Genomic structure of PEX13, a candidate peroxisome biogenesis disorder gene

The peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs) are a set of lethal genetic diseases characterized by peroxisomal metabolic deficiencies, multisystem abnormalities, mental retardation, and premature death. These disorders are genetically heterogeneous and are caused by mutations in genes, termed PEX genes, required for import of proteins into the peroxisomal matrix. We have previously reported the identification of human PEX13, the gene encoding the docking factor for the PTS1 receptor, or PEX5 protein. As such, mutations in PEX13 would be expected to abrogate peroxisomal protein import and result in PBD phenotypes. We report here the structure of the human PEX13 gene. PEX13 spans approximately 11 kb on chromosome 2 and contains four exons, one more than previously thought. The corrected PEX13 cDNA is predicted to encode a protein product with a molecular mass of 44,312 Da. We examined the ability of PEX13 expression to rescue the peroxisomal protein import defects of fibroblast cells representing all known PBD complementation groups. No complementation was observed, suggesting that this gene is not mutated in any set of existing patients. However, given that complementation group assignments have been determined for only a subset of PBD patients, it is possible that PEX13-deficient patients may exist at a low frequency within our existing PBD patient population or within ethnic groups underrepresented in our patient pool.

Molecular characterization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Delta3, Delta2-enoyl-CoA isomerase

We report here the identification of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae peroxisomal Delta3,Delta2-enoyl-CoA isomerase, an enzyme that is essential for the beta-oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. The yeast gene YLR284C was identified in an in silico screen for genes that contain an oleate response element, a transcription factor-binding site common to most fatty acid-induced genes. Growth on oleic acid resulted in a significant increase in YLR284C mRNA, demonstrating that it is indeed an oleate-induced gene. The deduced product of YLR284C contains a type 1 peroxisomal targeting signal-like sequence at its C terminus and localizes to the peroxisome in a PEX8-dependent manner. Removal of YLR284C from the S. cerevisiae genome eliminated growth on oleic acid, but had no effect on peroxisome biogenesis, indicating a role for YLR284C in fatty acid metabolism. Cells lacking YLR284C had no detectable Delta3,Delta2-enoyl-CoA isomerase activity, and a bacterially expressed form of this protein catalyzed the isomerization of 3-cis-octenoyl-CoA to 2-trans-octenoyl-CoA with a specific activity of 16 units/mg. We conclude that YLR284C encodes the yeast peroxisomal Delta3,Delta2-enoyl-CoA isomerase and propose a new name, ECI1, to reflect its enoyl-CoA isomerase activity.

Expression of PEX11beta mediates peroxisome proliferation in the absence of extracellular stimuli

Mammalian cells typically contain hundreds of peroxisomes but can increase peroxisome abundance further in response to extracellular stimuli. We report here the identification and characterization of two novel human peroxisomal membrane proteins, PEX11alpha and PEX11beta. Overexpression of the human PEX11beta gene alone was sufficient to induce peroxisome proliferation, demonstrating that proliferation can occur in the absence of extracellular stimuli and may be mediated by a single gene. Time course studies indicated that PEX11beta induces peroxisome proliferation through a multistep process involving peroxisome elongation and segregation of PEX11beta from other peroxisomal membrane proteins, followed by peroxisome division. Overexpression of PEX11alpha also induced peroxisome proliferation but at a much lower frequency than PEX11beta in our experimental system. The patterns of PEX11alpha and PEX11beta expression were examined in the rat, the animal in which peroxisome proliferation has been examined most extensively. Levels of PEX11beta mRNA were similar in all tissues examined and were unaffected by peroxisome-proliferating agents. Conversely, PEX11alpha mRNA levels varied widely among different tissues, were highest in tissues that are sensitive to peroxisome-proliferating agents, and were induced more than 10-fold in response to the peroxisome proliferators clofibrate and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. Taken together, these data implicate PEX11beta in the constitutive control of peroxisome abundance and suggest that PEX11alpha may regulate peroxisome abundance in response to extracellular stimuli.

Phenotype-genotype relationships in complementation group 3 of the peroxisome-biogenesis disorders

The peroxisome-biogenesis disorders (PBDs) are a set of often lethal genetic diseases characterized by mental retardation and defective peroxisomal matrix protein import. Mutations in PEX12 are known to underlie the disease in two patients from complementation group 3 of the PBDs. Here we show that all patients from this group carry mutations on both alleles of PEX12. A comparison between PEX12 genotypes and the clinical and cellular phenotypes of the corresponding PBD patients suggests a relatively straightforward relationship between genotype and phenotype in this group of the PBDs, such that the loss of PEX12 function leads to more-severe cellular and clinical phenotypes. However, one patient who presented relatively mild clinical and cellular phenotypes was a compound heterozygote for two seemingly severe mutations on each PEX12 allele. PEX12 mRNA present in the patient's cells was derived from only one allele, the one that carried a 2-bp deletion early in the PEX12 coding region, c.26,27Delta. The deduced protein product of this mRNA would contain only the first eight amino acids of the protein, and yet this mutant PEX12 cDNA displayed significant PEX12 activity in a functional complementation assay. Surprisingly, the PEX12/c.26, 27Delta cDNA directed the synthesis of a 29-kD PEX12 protein in vitro, a result that is consistent with translation initiation at a downstream AUG codon. Transfection studies confirmed the expression of similarly sized PEX12 proteins from the PEX12/c.26,27Delta allele. Thus, it appears that translation initiation at internal AUG codons may modulate disease phenotypes and should be considered whenever unexpectedly mild phenotypes result from severe mutations early in the coding region.

Aquaporins in Saccharomyces. Genetic and functional distinctions between laboratory and wild-type strains

Aquaporin water channel proteins mediate the transport of water across cell membranes in numerous species. The Saccharomyces genome data base contains an open reading frame (here designated AQY1) that encodes a protein with strong homology to aquaporins. AQY1 from laboratory and wild-type strains of Saccharomyces were expressed in Xenopus oocytes to determine the coefficients of osmotic water permeability (Pf). Oocytes injected with wild-type AQY1 cRNAs exhibit high Pf values, whereas oocytes injected with AQY1 cRNAs from laboratory strains exhibit low Pf values and have reduced levels of Aqy1p due to two amino acid substitutions. When the AQY1 gene was deleted from a wild-type yeast and cells were cultured in vitro with cycled hypo-osmolar or hyper-osmolar stresses, the AQY1 null yeast showed significantly improved viability when compared with the parental wild-type strain. We conclude that Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains at least one aquaporin gene, but it is not functional in laboratory strains due to apparent negative selection pressures resulting from in vitro methods.

