Hepatocyte-like cells differentiated from methylmalonic aciduria cblB type induced pluripotent stem cells: A platform for the evaluation of pharmacochaperoning

Methylmalonic aciduria cblB type (MMA cblB type, MMAB OMIM #251110), caused by a deficiency in the enzyme ATP:cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase (ATR, E.C_2. 5.1.17), is a severe metabolic disorder with a poor prognosis despite treatment. We recently described the potential therapeutic use of pharmacological chaperones (PCs) after increasing the residual activity of ATR in patient-derived fibroblasts. The present work reports the successful generation of hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) differentiated from two healthy and two MMAB induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, and the use of this platform for testing the effects of PCs. The MMAB cells produced little ATR, showed reduced residual ATR activity, and had higher concentrations of methylmalonic acid compared to healthy HLCs. Differential proteome analysis revealed the two MMAB HCLs to show reproducible differentiation, but this was not so for the healthy HLCs. Interestingly, PC treatment in combination with vitamin B₁₂ increased the amount of ATR available, and subsequently ATR activity, in both MMAB HLCs. More importantly, the treatment significantly reduced the methylmalonic acid content of both. In summary, the HLC model would appear to be an excellent candidate for the pharmacological testing of the described PCs, for analyzing the effects of new drugs, and investigating the repurposing of older drugs, before testing in animal models.     

Human ATP:Cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase and its interaction with methionine synthase reductase

The final step in the conversion of vitamin B(12) into coenzyme B(12) (adenosylcobalamin, AdoCbl) is catalyzed by ATP:cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase (ATR). Prior studies identified the human ATR and showed that defects in its encoding gene underlie cblB methylmalonic aciduria. Here two common polymorphic variants of the ATR that are found in normal individuals are expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and partially characterized. The specific activities of ATR variants 239K and 239M were 220 and 190 nmol min(-1) mg(-1), and their K(m) values were 6.3 and 6.9 mum for ATP and 1.2 and 1.6 mum for cob(I)alamin, respectively. These values are similar to those obtained for previously studied bacterial ATRs indicating that both human variants have sufficient activity to mediate AdoCbl synthesis in vivo. Investigations also showed that purified recombinant human methionine synthase reductase (MSR) in combination with purified ATR can convert cob(II)alamin to AdoCbl in vitro. In this system, MSR reduced cob(II)alamin to cob(I)alamin that was adenosylated to AdoCbl by ATR. The optimal stoichiometry for this reaction was approximately 4 MSR/ATR and results indicated that MSR and ATR physically interacted in such a way that the highly reactive reaction intermediate [cob(I)alamin] was sequestered. The finding that MSR reduced cob(II)alamin to cob(I)alamin for AdoCbl synthesis (in conjunction with the prior finding that MSR reduced cob(II)alamin for the activation of methionine synthase) indicates a dual physiological role for MSR.     

Patient mutations in human ATP:cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase differentially affect its catalytic versus chaperone functions

Human ATP:cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase (ATR) is a mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes an adenosyl transfer to cob(I)alamin, synthesizing 5′-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl) or coenzyme B₁₂. ATR is also a chaperone that escorts AdoCbl, transferring it to methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, which is important in propionate metabolism. Mutations in ATR lead to methylmalonic aciduria type B, an inborn error of B₁₂ metabolism. Our previous studies have furnished insights into how ATR protein dynamics influence redox-linked cobalt coordination chemistry, controlling its catalytic versus chaperone functions. In this study, we have characterized three patient mutations at two conserved active site residues in human ATR, R190C/H, and E193K and obtained crystal structures of R190C and E193K variants, which display only subtle structural changes. All three mutations were found to weaken affinities for the cob(II)alamin substrate and the AdoCbl product and increase K_M(ATP). ³¹P NMR studies show that binding of the triphosphate product, formed during the adenosylation reaction, is also weakened. However, although the k_cat of this reaction is significantly diminished for the R190C/H mutants, it is comparable with the WT enzyme for the E193K variant, revealing the catalytic importance of Arg-190. Furthermore, although the E193K mutation selectively impairs the chaperone function by promoting product release into solution, its catalytic function might be unaffected at physiological ATP concentrations. In contrast, the R190C/H mutations affect both the catalytic and chaperoning activities of ATR. Because the E193K mutation spares the catalytic activity of ATR, our data suggest that the patients carrying this mutation are more likely to be responsive to cobalamin therapy.     

