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The G(1) cyclins of budding yeast drive cell cycle initiation by different mechanisms, but the molecular basis of their specificity is unknown. Here we test the hypothesis that the functional specificity of G(1) cyclins is due to differential subcellular localization. As shown by indirect immunofluorescence and biochemical fractionation, Cln3p localization appears to be primarily nuclear, with the most obvious accumulation of Cln3p to the nuclei of large budded cells. In contrast, Cln2p localizes to the cytoplasm. We were able to shift localization patterns of truncated Cln3p by the addition of nuclear localization and nuclear export signals, and we found that nuclear localization drives a Cln3p-like functional profile, while cytoplasmic localization leads to a partial shift to a Cln2p-like functional profile. Therefore, forcing Cln3p into a Cln2p-like cytoplasmic localization pattern partially alters the functional specificity of Cln3p toward that of Cln2p. These results suggest that there are CLN-dependent cytoplasmic and nuclear events important for cell cycle initiation. This is the first indication of a cytoplasmic function for a cyclin-dependent kinase. The data presented here support the idea that cyclin function is regulated at the level of subcellular localization and that subcellular localization contributes to the functional specificity of Cln2p and Cln3p. Show less

The molecular machinery of cell cycle control is known in more detail for budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, than for any other eukaryotic organism. In recent years, many elegant experiments on budding yeast have dissected the roles of cyclin molecules (Cln1-3 and Clb1-6) in coordinating the events of DNA synthesis, bud emergence, spindle formation, nuclear division, and cell separation. These experimental clues suggest a mechanism for the principal molecular interactions controlling cyclin synthesis and degradation. Using standard techniques of biochemical kinetics, we convert the mechanism into a set of differential equations, which describe the time courses of three major classes of cyclin-dependent kinase activities. Model in hand, we examine the molecular events controlling "Start" (the commitment step to a new round of chromosome replication, bud formation, and mitosis) and "Finish" (the transition from metaphase to anaphase, when sister chromatids are pulled apart and the bud separates from the mother cell) in wild-type cells and 50 mutants. The model accounts for many details of the physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of cell cycle control in budding yeast. Show less

Although the CLN3 gene for Batten disease, the most common inherited neurovisceral storage disease of childhood, was identified in 1995, the function of the corresponding protein still remains elusive. A key to understanding the pathology of this devastating disease will be to elucidate the function of CLN3 at the molecular level. CLN3 has proven difficult to study, as it is predicted to be a membrane protein, and is of apparently low abundance in cells. Different groups have reported differing subcellular localization of CLN3. The purpose of this review is to critically examine the various cell biological approaches undertaken to localize CLN3 and to piece together a potential function for CLN3 in neuronal cells. The most likely conclusion of this is that CLN3 is a lysosomal/endosomal protein that is trafficked through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi. Furthermore, studies are required to confirm whether CLN3 has a potential role in the recycling of synaptic vesicles through the endosome/lysosome. Show less

Many transcription factors, particularly those involved in the control of cell growth, are unstable proteins destroyed by ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. In a previous study of sequences targeting the transcription factor Myc for destruction, we observed that the region in Myc signaling ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis overlaps closely with the region in Myc that activates transcription. Here, we present evidence that the overlap of these two activities is not unique to Myc, but reflects a more general phenomenon. We show that a similar overlap of activation domains and destruction elements occurs in other unstable transcription factors and report a close correlation between the ability of an acidic activation domain to activate transcription and to signal proteolysis. We also show that destruction elements from yeast cyclins, when tethered to a DNA-binding domain, activate transcription. The intimate overlap of activation domains and destruction elements reveals an unexpected convergence of two very different processes and suggests that transcription factors may be destroyed because of their ability to activate transcription. Show less

