Correction: Site-specific DNA functionalization through the tetrazene-forming reaction in ionic liquids.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D1SC05204G.].

Role of the Transcription Factor MAFA in the Maintenance of Pancreatic ß-Cells.

Pancreatic ß-cells are specialized to properly regulate blood glucose. Maintenance of the mature ß-cell phenotype is critical for glucose metabolism, and ß-cell failure results in diabetes mellitus. Recent studies provide strong evidence that the mature phenotype of ß-cells is maintained by several transcription factors. These factors are also required for ß-cell differentiation from endocrine precursors or maturation from immature ß-cells during pancreatic development. Because the reduction or loss of these factors leads to ß-cell failure and diabetes, inducing the upregulation or inhibiting downregulation of these transcription factors would be beneficial for studies in both diabetes and stem cell biology. Here, we discuss one such factor, i.e., the transcription factor MAFA. MAFA is a basic leucine zipper family transcription factor that can activate the expression of insulin in ß-cells with PDX1 and NEUROD1. MAFA is indeed indispensable for the maintenance of not only insulin expression but also function of adult ß-cells. With loss of MAFA in type 2 diabetes, ß-cells cannot maintain their mature phenotype and are dedifferentiated. In this review, we first briefly summarize the functional roles of MAFA in ß-cells and then mainly focus on the molecular mechanism of cell fate conversion regulated by MAFA.

Site-specific DNA functionalization through the tetrazene-forming reaction in ionic liquids.

Development of multiple chemical tools for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) labeling has facilitated wide use of their functionalized conjugates, but significant practical and methodological challenges remain to achievement of site-specific chemical modification of the biomacromolecule. As covalent labeling processes are more challenging in aqueous solution, use of nonaqueous, biomolecule-compatible solvents such as an ionic liquid consisting of a salt with organic molecule architecture, could be remarkably helpful in this connection. Herein, we demonstrate site-specific chemical modification of unprotected DNAs through a tetrazene-forming amine-azide coupling reaction using an ionic liquid. This ionic liquid-enhanced reaction process has good functional group tolerance and precise chemoselectivity, and enables incorporation of various useful functionalities such as biotin, cholesterol, and fluorophores. A site-specifically labeled oligonucleotide, or aptamer interacting with a growth factor receptor (Her2) was successfully used in the fluorescence imaging of breast cancer cell lines. The non-traditional medium-promoted labeling strategy described here provides an alternative design paradigm for future development of chemical tools for applications involving DNA functionalization.

A novel BICD2 mutation of a patient with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Lower Extremity Predominant 2.

The bicaudal D homolog 2 (BICD2) gene encodes a protein required for the stable complex of dynein and dynactin, which functions as a motor protein working along the microtubule cytoskeleton. Both inherited and de novo variants of BICD2 are reported with autosomal dominant spinal muscular atrophy with lower extremity predominance (SMALED2). Here, we report a male patient with a novel mutation in the BICD2 gene caused by a heterozygous substitution of arginine with cysteine at residue 162 (Arg162Cys); inherited from his asymptomatic mother. The patient showed typical clinical symptoms of SMALED2, which was genetically confirmed by sequencing. The Arg162Cys mutant clusters with four previously reported variants (c.361C>G, p.Leu121Val; c.581A>G, p.Gln194Arg; c.320C>T, p.Ser107Leu; c.565A>T, p.Ile189Phe) in a region that binds to the dynein-dynactin complex (DDC). The BICD2 domain structures were predicted and the Arg162Cys mutation was localized in the N-terminus coiled-coil segment 1 (CC1) domain. Protein modeling of BICD2's CC1 domain predicted that the Arg162Cys missense variant disrupted interactions with dynein cytoplasmic 1 heavy chain 1 within the DDC. The mutant did this by either changing the electrostatic surface potential or making a broader hydrophobic unit with the neighboring residues. This hereditary case supports the complex and broad genotype-phenotype correlation of BICD2 mutations, which could be explained by incomplete penetrance or variable expressivity in the next generation.

