title: Transgenic rats overexpressing the human MrgX3 gene show cataracts and an abnormal skin phenotype.
abstract: The human MrgX3 gene, belonging to the mrgs/SNSRs (mas related genes/sensory neuron specific receptors) family, was overexpressed in transgenic rats using the actin promoter. Two animal lines showed cataracts with liquification/degeneration and swelling of the lens fiber cells. The transient epidermal desquamation was observed in line with higher gene expression. Histopathology of the transgenic rats showed acanthosis and focal parakeratosis. In the epidermis, there was an increase in cellular keratin 14, keratin 10, and loricrin, as well as PGP 9.5 in innervating nerve fibers. These phenotypes accompanied an increase in the number of proliferating cells. These results suggest that overexpression of the human MrgX3 gene causes a disturbance of the normal cell-differentiation process.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Research Laboratories I, Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Osaka, Japan. Kaisho_Yoshihiko@takeda.co.jp
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kaisho
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Mitsugu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakata
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yano
authors.forename: Yoshitaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yasuhara
authors.forename: Kozo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shimakawa
authors.forename: Ikuo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Yasufumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakura
authors.forename: Yasuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Terao
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsui
authors.forename: Shigehisa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taketomi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D002386:Cataract / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012868:Skin Abnormalities / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: C501064:MRGPRX3 protein, human; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled