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Y Akanuma

Publications and source records attributed to Y Akanuma.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Analysis of the glucokinase gene promoter in Japanese subjects with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Glucokinase plays an important role in glucose metabolism in pancreatic beta-cells and liver. Recently, several mutations responsible for noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) have been identified within the coding regions of the glucokinase gene. We screened the promoter regions using polymerase chain reaction followed by single strand conformation polymorphisms in 240 Japanese NIDDM and 111 control subjects. In the beta-cell promoter, two kinds of sequence variations were detected. One variation, in which 2 nucleotides at position -282 (C-->T) plus -194 (A-->G) were changed simultaneously, was found in 23 NIDDM (9.6%) and 12 control (10.8%) subjects. The other variation [e.g. -30 (G-->A)] was identified in 87 NIDDM (36.3%) and 40 control (36.0%) subjects. In the liver promoter, in addition to the -603 (G-->T) substitution in 1 NIDDM (0.4%) and 2 control (1.8%) subjects, the -120 (G-->T) substitution in 1 control (0.9%) subject was found. However, there were no differences in these allele frequencies between NIDDM and control subjects. We conclude that the prevalence of mutations in the promoter of the glucokinase gene responsible for NIDDM is rare among Japanese patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Normal insulin receptor substrate-1 phosphorylation in autophosphorylation-defective truncated insulin receptor. Evidence that phosphorylation of substrates might be sufficient for certain biological effects evoked by insulin.

A mutant human insulin receptor that lacked the 82 amino acids of the COOH terminus of the beta-subunit (del82) was studied. Both the wild type insulin receptor (HIR) and the mutant receptor were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by stable transfection. Autophosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activities toward exogenous substrates of solubilized and partially purified del82 were severely impaired. When CHO cells transfected with del82 (CHO-del82) were stimulated with insulin, autophosphorylation was decreased to a great extent compared with cells expressing HIR (CHO-HIR). Nevertheless, tyrosine phosphorylation of an endogenous substrate, pp185, and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) in CHO-del82 was comparable with that in CHO-HIR. Insulin-stimulated activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity in CHO-del82 was also equivalent to that in CHO-HIR. Moreover, CHO-del82 exhibited the same insulin sensitivity as CHO-HIR with respect to 2-deoxyglucose uptake and thymidine incorporation into DNA. Insulin-induced internalization in CHO-del82 was decreased by 46% as compared with that in CHO-HIR. These data suggest that: 1) the COOH-terminal domain of the insulin receptor may play an inhibitory role in the phosphorylation of pp185 and IRS-1; and 2) phosphorylation of substrates such as pp185 and IRS-1, rather than autophosphorylation of the receptor per se, correlates better with certain biological effects that were mediated by insulin, suggesting that phosphorylation of the substrates might be sufficient for transducing signals downstream.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Site-directed mutagenesis of the juxtamembrane domain of the human insulin receptor.

We have studied the functions of the juxtamembrane domain (941-989) of the human insulin receptor by site-directed mutagenesis. Tyrosine phosphorylation of pp185 was impaired in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the receptors with the alteration of Tyr960, but not of Tyr953 or Tyr972, to Phe (CHO-Y960F cells) as compared with cells expressing the normal receptors. In CHO-Y960F cells, tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in the anti-phosphotyrosine and anti-IRS-1 immunoprecipitates, the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, and biological actions were also impaired. In addition, although the deletion of residues 954-965 severely impaired insulin internalization, the deletion of NPXY (957-960), the internalization signal of the low density lipoprotein receptor, did not affect internalization. Moreover, neither the deletions around Tyr953 nor the alterations of the tyrosines (953, 960, or 972) significantly reduced internalization. These data suggest that: 1) Tyr960 is important for the recognition of pp185/IRS-1, the association of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase with pp185/IRS-1, and the activation of MAP kinase; 2) MAP kinase may lie downstream of pp185/IRS-1 in insulin's signal transduction; and 3) the juxtamembrane domain, but not NPXY or individual tyrosines, is important for insulin internalization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Sequence variations of the glucokinase gene in Japanese subjects with NIDDM.

