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Loss-of-function mutations in chitin responsive genes show increased susceptibility to the powdery mildew pathogen Erysiphe cichoracearum.

Chitin is a major component of fungal walls and insect exoskeletons. Plants produce chitinases upon pathogen attack and chito-oligomers induce defense responses in plants, though the exact mechanism behind this response is unknown. Using the ATH1 Affymetrix microarrays consisting of about 23,000 genes, we examined the response of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seedlings to chito-octamers and hydrolyzed chitin after 30 min of treatment. The expression patterns elicited by the chito-octamer and hydrolyzed chitin were similar. Microarray expression profiles for several genes were verified via northern analysis or quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. We characterized T-DNA insertion mutants for nine chito-oligomer responsive genes. Three of the mutants were more susceptible to the fungal pathogen, powdery mildew, than wild type as measured by conidiophore production. These three mutants included mutants of genes for two disease resistance-like proteins and a putative E3 ligase. The isolation of loss-of-function mutants with enhanced disease susceptibility provides direct evidence that the chito-octamer is an important oligosaccharide elicitor of plant defenses. Also, this study demonstrates the value of microarray data for identifying new components of uncharacterized signaling pathways.

Arabidopsis↗

A loss-of-function mutation in AtYSL1 reveals its role in iron and nicotianamine seed loading.

The Arabidopsis Yellow Stripe 1-Like (YSL) proteins have been identified by homology with the maize (Zea mays) Yellow Stripe 1 (YS1) transporter which is responsible for iron-phytosiderophore (PS) uptake by roots in response to iron shortage. Although dicotyledonous plants do not synthesize PS, they do synthesize the PS precursor nicotianamine, a strong metal chelator essential for maintenance of iron homeostasis and copper translocation. Furthermore, ZmYS1 and the rice (Oryza sativa) protein OsYSL2 have metal-nicotianamine transport activities in heterologous expression systems. In this work, we have characterized the function of AtYSL1 in planta. Two insertional loss-of-function ysl1 mutants of Arabidopsis were found to exhibit increased nicotianamine accumulation in shoots. More importantly, seeds of both ysl1 knockouts contained less iron and nicotianamine than wild-type seeds, even when produced by plants grown in the presence of an excess of iron. This phenotype could be reverted by expressing the wild-type AtYSL1 gene in ysl1 plants. ysl1 seeds germinated slowly, but this defect was rescued by an iron supply. AtYSL1 was expressed in the xylem parenchyma of leaves, where it was upregulated in response to iron excess, as well as in pollen and in young silique parts. This pattern is consistent with long-distance circulation of iron and nicotianamine and their delivery to the seed. Taken together, our work provides strong physiological evidence that iron and nicotianamine levels in seeds rely in part on AtYSL1 function.

Arabidopsis↗

Spontaneous loss-of-function mutations of the 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase gene in mice and exploration of the possible implication of the gene in senescence.

8-Oxoguanine is one of the major premutagenic oxidative base legions in vivo and is suspected to play a crucial role in various pathophysiological processes, such as cancer and aging. Mammalian 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) is thought to play a major role in the removal of 8-oxoguanine adducts in vivo. We have identified several inbred mouse strains with a spontaneous mutation, OGG1-R336H or double mutations, OGG1-R304W/R336H. R304W mutation caused a complete loss of OGG1 activity, while the R336H mutation led to disruption of nuclear localization of the enzyme although the activity remained normal. Among the double mutants was SAMP1, which exhibits accelerated senescence and short lifespan. We assessed the possible implication of the mutant OGG1 and 8-oxoguanine in aging utilizing SAMP1 mice. SAMP1 retained 1.5- to 1.9-fold increase in 8-oxoguanine level of hepatic nuclear DNA as compared with normal mice, until at least 12 months of age. A genetic association study, however, indicated that the mutant Ogg1 gene per se is not responsible for the accelerated senescence and short lifespan of SAMP1. Mutant OGG1 may be associated with pathologic conditions in other mouse strains.

Aging↗

Loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding filaggrin cause ichthyosis vulgaris.

Ichthyosis vulgaris (OMIM 146700) is the most common inherited disorder of keratinization and one of the most frequent single-gene disorders in humans. The most widely cited incidence figure is 1 in 250 based on a survey of 6,051 healthy English schoolchildren. We have identified homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations R501X and 2282del4 in the gene encoding filaggrin (FLG) as the cause of moderate or severe ichthyosis vulgaris in 15 kindreds. In addition, these mutations are semidominant; heterozygotes show a very mild phenotype with incomplete penetrance. The mutations show a combined allele frequency of approximately 4% in populations of European ancestry, explaining the high incidence of ichthyosis vulgaris. Profilaggrin is the major protein of keratohyalin granules in the epidermis. During terminal differentiation, it is cleaved into multiple filaggrin peptides that aggregate keratin filaments. The resultant matrix is cross-linked to form a major component of the cornified cell envelope. We find that loss or reduction of this major structural protein leads to varying degrees of impaired keratinization.

