Human retina-specific amine oxidase: genomic structure of the gene (AOC2), alternatively spliced variant, and mRNA expression in retina

Secretory proteostasis of the retinal pigmented epithelium: Impairment links to age-related macular degeneration

Secretory proteostasis integrates protein synthesis, processing, folding and trafficking pathways that are essential for efficient cellular secretion. For the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), secretory proteostasis is of vital importance for the maintenance of the structural and functional integrity of apical (photoreceptors) and basal (Bruch's membrane/choroidal blood supply) sides of the environment it resides in. This integrity is achieved through functions governed by RPE secreted proteins, which include extracellular matrix modelling/remodelling, angiogenesis and immune response modulation. Impaired RPE secretory proteostasis affects not only the extracellular environment, but leads to intracellular protein aggregation and ER-stress with subsequent cell death. Ample recent evidence implicates dysregulated proteostasis as a key factor in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness in the developed world, and research aiming to characterise the roles of various proteins implicated in AMD-associated dysregulated proteostasis unveiled unexpected facets of the mechanisms involved in degenerative pathogenesis. This review analyses cellular processes unveiled by the study of the top 200 transcripts most abundantly expressed by the RPE/choroid in the light of the specialised secretory nature of the RPE. Functional roles of these proteins and the mechanisms of their impaired secretion, due to age and genetic-related causes, are analysed in relation to AMD development. Understanding the importance of RPE secretory proteostasis in relation to maintaining retinal health and how it becomes impaired in disease is of paramount importance for the development and assessment of future therapeutic advancements involving gene and cell therapies.

Evolution and functional classification of mammalian copper amine oxidases

Mammalian copper-containing amine oxidases (CAOs), encoded by four genes (AOC1-4) and catalyzing the oxidation of primary amines to aldehydes, regulate many biological processes and are linked to various diseases including inflammatory conditions and histamine intolerance. Despite the known differences in their substrate preferences, CAOs are currently classified based on their preference for either primary monoamines (EC 1.4.3.21) or diamines (EC 1.4.3.22). Here, we present the first extensive phylogenetic study of CAOs that, combined with structural analyses of the CAO active sites, provides in-depth knowledge of their relationships and guidelines for classification of mammalian CAOs into AOC1-4 sub-families. The phylogenetic results show that CAOs can be classified based on two residues, X1 and X2, from the active site motif: T/S-X1-X2-N-Y-D. Residue X2 discriminates among the AOC1 (Tyr), AOC2 (Gly), and AOC3/AOC4 (Leu) proteins, while residue X1 further classifies the AOC3 (Leu) and AOC4 (Met) proteins that so far have been poorly identified and annotated. Residues X1 and X2 conserved within each sub-family and located in the catalytic site seem to be the key determinants for the unique substrate preference of each CAO sub-family. Furthermore, one residue located at 10 Å distance from the catalytic site is different between the sub-families but highly conserved within each sub-family (Asp in AOC1, His in AOC2, Thr in AOC3 and Asn in AOC4) and likely contributes to substrate selectivity. Altogether, our results will benefit the design of new sub-family specific inhibitors and the design of in vitro tests to detect individual CAO levels for diagnostic purposes.

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase/vascular adhesion protein-1: a patent survey

INTRODUCTION

Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1)/semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) is an adhesion protein involved in leukocyte trafficking and inflammatory processes, with a special amine oxidase activity. Inhibitors have been mainly developed for treating chronic inflammatory disorders. The utility of inhibitors as antiangiogenic agents in ophthalmological and oncological diseases is currently under evaluation. SSAO substrates may mimic several insulin effects, although their utility for the treatment of diabetes is still far from being fully understood.

AREAS COVERED

This paper reviews the patent literature of SSAO/VAP-1 inhibitors and substrates, for the period of 1990 - 2010. The current stage of SSAO/VAP-1-interacting agents published in patents is described, along with their chemical structures and pharmacological uses.

EXPERT OPINION

SSAO/VAP-1 is a promising anti-inflammatory target. Another important field for therapeutic application of these inhibitors may be ophthalmology, due to their antiangiogenic effects. SSAO substrates might also be of therapeutic value in the treatment of diabetes; however, more extensive research has to be undertaken to validate this approach.

