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PubMed2006

Mutations within the selectivity filter of the NMDA receptor-channel influence voltage dependent block by 5-hydroxytryptamine.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Voltage-dependent block by Mg2+ is a cardinal feature of NMDA receptors which acts as a coincidence detector to prevent the receptor from over-activation. Inhibition of NMDA receptor currents by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) indicated that 5-HT, similar to Mg2+, binds within the membrane electric field. In the present study, we assessed whether point mutations of critical asparagine residues located within the selectivity filter of NR1 and NR2A subunits of NMDA receptor-channel affect voltage-dependent block by 5-HT. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The mode of action of 5-HT and Mg2+ on wild-type and mutated NMDA receptor-channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes was investigated using the two-electrode voltage clamp recording technique. KEY RESULTS: The mutation within the NR1 subunit NR1(N0S or N0Q) strongly reduced the voltage dependent block by 5-HT and increased the IC50. The corresponding mutations within the NR2 subunits NR2A(N0Q or N+1Q) reduced the block by 5-HT to a lesser extent. This is in contrast to the block produced by external Mg2+ where a substitution at the NR2A(N0) and NR2A(N+1) sites but not at the NR1(N0) site significantly reduced Mg2+ block. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The block of NMDA receptor-channels by 5-HT depends on the NR1-subunit asparagine residue and to a lesser extent on the NR2A-subunit asparagine residues. These data suggest that the interaction of 5-HT with functionally important residues in a narrow constriction of the pore of the NMDA receptor-channel provides a significant barrier to ionic fluxes through the open channel due to energetic factors governed by chemical properties of the binding site and the electric field.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

On the role of protein synthesis in the circadian clock of Neurospora crassa.

Inhibitors of protein synthesis reset the biological clocks of many organisms. This has been interpreted to mean either that the synthesis per se of proteins is a step in the oscillatory feedback loop or merely that certain unstable protein(s) are required at certain times of the cycle to complete the feedback loop. We report here that Neurospora strains bearing the clock mutation frq-7 are relatively insensitive to the resetting action of the protein-synthesis-inhibitor cycloheximide. Protein synthesis itself in this mutant is inhibited by the drug to the same extent as in wild type. Since the clock of frq-7 continues to run relatively unimpeded even in the virtual absence of protein synthesis, it is unlikely that synthesis per se can be a part of the feedback cycle. Rather, we suggest that for normal operation of the Neurospora clock, certain protein(s) with a high turnover rate are required daily and, thus, must be resynthesized each day (at least) during discrete times in the cycle. The frq-7 mutation simultaneously alters several distinct clock characteristics--period length, temperature compensation, and resetting by cycloheximide. A model is presented to unify these observations.

Circadian Rhythm↗
PubMed1984

[Mutagenic action of alkylating agents on prophage lambda].

The lethal and mutagenic effects of 7 alkylating agents: N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU), N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), nitrogen mustard (HN2), mitomycin C (MC), bifunctional acridine mustard (AM)--and of cyanate (KNCO) on heat inducible lambda cI857 prophage were studied. After treatment of lysogenic cells with mutagens, prophage was heat-induced either immediately or after 90 min incubation in nutrient broth and c mutants forming clear plaques at 32 degrees C were scored. NMU (0.02 M) when immediately induced with heat, induces c mutants very efficiently (maximal yield 10%) not only in the wild-type cells but also in repair-deficient mutants recA13, lexA102, uvrA6 umuC36, recF143, xthA9, polA1, uvrD3 and uvrD502. These data show that NMU-induced mutations are fixed as replication errors due to mispairing modified bases. After delayed heat induction, the prophage survival enhances and the frequency of c mutations declines considerably in host cells of all repair genotypes tested. Carbamoylation is not involved in the mutagenic action of NMU, because KNCO (0.02 M) has a very slight lethal effect and does not induce mutations. MNNG (100 micrograms/ml) and EMS (0.1 M) also induce mutations by replicative mechanism, because maximal yield of c mutations does not depend on RecA+ and is about 15 and 2%, respectively. MMS is a mutagen of the repair type, since its mutagenic action is suppressed by recA mutation of the host. NH2 only inactivates prophage, but does not induce mutations. MC (50 micrograms/ml) and AM (150 micrograms/ml) induce mutations rather inefficiently (the maximal yield 0.1 and 0.3%, respectively) both in recA+ and recA- hosts. The mutagenic action of these agents is probably due to intercalation.

