scholarly journals Functional Characterization of ABCA4 Missense Variants Linked to Stargardt Macular Degeneration

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Fabian A. Garces ◽  
Jessica F. Scortecci ◽  
Robert S. Molday
Keyword(s):  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Substrate Binding ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Autosomal Recessive Disorder ◽  
Missense Mutations ◽  
Culture Cells ◽  
Normal Expression ◽  
Class 1 ◽  
Stargardt Macular Degeneration

ABCA4 is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter expressed in photoreceptors, where it transports its substrate, N-retinylidene-phosphatidylethanolamine (N-Ret-PE), across outer segment membranes to facilitate the clearance of retinal from photoreceptors. Mutations in ABCA4 cause Stargardt macular degeneration (STGD1), an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by a loss of central vision and the accumulation of bisretinoid compounds. The purpose of this study was to determine the molecular properties of ABCA4 variants harboring disease-causing missense mutations in the transmembrane domains. Thirty-eight variants expressed in culture cells were analyzed for expression, ATPase activities, and substrate binding. On the basis of these properties, the variants were divided into three classes: Class 1 (severe variants) exhibited significantly reduced ABCA4 expression and basal ATPase activity that was not stimulated by its substrate N-Ret-PE; Class 2 (moderate variants) showed a partial reduction in expression and basal ATPase activity that was modestly stimulated by N-Ret-PE; and Class 3 (mild variants) displayed expression and functional properties comparable to normal ABCA4. The p.R653C variant displayed normal expression and basal ATPase activity, but lacked substrate binding and ATPase activation, suggesting that arginine 653 contributes to N-Ret-PE binding. Our classification provides a basis for better understanding genotype–phenotype correlations and evaluating therapeutic treatments for STGD1.

scholarly journals Pathogenic Mechanisms Underlying Stargardt Macular Degeneration Linked to Mutations in the Transmembrane Domains of ABCA4

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian A. Garces ◽  
Jessica F. Scortecci ◽  
Robert S. Molday
Keyword(s):  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Protein Misfolding ◽  
Substrate Binding ◽  
Transmembrane Domains ◽  
Missense Mutations ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Stargardt Disease ◽  
Photoreceptor Outer Segments ◽  
Novel Treatments ◽  
Stargardt Macular Degeneration

AbstractABCA4 is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter predominantly expressed in photoreceptors where it transports the substrate N-retinylidene-phosphatidylethanolamine across disc membranes thereby facilitating the clearance of retinal compounds from photoreceptor outer segments. Loss of function mutations in ABCA4 cause the accumulation of bisretinoids leading to Stargardt disease (STGD1) and other retinopathies. In this study, we examined the expression and functional properties of ABCA4 harboring disease-causing missense mutations in the two transmembrane domains (TMDs) of ABCA4. Our results indicate that these mutations lead to protein misfolding, loss in substrate binding, decreased ATPase activity or a combination of these properties. Additionally, we identified an arginine (R653) in transmembrane segment 2 of ABCA4 as a residue essential for substrate binding and substrate-stimulated ATPase activity. The expression and functional activity of the TMD variants correlate well with the severity of STGD1. Our studies provide a basis for developing and evaluating novel treatments for STGD1.

scholarly journals Mutagenic Analysis of the Putative ABCC6 Substrate-Binding Cavity Using a New Homology Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6910
Author(s):  
Flora Szeri ◽  
Valentina Corradi ◽  
Fatemeh Niaziorimi ◽  
Sylvia Donnelly ◽  
Gwenaëlle Conseil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binding Site ◽  
Efflux Pump ◽  
Substrate Binding ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Atp Release ◽  
Homology Model ◽  
Atp Binding ◽  
Atp Binding Site ◽  
Binding Cavity ◽  
Atp Efflux

Inactivating mutations in ABCC6 underlie the rare hereditary mineralization disorder pseudoxanthoma elasticum. ABCC6 is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) integral membrane protein that mediates the release of ATP from hepatocytes into the bloodstream. The released ATP is extracellularly converted into pyrophosphate, a key mineralization inhibitor. Although ABCC6 is firmly linked to cellular ATP release, the molecular details of ABCC6-mediated ATP release remain elusive. Most of the currently available data support the hypothesis that ABCC6 is an ATP-dependent ATP efflux pump, an un-precedented function for an ABC transporter. This hypothesis implies the presence of an ATP-binding site in the substrate-binding cavity of ABCC6. We performed an extensive mutagenesis study using a new homology model based on recently published structures of its close homolog, bovine Abcc1, to characterize the substrate-binding cavity of ABCC6. Leukotriene C4 (LTC4), is a high-affinity substrate of ABCC1. We mutagenized fourteen amino acid residues in the rat ortholog of ABCC6, rAbcc6, that corresponded to the residues in ABCC1 found in the LTC4 binding cavity. Our functional characterization revealed that most of the amino acids in rAbcc6 corresponding to those found in the LTC4 binding pocket in bovine Abcc1 are not critical for ATP efflux. We conclude that the putative ATP binding site in the substrate-binding cavity of ABCC6/rAbcc6 is distinct from the bovine Abcc1 LTC4-binding site.

scholarly journals Prediction of Functional Consequences of Missense Mutations in ANO4 Gene

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2732
Author(s):  
Nadine Reichhart ◽  
Vladimir M. Milenkovic ◽  
Christian H. Wetzel ◽  
Olaf Strauß
Keyword(s):  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Missense Mutations ◽  
Mutant Proteins ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
And Function

The anoctamin (TMEM16) family of transmembrane protein consists of ten members in vertebrates, which act as Ca2+-dependent ion channels and/or Ca2+-dependent scramblases. ANO4 which is primarily expressed in the CNS and certain endocrine glands, has been associated with various neuronal disorders. Therefore, we focused our study on prioritizing missense mutations that are assumed to alter the structure and stability of ANO4 protein. We employed a wide array of evolution and structure based in silico prediction methods to identify potentially deleterious missense mutations in the ANO4 gene. Identified pathogenic mutations were then mapped to the modeled human ANO4 structure and the effects of missense mutations were studied on the atomic level using molecular dynamics simulations. Our data show that the G80A and A500T mutations significantly alter the stability of the mutant proteins, thus providing new perspective on the role of missense mutations in ANO4 gene. Results obtained in this study may help to identify disease associated mutations which affect ANO4 protein structure and function and might facilitate future functional characterization of ANO4.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the ELOVL4, PRPH2 and ABCA4 genes in patients with Stargardt macular degeneration

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1045-1049 ◽  
Author(s):  
JUNHUI YI ◽  
SHIQIANG LI ◽  
XIAOYUN JIA ◽  
XUESHAN XIAO ◽  
PANFENG WANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Stargardt Macular Degeneration

scholarly journals Do you know this syndrome?

2013 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 135-137
Author(s):  
Renata Hubner Frainer ◽  
Luciana Boff de Abreu ◽  
Giselle Martins Pinto ◽  
André Vicente Esteves de Carvalho ◽  
Luana Pizarro Meneghello
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Hair Loss ◽  
Autosomal Recessive ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Association Studies ◽  
Autosomal Recessive Disorder ◽  
Macular Dystrophy ◽  
Rare Autosomal Recessive Disorder ◽  
Ocular Defect ◽  
Eye Examination

Congenital hypotrichosis and Stargardt macular dystrophy are rare autosomal recessive disorder of unk nown etiology respectively characterized by hair loss, macular degeneration and severe progressive vision reduc tion. There are few reports in the literature with this association. Studies show that the defective gene is on the chro mosome I6q22.1 and involve cadherin molecule in the pathogenesis. Early recognition of these disorders often starts with hair changes and should alert the dermatologist for an eye examination thereby avoiding more severe ocular defect.

Monogenic Epilepsies: Disease Mechanisms, Clinical Phenotypes, and Targeted Therapies

Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012744
Author(s):  
Renzo Guerrini ◽  
Simona Balestrini ◽  
Elaine C. Wirrell ◽  
Matthew C. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Observational Studies ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Missense Mutations ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Functional Consequences ◽  
Genetic Epilepsies

A monogenic aetiology can be identified in up to 40% of people with severe epilepsy. To address earlier and more appropriate treatment strategies, clinicians are required to know the implications that specific genetic causes might have on pathophysiology, natural history, comorbidities and treatment choices. In this narrative review, we summarise concepts on the genetic epilepsies based on the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and present the current knowledge on treatment options based on evidence provided by controlled trials or studies with lower classification of evidence. Overall, evidence robust enough to guide antiseizure medication (ASM) choices in genetic epilepsies remains limited to the more frequent conditions for which controlled trials and observational studies have been possible. Most monogenic disorders are very rare and ASM choices for them are still based on inferences drawn from observational studies and early, often anecdotal, experiences with precision therapies. Precision medicine remains applicable to only a narrow number of patients with monogenic epilepsies and may target only part of the actual functional defects. Phenotypic heterogeneity is remarkable, and some genetic mutations activate epileptogenesis through their developmental effects, which may not be reversed postnatally. Other genes seem to have pure functional consequences on excitability, acting through either loss- or gain-of-function effects, and these may have opposite treatment implications. In addition, the functional consequences of missense mutations may be difficult to predict, making precision treatment approaches considerably more complex than estimated by deterministic interpretations. Knowledge of genetic aetiologies can influence the approach to surgical treatment of focal epilepsies. Identification of germline mutations in specific genes contraindicates surgery while mutations in other genes do not. Identification, quantification and functional characterization of specific somatic mutations before surgery using cerebrospinal fluid liquid biopsy or after surgery in brain specimens, will likely be integrated in planning surgical strategies and re-intervention after a first unsuccessful surgery as initial evidence suggests that mutational load may correlate with the epileptogenic zone. Promising future directions include gene manipulation by DNA or mRNA targeting; although most are still far from clinical use, some are in early phase clinical development.

scholarly journals Substrate recognition and ATPase activity of the E. coli cysteine/cystine ABC transporter YecSC-FliY

2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (16) ◽  
pp. 5245-5256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siwar Sabrialabed ◽  
Janet G. Yang ◽  
Elon Yariv ◽  
Nir Ben-Tal ◽  
Oded Lewinson
Keyword(s):  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Abc Transporter ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Substrate Binding ◽  
Transporter Family ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Substrate Binding Protein ◽  
Sulfur Containing ◽  
Sulfur Containing Compounds

Sulfur is essential for biological processes such as amino acid biogenesis, iron–sulfur cluster formation, and redox homeostasis. To acquire sulfur-containing compounds from the environment, bacteria have evolved high-affinity uptake systems, predominant among which is the ABC transporter family. Theses membrane-embedded enzymes use the energy of ATP hydrolysis for transmembrane transport of a wide range of biomolecules against concentration gradients. Three distinct bacterial ABC import systems of sulfur-containing compounds have been identified, but the molecular details of their transport mechanism remain poorly characterized. Here we provide results from a biochemical analysis of the purified Escherichia coli YecSC-FliY cysteine/cystine import system. We found that the substrate-binding protein FliY binds l-cystine, l-cysteine, and d-cysteine with micromolar affinities. However, binding of the l- and d-enantiomers induced different conformational changes of FliY, where the l- enantiomer–substrate-binding protein complex interacted more efficiently with the YecSC transporter. YecSC had low basal ATPase activity that was moderately stimulated by apo FliY, more strongly by d-cysteine–bound FliY, and maximally by l-cysteine– or l-cystine–bound FliY. However, at high FliY concentrations, YecSC reached maximal ATPase rates independent of the presence or nature of the substrate. These results suggest that FliY exists in a conformational equilibrium between an open, unliganded form that does not bind to the YecSC transporter and closed, unliganded and closed, liganded forms that bind this transporter with variable affinities but equally stimulate its ATPase activity. These findings differ from previous observations for similar ABC transporters, highlighting the extent of mechanistic diversity in this large protein family.

scholarly journals Molecular Cloning of Apicoplast-Targeted Plasmodium falciparum DNA Gyrase Genes: Unique Intrinsic ATPase Activity and ATP-Independent Dimerization of PfGyrB Subunit

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 398-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Ashraf Dar ◽  
Atul Sharma ◽  
Neelima Mondal ◽  
Suman Kumar Dhar
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Atpase Activity ◽  
Dna Cleavage ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Dna Gyrase ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Malarial Parasite ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Linear Pattern ◽  
Gyrase A

ABSTRACT DNA gyrase, a typical type II topoisomerase that can introduce negative supercoils in DNA, is essential for replication and transcription in prokaryotes. The apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium falciparum contains the genes for both gyrase A and gyrase B in its genome. Due to the large sizes of both proteins and the unusual codon usage of the highly AT-rich P. falciparum gyrA (PfgyrA) and PfgyrB genes, it has so far been impossible to characterize these proteins, which could be excellent drug targets. Here, we report the cloning, expression, and functional characterization of full-length PfGyrB and functional domains of PfGyrA. Unlike Escherichia coli GyrB, PfGyrB shows strong intrinsic ATPase activity and follows a linear pattern of ATP hydrolysis characteristic of dimer formation in the absence of ATP analogues. These unique features have not been reported for any known gyrase so far. The PfgyrB gene complemented the E. coli gyrase temperature-sensitive strain, and, together with the N-terminal domain of PfGyrA, it showed typical DNA cleavage activity. Furthermore, PfGyrA contains a unique leucine heptad repeat that might be responsible for dimerization. These results confirm the presence of DNA gyrase in eukaryotes and confer great potential for drug development and organelle DNA replication in the deadliest human malarial parasite, P. falciparum.

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