Spectrin-binding Domain Research Articles

Genotype-degree of hemolysis correlation in hereditary spherocytosis

BackgroundHereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a common inherited hemolytic anemia, caused by mutations in five genes that encode erythrocyte membrane skeleton proteins. The red blood cell (RBC) lifespan could directly reflect the degree of hemolysis. In the present cohort of 23 patients with HS, we performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) and Levitt’s carbon monoxide (CO) breath test to investigate the potential genotype-degree of hemolysis correlation.ResultsIn the present cohort, we identified 8 ANK1,9 SPTB,5 SLC4A1 and 1 SPTA1 mutations in 23 patients with HS, and the median RBC lifespan was 14(8–48) days. The median RBC lifespan of patients with ANK1, SPTB and SLC4A1 mutations was 13 (8–23), 13 (8–48) and 14 (12–39) days, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P = 0.618). The median RBC lifespan of patients with missense, splice and nonsense/insertion/deletion mutations was 16.5 (8–48), 14 (11–40) and 13 (8–20) days, respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.514). Similarly, we found no significant difference in the RBC lifespan of patients with mutations located in the spectrin-binding domain and the nonspectrin-binding domain [14 (8–18) vs. 12.5 (8–48) days, P = 0.959]. In terms of the composition of mutated genes, 25% of patients with mild hemolysis carried ANK1 or SPTA1 mutations, while 75% of patients with mild hemolysis carried SPTB or SLC4A1 mutations. In contrast, 46.7% of patients with severe hemolysis had ANK1 or SPTA1 mutations and 53.3% of patients with severe hemolysis had SPTB or SLC4A1 mutations. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of mutated genes between the two groups (P = 0.400).ConclusionThe present study is the first to investigate the potential association between genotype and degree of hemolysis in HS. The present findings indicated that there is no significant correlation between genotype and degree of hemolysis in HS.

Identification of Exported Plasmodium falciparum Proteins That Bind to the Erythrocyte Cytoskeleton.

Plasmodium proteins are exported to the erythrocyte cytoplasm to create an environment that supports parasite replication. Although hundreds of proteins are predicted to be exported through Plasmodium export element (PEXEL)-dependent and -independent mechanisms, the functions of exported proteins are largely uncharacterized. In this study, we used a biochemical screening approach to identify putative exported P. falciparum proteins that bound to inside-out vesicles prepared from erythrocytes. Out of 69 P. falciparum PEXEL-motif proteins tested, 18 bound to inside-out vesicles (IOVs) in two or more independent assays. Using co-affinity purifications followed by mass spectrometry, pairwise co-purification experiments, and the split-luciferase assay, we identified 31 putative protein–protein interactions between erythrocyte cytoskeletal proteins and predicted exported P. falciparum proteins. We further showed that PF3D7_1401600 binds to the spectrin-binding domain of erythrocyte ankyrin via its MESA erythrocyte cytoskeleton binding (MEC) motif and to the N-terminal domains of ankyrin and 4.1R through a fragment that required an intact Plasmodium helical interspersed sub-telomeric (PHIST) domain. Introduction of PF3D7_1401600 into erythrocyte ghosts increased retention in the microsphiltration assay, consistent with previous data that reported a reduction of rigidity in red blood cells infected with PF3D7_1401600-deficient parasites.

A Rare Variant of ANK3 Is Associated With Intracranial Aneurysm.

Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is a cerebrovascular disorder in which abnormal dilation of a blood vessel results from weakening of the blood vessel wall. The aneurysm may rupture, leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage with severe outcomes. This study was conducted to identify the genetic factors involved in the etiology of IA. Whole-exome sequencing was performed in three IA-aggregate families to identify candidate variants. Further association studies of candidate variants were performed among sporadic cases and controls. Bioinformatic analysis was used to predict the functions of candidate genes and variants. Twenty variants were identified after whole-exome sequencing, among which eight were selected for replicative association studies. ANK3 c.4403G>A (p.R1468H) was significantly associated with IA (odds ratio 4.77; 95% confidence interval 1.94–11.67; p-value = 0.00019). Amino acid R1468 in ANK3 was predicted to be located in the spectrin-binding domain of ankyrin-G and may regulate the migration of vascular endothelial cells and affect cell–cell junctions. Therefore, the variation p.R1468H may cause weakening of the artery walls, thereby accelerating the formation of IA. Thus, ANK3 is a candidate gene highly related to IA.

