The von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis locus, NF1, encodes a protein with homology restricted to the catalytic region of the RAS GTPase-activating protein, GAP, and with extensive homology to the IRA1 and IRA2 gene products of the yeast S. cerevisiae. A segment of the NF1 cDNA gene, expressed in yeast, can complement loss of IRA function and can inhibit both wild-type and mutant activated human H-ras genes that are coexpressed in yeast. Yeast expressing the NF1 segment have increased H-ras GTPase-stimulating activity. These studies indicate that the NF1 gene product can interact with RAS proteins and demonstrate structural and functional similarities and differences among the GAP, IRA1, IRA2, and NF1 proteins.
Interacting selectively and non-covalently with any protein or protein complex (a complex of two or more proteins that may include other nonprotein molecules).
Evidence
1:
Inferred from Physical InteractionIntAct
The neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene product, neurofibromin, is known to interact with Ras, thereby negatively regulating its growth-promoting function. Although this is a well-established interaction, the discovery of other neurofibromin interacting partners could reveal new functional properties of this large protein. Using yeast two-hybrid analysis against a brain cDNA library, we identified a novel interaction between the amyloid precursor protein and the GTPase activating protein-related domain of neurofibromin. This interaction was further analyzed in human melanocytes and confirmed by immunoprecipitation and colocalization studies. In addition, we observed a colocalization of amyloid precursor protein and neurofibromin with melanosomes. Amyloid precursor protein has been proposed to function as a vesicle cargo receptor for the motor protein kinesin-1 in neurons. This colocalization of amyloid precursor protein and neurofibromin with melanosomes was lost in melanocytes obtained from normal skin of a NF1 patient. We suggest that a complex between amyloid precursor protein, neurofibromin, and melanosomes might be important in melanosome transport, which could shed a new light on the etiopathogenesis of pigment-cell-related manifestations in NF1.
Evidence
2:
Inferred from Physical InteractionIntAct
J. Neurosci. 21, 3764-3770 (2001)[PubMed:11356864]
The neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene encodes a large tumor suppressor protein (neurofibromin). Although it is known to possess Ras GTPase-activating protein (GAP) activity, the cellular role of neurofibromin remains unclear. Here we used yeast two-hybrid screening to identify neurofibromin-interacting proteins. Syndecan-2, a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), was isolated as a binding partner for two distinct regions of the neurofibromin protein. We subsequently found that neurofibromin can bind all four mammalian syndecans. NF1 interaction requires the transmembrane domain and a membrane-proximal region of the cytoplasmic tail of syndecan, but not the C terminus of syndecan known to bind to CASK, a membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK). Neurofibromin, syndecans, and CASK have overlapping subcellular distributions in axons and synapses of neurons, as shown by biochemical fractionation and immunostaining. Moreover, neurofibromin exists in a complex with syndecan and CASK in vivo, as evidenced by their coimmunoprecipitation from rat brain. Our findings suggest that interaction with different members of the syndecan family may be a mechanism for localizing neurofibromin to specialized domains of the plasma membrane.
Defects in the NF1 gene have been implicated in the inherited disorder neurofibromatosis type 1, which is characterized by several developmental abnormalities including an increased frequency of benign and malignant tumours of neural crest origin (neurofibromas and neurofibrosarcomas respectively). The NF1 gene encodes a ubiquitous protein homologous to p120GAP, the GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for the products of the ras protooncogenes. When expressed in non-mammalian systems, the region of the NF1 gene homologous to p120GAP produces a protein with GAP-like activity. Here we present evidence that the ras proteins in malignant tumour cell lines from patients with type 1 neurofibromatosis are in a constitutively activated state, as judged by the guanine nucleotide bound to them, and are necessary for cellular proliferation. These cells contain p21ras and p120GAP that are both functionally wild type, but barely any functional NF1 protein. Our results show that the NF1 protein is normally essential for correct negative regulation of ras proteins in the cell, even in the presence of normal p120GAP, and they support the hypothesis that NF1 is a tumour-suppressor gene whose product acts upstream of ras.
The neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) gene product, neurofibromin, contains a GTPase-activating protein (GAP)-related domain, or NF1 GRD, that is able to down-regulate p21ras by stimulating its intrinsic GTPase. Since p21ras.GTP is a major regulator of growth and differentiation, mutant neurofibromins resulting from somatic mutations in the NF1 gene might interfere with ras signaling pathways and contribute to the development of tumors. We describe an amino acid substitution in the NF1 GRD, altering Lys-1423, that has occurred in three tumor types: colon adenocarcinoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, and anaplastic astrocytoma, and in one family with neurofibromatosis 1. The GAP activity of the mutant NF1 GRD is 200- to 400-fold lower than that of wild type, whereas binding affinity is unaffected. Thus, germline mutations in NF1 that cause neurofibromatosis 1 can also occur in somatic cells and contribute to the development of sporadic tumors, including tumors not associated with neurofibromatosis 1.
A process that is carried out at the cellular level which results in the assembly, arrangement of constituent parts, or disassembly of cytoskeletal structures comprising actin filaments and their associated proteins.
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the adrenal gland over time, from its formation to the mature structure. This gland can either be a discrete structure located bilaterally above each kidney, or a cluster of cells in the head kidney that perform the functions of the adrenal gland. In either case, this organ consists of two cells types, aminergic chromaffin cells and steroidogenic cortical cells.
The process in which the anatomical structures of arterial blood vessels are generated and organized. Arteries are blood vessels that transport blood from the heart to the body and its organs.
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the brain over time, from its formation to the mature structure. Brain development begins with patterning events in the neural tube and ends with the mature structure that is the center of thought and emotion. The brain is responsible for the coordination and control of bodily activities and the interpretation of information from the senses (sight, hearing, smell, etc.).
The process in which the anatomical structures of the eye are generated and organized. The camera-type eye is an organ of sight that receives light through an aperture and focuses it through a lens, projecting it on a photoreceptor field.
Any process that mediates interactions between a cell and its surroundings. Encompasses interactions such as signaling or attachment between one cell and another cell, between a cell and an extracellular matrix, or between a cell and any other aspect of its environment.
The progression of the cerebral cortex over time from its initial formation until its mature state. The cerebral cortex is the outer layered region of the telencephalon.
The operation of the mind by which an organism becomes aware of objects of thought or perception; it includes the mental activities associated with thinking, learning, and memory.
BACKGROUND: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a single gene disorder associated with a high frequency of cognitive deficits and a complex cognitive phenotype. These cognitive deficits have been associated with focal areas of high signal intensity on T2 weighted MRI images but the relationship remains controversial. METHOD: A cohort of 76 children with NF1 and 45 unaffected sibling controls (aged 8-16 years) underwent extensive neuropsychological assessment, with the NF1 children having MRI examinations. RESULTS: The presence or number of T2 hyperintensities (T2H) was not associated with cognitive dysfunction. However, the location of discrete (well circumscribed) T2H in the thalamus was associated with severe and generalised cognitive impairment. More diffuse lesions in the thalamus were also associated with reductions in IQ but the effects were less marked compared with the discrete lesions. Comparing children with NF1 to their unaffected siblings revealed more subtle effects of the lesions on cognitive ability. CONCLUSIONS: T2H cannot be used in general as a radiological marker for cognitive deficits in children with NF1; however, lesions in the thalamus are strongly associated with cognitive impairment. It is possible that lesions in the thalamus in conjunction with more general thalamic hypometabolism may compound the level of thalamic dysfunction, resulting in cognitive deficits well beyond those produced by T2H in other regions.
A process that is carried out at the cellular level which results in the assembly, arrangement of constituent parts, or disassembly of an extracellular matrix.
The process aimed at the progression of an astrocyte that resides in the forebrain, from initial commitment of the cell to its fate, to the fully functional differentiated cell. An astrocyte is the most abundant type of glial cell. Astrocytes provide support for neurons and regulate the environment in which they function.
The process in which the anatomical structures of the forebrain are generated and organized. The forebrain is the anterior of the three primary divisions of the developing chordate brain or the corresponding part of the adult brain (in vertebrates, includes especially the cerebral hemispheres, the thalamus, and the hypothalamus and especially in higher vertebrates is the main control center for sensory and associative information processing, visceral functions, and voluntary motor functions).
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the heart over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The heart is a hollow, muscular organ, which, by contracting rhythmically, keeps up the circulation of the blood.
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the liver over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The liver is an exocrine gland which secretes bile and functions in metabolism of protein and carbohydrate and fat, synthesizes substances involved in the clotting of the blood, synthesizes vitamin A, detoxifies poisonous substances, stores glycogen, and breaks down worn-out erythrocytes.
