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Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase overexpression decreases endothelial cell oxidant stress and increases bioavailable nitric oxide.

OBJECTIVE: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), the principal source of NADPH, serves as an antioxidant enzyme to modulate the redox milieu and nitric oxide synthase activity. Deficient G6PD activity is associated with increased endothelial cell oxidant stress and diminished bioavailable nitric oxide (NO.). Therefore, we examined whether overexpression of G6PD would decrease reactive oxygen species accumulation and increase bioavailable NO. in endothelial cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: Adenoviral-mediated gene transfer of G6PD increased G6PD expression, activity, and NADPH levels in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). BAECs overexpressing G6PD demonstrated a significant reduction in reactive oxygen species accumulation when exposed to hydrogen peroxide, xanthine-xanthine oxidase, or tumor necrosis factor-alpha compared with BAECs with basal levels of G6PD. BAECs overexpressing G6PD maintained intracellular glutathione stores when exposed to oxidants because of increased activity of glutathione reductase, an effect that was not observed in endothelial cells with normal G6PD activity. Overexpression of G6PD was also associated with enhanced nitric oxide synthase activity, resulting in elevated levels of cGMP, nitrate, and nitrite, and this response was increased after stimulation with bradykinin. CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of G6PD in vascular endothelial cells decreases reactive oxygen species accumulation in response to exogenous and endogenous oxidant stress and improves levels of bioavailable NO.

Animals↗

High prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency without gene mutation suggests a novel genetic mechanism predisposing to ketosis-prone diabetes.

CONTEXT: Ketosis-prone diabetes (KPD) is mostly observed in males of West African descent and is characterized by phasic or permanent insulin dependence without apparent autoimmune process. OBJECTIVE: KPD subjects display a propensity to hyperglycemia-induced acute insulin deficiency, suggesting that they exhibit a propensity to oxidative stress in beta-cells. The enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is a defense mechanism against oxidative stress, and G6PD deficiency, an X-linked genetic disorder with male predominance, is frequent in West Africans. We hypothesized that mutations in the G6PD gene could predispose to KPD. DESIGN: We studied G6PD erythrocyte enzyme activity and the insulin secretory reserve (glucagon-stimulated C peptide) in a cohort of hospitalized West Africans with KPD (n = 59) or type 2 diabetes (T2DM; n = 59) and in normoglycemic controls (n = 55). We also studied the G6PD gene in an extended population of KPD patients (n = 100), T2DM patients (n = 59), and controls (n = 85). RESULTS: The prevalence of G6PD deficiency was higher in KPD than in T2DM and controls (42.3%; 16.9%; 16.4%; P = 0.01). In KPD, but not in T2DM, insulin deficiency was proportional to the decreased G6PD activity (r = 0.33; P = 0.04). We found no increase in the prevalence of G6PD gene mutations in KPD compared with T2DM and controls. Rather, we found a 20.3% prevalence of G6PD deficiency in KPD without gene mutation. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that 1) G6PD deficiency alone is not causative of KPD; and 2) alterations in genes controlling both insulin secretion and G6PD-mediated antioxidant defenses may contribute to the predisposition to KPD in West Africans.

Africa, Western↗

Molecular characterization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

The level of activity of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) was determined in 154 unrelated Saudi males and females with G6PD deficiency who were residing in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. DNA was extracted from blood samples and analyzed for known G6PD mutations by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques. Two different polymorphic mutations were identified which accounted for 90% of the samples analyzed. Of 114 G6PD-deficient males, 96 had G6PD Mediterranean, nine had African deficient variant G6PD A- and in nine the mutation has not been identified. Of the 40 G6PD-deficient females, 34 were homozygous for the G6PD Mediterranean mutation and six were genetic compound, G6PD Mediterranean/G6PD A-. The data indicate that the G6PD Mediterranean mutation is the most common (84%) in the Eastern Province, followed by G6PD A- (5.8%). Seventy one subjects who suffered from favism were found to carry the Mediterranean mutation.

