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C F Bartels

Publications and source records attributed to C F Bartels.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

DNA mutations associated with the human butyrylcholinesterase J-variant.

The J-variant of human serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) causes both an approximately two-thirds reduction of circulating enzyme molecules and a corresponding decrease in the level of BChE activity present in serum. Since the level of serum BChE activity and the duration of succinylcholine apnea are inversely correlated, this marked decrease in activity makes individuals with the J-variant more susceptible than usual subjects to prolonged apnea from succinylcholine. We reinvestigated the same family in which Garry et al. identified the J-variant phenotype. The atypical, fluoride, and K-variant mutations were also identified in members of the 47-person pedigree. DNA amplification by PCR, followed by direct sequencing of the amplified DNA, led to the finding that the J-variant phenotype of human serum BChE was associated with two DNA point mutations in the coding region. One of these was the mutation previously identified with the K-variant phenotype (GCA----ACA; Ala539----Thr). The other was an adenine-to-thymine transversion at nucleotide 1490, which changed amino acid 497 from glutamic acid to valine (GAA----GTA; Glu497----Val). This latter point mutation was named the J-variant mutation (formal name BCHE*497V). The J-variant mutation has not been identified without the K-variant mutation. The J-variant mutation created an RsaI-enzyme RFLP. Two additional point mutations, located in the noncoding regions of the gene, were also found to be linked with the J-variant and K-variant point mutations on the same allele. These noncoding polymorphic mutations had previously been found linked to the atypical and K-variant point mutations. A summary table shows dibucaine, fluoride, and Hoffmann-La Roche compound Ro 2-0683 inhibition numbers for 119 samples whose DNA has been sequenced. Eighteen BChE genotypes are represented.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of two different point mutations associated with the fluoride-resistant phenotype for human butyrylcholinesterase.

The fluoride variant of human butyrylcholinesterase owes its name to the observation that it is resistant to inhibition by 0.050 mM sodium fluoride in the in vitro assay. Individuals who are heterozygous for the fluoride and atypical alleles experience about 30 min of apnea, rather than the usual 3-5 min, after receiving succinyldicholine. Earlier we reported that the atypical variant has a nucleotide substitution which changes Asp 70 to Gly. In the present work we have identified two different point mutations associated with the fluoride-resistant phenotype. Fluoride-1 has a nucleotide substitution which changes Thr 243 to Met (ACG to ATG). Fluoride-2 has a substitution which changes Gly 390 to Val (GGT to GTT). These results were obtained by DNA sequence analysis of the butyrylcholinesterase gene after amplification by PCR. The subjects for these analyses were 4 patients and 21 family members.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

DNA mutation associated with the human butyrylcholinesterase K-variant and its linkage to the atypical variant mutation and other polymorphic sites.

Genomic DNA from two families exhibiting the K-variant phenotype of serum butyrylcholinesterase was amplified by PCR and sequenced to determine the molecular basis of this variant. The K-variant phenotype was found to be associated with a DNA transition from guanine to adenine at nucleotide 1615, which caused an amino acid change from alanine 539 to threonine (GCA----ACA; Ala539----Thr). There was a 30% reduction of serum butyrylcholinesterase activity associated with this mutation. Amplification and sequencing of DNA from a random sample of 47 unrelated people gave a frequency of .128 for the K-variant allele. Thus, 1 person in 63 should be homozygous for the K-variant, making the K-variant the most common butyrylcholinesterase variant. The K-variant mutation was also found to be present in 17 (89%) of 19 butyrylcholinesterase genes containing the point mutation which causes the atypical phenotype of butyrylcholinesterase (GAT----GGT; Asp70----Gly). The presence of the K-variant in the same molecule as the atypical variant does not contribute to the qualitative change in the atypical enzyme, but it most likely accounts for the approximately one-third reduction in Vmax of butyrylcholinesterase activity in atypical serum. Two additional point mutations located in noncoding regions of the gene were also observed to be in linkage disequilibrium with the K-variant mutation. As many as four different point mutations have been identified within a single butyrylcholinesterase gene. Inhibition tests of the enzyme in plasma are usually used to distinguish the K-variant from the usual enzyme when the former is present with the heterozygous atypical variant (AK phenotype vs. UA phenotype). Inhibition tests were performed on plasma enzyme from the four possible genotypic combinations of the heterozygous atypical mutation with or without the K-variant mutation on either allele; we found that the AK phenotype was caused by three genotypes (A/K, AK/K, and U/A) and that the UA phenotype was caused by two genotypes (U/A and U/AK).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Use of the polymerase chain reaction for homology probing of butyrylcholinesterase from several vertebrates.