Effect of long-term confinement on metabolic and physiological parameters in mice.

Long-term and mild confinement or isolation in an enclosed environment can occur in situations such as disasters, specific political, economic or social events, nuclear shelters, seabed exploration, polar expeditions, and space travel. To investigate the effects of stress caused by long-term confinement in an enclosed environment in mammals, we divided 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice into four groups that were housed in a closed environment with a narrow metabolic cage (stress group), normal metabolic cage (control group), conventional cage (conventional group) or conventional cage with wire mesh floor (wire mesh group). The phenotypes of the mice were examined for four weeks, followed by behavioral tests. Weight gain suppression was observed in the stress group. Continuous analysis of these mice every two minutes for four weeks using an implanted measuring device showed a significantly decreased amount of spontaneous activity and subcutaneous temperature in the stress group. After housing in each environment for four weeks, the behavioral tests of mice in the stress group also revealed a shorter latency to fall off in the rotarod test and shorter stride length and interstep distance in the footprint test. Interestingly, the lower spontaneous activity of mice in the stress group was rescued by housing in conventional cages. These results suggest a temporary effect of long-term confinement in an enclosed environment as a chronic and mild stress on homeostasis in mammals.

A Rare Case of 46, XX (SRY+) With Normal Male Stature and Unilateral Absence of the Vas Deferens.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the cause of primary infertility in a rare case with unilateral absence of vas deferens. Case report : A 35-year-old man was presented to the Infertility Clinic at the National Center of Maternal and Child Health (NCMCH) with an eight-year history of primary infertility. Clinical examination showed a normal intelligence with a coarse facial appearance and small testicles. Hormonal tests detected elevated levels of prolactin (PRL), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), and low levels of testosterone. Chromosomal analysis with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed a 46XX with SRY (sex-determining region Y) positive karyotype with translocation of the SRY gene (46XX der(X)t(X:Y)(p11.1:p11.3)(SRY+)). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral seminal vesicles atrophy and agenesis of the vas deferens on the right side, which is rarely found in 46, XX male syndrome. Conclusion: Although 46XX testicular disorder of sexual development (DSD) cases are rare, multiple aspects of the clinical examinations are important to make an accurate diagnosis and to provide proper genetic counseling and guidance to patients in their long-term management.

Quercetin Stimulates Insulin Secretion and Reduces the Viability of Rat INS-1 Beta-Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Previously we described insulinotropic effects of Leonurus sibiricus L. plant extracts used for diabetes mellitus treatment in Traditional Mongolian Medicine. The flavonoid quercetin and its glycoside rutin, which exert anti-diabetic properties in vivo by interfering with insulin signaling in peripheral target tissues, are constituents of these extracts. This study was performed to better understand short- and long-term effects of quercetin and rutin on beta-cells. METHODS: Cell viability, apoptosis, phospho-protein abundance and insulin release were determined using resazurin, annexin-V binding assays, Western blot and ELISA, respectively. Membrane potentials (Vmem), whole-cell Ca2+ (ICa)- and ATP-sensitive K+ (IKATP) currents were measured by patch clamp. Intracellular Ca2+ (Cai) levels were measured by time-lapse imaging using the ratiometric Ca2+ indicator Fura-2. RESULTS: Rutin, quercetin and the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 caused a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability with IC50 values of ∼75 µM, ∼25 µM and ∼3.5 µM, respectively. Quercetin (50 µM) significantly increased the percentage of Annexin-V+ cells within 48 hrs. The mean cell volume (MCV) of quercetin-treated cells was significantly lower. Within 2 hrs, quercetin significantly decreased basal- and insulin-stimulated Akt(T308) phosphorylation and increased Erk1/2 phosphorylation, without affecting P-Akt(S473) abundance. Basal- and glucose-stimulated insulin release were significantly stimulated by quercetin. Quercetin significantly depolarized Vmem by ∼25 mV which was prevented by the KATP-channel opener diazoxide, but not by the L-type ICa inhibitor nifedipine. Quercetin significantly stimulated ICa and caused a 50% inhibition of IKATP. The effects on Vmem, ICa and IKATP rapidly reached peak values and then gradually diminished to control values within ∼1 minute. With a similar time-response quercetin induced an elevation in Cai which was completely abolished in the absence of Ca2+ in the bath solution. Rutin (50 µM) did not significantly alter the percentage of Annexin-V+ cells, MCV, Akt or Erk1/2 phosphorylation, insulin secretion, or the electrophysiological behavior of INS-1 cells. CONCLUSION: We conclude that quercetin acutely stimulates insulin release, presumably by transient KATP channel inhibition and ICa stimulation. Long term application of quercetin inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis, most likely by inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling.

