Contribution of genetic factors to the pathogenesis of Paget's disease of bone and related disorders.

Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is a common condition with a strong genetic component that is characterized by focal increases in bone turnover, leading to bone deformity, pathological fractures, and various other complications. Several rare disorders have also been described that show phenotypic overlap with PDB. Genome-wide searches have identified several susceptibility loci for PDB and PDB-like disorders, and mutations that cause these disorders have now been identified in four genes, all of which are involved in the RANK-NF-kappaB signaling pathway. Mutations in SQSTM1, which encodes an important scaffold protein in this pathway, have been found to be a common cause of classical PDB. Thus far, all disease-causing mutations in SQSTM1 affect the ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain of the gene product and cause loss of ubiquitin binding. The rare PDB-like disorders of familial expansile osteolysis, early-onset familial PDB, and expansile skeletal hyperphosphatasia are caused by duplication mutations in exon 1 of the TNFRSF11A gene, which encodes the RANK receptor. This gene does not seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of classical PDB. Inactivating mutations in the TNFRSF11B gene, which encodes osteoprotegerin, cause juvenile PDB, and TNFRSF11B polymorphisms seem to increase the risk of classical PDB. The rare syndrome of hereditary inclusion body myopathy, PDB, and frontotemporal dementia (IBMPFD) is caused by mutations in the VCP gene, which is involved in regulating I-kappaB degradation by the proteasome. The disease-causing mutations in VCP cluster in and around a domain involved in ubiquitin binding. Whereas SQSTM1 has emerged as an important gene for classical PDB, most kindreds with familial PDB do not carry SQSTM1 mutations, indicating that additional genes for PDB remain to be discovered. In light of the molecular defects that have been identified thus far, it seems likely that these genes will also be involved in the RANK-NF-kappaB signaling pathway or its interactions with the ubiquitin-proteasome system.

Evaluation of the role of Valosin-containing protein in the pathogenesis of familial and sporadic Paget's disease of bone.

Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is a common metabolic bone disease of late onset with a strong genetic component. Rarely, PDB can occur as part of a syndrome in which the disease is accompanied by inclusion body myopathy and frontotemporal dementia (inclusion body myopathy, Paget's disease and frontotemporal dementia, IBMPFD). Recently, IBMPFD has been shown to be caused by mutations in Valosin-containing Protein (VCP), which is required for the proteasomal degradation of phosphorylated IkappaB-alpha, a necessary step in the activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Here, we evaluated the role of VCP in the pathogenesis of typical PDB. We conducted mutation screening of VCP in 44 kindreds with familial Paget's disease recruited mainly through clinic referrals in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. We also performed an association study of VCP haplotypes in patients with PDB who did not have a family history of the disease (sporadic PDB). No mutations were found in VCP in three PDB families where there was evidence of allele sharing between affected subjects in the VCP critical region on chromosome 9p13. We failed to detect disease-associated mutations in any of the three exons previously reported to contain IBMPFD mutations in a further 41 PDB families. We found no evidence of allelic association between common VCP haplotypes in a case-control study of 179 sporadic PDB patients and 172 age- and sex-matched controls. Genetic variation in VCP does not appear to be a common cause of familial or sporadic PDB in the absence of myopathy and dementia.

Ubiquitin-associated domain mutations of SQSTM1 in Paget's disease of bone: evidence for a founder effect in patients of British descent.

UNLABELLED: Mutations in the UBA domain of SQSTM1 are a common cause of Paget's disease of bone. Here we show that the most common disease-causing mutation (P392L) is carried on a shared haplotype, consistent with a founder effect and a common ancestral origin. INTRODUCTION: Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is a common condition with a strong genetic component. Mutations affecting the ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain of sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) have recently been shown to be an important cause of PDB. The most common mutation results in a proline to leucine amino acid change at codon 392 (P392L), and evidence has been presented to suggest that there may be a recurrent mutation rather than a founder mutation on an ancestral chromosome. Because marked geographical differences exist in the prevalence of PDB, we have investigated the frequency of SQSTM1 mutations in different populations and looked for a founder effect on chromosomes bearing SQSTM1 UBA domain mutations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted mutation screening of SQSTM1 and performed haplotype analysis using the PHASE software program in 83 kindreds with familial PDB, recruited mainly through clinic referrals in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Similar studies were conducted in 311 individuals with PDB who did not have a family history and 375 age- and sex-matched controls from the United Kingdom. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with familial PDB who had SQSTM1 UBA domain mutations varied somewhat between referral centers from 7.1% (Sydney, Australia) to 50% (Perth, Australia), but the difference between centers was not statistically significant. Haplotype analysis in 311 British patients with PDB who did not have a family history and 375 age- and sex-matched British controls showed that two common haplotypes accounted for about 90% of alleles at the SQSTM1 locus, as defined by common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exon 6 (C916T, G976A) and the 3'UTR (C2503T, T2687G). These were H1 (916T-976A-2503C-2687T) and H2 (916C-976G-2503T-2687G). There was no significant difference in haplotype distribution in PDB cases and controls, but the P392L mutation was found on the H2 haplotype in 25/27 cases (93%), which is significantly more often than expected given the allele frequencies in the normal population (odds ratio, 13.2; 95% CI, 3.1-56.4; p < 0.0001). Similar findings were observed in familial PDB, where 12/13 (92%) of P392L mutations were carried on H2 (odds ratio 17.2; 95% CI, 2.2-138; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results provide strong evidence for a founder effect of the SQSTM1 P392L mutation in PDB patients of British descent, irrespective of family history. Our results imply that these individuals share a common ancestor and that the true rate of de novo mutations may be lower than previously suspected.

