Branched-chain Alpha-keto Acid Research Articles

Regulation of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Catabolism ,

Catabolism of the branched-chain amino acids is regulated in part at the step catalyzed by the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex. Previous work suggests both short-term and long-term control mechanisms are involved in regulation of the kinase responsible for phosphorylation and inactivation of the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex. Recent work of this laboratory has focused on the isolation, characterization and molecular cloning of the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase. The cDNA obtained encodes the complete mature protein of 412 amino acids among with a mitochondrial entry sequence of 30 amino acids. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence revealed little similarity with eukaryotic Ser/Thr protein kinases. However, the kinase shows considerable sequence similarity with prokaryotic histidine protein kinases. The availability of this cDNA will facilitate gene expression studies of this important regulatory enzyme for the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex.

Site-directed mutagenesis of phosphorylation sites of the branched chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex

Regulation of the branched chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex, the rate-limiting enzyme of branched chain amino acid catabolism, involves phosphorylation of 2 amino acid residues (site 1, serine 293; site 2, serine 303). To directly assess the roles played by these sites, site-directed mutagenesis was used to convert these serines to glutamates and/or alanines. Functional E1 heterotetramers were expressed in Escherichia coli carrying genes for E1 alpha and E1 beta under control of separate T7 promoters in a dicistronic vector. Mutation of phosphorylation site 1 serine to glutamate inactivated E1 activity, i.e. mimicked the effect of phosphorylation of site 1. Replacement of the site 1 serine with alanine greatly increased Km for the alpha-ketoacid substrate but had no effect on maximum velocity. The site 1 serine to alanine mutant was phosphorylated at site 2, but phosphorylation had no effect upon enzyme activity. Mutation of site 2 serine to either glutamate or alanine also had no effect upon enzyme activity, but phosphorylation of these proteins at site 1 inhibited enzyme activity. E1 mutated to change both phosphorylation site serines to glutamates was without enzyme activity. The binding affinity of E1 to the E2 core was not affected by mutation of the phosphorylation sites to glutamates, suggesting no gross perturbation of the association of E1 with the E2 core. The results provide direct evidence that a negative charge at phosphorylation site 1 is responsible for kinase-mediated inactivation of E1. Site 2 is silent with respect to regulation of activity by phosphorylation.

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD): screening for known mutations in Italian patients.

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive disease due to deficiency of the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) caused by a large number of mutations. In the present study, DNA from Italian patients and their relatives was examined for three point mutations (Y393N in the E1 alpha gene, T841G and G1031A in the E2 gene) and two deletions (-G at the intron/exon border of exon 8 in the E2 gene and an 11 bp deletion in exon 1 of the E1 beta gene) using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO) hybridization, gene-scanning size analysis of fluorescent-tagged PCR products and/or automated DNA sequence analysis. Our results show that two different mutations account for 7 of the 20 mutant MSUD alleles. Two unrelated affected children, two of their parents and one sibling were carriers for the 11 bp deletion in the E1 beta gene, one patient and her mother were heterozygous for Y393N in E1 alpha, while T841G, G1031A and the -G deletion in E2 were not detected. This study is the first attempt to characterize at a nucleic acid level MSUD mutations in Italy. Our results indicate that additional defects are present in the Italian population and that, unlike the Mennonites, a number of different MSUD mutations exist in Italians.

Site-directed mutagenesis and functional analysis of the active-site residues of the E2 component of bovine branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex.