Structure and inhibition of human diamine oxidase

Humans have three functioning genes that encode copper-containing amine oxidases. The product of the AOC1 gene is a so-called diamine oxidase (hDAO), named for its substrate preference for diamines, particularly histamine. hDAO has been cloned and expressed in insect cells and the structure of the native enzyme determined by X-ray crystallography to a resolution of 1.8 A. The homodimeric structure has the archetypal amine oxidase fold. Two active sites, one in each subunit, are characterized by the presence of a copper ion and a topaquinone residue formed by the post-translational modification of a tyrosine. Although hDAO shares 37.9% sequence identity with another human copper amine oxidase, semicarbazide sensitive amine oxidase or vascular adhesion protein-1, its substrate binding pocket and entry channel are distinctly different in accord with the different substrate specificities. The structures of two inhibitor complexes of hDAO, berenil and pentamidine, have been refined to resolutions of 2.1 and 2.2 A, respectively. They bind noncovalently in the active-site channel. The inhibitor binding suggests that an aspartic acid residue, conserved in all diamine oxidases but absent from other amine oxidases, is responsible for the diamine specificity by interacting with the second amino group of preferred diamine substrates.

The unique substrate specificity of human AOC2, a semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidases (SSAOs) catalyze oxidative deamination of primary amines, but the true physiological function of these enzymes is still poorly understood. Here, we have studied the functional and structural characteristics of a human cell-surface SSAO, AOC2, which is homologous to the better characterized family member, AOC3. The preferred in vitro substrates of AOC2 were found to be 2-phenylethylamine, tryptamine and p-tyramine instead of methylamine and benzylamine, the favored substrates of AOC3. Molecular modeling suggested structural differences between AOC2 and AOC3, which provide AOC2 with the capability to use the larger monoamines as substrates. Even though AOC2 mRNA was expressed in many tissues, the only tissues with detectable AOC2-like enzyme activity were found in the eye. Characterization of AOC2 will help in evaluating the contribution of this enzyme to the pathological processes attributed to the SSAO activity and in designing specific inhibitors for the individual members of the SSAO family.

Arylalkylamine vanadium salts as new anti-diabetic compounds

Vanadium compounds show insulin-like effects in vivo and in vitro. Several clinical studies have shown the efficacy of vanadium compounds in type 2 diabetic subjects. However, a major concern is safety, which calls for the development of more potent vanadium compounds. For that reason different laboratories develop strategies to decrease the therapeutic dose of vanadate. One of these strategies use substrates of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO)/vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1), a bifunctional protein with amine oxidase activity and adhesive properties implicated in lymphocyte homing at inflammation sites. Substrates of SSAO combined with low concentrations of vanadate strongly stimulate glucose transport and GLUT4 glucose transporter recruitment to the plasma membrane in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in rat adipocytes. This combination also shows anti-diabetic effects in various animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Benzylamine/vanadate administration generates peroxovanadium locally in pancreatic islets, which stimulates insulin secretion, and also produces peroxovanadium in adipose tissue, thereby activating glucose metabolism in adipocytes and in neighboring muscle. This opens up the possibility of using the SSAO/VAP-1 activity as a local generator of protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors in anti-diabetic therapy. More recently a novel class of arylalkylaminevanadium salts have shown potent insulin-mimetic effects downstream of the insulin receptor. Administration of these compounds lowers glycemia and normalizes the plasma lipid profile in type 1 and type 2 models of diabetes. The combination of different approaches to decrease vanadium doses, among them chelating agents and SSAO substrates, should permit to develop safe and efficient vanadium based agents safe for diabetes treatment.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury is attenuated in VAP-1-deficient mice and by VAP-1 inhibitors

Neutrophils mediate the damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion both at the site of primary injury and in remote organs. Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is an ectoenzyme expressed on endothelial cells and it has been shown to regulate leukocyte extravasation. Here we show for the first time using VAP-1-deficient mice that VAP-1 plays a significant role in the intestinal damage and acute lung injury after ischemia-reperfusion. Separate inhibition of VAP-1 by small molecule enzyme inhibitors and a function-blocking monoclonal antibody in WT mice revealed that the catalytic activity of VAP-1 is responsible for its pro-inflammatory action. The use of transgenic humanized VAP-1 mice also showed that the enzyme inhibitors alleviate both the ischemia-reperfusion injury in the gut and neutrophil accumulation in the lungs. These data thus indicate that VAP-1 regulates the inflammatory response in ischemia-reperfusion injury and suggest that blockade of VAP-1 may have therapeutic value.

