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Novel gain-of-function mutations of platelet glycoprotein IBalpha by valine mutagenesis in the Cys209-Cys248 disulfide loop. Functional analysis under statis and dynamic conditions.

Platelet-type von Willebrand disease is a bleeding disorder resulting from gain-of-function mutations of glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha that increase its affinity for von Willebrand factor (vWf). The two known naturally occurring mutations, G233V and M239V, both enrich the valine content of an already valine-rich region within the Cys(209)-Cys(248) disulfide loop. We tested the effect of converting other non-valine residues in this region to valine. Of 10 mutants expressed in CHO cells as components of GP Ib-IX complexes, four displayed a gain-of-function phenotype (G233V, D235V, K237V, and M239V) based on (125)I-vWf binding and adhesion to immobilized vWf. The remainder displayed loss-of-function phenotypes. The gain-of-function mutants bound vWf spontaneously and had a heightened response to low concentrations of ristocetin or botrocetin, whereas the loss-of-function mutants bound vWf more poorly than wild-type GP Ibalpha. No distinct gain- or loss-of-function conformations were identified with conformation-sensitive antibodies. Compared with cells expressing wild-type GP Ibalpha, cells expressing the gain-of-function mutants rolled significantly more slowly over immobilized vWf under flow than wild-type cells and were able to adhere to vWf coated at lower densities. In aggregate, these data indicate that the region of GP Ibalpha bounded by Asn(226) and Ala(244) regulates the affinity for vWf.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Gain-of-function mutations of fem-3, a sex-determination gene in Caenorhabditis elegans.

We have isolated nine gain-of-function (gf) alleles of the sex-determination gene fem-3 as suppressors of feminizing mutations in fem-1 and fem-2. The wild-type fem-3 gene is needed for spermatogenesis in XX self-fertilizing hermaphrodites and for male development in both soma and germ line of XO animals. Loss-of-function alleles of fem-3 transform XX and XO animals into females (spermless hermaphrodites). In contrast, fem-3(gf) alleles masculinize only one tissue, the hermaphrodite germ line. Thus, XX fem-3(gf) mutant animals have a normal hermaphrodite soma, but the germ line produces a vast excess of sperm and no oocytes. All nine fem-3(gf) alleles are temperature sensitive. The temperature-sensitive period is from late L4 to early adult, a period just preceding the first signs of oogenesis. The finding of gain-of-function alleles which confer a phenotype opposite to that of loss-of-function alleles supports the idea that fem-3 plays a critical role in germ-line sex determination. Furthermore, the germ-line specificity of the fem-3(gf) mutant phenotype and the late temperature-sensitive period suggest that, in the wild-type XX hermaphrodite, fem-3 is negatively regulated so that the hermaphrodite stops making sperm and starts making oocytes. Temperature shift experiments also show that, in the germ line, sexual commitment appears to be a continuing process. Spermatogenesis can resume even after oogenesis has begun, and oogenesis can be initiated much later than normal.

Alleles↗

In vivo analysis of a gain-of-function mutation in the Drosophila eag-encoded K+ channel.

Neuronal Na+ and K+ channels elicit currents in opposing directions and thus have opposing effects on neuronal excitability. Mutations in genes encoding Na+ or K+ channels often interact genetically, leading to either phenotypic suppression or enhancement for genes with opposing or similar effects on excitability, respectively. For example, the effects of mutations in Shaker (Sh), which encodes a K+ channel subunit, are suppressed by loss-of-function mutations in the Na+ channel structural gene para, but enhanced by loss-of-function mutations in a second K+ channel encoded by eag. Here we identify two novel mutations that suppress the effects of a Sh mutation on behavior and neuronal excitability. We used recombination mapping to localize both mutations to the eag locus, and we used sequence analysis to determine that both mutations are caused by a single amino acid substitution (G297E) in the S2-S3 linker of Eag. Because these novel eag mutations confer opposite phenotypes to eag loss-of-function mutations, we suggest that eag(G297E) causes an eag gain-of-function phenotype. We hypothesize that the G297E substitution may cause premature, prolonged, or constitutive opening of the Eag channels by favoring the "unlocked" state of the channel.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A gain of function mutation in the activation loop of platelet-derived growth factor beta-receptor deregulates its kinase activity.

The platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) are receptor tyrosine kinases implicated in multiple aspects of cell growth, differentiation, and survival. Recently, a gain of function mutation in the activation loop of the human PDGFRalpha has been found in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Here we show that a mutation in the corresponding codon in the activation loop of the murine PDGFRbeta, namely an exchange of asparagine for aspartic acid at amino acid position 849 (D849N), confers transforming characteristics to embryonic fibroblasts from mutant mice, generated by a knock-in strategy. By comparing the enzymatic properties of the wild-type versus the mutant receptor protein, we demonstrate that the D849N mutation lowers the threshold for kinase activation, causes a dramatic alteration in the pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation kinetics following ligand stimulation, and induces a ligand-independent phosphorylation of several tyrosine residues. These changes result in deregulated recruitment of specific signal transducers. The GTPase-activating protein for Ras (RasGAP), a negative regulator of the Ras mitogenic pathway, displayed a delayed binding to the mutant receptor. Moreover, we have observed enhanced ligand-independent ERK1/2 activation and an increased proliferation of mutant cells. The p85 regulatory subunit of the phosphatidylinositol 3 '-kinase was constitutively associated with the mutant receptor, and this ligand-independent activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase pathway may explain the observed strong protection against apoptosis and increased motility in cellular wounding assays. Our findings support a model whereby an activating point mutation results in a deregulated PDGFRbeta with oncogenic predisposition.

Actins↗

A gain-of-function mutation in Drosophila MAP kinase activates multiple receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathways.

In the Drosophila eye, activation of the sevenless (sev) receptor tyrosine kinase is required for the specification of the R7 photoreceptor cell fate. In a genetic screen for mutations that result in the activation of the sev signaling pathway in the absence of the inducing signal, we identified a gain-of-function mutation in rolled (rlSevenmaker [rlSem]), which encodes a homolog of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. In addition to the sev pathway, this mutation activates the pathways controlled by torso and the epidermal growth factor receptor homology. The rlSem mutation results in the substitution of a single conserved amino acid in the kinase domain. Activation of MAP kinase by the rlSem mutation is both necessary and sufficient to activate multiple signaling pathways controlled by receptor tyrosine kinases.

Alleles↗

PDR2 Gain-of-function mutations eliminate the need for Pdr1 and require the UBP6 product for resistance to translational inhibitors.

The yeast YRR1 gene was identified as a sequence encoding a protein that is related in structure to the Pdr1 and Pdr3 zinc cluster transcription factors. Dominant gain-of-function mutations were recovered that cause a multidrug resistance to inhibitors transported by the SNQ2 and YOR1 proteins. It was previously reported by others that null mutations in YRR1 cause hypersensitivity to these agents. In this study, evidence is presented for allelism between YRR1 and a previously identified locus: PDR2. Further characterization of hyperresistant PDR2 alleles and the initial characterization of a loss-of-function mutation created by a Tn3 insertion are described. Surprisingly, the PDR2-2-mediated hyperresistance to chloramphenicol, anisomycin, and cycloheximide requires the function of the UBP6 gene and at least one other gene product. The PDR2-2 allele eliminates the requirement for Pdr1 although, in our genetic backgrounds, elimination of Pdr2 function has little or no phenotypic effect.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

A gain-of-function mutation in an Arabidopsis Toll Interleukin1 receptor-nucleotide binding site-leucine-rich repeat type R gene triggers defense responses and results in enhanced disease resistance.

In a screen for suppressors of npr1-5-based salicylic acid (SA) insensitivity, we isolated a semidominant gain-of-function mutation, designated ssi4, that confers constitutive expression of several PR (pathogenesis-related) genes, induces SA accumulation, triggers programmed cell death, and enhances resistance to bacterial and oomycete pathogens. Through map-based cloning, ssi4 was identified and found to encode a putative protein belonging to the TIR-NBS-LRR (Toll Interleukin1 Receptor-Nucleotide Binding Site-Leu-Rich Repeat) class of R (resistance) proteins. Comparison between ssi4 and the corresponding wild-type sequence revealed a single amino acid substitution in the NBS. Epistasis analysis indicated that SA and EDS1 are required for ssi4-induced PR-1 expression and enhanced disease resistance; they also are required for the increased accumulation of SSI4 and EDS1 transcripts detected in the ssi4 mutant. Although high levels of ssi4 transcripts correlate with the appearance of the mutant phenotype, overexpression of the wild-type SSI4 gene failed to induce stunting, spontaneous lesion formation, or increased PR-1 expression associated with the ssi4 mutation. Thus, the ssi4 phenotype does not appear to be caused by overexpression of this R gene; rather, we propose that the NBS substitution generates a constitutively activated R protein. Furthermore, because SA treatment induced the expression of SSI4 and the closely related TIR-NBS-LRR genes RPP1 and RPS4 but had little effect on the expression of the coiled-coil NBS-LRR genes RPM1 and RPS2, we suggest that SA not only functions as a critical signal for downstream resistance events but also upregulates the expression of certain R genes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A "gain of function" mutation in a protein mediates production of novel modified nucleosides.

The mutation sufY204 mediates suppression of a +1 frameshift mutation in the histidine operon of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and synthesis of two novel modified nucleosides in tRNA. The sufY204 mutation, which results in an amino-acid substitution in a protein, is, surprisingly, dominant over its wild-type allele and thus it is a "gain of function" mutation. One of the new nucleosides is 5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine (mnm(5)s(2)U34) modified by addition of a C(10)H(17) side chain of unknown structure. Increased amounts of both nucleosides in tRNA are correlated to gene dosage of the sufY204 allele, to an increased efficiency of frameshift suppression, and to a decreased amount of the wobble nucleoside mnm(5)s(2)U34 in tRNA. Purified tRNA(Gln)(cmnm(5)s(2)UUG) in the mutant strain contains a modified nucleoside similar to the novel nucleosides and the level of aminoacylation of tRNA(Gln)(cmnm(5)s(2)UUG) was reduced to 26% compared to that found in the wild type (86%). The results are discussed in relation to the mechanism of reading frame maintenance and the evolution of modified nucleosides in tRNA.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Aristapedioid: a gain of function, homeotic mutation in Drosophila melanogaster.

The isolation of gain of function mutations has allowed the identification of a number of genes which are important in the normal development of the organism. We report here the isolation and characterization of Aristapedioid, a gain of function mutation which causes a partial transformation of arista towards tarsus and the loss or decrease in size of the dorso-central and scutellar bristles. Aristapedioid is the result of a P element mediated inversion which juxtaposes unrelated DNA adjacent to Suppressor 2 of zeste, causing a gain of function mutation in that gene.

Alleles↗

Dominant gain-of-function mutations that lead to misregulation of the C. elegans heterochronic gene lin-14, and the evolutionary implications of dominant mutations in pattern-formation genes.

The heterochronic gene lin-14 controls the temporal sequence of developmental events in the C. elegans postembryonic cell lineage. It encodes a nuclear protein that is normally present in most somatic cells of late embryos and L1 larvae but not in later larval stages or adults. Two lin-14 gain-of-function mutations cause an inappropriately high level of the lin-14 nuclear protein late in development. These mutations delete 3' untranslated sequences from the lin-14 mRNAs and identify a negative regulatory element that controls the formation of the lin-14 protein temporal gradient. The 21 kb lin-14 gene contains 13 exons that are differentially spliced to generate two lin-14 protein products with variable N-terminal regions and a constant C-terminal region. No protein sequence similarity to any proteins in various databases was found. The temporal and cellular expression patterns of lin-14 protein accumulation is altered by mutations in the heterochronic genes lin-4 and lin-28. The lin-4 gene is required to down-regulate lin-14 protein levels during the mid-L1 stage. The lin-4 gene product could be the trans-acting factor that binds to the negative regulatory element in the lin-14 3' untranslated region. In contrast, the lin-28 gene activity positively regulates lin-14 protein levels during early L1. Thus, these genes act antagonistically to regulate the lin-14 temporal switch. The normal down-regulation of lin-14 within 10 h of hatching is not determined by the passage of time per se, but rather is triggered when feeding induces post-embryonic development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Improved survival of very high light and oxidative stress is conferred by spontaneous gain-of-function mutations in Chlamydomonas.

Investigations into high light and oxidative stress in photosynthetic organisms have focussed primarily on genetic impairment of different photoprotective functions. There are few reports of "gain-of-function" mutations that provide enhanced resistance to high light and/or oxidative stress without reduced productivity. We have isolated at least four such very high light resistant (VHL(R)) mutations in the green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, that permit near maximal growth rates at light intensities lethal to wild type. This resistance is not due to an alteration in electron transport rate or quantity and functionality of the two photosystems that could have enhanced photochemical quenching. Nor is it due to reduced excitation pressure by downregulation of the light harvesting antennae or increased nonphotochemical quenching. In fact, photosynthetic activity is unaffected in more than 30 VHL(R) isolates. Instead, the basis of the VHL(R) phenotype is a combination of traits, which appears to be dominated by enhanced capacity to tolerate reactive oxygen species generated by excess light, methylviologen, rose bengal or hydrogen peroxide. This is further evidenced in lower levels of ROS after exposure to very high light in the VHL(R)-S9 mutant. Additionally, the VHL(R) phenotype is associated with increased zeaxanthin accumulation, maintenance of fast synthesis and degradation rates of the D1 protein, and sustained balanced electron flow into and out of PSI under very high light. We conclude that the VHL(R) mutations arose from a selection pressure that favors changes to the regulatory system(s) that coordinates several photoprotective processes amongst which repair of PSII and enhanced detoxification of reactive oxygen species play seminal roles.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

A gain-of-function mutation in the second tetratricopeptide repeat of TFIIIC131 relieves autoinhibition of Brf1 binding.

The interaction between the tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR)-containing subunit of TFIIIC, TFIIIC131, and the TFIIB-related factor Brf1 represents a limiting step in the assembly of the RNA polymerase III (pol III) initiation factor TFIIIB. This assembly reaction is facilitated by dominant mutations that map in and around TPR2. Structural modeling of TPR1 to TPR3 from TFIIIC131 shows that one such mutation, PCF1-2, alters a residue in the ligand-binding groove of the TPR superhelix whereas another mutation, PCF1-1, changes a surface-accessible residue on the back side of the TPR superhelix. In this work, we show that the PCF1-1 mutation (H190Y) increases the binding affinity for Brf1, but does not affect the binding affinity for Bdp1, in the TFIIIC-dependent assembly of TFIIIB. Interestingly, binding studies with TFIIIC131 fragments indicate that Brf1 does not interact directly at the site of the PCF1-1 mutation. Rather, the data suggest that the mutation overcomes the previously documented autoinhibition of Brf1 binding. These findings together with the results from site-directed mutagenesis support the hypothesis that gain-of-function mutations at amino acid 190 in TPR2 stabilize an alternative conformation of TFIIIC131 that promotes its interaction with Brf1.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

A splicing switch and gain-of-function mutation in FgfR2-IIIc hemizygotes causes Apert/Pfeiffer-syndrome-like phenotypes.

Intercellular signaling by fibroblast growth factors plays vital roles during embryogenesis. Mice deficient for fibroblast growth factor receptors (FgfRs) show abnormalities in early gastrulation and implantation, disruptions in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, as well as profound defects in membranous and endochondrial bone formation. Activating FGFR mutations are the underlying cause of several craniosynostoses and dwarfism syndromes in humans. Here we show that a heterozygotic abrogation of FgfR2-exon 9 (IIIc) in mice causes a splicing switch, resulting in a gain-of-function mutation. The consequences are neonatal growth retardation and death, coronal synostosis, ocular proptosis, precocious sternal fusion, and abnormalities in secondary branching in several organs that undergo branching morphogenesis. This phenotype has strong parallels to some Apert's and Pfeiffer's syndrome patients.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗

The amdA regulatory gene of Aspergillus nidulans: characterization of gain-of-function mutations and identification of binding sites for the gene product.

Genetic evidence suggests that the amdA gene of Aspergillus nidulans encodes a protein which controls the expression of the amdS and aciA structural genes. The amd166 and amd1666 mutations in the 5' regulatory region of amdS lead to higher levels of amdA-dependent amdS expression. We show here that the putative DNA binding domain of amdA is capable of binding specific regions of the amdS and aciA promoters in vitro and this region includes sequences duplicated and triplicated in the amd166 and amd1666 mutations, respectively. Footprinting analysis has shown that AmdA binds to two sites in this region represented by the sequences 5'-GCGGGG-3' and 5'-GAGGGG-3'. A number of gain-of-function mutations in amdA were localized to a region rich in acidic and hydrophobic amino acid residues and shown to be involved in transcriptional activation by studies of fusions with the GAL4 DNA binding domain in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Therefore, both an increased probability of AmdA binding to the amdS promoter and an increased activation potential of AmdA can result in higher levels of expression.

Amidohydrolases↗

A gain-of-function mutation of JAK2 in myeloproliferative disorders.

BACKGROUND: Polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and idiopathic myelofibrosis are clonal myeloproliferative disorders arising from a multipotent progenitor. The loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on the short arm of chromosome 9 (9pLOH) in myeloproliferative disorders suggests that 9p harbors a mutation that contributes to the cause of clonal expansion of hematopoietic cells in these diseases. METHODS: We performed microsatellite mapping of the 9pLOH region and DNA sequencing in 244 patients with myeloproliferative disorders (128 with polycythemia vera, 93 with essential thrombocythemia, and 23 with idiopathic myelofibrosis). RESULTS: Microsatellite mapping identified a 9pLOH region that included the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) gene. In patients with 9pLOH, JAK2 had a homozygous G-->T transversion, causing phenylalanine to be substituted for valine at position 617 of JAK2 (V617F). All 51 patients with 9pLOH had the V617F mutation. Of 193 patients without 9pLOH, 66 were heterozygous for V617F and 127 did not have the mutation. The frequency of V617F was 65 percent among patients with polycythemia vera (83 of 128), 57 percent among patients with idiopathic myelofibrosis (13 of 23), and 23 percent among patients with essential thrombocythemia (21 of 93). V617F is a somatic mutation present in hematopoietic cells. Mitotic recombination probably causes both 9pLOH and the transition from heterozygosity to homozygosity for V617F. Genetic evidence and in vitro functional studies indicate that V617F gives hematopoietic precursors proliferative and survival advantages. Patients with the V617F mutation had a significantly longer duration of disease and a higher rate of complications (fibrosis, hemorrhage, and thrombosis) and treatment with cytoreductive therapy than patients with wild-type JAK2. CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of patients with myeloproliferative disorders carry a dominant gain-of-function mutation of JAK2.

