Myotonic dystrophy type 2 caused by a CCTG expansion in intron 1 of ZNF9

Myotonic dystrophy (DM), the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults, can be caused by a mutation on either chromosome 19q13 (DM1) or 3q21 (DM2/PROMM). DM1 is caused by a CTG expansion in the 3' untranslated region of the dystrophia myotonica-protein kinase gene (DMPK). Several mechanisms have been invoked to explain how this mutation, which does not alter the protein-coding portion of a gene, causes the specific constellation of clinical features characteristic of DM. We now report that DM2 is caused by a CCTG expansion (mean approximately 5000 repeats) located in intron 1 of the zinc finger protein 9 (ZNF9) gene. Parallels between these mutations indicate that microsatellite expansions in RNA can be pathogenic and cause the multisystemic features of DM1 and DM2.     

Deleterious mutations and the evolution of sex

It has been suggested that sexual reproduction is maintained because it reduces the load imposed by recurrent deleterious mutations. If rates of deleterious mutation per diploid genome per generation (U) exceed 1, and mutations interact synergistically, then sexuals can overcome their inherent twofold disadvantage. We have tested this hypothesis by estimating genomic point mutation rates for protein-coding genes in a range of animal taxa. We find a positive linear relationship between U and generation time. In species with short generation times, U is predicted to be far below 1, suggesting that sex is not maintained by its capacity to purge the genome of deleterious mutations.     

Triallelic inheritance in Bardet-Biedl syndrome, a Mendelian recessive disorder

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by multiple clinical features that include pigmentary retinal dystrophy, polydactyly, obesity, developmental delay, and renal defects. BBS is considered an autosomal recessive disorder, and recent positional cloning efforts have identified two BBS genes (BBS2 and BBS6). We screened our cohort of 163 BBS families for mutations in both BBS2 and BBS6 and report the presence of three mutant alleles in affected individuals in four pedigrees. In addition, we detected unaffected individuals in two pedigrees who carry two BBS2 mutations but not a BBS6 mutation. We therefore propose that BBS may not be a single-gene recessive disease but a complex trait requiring three mutant alleles to manifest the phenotype. This triallelic model of disease transmission may be important in the study of both Mendelian and multifactorial disorders.     

Adaptive mutations in bacteria: high rate and small effects

Evolution by natural selection is driven by the continuous generation of adaptive mutations. We measured the genomic mutation rate that generates beneficial mutations and their effects on fitness in Escherichia coli under conditions in which the effect of competition between lineages carrying different beneficial mutations is minimized. We found a rate on the order of 10(-5) per genome per generation, which is 1000 times as high as previous estimates, and a mean selective advantage of 1%. Such a high rate of adaptive evolution has implications for the evolution of antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity.     

Mutations in the DJ-1 gene associated with autosomal recessive early-onset parkinsonism

The DJ-1 gene encodes a ubiquitous, highly conserved protein. Here, we show that DJ-1 mutations are associated with PARK7, a monogenic form of human parkinsonism. The function of the DJ-1 protein remains unknown, but evidence suggests its involvement in the oxidative stress response. Our findings indicate that loss of DJ-1 function leads to neurodegeneration. Elucidating the physiological role of DJ-1 protein may promote understanding of the mechanisms of brain neuronal maintenance and pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.     

Role of adenine nucleotide translocator 1 in mtDNA maintenance

Autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia is a rare human disease that shows a Mendelian inheritance pattern, but is characterized by large-scale mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions. We have identified two heterozygous missense mutations in the nuclear gene encoding the heart/skeletal muscle isoform of the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT1) in five families and one sporadic patient. The familial mutation substitutes a proline for a highly conserved alanine at position 114 in the ANT1 protein. The analogous mutation in yeast caused a respiratory defect. These results indicate that ANT has a role in mtDNA maintenance and that a mitochondrial disease can be caused by a dominant mechanism.     

Mutations in FgPrp6 suppressive to the Fgprp4 mutant in Fusarium graminearum

The pre-mRNA processing factor Prp6 is an essential component of the U4/U6.U5 tri-small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP). In a previous study, mutations were identified in the PRP6 ortholog in four suppressors of Fgprp4 that was deleted of the only kinase FgPrp4 among the spliceosome components in the plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum. In this study, we identified additional suppressor mutations in FgPrp6 and determined the suppressive effects of selected mutations. In total, 12 mutations of FgPRP6 were identified in 20 suppressors of Fgprp4 by sequencing analysis. Whereas three mutation sites are in the linker region of FgPrp6, seven are in the first two HAT repeats. RNA-seq analysis showed that suppressor mutations on different sites caused different splicing efficiency recovery. The suppressive effects of E308K and R230H were verified. Similar to human and fission yeast, the FgPrp6 was phosphorylated by the FgPrp4 kinase. Interestingly, the conserved Prp4-phosphorylation sites T261, T219&T221, and predicted phosphorylation sites T199&T200 on FgPrp6 were dispensable for the function of FgPrp6 in hyphal growth and sexual reproduction but important in plant infection. They are required for the infectious growth of F. graminearum in wheat lemma. RNA-seq analysis of the wheat lemma infected with Fgprp6/FgPRP6^Δ199–221-GFP or Fgprp6/FgPRP6^Δ250–262-GFP showed that 28 and 35% introns had splicing defects, respectively, which may be responsible for their defects in plant infection.     

