Introdução: Câncer gástrico é uma doença multifatorial influenciada por fatores externos e hereditários. Embora a síndrome do câncer gástrico difuso hereditário causada por mutações germinativas no gene CDHl seja uma condição rara, sua influência sobre a incidência de câncer gástrico no Brasil, que é considerado um país de alta incidência desta neoplasia, é desconhecida. Objetivos: Avaliar a frequência de variantes germinativas em CDHl e os hábitos de dieta/estilo de vida em pacientes diagnosticados câncer gástrico com idade precoce «55 anos) no Brasil. Metodologia: De outubro de 2013 a agosto 2015, foram recrutados 88 pacientes consecutivos e não aparentados diagnosticados com câncer gástrico em idade precoce em um hospital público brasileiro. Todos os éxons e regiões intrônicas flanqueadoras do CDHl foram sequenciados. Os hábitos de dieta/estilo de vida dos pacientes com câncer gástrico em idade precoce foram comparados com informações sobre os hábitos da população armazenados em bancos de dados populacionais brasileiros. Resultados: Dos 88 pacientes, 51,1% eram do sexo feminino e a média de idade no momento do diagnóstico do câncer era de 39 anos (variação, 20-55); 23% relataram história familiar de câncer gástrico em parentes de primeiro ou de segundo. A maioria dos tumores era do tipo difuso (74%), pouco diferenciado (74%) e localizava-se no terço médio ou distal do estômago (67%). No total, 24 variantes germinativas foram detectadas: 3 (12.5%) benignas, 17 (70.8%) provavelmente benignas e 4 (16.7%) variantes de significado clínico incerto (VSI). Todas as VSI são mutações missense e nunca foram relatadas previamente na literatura: c.313T> A, c.387G> T, c.1676G> A e c.1806C> A. Os pacientes com câncer gástrico diagnosticados em idade precoce apresentaram maior consumo de carne vermelha (OR: 2.591, IC 95%: 1.371-4.894) e carne processada (OR: 3.093, IC 95%: 1.591- 6.009) em comparação com os hábitos alimentares da população brasileira. Conclusão: De acordo com o nosso conhecimento, esta é a maior série investigando a contribuição de mutações germinativas de CDHl em pacientes diagnosticados com câncer gástrico em idade precoce na América Latina. Para um país considerado de alta incidência, a frequência encontrada de variantes germinativas em CDHl foi maior do que o esperado; 4 novas mutações missense foram identificadas e mais estudos são necessários para confirmar a patogenicidade dessas variantes. Fatores de risco modificáveis, como o consumo de carne vermelha e/ou de carne processada podem ter contribuído para o desenvolvimento de câncer gástrico em idade precoce na população estudada / Introduction: Gastric cancer is a multifactorial disease influenced by inherited and noninherited factors. Although hereditary diffuse gastric cancer syndrome caused by germline mutation in CDHl is arare condition its contribution to gastric cancer burden in Brazil, which is considered a high-incidence country for this neoplasia, is unknown. Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of CDHl germline variants and the dietjlifestyle habits in early-onset gastric cancer (EOGC, < 55 years old) patients in Brazil. Methodology: From October 2013 to August 2015, a total of 88 unrelated and consecutive patients attending a Brazilian public hospital with EOGC were enrolled. Ali CDHl exons and intronic boundaries were sequenced. The dietjlifestyle habits of EOGC patients have been compared to Brazilian population data bases. Results: Of 88 patients, 51.1% were female and the mean age at gastric cancer diagnosis was 39 years (range 20-55); 23% reported family history of gastric cancer in first- or second-degree rei atives. The majority of the tumors were diffuse (74%), poorly differentiated (74%), and located in the middle and distal-third of the stomach (67%). In total, 24 germline variants were detected: 3 (12.5%) benign, 17 (70.8%) likely benign, and 4 (16.7%) variants of unknown significance (VUS). Ali VUS were missense novel mutations: c.313T > A, c.387G > T, c.1676G > A, and c. 1806C > A. EOGC patients had ahigher red (OR: 2.591, 95% CI: 1.371-4.894) and processed (OR: 3.093, 95% CI: 1.591-6.009) meat intake compared to eating habits of the Brazilian population. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the largest series investigating the contribution of CDHl germline mutations in EOGC cancer in Latin America. For a high-incidence country, the incidence of CDHl germline variants was higher than expected; 4 novel CDHl missense mutations were identified and further studies are warranted to confirm their pathogenicity. Modifiable risk factors, such as the consumption of red and/or processed meat may have contributed to early- onset gastric cancer development in our studied population

