PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Tryggvason

Publications and source records attributed to K Tryggvason.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Mutations in the gamma 2 chain gene (LAMC2) of kalinin/laminin 5 in the junctional forms of epidermolysis bullosa.

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by blister formation within the dermal-epidermal basement membrane. Genes for the lamina lucida protein, kalinin/laminin 5, have been proposed as candidates for some forms of JEB, based on immunofluorescence analysis recognizing kalinin epitopes. We studied the cDNA of laminin gamma 2 chain for mutations in JEB using heteroduplex analysis. One patient showed a homozygous splice site mutation while another was heterozygous for a deletion-insertion, resulting in a premature termination codon in one allele. Our data implicate mutations in the laminin gamma 2 chain gene (LAMC2) in some forms of JEB.

Base Sequence↗

Herlitz's junctional epidermolysis bullosa is linked to mutations in the gene (LAMC2) for the gamma 2 subunit of nicein/kalinin (LAMININ-5).

We have linked Herlitz's junctional epidermolysis bullosa (H-JEB) to the gene (LAMC2) encoding the gamma 2 subunit of nicein/kalinin, an isolaminin (laminin-5) expressed by basal keratinocytes. In four H-JEB kindreds, a maximum two-point lod score of 5.33 at theta = 0 was observed between a microsatellite near LAMC2 at 1q25-31 and the disease. In one family, a homozygous point mutation leading to a premature stop codon (CGA to TGA) was identified in exon 3 of the gene. The segregation of the mutated allele implicates the mutation in the pathology of the disorder and corroborates the linkage results.

Base Sequence↗

Human laminin M chain (merosin): complete primary structure, chromosomal assignment, and expression of the M and A chain in human fetal tissues.

The primary structure of the human laminin M chain was determined from cDNA clones isolated from human placental libraries. The clones covered a total of 6,942 bp, with 49-bp encoding a 5' end untranslated region and 6,893-bp coding for a translated sequence. The complete human laminin M chain contains a 22-residue signal peptide and 3,088 residues of the mature M chain. The M chain has a domain structure similar to that of the human and mouse A chains. The homology between the two human laminin heavy chains is highest in the short arm region and lowest in the long arm helical domain I + II. Northern blot analysis of human fetal tissues showed that the M chain was expressed in most tissues such as cardiac muscle, pancreas, lung, spleen, kidney, adrenal gland, skin, testis, meninges, choroid plexus, and some other regions of the brain, but not in liver, thymus, and bone. In situ hybridization localized the expression of the M chain gene to cells of mesenchymal origin. In contrast, expression of the A chain was observed only in kidney, testis, neuroretina and some region of brain as determined by Northern analyses. Epithelial and endothelial cells were negative for both M and A chain gene transcripts. The gene for the human M chain (LAMM) was localized to chromosome 6q22-->23.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

High expression of 92-kD type IV collagenase (gelatinase B) in the osteoclast lineage during mouse development.

cDNA clones for murine 92 kD type IV collagenase (gelatinase B) were generated for the determination of its primary structure and for analysis of temporal and spatial expression in vivo. The mouse enzyme has 72% sequence identity with the human counterpart, the major difference being the presence of a 16-residue segment absent from the human enzyme. In situ hybridization analyses of embryonic and postnatal mouse tissues revealed intense signals in cells of the osteoclast cell lineage. Clear expression above background was not observed in macrophages, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, monocytes, or epithelial cells which have been shown to express the gene in vitro in cell cultures. Expression of the gene was first observed at early stage of cartilage and tooth development at E13, where signals were seen transiently in surrounding mesenchymal cells. At later developmental stages and postnatally strong expression was seen in large cells at the surface of bones. These cells were presumably osteoclasts as their location correlated with that of TRAP positive cells. Signals above background were not observed in a number of other tissues studied. The results represent the first demonstration of a highly osteoclast specific extracellular proteinase. The results suggest that during normal development of embryonic organs the 92-kD type IV collagenase does not have a major role in basement membrane degradation, but is rather mainly used for the turnover of bone matrix, possibly as a gelatinase required for the removal of denatured collagen fragments (gelatin) generated by interstitial collagenase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pathology of glomerular basement membrane nephropathy.

Studies of the molecular pathology of glomerular basement membrane have led to the discovery of four novel chains of type IV collagen, the latest of which is the alpha 6(IV) chain. Three chains have been shown to be directly involved in the pathogenesis of Goodpasture syndrome, Alport syndrome, and Alport posttransplantation antiglomerular basement membrane nephritis. This review focuses on the novel chains with respect to recent advances in their structure, gene organization, and involvement in the pathogenesis of these glomerulopathies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Deletions in the COL4A5 collagen gene in X-linked Alport syndrome. Characterization of the pathological transcripts in nonrenal cells and correlation with disease expression.

