Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Actionable mutations”

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 739 records · Page 41Linked to original sources

Intergenic suppressors of temperature-sensitive sporulation in Bacillus subtilis are allele non-specific.

The Bacillus subtilis mutant cal1 carries a non-reverting mutation in ribosomal protein L17 (r-protein L17) that causes both resistance to the antibiotic chalcomycin (Calr) and temperature-sensitive sporulation (Spots). Second-site suppressor (rev) mutations that relieve the Spots phenotype have been isolated from cal1. Three suppressor mutations - rev4, rev10, rev11 - each increase the sporulation frequency of cal1 at the non-permissive temperature from 3% to 95% of the wild-type level. The cal1 rev strains remain resistant to chalcomycin and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis indicates that they contain the same altered r-protein L17 as the original cal1 strain and no additional altered r-proteins. The three rev mutations have been mapped at a single locus between narA and sacA on the B. subtilis chromosome and recombination indexes for the rev mutations indicate that they are tightly linked to one another. Antibiotic resistance Spots mutations that cause temperature-sensitive sporulation have previously been isolated in RNA polymerase, in the 30S and 50S subunits of the ribosome, and in elongation factor G. The rev4, 10, and 11 suppressor mutations are non-specific in their action in that they restore significant levels of sporulation at the non-permissive temperature in all of the Spots strains that we have tested. This result suggests that Spots mutations in components of the B. subtilis transcription and translation systems share a common molecular basis for their sporulation-defective phenotypes.

Bacillus subtilis↗

The Parkes lecture. Mutations of gonadotrophin and gonadotrophin receptor genes: what do they teach us about reproductive physiology?

Although mutations in human gonadotrophin and gonadotrophin receptor genes are rare, they have greatly elucidated the physiology and pathophysiology of gonadotrophin action. These 'nature's transgenics' have been corroborated by mouse transgenic and knock-out models. An inactivating mutation of the human LHbeta chain and knock-out of the mouse common alpha-chain show that pituitary LH is not needed to stimulate fetal testicular steroidogenesis and male sexual differentiation. In mice, early testicular steroidogenesis is apparently gonadotrophin-independent and, in humans, it is regulated by placental hCG. Pituitary LH becomes necessary only after birth. Inactivating LH receptor mutations block prenatal hCG action, thus inhibiting male-type sexual differentiation. In females, this process is autonomous, and LH becomes important only at puberty; inactivation of LH receptor causes anovulatory infertility. Activating LH receptor mutations cause male-limited gonadotrophin-independent precocious puberty in males, but no apparent phenotype in females. Animal models for LH or LH receptor inactivation are not yet available. Inactivating FSH ligand and receptor mutations cause infertility because of a lack of follicular maturation in women. Findings in men are controversial, since FSHbeta inactivation is related to azoospermia, whereas the cognate receptor inactivation only suppresses spermatogenesis without causing absolute infertility. The FSHbeta and FSH receptor knock-out mice display phenocopies of the human FSH receptor mutation. Information about activating FSH receptor mutations is still insufficient. Hence, the above human mutations have brought important new information about the role of gonadotrophins in reproductive functions. The genetically modified animal models provide useful tools to explore the pathogenesis and new treatment modalities of infertility, and to develop new contraceptive strategies.

Animals↗

Missense mutations in the human insulin promoter factor-1 gene are not a common cause of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Taiwan.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common metabolic disorder characterized by a hyperglycemia resulting from defect in insulin secretion and insulin action. Recent studies showed that dominant negative mutations in the insulin promoter factor-1 (IPF-1), a pancreatic beta-cell specific transcription factor, cause maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), a subtype of T2DM with early onset and monogenic autosomal inheritance. In addition to MODY, IPF-1 mutations are suggested to predispose to common late-onset T2DM with different penetration of the mutations reflected in their in vitro activity. Thus, we investigated IPF-1 C18R, Q59L, D76N and R197H mutations in Taiwanese patients with common late-onset T2DM, because research into IPF-1 variants in Taiwanese diabetic patients--a population with the lowest range of diabetic incidence--has never been documented. Peripheral blood samples were collected and genomic DNA was extracted from 434 patients with T2DM and 194 non-diabetes control study subjects. IPF-1 genetic variations were analyzed by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. We did not find any of these four IPF-1 mutations in our patients. Our results suggested that IPF-1 mutations were not a common cause associated with Taiwanese T2DM.

Age of Onset↗

A missense mutation in the GHR gene of Cornell sex-linked dwarf chickens does not abolish serum GH binding.