Female↗

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and the oxidative pentose phosphate cycle protect cells against apoptosis induced by low doses of ionizing radiation.

The initial and rate-limiting enzyme of the oxidative pentose phosphate shunt, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), is inhibited by NADPH and stimulated by NADP(+). Hence, under normal growth conditions, where NADPH levels exceed NADP(+) levels by as much as 100-fold, the activity of the pentose phosphate cycle is extremely low. However, during oxidant stress, pentose phosphate cycle activity can increase by as much as 200-fold over basal levels, to maintain the cytosolic reducing environment. G6PD-deficient (G6PD(-)) cell lines are sensitive to toxicity induced by chemical oxidants and ionizing radiation. Compared to wild-type CHO cells, enhanced sensitivity to ionizing radiation was observed for G6PD(-) cells exposed to single-dose or fractionated radiation. Fitting the single-dose radiation response data to the linear-quadratic model of radiation-induced cytotoxicity, we found that the G6PD(-) cells exhibited a significant enhancement in the alpha component of radiation-induced cell killing, while the values obtained for the beta component were similar in both the G6PD(-) and wild-type CHO cell lines. Here we report that the enhanced alpha component of radiation-induced cell killing is associated with a significant increase in the incidence of ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis in the G6PD(-) cells. These data suggest that G6PD and the oxidative pentose phosphate shunt protect cells from ionizing radiation-induced cell killing by limiting the incidence of radiation-induced apoptosis. The sensitivity to radiation-induced apoptosis was lost when the cDNA for wild-type G6PD was transfected into the G6PD(-) cell lines. Depleting GSH with l-BSO enhanced apoptosis of K1 cells while having no effect in the G6PD(-) cell line

Animals↗

Radiation response of cells during altered protein thiol redox.

The major focus of this work was to investigate how altered protein thiol redox homeostasis affects radiation-induced cell death. We used the cells of wild-type CHO cell line K1, the CHO cell line E89, which is null for G6PD activity, and a radiation-sensitive CHO cell line, XRS5. The protein-thiol redox status of cells was altered with cell-permeable disulfides, hydroxyethyldisulfide (HEDS) or lipoate. HEDS is primarily reduced by thioltransferase (glutaredoxin), with GSH as the electron donor. In contrast, lipoate is reduced by thioredoxin reductase. HEDS was reduced at a greater rate than lipoate by G6PD-containing K1 (wild-type) cells. Reduction of disulfides by G6PD-deficient cells was significantly slower with HEDS as substrate and was nearly absent with lipoate. The rate of reduction of HEDS by E89 cells decelerated to near zero by 30 min, whereas the reduction continued at nearly the same rate during the entire measurement period for K1 cells. HEDS treatment decreased the GSH and protein thiol (PSH) content more in G6PD-deficient cells than in G6PD-containing cells. On the other hand, lipoate did not significantly alter the protein thiol, but it increased the GSH in K1 cells. Acute depletion of GSH by l-buthionine-sulfoximine (l-BSO) in combination with dimethylfumarate significantly decreased the rate of reduction of HEDS by K1 cells close to that of G6PD-deficient cells. Prior GSH depletion by l-BSO alone significantly decreased the PSH in glucose-depleted E89 cells exposed to HEDS, but this did not occur with K1 cells. The radiation response of G6PD-deficient cells was significantly sensitized by HEDS, but HEDS did not have this effect on K1 cells. The DNA repair-deficient XRS5 CHO cells displayed the same capacity as K1 cells for HEDS reduction, and like K1 cells the XRS5 cells were not sensitized to radiation by HEDS treatment. Deprivation of glucose, which provides the substrate for G6PD in the oxidative pentose phosphate cycle, decreased the rate of bioreduction of HEDS and lipoate in G6PD-containing cells to the level in G6PD-deficient cells. In the absence of glucose, HEDS treatment diminished non-protein thiol and protein thiol to the same level as those in G6PD-deficient cells and sensitized the K1 cells to HEDS treatment. However, depletion of glucose did not alter the sensitivity of XRS5 cells in either the presence or absence of HEDS. Overall the results suggest a major role for pentose cycle control of protein redox state coupled to the activities of the thioltransferase and thioredoxin systems. The results also show that protein thiol status is a critical factor in cell survival after irradiation.