Adipogenesis-related increase of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase and monoamine oxidase in human adipocytes

A strong induction of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) has previously been reported during murine preadipocyte lineage differentiation but it remains unknown whether this emergence also occurs during adipogenesis in man. Our aim was to compare SSAO and monoamine oxidase (MAO) expression during in vitro differentiation of human preadipocytes and in adipose and stroma-vascular fractions of human fat depots. A human preadipocyte cell strain from a patient with Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome was first used to follow amine oxidase expression during in vitro differentiation. Then, human preadipocytes isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissues were cultured under conditions promoting ex vivo adipose differentiation and tested for MAO and SSAO expression. Lastly, human adipose tissue was separated into mature adipocyte and stroma-vascular fractions for analyses of MAO and SSAO at mRNA, protein and activity levels. Both SSAO and MAO were increased from undifferentiated preadipocytes to lipid-laden cells in all the models: 3T3-F442A and 3T3-L1 murine lineages, human SGBS cell strain or human preadipocytes in primary culture. In human subcutaneous adipose tissue, the adipocyte-enriched fraction exhibited seven-fold higher amine oxidase activity and contained three- to seven-fold higher levels of mRNAs encoded by MAO-A, MAO-B, AOC3 and AOC2 genes than the stroma-vascular fraction. MAO-A and AOC3 genes accounted for the majority of their respective MAO and SSAO activities in human adipose tissue. Most of the SSAO and MAO found in adipose tissue originated from mature adipocytes. Although the mechanism and role of adipogenesis-related increase in amine oxidase expression remain to be established, the resulting elevated levels of amine oxidase activities found in human adipocytes may be of potential interest for therapeutic intervention in obesity.

Vascular amine oxidases are needed for leukocyte extravasation into inflamed joints in vivo

OBJECTIVE

Leukocyte traffic from the blood to the joints is crucial in the pathogenesis of arthritis. A bifunctional endothelial cell-surface glycoprotein, AOC3 (amine oxidase, copper-containing 3; also known as vascular adhesion protein 1), has both adhesive and enzymatic properties. We undertook this study to determine the contribution of AOC3 and its oxidase activity to leukocyte trafficking into inflamed joints in vivo.

METHODS

We used gene-modified animals, molecular modeling, an AOC3 enzyme inhibitor, oxidase assays, and arthritis models (adjuvant-induced arthritis [AIA] in rats and anti-type II collagen antibody-induced arthritis in mice) to dissect the importance of AOC3 in vivo.

RESULTS

The AOC3 inhibitor fitted well with a covalent binding mode into the active site of the AOC3 crystal structure. It selectively blocked the oxidase activity of AOC3 in enzyme assays. Intraperitoneal and oral administration of the AOC3 inhibitor significantly ameliorated rat AIA. In anti-type II collagen antibody-induced arthritis in mice, the AOC3 inhibitor also improved the outcome of the joint inflammation. The acute semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase blockade by the inhibitor had even more pronounced effects than genetic deletion of AOC3. Enzymatic analyses showed that the inhibitor also blocked 2 other structurally very closely related AOCs, but not any of more than 100 other enzymes tested.

CONCLUSION

These are the first data to demonstrate that the enzymatic activity of the atypical endothelial adhesion molecule AOC3, and possibly that of other closely related ecto-oxidases, is crucial for leukocyte exit from the vessels in inflamed joints in vivo.

