Cystathionine Β-synthase Gene Research Articles

Real-time detection of enzymatically formed hydrogen sulfide by pathogenic variants of cystathionine beta-synthase using hemoglobin I of Lucina pectinata as a biosensor

Classical homocystinuria is a rare disease caused by mutations in cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) gene (OMIM 613381). CBS catalyzes the first step of the transsulfuration pathway that converts homocysteine (Hcy) into cystathionine (Cysta) via a number of co-substrates and mechanisms. Formation of Cysta by condensation of Hcy and cysteine (Cys) produces a molar equivalent of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). H2S plays important roles in cognitive and vascular functions. Clinically, patients with CBS deficiency present with vascular, ocular, neurological and skeletal impairments. Biochemically, CBS deficiency manifests with elevated Hcy and reduced concentration of Cysta in plasma and urine. A number of pathogenic variants of human CBS have been characterized by their residual enzymatic activity, but very few studies have examined H2S production by pathogenic CBS variants, possibly due to technical hurdles in H2S detection and quantification. We describe a method for the real-time, continuous quantification of H2S formed by wild-type and pathogenic variants of human recombinant CBS, as well as by fibroblast extracts from healthy controls and patients diagnosed with CBS deficiency. The method takes advantage of the specificity and high affinity of hemoglobin I of the clam Lucina pectinata toward H2S and is based on UV–visible spectrophotometry. Comparison with the gold-standard, end-point H2S quantification method employing monobromobimane, as well as correlations with CBS enzymatic activity determined by LC-MS/MS showed agreement and correlation, and permitted the direct, time-resolved determination of H2S production rates by purified human recombinant CBS and by CBS present in fibroblast extracts. Rates of H2S production were highest for wild-type CBS, and lower for pathogenic variants. This method enables the examination of structural determinants of CBS that are important for H2S production and its possible relevance to the clinical outcome of patients.

Biochemical and structural impact of two novel missense mutations in cystathionine β-synthase gene associated with homocystinuria.

Homocystinuria is a rare disease caused by mutations in the CBS gene that results in a deficiency of cystathionine β-synthase (CBS). CBS is an essential pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme in the transsulfuration pathway, responsible for combining serine with homocysteine to produce cystathionine, whose activity is enhanced by the allosteric regulator S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). CBS also plays a role in generating hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gaseous signaling molecule with diverse regulatory functions within the vascular, nervous, and immune systems. In this study, we present the clinical and biochemical characterization of two novel CBS missense mutations that do not respond to pyridoxine treatment, namely c.689T > A (L230Q) and 215A > T (K72I), identified in a Chinese patient. We observed that the disease-associated K72I genetic variant had no apparent effects on the spectroscopic and catalytic properties of the full-length enzyme. In contrast, the L230Q variant expressed in Escherichia coli did not fully retain heme and when compared with the wild-type enzyme, it exhibited more significant impairments in both the canonical cystathionine-synthesis and the alternative H2S-producing reactions. This reduced activity is consistent with both in vitro and in silico evidence, which indicates that the L230Q mutation significantly decreases the overall protein's stability, which in turn, may represent the underlying cause of its pathogenicity.

Cystathionine β-synthase gene inactivation dysregulates major urinary protein biogenesis and impairs sexual signaling in mice.

Reproductive success in mice depends on sexually dimorphic major urinary proteins (Mup) that facilitate interactions between females and males. Deletion of cystathionine β-synthase (Cbs) gene, a metabolic gene important for homeostasis of one-carbon metabolism, impairs reproduction by causing female infertility in mice. Here, we examined Mup biogenesis and sexual signaling in Cbs-/- versus Cbs+/- mice. We found significantly reduced levels of total urinary Mup protein in male and female Cbs-/- versus Cbs+/- mice. SDS-PAGE/Western blot, ESI-MS, and RT-qPCR analyses of the liver, plasma, and urinary proteins identified a male-specific Mup20 in Cbs-/- , but not in Cbs+/- females. The 18 893 Da Mup20 became the most abundant in urine of Cbs-/- females and males. Effects of Cbs genotype on 18 645 Da, 18 693 Da, and 18 709 Da Mup species abundance were Mup- and sex-specific. Cbs genotype-dependent changes in hepatic Mups and Mup20 expression were similar at the protein and mRNA level. Changes in Mups, but not in Mup20, can be explained by downregulation of hepatic Zhx2 and Ghr receptors in Cbs-/- mice. Behavioral testing showed that Cbs+/- females ignored Cbs-/- male urine but were attracted to Cbs+/- male urine. Cbs+/- males ignored urine of Cbs-/- males but countermarked urine of other Cbs+/- males and were attracted to urines of Cbs-/- as well as Cbs+/- females. Cbs-/- males did not countermark urine of Cbs+/- males but were attracted to urines of Cbs+/- females. Taken together, these findings show that Cbs, a metabolic gene, interacts with the processes involved in Mup biogenesis that are essential for the maintenance of sexual dimorphism and signaling and suggest that dysregulation of these interactions impairs reproductive fitness in mice.

Genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of cystathionine β-synthase genes in plant development and abiotic stresses of cotton (Gossypium spp.)

Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) domains containing proteins (CDCPs) form a large family and play roles in development via regulation of the thioredoxin system as well as abiotic and biotic stress responses of plant. However, the comprehensive study of CBS genes remained elusive in cotton. Here, we identified 237 CBS genes in 11 plant species and the phylogenetic analysis categorized CBS genes into four groups. Whole-genome or segmental with dispersed duplication events contributed to GhCBS gene family expansion. Moreover, orthologous/paralogous genes among three cotton species (G. hirsutum, G. arboreum, and G. raimondii) were detected from the syntenic map among eight plant species. Strong purifying selection for dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous CBS genes, and cis-elements related to plant growth and development, abiotic and hormonal response were observed. Transcriptomic data and qRT-PCR validation of 12 GhCBS genes indicated their critical role in ovule development as most of the genes showed high enrichment. Further, some of GhCBS (GhCBS5, GhCBS16, GhCBS17, GhCBS24, GhCBS25, GhCBS26, and GhCBS52) genes were regulated under various abiotic and hormonal treatments for different time points and involve in ovule and fiber development which provided key genes for future cotton breeding programs. In addition, transgenic tobacco plants overexpressing GhCBS4 transiently exhibited higher water and chlorophyll content indicating improved tolerance toward drought stress. Overall, this study provides the characterization of GhCBS genes for plant growth, abiotic and hormonal stresses, thereby, intimating their significance in cotton molecular breeding for resistant cultivars.

Association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) genes promoter methylation pattern with the risk of essential hypertension

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) are key enzymes in the metabolism of homocysteine pathway whose dysfunction can lead to essential hypertension (EH). This study aimed to investigate the possible association of MTHFR and CBS genes promoter methylation patterns with the risk of EH. We also aimed to search differentially expressed microRNAs (miRs) and demonstrate the role of miRs in the aberrant DNA methylation in essential hypertensive patients by targeting DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs).20 essential hypertensive patients and 20 healthy controls were selected. DNA methylation levels of 10 CpG dinucleotides on MTHFR and 19 CpG dinucleotides on CBS genes promoter was measured using Bisulfite-Sequencing PCR (BSP). The GSE118578 profile was downloaded from the GEO database to identify differentially expressed miRs in hypertensive patients and R statistical software was used to analyze the data. Enrichment analysis was conducted to predict target genes using databases of Targetscan, and miRDB-MicroRNA Target Prediction Database.No significant association between MTHFR gene methylation and EH was observed. There was a significant association between one of the CpG sites of CBS gene promoter (CpG19 (+1035C)) and EH [OR = 5.3(0.895–31.393), p = 0.047]. Furthermore, we reported a list of miRs that may have an essential role in regulating DNA methylation by targeting DNMTs.Our findings showed that hypermethylation of CpG19 (+1035C) of CBS gene promoter could increase the risk of EH. Methylation status of MTHFR gene had no significant association with EH. Also, in-silico investigation showed that miRs may affect aberrant genes methylation through altering DNMTs biogenesis.

Analysis of differential neonatal lethality in cystathionine β-synthase deficient mouse models using metabolic profiling.

Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) is a key enzyme of the trans-sulfuration pathway that converts homocysteine to cystathionine. Loss of CBS activity due to mutation results in CBS deficiency, an inborn error of metabolism characterized by extreme elevation of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy). C57BL6 mice containing either a homozygous null mutation in the cystathionine β-synthase (Cbs-/- ) gene or an inactive human CBS protein (Tg-G307S Cbs-/- ) are born in mendelian numbers, but the vast majority die between 18 and 21 days of age due to liver failure. However, adult Cbs null mice that express a hypomorphic allele of human CBS as a transgene (Tg-I278T Cbs-/- ) show almost no neonatal lethality despite having serum tHcy levels similar to mice with no CBS activity. Here, we characterize liver and serum metabolites in neonatal Cbs+/- , Tg-G307S Cbs-/- , and Tg-I278T Cbs-/- mice at 6, 10, and 17 days of age to understand this difference. In serum, we observe similar elevations in tHcy in both Tg-G307S Cbs-/- and Tg-I278T Cbs-/- compared to control animals, but methionine is much more severely elevated in Tg-G307S Cbs-/- mice. Large scale metabolomic analysis of liver tissue confirms that both methionine and methionine-sulfoxide are significantly more elevated in Tg-G307S Cbs-/- animals, along with significant differences in several other metabolites including hexoses, amino acids, other amines, lipids, and carboxylic acids. Our data are consistent with a model that the neonatal lethality observed in CBS-null mice is driven by excess methionine resulting in increased stress on a variety of related pathways including the urea cycle, TCA cycle, gluconeogenesis, and phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis.

Sodium hydrogen sulfide upregulates cystathionine β-synthase and protects striatum against 3-nitropropionic acid-induced neurotoxicity in rats.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a neuromodulator that plays a protective role in multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD). However, the precise mechanisms underlying its effects against Huntington's disease (HD) are still questioned.This study aimed to examine the neuroprotective effects of sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS; H2S donor) against 3-nitropropionic acid (3NP)-induced HD like pathology in rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups; (1) normal control receiving saline; (2) NaHS control receiving (0.5 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 14 days; (3,4) receiving 3NP (10 mg/kg/day, i.p.) for 14 days, with NaHS 30 min later in group 4. NaHS improved cognitive and locomotor deficits induced by 3NP as confirmed by the striatal histopathological findings. These former events were biochemically supported by the increment in cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) gene expression, reduction of glutamate (Glu), dopamine (DA), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), cytochrome-c, cleaved caspase-3 and pc-FOS indicating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory as well as anti-apoptotic effects. Furthermore, NaHS pretreatment improved cholinergic dysfunction and increased brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). These findings suggest that appropriate protection with H2S donors might represent a novel approach to slow down HD-like symptoms.

H2S is synthesized via CBS/CSE pathway and triggered by cold conditions during Agaricus bisporus storage

H2S is proved to be functioning as a signaling molecule in an array of physiological processes in the plant and animal kingdom. However, the H2S synthesis pathway and the responses to cold conditions remain unclear in postharvest mushroom. The biosynthesis of H2S in the Agaricus bisporus mushroom tissues exhibited an increasing tendency during postharvest storage and was significantly triggered by cold treatment. The cystathionine γ-lyase (AbCSE) and cystathionine β-synthase (AbCBS) genes were cloned and proved responsible for H2S biosynthesis. Furthermore, transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of AbCSE and AbCBS were crucial for the enzyme activities and subsequent H2S levels. However, the AbMST was not involved in this process. Moreover, the AbCSE and AbCBS genes displayed low identity to the characterized genes, but typical catalytic domains, activity sites, subunit interface sites, and cofactor binding sites were conserved in the respective protein sequences, as revealed by molecular modeling and docking study. The potential transcription factors responsible for the H2S biosynthesis in cold conditions were also provided. The H2S biosynthetic pathway in postharvest mushroom was unique and distinct to that of other horticultural products. How to cite: Liu Y, Pei Y, Zhu D, et al. H2S is synthesized via CBS/CSE pathway and triggered by cold conditions during Agaricus bisporus storage. Electron J Biotechnol 2021;50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2020.12.004

Engineering Pichia pastoris to improve S-adenosyl- l-methionine production using systemsmetabolic strategies.

S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) is a highly valued chemical that can be used as a dietary supplement and has been used to treat depression, osteoarthritis, and liver problems as well. We adopted systems metabolic engineering strategies to improve SAM production in a high-producing strain (GS115/DS56). First, the cystathionine β-synthase gene CYS4 was downregulated using a weak promoter PG12 to reduce the removal of homocysteine from SAM cycle, thus leading to a 48.8% increase in the SAM titer (1.68 g/L) from the strain G12-CBS, while preventing cysteine auxotrophy induced by deletion of this essential gene. Subsequently, the SAM titer of G12-CBS was improved to 13.01 g/L in 15-L fed-batch fermentation using the optimal l-methionine feeding strategy. Finally, based on comparative transcriptomics, five genes were chosen and overexpressed for further enhancement of SAM production. Among them, GDH2 and ACS2 exhibited positive effects, and the additional overexpression of GDH2 led to a 52.3% increase of titer (2.71 g/L) in shake flask culture. Therefore, the engineered Pichia pastoris strains can be utilized in industrial production of SAM using a simple and cost-effective process, and these approaches could be employed for improving the production of other chemicals by P. pastoris.

Functional Characterization of a Cystathionine β-Synthase Gene in Sulfur Metabolism and Pathogenicity of Aspergillus niger in Pear Fruit.

Aspergillus niger, which is a fungal pathogen, causes rot in a variety of fruits. In this study, the cystathionine β-synthase cbsA gene was deleted by homologous recombination to study its role in sulfur metabolism and pathogenicity of A. niger. The results showed that Δ cbsA strain maintained normal mycelia growth and sporulation compared with the control strain A. niger MA 70.15, whereas the contents of cysteine and glutathione (GSH) increased significantly after cbsA deletion. However, Δ cbsA strain showed reduced endogenous H2S production. Further results showed that cbsA gene deletion induced higher resistance to cadmium stress and stronger infectivity to pears. It was also found that a stronger response of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was induced in Δ cbsA mutant-infected pear compared with the control strain. In all, the present research suggested the important role of cbsA in sulfur metabolism and pathogenicity of A. niger in pear fruit.

Mouse modeling and structural analysis of the p.G307S mutation in human cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) reveal effects on CBS activity but not stability

Mutations in the cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) gene are the cause of classical homocystinuria, the most common inborn error in sulfur metabolism. The p.G307S mutation is the most frequent cause of CBS deficiency in Ireland, which has the highest prevalence of CBS deficiency in Europe. Individuals homozygous for this mutation tend to be severely affected and are pyridoxine nonresponsive, but the molecular basis for the strong effects of this mutation is unclear. Here, we characterized a transgenic mouse model lacking endogenous Cbs and expressing human p.G307S CBS protein from a zinc-inducible metallothionein promoter (Tg-G307S Cbs-/-). Unlike mice expressing other mutant CBS alleles, the Tg-G307S transgene could not efficiently rescue neonatal lethality of Cbs-/- in a C57BL/6J background. In a C3H/HeJ background, zinc-induced Tg-G307S Cbs-/- mice expressed high levels of p.G307S CBS in the liver, and this protein variant forms multimers, similarly to mice expressing WT human CBS. However, the p.G307S enzyme had no detectable residual activity. Moreover, treating mice with proteasome inhibitors failed to significantly increase CBS-specific activity. These findings indicated that the G307S substitution likely affects catalytic function as opposed to causing a folding defect. Using molecular dynamics simulation techniques, we found that the G307S substitution likely impairs catalytic function by limiting the ability of the tyrosine at position 308 to assume the proper conformational state(s) required for the formation of the pyridoxal-cystathionine intermediate. These results indicate that the p.G307S CBS is stable but enzymatically inert and therefore unlikely to respond to chaperone-based therapy.

Genotype, B-vitamin status, and androgens affect spaceflight-induced ophthalmic changes.

Ophthalmic changes have occurred in a subset of astronauts on International Space Station missions. Visual deterioration is considered the greatest human health risk of spaceflight. Affected astronauts exhibit higher concentrations of 1-carbon metabolites (e.g., homocysteine) before flight. We hypothesized that genetic variations in 1-carbon metabolism genes contribute to susceptibility to ophthalmic changes in astronauts. We investigated 5 polymorphisms in the methionine synthase reductase (MTRR), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) genes and their association with ophthalmic changes after flight in 49 astronauts. The number of G alleles of MTRR 66 and C alleles of SHMT1 1420 both contributed to the odds of visual disturbances. Preflight dehydroepiandrosterone was positively associated with cotton wool spots, and serum testosterone response during flight was associated with refractive change. Block regression showed that B-vitamin status and genetics were significant predictors of many of the ophthalmic outcomes that we observed. In one example, genetics trended toward improving (P = 0.10) and B-vitamin status significantly improved (P < 0.001) the predictive model for refractive change after flight. We document an association between MTRR 66 and SHMT1 1420 polymorphisms and spaceflight-induced vision changes. This line of research could lead to therapeutic options for both space travelers and terrestrial patients.

PP23 - Cystathionine β-synthase gene transfer into the rostral ventrolateral medulla exacerbates hypertension via nitric oxide in spontaneously hypertensive rats

PP23 - Cystathionine β-synthase gene transfer into the rostral ventrolateral medulla exacerbates hypertension via nitric oxide in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Association of cystathionine β-synthase gene polymorphisms with essential hypertension in ethnic Uyghurs and Hans from Xinjiang

To investigate the cystathione beta synthase (CBS) gene T833C, G919A, 844ins68 polymorphisms and plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels in ethnic Uyghur and Han patients with essential hypertension (EH) in Xinjiang. Four hundred twenty nine cases including 211 Uyghur and 218 Han EH patients were recruited, whilst 410 healthy individuals including 210 Uyghurs and 200 Hans were used as the controls. Amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) was adopted to analyze the CBS gene polymorphisms including T833C, G919A and 844ins68. Enzymoimmunoassay was applied to determine the plasma level of Hcy. Chemiluminescence was applied to determine the plasma folic acid and vitamin B12. Compared with the controls, the plasma Hcy level was significantly higher in the EH group in both ethnic Uyghurs and Hans (P < 0.05). Plasma levels of Hcy in T833C, G919A genotypes (for both heterozygotes and homozygotes) were statistically higher than wild types (P < 0.05). A significant difference was detected in G919A polymorphism between the EH patients and controls in both Uyghur and [CM(144.5mm] Han ethnics (Uyghur: x² = 10.264, P < 0.01; Han: x² = 23.075, P < 0.01), and in T833C between the EH patients and controls in ethnic Uyghurs (x² = 40.254, P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis indicated that age (OR=1.151, P=0.047, 95% CI = 1.002-1.323), T833C (CC) (OR = 1.078, P = 0.003, 95% CI = 1.043-1.114), obesity (OR = 1.284, P = 0.021, 95% CI = 1.038-1.590), hyperhomocysteine (OR = 3.296, P = 0.016, 95% CI = 1.244-8.733) were independent risk factors for EH among ethnic Uygurs, while age (OR = 1.162, P = 0.007, 95% CI = 1.042-1.297), obesity (OR = 3.501, P = 0.003, 95% CI = 1.521-8.060), hyperhomocysteine (OR = 1.046, P = 0.031, 95% CI = 1.011-1.459) were independent risk factors for EH in ethnic Hans after adjusting for confounding factors. Plasma level of Hcy is associated with ethnic Uyghur and Han patients with EH in Xinjiang. CBS gene T833C CC genotype may be associated with the EH among Uyghur ethnics.

Hypoxia-inducible factors regulate human and rat cystathionine β-synthase gene expression

Increased catalytic activity of CBS (cystathionine β-synthase) was recently shown to mediate vasodilation of the cerebral microcirculation, which is initiated within minutes of the onset of acute hypoxia. To test whether chronic hypoxia was a stimulus for increased CBS expression, U87-MG human glioblastoma and PC12 rat phaeochromocytoma cells were exposed to 1% or 20% O2 for 24-72 h. CBS mRNA and protein expression were increased in hypoxic cells. Hypoxic induction of CBS expression was abrogated in cells transfected with vector encoding shRNA targeting HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor) 1α or 2α. Exposure of rats to hypobaric hypoxia (0.35 atm; 1 atm=101.325 kPa) for 3 days induced increased CBS mRNA, protein and catalytic activity in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, which was blocked by administration of the HIF inhibitor digoxin. HIF-binding sites, located 0.8 and 1.2 kb 5' to the transcription start site of the human CBS and rat Cbs genes respectively, were identified by ChIP assays. A 49-bp human sequence, which encompassed an inverted repeat of the core HIF-binding site, functioned as a hypoxia-response element in luciferase reporter transcription assays. Thus HIFs mediate tissue-specific CBS expression, which may augment cerebral vasodilation as an adaptive response to chronic hypoxia.

DHFR 19-bp Deletion and SHMT C1420T Polymorphisms and Metabolite Concentrations of the Folate Pathway in Individuals with Down Syndrome

Down syndrome (DS) results from the presence and expression of three copies of the genes located on chromosome 21. Studies have shown that, in addition to overexpression of the Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) gene, polymorphisms in genes involved in folate/homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism may also influence the concentrations of metabolites of this pathway. Investigate the association between Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) 19-base pair (bp) deletion and Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) C1420T polymorphisms and serum folate and plasma Hcy and methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations in 85 individuals with DS. Molecular analysis of the DHFR 19-bp deletion and SHMT C1420T polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by difference in the size of fragments and real-time PCR allelic discrimination, respectively. Serum folate was quantified by chemiluminescence and plasma Hcy and MMA by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Individuals with DHFR DD/SHMT TT genotypes presented increased folate concentrations (p=0.004) and the DHFR II/SHMT TT genotypes were associated with increased MMA concentrations (p=0.008). In addition, the MMA concentrations were negatively associated with age (p=0.04). There is an association between DHFR DD/SHMT TT and DHFR II/SHMT TT combined genotypes and folate and MMA concentrations in individuals with DS.

Cystathionine Β-Synthase Deficiency, Turner Syndrome and İmmune Hydrops Fetalis in a Newborn: A Rare Coincidence

Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) deficiency is a rare inborn error of amino acid metabolism affecting energy supply at the cellular level. Neonatal screening allows early presymptomatic diagnosis and better outcome, by preventing the complications like thrombotic disease. Here we present a female newborn baby with immune hydrops fetalis and mosaic Turner syndrome who has incidentally been early diagnosed with CBS deficiency upon detection of increased methionine on serum amino acid chromatography. The patient was unresponsive to pridoxine treatment which was compatible with p.S349N mutation detected on both alleles of cystathionine β-synthase gene. We would like to stress the point that CBS deficiency can be diagnosed by screening even in the setting of exchange transfusions and amino acid paper chromotography is a cheap and valuable metabolic screening tool in experienced hands. Since routine newborn screening for many metabolic diseases is currently not practiced in Turkey, all newborns born to families in which previous siblings had died due to unknown cause should be evaluated by amino acid paper chromotography and by other conventional metabolic tests when necessary.

A functional variant in the cystathionine β-synthase gene promoter significantly reduces congenital heart disease susceptibility in a Han Chinese population

Homocysteine is an independent risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases. There are two ways to remove homocysteine from embryonic cardiac cells: remethylation to form methionine or transsulfuration to form cysteine. Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) catalyzes the first step of homocysteine transsulfuration as a rate-limiting enzyme. In this study, we identified a functional variant -4673C>G (rs2850144) in the CBS gene promoter region that significantly reduces the susceptibility to congenital heart disease (CHD) in a Han Chinese population consisting of 2 340 CHD patients and 2 270 controls. Individuals carrying the heterozygous CG and homozygous GG genotypes had a 15% (odds ratio (OR) = 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.75-0.96, P = 0.011) and 40% (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.49-0.73, P = 1.78 × 10(-7)) reduced risk to develop CHD than the wild-type CC genotype carriers in the combined samples, respectively. Additional stratified analyses demonstrated that CBS -4673C>G is significantly related to septation defects and conotruncal defects. In vivo detection of CBS mRNA levels in human cardiac tissues and in vitro luciferase assays consistently showed that the minor G allele significantly increased CBS transcription. A functional analysis revealed that both the attenuated transcription suppressor SP1 binding affinity and the CBS promoter hypomethylation specifically linked with the minor G allele contributed to the remarkably upregulated CBS expression. Consequently, the carriers with genetically increased CBS expression would benefit from the protection due to the low homocysteine levels maintained by CBS in certain cells during the critical heart development stages. These results shed light on unexpected role of CBS and highlight the importance of homocysteine removal in cardiac development.Cell Research advance online publication 18 September 2012; doi:10.1038/cr.2012.135.

Acid Sphingomyelinase Gene Knockout Ameliorates Hyperhomocysteinemic Glomerular Injury in Mice Lacking Cystathionine-β-Synthase

Acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) has been implicated in the development of hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcys)-induced glomerular oxidative stress and injury. However, it remains unknown whether genetically engineering of ASM gene produces beneficial or detrimental action on hHcys-induced glomerular injury. The present study generated and characterized the mice lacking cystathionine β-synthase (Cbs) and Asm mouse gene by cross breeding Cbs+/− and Asm+/− mice. Given that the homozygotes of Cbs−/−/Asm−/− mice could not survive for 3 weeks. Cbs+/−/Asm+/+, Cbs+/−/Asm+/− and Cbs+/−/Asm−/− as well as their Cbs wild type littermates were used to study the role of Asm−/− under a background of Cbs+/− with hHcys. HPLC analysis revealed that plasma Hcys level was significantly elevated in Cbs heterozygous (Cbs+/−) mice with different copies of Asm gene compared to Cbs+/+ mice with different Asm gene copies. Cbs+/−/Asm+/+ mice had significantly increased renal Asm activity, ceramide production and O2.− level compared to Cbs+/+/Asm+/+, while Cbs+/−/Asm−/− mice showed significantly reduced renal Asm activity, ceramide production and O2.− level due to increased plasma Hcys levels. Confocal microscopy demonstrated that colocalization of podocin with ceramide was much lower in Cbs+/−/Asm−/− mice compared to Cbs+/−/Asm+/+ mice, which was accompanied by a reduced glomerular damage index, albuminuria and proteinuria in Cbs+/−/Asm−/− mice. Immunofluorescent analyses of the podocin, nephrin and desmin expression also illustrated less podocyte damages in the glomeruli from Cbs+/−/Asm−/− mice compared to Cbs+/−/Asm+/+ mice. In in vitro studies of podocytes, hHcys-enhanced O2.− production, desmin expression, and ceramide production as well as decreases in VEGF level and podocin expression in podocytes were substantially attenuated by prior treatment with amitriptyline, an Asm inhibitor. In conclusion, Asm gene knockout or corresponding enzyme inhibition protects the podocytes and glomeruli from hHcys-induced oxidative stress and injury.

Role of Polymorphisms in Factor V (FV Leiden), Prothrombin, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type-1 (PAI-1), Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) and Cystathionine &amp;#946;-Synthase (CBS) Genes as Risk Factors for Thrombophilias

Thrombophilias are defined as a predisposition to thrombosis due to hematological changes which induce blood hypercoagulability; they can be inherited or acquired. They are individually characterized by a large phenotypic variability, even when they occur within the same family. Hereditary thrombophilias are, in most cases, due to changes related to physiological coagulation inhibitors or mutations in the genes of coagulation factors. High levels of plasma homocysteine may also be responsible for vaso-occlusive episodes and may have acquired (nutritional deficiencies of folate and vitamins B6 and B12) and/or genetic causes (mutations in the genes responsible for expression of enzymes involved in the intracellular metabolism of homocysteine). Considering that: (1) thromboses are events of multigenic and multifactorial etiopathology; (2) the presence of mutations in several genes significantly increases the risk of their occurrence; (3) the vascular territory (venous and/or arterial) affected involves different pathophysiological mechanisms and treatments, knowledge of genetic variants that may contribute to the risk and variability of the phenotypic manifestations of these diseases is extremely important. This understanding may provide support for a more individualized and therefore more effective treatment for thrombophilia carriers. Thus, this mini-review aims to address a comprehensive summary of thrombophilias and thrombosis, and discuss the role of polymorphisms in Factor V (FV Leiden), Prothrombin, Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) genes as risk factors for thrombophilias.