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Results for “Germ-Line Mutation”

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PubMed1992

A human systemic lupus erythematosus-related anti-cardiolipin/single-stranded DNA autoantibody is encoded by a somatically mutated variant of the developmentally restricted 51P1 VH gene.

We report the Ig H and L chain V region sequences from the cDNAs encoding a monoclonal human IgG anti-cardiolipin/ssDNA autoantibody (R149) derived from a patient with active SLE. Comparison with the germ-line V-gene repertoire of this patient revealed that R149 likely arose as a consequence of an Ag-driven selection process. The Ag-binding portions of the V regions were characterized by a high number of arginine residues, a property that has been associated with anti-dsDNA autoantibodies from lupus-prone mice and patients with SLE. The VH gene encoding autoantibody R149 was a somatically mutated variant of the 51P1 gene segment, which is frequently associated with the restricted fetal B cell repertoire, malignant CD5 B cells, and natural autoantibodies. These data suggest that in SLE patients a common antigenic stimulus may evoke anti-DNA and anti-cardiolipin autoantibodies and provide further evidence that a small set of developmentally restricted VH genes can give rise to disease-associated autoantibodies through Ag-selected somatic mutations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

B-cell ontogeny in the chicken.

We conclude that our data are most consistent with the hypothesis that individual bursal stem cells give rise to multiple clones of B lymphocytes by a preprogrammed sequence of variable (V) region genes. The alternate hypothesis that each stem cell gives rise to one B cell expressing but one set of VH genes could only fit our data if the additional assumption is made that each stem cell is preprogrammed to give rise to an unique B-cell clonotype at a fixed time during development. Since we were unable to influence the pattern of expression of clonotypic diversity by modifying the exposure to antigens and since random somatic mutations would seem an inefficient mechanism for systematic generation of the diversity, we favor the possibility of a genetic mechanism involving an orderly pairing of germ-line VH and VL genes. The corollary of this hypothesis is that V-region diversity is generated first and Ig-class diversity is secondarily expressed within each clone by a switch mechanism for the sequential expression of CH genes.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Clonally related IgM rheumatoid factors undergo affinity maturation in the rheumatoid synovial tissue.

Using hybridoma technology we established a panel of human monoclonal rheumatoid factors (RF) from the synovial tissues of two patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and one patient with polyarticular juvenile RA. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the V regions of these RF indicates that two independently derived antibodies from one of the RA patients are clonally related. One of these antibodies appears to be close to germ-line configuration, whereas the other has accumulated a total of 36 substitutions in both H and L chains. Measurements of the affinity for human IgG of the two RF show that the extensively mutated RF has 100-fold higher affinity for IgG than the RF close to germline. These findings indicate that IgM RF in RA can undergo affinity maturation and suggest that certain RF may be the product of an Ag-driven immune response.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Human monoclonal striational autoantibodies isolated from thymic B lymphocytes of patients with myasthenia gravis use VH and VL gene segments associated with the autoimmune repertoire.

The production of autoantibodies reactive with components of skeletal muscle is characteristic of myasthenia gravis (MG) and is strongly associated with the presence of thymic epithelial tumors in patients with MG. The nucleotide sequences of the heavy and light chain variable regions (VH and VL) of three human monoclonal striated muscle antibodies (StrAb) isolated from thymic B lymphocyte lines from two patients with MG and thymoma were analyzed. The VH and VL gene segments used by these anti-striated muscle antibodies appear to be derived from the same repertoire of gene segments as have been found in other autoantibodies isolated from patients with a number of different autoimmune diseases. While the IgM StrAb SA-1A is a direct copy of germ-line VH and VL gene segments, analysis of the IgG StrAb SA-4A and SA-4B, which may be more representative of antibodies found in the serum of MG patients, suggests that the processes of antigenic selection and somatic mutation may contribute to the generation of autoantibodies in MG.

Actins↗

PubMed1992

Drosophila C/EBP: a tissue-specific DNA-binding protein required for embryonic development.

Recently, we reported the cloning of the Drosophila melanogaster homolog of the vertebrate CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP). Here, we describe studies of the DNA-binding and dimerization properties of Drosophila C/EBP (DmC/EBP), as well as its tissue distribution, developmental regulation, and essential role in embryonic development and conclude that it bears functional as well as structural similarity to mammalian C/EBP. DmC/EBP contains a basic region/leucine zipper (bZIP) DNA-binding domain very similar to that of mammalian C/EBP and the purified C/EBPs bound to DNA with the same sequence specificity. Among the DNA sequences that DmC/EBP bound with high affinity was a conserved site within the promoter of the DmC/EBP gene itself. In vitro, DmC/EBP and mammalian C/EBP specifically formed functional heterodimers; however, as we found no evidence for a family of DmC/EBPs, DmC/EBP may function as a homodimer in vivo. The DmC/EBP protein was expressed predominantly during late embryogenesis in the nuclei of a restricted set of differentiating cell types, such as the lining of the gut and epidermis, similar to the mammalian tissues that express C/EBP. We have characterized mutations in the DmC/EBP gene and found that deleting the gene caused late embryonic lethality. Embryos that lack C/EBP die just before or just upon hatching. The lethal phenotype of C/EBP mutants can be rescued with the cloned C/EBP gene introduced by P-element-mediated germ-line transformation. The strict requirement for C/EBP during Drosophila embryogenesis, coupled with its structural and functional similarities to mammalian C/EBP, provides a useful genetic system in which to study the role of C/EBP in development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Clonal evolution of a follicular lymphoma: evidence for antigen selection.

The potential role antigens play in growth stimulation or in clonal selection of follicular lymphomas is unknown. To study this issue, we sequenced the immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region genes expressed by a follicular lymphoma from multiple biopsy specimens and also cloned and sequenced the corresponding germ-line variable gene from this patient. Comparison to the germ-line gene revealed numerous nucleotide substitutions in all of the lymphoma variable gene sequences. Some of the substitutions may have occurred in the nonmalignant precursor B cell that gave rise to this lymphoma because they were shared among all of the variable genes, but many of the mutations accumulated as the malignant clone expanded. The mutations were distributed in such a way that strongly suggested the majority of tumor cells had been positively selected through their antigen receptor. This was especially evident for the mutations that developed late in the clonal evolution of this lymphoma. These findings indicate that antigen stimulation may be involved in the growth of follicular lymphoma tumors.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

PubMed1992

Polymorphism of human immunoglobulin VH4 germ-line genes.

The human immunoglobulin VH4 gene family is thought to contain approximately 10 germ-line genes and to exhibit little polymorphism. We report here an analysis of VH4 germ-line genes that were amplified from DNA of two unrelated individuals. Ten unique (non-repetitive) sequences were obtained from individual A and 11 from individual B. Nine of these sequences represent new germ-line genes, and 8/9 exhibit only 89%-96% similarity to genes identified previously. Subsets of VH4 genes displayed distinctive nucleotide motifs that account for most of the differences between them. This observation suggests that diversity in the VH4 gene family arose from the acquisition of blocks of nucleotides, rather than by accumulation of point mutations. These nucleotide blocks could have been acquired by gene conversion or by homologous recombination. All of the VH4 genes have a potential N-linked glycosylation site at Asn 60, and some genes encode a second site at Asn 52. The VH4 gene family is larger and more polymorphic than appreciated previously. Immunoglobulin gene polymorphism may make a significant contribution to hereditary variations in the immune response and to the genetic predisposition to autoimmune diseases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Cystic fibrosis in the mouse by targeted insertional mutagenesis.