Animals↗

[Molecular characterization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase variants in four ethnic groups in Yunnan province of China].

OBJECTIVE: In order to understand the molecular evolution, race origin and the relationship between the G6PD gene structure and clinical symptoms, the authors identified the molecular characterization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and determined the G6PD gene frequency in four ethnic groups in Yunnan province of China. METHODS: The point mutations of G6PD were detected by Mismatch-PCR/RE, SSCP,ARMS,DNA sequence and so on. G6PD gene frequency was determined by Hardy-Weinberg Law. RESULTS: G6PD G1388A, G1376T,A95G mutations were determined in Bai and Dai people for the first time and G1388A also in Harni people by DNA sequence. G6PD C1024T were detected in Dai population by Mismatch-PCR/RE. The gene frequency of G6PD in Bai population in Dali city is 0.0113, and the incidence is 1.19% which are different from those in Dai population. CONCLUSION: G6PD G1388A,G1376T, A95G and C1024T are the mutations in national minorities as well as in the Han people. The results suggest that different national minorities of China may have the same ancestor. The incidence of G6PD deficiency and the G6PD gene frequency in Bai population are different from those in Dai population. The distribution of G6PD deficiency in Yunnan is associated with the distribution of malaria epidemic in that province.

China↗

Sex steroid hormone modulation of NADPH pathways in MCF-7 cells.

Hormonal modulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and of utilization pathways of NADPH generated by G6PD was studied in the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line, using a quantitative cytochemical method. Our results show that G6PD is increased by 17 beta-estradiol (estradiol) and synthetic progestin (promegestone R5020). The synthetic antiestrogen tamoxifen has no effect on G6PD activity. When it is present in the medium with estradiol, tamoxifen can oppose the stimulatory effect of estradiol on G6PD activity. Mifepristone (RU 38486) has no effect on G6PD activity, but it inhibits the R5020 stimulation of G6PD activity. After MCF-7 pretreatment with estradiol, there is a much stronger stimulation of G6PD activity by R5020. When we studied the effect of the steroid on the two utilization pathways of NADPH generated by G6PD activity, we observed that, in the cells treated with estradiol, there is an increase in reducing equivalents generated by G6PD activity which only affects the NADPH2 pathway, and that there is cell growth stimulation. When tamoxifen is present in the medium, we found no effect on the NADPH utilization pathways, nor on cell growth. In the presence of R5020, the NADPH2 pathway activity is increased but, under our experimental conditions, there was no effect on cell growth. On the other hand, even though RU 38486 is without effect on total G6PD activity, it does cause a modification in the distribution of reducing equivalents: the NADPH2 pathway activity is decreased, while the NADPH1 pathway is stimulated.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Effects of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency upon sickle cell anemia.

We studied the interactions of the A- variety of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and sickle cell anemia (HbSS) to see if G6PD deficiency influenced laboratory and clinical features of HbSS. A total of 801 male patients over age 2 had G6PD electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membranes. Assays of both G6PD activity and hexokinase activity were then done on all samples that had an electrophoretic pattern other than the normal wild type (GdB). The collection of clinical data used a standardized protocol. Using cluster analyses we classified 10.4% males to be G6PD deficient, while 18.4% had the functionally normal GdA+ enzyme. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency did not change significantly when age was stratified by decade, suggesting little survival advantage or disadvantage of the combination of G6PD deficiency and HbSS. Compared to patients who were not G6PD deficient, there were no significant differences in the hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, reticulocyte count, bilirubin, or SGOT level in patients with HbSS who had G6PD deficiency. The incidence of painful episodes, sepsis, or acute anemic episodes was similar in both groups. Our results are consistent with recent studies of smaller numbers of patients that have found little influence of G6PD deficiency upon HbSS. Specifically, we found no evidence that G6PD enhanced the severity of hemolysis or increased the incidence of acute anemic episodes or sepsis in HbSS.