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (Batten disease) encompasses a group of 8 or more inherited lysosomal storage diseases, with an overall frequency of 1 in 12,500 births. All are characterized by progressive blindness and dementia and were initially classified on the basis of age of onset, clinical phenotype and ultrastructural characterization of the storage material as granular osmiophilic deposits, curvilinear bodies or fingerprint bodies. Recent research has shown that the various forms of Batten disease result from mutations in at least 8 genes which code for proteins involved in different aspects of lysosomal protein catabolism. These include palmitoyl:protein thioesterase 1 (CLN1), tripeptidylpeptidase 1 (CLN2), cathepsin D (CLN8), and two membrane proteins of unknown function (CLN3 and CLN5). Biochemically, Batten disease is characterized by the accumulation in neurons and other cells of an autofluorescent pigment which has resisted many attempts at analysis. In this review we attempt to relate our current understanding of the nature of the storage material in Batten disease with this genetic information. We conclude that the 8 genes probably code for proteins which facilitate the degradation of post-translationally modified proteins in lysosomes, suggesting that the turnover of these proteins is highest in cortical neurons. Show less

Progression through the cell cycle requires the coordination of basal metabolism with the cell cycle and growth machinery. Repression of the sulfur gene network is mediated by the ubiquitin ligase SCF(Met30), which targets the transcription factor Met4p for degradation. Met30p is an essential protein in yeast. We have found that a met4Deltamet30Delta double mutant is viable, suggesting that the essential function of Met30p is to control Met4p. In support of this hypothesis, a Met4p mutant unable to activate transcription does not cause inviability in a met30Delta strain. Also, overexpression of an unregulated Met4p mutant is lethal in wild-type cells. Under non-permissive conditions, conditional met30Delta strains arrest as large, unbudded cells with 1N DNA content, at or shortly after the pheromone arrest point. met30Delta conditional mutants fail to accumulate CLN1 and CLN2, but not CLN3 mRNAs, even when CLN1 and CLN2 are expressed from strong heterologous promoters. One or more genes under the regulation of Met4p may delay the progression from G(1) into S phase through specific regulation of critical G(1) phase mRNAs. Show less

Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL), Batten disease, is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease associated with mutations in CLN3. CLN3 has no known homology to other proteins and a function has not yet been described. The predominant mutation in CLN3 is a 1.02 kb genomic deletion that accounts for nearly 85% of the disease alleles. In this mutation, truncation of the protein by a premature stop codon results in the classical phenotype. Additional missense and nonsense mutations have been described. Some missense substitutions result in a protracted phenotype, with delays in the onset of classical clinical features, whereas others lead to classical JNCL. In this study, we examined the effect of naturally occurring point mutations on the intracellular localization of CLN3 and their ability to complement the CLN3-deficient yeast, btn1-Delta. We also examined a putative farnesylation motif thought to be involved in CLN3 trafficking. All of the point mutations, like wild-type CLN3, were highly associated with lysosome-associated membrane protein II in non-neuronal cells and with synaptophysin in neuronal cell lines. In the yeast functional assay, point mutations correlating with a mild phenotype also demonstrated CLN3 activity, whereas the mutations associated with severe disease failed to restore CLN3 function completely. CLN3 with a mutation in the farnesylation motif trafficked normally but was functionally impaired. These data suggest that these clinically relevant point mutations, causative of Batten disease, do not affect protein trafficking but rather exert their effects by impairing protein function. Show less

The canine tuberous sclerosis 2 (TSC2) gene has been mapped to canine chromosome 6 using a canine whole genome radiation hybrid panel. There is close linkage between canine TSC2 and the polycystic kidney disease 1 gene (PKD1), as has been observed in humans and other mammalian species. The gene responsible for the human juvenile form of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (CLN3), maps close to TSC2 and PKD1 in humans, and is also syntenic in the dog. We further demonstrate linkage to a group of polymorphic markers assigned to canine chromosome 6 (CFA6). Show less