An intracellular protein kinase cascade containing at least a MAPK, a MAPKK and a MAP3K. The cascade can also contain two additional tiers: the upstream MAP4K and the downstream MAP Kinase-activated kinase (MAPKAPK). The kinases in each tier phosphorylate and activate the kinases in the downstream tier to transmit a signal within a cell.
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the metanephros over time, from its formation to the mature structure. In mammals, the metanephros is the excretory organ of the fetus, which develops into the mature kidney and is formed from the rear portion of the nephrogenic cord. The metanephros is an endocrine and metabolic organ that filters the blood and excretes the end products of body metabolism in the form of urine.
The process in which neuronal axons and dendrites become coated with a segmented lipid-rich sheath (myelin) to enable faster and more energetically efficient conduction of electrical impulses. The sheath is formed by the cell membranes of Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system. Adjacent myelin segments are separated by a non-myelinated stretch of axon called a node of Ranvier.
Genetic inactivation of tumor suppressor genes initiates human cancers. However, interaction of accessory cells with the tumor-initiating cell within the microenvironment is often required for tumor progression. This paradigm is relevant to understanding neurofibroma development in neurofibromatosis type I patients. Somatic inactivation of the Nf1 tumor suppressor gene, which encodes neurofibromin, is necessary but not sufficient to initiate neurofibroma development. In contrast, neurofibromas occur with high penetrance in mice in which Nf1 is ablated in Schwann cells in the context of a heterozygous mutant (Nf1+/-) microenvironment. Neurofibromas are highly vascularized, and recent studies suggest that Nf1+/- mice have increased angiogenesis in vivo. However, the function of neurofibromin in human endothelial cells (ECs) and the biochemical mechanism by which neurofibromin regulates neoangiogenesis are not known. Utilizing Nf1+/- mice, primary human ECs and endothelial progenitor cells harvested from NF1 patients, we identified a discrete Ras effector pathway, which alters the proliferation and migration of neurofibromin-deficient ECs in response to neurofibroma-derived growth factors both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, these studies identify a unique biochemical pathway in Nf1+/- ECs as a potential therapeutic target in the neurofibroma microenvironment.
Peripheral nerve sheath tumors from individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) are highly vascular and contain Schwann cells which are deficient in neurofibromin. This study examines the angiogenic expression profile of neurofibromin-deficient human Schwann cells relative to normal human Schwann cells, characterizing both pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. Conditioned media from neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cell lines was pro-angiogenic as evidenced by its ability to stimulate endothelial cell proliferation and migration. Using gene array and protein array analysis, we found increased expression of pro-angiogenic factors and decreased expression of anti-angiogenic factors in neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cells relative to normal human Schwann cells. Neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cells also showed increased expression of several growth factor receptors and decreased expression of an integrin. We conclude that neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cells have dysregulated expression of pro-angiogenic factors, anti-angiogenic factors, growth factor receptors, and an integrin. These dysregulated molecules may contribute to the growth and progression of NF1 peripheral nerve sheath tumors.
Genetic inactivation of tumor suppressor genes initiates human cancers. However, interaction of accessory cells with the tumor-initiating cell within the microenvironment is often required for tumor progression. This paradigm is relevant to understanding neurofibroma development in neurofibromatosis type I patients. Somatic inactivation of the Nf1 tumor suppressor gene, which encodes neurofibromin, is necessary but not sufficient to initiate neurofibroma development. In contrast, neurofibromas occur with high penetrance in mice in which Nf1 is ablated in Schwann cells in the context of a heterozygous mutant (Nf1+/-) microenvironment. Neurofibromas are highly vascularized, and recent studies suggest that Nf1+/- mice have increased angiogenesis in vivo. However, the function of neurofibromin in human endothelial cells (ECs) and the biochemical mechanism by which neurofibromin regulates neoangiogenesis are not known. Utilizing Nf1+/- mice, primary human ECs and endothelial progenitor cells harvested from NF1 patients, we identified a discrete Ras effector pathway, which alters the proliferation and migration of neurofibromin-deficient ECs in response to neurofibroma-derived growth factors both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, these studies identify a unique biochemical pathway in Nf1+/- ECs as a potential therapeutic target in the neurofibroma microenvironment.
