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Low prevalence of Gs alpha mutations in śomatotroph adenomas of children and adolescents.

Mutations in the gene coding for the alpha-subunit of the heterotrimeric stimulatory G protein Gs are the most frequently identified molecular events in the development of somatotroph adenomas in adults. In children and adolescents, somatotroph adenomas are rare, and only two cases with the Gs alpha mutation have been reported so far. In this study, we therefore investigated the prevalence of activating Gs alpha mutations in 17 patients younger than 20 years with pituitary growth hormone-secreting adenomas and examined the characteristics of mutation-positive cases. The most common C-->T substitution in codon 201 was detected in two children. Interestingly, in contrast to the remaining cases, the adenomas positive for the Gs alpha mutation proved to be nonsporadic, but part of a syndrome associated with endocrine tumors in both individuals. Additional tests confirmed McCune-Albright syndrome in the first patient and multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome in the second patient. In contrast to the findings in adult cases, somatotroph adenomas in young patients seem to carry somatic Gs alpha mutations at a lower frequency, and germ-line or early postzygotic mutational events may be responsible for the shortened latency of tumorigenesis.

Adolescent↗

Identification of A2a adenosine receptor domains involved in selective coupling to Gs. Analysis of chimeric A1/A2a adenosine receptors.

Responses to adenosine are governed by selective activation of distinct G proteins by adenosine receptor (AR) subtypes. The A2aAR couples via Gs to adenylyl cyclase stimulation while the A1AR couples to Gi to inhibit adenylyl cyclase. To determine regions of the A2aAR that selectively couple to Gs, chimeric A1/A2aARs were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and ligand binding and adenylyl cyclase activity analyzed. Replacement of the third intracellular loop of the A2aAR with that of the A1AR reduced maximal adenylyl cyclase stimulation and decreased agonist potency. Restricted chimeras indicated that the NH2-terminal portion of intracellular loop 3 was predominantly responsible for this impairment. Reciprocal chimeras composed primarily of A1AR sequence with limited A2aAR sequence substitution stimulated adenylyl cyclase and thus supported these findings. A lysine and glutamic acid residue were identified as necessary for efficient A2aAR-Gs coupling. Analysis of chimeric receptors in which sequence of intracellular loop 2 was substituted indicated that the nature of amino acids in this domain may indirectly modulate A2aAR-Gs coupling. Replacement of the cytoplasmic tail of the A2aAR with the A1AR tail did not affect adenylyl cyclase stimulation. Thus, selective activation of Gs is predominantly dictated by the NH2-terminal segment of the third intracellular loop of the A2aAR.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

A GppNHp-insensitivity factor modulates the activation of beta-adrenoceptor-coupled Gs protein in rat cortex and cerebellum.

The effect known as the GTP-shift refers to the complete conversion of receptors from the high- to the low agonist-affinity state in the presence of an excess of GTP or one of its analogs. 5'-Guanylylimidodiphosphate (GppNHp) was able to fully suppress the high (-)-isoproterenol-affinity of beta-adrenoceptors (beta AR) in cultured rat brain astrocytes. In contrast, a proportion of beta AR in rat cortex and cerebellum synaptosomes was found to be insensitive to this GTP analog. This GppNHp-insensitivity was due to a membrane-associated factor, presumably interacting with Gs proteins and not present in a functional form in cultured astrocytes. Here we assessed the effect of this factor on the beta AR-mediated activation of Gs proteins. The removal of the GppNHp-insensitivity factor from the synaptosomes was achieved using 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS), a mild detergent. The activation of Gs proteins was monitored by the binding of another non-hydrolysable GTP-analog, guanylyl 5'-[gamma-[35S]thio]-triphosphate ([35S]GTP gamma S). The beta AR-Gs protein coupling was at least twofold less efficient in synaptosomes relative to cultured astrocytes. The CHAPS treatment induced a twofold increase in the coupling efficiency in cortex and cerebellum synaptosomes, but had no effect in cultured astrocytes. It undoubtedly indicated the inhibitory effect of the GppNHp-insensitivity factor on the activation of Gs proteins in the synaptosomes. Using CHAPS-soluble material extracted from synaptosomes, it was possible to reconstitute the GppNHp-insensitivity of CHAPS-treated membranes or even to induce it in cultured astrocytes. This effect correlated with the amount of CHAPS-soluble material according to a sigmoid curve, but it was abolished by the heat of CHAPS-soluble material. Successful crossed reconstitutions of the GppNHp-insensitivity suggest that the GppNHp-insensitivity factor is the same regardless of its originating area, and that it might play a general role in the central nervous system. Further investigations should help to identify the GppNHp-insensitivity factor.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Mutations in exon 7 of the GTP-binding protein Gs alpha were not a common cause of pseudohypoparathyroidism with Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy in Japanese.

