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H A Phillips

Publications and source records attributed to H A Phillips.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Localization of a gene for autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy to chromosome 20q 13.2.

The epilepsies comprise a group of syndromes that are divided into generalized and partial (focal) types. Familial occurrence has long been recognized but progress in mapping epilepsy genes has been slow except for rare cases where the inheritance is easily determined from classical genetic studies. Linkage is established for three generalized syndromes: the EBN1 and EBN2 genes for benign familial neonatal convulsions (BFNC) map to chromosomes 20q and 8q (refs 2-5), the EPM1 gene for Unverricht-Lundborg disease maps to 21q (ref. 6) and the gene for the northern epilepsy syndrome maps to 8p (ref. 7). A claim for linkage of the EJM1 gene for the common generalized syndrome of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy to 6p is currently in dispute. Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE) was recently described in five families. We now report the chromosomal assignment, to 20q13.2, for the gene for ADNFLE in one large Australian kindred with 27 affected individuals spanning six generations.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 20↗

A missense mutation in the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 4 subunit is associated with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.

Epilepsy affects at least 2% of the population at some time in their lives. The epilepsies are a heterogeneous group of disorders, many with an inherited component. Although specific genes have been identified in a few rare diseases causing seizures as part of a more diffuse brain disorder, the molecular pathology of the common idiopathic epilepsies is still unknown. Linkage has been reported for some generalised epilepsy syndromes, but only very recently for familial partial epilepsy syndromes. Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE) is a partial epilepsy causing frequent, violent, brief seizures at night, usually beginning in childhood. The gene for ADNFLE maps to chromosome 20q13.2-q13.3 in one large Australian kindred. The neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 4 subunit (CHRNA4) maps to the same region of 20q (ref. 12) and the gene is expressed in all layers of the frontal cortex. We screened affected family members for mutations within CHRNA4 and found a missense mutation that replaces serine with phenylalanine at codon 248, a strongly conserved amino acid residue in the second transmembrane domain. The mutation is present in all 21 available affected family members and in four obligate carriers, but not in 333 healthy control subjects.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Localization of craniosynostosis Adelaide type to 4p16.

Craniosynostosis Adelaide type is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome associated with digital abnormalities. Linkage mapping was carried out excluding allelism to Saethre-Chotzen syndrome at 7p21, craniosynostosis Boston type at 5q34-q35, Jackson-Weiss and Crouzon syndromes at 10q24-q25 and Pfeiffer syndrome mapping near 8cen. Exclusion mapping was extended to the entire genome until linkage to chromosome 4 was detected. A maximum two-point lod score of 6.2 (theta = 0.0) was obtained with D4S412. The gene responsible for craniosynostosis Adelaide type was localized to 4p16, telomeric to D4S394. This region contains two plausible candidate genes, the MSX1 (HOX7) homeobox gene and the FGFR3 fibroblast growth factor receptor gene.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Genetic mapping of the Batten disease locus (CLN3) to the interval D16S288-D16S383 by analysis of haplotypes and allelic association.

CLN3, the gene for juvenile-onset neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL) or Batten disease, has been localized by genetic linkage analysis to chromosome 16p between loci D16S297 and D16S57. We have now further refined the localization of CLN3 by haplotype analysis using two new microsatellite markers from loci D16S383 and SPN in the D16S297-D16S57 interval on a larger collaborative family resource consisting of 142 JNCL pedigrees. Crossover events in 3 maternal meioses define new flanking markers for CLN3 and localize the gene to the interval at 16p12.1-p11.2 between D16S288 and D16S383, which corresponds to a genetic distance of 2.1 cM. Within this interval 4 microsatellite loci are in strong linkage disequilibrium with CLN3, and extended haplotype analysis of the associated alleles indicates that CLN3 is in closest proximity to loci D16S299 and D16S298.

Alleles↗

A PCR-based genetic linkage map of human chromosome 16.

