Transforming growth factor-beta 1 in reproduction and development.

Expression patterns of TGF-beta s during embryogenesis and in adult reproductive organs, as well as the activities of these molecules in in vitro assays of biological processes relating to reproduction and development, have suggested that TGF-beta s may play a role in both reproductive function and embryonic development. To investigate the function of TGF-beta 1 in vivo, the murine TGF-beta 1 gene was disrupted by gene targeting, and animals that lacked TGF-beta 1 activity were generated. Homozygous mutant animals were obtained which exhibited a multifocal inflammatory disease. However, the observed numbers of homozygous mutant offspring were less than expected, suggesting the occurrence of some type of prenatal lethality. This paper reviews the proposed role of the TGF-beta s in reproductive and developmental processes and discusses observations obtained from the TGF-beta 1 gene-targeting experiments as they relate to these processes.

Targeted disruption of the mouse transforming growth factor-beta 1 gene results in multifocal inflammatory disease.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is a multifunctional growth factor that has profound regulatory effects on many developmental and physiological processes. Disruption of the TGF-beta 1 gene by homologous recombination in murine embryonic stem cells enables mice to be generated that carry the disrupted allele. Animals homozygous for the mutated TGF-beta 1 allele show no gross developmental abnormalities, but about 20 days after birth they succumb to a wasting syndrome accompanied by a multifocal, mixed inflammatory cell response and tissue necrosis, leading to organ failure and death. TGF-beta 1-deficient mice may be valuable models for human immune and inflammatory disorders, including autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection and graft versus host reactions.

Discordant segregation of Na+,K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase alleles and essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the alpha 2 and or beta 1 isoforms of the Na+,K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+,K(+)-ATPase) are involved in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension. DESIGN: Segregation analysis of polymorphic DNA markers was used to test the involvement of Na+,K(+)-ATPase in essential hypertension. PARTICIPANTS: Children with persistent hypertension having one parent with essential hypertension were included in the study. Criteria for persistent hypertension were blood pressure readings with systolic and/or diastolic levels exceeding the 95th percentile based upon age and sex. The diagnosis of hypertension for adults, including parents and older siblings, was confirmed using criteria recommended in the 1988 report of the Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure. RESULTS: In three essential hypertensive families consisting of 18 members including 11 hypertensives, several obligate recombinants between the Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha 2 isoform marker and the hypertension phenotype were observed. Similarly, in one hypertension family consisting of four members, obligate recombinants between the beta 1 isoform marker and the disease were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The discordant segregation of the alpha 2 and beta 1 isoform markers and essential hypertension suggests that neither the Na+,K(+)-ATPase alpha 2 nor beta 1 isoform genes play a primary role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in the families studied.

The human Na, K-ATPase alpha 1 gene: characterization of the 5'-flanking region and identification of a restriction fragment length polymorphism.

We have determined the sequence of the 5'-flanking region and first three exons of the human Na,K-ATPase alpha 1 gene, ATP1A1. Primer extension and S1 nuclease protection analyses of RNA from human kidney, brain, and skeletal muscle indicate that transcription initiates 273 nucleotides upstream of the translation start site. The promoter region contains a potential TATA box at position -27 relative to the transcription initiation site; however, no CCAAT sequence is observed. The 5'-untranslated and 5'-flanking regions are G + C rich. Five sequence elements exhibiting similarity to binding sites for the transcription factor Sp1 are located within the 5'-flanking region. This region also contains potential binding sites for the transcription factors AP-1, AP-2, AP-3, and NF-1, as well as a site which exhibits perfect identity to an 8-bp sequence element important for calcium induction. A comparison of the 5'-flanking region of the alpha 1 and alpha 2 genes reveals differences in potential transcription factor and hormone receptor binding sites which may be important in mediating the tissue- and developmental stage-specific expression of these genes. We have also identified an intragenic DNA probe which detects a restriction fragment length polymorphism at the alpha 1 locus. This marker should facilitate genetic linkage studies designed to evaluate the role of the sodium pump in human disease.

Molecular genetics of Na,K-ATPase.

Researchers in the past few years have successfully used molecular-genetic approaches to determine the primary structures of several P-type ATPases. The amino-acid sequences of distinct members of this class of ion-transport ATPases (Na,K-, H,K-, and Ca-ATPases) have been deduced by cDNA cloning and sequencing. The Na,K-ATPase belongs to a multiple gene family, the principal diversity apparently resulting from distinct catalytic alpha isoforms. Computer analyses of the hydrophobicity and potential secondary structure of the alpha subunits and primary sequence comparisons with homologs from various species as well as other P-type ATPases have identified common structural features. This has provided the molecular foundation for the design of models and hypotheses aimed at understanding the relationship between structure and function. Development of a hypothetical transmembrane organization for the alpha subunit and application of site-specific mutagenesis techniques have allowed significant progress to be made toward identifying amino acids involved in cardiac glycoside resistance and possibly binding. However, the complex structural and functional features of this protein indicate that extensive research is necessary before a clear understanding of the molecular basis of active cation transport is achieved. This is complicated further by the paucity of information regarding the structural and functional contributions of the beta subunit. Until such information is obtained, the proposed model and functional hypotheses should be considered judiciously. Considerable progress also has been made in characterizing the regulatory complexity involved in expression of multiple alpha-isoform and beta-subunit genes in various tissues and cells during development and in response to hormones and cations. The regulatory mechanisms appear to function at several molecular levels, involving transcriptional, posttranscriptional, translational, and posttranslational processes in a tissue- or cell-specific manner. However, much research is needed to precisely define the contributions of each of these mechanisms. Recent isolation of the genes for these subunits provides the framework for future advances in this area. Continued application of biochemical, biophysical, and molecular genetic techniques is required to provide a detailed understanding of the mechanisms involved in cation transport of this biologically and pharmacologically important enzyme.

