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Type II Glanzmann thrombasthenia in a compound heterozygote for the alpha IIb gene. A novel missense mutation in exon 27.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Glanzmann thrombasthenia is an autosomal recessive bleeding disorder characterized by a life-long hemorrhagic tendency and absent or severely reduced platelet aggregation in response to agonists, caused by quantitative or qualitative abnormalities in the platelet fibrinogen receptor, integrin alphaIIb beta3. The aim of this study was to identify the molecular genetic defect and determine its functional consequences in a patient with type II Glanzmann thrombasthenia. DESIGN AND METHODS: The expression of platelet alphaIIb beta3 was determined by flow cytometry and western blotting. Mutations were identified by sequencing both cDNA and genomic DNA. Functional characterization was assessed by exontrap and transient transfection analysis. RESULTS: Flow cytometry and western blot analysis revealed markedly reduced levels of platelet alphaIIb beta3, which may account for the residual fibrinogen binding detected upon platelet activation. Sequencing of genomic DNA revealed the presence of two mutations in the alphaIIb gene: a C1750T transition in the last codon of exon 17 changing Arg553 to STOP, and a C2829T transition in exon 27 that changes Pro912 to Leu. Sequence analysis of reversely transcribed alphaIIb mRNA did not detect cDNA from the C1750T mutant allele, and revealed a significant increase of the physiological splicing out of exon 28 in the cDNA carrying the C2829T mutation. Transient expression of [912Leu]alphaIIb in CHO-b3 cells showed a marked reduction in the rate of surface expression of alphaIIb beta3. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the thrombasthenic phenotype is the result of reduced availability of alphaIIb-mRNA, enhanced expression of exon 28-deleted transcripts, and defective processing of [912Leu]alphaIIb.

Animals↗

Key roles of Phe1112 and Ser1115 in the pore-forming IIIS5-S6 linker of L-type Ca2+ channel alpha1C subunit (CaV 1.2) in binding of dihydropyridines and action of Ca2+ channel agonists.

Voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels are modulated by the binding of Ca2+ channel antagonists and agonists to the pore-forming alpha1c subunit (CaV 1.2). We recently identified Ser1115 in IIIS5-S6 linker of alpha1C subunit as a critical determinant of the action of 1,4-dihydropyridine agonists. In this study, we applied alanine-scanning mutational analysis in IIIS5-S6 linker of rat brain alpha1C subunit (rbCII) to illustrate the role of pore-forming IIIS5-S6 linker in the action of Ca2+ channel modulators. Ca2+ channel currents through wild-type (rbCII) or mutated alpha1C subunits, transiently expressed in BHK6 cells with beta1a and alpha2/delta subunits, were analyzed. The replacement of Phe1112 by Ala (F1112A) significantly impaired the sensitivity to Ca2+ channel agonists (S)-(-)-Bay k 8644 and FPL-64176, and modestly to 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) antagonists. The low sensitivity of F1112A and S1115A to DHP antagonists was consistent with the reduced binding affinity for [3H](+)PN200-110. The replacement of Phe1112 by Tyr, but not by Ala, restored the long openings produced by FPL-64176, thus indicating the critical role of aromatic ring of Phe1112 in the Ca2+ channel agonist action. Interestingly, double-mutant Ca2+ channel (F1112A/S1115A) failed to discriminate between Ca2+ channel agonist (S)-(-)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-[trifluoromethyl] phenyl)-3-pyridine carboxylic acid methyl ester (Bay k 8644) and antagonist (R)-(+)-Bay k 8644 and was blocked by the two enantiomers in an identical manner. These results indicate that both Phe1112 and Ser1115 in linker IIIS5-S6 are required for the action of Ca2+ channel agonists. A model of the DHP receptor is proposed to visualize possible interactions of Phe1112, Ser1115, and other DHP-sensing residues with a typical DHP ligand nifedipine.

Alanine↗

Novel activator protein-2alpha splice-variants function as transactivators of the ovine placental lactogen gene.

