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The mutated human gene encoding hepatocyte nuclear factor 1beta inhibits kidney formation in developing Xenopus embryos.

The transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor 1beta (HNF1beta) is a tissue-specific regulator that also plays an essential role in early development of vertebrates. In humans, four heterozygous mutations in the HNF1beta gene have been identified that lead to early onset of diabetes and severe primary renal defects. The degree and type of renal defects seem to depend on the specific mutation. We show that the frameshift mutant P328L329fsdelCCTCT associated with nephron agenesis retains its DNA-binding properties and acts as a gain-of-function mutation with increased transactivation potential in transfection experiments. Expression of this mutated factor in the Xenopus embryo leads to defective development and agenesis of the pronephros, the first kidney form of amphibians. Very similar defects are generated by overexpressing in Xenopus the wild-type HNF1beta, which is consistent with the gain-of-function property of the mutant. In contrast, introduction of the human HNF1beta mutant R137-K161del, which is associated with a reduced number of nephrons with hypertrophy of the remaining ones and which has an impaired DNA binding, shows only a minor effect on pronephros development in Xenopus. Thus, the overexpression of both human mutants has a different effect on renal development in Xenopus, reflecting the variation in renal phenotype seen with these mutations. We conclude that mutations in human HNF1beta can be functionally characterized in Xenopus. Our findings imply that HNF1beta not only is an early marker of kidney development but also is functionally involved in morphogenetic events, and these processes can be investigated in lower vertebrates.

Animals↗

The homeotic gene Sex combs reduced of Drosophila melanogaster is differentially regulated in the embryonic and imaginal stages of development.

The Sex combs reduced (Scr) locus is unique among the genes contained within the Antennapedia complex (ANT-C) of Drosophila melanogaster in that it directs functions that are required for both cephalic and thoracic development in the embryo and the adult. Antibodies raised against protein encoded by Scr were used to follow the distribution of this gene product in embryos and imaginal discs of third instar larvae. Analysis of Scr protein accumulation in embryos hemizygous for breakpoint lesions mapping throughout the locus has allowed us to determine that sequences required for establishment of the Scr embryonic pattern are contained within a region of DNA that overlaps with the identified upstream regulatory region of the segmentation gene fushi tarazu (ftz). Gain-of-function mutations in Scr result in the presence of ectopic sex comb teeth on the first tarsal segment of mesothoracic and metathoracic legs of adult males. Heterozygous combinations of gain-of-function alleles with a wild-type Scr gene exhibit no evidence of ectopic protein localization in the second and third thoracic segments of embryos. However, mesothoracic and metathoracic leg imaginal discs can be shown to accumulate ectopically expressed Scr protein, implying a differential regulation of the Scr gene during these two periods of development. Additionally, we have found that the spatial pattern of Scr gene expression in imaginal tissues involved in the development of the adult thorax is governed in part by synapsis of homologous chromosomes in this region of the ANT-C. However, those imaginal discs that arise anteriorly to the prothorax do not appear to be sensitive to this form of gene regulation. Finally, we have demonstrated that the extent of Scr expression is influenced by mutations at the Polycomb (Pc) locus but not by mutant alleles of the zeste (z) gene. Taken together, our data suggests that Scr gene expression is differentially regulated both temporally and spatially in a manner that is sensitive to the structure of the locus.

Animals↗

Molecular biology and clinical importance of the Ca(2+)-sensing receptor.

The Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CaR) is a member of the seven-transmembrane domain, G protein-coupled receptor super-family. In the parathyroid gland, it mediates the inhibitory effects of extracellular Ca2+ on the secretion of parathyroid hormone. In the kidney, activation of the CaR causes decreased reabsorption of Ca2+ from the tubular lumen. Mutations in the CaR gene produce abnormalities of Ca2+ homeostasis. Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations cause familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia. Homozygous loss-of-function mutations cause neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism. In contrast, gain-of-function CaR mutations result in autosomal dominant and sporadic hypoparathyroidism. The resulting hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia can range from asymptomatic to life-threatening. Patients with hypocalcemia due to CaR mutations also show disproportionate hypercalciuria that may increase the risk of nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, and renal insufficiency.

