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Mutations in both sides of the photosystem I reaction center identify the phylloquinone observed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

The core of photosystem I (PS1) is composed of the two related integral membrane polypeptides, PsaA and PsaB, which bind two symmetrical branches of cofactors, each consisting of two chlorophylls and a phylloquinone, that potentially link the primary electron donor and the tertiary acceptor. In an effort to identify amino acid residues near the phylloquinone binding sites, all tryptophans and histidines that are conserved between PsaA and PsaB in the region of the 10th and 11th transmembrane alpha-helices were mutated in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The mutant PS1 reaction centers appear to assemble normally and possess photochemical activity. An electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal attributed to the phylloquinone anion radical (A(1)(-)) can be observed either transiently or after illumination of reaction centers with pre-reduced iron-sulfur clusters. Mutation of PsaA-Trp(693) to Phe resulted in an inability to photo-accumulate A(1)(-), whereas mutation of the analogous tryptophan in PsaB (PsaB-Trp(673)) did not produce this effect. The PsaA-W693F mutation also produced spectral changes in the time-resolved EPR spectrum of the P(700)(+) A(1)(-) radical pair, whereas the analogous mutation in PsaB had no observable effect. These observations indicate that the A(1)(-) phylloquinone radical observed by EPR occupies the phylloquinone-binding site containing PsaA-Trp(693). However, mutation of either tryptophan accelerated charge recombination from the terminal Fe-S clusters.

Animals↗

A new germline RET mutation apparently devoid of transforming activity serendipitously discovered in a patient with atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis and primary ovarian failure.

Gain-of-function RET mutations are responsible for multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes (MEN) 2A and 2B and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC), whereas loss-of-function mutations are found in Hirschsprung disease. We report a new RET point mutation [R694Q (CGG-->CAG)], serendipitously found in a 23-yr-old woman with hypothyroidism due to atrophic Hashimoto's thyroiditis and primary ovarian failure, without altered calcitonin secretion. Familial history and clinical and biochemical evaluation of first-degree relatives were negative for FMTC, MEN 2A and 2B, and Hirschsprung disease. Genetic analysis showed that the mutation was inherited from the mother, who was submitted 2 yr before to thyroidectomy for goitrous Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Histological revision and immunohistochemical studies documented normal C cell number and morphology. We cloned the mutation in an expression vector encoding a full-length RET protein. The construct was transiently expressed in 293T cells in parallel with a wild-type RET and a C634R MEN 2A-associated RET mutant. Proteins were harvested from transfected cells, and tyrosine phosphorylation levels were assayed. The mutation did not exert significant potentiating effects on RET kinase. A focus assay was also performed on NIH3T3 fibroblasts; the mutant did not exert significant transforming activity. In conclusion, a new RET mutation was found in two subjects without any evidence of MEN and FMTC. In keeping with clinical data, transfection studies confirmed lack of activating activity. This serendipitous discovery, apparently devoid of oncogenic potential, underscores the problems that may be encountered in genomic studies on RET.

Adult↗

Protein S secretion differences of missense mutants account for phenotypic heterogeneity.

To elucidate the molecular background for the heterogeneity in protein S plasma concentrations observed in protein S deficient individuals, the in vitro synthesis of recombinant protein S missense mutants was investigated. Six different naturally occurring mutations identified in the protein S gene (PROS1) of thrombosis patients were reproduced in protein S cDNA by site directed mutagenesis. Two mutants, G441C and Y444C (group A), were associated with low total plasma concentration of protein S. Modestly low protein S was found in families with R520G and P626L (group B) mutants. T57S and I518M (group C), which was associated with marginally low protein S, did not segregate with protein S deficiency in the respective families, raising doubts as to whether they were causative mutations or rare neutral variants. The 6 protein S mutants were transiently expressed in COS 1 cells. The Y444C mutant showed the lowest level of secretion (2.5%) followed by the G441C mutant (40%). Group B demonstrated around 50% reduction in secretion, whereas group C mutants showed normal secretion. Pulse-chase experiments demonstrated impaired protein S processing with intracellular degradation and decreased secretion into the culture media of group A and B mutants. Interestingly, there was a good correlation between in vitro secretion and the concentration of free protein S in the plasma of heterozygous carriers. These results demonstrate impaired protein S secretion to be an important mechanism underlying hereditary protein S deficiency and that variations in protein secretion is a major determinant of the phenotypic heterogeneity observed in protein S deficiency. (Blood. 2000;95:173-179)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The interferon-stimulated gene 54 K promoter contains two adjacent functional interferon-stimulated response elements of different strength, which act synergistically for maximal interferon-alpha inducibility.

