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A new human hereditary amyloidosis: the result of a stop-codon mutation in the apolipoprotein AII gene.

Hereditary systemic amyloidosis may be caused by mutations in a number of plasma proteins including transthyretin, apolipoprotein AI, fibrinogen Aalpha-chain, lysozyme, and gelsolin. Each type of amyloidosis is inherited as an autosomal dominant disease and is associated with a structurally altered protein that aggregates to form amyloid fibrils. Here we report that the amyloid protein in a family with previously uncharacterized hereditary renal amyloidosis is apolipoprotein AII (apoAII) with a 21-residue peptide extension on the carboxyl terminus. Sequence analysis of the apoAII gene of affected individuals showed heterozygosity for a single base substitution in the apoAII stop codon. The mutation results in extension of translation to the next in-frame stop codon 60 nucleotides downstream and is predicted to give a 21-residue C-terminal extension of the apoAII protein identical to that found in the amyloid. This mutation produces a novel BstNI restriction site that can be used to identify individuals with this gene by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. This is the first report of apoAII amyloid in humans and the first mutation identified in apoAII protein. Amyloid fibril formation from apoAII suggests that this lipoprotein, which is predicted to have an amphipathic helical structure, must undergo a transition to a beta-pleated sheet by a mechanism shared by other lipoproteins that form amyloid.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Computational identification and sequence analysis of stop codon readthrough genes in Oryza sativa.

Using an approach based on the Readthrough Candidate Extraction System (RCES), we extracted 111 candidates from 9620 gene sequences of rice. The results of homology search and sequence analysis demonstrated that these candidates included actual readthrough genes that would be important for further investigating the mechanism of translation termination regulated by readthrough event, and could also give some useful clues for functional genome annotation. Between the candidates and non-candidates of gene sequences in rice, there exist significant base biases at the positions surrounding the stop codons. These positions, especially both -1 and +4, are referred to as part of an extended stop signal. In candidates, G at position -1, and G or C at position +4 are much more favored than that in non-candidates. Both stop sequence patterns, GUAGC and GUGAG, might drive high readthrough efficiency in rice. Secondary structure analysis revealed that the -1 and +1 amino acids around the first stop codon of candidates have a strong bias toward arginine, particularly the +1 position (20.7%), which indicated that the amino acids at the readthrough region being frequently located in the hydrophilic region of beta-turn might be a determinant for efficient translation termination or not.

Base Sequence↗

Precore stop codon mutation of hepatitis B virus is associated with low breakthrough rate following long-term lamivudine therapy.

BACKGROUND: Frequent viral breakthroughs limit the usefulness of lamivudine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of precore stop codon mutation (G to A mutation at nucleotide 1896; A(1896)) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) on the occurrence of viral breakthrough following lamivudine therapy. METHODS: Among 260 consecutive CHB patients treated with lamivudine for >12 months, 231 patients whose pretreatment sera were available were tested for A(1896) variant of HBV using direct sequencing. RESULTS: Between patients with A(1896) variant (n = 74) and those without it (n = 157), there was no difference in age, gender, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, the duration of therapy and prevalence of core promoter mutants. Serum hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity and HBV-DNA level were lower (P = 0.00 and P = 0.01) and liver cirrhosis was more commonly associated in patients with A(1896) variant mutant compared with those without it. In univariate analysis, viral breakthrough was more frequent in HBeAg-positive patients (P = 0.03) and in those with high serum HBV-DNA level (P = 0.01) as well as in those without A(1896) variant (P = 0.01). However, in multivariate analysis, the absence of A(1896) variant (P = 0.02) and high serum HBV-DNA level (P = 0.03) were independent factors for viral breakthrough following lamivudine therapy. The cumulative viral breakthrough rates at 1 and 2 years were much lower in patients with A(1896) variant compared with those without it (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The stop codon mutation at the precore region of HBV in addition to low serum HBV-DNA level may be associated with low breakthrough rate following lamivudine therapy.

Adult↗

Higher frequency of premature stop codon mutations at vpu gene of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 CRF01_AE compared with those of other subtypes.