Calcium↗

Mutations in c-kit gene exons 9 and 13 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors among Japanese.

Gain-of-function mutation in c-kit proto-oncogene exon 11 has been described in about 20 -- 50% of gastrointestinal stroma tumor (GIST). Recently, additional mutational hot-spots in exon 9 and exon 13 of the c-kit gene have been reported in GISTs without mutations of exon 11, but a subsequent report in a Western population indicated that only a small portion of GISTs (eight of 200 GISTs, 4%) showed mutations in these regions. In this study, we evaluated mutations in exon 9 and exon 13 of the c-kit gene by both polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing in 48 GISTs in a Japanese population, for which the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features and mutations in exon 11 had previously been reported. C-kit gene mutation in exon 9, representing insertion of GCC TAT, was identified in only 4 of 48 GISTs (8%), and none of the GISTs had mutations in exon 13. All four GISTs with mutation in exon 9 were high-risk, and the patients died of multiple tumor metastasis. Mutations in exon 9 and exon 13 of the c-kit gene were also rare events in Japanese GISTs and were related to a poor prognosis. These results in Japanese are consistent with those in Western populations, although a preferential occurrence of GISTs with exon 9 mutation in the small intestine, which was suggested in a previous report, was not observed.

Actins↗

A novel missense mutation, F826Y, in the mineralocorticoid receptor gene in Japanese hypertensives: its implications for clinical phenotypes.

A gain-of-function mutation resulting in the S810L amino acid substitution in the hormone-binding domain of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR, locus symbol NR3C2) is responsible for early-onset hypertension that is exacerbated in pregnancy. The objective of this study was to test whether other types of missense mutations in the hormone-binding domain could be implicated in hypertension in Japanese. Here, we screened 942 Japanese patients with hypertension for the S810L mutation in exon 6 in the MR. We did not identify the S810L mutation in our hypertensive population, indicating that S810L does not play a major role in the etiology of essential hypertension in Japanese. However, we identified a novel missense mutation, F826Y, in three patients in a heterozygous state, in addition to four single nucleotide polymorphisms, including one synonymous mutation (L809L). The F826Y mutation is present in the MR hormone-binding domain and might affect the ligand affinity. The F826Y mutation was also identified in 13 individuals (5 hypertensives and 8 normotensives) in a Japanese general population (n=3,655). The allele frequency was 0.00178. The frequencies of the F826Y mutation in the hypertensive population (3/942) and in the hypertensive group (5/ 1,480) and the normotensive group (8/2,175) in the general population were not significantly different, suggesting that this mutation does not greatly affect hypertension. Although it is unclear at present whether or not the F826Y mutation makes a substantial contribution to the mineralocorticoid receptor activity, this missense mutation may contribute, to some extent, to clinical phenotypes through its effects on MR.

Aged↗

Oscillatory Ca2+ signaling in the isolated Caenorhabditis elegans intestine: role of the inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor and phospholipases C beta and gamma.

