The Akt C-terminal modulator protein is an acyl-CoA thioesterase of the Hotdog-Fold family

Herein, we report on an in vitro kinetic activity analysis that demonstrates that the protein known as the Akt C-terminal modulator protein is a broad-range, high-activity acyl-CoA thioesterase. In vitro tests of possible activity regulation by product inhibition or by Akt1 binding gave negative results. Truncation mutants confined the thioesterase activity to the C-terminal domain, consistent with our threading model. The N-terminal domain of unknown fold and function was found to contribute to solubility.

Carboxy-terminal modulator protein induces Akt phosphorylation and activation, thereby enhancing antiapoptotic, glycogen synthetic, and glucose uptake pathways

Carboxy-terminal modulator protein (CTMP) was identified as binding to the carboxy terminus of Akt and inhibiting the phosphorylation and activation of Akt. In contrast to a previous study, we found CTMP overexpression to significantly enhance Akt phosphorylation at both Thr(308) and Ser(473) as well as the kinase activity of Akt, while phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) activity was unaffected. Translocation of Akt to the membrane fraction was also markedly increased in response to overexpression of CTMP, with no change in the whole cellular content of Akt. Furthermore, the phosphorylations of GSK-3beta and Foxo1, well-known substrates of Akt, were increased by CTMP overexpression. On the other hand, suppression of CTMP with small interfering RNA partially but significantly attenuated this Akt phosphorylation. The cellular activities reportedly mediated by Akt activation were also enhanced by CTMP overexpression. UV-B-induced apoptosis of HeLa cells was significantly reversed not only by overexpression of the active mutant of Akt (myr-Akt) but also by that of CTMP. Increases in glucose transport activity and glycogen synthesis were also induced by overexpression of either myr-Akt or CTMP in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Taking these results into consideration, it can be concluded that CTMP induces translocation of Akt to the membrane and thereby increases the level of Akt phosphorylation. As a result, CTMP enhances various cellular activities that are principally mediated by the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway.

Enhanced sensitivity of protein kinase B/Akt to insulin in hypoxia is independent of HIF1α and promotes cell viability

Maintenance of oxygen homeostasis is a key requirement to ensure normal mammalian cell growth and differentiation. Hypoxia arises when oxygen demand exceeds supply, and is a feature of multiple human diseases including stroke, cancer and renal fibrosis. We have investigated the effect of hypoxia on kidney cells, and observed that insulin-induced cell viability is increased in hypoxia. We have characterized the role of protein kinase B (PKB/Akt) in these cells as a potential mediator of this effect. PKB/Akt activity was increased by low oxygen concentrations in kidney cells, and insulin-stimulated activation of PKB/Akt was stronger, more rapid and more sustained in hypoxia. Reduction of HIF1alpha levels using antimycin-A or siRNA targeting HIF1alpha did not affect PKB/Akt activation in hypoxia. Pharmacologic stabilization of HIF1alpha independent of hypoxia did not increase insulin-stimulated PKB/Akt activation. Although increased insulin-stimulated cell viability was observed in hypoxia, no differences in the degree of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake were observed in L6 muscle cells in hypoxia compared to normoxia. Thus, PKB/Akt may regulate specific cellular responses to growth factors such as insulin under adverse conditions such as hypoxia.

Genetic modifiers of Drosophila palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1-induced degeneration

Infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (INCL) is a pediatric neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in the human CLN1 gene. CLN1 encodes palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1), suggesting an important role for the regulation of palmitoylation in normal neuronal function. To further elucidate Ppt1 function, we performed a gain-of-function modifier screen in Drosophila using a collection of enhancer-promoter transgenic lines to suppress or enhance the degeneration produced by overexpression of Ppt1 in the adult visual system. Modifier genes identified in our screen connect Ppt1 function to synaptic vesicle cycling, endo-lysosomal trafficking, synaptic development, and activity-dependent remodeling of the synapse. Furthermore, several homologs of the modifying genes are known to be regulated by palmitoylation in other systems and may be in vivo substrates for Ppt1. Our results complement recent work on mouse Ppt1(-/-) cells that shows a reduction in synaptic vesicle pools in primary neuronal cultures and defects in endosomal trafficking in human fibroblasts. The pathways and processes implicated by our modifier loci shed light on the normal cellular function of Ppt1. A greater understanding of Ppt1 function in these cellular processes will provide valuable insight into the molecular etiology of the neuronal dysfunction underlying the disease.