An isoform of pex5p, the human PTS1 receptor, is required for the import of PTS2 proteins into peroxisomes

Mutations in the peroxisome targeting signal (PTS) 1 receptor gene, PEX5 , are responsible for complementation group (CG) 2 of the peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBD). Of the two reported patients in this CG, cells from PBD018 (homozygous for the missense mutation N489K) are defective in the import of PTS1 proteins into peroxisomes, as expected. However, cells from PBD005 (homozygous for the nonsense mutation R390ter) are defective in the import of both PTS1 and PTS2 proteins, suggesting that the PTS1 receptor also mediates PTS2-targeted protein import. To investigate this possibility, we characterized PEX5 expression and found that it undergoes alternative splicing, producing two transcripts, one containing (PEX5L) and one lacking (PEX5S) a 111 bp internal exon. Fibroblasts from PBD005 have greatly reduced levels of PEX5 transcript and protein as compared with PBD018. Transfection of PBD005 cells with PEX5S cDNA restores PTS1 but not PTS2 import; transfection with PXR5L cDNA restores both PTS1 and PTS2 protein import. Furthermore, transfection of PBD005 cells with PEX5L cDNAs containing the patient mutations (which are located downstream of the additional exon) restores PTS2 but not PTS1 import. Taken together, these data provide an explanation for the different protein import defects in CG2 patients and show that the long isoform of the Pex5 protein is required for peroxisomal import of PTS2 proteins.

Identification of PEX10, the gene defective in complementation group 7 of the peroxisome-biogenesis disorders

The peroxisome-biogenesis disorders (PBDs) are a group of genetically heterogeneous, lethal diseases that are characterized by neuronal, hepatic, and renal abnormalities; severe mental retardation; and, in their most severe form, death within the 1st year of life. Cells from all PBD patients exhibit decreased import of one or more classes of peroxisome matrix proteins, a phenotype shared by yeast pex mutants. We identified the human orthologue of yeast PEX10 and observed that its expression rescues peroxisomal matrix-protein import in PBD patients' fibroblasts from complementation group 7 (CG7). In addition, we detected mutations on both copies of PEX10 in two unrelated CG7 patients. A Zellweger syndrome patient, PBD100, was homozygous for a splice donor-site mutation that results in exon skipping and loss of 407 bp from the PEX10 open reading frame. A more mildly affected neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy patient was a compound heterozygote for a missense mutation in the PEX10 zinc-binding domain, H290Q, and for a nonsense mutation, R125ter. Although all three mutations attenuate PEX10 activity, the two alleles detected in the mildly affected patient, PBD052, encode partially functional PEX10 proteins. PEX10-deficient PBD100 cells contain many peroxisomes and import peroxisomal membrane proteins but do not import peroxisomal matrix proteins, indicating that loss of PEX10 has its most pronounced effect on peroxisomal matrix-protein import.

Disruption of a PEX1-PEX6 interaction is the most common cause of the neurologic disorders Zellweger syndrome, neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy, and infantile Refsum disease

Peroxisomal matrix protein import requires the action of two AAA ATPases, PEX1 and PEX6. Mutations in either the PEX1 or PEX6 gene are the most common cause of the lethal neurologic disorders Zellweger syndrome, neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy, and infantile Refsum disease and account for disease in 80% of all such patients. We report here that overexpression of PEX6 can suppress the phenotypes of certain PEX1-deficient cells, that overexpression of PEX1 can suppress the phenotypes of certain PEX6-deficient cells, and that these instances of suppression are allele-specific and require partial activity of the mutated gene. In addition to genetic evidence for interaction between PEX1 and PEX6, we find that the PEX1 and PEX6 proteins interact in the yeast two-hybrid assay and physically associate with one another in vitro. We previously identified a missense mutation in PEX1, G843D, which attenuates PEX1 function and is the most common cause of these diseases, present in one-third of all such patients. The G843D mutation attenuates the interaction between PEX1 and PEX6 in both the two-hybrid system and in vitro and appears to be suppressed by overexpression of PEX6. We conclude that PEX1 and PEX6 form a complex of central importance to peroxisome biogenesis and that mutations affecting this complex constitute the most common cause of the Zellweger syndrome spectrum of diseases.

Disruption of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae FAT1 gene decreases very long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase activity and elevates intracellular very long-chain fatty acid concentrations

Activation of fatty acids to their coenzyme A derivatives is necessary for subsequent metabolism. Very long-chain fatty acids, which accumulate in tissues of patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, are activated by very long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (VLCS) normally found in peroxisomes and microsomes. We identified a candidate yeast VLCS gene (FAT1), previously identified as encoding a fatty acid transport protein, by its homology to rat liver peroxisomal VLCS. Disruption of this gene decreased, but did not abolish, cellular VLCS activity. Fractionation studies showed that VLCS activity, but not long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase activity, was reduced to about 40% of wild-type level in both 27,000 x g supernatant and pellet fractions. Separation of organelles in the pellet fraction by density gradient centrifugation revealed that VLCS activity was associated with peroxisomes and microsomes but not mitochondria. FAT1 deletion strains exhibited decreased growth on medium containing dextrose, oleic acid, and cerulenin, an inhibitor of fatty acid synthesis. FAT1 deletion strains grown on either dextrose or oleic acid medium accumulated very long-chain fatty acids. Compared with wild-type yeast, C22:0, C24:0, and C26:0 levels were increased approximately 20-, 18-, and 3-fold in deletion strains grown on dextrose, and 2-, 7-, and 5-fold in deletion strains grown on oleate. Long-chain fatty acid levels in wild-type and deletion strains were not significantly different. All biochemical defects in FAT1 deletion strains were restored to normal after functional complementation with the FAT1 gene. The level of VLCS activity measured in both wild-type and deletion yeast strains transformed with FAT1 cDNA paralleled the level of expression of the transgene. The extent of both the decrease in peroxisomal VLCS activity and the very long-chain fatty acid accumulation in the yeast FAT1 deletion model resembles that observed in cells from X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy patients. These studies suggest that the FAT1 gene product has VLCS activity that is essential for normal cellular very long-chain fatty acid homeostasis.

