Shirley Rainier

Mutations in a newly identified GTPase gene cause autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia

The hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs; Strümpell-Lorrain syndrome, MIM number 18260) are a diverse class of disorders characterized by insidiously progressive lower-extremity spastic weakness (reviewed in refs. 1–3). Eight autosomal dominant HSP (ADHSP) loci have been identified, the most frequent of which is that linked to the SPG4 locus on chromosome 2p22 (found in ∼42%), followed by that linked to the SPG3A locus on chromosome 14q11–q21 (in ∼9%). Only SPG4 has been identified as a causative gene in ADHSP. Its protein (spastin) is predicted to participate in the assembly or function of nuclear protein complexes. Here we report the identification of mutations in a newly identified GTPase gene, SPG3A, in ADHSP affected individuals.

Neuropathy Target Esterase Gene Mutations Cause Motor Neuron Disease

The possibility that organophosphorus (OP) compounds contribute to motor neuron disease (MND) is supported by association of paraoxonase 1 polymorphisms with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the occurrence of MND in OP compound-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN), in which neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is inhibited by organophosphorylation. We evaluated a consanguineous kindred and a genetically unrelated nonconsanguineous kindred in which affected subjects exhibited progressive spastic paraplegia and distal muscle wasting. Affected subjects resembled those with OPIDN and those with Troyer Syndrome due to SPG20/spartin gene mutation (excluded by genetic linkage and SPG20/spartin sequence analysis). Genome-wide analysis suggested linkage to a 22 cM homozygous locus (D19S565 to D19S884, maximum multipoint LOD score 3.28) on chromosome 19p13 to which NTE had been mapped (GenBank AJ004832). NTE was a candidate because of its role in OPIDN and the similarity of our patients to those with OPIDN. Affected subjects in the consanguineous kindred were homozygous for disease-specific NTE mutation c.3034A-->G that disrupted an interspecies conserved residue (M1012V) in NTEs catalytic domain. Affected subjects in the nonconsanguineous family were compound heterozygotes: one allele had c.2669G-->A mutation, which disrupts an interspecies conserved residue in NTEs catalytic domain (R890H), and the other allele had an insertion (c.2946_2947insCAGC) causing frameshift and protein truncation (p.S982fs1019). Disease-specific, nonconserved NTE mutations in unrelated MND patients indicates NTEs importance in maintaining axonal integrity, raises the possibility that NTE pathway disturbances contribute to other MNDs including ALS, and supports the role of NTE abnormalities in axonopathy produced by neuropathic OP compounds.

NIPA1 Gene Mutations Cause Autosomal Dominant Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (SPG6)

The hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are genetically heterogeneous disorders characterized by progressive lower-extremity weakness and spasticity. The molecular pathogenesis is poorly understood. We report discovery of a dominant negative mutation in the NIPA1 gene in a kindred with autosomal dominant HSP (ADHSP), linked to chromosome 15q11-q13 (SPG6 locus); and precisely the same mutation in an unrelated kindred with ADHSP that was too small for meaningful linkage analysis. NIPA1 is highly expressed in neuronal tissues and encodes a putative membrane transporter or receptor. Identification of the NIPA1 function and ligand will aid an understanding of axonal neurodegeneration in HSP and may have important therapeutic implications.

Novel Locus for Autosomal Dominant Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, on Chromosome 8q

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by insidiously progressive spastic weakness in the legs. Genetic loci for autosomal dominant HSP exist on chromosomes 2p, 14q, and 15q. These loci are excluded in 45% of autosomal dominant HSP kindreds, indicating the presence of additional loci for autosomal dominant HSP. We analyzed a Caucasian kindred with autosomal dominant HSP and identified tight linkage between the disorder and microsatellite markers on chromosome 8q (maximum two-point LOD score 5.51 at recombination fraction 0). Our results clearly establish the existence of a locus for autosomal dominant HSP on chromosome 8q23-24. Currently this locus spans 6.2 cM between D8S1804 and D8S1774 and includes several potential candidate genes. Identifying this novel HSP locus on chromosome 8q23-24 will facilitate discovery of this HSP gene, improve genetic counseling for families with linkage to this locus, and extend our ability to correlate clinical features with different HSP loci.