Sex-linked dwarfism (SLD) in chickens is characterized by impaired growth despite normal or supranormal plasma growth hormone (GH) levels. This resistance to GH action is thought to be due to mutations of the GH receptor (GHR) gene that reduce or prevent GH binding to target sites. The genetic lesion causing GH resistance in Cornell SLD chickens is, however, not known. Previous studies have shown that hepatic GH-binding activity is abnormally low in these birds, yet the GHR gene is transcribed into a transcript of appropriate size and abundance. Point mutations or defects in translation could therefore account for the impaired GHR activity in this strain. These possibilities were addressed in the present study. A missense mutation resulting in the substitution of serine for the conserved phenylalanine was identified in the region of the GHR cDNA encoding the extracellular domain. Translation of this mutant transcript was indicated by the presence of GHR/GH-binding protein (GHBP)-immunoreactive proteins in liver (55, 70 and 100 kDa) and serum (70 kDa) of normal (K) and SLD birds. Radiolabelled GH did not, however, bind to the hepatic membranes of most SLD chickens. Serum GH-binding activity, in contrast, was readily detectable, although at significantly lower levels than in normal birds. The missense mutation in the SLD GHR gene may thus affect targeting of GHRs to hepatic plasma membranes.

Animals↗

Improved motor development and good long-term glycaemic control with sulfonylurea treatment in a patient with the syndrome of intermediate developmental delay, early-onset generalised epilepsy and neonatal diabetes associated with the V59M mutation in the KCNJ11 gene.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Activating mutations in the KCNJ11 gene encoding the Kir6.2 subunit of the K(ATP) channels in pancreatic beta cells are a common cause of neonatal diabetes. One-third of patients also have developmental delay, which probably results from mutated K(ATP) channels in muscle, nerve and brain. Sulfonylureas, which bind to the sulfonylurea receptor 1 subunit of the K(ATP) channel, can replace insulin injections in patients with KCNJ11 mutations. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term outcome and impact on neurological features of sulfonylurea treatment. METHODS: We report the response to sulfonylurea treatment in a boy with neonatal diabetes and marked developmental delay resulting from the KCNJ11 mutation V59M. RESULTS: Glibenclamide (glyburide) treatment was started at 23 months and resulted in insulin being discontinued, lower overall glycaemia, reduced glucose fluctuations and reduced hypoglycaemia. Good control (HbA(1c) 6.5%) was maintained 2 years after discontinuing insulin, despite a reduction in the glibenclamide dose (from 0.41 to 0.11 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)). Within 1 month of starting glibenclamide there was marked improvement in motor function, resulting in the patient progressing from being unable to stand unaided to walking independently, but there was no improvement in mental function. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: This 2-year follow-up of a patient highlights that sulfonylurea treatment can result in prolonged, excellent glycaemic control and may improve motor features, but not mental features, associated with KCNJ11 mutations. This suggests that the neurological actions of sulfonylurea are initially principally on peripheral (nerve or muscle) rather than on central (brain) K(ATP) channels. Early molecular diagnosis is important in patients with neonatal diabetes and neurological features.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Detecting mutations expressed during early development of cultured mammalian embryos.

Mammalian embryo culture systems can be used to study dominant lethal, recessive lethal, and visible mutations that are expressed between fertilization and early stages of organogenesis. The incidence of dominant lethal mutations has been determined for cultured mouse embryos by morphological observations during pre-implantation and early post-implantation growth in vitro, and the mechanisms of dominant lethal mutations have been studied cytogenetically. Recessive lethal mutations have been studied with cultured embryos, although they can be initially detected only with appropriate breeding protocols. Visible mutations that are due to deletions or single-site base alterations in the DNA can be detected in embryos by isoelectric focusing and gel-electrophoresis techniques.--The principal advantage of cultured embryos for detecting mutations and studying the mechanism of action of particular mutagens is that embryos are accessible for analysis before death with a minimum of indirect maternal effects. The primary disadvantages, which may be alleviated with improved culture conditions, are that only a limited amount of tissue is available, attrition and retardation occur, and offspring are not recovered for further breeding studies.

Animals↗

Mutations in the estrogen receptor DNA-binding domain discriminate between the classical mechanism of action and cross-talk with Stat5b and activating protein 1 (AP-1).

