Cenpj Regulates Cilia Disassembly and Neurogenesis in the Developing Mouse Cortex
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Y-Chromosome Short Tandem Repeat, Typing Technology, Locus Information and Allele Frequency in Different Population: a Review
Vol. 14(27), pp. 2175-2178, 8 July, 2015 DOI:10.5897/AJB2015.14457 Article Number: 2E48C3F54052 ISSN 1684-5315 African Journal of Biotechnology Copyright © 2015 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article http://www.academicjournals.org/AJB Review Y-Chromosome short tandem repeat, typing technology, locus information and allele frequency in different population: A review Muhanned Abdulhasan Kareem1, Ameera Omran Hussein2 and Imad Hadi Hameed2* 1Babylon University, Centre of Environmental Research, Hilla City, Iraq. 2Department of Molecular Biology, Babylon University, Hilla City, Iraq. Received 29 January, 2015; Accepted 29 June, 2015 Chromosome Y microsatellites seem to be ideal markers to delineate differences between human populations. They are transmitted in uniparental and they are very sensitive for genetic drift. This review will highlight the importance of the Y- Chromosome as a tool for tracing human evolution and describes some details of Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. Among them are: microsatellites, amplification using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of STRs, separation and detection and advantages of X-chromosomal microsatellites. Key words: Forensic, population, review, STR, Y- chromosome. INTRODUCTION Microsatellites are DNA regions with repeat units that are microsatellite, but repeats of five (penta-) or six (hexa-) 2 to 7 bp in length or most generally short tandem nucleotides are usually classified as microsatellites as repeats (STRs) or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) well. DNA can be used to study human evolution. (Ellegren, 2000; Imad et al., 2014). The classification of Besides, information from DNA typing is important for the DNA sequences is determined by the length of the medico-legal matters with polymorphisms leading to more core repeat unit and the number of adjacent repeat units. -
MARK4 with an Alzheimer's Disease-Related Mutation Promotes
bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.20.107284; this version posted May 23, 2020. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. MARK4 with an Alzheimer’s disease-related mutation promotes tau hyperphosphorylation directly and indirectly and exacerbates neurodegeneration Toshiya Obaa, Taro Saitoa,b, Akiko Asadaa,b, Sawako Shimizua, Koichi M. Iijimac,d and Kanae Andoa,b, * aGraduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan, bDepartment of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan, cDepartment of Alzheimer’s Disease Research, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi 474-8511, Japan, dDepartment of Experimental Gerontology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8603, Japan *Corresponding author Kanae Ando, Ph.D. E-mail: [email protected] Running title: Mutant MARK4 enhances phospho-tau accumulation Abstract Accumulation of the microtubule-associated protein tau is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In AD brain, tau is abnormally phosphorylated at many sites, and phosphorylation at Ser262 and Ser356 play critical roles in tau accumulation and toxicity. Microtubule-affinity regulating kinase 4 (MARK4) phosphorylates tau at those sites, and a double de novo mutation in the linker region of MARK4, ΔG316E317InsD, is associated with an elevated risk of AD. However, it remains unclear how this mutation affects phosphorylation, aggregation, and accumulation of tau and tau-induced neurodegeneration. Here, we report that MARK4ΔG316E317D increases the abundance of highly phosphorylated, insoluble tau species and exacerbates neurodegeneration via Ser262/356-dependent and -independent mechanisms. -