Novel UBA domain mutations of SQSTM1 in Paget's disease of bone: genotype phenotype correlation, functional analysis, and structural consequences.

UNLABELLED: Three novel missense mutations of SQSTM1 were identified in familial PDB, all affecting the UBA domain. Functional and structural analysis showed that disease severity was related to the type of mutation but was unrelated to the polyubiquitin-binding properties of the mutant UBA domain peptides. INTRODUCTION: Mutations affecting the ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain of Sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) gene have recently been identified as a common cause of familial Paget's disease of bone (PDB), but the mechanisms responsible are unclear. We identified three novel SQSTM1 mutations in PDB, conducted functional and structural analyses of all PDB-causing mutations, and studied the relationship between genotype and phenotype. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mutation screening of the SQSTM1 gene was conducted in 70 kindreds with familial PDB. We characterized the effect of the mutations on structure of the UBA domain by protein NMR, studied the effects of the mutant UBA domains on ubiquitin binding, and looked at genotype-phenotype correlations. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Three novel missense mutations affecting the SQSTM1 UBA domain were identified, including a missense mutation at codon 411 (G411S), a missense mutation at codon 404 (M404V), and a missense mutation at codon 425 (G425R). We also identified a deletion leading to a premature stop codon at 394 (L394X). None of the mutations were found in controls. Structural analysis showed that M404V and G425R involved residues on the hydrophobic surface patch implicated in ubiquitin binding, and consistent with this, the G425R and M404V mutants abolished the ability of mutant UBA domains to bind polyubiquitin chains. In contrast, the G411S and P392L mutants bound polyubiquitin chains normally. Genotype-phenotype analysis showed that patients with truncating mutations had more extensive PDB than those with missense mutations (bones involved = 6.05 +/- 2.71 versus 3.45 +/- 2.46; p < 0.0001). This work confirms the importance of UBA domain mutations of SQSTM1 as a cause of PDB but shows that there is no correlation between the ubiquitin-binding properties of the different mutant UBA domains and disease occurrence or extent. This indicates that the mechanism of action most probably involves an interaction between SQSTM1 and a hitherto unidentified protein that modulates bone turnover.

The use of sample rotation for minimizing convection effects in self-diffusion NMR measurements.

Undesirable temperature gradients in a NMR sample tube are usually generated by an inappropriate temperature regulation system. We have shown that such convection effects can greatly distort the measurement of translational self-diffusion coefficients. The use of sample spinning helps to minimize such undesirable effects by disruption of convection fluxes due to resulting Coriolis forces that have a strongly stabilizing effect on the conducting state of the system (J. Lounila et al., J. Magn. Reson. A 118, 50 (1996)). This simple trick allows the accurate measurement of diffusion coefficients for a wide range of temperatures and solvents without the need for a convection-compensated NMR pulse sequences or more sophisticated temperature control units. Experimental data obtained for some target compounds dissolved in several common deuterated solvents at different temperatures are reported and discussed.

Bioactive sesquiterpenes from Santolina rosmarinifolia subsp. Canescens. A conformational analysis of the germacrane ring.

The hexane extract of aerial parts of Santolina rosmarinifolia subsp. canescens afforded eight new sesquiterpenes in addition to known compounds. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods and chemical transformations. The conformational analysis of the germacrane constituents was carried out by spectroscopic methods, including NMR at varying temperature and by molecular mechanics calculations. The antifeedant, antibacterial and antitumoral activity of selected compounds has been tested.

