Biomedical subjects

V Calabro

Publications and source records attributed to V Calabro.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Implementation of HaemScreen, a workplace-based genetic screening program for hemochromatosis.

There is debate as to whether community genetic screening for the mutation(s) causing hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) should be implemented, due to issues including disease penetrance, health economic outcomes, and concerns about community acceptance. Hemochromatosis is a common preventable iron overload disease, due in over 90% of cases to C282Y homozygosity in the HFE gene. We are, therefore, piloting C282Y screening to assess understanding of genetic information and screening acceptability in the workplace setting. In this program, HaemScreen, education was by oral or video presentation in a group setting. C282Y status was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and melt-curve analysis on DNA obtained by cheek-brush sampling. Of eligible participants, 5.8% (1.5-15.8%) attended information and screening sessions, of whom 97.7% (5571 individuals) chose to be tested. Twenty-two C282Y (1 : 253) homozygotes were identified and offered clinical follow-up. There were 638 heterozygotes (1 : 8.7). The determinants for participation have been analyzed in terms of the principles outlined in the Health Belief Model. Widespread screening for HH is readily accepted in a workplace setting, and a one-to-many education program is effective. The level of participation varies greatly and the advertizing and session logistics should be adapted to the specific features of each workplace.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Structure-based design of a dimeric RNA-peptide complex.

The arginine-rich RNA-binding domain of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) Tat adopts a beta-hairpin conformation upon binding to the major groove of BIV TAR. Based on its NMR structure, we modeled dimeric arrangements in which two adjacent TAR sites might be recognized with high affinity by a dimeric peptide. Some dimeric RNAs efficiently bound two unlinked BIV Tat peptides in vitro, but could not bind even one monomeric peptide in vivo, as monitored by transcriptional activation of human immunodeficiency virus long terminal repeat reporters. Results with additional reporters suggest that extending the RNA helix in the dimeric arrangements inhibits peptide binding by decreasing major groove accessibility. In contrast, a dimeric peptide efficiently bound an optimally arranged dimeric TAR in vivo, and bound with an affinity at least 10-fold higher than the monomeric peptide in vitro. Mutating specific nucleotides in each RNA 'half-site' or specific amino acids in each beta-hairpin of the dimeric peptide substantially decreased binding affinity, providing evidence for the modeled dimer-dimer interaction. These studies provide a starting point for identifying dimeric RNA-protein interactions with even higher binding affinities and specificities.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Design of RNA-binding proteins and ligands.

The rapidly expanding database of RNA structures and protein complexes is beginning to lead to the successful design of specific RNA-binding molecules. Recent combinatorial and structure-based approaches have utilized known nucleic-acid-binding scaffolds from both proteins and small molecules to display a relatively small set of functional groups often used in protein--RNA recognition. Several studies have shown that the tethering of multiple binding modules can enhance RNA-binding affinity and specificity, a strategy also commonly used in DNA recognition.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

An RNA-binding chameleon.

The arginine-rich RNA binding motif is found in a wide variety of proteins, including several viral regulatory proteins. Although related at the primary sequence level, arginine-rich domains from different proteins adopt different conformations depending on the RNA site recognized, and in some cases fold only in the context of RNA. Here we show that the RNA binding domain of the Jembrana disease virus (JDV) Tat protein is able to recognize two different TAR RNA sites, from human and bovine immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and BIV, respectively), adopting different conformations in the two RNA contexts and using different amino acids for recognition. In addition to the conformational differences, the JDV domain requires the cyclin T1 protein for high-affinity binding to HIV TAR, but not to BIV TAR. The "chameleon-like" behavior of the JDV Tat RNA binding domain reinforces the concept that RNA molecules can provide structural scaffolds for protein folding, and suggests mechanisms for evolving distinct RNA binding specificities from a single multifunctional domain.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

PubMed1997

Differential involvement of disulfide bridges on the folding of a scorpion toxin.

Leiurotoxin I is a neurotoxin, blocker of Ca(2+)-activated apamin-sensitive K+ channel, purified from the venom of the scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus hebraeus. It is a 31-residue polypeptide reticulated by three disulfide bridges, i.e. Cys3-Cys21, Cys8-Cys26 and Cys12-Cys28. To investigate the role of these disulfide bridges in the folding of this toxin, analogs lacking one disulfide bridge were synthesized. The structures of two analogs in which two half-cystines were placed by alpha-aminobutyrate residues to suppress one disulfide bridge, were analyzed by 1H NMR. The NMR studies reveal a three-dimensional structure identical with the native toxin for the analog lacking disulfide bridge Cys3-Cys21 and a loss of organized structure for another analog lacking disulfide bridge Cys12-Cys28. These analogs are, respectively, fully active and weakly active (2% of the residual activity) when tested in vitro for their ability to interact with their receptor channel and in vivo for their neurotoxic activity in mice. This suggest that disulfide bridge Cys12-Cys28 is essential for the folding process. In contrast, the lack of disulfide bridge Cys3-Cys21 does not affect the folding and the maintenance of bioactive conformation of Leiurotoxin I.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and red cell membrane defects: additive or synergistic interaction in producing chronic haemolytic anaemia.

We have investigated two unrelated patients with congenital haemolytic anaemia in both of whom we found a combination of hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Segregation of the two defects was documented in both families, who had different molecular abnormalities for both HS and G6PD deficiency. In one family the propositus had a reduced level of spectrin and G6PD Seattle (282Asp-->His). In the other family the propositus had a band 3 abnormality and was heterozygous for G6PD Mediterranean (188Ser-->Phe). From a comparison of clinical and haematological findings in family members with either or both abnormalities we conclude that in one case the two defects exhibited a synergistic effect, resulting in a severe chronic haemolytic anaemia; whereas in the other the association was simply additive.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital↗

PubMed1988

Diverse point mutations in the human glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase gene cause enzyme deficiency and mild or severe hemolytic anemia.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD; EC 1.1.1.49) deficiency is a common genetic abnormality affecting an estimated 400 million people worldwide. Clinical and biochemical analyses have identified many variants exhibiting a range of phenotypes, which have been well characterized from the hematological point of view. However, until now, their precise molecular basis has remained unknown. We have cloned and sequenced seven mutant G6PD alleles. In the nondeficient polymorphic African variant G6PD A we have found a single point mutation. The other six mutants investigated were all associated with enzyme deficiency. In one of the commonest, G6PD Mediterranean, which is associated with favism among other clinical manifestations, a single amino acid replacement was found (serine----phenylalanine): it must be responsible for the decreased stability and the reduced catalytic efficiency of this enzyme. Single point mutations were also found in G6PD Metaponto (Southern Italy) and in G6PD Ilesha (Nigeria), which are asymptomatic, and in G6PD Chatham, which was observed in an Indian boy with neonatal jaundice. In G6PD "Matera," which is now known to be the same as G6PD A-, two separate point mutations were found, one of which is the same as in G6PD A. In G6PD Santiago, a de novo mutation (glycine----arginine) is associated with severe chronic hemolytic anemia. The mutations observed show a striking predominance of C----T transitions, with CG doublets involved in four of seven cases. Thus, diverse point mutations may account largely for the phenotypic heterogeneity of G6PD deficiency.

Amino Acid Sequence↗