex vivo adenoviral vector-mediated neurotrophin gene transfer to olfactory ensheathing glia: effects on rubrospinal tract regeneration, lesion size, and functional recovery after implantation in the injured rat spinal cord. 1290 65

The present study tested whether a gene-transfer based upon the retrograde axonal transport of the lacZ adenovirus is effective in the spinal descending tracts of the adult mouse. A small volume of a replication-defective recombinant adenovirus encoding E. coli beta-galactosidase was injected into the upper lumbar cord, and, seven days later, the mice were transcardially perfused by a fixative solution. X-gal staining of coronal or sagittal sections of the spinal cord and the brain revealed that many sites of origin for rubrospinal, vestibulospinal, and reticulospinal tracts were retrogradely labeled, whereas few of the corticospinal tract neurons were retrogradely labeled. Ependymal cells surrounding the central canal of the spinal cord, which were located far from the injection site, showed a high expression of beta-galactosidase activity. Motoneurons around the injection site were strongly stained by X-gal staining, and their axons in the ventral root were anterogradely labeled. Afferent fibers in the dorsal root were labeled by the transganglionic transport of beta-galactosidase. To examine the efficacy of the uptake and retrograde transport of HRP and adenovirus, we injected a mixed solution of 10% HRP and recombinant adenovirus. The number of HRP-labeled corticospinal neurons overwhelmed the number of X-gal stained ones, while the numbers of HRP-labeled rubrospinal and subcoeruleus-spinal neurons were smaller in comparison with the numbers of beta-galactosidase-positive counterparts. The present study revealed that the origins for the spinal descending tracts except for corticospinal neurons could be efficiently gene-transferred by the retrograde infection of a recombinant adenovirus. Such a difference in efficacy of retrograde infection among the spinal descending tracts is practically important when an adenovirus-mediated gene transfer is designed to treat certain neurological diseases affecting the spinal descending tracts.
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PMID:Retrograde labeling of mouse spinal descending tracts by a recombinant adenovirus. 1452 62


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