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Shortening of poly (A) tail of glucose transporter--one mRNA in experimental diabetes mellitus.

To determine the molecular mechanisms of diabetes-related changes in the expression of GLUT-1 in cerebral tissue, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and vehicle injected controls were studied after 4 weeks of diabetes. The GLUT-1 mass in cerebral microvessels was reduced in diabetic rats by approximately 38% (P < 0.01). The GLUT-1 concentration in insulin-treated diabetic group was not significantly different from controls. The GLUT-1 mRNA content of cerebral tissue in diabetic rats (0.064 +/- 0.007) was significantly reduced compared to control rats (0.122 +/- 0.011) or insulin-treated diabetic rats (0.122 +/- 0.015) P < 0.01. The in vitro translation of GLUT-1 mRNA of diabetic rats (0.793 +/- 0.047 arbitrary units) was also significantly lower than that in control rats (1.403 +/- 0.153) P < 0.01 or insulin-treated diabetic rats. (1.124 +/- 0.083) P < 0.01. These changes occurred in asssociation with a reduction in poly (A) tail length of GLUT-1 mRNA which decreased from a control value of 200-350 nt to only 50-100 nt in diabetic rats. Shortening of poly (A) tail of mRNAs is a novel mechanism of diabetes-related changes in the expression of specific genes which are regulated at a translational level.

Animals↗

Three-dimensional endocardial mapping system using a novel x-ray imager and locating catheter.

Percutaneous radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has a very high success rate for certain arrhythmias, such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and idiopathic ventricular tachycardias in the right ventricular outflow tract. These arrhythmias are typically characterized by a single site of arrhythmogenic tissue that is well bounded by anatomic markers. Success rates for RFCA for reentrant ventricular tachycardias, tachycardias not closely associated with anatomic markers, and those having larger tissue areas requiring multiple overlapping lesions have been significantly lower. An endocardial mapping system is being developed that includes a fluoroscopic imager that scans the field of view with a series of small x-ray beams and electrophysiology catheters modified to include miniature x-ray sensor elements. Preliminary work indicates that the accuracy of determining the mapping catheter location relative to the reference catheters will be +/- 1.5 mm. Substituting a highly accurate three-dimensional coordinate system for anatomic markers could improve the success rate of RFCA for complex arrhythmias.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Frontal and parieto-temporal cortical ablations and diaschisis-like effects on auditory neurocognitive potentials evocable from apparently intact ipsilateral association areas in humans: five case reports.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of disruption on the warning auditory S1-elicited ERP and CNV complexes recordable on the site and on remote ipsilateral apparently normal anatomo-functionally interconnected brain regions. These effects in some cases showed aspects of a probable diaschisis-like phenomenon, due to resections of extensive frontal association cortex or of primary and secondary sensory parieto-temporal areas damaged by differing pathological processes. Using a standard CNV paradigm, 21/19 EEG electrodes connected with three different references, and scalp-topographic bidimensional mapping analysis, the S1 auditory binaural/monaural clicks N1a,b,c, P2, N2, P3 and CNV waves were recorded in 10 normal subjects and 11 patients. Nine of the latter had been submitted to unilateral frontal dorsolateral cortex ablation, one to bihemispheric dorsomedial cortex ablation, and one to unilateral ablation of sensory parieto-temporal cortex and underlying white matter, verified through CT/MRI examinations. No true S1ERP/CNV components were recordable over the ablated cortical areas, whereas normal ERP/CNV complexes were observable on the intact hemispheres. In five patients, four of whom with frontocortical ablations, the S1 ERP/CNV complexes appeared severely diminished or disrupted, in two cases in a slow, partially-reversible manner, also in the neuroradiologically normal ipsilateral functionally-connected post-rolandic sensory and association areas. Similar deactivation of some ERP components was observed in reverse on the unilateral dorsolateral frontocortical region in the fifth patient with parieto-temporal cortex ablation. Even when they are partially reversible, these ipsilateral remote ERP changes in apparently intact brain regions, due to ablations of functionally-interconnected cortical formations, probably reflect cortical deactivation or simply dysfacilitation deriving from functional unilateral diaschisis. If these changes are instead irreversible they may probably be interpreted as transneuronal degeneration phenomena, though they are not at present easy to document either neuroradiologically or electroclinically.

