The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) is a heterotetramer protein complex consisting of four subunits encoded by nuclear genes. These include SDHA and SDHB, which form the catalytic domain, and SDHC and SDHD, which anchor the complex to the inner mitochondrial membrane. 1 The assembly factors, SDHAF1 and SDHAF2, ensure both structural and functional integrity of the complex. 2,3 SDH, also called mitochondrial complex II, is the only enzyme involved in both the electron transport chain and the TCA cycle, where it catalyzes the oxidation of succinate to fumarate. 1 The TCA cycle is central to the metabolism of sugars, lipids, and amino acids and is a major source of adenosine triphosphate in cells. In addition, the cycle also seems to be involved in tumorigenesis; enzymes of the TCA cycle are involved in the pathogenesis of several tumor types. SDH mutations have been involved in the etiopathogeny of pheochromocytomas (PCCs), paragangliomas (PGLs), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), renal-cell carcinomas (RCCs), and pituitary adenomas (PAs). 1,2,[4][5][6][7][8][9] In addition, mutations in fumarate hydratase (FH), another member of the TCA cycle and which catalyzes the hydration of fumarate to malate, predispose to tumor formation, including RCCs, cutaneous and uterine leiomyomas, and PCCs/PGLs. 10,11 Finally, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), which catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of isocitrate, is frequently mutated in specific types of cartilaginous tumors, hematological malignancies, and gliomas. 12-14 The currently known mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis linked to defects in the TCA cycle are well reviewed. 15,16 Defects in the SDH, FH, and IDH genes inhibit prolyl hydroxylases, leading to decreased hydroxylation of hypoxia-inducible factor-α. This results in activation of the hypoxia pathway, which supports tumor formation by activating angiogenesis, glucose metabolism, cell motility, and cell survival. Furthermore, defects in these enzymes lead to epigenetic alterations through an accumulation of oncometabolites inhibiting α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases, which are involved in DNA and histone demethylation. In addition to SDH-associated tumorigenesis, constitutional complex II deficiencies caused by SDHA, SDHB, SDHD, and SDHAF1 mutations may also lead to Leigh syndrome, infantile leukodystrophies, and cardiomyopathy. 3,[17][18][19] In the current review, our aim is to report all currently known SDH mutations and define their nature and spectrum in SDHrelated tumors, including PCCs/PGLs, GISTs, RCCs, and PAs, as well as in other unusual tumors arising in SDH mutation carriers. We performed bioinformatics analysis using SIFT, Polyphen2, and Mutation Assessor and compared the results with those of SDHA/SDHB immunohistochemistry (IHC) to predict the functional impact of nonsynonymous mutations. Finally, we explored and report here the nature of the second hit in all tumors arising in the SDH deficiency setting. The tricarboxylic acid, or Krebs, cycle is cent...

CNOT1 is a member of the CCR4-NOT complex, which is a master regulator, orchestrating gene expression, RNA deadenylation, and protein ubiquitination. We report on 39 individuals with heterozygous de novo CNOT1 variants, including missense, splice site, and nonsense variants, who present with a clinical spectrum of intellectual disability, motor delay, speech delay, seizures, hypotonia, and behavioral problems. To link CNOT1 dysfunction to the neurodevelopmental phenotype observed, we generated variant-specific Drosophila models, which showed learning and memory defects upon CNOT1 knockdown. Introduction of human wild-type CNOT1 was able to rescue this phenotype, whereas mutants could not or only partially, supporting our hypothesis that CNOT1 impairment results in neurodevelopmental delay. Furthermore, the genetic interaction with autism-spectrum genes, such as ASH1L, DYRK1A, MED13, and SHANK3, was impaired in our Drosophila models. Molecular characterization of CNOT1 variants revealed normal CNOT1 expression levels, with both mutant and wild-type alleles expressed at similar levels. Analysis of protein-protein interactions with other members indicated that the CCR4-NOT complex remained intact. An integrated omics approach of patient-derived genomics and transcriptomics data suggested only minimal effects on endonucleolytic nonsense-mediated mRNA decay components, suggesting that de novo CNOT1 variants are likely haploinsufficient hypomorph or neomorph, rather than dominant negative. In summary, we provide strong evidence that de novo CNOT1 variants cause neurodevelopmental delay with a wide range of additional co-morbidities. Whereas the underlying pathophysiological mechanism warrants further analysis, our data demonstrate an essential and central role of the CCR4-NOT complex in human brain development.Master regulators controlling development include, but are not limited to, paired box (PAX) proteins, 1 SRY-related HMG-box (SOX) proteins, 2 and the relatively unknown CCR4-NOT protein complex. 3 Although the full spectrum of functional diversity for the CCR4-NOT complex has not yet been established, it has already become apparent that it is active on all levels of gene expression, from accessibility of the DNA to translation and degradation of mRNA. 4

CNTN4 expression is consistently associated with malignant behavior in PPGLs.

