The 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible UDP-glucuronosyltransferase deficiency in the hyperbilirubinemic rat (Gunn rat) is caused by a -1 frameshift mutation

The Gunn rat is a mutant strain of Wistar rat which has unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia as a result of the absence of hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) activity toward bilirubin. The Gunn rat is also deficient in a 3-methylcholanthrene (MC)-inducible UDPGT isoenzyme that has high activity toward phenolic substrates. We have isolated and sequenced a cDNA, designated 4-NP UDPGT, which encodes an MC-inducible UDPGT from normal Wistar rat livers (Iyanagi, T., Haniu, M., Sogawa, F., Fujii-Kuriyama, Y., Watanabe, S., Shively, J.E., and Anan, K.F. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 15607-15614). In the present study, we found that this cDNA detected MC-inducible UDPGT mRNA in the MC-treated homozygous Gunn rat liver. The level of this mRNA, however, was significantly lower than that of normal Wistar livers. The size of mRNA in Gunn rats was identical to that of the functionally mature UDPGT mRNA in Wistar rats, but the MC-inducible UDPGT protein was absent from homozygous Gunn rat microsomes. We therefore made a cDNA library from MC-treated Gunn rat liver mRNA and isolated cDNA clones, using the 4-NP UDPGT cDNA as a probe. Sequencing analysis of these cDNA clones revealed a single base deletion in the coding region. Northern blot analysis of mRNAs from normal Wistar and heterozygous and homozygous Gunn rats livers was performed using specific oligonucleotide probes, and the results confirmed the presence of mRNA containing the single base deletion in heterozygous and homozygous Gunn rats. These data suggested that the defect of the MC-inducible isoenzyme in Gunn rats arises from a -1 frameshift mutation that removes 115 amino acids from the COOH terminus.     

Cloning of cDNAs coding for rat hepatic microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferases

Radioiodinated, affinity-purified, anti-UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UDPGT) antibodies have been used to isolate cDNAs coding for UDPGT(s) from a rat liver cDNA library cloned in the expression vector bacteriophage lambda gt11. The sizes of ten cloned cDNAs range from 0.3-2.1 kb. The identity of the cDNAs was confirmed by the hybrid-select translation and immunochemical analyses. Restriction mapping indicates that two classes of cDNA coding for different UDPGT mRNAs have been cloned.     

Molecular basis for the lack of bilirubin-specific and 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities in Gunn rats. The two isoforms are encoded by distinct mRNA species that share an identical single base deletion.

Gunn rats lack UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) activity toward bilirubin. In addition, a UDPGT isoform which is active toward 4-nitrophenol and is induced by 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) in normal rats, is produced in a nonfunctional truncated form in Gunn rats due to the deletion of a single guanosine residue in the coding region of its mRNA. The hepatic concentration of bilirubin-UDPGT mRNA was lower in Gunn rats than in congeneic normal rats. However, bilirubin-UDPGT mRNA was of apparently normal length and was induced by clofibrate, a known inducer of bilirubin-UDPGT activity. 3' regions of bilirubin- and 3-MC-inducible UDPGT mRNAs have identical nucleotide sequences; the single base deletion in the 3-MC-inducible UDPGT in Gunn rats occurs within this region. Using oligonucleotide primers corresponding to the identical and unique regions of the two mRNAs, and polymerase chain reaction, we amplified segments of mRNAs for the bilirubin- and 3-MC-inducible UDPGTs from normal and Gunn rat livers. Both amplified DNAs in Gunn rats lacked the restriction site for BstNI. Nucleotide sequence determination revealed that bilirubin- and 3-MC-inducible UDPGT mRNAs in Gunn rats contain an identical frame-shift deletion of a single guanosine residue within the common region of their coding sequences.     

The full length coding sequence of rat liver androsterone UDP-glucuronyltransferase cDNA and comparison with other members of this gene family.

Cloned cDNAs coding for hepatic UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UDPGT) have been isolated from a rat liver cDNA library in the expression vector bacteriophage lambda gt11 using anti-UDPGT antibodies. Four different mRNAs have been identified by sequencing of 15 UDPGT cDNA clones. The sequences of the four classes of cDNA were determined to be 85-95% homologous. Restriction fragments were isolated from the cDNA in each class and used as class specific probes. Hybridisation of these probes to northern blots of total RNA prepared from the livers of normal and genetically deficient Wistar rats identified the cDNA in class 4 with androsterone UDPGT. Translation of the cDNA sequence of clone rlug 23, the longest member of class 4, allowed determination of the complete amino acid sequence of androsterone UDPGT.     

cDNA sequences from the alpha subunit of the fibronectin receptor predict a transmembrane domain and a short cytoplasmic peptide

The fibronectin receptor is a complex of two cell surface glycopeptides that mediate the binding of cells to fibronectin substrata. To study the structure of this receptor, we have isolated cDNA clones coding for the human fibronectin receptor alpha subunit from a lambda gt11 placental cDNA library. The cDNAs code for 229 amino acids from the COOH terminus of the alpha subunit. The deduced sequence has a hydrophobic region with properties characteristic of a membrane-spanning domain. From the membrane-spanning domain to the COOH terminus are 23-28 amino acids that are likely to constitute the cytoplasmic domain. These results establish the fibronectin receptor alpha subunit as an integral membrane protein.     