Cloning and heterologous expression of blasticidin S biosynthetic genes from Streptomyces griseochromogenes

Two small chromosomal DNA fragments (2.6 and 4.8 kb) from the blasticidin S producer Streptomyces griseochromogenes were cloned in the high copy number vector pIJ702 and shown to confer increased resistance to blasticidin S upon S. lividans TK24. These fragments were used to screen a library of S. griseochromogenes DNA prepared in the cosmid shuttle vector pOJ446. Cosmids containing DNA inserts of at least 23 kb were identified which hybridized to one or the other resistance fragment, but not to both. Transformation of S. lividans TK24 with several cosmids hybridizing with the 4.8 kb resistance fragment resulted in clones that produced cytosylglucuronic acid, the first intermediate of the blasticidin S biosynthetic pathway, and other blasticidin-related metabolites. A strain of S. lividans TK24 harboring both the 4.8 kb-hybridizing cosmid and the 2.6 kb resistance fragment cloned in pIJ702 produced 12.5 times as much demethylblasticidin S as the transformant harboring the cosmid alone.

A new cytosine glycoside from Streptomyces griseochromogenes produced by the use in vivo of enzyme inhibitors

The identification of new cytosine glycosides and intermediates in the biosynthetic pathway of the antifungal antibiotic blasticidin S (1) was investigated using in vivo enzyme inhibition. Fermentations of Streptomyces griseochromogenes, the organism that produces 1, supplemented with the arginine analogue argininic acid or the argininosuccinate synthase inhibitor 2-methylaspartic acid were found to produce a new metabolite (7).

Gulliver's further travels: the necessity and difficulty of a hierarchical theory of selection

For principled and substantially philosophical reasons, based largely on his reform of natural history by inverting the Paleyan notion of overarching and purposeful beneficence in the construction of organisms, Darwin built his theory of selection at the single causal level of individual bodies engaged in unconscious (and metaphorical) struggle for their own reproductive success. But the central logic of the theory allows selection to work effectively on entities at several levels of a genealogical hierarchy, provided that they embody a set of requisite features for defining evolutionary individuality. Genes, cell lineages, demes, species, and clades-as well as Darwin's favoured organisms-embody these requisite features in enough cases to form important levels of selection in the history of life. R. A. Fisher explicitly recognized the unassailable logic of species selection, but denied that thsi real process could be important in evolution because, compared with the production of new organisms within a species, the origin of new species is so rare, and the number of species within most clades so low. I review this and other classical arguments against higher-level selection, and conclude (in the first part of this paper) that they are invalid in practice for interdemic selection, and false in principle for species selection. Punctuated equilibrium defines the individuality of species and refutes Fisher's classical argument based on cycle time. In the second part of the paper, I argue that we have failed to appreciate the range and power of selection at levels above and below the organismic because we falsely extrapolate the defining properties of organisms to these other levels (which are characterized by quite different distinctive features), and then regard the other levels as impotent because their effective individuals differ so much from organisms. We would better appreciate the power and generality of hierarchical models of selection if we grasped two key principles: first, that levels can interact in all modes (positively, negatively, and orthogonally), and not only in the negative style (with a higher level suppressing an opposing force of selection from the lower level) that, for heuristic and operational reasons, has received almost exclusive attention in the existing literature; and second, that each hierarchical level differs from all others in substantial and interesting ways, both in the style and frequency of patterns in change and causal modes.

Cloning and heterologous expression of genes from the kinamycin biosynthetic pathway of Streptomyces murayamaensis

The genes for most of the biosynthesis of the kinamycin antibiotics have been cloned and heterologously expressed. Genomic DNA of Streptomyces murayamaensis was partially digested with MboI and a library of approximately 40 kb fragments in E. coli XL1-BlueMR was prepared using the cosmid vector pOJ446. Hybridization with the actI probe from the actinorhodin polyketide synthase genes identified two clusters of polyketide genes. After transferal of these clusters to S. lividans ZX7, expression of one cluster was established by HPLC with photodiode array detection. Peaks were identified from the kin cluster for dehydrorabelomycin, kinobscurinone, and stealthin C, which are known intermediates in kinamycin biosynthesis. Two shunt metabolites, kinafluorenone and seongomycin were also identified. The structure of the latter was determined from a quantity obtained from large-scale fermentation of one of the clones.

Identification and sequence analysis of the genes encoding a polyketide synthase required for pyoluteorin biosynthesis in Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5

Pyoluteorin is a chlorinated antifungal metabolite of mixed polyketide/amino-acid origin produced by certain strains of Pseudomonas spp., including the soil bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5. Sequence analysis of a gene cluster required for pyoluteorin biosynthesis by Pf-5 (Kraus, J., Loper, J., 1995. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61, 849-854) has identified two genes whose deduced peptide sequences exhibit characteristics of both fungal and bacterial Type I polyketide synthases (PKSs). The pyoluteorin PKS does not contain a loading domain that is typically present in bacterial Type I PKSs. Furthermore, this PKS possesses an acyltransferase domain that does not contain the conserved residues surrounding the active-site motif typically found in domains of similar function. Based on the organization of the functional domains within the pyoluteorin PKS, we propose a biosynthetic pathway analogous to non-aromatic polyketide biosynthesis within the Actinomycete bacteria that is responsible for the formation of the resorcinol moiety of pyoluteorin.

The role of psychographic characteristics as determinants of complaint behavior by elderly consumers of physician health care services

The authors investigate the influence of various psychographic characteristics in distinguishing between those elderly patients who complain about dissatisfying experiences with health care providers and those who do not. Discriminant analysis results suggest that patients who are low in trust in their physicians and who are younger in terms of cognitive age are more likely to complain than are patients who are high in trust and older in terms of cognitive age. In light of these findings, the authors propose a number of managerially-relevant courses of action for health care providers.

Mutations in PEX1 are the most common cause of peroxisome biogenesis disorders

The peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs) are a group of lethal autosomal-recessive diseases caused by defects in peroxisomal matrix protein import, with the concomitant loss of multiple peroxisomal enzyme activities. Ten complementation groups (CGs) have been identified for the PBDs, with CG1 accounting for 51% of all PBD patients. We identified the human orthologue of yeast PEX1, a gene required for peroxisomal matrix protein import. Expression of human PEX1 restored peroxisomal protein import in fibroblasts from 30 CG1 patients, and PEX1 mutations were detected in multiple CG1 probands. A common PEX1 allele, G843D, is present in approximately half of CG1 patients and has a deleterious effect on PEX1 activity. Phenotypic analysis of PEX1-deficient cells revealed severe defects in peroxisomal matrix protein import and destabilization of PEX5, the receptor for the type-1 peroxisomal targetting signal, even though peroxisomes were present in these cells and capable of importing peroxisomal membrane proteins. These data demonstrate an important role for PEX1 in peroxisome biogenesis and suggest that mutations in this gene are the most common cause of the PBDs.

