Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0030552 (paresis)
 5,831 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Four Japanese cases of postpolio progressive muscular atrophy (PPMA) of late onset were clinically studied to characterize their clinical features and discussed upon the epidemiologic viewpoint. Four male patients were included with mean age of 43.5 (30-59) years on examination, diagnosed as PPMA after the criteria by Alter (1982) and Dalakas (1986). All suffered from polio at age 10 month to 8 years (mean: 3y) between 1931 and 1957 with residual motor paresis in one limb or two. Twenty-eight to 55 (mean: 40.3) years later, subsequent muscle weakness and atrophy appeared in the limb seemingly unaffected by the initial polio attack. Marked fasciculations and occasional myalgias were noticed without sensory disturbance and bulbar as well as upper motor neuron signs. Laboratory examinations revealed moderate elevations of serum CK and protein content in SCF. No significant elevation of polio virus antibody titers was found in both serum and CSF. Electromyography showed neurogenic changes of various degrees by muscle tested. Muscle CT disclosed patchy distribution of atrophied muscles with fatty replacement in all extremities. Spinal cord MRI images were unremarkable. Scatters of small grouped atrophy and fiber type grouping were noticed on muscle biopsy specimens. These findings summarized in our cases are generally compatible with those of hereby reported PPMA cases. On reviewing the western literature and the great epidemic of polio around 1960 in Japan, an increasing number of patients with PPMA can be anticipated in near future; possibly in 10 years.
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PMID:[Postpolio late progressive muscular atrophy--clinical and epidemiologic analyses in 4 Japanese cases]. 238 7

Gastrointestinal motility disorders (GMDs) are attributed to loss of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), whose survival and function are deeply dependent on the activation of KIT/SCF signalling. Based on the facts that gastrointestinal distention is common in GMD patients and SCF produced by smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is usually decreased before ICC loss, we considered a possible contribution of persistent gastrointestinal distention/stretch to SCF deficiency. In this study, chronic colonic distention mouse model, diabetic gastrointestinal paresis mouse model, cultured mouse colonic SMCs and colon specimens from Hirschsprung's disease patients were used. The results showed that SCF was clearly decreased in distent colon of mice and patients, and microRNA array and real-time PCR indicated a concomitant increase of miR-34c in distent colon. A negative regulation of miR-34c on SCF expression was confirmed by luciferase reporter assays together with knock-down and overexpression of miR-34c in cultured colonic SMCs. Using EMSA and ChIP assays, we further consolidated that in response to persistent stretch, the transcription factor AP-1/c-Jun was highly activated in colonic SMCs and significantly promoted miR-34c transcription by binding to miR-34c promoter. Knock-down or overexpression of AP-1/c-Jun in cultured colonic SMCs leads to down- or up-regulation of miR-34c, respectively. In addition, the activation of AP-1/c-Jun was through ERK1/2 signalling provoked by Ca2+ overload in colonic SMCs that were subject to persistent stretch. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that persistent distention/stretch on colonic SMCs could suppress SCF production probably through Ca2+ -ERK-AP-1-miR-34c deregulation, resulting in ICC loss or impairment and GMD progress.
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PMID:Persistent distention of colon damages interstitial cells of Cajal through Ca2+ -ERK-AP-1-miR-34c-SCF deregulation. 2858 Jul 75

Myelination of axons facilitates the rapid propagation of electrical signals and the long-term integrity of axons. The ubiquitin-proteasome system is essential for proper protein homeostasis, which is particularly crucial for interactions of postmitotic cells. In our study, we examined how the E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXO7-SCF (SKP1, Cul1, F-box protein) expressed in myelinating cells affects the axon-myelin unit. Deletion of Fbxo7 in oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells in mice using the Cnp1-Cre driver line led to motor impairment due to hindlimb paresis. It did not result in apoptosis of myelinating cells, nor did it affect the proper myelination of axons or lead to demyelination. It however triggered axonal degeneration in the CNS and resulted in the severe degeneration of axons in the PNS, inducing a full-blown neuropathy. Both the CNS and PNS displayed inflammation, while the PNS was also characterized by fibrosis, massive infiltration of macrophages, and edema. Tamoxifen-induced deletion of Fbxo7, after myelination using the Plp1-CreERT2 line, led to a small number of degenerated axons and hence a very mild peripheral neuropathy. Interestingly, loss of Fbxo7 also resulted in reduced proteasome activity in Schwann cells but not in cerebellar granule neurons, indicating a specific sensitivity of the former cell type. Together, our results demonstrate an essential role for FBXO7 in myelinating cells to support associated axons, which is fundamental to the proper developmental establishment and the long-term integrity of the axon-myelin unit.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The myelination of axons facilitates the fast propagation of electrical signals and the trophic support of the myelin-axon unit. Here, we report that deletion of Fbxo7 in myelinating cells in mice triggered motor impairment but had no effect on myelin biogenesis. Loss of Fbxo7 in myelinating glia, however, led to axonal degeneration in the CNS and peripheral neuropathy of the axonal type. In addition, we found that Schwann cells were particularly sensitive to Fbxo7 deficiency reflected by reduced proteasome activity. Based on these findings, we conclude that Fbxo7 is essential for the support of the axon-myelin unit and long-term axonal health.
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PMID:Myelinating Glia-Specific Deletion of Fbxo7 in Mice Triggers Axonal Degeneration in the Central Nervous System Together with Peripheral Neuropathy. 3108 10