Expression analysis of the ataxin-1 protein in tissues from normal and spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 individuals.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat which codes for glutamine in the protein ataxin-1. We have investigated the effect of this expansion on ataxin-1 by immunoblot analysis. The wild-type protein is detected in both normal and affected individuals; however, a mutant protein which varies in its migration properties according to the size of the CAG repeat is detected in cultured cells and tissues from SCA1 individuals. The protein has a nuclear localization in all normal and SCA1 brain regions examined but a cytoplasmic localization of ataxin-1 was also observed in cerebellar Purkinje cells. Our data show that in SCA1, the expanded alleles are faithfully translated into proteins of apparently normal stability and distribution.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 in a family descended from the grandparents of President Lincoln maps to chromosome 11.

Autosomal dominant ataxias are a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders for which spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) loci on chromosomes 6p, 12q, 14q and 16q have been reported. We have examined 170 individuals (56 of whom were affected) from a previously unreported ten-generation kindred with a dominant ataxia that is clinically and genetically distinct from those previously mapped. The family has two major branches which both descend from the paternal grandparents of President Abraham Lincoln. Among those examined, 56 individuals have a generally non-life threatening cerebellar ataxia. Disease onset varies from 10-68 years and anticipation is evident. We have mapped this gene, spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 (SCA5), to the centromeric region of chromosome 11.

Evidence for a mechanism predisposing to intergenerational CAG repeat instability in spinocerebellar ataxia type I.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type I (SCAI) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat on chromosome 6p. Normal alleles range from 19-36 repeats while SCA1 alleles contain 43-81 repeats. We now show that in 63% of paternal transmissions, an increase in repeat number is observed, whereas 69% of maternal transmissions showed no change or a decrease in repeat number. Sequence analysis of the repeat from 126 chromosomes reveals an interrupted repeat configuration in 98% of the unexpanded alleles but a contiguous repeat (CAG)n configuration in 30 expanded alleles from seven SCA1 families. This indicates that the repeat instability in SCA1 is more complex than a simple variation in repeat number and that the loss of an interruption predisposes the SCA1 (CAG)n to expansion.

Gametic and somatic tissue-specific heterogeneity of the expanded SCA1 CAG repeat in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 is associated with expansion of an unstable CAG repeat within the SCA1 gene. Male gametic heterogeneity of the expanded repeat is demonstrated using single sperm and low-copy genome analysis. Low-copy genome analysis of peripheral blood also reveals somatic heterogeneity of the expanded SCA1 allele, thus establishing mitotic instability at this locus. Comparative analysis of a large normal allele and a small affected allele suggests a role of midstream CAT interspersions in stabilizing long (CAG)n stretches. Within the brain, tissue-specific mosaicism of the expanded allele is also observed. The differences in SCA1 allele heterogeneity between sperm and blood and within the brain parallels the findings in Huntington disease, suggesting that both disorders share a common mechanism for tissue-specific instability.

Chaperone suppression of aggregation and altered subcellular proteasome localization imply protein misfolding in SCA1.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of a polyglutamine tract in ataxin-1. In affected neurons of SCA1 patients and transgenic mice, mutant ataxin-1 accumulates in a single, ubiquitin-positive nuclear inclusion. In this study, we show that these inclusions stain positively for the 20S proteasome and the molecular chaperone HDJ-2/HSDJ. Similarly, HeLa cells transfected with mutant ataxin-1 develop nuclear aggregates which colocalize with the 20S proteasome and endogenous HDJ-2/HSDJ. Overexpression of wild-type HDJ-2/HSDJ in HeLa cells decreases the frequency of ataxin-1 aggregation. These data suggest that protein misfolding is responsible for the nuclear aggregates seen in SCA1, and that overexpression of a DnaJ chaperone promotes the recognition of a misfolded polyglutamine repeat protein, allowing its refolding and/or ubiquitin-dependent degradation.

Expansion of an unstable trinucleotide CAG repeat in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by neurodegeneration of the cerebellum, spinal cord and brainstem. A 1.2-Megabase stretch of DNA from the short arm of chromosome 6 containing the SCA1 locus was isolated in a yeast artificial chromosome contig and subcloned into cosmids. A highly polymorphic CAG repeat was identified in this region and was found to be unstable and expanded in individuals with SCA1. There is a direct correlation between the size of the (CAG)n repeat expansion and the age-of-onset of SCA1, with larger alleles occurring in juvenile cases. We also show that the repeat is present in a 10 kilobase mRNA transcript. SCA1 is therefore the fifth genetic disorder to display a mutational mechanism involving an unstable trinucleotide repeat.

