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Biomedical subjects

B G Forget

Publications and source records attributed to B G Forget.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Ankyrin Bugey: a de novo deletional frameshift variant in exon 6 of the ankyrin gene associated with spherocytosis.

We describe a case of spherocytosis in a French child splenectomized at age 10 years. The parents were devoid of any clinical, hematological, or biochemical abnormalities. Following splenectomy, the proposita exhibited a reduction of red cell membrane ankyrin. The variable number of dinucleotide repeats associated with the erythroid ankyrin gene (ANK1) were studied at the genomic level. The father, the mother, and the proposita had the AC14/AC11, AC14/AC14, and AC14/AC11 genotypes, respectively, although the proposita exhibited a pattern consistent with an AC14,-combination at the cDNA level. We thought there could be a de novo mutation in the ANK1 allele of paternal origin (AC11). A false paternity seemed most unlikely. Based on PCR-amplification of exons, SSCP analysis, and, when appropriate, nucleotide sequencing, we found a one-nucleotide deletion in codon 146 (exon 6): 521delC, ACG-->AG. This placed in phase a TAG triplet normally overlapping codons 150 and 151. Early interruption of translation presumably accounted for the premature degradation of mutant mRNA. Restriction analysis confirmed the presence of the mutation in the proposita and its absence in the parents. The variant was designated ankyrin Bugey.

Ankyrins↗
PubMed1997

Genetic basis of the polymorphisms of the alphaI domain of spectrin.

Defects of alpha spectrin have been identified in many cases of hereditary elliptocytosis (HE) and hereditary pyropoikilocytosis (HPP). To aid in the genetic analysis of families with these disorders, the locations of three alpha-spectrin gene polymorphisms were mapped, the genetic basis of these polymorphisms identified, and PCR-based assays designed for their identification. The frequencies of these polymorphisms were determined in two populations and in patients with alphaI/50a HE and HPP. These studies identified two distinct haplotypes and provided evidence that two HE/HPP mutations associated with the alphaI/50a protein phenotype, L207P and L260P, arose on separate chromosomal backgrounds.

Alleles↗
PubMed1997

High levels of human gamma-globin gene expression in adult mice carrying a transgene of deletion-type hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin.

Persistent expression of the gamma-globin genes in adults with deletion types of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) is thought to be mediated by enhancer-like effects of DNA sequences at the 3' breakpoints of the deletions. A transgenic mouse model of deletion-type HPFH was generated by using a DNA fragment containing both human gamma-globin genes and HPFH-2 breakpoint DNA sequences linked to the core sequences of the locus control region (LCR) of the human beta-globin gene cluster. Analysis of gamma-globin expression in six HPFH transgenic lines demonstrated persistence of gamma-globin mRNA and peptides in erythrocytes of adult HPFH transgenic mice. Analysis of the hemoglobin phenotype of adult HPFH transgenic animals by isoelectric focusing showed the presence of hybrid mouse alpha2-human gamma2 tetramers as well as human gamma4 homotetramers (hemoglobin Bart's). In contrast, correct developmental regulation of the gamma-globin genes with essentially absent gamma-globin gene expression in adult erythroid cells was observed in two control non-HPFH transgenic lines, consistent with autonomous silencing of normal human gamma-globin expression in adult transgenic mice. Interestingly, marked preferential overexpression of the LCR-distal (A)gamma-globin gene but not of the LCR-proximal (G)gamma-globin gene was observed at all developmental stages in erythroid cells of HPFH-2 transgenic mice. These findings were also associated with the formation of a DNase I-hypersensitive site in the HPFH-2 breakpoint DNA of transgenic murine erythroid cells, as occurs in normal human erythroid cells in vivo. These results indicate that breakpoint DNA sequences in deletion-type HPFH-2 can modify the developmentally regulated expression of the gamma-globin genes.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A nonsense mutation in the erythrocyte band 3 gene associated with decreased mRNA accumulation in a kindred with dominant hereditary spherocytosis.

