Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P56851 (epididymal)
 11,273 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Von Hippel Lindau disease (VHL) is a hereditary syndrome, associated with tumors and cysts in multiple organ systems, whose expression and age of onset are highly variable. The availability of a genetic test for the early and reliable detection of individuals carrying the defective gene would be beneficial for VHL patients and their relatives, since many of the manifestations of VHL can be successfully treated if detected in their early stages, while the complications of undetected disease can be devastating. We have previously shown that the VHL gene maps to chromosome 3p. To provide genetic markers for the development of a reliable diagnostic test, and to further narrow and eventually clone the VHL defect, we have generated DNA markers for chromosome 3p. With these markers, we have performed a multipoint genetic linkage analysis in 28 VHL pedigrees, comprising 470 individuals, 164 of whom were affected with VHL. Here we report the identification of tightly linked markers, including flanking markers that bracket the VHL gene to a small region on chromosome 3p25-p26. This finding has several major implications. While visceral cysts of the kidney, pancreas, and epididymis are commonly found in VHL and are considered diagnostic criteria for this disorder, they also occur in the general population. The presence of cysts, unaccompanied by other more typical lesions such as retinal and cerebellar hemangioblastoma, may therefore represent a major diagnostic problem, leading to errors in the assessment of disease status. The application of flanking markers for the VHL gene for presymptomatic diagnostic testing confirms that epididymal cysts are indeed not suitable as a diagnostic criterion in this disorder. Pheochromocytomas occur nonuniformly in VHL families and may also be associated with other hereditary tumor syndromes; our genetic studies imply that the phenotype in VHL families with and without pheochromocytomas is caused by defects within the same gene. The absence or presence of this tumor type is therefore due to the pleiotropic expression of a single gene rather than to the existence of several different genes for VHL. The region on chromosome 3p13-p14 known to contain several chromosomal translocation breakpoints in families with "pure familial renal cell carcinoma" is quite proximal to the VHL locus in 3p25-p26 we have identified. Chromosome 3p may therefore contain two loci for renal cell carcinoma: one gene (or genes) in 3p13-p14 and the VHL gene in 3p25-p26, whose aberration is also associated with other typical manifestations of VHL. Since renal cell carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and visceral cysts can occur sporadically even in young people and may also be associated with other tumor syndromes, the availability of flanking markers for the VHL gene will be useful in identifying VHL gene carriers, particularly among those individuals at risk in whom these are the only manifestations of disease. The isolation and characterization of the VHL gene, based on the identification of flanking markers, will have important implications for diagnosis and treatment of patients with VHL, as well as for a much larger number of individuals having the sporadic counterparts of VHL-associated tumor types.
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PMID:Genetic flanking markers refine diagnostic criteria and provide insights into the genetics of Von Hippel Lindau disease. 201 96

Common manifestations of the von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, an autosomally dominant inherited cancer-prone disorder, include retinal angiomatosis, hemangioblastoma of the central nervous system, renal cysts, renal cancer, pheochromocytoma, and epididymal cystadenoma. Multiple cysts and microcystic (serous) cystadenomas of the pancreas have also been reported occasionally in patients afflicted with this syndrome. In the large Freiburg study of the von Hippel-Lindau syndrome composed of 66 affected individuals, pancreatic lesions were systematically studied. Fifty-five living individuals were examined by abdominal ultrasound imaging. Abnormal findings were confirmed by computed tomographic scan and/or magnetic resonance imaging. For an additional 11 decreased patients autopsy data were available. Cystic lesions of the pancreas were found in 10 patients (15%). One of these patients presented with multiple pancreatic cysts as the only manifestation of the syndrome. In one patient, a malignant islet-cell tumor was found at autopsy. Because multiple pancreatic cysts did not cause major clinical symptoms and because follow-up examinations over an average period of 5 years did not show significant progression of the lesions, it is concluded that these patients usually do not require surgical treatment. Abdominal ultrasound screening is recommended for patients at risk as a tool to identify potential von Hippel-Lindau syndrome gene carriers with pancreatic manifestations. In all patients with multiple pancreatic cysts, the von Hippel-Lindau syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis.
