Haplotype mapping and sequence analysis of the mouse Nramp gene predict susceptibility to infection with intracellular parasites.

The mouse chromosome 1 locus Bcg (Ity, Lsh) controls the capacity of the tissue macrophage to restrict the replication of antigenically unrelated intracellular parasites and therefore determines the natural resistance (BCG-R, dominant) or susceptibility (BCG-S, recessive) of inbred mouse strains to infection with diverse pathogens, including several Mycobacterium species, Salmonella typhimurium, and Leishmania donovani. We have used a positional cloning strategy based on genetic and physical mapping, YAC cloning, and exon trapping to isolate a candidate gene for Bcg (Nramp) that encodes a predicted macrophage-specific transport protein. We have analyzed a total of 27 inbred mouse strains of BCG-R and BCG-S phenotypes for the presence of nucleotide sequence variations within the coding portion of Nramp and have carried out haplotype typing of the corresponding chromosome 1 region in these mice, using 11 additional polymorphic markers mapping in the immediate vicinity of Nramp. cDNA cloning and nucleotide sequencing identified 5 nucleotide sequence variations within Nramp in the inbred strains; while 4 of these represented silent sequence polymorphisms, one G to A substitution at nucleotide position 783 resulted in the non-conservative replacement of Gly105 to Asp105 within the second predicted transmembrane domain (TM2) of the Nramp protein. An absolute association of this allelic variation and Bcg phenotype was observed in the 20 BCG-R strains (Gly105) and 7 BCG-S strains (Asp105) tested. Moreover, sequence analysis of the corresponding region of the Nramp gene from distantly related species indicated strong amino acid sequence conservation of TM2, including an invariant glycine at position 105. Haplotype mapping using sequence polymorphism identified within Nramp and additional RFLPs and SSLPs from the region revealed that although the 20 BCG-R strains analyzed showed diverse allelic combinations for these markers, the 7 BCG-S strains tested share a conserved core haplotype of 2.2 Mb overlapping and including Nramp. Taken together, these results suggest that (1) Gly105 is the wildtype form of Nramp and that the nonconservative substitution to Asp105 underlies the BCG-S phenotype, and (2) Bcg8 alleles carry the same Gly105-->Asp105 mutation and are identical by descent.

Malo D ，Vogan K ，Vidal S ，Hu J ，Cellier M ，Schurr E ，Fuks A ，Bumstead N ，Morgan K ，Gros P ... -  《GENOMICS》

Natural resistance to infection with intracellular parasites: molecular genetics identifies Nramp1 as the Bcg/Ity/Lsh locus.

Natural resistance to infection with intracellular parasites is controlled in the mouse by the expression of a locus or group of loci on chromosome 1 alternatively named Bcg, Lsh, and Ity. Bcg affects the capacity of mature tissue macrophages to restrict the intracellular proliferation of ingested parasites in the reticuloendothelial organs of the host during the early phase of infection. This review summarizes our molecular genetic approach to the isolation and characterization of the Bcg locus. We have used a positional cloning strategy based on genetic and physical mapping, YAC cloning, and exon trapping to isolate a candidate gene for Bcg, named Nramp1, which codes for a macrophage-specific polytopic protein with 12 predicted transmembrane domains and a consensus transport motif. Sequence analysis of Nramp1 cDNA clones from 27 Bcgs and Bcgr mouse strains reveals that susceptibility to infection (Bcgs) is associated with a single nonconservative Gly to Asp substitution at position 169 within predicted transmembrane domain 4 of the Nramp protein. Cloning experiments and homology search in available databases demonstrated that the Nramp1 gene belongs to a small gene family with several members in vertebrates and in such distantly related species as yeast and plants. Nramp proteins share a remarkable degree of similarity, with strong amino acid sequence conservation in the transmembrane domains, suggesting a common transport function for the Nramp family. Finally, we generated Nramp1-/- gene knockout mice, and analysis of their phenotypic characteristics established that (1) Nramp1 plays a key role in natural defense against infection with intracellular parasites and therefore demonstrated allelism between Nramp1 and Bcg/Ity/Lsh, (2) Nramp1 functions by a novel cytocidal/cytostatic mechanism distinct from those expressed by the activated macrophage, and (3) the Nramp1Asp169 allele of Bcgs inbred strains is a null allele, pointing to a critical role of this residue in Nramp1 function.