The type IV collagen alpha 5 chain (COL4A5) gene of 88 unrelated male patients with X-linked Alport syndrome was tested for major gene rearrangements by Southern blot analysis, using COL4A5 cDNA probes. 14 different deletions were detected, providing a 16% deletion rate in the COL4A5 gene in the patient population. The deletions are dispersed all over the gene with different sizes, ranging from 1 kb to the complete absence of the gene (> 250 kb) in one patient. In four patients with intragenic deletions, absence of the alpha 3 (IV) chain in the glomerular basement membrane was demonstrated by immunohistochemical studies. This finding supports the hypothesis that abnormalities in the alpha 5 (IV) chain may prevent normal incorporation of the alpha 3 (IV) chain into the glomerular basement membrane. Direct sequencing of cDNA amplified from lymphoblast mRNA of four patients with internal gene deletions, using appropriate combinations of primers amplifying across the predicted boundaries of the deletions, allowed us to determine the effect of the genomic rearrangements on the transcripts and, by inference, on the alpha 5 (IV) chain. Regardless of the extent of deletion and of the putative protein product, the 14 deletions occur in patients with juvenile-type Alport syndrome.

Base Sequence↗

COL4A5 deletions in three patients with Alport syndrome and posttransplant antiglomerular basement membrane nephritis.

Mutations in the COL4A5 gene encoding the alpha 5 chain of Type IV collagen were identified in three men with Alport syndrome and posttransplant antiglomerular basement membrane (GBM) nephritis by the use of Southern analysis, polymerase chain reaction amplification of genomic DNA, and reverse transcription and amplification of lymphocyte RNA. Two related patients (M.C. and J.M.) exhibited deletion of COL4A5 beginning in the 5'-most portion of the gene and extending through the 3' untranslated region, whereas the third patient (J.E.) had an intragenic deletion encompassing Exons 4 through 47. Combined with previously reported data, these findings suggest that the incidence of deletions of COL4A5, as opposed to other COL4A5 mutations, is much higher in Alport patients who develop posttransplant anti-GBM nephritis than in the general Alport population. Immunofluorescence studies of kidney from Patient J.E. showed no reactivity of GBM with monoclonal antibodies directed against the alpha 3, alpha 4, and alpha 5 chains of Type IV collagen. This finding confirms that the mutation affecting the alpha 5(IV) chain can interfere with the incorporation of alpha 3(IV) and alpha 4(IV) into the GBM.

Adult↗

Assessment of 72-kilodalton gelatinase and TIMP-1 gene expression in normal and sclerotic murine glomeruli.

Mice transgenic for bovine growth hormone (bGH) develop progressive diffuse glomerulosclerosis. Because murine mesangial cells in vitro were found to express the genes for 72-kd gelatinase and the metalloproteinase inhibitor TIMP-1, the expression of these genes in vivo in isolated whole glomeruli from bGH mice and normal control littermates was examined. Intact glomeruli were isolated by microdissection and subjected to reverse transcription. TIMP-1 cDNA was not detected by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in glomeruli from bGH or control mice. In contrast, cDNA for 72-kd gelatinase was detected by standard PCR in both bGH and control mice, and the level was subsequently measured by quantitative competitive PCR. The gelatinase cDNA level was 14.7 +/- 2.8 x 10(-4) attomoles/glomerulus in 2- to 3-month-old control mice and was unchanged in 6-month-old controls. The bGH mice had 3.5-fold and 4.5-fold higher cDNA levels at 2 to 3 months and 6 months of age, respectively. Finally, zymography of glomerular extracts revealed increased levels of 72-kd and 96- to 100-kd gelatinase activity in bGH glomeruli in comparison to that in controls. In summary, whereas the genes for both TIMP-1 and 72-kd gelatinase are expressed in vitro in cultured mesangial cells, only the gelatinase gene appeared to be expressed in vivo in intact glomeruli. In addition, there was an up-regulation in the glomerular expression of the 72-kd gelatinase in bGH mice, a murine model of glomerulosclerosis.

Animals↗

The gamma 2 chain of kalinin/laminin 5 is preferentially expressed in invading malignant cells in human cancers.

