scholarly journals Phylogenetic Analysis of Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Enzyme and Its Future Aspect in Treatment of Phenylalanine Hydroxylase Enzyme Deficiency (Phenylketonuria)

Author(s):  
Samran Shahid

PAH enzyme is one of the most vital enzymes in protein metabolism of the body. The enzyme has been found in various organisms and thus proves it has evolved along with speciation.PAH catalyses hydroxylation of the aromatic side of the phenylalanine to generate Tyrosine (4-hydroxyphenylalanine), one of the 20 standard amino acids that exist. The buildup of excess phenylalanine in the body due to deficiency of PAH causes a condition called Phenylketonuria which causes significant nerve damage. The condition Phenylketonuria is caused due to genetic mutation in PAH gene (Cr.12 )in an individual which can cause PAH enzyme deficiency. The purpose of this analysis was to use the existing Bioinformatics databases to draw relevant similarities of PAH of Homo sapiens and other organism using BLAST , MSA(Multiple Sequence Alignment) and phylogenetic relation while proposing the use of gene therapy using the data derived to cure Phenylketonuria

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Adderley ◽  
Christian Doerig

Abstract Background: Novel antimalarials should be effective across all species of malaria parasites that infect humans, especially the two species that bear the most impact, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Protein kinases encoded by pathogens, as well as host kinases required for survival of intracellular pathogens, carry considerable potential as targets for antimalarial intervention 1,2. To date, no comprehensive P. vivax kinome assembly has been conducted; and the P. falciparum kinome, first assembled in 2004, requires an update. The present study, aimed to fill these gaps, utilises a recently published structurally-validated multiple sequence alignment (MSA) of the human kinome 3. This MSA is used as a scaffold to assist the alignment of all protein kinase sequences from P. falciparum and P. vivax, and (where possible) their assignment to specific kinase groups/families.Results: We were able to assign six P. falciparum previously classified as OPK or ‘orphans’ (i.e. with no clear phylogenetic relation to any of the established ePK groups) to one of the aforementioned ePK groups. Direct phylogenetic comparison established that despite an overall high level of similarity between the P. falciparum and P. vivax kinomes, which will help in selecting targets for intervention, there are differences that may underlie the biological specificities of these species. Furthermore, we highlight a number of Plasmodium kinases that have a surprisingly high level of homology with their human counterparts and therefore not well suited as targets for drug discovery.Conclusions: Direct comparison of the kinomes of Homo sapiens, P. falciparum and P. vivax sheds additional light on the previously documented divergence of many P. falciparum and P. vivax kinases from those of their human host. We provide the first direct kinome comparison between the phylogenetically distinct species of P. falciparum and P. vivax, illustrating the key similarities and differences which must be considered in the context of kinase-directed antimalarial drug discovery, and discuss the divergences and similarities between the human and Plasmodium kinomes to inform future searches for selective antimalarial intervention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-12
Author(s):  
Grigorii I. Yakubovskii ◽  
Olga B. Serebriakova ◽  
Alina G. Yakubovskaya ◽  
Nadezhda V. Ruban ◽  
Angelina A. Lyakhovets

Aim. This investigation seeks to determine the incidence of phenylketonuria in the Ryazan region, assess the spectrum of mutations in the PAH gene (phenylalanine hydroxylase), investigate the interrelationship between the diseases clinical course, the phenylalanine blood level, and the patients genotype. Materials and Methods. The incidence of phenylketonuria was studied based on the data of massive neonatal screening for the period from 2000 to 2019. Molecular genetic examination of mutations was conducted in 39 patients using the allele-specific multiplex ligation method. The interrelationship between the phenylalanine blood level on the fifth day of life and retest, the diseases clinical course, and the patients genotype was assessed according to the medical record data of 33 patients under dispensary observation in a medico-genetic clinic. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group (n=21) had two severe mutations (residual activity of phenylalanine hydroxylase 10%). The second group (n=12) had one severe and one mild mutation (the residual activity of the enzyme 10%). Results. The incidence of phenylketonuria in the Ryazan region was one in 5054 newborns, exceeding the Russian Federations average parameters. Eighteen mutations were discovered in the PAH gene. The most frequent was the R408W mutation (56.4% alleles). The second most frequent mutations were the IVS10-11GA (6.4%) and P281L (5.1%). The R158Q and Y418C mutations occurred with a frequency of 4.1% and Е280К mutation of 2.7%. All the rest of the mutations occurred as single cases. Investigation of the interrelationship between the phenylalanine blood level, the diseases clinical course, and the patients genotype revealed a reliably higher content of amino acid in the first group on retest (32.11.7 mg/% vs. 17.71.5 mg/% in the second group, р0.001) and predomination of more severe forms of phenylketonuria (90.5% vs. 41.7%, respectively, р0.001). Disorders in neuropsychic and speech development were present in 28.6% of patients in the first group but were absent in the second group. Conclusion. By conducting the study, the incidence of phenylketonuria was determined in the Ryazan region. The spectrum of mutations in the PAH gene was defined. The interrelationship between the diseases clinical portrait, the phenylalanine blood level, and the patients PAH genotype was revealed.


2004 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 353-356
Author(s):  
Fara P. Redlick ◽  
James C. Shaw

Background: Segmental neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) has the characteristic features of generalized NF-1 but is isolated to a particular segment of the body. Segmental NF-1 results from a postzygotic mutation during embryogenesis in the NF-1 gene on chromosome 17. The embryologic timing of the mutation and cell types affected predict the clinical phenotype. Objective: We present a case of a 52-year-old woman with segmental neurofibromas isolated to the right cheek and neck. We review the recent literature on the genetic and cellular differences between the various clinical manifestations of segmental NF-1. Methods: A MEDLINE search for cases of segmental neurofibromatosis was conducted. Results: In patients with segmental NF-1 presenting as neurofibromas-only, the distribution follows a neural distribution in dermatomes because the genetic mutation appears to be limited to Schwann cells. In patients with pigmentary changes only, the NF-1 mutation has been shown to occur in fibroblasts and the distribution tends to follow the lines of Blaschko. Conclusion: Our patient's neurofibromas were secondary to a postzygotic mutation in the NF-1 gene of neural crest–derived cells. This mutation most likely occurred later in embryogenesis in cells that had already differentiated to Schwann cells and were committed to the dermatomal distribution of the right neck and cheek region (C2).


