Molecular screening of ADAMTSL2 gene in 33 patients reveals the genetic heterogeneity of geleophysic dysplasia.

Background Geleophysic dysplasia (GD, OMIM 231050) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by short stature, small hands and feet, stiff joints, and thick skin. Patients often present with a progressive cardiac valvular disease which can lead to an early death. In a previous study including six GD families, we have mapped the disease gene on chromosome 9q34.2 and identified mutations in the A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin repeats-like 2 gene (ADAMTSL2). Methods Following this study, we have collected the samples of 30 additional GD families, including 33 patients and identified ADAMTSL2 mutations in 14/33 patients, comprising 13 novel mutations. The absence of mutation in 19 patients prompted us to compare the two groups of GD patients, namely group 1, patients with ADAMTSL2 mutations (n=20, also including the 6 patients from our previous study), and group 2, patients without ADAMTSL2 mutations (n=19). Results The main discriminating features were facial dysmorphism and tip-toe walking, which were almost constantly observed in group 1. No differences were found concerning heart involvement, skin thickness, recurrent respiratory and ear infections, bronchopulmonary insufficiency, laryngo-tracheal stenosis, deafness, and radiographic features. Conclusions It is concluded that GD is a genetically heterogeneous condition. Ongoing studies will hopefully lead to the identification of another disease gene.

Snake venom metalloproteinases and disintegrins: interactions with cells

Metalloproteinases and disintegrins are important components of most viperid and crotalid venoms. Large metalloproteinases referred to as MDC enzymes are composed of an N-terminal Metalloproteinase domain, a Disintegrin-like domain and a Cys-rich C-terminus. In contrast, disintegrins are small non-enzymatic RGD-containing cysteine-rich polypeptides. However, the disintegrin region of MDC enzymes bears a high degree of structural homology to that of the disintegrins, although it lacks the RGD motif. Despite these differences, both components share the property of being able to recognize integrin cell surface receptors and thereby to inhibit integrin-dependent cell reactions. Recently, several membrane-bound MDC enzymes, closely related to soluble venom MDC enzymes, have been described in mammalian cells. This group of membrane-anchored mammalian enzymes is also called the ADAM family of proteins due to the structure revealing A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase domains. ADAMs are involved in the shedding of molecules from the cell surface, a property which is also shared by some venom MDC enzymes.

Disintegrins: integrin selective ligands which activate integrin-coupled signaling and modulate leukocyte functions

Extracellular matrix proteins and cell adhesion receptors (integrins) play essential roles in the regulation of cell adhesion and migration. Interactions of integrins with the extracellular matrix proteins lead to phosphorylation of several intracellular proteins such as focal adhesion kinase, activating different signaling pathways responsible for the regulation of a variety of cell functions, including cytoskeleton mobilization. Once leukocytes are guided to sites of infection, inflammation, or antigen presentation, integrins can participate in the initiation, maintenance, or termination of the immune and inflammatory responses. The modulation of neutrophil activation through integrin-mediated pathways is important in the homeostatic control of the resolution of inflammatory states. In addition, during recirculation, T lymphocyte movement through distinct microenvironments is mediated by integrins, which are critical for cell cycle, differentiation and gene expression. Disintegrins are a family of low-molecular weight, cysteine-rich peptides first identified in snake venom, usually containing an RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) motif, which confers the ability to selectively bind to integrins, inhibiting integrin-related functions in different cell systems. In this review we show that, depending on the cell type and the microenvironment, disintegrins are able to antagonize the effects of integrins or to act agonistically by activating integrin-mediated signaling. Disintegrins have proven useful as tools to improve the understanding of the molecular events regulated by integrin signaling in leukocytes and prototypes in order to design therapies able to interfere with integrin-mediated effects.

La Rapamycine inhibe l’expression de l’ARNm de l’ADAMTS-4 induit par les cytokines dans les chondrocytes articulaires