Combinatorial Genomic Data Refute the Human Chromosome 2 Evolutionary Fusion and Build a Model of Functional Design for Interstitial Telomeric Repeats
The Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism Volume 8 Print Reference: Pages 222-228 Article 32 2018 Combinatorial Genomic Data Refute the Human Chromosome 2 Evolutionary Fusion and Build a Model of Functional Design for Interstitial Telomeric Repeats Jeffrey P. Tomkins Institute for Creation Research Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/icc_proceedings Part of the Biology Commons, and the Genomics Commons DigitalCommons@Cedarville provides a publication platform for fully open access journals, which means that all articles are available on the Internet to all users immediately upon publication. However, the opinions and sentiments expressed by the authors of articles published in our journals do not necessarily indicate the endorsement or reflect the views of DigitalCommons@Cedarville, the Centennial Library, or Cedarville University and its employees. The authors are solely responsible for the content of their work. Please address questions to [email protected]. Browse the contents of this volume of The Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism. Recommended Citation Tomkins, J.P. 2018. Combinatorial genomic data refute the human chromosome 2 evolutionary fusion and build a model of functional design for interstitial telomeric repeats. In Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Creationism, ed. J.H. Whitmore, pp. 222–228. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Creation Science Fellowship. Tomkins, J.P. 2018. Combinatorial genomic data refute the human chromosome 2 evolutionary fusion and build a model of functional design for interstitial telomeric repeats. In Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Creationism, ed. J.H. Whitmore, pp. 222–228. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Creation Science Fellowship. COMBINATORIAL GENOMIC DATA REFUTE THE HUMAN CHROMOSOME 2 EVOLUTIONARY FUSION AND BUILD A MODEL OF FUNCTIONAL DESIGN FOR INTERSTITIAL TELOMERIC REPEATS Jeffrey P. -
A Feed-Forward Cycle
GMJ.2020;9:e1681 www.gmj.ir Received 2019-08-08 Revised 2019-11-11 Accepted 2019-11-24 Tau Abnormalities and Autophagic Defects in Neurodegenerative Disorders; A Feed-forward Cycle Nastaran Samimi 1, 2, Akiko Asada 3, 4, Kanae Ando 3, 4 1 Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran 2 Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran 3 Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan 4 Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan Abstract Abnormal deposition of misfolded proteins is a neuropathological characteristic shared by many neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Generation of excessive amounts of aggregated proteins and impairment of degradation systems for misfolded proteins such as autophagy can lead to accumulation of proteins in diseased neurons. Molecules that contribute to both these effects are emerging as critical players in disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, impairment of autophagy under disease conditions can be both a cause and a consequence of abnormal protein accumulation. Specifically, disease-causing proteins can impair autophagy, which further enhances the accumulation of abnormal proteins. In this short review, we focus on the relationship between the microtubule-associated protein tau and autophagy to highlight a feed-forward mechanism in disease pathogenesis. [GMJ.2020;9:e1681] DOI:10.31661/gmj.v9i0.1681 Keywords: Neurodegenerative Diseases; Tauopathy; Autophagy; Microtubule Binding Pro- tein; Tau; Phosphorylation; Vesicle Trafficking Tau phosphorylation in physiology and dis- However, tau detaches from microtubules and ease misfolds to form insoluble filaments in neuro- isfolded tau protein is deposited in a fibrillary tangles in the brains of patients with Mgroup of neurodegenerative diseases tauopathies [4-9]. -
