scholarly journals Homozygous NMNAT2 mutation in sisters with polyneuropathy and erythromelalgia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Huppke ◽  
Eike Wegener ◽  
Jonathan Gilley ◽  
Carlo Angeletti ◽  
Ingo Kurth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Studies ◽  
Threshold Level ◽  
Rare Allele ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Childhood Onset ◽  
Partial Loss ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Electrophysiological Tests ◽  
Axon Loss ◽  
Axon Survival

ABSTRACTWe identified a homozygous missense mutation in the gene encoding NAD synthesizing enzyme NMNAT2 in two siblings with childhood onset polyneuropathy with erythromelalgia. No additional homozygotes for this rare allele, which leads to amino acid substitution T94M, were present among the unaffected relatives tested or in the 60,000 exomes of the ExAC database. For axons to survive, axonal NMNAT2 activity has to be maintained above a threshold level but the T94M mutation confers a partial loss of function both in the ability of NMNAT2 to support axon survival and in its enzymatic properties. Electrophysiological tests and histological analysis of sural nerve biopsies in the patients were consistent with loss of distal sensory and motor axons. Thus, it is likely that NMNAT2 mutation causes this pain and axon loss phenotype making this the first disorder associated with mutation of a key regulator of Wallerian-like axon degeneration in humans. This supports indications from numerous animal studies that the Wallerian degeneration pathway is important in human disease and raises important questions about which other human phenotypes could be linked to this gene.

scholarly journals The Sec15 protein responds to the function of the GTP binding protein, Sec4, to control vesicular traffic in yeast.

1989 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 1023-1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Salminen ◽  
P J Novick
Keyword(s):  
Secretory Pathway ◽  
Microsomal Fraction ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Protein Product ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Partial Loss ◽  
Gtp Binding Protein ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Vesicular Traffic ◽  
Gtp Binding

SEC15 function is required at a late stage of the yeast secretory pathway. Duplication of the gene encoding the ras-like, GTP-binding protein, Sec4, can suppress the partial loss of function resulting from the sec15-l mutation, but cannot suppress disruption of sec15. Analysis of the SEC15 gene predicts a hydrophilic protein product of 105 kD. Anti-Sec15 antibody recognizes a protein of 116-kD apparent molecular mass which is associated with a microsomal fraction of yeast in a strongly pH dependent fashion. Overproduction of Sec15 protein interferes with the secretory pathway, resulting in the formation of a cluster of secretory vesicles, and a patch of Sec15 protein revealed by immunofluorescence. The sec4-8 and sec2-4l mutations, but not mutations in other SEC genes, prevent formation of the Sec15 protein patch. We propose that Sec15 protein responds to the function of the Sec4 protein to control vesicular traffic.

scholarly journals Rhodospirillum rubrum Possesses a Variant of the bchP Gene, Encoding Geranylgeranyl-Bacteriopheophytin Reductase

2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (6) ◽  
pp. 1578-1586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh A. Addlesee ◽  
C. Neil Hunter
Keyword(s):  
Rhodobacter Sphaeroides ◽  
Rhodospirillum Rubrum ◽  
Insertion Mutation ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Partial Loss ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Potential Link ◽  
Photosynthesis Gene ◽  
Wild Type Bacterium

ABSTRACT The bchP gene product of Rhodobacter sphaeroides is responsible for the reduction of the isoprenoid moiety of bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl) from geranylgeraniol (GG) to phytol; here, we show that this enzyme also catalyzes the reduction of the isoprenoid moiety of bacteriopheophytin (Bphe). In contrast, we demonstrate that a newly identified homolog of this gene in Rhodospirillum rubrum encodes an enzyme, GG-Bphe reductase, capable of reducing the isoprenoid moiety of Bphe only. We propose that Rhodospirillum rubrum is a naturally occurring bchP mutant and that an insertion mutation may have been the initial cause of a partial loss of function. Normal BchP function can be restored to Rhodospirillum rubrum, creating a new transconjugant strain possessing Bchl esterified with phytol. We speculate on the requirement of Rhodospirillum rubrum for phytylated Bphe and on a potential link between the absence of LH2 and of phytylated Bchl from the wild-type bacterium. The identification of a second role for the fully functional BchP in catalyzing the synthesis of phytylated Bphe strongly suggests that homologs of this enzyme may be similarly responsible for the synthesis of phytylated pheophytin in organisms possessing photosystem 2. In addition to bchP, other members of a photosynthesis gene cluster were identified in Rhodospirillum rubrum, including a bchG gene, demonstrated to encode a functional Bchl synthetase by complementation of a Rhodobacter sphaeroides mutant.

scholarly journals Gain-of-function GABRB3 variants identified in vigabatrin-hypersensitive epileptic encephalopathies

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan L Absalom ◽  
Vivian W Y Liao ◽  
Kavitha Kothur ◽  
Dinesh C Indurthi ◽  
Bruce Bennetts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Drug Effects ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Molecular Phenotype ◽  
Gain Of Function ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Epileptic Encephalopathies ◽  
Receptor Phenotype