Genetic conflicts with Plasmodium parasites and functional constraints shape the evolution of erythrocyte cytoskeletal proteins

Plasmodium parasites exerted a strong selective pressure on primate genomes and mutations in genes encoding erythrocyte cytoskeleton proteins (ECP) determine protective effects against Plasmodium infection/pathogenesis. We thus hypothesized that ECP-encoding genes have evolved in response to Plasmodium-driven selection. We analyzed the evolutionary history of 15 ECP-encoding genes in primates, as well as of their Plasmodium-encoded ligands (KAHRP, MESA and EMP3). Results indicated that EPB42, SLC4A1, and SPTA1 evolved under pervasive positive selection and that episodes of positive selection tended to occur more frequently in primate species that host a larger number of Plasmodium parasites. Conversely, several genes, including ANK1 and SPTB, displayed extensive signatures of purifying selection in primate phylogenies, Homininae lineages, and human populations, suggesting strong functional constraints. Analysis of Plasmodium genes indicated adaptive evolution in MESA and KAHRP; in the latter, different positively selected sites were located in the spectrin-binding domains. Because most of the positively selected sites in alpha-spectrin localized to the domains involved in the interaction with KAHRP, we suggest that the two proteins are engaged in an arms-race scenario. This observation is relevant because KAHRP is essential for the formation of “knobs”, which represent a major virulence determinant for P. falciparum.

Developmental Changes in Expression of βIV Spectrin Splice Variants at Axon Initial Segments and Nodes of Ranvier.

Axon initial segments (AIS) and nodes of Ranvier are highly specialized axonal membrane domains enriched in Na+ channels. These Na+ channel clusters play essential roles in action potential initiation and propagation. AIS and nodal Na+ channel complexes are linked to the actin cytoskeleton through βIV spectrin. However, neuronal βIV spectrin exists as two main splice variants: a longer βIVΣ1 variant with canonical N-terminal actin and αII spectrin-binding domains, and a shorter βIVΣ6 variant lacking these domains. Here, we show that the predominant neuronal βIV spectrin splice variant detected in the developing brain switches from βIVΣ1 to βIVΣ6, and that this switch is correlated with expression changes in ankyrinG (ankG) splice variants. We show that βIVΣ1 is the predominant splice variant at nascent and developing AIS and nodes of Ranvier, but with increasing age and in adults βIVΣ6 becomes the main splice variant. Remarkably, super-resolution microscopy revealed that the spacing of spectrin tetramers between actin rings remains unchanged, but that shorter spectrin tetramers may also be present. Thus, during development βIV spectrin may undergo a switch in the splice variants found at AIS and nodes of Ranvier.

Mutational characteristics of ANK1 and SPTB genes in hereditary spherocytosis.

The aim of this study was to describe the mutational characteristics in Korean hereditary spherocytosis (HS) patients. Relevant literatures including genetically confirmed cases with well-documented clinical summaries and relevant information were also reviewed to investigate the mutational gene- or domain-specific laboratory and clinical association. Twenty-five HS patients carried one heterozygous mutation of ANK1 (n = 13) or SPTB (n = 12) but not in SPTA1, SLC4A1, or EPB42. Deleterious mutations including frameshift, nonsense, and splice site mutations were identified in 91% (21/23), and non-hotspot mutations were dispersed across multiple exons. Genotype-phenotype correlation was clarified after combined analysis of the cases and the literature review; anemia was most severe in HS patients with mutations on the ANK1 spectrin-binding domain (p < 0.05), and SPTB mutations in HS patients spared the tetramerization domain in which mutations of hereditary elliptocytosis and pyropoikilocytosis are located. Splenectomy (17/75) was more frequent in ANK1 mutant HS (32%) than in HS with SPTB mutation (10%) (p = 0.028). Aplastic crisis occurred in 32.0% of the patients (8/25; 3 ANK1 and 5 SPTB), and parvovirus B19 was detected in 88%. The study clarifies ANK1 or SPTB mutational characteristics in HS Korean patients. The genetic association of laboratory and clinical aspects suggests comprehensive considerations for genetic-based management of HS.

Exon Organization and Novel Alternative Splicing of Ank3 in Mouse Heart

Ankyrin-G is an adaptor protein that links membrane proteins to the underlying cytoskeletal network. Alternative splicing of the Ank3 gene gives rise to multiple ankyrin-G isoforms in numerous tissues. To date, only one ankyrin-G isoform has been characterized in heart and transcriptional regulation of the Ank3 gene is completely unknown. In this study, we describe the first comprehensive analysis of Ank3 expression in heart. Using a PCR-based screen of cardiac mRNA transcripts, we identify two new exons and 28 alternative splice variants of the Ank3 gene. We measure the relative expression of each splice variant using quantitative real-time PCR and exon-exon boundary spanning primers that specifically amplify individual Ank3 variants. Six variants are rarely expressed (<1%), while the remaining variants display similar expression patterns in three hearts. Of the five first exons in the Ank3 gene, exon 1d is only expressed in heart and skeletal muscle as it was not detected in brain, kidney, cerebellum, and lung. Immunoblot analysis reveals multiple ankyrin-G isoforms in heart, and two ankyrin-G subpopulations are detected in adult cardiomyocytes by immunofluorescence. One population co-localizes with the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.5 at the intercalated disc, while the other population expresses at the Z-line. Two of the rare splice variants excise a portion of the ZU5 motif, which encodes the minimal spectrin-binding domain, and these variants lack β-spectrin binding. Together, these data demonstrate that Ank3 is subject to complex splicing regulation resulting in a diverse population of ankyrin-G isoforms in heart.

A conserved domain targets exported PHISTb family proteins to the periphery of Plasmodium infected erythrocytes

During blood-stage infection, malaria parasites export numerous proteins to the host erythrocyte. The Poly-Helical Interspersed Sub-Telomeric (PHIST) proteins are an exported family that share a common ‘PRESAN’ domain, and include numerous members in Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium knowlesi. In P. falciparum, PHIST proteins have been implicated in protein trafficking and intercellular communication. A number of PHIST proteins are essential for parasite survival. Here, we identify nine members of the PHISTb sub-class of PHIST proteins, including one protein known to be essential for parasite survival, that localise to the erythrocyte periphery. These proteins have solubility characteristics consistent with their association with the erythrocyte cytoskeleton. Together, an extended PRESAN domain, comprising the PRESAN domain and preceding sequence, form a novel targeting-domain that is sufficient to localise a protein to the erythrocyte periphery. We validate the role of this domain in RESA, thus identifying a cytoskeleton-binding domain in RESA that functions independently of its known spectrin-binding domain. Our data suggest that some PHISTb proteins may act as cross-linkers of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton. We also show for the first time that peripherally-localised PHISTb proteins are encoded in genomes of P. knowlesi and vivax indicating a conserved role for the extended PRESAN domain of these proteins in targeting to the erythrocyte periphery.

Development Of a Comprehensive Rapid Next-Generation Sequencing Assay For The Diagnosis Of Inherited Hemolytic Anemia

Hereditary hemolytic anemia is caused by defects in hemoglobin, in the red blood cell (RBC) cytoskeleton proteins, or by deficiencies in RBC enzymes. RBC cytoskeletal disorders include hereditary spherocytosis (HS), elliptocytosis (HE), pyropoikilocytosis (HPP), and stomatocytosis (HSt), which are typically inherited as autosomal dominant disorders but can also present as recessive forms, frequently severe. The RBC enzymopathies, such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency, are X-linked or recessively inherited disorders causing hemolytic anemia. Although rare, congenital dyserythropoietic anemias (CDA) are inherited red cell lineage disorders which occasionally, especially CDA-II, can be misdiagnosed as HS. Diagnosis of an inherited hemolytic anemia not due to a hemoglobin disorder is based upon morphology of the RBCs, functional analysis of the RBCs through ektacytometry or osmotic fragility, and enzymatic assays. The diagnosis of severely affected patients is complicated by transfusion dependence. Diagnosis based on genetic mutations is attractive, especially in transfused patients, and provides additional insight into the mechanisms of disease. Despite these advantages, genetic diagnoses have been limited by expense and long turn-around times for clinical results. To address these issues, we have developed a rapid comprehensive clinical next-generation sequencing-based assay that evaluates 27 genes with published disease-causing mutations for RBC cytoskeletal disorders, enzymopathies, and CDAs. The protein-coding exons plus 25 bases of exon/intron junction as well as promoter sequences with known relationship to clinical phenotypes were included in the design. Genomic DNA was digested with a panel of 8 restriction enzymes and oligonucleotide probes were used to enrich the target regions. Enriched samples were then sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq benchtop sequencer with 150 base pair, paired-end reads. Enrichment and sequencing were completed within 48 hours. Sequencing reads were aligned to the human genome reference sequence and analysis of coverage and variants was completed using NextGENe software.Initial validation included 5 affected probands, 1 affected sibling of a proband, 4 parental samples, and 2 unrelated control individuals with no history of hemolytic anemia. Overall, > 99% of all nucleotides in the regions of interest had at least 20X sequencing coverage. Our assay confirmed a previously identified maternally inherited nonsense mutation, Y1089X, and a paternally inherited A970D missense variant in SPTA1 in a patient (SPCA) with severe HS. The A970D SPTA1 missense change was also seen in two unaffected parents and an unaffected control, further validating that this missense variant alone does not cause dominant HS. The common SPTA1 allele, αLELY was seen in the clinically unaffected mother of SPCA, but was not found in the affected child, suggesting that this allele must be inherited in trans with a pathologic SPTA1 mutation to have clinical effect. Analysis of additional probands revealed both dominant and recessive forms of HS due to mutations in ANK1. Patient AAHS2 presented with typical dominant HS, and was found to have a novel ANK1 frameshift mutation, c.3464delG. Patient HEEM presented with severe transfusion-dependent anemia and was found to have one reported ANK1 missense mutation, T1075I (ankyrin Tubarao) in the spectrin-binding domain, and one novel nonsense mutation, Y735X. In addition, we identified novel amino acid changes in the newly identified dehydrated HSt gene PIEZO1. HEGR, a patient with hemolytic anemia, splenomegaly and portal vein thrombosis in infancy was found to have a novel 6 base pair insertion at R1462 in PIEZO1. Thal1 was previously diagnosed with dominant β-thalassemia, however had a more severe presentation than expected. We found a PIEZO1missense mutation R2302H in Thal1 that likely explains the severe phenotype.The initial validation of this comprehensive sequencing assay has demonstrated that this is a robust and rapid diagnostic tool for patients with severe hereditary hemolytic anemia. Simultaneous investigation of the key protein-coding genes involved in proper RBC function and survival, provides new insight into the variable phenotypes of patients with hemolytic anemia and ultimately will improve the management of patients with severe disease. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Structure of the ZU5-ZU5-UPA-DD tandem of ankyrin-B reveals interaction surfaces necessary for ankyrin function