The interferon-alpha(IFN-alpha)-regulated hamster ISG-54 K gene, which is activated in hamster CHO-12 cells at least 40-fold, was isolated and the promoter region was characterized in detail. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of two elements, closely related to the interferon-stimulated-response-element (ISRE) consensus sequence [AGTTTCNNTTTC(CT)]. The putative ISRE-I sequence (GGTTTCAATTTCT) is located at position -97 to -85; ISRE-II (AGTTTTACTTTCT), which differs at three positions from ISRE-I, is found directly upstream of ISRE-I at position -110 to -98. In a transient transfection assay in CHO-12 cells the wild-type hamster ISG-54K-promoter-chloramphenicol-acetyl-transferase (CAT) reporter construct showed a 40-80-fold induction, offering an excellent model to study the functional properties of the two ISRE. To find out whether both elements were functional in interferon regulation of the promoter, selected point mutations were introduced in the -110 to -85 region and in flanking sequences. The (mutated) ISG-54 K promoter was linked to the CAT reporter gene and transiently expressed in CHO cells in the absence and presence of murine (Mu)IFN-alpha 6. Transfections showed that both the -97 to -85 (ISRE-I) and the -110 to -98 (ISRE-II) segment were needed for optimal interferon induction of the ISG-54 K promoter. However, ISRE-I has an approximately sevenfold stronger activity compared to ISRE-II. Sequential substitution of the three ISRE-I bases, which differ in ISRE-II showed that the T at position -105 causes the lower activity of ISRE-II. Transfection of ISG-54 K promoter constructs, in which ISRE-I was replaced by ISRE-II, which generates a promoter with two ISRE-II segments, and vice versa (two ISRE-I), provided further evidence for a role of both elements in IFN-alpha induction. Importantly, all data obtained in transfection studies show that the two ISRE cooperate synergistically. The mechanism of synergism is most probably an indirect interaction between transcription factors binding to the ISRE, because an increase in the spacial arrangement of the two ISRE with a complete helical turn or half a turn did not result in a substantial decrease in promoter activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Sodium channel blockers identify risk for sudden death in patients with ST-segment elevation and right bundle branch block but structurally normal hearts.

BACKGROUND: A mutation in the cardiac sodium channel gene (SCN5A) has been described in patients with the syndrome of right bundle branch block, ST-segment elevation in leads V1 to V3, and sudden death (Brugada syndrome). These electrocardiographic manifestations are transient in many patients with the syndrome. The present study examined arrhythmic risk in patients with overt and concealed forms of the disease and the effectiveness of sodium channel blockers to unmask the syndrome and, thus, identify patients at risk. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effect of intravenous ajmaline (1 mg/kg), procainamide (10 mg/kg), or flecainide (2 mg/kg) on the ECG was studied in 34 patients with the syndrome and transient normalization of the ECG (group A), 11 members of 3 families in whom a SCN5A mutation was associated with the syndrome and 8 members in whom it was not (group B), and 53 control subjects (group C). Ajmaline, procainamide, or flecainide administration resulted in ST-segment elevation and right bundle branch block in all patients in group A and in all 11 patients with the mutation in group B. A similar pattern could not be elicited in the 8 patients in group B who lacked the mutation or in any person in group C. The follow-up period (37+/-33 months) revealed no differences in the incidence of arrhythmia between the 34 patients in whom the phenotypic manifestation of the syndrome was transient and the 24 patients in whom it was persistent (log-rank, 0.639). CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrated a similar incidence of potentially lethal arrhythmias in patients displaying transient versus persistent ST-segment elevation and right bundle branch block, as well as the effectiveness of sodium channel blockers to unmask the syndrome and, thus, identify patients at risk.

Adult↗

Intracellular localization and movement phenotypes of alfalfa mosaic virus movement protein mutants.

Thirteen mutations were introduced in the movement protein (MP) gene of Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene and the mutant MP-GFP fusions were expressed transiently in tobacco protoplasts, tobacco suspension cells, and epidermal cells of tobacco leaves. In addition, the mutations were introduced in the MP gene of AMV RNA 3 and the mutant RNAs were used to infect tobacco plants. Ten mutants were affected in one or more of the following functions of MP: the formation of tubular structures on the surface of protoplasts, association with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of suspension cells and epidermal cells, targeting to punctate structures in the cell wall of epidermis cells, movement from transfected cells to adjacent cells in epidermis tissue, cell-to-cell movement, or long-distance movement in plants. The mutations point to functional domains of the MP and support the proposed order of events in AMV transport. Studies with several inhibitors indicate that actin or microtubule components of the cytoskeleton are not involved in tubule formation by AMV MP. Evidence was obtained that tubular structures on the surface of transfected protoplasts contain ER- or plasmalemma-derived material.