Characterization of two genes for the human Na,K-ATPase beta subunit.

A total of 29 human genomic DNA clones that hybridize with cDNAs for the sheep and rat Na,K-ATPase beta subunits have been isolated, classified by restriction endonuclease mapping and Southern blot hybridization analysis, and sequenced. One class of clones, designated ATP1BL1, represents a processed pseudogene for the beta subunit. The second class, designated ATP1B, includes 15 overlapping genomic clones and represents a functional gene for the human Na,K-ATPase beta subunit. ATP1B spans about 26.7 kb of genomic DNA and includes 24 kb of intron sequence. The complete mRNA transcript for the human beta subunit is encoded by six exons, ranging in size from 81 to 1427 bp. Primer extension and S1 nuclease protection experiments with human kidney RNA indicate the presence of two major transcription initiation sites at -510 and -201 to -191, with minor initiation sites at -268, -182 to -174, and -142. The distal initiation site at -510 is preceded by consensus sequences for CAAT and TATA boxes. The DNA sequence preceding the proximal heterogeneous initiation sites contains a CAAT box, but no TATA box. Two of the 12 GC boxes (GGCGGG and CCCGCC) located in the 5' region of ATP1B are located between this CAAT box and the proximal clusters of transcription initiation sites.

Characterization of the human Na,K-ATPase alpha 2 gene and identification of intragenic restriction fragment length polymorphisms.

We have determined the structure of the gene that encodes the alpha 2 isoform of the human Na,K-ATPase. The gene contains 23 exons and spans approximately 25 kilobases. The amino acid sequence of the human alpha 2 isoform deduced from the genomic sequence exhibits 99% identity to the rat alpha 2 isoform. One of the nine amino acid differences between the human and rat sequences occurs at an amino acid position which is known to be involved in species differences in sensitivity of the alpha 1 isoform to cardiac glycosides. Approximately 1500 base pairs of sequence flanking the 5' end of the alpha 2 gene have been determined. This region contains numerous potential AP-1, AP-2, and NF-1-binding sites, a potential Sp1 recognition site, and several sequences that are similar to the glucocorticoid receptor-binding site. The transcription start site was mapped by primer extension and S1 nuclease protection analyses of RNA from human brain, skeletal muscle, and heart. Multiple transcription initiation sites are clustered between residues -104 to -99 relative to the translation initiation codon. A potential TATA box is located 29 base pairs upstream of the first transcription initiation site. Immediately 5' to the apparent TATA box is a 35-base pair polypurine.polypyrimidine tract containing an imperfect mirror repeat which resembles sequences that form triple-stranded structures. Two intragenic DNA probes which detect restriction fragment length polymorphisms associated with the alpha 2 gene have been identified. These probes will be useful in genetic linkage analyses designed to define the possible role of the Na,K-ATPase in certain hereditary disorders.

Comparative molecular genetic analysis of lymphomas from six inbred mouse strains.

Previous studies of 21 highly lymphomatous AKXD recombinant inbred mouse strains demonstrated correlations between lymphoma type, the somatic proviral DNA content of the lymphoma, and the frequency of virally induced rearrangements in eight common sites of viral integration (Myc, Pim-i, Pvt-1, Mlvi-1, Mlvi-2, Fis-1, Myb, and Evi-1). In this study we analyzed lymphomas from six inbred mouse strains, AKR/J, C58/J, HRS/J (hr/hr and hr/+), SJL/J, SEA/GnJ, and CWD/LeAgl, to determine whether these correlations are also evident in these strains. Mice of the AKR/J, C58/J, and HRS/J strains died exclusively of T-cell lymphomas. In contrast to earlier studies which showed a great disparity in the rate and incidence of lymphomas in HRS/J hr/hr and HRS/J hr/+ mice, we found a high incidence of T-cell lymphomas and the same mean age of onset of disease in both strains. SJL/J mice died primarily of pre-B-cell lymphomas, whereas CWD/LeAgl and SEA/GnJ mice died primarily of B-cell lymphomas. Somatically acquired mink cell focus-forming proviruses were detected only in T-cell lymphomas, whereas ecotropic proviruses were found in lymphomas from all hematopoietic cell lineages. No rearrangements were detected in the Fis-1, Mlvi-2, and Myb loci, whereas rearrangements were detected in the Mlvi-1, Myc, Pim-1, Pvt-1, and Evi-1 loci. Most rearrangements were found in T-cell lymphomas, and many were virally induced. These results are similar to those we obtained previously for lymphomas of 21 highly lymphomatous AKXD recombinant inbred mouse strains.

