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N Gregersen

Publications and source records attributed to N Gregersen.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

An Iranian-Armenian LDLR frameshift mutation causing familial hypercholesterolemia.

We used polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis to detect a mutation in the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene in a family of Iranian-Armenian origin. The mutation, designated FH Yrmeih, deletes two nucleotides from exon 10 of the LDLR gene, which causes a translational frameshift, whereby a truncated LDLR protein of the first 471 residues of the LDLR with an additional 41 abnormal residues and a premature stop codon would be created. The deletion was detected in a father and son with clinical features of heterozygous FH. To our knowledge this is the first pathogenetic LDLR mutation identified in FH patients of Iranian-Armenian ancestry.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Ethylmalonic aciduria is associated with an amino acid variant of short chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase.

Ethylmalonic aciduria is a common biochemical finding in patients with inborn errors of short chain fatty acid beta-oxidation. The urinary excretion of ethylmalonic acid (EMA) may stem from decreased oxidation by short chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD) of butyryl-CoA, which is alternatively metabolized by propionyl-CoA carboxylase to EMA. We have recently detected a guanine to adenine polymorphism in the SCAD gene at position 625 in the SCAD cDNA, which changes glycine 209 to serine (G209S). The variant allele (A625) is present in homozygous and in heterozygous form in 7 and 34.8% of the general population, respectively. One hundred and thirty-five patients from Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Spain, and the United States were selected for this study on the basis of abnormal EMA excretion ranging from 18 to 1185 mmol/mol of creatinine (controls < 18 mmol/mol of creatinine). Among them, we found a significant overrepresentation of the variant allele. Eighty-one patients (60%) were homozygous for the A625 allele, 40 (30%) were heterozygous, and only 14 (10%) harbored the wild-type allele (G625) in homozygous form. By overexpressing the wild-type and variant protein (G209S) in Escherichia coli and COS cells, we showed that the folding of the variant protein was slightly compromised in comparison to the wild-type and that the temperature stability of the tetrameric variant enzyme was lower than that of the wild type. Taken together, the over-representation and the biochemical studies indicate that the A625 allele confers susceptibility to the development of ethylmalonic aciduria.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1996

Identification of 13 new mutations in the vasopressin-neurophysin II gene in 17 kindreds with familial autosomal dominant neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus.

Familial neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus (FNDI) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by progressive postnatal deficiency of arginine vasopressin as a result of mutation in the gene that encodes the hormone. To determine the extent of mutations in the coding region that produce the phenotype, we studied members of 17 unrelated kindreds with the disorder. We sequenced all 3 exons of the gene by using a rapid, direct dye-terminator method and found the causative mutation in each kindred. In four kindreds, the mutations were each identical to mutations described in other affected families. In the other 13 kindreds each mutation was unique. There were two missense mutations that altered the cleavage region of the signal peptide, seven missense mutations in exon 2, which codes for the conserved portion of the protein, one nonsense mutation in exon 2, and three nonsense mutations in exon 3. These findings, together with the clinical features of FNDI, suggest that each of the mutations exerts an effect by directing the production of a pre-prohormone that cannot be folded, processed, or degraded properly and eventually destroys vasopressinergic neurons.

Arginine Vasopressin↗
PubMed1996

High sensitivity of the single-strand conformation polymorphism method for detecting sequence variations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene validated by DNA sequencing.

