Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Transient Mutator”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Ultraviolet light-induced mutation of diploid human lymphoblasts.

Ultraviolet irradiation (254 nm) of immortal diploid human lymphoblasts killed cells, caused mutation at three genetic loci studied, and transiently inhibited 3H-TdR uptake into DNA. A shoulder of about 6 J/m2 and a D0 of 6 J/m2 was observed for survival. Mutation rose in a monotonic non-linear fashion through 6 J/m2; above 6 J/m2, complex behavior approximating a plateau in induced mutation was observed. Irradiation at 4.4 J/m2 caused a transient increase in the number of cells synthesizing DNA and a decrease in the rate of DNA synthesis relative to mock-irradiated controls. The parameter of rate of DNA synthesis per cell in DNA synthetic phase showed a rapid recovery toward control values between 2 and 4 h after irradiation and a slower recovery to control values by 22 h post-irradiation. Fractionated dose schedules were used to measure the effects of allowing a time interval between doses at nontoxic fluences (2.2 J/m2), moderately toxic fluences (8.8 J/m2) and toxic fluences (17.6 J/m2). These measurements indicate that in the non-toxic range of fluences common to human exposure, mutational response is mediated by a post-irradiation process which seems to show an enhanced ability to protect against mutation induced by subsequent irradiation. However, at moderately toxic fluences there was little effect of dose fractionation, and at toxic fluences, a time-dependent increase in mutation fraction was observed at separation times greater than 7 h. We suggest that these latter observations arise primarily from cell cycle heterogeneity with regard to sensitivity to UV killing and mutation.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1990

Stimulation of mutations suppressing the loss of replication control by small alcohols.

Transient exposure of lysogenic Escherichia coli cells to small alcohols stimulated the frequency of mutations suppressing the lethal loss of replication control from a prophage fragment of bacteriophage lambda. The stimulation in mutation frequency paralleled the effect of mutagenic agents, and in this sense the alcohols behaved as mutagens. 10-min treatments above distinct threshold concentrations at 23%, 18%, 10% and 4% (v/v) were required in order for methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and propanol to evoke mutagenic effects. The selected mutant cells were, in general, equally or more sensitive to ethanol than the starting cells. The mutagenicity of methanol and ethanol was detected only with E. coli strains with lambda fragments that included the site-specific and general recombination genes found within the phage int-kil gene interval; whereas, stimulation of the frequency of phenotypically identical mutations by nitrosoguanidine or ionizing radiation did not require that the lambda fragment encode these genes. Treatments of lysogenic cells with mutagenic concentrations of ethanol did not trigger prophage induction and were concluded not to induce a cellular SOS response nor to denature the prophage repressor, or to disrupt repressor-operator binding. The toxicity of ethanol was pH-dependent. Cellular sensitivity to ethanol toxicity was unaffected by the integrated lambda fragment(s) or by an intact lambda prophage; but, it was increased by deletions of the E. coli chromosome extending rightward from bio into uvrB, and rightward from chlA.

1-Propanol↗
PubMed1997

The activation domain of the enhancer binding protein p45NF-E2 interacts with TAFII130 and mediates long-range activation of the alpha- and beta-globin gene loci in an erythroid cell line.

We have used the interaction between the erythroid-specific enhancer in hypersensitivity site 2 of the human beta-globin locus control region and the globin gene promoters as a paradigm to examine the mechanisms governing promoter/enhancer interactions in this locus. We have demonstrated that enhancer-dependent activation of the globin promoters is dependent on the presence of both a TATA box in the proximal promoter and the binding site for the erythroid-specific heteromeric transcription factor NF-E2 in the enhancer. Mutational analysis of the transcriptionally active component of NF-E2, p45NF-E2, localizes the critical region for this function to a proline-rich transcriptional activation domain in the NH2-terminal 80 amino acids of the protein. In contrast to the wild-type protein, expression of p45 NF-E2 lacking this activation domain in an NF-E2 null cell line fails to support enhancer-dependent transcription in transient assays. More significantly, the mutated protein also fails to reactivate expression of the endogenous beta- or alpha-globin loci in this cell line. Protein-protein interaction studies reveal that this domain of p45 NF-E2 binds specifically to a component of the transcription initiation complex, TATA binding protein associated factor TAFII130. These findings suggest one potential mechanism for direct recruitment of distal regulatory regions of the globin loci to the individual promoters.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed2004

Dissection of the physiological interconversion of 5alpha-DHT and 3alpha-diol by rat 3alpha-HSD via transient kinetics shows that the chemical step is rate-determining: effect of mutating cofactor and substrate-binding pocket residues on catalysis.

3Alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3alpha-HSDs) catalyze the interconversion between 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5alpha-DHT), the most potent androgen, and 3alpha-androstanediol (3alpha-diol), a weak androgen metabolite. To identify the rate-determining step in this physiologically important reaction, rat liver 3alpha-HSD (AKR1C9) was used as the protein model for the human homologues in fluorescence stopped-flow transient kinetic and kinetic isotope effect studies. Using single and multiple turnover experiments to monitor the NADPH-dependent reduction of 5alpha-DHT, it was found that k(lim) and k(max) values were identical to k(cat), indicating that chemistry is rate-limiting overall. Kinetic isotope effect measurements, which gave (D)k(cat) = 2.4 and (D)2(O)k(cat) = 3.0 at pL 6.0, suggest that the slow chemical transformation is significantly rate-limiting. When the NADP(+)-dependent oxidation of 3alpha-diol was monitored, single and multiple turnover experiments showed a k(lim) and burst kinetics consistent with product release as being rate-limiting overall. When NAD(+) was substituted for NADP(+), burst phase kinetics was eliminated, and k(max) was identical to k(cat). Thus with the physiologically relevant substrates 5alpha-DHT plus NADPH and 3alpha-diol plus NAD(+), the slowest event is chemistry. R276 forms a salt-linkage with the phosphate of 2'-AMP, and when it is mutated, tight binding of NAD(P)H is no longer observed [Ratnam, K., et al. (1999) Biochemistry 38, 7856-7864]. The R276M mutant also eliminated the burst phase kinetics observed for the NADP(+)-dependent oxidation of 3alpha-diol. The data with the R276M mutant confirms that the release of the NADPH product is the slow event; and in its absence, chemistry becomes rate-limiting. W227 is a critical hydrophobic residue at the steroid binding site, and when it is mutated to alanine, k(cat)/K(m) for oxidation is significantly depressed. Burst phase kinetics for the NADP(+)-dependent turnover of 3alpha-diol by W227A was also abolished. In the W227A mutant, the slow release of NADPH is no longer observed since the chemical transformation is now even slower. Thus, residues in the cofactor and steroid-binding site can alter the rate-determining step in the NADP(+)-dependent oxidation of 3alpha-diol to make chemistry rate-limiting overall.

3-alpha-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (B-Specific)↗
PubMed1999

Impaired intracellular trafficking is a common disease mechanism of PMP22 point mutations in peripheral neuropathies.

The most common forms of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies (HMSN) or Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) are associated with mutations affecting myelin genes in the peripheral nervous system. A minor subgroup of CMT type 1A (CMT1A) is caused by point mutations in the gene encoding the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22). To study the mechanisms by which these mutations cause the CMT pathology, we transiently transfected COS7 and Schwann cells with wild-type and PMP22 expression constructs carrying six representative dominant or de novo point mutations and one putative recessive point mutation. All but one of the first group of mutant PMP22 proteins failed to be incorporated into the plasma membrane and were retained in intracellular compartments of transfected cells. Surprisingly, the recessive PMP22 mutation produced a protein that was also mildly impaired in trafficking. Thus, our results suggest a common disease mechanism underlying the pathology of CMT1A due to PMP22 point mutations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

A type I element composed of the hexamer (ACGTCA) and octamer (CGCGGATC) motifs plays a role(s) in meristematic expression of a wheat histone H3 gene in transgenic rice plants.

Type I element (CCACGTCACCGATCCGCG) is a well-conserved regulatory element found in proximal promoter region of a certain class of plant histone genes, that is composed of two independent cis-acting elements of the hexamer (ACGTCA) and the reverse-oriented octamer (GATCCGCG) motifs. To investigate functional role(s) of the type I element in regulation of a wheat histone H3 gene (TH012) promoter activity in vivo, base substitution mutations were introduced into the element and activities of the mutated promoters were examined in cultured rice cells, and in regenerated roots and anther walls of transgenic rice plants by employing a GUS reporter system. Mutations of each or both of the hexamer and the octamer motifs caused a reduction in the promoter activity in protoplasts transfected transiently or stably transformed calli. The mutation of the octamer motif with or without the mutation of the hexamer motif caused a marked reduction of the promoter activity in the root meristem of transgenic rice although the mutation of the hexamer motif alone caused a weak reduction. In contrast to these results, no effect of the mutations of either the hexamer or the octamer motif was found in the anther wall in which replication-independent activity of the H3 promoter was observed. Our results suggested that the hexamer and the octamer motifs may play important role(s) in regulation of replication-dependent but not of replication-independent expression of the wheat histone H3 gene.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Somatic mutations in the thyrotropin receptor gene and not in the Gs alpha protein gene in 31 toxic thyroid nodules.