The catalytic domain of dihydrolipoamide transacylase (E2c) of bovine branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex (BCKAD) was overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The E2c catalyzes a reversible acyl transfer reaction between acyl-CoA and dihydrolipoamide, which also occurs spontaneously with a much slower rate. The benzene extracts of both the enzyme-catalyzed and the spontaneous reactions mixture have identical ultraviolet absorbance spectra with a maximum at 233-234 nm, which is characteristic of S-acyldihydrolipoamide. The spontaneous reaction rate of various acyl-CoA is in the order of acetoacetyl-CoA > acetyl-CoA > isobutyryl-CoA > isovaleryl-CoA. In other words, the spontaneous acyl transfer is faster when the substituent (R) of acyl-CoA (R-CO-S-CoA) is a more electron-withdrawing group. This result indicates that a negative charge occurs in the substrate during the acyl transfer process. The function of the active-site histidine (His391) and serine (Ser338) of bovine E2c was analyzed by site-directed mutagenesis. Substitution of His391 or Ser338 with alanine caused drastic decreases in catalytic efficiencies by 3-4 orders of magnitude. The residual activity of H391A increased as the pH of the reaction buffer was elevated. These data support the base-catalyzed mechanism inferred from that of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT). In this reaction, the active-site histidine acts as a general base, and the active-site serine provides a hydrogen bond to the putative negatively charged tetrahedral transition state. Moreover, when Ala348 was changed to valine, the catalytic efficiency for isovaleryl-CoA decreased about 10-fold, and that for acetyl-CoA increased about 3-fold.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Noncoordinated responses of branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase subunit genes to dietary protein.

The response of the murine genes encoding the subunits of branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex (BCKAD) to changes in dietary protein was determined. Steady-state RNA levels for two of the subunits, E1 beta and E2, decreased by two- to four-fold in the livers of mice fed 0% protein isocaloric diets compared to the levels observed in mice fed standard (23%) or high (50%) protein isocaloric diets. In contrast, the levels of RNA encoding the E1 alpha subunit did not change significantly in response to these dietary protein changes. The hepatic decreases in E1 beta and E2 RNA associated with 0% protein isocaloric diets were reversible, with prompt return to baseline levels following 48 hours of 50% protein isocaloric diets ad libitum. In kidney, no significant changes in the RNAs encoding any of the three BCKAD subunits were observed in response to changes in dietary protein. Studies of RNA variations associated with growth and development in several murine tissues, including liver and kidney, demonstrated coordinated changes between all subunits. Similar coordinated changes were observed during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. These studies suggest that the responses of the BCKAD subunit genes to alterations in dietary protein are noncoordinated and tissue-specific, in contrast to the coordinated changes observed during growth and/or differentiation. The differences in BCKAD subunit RNA levels observed under varying nutritional and developmental conditions suggest that multiple regulatory mechanisms modulate BCKAD subunit expression.

Molecular Genetic Characterization of Maple Syrup Urine Disease in European Families

Maple syrup urine disease results from defects in the branched chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex. Cells from seven German, three Turkish, and two Italian families including five consanguineous matings were analyzed for the causative mutations. Enzyme assays were used to confirm the initial clinical diagnosis of all probands. Immunoblots of mitochondrial proteins from these probands revealed reduced expression of the E1 alpha and beta proteins of the complex. Previous studies showed that interaction of alpha and beta was necessary to stabilize both proteins so that defects in either protein can result in decreased presence of both. The E1 alpha Y393N mutation common in the Mennonite population that results in diminished amounts of both alpha and beta proteins was not the cause of the reduction in these European patients.

Primary structure of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase establishes a new family of eukaryotic protein kinases.

We recently reported molecular cloning of the branched chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase, the first mitochondrial protein kinase to be cloned (Popov, K. M., Zhao, Y., Shimomura, Y., Kuntz, M. J., and Harris, R. A. (1992) J. Biol. Chem. 267, 13127-13130). From a search for proteins related to the branched chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase, a cDNA encoding the 434 amino acid residues corresponding to pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase has been cloned from a rat heart cDNA library. Evidence that the clone codes for pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase includes: (a) the deduced amino acid sequence is identical to the partial sequence of the kinase determined by direct sequencing; (b) expression of the cDNA in Escherichia coli resulted in synthesis of a protein that phosphorylated and inactivated the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex; (c) kinase activity of the recombinant protein is sensitive to inhibition by a specific inhibitor of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase; and (d) antiserum raised against the recombinant protein recognized the protein subunit known to correspond to pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase in a highly purified preparation of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Like the branched chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase lacks motifs usually associated with eukaryotic Ser/Thr-protein kinases. Considerable sequence similarity exists between these mitochondrial protein kinases and members of the prokaryotic histidine kinase family, a diverse set of sensing and response systems important in the regulation of bacterial processes. Thus, molecular cloning of these proteins establishes a new eukaryotic family of protein kinases that is related to a prokaryotic family of protein kinases.

