Analysis of the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene in familial and sporadic myoclonus-dystonia: evidence for genetic heterogeneity.

The epsilon-sarcoglycan gene (SGCE) on human chromosome 7q21 has been reported to be a major locus for inherited myoclonus-dystonia. Linkage to the SGCE locus has been detected in the majority of families tested, and mutations in the coding region have been found recently in families with autosomal dominant myoclonus-dystonia. To evaluate the relevance of SGCE in myoclonus-dystonia, we sequenced the entire coding region of the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene in 16 patients with either sporadic or familial myoclonus-dystonia. No mutations were found. This study suggests that epsilon-sarcoglycan does not play an important role in sporadic myoclonus-dystonia and supports genetic heterogeneity in familial cases.     

Dual Effects of Hexanol and Halothane on the Regulation of Calcium Sensitivity in Airway Smooth Muscle

Background: Contraction of airway smooth muscle is regulated by receptor-coupled mechanisms that control the force developed for a given cytosolic calcium concentration (i.e., calcium sensitivity). Halothane antagonizes acetylcholine-induced increases in calcium sensitivity by inhibiting GTP-binding (G)-protein pathways. The authors tested the hypothesis that hexanol, like halothane, inhibits agonist-induced increases in calcium sensitivity in airway smooth muscle by inhibiting G-protein pathways.

Methods: Calcium sensitivity was assessed using [alpha]-toxin-permeabilized canine tracheal smooth muscle. In selected experiments, regulatory myosin light chain phosphorylation was also determined by Western blotting in the presence and absence of 10 mm hexanol and/or 100 [mu]m acetylcholine.

Results: Hexanol (10 mm) and halothane (0.76 mm) attenuated acetylcholine-induced calcium sensitization by decreasing regulatory myosin light chain phosphorylation during receptor stimulation. Hexanol also inhibited increases in calcium sensitivity due to direct stimulation of heterotrimeric G-proteins with tetrafluoroaluminate but not with 3 [mu]m GTP[gamma]S, consistent with prior results obtained with halothane. In contrast, in the absence of receptor stimulation, both compounds produced a small increase in calcium sensitivity by a G-protein-mediated increase in regulatory myosin light chain phosphorylation that was not affected by pertussis toxin treatment.     

Anesthetics Inhibit Membrane Receptor Coupling to the Gq/11 Heterotrimeric G Protein in Airway Smooth Muscle

Background: Some anesthetics relax airway smooth muscle in part by inhibiting acetylcholine-induced increases in Ca2+ sensitivity, an effect associated with inhibition of guanosine nucleotide exchange at the [alpha] subunit of the Gq/11 (G[alpha]q/11) heterotrimeric G protein. This study tested the hypothesis that these anesthetic effects are not unique to the muscarinic receptor but are a general property of the heptahelical receptors that increase Ca2+ sensitivity in airway smooth muscle.

Methods: Anesthetic effects on agonist-induced increases in Ca2+ sensitivity were measured in porcine airway smooth muscle strips permeabilized with S. aureus [alpha]-toxin. Anesthetic effects on basal (without agonist stimulation) and agonist-promoted G[alpha]q/11 guanosine nucleotide exchange were determined in crude membranes prepared from porcine airway smooth muscle. The nonhydrolyzable, radioactive form of guanosine 5'-triphosphate was used as the reporter for nucleotide exchange at G[alpha]q/11.

Results: Acetylcholine, endothelin-1, and histamine caused a concentration-dependent increase in Ca2+ sensitivity. Halothane (0.67 +/- 0.07 mm) and hexanol (10 mm) significantly inhibited the increase in Ca2+ sensitivity induced by each agonist. Each agonist also caused a time- and concentration-dependent increase in G[alpha]q/11 nucleotide exchange. Neither anesthetic had an effect on basal G[alpha]q/11 nucleotide exchange, whereas halothane and hexanol significantly inhibited the increase in G[alpha]q/11 nucleotide exchange promoted by each agonist.