We studied a French kindred with typical hereditary spherocytosis (HS). Studies of erythrocytes and erythrocyte membranes from HS individuals revealed abnormal erythrocyte membrane mechanical stability as well as 15-20% deficiency of band 3, the anion transporter. Anion transport studies of red cells from two affected individuals revealed decreased sulfate flux. Nucleotide sequence of cDNA encoding the distal third of the cytoplasmic domain and the entire transmembrane domain of band 3 obtained by RT-PCR of reticulocyte RNA of an affected family member was normal. Sequence analysis of genomic DNA from an HS individual identified a nonsense mutation of the band 3 gene, Q330X, near the end of the band 3 cytoplasmic domain. This mutation was present in genomic DNA of all HS family members and absent in DNA of unaffected family members. Using an RT-PCR-based assay, a marked quantitative decrease in accumulation of the mutant band 3 RNA was detected. Thus the codon 330 nonsense mutation is responsible for the decreased accumulation of mutant band 3 RNA and the deficiency of band 3 protein in this kindred. These results have important implications for the role of band 3 defects in the membrane pathobiology of HS as well as for the techniques used in detection of HS mutations.

Anion Exchange Protein 1, Erythrocyte↗
PubMed1996

Ankyrin-1 mutations are a major cause of dominant and recessive hereditary spherocytosis.

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is the most common inherited haemolytic anaemia in Northern Europeans. The primary molecular defects reside in the red blood cell (RBC) membrane, particularly in proteins that link the membrane skeleton to the overlying lipid bilayer and its integral membrane constituents. Ankyrin-1 is the predominant linker molecule. It attaches spectrin, the major skeletal protein, to the cytoplasmic domain of band 3, the RBC anion exchanger. Two-thirds of patients with HS have combined spectrin and ankyrin-1 deficiency; deficiency of band 3 occurs in about 15 to 20% (ref.1). These data suggest that ankyrin-1 or band 3 defects may be common in HS. To test this we screened all 42 coding exons plus the 5' untranslated/promoter region of ankyrin-1 and the 19 coding exons of band 3 in 46 HS families. Twelve ankyrin-1 mutations and five band 3 mutations were identified. Missense mutations and a mutation in the putative ankyrin-1 promoter were common in recessive HS. In contrast, ankyrin-1 and band 3 frameshift and nonsense null mutations prevailed in dominant HS. Increased accumulation of the normal protein product partially compensated for the ankyrin-1 or band 3 defects in some of these null mutations. Our findings indicate that ankyrin-1 mutations are a major cause of dominant and recessive HS (approximately 35 to 65%), that band 3 mutations are less common (approximately 15 to 25%), and that the severity of HS is modified by factors other than the primary gene defect.

Ankyrins↗
PubMed1996

Epidemiological studies of spectrin mutations related to hereditary elliptocytosis and spectrin polymorphisms in Benin.

We studied an African population in Benin and discovered an unexpectedly high frequency (1.6%) of hereditary elliptocytosis (HE) among the 1447 subjects studied. In approximately two-thirds of HE individuals we identified molecular defects, primarily those in erythrocyte alpha-spectrin (dupL154, L260P and L207P mutations), as well as a novel mutation of erythrocyte beta-spectrin (beta-W2061R mutation). We also identified the genetic basis of a previously identified protein polymorphism of the alpha III domain of spectrin (R1331I mutation). The genetic background of HE in the African population was studied using a number of polymorphisms of the alpha-spectrin gene, including the alpha III domain polymorphism. These studies suggest that the HE mutations appear to have originated from separate genetic backgrounds in this population.

Benin↗
PubMed1996

Molecular basis and haplotyping of the alphaII domain polymorphisms of spectrin: application to the study of hereditary elliptocytosis and pyropoikilocytosis.