Our previous study demonstrated the anti-apoptosis function of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vpu gene product in normal CD4+ T lymphocytes. In this study, using sequences obtained from the HIV sequence database, we compared vpu sequences from 184 preparations of various subtypes of HIV-1 from diverse geographical regions. Our analysis revealed that CRF01_AE isolates had premature stop codon mutations at the vpu gene at a much higher rate (36%) than other subtypes (0-9%). The premature stop codon mutations in vpu existed mostly at two amino acid residues: the methionine initiation codon and the boundary between the transmembrane (TM) and cytoplasmic domains. The mutations at the latter site were more often detected in CRF01_AE. The higher mutation rates at vpu in CRF01_AE were confirmed by sequence comparison of polymerase chain reaction products newly obtained directly from the DNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), but not from the RNA from the plasma, in CRF01_AE- and subtype B-infected individuals. This finding may indicate the possibility that the more abundant population of HIV-1 CRF01_AE is able to induce apoptosis in CD4+ T lymphocytes than the populations of other subtypes.

Codon↗

Properdin deficiency in a large Swiss family: identification of a stop codon in the properdin gene, and association of meningococcal disease with lack of the IgG2 allotype marker G2m(n).

Properdin deficiency was demonstrated in three generations of a large Swiss family. The concentration of circulating properdin in affected males was < 0.1 mg/l, indicating properdin deficiency type I. Two of the nine properdin-deficient males in the family had survived meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B without sequel. Two point mutations were identified when the properdin gene in one of the properdin-deficient individuals was investigated by direct solid-phase sequencing of overlapping polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. The critical mutation was found at base 2061 in exon 4, where the change of cytosine to thymine had generated the stop codon TGA. The other mutation was positioned at base 827 in intron 3. The stop codon in exon 4 was also demonstrated by standard dideoxy sequencing in three additional family members. The question was asked if genetic factors such as partial C4 deficiency and IgG allotypes could have influenced susceptibility to meningococcal disease in the family. No relationship was found between C4 phenotypes and infection. Interestingly, the two properdin-deficient males with meningitis differed from the other properdin-deficient persons in that they lacked the G2m(n) allotype, a marker known to be associated with poor antibody responses to T-independent antigens. This implies that the consequences of properdin deficiency might partly be determined by independent factors influencing the immune response.

Adolescent↗

An abnormal splice donor site in one allele of the thyroid peroxidase gene in FRTL5 rat thyroid cells introduces a premature stop codon: association with the absence of functional enzymatic activity.

Low stringency screening of an FRTL5 cDNA library with a human thyroid peroxidase (TPO) cDNA probe yielded two different types of TPO cDNA clones. One type contained the full-length structural gene, but there was an A at the first nucleotide of an intronic splice donor site that leads to alternate splicing, with the retention of part of an intron. This 54-basepair retained intron fragment contains a premature inframe stop codon that would truncate the protein at its carboxyl-terminus by 71% with the loss of enzymatic activity. The second type of TPO cDNA does not contain the retained intron fragment and premature stop codon, but it is not full-length and lacks 580-680 basepairs at its 5' end. However, Northern blot analysis reveals only full-length copies (3.2 kilobases) of TPO mRNA in FRTL5 cells, and this 5' truncation is, therefore, an artifact of library construction. The relative proportions of the two types of TPO mRNA in FRTL5 cells was determined by the polymerase chain reaction, using as template single stranded cDNA generated by reverse transcription of FRTL5 mRNA. Slightly more than half of the TPO mRNA in the FRTL5 cells represented the form with the abnormal splice donor site. The relative proportions of the two TPO mRNA forms was not influenced by TSH stimulation of the FRTL5 cells, and the proportion remained unaltered even after the FRTL5 cells were subcloned by limiting dilution. At the genomic level, we used allele-specific oligonucleotides for the mutant and normal forms of TPO, and found FRTL5 cells to have both normal and abnormal TPO alleles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alleles↗

A premature stop codon mutation in the 2B helix termination peptide of keratin 5 in a German epidermolysis bullosa simplex Dowling-Meara case.

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is caused by defective assembly of keratin intermediate filaments in basal keratinocytes and recent studies indicated causal mutations in the keratin KRT5 and KRT14 genes. In this study, we describe a novel KRT5 mutation in a German sporadic case of EBS Dowling-Meara. Transition of G to T (nucleotide position 2334) leads to a premature stop codon (E477stop, residue 93 of the 2B helix) in the last residue of the highly conserved helix-termination peptide K/LLEGE of the 2B rod domain of keratin K5. This represents the first premature stop codon mutation identified within the K/LLEGE motif of any disorder reported so far that is caused by keratin mutations.

Adult↗

Evidence against either a premature stop codon or the absence of obese gene mRNA in human obesity.