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PMID:Pancreatic lesions in the von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. 206 22

After a decade of intensive clinical and molecular genetic efforts the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene was cloned in 1993. The open reading frame encodes the putative protein of 284 amino acids. A large number of different mutations have been identified so far, including single base mutations, deletions, rearrangements and more complex mutations. So far, in about 75% of the VHL families germline mutations were detected. Geno-phenotypic comparison has revealed specific mutations with distinct manifestation patterns. Not all of the 6 classical lesions (hemangioblastoma of the CNS, retinal angiomatosis, pancreatic cysts, renal cysts and carcinoma, pheochromocytoma and epididymal cystadenoma) are present in VHL families. Pedigrees with pheochromocytoma but without renal cancer in general have point mutations. These recent results provide insight in the pathogenesis of a multiorgan cancer susceptibility tumor suppressor gene and allow determination of carrier status.
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PMID:Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. 767 Jun 59

In this report a case of bilateral papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis is described, a tumor associated with the Von Hippel-Lindau's disease (cerebelloretinal hemangioblastomatosis). Reports about the Von Hippel-Lindau's disease do only infrequently mention epididymal adenomas because the latter is mostly not associated with any symptoms. Retinal angiomatosis, cerebellar hemagioblastoma, pheochromocytoma and renal cell carcinoma are the lesions in the Von Hippel-Lindau's disease which cause symptoms and as a consequence disease. Because of some histological similarities between papillary cystadenoma and the clear cell type of renal adenocarcinoma a metastasis of a renal cell carcinoma has to be added to the list of differential diagnosis in case of an epididymal benign tumor apart from adenomatoid tumor, fibroma, lipoma,... The epididymal papillary cystadenoma, which is the only known benign epididymal tumor of epithelial origin, is considered a hereditary hamartoma. The precise histogenetic origin is still controversial.
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PMID:Papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis: a case report. 772 85

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a dominantly inherited multisystem family cancer syndrome predisposing to retinal and central nervous system haemangioblastomas, renal carcinoma, phaeochromocytoma, pancreatic islet cell tumours and endolymphatic sac tumours. In addition, renal, pancreatic and epididymal cysts occur. Morbidity and mortality from VHL disease can be reduced by the identification and surveillance of affected individuals and at-risk relatives so that complications are diagnosed at an early presymptomatic stage. The detailed mapping and subsequent isolation of the VHL tumour suppressor gene has enabled molecular genetic analysis in families and patients with definite or possible VHL disease. Initially, linked DNA markers were used in informative families to modify individual risks and then to make appropriate alterations in surveillance programs. However, currently most DNA analysis involves the characterisation of germline mutations. World-wide, mutations have been identified in almost 500 families (including 132 in our laboratory). These studies have revealed considerable heterogeneity both in the type and in the location of mutations within the VHL gene. In our experience, most recurrent mutations result from de novo mutations at hypermutable sequences, although a founder effect for the Tyr98His ('Black Forest') mutation has been reported in German and American families. Although many mutations are predicted to impair the ability of pVHL to combine with the elongin regulatory subunits, analysis of genotype-phenotype relationships suggests that the VHL protein has multiple and tissue specific functions. Calculation of tumour risks for different classes of VHL mutations has provided important prognostic information especially with respect to the likelihood of phaeochromocytoma. However, there is evidence that retinal involvement does not correlate with allelic heterogeneity, but that the variability in retinal angiomatosis is influenced by modifier gene effects. VHL gene mutation analysis also provides a basis for investigating the genetic basis of familial phaeochromocytoma and renal cell carcinoma, and apparently isolated retinal angiomas. Results to date suggest that a substantial proportion of patients with familial pheochromocytoma have VHL gene mutations but in contrast, most familial clusters of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) without evidence of VHL do not have germline VHL mutations.