Analysis of the signal for attachment of a glycophospholipid membrane anchor

The COOH terminus of decay accelerating factor (DAF) contains a signal that directs attachment of a glycophospholipid (GPI) membrane anchor. To define this signal we deleted portions of the DAF COOH terminus and expressed the mutant cDNAs it CV1 origin-deficient SV-40 cells. Our results show that the COOH-terminal hydrophobic domain (17 residues) is absolutely required for GPI anchor attachment. However, when fused to the COOH terminus of a secreted protein this hydrophobic domain is insufficient to direct attachment of a GPI anchor. Additional specific information located within the adjacent 20 residues appears to be necessary. We speculate that by analogy with signal sequences for membrane translocation, GPI anchor attachment requires both a COOH-terminal hydrophobic domain (the GPI signal) as well as a suitable cleavage/attachment site located NH2 terminal to the signal.     

Expression of a human liver cDNA encoding a UDP-glucuronosyltransferase catalysing the glucuronidation of hyodeoxycholic acid in cell culture

A cDNA encoding a human liver UDPGT (HLUG 25) transcribed and translated in vitro showed that the encoded protein was synthesized as a precursor and was cleaved and glycosylated when dog pancreatic microsomes were present during translation. The UDPGT cDNA was transiently expressed in mammalian cell culture (COS-7 cells) resulting in the biosynthesis of a polypeptide of 52 kDa. This expressed UDPGT glycoprotein catalysed the glucuronidation of hyodeoxycholic acid forming an ether glucuronide. These results suggest that this UDPGT isoenzyme may be responsible for the glucuronidation of 6 alpha-hydroxy bile acids in human liver.     

Separation, purification and characterization of three isoenzymes of UDP-glucuronyltransferase from rat liver microsomes

Three isoenzymes of UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UDPGT) have been separated and purified from liver microsomes of untreated female rats or female rats pretreated with 3-methylcholanthrene. The UDPGT isoenzymes were purified utilizing Chromatofocusing, column isoelectric focusing, and UDP-hexanolamine Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. UDPGT activities could also be separated during UDP-hexanolamine affinity chromatography by elution with different UDPGA (UDP-glucuronic acid) concentrations. One isoenzyme exhibits a subunit molecular weight of 56,000 and is capable of conjugating p-nitrophenol, 1-naphthol, and 4-methylumbelliferone. This isoenzyme is inducible by 3-methylcholanthrene treatment and requires high UDPGA concentrations for elution from the UDP-hexanolamine affinity column in contrast to the other UDPGT isoenzymes. A second isoenzyme was purified and displayed a subunit molecular weight of 50,000. This isoenzyme was not induced by 3-methylcholanthrene and was active towards testosterone, the 17-OH position of beta-estradiol, p-nitrophenol, and 1-naphthol. A third isoenzyme was also purified and exhibited a subunit molecular weight of 52,000. This isoenzyme conjugated androsterone and etiocholanolone and was not induced by 3-methylcholanthrene treatment. This study reports the purification of two separate and distinct rat liver UDPGT isoenzymes capable of conjugating p-nitrophenol, only one of which is inducible by 3-methylcholanthrene treatment. Also, this is the first report of the purification of a UDPGT isoenzyme active towards the 3-OH position of androgens.     

Structure-function relationships in the Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit: site-directed mutagenesis of glutamine-111 to arginine and asparagine-122 to aspartic acid generates a ouabain-resistant enzyme

