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Biomedical subjects

C Camaschella

Publications and source records attributed to C Camaschella.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Expression of GATA-1 mRNA in human myeloid leukemic cells.

Expression of the transcription factor GATA-1, which regulates several erythroid specific genes and possibly also some megakaryocytic genes, has been previously detected in normal erythroblasts, megakaryocytes, and basophils, and in some myeloid cell lines. It has been suggested that GATA-1 may be first expressed in a common progenitor and then further activated during erythroid-megakaryocytic and basophilic differentiation and repressed during myeloid maturation. We investigated GATA-1 mRNA expression in highly purified leukemic blasts representing different lineages and stages of myeloid differentiation and in a recently established leukemic cell line, GF-D8, which exhibits morphological, cytochemical and immunophenotypic characteristics of early myeloid progenitor cells. We found GATA-1 expression in five of five myeloid and in one megakaryocytic blast crisis of CML, in four of six cases of myelomonocytic leukemias (M4 according to FAB classification), in one case of erythroleukemia (M6), whereas lymphoid blast crisis of CML and all other FAB groups were completely negative. In addition, a low level of GATA-1 mRNA was also expressed by the GF-D8 cell line. These data further support the hypothesis that GATA-1 expression may occur not only in erythroid and megakaryocytic progenitors, but also in early myeloid progenitors, and then be further regulated during lineage-specific maturation.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Construction of a genetic map telomeric to HLA-A by microsatellite analysis.

Allele and genotype frequencies of five microsatellites on the short arm of chromosome 6 have been determined in 158 subjects from 14 large Italian families, using polymerase chain reaction amplification and a non-radioactive method of detection. The markers studied were: D6S89, D6S109, D6S105, pLR12 and HLA-F; their heterozygosity ranged from 0.65 to 0.78. Two point and three point linkage analysis among these markers and HLA-A serological types--available for all the studied samples--allowed construction of a partial genetic map telomeric to HLA-A. Our results may be useful for linkage analysis of genetic disorders mapping on this region of 6p.

Alleles↗
PubMed1993

Molecular analysis of contiguous exons of the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene: identification of a new PKU mutation.

A modified application of the chemical cleavage of mismatch (CCM) method has been used to screen three contiguous exons (exons 9, 10, and 11) of the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene in 17 Italian PKU patients. A new nonsense heterozygous C-->G transversion within exon 11 (S359X) was identified in a single patient. Only one of the four mutations previously reported in this DNA region in Caucasians was found. This lesion, IVS X-546, was detected in five of the 34 PKU alleles examined. Our results underline the versatility of the CCM method for scanning a gene for multiple mutations.

Base Composition↗
PubMed1992

Rapid identification by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of mutations in the gamma-globin gene promoters in non-deletion type HPFH.

We have outlined a fast, non-radioactive strategy to identify point mutations in the 5' flanking region of the gamma-globin genes using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of amplified DNA. In a sample of previously characterized carriers of non deletion-type hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin (HPFH) the different point mutations in both gamma gene promoters could be easily identified by DGGE of a 327 bp fragment. A 4 bp deletion at position -225 to -222 of the A gamma globin gene was unexpectedly found in several samples and shown to represent a frequent polymorphism. Analysis of a 681 bp fragment specific for the 5' region of the A gamma gene, showed that this can be used to determine the haplotype of the chromosome under study. This technique may be useful in the study of sequence variations associated with high Hb F expression in physiological and pathological conditions.

DNA Mutational Analysis↗
PubMed1991

Molecular characterization of beta-thalassemia intermedia in patients of Italian descent and identification of three novel beta-thalassemia mutations.

In this study, we have defined by dot-blot analysis with allelic specific oligonucleotide probes or direct sequencing on amplified DNA the beta-thalassemia mutations in a large group of patients (23) of Italian descent with thalassemia intermedia. These patients had one parent with either the silent beta-thalassemia carrier phenotype or borderline-normal hemoglobin A2 (HbA2) levels (2.5% to 3.5%). Nearly all were genetic compounds for a severe beta-thalassemia mutation and a beta-thalassemia mutation associated with high residual output of beta-globin chains (beta + intervening sequence [IVS]-I-nt6, beta -87, beta -101), indicating that inheritance of a mild beta-thalassemia allele, even in a single dose, is the most common molecular mechanism producing thalassemia intermedia in the Italian population. In three cases, in whom we failed to define by dot-blot analysis the mutations, we sequenced the beta + globin gene and found three novel beta-thalassemia mutations, which are certainly very rare because they have been hitherto detected solely in a single patient. These mutations consist of: (1) a T-A substitution at position 2 of IVS-I, in a patient compound heterozygote for this mutation and the -87 promoter mutation; (2) a G-C substitution at position 844 of IVS-II, in a patient heterozygous for this mutation who showed normal sequences at the in trans beta-globin gene (The reason for the presence of clinical manifestations in a beta-thalassemia heterozygote has not been defined.); and (3) a deletion of one nucleotide (-T) at codon 126, resulting in a frameshift and readthrough of the 5' untranslated region and most likely producing an elongated Hb molecule of 156 amino acid residues, in a patient heterozygous for this mutation with normal beta-globin gene sequences at the other locus.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Simultaneous screening for beta-thalassemia mutations by chemical cleavage of mismatch.