The serine/threonine kinase With-No-Lysine (K) Kinase 1 (WNK1) activates the thiazide-sensitive Na+/Cl− cotransporter through phosphorylation of STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase, another serine/threonine kinase encoded by STK39. The aim of this study was to look for association between WNK1 and STK39 gene variants, and blood pressure (BP) and hypertension.Seven hundred seventy-nine Caucasian hypertensive patients (HYP) recruited in 6 academic centers from Belgium, and 906 normotensive (NT) controls were genotyped for 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms—rs3754777, rs6749447, rs35929607 (STK39), rs1468326, and rs765250 (WNK1)—using the Snapshot method.The rare TT genotype at the rs3754777 locus (STK39) was overrepresented in HYP versus NT (7.3% vs 3.0%, P = 0.0002). In the whole study population, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for having hypertension associated with the TT genotype was 5.9 (95% confidence interval: 2.2–15.6), and systolic BP was 10 mm Hg higher in TT compared with wild-type subjects (140.1 vs 130.4 mm Hg, P = 0.002). Similarly, the AA genotype at the rs1468326 locus (WNK1) was twice as frequent in HYP versus NT (5.5% vs 2.3%, P < 0.0001), and associated with an increased adjusted OR of hypertension (4.1; 1.5–11.7) and a higher systolic BP (139.8 vs 130.1 mm Hg, P = 0.003). In the whole cohort, a dose-dependent increase in systolic BP was observed according to the number of at-risk genotypes (0: 129.8 mm Hg; 1: 133.0 mm Hg; 2: 149.3 mm Hg, P = 0.02).Single nucleotide polymorphisms rs3754777 (STK39) and rs1468326 (WNK1) were associated with hypertension and BP in our multicenter Belgian case-control study, which supports the role of STK39 and WNK1 as potential hypertension susceptibility genes. Replication in different clinical settings and study of other candidate loci belonging to the same molecular pathway is warranted.

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6% 85.7% 92.8% 28 7 7 1 87.5% 96.5% 50% 80% Cut-off 23 pg/μUI Cut-off 19 pg/μUI 0Design and method: 43 patients were prospectively hospitalized for secondary hypertension exploration (age 51 ± 16,5; SBP/DBP:139 ± 12/85 ± 9mmHg, number of antihypertensive drugs:2 ± 1).After a conventional washout of drugs interfering with renin angiotensin aldosterone system, plasma aldosterone concentration was measured by RIA method(Normal values: 40-175ng/l)and direct renin concentration(DRC)with CLIA method (Normal values: 4,2-59.7 UI/l).Aldosterone and renin samples were collected in the morning, at bed after an overnight supine position, then out of bed after 1 hour of upright position and finally 2 hours later after 15 minutes in seating position. When DRC was <5 UI/l it was counted 5 UI/l as recommended.Results: Referring to ARR cut-off value of 23pg/UI, the sensitivity of seated ARR was 50% with a specificity of 96.5%. The negative predictive value was 80% and the positive predictive value was 87.5%.Compared to these results, a cut-off value of 19pg/UI improved sensitivity to 85.7% with a specificity of 89.6%.Negative predictive value and positive predictive value were 92.8%and80% respectively. Seated ARR mean value(17 ± 15pg/UI/l) was lower than supine and upright ARR, respectively measured at 23 ± 20pg/UI and 24 ± 20pg/UI. This could be explained by an overall increase in DRC at seating compared to the supine position with a mean increase by factor 2.2 (53 UI/l vs 24 UI/l), whereas at the same time, aldosterone just slightly increased by a factor 1.05(235ng/l vs 223ng/l).Seated ARR correlated to supine and upright ARR with correlation coefficients (r)of 0.89 and 0.93 respectively (p < 0,0001).Conclusions: Current recommended measurement of ARR in the seating position is fairly correlated to ARR in supine and upright positions. However, even if the recommended cut-off value of 23pg/UI offers a good specificity, a suggested cut-off value of 19pg/UI increases the discriminating power of this test. 9B.08 CARDIAC AND VASCULAR DAMAGE IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY ALDOSTERONISM AND ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSIONObjective: Primary aldosteronism is a relatively common condition in hypertensive patients. Only few studies, in small groups of patients, have evaluated large arteries alterations. In some, but not in all studies, positive relationship with vascular damage was observed. Aim of the study: To compare the prevalence of cardiac and large arteries vascular organ damage in patients with essential hypertension (EH) or primary aldosteronism (PA). Design and method:In 243 consecutive patients with no interfering therapy (147 M, mean age 48 ± 11 years) a routine blood sample, including measurement of aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) and saline load if ARR>30, was obtained. Echocardiography, carotid ultrasound and measurement of pulse wave velocity (PWV) were performed. We considered 3 groups: 48 patients with EH (ARR < 30); 122 patients with positive ARR screening but negative saline load (indeterminate aldosteronism, IA); 73 patients with PA (...

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