Child↗

Loss of function mutations of the GJB2 gene detected in patients with DFNB1-associated hearing impairment.

Mutations in GJB2, which encodes the gap junction protein connexin 26 (Cx26), are one of the major causes for inherited and sporadic nonsyndromic hearing impairment. This study aimed to functionally characterize more frequent GJB2 mutations identified in patients showing nonsyndromic hearing impairment. Following injection of wild type and mutated cRNA in Xenopus oocytes, Cx26 hemichannel activity was measured by depolarization activated conductance in noncoupled oocytes. All mutants showed a partially or completely defective phenotype, except (V27I)Cx26, a polymorphism tested as positive control. Coexpression of wild type and mutant Cx26 injected at equimolar levels revealed that p.M34T, p.V37I and p.I82M, but not p.G59V, p.L90P, p.R127H and p.R143W exert a dominant inhibitory effect. When coexpressed with Cx30, a connexin partially colocalized with Cx26 in the cochlea, all mutants had a dominant behavior. This study provides data that might be important for the improvement of genetic diagnosis and counseling for patients with hearing impairment.

Animals↗

Restricted distribution of loss-of-function mutations within the LMX1B genes of nail-patella syndrome patients.

Nail-patella syndrome (NPS) is a pleiotropic condition characterized by dysplasia of the nails, hypoplasia of the patellae, elbow dysplasia, and progressive kidney disease. The syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and has been shown to result from mutations in the LIM-homeodomain encoding LMX1B gene. The LMX1B transcription factor plays a role in defining the development of dorsal-specific structures during limb development. To date, a total of 64 point mutations and small deletions or insertions have been reported, concentrated within either the LIM or homeodomains. No NPS mutations have been observed within the carboxy-terminal third of the coding sequence, suggesting that mutations in this region are not inactivating. These findings support the hypothesis that NPS results from a 50% reduction in LMX1B function via a reduction in synthesis, disruption of secondary structure, or failure to bind DNA.

Female↗

Expression and analysis of CLN2 variants in CHO cells: Q100R represents a polymorphism, and G389E and R447H represent loss-of-function mutations.

Late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL) is a fatal hereditary childhood disease. The gene underlying LINCL, CLN2, encodes a lysosomal enzyme, tripeptidyl peptidase I (TPP-I), deficiency in which leads to lysosomal accumulation of autofluorescent materials accompanied by severe neuronal atrophy. Mutational analysis was conducted to characterize different CLN2 alleles. Two probands of Romany origin were found to be homozygous for an allele that encoded a protein with two changes, designated Q100R+G389E CLN2. To distinguish potential polymorphisms from mutations, a recombinant expression system was used to investigate individual constructs. Elevated levels of TPP-I activity in CHO cells expressing Q100R CLN2 and background activity in CHO cells expressing G389E CLN2 clearly defines G389E as a pathogenic mutation and indicates that Q100R is a polymorphism. Association of the R447H mutation with a delayed onset form of LINCL in two separate families raised the question of whether R447H CLN2 retains residual activity. However, CHO cells expressing R447H CLN2 had TPP-I activity comparable to that of neo transfected cells, indicating that any residual activity was below the level of detection in this experimental system. Hum Mutat 18:165, 2001.

Alleles↗

Molecular bases of dominant negative and loss of function mutations at the murine c-kit/white spotting locus: W37, Wv, W41 and W.

The proto-oncogene c-kit encodes a transmembrane tyrosine protein kinase receptor for an unknown ligand and is allelic with the murine white-spotting locus (W). Mutations at the W locus affect various aspects of hematopoiesis, the proliferation and migration of primordial germ cells and melanoblasts during development. The original W mutation and W37 are severe lethal mutations when homozygous. In the heterozygous state the W mutation has a weak phenotype while W37 has dominant characteristics. Wv and W41 are weak W mutations with dominant characteristics. We have characterized the molecular basis of these four W mutations and determined their effects on mast cell differentiation by using a fibroblast/mast cell co-culture assay. We show that W37, Wv and W41 are the result of missense mutations in the kinase domain of the c-kit coding sequence (W37 E----K at position 582; Wv T----M position 660 and W41 V----M position 831), which affect the c-kit associated tyrosine kinase to varying degrees. The c-kit protein products in homozygous mutant mast cells are expressed normally, although the 160 kd cell membrane form of the c-kitW37 protein displays accelerated turnover characteristics. The W mutation is the result of a 78 amino acid deletion which includes the transmembrane domain of the c-kit protein. A 125 kd c-kit protein was detected in homozygous W/W mast cells which lacks kinase activity and is not expressed on the cell surface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alleles↗

Loss of function mutations in conserved regions of the human arginase I gene.

