• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.11
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• pp.725-729
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• 2011

We report a novel mechanism of a CDH1 splicing mutation in a patient with signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach. A 27-year-old man complaining of aggravated dyspepsia was diagnosed with signet ring cell carcinoma. Both his father and uncle had died of stomach cancer at a young age. DNA sequencing analysis of the CDH1 gene revealed a splice site mutation (c.833-2A>G). By RNA/cDNA sequencing analysis, CDH1 c.833-2A>G generated a new acceptor site within intron 6, causing the insertion of a 79-bp intronic sequence between exon 6 and 7 (r.833-79_833-1ins), and resulting in a frame shift. E-cadherin immunohistochemical staining revealed a loss of CDH1 expression. This study reveals the disease-causing mechanism of this splicing mutation, and emphasizes the need for functional studies using RNA samples for the accurate interpretation of detected splicing variant. This is the first reported case of a CDH1 mutation in a Korean patient.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.40-42
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• 2014

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by neurological, cutaneous, and ophthalmological manifestations. A 33-year-old woman with typical symptoms of NF1 visited Ajou University Hospital. Screening of the whole-messenger RNA region of NF1 at the complementary DNA level by polymerase chain reaction-direct sequencing confirmed the presence of an NF1 mutation at the genomic level. The mutation analysis revealed an in-frame skipping of exon 46 (c.6757_6858del) caused by a point mutation (c. 6792C>A) in exon 46. In this report, we have described the first Korean case of a proband with NF1 that carries an allele with an exon 46 deletion caused by an exonic splicing enhancer site mutation, leading to the skipping of the whole of exon 46 (c.6757_6858del).

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.733-741
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• 2018

Mutations in spliceosome components have been implicated in carcinogenesis of various types of cancer. One of the most frequently found is U2AF1 S34F missense mutation. Functional analyses of this mutation have been largely limited to hematological malignancies although the mutation is also frequently seen in other cancer types including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). We examined the impact of knockdown (KD) of wild type (wt) U2AF1 and ectopic expression of two splice variant S34F mutant proteins in terms of alternative splicing (AS) pattern and cell cycle progression in A549 lung cancer cells. We demonstrate that induction of distinct AS events and disruption of mitosis at distinct sub-stages result from KD and ectopic expression of the mutant proteins. Importantly, when compared with the splicing pattern seen in LUAD patients with U2AF1 S34F mutation, ectopic expression of S34F mutants but not KD was shown to result in common AS events in several genes involved in cell cycle progression. Our study thus points to an active role of U2AF1 S34F mutant protein in inducing cell cycle dysregulation and mitotic stress. In addition, alternatively spliced genes which we describe here may represent novel potential markers of lung cancer development.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.334-340
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• 1997

A collection of 132 temperature sensitive (ts) mutants was generated by the chemical mutagenesis of Schizosaccharomyces pombe wild type strain and screened for tRNA splicing defects on Northern blots by hybridization with an oligonucleotide that recognizes the exon of the S. pombe tRNA^Val as a probe. We identidied 6 mutants which accumulate precursor $tRNA^{Val}$. Among them, 2 mutants exhibited remarkable morphological differences compared to wild type cells. One tRNA splicing mutant showed elongated cell shape in permissive as well as non-permissive cultures. The other mutant exhibited shortened cell morphology only in nonpermissive culture. The total RNA pattern in the splicing mutants appeared to be normal. Genetic analysis of four $tRNA^{Val}$ splicing mutants demonstrated that the mutation reside in different genes.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2006

KIT encodes a mast/stem cell growth factor receptor and is known as a possible candidate gene responsible for dominant white coat color in mammals. To investigate the genetic variation of KIT gene in Korean wild boars(Sus scrofa coreanus), we carried out PCR-RFLP and DNA sequencing for three exons(exons 17, 19, and 20) and intron 19 of the KIT gene in Korean wild boars. PCR-RFLP results using NlaⅢ restriction enzyme in the breakpoint region between exon 17 and intron 17 and AciⅠ restriction enzyme in exon 19 indicate that Korean wild boars did not have previously identified white coat color related splicing mutation and missense mutation, respectively. These results also indicate matings between Korean wild boars could not give white coat color offsprings. We also found new SNPs in exons 19(C2661T) and 20(A2760G). Of these, the SNP in exon 20 is a missense mutation which might induce the change of amino acid iso-leucine to valine. However, no relationship was identified with this missense mutation and coat color. In this study, breed specific new SNPs were identified in exons 19, 20 and intron 19 and these results will give important information for genetic variation of porcine KIT gene.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.7
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• pp.355-356
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• 2016