Characterization of the promoter-regulatory region and structural organization of E1 alpha gene (BCKDHA) of human branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex.

We have isolated genomic clones containing the complete exon 1 and the promoter-regulatory region of the E1 alpha gene (BCKDHA) of human branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex. The cloning was achieved by amplification of a genomic library in the SRB (P2) host strain that allowed the replication of nonstandard DNA structures. The results of this and previous (Dariush, N., Fisher, C. W., Cox, R. P., and Chuang, D. T. (1991) FEBS Lett. 284, 34-38) studies showed that the human E1 alpha gene contains 9 exons, and spans at least 55 kilobases (kb). Exon 1 is 135 bp in length, and contains multiple transcription initiation sites at bases +1, +18, and +22. The complete human E1 alpha cDNA is, therefore, 1,758 bp in length excluding the poly(A)+ tail, and has 27 nucleotides in the 5'-untranslated region. Sequencing of the 5'-flanking region disclosed the absence of a canonical TATA-box in the vicinity of base -30. Several sets of "CAAT" box-like sequences and Sp1 binding-sites are present. Also present are copies of potential AP-2 binding, fat-specific element 1, fat-specific element 2, glucocorticoid-responsive element, and cAMP-responsive element sequences, as well as multiple sets of direct and inverted repeats. The promoter-regulatory region was characterized using deletion constructs and the luciferase reporter assay. The human hepatoma cells (Hep-G2) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines were used as hosts. The results obtained with Hep-G2 cells indicate that the region for high level transcription is located between bases -320 and -115. Extension of the 5'-end of the insert to beyond base -320 markedly reduces promoter activity. The results strongly suggest the presence of inhibitory elements in the region upstream of base -320. Assays in CHO cells show that the region for high level transcription lies between bases -909 and -115. The variation in the region for high level transcription in Hep-G2 and CHO cells may represent cell-type specific differences in the E1 alpha gene promoter function.

Identification of the mitochondrial branched chain aminotransferase as a branched chain alpha-keto acid transport protein.

Conditions were developed which optimized reconstitution of branched chain alpha-keto acid transport activity, which was measured as alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC) transport, and pyruvate transport activity. Reconstitutable KIC transport activity was about 40-fold higher in heart than in liver mitochondrial extracts and 40-fold higher than heart pyruvate transport activity but only about 7-fold higher than liver pyruvate transport activity. A purification procedure was developed for the branched chain alpha-keto acid and pyruvate transport proteins which resulted in partial purification of the proteins from rat heart mitochondria. Pyruvate transport activity appeared to be associated with a 32.5-kDa protein, whereas KIC transport activity appeared to be associated with two proteins around 41 kDa. As shown by immunoblotting and immunoaffinity chromatography, these proteins were recognized by an antiserum raised against purified rat heart mitochondrial branched chain aminotransferase (BCATm). Procedures used to extract BCATm from mitochondria effectively solubilized KIC transport activity, and both transaminase and transport activities in the sonicate supernatant were immunoprecipitated by BCATm antiserum. The tissue distribution of reconstitutable KIC transport activity was identical with the tissue distribution of BCATm. On the other hand, the distribution of reconstitutable pyruvate transport activity was distinct from that of KIC transport and branched chain aminotransferase activities, and pyruvate transport activity could not be immunoprecipitated by BCATm antiserum. When incorporated into phospholipid vesicles, purified BCATm exhibited branched chain alpha-keto acid transport activity but did not transport pyruvate. Transport was saturable, and Km values for KIC and alpha-ketoisovalerate uptake were 10 and 25 microM, respectively. Substrate competition experiments indicated that KIC transport could be inhibited substantially by branched chain alpha-keto acids and their derivatives but not by substrates for the pyruvate transporter. Transport was also inhibited by several aromatic carboxylic acid derivatives and alpha-ketoglutarate, but not by N-butylmalonate and succinate. Studies with covalent protein-modifying reagents indicated that transport was inhibited by sulfhydryl reagents, the histidine reagent diethyl pyrocarbonate, and the tyrosine reagent N-acetylimidazole. When BCATm was incorporated into phospholipid vesicles, pyridoxal 5-phosphate was an inhibitor of transport (75% inhibition at 10 mM) but had little effect on aminotransferase activity. The data indicate BCATm is a bifunctional protein catalyzing branched chain amino acid transamination and branched chain alpha-keto acid transport. The transport properties of BCATm suggest that this protein may be the branched chain alpha-keto acid transporter that was originally identified and characterized kinetically in isolated rat heart mitochondria (Hutson, S.M., and Rannels, S.L. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 14189-14193).