Hereditary elliptocytosis (HE) and hereditary pyropoikilocytosis (HPP) are inherited disorders of erythrocyte shape that are frequently associated with abnormalities in alpha-spectrin, one of the principal structural proteins of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton. Five polymorphisms of the alpha-spectrin gene, located in a 6-kb interval of genomic DNA, were identified and analyzed in normal and mutant alpha-spectrin alleles. Three of these polymorphisms are due to single nucleotide substitutions in the alpha-spectrin gene coding region that lead to changes in the amino acid sequence. In combination, these three polymorphisms are responsible for the different peptide phenotypes of the alphaII domain previously observed following limited tryptic digestion of spectrin protein. The most common haplotype, type 1, was found predominantly in Caucasians and was the only haplotype identified in Asians. Haplotypes 2, 3, and 4 were identified predominantly in individuals of African ancestry and were commonly found in patients with HE or HPP. Analysis of coinheritance of alphaII domain polymorphisms with alpha-spectrin gene mutations causing HE or HPP in African-American patients with HE and HPP suggests that, with one exception, a given HE/HPP mutation is present in an alpha-spectrin gene of only one haplotype, indicating a founder effect. The other two polymorphisms located in this region of the alpha-spectrin gene do not change the amino acid sequence of the encoded alpha-spectrin chain and are not in linkage disequilibrium with three of the four alphaII domain haplotypes. A model is proposed for the evolutionary origin of the different haplotypes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Structure, organization, and expression of the human band 7.2b gene, a candidate gene for hereditary hydrocytosis.

Band 7.2b is an integral membrane phosphoprotein absent from the erythrocyte membranes of patients with hereditary hydrocytosis, a hemolytic anemia inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion and characterized by stomatocytic red blood cells with abnormal permeability to Na+ and K+. The precise role of band 7.2b is unknown, but it may interact with other proteins of the junctional complex of the membrane skeleton. To gain additional insight into the structure and function of this protein and to provide the necessary tools for further genetic studies of hydrocytosis patients, we determined the sequence of the full-length human band 7.2b cDNA, characterized the genomic structure of the band 7.2b gene, studied its pattern of expression in different tissues, and characterized the promoter of the gene. The composite band 7.2b gene cDNA was 3047 base pairs in length. Northern blot analysis revealed a wide tissue distribution of expression of the band 7.2b gene, with utilization of alternative polyadenylation signals generating transcripts of 2.2 and 3.1 kilobases. Cloning of the band 7.2b chromosomal gene revealed that it is composed of seven exons distributed over 40 kilobases of DNA. The band 7.2b gene promoter was identified as a TATA-less, (G+C)-rich promoter with a typical InR recognition sequence and a single transcription initiation site. It directed high level expression of a reporter gene in both erythroid and nonerythroid cells. An imperfect simple sequence repeat polymorphism was identified in the 5'-flanking DNA, and an assay was developed for its analysis by PCR.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1995

Recurrent fatal hydrops fetalis associated with a nucleotide substitution in the erythrocyte beta-spectrin gene.

We studied a kindred in which four third-trimester fetal losses occurred, associated with severe Coombs-negative hemolytic anemia and hydrops fetalis. Postmortem examination of two infants revealed extensive extramedullary erythropoiesis. Studies of erythrocytes and erythrocyte membranes from the parents revealed abnormal erythrocyte membrane mechanical stability as well as structural and functional abnormalities in spectrin, the principal structural protein of the erythrocyte membrane. Genetic studies identified a point mutation of the beta-spectrin gene, S2019P, in a region of beta spectrin that is critical for normal spectrin function. Both parents and two living children were heterozygous for this mutation; three infants dying of hydrops fetalis were homozygous for this mutation. In an in vitro assay using recombinant peptides, the mutant beta-spectrin peptide demonstrated a significant abnormality in its ability to interact with alpha spectrin. This is the first description of a molecular defect of the erythrocyte membrane associated with hydrops fetalis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Beta II-spectrin (fodrin) and beta I epsilon 2-spectrin (muscle) contain NH2- and COOH-terminal membrane association domains (MAD1 and MAD2).