Abstract Variants in the GABRB3 gene encoding the β3-subunit of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A ( receptor are associated with various developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Typically, these variants cause a loss-of-function molecular phenotype whereby γ-aminobutyric acid has reduced inhibitory effectiveness leading to seizures. Drugs that potentiate inhibitory GABAergic activity, such as nitrazepam, phenobarbital or vigabatrin, are expected to compensate for this and thereby reduce seizure frequency. However, vigabatrin, a drug that inhibits γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase to increase tonic γ-aminobutyric acid currents, has mixed success in treating seizures in patients with GABRB3 variants: some patients experience seizure cessation, but there is hypersensitivity in some patients associated with hypotonia, sedation and respiratory suppression. A GABRB3 variant that responds well to vigabatrin involves a truncation variant (p.Arg194*) resulting in a clear loss-of-function. We hypothesized that patients with a hypersensitive response to vigabatrin may exhibit a different γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor phenotype. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the phenotype of de novo variants in GABRB3 (p.Glu77Lys and p.Thr287Ile) associated with patients who are clinically hypersensitive to vigabatrin. We introduced the GABRB3 p.Glu77Lys and p.Thr287Ile variants into a concatenated synaptic and extrasynaptic γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor construct, to resemble the γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor expression by a patient heterozygous for the GABRB3 variant. The mRNA of these constructs was injected into Xenopus oocytes and activation properties of each receptor measured by two-electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology. Results showed an atypical gain-of-function molecular phenotype in the GABRB3 p.Glu77Lys and p.Thr287Ile variants characterized by increased potency of γ-aminobutyric acid A without change to the estimated maximum open channel probability, deactivation kinetics or absolute currents. Modelling of the activation properties of the receptors indicated that either variant caused increased chloride flux in response to low concentrations of γ-aminobutyric acid that mediate tonic currents. We therefore propose that the hypersensitivity reaction to vigabatrin is a result of GABRB3 variants that exacerbate GABAergic tonic currents and caution is required when prescribing vigabatrin. In contrast, drug strategies increasing tonic currents in loss-of-function variants are likely to be a safe and effective therapy. This study demonstrates that functional genomics can explain beneficial and adverse anti-epileptic drug effects, and propose that vigabatrin should be considered in patients with clear loss-of-function GABRB3 variants.

scholarly journals Roles for RNA export factor, Nxt1, in ensuring muscle integrity and normal RNA expression in Drosophila

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin van der Graaf ◽  
Katia Jindrich ◽  
Robert Mitchell ◽  
Helen White-Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Export ◽  
Rna Stability ◽  
Muscle Degeneration ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Partial Loss ◽  
Export Pathway ◽  
Pathway Gene ◽  
Rna Export

Abstract The mRNA export pathway is responsible for the transport of mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and thus is essential for protein production and normal cellular functions. A partial loss of function allele of the mRNA export factor Nxt1 in Drosophila shows reduced viability and sterility. A previous study has shown that the male fertility defect is due to a defect in transcription and RNA stability, indicating the potential for this pathway to be implicated in processes beyond the known mRNA transport function. Here we investigate the reduced viability of Nxt1 partial loss of function mutants, and describe a defect in growth and maintenance of the larval muscles, leading to muscle degeneration. RNA-seq revealed reduced expression of a set of mRNAs, particularly from genes with long introns in Nxt1 mutant carcass. We detected differential expression of circRNA, and significantly fewer distinct circRNAs expressed in the mutants. Despite the widespread defects in gene expression, muscle degeneration was rescued by increased expression of the costamere component tn (abba) in muscles. This is the first report of a role for the RNA export pathway gene Nxt1 in the maintenance of muscle integrity. Our data also links the mRNA export pathway to a specific role in the expression of mRNA and circRNA from common precursor genes, in vivo.

scholarly journals The Multifaceted Roles of MicroRNAs in Cystic Fibrosis

Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1102
Author(s):  
Fatima Domenica Elisa De Palma ◽  
Valeria Raia ◽  
Guido Kroemer ◽  
Maria Chiara Maiuri
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Pancreatic Insufficiency ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Predictive Biomarkers ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Multisystemic Disease

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lifelong disorder affecting 1 in 3500 live births worldwide. It is a monogenetic autosomal recessive disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding the chloride channel cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), the impairment of which leads to ionic disequilibria in exocrine organs. This translates into a chronic multisystemic disease characterized by airway obstruction, respiratory infections, and pancreatic insufficiency as well as hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Molecular characterization of the mutational heterogeneity of CFTR (affected by more than 2000 variants) improved the understanding and management of CF. However, these CFTR variants are linked to different clinical manifestations and phenotypes, and they affect response to treatments. Expanding evidence suggests that multisystemic disease affects CF pathology via impairing either CFTR or proteins regulated by CFTR. Thus, altering the expression of miRNAs in vivo could constitute an appealing strategy for developing new CF therapies. In this review, we will first describe the pathophysiology and clinical management of CF. Then, we will summarize the current knowledge on altered miRNAs in CF patients, with a focus on the miRNAs involved in the deregulation of CFTR and in the modulation of inflammation. We will highlight recent findings on the potential utility of measuring circulating miRNAs in CF as diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers. Finally, we will provide an overview on potential miRNA-based therapeutic approaches.

