Identification of a novel mutation in the exon 2 splice donor site of the POU1F1/PIT-1 gene in Japanese identical twins with mild combined pituitary hormone deficiency.

CONTEXT: To date, approximately 35 different POU1F1 mutations have been described in patients with familial and sporadic combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) from different ethnic backgrounds. The majority are missense mutations clustered within the conserved POU-specific and POU-homeo domains, encoded by exons 4 and 6, respectively. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the molecular basis and clinical characteristics of a Japanese CPHD family with a novel POU1F1 mutation. DESIGN: The POU1F1 gene was sequenced in identical twin brothers with mild CPHD. The mutation identified was also evaluated in family members as well as 188 Japanese controls and then examined in functional studies. RESULTS: A novel heterozygous splice site mutation (Ex2 + 1G>T; c.214 + 1G>T) was detected. This mutation was also present in their undiagnosed mother, but not in any of the controls. In vitro splicing studies suggested this mutation to result in an in-frame skipping of exon 2, thus producing an internally deleted protein lacking most of the R2 transactivation subdomain (TAD-R2). Heterologous expression studies of the mutated POU1F1 protein showed only modest reductions in its transactivation activities in HEK293T cells, while acting as a dominant-negative inhibitor of the endogenous activities of POU1F1 in pituitary GH3 cells. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a mutation at the exon 2 donor splice site of POU1F1, affecting TAD-R2. The addition of this mutation to the growing list of pathological POU1F1 mutations may provide deeper insights into clinical heterogeneity in the expressions of individual mutations and a better understanding of the structure-function relationships of POU1F1.

Processing and stability of type IIc sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter mutations in patients with hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria.

Mutations in the apically located Na(+)-dependent phosphate (NaPi) cotransporter, SLC34A3 (NaPi-IIc), are a cause of hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria (HHRH). We have characterized the impact of several HHRH mutations on the processing and stability of human NaPi-IIc. Mutations S138F, G196R, R468W, R564C, and c.228delC in human NaPi-IIc significantly decreased the levels of NaPi cotransport activities in Xenopus oocytes. In S138F and R564C mutant proteins, this reduction is a result of a decrease in the V(max) for P(i), but not the K(m). G196R, R468W, and c.228delC mutants were not localized to oocyte membranes. In opossum kidney (OK) cells, cell surface labeling, microscopic confocal imaging, and pulse-chase experiments showed that G196R and R468W mutations resulted in an absence of cell surface expression owing to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention. G196R and R468W mutants could be partially stabilized by low temperature. In blue native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis, G196R and R468W mutants were either denatured or present in an aggregation complex. In contrast, S138F and R564C mutants were trafficked to the cell surface, but more rapidly degraded than WT protein. The c.228delC mutant did not affect endogenous NaPi uptake in OK cells. Thus, G196R and R468W mutations cause ER retention, while S138F and R564C mutations stimulate degradation of human NaPi-IIc in renal epithelial cells. Together, these data suggest that the NaPi-IIc mutants in HHRH show defective processing and stability.

Analysis of expression and structure of the rat GH-secretagogue/ghrelin receptor (Ghsr) gene: roles of epigenetic modifications in transcriptional regulation.

In the current study, to elucidate the molecular basis of cell type-specific expression of the GH-secretagogue/ghrelin receptor type 1A (GHSR1A), we characterized the structure and putative promoter region of the rat Ghsr gene. We identified an alternative 5'-untranslated first exon that contains multiple transcription start sites, and confirmed a 200-bp sequence proximal to this exon to be sufficient for basal promoter activity. A promoter-associated CpG island conserved across different species was found to be hypomethylated in Ghsr1a-expressing cell lines, while being heavily methylated in non-expressing cells. In cells with low or absent Ghsr1a expression, treatment with demethylating agents activated Ghsr1a transcription. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated Ghsr1a-expressing cells to display active histone modifications, whereas repressive modifications were present exclusively in other cell types. These results suggest epigenetic modifications at GHSR to play important roles in determining GHSR1A expression and abundance, and therefore the consequent sensitivity of cells to ghrelin.

Identification and functional analysis of novel human growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) gene mutations in Japanese subjects with short stature.

