Hereditary ectodermal dysplasia: Report of 11 patients from a family.

Hereditary Ectodermal Dysplasia is an inherited disorder commonly involving skin, teeth, hair, and nails. We have observed ectodermal dysplasia (EDs) in 11 individuals over two generations in one family. Smooth, dry, thin skin was seen in most affected individuals. All had fine, slowgrowing scalp hair and body hair and some had sparse eyebrows and short eyelashes. Nearly all showed decrease in sweating. Severe teeth abnormalities were seen in all patients and fingernail abnormalities were not so severe but toenail abnormalities were seen in all patients. No other abnormalities were seen in affected individuals in this family. It is very rare to find such a large family having ectodermal dysplasia.

Effect of altered sterol levels on the transport of amino acids and membrane structure of Microsporum gypseum.

Ergosterol and cholesterol supplementation resulted in a significant increase (1·5- fold) in the sterol content while phospholipid remained unaffected in Microsporum gypseum. The levels of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine increased in ergosterol supplemented cells. However, a decrease in phosphatidylcholine and an increase in phosphatidylethanolamine was observed in cholesterol grown cells. The ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids decreased on ergosterol/cholesterol supplementation. The uptake of amino acids (lysine, glycine and aspartic acid) decreased in sterol supplemented cells. Studies with fluorescent probe l-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate showed structural changes in membrane organisation as evident by increased number of binding sites in such cells.

Effect of environmental factors on the limpid composition, membrane structure and permeability of Microsporum gypseum.

Supplementation with unsaturated fatty acids, substitution of glucose by glycerol as carbon source and lowered growth temperature (20°C) increased the total phospholipid content of Microsporum gypseum spheroplasts. Levels of sterols increased with glycerol substitution and decreased in other growth conditions. Substantial changes were seen in the ratios of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids and phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolafne under all the experimental conditions. Changed lipid composition resulted in altered uptake of amino acids (L-lysine, L-aspartic acid and L-glycine) and increased number of binding sites for a fluorescent probe, 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate.