The human genome contains >20 actin-related sequences, six of which at least are expressed as pro... more The human genome contains >20 actin-related sequences, six of which at least are expressed as protein. We have shown by blot hybridization the presence of actin-like sequences on both the X and the Y chromosomes. These sequences can be detected in Hindlll digests of genomic DNA, using as probe cDNA clones corresponding to human a skeletal actin or to a hamster (,3 or -y) cytoskeletal actin; they show more homology to the latter probe. The actin probes also detect a poly- morphic DNA fragment showing autosomal inheritance with a frequency for the major allele of 0.55 in the population studied. The X-linked actin sequence has been assigned to a centromeric region between Xpll and Xqll by hybridization to DNAs from a panel of human-mouse hybrid cell lines, and thus lies outside the postulated region of homology between the X and Y chromosomes. The Y-linked actin sequence can serve as a marker to analyse anomalies of sex determination or of gametogenesis in man. It was found in all XY males studied but was absent from the genomic DNA of four unrelated 'XX male' subjects and two XX hermaphrodites. This shows that the region of chromosome Y which contains the actin sequence is not translocated onto the X chromosome (or onto autosomes) in these patients.
We report a large two-generation pedigree with seven affected males segregating for an X-linked m... more We report a large two-generation pedigree with seven affected males segregating for an X-linked mixed conductive sensorineural deafness. The patients present with atypical Mondini-like dysplasia, dilated petrous facial canal, dilatation of the internal auditory meatus fully connected with enlarged cochlear canals, and, in one patient, a wide bulbous posterior labyrinth. Obligatory carrier females are mildly affected. Molecular characterization of this family revealed a deletion of locus DXS169, in Xq21.1. Loci DXS72 and DXS26, which, respectively, flank DXS169 proximally and distally, were intact. Since a gene responsible for X-linked progressive mixed deafness with perilymphatic gusher (DFN3) has previously been assigned by deletion mapping to a slightly more distal interval between DXS26 and DXS121, this study indicates either two different deafness genes or the involvement of a very large region in Xq21.
Friedreich ataxia (FA) is an autosomal recessive degenerative disease of the nervous system of un... more Friedreich ataxia (FA) is an autosomal recessive degenerative disease of the nervous system of unknown biochemical cause. The FA gene has been shown to be in close linkage with the two chromosome 9 markers D9S5 and D9S15, and linkage disequilibrium between FA and D9S15 has been detected in French families by Hanauer et al. We used new highly informative markers at the above loci to analyze Italian FA families for linkage and linkage disequilibrium. The new markers were a three-allele BstXI RFLP at D9S5 (PIC = .55) and a six-allele microsatellite, typed by polymerase chain reaction, at D9S15 (PIC = .75). We obtained maximum lod scores of 8.25 between FA and D9S5, 10.55 between FA and D9S15, and 9.52 between D9S5 and D9S15, all at zero recombination. Our results, combined with those reported by other authors, reduce maxlod-1 (maximum lod score minus 1) confidence limits to less than 1.1 cM between FA and D9S5, 1.2 cM between FA and D9S15, and 1.4 cM between D9S5 and D9S15. Linkage dis...
Indirect tracking of mutation by DNA polymorphisms is still essential for carrier and prenatal di... more Indirect tracking of mutation by DNA polymorphisms is still essential for carrier and prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy, at least in the families where no deletion can be detected. Because of the relatively high level of intragenic recombination, informative and easily testable markers at both ends of the gene are necessary for efficient and accurate diagnosis. We report the characterization of two polymorphic microsatellite sequences (TG repeats) at the 5' end of the dystrophin gene, within 40 kb of the musclespecific promoter. The most useful one (5' DYS MSA) has 10 alleles with a 57% heterozygosity and can be tested on small polyacrylamide gels in a nonradioactive PCR-based assay. Despite its large number of alleles, this microsatellite shows strong linkage disequilibrium with a two-allele polymorphism reported by Roberts et al., an indication of the stability of this type of sequences. We have used the new microsatellites at the 5' end, along with one we reported previously for the 3' end, to type the families in the CEPH (Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain) panel. While the number of informative families has increased by a factor of about two with respect to the study of Abbs et al., the estimates of the recombination fractions are in good agreement with this previous report, suggesting a 11% recombination across the gene (3% between the 5' end and the pERT87 region, 8% between pERT87 and the 3' end), which is about fivefold more than expected. However, these estimates still have wide confidence limits.