A Novel C-Terminal CIB2 (Calcium and Integrin Binding Protein 2) Mutation Associated with Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss in a Hispanic Family

Hearing loss is a complex disorder caused by both genetic and environmental factors. Previously, mutations in CIB2 have been identified as a common cause of genetic hearing loss in Pakistani and Turkish populations. Here we report a novel (c.556C>T; p.(Arg186Trp)) transition mutation in the CIB2 gene identified through whole exome sequencing (WES) in a Caribbean Hispanic family with non-syndromic hearing loss. CIB2 belongs to the family of calcium-and integrin-binding (CIB) proteins. The carboxy-termini of CIB proteins are associated with calcium binding and intracellular signaling. The p.(Arg186Trp) mutation is localized within predicted type II PDZ binding ligand at the carboxy terminus. Our ex vivo studies revealed that the mutation did not alter the interactions of CIB2 with Whirlin, nor its targeting to the tips of hair cell stereocilia. However, we found that the mutation disrupts inhibition of ATP-induced Ca²⁺ responses by CIB2 in a heterologous expression system. Our findings support p.(Arg186Trp) mutation as a cause for hearing loss in this Hispanic family. In addition, it further highlights the necessity of the calcium binding property of CIB2 for normal hearing.     

Association of XRCC1 Arg399GIn and Tp53 Arg72Pro polymorphisms and increased risk of uterine leiomyoma - A case-control study

The aim of present study was to investigate the role of the X-ray repair cross-complementing protein1 (XRCC1) and Tumor protein p53 (Tp53) polymorphisms in Uterine Leiomyoma (UL) susceptibility in southeastern Iran. This case control study was performed on 139 women with UL and 149 age, BMI and ethnicity matched healthy women. All women were genotyped for the XRCC1 Arg399Gln, XRCC1 Arg194Trp and Tp53 Arg72Pro polymorphisms. The frequency of Tp53 72 Pro/Pro genotype was significantly higher in UL women compared to controls. The risk of UL was 1.5 fold higher in women with the Pro/Pro genotype (OR, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.1 to 2.1], p = 0.012). Moreover, the frequency of the Pro allele was significantly higher in the UL women. Although the frequency of XRCC1 Arg399Gln genotypes did not significantly differ between UL and control groups before adjusting for age, there was an association between the XRCC1 Arg/Gln genotype and UL after adjusting for age (OR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.1 to 3]). No association was observed between the XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism and UL. The Pro/Pro genotype of Tp53 Arg72Pro polymorphism was associated with UL susceptibility. In addition, the XRCC1 Arg/Gln genotype was associated with increased risk of UL after adjusting for age.     

The carrier rate of the phenylalanine hydoxylase gene (<Emphasis Type="Italic">PAH</Emphasis>) mutations p.Arg408Trp,pArg261Gln,and p.Arg261X in the populations of Eurasia

Analysis of the carrier frequency of p.Arg408Trp, p.Arg261Gln, and p.Arg261X mutations in the PAH gene was carried out in different unrelated indigenous individuals representing 58 populations of Eurasia taking into account their linguistic identity and territorial location. Mutation p.Arg408Trp in the PAH gene was found in 14 studied populations with the highest average carrier frequency of 0.0127 in the Volga-Ural region and 0.0134 in the representatives of the Slavic language group. Mutation p.Arg261Gln in the PAH gene was detected only in two populations with average carrier frequency rate of 0.0012 in the Volga-Ural region. Mutation p.Arg261X in the PAH gene was identified in four North Caucasus populations with highest carrier frequency in Karachays—at 0.0526. All PAH gene mutations in populations of Eurasia were identified in the heterozygous state.     

