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Biomedical subjects

C Boysen

Publications and source records attributed to C Boysen.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparative genomics of the human and mouse T cell receptor loci.

The availability of the complete genomic sequences of the human and mouse T cell receptor loci opens up new opportunities for understanding T cell receptors (TCRs) and their genes. The full complement of TCR gene segments is finally known and should prove a valuable resource for supporting functional studies. A rational nomenclature system has been implemented and is widely available through IMGT and other public databases. Systematic comparisons of the genomic sequences within each locus, between loci, and across species enable precise analyses of the various diversification mechanisms and some regulatory signals. The genomic landscape of the TCR loci provides fundamental insights into TCR evolution as highly localized and tightly regulated gene families.

Animals↗

Analysis of the 1.1-Mb human alpha/delta T-cell receptor locus with bacterial artificial chromosome clones.

Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones are effective mapping and sequencing reagents. The 1.1-Mb alpha/delta T-cell receptor locus of humans was mapped and partially sequenced with BAC clones. Seventeen BAC clones covered the 1.1-Mb alpha/delta locus, with the exception of one small gap that was expected from the coverage that a 3.7-fold BAC library is likely to provide. The end sequences of the BAC inserts could be obtained directly from the BAC DNA by sequencing with the chain terminator chemistry. Five complete BAC inserts were sequenced directly by the shotgun approach. The ends of the 17 BAC inserts were distributed evenly across the locus. By several independent criteria, the BAC clones faithfully represented the genomic DNA, with the exception of a single clone with a 68-kb deletion. These BAC features led to the proposal of a new approach to sequence the human genome.

Bacteriophage M13↗

Construction and characterization of a human bacterial artificial chromosome library.

We have constructed an arrayed human genomic BAC library with approximately 4x coverage that is represented by 96,000 BAC clones with average insert size of nearly 140 kb. A new BAC vector that allows color-based positive screening to identify transformants with inserts has increased BAC cloning efficiency. The library was gridded onto hybridization filters at high density for efficient identification of BAC clones by colony hybridization. The library was also formulated into characteristic DNA pools to allow for PCR screening of the library for STS content. We have characterized the library mainly by screening with more than 300 different landmarks that include cDNA, STSs, and cosmid clones. We describe methods for using BAC clones and discuss the implications for genome characterization, mapping, and sequencing.

Cell Line↗

Identifying DNA polymorphisms in human TCRA/D variable genes by direct sequencing of PCR products.

The T-cell receptor (TCR) is a highly variable molecule composed of two polypeptide chains that recognize antigenic peptides in the context of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. In this study, we describe a sequence-based search for germline polymorphisms in the variable (V) gene segments of the human TCRA/D locus. Thirty different V gene segments were amplified from six to eight unrelated individuals and sequenced from low melting point agarose. Twenty-seven polymorphisms were identified in 15 V gene segments. These polymorphisms are mainly single nucleotide substitutions, but an insertion/deletion polymorphism and a single dinucleotide repeat with variable length were also seen. Of the 15 sequence variations found in the coding regions, six are silent and nine encode amino acid changes. All of the amino acid changes are found at non-conserved residues, frequently in the hypervariable regions, where they may influence MHC and/or peptide recognition. Therefore, it is possible that germline variations in TCR genes could influence an individual's immune response, and may also contribute to susceptibility to diseases such as autoimmunity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A microtiter plate-based high-throughput DNA purification method.

A fast, reliable, inexpensive, and high-throughput method to purify DNA has been developed. It is based on DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction utilizing a mini spin-column made from a 96-well membrane-bottomed assay plate. With this method, 50% of the DNA is recovered routinely using Sephacryl-500HR as filtration media. Purified DNA can then be used in various enzymatic manipulations, such as sequencing and hybridization. This provides an economical alternative protocol for routine large-scale purification of DNA templates for sequencing or other enzymatic manipulations.

Base Sequence↗

Pairwise end sequencing: a unified approach to genomic mapping and sequencing.

Strategies for large-scale genomic DNA sequencing currently require physical mapping, followed by detailed mapping, and finally sequencing. The level of mapping detail determines the amount of effort, or sequence redundancy, required to finish a project. Current strategies attempt to find a balance between mapping and sequencing efforts. One such approach is to employ strategies that use sequence data to build physical maps. Such maps alleviate the need for prior mapping and reduce the final required sequence redundancy. To this end, the utility of correlating pairs of sequence data derived from both ends of subcloned templates is well recognized. However, optimal strategies employing such pairwise data have not been established. In the present work, we simulate and analyze the parameters of pairwise sequencing projects including template length, sequence read length, and total sequence redundancy. One pairwise strategy based on sequencing both ends of plasmid subclones is recommended and illustrated with raw data simulations. We find that pairwise strategies are effective with both small (cosmid) and large (megaYAC) targets and produce ordered sequence data with a high level of mapping completeness. They are ideal for finescale mapping and gene finding and as initial steps for either a high- or a low-redundancy sequencing effort. Such strategies are highly automatable.

Base Composition↗

Identification of clusters of biallelic polymorphic sequence-tagged sites (pSTSs) that generate highly informative and automatable markers for genetic linkage mapping.

Using a combination of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and direct DNA sequencing, we have found that multiple (4 to 7) biallelic sequence polymorphisms can be located within short DNA segments, 300 to 2400 bp. Here, we report on the identification of three clusters of DNA polymorphisms, one in each of the constant regions of the human T cell receptor alpha and beta gene complexes on human chromosomes 14 and 7, respectively, and a third among the human t-RNA genes on human chromosome 14. The frequency of these polymorphisms and the extent of linkage disequilibrium between individual polymorphisms have been determined using a semiautomated DNA typing system combining DNA target amplification by the polymerase chain reaction with the analysis of internal sequence polymorphisms by a colorimetric oligonucleotide ligation assay. We have found that individual biallelic polymorphisms in each cluster are often in partial linkage disequilibrium with one another. This partial linkage disequilibrium permits the combined use of three to four markers in a cluster to generate a haplotype with high levels of heterozygosity, 71 to 88%. Therefore, clusters of physically linked biallelic polymorphisms provide an automatable and highly informative type of genetic marker for general linkage analysis as well as an attractive alternative marker system for fine-point mapping of disease-causing genes and phenotypic traits relative to their framework locations in the genome.

Alleles↗