A ativação dos sistemas complemento e de contato resulta na formação de peptídeos vasoativos tais como a bradicinina e anafilatoxinas. O inibidor de C1-esterase (C1-INH) é o principal regulador desses dois sistemas e a deficiência desta proteína resulta no Angioedema Hereditário (AEH). Trata-se de uma doença rara, de herança autossômica dominante, caracterizada pela deficiência de C1-INH, a qual ocorre devido a mutações no seu gene estrutural, levando a episódios graves de edema em tecido subcutâneo, gastrointestinal e respiratório, potencialmente fatais. Existem dois fenótipos variantes: AEH do tipo I, com reduzidos níveis antigênicos de C1-INH no plasma e AEH tipo II com níveis reduzidos ou normais de C1-INH e atividade disfuncional. Várias mutações já foram descritas no gene de inibidor de C1 esterase (SERPING1), porém, não há estudos que avaliem a relevância desta doença e as mutações gênicas em nosso meio. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar as alterações moleculares em pacientes com AEH, correlacionando-as com as manifestações clínico-laboratoriais. Amostras de plasma, soro e DNA de quinze pacientes de uma mesma família foram coletadas. O ensaio hemolítico CH50 para avaliação da integridade da via clássica do sistema complemento e avaliação quantitativa de C4 e C1-INH por nefelometria foram os ensaios realizados para confirmação do diagnóstico da doença. A atividade funcional da proteína foi avaliada através de ensaio colorimétrico e a relação existente entre possíveis mutações na proteína e o fenótipo da doença foi avaliada por meio de reação de polimerase em cadeia (PCR) e seqüenciamento do DNA genômico. A atividade hemolítica de complemento total e a dosagem de C3 foram normais nos pacientes e controles analisados, os níveis da atividade antigênica de C1-INH e C4 mostraram-se diminuídos na maioria dos avaliados (13/15). A avaliação funcional detectou baixa atividade (<50%) do valor normal (70% - 130%) em todos os pacientes analisados. A distribuição das mutações entre os 8 éxons relativos ao gene de C1- INH concentraram-se nos éxons 4 (g.4706-88A>G) , 7 (g.14145+20A>G) e 8 (Val480Met). Duas dessas mutações nunca foram descritas ainda, o que contribui para a compreensão da função das serpinas e também ajuda a definir mais completamente o papel biológico do inibidor de C1 / Activation of complement and contact systems results in the formation of vasoactive peptides such as bradykinin and anafilatoxinas. The C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) is the main regulator of these two systems and the deficiency of this protein results in hereditary angioedema (HAE). It is a rare disease of autosomal dominant inheritance, characterized by deficiency of C1-INH, which is due to mutations in its structural gene, leading with severe episodes of edema in subcutaneous tissue, gastrointestinal and respiratory tract, potentially fatal. There are two phenotypic variants: HAE type I, with reduced plasma antigen levels and HAE type II with normal or low levels of C1-INH and dysfunctional activity. Several mutations have been described in the gene of the C1 esterase inhibitor (SERPING1), however, no studies to assess the relevance of this disease and the gene mutations in our population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the molecular changes in patients with HAE, correlating it with clinical and laboratory manifestations. Samples of plasma, serum and DNA from fifteen patients from the same family were collected. CH50 hemolytic assay for assessing the integrity of the classical pathway of the complement system and quantitative evaluation of C1-INH and C4 by nephelometry tests were performed to confirm the diagnosis of disease. The functional activity of the protein was assessed by colorimetric assay and the possible relationship between mutations in the protein and the phenotype of the disease was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of genomic DNA. Hemolytic activity of complement and the total dosage of C3 were normal in patients and controls. Levels of antigenic activity of C1-INH and C4 were shown to be less valued in most (13/15). Functional evaluation found low activity (<50%) of normal (70% - 130%) in all patients examined. The distribution of mutations among the 8 exons of the gene for C1-INH concentrate in the exons 4 (g.4706-88A> G) and 7 (g.14145 +20 A> G) and 8 (Val480Met). Two of these mutations have not been described yet, which contributes to understanding the function of serpins and also helps to define more fully the biological role of the C1 inhibitor

O objetivo do presente trabalho é analisar os componentes celulares e de fibras do tecido conjuntivo nas hiperplasias inflamatórias (HI), nos fibromas (F) e na fibromatose gengival hereditária (FGH), além de investigar a imunocompetência e efetuar análises moleculares de pacientes com FGH. Para atingir os objetivos foram desenvolvidos 4 artigos, com diferentes metodologias e universos amostrais. No 1º artigo, pretendeu-se estabelecer critérios microscópicos válidos para diferenciar F e HI. Foram avaliadas em microscópio óptico 136 lesões coradas pela Hematoxilina-eosina (HE) e pelo Tricrômico de Masson quanto às características microscópicas. Os resultados mostraram que uma área central de fibras colágenas dispostas de forma enovelada e mais densa, circundada por uma camada de fibras dispostas de forma paralela são características dos F, enquanto a presença de hiperplasia epitelial, infiltrado inflamatório e fibras colágenas organizadas de forma paralela são características das HI. Tais resultados motivaram o 2º artigo, no qual estudamos 18 lesões de F e 13 de HI, que foram preparadas histologicamente e coradas pelo picrosírius red e pelo direct blue para avaliação quantitativa das fibras colágenas e de fibras do sistema elástico, respectivamente, em microscopia a laser confocal. Os resultados confirmaram a disposição estrutural das fibras colágenas observada no 1º artigo, além de apontarem diferenças nas áreas ocupadas pelas fibras colágenas em todas as regiões estudadas. A fim de proceder a uma avaliação dos componentes fibroso e celular das 3 lesões fibrosas, foi desenvolvido o 3º artigo. Espécimes das 3 lesões foram estudados em microscopia ótica, a fim de avaliar suas populações de fibroblastos e de células inflamatórias e os seguintes componentes fibrosos do tecido conjuntivo: fibras colágenas, sistema de fibras elásticas, fibras reticulares e fibras oxitalânicas. Os resultados mostraram disposição e concentração diferente das fibras colágenas nas 3 lesões e uma maior concentração de fibras reticulares na FGH. A análise dos componentes celulares mostrou um maior número de fibroblastos no F e uma maior contagem de células inflamatórias na HI. A partir do encaminhamento de uma família com FGH, optouse por inclui-la no estudo, tendo em vista serem lesões do mesmo grupo. Com isso, foi desenvolvido um 4º estudo, que utilizou uma avaliação morfológica semelhante à dos 2 artigos anteriormente descritos. Dos pacientes com FGH foi obtido sangue periférico para avaliação da proliferação celular de linfócitos através do teste do MTT e para o sequenciamento do gene SOS-1. Os resultados mostraram hiperplasia epitelial na porção externa da gengiva dos pacientes com FGH, maior concentração de fibras colágenas e poucas células inflamatórias. Os 3 pacientes com FGH não mostraram diferenças no seu índice de proliferação de linfócitos em relação aos controles e não apresentaram a mutação descrita no gene SOS-1 de outras famílias com FGH. Pode se concluir que as 3 lesões apresentam estrutura conjuntiva diferente tanto no aspecto quantitativo quanto na disposição estrutural de seus componentes. / The objective of this study was to analyze the cellular and fibrous components of connective tissue in inflammatory hyperplasia (IH), oral fibroma (OF) and hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF), and to investigate the immunocompetence and to perform molecular analysis in HGF patients. To achieve the goals were developed 4 articles, with different methodologies and sample universes. In the 1st article, we intended to establish microscopic criteria to differentiate F and IH. The microscopic characteristics of the lesions (n=136) stained by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson trichrome were evaluated in an optical microscope. The results showed that a central area of wound collagen fibers and arranged in a higher density, surrounded by a layer of parallel fibers are characteristic of F, while the presence of epithelial hyperplasia, inflammatory infiltrate and parallel collagen fibers are characteristics of HI. These results led the 2nd article, which studied 18 F and 13 and IH, histologically prepared and stained by picrosírius red and direct blue for the direct quantitative assessment of collagen fibers and elastic fibers of the system, respectively, in the confocal laser microscope. The results