Polymorphisms in base-excision repair and nucleotide-excision repair genes in relation to lung cancer risk

Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes may be associated with differences in DNA repair capacity, thereby influencing the individual susceptibility to smoking-related cancer. We investigated the association of 10 base-excision and nucleotide-excision repair gene polymorphisms (XRCC1 -77 T/C, Arg194Trp, Arg280His and Arg399Gln; APE1 Asp148Glu; OGG1 Ser326Cys; XPA -4 G/A; XPC PAT; XPD Asp312Asn and Lys751Gln) with lung cancer risk in Caucasians. Genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP and PCR-single base extension assays in 110 lung cancer patients and 110 age- and sex-matched controls, and the results were analyzed using logistic regression adjusted for relevant covariates. A significant association between the APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphism and lung cancer risk was found, with adjusted odds ratios (OR) of 3.38 (p=0.001) for the Asp/Glu genotype and 2.39 (p=0.038) for the Glu/Glu genotype. Gene-smoking interaction analyses revealed a statistically significant interaction between cumulative cigarette smoking and the XRCC1 Arg399Gln and XPD Lys751Gln polymorphisms: these polymorphisms were significantly associated with lung cancer in nonsmokers and light smokers (<25 PY; OR=4.92, p=0.021 for XRCC1 399 Gln/Gln; OR=3.62, p=0.049 for XPD 751 Gln/Gln), but not in heavy smokers (> or =25 PY; OR=0.68, p=0.566 for XRCC1 399 Gln/Gln; OR=0.46, p=0.295 for XPD 751 Gln/Gln). Both the XRCC1 Arg194Trp and Arg280His as well as the OGG1 Ser326Cys heterozygous genotypes were associated with a significantly reduced risk for lung cancer (OR=0.32, p=0.024; OR=0.25, p=0.028; OR=0.51, p=0.033, respectively). No associations with lung cancer risk were found for the XRCC1 -77 T/C, the XPA -4 G/A and the XPC PAT polymorphisms. In conclusion, the APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphism is highly predictive for lung cancer, and cumulative cigarette smoking modifies the associations between the XRCC1 Arg399Gln and the XPD Lys751Gln polymorphisms and lung cancer risk.     

XRCC1 Gene Polymorphisms and Glioma Risk in Chinese Population: A Meta-Analysis

Background

Three extensively investigated polymorphisms (Arg399Gln, Arg194Trp, and Arg280His) in the X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) gene have been implicated in risk for glioma. However, the results from different studies remain inconsistent. To clarify these conflicts, we performed a quantitative synthesis of the evidence to elucidate these associations in the Chinese population.

Methods

Data were extracted from PubMed and EMBASE, with the last search up to August 21, 2014. Meta-analysis was performed by critically reviewing 8 studies for Arg399Gln (3062 cases and 3362 controls), 8 studies for Arg194Trp (3419 cases and 3680 controls), and 5 studies for Arg280His (2234 cases and 2380 controls). All of the statistical analyses were performed using the software program, STATA (version 11.0).

Results

Our analysis suggested that both Arg399Gln and Arg194Trp polymorphisms were significantly associated with increased risk of glioma (for Arg399Gln polymorphism: Gln/Gln vs. Arg/Arg, OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.46–2.27, P = 0.000; Arg/Gln vs. Arg/Arg, OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.10–1.42, P = 0.001 and for Arg194Trp polymorphism: recessive model, OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.44–2.19, P = 0.000), whereas the Arg280His polymorphism had no influence on the susceptibility to glioma in a Chinese population.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggests that there may be no association between the Arg280His polymorphism and glioma risk, whereas the Arg399Gln/Arg194Trp polymorphisms may contribute to genetic susceptibility to glioma in the Chinese population. Nevertheless, large-scale, well-designed and population-based studies are needed to further evaluate gene-gene and gene–environment interactions, as well as to measure the combined effects of these XRCC1 variants on glioma risk.     

Different altered pattern expression of genes related to apoptosis in isolated methylmalonic aciduria cblB type and combined with homocystinuria cblC type

An increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis rate have been associated with several disorders involved in cobalamin metabolism, including isolated methylmalonic aciduria (MMA) cblB type and MMA combined with homocystinuria (MMAHC) cblC type. Given the relevance of p38 and JNK kinases in stress-response, their activation in fibroblasts from a spectrum of patients (mut, cblA, cblB, cblC and cblE) was analyzed revealing an increased expression of the phosphorylated-forms, specially in cblB and cblC cell lines that presented the highest ROS and apoptosis levels. To gain further insight into the molecular mechanisms responsible for the enhanced apoptotic process observed in cblB and cblC fibroblasts, we evaluated the expression pattern of 84 apoptosis-related genes by quantitative real-time PCR. An elevated number of pro-apoptotic genes were overexpressed in cblC cells showing a higher rate of apoptosis compared to cblB and control samples. Additionally, apoptosis appears to be mainly triggered through the extrinsic pathway in cblC, while the intrinsic pathway was primarily activated in cblB cells. The differences observed regarding the apoptosis rate and preferred pathway between cblB and cblC patients, who both built up methylmalonic acid, might be explained by the accumulated homocysteine in the cblC group. The loss of MMACHC function in cblC patients might be partially responsible for the oxidative stress and apoptosis processes observed in these cell lines. Our results suggest that ROS production may represent a genetic modifier of the phenotype and support the potential of using antioxidants as a novel therapeutic strategy to improve the severe neurological outcome of these rare diseases.     