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PMID:Molecular genetic analysis of von Hippel-Lindau disease. 968 54

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome (OMIM 193300) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by deletions or mutations in a tumor suppressor gene mapped to human chromosome 3p25. It is characterized clinically by vascular tumors, including retinal and central nervous system hemangioblastomas (cerebellar, spinal, and brain stem). Hemangioblastomas are benign and do not metastasize. Other features include cysts of the kidneys, liver, and pancreas. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma occurs in up to 70% of patients with VHL and is a frequent cause of death. Pheochromocytomas occur in association with specific alleles of the VHL gene; therefore, a family history of pheochromocytoma in association with VHL is an indication for thorough surveillance for pheochromocytoma in affected family members. Recently, it has been appreciated that patients with VHL may develop endolymphatic sac tumors, which can cause tinnitus or deafness. The diagnosis of VHL may be made in a patient with a family history of VHL based on a single retinal or cerebellar hemangioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma or pheochromocytoma, and, possibly, multiple pancreatic cysts. Renal and epididymal cysts are not sufficient to make the diagnosis of VHL. In the absence of a family history of VHL the presence of two or more retinal or cerebellar hemangioblastomas, or one hemangioblastoma with one visceral tumor, is required for diagnosis. Studies of the natural history of VHL showed a life expectancy less than 50 years before surveillance protocols were developed. Annual assessments (physical and ophthalmologic examinations) should begin in infancy. Imaging of abdominal organs and the brain and spine should be added in teenagers and adults. Renal cysts and tumors should be monitored by computed tomography every 6 months. Mutation analysis has allowed presymptomatic identification of affected family members; those found not to have inherited the gene do not need to be monitored. The VHL gene coding sequence contains three exons, and two isoforms of mRNA exist, reflecting the presence or absence of exon 2. Tumors arise after the loss or inactivation of the wild type allele in a cell. About 20% of patients have large germline mutations detectable by Southern blot analysis, 27% have missense mutations, and 27% have nonsense or frameshift mutations. In about 20% of VHL families no deletion or mutation can be detected. Families may be characterized by the presence (type 2; 7% to 20% of families) or absence (type 1) of pheochromocytomas. Most type 2 families have missense mutations, whereas most type 1 families are affected by deletions or premature termination mutations. Prognostic counseling regarding the lifetime risk of pheochromocytoma can be aided by determination of the underlying mutation in patients without family histories of VHL.
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PMID:Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. A pleomorphic condition. 1063 Jan 73

Gallium arsenide is used primarily to make light- emitting diodes, lasers, laser windows, and photodetectors and in the photoelectronic transmission of data through optical fibers. Gallium arsenide was nominated for study because of its widespread use in the microelectronics industry, the potential for worker exposure, and the absence of chronic toxicity data. Male and female F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice were exposed to gallium arsenide particles (greater than 98% pure; mass median aerodynamic diameter = 0.8 to 1.0 &mgr;m) by inhalation for 16 days, 14 weeks, or 2 years. Genetic toxicology studies were conducted in Salmonella typhimurium, and the frequency of micronuclei was determined in the peripheral blood of mice exposed to gallium arsenide for 14 weeks. 16-DAY STUDY IN RATS: Groups of five male and five female rats were exposed to particulate aerosols of gallium arsenide with a mass median aerodynamic diameter of approximately 1 &mgr;m at concentrations of 0, 1, 10, 37, 75, or 150 mg/m(3) by inhalation, 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 16 days. All rats survived to the end of the study. The final mean body weights of all exposed groups of males and females were similar to those of the chamber controls. Compared to chamber controls, the liver and lung weights of males exposed to 1 mg/m(3) or greater and females exposed to 10 mg/m(3) or greater were increased; the thymus weights of all exposed groups of males were decreased. Gallium arsenide particles were visible in the alveolar spaces and, to a lesser extent, within alveolar macrophages of exposed rats. Moderate proteinosis (surfactant mixed with small amounts of fibrin) and minimal histiocytic cellular infiltrate were observed in the alveoli of exposed males and females. Epithelial hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia of the larynx were observed primarily in males exposed to 150 mg/m(3). 16-DAY STUDY IN MICE: Groups of five male and four or five female mice were exposed to particulate aerosols of gallium arsenide with a mass median aerodynamic diameter of approximately 1 &mgr;m at concentrations of 0, 1, 10, 37, 75, or 150 mg/m(3) by inhalation, 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 16 days. The final mean body weights were similar among exposed and chamber control groups. Compared to chamber controls, the lung weights of males and females exposed to 10 mg/m(3) or greater were increased. Gallium ar senide particles were visible in alveolar spaces and macrophages in some mice exposed to 150 mg/m(3). Moderate proteinosis, mild epithelial hyperplasia, and histiocytic infiltration of the lung were observed in males and females exposed to 10 mg/m(3) or greater. In the larynx, mild squamous metaplasia was seen in mice exposed to 10 mg/m(3) or greater, and mild chronic inflammation occurred in mice exposed to 75 or 150 mg/m(3). 