Adolescent↗

Multiple glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient variants correlate with malaria endemicity in the Vanuatu archipelago (southwestern Pacific).

In studying the relationship between genetic abnormalities of red blood cells and malaria endemicity in the Vanuatu archipelago in the southwestern Pacific, we have found that of 1,442 males tested, 98 (6.8%) were G6PD deficient. The prevalence of GdPD deficiency varied widely (0%-39%), both from one island to another and in different parts of the same island, and generally correlated positively with the degree of malaria transmission. The properties of G6PD from GdPD-deficient subjects were analyzed in a subset of 53 samples. In all cases the residual red-blood-cell activity was < 10%. There were three phenotypic patterns. PCR amplification and sequencing of the entire coding region of the G6PD gene showed that the first of these patterns corresponded to G6PD Union (nucleotide 1360C-->T; amino acid 454Arg-->Cys), previously encountered elsewhere. Analysis of samples exhibiting the second pattern revealed two new mutants: G6PD Vanua Lava (nucleotide 383T-->C; amino acid 128Leu-->Pro) and G6PD Namoru (nucleotide 208T-->C; amino acid 70Tyr-->His); in three samples, the underlying mutation has not yet been identified. Analysis of the sample exhibiting the third pattern revealed another new mutant: G6PD Naone (nucleotide 497G-->A; amino acid 166Arg-->His). Of the four mutations, G6PD Union and G6PD Vanua Lava have a polymorphic frequency in more than one island; and G6PD Vanua Lava has also been detected in a sample from Papua New Guinea. G6PD deficiency is of clinical importance in Vanuatu because it is a cause of neonatal jaundice and is responsible for numerous episodes of drug-induced acute hemolytic anemia.

Adolescent↗

Content of reduced glutathione and consequences in recipients of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficient red blood cells.

The red blood cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity of every donor was examined with automatic enzyme-coupled method. The technique of molecular biology was applied to determine the DNA mutations for the 97 donors with undetectable G6PD activity. The concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the stored RBC of the 97 G6PD-deficient donors and 124 normal donors was determined with the technique of high performance liquid chromatography. Routine blood counts, bilirubin and haptoglobin levels were used to evaluate posttransfusional hemolysis for the 48 adult patients transfused with 1 U G6PD deficient and 1 U normal RBC. Most (88, 90.7%) of the 97 donors were confirmed to be G6PD deficient at the DNA level. At each age interval of storage, the GSH concentration of G6PD-deficient RBC was significantly different from that of normal RBC. The total average value of GSH (pmol/gHb) was 2.52 +/- 0.95 (mean +/- 1 standard deviation) vs. 3.74 +/- 1.43 (P < 0.001). Hemoglobin, hematocrit, bilirubin, and haptoglobin levels in the patients receiving G6PD-deficient RBC were not statistically different from those in the recipients of normal RBC; even though the age of stored blood was 26-35 days. Within the same group of patients, the results of bilirubin and haptoglobin were not significantly changed before and after transfusion. The results of this study show that the GSH concentration in the stored blood of G6PD deficient donors was 67% of that in the normal donors. However, hemolysis does not occur in adult patients transfused with 1 U G6PD-deficient RBC. It seems unnecessary to screen G6PD activity for donors of adult recipients in Taiwan.

Adult↗

Regulation of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase expression in CHO-human fibroblast somatic cell hybrids.