Studies on frequency and distribution pattern of TSH receptor (TSHR) and Gs alpha protein (gsp) mutations in toxic thyroid nodules (TTNs) reported conflicting results, most likely also related to the different screening methods applied and the investigation of only part of exon 10 of the TSHR. Therefore, we screened a consecutive series of 31 TTNs for both TSHR and gsp mutations by direct sequencing of exon 9 and the entire exon 10 of the TSHR gene and exons 7-10 of the gsp gene. Somatic TSHR mutations were identified in 15 of 31 TTNs. TSHR mutations were localized in the third intracellular loop (Asp619Gly and Ala623Val), the sixth transmembrane segment (Phe631Leu and Thr632Ile, Asp633Glu) and the second extracellular loop (Ile568Thr). One mutation was found in the extracellular TSHR domain (Ser281Asn). Two new TSHR mutations were identified. One involves codon 656 in the third extracellular loop (Val656Phe). The other new mutation is a 27-bp deletion in the third intracellular loop resulting in deletion of 9 amino acids at codons 613-621. Transient expression of the new TSHR mutations in COS-7 cells demonstrated their constitutive activity. No mutation was found in exons 7-10 of the gsp gene. This finding was confirmed by an allele-specific PCR for mutations in gsp codons 201 (Arg-->His, Cys) and 227 (Gln-->His, Arg). Our data indicate that constitutively activating TSHR mutations can be found in 48% of TTNs and thus currently represent the most frequent molecular mechanism known in the etiopathogenesis of TTNs. Moreover, the absence of gsp mutations in our series argues for an only minor role of these mutations in TTNs. Constitutive activation of the TSHR by a deletion in a region that might be involved in G protein coupling of the TSHR offers new insights into TSHR activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Identification of dominant-negative mutants of the herpes simplex virus type 1 immediate-early protein ICP0.

ICP0 is a 110,000-molecular-weight immediate-early protein of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) which is encoded by three exons. It has been shown to function as a promiscuous transactivator of a variety of different HSV-1 and non-HSV-1 promoters in transient expression assays. Analysis of mutations which truncated the carboxy-terminal end of this 775-amino-acid (aa) protein demonstrated that a polypeptide which contained only aa 1 to 553 still possessed significant transactivation potential. Additional carboxy-terminal truncations which sequentially removed aa 245 to 553 and thus the remainder of the third exon resulted in the eventual loss of transactivation capability in these mutants. However, further analysis of these truncated derivatives demonstrated that they behaved as dominant-negative mutants to the wild-type polypeptide. Moreover, one of the mutants was found to act as a promiscuous repressor, in that it could dramatically inhibit a variety of HSV-1 promoters, non-HSV-1 promoters, and heterologous transactivator proteins in transient expression assays, despite having lost almost the entire third exon. These results indicate that a domain encoded by the first two exons probably interacts with, and can effectively titrate, the unknown cellular factor(s) through which ICP0 mediates transactivation.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Structural mimicry in class A G protein-coupled receptor rotamer toggle switches: the importance of the F3.36(201)/W6.48(357) interaction in cannabinoid CB1 receptor activation.

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a CB(1) TMH3-4-5-6 aromatic microdomain, which includes F3.25(190), F3.36(201), W5.43(280), and W6.48(357), is centrally involved in CB(1) receptor activation, with the F3.36(201)/W6.48(357) interaction key to the maintenance of the CB(1)-inactive state. We have shown previously that when F3.36(201), W5.43(280), and W6.48(357) are individually mutated to alanine, a significant reduction in ligand binding affinity is observed in the presence of WIN 55,212-2 and SR141716A but not CP55,940 and anandamide. In the work presented here, we report a detailed functional analysis of the F3.36(201)A, F3.25(190)A, W5.43(280)A, and W6.48(357)A mutant receptors in stable cell lines created in HEK cells for agonist-stimulated guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTPgammaS) binding and GIRK1/4 channel current effects in Xenopus oocytes where the mutant proteins were expressed transiently. The F3.36(201)A mutation showed statistically significant increases in ligand-independent stimulation of GTPgammaS binding versus wild type CB(1), although basal levels for the W6.48(357)A mutant were not statistically different from wild type CB(1). F3.36(201)A demonstrated a limited activation profile in the presence of multiple agonists. In contrast, enhanced agonist activation was produced by W6.48(357)A. These results suggest that a F3.36(201)/W6.48(357)-specific contact is an important constraint for the CB(1)-inactive state that may need to break during activation. Modeling studies suggest that the F3.36(201)/W6.48(357) contact can exist in the inactive state of CB(1) and be broken in the activated state via a chi(1) rotamer switch (F3.36(201) trans, W6.48(357) g+) --> (F3.36(201) g+, W6.48(357) trans). The F3.36(201)/W6.48(357) interaction therefore may represent a "toggle switch" for activation of CB(1).

