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Biomedical subjects

R J Wanders

Publications and source records attributed to R J Wanders.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Peroxisome biogenesis disorders: identification of a new complementation group distinct from peroxisome-deficient CHO mutants and not complemented by human PEX 13.

Ten complementation groups of generalized peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBD), (excluding rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata) have been identified using complementation analysis. Four of the genes involved have been identified using two different methods of (1) genetic functional complementation of peroxisome deficient CHO cell mutants and (2) homology searches for human dbEST, based on yeast genes involved in peroxisome biogenesis (PEX genes). We report here the first identification of a new complementation group which is genetically different from peroxisome deficient CHO mutants. There were no complementations by the human PEX 13 gene. The nature of the related gene is being investigated.

Animals↗

Peroxisomal beta-oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: isocitrate dehydrogenase provides NADPH for reduction of double bonds at even positions.

The beta-oxidation of saturated fatty acids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is confined exclusively to the peroxisomal compartment of the cell. Processing of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids with the double bond at an even position requires, in addition to the basic beta-oxidation machinery, the contribution of the NADPH-dependent enzyme 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase. Here we show by biochemical cell fractionation studies that this enzyme is a typical constituent of peroxisomes. As a consequence, the beta-oxidation of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids with double bonds at even positions requires stoichiometric amounts of intraperoxisomal NADPH. We suggest that NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase isoenzymes function in an NADP redox shuttle across the peroxisomal membrane to keep intraperoxisomal NADP reduced. This is based on the finding of a third NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase isoenzyme, Idp3p, next to the already known mitochondrial and cytosolic isoenzymes, which turned out to be present in the peroxisomal matrix. Our proposal is strongly supported by the observation that peroxisomal Idp3p is essential for growth on the unsaturated fatty acids arachidonic, linoleic and petroselinic acid, which require 2, 4-dienoyl-CoA reductase activity. On the other hand, growth on oleate which does not require 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase, and NADPH is completely normal in Deltaidp3 cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A nonsense mutation in the exon 2 of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A lyase (HL) gene producing three mature mRNAs is the main cause of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric aciduria in European Mediterranean patients.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaric aciduria is a rare recessive monogenic disorder that affects ketogenesis and the catabolism of L-leucine. We report the biochemical and molecular characterization of a mutation in the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A lyase gene in four new probands, three Spanish and one Turkish, affected by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric aciduria, all homozygous for the nonsense mutation Glu37Ter, which was reported by our group in two probands of Portuguese and Moroccan origin (15). In addition to the aberrant mRNAs found in the two previous probands, a novel species of mature HL mRNA was observed in the patients studied here, since a new cDNA, skipped in exons 2 and 3, was obtained from the mRNAs by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Thus, three mRNA species were produced in aberrant splicings as a result of this nonsense mutation: (i) one of the expected size that contains the premature stop codon UAA, (ii) another with a deletion of 84 bp corresponding to the whole of exon 2, and (iii) a new species found now, with a deletion of 192 bp corresponding to skipping of the whole of exons 2 and 3, whose translation product led to the loss of seven amino acids in the leader peptide and 57 amino acids in the terminal domain of the mature enzyme. The association of a nonsense mutation with the skipping of the exon that contains it, plus the following exon, is an unusual finding not seen previously in HL deficiencies. The mutation described here shows the highest incidence (> 37%) of total HL deficiencies reported.

Child, Preschool↗

Clinical approach to inherited peroxisomal disorders: a series of 27 patients.

To illustrate the clinical and biochemical heterogeneity of peroxisomal disorders, we report our experience with 27 patients seen personally between 1982 and 1997. Twenty patients presented with a phenotype corresponding either to Zellweger syndrome, neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy, or infantile Refsum disease, 3 of whom had a peroxisomal disorder due to a single enzyme defect. One patient had a mild form of rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata, 1 had classic Refsum disease. Finally, 5 patients presented with clinical manifestations that were either unusually mild or completely atypical, and initially did not arouse suspicion of a peroxisomal disorder. They showed multiple defects of peroxisomal functions with one or several functions remaining intact, suggesting a peroxisome biogenesis disorder. The defect in peroxisome biogenesis was further characterized by variable expression in different tissues and/or individual cells in 5 patients. Studies restricted to fibroblasts failed to identify abnormalities in this group. We demonstrate that clinical manifestations of peroxisomal disorders may be very mild or completely atypical, and therefore, peroxisomal disorders should be considered in a variety of clinical settings. Furthermore, we suggest performing extensive peroxisomal investigations in every patient suspected of suffering from a peroxisomal disorder, even when the clinical presentation is typical.

Adult↗

Warm flush at 37 degrees C following cold storage attenuates reperfusion injury in preserved rat livers.

