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Biomedical subjects

Maple M Fung

Publications and source records attributed to Maple M Fung.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

Common charge-shift mutation Glu65Lys in K+ channel β₁-Subunit KCNMB1: pleiotropic consequences for glomerular filtration rate and progressive renal disease.

BACKGROUND: Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a heritable trait, and hyperfiltration (GFR increment in remnant nephrons) may accelerate renal functional decline in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Mesangial and vascular smooth myocytes control GFR by contraction, dependent on voltage-gated Ca(2+) influx, which is controlled by the regulatory β₁-subunit (KCNMB1) of large-conductance heteromeric K+ ('BK') channels. KCNMB1 gain-of-function variant Glu65Lys results in generalized vasorelaxation and thus protection against systemic hypertension. Here we asked whether the Glu65Lys variant influences GFR, in the basal state or during progressive renal decline. METHODS: We explored Glu65Lys effects on GFR in three populations spanning two ethnicities and two diseases (hypertension and nephrosclerosis). GFR was either estimated (eGFR from serum creatinine) or directly measured (iothalamate clearance). RESULTS: The 65Lys variant was relatively common, occurring on ∼5-10% of chromosomes in different biogeographic ancestry groups, and 65Lys carriers exhibited higher eGFR in two primary care populations: extreme BP values in Kaiser clinics (p = 0.029, accounting for ∼0.2% of trait variance), or treated hypertensives in VA clinics (p = 0.017, accounting for ∼0.9% of trait variance). In blacks with progressive renal disease (NIDDK AASK), 65Lys carriers displayed a steeper slope in GFR chronic decline (p = 0.030, accounting for ∼0.4% of trait variance), and Glu65Lys genotype also predicted time of onset of renal failure (log rank p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Common KCNMB1 gain-of-function variant Glu65Lys influences GFR, and 65Lys carriers exhibit not only elevated baseline GFR, but also more rapid GFR decline (and consequent development of renal failure) in CKD. The results suggest that profiling patients at Glu65Lys can assist in gauging renal prognosis as well as selection of rational therapy in hypertension with progressive renal disease.

Black or African American

Peptide YY (PYY) gene polymorphisms in the 3'-untranslated and proximal promoter regions regulate cellular gene expression and PYY secretion and metabolic syndrome traits in vivo.

RATIONALE: Obesity is a heritable trait that contributes to hypertension and subsequent cardiorenal disease risk; thus, the investigation of genetic variation that predisposes individuals to obesity is an important goal. Circulating peptide YY (PYY) is known for its appetite and energy expenditure-regulating properties; linkage and association studies have suggested that PYY genetic variation contributes to susceptibility for obesity, rendering PYY an attractive candidate for study of disease risk. DESIGN: To explore whether common genetic variation at the human PYY locus influences plasma PYY or metabolic traits, we systematically resequenced the gene for polymorphism discovery and then genotyped common single-nucleotide polymorphisms across the locus in an extensively phenotyped twin sample to determine associations. Finally, we experimentally validated the marker-on-trait associations using PYY 3'-untranslated region (UTR)/reporter and promoter/reporter analyses in neuroendocrine cells. RESULTS: Four common genetic variants were discovered across the locus, and three were typed in phenotyped twins. Plasma PYY was highly heritable (P < 0.0001), and genetic pleiotropy was noted between plasma PYY and body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.03). A PYY haplotype extending from the proximal promoter (A-23G, rs2070592) to the 3'-UTR (C+1134A, rs162431) predicted not only plasma PYY (P = 0.009) but also other metabolic syndrome traits. Functional studies with transfected luciferase reporters confirmed regulatory roles in altering gene expression for both 3'-UTR C+1134A (P < 0.001) and promoter A-23G (P = 0.0016). CONCLUSIONS: Functional genetic variation at the PYY locus influences multiple heritable metabolic syndrome traits, likely conferring susceptibility to obesity and subsequent cardiorenal disease.

3' Untranslated Regions