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D E Barton

Publications and source records attributed to D E Barton.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Genetic mapping of X-linked ocular albinism: linkage analysis in a large Newfoundland kindred.

Genetic linkage studies in a large Newfoundland family affected by X-linked ocular albinism (OA1) showed linkage to markers from Xp22.3. One recombinant mapped the disease proximal to DXS143 (dic56) and two recombinants mapped the disease distal to DXS85 (782). Combining the data with that from 16 British families previously published confirmed close linkage between OA1 and DXS143 (dic56; Zmax = 21.96 at theta = 0.01, confidence interval (CI) 0.0005-0.05) and linkage to DXS85 (782; Zmax = 17.60 at theta = 0.07, CI = 0.03-0.13) and DXS237 (GMGX9; Zmax = 15.20 at theta = 0.08, CI = 0.03-0.15). Multipoint analysis (LINKMAP) gave the most likely order as Xpter-XG-DXS237-DXS 143-OA1-DXS85, with odds of 48:1 over the order Xpter-XG-DXS237-OA1-DXS143-DXS85, and odds exceeding 10(10):1 over other locations for the disease locus.

Albinism, Ocular↗

Genotype analysis in cystic fibrosis in relation to the occurrence of diabetes mellitus.

Carbohydrate intolerance and frank diabetes mellitus (DM) are recognised features of cystic fibrosis (CF), but their cause has not been established. Damage to the islet cells due to pancreatic fibrosis is the most common explanation. The relationship between the genotype and the occurrence of diabetes mellitus has been examined in 21 cystic fibrosis patients attending our out-patient chest clinics. DNA samples were tested for the presence of the most common mutation (delta F508) and the results related to the degree of carbohydrate intolerance. We found that in CF patients over 18 years of age diabetes is more frequent among those homozygous for the delta F508 allele than the heterozygotes (P < 0.05). Those homozygous for delta F508 were diagnosed as CF at an earlier age than the heterozygotes (P < 0.05). Both the mean age and the female/male ratio were similar in the diabetic and non-diabetic groups. The prevalence of the delta F508 allele was similar to that expected in a random sample of East Anglian cystic fibrosis patients. These data suggest that the occurrence of diabetes mellitus in patients with cystic fibrosis is related to the genotype, which could be secondary to the way the genetic factors influence the degree of pancreatic disease and its rate of progression.

Adolescent↗

Cystic fibrosis identified by neonatal screening: incidence, genotype, and early natural history.

The incidence of cystic fibrosis over the last 10 years in East Anglia (a region of the United Kingdom with a population of 2.1 million) has halved. This has happened during the establishment of a neonatal screening programme, which has enabled early diagnosis, genetic counselling, and lately the option of prenatal diagnosis in subsequent pregnancies. One hundred and seven children were born with cystic fibrosis between 1981 and 1990, eight of whom were siblings. The Guthrie blood spots of 82 infants detected by neonatal immunoreactive trypsin screening between 1981 and 1990 were examined for the presence of the most common cystic fibrosis gene mutation (delta F508). It was present in 135 (82%) of the 164 cystic fibrosis genes analysed with 54 (66%) cases being homozygous and 27 (33%) heterozygous. Sixty nine per cent of infants were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis regardless of genotype. No association was found between the early clinical or biochemical features of the disease and homozygosity or heterozygosity for this mutation. Screening for cystic fibrosis using the blood immunoreactive trypsin assay alone remains an effective method of identifying infants with the disease soon after birth, thereby allowing early therapeutic intervention. Genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis have contributed to a reduction in the number of children born with cystic fibrosis, but may not entirely explain the decreasing incidence of the disease.

Cystic Fibrosis↗

Genetic mapping of the Kallmann syndrome and X linked ocular albinism gene loci.