Rsk kinases play important roles in several cellular processes such as proliferation, metabolism,... more Rsk kinases play important roles in several cellular processes such as proliferation, metabolism, and migration. Until recently, Rsk activation was thought to be exclusively initiated by Erk1/2, but in dendritic cells (DC) Rsk is also activated by p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase via its downstream substrates, MK2/3. How and why this noncanonical configuration of the MAP kinase pathway is adopted by these key immune cells are not known. We demonstrate that the Erk1/2-activated C-terminal kinase domain of Rsk is dispensable for p38-MK2/3 activation and show that compared with fibroblasts, a greater fraction of p38 and MK2/3 is located in the cytosol of DC prior to stimulation, suggesting a partial explanation for the operation of the noncanonical pathway of Rsk activation in these cells. p38/MK2/3-activated Rsk phosphorylated downstream targets and is physiologically important because in plasmacytoid DC (pDC) stimulated with Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonists, Erk1/2 acti...
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1990
The gene for Friedreich ataxia (FA), a severe recessive neurodegenerative disease, has previously... more The gene for Friedreich ataxia (FA), a severe recessive neurodegenerative disease, has previously been shown to be tightly linked to the polymorphic markers D9S15 and D9S5 on human chromosome 9. In addition, the observation of linkage disequilibrium suggested that D9S15 is within 1 centimorgan (cM) of the disease locus, FRDA. Although D9S5 did not show recombination with FRDA, its localization was less precise (0-5 cM) due to its lower informativeness. We have now identified additional polymorphisms at both marker loci. Two cosmids spanning 50 kilobases around D9S5 were isolated, and a probe derived from one of them detects an informative three-allele polymorphism. We have found a highly polymorphic microsatellite sequence at D9S15 which is rapidly typed by the DNA polymerase chain reaction. The polymorphism information contents at the D9S5 and D9S15 loci have been increased from 0.14 to 0.60 and from 0.33 to 0.74, respectively. With the additional polymorphisms the lod (log10 odds ...
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1987
Five probes localizing to the Xq26-Xqter region of the human X chromosome have been genetically m... more Five probes localizing to the Xq26-Xqter region of the human X chromosome have been genetically mapped on the mouse X chromosome using an interspecific cross involving Mus spretus to a contiguous region lying proximally to the Tabby (Ta) locus. Pedigree and recombinational analysis establish the marker order as being Hprt-FIX-c11-G6PD-St14-1. The size of this contiguous region is such that the X-linked muscular dystrophy (mdx) mouse mutation probably maps within this segment. This in turn suggests that it is highly improbable that the mouse mdx locus represents a model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). It is, however, compatible with the idea that this mutation may correspond in man to Emery Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. The high frequency of restriction fragment length polymorphisms found in this interspecific system for all the human cross-reacting probes examined up until now, using only a limited number of restriction enzymes, suggests that the Mus spretus mapping system may...
Background: The RSK2 gene is responsible for Coffin-Lowry syndrome, an X-linked dominant genetic ... more Background: The RSK2 gene is responsible for Coffin-Lowry syndrome, an X-linked dominant genetic disorder causing mental retardation, skeletal growth delays, with craniofacial and digital abnormalities typically associated with this syndrome. Craniofacial and dental anomalies encountered in this rare disease have been poorly characterized. Methodology/Principal Findings: We examined, using X-Ray microtomographic analysis, the variable craniofacial dysmorphism and dental anomalies present in Rsk2 knockout mice, a model of Coffin-Lowry syndrome, as well as in triple Rsk1,2,3 knockout mutants. We report Rsk mutation produces surpernumerary teeth midline/mesial to the first molar. This highly penetrant phenotype recapitulates more ancestral tooth structures lost with evolution. Most likely this leads to a reduction of the maxillary diastema. Abnormalities of molar shape were generally restricted to the mesial part of both upper and lower first molars (M1). Expression analysis of the four Rsk genes (Rsk1, 2, 3 and 4) was performed at various stages of odontogenesis in wild-type (WT) mice. Rsk2 is expressed in the mesenchymal, neural crest-derived compartment, correlating with proliferative areas of the developing teeth. This is consistent with RSK2 functioning in cell cycle control and growth regulation, functions potentially responsible for severe dental phenotypes. To uncover molecular pathways involved in the etiology of these defects, we performed a comparative transcriptomic (DNA microarray) analysis of mandibular wild-type versus Rsk2-/Y molars. We further demonstrated a misregulation of several critical genes, using a Rsk2 shRNA knock-down strategy in molar tooth germs cultured in vitro. Conclusions: This study reveals RSK2 regulates craniofacial development including tooth development and patterning via novel transcriptional targets.