Identification of PAHX, a Refsum disease gene

Refsum disease is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by retinitis pigmentosa, peripheral polyneuropathy, cerebellar ataxia and increased cerebrospinal fluid protein. Biochemically, the disorder is defined by two related properties: pronounced accumulation of phytanic acid and selective loss of the peroxisomal dioxygenase required for alpha-hydroxylation of phytanoyl-CoA2. Decreased phytanic-acid oxidation is also observed in human cells lacking PEX7, the receptor for the type-2 peroxisomal targetting signal (PTS2; refs 3,4), suggesting that the enzyme defective in Refsum disease is targetted to peroxisomes by a PTS2. We initially identified the human PAHX and mouse Pahx genes as expressed sequence tags (ESTs) capable of encoding PTS2 proteins. Human PAHX is targetted to peroxisomes, requires the PTS2 receptor for peroxisomal localization, interacts with the PTS2 receptor in the yeast two-hybrid assay and has intrinsic phytanoyl-CoA alpha-hydroxylase activity that requires the dioxygenase cofactor iron and cosubstrate 2-oxoglutarate. Radiation hybrid data place PAHX on chromosome 10 between the markers D10S249 and D10S466, a region previously implicated in Refsum disease by homozygosity mapping. We find that both Refsum disease patients examined are homozygous for inactivating mutations in PAHX, demonstrating that mutations in PAHX can cause Refsum disease.

The exaptive excellence of spandrels as a term and prototype

In 1979, Lewontin and I borrowed the architectural term "spandrel" (using the pendentives of San Marco in Venice as an example) to designate the class of forms and spaces that arise as necessary byproducts of another decision in design, and not as adaptations for direct utility in themselves. This proposal has generated a large literature featuring two critiques: (i) the terminological claim that the spandrels of San Marco are not true spandrels at all and (ii) the conceptual claim that they are adaptations and not byproducts. The features of the San Marco pendentives that we explicitly defined as spandrel-properties-their necessary number (four) and shape (roughly triangular)-are inevitable architectural byproducts, whatever the structural attributes of the pendentives themselves. The term spandrel may be extended from its particular architectural use for two-dimensional byproducts to the generality of "spaces left over," a definition that properly includes the San Marco pendentives. Evolutionary biology needs such an explicit term for features arising as byproducts, rather than adaptations, whatever their subsequent exaptive utility. The concept of biological spandrels-including the examples here given of masculinized genitalia in female hyenas, exaptive use of an umbilicus as a brooding chamber by snails, the shoulder hump of the giant Irish deer, and several key features of human mentality-anchors the critique of overreliance upon adaptive scenarios in evolutionary explanation. Causes of historical origin must always be separated from current utilities; their conflation has seriously hampered the evolutionary analysis of form in the history of life.

Isolation of the human PEX12 gene, mutated in group 3 of the peroxisome biogenesis disorders

The peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs) are a group of genetically heterogeneous diseases lethal in early infancy. Although the clinical features of PBD patients may vary, cells from all PBD patients exhibit a defect in the import of one or more classes of peroxisomal matrix proteins. This cellular phenotype is shared by yeast pex mutants, and human orthologues of yeast PEX genes have been shown to be defective in some groups of PBD patients. We identified a putative human orthologue of ScPEX12 by screening the database of expressed sequence tags for cDNAs capable of encoding a protein similar to yeast Pex12p. Although its sequence similarity to yeast Pex12 proteins was limited, PEX12 shared the same subcellular distribution as yeast Pex12p and localized to the peroxisome membrane. PEX12 expression restored peroxisomal protein import in fibroblasts from PBD patients of complement group 3 (CG3) and frameshift mutations in PEX12 were detected in two unrelated CG3 patients. These data demonstrate that mutations in PEX12 are responsible for CG3 of the PBD and that PEX12 plays an essential role in peroxisomal matrix protein import.

Human PEX7 encodes the peroxisomal PTS2 receptor and is responsible for rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata

Rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP) is a rare autosomal recessive phenotype that comprises complementation group 11 of the peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBD). PEX7, a candidate gene for RCDP identified in yeast, encodes the receptor for peroxisomal matrix proteins with the type-2 peroxisome targeting signal (PTS2). By homology probing we identified human and murine PEX7 genes and found that expression of either corrects the PTS2-import defect characteristic of RCDP cells. In a collection of 36 RCDP probands, we found two inactivating PEX7 mutations: one, L292ter, was present in 26 of the probands, all with a severe phenotype; the second, A218V, was present in three probands, including two with a milder phenotype. A third mutation, G217R, whose functional significance is yet to be determined, was present in five probands, all compound heterozygotes with L292ter. We conclude that PEX7 is responsible for RCDP (PBD CG11) and suggest a founder effect may explain the high frequency of L292ter.

Cloning and heterologous expression of the entire gene clusters for PD 116740 from Streptomyces strain WP 4669 and tetrangulol and tetrangomycin from Streptomyces rimosus NRRL 3016

The genes for the complete pathways for two polycyclic aromatic polyketides of the angucyclinone class have been cloned and heterologously expressed. Genomic DNAs of Streptomyces rimosus NRRL 3016 and Streptomyces strain WP 4669 were partially digested with MboI, and libraries (ca. 40-kb fragments) in Escherichia coli XL1-Blue MR were prepared with the cosmid vector pOJ446. Hybridization with the actI probe from the actinorhodin polyketide synthase genes identified two clusters of polyketide genes from each organism. After transfer of the four clusters to Streptomyces lividans TK24, expression of one cluster from each organism was established through the identification of pathway-specific products by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. Peaks were identified from the S. rimosus cluster (pksRIM-1) for tetrangulol, tetrangomycin, and fridamycin E. Peaks were identified from the WP 4669 cluster (pksWP-2) for tetrangulol, 19-hydroxytetrangulol, 8-O-methyltetrangulol, 19-hydroxy-8-O-methyltetrangulol, and PD 116740. Structures were confirmed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry.