All known laminin isoforms are cross-shaped heterotrimeric molecules, consisting of one heavy alpha chain and two light beta and gamma chains. Recently, a cDNA encoding a new gamma chain from laminin 5 (also known as kalinin) was sequenced. This chain, named gamma 2, showed extended homology to the classical gamma 1 chain but differed from this by lacking the terminal globular domain. Recent data, indicating an important role of the gamma 2 chain gene in establishing adhesion contacts between epithelial cells and basement membranes, prompted us to investigate whether the gamma 2 chain gene is aberrantly expressed in cancer tissue, and if so whether its localization could provide clues to its possible role in cancer dissemination. Routinely processed tissue specimens from 36 cases of human cancer were investigated, including 16 cases of colon adenocarcinoma, 7 ductal mammary carcinomas, 4 squamous cell carcinomas, 3 malignant melanomas and 6 sarcomas. In situ hybridization for the detection of mRNAs for the gamma 2 chain and for the classical laminin chains alpha 1, beta 1, and gamma 1 was performed using S-35 labeled antisense RNA probes. As positive control of the specificity of the gamma 2 chain mRNA detection, two different anti-sense probes derived from two nonoverlapping cDNA clones were used. Malignant cells were found to express the gamma 2 chain in 29 of the 30 carcinomas studied and the expression was particularly high in cancer cells located at the invasion front. In contrast, mesenchymally derived cancer cells in three different types of sarcomas did not express the gamma 2 chain. In colon cancer there was a clear histological correlation between the expression of gamma 2 chain by cancer cells and their engagement in tumor budding processes. Laminin chains alpha 1, beta 1, and gamma 1 were weakly expressed throughout cancerous areas with no apparent correlation to sites of invasion. The aberrant expression of the gamma 2 chain gene seen in invasively growing cancer cells point to a role of this molecule in establishing focal adhesions of cancer cells to the extracellular matrix during their migration through surrounding normal tissue.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type maps to the long arm of chromosome 19.

Congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type (CNF) is an autosomal recessive disease that is characterized by massive proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome at birth. CNF represents a unique, apparently specific dysfunction of the renal basement membranes, and the estimated incidence of CNF in the isolated population of Finland is 1 in 8,000 newborns. The basic defect is unknown, and no specific biochemical defect or chromosomal aberrations have been described. Here we report the assignment of the CNF locus to 19q12-q13.1 on the basis of linkage analyses in 17 Finnish families. Multipoint analyses and observed recombination events place the CNF locus between multiallelic markers D19S416 and D19S224, and the significant linkage disequilibrium observed suggests that the CNF gene lies in the immediate vicinity of the markers D19S224 and D19S220.

Cell Line↗

Directional regulatory activity of cis-acting elements in the bidirectional alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) collagen gene promoter.

The genes for the type IV collagen alpha 1 and alpha 2 chains are regulated by a common alpha 130-base pair (bp) bidirectional promoter. In an attempt to explore the regulation of expression of both genes, we have constructed a minilocus plasmid containing minigenes for the human alpha 1 (IV) and alpha 2(IV) collagen genes located head-to-head like the endogenous genes. The directional regulation of this promoter was studied by introducing site-directed mutations into the promoter of the minigenes. In transient transfections the levels of transcripts of both minigenes were measured, and the influence of mutations on the direction of transcription was studied. The mutational analysis showed that a CCCTCCC motif and a GC box located in the center of the common promoter as well as GC boxes in exon 1 of the alpha 2(IV) gene are potent activating elements for both genes. The promoter of the alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) collagen genes contains no classical TATA boxes. Even so, A+T-rich sequence motifs, which have no obvious homology to the TATA box located 25-30 bp upstream of exon 1 in each gene, direct the initiation of transcription predominantly about 30 bp downstream of their location. Disruption of the A+T-rich sequence decreased the activity of the promoter considerably, and in addition, the generated classical TATA boxes hindered maintenance of normal bidirectional transcription and changed the ratio of the alpha 1(IV) and alpha 2(IV) transcripts. The CCAAT box in the alpha 2(IV) chain coding strand activated the promoter in the alpha 2(IV) gene direction, but not in the alpha 1(IV) gene direction.

Base Sequence↗

Deletion of the paired alpha 5(IV) and alpha 6(IV) collagen genes in inherited smooth muscle tumors.

The gene encoding alpha 6(IV) collagen, COL4A6, was identified on the human X chromosome in a head-to-head arrangement and within 452 base pairs of the alpha 5(IV) collagen gene, COL4A5. In earlier studies, intragenic deletions of COL4A5 were detected in a subset of patients with Alport syndrome (AS), a hereditary defect of basement membranes. In some families, AS cosegregates with diffuse leiomyomatosis (DL), a benign smooth muscle tumor diathesis. Here it is shown that patients with AS-DL harbor deletions that disrupt both COL4A5 and COL4A6. Thus, type IV collagen may regulate smooth muscle differentiation and morphogenesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Stability analysis of latent and active 72-kDa type IV collagenase: the role of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2).