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

A mutation in a functional Sp1 binding site of the telomerase RNA gene (hTERC) promoter in a patient with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the gene coding for the RNA component of telomerase, hTERC, have been found in autosomal dominant dyskeratosis congenita (DC) and aplastic anemia. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a clonal blood disorder associated with aplastic anemia and characterized by the presence of one or more clones of blood cells lacking glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored proteins due to a somatic mutation in the PIGA gene. METHODS: We searched for mutations in DNA extracted from PNH patients by amplification of the hTERC gene and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC). After a mutation was found in a potential transcription factor binding site in one patient electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to detect binding of transcription factors to that site. The effect of the mutation on the function of the promoter was tested by transient transfection constructs in which the promoter is used to drive a reporter gene. RESULTS: Here we report the finding of a novel promoter mutation (-99C->G) in the hTERC gene in a patient with PNH. The mutation disrupts an Sp1 binding site and destroys its ability to bind Sp1. Transient transfection assays show that mutations in this hTERC site including C-99G cause either up- or down-regulation of promoter activity and suggest that the site regulates core promoter activity in a context dependent manner in cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: These data are the first report of an hTERC promoter mutation from a patient sample which can modulate core promoter activity in vitro, raising the possibility that the mutation may affect the transcription of the gene in hematopoietic stem cells in vivo, and that dysregulation of telomerase may play a role in the development of bone marrow failure and the evolution of PNH clones.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Transient stability of DNA ends allows nonhomologous end joining to precede homologous recombination.

The stability of DNA ends generated by the HO endonuclease in yeast is surprisingly high with a half-life of more than an hour. This transient stability is unaffected by mutations that abolish nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). The unprocessed ends interact with Yku70p and Yku80p, two proteins required for NHEJ, but not significantly with Rad52p, a protein involved in homologous recombination (HR). Repair of a double-strand break by NHEJ is unaffected by the possibility of HR, although the use of HR is increased in NHEJ-defective cells. Partial in vitro 5' strand processing suppresses NHEJ but not HR. These results show that NHEJ precedes HR temporally, and that the availability of substrate dictates the particular pathway used. We propose that transient stability of DNA ends is a foundation for the permanent stability of telomeres.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed2000

Evidence for a cardiac ion channel mutation underlying drug-induced QT prolongation and life-threatening arrhythmias.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that some cases of drug-induced arrhythmias depend on genetic predisposition. Excessive prolongation of the QT interval and life-threatening arrhythmias (torsades de pointes or ventricular fibrillation) may occur in response to a variety of cardiac and noncardiac drugs, with detrimental effects on patient safety and the investments made by the pharmaceutical industry. Moss and Schwartz hypothesized that some drug-induced arrhythmias might represent cases of "forme fruste" of the congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS). The availability of molecular screening techniques for LQTS genes allowed us to test this hypothesis. An elderly female patient with documented cardiac arrest related to cisapride, a prokynetic drug that blocks I(Kr), and transiently prolonged QT interval underwent mutational analysis of the known LQTS-related genes performed by single-strand conformational polymorphism and DNA sequencing. Double-electrode voltage clamp in Xenopus oocytes as the expression system was used to study the in vitro cellular phenotype caused by the genetic defect in coexpression with the wild-type (WT) gene. Molecular analysis revealed a heterozygous mutation leading to substitution of a highly conserved amino acid in the pore region of KvLQT1. This mutation was present not only in the patient with ventricular fibrillation but also in her two adult asymptomatic sons who have a normal QT interval. In vitro expression of the mutated KvLQT1 protein showed a severe loss of current with a dominant negative effect on the WT-KvLQT1 channel. Our findings demonstrate that some cases of drug-induced QT prolongation may depend on a genetic substrate. Molecular screening may allow identification among family members of gene carriers potentially at risk if treated with I(Kr) blockers. Evolving technology may lead to rapid screening for mutations of candidate genes that cause drug-induced life-threatening arrhythmias and allow early identification of individuals at risk.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

The upstream muscle-specific enhancer of the rat muscle creatine kinase gene is composed of multiple elements.