confirmed the structural arrangement of collagen fibers found in Article 1, and indicate differences in the areas of collagen fibers in all regions studied. In order to evaluate the cellular and fibrous components of the 3 fibrous lesions, was developed the 3rd article. Specimens of the 3 lesions were studied in optical microscopy, to assess their populations of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells and the following components of fibrous connective tissue: collagen fibers, elastic fiber system, reticular fibers and oxytalan fibers. The results showed different arrangement and concentration of collagen fibers in the 3 lesions and a higher concentration of reticular fibers in HGF. The analysis of cellular components showed a greater number of fibroblasts in F and a higher count of inflammatory cells in IH. With the identification of a family with HGF, we chose to include it in the study because the lesions belong to the group of benign fibrous lesions. With that, it developed a 4th study, which used a similar morphologic evaluation of the 2 articles described above. Periferic blood was extracted from the HGF patients in order to determine the proliferative capacity of the peripheral lymphocytes, by the MTT test, and in order to sequence the SOS1 gene. The 3 HGF affected patients did not present the described mutation for the SOS1 gene, and the lymphocyte proliferative capacity in HGF patients was similar to those on controls. The results showed epithelial hyperplasia in the outer portion of the gingiva of patients with HGF, greater concentration of collagen fibers and few inflammatory cells. We can conclude that the 3 lesions present a different connective structure, considering both the quantitative aspect and the architectural disposition of their components.

Apresentamos uma generalização para as classes das álgebras quase inclinadas e quase hereditárias, que chamamos de álgebras m-quase inclinadas e m-quase hereditárias. Para estas últimas, pode-se obter uma trissecção de suas categorias de módulos determinada pelas subcategorias L^m = {X indecomponível; dimensão projetiva de Y é menor ou igual a m, para cada antecessor Y de X} e R = {X indecomponível; dimensão injetiva de Y é menor ou igual a 1, para cada sucessor Y de X}, além de ser possível mostrar que se existe um módulo E_m de forma a obtermos a igualdade de conjuntos {X módulo; Hom(E_m, \\tau X) = 0} = {X módulo; dimensão projetiva de X é menor ou igual a m}, então E_m é soma de somandos de módulos em R e todo caminho de indecomponíveis com início em um somando E de E_m e final em um módulo projetivo pode ser refinado a um caminho de morfismos irredutíveis, que é ainda seccional. Como consequência desse resultado obtém-se que as álgebras m-quase hereditárias são caracterizadas pelo fato de que todos seus módulos projetivos pertencem a L^m. É possível verificar que toda álgebra m-quase inclinada de dimensão global m+1 é m-quase hereditária e, consequentemente, que toda álgebra hereditária por partes de tipo mod H, para alguma álgebra hereditária H, com dimensão global m+1 é m-quase hereditária. Apresentamos ainda um exemplo de uma álgebra 2-quase hereditária que não é 2-quase inclinada, não sendo válida, portanto, a recíproca do resultado acima. Buscamos, dessa forma, estabelecer condições que quando assumidas sobre uma álgebra 2-quase hereditária possam garantir que esta é 2-quase inclinada e, em particular, hereditária por partes. Recorremos, para isso, à aplicação obtida por meio de uma adaptação de resultados de Happel, Reiten e Smalo, que sob certas hipóteses permite concluir que uma álgebra é álgebra de endomorfismos de um objeto inclinante. Como resultado, mostra-se que uma álgebra 2-quase hereditária com certas outras propriedades e que satisfaz as condições (H1), (H2) e (H3) é 2-quase inclinada. / We present a generalization of the classes of quasitilted and almost hereditary algebras, which we call m-quasitilted and m-almost hereditary algebras. For the latter one, we can obtain a trisection of their module categories determined by the following subcategories L^m = {X indecomposable; projective dimension of Y is at most m for each predecessor Y of X} and R = {X indecomposable; injective dimension of Y is at most 1 for each successor Y of X}. Moreover, if there exists a module E_m such that {X; Hom(E_m, \\tau X) = 0} = {X; projective dimension of X is at most m} then E_m is a sum of direct summands of modules in R and any path of indecomposable modules starting in a module E which is a direct summand of E_m and ending