Adult↗

Altered phosphofructokinase mRNA levels but unchanged isoenzyme pattern in brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease.

In order to find out whether the increased phosphofructokinase (PFK) activities observed in brains from Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients are associated with alterations in PFK mRNA levels, we determined total PFK mRNA and the three different PFK isoenzyme mRNAs in AD and control patients by ribonuclease protection assay (RPA) and quantitative RT-PCR. PFK mRNA levels were found increased in some brain areas in AD patients. While all three PFK isoenzyme mRNAs were detectable in every studied brain sample, no changes of the PFK isoenzyme pattern were observed in patients with AD.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Validation of protein-based alignment in 3D quantitative structure-activity relationships with CoMFA models.

The predictive capabilities of protein-based alignment (PBA) and structure-based alignment (SBA) comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) models have been compared. 3D quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D QSAR) models have been derived for a series of N-benzylpiperidine derivatives which are potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors interesting for Alzheimer's disease. To establish a comparison with the classical SBA procedure, different assay models were derived by superposing ligand conformers that are docked to the AChE active site and by using the most active compound as the reference one. A Kohonen self organizing map (SOM) was applied to analyse the molecular diversity of the test set relative to that of the training set, in order to explain the influence of molecular diversity on the predictive power of the considered models. SBA 3D QSAR models have to be used to predict the inhibitory activity only for compounds belonging to subgroups included in the training set. The PBA 3D QSAR models appeared to have a higher predictability, even for compounds with a molecular diversity greater than that of the training set. This results from the fact that the protein helps to automatically select the active conformation which is fitting the 3D QSAR model.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Strategy for qualitative and quantitative analysis in proteomics based on signature peptides.

This paper describes a new analytical strategy for identifying proteins in concentration flux based on isotopic labeling peptides in tryptic digests. Primary amino groups in peptides from control and experimental samples were derivatized with acetate and trideuteroacetate, respectively. After mixing samples thus labeled from these two sources, the relative concentration of peptides was determined by isotope ratio analysis with MALDI and ESI mass spectrometry. More than a 100-fold difference in relative concentration could be detected. Simplification of complex tryptic digests prior to mass spectral analysis was achieved by selection of histidine-containing peptides with immobilized metal affinity sorbents or of glycopeptides by lectin columns. Because most of these peptides have sequences that are unique to a single protein, they are a signature of the protein from which they were derived; providing a facile route to protein analysis.

Chromatography, Affinity↗

Differential phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase families by epidermal growth factor and ultraviolet B irradiation in SV40-transformed human keratinocytes.

SV-40 transformed human keratinocytes (SVHK cells) were stimulated with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. Following the stimulation, cell growth, apoptosis, and the activities of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase families were analyzed. EGF (100 ng/ml) increased SVHK cell number compared with control cells cultured in serum-free DMEM medium. The EGF-stimulated cells did not show DNA fragmentation. In contrast, UVB irradiation (40 mJ/cm(2)) markedly decreased viable cell number that was accompanied with DNA fragmentation. EGF stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Following the EGF stimulation, phosphorylated ERK and JNK were detected by phospho-p42/44 MAP kinase antibody and phospho-SAPK/JNK antibody, respectively. On the other hand, UVB irradiation stimulated the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK but not of ERK. The stimulation of ERK and JNK induced by EGF was observed earlier than the stimulation of p38 and JNK induced by UVB. PD98059, a specific MAP kinase kinase (MAPKK) 1 (also referred to as MEK1) inhibitor, inhibited EGF-dependent cell proliferation, that was associated with the inhibition of ERK and JNK phosphorylation. In contrast, UVB-induced overall cell death was not significantly affected by PD98059, that inhibited phosphorylation of JNK but not of p38. PD98059, however, significantly augmented UVB-induced cell death earlier time points (30 min--2 h). These results indicate that ERK and JNK are activated following EGF stimulation that might be associated with cell proliferation. On the other hand, UVB-induced apoptosis seems to be mostly associated with the activation of p38. JNK stimulation might provide an anti-apoptotic tonus during the UVB-induced, p38-associated SVHK cell death.

