Modulating effect of the A-278C promoter polymorphism in the cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase gene on serum lipid levels in normolipidaemic and hypertriglyceridaemic individuals.

The rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of cholesterol into bile acids is cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1). An A to C substitution 278 bp upstream in the promoter of the CYP7A1 gene was found to be associated with variations in serum lipid levels in normolipidaemic populations. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of this polymorphism in four different lipid disorders: hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG), combined hyperlipidaemia (CH), familial dysbetalipoproteinaemia (FD) and familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). In a normolipidaemic male population, homozygous for the apoE3 isoform, an association was found between the AA genotype and higher levels of serum triglycerides (AA: +34%, P = 0.036). In HTG patients, the AA genotype was associated with significantly higher concentrations of total cholesterol (+23%, P = 0.005). There was a tendency towards increased levels of serum triglycerides (+39%, P = 0.06), VLDL-triglycerides (+48%, P = 0.053) and VLDL-cholesterol (+35%, P = 0.059). No significant associations were found between serum lipid levels and the CYP7A1 polymorphism in patients with CH, FD and FH. Our results show that the A-278C polymorphism in the CYP7A1 gene has an effect on triglyceride levels in normolipidaemic males and on cholesterol levels in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia..

Two newly identified SNPs in the APO AI-CIII intergenic region are strongly associated with familial combined hyperlipidaemia.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported linkage and association of the apoAI-CIII-AIV gene region on chromosome 11 with familial combined hyperlipidaemia (FCHL). However, the observed epistasis resulting in an increased susceptibility to FCHL still remains unexplained. We hypothesize that the region between the apo AI and apo CIII genes may harbour functional mutations that might be in linkage disequilibrium with the already identified SstI and MspI polymorphisms, and provide an alternative explanation for the observed relationship. METHODS: Using sequence analysis, we identified four new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the apo AI-CIII intergenic region. These four variants, T(3213)C, A(3235)C, T(3287)C and A(5132)C, were studied in 30 FCHL probands, 159 hyperlipidaemic relatives, 327 normolipidaemic relatives, and 218 spouses from the same families in which the original results were obtained. RESULTS: The allele frequencies were significantly different between probands and spouses (P < 0.05). Transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) analyses revealed more frequent transmission of the minor alleles to the affected offspring. The minor genotype was associated with elevated plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The T(3213)C and MspI, and the A(3235)C and SstI SNPs were in complete linkage disequilibrium, resulting in two different major haplotypes 2-2-1-2-2-1 and 1-1-2-2-2-2 (MspI-T(3213)C-A(3235)C-T(3287)C-A(5132)C-SstI). Both haplotypes appear to predispose to FCHL independently, and account, together with the wild-type, for almost 90% of those occurring in these FCHL families, extending the high-risk combination of haplotypes that were reported previously. CONCLUSION: These newly identified additional intergenic SNPs therefore provide an alternative explanation for the observed association of the SstI and MspI polymorphisms to the increased susceptibility for FCHL.

Two polymorphisms in the apo A-IV gene and familial combined hyperlipidemia.

Linkage and association of the apo AI-CIII-IV gene region to familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) was reported previously, based on the presence of genetic variants in the apo CIII and apo AI gene. No data were available yet on the contribution of the apo A-IV locus. Two DNA variants in exon 3 of the apo A-IV gene, A (Thr)(347)T (Ser) and [CTGT](3-4) were characterized by sequencing the coding region of the apo A-IV gene and were analyzed in our Dutch FCHL cohort (30 probands, 159 affected relative, 317 unaffected relatives and 218 spouses). The genotype frequency of the A(347)T variant was different in probands and spouses. In probands no 2/2 carriers were found, resulting in a significant decreased frequency of the 2-allele (P<0.05). This was suggestive for a protective role of the presence of the serine (T) allele on the prevalence of FCHL. No difference in frequency distribution was found for the [CTGT](3-4) variant between the groups. Homozygous 4/4 carriers in spouses had a more favorable lipid profile (LDL-cholesterol and apo B, P<0.05). The absence of linkage disequilibrium of the A(347)T with other markers in the gene cluster, and the absence of linkage disequilibrium with [CTGT](3-4) marker and the MspI-AI marker in the apo A-I promoter showed that these two apo A-IV variants reside on different haplotypes from the apo A-I and apo C-III markers. This was illustrated by extensive haplotype analysis. The present data on the contribution of DNA variants in the apo A-IV gene support our previous observations that the apo AI-CIII-AIV gene cluster has a complex genetic contribution to FCHL both by conferring susceptibility and protection.

Genetic heterogeneity in the apolipoprotein C-III promoter and effects of insulin.

In the present study, we have investigated the in vivo and in vitro role of two newly identified variants (G(-)944A and A(-)1180C) located in the upstream promoter region of the apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) gene. These variants were studied in 30 probands diagnosed with FCHL, their relatives, and spouses. The allele frequencies of both variants were not different between the groups. No significant associations between plasma lipid traits and DNA variants were observed. We further analyzed the effect of the presence of these variants in the upstream enhancing region of the apoC-III gene, as five different in vivo occurring haplotypes, on the transcriptional activity of apoC-III in both HepG2 and Caco-2 cells. All five promoter constructs, including the wild type, showed similar enhancing activity of the apoC-III gene. The average transcription efficiency was enhanced 19-fold in HepG2 cells and 11-fold in Caco-2 cells. Previous studies have shown in vitro insulin-dependent down-regulation of the apoC-III gene transcription in HepG2 cells by DNA variation in an insulin response element (IRE) in the apoC-III promoter. We observed a 30% insulin-dependent down-regulation of apoC-III expression that was, however, independent of the presence of the two IRE variants. In contrast, in Caco-2 cells, a more variable insulin-dependent up-regulation was found that was also independent of the presence of the IRE variants.In conclusion, our data suggested that the apoC-III gene transcription in vitro is regulated by insulin but independent of the presence of the two IRE variants at -455 and -482. We were unable to detect associations between these apoC-III variants and plasma lipids and insulin in our FCHL population. This means that in vivo apoC-III transcription not only depends upon insulin but appears to be mediated by other mechanisms.

The apoAI-CIII-AIV gene cluster.

The relationship between variations in the apoAI-CIII-AIV gene cluster and plasma lipid traits has been recognized for at least 15 years. Most studies have been focused upon the association between plasma triglycerides and a genetic variation present in the 3' untranslated region of the apoC-III gene (SstI polymorphism). Although not all studies showed similar results, this variant is most consistently found in association with plasma triglycerides. The other most interesting DNA variant is the mutation present in the promoter region of the apo A-I gene at position -75 (Msp-AI polymorphism), which has been associated with differences in plasma apoA-I and HDL-cholesterol levels. In this review, we will discuss the most frequent occurring genetic variants in the apoAI-CIII-AIV gene cluster and their impact on plasma lipid traits and associations with increased risk on developing coronary artery disease.

New genetic variants in the apoA-I and apoC-III genes and familial combined hyperlipidemia.

Linkage and association between the apolipoprotein (apo) A-I/C-III/A-IV gene region on chromosome 11 and familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) has been observed previously. Using sequence analysis two new allelic variants were identified, C(317) -T in intron 2 of the apoA-I gene and C(1100)-T in exon 3 of the apoC-III gene. These variants were studied in 30 FCHL probands, 159 hyperlipidemic relatives, 327 normolipidemic relatives, and 218 spouses. The allele frequencies of both variants were significantly different in probands and spouses (P < 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively), with increased frequency of the minor alleles in the probands. The minor genotypes (TT) were associated with elevated plasma triglyceride and apoC-III. Both variants were in strong, although not complete, linkage disequilibrium with each other and with the MspI site in the promoter region of the apoA-I gene and the SstI site in the 3' untranslated region of exon 4 of the apoC-III gene. Haplotypes based on these four variants were constructed and the distributions of haplotype combinations were significantly different (P < 0.0001). Two distinct haplotypes predisposing to FCHL were found: 2-2-1-2 and 1-2-2-2 (MspI, C(317) -T; SstI, C(1100)-T). The haplotype combinations carrying one of these high risk alleles are associated with elevated lipid levels in probands and in spouses. While these effects can be attributed to the presence of the M2 and S2 minor alleles, these results suggest that the importance of specific allelic haplotypes may be greater than single genotypic effects.

Hormone-stimulated Ca2+ transport in rabbit kidney: multiple sites of inhibition by exogenous ATP.

Exogenous ATP markedly reduced 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (dDAVP)-stimulated Ca2+ transport and cAMP accumulation in primary cultures of rabbit connecting tubule and cortical collecting duct cells. Similarly, ATP inhibited the stimulatory effect of 8-bromo-cAMP. At first sight, this is in agreement with the "classic" concept that dDAVP exerts its stimulatory effect via cAMP. However, dDAVP-stimulated Ca2+ transport was markedly reduced by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine, reported previously to inhibit the cAMP-independent pathway responsible for parathyroid hormone-, [Arg8]vasopressin-, PGE2-, and adenosine-stimulated Ca2+ transport. Chelerythrine also inhibited the increase in Ca2+ transport evoked by the cAMP-independent A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA). Downregulation of phorbol ester-sensitive PKC isoforms by chronic phorbol ester treatment has been shown before to be without effect on hormone-stimulated Ca2+ transport, indicating that the chelerythrine-inhibitable pathway consists of a phorbol ester-insensitive PKC isoform. Here, this maneuver did not affect ATP inhibition of dDAVP-stimulated Ca2+ transport and cAMP formation, while abolishing ATP inhibition of CPA-stimulated Ca2+ transport. These findings show that ATP acts via 1) a phorbol ester-sensitive PKC isoform to inhibit hormonal stimulation of Ca2+ transport at the level of the chelerythrine-inhibitable pathway involving a phorbol ester-insensitive PKC isoform and 2) a phorbol ester-insensitive mechanism to inhibit V2 receptor-mediated concomitant activation of this pathway and adenylyl cyclase.

Association of plasma lipids and apolipoproteins with the insulin response element in the apoC-III promoter region in familial combined hyperlipidemia.

The apoAI-CIII-AIV gene cluster, located on chromosome 11, contributes to the phenotype of familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH), but this contribution is genetically complex. Combinations of haplotypes, based on three restriction enzyme polymorphisms: XmnI and MspI sites, 5' of the start site of the apoA-I gene and SstI polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region of exon 4 of the apoC-III gene, were analyzed to characterize their effect on the expression of severe hyperlipidemia. An epistatic interaction was demonstrated: the S2 allele on one haplotype was synergistic in its hyperlipidemic effect to the X2M2 allele on the other haplotype (Dallinga-Thie, G. M. et al. J. Clin. Invest. 1997. 99: 953-961). In the present study two additional polymorphic sites in the insulin response element (IRE) of the apoC-III gene promoter, T-455C: FokI restriction site, C-482T: MspI restriction site, were studied in 34 FCH pedigrees including 34 probands, 220 hyperlipidemic relatives, 300 normolipidemic relatives, and 236 spouses. In contrast to the earlier data for the other polymorphisms in this gene cluster (XmnI, MspI/AI, and SstI), there were no differences in frequency distributions of the T-455C and the C-482T variants between probands, hyperlipidemic and normolipidemic relatives and spouses. No significant associations between plasma lipid traits and DNA variants in the IRE were observed. Analysis of combinations of haplotypes based on the five polymorphisms in the gene cluster provided further evidence for a dominant role of the SstI polymorphism as a major susceptibility locus in FCH. The inclusion of the IRE markers did not improve genetic informativeness, nor our understanding of the observed synergistic relationship associated with the high risk combination of haplotypes in FCH families.

Chronic UVA (365-nm) irradiation induced scratching in hairless mice: dose-time dependency and the effect of ketanserin.

In a study on the dose-response relationship for longwave UVA (UVA1; 340-400 nm) carcinogenesis in hairless mice scratch marks appeared after months of daily exposure as an unwanted side effect. Tumor induction in the highest of the 4 tested dose groups (receiving a daily dose of 430 kJ/m2 of 365-nm radiation) could not be determined because extensive scarification occurred prior to the development of any tumors. The induction of scratch marks could be scored and quantified in all 4 dose groups tested. The UVA1 dose-dependencies for the induction of tumors and scratch marks were compared. We found that the induction of scratch marks depended mainly on the cumulative UVA1 exposure, whereas tumor induction showed a lesser dose-dependency. An attempt was made to prevent the apparent pruritogenic effect of UVA1 irradiation and to understand its mechanism. The influence of ketanserin, a serotonin/histamine antagonist, on the UVA1 induction of scratch marks was tested in groups of 8 mice daily irradiated with 430 kJ/m2. No difference was found between treated and untreated animals. Histological examination of skin biopsies from irradiated mice from the 430-kJ/m2 dose group from the UVA1 carcinogenic experiment, showed no changes in numbers of mast cells or other inflammatory features when compared to skin biopsies from unirradiated control mice. This indicated that UVA1-induced scratching is not mediated through mast cell release of serotonin and/or histamine. An adequate therapeutic treatment which can prevent UVA1-induced scratching would enable us to test tumor induction with UVA1 over a larger dose range, and may provide additional insight in how this radiation damages the skin. It remains conjectural whether there exists an analogous UVA-induced pruritus in human skin.