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D S Anson

Publications and source records attributed to D S Anson.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Activation of Lyt-2 associated with distant upstream insertion of an SL3-3 provirus.

Two Lyt-2+ mutants of the T-cell lymphoma SL12.4.10 were selected by fluorescence activated cell sorting. Both mutants expressed Lyt-2 (CD8 alpha-chain) but not Lyt-3 (CD8 beta-chain). Derivatives of one Lyt-2+ mutant that expressed Lyt-3 could be isolated by sorting for Lyt-3+ cells. Southern blotting analysis indicated that both mutants had structural rearrangements within or immediately 3' of the Lyt-3 gene, accompanied by demethylation of at least one Hpa II site within the Lyt-2 gene. Gene cloning analysis of one mutant demonstrated that the structural rearrangement was due to insertion of an SL3-3 provirus 35 kb 5' to the Lyt-2 gene. It is likely that Lyt-2 gene activation is a direct or indirect consequence of proviral insertion at this site.

Animals↗

Correction of alpha-L-fucosidase deficiency in fucosidosis fibroblasts by retroviral vector-mediated gene transfer.

A full-length cDNA clone encoding the lysosomal hydrolase alpha-L-fucosidase was cloned into two retroviral vectors, one using the human cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter for expression, and the other, the retroviral long terminal repeat (LTR). High-titer amphotropic virus was produced for both constructs by infection of PA317 cells, and used to efficiently transduce the alpha-L-fucosidase gene into both human and canine fucosidosis fibroblasts. This resulted in correction of the alpha-L-fucosidase enzyme deficiency characteristic of these fibroblasts. The high levels of recombinant enzyme produced corrected the degradative defect normally seen in these cells, enabling them to catabolize efficiently the accumulated storage product present in lysosomes. Therefore, these retroviral constructs should allow us to start evaluating the value of gene therapy in treating the central nervous system pathology associated with fucosidosis and other lysosomal storage disorders in humans, using a canine model of fucosidosis.

3T3 Cells↗

Correction of mucopolysaccharidosis type I fibroblasts by retroviral-mediated transfer of the human alpha-L-iduronidase gene.

Three retroviral constructs containing a full-length human alpha-L-iduronidase (IDUA) cDNA were made. The first, pLIdSN, is designed so that expression of the IDUA cDNA is from the 5' viral long terminal repeat (LTR). The second, pLNCId, is designed to express the IDUA cDNA from the cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early promoter, while in the third, pLNTId, the CMV promoter is replaced by a promoter fragment of the mouse CD45 (T200) gene. All vectors transduce resistance to G418 (neomycin). High-titer virus-producing cell lines for these constructs were made by infection of the amphotropic packaging cell line PA317 after transient expression in, and virus rescue from, the ecotropic packaging cell line psi CRE. The high-titer virus-producing cell lines were assayed for absence of helper virus, synthesis of human IDUA, and for integrity of proviral structure. Suitable lines were used as a source of virus to infect two different mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) skin fibroblast cultures. All three of the recombinant viruses corrected the enzymatic defect in MPS I fibroblasts. Surprisingly, increasing over-expression of IDUA resulted in reduced phenotypic correction of these cells as assayed by intracellular accumulation of 35S-labeled glycosaminoglycan. This was shown to be due to the induction of a phenotype analogous to mild I-cell disease in cells expressing large amounts of IDUA.

3T3 Cells↗

Human alpha-L-iduronidase: cDNA isolation and expression.

alpha-L-Iduronidase (IDUA; EC 3.2.1.76) is a lysosomal hydrolase in the metabolic pathway responsible for the degradation of the glycosaminoglycans heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate. A deficiency of IDUA in humans leads to the accumulation of these glycosaminoglycans and results in the lysosomal storage disorder mucopolysaccharidosis type I. We have isolated and sequenced cDNA clones containing part of the human IDUA coding region and used PCR from reverse-transcribed RNA to obtain the full IDUA sequence. Analysis of the predicted 653-amino acid precursor protein shows that IDUA has a 26-amino acid signal peptide that is cleaved immediately prior to the amino terminus of the 74-kDa polypeptide present in human liver IDUA. The protein sequence contains six potential N-glycosylation sites. Northern blot analysis with IDUA cDNA detected only a single 2.3-kilobase mRNA species in human placental RNA; however, PCR analysis of fibroblast, liver, kidney, and placental RNA showed the existence of alternatively spliced mRNA from the IDUA gene. Southern blot analysis failed to detect major deletions or gene rearrangements in any of the 40 mucopolysaccharidosis type I patients studied. Expression of a full-length IDUA cDNA construct in Chinese hamster ovary cells produced human IDUA protein at a level 13-fold higher than, and with a specific activity comparable to, IDUA present in normal human fibroblasts.