Mutations in the glucokinase gene have been identified recently in patients with maturity-onset diabetes of the young, a subtype of NIDDM. The proposed role of glucokinase as a glucose sensor, combined with the low insulin response to glucose found in most Japanese with NIDDM, prompted us to speculate that mutations in the glucokinase gene might be one of the major causes of NIDDM in Japanese subjects. To determine the prevalence of mutations and sequence variations in the glucokinase gene, we screened all 12 exons of the glucokinase gene, including exon/intron junctions, by polymerase chain reaction followed by single-strand conformation polymorphism in 209 Japanese NIDDM subjects. In addition to the mutation in exon 7, which substituted Arg (AGG) for Gly (GGG) at codon 261 (10), a silent mutation of Pro (CCC-->CCG) in exon 4 at codon 145 and several new sequence variations in intervening sequences and the 5'-untranslated region of exon 1 beta (beta-cell-specific exon 1) were identified. Because we identified only one subject who had a structurally abnormal glucokinase molecule, we conclude that the prevalence of structural mutations in the glucokinase gene responsible for NIDDM appears to be rare among Japanese patients. To our knowledge, this is the first thorough study describing the ethnic prevalence of mutations and sequence variations in the glucokinase gene in NIDDM.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism is associated with plasma cholesterol response in a 7-day hospitalization study for metabolic and dietary control in NIDDM.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of apolipoprotein E phenotype, which is an important genetic factor determining plasma cholesterol level, on plasma lipoprotein metabolism during a 7-day diet therapy of diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Diet therapy was performed in 242 subjects with NIDDM. Plasma lipid levels and apolipoprotein A-I, B, and E levels on hospital days 2 and 9 were compared in three phenotype groups, epsilon 2 (E2/2, and E2/3), epsilon 3 (E3/3), and epsilon 4 (E3/4 and E4/4). RESULTS: No differences were observed in fasting blood glucose level, body mass index, age, duration of NIDDM, or medication among the three phenotype groups. Before starting the treatment, total plasma cholesterol did not vary by apolipoprotein E phenotype, although the mean plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in epsilon 4 patients was higher than in either epsilon 3 or epsilon 2 patients (epsilon 4, 145 +/- 42; epsilon 3, 131 +/- 34; epsilon 2, 128 +/- 36 mg/dl; P < 0.05). Changes in fasting blood glucose/body mass index after the 7-day treatment were not different among the apolipoprotein E phenotype groups, whereas the decrease in plasma cholesterol level after the treatment was significantly greater in epsilon 2 patients than in either epsilon 3 or epsilon 4 patients (epsilon 2, 10.3 +/- 14.2; epsilon 3, 6.1 +/- 11.0; epsilon 4, 3.8 +/- 9.6%; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Total plasma cholesterol response to in-hospital diet therapy varies by apolipoprotein E phenotypes, with subjects with apolipoprotein E2 showing the greatest response, whereas those with apolipoprotein E4 show the least. We suggest that subjects with apolipoprotein E4 should be controlled more strictly than other subjects from a viewpoint of reducing plasma cholesterol levels.

Alleles↗
PubMed1993

Effects of long-term, low-fat diet on plasma apo E in familial LCAT deficiency.

To study the metabolic abnormalities in familial lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency, the effects of a long-term, low-fat diet and LCAT replacement therapy on plasma lipids and apolipoproteins were investigated in a patient with LCAT deficiency. The patient had elevated triglycerides (TG, 543.7 mg/dl) and phospholipids (PL, 350.3 mg/dl) and normal total cholesterol (TC, 206.9 mg/dl). Change to a low-fat diet reduced TC and TG by 20% and 75%, respectively. These reductions occurred mainly in the d < 1.006 fraction. At baseline, the patient had normal apolipoprotein B (apo B), low apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) and apolipoprotein A-II (apoA-II) and elevated apolipoprotein E (apo E). Long-term treatment with a low-fat diet increased plasma apoA-I and decreased apo E. However, urinary protein excretion did not change throughout the observed period. LCAT replacement with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) after the low-fat diet further reduced plasma apo E to the normal range. These results indicate that the elevated plasma apo E in LCAT deficiency was related not only to the lack of LCAT in the plasma, but also to fat intake. A low-fat diet may be effective in correcting lipid abnormalities. Moreover, plasma apo E may be a good indicator of the efficacy of diet therapy.

