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Bromodomains in Protozoan Parasites: Evolution, Function, and Opportunities for Drug Development. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2017; 81:81/1/e00047-16. [PMID: 28077462 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00047-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic infections remain one of the most pressing global health concerns of our day, affecting billions of people and producing unsustainable economic burdens. The rise of drug-resistant parasites has created an urgent need to study their biology in hopes of uncovering new potential drug targets. It has been established that disrupting gene expression by interfering with lysine acetylation is detrimental to survival of apicomplexan (Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium spp.) and kinetoplastid (Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma spp.) parasites. As "readers" of lysine acetylation, bromodomain proteins have emerged as key gene expression regulators and a promising new class of drug target. Here we review recent studies that demonstrate the essential roles played by bromodomain-containing proteins in parasite viability, invasion, and stage switching and present work showing the efficacy of bromodomain inhibitors as novel antiparasitic agents. In addition, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of bromodomain proteins in representative pathogens, some of which possess unique features that may be specific to parasite processes and useful in future drug development.
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Wang Q, Rosa BA, Nare B, Powell K, Valente S, Rotili D, Mai A, Marshall GR, Mitreva M. Targeting Lysine Deacetylases (KDACs) in Parasites. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2015; 9:e0004026. [PMID: 26402733 PMCID: PMC4581690 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to an increasing problem of drug resistance among almost all parasites species ranging from protists to worms, there is an urgent need to explore new drug targets and their inhibitors to provide new and effective parasitic therapeutics. In this regard, there is growing interest in exploring known drug leads of human epigenetic enzymes as potential starting points to develop novel treatments for parasitic diseases. This approach of repurposing (starting with validated targets and inhibitors) is quite attractive since it has the potential to reduce the expense of drug development and accelerate the process of developing novel drug candidates for parasite control. Lysine deacetylases (KDACs) are among the most studied epigenetic drug targets of humans, and a broad range of small-molecule inhibitors for these enzymes have been reported. In this work, we identify the KDAC protein families in representative species across important classes of parasites, screen a compound library of 23 hydroxamate- or benzamide-based small molecules KDAC inhibitors, and report their activities against a range of parasitic species, including the pathogen of malaria (Plasmodium falciparum), kinetoplastids (Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania donovani), and nematodes (Brugia malayi, Dirofilaria immitis and Haemonchus contortus). Compound activity against parasites is compared to that observed against the mammalian cell line (L929 mouse fibroblast) in order to determine potential parasite-versus-host selectivity). The compounds showed nanomolar to sub-nanomolar potency against various parasites, and some selectivity was observed within the small panel of compounds tested. The possible binding modes of the active compounds at the different protein target sites within different species were explored by docking to homology models to help guide the discovery of more selective, parasite-specific inhibitors. This current work supports previous studies that explored the use of KDAC inhibitors in targeting Plasmodium to develop new anti-malarial treatments, and also pioneers experiments with these KDAC inhibitors as potential new anthelminthics. The selectivity observed begins to address the challenges of targeting specific parasitic diseases while limiting host toxicity. Due to pandemic drug resistance in the treatment of parasitic infections, there is an urgent need to identify novel drug targets and their associated drug compounds. Although “drug repurposing”, i.e. the application of known drugs and compounds to new indications such as infectious diseases, provides a cost effective approach in the development of novel therapeutics, selectivity is one of the major obstacles to overcome in getting such compounds into clinical trials as anti-parasitic drugs. Using the lysine deacetylases (KDACs) as an example, we explored the activities of a panel of known inhibitors against the KDAC targets in a range of parasitic organisms. The computational study of their binding modes to the targets (by docking the compounds to the homology models within different organisms in comparison with the human proteins) helps to rationalize the different activities observed and provide insight on the optimization of lead compounds to improve selectivity. Our work provides support of “drug repurposing” in the treatment of parasitic diseases, and demonstrates the necessity of optimizing these leads for the ultimate goal of preparing them for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- The Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Bruce A. Rosa
