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Mechanism of zinc coordination by point-mutated structures of the distal CCHC binding motif of the HIV-1 NCp7 protein.

The kinetics of Zn(2+) binding by two point-mutated forms of the HIV-1 NCp7 C-terminal zinc finger, each containing tridentate binding motif HCC [Ser49(35-50)NCp7] or CCC [Ala44(35-50)NCp7], has been studied by stopped-flow spectrofluorimetry. Both the formation and dissociation rate constants of the complexes between Zn(2+) and the two model peptides depend on pH. The results are interpreted on the basis of a multistep reaction model involving three Zn(2+) binding paths due to three deprotonated states of the coordinating motif, acting as monodentate, bidentate, and tridentate ligands. For Ser49(35-50)NCp7 around neutral pH, binding preferentially occurs via the deprotonated Cys36 in the bidentate state also involving His44. The binding rate constants for the monodentate and bidentate states are 1 x 10(6) and 3.9 x 10(7) M(-)(1) s(-)(1), respectively. For Ala44(35-50)NCp7, intermolecular Zn(2+) binding predominantly occurs via the deprotonated Cys36 in the monodentate state with a rate constant of 3.6 x 10(7) M(-)(1) s(-)(1). In both mutants, the final state of the Zn(2+) complex is reached by subsequent stepwise ligand deprotonation and intramolecular substitution of coordinated water molecules. The rate constants for the intermolecular binding paths of the bidentate and tridentate states of Ala44(35-50)NCp7 and of the tridentate state of Ser49(35-50)NCp7 are much smaller than expected according to electrostatic considerations. This is attributed to conformational constraints required to achieve proper metal coordination during folding. The dissociation of Zn(2+) from both peptides is again characterized by a multistep process and takes place fastest via the protonated Zn(2+)-bound bidentate and monodentate states, with rate constants of approximately 0.3 and approximately 10(3) s(-)(1), respectively, for Ser49(35-50)NCp7 and approximately 4 x 10(-)(3) and approximately 500 s(-)(1), respectively, for Ala44(35-50)NCp7.

Alanine↗

Rapid detection of point mutations and polymorphisms of the alpha-globin genes by DGGE and SSCA.

We report the application of DGGE and SSCA for the identification of point mutations causing alpha-thalassemia. The alpha-globin genes were amplified in three overlapping fragments of 250 bp (I), 540 bp (II), and 600 bp (III), respectively. Fragments II and III were analysed by DGGE, while fragments I and II were analysed by SSCA. A panel of seven previously identified mutations was employed to test the combined DGGE/SSCA strategy: 5/5 and 6/7 mutations were detected by SSCA and DGGE, respectively. The same approach has also led to the identification of eight disease-causing mutations in a sample of 18 presumed non-deletional alpha-thalassemia carriers. During this pilot study, two novel mutations as well as three new polymorphisms were found. The combined application of SSCA and DGGE allows the rapid identification of mutations responsible for alpha-thalassemia and abnormal globin chain variants. Moreover, it will prove extremely useful for pre- and postnatal diagnosis and in screening programs for non-deletional alpha-thalassemias.

Base Sequence↗

Novel point mutation within intron 10 of FMR-1 gene causing fragile X syndrome.

The majority of cases involving fragile X syndrome are due to expansion of a (CGG)n trinucleotide repeat at the 5' untranslated region of the FMR-1 gene. Deletion and intragenic loss of function mutations of the FMR-1 gene also have been reported. Here, we report a C to T point mutation at the 14th nucleotide in intron 10 of the FMR-1 gene in three unrelated fragile X patients. However, the (CGG)n repeat of FMR-1 in those patients does not expand. To determine the effect of this mutation on the patients' FMR-1 transcripts, total RNA from peripheral blood cells was reverse transcribed and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Direct and subcloned sequencing of the RT-PCR products revealed that the transcripts from the allele with C to T mutation skip exon 10 entirely, resulting in a joining of exons 9 and 11. Deletion of exon 10 results in frame-shift and premature termination of translation, which removes the highly conserved region that encoding the KH2 and RGG box domains of FMRP. Interestingly, a male of the three patients has another G to A substitution in exon 15. However, the intron 10 mutation is sufficient for development of fragile X syndrome.