Activation of Akt independent of PTEN and CTMP tumor-suppressor gene mutations in epilepsy-associated Taylor-type focal cortical dysplasias

Focal cortical dysplasias (FCD) with Taylor-type balloon cells (FCD(IIb)) are frequently observed in biopsy specimens of patients with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsies. The molecular pathogenesis of FCD(IIb), which lack familial inheritance, is only poorly understood. Due to their highly differentiated, malformative nature and glioneuronal phenotype, FCD(IIb) share neuropathological characteristics with lesions observed in familial disorders such as cortical tubers present in patients with autosomal dominant tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), related to mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, and dysplastic gangliocytomas of the cerebellum found in Cowden disease. Current data have indicated distinct allelic variants of TSC1 to accumulate in FCD(IIb). TSC1 represents a tumor suppressor operating in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/insulin pathway. The tumor-suppressor gene PTEN is mutated in Cowden disease. Like PTEN, also carboxyl-terminal modulator protein (CTMP) modulates PI3K-pathway signaling, both via inhibition of Akt/PKB, a kinase inactivating the TSC1/TSC2 complex. Here, we have analyzed alterations of Akt, PTEN and CTMP relevant for insulin signaling upstream of TSC1/TSC2 in FCD(IIb). Immunohistochemistry with antibodies against phosphorylated Akt (phospho-Akt; Ser 473) in FCD(IIb) (n=23) showed strong phospho-Akt expression in dysplastic FCD(IIb) components. We have further studied sequence alterations of PTEN (n=34 FCD(IIb)) and CTMP (n=20 FCD(IIb)) by laser microdissection/single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. We observed a somatic mutation in an FCD(IIb), i.e., amino-acid exchange at nucleotide position 834 (PTEN cDNA, GenBank AH007803.1) in exon 8 with replacement of phenylalanine by leucine (F278L). We also found several silent polymorphisms of PTEN in exon 2 and exon 8 as well as silent and coding polymorphisms but no mutations in CTMP. No loss of heterozygosity in FCD(IIb) (n=6) at 10q23 was observed. To our knowledge, we here report on the first somatic mutation of a tumor-suppressor gene, i.e., PTEN, in FCD(IIb). However, our study also demonstrates that mutational alterations of PTEN and CTMP do not play major pathogenetic roles for activation of Akt in FCD(IIb). Future studies need to determine the origin of insulin pathway activation upstream of TSC1/TSC2 in FCD(IIb).

Two novel CLN5 mutations in a Portuguese patient with vLINCL: insights into molecular mechanisms of CLN5 deficiency

The neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses are the most common neurodegenerative disorders in childhood characterized by progressive blindness, epilepsy, brain atrophy, and premature death. Based on the age at onset, disease progression and ultrastructural features three classical (infantile, late-infantile, and juvenile) and three variant late-infantile forms are generally distinguished (Finnish variant, Costa Rican variant, and epilepsy with progressive motor retardation). The Finnish variant late-infantile form has been associated with CLN5 gene defects, with only five mutations described to date. We report a patient with vLINCL/CLN5 who represents the first evidence of the disease in the Portuguese population. Mutational screening revealed the previously described missense mutation c.835G>A (D279N) inherited from the mother, and two novel mutations, c.565C>T (Q189X) and c.335G>C (R112P) from paternal and maternal inheritance, respectively. Based on data here reported: (i) the number of possible mutations in CLN5 gene is now 7; (ii) the CLN5 Portuguese case represents the third description of the disease outside northern Europe; (iii) the CLN5/mRNA expression level reduced to 45% supports the existence of one mRNA non-producing allele, further noticeable at the protein level; (iv) Western blotting data using a specific antibody to human CLN5p provided evidence for the presence of four integral membrane isoforms in human fibroblasts; (v) data from differential expression of CLN2, CLN3, and CLN5 suggest down-regulation of CLN3 gene expression in CLN2 and CLN5-deficient human patients and this observation strengths the hypothesis of functional redundancy of the CLN system.

Homogeneous PCR nucleobase quenching assays to detect four mutations that cause neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis: T75P and R151X in CLN1, and IVS5-1G>C and R208X in CLN2

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a family of autosomal recessive lysosomal storage diseases characterized by progressive epilepsy, dementia and visual loss. The juvenile form of the disease (onset age 4-8 years with visual loss) is usually caused by mutations in the CLN3 gene, but some cases have been shown to be due to specific mutations in the CLN1 or CLN2 genes, which are usually associated with NCL with onset in infancy or late infancy, respectively. The CLN1 mutations T75P and R151X, and the CLN2 mutations R208X and IVS5-1G>C, are found in many NCL patients with a juvenile presentation that is not due to CLN3 mutation. We have developed and validated a set of assays for these mutations using PCR followed by differential melting of a fluorescently labeled oligo probe, on a Roche LightCycler platform. The nucleobase quenching phenomenon was used to detect probe hybridization. The tests were validated using alternate assays: PCR followed by allele specific restriction enzyme digestion for the CLN1 mutations, and PCR followed by sequencing for the CLN2 mutations. The homogeneous PCR method gave 100% concordance of results with the alternate methods. This new assay, combined with a test for the common 1 kbp deletion in the CLN3 gene, provides a set of DNA-based assays suitable for detection of the most common mutations causing NCL with onset in the juvenile age range.

Functional biology of the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) proteins

Neuronal ceroid lipofucinoses (NCLs) are a group of severe neurodegenerative disorders characterized by accumulation of autofluorescent ceroid lipopigment in patients' cells. The different forms of NCL share many similar pathological features but result from mutations in different genes. The genes affected in NCLs encode both soluble and transmembrane proteins and are localized to ER or to the endosomes/lysosomes. Due to selective vulnerability of the central nervous system in the NCL disorders, the corresponding proteins are proposed to have important, tissue specific roles in the brain. The pathological similarities of the different NCLs have led not only to the grouping of these disorders but also to suggestion that the NCL proteins function in the same biological pathway. Despite extensive research, including the development of several model organisms for NCLs and establishment of high-throughput techniques, the precise biological function of many of the NCL proteins has remained elusive. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of the functions, or proposed functions, of the different NCL proteins.

The neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses: From past to present

The neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are inherited lysosomal storage diseases and constitute the most common group of children's progressive encephalopathies. Most childhood forms of NCL are clinically characterized by progressive loss of vision as well as mental and motor deterioration, epileptic seizures, and premature death, while the rare adult forms are dominated by dementia. All forms of NCL share common pathomorphological features. Autofluorescent, periodic acid-Schiff- and Sudan black B-positive granules, resistant to lipid solvents, accumulate in the cytoplasm of most nerve cells, and there is progressive and remarkably selective neuronal degeneration and loss. For a long time, the NCLs were grouped under the heading of the "amaurotic family idiocies" and conceived as lipidoses. However, in the late 1980s and 1990s the NCL storage cytosomes were shown to consist largely of two hydrophobic proteins: either subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase or sphingolipid activator proteins A and D. Since 1995 numerous mutations in at least seven different genes have been shown to underlie the multiple human and animal forms of NCL. This review discusses the historical evolution of the NCL concept and the impact of the recent biochemical and molecular genetic findings on our views on the classification and pathogenesis of these devastating brain disorders.

Molecular genetics of the NCLs -- status and perspectives

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of inherited neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the accumulation of autofluorescent storage material in many cell types, including neurons. Most NCL subtypes are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner and characterized clinically by epileptic seizures, progressive psychomotor decline, visual failure, variable age of onset, and premature death. To date, seven genes underlying human NCLs have been identified. Most of the mutations in these genes are associated with specific disease subtypes, while some result in variable disease onset, severity and progression. In addition to these, there are still disease subgroups with unknown molecular genetic backgrounds. Although apparent clinical homogeneity exists within some of these subgroups, actual genetic heterogeneity may complicate gene identification. Additional clues to the identification of these unknown genes may come from animal models of NCL and from functional studies of already known genes which may suggest further candidates.

Evaluation of immune effects of fowlpox vaccine strains and field isolates

The immune effects of fowlpox virus (FPV) field isolates and vaccine strains were evaluated in chickens infected at the age of 1 day and 6 weeks. The field isolates and the obsolete vaccine strain (FPV S) contained integrated reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) provirus, while the current vaccine strain (FPVST) carries only REV LTR sequences. An indirect antibody ELISA was used to measure the FPV-specific antibody response. The non-specific humoral response was evaluated by injection of two T-cell-dependent antigens, sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and bovine serum albumin (BSA). There was no significant difference in the antibody response to FPV between chickens infected with FPV various isolates and strains at either age. In contrast, antibody responses to both SRBC and BSA were significantly lower in 1-day-old chickens inoculated with field isolates and FPV S at 2-3 weeks post-inoculation. Furthermore, cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses measured by in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay and in vivo using a PHA-P skin test were significantly depressed in chickens inoculated with field isolates and FPV S at the same periods. In addition, thymus and bursal weights were lower in infected chickens. These immunosuppressive effects were not observed in chickens inoculated with the current vaccine strain, FPVST, at any time. The results of this study suggest that virulent field isolates and FPV S have immunosuppressive effects when inoculated into young chickens, which appeared in the first 3 weeks post infection. REV integrated in the FPV field isolates and FPV S may have played a central role in the development of immunosuppression.

Novel CLN1 mutation in two Italian sibs with late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

We detected a novel CLN1 mutation (c.125-15t>g) in two Italian siblings. The clinical phenotype is that of a variant late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis and consisted of early-onset visual loss, psychomotor deterioration, and seizures. Ultrastructurally, granular osmiophilic deposits were found in skin biopsy of both patients. The novel mutation occurs in the acceptor sequences for splicing and leads to skipping of multiple exons. This predicts a protein lacking part or all of the active site of the enzyme and the palmitate-binding pocket. Consequently, biochemical activity of the palmitoyl protein thioesterase-1 enzyme was drastically reduced. The new mutation was not identified in a large set of ethnically matched control chromosomes. Our findings support the notion that CLN1 patients are not rare in Southern Europe and facilitate DNA-based mutation and carrier testing in this family.

Palmitoyl-protein thioesterase-1 deficiency leads to the activation of caspase-9 and contributes to rapid neurodegeneration in INCL

The infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (INCL), a rare (one in 100 000 births) but one of the most lethal inherited neurodegenerative storage disorders of childhood, is caused by inactivating mutations in the palmitoyl-protein thioesterase-1 (PPT1) gene. PPT1 cleaves thioester linkages in s-acylated (palmitoylated) proteins and facilitates their degradation and/or recycling. Thus, PPT1-deficiency leads to an abnormal intracellular accumulation of s-acylated proteins causing INCL pathogenesis. Although neuronal apoptosis is the suggested cause of neurodegeneration in this disease, the molecular mechanism(s) remains poorly understood. We recently reported that one of the major pathways of neuronal apoptosis in PPT1-knockout (PPT1-KO) mice that mimic INCL, is mediated by endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced caspase-12 activation. ER stress also increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), disrupts Ca(2+) homeostasis and increases the potential for destabilizing mitochondrial membrane. Mitochondrial membrane destabilization activates caspase-9 present in this organelle, and can mediate apoptosis. We report here that the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), most likely induced by ROS, in human INCL as well as PPT1-KO mouse brain tissues are markedly elevated. Moreover, we demonstrate that activated caspase-3 and cleaved-PARP, indicative of apoptosis, are also increased in these tissues. Using cultured neurospheres from PPT1-KO and wild-type mouse fetuses, we further demonstrate that the levels of ROS, SOD-2, cleaved-caspase-9, activated caspase-3 and cleaved-PARP are elevated. We propose that: (i) ER stress due to PPT1-deficiency increases ROS and disrupts calcium homeostasis activating caspase-9 and (ii) caspase-9 activation mediates caspase-3 activation and apoptosis contributing to rapid neurodegeneration in INCL.