Alkylating Agents↗
PubMed1998

Genes for sexual behavior.

The mating behavior of Drosophila melanogaster is a stereotyped sequence of fixed action patterns, composed of orientation, tapping, singing, licking, attempted copulation and copulation. Mutations that block a unique aspect of mating behavior were isolated and analyzed at the cellular and molecular levels. The wild-type counterparts of the mutated genes were shown to rescue the phenotypes by their ubiquitous or targeted expression in some of the mutants. This strategy of artificial control of fly behavior opens up an avenue for studies to identify the neural center for individual behavioral actions.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

In vivo gene transfer of Kv1.5 normalizes action potential duration and shortens QT interval in mice with long QT phenotype.

Mutations in cardiac voltage-gated K+ channels cause long QT syndrome (LQTS) and sudden death. We created a transgenic mouse with a long QT phenotype (Kv1DN) by overexpression of a truncated K+ channel in the heart and investigated whether the dominant negative effect of the transgene would be overcome by the direct injection of adenoviral vectors expressing wild-type Kv1.5 (AV-Kv1.5) into the myocardium. End points at 3-10 days included electrophysiology in isolated cardiomyocytes, surface ECG, programmed stimulation of the right ventricle, and in vivo optical mapping of action potentials and repolarization gradients in Langendorff-perfused hearts. Overexpression of Kv1.5 reconstituted a 4-aminopyridine-sensitive outward K+ current, shortened the action potential duration, eliminated early afterdepolarizations, shortened the QT interval, decreased dispersion of repolarization, and increased the heart rate. Each of these changes is consistent with a physiologically significant primary effect of adenoviral expression of Kv1.5 on ventricular repolarization of Kv1DN mice.

4-Aminopyridine↗
PubMed2002

Anesthetic and ethanol effects on spontaneously opening glycine receptor channels.

Strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors mediate inhibitory neurotransmission occurring in the brain stem and spinal cord. Alcohols, volatile anesthetics and inhaled drugs of abuse are positive allosteric modulators of glycine receptor function, normally enhancing function only in the presence of glycine. A complication in studying allosteric actions on ligand-gated ion channels is in the dissection of their effects on neurotransmitter binding from their effects on channel opening. Mutation of an aspartate residue at position 97 to arginine in the glycine receptor alpha1 subunit simulated the effects of glycine binding, producing receptors that exhibited tonic channel opening in the absence of neurotransmitter; i.e. these receptors demonstrated a dissociation of channel opening from neurotransmitter binding. In these receptors, ethanol, enflurane, chloroform, halothane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane and toluene elicited inward currents in the absence of glycine. We previously identified mutations on ligand-gated ion channels that eliminate ethanol, anesthetic and inhalant actions (such as S267I on alpha1 glycine receptors). The double mutant (D97R and S267I) receptors were both constitutively active and resistant to the enhancing effects of ethanol and enflurane. These data demonstrate that ethanol and volatile anesthetics can affect glycine receptor channel opening independently of their effects on enhancing neurotransmitter binding.

Allosteric Regulation↗
PubMed2001

Low levels of p53 mutations in Indian patients with osteosarcoma and the correlation with fluoride levels in bone.

The pathogenesis of osteogenic sarcoma is not known. Recently, chronic fluoride exposure has been incriminated as having a possible etiologic role by causing a nonspecific osteoblast proliferation. We were interested in exploring the possible relationship between fluoride bone content and p53 mutations. We analyzed p53 mutations in various exons in tissue of osteosarcoma, and correlated the findings with the bone fluoride levels in Indian patients. We analyzed tissue samples from 20 osteosarcoma patients for possible genetic alterations including mutations, and we assessed the extent of fluoride accumulation in bone. Fragments displaying an altered electrophoretic mobility were confirmed as having mutated sequences. Mutation was observed in samples of two cases (10% incidence). Eighteen samples showed bone fluoride levels between 1000 and 27,000 ppm, whereas the 2 mutated samples showed fluoride levels of 64,000 and 89,000 ppm, respectively. The high levels of bone fluoride levels and the similarity of the mechanisms of action between fluoride-induced DNA damage and chemically-induced p53 mutations lead us to propose that high fluoride bone content might have been one of the major factors causing osteosarcoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Genome-wide P-element screen for Drosophila synaptogenesis mutants.