Alkalization of the medium is associated with and required for the cellular development to meiosis and sporulation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms for the significance of external alkalization, we isolated mutants defective in division arrest at G1 phase under an alkaline condition. The mutants obtained had recessive alleles of SRB10 encoding the cyclin (SRB11)-dependent protein kinase that phosphorylates the CTD domain of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II and negatively regulates the transcriptional initiation of certain genes. A delta srb11 deletion mutant showed the same cell cycle defect. When shifted to alkali, wild-type cells decreased transcript levels of G1-cyclin genes (CLN1 to CLN3) and KIN28-CCL1 (encoding another CTD kinase-cyclin pair which, in contrast, stimulates the promoter clearance and transcriptional elongation in most genes), resulting in the accumulation of G1 cells and the hypophosphorylated form of RNA polymerase II and in an increase in cell size. However, under the same conditions, a delta srb10 mutant was defective in these events, except the downregulation of CLN1 and CLN2. The delta srb10 mutation also influenced on the transcript levels of meiosis-inducing genes called IME1 and IME2: the mutation elevated the transcript level of IME1 but reduced that of IME2, resulting in partial defects in premeiotic DNA synthesis and meiosis. Overexpression of KIN28 and CCL1 in wild-type cells impaired the alkali-induced G1 arrest and the rate of meiosis and elevated the transcript levels of SRB11 and IME1. These results indicate that a transcriptional autoregulatory loop for KIN28-CCL1 and SRB10-SRB11 is important for G1 arrest and meiosis. We also found that environmental conditions for meiosis finely regulate the transcript levels of KIN28 and CCL1, such that nitrogen starvation first elevates them but subsequent alkalization of medium decreases them. Show less

p13(suc1) (Cks) proteins have been implicated in the regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) activity. However, the mechanism by which Cks influences the function of cyclin-CDK complexes has remained elusive. We show here that Cks1 is required for the protein kinase activity of budding yeast G(1) cyclin-CDK complexes. Cln2 and Cdc28 subunits coexpressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells fail to exhibit protein kinase activity towards multiple substrates in the absence of Cks1. Cks1 can both stabilize Cln2-Cdc28 complexes and activate intact complexes in vitro, suggesting that it plays multiple roles in the biogenesis of active G(1) cyclin-CDK complexes. In contrast, Cdc28 forms stable, active complexes with the B-type cyclins Clb4 and Clb5 regardless of whether Cks1 is present. The levels of Cln2-Cdc28 and Cln3-Cdc28 protein kinase activity are severely reduced in cks1-38 cell extracts. Moreover, phosphorylation of G(1) cyclins, which depends on Cdc28 activity, is reduced in cks1-38 cells. The role of Cks1 in promoting G(1) cyclin-CDK protein kinase activity both in vitro and in vivo provides a simple molecular rationale for the essential role of CKS1 in progression through G(1) phase in budding yeast. Show less

To investigate, using full-field ERG, the retinal function in patients with Batten/Spielmeyer-Vogt disease caused by mutations in the CLN(3) gene. Batten disease status of five patients was confirmed by the presence of vacuolated lymphocytes in peripheral blood and the identification of mutations in the Batten disease gene (CLN(3)). Visual acuity, fundus appearance, and full-field ERG were examined in all patients (age 4-19 years). The examination was repeated in one patient after 16 months. Three unrelated patients were homozygous for the most common mutation in CLN(3), the 1.02 kb deletion; two patients (sisters) were heterozygous for the 1.02 kb deletion and an as yet unidentified mutation in the CLN(3) gene. Full-field ERG recordings in all five patients demonstrated no rod responses and only small remaining cone responses, which could be detected with 30 Hz-flicker stimulation. Re-examination of a six-year-old girl after 16 months revealed a fast progression of the retinal degeneration. Full-field ERG recordings in Batten disease patients, both homozygous and heterozygous for the 1.02 kb deletion in the CLN( 3) gene, confirm retinal degeneration to be severe, widespread, and with a rapid progression early in the disease course. The onset of visual failure may be delayed when compared to the classic disease course, particularly in patients who are not homozygous for the most common CLN(3) mutation, a 1.02 kb deletion. In that case, the disease progression in terms of other symptoms may also be further delayed. Show less

Maintenance of the appropriate pH in the intracellular vacuolar compartments is essential for normal cell function. Here, we report that CLN3 protein, which is associated with the juvenile form of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL), participates in lysosomal pH homeostasis in human cells. We show that CLN3 protein increases lysosomal pH in cultured human embryonal kidney cells, whereas inhibition of CLN3 protein synthesis by antisense approach acidifies lysosomal compartments. These changes in lysosomal pH are sufficient to exert a significant biological effect and modify intracellular processing of amyloid-beta protein precursor and cathepsin D, model proteins whose metabolism is influenced by the pH of acidic organelles. Mutant CLN3 protein (R334C) that is associated with the classical JNCL phenotype was devoid of biological activities of wild-type CLN3 protein. These data suggest that the pathogenesis of juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis is associated with altered acidification of lysosomal compartments. Furthermore, our study indicates that CLN3 protein affects metabolism of proteins essential for cell functions, such as amyloid-beta protein precursor, implicated in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Show less