Estrogen receptors (ERs) efficiently potentiate the transcriptional activity of prolactin-activated Stat5b through a mechanism that involves the ER DNA-binding domain (DBD) and the hinge domain. We have identified residues within the DBD of ER that are critical for the functional interaction of ER with Stat5b. We show that disruption of the second zinc finger structure abrogated cross-talk between ER and Stat5b, while the structure of the first zinc finger was not important. Furthermore, we confirm that intact DNA binding activity was not required for potentiation of Stat5b activity and that the dimerization of ER did not seem to be involved. Ligand-bound ERs also modulated activating protein 1-dependent transcription, and our data demonstrate that both zinc finger structures of the ER DBD are important for an intact response. We show that introduction of various point mutations within the DBD altered the response of the receptor to 17beta-estradiol and to the estrogen antagonists 4-hydroxytamoxifen and ICI 182,870 on the collagenase promoter. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms by which ERs act in cross-talk with non-related transcription factors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Disruption of human limb morphogenesis by a dominant negative mutation in CDMP1.

Chondrodysplasia Grebe type (CGT) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe limb shortening and dysmorphogenesis. We have identified a causative point mutation in the gene encoding the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-like molecule, cartilage-derived morphogenetic protein-1 (CDMP-1). The mutation substitutes a tyrosine for the first of seven highly conserved cysteine residues in the mature active domain of the protein. We demonstrate that the mutation results in a protein that is not secreted and is inactive in vitro. It produces a dominant negative effect by preventing the secretion of other, related BMP family members. We present evidence that this may occur through the formation of heterodimers. The mutation and its proposed mechanism of action provide the first human genetic indication that composite expression patterns of different BMPs dictate limb and digit morphogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Propofol and other intravenous anesthetics have sites of action on the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor distinct from that for isoflurane.

Both volatile and intravenous general anesthetics allosterically enhance gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-evoked chloride currents at the GABA type A (GABAA) receptor. Recent work has revealed that two specific amino acid residues within transmembrane domain (TM)2 and TM3 are necessary for positive modulation of GABAA and glycine receptors by the volatile anesthetic enflurane. We now report that mutation of these residues within either GABAA alpha2 (S270 or A291) or beta1 (S265 or M286) subunits resulted in receptors that retain normal or near-normal gating by GABA but are insensitive to clinically relevant concentrations of another inhaled anesthetic, isoflurane. To determine whether receptor modulation by intravenous general anesthetics also was affected by these point mutations, we examined the effects of propofol, etomidate, the barbiturate methohexital, and the steroid alphaxalone on wild-type and mutant GABAA receptors expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. In most cases, these mutations had little or no effect on the actions of these intravenous anesthetics. However, a point mutation in the beta1 subunit (M286W) abolished potentiation of GABA by propofol but did not alter direct activation of the receptor by high concentrations of propofol. These data indicate that the receptor structural requirements for positive modulation by volatile and intravenous general anesthetics may be quite distinct.

Anesthetics, Inhalation↗

R (+) etomidate and the photoactivable R (+) azietomidate have comparable anesthetic activity in wild-type mice and comparably decreased activity in mice with a N265M point mutation in the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor beta3 subunit.

A photoactivable diazirine derivative of etomidate, azietomidate, shares many actions of etomidate, including a capacity to abolish the righting reflexes in tadpoles and enhance gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-induced currents. Azietomidate's usefulness in studies of mechanisms of anesthesia depends on the assumption that it shares a site of action with etomidate. Mice bearing an N265M beta3 subunit point mutation in GABA(A) receptors have a markedly decreased sensitivity to loss of righting reflexes induced by etomidate over a range of doses. Accordingly, in the present study we measured the time to recovery of righting reflexes of wild type and mutant mice as a function of dose given as an IV bolus. Analysis of the data for azietomidate yielded mean times to recovery of righting reflexes at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg of 10.0 +/- 0.9 min and 3.0 +/- 1.6 min for wild type and mutant mice, respectively (mean +/- sd). A similar analysis for etomidate yielded mean times to recovery of righting reflexes at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg of 12.0 +/- 1.3 min and 4.0 +/- 0.7 min for wild type and mutant mice respectively. Thus, at this dose a single mutation, N265M on the beta3 subunit of the GABA(A) receptor, approximately halved the time to recovery of righting reflexes for both etomidate and azietomidate (by 7.6 +/- 1.5 min and 7.2 +/- 1.8 min, respectively), emphasizing the contribution of this residue as a determinant of a behavioral response of azietomidate in mice.

Anesthetics, Intravenous↗

Hereditary pancreatitis.