Synergistic Genetic Interactions Between Pkhd1 and Pkd1 Result in an ARPKD-Like Phenotype in Murine Models
BASIC RESEARCH www.jasn.org Synergistic Genetic Interactions between Pkhd1 and Pkd1 Result in an ARPKD-Like Phenotype in Murine Models Rory J. Olson,1 Katharina Hopp ,2 Harrison Wells,3 Jessica M. Smith,3 Jessica Furtado,1,4 Megan M. Constans,3 Diana L. Escobar,3 Aron M. Geurts,5 Vicente E. Torres,3 and Peter C. Harris 1,3 Due to the number of contributing authors, the affiliations are listed at the end of this article. ABSTRACT Background Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) are genetically distinct, with ADPKD usually caused by the genes PKD1 or PKD2 (encoding polycystin-1 and polycystin-2, respectively) and ARPKD caused by PKHD1 (encoding fibrocys- tin/polyductin [FPC]). Primary cilia have been considered central to PKD pathogenesis due to protein localization and common cystic phenotypes in syndromic ciliopathies, but their relevance is questioned in the simple PKDs. ARPKD’s mild phenotype in murine models versus in humans has hampered investi- gating its pathogenesis. Methods To study the interaction between Pkhd1 and Pkd1, including dosage effects on the phenotype, we generated digenic mouse and rat models and characterized and compared digenic, monogenic, and wild-type phenotypes. Results The genetic interaction was synergistic in both species, with digenic animals exhibiting pheno- types of rapidly progressive PKD and early lethality resembling classic ARPKD. Genetic interaction be- tween Pkhd1 and Pkd1 depended on dosage in the digenic murine models, with no significant enhancement of the monogenic phenotype until a threshold of reduced expression at the second locus was breached. -
Gene Knockdown of CENPA Reduces Sphere Forming Ability and Stemness of Glioblastoma Initiating Cells
Neuroepigenetics 7 (2016) 6–18 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Neuroepigenetics journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/nepig Gene knockdown of CENPA reduces sphere forming ability and stemness of glioblastoma initiating cells Jinan Behnan a,1, Zanina Grieg b,c,1, Mrinal Joel b,c, Ingunn Ramsness c, Biljana Stangeland a,b,⁎ a Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, The Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway b Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway c Vilhelm Magnus Laboratory for Neurosurgical Research, Institute for Surgical Research and Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway article info abstract Article history: CENPA is a centromere-associated variant of histone H3 implicated in numerous malignancies. However, the Received 20 May 2016 role of this protein in glioblastoma (GBM) has not been demonstrated. GBM is one of the most aggressive Received in revised form 23 July 2016 human cancers. GBM initiating cells (GICs), contained within these tumors are deemed to convey Accepted 2 August 2016 characteristics such as invasiveness and resistance to therapy. Therefore, there is a strong rationale for targeting these cells. We investigated the expression of CENPA and other centromeric proteins (CENPs) in Keywords: fi CENPA GICs, GBM and variety of other cell types and tissues. Bioinformatics analysis identi ed the gene signature: fi Centromeric proteins high_CENP(AEFNM)/low_CENP(BCTQ) whose expression correlated with signi cantly worse GBM patient Glioblastoma survival. GBM Knockdown of CENPA reduced sphere forming ability, proliferation and cell viability of GICs. We also Brain tumor detected significant reduction in the expression of stemness marker SOX2 and the proliferation marker Glioblastoma initiating cells and therapeutic Ki67. -