The molecular basis of aminoacylase 1 deficiency

Aminoacylase 1 is a zinc-binding enzyme which hydrolyzes N-acetyl amino acids into the free amino acid and acetic acid. Deficiency of aminoacylase 1 due to mutations in the aminoacylase 1 (ACY1) gene follows an autosomal-recessive trait of inheritance and is characterized by accumulation of N-acetyl amino acids in the urine. In affected individuals neurological findings such as febrile seizures, delay of psychomotor development and moderate mental retardation have been reported. Except for one missense mutation which has been studied in Escherichia coli, mutations underlying aminoacylase 1 deficiency have not been characterized so far. This has prompted us to approach expression studies of all mutations known to occur in aminoacylase 1 deficient individuals in a human cell line (HEK293), thus providing the authentic human machinery for posttranslational modifications. Mutations were inserted using site directed mutagenesis and aminoacylase 1 enzyme activity was assessed in cells overexpressing aminoacylase 1, using mainly the natural high affinity substrate N-acetyl methionine. Overexpression of the wild type enzyme in HEK293 cells resulted in an approximately 50-fold increase of the aminoacylase 1 activity of homogenized cells. Most mutations resulted in a nearly complete loss of enzyme function. Notably, the two newly discovered mutations p.Arg378Trp, p.Arg378Gln and the mutation p.Arg393His yielded considerable residual activity of the enzyme, which is tentatively explained by their intramolecular localization and molecular characteristics. In contrast to aminoacylase 1 variants which showed no detectable aminoacylase 1 activity, aminoacylase 1 proteins with the mutations p.Arg378Trp, p.Arg378Gln and p.Arg393His were also detected in Western blot analysis. Investigations of the molecular bases of additional cases of aminoacylase 1 deficiency contribute to a better understanding of this inborn error of metabolism whose clinical significance and long-term consequences remain to be elucidated.     

First survey of the two polymorphisms (Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln) in XRCC1 gene in four Afghanistan populations and comparison with worldwide data

Genetic polymorphisms in gene encoding X-ray repair cross-complementation group 1 (MIM: 194360; XRCC1) have been defined. Previous studies have revealed that there was significant difference between populations for allelic frequency of Arg194Trp (rs. 1799782) and Arg399Gln (rs. 25487) polymorphisms of XRCC1. In order to get more insight into the genetic structure of Afghanistan populations the present study was carried out. Present study was done on 656 (257 Pashtuns, 217 Tajiks, 120 Hazaras, and 62 Uzbeks) unrelated healthy Afghanis refuges living in Fars province (southern Iran). Genotypes for Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln polymorphisms of the XRCC1 were detected by RFLP-PCR method. The prevalence of the 194Trp allele in Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks was 0.072, 0.085, 0.108, and 0.145, respectively. The frequency of the 399Gln in Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks was 0.362, 0.378, 0.296, and 0.234, respectively. There was significant difference between these ethnic groups for the genotypic distributions of the Arg194Trp (χ² = 16.70, df = 6, P = 0.010) and Arg399Gln (χ² = 12.67, df = 6, P = 0.049) polymorphisms. Based on the complete dataset, these polymorphisms showed significant linkage disequilibrium. There was significant difference between the ethnic groups for prevalence of the haplotypes (χ² = 16.67, df = 6, P = 0.011). Uzbeks showed significant difference with the other ethnic groups (χ² = 10.09, df = 2, P = 0.006). The allelic frequencies of 194Trp and 399Gln in Pashtuns and Tajiks seem to be more similar to the Caucasians than the Asian populations. However, Uzbeks seems to be intermediate between Afghanis’ Caucasian (Pashtuns and Tajiks) and Asians.     