From expressed sequence tags to peroxisome biogenesis disorder genes

Isolation of human disease genes is a challenging process and can often only be achieved by labor-intensive positional cloning techniques. Fortunately, there are alternative strategies for isolation of peroxisome biogenesis disorder genes. The first, functional complementation, was established as a viable approach by Fujiki and colleagues, who identified PAF-1, the first known peroxisome biogenesis disorder gene. The second strategy, computer-based homology probing, relies on (1) the fact that peroxisome assembly has been conserved throughout the evolution of eukaryotes, (2) knowledge of the amino acid sequences of an increasing number of yeast peroxisome assembly (PAS) genes, and (3) the existence of sequence data from large numbers of human genes. The recent development of the expressed sequence tag (EST) database (dbEST) is fulfilling the last of these requirements. We have applied the homology probing strategy in the search for candidate genes for the peroxisome biogenesis disorders by routinely screening the database of ESTs for genes with significant sequence similarity to yeast PAS genes. The validity of this approach is demonstrated by its use in identifying PXR1 as the human orthologue of the Pichia pastoris PAS8 gene and PXAAA1 as a human homologue of the Pichia pastoris PAS5 gene. Furthermore, detailed analysis of PXR1 has revealed that mutations in this gene are responsible for complementation group 2 of the peroxisome biogenesis disorders. The demonstration that human homologues of yeast PAS genes exist and that mutations in these genes cause peroxisome biogenesis disorders demonstrates that yeast pas mutants are accurate and useful models for the analysis of these diseases.

Paleontology and Chronology of Two Evolutionary Transitions by Hybridization in the Bahamian Land Snail Cerion

The late Quaternary fossil record of the Bahamian land snail Cerion on Great Inagua documents two transitions apparently resulting from hybridization. In the first, a localized modern population represents the hybrid descendants of a 13,000-year-old fossil form from the same area, introgressed with the modern form now characteristic of the adjacent regions. In the second case, a chronocline spanning 15,000 to 20,000 years and expressing the transition of an extinct fossil form to the modern form found on the south coast was documented by morphometry of fossils dated by amino acid racemization and radiocarbon. Hybrid intermediates persisted for many thousands of years.

Multiple PEX genes are required for proper subcellular distribution and stability of Pex5p, the PTS1 receptor: evidence that PTS1 protein import is mediated by a cycling receptor

PEX5 encodes the type-1 peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS1) receptor, one of at least 15 peroxins required for peroxisome biogenesis. Pex5p has a bimodal distribution within the cell, mostly cytosolic with a small amount bound to peroxisomes. This distribution indicates that Pex5p may function as a cycling receptor, a mode of action likely to require interaction with additional peroxins. Loss of peroxins required for protein translocation into the peroxisome (PEX2 or PEX12) resulted in accumulation of Pex5p at docking sites on the peroxisome surface. Pex5p also accumulated on peroxisomes in normal cells under conditions which inhibit protein translocation into peroxisomes (low temperature or ATP depletion), returned to the cytoplasm when translocation was restored, and reaccumulated on peroxisomes when translocation was again inhibited. Translocation inhibiting conditions did not result in Pex5p redistribution in cells that lack detectable peroxisomes. Thus, it appears that Pex5p can cycle repeatedly between the cytoplasm and peroxisome. Altered activity of the peroxin defective in CG7 cells leads to accumulation of Pex5p within the peroxisome, indicating that Pex5p may actually enter the peroxisome lumen at one point in its cycle. In addition, we found that the PTS1 receptor was extremely unstable in the peroxin-deficient CG1, CG4, and CG8 cells. Altered distribution or stability of the PTS1 receptor in all cells with a defect in PTS1 protein import implies that the genes mutated in these cell lines encode proteins with a direct role in peroxisomal protein import.

Phytanic acid activation in rat liver peroxisomes is catalyzed by long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase

In Refsum disease, disorders of peroxisome biogenesis, and rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata, pathological accumulation of phytanic acid results from impaired alpha-oxidation of this branched-chain fatty acid. Previous studies from this laboratory indicated that activation of phytanic acid to its CoA derivative precedes its alpha-oxidation in peroxisomes. It was reported that this reaction is catalyzed by a unique phytanoyl-CoA synthetase in human peroxisomes. We wanted to determine whether phytanic acid activation in rats required long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (LCS), very long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase (VLCS), or a different enzyme. To test directly whether LCS could activate phytanic acid, rat liver cDNA encoding this enzyme was transcribed and translated in vitro. The expressed enzyme had both LCS activity (assayed with palmitic acid, C16: 0) and phytanoyl-CoA synthetase activity; VLCS activity (assayed with lignoceric acid, C24: 0) was not detectable. The ratio of phytanoyl-CoA synthetized activity to palmitoyl-CoA synthetase activity for LCS synthetized in vitro (approximately 205) was higher than that observed in peroxisomes isolated from rat liver (5-10%), suggesting that the expressed enzyme contained sufficient phytanoyl-Coa synthetase activity to account for all activity observed in intact peroxisomes. Further experiments were carried out to verify that phytanic acid was activated by LCS in rat liver peroxisomes. Attempts to separate LCS from phytanoyl-CoA synthetase by chromatography on several matrices were unsuccessful. Preparative isoelectric focusing revealed that phytanoyl-CoA synthetase and LCS had indistinguishable isoelectric points. Phytanoyl-CoA synthetase activity was inhibited by unlabeled palmitic acid but not by lignoceric acid. Heat treatment inactivated both phytanoyl-CoA and palmitoyl-CoA synthetase activities at similar rates. 5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic acid inhibited activation of phytanic acid and palmitic acid in a parallel dose-dependent manner, whereas activation of lignoceric acid was not affected. These data support our conclusion that rat liver LCS, an enzyme known to be present in peroxisomal membranes, has phytanoyl-CoA synthetase activity.

Pex13p is an SH3 protein of the peroxisome membrane and a docking factor for the predominantly cytoplasmic PTs1 receptor

Import of newly synthesized PTS1 proteins into the peroxisome requires the PTS1 receptor (Pex5p), a predominantly cytoplasmic protein that cycles between the cytoplasm and peroxisome. We have identified Pex13p, a novel integral peroxisomal membrane from both yeast and humans that binds the PTS1 receptor via a cytoplasmically oriented SH3 domain. Although only a small amount of Pex5p is bound to peroxisomes at steady state (< 5%), loss of Pex13p further reduces the amount of peroxisome-associated Pex5p by approximately 40-fold. Furthermore, loss of Pex13p eliminates import of peroxisomal matrix proteins that contain either the type-1 or type-2 peroxisomal targeting signal but does not affect targeting and insertion of integral peroxisomal membrane proteins. We conclude that Pex13p functions as a docking factor for the predominantly cytoplasmic PTS1 receptor.