Adolescent↗

Methods for detection of point mutations: performance and quality assessment. The IFCC Scientific Division, Committee on Molecular Biology Techniques.

We give an overview of current methods for the detection of point mutations as well as small insertions and deletions in clinical diagnostics. For each method, the following characteristics are specified: (a) principle, (b) major modifications, (c) maximum fragment size that can be analyzed, (d) ratio and type of mutations that can be detected (e) minimum ratio of mutant to wild-type alleles at which mutations can be detected, and (j) detection methods. Special attention is paid to the possibilities of quality assessment and the potential for standardization and automation.

Genetic Techniques↗

A point mutation in Euglena gracilis chloroplast tRNA(Glu) uncouples protein and chlorophyll biosynthesis.

The universal precursor of tetrapyrrole pigments (e.g., chlorophylls and hemes) is 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), which in Euglena gracilis chloroplasts is derived via the two-step C5 pathway from glutamate charged to tRNA(Glu). The first enzyme in this pathway, Glu-tRNA reductase (GluTR) catalyzes the reduction of glutamyl-tRNA(Glu) (Glu-tRNA) to glutamate 1-semialdehyde (GSA) with the release of the uncharged tRNA(Glu). The second enzyme, GSA-2,1-aminomutase, converts GSA to ALA. tRNA(Glu) is a specific cofactor for the NADPH-dependent reduction by GluTR, an enzyme that recognizes the tRNA in a sequence-specific manner. This RNA is the normal tRNA(Glu), a dual-function molecule participating both in protein and in ALA and, hence, chlorophyll biosynthesis. A chlorophyll-deficient mutant of E. gracilis (Y9ZNalL) does not synthesize ALA from glutamate, although it contains GluTR and GSA-2,1-aminomutase activity. The tRNA(Glu) isolated from the mutant can still be acylated with glutamate in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, it supports chloroplast protein synthesis; however, it is a poor substrate for GluTR. Sequence analysis of the tRNA and of its gene revealed a C56-->U mutation in the resulting gene product. C56 is therefore an important identity element for GluTR. Thus, a point mutation in the T loop of tRNA uncouples protein from chlorophyll biosynthesis.

Aldehyde Oxidoreductases↗

Point mutations in v-Myb disrupt a cyclophilin-catalyzed negative regulatory mechanism.

The c-Myb protein is controlled by intramolecular interactions, and point mutations can enhance its oncogenic activity. We tested whether conformational changes regulate c-Myb and found that Cyp-40, a widely distributed cyclophilin and peptidyl-prolyl isomerase, could inhibit c-Myb DNA binding activity. Inhibition by Cyp-40 required both its C-terminal protein-interaction domain, which bound specifically to c-Myb, and its N-terminal catalytic domain and was blocked by the competitive inhibitor cyclosporin A. Cyp-40 failed to bind or inhibit the oncogenic derivative v-Myb, which has a mutated Cyp-40 binding site. These results suggest that mutations in v-Myb allow it to evade a negative regulatory mechanism mediated by enzymes such as Cyp-40, and implicate peptidyl-prolyl isomerases in the regulation of transcription, transformation, and differentiation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Point mutations in a peptidoglycan biosynthesis gene cause competence induction in Haemophilus influenzae.

We have identified three new Haemophilus influenzae mutations causing cells to exhibit extreme hypercompetence at all stages of growth. The mutations are in murE, which encodes the meso-diaminopimelate-adding enzyme of peptidoglycan synthesis. All are point mutations causing nonconservative amino acid substitutions, two at a poorly conserved residue (G(435)-->R and G(435)-->W) and the third at a highly conserved leucine (L(361)-->S). The mutant strains have very similar phenotypes and do not exhibit any defects in cell growth, permeability, or sensitivity to peptidoglycan antibiotics. Cells retain the normal specificity of DNA uptake for the H. influenzae uptake signal sequence. The mutations do not bypass genes known to be needed for competence induction but do dramatically increase expression of genes required for the normal pathway of DNA uptake. We conclude that the mutations do not act by increasing cell permeability but by causing induction of the normal competence pathway via a previously unsuspected signal.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Two point mutations in mitochondrial DNA of cytochrome c oxidase coexist with normal mtDNA in a patient with Alzheimer's disease.

