Mutation analysis and embryonic expression of the HLXB9 Currarino syndrome gene.

The HLXB9 homeobox gene was recently identified as a locus for autosomal dominant Currarino syndrome, also known as hereditary sacral agenesis (HSA). This gene specifies a 403-amino acid protein containing a homeodomain preceded by a very highly conserved 82-amino acid domain of unknown function; the remainder of the protein is not well conserved. Here we report an extensive mutation survey that has identified mutations in the HLXB9 gene in 20 of 21 patients tested with familial Currarino syndrome. Mutations were also detected in two of seven sporadic Currarino syndrome patients; the remainder could be explained by undetected mosaicism for an HLXB9 mutation or by genetic heterogeneity in the sporadic patients. Of the mutations identified in the 22 index patients, 19 were intragenic and included 11 mutations that could lead to the introduction of a premature termination codon. The other eight mutations were missense mutations that were significantly clustered in the homeodomain, resulting, in each patient, in nonconservative substitution of a highly conserved amino acid. All of the intragenic mutations were associated with comparable phenotypes. The only genotype-phenotype correlation appeared to be the occurrence of developmental delay in the case of three patients with microdeletions. HLXB9 expression was analyzed during early human development in a period spanning Carnegie stages 12-21. Signal was detected in the basal plate of the spinal cord and hindbrain and in the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and pancreas. Significant spatial and temporal expression differences were evident when compared with expression of the mouse Hlxb9 gene, which may partly explain the significant human-mouse differences in mutant phenotype.

Induction of Galphaq-specific antisense RNA in vivo causes increased body mass and hyperadiposity.

Transgenic BDF-1 mice harboring an inducible, tissue-specific transgene for RNA antisense to Galphaq provide a model in which to study a loss-of-function mutant of Galphaq in vivo. Galphaq deficiency induced in liver and white adipose tissue at birth produced increased body mass and hyperadiposity within 5 weeks of birth that persisted throughout adult life. Galphaq-deficient adipocytes display reduced lipolytic responses, shown to reflect a newly discovered, alpha1-adrenergic regulation of lipolysis. This alpha1-adrenergic response via phosphoinositide hydrolysis and activation of protein kinase C is lacking in the Galphaq loss-of-function mutants in vivo and provides a basis for the increased fat accumulation.

Signal transduction via G-protein-linked receptors: physiological regulation from the plasma membrane to the genome.

Many neurotransmitters, hormones, and drugs express their actions through binding to cell-surface receptors that are coupled to membrane-localized effectors via GTP-binding regulatory proteins (G-proteins). Muscarinic acetylcholine, alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors are members of this populous class of G-protein-linked receptors. Adenylyl cyclase, phospholipase C, and ion channel activities are examples of effectors regulated via these receptors. Signal transduction via G-protein-linked receptors can be regulated at the level of the receptor, G-protein(s), and effector(s). Activation of G-protein-mediated pathway propagates the signal and leads to desensitization (short-term adaptation) and then down-regulation (long-term adaptation). How transmembrane signaling is linked to expression at the level of the gene (transcriptional control), at the level of mRNA (post-transcriptional control) and at the level of the protein (post-translational modification) remains a central question of neurobiology. Investigations at each of these potential loci for regulation have begun to reveal the molecular basis for down-regulation by agonist, up-regulation by permissive hormones (like adrenal steroids), and cross-regulation among G-protein-mediated pathways. The general topic will be discussed drawing upon recent studies of the regulation of the adrenergic receptor family (alpha- and beta-). These recent advances provide a focus for a broader understanding of the integration of information between the genome and transmembrane signaling.

Retinoic acid modulation of transmembrane signaling. Analysis in F9 teratocarcinoma cells.

F9 embryonal mouse teratocarcinoma cells were differentiated to a primitive endoderm-like phenotype by retinoic acid and to a parietal endoderm-like phenotype by retinoic acid in combination with dibutyryl cyclic AMP. The secretion of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a characteristic of the cells displaying the differentiated phenotypes. The fundamental question of whether tPA secretion is regulated acutely by G-protein-mediated transmembrane signaling was explored. Cells differentiated to primitive and parietal endoderm demonstrated a rapid tPA response to stimulation by beta-adrenergic agonist (isoproterenol). Adenylyl cyclase activity in response to isoproterenol and GTP, but not forskolin, was greater in primitive and parietal endoderm than F9 stem cells. Both primitive and parietal endoderm cells, but not F9 stem cells, displayed beta-adrenergic stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation. Retinoic acid induced F9 stem cells to the primitive endoderm phenotype and increased beta-adrenergic receptor levels 3-fold. Gi alpha 2 levels declined, G beta-subunits increased, and Gs alpha levels were unchanged following differentiation to primitive endoderm. In parietal endoderm cells beta-adrenergic receptors increased 2-fold over F9 stem cells, Gi alpha 2 levels declined even further than in primitive endoderm, G beta-subunits increased compared to F9 stem cells, and Gs alpha levels again were unchanged. The marked potentiation of short-term stimulation of tPA secretion in the differentiated state may be best explained by the retinoic acid-induced increase in expression of beta-adrenergic receptors coupled with a decline in Gi alpha 2 levels. Short-term regulation by G-protein-linked receptors represents a novel mode for the control of tPA secretion.