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Antiviral Activity of the MEK1/2 Inhibitor Trametinib Against Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus.

The lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a widespread pathogen that causes mild-to-severe infections to severe outcomes. In this study, we explored the potential of trametinib, a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, as an antiviral agent against LCMV. Trametinib demonstrated significant antiviral activity against two distinct LCMV strains, Armstrong and Cl13, with promising half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) and selectivity indices (SI) indicating its potency and safety profile. Mechanistic investigations revealed that trametinib interfered with multiple stages of the LCMV life cycle, including membrane fusion and genomic replication, leading to the robust inhibition of viral proliferation. Furthermore, trametinib disrupted the MEK/ERK signaling pathway, which is crucial for LCMV infection. In both in vitro and in vivo experiments, trametinib effectively reduced viral loads and mitigated pathological damage to the spleen and liver tissues. Overall, our findings suggest that trametinib is a promising novel therapeutic option for combating LCMV infection by targeting key stages of the viral life cycle and disrupting host cellular signaling pathways. Further exploration of the antiviral properties of trametinib is likely to pave the way for its clinical development as a treatment for LCMV infections.

Pyridones

MEK kinase activity is not necessary for Raf-1 function.

Raf-1 protein kinase has been identified as an integral component of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signalling pathway in mammals. Activation of Raf-1 is achieved by RAS:GTP binding and other events at the plasma membrane including tyrosine phosphorylation at residues 340/341. We have used gene targeting to generate a 'knockout' of the raf-1 gene in mice as well as a rafFF mutant version of endogenous Raf-1 with Y340FY341F mutations. Raf-1(-/-) mice die in embryogenesis and show vascular defects in the yolk sac and placenta as well as increased apoptosis of embryonic tissues. Cell proliferation is not affected. Raf-1 from cells derived from raf-1(FF/FF) mice has no detectable activity towards MEK in vitro, and yet raf-1(FF/FF) mice survive to adulthood, are fertile and have an apparently normal phenotype. In cells derived from both the raf-1(-/-) and raf-1(FF/FF) mice, ERK activation is normal. These results strongly argue that MEK kinase activity of Raf-1 is not essential for normal mouse development and that Raf-1 plays a key role in preventing apoptosis.

Animals

Regional mapping on human genes for phosphoglucomutase-1 on chromosome 1 and beta-glucuronidase on chromosome 7 using mouse x human hybrids.

Two independent mouse-human somatic cell hybrid clones contained different, de novo chromosome rearrangements involving the short arm of human chromosome 1. One hybrid clone contained a translocation between human chromosomes 1 and 7; the other clone contained a rearrangement product between human chromosomes 1 and 14. Analysis of these clones for expression of genes previously assigned to chromosome 7 and to the short arm of chromosome 1 provided evidence for localization of PGM--1 in segment 1p22.1 leads to 1p31.1, AK--2, ENO--1 and UMPK in region 1pter leads to 1p31.1, and GUS in region 7 pter leads to 7q22. The results have been used to examine the relationship between cytologic and genetic map distances on the short arm of chromosome 1.

Adenylate Kinase

Physical mapping of herpes simplex virus type 1 mutations by marker rescue.

A generally applicable technique which permits the rescue of selected genetic markers from fragments of herpes simplex virus DNA is described. Baby hamster kidney cells infected at the nonpermissive temperature with intact DNA from temperature-sensitive mutants or with fragmented wild-type DNA produce no, or little, infectious progeny. Coinfection results in an increased yield of virus, demonstrating the rescue of genetic information from the DNA fragments. This progeny virus consists of both wild-type and temperature-sensitive virus, demonstrating that both recombination and complementation can occur in coinfected cells. Rescue experiments using isolated fragments produced with various restriction endonucleases have enabled us to locate five temperature-sensitive mutations on the herpes simplex virus type 1 physical map. An adaptation of the technique has allowed the physical mapping of a mutation which affects the herpes simplex virus type 1 pyrimidine deoxyribonucleoside kinase gene. Comparison of the genetic and physical maps for these mutants reveals several anomalies which are discussed.

Cell Line

Location of non-temperature-sensitive genes on the genetic map of herpes simplex virus type 1.

By constructing crosses involving the genes coding for the enzyme deoxypyrimidine kinase and for resistance to the drug phosphonoacetic acid, it has been possible both to extend the genetic analysis of HSV-1 such that the eight possible progeny genotypes which arise from a three-factor cross can be identified and also to precisely locate the gene for the plaque-morphology marker syn, the gene for deoxypyrimidine kinase dPYK and the gene for resistance to phosphonoacetic acid PAAr.

Chromosome Mapping

A mouse model of autosomal dominant spastic ataxia and myopathy caused by a mutation in Tuba4a.