The degradation of extracellular matrix is an important facet of many physiological and pathological processes. The collagenases form a family of matrix degradative enzymes that have similar active site sequences and activation mechanisms and are inhibited by a specific class of proteinase inhibitors referred to as tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases. Regulation of enzyme activity is a complex process involving control at multiple levels: message transcription and translation, activation of latent proenzymes, inhibition of activity by specific inhibitors, and degradation of activated enzymes. We have examined the role of the proteinase inhibitor tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) on two of these processes: the autoactivation and autodegradation of the human 72-kDa type IV collagenase. We compared the stability of the enzyme in these two processes using three different enzyme preparations: the enzyme-inhibitor complex as isolated from human A2058 melanoma cells, recombinant enzyme free of TIMP-2, and enzyme separated from TIMP-2 by acid denaturation. We have found little evidence to support the hypothesis that the enzyme is able to autoactive, as no autoactivation occurs in the presence of TIMP-2 and only 20% autoactivation occurs in its absence, and then only after 24 h of incubation at 37 degrees C. However, TIMP-2 does appear to inhibit autodegradation, possibly by a mechanism distinct from its ability to inhibit substrate proteolysis. Enzyme isolated via chromatography involving acid mobile phases produces a mixture of cleavage products that is mostly denatured, inactive enzyme fragments. The role of TIMP-2 as an inhibitor of autodegradation suggests that the enzyme may show two physiological phenotypes: the free enzyme having a high level of activity and rapid autodegradation and enzyme-inhibitor complex having a low level of activity resistant to autodegradation.

Animals↗

Identification of four novel mutations in the COL4A5 gene of patients with Alport syndrome.

The type IV collagen alpha 5 chain (COL4A5) genes of patients with Alport syndrome were tested for major gene rearrangements by Southern blot analysis, using COL4A5 cDNA clones as probes. In addition, individual exons were screened for small mutations by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Four new COL4A5 mutations were detected. A duplication of the nine most 3' located nucleotides of exon 49 and the first nucleotide of intron 49 was identified in the COL4A5 gene of one patient. Two patients displayed single base substitutions leading to, respectively, a proline to threonine and an arginine to glutamine substitution in the C-terminal end. Both substitutions involve amino acids conserved through evolution. In COL4A5 intron 41 a mutation changing the splice acceptor site from AG to AA was identified. All mutations cosegregate with the clinical phenotype of Alport syndrome in affected family members. In a control population of 50 individuals tested by PCR-SSCP these mutations were never identified. Together with two mutations reported previously, a total of six mutations were found in 26 patients with Alport syndrome (23%) after systematic screening of about 30% of the COL4A5 coding region. The clinical features of these six patients are described in detail.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Type IV collagenases in invasive tumors.

The matrix metalloproteinases appear to be elevated in tumors with metastatic potential, and may well be involved in penetration of the basement membrane and degradation of extracellular proteins including type IV collagen. An imbalance between the 72 kDa and 92 kDa type IV collagenases and the associated tissue inhibitors of these metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may therefore have a role in the invasive phenotype. Cultured tumor cells with invasive potential secrete both type IV collagenases, though in tumors there is some evidence that the 72 kDa form at least may be produced by stromal cells at the invading tumor front rather than primarily by the tumor cells themselves, while the 92 kDa form may be synthesized in macrophages near the front. These collagenases are elevated in invasive as compared with in situ tumor components, but their specific roles and prognostic significance are not yet established.

Animals↗

The laminin family.

During the preceding year significant progress has been made in our understanding of laminin structure and expression. Highlights include the identification of new subunit chains and molecular isoforms as well as new information on tissue-specific gene expression, laminin self-assembly and interactions with other matrix components.

Animals↗

Mutations in the codon for a conserved arginine-1563 in the COL4A5 collagen gene in Alport syndrome.

We have screened 110 unrelated Alport syndrome kindreds for mutations in the exon 48 region of the COL4A5 collagen gene. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the PCR-amplified region of exon 48 revealed sequence variants in DNA from affected males and carriers of three unrelated kindreds. All three kindreds have classical Alport syndrome of the juvenile type. DNA-sequencing analyses demonstrated two different single base changes in the codon for arginine-1563 located in exon 48. In Utah kindred 2103, there was a substitution of C by T resulting in the change of the CGA codon for arginine to the translation stop codon TGA. In Utah kindred 2123 and in the Danish kindred A13, there was a C-->T mutation in the noncoding strand changing the same codon to CAA for glutamine. Both mutations were confirmed by allele-specific hybridization on PCR-amplified DNA from other family members.

Adult↗