Apolipoproteins E↗
PubMed1992

Sequential activation of MAP kinase activator, MAP kinases, and S6 peptide kinase in intact rat liver following insulin injection.

An insulin-stimulated phosphorylation cascade was examined in rat liver after insulin injection via a portal vein by the use of immune complex kinase assays specific to the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and S6 kinase II homologue (rsk) kinase. We have prepared an antibody against the peptide consisting of a carboxyl-terminal portion of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (alpha C92), one of the MAP kinases, and an antibody against the peptide consisting of the carboxyl terminus of the mouse S6 kinase II homologue (alpha rsk(m)C). In alpha C92 immune complex assay, maximal activation of rat liver MAP kinases (approximately 4.3-fold) were observed 4.5 min after insulin injection. We also observed an insulin-stimulated MAP kinase activity (approximately 3-fold) in liver extracts from insulin-treated rat in fractions eluted from phenyl-Sepharose with 30-50% ethylene glycol. Kinase assay in myelin basic protein (MBP)-containing gel after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by denaturation with 6 M guanidine HCl, and renaturation revealed that insulin injection stimulated the kinase activity of the 42- and 44-kDa proteins, which corresponded to the two distinct MAP kinases. In alpha rsk(m)C immune complex assay, maximal stimulation (approximately 5-fold) of the S6 peptide (Arg-Arg-Leu-Ser-Ser-Leu-Arg-Ala) kinase activity was observed 7.5 min after insulin injection. In addition, MAP kinases purified from insulin-treated rat liver were able to activate S6 peptide kinase activity in vitro in alpha rsk(m)C immunoprecipitates from untreated rat liver, accompanied by the appearance of several phosphorylated bands including a major band at 88 kDa. We also examined whether insulin injection stimulates the MAP kinase activator (Ahn, N. G., Seger, R., Bratlien, R. L., Diltz, C. D., Tonks, N. K., and Krebs, E. G. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 4220-4227) in rat liver. Using recombinant Xenopus MAP kinase, fractions of Q-Sepharose eluted early in the NaCl gradient were found to have MAP kinase activator activity accompanied by the phosphorylation of 42-kDa recombinant Xenopus MAP kinase. From these data, we demonstrate three tiers of a cascade composed of the MAP kinase activator, MAP kinases, and an S6 peptide kinase activity in rat liver under physiological conditions in the intact animal.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1992

Biphasic activation of two mitogen-activated protein kinases during the cell cycle in mammalian cells.

We studied mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activities during the cell cycle of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells using site-specific antibodies against extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1, a 44-kDa MAPK (Boulton, T.G., Yancopoulos, G.D., Gregory, J.S., Slauer, C., Moomaw, C., Hsu, J., and Cobb, M.H. (1990) Science 249, 64-67). These antibodies detected two distinct MAPKs (44- and 42-kDa MAPKs) in CHO cells. CHO cells were arrested at metaphase in the M phase by treatment with nocodazole, and activities of MAPKs were analyzed at specific time points after release from arrest. Immune complex kinase assay and renaturation and phosphorylation assay in substrate-containing gel revealed that both 44- and 42-kDa MAPKs had activities in the G1 through S and G2/M phases and were activated biphasically, in the G1 phase and around the M phase. MAPKs were inactivated in metaphase-arrested cells. The amount of MAPKs did not change significantly in the cell cycle. In the G1, S, and G2/M phases, MAPKs were phosphorylated on both tyrosine and threonine residues and dephosphorylated in metaphase-arrested cells. Our data suggest that MAPKs may play some role in the cell cycle other than G0/G1 transition.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Site-directed mutagenesis of GLUT1 in helix 7 residue 282 results in perturbation of exofacial ligand binding.

