Disrupted nitric oxide signaling due to GUCY1A3 mutations increases risk for moyamoya disease,achalasia and hypertension

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a progressive vasculopathy characterized by occlusion of the terminal portion of the internal carotid arteries and its branches, and the formation of compensatory moyamoya collateral vessels. Homozygous mutations in GUCY1A3 have been reported as a cause of MMD and achalasia. Probands (n = 96) from unrelated families underwent sequencing of GUCY1A3. Functional studies were performed to confirm the pathogenicity of identified GUCY1A3 variants. Two affected individuals from the unrelated families were found to have compound heterozygous mutations in GUCY1A3. MM041 was diagnosed with achalasia at 4 years of age, hypertension and MMD at 18 years of age. MM149 was diagnosed with MMD and hypertension at the age of 20 months. Both individuals carry one allele that is predicted to lead to haploinsufficiency and a second allele that is predicted to produce a mutated protein. Biochemical studies of one of these alleles, GUCY1A3 Cys517Tyr, showed that the mutant protein (a subunit of soluble guanylate cyclase) has a significantly blunted signaling response with exposure to nitric oxide (NO). GUCY1A3 missense and haploinsufficiency mutations disrupt NO signaling leading to MMD and hypertension, with or without achalasia.     

An overview of Leber congenital amaurosis: a model to understand human retinal development

Leber congenital amaurosis is a congenital retinal dystrophy described almost 150 years ago. Today, Leber congenital amaurosis is proving instrumental in our understanding of the molecular events that determine normal and aberrant retinal development. Six genes have been shown to be mutated in Leber congenital amaurosis, and they participate in a wide variety of retinal pathways: retinoid metabolism (RPE65), phototransduction (GUCY2D), photoreceptor outer segment development (CRX), disk morphogenesis (RPGRIP1), zonula adherens formation (CRB1), and cell-cycle progression (AIPL1). Longitudinal studies of visual performance show that most Leber congenital amaurosis patients remain stable, some deteriorate, and rare cases exhibit improvements. Histopathological analyses reveal that most cases have extensive degenerative retinal changes, some have an entirely normal retinal architecture, whereas others have primitive, poorly developed retinas. Animal models of Leber congenital amaurosis have greatly added to understanding the impact of the genetic defects on retinal cell death, and response to rescue. Gene therapy for RPE65 deficient dogs partially restored sight, and provides the first real hope of treatment for this devastating blinding condition.     

Normal range of hearing associated with myocilin Thr377Met

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous severe retinal dystrophy presenting in infancy. To explain the phenotypical variability observed in two affected siblings of a consanguineous pedigree diagnosed with LCA and establish a genotype-phenotype correlation, we screened GUCY2D, RPE65, CRX, AIPL1, and RPGRIP1for mutations. The more severely affected sibling carried a heterozygous missense mutation in the GUCY2Dgene (Ile539Val), which did not segregate with the disease phenotype. Subsequently, a homozygous nonsense mutation (Glu102STOP) in the RPE65gene was identified in both affected siblings, thus identifying the causative gene. This data provides evidence for the presence of genetic modulation in LCA. It appears that the heterozygous GUCY2D mutation further disrupts the already compromised photoreceptor function resulting in more severe retinal dysfunction in the older sibling. We suggest that the unusual phenotypic variability in these two siblings with LCA is caused by the modifying effect of a heterozygous GUCY2D mutation observed against the disease background of a homozygous RPE65mutation.     

Long term follow-up of a family with GUCY2D dominant cone dystrophy

AIM: To describe long term follow-up in a family with GUCY2D dominant cone dystrophy. METHODS: Optical coherence tomography scans and fundus autofluorescence images were obtained. Flash and pattern electroretinograms (ERGs) and occipital pattern reversal visual evoked potentials were recorded. RESULTS: Two members of the same family (father and son) were identified to have the heterozygous R838C mutation in the GUCY2D gene. The father presented at the age of 45 with bilateral bull’s eye maculopathy and temporal disc pallor. Over 13y of serial follow up visits, the bull’s eye maculopathy progressed gradually into macular atrophy. Electrophysiological tests were significantly degraded suggesting poor macular function. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans showed progressive loss and disruption of the ellipsoid layer at the foveal level. His son presented at the age of 16 with bilateral granular retinal pigment epithelial changes in both maculae. Electrophysiological testing was initially borderline normal but has gradually deteriorated to show reduced cone ERGs and macula function. SD-OCT demonstrated gradual macular thinning and atrophy bilaterally. Unlike his father, there was no disruption of the ellipsoid layer. CONCLUSION: Both family members exhibited gradual changes in their fundi, electrophysiological testing and multimodal imaging. Changes were milder than those observed in other mutations of the same gene.     