A high-resolution cytogenetic-based physical map and a genetic linkage map of human chromosome 16 have been developed based on 79 PCR-typable genetic markers and 2 Southern-based RFLP markers. The PCR-based markers were previously characterized polymorphic (AC)n repeats. Two approaches have led to the characterization of 47 highly informative genetic markers spread along chromosome 16, some of which are closely linked to disease loci. In addition, 22 markers (D16S401-423) previously genetically mapped were also physically mapped. Ten markers characterized by other laboratories were physically mapped and genotyped on the CEPH families. These 32 markers were incorporated into the PCR-based map. Seventy-two markers have heterozygosities > 0.50 and 51 of these markers > 0.70. By multipoint linkage analysis a framework genetic map and a comprehensive genetic map were constructed. The length of the sex-averaged framework genetic map is 152.1 cM. The average distance and the median distance between markers on this map are 3.2 and 2.7 cM, respectively, and the largest gap is 15.9 cM. These maps were anchored to the high-resolution cytogenetic map (on average 1.5 Mb per interval). Together these integrated genetic and physical maps of human chromosome 16 provide the basis for the localization and ultimately the isolation of disease genes that map to this chromosome.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of transcribed sequences from a chromosome 16 hn-cDNA library and the physical mapping of genes and transcribed sequences using a high-resolution somatic cell panel of human chromosome 16.

A hn-cDNA (heteronuclear complementary DNA) library was constructed from a mouse/human somatic cell hybrid, CY18, which contains chromosome 16 as the only human chromosome. Hexamer primers constructed from consensus 5' intron splice sequences were used to generate cDNA from the immature unspliced mRNA. The resulting cDNA library was screened with a total human DNA probe to identify potential human clones. Rescreening was necessary, and use of a mouse-derived clone with homology to 7SL RNA proved successful in eliminating the majority of mouse clones. Thirteen clones had open reading frames, and of those, five showed homology to human sequences in GenBank. Two clones had homology to random partially sequenced cDNAs, one clone was likely to be a GRP78 pseudogene, one clone mapped the PHKG2 gene to 16p11.2-16p12.1, and one clone had homology to human S13 ribosomal protein. All clones except the latter were mapped to a high-resolution somatic cell panel. Although isolation of human chromosome 16 genes from this library was successful, it was apparent that cDNA synthesis was initiated at sites other than intron splice sites, presumably by mispairing of the hexamers.

Animals↗

Integration of the cytogenetic and genetic linkage maps of human chromosome 16 using 50 physical intervals and 50 polymorphic loci.

A comprehensive genetic linkage map constructed from 50 loci represented by 68 markers was anchored to 50 cytogenetically defined intervals on human chromosome 16. The linear order of the loci on the cytogenetic map was compatible with the independently derived linear order on the genetic map. The sex-averaged genetic length is 164.5 cM, with an average distance between loci of 3.3 cM. Sex-specific distances are 132.8 cM in males and 201.8 cM in females. This is the first detailed synthesis of genetic and cytogenetic maps for any human chromosome and is the first step in correlating the genetic and physical maps of this chromosome. The combined map, containing 15 loci with a minimum heterozygosity of 60% and 6 PCR-formatted microsatellite markers, will be useful for assignment and regional localization of disease genes to this chromosome.

Chromosome Mapping↗

A microsatellite marker within the duplicated D16S79 locus has a null allele; significance for linkage mapping.

The dinucleotide repeat 16AC66f3 was characterised from D16S79A within a duplicated section of 16p13.11, which is duplicated on all normal chromosome 16's. This marker has a common null allele caused by polymorphism within one of the primer sites. A redesigned primer overcame this problem; however, this allowed amplification of two dinucleotide repeats, at D16S79A and D16S79B, with an overlapping and uninterpretable distribution of alleles. Thus, the 16AC66F3 marker with a null allele is potentially useful for linkage mapping, as it avoids the ambiguity associated with the genotyping of homologous AC repeats at this duplicated locus. The distribution of additional D16S79 RFLPs flanking FRA16A is clarified.

Alleles↗

Refined genetic localization for central core disease.

Central core disease (CCO) is an autosomal dominant myopathy clinically distinct from malignant hyperthermia (MHS). In a large kindred in which the gene for CCO is segregating, two-point linkage analysis gave a maximum lod score, between the central core disease locus (CCO) and the ryanodine receptor locus (RYR1), of 11.8, with no recombination. Mutation within RYR1 is responsible for MHS, and RYR1 is also a candidate locus for CCO. A combination of physical mapping using a radiation-induced human-hamster hybrid panel and of multipoint linkage analysis using the Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain families established the marker order and sex-average map distances (in centimorgans) on the background map as D19S75-(5.2)-D19S9-(3.4)-D19S191-(2.2)-RYR1-(1.7)-D19S190-(1.6)-D19S47-(2.0)- CYP2B. Recombination was observed between CCO and the markers flanking RYR1. These linkage data are consistent with the hypothesis that CCO and RYR1 are allelic. The most likely position for CCO is near RYR1, with a multipoint lod score of 11.4, in 19q13.1 between D19S191 and D19S190, within the same interval as MHS (RYR1).