Activator protein-2 (AP-2) has been implicated as a transactivator of the human and ovine placental lactogen (oPL) genes. Transcriptional enhancement through an AP-2 cis-acting element has been described for other genes expressed in the placenta, but the AP-2 isoform enhancing expression is species dependent. Transactivation of the oPL minimal promoter (-124 bp to +16 bp) by AP-2 was confirmed by mutational analysis in transiently transfected human choriocarcinoma cells (BeWo). AP-2alpha was localized in ovine chorionic epithelial cells by immunohistochemistry and a 3-kb transcript was identified by Northern hybridization. Four nearly full-length AP-2 cDNAs were isolated from an ovine placenta cDNA library. Nucleotide sequencing these cDNAs revealed that the AP-2 mRNA expressed in the ovine placenta shares identity with human AP-2alpha, but variations in the predicted N-terminus were observed, and three unique AP-2alpha splice-variants were identified. Expression of AP-2alpha variants in HepG2 cells, devoid of endogenous AP-2, indicates that enhancement through the AP-2 element in the oPL gene minimal promoter was variant dependent. RNA transcripts for all of the ovine AP-2alpha splice-variants were confirmed in ovine placenta by RT-PCR, and homologs for two variants were found in human placenta. However, only one AP-2alpha transcript, which shares identity to Xenopus AP-2alpha, was expressed in BeWo cells. Immunoblot analysis confirmed AP-2alpha variants in ovine chorionic binucleate cell nuclear extracts, one of which migrates similar to the AP-2alpha variant identified in BeWo cell nuclear extracts. These data indicate the presence of new mammalian AP-2alpha splice-variants that augment transactivation of the oPL gene in ovine chorionic binucleate cells.

Alternative Splicing↗

Tyrosine 220 in the 5th transmembrane domain of the neuromedin B receptor is critical for the high selectivity of the peptoid antagonist PD168368.

Peptoid antagonists are increasingly being described for G protein-coupled receptors; however, little is known about the molecular basis of their binding. Recently, the peptoid PD168368 was found to be a potent selective neuromedin B receptor (NMBR) antagonist. To investigate the molecular basis for its selectivity for the NMBR over the closely related receptor for gastrin-releasing peptide (GRPR), we used a chimeric receptor approach and a site-directed mutagenesis approach. Mutated receptors were transiently expressed in Balb 3T3. The extracellular domains of the NMBR were not important for the selectivity of PD168368. However, substitution of the 5th upper transmembrane domain (uTM5) of the NMBR by the comparable GRPR domains decreased the affinity 16-fold. When the reverse study was performed by substituting the uTM5 of NMBR into the GRPR, a 9-fold increase in affinity occurred. Each of the 4 amino acids that differed between NMBR and GRPR in the uTM5 region were exchanged, but only the substitution of Phe(220) for Tyr in the NMBR caused a decrease in affinity. When the reverse study was performed to attempt to demonstrate a gain of affinity in the GRPR, the substitution of Tyr(219) for Phe caused an increase in affinity. These results suggest that the hydroxyl group of Tyr(220) in uTM5 of NMBR plays a critical role for high selectivity of PD168368 for NMBR over GRPR. Receptor and ligand modeling suggests that the hydroxyl of the Tyr(220) interacts with nitrophenyl group of PD168368 likely primarily by hydrogen bonding. This result shows the selectivity of the peptoid PD168368, similar to that reported for numerous non-peptide analogues with other G protein-coupled receptors, is primarily dependent on interaction with transmembrane amino acids.

3T3 Cells↗

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins as regulators of gene expression through interactions with the human thymidine kinase promoter.

In search for nuclear proteins that interact with the human thymidine kinase (htk) promoter, we discovered that p37AUF, a hnRNP C-like protein, and hnRNP A1, both members of the heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein family, can bind with high affinity to an ATTT sequence motif contained within the cell cycle regulatory unit (CCRU). We report here that over-expression of p37AUF stimulates gene expression mediated by the htk promoter in a promoter-sequence specific manner, whereas hnRNP A1 suppresses it. Both recombinant p37AUF and hnRNP A1 can bind the htk CCRU, suggesting that their binding to the DNA target does not require additional cellular components. We further discovered that hnRNP K is a potent suppressor of htk mediated gene activity. However, its mechanism of action is mediated through protein-protein interaction, since hnRNP K itself cannot bind the htk CCRU but can competitively inhibit the binding of other hnRNPs. The binding site for the hnRNPs on the htk CCRU is not required for S-phase induction of the htk promoter. However, in stable but not transient transfectants, the mutation of the hnRNP binding site results in 5- to 10-fold reduction of htk mediated gene activity in synchronized and exponentially growing cells. Collectively, these findings support emerging evidence that hnRNPs, in addition to their traditional role in RNA biogenesis, could be regulators of gene expression through direct DNA binding or interaction with other proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A negative regulatory element within the proximal promoter region of the rat ornithine decarboxylase gene.