14-WEEK STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 10 male and 10 female rats were exposed by inhalation to gallium arsenide particulate at concentrations of 0, 0.1, 1, 10, 37, or 75 mg/m(3), 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 14 weeks. All rats survived until the end of the study. The final mean body weight and body weight gain of males exposed to 75 mg/m(3) were significantly less than those of the chamber controls. Hematology and clinical chemistry results indicated that exposure to gallium arsenide induced a microcytic responsive anemia with an erythrocytosis and increased zinc protoporphyrin/heme ratios in exposed groups of rats. There were also increases in platelet and neutrophil counts, a transient decrease in leukocyte counts, and increases in the serum activities of alanine aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase. These changes were of greater magnitude in male rats. The lung weights of all exposed groups of rats were increased, while testis, cauda epididymis, and epididymis weights of males exposed to 37 or 75 mg/m(3) were generally less than those of chamber controls. Total spermatid heads and spermatid counts were significantly decreased in males exposed to 75 mg/m(3), while epididymal spermatozoa motility was significantly reduced in males ees exposed to 10 mg/m(3) or greater. Gallium arsenide particles were visible in alveolar spaces and macrophages in the lungs of exposed rats. Minimal to marked proteinosis and minimal histiocytic cellular infiltration of the alveoli were observed in all exposed groups; minimal squamous metaplasia in the larynx and lymphoid cell hyperplasia of the mediastinal lymph node were observed in some males and females exposed to 37 or 75 mg/m(3). Exposure-related increases in the incidences of plasma cell hyperplasia of the mandibular lymph node, testicular atrophy, epididymal hypospermia, bone marrow hyperplasia (males), and hemosiderosis in the liver were observed in the 37 and 75 mg/m(3) groups. 14-WEEK STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 10 male and 10 female mice were exposed by inhalation to gallium arsenide particulate at concentrations of 0, 0.1, 1, 10, 37, or 75 mg/m(3), 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 14 weeks. One female mouse exposed to 75 mg/m(3) died before the end of the study. Final mean body weights and body weight gains of males in the 75 mg/m(3) group were signifi cantly less than the chamber controls. Hematology and clinical chemistry results indicated that exposure to gallium arsenide affected the circulating erythroid mass and induced a microcytic responsive anemia with an erythrocytosis and increased zinc protoporphyrin/heme ratios in male and female mice. There were also increases in platelet and neutrophil counts. Compared to the chamber controls, the lung weights of males exposed to 1 mg/m(3) or greater and females exposed to 10 mg/m(3) or greater were increased. Testis, cauda epididymis, and epididymis weights, total spermatid heads, spermatid counts, and concentration and motility of epididymal spermatozoa were generally decreased. Gallium arsenide particles were visible in alveolar spaces and macrophages in the lungs of mice exposed to 1 mg/m(3) or greater. Mild to marked proteinosis, histiocytic infiltration, and epithelial hyperplasia were observed in the alveoli of males and females exposed to 1 mg/m(3) or greater. Minimal to mild suppurative inflammation and granuloma in the lung and squamous metaplasia in the larynx were present in males and females exposed to 10 mg/m(3) or greater. Min imal hyperplasia was observed in the tracheobronchial lymph node of males exposed to 10 mg/m(3) or greater and females exposed to 37 or 75 mg/m(3). Exposure- related increases in the incidences of testicular atrophy, epididymal hypospermia, hematopoietic cell proliferation of the spleen, and hemosiderosis of the liver and spleen were observed in groups of male and female mice exposed to 10 mg/m(3) or greater. 2-YEAR STUDY IN RATS: Groups of 50 male and 50 female rats were exposed by inhalation to gallium arsenide particulate at concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.1, or 1.0 mg/m(3), 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 105 weeks. Survival and Body Weights: Survival of exposed male and female rats was similar to the chamber controls. Mean body weights of males exposed to 1.0 mg/m(3) were generally less than those of the chamber controls throughout the study; females exposed to 1.0 mg/m(3) had slightly lower mean body weights during the second year. Pathology Findings: Compared to the chamber controls, the incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar neoplasms were significantly increased in females exposed to 1.0 mg/m(3) and exceeded the historical control ranges. Exposure-related nonneoplastic lesions in the lungs of male and female rats included atypical hyperplasia, alveolar epithelial hyperplasia, chronic active inflammation, proteinosis, and alveolar epithelial metaplasia. In the larynx of males exposed to 1.0 mg/m(3), the incidences of hyperplasia, chronic active inflammation, squamous metaplasia, and hyperplasia of the epiglottis were significantly increased. The incidences of benign pheochromocytoma of the adrenal medulla occurred with a positive trend in female rats, and the incidence was significantly increased in the 1.0 mg/m(3) group and exceeded the historical control range. The incidence of mononuclear cell leukemia was significantly increased in females exposed to 1.0 mg/m(3) and exceeded the historical control range. 