The X linked form of Kallmann syndrome (KAL) and X linked ocular albinism (OA1) have both been mapped to Xp22.3. We have used a dinucleotide repeat polymorphism at the Kallmann locus to type 17 X linked ocular albinism families which had previously been typed for the Xg blood group (XG) and the DNA markers DXS237 (GMGX9), DXS143 (dic56), and DXS85 (782). Close linkage was found between KAL and OA1 with a maximum lod score (Zmax) of 30.14 at a recombination fraction (theta max) of 0.06 (confidence interval for theta: 0.03-0.10). KAL was also closely linked to DXS237 (Zmax = 15.32; theta max = 0.05; CI 0.02-0.12) and DXS143 (Zmax = 14.57; theta max = 0.05; CI 0.02-0.13). There was looser linkage to the Xg blood group (XG) and to DXS85 (782). Multipoint linkage analysis gave the map: Xpter-XG-0.13-DXS237-0.025-KAL-0.025-DXS143-0.01 5-OA1-0.09-DXS85-Xcen. Placement of OA1 proximal to DXS143 was supported by odds of 2300:1 compared to other orders. This confirms our previous localisation of OA1 and improves the genetic mapping of both disease loci.

Albinism↗

Evaluation of molecular genetic diagnosis in the management of familial adenomatous polyposis coli: a population based study.

A population based clinical and molecular genetic study of familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAPC) was performed to investigate the value of molecular genetic analysis and ophthalmological assessment in the presymptomatic diagnosis of FAPC. The point prevalence of affected patients was 2.62 x 10(-5) (1/38,000) and the minimum heterozygote prevalence was estimated at 3.8 x 10(-5) (1/26,000). Eight of 33 (24%) probands were new mutations. Forty-eight asymptomatic relatives at 50% prior risk aged between 10 and 40 years were assessed for risk modification with linked DNA markers: in nine subjects (18%) the family structure was unsuitable for linkage based analysis, but 32 subjects were informative with a panel of intragenic and closely linked markers (25 had a combined age/DNA related risk of < 1% (low risk group) and seven were at high risk (DNA predicted risk > 99%)). Ophthalmological assessment for CHRPEs showed that 27/43 (63%) affected patients and high risk relatives and 0/18 low risk relatives had more than three CHRPEs. Interfamilial variation in CHRPE expression was apparent. This study has shown that DNA based risk modification with intragenic and closely linked DNA markers is informative in most FAPC families. In addition to the clinical benefits of presymptomatic diagnosis for FAPC, the reduction in screening for low risk relatives (365 person years in the present study) means that molecular genetic diagnosis of FAPC is a cost effective procedure.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Presymptomatic diagnosis of von Hippel-Lindau disease with flanking DNA markers.

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is a dominantly inherited cancer syndrome characterised by the development of retinal, cerebellar, and spinal haemangioblastomas, renal cell carcinoma, and phaeochromocytoma. The gene for VHL disease has been mapped to chromosome 3p25-p26 and flanking markers identified. We have investigated the usefulness of currently available DNA markers for the presymptomatic diagnosis of VHL disease. In the first part of this investigation, genetic linkage data from two previously published studies were updated and reanalysed to provide accurate estimates of sex specific recombination fractions and to confirm that there is no evidence of locus heterogeneity. In the second part of this study, 14 families containing 23 asymptomatic subjects at 50% prior risk of VHL disease were investigated with closely linked DNA markers (RAF1, D3S18, D3S732). Seventeen subjects were informative with one or more markers, six of whom were informative at markers flanking the VHL disease gene. By combining age related and DNA based risk information the carrier risk for 11 subjects was reduced to < 2%.

Adolescent↗

Molecular analysis of the Mov 34 mutation: transcript disrupted by proviral integration in mice is conserved in Drosophila.

The Mov 34 mutation is a recessive embryonic lethal mutation caused by retroviral integration in the murine germline. This integration disrupts a transcription unit that appears to encode a novel protein. The Mov 34 proviral integration is located on mouse chromosome 8 and the human homolog of this gene has been mapped to chromosome region 16q23-q24. An evolutionarily conserved syntenic relationship exists between this region of human chromosome 16 and a region of mouse chromosome 8 that also contains oligosyndactyly (Os), another recessive lethal mutation. Genetic studies have ruled out Os as residing at the same locus as the Mov 34 integration. The Mov 34 transcript is conserved in evolution, and a Drosophila homolog appears to encode a protein with 62% amino acid identity to the murine protein. In situ hybridization to Drosophila polytene chromosomes localizes the Drosophila homolog to 60B,C on chromosome 2. Several Drosophila lethal mutations also map to this region.