Functional characterization and mutation analysis of human ATP:Cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase

ATP:cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase catalyzes the final step in the conversion of vitamin B 12 into the active coenzyme, adenosylcobalamin. Inherited defects in the gene for the human adenosyltransferase (hATR) result in methylmalonyl aciduria (MMA), a rare but life-threatening illness. In this study, we conducted a random mutagenesis of the hATR coding sequence. An ATR-deficient strain of Salmonella was used as a surrogate host to screen for mutations that impaired hATR activity in vivo. Fifty-seven missense mutations were isolated. These mapped to 30 positions of the hATR, 25 of which had not previously been shown to impair enzyme activity. Kinetic analysis and in vivo tests for enzyme activity were performed on the hATR variants, and mutations were mapped onto a hATR structural model. These studies functionally defined the hATR active site and tentatively implicated three amino acid residues in facilitating the reduction of cob(II)alamin to cob(I)alamin which is a prerequisite to adenosylation.     

Mutations in Intron 1 and Intron 22 Inversion Negative Haemophilia A Patients from Western India

Despite increased awareness and diagnostic facilities, 70–80% of the haemophilia A (HA) patients still remain undiagnosed in India. Very little data is available on prevalent mutations in HA from this country. We report fifty mutations in seventy one Indian HA patients, of which twenty were novel. Ten novel missense mutations [p.Leu11Pro (p.Leu-8Pro), p.Tyr155Ser (p.Tyr136Ser), p.Ile405Thr (p.Ile386Thr), p.Gly582Val (p.Gly563Val) p.Thr696Ile (p.Thr677Ile), p.Tyr737Cys (p.Tyr718Cys), p.Pro1999Arg (p.Pro1980Arg), p.Ser2082Thr (p.Ser2063Thr), p.Leu2197Trp (p.Leu2178Trp), p.Asp2317Glu (p.Asp2298Glu)] two nonsense [p.Lys396* (p.Lys377*), p.Ser2205* (p.Ser2186*)], one insertion [p.Glu1268_Asp1269ins (p.Glu1249_Asp1250)] and seven deletions [p.Leu882del (p.Leu863del), p.Met701del (p.Met682del), p.Leu1223del (p.Leu1204del), p.Trp1961_Tyr1962del (p.Trp1942_Tyr1943del) p.Glu1988del (p.Glu1969del), p.His1841del (p.His1822del), p.Ser2205del (p.Ser2186del)] were identified. Double mutations (p.Asp2317Glu; p.Thr696Ile) were observed in a moderate HA case. Mutations [p. Arg612Cys (p.Arg593Cys), p.Arg2326Gln (p.Arg2307Gln)] known to be predisposing to inhibitors to factor VIII (FVIII) were identified in two patients. 4.6% of the cases were found to be cross reacting material positive (CRM+ve). A wide heterogeneity in the nature of mutations was seen in the present study which has been successfully used for carrier detection and antenatal diagnosis in 10 families affected with severe to moderate HA.     

XRCC1 Polymorphisms and Urinary 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanine Levels Are Associated with Urothelial Carcinoma

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between the combined effects of urinary 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanine (8-OHdG) level and polymorphisms of XRCC1 Arg194Trp and XRCC1 Arg399Gln on the risk of urothelial carcinoma (UC). We conducted a hospital-based case-control study that included 168 cases of UC and 336 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. We used polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses to examine the genotypes of XRCC1 Arg194Trp and XRCC1 Arg399Gln. We used a competitive in vitro enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine urinary 8-OHdG levels. The XRCC1 399 Gln/Gln genotype and the XRCC1 194 Arg/Arg genotype were positively correlated to UC (OR [95%CI] = 2.27 [1.20–4.27] and 1.59 [1.06–2.36], respectively). Urinary 8-OHdG levels were associated with UC in a dose-dependent manner. Participants with the XRCC1 (Arg399Gln) Gln/Gln genotype or the G-C/A-C haplotype of XRCC1 and a high urinary 8-OHdG level had a significantly higher risk of UC than those with the Arg/Arg + Arg/Gln genotype or the G-T haplotype and a low urinary 8-OHdG level. This is the first study to investigate the combined effect of urinary 8-OHdG level and XRCC1 polymorphisms on UC risk. The findings are especially meaningful for participants with XRCC1 399Gln or XRCC1 Arg194 genotypes and a high urinary 8-OHdG level, since these variables are associated with an increased risk of UC.     

