Browsing by Author "Mosso, LM"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Biochemical and genetic characterization of 11 beta- hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 in low-renin essential hypertensives
    (LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS, 2005) Carvajal, CA; Romero, DG; Mosso, LM; Gonzalez, AA; Campino, C; Montero, J; Fardella, CE
    Background The 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11betaHSD2) catalyzes the conversion of cortisol M to cortisone (E), avoiding the interaction of cortisol with the mineralocorticoid receptor. If it fails, cortisol will stimulate sodium and water reabsorption, increasing the intravascular volume that suppresses renin and secondarily increase the blood pressure.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia caused by a novel splicing mutation in the gene for the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein
    (ENDOCRINE SOC, 2004) Gonzalez, AA; Reyes, ML; Carvajal, CA; Tobar, JA; Mosso, LM; Baquedano, P; Solar, A; Venegas, A; Fardella, CE
    Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) plays a crucial role in the transport of cholesterol from the cytoplasm to the inner mitochondrial membrane, facilitating its conversion to pregnenolone by cytochrome P450scc. Its essential role in steroidogenesis was demonstrated after observing that StAR gene mutations gave rise to a potentially lethal disease named congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia, in which virtually no steroids are produced. We report here a 2-month-old female patient, karyotype 46XY, who presented with growth failure, convulsions, dehydration, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, hypotension, and severe hyperpigmentation suggestive of adrenal insufficiency. Serum cortisol, 17OH-progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone, 17OH-pregnenolone, and aldosterone levels were undetectable in the presence of high ACTH and plasma renin activity levels. Immunohistochemical analysis of testis tissues revealed the absence of StAR protein. Molecular analysis of StAR gene demonstrated a homozygous G to T mutation within the splice donor site of exon 1 (IVS1 + 1G>T). Her parents and one brother were heterozygous for this mutation. In vitro analysis of the mutation was performed in COS cells transfected with minigenes coding regions spanning exon-intron 1 to 3 carrying the mutant and the wild-type sequences. RT-PCR analyses of the mutant gene showed an abnormal mRNA transcript of 2430 bp (normal size 433 bp). Sequence analysis of the mutant mRNA demonstrated the retention of intron 1. Immunolocalization of the StAR minigene product detected the peptide in the mitochondria of COS cells transfected with the wild-type minigene but not in those transfected with the mutant minigene. We conclude that this mutation gives rise to a truncated StAR protein, which lacks an important N-terminal region and the entire lipid transfer domain.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Two homozygous mutations in the 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 gene in a case of apparent mineralocorticoid excess
    (2003) Carvajal, CA; Gonzalez, AA; Romero, DG; González, A; Mosso, LM; Lagos, ET; Hevia, MD; Rosati, MP; Perez-Acle, TO; Gomez-Sanchez, CE; Montero, JA; Fardella, CE
    The human microsomal 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11betaHSD2) metabolizes active cortisol into cortisone and protects the mineralocorticoid receptor from glucocorticoid occupancy. In a congenital deficiency of 11beta-HSD2, the protective mechanism fails and cortisol gains inappropriate access to mineralocorticoid receptor, resulting in low-renin hypertension and hypokalemia. In the present study, we describe the clinical and molecular genetic characterization of a patient with a new mutation in the HSD11B2 gene. This is a 4-yr-old male with arterial hypertension. The plasma renin activity and serum aldosterone were undetectable in the presence of a high cortisol to cortisone ratio. PCR amplification and sequence analysis of HSD11B2 gene showed the homozygous mutation in exon 4 Asp223Asn (GAC --> AAC) and a single nucleotide substitution C-->T in intron 3. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we generated a mutant 11betaHSD2 cDNA containing the Asp223Asn mutation. Wild-type and mutant cDNA was transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells and enzymatic activities were measured using radiolabeled cortisol and thin-layer chromatography. The mRNA and 11betaHSD2 protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Wild-type and mutant 11betaHSD2 protein was expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, but the mutant enzyme had only 6% of wildtype activity. In silico 3D modeling showed that Asp223Asn changed the enzyme's surface electrostatic potential affecting the cofactor and substrate enzyme-binding capacity. The single substitution C-->T in intron 3 (IVS3 + 14 C-->T) have been previously reported that alters the normal splicing of pre-mRNA, given a nonfunctional protein. These findings may determine the full inactivation of this enzyme, explaining the biochemical profile and the early onset of hypertension seen in this patient.