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A variant in the carboxyl-terminus of connexin 40 alters GAP junctions and increases risk for tetralogy of Fallot.

ABSTRACT: GJA5 gene (MIM no. 121013), localized at 1q21.1, encodes for the cardiac gap junction protein connexin 40. In humans, copy number variants of chromosome 1q21.1 have been associated with variable phenotypes comprising congenital heart disease (CHD), including isolated TOF. In mice, the deletion of Gja5 can cause a variety of complex CHDs, in particular of the cardiac outflow tract, corresponding to TOF in many cases. In the present study, we screened for mutations in the GJA5 gene 178 unrelated probands with isolated TOF. A heterozygous nucleotide change (c.793C>T) in exon 2 of the gene leading to the p.Pro265Ser variant at the carboxyl-terminus of the protein was found in two unrelated sporadic patients, one with classic anatomy and one with pulmonary atresia. This GJA5 missense substitution was not observed in 1568 ethnically-matched control chromosomes. Immunofluorescent staining and confocal microscopy revealed that cells expressing the mutant protein form sparse or no visible gap-junction plaques in the region of cell-cell contact. Moreover, analysis of the transfer of the gap junction permanent tracer lucifer yellow showed that cells expressing the mutant protein have a reduced rate of dye transfer compared with wild-type cells. Finally, use of a zebrafish model revealed that microinjection of the GJA5-p.Pro265Ser mutant disrupts overall morphology of the heart tube in the 37% (22/60) of embryos, compared with the 6% (4/66) of the GJA5 wild-type-injected embryos. These findings implicate GJA5 gene as a novel susceptibility gene for TOF.

SUBMITTER: Guida V

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3533258 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A variant in the carboxyl-terminus of connexin 40 alters GAP junctions and increases risk for tetralogy of Fallot.

Guida Valentina V Ferese Rosangela R Rocchetti Marcella M Bonetti Monica M Sarkozy Anna A Cecchetti Serena S Gelmetti Vania V Lepri Francesca F Copetti Massimiliano M Lamorte Giuseppe G Cristina Digilio Maria M Marino Bruno B Zaza Antonio A den Hertog Jeroen J Dallapiccola Bruno B De Luca Alessandro A

European journal of human genetics : EJHG 20120620 1

GJA5 gene (MIM no. 121013), localized at 1q21.1, encodes for the cardiac gap junction protein connexin 40. In humans, copy number variants of chromosome 1q21.1 have been associated with variable phenotypes comprising congenital heart disease (CHD), including isolated TOF. In mice, the deletion of Gja5 can cause a variety of complex CHDs, in particular of the cardiac outflow tract, corresponding to TOF in many cases. In the present study, we screened for mutations in the GJA5 gene 178 unrelated p ...[more]

PMID: 22713807

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Project description:Background ? Carboxyl terminus 1 (?CT1) is a 25-amino acid therapeutic peptide incorporating the zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1)-binding domain of connexin 43 (Cx43) that is currently in phase 3 clinical testing on chronic wounds. In mice, we reported that ?CT1 reduced arrhythmias after cardiac injury, accompanied by increases in protein kinase C? phosphorylation of Cx43 at serine 368. Herein, we characterize detailed molecular mode of action of ?CT1 in mitigating cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods and Results To study ?CT1-mediated increases in phosphorylation of Cx43 at serine 368, we undertook mass spectrometry of protein kinase C? phosphorylation assay reactants. This indicated potential interaction between negatively charged residues in the ?CT1 Asp-Asp-Leu-Glu-Iso sequence and lysines (Lys345, Lys346) in an ?-helical sequence (helix 2) within the Cx43-CT. In silico modeling provided further support for this interaction, indicating that ?CT1 may interact with both Cx43 and ZO-1. Using surface plasmon resonance, thermal shift, and phosphorylation assays, we characterized a series of ?CT1 variants, identifying peptides that interacted with either ZO-1-postsynaptic density-95/disks large/zonula occludens-1 2 or Cx43-CT, but with limited or no ability to bind both molecules. Only peptides competent to interact with Cx43-CT, but not ZO-1-postsynaptic density-95/disks large/zonula occludens-1 2 alone, prompted increased pS368 phosphorylation. Moreover, in an ex vivo mouse model of ischemia-reperfusion injury, preischemic infusion only with those peptides competent to bind Cx43 preserved ventricular function after ischemia-reperfusion. Interestingly, a short 9-amino acid variant of ?CT1 (?CT11) demonstrated potent cardioprotective effects when infused either before or after ischemic injury. Conclusions Interaction of ?CT1 with the Cx43, but not ZO-1, is correlated with cardioprotection. Pharmacophores targeting Cx43-CT could provide a translational approach to preserving heart function after ischemic injury.

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A variant in the carboxyl-terminus of connexin 40 alters GAP junctions and increases risk for tetralogy of Fallot.

Publications

A variant in the carboxyl-terminus of connexin 40 alters GAP junctions and increases risk for tetralogy of Fallot.

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