Loss of allostery and coenzyme B12 delivery by a pathogenic mutation in adenosyltransferase

ATP-dependent cob(I)alamin adenosyltransferase (ATR) is a bifunctional protein: an enzyme that catalyzes the adenosylation of cob(I)alamin and an escort that delivers the product, adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl or coenzyme B(12)), to methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM), resulting in holoenzyme formation. Failure to assemble holo-MCM leads to methylmalonic aciduria. We have previously demonstrated that only 2 equiv of AdoCbl bind per homotrimer of ATR and that binding of ATP to the vacant active site triggers ejection of 1 equiv of AdoCbl from an adjacent site. In this study, we have mimicked in the Methylobacterium extorquens ATR, a C-terminal truncation mutation, D180X, described in a patient with methylmalonic aciduria, and characterized the associated biochemical penalties. We demonstrate that while k(cat) and K(M)(Cob(I)) for D180X ATR are only modestly decreased (by 3- and 2-fold, respectively), affinity for the product, AdoCbl, is significantly diminished (400-fold), and the negative cooperativity associated with its binding is lost. We also demonstrate that the D180X mutation corrupts ATP-dependent cofactor ejection, which leads to transfer of AdoCbl from wild-type ATR to MCM. These results suggest that the pathogenicity of the corresponding human truncation mutant results from its inability to sequester AdoCbl for direct transfer to MCM. Instead, cofactor release into solution is predicted to reduce the capacity for holo-MCM formation, leading to disease.     

Role of Arg100 in the active site of adenosylcobalamin-dependent glutamate mutase

Arginine-100 is involved in recognizing the gamma carboxylate of the substrate in glutamate mutase. To investigate its role in substrate binding and catalysis, this residue was mutated to lysine, tyrosine, and methionine. The effect of these mutations was to reduce k(cat) by 120-320-fold and to increase K(m(apparent)) for glutamate by 13-22-fold; K(m(apparent)) for adenosylcobalamin is little changed by these mutations. Even at saturating substrate concentrations, no cob(II)alamin could be detected in the UV-visible spectra of the Arg100Tyr and Arg100Met mutants. However, in the Arg100Lys mutant cob(II)alamin accumulated to concentrations similar to wild-type enzyme, which allowed the pre-steady-state kinetics of adenosylcobalamin homolysis to be investigated by stopped-flow spectroscopy. It was found that homolysis of the coenzyme is slower by an order of magnitude, compared with wild-type enzyme. Furthermore, glutamate binding is significantly weakened, so much so that the reaction exhibits second-order kinetics over the range of substrate concentrations used. The Arg100Lys mutant does not exhibit the very large deuterium isotope effects that are observed for homolysis of the coenzyme when the wild-type enzyme is reacted with deuterated substrates; this suggests that homolysis is slowed relative to hydrogen abstraction by this mutation.     

Analysis of the polymorphisms XRCC1Arg194Trp and XRCC1Arg399Gln in gliomas

XRCC genes (X-ray cross-complementing group) were discovered mainly for their roles in protecting mammalian cells against damage caused by ionizing radiation. Studies determined that these genes are important in the genetic stability of DNA. Although the loss of some of these genes does not necessarily confer high levels of sensitivity to radiation, they have been found to represent important components of various pathways of DNA repair. To ensure the integrity of the genome, a complex system of DNA repair was developed. Base excision repair is the first defense mechanism of cells against DNA damage and a major event in preventing mutagenesis. Repair genes may play an important role in maintaining genomic stability through different pathways that are mediated by base excision. In the present study, we examined XRCC1Arg194Trp and XRCC1Arg399Gln polymorphism using PCR-RFLP in 80 astrocytoma and glioblastoma samples. Patients who had the allele Trp of the XRCC1Arg194Trp polymorphism had an increased risk of tumor development (OR = 8.80; confidence interval at 95% (95%CI) = 4.37-17.70; P < 0.001), as did the allele Gln of XRCC1Arg399Gln (OR = 1.01; 95%CI = 0.53-1.93; P = 0.971). Comparison of overall survival of patients did not show significant differences. We suggest that XRCC1Arg194Trp and XRCC1Arg399Gln polymorphisms are involved in susceptibility for developing astrocytomas and glioblastomas.     

