Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Bernardi

Publications and source records attributed to F Bernardi.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

A HindIII RFLP and a gene lesion in the coagulation factor VIII gene.

The presence and inheritance of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and gene lesions in the coagulation factor VIII gene were investigated in 15 hemophilia families. An abnormal HindIII 2.6-kb band, previously detected in a severe hemophiliac, was observed in a not severely affected patient and also in the normal gene of a woman carrying a hemophilic gene in which the lesions was found. The TaqI site in exon 24 of this defective gene was removed by a C to T transition causing an amino acid change (Arg----Gln). Very low amounts of factor VIII activity and antigen were detected in the severely affected grandson. The presence of the HindIII 2.6-kb fragment in both normal and pathological genes indicates that a factor VIII RFLP without functional meaning was found. Its frequency, determined in 60 chromosomes, is 0.18. Double digestions enabled us to map the polymorphic site 3' to the exon 19.

Antigens↗

Transcription of the target is required for IS102 mediated deletions.

We have constructed several plasmids to test the specificity of target selection for IS102 associated deletions. We had previously shown that the cIII region of phage lambda is a target for IS102 mediated deletions and this region was therefore introduced in pSC101, where IS102 resides, in such a way that it was silent, transcribed or fully expressed. The deletion selection was provided by the galactokinase system. The results we have obtained show that transcription of the target region is required for deletion formation. The frequency of deletions in this target depends on its position along the transcript and is also influenced by translation. Implications of these results on the regional specificity of transposition are discussed.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

A frequent factor XII gene mutation in Hageman trait.

An additional TaqI restriction site was mapped in intron 2 of the factor XII gene. The site was found only in subjects with total or partial factor XII deficiency and thus represents the true gene lesion or a very tightly linked restriction fragment length polymorphism. The altered gene identified by this marker is present in four (three heterozygotes and one homozygote) of five unrelated Hageman trait subjects from different Italian regions. In the homozygous state the altered gene gives rise to a very marked reduction of factor XII activity. No deletion was found in the deficient factor XII genes.

Blotting, Southern↗

von Willebrand disease investigated by two novel RFLPs.

Two partial cDNAs for von Willebrand factor (vWF) were used to investigate gene lesions and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in vW disease (vWd) and normal controls. No gene alteration was detected but two TaqI RFLPs, likely to be intronic and originating from point mutations, were found in the 3' part of vWF gene. The two TaqI RFLPs, identified by the same probe, are informative in approximately 50% of the subjects. Used in combination with two other known RFLPs, they define several haplotypes similarly distributed in vWd and normals. Linkage disequilibrium between loci identified by the RFLPs is present. In a family study the RFLP patterns demonstrate homozygosity for the affected vWF gene in a severe (type III) patient and identify several heterozygous subjects. The RFLPs analysis has been related to the haemostatic values and multimer distribution. In two of the four unrelated patients with severe vWd examined the RFLPs study indicates double heterozygosity for the affected vWF genes.

Genetic Linkage↗

Use of 3'HVR genomic probe for presymptomatic diagnosis of adult polycystic kidney disease in northern Italy: comparison of DNA analysis and renal ultrasonographic data.

A highly polymorphic DNA probe (3'HVR) with genetic linkage to the locus of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease was used for screening. Families with subjects at risk were from the Po river delta region (Northern Italy), where the disease accounts for 24% of the demands for dialysis. 3'HVR alleles were investigated in white blood cell DNA from 142 members of 18 families. The genomic marker was found informative in 88% of cases. Two recombinations between the marker and the disease locus were observed in 79 meioses. In 42 of the subjects at risk the results of DNA analysis and renal ultrasonography were compared. In 36 subjects the tests confirmed each other (18 were positive). In the other six subjects (all under 20 years of age and four under 10) only DNA analysis could diagnose the inheritance of cystic disease in the absence of demonstrable cysts. The findings indicate that in the population of the Po river delta the presymptomatic detection of adult polycystic kidney disease by 3'HVR linkage analysis is feasible in 88% of cases with approximately 95% reliability.

Adolescent↗

MPTP fails to induce lipid peroxidation in vivo.