- The Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Bakela Nare
- SCYNEXIS, Inc, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kerrie Powell
- SCYNEXIS, Inc, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sergio Valente
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza”, Roma, Italy
| | - Dante Rotili
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza”, Roma, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza”, Roma, Italy
| | - Garland R. Marshall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Makedonka Mitreva
- The Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Departments of Genetics and of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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A Novel Agent with Histone Deacetylase Inhibitory Activity Attenuates Neointimal Hyperplasia. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2014; 28:395-406. [DOI: 10.1007/s10557-014-6540-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Abstract
Owing to the absence of antiparasitic vaccines and the constant threat of drug resistance, the development of novel antiparasitic chemotherapies remains of major importance for disease control. A better understanding of drug transport (uptake and efflux), drug metabolism and the identification of drug targets, and mechanisms of drug resistance would facilitate the development of more effective therapies. Here, we focus on malaria and African trypanosomiasis. We review existing drugs and drug development, emphasizing high-throughput genomic and genetic approaches, which hold great promise for elucidating antiparasitic mechanisms. We describe the approaches and technologies that have been influential for each parasite and develop new ideas for future research directions, including mode-of-action studies for drug target deconvolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Horn
- Biological Chemistry & Drug Discovery, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Manoj T. Duraisingh
- Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Building 1, Room 715, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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Zhang H, Wang B, Duan CG, Zhu JK. Chemical probes in plant epigenetics studies. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2013; 8:25364. [PMID: 23838953 PMCID: PMC4002629 DOI: 10.4161/psb.25364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Transcription potential is determined by the accessibility of DNA sequences within the context of chromatin, which is coordinately controlled by various epigenetic modifications. Chemical inhibition of epigenetic regulators provides a quick and effective approach to investigate the roles of epigenetic modifications in controlling many biological processes, especially for species in which genetic information is limited. This mini-review provides a brief overview of epigenetic regulators in the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana and summarizes compounds that have been applied in plant epigenetics studies, with highlights in the applications of these chemical probes in mechanistic and functional investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiming Zhang
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture; Purdue University; West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Bangshing Wang
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture; Purdue University; West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Cheng-Guo Duan
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture; Purdue University; West Lafayette, IN USA
| | - Jian-Kang Zhu
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture; Purdue University; West Lafayette, IN USA
- Shanghai Center for Plant Stress Biology; Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shanghai, PR China
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Pierce RJ, Dubois-Abdesselem F, Caby S, Trolet J, Lancelot J, Oger F, Bertheaume N, Roger E. Chromatin regulation in schistosomes and histone modifying enzymes as drug targets. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2012; 106:794-801. [PMID: 22124550 DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762011000700003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2011] [Accepted: 07/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Only one drug is currently available for the treatment and control of schistosomiasis and the increasing risk of selecting strains of schistosome that are resistant to praziquantel means that the development of new drugs is urgent. With this objective we have chosen to target the enzymes modifying histones and in particular the histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases (HDAC). Inhibitors of HDACs (HDACi) are under intense study as potential anti-cancer drugs and act via the induction of cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis. Schistosomes like other parasites can be considered as similar to tumours in that they maintain an intense metabolic activity and rate of cell division that is outside the control of the host. We have shown that HDACi can induce apoptosis and death of schistosomes maintained in culture and have set up a consortium (Schistosome Epigenetics: Targets, Regulation, New Drugs) funded by the European Commission with the aim of developing inhibitors specific for schistosome histone modifying enzymes as novel lead compounds for drug development.
