Matthias Koch

Expression of Glutamine:Fructose-6-Phosphate Amidotransferase in Human Tissues: Evidence for High Variability and Distinct Regulation in Diabetes

Recent in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that the increased flux of glucose through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway may contribute to glucoseinduced insulin resistance and to the induction of the synthesis of growth factors. Because glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT) catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step in the formation of hexosamine products, this enzyme is the key regulator in this pathway and is therefore possibly also involved in the alterations occurring in preclinical or manifest diabetic patients. To study the expression of GFAT in human tissues, we produced and characterized a peptic antiserum specifically recognizing GFAT protein and a riboprobe for the detection of GFAT mRNA. Immunohistochemical and nonradioactive in situ hybridization analysis revealed high levels of expression of GFAT protein and mRNA in adipocytes and skeletal muscle. Furthermore, a marked GFAT expression was found in vascular smooth muscle cells with unexpectedly high variability and lower levels in other cells, e.g., peripheral nerve sheath cells or endocrine-active cells, including the pancreatic islet cell. GFAT protein expression was below detection level in endothelium, osteocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, and in most quiescent fibroblasts. In renal tissue, GFAT was expressed in tubular epithelial cells, while glomerular cells remained essentially unstained. Renal sections obtained from patients with diabetic nephropathy showed significant GFAT expression in some glomerular epithelial and mesangial cells, indicating that GFAT expression may be induced by manifest diabetes. Our data indicate that GFAT is expressed in most tissues involved in the development of diabetic late complications. Furthermore, the results suggest that GFAT gene expression is highly regulated

Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism of the Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Gene Is Associated With Coronary Artery Plaque Calcification As Assessed by Intravascular Ultrasound

OBJECTIVES We evaluated the influence of the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene on coronary plaque morphology and calcification in patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD). BACKGROUND The ACE I/D polymorphism has been associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction in patients with the DD genotype but not with the presence of native CAD. METHODS We studied 146 patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for stable angina pectoris by means of preinterventional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Qualitative and quantitative criteria were used to classify the target lesions as poorly or highly echoreflective or as calcified. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify the I/D polymorphism, with a second insertion-specific PCR in DD genotypes to prevent mistyping. RESULTS The ACE genotype groups (DD 46, ID 68, II 32) were well matched for the basic characteristics. Patients with the DD genotype had significantly more calcified lesions (DD 80%, ID 57%, II 66%; unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30 to 6.92, p = 0.008) and more calcifications >180 degrees of the vessel circumference (DD 22%, ID 10%, II 6%; OR 2.80, 95% CI 1.05 to 7.63, p = 0.03). The prevalence of myocardial infarction was not significantly associated with coronary calcification (OR 1.44, 95% CI 0.72 to 2.88, p = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS Patients with CAD and the ACE DD genotype have a significantly higher incidence and greater extent of coronary lesion calcification, as determined by IVUS. This finding indicates that the ACE I/D gene polymorphism is related to the development or progression of atherosclerotic plaque calcification.

Interaction effect between common polymorphisms in PPARγ2 (Pro12Ala) and insulin receptor substrate 1 (Gly972Arg) on insulin sensitivity

Abstract. The Pro12Ala polymorphism in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ2 gene is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. A beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity is reported in some but not all populations. It is possible that this genetic variant produces a characteristic phenotype only against a certain genetic background. We therefore tested the hypothesis that carriers of the Ala allele of PPARγ2 exhibit a different phenotype against the background of the Gly972Arg polymorphism in the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) 1. We determined insulin sensitivity in the four combinations defined by the absence or presence of the polymorphic allele (healthy, glucose tolerant subjects), by the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT; using a validated index, n=318) and hyperinsulinemic clamp (n=201). Insulin sensitivity was not or was only marginally different between Pro/Pro and X/Ala in the overall population. Interestingly, using the OGTT index, insulin sensitivity was significantly greater in X/Ala (PPARγ2) + X/Arg (IRS-1) than in Pro/Pro (PPARγ2) + X/Arg (IRS-1). On the other hand, insulin sensitivity was similar in the X/Ala (PPARγ2) + Gly/Gly (IRS-1 972) and the Pro/Pro (PPARγ2) + Gly/Gly (IRS-1). The results were practically identical using insulin sensitivity from the clamp. In conclusion, the Arg972 (IRS-1) background produced a marked difference in insulin sensitivity between X/Ala and Pro/Pro (PPARγ) which was not present in the whole population or against the Gly972 (IRS-1) background. This suggests that the Ala allele of PPARγ2 becomes particularly advantageous against the background of an additional, possibly disadvantageous genetic polymorphism. Allowing for gene-gene interaction effects may reveal novel information regarding metabolic effects of genetic variants.

Screening and identification of familial defective apolipoprotein B-100 in clinical samples by capillary gel electrophoresis

Familial defective apolipoprotein B-100 (FDB) is a dominantly inherited disorder. It is characterized by a decreased affinity of low density lipoprotein (LDL) for the LDL receptor, as a consequence of a substitution of adenine by guanine in exon 26 of the apolipoprotein B-100 gene, coding for the putative LDL receptor-binding domain of the mature protein. This disorder is associated with a strikingly high incidence of arteriosclerosis and tends to cause disease and premature death. In this communication we describe a rapid capillary gel electrophoretic method in combination with molecular biology techniques to facilitate the diagnosis of FDB. Mutation screening for FDB is performed by an allele-specific amplification followed by capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE). For the combined polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-CGE method, a total analysis time of only 3 h is needed, a period that is normally necessary for the run and for staining of the gel only, not including the time for PCR, gel casting, etc. In our pilot study 4 of 43 hypercholesterolemic patients were found to have the predominant apoB 3500 codon mutation. The verification is demonstrated by DNA-sequencing. This pilot study will be followed by a large cohort analysis of the south-west German population to determine the frequency of FDB in this area. The PCR-CGE method on the Dionex capillary electrophoresis system (CES I) allows rapid, fully automated detection of the mutation resulting in the unequivocal diagnosis of FDB.

Routine serum protein analysis by capillary zone electrophoresis: Clinical evaluation

SummaryTo measure the five classical protein fractions in human serum several electrophoretic techniques are available. Besides separation on cellulose acetate membrane or agarose gel, capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) may be a useful analytical alternative in clinical routine. We have compared the Dionex CES I capillary electrophoresis system with that of the Olympus Fractoscan using specimens submitted for routine analysis. For clinical evaluation 102 samples from patients with various diseases have been analysed. Serum protein fractions were judged on separation performance, precision and the regression method ofBablok-Passing. Regression analysis revealed variable agreement between both methods with a slope ± intercept of 2.10–0.52 (α1-fraction) and 1.0–0.20 (α2-fraction) as worse and best, resectively; and the coefficient of variation of migration time: 5.9 %–6.8 % (between-run imprecision). Differences in the comparison of fractions are mainly caused by the improved resolution of CZE; e.g. one β-globulin peak on cellulose acetate is separated into two distinct protein fractions in CZE, including more detailed diagnostic information—as is also the case with γ-fraction. In some cases monoclonal gammopathy with low concentrations of immunglobulin clone can only be detected in CZE, whereas the cellulose acetate membrane (CAME) electropherogram is inconspicuous. The within-run precision (N=18) gave coefficients of variation of peak areas 1.3–5.9 % (CZE) and 1.0–3.8 % (cellulose acetate membrane). This is the first time that a complete clinical evaluation of CZE serum protein fraction analysis has been performed. CZE with its higher resolution and hence more detailed diagnostic information in some cases, showed good separation patterns, precision and correlation. Interchangeability of results showed that this CZE method is well suited for analysis of serum protein fractions in clinical routine.