Identification and characterization of the gene causing type 1 spinocerebellar ataxia.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat. In this study, we describe the identification and characterization of the gene harbouring this repeat. The SCA1 transcript is 10,660 bases and is transcribed from both the wild type and SCA1 alleles. The CAG repeat, coding for a polyglutamine tract, lies within the coding region. The gene spans 450 kb of genomic DNA and is organized in nine exons. The first seven fall in the 5' untranslated region and the last two contain the coding region, and a 7,277 basepairs 3' untranslated region. The first four non-coding exons undergo alternative splicing in several tissues. These features suggest that the transcriptional and translational regulation of ataxin-1, the SCA1 encoded protein, may be complex.

Human leukocyte antigen F (HLA-F). An expressed HLA gene composed of a class I coding sequence linked to a novel transcribed repetitive element.

We describe here the isolation and sequencing of a previously uncharacterized HLA class I gene. This gene, HLA-5.4, is the third non-HLA-A,B,C gene characterized whose sequence shows it encodes an intact class I protein. RNase protection assays with a probe specific for this gene demonstrated its expression in B lymphoblastoid cell lines, in resting T cells, and skin cells, while no mRNA could be detected in the T cell line Molt 4. Consistent with a pattern of expression different from that of other class I genes, DNA sequence comparisons identified potential regulator motifs unique to HLA-5.4 and possibly essential for tissue-specific expression. Protein sequence analysis of human and murine class I antigens has identified 10 highly conserved residues believed to be involved in antigen binding. Five of these are altered in HLA-5.4, and of these, three are nonconservative. In addition, examination of the HLA-5.4 DNA sequence predicts that the cytoplasmic segment of this protein is shorter than that of the classical transplantation antigens. The 3' untranslated region of the HLA-5.4 gene contains one member of a previously undescribed multigene family consisting of at least 30 members. Northern analysis showed that several of these sequences were transcribed, and the most ubiquitous transcript, a 600-nucleotide polyadenylated mRNA, was found in all tissues and cells examined. This sequence is conserved in the mouse genome, where a similar number of copies were found, and one of these sequences was also transcribed, yielding a 600-nucleotide mRNA. The characterization of this unique HLA class I gene and the demonstration of its tissue-specific expression have prompted us to propose that HLA-5.4 be designated HLA-F.

Chromosomal organization of the human major histocompatibility complex class I gene family.

17 HLA class I genes have been isolated from the genome of B-lymphoblastoid cell line 721. Sequence analysis and transfection studies indicate that three genes, in addition to those encoding the HLA-A, -B, and -C antigens can direct the synthesis of a class I alpha protein (4, 5, 21). Using gene-specific DNA probes to analyze the presence of restriction fragment-length polymorphisms within a large pedigree and in panel of HLA deletion mutant cell lines, we show here that two of these genes, designated HLA-G and HLA-F, are located on the short arm of chromosome 6 telomeric to the HLA-A locus. The third expressed non-A, -B, and -C class I gene, HLA-E, is located between HLA-A and HLA-C (4). In addition, the remaining 11 class I pseudogenes and gene fragments are localized relative to established markers on chromosome 6p.

Genetic linkage evidence for a familial Alzheimer's disease locus on chromosome 14.

Linkage analysis was used to search the genome for chromosomal regions harboring familial Alzheimer's disease genes. Markers on chromosome 14 gave highly significant positive lod scores in early-onset non-Volga German kindreds; a Zmax of 9.15 (theta = 0.01) was obtained with the marker D14S43 at 14q24.3. One early-onset family yielded a lod score of 4.89 (theta = 0.0). When no assumptions were made about age-dependent penetrance, significant results were still obtained (Zmax = 5.94, theta = 0.0), despite the loss of power to detect linkage under these conditions. Results for the Volga German families were either negative or nonsignificant for markers in this region. Thus, evidence indicates a familial Alzheimer's disease locus on chromosome 14.

Qs in the nucleus.

The polyglutamine diseases include at least nine neurodegenerative disorders. Accumulation of mutant protein with a toxic gain-in function in the nucleus appears to be the pathological basis of these diseases. In this issue of Neuron, La Spada et al. (2001) provide insight into the cell specificity of pathology for a polyglutamine disease by relating SCA7-induced retinal degeneration to a disruption of the photoreceptor-specific transcription factor CRX.

Disrupted cerebellar cortical development and progressive degeneration of Purkinje cells in SV40 T antigen transgenic mice.