A Computational Approach for Defining a Signature of Β-Cell Golgi Stress in Diabetes Mellitus
Page 1 of 781 Diabetes A Computational Approach for Defining a Signature of β-Cell Golgi Stress in Diabetes Mellitus Robert N. Bone1,6,7, Olufunmilola Oyebamiji2, Sayali Talware2, Sharmila Selvaraj2, Preethi Krishnan3,6, Farooq Syed1,6,7, Huanmei Wu2, Carmella Evans-Molina 1,3,4,5,6,7,8* Departments of 1Pediatrics, 3Medicine, 4Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, 5Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, the 6Center for Diabetes & Metabolic Diseases, and the 7Herman B. Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202; 2Department of BioHealth Informatics, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 46202; 8Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202. *Corresponding Author(s): Carmella Evans-Molina, MD, PhD ([email protected]) Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, MS 2031A, Indianapolis, IN 46202, Telephone: (317) 274-4145, Fax (317) 274-4107 Running Title: Golgi Stress Response in Diabetes Word Count: 4358 Number of Figures: 6 Keywords: Golgi apparatus stress, Islets, β cell, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes 1 Diabetes Publish Ahead of Print, published online August 20, 2020 Diabetes Page 2 of 781 ABSTRACT The Golgi apparatus (GA) is an important site of insulin processing and granule maturation, but whether GA organelle dysfunction and GA stress are present in the diabetic β-cell has not been tested. We utilized an informatics-based approach to develop a transcriptional signature of β-cell GA stress using existing RNA sequencing and microarray datasets generated using human islets from donors with diabetes and islets where type 1(T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) had been modeled ex vivo. To narrow our results to GA-specific genes, we applied a filter set of 1,030 genes accepted as GA associated. -
A Calcium- and Calmodulin-Dependent Kinase I␣/ Microtubule Affinity Regulating Kinase 2 Signaling Cascade Mediates Calcium-Dependent Neurite Outgrowth
The Journal of Neuroscience, April 18, 2007 • 27(16):4413–4423 • 4413 Cellular/Molecular A Calcium- and Calmodulin-Dependent Kinase I␣/ Microtubule Affinity Regulating Kinase 2 Signaling Cascade Mediates Calcium-Dependent Neurite Outgrowth Nataliya V. Uboha,1 Marc Flajolet,2 Angus C. Nairn,1,2 and Marina R. Picciotto1 1Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06508, and 2Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10021 Calcium is a critical regulator of neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth during development, as well as synaptic plasticity in adulthood. Calcium- and calmodulin-dependent kinase I (CaMKI) can regulate neurite outgrowth; however, the signal transduction cascades that lead to its physiological effects have not yet been elucidated. CaMKI␣ was therefore used as bait in a yeast two-hybrid assay and microtubule affinity regulating kinase 2 (MARK2)/Par-1b was identified as an interacting partner of CaMKI in three independent screens. The interaction between CaMKI and MARK2 was confirmed in vitro and in vivo by coimmunoprecipitation. CaMKI binds MARK2 within its kinase domain, but only if it is activated by calcium and calmodulin. Expression of CaMKI and MARK2 in Neuro-2A (N2a) cells and in primary hippocampal neurons promotes neurite outgrowth, an effect dependent on the catalytic activities of these enzymes. In addition, decreasing MARK2 activity blocks the ability of the calcium ionophore ionomycin to promote neurite outgrowth. Finally, CaMKI phosphorylates MARK2 on novel sites within its kinase domain. Mutation of these phosphorylation sites decreases both MARK2 kinase activity and its ability to promote neurite outgrowth. -