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachna Manek ◽  
Yao V. Zhang ◽  
Patricia Berthelette ◽  
Mahmud Hossain ◽  
Cathleen S. Cornell ◽  
...  

AbstractPhenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) in liver resulting in blood phenylalanine (Phe) elevation and neurotoxicity. A pegylated phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PEG-PAL) metabolizing Phe into cinnamic acid was recently approved as treatment for PKU patients. A potentially one-time rAAV-based delivery of PAH gene into liver to convert Phe into tyrosine (Tyr), a normal way of Phe metabolism, has now also entered the clinic. To understand differences between these two Phe lowering strategies, we evaluated PAH and PAL expression in livers of PAHenu2 mice on brain and liver functions. Both lowered brain Phe and increased neurotransmitter levels and corrected animal behavior. However, PAL delivery required dose optimization, did not elevate brain Tyr levels and resulted in an immune response. The effect of hyperphenylalanemia on liver functions in PKU mice was assessed by transcriptome and proteomic analyses. We observed an elevation in Cyp4a10/14 proteins involved in lipid metabolism and upregulation of genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis. Majority of the gene expression changes were corrected by PAH and PAL delivery though the role of these changes in PKU pathology is currently unclear. Taken together, here we show that blood Phe lowering strategy using PAH or PAL corrects both brain pathology as well as previously unknown lipid metabolism associated pathway changes in liver.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. S22-S25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael E. Manning

Hereditary angioedema is a rare, autosomal dominant genetic disorder that leads to sporadic episodes of swelling, which can affect any part of the body. With a prevalence of 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 50,000, there are other, more common causes of angioedema. Differentiating between bradykinin-mediated and histamine-mediated causes of swelling remains a major challenge. It is critical to develop an appropriate differential diagnosis, work through the various conditions, and obtain the pertinent laboratory evaluation to rule in or out the proposed diagnosis. As an autosomal dominant genetic disorder, there is a 50% chance with each pregnancy of passing on the genetic mutation in the SERPING1 gene. This review addressed the differential diagnosis to consider, the appropriate laboratory evaluation, and the importance of family screening.


Scientifica ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swati Chaturvedi ◽  
Ashok K. Singh ◽  
Amit K. Keshari ◽  
Siddhartha Maity ◽  
Srimanta Sarkar ◽  
...  

One of the extreme challenges in biology is to ameliorate the understanding of the mechanisms which emphasize metabolic enzyme deficiency (MED) and how these pretend to have influence on human health. However, it has been manifested that MED could be either inherited as inborn error of metabolism (IEM) or acquired, which carries a high risk of interrupted biochemical reactions. Enzyme deficiency results in accumulation of toxic compounds that may disrupt normal organ functions and cause failure in producing crucial biological compounds and other intermediates. The MED related disorders cover widespread clinical presentations and can involve almost any organ system. To sum up the causal factors of almost all the MED-associated disorders, we decided to embark on a less traveled but nonetheless relevant direction, by focusing our attention on associated gene family products, regulation of their expression, genetic mutation, and mutation types. In addition, the review also outlines the clinical presentations as well as diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.


2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (24) ◽  
pp. 7466-7471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrienne L. Zihlman ◽  
Debra R. Bolter

The human body has been shaped by natural selection during the past 4–5 million years. Fossils preserve bones and teeth but lack muscle, skin, fat, and organs. To understand the evolution of the human form, information about both soft and hard tissues of our ancestors is needed. Our closest living relatives of the genusPanprovide the best comparative model to those ancestors. Here, we present data on the body composition of 13 bonobos (Pan paniscus) measured during anatomical dissections and compare the data withHomo sapiens. These comparative data suggest that both females and males (i) increased body fat, (ii) decreased relative muscle mass, (iii) redistributed muscle mass to lower limbs, and (iv) decreased relative mass of skin during human evolution. Comparison of soft tissues betweenPanandHomoprovides new insights into the function and evolution of body composition.


Author(s):  
Ghada Shebl ◽  
Hanan Ahmed ◽  
Abdallah Kato ◽  
Heba Dawoud ◽  
Mohamed Hamza ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 366 (1567) ◽  
pp. 1060-1069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco d'Errico ◽  
Chris B. Stringer

Crucial questions in the debate on the origin of quintessential human behaviours are whether modern cognition and associated innovations are unique to our species and whether they emerged abruptly, gradually or as the result of a discontinuous process. Three scenarios have been proposed to account for the origin of cultural modernity. The first argues that modern cognition is unique to our species and the consequence of a genetic mutation that took place approximately 50 ka in Africa among already evolved anatomically modern humans. The second posits that cultural modernity emerged gradually in Africa starting at least 200 ka in concert with the origin of our species on that continent. The third states that innovations indicative of modern cognition are not restricted to our species and appear and disappear in Africa and Eurasia between 200 and 40 ka before becoming fully consolidated. We evaluate these scenarios in the light of new evidence from Africa, Asia and Europe and explore the mechanisms that may have led to modern cultures. Such reflections will demonstrate the need for further inquiry into the relationship between climate and demographic/cultural change in order to better understand the mechanisms of cultural transmission at work in Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens populations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document