9 research outputs found

    Consensus nomenclature for dyneins and associated assembly factors.

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    Dyneins are highly complex, multicomponent, microtubule-based molecular motors. These enzymes are responsible for numerous motile behaviors in cytoplasm, mediate retrograde intraflagellar transport (IFT), and power ciliary and flagellar motility. Variants in multiple genes encoding dyneins, outer dynein arm (ODA) docking complex subunits, and cytoplasmic factors involved in axonemal dynein preassembly (DNAAFs) are associated with human ciliopathies and are of clinical interest. Therefore, clear communication within this field is particularly important. Standardizing gene nomenclature, and basing it on orthology where possible, facilitates discussion and genetic comparison across species. Here, we discuss how the human gene nomenclature for dyneins, ODA docking complex subunits, and DNAAFs has been updated to be more functionally informative and consistent with that of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a key model organism for studying dyneins and ciliary function. We also detail additional nomenclature updates for vertebrate-specific genes that encode dynein chains and other proteins involved in dynein complex assembly

    The risks of using unapproved gene symbols.

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    The use of approved nomenclature in publications is vital to enable effective scientific communication and is particularly crucial when discussing genes of clinical relevance. Here, we discuss several examples of cases where the failure of researchers to use a HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)-approved symbol in publications has led to confusion between unrelated human genes in the literature. We also inform authors of the steps they can take to ensure that they use approved nomenclature in their manuscripts and discuss how referencing HGNC IDs can remove ambiguity when referring to genes that have previously been published with confusing alias symbols

    The bridge-like lipid transfer protein (BLTP) gene group: introducing new nomenclature based on structural homology indicating shared function.

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    The HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee assigns unique symbols and names to human genes. The use of approved nomenclature enables effective communication between researchers, and there are multiple examples of how the usage of unapproved alias symbols can lead to confusion. We discuss here a recent nomenclature update (May 2022) for a set of genes that encode proteins with a shared repeating β-groove domain. Some of the proteins encoded by genes in this group have already been shown to function as lipid transporters. By working with researchers in the field, we have been able to introduce a new root symbol (BLTP, which stands for "bridge-like lipid transfer protein") for this domain-based gene group. This new nomenclature not only reflects the shared domain in these proteins, but also takes into consideration the mounting evidence of a shared lipid transport function

    The importance of being the HGNC.

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    The HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) has been providing standardized symbols and names for human genes since the late 1970s. As funding agencies change their priorities, finding financial support for critical biomedical resources such as the HGNC becomes ever more challenging. In this article, we outline the key roles the HGNC currently plays in aiding communication and the need for these activities to be maintained
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