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Alfen F, Putscher E, Hecker M, Zettl UK, Hermann A, Lukas J. Abnormal Pre-mRNA Splicing in Exonic Fabry Disease-Causing GLA Mutations. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315261. [PMID: 36499585 PMCID: PMC9737616 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked disease due to a multiverse of disrupting mutations within the GLA gene encoding lysosomal α-galactosidase A (AGAL). Absent AGAL activity causes the accumulation of complex glycosphingolipids inside of lysosomes in a variety of cell types and results in a progressive multisystem disease. Known disease-associated point mutations in protein-coding gene regions usually cause translational perturbations and result in premature chain termination, punctual amino acid sequence alterations or overall altered sequence alterations downstream of the mutation site. However, nucleotide exchanges at the border between introns and exons can affect splicing behavior and lead to abnormal pre-mRNA processing. Prediction with the Human Splicing Finder (HSF) revealed an indication of a significant change in splicing-relevant information for some known FD-associated GLA mutations. To experimentally determine the extent of the change, we made use of a minigene reporter assay and verified alternative splicing events for the exonic mutations c.194G>T and c.358C>G, which led to the usage of alternative donor splice sites at exon 1 and exon 2, respectively. In addition, the mutations c.548G>T and c.638A>T led to significant exon 4 skipping. We conclude that splicing phenotype analysis should be employed in the in vitro analysis of exonic GLA gene mutations, since abnormal splicing may result in a reduction of enzyme activity and alter the amenability for treatment with pharmacological chaperone (PC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Alfen
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Elena Putscher
- Neuroimmunology Section, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Michael Hecker
- Neuroimmunology Section, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Uwe Klaus Zettl
- Neuroimmunology Section, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Jan Lukas
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Modrego A, Amaranto M, Godino A, Mendoza R, Barra JL, Corchero JL. Human α-Galactosidase A Mutants: Priceless Tools to Develop Novel Therapies for Fabry Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6518. [PMID: 34204583 PMCID: PMC8234732 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in the gene for the α-galactosidase A (GLA) enzyme. The absence of the enzyme or its activity results in the accumulation of glycosphingolipids, mainly globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), in different tissues, leading to a wide range of clinical manifestations. More than 1000 natural variants have been described in the GLA gene, most of them affecting proper protein folding and enzymatic activity. Currently, FD is treated by enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) or pharmacological chaperone therapy (PCT). However, as both approaches show specific drawbacks, new strategies (such as new forms of ERT, organ/cell transplant, substrate reduction therapy, or gene therapy) are under extensive study. In this review, we summarize GLA mutants described so far and discuss their putative application for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of FD. Unfavorable mutants with lower activities and stabilities than wild-type enzymes could serve as tools for the development of new pharmacological chaperones. On the other hand, GLA mutants showing improved enzymatic activity have been identified and produced in vitro. Such mutants could overcome several complications associated with current ERT, as lower-dose infusions of these mutants could achieve a therapeutic effect equivalent to that of the wild-type enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Modrego
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.); (R.M.)
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marilla Amaranto
- Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5016, Argentina; (M.A.); (A.G.); (J.L.B.)
| | - Agustina Godino
- Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5016, Argentina; (M.A.); (A.G.); (J.L.B.)
| | - Rosa Mendoza
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.); (R.M.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), c/Monforte de Lemos 3–5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Barra
- Departamento de Química Biológica Ranwel Caputto, Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba 5016, Argentina; (M.A.); (A.G.); (J.L.B.)
| | - José Luis Corchero
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.); (R.M.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), c/Monforte de Lemos 3–5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
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Lukas J, Cimmaruta C, Liguori L, Pantoom S, Iwanov K, Petters J, Hund C, Bunschkowski M, Hermann A, Cubellis MV, Rolfs A. Assessment of Gene Variant Amenability for Pharmacological Chaperone Therapy with 1-Deoxygalactonojirimycin in Fabry Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030956. [PMID: 32023956 PMCID: PMC7037350 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Fabry disease is one of the most common lysosomal storage disorders caused by mutations in the gene encoding lysosomal α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) and resultant accumulation of glycosphingolipids. The sugar mimetic 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin (DGJ), an orally available pharmacological chaperone, was clinically approved as an alternative to intravenous enzyme replacement therapy. The decision as to whether a patient should be treated with DGJ depends on the genetic variant within the α-galactosidase A encoding gene (GLA). A good laboratory practice (GLP)-validated cell culture-based assay to investigate the biochemical responsiveness of the variants is currently the only source available to obtain pivotal information about susceptibility to treatment. Herein, variants were defined amenable when an absolute increase in enzyme activity of ≥3% of wild type enzyme activity and a relative increase in enzyme activity of ≥1.2-fold was achieved following DGJ treatment. Efficacy testing was carried out for over 1000 identified GLA variants in cell culture. Recent data suggest that about one-third of the variants comply with the amenability criteria. A recent study highlighted the impact of inter-assay variability on DGJ amenability, thereby reducing the power of the assay to predict eligible patients. This prompted us to compare our own α-galactosidase A enzyme activity data in a very similar in-house developed assay with those from the GLP assay. In an essentially retrospective approach, we reviewed 148 GLA gene variants from our former studies for which enzyme data from the GLP study were available and added novel data for 30 variants. We also present data for 18 GLA gene variants for which no data from the GLP assay are currently available. We found that both differences in experimental biochemical data and the criteria for the classification of amenability cause inter-assay discrepancy. We conclude that low baseline activity, borderline biochemical responsiveness, and inter-assay discrepancy are alarm signals for misclassifying a variant that must not be ignored. Furthermore, there is no solid basis for setting a minimum response threshold on which a clinical indication with DGJ can be justified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Lukas
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel“, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany; (C.C.); (S.P.); (K.I.); (J.P.); (C.H.); (A.H.)