Adolescent↗

Cytoplasmic localization of NPM in myeloid leukemias is dictated by gain-of-function mutations that create a functional nuclear export signal.

Nucleophosmin (NPM) is a nucleus-cytoplasmic shuttling protein that is implicated in centrosome duplication, cell cycle progression and stress response. At the steady state, NPM localizes mainly in the nucleolus, where it forms a complex with different cellular proteins. One-third of acute myeloid leukemias (AML) are characterized by aberrant cytoplasmic localization of NPM, due to mutations within its last coding exon (exon 12) that cause a frameshift and the formation of novel C-termini. We report here our investigations on the molecular basis for the aberrant localization of mutated NPM. Alignment of the C-terminus of the various NPM mutants revealed the obligatory presence of four amino-acid residues that match a CRM1-dependent nuclear export signal (NES). Single alanine-substitutions at these sites provoked nuclear re-localization, while fusion of the mutated C-terminus to a heterologous nuclear protein induced CRM1-dependent cytoplasmic localization. Molecular characterization of one exceptional AML carrying cytoplasmic NPM and germ line exon 12 revealed a somatic mutation in the splicing donor site of exon 9 that caused the formation of a functional NES. It appears, therefore, that AMLs are frequently characterized by gain-of-function mutations of NPM that create functional NES, suggesting that alterations of nuclear export might represent a general mechanism of leukemogenesis and a novel target for therapeutic intervention.

Acute Disease↗

Bilateral congenital cataracts result from a gain-of-function mutation in the gene for aquaporin-0 in mice.

Cataract Tohoku (Cat(Tohm)) is a dominant cataract mutation that leads to severe degeneration of lens fiber cells. Linkage analysis showed that the Cat(Tohm) mutation is located on mouse chromosome 10, close to the gene for aquaporin-0 (Aqp0), which encodes a membrane protein that is expressed specifically in lens fiber cells. Sequence analysis of Aqp0 revealed a 12-bp deletion without any change in the reading frame, which resulted in a deletion of four amino acids within the second transmembrane region of the AQP0 protein. Targeted expression of the mutated Aqp0 caused lens opacity in transgenic mice, the pathological severity of which depended on the expression level of the transgene. The mutated AQP0 protein was localized to the intracellular and perinuclear spaces rather than to the plasma membranes of the lens fiber cells. The cataract phenotype of Cat(Tohm) is caused by a gain-of-function mutation in the mutated AQP0 protein and not by a loss-of-function mutation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Gain-of-function mutations in the Caenorhabditis elegans lin-1 ETS gene identify a C-terminal regulatory domain phosphorylated by ERK MAP kinase.

Genetic analysis of lin-1 loss-of-function mutations suggests that lin-1 controls multiple cell-fate decisions during Caenorhabditis elegans development and is negatively regulated by a conserved receptor tyrosine kinase-Ras-ERK mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signal transduction pathway. LIN-1 protein contains an ETS domain and presumably regulates transcription. We identified and characterized six gain-of-function mutations that define a new class of lin-1 allele. These lin-1 alleles appeared to be constitutively active and unresponsive to negative regulation. Each allele has a single-base change that affects the predicted C terminus of LIN-1, suggesting this region is required for negative regulation. The C terminus of LIN-1 was a high-affinity substrate for Erk2 in vitro, suggesting that LIN-1 is directly regulated by ERK MAP kinase. Because mpk-1 ERK MAP kinase controls at least one cell-fate decision that does not require lin-1, our results suggest that MPK-1 contributes to the specificity of this receptor tyrosine kinase-Ras-MAP kinase signal transduction pathway by phosphorylating different proteins in different developmental contexts. These lin-1 mutations all affect a four-amino-acid motif, FQFP, that is conserved in vertebrate and Drosophila ETS proteins that are also phosphorylated by ERK MAP kinase. This sequence may be a substrate recognition motif for the ERK subfamily of MAP kinases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