Introduction: Durant la pathogenèse d’ostéoarthrose (OA), les cytokines pro-inflammatoires IL-1β (Interleukin-1 beta) et TNF-α (Tumor necrosis factor alpha) stimulent la dégradation des agrécanes par l’aggrécanase-1 ou ADAMTS-4 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif). Ces cytokines peuvent stimuler plusieurs voies de signalisation conduisant ainsi à l’augmentation de l’expression des ADAMTS dans les chondrocytes humains. Les TIMPs (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases) présentent des inhibiteurs endogènes de l’ADAMTS. Nous avons démontré que la Rapamycine (un immunosuppresseur et un inhibiteur du mamalian target of Rapamycin (mTOR)) peut avoir des effets bénéfiques dans cette pathologie. Notre étude examine l’effet de la Rapamycine sur l’expression de l’ADAMTS-4 induit par les cytokines, son implication dans certaines voies de signalisation, et son effet sur l’expression du TIMP-3. Méthodes: Des chondrocytes normaux sont traités avec la Rapamycine seule ou stimulés aussi avec l’IL-1β et le TNF-α. Les effets de la Rapamycine sur l’expression de l’ADAMTS-4 et du TIMP-3 ont été étudiés par l’analyse RT-PCR et l’activité enzymatique a été étudiée par la technique d’ELISA. Les effets de la Rapamycine sur certaines voies de signalisation ont été étudiés par le Western blot. Résultats: Nous avons trouvé que la Rapamycine inhibe l’expression de l’ARNm de l’ADAMTS-4 induit par les cytokines pro-inflammatoires dans les chondrocytes humains. L’activité enzymatique de l’ADAMTS-4 induit par l’IL-1β a été légèrement diminuée par la Rapamycine. En plus, cette dernière a montré de différents effets sur plusieurs voies de signalisation stimulées par l’IL-1β et le TNF-α telles que les voies des MAPKs (Mitogen activated protein kinase), de l’AKT, et de la p70 S6 kinase. La Rapamycine a inhibé partiellement l’activation de la phosphorylation de l’ERK1/2 MAPK (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase MAPK) en présence du TNF-α seulement. En outre, la Rapamycine a inhibé la phosphorylation des protéines p38 MAPK, JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), et AKT activée par l’IL-1β seulement. En plus, la phosphorylation de la protéine p70 S6K stimulée par l’IL-1β et le TNF-α a été inhibée par la Rapamycine. D’autre part, nous avons démontré que le niveau du TIMP-3 a été augmenté en présence de la Rapamycine. Conclusion: Ces résultats suggèrent que la Rapamycine peut bloquer l’action de l’ADAMTS-4 via l’inhibition de l’activation des MAPKs, de l’AKT, et de la p70 S6K. La Rapamycine pourrait ainsi être considérée pour la prévention de la perte du cartilage chez les patients ostéoarthritiques.

Secuenciación de siguiente generación en mujeres afectadas por falla ovárica prematura no sindrómica para la identificación de nuevos genes etiológicos de la enfermedad y estudio funcional de la mutación p.thr943ile en adamts19

La infertilidad afecta en la actualidad a aproximadamente 1 de cada 7 parejas a nivel mundial. La falla ovárica prematura (FOP) es una condición común en la población femenina, afectando al 1% de mujeres menores de 40 años. La etiología de la FOP es idiopática entre el 50% y el 80% de los casos, lo que sugiere causas genéticas, epigenéticas y ambientales aún desconocidas. A pesar de los avances en las técnicas de cartografía genética y de sistematización de la técnica de Sanger, pocos genes etiológicos de FOP fueron identificados en los últimos 20 años. Este fracaso relativo se asoció principalmente a que cientos de genes, que abarcan grandes regiones del genoma, son candidatos pero la técnica de secuenciación directa sólo permite el análisis de unas 700bp en cada reacción. En el presente trabajo se empleó la secuenciación de siguiente generación (NGS) para la búsqueda de mutaciones en 70 genes candidatos que potencialmente contribuyen con el desarrollo de la patología. Se identificaron mutaciones en 3 de 12 pacientes. La paciente POF-7 presentaba una mutación no sinónima en el gen ADAMTS19 (c.2828C>T, p.Thr943Ile). La proteína ADAMTS19 se clasifica dentro de la familia ADAMTS como huérfana ya que no se ha identificado su sustrato. Mediante el sistema de doble hibrido en levaduras se buscó identificar las potenciales proteínas que interactúan con ADAMTS19. Permitió identificar, a partir de las versiones murinas, la interacción de Adamts19 y Col6a2. Para comprobar la interacción entre las proteínas ADAMTS19 y COL6A2 humanas se empleó el sistema de doble hibrido en células eucariotas. Los hallazgos no permitieron replicar los resultados obtenidos previamente. En síntesis de identificó una mutación potencialmente causal de FOP en un gen nuevo y una muy probable interacción entre ADAMTS19 y COL6A2.