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-0381-494-4894
| | - Chiara Cimmaruta
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel“, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany; (C.C.); (S.P.); (K.I.); (J.P.); (C.H.); (A.H.)
| | - Ludovica Liguori
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy;
| | - Supansa Pantoom
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel“, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany; (C.C.); (S.P.); (K.I.); (J.P.); (C.H.); (A.H.)
| | - Katharina Iwanov
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel“, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany; (C.C.); (S.P.); (K.I.); (J.P.); (C.H.); (A.H.)
| | - Janine Petters
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel“, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany; (C.C.); (S.P.); (K.I.); (J.P.); (C.H.); (A.H.)
| | - Christina Hund
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel“, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany; (C.C.); (S.P.); (K.I.); (J.P.); (C.H.); (A.H.)
| | | | - Andreas Hermann
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel“, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany; (C.C.); (S.P.); (K.I.); (J.P.); (C.H.); (A.H.)
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Maria Vittoria Cubellis
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy;
- Department of Biology, University Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Arndt Rolfs
- Centogene AG, 18055 Rostock, Germany; (M.B.); (A.R.)
- University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
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Liguori L, Monticelli M, Allocca M, Hay Mele B, Lukas J, Cubellis MV, Andreotti G. Pharmacological Chaperones: A Therapeutic Approach for Diseases Caused by Destabilizing Missense Mutations. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21020489. [PMID: 31940970 PMCID: PMC7014102 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The term “pharmacological chaperone” was introduced 20 years ago. Since then the approach with this type of drug has been proposed for several diseases, lysosomal storage disorders representing the most popular targets. The hallmark of a pharmacological chaperone is its ability to bind a protein specifically and stabilize it. This property can be beneficial for curing diseases that are associated with protein mutants that are intrinsically active but unstable. The total activity of the affected proteins in the cell is lower than normal because they are cleared by the quality control system. Although most pharmacological chaperones are reversible competitive inhibitors or antagonists of their target proteins, the inhibitory activity is neither required nor desirable. This issue is well documented by specific examples among which those concerning Fabry disease. Direct specific binding is not the only mechanism by which small molecules can rescue mutant proteins in the cell. These drugs and the properly defined pharmacological chaperones can work together with different and possibly synergistic modes of action to revert a disease phenotype caused by an unstable protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Liguori
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (L.L.); (M.A.)
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare–CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy;
| | - Maria Monticelli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Mariateresa Allocca
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (L.L.); (M.A.)
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare–CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy;
| | - Bruno Hay Mele
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, 80121 Naples, Italy;
| | - Jan Lukas
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany;
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Center Rostock, University of Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Maria Vittoria Cubellis
- Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare–CNR, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy;
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-679118; Fax: +39-081-679233
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Challenging popular tools for the annotation of genetic variations with a real case, pathogenic mutations of lysosomal alpha-galactosidase. BMC Bioinformatics 2018; 19:433. [PMID: 30497360 PMCID: PMC6266955 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-018-2416-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Severity gradation of missense mutations is a big challenge for exome annotation. Predictors of deleteriousness that are most frequently used to filter variants found by next generation sequencing, produce qualitative predictions, but also numerical scores. It has never been tested if these scores correlate with disease severity. Results wANNOVAR, a popular tool that can generate several different types of deleteriousness-prediction scores, was tested on Fabry disease. This pathology, which is caused by a deficit of lysosomal alpha-galactosidase, has a very large genotypic and phenotypic spectrum and offers the possibility of associating a quantitative measure of the damage caused by mutations to the functioning of the enzyme in the cells. Some predictors, and in particular VEST3 and PolyPhen2 provide scores that correlate with the severity of lysosomal alpha-galactosidase mutations in a statistically significant way. Conclusions Sorting disease mutations by severity is possible and offers advantages over binary classification. Dataset for testing and training in silico predictors can be obtained by transient transfection and evaluation of residual activity of mutants in cell extracts. This approach consents to quantitative data for severe, mild and non pathological variants. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12859-018-2416-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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