in a projective module can be refined to a path of irreducible morphisms, which is also sectional. This result on paths allow us to obtain a characterization for m-almost hereditary algebras in terms of their projective modules. It is also possible to prove that any m-quasitilted algebra with global dimension m+1 is a m-almost hereditary algebra and as a consequence we can obtain that any piecewise hereditary algebra of type mod H, for some hereditary algebra H, and with global dimension m+1 is m-almost hereditary. We present an example of a 2-almost hereditary which is not 2-quasitilted, which entails that the converse of the above mentioned result does not hold true. Thus we seek for conditions which can ensure that a given 2-almost hereditary is 2-quasitilted and, in particular, a piecewise hereditary algebra. For this, we use the correspondence obtained as an adaptation of results of Happel, Reiten and Smalo, which under certain assumptions shows that an algebra is an endomorphism algebra of a tilting object. It is shown that a 2-almost hereditary algebra with some other properties and satisfying (H1), (H2) and (H3) is 2-quasitilted.

Les Neuropathies Périphériques Héréditaires (IPN) constituent l’une des causes les plus fréquentes de maladies neurologiques héréditaires. Parmi elles, la maladie de Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), constitue le groupe plus large. Durant ma thèse, j’ai étudié les bases physiopathologiques de deux formes d’IPN.1)J’ai étudié CMT4H, une forme rare de CMT démyélinisante, à transmission autosomique récessive, due à des mutations dans FGD4, qui code la protéine FRABIN. J’ai ainsi validé trois partenaires de FRABIN impliqués dans la voie du trafic vésiculaire. J’ai mis au point un modèle de myélinisation in vitro, à partir de notre modèle murin de CMT4H qui m’a permis de mettre en évidence une implication de FRABIN dans le processus d’endocytose et une dérégulation de la voie NRG1/PI3K/AKT. Dans une perspective thérapeutique, j’ai pu corriger ces défauts en ciblant la voie NRG1typeIII, par la niacine, un médicament approuvé par la FDA connu pour inhiber la myélinisation.2)Par séquençage de l’exome entier dans une famille d’origine libanaise présentant deux patients atteints d’une forme motrice d’IPN, associée à une atteinte centrale, nous avons identifié deux nouvelles mutations hétérozygotes composites dans le gène VRK1 qui code une protéine kinase nucléaire qui phosphoryle plusieurs facteurs de transcription. Des mutations dans VRK1 ont été décrites dans plusieurs maladies neurologiques, affectant les motoneurones. Des études fonctionnelles dans des lignées cellulaires issues de patients ont montré la pathogénicité de ces mutations et j’ai pu mettre en évidence pour la première fois, l’implication de la machinerie de transcription et d’épissage dans une pathologie associée à VRK1. / Inherited Peripheral Neuropathies (IPNs) are one of the most common causes of inherited neurological diseases. Among them, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) or Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy (HMSN), forms the largest group. During my thesis, I have studied the pathophysiological bases of two forms of IPNs.1) CMT4H, a rare form of autosomal recessive (AR) demyelinating CMT, due to mutations in FGD4 encoding FRABIN. First, I validated three partners of FRABIN involved in the vesicular trafficking pathway. I have also set up an in vitro myelination model based on the co-culture of DRG (Dorsal Root Ganglion) sensory neurons and Schwann cells (SCs) from our CMT4H mouse model. Studying this model allowed me to detect an upregulation of the NRG1 type III/PI3K/AKT pathway, which positively regulates myelination; and signs of impaired endocytosis, which presumably lead to the observed anomalies. I was able to correct these defects by targeting the NRG1 type III pathway with niacin, a FDA approved drug, known to downregulate NRG1-III signaling. 2) We have identified, by Whole Exome Sequencing two new compound heterozygous mutations in VRK1, in two siblings from a Lebanese family affected with distal Hereditary Motor Neuropathy associated with upper motor neurons signs. VRK1 is a nuclear kinase described to phosphorylate many transcription factors and for which mutations have been described in several motor neurons diseases. Functional studies on patients’ cells allowed me to demonstrate the pathogenicity of mutations and we brought evidence, for the first, about the implication of transcriptional machinery in a pathology associated to VRK1.