Alleles↗

Incidence and origin of "null" alleles in the (AC)n microsatellite markers.

Twenty-three (AC)n repeat markers from chromosome 16 were typed in the parents of the 40 CEPH (Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain) families. Where parents were informative, the entire families were then typed. There were seven markers in which null alleles were demonstrated, as recognized by the apparent noninheritance, by a sib, of a parental allele. Four of these markers showed a null allele in a single sibship, while in the other three at least 30% of the CEPH sibships were shown to have a null allele segregating. One null allele was sequenced and shown to be the result of an 8-bp deletion occurring within the priming sequence for PCR amplification of the (AC)n repeats. In gene mapping or in application to diagnosis, the presence of a segregating null allele will not corrupt the linkage data but could result in loss of information. In isolated instances a segregating null allele may be interpreted as nonpaternity. The presence of a null allele may generate misleading data when individuals are haplotyped to determine the presence of linkage disequilibrium with a disease gene.

Alleles↗

Design and performance of a trickle-bed bioreactor with immobilized hybridoma cells.

A trickle-bed system employing inert matrices of vermiculite or polyurethane foam packed in the downcomer section of a split-flow air-lift reactor has been developed for hybridoma culture to enhance antibody productivity. This quiescent condition favoured occlusion and allowed the cells to achieve densities twelve fold greater (12.8 x 10(6) cells/ml reactor for polyurethane foam) than in free cell suspension. The reactor was operated in a cyclic batch mode whereby defined volumes of medium were periodically withdrawn and replaced with equal volumes of fresh medium. The pH of the medium was used as the indicator of the feeding schedule. Glucose, lactate and ammonia concentrations reached a stationary value after 5 days. With vermiculite packing, a monoclonal antibody (MAb) concentration of 2.4 mg/l was achieved after 12 days. The MAb concentration declined then increased to a value of 1.8 mg/l. In the polyurethane foam average monoclonal antibody (MAb) concentrations reached a stationary value of 1.1 mg/l in the first 20 days and increased to a new stationary state value of 2.1 mg/l for the remainder of the production. MAb productivity in the trickle-bed reactor was 0.3 mg/l.d (polyurethane foam) and 0.18 mg/l.d (vermiculite) in comparison to 0.12 mg/l.d for free cell suspension. This trickle-bed system seems to be an attractive way of increasing MAb productivity in culture.

Alanine↗

A (CA)n repeat polymorphism for the human skeletal muscle alpha-actinin gene ACTN2 and its localization on the linkage map of chromosome 1.

A CA dinucleotide repeat polymorphism has been identified for the skeletal muscle alpha-actinin gene ACTN2. The observed heterozygosity is 44% (predicted heterozygosity 50%, PIC 0.47). This polymorphic marker has been localized between D1S74 and D1S103 on the multipoint linkage map of chromosome 1 at a position 44.4 cM from the most distal marker D1S68 at 1 qter.

Actinin↗

Media for hybridoma growth and monoclonal antibody production.

For the economical production of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), the cell-culture medium must be optimized for three different phases: growth of the hybridomas, MAb productivity of the hybridomas, and MAb purification or downstream processing. Medium improvements are necessary to meet these requirements for large-scale MAb production. Information bearing on this issue is being addressed in two research areas, cell biology and biochemical engineering, and is reviewed in this article.

Journal Article↗

A system oriented electrocardiographic amplifier.

A low noise, programmable gain amplifier has been developed for acquiring ECG data from a variety of recording environments. Features include: low noise (4muV peak-to-peak) differential inputs; digitally programmable gains (range 100 to 16000) and output DC offsets (range -3.5 to +4 V) controlled via a serial interface; externally selectable low frequency response (0.04 or 0.08 Hz); and an on-board output monitor multiplexer controlled via a second serial interface.

Amplifiers, Electronic↗