2-YEAR STUDY IN MICE: Groups of 50 male and 50 female mice were exposed by inhalation to gallium arsenide particulate at concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/m(3), 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, for 105 (males) or 106 (females) weeks. Survival and Body Weights: Survival of male and female mice was similar to the chamber controls. Mean body weights of exposed groups of males were similar to those of the chamber controls throughout the study; mean body weights of exposed groups of females were greater than those of the chamber controls from week 13 until the end of the study. Pathology Findings: Exposure-related nonneoplastic lesions in the lung of all groups of exposed mice included suppurative focal inflammation, chronic focal inflammation, histiocyte cellular infiltration, alveolar epithelial hyperplasia, and proteinosis. Increased incidences of minimal lymphoid hyperplasia of the tracheobronchial lymph node occurred in mice exposed to 1.0 mg/m(3) and in 0.5 mg/m(3)mg/m(3) males. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY: Gallium arsenide was not mutagenic in several strains of Salmonella typhimurium, with or without S9 metabolic activation enzymes, and no increase in the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes was observed in peripheral blood of male or female mice exposed to gallium arsenide by inhalation for 14 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of these 2-year inhalation studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of gallium arsenide in male F344/N rats exposed to 0.01, 0.1, or 1.0 mg/m(3). There was clear evidence of carcinogenic activity in female F344/N rats based on increased incidences of benign and malignant neoplasms in the lung. Increased incidences of benign neoplasms of the adrenal medulla and increased incidences of mononuclear cell leukemia were also considered to be exposure related. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity in male or female B6C3F1 mice exposed to 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/m(3). Exposure to gallium arsenide caused a spectrum of nonneoplastic lesions in the lung of rats and mice, the larynx of male rats and hyperplasia of the tracheobronchial lymph node in mice. Synonym: Gallium monoarsenide.
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PMID:NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Gallium Arsenide (CAS No. 1303-00-0) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies). 1256 48

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a highly penetrant autosomal dominant systemic malignancy that gives rise to cystic and highly vascularized tumors in a constellation of organs. Patients with VHL disease commonly present with hemangioblastomas in the central nervous system and the eye while other manifestations include pheochromocytoma, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, endolymphatic sac tumors of the middle ear, pancreatic cystadenomas, epididymal and broad ligament cystadenomas. Animal models inactivating the VHL gene product in various organ tissues have been constructed over the past 15 years to parse its HIF-associated mechanisms and its link to tumorigenesis. These models, despite advancing our understanding the molecular role of VHL, are by and large unable to recapitulate the more common features of human VHL disease. Up to date, no model exists that develop retinal hemangioblastomas, the most common clinical manifestation. The purpose of this review is: (1) to discuss the need for an ocular VHL model, (2) to review the animal models that recapitulate clinical VHL disease and (3) to propose potential mechanisms of tumorigenesis for the development of ocular VHL.
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PMID:Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL): a need for a murine model with retinal hemangioblastoma. 2276 71

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome is a hereditary autosomal dominant disorder caused by defective tumor suppression gene at 3p25-p26. The gene for VHL disease is found on chromosome 3, and is inherited in a dominant fashion. The VHL gene is a tumor suppressor gene. This means that its role in a normal cell is to stop the uncontrolled growth and proliferation. It is characterized by abnormal growth of blood vessels. It strikes the eyes, central nervous system, kidneys, endocrine glands, etc. It predisposes the patient to retinal angiomas, central nervous system hemangioblastoma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), pheochromocytomas, islet cell tumor of the pancreas, endolymphatic sac tumors, renal, pancreatic, epididymal cysts. We present a case of familial VHL syndrome whose Fluorine 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan was truly positive for adrenal pheochromocytoma but was falsely negative for RCC. Review of literature related to this entity is made.
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PMID:Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan in von Hippel-Lindau syndrome: A case report and review of literature. 2372 86