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Biomedical subjects

C E Seidman

Publications and source records attributed to C E Seidman.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

The cloning of extracellular Ca(2+)-sensing receptors from parathyroid and kidney: molecular mechanisms of extracellular Ca(2+)-sensing.

The parathyroid cell detects changes in the extracellular ionized calcium concentration (Ca2 + o) with exquisite sensitivity, but the mechanisms through which it senses Ca2 + o have remained obscure. Recently, we isolated a cDNA encoding a Ca2 + o-sensing receptor from bovine parathyroid using expression cloning in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The expressed receptor stimulates phospholipase C and has a pharmacological profile almost identical to that of the native receptor. Furthermore, its deduced amino acid sequence confirms that it belongs to the superfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors. Receptor transcripts are present in parathyroid and other tissues sensing Ca2 + o (e.g., kidney and thyroidal C-cells) as well as those not known to be involved in Ca2+ homeostasis (viz., in the brain). We have also shown that mutations in the receptor cause three inherited disorders of calcium metabolism: Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) and neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT) result from inactivating mutations, when present in the heterozygous and homozygous states, respectively, whereas an autosomal dominant form of hypocalcemia is due to an activating mutation. Thus this Ca2 + o-sensing receptor permits Ca2+o to act as an extracellular, first messenger in addition to its better known role as an intracellular second messenger.

Animals↗

Divergent pathways mediate the induction of ANF transgenes in neonatal and hypertrophic ventricular myocardium.

To determine whether similar or divergent pathways mediate atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) induction in neonatal and hypertrophied adult ventricular myocardium, and to assess whether studies using an in vitro model system of hypertrophy have fidelity to the in vivo context during pressure overload hypertrophy, we generated transgenic mice which harbor either 638 or 3,003 bp of the rat ANF 5' flanking region ligated upstream from a luciferase reporter. Luciferase activity in the ventricles of day 1 transgenic neonates was 8-24-fold higher than the levels expressed in the ventricles of adult mice. Adult mice expressed the luciferase reporter in an appropriate tissue-specific manner. Transverse aortic constriction of adult mice harboring ANF reporter transgenes demonstrated no significant increase in reporter activity in the ventricle. These findings demonstrate that distinct regions of the ANF 5'-flanking region are required for inducible expression of the ANF gene in the hypertrophic adult ventricle compared with those required for atrial-specific and developmentally appropriate expression in the intact neonatal heart. Furthermore, the cis regulatory elements necessary for induction of ANF expression in endothelin-1 or alpha 1-adrenergically stimulated cultured neonatal ventricular myocytes are not sufficient for induction in the in vivo context of pressure overload hypertrophy.

Animals↗

Alpha-tropomyosin and cardiac troponin T mutations cause familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a disease of the sarcomere.

We demonstrate that missense mutations (Asp175Asn; Glu180Gly) in the alpha-tropomyosin gene cause familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) linked to chromosome 15q2. These findings implicated components of the troponin complex as candidate genes at other FHC loci, particularly cardiac troponin T, which was mapped in this study to chromosome 1q. Missense mutations (Ile79Asn; Arg92Gln) and a mutation in the splice donor sequence of intron 15 of the cardiac troponin T gene are also shown to cause FHC. Because alpha-tropomyosin and cardiac troponin T as well as beta myosin heavy chain mutations cause the same phenotype, we conclude that FHC is a disease of the sarcomere. Further, because the splice site mutation is predicted to function as a null allele, we suggest that abnormal stoichiometry of sarcomeric proteins can cause cardiac hypertrophy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The clinical and genetic spectrum of the Holt-Oram syndrome (heart-hand syndrome)