Genomic blots from man, monkey, cow, sheep, pig, rabbit, dog, rat, mouse, guinea pig, and chicken DNA were hybridized with probes derived from the four exons of the human butyrylcholinesterase gene (BCHE) (Arpagaus, M., Kott, M., Vatsis, K. P., Bartels, C. F., La Du, B. N., and Lockridge, O. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 124-131). Results showed that the BCHE gene was present in a single copy in the genome of all these vertebrates. The polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify genomic DNA from these animals with oligonucleotides derived from the human BCHE coding sequence. The amplified segment contained 423 bp of BCHE sequence including the active site serine of the enzyme (amino acid 198) and a component of the anionic site, aspartate 70. Amplification was successful for monkey, pig, cow, dog, sheep, and rabbit DNA, but unsuccessful for rat, guinea pig, mouse, and chicken DNA. Amplified segments were cloned in M13 and sequenced. The mouse sequence was obtained by sequencing a genomic clone. The highest identity of the human amino acid sequence was found with monkey (100%) and the lowest with mouse (91.5%). The sequence around the active site serine 198, Phe-Gly-Glu-Ser-Ala-Gly-Ala, was conserved in all eight animals as was the anionic site component, aspartate 70. A phylogenetic tree of mammalian butyrylcholinesterases was constructed using the partial BCHE sequences.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Proposed nomenclature for human butyrylcholinesterase genetic variants identified by DNA sequencing.

1. New information identifying nucleotide alterations of human butyrylcholinesterase allows the use of more specific nomenclature for the variants commonly known as atypical, fluoride, silent, and K variant. 2. In addition to suggesting a system of trivial names and abbreviations, we provide a list of formal names that follow the guidelines of the Committee for Human Gene Nomenclature. 3. It is suggested that formal names be included in publications whenever possible.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structure of the gene for human butyrylcholinesterase. Evidence for a single copy.

We have isolated five genomic clones for human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), using cDNA probes encoding the catalytic subunit of the hydrophilic tetramer [McTiernan et al. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 84, 6682-6686]. The BChE gene is at least 73 kb long and contains four exons. Exon 1 contains untranslated sequences and two potential translation initiation sites at codons -69 and -47. Exon 2 (1525 bp) contains 83% of the coding sequence for the mature protein, including the N-terminal and the active-site serine, and a third possible translation initiation site (likely functional), at codon -28. Exon 3 is 167 nucleotides long. Exon 4 (604 bp) codes for the C-terminus of the protein and the 3' untranslated region where two polyadenylation signals were identified. Intron 1 is 6.5 kb long, and the minimal sizes of introns 2 and 3 are estimated to be 32 kb each. Southern blot analysis of total human genomic DNA is in complete agreement with the gene structure established by restriction endonuclease mapping of the genomic clones: this strongly suggests that the BChE gene is present in a single copy.

Base Sequence↗

Phenotypic and molecular biological analysis of human butyrylcholinesterase variants.

Our laboratory has recently shown that several variant forms of human butyrylcholinesterase, associated with unusual sensitivity to succinylcholine, are caused by specific mutations within the structural DNA coding for this enzyme. Atypical (dibucaine-resistant) butyrylcholinesterase is caused by a point mutation at nucleotide position 209(GAT-- greater than GGT), which changes aspartate 70 to glycine. One fluoride-resistant variant family has a point mutation at nucleotide 728(ACG-- greater than ATG), which changes threonine 243 to methionine. Another type of fluoride-resistant variant has a point mutation at nucleotide 1169(GGT-- greater than GTT), which changes glycine 390 to valine. One type of silent phenotype is due to a frame-shift mutation at nucleotide position 351(GGT-- greater than GGAG). A polymorphic site at nucleotide position 1615 (GCA/ACA), coding for Ala/Thr, accounts for the quantitative K-variant, which causes an approximate one-third reduction of activity, if Thr occupies that position at codon 539. Examples are given to illustrate the advantages of using a combination of the new DNA analytical techniques, including: the use of allele-specific probes, with the standard serum cholinesterase phenotyping methods. More accurate typing of patients with certain variants is now possible; pedigree analysis will be aided by the improved methodology.