A mutation in PRKAG3 associated with excess glycogen content in pig skeletal muscle

A high proportion of purebred Hampshire pigs carries the dominant RN- mutation, which causes high glycogen content in skeletal muscle. The mutation has beneficial effects on meat content but detrimental effects on processing yield. Here, it is shown that the mutation is a nonconservative substitution (R200Q) in the PRKAG3 gene, which encodes a muscle-specific isoform of the regulatory gamma subunit of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Loss-of-function mutations in the homologous gene in yeast (SNF4) cause defects in glucose metabolism, including glycogen storage. Further analysis of the PRKAG3 signaling pathway may provide insights into muscle physiology as well as the pathogenesis of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in humans, a metabolic disorder associated with impaired glycogen synthesis.     

Frequent mutation of BAP1 in metastasizing uveal melanomas

Metastasis is a defining feature of malignant tumors and is the most common cause of cancer-related death, yet the genetics of metastasis are poorly understood. We used exome capture coupled with massively parallel sequencing to search for metastasis-related mutations in highly metastatic uveal melanomas of the eye. Inactivating somatic mutations were identified in the gene encoding BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) on chromosome 3p21.1 in 26 of 31 (84%) metastasizing tumors, including 15 mutations causing premature protein termination and 5 affecting its ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase domain. One tumor harbored a frameshift mutation that was germline in origin, thus representing a susceptibility allele. These findings implicate loss of BAP1 in uveal melanoma metastasis and suggest that the BAP1 pathway may be a valuable therapeutic target.     

Germline mutations in genes within the MAPK pathway cause cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome

Cardio-facio-cutaneous (CFC) syndrome is a sporadic developmental disorder involving characteristic craniofacial features, cardiac defects, ectodermal abnormalities, and developmental delay. We demonstrate that heterogeneous de novo missense mutations in three genes within the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway cause CFC syndrome. The majority of cases (18 out of 23) are caused by mutations in BRAF, a gene frequently mutated in cancer. Of the 11 mutations identified, two result in amino acid substitutions that occur in tumors, but most are unique and suggest previously unknown mechanisms of B-Raf activation. Furthermore, three of five individuals without BRAF mutations had missense mutations in either MEK1 or MEK2, downstream effectors of B-Raf. Our findings highlight the involvement of the MAPK pathway in human development and will provide a molecular diagnosis of CFC syndrome.     

Regulation of brassinosteroid signaling by a GSK3/SHAGGY-like kinase

GSK3/SHAGGY is a highly conserved serine/threonine kinase implicated in many signaling pathways in eukaryotes. Although many GSK3/SHAGGY-like kinases have been identified in plants, little is known about their functions in plant growth and development. Here we show that the Arabidopsis BRASSINOSTEROID-INSENSITIVE 2 (BIN2) gene encodes a GSK3/SHAGGY-like kinase. Gain-of-function mutations within its coding sequence or its overexpression inhibit brassinosteroid (BR) signaling, resulting in plants that resemble BR-deficient and BR-response mutants. In contrast, reduced BIN2 expression via cosuppression partially rescues a weak BR-signaling mutation. Thus, BIN2 acts as a negative regulator to control steroid signaling in plants.     

血管紧张素Ⅲ受体AT1R、AT2R和ERK1在大鼠主动脉损伤中的表达及其意义

目的探讨大鼠主动脉损伤后血管紧张素受体（AT1R、AT2R）和胞外信号调控激酶1（ERK1）表达及其意义。方法 36只SD大鼠随机分为正常组、单纯损伤组、PD123319（AT2R拮抗剂）组、缬沙坦（AT1R拮抗剂）组、PD98059（ERK1拮抗剂）组、缬沙坦＋PD98059组,其中后4组在主动脉球囊损伤模型制作前、后给予相应的受体拮抗剂。造模后7d处死,用RT-PCR和Western blotting检测降主动脉中层及内膜中AT1R、AT2R和ERK1表达。结果单纯损伤组、PD123319组和PD98059组AT1R表达明显高于正常组、缬沙坦组和缬沙坦＋PD98059组（P〈0.01）。PD123319组AT2R表达明显高于其它4组（P〈0.01）。与单纯损伤组比较,缬沙坦组、PD98059组及缬沙坦＋PD98059组ERK1表达明显下调（P〈0.01）。结论 AT2R可能通过下调AT1R激活的ERK1来抑制新生内膜形成,AT2R可望成为治疗血管成形术后再狭窄的新靶点。     