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Kim JM, To TK, Seki M. An epigenetic integrator: new insights into genome regulation, environmental stress responses and developmental controls by histone deacetylase 6. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2012; 53:794-800. [PMID: 22253092 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcs004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Histone acetylation ranks with DNA methylation as one of major epigenetic modifications in eukaryotes. Deacetylation of histone N-terminal tails is intimately correlated with gene silencing and heterochromatin formation. In Arabidopsis, histone deacetylase 6 (HDA6) is a well-studied histone deacetylase that functions in gene silencing. Recently, it has been reported that HDA6 cooperates with DNA methylation on its direct target locus in the gene silencing mechanism. HDA6 has the multifaceted role in regulation of genome maintenance, development and environmental stress responses in plants. Elucidation of HDA6 function provides important information for understanding of epigenetic regulation in plants. In this review, we highlight recent progress in elucidating the HDA6-mediated gene silencing mechanisms and deciphering the biological function of HDA6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Myong Kim
- Plant Genomic Network Research Team, RIKEN Plant Science Center, 1-7-22 Suehiro, Tsurumi, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
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Maiore L, Cinellu MA, Nobili S, Landini I, Mini E, Gabbiani C, Messori L. Gold(III) complexes with 2-substituted pyridines as experimental anticancer agents: solution behavior, reactions with model proteins, antiproliferative properties. J Inorg Biochem 2011; 108:123-7. [PMID: 22173093 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2011.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Revised: 10/24/2011] [Accepted: 11/11/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Gold(III) compounds form a family of promising cytotoxic and potentially anticancer agents that are currently undergoing intense preclinical investigations. Four recently synthesized and characterized gold(III) derivatives of 2-substituted pyridines are evaluated here for their biological and pharmacological behavior. These include two cationic adducts with 2-pyridinyl-oxazolines, [Au(pyox(R))Cl(2)][PF(6)], [pyox(R)=(S)-4-benzyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydrooxazole, I; (S)-4-iso-propyl-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydrooxazole, II] and two neutral complexes [Au(N,N'OH)Cl(2)], III, and [Au(N,N',O)Cl], IV, containing the deprotonated ligand N-(1-hydroxy-3-iso-propyl-2-yl)pyridine-2-carboxamide, N,N'H,OH, resulting from ring opening of bound pyox(R) ligand of complex II by hydroxide ions. The solution behavior of these compounds was analyzed. These behave as classical prodrugs: activation of the metal center typically takes place through release of the labile chloride ligands while the rest of the molecule is not altered; alternatively, activation may occur through gold(III) reduction. All compounds react eagerly with the model protein cyt c leading to extensive protein metalation. ESI MS experiments revealed details of gold-cyt c interactions and allowed us to establish the nature of protein bound metal containing fragments. The different behavior displayed by I and II compared to III and IV is highlighted. Remarkable cytotoxic properties, against the reference human ovarian carcinoma cell lines A2780/S and A2780/R were disclosed for all tested compounds with IC(50) values ranging from 1.43 to 6.18 μM in the sensitive cell line and from 1.59 to 10.86 μM in the resistant one. The common ability of these compounds to overcome cisplatin resistance is highlighted. The obtained results are thoroughly discussed in the frame of current knowledge on cytotoxic gold compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Maiore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sassari, Sassari (SS), Italy
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Majumder HK, de Souza W, Chang KP. Target Identification and Intervention Strategies against Kinetoplastid Protozoan Parasites. Mol Biol Int 2011; 2011:185413. [PMID: 22091397 PMCID: PMC3196916 DOI: 10.4061/2011/185413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Accepted: 06/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hemanta K Majumder
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4 Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700 032, India
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Cinellu MA, Maiore L, Manassero M, Casini A, Arca M, Fiebig HH, Kelter G, Michelucci E, Pieraccini G, Gabbiani C, Messori L. [Au2(phen(2Me))2(μ-O)2](PF6)2, a Novel Dinuclear Gold(III) Complex Showing Excellent Antiproliferative Properties. ACS Med Chem Lett 2010; 1:336-9. [PMID: 24900215 PMCID: PMC4007953 DOI: 10.1021/ml100097f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2010] [Accepted: 06/24/2010] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel dioxo-bridged dinuclear gold(III) complex with two 2,9-dimethylphenanthroline ligands was synthesized and thoroughly characterized. Its crystal structure was solved, and its solution behavior assessed. Remarkably, this compound revealed excellent antiproliferative properties in vitro against a wide panel of 36 cancer cell lines, combining a high cytotoxic potency to pronounced tumor selectivity. Very likely, these properties arise from an innovative mode of action (possibly involving histone deacetylase inhibition), as suggested by COMPARE analysis. In turn, electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry studies provided valuable insight into its molecular mechanisms of activation and of interaction with protein targets. Gold(III) reduction, dioxo bridge disruption, coordinative gold(I) binding to the protein, and concomitant release of the phenanthroline ligand were proposed to occur upon interaction with superoxide dismutase, used here as a model protein. Because of the reported results, this new gold(III) compound qualifies itself as an optimal candidate for further pharmacological testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. Cinellu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Laura Maiore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Mario Manassero