Supplementary Table S1. Prioritization of Candidate FPC Susceptibility Genes by Private Heterozygous Ptvs
Supplementary Table S1. Prioritization of candidate FPC susceptibility genes by private heterozygous PTVs Number of private Number of private Number FPC patient heterozygous PTVs in heterozygous PTVs in tumors with somatic FPC susceptibility Hereditary cancer Hereditary Gene FPC kindred BCCS samples mutation DNA repair gene Cancer driver gene gene gene pancreatitis gene ATM 19 1 - Yes Yes Yes Yes - SSPO 12 8 1 - - - - - DNAH14 10 3 - - - - - - CD36 9 3 - - - - - - TET2 9 1 - - Yes - - - MUC16 8 14 - - - - - - DNHD1 7 4 1 - - - - - DNMT3A 7 1 - - Yes - - - PKHD1L1 7 9 - - - - - - DNAH3 6 5 - - - - - - MYH7B 6 1 - - - - - - PKD1L2 6 6 - - - - - - POLN 6 2 - Yes - - - - POLQ 6 7 - Yes - - - - RP1L1 6 6 - - - - - - TTN 6 5 4 - - - - - WDR87 6 7 - - - - - - ABCA13 5 3 1 - - - - - ASXL1 5 1 - - Yes - - - BBS10 5 0 - - - - - - BRCA2 5 6 1 Yes Yes Yes Yes - CENPJ 5 1 - - - - - - CEP290 5 5 - - - - - - CYP3A5 5 2 - - - - - - DNAH12 5 6 - - - - - - DNAH6 5 1 1 - - - - - EPPK1 5 4 - - - - - - ESYT3 5 1 - - - - - - FRAS1 5 4 - - - - - - HGC6.3 5 0 - - - - - - IGFN1 5 5 - - - - - - KCP 5 4 - - - - - - LRRC43 5 0 - - - - - - MCTP2 5 1 - - - - - - MPO 5 1 - - - - - - MUC4 5 5 - - - - - - OBSCN 5 8 2 - - - - - PALB2 5 0 - Yes - Yes Yes - SLCO1B3 5 2 - - - - - - SYT15 5 3 - - - - - - XIRP2 5 3 1 - - - - - ZNF266 5 2 - - - - - - ZNF530 5 1 - - - - - - ACACB 4 1 1 - - - - - ALS2CL 4 2 - - - - - - AMER3 4 0 2 - - - - - ANKRD35 4 4 - - - - - - ATP10B 4 1 - - - - - - ATP8B3 4 6 - - - - - - C10orf95 4 0 - - - - - - C2orf88 4 0 - - - - - - C5orf42 4 2 - - - - -
Supplementary Table S5. Differentially Expressed Gene Lists of PD-1High CD39+ CD8 Tils According to 4-1BB Expression Compared to PD-1+ CD39- CD8 Tils
BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance Supplemental material placed on this supplemental material which has been supplied by the author(s) J Immunother Cancer Supplementary Table S5. Differentially expressed gene lists of PD-1high CD39+ CD8 TILs according to 4-1BB expression compared to PD-1+ CD39- CD8 TILs Up- or down- regulated genes in Up- or down- regulated genes Up- or down- regulated genes only PD-1high CD39+ CD8 TILs only in 4-1BBneg PD-1high CD39+ in 4-1BBpos PD-1high CD39+ CD8 compared to PD-1+ CD39- CD8 CD8 TILs compared to PD-1+ TILs compared to PD-1+ CD39- TILs CD39- CD8 TILs CD8 TILs IL7R KLRG1 TNFSF4 ENTPD1 DHRS3 LEF1 ITGA5 MKI67 PZP KLF3 RYR2 SIK1B ANK3 LYST PPP1R3B ETV1 ADAM28 H2AC13 CCR7 GFOD1 RASGRP2 ITGAX MAST4 RAD51AP1 MYO1E CLCF1 NEBL S1PR5 VCL MPP7 MS4A6A PHLDB1 GFPT2 TNF RPL3 SPRY4 VCAM1 B4GALT5 TIPARP TNS3 PDCD1 POLQ AKAP5 IL6ST LY9 PLXND1 PLEKHA1 NEU1 DGKH SPRY2 PLEKHG3 IKZF4 MTX3 PARK7 ATP8B4 SYT11 PTGER4 SORL1 RAB11FIP5 BRCA1 MAP4K3 NCR1 CCR4 S1PR1 PDE8A IFIT2 EPHA4 ARHGEF12 PAICS PELI2 LAT2 GPRASP1 TTN RPLP0 IL4I1 AUTS2 RPS3 CDCA3 NHS LONRF2 CDC42EP3 SLCO3A1 RRM2 ADAMTSL4 INPP5F ARHGAP31 ESCO2 ADRB2 CSF1 WDHD1 GOLIM4 CDK5RAP1 CD69 GLUL HJURP SHC4 GNLY TTC9 HELLS DPP4 IL23A PITPNC1 TOX ARHGEF9 EXO1 SLC4A4 CKAP4 CARMIL3 NHSL2 DZIP3 GINS1 FUT8 UBASH3B CDCA5 PDE7B SOGA1 CDC45 NR3C2 TRIB1 KIF14 TRAF5 LIMS1 PPP1R2C TNFRSF9 KLRC2 POLA1 CD80 ATP10D CDCA8 SETD7 IER2 PATL2 CCDC141 CD84 HSPA6 CYB561 MPHOSPH9 CLSPN KLRC1 PTMS SCML4 ZBTB10 CCL3 CA5B PIP5K1B WNT9A CCNH GEM IL18RAP GGH SARDH B3GNT7 C13orf46 SBF2 IKZF3 ZMAT1 TCF7 NECTIN1 H3C7 FOS PAG1 HECA SLC4A10 SLC35G2 PER1 P2RY1 NFKBIA WDR76 PLAUR KDM1A H1-5 TSHZ2 FAM102B HMMR GPR132 CCRL2 PARP8 A2M ST8SIA1 NUF2 IL5RA RBPMS UBE2T USP53 EEF1A1 PLAC8 LGR6 TMEM123 NEK2 SNAP47 PTGIS SH2B3 P2RY8 S100PBP PLEKHA7 CLNK CRIM1 MGAT5 YBX3 TP53INP1 DTL CFH FEZ1 MYB FRMD4B TSPAN5 STIL ITGA2 GOLGA6L10 MYBL2 AHI1 CAND2 GZMB RBPJ PELI1 HSPA1B KCNK5 GOLGA6L9 TICRR TPRG1 UBE2C AURKA Leem G, et al. -
