Genetics 11 - 20 Flashcards
Fragile X (prevalence and cause)
1/3500 males, 1/6000 females
Expanded CGG repeats in the FMRP 5’ UTR gene leads to hypermethylation and transcriptional shutdown
X-linked dominant inheritance (more common in males)
Fragile X clinical presentation
intellectual disability, autism spectrum, elongated faces, large ears, macroorchidism (large testicles)
Fragile X Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS)
Late adult onset (over 50 usually). Will see Grandfathers have this - indicative of genetic anticipation
Causes tremor and ataxia (loss of control of body movements)
Fragile X Summary
Expanded CGG repeats -> hypermethylation of the FMRP 5’ UTR -> Loss of FMRP protein -> increased production of specific synaptic proteins (glutamate receptors) and loss of ability to regulate synaptic biology
** Example of DNA path
Myotonic Dystrophy Summary
Expanded CTG repeat -> Transcribed into expanded CUG repeats -> Sequestration of MBNL proteins -> Widespread changes in MBNL-mediated RNA splicing and RNA metabolism (the exon that is supposed to be excised isn’t!)
** Example of RNA path
Huntington’s Disease symptoms
Motor (chorea, delayed and reduced velocity, dystonia, rigidity), cognitive (difficulty searching memory, executive dysfunction), psychiatric (depressed mood, anxiety, irritability, increased risk for suicide)
Huntington’s Disease Summary
Expanded CAG repeat -> Transcribed and translated into polyglutamine repeats -> myriad of downstream consequences, protein aggregates, etc - > cell death (dramatic loss of striatal neurons in the brain)
** Example of protein path
Most common form of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
C9ORF72/ALS/FTD
FTD = fronto-temporal dementia
C9ORF72/ALS/FTD
G4C2 and C4G2 antisense transcripts are produced. These transcripts form RNA foci.
Ribosomes initiate on these repeats without an AUG/start codon and various, toxic dipeptide repeats are created.
Still unknown whether its the toxic RNA, toxic protein, or both that contribute to the disease.
Most repeat expansion diseases are: dominant or recessive?
Dominant
Friedreich’s Ataxia is recessive
Hemoglobin S
Mutation in the beta-globin gene (valine for a glutamine)
Clinical manifestations of Sickle Cell Disease
Every organ in the body can be affected
- Anemia (reduced RBC life span, hemolysis)
- Vaso-occlusion most common clinical complication. No biomarkers to check for this. Believe the patient
- Vasculopathy (changes in the blood vessel wall)
- Strokes
- Loss of vision
- Acute chest syndrome
- Gallstones (cholelithiasis)
- Liver & kidney failure
- Splenic infarction (prevent with vaccinations and prophylactic antibiotics
- Leg ulcers
- Priapism (sustained erection)
Hydroxyurea
Used to treat SCD
Decreases painful episodes, hospitalizations, chest syndrome, and extends life
Acts by increasing the amount of HbF in the blood (exact mechanism unknown)
Clinical Interventions for SCD
immunizations, penicillin prophylaxis, stem cell transplant, RBC transfusions, hydroxyurea, L-glutamine powder
Heteroplasmy
More than one species of mitochondrial DNA per cell (mtDNA)
In dividing cells it leads to somatic mosaicism. When cells are partitioned during cytokinesis, some get higher levels of mutant mitochondria than others
Also often results from high mtDNA mutation rate
Homoplasmy
Uniformity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
How do mitochondrial diseases become established in families?
It’s a two generation process from mutated mtDNA to affected individual
If a blastomere with mutated mtDNA becomes a primordial germ cell, then the gamete of that individual will ultimately be affected
Mitochondrial diseases
About 40, very rare. Variable severity within families. Affects tissues with high energy requirements: muscle and nerve
Dosage compensation
Equalization of expression between XX and XY
X Chromosome inactivation happens when?
Occurs in blastomeres in early embryonic development
Random and irreversible. Decision is made independently in each cell
Mechanism of X inactivation
- Initiation (counting, selecting, inactivating)
* * The X chromosome bound by blocking factors (created by autosomes) remains active
* * Xist and Tsix compete (Xist prevails on inactive, Tsix prevails on active) - Establishment, spreading of inactivation from “inactivation center”
- Maintenance during subsequent mitotic divisions
Turner Syndrome
45,XO
Short stature, webbing of the neck, amenorrhea, normal intelligence
Klinefelter Syndrome
47, XXY
Tall, hypogonadism, some learning difficulties
Trisomy X (Triplo X)
47, XXX
Tall, variably reduced intelligence, may be fertile
What percentage of genes on the X chromosome normally escape X inactivation?
15%
What causes issues in Turner Syndrome (not enough gene product) and Trisomy X (too much gene product)
Basic Properties of Enzymes
- They enhance reactivity (acceleration reaction rate). ALWAYS to the same extent in forward and reverse directions
- They exert absolutely NO effect on the reaction equilibrium
- Lower the activation energy that reactants must surmount for a rxn to occur
Mutations in enzymes can affect:
- Rates of substrate binding
- pKa’s of catalytic ionic groups
- Metal ion interactions
- Rates of product release
- Conformational changes
NEVER RXN EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANT
A mutation that decreases Km will
Increase activity
Because it now takes less substrate to reach half maximal velocity
A mutation that increases Km will
Decrease activity
Because it now takes more substrate to reach half maximal velocity
Other enzyme mutational effects
- Change allosteric properties
- Alter enzyme polymerization
- Loss of organelle-targeting sequence
- Altered posttranslational modifications