Central to spectrin's function is its association with the plasma membrane. The linking proteins ankyrin and protein 4.1 partly mediate this association, and their interactions with spectrin are well understood. Both beta I (erythrocyte) and beta II (fodrin, beta G) spectrin also associate with unknown protein receptors in crude membrane preparations by ankyrin and protein 4.1 independent mechanisms. As a first step to understanding this interaction, kinetic and equilibrium assays have been used to monitor which regions of beta I and beta II spectrin inhibit the binding of purified 125I-labeled bovine brain spectrin to demyelinated and NaOH-stripped bovine brain membranes. A series of 19 recombinant proteins spanning the entire sequence of beta II spectrin, including an alternatively spliced NH2-terminal isoform (beta II epsilon 2 spectrin), were prepared as glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins. Also prepared were peptides representing the alternatively spliced COOH-terminal domain found in beta I epsilon 2 spectrin ("muscle spectrin"). Two distinct sequence motifs inhibited the binding of native brain spectrin. Membrane association domain 1 (MAD1) was represented in all fusion peptides that included spectrin repeat 1. These peptides slowed the kinetics of brain spectrin binding and inhibited up to 46% of the maximal binding under the conditions of these assays (apparent Ki < or = 0.2 microM). Peptides representative of repeats 2-17 of beta II spectrin were devoid of inhibitory activity. The second membrane association domain (MAD2) was identified in penultimate COOH-terminal sequences (domain III) of both beta II and beta I epsilon 2 spectrin. These sequences were absent in beta I epsilon 1 (erythrocyte) spectrin. MAD2 competitively inhibited over 80% of brain spectrin binding in these assays, with an apparent Ki < or = 0.1 microM. Direct binding studies confirmed that both MAD1 and MAD2 peptides associated with membranes with affinities comparable to their inhibition constants. Sequence comparisons suggest that MAD1 is created by the insertion of two non-homologous sequence motifs into repeat 1, extending it from 106 to 122 amino acids. Similarly, MAD2 encompasses a putative site of beta gamma-heterotrimeric G-protein binding called the pleckstrin homology domain, and MAD2 may in fact be the pleckstrin homology domain although this has not been rigorously proven. Collectively these studies identify two novel functional motifs in spectrin that mediate ankyrin independent association with membranes. We hypothesize that these motifs and their still to be discovered ligands play a primary role in the nascent assembly and stabilization of an ordered and polarized spectrin skeleton.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed1994

Developmental regulation of human gamma- and beta-globin genes in the absence of the locus control region.

Two lines of transgenic mice carrying a normal 40-kb Kpn I beta-globin cluster transgene lacking the locus control region (LCR) were analyzed for the expression of human gamma- and beta-globin genes during mouse development. After RNase protection assays, the ratios of human G gamma-, A gamma-, or beta-mRNAs relative to endogenous mouse zeta + alpha mRNAs were obtained for each stage of development. The two gamma transgenes were expressed in day-11.5 blood (embryonic stage) and day-13.5 blood (early fetal stage), but their expression was markedly decreased by day 16.5 of fetal life. Expression of the beta transgene was essentially absent at day 13.5, appeared at a low level by day 16.5, and was maximal by day 18.5, reaching a level similar to that observed in adult mice. Therefore, developmentally regulated expression of the human gamma- and beta-globin transgenes was obtained in the absence of the LCR. The relative expression of human gamma- and beta-globin genes was also examined in mice carrying 40-kb Kpn I beta-cluster transgenes with two different base substitutions associated with nondeletion forms of hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH), -202 C-->G G gamma HPFH and -117 G-->A A gamma HPFH. The ratio of G gamma- to beta-globin transcripts was markedly increased in red blood cells of adult mice from three different lines carrying the transgene with the -202 G gamma HPFH mutation. This result confirms our previous preliminary results (Tanaka et al: Ann NY Acad Sci, 612:167, 1990) indicating that the -202 G gamma HPFH phenotype was reproduced in transgenic mice. The relatively low levels of G gamma-mRNA expression in adult mice carrying the non-HPFH transgene excludes a major influence of the 3' beta-globin enhancer, present upstream of the G gamma gene because of the tandem repeat insertion, as a factor in the persistent G gamma gene expression observed in blood of adult mice carrying the -202 G gamma HPFH transgene. This conclusion is also supported by the fact that, in mice carrying the -117 A gamma HPFH transgene, G gamma-globin mRNA was detected in blood of adult animals only at low levels similar to that observed in the non-HPFH lines. However, the A gamma-HPFH phenotype was not reproduced in the transgenic lines carrying the -117A gamma HPFH mice.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Increased expression of the G gamma and A gamma globin genes associated with a mutation in the A gamma enhancer.