Human--hamster somatic cell hybrids have been obtained by fusion of a CHO line (NA31) doubly deficient in hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) with normal G6PD(+) human fibroblasts. Analysis of NA31 extracts has revealed that, although G6PD activity is nearly absent, significant activity can be detected with 2-deoxyglucose 6-phosphate as substrate, so that the mutant and normal forms of the enzyme can both be easily detected. The cell hybrids obtained express human G6PD. The human G6PD subunits are distributed in homodimeric molecules as well as in human--hamster heterodimeric molecules. However, whereas the amount of hamster G6PD subunits present in the hybrid is similar to that in the hamster parental cells, the amount of human G6PD subunits is decreased by 3- to 10-fold when compared to the human parental cell. These results indicate that either the expression of the G6PD gene or the stability of the gene product is altered in the hybrid. By mutagenesis and selection in diamide (a substance that oxidizes intracellular glutathione), we have isolated a clone with a 3- to 5-fold increase in human G6PD activity. This derivative may have an increased rate of expression of the human G6PD structural gene.

Animals↗

Free fatty acid inhibition of the insulin induction of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in rat hepatocyte monolayers.

Rat hepatocytes in monolayer culture were utilized to determine if the decrease in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity resulting from the ingestion of fat can be mimicked by the addition of fatty acids to a chemically, hormonally defined medium. G6PD activity in cultured hepatocytes was induced several-fold by insulin. Dexamethasone or T3 did not amplify the insulin induction of G6PD. Glucose alone increased G6PD activity in cultured hepatocytes from fasted donors by nearly 500%. Insulin in combination with glucose induced G6PD an additional two-fold. The increase in G6PD activity caused by glucose was greater in hepatocytes isolated from 72 hr-fasted rats as compared to fed donor rats. Such a response was reminiscent of the "overshoot" phenomenon in which G6PD activity is induced well above the normal level by fasting-refeeding rats a high glucose diet. Addition of linoleate to the medium resulted in a significant suppression of insulin's ability to induce G6PD, but linoleate had no effect on the induction of G6PD activity by glucose alone. A shift to the right in the insulin-response curve for the induction of G6PD also was detected for the induction of malic enzyme and acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Arachidonate (0.25 mM) was a significantly more effective inhibitor of the insulin action than linoleate was. Apparently rat hepatocytes in monolayer culture can be utilized as a model to investigate the molecular mechanism by which fatty acids inhibit the production of lipogenic enzymes. In part, this mechanism of fatty acid inhibition involves desensitization of hepatocytes to the lipogenic action of insulin.

Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase↗

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in neonates.

OBJECTIVE: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an inherited deficiency that may be the cause of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, as has been found in several countries and among widely different ethnic groups, especially in Mediterranean region. Our aim was to study the prevalence of G6PD deficiency in relation to neonatal jaundice. METHODS: From March 1998 to April 2001 we studied 705 clinically icteric neonates who were admitted to Al-Zahra and Beheshti hospitals, two teaching hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. Laboratory investigations included determination of direct and indirect serum bilirubin concentrations, blood group typing, direct coomb's test, hemoglobin, blood smear, reticulocyte count and G6PD level. RESULTS: In only 53 (7.5%) of cases G6PD deficiency was diagnosed. In all G6PD deficient neonates no evidence of other factors known to cause hyperbilirubinemia were detected. The sex distribution was 13 (24.5%) females and 40 (75.5%) males in the G6PD deficient group. The mean bilirubin level in G6PD deficient and G6PD normal groups were 22.26 +/- 8.36 and 18.14 +/- 3.85 mg/dl, respectively (p=0.001). Phototherapy was required in G6PD deficient and other icteric neonates with duration of 3.76 +/- 1.93 and 3.13 +/- 2.14 days, respectively (p=0.045). Twenty-seven of the 53 (50.9%) G6PD deficient infants required exchange transfusion. None of them developed kernicterus. CONCLUSIONS: Since the prevalence of severe hyperbilirubinemia among our neonates was relatively high and about half of them required exchange transfusion, early detection of this enzymopathy regardless of sex and close surveillance of the affected newborns may be important in reducing the risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia and exchange transfusion.

Female↗

Occupational lead exposure and screening of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase polymorphism: useful prevention or nonvoluntary discrimination?