Na,K-ATPases from various species differ greatly in their sensitivity to cardiac glycosides such as ouabain. The sheep and human enzymes are a thousand times more sensitive than the corresponding ones from rat and mouse. To define the region of the alpha 1 subunit responsible for this differential sensitivity, chimeric cDNAs of sheep and rat were constructed and expressed in ouabain-sensitive HeLa cells. The construct containing the amino-terminal half of the rat alpha 1 subunit coding region and carboxyl-terminal half of the sheep conferred the ouabain-resistant phenotype to HeLa cells while the reverse construct did not. This indicates that the determinants involved in ouabain sensitivity are located in the amino-terminal half of the Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit. By use of site-directed mutagenesis, the amino acid sequence of the first extracellular domain (H1-H2) of the sheep alpha 1 subunit, Gln-Ala-Ala-Thr-Glu-Glu-Glu-Pro-Gln-Asn-Asp-Asn, was changed to that of the rat, Arg-Ser-Ala-Thr-Glu-Glu-Glu-Pro-Pro-Asn-Asp-Asp. When expressed in HeLa cells, this mutated sheep alpha 1 construct, like the rat/sheep chimera, was able to confer ouabain resistance to these cells. Furthermore, similar results were observed when HeLa cells were transfected with a sheep alpha 1 cDNA containing only two amino acid substitutions. This double mutation was a Gln-111----Arg and Asn-122----Asp change at the amino terminus and carboxyl terminus, respectively, of the H1-H2 extracellular region. The resistant cells, whether transfected with the rat alpha 1 cDNA, the rat/sheep chimera, or the mutant sheep alpha 1 cDNAs, exhibited identical biochemical characteristics including ouabain-inhibitable cell growth, 86Rb+ uptake, and Na,K-ATPase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

In vitro mutagenesis and functional expression in Escherichia coli of a cDNA encoding the catalytic domain of human DNA ligase I.

Human cDNAs encoding fragments of DNA ligase I, the major replicative DNA ligase in mammalian cells, have been expressed as lacZ fusion proteins in Escherichia coli. A cDNA encoding the carboxyl-terminal catalytic domain of human DNA ligase I was able to complement a conditional-lethal DNA ligase mutation in E. coli as measured by growth of the mutant strain at the non-permissive temperature. Targeted deletions of the amino and carboxyl termini of the catalytic domain identified a minimum size necessary for catalytic function and a maximum size for optimal complementing activity in E. coli. The human cDNA was subjected to systematic site-directed mutagenesis in vitro and mutant polypeptides assayed for functional expression in the E. coli DNA ligase mutant. Such functional analysis of the active site of DNA ligase I identified specific residues required for the formation of an enzyme-adenylate reaction intermediate.     

Genetic cause of leukocyte adhesion molecule deficiency. Abnormal splicing and a missense mutation in a conserved region of CD18 impair cell surface expression of beta 2 integrins.

Patients with leukocyte adhesion molecule (CD11/CD18, beta 2 integrins) deficiency have structural defects in the common beta subunit (CD18), which prevent heterodimer formation and normal cell surface expression of these receptors, leading to life-threatening bacterial infections. To elucidate the nature of these defects in a patient with partial (type II) deficiency, abnormal CD18 cDNA clones were isolated, using the polymerase chain reaction to amplify the patient's B cell-derived cDNAs. Sequence analysis revealed two mutant alleles. cDNA clones, representing a maternal allele, contained both a 12-base pair insertion resulting in an in-frame addition of four amino acids between P247 and E248 and a C1756----T nucleotide transition, resulting in an R586----W substitution in the normal CD18 protein. The inframe insertion arose by a single nucleotide C----A transversion in the 3' terminus of an intron, generating aberrant splice acceptor site. Other cDNA clones contained an A1052----G nucleotide transition not present in either parent which resulted in an N351----S substitution. To determine the functional importance of these changes, cDNA encoding a normal alpha chain (CD11b) was cotransfected into COS with CD18 cDNAs encoding for wild-type, maternal mutant allele, or CD18 containing N351----S substitution. Immunostaining of transfectants with anti-CD18 monoclonal antibodies revealed no cell surface expression of the maternal mutant CD18, and 22% surface expression of N351----S CD18. Both the insertion and the N351----S mutations occurred in a 250 amino acid extracellular region of CD18 that is highly conserved among beta integrins supporting a role for this region in heterodimer formation.     

A mutation linked with Bartter's syndrome locks Kir 1.1a (ROMK1) channels in a closed state.