Alfalfa mosaic virus↗

Gamma-irradiation-induced micronuclei from mouse hepatoma cells accumulate high levels of the tumor suppressor protein p53.

The p53 tumor suppressor protein plays an important role in the G1 arrest of cells treated with DNA-damaging agents. Mouse hepatoma cells with wild-type or mutated p53 genotype were gamma-irradiated and the time course of p53 expression was determined by immunocytochemical staining. In p53 wild-type cells, gamma-irradiation led to a transient accumulation of the protein in the nuclei, whereas no such accumulation occurred in p53-mutated cells. Micronuclei were induced by gamma-irradiation in both wild-type and mutated cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but only micronuclei from p53 wild-type cells demonstrated a strongly positive staining reaction for p53 protein. This accumulation of p53 protein in micronuclei was not associated with a block in DNA synthesis as evidenced by bromodeoxyuridine labeling experiments.

Animals↗

Presenilin mutations linked to familial Alzheimer's disease cause an imbalance in phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate metabolism.

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is an important cellular effector whose functions include the regulation of ion channels and membrane trafficking. Aberrant PIP2 metabolism has also been implicated in a variety of human disease states, e.g., cancer and diabetes. Here we report that familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD)-associated presenilin mutations cause an imbalance in PIP2 metabolism. We find that the transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7)-associated Mg2+ -inhibited cation (MIC) channel underlies ion channel dysfunction in presenilin FAD mutant cells, and the observed channel deficits are restored by the addition of PIP2, a known regulator of the MIC/TRPM7 channel. Lipid analyses show that PIP2 turnover is selectively affected in FAD mutant presenilin cells. We also find that modulation of cellular PIP2 closely correlates with 42-residue amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta42) levels. Our data suggest that PIP2 imbalance may contribute to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis by affecting multiple cellular pathways, such as the generation of toxic Abeta42 as well as the activity of the MIC/TRPM7 channel, which has been linked to other neurodegenerative conditions. Thus, our study suggests that brain-specific modulation of PIP2 may offer a therapeutic approach in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Substitution of arginine for histidine-47 in the coenzyme binding site of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase I.

Molecular modeling of alcohol dehydrogenase suggests that His-47 in the yeast enzyme (His-44 in the protein sequence, corresponding to Arg-47 in the horse liver enzyme) binds the pyrophosphate of the NAD coenzyme. His-47 in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae isoenzyme I was substituted with an arginine by a directed mutation. Steady-state kinetic results at pH 7.3 and 30 degrees C of the mutant and wild-type enzymes were consistent with an ordered Bi-Bi mechanism. The substitution decreased dissociation constants by 4-fold for NAD+ and 2-fold for NADH while turnover numbers were decreased by 4-fold for ethanol oxidation and 6-fold for acetaldehyde reduction. The magnitudes of these effects are smaller than those found for the same mutation in the human liver beta enzyme, suggesting that other amino acid residues in the active site modulate the effects of the substitution. The pH dependencies of dissociation constants and other kinetic constants were similar in the two yeast enzymes. Thus, it appears that His-47 is not solely responsible for a pK value near 7 that controls activity and coenzyme binding rates in the wild-type enzyme. The small substrate deuterium isotope effect above pH 7 and the single exponential phase of NADH production during the transient oxidation of ethanol by the Arg-47 enzyme suggest that the mutation makes an isomerization of the enzyme-NAD+ complex limiting for turnover with ethanol.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Hyperekplexia mutation of glycine receptors: decreased gating efficacy with altered binding thermodynamics.

[(3)H]Strychnine binding was studied to recombinant human alpha(1) and the hyperekplexia mutant alpha(1)R271L glycine receptors (GlyRs) transiently expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cell cultures at 0, 18 and 37 degrees. The alpha(1)R271L mutation did not affect the linear van't Hoff plots of the exothermic binding of the antagonist [3H]strychnine while it turned taurine into an antagonist with exothermic binding. The inhibition constants of the agonist glycine showed opposite temperature dependence on alpha(1) GlyRs, corresponding to endothermic binding driven by large entropic increases. The temperature dependence of displacement by the partial agonists taurine on alpha(1) GlyRs and glycine on alpha(1)R271L GlyRs was biphasic reflecting negative heat capacity changes, dehydration changes and/or a complex binding mechanism. The thermodynamic discrimination of efficacy is valid for native rat spinal and recombinant human GlyRs. The alpha(1)R271L mutation impairs the transduction mechanism and distorts gating of GlyRs. Thereby it reduces the potency and efficacy of agonists and affects their thermodynamic parameters of binding. The hyperekplexia mutation offers a model system to demonstrate the correlation among pathophysiology, gating efficacy and binding thermodynamics of GlyRs.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Defective intracellular trafficking of uromodulin mutant isoforms.