The identification of unique point mutations in patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) with Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO) in different ethnic backgrounds has proved that defects within the Gs alpha gene account for Gs alpha deficiency in those patients. To search a mutation hot spot of the Gs alpha gene in Japanese patients, we have screened exons 2-13 of the Gs alpha gene for mutations in three unrelated Japanese PHP patients with AHO. We could find no abnormalities by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and no mutations of sequencing of exon 7 in these subjects. This suggests that mutations in exon 7 of the Gs alpha gene may not be a common cause of PHP with AHO in Japanese.

Adult↗

Genetic variation of the extra-large stimulatory G protein alpha-subunit leads to Gs hyperfunction in platelets and is a risk factor for bleeding.

Alternatively spliced GNAS1 and XL-GNAS1, encoding respectively the stimulatory G-protein alpha-subunit (Gsalpha) and the extra-large stimulatory G-protein alpha-subunit (XLsalpha), are located on the imprinted chromosomal region 20q13.12-13. We presently report a functional polymorphism in the imprinted XL-GNAS1 gene. In three patients, a 36 bp insertion and two basepair substitutions flanking this insertion were found in the paternally inherited XL-GNAS1 exon 1. They clinically manifest an enhanced trauma-related bleeding tendency and a variable degree of mental retardation. A platelet aggregation inhibition test to evaluate Gs function was developed. Their platelets display Gs hyperfunction and an enhanced cAMP generation upon stimulation of Gs-coupled receptors. The prevalence of the XLsalpha insertion in a normal control group was 2.2%. Normal controls, inheriting the insertion maternally, had a normal platelet Gs activity, whereas controls inheriting the insertion paternally had increased inducible platelet Gs activity, defining the insertion as a functional polymorphism. This paternally inherited XLsalpha insertion represents a new genetic cause of an inherited bleeding tendency, although to a variable degree.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Activating Gs a mutation rarely occurs in musculoskeletal tumors other than fibrous dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Activating Gs a mutations have been identified in most instances of fibrous dysplasia (FD). This mutation leads to consistently elevated intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, with various biological consequences. The development of secondary sarcoma in FD is a rare but well-established phenomenon. This finding raised the possibility that a common gene mutation exists in these tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of the Gs a mutation was examined in 16 cell lines and 173 musculoskeletal tumor tissues, including 13 cases of FD, via RT-PCR and sequence analysis. RESULTS: No expression of a Gs a mutation was detected in any cell line or clinical tissue sample, excluding FD tissues. Direct sequence analysis demonstrated results identical to those of RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: Activating Gs a mutation rarely occurs in musculoskeletal tumors other than FD. The occurrence of most sarcomas displays no correlation with Gs a mutations.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Albright hereditary osteodystrophy with hypothyroidism, normocalcemia, and normal Gs protein activity: a family presenting with congenital osteoma cutis.

The syndrome of Albright hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO), pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) and pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (PPHP) is clinically and genetically heterogeneous. Classically, patients with PHP have the skeletal features of AHO, resistance to multiple hormones that work via cAMP such as parathyroid hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone, and deficient activity of Gs protein, the guanine nucleotide-binding protein that stimulates adenylate cyclase. However, patients without hormone resistance but with AHO and Gs deficiency were described (PPHP), as well as patients with multiple hormone resistance but without AHO or Gs deficiency. In a few patients with deficient Gs activity, hypothyroidism rather than hypocalcemia was the initial presentation of the disorder. We describe here a new variant of the syndrome, affecting 5 individuals in a 3 generation family with AHO, normal Gs activity and hypothyroidism. In the first 2 generations, mild features of AHO were present. The 2 sibs in the third generation had severe manifestations of AHO, including mild mental retardation as well as hypothyroidism. Diagnosis of congenital osteoma cutis at birth of the proband led to the diagnosis of the family. Elucidation of the molecular defect will shed light on the relationship between hormone resistance and AHO, as well as on the physiological mechanism of hormonal signal transduction.

