Cellular homeostasis is an outcome of complex interacting processes with nonlinear feedbacks that can span distinct spatial and temporal dimensions. Skin tanning is one such dynamic response that maintains genome integrity of epidermal cells. Although pathways underlying hyperpigmentation cascade are recognized, negative feedback regulatory loops that can dampen the activated melanogenesis proc...

We previously reported that antigen expression in melanoma cell lines is down-regulated by proteins secreted by antigen-negative melanoma cells. Here we report the purification and characterization of one of these down-regulatory factors, the cytokine, oncostatin M (OSM), which transmits its signal via the gp130 cell surface receptor, resulting in the selective down-modulation of the melanocyte...

2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), isolated from Polygonum multiflorum, is a noncompetitive inhibitor of tyrosinase in cell-free kinetics; it reduced the Vmax values in a dose-dependent manner. Compound 1 inhibited PKA-induced melanogenesis, reduced the protein expression of tyrosinase and its transcription factor, the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, and ...

A patient is described with a new association of microphthalmia, single central incisor, and hypopituitarism believed to represent a holoprosencephaly malformation. In view of the genetic ramifications of this malformation and its variable manifestations, we would like to alert the clinician to consider holoprosencephaly whenever midline malformations are detected.

PURPOSE Congenital eye malformations are a leading cause of blindness in children. Influenza virus infections prevail worldwide and have been implicated in congenital defects. Infections acquired during gestation may disrupt eye morphogenesis. We investigated the effects of influenza B virus infection on eye malformations during early embryogenesis. METHODS Chick embryos were exposed to influ...

IMPORTANCE Microphthalmias are rare disorders whose genetic bases are not fully understood. HMGB3 is a new candidate gene for X-linked forms of this disease. OBJECTIVE To identify the causative gene in a pedigree with an X-linked colobomatous microphthalmos phenotype. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Whole-genome sequencing and chromosome X-exome-targeted sequencing were performed at the H...

CHARGE association includes patients with at least four features prefixed by the letters of the mnemonic: Coloboma, Heart defects, Atresia of the choanae, Retarded growth and development, Genital hypoplasia, Ear anomalies and/or hearing loss. Many also have facial palsy. We report a series identified by collaboration within one centre of all specialties concerned in the management of the CHARGE...

To cite: Bypareddy R, Chawla R, Azad SV, et al. BMJ Case Rep Published online: [please include Day Month Year] doi:10.1136/ bcr-2016-216112 DESCRIPTION A 10-year-old boy presented for evaluation of a squint and low vision in his left eye. He had undergone cataract surgery (lens aspiration and anterior vitrectomy) in the same eye at the age of 1 year. He also had sensorineural hearing loss. On e...

BACKGROUND Congenital Cataract Facial Dysmorphism and demyelinating Neuropathy (CCFDN, OMIM 604468) is an autosomal recessive multi-system disorder which was first described in Bulgarian Gypsies in 1999. It is caused by the homozygous founder mutation c.863 + 389C > T in the CTDP1 gene. The syndrome has been described exclusively in patients of Gypsy ancestry. The prevalence of this disorder in...

The PAX2 gene is mutated in patients with ocular colobomas, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and kidney anomalies (renal-coloboma syndrome, OMIM 120330). The three abnormalities which make up this syndrome also occur in isolation, but the causal genes are not known. PAX2 encodes a transcription factor of the paired box class of DNA binding proteins, important for the development of the urogenital t...