A putative Ets site with a core of GGAA located at nt -88 to -85 of the rat ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene was characterized by site-directed mutagenesis and transient expression assays. Mutation of this site, when in pODClux2m, which contains a cluster of four Sp1-binding sites, resulted in a 2.6-fold increase in basal promoter activity in untreated cells, whereas the ratio of activity in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-treated cells relative to the ratio in untreated cells (the induction ratio) remained largely unchanged. However, when the mutation was in pODClux168, which contains only a single Sp1-binding site (GC box V), it caused little alteration to either basal promoter activity or TPA induction ratio. A protein of 55-60 kDa was found specifically bound to this site, as shown by ultraviolet cross-linking assay. In competition assay and methylation interference assay, this protein was shown to occupy the GGAA core, although it showed no antigenic relation to c-Ets-1 in an supershift assay. We suggest that this protein binds specifically to the GGAA core and functions to inhibit activation of the ODC promoter by distal elements, including the upstream Sp1 sites.

Animals↗

NFE, a new transcriptional activator that facilitates p50 and c-Rel-dependent IgH 3' enhancer activity.

The induction of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) 3' enhancer activity has been coupled to ligand/receptor-dependent activation of resting B cells. To search for transcriptional target sites that account for this induction, extracts from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated B cells and cell lines were used. Here we describe, by gel-retardation analysis, the identification of an NF-kappaB site and an adjacent nuclear factor ets-like (NFE) site in the 3' enhancer. The NFE motif binds four protein complexes in resting B cell extracts, of which two are down-regulated upon LPS stimulation. Gel shift-shift experiments of the NF-kappaB complexes with specific antibodies identified p50 and c-Rel proteins to be the predominant factors in primary LPS-stimulated cell extracts. Site-directed mutagenesis of these motifs demonstrates that they contribute to part of the enhancer activity in plasma cells. One copy of the NFkappaB/NFE motifs, linked to a heterologous reporter construct, displays lymphoid-restricted reporter gene activity in transient transfection assays. Mutation of either site abrogates all promoter activity. Complementation experiments demonstrate that although p50 and c-Rel expression vectors reconstitute transcription of an intact NF-kappaB/NFE reporter construct in a dose-dependent manner, mutation of the NFE site or the NF-kappaB site abrogates essentially all transcriptional activity in both plasma cells and in COS cells. Taken together, we provide evidence for the existence of an activator, NFE, which in combination with the p50 and c-Rel proteins, are part of the transcription factor machinery that regulates 3' enhancer activity, and thus the control of the IgH locus in late B lymphocyte development.

Animals↗

Identification of the caprine arthritis encephalitis virus Rev protein and its cis-acting Rev-responsive element.

Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus (CAEV) is a lentivirus closely related to visna virus of sheep and more distantly related to the human lentivirus HIV-1. The genomes of lentiviruses contain additional genes that regulate the lentivirus gene expression; one of these is Rev, a protein that regulates the expression of viral proteins via post-transcriptional mechanisms. A cDNA clone was isolated from CAEV infected cells and shown to encode the 18-kDa Rev protein of CAEV. Antibodies against CAEV Rev (Rev-C) demonstrated that the CAEV Rev protein accumulated in the nucleus and in particular in the nucleolus of transiently transfected cells. Mutation of a basic region in the CAEV Rev protein resulted in loss of nucleolar localization. A highly structured RNA element has been identified in the env gene of CAEV (nt 7850-8150); its structure and location suggested that it was analogous to the Rev-responsive element (RRE) of HIV-1 and visna virus. A 300-bp fragment (nt 7850-8150) spanning this region was substituted for the HIV-1 RRE in an HIV-1 Gag expression vector. Expression of the Gag protein was dramatically increased when Rev-C was added in trans, indicating that this fragment contained the cis-acting CAEV Rev Responsive Element. Cross-activation by the Rev/Rex proteins of other lentiviruses and members of the HTLV-I family indicated that this RRE could interact with Rev or Rex proteins of other viruses. This suggests that the highly divergent lentiviruses share similar mechanisms and cofactors regulating post-transcriptional viral gene expression. The Rev/RRE mechanism is thus the most conserved regulatory mechanism in lentiviruses and other complex retroviruses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Phosphorylation of the Sendai virus M protein is not essential for virus replication either in vitro or in vivo.