Cell Death↗

Mitochondrial DNA mutations are associated with both decreased insulin secretion and advanced microvascular complications in Japanese diabetic subjects.

To assess the roles of various mitochondrial (Mt) DNA mutations in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects, we screened Mt DNAs at the 3243 base pair (bp) and its adjacent portion in unrelated Japanese diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. Furthermore, to clarify the clinical features of diabetic subjects harboring a Mt DNA mutation, we evaluated the ability of insulin secretion and microvascular complications in diabetic subjects. Five hundred thirty-seven diabetic patients and 612 unrelated nondiabetic subjects were recruited into this study. In Mt DNA analyses, Mt DNA was isolated from peripheral leukocytes of the subjects, and then an Mt DNA fragment surrounding the tRNA(Leu(UUR)) site was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using two sets of primers. These fragments were further digested with three kinds of restriction endonucleases and were subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis. When a mutation was present, Mt DNA fragments were directly sequenced with an autosequencer. Baseline characteristics in all subjects were examined, and microvascular complications and insulin secretory capacity in diabetic subjects were newly evaluated. Eight kinds of Mt DNA mutations, which were point mutations, were found in 74 subjects. Each affected subject had only one mutation in the Mt DNA examined. Among them, the mutations at np 3316, 3394, 3593, and 3391 were accompanied by amino acid replacement. Thirty-eight diabetic patients were affected (7.1%), including two subjects with a point mutation at np 3243, and 26 nondiabetic subjects were affected (4.2%). Thus, there was a higher prevalence in diabetic subjects than in nondiabetic subjects. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of maternally inherited diabetes between these two groups. The mean level of urinary C-peptide excretion was lower in diabetic subjects with an Mt DNA mutation (DM+) than in those without it (DM-). Although the prevalence of hypertension in DM+ was higher than that in DM-, diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy in DM+ were problematic, in comparison with those in DM-, when statistical corrections were performed for the effect of hypertension. Furthermore, a strategy based on logistic regression analysis revealed that advanced retinopathy and decreased urinary C-peptide excretion in all diabetic subjects studied were strongly related to the presence of Mt DNA mutation. Our results suggest that Mt DNA mutations in Japanese diabetic subjects are related to the development of diabetes, and also that these mutations are associated with not only a decrease in insulin secretion but also advanced diabetic microvascular complications.

Adult↗

Identification of apolipoprotein B100 polymorphisms that affect low-density lipoprotein metabolism: description of a new approach involving monoclonal antibodies and dynamic light scattering.

Rare mutations in apolipoprotein B (apoB) can cause defective binding of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) to the LDL receptor, leading to elevated plasma cholesterol levels and premature atherosclerosis. This communication describes a novel approach to study the effects of apoB mutations on LDL metabolism. Monoclonal antibody MB19 identifies a common polymorphism in apoB, an Ile/Thr substitution at residue 71, by binding with a 60-fold higher affinity to apoB(Ile71)-containing LDL. Because each LDL contains a single apoB, a maximum of two LDLs may be bound by the bivalent monoclonal antibody. Thus, at the appropriate concentration, an equivalent amount of MB19 will promote substantial dimer formation of LDL containing the strongly binding apoB(Ile71), but little dimer formation of LDL containing the weakly binding apoB(Thr71). For LDL isolated from heterozygous individuals, the amount of dimer formed, determined by dynamic light scattering, yields an estimate of the allelic ratio of the two forms of LDL. For such individuals, not only the effect of the polymorphism recognized by MB19 but also the effects of other polymorphisms on the LDL allelic ratio can be determined. Examination of six normolipemic MB19 heterozygotes gave percent allelic ratios between 48:52 and 51:49 tight:weak-binding LDL, not significantly different from a 50:50 ratio. These individuals were also heterozygous for six common apoB polymorphisms, allowing calculation of the odds that each of these polymorphisms caused significant alterations in lipid levels. In contrast, the rare mutation at residue 3500 causing defective binding to the LDL receptor and familial defective apoB100 (FDB) resulted in substantial changes (26:74 and 13:87) in LDL allelic ratio in both of two FDB individuals examined.

