A nucleotide change in IVS 2 of a beta-thalassemia gene leads to a cryptic splice not at the site of the mutation.
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Base Sequence↗
Biomedical subjects
C Dobkin
Publications and source records attributed to C Dobkin.
Modification of cytidines in a Q beta replicase template: analysis of conformation and localization of lethal nucleotide substitutions.
The solution conformation of MDV-1( + ) RNA, a small RNA template replicated autocatalytically in vitro by Q beta replicase, was investigated with sodium bisulfite, a reagent that selectively converts single-stranded cytidines to uridines. The reactivity of 45 of the 76 cytidines in MDV-1( + ) RNA was determined by nucleotide sequence analysis. Only 14 of these 45 cytidines were converted to uridine. Treatment of the RNA with methoxyamine, another single-strand-specific cytidine modification reagent, gave results in good agreement with the bisulfite data. The limited reactivity of MDV-1 ( + ) RNA with these reagents indicates that it is a highly structured molecule. A secondary structure consistent with the chemical modification data is proposed. Modification of MDV-1 ( + ) RNA by bisulfite renders it inactive as a template for RNA replication. This inactivation and the modification of the cytidines at the 3' end of the molecule occur at very similar rates. By using a short complementary RNA "mask" to protect just these cytidines, we demonstrated that the loss of activity resulted from their modification. This implies that one or more of the cytidines in the 3'-terminal sequence is required for template activity and that changes within this sequence can have lethal consequences. The effects of modification elsewhere in the sequence are discussed.
Base Sequence↗
RNA primer used in synthesis of anticomplementary DNA by reverse transcriptase of avian myeloblastosis virus.
When either the homologous RNA (avian myeloblastosis virus RNA) or a heterologous RNA (poliovirus RNA) was used as a template, the anticomplementary DNA synthesized in vitro by avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase (RNA-directed DNA nucleotidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.7) was primed by fragments of the original RNA template that usually had adenosine at their 3' ends. When we used phage T/ RNA ligase (EC 6.5.1.3) to label the 3' end of the RNA template fragments contained in the RNA . cDNA hybrid intermediate, adenosine was found to be the principal nucleoside carrying the label. We infer from these results that the ribonuclease H (hybrid nuclease) activity of the reverse transcriptase creates fragments of the original RNA template with adenosine as the principal 3' terminus and that these fragments serve as primers for the synthesis of anticomplementary DNA.
Avian Leukosis Virus↗
RNA replication: required intermediates and the dissociation of template, product, and Q beta replicase.
Replication complexes containing only one molecule of Q beta replicase and one strand of midivariant RNA (MDV-1 RNA) template were prepared by incubating the replicase with an excess of MDV-1 (-) RNA. In the presence of excess minus strands, these monoenzyme replication complexes were shown to synthesize essentially pure MDV-1 (+) RNA in both the first and second cycles of replication. When an equivalent concentration of mutant MDV-1 (-) RNA was added to this reaction before completion of the first cycle of replication, only wild-type MDV-1 (+) RNA was produced in the first cycle, but both mutant and wild-type MDV-1 (+) RNA were produced in the second cycle of replication. These results demonstrate that a monoenzyme complex is competent to synthesize RNA and, therefore, that a multienzyme replication complex is not a necessary intermediate of replication. The data also imply that after the completion of chain elongation, the product strand is released from the replication complex and that the template and the replicase then dissociate.
Coliphages↗
Template-determined, variable rate of RNA chain elongation.
Q beta replicase polymerizes MDV-1 RNA at a markedly variable rate. Electrophoretic analyses of partially synthesized strands showed that a few of the elongation intermediates are much more abundant than others, reflecting a variable rate of chain elongation. Our data suggest that at a relatively small number of specific sites in the sequence of this RNA, the progress of the replicase is temporarily interrupted, and then resumes spontaneously, with a finite probability. Since the time spent between these pause sites is negligible compared with the time spent at pause sites, the mean time of chain elongation is well approximated by the sum of the mean times spent at each pause site. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the most prominent elongation intermediates indicated that they all have the potential to form a 3' terminal hairpin structure. This suggests that the marked variability in the rate of chain elongation is due to the formation of terminal hairpins in the product strand, or the reformation of hairpins in the template strand. A survey of the literature shows that this phenomenon occurs with most, if not all, nucleic acid polymerases. Structure-induced pauses may play a role in the regulation of nucleic acid synthesis.
Base Sequence↗
Nucleotide sequence of microvariant RNA: another small replicating molecule.
Microvariant RNA, a small self-replicating molecule (114 nucleotides long), has been isolated from Qbeta replicase reactions incubated in the absence of exogenous template. Its complete nucleotide sequence has been determined. Comparison with MDV-1 RNA, a somewhat larger endogenous Qbeta replicase product (220 nucleotides long) that had previously been characterized, revealed no significant sequence similarity. Since Qbeta replicase can mediate the synthesis of both of these disparate RNA molecules, primary sequence cannot be the sole determining factor in the processes of enzyme recognition and replication. This implies that the key is to be found in the secondary or tertiary structures. The availability of two different replicating molecules of defined sequence should aid in identifying these critical structural features.
Base Sequence↗
Detection of fragile X non-penetrant males by DNA marker analysis.