A large proportion of intracellular Sendai virus (SeV) M proteins is phosphorylated, but in mature virions the M protein is not phosphorylated or dephosphorylated. Phosphorylated M protein in cells is bound to the cytoskeletal components more firmly than unphosphorylated M protein. Thus it has been hypothesized that M protein phosphorylation plays an important role in the virus life cycle, especially in the step of maturation. Here, a transient expression-mutation experiment of the M gene demonstrated that a change of the Ser residue at the 70th position from the N-terminus to Ala (S70A) totally abolished M protein phosphorylation, strongly suggesting that this residue is phosphorylated. The mutated M gene was then placed in the corresponding region in the cDNA plasmid which generates a full-length antigenome SeV RNA, and a mutant SeV M-S70A was successfully recovered from the cDNA. This mutant virus was indeed defective in M protein phosphorylation but did not differ at all from the wild-type SeV recovered from the parental cDNA either in the replication kinetics and plaque morphology in cultured cells or in in vivo replication and pathogenicity for mice. We thus concluded that no phosphorylation of the M protein was required for SeV replication either in vitro or in vivo.

Animals↗

AcMNPV late expression factor-5 interacts with itself and contains a zinc ribbon domain that is required for maximal late transcription activity and is homologous to elongation factor TFIIS.

The late expression factor-5 gene (lef-5) of Autographa californica multinucleocapsid polyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) is required for late gene expression. In this paper, we demonstrate that LEF-5 interacts with itself in the yeast two-hybrid system and in glutathione-S-transferase affinity assays. Deletion analysis suggested that the C-terminal 71 amino acids (aa) were not required for interaction. However, all deletions tested involving the N-terminal 194 aa significantly reduced LEF-5:LEF-5 interaction. LEF-5 or LEF-5 deletion mutants were transfected into Sf-9 cells with the full complement of genes required for baculovirus late transcription. All deletion clones tested reduced expression of a beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene under control of the late vp39 capsid promoter. Amino-acid sequence analysis of LEF-5 identified a previously unreported domain within the C-terminal 32 aa that is homologous to the zinc ribbon domain of RNA polymerase II elongation factor IIS (TFIIS) from a variety of taxa. Molecular modeling of the putative LEF-5 Zn ribbon using the NMR data available for the Zn ribbon of TFIIS suggested that this domain could fold into a Zn ribbon structure similar to TFIIS. Alanine scanning mutagenesis of amino acids predicted to be important for functioning of the LEF-5 ribbon structure significantly reduced LEF-5 activity in transient expression assays. Mutations changing the amino acids predicted to coordinate Zn2+ caused a reduction in activity similar to that when the domain was eliminated completely.

Alanine↗

Hemagglutinin residues of recent human A(H3N2) influenza viruses that contribute to the inability to agglutinate chicken erythrocytes.

To identify the molecular determinants contributing to the inability of recent human influenza A(H3N2) viruses to agglutinate chicken erythrocytes, phenotypic revertants were selected upon passage in eggs or MDCK cells. The Leu194Ile or Val226Ile substitutions were detected in their hemagglutinin (HA) sequence concomitantly with the phenotypic reversion. Remarkably, as little as 3.5% of variants bearing a Val226Ile substitution was found to confer the ability to agglutinate chicken erythrocytes to the virus population. Hemadsorption assays following transient expression of mutated HA proteins showed that the successive Gln226 --> Leu --> Ile --> Val changes observed on natural isolates resulted in a progressive loss of the ability of the HA to bind chicken erythrocytes. The Val226Ile change maintained the preference of the HA for SAalpha2,6Gal over SAalpha2,3Gal and enhanced binding of the HA to alpha2,6Gal receptors present on chicken erythrocytes. In contrast, simultaneous Ser193Arg and Leu194Ile substitutions that were found to confer the ability to agglutinate sheep erythrocytes increased the affinity of the HA for SAalpha2,3Gal.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Identification of extragenic suppressors of the cif1 mutation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The cif1 mutation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae causes inability to grow on glucose and related fermentable carbon sources. We have isolated two different suppressor mutations that allow growth on glucose of yeasts carrying the cif1 mutation. One of them, sci1-1, is recessive and caused inability to grow on non-fermentable carbon sources and to de-repress fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase. The other suppressor mutation, SCI2-1, is dominant and diminished the capacity to phosphorylate glucose or fructose. The SCI2-1 mutation decreased sporulation efficiency by 70% in heterozygosis and by more than 90% in homozygosis. In a CIF1 background, cells carrying the mutation SCI2-1 accumulated trehalose during the logarithmic phase of growth and hyperaccumulated it during the stationary phase. Genetic tests showed that SCI2 was either allelic, or else closely linked, to HXK2. The concentrations of the glycolytic metabolites measured during growth on glucose in cells carrying the cif1 mutation and any of the suppressor mutations were similar to those of a wild-type. Both types of suppressor mutations restored the transient cAMP response to glucose to cif1 mutants.