Defecation in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a readily observable ultradian behavioral rhythm that occurs once every 45-50 s and is mediated in part by posterior body wall muscle contraction (pBoc). pBoc is not regulated by neural input but instead is likely controlled by rhythmic Ca(2+) oscillations in the intestinal epithelium. We developed an isolated nematode intestine preparation that allows combined physiological, genetic, and molecular characterization of oscillatory Ca(2+) signaling. Isolated intestines loaded with fluo-4 AM exhibit spontaneous rhythmic Ca(2+) oscillations with a period of approximately 50 s. Oscillations were only detected in the apical cell pole of the intestinal epithelium and occur as a posterior-to-anterior moving intercellular Ca(2+) wave. Loss-of-function mutations in the inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) receptor ITR-1 reduce pBoc and Ca(2+) oscillation frequency and intercellular Ca(2+) wave velocity. In contrast, gain-of-function mutations in the IP(3) binding and regulatory domains of ITR-1 have no effect on pBoc or Ca(2+) oscillation frequency but dramatically increase the speed of the intercellular Ca(2+) wave. Systemic RNA interference (RNAi) screening of the six C. elegans phospholipase C (PLC)-encoding genes demonstrated that pBoc and Ca(2+) oscillations require the combined function of PLC-gamma and PLC-beta homologues. Disruption of PLC-gamma and PLC-beta activity by mutation or RNAi induced arrhythmia in pBoc and intestinal Ca(2+) oscillations. The function of the two enzymes is additive. Epistasis analysis suggests that PLC-gamma functions primarily to generate IP(3) that controls ITR-1 activity. In contrast, IP(3) generated by PLC-beta appears to play little or no direct role in ITR-1 regulation. PLC-beta may function instead to control PIP(2) levels and/or G protein signaling events. Our findings provide new insights into intestinal cell Ca(2+) signaling mechanisms and establish C. elegans as a powerful model system for defining the gene networks and molecular mechanisms that underlie the generation and regulation of Ca(2+) oscillations and intercellular Ca(2+) waves in nonexcitable cells.

Animals↗

The Drosophila roughened mutation: activation of a rap homolog disrupts eye development and interferes with cell determination.

Roughened is a dominant mutation of D. melanogaster that disrupts eye development. The majority of the ommatidia in the adult eye lack a single photoreceptor cell, which is most commonly the R7 cell. The Roughened mutation disrupts the early stages of photoreceptor cell determination. Roughened is a dominant gain-of-function mutation that results from a single amino acid change (Phe157 to Leu) in the Drosophila Rap1 protein. Loss of function Rap1 mutations are lethal. Drosophila Rap1 protein is 88% identical to human rap1A/K-rev1 protein, a putative antagonist of ras action.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

RET tyrosine kinase signaling in development and cancer.

The variety of diseases caused by mutations in RET receptor tyrosine kinase provides a classic example of phenotypic heterogeneity. Gain-of-function mutations of RET are associated with human cancer. Gene rearrangements juxtaposing the tyrosine kinase domain to heterologous gene partners have been found in sporadic papillary carcinomas of the thyroid (PTC). These rearrangements generate chimeric RET/PTC oncogenes. In the germline, point mutations of RET are responsible for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2A and 2B) and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC). Both MEN 2 mutations and PTC gene rearrangements potentiate the intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity of RET and, ultimately, activate the RET downstream targets. Loss-of-function mutations of RET cause Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) or colonic aganglionosis. A deeper understanding of the molecular signaling of normal versus abnormal RET activity in cancer will enable the development of potential new treatments for patients with sporadic and inherited thyroid cancer or MEN 2 syndrome. We now review the role and mechanisms of RET signaling in development and carcinogenesis.

Hirschsprung Disease↗

Dominant unc-37 mutations suppress the movement defect of a homeodomain mutation in unc-4, a neural specificity gene in Caenorhabditis elegans.

The unc-4 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans encodes a homeodomain protein that defines synaptic input to ventral cord motor neurons. unc-4 mutants are unable to crawl backward because VA motor neurons are miswired with synaptic connections normally reserved for their sister cells, the VB motor neurons. These changes in connectivity are not accompanied by any visible effects upon neuronal morphology, which suggests that unc-4 regulates synaptic specificity but not axonal guidance or outgrowth. In an effort to identify other genes in the unc-4 pathway, we have devised a selection scheme for rare mutations that suppress the Unc-4 phenotype. We have isolated four, dominant, extragenic, allele-specific suppressors of unc-4(e2322ts), a temperature sensitive allele with a point mutation in the unc-4 homeodomain. Our data indicate that these suppressors are gain-of-function mutations in the previously identified unc-37 gene. We show that the loss-of-function mutation unc-37(e262) phenocopies the Unc-4 movement defect but does not prevent unc-4 expression or alter VA motor neuron morphology. These findings suggest that unc-37 functions with unc-4 to specify synaptic input to the VA motor neurons. We propose that unc-37 may be regulated by unc-4. Alternatively, unc-37 may encode a gene product that interacts with the unc-4 homeodomain.