Mutations in Col4a1 cause perinatal cerebral hemorrhage and porencephaly

Porencephaly is a rare neurological disease, typically manifest in infants, which is characterized by the existence of degenerative cavities in the brain. To investigate the molecular pathogenesis of porencephaly, we studied a mouse mutant that develops porencephaly secondary to focal disruptions of vascular basement membranes. Half of the mutant mice died with cerebral hemorrhage within a day of birth, and approximately 18% of survivors had porencephaly. We show that vascular defects are caused by a semidominant mutation in the procollagen type IV alpha 1 gene (Col4a1) in mice, which inhibits the secretion of mutant and normal type IV collagen. We also show that COL4A1 mutations segregate with porencephaly in human families. Because not all mutant mice develop porencephaly, we propose that Col4a1 mutations conspire with environmental trauma in causing the disease.     

我国草地贪夜蛾种群杀虫剂靶标基因突变分析

【背景】 草地贪夜蛾（Spodoptera frugiperda）原产于美洲热带和亚热带地区,是重大迁飞性农业害虫。2016年以来迅速扩散至全球100多个国家,目前已入侵我国27省（自治区、直辖市）,对粮食安全构成极大威胁。化学防治是草地贪夜蛾的重要应急防控措施,经过几年的药剂防治,草地贪夜蛾的抗药性可能会发生变化,进而影响防治策略的有效性。其发生范围持续北扩,而目前2020—2021年国内不同种群及长城防线种群抗药性现状以及年度间变化性研究较少。【目的】 明确我国不同区域种群（包括长城防线）的抗药性现状与差异,为草地贪夜蛾防控的科学用药提供指导。【方法】 采集13省（自治区、直辖市）的草地贪夜蛾田间种群样本,通过对单头样本杀虫剂靶标基因的PCR扩增产物直接测序,分析2020—2021年采自13省（自治区、直辖市）47市（区）草地贪夜蛾种群的362头个体氨基甲酸酯类、拟除虫菊酯类和双酰胺类杀虫剂靶标基因的突变情况。【结果】 草地贪夜蛾部分个体在氨基甲酸酯类药剂靶标乙酰胆碱酯酶（acetylcholine esterase）基因ace-1上存在突变,种群有6种ace-1基因型。ace-1基因检测到A201S和F290V位点突变;其中A201S均为抗性杂合突变,突变频率为8.4%;F290V为14.9%的抗性纯合突变和25.7%的杂合突变,未检测到G227A位点突变。重点防范区F290V位点突变频率高于迁飞过渡区和周年繁殖区,而在A201S位点突变频率均低于两区。长城防线、黄淮海阻截攻坚带、长江流域以及西南华南监测防控带ace-1基因突变频率均较高。A201S和F290V突变频率在2021年均较2020年种群略有下降,但无显著性差异。拟除虫菊酯类药剂靶标电压门控钠通道（voltage-gated sodium channel）基因vgsc和双酰胺类药剂靶标鱼尼丁受体（ryanodine receptor）基因ryr均未检测到靶标基因突变。【结论】 草地贪夜蛾种群氨基甲酸酯类靶标基因已发生较高频率的突变,说明对氨基甲酸酯类杀虫剂已产生较高水平的抗药性,在草地贪夜蛾的防控中应尽量减少使用。本研究显示草地贪夜蛾拟除虫菊酯类和双酰胺类杀虫剂靶标基因尚未检测到突变,这两类杀虫剂可与其他作用机制药剂科学轮换用于草地贪夜蛾的防控,鉴于目前已检测到这两类药剂的靶标基因突变个体,以及其国内近缘种甜菜夜蛾对这两类药剂存在较为普遍的杀虫剂靶标基因突变等情况,今后应开展草地贪夜蛾在室内外药剂高选择压力下以及寄主变化对主要防控药剂的靶标基因突变的影响,并加快抗药性快速检测技术和产品研究。     

A mouse model of mitochondrial disease reveals germline selection against severe mtDNA mutations

The majority of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations that cause human disease are mild to moderately deleterious, yet many random mtDNA mutations would be expected to be severe. To determine the fate of the more severe mtDNA mutations, we introduced mtDNAs containing two mutations that affect oxidative phosphorylation into the female mouse germ line. The severe ND6 mutation was selectively eliminated during oogenesis within four generations, whereas the milder COI mutation was retained throughout multiple generations even though the offspring consistently developed mitochondrial myopathy and cardiomyopathy. Thus, severe mtDNA mutations appear to be selectively eliminated from the female germ line, thereby minimizing their impact on population fitness.     