SV40 T antigen (Tag) expression directed to cerebellar Purkinje cells resulted in the generation of three transgenic mouse lines that displayed ataxia, a neurological phenotype characteristic of cerebellar dysfunction. Onset of symptoms and cerebellar pathology, characterized by specific Purkinje cell degeneration, appeared to be directly dependent upon transgene copy number. The SV5 line (containing > 30 transgene copies), exhibited embryonic transgene expression that caused selective death of immature Purkinje cells and a subsequent block in cerebellar development and ataxia at 2 weeks. The developmental effect of the disruption of Purkinje cells in SV5 mice suggests that a normal complement of these cells is required for early development of the cerebellar cortex, especially granule cell proliferation and migration from external to internal layers. Transgene expression in a second line, SV4 (10 copies), was detectable during the second postnatal week. Death of mature Purkinje cells in the SV4 line resulted in onset of ataxia at 9 weeks. Ataxia in a third line, SV6 (2 copies), was detected after 15 weeks. The distinct cerebellar phenotypes of the SV4-6 lines correlate with specific Tag-induced Purkinje cell ablation as opposed to tumorigenesis.

Mutation of the E6-AP ubiquitin ligase reduces nuclear inclusion frequency while accelerating polyglutamine-induced pathology in SCA1 mice.

Mutant ataxin-1, the expanded polyglutamine protein causing spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), aggregates in ubiquitin-positive nuclear inclusions (NI) that alter proteasome distribution in affected SCA1 patient neurons. Here, we observed that ataxin-1 is degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. While ataxin-1 [2Q] and mutant ataxin-1 [92Q] are polyubiquitinated equally well in vitro, the mutant form is three times more resistant to degradation. Inhibiting proteasomal degradation promotes ataxin-1 aggregation in transfected cells. And in mice, Purkinje cells that express mutant ataxin-1 but not a ubiquitin-protein ligase have significantly fewer NIs. Nonetheless, the Purkinje cell pathology is markedly worse than that of SCA1 mice. Taken together, NIs are not necessary to induce neurodegeneration, but impaired proteasomal degradation of mutant ataxin-1 may contribute to SCA1 pathogenesis.

Polyglutamine expansion down-regulates specific neuronal genes before pathologic changes in SCA1.

The expansion of an unstable CAG repeat causes spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) and several other neurodegenerative diseases. How polyglutamine expansions render the resulting proteins toxic to neurons, however, remains elusive. Hypothesizing that long polyglutamine tracts alter gene expression, we found certain neuronal genes involved in signal transduction and calcium homeostasis sequentially downregulated in SCA1 mice. These genes were abundant in Purkinje cells, the primary site of SCA1 pathogenesis; moreover, their downregulation was mediated by expanded ataxin-1 and occurred before detectable pathology. Similar downregulation occurred in SCA1 human tissues. Altered gene expression may be the earliest mediator of polyglutamine toxicity.

Polyglutamine diseases: protein cleavage and aggregation.

Neuronal aggregates of the disease-causing protein, often in the nucleus of affected cells, are a pathological hallmark of the neurodegenerative diseases known as polyglutamine disorders. It was suggested that these nuclear aggregates are the cause of these disorders. However, recent evidence suggests that the aggregates, in fact, are not the pathogenic basis and, instead, may play a role in sequestration of the pathogenic protein.

Maternal/fetal interactions: the role of the MHC class I molecule HLA-G.

The unique pattern of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen expression seen at the human maternal/fetal interface is thought to be vital for fetal well-being. The lack of polymorphic class I and II MHC antigens on trophoblasts, the only fetal tissue in direct contact with the mother, is likely to be at least a part of the explanation of fetal evasion of allograft rejection. The recent observation that the HLA-G-encoded class I MHC molecule is present on certain subpopulations of cytotrophoblasts suggests that this nonpolymorphic molecule may have a role in the maternal/fetal immune response. Although no experimental evidence exists to support a particular function for HLA-G, reasoned speculation about the possible roles of this nonpolymorphic class I molecule is possible. Data derived from sequence analysis, analysis of HLA-G expression patterns, analysis of the extraembryonic expression patterns of other genes, and analysis of decidual lymphocyte phenotype and function provide insight into the possible functions of HLA-G at the maternal/fetal interface and are considered here.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1--modeling the pathogenesis of a polyglutamine neurodegenerative disorder in transgenic mice.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is one of a group of dominantly inherited neurodegenerative diseases caused by a mutant expansion of a polyglutamine-repeated sequence within the affected gene. One of the major cell types affected by the gene (ataxin-1) mutation in SCA1 is the cerebellar Purkinje cell. Targeted expression of mutant ataxin-1 in Purkinje cells of transgenic mice produces an ataxic phenotype with pathological similarities to the human disease. Other transgenic experiments using altered forms of mutant ataxin-1 have shown that nuclear localization of the mutant protein is necessary for pathogenesis and that nuclear aggregates of ubiquitinated mutant protein, while a feature of SCA1 and other polyglutamine diseases, are not a requirement for pathogenesis in transgenic models of SCA1. Present and future generations of transgenic mouse models of SCA1 will be valuable tools to further address mechanisms of pathogenesis in polyglutamine-related disorders.