Cystic fibrosis is a fatal genetic disorder which afflicts 50,000 people worldwide. A viable animal model would be invaluable for investigating and combating this disease. The mouse cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene was disrupted in embryonal stem cells using an insertional gene targeting vector. Germ-line chimaeras were derived and the offspring of heterozygous crosses studied. These homozygous mutant mice survive beyond weaning. In vivo electrophysiology demonstrates the predicted defect in chloride ion transport in these mice and can distinguish between each genotype. Histological analysis detects important hallmarks of human disease pathology, including abnormalities of the colon, lung and vas deferens. This insertional mouse mutation provides a valid model system for the development and testing of therapies for cystic fibrosis patients.

Animals↗

PubMed1975

Normal genetically mosaic mice produced from malignant teratocarcinoma cells.

Malignant mouse teratocarcinoma (or embryonal carcinoma) cells with a normal modal chromosome number were taken from the "cores" of embryoid bodies grown only in vivo as an ascites tumor for 8 years, and were injected into blastocysts bearing many genetic markers, in order to test the developmental capacities, genetic constitution, and reversibility of malignancy of the core cells. Ninety-three live normal pre- and postnatal animals were obtained. Of 14 thus far analyzed, three were cellular genetic mosaics with substantial contributions of tumor-derived cells in many developmentally unrelated tissues, including some never seen in the solid tumors that form in transplant hosts. The tissues functioned normally and synthesized their specific products (e.g., immunoglobulins, adult hemoglobin, liver proteins) coded for by strain-type alleles at known loci. In addition, a tumor-contributed color gene, steel, not previously known to be present in the carcinoma cells, was detected from the coat phenotype. Cells derived from the carcinoma, which is of X/Y sex chromosome constitution, also contributed to the germ line and formed reproductively functional sperms, some of which transmitted the steel gene to the progeny. Thus, after almost 200 transplant generations as a highly malignant tumor, embryoid body core cells appear to be developmentally totipotent and able to express, in an orderly sequence in differentiation of somatic and germ-line tissues, many genes hitherto silent in the tumor of origin. This experimental system of "cycling" teratocarcinoma core cells through mice, in conjunction with experimental mutagenesis of those cells, may therefore provide a new and useful tool for biochemical, developmental, and genetic analyses of mammalian differentiation. The results also furnish an unequivocal example in animals of a non-mutational basis for transformation to malignancy and of reversal to normalcy. The origin of this tumor from a disorganized embryo suggests that malignancies of some other, more specialized, stem cells might arise comparably through tissue disorganization, leading to developmental aberrations of gene expression rather than changes in gene structure.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Molecular analysis of the V kappa III-J kappa junctional diversity of polyclonal rheumatoid factors during rheumatoid arthritis frequently reveals N addition.

Much interest was stirred in recent years by the evidence that rheumatoid factors (RF) variable regions are encoded by a restricted set of V genes, with little or no somatic mutations, that are often overexpressed in the fetal repertoire. This is reminiscent of what has been observed for natural autoantibodies. However, these data come from studies of monoclonal RF (mRF) isolated from patients with lymphoproliferative disorders who usually do not present autoimmune symptoms. The molecular characterization of RF during autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been hampered for some time because of their polyclonality; recently using the polymerase chain reaction method, we have demonstrated that RF kappa variable regions from a patient with RA were encoded by V kappa III genes known to code for mRF but that these genes had undergone somatic mutations with a pattern suggesting an antigen-driven maturation. Because an important role of the light chain third complementarity-determining region (CDR3) in anti-IgG reactivity and idiotype expression has already been suspected for RF, we now report the molecular characterization of the junction regions of these rearranged V kappa gens. Surprisingly, our data show that in 55% of the cases there is addition of a proline and/or glycine amino acid residue at the recombination site between V kappa and J kappa. The sequence analysis of our patients' germ-line Vg and J kappa 4 genes segments and their flanking regions demonstrates that the additional codons are not readily explicable by recombination between germ-line sequences and probably result from an N addition process. Since we could not find such an additional codon in 15 previously published mRF kappa chains we suggest that "pathogenic" RF during RA and mRF derive from different, although overlapping, B cell subsets. Moreover, since additional codons at the recombination site of V kappa and J kappa seem exceptional in expressed human kappa chains and because the resulting amino acid residue is a proline in most cases, we think that RF kappa chain CDR3 is under a very strong selective pressure during RA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Sequencing heavy- and light-chain variable genes of single B-hybridoma cells by total enzymatic amplification.