Base Sequence↗

Hunter syndrome: isolation of an iduronate-2-sulfatase cDNA clone and analysis of patient DNA.

Iduronate 2-sulfatase (IDS, EC 3.1.6.13) is required for the lysosomal degradation of heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate. Mutations causing IDS deficiency in humans result in the lysosomal storage of these glycosaminoglycans and Hunter syndrome, an X chromosome-linked disease. We have isolated and sequenced a 2.3-kilobase cDNA clone coding for the entire sequence of human IDS. Analysis of the deduced 550-amino acid IDS precursor sequence indicates that IDS has a 25-amino acid amino-terminal signal sequence, followed by 8 amino acids that are removed from the proprotein. An internal proteolytic cleavage occurs to produce the mature IDS present in human liver shown to contain a 42-kDa polypeptide N-terminal to a 14-kDa polypeptide. The IDS sequence has strong sequence homology with other sulfatases (such as sea urchin arylsulfatase, human arylsulfatases A, B, and C, and human glucosamine 6-sulfatase), suggesting that the sulfatases comprise an evolutionarily related family of genes that arose by gene duplication and divergent evolution. The arylsulfatases have a greater homology with each other than with the non-arylsulfatases (IDS and glucosamine 6-sulfatase). The IDS cDNA detected RNA species of 5.7, 5.4, 2.1, and 1.4 kilobases in human placental RNA and revealed structural alterations and gross deletions of the IDS gene in many of the clinically severe Hunter syndrome patients studied.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Nullisomic deletion of the mcf.2 transforming gene in two haemophilia B patients.

The mcf.2 transforming gene sequence has been located to the region between 29 and 61 kb 3' of the factor IX gene. Two unrelated haemophilia B patients who raise antibodies to infused factor IX ('inhibitors') have deletions in excess of 273 kb encompassing the factor IX and mcf.2 genes and a CG-rich island. We believe these patients show the first nullisomic deletion of a transforming gene to be reported. No clinical condition can be attributed to the loss of the mcf.2 gene.

Blotting, Southern↗

Heterogeneity of the factor IX locus in nine hemophilia B inhibitor patients.

DNA from nine hemophilia B patients who produce anti-factor IX inhibitors (antibodies), including two brothers, was analyzed by the Southern blotting method and hybridization with factor IX cDNA, intragenomic, and 3'-flanking probes. Two inhibitor patients were shown to have total deletions of the factor IX gene. Two other inhibitor patients, the brothers, were shown to have a presumably identical complex rearrangement of the factor IX gene involving two separate deletions. The first deletion is of approximately 5.0 kb and removes exon e. The second deletion is between 9 and 29 kb and removes exons g and h but leaves exon f intact. An abnormal Taq I fragment at one end of the deletion junctions acted as a marker for the inheritance of hemophilia B in the patients' family. Five other inhibitor patients have a structurally intact factor IX gene as detected by this method. Our studies indicate that whereas large structural factor IX gene defects predispose hemophilia B patients to developing an anti-factor IX inhibitor, the development of an inhibitor can be associated with other defects of the factor IX gene.

DNA↗

Towards gene therapy for hemophilia B.

Hemophilia B is an X-chromosome-linked bleeding disorder resulting from lack of clotting factor IX activity and affects about 1 in 30,000 males. Current therapy involves injection of crude factor IX prepared from pooled human plasma. Treatment is complicated by viral contaminants in factor IX preparations, such as non A-non B hepatitis and the AIDS virus, and by the practical difficulties of chronic injections. An alternative therapy might include the insertion of a factor IX expression vector into the somatic cells of affected individuals to allow continued production of factor IX. Toward this end, we have constructed a retrovirus vector for transfer and expression of factor IX. Despite the fact that factor IX is normally synthesized in hepatocytes and requires extensive post-translational modification for activity, we have shown that fully active factor IX can be made by human skin-derived fibroblasts. These results open the way to testing the use of skin grafts for gene therapy of hemophilia B.