The structure-function relationship of the HepG2/erythrocyte-type glucose transporter (GLUT1) has been studied by in vitro site-directed mutagenesis. Chinese hamster ovary clones in which glucose transporters were transfected were shown by Western blotting with a GLUT1 anti-COOH-terminal peptide antibody to have expression levels of Gln282----Leu, Asn288----Ile, and Asn317----Ile mutations that were comparable with the wild type. All three mutant GLUT1 clones had high 2-deoxy-D-glucose transport activity compared with a nontransfected clone, suggesting that these residues are not absolutely required for the transport function. We have examined the possibility that the inner and outer portions of the transport pathway are structurally separate by measuring the interaction of the mutant transporters with the inside site-specific ligand cytochalasin B and the outside site-specific ligand 2-N-4-(1-azi-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)benzoyl-1,3-bis(D-mannos-4 -yloxy)-2- propylamine (ATB-BMPA). All three mutant GLUT1 clones showed high levels of cytochalasin B labeling, and the N288I and N317I mutants showed high levels of ATB-BMPA labeling. In contrast to the transport and cytochalasin B labeling results, the transmembrane helix 7 Gln282----Leu mutant was labeled by ATB-BMPA to a level that was only 5% of the level observed in the wild type. We have confirmed that this mutant was defective in the outer site by comparing the inhibition of wild-type and mutant 2-deoxy-D-glucose transport by the outside site-specific ligand 4,6-O-ethylidene-D-glucose. 4,6-O-Ethylidene-D-glucose inhibited wild-type transport with a Ki of approximately 12 mM, but this was increased to greater than 120 mM in the Gln282----Leu mutant. Thus, of the 3 residues mutated in this study, only glutamine 282 substitution causes a major perturbation in function, and this is a specific and striking reduction in the affinity for the outside site-specific ligands ATB-BMPA and 4,6-O-ethylidene-D-glucose.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Enhanced insulin-induced mitogenesis and mitogen-activated protein kinase activities in mutant insulin receptors with substitution of two COOH-terminal tyrosine autophosphorylation sites by phenylalanine.

We have studied the function of a mutant human insulin receptor in which two COOH-terminal autophosphorylation sites (Tyr-1316 and -1322) were replaced by phenylalanine (F/Y COOH-terminal 2 tyrosines (CT2)). In addition, we have also constructed a mutant receptor in which Lys-1018 in the ATP-binding site was changed to arginine (R/K 1018). Both the wild type insulin receptor (HIR) and the mutant receptors were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by stable transfection. Autophosphorylation of solubilized and partially purified F/Y CT2 was decreased by approximately 30% compared with the HIR. Tyrosine kinase activities of F/Y CT2 and HIR toward exogenous substrates were almost equal. When CHO cells transfected with F/Y CT2 (CHO-F/Y CT2) were stimulated with insulin, autophosphorylation of the beta-subunit of the insulin receptor and the phosphorylation of an endogenous substrate (pp185) in the intact cell were normal compared with cells expressing HIR (CHO-HIR). CHO-F/Y CT2 exhibited the same insulin sensitivity as CHO-HIR with respect to 2-deoxyglucose uptake. However, the dose-response curve of insulin-stimulated thymidine incorporation in CHO-F/Y CT2 was shifted to the left (approximately 5-7-fold) compared with that in CHO-HIR. There was no significant difference in insulin-like growth factor 1-stimulated thymidine incorporation between CHO-F/Y CT2 and CHO-HIR. Furthermore, the dose-response curve of insulin-stimulated kinase activity toward myelin basic protein in CHO-F/Y CT2 was also shifted to the left (approximately 5-fold) compared with that in CHO-HIR. Kinase assays in myelin basic protein-containing gels revealed that both species of MAP kinases (M(r) 44,000, 42,000) were more sensitive to activation by insulin in CHO-F/Y CT2 than in CHO-HIR. This observation was confirmed in immune complex kinase assays toward microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) using specific antibodies against mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. R/K 1018 mutant insulin receptors showed an absence of insulin-stimulated kinase activity and CHO cells transfected with R/K 1018 (CHO-R/K 1018) failed to enhance 2-deoxyglucose uptake or thymidine incorporation in response to insulin. In addition, R/K 1018 kinase-defective insulin receptors were unable to mediate insulin-stimulated MAP kinase activation. These data suggest that: 1) tyrosine kinase activity of the insulin receptor is required for activation of insulin-stimulated MAP kinases and 2) phosphorylation of COOH-terminal tyrosine residues may play an inhibitory role in mitogenic signaling through regulation of MAP kinases.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Detection of mutations in the insulin receptor gene in patients with insulin resistance by analysis of single-stranded conformational polymorphisms.

