ALBERT

Description: DNA sequence analysis of the gene coding for the variant protein, factor IXLong Beach (FIXLB), has identified a transition mutation in an otherwise normal factor IX (FIX) gene. Genomic DNA clones spanning 35 kilobase (kb) pairs of the FIXLB gene were isolated. A gene analysis strategy that specifically characterized exons and their flanking intron sequences predicted the entire amino acid sequence of FIXLB. A thymine to cytosine transition causes the substitution of a threonine codon (ACA) for an isoleucine codon (ATA) in exon VIII of the FIXLB gene. This mutation results in an amino acid substitution at residue 397 of the FIX zymogen and the phenotypic display of hemophilia-B. Previous studies revealed that activated purified FIXLB (FIXaLB) had normal Ca2+, phospholipid, and factor VIIIa binding characteristics. However, FIXaLB activated factor X or factor VII (with their cofactors Ca2+ and phospholipid) at significantly reduced rates, suggesting that the defect in FIXaLB lies near or within the catalytic triad of the FIX heavy chain. Identification of an amino acid substitution near the carboxy-terminus of the FIXaLB heavy chain supports the earlier characterization of this variant protein. Moreover, our data identify a residue in the catalytic domain of FIXa essential for normal function.

Description: The mechanisms that determine and regulate platelet size are unknown. By phase microscopy, we observed that Wistar Furth (WF) rats had macrothrombocytopenia. In this study, we have characterized and compared platelets and megakaryocytes of WF rats with those of Wistar, Long-Evans hooded (LE), and Sprague-Dawley rats. In addition, we have examined the mode of inheritance of this WF rat platelet abnormality. The average platelet count of WF rats was only one-third that of the other three rat strains. In contrast, the mean platelet volume (MPV) of adult WF rats was twice that of the other rat strains; however, the average megakaryocyte diameter and DNA content distribution of WF rats were not significantly different from those of LE rats. The average megakaryocyte concentration was 30% lower in the WF strain compared with that of LE rats. Mazelike membrane formations were observed in WF platelets and megakaryocytes by electron microscopy. Reciprocal crosses of WF and LE rats resulted in offspring with MPVs and platelet counts like those of LE rats, indicating that the macrothrombocytopenic trait is recessive in its inheritance. Reciprocal marrow transplants between the WF and LE strains resulted in MPVs like those of the donor strain, demonstrating that the macrothrombocytopenia is an intrinsic marrow abnormality of the WF strain. Splenectomy did not alter the MPV of WF rats. The response of WF megakaryocytes and platelets to severe, acute thrombocytopenia was similar to that of LE rats except that the shift to higher megakaryocyte DNA contents was muted and platelet recovery was slower in the WF rats. In summary, the WF rat has a hereditary macrothrombocytopenia that is recessive in nature and not due to differences in megakaryocyte size or DNA content. These results suggest that the macrothrombocytopenia of WF rats results from the formation of fewer platelets per megakaryocyte, possibly resulting from a qualitative or quantitative defect in some component necessary for proper subdivision of megakaryocyte cytoplasm into platelets.

Description: The mechanisms that determine and regulate platelet size are unknown. By phase microscopy, we observed that Wistar Furth (WF) rats had macrothrombocytopenia. In this study, we have characterized and compared platelets and megakaryocytes of WF rats with those of Wistar, Long-Evans hooded (LE), and Sprague-Dawley rats. In addition, we have examined the mode of inheritance of this WF rat platelet abnormality. The average platelet count of WF rats was only one-third that of the other three rat strains. In contrast, the mean platelet volume (MPV) of adult WF rats was twice that of the other rat strains; however, the average megakaryocyte diameter and DNA content distribution of WF rats were not significantly different from those of LE rats. The average megakaryocyte concentration was 30% lower in the WF strain compared with that of LE rats. Mazelike membrane formations were observed in WF platelets and megakaryocytes by electron microscopy. Reciprocal crosses of WF and LE rats resulted in offspring with MPVs and platelet counts like those of LE rats, indicating that the macrothrombocytopenic trait is recessive in its inheritance. Reciprocal marrow transplants between the WF and LE strains resulted in MPVs like those of the donor strain, demonstrating that the macrothrombocytopenia is an intrinsic marrow abnormality of the WF strain. Splenectomy did not alter the MPV of WF rats. The response of WF megakaryocytes and platelets to severe, acute thrombocytopenia was similar to that of LE rats except that the shift to higher megakaryocyte DNA contents was muted and platelet recovery was slower in the WF rats. In summary, the WF rat has a hereditary macrothrombocytopenia that is recessive in nature and not due to differences in megakaryocyte size or DNA content. These results suggest that the macrothrombocytopenia of WF rats results from the formation of fewer platelets per megakaryocyte, possibly resulting from a qualitative or quantitative defect in some component necessary for proper subdivision of megakaryocyte cytoplasm into platelets.

Description: DNA sequence analysis of the gene coding for the variant protein, factor IXLong Beach (FIXLB), has identified a transition mutation in an otherwise normal factor IX (FIX) gene. Genomic DNA clones spanning 35 kilobase (kb) pairs of the FIXLB gene were isolated. A gene analysis strategy that specifically characterized exons and their flanking intron sequences predicted the entire amino acid sequence of FIXLB. A thymine to cytosine transition causes the substitution of a threonine codon (ACA) for an isoleucine codon (ATA) in exon VIII of the FIXLB gene. This mutation results in an amino acid substitution at residue 397 of the FIX zymogen and the phenotypic display of hemophilia-B. Previous studies revealed that activated purified FIXLB (FIXaLB) had normal Ca2+, phospholipid, and factor VIIIa binding characteristics. However, FIXaLB activated factor X or factor VII (with their cofactors Ca2+ and phospholipid) at significantly reduced rates, suggesting that the defect in FIXaLB lies near or within the catalytic triad of the FIX heavy chain. Identification of an amino acid substitution near the carboxy-terminus of the FIXaLB heavy chain supports the earlier characterization of this variant protein. Moreover, our data identify a residue in the catalytic domain of FIXa essential for normal function.