Ankyrin-R/B/G (encoded by ANK1/2/3, respectively) are a family of very large scaffold proteins capable of anchoring numerous receptors and ion channels to specific, spectrin-containing membrane micro-domains. Hereditary mutations of ankyrins are known to be associated with diseases including spherocytosis, cardiac arrhythmia, and bipolar disorder in humans, although the underlying molecular bases are poorly understood. The middle spectrin-binding domain of ankyrins contains highly conserved ZU5-ZU5-UPA-DD domains arranged into the ZZUD tandem. Curiously, most of the disease-causing mutations in the tandem have no apparent impact on the spectrin binding of ankyrins. The high resolution structure of the ankyrin-B ZZUD tandem determined here reveals that the ZU5-ZU5-UPA domains form a tightly packed structural supramodule, whereas DD is freely accessible. Although the formation of the ZZU supramodule does not influence the spectrin binding of ankyrins, mutations altering the interdomain interfaces of ZZU impair the functions of ankyrin-B&G. Our structural analysis further indicates that the ZZU supramodule of ankyrins has two additional surfaces that may bind to targets other than spectrin. Finally, the structure of the ankyrin ZZUD provides mechanistic explanations to many disease-causing mutations identified in ankyrin-B&R.

Determination of Structural Models of the Complex between the Cytoplasmic Domain of Erythrocyte Band 3 and Ankyrin-R Repeats 13–24

The adaptor protein ankyrin-R interacts via its membrane binding domain with the cytoplasmic domain of the anion exchange protein (AE1) and via its spectrin binding domain with the spectrin-based membrane skeleton in human erythrocytes. This set of interactions provides a bridge between the lipid bilayer and the membrane skeleton, thereby stabilizing the membrane. Crystal structures for the dimeric cytoplasmic domain of AE1 (cdb3) and for a 12-ankyrin repeat segment (repeats 13-24) from the membrane binding domain of ankyrin-R (AnkD34) have been reported. However, structural data on how these proteins assemble to form a stable complex have not been reported. In the current studies, site-directed spin labeling, in combination with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and double electron-electron resonance, has been utilized to map the binding interfaces of the two proteins in the complex and to obtain inter-protein distance constraints. These data have been utilized to construct a family of structural models that are consistent with the full range of experimental data. These models indicate that an extensive area on the peripheral domain of cdb3 binds to ankyrin repeats 18-20 on the top loop surface of AnkD34 primarily through hydrophobic interactions. This is a previously uncharacterized surface for binding of cdb3 to AnkD34. Because a second dimer of cdb3 is known to bind to ankyrin repeats 7-12 of the membrane binding domain of ankyrin-R, the current models have significant implications regarding the structural nature of a tetrameric form of AE1 that is hypothesized to be involved in binding to full-length ankyrin-R in the erythrocyte membrane.

Site-Directed Spin-Labeling Studies: Structure of the AnkD34-Cdb3 Complex

The adaptor protein ankyrin-R interacts via its membrane binding domain with the cytoplasmic domain of the anion exchange protein (AE1) and via its spectrin binding domain with the spectrin based membrane skeleton in human erythrocytes. This set of interactions provides a bridge between the lipid bilayer and the membrane skeleton thereby stabilizing the membrane. Atomic resolution structures for the dimeric cytoplasmic domain of AE1 (cdb3) and for a twelve ankyrin repeat segment (repeats 13-24) from the membrane binding domain of ankyrin-R (AnkD34) have been reported. However, structural data on how these proteins assemble to form a stable complex have not been reported. In the current studies, site directed spin labeling, in combination with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and double electron-electron resonance (DEER), have been utilized to map the binding interfaces of the two proteins in the complex and to obtain inter-protein distance constraints. These data have been utilized to construct a family of structural models that are consistent with the full range of experimental data. These models indicate that an extensive area on the peripheral domain of cdb3 binds to ankyrin repeats 18-20 on the top convex surface of AnkD34 along the flexible linker away from the ankyrin groove primarily through hydrophobic interactions. This is a previously structurally uncharacterized surface for binding of cdb3 to AnkD34. Since a second dimer of cdb3 is known to bind to ankyrin repeats 7-12 of the membrane binding domain of ankyrin-R, the current models have significant implications regarding the structural nature of a tetrameric form of AE1 that is hypothesized to be involved in binding to Ankyrin-R in the erythrocyte membrane. Supported by NIH P01 GM080513.

A novel ENU-generated truncation mutation lacking the spectrin-binding and C-terminal regulatory domains of Ank1 models severe hemolytic hereditary spherocytosis

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is a heterogeneous group of spontaneously arising and inherited red blood cell disorders ranging from very mild subclinical cases to severe and life-threatening cases, with symptoms linked directly to the severity of the mutation at the molecular level. We investigated a novel mouse model in which the heterozygotes present with the diagnostic hallmarks of mild HS and surviving homozygotes phenocopy severe hemolytic HS. We used N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis to generate random point mutations in the mouse genome and a dominant screen to identify mouse models of human hematopoietic disease. Gene mapping of the HS strain revealed a unique in-frame nonsense mutation arising from a single base transversion in exon 27 of Ank1 (strain designation: Ank1(E924X)). Employing conventional hematopoietic, pathological, biochemical, and cell biology assays, we characterized heterozygous and homozygous Ank1(E924X) mice at the biochemical, cellular, and pathophysiological levels. Although Ank1(E924X/E924X) red blood cell ghosts lack abundant full-length ankyrin-1 isoforms, N-terminal epitope ankyrin-1 antibodies reveal a band consistent with the theoretical size of a truncated mutant ankyrin-1. Using domain-specific antibodies, we further show that this protein lacks both a spectrin-binding domain and a C-terminal regulatory domain. Finally, using antisera that detect C-terminal residues of the products of alternative Ank1 transcripts, we find unique immunoreactive bands not observed in red blood cell ghosts from wild-type or Ank1(E924X) heterozygous mice, including a band similar in size to full-length ankyrin-1. The Ank1(E924X) strain provides a novel tool to study Ank1 and model HS.

Ankyrin-B Regulates Kir6.2 Membrane Expression and Function in Heart

Ankyrin polypeptides are critical for normal membrane protein expression in diverse cell types, including neurons, myocytes, epithelia, and erythrocytes. Ankyrin dysfunction results in defects in membrane expression of ankyrin-binding partners (including ion channels, transporters, and cell adhesion molecules), resulting in aberrant cellular function and disease. Here, we identify a new role for ankyrin-B in cardiac cell biology. We demonstrate that cardiac sarcolemmal K(ATP) channels directly associate with ankyrin-B in heart via the K(ATP) channel alpha-subunit Kir6.2. We demonstrate that primary myocytes lacking ankyrin-B display defects in Kir6.2 protein expression, membrane expression, and function. Moreover, we demonstrate a secondary role for ankyrin-B in regulating K(ATP) channel gating. Finally, we demonstrate that ankyrin-B forms a membrane complex with K(ATP) channels and the cardiac Na/K-ATPase, a second key membrane transporter involved in the cardiac ischemia response. Collectively, our new findings define a new role for cardiac ankyrin polypeptides in regulation of ion channel membrane expression in heart.

Structures of the spectrin-ankyrin interaction binding domains

As key components of the erythrocyte membrane skeleton, spectrin and ankyrin specifically interact to tether the spectrin cytoskeleton to the cell membrane. The structure of the spectrin binding domain of ankyrin and the ankyrin binding domain of spectrin have been solved to elucidate the structural basis for ankyrin-spectrin recognition. The structure of repeats 14 and 15 of spectrin shows that these repeats are similar to all other spectrin repeats. One feature that could account for the preference of ankyrin for these repeats is the presence of a conserved, negatively charged patch on one side of repeat 14. The structure of the ankyrin ZU5 domain shows a novel structure containing a beta core. The structure reveals that the canonical ZU5 consensus sequence is likely to be missing an important region that codes for a beta strand that forms part of the core of the domain. In addition, a positively charged region is suggestive of a binding surface for the negatively charged spectrin repeat 14. Previously reported mutants of ankyrin that map to this region lie mostly on the surface of the protein, although at least one is likely to be part of the core.

The 22.5 kDa spectrin-binding domain of ankyrinR binds spectrin with high affinity and changes the spectrin distribution in cells in vivo

It was previously shown that ankyrins play a crucial role in the membrane skeleton arrangement. Purifying ankyrinR obtained from erythrocytes is a time-consuming process. Therefore, cloned and bacterially expressed ankyrinR–spectrin-binding domain (AnkSBD) is a demanded tool for studying spectrin–ankyrin interactions. In this communication, we report on the cloning and purification of AnkSBD and describe the results of binding experiments, in which we showed high-affinity interactions between the AnkSBD construct and isolated erythrocyte or non-erythroid spectrins. pEGFP–AnkSBD-transfected cells co-localised with non-erythroid spectrin in HeLa cells. The functional interactions of the AnkSBD construct in vivo and in vitro open many possibilities to study the structure and function of this domain, which has not yet been as extensively studied when compared to the aminoterminal domain of this protein.

A Presynaptic Giant Ankyrin Stabilizes the NMJ through Regulation of Presynaptic Microtubules and Transsynaptic Cell Adhesion

In a forward genetic screen for mutations that destabilize the neuromuscular junction, we identified a novel long isoform of Drosophila ankyrin2 (ank2-L). We demonstrate that loss of presynaptic Ank2-L not only causes synapse disassembly and retraction but also disrupts neuronal excitability and NMJ morphology. We provide genetic evidence that ank2-L is necessary to generate the membrane constrictions that normally separate individual synaptic boutons and is necessary to achieve the normal spacing of subsynaptic protein domains, including the normal organization of synaptic cell adhesion molecules. Mechanistically, synapse organization is correlated with a lattice-like organization of Ank2-L, visualized using extended high-resolution structured-illumination microscopy. The stabilizing functions of Ank2-L can be mapped to the extended C-terminal domain that we demonstrate can directly bind and organize synaptic microtubules. We propose that a presynaptic Ank2-L lattice links synaptic membrane proteins and spectrin to the underlying microtubule cytoskeleton to organize and stabilize the presynaptic terminal.

Drosophila Ankyrin 2 Is Required for Synaptic Stability

Synaptic connections are stabilized through transsynaptic adhesion complexes that are anchored in the underlying cytoskeleton. The Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJs) serves as a model system to unravel genes required for the structural remodeling of synapses. In a mutagenesis screen for regulators of synaptic stability, we recovered mutations in Drosophila ankyrin 2 (ank2) affecting two giant Ank2 isoforms that are specifically expressed in the nervous system and associate with the presynaptic membrane cytoskeleton. ank2 mutant larvae show severe deficits in the stability of NMJs, resulting in a reduction in overall terminal size, withdrawal of synaptic boutons, and disassembly of presynaptic active zones. In addition, lack of Ank2 leads to disintegration of the synaptic microtubule cytoskeleton. Microtubules and microtubule-associated proteins fail to extend into distant boutons. Interestingly, Ank2 functions downstream of spectrin in the anchorage of synaptic microtubules, providing the cytoskeletal scaffold that is essential for synaptic stability.

A New Model of Hereditary Spherocytosis Demonstrates Profound Homeostatic Compensation in Severely Anemic Mice.

As part of a concerted program to generate new models of human disease we have generated multiple heritable mutant mouse strains using ethylnitrosourea (ENU) random mutagenesis combined with a dominant blood screen. Here we describe a mutant strain with dominantly-inherited red blood cell (RBC) low mean corpuscular volume. Preliminary phenotypic analysis of affected mice demonstrated spherical RBC morphology, increased osmotic fragility, mild reticulocytosis and a reduction in circulating lifetime - features characteristic of human hereditary spherocytosis. Gene mapping revealed the causative point mutation to be in the mouse ankyrin-1 gene (Ank1) locus at exon 26 - a G to T transversion causing substitution of a glutamate codon with a premature stop (Ank1*895). The resulting gene product is a truncated ankyrin-1 protein (terminating at amino acid 894) consisting primarily of the N-terminal band 3-binding domain without a functional ZU5 domain (spectrin-binding) or regulatory/death domain (Fig.1). The Ank1*895 allele results in a hypomorph such that stably-expressed protein isolated from RBC ghost preparations is undetectable by Coomasie stain and only barely detectable by Western. Our ENU-generated mutation is distinct from the spontaneous mutation identified in the normoblastosis (nb) mouse (Peters et al. 1991. J. Cell Biol; Birkenmeier et al. 2003. Hematol J.) which yields a functional protein product with intact band 3- and spectrin-binding domains (Fig.1). [Display omitted]

Alternate Promoters Direct Tissue-Specific Expression of Erythrocyte Ankyrin Transcripts with Novel NH2-Termini.

Mutations in erythrocyte ankyrin, ankyrin-1, are the most common cause of typical hereditary spherocytosis. Co-inheritance of cardiac, muscular, and neurologic diseases such as cardiomyopathy, psychomotor retardation, and spinocerebellar abnormalities with hereditary spherocytosis has been described. In the nb/nb mouse, an ankyrin-1 mutation manifests in erythroid cells with ankyrin deficiency and a spherocytosis phenotype, and in neural cells with an age-dependent psychomotor disorder due to loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells. These observations highlight the importance of understanding ankyrin-1 structure, function, and regulation in erythroid and nonerythroid cells. In erythroid cells, ankyrin expression is directed by a compact promoter controlled by a single GATA-1 site. Nonerythroid ankyrin-1 isoforms have been described with diversity arising from alternate splicing, alternate polyadenylation, and, in skeletal muscle, use of an alternate, tissue-specific promoter. Using 5′ RACE, we identified 2 additional alternate first exons of the ankyrin-1 cDNA. One encoded a first exon with an initiator methionine followed by 12 amino acids, designated exon 1A, that spliced in-frame to erythroid exon 2 sequences. The other, designated 1B, encoded a novel initiator methionine followed by 40 highly charged amino acids that also spliced in-frame to the erythroid exon 2. Both exons, found in human and mouse, link directly to the downstream exons encoding the ankyrin repeat and spectrin binding domains of ankyrin-1. Exon 1B mapped to a location 98.5 kb 5′ of erythroid exon 1 (1E) and exon 1A mapped 30.1 kb 3′ of exon 1E. Northern blot and quantitative RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that 1B was expressed in heart, skeletal muscle, and brain. Similar to what we previously reported for the promoter of the erythroid-specific exon 1, 1E, DNase I hypersensitive site (HS) mapping identified a pair of HS in genomic DNA, one immediately 5′ of exon 1B and one that mapped 6.6 kb downstream of this site (chr8:41,873,229 and 41,866,593, UCSC assembly, Mar 2006). Luciferase-reporter gene expression studies with plasmids containing either a 700bp or a 278bp fragment of the 1B flanking sequence directed high-level luciferase expression in RD cells (human rhabdomyosarcoma) but no luciferase expression in K562 (erythroid) or HeLa (fibroblastoid) cells. Consistent with its tissue-restricted pattern of expression, a polyclonal antipeptide antibody raised against novel sequence in exon 1B reacted with peptides of 220, 205, 45, and 40 kDa on immunoblots prepared from muscle and brain but not erythrocytes. In contrast to erythroid-specific exon 1E and tissue-restricted exon 1B, mRNAs containing exon 1A were detected in all 18 tissues examined. Like the 1E and 1B promoters, mapping identified an HS in the 5′ flanking genomic DNA/promoter region of exon 1A and another 6 kb downstream (chr8:41,873,229 and 41,866,593). An exon 1A anti-peptide antibody reacted with peptides of 205, 195, and 190 kDa on immunoblots prepared from numerous tissues, including erythrocytes ghosts. Regulation of ankyrin-1 expression by alternate promoters directing novel NH2-termini provides the basis for a complex pattern of tissue-specific ankyrin-1 isoform diversity. Characterization of the downstream alternate exon composition of the tissue-specific exon 1B and ubiquitous exon 1A-containing transcripts will allow a systematic evaluation of whether a specific spherocytosis-linked ankyrin-1 mutation could lead to a nonerythroid phenotype.