Alleles↗

Onco-suppressor genes in human cancer.

The analysis of the molecular mechanisms governing multistep carcinogenesis became experimentally approachable since the identification and characterization in tumor cells of altered or activated versions of cellular genes (oncogenes) that normally control cell growth and differentiation. The activating mutations confer new properties to the oncogene products and should therefore be considered as gain of function mutations. In addition, the oncogenes appear to act as dominant genetic traits since they act also in the presence of the homologous wild-type allele. However, the concept of a dominance of the transformed phenotype has been challenged by early experiments with somatic cell hybrids which showed that the fusion of normal and malignant cells may suppress the tumorigenic phenotype. The suppression or reversion of the malignant phenotype by the introduction of a normal chromosome into a tumor cell line has lent support to the idea that a family of cellular genes are coding for factors capable to interact with the cell-growth control machinery. These genes seem to reconstitute the normal control of cell growth even in the presence of an activated oncogene. In addition, a two-mutation model has been proposed to explain the epidemiological and clinical features of childhood cancers. According to the model, the development of these malignancies can be caused by the loss or inactivation of both alleles of cellular genes, as suggested by the somatic cell hybrid experiments where the function of the inactivated genes is restored by the contribution of those derived from the normal parental cells. This family of genes is designated as onco-suppressor genes since their product is necessary for the normal regulated cell growth and is lacking or inactivated in malignant cells. At gene level they should be considered as recessive genetic traits, since the tumor phenotype appears when both alleles of an onco-suppressor gene are inactivated. The mutations affecting their normal functions belong to the type "loss of function". The molecular analysis of retinoblastoma has led to the cloning and sequencing of the related onco-suppressor gene (RB gene) whose product displays the features of a gene-regulatory protein. In addition, a binding between the RB product and various viral onco-proteins (E1A, large T, E7) has been demonstrated, thus suggesting a mechanism of RB inactivation by which some DNA viruses can transform the host cell.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Humans↗

Craniofacial disorders caused by mutations in homeobox genes MSX1 and MSX2.

The molecular biology of the homeobox genes MSX1 and MSX2 is reviewed. In a selective type of tooth agenesis, an MSX1 G --> C transversion results in a missense mutation Arg31Pro. The phenotype is due to haploinsufficiency. Boston-type craniosynostosis involves an MSX2 C --> A transversion, resulting in a missense mutation Pro7His. Three different mutations on MSX2 cause parietal foramina by haploinsufficiency. These mutations, which result in decreased parietal ossification, are in marked contrast to the gain-of-function mutation for Boston-type craniosynostosis, which results in increased sutural ossification.

Animals↗

JAK2 (V617F) as an acquired somatic mutation and a secondary genetic event associated with disease progression in familial myeloproliferative disorders.

BACKGROUND: A somatic gain-of-function mutation of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene has been identified in chronic myeloproliferative disorders, which appear to have a sporadic occurrence in most individuals. The authors studied the biologic significance of the JAK2 (V617F) mutation in familial myeloproliferative disorders. METHODS: Twenty pedigrees with familial chronic myeloproliferative disorders were identified through an investigation of family history in 264 patients with sporadic myeloproliferative disorders. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR)-based allelic discrimination assay was employed for the detection of the V617F mutation in circulating granulocytes and T lymphocytes. An analysis of X-chromosome inactivation pattern was performed in female patients. RESULTS: Fourteen families had homogeneous phenotypes, and 6 families had mixed phenotypes. By using a qRT-PCR-based allelic discrimination assay, the JAK2 (V617F) mutation was detected in circulating granulocytes from 20 of 31 patients, but the mutation was not detected in T lymphocytes. Granulocyte mutant alleles ranged from 2.1% to 91.5% and, on average, increased with time. Discordant distribution of the JAK2 (V617F) mutation was observed in siblings with polycythemia vera. The proportion of granulocytes that carried the JAK2 (V617F) mutation was lower than the proportion of clonal granulocytes, as determined in an analysis of X-chromosome inactivation patterns in female patients. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings indicated that the JAK2 (V617F) mutation represents an acquired somatic mutation in patients with familial chronic myeloproliferative disorders and probably occurs as a secondary genetic event in the background of preexisting clonal hematopoiesis. Thus, a genetic predisposition to acquisition of JAK2 (V617F) is inherited in families with myeloproliferative disorders.