Alleles↗

Blast-1 possesses a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) membrane anchor, is related to LFA-3 and OX-45, and maps to chromosome 1q21-23.

Blast-1 is a human activation-associated glycoprotein expressed on the surface of leukocytes. Analysis of a translated sequence from a Blast-1 cDNA reveals a single hydrophobic sequence which could traverse the plasma membrane, but is devoid of charged residues that might represent a cytoplasmic tail. Consistent with this characteristic, Blast-1 is demonstrated here to be anchored to the cell surface through a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-containing lipid. Comparison of Blast-1 to other GPI-anchored membrane proteins revealed a striking primary and secondary structure similarity with MRC OX45 and the lymphocyte function antigen LFA-3. The degree of overall amino acid sequence homology reveals that OX45 is a rat homologue of Blast-1. The greatest homology to LFA-3 occurs between their NH2-terminal Ig-like domains. Evidence is presented that demonstrates that Blast-1 and LFA-3 possess a disulfide-bonded second domain. These common characteristics demonstrate a structural and evolutionary relationship between Blast-1, OX45, LFA-3, and CD2, which in turn suggests a functional role for Blast-1 in cell-cell interactions in the immune response. The gene for Blast-1 has been localized to chromosome 1 q21-q23, indistinguishable from the CD1 cluster of Ig superfamily genes, raising the possibility that they may be linked.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Level of expression and chromosome mapping of the mouse cholecystokinin gene: implications for murine models of genetic obesity.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a neuropeptide which is present in brain and intestine and which stimulates gall bladder contraction and pancreatic secretion. Additional studies have demonstrated an appetite-suppressing effect of CCK in vivo. These data have aroused speculation that the physiology of this hormone could be relevant in the pathogenesis of the mouse obesity mutations ob on chromosome 6 and db on chromosome 4. In order to determine whether abnormalities of this hormone could be the primary defect in these obesity mutations, we have used three separate approaches to map the mouse Cck gene to distal chromosome 9, where it is part of a syntenic group between mouse chromosome 9 and human chromosome 3. These data therefore exclude cholecystokinin as the etiologic factor in the pathogenesis of any of the known mouse obesity syndromes. In order to exclude the possibility that there are differences in mutant animals in the level of CCK RNA, we have used an S1 nuclease protection assay as well as a novel radioimmunoassay that detects the CCK precursor, to show that there are no gross differences in CCK mRNA or protein precursor levels between ob/ob and wild-type animals.

Alleles↗

Mapping of genes for inhibin subunits alpha, beta A, and beta B on human and mouse chromosomes and studies of jsd mice.

Inhibin (INH) is a gonadal glycoprotein hormone that regulates pituitary FSH secretion and may also play a role in the regulation of androgen biosynthesis. There are two forms of inhibin that strongly inhibit pituitary FSH secretion. These share the same alpha subunit that is covalently linked to one of two distinct beta subunits (beta A or beta B). However, dimers of two beta subunits are potent stimulators of FSH synthesis and release in vitro. The beta subunits share extensive sequence similarity with transforming growth factor beta. Recently isolated cDNAs for all three inhibin subunits have been used to map their cognate loci on human and mouse chromosomes by Southern blot analysis of somatic cell hybrid DNAs and by in situ hybridization. INH alpha and INH beta B genes were assigned to human chromosome 2, regions q33----qter and cen----q13, respectively, and to mouse chromosome 1. The INH beta A locus was mapped to human chromosome 7p15----p14 and mouse chromosome 13. The region of mouse chromosome 1 that carries other genes known to have homologs on human chromosome 2q includes the jsd locus (for juvenile spermatogonial depletion). Adult jsd/jsd mice have elevated levels of serum FSH and their testes are devoid of spermatogonial cells. The possibility that the mutation in jsd involves the INH alpha or INH beta B gene was investigated by Southern blotting of DNA from jsd/jsd mice, and no major deletions or rearrangements were detected.

Animals↗

Human SSAV-related endogenous retroviral element: LTR-like sequence and chromosomal localization to 18q21.