Mutations in the inward rectifying renal K(+) channel, Kir 1.1a (ROMK), have been linked with Bartter's syndrome, a familial salt-wasting nephropathy. One disease-causing mutation removes the last 60 amino acids (332-391), implicating a previously unappreciated domain, the extreme COOH terminus, as a necessary functional element. Consistent with this hypothesis, truncated channels (Kir 1.1a 331X) are nonfunctional. In the present study, the roles of this domain were systematically evaluated. When coexpressed with wild-type subunits, Kir 1.1a 331X exerted a negative effect, demonstrating that the mutant channel is synthesized and capable of oligomerization. Plasmalemma localization of Kir 1.1a 331X green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion construct was indistinguishable from the GFP-wild-type channel, demonstrating that mutant channels are expressed on the oocyte plasma membrane in a nonconductive or locked-closed conformation. Incremental reconstruction of the COOH terminus identified amino acids 332-351 as the critical residues for restoring channel activity and uncovered the nature of the functional defect. Mutant channels that are truncated at the extreme boundary of the required domain (Kir 1.1a 351X) display marked inactivation behavior characterized by frequent occupancy in a long-lived closed state. A critical analysis of the Kir 1.1a 331X dominant negative effect suggests a molecular mechanism underlying the aberrant closed-state stabilization. Coexpression of different doses of mutant with wild-type subunits produced an intermediate dominant negative effect, whereas incorporation of a single mutant into a tetrameric concatemer conferred a complete dominant negative effect. This identifies the extreme COOH terminus as an important subunit interaction domain, controlling the efficiency of oligomerization. Collectively, these observations provide a mechanistic basis for the loss of function in one particular Bartter's-causing mutation and identify a structural element that controls open-state occupancy and determines subunit oligomerization. Based on the overlapping functions of this domain, we speculate that intersubunit interactions within the COOH terminus may regulate the energetics of channel opening.     

Structure of the precursor to an enzyme mediating COOH-terminal amidation in peptide biosynthesis

Many bioactive peptides terminate with an amino acid alpha-amide at their COOH terminus. The enzyme responsible for this essential posttranslational modification is known as peptidyl-glycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase or PAM. We identified cDNAs encoding the enzyme by using antibodies to screen a bovine intermediate pituitary lambda gt11 expression library. Antibodies to a beta-galactosidase/PAM fusion protein removed PAM activity from bovine pituitary homogenates. The 108,207 dalton protein predicted by the complete cDNA is approximately twice the size of purified PAM. An NH2-terminal signal sequence and short propeptide precede the NH2 terminus of purified PAM. The sequences of several PAM cyanogen bromide peptides were localized in the NH2-terminal half of the predicted protein. The cDNA encodes an additional 430 amino acid intragranular domain followed by a putative membrane spanning domain and a hydrophilic cytoplasmic domain. The forms of PAM purified from bovine neurointermediate pituitary may be generated by endoproteolytic cleavage at a subset of the 10 pairs of basic amino acids in the precursor. High levels of PAM mRNA were found in bovine pituitary and cerebral cortex. In corticotropic tumor cells, levels of PAM mRNA and pro-ACTH/endorphin mRNA were regulated in parallel by glucocorticoids and CRF.     

Isolation and characterization of rat and human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase cDNAs: genomic complexity and molecular evolution of the gene.

Full length cDNAs encoding the glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) from rat and man have been isolated and sequenced. Many GAPDH gene-related sequences have been found in both genomes based on genomic blot hybridization analysis. Only one functional gene product is known. Results from genomic library screenings suggest that there are 300-400 copies of these sequences in the rat genome and approximately 100 in the human genome. Some of these related sequences have been shown to be processed pseudogenes. We have isolated several rat cDNA clones corresponding to these pseudogenes indicating that some pseudogenes are transcribed. Rat and human cDNAs are 89% homologous in the coding region, and 76% homologous in the first 100 base pairs of the 3'-noncoding region. Comparison of these two cDNA sequences with those of the chicken, Drosophila and yeast genes allows the analysis of the evolution of the GAPDH genes in detail.     

Characterization and primary sequence of a human hepatic microsomal estriol UDPglucuronosyltransferase

A human liver microsomal UDP glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) that demonstrates reactivity with estriol (pI 7.4 UDPGT) has been purified to homogeneity and characterized further. No activity toward morphine, 4-hydroxybiphenyl, bilirubin, or tripelennamine was observed. The estriol UDPGT shows immunoreactivity with antibodies raised against rat hepatic microsomal 3 alpha- and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid UDPGTs but not with antibodies raised against rat hepatic microsomal p-nitrophenol UDPGT. The NH2-terminal sequence of the purified protein was determined and found to correspond to an identical sequence in the deduced amino acid sequence of a cDNA obtained from a human liver library in lambda gt11 (HLUG4). Sequence analysis revealed that HLUG4 is 2094 bp in length and encodes a protein of 523 amino acids which has a 16 amino acid leader sequence, followed by an untranslated 3' region of 525 bp. Three potential N-glycosylation sites were identified in the predicted sequence. The deduced amino acid sequence of estriol UDPGT showed 82% identity with the deduced amino acid sequence of another human hepatic cDNA (HLUG25), which has been expressed as a UDPGT capable of 6 alpha-hydroxyglucuronidation of hyodeoxycholic acid, strongly suggesting that these proteins are members of the same gene subfamily.