Juvenile retinoschisis (RS) is an X linked recessive vitreoretinal disorder for which the basic m... more Juvenile retinoschisis (RS) is an X linked recessive vitreoretinal disorder for which the basic molecular defect is unknown. The gene for RS has been previously localised by linkage analysis to Xp22.1-p22.2 and the locus order Xpter-DXS16-(DXS43, DXS207)-RS-DXS274-DXS41-Xcen established. To improve the resolu- tion of the genetic map in the RS region, we have isolated a highly polymorphic microsatellite at DXS207, which displays at least nine alleles with a heterozygosity of 0-83. Using this microsatellite and four other Xp22.1-p22.2 marker loci, DXS16, DXS43, DXS274, and DXS41, we per- formed pairwise and multilocus linkage analysis in 14 kindreds with RS. The mic- rosatellite was also typed in the CEPH (Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain) reference families. Tight link- age was found between RS and DXS207
Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is a syndromal form of X linked mental retarda- tion, in which some a... more Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is a syndromal form of X linked mental retarda- tion, in which some associated facial, hand, and skeletal abnormalities are diagnostic features. Accurate diagnosis, criti- cal for genetic counselling, is often difficult, especially in early childhood. We have recently shown that Coffin-Lowry syndrome is caused by mutations in the gene encoding RSK2, a growth factor regulated protein kinase. RSK2 mutations are very heterogeneous and most of them lead to premature termination of translation or to loss of phosphotransferase activity or both. In the present study, we have evaluated immunoblot and RSK2 kinase assays as a rapid and simple diagnostic test for CLS, using cultured lymphoblastoid or fibroblast cell lines. Western blot analysis failed to detect RSK2 in six patients, suggesting the presence of truncated proteins in these patients. This conclusion was confirmed in four patients, in whom the causative mutations, all leading to premature termination of translation, were identified. Offour patients showing a normal amount ofRSK2 protein on western blot and tested for RSK2 phosphotransferase activity, one had a dramatically impaired activity. Analysis of the RSK2 cDNA sequence in this patient showed a mutation of a putative phosphorylation site that would be critical for RSK2 activity. Preliminary results show that, at least, the western blot protocol can be successfully applied to lymphocyte protein extracts prepared di- rectly from blood samples. These assays promise to become important diagnostic tools for CLS, particularly with regard to very young patients with no family history of the condition. (7Med Genet 1998;35:890-894
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) represents a group of clinically heterogeneous retinal degenerations in... more Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) represents a group of clinically heterogeneous retinal degenerations in which all modes of in- heritance have been described. We have previously found two different clinical profiles in X linked RP as a function of age and mode of onset. The first clinical form has very early onset with severe myopia. The second form starts later with night blindness with mild myopia or none. At least two genes have been identi- fied in X linked forms, namely RP2 (linked to DXS7, DXS255, and DXS14) and RP3 (linked to DXS84 and OTC) on the short arm of the X chromosome. In order to contribute to phenotypegenotype correlations in X linked RP, we tested the hypothesis that the two clinical profiles could be accounted for by the two different gene loci. The present study provides evidence for linkage of the clini- cal form with early myopia as the onset symptom with the RP2 gene (pairwise linkage to DXS255: Z = 3-13 at 0= 0), while the clinical form with later night blind- ness as the onset symptom is linked to the RP3 gene (pairwise linkage to OTO 2= 4-16 at = 0).
An unreported missense mutation of the ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) gene has been identified in t... more An unreported missense mutation of the ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) gene has been identified in two male sibs with a mild form of CoYn-Lowry syndrome (CLS) inherited from their healthy mother. They exhibit transient severe hypotonia, macrocephaly, delay in closure of the fontanelles, normal gait, and mild mental retardation, associated in the first sib with transient autistic behaviour. Some dysmorphic features of CLS (in particular forearm fullness and tapering fingers) and many atypical findings (some of which were reminiscent of FG syndrome) were observed as well. The moderate phenotypic expression of this mutation extends the CLS phenotype to include less severe mental retardation and minor, hitherto unreported signs. The missense mutation identified may be less deleterious than those previously described. As this mutation occurs in a protein domain with no predicted function, it could be responsible for a conformational change aVecting the protein catalytic function, since a non-polar amino acid is replaced by a charged residue.
in vitro in the continuous presence of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). In the absence of LIF, E... more in vitro in the continuous presence of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). In the absence of LIF, ES cells are irreversibly committed to differentiate into various lineages. In this study we have set up an in vitro assay based on the anti-apoptotic activity of LIF to distinguish pluripotent from "differentiation-committed" ES cells. We have examined the phosphorylation profiles of known (STAT3 and ERKs) and identified new (ribosomal S6 kinases (RSKs) and cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB)) LIF-regulated targets in ES and in ES-derived neuronal cells. We have demonstrated that although STAT3, a crucial player in the maintenance of ES cell pluripotency, is induced by LIF in all cell types tested, the LIF-dependent activation of RSKs is restricted to ES cells. We have shown that LIF-induced phosphorylation of RSKs in ES cells is dependent on ERKs, whereas STAT3 phosphorylation is not mediated by any known MAPK activities. Our results also demonstrate that the LIF-dependent phosphorylation of CREB is partially under the control of the RSK2 kinase.