Alleles↗

Characterization of the cDNA encoding human nucleophosmin and studies of its role in normal and abnormal growth.

A cDNA encoding human nucleophosmin (protein B23) was obtained by screening a human placental cDNA library in lambda gtll first with monoclonal antibody to rat nucleophosmin and then with confirmed partial cDNA of human nucleophosmin as probes. The cDNA had 1311 bp with a coding sequence encoding a protein of 294 amino acids. The identity of the cDNA was confirmed by the presence of encoded amino acid sequences identical with those determined by sequencing pure rat nucleophosmin (a total of 138 amino acids). The most striking feature of the sequence is an acidic cluster located in the middle of the molecule. The cluster consists of 26 Asp/Glu and 1 Phe and Ala. Comparison of human nucleophosmin and Xenopus nucleolar protein NO38 shows 64.3% sequence identity. The N-terminal 130 amino acids of human nucleophosmin also bear 50% identity with that of Xenopus nucleoplasmin. Northern blot analysis of rat liver total RNA with a partial nucleophosmin cDNA as probe demonstrated a homogeneous mRNA band of about 1.6 kb. Similar observations were made in hypertrophic rat liver and Novikoff hepatoma. However, the quantity of nucleophosmin mRNA is 50- and 5-fold higher in Novikoff hepatoma and hypertrophic rat liver, respectively, when compared with normal rat liver. Dot blot analysis also showed a nucleophosmin mRNA ratio of 64:5:1 in the three types of rat liver. When the protein levels were compared with Western blot immunoassays, Novikoff hepatoma showed 20 times more nucleophosmin, while only about 5 times more nucleophosmin was observed in hypertrophic rat liver than in unstimulated normal liver.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Shortened telomere length is demonstrated in T-cell subsets together with a pronounced increased telomerase activity in CD4 positive T cells from blood of patients with mycosis fungoides and parapsoriasis.

We have recently demonstrated that telomerase activity is increased and telomere length shortened in lymphocytes from peripheral blood of patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. In order to determine which cell type has increased telomerase activity and shortened telomere length, CD4+, CD8+, CLA+ CD3+ and CLA- CD3+ T cells were isolated from peripheral blood of 25 patients, including 15 patients with mycosis fungoides and 10 patients with parapsoriasis. Eleven healthy individuals were used as controls; CD19+ B cells were separated from each individual as an internal control. The results showed that the increased telomerase activity was significantly predominating in the CD4+ T-cell subset. Significantly shortened telomere length was found in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets from the patients compared with the same cell subsets obtained from healthy individuals. However, no difference was observed between the subsets; CD19+ B cells collected from patients and healthy control individuals had similar telomerase activity and telomere length which was significantly different from the values found in T cells. The telomere length was significantly shorter in CLA+ CD3+ subset than in CLA- CD3+ subset. Interestingly, increased telomerase activity and shortened telomere length was also detected in CD4+ T cells from patients with parapsoriasis indicating that alteration of telomerase activity and telomere length in CD4+ T cells is an early event in the pathogenesis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Thus, the results indicate that a significant high level of telomerase activity and shortened telomere length frequently occur in T cells of patients with CTCL and may reflect tumorigenesis.

Aged↗

Very mild muscular dystrophy associated with the deletion of 46% of dystrophin.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), a much milder form of the disease where the age of onset can sometimes be as late as the third or fourth decade of life, are caused by mutations in the same X-linked gene, a 14 kilobase (kb) transcript which is spread over more than 2 megabases of the human X chromosome. The corresponding protein, dystrophin, has a relative molecular mass of 400,000. Most mutations causing DMD and BMD are deletions and deletions associated with both phenotypes are observed throughout the gene sequence. This observation led to the suggestion that DMD patients possess deletions that disrupt the reading frame of the protein, whereas BMD patients have deletions that retain the translational reading frame and enable the muscle cells to produce altered dystrophin products. This theory is supported by immunoblotting studies, which show that DMD patients lack dystrophin in their muscle cells or that dystrophin is present at very low levels, whereas BMD patients produce a protein with reduced abundance or abnormal size. Here we describe a deletion of the dystrophin gene in a family segregating for very mild BMD, one member of which was still ambulant at age 61 years, which removes a central part of the dystrophin gene encompassing 5,106 base pairs of coding sequence, almost half the coding information. Immunological analysis of muscle from one of the patients demonstrates that this mutation results in the production of a truncated polypeptide localized correctly in the muscle cell. These results are particularly significant in the context of gene therapy which, if it is ever envisaged, would be facilitated by the replacement of the very large dystrophin gene with a more manipulatable mini-gene construct.

