A dominant mutation within the DNA-binding domain of the bZIP transcription factor Maf causes murine cataract and results in selective alteration in DNA binding

The murine autosomal dominant cataract mutants created in mutagenesis experiments have proven to be a powerful resource for modelling the biological processes involved in cataractogenesis. We report a mutant which in the heterozygous state exhibits mild pulverulent cataract named ‘opaque flecks in lens', symbol Ofl. By molecular mapping, followed by a candidate gene approach, the mutant was shown to be allelic with a knockout of the bZIP transcription factor, Maf. Homozygotes for Ofl and for Maf null mutations are similar but a new effect, renal tubular nephritis, was found in Ofl homozygotes surviving beyond 4 weeks, which may contribute to early lethality. Sequencing identified the mutation as a G→A change, leading to the amino-acid substitution mutation R291Q in the basic region of the DNA-binding domain. Since mice heterozygous for knockouts of Maf show no cataracts, this suggests that the Ofl R291Q mutant protein has a dominant effect. We have demonstrated that this mutation results in a selective alteration in DNA binding affinities to target oligonucleotides containing variations in the core CRE and TRE elements. This implies that arginine 291 is important for core element binding and suggests that the mutant protein may exert a differential downstream effect amongst its binding targets. The cataracts seen in Ofl heterozygotes and human MAF mutations are similar to one another, implying that Ofl may be a model of human pulverulent cortical cataract. Furthermore, when bred onto a different genetic background Ofl heterozygotes also show anterior segment abnormalities. The Ofl mutant therefore provides a valuable model system for the study of Maf, and its interacting factors, in normal and abnormal lens and anterior segment developmen

Biallelic TMEM260 variants cause truncus arteriosus, with or without renal defects

Only two families have been reported with biallelic TMEM260 variants segregating with structural heart defects and renal anomalies syndrome (SHDRA). With a combination of genome, exome sequencing and RNA studies, we identified eight individuals from five families with biallelic TMEM260 variants. Variants included one multi-exon deletion, four nonsense/frameshifts, two splicing changes and one missense change. Together with the published cases, analysis of clinical data revealed ventricular septal defects (12/12), mostly secondary to truncus arteriosus (10/12), elevated creatinine levels (6/12), horse-shoe kidneys (1/12) and renal cysts (1/12) in patients. Three pregnancies were terminated on detection of severe congenital anomalies. Six patients died between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years. Using a range of stringencies, carrier frequency for SHDRA was estimated at 0.0007–0.007 across ancestries. In conclusion, this study confirms the genetic basis of SHDRA, expands its known mutational spectrum and clarifies its clinical features. We demonstrate that SHDRA is a severe condition associated with substantial mortality in early childhood and characterised by congenital cardiac malformations with a variable renal phenotype

Biallelic TMEM260 variants cause truncus arteriosus, with or without renal defects

From Wiley via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2021-08-18, rev-recd 2021-09-22, accepted 2021-10-02, pub-electronic 2021-10-11Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedFunder: Cancer Research UK; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000289Funder: European Union's Horizon 2020; Grant(s): 779257Funder: Medical Research Council; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100007155Funder: NHS EnglandFunder: NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre ProgrammeFunder: Society for the Relief of Disabled Children, Hong KongFunder: Wellcome Trust; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100010269; Grant(s): 203141/Z/16/ZAbstract: Only two families have been reported with biallelic TMEM260 variants segregating with structural heart defects and renal anomalies syndrome (SHDRA). With a combination of genome, exome sequencing and RNA studies, we identified eight individuals from five families with biallelic TMEM260 variants. Variants included one multi‐exon deletion, four nonsense/frameshifts, two splicing changes and one missense change. Together with the published cases, analysis of clinical data revealed ventricular septal defects (12/12), mostly secondary to truncus arteriosus (10/12), elevated creatinine levels (6/12), horse‐shoe kidneys (1/12) and renal cysts (1/12) in patients. Three pregnancies were terminated on detection of severe congenital anomalies. Six patients died between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years. Using a range of stringencies, carrier frequency for SHDRA was estimated at 0.0007–0.007 across ancestries. In conclusion, this study confirms the genetic basis of SHDRA, expands its known mutational spectrum and clarifies its clinical features. We demonstrate that SHDRA is a severe condition associated with substantial mortality in early childhood and characterised by congenital cardiac malformations with a variable renal phenotype

عربی ادبیات میں محمد کاظم اور خورشید رضوی کا تخصص(تقابلی مطالعہ)

This article deals withtwo famous authors of Urdu literature namely, Muhammad Kazim and KhrsheedRizvi. It is related to their field of specializationin Arabic literature. Both the researchers were not only interested in Urdu literature but had a special interest in Arabic literature as well and because of this reason they not only read extensively about Arabic literature but also wrote several books on it, which are an evidence of their grip on Arabic literature. Furthermore they have also translated several books from Arabic into Urdu. After a comparison between these two authors with each other, it becomes obvious that Muhammad Kazim, when compared to Khurshed Rizvi has explained in more detail about his own writing detail on Arabic literature. Khursheed Rizvi mentions about his writings very precisely. As for instance, in his books the history of Arabic literature from the age of ignorance to the modern tines he mentions the poets and prose writers of Arabic literature from then till new. On the other hand, Khursheed Rizvi mentions only the period of Bannu Ommaya. However, the brilliance of both the authors in Arabic literature is of high value.</p

Late onset lattice corneal dystrophy with systemic familial amyloidosis, amyloidosis V, in an English family

AIMS—To establish a clinical and molecular diagnosis in a family with late onset lattice corneal dystrophy.
METHODS—Linkage analysis, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, and direct sequencing of genomic DNA were performed. A review of the patients' clinical symptoms and signs was undertaken.
RESULTS—Linkage to chromosome 9q34 was established and a mutation in the gelsolin gene was found in affected individuals. Numerous symptoms experienced by the patients were attributable to this mutation.
CONCLUSION—A diagnosis of amyloidosis type V (familial amyloidosis, Finnish type, FAF/Meretoja syndrome/gelsolin related amyloidosis) was made. This is the first case of amyloidosis type V described in the UK. This emphasises the importance of recognition of the extraocular manifestations of eye disease both in the diagnosis and management of the patient. In addition, these findings can help molecular geneticists in their search for disease-causing mutations.