We designed oligonucleotide primer pairs to amplify the promoter region, the translated exon sequences, and the flanking intron sequences of all 18 exons of the LDL receptor gene to compare the ability of the PCR single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) method with semiautomated solid-phase genomic DNA sequencing to detect sequence variations. In 20 apparently unrelated Danish patients with a clinical diagnosis of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), we identified 13 different mutations in the LDL receptor gene: two silent (C331C, N494 N); five missense (W66G, E119K, T383P, W556S, T7051); one nonsense (W23X); three splice-site (313 + 1G-->A, 1061-8T-->C, 1846-1G-->A); and two frameshift (335del10, 1650delG) mutations. Four of these mutations, N494 N, T383P, 1061-8T-->C, and W556S, have not been reported earlier. The pathogenicity of the T383P, 1061-8T-->C, and W556S mutations remains to be established by in vitro mutagenesis and transfection studies. One patient had three mutations (335del10, 1061-8T-->C, and T705I) on the same allele. Further, nine well-known polymorphisms were detectable with this methodological setup. Direct DNA sequencing of the PCR products used for the SSCP analysis did not reveal any sequence variations not detected by the PCR-SSCP method. In two patients we did not detect any mutation by either method. We conclude that the PCR-SSCP analysis, performed as described here, is as sensitive and efficient as DNA sequencing in the ability to identify the sequence variations in the LDL receptor gene of the patients with heterozygous FH of this study.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Rapid characterization of disease-causing mutations in the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) gene by overexpression in COS cells.

To characterize disease-causing mutations in the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) gene, COS cells are transfected with the mutant gene in an EBV-based expression vector and characterized by flow cytometry. Using antibodies against the LDL-receptor the amount of receptor protein on the cell surface is quantitated. The receptor activity is measured by incubating the cells with fluorescence labeled LDL (Dil-labelled LDL) at 37 degrees C and 4 degrees C. The transfected cells stained with anti-LDL-R antibodies can also be analysed by immunofluorescence microscopy allowing the study of the intracellular location of variants of the receptor. To evaluate these methods, we are analyzing four previously well-characterized LDL-R mutations, belonging to each of the classes 2 to 5. Preliminary data show that mutant genes belonging to class 3 and 4A give rise to receptor protein on the cell surface, but impaired LDL uptake, while mutant receptors belonging to class 2A and 5 can only be detected intracellularly. Expression of the class 2A mutation results in an ER staining pattern, whereas the class 5 mutation gives rise to an intracellular staining compatible with localization in the endosomal/lysosomal compartments. We conclude that this system is useful for a rapid functional analysis of newly discovered mutations in the LDL-R gene.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1995

Human ClpP protease: cDNA sequence, tissue-specific expression and chromosomal assignment of the gene.

We identified three overlapping human expressed sequence tags with significant homology to the E. coli ClpP amino sequence by screening the EMBL nucleotide database. With this sequence information we applied 5' and 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) to amplify and sequence human clpP cDNA in two overlapping fragments. The open reading frame encodes a 277 amino acid long precursor polypeptide. Two ClpP specific motifs surrounding the active site residues are present and extensive homology to ClpP's from other organisms was observed. Northern blotting showed high relative expression levels of clpP mRNA in skeletal muscle, intermediate levels in heart, liver and pancreas, and low levels in brain, placenta, lung and kidney. By analysis of human/rodent cell hybrids the human clpP gene was assigned to chromosome 19.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1995

Serotonin depletion decreases serotonin transporter mRNA levels in rat brain.

In order to study the impact of serotonin depletion on gene expression of the serotonin transporter (5-HTt) we measured 5-HTt mRNA levels by Northern blot in rats treated with p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (PCPA) for 10 days. Six rats received PCPA i.p. only, and another 6 rats receiving 0.9% NaCl served as controls. An additional group of 6 rats received both PCPA i.p. and imipramine, 5 mg/kg/day by osmotic minipumps. 5-HTt mRNA levels decreased to 81.1% (P = 0.05) and 76.0% (P = 0.05) of the control level for PCPA treated animals without and with concomitant imipramine treatment, respectively. The average level of the PCPA treated groups was 78.6% (P = 0.03). The isolated effect of 21 days of imipramine treatment was a 5-HTt mRNA level of 89.4%, which was not significantly different from the control level. In conclusion, 5-HTt gene expression is suppressed in the serotonin depleted state. A decreased synaptic reuptake of 5-HT may be interpreted as a compensatory mechanism aiming at preserving adequate synaptic 5-HT levels in a generally deficient state.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

One short well conserved region of Alu-sequences is involved in human gene rearrangements and has homology with prokaryotic chi.