Kinamycin acetyltransferase I from Streptomyces murayamaensis, an apparently large, membrane-associated enzyme

Identification and initial characterization of an apparently large, membrane-associated multifunctional enzyme, kinamycin acetyltransferase I (KAT I), is described. KAT I activity was enriched 29-fold over the level in cell-free extracts of Streptomyces murayamaensis. Two acetyltransferase activities catalyzing acetyl coenzyme A dependent conversion of kinamycin F and E to kinamycin E and D, respectively, were inseparable in the course of the partial purification. Partial purification involved separation of KAT I from cytosolic proteins by differential ultracentrifugation, solubilization with 0.5% CHAPS zwitterionic detergent followed by ultracentrifugation, and Sephacryl S400 gel filtration chromatography of the resulting supernatant.

Characterization of a novel component of the peroxisomal protein import apparatus using fluorescent peroxisomal proteins

Fluorescent peroxisomal probes were developed by fusing green fluorescent protein (GFP) to the matrix peroxisomal targeting signals PTS1 and PTS2, as well as to an integral peroxisomal membrane protein (IPMP). These proteins were used to identify and characterize novel peroxisome assembly (pas) mutants in the yeast Pichia pastoris. Mutant cells lacking the PAS10 gene mislocalized both PTS1-GFP and PTS2-GFP to the cytoplasm but did incorporate IPMP-GFP into peroxisome membranes. Similar distributions were observed for endogenous peroxisomal matrix and membrane proteins. While peroxisomes from translocation-competent pas mutants sediment in sucrose gradients at the density of normal peroxisomes, >98% of peroxisomes from pas10 cells migrated to a much lower density and had an extremely low ratio of matrix:membrane protein. These data indicate that Pas10p plays an important role in protein translocation across the peroxisome membrane. Consistent with this hypothesis, we find that Pas10p is an integral protein of the peroxisome membrane. In addition, Pas10p contains a cytoplasmically-oriented C3HC4 zinc binding domain that is essential for its biological activity.

The peroxisome biogenesis disorder group 4 gene, PXAAA1, encodes a cytoplasmic ATPase required for stability of the PTS1 receptor

In humans, defects in peroxisome assembly result in the peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs), a group of genetically heterogeneous, lethal recessive diseases. We have identified the human gene PXAAA1 based upon its similarity to PpPAS5, a gene required for peroxisome assembly in the yeast Pichia pastoris. Expression of PXAAA1 restored peroxisomal protein import in fibroblasts from 16 unrelated members of complementation group 4 (CG4) of the PBD. Consistent with this observation, CG4 patients carry mutations in PXAAA1. The product of this gene, Pxaaa1p, belongs to the AAA family of ATPases and appears to be a predominantly cytoplasmic protein. Substitution of an arginine for the conserved lysine residue in the ATPase domain of Pxaaa1p abolished its biological activity, suggesting that Pxaaa1p is an ATPase. Furthermore, Pxaaa1p is required for stability of the predominantly cytoplasmic PTS1 receptor, Pxr1p. We conclude that Pxaaa1p plays a direct role in peroxisomal protein import and is required for PTS1 receptor activity.

Nitrergic innervation of the human gut during early fetal development

Classically, development of the human enteric nervous system has been characterized by the early appearance (between 9 and 12 weeks' gestation) of adrenergic and cholinergic nerves. The development of peptidergic innervation occurs much later. Recent studies have indicated that nitric oxide is involved in the nonadrenergic noncholinergic innervation of the gut, mediating its relaxation. The authors have investigated the ontogeny of nitrergic (nitric oxide synthase-containing) neurons of the developing gut. Bowel segments from the esophagus, pylorus, and ileocecal and rectosigmoid regions of 14 fetuses (gestational age range, 12 to 23 weeks) were studied with nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase histochemistry. By 12 weeks' gestation, nitrergic neurons had appeared in the myenteric ganglia, at all levels of the gut, and had begun plexus formation. Nitrergic innervation in the submucous plexus becomes evident after 14 weeks. As gestational age increases, nitrergic innervation becomes richer and more organized. Increasing numbers of nitrergic nerve fibers are seen in the circular muscle; some of these fibers project from the myenteric plexus. By 23 weeks' gestation, nitrergic innervation has matured to the pattern observed in the postnatal gut. Thus, the onset and pace of development of nitrergic innervation are similar to adrenergic and cholinergic innervation and occur before peptidergic innervation. This study provides morphological evidence of the ontogenetic significance of nitrergic innervation in the human gut and supports previous suggestions that nitric oxide has a pathophysiological role in developmental gut motility disorders.

Palmitic acid is the major fatty acid responsible for significant anti-N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroguanidine (MNNG) activity in yogurt

We describe here the isolation and identification of palmitic acid as being responsible for significant anti-N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroguanidine (MNNG) activity in yogurt. The Ames test (Salmonella typhimurium TA100) was used to direct fractionation of activity. Yogurt was freeze-dried and extracted with acetone to yield a crude extract. The crude extract was purified by normal phase silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and reversed phase medium pressure liquid chromatographies. The major compound in the active medium pressure liquid chromatographic fractions was determined to be palmitic acid on GC and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems, and by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. Other saturated straight chain and methyl branched fatty acids were detected by GC/MS and were later shown to possess anti-MNNG activity. Of the straight chain fatty acids, palmitic acid had the highest anti-MNNG activity. All omega - 1 methyl branched fatty acids tested were more active than their straight chain counterparts. A trace amount of isopalmitic acid (14-methyl pentadecanoic acid), a minor milk lipid, was detected in one of the active fractions, and was later shown to be five times more active than palmitic acid. Isopalmitic acid also inhibited mutagenesis induced 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4NQO), and 7, 12-dimethyl benz[a]anthracene (DMBA), and was found to inhibit the metabolic activation of DMBA.

