A DEL phenotype attributed to RHD Exon 9 sequence deletion: slipped-strand mispairing and blood group polymorphisms.

BACKGROUND: The RhD blood group antigen is extremely polymorphic and the DEL phenotype represents one such class of polymorphisms. The DEL phenotype prevalent in East Asian populations arises from a synonymous substitution defined as RHD*1227A. However, initially, based on genomic and cDNA studies, the genetic basis for a DEL phenotype in Taiwan was attributed to a deletion of RHD Exon 9 that was never verified at the genomic level by any other independent group. Here we investigate the genetic basis for a Caucasian donor with a DEL partial D phenotype and compare the genomic findings to those initial molecular studies. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The 3'-region of the RHD gene was amplified by long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for massively parallel sequencing. Primers were designed to encompass a deletion, flanking Exon 9, by standard PCR for Sanger sequencing. Targeted sequencing of exons and flanking introns was also performed. RESULTS: Genomic DNA exhibited a 1012-bp deletion spanning from Intron 8, across Exon 9 into Intron 9. The deletion breakpoints occurred between two 25-bp repeat motifs flanking Exon 9 such that one repeat sequence remained. CONCLUSION: Deletion mutations bordered by repeat sequences are a hallmark of slipped-strand mispairing (SSM) event. We propose this genetic mechanism generated the germline deletion in the Caucasian donor. Extensive studies show that the RHD*1227A is the most prevalent DEL allele in East Asian populations and may have confounded the initial molecular studies. Review of the literature revealed that the SSM model explains some of the extreme polymorphisms observed in the clinically significant RhD blood group antigen.

Redox state influence on human galectin-1 function.

Intracellular and extracellular functions of human galectin-1 are influenced by its redox surroundings due to the presence of six cysteines within its amino acid sequence. Galectin-1 recognises intracellular-membrane-anchored Ras proteins that act as molecular switches regulating multiple signal transduction pathways. Human tumours frequently express Ras proteins that have become continuously activated due to point mutations, and this typically leads to deregulation of tumour cell growth, angiogenesis and invasion of metastatic cancer cells. Of significance is that galectin-1 preferably recognises H-Ras, one of the human Ras isoforms, and in particular galectin-1 recognition of the H-Ras farnesyl moiety is paramount to H-Ras membrane anchorage, a prerequisite step for H-Ras-mediated signal transduction regulating normal cell growth and malignant transformation. Herein the impact of the redox state on galectin-1's ability to interact with farnesyl analogues is explored. We demonstrate for the first time that reduced galectin-1 directly binds farnesyl and does so in a carbohydrate-independent manner. A K28T mutation abolishes farnesyl recognition by reduced dimeric galectin-1 whilst its carbohydrate-binding activity is retained, thus demonstrating the presence of an independent region on galectin-1 pertaining to growth inhibitory activity. Intriguingly, oxidised galectin-1 also recognises farnesyl, the biological implication of this novel finding is yet to be elucidated. Further, the redox effect on galectin-1 extracellular function was investigated and we discover that oxidised galectin-1 demonstrates a protective effect upon acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells challenged by oxidative stress.

The RHD(1227G>A) DEL-associated allele is the most prevalent DEL allele in Australian D- blood donors with C+ and/or E+ phenotypes.

BACKGROUND: Red blood cells (RBCs) with D antigen levels only detected by anti-D adsorption-elution and an antiglobulin test express a DEL phenotype. For two DEL types, including RHD(1227G>A), immunization of D- recipients has been reported. This study's aim was to measure the prevalence of DEL-associated RHD alleles in a cohort of Australian D- donors to develop a model to estimate alloimmunization risk. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: D-, C+ and/or E+ blood donors were screened for RHD exons using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Donors with RHD signals were DEL phenotyped with MCAD6 anti-D. RHD alleles were characterized via single-nucleotide polymorphism array or sequencing. Extended DEL phenotyping was performed with an anti-D panel. RESULTS: Among 2027 donors, 39 carried RHD alleles that have been previously reported to associate with either the DEL or the weak D phenotype. An additional five donors carried previously unreported RHD alleles and exhibited the DEL phenotype: RHD(IVS2-2delA), RHD(IVS1+5G>C), RHD(ex9:del/CE), and RHD(ex8:del/CE) represented twice. In total, DEL/weak D-associated RHD alleles were detected in 44 of 2027 donors or 2.17% (95% confidence interval, 1.54%-2.81%). The RHD(1227G>A) DEL allele was the most frequent (n = 16). The risk of transfusing D- females not more than 40 years of age with an RHD(1227G>A) DEL RBC unit (when managed as D-) is estimated to be one in 149,109 transfusions (range, 100,680-294,490). CONCLUSION: DEL/weak D-associated RHD alleles were found in 2.17% of Australian D-, C+ and/or E+ blood donors. This differs from previous European reports in that the clinically significant RHD(1227G>A) DEL allele is the most prevalent.

Thiodigalactoside inhibits murine cancers by concurrently blocking effects of galectin-1 on immune dysregulation, angiogenesis and protection against oxidative stress.