The THO/TREX complex consists of several conserved subunits and is required for mRNA export. In metazoans, THO/TREX binds a subset of mRNAs during RNA splicing, and facilitates their nuclear export. How THO/TREX selects RNA targets is, however, incompletely understood. In our recent study, we reported that THO is loaded onto Piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) precursor transcripts independent of splicing, and facilitates convergent transcription in Drosophila ovary. The precursors are later processed into mature piRNAs, small noncoding RNAs that silence transposable elements (TEs). We observed that piRNAs originating from dual-strand clusters, where precursors are transcribed from both strands, were specifically affected by THO mutation. Analysis of THO-bound RNAs showed enrichment of dual-strand cluster transcripts. Interestingly, THO loading onto piRNA precursors was dependent on Cutoff (Cuff), which comprises the Rhino-Deadlock-Cutoff (RDC) complex that is recruited to dual-strand clusters by recognizing H3K9me3 and licenses convergent transcription from he cluster. We also found that THO mutation affected transcription from dual-strand clusters. Therefore, we concluded that THO/TREX is recruited to dual-strand piRNA clusters, independent of splicing events, via multi-protein interactions with chromatin structure. Then, it facilitates transcription likely by suppressing premature termination to ensure adequate expression of piRNA precursors.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.549-552
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• 2009

Genetic mutations by gene fusion result from chromosomal rearrangement, trans-splicing, and intergenic splicing. Trans-splicing is a phenomenon in which two pre-mRNAs grow together into one. We analyzed the trans-splicing products in embryonic stem cells. By using bioinformatic tools, 70 trans-splicing transcripts were identified. They are classified into 6 types according to fusion pattern: 5'UTR-5'UTR, 5'UTR-3'UTR, 3'UTR-3'UTR, 5'UTR-CDS, 3'UTR-CDS, CDS-CDS. The fusion products are more abundant in CDS regions than in UTR regions, which contain multiple intron numbers. Chromosome analysis showing gene fusion via trans-splicing indicated that chromosomes 17 and 19 were activated. These data are of great use for further studies in relation to fusion genes and human diseases.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2017

The tubby protein (Tub), a putative transcription factor, plays important roles in the maintenance and function of neuronal cells. A splicing defect-causing mutation in the 3'-end of the tubby gene, which is predicted to disrupt the carboxy-terminal region of the Tub protein, causes maturity-onset obesity, blindness, and deafness in mice. Although this pathological Tub mutation leads to a loss of function, the precise mechanism has not yet been investigated. Here, we found that the mutant Tub proteins were mostly localized to puncta found in the perinuclear region and that the C-terminus was important for its solubility. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that puncta of mutant Tub co-localized with the aggresome. Moreover, whereas wild-type Tub was translocated to the nucleus by extracellular signaling, the mutant forms failed to undergo such translocation. Taken together, our results suggest that the malfunctions of the Tub mutant are caused by its misfolding and subsequent localization to aggresomes.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 2024

Purpose: Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is one of the most common autosomal dominant diseases caused by heterozygous mutation in the NF1 gene. Mutation detection is complex owing to the large size of the NF1 gene, the presence of a high number of partial pseudogenes, and the great variety of mutations. We aimed to study the mutation spectrum of NF1 gene in Korean patients with NF1. Materials and Methods: We have analyzed total 69 unrelated patients who were clinically diagnosed with NF1. PCR and sequencing of the NF1 gene was performed in all unrelated index patients. Additionally, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) test of the NF1 and SPRED1 gene analysis (sequencing and MLPA test) were performed in patients with negative results from NF1 gene sequencing analysis. Results: Fifty-five different variants were identified in 60 individuals, including six novel variants. The mutations included 36 single base substitutions (15 missense and 21 nonsense), eight splicing mutations, 13 small insertion or deletions, and three gross deletions. Most pathogenic variants were unique. The mutations were evenly distributed across exon one through 58 of NF1, and no mutational hot spots were found. When fulfilling the National Institutes of Health criterion for the clinical diagnosis of NF1, the detection rate was 84.1%. Cafe-au-lait macules were observed in all patients with NF1 mutations. There is no clear relationship between specific mutations and clinical features. Conclusion: This study revealed a wide spectrum and genetic basis of patients with NF1 in Korea. Our results aim to contribute genetic management and counseling.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.581-587
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• 2019

Arthrogryposis-renal dysfunction-cholestasis (ARC) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive multisystemic disease that is associated with the liver, kidney, skin, and central nervous and musculoskeletal systems. ARC occurs as a result of mutations in the VPS33B (Vacuolar protein sorting 33 homolog B) or VIPAR (VPS33B interacting protein, apical-basolateral polarity regulator) genes. A female infant presented with neonatal cholestasis with a severe clinical outcome. She was diagnosed with ARC syndrome using targeted exome sequencing (TES). Exome sequencing revealed compound heterozygous mutations, c.707A>T and c.239+5G>A, in VPS33B, where c.707A>T was a novel variant; the resultant functional protein defects were predicted via in silico analysis. c.239+5G>A, a pathogenic mutation that affects splicing, is found in less than 0.1% of the general population. Invasive techniques, such as liver biopsies, did not contribute to a differential diagnosis of ARC syndrome; thus, early TES together with clinical presentations constituted an apparently accurate diagnostic procedure.