Impaired deoxyuridine utilization in the B12-inactivated rat and its correction by folate analogues

Rats were kept in an atmosphere of 50% N₂O in order to inactivate cob(I)alamin. There was an impaired utilization of deoxyuridine for DNA synthesis by marrow cells from these animals. The defect was not improved by the addition of hydroxocobalamin. Formylated tetrahydrofolates corrected the defect but tetrahydrofolate and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate produced either little or no improvement. Thus formyltetrahydrofolates overcome both the impairment of folate polyglutamate synthesis [11] and the impaired deoxyuridine utilization which follows N₂O-induced oxidation of the B₁₂ coenzyme.     

Genetic Polymorphisms of XRCC1 and Leukemia Risk: A Meta-Analysis of 19 Case-Control Studies

Objective

Three common X-ray repair cross-complementing groups 1 (XRCC1) polymorphisms, Arg399Gln, Arg194Trp, and Arg280His, have been reported to be implicated in the development of leukemia. However, previous results from different studies were inconsistent. Consequently, we performed a meta-analysis in order to accurately evaluate the association between XRCC1 Arg399Gln, Arg194Trp, and Arg280His polymorphisms and leukemia risk.

Methods

Through computerized searching of PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Cochrane, EBSCO, and OpenGrey databases, and manually searching relevant references, a total of 19 studies with 3387 cases and 6168 controls for Arg399Gln (G>A) polymorphism, 12 studies with 2043 cases and 4550 controls for Arg194Trp (C>T), and 6 studies with 1445 cases and 1905 controls for Arg280His (G>A) were collected to perform meta-analysis and stratified analysis to explore the associations between these variants and leukemia susceptibility. Based on three genetic models, the codominant model, dominant model and recessive model, odds ratios (ORs) as well as their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the association strength between XRCC1 genotypes and leukemia risk.

Results

With respect to overall leukemia susceptibility, no association was detected. In stratified analyses by tumor type, Arg399Gln was associated with higher acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) risk (AA vs. GG, OR  =  1.50, 95% CI: 1.11-2.02; AA+GA vs. GG, OR  =  1.35, 95% CI: 1.02-1.78). Additionally, Arg399Gln, Arg194Trp, and Arg280His may influence the susceptibilities of some leukemia type and race populations.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis indicates these three polymorphisms of XRCC1 do not associate with overall leukemia risks but could be associated with the risks for some specific subgroups.     

X-Ray Repair Cross-Complementing Group 1 (XRCC1) Genetic Polymorphisms and Cervical Cancer Risk: A HuGE Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Previous studies investigating the association between X-ray repair cross-complementation group 1(XRCC1) polymorphisms and cervical cancer (CC) risk has provided inconsistent results. The aim of our study was to assess the association between the XRCC1 gene Arg399Gln, Arg194Trp, Arg280His polymorphisms and risk of CC.

Methods

Two investigators independently searched the Medline, Embase, CNKI, and Chinese Biomedicine Databases for studies published before March 2011.Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for XRCC1 polymorphisms and CC were calculated in a fixed-effects model or a random-effects model when appropriate.

Results

Ultimately, 9, 5 and 2 studies were found to be eligible for meta-analyses of Arg399Gln, Arg194Trp and Arg280His, respectively. Our analysis suggested that the variant genotypes of Arg194Trp were associated with a significantly increased CC risk (Trp/Trp vs Arg/Arg, OR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.60–3.06; Arg/Trp vs Arg/Arg, OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.02–1.49; dominant model, OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.14–1.63; recessive model, OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.51–2.82). For Arg280His polymorphism, no obvious associations were found for all genetic models. For Arg399Gln polymorphism, also no obvious associations were found for all genetic models. In the subgroup analyses by ethnicity/country, a significantly increased risk was observed among Asian, especially among Chinese. To get more precise evidences, adjusted ORs (95%CI) by potential confounders (such as age, ethnicity or smoking, etc) were also calculated for XRCC1 Arg399Gln and Arg194Trp, however, the estimated pooled adjusted OR still did not change at all.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis suggests that Arg194Trp polymorphism may be associated with CC risk, Arg399Gln polymorphism might be a low-penetrent risk factor for CC only in Asians, and there may be no association between Arg280His polymorphism and CC risk.