A novel SOS1 mutation in Costello/CFC syndrome affects signaling in both RAS and PI3K pathways.

CONTEXT: Pathological upregulation of the RAS/MAPK pathway causes Costello, Noonan and cardio-facio-cutaneous (CFC) syndrome; however, little is known about PI3K/AKT signal transduction in these syndromes. Previously, we found a novel mutation of the SOS1 gene (T158A) in a patient with Costello/CFC overlapping phenotype. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate how this mutation affects RAS/MAPK as well as PI3K/AKT pathway signal transduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wild-type and mutant (T158A) Son of Sevenless 1 (SOS1) were transfected into 293T cells. The levels of phospho- and total ERK1/2, AKT, p70S6K and pS6 were examined under epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation. RESULTS: After EGF stimulation, the ratio of phospho-ERK1/2 to total ERK1/2 was highest at 5 min in mutant (T158A) SOS1 cells, and at 15 min in wild-type SOS1 cells. Phospho-AKT was less abundant at 60 min in mutant than in wild-type SOS1 cells. Phosphorylation at various sites in p70S6K differed between wild-type and mutant cells. Eighteen hours after activation by EGF, the ratio of phospho-ERK1/2 to total ERK1/2 remained significantly higher in mutant than in wild-type SOS1 cells, but that of phospho-AKT to total AKT was unchanged. DISCUSSION: T158A is located in the histone-like domain, which may have a role in auto-inhibition of RAS exchanger activity of SOS1. T158A may disrupt auto-inhibition and enhance RAS signaling. T158A also affects PI3K/AKT signaling, probably via negative feedback via phospho-p70S6K. CONCLUSION: The SOS1 T158A mutation altered the phosphorylation of gene products involved in both RAS/MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways.

Comprehensive genetic analysis of overlapping syndromes of RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway.

BACKGROUND: Germline mutations in several members of RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway cause clinically similar genetic disorders, including Noonan syndrome (NS), Costello syndrome (CS) and cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (CFC). Each of these syndromes has a wide spectrum of molecular etiology. The aim of the present study was to conduct a comprehensive genetic analysis of RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway in these syndromes. METHODS: Three patients with NS and two patients with CS/CFC were examined. Peripheral blood samples were collected from all patients as well as from 100 healthy Japanese volunteers. The protein phosphatase, non-receptor type II (PTPN11), KRAS, HRAS, NRAS, BRAF, RAF1, Son of Sevenless (SOS1) and MEK1genes were analyzed. RESULTS: In a patient with a severe Noonan phenotype, a rare PTPN11 mutation was detected: A to G transition at position 172, causing an N58D substitution within the N-SH2 domain. In a CS/CFC patient no HRAS mutations were found, but a novel SOS1 missense mutation was found: A to G transition at position 473, causing a T158A substitution within domain of histone-like fold (HF). CONCLUSIONS: A case mimicking CS with SOS1 T158A substitution, which has not been reported previously in CS, revealed the complex relationship between the genotype and phenotype of overlapping syndromes of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway.