Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A R Sanders

Publications and source records attributed to A R Sanders.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A novel human myo-inositol monophosphatase gene, IMP.18p, maps to a susceptibility region for bipolar disorder.

Within the broad susceptibility region for bipolar disorder on the pericentromeric portion of chromosome 18, the highest allele sharing in our 22-pedigree series has been found in markers mapping to 18p11.2. Studies by other investigators on independently ascertained pedigrees have also shown increased sharing in this region, making 18p11.2 a plausible site for a candidate gene search. We found expressed sequence tags (ESTs) mapping within this area that are homologous to the myo-inositol-1-phosphate phosphohydrolase (myo-inositol monophosphatase: IMP) gene of Xenopus laevis. Since IMP has been proposed to be the potential target of lithium, a drug commonly used for the treatment of bipolar disorder, we proceeded to characterize the cognate transcript. Northern blot analysis detected a major transcript of 1.5 kb with abundant expression in adult and fetal tissues, but minimal expression in whole brain. In subcortical brain regions, however, substantial levels of transcript were evident, most prominently in the caudate. We have isolated and sequenced the full-length cDNA. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed approximately 54% identity with an existing human IMP, which we found mapped to chromosome 8, and IMP of other species. The sequence also included motifs characteristic of the IMP gene family. To provide a more precise location of this gene, mapping with a panel of radiation hybrids (RH) was conducted. Multipoint RH analysis placed the gene between GNAL and D18S71 within the 18p11.2 region. We, therefore, designated this novel gene as IMP.18p. The physical position and possible function suggest that IMP.18p is an important candidate gene for bipolar disorder.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Association study of schizophrenia and the dopamine D3 receptor gene locus in two independent samples.

Using a case-control design, an association of schizophrenia with the dopamine D3 receptor gene (D3RG) locus was investigated. Initial analysis of pooled results from published studies revealed a significant excess of individuals homozygous for either allele among the patients. The association was next tested in two cohorts ascertained independently at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and at Houston, Texas. The Pittsburgh sample was comprised of patients with schizophrenia (DSM-III-R) (n = 130). The controls belonged to two groups: adults screened for the absence of substance abuse or major psychiatric illness (n = 128), and neonates (n = 160). Multivariate analysis suggested an association with allele 1 of the biallelic D3RG polymorphism in comparison with the adult, but not the neonatal, controls. The association was most marked among Caucasian patients with a family history of schizophrenia (odds ratio 13.69, confidence intervals 1.80, 104.30). Survival analysis suggested an earlier age of onset among male patients homozygous for allele 2. The Houston cohort included Caucasian patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (DSM-III-R criteria, n = 50), and normal controls matched for gender (n = 51). In this group, no significant associations were noted among all the patients or among subgroups of patients based on family history or age of onset. Possible reasons for the discordant results are discussed.

Adult↗

Affected-sib-pair analyses reveal support of prior evidence for a susceptibility locus for bipolar disorder, on 21q.

In 22 multiplex pedigrees screened for linkage to bipolar disorder, by use of 18 markers on chromosome 21q, single-locus affected-sib-pair (ASP) analysis detected a high proportion (57%-62%) of alleles shared identical by descent (IBD), with P values of .049-.0008 on nine marker loci. Multilocus ASP analyses revealed locus trios in the distal region between D21S270 and D21S171, with excess allele sharing (nominal P values <.01) under two affection-status models, ASM I (bipolars and schizoaffectives) and ASM II (ASM I plus recurrent unipolars). In addition, under ASM I, the proximal interval spanned by D21S1436 and D21S65 showed locus trios with excess allele sharing (nominal P values of .03-.0003). These findings support prior evidence that a susceptibility locus for bipolar disorder is on 21q.

Bipolar Disorder↗

Association between genetic variation at the porphobilinogen deaminase gene and schizophrenia.

There is growing evidence that some genetic predisposition is important in the etiology of schizophrenia. We have sought to implicate a major gene by performing a candidate gene association study comparing the allele frequencies of seven restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) at six loci in both a psychiatrically normal control group (N = 51) and an affected (schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder) group (N = 55). Each group comprised Caucasians of northern European origin. The candidate areas (D5S39, D5S78, dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2), D11S29, porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD), and D11S84) were selected on the basis of prior cytogenetic findings in schizophrenics, linkage studies, and/or implicated gene products. The presence of a polymorphic ApaLI site within the PBGD gene showed a significant association with the presence of illness (P = 0.02). The relative risk of possessing the allele with the ApaLI site was 2.10. No significant association was found with any of the six other RFLPs. Our data suggests that either the PBGD gene itself or an unknown gene linked to and/or in linkage disequilibrium with the PBGD locus predisposes some individuals to schizophrenia. Independent replication of these findings will be required to determine their relevance to schizophrenia.

Adolescent↗

An integrated physical map of 18p11.2: a susceptibility region for bipolar disorder.

The reported linkage between bipolar disorder and a large pericentric portion of chromosome 18 has been replicated in an independent study. Further examination of this region showed that 18p11.2 had the greatest allele sharing in our pedigrees and increased sharing in other independently ascertained pedigree series permitting refinement of the region of significance. To facilitate positional cloning of a susceptibility gene, we used a combination of mapping reagents, including a subchromosomal somatic cell hybrid panel, a contig of clones in yeast artificial chromosomes (YAC), and a radiation hybrid (RH) panel, to construct a high resolution physical map of the region including sequence tag sites (STSs) and expressed sequence tags (ESTs). This approach generated the interlocus distance and order of 15 STSs and 16 ESTs including four novel transcripts, with an average of approximately 200 kb between loci, over a approximately 6-Mb region. This high resolution integrated map will be an important tool in providing loci for contig construction, and positional candidates for mutation screening.

Bipolar Disorder↗