Late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL), an autosomal recessively inherited lysosomal storage disorder characterized by autofluorescent inclusions and rapid progression of neurodegeneration, is due to CLN2 gene mutations. However, CLN2 mutation analysis has failed to identify some clinically diagnosed "late-infantile" NCL cases. This study was conducted to further characterize genetic heterogeneity in families affected by LINCL. DNA mutations in the CLN1, CLN2, and CLN3 genes that underlie INCL (infantile NCL), LINCL, and JNCL (juvenile NCL), respectively, were studied with molecular analyses. A total of 252 families affected by childhood NCL were studied. Of 109 families clinically diagnosed as having LINCL, 3 were determined to have either INCL or JNCL by identification of mutation(s) in CLN1 or CLN3. Six families diagnosed initially as having JNCL were found to have LINCL based on the finding of mutations in the CLN2 gene. In addition, several novel mutations were identified. Clinical and genetic heterogeneity of LINCL was demonstrated in nine LINCL families studied. Show less

To describe the pathophysiologic features of retinal degeneration in Batten disease (juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis [JNCL]) caused by mutations in the CLN3 gene. Comparative human tissue study. The retina and other ocular tissues of a 22-year-old man with JNCL were compared with the same tissues of a healthy 30-year-old man. DNA from whole blood and RNA from retina were used for genotype analysis. The retinas, corneas, conjunctiva, and ciliary body were processed for histopathologic and immunofluorescence analysis. Genomic DNA was subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nucleotide sequence analyses. Reverse transcriptase/PCR and sequence analysis were performed on retinal RNA. The JNCL donor was heterozygous for a approximately 1 kb deletion in CLN3, as found in most JNCL patients. The other allele had a single base pair deletion in exon 6 that resulted in a frame shift. Gross pathology of the JNCL retina resembled that in retinitis pigmentosa, including deposits of bone spicule pigment. Histopathologic studies revealed loss of neurons from all retinal layers. Immunofluorescence labeling with antibodies to rhodopsin, recoverin, and cone opsin demonstrated degenerate rods and cones with short outer segments in the far periphery. Autofluorescent lipopigment granules were prominent in ganglion cells and some cells of the inner nuclear layer, but not in the photoreceptors. The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) had fewer lipofuscin granules than the control specimen. Increased numbers of lipofuscin granules were found in the epithelia of the ciliary body and conjunctiva, but not in the cornea of the JNCL eye. Immunofluorescence studies revealed degenerate rods and cones in the far periphery. Lipofuscin granules were decreased in the RPE, consistent with loss of photoreceptor outer segments. The novel finding that degenerate photoreceptors did not contain autofluorescent inclusions suggests that granule accumulation may not precede photoreceptor degeneration in JNCL. The presence of normal photoreceptor proteins in the degenerate rods and cones suggests that these cells may be capable of functional regeneration if a therapy for Batten disease is developed. Show less

Xbp1, a transcriptional repressor of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with homology to Swi4 and Mbp1, is induced by stress and starvation during the mitotic cycle. It is also induced late in the meiotic cycle. Using RNA differential display, we find that genes encoding three cyclins (CLN1, CLN3, and CLB2), CYS3, and SMF2 are downregulated when Xbp1 is overexpressed and that Xbp1 can bind to sequences in their promoters. During meiosis, XBP1 is highly induced and its mRNA appears at the same time as DIT1 mRNA, but its expression remains high for up to 24 h. As such, it represents a new class of meiosis-specific genes. Xbp1-deficient cells are capable of forming viable gametes, although ascus formation is delayed by several hours. Furthermore, Xbp1 target genes are normally repressed late in meiosis, and loss of XBP1 results in their derepression. Interestingly, we find that a deletion of CLN1 also reduces the efficiency of sporulation and delays the meiotic program but that sporulation in a Deltacln1 Deltaxbp1 strain is not further delayed. Thus, CLN1 may be Xbp1's primary target in meiotic cells. We hypothesize that CLN1 plays a role early in the meiotic program but must be repressed, by Xbp1, at later stages to promote efficient sporulation. Show less