We have devised a protocol to obtain accurate and complete sequences of the immunoglobulin heavy- and light-chain variable-region (VH and VL) genes of single B-hybridoma cells that express defined V genes. The amplification achieved ranges from 2 x 10(13)- to 1 x 10(14)-fold. Only one potential Taq DNA polymerase error was observed in 7590 nucleotides of sequence, thus permitting the identification of naturally occurring somatic mutations. The two-step nature of the amplification protocol provides sufficient DNA for a minimum of 160 sets of sequencing reactions of both the VH and VL genes from one cell without cloning. The amplification of relatively long segments of DNA in the first step of the protocol permits second-step amplification and sequencing of regions that flank VH and VL codons. Fractionating cellular lysates prior to the first step of amplification permits the separate amplification of V genes on opposite sister chromatids and possibly on opposite strands of the same DNA duplex. Accurate sequencing of VH and VL genes of defined germ-line origin that are expressed by single B cells taken directly from the animal is thus made feasible by this approach.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The complete sequence of the murine monoclonal immunoglobulin MOPC 173 (IgG2a): genetic implications.

The complete amino acid sequence of the murine monoclonal immunoglobulin MOPC 173 (IgG2a, kappa) is reported. The heavy chain contains 447 amino-acid residues, and one carbohydrate prosthetic group attached to the ASX residue 299. The kappa light chain is composed of 214 residues. The H chains are covalently linked by 3 interchain disulfide bridges. The H-L bond-forming cysteine of the H chain is between the VH and the CH1 domain. Intrachain bridges are disposed linearly, according to the classical model. There is no simple relationship between the primary structure and any given function of a particular domain. This is presumably due to the fact that the selection pressure exerts itself on the three-dimensional structure which may retain a conserved general organization as a result of balanced multiple mutations. Selection seems to act in two ways: --horizontally, in a multigene system such as the immunoglobulin classes (C domains of the heavy chains), leading to interclass homologies which are particularly marked for all the COOH-terminal domains of H and L chains which have, in addition a fair degree of homology with human beta2 microglobulin (about 30% identities); --vertically, in which case strictly homologous domains appear extremely conserved between distinct animal species. Conservation of the VH domains seems just as high as conservation of the CH domains. The VH region contains 3 types of positions: invariant and subgroup characteristic ("framework") which may be accounted for by a rather small number of germ-line genes, and hypervariable for which the origin of diversity, somatic or germinal, cannot be decided from sequence data alone. Murine VK domains, although basically built according to the same pattern, show a much more marked polymorphism of the framework, which might necessitate a higher number of basic germ-line genes. Finally, a hypothetical model of the switch mechanism is proposed. Rotational symmetry regions can be deduced at the DNA level from the known amino acid sequences of the switch peptides for the three translocational systems: H, kappa and lambda. These would provide recognition signals for restriction-like enzymes such as those which operate in prokaryotes. An implication of this model is the definition of an exact limit between the V and the C regions of all immunoglobulin chains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

The forces driving autoimmune disease.