Bypassing a kinase activity with an ATP-competitive drug

Unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum cause trans-autophosphorylation of the bifunctional transmembrane kinase Ire1, which induces its endoribonuclease activity. The endoribonuclease initiates nonconventional splicing of HAC1 messenger RNA to trigger the unfolded-protein response (UPR). We explored the role of Ire1's kinase domain by sensitizing it through site-directed mutagenesis to the ATP-competitive inhibitor 1NM-PP1. Paradoxically, rather than being inhibited by 1NM-PP1, drug-sensitized Ire1 mutants required 1NM-PP1 as a cofactor for activation. In the presence of 1NM-PP1, drug-sensitized Ire1 bypassed mutations that inactivate its kinase activity and induced a full UPR. Thus, rather than through phosphorylation per se, a conformational change in the kinase domain triggered by occupancy of the active site with a ligand leads to activation of all known downstream functions.     

Pax6 PAI亚结构域在黑色素细胞中对MITF、TYR、TYRP1和TYRP2的影响

【目的】高度保守的PAX转录因子家族在黑色素细胞的分化和黑色素的生成中起重要的作用,其家族共有的PD结构域是其与下游基因结合的主要位点,而PD结构域氨基端的PAI亚结构域在其与下游基因的结合过程中发挥重要的作用。研究表明Pax6在视网膜上皮黑色素细胞的分化中发挥至关重要的作用,本试验借助研究Pax6 PAI亚结构域的功能来对PAX转录因子家族共有的PD结构域和PAI亚结构域进行研究。【方法】首先通过Psipred对Pax6 PD结构域的结构进行分析,使用NCBI对Pax6 PD结构域与下游基因的结合位点进行分析,使用Jaspar对MITF、TYR、TYRP1和TYRP2启动子中Pax6 PD结构域可能的作用位点进行预测。使用普通PCR克隆Pax6PAI亚结构域,将其连入T载体,酶切后连入慢病毒载体,并送公司测序确认。将构建好的PAI亚结构域过表达载体通过细胞转染导入到培养的小鼠黑色素细胞中,使其过量表达。收集细胞,分别通过观察绿色荧光蛋白检测转染效率,使用RT-PCR和Western blot来检测MITF、TYR、TYRP1和TYRP2在m RNA和蛋白水平的变化,同时检测黑色素细胞中黑色素生成量的变化。【结果】通过NCBI分析可知,Pax6 PD结构域与下游基因的作用位点主要集中在氨基端的PAI亚结构域。通过Jaspar预测分析,得知,MITF启动子-695处存在Pax6 PD结构域的结合位点,TYR启动子-873和-1133处存在Pax6 PD结构域的结合位点,TYRP1启动子-629处存在Pax6 PD结构域的结合位点,TYRP2启动子-655处存在Pax6 PD结构域的结合位点。在黑色素细胞中过表达Pax6 PAI亚结构域后,与空载组相比,试验组MITF m RNA升高2.05倍(P0.01),蛋白质升高1.7倍(P0.01);TYR m RNA升高2.09倍,蛋白质升高2倍(P0.05);TYRP1 m RNA升高2.93倍(P0.05),蛋白质升高1.9倍(P0.01);TYRP2 m RNA升高3.62倍(P0.01),蛋白质升高1.37倍。同时试验组的黑色素含量是空载组黑色素含量的1.33倍(P0.001)。【结论】在小鼠黑色素细胞中,过表达Pax6 PAI亚结构域可以促进MITF、TYR、TYRP1和TYRP2的表达,进而使黑色素细胞黑色素的生成量增加。     

KCNQ1 gain-of-function mutation in familial atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia whose molecular etiology is poorly understood. We studied a family with hereditary persistent AF and identified the causative mutation (S140G) in the KCNQ1 (KvLQT1) gene on chromosome 11p15.5. The KCNQ1 gene encodes the pore-forming alpha subunit of the cardiac I(Ks) channel (KCNQ1/KCNE1), the KCNQ1/KCNE2 and the KCNQ1/KCNE3 potassium channels. Functional analysis of the S140G mutant revealed a gain-of-function effect on the KCNQ1/KCNE1 and the KCNQ1/KCNE2 currents, which contrasts with the dominant negative or loss-of-function effects of the KCNQ1 mutations previously identified in patients with long QT syndrome. Thus, the S140G mutation is likely to initiate and maintain AF by reducing action potential duration and effective refractory period in atrial myocytes.     

Spontaneous mutation rates at five coat-color loci in mice

Examination of 1.5 million mice yielded natural mutation rates estimnated from 5.2 million gene reproductions at five specific coat-color loci. The average rates were 11.1 x 10(-6) for forward mutations and 2.7 x 10(-6) for reverse mutations. Differences between the frequencies of mutations at the individual loci were evident.