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) consist of eight autosomal recessively inherited storage disorders characterized by lysosomal inclusions of autofluorescent lipofuscins and rapid neurodegenerative progression. The NCLs include eight forms that result from genetic deficiency on genes CLN(1) to CLN(8), respectively: four classic forms with clinical onset at varying ages-infantile (INCL), late-infantile (LINCL), juvenile (JNCL), and adult (ANCL)-and four variants of late-infantile onset-the Finnish variant LINCL (fLINCL), Portuguese variant LINCL (pLINCL), Turkish variant LINCL (tLINCL), and progressive epilepsy with mental retardation (EPMR). The genes CLN(1) and CLN(2) have been characterized to encode lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes, but CLN(3), CLN(5), and CLN(8) encode transmembranous proteins with unknown function. Although clinical and pathological abnormalities have been recognized to be similar in all eight forms, the molecular mechanism explaining NCL pathogenesis remains unclear. In this review, the molecular basis for NCLs and a possible pathogenic mechanism are discussed. Show less

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a large group of autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorders with both enzymatic deficiency and structural protein dysfunction. Three typical forms, the infantile (INCL), late-infantile (LINCL), and juvenile (JNCL), are among the most common childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorders. They result from mutations on genes CLN1, CLN2, and CLN3, respectively. We determined that the mutations 223A --> G and 451C --> T in CLN1, T523-1G --> C, and 636 C --> T in CLN2, and deletion of a 1.02-kb genomic fragment in CLN3 are the five common mutations for NCL. To offer clinical genetic testing for the NCLs, we have developed simple and quick PCR-based molecular tests for detecting INCL-, LINCL-, and JNCL-affected individuals from 180 NCL families (27 INCL, 76 LINCL, and 77 JNCL). The sensitivity of testing to detect NCL patients among clinically suspected individuals was determined to be 78% (21/27) for INCL, 66% (54/76) for LINCL, and 75% (58/77) for JNCL. When molecular screening for carriers was conducted among the normal siblings or parents of the probands, we identified two carriers out of three individuals tested for INCL, 20/56 (35.7%) carriers for LINCL, and 48/106 (45.3%) carriers for JNCL families. In addition, 5% (9/180) of NCL patients revealed genetic heterogeneity and were reclassified. Seven patients previously diagnosed as having JNCL were now found to carry mutations of CLN2 (5/7) or CLN1 (2/7) and 2 with late-infantile onsets were identified as carrying mutations of CLN1. Our data demonstrate the importance of DNA testing to detect accurately both affected individuals and carriers in NCL families. Show less

The lysosomal storage of lipofuscins is the common pathological feature that characterizes the infantile, late-infantile, juvenile (Batten's disease), and Finnish-variant neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (INCL, LINCL, JNCL and FNCL), which are due to mutations in the genes CLN1, CLN2, CLN3, and CLN5, respectively. The CLN1 and CLN2 genes encode lysosomal enzymes, but the CLN3 and CLN5 genes encode membrane-spanning proteins. Why deficiencies of lysosomal enzymes and membrane-spanning proteins produce similar clinical phenotypes and pathological changes is still unanswered. We hypothesize that CLN-encoded proteins may comprise a functional pathogenic pathway, in which protein associations may play important roles. To test this hypothesis, we studied protein-protein interactions among the CLN1-, CLN2-, and CLN3-encoded proteins using a yeast two-hybrid system. Our results provided no evidence that CLN-encoded proteins interact with each other. This suggests there may be unidentified components in NCL pathogenesis. Show less

Clinical findings and pathological features of 28 patients affected with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) are reviewed. The patient group included 15 children affected with the late-infantile form of NCL (LINCL), 10 patients affected with the juvenile form (JNCL), and 3 adult cases. Ultrastructural examinations of 50 biopsies from 6 tissues were consistent with clinical features in all LINCL and JNCL cases but one. The importance of electron microscopic (EM) examination of blood lymphocytes in these forms is outlined, particularly when combined with molecular analysis of the CLN2 or CLN3 genes, respectively. This approach leads to a definite diagnosis of LINCL and JNCL in a relatively short time. In adult NCL, diagnosis still relies on pathological grounds, and difficulties in interpreting the osmiophilic storage bodies in different tissues are outlined. EM investigation of blood lymphocytes was not helpful in any case of adult NCL. Results of one stereotactic brain biopsy are also reported. Show less