<p>This thesis, consisting of three papers and a summary, studies properties of stratified algebras and representations of Lie superalgebras.</p><p>In Paper I we give a characterization when the Ringel dual of an SSS-algebra is properly stratified.</p><p>We show that for an SSS-algebra, whose Ringel dual is properly stratified, there is a (generalized) tilting module which allows one to compute the finitistic dimension of the SSS-algebra, and moreover, it gives rise to a new covariant Ringel-type duality.</p><p>In Paper II we give a characterization of standardly stratified algebras in terms of certain filtrations of (left or right) projective modules, generalizing the corresponding theorem of V. Dlab. We extend the notion of Ringel duality to standardly stratified algebras and estimate their finitistic dimension in terms of endomorphism algebras of standard modules.</p><p>Paper III deals with the queer Lie superalgebra and the corresponding BGG-category O. We show that the typical blocks correspond to standardly stratified algebras, and we generalize Kostant's Theorem to the queer Lie superalgebra.</p>

This thesis, consisting of three papers and a summary, studies properties of stratified algebras and representations of Lie superalgebras. In Paper I we give a characterization when the Ringel dual of an SSS-algebra is properly stratified. We show that for an SSS-algebra, whose Ringel dual is properly stratified, there is a (generalized) tilting module which allows one to compute the finitistic dimension of the SSS-algebra, and moreover, it gives rise to a new covariant Ringel-type duality. In Paper II we give a characterization of standardly stratified algebras in terms of certain filtrations of (left or right) projective modules, generalizing the corresponding theorem of V. Dlab. We extend the notion of Ringel duality to standardly stratified algebras and estimate their finitistic dimension in terms of endomorphism algebras of standard modules. Paper III deals with the queer Lie superalgebra and the corresponding BGG-category O. We show that the typical blocks correspond to standardly stratified algebras, and we generalize Kostant's Theorem to the queer Lie superalgebra.

How organelles acquire their unique shapes is a fundamental question of cell biology. The peripheral endoplasmic reticulum (ER) consists of a vast network of membrane sheets and tubules, the formation of which requires homotypic membrane fusion. Previous studies suggest that the dynamin-like GTPase, atlastin (ATL), mediates ER fusion, but the mechanism by which this occurs is unclear. In this study, I investigate 1) the role of dimerization and conformational changes in the N-terminal domain of ATL, 2) how the C-terminal amphipathic helix and the transmembrane domain of ATL cooperate with the N-terminal domain, and 3) the formation of cis and trans ATL dimers in the fusion mechanism. ATL has a cytosolic N-terminal domain, consisting of a GTPase domain and three-helix bundle (3HB), followed by two transmembrane segments (TMs) and a cytosolic C-terminal tail (CT). Crystal structures of ATL and biochemical experiments suggest that nucleotide-dependent dimerization between ATL molecules sitting in different membranes can tether the membranes together. A subsequent conformational change triggered by GTP hydrolysis could pull the membranes toward one another for fusion. This mechanism is supported by in vitro membrane tethering and fusion assays using vesicles containing full-length Drosophila ATL. The CT and TMs of ATL are also required for efficient membrane fusion. A synthetic peptide corresponding to a conserved amphipathic helix in the CT can act in trans to restore the fusion activity of a tailless ATL mutant. We characterize CT mutants to show that the C-terminal helix promotes fusion by perturbing the lipid bilayer. The TMs of ATL also mediate nucleotide-independent oligomerization, which may allow ATL molecules in the same membrane to synchronously undergo the conformational change leading to fusion. Lastly, we show that continuous GTP hydrolysis is required for membrane tethering, occasionally resulting in fusion. The N-terminal cytosolic domain mediates trans dimer formation between ATL molecules on different membranes. GTP binding induces dimerization through the GTPase domains and 3HBs. We propose that GTP hydrolysis and phosphate release are required not just to drive fusion, but also to dissociate cis dimers that form on the same membrane, thus allowing ATL molecules to form trans dimers.