Blotting, Western↗

A mutation in the tRNA(Leu)(UUR) gene associated with the MELAS subgroup of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies.

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies are usually divided into three distinct clinical subgroups: (1) mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS); (2) myoclonus epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibres (MERRF); and (3) chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) including Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Large deletions of human mitochondrial DNA and a transition mutation at the mitochondrial transfer RNALys gene give rise to CPEO including Kearns-Sayre syndrome and MERRF, respectively. Here we report an A-to-G transition mutation at nucleotide pair 3,243 in the dihydrouridine loop of mitochondrial tRNA(Leu)(UUR) that is specific to patients with MELAS. Because this mutation creates an ApaI restriction site, we could perform a simple molecular diagnostic test for the disease. The mutation was present in 26 out of 31 independent MELAS patients and 1 out of 29 CPEO patients, but absent in the 5 MERRF and 50 controls tested. Southern blot analysis confirmed that the mutant DNA always coexists with the wild-type DNA (heteroplasmy).

Base Sequence↗

Systematic mutation screening and association study of the A1 and A2a adenosine receptor genes in panic disorder suggest a contribution of the A2a gene to the development of disease.

Several lines of evidence suggest a contribution of adenosinergic neurotransmission to the development of panic disorder. We therefore hypothesized that variation in the A1 and A2a adenosine receptor (AR) genes modifies genetic susceptibility to panic disorder. To test this hypothesis, we screened 38 patients with panic disorder for mutations in the coding sequence of the A1AR and A2aAR genes. An association study between the identified DNA sequence variants and panic disorder was performed in an extended sample of 89 patients and matched controls. One silent mutation (716T/G) in the A1AR gene and two silent mutations (432C/T and 1083C/T) in the A2aAR gene were detected. The association sample shows a significant association between the 1083T allele (P=0.01) and 1083T/T genotype (P=0.024) of the A2AR gene and panic disorder. Our findings thus lend further support to the hypothesis that the A2aAR gene, or a locus in linkage disequilibrium with it, confers susceptibility to panic disorder. Replication studies in independent samples with nuclear families applying the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) are warranted.

DNA Primers↗

Abnormal G protein alpha(s) - and alpha(i2)-subunit mRNA expression in bipolar affective disorder.

Disturbances of events associated with intracellular signaling pathways have been suspected of involvement in the development or progression of affective disorders. Often, heterotrimeric G proteins are located at the beginning of these pathways as modulators of extracellular messages. For this reason, messenger RNA expression of three G protein alpha-subunits and of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 K) regulatory subunit p85 was examined in granulocytes from patients with bipolar or unipolar affective disorder and compared to healthy controls. Messenger RNA expression of the G protein subunit alpha(q) and of p85 was identical in unipolar and bipolar patients and in controls. Furthermore, mRNAs of G protein subunits alpha(s) and alpha(i2) were not different in unipolar patients as compared to healthy controls. Alpha(s) mRNA, however, was markedly increased in bipolar patients. This increase was observed in lithium-treated (more than 12 months) and in unmedicated patients. Elevated levels of alpha(i2) mRNA in unmedicated bipolar patients did not reach statistical significance, whereas mRNA in bipolar patients receiving lithium was significantly above controls. Finally, long-term medication of unipolar patients with lithium had no influence on alpha(i2) mRNA levels. The data reveal elevated mRNA levels of G alpha(s) as a robust feature of bipolar affective disorder. Moreover, despite responsiveness of alpha(i2) gene expression to cAMP-related events, no substantial upregulation of alpha(i2) mRNA was observed in bipolar patients. The lack of alpha(i2) mRNA upregulation, hence, could be an additional abnormality in these patients. Even though lithium was able to reinstate this upregulation, there was no feedback downregulation of alpha(s). This strongly supports the notion of major disturbances of the cAMP signaling system in bipolar illness.