Chronic hypoxia in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y causes reduced expression of the putative alpha-secretases, ADAM10 and TACE, without altering their mRNA levels

Alzheimer's disease is more frequent following an ischemic or hypoxic episode, with levels of beta-amyloid peptides elevated in brains from patients. Similar increases are found after experimental ischemia in animals. It is possible that increased beta-amyloid deposition arises from alterations in amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism, indeed, we have shown that exposing cells of neuronal origin to chronic hypoxia decreased the secretion of soluble APP (sAPPalpha) derived by action of alpha-secretase on APP, coinciding with a decrease in protein levels of ADAM10, a disintegrin metalloprotease which is thought to be the major alpha-secretase. In the current study, we extended those observations to determine whether the expression of ADAM10 and another putative alpha-secretase, TACE, as well as the beta-secretase, BACE1 were regulated by chronic hypoxia at the level of protein and mRNA. Using Western blotting and RT-PCR, we demonstrate that after 48 h chronic hypoxia, such that sAPPalpha secretion is decreased by over 50%, protein levels of ADAM10 and TACE and by approximately 60% and 40% respectively with no significant decrease in BACE1 levels. In contrast, no change in the expression of the mRNA for these proteins could be detected. Thus, we conclude that under CH the level of the putative alpha-secretases, ADAM10 and TACE are regulated by post-translational mechanisms, most probably proteolysis, rather than at the level of transcription.

Bothrops insularis venomics: A proteomic analysis supported by transcriptomic-generated sequence data

A joint transcriptomic and proteomic approach employing two-dimensional electrophoresis, liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry was carried out to identify peptides and proteins expressed by the venom gland of the snake Bothrops insularis, an endemic species of Queimada Grande Island, Brazil. Four protein families were mainly represented in processed spots, namely metalloproteinase, serine proteinase, phospholipase A(2) and lectin. Other represented families were growth factors, the developmental protein G10, a disintegrin and putative novel bradykinin-potentiating peptides. The enzymes were present in several isoforms. Most of the experimental data agreed with predicted values for isoelectric point and M(r) of proteins found in the transcriptome of the venom gland. The results also support the existence of posttranslational modifications and of proteolytic processing of precursor molecules which could lead to diverse multifunctional proteins. This study provides a preliminary reference map for proteins and peptides present in Bothrops insularis whole venom establishing the basis for comparative studies of other venom proteomes which could help the search for new drugs and the improvement of venom therapeutics. Altogether, our data point to the influence of transcriptional and post-translational events on the final venom composition and stress the need for a multivariate approach to snake venomics studies. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

BnP1, a novel P-I metalloproteinase from Bothrops neuwiedi venom: Biological effects benchmarking relatively to jararhagin, a P-IIISVMP

Snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) have been extensively studied and their effects associated with the local bleeding observed in human accidents by viper snakes. Representatives of P-I and P-III classes of SVMPs similarly hydrolyze extracellular matrix proteins or coagulation factors while only P-III SVMPs induce significant hemorrhage in experimental models. In this work, the effects of P-I and P-III SVMPs on plasma proteins and cultures of muscle and endothelial cells were compared in order to enlighten the mechanisms involved in venom-induced hemorrhage. To reach this comparison, BnP1 was isolated from B. neuwiedi venom and used as a weakly hemorrhagic P-I SVMPs and jararhagin was used as a model of potently hemorrhagic P-III SVMP. BnP1 was isolated by size exclusion and anion-exchange chromatographies, showing apparent molecular mass of approximately 24kDa and sequence similarity with other members of SVMPs, which allowed its classification as a group P-I SVMP. The comparison of local effects induced by SVMPs showed that BnP1 was devoid of significant myotoxic and hemorrhagic activities and jararhagin presented only hemorrhagic activity. BnP1 and jararhagin were able to hydrolyze fibrinogen and fibrin, although the latter displayed higher activity in both systems. Using HUVEC primary cultures, we observed that BnP1 induced cell detachment and a decrease in the number of viable endothelial cells in levels comparable to those observed by treatment with jararhagin. Moreover, both BnP1 and jararhagin induced apoptosis in HUVECs while only a small increase in LDH supernatant levels was observed after treatment with jararhagin, suggesting that the major mechanism involved in endothelial cell death is apoptosis. Jararhagin and BnP1 induced little effects on C2C12 muscle cell cultures, characterized by a partial detachment 24h after treatment and a mild necrotic effect as evidenced by a small increase in the supernatants LDH levels. Taken together, our data show that P-I and P-III SVMPs presented comparable effects except for the hemorrhagic activity, suggesting that hydrolysis of coagulation factors or damage to endothelial cells are not sufficient for induction of local bleeding. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The three-dimensional structure of bothropasin, the main hemorrhagic factor from Bothrops jararaca venom: Insights for a new classification of snake venom metalloprotease subgroups