There are two classes of autoimmune disease, organ-specific and non-organ specific or systemic. That cells producing autoantibodies are selected by antigen is strongly suggested by the presence of mutations and high affinity antibody. T-cells are pivotal in all forms of autoimmunity as evidenced by the therapeutic benefit of anti-T-cell monoclonals such as anti-CD4, and the frequent development of high affinity IgG autoantibodies. The production of anergic T-cells by the use of non-depleting anti-CD4 in the presence of antigen is discussed with particular reference to its potential for immunological intervention in autoimmune disease. It is possible to identify T-cell epitopes in organ-specific autoimmunity using pathogenic T-cell clones or hybridomas to identify the peptide sequences which are reactive. Antigen-specific therapy may ultimately be based on such peptide epitopes. The specificity of the T-cells in systemic autoimmunity is still obscure, but there is some evidence that reactivity with certain germ-line idiotypes can lead to the development of systemic autoimmunity. The possibility of stimulating B-cells specific for auto-antigens such as DNA becomes feasible if a complex of antibody and DNA is taken up by these specific B-cells and processed idiotype is presented to T-helpers specific for those idiotype epitopes. Evidence is presented that there may be pre-existing defects in the target organ in certain organ-specific disorders, and the evidence for a glycosylation defect in the IgG in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is explored. It is noted that the spouses of probands with rheumatoid arthritis is explored. It is noted that the spouses of probands with rheumatoid arthritis also tend to have this glycosylation defect and this raises the possibility of an effect due to an environmental factor, such as a microbial infection. Molecular mimicry of autoantigens by microbes can stimulate autoreactive cells by their cross-reactivity. It is emphasized that cross-reaction which gives rise to the priming of autoreactive T-cells could give rise to the establishment of a chronic autoimmune state. In animals with normal regulatory immune systems, such induced autoimmunity is ultimately corrected and it is only in animals where there are defects in regulation, that autoimmunity persists. Thus, there are many factors giving rise to autoimmunity, and the diseases are rightly regarded as multifactorial in origin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Chorion gene cis-regulatory DNA restricts tissue specificity of reporter gene expression in transformed Drosophila.

P element mediated germ-line transformation was used to study the developmental specificity of Drosophila chorion gene regulatory sequences directing expression of the bacterial reporter genes for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) and beta-galactosidase (lacZ). DNA fragments containing 5' flanking plus the entire 5' untranslated and the beginning of the coding region of either the s36 or the s15 chorion gene are able to confer on the reporter genes normal tissue as well as temporal specificity of expression, exclusively in the ovary of transformed female flies. However, if 5' untranslated and coding regions are omitted, normal ovarian expression is maintained but tissue specificity is relaxed: expression of the reporter gene is detected both in the ovary and in specific non-ovarian tissues of transformed females and males. The evidence suggests that the missing 5' untranslated and coding sequences may include negative elements that normally suppress expression in non-ovarian tissues, and that these putative elements are distinct from those that prevent premature expression in the ovarian follicles. The exact location of ectopic lacZ expression within the internal male genitalia depends on the constellation of 5' flanking chorion regulatory sequences included in the P element constructs. Ectopic expression of the CAT gene in the male genitalia under s15 promoter control can be abolished by mutating the hexamer TCACGT, a sequence previously shown to be essential for the normal expression of this chorion gene in the ovary.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Primary B-cell response to neuropeptide Y and bovine pancreatic polypeptide.

An analysis of the murine primary response to protein epitopes has been made with two small highly structured proteins, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and bovine pancreatic polypeptide (BPP), both of 36-amino acid residue length and containing helical structures. A group of cell lines producing monoclonal IgM antibody have been prepared consisting of six anti-NPY and two anti-BPP. The VH nucleotide sequences have been determined and characterized as germ-line either by identity to established germ-line sequences or by inference from the germ-line character of the D and JH segments. The intrinsic association constants for the homologous ligands have been estimated to range from 10(4) to 10(7) M-1 based on competitive ELISA. No severe restriction in the utilization of VH families, D segments or JH segments appears to be involved in this response. Among the eight cell lines, three VH families were represented as well as all three families of D segments and all of the JH segments, although some preference for JH3 was indicated. The length of the N(D)N sequences was also not subject to restriction, ranging from 9 to 29. Two unusual features of the CRD3s were noted, one involving the utilization of an uncommon DSP2 segment and the other the apparent occurrence of a D-D fusion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1992

Identification of a genomic DNA fragment containing the Drosophila melanogaster ovarian tumor gene (otu) and localization of regions governing its expression.