Obese (ob) gene expression in abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes from lean and obese humans was examined. The full coding region of the ob gene was isolated from a human adipocyte cDNA library. Translation of the insert confirmed the reported amino acid sequence. There was no difference in the sequence of an reverse transcription PCR product of the coding region from five lean and five obese subjects. The nonsense mutation in the ob mouse which results in the conversion of arginine 105 to a stop codon was not present in human obesity. In all 10 human cDNAs, arginine 105 was encoded by CGG, consequently two nucleotide substitutions would be required to result in a stop codon. To compare the amount of ob gene expression in lean and obese individuals, radiolabed primer was used in the PCR reaction with beta-actin as a control. There was 72% more ob gene expression (P < 0.01) in eight obese subjects (body mass index, BMI = 42.8 +/- 2.7) compared to eight lean controls (BMI = 22.4 +/- 0.8). Regression analysis indicated a positive correlation between BMI and the amount of ob message (P < 0.005). There was no difference in the amount of beta-actin expression in the two groups. These results provide evidence that ob gene expression is increased in human obesity; furthermore, the mutations present in the mouse ob gene were not detected in the human mRNA population.

Adult↗

Allelic diversity at the primate Mhc-G locus: exon 3 bears stop codons in all Cercopithecinae sequences.

Twenty-seven major histocompatibility complex (Mhc)-G exon 2, exon 3, and exon 2 and 3 allelic sequences were obtained together with 12 different intron 2 sequences. Homo sapiens, Pan troglodytes, Pan paniscus, Gorilla gorilla, Pongo pygmaeus, Macaca fascicularis, Macaca mulatta, and Cercopithecus aethiops individuals were studied. Polymorphism does not follow the classical pattern of three hypervariable regions per domain and is found in all species studied; exon 3 (equivalent to the alpha 2 protein domain) shows stop codons in the Cercopithecinae group but not in the Pongidae and human groups. Dendrograms show that cotton top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus) Mhc-G sequences are closer to Homo sapiens and Pongidae than to Cercopithecinae, probably due to the stop codons existing at exon 3 of the latter. There is a clear trans-species evolution of allelism in Cercopithecinae and also in exon 2 of all the other apes studied, but a generation of allelism within each species may be present on exon 3 sequences. This discrepancy may be due to the preferential use of exon 2 over exon 3 at the mRNA splicing level within each species in order to obtain the appropriate functional G product. Mhc-G intron 2 shows conserved motifs in all species studied, particularly a 23 base pair deletion between positions 161 and 183 which is locus specific, and some of the invariant residues, important for peptide presentation, conserved in classical class I molecules from fish and reptiles to humans were not found in Mhc-G alleles; the intron 2 dendrogram also shows a particular pattern of allelism within each species. In summary, Mhc-G has substantial differences from other classical class I genes: polymorphism patterns, tissue distribution, gene structure, splicing variability, and probably an allelism variability within each species at exon 3. The G proteins may also be different. This indicates that the Mhc-G function may not be peptide presentation to the clonotypic T-cell receptor.

Alleles↗

Combined 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency due to a stop codon in the N-terminal region of 17 alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450.

Steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase (cytochrome P-450(17)alpha) mediates both 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase activities. A relatively rare disease, 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency is characterized by defects in either or both of these activities. The molecular basis for variability of the defect is not well understood. We have determined the exonic sequence of the mutant P-450(17)alpha gene from one Japanese patient with combined 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiencies. A stop codon (TGA) due to a single point mutation was found at the position of amino acid 17 in exon 1 of the P-450(17)alpha gene. The presence of a stop codon in the N-terminal region of this gene leads to the absence of a functional P-450(17)alpha protein in adrenal cortex and ovary, and consequently hypertension, primary amenorrhea and osteoporosis in this patient.

Adrenal Cortex↗

A germline mutation abolishing the original stop codon of the human adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) gene leads to complete loss of the enzyme protein.

Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) is a purine metabolic enzyme and a homozygous deficiency in this enzyme causes 2,8-dihydroxyadenine urolithiasis. Various germline abnormalities have been described, but we report here a unique type of germline mutation in a homozygous individual (SY) who had excreted 2,8-dihydroxyadenine crystals. In SY, TCA was substituted for the physiological stop codon TGA. This base substitution generates a new HinfI restriction site, and, using the polymerase chain reaction and subsequent digestion by this enzyme, it was confirmed that SY is homozygous for the base substitution. This base change is unique in that it generates an open reading frame that extends to the poly(A) addition site. The amount of mRNA in transformed B cells from SY was approximately a quarter of that in control subjects and no APRT proteins were detected. In eukaryotes, unlike in prokaryotes, no rescue systems for defective polypeptide termination caused by a missing stop codon have been found. Therefore, the outcome of the defect of SY is unclear from present knowledge about termination of polypeptide synthesis. Investigations into the mechanisms of the absence of protein in the cells of SY may lead to a better understanding of the physiological and nonphysiological termination of polypeptide synthesis in eukaryotic cells.