Bothropasin is a 48 kDa hemorrhagic PIII snake venom metalloprotease (SVMP) isolated from Bothrops jararaca, containing disintegrin/cysteine-rich adhesive domains. Here we present the crystal structure of bothropasin complexed with the inhibitor POL647. The catalytic domain consists of a scaffold of two subdomains organized similarly to those described for other SVMPs, including the zinc and calcium-binding sites. The free cysteine residue Cys(189) is located within a hydrophobic core and it is not available for disulfide bonding or other interactions. There is no identifiable secondary structure for the disintegrin domain, but instead it is composed mostly of loops stabilized by seven disulfide bonds and by two calcium ions. The ECD region is in a loop and is structurally related to the RGD region of RGD disintegrins, which are derived from I`ll SVMPs. The ECD motif is stabilized by the Cys(117)_Cys(310) disulfide bond (between the disintegrin and cysteine-rich domains) and by one calcium ion. The side chain of Glu(276) of the ECD motif is exposed to solvent and free to make interactions. In bothropasin, the HVR (hyper-variable region) described for other Pill SVMPs in the cysteine-rich domain, presents a well-conserved sequence with respect to several other Pill members from different species. We propose that this subset be referred to as PIII-HCR (highly conserved region) SVMPs. The differences in the disintegrin-like, cysteine-rich or disintegrin-like cysteine-rich domains may be involved in selecting target binding, which in turn could generate substrate diversity or specificity for the catalytic domain. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of JussuMP-I: A RGD-P-III class hemorrhagic metalloprotease from Bothrops jararacussu snake venom

Snake venom metalloproteases (SVMPs) embody zinc-dependent multidomain enzymes responsible for a relevant pathophysiology in envenomation. including local and systemic hemorrhage. The molecular features responsible for hemorrhagic potency of SVMPs have been associated with their multidomains structures which can target these proteins them to several receptors of different tissues and cellular types. BjussuMP-I. a SVMP isolated from the Bothrops jararacussu venom, has been characterized as a P-III hemorrhagic metalloprotease. The complete cDNA sequence of BjussuMP-I with 1641bp encodes open reading frames of 547 amino acid residues, which conserve the common domains of P-III high molecular weight hemorrhagic metalloproteases: (i) pre-pro-peptide, (ii) metalloprotease, (iii) disintegrin-like and (iv) rich cysteine domain. BjussuMP-I induced lyses in fibrin clots and inhibited collagen- and ADP-induced platelet aggregation. We are reporting, for the first time, the primary structure of an RGD-P-III class snake venom metalloprotease. A phylogenetic analysis of the BjussuMP-1 metalloprotease/catalytic domain was performed to get new insights into the molecular evolution of the metalloproteases. A theoretical molecular model of this domain was built through folding recognition (threading) techniques and refined by molecular dynamics simulation. Then, the final BjussuMP-I catalytic domain model was compared to other SVMPs and Reprolysin family proteins in order to identify eventual structural differences, which could help to understand the biochemical activities of these enzymes. The presence of large hydrophobic areas and some conserved surface charge-positive residues were identified as important features of the SVMPs and other metalloproteases. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bone morphogenetic protein 15 and fibroblast growth factor 10 enhance cumulus expansion, glucose uptake, and expression of genes in the ovulatory cascade during in vitro maturation of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes

Oocyte-secreted factors (OSFs) regulate differentiation of cumulus cells and are of pivotal relevance for fertility. Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) are OSFs and enhance oocyte competence by unknown mechanisms. We tested the hypothesis that BMP15 and FGF10, alone or combined in the maturation medium, enhance cumulus expansion and expression of genes in the preovulatory cascade and regulate glucose metabolism favouring hyaluronic acid production in bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). BMP15 or FGF10 increased the percentage of fully expanded COCs, but the combination did not further stimulate it. BMP15 increased cumulus cell levels of mRNA encoding a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10), ADAM17, amphiregulin (AREG), and epiregulin (EREG) at 12 h of culture and of prostaglandin (PG)-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 6 (TNFAIP6 (TSG6)) at 22 h of culture. FGF10 did not alter the expression of epidermal growth factor-like factors but enhanced the mRNA expression of PTGS2 at 4 h, PTX3 at 12 h, and TNFAIP6 at 22 h. FGF10 and BMP15 stimulated glucose consumption by cumulus cells but did not affect lactate production or levels of mRNA encoding glycolytic enzymes phosphofructokinase and lactate dehydrogenase A. Each growth factor increased mRNA encoding glucosamine:fructose-6-PO4 transaminases, key enzymes in the hexosamine pathway leading to hyaluronic acid production, and BMP15 also stimulated hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) mRNA expression. This study provides evidence that BMP15 and FGF10 stimulate expansion of in vitro-matured bovine COCs by driving glucose metabolism toward hyaluronic acid production and controlling the expression of genes in the ovulatory cascade, the first acting upon ADAM10, ADAM17, AREG, and EREG and the second on downstream genes, particularly PTGS2. © 2013 Society for Reproduction and Fertility.

Busca de parceiros físicos por duplo-híbrido das proteínas ADAM23 e MX1, codificadas por genes metilados em câncer de cabeça e pescoço

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Desenvolvimento de nanopartículas de quitosana para potencial administração nasal da DISBa-01, uma desintegrina recombinante do veneno da serpente Rhinocerophis alternatus

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Regulação da expressão de fatores secretados pelo oócito (FSOs) e seus receptores durante a maturação in vitro (MIV) bovina e ações no controle da expressão de cumulus

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Análise imunohistoquímica da ADAMTS-1 e proteoglicanos no ameloblastoma e no tumor odontogênico cístico calcificante

O ameloblastoma e o tumor odontogênico cístico calcificante (TOCC) são tumores odontogênicos que tem origem do epitélio odontogênico, porém ainda não é conhecido o estímulo ou gatilho que leva à transformação neoplásica desses tumores. O comportamento biológico das lesões é distinto, pois o ameloblastoma é um tumor mais agressivo e com taxa de recorrência significativa. Já o TOCC é um tumor menos agressivo e raramente há recorrência e por esse motivo foi utilizado como controle no estudo. Portanto, a elucidação completa dos mecanismos pelos quais esses tumores odontogênicos apresentam tais comportamentos biológicos continua sendo um desafio para os pesquisadores. As c (A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin) são metaloendopeptidases que são dependentes de zinco em seu domínio catalítico. Essas enzimas possuem ampla atividade catalítica contra uma variedade de substratos como os proteoglicanos (agrecan, brevican e versican), que são proteínas presente na matriz extracelular (MEC). As ADAMTS exibem características estruturais que lhes conferem um grande potencial para exibir múltiplas funções. Exibem função crucial em vários processos como proliferação, adesão, invasão e sinalização celular. As alterações nessas enzimas estão presentes em diversos tumores, o que sugere que estas proteínas podem estar envolvidas no processo carcinogênico em diferentes caminhos. Especificamente a ADAMTS-1 tem sido correlacionada com a tumorigênese de algumas neoplasias como no câncer de mama, pulmão e pâncreas. Assim como a ADAMTS, agrecan, brevican e versican são expressos em vários tumores e a regulação alterada desses proteoglicanos pode contribuir para o desenvolvimento da carcinogênese. Neste trabalho foram estudadas ADAMTS-1, agrecan, brevican e versican no ameloblastoma e TOCC. Foram incluídos 20 casos de ameloblastoma e 6 casos de TOCC, utilizados como controle. A expressão de ADAMTS-1, agrecan, brevican e versican foi avaliada por imunohistoquímica e as áreas de marcação foram mensuradas e analisadas. Para análise de correlação entre as proteínas estudadas utilizou-se o teste de Spearman. Todas as amostras de ameloblastoma expressaram ADAMTS-1, agrecan, brevican e versican. Todas as amostras de TOCC também expressaram as mesmas proteínas, porém numa quantidade significativamente menor que no ameloblastoma. A diferença de expressão de ADAMTS-1 e brevican no epitélio do ameloblastoma e do TOCC foi significante estatisticamente (p<0,0105). Assim como a expressão de agrecan e versican, no epitélio do ameloblastoma e do TOCC, também foi estatisticamente significante (p<0,0067) e (p<0,0148), respectivamente. Não houve correlação entre as proteínas estudadas.