FPD/AML is a familial platelet disorder characterized by platelet defects, predisposition to acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and germ-line heterozygous RUNX1 alterations. Here we studied the in vitro megakaryopoiesis of 3 FPD/AML pedigrees. A 60% to 80% decrease in the output of megakaryocytes (MKs) from CD34(+) was observed. MK ploidy level was low and mature MKs displayed a major defect in p...

Mutations in the MYH9 gene encoding the non-muscle myosin heavy chain-IIA result in bleeding disorders characterized by a macrothrombocytopenia. To understand the role of myosin in normal platelet functions and in pathology, we generated mice with disruption of MYH9 in megakaryocytes. MYH9Δ mice displayed macrothrombocytopenia with a strong increase in bleeding time and absence of clot retracti...

MYH9 gene mutation results in a spectrum of diseases, such as May -Heglin anomaly and Epstein syndrome, depending upon the type of isoforms involved [1]. This mutation is inherited as an autosomal dominant entity and the gene encodes for non-muscle myosin heavy chain IIA (NMMHC-IIA) which is a part of myosin superfamily. The exact incidence of this disease in different populations is yet to be ...

May-Hegglin anomaly (MHA) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the triad of thrombocytopenia, giant platelets, and inclusion bodies in leukocytes. Recent evidence links MHA to mutations in the MYH9 gene. MHA has not been reported in Taiwan before. We report a 25-year-old Taiwanese man who presented with prolonged bleeding after dental extraction. Examination of peripheral bloo...

The Deleted in liver cancer 1 (Dlc1) gene codes for a Rho GTPase-activating protein that also acts as a tumour suppressor gene. Several studies have consistently found that overexpression leads to excessive cell elongation, cytoskeleton changes and subsequent cell death. However, none of these studies have been able to satisfactorily explain the Dlc1-induced cell morphological phenotypes and th...

Despite intensive antihypertensive therapy there was a high incidence of renal end points in participants of the African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK) cohort. To better understand this, coding variants in the apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) and the nonmuscle myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) genes were evaluated for an association with hypertension-attributed nephropathy and clin...

The diverse epithelial cell types of the kidneys are segregated into nephron segments and the collecting ducts in order to endow each tubular segment with unique functions. The rich diversity of the epithelial cell types is highlighted by the unique membrane channels and receptors expressed within each nephron segment. Our previous work identified a critical role for Myh9 and Myh10 in mammalian...

We studied a family presenting 10 individuals affected by autosomal dominant deafness in all frequencies and three individuals affected by high frequency hearing loss. Genomic scanning using the 50k Affymetrix microarray technology yielded a Lod Score of 2.1 in chromosome 14 and a Lod Score of 1.9 in chromosome 22. Mapping refinement using microsatellites placed the chromosome 14 candidate regi...

Mutations in the MYH9 gene encoding the nonmuscle myosin heavy chain IIA result in bleeding disorders characterized by a macrothrombocytopenia. To understand the role of myosin in normal platelet functions and in pathology, we generated mice with disruption of MYH9 in megakaryocytes. MYH9Delta mice displayed macrothrombocytopenia with a strong increase in bleeding time and absence of clot retra...

Kidney disease is a well-known health disparity in the United States where African Americans are affected at higher rates compared with other groups such as European Americans and Mexican Americans. Common genetic variants in the myosin, heavy chain 9, non-muscle (MYH9) gene were initially identified as associated with non-diabetic end-stage renal disease in African Americans, and it is now und...