Alu elements have repeatedly been found involved in gene rearrangements in humans. Although these elements have been suggested to stimulate gene rearrangements, sparse information is available for the possible mechanism(s) of these events. Here we present a compilation of Alu elements that have been involved in recombinational events leading to gene rearrangements, indicating the presence of a common 26 bp core sequence at or close to the sites of recombination. Besides the obvious possibility of retrotransposition, gene rearrangements may be induced by sequences that stimulate genetic recombination. We suggest that the core sequence stimulates recombination and may thereby cause the frequent involvement of these elements in gene rearrangements. Curiously, the core sequence contains the pentanucleotide motif CCAGC, which is also part of chi, an 8 bp sequence known to stimulate recBC mediated recombination in Escherichia coli.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Comparison between medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase mutant proteins overexpressed in bacterial and mammalian cells.

Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency is a potentially lethal inherited defect in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids. By comparing the behaviour of five missense MCAD mutant proteins expressed in COS cells and in Escherichia coli, we can define some of these as "pure folding mutants." Upon expression in E. coli, these mutant proteins produce activity levels in the range of the wild-type enzyme only if the chaperonins GroESL are co-overproduced. When overexpressed in COS cells, the pure folding mutants display enzyme activities comparable to the wild-type enzyme. The results suggest that the MCAD mutations can be modulated by chaperones, a phenomenon that may influence the manifestation of the MCAD disease.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1995

Prenatal diagnosis of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency in a family with a previous fatal case of sudden unexpected death in childhood.

Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency is a potentially fatal inherited disease with a carrier frequency of approximately 1:100 in most Caucasian populations. The disease is implicated in sudden unexpected death in childhood. A prevalent disease-causing point mutation (A985G) in the MCAD gene has been characterized, thus rendering diagnosis easy in the majority of cases. Since the clinical spectrum of MCAD deficiency ranges from death in the first days of life to an asymptomatic life, there are probably other genetic factors--in addition to MCAD mutations--involved in the expression of the disease. Thus, families who have experienced the death of a child from MCAD deficiency might have an increased risk of a seriously affected subsequent child. In such a family we have therefore performed a prenatal diagnosis on a chorionic villus sample by a highly specific and sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the G985 mutation. The analysis was positive and resulted in abortion. We verified the diagnosis by direct analysis on blood spots and other tissue material from the aborted fetus and from family members.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1995

A polymerase chain reaction-based method for the semiquantitative study of interleukin-8 mRNA in human basophil leukocytes.

We examined a potential method for quantitative analysis of cytokine expression patterns in purified human basophil leukocyte preparations. Basophil mRNA was reverse transcribed and cytokine cDNA levels determined by competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with internal standard cDNAs constructed by site-directed mutagenesis. Co-reverse transcribed glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPDH) cDNA levels were used as an internal control to correct for unequal efficiencies in RNA isolation and reverse transcription. The method was subjected to a statistical validation giving the within series precision of the analysis. This method was used to examine interleukin-8 expression patterns in basophils from different donors. The results from this study revealed increased interleukin-8 mRNA levels after in vitro challenge with a variety of stimuli.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Complexity of molecular genetics of dyslipidemia in a family highly susceptible to ischemic heart disease.

In a Danish family highly susceptible to ischemic heart disease, hyperlipidemia did not simply cosegregate with a previously undescribed 10 bp deletion in the LDL receptor gene causing heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). This mutation, designated as FH DK-4, deletes 10 nucleotides from exon 4 coding for the third cysteine-rich repeat of the ligand-binding domain. The resulting translational frameshift and stop codon corresponding to amino acid position 181 in the LDL receptor cDNA is predicted to result in a truncated LDL receptor protein. Several family members had hyperlipidemia and early onset of ischemic heart disease not due to the 10 bp deletion, and several family members had unexpectedly high serum lipoprotein(a) contributing to high concentrations of serum LDL cholesterol. The study illustrates important limitations and possibilities of molecular genetic diagnosis.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Improved RNase protection assay for quantifying LDL-receptor mRNA; estimation of analytical imprecision and biological variance in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