Cancer cells produce galectin-1 as a tumor promoting protein. Thiodigalactoside (TDG) as a non-metabolised small drug, is shown to suppress tumor growth by inhibiting multiple cancer enhancing activities of galectin-1, including immune cell dysregulation, angiogenesis and protection against oxidative stress. Thus, using B16F10 melanoma and 4T1 orthotopic breast cancer models, intratumoral injection of TDG significantly raised the levels of tumor-infiltrating CD8(+) lymphocytes and reduced CD31(+) endothelial cell content, reducing tumor growth. TDG treatment of tumors in Balb/c nude mice (defective in T cell immunity) reduced angiogenesis and slowed tumor growth by a third less than in immunocompetent mice. Knocking down galectin-1 expression (G1KD) in both cancer cell types significantly impeded tumor growth and the sensitivity of the G1KD tumors to TDG was severely reduced, highlighting a specific role for galectin-1. Endothelial cells were protected by galectin-1 from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis induced by H(2)O(2), but TDG inhibited this antioxidant protective effect of galectin-1 and reduced tube forming activity in angiogenic assays. We show for the first time that the single agent, TDG, concurrently prevents many tumor promoting effects of galectin-1 on angiogenesis, immune dysregulation and protection against oxidative stress, providing a potent and novel small molecule as an anti-cancer drug.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of zebrafish prototype galectin Drgal1-L2.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are an important developmental and embryological model given the optical clarity of the embryos and larvae, which permits real-time viewing of developing pathologies. More recently, a broader scope for these vertebrates to model a range of human diseases, including some cancers, has been indicated. Zebrafish Drgal1-L2 has been identified as an orthologue of mammalian galectin-1, which is is a carbohydrate-binding protein that exhibits ß-galactoside-binding specificity and which is overexpressed by many aggressive human cancers. This study describes the cloning, expression in Escherichia coli, purification and crystallization of recombinant Drgal1-L2 protein in the presence of lactose (ligand). X-ray diffraction data from these novel crystals of zebrafish Drgal1-L2 were collected to a resolution of 1.5 Šusing a synchrotron-radiation source, enabling their characterization.

Galectin inhibitory disaccharides promote tumour immunity in a breast cancer model.

High level galectin-1 expression results in cancer cell evasion of the immune response, increased tumour survival and aggressive metastases. Using a galectin-1 polyclonal antibody, high levels of galectin-1 protein were shown to be expressed by breast cancer cells established from FVB/N MMTV-c-neu mice as well as by the B16F10 melanoma cell line. In mixed lymphocyte cultures using tumour cells as antigenic stimulators, addition of recombinant galectin-1 dose-dependently inhibited lymphocyte production. Disaccharides were identified that inhibited galectin-1 function and increased growth and activation of CD8(+) CTL's killing cancer cells. X-ray crystallographic structures of human galectin-1 in complex with inhibitory disaccharides revealed their mode of binding. Combining galectin-blocking carbohydrates as adjuvants with vaccine immunotherapy in vivo to promote immune responses significantly decreased tumour progression and improved the outcomes for tumour challenged mice. This is the first report showing that suitably selected galectin-1 blocking disaccharides will act as adjuvants promoting vaccine stimulated immune responses against tumours in vivo.

Characterisation of oxidized recombinant human galectin-1.

Oxidized human galectin-1 plays a role in the immune response to injured axons. Over-expression of galectin-1 by cancer, in combination with cancer associated oxidative stress suggests oxidized human galectin-1 may also play a role(s) in tumourigenesis. Here we generate milligram quantities of oxidized human galectin-1 and undertake biophysical characterization. The protein adopts a number of different states. Two separable oxidized forms are identified that exist as largely mono-disperse solutions at higher milligram/ml concentrations. The presence of disulphide bonds is confirmed for these two protein forms, as is their change in overall shape and loss of lectin activity. Our studies lead to production of a particular mono-disperse oxidized human galectin-1 species that is anticipated most optimal for investigations requiring milligram/ml concentrations such as X-ray crystallography.

Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of recombinant human galectin-1.

Galectin-1 is considered to be a regulator protein as it is ubiquitously expressed throughout the adult body and is responsible for a broad range of cellular regulatory functions. Interest in galectin-1 from a drug-design perspective is founded on evidence of its overexpression by many cancers and its immunomodulatory properties. The development of galectin-1-specific inhibitors is a rational approach to the fight against cancer because although galectin-1 induces a plethora of effects, null mice appear normal. X-ray crystallographic structure determination will aid the structure-based design of galectin-1 inhibitors. Here, the crystallization and preliminary diffraction analysis of human galectin-1 crystals generated under six different conditions is reported. X-ray diffraction data enabled the assignment of unit-cell parameters for crystals grown under two conditions, one belongs to a tetragonal crystal system and the other was determined as monoclinic P2(1), representing two new crystal forms of human galectin-1.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the sialic acid-binding domain (VP8*) of porcine rotavirus strain CRW-8.

Rotavirus recognition and attachment to host cells involves interaction with the spike protein VP4 that projects outwards from the surface of the virus particle. An integral component of these spikes is the VP8* domain, which is implicated in the direct recognition and binding of sialic acid-containing cell-surface carbohydrates and facilitates subsequent invasion by the virus. The expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of VP8* from porcine CRW-8 rotavirus is reported. Diffraction data have been collected to 2.3 A resolution, enabling the determination of the VP8* structure by molecular replacement.

Cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the VP8* carbohydrate-binding protein of the human rotavirus strain Wa.

Rotaviruses exhibit host-specificity and the first crystallographic information on a rotavirus strain that infects humans is reported here. Recognition and attachment to host cells, leading to invasion and infection, is critically linked to the function of the outer capsid spike protein of the rotavirus particle. In some strains the VP8* component of the spike protein is implicated in recognition and binding of sialic-acid-containing cell-surface carbohydrates, thereby enabling infection by the virus. The cloning, expression, purification, crystallization and initial X-ray diffraction analysis of the VP8* core from human Wa rotavirus is reported. Two crystal forms (trigonal P3(2)21 and monoclinic P2(1)) have been obtained and X-ray diffraction data have been collected, enabling determination of the VP8*(64-223) structure by molecular replacement.