Segregation analysis of the fragile-X [fra(X)] syndrome uncovered an unexpected 20% excess of normal males among sibships by Sherman et al. (Sherman SL, Morton NE, Jacobs PA, Turner G [1984]. Ann Hum Genet 48:21-37; Sherman SL, Jacobs PA, Morton NE, Froster-Iskenius U, Howard-Peebles PN, Neilsen KB, Partington MW, Sutherland GR, Turner G, Watson M [1985]: Hum Genet 63:289-299). This result predicts that about 17% (1/6) of normal sons of carrier fra(X) females will be non-penetrant. A way to test this prediction is by DNA markers. We analyzed DNA samples from 100 families with a set of flanking DNA markers linked to the fra(X) locus. Ten of 51 (19.6%) normal brothers, doubly informative and non-recombinant for flanking DNA markers, were found to be non-penetrant males. This result closely confirms the predictions of the segregation analysis indicating that about 1/6 of normal brothers are non-penetrant carrier males. The use of DNA markers to identify non-penetrant brothers and grandfathers can help to clarify the inheritance of the fra(X) mutation and be of considerable clinical usefulness. Using DNA markers, it was possible to study grandparental transmission in 71 of the families. In 39 families, DNA analysis confirmed the apparent pattern of inheritance. In 18 families, the grandparents had a single daughter with affected children. Of these, a new mutation at the time of their daughters' conception was possible in 15 and quite likely in 3. In 14 families with 2 or more daughters with affected fra(X) offspring, the grandparents had no affected sons or other relatives known to be positive for fra(X).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
DNA↗
Linkage analysis of the fragile X syndrome using a new DNA marker U6.2 defining locus DXS304.
A new RFLP marker U6.2 defining the locus DXS304 was recently mapped to the distal long arm of the X chromosome. In the present study we report the results of genetic linkage analysis of 13 fragile X [fra(X)] families that were informative for the new marker. Analysis of the recombinants for F9-FRAXA, DXS105-FRAXA, DXS98-FRAXA, DXS52-FRAXA, DXS15-FRAXA, and F8C-FRAXA, places DXS304 distal and near to the FRAXA locus. Combined with results from previous studies, our results support the order Xcen.-F9-DXS105-DXS98-FRAXA-DXS304-DXS5 2-DXS15-F8C-Xqter. Close linkage was observed between DXS304 and the disease locus with a peak lod score of 5.12 at theta = 0.04 from the present study and, with a peak lod score of 17.45 at theta = 0.035 when our data are combined with published data from 2 other studies. The present study confirms that U6.2 is useful for prenatal diagnosis and carrier testing in families affected by fra(X) syndrome.
DNA Probes↗
Linkage in fragile X families of three distal flanking markers: ST14, DX13, and F8.
The use of linked DNA markers and linkage analysis in the fragile X [fra(X)] syndrome allows for improved genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis. In order to provide the most accurate information, it is important to determine the order and location and position of flanking markers. Conflicting results have been reported for the order of 3 DNA markers distal to the fra(X) locus. We analyzed the linkage relationships of the distal markers ST14 (DXS52), DX13 (DXS15), and F8 (F8C) in 102 fra(X) families. The results indicated that the 3 DNA markers were closely linked to one another and mapped approximately 11 to 15% recombination units away from the fra(X) locus. The most likely order was fra(X)-DXS52-DXS15-F8. The order fra(X)-DXS52-F8 and 728 times more likely than the order fra(X)-F8-DXS52. One family showed a probable double recombinant: in one individual there was recombination between fra(X)-DXS52 and between DXS52-F8. The low probability of this occurring, 0.3%, raises the possibility of an alternate chromosome arrangement or an unusual recombinant mechanism in some individuals.
Chromosome Mapping↗
Cytogenetically negative, linkage positive "fragile X" syndrome.
We investigated the family of a 3-year-old boy with manifestations of the Martin-Bell syndrome (MBS). His 17-year-old cousin had classic manifestations of MBS and was fragile X [fra(X)] positive. The 3-year-old boy was fra(X) negative. Linkage analysis with probes flanking the fra(X) region indicated that these cousins had the same X chromosome inherited from a normal grandfather. The DNA and cytogenetic analyses suggest that limitations in the ability to detect the fra(X) mutation cytogenetically may be responsible for fra(X)-negative MBS; or, alternatively, that a crossover occurred between a locus determining the MBS phenotype and one determining fra(X) expression.
Adolescent↗
Molecular characterization of a DNA probe, U6.2, located close to the fragile X locus.
A new DNA probe, U6.2, defining locus DXS304, was recently shown to be closely linked to the fragile X locus (FRAXA). It is polymorphic with a number of different enzymes, all of which are in complete linkage disequilibrium, which suggests an insertion/deletion type of polymorphism. Using the method of Sanger, we have sequenced 1,102 bp of the cloned U6.2 fragment. Analysis of the sequence showed there was a long direct repeat of 121 bp and two long inverted repeats. The first was 19 bp long, and the second was a palindromic invert of 20 bp. Such repeats could promote recombination in this region and could have been involved in the suggested insertion/deletion event that created the polymorphism detected at locus DXS304. Long fragments were observed using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), but no length variations were seen. The sequence of U6.2 will be useful in developing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assay for the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) detected at locus DXS304 which should assist with carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis of the fragile X syndrome.
Alleles↗