We have improved the protocol for RNA quantification by using RNase protection. Instead of precipitation and extraction with phenol and chloroform, we use a faster and more reliable precipitation based on guanidinium thiocyanate (GdSCN). The internal standard is produced by in vitro transcription of a DNA template constructed so as to allow simultaneous detection of the in vitro transcript and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) mRNA by use of the same probe and hybridization. Addition of this internal standard at the step for RNA isolation reduced the analytical imprecision from 40.8% to 19.3%. Estimates of the within- and between-subject biological variations of the LDLR mRNA content in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from healthy volunteers were 21.5% and 13.6%, respectively, and the analytical imprecision was 22.6%. The mean content of LDLR mRNA in PBMCs from healthy individuals was 0.78 copies per cell.

Chemical Precipitation↗
PubMed1995

Molecular diagnosis and characterization of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency.

Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency is the most common defect in mitochondrial beta-oxidation in humans. It is an autosomal recessive disorder which usually presents in infancy. The disease manifests itself in periods of metabolic stress to the beta-oxidation system and may be fatal. Four years ago we identified a prevalent disease-causing mutation (G985) which causes an amino acid change (K304E) in the mature MCAD protein. Using a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based assay for this mutation we have demonstrated: 1. that the G985 mutation is present in 90% of the disease alleles from patients from all over the world; 2. that the allele frequency of G985 in the general population from most European countries is very high (the carrier frequency ranges from 1/68 to 1/333); 3. that MCAD deficiency is not, as has previously been suggested, related to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Moreover, investigation by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of several families with diagnosed MCAD deficiency revealed that the G985 mutation is only present in chromosomes of a particular RFLP haplotype, suggesting a common chromosomal background for this mutation. The other mutations in the MCAD gene are distributed to all known MCAD RFLP haplotypes. Because 80% of the patients are homozygous for the G985 mutation, DNA based diagnosis of most patients is now fast and easy. In order to make DNA based diagnosis possible for the remaining 20% of patients we have set up PCR/solid-phase based semi-automated sequencing of all 12 exons of the MCAD gene. We have so far identified the mutation in 33 of 45 non-G985 homozygous families with verified MCAD deficiency, thereby bringing the number of known mutations in the MCAD gene up to 26. In order to investigate in detail the molecular defects of the mutant MCAD proteins we overexpressed them in COS-7 and in an E. coli based expression system with and without co-overexpression of the molecular chaperones GroES and GroEL. The expression studies revealed that the primary effect of all the identified mutations is on formation of correct enzyme structure, and does not directly affect the catalytically active regions of the enzyme. We find that our diagnostic set up, consisting of an initial testing by the G985 assay, followed by semi-automated sequencing of DNA from those patients who were indicated to be compound heterozygous, is an important improvement to the diagnosis of MCAD deficiency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1994

Genotyping compared with protein phenotyping of the common apolipoprotein E polymorphism.

Apolipoprotein E (apo E) genotypes have been determined in 460 Danish men, with the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a 244 base pair fragment spanning the first-base polymorphic sites in the codons of amino acids 112 and 158 followed by restriction endonuclease cleavage. The results were compared with the apo E phenotypes previously determined by isoelectric focusing (IEF) of delipidated plasma, not pretreated with neuraminidase, followed by apo E specific immunoblotting. Conflicting results were found in only 9 cases (2.0%) and in each case only with respect to one allele. Five of the discrepancies can be explained, post hoc, by technical difficulties with the IEF method ('faint bands'). A possible cause of the other 4 discrepancies is the presence of rare mutations. Our findings in this large study are reassuring, since, if appreciable and systematic misclassification of genotypes do occur by using IEF, as has been reported from some laboratories, it may influence the validity of genetic epidemiological studies.

Adult↗