GUCY 1A3 基因位点rs7692387 单核苷酸多态性与冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病的相关性研究

目的 探讨GUCY 1A 3 基因位点rs7692387 单核苷酸多态性与冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病（冠心病）的相关性。方法 选取延边大学附属医院收集延边地区汉族冠心病患者204 例（冠心病组）以及健康体检的正常人群201 例（对照组）。采用基于荧光标记单碱基延伸原理的SNaPshot 技术对GUCY 1A 3 基因位点rs7692387 单核苷酸多态性进行分型检测。结果 冠心病组和对照组的GUCY 1A 3 基因位点rs7692387 的基因型分布均符合Hardy-Weinberg 平衡定律。冠心病组GG 基因型频率高于对照组,而对照组GA +AA 基因型频率高于冠心病组,差异有统计学意义（P <0.05）。G 和A 两等位基因频率分布差异亦有统计学意义（P <0.05）。应用Logistic 回归分析调整混杂因素,差异有统计学意义（P <0.05）,并发现GUCY 1A 3 基因位点rs7692387 的GG 基因型可增加冠心病的患病风险（O^R=1.543,95%CI ：1.022,2.327,P =0.039）,而A 等位基因可降低冠心病的患病风险（O^R=0.691,95%CI ：0.494,0.968,P =0.031）。结论 延边地区汉族人群GUCY 1A 3 基因位点rs7692387 单核苷酸多态性可能与冠心病具有相关性,其GG 基因型很可能是冠心病发病的易感基因型,而A等位基因可能是冠心病的保护性基因。     

Somatic mutations of GUCY2F, EPHA3, and NTRK3 in human cancers

Tyrosine kinases are major regulators of signal transduction cascades involved in cellular proliferation and have important roles in tumorigenesis. We have recently analyzed the tyrosine kinase gene family for alterations in human colorectal cancers and identified somatic mutations in seven members of this gene family. In this study we have used high-throughput sequencing approaches to further evaluate this subset of genes for genetic alterations in other human tumors. We identified somatic mutations in GUCY2F, EPHA3, and NTRK3 in breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers. Our results implicate these tyrosine kinase genes in the pathogenesis of other tumor types and suggest that they may be useful targets for diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in selected patients.     

Translating colorectal cancer prevention through the guanylyl cyclase C signaling axis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health concern, ranking among the leading causes of cancer death in both men and women. Because of this continued burden there is a clear need for improved treatment, and more importantly prevention of this disease. In recent years there is significant evidence to support the hypothesis that guanylyl cyclase C (GCY2C) is a tumor suppressor in the intestine, and that the loss of hormone ligands for this receptor is an important step in the disease process. Thus, ligand replacement therapy has been proposed as a strategy to prevent CRC. Until recently this strategy was not clinically plausible; however, the recent regulatory approval of linaclotide (LINZESS^TM, Forest Laboratories and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), an oral GUCY2C ligand, has raised the possibility of utilizing this strategy clinically to prevent CRC.     

Leber先天性黑矇六家系临床表现和遗传分析

目的:观察分析Leber先天性黑矇（LCA）致病基因类型及临床表型特征。方法:回顾性临床研究。基因检测确诊的LCA患者6例及其家系成员18名纳入研究。患者分别来自6个无血缘关系家系。采集所有受检者外周静脉血,提取全基因组DNA。应用包含463个致病基因的遗传眼病捕获芯片进行靶向捕获富集高通量测序,对 TUL...     

Guanylate cyclase C as a target for prevention,detection, and therapy in colorectal cancer

Introduction: Colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and new strategies to prevent, detect, and treat the disease are needed. The receptor, guanylate cyclase C (GUCY2C), a tumor suppressor expressed by the intestinal epithelium, has emerged as a promising target.

Areas covered: This review outlines the role of GUCY2C in tumorigenesis, and steps to translate GUCY2C-targeting schemes to the clinic. Endogenous GUCY2C-activating ligands disappear early in tumorigenesis, silencing its signaling axis and enabling transformation. Pre-clinical models support GUCY2C ligand supplementation as a novel disease prevention paradigm. With the recent FDA approval of the GUCY2C ligand, linaclotide, and two more synthetic ligands in the pipeline, this strategy can be tested in human trials. In addition to primary tumor prevention, we also review immunotherapies targeting GUCY2C expressed by metastatic lesions, and platforms using GUCY2C as a biomarker for detection and patient staging.

Expert commentary: Results of the first GUCY2C targeting schemes in patients will become available in the coming years. The identification of GUCY2C ligand loss as a requirement for colorectal tumorigenesis has the potential to change the treatment paradigm from an irreversible disease of genetic mutation, to a treatable disease of ligand insufficiency.