CONTEXT: Short stature (SS) is a multifactorial developmental condition with a significant genetic component. Recent studies have revealed that rare deleterious mutations in the GH-secretagogue receptor type 1A (GHSR1A) gene could be a cause of familial SS or GH deficiency. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of GHSR1A mutations to the molecular mechanism underlying SS in Japanese subjects. METHODS: We performed mutational screening of the GHSR1A gene in 127 unrelated Japanese SS patients diagnosed with either isolated GH deficiency or idiopathic SS. Identified mutations were analyzed in 188 control subjects, and their functional properties were examined in a heterologous expression system. RESULTS: Four novel heterozygous GHSR1A mutations were identified (ΔQ36, P108L, C173R, and D246A). Expression studies demonstrated that these mutations had varying functional consequences: 1) all mutations showed a loss-of-function effect on the constitutive signaling activity of GHSR1A, but the degree of loss varied widely; 2) C173R caused intracellular retention of the mutated protein, resulting in total loss of receptor function; 3) P108L resulted in a large decrease in binding affinity to ghrelin, without affecting its surface expression; 4) D246A uniquely impaired agonist- and inverse agonist-stimulated receptor signaling; and 5) ΔQ36 showed only a subtle reduction in constitutive activity. The cumulative frequency of these putative functional mutations was significantly higher in the patient group than in controls (4.72 vs. 0.53%; P = 0.019; odds ratio = 9.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-78.0). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that GHSR1A mutations contribute to the genetic etiology of SS in the Japanese population.

Identification and functional analysis of novel human growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) gene mutations in Japanese subjects with short stature.

CONTEXT: Growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) gene mutations have been identified in patients of different ethnic origins with isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) type IB. However, the prevalence of these mutations in the Japanese population has yet to be fully determined. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the contributions of GHRHR mutations to the molecular mechanism underlying short stature in Japanese subjects. DESIGN: The GHRHR gene was sequenced in 127 unrelated Japanese patients with either IGHD (n = 14) or idiopathic short stature (ISS; n = 113). Sequence variants were evaluated in family members and 188 controls, and then examined in functional studies. RESULTS: A novel homozygous E382E (c.1146G>A) synonymous variant, at the last base of exon 12, was identified in an IGHD family with two affected sisters. In vitro splicing studies showed this mutation to result in skipping of exon 12. In one ISS patient, a heterozygous ATG-166T>C variant was found in the distal Pit-1 P2 binding element of the GHRHR promoter. In two control subjects, a close but distinct variant, ATG-164T>C, was detected. Functional studies showed that both promoter variants diminish promoter activity by altering Pit-1 binding ability. Four missense variants were also found in both patient and control groups but had no detectable functional consequences. CONCLUSIONS: The homozygous GHRHR mutation was rare, being detected in only one Japanese IGHD family. Future research is needed to clarify the genetic contributions of heterozygous functional promoter variants to GHD, ISS and normal-stature variations.

An apical expression signal of the renal type IIc Na+-dependent phosphate cotransporter in renal epithelial cells.

The type IIc Na(+)-dependent phosphate cotransporter (NaPi-IIc) is specifically targeted to, and expressed on, the apical membrane of renal proximal tubular cells and mediates phosphate transport. In the present study, we investigated the signals that determine apical expression of NaPi-IIc with a focus on the role of the N- and the C-terminal tails of mouse NaPi-IIc in renal epithelial cells [opossum kidney (OK) and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells]. Wild-type NaPi-IIc, the cotransporter NaPi-IIa, as well as several IIa-IIc chimeras and deletion mutants, were fused to enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), and their cellular localization was analyzed in polarized renal epithelial cells by confocal microscopy and by cell-surface biotinylation. Fluorescent EGFP-fused NaPi-IIc transporter proteins are correctly expressed in the apical membrane of OK cells. The apical expression of N-terminal deletion mutants (deletion of N-terminal 25, 50, or 69 amino acids) was not affected by truncation. In contrast, C-terminal deletion mutants (deletion of C-terminal 45, 50, or 62 amino acids) did not have correct apical expression. A more detailed mutational analysis indicated that a domain (amino acids WLHSL) in the cytoplasmic C terminus is required for apical expression of NaPi-IIc in renal epithelial cells. We conclude that targeting of NaPi-IIc to the apical cell surface is regulated by a unique amino acid motif in the cytoplasmic C-terminal domain.