The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (CO) gene sequence was determined on a patient with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Compared to the standard Cambridge sequence to identify base changes,two missense mutations were found in the patient with AD. The mutations were a G to T transition at np 8206 and an A to T transition at np 8224. The np 8206 mutation changed a Met to an Ile and np 8224 mutation changed a Leu to a Phe. The normal bases and the mutations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) coexist in the patient. Further studies will be required to demonstrate the role of the point mutations of mitochondrial DNA in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Aged↗

Evidence for dominant suppression of repeat-induced point mutation (RIP) in crosses with the wild-isolated Neurospora crassa strains Sugartown and Adiopodoume-7.

A convenient assay to score repeat-induced point mutation (RIP) in Neurospora employs the erg-3 locus as a mutagenesis target. Using this assay we screened 132 wild-isolated Neurospora crassa strains for ability to dominantly suppress RIP. RIP was exceptionally inefficient in crosses with the wild isolates Sugartown (P0854) and Adiopodoume-7 (P4305), thereby suggesting the presence of dominant RIP suppressors in these strains. In other experiments, we found no evidence for dominant RIP suppression by the Spore killer haplotypes Sk-2 and Sk-3.

Crosses, Genetic↗

Effects of point mutations in the readthrough domain of the beet western yellows virus minor capsid protein on virus accumulation in planta and on transmission by aphids.

Point mutations were introduced into or near five conserved sequence motifs of the readthrough domain of the beet western yellows virus minor capsid protein P74. The mutant virus was tested for its ability to accumulate efficiently in agroinfected plants and to be transmitted by its aphid vector, Myzus persicae. The stability of the mutants in the agroinfected and aphid-infected plants was followed by sequence analysis of the progeny virus. Only the mutation Y201D was found to strongly inhibit virus accumulation in planta following agroinfection, but high accumulation levels were restored by reversion or pseudoreversion at this site. Four of the five mutants were poorly aphid transmissible, but in three cases successful transmission was restored by pseudoreversion or second-site mutations. The same second-site mutations in the nonconserved motif PVT(32-34) were shown to compensate for two distinct primary mutations (R24A and E59A/D60A), one on each side of the PVT sequence. In the latter case, a second-site mutation in the PVT motif restored the ability of the virus to move from the hemocoel through the accessory salivary gland following microinjection of mutant virus into the aphid hemocoel but did not permit virus movement across the epithelium separating the intestine from the hemocoel. Successful movement of the mutant virus across both barriers was accompanied by conversion of A59 to E or T, indicating that distinct features of the readthrough domain in this region operate at different stages of the transmission process.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

No point mutation of Ha-ras or p53 genes expressed in preneoplastic-to-neoplastic progression as modeled in mouse JB6 cell variants.

Alterations of the p53 gene have been found in many human and animal tumors, and ras mutations have been seen somewhat less frequently. Loss of p53 tumor suppressor activity has been implicated in multistage tumor promotion/progression after initiation by Ha-ras or Ki-ras activation. Whether p53 or ras alterations occur during promotion of neoplastic transformation in JB6 cells has not been reported. Using a series of mouse JB6 variants representing different stages of progression toward the tumor-cell phenotype, we investigated whether mutational activation of Ha-ras and mutational inactivation and altered expression of the p53 gene occurred during progression. We report here that neither point mutations of the Ha-ras or p53 genes nor p53 structural alterations were involved in this process. Although there was no significant difference in steady-state levels of p53 mRNA, an elevated level of immunoprecipitable p53 protein was observed in a subset of transformed cells. We also report the detection of a second 2.2-kb p53-hybridizing transcript. This transcript was not translated into p53 protein and may be a nuclear precursor of the mature message. Both p53-hybridizing transcripts were downregulated by prolonged 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) treatment (24 h) regardless of the stage of progression. We conclude from this study that in JB6 variants (1) mutational activation of Ha-ras and inactivation of p53 are unlikely to be involved in preneoplastic progression; (2) increased amounts of p53 protein may be involved in a subset of transformed cells, possibly reflecting a longer half-life, as demonstrated in other systems; and (3) late downregulation of p53 mRNA but not protein expression may be a secondary response in the TPA-mediated signal transduction pathway.