Adult↗

Chromosome localization of the 31 type I Texas bovine markers in sheep and goat chromosomes by comparative FISH-mapping and R-banding.

Bovine BAC clones containing the 31 genes, referred to as the Texas markers used earlier to definitively assign the 31 bovine syntenic groups (U) to cattle chromosomes, were mapped by fluorescent in situ hybridization to sheep and goat R-banded chromosomes according to ISCNDB2000. All 31 markers were localized on homoeologous chromosomes and chromosome bands of the two species in agreement with previous localizations obtained both in cattle and river buffalo, definitively confirming chromosome homoeologies between Caprinae and Bovinae. In addition, we have extended physical maps of sheep and goat as 11 genes (HSD3B1, INHBA, CSN10, IGF2R, PIGR, MAP1B, DSC1, ELN, TNFRSF6, CGN1, IGF2) and 14 genes (SOD1, HSD3B1, CSN10, IGF2R, RB1, TG, PIGR, MAP1B, IGH@, LTF, DSC1, TNFRSF6, CGN1, IGF2) were assigned for the first time to goat and sheep chromosomes, respectively.

Animals↗

Activation patterns in the left atrium during counterclockwise and clockwise atrial flutter.

INTRODUCTION: Activation of the left atrium (LA) in patients with isthmus-dependent right atrial flutter (AFL) has not yet been studied. The aim of this study was to analyze the activation patterns in the LA in patients with counterclockwise and clockwise AFL. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population consisted of 12 patients (10 men and 2 women; mean age 61+/-13 years) with documented AFL and atrial fibrillation referred for ablation. The LA was mapped with a 64-electrode basket catheter inserted through a transseptal approach (10 patients) or an open foramen ovale (2 patients). In patients with counterclockwise AFL (10 episodes), the LA was activated for a mean of 133+/-28 msec. Two endocardial breakthroughs of earliest activity on the left side of the interatrial septum, separated in time by an interval of 38+/-15 msec, were observed in 9 episodes (90%). Two wavefronts originated from these breakthroughs, which activated the posterior and the anterior LA walls, respectively. In one patient, the entire LA was activated from the inferior breakthrough. In patients with clockwise AFL (five episodes), the LA activation time was 130+/-13 msec. During ongoing episodes, two early electrical breakthroughs, separated in time by an interval of 41+/-15 msec, appeared in the high anteroseptal and low posteroseptal LA regions. The superior wavefront that emerged from the high anterolateral LA region was the dominant activation pathway in 4 (80%) of 5 episodes. CONCLUSION: In patients with AFL, the LA is activated by two wavefronts originating from the high anterior and the low posterior regions of the interatrial septum. The sequence of activation of these interatrial connections in counterclockwise or clockwise AFL and the conductive properties of the LA conduction pathways determine the activation patterns in the LA.

Activation Analysis↗

Mutation of the proteolipid protein gene PLP in a human X chromosome-linked myelin disorder.

Myelin is a highly specialized membrane unique to the nervous system that ensheaths axons to permit the rapid saltatory conduction of impulses. The elaboration of a compact myelin sheath is disrupted in a diverse spectrum of human disorders, many of which are of unknown etiology. The X chromosome-linked human disorder Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease is a clinically and pathologically heterogeneous group of disorders that demonstrate a striking failure of oligodendrocyte differentiation. This disease appears pathologically and genetically to be similar to the disorder seen in the dysmyelinating mouse mutant jimpy, which has a point mutation in the gene encoding an abundant myelin protein, proteolipid protein (PLP). We report that the molecular defect in one Pelizaeus-Merzbacher family is likewise a point mutation in the PLP gene. A single T----C transition results in the substitution of a charged amino acid residue, arginine, for tryptophan in one of the four extremely hydrophobic domains of the PLP protein. The identification of a mutation in this Pelizaeus-Merzbacher family should facilitate the molecular classification and diagnosis of these X chromosome-linked human dysmyelinating disorders.

Amino Acid Sequence↗