A molecular understanding of synaptogenesis is a critical step toward the goal of understanding how brains "wire themselves up," and then "rewire" during development and experience. Recent genomic and molecular advances have made it possible to study synaptogenesis on a genomic scale. Here, we describe the results of a screen for genes involved in formation and development of the glutamatergic Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ). We screened 2185 P-element transposon mutants representing insertions in approximately 16% of the entire Drosophila genome. We first identified recessive lethal mutants, based on the hypothesis that mutations causing severe disruptions in synaptogenesis are likely to be lethal. Two hundred twenty (10%) of all insertions were homozygous lethal. Two hundred five (93%) of these lethal mutants developed at least through late embryogenesis and formed neuromusculature. We examined embryonic/larval NMJs in 202 of these homozygous mutants using immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. We identified and classified 88 mutants with altered NMJ morphology. Insertion loci in these mutants encode several different types of proteins, including ATP- and GTPases, cytoskeletal regulators, cell adhesion molecules, kinases, phosphatases, RNA regulators, regulators of protein formation, transcription factors, and transporters. Thirteen percent of insertions are in genes that encode proteins of novel or unknown function. Complementation tests and RT-PCR assays suggest that approximately 51% of the insertion lines carry background mutations. Our results reveal that synaptogenesis requires the coordinated action of many different types of proteins--perhaps as much as 44% of the entire genome--and that transposon mutageneses carry important caveats that must be respected when interpreting results generated using this method.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Frequent Ha-ras mutations in murine skin and liver tumors induced by 7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole.

7H-dibenzo[c,g]carbazole (DBC) is a potent liver and skin carcinogen when topically applied to the back skin of mice. This compound is found in complex mixtures produced during incomplete combustion of fossil fuels as well as in wood and tobacco smoke. The objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of action of this compound by assessing the Ha-ras mutational spectra of skin and liver tumors induced in a mouse model system. Low doses (50 nmol) and high doses (100 nmol) of DBC were applied topically to the backs of Hsd:ICR(Br) mice twice weekly. No treatment and solvent application were used as controls. After the mice were killed, the skin and liver tumors were removed, DNA was isolated, and tumor DNA was screened for Ha-ras codon 12, 13, and 61 mutations by using an enriched polymerase chain reaction method. Mutations were confirmed by reverse cyclic dideoxy sequencing. No mutations were found in codons 12 and 13 of DBC-induced tumors, whereas one acetone-control tumor had a codon 13 mutation. Sixty-seven percent of skin tumors and 45% of liver tumors induced by high doses of DBC and 67% of skin tumors induced by low doses of DBC contained codon 61 mutations, whereas liver tumors induced by low doses of DBC did not. The codon 61 mutations were exclusively A:T-->T:A transversions within the second base (CAA-->CTA). These results indicate that DBC is a unique polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in that it induces both skin and liver tumors upon topical application and that the mutational spectra are the same in tumors from two target organs, skin and liver, yet different from tumors from a third target organ, lung.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Androgen receptor mutations.

Male sexual differentiation and development proceed under direct control of androgens. Androgen action is mediated by the intracellular androgen receptor, which belongs to the superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors. At least three pathological situations are associated with abnormal androgen receptor structure and function: androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) and prostate cancer. In the X-linked androgen insensitivity syndrome, defects in the androgen receptor gene have prevented the normal development of both internal and external male structures in 46,XY individuals. Complete or gross deletions of the androgen receptor gene have not been found frequently in persons with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome. Point mutations at several different sites in exons 2-8 encoding the DNA- and androgen-binding domain, have been reported for partial and complete forms of androgen insensitivity. A relatively high number of mutations were reported in two different clusters in exon 5 and in exon 7. The number of mutations in exon 1 is extremely low and no mutations have been reported in the hinge region, located between the DNA-binding domain and the ligand-binding domain and which is encoded by the first half of exon 4. Androgen receptor gene mutations in prostate cancer are very rare and are reported only in exons 4-8. The X-linked spinal and bulbar muscle atrophy (SBMA; Kennedy's disease) is associated with an expanded length (> 40 residues) of one of the polyglutamine stretches in the N-terminal domain of the androgen receptor.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

[Pharmacologic action of diuretics in the kidney].