Adolescent↗

Studies on the interaction between the vitamin D receptor and the radiolabelled 20-epi vitamin D analogue GS 1500.

Previous studies have shown that the binding affinity of a vitamin D analogue for the vitamin D receptor (VDR) does not correlate with the biological potency of the compound. In the present investigation the vitamin D analogue GS 1500, which is characterised by an altered stereochemistry at carbon C-20 (20-epi) and an aromatic ring in the side chain, was studied with respect to its interaction with the VDR. Using [3H]-GS 1500 as tracer, the receptor binding properties of GS 1500 were investigated and compared to those of 1,25(OH)2D3. The binding studies did not reveal a different binding site for GS 1500 than the one already established, and the binding affinity was in accordance with previously found values. At the level of VDR interaction with the vitamin D responsive element, GS 1500 did induce a binding complex at a lower concentration than 1,25(OH)2D3, which may help explain the difference in potency.

Animals↗

G protein expression in human fetoplacental vascularization. Functional evidence for Gs alpha and Gi alpha subunits.

GTP-binding proteins are key elements in coupling receptors to various effector systems. Using ADP-ribosylation by cholera (CTX) and pertussis (PTX) toxins and an immunodetection technique, we investigated the G protein expression profile in smooth muscle of stem villi vessels obtained from human term placentae. In placental vascular smooth muscle, we report the presence of two CTX-protein substrates of 42 and 45 kDa recognized by Gs alpha antibodies, and three Gi alpha isoforms, substrates of PTX, identified as Gi1 alpha, Gi3 alpha (two proteins of 41 kDa) and Gi2 alpha (a 40-kDa protein). We also characterized another target of PTX, a 40-kDa Go alpha-immunoreactive protein and detected the PTX-insensitive Gq-Gi1 alpha proteins. To assess the functional significance of the G alpha proteins identified in this tissue, we measured the adenylyl cyclase activity in the presence of guanyl nucleotides alone or with increasing concentrations of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and examined whether VIP-bound sites, in the presence of GTP gamma S, promote the release of G alpha proteins from the membranes of vascular smooth muscle. At low concentrations (0.1 nM to 0.01 microM), guanyl nucleotides stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in a dose-dependent manner, while at higher concentrations (10 microM to 1 mM) the stimulation rate of cAMP production by guanyl nucleotides decreased. In a dose-dependent manner, VIP in the presence of GTP gamma S increased adenylyl cyclase activity and specifically promoted the release of both Gs alpha isoforms. In contrast, the release of Gi1 and Gi2 alpha isoforms was not significantly increased in the presence of VIP, while GTP gamma S alone stimulated their release. Our data show physical evidence of the activation of Gs proteins by VIP-bound membrane receptors, resulting in dissociation and release of Gs alpha subunits in the soluble fraction. They assess the specific coupling of the two Gi alpha isoforms to VIP receptors in smooth muscle wall of placental stem villi vessels. It would be of interest to investigate whether changes in Gs alpha expression and/or function are associated with the placental angiogenesis process during pregnancy.

Animals↗

Pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia: two new heterozygous frameshift mutations in exons 5 and 10 of the Gs alpha gene.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia (PHP-Ia) is a hereditary disease characterized by resistance to PTH and other hormones that act via cAMP. Patients have deficient activity of Gs alpha, the alpha subunit of the G protein, which couples hormone receptors to stimulation of adenylate cyclase. We describe two new mutations discovered in two sporadic patients with PHP-Ia. Using genomic DNA, we have amplified exons 2-13 of the Gs alpha gene (GNAS1) by PCR, and sequenced the resulting products. Both patients had Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy, resistance to multiple hormones, and deficient Gs alpha activity. In the first patient, a deletion of a C in exon 5 at codon 115 was found. In the second patient, an insertion of a C in exon 10 at codon 267 was detected. Both these heterozygous mutations cause frameshift, and predict decreased production of Gs alpha. This report adds two new Gs alpha mutations to the known ten mutations recently described.