Alleles↗

Identification of a frameshift mutation responsible for the silent phenotype of human serum cholinesterase, Gly 117 (GGT----GGAG).

A frameshift mutation that causes a silent phenotype for human serum cholinesterase was identified in the DNA of seven individuals of two unrelated families. The mutation, identified using the polymerase chain reaction, causes a shift in the reading frame from Gly 117, where GGT (Gly)----GGAG (Gly+ 1 base) to a new stop codon created at position 129. This alteration is upstream of the active site (Ser 198), and, if any protein were made, it would represent only 22% of the mature enzyme found in normal serum. Results of analysis of the enzymatic activities in serum agreed with the genotypes inferred from the nucleotide sequence. Rocket immunoelectrophoresis using alpha-naphthyl acetate to detect enzymatic activity showed an absence of cross-reactive material, as expected. One additional individual with a silent phenotype did not show the same frameshift mutation. This was not unexpected, since there must be considerable molecular heterogeneity involved in causes for the silent cholinesterase phenotype. This is the first report of a molecular mechanism underlying the silent phenotype for serum cholinesterase. The analytical approach used was similar to the one we recently employed to identify the mutation that causes the atypical cholinesterase variant.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of the structural mutation responsible for the dibucaine-resistant (atypical) variant form of human serum cholinesterase.

A point mutation in the gene for human serum cholinesterase was identified that changes Asp-70 to Gly in the atypical form of serum cholinesterase. The mutation in nucleotide 209, which changes codon 70 from GAT to GGT, was found by sequencing a genomic clone and sequencing selected regions of DNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. The entire coding sequences for usual and atypical cholinesterases were compared, and no other consistent base differences were found. A polymorphic site near the C terminus of the coded region was detected, but neither allele at this locus segregated consistently with the atypical trait. The nucleotide-209 mutation was detected in all five atypical cholinesterase families examined. There was complete concordance between this mutation and serum cholinesterase phenotypes for all 14 heterozygous and 6 homozygous atypical subjects tested. The mutation causes the loss of a Sau3A1 restriction site; the resulting DNA fragment length polymorphism was verified by electrophoresis of 32P-labeled DNA restriction fragments from usual and atypical subjects. Dot-blot hybridization analysis with a 19-mer allele-specific probe to the DNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction distinguished between the usual and atypical genotypes. We conclude that the Asp-70----Gly mutation (acidic to neutral amino acid substitution) accounts for reduced affinity of atypical cholinesterase for choline esters and that Asp-70 must be an important component of the anionic site. Heterogeneity in atypical alleles may exist, but the Asp-70 point mutation may represent an appreciable portion of the atypical gene pool.

Base Sequence↗

Complete amino acid sequence of human serum cholinesterase.

The complete amino acid sequence of human serum cholinesterase (choline esterase II (unspecific), EC 3.1.1.8) was determined by Edman degradation of purified peptides. The protein contains 574 amino acids per subunit and nine carbohydrate chains attached to 9 asparagines. The four subunits of cholinesterase appear to be identical. The active site serine is the 198th residue from the amino terminus. The sequence of human serum cholinesterase is 53.8% identical with the sequence of acetylcholinesterase from Torpedo californica and 28% identical with the carboxyl-terminal portion of bovine thyroglobulin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Brain cDNA clone for human cholinesterase.

A cDNA library from human basal ganglia was screened with oligonucleotide probes corresponding to portions of the amino acid sequence of human serum cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8). Five overlapping clones, representing 2.4 kilobases, were isolated. The sequenced cDNA contained 207 base pairs of coding sequence 5' to the amino terminus of the mature protein in which there were four ATG translation start sites in the same reading frame as the protein. Only the ATG coding for Met-(-28) lay within a favorable consensus sequence for functional initiators. There were 1722 base pairs of coding sequence corresponding to the protein found circulating in human serum. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA exactly matched the 574 amino acid sequence of human serum cholinesterase, as previously determined by Edman degradation. Therefore, our clones represented cholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) rather than acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7). It was concluded that the amino acid sequences of cholinesterase from two different tissues, human brain and human serum, were identical. Hybridization of genomic DNA blots suggested that a single gene, or very few genes, coded for cholinesterase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