We analyzed single-stranded conformational polymorphisms to screen for mutations and polymorphisms in the insulin receptor gene in subjects with or without insulin resistance. Using this new technique, we demonstrated the existence of mutations in the insulin receptor gene which we had identified previously. In addition, a new mutation was found in exon 20 of the insulin receptor gene in a patient with moderate insulin resistance associated with morbid obesity, acanthosis nigricans, and polycystic ovary syndrome. The patient was heterozygous for a mutation substituting Leu (CTG) for Pro (CCG) at codon 1178. Pro1178 is a part of a characteristic sequence motif (D1150 F1151 G1152---A1177 P1178 E1179) common to many protein kinases. Analysis of single-stranded conformational polymorphisms was also used to estimate the frequency of a polymorphism at codon 1058. The two codons CAC (1058 His) and CAT (1058 His) both had a prevalence of 50% in 30 Japanese subjects. These data demonstrate that analysis of single-stranded conformational polymorphisms is a simple and sensitive screening method for mutations and polymorphisms in the insulin receptor gene in subjects with or without insulin resistance. Identification of a mutation in the insulin receptor gene in a patient with a moderate degree of insulin resistance associated with morbid obesity suggests that insulin receptor mutations may exist in patients with Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus associated with a moderate degree of insulin resistance.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) gene analysis in a Japanese diabetic with marked islet amyloid deposition.

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is a major constituent of pancreatic amyloid deposits in many patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). We analyzed the IAPP gene in a Japanese diabetic with marked islet amyloid deposition. Pancreatic specimens were obtained from an 87-year-old NIDDM patient who had had diabetes for 37 years. All islets (100/100) in his pancreas had IAPP-positive amyloid deposition, and 70% of the area of the islet was replaced by amyloid. We amplified the coding regions as well as the upstream region of the IAPP gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The products of PCR were sequenced, and the sequences of the coding regions were identical to the Caucasian ones. However, the nucleotides of two positions of 5'-upstream and one position of intron 2 were different from the Caucasian data: the upstream region of the IAPP gene in the patient had cytosine substituted for thymine at -259, and had two alleles including cytosine and adenine at -229, respectively. The nucleotide of position 539, that is guanine, was deleted. A possible difference in the IAPP promoting region between the Japanese and Caucasian population was suggested.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Detection of mutations in the human insulin gene by single strand conformation polymorphisms.

Single strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCP) is the method by which mutations can be detected in DNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This method utilizes the fact that the electrophoretic mobility of single stranded DNA under nondenaturing condition depends not only on its size but also on its conformation. We examined whether this technique could detect five mutations that had previously been identified in the insulin genes of patients with abnormal insulin or familial hyperproinsulinemia. Five mutant insulin genes were constructed by site directed mutagenesis, and the cloned mutant insulin genes were amplified by PCR. All five mutations were detected because they were associated with shifts in the electrophoretic mobility of the DNA fragments. In addition, we analyzed amplified genomic DNA from a patient who is heterozygotes for the Insulin Wakayama mutation A3(Val----Leu). This mutation was also detected by the SSCP technique. We conclude that PCR-SSCP method is a simple, fast, and efficient method for detection of mutations in the human insulin gene.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Structure of the human glucokinase gene and identification of a missense mutation in a Japanese patient with early-onset non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Glucokinase is thought to play a glucose-sensor role in the pancreas, and abnormalities in its structure, function, and regulation can induce diabetes. We isolated the human glucokinase gene, and determined its genomic structure including exon-intron boundaries. Structure of the glucokinase gene in human was very similar to that in rat. Then, by screening Japanese diabetic patients using polymerase chain reaction--single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and direct-sequencing strategies, we identified a missense mutation substituting arginine (AGG) for glycine (GGG) at position 261 in exon 7 of the glucokinase gene in a patient with early-onset non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM).