A novel and cytogenetically cryptic t(7;21)(p22;q22) in acute myeloid leukemia results in fusion of RUNX1 with the ubiquitin-specific protease gene USP42

Although many of the chromosomal abnormalities in hematologic malignancies are identifiable cytogenetically, some are only detectable using molecular methods. We describe a novel cryptic t(7;21)(p22;q22) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). FISH, 3'RACE, and RT-PCR revealed a fusion involving RUNX1 and the ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) gene USP42. The genomic breakpoint was in intron 7 of RUNX1 and intron 1 of USP42. The reciprocal chimera was not detected - neither on the transcriptional nor on the genomic level - and FISH showed that the 5' part of USP42 was deleted. USP42 maps to a 7p22 region characterized by segmental duplications. Notably, 17 kb duplicons are present 1 Mb proximal to USP42 and 3 Mb proximal to RUNX1; these may be important in the genesis of t(7;21). This is the second cryptic RUNX1 translocation in hematologic malignancies and the first in AML. The USPs have not previously been reported to be rearranged in leukemias. The cellular context in which USP42 is active is unknown, but we here show that it is expressed in normal bone marrow, in primary AMLs, and in cancer cell lines. Its involvement in the t(7;21) suggests that deregulation of ubiquitin-associated pathways may be pathogenetically important in AML.

Genotype-phenotype analyses of classic neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCLs): genetic predictions from clinical and pathological findings

OBJECTIVE

Genotype-phenotype associations were studied in 517 subjects clinically affected by classical neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL).

METHODS

Genetic loci CLN1-3 were analyzed in regard to age of onset, initial neurological symptoms, and electron microscope (EM) profiles.

RESULTS

The most common initial symptom leading to a clinical evaluation was developmental delay (30%) in NCL1, seizures (42.4%) in NCL2, and vision problems (53.5%) in NCL3. Eighty-two percent of NCL1 cases had granular osmiophilic deposits (GRODs) or mixed-GROD-containing EM profiles; 94% of NCL2 cases had curvilinear (CV) or mixed-CV-containing profiles; and 91% of NCL3 had fingerprint (FP) or mixed-FP-containing profiles. The mixed-type EM profile was found in approximately one-third of the NCL cases. DNA mutations within a specific CLN gene were further correlated with NCL phenotypes. Seizures were noticed to associate with common mutations 523G>A and 636C>T of CLN2 in NCL2 but not with common mutations 223G>A and 451C>T of CLN1 in NCL1. Vision loss was the initial symptom in all types of mutations in NCL3. Surprisingly, our data showed that the age of onset was atypical in 51.3% of NCL1 (infantile form) cases, 19.7% of NCL2 (late-infantile form) cases, and 42.8% of NCL3 (juvenile form) cases.

CONCLUSION

Our data provide an overall picture regarding the clinical recognition of classical childhood NCLs. This may assist in the prediction and genetic identification of NCL1-3 via their characteristic clinical features.

Overexpression in colorectal carcinoma of two lysosomal enzymes, CLN2 and CLN1, involved in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

BACKGROUND

Lysosomal proteases are implicated in cancer progression and metastasis. In the current study, using subtraction cloning for genes that are differentially expressed in metastasis, the authors isolated a clone encoding ceroid lipofuscinosis, neuronal 2 (CLN2), which is a lysosomal serine protease defective in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). Increased CLN2 activity has been reported in breast carcinoma and the antiapoptotic effect of another causative gene of NCL, ceroid lipofuscinosis, neuronal 1 (CLN1), is known.

METHODS

The mRNA levels of CLN2, CLN1, and cathepsins B, D, H, and L were investigated in colorectal carcinoma patients with different clinical stages using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. A polyclonal antibody was raised against a recombinant CLN2 protein for immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The mRNA levels of CLN1 and cathepsins B, D, and L were significantly higher in metastatic lesions than in primary tumors. In the primary tumors, mRNA expressions of CLN2 and cathepsin D were associated with advanced clinical stages (P < .015 and P < .031, respectively). Among the lysosomal enzymes examined, only the mRNA expression of CLN2 in both the primary tumors of all patients and the pT3 tumors was correlated with the presence of liver metastases (P < .0049 and P < .029, respectively). The polyclonal antibody prepared in the current study demonstrated CLN2 overexpression by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that there is a close correlation between CLN2 and CLN1 expression and colorectal carcinoma progression and metastasis and suggest that they may be potential molecular targets.