Structure of the gene encoding dihydrolipoyl transacylase (E2) component of human branched chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex and characterization of an E2 pseudogene.

We have determined the structural organization of the dihydrolipoyl transacylase (E2) gene of the human branched chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex. The single copy E2 gene spans approximately 68 kilobases of genomic DNA. The complete coding region consisting of the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions, the mitochondrial targeting sequence (61 amino acids), and the mature E2 sequence (421 amino acids) are encoded by 11 exons ranging from 62 to 2239 base pairs. All the donor and acceptor splice sites conform to the gt-ag rule. Sequence analysis of the promoter-regulatory region showed the presence of a "CAAT box"-like sequence 537 bases upstream of the transcription initiation site. The "TATA box"-like sequence is absent. Also located in this region are sequences resembling glucocorticoid-responsive and cAMP-responsive elements, fat-specific elements, and Sp1- and AP-2-binding sites. Several sets of direct and inverted repeats are also present. Promoter assays using human hepatoma cells (Hep-G2) and Swiss mouse preadipocytes (3T3-L1) showed that a 4.1-kilobase PstI fragment upstream of the transcription start site confers high expression of the luciferase reporter gene. Moreover, an intronless E2 pseudogene was isolated. It corresponds to the complete mitochondrial presequence and the lipoyl-bearing domain that are encoded by exons I through IV of the functional E2 gene. However, the E2 pseudogene contains multiple base changes, deletions, and insertions, and is flanked by short direct repeats. The data indicate that the E2 pseudogene is a retroposon.

Expression and assembly of a functional E1 component (alpha 2 beta 2) of mammalian branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex in Escherichia coli.

We have expressed an active recombinant E1 decarboxylase component of the mammalian branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex in Escherichia coli by subcloning mature E1 alpha and E1 beta subunit cDNA sequences into a bacterial expression vector. To permit affinity purification under native conditions, the mature E1 alpha subunit was fused with the affinity ligand E. coli maltose-binding protein (MBP) through an endoprotease Factor Xa-specific linker peptide. When co-expressed, the MBP-E1 alpha fusion and E1 beta subunits were shown to co-purify as a MBP-E1 component that exhibited both E1 activity and binding competence for recombinant branched-chain E2 component. In contrast, in vitro mixing of individually expressed MBP-E1 alpha and E1 beta did not result in assembly or produce E1 activity. Following proteolytic removal of the affinity ligand and linker peptide with Factor Xa, a recombinant E1 species was eluted from a Sephacryl S-300HR sizing column as an enzymatically active 160-kDa species. The latter showed 1:1 subunit stoichiometry, which was consistent with an alpha 2 beta 2 structure. The recovery of this 160-kDa recombinant E1 species (estimated at 0.07% of total lysate protein) was low, with the majority of the recombinant protein lost as insoluble aggregates. Our findings suggest that the concurrent expression of both E1 alpha and E1 beta subunits in the same cellular compartment is important for assembly of both subunits into a functional E1 alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetramer. By using this co-expression system, we also find that the E1 alpha missense mutation (Tyr-393----Asn) characterized in Mennonites with maple syrup urine disease prevents the assembly of soluble E1 heterotetramers.

Branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase. Molecular cloning, expression, and sequence similarity with histidine protein kinases.