Pretransplant rinse solutions have been shown to reduce reperfusion injury in cold-stored liver grafts, especially at the nonparenchymal level in sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC). In this study, different rinse temperatures were tested in a rat liver preservation model. Livers were washed out in situ via the portal vein with cold (4 degrees C) University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, and after hepatectomy (t0), were stored for 8, 16, or 24 h of cold ischemia time (CIT). After storage, livers were flushed with UW solution at either 4 degrees C, 20 degrees C, or 37 degrees C and reperfused for 90 min (37 degrees C). Control livers were reperfused at t0 without preflush. Levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), AST, and LDH were measured in the reperfusion medium. Bile production was monitored during reperfusion. At the end of reperfusion, liver biopsies were taken for enzyme hystochemistry (5'-nucleotidase and LDH). After 8-h CIT and a flush at 4 degrees C, a release of endogenous HA (-7%) was observed, whereas uptake of exogenous HA occurred after the 20 degrees C flush (2%, P = NS) and after the 37 degrees C flush (24%, p < 0.001). HA release occurred at all three preflush temperatures after the 16-h CIT but was significantly lower when flushed at 37 degrees C (-10%) that at 4 degrees C and 20 degrees C (-64% and -17%, respectively, p = 0.05). After the 24-h CIT, the release of endogenous HA increased in the 4 degrees C and 20 degrees C preflush groups, but not in the 37 degrees C group. Levels of PNP and AST increased until the 24-h CIT in all groups but were significantly lower after preflush at 37 degrees C. Release of LDH did not increase with increasing periods of cold storage in any of the flush series. Compared to control livers, mean bile production during reperfusion was significantly decreased following preflush at 4 degrees C or 37 degrees C after all periods of CIT. No differences in mean bile production could be demonstrated in the three preflush groups after any period of CIT. LDH activity in liver tissue was best preserved after the 8 and 16-h CIT in combination with the 37 degrees C preflush, indicating less hepatocellular damage. In conclusion, in cold stored rat livers flushed at 37 degrees C before reperfusion, SEC and hepatocellular damage is attenuated.

Adenosine↗

Stroke-like encephalopathy in an infant with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A lyase deficiency.

UNLABELLED: A 2.5-year-old boy presented with acute metabolic decompensation in whom 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) lyase deficiency was diagnosed. Four days after metabolic decompensation, a stroke-like encephalopathy with tonic clonic convulsion of the left arm and leg and coma developed. Brain oedema and subsequent demarcation and atrophy were observed mainly within the supply areas of the right anterior and middle cerebral artery and to a lesser extent in various sites within the right hemisphere. Residual neurological deficits included spastic paresis of the left arm and leg. and left supranuclear facial palsy and aphasia, indicating bilateral diffuse brain affection. CONCLUSION: In the presented patient with HMG-CoA lyase deficiency, stroke-like encephalopathy occurred days after metabolic decompensation indicating ongoing (intracerebral) metabolic derangement. Monitoring of the intracerebral accumulation of toxic metabolites by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and of cerebral haemodynamics might be useful for a better understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms of stroke-like encephalopathy and to identify patients at risk.

Brain Diseases, Metabolic↗

Lipid metabolism in peroxisomes in relation to human disease.

Peroxisomes were long believed to play only a minor role in cellular metabolism but it is now clear that they catalyze a number of important functions. The importance of peroxisomes in humans is stressed by the existence of a group of genetic diseases in man in which one or more peroxisomal functions are impaired. Most of the functions known to take place in peroxisomes have to do with lipids. Indeed, peroxisomes are capable of 1. fatty acid beta-oxidation 2. fatty acid alpha-oxidation 3. synthesis of cholesterol and other isoprenoids 4. ether-phospholipid synthesis and 5. biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In Chapters 2-6 we will discuss the functional organization and enzymology of these pathways in detail. Furthermore, attention is paid to the permeability properties of peroxisomes with special emphasis on recent studies which suggest that peroxisomes are closed structures containing specific membrane proteins for transport of metabolites. Finally, the disorders of peroxisomal lipid metabolism will be discussed.

Animals↗

Infantile fibre type disproportion, myofibrillar lysis and cardiomyopathy: a disorder in three unrelated Dutch families.

An apparently new cardioskeletal myopathy is reported in three unrelated families. Five infants were affected by rapidly progressive generalized muscle weakness, with onset shortly after birth, and dilated cardiomyopathy. All had generalized tremor (clonus) starting in the first week of life. The disease was lethal in all cases between 4 and 6 months. Muscle biopsy, performed in four of the five patients, showed a light microscopic pattern of small type I and normal-sized type II fibres. By electron microscopy small fibres were affected by myofibrillar disruption and swelling of organelles. Findings in blood and urine suggested a disturbance in energy metabolism but an extensive search for respiratory chain disorders and disorders of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in frozen muscle and cultured fibroblasts was negative. The findings support a new progressive autosomal recessive infantile cardioskeletal myopathy in which type I muscle fibres are preferentially affected.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