Mutant Polypeptides Research Articles

A focus on dominant negative variants in a series of 170 heterozygous FXI-deficient patients.

Dominant-negative effects have been described for 10F11 variants in the literature. The current study aimed at identifying putative dominant-negative F11 variants. This research consisted in a retrospective analysis of routine laboratory data. In a series of 170patients with moderate/mild factorXI (FXI) deficiencies, we identified heterozygous carriers of previously reported dominant-negative variants (p.Ser243Phe, p.Cys416Tyr, and p.Gly418Val) with FXI activities inconsistent with a dominant-negative effect. Our findings also do not support a dominant-negative effect of p.Gly418Ala. We also identified a set of patients carrying heterozygous variants, among which five out of 11 are novel, with FXI activities suggesting a dominant-negative effect (p.His53Tyr, p.Cys110Gly, p.Cys140Tyr, p.Glu245Lys, p.Trp246Cys, p.Glu315Lys, p.Ile421Thr, p.Trp425Cys, p.Glu565Lys, p.Thr593Met, and p.Trp617Ter). However, for all but two of these variants, individuals with close to half normal FXI coagulant activity (FXI:C) were identified, indicating an inconstant dominant effect. Our data show that for some F11 variants recognized has having dominant-negative effects, such effects actually do not occur in many individuals. The present data suggest that for these patients, the intracellular quality control mechanisms eliminate the variant monomeric polypeptide before homodimer assembly, thereby allowing only the wild-type homodimer to assemble and resulting in half normal activities. In contrast, in patients with markedly decreased activities, some mutant polypeptides might escape this first quality control. In turn, assembly of heterodimeric molecules as well as mutant homodimers would result in activities closer to 1:4 of FXI:C normal range.

Biophysical Investigation of the Interplay between the Conformational Species of Domain-Swapped GB1 Amyloid Mutant through Real-Time Monitoring of Amyloid Fibrillation.

Mutant polypeptide GB1HS#124F26A, which is known to aggregate into amyloid-like fibrils, has been utilized as a model in this study for gaining insights into the mechanism of domain-swapped aggregation through real-time monitoring. Size exclusion with UV monitoring at 280 nm and dynamic light scattering (DLS) profiles through different time points of fibrillation reveal that the dimer transitions into monomeric intermediates during the aggregation, which could further facilitate domain swapping to form amyloid fibrils. The 1D 1H and 2D 1H–13C HSQC nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra profiling through different time points of fibrillation reveal that there may be some other species present along with the dimer during aggregation which contribute to different trends for the intensity of protons in the spectral peaks. Diffusion NMR reveals changes in the mobility of the dimeric species during the process of aggregation, indicating that the dimer gives rise to other lower molecular weight species midway during aggregation, which further add up to form the oligomers and amyloid fibrils successively. The present work is a preliminary study which explores the possibility of utilizing biophysical methods to gain atomistic level insights into the different stages of aggregation.

Expression of Human Mutant Preproinsulins Induced Unfolded Protein Response, Gadd45 Expression, JAK-STAT Activation, and Growth Inhibition in Drosophila.

Mutations in the insulin gene (INS) are frequently associated with human permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus. However, the mechanisms underlying the onset of this genetic disease is not sufficiently decoded. We induced expression of two types of human mutant INSs in Drosophila using its ectopic expression system and investigated the resultant responses in development. Expression of the wild-type preproinsulin in the insulin-producing cells (IPCs) throughout the larval stage led to a stimulation of the overall and wing growth. However, ectopic expression of human mutant preproinsulins, hINSC96Y and hINSLB15YB16delinsH, neither of which secreted from the β-cells, could not stimulate the Drosophila growth. Furthermore, neither of the mutant polypeptides induced caspase activation leading to apoptosis. Instead, they induced expression of several markers indicating the activation of unfolded protein response, such as ER stress-dependent Xbp1 mRNA splicing and ER chaperone induction. We newly found that the mutant polypeptides induced the expression of Growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible 45 (Gadd45) in imaginal disc cells. ER stress induced by hINSC96Y also activated the JAK-STAT signaling, involved in inflammatory responses. Collectively, we speculate that the diabetes-like growth defects appeared as a consequence of the human mutant preproinsulin expression was involved in dysfunction of the IPCs, rather than apoptosis.

Abstract 730: Neoantigen identification using the ATLAS T cell profiling platform highlights the need to empirically define neoantigens

Abstract Neoantigens arise from tumor-specific, somatic mutations and have the potential to be recognized by T cells that are associated with anti-tumor immune responses. Since they are non-self, they are hypothesized to provide an attractive therapeutic modality because T cells that can respond to those sequences have not undergone thymic selection. The ATLASTM platform enables identification of biologically relevant CD4+ and CD8+ T cell neoantigens in any subject in an unbiased manner, overcoming the limitations of conventional in silico predictive approaches. The ATLAS platform utilizes matched patient tumor biopsy and blood samples to identify recall T cell responses to tumor specific mutations. From patient peripheral blood, CD14+ monocytes were isolated and differentiated into dendritic cells (MDDCs), and T cells were sorted into CD4+ and CD8+ populations and non-specifically expanded. Tumor-specific changes (single nucleotide variants and insertion/deletions) were identified through whole exome sequencing and cloned into E. coli expression vectors with and without co-expressed listeriolysin O to enable presentation via MHC class I or class II, respectively. For each patient, their unique clones were co-cultured with autologous MDDCs in an ordered array, then their CD4+ or CD8+ T cells were added and incubated overnight. T cell activation was determined by measurement of TNF-α and IFN-γ levels in the supernatants by a Meso-Scale Discovery assay. Neoantigens were defined as clones that elicited cytokine responses >2 median absolute deviations from the median of negative control clones. Historically, ATLAS has identified CD4+ and CD8+ T cells responses to up to 15% of mutant polypeptide sequences. Here we will present ATLAS profiling of T cell responses to >2,500 potential neoantigens, across a broad cohort of patients with different tumor types, including tumors with a wide range of mutational burden. T cell responses detected by ATLAS challenge assumptions in the field, with the majority of empirically identified neoantigens not predicted by algorithms, and many predicted neoantigens demonstrating “inhibitory” activity. When exploring neoantigens selected by ATLAS by tumor type, no patterns in overall mutational burden, RNA expression level, or DNA mutant allele frequency have yet been identified. We will also present broader functional analysis, including pathway analysis of proteins containing neoantigens, review of the immunogenicity of known oncogenes and features of immunogenic peptide sequences. The ATLAS platform empirically defines which potential neoantigens created by somatic mutations elicit immune responses in individual patients independently of a patient's HLA type and T cell receptor repertoire. This approach provides the opportunity to identify better targets to include in a personalized vaccine formulation. Citation Format: Jason Dobson, Huilei Xu, Johanna Kaufmann, James Foti, Jin Yuan, Michael O''Keeffe, Crystal Cabral, James Loizeaux, Christopher Warren, Ning Wu, Erick Donis, Kyle Ferber, Pamela Carroll, Jessica B. Flechtner, Wendy Broom. Neoantigen identification using the ATLAS T cell profiling platform highlights the need to empirically define neoantigens [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 730.

Whole-Genome Linkage Analysis with Whole-Exome Sequencing Identifies a Novel Frameshift Variant in NEFH in a Chinese Family with Charcot-Marie-Tooth 2: A Novel Variant in NEFH for Charcot-Marie-Tooth 2

Background: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder of the peripheral nervous system. More than 50 genes/loci were found associated with the disease. We found a family with autosomal-dominant CMT2. Objective: To reveal the pathogenic gene of the family and further investigate the function of the variant. Methods: DNA underwent whole-genome linkage analysis for all family members and whole-exome sequencing for 2 affected members. Neurofilament light polypeptide and wild-type or mutant neurofilament heavy polypeptide (NEFH) were co-transfected into SW13 (vim–) cells. The nefh-knockdown zebrafish model was produced by using morpholino antisense oligonucleotides. Results: We identified a novel insertion variant (c.3057insG) in NEFH in the family. The variant led to the loss of a stop codon and an extended 41 amino acids in the protein. Immunofluorescence results revealed that mutant NEFH disrupted the neurofilament network and induced aggregation of NEFH protein. Knockdown of nefh in zebrafish caused a slightly or severely curled tail. The motor ability of nefh-knockdown embryos was impaired or even absent, and the embryos showed developmental defects of axons in motor neurons. The abnormal phenotype and axonal developmental defects could be rescued by injection of human wild-type but not human mutant NEFH mRNA. Conclusions: We identified a novel stop loss variant in NEFH that is likely pathogenic for CMT2, and the results provide further evidence for the role of an aberrant assembly of neurofilament in CMT.

Sirtuins as Modifiers of Huntington's Disease (HD) Pathology.

Sirtuins and their pharmacological activators/inhibitors have been associated with a range of neuroprotective effects or disease modifying influences in neurological disorders. Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant, progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by movement disorder, psychiatric symptoms and cognitive decline. The monogenic mutation in HD encodes a variant of the protein Huntingtin (HTT). The disease is a consequence of a CAG repeat extension leading to an abnormally long polyglutamine (Q) stretch at HTT's N-terminus, which likely confers a toxic gain of function to the mutant polypeptide. HD has currently no effective disease-modifying therapy or preventive measures. In the past 2decades, a sizable body of work on Sirtuins' modification of HD pathology using HD cell and animal models has accumulated. In this chapter, evidence for Sirtuin activities as potential modifiers of HD pathology is reviewed. The conflicting findings of the impacts of mammalian Sirtuin paralogs on HD pathogenesis and disease progression are highlighted. The possible cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying Sirtuin activities in HD are discussed with reference to pathophysiological mechanisms of transcription perturbation, proteostasis, mitochondrial function, and microtubule dynamics. A brief therapeutic perspective on the use of Sirtuin activators and inhibitors is also presented.

Feeding recombinant E. coli with GST-mBmKTX fusion protein increases the fecundity and lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans

Scorpion venom could be a useful treatment for a variety of diseases, such as cancer, epilepsy and analgesia. BmKTX is a polypeptide extracts from scorpion venom (PESV), which have attracted much attention from researchers in recent years. mBmKTX is a mutant polypeptide according to the amino acid sequence of BmKTX. We expressed it with the vector pGEX-4T-1 in Escherichia coli, and Caenorhabditis elegans were used as the animal model and fed with the strains. In this study, the expression of pGEX-mBmKTX was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, and GST-mBmKTX purified from pGEX-mBmKTX as a glutathione S-transferase (GST)-tagged fusion protein is approximately 30kDa. The secondary structure prediction shows that mBmKTX is mainly composed of approximately 13% β-sheet and 86% loop. A food clearance assay and brood size assay indicated that the worms fed pGEX-mBmKTX ate more and had greater fecundity than those fed the empty vector. A lifespan analysis demonstrated that mBmKTX could significantly prolong the lifespan of C. elegans, with an increase of 22.5% compared with the control. Behavioral assays confirmed that mBmKTX had no influence on the locomotion of C. elegans. In addition, microarray analysis and quantitative real-time PCR demonstrated that there are 320 differentially expressed genes, 182 of which are related to reproduction, growth and lifespan. In conclusion, the data suggested that mBmKTX has potential utility for increasing fecundity and animal survival.

Novel Variant in the ANK2 Membrane-Binding Domain Is Associated With Ankyrin-B Syndrome and Structural Heart Disease in a First Nations Population With a High Rate of Long QT Syndrome.

Long QT syndrome confers susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmia, predisposing to syncope, seizures, and sudden death. While rare globally, long QT syndrome is ≈15× more common in First Nations of Northern British Columbia largely because of a known mutation in KCNQ1. However, 2 large multigenerational families were affected, but negative for the known mutation. Long QT syndrome panel testing was carried out in the index case of each family, and clinical information was collected. Cascade genotyping was performed. Biochemical and myocyte-based assays were performed to evaluate the identified gene variant for loss-of-function activity. Index cases in these 2 families harbored a novel ANK2 c.1937C>T variant (p.S646F). An additional 16 carriers were identified, including 2 with structural heart disease: one with cardiomyopathy resulting in sudden death and the other with congenital heart disease. For all carriers of this variant, the average QTc was 475 ms (±40). Although ankyrin-B p.S646F is appropriately folded and expressed in bacteria, the mutant polypeptide displays reduced expression in cultured H9c2 cells and aberrant localization in primary cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, myocytes expressing ankyrin-B p.S646F lack normal membrane targeting of the ankyrin-binding partner, the Na/Ca exchanger. Thus, ankyrin-B p.S646F is a loss-of-function variant. We identify the first disease-causing ANK2 variant localized to the membrane-binding domain resulting in reduced ankyrin-B expression and abnormal localization. Further study is warranted on the potential association of this variant with structural heart disease given the role of ANK2 in targeting and stabilization of key structural and signaling molecules in cardiac cells.

Identification and functional analysis of c.422_423InsT, a novel mutation of the HNF1A gene in a patient with diabetes.

Background HNF1A gene regulates liver‐specific genes, and genes that have a role in glucose metabolism, transport, and secretion of insulin. HNF1A gene mutations are frequently associated with type 2 diabetes. HNF1A protein has three domains: the dimerization domain, the DNA‐binding domain, and the trans‐activation domain. Some mutations in the dimerization or DNA‐binding domains have no influence on the normal allele, while others have dominant negative effects. The I27L, A98V, and S487N polymorphisms are common variants of the HNF1A gene; they have been found in T2D and non‐diabetic subjects.Methods and ResultsWe searched for mutations in the first three exons of the HNF1A gen in an Amerindian population of 71 diabetic patients. DNA sequencing revealed the previously reported I27L polymorphism (c.79A>C) in 53% of diabetic patients and in 67% of the control group. Thus, the I27L/L27L polymorphism might be a marker of Amerindians. In addition, we found the c.422_423InsT mutation in the HNF1A gene of one patient, which had not been previously reported. This mutation resulted in a frame shift of the open reading frame and a new translation stop in codon 187, leading to a truncated polypeptide of 186 amino acids (Q141Hfs*47). This novel mutation affects the DNA‐binding capacity of the mutant HNF1A protein by EMSA; its intracellular localization by fluorescence and confocal microscopy, and a dominant‐negative effect affecting the DNA‐binding capacity of the normal HNF1A by EMSA. We also studied the homology modeling structure to understand the effect of this mutation on its DNA‐binding capacity and its dominant negative effect.ConclusionThe HNF1A Q141Hfs*47 mutant polypeptide has no DNA‐binding capacity and exerts a dominant negative effect on the HNF1A protein. Therefore, it might produce severe phenotypic effects on the expression levels of a set of β‐cell genes. Consequently, its screening should be included in the genetic analysis of diabetic patients after more functional studies are performed.

Identification of Small Molecule Compounds for Pharmacological Chaperone Therapy of Aspartylglucosaminuria

Aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU) is a lysosomal storage disorder that is caused by genetic deficiency of the enzyme aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA) which is involved in glycoprotein degradation. AGU is a progressive disorder that results in severe mental retardation in early adulthood. No curative therapy is currently available for AGU. We have here characterized the consequences of a novel AGU mutation that results in Thr122Lys exchange in AGA, and compared this mutant form to one carrying the worldwide most common AGU mutation, AGU-Fin. We show that T122K mutated AGA is expressed in normal amounts and localized in lysosomes, but exhibits low AGA activity due to impaired processing of the precursor molecule into subunits. Coexpression of T122K with wildtype AGA results in processing of the precursor into subunits, implicating that the mutation causes a local misfolding that prevents the precursor from becoming processed. Similar data were obtained for the AGU-Fin mutant polypeptide. We have here also identified small chemical compounds that function as chemical or pharmacological chaperones for the mutant AGA. Treatment of patient fibroblasts with these compounds results in increased AGA activity and processing, implicating that these substances may be suitable for chaperone mediated therapy for AGU.

Congenital chloride-losing diarrhea in a Mexican child with the novel homozygous SLC26A3 mutation G393W.

Congenital chloride diarrhea is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the intestinal lumenal membrane Cl−/HCO−3 exchanger, SLC26A3. We report here the novel SLC26A3 mutation G393W in a Mexican child, the first such report in a patient from Central America. SLC26A3 G393W expression in Xenopus oocytes exhibits a mild hypomorphic phenotype, with normal surface expression and moderately reduced anion transport function. However, expression of HA-SLC26A3 in HEK-293 cells reveals intracellular retention and greatly decreased steady-state levels of the mutant polypeptide, in contrast to peripheral membrane expression of the wildtype protein. Whereas wildtype HA-SLC26A3 is apically localized in polarized monolayers of filter-grown MDCK cells and Caco2 cells, mutant HA-SLC26A3 G393W exhibits decreased total polypeptide abundance, with reduced or absent surface expression and sparse punctate (or absent) intracellular distribution. The WT protein is similarly localized in LLC-PK1 cells, but the mutant fails to accumulate to detectable levels. We conclude that the chloride-losing diarrhea phenotype associated with homozygous expression of SLC26A3 G393W likely reflects lack of apical surface expression in enterocytes, secondary to combined abnormalities in polypeptide trafficking and stability. Future progress in development of general or target-specific folding chaperonins and correctors may hold promise for pharmacological rescue of this and similar genetic defects in membrane protein targeting.

Misfolded Polyglutamine, Polyalanine, and Superoxide Dismutase 1 Aggregate via Distinct Pathways in the Cell

Protein aggregation into intracellular inclusions is a key feature of many neurodegenerative disorders. A common theme has emerged that inappropriate self-aggregation of misfolded or mutant polypeptide sequences is detrimental to cell health. Yet protein quality control mechanisms may also deliberately cluster them together into distinct inclusion subtypes, including the insoluble protein deposit (IPOD) and the juxtanuclear quality control (JUNQ). Here we investigated how the intrinsic oligomeric state of three model systems of disease-relevant mutant protein and peptide sequences relates to the IPOD and JUNQ patterns of aggregation using sedimentation velocity analysis. Two of the models (polyalanine (37A) and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mutants A4V and G85R) accumulated into the same JUNQ-like inclusion whereas the other, polyglutamine (72Q), formed spatially distinct IPOD-like inclusions. Using flow cytometry pulse shape analysis (PulSA) to separate cells with inclusions from those without revealed the SOD1 mutants and 37A to have abruptly altered oligomeric states with respect to the nonaggregating forms, regardless of whether cells had inclusions or not, whereas 72Q was almost exclusively monomeric until inclusions formed. We propose that mutations leading to JUNQ inclusions induce a constitutively "misfolded" state exposing hydrophobic side chains that attract and ultimately overextend protein quality capacity, which leads to aggregation into JUNQ inclusions. Poly(Q) is not misfolded in this same sense due to universal polar side chains, but is highly prone to forming amyloid fibrils that we propose invoke a different engagement mechanism with quality control.

Protein homeostasis disorders of key enzymes of amino acids metabolism: mutation-induced protein kinetic destabilization and new therapeutic strategies

Many inborn errors of amino acids metabolism are caused by single point mutations affecting the ability of proteins to fold properly (i.e., protein homeostasis), thus leading to enzyme loss-of-function. Mutations may affect protein homeostasis by altering intrinsic physical properties of the polypeptide (folding thermodynamics, and rates of folding/unfolding/misfolding) as well as the interaction of partially folded states with elements of the protein homeostasis network (such as molecular chaperones and proteolytic machineries). Understanding these mutational effects on protein homeostasis is required to develop new therapeutic strategies aimed to target specific features of the mutant polypeptide. Here, I review recent work in three different diseases of protein homeostasis associated to inborn errors of amino acids metabolism: phenylketonuria, inherited homocystinuria and primary hyperoxaluria type I. These three different genetic disorders involve proteins operating in different cell organelles and displaying different structural complexities. Mutations often decrease protein kinetic stability of the native state (i.e., its half-life for irreversible denaturation), which can be studied using simple kinetic models amenable to biophysical and biochemical characterization. Natural ligands and pharmacological chaperones are shown to stabilize mutant enzymes, thus supporting their therapeutic application to overcome protein kinetic destabilization. The role of molecular chaperones in protein folding and misfolding is also discussed as well as their potential pharmacological modulation as promising new therapeutic approaches. Since current available treatments for these diseases are either burdening or only successful in a fraction of patients, alternative treatments must be considered covering studies from protein structure and biophysics to studies in animal models and patients.

Inhibition of fast axonal transport by pathogenic SOD1 involves activation of p38 MAP kinase.

Dying-back degeneration of motor neuron axons represents an established feature of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) associated with superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mutations, but axon-autonomous effects of pathogenic SOD1 remained undefined. Characteristics of motor neurons affected in FALS include abnormal kinase activation, aberrant neurofilament phosphorylation, and fast axonal transport (FAT) deficits, but functional relationships among these pathogenic events were unclear. Experiments in isolated squid axoplasm reveal that FALS-related SOD1 mutant polypeptides inhibit FAT through a mechanism involving a p38 mitogen activated protein kinase pathway. Mutant SOD1 activated neuronal p38 in mouse spinal cord, neuroblastoma cells and squid axoplasm. Active p38 MAP kinase phosphorylated kinesin-1, and this phosphorylation event inhibited kinesin-1. Finally, vesicle motility assays revealed previously unrecognized, isoform-specific effects of p38 on FAT. Axon-autonomous activation of the p38 pathway represents a novel gain of toxic function for FALS-linked SOD1 proteins consistent with the dying-back pattern of neurodegeneration characteristic of ALS.

Analysis of Mannose 6-Phosphate Uncovering Enzyme Mutations Associated with Persistent Stuttering

GlcNAc-1-phosphodiester-N-acetylglucosaminidase ("uncovering enzyme" (UCE); EC 3.1.4.45) is a Golgi enzyme that mediates the second step in the synthesis of the mannose 6-phosphate lysosomal targeting signal on acid hydrolases. Recently, three mutations (two missense and one deletion/frameshift) in the NAGPA gene that encodes UCE have been identified in individuals with persistent stuttering. We now demonstrate that each mutation leads to lower cellular UCE activity. The p.R328C mutation impairs folding in the endoplasmic reticulum, resulting in degradation of a significant portion by the proteasomal system. The p.H84Q mutation also impairs folding and, in addition, decreases the specific activity of the enzyme that folds sufficiently to traffic to the Golgi. The p.F513SfsX113 frameshift mutation adds 113 amino acids to the C terminus of the cytoplasmic tail of the protein, including a VWLL sequence that causes rapid degradation via the proteasomal system. These biochemical findings extend the genetic data implicating mutations in the NAGPA gene in the persistent stuttering phenotype.

A Large Mutational Study in Pachyonychia Congenita

Pachyonychia congenita (PC) is a rare autosomal dominant skin disorder characterized predominantly by nail dystrophy and painful palmoplantar keratoderma. Additional clinical features include oral leukokeratosis, follicular keratosis, and cysts (steatocysts and pilosebaceous cysts). PC is due to heterozygous mutations in one of four keratin genes, namely, KRT6A, KRT6B, KRT16, or KRT17. Here, we report genetic analysis of 90 new families with PC in which we identified mutations in KRT6A, KRT6B, KRT16, or KRT17, thereby confirming their clinical diagnosis. A total of 21 previously unreported and 22 known mutations were found. Approximately half of the kindreds had mutations in KRT6A (52%), 28% had mutations in KRT16, 17% in KRT17, and 3% of families had mutations in KRT6B. Most of the mutations were heterozygous missense or small in-frame insertion/deletion mutations occurring within one of the helix boundary motif regions of the keratin polypeptide. More unusual mutations included heterozygous splice site mutations, nonsense mutations, and a 1-bp insertion mutation, leading to a frameshift and premature termination codon. This study, together with previously reported mutations, identifies mutation hotspot codons that may be useful in the development of personalized medicine for PC.