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) are progressive neurodegenerative diseases occurring in infancy and adulthood. Atypical forms of these diseases have been described and are particularly represented in the late-infantile and juvenile onset groups. Recent progress in biochemistry and molecular genetics has identified some of these variants as separate disease entities while disclosing the phenotypic variability of some classic forms. We report the results of a retrospective analysis performed on a series of 27 NCL patients, 15 of which were atypical as to clinical and/or pathological findings. Most of such patients, belonging to the late-infantile onset group and displaying homogeneous clinical-pathological features, were suggestive for CLN6. The two atypical juvenile NCL patients had features which resembled the "protracted form" of the disease. Given their relative frequency, strict clinical and pathological criteria are still the most useful tools for identifying and characterizing atypical forms and for defining phenotype-genotype correlations. Show less

This study describes the phenotype/genotype analysis of 159 probands with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (37 CLN1, 72 classic CLN2, 10 variant LINCL, and 40 CLN3) collected at the New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities (IBR). Phenotype/genotype comparison showed that mutations in the CLN1 gene were associated with different phenotypes: infantile, late infantile, and juvenile. Two common mutations (223A-->C and 451C-->T) were found in 26 of 37 CLN1 subjects (64% of alleles examined). A nonsense point mutation, 451C-->T, was the most common in CLN1 subjects with infantile onset at 0-2 years, accounting for 50% of alleles studied. A missense point mutation, 223A-->C, was the most common among CLN1 subjects with juvenile onset older than 4 years, accounting for 45% of alleles examined. Twenty-one other CLN1 mutations were identified in 4 of 37 subjects with infantile onset, 6 of 37 with late-infantile onset, and 6 of 37 with juvenile onset. All CLN1 probands were palmitoyl-protein thioesterase (PPT)-deficient and showed granular osmiophilic deposits (GROD) at the electron microscopic (EM) level. In the group of classic CLN2 (72 probands), two common mutations were found: an intronic 3556G-->C transversion in the invariant AG of 3' splice junction in 55% of probands, and a nonsense mutation 3670C-->T in 30% of probands. Classic late-infantile onset (2-4 years) was found in 68 of 72 (95%) cases, whereas juvenile onset (> 4 years) occurred only in 4 of 72 (5%) cases. All probands had deficiency of tripeptidyl-peptidase I (TPP1) activity and, at the EM level, curvilinear profiles. Ten probands with late-infantile onset did not show mutations in the CLN2 gene, had normal TPP1 activity, and at the EM level had mixed profiles. Further studies are in progress to identify genetic defect(s) in these subjects. The CLN3 group (40 probands) was divided into two categories: classic or typical presentation, and delayed classic or atypical presentation. All CLN3 patients had onset of symptoms after 4 years of age. In 40 probands, the 1.02-kb common deletion was found in one or two alleles of the CLN3 gene. Homozygotes for the common CLN3 deletion showed the classic phenotype. The phenotype in compound heterozygotes was either the classic or the delayed classic or atypical form. Thus, our study indicates that some mutations in the CLN1 and CLN2 genes may be associated with juvenile onset of the disease process and a more benign clinical course. Interfamilial and intrafamilial variations also were found, especially in the speed of becoming blind and neurologically disabled. Show less

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of inherited neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the presence of autofluorescent lipopigment in neurons and other cell types. The childhood onset types display autosomal recessive inheritance. Naturally occurring animal NCLs have been described in many species including mouse, sheep and dog. In the last decade major advances have occurred in the molecular genetic analysis of the NCLs. Six disease gene loci have been mapped, and five disease genes have been isolated. Two of these encode lysosomal enzymes: CLN1 encodes palmitoyl-protein thioesterase (PPT), and CLN2 encodes tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1). The remaining three, CLN3, CLN5 and CLN8 encode putative membrane proteins of unknown function. The murine orthologue of CLN8 causes motor neuron degeneration (mnd), a mouse model of NCL. These advances have revolutionized diagnosis and classification, but a unified theory of pathogenesis and effective treatment remain elusive. Show less