Animals↗

Comparison of K-ras point mutations at codon 12 and p21 expression in pancreatic cancer between Japanese and Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: K-ras (Kirsten-ras) point mutation (PM) in codon 12 are suggested to be significantly associated with the tumorigenesis of pancreatic cancer. The incidences of K-ras PMs in human pancreatic cancer are reported to be different between Europeans and Japanese. The present study was designed to compare the incidences and profile of K-ras PMs and ras-p21 expression in primary invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the pancreas between Japanese and Chinese. METHODS: The specimens included 51 Japanese and 34 Chinese patients with the primary IDC of the pancreas. K-ras PMs were tested by allele specific oligonucleotide dot blot hybridization methods and ras-p21 expression was stained by the immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: K-ras PMs were detected in 48 Japanese IDCs (94%) and in 24 Chinese ones (71%). There was a significant difference between the two groups. The GAT mutation was more frequent both in Japanese (61%, 33/54) and in Chinese (60%, 18/30) IDCs. The transitions/transversions ratio in the Japanese group was 2.4 in this study. By contrast, that in the Chinese group was 1.5. The expression of p21 was detected in 24 Japanese IDCs (47%) and in 24 Chinese IDCs (71%). There was a significant difference between the two groups. The expression of p21 and the patterns of K-ras PMs did not show any significant influence on the survival of the patients both in Japanese and Chinese. In the present study, Chinese IDC had a lower frequency of K-ras PMs in codon 12 than Japanese IDC. The pattern of K-ras PMs in Chinese IDC was different from that in Japanese and European IDC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ki-ras PM and p21 expression were frequently seen both in Japanese and Chinese patients with pancreatic cancer. Factors such as lifestyle and environment may have influences on pancreatic carcinogenesis in various populations.

Aged↗

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV with few extrathoracic findings: a newly recognized point mutation in the COL3A1 gene.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV (EDS IV) is caused by mutation within the COL3AI gene, resulting in the disorder of type III procollagen. The diagnosis is confirmed by demonstrating the synthesis of abnormal type III procollagen molecules from cultured dermal fibroblasts or by identifying the mutation in the COL3A1 gene. The authors report a case of EDS IV caused by a novel point mutation in the COL3A1 gene in a 16-yr-old female. Recurrent haemoptysis and cavitary formation of the lung were evidence of pulmonary involvement. However, extrathoracic manifestations of EDS IV were mostly absent. To the best of the authors' knowledge, all previously reported Ehlers-Danlos syndrome IV patients with respiratory disease had the characteristic findings or histories of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome IV. In the present case, connective tissue friability was suspected due to tissue laceration observed in the biopsied lung specimen, and the diagnosis was made beginning from this pivotal finding.

Adolescent↗

Functional consequences of reduction in NMDA receptor glycine affinity in mice carrying targeted point mutations in the glycine binding site.

We have used site-directed mutagenesis in conjunction with homologous recombination to generate two mouse lines carrying point mutations in the glycine binding site of the NMDAR1 subunit (Grin1). Glycine concentration-response curves from acutely dissociated hippocampal neurons revealed a 5- and 86-fold reduction in receptor glycine affinity in mice carrying Grin1(D481N) and Grin1(K483Q) mutations, respectively, whereas receptor glutamate affinity remained unaffected. Homozygous mutant Grin1(D481N) animals are viable and fertile and appear to develop normally. However, homozygous mutant Grin1(K483Q) animals are significantly lighter at birth, do not feed, and die within a few days. No gross abnormalities in CNS anatomy were detected in either Grin1(D481N) or Grin1(K483Q) mice. Interestingly, in situ hybridization and Western blot analysis revealed changes in the expression levels of NMDA receptor subunits in Grin1(D481N) mice relative to wild type that may represent a compensatory response to the reduction in receptor glycine affinity. Grin1(D481N) mice exhibited deficits in hippocampal theta burst-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) and spatial learning and also a reduction in sensitivity to NMDA-induced seizures relative to wild-type controls, consistent with a reduced activation of NMDA receptors. Mutant mice exhibited normal prepulse inhibition but showed increased startle reactivity. Preliminary analysis indicated that the mice exhibit a decreased natural aversion to an exposed environment. The lethal phenotype of Grin1(K483Q) animals confirms the critical role of NMDA receptor activation in neonatal survival. A milder reduction in receptor glycine affinity results in an impairment of LTP and spatial learning and alterations in anxiety-related behavior, providing further evidence for the role of NMDA receptor activation in these processes.