Medullary cystic kidney disease/familial juvenile hyperuricemic nephropathy (MCKD/FJHN) are autosomal dominant renal disorders characterized by tubulo-interstitial fibrosis, hyperuricemia and medullary cysts. They are caused by mutations in the gene encoding uromodulin, the most abundant protein in urine. Uromodulin (or Tamm-Horsfall protein) is a glycoprotein that is exclusively expressed by epithelial tubular cells of the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and distal convoluted tubule. To date, 37 different uromodulin mutations have been described in patients with MCKD/FJHN. Interestingly, 60% of them involve one of the 48 conserved cysteine residues. We have previously shown that cysteine-affecting mutations could lead to partial endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention. In this study, as a further step in understanding uromodulin biology in health and disease, we provide the first extensive study of intracellular trafficking and subcellular localization of wild-type and mutant uromodulin isoforms. We analyzed a set of 12 different uromodulin mutations that were representative of the different kind of mutations identified so far by different experimental approaches (immunofluorescence, electron microscopy, biochemistry and in vivo imaging) in transiently transfected HEK293 and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. We assessed protein processing in the secretory pathway and could demonstrate that although to different extent, all uromodulin mutations lead to defective ER to Golgi protein transport, suggesting a common pathogenetic mechanism in MCKD/FJHN.

Animals↗

TRP channels and kidney disease: lessons from polycystic kidney disease.

Important insights in to the function of members of the TRP (transient receptor potential) channel superfamily have been gained from the identification of disease-related mutations. In particular the identification of mutations in the PKD2 gene in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease has revealed a link between TRP channel function, mechanosensation and the role of the primary cilium in renal cyst formation. The PKD2 gene encodes TRPP2 (transient receptor potential polycystin 2) that has significant homology to voltage-activated calcium and sodium TRP channels. It interacts with polycystin-1 to form a large membrane-associated complex that is localized to the renal primary cilium. Functional characterization of this polycystin complex reveals that it can respond to mechanical stimuli such as flow, resulting in influx of extracellular calcium and release of calcium from intracellular stores. TRPP2 is expressed in the endoplasmic reticulum/sarcoplasmic reticulum where it also regulates intracellular calcium signalling. Therefore TRPP2 modulates many cellular processes via intracellular calcium-dependent signalling pathways.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

On the mechanism of a mutated and abnormally functioning gamma-aminobutyric acid (A) receptor linked to epilepsy.

A recent report indicates that a lysine-to-methionine mutation (K289M) in the gamma2 subunit of a human gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmitter receptor, the GABA(A) receptor, is linked to generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures [Baulac et al. (2001) Nat. Genet. 28, 46-48]. This mutation caused a decreased current response to GABA [Baulac et al. (2001) Nat. Genet. 28, 46-48]. Here we determine changes that occur in the mechanism of opening and closing of transmembrane channels formed by the GABA(A) receptor as a result of this mutation. The K289M mutation was introduced into the gamma2L subunit of the rat GABA(A) receptor, and the mutated subunit was coexpressed with the alpha1 and beta2 subunits in HEK293 cells. Transient kinetic techniques suitable for investigating reactions on cell surfaces with a microsecond-to-millisecond time resolution [Hess, G. P., and Grewer, C. (1998) Methods Enzymol. 291, 443-473] were used. They allow one to determine not only the channel-opening probability and rates of receptor desensitization but also the opening and closing rates of the mutated GABA(A) receptor channel. The channel-opening equilibrium constant of the mutated receptor was found to be 5-fold lower than that of the wild type. We calculated that this decrease in the channel-opening equilibrium accounts for the dysfunction of the mutated receptor. We discuss how a knowledge of the mechanism of the mutated receptor indicates an approach for alleviating this dysfunction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

FH-Pyrgos: a novel mutation in the promoter (-45delT) of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene associated with familial hypercholesterolemia.