JNCL is a neurodegenerative disease of childhood caused by mutations in the CLN3 gene. A mouse model for JNCL was created by disrupting exons 1-6 of Cln3, resulting in a null allele. Cln3 null mice appear clinically normal at 5 months of age; however, like JNCL patients, they exhibit intracellular accumulation of autofluorescent material. A second approach will generate mice in which exons 7 and 8 of Cln3 are deleted, mimicking the common mutation in JNCL patients. Show less

The neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses (Batten disease) are a group of severe neurodegenerative disorders characterized clinically by visual loss, seizures and psychomotor degeneration, and pathologically by loss of neurons and lysosomal accumulation of autofluorescent storage material resembling ageing pigment. To date, eight genetic loci have been identified (CLN1-8). Four CLN genes have been isolated (CLN1, CLN2, CLN3 and CLN5) and their gene products have been characterized. CLN1 is a lysosomal palmitoyl-protein thioesterase (PPT) and CLN2 is a lysosomal pepstatin-insensitive peptidase. CLN3 and CLN5 are proteins with multiple membrane-spanning regions and have no homologies to other proteins that would suggest their function. The CLN3 protein is associated with lysosomal membranes and the intracellular location of the CLN5 protein is unknown. Therefore, there is ample evidence that the neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses represent a new class of lysosomal storage disorders. Show less

Batten disease [juvenile-onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL)], the most common progressive encephalopathy of childhood, is caused by mutations in a novel lysosomal membrane protein (CLN3) with unknown function. In this study, we have confirmed the lysosomal localization of the CLN3 protein by immunoelectron microscopy by co-localizing it with soluble and membrane-associated lysosomal proteins. We have analysed the intracellular processing and localization of two mutants, 461-677del, which is present in 85% of CLN3 alleles and causes the classical JNCL, and E295K [corrected], which is a rare missense mutation associated with an atypical form of JNCL. Pulse-chase labelling and immunoprecipitation of the two mutant proteins in COS-1-cells indicated that 461-677del is synthesized as an approximately 24 kDa truncated polypeptide, whereas the maturation of E295K [corrected] resembles that of the wild-type CLN3 polypeptide. Transient expression of the two mutants in BHK cells showed that 461-677del is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas E295K [corrected] was capable of reaching the lysosomal compartment. The CLN3 polypeptides were expressed further in mouse primary neurons where the wild-type CLN3 protein was localized both in the cell soma and in neuronal extensions, whereas the 461-677del mutant was arrested in the cell soma. Interestingly, co-localization of the wild-type CLN3 and E295K [corrected] proteins with a synaptic vesicle marker indicates that the CLN3 protein might participate in synaptic vesicle transport/transmission. The data presented here provide clear evidence for a cellular distinction between classical and atypical forms of Batten disease both in neural and non-neural cells. Show less

Neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses (NCL) are autosomal recessive disorders that form the most common group of progressive neurodegenerative diseases in children, with an incidence as high as 1 in 12,500 live births, and with approximately 440,000 carriers in the United States. Disease progression is characterized by a decline in mental abilities, increased severity of untreatable seizures, blindness, loss of motor skills and premature death. The CLN3 gene, which is responsible for Batten disease, has been positionally cloned. The yeast gene, denoted BTN1, encodes a non-essential protein that is 39% identical and 59% similar to human CLN3. Strains lacking Btn1p, btn1-delta, are resistant to D-(-)-threo-2-amino-1-[p-nitrophenyl]-1,3-propanediol (ANP) in a pH-dependent manner. This phenotype was complemented by expression of human CLN3, demonstrating that yeast Btn1p and human CLN3 share the same function. Here, we report that btn1-delta yeast strains have an abnormally acidic vacuolar pH in the early phases of growth. Furthermore, DNA microarray analysis of BTN1 and btn1-delta strains revealed differential expression of two genes, with at least one, HSP30, involved in pH control. Because Btn1p is located in the vacuole, we suggest that Batten disease is caused by a defect in vacuolar (lysosomal) pH control. Our findings draw parallels between fundamental biological processes in yeast and previously observed characteristics of neurodegeneration in humans. Show less