A series of constructs that links the rat muscle creatine kinase promoter to the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene was generated. These constructs were introduced into differentiating mouse C2C12 myogenic cells to localize sequences that are important for up-regulation of the creatine kinase gene during myogenic differentiation. A muscle-specific enhancer element responsible for induction of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase expression during myogenesis was localized to a 159-base-pair region from 1,031 to 1,190 base pairs upstream of the transcription start site. Analysis of transient expression experiments using promoters mutated by deletion indicated the presence of multiple functional domains within this muscle-specific regulatory element. A DNA fragment spanning this region was used in DNase I protection experiments. Nuclear extracts derived from C2 myotubes protected three regions (designated E1, E2, and E3) on this fragment from digestion, which indicated there may be three or more trans-acting factors that interact with the creatine kinase muscle enhancer. Gel retardation assays revealed that factors able to bind specifically to E1, E2, and E3 are present in a wide variety of tissues and cell types. Transient expression assays demonstrated that elements in regions E1 and E3, but not necessarily E2, are required for full enhancer activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Characterization of new polyclonal antibodies specific for 40 and 42 amino acid-long amyloid beta peptides: their use to examine the cell biology of presenilins and the immunohistochemistry of sporadic Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy cases.

BACKGROUND: In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the main histological lesion is a proteinaceous deposit, the senile plaque, which is mainly composed of a peptide called A beta. The aggregation process is thought to occur through enhanced concentration of A beta 40 or increased production of the more readily aggregating 42 amino acid-long A beta 42 species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specificity of the antibodies was assessed by dot blot, Western blot, ELISA, and immunoprecipitation procedures on synthetic and endogenous A beta produced by secreted HK293 cells. A beta and p3 production by wild-type and mutated presenilin 1-expressing cells transiently transfected with beta APP751 was monitored after metabolic labeling and immunoprecipitation procedures. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on brains of sporadic and typical cerebrovascular amyloid angiopathy (CAA) cases. RESULTS: Dot and Western blot analyses indicate that IgG-purified fractions of antisera recognize native and denaturated A beta s. FCA3340 and FCA 3542 display full specificity for A beta 40 and A beta 42, respectively. Antibodies immunoprecipitate their respective synthetic A beta species but also A beta s and their related p3 counterparts endogenously secreted by transfected human kidney 293 cells. This allowed us to show that mutations on presenilin 1 triggered similar increased ratios of A beta 42 and its p 342 counterpart over total A beta and p3. ELISA assays allow detection of about 25-50 pg/ml of A beta s and remain linear up to 750 to 1500 pg/ml without any cross-reactivity. FCA18 and FCA3542 label diffuse and mature plaques of a sporadic AD case whereas FCA3340 only reveals the mature lesions and particularly labels their central dense core. In a CAA case, FCA18 and FCA3340 reveal leptomeningeal and cortical arterioles whereas FCA3542 only faintly labels such structures. CONCLUSIONS: Polyclonal antibodies exclusively recognizing A beta 40 (FCA 3340) or A beta 42 (FCA3542) were obtained. These demonstrated that FAD-linked presenilins similarly affect both p342 and A beta 42, suggesting that these mutations misroute the beta APP to a compartment where gamma-secretase, but not alpha-secretase, cleavages are modified. Overall, these antibodies should prove useful for fundamental and diagnostic approaches, as suggested by their usefulness for biochemical, cell biological, and immunohistochemical techniques.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed2005

Loss of lysosomal association of cystatin B proteins representing progressive myoclonus epilepsy, EPM1, mutations.