Mouse models of human CAG repeat disorders.

Expansions of CAG trinucleotide repeats encoding glutamine have been found to be the causative mutations of seven human neurodegenerative diseases. Similarities in the clinical, genetic, and molecular features of these disorders suggest they share a common mechanism of pathogenesis. Recent progress in the generation and characterization of transgenic mice expressing the genes containing expanded repeats associated with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), Machado-Joseph disease (MJD/SCA3), and Huntington's disease (HD) is beginning to provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of these neurodegenerative disorders.

HLA non-A,B,C class I genes: their structure and expression.

Clearly, the human genome includes a group of genes closely related to but distinct from the HLA class I genes encoding the HLA-A, -B, and -C major transplantation antigens. These non-A,B,C class I genes, designated as HLA-E, HLA-F, and HLA-G, are on the short arm of chromosome 6 and part of the HLA class I gene family. Although the human HLA-E, -F, and -G genes have features in common with the murine Qa- and Tla-genes, e.g. little allelic polymorphism, their relationship to the murine Qa- and Tla-region genes remains unclear. It has been suggested that the nonclassical MHC class I molecules function as ligands for gamma-delta T lymphocytes. The speculation is supported by the recent reports of a murine Qa-1 restricted gamma-delta T cell hybridoma and recognition of a TL antigen by gamma delta T cell receptors. The amino acid sequences of the HLA-E, -F, and -G encoded proteins suggest that each protein is likely to fold three-dimensionally into a structure very similar to HLA-A2 and has a capability of presenting a bound peptide at the cell surface. In light of the possible role of bound peptide in the expression of a class I molecule at the cell surface, it is interesting to note that the HLA-E and HLA-F molecules, even in association with beta 2-microglobulin, could not be detected at the cell surface of a transfected B-LCL. In contrast, the HLA-G molecule was found at the surface of transfected B-LCLs. Both HLA-E and HLA-F are less similar in sequence to HLA-A,B,C than is HLA-G. One explanation would be that the HLA-E and -F molecules have a mutation such that they are no longer able to bind peptide. If the HLA-G molecule does function to present peptide to T lymphocytes, there are features unique to HLA-G that should impact on its ability to perform this function. Both the analysis of HLA-G RNA and protein in trophoblasts indicate that HLA-G, unlike HLA-A, -B, -C, is relatively nonpolymorphic. Since HLA-A,B,C polymorphism is thought to increase the number of different peptides that these molecules can bind, HLA-G is likely to be able to bind a relatively limited variety of peptides. HLA-G also differs from HLA-A, -B, and -C in that it seems to only be expressed by placental amniochorionic trophoblasts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia: locus heterogeneity in a Nebraska kindred.

SCA1 is an adult-onset autosomal dominant ataxia that is genetically linked to loci on chromosome 6p. A highly informative GT-repeat marker, D6S89, has been closely linked to the SCA1 locus in five large kindreds. We have used this marker to perform linkage analysis in a smaller autosomal dominant ataxia family consisting of five generations designated as the Nebraska kindred. This kindred includes 33 affected (12 living) and 40 first-generation at-risk individuals. We examined eight affected individuals; all had gait and limb ataxia. We analyzed the D6S89 locus by the polymerase chain reaction. Based on the analysis of 31 individuals from this kindred, we statistically excluded linkage to D6S89 for moderate-to-tight linkage (less than 11% recombination). These data clearly demonstrate genetic heterogeneity among the autosomal dominant ataxias. In addition, we obtained linkage data for HLA-A and SCA1 in this kindred. Comparison of HLA-A with D6S89 shows the latter marker to be more powerful. Use of D6S89 and other highly polymorphic markers in this region will greatly facilitate genetic classification of ataxias and make presymptomatic diagnosis of SCA1 feasible.