Chromosomal localization of human Na+, K+-ATPase alpha- and beta-subunit genes.

Na+, K+-ATPase is a heterodimeric enzyme responsible for the active maintenance of sodium and potassium gradients across the plasma membrane. Recently, cDNAs for several tissue-specific isoforms of the larger catalytic alpha-subunit and the smaller beta-subunit have been cloned. We have hybridized rat brain and human kidney cDNA probes, as well as human genomic isoform-specific DNA fragments, to Southern filters containing panels of rodent X human somatic cell hybrid lines. The results obtained have allowed us to assign the loci for the ubiquitously expressed alpha-chain (ATP1A1) to human chromosome 1, region 1p21----cen, and for the alpha 2 isoform that predominates in neural and muscle tissues (ATP1A2) to chromosome 1, region cen----q32. A common PstI RFLP was detected with the ATP1A2 probe. The alpha 3 gene, which is expressed primarily in neural tissues (ATP1A3), was assigned to human chromosome 19. A fourth alpha gene of unknown function (alpha D) that was isolated by molecular cloning (ATP1AL1) was mapped to chromosome 13. Although evidence to date had suggested a single gene for the beta-subunit, we found hybridizing restriction fragments derived from two different human chromosomes. On the basis of knowledge of conserved linkage groups on human and murine chromosomes, we propose that the coding gene ATP 1B is located on the long arm of human chromosome 1 and that the sequence on human chromosome 4 (ATP 1BL1) is either a related gene or a pseudogene.

Multiple forms of the Na,K-ATPase: their genes and tissue specific expression.

The use of genetic tools has been invaluable for examining the potential number of alpha and beta subunits of the Na,K-ATPase. To date at least five genes corresponding to the alpha subunit have been described. Two of these encode the alpha and alpha+ isoforms while the third encodes the novel alpha III subunit. The products of the other two genes have not yet been described; these genes may be pseudogenes or may encode new alpha isoforms or related transport ATPases. The determination of the tissue distribution of the various isoforms of the alpha subunit using Northern blot and slot blot analyses has yielded several interesting findings. Each tissue differs in the abundance and combination of isoforms. While alpha is the major isoform mRNA in kidney, alpha+ mRNA predominates in skeletal muscle. All three alpha subunit mRNAs are present in brain in roughly equal amounts. The newly discovered alpha III isoform mRNA is found not only in brain but in low amounts in stomach and lung. It is possible that individual cell types may contain a defined combination of isoforms which allow the Na,K-ATPase to fulfill its specific physiological role in those cells. It will be interesting to compare the functional properties, i.e., affinity for Na+ and K+, turnover number, response to external changes in environment and response to effector molecules for the enzymes containing each of the alpha subunit isoforms.

Multiple genes encode the human Na+,K+-ATPase catalytic subunit.

A human genomic library was constructed and screened with hybridization probes derived from sheep and rat cDNAs encoding the alpha and alpha(+) isoforms, respectively, of the Na+,K+-ATPase catalytic subunit. Genomic sequences spanning 150 kilobases were isolated. Four genes, designated alpha A, alpha B, alpha C, and alpha D, each 20-25 kilobases in length, were identified by restriction mapping, Southern blot hybridization analysis, and limited DNA sequencing. We present evidence that two of these genes, alpha A and alpha B, encode the alpha and alpha(+) isoforms, respectively. The other genes, alpha C and alpha D, one of which is physically linked to the alpha(+) gene, exhibit nucleotide and amino acid homology to Na+,K+-ATPase catalytic subunit cDNA sequences but do not correspond to any previously identified isoforms.

Prediction of familial predisposition to retinoblastoma.

Retinoblastoma is a childhood cancer, predisposition to which is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. We used restriction-fragment-length and isozymic alleles of loci on chromosome 13 in five families predisposed to retinoblastoma, to provide identification before illness of persons likely to have tumors. The likelihood of disease was predicted in two cases, and freedom from disease in three. The calculated predictive accuracy was greater than 94 percent in cases with informative loci flanking the retinoblastoma (RB1) locus, and our prediction has been fulfilled in each such instance. A case that was informative at several loci indicated the occurrence of meiotic recombination, and accurate prediction was based on data obtained with DNA markers and isozymic forms of esterase D. The calculated predictive accuracy in another case, which was informative only for loci distal to the retinoblastoma locus, was about 70 percent. This patient was expected to acquire the disease but had not done so at the age of one year, illustrating the need for more markers that are also more informative and genetically closer to the retinoblastoma locus. These studies provide the basis for prenatal and postnatal prediction of susceptibility to inherited cancer using arbitrary recombinant DNA markers. Such predictions should make genetic counseling for familial retinoblastoma more accurate and lead to earlier tumor detection and more effective therapy.