Adolescent↗

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate signaling regulates rhythmic contractile activity of myoepithelial sheath cells in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Intercellular communication between germ cells and neighboring somatic cells is essential for reproduction. Caenorhabditis elegans oocytes are surrounded by and coupled via gap junctions to smooth muscle-like myoepithelial sheath cells. Rhythmic sheath cell contraction drives ovulation and is triggered by a factor secreted from oocytes undergoing meiotic maturation. We demonstrate for the first time that signaling through the epidermal growth factor-like ligand LIN-3 and the LET-23 tyrosine kinase receptor induces ovulatory contractions of sheath cells. Reduction-of-function mutations in the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) receptor gene itr-1 and knockdown of itr-1 expression by RNA interference inhibit sheath contractile activity. itr-1 gain-of-function mutations increase the rate and force of basal contractions and induce tonic sheath contraction during ovulation. Sheath contractile activity is disrupted by RNAi of plc-3, one of six phospholipase C-encoding genes in the C. elegans genome. PLC-3 is a PLC-gamma homolog and is expressed in contractile sheath cells of the proximal gonad. Maintenance of sheath contractile activity requires plasma membrane Ca(2+) entry. We conclude that IP(3) generated by LET-23 mediated activation of PLC-gamma induces repetitive intracellular Ca(2+) release that drives rhythmic sheath cell contraction. Calcium entry may function to trigger Ca(2+) release via IP(3) receptors and/or refill intracellular Ca(2+) stores.

Animals↗

The TSH receptor and its role in thyroid disease.

The thyrotropin (TSH) receptor plays a preeminent role in thyroid physiology and disease. TSH, acting through the TSH receptor, is the major stimulator of thyroid cell growth, differentiation and function. In Graves' disease, the TSH receptor is the target of stimulating antibodies that cause hyperthyroidism. Although still a topic of debate, the TSH receptor has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the endocrine ophthalmopathy associated with Graves' disease. Blocking antibodies against the TSH receptor are involved in the development of hypothyroidism in a subset of patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism. Transplacental passage of stimulating or blocking TSH receptor antibodies from a mother with autoimmune thyroid disease may result in transient hyper- or hypothyroidism in early infancy. During pregnancy, the placental hormone human choriogonadotropin (hCG) can cause gestational hyperthyroidism through cross-reaction with the TSH receptor. Gestational hyperthyroidism may also be involved in the pathogenesis of hyperemesis gravidarum. Trophoblast tumors secreting hCG are a rare cause of hyperthyroidism. Somatic activating mutations of the TSH receptor have been identified as a molecular cause of toxic adenomas, whereas activating mutations in the germline give rise to nonautoimmune familial hyperthyroidism or sporadic congenital hyperthyroidism. These gain-of-function mutations are dominant, and one mutated allele is sufficient to result in disease. Inactivating germline mutations of both TSH receptor alleles lead to variable degrees of resistance to TSH, encompassing a spectrum ranging from euthyroid hyperthyrotropinemia to overt hypothyroidism with thyroid hypoplasia.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The IAA1 protein is encoded by AXR5 and is a substrate of SCF(TIR1).