In a patient with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), we have identified a new mutation (-45delT) in repeat 3 of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene promoter. Analysis of a neutral polymorphism in the LDLR mRNA from the patient's white blood cells showed that the expression of one allele was significantly reduced, and cells have only 24% of LDLR activity by binding and uptake of DiI-LDL. Transient transfection studies using a luciferase gene reporter revealed that the -45delT mutation considerably reduces the transcriptional activity of the LDLR promoter and strongly suggest that the mutation is the cause of the FH phenotype.

Adolescent↗

Pyridoxine refractory X-linked sideroblastic anemia caused by a point mutation in the erythroid 5-aminolevulinate synthase gene.

To elucidate how pyridoxine-refractory X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA) develops, we analyzed the erythroid-specific 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS-E) gene of a patient with the anemia. The activity and amount of the enzyme in bone marrow cells of the patient were found to be approximately 5% of the normal control. We identified a point mutation, which introduces an amino acid substitution from Asp 190 to Val. In transient transfection analyses using quail fibroblasts, accumulation of aberrantly processed proteins, the sizes of which were larger than that of mature ALAS-E, was found in mitochondria. The proteins were reproducibly detected in assays combining in vitro transcription/translation of ALAS-E precursor and import of the precursor into isolated mouse mitochondria. These results suggest that the mutation causing pyridoxine-refractory XLSA affects the processing of the ALAS-E precursor, thus provoking instability of the ALAS-E protein.

5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase↗

Identification of a novel mutation of SH3BP2 in cherubism and demonstration that SH3BP2 mutations lead to increased NFAT activation.

We describe a novel missense mutation (Aspartic acid to Asparagine, p.D419N (g.1371G>A, c.1255G>A) within exon 9 of SH3BP2 in a patient with cherubism, an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by excessive osteoclastic bone resorption of the jaw. Two siblings and the father were carriers but lacked phenotypic features. Transient expression of p.D419N (c.1255G>A), as well as three previously described exon 9 mutations from cherubism patients (p.R415Q (c.1244G>A), p.D420E (c.1259G>A), and p.P418R (c.1253C>G)) increased activity of NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T-cells), an osteoclastogenic mediator, indicating that cherubism results from gain of function mutations in SH3BP2.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Protective protein gene mutations in galactosialidosis.

Four different protective protein cDNA mutations, 146A-->G (Q49R), 193T-->C (W65R), 268-269TC-->CT (S90L), and 1184A-->G (Y395C), were identified in six Japanese galactosialidosis patients with various phenotypic manifestations, and another mutation, 746T-->A (Y249N), in a patient of French-German origin with an atypical clinical course. Y395C was a common mutation in four Japanese patients in infancy and childhood; two juvenile patients were compound heterozygotes of Y395C and another common mutation, SpDEx7, and the other two infants were compound heterozygotes of Y395C and mutant alleles other than SpDEx7. We confirmed these mutations in genomic DNA by direct-sequence analysis or restriction-site analysis. The mutant cDNA clones, transiently expressed in a transformed galactosialidosis cell line, did not restore the secondarily deficient beta-galactosidase or alpha-neuraminidase activity except for the Y249N mutation that expressed some carboxypeptidase activity and restored the two lysosomal enzyme activities. Pulse-chase analysis detected a small amount of the mature form, as well as the precursor, in the cells transfected with the Y249N cDNA. Only precursor proteins were detected, mature proteins not appearing for the other mutant cDNAs.

Adolescent↗

Arabidopsis WEE1 kinase controls cell cycle arrest in response to activation of the DNA integrity checkpoint.

Upon the incidence of DNA stress, the ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) and Rad3-related (ATR) signaling kinases activate a transient cell cycle arrest that allows cells to repair DNA before proceeding into mitosis. Although the ATM-ATR pathway is highly conserved over species, the mechanisms by which plant cells stop their cell cycle in response to the loss of genome integrity are unclear. We demonstrate that the cell cycle regulatory WEE1 kinase gene of Arabidopsis thaliana is transcriptionally activated upon the cessation of DNA replication or DNA damage in an ATR- or ATM-dependent manner, respectively. In accordance with a role for WEE1 in DNA stress signaling, WEE1-deficient plants showed no obvious cell division or endoreduplication phenotype when grown under nonstress conditions but were hypersensitive to agents that impair DNA replication. Induced WEE1 expression inhibited plant growth by arresting dividing cells in the G2-phase of the cell cycle. We conclude that the plant WEE1 gene is not rate-limiting for cycle progression under normal growth conditions but is a critical target of the ATR-ATM signaling cascades that inhibit the cell cycle upon activation of the DNA integrity checkpoints, coupling mitosis to DNA repair in cells that suffer DNA damage.

Aphidicolin↗