A new family of human endogenous retroviral sequences was recently discovered by way of its relationship to the simian sarcoma-associated virus (SSAV). One molecular clone, termed S71, contains sequences related to the genes coding for the group-specific antigens (gag) and polymerase (pol) proteins of SSAV. At the 3' end of this human retroviral element we have now found a 535-bp region which shows features characteristics of a retroviral long terminal repeat, including potential signal sequences essential for transcriptional control. By means of Southern blotting and in situ hybridization, the sequence was mapped to chromosome 18 band q21.

Animals↗

Isolation, chromosomal mapping, and expression of the mouse tyrosinase gene.

Using a human tyrosinase cDNA probe, we have isolated mouse tyrosinase genomic clones and used them to map the mouse tyrosinase locus and to analyze the promoter sequence of the tyrosinase gene. Southern blot analyses of DNA from somatic cell hybrids, interspecies backcross mice, and albino deletion mice have revealed that the locus for mouse tyrosinase resides at or near the albino locus on mouse chromosome 7. There were three TATA-elements, but only one CAT-element, and the CAT-element appeared to be paired with the third TATA-element, located at the position farthest upstream. Mouse tyrosinase mRNA is approximately 2.4 Kb in size. The amount of tyrosinase mRNA reflects the levels of tyrosinase activity in normal melanocytes and Cloudman S-91 melanoma cell line.

Albinism↗

Chromosome mapping of the growth hormone receptor gene in man and mouse.

Pituitary growth hormone (GH) is essential for normal growth and development in animals and GH deficiency leads to dwarfism. This hormone acts via specific high-affinity cell surface receptors found in liver and other tissues. The recent cloning and sequencing of cDNAs encoding human and rabbit GH receptors (GHR) has demonstrated that this receptor is unrelated to any previously described cell membrane receptor or growth factor receptor. We have used the cloned human GHR cDNA to map the GHR locus to the proximal short arm of human chromosome 5, region p13.1----p12, and to mouse chromosome 15 by Southern blot analysis and in situ hybridization. While human chromosome 5 carries several genes for hormone and growth factor receptors, GHR is the only growth-related gene so far mapped to the short arm. Inasmuch as GHR is the first gene with apparently homologous loci on human chromosome 5 and mouse chromosome 15, it identifies a new homologous conserved region. In humans, deficiency of GH receptor activity probably causes Laron-type dwarfism, an autosomal recessive disorder prevalent in Oriental Jews. In mice, the autosomal recessive mutation miniature (mn) is characterized by severe growth failure and early death and has been mapped to chromosome 15. Our assignment of Ghr to mouse chromosome 15 suggests this as a candidate gene for the mn mutation.

Animals↗

Molecular characterization and chromosomal mapping of melanoma growth stimulatory activity, a growth factor structurally related to beta-thromboglobulin.

Melanoma growth stimulatory activity (MGSA) is a mitogenic polypeptide secreted by Hs294T human melanoma cells. Comparison of the N-terminal sequences of the 13 and 16 kd MGSA species with the cDNA sequence revealed that the mature form of human MGSA is maximally 73 amino acids long. Expression of the cDNA in mammalian cells results in the secretion of this peptide with mitogenic activity. MGSA is structurally related to the platelet-derived beta-thromboglobulin and to several other polypeptides. These factors may constitute a family of growth factors. MGSA mRNA was detected in a variety of cell types. The level of MGSA mRNA in melanoma cells is strongly elevated by treatment with MGSA. MGSA is the gene product of a recently detected gene gro. The gene was mapped to chromosome 4 (region q13----q21). This same region also contains genes for two of the structurally related factors, for c-kit, a receptor for an as yet unidentified ligand, and for 'piebald trait', an inherited skin pigmentation disorder.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Assignment of the T-cell differentiation gene MAL to human chromosome 2, region cen----q13.

A cDNA clone has recently been isolated that encodes a protein expressed only in the intermediate and late stages of T-cell differentiation, termed MAL. The polypeptide deduced from the MAL cDNA sequence contains four potential transmembrane domains. We have used a panel of 28 human X rodent hybrid cell lines to assign the MAL gene to the proximal long arm of human chromosome 2, region cen----q13. The significance of the MAL map position and its relationship with other genes on chromosome 2 are discussed.

Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte↗