It has been speculated that the conversion of MPTP to MPP+ destroys dopaminergic neurons by promoting the generation of hydroxyl radicals and causes lipid peroxidation. The results obtained in the present work indicate that the primary products of lipid peroxidation are not detectable in MPTP treated animals and thus other mechanisms besides lipid peroxidation should be considered to explain the cytotoxicity of this neurotoxin.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

RFLP analysis in families with sporadic hemophilia A. Estimate of the mutation ratio in male and female gametes.

To investigate the sporadic occurrence of hemophilia A and to estimate the sex ratio of mutation rates directly, 17 families with isolated cases of the disorder were studied by RFLP analysis and by clotting assays. Three RFLPs, one intragenic and two with close linkage to hemophilia A, were used. In eight families the RFLP study excluded the carrier status of the maternal grandmothers. Since hemostatic studies showed that the eight mothers of these propositi were hemophilia carriers, the origin of the newly mutated genes was inferred from the RFLP patterns: six hemophilic genes derived from the normal maternal grandfathers and two, from maternal grandmothers. The data indicate a higher mutation rate in males than in females, as previously suggested by segregation analysis and coagulation studies. However the sex ratio indicated by the RFLP analysis is lower than previously reported and could explain previous conflicting estimates.

Female↗

De novo complex autosomal translocation involving chromosomes 8, 13 and 15 in a girl with a sporadic retinoblastoma.

We report a case of a 5-month-old female with sporadic monolateral retinoblastoma (RB) with a constitutional de novo complex autosomal translocation involving chromosomes 8, 13 and 15 resulting in a deletion of chromosome 13q14 confirmed by esterase D assay. The translocation of the terminal portion of chromosome 8 has been observed by in situ hybridization with c-myc and thyroglobulin probes.

Chromosome Banding↗

Role of replication in IS102-mediated deletion formation.

Intramolecular transposition produces replicon dissociation in a bireplicon; this reaction is homologous to the well-characterized IS-associated deletions in the case of a monoreplicon. However the frequencies at which these two reactions occur differ by a factor of more than 10(2) in favor of deletion formation. This raises the question of how these deletions occur. We show that the presence of a productive replication on the fragment to be deleted interferes with deletion formation. Our results also suggest that the deleted fragment is not degraded during deletion formation.

Chromosome Deletion↗

Cloning and characterization of the immunity region of phage phi 80.

The immunity region of phage phi 80 has been localized. It codes for at least three proteins: a protein of 34 kDa which has the biological properties of the phage repressor, and two other proteins of 9 kDa and 18 kDa which are the first proteins on the rightward operon. These two proteins are negatively regulated by the 34 kDa protein at a divergent promoter site. By position analogy with phage lambda, but not by its biological activity, the 9 kDa protein could be the cro product. The 18 kDa protein is able to block totally UV induction of phage phi 80.

Cloning, Molecular↗

c-myc oncogene alterations in human thyroid carcinomas.

A possible role of the c-myc oncogene in the neoplastic transformation of the human thyroid has been investigated. The structure, the methylation status, and the copy number of this oncogene have been analyzed in normal and in tumor thyroid DNAs by Southern blotting technique and dot blot hybridization. Among six carcinomas, four presented abnormal c-myc DNA structure: Three cases showed a mutation in the 5' flanking region of the gene, originating a new EcoRI site; the other case showed a deletion of 5 kb involving the first exon of the gene. This deletion was also observed in the white blood cells of the same individual. In addition, in three carcinomas a double dose of the oncogene has been demonstrated. In all the carcinomas examined, undermethylation of the c-myc oncogene has been observed. These findings suggest that c-myc oncogene alterations might be involved in the malignant transformation of the human thyroids and can be considered as tumor markers.

Base Sequence↗

Factor XII gene alteration in Hageman trait detected by TaqI restriction enzyme.

A cDNA for coagulation factor XII has been used to investigate the presence of gene lesions and restriction fragment length polymorphisms in two brothers with Hageman trait and their family. A TaqI polymorphic fragment has been found in the two propositi and in 11 members of the paternal lineage. This polymorphism, absent in the normal population, is correlated with the reduction of factor XII activity and enables the identification of heterozygous factor XII deficiency. Factor XII gene deletion as the cause of Hageman trait in this family has been excluded. A restriction map has been constructed, and the TaqI polymorphic site has been localized within the 5' portion of the gene. The mutation in the polymorphic site is probably the cause of the factor XII deficiency. Data suggest the presence of one factor XII gene per haploid genome.

Collodion↗