Adenine Phosphoribosyltransferase↗

Class-1 translation termination factors: invariant GGQ minidomain is essential for release activity and ribosome binding but not for stop codon recognition.

Previously, we have shown that all class-1 polypeptide release factors (RFs) share a common glycine-glycine-glutamine (GGQ) motif, which is critical for RF activity. Here, we subjected to site-directed mutagenesis two invariant amino acids, Gln185 and Arg189, situated in the GGQ minidomain of human eRF1, followed by determination of RF activity and the ribosome binding capacity for mutant eRF1. We show that replacement of Gln185 with polar amino acid residues causes partial inactivation of RF activity; Gln185Ile, Arg189Ala and Arg189Gln mutants are completely inactive; all mutants that retain partial RF activity respond similarly to three stop codons. We suggest that loss of RF activity for Gln185 and Arg189 mutants is caused by distortion of the conformation of the GGQ minidomain but not by damage of the stop codon recognition site of eRF1. Our data are inconsistent with the model postulating direct involvement of Gln185 side chain in orientation of water molecule toward peptidyl-tRNA ester bond at the ribosomal peptidyl transferase centre. Most of the Gln185 mutants exhibit reduced ability to bind to the ribosome, probably, to rRNA and/or (peptidyl)-tRNA(s). The data suggest that the GGQ motif is implicated both in promoting peptidyl-tRNA hydrolysis and binding to the ribosome.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Alternative splicing of a previously unidentified CFTR exon introduces an in-frame stop codon 5' of the R region.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) has been extensively characterized as the carrier of the basic defect in cystic fibrosis. CFTR is part of a growing family of proteins encoded by a single gene, the variant isoforms of which are generated by alternative splicing or RNA editing. We have analyzed the CFTR mRNA in the region of exons 10-11 in T84 cells and detected an alternatively spliced exon (10b) accounting for about 5% of the CFTR mRNA. The exon 10b found in both the human and mice genomes, introduces an in-frame stop codon. The resulting mRNA is translated into a truncated CFTR protein, identified in T84 cells by immunoprecipitation with the CFTR-specific monoclonal antibody MATG 1061. The insertion of a differentially spliced exon carrying an in-frame stop codon is a novel cellular mechanism for the production of a protein sharing common sequences with another, but having different properties and functions.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Developmentally regulated expression of an exon containing a stop codon in the gene for glutamic acid decarboxylase.

In the adult rat brain, the gene for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD; L-glutamate 1-carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.15) is expressed predominantly as a 3.7-kilobase transcript. Earlier data showed that embryonic brain expresses an RNA transcript distinct from the adult form; however, the exact structure of this form was not elucidated. Here, transcripts expressed in the embryonic but not the adult brain were cloned and analyzed. These transcripts include an exon not expressed in the adult inserted into coding sequence. The embryonic exon contains a stop codon that is in-frame with the coding sequence. The exon is found in genomic DNA within the GAD gene where it is flanked by introns with conventional splice sites. On the basis of these structural data, we propose the hypothesis that, early in brain development, transcripts encoding a truncated form of GAD are expressed. The deduced protein cannot function as a decarboxylase because the stop codon in the embryonic exon occurs upstream of the binding site for pyridoxal phosphate, an essential cofactor. Thus, alternative splicing plays a crucial role in the pathway leading to the development of functional GABAergic neurons. The central nervous system-derived cell lines B65 and C6 express a mixture of the adult and embryonic forms of GAD mRNA. They therefore are useful clonal models of central nervous system cells in the early phases of differentiation.

Age Factors↗

Molecular cloning and sequence analyses of preprotemporin mRNAs containing premature stop codons from extradermal tissues of Rana tagoi.

The temporins are a family of hydrophobic, C-terminally alpha-amidated antimicrobial peptides that are synthesized in the skins of a wide range of species of frogs belonging to the genus Rana. In the present study, we investigated using RT-PCR the expression of preprotemporin mRNAs in extradermal tissues of Tago's brown frog Rana tagoi. cDNAs encoding temporin-1TGa (FLPILGKLLS(10)GIL.NH2), previously isolated from an extract of the skin of R. tagoi skin, were amplified and cloned from the stomach, liver, kidney, skeletal muscle. However, a net insertion of 10 nucleotides resulted in the presence of a premature stop codon in the open reading frame that was not present in the corresponding region of preprotemporin-1TGa from skin. The preprotemporin cDNA obtained from small intestine contained an additional 12 nucleotide insertion in the region that encodes the temporin sequence so that a novel peptide (FLPVILPVIG(10)KLLSGIL.NH2), termed temporin-1TGc, is specified. This cDNA also contained a premature stop codon in the open reading frame. Although it is unclear whether temporin-1TGc is produced in R. tagoi tissues, a synthetic replicate of the peptide of was biologically active, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (minimal inhibitory concentration = 37.5 microM) and producing hemolysis of human erythrocytes (LD50 = 50 microM).