BACKGROUND: The Holt-Oram syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by skeletal abnormalities that are frequently accompanied by congenital cardiac defects. The cause of these disparate clinical features is unknown. To identify the chromosomal location of the Holt-Oram syndrome gene, we performed clinical and genetic studies. METHODS: Two large families with the Holt-Oram syndrome were evaluated by radiography of the hands, electrocardiography, and transthoracic echocardiography. Genetic-linkage analyses were performed with polymorphic DNA loci dispersed throughout the genome to identify a locus that was inherited with the Holt-Oram syndrome in family members. RESULTS: A total of 19 members of Family A had Holt-Oram syndrome with mild-to-moderate skeletal deformities, including triphalangeal thumbs and carpal-bone dysmorphism. All affected members of Family A had moderate-to-severe congenital cardiac abnormalities, such as ventricular or atrial septal defects or atrioventricular-canal defects. Eighteen members of a second kindred (Family B) had Holt-Oram syndrome with moderate-to-severe skeletal deformities, including phocomelia. Twelve of the affected members had no cardiac defects; six had only atrial septal defects. Genetic analyses demonstrated linkage of the disease in each family to polymorphic loci on the long arm of chromosome 12 (combined multipoint lod score, 16.8). These data suggest odds greater than 10(16):1 that the genetic defect for Holt-Oram syndrome is present on the long arm of chromosome 12 (12q2). CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in a gene on chromosome 12q2 can produce a wide range of disease phenotypes characteristic of the Holt-Oram syndrome. This gene has an important role in both skeletal and cardiac development.

Adolescent↗

Functional analysis of myosin missense mutations in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

To analyze potential functional consequences of myosin heavy chain (MHC) mutations identified in patients with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC), we have assessed the stability of the mutant MHCs and their ability to form thick filaments. Constructs encoding wild-type rat alpha MHC and seven corresponding FHC missense mutants were transfected into COS cells. Immunoblot analysis suggested that FHC mutations do not grossly alter protein stability. Wild-type alpha MHC transfected into COS cells forms structures previously shown to be arrays of thick filaments, which also resemble myosin structures observed early in differentiation of muscle cells. Surprisingly, up to 29% of COS cells transfected with the FHC mutants failed to form filamentous structures. To assess whether this phenotype was specific for the FHC mutants and not generalizable to any myosin mutation, COS cells were transfected with a construct encoding an MHC with a 168-amino acid deletion of the hinge/rod region. This deletion construct formed filamentous structures with the same frequency as wild-type MHC. Biochemical analysis of one FHC mutant (Arg-249-->Gln) demonstrates that the structures formed by the mutant are solubilized at a lower ionic strength than those formed by wild-type MHC. We conclude that although the FHC mutant MHC is not labile, its assembly properties may be impaired.

Animals↗

A dominant Stargardt's macular dystrophy locus maps to chromosome 13q34.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the chromosomal location of a mutated gene that causes an autosomal dominant Stargardt's macular dystrophy. METHODS: Ocular examinations were performed on 67 members of a large kindred to identify those with macular dystrophy. DNA analyses defined the genotype of all family members at 49 polymorphic loci. Linkage between the gene defect responsible for this macular dystrophy and each polymorphic locus was assessed by lodscore calculations. RESULTS: Diminished visual acuity and funduscopic abnormalities were found in 29 family members, which was diagnostic of macular dystrophy. Genetic analyses demonstrated that polymorphic loci from chromosome 13 band q34 were linked to the gene defect in this family. Haplotype analyses localized the disease locus to an 8-centimorgan interval between loci D13S159 and D13S158/D13S174. CONCLUSION: A disease locus responsible for an autosomal dominant Stargardt's macular dystrophy is located on chromosome 13 band q34. Identification of the mutated gene at this locus will lead to a better understanding of macular degeneration.

Adolescent↗

A gene for hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia maps to chromosome 9q3.

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant vascular disorder that is characterized by frequent nosebleeds, mucocutaneous telangiectases and vascular malformations that cause recurrent haemorrhage and arteriovenous shunting. Linkage analyses in one kindred identified an HHT locus on the long arm of chromosome 9 (maximum multipoint lod score = 6.20 between D9S60 and D9S61). Analyses in two other unrelated HHT families demonstrated that the disease in one was not linked to the locus on chromosome 9q3. We conclude that HHT is a genetically heterogeneous disorder. Based on its map location (9q3) and expression in vascular tissues, type V collagen is a possible candidate gene for HHT.

Adult↗

Autosomal dominant hypocalcaemia caused by a Ca(2+)-sensing receptor gene mutation.