scholarly journals Genomic Variation in IbA10G2 and Other Patient-Derived Cryptosporidium hominis Subtypes

2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 844-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Per Sikora ◽  
Sofia Andersson ◽  
Jadwiga Winiecka-Krusnell ◽  
Björn Hallström ◽  
Cecilia Alsmark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Genomic Variation ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Oocyst Wall ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Cryptosporidium Hominis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Successful Isolation ◽  
Target Dna ◽  
Stool Samples

ABSTRACTIn order to improve genotyping and epidemiological analysis ofCryptosporidiumspp., genomic data need to be generated directly from a broad range of clinical specimens. Utilizing a robust method that we developed for the purification and generation of amplified target DNA, we present its application for the successful isolation and whole-genome sequencing of 14 differentCryptosporidium hominispatient specimens. Six isolates of subtype IbA10G2 were analyzed together with a single representative each of 8 other subtypes: IaA20R3, IaA23R3, IbA9G3, IbA13G3, IdA14, IeA11G3T3, IfA12G1, and IkA18G1. Parasite burden was measured over a range of more than 2 orders of magnitude for all samples, while the genomes were sequenced to mean depths of between 17× and 490× coverage. Sequence homology-based functional annotation identified several genes of interest, including the gene encodingCryptosporidiumoocyst wall protein 9 (COWP9), which presented a predicted loss-of-function mutation in all the sequence subtypes, except for that seen with IbA10G2, which has a sequence identical to theCryptosporidium parvumreference Iowa II sequence. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis showed that all the IbA10G2 genomes form a monophyletic clade in theC. hoministree as expected and yet display some heterogeneity within the IbA10G2 subtype. The current report validates the aforementioned method for isolating and sequencingCryptosporidiumdirectly from clinical stool samples. In addition, the analysis demonstrates the potential in mining data generated from sequencing multiple whole genomes ofCryptosporidiumfrom human fecal samples, while alluding to the potential for a higher degree of genotyping withinCryptosporidiumepidemiology.

scholarly journals Functional characterization of a loss-of-function mutant I324M of arginine vasopressin receptor 2 in X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lixia Wang ◽  
Weihong Guo ◽  
Chunyun Fang ◽  
Wenli Feng ◽  
Yumeng Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Insipidus ◽  
Arginine Vasopressin ◽  
Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Gene Mutations ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Vasopressin Receptor ◽  
Inherited Disease ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Gene Encoding

AbstractX-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (X-linked NDI) is a rare inherited disease mainly caused by lost-of-function mutations in human AVPR2 gene encoding arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (V2R). Our focus of the current study is on exploration of the functional and biochemical properties of Ile324Met (I324M) mutation identified in a pedigree showing as typical recessive X-linked NDI. We demonstrated that I324M mutation interfered with the conformation of complex glycosylation of V2R. Moreover, almost all of the I324M-V2R failed to express on the cell surface due to being captured by the endoplasmic reticulum control system. We further examined the signaling activity of DDAVP-medicated cAMP and ERK1/2 pathways and the results revealed that the mutant receptor lost the ability in response to DDAVP stimulation contributed to the failure of accumulation of cAMP and phosphorylated ERK1/2. Based on the characteristics of molecular defects of I324M mutant, we selected two reagents (SR49059 and alvespimycin) to determine whether the functions of I324M-V2R can be restored and we found that both compounds can significantly “rescue” I324M mutation. Our findings may provide further insights for understanding the pathogenic mechanism of AVPR2 gene mutations and may offer some implications on development of promising treatments for patients with X-linked NDI.

WED 202 Lamb-shaffer syndrome: importance of snp array in diagnosing neurodevelopmental syndromes

2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (10) ◽  
pp. A29.4-A30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ela M Akay ◽  
Ian S Schofield ◽  
Ming H Lai ◽  
Rhys H Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
Cervical Vertebrae ◽  
Snp Array ◽  
Global Developmental Delay ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Mild Intellectual Disability ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Original Cohort

We describe the seizure phenotype of a 26 year old lady who presented with a probable photic-induced convulsion on a background of mild intellectual disability, facial dysmorphia, fused cervical vertebrae and ventricular septal defect. There was no prior history of seizures.Routine EEG was polyrhythmic with a prominent photoparoxysmal response at 14 Hz and 40 Hz. CT head was normal. A SNP array demonstrated a rare 51 kb deletion at 12 p12.1 which disrupts the SOX5 gene.SOX5 is a developmentally important gene encoding a transcription factor that plays a role in multiple developmental pathways including of the nervous system. Loss of function of this gene is associated with Lamb-Shaffer syndrome, first characterised in 2012 with global developmental delay, intellectual disability, mild dysmorphic facies, language impairment and variable skeletal abnormalities.3 of the original cohort of 16 patients described experienced seizures and the nature of their epilepsy was not further defined. Only a further 7 cases have been reported to date, none of whom experienced seizures. Our case helps to broaden the phenotype of Lamb-Shaffer syndrome, highlights the importance of looking for copy number variation and poses questions regarding the neurobiology of photo-sensitivity.

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