Isolation and structure elucidation of a highly haemolytic saponin from the Merck saponin extract using high-field gradient-enhanced NMR techniques.

Saponins SAPO50 and SAPO30, of which SAPO50 is highly haemolytic, have been isolated from the commercial Merck Saponin. Their structures have been determined exclusively by high-field gradient-enhanced NMR methods. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of these saponins in pyridine-deuterium oxide have been assigned by homonuclear and heteronuclear correlation experiments. Anomeric configurations were obtained by combined use of 1JCH, 3JH-1.H-2, and 1D-NOESY data. Sugar residues were identified by use of 3JHH values obtained from their subspectra recorded using an optimized 1D-zeta-TOCSY sequence. Linkage assignments were made using the ge-HMBC and 1D-NOESY spectra. This study shows that SAPO50 represents a hitherto undescribed saponin with the following structure: 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl- (1-->2)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-(6-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1-->4)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1--> 3)- beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D- fucopyranoside. SAPO30, however, corresponds to a saponin previously described [D. Frechet, B. Christ, B. Monegier du Sorbier, H. Fischer, and M. Vuilhorgne, Phytochemistry, 30 (1991) 927-931].

Preparation and properties of the full series of cuboidal clusters [Mo(x)W4-xSe4(H2O)12]n+ (n = 4-6) and their derivatives.

Hydrothermal reactions between incomplete cuboidal cluster aqua complexes [M3Q4(H2O)9]4+ and M(CO)6 (M = Mo, W; Q = S, Se) offer easy access to the corresponding cuboidal clusters M4Q4. The complete series of homometal and mixed Mo/W clusters [Mo(x)W4-xQ4(H2O)12]n+ (x = 0-4, n = 4-6) has been prepared. Upon oxidation of the mixed-metal clusters, it is the W atom which is lost, allowing selective preparation of new trinuclear clusters [Mo2WSe4(H2O)9]4+ and [MoW2Se4(H2O)9]4+. The aqua complexes were converted by ligand exchange reactions into dithiophosphato and thiocyanato complexes, and crystal structures of [W4S4((EtO)2PS2)6], [MoW3S4((EtO)2PS2)6], [Mo4Se4((EtO)2PS2)6], [W4Se4((i-PrO)2PS2)6], and (NH4)6[W4Se4(NCS)12]-4H20 were determined. Cyclic voltammetry was performed on [Mo(x)W4-xCO4(H2O)12]n+, showing reversible redox waves 6+/5+ and 5+/4+. The lower oxidation states are more difficult to access as the number of W atoms increases. The [Mo2WSe4(H2O)9]4+ and [MoW2Se4(H2O)9]4+ species were derivatized into [Mo2WSe4(acac)3(py)3]+ and [MoW2Se4(acac)3(py)3]+, which were also studied by CV. When appropriate, the products were also characterized by FAB-MS and NMR (31P, 1H) data.

Complexation of okadaic acid: a preliminary study.

A complexation study was carried out with okadaic acid (OA) and the univalent metal ions Li+, Na+ and K+, and the divalent metal ions Ca2+ and Mg2+. K+ binding was observed identical with a complex obtained from the natural source (OAC). The pharmacological trials demonstrated that this cation has a very important influence on the pharmacological activity of okadaic acid.

Domain-specific mutations in sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) cause familial and sporadic Paget's disease.

Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is a common disorder characterized by focal abnormalities of increased and disorganized bone turnover. Genetic factors are important in the pathogenesis of PDB, and in previous studies, we and others identified a locus for familial PDB by genome-wide search on 5q35-qter (PDB3). The gene encoding sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/p62) maps to within the PDB3 critical region, and recent studies have identified a proline-leucine amino acid change at codon 392 of SQSTM1 (P392L) in French-Canadian patients with PDB. We conducted mutation screening of positional candidate genes in the PDB3 locus in patients with PDB, and also identified mutations in the gene encoding SQSTM1 as a common cause of familial and sporadic PDB. Three different mutations were found, all affecting the highly conserved ubiquitin-binding domain. The most common mutation was the P392L change in exon 8, which was found in 13 of 68 families (19.1%). Another mutation-a T insertion that introduces a stop codon at position 396 in exon 8-was found in four (5.8%) families. A third mutation affecting the splice donor site in intron 7 was found in one (1.5%) family. The P392L mutation was also found in 15 of 168 (8.9%) of patients with sporadic PDB and 0 of 160 of age- and sex-matched controls (P<0.0001). These studies confirm that mutations affecting the ubiquitin-binding domain of SQSTM1 are a common cause of familial and sporadic Paget's disease of bone.