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CLN6 is a polytopic membrane protein of unknown function resident in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Mutant CLN6 causes the lysosomal storage disorder neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Defining the topology of CLN6, and the structural domains and motifs required for interaction with cytosolic and luminal proteins may allow insights into its function. In this study we analysed the topology, ER retention and oligomerization of CLN6. We demonstrated, by differential membrane permeabilization of transfected BHK cells using specific detergents and two distinct antibodies, that CLN6 contains an N-terminal cytoplasmic domain, seven transmembrane domains, and a luminal C terminus. Mutational analyses and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy showed that changes of potential ER localization signals in the N- or C-terminal domain (a triple arginine cluster, and a dileucine motif) did not alter the subcellular localization of CLN6. The deletion of a dilysine motif impaired partially the ER localization of CLN6. Furthermore, expression analyses of fusion and deletion constructs in non-neuronal and neuronal cells suggested that two portions of CLN6 contributed to its retention within the ER. We showed that the N-terminal domain was necessary but not sufficient for ER retention of CLN6 and that deletion of transmembrane domains 6 and 7 was accompanied with the loss of ER localization and, in some instances, trafficking to the cisGolgi. From these data we concluded that CLN6 maintains its ER localization by expressing retention signals present in both the N-terminal cytosolic domain and in the carboxy-proximal transmembrane domains 6 and 7. Additionally, the ability of CLN6 to homodimerize may also prevent exit from the ER via an interaction with membrane-associated factors.

Background: The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of inherited neurodegenerative disorders characterized by accumulation of autofluorescent material in many tissues, especially in neurons. Mutations in the CLN8 gene, encoding an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane protein of unknown function, underlie NCL phenotypes in humans and mice. The human phenotype is characterized by epilepsy, progressive psychomotor deterioration and visual loss, while motor neuron degeneration (mnd) mice with a Cln8 mutation show progressive motor neuron dysfunction and retinal degeneration., Results: We investigated spatial and temporal expression of Cln8 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) using in situ hybridization, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and northern blotting. Cln8 is ubiquitously expressed at low levels in embryonic and adult tissues. In prenatal embryos Cln8 is most prominently expressed in the developing gastrointestinal tract, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and brain. In postnatal brain the highest expression is in the cortex and hippocampus. Expression of Cln8 mRNA in the central nervous system (CNS) was also analyzed in the hippocampal electrical kindling model of epilepsy, in which Cln8 expression was rapidly up-regulated in hippocampal pyramidal and granular neurons., Conclusion: Expression of Cln8 in the developing and mature brain suggests roles for Cln8 in maturation, differentiation and supporting the survival of different neuronal populations. The relevance of Cln8 up-regulation in hippocampal neurons of kindled mice should be further explored.

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a group of childhood-onset neurodegenerative disorders characterized by accumulation of autofluorescent lipopigment in many tissues, especially in neurons. Mutations in the CLN8 gene underlie Northern epilepsy (progressive epilepsy with mental retardation [EPMR], OMIM 600143) and a subset of Turkish variant late infantile NCL, but the pathogenetic mechanisms have remained elusive. The CLN8 transmembrane protein is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident protein that recycles between ER and ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) in non-neuronal cells. To explore the disease mechanisms, we have characterized the neuronal localization of wild-type CLN8 protein as well as CLN8 proteins representing patient mutations. Semliki Forest virus-mediated CLN8 protein localized in the ER of mouse hippocampal primary neurons when compared to subcellular markers by immunofluorescence analysis. We also analyzed the possible polarized targeting of CLN8 and observed basolateral targeting in polarized epithelial CaCo-2 cells, suggesting that CLN8 may locate outside the ER or in a specialized subcompartment of the ER. We were not able, however, to demonstrate differential distribution of CLN8 between axons and dendrites of neurons. Fractionation of mouse brain tissue indicated that endogenous mouse Cln8 is observed in light membrane fractions, different from ER, which further suggested differential localization for CLN8 in polarized cells. The disease mutations did not affect intracellular localization of CLN8 in non-neuronal or neuronal cells. Consequently, there is no obvious genotype-phenotype correlation at the level of protein localization and thus mutations most likely directly affect functionally important domains of CLN8., (Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are a genetically heterogeneous group of progressive neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the accumulation of autofluorescent lipopigment in various tissues. Progressive epilepsy with mental retardation (EPMR, MIM 600143) was recently recognized as a new NCL subtype (CLN8). It is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by onset of generalized seizures between 5 and 10 years, and subsequent progressive mental retardation. Here we report the positional cloning of a novel gene, CLN8, which is mutated in EPMR. It encodes a putative transmembrane protein. EPMR patients were homozygous for a missense mutation (70C-->G, R24G) that was not found in homozygosity in 433 controls. We also cloned the mouse Cln8 sequence. It displays 82% nucleotide identity with CLN8, conservation of the codon harbouring the human mutation and is localized to the same region as the motor neuron degeneration mouse, mnd, a naturally occurring mouse NCL (ref. 4). In mnd/mnd mice, we identified a homozygous 1-bp insertion (267-268insC, codon 90) predicting a frameshift and a truncated protein. Our data demonstrate that mutations in these orthologous genes underlie NCL phenotypes in human and mouse, and represent the first description of the molecular basis of a naturally occurring animal model for NCL.

Out of 61 children with idiopathic chronic glomerulonephritis confirmed by biopsy or minimal lesion diagnosed during the period 1964-1987, 18 were found in whom the first sign of renal disease was slight proteinuria demonstrated at routine examination of the urine. Five of these children were referred directly to a nephrological department with the object of further elucidation of the diagnosis. In six of the remaining 13 children, the first referral to hospital took place after an average of 5.9 years and after signs of renal disease were apparent for the first time. In ten of these 13 patients, an average period of 3.9 years elapsed before renal biopsy was carried out and the nature of the disease elucidated. 29 and 73% of these patients, respectively, had developed terminal uraemia five and ten years after establishing the diagnosis. It is recommended that children in whom persistent proteinuria is demonstrated, regardless of the magnitude, should be referred directly to a nephrological department or a paediatric department with special interests. Renal biopsy may be indicated. Life-long systematic follow-up control is indicated.

A case is presented in which a 67-year-old man suffering from non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, after being treated with polymyxin B containing ointment for leg ulcers, developed acute renal failure. After a period of 13 days during which the patient was treated with peritoneal dialysis 5 times, renal function returned. At discharge creatinine-clearance was 12 ml/min. Treating large ulcers with polymyxin B may be dangerous.