Retinopetal axons in mammals: emphasis on histamine and serotonin

Since 1892, anatomical studies have demonstrated that the retinas of mammals, including humans, receive input from the brain via axons emerging from the optic nerve. There are only a small number of these retinopetal axons, but their branches in the inner retina are very extensive. More recently, the neurons in the brain stem that give rise to these axons have been localized, and their neurotransmitters have been identified. One set of retinopetal axons arises from perikarya in the posterior hypothalamus and uses histamine, and the other arises from perikarya in the dorsal raphe and uses serotonin. These serotonergic and histaminergic neurons are not specialized to supply the retina; rather, they are a subset of the neurons that project via collaterals to many other targets in the central nervous system, as well. They are components of the ascending arousal system, firing most rapidly when the animal is awake and active. The contributions of these retinopetal axons to vision may be predicted from the known effects of serotonin and histamine on retinal neurons. There is also evidence suggesting that retinopetal axons play a role in the etiology of retinal diseases.

Production of a truncated soluble human semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase mediated by a GST-fusion protein secreted from HEK293 cells

Elevated levels of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) activity have been observed in several human conditions such as congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and inflammation. The reactive aldehydes and hydrogen peroxide produced by SSAO have been suggested to contribute to the progression of vascular complications associated with these conditions. In addition, SSAO activity has been shown to be involved in the leukocyte extravasation process at sites of inflammation. To facilitate characterization and development of specific and selective inhibitors of SSAO, we have developed a method for production of recombinant human SSAO. The extracellular region (residues 29-763) of human SSAO was expressed in HEK293 cells in fusion with a mutated Schistosoma japonicum glutathione S-transferase (GST) and secreted to the culture medium. The mutGST-SSAO fusion protein was purified in a single step by glutathione-affinity chromatography followed by site-specific cleavage using a GST-3C protease fusion protein to remove the mutGST fusion partner. A second glutathione-affinity chromatography step was then used to capture both the mutGST fusion partner and the GST-3C protease, resulting in milligram quantities of pure, enzymatically active, and soluble recombinant human SSAO.

Crystal structure of the human vascular adhesion protein-1: unique structural features with functional implications

The expression of human vascular adhesion protein-1 (hVAP-1) is induced at sites of inflammation where extravasation of lymphocytes from blood to the peripheral tissue occurs. We have solved the X-ray structure of hVAP-1, a human copper amine oxidase (CAO), which is distinguished from other CAOs in being membrane-bound. The dimer structure reveals some intriguing features that may have fundamental roles in the adhesive and enzymatic functions of hVAP-1, especially regarding the role of hVAP-1 in inflammation, lymphocyte attachment, and signaling. Firstly, Leu469 at the substrate channel may play a key role in controlling the substrate entry; depending on its conformation, it either blocks or gives access to the active site. Secondly, sugar units are clearly observed at two of the six predicted N-glycosylation sites. Moreover, mutagenesis analysis showed that all of the predicted sites were glycosylated in the protein used for crystallization. Thirdly, the existence of a solvent-exposed RGD motif at the entrance to each active site in hVAP-1 suggests that it may have a functional role.

Molecular cloning and characterization of rat semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase

Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) (EC 1.4.3.6) is widely distributed in nature and catalyzes the oxidative deamination of primary amines. Although SSAO full-length cDNA sequences have been reported for some mammalian species, only a partial 5'-terminal sequence has been confirmed in the rat. In this study we isolated full-length SSAO cDNA from rat aorta and examined its mRNA expression in various rat tissues by real-time PCR, as well as the subcellular and tissue distributions of SSAO activity. The deduced amino acid sequence showed 91% and 80% identity with mouse and human SSAO, respectively. The mRNA was expressed in many rat tissues. Those findings were supported by the broad distribution of SSAO in the body. Thus, a high level of SSAO was shown in adipocytes by both mRNA expression and enzyme activity measurement. The results suggest that SSAO may play an important role in the degradation of biologically active amines in adipocytes.

Absence of the endothelial oxidase AOC3 leads to abnormal leukocyte traffic in vivo

Leukocyte migration from the blood to tissues is a prerequisite for normal immune responses. We produced mice deficient in an endothelial cell-surface oxidase (amine oxidase, copper containing-3 [AOC3], also known as vascular adhesion protein-1 [VAP-1]) and found that this enzyme is needed for leukocyte extravasation in vivo. Real-time imaging shows that AOC3 mediates slow rolling, firm adhesion, and transmigration of leukocytes in vessels at inflammatory sites and lymphoid tissues. Absence of AOC3 results in reduced lymphocyte homing into lymphoid organs and in attenuated inflammatory response in peritonitis. These data alter the paradigm of leukocyte extravasation cascade by providing the first physiological proof for the concept that endothelial cell surface enzymes regulate the development of inflammatory reactions in vivo and suggest that this enzyme should be useful as an anti-inflammatory target.