Genetic inactivation of tumor suppressor genes initiates human cancers. However, interaction of accessory cells with the tumor-initiating cell within the microenvironment is often required for tumor progression. This paradigm is relevant to understanding neurofibroma development in neurofibromatosis type I patients. Somatic inactivation of the Nf1 tumor suppressor gene, which encodes neurofibromin, is necessary but not sufficient to initiate neurofibroma development. In contrast, neurofibromas occur with high penetrance in mice in which Nf1 is ablated in Schwann cells in the context of a heterozygous mutant (Nf1+/-) microenvironment. Neurofibromas are highly vascularized, and recent studies suggest that Nf1+/- mice have increased angiogenesis in vivo. However, the function of neurofibromin in human endothelial cells (ECs) and the biochemical mechanism by which neurofibromin regulates neoangiogenesis are not known. Utilizing Nf1+/- mice, primary human ECs and endothelial progenitor cells harvested from NF1 patients, we identified a discrete Ras effector pathway, which alters the proliferation and migration of neurofibromin-deficient ECs in response to neurofibroma-derived growth factors both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, these studies identify a unique biochemical pathway in Nf1+/- ECs as a potential therapeutic target in the neurofibroma microenvironment.
Any process that stops, prevents, or reduces the frequency, rate or extent of the movement of a transcription factor from the cytoplasm to the nucleus.
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the neural tube over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The mature structure of the neural tube exists when the tube has been segmented into the forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain and spinal cord regions. In addition neural crest has budded away from the epithelium.
The process whereby a relatively unspecialized cell acquires the specialized features of an osteoblast, a mesodermal or neural crest cell that gives rise to bone.
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the peripheral nervous system over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The peripheral nervous system is one of the two major divisions of the nervous system. Nerves in the PNS connect the central nervous system (CNS) with sensory organs, other organs, muscles, blood vessels and glands.
A series of reactions, mediated by the intracellular phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). PI3K cascades lie downstream of many cell surface receptor linked signaling pathways and regulate numerous cellular functions.
Genetic inactivation of tumor suppressor genes initiates human cancers. However, interaction of accessory cells with the tumor-initiating cell within the microenvironment is often required for tumor progression. This paradigm is relevant to understanding neurofibroma development in neurofibromatosis type I patients. Somatic inactivation of the Nf1 tumor suppressor gene, which encodes neurofibromin, is necessary but not sufficient to initiate neurofibroma development. In contrast, neurofibromas occur with high penetrance in mice in which Nf1 is ablated in Schwann cells in the context of a heterozygous mutant (Nf1+/-) microenvironment. Neurofibromas are highly vascularized, and recent studies suggest that Nf1+/- mice have increased angiogenesis in vivo. However, the function of neurofibromin in human endothelial cells (ECs) and the biochemical mechanism by which neurofibromin regulates neoangiogenesis are not known. Utilizing Nf1+/- mice, primary human ECs and endothelial progenitor cells harvested from NF1 patients, we identified a discrete Ras effector pathway, which alters the proliferation and migration of neurofibromin-deficient ECs in response to neurofibroma-derived growth factors both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, these studies identify a unique biochemical pathway in Nf1+/- ECs as a potential therapeutic target in the neurofibroma microenvironment.
Peripheral nerve sheath tumors from individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) are highly vascular and contain Schwann cells which are deficient in neurofibromin. This study examines the angiogenic expression profile of neurofibromin-deficient human Schwann cells relative to normal human Schwann cells, characterizing both pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. Conditioned media from neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cell lines was pro-angiogenic as evidenced by its ability to stimulate endothelial cell proliferation and migration. Using gene array and protein array analysis, we found increased expression of pro-angiogenic factors and decreased expression of anti-angiogenic factors in neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cells relative to normal human Schwann cells. Neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cells also showed increased expression of several growth factor receptors and decreased expression of an integrin. We conclude that neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cells have dysregulated expression of pro-angiogenic factors, anti-angiogenic factors, growth factor receptors, and an integrin. These dysregulated molecules may contribute to the growth and progression of NF1 peripheral nerve sheath tumors.
Peripheral nerve sheath tumors from individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) are highly vascular and contain Schwann cells which are deficient in neurofibromin. This study examines the angiogenic expression profile of neurofibromin-deficient human Schwann cells relative to normal human Schwann cells, characterizing both pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. Conditioned media from neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cell lines was pro-angiogenic as evidenced by its ability to stimulate endothelial cell proliferation and migration. Using gene array and protein array analysis, we found increased expression of pro-angiogenic factors and decreased expression of anti-angiogenic factors in neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cells relative to normal human Schwann cells. Neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cells also showed increased expression of several growth factor receptors and decreased expression of an integrin. We conclude that neurofibromin-deficient Schwann cells have dysregulated expression of pro-angiogenic factors, anti-angiogenic factors, growth factor receptors, and an integrin. These dysregulated molecules may contribute to the growth and progression of NF1 peripheral nerve sheath tumors.