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Insulin and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate activation of two immunologically distinct myelin basic protein/microtubule-associated protein 2 (MBP/MAP2) kinases via de novo phosphorylation of threonine and tyrosine residues.

Two site-specific antibodies have been prepared by immunizing rabbits with chemically synthesized peptides derived from the partial cDNA-predicted amino acid sequence of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1), which has been proposed to encode the microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) kinase (Boulton, T. G., Yancopoulos, G. D., Gregory, J. S., Slauer, C., Moomaw, C., Hsu, J., and Cobb, M. H. (1990) Science 249, 64-67). With immunoprecipitation in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Western blotting, an antibody to the peptide containing triple tyrosine residues (alpha Y91) resembling one of the insulin receptor autophosphorylation sites specifically recognized 42- and 44-kDa proteins. On the other hand, an antibody to the peptide corresponding to the COOH terminus portions (alpha C92) of the ERK1 cDNA gene product recognized the 44-kDa protein much more efficiently than the 42-kDa protein. With immunoprecipitation in the absence of SDS, alpha Y91 could barely recognize these two proteins and alpha C92 recognized the 44-kDa protein but failed to recognize the 42-kDa protein. Kinase assays in myelin basic protein (MBP)-containing gel, after SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, revealed that insulin or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated MBP kinase activity in alpha Y91 immunoprecipitates comigrated at molecular mass 42 and 44 kDa. On the other hand, the stimulated MBP kinase activity in alpha C92 immunoprecipitates comigrated only at molecular mass 44 kDa. Insulin stimulated the MBP kinase activity in gels and phosphorylation of these two proteins by greater than 10-fold with a maximal level at 5 min. Insulin and TPA rapidly stimulate the phosphorylation of the 42- and 44-kDa proteins via de novo threonine and tyrosine phosphorylation. Tryptic phosphopeptide mapping analysis of the 42- and 44-kDa proteins, respectively, revealed a single major phosphopeptide containing phosphothreonine and phosphotyrosine, which was common to both insulin- and TPA-stimulated phosphoproteins. Protein phosphatase 2A treatment of these two phosphoproteins caused a complete loss of kinase activity with selective dephosphorylation of phosphothreonine. These data strongly suggest that these two proteins are highly related to the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase with an apparent molecular mass of 42 kDa (Ray, L. B., and Sturgill, T. W. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 85, 3753-3757) and that these two immunologically similar but distinct MBP/MAP2 kinases may represent isozymic forms of MBP/MAP2 kinases. These data also demonstrate that insulin and TPA activate MBP/MAP2 kinase activity by de novo phosphorylation of threonine and tyrosine residues via a very similar pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Differential phenotypic expression by three mutant alleles in familial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency.

Familial deficiency of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by abnormalities of all plasma lipoprotein classes and by abnormal deposition of unesterified cholesterol in tissues. To elucidate the molecular basis of the disease, the LCAT genes of three unrelated Japanese patients were amplified by means of the polymerase chain reaction. Direct sequencing of the amplified fragments covering all exons and junctions showed that the patients are homozygotes for separate gene mutations. In one patient a 3 bp insertion, which should cause a substantial change in the enzyme structure, was found in exon 4; he had near absence of LCAT mass and activity. Two separate missense mutations were identified in exon 6 of the other two patients, who produced functionally defective enzymes that differed widely in specific activity. The replacement of asparagine228 with positively charged lysine completely abolished enzyme activity, whereas the other, conservative, aminoacid substitution (methionine293----isoleucine) gave rise to a partially defective enzyme. These results show that distinct mutations cause differences in plasma LCAT activity and LCAT mass, ultimately leading to differential phenotypic expression of familial LCAT deficiency.

Adult↗