| Nucleic Acids Research | Pages |
BTKbase, mutation database for X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA)
Introduction
BTKbase
New Features In BTKbase
Entries
Submission
Distribution of the mutations
Mutation statistics
Restriction enzyme digestion
SRS analysis at EBI
Major Findings From The Analysis Of The BTKbase
Distribution Of The Database
Acknowledgements
References
BTKbase, mutation database for X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA)
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a hereditary immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the gene coding for Bruton's agammaglobulinemia tyrosine kinase (BTK) (1,2). Patients with XLA have decreased numbers of mature B cells in their peripheral blood and show a lack of all immunoglobulin isotypes causing susceptibility to severe bacterial infections (3). Patients are treated with both antibiotics and immunoglobulin replacement therapy. The BTK gene was mapped to the midportion of the long arm of X-chromosome at Xq21.3-Xq22 (4-7) and the 37.5 kb gene contains 19 exons, 18 of which code for a 77 kDa protein (8-12). BTK is expressed in all hematopoietic lineages except for T lymphocytes and plasma cells (13,14). The murine gene for Btk has also been cloned and sequenced (10,12).
BTK is crucial for signaling in B cells (15,16). It belongs to a group of related cytoplasmic protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) formed by TEC (17), ITK/TSK/EMT (18,19) and BMX (20), known as the Tec family. The Tec family proteins consist of five distinct structural domains (1,2,21,22), which are from the N-terminus, pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of ~120 amino acids, Tec homology (TH) domain (~60-80 residues), Src homology 3 (SH3) domain of ~60 residues, SH2 domain (~100 amino acids), and the catalytic kinase domain of ~280 residues. The BTK protein is 659 residues long. Mutations in all the five domains have been noticed to cause XLA (1,8,9,23-26). The structural consequences of the mutations in all the domains have been addressed with computer-aided molecular modeling (23-35).
BTK has been shown to interact with several partners (for review see refs 15,36). BTK is the only protein where PH domain mutations are known to cause a disease. The C-terminal portion of the PH domain and the first half of the adjacent TH domain are responsible for G[beta][gamma] binding. Recently, the three dimensional structure of the BTK PH domain and Btk motif of the TH domain has been determined (37). The TH domain comprises two regions, a Btk motif and a proline rich segment (22,34). The Btk motif binds Zn2+ ions (34,37). The whole TH domain is present only in TEC family members. The proline rich segment is bound by the SH3 domains of FYN, HCK, and LYN (38). Recently, Gq-protein [alpha]-subunit has been shown to stimulate BTK (39).
The SH2 and SH3 domains each recognize short peptide motifs bearing either phosphotyrosine (pTyr) residue or polyprolines, respectively. These domains link BTK to partner molecules. The BTK SH3 domain has been shown to bind the c-cbl proto-oncogene (40), Vav, Sam68 and EWS (41). The kinase domain is the only catalytic region in the TEC family kinases. A conserved ATP-binding site is located between two structural lobes (28). The upper lobe, which is formed mainly of [beta]-strands, has turned relative to the lower [alpha]-helical lobe in the inactive form of the enzyme. All the known kinases contain several highly conserved residues, which are involved in substrate and cofactor binding as well as in some structurally crucial sites.
BTKbase
BTK mutation data, both published and directly submitted information, have been collected into a database called BTKbase (23-26,33-36,42-45) (Fig. 1). The database contains information about the mutations and XLA patients. The study group gives for each patient an individual patient identity number (PIN). The PIN consists of the type of mutation and a running number indicating mutations affecting the same amino acid or the same non-coding region. A more detailed description of the formation of PINs is given in Vihinen et al. (46). The PIN is given as soon as a mutation is available to the study group. Data can be kept confidential until published.
Figure
The database contains the following information for each patient if available: identification of the entry (PIN, accession number, etc.), plain English description of the mutation, literature reference(s), formal characterisation of the mutation and various characteristics of the patient.

NEW FEATURES IN BTKbase
Some of the new features are introduced in Figure 2.
Figure
The Web version of the database contains MEDLINE links for all the references in each entry as well as links to OMIM and ESID registry, when available. Mutations are linked to the reference sequences at the genomic, mRNA and amino acid level.
It is now possible to submit mutation data to the BTKbase just by filling in a questionnaire on the Web pages. The program makes the data directly into format suitable for inclusion into the database. However, the entries are added only after curator inspection.