Hereditary ataxias are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by impaired balance and coordination, often due to cerebellar dysfunction. Despite advances in identifying genetic causes, animal models remain essential for dissecting underlying mechanisms and testing therapeutic strategies. Here we describe a mouse model of spastic ataxia and myopathy caused by a missense mutation in Tuba4a (n.A626C, p.Gln176Pro). In an ENU mutagenesis screen, a male C57BL/6 J mouse exhibiting muscle wasting and an intention tremor starting at approximately 4 weeks-of-age was identified. The male was bred by in vitro fertilization to BALB/cByJ oocyte donors. Genetic mapping determined dominant inheritance and localized the mutation to Chromosome 1. Genome sequencing revealed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in serine threonine kinase 36 (Stk36Y1003N) and alpha-tubulin 4A (Tuba4aQ176P) in the mapping interval. These SNPs were CRISPR-engineered into C57BL/6 J mice, which confirmed the Tuba4aQ176P variant as the causative mutation. Mutant mice are normal at 3 weeks, except for decrement in muscle response following repetitive nerve stimulation. However, by 30 days these mice have overt ataxia, Purkinje neuron degeneration, and extensive skeletal muscle defects, which contribute to a decreased lifespan. Dominant TUBA4A mutations in humans are associated with spastic ataxia type 11 (SPAX11), congenital myopathy type 26 (CMYO26), and frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis type 9 (FTDALS9). Our mice exhibit hallmark features of SPAX11 and CMYO26, but do not show motor neuron degeneration. This specificity makes this model a valuable tool for studying cell-type selective effects of TUBA4A mutations in neurodegeneration and myopathy.

Animals

Virus-specific DNA sequences present in cells which carry the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene.

Two independently derived cell lines which carry the herpes simplex type 2 thymidine kinase gene have been examined for the presence of HSV-2-specific DNA sequences. Both cell lines contained 1 to 3 copies per cell of a sequence lying within map co-ordinates 0.2 to 0.4 of the HSV-2 genome. Revertant cells, which contained no detectable thymidine kinase, did not contain this DNA sequence. The failure of EcoR1-restricted HSV-2 DNA to act as a donor of the thymidine kinase gene in transformation experiments suggests that the gene lies close to the EcoR1 restriction site within this sequence at a map position of approx. 0.3. The HSV-2 kinase gene is therefore approximately co-linear with the HSV-1 gene.

Animals

Mapping AK1, ACONs, and AK3 to chromosome 9 in man employing and X/9 translocation and somatic cell hybrids.

The adenylate kinase 1 (AK1), adenylate kinase3 (AK3), and aconitaseS (ACONS) genes have been assigned to chromosome 9 in man by employing an X/9 translocation segregating in man-mouse somatic cell hybrids. Segregation was controlled by taking advantage of the HAT/8-azaguanine selection-counterselection strategy directed at the X-linked HPRT locus. Assignment of AK1 to chromosome 9 has suggested the assignment of the ABO blood-group locus and the nail-patella (Np) locus to 9, since both loci are linked to AK1 by family studies.

Aconitate Hydratase

Mice lacking Nf1 in osteochondroprogenitor cells display skeletal dysplasia similar to patients with neurofibromatosis type I.

Mutations in NF1 cause neurofibromatosis type I (NF1), a disorder characterized, among other clinical manifestations, by generalized and focal bony lesions. Dystrophic scoliosis and tibial pseudoarthrosis are the most severe skeletal manifestations for which treatment is not satisfactory, emphasizing the dearth of knowledge related to the biology of NF1 in bone cells. Using reporter mice, we report here that the mouse Col2α1-Cre promoter (collagen, type II, alpha 1) is active not only in chondrocytes but also in adult bone marrow osteoprogenitors giving rise to osteoblasts. Based on this finding, we crossed the Col2α1-Cre transgenic and Nf1(flox/flox) mice to determine whether loss of Nf1 in axial and appendicular osteochondroprogenitors recapitulates the skeletal abnormalities of NF1 patients. By microtomographic and X-rays studies, we show that Nf1(Col2)(-/-) mice display progressive scoliosis and kyphosis, tibial bowing and abnormalities in skull and anterior chest wall formation. These defects were accompanied by a low bone mass phenotype, high bone cortical porosity, osteoidosis, increased osteoclastogenesis and decreased osteoblast number, as quantified by histomorphometry and 3D-microtomography. Loss of Nf1 in osteochondroprogenitors also caused severe short stature and intervertebral disc defects. Blockade of the RAS/ERK activation characteristic of Nf1(-/-) osteoprogenitors by lovastatin during embryonic development could attenuate the increased cortical porosity observed in mutant pups. These data and the skeletal similarities between this mouse model and NF1 patients thus suggest that activation of the RAS/ERK pathway by Nf1 loss-of-function in osteochondroprogenitors is responsible for the vertebral and tibia lesions in NF1 patients, and that this molecular signature may represent a good therapeutic target.