Hereditary pancreatitis is an autosomal dominant condition, which results in recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis, progressing to chronic pancreatitis often at a young age. The majority of patients with hereditary pancreatitis express one of two mutations (R122H or N29I) in the cationic trypsinogen gene (PRSS1 gene). It has been hypothesised that one of these mutations, the R122H mutation causes pancreatitis by altering a trypsin recognition site so preventing deactivation of trypsin within the pancreas and prolonging its action, resulting in autodigestion. Families with these two mutations have been identified in many countries and there are also other rarer mutations, which have also been linked to hereditary pancreatitis. Patients with hereditary pancreatitis present in the same way as those with sporadic pancreatitis but at an earlier age. It is common for patients to remain undiagnosed for many years, particularly if they present with non-specific symptoms. Hereditary pancreatitis should always be considered in patients who present with recurrent pancreatitis with a family history of pancreatic disease. If patients with the 2 common mutations are compared, those with the R122H mutation are more likely to present at a younger age and are more likely to require surgical intervention than those with N29I. Hereditary pancreatitis carries a 40 % lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer with those patients aged between 50 to 70 being most at risk in whom screening tests may become important.

Genetic Counseling↗

Genotype versus phenotype in families with androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome encompasses a wide range of phenotypes, which are caused by numerous different mutations in the AR gene. Detailed information on the genotype/phenotype relationship in androgen insensitivity syndrome is important for sex assignment, treatment of androgen insensitivity syndrome patients, genetic counseling of their families, and insight into the functional domains of the AR. The commonly accepted concept of dependence on fetal androgens of the development of Wolffian ducts was studied in complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) patients. In a nationwide survey in The Netherlands, all cases (n = 49) with the presumptive diagnosis androgen insensitivity syndrome known to pediatric endocrinologists and clinical geneticists were studied. After studying the clinical phenotype, mutation analysis and functional analysis of mutant receptors were performed using genital skin fibroblasts and in vitro expression studies. Here we report the findings in families with multiple affected cases. Fifty-nine percent of androgen insensitivity syndrome patients had other affected relatives. A total of 17 families were studied, seven families with CAIS (18 patients), nine families with partial androgen insensitivity (24 patients), and one family with female prepubertal phenotypes (two patients). No phenotypic variation was observed in families with CAIS. However, phenotypic variation was observed in one-third of families with partial androgen insensitivity resulting in different sex of rearing and differences in requirement of reconstructive surgery. Intrafamilial phenotypic variation was observed for mutations R846H, M771I, and deletion of amino acid N682. Four newly identified mutations were found. Follow-up in families with different AR gene mutations provided information on residual androgen action in vivo and the development of the prepubertal and adult phenotype. Patients with a functional complete defective AR had some pubic hair, Tanner stage P2, and vestigial Wolffian duct derivatives despite absence of AR expression. Vaginal length was functional in most but not all CAIS patients. The minimal incidence of androgen insensitivity syndrome in The Netherlands, based on patients with molecular proof of the diagnosis is 1:99,000. Phenotypic variation was absent in families with CAIS, but distinct phenotypic variation was observed relatively frequent in families with partial androgen insensitivity. Molecular observations suggest that phenotypic variation had different etiologies among these families. Sex assignment of patients with partial androgen insensitivity cannot be based on a specific identified AR gene mutation because distinct phenotypic variation in partial androgen insensitivity families is relatively frequent. In genetic counseling of partial androgen insensitivity families, this frequent occurrence of variable expression resulting in differences in sex of rearing and/or requirement of reconstructive surgery is important information. During puberty or normal dose androgen therapy, no or only minimal virilization may occur even in patients with significant (but still deficient) prenatal virilization. Wolffian duct remnants remain detectable but differentiation does not occur in the absence of a functional AR. In many CAIS patients, surgical elongation of the vagina is not indicated.

Adolescent↗

Hyper-mutation caused by the reml mutation in yeast is not dependent on error-prone or excision repair.

The reml mutations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae confer a semi-dominant hyper-recombination/hyper-mutation phenotype. Neither reml mutant allele has any apparent meiotic affect. We have examined spontaneous mutation in reml-2 strains and demonstrate that the reml-2 mutation, like reml-1, confers an average 10-fold increase in reversion and forward mutation rates. Unlike certain yeast rad mutations with phenotypes similar to reml, strains containing reml are resistant to MMS and only slightly UV sensitive at very high doses. To understand the mutator phenotype of reml, we have used a double-mutant approach, combining the reml mutation with radiation-sensitive mutations affecting DNA repair. Double mutants of reml-2 and a mutation in the yeast error-prone repair group (rad6-1) or a mutation in excision repair (rad1-2 or rad4) maintain the hyper-mutation phenotype. Since mutation rates remain elevated in these double-mutant strains, it appears as if the mutations which occur in the presence of reml resemble spontaneous mutation since they do not require the action of a repair system.