The localization of the mutations in the BTK gene and protein can be analyzed on pages where the sequences are given. By clicking the figures the mutation(s) affecting a certain position is listed. This can be performed either at DNA, mRNA or amino acid level.
Several tables provide information about the distribution of mutations. These tables are automatically updated when the distribution version of the registry is generated. Therefore our tables always provide the very latest results.
Several clickable pages are related to restriction enzymes and modifications in restriction pattern when mutations appear. Both additions and deletions of restriction sites due to mutations can be directly picked from the sequences and tables. Also lists of restriction enzymes not cutting the genomic or cDNA are provided. These analyses include all the restriction enzymes in the latest version of REBASE (47).
BTKbase provides direct link to the SRS search engine (48) at EBI's MutRes mutation database registry for further analysis.

Entries
Submission
Distribution of the mutations
Mutation statistics
Restriction enzyme digestion
SRS analysis at EBI
MAJOR FINDINGS FROM THE ANALYSIS OF THE BTKbase
There are altogether 463 patients in the database with XLA mutations that are scattered all along the BTK gene (Fig. 1). The patients represent 406 unrelated families. There are 303 unique mutations (65%). The distribution of the mutations in the five structural domains is approximately according to the length of the domains. Four double mutations and one triple mutation have been detected. The first promoter region mutation has recently been described (35). The gene defect of nine gross deletions have not been characterized in detail. The major alterations may be underrepresented due to the mutation detection methods used. The figures are calculated from the number of mutations, i.e., all the alterations in the families having multiple mutations are taken into account.
Figure
This version of the BTKbase includes also information about BTK polymorphisms and variants. Variations have not usually been systematically analyzed. The most common variation identified is at nucleotide 2013 in exon 18 changing a C to a T. This variation has been reported in seven studies and there are data for more than 100 patients. Ethnic variations are remarkable at this position. All the variations in the exons including 1086 C->T, 1626 C->G, 1815 C->G, are silent and in the third wobble codon position. In addition there are variations also in the introns as well as the 3[prime] flanking region. The distribution of the mutations is shown in Figure 3. 184 patients have missense mutations. No missense mutations have been detected in exons 8 and 9 from residue 186 to 288, which could indicate higher tolerance for mutations in the TH and SH3 domains or redundant functions. The missense mutations appear mainly in the first two positions within the codon. 131 (72%) were transitions and 53 (28%) transversions. The most common alterations were G->A (64 cases) and C->T (26 cases).
The nonsense mutations were mainly transitions (59) whereas there were 31 transversions. Fifty three of the nonsense mutations appear at position 1. The most common change was C to T at position 1 altering CGA to TGA (28 occurrences). Substitutions in nine patients alter the start codon and prevent expression of the protein. Altogether, there were 190 transitions and 84 transversions in the missense and nonsense mutations, corresponding to 71 and 29% of the single amino acid substitutions. The most frequently affected sites are CpG dinucleotides. The 33 CpG dinucleotides in the coding region form only 3.3% of the gene, but still CG to TG or CA mutations constitute 33% of the single base substitutions. The most mutated sites have generally pyrimidines 5[prime] and purines 3[prime] to the mutated 5-methylcytosine (49). Eight of 18 CpG containing arginine residues were affected, whereas none of the residual 15 CpG sites encoding non-arginine residues was mutated (Fig. 3). Intron mutations in 58 families cause aberrant splicing. These mutations are concentrated mainly at locations +1 (25 occurrences) and 11 (4). Skipping of the exon 9 in three families causes an inframe deletion in the C-terminus of the SH3 domain. Insertions and deletions have been characterized from 30 and 83 families, respectively. The larger deletions encompass whole exons. Direct repeats appear in the immediate vicinity of all these mutations. In addition to the splice site mutation resulting in the inframe skipping of exon 9, 12 other families with inframe deletions have been found. All these mutations delete substantial parts of the protein. The severity of XLA can vary even among family members carrying the same mutation (reviewed in ref. 3). Most of the data in the BTKbase are associated with severe (classical) XLA patients (~97%). In many instances mild disease-causing mutations leads also to classical XLA, even in the same family. A more detailed discussion of the mild diseases can be found in ref. 23. Many of the mutations affect functionally significant, conserved residues. The majority of the missense mutations in the PH domain are in the putative binding region. In the TH domain the missense mutations affect Zn2+ binding (34). There are no missense mutations in the SH3 domain. Most of the amino acid substitutions in the SH2 domain impair pTyr binding. In the kinase domain, the mutations are mainly on one side of the molecule. This face of the enzyme is involved in binding of the ATP, Mg2+ and substrate. Although a large number of these mutations affect the cofactor or putative substrate binding residues, many alterations appear in structurally crucial sites. Some of the mutations causing less severe XLA are not in the immediate vicinity of the binding sites or structurally crucial positions.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE DATABASE
The primary distribution media is World Wide Web at http://www.helsinki.fi/science/signal/btkbase.html. Temporarily updated version of database is also available via anonymous ftp at csb.ki.se in the directory pub/btkbase. Use anonymous as username and your e-mail address as password. Inquiries and new data can be sent to mauno.vihinen@helsinki.fi. New mutations can be submitted preferably by using the form available at the Web pages.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This work was supported by Finnish Academy, Biocentrum Helsinki, Instrumentariumin tiedesäätiö, the Swedish Medical Research Council, the Swedish Cancer Society and the Åke Wiberg Foundation.
