MODY 2: Mutation identification and molecular ancestry in a Brazilian family

Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) is a heterogeneous group of genetic diseases characterized by a primary defect in insulin secretion and hyperglycemia, non-ketotic disease, monogenic autosomal dominant mode of inheritance, age at onset less than 25 years, and lack of auto-antibodies. It accounts for 2–5% of all cases of non-type 1 diabetes. MODY subtype 2 is caused by mutations in the glucokinase (GCK) gene. In this study, we sequenced the GCK gene of two volunteers with clinical diagnosis for MODY2 and we were able to identify four mutations including one for a premature stop codon (c.76C>T). Based on these results, we have developed a specific PCR-RFLP assay to detect this mutation and tested 122 related volunteers from the same family. This mutation in the GCK gene was detected in 21 additional subjects who also had the clinical features of this genetic disease. In conclusion, we identified new GCK gene mutations in a Brazilian family of Italian descendance, with one due to a premature stop codon located in the second exon of the gene. We also developed a specific assay that is fast, cheap and reliable to detect this mutation. Finally, we built a molecular ancestry model based on our results for the migration of individuals carrying this genetic mutation from Northern Italy to Brazil.     

Biosensors based on peptide exposure show single molecule conformations in live cells

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Gap Junctions Mediate Glucose Transport Between GLUT1-Positive and -Negative Cells in the Spiral Limbus of the Rat Cochlea

To elucidate the role of the spiral limbus in glucose transport in the cochlea, we analyzed the expression and localization of GLUT1, connexin26, connexin30, and occludin in the spiral limbus of the rat cochlea. GLUT1 and occludin were detected in blood vessels. GLUT1, connexin26, connexin30, and occludin were also expressed in fibrocytes just basal to the supralimbal lining cells. Connexin26 and connexin30 were present among not only these GLUT1-positive fibrocytes but also GLUT1-negative fibrocytes. In vivo glucose imaging using 6-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-6-deoxyglucose (6-NBDG, MW 342) together with Evans Blue Albumin (EBA, MW 68,000) showed that 6-NBDG was rapidly distributed throughout the spiral limbus, whereas EBA was localized only in the vessels. Moreover, the gap junctional uncoupler heptanol inhibited the distribution of 6-NBDG. These findings suggest that gap junctions play an important role in glucose transport in the spiral limbus, i.e., that gap junctions mediate glucose transport from GLUT1-positive fibrocytes to GLUT1-negative fibrocytes in the spiral limbus.     

Trichome-borne and artificially applied acylsugars of wild tomato deter feeding and oviposition of the leafminer Liriomyza trifolii

Oviposition and adult feeding of the leafminer Liriomyza trifollii (Burgess) (Diptera, Agromyzidae) on Lycopersicon pennellii (Corr.) D'Arcy and its F₁ hybrid with Lycopersicon esculentum (Mill.) was significantly less than that on the cultivated tomato, L. esculentum. The resistance of L. pennellii and the F₁ was reduced following rinsing of foliage with ethanol. Resistant attributes of L. pennellii were transferred to L. esculentum through appression of L. pennellii foliage to L. esculentum leaflets. Application of purified 2,3,4-tri-O-acylglucoses (the principal component of type IV glandular trichome exudate of L. pennellii) to L. esculentum significantly decreased feeding and oviposition on L. esculentum leaflets by 61–99%. Therefore the principal mechanism of resistance to this leafminer by L. pennellii is the secretion of these acylglucoses. Dose response analysis of acylglucoses applied to L. esculentum shows that dosages as low as 10% those found on L. pennellii provide large reductions (91%) in leaf punctures and mines.     

A novel galactosyl-binding lectin from the plasma of the blood clam,Anadara granosa (L) and a study of its combining site

Control Analysis has been carried out in the first steps of a rat liver glycolytic system. Attention has been focused on the effect of several glucose concentrations on the control, particularly regarding the role of glucokinase. From kinetic studies of the whole metabolic system we have obtained information on the flux variation under different glucose concentrations. This information together with the kinetics of glucokinase has allowed us to calculate Flux Control and Elasticity Coefficients for glucokinase and the Response Coefficient of the system with respect to glucose. The changes in of the value of Flux Control Coefficients demonstrates that in conditions of low glucose concentration, glucokinase is the main enzyme in controlling the flux through the pathway, but at high glucose concentration the control moves to phosphofructokinase. Next, we have compared our results with those obtained with the shortening and titration method, previously described (Torres, N.V., Mateo, F., Mélendez-Hevia, E. and Kacser, H., (1986) Biochem. J. 234, 169–174; Torres, N.V. and Meléndez-Hevia, E. 1991. Molec. Cell. Biochem. 101, 1–10). Furthermore, from knowledge of the enzyme kinetics of the system we have been able to build a model of the pathway that allows us computer similation of its behavior and calculation of the Flux Control Coefficient profile at different glucose concentrations. By the three methods the results correlate, supporting the use of the pathway substrate as external modulator of the metabolic system as a tool for practical application of Control Analysis.     

Glycosylation of Aromatic Amines I: Characterization of Reaction Products and Kinetic Scheme

The reactions of aliphatic and aromatic amines with reducing sugars are important in both drug stability and synthesis. The formation of glycosylamines in solution, the first step in the Maillard reaction, does not typically cause browning but results in decreased potency and is hence significant from the aspect of drug instability. The purpose of this research was to present (1) unreported ionic equilibria of model reactant (kynurenine), (2) the analytical methods used to characterize and measure reaction products, (3) the kinetic scheme used to measure reaction rates and (4) relevant properties of various reducing sugars that impact the reaction rate in solution. The methods used to identify the reversible formation of two products from the reaction of kynurenine and monosaccharides included LC mass spectrometry, UV spectroscopy, and 1-D and 2-D ¹H–¹H COSY NMR spectroscopy. Kinetics was studied using a stability-indicating HPLC method. The results indicated the formation of α and β glycosylamines by a pseudo first-order reversible reaction scheme in the pH range of 1–6. The forward reaction was a function of initial glucose concentration but not the reverse reaction. It was concluded that the reaction kinetics and equilibrium concentrations of the glycosylamines were pH-dependent and also a function of the acyclic content of the reacting glucose isomer.     

The haemagglutination activity in the different developmental stages and changes of this activity caused by analogues of insect hormones in two members of the Culex pipiens complex of mosquitoes

Abstract. Haemagglutination activity was studied in last larval instars, pupae and adults of both sexes of the Culex pipiens mosquito complex. In females of Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say, an anautogenous member of C. pipiens complex, activity was detected in the homogenate of the head‐thorax complex, gut and remaining abdomen (after removing the gut), before and after sucking water, glucose solution or blood. Similar investigations were made in females of autogenous Culex pipiens molestus Forskal, a member of the same mosquito complex. The results were compared with data obtained for males of these subspecies, plus the larvae and pupae. The results show that haemagglutination activity in adult females depends not on the sucking of blood, but on the age of the females. In newly emerged females, the level of activity was very low, but after 24 h or 48 h of activity was highly enhanced, even in females that had no possibility to suck water or other liquids including blood. Furthermore, in C. p. molestus, the haemagglutination activity does not change in hungry or engorged females, and a high level of activity was found in the gut of last larval instars, a developmental stage that never takes blood. Treatment with methoprene reduces haemagglutination activity in both sexes, but 20‐hydroxycdysone application decreased activity in the gut of females. It is suggested that haemagglutination activity may be regulated indirectly by the endocrine system. The possibility that haemagglutination activity may depend on some aspect of the digestive system that has no direct connection to blood uptake is discussed. In addition, the activity may be important not only for the elimination of infections, but also for the processing of food and the utilization and transport of nutrients.     

Vanadate induces the recruitment of glut-4 glucose transporter to the plasma membrane of rat adipocytes

Summary In rat adipocytes, the insulin stimulation of the rate of glucose uptake is due, at least partially, to the recruitment of glucose transporter proteins from an intracellular compartment to the plasma membrane.Vanadate is a known insulin mimetic agent and causes an increase in the rate of glucose transport in rat adipocytes similar to that seen with insulin. The objective of the present study was to determine whether vanadate exerts its effect through the recruitment of glucose transporters to the plasma membrane.We report that under conditions where vanadate stimulates the rate of 2-deoxyglucose uptake to the same extent as insulin, the concentration of GLUT-4 in the plasma membrane was increased similarly by both insulin and vanadate, and its concentration was decreased in the low density microsomal fraction. These results suggest that vanadate induces the recruitment of GLUT-4 to the plasma membrane. The effects of vanadate and insulin on the stimulation of 2-deoxyglucose uptake and recruitment of GLUT-4 were not additive.This is the first report of an effect of vanadate on the intracellular distribution of the glucose transporter.     

The osmotic/calcium stress theory of brain damage: Are free radicals involved?

This overview presents data showing that glucose use increases and that excitatory amino acids (i.e., glutamate, aspartate), taurine and ascorbate increase in the extracellular fluid during seizures. During the cellular hyperactive state taurine appears to serve as an osmoregulator and ascorbate may serve as either an antioxidant or as a pro-oxidant. Finally, a unifying hypothesis is given for seizure-induced brain damage. This unifying hypothesis states that during seizures there is a release of excitatory amino acids which act on glutamatergic receptors, increasing neuronal activity and thereby increasing glucose use. This hyperactivity of cells causes an influx, of calcium (i.e. calcium stress) and water movements (i.e., osmotic stress) into the cells that culminate in brain damage mediated by reactive oxygen species.Special issue dedicated to Dr. Frederick E. Samson     

Energy metabolism and selective neuronal vulnerability following global cerebral ischemia

A short period of global ischemia results in the death of selected subpopulations of neurons. Some advances have been made in understanding events which might contribute to the selectivity of this damage but the cellular changes which culminate in neuronal death remain poorly defined. This overview examines the metabolic state of tissue in the post-ischemic period and the relationship of changes to the development of damage in areas containing ischemia-susceptible neurons. During early recirculation there is substantial recovery of ATP, phosphocreatine and related metabolites in all brain regions. However, this recovery does not signal restitution of normal energy metabolism as reductions of the oxidative metabolism of glucose are seen in many areas and may persist for several days. Furthermore, decreases in pyruvate-supported respiration develop in mitochondria from at least one ischemia-susceptible region at times coincident with the earliest histological evidence of ischemia-induced degeneration. These mitochondrial changes could simply be an early marker of irreversible damage but the available evidence is equally consistent with these contributing to the degenerative process and offering a potential site for therapeutic intervention.Submitted as an Overview article for the volume of Neurochemical Research in honor of Alan N. Davison.