A cDNA for branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase was cloned from a rat heart cDNA library. The cDNA had an open reading frame encoding a protein of 382 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 43,280. The clone codes for the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase based on the following: 1) the deduced amino acid sequence contained the partial sequence of the kinase determined by direct sequencing; 2) expression of the cDNA in Escherichia coli resulted in synthesis of a 43,000-Da protein that was recognized specifically by kinase antibodies; and 3) enzyme activity that phosphorylated and inactivated the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex was found in extracts of E. coli expressing the protein. Northern blot analysis indicated the mRNA for the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase was more abundant in rat heart than in rat liver, as expected from the relative amounts of kinase activity expressed in these tissues. The deduced sequence of the kinase aligned with a high degree of similarity within subdomains characteristic of procaryotic histidine protein kinases. This first mitochondrial protein kinase to be cloned appears more closely related in sequence to procaryotic histidine protein kinases than to eucaryotic serine/threonine protein kinases.

Chaperonins groEL and groES promote assembly of heterotetramers (alpha 2 beta 2) of mammalian mitochondrial branched-chain alpha-keto acid decarboxylase in Escherichia coli.

We have investigated the possible role of chaperonins groEL and groES in the folding and assembly of heterotetramers (alpha 2 beta 2) of mammalian mitochondrial branched-chain alpha-keto acid decarboxylase (E1) in Escherichia coli. The mature E1 alpha subunit fused to maltose-binding protein (MBP) was coexpressed with mature E1 beta on the same vector in ES- and EL- mutant strains. Only small or trace amounts of active E1 component were obtained. Cotransformation of the ES- mutant host with a second vector overexpressing groEL and groES resulted in a greater than 500-fold increase in E1-specific activity. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that the content of both MBP-E1 alpha and E1 beta polypeptides was markedly increased in the presence of overexpressed chaperonin proteins. The time course studies showed that the increase in E1-specific activity and subunit levels correlated with the increase in groEL and groES until the concentration of the chaperonins reached a saturating level in the cell. The functional MBP-E1 fusion protein from ES- double transformants were purified by amylose resin affinity chromatography. The MBP moiety was removed by subsequent digestion with Factor Xa endoprotease, followed by Sephacryl S-300HR chromatography. It was found that E1 alpha and E1 beta assembled into an active 160-kDa species, which was consistent with the alpha 2 beta 2 structure of E1. The present results demonstrate that chaperonins groEL and groES promote folding and assembly of heterotetrameric proteins of mammalian mitochondrial origin.

Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of mature E1 beta subunit of bovine mitochondrial branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex. Mapping of the E1 beta-binding region on E2.

A cDNA encoding the mature E1 beta subunit of the bovine branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex was isolated from a lambda ZAP expression library. The bovine E1 beta cDNA is 1,393 base pairs in length. It encodes the entire mature E1 beta subunit consisting of 342 amino acid residues and a partial mitochondrial targeting presequence of 26 residues. The calculated molecular mass of the mature bovine E1 beta subunit is 37,776 daltons, and the calculated isoelectric point is pI 5.04. The mature bovine E1 beta subunit was expressed in Escherichia coli via the pKK233-2 vector in the presence of isopropyl beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). When expression was induced by IPTG at 37 degrees C, the soluble recombinant E1 beta subunit existed as a single high molecular weight form (Mr congruent to 3.5 x 10(5)), which sedimented during sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation at 2 x 10(5) x g. However, lowering the induction temperature to 25 degrees C resulted in the occurrence of both high and low molecular weight forms of the recombinant E1 beta protein. The low molecular weight form (Mr congruent to 9.1 x 10(4)) remained soluble after sucrose gradient centrifugation and was utilized in binding studies with a series of truncated recombinant E2 proteins. The results showed that the E1 beta subunit bound to the region between Ala-115 and Lys-150 of the E2 chain, which lay within the putative E3-binding domain. In contrast, the recombinant E1 alpha subunit did not bind the E2 component. The data suggest an apparent binding order of E2-E1 beta-E1 alpha, which supports and extends the model of E2 inner core deduced previously from the data of scanning transmission electron microscopy (Hackert, M.L., Xu, W.-X., Oliver, R.M., Wall, J.S., Hainfeld, J.F., Mullinax, T.R., and Reed, L.J. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 6816-6821). The relatively inaccessible topology of E1 beta may explain the lack of antigenicity and resistance to limited proteolysis of this subunit as it exists in the complex.