Biological Assay↗

Carrier detection in haemophilia B using two further intragenic restriction fragment length polymorphisms.

A normal human population has been screened for the existence of further restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the clotting factor IX gene in addition to the TaqI polymorphism already characterised (1,2). Two polymorphic loci were found, both within 6 Kb of the TaqI polymorphism within the body of the factor IX gene. One of the polymorphisms has been shown to be due to either the presence or absence of a particular recognition site for the restriction enzyme XmnI. The other, visualised as a difference in fragment pattern produced by digestion with either HinfI or DdeI, has two allelic forms differing by a 50 bp element of inserted DNA. Sequence analysis has shown the inserted element to be in a region of Z type DNA sequence, the insertion representing a duplication of flanking sequence on either side. The two polymorphisms are inherited in simple Mendelian fashion and have both been used to diagnose haemophilia B carrier status. It is estimated that the combined use of these polymorphisms in the factor IX gene, despite linkage disequilibrium between the 3 polymorphic loci, should enable carrier status to be determined in approximately 66% of all haemophilia B families.

Alleles↗

Characterisation and use of an intragenic polymorphic marker for detection of carriers of haemophilia B (factor IX deficiency).

DNA from 33 healthy White subjects was analysed with a 2 X 5 kilobase subgenomic DNA probe derived from the gene for coagulation factor IX, containing the exon "d" region of that gene. Intragenic Taq I restriction-fragment length polymorphism was revealed, with allelic frequencies estimated at 0 X 65 and 0 X 35 (SE = 0 X 06), also detectable by a cDNA probe. The genomic DNA probe is technically superior to the cDNA probe and has been used in three families with haemophilia B (factor IX deficiency). The polymorphic marker segregates with the deleterious mutation, allowing the identification or exclusion of carriers. The allelic frequencies of the Taq I polymorphism are virtually ideal. Therefore, such a polymorphism should be helpful both in genetic counselling of approximately 40% of affected families and in prenatal diagnosis.

Alleles↗

The gene structure of human anti-haemophilic factor IX.

The mRNA sequence of the human intrinsic clotting factor IX (Christmas factor) has been completed and is 2802 residues long, including a 29 residue long 5' non-coding and a 1390 residue long 3' non-coding region, but excluding the poly(A) tail. The factor IX gene is approximately 34 kb long and we define, by the sequencing of 5280 residues, the presumed promoter region, all eight exons, and some intron and flanking sequence. Introns account for 92% of the gene length and the longest is estimated to be 10 100 residues. Exons conform roughly to previously designated protein regions, but the catalytic region of the protein is coded by two separate exons. This differs from the arrangement in the other characterized serine protease genes which are further subdivided in this region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Sulphamidase.

Sulphamidase is one of four lysosomal proteins whose deficiency clinically manifests as Sanfilippo syndrome. Deficiency of sulphamidase results in the lysosomal storage of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) heparan sulphate (HS) and is termed mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA (MPS IIIA). Sulphamidase catalyses the hydrolysis of an N-linked sulphate from the nonreducing terminal glucosaminide residue of HS (Fig. 1). It is unique among the known lysosomal sulphatases involved in GAG degradation in that it is an N-sulphatase, all the others being O-sulphatases. Purification of sulphamidase from human liver has facilitated the amino-terminal sequencing of the protein and hence the isolation of cDNA and genomic clones for sulphamidase. This has in turn made possible a range of further studies aimed at better diagnosis, treatment and understanding of MPS IIIA.

Humans↗

Expression of active human clotting factor IX from recombinant DNA clones in mammalian cells.

Haemophilia B, or Christmas disease, is an inherited X-chromosome-linked bleeding disorder caused by a defect in clotting factor IX and occurs in about 1 in 30,000 males in the United Kingdom. Injection of factor IX concentrate obtained from blood donors allows most patients to be successfully managed. However, because of impurities in the factor IX concentrate presently in use, this treatment involves some risk of infection by blood-borne viruses such as non-A, non-B hepatitis and the virus causing acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Because of the recent concern about the increasing incidence of AIDS amongst haemophiliacs, a factor IX preparation derived from a source other than blood is desirable. Here, we report that after introduction of human factor IX DNA clones into a rat hepatoma cell line using recombinant DNA methods, we were able to isolate small amounts of biologically active human factor IX.

Animals↗