OBJECTIVE: To discuss regulatory guidelines excluding subjects with erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency from lead-exposed jobs in the light of epidemiology findings on the mortality of these subjects. METHODS: Two mortality follow-up studies were conducted. The first comprised 1979 male subjects newly identified as G6PD-deficient during a 1981 screening of the G6PD polymorphism among the general population in Sardinia, Italy. The second comprised 1080 male workers employed in maintenance and production departments of a lead smelting plant, who were divided into two subcohorts by erythrocyte G6PD phenotype. RESULTS: As compared with the general male population, G6PD-deficient subjects had significantly fewer deaths than expected from ischemic heart disease (standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 28; 95% CI 10-62), cerebrovascular diseases (SMR = 22; 95% CI 6-55), and liver cirrhosis (SMR = 12; 95% CI 0-66). Among lead smelters the standardized mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases and all cancers observed among the G6PD-deficient subcohort were lower than those seen among subjects with the wild-type G6PD. No death from disease of the blood and hematopoietic system was observed among G6PD-deficient subjects in these two follow-up studies. CONCLUSIONS: These studies did not provide evidence of hypersensitivity to lead hematotoxicity among G6PD-deficient individuals at exposure levels within the current standards. Provided that workplace exposure complies with current standards, the hypothetical benefit of excluding G6PD-deficient individuals from lead-exposed jobs should be weighted against the loss of personal abilities and the economic damage in a social environment with diffuse unemployment.

Adolescent↗

Isolation and characterization of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase gene of Drosophila melanogaster.

To investigate the molecular basis of dosage compensation in Drosophila, a recombinant lambda phage containing the Drosophila melanogaster glucose-6-phosphatase dehydrogenase (G6PD) gene was isolated by differential screening of a Drosophila genomic lambda library with poly(A)+RNA obtained from polyribosomes enriched for or depleted of G6PD mRNA sequences. Of 44 000 plaques screened, a single phage, lambda DmG21, showed hybridization with the enriched poly(A)+RNA but not the depleted one. Confirmation that the Drosophila DNA fragment cloned in lambda DmG21 contains the G6PD gene sequence is based on the following observations. lambda DmG21 DNA shows hybridization only to the 18D region of the salivary gland X-chromosome, which is the known cytological locus for the G6PD gene. In vitro translation of the poly(A)+mRNA selected by hybridization to lambda DmG21 DNA sequences shows a polypeptide product of apparent Mr 55 000, identical to that of the monomeric unit of G6PD. When the putative coding sequence of G6PD is cloned into the expression vector lambda gt11, recombinant plaques are recognized by anti-G6PD immunoglobulin. A transcriptional map of the G6PD gene shows that it is divided into two exons, 0.9 kb (exon I) and 1.8 kb (exon II) long, which are separated by a 2.4-kb intron. The G6PD mRNA is 2.0 kb in length and the steady-state level of the mRNA is similar in both sexes. Measurement of the copy number of the G6PD gene in males and females shows the gene to be present once per X-chromosome in both sexes. No amplification of the gene sequence was observed in males. These results are, therefore, in agreement with the previous suggestion that dosage compensation is the result of enhanced transcription of X-linked genes in males.

Animals↗

A novel mutation in the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase gene in a subject with chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia--characterization of enzyme using yeast expression system and molecular modeling.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common human enzymopathy. Human G6PD gene is highly polymorphic, with over 130 mutations identified, many of which cause hemolytic anemia. We studied a novel point mutation in the G6PD gene 1226 C-->G, predicting the proline 409 to arginine substitution (G6PD Suwalki). We expressed the human wild-type and mutated G6PD gene in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae which allowed the characterization of the Suwalki variant. We showed that human wild-type, as well as the mutated (1226 C-->G) G6PD gene, functionally complemented the phenotype displayed by the yeast strain with disruption of the ZWF1 gene (homologue of the human G6PD gene). Comparison of wild-type (wt) human G6PD purified from yeast and from blood shows no significant differences in the Km values for G6P and in the utilization rate for the substrate analogue, 2-deoxyG6P. The P409R substitution leads to drastic changes in G6PD kinetics. The specific activity as well as stability of mutated G6PD is also significantly reduced. Besides this, the effect of this mutation was analyzed using a model of the tertiary structure of the human enzyme. The localization of the P409R mutation suggests that it may influence the stability of the whole protein by changing tetramer interactions and disturbing the binding of structural NADP+.