REFERENCES
This page is run by Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP, as part of the OUP Journals Comments and feedback: www-admin{at}oup.co.uk
Last modification: 17 Dec 1997
Copyright© Oxford University Press, 1998.
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
S. Guo, M. I. Wahl, and O. N. Witte Mutational analysis of the SH2-kinase linker region of Bruton's tyrosine kinase defines alternative modes of regulation for cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase families Int. Immunol., January 1, 2006; 18(1): 79 - 87. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
G Verbruggen, S De Backer, D Deforce, P Demetter, C Cuvelier, E Veys, and D Elewaut X linked agammaglobulinaemia and rheumatoid arthritis Ann Rheum Dis, July 1, 2005; 64(7): 1075 - 1078. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. W. Yu, R. S. Tabuchi, R. M. Kato, A. Astrakhan, S. Humblet-Baron, K. Kipp, K. Chae, W. Ellmeier, O. N. Witte, and D. J. Rawlings Sustained correction of B-cell development and function in a murine model of X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) using retroviral-mediated gene transfer Blood, September 1, 2004; 104(5): 1281 - 1290. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
S. Martin, D. Wolf-Eichbaum, G. Duinkerken, W. A. Scherbaum, H. Kolb, J. G. Noordzij, and B. O. Roep Development of Type 1 Diabetes despite Severe Hereditary B-Cell Deficiency N. Engl. J. Med., October 4, 2001; 345(14): 1036 - 1040. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
E.-K. Jo, H. Kanegane, S. Nonoyama, S. Tsukada, J.-H. Lee, K. Lim, M. Shong, C.-H. Song, H.-J. Kim, J.-K. Park, et al. Characterization of Mutations, Including a Novel Regulatory Defect in the First Intron, in Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Gene from Seven Korean X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia Families J. Immunol., October 1, 2001; 167(7): 4038 - 4045. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. F. Webb, Y. Yamashita, N. Ayers, S. Evetts, Y. Paulin, M. E. Conley, and E. A. Smith The Transcription Factor Bright Associates with Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase, the Defective Protein in Immunodeficiency Disease J. Immunol., December 15, 2000; 165(12): 6956 - 6965. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
R. H. Buckley Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases Due to Defects in Lymphocytes N. Engl. J. Med., November 2, 2000; 343(18): 1313 - 1324. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
T. W. LeBien Fates of human B-cell precursors Blood, July 1, 2000; 96(1): 9 - 23. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
P. T. Mattsson, I. Lappalainen, C.-M. Backesjo, E. Brockmann, S. Lauren, M. Vihinen, and C. I. E. Smith Six X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia-Causing Missense Mutations in the Src Homology 2 Domain of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase: Phosphotyrosine-Binding and Circular Dichroism Analysis J. Immunol., April 15, 2000; 164(8): 4170 - 4177. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. A. E. Stenberg, P. T. Riikonen, and M. Vihinen KinMutBase, a database of human disease-causing protein kinase mutations Nucleic Acids Res., January 1, 2000; 28(1): 369 - 371. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Mao, M. Zhou, and F. M. Uckun Crystal Structure of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Domain Suggests a Novel Pathway for Activation and Provides Insights into the Molecular Basis of X-linked Agammaglobulinemia J. Biol. Chem., October 26, 2001; 276(44): 41435 - 41443. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||