Spastic paraplegia, ataxia, mental retardation (SPAR): A novel genetic disorder

ObjectiveTo describe a kindred with a dominantly inherited neurologic disorder manifested either as uncomplicated spastic paraplegia or ataxia, spastic paraplegia, and mental retardation. MethodsNeurologic examinations and molecular genetic analysis (exclusion of known SCA and HSP genes and loci; and trinucleotide repeat expansion detection [RED]) were performed in six affected and four unaffected subjects in this family. MRI, electromyography (EMG), and nerve conduction studies were performed in three affected subjects. ResultsThe phenotype of this dominantly inherited syndrome varied in succeeding generations. Pure spastic paraplegia was present in the earliest generation; subsequent generations had ataxia and mental retardation. MRI showed marked atrophy of the spinal cord in all patients and cerebellar atrophy in those with ataxia. Laboratory analysis showed that the disorder was not caused by mutations in genes that cause SCA-1, SCA-2, SCA-3, SCA-6, SCA-7, SCA-8, and SCA-12; not linked to other known loci for autosomal dominant ataxia (SCA-4, SCA-5, SCA-10, SCA-11, SCA-13, SCA-14, and SCA-16); and not linked to known loci for autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) (SPG-3, SPG-4, SPG-6, SPG-8, SPG-9, SPG-10, SPG-12, and SPG-13) or autosomal recessive HSP SPG-7. Analysis of intergenerational differences in age at onset of symptoms suggests genetic anticipation. Using RED, the authors did not detect expanded CAG, CCT, TGG, or CGT repeats that segregate with the disease. ConclusionsThe authors describe an unusual, dominantly inherited neurologic disorder in which the phenotype (pure spastic paraplegia or spastic ataxia with variable mental retardation) differed in subsequent generations. The molecular explanation for apparent genetic anticipation does not appear to involve trinucleotide repeat expansion.

Motor neuron disease due to neuropathy target esterase gene mutation: clinical features of the index families.

Recently, we reported that mutations in the neuropathy target esterase (NTE) gene cause autosomal recessive motor neuron disease (NTE‐MND). We describe clinical, neurophysiologic, and neuroimaging features of affected subjects in the index families. NTE‐MND subjects exhibited progressive lower extremity spastic weakness that began in childhood and was later associated with atrophy of distal leg and intrinsic hand muscles. NTE‐MND resembles Troyer syndrome, except that short stature, cognitive impairment, and dysmorphic features, which often accompany Troyer syndrome, are not features of NTE‐MND. Early onset, symmetry, and slow progression distinguish NTE‐MND from typical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. NTE is implicated in organophosphorus compound–induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN). NTE‐MND patients have upper and lower motor neuron deficits that are similar to OPIDN. Motor neuron degeneration in subjects with NTE mutations supports the role of NTE and its biochemical cascade in the molecular pathogenesis of OPIDN and possibly other degenerative neurologic disorders. Muscle Nerve, 2011

Constructs of human neuropathy target esterase catalytic domain containing mutations related to motor neuron disease have altered enzymatic properties

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is a phospholipase/lysophospholipase associated with organophosphorus (OP) compound-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN). Distal degeneration of motor axons occurs in both OPIDN and the hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs). Recently, mutations within the esterase domain of NTE were identified in patients with a novel type of HSP (SPG39) designated NTE-related motor neuron disease (NTE-MND). Two of these mutations, arginine 890 to histidine (R890H) and methionine 1012 to valine (M1012V), were created in human recombinant NTE catalytic domain (NEST) to measure possible changes in catalytic properties. These mutated enzymes had decreased specific activities for hydrolysis of the artificial substrate, phenyl valerate. In addition, the M1012V mutant exhibited a reduced bimolecular rate constant of inhibition (k(i)) for all three inhibitors tested: mipafox, diisopropylphosphorofluoridate, and chlorpyrifos oxon. Finally, while both mutated enzymes inhibited by OP compounds exhibited altered time-dependent loss of their ability to be reactivated by nucleophiles (aging), more pronounced effects were seen with the M1012V mutant. Taken together, the results from specific activity, inhibition, and aging experiments suggest that the mutations found in association with NTE-MND have functional correlates in altered enzymological properties of NTE.

Motor neuron disease due to neuropathy target esterase mutation: Enzyme analysis of fibroblasts from human subjects yields insights into pathogenesis

Recently, we identified neuropathy target esterase (NTE) mutation as the cause of an autosomal recessive motor neuron disease (NTE-MND). Subsequently, we showed that NTE-MND mutations reduced specific activity (SA) and altered inhibitory kinetics of NTE catalytic domain constructs. Recent preliminary results showed that NTE is expressed in cultured human skin fibroblasts, and others have used mutant forms of neuronal proteins expressed in fibroblasts as biomarkers of neurogenetic diseases. Therefore, the present study was carried out to test the hypothesis that NTE in cultured skin fibroblasts from NTE-MND subjects also exhibit altered enzymological properties assessed by SA and IC(50) values of mipafox (MIP) and chlorpyrifos oxon (CPO). NTE SA was reduced to 65% of control (wild-type NTE from commercially obtained fibroblasts) in homozygous M1012V fibroblasts and 59-61% of control in compound heterozygous R890H/c2946_2947InsCAGC fibroblasts. MIP IC(50) values were unaffected by the NTE mutations, but the CPO IC(50) increased 4.5-fold in homozygous M1012V fibroblasts. Interestingly, markedly reduced NTE SAs (40-43% of control) were observed in fibroblasts from asymptomatic subjects heterozygous for NTE insertion c2946_2947InsCAGC. This insertion is predicted to produce truncated NTE missing the last 235 residues of its catalytic domain. These observations confirm that NTE-MND mutations reduce NTE SA in vitro. Moreover, to the extent observations made in cultured fibroblasts may be generalized to events in the nervous system, lack of correlation between reduced fibroblast NTE SA and the occurrence of NTE-MND in NTE insertion mutation heterozygotes indicates that reduction of NTE SA alone is insufficient to cause MND.

Acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) 4 gene: physical mapping, genomic organisation, and evaluation as a candidate for paroxysmal dystonia.

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are protongated Na+ channels. They have been implicated with synaptic transmission, pain perception as well as mechanoperception. ASIC4 is the most recent member of this gene family. It shows expression throughout the central nervous system with strongest expression in pituitary gland. ASIC4 is inactive by itself and its function is unknown. Mutations in ion channel subunits, which are homologues of ASICs lead to neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans. It has, therefore, been speculated that similar mutations in ASICs may be responsible for neurodegeneration in humans. Here, we show that ASIC4 maps to the long arm of chromosome 2 in close proximity to the locus for paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis (PDC), a movement disorder with unknown cause. Ion channel genes have been shown to cause several other paroxysmal neurologic disorders and are important candidate genes for PDC. We established the genomic organisation of the ASIC4 gene and screened a PDC pedigree for mutations in the coding region. Although we identified three polymorphisms in the Cterminal part of the ASIC4 protein, these were not present in each affected subject in the PDC kindred we analysed. Therefore, although the ASIC4 gene is physically mapped to the PDC locus, our data indicates that ASIC4 gene mutation is not the cause of PDC. It remains to be established if mutations in ASIC4 or other ASIC subunits may cause neurological disorders.

GLI-2 Modulates Retroviral Gene Expression

ABSTRACT GLI proteins are involved in the development of mice, humans, zebrafish, Caenorhabditis elegans, Xenopus, andDrosophila. While these zinc finger-containing proteins bind to TG-rich promoter elements and are known to regulate gene expression in C. elegans and Drosophila, mechanistic understanding of how regulation is mediated through naturally occurring transcriptional promoters is lacking. One isoform of human GLI-2 appears to be identical to a factor previously called Tax helper protein (THP), thus named due to its ability to interact with a TG-rich element in the human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) enhancer thought to mediate transcriptional stimulation by the Tax protein of HTLV-1. We now demonstrate that, working through its TG-rich binding site and adjacent elements, GLI-2/THP actually suppresses gene expression driven by the HTLV-1 promoter. GLI-2/THP has no effect on the HTLV-2 promoter, activates expression from the promoters of human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and (HIV-1 and -2), and stimulates HIV-1 replication. Both effective suppression and activation of gene expression and viral replication require the first of the five zinc fingers, which is not necessary for DNA binding, to be intact. Thus, not only can GLI-2/THP either activate or suppress gene expression, depending on the promoter, but the same domain (first zinc finger) mediates both effects. These findings suggest a role for GLI-2 in retroviral gene regulation and shed further light on the mechanisms by which GLI proteins regulate naturally occurring promoters.