Adolescent↗

Glutamine synthetase (GS) expression is reduced in senile dementia of the Alzheimer type.

Glutamine synthetase (GS), a metabolic marker of the mature astrocyte, was investigated in the temporal neocortex of postmortem brain samples of 8 cases, either not demented or affected by senile dementia of the Alzheimer type. A negative correlation between the GS protein level and the density of both classical beta A4 deposits and senile plaques was evidenced. Such a correlation for GS underlies a dysfunction of the astroglial metabolism and particularly of the glutamate and ammonia neutralization. Since GS is sensitive to oxidative lesioning, the changes in GS level that were observed, occurring at the posttranslational stage, might reflect oxidative damage and have severe consequences on the pathological cascade of events.

Aged↗

Regulation of cellular Gs alpha levels and basal adenylyl cyclase activity by expression of the beta 2-adrenoceptor in neuroblastoma cell lines.

Mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid NG 108-15 and mouse neuroblastoma x embryonic hamster brain NCB20 cells were transfected with a construct containing a human beta 2 adrenoceptor cDNA under the control of the beta actin promoter. Clones were selected on the basis of resistance to geneticin sulphate and those expressing a range of levels of the receptor expanded for further study. Membranes from a clone of NG108-15 cells expressing high levels of the receptor (beta N22) but not one expressing only low levels of the receptor (beta N17) exhibited a markedly elevated adenylyl cyclase activity when measured in the presence of Mg2+ compared to wild type cells. This was not due to elevated levels of the adenylyl cyclase catalytic moiety however as there was no difference in these membranes when the adenylyl cyclase activity was measured in the presence of Mn2+. The elevated basal activity was partially reversed by addition of the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol. Agonist activation of beta N22 but not beta N17 cells led to a large selective down-regulation of cellular Gs alpha levels which was independent of the generation of cyclic AMP. Isoprenaline stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity and of the specific high affinity binding of [3H] forskolin was achieved with substantially greater potency (some 30 fold) in beta N22 cell membranes than in beta N17. By contrast agonist activation of the endogenously expressed IP prostanoid receptor caused stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and stimulation of high affinity [3H] forskolin binding which was equipotent in each of beta N22, beta N17 and wild type NG108-15 cells. Agonist activation of the IP prostanoid receptor caused an equivalent degree of Gs alpha down-regulation in each cell type. Expression of an epitope tagged variant of Gs alpha in NG108-15 cells resulted in prostanoid agonist-induced down-regulation of this polypeptide in a manner indistinguishable from that of wild type Gs alpha. Isolation of clones of NCB20 cells expressing high levels of the beta 2 adrenoceptor also resulted in a specific agonist-induced down-regulation of Gs alpha.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Effect of age on beta-receptors, Gs alpha- and Gi alpha- proteins in rat heart.

beta-adrenoceptors, Gs alpha- and Gi alpha-proteins were investigated in a crude plasma membrane preparation from ventricles of young (2-4 months) and senescent (22-24 months) Wistar rats. Receptor density, ligand affinity and beta 1/beta 2-receptor ratio were independent of the age of the rats. The percentage of beta-receptors coupled to G-proteins increased with age. An age-related increase in the level of Gs alpha (124%) was paralleled by an increase in the ratio between the high and low molecular weight form of Gs alpha. The level of Gi alpha-protein almost doubled (170%) upon aging. We conclude that the age-related differences are small at the level of the beta-adrenoceptor molecule, but that the increase in Gi alpha-proteins could be responsible for the age-related reduction in myocardial inotropic and chronotropic responses. Moreover, we suggest that the changes in degree of high affinity coupling between beta-receptor and Gs-protein are possibly linked to alterations in the ratio between the Gs-molecular weight subtypes.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Unimpaired coupling of phosphorylated, desensitized beta-adrenoceptor to Gs in a reconstitution system.