Characterization of AOC2 gene encoding a copper-binding amine oxidase expressed specifically in retina

We have previously cloned a human, retina-specific, amine oxidase gene (RAO, gene symbol: AOC2), a member of the copper-binding amine oxidase super family. AOC2 shares sequence identity with the human kidney amine oxidase gene (KAO, gene symbol: AOC1) and the vascular adhesion protein-1 gene (VAP-1, gene symbol: AOC3). For further analysis of AOC2, the sequences surrounding the human AOC2 and the complete mouse and partial rat homologue of AOC2 were cloned for characterization. Real-time quantitative PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine the specific expression of AOC2 in the mouse retina and especially in the retinal ganglion cells. Our results demonstrated that the copper-binding motif and the enzyme active site of AOC1 and AOC3 were both conserved in mouse AOC2. The human and mouse AOC2 was flanked by two genes, the Psme3 gene for PA-28 gamma subunit and, surprisingly, the AOC3 gene. Rat AOC2 contained a stop codon that terminated the peptide length to 127 amino acids. The presence of human and rat AOC pseudogene in this region, in addition to the tandemly positioned two AOC genes, indicates the possibility of successful AOC3 replication to retina-specific AOC2 for human and mouse but unsuccessful for rat.

Insulin-regulated increase of soluble vascular adhesion protein-1 in diabetes

Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is one of the molecules on the endothelial cell membrane, which may guide inflammatory cells into atherosclerotic lesions. This dual function molecule may also contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and other vasculopathies via its enzymatic activity that oxidizes primary amines to produce their corresponding aldehydes, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonium. Because VAP-1 also exists in a soluble form, we analyzed its potential usefulness as a biomarker to monitor and predict the extent of ongoing atherosclerotic processes. Soluble VAP-1 (sVAP-1) levels were determined from the sera of 136 Finnish men with established coronary heart disease and in 275 controls using sandwich enzyme immunoassays and correlated to multiple risk factors for coronary events. Intriguingly, sVAP-1 showed a statistically significant correlation with diabetes in both cohorts. We then collected patients with type 1 diabetes and observed that sVAP-1 levels were highly elevated when the patients were metabolically compromised. On normalization of their blood glucose and ketone body levels by exogenous insulin, their sVAP-1 concentration rapidly decreased to control levels. Intravenous glucose tolerance and hyperinsulinemic clamp tests further showed that elevation of blood glucose per se did not increase sVAP-1 levels, but rather, sVAP-1 was inversely correlated with circulating insulin concentrations. In conclusion insulin appears to regulate shedding or clearance of VAP-1, and an increase in sVAP-1 because of absolute or relative insulin deficiency may be directly involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic angiopathy.

Cell surface monoamine oxidases: enzymes in search of a function

Ectoenzymes with a catalytically active domain outside the cell surface have the potential to regulate multiple biological processes. A distinct class of copper-containing semicarbazide-sensitive monoamine oxidases, expressed on the cell surface and in soluble forms, oxidatively deaminate primary amines. Via transient covalent enzyme-substrate intermediates, this reaction results in production of aldehydes, hydrogen peroxide and ammonium, which are all biologically active substances. The physiological functions of these enzymes have remained unknown, although they have been suggested to be involved in the metabolism of biogenic amines. Recently, new roles have been proposed for these enzymes in regulation of glucose uptake and, even more surprisingly, in leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions. The emerging functions of ectoenzymes in signalling and cell-cell adhesion suggest a novel mode of molecular control of these complex processes.

Characterization of an N-system amino acid transporter expressed in retina and its involvement in glutamine transport

We report here on the characterization of a mouse N-system amino acid transporter protein, which is involved in the transport of glutamine. This protein of 485 amino acids shares 52% sequence homology with an N-system amino acid transporter, mouse N-system amino acid transporter (mNAT) and its orthologs. Because this protein shares a high degree of sequence homology and functional similarity to mNAT, we named it mNAT2. mNAT2 is predominately expressed in the retina and to a slightly lesser extent in the brain. In the retina, it is located in the axons of ganglion cells in the nerve fiber layer and in the bundles of the optic nerve. Functional analysis of mNAT2 expressed in Xenopus oocytes revealed that the strongest transport activities were specific for l-glutamine. In addition, mNAT2 is a Na(+)- and pH-dependent, high affinity transporter and partially tolerates substitution of Na(+) by Li(+). Additionally, mNAT2 functions as a carrier-mediated transporter that facilitates efflux. The unique expression pattern and selective glutamine transport properties of mNAT2 suggest that it plays a specific role in the uptake of glutamine involved in the generation of the neurotransmitter glutamate in retina.

Substrates of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase co-operate with vanadate to stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin-receptor-substrate proteins, phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity and GLUT4 translocation in adipose cells

It has been shown that the combination of benzylamine or tyramine and low concentrations of vanadate markedly stimulates glucose transport in rat adipocytes by a mechanism that requires semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) activity and H(2)O(2) formation. Here we have further analysed the insulin-like effects of the combination of SSAO substrates and vanadate and we have studied the signal-transduction pathway activated in rat adipocytes. We found that several SSAO substrates (benzylamine, tyramine, methylamine, n-decylamine, histamine, tryptamine or beta-phenylethylamine), in combination with low concentrations of vanadate, stimulate glucose transport in isolated rat adipocytes. Furthermore, SSAO substrates together with vanadate stimulated the recruitment of GLUT4 to the cell surface in isolated rat adipocytes. Benzylamine plus vanadate also stimulated glucose transport and GLUT4 translocation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Benzylamine or tyramine in combination with vanadate potently stimulated the tyrosine phosphorylation of both insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and IRS-3. In contrast, benzylamine and vanadate caused only a weak stimulation of insulin receptor kinase. Benzylamine or tyramine in combination with vanadate also stimulated phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity; wortmannin abolished the stimulatory effect of benzylamine and vanadate on glucose transport in adipose cells. Furthermore, the administration of benzylamine and vanadate in vivo caused a rapid lowering of plasma glucose levels, which took place in the absence of alterations in plasma insulin. On the basis of these results we propose that SSAO activity regulates glucose transport in adipocytes. SSAO oxidative activity stimulates glucose transport via the translocation of GLUT4 carriers to the cell surface, resulting from a potent tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and IRS-3 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase activation. Our results also indicate that substrates of SSAO might regulate glucose disposal in vivo.

Human and mouse ISLR (immunoglobulin superfamily containing leucine-rich repeat) genes: genomic structure and tissue expression

We have previously reported a transcript of the novel gene for human immunoglobulin superfamily containing leucine-rich repeat (ISLR). By additional screening of a human retina cDNA library, we isolated another type of transcript with a 5' UTR different from that of the previously reported type. Genomic sequencing of the ISLR gene revealed that these two types of transcripts, ISLR-1 and ISLR-2, originated from the same gene but are composed of different first exons. Because the entire open reading frame is contained in the second exon, these two transcripts produce the same protein. Radiation hybrid mapping linked the ISLR gene to AFM248yh1, which is in the critical region of Bardet-Biedl syndrome type 4 (BBS4) on chromosome 15. Sequence analysis of the ISLR gene in five BBS4 patients, however, showed no mutations, although a few polymorphic changes were detected. Cloning of the mouse homolog of ISLR (Islr) revealed that the predicted protein consists of 428 amino acids, 86% of which are identical to those of ISLR. The Islr gene was expressed in various mouse tissues, including retina, in which Islr mRNA was detected in the ganglion cell layer, the inner nuclear layer, and the inner segment of the photoreceptor.

Keio Mutation Database for eye disease genes (KMeyeDB)

A database of mutations in human eye disease genes has been constructed. This KMeyeDB employs a database software MutationView which provides graphical data presentation and analysis as a smooth user-interface. Currently, the KMeyeDB contains mutation data of 16 different genes for 18 eye diseases. The KMeyeDB is accessible through http://mutview.dmb.med.keio.ac.jp with advanced internet browsers.