Fructose-Bisphosphatase↗

Emerging roles of TRPM6/TRPM7 channel kinase signal transduction complexes.

Investigations into Drosophila mutants with impaired vision due to mutations in the transient receptor potential gene (trp) initiated a systematic search for TRP homologs in other species, finally leading to the discovery of a whole new family of plasma membrane cation channels involved in multiple physiological processes. Among the recently discovered TRP cation channels two homologous proteins, TRPM6 and TRPM7, display unique domain compositions and biophysical properties. These remarkable genes are vital for Mg(2+) homeostasis in vertebrates and, if disrupted, lead to cell death or human disease.

Animals↗

Chromatin structure of hormono-dependent promoters.

Transient transfections of mutated MMTV LTRs, driving the luciferase reporter gene, have shown the presence of at least one cis-acting element cooperating with the GREs. Studies of the chromatin structure of two glucocorticoid-regulated promoters, the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) long terminal repeat (LTR), a retroviral promoter, and the rat tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) promoter, demonstrate that both DNAs are organized into precisely positioned nucleosomes. Hormonal activation of transcription is accompanied by structural changes of one (MMTV LTR) or two (TAT promoter) nucleosomes associated with the hormone-response elements (HREs). These changes can be visualized by the appearance of DNasel hypersensitive sites. Association of the hormone-receptor complex with the nucleus is necessary to induce the DNasel hypersensitive site and to maintain transcription, but is not necessary to maintain DNasel hypersensitivity. Anti-hormones, even when able to promote a strong binding of the receptor to the nucleus, are unable to induce the chromatin structural change. Using cell lines containing approx. 200 copies of a MMTV LTR/Hv-ras chimeric construct, we have demonstrated a strong, hormono-independent nuclear matrix interaction of sequences located just upstream and downstream of the ras coding sequences.

Animals↗

An alternative genetic method to test essential vaccinia virus early genes.

The vaccinia virus F11L gene product was identified during search for additional factors involved in the control of post-replicative viral gene transcription elongation. F11L is a 1065 base pairs (354 aminoacids) gene expressed early during infection with no attributed function. The F11L gene is conserved in many but not all poxviruses. The essential presence of the F11L gene was tested using two different genetic methods. F11L gene disruption by insertion of a selectable cassette containing the Escherichia coli guanine phosphoribosyl transferase gene driven by the viral early-late 7.5K transcriptional promoter resulted exclusively in recombinant viruses containing both the wild type and disrupted alleles, indicating that the F11L gene was essential. However, an alternative test, using transient dominant selection to insert nonsense mutations into the F11L gene, proved that the F11L gene was non-essential for growth in culture. These experiments suggest that misleading results can be obtained using gene insertional mutagenesis as a test of essential presence of the gene. The experiments also provide genetic data on the probability of co-insertion of linked mutations in vaccinia virus genome using transient dominant selection.

Blotting, Western↗

Excitation of Drosophila photoreceptors by BAPTA and ionomycin: evidence for capacitative Ca2+ entry?