Heterologous desensitization of turkey erythrocyte beta-adrenoceptors correlates with receptor phosphorylation and impaired receptor-Gs coupling, as assessed by fusion of purified desensitized receptors with X. laevis erythrocytes [(1984) Science 225, 837-840]. We have purified beta-receptors from desensitized and untreated turkey erythrocytes and have compared the abilities of these two receptors to couple with pure turkey erythrocyte Gs in a reconstituted system. Functional receptor-Gs coupling was assessed by measuring hormone-dependent Gs activation by GTP gamma S and GTPase activity. While in membranes prepared from desensitized cells, receptor-Gs coupling was clearly reduced, this effect was absent when coupling of purified desensitized receptor was measured. We conclude that covalent modification by phosphorylation does not fully explain the functional uncoupling at the membrane level.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Inverse regulation of glucose transporter Glut4 and G-protein Gs mRNA expression in cardiac myocytes from insulin resistant rats.

The present study examined the mRNA levels of glucose transporter Glut4 and G-protein Gs alpha-subunit in isolated ventricular myocytes from lean and genetically obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. In obese animals the amount of transcripts coding for Glut4 increased to 122 +/- 6% of lean controls, whereas the mRNA coding for Gs alpha-subunit decreased by 42 +/- 12%. An unaltered level of Gs mRNA was observed in insulin deficient rats. When cardiomyocytes from normal rats were treated with insulin, the Glut4 transcript level increased by 48 +/- 5%, whereas the Gs mRNA level decreased by 55 +/- 8%. The findings suggest that insulin may act as a potential regulator of Glut4 and Gs mRNA expression in the cardiac cell.

Animals↗

Equivalent regulation of wild type and an epitope-tagged variant of Gs alpha by the IP prostanoid receptor following expression in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid, NG108-15, cells.

NG108-15 cells were transfected to stably express a haemagglutinin epitope-tagged variant of the long isoform of Gs alpha. Clone BST15 expressed this polypeptide at similar levels to the endogenous long isoform of Gs alpha. Treatment of clone BST15 with the IP prostanoid receptor agonist iloprost resulted in down-regulation of both forms of Gs alpha with both dose-effect curves to iloprost and time courses of loss of the two forms of Gs alpha being indistinguishable. These results demonstrate that the IP prostanoid receptor interacts with and regulates the epitope-tagged variant of Gs alpha in an equivalent manner to the unmodified protein and indicates that the epitope-tagged polypeptide can be used to analyse mechanisms of receptor regulation of cellular G-protein levels.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Prostaglandin E receptor EP3gamma isoform, with mostly full constitutive Gi activity and agonist-dependent Gs activity.

We recently demonstrated that two exclusively Gi-coupled isoforms of the mouse EP3 receptor, EP3alpha and beta, with different carboxyl-terminal tails, differed in agonist-independent constitutive Gi activity, and the carboxyl-terminal tail-truncated receptor showed full constitutive activity (Hasegawa, H., Negishi, M., and Ichikawa, A. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 1857-1860). Here we further examined Gi and Gs activities of the third isoform, EP3gamma, coupled to both Gi and Gs. The My receptor showed mostly full constitutive Gi activity and agonist-dependent Gs activity. The truncated receptor also showed agonist-dependent Gs activity, but the level was lower than that of the EP3gamma receptor. Thus, the carboxyl-terminal tail would differentially regulate Gi and Gs activities of the EP3 receptor.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Abnormal Gs function in mitral valve prolapse dysautonomia is not associated with abnormal alpha S cDNA sequence.

We have previously shown that a subset of patients with mitral valve prolapse and hyperadrenergic symptoms has enhanced isoprenaline-stimulated beta-adrenergic receptor high-affinity state formation (supercoupling) and increased adenylyl cyclase activity due to abnormal signal transduction by the stimulatory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (Gs). In this study we looked for an alteration of the nucleotide coding sequence of the gene for alpha s, the subunit of Gs that is directly responsible for formation of the high affinity state and adenylyl cyclase activation, by cloning and sequencing the alpha s cDNA from neutrophils of 4 symptomatic patients and 1 control. No difference was observed between patients and control in the alpha s cDNA sequence. The splice variant concentrations in the fully expressed protein were also grossly unchanged in five patients and four controls. These data show that a primary alteration of the alpha s gene coding sequence is not responsible for defective Gs-associated signal transduction in dysautonomic MVP patients, and suggest that the molecular lesion could be an abnormal posttranslational modification of alpha s, a defect in the beta or gamma subunits of Gs, or an unusual interaction between the subunits in the Gs of these patients.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