Hematopoiesis is an intricately regulated homeostatic process that maintains all of the differentiated blood cell lineages. N-ethyl-N-nitrosurea (ENU) is a powerful mutagen that induces point mutations randomly in the genome. ENU was used in a dominant forward genetic screen to identify novel mutations in regulators of hematopoiesis and to create new mouse models of hematopoietic disease. The objectives of this thesis were to characterize two mutants that originated from the dominant screen (7192 and 7238) and to develop a pharmacologically sensitized screen that would detect a unique set of mutations undetectable in the dominant screen. The 7192 mutant from the ENU dominant screen presented with elevated microcytic red blood cells (RBC) and increased polychromasia. The causative mutation was identified as a nonsense mutation in Ank1 (Q895X) that coded for a truncated ANK1 protein. Ank17192 is a novel mouse model of hereditary spherocytosis (HS), a human disease that results from increased RBC fragility. We have demonstrated that Ank17192/+ mice model a mild HS and Ank17192/7192 mice model severe HS. The 7238 mutant from the dominant ENU screen was macrothrombocytic and carried a missense mutation in Myh9 (Q1443L). The Myh97238/7238 mice are viable and have a more severe phenotype of macrothrombocytopenia. Myh97238 is the first mouse model for Myh9 related disorders that accurately models the genetic origins and the systemic manifestations of the disorder. A pharmacologically sensitized screen using chemotherapeutic drugs was designed to induce stress hematopoiesis to detect mutations that alter cell cycle of hematopoietic progenitors or stress hematopoiesis. Analysis of both peripheral blood and progenitor recovery kinetics, determined that 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and phenylhydrazine were good candidates for a pharmacologically sensitized screen. 5FU was successfully incorporated into an ENU dominant screen, and 13 platelet recovery outliers were detected. From these outliers, three mutant lines were successfully established.

Hematopoiesis is an intricately regulated homeostatic process that maintains all of the differentiated blood cell lineages. N-ethyl-N-nitrosurea (ENU) is a powerful mutagen that induces point mutations randomly in the genome. ENU was used in a dominant forward genetic screen to identify novel mutations in regulators of hematopoiesis and to create new mouse models of hematopoietic disease. The objectives of this thesis were to characterize two mutants that originated from the dominant screen (7192 and 7238) and to develop a pharmacologically sensitized screen that would detect a unique set of mutations undetectable in the dominant screen. The 7192 mutant from the ENU dominant screen presented with elevated microcytic red blood cells (RBC) and increased polychromasia. The causative mutation was identified as a nonsense mutation in Ank1 (Q895X) that coded for a truncated ANK1 protein. Ank17192 is a novel mouse model of hereditary spherocytosis (HS), a human disease that results from increased RBC fragility. We have demonstrated that Ank17192/+ mice model a mild HS and Ank17192/7192 mice model severe HS. The 7238 mutant from the dominant ENU screen was macrothrombocytic and carried a missense mutation in Myh9 (Q1443L). The Myh97238/7238 mice are viable and have a more severe phenotype of macrothrombocytopenia. Myh97238 is the first mouse model for Myh9 related disorders that accurately models the genetic origins and the systemic manifestations of the disorder. A pharmacologically sensitized screen using chemotherapeutic drugs was designed to induce stress hematopoiesis to detect mutations that alter cell cycle of hematopoietic progenitors or stress hematopoiesis. Analysis of both peripheral blood and progenitor recovery kinetics, determined that 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and phenylhydrazine were good candidates for a pharmacologically sensitized screen. 5FU was successfully incorporated into an ENU dominant screen, and 13 platelet recovery outliers were detected. From these outliers, three mutant lines were successfully established.