Segmental and developmental regulation of a presumptive T-cell oncogene in the central nervous system

Article Abstract:

Genes are small pieces of hereditary material or DNA. A gene, known as 11p15, that is located on human chromosome 11 is believed to be involved in causing a tumor of T-cells, a type of white blood cell belonging to the immune system. It is possible that this gene plays a role in development as well. Mouse embryos of various ages were studied to see whether one of the products of 11p15, beta-galactosidase, was present. Results showed that 11p15 is apparently located in the central nervous system as early as one-third of the way through gestation. Expression of this gene is most pronounced in the structures that will become the trigeminal and facial nerves of the hindbrain (the most posterior portion of the brain). Because these areas in the embryo are known as rhombomeres, the gene has been renamed the rhombotin gene. Anatomical details regarding the expression of the rhombotin gene are provided. An unusual feature of this oncogene (a gene that can cause a virus to become malignant) is its apparent expression in neurons (nerve cells) only. Possible functions for the gene are discussed, including a role in cell differentiation (determination of cell type), as opposed to cell proliferation (increase in cell number). The rhombotin gene is apparently present at different stages of normal central nervous system development and in abnormal T-cells; this suggests that other T-cell abnormalities may also have a relationship to developmental regulation. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Immunologic diseases

---

A tension-based theory of morphogenesis and compact wiring in the central nervous system

Article Abstract:

Mechanical tension is a key factor behind many diverse aspects of central nervous system morphogenesis. A morphogenetic mechanism involving mechanical tension along axons, dendrites and glial processes can explain many structural features of the mammalian central nervous system. For instance, tension along axons in the white matter in the cerebral cortex can explain how and why the cortex folds in a species-specific pattern, while tension along parallel fibres in the cerebellum can explain why the cortex is elongated but folded. Tension can also explain the compactness of neural circuitry in the adult brain with its action of keeping the aggregate length pf axonal and dendritic wiring low.

Research, Stress (Physiology), Morphogenesis

---

Transcriptional activation functions in BRCA2

Article Abstract:

Mutations of the BRCA2 gene are often found in familial breast cancers and the gene may activate transcription. Exon-3 sequences at the BRCA2 amino terminus show similarities in sequence to the c-Jun activation domain. Certain BRCA2 sequences can activate transcription in yeast and also have potent activation potential in mammalian cell lines. The protein products of the two familial breast cancer genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 may then have related functions.

Breast cancer

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Developmental and activity-dependent regulation of kainate receptors at thalamocortical synapses. Identification of genes that modify ataxin-1-induced neurodegeneration
• Abstracts: Effects of white-tailed deer on populations of an understory forb in fragmented deciduous forests. Recovery patterns of understory herbs and their use as indicators of deciduous forest regeneration
• Abstracts: DNA fingerprint variation and reproductive fitness in the Plain pigeon. Remarkable amphibian biomass and abundance in an isolated wetland: implications for wetland conservation
• Abstracts: Embryo research and abortion. Another taboo bites the dust
• Abstracts: Resistance to positional noise in human vision. Natural symmetry. Visual synchrony affects binding and segmentation in perception

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.