The currently available diuretics increase the urinary excretion of sodium chloride by selective inhibition of specific sodium transporters in the loop of Henle and distal nephron. In recent years, the molecular cloning of the distal diuretic-sensitive sodium transporters has improved our understanding of the cellular mechanisms of action of each class of diuretics. The identification of mutations in the genes encoding these transporters in inherited disorders characterized by altered salt balance has provided unequivocal evidence for the roles of the cloned diuretic-sensitive transporters in sodium homeostasis. The biochemical abnormalities observed in these disorders are identical to those induced by the specific diuretic. In the Guibaud-Vainsel syndrome (renal-tubular acidosis with osteopetrosis) the renal disturbances are comparable to the effects of a therapy with acetazolamide. Mutations in the proximal tubular carbonic anhydrase type II are the cause of this rare disorder. Bartter syndrome shows identical biochemical abnormalities as those found with chronic furosemide therapy. This syndrome is caused by mutations in the furosemide-sensitive Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in the thick ascending loop of Henle. In Gitelman syndrome the characteristic electrolyte and hormonal changes in blood and urine are comparable to those observed in patients treated with thiazide diuretics. This disorder results from mutations in the distal-tubular thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter. The two forms of pseudhypoaldosteronism are distinguished by the characteristic metabolic changes encountered with a therapy with potassium-sparing diuretics. The genetic disturbance resides either in the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (autosomal-dominant form) or in the spironolactone-sensitive mineralocorticoid receptor (autosomal-recessive form) in the distal tubule and cortical collecting duct. Current research concentrates on defining the structural sites for electrolyte transport and diuretic binding, as well as the molecular mechanisms of transport regulation. This information may allow a more appropriate use of diuretics and the design of new substances with diuretic action.

Benzothiadiazines↗
PubMed1996

Etiology of cancer in humans and animals.

Cancer is a multistep disease with a multifactorial aetiology. Among the avoidable causes of human cancer are exposure to environmental carcinogens, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, chronic inflammatory states (viruses and parasites) and life style factors, in particular diet. There is increasing evidence that these aetiologic factors may interact with each other resulting in a more than additive cancer risk. This has been demonstrated for example with hepatitis B virus and aflatoxins in hepatocellular carcinoma and alcohol and tobacco in cancer of the esophagus. The integration of molecular markers of exposure, biological effect and individual susceptibility into epidemiological studies can contribute to strengthening the causal link between exposure and disease and thus help assess the relative contribution of multiple risk factors to the aetiology of a specific cancer. For some genotoxic carcinogens the sequence of events leading to tumour formation is well understood from exposure, to metabolism and ultimately to specific mutations in transformation-associated genes. The mechanisms of action of carcinogens which do not interact directly with DNA but exert adverse effects through receptor-mediated modulation of intercellular signal pathways is far less well understood and an example of this is the interaction between diet and hormones. Furthermore, there is increasing awareness that individual response to environmental agents may depend to a significant extent on the genetic background of the individual or population. This has long been known from animal experiments but human cancer susceptibility is a complex genetic trait involving genes responsible for carcinogen metabolism, DNA repair and as yet unidentified cell specific susceptibility genes. Phenotypic changes observed during tumour progression reflect the sequential acquisition of genetic alterations. To assess the contribution of mutations in the various genes involved in the carcinogenic process may require their expression in transgenic animals or knock out mice. This has again placed animal experimentation into the forefront of mainstream cancer research.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Alternative pathway of insulin signalling in mice with targeted disruption of the IRS-1 gene.

The principal substrate for the insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors is the cytoplasmic protein insulin-receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1/pp185). After tyrosine phosphorylation at several sites, IRS-1 binds to and activates phosphatidylinositol-3'-OH kinase (PI(3)K) and several other proteins containing SH2 (Src-homology 2) domains. To elucidate the role of IRS-1 in insulin/IGF-1 action, we created IRS-1-deficient mice by targeted gene mutation. These mice had no IRS-1 and showed no evidence of IRS-1 phosphorylation or IRS-1-associated PI(3)K activity. They also had a 50 per cent reduction in intrauterine growth, impaired glucose tolerance, and a decrease in insulin/IGF-1-stimulated glucose uptake in vivo and in vitro. The residual insulin/IGF-1 action correlated with the appearance of a new tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (IRS-2) which binds to PI(3)K, but is slightly larger than and immunologically distinct from IRS-1. Our results provide evidence for IRS-1-dependent and IRS-1-independent pathways of insulin/IGF-1 signalling and for the existence of an alternative substrate of these receptor kinases.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Phospholipase D and the SNARE Sso1p are necessary for vesicle fusion during sporulation in yeast.