Correlations between genotype, ultrastructural morphology and clinical phenotype in the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of severe neurodegenerative diseases with onset usually in childhood and characterised by the intracellular accumulation of autofluorescent storage material. Within the last decade, mutations that cause NCL have been found in six human genes (CLN1, CLN2, CLN3, CLN5, CLN6 and CLN8). Mutations in two additional genes cause disease in animal models that share features with NCL-CTSD in sheep and mice and PPT2 in mice. Approximately 160 NCL disease-causing mutations have now been described (listed and fully cited in the NCL Mutation Database, http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ncl/ ). Most mutations result in a classic morphology and disease phenotype, but some mutations are associated with disease that is of later onset, less severe or protracted in its course, or with atypical morphology. Seven common mutations exist, some having a worldwide distribution and others associated with families originating from specific geographical regions. This review attempts to correlate the gene, disease-causing mutation, morphology and clinical phenotype for each type of NCL.

[From gene to disease; from CLN1, CLN2 and CLN3 to neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis]

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) are worldwide the most common lysosomal storage disorders of childhood. Clinical features often include progressive visual impairment, seizures, psychomotor deterioration, dementia, and premature death. Most NCL cases are caused by mutations in the CLN1, CLN2 and CLN3 genes, which play an essential role in lysosomal protein degradation. Laboratory diagnostics for a patient suspected of NCL should start with enzyme analysis in the case of INCL and LINCL and investigation of lymphocyte vacuolisation for JNCL. Diagnosis at the protein level is not available for JNCL, but CLN3 mutation analysis is possible. The carrier status of healthy relatives in families with known mutations in either CLN1, CLN2, CLN3 or CLN6 can be determined with certainty by mutation analysis.

Crystal structure of human otubain 2

Ubiquitylation, the modification of cellular proteins by the covalent attachment of ubiquitin, is critical for diverse biological processes including cell cycle progression, signal transduction and stress response. This process can be reversed and regulated by a group of proteases called deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs). Otubains are a recently identified family of DUBs that belong to the ovarian tumour (OTU) superfamily of proteins. Here, we report the first crystal structure of an OTU superfamily protein, otubain 2, at 2.1 A resolution and propose a model for otubain-ubiquitin binding on the basis of other DUB structures. Although otubain 2 is a member of the cysteine protease superfamily of folds, its crystal structure shows a novel fold for DUBs. Moreover, the active-site cleft is sterically occluded by a novel loop conformation resulting in an oxyanion hole, which consists uniquely of backbone amides, rather than the composite backbone/side-chain substructures seen in other DUBs and cysteine proteases. Furthermore, the residues that orient and stabilize the active-site histidine of otubain 2 are different from other cysteine proteases. This reorganization of the active-site topology provides a possible explanation for the low turnover and substrate specificity of the otubains.

High-resolution magic angle spinning and1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy reveal significantly altered neuronal metabolite profiles in CLN1 but not in CLN3

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are among the most severe inherited progressive neurodegenerative disorders of children. The purpose of this study was to compare the in vivo 1.5-T 1H magnetic resonance (MR) and ex vivo 14.3-T high-resolution (HR) magic angle spinning (MAS) 1H MR brain spectra of patients with infantile (CLN1) and juvenile (CLN3) types of NCL, to obtain detailed information about the alterations in the neuronal metabolite profiles in these diseases and to test the suitability of the ex vivo HR MAS (1)H MRS technique in analysis of autopsy brain tissue. Ex vivo spectra from CLN1 autopsy brain tissue (n = 9) significantly differed from those of the control (n = 9) and CLN3 (n = 5) groups, although no differences were found between the CLN3 and the control groups. Principal component analysis of ex vivo data showed that decreased levels of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamine, and glutamate as well as increased levels of inositols characterized the CLN1 spectra. Also, the intensity ratio of lipid methylene/methyl protons was decreased in spectra of CLN1 brain tissue compared with CLN3 and control brain tissue. In concordance with the ex vivo data, the in vivo spectra of late-stage patients with CLN1 (n = 3) revealed a dramatic decrease of NAA and a proportional increase of myo-inositol and lipids compared with control subjects. Again, the spectra of patients with CLN3 (n = 13) did not differ from those of controls (n = 15). In conclusion, the ex vivo and in vivo spectroscopic findings were in good agreement within all analyzed groups and revealed significant alterations in metabolite profiles in CLN1 brain tissue but not in CLN3 compared with controls. Furthermore, HR MAS 1H MR spectra facilitated refined detection of neuronal metabolites, including GABA, and composition of lipids in the autopsy brain tissue of NCL patients.