Animals

Characterization of a protein kinase and two phosphate acceptor proteins from vaccinia virions.

The phosphorylation of two purified vaccinia virus proteins (Acceptors I and II) by a protein kinase isolated from vaccinia virus cores has been studied. Phosphorylation of viral acceptor proteins by the purified enzyme was dependent on the presence of ATP, Mg2+, and protamine or other basic proteins, and was maximal at alkaline pH values. Cyclic mononucleotides did not stimulate the vaccinia protein kinase under a variety of conditions. Protamine, however, was shown to function as an enzyme activator. In its presence, the purified vaccinia protein kinase phosphorylated mainly serine residues in Acceptor I, and predominantly threonine residues in Acceptor II. Phosphorylation of protamine accounted for less than 1% of the total 23P incorporation. Tryptic peptide maps prepared from 32P-labeled Acceptors I and II demonstrated that they contained different labeled peptide sequences and were, therefore, distinct protein species. From additional studies on both purified and virus-associated protein kinase it was concluded that various proteins affected the protein kinase reaction in one of three ways. One class of proteins served as phosphate acceptors, but only when another activator protein was present. A second class consisted of proteins that were strong activators but poor phosphate acceptors. The third class contained proteins that were fair phosphate acceptors, but which also activated the phosphorylation of other acceptor proteins.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Functional characterization of the 9q34.13 locus identifies RAPGEF1 as modulating risk for melanoma and nevi via RAS activation.

Genome-wide association studies identified a melanoma- and nevus count-associated locus on chromosome band 9q34.13. Fine-mapping and melanocyte expression data collectively suggest two potential causal genes with opposite association with risk: higher levels of Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (RAPGEF1) and lower levels of uridine-cytidine kinase 1 (UCK1). Colocalization analyses and conditional TWAS suggest multiple causal cis-regulatory sequence variants in partial linkage disequilibrium (LD) to each other. Melanocyte capture-HiC and CRISPR-inhibition demonstrated regulatory interactions between fine-mapped variants and the RAPGEF1 and UCK1 promoters. Focusing on RAPGEF1, we demonstrate RAPGEF1 expression promotes melanocyte growth and drives malignant transformation of human immortalized melanocytes. Following treatment with human EGF, RAPGEF1 overexpression activated both RAP1 and RAS. Further, we show RAPGEF1 expression is significantly enriched in melanomas lacking strongly activating RAS-MAPK mutations, suggesting that RAPGEF1 may promote oncogenic RAS-MAPK signaling in melanomas. Furthermore, in these tumors, we provide preliminary evidence to support the prognostic relevance of RAPGEF1 expression in patients lacking RAS or BRAF mutations. Together with other recent studies, these data suggest that germline variation influencing RAS activation may play a key role in nevus development and melanoma risk.

Journal Article

Functional characterization of the 9q34.13 locus identifies RAPGEF1 as a candidate gene modulating risk for melanoma and nevi via RAS activation.

Genome-wide association studies identified a melanoma- and nevus count-associated locus on chromosome band 9q34.13. Fine-mapping and melanocyte expression data collectively suggest two potential risk genes with opposite associations with risk: higher levels of Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (RAPGEF1) and lower levels of uridine-cytidine kinase 1 (UCK1). Colocalization analyses and conditional transcriptome-wide association studies (TWASs) suggest multiple causal cis-regulatory sequence variants in partial linkage disequilibrium (LD) to each other. Melanocyte capture-HiC and CRISPR inhibition demonstrated regulatory interactions between fine-mapped variants and the RAPGEF1 and UCK1 promoters. Focusing on RAPGEF1, we demonstrate that RAPGEF1 expression promotes melanocyte growth and drives colony formation of human immortalized melanocytes. Following treatment with human epidermal growth factor (EGF), RAPGEF1 overexpression activated both RAP1 and RAS. Further, we show that RAPGEF1 expression is significantly enriched in melanomas that lack strongly activating RAS-MAPK pathway mutations, which suggests that RAPGEF1 may promote oncogenic RAS-MAPK pathway signaling in melanomas. Furthermore, in these tumors, we provide preliminary evidence to support the prognostic relevance of RAPGEF1 expression in individuals whose melanomas lack RAS or BRAF mutations. Together with other recent studies, these data suggest that germline variation influencing RAS activation may play a key role in nevus development and melanoma risk.

GWAS