Autosomal Recessive Primary Microcephaly
Mahmood et al. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 2011, 6:39 http://www.ojrd.com/content/6/1/39 REVIEW Open Access Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH): clinical manifestations, genetic heterogeneity and mutation continuum Saqib Mahmood1, Wasim Ahmad2 and Muhammad J Hassan3* Abstract Autosomal Recessive Primary Microcephaly (MCPH) is a rare disorder of neurogenic mitosis characterized by reduced head circumference at birth with variable degree of mental retardation. In MCPH patients, brain size reduced to almost one-third of its original volume due to reduced number of generated cerebral cortical neurons during embryonic neurogensis. So far, seven genetic loci (MCPH1-7) for this condition have been mapped with seven corresponding genes (MCPH1, WDR62, CDK5RAP2, CEP152, ASPM, CENPJ, and STIL) identified from different world populations. Contribution of ASPM and WDR62 gene mutations in MCPH World wide is more than 50%. By and large, primary microcephaly patients are phenotypically indistinguishable, however, recent studies in patients with mutations in MCPH1, WDR62 and ASPM genes showed a broader clinical and/or cellular phenotype. It has been proposed that mutations in MCPH genes can cause the disease phenotype by disturbing: 1) orientation of mitotic spindles, 2) chromosome condensation mechanism during embryonic neurogenesis, 3) DNA damage- response signaling, 4) transcriptional regulations and microtubule dynamics, 5) certain unknown centrosomal mechanisms that control the number of neurons generated by neural precursor cells. Recent discoveries of mammalian models for MCPH have open up horizons for researchers to add more knowledge regarding the etiology and pathophysiology of MCPH. High incidence of MCPH in Pakistani population reflects the most probable involvement of consanguinity. -
Identification and Characterization of Genes Essential for Human Brain Development
Identification and Characterization of Genes Essential for Human Brain Development The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters Citation Ganesh, Vijay S. 2012. Identification and Characterization of Genes Essential for Human Brain Development. Doctoral dissertation, Harvard University. Citable link http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:9773743 Terms of Use This article was downloaded from Harvard University’s DASH repository, and is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http:// nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of- use#LAA Copyright © 2012 by Vijay S. Ganesh All rights reserved. Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Christopher A. Walsh Author: Vijay S. Ganesh Identification and Characterization of Genes Essential for Human Brain Development Abstract The human brain is a network of ninety billion neurons that allows for many of the behavioral adaptations considered unique to our species. One-fifth of these neurons are layered in an epithelial sheet known as the cerebral cortex, which is exquisitely folded into convolutions called gyri. Defects in neuronal number clinically present with microcephaly (Greek for “small head”), and in inherited cases these defects can be linked to mutations that identify genes essential for neural progenitor proliferation. Most microcephaly genes are characterized to play a role in the centrosome, however rarer presentations of microcephaly have identified different mechanisms. Charged multivesicular body protein/Chromatin modifying protein 1A (CHMP1A) is a member of the ESCRT-III endosomal sorting complex, but is also suggested to localize to the nuclear matrix and regulate chromatin.