We have identified a genomic DNA fragment which restores fertility to mutants of the ovarian tumor locus (otu) of Drosophila melanogaster. Germ-line transformants bearing this fragment express otu mRNA with the same tissue specificity as, and at levels comparable to, the wild-type otu gene. Transcription from the otu promoter, P(otu), which lacks a TATA element, appears to be initiated at multiple transcription start points (tsp) within an 80-bp region. Deletion of sequences upstream of the tsp indicates that a region between nucleotides -190 and -310 is required for proper expression from the otu gene. A DNA fragment containing 452 bp upstream and 126 bp downstream from the tsp is able to direct expression of the Escherichia coli lacZ gene in the germ cells of the ovary and testis, indicating that cis-acting regulatory elements governing these expression patterns are located in a 578-bp region surrounding the multiple tsp.

Animals↗

PubMed1979

Demonstration of low density lipoprotein receptors in mouse teratocarcinoma stem cells and description of a method for producing receptor-deficient mutant mice.

Familial hypercholesterolemia, a widespread human genetic disorder implicated in vascular and coronary disease, has had no laboratory animal counterpart that would enable the pathogenesis to be analyzed and drugs to be tested in vivo. The primary lesion in some patients is known to occur in the cells' initial handling of the major cholesterol-carrying lipoprotein of plasma. It entails a deficiency in the specific cell surface receptor that binds low density lipoprotein (LDL), with a consequent alteration in the control of cholesterol metabolism. The present study was undertaken to devise a practical scheme for producing, from developmentally versatile mouse teratocarcinoma stem cells, whole-animal models with a comparable genetic lesion. This requires first learning whether the tumor stem cells in culture express LDL receptors, and next establishing a selection or screening procedure to identify receptor-deficient mutants in mutagenized cell cultures. The results show that the teratocarcinoma cells do in fact have specific high-affinity LDL receptors which are similar to those reported for fibroblasts and the parenchymal cells of specialized tissues and different from those of phagocytic cells. Sterols suppressed the otherwise efficient binding, internalization, and degradation of LDL ((125)I-labeled) by the cells. Acetylation of LDL blocked the binding. Only LDL and not high density lipoprotein (HDL) was bound. After LDL uptake and degradation, the liberated cholesterol led, as expected, to increased cholesteryl ester formation; it also suppressed activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase [HMG CoA reductase; mevalonate: NADP(+) oxidoreductase (CoA-acylating), EC 1.1.1.34], the rate-limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis. Cells with LDL receptors were readily visualized by administering a fluorescent derivative of LDL; in the fluorescence microscope, labeling was seen in all cells. Cells with experimentally depressed receptors, yielding little fluorescence, were separable from those with normal fluorescence in the fluorescence-activated cell sorter. Thus, two methods for isolating receptor-deficient cells from mutagenized cultures are now available, either by visual recognition of low-fluorescing or nonfluorescing colonies in culture plates or by electronic cell sorting. Such mutants in an appropriate line of teratocarcinoma cells can then be passaged into blastocysts for full somatic tissue differentiation and germ-line development into mice.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Selective disruption of genes expressed in totipotent embryonal stem cells.

Two retrovirus promoter trap vectors (U3His and U3Neo) have been used to disrupt genes expressed in totipotent murine embryonal stem (ES) cells. Selection in L-histidinol or G418 produced clones in which the coding sequences for histidinol-dehydrogenase or neomycin-phosphotransferase were fused to sequences in or near the 5' exons of expressed genes, including one in the developmentally regulated REX-1 gene. Five of seven histidinol-resistant clones and three of three G418-resistant clones generated germ-line chimeras. A total of four disrupted genes have been passed to the germ line, of which two resulted in embryonic lethalities when bred to homozygosity. The ability to screen large numbers of recombinant ES cell clones for significant mutations, both in vitro and in vivo, circumvents genetic limitations imposed by the size and long generation time of mice and will facilitate a functional analysis of the mouse genome.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