Coffin-Lowry Syndrome (CLS) is an X-linked syndromic form of mental retardation associated with s... more Coffin-Lowry Syndrome (CLS) is an X-linked syndromic form of mental retardation associated with skeletal abnormalities. It is caused by mutations of the Rsk2 gene, which encodes a growth factor regulated kinase. Gene deletion studies in mice have shown an essential role for the Rsk2 gene in osteoblast differentiation and function, establishing a causal link between Rsk2 deficiency and skeletal abnormalities of CLS. Although analyses in mice have revealed prominent expression of Rsk2 in brain structures that are essential for learning and memory, evidence at the behavioral level for an involvement of Rsk2 in cognitive function is still lacking. Here, we have examined Rsk2deficient mice in two extensive batteries of behavioral tests, which were conducted independently in two laboratories in Zurich (Switzerland) and Orsay (France). Despite the known reduction of bone mass, all parameters of motor function were normal, confirming the suitability of Rsk2-deficient mice for behavioral testing. Rsk2-deficient mice showed a mild impairment of spatial working memory, delayed acquisition of a spatial reference memory task and long-term spatial memory deficits. In contrast, associative and recognition memory, as well as the habituation of exploratory activity were normal. Our studies also revealed mild signs of disinhibition in exploratory activity, as well as a difficulty to adapt to new test environments, which likely contributed to the learning impairments displayed by Rsk2-deficient mice. The observed behavioral changes are in line with observations made in other mouse models of human mental retardation and support a role of Rsk2 in cognitive functions.
Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is an X-linked disorder characterized by severe psychomotor retardati... more Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is an X-linked disorder characterized by severe psychomotor retardation, facial and digital dysmorphisms, and progressive skeletal deformations. By using a positional cloning approach, we have recently shown that mutations in the gene coding for the RSK2 serine-threonine protein kinase are responsible for this syndrome. To facilitate mutational analysis, we have now determined the genomic structure of the human RSK2 gene. The open reading frame of the RSK2 coding region is split into 22 exons. Primers were designed for PCR amplification of single exons from genomic DNA and subsequent single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. We screened 37 patients with clinical features suggestive of CLS. Twentyfive nucleotide changes predicted to be disease-causing mutations were identified, including eight splice-site alterations, seven nonsense mutations, five frameshift mutations, and five missense mutations. Twenty-three of them were novel mutations. Coupled with previously reported mutations, these findings bring the total of different RSK2 mutations to 34. These are distributed throughout the RSK2 gene, with no clustering, and all but two, which have been found in two independent patients, are unique. A very high (68%) rate of de novo mutations was observed. It is noteworthy also that three mutations were found in female probands, with no affected male relatives, ascertained through learning disability and mild but suggestive facial and digital dysmorphisms. No obvious correlation was observed between the position or type of the RSK2 mutations and the severity or particular clinical features of CLS.
Together with the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) p... more Together with the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins, fusogenic cone-shaped lipids, such as phosphatidic acid (PA), have been recently shown to be important actors in membrane fusion during exocytosis. Phospholipase D (PLD) appears to be the main provider of PA at the exocytotic site in neuroendocrine cells. We show here that ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) stimulates PLD activity through the phosphorylation of Thr147 in the PLD1 amino-terminal Phox-homology domain. In PC12 cells, depletion of RSK2 dramatically prevents PA synthesis at exocytotic sites and inhibits hormone release. Expression of PLD1 phosphomimetic mutants fully restores secretion in cells depleted of RSK2, suggesting that RSK2 is a critical upstream signaling element in the activation of PLD1 to produce the lipids required for exocytosis.
Karine Merienne; Sylvie Jacquot; Solange Pannetier; Maria Zeniou; Agnes Bankier; Jozef Gecz; Jean... more Karine Merienne; Sylvie Jacquot; Solange Pannetier; Maria Zeniou; Agnes Bankier; Jozef Gecz; Jean-louis Mandel; John Mulley; Paolo Sassone-corsi; Andre Hanauer
Myotubular myopathy is a severe congenital disease inherited as an X-linked trait (MTM1; McKusick... more Myotubular myopathy is a severe congenital disease inherited as an X-linked trait (MTM1; McKusick 31040). It has been mapped to the long arm of chromosome X, to the Xq27-28 region. Significant linkage has subsequently been established for the linkage group comprised of DXS304, DXS15, DXS52, and F8C in several studies. To date, published linkage studies have provided no evidence of genetic heterogeneity in severe neonatal myotubular myopathy (XLMTM). We have investigated a family with typical XLMTM in which no linkage to these markers was found. Our findings strongly suggest genetic heterogeneity in myotubular myopathy and indicate that great care should be taken when using Xq28 markers in linkage studies for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling.