Alleles↗

[Mutants of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae characterized by enhanced induced mutagenesis. III. Effect of the him mutation on the effectiveness and specificity of UF-induced mutagenesis].

We have studied the influence of him1-1, him2-1, him3-1 and himX mutations on induction frequency and specificity of UV-induced adenine-dependent mutations in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Him mutations do not render haploid cells more sensitive to the lethal action of UV-light; however, in him strains adenine-dependent mutations (ade1, ade2) were induced more frequently (1.5--2-fold), as compared to the HIM strain. An analysis of the molecular nature of ade2 mutants revealed that him1-1, him2-1 and himX mutations increase specifically the yield of transitions (AT----GC and GC----AT), whereas in the him3-1 strain the yield of transversions was enhanced as well. We suggest him mutations analysed to affect specific repair pathway for mismatch correction.

Genes, Fungal↗

Wilms' tumor (WT1) gene mutations occur mainly in acute myeloid leukemia and may confer drug resistance.

In a previous study of acute leukemia, we have shown that WT1 gene mutations occur in both myeloid and biphenotypic subtypes, where they are associated with refractoriness to standard induction chemotherapy. We have now extended this study to a total of 67 cases (34 acute myeloid leukemia [AML], 23 acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL], 10 acute undifferentiated leukemia [AUL]/biphenotypic) and find that WT1 mutations occur in 14% of AML and 20% of biphenotypic leukemia, but are rare in ALL (one case). In contrast to the findings in Wilms' tumor, where mutations in the WT1 gene usually behave according to Knudson's two hit model for tumor suppressor genes, seven of eight leukemia-associated WT1 mutations are heterozygous, implying a dominant or dominant-negative mode of action in hematopoietic cells. In AML, the presence of a WT1 mutation is associated with failure to achieve complete remission and a lower survival rate. These data (1) confirm that WT1 mutations underlie a similar proportion of cases of AML to that seen in Wilms' tumors and (2) show for the first time that WT1 mutations can contribute to leukemogenesis of lymphoid as well as myeloid origin, suggesting that its normal role in hematopoiesis lies at a very early progenitor stage. The relationship of WT1 mutation to chemoresistance merits further investigation.

Acute Disease↗

Janus carcinogens and mutagens.

Janus carcinogens are carcinogenic agents that, under differing conditions of cell type or dose, can instead act as anticarcinogens. Studies by Haseman and Johnson [J.K. Haseman, F.M. Johnson, Analysis of rodent NTP bioassay data for anticarcinogenic effects, Mutat. Res. , 350 (1996) 131-142], have demonstrated that many chemicals that are carcinogenic for one tissue type can have anticarcinogenic action on another tissue type. As Magni et al. [G.E. Magni, R.C. von Borstel, S. Sora, Mutagenic action during meiosis and antimutagenic action during mitosis by 5-aminoacridine in yeast, Mutat. Res., 1 (1964) 227-230] have shown in 1964, this principle holds true for chemical mutagens as well, that is 9-aminoacridine is an antimutagen in the vegetative cell and a mutagen in the sporulating cell. The conclusion can be drawn that two established carcinogens, tobacco and ionizing radiation, are indeed Janus carcinogens. In their review of 'ambiguous carcinogens' (their name), Weinberg and Storer [A.M. Weinberg, J.B. Storer, Ambiguous carcinogens and their regulation, Risk Anal., 5 (1985) 151-156], pointed out that tobacco can be classified as an ambiguous carcinogen. The strong carcinogenicity and anticarcinogenicity of tobacco smoke and/or tobacco itself (i.e., chewing tobacco) may be due to components in the mixture, not that of a single carcinogenic chemical that also may be anticarcinogenic. Kondo [S. Kondo, Health Effects of Low-Level Radiation, Kinki Univ. Press, Osaka, Japan and Medical Physics Publishing, Madison, WI, 1995, 213 pp.] has compiled data that demonstrate that human populations who survive exposures to ionizing radiation generally live longer and have less cancer than unirradiated human populations, and this Janus phenomenon goes beyond the more trivial concept of increased sensitivity to radiation of rapidly dividing tumor cells. Thiabendazole is an interesting compound in that it is both aneugenic and antimutagenic, and yet it does not appear to be a carcinogen or a mutagen. It is discussed here because aneugenesis and antimutagenesis are at extremes of the mutagenic spectrum. In general, mutagenic or carcinogenic actions usually are at least partially understood at a molecular level, whereas antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic actions usually are not. It is possible there may be numerous specific mechanisms underlying the Janus activity of different chemicals.

Animals↗