Adult↗

Do tribal communities show an inverse relationship between sickle cell disorders and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in malaria endemic areas of Central-Eastern India?

Tribal communities in India constitute the largest tribal population in the world. There are about 635 biological isolates (tribes and subtribes), which constituted 8.08% (about 84.3 million) of the total population of India as per the 2001 census. Out of 635 scheduled tribes (aborigines), 62 live in the state of Orissa alone forming about 10.8% of the tribal population of India. Orissa state occupies an important place, being the 3rd in rank for the highest concentration of tribal population in the country. In India, tribal communities are highly vulnerable to hereditary diseases and have a high degree of malnutrition, morbidity and mortality. The sickle cell haemoglobinopathy and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme deficiency are important genetic and public health problems in Central-Eastern part of India. In order to map out these genetic disorders among the tribal people, a cross-section of 15 major tribal communities from different parts of Orissa was randomly screened for haemoglobin variants and G6PD deficiency. The high frequency of sickle cell haemoglobinopathy (0-22.4%) and G6PD deficiency (4.3-17.4%), with beta-thalassemia trait (0-8.5%) taking almost an intermediate position, was observed. For G6PD deficiency, hemizygous males as well as female heterozygotes and female homozygotes were detected. Twelve cases showed compound heterozygosity for sickle cell haemoglobinopathy and G6PD deficiency. There seems to be a trend towards an inverse relationship between the sickle cell allele and G6PD deficiency, and sickle cell and beta-thalassemia allele in a cross-section of malaria endemic (Plasmodium falciparum) tribal communities in Orissa. When the frequency of sickle cell allele decreases in a cross-section of malaria endemic tribal population, the frequency of G6PD enzyme deficiency and beta-thalassemia allele increases and vice versa. Natural selection had played a major role in favour of sickle cell, beta-thalassemia and G6PD mutation alleles so that they had probably evolved as a protective mechanism against the lethal effects of malaria in this part of the country. However, the calculated values of 0.074, 0.218 and 0.337, respectively, of Pearson's correlation co-efficient (r), showed no correlation between sickle cell disorders and G6PD deficiency, sickle cell disorders and beta-thalassemia, and G6PD deficiency and beta-thalassemia.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

Incidence and causes of sepsis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient newborn infants.

To determine the susceptibility to sepsis in newborn infants deficient in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), we screened 33,943 Saudi Arab infants. Deficiency of G6PD was found in 18%. Sepsis was determined by the presence of clinical signs of sepsis and confirmed by positive blood cultures. Sepsis was documented in 75 infants (2.2/1000). The incidence of sepsis was significantly higher in 6138 G6PD-deficient infants (3.4/1000) than in the 27,805 with normal G6PD activity (1.9/1000; p less than 0.02). The incidence of catalase-positive organism sepsis was higher in G6PD-deficient infants (2.9/1000) compared with those with normal G6PD activity (1/1000; p less than 0.0002), whereas the incidence of catalase-negative organism sepsis did not differ (p less than 0.2). Deficiency of G6PD was more common in infants with late sepsis (46%) than in those with early sepsis (21%) and in all infants screened (18%) (p less than 0.03 and p less than 0.001, respectively). We conclude that neonates with G6PD deficiency are more susceptible to late sepsis and to infection with catalase-positive organisms. The exact mechanism for the increased susceptibility is not clear, but a partial explanation could be lack of leukocyte bactericidal activity associated with G6PD deficiency, and an increased susceptibility to infection caused by hyperferremia resulting from lysis of G6PD-deficient erythrocytes.

Bacteria↗