The human genome contains >20 actin-related sequences, six of which at least are expressed as pro... more The human genome contains >20 actin-related sequences, six of which at least are expressed as protein. We have shown by blot hybridization the presence of actin-like sequences on both the X and the Y chromosomes. These sequences can be detected in Hindlll digests of genomic DNA, using as probe cDNA clones corresponding to human a skeletal actin or to a hamster (,3 or -y) cytoskeletal actin; they show more homology to the latter probe. The actin probes also detect a poly- morphic DNA fragment showing autosomal inheritance with a frequency for the major allele of 0.55 in the population studied. The X-linked actin sequence has been assigned to a centromeric region between Xpll and Xqll by hybridization to DNAs from a panel of human-mouse hybrid cell lines, and thus lies outside the postulated region of homology between the X and Y chromosomes. The Y-linked actin sequence can serve as a marker to analyse anomalies of sex determination or of gametogenesis in man. It was found in all XY males studied but was absent from the genomic DNA of four unrelated 'XX male' subjects and two XX hermaphrodites. This shows that the region of chromosome Y which contains the actin sequence is not translocated onto the X chromosome (or onto autosomes) in these patients.
We report a large two-generation pedigree with seven affected males segregating for an X-linked m... more We report a large two-generation pedigree with seven affected males segregating for an X-linked mixed conductive sensorineural deafness. The patients present with atypical Mondini-like dysplasia, dilated petrous facial canal, dilatation of the internal auditory meatus fully connected with enlarged cochlear canals, and, in one patient, a wide bulbous posterior labyrinth. Obligatory carrier females are mildly affected. Molecular characterization of this family revealed a deletion of locus DXS169, in Xq21.1. Loci DXS72 and DXS26, which, respectively, flank DXS169 proximally and distally, were intact. Since a gene responsible for X-linked progressive mixed deafness with perilymphatic gusher (DFN3) has previously been assigned by deletion mapping to a slightly more distal interval between DXS26 and DXS121, this study indicates either two different deafness genes or the involvement of a very large region in Xq21.
Friedreich ataxia (FA) is an autosomal recessive degenerative disease of the nervous system of un... more Friedreich ataxia (FA) is an autosomal recessive degenerative disease of the nervous system of unknown biochemical cause. The FA gene has been shown to be in close linkage with the two chromosome 9 markers D9S5 and D9S15, and linkage disequilibrium between FA and D9S15 has been detected in French families by Hanauer et al. We used new highly informative markers at the above loci to analyze Italian FA families for linkage and linkage disequilibrium. The new markers were a three-allele BstXI RFLP at D9S5 (PIC = .55) and a six-allele microsatellite, typed by polymerase chain reaction, at D9S15 (PIC = .75). We obtained maximum lod scores of 8.25 between FA and D9S5, 10.55 between FA and D9S15, and 9.52 between D9S5 and D9S15, all at zero recombination. Our results, combined with those reported by other authors, reduce maxlod-1 (maximum lod score minus 1) confidence limits to less than 1.1 cM between FA and D9S5, 1.2 cM between FA and D9S15, and 1.4 cM between D9S5 and D9S15. Linkage dis...
Indirect tracking of mutation by DNA polymorphisms is still essential for carrier and prenatal di... more Indirect tracking of mutation by DNA polymorphisms is still essential for carrier and prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy, at least in the families where no deletion can be detected. Because of the relatively high level of intragenic recombination, informative and easily testable markers at both ends of the gene are necessary for efficient and accurate diagnosis. We report the characterization of two polymorphic microsatellite sequences (TG repeats) at the 5' end of the dystrophin gene, within 40 kb of the musclespecific promoter. The most useful one (5' DYS MSA) has 10 alleles with a 57% heterozygosity and can be tested on small polyacrylamide gels in a nonradioactive PCR-based assay. Despite its large number of alleles, this microsatellite shows strong linkage disequilibrium with a two-allele polymorphism reported by Roberts et al., an indication of the stability of this type of sequences. We have used the new microsatellites at the 5' end, along with one we reported previously for the 3' end, to type the families in the CEPH (Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain) panel. While the number of informative families has increased by a factor of about two with respect to the study of Abbs et al., the estimates of the recombination fractions are in good agreement with this previous report, suggesting a 11% recombination across the gene (3% between the 5' end and the pERT87 region, 8% between pERT87 and the 3' end), which is about fivefold more than expected. However, these estimates still have wide confidence limits.