It has been suggested that excitation in Drosophila photoreceptors may be mediated by the depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores (capacitative Ca2+ entry). To investigate this hypothesis, simultaneous whole-cell recordings and Indo-1 Ca2+ measurements were made from dissociated Drosophila photoreceptors, whilst testing the effects of Ca2+ releasing agents. In Ca2+ free Ringer's solution, thapsigargin raised cytosolic Ca2+ by approximately 80 nM; subsequent application of ionomycin released further Ca2+ (approximately 100 nM). A possible third compartment was indicated by the ability of monensin to mobilize further Ca2+ after saturating doses of ionomycin. Under most conditions, none of these agents activated an inward conductance, and their effects on the light response were consistent with their effects on cytosolic Ca2+. However, in the absence of both external Ca2+ and Mg2+ (to relieve a Mg2+ block of the light-sensitive channels), and after loading cells with BAPTA buffering cytosolic free Ca2+ at approximately 10 nM, ionomycin (but not thapsigargin) activated inward currents of approximately 800 pA. The response to ionomycin was enhanced (10 nA) by buffering cytosolic Ca2+ at 250 nM. A similar current also developed after approximately 3 min in cells loaded with Ca-BAPTA without any ionomycin application. The current-voltage relationships of currents activated by Ca-BAPTA or ionomycin were indistinguishable from that of the light-activated conductance and were similarly affected by a null mutation of the transient receptor potential (trp) gene which is believed to encode a subunit of the light-sensitive channels. These experiments provide some evidence for the suggestion that the light-activated and trp-dependent conductance in Drosophila photoreceptors can be activated by depletion of internal stores. However, activation by Ca-BAPTA and ionomycin had an absolute requirement for cytosolic Ca2+ as no currents could be activated by ionomycin in cells loaded with BAPTA and no Ca2+.

Animals↗

Suppression of promoter activity of the LAT gene by IE180 of pseudorabies virus.

The latency-associated transcript (LAT) gene is the only viral genomic region that is abundantly transcribed during pseudorabies virus (PrV) latent infection. The mechanism of reactivation of PrV from latency remains unknown. To analyze the regulation mechanism of the LAT promoter, we constructed a series of recombinant vectors in which various sequences upstream of LAT were linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. Transcriptional efficiency was examined by cotransfection with plasmids carrying the PrV IE, EP0, or gD gene, respectively. Results showed that the activity of PrV LAT promoter was dramatically repressed by the IE180 protein and a TATA box and a putative IE180 binding site within the promoter were involved in this repression. To dissect the functional domains of IE180, we compared the relative repressive abilities of IE180 variants to the LAT promoter by transient transfection assays. Mutational analysis demonstrated that almost the whole IE180 (amino acid residues 1-1440) are essential for its repression to LAT promoter. To explore the possible mechanism of repression, an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) using nuclear extracts from neuronal cells was performed and formation of protein-DNA complexes between IE180 and the oligonucleotide probe (-46 to -19, relative to the start site of LAT transcription) was demonstrated. The association of IE180 with the region encompassing the putative IE180 binding site and the TATA box upstream of PrV LAT gene was further confirmed by supershift of EMSA complexes using IE180 specific antibody. Thus, our results suggested that IE180 repressed the LAT promoter via an interaction between IE180, LAT promoter and cellular protein(s).

Animals↗

Novel keratin 16 mutations and protein expression studies in pachyonychia congenita type 1 and focal palmoplantar keratoderma.

Pachyonychia congenita type 1 (PC-1) is an autosomal dominant ectodermal dysplasia characterized by nail dystrophy, focal non-epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (FNEPPK) and oral lesions. We have previously shown that mutations in keratin 16 (K16) cause fragility of specific epithelia resulting in phenotypes of PC-1 or FNEPPK alone. Here, we report 2 novel mutations in K16 causing distinct phenotypes. A heterozygous missense mutation (L124R) was detected in a kindred with PC-1. In a family where mild FNEPPK was the only phenotype, a 23 bp deletion and a separate 1 bp deletion downstream were found in exon 6: [1244-1266del; 1270delG]. At the protein level, these mutations remove 8 residues and substitute 2 residues in the helix termination motif (HTM) of the K16 polypeptide. The HTM sequence is conserved in all known intermediate filament proteins and for convenience, this complex mutation was designated deltaHTM. Transient expression of K16 cDNAs carrying either the L124R or the deltaHTM mutation in epithelial cell line PtK2 produced aggregation of the keratin cytoskeleton. However, the aggregates observed with the deltaHTM mutation were morphologically different and appeared to be less disruptive to the endogenous cytoskeleton. Therefore, loss of the HTM sequence may render this mutant K16 less capable of contributing to filament assembly and decrease its dominant-negative effect, resulting in the milder FNEPPK phenotype.

Base Sequence↗