A process that modulates long-term neuronal synaptic plasticity, the ability of neuronal synapses to change long-term as circumstances require. Long-term neuronal synaptic plasticity generally involves increase or decrease in actual synapse numbers.
Defects in the NF1 gene have been implicated in the inherited disorder neurofibromatosis type 1, which is characterized by several developmental abnormalities including an increased frequency of benign and malignant tumours of neural crest origin (neurofibromas and neurofibrosarcomas respectively). The NF1 gene encodes a ubiquitous protein homologous to p120GAP, the GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for the products of the ras protooncogenes. When expressed in non-mammalian systems, the region of the NF1 gene homologous to p120GAP produces a protein with GAP-like activity. Here we present evidence that the ras proteins in malignant tumour cell lines from patients with type 1 neurofibromatosis are in a constitutively activated state, as judged by the guanine nucleotide bound to them, and are necessary for cellular proliferation. These cells contain p21ras and p120GAP that are both functionally wild type, but barely any functional NF1 protein. Our results show that the NF1 protein is normally essential for correct negative regulation of ras proteins in the cell, even in the presence of normal p120GAP, and they support the hypothesis that NF1 is a tumour-suppressor gene whose product acts upstream of ras.
Any process that modulates the frequency, rate or extent of GABAergic synaptic transmission, the process of communication from a neuron to another neuron across a synapse using the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Any process that results in a change in state or activity of a cell or an organism (in terms of movement, secretion, enzyme production, gene expression, etc.) as a result of a stimulus indicating lowered oxygen tension. Hypoxia, defined as a decline in O2 levels below normoxic levels of 20.8 - 20.95%, results in metabolic adaptation at both the cellular and organismal level.
The process aimed at the progression of a Schwann cell over time, from initial commitment of the cell to a specific fate, to the fully functional differentiated cell. Schwann cells are found in the peripheral nervous system, where they insulate neurons and axons, and regulate the environment in which neurons function.
The developmental sequence of events leading to the formation of adult muscle that occurs in the anima. In vertebrate skeletal muscle the main events are: the fusion of myoblasts to form myotubes that increase in size by further fusion to them of myoblasts, the formation of myofibrils within their cytoplasm and the establishment of functional neuromuscular junctions with motor neurons. At this stage they can be regarded as mature muscle fibers.
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the spinal cord over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The spinal cord primarily conducts sensory and motor nerve impulses between the brain and the peripheral nervous tissues.
The process whose specific outcome is the progression of the sympathetic nervous system over time, from its formation to the mature structure. The sympathetic nervous system is one of the two divisions of the vertebrate autonomic nervous system (the other being the parasympathetic nervous system). The sympathetic preganglionic neurons have their cell bodies in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the spinal cord and connect to the paravertebral chain of sympathetic ganglia. Innervate heart and blood vessels, sweat glands, viscera and the adrenal medulla. Most sympathetic neurons, but not all, use noradrenaline as a post-ganglionic neurotransmitter.
Multiple lentigines (LEOPARD) syndrome has been delineated as an autosomal dominant disorder with lentigines, cardiac abnormalities, variable mental retardation, and typical craniofacial features as the most characteristic findings. LEOPARD syndrome shows a great clinical overlap with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). In this report we describe a de novo missense mutation (M 1035R) in exon 18 of the NF1 gene in a young woman with a prior diagnosis of LEOPARD syndrome. We hypothesize that some patients now diagnosed with LEOPARD syndrome have in fact a mutation in the NF1 gene, whereas in other patients with LEOPARD syndrome, a different gene might be involved.
A reference proteome is a set of protein sequences derived from a complete proteome which constitutes a defined standard for a particular user community. Reference proteomes are manually defined according to a number of criteria. They cover the proteomes of well- studied model organisms and other proteomes of interest for biomedical and biotechnological research. Reference proteomes have been selected to provide broad coverage of the tree of life, and constitute a representative cross-section of the taxonomic diversity to be found within UniProtKB.
My favorites 
My labels 
Login