Recent studies of auxin response have focused on the functions of three sets of proteins: the auxin (Aux) response factors (ARFs), the Aux/IAAs, and the F-box protein TIR1. The ARF proteins bind DNA and directly activate or repress transcription of target genes while the Aux/IAA proteins repress ARF function. TIR1 is part of a ubiquitin protein ligase required for degradation of Aux/IAA proteins. Here we report the isolation and characterization of a novel mutant of Arabidopsis called axr5-1. Mutant plants are resistant to auxin and display a variety of auxin-related growth defects including defects in root and shoot tropisms. Further, the axr5-1 mutation results in a decrease in auxin-regulated transcription. The molecular cloning of AXR5 revealed that the gene encodes the IAA1 protein, a member of the Aux/IAA family of proteins. AXR5 is expressed throughout plant development consistent with the pleiotropic mutant phenotype. The axr5-1 mutation results in an amino acid substitution in conserved domain II of the protein, similar to gain-of-function mutations recovered in other members of this gene family. Biochemical studies show that IAA1/AXR5 interacts with TIR1 in an auxin-dependent manner. The mutation prevents this interaction suggesting that the mutant phenotype is caused by the accumulation of IAA1/AXR5. Our results provide further support for a model in which most members of the Aux/IAA family are targeted for degradation by SCFTIR1 in response to auxin.

Arabidopsis↗

Peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP)-LE and PGRP-LC act synergistically in Drosophila immunity.

In innate immunity, pattern recognition molecules recognize cell wall components of microorganisms and activate subsequent immune responses, such as the induction of antimicrobial peptides and melanization in Drosophila. The diaminopimelic acid (DAP)-type peptidoglycan potently activates imd-dependent induction of antibacterial peptides. Peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP) family members act as pattern recognition molecules. PGRP-LC loss-of-function mutations affect the imd-dependent induction of antibacterial peptides and resistance to Gram-negative bacteria, whereas PGRP-LE binds to the DAP-type peptidoglycan, and a gain-of-function mutation induces constitutive activation of both the imd pathway and melanization. Here, we generated PGRP-LE null mutants and report that PGRP-LE functions synergistically with PGRP-LC in producing resistance to Escherichia coli and Bacillus megaterium infections, which have the DAP-type peptidoglycan. Consistent with this, PGRP-LE acts both upstream and in parallel with PGRP-LC in the imd pathway, and is required for infection-dependent activation of melanization in Drosophila. A role for PGRP-LE in the epithelial induction of antimicrobial peptides is also suggested.

Animals↗

Gene targeting in embryonic stem cells: the new physiology and metabolism.

The development of transgenic technology, whereby genes (or mutations) can be stably introduced into the germline of experimental mammals, now allows investigators to create mice of virtually any genotype and to assess the consequences of these mutations in the context of a developing and intact mammal. In contrast to traditional "gain-of-function" mutations, typically created by microinjection of the gene of interest into the one-celled zygote, gene targeting via homologous recombination in pluripotential embryonic stem cells allows one to modify precisely the gene of interest. The purpose of this review is to introduce the reader to the history of development of embryonic stem cell technology, the current methods employed to create "knock-out" mice, and the application of these methods to solve problems in biology. While the technology promises to provide enormous insight into mammalian development genetics, our desire is that this review will stimulate the application of gene targeting in embryonic stem cells to begin to unravel problems in complex regulatory pathways, specifically intermediary metabolism and physiology.

Animals↗

Acquisition of the V617F mutation of JAK2 is a late genetic event in a subset of patients with myeloproliferative disorders.

An acquired gain-of-function mutation in the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2-V617F) is frequently found in patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs). To test the hypothesis that JAK2-V617F is the disease-initiating mutation, we examined whether all cells of clonal origin carry the JAK2-V617F mutation. Using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the JAK2 mutation and for the X-chromosomal clonality markers IDS and MPP1, we found that the percentage of granulocytes and platelets with JAK2-V617F was often markedly lower than the percentage of clonal granulocytes determined by IDS or MPP1 clonality assays in female patients. Using deletions of chromosome 20q (del20q) as an autosomal, X-chromosome-independent clonality marker, we found a similar discrepancy between the percentage of cells carrying JAK2-V617F and del20q. Our results suggest that in a proportion of patients with MPDs, JAK2-V617F occurs on the background of clonal hematopoiesis caused by a somatic mutation in an as-yet-unknown gene.

Adolescent↗