We have previously described a unique type of delta beta-thalassemia in a Chinese family characterized by increased expression of the G gamma and A gamma fetal globin genes in the absence of a large deletion in the beta-globlin gene cluster. Our earlier study of the beta-globin gene on this delta beta-thalassemia chromosome showed a promoter mutation in the TATA box. In this report, we describe the results of our study of the fetal globin domain of this delta beta-thalassemia chromosome. We have cloned a 13-kb DNA fragment that includes the G gamma and the A gamma genes and the 3' A gamma enhancer element of this delta beta-thalassemia chromosome. DNA sequence analysis of the G gamma and A gamma-globin genes including their promoters did not show any mutations, but analysis of the putative enhancer element downstream from the A gamma-globin gene showed a C to T substitution 2,401 nucleotides downstream from the A gamma cap site. We performed DNA linkage analysis to determine if this mutation is unique to this chromosome or represents a common polymorphism. Our linkage analysis showed that this mutation is not a common polymorphism and that it is also not an intrinsic part of the haplotype of the chromosome on which it was found. We also studied the interaction of nuclear proteins from erythroid and nonerythroid cells with the DNA sequences surrounding this mutation. We have shown by in vitro DNase I footprinting that this mutation falls within a region that is occupied by a novel DNA-binding protein that binds to this site in nuclear extracts from erythroid, but not nonerythroid cells. The binding of this nuclear protein to DNA appears to be dependent on GATA-1 binding to an adjacent GATA-1 site. We have also developed a new functional assay to compare the activity of the normal and mutant A gamma enhancer elements in erythroid cells. Analysis of the activity of the mutant enhancer shows that the mutation completely eliminates all enhancer activity in this assay. These findings suggest that this mutation of the A gamma enhancer on a chromosome that carries a partially inactivated beta-globin gene may be responsible for the increased expression of both gamma-globin genes seen in this condition.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

A partial structural repeat forms the heterodimer self-association site of all beta-spectrins.

The self-polymerization of alpha beta-spectrin heterodimers to form tetramers and higher oligomers is central to its role as a membrane stabilizer and organizer. Mutations near the amino terminus of alpha I sigma 1-spectrin or the COOH terminus of beta I sigma 1-spectrin often lead to profound impairment heterodimer polymerization and to hemolytic disease of varying severity. Previous studies using an 80-kDa univalent fragment of alpha I sigma 1-spectrin have established that the amino-terminal segment of alpha I sigma 1-spectrin mediates the association of the alpha subunit with either intact heterodimers or with isolated beta-spectrin (beta I sigma 1). However, the nature of the self-association site in beta-spectrin has remained unclear. In the present study, native beta-spectrin and recombinant beta-spectrin peptides representing COOH-terminal portions of two alternative transcripts of the gene on chromosome 2 (beta I sigma 1 or "erythrocyte" spectrin and beta I sigma 2 or "muscle" spectrin), and one transcript of the gene on chromosome 14 (beta II sigma 1 or "beta G-fodrin") have been examined for their ability to bind either intact alpha beta-spectrin or the alpha I-spectrin 80-kDa univalent fragment. Deletion of the nonhomologous beta-spectrin sequence downstream of repeat 17 (spectrin domain III) had no discernible effect on binding. Truncations proximal to codon 2085 of beta I sigma 1-spectrin demonstrated a precipitous loss of activity, accounted for by a loss of both binding affinity and capacity. Further truncations to repeat 16 (codon 1979) restored binding activity to levels approximating that of the intact molecule. Repeat 16/17 and 17/16 chimeras displayed reduced binding activity. Collectively, these data indicate that the beta-subunit self-association site is highly sensitive to conformation, involves widespread interactions within the 17th repeat unit, is largely independent of sequences in domain III, and can be recreated by the deletion of all residues distal to the COOH end (codon 1979) of the 16th and presumably other spectrin sequence repeat units. All beta-spectrins appear to use this binding motif, regardless of the nature of the nonhomologous sequence in domain III.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Location and PCR-based detection of three polymorphisms of the human erythrocyte beta-spectrin gene (SPTB).

Defects of beta spectrin, a structural protein of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton, have been identified in many cases of inherited disorders of red blood cell shape such as hereditary elliptocytosis and spherocytosis. To aid in genetic analyses of families with these disorders, the locations of three beta-spectrin gene (SPTB) polymorphisms were mapped and PCR-based assays designed for their identification. Using these PCR-based assays, the frequencies of these polymorphisms were determined in two populations.

Alleles↗