Rsk kinases play important roles in several cellular processes such as proliferation, metabolism,... more Rsk kinases play important roles in several cellular processes such as proliferation, metabolism, and migration. Until recently, Rsk activation was thought to be exclusively initiated by Erk1/2, but in dendritic cells (DC) Rsk is also activated by p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase via its downstream substrates, MK2/3. How and why this noncanonical configuration of the MAP kinase pathway is adopted by these key immune cells are not known. We demonstrate that the Erk1/2-activated C-terminal kinase domain of Rsk is dispensable for p38-MK2/3 activation and show that compared with fibroblasts, a greater fraction of p38 and MK2/3 is located in the cytosol of DC prior to stimulation, suggesting a partial explanation for the operation of the noncanonical pathway of Rsk activation in these cells. p38/MK2/3-activated Rsk phosphorylated downstream targets and is physiologically important because in plasmacytoid DC (pDC) stimulated with Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonists, Erk1/2 acti...
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1990
The gene for Friedreich ataxia (FA), a severe recessive neurodegenerative disease, has previously... more The gene for Friedreich ataxia (FA), a severe recessive neurodegenerative disease, has previously been shown to be tightly linked to the polymorphic markers D9S15 and D9S5 on human chromosome 9. In addition, the observation of linkage disequilibrium suggested that D9S15 is within 1 centimorgan (cM) of the disease locus, FRDA. Although D9S5 did not show recombination with FRDA, its localization was less precise (0-5 cM) due to its lower informativeness. We have now identified additional polymorphisms at both marker loci. Two cosmids spanning 50 kilobases around D9S5 were isolated, and a probe derived from one of them detects an informative three-allele polymorphism. We have found a highly polymorphic microsatellite sequence at D9S15 which is rapidly typed by the DNA polymerase chain reaction. The polymorphism information contents at the D9S5 and D9S15 loci have been increased from 0.14 to 0.60 and from 0.33 to 0.74, respectively. With the additional polymorphisms the lod (log10 odds ...
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1987
Five probes localizing to the Xq26-Xqter region of the human X chromosome have been genetically m... more Five probes localizing to the Xq26-Xqter region of the human X chromosome have been genetically mapped on the mouse X chromosome using an interspecific cross involving Mus spretus to a contiguous region lying proximally to the Tabby (Ta) locus. Pedigree and recombinational analysis establish the marker order as being Hprt-FIX-c11-G6PD-St14-1. The size of this contiguous region is such that the X-linked muscular dystrophy (mdx) mouse mutation probably maps within this segment. This in turn suggests that it is highly improbable that the mouse mdx locus represents a model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). It is, however, compatible with the idea that this mutation may correspond in man to Emery Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. The high frequency of restriction fragment length polymorphisms found in this interspecific system for all the human cross-reacting probes examined up until now, using only a limited number of restriction enzymes, suggests that the Mus spretus mapping system may...
Background: The RSK2 gene is responsible for Coffin-Lowry syndrome, an X-linked dominant genetic ... more Background: The RSK2 gene is responsible for Coffin-Lowry syndrome, an X-linked dominant genetic disorder causing mental retardation, skeletal growth delays, with craniofacial and digital abnormalities typically associated with this syndrome. Craniofacial and dental anomalies encountered in this rare disease have been poorly characterized. Methodology/Principal Findings: We examined, using X-Ray microtomographic analysis, the variable craniofacial dysmorphism and dental anomalies present in Rsk2 knockout mice, a model of Coffin-Lowry syndrome, as well as in triple Rsk1,2,3 knockout mutants. We report Rsk mutation produces surpernumerary teeth midline/mesial to the first molar. This highly penetrant phenotype recapitulates more ancestral tooth structures lost with evolution. Most likely this leads to a reduction of the maxillary diastema. Abnormalities of molar shape were generally restricted to the mesial part of both upper and lower first molars (M1). Expression analysis of the four Rsk genes (Rsk1, 2, 3 and 4) was performed at various stages of odontogenesis in wild-type (WT) mice. Rsk2 is expressed in the mesenchymal, neural crest-derived compartment, correlating with proliferative areas of the developing teeth. This is consistent with RSK2 functioning in cell cycle control and growth regulation, functions potentially responsible for severe dental phenotypes. To uncover molecular pathways involved in the etiology of these defects, we performed a comparative transcriptomic (DNA microarray) analysis of mandibular wild-type versus Rsk2-/Y molars. We further demonstrated a misregulation of several critical genes, using a Rsk2 shRNA knock-down strategy in molar tooth germs cultured in vitro. Conclusions: This study reveals RSK2 regulates craniofacial development including tooth development and patterning via novel transcriptional targets.
Juvenile retinoschisis (RS) is an X linked recessive vitreoretinal disorder for which the basic m... more Juvenile retinoschisis (RS) is an X linked recessive vitreoretinal disorder for which the basic molecular defect is unknown. The gene for RS has been previously localised by linkage analysis to Xp22.1-p22.2 and the locus order Xpter-DXS16-(DXS43, DXS207)-RS-DXS274-DXS41-Xcen established. To improve the resolu- tion of the genetic map in the RS region, we have isolated a highly polymorphic microsatellite at DXS207, which displays at least nine alleles with a heterozygosity of 0-83. Using this microsatellite and four other Xp22.1-p22.2 marker loci, DXS16, DXS43, DXS274, and DXS41, we per- formed pairwise and multilocus linkage analysis in 14 kindreds with RS. The mic- rosatellite was also typed in the CEPH (Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain) reference families. Tight link- age was found between RS and DXS207
Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is a syndromal form of X linked mental retarda- tion, in which some a... more Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is a syndromal form of X linked mental retarda- tion, in which some associated facial, hand, and skeletal abnormalities are diagnostic features. Accurate diagnosis, criti- cal for genetic counselling, is often difficult, especially in early childhood. We have recently shown that Coffin-Lowry syndrome is caused by mutations in the gene encoding RSK2, a growth factor regulated protein kinase. RSK2 mutations are very heterogeneous and most of them lead to premature termination of translation or to loss of phosphotransferase activity or both. In the present study, we have evaluated immunoblot and RSK2 kinase assays as a rapid and simple diagnostic test for CLS, using cultured lymphoblastoid or fibroblast cell lines. Western blot analysis failed to detect RSK2 in six patients, suggesting the presence of truncated proteins in these patients. This conclusion was confirmed in four patients, in whom the causative mutations, all leading to premature termination of translation, were identified. Offour patients showing a normal amount ofRSK2 protein on western blot and tested for RSK2 phosphotransferase activity, one had a dramatically impaired activity. Analysis of the RSK2 cDNA sequence in this patient showed a mutation of a putative phosphorylation site that would be critical for RSK2 activity. Preliminary results show that, at least, the western blot protocol can be successfully applied to lymphocyte protein extracts prepared di- rectly from blood samples. These assays promise to become important diagnostic tools for CLS, particularly with regard to very young patients with no family history of the condition. (7Med Genet 1998;35:890-894
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) represents a group of clinically heterogeneous retinal degenerations in... more Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) represents a group of clinically heterogeneous retinal degenerations in which all modes of in- heritance have been described. We have previously found two different clinical profiles in X linked RP as a function of age and mode of onset. The first clinical form has very early onset with severe myopia. The second form starts later with night blindness with mild myopia or none. At least two genes have been identi- fied in X linked forms, namely RP2 (linked to DXS7, DXS255, and DXS14) and RP3 (linked to DXS84 and OTC) on the short arm of the X chromosome. In order to contribute to phenotypegenotype correlations in X linked RP, we tested the hypothesis that the two clinical profiles could be accounted for by the two different gene loci. The present study provides evidence for linkage of the clini- cal form with early myopia as the onset symptom with the RP2 gene (pairwise linkage to DXS255: Z = 3-13 at 0= 0), while the clinical form with later night blind- ness as the onset symptom is linked to the RP3 gene (pairwise linkage to OTO 2= 4-16 at = 0).
An unreported missense mutation of the ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) gene has been identified in t... more An unreported missense mutation of the ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) gene has been identified in two male sibs with a mild form of CoYn-Lowry syndrome (CLS) inherited from their healthy mother. They exhibit transient severe hypotonia, macrocephaly, delay in closure of the fontanelles, normal gait, and mild mental retardation, associated in the first sib with transient autistic behaviour. Some dysmorphic features of CLS (in particular forearm fullness and tapering fingers) and many atypical findings (some of which were reminiscent of FG syndrome) were observed as well. The moderate phenotypic expression of this mutation extends the CLS phenotype to include less severe mental retardation and minor, hitherto unreported signs. The missense mutation identified may be less deleterious than those previously described. As this mutation occurs in a protein domain with no predicted function, it could be responsible for a conformational change aVecting the protein catalytic function, since a non-polar amino acid is replaced by a charged residue.
in vitro in the continuous presence of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). In the absence of LIF, E... more in vitro in the continuous presence of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). In the absence of LIF, ES cells are irreversibly committed to differentiate into various lineages. In this study we have set up an in vitro assay based on the anti-apoptotic activity of LIF to distinguish pluripotent from "differentiation-committed" ES cells. We have examined the phosphorylation profiles of known (STAT3 and ERKs) and identified new (ribosomal S6 kinases (RSKs) and cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB)) LIF-regulated targets in ES and in ES-derived neuronal cells. We have demonstrated that although STAT3, a crucial player in the maintenance of ES cell pluripotency, is induced by LIF in all cell types tested, the LIF-dependent activation of RSKs is restricted to ES cells. We have shown that LIF-induced phosphorylation of RSKs in ES cells is dependent on ERKs, whereas STAT3 phosphorylation is not mediated by any known MAPK activities. Our results also demonstrate that the LIF-dependent phosphorylation of CREB is partially under the control of the RSK2 kinase.