Loss-of-function mutations in the cystatin B (CSTB), a cysteine protease inhibitor, gene underlie progressive myoclonus epilepsy of Unverricht-Lundborg type (EPM1), characterized by myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures, ataxia and a progressive course. A minisatellite repeat expansion in the promoter region of the CSTB gene is the most common mutation in EPM1 patients and leads to reduced mRNA levels. Seven other mutations altering the structure of CSTB, or predicting altered splicing, have been described. Using a novel monoclonal CSTB antibody and organelle-specific markers in human primary myoblasts, we show here that endogenous CSTB localizes not only to the nucleus and cytoplasm but also associates with lysosomes. Upon differentiation to myotubes, CSTB becomes excluded from the nucleus and lysosomes, suggesting that the subcellular distribution of CSTB is dependent on the differentiation status of the cell. Four patient mutations altering the CSTB polypeptide were transiently expressed in BHK-21 cells. The p.Lys73fsX2-truncated mutant protein shows diffuse cytoplasmic and nuclear distribution, whereas p.Arg68X is rapidly degraded. Two missense mutations, the previously described p.Gly4Arg affecting the highly conserved glycine, critical for cathepsin binding, and a novel mutation, p.Gln71Pro, fail to associate with lysosomes. These data imply an important lysosome-associated physiological function for CSTB and suggest that loss of this association contributes to the molecular pathogenesis of EPM1.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Mechanism of tissue-specific transcription: interplay between positive and negative regulatory factors.

At least four regulatory cis-acting DNA sequences, CCAAAAGTGG (element A), TTATTTTTA (element B), TATTTATT (element C), and TATTACCTTTAT (element S), were identified in cardiac myosin light chain-2 (MLC2) proximal promoter as target sites for sequence-specific binding of nuclear proteins. For muscle-specific transcription, the proximal promoter (-53 to +1) consisting only of elements B and C is required. Addition of element A to this promoter results in a muscle-specific up-regulation, whereas the addition of element S exerts a negative effect on transcription. The negative and positive regulatory effects of elements S and A respectively were demonstrated by site-specific mutations of the promoter following transient transfection of cardiac muscle cells in culture. Elements S and A interact separately with distinct nuclear protein factor present in both muscle and non-muscle cells, even though their regulatory activities are restricted to muscle cells. Among the multiple complexes resulting from the interaction of nuclear proteins and elements S and A DNAs, one requires both S and A sequences together for binding. Element B, which exerts a muscle-specific positive effect on transcription, binds to a nuclear protein present in cardiac muscle, but not in non-muscle cells. DNA-protein binding assays and mutational analysis of the MLC2 promoter suggest that the contribution of the functionally opposed cis-elements depends upon an interplay between the positively and negatively acting DNA-binding proteins via protein-protein interactions to mediate opposite regulatory effects on gene transcription.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

The presenilin 2 M239I mutation associated with familial Alzheimer's disease reduces Ca2+ release from intracellular stores.

Mutations in presenilin (PS) genes account for the majority of the cases of the familial form of Alzheimer's disease (FAD). PS mutations have been correlated with both over-production of the amyloid-beta-42 (Abeta42) peptide and alterations of cellular Ca(2+) homeostasis. We here show, for the first time, the effect of the recently described PS2 FAD-associated M239I mutation on two major parameters of intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis: the Ca(2+) storing capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the activation level of capacitative Ca(2+) entry (CCE), the Ca(2+) influx pathway activated by depletion of intracellular stores. Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores was significantly reduced in fibroblasts from FAD patients, compared to that found in cells from healthy individuals or patients affected by sporadic forms of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). No significant difference was however found in CCE between FAD and control fibroblasts. Similar results were obtained in two cell lines (HEK293 and HeLa) stably or transiently expressing the PS2 M239I mutation.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Mutational analysis of the N-linked glycosylation sites of the SU envelope protein of Moloney murine leukemia virus.

The role of the N-linked glycosylation sites in the major envelope glycoprotein, SU (gp70), of Moloney murine leukemia virus has been examined. By using site-specific oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, each of the seven glycan addition sites has been individually eliminated. Mutations resulting in the loss of a single glycosylation site produced, intracellularly, stable precursor SU-TM proteins which were 4 to 5 kDa smaller than the wild-type virus SU-TM protein. Mutant delta 1,4,7, a trimutant lacking three N-linked glycan addition sites, resulted in a viable, infectious virus with a stable SU-TM protein approximately 12 to 15 kDa smaller than the wild-type SU-TM protein. Five of the seven single-site mutations resulted in viable virus as judged by the release of reverse transcriptase in transient-expression assays and XC syncytium assays. Mutations at two of the sites resulted in a detectable phenotype. Virus mutated at position 2 was temperature sensitive in Rat2 cells; viable virus was produced at 32 degrees C but not at 37 degrees C. Virus mutated at position 3 was noninfectious and yielded virions lacking detectable mature SU protein. The mutation results in the block of transport of the protein to the cell surface and assembly into virion particles.

3T3 Cells↗