Ret protein in the human fetal rectum

A major gene for Hirschsprung's disease (HD) recently has been mapped in chromosome 10q11.2 and identified to be the RET proto-oncogene. Mutations of the RET gene have occurred in HD patients, and abnormalities of expression and function of Ret protein (a receptor tyrosine kinase, which is the product of the RET gene) have been found in their intestines. In vitro studies of the biological effects of HD mutations suggest a loss of function effect, which may be negative-dominant. However, the developmental role of the Ret protein in the organogenesis of the enteric nervous system (ENS) and its role in the pathogenesis of HD remain unclear. The authors present a study of the expression of Ret protein in the human ENS during fetal development. Fresh rectal tissues were obtained from nine fetuses (gestational age range, 12 to 22 weeks). Ret protein expression was studied immunohistochemically, using antibodies against the carboxy-terminal 20 amino acids (anti-Ret C) and the extracellular domain (anti-Ret R5). The tyrosine kinase activity of the fetal ENS was investigated with antiphosphotyrosine mouse monoclonal antibody against the phosphorylated tyrosine residues. Anti-Ret C immunostaining was observed in ganglion cells at all ages, but intense activity was significantly higher among the cells of the younger fetuses. Intense anti-Ret R5 immunostaining was present in the enteric ganglion cells of the 12-week-old fetus. The tyrosine kinase activity of ganglion cells increases progressively with advancing gestational age. The results of this study support the hypothesis that the Ret protein receptor might play a crucial role in the cellular and molecular processes involved in the development and maturation of the ENS, abnormalities of which could result in HD. High Ret protein expression and low tyrosine kinase activity have been reported to occur in small ganglia of the HD hypoganglionic segment. In the present study, these markers were typical of the primitive and immature ENS during the early phase of hindgut development.

Antimutagenicity of yogurt

Yogurt is milk fermented by a mixture of two bacteria: Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus salivarius ssp. thermophilus. Epidemiological studies have correlated a reduced risk of colon cancer with yogurt consumption. Independent studies have established that yogurt and extracts thereof are antimutagenic. Although multiple explanations can account for yogurt's putative anticarcinogenicity, we are interested in testing the hypothesis that antimutagenic compounds produced during fermentation are responsible. We recently reported on the antimutagenicity of an acetone extract of yogurt against the experimental carcinogens N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and 3.2'dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB) (Mutation Res. (1995) 334, 213-224). We are now aware that palmitic acid is an active ingredient against MNNG.

Formation of the peroxisome lumen is abolished by loss of Pichia pastoris Pas7p, a zinc-binding integral membrane protein of the peroxisome

We have cloned and sequenced PAS7, a gene required for peroxisome assembly in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The product of this gene, Pas7p, is a member of the C3HC4 superfamily of zinc-binding proteins. Point mutations that alter conserved residues of the C3HC4 motif abolish PAS7 activity and reduce zinc binding, suggesting that Pas7p binds zinc in vivo and that zinc binding is essential for PAS7 function. As with most pas mutants, pas7 cells exhibit a pronounced deficiency in import of peroxisomal matrix proteins that contain either the type 1 peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS1) or the type 2 PTS (PTS2). However, while other yeast and mammalian pas mutants accumulate ovoid, vesicular peroxisomal intermediates, loss of Pas7p leads to accumulation of membrane sheets and vesicles which lack a recognizable lumen. Thus, Pas7p appears to be essential for protein translocation into peroxisomes as well as formation of the lumen of the organelle. Consistent with these data, we find that Pas7p is an integral peroxisomal membrane protein which is entirely resistant to exogenous protease and thus appears to reside completely within the peroxisome. Our observations suggest that the function of Pas7p defines a previously unrecognized step in peroxisome assembly: formation of the peroxisome lumen. Furthermore, because the peroxisomal intermediates in the pas7 delta mutant proliferate in response to peroxisome-inducing environmental conditions, we conclude that Pas7p is not required for peroxisome proliferation.

Transverse limb deficiency, facial clefting and hypoxic renal damage: an association with treatment of maternal hypertension?

Transverse limb defects are reported in a fetus and an infant born to mothers on treatment for hypertension. One pregnancy resulted in an intrauterine death at 20 weeks, and in addition to the limb defects, there was bilateral cleft lip and palate and renal hypoxic damage. It is proposed that the drugs caused maternal hypotension which led to reduced uteroplacental blood flow, fetal hypotension and hypoxia and that the anomalies seen in the two babies are a consequence of these events.

Disorders of peroxisome biogenesis

The peroxisome is a ubiquitous, subcellular organelle containing more than 50 matrix enzymes that participate in a diverse array of metabolic pathways. Failure to assemble normal peroxisomes is the cellular hallmark of Zellweger syndrome and other human disorders of peroxisome biogenesis. Identification of the genes required for peroxisome biogenesis is proceeding at a rapid pace helped immeasurably by work in other species, particularly various yeasts. The ultimate goals of this effort are to identify all of these genes and to understand how their protein products interact to produce normal appearing and functioning peroxisomes. Attainment of these goals will lead to a better understanding of the peroxisome biogenesis disorders, their pathophysiology and treatment.

Altered expression of ALDP in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with variable phenotypic expression that is characterized by elevated plasma and tissue levels of very long-chain fatty acids. However, the product of the gene defective in ALD (ALDP) is a membrane transporter of the ATP-binding cassette family of proteins and is not related to enzymes known to activate or oxidize fatty acids. We generated an antibody that specifically recognizes the C-terminal 18 amino acids of ALDP and can detect ALDP by indirect immunofluorescence. To better understand the mechanism by which mutations in ALDP lead to disease, we used this antibody to examine the subcellular distribution and relative abundance of ALDP in skin fibroblasts from normal individuals and ALD patients. Punctate immunoreactive material typical of fibroblast peroxisomes was observed in cells from seven normal controls and eight non-ALD patients. Of 35 ALD patients tested, 17 had the childhood-onset cerebral form of the disease, 13 had the milder adult phenotype adrenomyeloneuropathy, 3 had adrenal insufficiency only, and 2 were affected fetuses. More than two-thirds (69%) of all patients studied showed no punctate immunoreactive material. There was no correlation between the immunofluorescence pattern and clinical phenotype. We determined the mutation in the ALD gene in 15 of these patients. Patients with either a deletion or frameshift mutation lacked ALDP immunoreactivity, as expected. Four of 11 patients with missense mutations were also immunonegative, indicating that these mutations affected the stability or localization of ALDP. In the seven immunopositive patients with missense mutations, correlation of the location and nature of the amino acid substitution may provide new insights into the function of this peroxisomal membrane protein. Furthermore, the study of female relatives of immunonegative ALD probands may aid in the assessment of heterozygote status.