Development of a Glycoprotein D-Expressing Dominant-Negative and Replication-Defective Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2) Recombinant Viral Vaccine against HSV-2 Infection in Mice

Using the T-REx (Invitrogen, California) gene switch technology and a dominant-negative mutant polypeptide of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)-origin binding protein UL9, we previously constructed a glycoprotein D-expressing replication-defective and dominant-negative HSV-1 recombinant viral vaccine, CJ9-gD, for protection against HSV infection and disease. It was demonstrated that CJ9-gD is avirulent following intracerebral inoculation in mice, cannot establish detectable latent infection following different routes of infection, and offers highly effective protective immunity against primary HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection and disease in mouse and guinea pig models of HSV infections. Given these favorable safety and immunological profiles of CJ9-gD, aiming to maximize levels of HSV-2 glycoprotein D (gD2) expression, we have constructed an ICP0 null mutant-based dominant-negative and replication-defective HSV-2 recombinant, CJ2-gD2, that contains 2 copies of the gD2 gene driven by the tetracycline operator (tetO)-bearing HSV-1 major immediate-early ICP4 promoter. CJ2-gD2 expresses gD2 as efficiently as wild-type HSV-2 infection and can lead to a 150-fold reduction in wild-type HSV-2 viral replication in cells coinfected with CJ2-gD2 and wild-type HSV-2 at the same multiplicity of infection. CJ2-gD2 is avirulent following intracerebral injection and cannot establish a detectable latent infection following subcutaneous (s.c.) immunization. CJ2-gD2 is a more effective vaccine than HSV-1 CJ9-gD and a non-gD2-expressing dominant-negative and replication-defective HSV-2 recombinant in protection against wild-type HSV-2 genital disease. Using recall response, we showed that immunization with CJ2-gD2 elicited strong HSV-2-specific memory CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell responses. Collectively, given the demonstrated preclinical immunogenicity and its unique safety profiles, CJ2-gD2 represents a new class of HSV-2 replication-defective recombinant viral vaccines in protection against HSV-2 genital infection and disease.

Barth syndrome mutations that cause tafazzin complex lability

Deficits in mitochondrial function result in many human diseases. The X-linked disease Barth syndrome (BTHS) is caused by mutations in the tafazzin gene TAZ1. Its product, Taz1p, participates in the metabolism of cardiolipin, the signature phospholipid of mitochondria. In this paper, a yeast BTHS mutant tafazzin panel is established, and 18 of the 21 tested BTHS missense mutations cannot functionally replace endogenous tafazzin. Four BTHS mutant tafazzins expressed at low levels are degraded by the intermembrane space AAA (i-AAA) protease, suggesting misfolding of the mutant polypeptides. Paradoxically, each of these mutant tafazzins assembles in normal protein complexes. Furthermore, in the absence of the i-AAA protease, increased expression and assembly of two of the BTHS mutants improve their function. However, the BTHS mutant complexes are extremely unstable and accumulate as insoluble aggregates when disassembled in the absence of the i-AAA protease. Thus, the loss of function for these BTHS mutants results from the inherent instability of the mutant tafazzin complexes.

Mutation Analysis of the Presenilin 1 N-terminal Domain Reveals a Broad Spectrum of γ-Secretase Activity toward Amyloid Precursor Protein and Other Substrates

The γ-secretase protein complex executes the intramembrane proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein (APP), which releases Alzheimer disease β-amyloid peptide. In addition to APP, γ-secretase also cleaves several other type I membrane protein substrates including Notch1 and N-cadherin. γ-Secretase is made of four integral transmembrane protein subunits: presenilin (PS), nicastrin, APH1, and PEN2. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that a heteromer of PS-derived N- and C-terminal fragments functions as the catalytic subunit of γ-secretase. Only limited information is available on the domains within each subunit involved in the recognition and recruitment of diverse substrates and the transfer of substrates to the catalytic site. Here, we performed mutagenesis of two domains of PS1, namely the first luminal loop domain (LL1) and the second transmembrane domain (TM2), and analyzed PS1 endoproteolysis as well as the catalytic activities of PS1 toward APP, Notch, and N-cadherin. Our results show that distinct residues within LL1 and TM2 domains as well as the length of the LL1 domain are critical for PS1 endoproteolysis, but not for PS1 complex formation with nicastrin, APH1, and PEN2. Furthermore, our experimental PS1 mutants formed γ-secretase complexes with distinct catalytic properties toward the three substrates examined in this study; however, the mutations did not affect PS1 interaction with the substrates. We conclude that the N-terminal LL1 and TM2 domains are critical for PS1 endoproteolysis and the coordination between the putative substrate-docking site and the catalytic core of the γ-secretase.

Hereditary Stomatocytosis Associated with a Loss of Function Mutation In Rh-Associated Glycoprotein (RhAG)

Abstract Abstract 2040 The erythroid Rh family of proteins includes RhCE and RhD which carry the common Rh antigens, and the related Rh-associated glycoprotein, RhAG. RhAG is required for trafficking of the blood group proteins to the membrane and forms the core of a macro-complex in the membrane which includes glycophorin B, Band 3, CD47, and LW. The Rh proteins are structurally and functionally related to the Amt superfamily of NH3/NH4+ transport proteins, and RhAG and its nonerythroid paralogs, RhCG and RhBG, have been shown to mediate NH3/NH4+ transport. RhCG is responsible for part of renal collecting duct epithelial cell NH3/NH4+ secretion, and Rhcg-/- mice exhibit incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis due to impaired urinary NH4+ excretion. The Rhag-/- mouse is grossly normal, and the significance of RhAG-mediated NH3/NH4+ transport in human erythrocytes remains unclear. Over-hydrated hereditary stomatocytosis (OHSt) is a rare dominant disorder characterized by moderate hemolytic anemia, increased mean red cell volumes, stomatocytes and echinocytes, and increased red cell permeability to the monovalent cations, Na+ and K+. Six of the seven OHSt kindred studied by Bruce et al. (Blood. 2009;113:1350) displayed a heterozygous Phe65Ser mutation in RhAG. Expression studies of the mutant 65Ser-RhAG in Xenopus oocytes induced a monovalent cation flux compatible with the cation leak seen in RBCs. The increased Na+ and decreased K+ contents of mutant RhAG-expressing oocytes suggested that F65S is a gain-of-function mutation that opens a cation leak, likely within the RhAG polypeptide. In this study the ammonia transport properties of the OHSt mutant 65Ser-RhAG were investigated. Xenopus oocytes were injected with cRNA encoding wild-type RhAG, the OHSt mutant 65Ser-RhAG, and 65Val-RhAG, an engineered mutation with a smaller hydrophobic side chain at position 65. Wild-type and mutant RhAG polypeptides were well-expressed in the oocyte membrane as measured by quantitative immunoblotting. Uptake of the NH3/NH4+ substrate analog 14C-methylammonium (MA), was assayed in oocytes previously injected with water (control) or with cRNA. Expression of wild-type RhAG mediated MA uptake at rates 6-fold greater than that of water-injected controls. Uptake of MA by oocytes expressing 65Val-RhAG was equivalent to that of wild type RhAG. However, MA uptake by oocytes expressing OHSt mutant 65Ser-RhAG was greatly reduced to less than 20% that of oocytes expressing wild-type RHAG or 65Val-RhAG, and was only 1.5-fold greater than that of water-injected control oocytes. Co-expression with other, individual Rh complex members glycophorin B, RhD, RhCE, or Band 3 did not alter MA-mediated uptake by RhAG-expressing oocytes. Importantly, this study reveals that the RhAG mutation Phe65Ser found in patients with type 1 over-hydrated stomatocytosis is a loss of function mutation. Further study is required to define the relationship between loss of NH3/NH4+ transport and erythrocyte Na+ and K+ cation content. Disclosures: Westhoff: Immucor: Scientific Advisor.