Vidal S ，Gros P ，Skamene E 《JOURNAL OF LEUKOCYTE BIOLOGY》

Genetic and physical mapping of 2q35 in the region of the NRAMP and IL8R genes: identification of a polymorphic repeat in exon 2 of NRAMP.

White JK ，Shaw MA ，Barton CH ，Cerretti DP ，Williams H ，Mock BA ，Carter NP ，Peacock CS ，Blackwell JM ... -  《GENOMICS》

Natural resistance to intracellular infections: Nramp1 encodes a membrane phosphoglycoprotein absent in macrophages from susceptible (Nramp1 D169) mouse strains.

The mouse Nramp1 gene (Bcg/Ity/Lsh) controls innate defense to infection with intracellular parasites such as Mycobacterium, Salmonella, and Leishmania. Sequence analysis of Nramp1 predicts a hydrophobic, membrane-associated protein expressed exclusively in monocyte/macrophage lineages. A single G169D substitution within the fourth predicted transmembrane domain of Nramp1 is associated with susceptibility to infection (Bcg) in inbred mouse strains. To initiate the biochemical characterization of the Nramp1 protein and to analyze the molecular basis of susceptibility associated with the Nramp1(D169) allele, oligopeptides derived from Nramp1 and two fusion proteins containing the first 54 and the last 35 residues of Nramp1 were used to raise specific anti-Nramp1 antisera. In addition, a c-Myc epitope (EQKLISEEDL) was introduced in-frame at the C terminus of Nramp1 to follow its expression in a yeast heterologous system. Western analysis of crude membrane fractions from yeast demonstrated that Nramp1 is indeed an integral membrane protein (resistant to urea extraction). In resident Bcg(r) (129sv, Nramp1(G169)) macrophages, one of the anti-Nramp1 antisera identified by immunoprecipitation a protein of 90,000 to 100,000 apparent m.w. that was absent in macrophages from knockout mice bearing a null mutation at Nramp1. The Nramp1 protein could be metabolically labeled with orthophosphate and was sensitive to glycosylase treatment, verifying that Nramp1 is an integral membrane phosphoglycoprotein. Parallel analysis of macrophage extracts from Bcg(s) mouse strains (C57BL6/J and BALB/c, Nramp1(D169)) failed to detect mature Nrampl protein in these cells, suggesting that the G169D mutation at Nramp1 prevents proper maturation or membrane integration of the protein, resulting in its rapid degradation.

Vidal SM ，Pinner E ，Lepage P ，Gauthier S ，Gros P ... -  《JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY》

Genomic structure, promoter sequence, and induction of expression of the mouse Nramp1 gene in macrophages.

A candidate gene for the mouse chromosome 1 host resistance locus Bcg/Ity/Lsh was recently cloned and designated Nramp (natural resistance-associated macrophage protein). Nramp is part of a small family of at least two genes, Nramp1 and Nramp2. Primer extension and cDNA cloning were used to isolate the complete 5' end of the Nramp1 mRNA. Analysis of genomic cosmid and bacteriophage clones overlapping the complete Nramp1 gene revealed that the gene was composed of 15 exons and spanned 11.5 kb of genomic DNA. Positioning of introns on the coding portion of the mRNA revealed a modular relationship between coding exons and predicted structural domains of the protein, with 8 of the 12 transmembrane (TM) domains encoded by individual exons. Northern blotting analysis indicated that Nramp1 expression was restricted to J774A.1 and RAW 264.7 macrophage lines and was dramatically increased by treatment with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Primer extension and S1 nuclease mapping experiments were used to locate the transcription initiation site of Nramp1 and revealed the presence of one major and several minor initiation sites. Nucleotide sequencing of the corresponding region failed to detect classical TATA and CAAT elements, but identified two putative initiator sequences located near the major initiation site. Consensus sequences for binding of the macrophage and B-cell-specific transcription factor PU.1, as well as several LPS (NF-IL6) and IFN-gamma response elements, were also identified.

Govoni G ，Vidal S ，Cellier M ，Lepage P ，Malo D ，Gros P ... -  《GENOMICS》