Detailed functional analysis of two clinical glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) variants, G6PDViangchan and G6PDViangchan+Mahidol: Decreased stability and catalytic efficiency contribute to the clinical phenotype.

Deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is an X-linked hereditary genetic defect that is the most common polymorphism and enzymopathy in humans. To investigate functional properties of two clinical variants, G6PDViangchan and G6PDViangchan+Mahidol, these two mutants were created by overlap-extension PCR, expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. We describe an overexpression and purification method to obtain substantial amounts of functionally active protein. The KM for G6P of the two variants was comparable to the KM of the native enzyme, whereas the KM for NADP(+) was increased 5-fold for G6PDViangchan and 8-fold for G6PDViangchan+Mahidol when compared with the native enzyme. Additionally, kcat of the mutant enzymes was markedly reduced, resulting in a 10- and 18-fold reduction in catalytic efficiency for NADP(+) catalysis for G6PDViangchan and G6PDViangchan+Mahidol, respectively. Furthermore, the two variants demonstrated significant reduction in thermostability, but similar susceptibility to trypsin digestion, when compared with the wild-type enzyme. The presence of NADP(+) is shown to improve the stability of G6PD enzymes. This is the first report indicating that protein instability and reduced catalytic efficiency are responsible for the reduced catalytic activity of G6PDViangchan and G6PDViangchan+Mahidol and, as a consequence, contribute to the clinical phenotypes of these two clinical variants.

Rotavirus infection in children and adults with acute gastroenteritis in Thailand.

and young children, but rotavirus gastroenteritis in adults is uncommon. In this study, 260 stool samples collected in Thailand from January 2006 to February 2007 from patients, of all ages with acute gastroenteritis, were tested for group A rotavirus and compared with rotavirus infections in children and adults. Rota- virus was detected in 42% of the patients' samples, but children (< 18 years old) have a significantly higher prevalence (57%) of rotavirus infection than adults (≥ 18 years old) (27%) (OR 3.55; 95% CI: 2.11-5.96; p < 0.001). The highest attack rate was found in the age group of < 2 years old (14%), followed by 2-4 years of age (9%), 18-59 years of age (8%), 5-17 years of age (6%) and ≥ 60 years of age (5%). The dominant genotype was G1P[8] (27%), followed by G2P[4] (7%), G3P[8] (1%), and G9P[8] (1%). The rare genotypes identified were G1P[4], G1P[6], G2P[6], G2P[8], and G3P[6]. Mixed infections mostly occurred in children, comprising G1P[4]/P[8], G1P[4]/P[6], G1P[6]/P[8], G1/G2P[4], G1/G3P[4], and G1/G3P[4]/P[8]. Rotaviruses G3, G9, and P[4] were found only in children and genotype P[6] was found in adults (75%) at a higher frequency than in children (25%) (p < 0.001). The number of rotavirus in children was 1.99x10(8)/ml and in adult patients was 7.32x10(6)/ ml. The present study highlights the higher prevalence of rotavirus infection in children compared to adults and rotavirus genetic heterogeneity. Rotaviruses are the most important cause of severe diarrhea in infants

The integrity and stability of specimens under different storage conditions for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency screening using WST-8.

Accurate measurement of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity is critical for malaria treatment as misclassification of G6PD deficiency could cause serious harm to patients. G6PD activity should be assessed in blood samples on the day of collection. Otherwise, specimens should be stored under suitable conditions to prevent loss of G6PD activity. Here, we assessed stability and integrity of G6PD testing in samples from normal controls, heterozygous females, and G6PD deficient individuals using water-soluble tetrazolium salts (WST-8) assay. Specimens were stored as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) whole blood and dried blood spots (DBS) at various temperatures (37 °C, room temperature, 4 °C and -20 °C) and under different humidity conditions (with and without desiccant). G6PD normal samples were stable for up to 1 year when stored at -20 °C under controlled conditions, with 85% and 91% G6PD activity in EDTA whole blood and DBS in the presence of desiccant, respectively. Specimens from heterozygous females showed greater G6PD activity when stored as DBS, with 85% enzyme activity after 1 year of storage at -20 °C under controlled conditions in the presence of desiccant. G6PD deficient samples rapidly lost enzyme activity in all storage conditions tested. However, the reduction in G6PD enzyme activity in G6PD deficient samples did not interfere with G6PD classification. Samples stored under suitable conditions for G6PD testing will allow accurate measurement of enzyme activity, prevent misclassification of G6PD deficiency and enable safe and effective use of antimalarial drugs such as primaquine and tafenoquine.

Controlled reversible assembly of gold nanoparticles as a new colorimetric and sensitive detection of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Recently, several studies have examined possible applications of nanoparticles for the development of electronic and optical sensors. The plasmon absorbance of gold nanoparticles has been used extensively to study biomolecular processes, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent enzymatic reactions. In this report, we describe the development of gold nanoparticles as a new colorimetric and sensitive detection method of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency by means of controlled reversible assembly of gold nanoparticles. 3-nm polyvinylpyrrolidone/N,N'-dimethylaminopyridine-stabilized gold nanoparticles were synthesized, characterized and applied for an in vitro activity assay of 11 recombinant human glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase variants. Differences in the activity of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase variants from different deficiency classes were readily detected using the synthesized gold nanoparticles. The developed method can be easily distinguished with color change by naked eye for the detection of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Moreover, we are the first to propose the segregation mechanism of polyvinylpyrrolidone/N,N'-dimethylaminopyridine-stabilized gold nanoparticles by reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. The method enables visual detection of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, which could be further developed for diagnostic testing of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

A trade off between catalytic activity and protein stability determines the clinical manifestations of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common polymorphism and enzymopathy in humans, affecting approximately 400 million people worldwide. It is responsible for various clinical manifestations, including favism, hemolytic anemia, chronic non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia, spontaneous abortion, and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the severity of G6PD deficiency is of great importance but that of many G6PD variants are still unknown. In this study, we report the construction, expression, purification, and biochemical characterization in terms of kinetic properties and stability of five clinical G6PD variants-G6PD Bangkok, G6PD Bangkok noi, G6PD Songklanagarind, G6PD Canton+Bangkok noi, and G6PD Union+Viangchan. G6PD Bangkok and G6PD Canton+Bangkok noi showed a complete loss of catalytic activity and moderate reduction in thermal stability when compared with the native G6PD. G6PD Bangkok noi and G6PD Union+Viangchan showed a significant reduction in catalytic efficiency, whereas G6PD Songklanagarind showed a catalytic activity comparable to the wild-type enzyme. The Union+Viangchan mutation showed a remarkable effect on the global stability of the enzyme. In addition, our results indicate that the location of mutations in G6PD variants affects their catalytic activity, stability, and structure. Hence, our results provide a molecular explanation for clinical manifestations observed in individuals with G6PD deficiency.