The essential cap-binding protein (eIF4E) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is encoded by the CDC33 (wild-type) gene, originally isolated as a mutant, cdc33-1, which arrests growth in the G1 phase of the cell cycle at 37 degrees C. We show that other cdc33 mutants also arrest in G1. One of the first events required for G1-to-S-phase progression is the increased expression of cyclin 3. Constructs carrying the 5'-untranslated region of CLN3 fused to lacZ exhibit weak reporter activity, which is significantly decreased in a cdc33-1 mutant, implying that CLN3 mRNA is an inefficiently translated mRNA that is sensitive to perturbations in the translation machinery. A cdc33-1 strain expressing either stable Cln3p (Cln3-1p) or a hybrid UBI4 5'-CLN3 mRNA, whose translation displays decreased dependence on eIF4E, arrested randomly in the cell cycle. In these cells CLN2 mRNA levels remained high, indicating that Cln3p activity is maintained. Induction of a hybrid UBI4 5'-CLN3 message in a cdc33-1 mutant previously arrested in G1 also caused entry into a new cell cycle. We conclude that eIF4E activity in the G1-phase is critical in allowing sufficient Cln3p activity to enable yeast cells to enter a new cell cycle. Show less

The gene for Batten disease, the CLN3 gene, encodes a novel, highly hydrophobic, multitransmembrane protein, predicted to consist of 438 amino acid residues. We have expressed a full-length CLN3 protein in fusion with green fluorescent protein in various cell lines to provide its initial biochemical characterization and subcellular localization. By using Western blotting, Percoll density gradient fractionation, and Triton X-114 extraction, we demonstrate that the product of the CLN3 gene, which we call battenin, in mammalian expression system studied is a highly glycosylated protein of lysosomal membrane. In addition our data suggest that CLN3 protein is processed proteolytically in acidic compartments of the cell. Thus, battenin represents the novel constituent of a growing family of lysosomal membrane proteins. Show less

Several neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) show storage of subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase. The neurodegenerative process, however, remains obscure. We previously reported a decreased basal ATP synthase activity in fibroblasts from late-infantile NCL (CLN2) and juvenile NCL (CLN3) patients. We have now extended the study of the ATP synthase system to an ovine NCL (a model for the late-infantile NCL variant, CLN6) and the infantile NCL (CLN1). In fibroblasts from healthy sheep, active regulation of ATP synthase in response to cellular energy demand was present similar to human cells: ATP synthase was down-regulated under conditions of anoxia or functional uncoupling and was up-regulated in response to calcium. In fibroblasts from NCL sheep, basal ATP synthase activity was slightly elevated and down-regulation in response to anoxia or uncoupling of mitochondria also occurred. Calcium produced an unexpected down-regulation to 55% of basal activity. Activities of respiratory chain enzymes did not differ between healthy and NCL sheep. In fibroblasts from CLN1 patients, basal ATP synthase activity was reduced and regulation of the enzyme was absent. Activities of respiratory chain complexes II and IV were reduced. The defect of ATP synthase regulation found in fibroblasts from NCL sheep and infantile NCL patients is different from the ATP synthase deficiencies demonstrated in late-infantile and juvenile NCL, but problems of mitochondrial energy production, if also expressed in brain, would be a common feature of several NCL forms. Deficient ATP supply could result in degeneration of neurons, especially in those with high energy requirements. Show less

Although the gene responsible for Batten disease, CLN3, was positionally cloned in 1995, the function of Cln3p and the molecular basis of the disease still remain elusive. We previously reported that the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains a homolog to Cln3p, designated Btn1p, and that the human Cln3p complemented the pH-dependent resistance to D-(-)-threo-2-amino-1-[p-nitrophenyl]-1, 3-propanediol in btn1-Delta yeast mutants. We have determined that yeast lacking Btn1p have an elevated ability to acidify media during growth that correlates with an elevated plasma membrane ATPase activity. Btn1p may be involved in maintaining pH homeostasis of yeast cells. Show less