Novel SERPINA1 Alleles Identified through a Large Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Screening Program and Review of Known Variants.

The SERPINA1 gene encodes the serine protease inhibitor alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) and is located on chromosome 14q31-32.3 in a cluster of homologous genes likely formed by exon duplication. AAT has a variety of anti-inflammatory properties. Its clinical relevance is best illustrated by the genetic disease alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) which is associated with an increased risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cirrhosis. While 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) , S and Z, are responsible for more than 95% of all individuals with AATD, there are a number of rare variants associated with deficiency and dysfunction, as well as those associated with normal levels and function. Our laboratory has identified a number of novel AAT alleles that we report in this manuscript. We screened more than 500,000 individuals for AATD alleles through our testing program over the past 20 years. The characterization of these alleles was accomplished by DNA sequencing, measurement of AAT plasma levels and isoelectric focusing at pH 4-5. We report 22 novel AAT alleles discovered through our screening programs, such as Zlittle rock and QOchillicothe, and review the current literature of known AAT genetic variants.

The Mechanism of Mitochondrial Injury in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Mediated Liver Disease.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is caused by a single mutation in the SERPINA1 gene, which culminates in the accumulation of misfolded alpha-1 antitrypsin (ZAAT) within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of hepatocytes. AATD is associated with liver disease resulting from hepatocyte injury due to ZAAT-mediated toxic gain-of-function and ER stress. There is evidence of mitochondrial damage in AATD-mediated liver disease; however, the mechanism by which hepatocyte retention of aggregated ZAAT leads to mitochondrial injury is unknown. Previous studies have shown that ER stress is associated with both high concentrations of fatty acids and mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocytes. Using a human AAT transgenic mouse model and hepatocyte cell lines, we show abnormal mitochondrial morphology and function, and dysregulated lipid metabolism, which are associated with hepatic expression and accumulation of ZAAT. We also describe a novel mechanism of ZAAT-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction. We provide evidence that misfolded ZAAT translocates to the mitochondria for degradation. Furthermore, inhibition of ZAAT expression restores the mitochondrial function in ZAAT-expressing hepatocytes. Altogether, our results show that ZAAT aggregation in hepatocytes leads to mitochondrial dysfunction. Our findings suggest a plausible model for AATD liver injury and the possibility of mechanism-based therapeutic interventions for AATD liver disease.

Functional characterization of the murine Tnk1 promoter.

Tnk1/Kos1 is a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase found to be a tumor suppressor. It negatively regulates cell growth by indirectly suppressing Ras activity. We identified and characterized the critical cis-elements required for Tnk1/Kos1's promoter activity. Results indicate that the murine Tnk1 promoter lacks a conventional TATA, CAAT or initiator element (Inr) but contains multiple transcription start sites. Transcription is initiated by a TATA-like element composed of an AT rich sequence at -30 (30 bp upstream) from the major transcription start site and an Inr-like element that overlaps the multiple start sites. Deletion analysis of the m-Tnk1 promoter reveals the presence of both positive (-25 to -151) and negative (-151 to -1201) regulatory regions. The three GC boxes which bind Sp1 and Sp3 with high affinity, an AP2 site (that overlaps with an AML1 site) and a MED1 site comprise the necessary cis-elements of the proximal promoter required for both constitutive and inducible Tnk1/Kos1 expression. Importantly, results reveal that cellular stress reverses the repression of Tnk1/Kos1 and induces its expression through increased high affinity interactions between nuclear proteins Sp1, Sp3, AP2 and MED1 for the m-Tnk1 promoter. These findings provide a mechanism by which the m-Tnk1 promoter can be dynamically regulated during normal growth.