Localization of Melanoma-associated Antigen MAGEA1 and Identification of Its Interacting Proteins / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Melanoma associated antigen family A1 (MAGEA1) is expressed in germ cells and tumors of various histological origins, but its mechanism is still unclear. In this study, the eukaryotic recombinant MAGEA1 expression plasmids with Flag or GFP tags were constructed and transfected into HeLa and HEK293T cells. Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, co-immunoprecipitation, nuclear protein and cytoplasmic protein separation, and mitochondrial isolation were used to detect the expression and location of MAGEA1 and its interaction with other proteins in cells. The results of immunocytochemistry (ICC) and Western blotting showed that the overexpressed MAGEA1 was mainly localized in the cytoplasm and partially co-localized with mitochondria. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments verified the interactions between MAGEA1 and TRIM31, SNW1, HDAC1, and found that MAGEA1 may mainly interact with HDAC1 in the cytoplasm. The studies above indicate that MAGEA1 may be involved in different cellular biological processes and co-localize with mitochondria. It interacts with TRIM31, SNW1 and HDAC1, while MAGEA1 may mainly interact with HDAC1 in the cytoplasm. We propose that it may be involved in protein ubiquitination and the Notch signaling pathway. The results of this study laid an experimental foundation for the subsequent in-depth study of the mechanism of MAGEA1.

Identification of Mutations in Myocilin and Beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 3 Genes in a Chinese Family with Primary Open-angle Glaucoma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Glaucoma is a major cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. There is evidence showing that a subset of the disease is genetically determined. In this study, we screened for mutations in chromosome 1q-linked open-angle glaucoma (GLC1A) in a Chinese family with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 23 members from five generations of a family were enrolled and underwent thorough ophthalmologic examinations. In addition, 200 unrelated healthy Chinese controls were also recruited as normal control. GLC1A gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and DNA sequencing was performed to screen for mutations.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six members were diagnosed as POAG, with severe clinical manifestations, and history of high intraocular pressures. The mean age of disease onset was 26.3 years. However, the others were asymptomatic. In six affected and three asymptomatic members, gene sequencing revealed a mutation c.C1456T in exon 3 of myocilin gene (MYOC). Furthermore, we also identified a novel mutation c.G322A in beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 3 (B4GALT3) gene in all six affected and three asymptomatic members, which was not reported previously in POAG patients. The two newly identified variants were absent in other family members as well as controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The mutations c.1456C < T (p.L486F) in MYOC and c.322G < A (p.V108I) in B4GALT3 are likely responsible for the pathogenesis of POAG in this family.</p>