Spore formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires the de novo formation of prospore membranes. The coalescence of secretory vesicles into a membrane sheet occurs on the cytoplasmic surface of the spindle pole body. Spo14p, the major yeast phospholipase D, is necessary for prospore membrane formation; however, the specific function of Spo14p in this process has not been elucidated. We report that loss of Spo14p blocks vesicle fusion, leading to the accumulation of prospore membrane precursor vesicles docked on the spindle pole body. A similar phenotype was seen when the t-SNARE Sso1p, or the partially redundant t-SNAREs Sec9p and Spo20p were mutated. Although phosphatidic acid, the product of phospholipase D action, was necessary to recruit Spo20p to the precursor vesicles, independent targeting of Spo20p to the membrane was not sufficient to promote fusion in the absence of SPO14. These results demonstrate a role for phospholipase D in vesicle fusion and suggest that phospholipase D-generated phosphatidic acid plays multiple roles in the fusion process.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1984

Mutagenic action of monochromatic UV radiation in the solar range on human cells.

Mutations to ouabain resistance (selecting for base modifications at the co-dominant Na+K+-dependent ATP-ase locus) and thioguanine resistance (selecting for a wide range of genetic changes at the recessive hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase locus) were measured in a repair-proficient human lymphoblastoid line with defined monochromatic radiations in the UVC (254 nm), UVB (302 nm, 313 nm), UVA (334 nm, 365 nm) and visible (405 nm) ranges. No mutations were detected at wavelengths in the range 334-405 nm. At 254 nm and 313 nm, both mutations to thioguanine resistance and survival were consistent with those expected from the relative levels of cyclobutane-type pyrimidine dimers induced. However, at 313 nm, the ratio of ouabain-resistant to thioguanine-resistant mutants is 10 times higher than at 254 nm, indicating that a unique type of pre-mutagenic base damage is induced at the longer wavelength. Radiation in the UVA (334 nm) range reduced the induction of mutations by a UVC (254 nm) wavelength at both mutation markers. These results suggest, first, that distinct types of biologically expressed genetic damage may be induced in the UVB region of sunlight and, second, that strong interactions may occur between the different wavelength regions of sunlight that can modify the expression of this genetic damage in human cells.

Cell Line↗
PubMed2001

The two-component system ArlS-ArlR is a regulator of virulence gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen that produces many virulence factors in a temporally regulated manner controlled by at least two global virulence regulatory loci (agr and sarA). We identified previously a two-component system, ArlS-ArlR, that modifies the activity of extracellular serine protease and may be involved in virulence regulation. Here, we show that mutations in either arlR or arlS increase the production of secreted proteins [alpha-toxin (Hla), beta-haemolysin, lipase, coagulase, serine protease (Ssp)] and especially protein A (Spa). Furthermore, the pattern of proteins secreted by both mutants was strikingly different from that of the wild-type strain. Transcriptional fusions showed that expression of hla, ssp and spa was higher in both mutants than in the wild-type strain, indicating that the arl operon decreases the production of virulence factors by downregulating the transcription of their genes. The arl mutation did not change spa expression in an agrA mutant or in a sarA mutant, suggesting that both the sarA and the agr loci are required for the action of arl on spa. Northern blot analyses indicated that the arl mutation increased the synthesis of both RNA II and RNA III, but decreased sarA transcription. Finally, arl was not autoregulated, but its expression was stimulated by agr and sarA. These results suggest that the Arl system interacts with both agr and sarA regulatory loci to modulate the virulence regulation network.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1998

Calbindin D28k blocks the proapoptotic actions of mutant presenilin 1: reduced oxidative stress and preserved mitochondrial function.

Mutations in the presenilin 1 (PS-1) gene account for many cases of early-onset autosomal dominant inherited forms of Alzheimer's disease. Recent findings suggest that PS-1 mutations may sensitize neurons to apoptosis induced by trophic factor withdrawal and exposure to amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta). We now report that overexpression of the calcium-binding protein calbindin D28k prevents apoptosis in cultured neural cells expressing mutant PS-1 (L286V and M146V missense mutations). Elevations of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration and generation of reactive oxygen species induced by Abeta, and potentiated by mutant PS-1, were suppressed in calbindin-overexpressing cells. Impairment of mitochondrial function by Abeta (which preceded apoptosis) was exacerbated by PS-1 mutations and was largely prevented by calbindin. These findings suggest that PS-1 mutations render neurons vulnerable to apoptosis by a mechanism involving destabilization of cellular calcium homeostasis, which leads to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Amyloid beta-Peptides↗