Coffin-Lowry Syndrome (CLS) is an X-linked syndromic form of mental retardation associated with s... more Coffin-Lowry Syndrome (CLS) is an X-linked syndromic form of mental retardation associated with skeletal abnormalities. It is caused by mutations of the Rsk2 gene, which encodes a growth factor regulated kinase. Gene deletion studies in mice have shown an essential role for the Rsk2 gene in osteoblast differentiation and function, establishing a causal link between Rsk2 deficiency and skeletal abnormalities of CLS. Although analyses in mice have revealed prominent expression of Rsk2 in brain structures that are essential for learning and memory, evidence at the behavioral level for an involvement of Rsk2 in cognitive function is still lacking. Here, we have examined Rsk2deficient mice in two extensive batteries of behavioral tests, which were conducted independently in two laboratories in Zurich (Switzerland) and Orsay (France). Despite the known reduction of bone mass, all parameters of motor function were normal, confirming the suitability of Rsk2-deficient mice for behavioral testing. Rsk2-deficient mice showed a mild impairment of spatial working memory, delayed acquisition of a spatial reference memory task and long-term spatial memory deficits. In contrast, associative and recognition memory, as well as the habituation of exploratory activity were normal. Our studies also revealed mild signs of disinhibition in exploratory activity, as well as a difficulty to adapt to new test environments, which likely contributed to the learning impairments displayed by Rsk2-deficient mice. The observed behavioral changes are in line with observations made in other mouse models of human mental retardation and support a role of Rsk2 in cognitive functions.
Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is an X-linked disorder characterized by severe psychomotor retardati... more Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is an X-linked disorder characterized by severe psychomotor retardation, facial and digital dysmorphisms, and progressive skeletal deformations. By using a positional cloning approach, we have recently shown that mutations in the gene coding for the RSK2 serine-threonine protein kinase are responsible for this syndrome. To facilitate mutational analysis, we have now determined the genomic structure of the human RSK2 gene. The open reading frame of the RSK2 coding region is split into 22 exons. Primers were designed for PCR amplification of single exons from genomic DNA and subsequent single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. We screened 37 patients with clinical features suggestive of CLS. Twentyfive nucleotide changes predicted to be disease-causing mutations were identified, including eight splice-site alterations, seven nonsense mutations, five frameshift mutations, and five missense mutations. Twenty-three of them were novel mutations. Coupled with previously reported mutations, these findings bring the total of different RSK2 mutations to 34. These are distributed throughout the RSK2 gene, with no clustering, and all but two, which have been found in two independent patients, are unique. A very high (68%) rate of de novo mutations was observed. It is noteworthy also that three mutations were found in female probands, with no affected male relatives, ascertained through learning disability and mild but suggestive facial and digital dysmorphisms. No obvious correlation was observed between the position or type of the RSK2 mutations and the severity or particular clinical features of CLS.
Together with the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) p... more Together with the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins, fusogenic cone-shaped lipids, such as phosphatidic acid (PA), have been recently shown to be important actors in membrane fusion during exocytosis. Phospholipase D (PLD) appears to be the main provider of PA at the exocytotic site in neuroendocrine cells. We show here that ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) stimulates PLD activity through the phosphorylation of Thr147 in the PLD1 amino-terminal Phox-homology domain. In PC12 cells, depletion of RSK2 dramatically prevents PA synthesis at exocytotic sites and inhibits hormone release. Expression of PLD1 phosphomimetic mutants fully restores secretion in cells depleted of RSK2, suggesting that RSK2 is a critical upstream signaling element in the activation of PLD1 to produce the lipids required for exocytosis.
Karine Merienne; Sylvie Jacquot; Solange Pannetier; Maria Zeniou; Agnes Bankier; Jozef Gecz; Jean... more Karine Merienne; Sylvie Jacquot; Solange Pannetier; Maria Zeniou; Agnes Bankier; Jozef Gecz; Jean-louis Mandel; John Mulley; Paolo Sassone-corsi; Andre Hanauer
Myotubular myopathy is a severe congenital disease inherited as an X-linked trait (MTM1; McKusick... more Myotubular myopathy is a severe congenital disease inherited as an X-linked trait (MTM1; McKusick 31040). It has been mapped to the long arm of chromosome X, to the Xq27-28 region. Significant linkage has subsequently been established for the linkage group comprised of DXS304, DXS15, DXS52, and F8C in several studies. To date, published linkage studies have provided no evidence of genetic heterogeneity in severe neonatal myotubular myopathy (XLMTM). We have investigated a family with typical XLMTM in which no linkage to these markers was found. Our findings strongly suggest genetic heterogeneity in myotubular myopathy and indicate that great care should be taken when using Xq28 markers in linkage studies for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling.
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Papers by André Hanauer