Cytosinine: pyridoxal phosphate tautomerase, a new enzyme in the blasticidin S biosynthetic pathway

Cytosinine--the nucleoside portion of blasticidin S--and pyridoxal phosphate were incubated with cell-free extracts of Streptomyces griseochromogenes prepared in D2O. 2H NMR analysis of recovered cytosinine showed it to contain deuterium enrichments at H-4' and H-2'. No exchange was observed with either boiled extract or from cytosinine and pyridoxal phosphate alone. These results reveal the presence of a tautomerase activity that contributes to the net transamination at C-4' in the conversion of cytosylglucuronic acid to blasticidin S, and its discovery supports the role of cytosinine as a biosynthetic intermediate.

Observer reliability in assessing placental maturity by histology

AIMS

To evaluate the ability of five experienced perinatal pathologists to assess placental maturity reliably by histology.

METHODS

Twenty four haematoxylin and eosin slides, six each from placentas of 27, 31, 35, and 39 weeks' gestation, were circulated to five pathologists on three separate occasions. The slides were labelled with the correct or incorrect gestational ages.

RESULTS

The mean absolute error over all 360 readings was 2.72 weeks. Only 54% of the slides were assessed within two weeks of the correct gestation. Pathologist tended to overestimate younger gestations and underestimate older gestations. Two, and possibly three, pathologist were influenced by the gestational age state on the label. One pathologist, who did not appear to be influenced by the label, was more accurate in diagnosing gestation of the placentas than other colleagues.

CONCLUSIONS

Experienced pathologists can have difficulty in assessing the villous maturity of placentas by histology. They can also be influenced by clinical information provided, such as gestational age. Other observer reliability studies must address the issue of the influence of labelled information on observer variation. A difference in maturation would have to be of a six week magnitude to have a chance of being detected by current methods. This may limit the value of the histological diagnosis of placental dysmaturity as a surrogate marker for uteroplacental ischaemia.

Identification of three distinct peroxisomal protein import defects in patients with peroxisome biogenesis disorders

Zellweger syndrome, neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy, infantile Refsum's disease, and classical rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata are lethal genetic disorders caused by defects in peroxisome biogenesis. We report here a characterization of the peroxisomal matrix protein import capabilities of fibroblasts from 62 of these peroxisome biogenesis disorder patients representing all ten known complementation groups. Using an immunofluorescence microscopy assay, we identified three distinct peroxisomal protein import defects among these patients. Type-1 cells have a specific inability to import proteins containing the PTS1 peroxisomal targeting signal, type-2 cells have a specific defect in import of proteins containing the PTS2 signal, and type-3 cells exhibit a loss of, or reduction in, the import of both PTS1 and PTS2 proteins. Considering that the common cellular phenotype of Zellweger syndrome, neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy and infantile Refsum's disease has been proposed to be a complete defect in peroxisomal matrix protein import, the observation that 85% (40/47) of the type-3 cell lines imported a low but detectable amount of both PTS1 and PTS2 proteins was surprising. Furthermore, different cell lines with the type-3 defect exhibited a broad spectrum of different phenotypes; some showed a complete absence of matrix protein import while others contained 50–100 matrix protein-containing peroxisomes per cell. We also noted certain relationships between the import phenotypes and clinical diagnoses: both type-1 cell lines were from neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy patients, all 13 type-2 cell lines were from classical rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata patients, and the type-3 import defect was found in the vast majority of Zellweger syndrome (22/22), neonatal adrenoleukodytrophy (17/19), and infantile Refsum's disease (7/7) patients. Our finding that all type-1 cell lines were from the second complementation group (CG2), all 13 type-2 cell lines were from CG11, and that cells from the eight remaining complementation groups only exhibit the type-3 defect indicates that mutations in particular genes give rise to the different types of peroxisomal protein import defects. This hypothesis is further supported by correlations between certain complementation groups and particular type-3 subphenotypes: all patient cell lines belonging to CG3 and CG10 showed a complete absence of peroxisomal matrix protein import while those from CG6, CG7, and CG8 imported some peroxisomal matrix proteins. However, the fact that cell lines from within particular complementation groups (CG1, CG4) could have different matrix protein import characteristics suggests that allelic heterogeneity also plays an important role in generating different import phenotypes in certain patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Antimutagenicity of an acetone extract of yogurt

Reconstituted non-fat dry milk powder, fermented by a mixture of Streptococcus thermophilus CH3 and Lactobacillus bulgaricus 191R to produce yogurt, was freeze-dried and extracted in acetone. After evaporation of the acetone, the extract was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and tested for antimutagenicity. In the Ames test, significant dose-dependent activity was observed against N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), 4-nitro-quinoline-N-oxide (4NQO), 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMAB), 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benz[a]anthracene (DMBA), and 3-amino-1-methyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole acetate (Trp-P-2). Weak activity was observed against 1,2,7,8-diepoxyoctane (DEO), and no activity was observed against methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), or aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). In a related assay (Saccharomyces cerevisiae D7), significant antimutagenic activity was detected against MNNG and 4NQO. Activity against the experimental colon carcinogens MNNG and DMAB was examined further, as assayed in the Ames test (Salmonella typhimurium TA100). Compounds responsible for both activities were less soluble in aqueous solutions than in DMSO. Adjustment of yogurt pH to 3, 7.6, or 13 prior to freeze-drying and acetone extraction did not significantly alter the amount of anti-MNNG activity recovered. In contrast, extractability of anti-DMAB activity was significantly greater at acidic pH. Conjugated linoleic acid, a known dairy anticarcinogen, failed to inhibit mutagenesis caused by either mutagen, suggesting that other yogurt-derived compound(s) are responsible. Unfermented milk was treated with lactic acid, yogurt bacteria without subsequent growth, or both, to determine if formation of antimutagenic activity required bacterial growth. Extracts of the milk treatments exhibited the same weak antimutagenicity observed in unfermented milk, approximately 2.5-fold less than in the yogurt extracts, suggesting that antimutagenic activity is associated with bacterial growth.

Mutations in the PTS1 receptor gene, PXR1, define complementation group 2 of the peroxisome biogenesis disorders

The peroxisome biogenesis disorders (PBDs) are lethal recessive diseases caused by defects in peroxisome assembly. We have isolated PXR1, a human homologue of the yeast P. pastoris PAS8 (peroxisome assembly) gene. PXR1, like PAS8, encodes a receptor for proteins with the type-1 peroxisomal targeting signal (PTS1). Mutations in PXR1 define complementation group 2 of PBDs and expression of PXR1 rescues the PTS1 import defect of fibroblasts from these patients. Based on the observation that PXR1 exists both in the cytosol and in association with peroxisomes, we propose that PXR1 protein recognizes PTS1-containing proteins in the cytosol and directs them to the peroxisome.