Effect of alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase phosphorylation on branched-chain amino acid metabolism in muscle

The regulation of leucine and valine metabolism was evaluated in skeletal muscle of perfused rat hindlimb. Control of the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKADH) via phosphorylation was removed with 0.4 mM alpha-chloroisocaproate (CIC). CIC activated the BCKADH complex 13- to 26-fold and led to increased rates of leucine and valine uptake into muscle, transamination to the corresponding alpha-ketoacid, and leucine (3- to 4-fold) and valine (6-fold) decarboxylation but led to decreased rates of alpha-ketoacid efflux from muscle. Although the increased rates of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) decarboxylation were extensive, they were far below the extent of BCKADH activation as measured in vitro, suggesting that factors other than BCKADH activation become dominant in controlling the flux through alpha-ketoacid decarboxylation in skeletal muscle in situ. When the BCKADH capacity of muscle was increased 70-90% by a training-induced increase in mitochondrial content, the same 13- to 26-fold activation of the complex by CIC led to a rate of BCAA decarboxylation, which was only marginally greater (10-20%; P less than 0.05) than that of normal muscle. In addition, increasing the energy demand via muscle contractions led to a significant increase in leucine decarboxylation in the presence of complete activation of BCKADH by dephosphorylation. Thus BCKADH phosphorylation-dephosphorylation plays an important though not exclusive role in modulating the rates of BCAA metabolism in skeletal muscle. Differences in valine and leucine metabolism were apparent as valine catabolism bolstered citric acid cycle contents by increasing malate in red muscle with high mitochondrial content.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gene analysis of Mennonite maple syrup urine disease kindred using primer-specified restriction map modification.

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive inherited disease due to a deficiency of any of the subunits, E1 alpha, E1 beta or E2, of the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex (BCKDH). A large Mennonite kindred of MSUD has been studied in Pennsylvania, USA. In the present investigation, genomes from 70 members, including 12 patients belonging to eight different Mennonite MSUD pedigrees, were examined for possible abnormalities in the E1 alpha gene of BCKDH, by primer-specified restriction map modification. A T-to-A substitution which generates an asparagine in place of a tyrosine at amino acid 394 of the mature E1 alpha subunit was present in both alleles in all the patients and in a single allele in all obligate carriers and several siblings. We describe a new technique for rapid and easy detection of the mutant gene in this population. These family studies provide additional evidence that Mennonite MSUD is caused by a missense mutation of the E1 alpha gene of BCKDH

Maple syrup urine disease in Mennonites. Evidence that the Y393N mutation in E1 alpha impedes assembly of the E1 component of branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex.

Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD) in Mennonites is associated with homozygosity for a T to A transversion in the E1 alpha gene of the branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex. This causes a tyrosine to asparagine substitution at position 393 (Y393N). To assess the functional significance of this missense mutation, we have carried out transfection studies using E1 alpha-deficient MSUD lymphoblasts (Lo) as a host. The level of E1 beta subunit is also greatly reduced in Lo cells. Efficient episomal expression in lymphoblasts was achieved using the EBO vector. The inserts employed were chimeric bovine-human cDNAs which encode mitochondrial import competent E1 alpha subunit precursors. Transfection with normal E1 alpha cDNA into Lo cells restored decarboxylation activity of intact cells. Western blotting showed that both E1 alpha and E1 beta subunits were markedly increased. Introduction of Y393N mutant E1 alpha cDNA failed to produce any measurable decarboxylation activity. Mutant E1 alpha subunit was expressed at a normal level, however, the E1 beta subunit was undetectable. These results provide the first evidence that Y393N mutation is the cause of MSUD. Moreover, this mutation impedes the assembly of E1 alpha with E1 beta into a stable alpha 2 beta 2 structure, resulting in the degradation of the free E1 beta subunit.

