Christian F. W. Becker

The centrosomal protein nephrocystin-6 is mutated in Joubert syndrome and activates transcription factor ATF4

The molecular basis of nephronophthisis, the most frequent genetic cause of renal failure in children and young adults, and its association with retinal degeneration and cerebellar vermis aplasia in Joubert syndrome are poorly understood. Using positional cloning, we here identify mutations in the gene CEP290 as causing nephronophthisis. It encodes a protein with several domains also present in CENPF, a protein involved in chromosome segregation. CEP290 (also known as NPHP6) interacts with and modulates the activity of ATF4, a transcription factor implicated in cAMP-dependent renal cyst formation. NPHP6 is found at centrosomes and in the nucleus of renal epithelial cells in a cell cycle–dependent manner and in connecting cilia of photoreceptors. Abrogation of its function in zebrafish recapitulates the renal, retinal and cerebellar phenotypes of Joubert syndrome. Our findings help establish the link between centrosome function, tissue architecture and transcriptional control in the pathogenesis of cystic kidney disease, retinal degeneration, and central nervous system development.

Positional cloning uncovers mutations in PLCE1 responsible for a nephrotic syndrome variant that may be reversible

Nephrotic syndrome, a malfunction of the kidney glomerular filter, leads to proteinuria, edema and, in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, end-stage kidney disease. Using positional cloning, we identified mutations in the phospholipase C epsilon gene (PLCE1) as causing early-onset nephrotic syndrome with end-stage kidney disease. Kidney histology of affected individuals showed diffuse mesangial sclerosis (DMS). Using immunofluorescence, we found PLCε1 expression in developing and mature glomerular podocytes and showed that DMS represents an arrest of normal glomerular development. We identified IQ motif–containing GTPase-activating protein 1 as a new interaction partner of PLCε1. Two siblings with a missense mutation in an exon encoding the PLCε1 catalytic domain showed histology characteristic of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Notably, two other affected individuals responded to therapy, making this the first report of a molecular cause of nephrotic syndrome that may resolve after therapy. These findings, together with the zebrafish model of human nephrotic syndrome generated by plce1 knockdown, open new inroads into pathophysiology and treatment mechanisms of nephrotic syndrome.

Substrates and regulation mechanisms for the human mitochondrial sirtuins Sirt3 and Sirt5.

The enzymes of the Sirtuin family of nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide-dependent protein deacetylases are emerging key players in nuclear and cytosolic signaling, but also in mitochondrial regulation and aging. Mammalian mitochondria contain three Sirtuins, Sirt3, Sirt4, and Sirt5. Only one substrate is known for Sirt3 as well as for Sirt4, and up to now, no target for Sirt5 has been reported. Here, we describe the identification of novel substrates for the human mitochondrial Sirtuin isoforms Sirt3 and Sirt5. We show that Sirt3 can deacetylate and thereby activate a central metabolic regulator in the mitochondrial matrix, glutamate dehydrogenase. Furthermore, Sirt3 deacetylates and activates isocitrate dehydrogenase 2, an enzyme that promotes regeneration of antioxidants and catalyzes a key regulation point of the citric acid cycle. Sirt3 thus can regulate flux and anapleurosis of this central metabolic cycle. We further find that the N- and C-terminal regions of Sirt3 regulate its activity against glutamate dehydrogenase and a peptide substrate, indicating roles for these regions in substrate recognition and Sirtuin regulation. Sirt5, in contrast to Sirt3, deacetylates none of the mitochondrial matrix proteins tested. Instead, it can deacetylate cytochrome c, a protein of the mitochondrial intermembrane space with a central function in oxidative metabolism, as well as apoptosis initiation. Using a mitochondrial import assay, we find that Sirt5 can indeed be translocated into the mitochondrial intermembrane space, but also into the matrix, indicating that localization might contribute to Sirt5 regulation and substrate selection.

Mutations in MRAP, encoding a new interacting partner of the ACTH receptor, cause familial glucocorticoid deficiency type 2

Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD), or hereditary unresponsiveness to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH; OMIM 202200), is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from resistance to the action of ACTH on the adrenal cortex, which stimulates glucocorticoid production. Affected individuals are deficient in cortisol and, if untreated, are likely to succumb to hypoglycemia or overwhelming infection in infancy or childhood. Mutations of the ACTH receptor (melanocortin 2 receptor, MC2R) account for ∼25% of cases of FGD. FGD without mutations of MC2R is called FGD type 2. Using SNP array genotyping, we mapped a locus involved in FGD type 2 to chromosome 21q22.1. We identified mutations in a gene encoding a 19-kDa single–transmembrane domain protein, now known as melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein (MRAP). We show that MRAP interacts with MC2R and may have a role in the trafficking of MC2R from the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell surface.

Diagnostic yield of various genetic approaches in patients with unexplained developmental delay or mental retardation.

The underlying cause of mental retardation remains unknown in up to 80% of patients. As chromosomal aberrations are the most common known cause of mental retardation, several new methods based on FISH, PCR, and array techniques have been developed over recent years to increase detection rate of subtle aneusomies initially of the gene rich subtelomeric regions, but nowadays also genome wide. As the reported detection rates vary widely between different reports and in order to compare the diagnostic yield of various investigations, we analyzed the diagnostic yield of conventional karyotyping, subtelomeric screening, molecular karyotyping, X‐inactivation studies, and dysmorphological evaluation with targeted laboratory testing in unselected patients referred for developmental delay or mental retardation to our cytogenetic laboratory (n = 600) and to our genetic clinic (n = 570). In the cytogenetic group, 15% of patients showed a disease‐related aberration, while various targeted analyses after dysmorphological investigation led to a diagnosis in about 20% in the genetic clinic group. When adding the patients with a cytogenetic aberration to the patient group seen in genetic clinic, an etiological diagnosis was established in about 40% of the combined study group. A conventional cytogenetic diagnosis was present in 16% of combined patients and a microdeletion syndrome was diagnosed in 5.3%, while subtelomeric screening revealed only 1.3% of causes. Molecular karyotyping with a 10 K SNP array in addition revealed 5% of underlying causes, but 29% of all diagnoses would have been detectable by molecular karyotyping. In those patients without a clear diagnosis, 5.6% of mothers of affected boys showed significant (>95%) skewing of X‐inactivation suggesting X‐linked mental retardation. The most common diagnoses with a frequency of more than 0.5% were Down syndrome (9.2%), common microdeletion 22q11.2 (2.4%), Williams–Beuren syndrome (1.3%), Fragile‐X syndrome (1.2%), Cohen syndrome (0.7%), and monosomy 1p36.3 (0.6%). From our data, we suggest the following diagnostic procedure in patients with unexplained developmental delay or mental retardation: (1) Clinical/dysmorphological investigation with respective targeted analyses; (2) In the remaining patients without an etiological diagnosis, we suggest conventional karyotyping, X‐inactivation screening in mothers of boys, and molecular karyotyping, if available. If molecular karyotyping is not available, subtelomeric screening should be performed.

Molecular karyotyping using an SNP array for genomewide genotyping

Background: Chromosomal imbalances are a major cause of developmental defects as well as cancer and often constitute the key in identification of novel disease related genes. Classical cytogenetic methods are limited in resolution and dependent on highly skilled labour, while methods with higher resolution, based on molecular cytogenetics approaches such as matrix CGH, are not widely available. Methods: We have developed and evaluated a method we term “molecular karyotyping”, using readily available and easy to handle oligonucleotide arrays originally designed for parallel genomewide analysis of over 10 000 SNPs. We show that we can easily and reliably detect unbalanced chromosomal aberrations of various sizes from as little as 250 ng of DNA on a single microarray, based on fluorescence intensity information from clusters of SNPs. Results: We determined the resolution of this method through analysis of 20 trios with 21 previously confirmed subtle aberrations sizing between 0.2 and 13 Mb. Duplications and deletions of at least 5 Mb in size were reliably detectable, but detection of smaller aberrations was dependent on the number of SNPs they contained, thus seven of 10 different deletions analysed, with sizes ranging from 0.2 to 3.7 Mb, were not detectable due to insufficient SNP densitiy in the respective region. Conclusions: Deduction of reliable cut off levels for array peaks in our series of well characterised patients allows the use of the GeneChip Mapping 10K SNP array for performing rapid molecular karyotyping from small amounts of DNA for the detection of even subtle deletions and duplications with high sensitivity and specificity.

A molecular mechanism for direct sirtuin activation by resveratrol.

Sirtuins are protein deacetylases regulating metabolism, stress responses, and aging processes, and they were suggested to mediate the lifespan extending effect of a low calorie diet. Sirtuin activation by the polyphenol resveratrol can mimic such lifespan extending effects and alleviate metabolic diseases. The mechanism of Sirtuin stimulation is unknown, hindering the development of improved activators. Here we show that resveratrol inhibits human Sirt3 and stimulates Sirt5, in addition to Sirt1, against fluorophore-labeled peptide substrates but also against peptides and proteins lacking the non-physiological fluorophore modification. We further present crystal structures of Sirt3 and Sirt5 in complex with fluorogenic substrate peptide and modulator. The compound acts as a top cover, closing the Sirtuin’s polypeptide binding pocket and influencing details of peptide binding by directly interacting with this substrate. Our results provide a mechanism for the direct activation of Sirtuins by small molecules and suggest that activators have to be tailored to a specific Sirtuin/substrate pair.

Identification of a putative lysosomal cobalamin exporter altered in the cblF defect of vitamin B12 metabolism

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is essential in animals for metabolism of branched chain amino acids and odd chain fatty acids, and for remethylation of homocysteine to methionine. In the cblF inborn error of vitamin B12 metabolism, free vitamin accumulates in lysosomes, thus hindering its conversion to cofactors. Using homozygosity mapping in 12 unrelated cblF individuals and microcell-mediated chromosome transfer, we identified a candidate gene on chromosome 6q13, LMBRD1, encoding LMBD1, a lysosomal membrane protein with homology to lipocalin membrane receptor LIMR. We identified five different frameshift mutations in LMBRD1 resulting in loss of LMBD1 function, with 18 of the 24 disease chromosomes carrying the same mutation embedded in a common 1.34-Mb haplotype. Transfection of fibroblasts of individuals with cblF with wild-type LMBD1 rescued cobalamin coenzyme synthesis and function. This work identifies LMBRD1 as the gene underlying the cblF defect of cobalamin metabolism and suggests that LMBD1 is a lysosomal membrane exporter for cobalamin.

An acetylome peptide microarray reveals specificities and deacetylation substrates for all human sirtuin isoforms

Sirtuin enzymes regulate metabolism and aging processes through deacetylation of acetyl-lysines in target proteins. More than 6,800 mammalian acetylation sites are known, but few targets have been assigned to most sirtuin isoforms, hampering our understanding of sirtuin function. Here we describe a peptide microarray system displaying 6,802 human acetylation sites for the parallel characterisation of their modification by deacetylases. Deacetylation data for all seven human sirtuins obtained with this system reveal isoform-specific substrate preferences and deacetylation substrate candidates for all sirtuin isoforms, including Sirt4. We confirm malate dehydrogenase protein as a Sirt3 substrate and show that peroxiredoxin 1 and high-mobility group B1 protein are deacetylated by Sirt5 and Sirt1, respectively, at the identified sites, rendering them likely new in vivo substrates. Our microarray platform enables parallel studies on physiological acetylation sites and the deacetylation data presented provide an exciting resource for the identification of novel substrates for all human sirtuins.

Molecular karyotyping in patients with mental retardation using 100K single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays

Background: Using array techniques, it was recently shown that about 10% of patients with mental retardation of unknown origin harbour cryptic chromosomal aneusomies. However, data analysis is currently not standardised and little is known about its sensitivity and specificity. Methods: We have developed an electronic data analysis tool for gene-mapping SNP arrays, a software tool that we call Copy Number Variation Finder (CNVF). Using CNVF, we analysed 104 unselected patients with mental retardation of unknown origin with a genechip mapping 100K SNP array and established an optimised set of analysis parameters. Results: We detected deletions as small as 20 kb when covered by at least three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and duplications as small as 150 kb when covered by at least six SNPs, with only one false-positive signal in six patients. In 9.1% of patients, we detected apparently disease-causing or de novo aberrations ranging in size from 0.4 to 14 Mb. Morphological anomalies in patients with de novo aberrations were equal to that of unselected patients when measured with de Vries score. Conclusion: Our standardised CNVF data analysis tool is easy to use and has high sensitivity and specificity. As some genomic regions are covered more densely than others, the genome-wide resolution of the 100K array is about 400–500 kb for deletions and 900–1000 kb for duplications. The detection rate of about 10% of de novo aberrations is independent of selection of patients for particular features. The incidental finding in two patients of heterozygosity for the 250 kb recurrent deletion at the NPH1 locus, associated with autosomal recessive juvenile nephronophthisis, which was inherited from a healthy parent, highlights the fact that inherited aberrations might be disease-related even though not causal for mental retardation.