Animals↗

A novel PMP22 point mutation causing HNPP phenotype: studies on nerve xenografts.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) in most cases is caused by a deletion in chromosome 17p11.2-12 or, rarely, mutations resulting in a functional loss of one copy of the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene. Point mutations that lie deep within transmembrane (TM) domains causing major structural changes in PMP22 are associated with severe neuropathy. METHODS: A 25-year-old asymptomatic woman with a normal neurologic examination volunteered as a control subject. Electrophysiologic studies showed multiple entrapment neuropathies, prompting a search for a genetic defect. In addition, sural nerve fascicles from the subject were grafted into the cut ends of the sciatic nerve of nude mice and studied at 2, 6, and 8 weeks and compared with controls. RESULTS: Direct sequencing of the PMP22 gene revealed a G-->A transition at position 202 in axon 3 of the PMP22 gene. To determine if this was a causative mutation rather than a polymorphism, 102 DNA samples from controls were studied; none showed a similar base pair change. In the nerve xenografts, there was a marked delay at the onset of myelination and an impairment in the regenerative capacity of the nude mice axons engulfed by the mutant human Schwann cells. The axon tips were enlarged and demonstrated neurofilament density increase. Neurofilament density distribution histograms were bimodal in xenografts as well as in the subject's sural nerve. CONCLUSION: This study provides unequivocal evidence that a base pair change causing a Val30Met substitution at the junction of the first TM domain and the extracellular loop of PMP22 results in the HNPP phenotype.

Adult↗

Novel point mutation in the sodium channel gene of pyrethroid-resistant sea lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Crustacea: Copepoda).

Knockdown resistance (kdr) to pyrethroid insecticides is caused by point mutations in the pyrethroid target site, the para-type sodium channel of nerve membranes. This most commonly involves alterations within the domain II (S4-S6) region of the channel protein, where several different mutation sites have been identified across a range of insect species. To investigate the possibility that a kdr-type mechanism is responsible for pyrethroid resistance in sea lice, a domain II region of the Lepeophtheirus salmonis sodium channel gene was PCR amplified and sequenced. To our knowledge, this is the first published sodium channel sequence from a crustacean. Comparison of sequences from a range of samples, including several individuals from areas in which control failures had been reported, failed to identify any of the mutations within this region that have previously been linked with resistance. Instead, a novel glutamine to arginine mutation, Q945R, in transmembrane segment IIS5 was consistently found in the samples from areas of control failure and may therefore be associated with resistance to pyrethroids in this species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Absence of p53 point mutations in parathyroid adenoma and carcinoma.

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a common disorder characterized by aberrant growth and function of solitary or multiple parathyroid glands. Many, if not all, parathyroid adenomas are examples of benign clonal neoplastic growth. The molecular events associated with the development of parathyroid neoplasia have not been well characterized. We examined benign and malignant parathyroid tissues for structural abnormalities of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. To screen for mutations in the p53 gene, we analyzed polymerase chain reaction-amplified DNA by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. DNA was isolated from 26 benign parathyroid adenomas and 3 parathyroid carcinomas, and polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify DNA fragments corresponding to the 4 evolutionarily conserved domains within exons 5, 7, and 8 of the p53 gene in which the majority of point mutations have been identified. Amplified DNA fragments were electrophoresed through polyacrylamide gels with linearly increasing gradients of the denaturants urea and formamide. After electrophoresis, the gels were examined for the presence of abnormally migrating bands, which represent DNA with altered melting points due to nucleotide sequence changes. Amplified fragments were of the expected size in DNA from 26 parathyroid adenomas and 3 parathyroid carcinomas. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis studies failed to disclose evidence of mutations in exons 5, 7, and 8 of the p53 gene in these neoplasms. We conclude that p53 point mutations do not appear to be a primary event responsible for neoplastic growth in parathyroid tissue.

Adenoma↗