Structural organization and chromosomal localization of the gene for the E1 beta subunit of human branched chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase

A defect in the E1 beta subunit of the branched chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) complex is one cause of maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). In an attempt to elucidate the molecular basis of MSUD, we isolated and characterized the cDNA of the E1 beta subunit of BCKDH. Using the cDNA as a probe, a chromosomal gene related to E1 beta subunit of human BCKDH was isolated from human gene libraries. The gene of E1 beta subunit is over 100 kilobases long and is split into 10 exons. All of the splice donor and acceptor sites conform to the GT/AG rule. The transcription initiation site was determined by nuclease S1 mapping and primer extension and was located 47 bases upstream from the initiation codon. A "CAAT" box and its reverse complement sequences were present at 39 bases and 75 bases upstream from the cap site, but there was no "TATA" box-like sequence. There were three sets of sequences resembling the transcription factor Sp1-binding sites and two sets of sequences resembling the enhancer core sequence. We also analyzed the chromosomal localization of the gene for the E1 beta subunit of BCKDH. The gene was mapped to chromosome 6. Knowledge of the gene structure of human BCKDH E1 beta subunit will facilitate further studies on the expression and regulation of this gene and provide necessary information for analyses of mutations in patients with MSUD.

Maple syrup urine disease. Complete defect of the E1 beta subunit of the branched chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex due to a deletion of an 11-bp repeat sequence which encodes a mitochondrial targeting leader peptide in a family with the disease.

Branched chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) deficiency results in maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). We examined the molecular basis of familial cases of MSUD by analyzing the activity, subunit structure, mRNA sequence, and genome structure of the affected enzyme. The BCKDH activity in the proband with MSUD was approximately 6% of the normal control level. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the E1 beta subunit of BCKDH was absent and that the E1 alpha subunit of BCKDH was markedly reduced. We amplified the cDNAs of the E1 alpha subunit and the E1 beta subunit of the BCKDH complex obtained from cells of the patient, using the polymerase chain reaction method, then sequenced the amplified cDNAs. The deduced amino acid sequence for the E1 alpha subunit of the patient's cell was normal. An 11-bp deletion was identified in the region that encoded the mitochondrial targeting leader peptide in the E1 beta cDNA. This 11-bp sequence is found in the first exon of the BCKDH-E1 beta gene, as a direct tandem repeat. Amplification of genomic DNA revealed that the consanguineous parents were heterozygous for this mutant allele, and sister and brother of the patient with the disease were homozygous for this mutant allele. This 11-bp deletion mutation caused a change in the reading frame and the mature E1 beta protein was defective. These observations show the biological importance of the E1 beta subunit of BCKDH to maintain normal function of the enzyme activity. The absence of the E1 beta subunit results in instability of the E1 alpha subunit.

Maple syrup urine disease caused by a partial deletion in the inner E2 core domain of the branched chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex due to aberrant splicing. A single base deletion at a 5'-splice donor site of an intron of the E2 gene disrupts the consensus sequence in this region.

We have studied the molecular bases of maple syrup urine disease by analyzing the activity, subunit structure, mRNA sequence, and the genome of the affected enzyme. The branched chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) activity in the patient was 4.2-4.5% of the control level. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the E2 subunit of BCKDH (Mr 52,000) was absent and another protein band with an Mr of 49,000 was present. We amplified the cDNA of the E2 subunit obtained from the patient's cell using the polymerase chain reaction method, then sequenced the amplified cDNA, in which a 78-bp deletion was identified. The consanguineous parents and a sister had two species of mRNA; the one corresponding to the normal E2 subunit and the other with a 78-bp deletion, whereas findings in a brother were normal. The molecular size of the translation products as deduced from the abnormal mRNA sequence was compatible with an abnormal protein band (Mr 49,000) detected in the patient's cells by immunoblot analysis. Analysis of genomic DNA of BCKDH-E2 subunit revealed that the 78-bp deletion in the mRNA was caused by an exon skipping due to a single base deletion in the 5'-splice donor site. As a result of the mutation, part of the inner E2 core domain was omitted. The specified region of the inner E2 core domain was highly homologous to the region of the E2 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase and alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase. These observations imply the biological importance of the region in the inner E2 core domain of BCKDH to maintain normal function of the activity.