- Department of Structural Chemistry and Inorganic Stereochemistry, University of Milano, Via Venezian 21, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Angela Casini
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Massimiliano Arca
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Cagliari, S.S. 554 bivio per Sestu, 09042 Monserrato (CA), Italy
| | - Heinz-Herbert Fiebig
- Institute for Experimental Oncology, Oncotest GmbH, Am Flughafen 12-14, D-79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Kelter
- Institute for Experimental Oncology, Oncotest GmbH, Am Flughafen 12-14, D-79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Elena Michelucci
- Mass Spectrometry Centre (CISM), University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pieraccini
- Mass Spectrometry Centre (CISM), University of Florence, Via U. Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy
| | - Chiara Gabbiani
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy
| | - Luigi Messori
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, Italy
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Wang QP, Kawahara T, Horn D. Histone deacetylases play distinct roles in telomeric VSG expression site silencing in African trypanosomes. Mol Microbiol 2010; 77:1237-45. [PMID: 20624217 PMCID: PMC2941730 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07284.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2010] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
African trypanosomes evade the host immune response through antigenic variation, which is achieved by periodically expressing different variant surface glycoproteins (VSGs). VSG expression is monoallelic such that only one of approximately 15 telomeric VSG expression sites (ESs) is transcribed at a time. Epigenetic regulation is involved in VSG control but our understanding of the mechanisms involved remains incomplete. Histone deacetylases are potential drug targets for diseases caused by protozoan parasites. Here, using recombinant expression we show that the essential Trypanosoma brucei deacetylases, DAC1 (class I) and DAC3 (class II) display histone deacetylase activity. Both DAC1 and DAC3 are nuclear proteins in the bloodstream stage parasite, while only DAC3 remains concentrated in the nucleus in insect-stage cells. Consistent with developmentally regulated localization, DAC1 antagonizes SIR2rp1-dependent telomeric silencing only in the bloodstream form, indicating a conserved role in the control of silent chromatin domains. In contrast, DAC3 is specifically required for silencing at VSG ES promoters in both bloodstream and insect-stage cells. We conclude that DAC1 and DAC3 play distinct roles in subtelomeric gene silencing and that DAC3 represents the first readily druggable target linked to VSG ES control in the African trypanosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-Ping Wang
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineKeppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- Center for Parasitic Organisms, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases Control, Ministry of Education, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityGuangzhou 510275, China
| | - Taemi Kawahara
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineKeppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - David Horn
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineKeppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
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Pagano L, Lacerra G, Camardella L, De Angioletti M, Fioretti G, Maglione G, de Bonis C, Guarino E, Viola A, Cutolo R. Hemoglobin Neapolis, beta 126(H4)Val----Gly: a novel beta-chain variant associated with a mild beta-thalassemia phenotype and displaying anomalous stability features. Blood 1991; 14:1139-49. [PMID: 1954392 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-009-0558-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2009] [Accepted: 06/06/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel beta-chain, beta 126(H4)Val----Gly, electrophoretically silent, was detected by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography in three unrelated families from Naples (Southern Italy) and accounted for about 30% of the total beta-chains. The amino acid substitution was detected by HPLC fingerprint. The eight heterozygous patients showed hematologic and biosynthetic alterations of mild beta-thalassemia type. The hemoglobin variant showed abnormal stability features. It was unstable in the heat stability and isopropanol precipitation tests, but did not cause a hemolytic syndrome in vivo and was stable in a time-course experiment of biosynthesis in vitro. DNA polymerase chain reaction direct sequencing of the mutated gene from 135 nt upstream of the cap site to 106 nt downstream of the polyadenylation site showed only the beta 126 GTG----GGG mutation, which was confirmed in the other patients by allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization. The mutation was found to be associated with a type II beta-globin framework and restriction fragment length polymorphism haplotype V. The novel variant was named hemoglobin Neapolis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Pagano
- International Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, CNR, Centro Microcitemia, Naples, Italy
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