Amphibian Proteins↗

[Development and establishment of a yeast-based stop codon assay for detection of NF2 gene premature-terminating mutations].

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomally inherited disorder, caused by a mutation in NF2 tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 22q12, being characterized by multiple intracranial tumors including schwannomas, meningiomas and ependymomas. The protein encoded by the NF2 gene has a similarity to ezrin, radixin and moesin (ERM) proteins that link membrane proteins to the cytoskeleton. It has been reported that the majority of NF2 gene mutations are nonsense mutations that result in a premature termination of translation. We have developed and established a yeast-based stop codon assay for detection of NF2 gene premature terminating mutations. This assay utilizes an autonomously replicating yeast vector that expresses an NF2::ADE2 chimera protein, which gives a normal white colony when a sample NF2 cDNA is homologously recombinated, while it gives a red colony when the sample cDNA contains a nonsense mutation. The assay gave 8.0 +/- 3.5 (mean +/- SD) background red colonies when tested on clinical samples which did not contain an NF2 gene mutation. A total of 16 schwannomas (including three NF2 cases) were tested by the assay. NF2 gene mutations were detected as red colonies more than 10% in 13 of the 16 cases. Sequence analyses of plasmids recovered from the red colonies showed single base substitutions giving stop codons in five cases, and base deletions leading to frameshift and premature termination in four. Additionally, in-frame exon skippings were found in three cases. One case that gave 14% red colonies did not show a clonal mutation. This study demonstrates that the newly established assay is capable of an efficient detection of nonsense mutations of NF2 gene in clinical samples.

Codon, Terminator↗

A stop-codon mutation in the BRI gene associated with familial British dementia.

Familial British dementia (FBD), previously designated familial cerebral amyloid angiopathy-British type, is an autosomal dominant disorder of undetermined origin characterized by progressive dementia, spasticity, and cerebellar ataxia, with onset at around the fifth decade of life. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy, non-neuritic and perivascular plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are the predominant pathological lesions. Here we report the identification of a unique 4K protein subunit named ABri from isolated amyloid fibrils. This highly insoluble peptide is a fragment of a putative type-II single-spanning transmembrane precursor that is encoded by a novel gene, BRI, located on chromosome 13. A single base substitution at the stop codon of this gene generates a longer open reading frame, resulting in a larger, 277-residue precursor. Release of the 34 carboxy-terminal amino acids from the mutated precursor generates the ABri amyloid subunit. The mutation creates a cutting site for the restriction enzyme XbaI, which is useful for detecting asymptomatic carriers. Antibodies against the amyloid or homologous synthetic peptides recognize both parenchymal and vascular lesions in FBD patients. A point mutation at the stop codon of BRI therefore results in the generation of the ABri peptide, which is deposited as amyloid fibrils causing neuronal disfunction and dementia.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

A single nucleotide deletion resulting in a premature stop codon is associated with marked reduction of transcripts from a goat beta-casein null allele.

A null beta-casein allele (CSN2O) was investigated in Creole and Pyrenean goats producing milk devoid of beta-casein (CSN2). Northern blot analyses of total mammary RNA showed much lower amounts of CSN2 transcripts that were similar in size to the wild-type counterpart. The amount of CSN2O mRNA was roughly 5% of the amount of mRNA obtained at the same age and stage of lactation from CSN2A/A goats. Comparative sequence analyses of full-length CSN2O and CSN2A cDNAs showed that both alleles were of similar size, but allele CSN2O had a one-nucleotide deletion in the 5' end of exon 7, which introduces a premature stop codon. The open reading frame of allele CSN2O encodes a shortened polypeptide of 72 amino acids, compared to 223 amino acids for caprine pre beta-casein A. Comparative analyses of RT-PCR products suggested that alleles CSN2O and CSN2A might also differ in the amount and relative ratio of minor deleted CSN2 transcripts. The lower amount of CSN2O mRNA was associated with the occurrence of the premature stop codon which may mediate a rapid decay of CSN2O mRNA and promote skipping of nucleotide stretches containing premature nonsense triplets.

Alleles↗