Defects in the human Ca(2+)-sensing receptor gene have recently been shown to cause familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia and neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism. We now demonstrate that a missense mutation (Glu128Ala) in this gene causes familial hypocalcaemia in affected members of one family. Xenopus oocytes expressing the mutant receptor exhibit a larger increase in inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate in response to Ca2+ than oocytes expressing the wild-type receptor. We conclude that this extracellular domain mutation increases the receptor's activity at low Ca2+ concentrations, causing hypocalcaemia in patients heterozygous for such a mutation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

An evaluation of ribonuclease protection assays for the detection of beta-cardiac myosin heavy chain gene mutations.

BACKGROUND: Ribonuclease (RNase) protection has been used to identify beta-cardiac myosin heavy chain (MHC) gene mutations that cause familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC). Since more than 10 different mutations within this gene have been demonstrated to cause FHC in unrelated individuals, the genetic diagnosis of this condition will involve screening the beta-MHC gene. The accuracy with which RNase protection identifies such mutations is critical to defining the utility of this methodology in detecting mutations that cause FHC. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twelve unrelated individuals with FHC were selected for further study because their beta-MHC genes had been screened for mutations by use of RNase protection, and no mutation was found. We performed linkage analysis of the families of these 12 probands using polymorphic short tandem repeats within the beta-MHC gene to determine whether FHC was genetically linked to the MHC locus on chromosome 14. FHC was not genetically linked to the MHC locus in 11 families whose beta-cardiac MHC gene did not contain mutations detectable by RNase protection. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that RNase protection is a sensitive method for screening for mutations within the beta-cardiac MHC gene. Further, mutations in the noncoding regions of the beta-MHC gene and mutations in the alpha-cardiac MHC gene are not a common cause of FHC. Negative RNase protection assays of affected individuals suggest that their FHC is due to mutations at other loci.

Adult↗

Mutations in the human Ca(2+)-sensing receptor gene cause familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia and neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism.

We demonstrate that mutations in the human Ca(2+)-sensing receptor gene cause familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) and neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT), two inherited conditions characterized by altered calcium homeostasis. The Ca(2+)-sensing receptor belongs to the superfamily of seven membrane-spanning G protein-coupled receptors. Three nonconservative missense mutations are reported: two occur in the extracellular N-terminal domain of the receptor; the third occurs in the final intracellular loop. One mutated receptor identified in FHH individuals was expressed in X. laevis oocytes. The expressed wild-type receptor elicited large inward currents in response to perfused polyvalent cations; a markedly attenuated response was observed with the mutated protein. We conclude that the mammalian Ca(2+)-sensing receptor "sets" the extracellular Ca2+ level and is defective in individuals with FHH and NSHPT.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Left ventricular hypertrophy and morphology in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with mutations of the beta-myosin heavy chain gene.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the spectrum of left ventricular hypertrophy and ventricular morphology in adults with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy due to mutations of the beta-myosin heavy-chain gene. BACKGROUND: Although echocardiography is an important test in diagnosing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the lack of an independent diagnostic criterion has been an obstacle in determining the full echocardiographic spectrum of this disease. Mutations in the beta-myosin heavy chain gene occur in approximately 50% of familial cases; in members of families with a known mutation, the diagnosis can be made with certainty. METHODS: Echocardiograms from 39 genetically affected and 30 genetically unaffected adult family members over age 16 years from 10 families were analyzed. Left ventricular wall thickness was measured at 10 separate locations, and the presence of systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve, right ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular morphology was evaluated independently by three separate observers without knowledge of the genetic diagnosis. RESULTS: The mean maximal wall thickness in the genetically affected group was 24 +/- 8 mm (range 11 to 40), compared with 11 +/- 2 mm (range 7 to 16) in the unaffected group (p < 0.0001). Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve or chordae tendineae with or without leaflet-septal contact was present in 62% of the affected group and in none of the unaffected group. The morphologic finding of reversed septal curvature was present in 79% of the affected group and in none of the unaffected group. Seventy-seven percent of patients in the affected group had a septal/free wall ratio > or = 1.3 compared with 6% in the unaffected group, with a septal/posterior wall ratio > or = 1.3 associated with only a 55% probability of being affected. CONCLUSIONS: The two-dimensional echocardiographic spectrum of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a genetically defined adult population is broad. Previous echocardiographic criteria may be too strict to diagnose the disease in some patients who are genetically affected and therefore at risk for adverse events related to the disease. Ultimately, genetic testing may supersede echocardiography in diagnosing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Adolescent↗

A disease locus for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy maps to chromosome 1q3.

Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) is caused by missense mutations in the beta cardiac myosin heavy chain (MHC) gene in less than half of affected individuals. To identify the location of another gene involved in this disorder, a large family with FHC not linked to the beta MHC gene was studied. Linkage was detected between the disease in this family and a locus on chromosome 1q3 (maximum multipoint lod score = 8.47). Analyses in other families with FHC not linked to the beta MHC gene, revealed linkage to the chromosome 1 locus in two and excluded linkage in six. Thus mutations in at least three genetic loci can cause FHC. Three sarcomeric contractile proteins--troponin I, tropomyosin and actin--are strong candidate FHC genes at the chromosome 1 locus.

Actins↗

Homozygosity mapping of the gene for alkaptonuria to chromosome 3q2.

Alkaptonuria, the first human disorder recognized by Garrod as an inborn error of metabolism, is a rare recessive condition that darkens urine and causes a debilitating arthritis termed ochronosis. We have studied two families with consanguineous parents and four affected children in order to map the gene responsible for alkaptonuria. Coinheritance of either neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism or sucrase-isomaltase deficiency and alkaptonuria provided a candidate location for the mutated genes on chromosome 3. Homozygosity mapping with polymorphic loci identified a 16 centiMorgan region on chromosome 3q2 that contains the alkaptonuria gene. Analysis of two additional nonconsanguineous families supports linkage of alkaptonuria to this single locus (combined lod score = 4.3, theta = 0).

Adult↗

Independent origin of identical beta cardiac myosin heavy-chain mutations in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The origins of the beta cardiac myosin heavy-chain (MHC) gene missense mutations that cause familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC) in 14 families have been evaluated. Of eight different mutations, four were present in single families, while four occurred in two or more families. To investigate the origins of the four shared mutations, we defined the beta cardiac MHC haplotypes of each of the mutation-bearing chromosomes by determining the alleles present at three intragenic polymorphic loci. Two of the mutations (Arg453Cys and Val606Met) have arisen independently in each of three families, being found on different chromosomal backgrounds. A third mutation (Gly584Arg) is associated with identical haplotypes in two families with Portuguese ancestors, suggesting a founder effect. Haplotype analysis was uninformative for the fourth mutation (Arg403Gln). Thus, FHC-causing mutations have arisen independently in at least 12 of the 14 families studied, suggesting that the majority have arisen relatively recently as new mutations. This finding predicts the prevalence of disease-causing beta cardiac MHC mutations to be comparable in all population groups.

Base Sequence↗

Characteristics and prognostic implications of myosin missense mutations in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by a variable degree of myocardial hypertrophy and a wide range of symptoms. Different mutations in the beta cardiac myosin heavy-chain gene have been identified in three affected families. However, neither the proportion of cases attributable to myosin mutations nor the effects of different mutations on clinical outcome are known. METHODS: Using a ribonuclease protection assay, we screened the beta cardiac myosin heavy-chain genes of probands from 25 unrelated families with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; this assay is a sensitive method for detecting the presence and location of mutations. We further defined the mutations by analyzing their nucleotide sequences. The clinical features of the disease were compared in families with various myosin mutations. RESULTS: Seven mutations in the beta cardiac myosin heavy-chain gene were identified in 12 of the 25 families. All were missense mutations (i.e., causing the substitution of a single amino acid) clustered in the head and head-rod junction regions of the molecule. Six mutations resulted in a change in the charge of the amino acid. Patients with mutations that changed the charge of the altered amino acid (such as that from arginine to glutamine at nucleotide 403 or from arginine to cysteine at nucleotide 453) had a significantly shorter life expectancy (mean age at death, 33 years), whereas patients with the one mutation that did not produce a change in charge (Val606Met) had nearly normal survival. However, patients with different mutations did not differ appreciably in their clinical manifestations of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Different missense mutations in the beta cardiac myosin heavy-chain gene can be identified in approximately 50 percent of families with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In those families, a definite genetic diagnosis can be made in all members. Since the location of a mutation or its DNA-sequence alteration (or both) appears to influence survival, we suggest that the precise definition of the disease-causing mutation can provide important prognostic information about affected members.

Amino Acid Sequence↗