We have utilized SSCP analysis to identify disease-causing mutations in a cohort with arginase deficiency. Each of the patient's mutations was reconstructed in vitro by site-directed mutagenesis to determine the effect of the mutations on enzyme activity. In addition we identified six areas of cross-species homology in the arginase protein, four containing conserved histidine residues thought to be important to Mn(2+)-dependent enzyme function. Mapping patient mutations in relationship to the conserved regions indicates that substitution mutations within the conserved regions and randomly occurring microdeletions and nonsense mutations have a significant effect on enzymatic function. In vitro mutagenesis was utilized to create nonpatient substitution mutations in the conserved histidine residues to verify their importance to arginase activity. As expected, replacement of histidine residues with other amino acids dramatically reduces arginase activity levels in our bacterial expression system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Suppression of loss-of-function mutations in Escherichia coli ribonuclease P RNA (M1 RNA) by a specific base-pair disruption.

A plasmid encoding ribonuclease P RNA of Escherichia coli (M1 RNA) was mutagenized with hydroxylamine in vitro and defective rnpB genes were identified by screening in an in vivo suppression assay. Defective rnpB sequences were mutagenized with a second round of hydroxylamine to restore activity. We report here that conversion of the C32.G48 base-pair of RNase P RNA to either C.A or U.G restored activity to defective rnpB genes bearing a variety of spatially distinct primary mutations. Disruption of this base-pair in an otherwise wild-type rnpB sequence increased the growth rate of the indicator strain E. coli FS101, consistent with the opening of C32.G48 during in vivo assembly of or catalysis by RNase P.

Base Sequence↗

A loss-of-function mutation in the CFC domain of TDGF1 is associated with human forebrain defects.

TDGF1 (CRIPTO) is an EGF-CFC family member and an obligate co-receptor involved in NODAL signaling, a developmental program implicated in midline, forebrain, and left-right axis development in model organisms. Previous studies of CFC1 (CRYPTIC), another member of the EGF-CFC family, demonstrated that normal function of this protein is required for proper laterality development in humans. Here we identify a mutation in the conserved CFC domain of TDGF1 in a patient with midline anomalies of the forebrain. The mutant protein is inactive in a zebrafish rescue assay, indicating a role for TDGF1 in human midline and forebrain development.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Characterization of a loss-of-function mutation in the isopenicillin N synthetase gene of Acremonium chrysogenum.

The N-2 strain of Acremonium chrysogenum accumulates the beta-lactam precursor tripeptide delta-(L-alpha-amino-adipoyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine and has no discernible activity for three of the cephalosporin C (Ce) biosynthetic enzymes. This phenotype is consistent with a mutation either within pcbC [the isopenicillin N synthetase (IPNS)-encoding gene] or in a pathway-regulator gene. To distinguish these possibilities we have cloned and sequenced pcbC from strain N-2. There is a single C----T mutation at nt 854 within the coding sequence, changing aa 285 from proline to leucine. An IPNS-specific monoclonal antibody recognises a catalytically inactive IPNS protein in extracts of N-2 cells. These findings suggest that strain N-2 carries a simple IPNS mutation and that IPNS or its biosynthetic product isopenicillin N is involved in regulation of the later stages of the Ce biosynthetic pathway.

Acremonium↗

Gain- and loss-of-function mutations in Zat10 enhance the tolerance of plants to abiotic stress.

C(2)H(2)-zinc finger proteins that contain the EAR repressor domain are thought to play a key role in modulating the defense response of plants to abiotic stress. Constitutive expression of the C(2)H(2)-EAR zinc finger protein Zat10 in Arabidopsis was found to elevate the expression of reactive oxygen-defense transcripts and to enhance the tolerance of plants to salinity, heat and osmotic stress. Surprisingly, knockout and RNAi mutants of Zat10 were also more tolerant to osmotic and salinity stress. Our results suggest that Zat10 plays a key role as both a positive and a negative regulator of plant defenses.

Abscisic Acid↗