We used the chemical cleavage of mismatch (CCM) method to screen the beta-globin gene simultaneously for Mediterranean beta-thalassemia mutations. The beta-globin gene was amplified in two segments encompassing the whole gene and hybridized to a corresponding labeled PCR product from a normal subject. All the known mutations tested were identified and discriminated. Three beta-thalassemic subjects with previously undiagnosed mutations were identified as carriers of two rare DNA changes. The inheritance of the mutations could be traced in family studies, showing the reliability of the method even for prenatal diagnosis. The beta-globin gene polymorphisms were also detected and the framework was determined for most alleles. Our results suggest further applicability of the CCM method as a means to screen a gene simultaneously for multiple mutations.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1991

A newly-characterized alpha-thalassaemia-1 deletion removes the entire alpha-like globin gene cluster in an Italian family.

We describe a new deletional form of alpha thalassaemia which encompasses the entire alpha-like globin gene cluster in a 15-year-old boy of Southern Italian descent. The deletion removes approximately 31 kb, the 5'-end point is located approximately 4 kb upstream of the xi gene, while the 3'-end point maps between the alpha 1- and theta 1-globin genes. The interaction of this deletion with the common-alpha 3.7 form gives origin to a classical form of haemoglobin (Hb) H disease in the propositus of this study. Deletional forms of xi alpha-thalassaemia are uncommon in the Mediterranean basin; as for other unusual xi alpha-thalassaemia forms, heterozygotes for this mutation may escape detection in population surveys based on zeta and alpha probes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Ankyrin deficiency in dominant hereditary spherocytosis: report of three cases.

We describe three Italian subjects from two unrelated families affected with isolated hereditary spherocytosis (HS) without other clinical abnormalities, associated with partial spectrin and ankyrin deficiency. In both families the propositus has normal biological parents, and thus appears to be the result of a new mutation; in one of them the disease is further transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion. Cytogenetic analysis of the latter family excluded abnormalities of the short arm of chromosome 8. We speculate that in both kindreds ankyrin deficiency is the primary defect related to ankyrin gene mutation. Several pieces of evidence suggest that ankyrin deficiency is probably the most common molecular defect in HS. It is inherited in a, dominant manner and its clinical and biochemical expression is heterogenous.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Inhibition of hexose monophosphate shunt in young erythrocytes by pyrimidine nucleotides in hereditary pyrimidine 5' nucleotidase deficiency.

Recent reports have suggested that haemolytic anaemia in pyrimidine 5' nucleotidase (P5'N) deficiency might be due to impaired erythrocyte hexose monophosphate shunt (HMS). To investigate the relationship between pyrimidine accumulation, HMS impairment and shortened red-cell survival, we tested glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6PD), HMS, P5'N activities and the UV spectrum in whole red cells and in red cells of different age from 2 P5'N-deficient patients with different degrees of haemolytic anaemia. In whole red cells we found a reduction of both G-6PD and stimulated HMS activity in the presence of a variable amount of pyrimidine nucleotides (37.79 and 17.88 mumol/gHb respectively). A drastic inhibition of stimulated HMS activity was already present in the lightest red-cell fractions from patient 1, who presented a more severe haemolytic anaemia. The variable degree of pyrimidines found among red cell fractions, with a minor accumulation in the older red cells, supports the hypothesis that pyrimidine accumulation and HMS impairment occur in the younger erythrocytes of P5'N-deficient patients.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed1991

Screening for mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene from Italian patients with phenylketonuria by using the chemical cleavage method: a new splice mutation.

To investigate the molecular basis of phenylketonuria in Italy we applied the chemical cleavage method (CCM) on amplified DNA encompassing exons 7 and 8 of the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene. These exons are in a region likely to be involved in enzyme function. Using this approach, we could simultaneously screen for novel mutations and for seven reported mutations which map in this area. Three mutations were identified. The first was shown to be a not previously described mutation: a G----A substitution at the 5' donor junction splice site of intron 7. The second change was a reported G----A mutation at codon 261. The third change corresponded to a polymorphism at codon 245. Our results indicate that CCM analysis of amplified genomic DNA fragments can be successfully used to search for mutations in large genes whose transcripts are not readily available.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal hemoglobin Lepore-Boston disease on maternal peripheral blood.

Molecular diagnosis of hemoglobin (Hb) Lepore-Boston in the fetus was successfully accomplished using maternal blood as a source for fetal cells in three pregnancies at risk for beta-thalassemia/Hb Lepore disease. Taking advantage of the possibility of amplifying Lepore-specific DNA fragments by polymerase chain reaction and of families in which Hb Lepore was inherited by the paternal side, we demonstrated in two cases and excluded in one case the presence of this hemoglobinopathy in the fetus directly on maternal DNA. The diagnosis was concordant with that obtained by traditional approaches in all three cases. Our results unequivocally show that nucleated fetal cells are present in maternal blood during pregnancy, and demonstrate for the first time that prenatal diagnosis of a genetic disease may be feasible without invasive procedures.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

A new hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin deletion has the breakpoint within the 3' beta-globin gene enhancer.

A new deletion of the beta-globin gene cluster has been characterized in two Italian brothers who are heterozygous carriers of a G gamma A gamma hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH). Restriction endonuclease mapping and DNA sequencing of the region encompassing the breakpoint show that the deletion starts 3.2 kilobases (kb) upstream from the delta gene and ends within the enhancer region 3' to the beta-globin gene. Here the deletion removes one of the four binding sites for an erythroid specific transcriptional factor (NF-E1). The molecular comparison of the new deletion with others of similar size and location but associated with a delta beta-thalassemia phenotype suggests that the residual enhancer element, relocated near gamma genes, may increase the fetal hemoglobin (HbF) expression above the level observed in delta beta-thalassemia.

Adult↗